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Merissa (13958 KP) rated Unleashing Sin (Revive #0.5) in Books

Apr 15, 2020  
Unleashing Sin (Revive #0.5)
Unleashing Sin (Revive #0.5)
A.M. Wilson | 2020 | Contemporary, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Unleashing Sin is the prequel novel in the Revive series and I loved every word. Now, as with Redesigning Fate, it's dark and nasty in places but it needs to be, it really does. A.M. Wilson gives you a view that is sometimes skipped over or ignored in favour of the light and fluffy story. Trust me, if you want light and fluffy you need to grab yourself a different book. However, if you are prepared to take a walk on the dark side, then you are in for one helluva ride.

Sin has to be one of the most anti-heroes I've ever read about and he was simply perfect. His life hasn't been easy, in any way but things go horribly wrong when his father is murdered before his eyes. This leads him to having a break down and things only get worse when he thinks he has 'miraculously' found Molly when he actually hasn't. His reactions and grief are horrible to read about as they tore me up inside.

Shelby has been through what no person should ever go through. Although she sees herself as weak, she is incredibly strong and has the willpower to move forward. She is there for Sin as much as he is there for her, but make no mistake, she isn't prepared to take his sh*t either!

A slow-burner as it wouldn't be right any other way. So much here that I loved, so much so that as soon as I finished this book, I simply had to re-read Redesigning Fate!

If you like darkness in with your romance, then I simply can't recommend this one highly enough!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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Sensitivemuse (246 KP) rated Cut Me Free in Books

Feb 15, 2018  
Cut Me Free
Cut Me Free
J R Johansson | 2018 | Thriller, Young Adult (YA)
7
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Must read with serious subject matter
You simply just can’t imagine the terror Piper had to go through all throughout her life, and then to get out of that vicious cycle shows how strong she is. It’s sad that it had to come to severe extreme measure for her to escape but nevertheless she was able to do so is a feat in itself.

The way the characters; both Piper and Sanda are extremely well done in this book. They’re both mistrustful of others (can’t blame them) and although they try hard to learn how to integrate with society, they do tend to stand out. (Examples such as Sanda being fearful of not seeing Piper again or Piper learning how to register Sanda to school) This is so well done by Johansson. It’s very realistic of their characters and it shows how they struggle to blend in because of their fear of standing out due to their trauma. They shy away from physical contact to the point where it causes them physical discomfort. This is well written and felt by the characters accurately.


The plot itself was good as well. It just seems like wherever Piper goes horrible awful things just seem to follow. It’s serious and dark, and Piper being stalked does increase the chill factor several notches up. The idea of someone breaking into your apartment and leaving lovely goodies to freak you out is unsettling and terrifying. These moments are well written and does set the mood for the plot. There’s a moment or two where you feel so angry because of particular actions and the suffering some of the characters go through. (Yes Lily, I’m looking at you...you horrible girl you…)

I’m not sure what to think of the relationship between Cam and Piper. Sure Piper has a great deal of mistrust and puts Cam at an arm length’s distance but seriously? Romance? I know he’s trying to be friendly and has a bleeding heart for those in need but I’m not sure Piper would jump in at the chance to have a romance with him. Yes, she puts him as far away from her as possible and he tries hard to approach her through different ways but I really don’t see a romance as a thing in this story. Should there even be one? Why was there one in the first place? I found it rather unnecessary considering the serious subject matter.

This novel is nerve wracking, and props to Piper and Sanda for their inner strength. It was a good read. Not a light hearted one, but one worth the read nevertheless.
  
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Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Night's Edge in Books

Mar 1, 2018  
NE
Night's Edge
Maggie Shayne | 2009
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
"Dancers in the Dark" by Charlaine Harris is set in the same universe as the Southern Vampire/Sookie Stackhouse stories, but with none of the incredibly annoying characters. How refreshing! It does go back to the same stuff Harris explored in her Shakespeare series and one of her standalone books (<i>Sweet and Deadly</i>? I can't remember if it was that one of the other, as they don't stand out in my memory too much anyway). The story wasn't terribly, though, and I was engaged. I kept thinking while reading, "Didn't I read another short story or novella in this universe about dancers?" Anybody else remember? I hate it when my memory goes wonky like that.

"Her Best Enemy" was too hackneyed, bringing in too many old standbyes. There's a tough girl reporter who is really a sweet woman who just needs a good man after a bad one took everything she had, a sexy man who is tougher than he looks and better able to protect her than even he knew, etc. I don't remember reading anything really strong by Maggie Shayne yet, but she's definitely on the romance side of the paranormal romance street, so that may explain my lack of enthusiasm.

Barbara Hambly's contribution, "Someone Else's Shadow," has us back in the world of dance. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one and the first story in a dance-themed anthology (they probably are, already, and I just don't realize it yet). It was the strongest story of the three (with reason, as Hambly is certainly the most experienced and IMNSHO best writer of the three). Sound plotting, good reasoning, likable characters who are well-rounded and believable, neither perfect saints nor disgusting sinners.

I kept thinking of Hope while reading the last story because the main character dances and teaches belly dance, and there's a lovely quote from the first time she dances in front of her love interest, <i>"It's all dancing. Skill infused with joy. Weaving jewelry out of dreams."</i>