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Blood Destiny #4
Blood Politics
You'd think that life would finally be dealing Mack Smith a kind hand. Living in London, and with the opening of the new improved city version of Clava Books mere days away, things appear to be settling down. Other than the terrible nightmares about dragons, that is. Or the fact that she's being constantly tailed by a string of mages, shifters and faeries, all of whom are constantly demanding her attention. And that's without even bringing the temptation of Corrigan, Lord Alpha of the Brethren, into the equation.
Then, when a local dryad asks her for some help, things really start to fire up. There are some long hot summer days ahead...
Then, when a local dryad asks her for some help, things really start to fire up. There are some long hot summer days ahead...
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2013
503 people are currently reading
1412 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
June 15, 2013
So I have loved this series so far. The 4th book just made me mad though. Mostly it has to do with Mack and her relationship with a certain someone. Their relationship finally moved to the next level and instead of it being a sweet hooray, it felt forced and rushed. It was in the middle of the woods, with Other's and humans all around. The bad guy could have shown up at any point and they decided to get it on....I don't think so. Then the very end, Mack gets forced into something she didn't want to do. All the books have been about her fiery temper. So it felt wrong. Then the person who she hurt by this decision gets furious at her...when just a few chapters before she even admitted he knows her better then she does. So he should have figured it out.
Huge spoiler here, so stop reading if you don't want to hear it.
The Fae know he's her soul mate. So forcing her away from him could have dire consequences given her nature. Plus they even said, 'it's not long it's a long term relationship.' WHAT!! They didn't tell her he's her soulmate, she hadn't read her fae book enough to figure it out on her own. Not only that, but she had to give him up to prove she was impartial to all the "Others". Well I'm sorry, they were in a relationship and it was hinted by the fae that she could pick it up again after this counsel thing is over. That's not being impartial. That's just one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. I think the author is trying to force something into her story that doesn't need to be there. Depending on how book 5 goes, this could ruin the series for me. I think the only way I would be happy is that if Mack takes the discovery she had in the last paragraph and goes and tells everyone off. She needs to make it right with Corrigan and then tell the Fae off. They've completely broken her trust in a major major way. No CW teen angst relationships please. Don't force a love scene, etc.
Huge spoiler here, so stop reading if you don't want to hear it.
The Fae know he's her soul mate. So forcing her away from him could have dire consequences given her nature. Plus they even said, 'it's not long it's a long term relationship.' WHAT!! They didn't tell her he's her soulmate, she hadn't read her fae book enough to figure it out on her own. Not only that, but she had to give him up to prove she was impartial to all the "Others". Well I'm sorry, they were in a relationship and it was hinted by the fae that she could pick it up again after this counsel thing is over. That's not being impartial. That's just one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. I think the author is trying to force something into her story that doesn't need to be there. Depending on how book 5 goes, this could ruin the series for me. I think the only way I would be happy is that if Mack takes the discovery she had in the last paragraph and goes and tells everyone off. She needs to make it right with Corrigan and then tell the Fae off. They've completely broken her trust in a major major way. No CW teen angst relationships please. Don't force a love scene, etc.
May 20, 2023
loved it so so much a must read series
This was a great book with alot going on shifters,magic etc, this series has it all and if your like me and can be a little worried about starting a series with so many books, you won't be disappointed, all five books are all five star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reads and completely worth it.
Attention Audible🎵 users This series is now on the plus catalogue 7/2/23
🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈
Happy Reading 📗📕📒📙📚📔📕📘📗📖📕📒📓📚📙📔📕📗📘📕📚📖
This was a great book with alot going on shifters,magic etc, this series has it all and if your like me and can be a little worried about starting a series with so many books, you won't be disappointed, all five books are all five star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reads and completely worth it.
Attention Audible🎵 users This series is now on the plus catalogue 7/2/23
🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈
Happy Reading 📗📕📒📙📚📔📕📘📗📖📕📒📓📚📙📔📕📗📘📕📚📖
July 26, 2024
✅ Shifters, mages, and faes forced to work together
✅ Slight expansion of the world-building
✅ Characters
✅ Plot
✅ Promising ending (if you like angsty relationships)
✅(🆗) Pace
✅(🆗) The romance (at least it is finally getting somewhere)
After being in London for a few weeks, Mack's life seems to be getting slowly but surely under control. She has her temper under control and is helping Mrs. Alcoon prepare for the grand opening of Clava Books (version 2.0), she is trying her best to avoid the Lord Alpha because she does not know how to deal with her feelings when she is around him, and nobody tried to kill her for a few weeks at least! That is until she receives a cryptic message from a dryad asking for Mack's help, and she finds herself roped into yet another mission to save the Others.
This one was better than the previous one! We are done with the academy and teenager nonsense, and Mack is back with the grownups. This plot also reveals a new bad guy that will also stick around for the final book, making the stakes higher than in the previous books of the series. The beginning was dragging on a little bit, but that ending was good! There is also a good potential for angst and groveling in the next book with the way things are between Mack and Corrigan and I can't wait to see how the author will develop that.
Mack’s temper improved in this book, and it feels as if she is finally growing up. It was time for her to get her rage and impulsiveness under control, and her self-control got tested a lot in this book because the Mages, the Faes, and the Shifters all decided that they needed to make sure that Mack remained safe, and they are also all trying to win her over because she is this powerful and pretty unique Other. That means that she ends up having her own personal security detail following her around the clock and trying to win her over with gifts and favors. I was annoyed on Mack’s behalf, but I have to admit that it was also funny to see her deal with this utter nonsense. Mack still has her moments when she sounds overconfident and pretentious, but overall, I enjoyed her character more in this book.
