What do you think?
Rate this book
Alliance #1
Alliance
Note: Alternate/new cover edition for ASIN# B00CLY1H0A
Warning - This book is intended for mature audience. Excessive language and sexual situations may not be suitable for younger teens. This story also includes m/m romance.
Keller Witmore is a bang ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. Seeing that he is an incubus, so you can hardly blame him. In all his seventeen years, he’s never had anyone, a mom nor a dad to show him what love means. No one except for Hudson, his best friend, his brother in every sense of the word except blood. Growing up in the boarding school for demon and angel Halves, he’s known no other life. But when a war brews and the campus is closed, he will find out a lot of things about himself, what he is, who he is and who he wants to become. When it’s all said and done, can he ever go back to the way things were?
Hudson Yarde’s life revolves around being Keller’s wingman, it’s a full time job with both it’s perks and drawbacks. Drawn into the Keller’s antics since a young age, Hudson stays to protect Keller from himself. He stays to hide in his shadows, away from the spotlight. But most of all, he stays to keep his secret. For years he’s been waiting for his incubus nature to kick in but it hasn't happened yet. A chance meeting, the impending war and being freed from the judgment and rules, gives him the opportunity to be what he wants to be, himself.
Together they leave for the human domain. Neither of them aware of the others secrets or of those around them. And for the first time, a gap could wedge between them, carved by the sharp knife of distrust. Lies of omission will draw a line between them at the dawn of the war over humanity.
Warning - This book is intended for mature audience. Excessive language and sexual situations may not be suitable for younger teens. This story also includes m/m romance.
Keller Witmore is a bang ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. Seeing that he is an incubus, so you can hardly blame him. In all his seventeen years, he’s never had anyone, a mom nor a dad to show him what love means. No one except for Hudson, his best friend, his brother in every sense of the word except blood. Growing up in the boarding school for demon and angel Halves, he’s known no other life. But when a war brews and the campus is closed, he will find out a lot of things about himself, what he is, who he is and who he wants to become. When it’s all said and done, can he ever go back to the way things were?
Hudson Yarde’s life revolves around being Keller’s wingman, it’s a full time job with both it’s perks and drawbacks. Drawn into the Keller’s antics since a young age, Hudson stays to protect Keller from himself. He stays to hide in his shadows, away from the spotlight. But most of all, he stays to keep his secret. For years he’s been waiting for his incubus nature to kick in but it hasn't happened yet. A chance meeting, the impending war and being freed from the judgment and rules, gives him the opportunity to be what he wants to be, himself.
Together they leave for the human domain. Neither of them aware of the others secrets or of those around them. And for the first time, a gap could wedge between them, carved by the sharp knife of distrust. Lies of omission will draw a line between them at the dawn of the war over humanity.
405 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2013
2 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 6, 2016
**2.5 stars**
When I first heard about this book, I have to say, I was stoked. My track record with YA paranormals and M/M paranormals isn't stellar, so I was really hoping to find a book that changed that for me.
This book started out very strong. I loved the world that these two authors created. Roommates Keller and Hudson are teenage incubi who go to a boarding school for paranormals to hone their craft. As incubi, they feed on lust and sex, which Keller does at every given opportunity. Hudson... not so much. Maybe that is because the one person he lusts after is pretty much off limits.
I really dug the sexual tension between Keller and Hudson in the first portion of the book and the school setting. The different paranormal factions were interesting and I liked the (more or less) sex positive attitude that the characters had, which is unusual in YA. Everything was pointing towards this book being a total win for me until the middle of the book rolled around.
That is when I started to have some problems with this story. This book is long. Like over 400 pages long. While that can be okay if every page serves a purpose, I felt like the story should have been cut down by about 100 pages by a good editor. The back and forth between Keller and Hudson grew really, REALLY tiresome. I actually found myself caring less and less about them as characters because of the increasingly annoying arguing between them. The lack of communication irritated me. It just felt stupid. If they had just had ONE meaningful conversation between them where both of them LISTENED, all of this annoying stuff could have been eliminated (but then we wouldn't have had the second book set up, I know, I know).
I also did a 180 about my feelings towards Hudson. I really loved his character in the first part of this story and now I kind of hate him. I found him to be really unsympathetic towards the end of the book.
My final issue is the has to do with the "romance" in this book. The spoiler ahead is fairly minor but I still tagged it in case someone wants no spoilers at all.
Will I be continuing with this series? I actually don't think so. This might be personal preference though because I think many readers will love this book. The writing is very engaging and I stayed up late to see what would happen. However, I found Hudson and Keller to be extremely frustrating and I found the plot to get a bit scattered at the end of the story. I don't think I can read another 400 pages of arguing.
