Review: Loved it!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 22, 2013
My rating is 4.5 stars!eBook copy received in exchange for an honest reviewI was asked to review Traitors, and because it was a short story (78 pages) I started it late the same night I received it, and finished the rest the next morning over breakfast. Yeah, I always seem to pick just the right stories to read whilst eating!What irks me is the fact that I haven't read any of this author's previous work, so I'm seriously bummed out. Surely you can tell by that sentence alone that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've said this a few times, but there's nothing more fabulous than reading something by a completely new author and upon starting, I know I'm going to enjoy it. As I did with Traitors.Carrie Clevenger has a way of writing that immediately pulls you in. She also has a way of making her characters so interesting, you can't help but end up liking each and every one of them. The really bad guys, too. You also have to love the band's name, Crooked Fang, which just happens to be book one's title. I'll need to read this one somewhere along the line as there's obviously history I don't know about. There's also Blood and Fire. Honestly, have I been living under a rock? No, just been busy, but still.Traitors is edgy, on the money and this short story flows like water down a stream, never once stopping. The writing style is fabulous, at no point abruptly stopping but constantly moving from one scene to the next. Much like another author I absolutely enjoy (Emma Meade who also writes paranormal) although Carrie is a multi-genre writer, there is no extra anything to fill up pages. The story is told in a way that's exciting, entertaining and to the point. I love stories where I'm not left feeling like something was missing, but stories that by the end I know I want to read more about.Traitors was awesome. Xan Marcelles is super cool, and yummy. He's quirky and snarky too, and I adored him. I loved the fact that he's bummed he has to carry out a hit - well a few, but quickly reasons that sitting at Pale Rider doing nothing is boring, so what the heck. Besides, he doesn't really have a choice. What 'M' commands, he must obey. He might as well make the best of the situation he's been forced into. Nin who pretty much keeps the place looking pretty, is his 'friends with benefits' kind of friend, although he's constantly weary of Nin due to some history between them. She's a dark horse as far as I'm concerned. I like Nin, but I get this feeling that she's sometimes too quiet. I wouldn't exactly trust her fully, but she did have Xan's back.Xan ends up taking Nin with him, and they hit a few snags along the way. Besides the hits they need to carry out, feeding is a concern. What I liked with these vampires are the differences between them. Some have fangs that retract and are able to walk in sunlight, others like Xan have permanent fangs and the sun is no friend. Makes for an interesting dynamic.I can't really say more than I have, because then I'd give everything away. It ultimately ends with the Xan accomplishing what he set out to do, with action scenes throughout the book delivering time and again. The story and Xan's character delivers on the humour, too. I'd hang around with him in a heartbeat! This story is by no means at an end. At least I know I want more. Carrie Clevenger is certainly an author I will be keeping my eye on. Loved!