The one thing that remains very frustrating in this series is the romance. The is slow-burn, and there is Mack and Corrigan's level of slow-burn. They dragged it on for 3 books, but when things finally progressed between them in this one, it was not as satisfying as it should have been after 3 books of sexual tension building up. It felt rushed and like it just wasn’t the right time or place for it to happen. The way it is written also makes it hard for us to connect with them emotionally. We know what happens, but we don't have any insight into how Mack is feeling, besides the desire and sexual attraction of course. They are both attracted to each other, but besides this physical attraction, it is still not clear what Mack really loves about Corrigan. She never really speaks about it, except to say that she wants to rip his shirt off.
*Mild, vague spoilers in the next paragraph*
The ending leaves me with conflicted feelings… While I am pissed at the Mages and the Faes for what they forced Mack to do at the end of the book, it promises angst between Corrigan and her in the next book and I love it (I can’t resist angsty relationships). On the other hand, Corrigan’s reaction, while understandable, felt out of character. He showed that he is cunning and very clever, he should have worked out what was really happening, and the accusations he threw at Mack’s feet are in complete contradiction with his saying how well he knew her and her character.
1. Bloodfire ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Bloodmagic ⭐⭐⭐.5
3. Bloodrage ⭐⭐⭐
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✅ Slight expansion of the world-building
✅ Characters
✅ Plot
✅ Promising ending (if you like angsty relationships)
✅(🆗) Pace
✅(🆗) The romance (at least it is finally getting somewhere)
After being in London for a few weeks, Mack's life seems to be getting slowly but surely under control. She has her temper under control and is helping Mrs. Alcoon prepare for the grand opening of Clava Books (version 2.0), she is trying her best to avoid the Lord Alpha because she does not know how to deal with her feelings when she is around him, and nobody tried to kill her for a few weeks at least! That is until she receives a cryptic message from a dryad asking for Mack's help, and she finds herself roped into yet another mission to save the Others.
This one was better than the previous one! We are done with the academy and teenager nonsense, and Mack is back with the grownups. This plot also reveals a new bad guy that will also stick around for the final book, making the stakes higher than in the previous books of the series. The beginning was dragging on a little bit, but that ending was good! There is also a good potential for angst and groveling in the next book with the way things are between Mack and Corrigan and I can't wait to see how the author will develop that.
Mack’s temper improved in this book, and it feels as if she is finally growing up. It was time for her to get her rage and impulsiveness under control, and her self-control got tested a lot in this book because the Mages, the Faes, and the Shifters all decided that they needed to make sure that Mack remained safe, and they are also all trying to win her over because she is this powerful and pretty unique Other. That means that she ends up having her own personal security detail following her around the clock and trying to win her over with gifts and favors. I was annoyed on Mack’s behalf, but I have to admit that it was also funny to see her deal with this utter nonsense. Mack still has her moments when she sounds overconfident and pretentious, but overall, I enjoyed her character more in this book.
The one thing that remains very frustrating in this series is the romance. The is slow-burn, and there is Mack and Corrigan's level of slow-burn. They dragged it on for 3 books, but when things finally progressed between them in this one, it was not as satisfying as it should have been after 3 books of sexual tension building up. It felt rushed and like it just wasn’t the right time or place for it to happen. The way it is written also makes it hard for us to connect with them emotionally. We know what happens, but we don't have any insight into how Mack is feeling, besides the desire and sexual attraction of course. They are both attracted to each other, but besides this physical attraction, it is still not clear what Mack really loves about Corrigan. She never really speaks about it, except to say that she wants to rip his shirt off.
*Mild, vague spoilers in the next paragraph*
The ending leaves me with conflicted feelings… While I am pissed at the Mages and the Faes for what they forced Mack to do at the end of the book, it promises angst between Corrigan and her in the next book and I love it (I can’t resist angsty relationships). On the other hand, Corrigan’s reaction, while understandable, felt out of character. He showed that he is cunning and very clever, he should have worked out what was really happening, and the accusations he threw at Mack’s feet are in complete contradiction with his saying how well he knew her and her character.
1. Bloodfire ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Bloodmagic ⭐⭐⭐.5
3. Bloodrage ⭐⭐⭐
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July 24, 2019
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Can't Stand Mack*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
Second re-read: 24.07.19
I skimmed a lot. Only stopping when Corrigan (Lord Alpha of the Brethren) entered the picture, because I really can't seem to stand Mackenzie ‘Mack’ ‘Red’ ‘Kitten’ Smith (24?) anymore. From my first read review, I obviously really liked reading this book (hell the whole series) but that has obviously changed. Mack is not my kind of character. She's selfish and has too much of a temper. Only reason I continued this re-read of the series is just to finish something I've already started. Something I, as you probably can tell, regret.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Urban Fantasy (M/F)
Series: - Series, Book Four.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Corrigan.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Not anymore.
Will I read this again in the future? - Not anymore.
New Rating - 2 stars.
Re-read: 14.03.15
New rate: 3 stars.
First read review:
This serie is great, but a little slow, but still fantastic... And I can't seem to make up my mind on how to rate this wonderful book... Its so great, and at the same time... not? But it is.. Gosh, I'm losing it!
Rate: 3/4 stars.
September 29, 2018
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Not bad. A sad ending with a new antagonist on the horizon, Mac has finally grown up since the first book. She has mastered her emotions. But at what cost? Corrigan is amazing as ever. Now it is up to everyone make it all work. Mac is going to be put to the test in the finale.
Until the next novel---
Not bad. A sad ending with a new antagonist on the horizon, Mac has finally grown up since the first book. She has mastered her emotions. But at what cost? Corrigan is amazing as ever. Now it is up to everyone make it all work. Mac is going to be put to the test in the finale.
Until the next novel---
June 19, 2018
that ending!
June 6, 2015
Well I thought that I would be giving this four stars instead of three because there was some character growth in Mack. She's finally figuring out how to be who she is, but everything I felt was improved was canceled out by things that irritated me.
