Lee Piper's Blog - Posts Tagged "ruckus"

Ruckus by L.J. Shen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


"It's not you, it's me."

Arguably the lamest line in the history of the universe, am I right? Well, that along with, "Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" Pfft. Ridiculous.

Now, you're probably wondering what the hell I'm jabbering on about. After all, aren't I meant to be reviewing L.J. Shen's much awaited for second full-length novel in the Sinners of Saint series, Ruckus?

I am.

You see, for me, reading this book was like being in a relationship. At the beginning, I was all doe-eyed, drooling over the hero, Dean--with good reason, I might add. He was hot as hell, knew what woman he wanted and went after her like an alcoholic at an open bar. But then my book and I hit a rocky patch. One where shit got real and I honestly didn't know how to handle it. So, I kinda bailed for a while. Gutless, I know.

But Ruckus is dark.

This novel is ugly, broken, macabre. Now, when I use these adjectives, I'm using them as the highest possible form of praise because if anyone can write about the beauty found in darkness, it's L.J. Shen. I just wasn't expecting it.

And therein lies the problem.

I. Wasn't. Expecting. The. Darkness.

So, that's why, unlike Defy, I'm giving Ruckus four rather than five stars. And that's why I'm using the pissweak line, "It's not you, it's me." Because even though this was a brilliantly conceived and executed novel, even though at times some of the dialogue was pure poetry, and even though love well and truly prevailed, I struggled in the dark.

Am I disappointed in this author? No. Is she still one of favourite writers? Absolutely. Will it stop me from reading her next novel? No, hell no. I'll just remember to bring a flashlight.




Lee Piper is an Evernight Publishing bestselling author. Rock My World, Book #1 in the Mondez series and Rock My Body, Book #2 are available now. You can find all of this information and more on her website: www.leepiperauthor.com

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