If I had to rate this it would be 4 stars for the beginning of the book, 2 stars for the middle and end of the book, 1 star for the back-and-and forth fighting, and 3 stars for the interesting world-building.
**Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
When I first heard about this book, I have to say, I was stoked. My track record with YA paranormals and M/M paranormals isn't stellar, so I was really hoping to find a book that changed that for me.
This book started out very strong. I loved the world that these two authors created. Roommates Keller and Hudson are teenage incubi who go to a boarding school for paranormals to hone their craft. As incubi, they feed on lust and sex, which Keller does at every given opportunity. Hudson... not so much. Maybe that is because the one person he lusts after is pretty much off limits.
I really dug the sexual tension between Keller and Hudson in the first portion of the book and the school setting. The different paranormal factions were interesting and I liked the (more or less) sex positive attitude that the characters had, which is unusual in YA. Everything was pointing towards this book being a total win for me until the middle of the book rolled around.
That is when I started to have some problems with this story. This book is long. Like over 400 pages long. While that can be okay if every page serves a purpose, I felt like the story should have been cut down by about 100 pages by a good editor. The back and forth between Keller and Hudson grew really, REALLY tiresome. I actually found myself caring less and less about them as characters because of the increasingly annoying arguing between them. The lack of communication irritated me. It just felt stupid. If they had just had ONE meaningful conversation between them where both of them LISTENED, all of this annoying stuff could have been eliminated (but then we wouldn't have had the second book set up, I know, I know).
I also did a 180 about my feelings towards Hudson. I really loved his character in the first part of this story and now I kind of hate him. I found him to be really unsympathetic towards the end of the book.
My final issue is the has to do with the "romance" in this book. The spoiler ahead is fairly minor but I still tagged it in case someone wants no spoilers at all.
Will I be continuing with this series? I actually don't think so. This might be personal preference though because I think many readers will love this book. The writing is very engaging and I stayed up late to see what would happen. However, I found Hudson and Keller to be extremely frustrating and I found the plot to get a bit scattered at the end of the story. I don't think I can read another 400 pages of arguing.
If I had to rate this it would be 4 stars for the beginning of the book, 2 stars for the middle and end of the book, 1 star for the back-and-and forth fighting, and 3 stars for the interesting world-building.
**Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
June 6, 2013
Quick review:
Cover: I likey
Rating: PG-16
Thumbs Up: 5
Overall: A lot of drama, action and romance
Characters: Well Done
Plot: Two friends torn apart by secrets and war is coming
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Keller
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
This is a book by one of my fav authors. What’s not to like? Hot guys, drama and romance. Okay, I didn’t see some of it coming. But I was excited to read it. I can’t help but wonder what’s coming next. And the cliffy wasn’t too bad.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Cover: I likey
Rating: PG-16
Thumbs Up: 5
Overall: A lot of drama, action and romance
Characters: Well Done
Plot: Two friends torn apart by secrets and war is coming
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Keller
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
This is a book by one of my fav authors. What’s not to like? Hot guys, drama and romance. Okay, I didn’t see some of it coming. But I was excited to read it. I can’t help but wonder what’s coming next. And the cliffy wasn’t too bad.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Read
June 13, 2013Interested in a review copy in exchange for an honest review
Click here
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Click here
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
October 15, 2013
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Shannon Dermott's work, so I don't know what took me so long to get around to picking up Alliance, which she co wrote with Danyele Johnson.
Unfortunately, the first half of this book fell completely flat for me. I couldn't connect with the characters and it felt like there was a lot of unnecessary filler, which really wasn't taking me anywhere. It was only the fact that, down the line, this series connects with the Cambion series (one of my all time favourites), which is written by Shannon, and I really wanted to be able to make that connection when the time comes, that kept me reading.
But at around the 50% mark, things really kicked up a gear. Keller and Hudson are in the human world, and learning to deal with their complicated sexuality. I really felt more connected to them both as characters then and became more invested in them. I also felt that the humans we met made much more of an impression on me, and were a lot more memorable, than any of the supernatural characters we met at the beginning, whose names I struggled to remember. Excitement kicked in for me, the angsty relationship takes off and there's mystery surrounding Gary, and Hudson's origins. I really didn't like Cain, didn't take to him at all from the start, and didn't invest in the romance with him. I could see from the start where he was trying to influence Hudson to turn against Keller, and all of human kind, I just didn't know why. But what was going on with Keller kept me glued to the pages and rooting for him. I'm completely invested in their relationship, whether it ends up romantic or not, I'm really hoping they get things worked out before they head into this war, though I'm not too hopeful of that.