She finally figures out her feelings towards Corrigan but when they finally do hook up it was kind of unfulfilling. It felt like it was written from the perspective of an outsider, like someone standing there watching. We get nothing of how they feel. Not before, during or after. Emotionally that is, well not really physically either come to think of it.
At the end of book three more of what she is was revealed. We already knew part of it, but we finally see what she can do and find out she has the ability to shift, and just what it is that she changes into. In this world it's a big deal. There are those who would kill her for it, for her blood and those who would try to control her for use of her power. So wisely it's kept secret. Only a few know about it and yet when it's revealed to more of them it just doesn't have any impact at all. It kind of fell flat and it was disappointing.
Also all throughout this series we are learning that Corrigan is not the same douche as his predecessor. He doesn't adhere to the old archaic ways of thinking, and never would have harmed any member of the Cornwall pack for harboring a human, much less harming the human herself. He has made significant progress in bringing all the different major otherworlder groups to a point that they could coexist and work together. Now at the eleventh hour, they are all suddenly faced with an uber baddie, hell-bent on power and world domination and suddenly they are all snapping at each other's throats and unable to make a plan. It's decided that they need a council leader, and really it's Corrigan who fits the bill, but he won't do at all. Instead why not appoint Mack, the hot head who has been spending all her time on a journey of self-discovery while simultaneously getting guilted into helping mages and nymphs and whatnot with their various problems? And she never asked for help when she really, really should have. I don't think this is indicative of a good leader. Leaders should have to earn their status. Mack hasn't.
What's more, is that they really don't think it's fair for her to be in charge if she's going to carry on with Corrigan, as she might be biased towards the shifters (Never mind that she kind of is one.) Somehow everyone knows they've slept together. She essentially allows them to force her to publicly break up with him, because circumstances don't allow for them to speak privately, etc..It's at this point that suddenly the narration, despite that it's not first person, takes on a kind of whiny little girl quality. It felt like reading excuses for the idiotic turn that the plot was taking.
This really didn't feel believable either. Throughout the series, Mack has been very headstrong, not letting herself get pushed around by others.
She should have grown a pair at that point and acted like a leader. She should have told them to fuck off and I'll see whomever I want to thank you very much and if you don't like it then pick a different leader. But she doesn't, she just throws up her hands in supplication and proceeds to end things in front of everyone, after which he basically tells her to go and fuck off then, he never wants to see her again and who's the power-hungry bitch now?
This should have been an emotional scene but it too fell flat. I didn't really feel that sad about it because I just wasn't invested enough in their relationship as nothing real had actually happened between them up until the previous day. To me it just felt like a minor set-back in an ongoing pursuit.
Then, in the mother of all cliches, after going home and sobbing in a useless heap on the floor, she finally decides to read the ancient fae text which helpfully explains what she is and what it all means. And lo and behold, she just publicly and humiliatingly broke up with her SOUL MATE! Her soul mate I tell you!
Uggghh, first off I have grown to hate the soul mate thing, and second, this book is just not romantic enough to support the idea of soul mates.
She finally figures out her feelings towards Corrigan but when they finally do hook up it was kind of unfulfilling. It felt like it was written from the perspective of an outsider, like someone standing there watching. We get nothing of how they feel. Not before, during or after. Emotionally that is, well not really physically either come to think of it.
At the end of book three more of what she is was revealed. We already knew part of it, but we finally see what she can do and find out she has the ability to shift, and just what it is that she changes into. In this world it's a big deal. There are those who would kill her for it, for her blood and those who would try to control her for use of her power. So wisely it's kept secret. Only a few know about it and yet when it's revealed to more of them it just doesn't have any impact at all. It kind of fell flat and it was disappointing.
Also all throughout this series we are learning that Corrigan is not the same douche as his predecessor. He doesn't adhere to the old archaic ways of thinking, and never would have harmed any member of the Cornwall pack for harboring a human, much less harming the human herself. He has made significant progress in bringing all the different major otherworlder groups to a point that they could coexist and work together. Now at the eleventh hour, they are all suddenly faced with an uber baddie, hell-bent on power and world domination and suddenly they are all snapping at each other's throats and unable to make a plan. It's decided that they need a council leader, and really it's Corrigan who fits the bill, but he won't do at all. Instead why not appoint Mack, the hot head who has been spending all her time on a journey of self-discovery while simultaneously getting guilted into helping mages and nymphs and whatnot with their various problems? And she never asked for help when she really, really should have. I don't think this is indicative of a good leader. Leaders should have to earn their status. Mack hasn't.
What's more, is that they really don't think it's fair for her to be in charge if she's going to carry on with Corrigan, as she might be biased towards the shifters (Never mind that she kind of is one.) Somehow everyone knows they've slept together. She essentially allows them to force her to publicly break up with him, because circumstances don't allow for them to speak privately, etc..It's at this point that suddenly the narration, despite that it's not first person, takes on a kind of whiny little girl quality. It felt like reading excuses for the idiotic turn that the plot was taking.
This really didn't feel believable either. Throughout the series, Mack has been very headstrong, not letting herself get pushed around by others.
She should have grown a pair at that point and acted like a leader. She should have told them to fuck off and I'll see whomever I want to thank you very much and if you don't like it then pick a different leader. But she doesn't, she just throws up her hands in supplication and proceeds to end things in front of everyone, after which he basically tells her to go and fuck off then, he never wants to see her again and who's the power-hungry bitch now?
This should have been an emotional scene but it too fell flat. I didn't really feel that sad about it because I just wasn't invested enough in their relationship as nothing real had actually happened between them up until the previous day. To me it just felt like a minor set-back in an ongoing pursuit.
Then, in the mother of all cliches, after going home and sobbing in a useless heap on the floor, she finally decides to read the ancient fae text which helpfully explains what she is and what it all means. And lo and behold, she just publicly and humiliatingly broke up with her SOUL MATE! Her soul mate I tell you!
