Review: Wasted time that could have been better spent
Rating: 1 out of 5
Date: 04 10, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author’s for their generosity.I must preface my review by stating that this book narrowly missed being a DNF. I am wishing I had quit reading sooner, as it didn’t get any better. The two females on the cover, along with the blurb, mislead me into thinking this would be a book about strong women. Nothing could be further from the truth.Problem 1: World building and Characterization-Sera is described as being part phoenix/part gypsy/part vampyre. However, she is portrayed as having a mortal pulse, blood flow, and breath. This is a departure from normal vamp canon that is never explained as to why she is different.-I also became confused as to when Sera was turned, and if she really was a vampyre, as she takes on none of the characteristics commonly attributed to such a group. At one point I thought she had been turned when the Titanic sank, at another point, it is claimed she was turned recently. I am still confused on this point.-She is described as being 124 years old with the body of a 24 year old; yet acts like a whiney teenager. So when should she be hitting adulthood? IDK, no explanation.-Adri is described as being the daughter of a maenad and Dionysius with unique powers who was trained to be a warrior by Ares.-She has the power to compel groups of men, but not individuals. Yet, when confronted with a group of men and their lustful looks, she is unable to use her power of compulsion. Why doesn’t she, and why one and not the other? Also never explained.-Rarely does she act like a trained warrior, instead, freezing and vacillating when confronted with situations that call for action. When not doing that, she is being “saved” by a man unknown to her who conveniently shows up when needed. Also, in that department, later on she finally recognizes him as her “one true love” she met once and could never find for untold years.-At no point does Adri just ask this man what flavor of supernatural he is, but would rather waffle between trusting and wanting him, to worrying he is a demon and a threat to her and her daughter.-At one point, Adri is described as having an affinity for and receiving power from, water. The authors seem confused as to who and what Dionysius and maenads were/represent. (the god of wine, fertility, ritual madness and ecstasy. Maenads= wild/raving/demented immortal women who were followers of the wine god.) Water is Poseidon’s realm, so was she granted special access to this power by the water god? IDK, it’s not explained.-At another point, Zeus is said have kicked her out of Olympus, at either over two thousand years ago or three millennium. Which is it? That is a large discrepancy time wise.-Adri wonders why her daughter won’t share important life details, like having visions, until she finds out accidentally. Her care of Sera reads more like a bad case of attachment parenting.Problem 2:-Shadowbridge: Is it a town, the surrounding area, or just the castle? Never explained, and the name is used to refer to all three.-Also: where is it located? The author makes it sound like it's out in the French countryside, yet the characters seem to just travel there without regards to time or distance.Problem 3:-Time: We are told it is the anniversary of the Titanic sinking. In the next moment the character’s have to rush to Shadowbridge to seal a portal caused by a rift around the spring equinox. So, where is all the evil hiding that should be spewing from an opened portal? Again, spring equinox is roughly around the middle of March, and it’s now April. It must not be that important after all.Problem 4:-the misuse of words: “obliterating no detail.” I believe the word wanted is omitting.-the use of subliminal instead of subconscious.- these people basically create their own drama and problems by their choices or non-choices, along with their inability to own up to their mistakes and learn from them, and then bemoan what happens next. I don’t find that tension building, or traits of strong women. it’s boring, ordinary BS.There are more problems I had with the story, but these are just some of the easily noticeable ones. I won’t be reading further books in the series as I don’t care what happens to the characters or their self produced problems.