The ending left me truly terrified of how things are going to go for these lads and their world in the next book, Rogue, but I can't wait to find out.
Unfortunately, the first half of this book fell completely flat for me. I couldn't connect with the characters and it felt like there was a lot of unnecessary filler, which really wasn't taking me anywhere. It was only the fact that, down the line, this series connects with the Cambion series (one of my all time favourites), which is written by Shannon, and I really wanted to be able to make that connection when the time comes, that kept me reading.
But at around the 50% mark, things really kicked up a gear. Keller and Hudson are in the human world, and learning to deal with their complicated sexuality. I really felt more connected to them both as characters then and became more invested in them. I also felt that the humans we met made much more of an impression on me, and were a lot more memorable, than any of the supernatural characters we met at the beginning, whose names I struggled to remember. Excitement kicked in for me, the angsty relationship takes off and there's mystery surrounding Gary, and Hudson's origins. I really didn't like Cain, didn't take to him at all from the start, and didn't invest in the romance with him. I could see from the start where he was trying to influence Hudson to turn against Keller, and all of human kind, I just didn't know why. But what was going on with Keller kept me glued to the pages and rooting for him. I'm completely invested in their relationship, whether it ends up romantic or not, I'm really hoping they get things worked out before they head into this war, though I'm not too hopeful of that.
The ending left me truly terrified of how things are going to go for these lads and their world in the next book, Rogue, but I can't wait to find out.
February 25, 2013
In the interest of full disclosure, I received an advanced review copy, and there was still some editing that needed to be done. My review is completely my own thoughts however, and my recommendation is my own.
Now that I have gotten that out of the way, this book really blew me away, and I do not say that often about books anymore. I can usually tell within the first half at the absolute latest, what will happen with the book and where the story will lead. With this book I was still running into twists until nearly the very last sentence.
Keller and Hudson make a great pair of narrators for the book, and changing from one point of view to the next really helps the reader get inside the head's of both these characters, to really understand what is going on in the story. Admittedly, I found myself wishing things would go differently than they did only because it would have been a bit more traditional. But that is exactly why I liked the book, because it took the story to places I didn't think/expect it would lead.
I don't want to spoil anything for future readers here, but I will tell you that as the story develops, you may find yourself changing sides and wishing that love didn't work out in some cases, and that lust and attraction could somehow be more powerful, which is almost never the way I think. Then again, maybe it is love that I wished won out, and lust that sidetracked the characters to follow something other than their hearts... ;-)
Speaking of which, the book does contain references to sexual activity, though not in graphic terms, and while I marked it as a YA book, it is probably best suited for older YA readers or those who enjoy YA books but do not necessarily fall into that age group anymore.
Now that I have gotten that out of the way, this book really blew me away, and I do not say that often about books anymore. I can usually tell within the first half at the absolute latest, what will happen with the book and where the story will lead. With this book I was still running into twists until nearly the very last sentence.
Keller and Hudson make a great pair of narrators for the book, and changing from one point of view to the next really helps the reader get inside the head's of both these characters, to really understand what is going on in the story. Admittedly, I found myself wishing things would go differently than they did only because it would have been a bit more traditional. But that is exactly why I liked the book, because it took the story to places I didn't think/expect it would lead.
I don't want to spoil anything for future readers here, but I will tell you that as the story develops, you may find yourself changing sides and wishing that love didn't work out in some cases, and that lust and attraction could somehow be more powerful, which is almost never the way I think. Then again, maybe it is love that I wished won out, and lust that sidetracked the characters to follow something other than their hearts... ;-)
Speaking of which, the book does contain references to sexual activity, though not in graphic terms, and while I marked it as a YA book, it is probably best suited for older YA readers or those who enjoy YA books but do not necessarily fall into that age group anymore.
May 9, 2013
This written by Danyele Johnson and by one of favorite authors Shannon Dermott. : )
Review is coming!
Review is coming!
October 2, 2013
Having purchased the nook edition of this book partly based on the captivating plot description and partly based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews, and now having tried to read the book, I am somewhat baffled and quite disappointed.
With a [much] heavier editing hand, I might have considered Alliance to be at least a 3-star, if not 4-star, book. As it is, I unfortunately gave up 25% of my way through it, and would have given up even sooner, had I been able to borrow it from the library rather than spending money on it.
This book is rife with grammatical errors, missing words, fragmented sentences used far beyond the point of effectiveness, verb tense confusion, poor and inconsistent characterization, unnecessary avoidance of contractions, and narrative holes -- especially in terms of world-building. Both main characters are obnoxious jerks, often including to each other. The text gives me little to no concept of the framework of their society and its varying races. Also, the text is vague on details about what is happening and why, even while it does entirely too much telling about alternately obvious and conflicting descriptions of characters and their thoughts and feelings.