Uggghh, first off I have grown to hate the soul mate thing, and second, this book is just not romantic enough to support the idea of soul mates.
March 20, 2014
Holy Continuity error Batman!
I would have given this book 4 stars up to the last few chapters. The ending was a continuity error, and it was so bad that I've decided to quit reading the series altogether. I'd been debating it since the end of book 3, so the altogether rushed ending with a continuity error that blasted apart the whole series was the nail in the coffin for me. It's too bad, too. I kinda liked the characters, but I can't stand angst in a character. The sex scene was so out of character that I almost hurled. This. Story. Stinks.
I would have given this book 4 stars up to the last few chapters. The ending was a continuity error, and it was so bad that I've decided to quit reading the series altogether. I'd been debating it since the end of book 3, so the altogether rushed ending with a continuity error that blasted apart the whole series was the nail in the coffin for me. It's too bad, too. I kinda liked the characters, but I can't stand angst in a character. The sex scene was so out of character that I almost hurled. This. Story. Stinks.
May 3, 2015
I love this series... well I LOVE Corrigan. The main character though...ugh. Humourless, uptight, anal, annoying, slow... These characteristics seem to have grown as the series has developed. What's really irritating is that usually a character grows up and evolves a little making her previous childish actions somewhat acceptable, because we see that growth as the series continues. However, in this case she has become worse somehow. She just does not evolve and as a result I just don't LIKE her, nor do I understand why the other characters would. I have yet to find anything redeeming about her which is unfortunate because even after the 2nd book I had high hopes for her and the direction of this series. Now, she just seems like an ass and Corrigan looks like a fool. I will read the last book in hopes that it all turns around.
August 5, 2013
Well I was enjoying this series and especially this book until that last chapter- that was just stupid.
I read all 4 books back to back, and despite some pretty glaring grammatical issues I found these very entertaining. Head-strong, hot-tempered Mack would sometimes drive me a little crazy with her guilt, etc., but she seemed to have worked through some things by bk4.
The addition of the 'changed' Aubrey definitely added more humor and the relationship with Corrigan finally picked up a little steam..... And then there's the last chapter...stupid. How does a hard headed, head strong Mack become so railroaded, so manipulated, like putty in their hands? Especially when she's always so worried about hurting those she cares about, and this would seriously hurt someone. Just say No, or at least insist on time to talk to this person. Stupid. Too contrived to add more angst. Angst I don't mind unless it's just unnecessary as it was here.
I read all 4 books back to back, and despite some pretty glaring grammatical issues I found these very entertaining. Head-strong, hot-tempered Mack would sometimes drive me a little crazy with her guilt, etc., but she seemed to have worked through some things by bk4.
The addition of the 'changed' Aubrey definitely added more humor and the relationship with Corrigan finally picked up a little steam..... And then there's the last chapter...stupid. How does a hard headed, head strong Mack become so railroaded, so manipulated, like putty in their hands? Especially when she's always so worried about hurting those she cares about, and this would seriously hurt someone. Just say No, or at least insist on time to talk to this person. Stupid. Too contrived to add more angst. Angst I don't mind unless it's just unnecessary as it was here.
February 3, 2021
The fourth and very depressing installment in the series. I hate that ending.
May 17, 2021
When I started this series, for the first time ever, I got something close the feeling I get when reading an Ilona Andrews book. Particularly the Kate Daniels series. Not that this series is even close to utter genius of IA...
But reading this series felt like, I was going to be okay, even though I’d moved and lost an old friend in the IA books, maybe I could make a new old friend in this series. And in the first three books, I found the laughter, quips and that warm hug.
Then I got to this book and it effectively tanked those warm feelings. The two stars is 100% malice. 100% revenge for my broken heart.
So Mack is out of the mage academy and is foolishly trying to discover her abilities with no help, tutelage or even knowledge whatsoever. She has nightmares, likely PTSD, is afraid of herself and prone to prevaricating and wallowing while being her most unseemly, whiny, prickly self. Then she is asked by the troll weapons dealer to find out about the competition who’s driving down his business. At the same time, the Dryads approach Mack to help them prevent a company from cutting down all their trees.
Me... I was mostly in it for the great quips, the plot... who am I kidding? I was only here to see a certain couple get together. Four books is too damn long to still be teasing.
Except everything about said romance felt so forced, cringe-worthy, and just gah. The equivalent of swallowing bad lemons.
By the time I got to the conversation Mack was eavesdropping on, I really was about to chuck this book. That scene was so yuck and ill-advised for more reasons than I can state.
Mack was self-absorbed, selfish, unnecessarily one-track-minded, irrational and quite frankly onerous (if a person could even be such) and way too darn high on her own self-importance and self-righteousness. She became a drag in the plot.
Solis was the only light in the book and what comical relief he afforded was not enough to redeem it..
By the time I got to the end of the book, I was somewhere between ire and relief. Relief because I really couldn’t take anymore of the book. Ire for everything else including that shoddy ending. That ending undid Corrigan’s character development. Truly pathetic.
Honestly, I don’t know if I have it in me to finish this series. My heart’s in pieces for the poor conception and delivery of this book.
But reading this series felt like, I was going to be okay, even though I’d moved and lost an old friend in the IA books, maybe I could make a new old friend in this series. And in the first three books, I found the laughter, quips and that warm hug.
Then I got to this book and it effectively tanked those warm feelings. The two stars is 100% malice. 100% revenge for my broken heart.
So Mack is out of the mage academy and is foolishly trying to discover her abilities with no help, tutelage or even knowledge whatsoever. She has nightmares, likely PTSD, is afraid of herself and prone to prevaricating and wallowing while being her most unseemly, whiny, prickly self. Then she is asked by the troll weapons dealer to find out about the competition who’s driving down his business. At the same time, the Dryads approach Mack to help them prevent a company from cutting down all their trees.
