Review: Pleasantly Surprised!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 23, 2012
I always read a few reviews before I start a book. I thoroughly enjoyed the first few books of the series (with only a few minor annoyances I will address), so when I read the reviews for Blood Domination and learned the series was being taken in a bizarre science fiction direction I felt disappointed and hesitant to begin reading it. Not that I have anything against the sci-fi genre, mind you, it's just that I have experienced much dismay with other urban fantasy series attempting to keep the story interesting by taking it down a much different path than the one that hooked me in the first few books. I didn't experience that at all with Blood Domination. In fact, I loved the new characters, new places, and plot twists. I felt the series really did get an interesting and entertaining change. I hope the contiguous books add as much intrigue.For this genre, I think the book is good. However, there are a few things that have annoyed me from the beginning and- though I held onto hope that they would phase out in the following books- they persist! This is what keeps me from giving the books five stars. Other reviewers have voiced these same dislikes, but I feel they warrant repeating... perhaps they will finally cease.1) "Honey"... Need I say more? I realize that some southern women do often use terms of endearment to practically anyone they talk to, but this is ridiculous. It would be different if it were obvious she spoke with a southern drawl, using slang and dropping g's at the end of words and such, but she doesn't. It just doesn't fit at all and it is vastly overused. I cringe everytime I see it.2) "Little girl"... We get it. She's little. She's female. It would be fine if it was a special pet name that just one of the other characters called her, but just about every male character has called her that. It doesn't make any sense. Even the males from an entirely different universe call her that. (More cringing).3) For the most part, I like Lissa, but it is seriously frustrating how she can be so righteous and fearless when it comes to protecting the innocent and those she loves, yet acts like a complete doormat to the men in her life. Where are her balls and head-relieving claws when Gavin is constantly acting like an impudent child (so much for being a respectable and fearsome assassin), or when Tony & others are lying to her and violating her? I'd like to see Lissa find some self-respect somewhere in her bag of tricks, and indulge in a bit of retribution... not just to the obvious "bad guys", but to all the wankers who deserve it.