Review: An especially good free read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 10, 2013
Because this was free, I'm almost embarrassed to offer any criticism. The author has introduced us to a new and interesting world, and her writing shows great potential. And there's the rub. There is potential, but some of it is unrealized in this book. The characters are, despite their supernatural origins and beauty, essentially flat. A plot device causes them to fall in love, and it, of course, becomes the real thing, but it seems based on nothing more than awesome sexual encounters. Of course he's brave. Obviously she's honorable. Certainly they are both so gorgeous, it's amazing that they can walk down a street without being mobbed by strangers. In fact, they have no REAL flaws, merely plot devices intended to bring some kind of "will they/won't they" suspense to the story, but which only end in frustrating the reader. It is one of the few times that I have begun a book and been so pleasantly surprised by how good it is, only to end the book with such a feeling of letdown and disappointment. The plot device that really ruined it for me, in case, Dear Author, you would like to work on it, was that the Hero believes himself to be the last of his kind. Turns out *SPOILER ALERT* that he is surrounded by his kind, all of whom, through countless centuries, have managed to evade his search for them by apparently always having on hand the one kind of perfumed mixture that disguises their scent from him. This seriously strained my credulity. I mean, seriously. Every single one of his kind apparently knows where he is at all times, even though he travels extensively searching for them, and they always have the perfumed mixture with them, or they manage to keep far enough away that he doesn't smell them? I'm sorry, but you only get one "gimme," and this plot device was simply unbelievable, even in the context of the story. I would buy this book, if the author came out with a re-worked version, in which she fleshed out her characters and addressed this issue in a less incredulous way. It could have been that good! As it is, it's not a waste of time to read, and there are some amazing word choices, some expressions and descriptive language that really blew me away. The author has some real talent, and I think she owes it to her readers and herself to continue developing that talent. I look forward to reading more.