Me... I was mostly in it for the great quips, the plot... who am I kidding? I was only here to see a certain couple get together. Four books is too damn long to still be teasing.
Except everything about said romance felt so forced, cringe-worthy, and just gah. The equivalent of swallowing bad lemons.
By the time I got to the conversation Mack was eavesdropping on, I really was about to chuck this book. That scene was so yuck and ill-advised for more reasons than I can state.
Mack was self-absorbed, selfish, unnecessarily one-track-minded, irrational and quite frankly onerous (if a person could even be such) and way too darn high on her own self-importance and self-righteousness. She became a drag in the plot.
Solis was the only light in the book and what comical relief he afforded was not enough to redeem it..
By the time I got to the end of the book, I was somewhere between ire and relief. Relief because I really couldn’t take anymore of the book. Ire for everything else including that shoddy ending. That ending undid Corrigan’s character development. Truly pathetic.
Honestly, I don’t know if I have it in me to finish this series. My heart’s in pieces for the poor conception and delivery of this book.
May 16, 2013
This is leaning more to a 3.5 for me. Seemed like a bridge book meant to set up the next one more than a standalone. I will say (without adding spoilers) that Corrigan's reaction at the end felt out of character to me and thus left me feeling it was more plot device than a correct reaction for the character. That said, the author is still a good storyteller! Looking forward to the next book...
June 3, 2013
I'm really loving this series and I can't wait for more. Mack is an awesome character and shouldn't change a thing about herself. I'm actually ok with the ending I know some don't like it but it just makes me want to continue on and see how it works out. NEED MORE NOW! :)
July 4, 2024
Mack's having body guards is hilarious. The vampire is even better! I thought this was going to be my least favorite book in the series, but I think it might just be my favorite! Finally, there are answers! So many people need Mack's help and the answers show just how dangerous things are.
June 5, 2013
This book has to be the best of the series so far!! And the bloody last LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Omg omg omg next BOOK gimme. Pretty please! You cant leave me waiting like this :((((( was so saddd!!!!
November 1, 2018
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48 points/100 (2 ½ stars/5)
Warning: Cliffhanger (Status: Relationship draaaaaamaaaaa (sigh))
Mack has gotten out of being a Mage student, she has broken from the Brethren, she is unique and her world and now she needs to find who she is. It is hard to find out what you are when you're constantly tailed by mages, shifters, faeries and even a vampire. Then a dryad asks for help, and things start to get even crazier.
Interesting direction to take this series in. If I were a quitting kind of woman, this would be my last book in the series, even though there is one book left. This series started off strong with a real chance for improvement, but I'm just not seeing that improvement. We've doubled down on all of the character's flaws and lack of planning. That coupled with questionable romantic decisions and the world's most annoying side character made this book really hard to enjoy.
The plot was once again pretty predictable and started off with a whole lot of nothing happening. It mostly consists of Mack just going around doing a bunch of random nothing things until she finally stumbles on something to do. There is just so little character agency. So little that Mack does actually has any effect on..well...anything. She is bullied and goaded and tricked into doing everything, and then when things inevitably fall to pieces because she doesn't think or plan or do anything....others end up having to help her out. Then, even when people try to help her, she pushes them away and they don't listen to her, and she just doesn't listen to them.
The most laughable thing about this entire series is how the characters treat Mack. For some damn reason I can't begin to fathom, everyone looks up to her as a leader. Everyone listens to her. She has no authority over anyone, none of them actually listen to her. Everyone listens to their leaders who listen to her for some reason. Every.single.damn.male. in the series just loves her. In one memorable place in the book where I had to set the book down and breathe through my hands, Mack ended up being the strategist during a battle. She clearly has 0 experience leading any kind of battle, she has no gift for planning and seeing what the enemy is doing, she doesn't know what her troops strengths and weaknesses are. Yet they're still listening to her. It was enough to make me want to scream.
Over the course of the series, Mack has gone from mildly likable, to tolerable, to intolerable. I just can't stand her anymore. She is constantly mad, at everyone, about everything. She snaps at everyone for no good reason, but especially when they're trying to help her. She is constantly pushing everyone away, especially when they're trying to help her. She is constantly in trouble for some reason or another and when people try to help her, she refuses. In one part of the book, Harper actually had to have Mack listen in on a conversation, to give the readers a reason to accept her standoffishness. No, I got what you were trying to do, Harper, I just don't like it. I still can't believe that Mack actually used the "I can't control my temper!" bit.
I still can't figure out when Mack and Corrigan interacted enough to like each other at all. As far as I can tell, every interaction they've had together has been on screen and have basically never been civil. We know exactly nothing about Corrigan except that he is sexy and he is the Lord Alpha in charge of all the weres. Until this book, Mack was still under the impression that he was a tyrant. How is this a relationship? The fae, Solus, is a much better option because we actually know things about him, and have interacted with him like we're not a rabid dog. This isn't really a love triangle anymore, I just wish it were. Unfortunately. There is a lot of jealousy on Corrigan's part, but Solus doesn't care and Mack just seems kind of ambivalent to Solus even though she mostly responds to him. It is a mess.
Like I said earlier, there was actually some progress on the relationship front for once. However, oh my god, timing! Circumstances! Ah! Why?? First, Mack overhears Corrigan talking about her behind her back and, not keeping in alignment with her personality, she doesn't go into rage mode. She finds it sweet for some reason. It directly leads to the rest of the development. Including my ultimate favourite (/s), dealing with their relationship in the middle of danger! She goes straight from being touched by what he said to trying absolutely everything to get to talk with him, including ignoring every one of her danger senses.
