Tormented, The Gates Legacy Book 2, Lorenz Font
Review from jeannie zelos book reviews
I was certain this was going to develop into a five star read for me, its got all the elements; vampires, action, romance and a decent storyline and yet...it’s still not gripping me the way a five star series does. I’m unable to put those down by choice, and just have to keep reading – you know, how when its late and you promise yourself “just one more chapter” and then its just one more after that, and one more...but this I found didn’t quite suck me in like that. Its a very good story, just not for me one of the great ones.
So Harrow is man ( vampire?) number one, happily ensconced with Jordan and playing dad to Gail. They’re all still reeling from the loss of Pritchard, but can’t take time to sit back, they need a new home in case the Vampire Council – in the guise of Goran – have discovered them. Harrow is busy working on that, along with keeping the business going and covering up Pritchard’s death from the public. Allison is grieving and struggling with feeling helpless, and persuades Harrow she needs to learn to fight. She’s also struggling with her attraction to Tor, he wants her but covers it as he thinks he’s undeserving, but the closer they get the harder it is to resist each other. As her bodyguard he’s pretty close most of the time so...
Meanwhile Melissa is still searching for Demetrious, Zane wondering what's happened to his father, and left in limbo, Goran is brooding over Jordan not obeying his call, angry with some of the council members for pressing him for an heir and for questioning his decisions and determined to wipe out Harrow and co completely. He’s a devious man though and sets his plans very carefully, protecting himself but seeing his harem as disposable – they’re only there to serve his purpose anyway. Behind the scenes some of the Council members are not happy with his leadership but tied to it for now.
When the two sides come together there are losses for both – its a sad time, and I’m wondering where they go next. I would usually be really gripped by now, but though the story is well executed somehow I can’t seem to align myself with any of the specific characters, and for me I usually have at least one person/couple I really care about. Its not that I want to see anyone gone, more that I can see each person as being almost inessential to the overall group - Harrow is leader, but in the same way as he took over from Pritchard I could see someone else stepping up if he was gone. That's great for the group of course, and what every group need – not so much for me though, I don’t feel personally invested in the outcomes of the battles.
Stars: Four, another good story despite my feelings, and deserves a solid four rating.
ARC supplied by publishers and Netgalley.