Review: um...
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 21, 2013
2.5 (mildly spoilerish)You ever read a sequel and then wish you hadn't, so that it could have retained it's potential awesomeness a little longer? Yeah, that's how I feel about this book. It could have been pretty good, but I finished it on a disappointed sigh.First off, who was the book about--Jes and Draven or Bells, Ronin and Royce? The description says the latter trio, but at least half the book is dedicated to Jes and Draven's continuing drama and that left Bells, Ronin and Royce feeling like mere side characters, especially Bells. She seemed like little more than a puppet for the brothers to lust after. I didn't feel like I knew her at all and barely knew the brothers any better, mostly because all the actual action is dedicated to Jes and Draven. Bells, Ronin and Royce's 'action' is almost all bedroom play. How much personality can you glean from how well someone performs Cunnilius?Problematically, despite being the second book dedicated to Jes and Draven, I didn't know either of them in this book either. I realise characters have to grow and change for a story to progress, but Jes and Draven seemed like...no, they were different people. They took different names, different speech patterns, different attitudes, different abilities, and different behaviours. There was nothing recognisable about them.What's more, I didn't like the new them. Granted, that's understandable with Draven/Black. He turned into a baddie for a while (though I'm baffled about how). But Jes/Zea just mysteriously changed. I'm still waiting on a little clarity on that issue. And Zea was just too much to believe. She suddenly developed unbelievable powers. She became so powerful that the Shadow Unit accepted her as a member and within 6 weeks was sending her on serious undercover assignments. Really, does this organisation not have any training requirements or standardised entry requirements? How very convenient.My biggest complaint however has to be the ending. I have no idea how or why the situation suddenly resolved itself. No one seemed to do anything to save the day, but somehow everyone was rescued.Lastly, the book needs an editor, especially one who can address the to vs. too, passed vs. pasted, and comma placement issues. I noticed a few errors in book one, but this second book is riddled with them. It's also often really unclear who is speaking or even thinking. I often mention editing in reviews, but I'm actually generally pretty forgiving of it. I considered giving up on this one at one point.I'm not trying to be mean here. Eden has developed an interesting world. I still liked all the different species interactions and the way they each held their cards close to their chest. I liked how they ragged on eachother, but still got the job done. I'm sure there will be those out there who will love the book. I'm thrilled for them. I want to see every story find it's perfect audience. Unfortunately I'm not it for this book.