We know about as much about the side characters as we know about Corrigan. Just about nothing. There is a new side character in Blood Politics. We've met him before but he was off in the background mostly. One of the vampires is changed into a human and is just about the most annoying creature in existence. Seriously, he bursts out crying half a dozen times. Complains about everything. Cries some more. Clings to Mack and won't let her out of his sight. In one scene he actually hides under a table in a restaurant, cowering, because someone might find out he is human!
I had so many things I was annoyed at, but the ending topped them all. That ending was so shocking. I'm angry. What did I do to Helen Harper to deserve a whole book of what I'm going to have to go through the next book because of this ending? I'm not a bad person.
48 points/100 (2 ½ stars/5)
Warning: Cliffhanger (Status: Relationship draaaaaamaaaaa (sigh))
Mack has gotten out of being a Mage student, she has broken from the Brethren, she is unique and her world and now she needs to find who she is. It is hard to find out what you are when you're constantly tailed by mages, shifters, faeries and even a vampire. Then a dryad asks for help, and things start to get even crazier.
Interesting direction to take this series in. If I were a quitting kind of woman, this would be my last book in the series, even though there is one book left. This series started off strong with a real chance for improvement, but I'm just not seeing that improvement. We've doubled down on all of the character's flaws and lack of planning. That coupled with questionable romantic decisions and the world's most annoying side character made this book really hard to enjoy.
The plot was once again pretty predictable and started off with a whole lot of nothing happening. It mostly consists of Mack just going around doing a bunch of random nothing things until she finally stumbles on something to do. There is just so little character agency. So little that Mack does actually has any effect on..well...anything. She is bullied and goaded and tricked into doing everything, and then when things inevitably fall to pieces because she doesn't think or plan or do anything....others end up having to help her out. Then, even when people try to help her, she pushes them away and they don't listen to her, and she just doesn't listen to them.
The most laughable thing about this entire series is how the characters treat Mack. For some damn reason I can't begin to fathom, everyone looks up to her as a leader. Everyone listens to her. She has no authority over anyone, none of them actually listen to her. Everyone listens to their leaders who listen to her for some reason. Every.single.damn.male. in the series just loves her. In one memorable place in the book where I had to set the book down and breathe through my hands, Mack ended up being the strategist during a battle. She clearly has 0 experience leading any kind of battle, she has no gift for planning and seeing what the enemy is doing, she doesn't know what her troops strengths and weaknesses are. Yet they're still listening to her. It was enough to make me want to scream.
Over the course of the series, Mack has gone from mildly likable, to tolerable, to intolerable. I just can't stand her anymore. She is constantly mad, at everyone, about everything. She snaps at everyone for no good reason, but especially when they're trying to help her. She is constantly pushing everyone away, especially when they're trying to help her. She is constantly in trouble for some reason or another and when people try to help her, she refuses. In one part of the book, Harper actually had to have Mack listen in on a conversation, to give the readers a reason to accept her standoffishness. No, I got what you were trying to do, Harper, I just don't like it. I still can't believe that Mack actually used the "I can't control my temper!" bit.
I still can't figure out when Mack and Corrigan interacted enough to like each other at all. As far as I can tell, every interaction they've had together has been on screen and have basically never been civil. We know exactly nothing about Corrigan except that he is sexy and he is the Lord Alpha in charge of all the weres. Until this book, Mack was still under the impression that he was a tyrant. How is this a relationship? The fae, Solus, is a much better option because we actually know things about him, and have interacted with him like we're not a rabid dog. This isn't really a love triangle anymore, I just wish it were. Unfortunately. There is a lot of jealousy on Corrigan's part, but Solus doesn't care and Mack just seems kind of ambivalent to Solus even though she mostly responds to him. It is a mess.
Like I said earlier, there was actually some progress on the relationship front for once. However, oh my god, timing! Circumstances! Ah! Why?? First, Mack overhears Corrigan talking about her behind her back and, not keeping in alignment with her personality, she doesn't go into rage mode. She finds it sweet for some reason. It directly leads to the rest of the development. Including my ultimate favourite (/s), dealing with their relationship in the middle of danger! She goes straight from being touched by what he said to trying absolutely everything to get to talk with him, including ignoring every one of her danger senses.
We know about as much about the side characters as we know about Corrigan. Just about nothing. There is a new side character in Blood Politics. We've met him before but he was off in the background mostly. One of the vampires is changed into a human and is just about the most annoying creature in existence. Seriously, he bursts out crying half a dozen times. Complains about everything. Cries some more. Clings to Mack and won't let her out of his sight. In one scene he actually hides under a table in a restaurant, cowering, because someone might find out he is human!
I had so many things I was annoyed at, but the ending topped them all. That ending was so shocking. I'm angry. What did I do to Helen Harper to deserve a whole book of what I'm going to have to go through the next book because of this ending? I'm not a bad person.
July 6, 2022
Mag diese Serie wirklich sehr! Höre sie als Hörbuch und finde sie toll gelesen
December 17, 2021
Chronique de Diana :
https://followthereader2016.wordpress...
Mais enfin pourquoi Helen Harper n’est pas plus connue que ça en France, alors qu’elle est tout simplement géniale et que ses romans sont des petites bombes que je déguste sans modération. J’attendais de retrouver Mack avec impatience et OMG, elle a enfin réalisé certaines choses.
Mack après les derniers évènements veut un peu de tranquillité mais les mages, les faes et les métamorphes ne semblent pas connaitre ce concept et elle se retrouve à devoir semer du monde pour juste faire profil bas. De plus ses relations avec Corrigan sont toujours particulières et elle ne sait jamais comment réagir en sa présence, si ce n’est bien sûr pour le faire enrager.
Le fait d’avoir embrassé sa nature de Draco-Wyr lui fait une peur bleue, ne pas contrôler ses réactions alors qu’elle est transformée est son pire cauchemar. Pourtant elle est incapable de refuser son aide lorsqu’on a lui demande.
