Review: Spider Web is just the beginning....
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 28, 2014
As I've stated before I don't give out 5 star ratings very often and this is another case of my not doing so. The writing is very good, the story is compelling but for some reason it didn't grab me quite like From the Ashes or Into Forever did. Having said that I do recommend Spider Web and give it a solid 4.2 rating. I can honestly say I am a fan of Ms. James and her vampire families and am waiting impatiently for her next book, whatever it may be.There are a lot of characters in Spider Web but don't let that deter you from reading. The connections are made quickly and with Ms. James' skill as a writer it easy to keep them straight without a flow chart.The first person you meet is Jules. I will warn you, the opening scene is heartbreaking and I will not lie, it had me in tears. The detailed depiction of Jules' devastation over the lose of her husband is so honest and raw you cannot help but be moved. I don't want to give too much away but the way Jules deals with the loss of her husband throughout the book rang completely true to me. Bravo Ms. James.The next people you meet are Michael and Shannon. I can only tell you what happens between them is crucial to the story and choices that are made. Shortly after meeting them you are introduced to the Boston Daywalker Clan, starting with Nick. Nick is a mystery to everyone who knows him but he is intriguing and piqued my interest right off the bat. At the same time we meet Nick we meet Jolice. I like to think of her as the magnet, she is bringing everyone together and I would really like to see more of her in the future. Then you meet Phoenix, you might remember him from Out of the Dark. I cannot wait to read his story. And lastly, we are introduced to the other members of the Boston Clan to include the leader, Victor. As Ms. James sets the stage with her characters, action and intrigue are wound and spun in such away that once everyone is in place everything explodes and you are in for one wild, satisfying ride.This is a story of love, loss, and new love found. A story of faults, redemption, and hard choices. And a story of perseverance, lines drawn, sides chosen, and the true meaning of family and loyalty. People are not who they seem, major players are so well disguised you won't see the truth until it smacks you in the face. Spider Web is a jumping off place and the sky is the limit for Ms. James. She can literally take us anywhere she wants from here. The connections are so solid and the doors are so open there is no telling where we will end up or who we might see in the future.Spider Web is a connected book. It is a full stand alone story but there are loose ends that will be tied up in future books. Looking forward to the next installment. I hope it is soon.