Review: I liked this book, but it also drove me nuts.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 25, 2013
I dont think Ive ever hated anything I liked this much.There is absolutely no HEA here. None. If you want the slightest bit of people being happy, skip this book. If you like a love/hate, rip-our-clothes-off-every-time-we-get-in-the-same-room-then-hate-each-other-for-it antagonist 'relationship', you might like it. It's "edgy", and I cant tell you how many times I wanted to throw the kindle across the room and scream in frustration. ONE GOOD CONVERSATION and they could have cleared much of the problems. Well, the current ones. There'd still be the things she did before, but at least there would be an explanation *why*, instead of the "because you're a horrible B of a person" that ends up being assumed.Every interaction she had with Dom (the hero), she was either emotionless or witchy-with-a-B. I found myself longing to reach through the book and violently punch the heroine (who's otherwise quite likeable and badass) for being such a cowardly B that she throws everything away, constantly, because she's scared of what *could* happen. Ok, I understand. Her life is jacked up. She's got centuries of running, lying, hiding, unable to trust anyone. But besides just running from the guy she utterly and completely loves, she actively tries to burn her bridges with him. Constantly. "Burn bridges" is actually a mild description. She goes out of her way to make him hate and distrust her "to make a clean break." Only she doesnt get (even tho he's told her) that he loves her like crazy. And having her constantly hurt him makes him insane, so he hates her too. I could completely sympathize. She's also upset because she's hated by everyone around him; what she acknowledges, but doesnt seem to *get*, is everyone hates her because she's made someone who loved her beyond reason a miserable ball of pain and rage. Yeah, I can see how the other druids would have a tad bit of animosity towards her. Granted, there's one druid in particular who has it out for her, and she's "the princess" who covets the hero. But Jillian (the heroine) wont actually tell anyone how Siobhan (the "princess") torments her. So they usually see what looks like Siobhan mouthing off, and Jillian beating the crap out of her. Know what that makes Jillian look like? A horrible mean jealous bully who cant control (and doesnt even try) her temper. Again. I can sympathize with their dislike. If the reader wasnt privy to Jillian's thoughts and feelings as she's showing the world this cold, emotionless face, we'd probably dislike her too.Finally, the book ends with one heck of a cliffhanger, and almost nothing resolved. She has a tiny part of a conversation with Dom where she explains a little bit of why she did what she did (and GOSH! It helps!) but not enough to fix anything. It seems like he doesnt actively hate her anymore, but he's still exhausted with her issues. I feel ya, dude.Honestly, as cool of a book it was (in everything but Jullian's behavior/attitude), I really wish I would have skipped it. If I would have read a review like the one I wrote, I wouldnt have bought it. It was such an exercise in frustration that I feel like going and reading some retardedly simple romance novel. A Julie Garwood or something, where the hero & heroine dont spend the entire book fighting, but instead form a team and fight their enemy together. And live happily ever after, damnit!Whew. Rant over. Remember, I liked the book :) I just hated the heroine. If she would have been half a normal person who knew how to communicate, I would have given it 5 stars and reread it forever.