Même si elle tente de mener une vie plus calme, elle ne sait pas, ne pas foncer dans le tas. Et après avoir découvert que son sang a encore plus de propriétés qu’elle ne le pensait, elle va en plus devoir gérer un ancien maitre vampire qui débute une nouvelle vie humaine.
C’est enfin le tome que l’on attend pour le développement de la relation avec Corrigan, même si je voulais les voir évoluer, j’ai tout de même un petit bémol de ce côté. C’est un peu précipité, alors vous me direz, ça va avec l’héroïne mais tout de même, j’ai trouvé que le contexte était légèrement bizarre pour ça.
Mais si ce n’est cet aspect, j’ai adoré ma lecture. Les tomes ne font pas long feu, une fois commencé, je ne le lâche plus. Il reste encore un tome et il nous faudra leur dire au revoir, cette série est un coup de cœur pour l’instant. L’auteure utilise vraiment bien l’univers et amène des créatures atypiques et intéressantes à voir évoluer.
Toujours beaucoup d’action, de rebondissements et des belles évolutions chez les personnages. Cerise sur le gâteau, la romance avance enfin et l’humour est lui aussi présent.
https://followthereader2016.wordpress...
Mais enfin pourquoi Helen Harper n’est pas plus connue que ça en France, alors qu’elle est tout simplement géniale et que ses romans sont des petites bombes que je déguste sans modération. J’attendais de retrouver Mack avec impatience et OMG, elle a enfin réalisé certaines choses.
Mack après les derniers évènements veut un peu de tranquillité mais les mages, les faes et les métamorphes ne semblent pas connaitre ce concept et elle se retrouve à devoir semer du monde pour juste faire profil bas. De plus ses relations avec Corrigan sont toujours particulières et elle ne sait jamais comment réagir en sa présence, si ce n’est bien sûr pour le faire enrager.
Le fait d’avoir embrassé sa nature de Draco-Wyr lui fait une peur bleue, ne pas contrôler ses réactions alors qu’elle est transformée est son pire cauchemar. Pourtant elle est incapable de refuser son aide lorsqu’on a lui demande.
Même si elle tente de mener une vie plus calme, elle ne sait pas, ne pas foncer dans le tas. Et après avoir découvert que son sang a encore plus de propriétés qu’elle ne le pensait, elle va en plus devoir gérer un ancien maitre vampire qui débute une nouvelle vie humaine.
C’est enfin le tome que l’on attend pour le développement de la relation avec Corrigan, même si je voulais les voir évoluer, j’ai tout de même un petit bémol de ce côté. C’est un peu précipité, alors vous me direz, ça va avec l’héroïne mais tout de même, j’ai trouvé que le contexte était légèrement bizarre pour ça.
Mais si ce n’est cet aspect, j’ai adoré ma lecture. Les tomes ne font pas long feu, une fois commencé, je ne le lâche plus. Il reste encore un tome et il nous faudra leur dire au revoir, cette série est un coup de cœur pour l’instant. L’auteure utilise vraiment bien l’univers et amène des créatures atypiques et intéressantes à voir évoluer.
Toujours beaucoup d’action, de rebondissements et des belles évolutions chez les personnages. Cerise sur le gâteau, la romance avance enfin et l’humour est lui aussi présent.
June 3, 2015
I felt kind of disappointed on how their first time together be. Like seriously? You are getting ready to fight with a powerful thing and what did they do? They have a quickly out in the open where everyone is at. Not cool at all. But take that aside, I was happy they are finally together, but within the next day, what happen? She had to dump him in front of everyone, and within the next hours what happen? Se found out that they were soul Mate, I was like WTF? Hmm anyways, that's why I only gave it a 3 stars.
February 5, 2016
This one was hard to rate. The general story was as good as the previous offerings. The relationship finally takes a big step and then takes two big steps back in a "set up the conflict of the next book" ending that wants to be a cliff hanger but isn't really. I find these sorts of things unsatisfying and think it's a poor way to end a book as it diminishes the overall reading experience of any book or series.
More, the relationship step-back is predicated on a conflict that's not believable.
Not the best effort in the series.
More, the relationship step-back is predicated on a conflict that's not believable.
Not the best effort in the series.
June 27, 2021
What a cliffhanger!
This is the 4th volume of the Blood Destiny series (POV of Mack).
It's thrilling and the romantic story thickens.
There are some funny pictures that the author creates in your mind, and you instantly want to read the next book, when you finish it.
This is the 4th volume of the Blood Destiny series (POV of Mack).
It's thrilling and the romantic story thickens.
There are some funny pictures that the author creates in your mind, and you instantly want to read the next book, when you finish it.
January 2, 2022
On sait que Mack était colérique et impulsive, mais je pensais qu’elle allait s’arranger avec ce qui s’est passé... mais non, c’est la reine des mauvaises décisions. Et tout va tellement vite qu’on n’a pas le temps d’avoir l’univers ou les personnages se développer comme ils le mériteraient.
March 29, 2016
3.5 stars
January 6, 2019
In Mackenzie Smith Leben scheint es endlich etwas ruhiger zu laufen, aber diese Ruhe währt nur kurz. Denn sie wird von den Dryaden um Hilfe gebeten und ehe sich Mac versieht, muss sie gegen einen scheinbar unbesiegbaren Gegner kämpfen.
Bei diesem Buch handelt es sich um den 4. Teil der Blood Destiny-Reihe. Dieser Teil ist für Quereinsteiger nicht wirklich geeignet, denn die Handlung ist in dieser Reihe fortlaufend. Nachdem ich den 3. Teil bisher am schwächsten fand, konnte mich hingegen dieser Teil hier völlig überzeugen. Für mich ist dies bisher der beste Teil der Reihe.
Die Handlung fängt erst einmal recht ruhig an, Mac hilft bei der Neueröffnung des Buchladens. Nachdem im 3. Teil offenbart wurde, was sie ist, betreibt sie Ahnenforschung, um mehr über ihre Art herauszufinden. Jeder versucht irgendwie, auf seine Seite zu bekommen und immer turnen irgendwelche Magier, Gestaltenwandler und Elfen um sie heraus, was Mack ganz schön nervt. Außerdem denken alle, sie müssen jetzt auf sie aufpassen.
Dann wird sie direkt von zwei Fraktionen um Hilfe geben und wie es scheint, ist ihr neuer Gegner sehr mächtig, was sie natürlich zuerst nicht ahnt. In diesem Teil kommen sich Corrigan und Mac endlich näher, die Spannung zwischen den beiden war ja kaum noch auszuhalten als Leser. Besonders witzig fand ich den Vampir Aubrey, die Szenen mit ihm waren zum schlapp lachen. Ich will natürlich nicht spoilern, aber die, die das Buch schon kennen, wissen was ich meine.
Nachdem es am Anfang so ruhig war, wird es richtig dann zum Ende hin richtig dramatisch und spannend. Das Ende ist mega fies, was ist mit der Autorin los, so kann sie uns doch nicht zurück lassen. Ich hoffe, der 5. Teil erscheint bald, ich will jetzt sofort wissen wie es weiter geht. Von mir gibt es eine klare Leseempfehlung mit voller Punktzahl.
Bei diesem Buch handelt es sich um den 4. Teil der Blood Destiny-Reihe. Dieser Teil ist für Quereinsteiger nicht wirklich geeignet, denn die Handlung ist in dieser Reihe fortlaufend. Nachdem ich den 3. Teil bisher am schwächsten fand, konnte mich hingegen dieser Teil hier völlig überzeugen. Für mich ist dies bisher der beste Teil der Reihe.
Die Handlung fängt erst einmal recht ruhig an, Mac hilft bei der Neueröffnung des Buchladens. Nachdem im 3. Teil offenbart wurde, was sie ist, betreibt sie Ahnenforschung, um mehr über ihre Art herauszufinden. Jeder versucht irgendwie, auf seine Seite zu bekommen und immer turnen irgendwelche Magier, Gestaltenwandler und Elfen um sie heraus, was Mack ganz schön nervt. Außerdem denken alle, sie müssen jetzt auf sie aufpassen.
Dann wird sie direkt von zwei Fraktionen um Hilfe geben und wie es scheint, ist ihr neuer Gegner sehr mächtig, was sie natürlich zuerst nicht ahnt. In diesem Teil kommen sich Corrigan und Mac endlich näher, die Spannung zwischen den beiden war ja kaum noch auszuhalten als Leser. Besonders witzig fand ich den Vampir Aubrey, die Szenen mit ihm waren zum schlapp lachen. Ich will natürlich nicht spoilern, aber die, die das Buch schon kennen, wissen was ich meine.
Nachdem es am Anfang so ruhig war, wird es richtig dann zum Ende hin richtig dramatisch und spannend. Das Ende ist mega fies, was ist mit der Autorin los, so kann sie uns doch nicht zurück lassen. Ich hoffe, der 5. Teil erscheint bald, ich will jetzt sofort wissen wie es weiter geht. Von mir gibt es eine klare Leseempfehlung mit voller Punktzahl.
September 29, 2024
Mack can turn into a dragon but only a few people know, the heads of the different orders have someone following her wherever she goes. No one wants her to choose any faction to align with but it is really bothering Mack.
While she’s trying to get her life in order, helping out Mrs. Alcorn open a new version of Clavia Books in London she is approached by a dryad to solve a problem for her.
So off she goes to try and help after getting rid of her shadows for a while and being accompanied by Aubrey, the former vampire, who is now under her power (and she’s not happy with that)
There is a lot happening in this book as Mack tries to help the dryads, gets closer to Corrigan and figure out more about herself.
Mack is overconfident at times, hates having help whether she needs it or not. But her anger management is working, she doesn’t fly off the handle instantaneously any more.
I’m not happy with the ending of this book, both for the manipulations by the Fae and Corrigan’s reactions – not his normal style. I’m sure this will be fixed in the next book, which I’m going to start right away.
While she’s trying to get her life in order, helping out Mrs. Alcorn open a new version of Clavia Books in London she is approached by a dryad to solve a problem for her.
So off she goes to try and help after getting rid of her shadows for a while and being accompanied by Aubrey, the former vampire, who is now under her power (and she’s not happy with that)
There is a lot happening in this book as Mack tries to help the dryads, gets closer to Corrigan and figure out more about herself.
Mack is overconfident at times, hates having help whether she needs it or not. But her anger management is working, she doesn’t fly off the handle instantaneously any more.
I’m not happy with the ending of this book, both for the manipulations by the Fae and Corrigan’s reactions – not his normal style. I’m sure this will be fixed in the next book, which I’m going to start right away.
September 17, 2017
"Blood Politics" is the fourth book in Helen Harper's "Blood Destiny" series. In light of the events of the last novel, Mack is doing the best that she can to cope with her losses. Starting over in London, she finds herself suffering from a bit of PTSD as she attempts to cope with what she is and what that means for her future. Not wanting to dwell on all of that too much, Mack attempts to assert her independence, while coming to the aide of the Dryads.
Overall, this is a fast-paced novel filled with a bit of humor, action, mystery with a touch of romance. I enjoyed reading it and recommend that you read each novel in this series in numerical order.
Overall, this is a fast-paced novel filled with a bit of humor, action, mystery with a touch of romance. I enjoyed reading it and recommend that you read each novel in this series in numerical order.
May 29, 2017
she did not just do that to Mack and Corrigan, after all that push and pull shit.
ugh ... smh
ugh ... smh
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