The final straw for me was this: "Mom thought driving was a useful skill I should learn early on in case of emergency. And so I did. Later on getting my license a year ago when we visited her in Idaho."
Random tense changes within paragraphs and even within sentences are bad enough, but when the awkward/incorrect phrasing does not even make sense anymore . . . my time is worth more than what I paid for the book. It takes a lot for me to decide that I will not finish a book, as well as for me to write such a critical review. However, while the idea for this book really interested me, the execution fell extremely short of its potential, and I want considering readers to receive more warning than they would get from all these other mostly positive reviews.
With a [much] heavier editing hand, I might have considered Alliance to be at least a 3-star, if not 4-star, book. As it is, I unfortunately gave up 25% of my way through it, and would have given up even sooner, had I been able to borrow it from the library rather than spending money on it.
This book is rife with grammatical errors, missing words, fragmented sentences used far beyond the point of effectiveness, verb tense confusion, poor and inconsistent characterization, unnecessary avoidance of contractions, and narrative holes -- especially in terms of world-building. Both main characters are obnoxious jerks, often including to each other. The text gives me little to no concept of the framework of their society and its varying races. Also, the text is vague on details about what is happening and why, even while it does entirely too much telling about alternately obvious and conflicting descriptions of characters and their thoughts and feelings.
The final straw for me was this: "Mom thought driving was a useful skill I should learn early on in case of emergency. And so I did. Later on getting my license a year ago when we visited her in Idaho."
Random tense changes within paragraphs and even within sentences are bad enough, but when the awkward/incorrect phrasing does not even make sense anymore . . . my time is worth more than what I paid for the book. It takes a lot for me to decide that I will not finish a book, as well as for me to write such a critical review. However, while the idea for this book really interested me, the execution fell extremely short of its potential, and I want considering readers to receive more warning than they would get from all these other mostly positive reviews.
May 4, 2013
I am so in shock right now. I am not sure where the story is going but I will probably be thinking about it until the next book.
I love Hudson and Cain. They were so cute with the beginning flirting. I am hoping Cain really truely cares about Hudson and is not using him.
Not sure I really want Hudson and Keller together. They are like fire and gas not a good combo. They are constantly hurting each other and more hormonal than the average teenage girl. How can all the secrets, lies, and hurt be overcome? I had a hard time liking Keller at first but toward the middle of the book he started growing on me. Hudson grew by leaps and bounds. He has so much goodness in him that is getting over crowded in darkness it is scary.
Is saving Hudson what Keller needs to do to be with him? Are the rogues really evil? They seem to have a point to what they believe in. It is true that humans are ruled by greed and power. We shun the unknown and those that are different. We basically use the bible to condemn others and think forgiveness will save us but a fallen angel cannot get into heaven. Isn't forgiveness for everyone?
Where did Melissa go? How did Jude leave his post to hunt for Hudson? So many questions and swirling emotions that will pleague me in the coming months.
Again another great story from Shannon Dermott. I will forward to reading more from Danyele Johnson in the future also.
I love Hudson and Cain. They were so cute with the beginning flirting. I am hoping Cain really truely cares about Hudson and is not using him.
Not sure I really want Hudson and Keller together. They are like fire and gas not a good combo. They are constantly hurting each other and more hormonal than the average teenage girl. How can all the secrets, lies, and hurt be overcome? I had a hard time liking Keller at first but toward the middle of the book he started growing on me. Hudson grew by leaps and bounds. He has so much goodness in him that is getting over crowded in darkness it is scary.
Is saving Hudson what Keller needs to do to be with him? Are the rogues really evil? They seem to have a point to what they believe in. It is true that humans are ruled by greed and power. We shun the unknown and those that are different. We basically use the bible to condemn others and think forgiveness will save us but a fallen angel cannot get into heaven. Isn't forgiveness for everyone?
Where did Melissa go? How did Jude leave his post to hunt for Hudson? So many questions and swirling emotions that will pleague me in the coming months.
Again another great story from Shannon Dermott. I will forward to reading more from Danyele Johnson in the future also.
April 26, 2017
I loved it! This is not a book I'd normally pick up and read but I'm glad I did. It was amazing!
May 6, 2013
Love this book. I've been a Shannon Dermott fan for years so when I saw that she wrote a YA M/M novel, I was sooo excited. I love the relationships that are all building and I can't wait for the next book. Of course, I want Hudson and Keller to be together but it sounds like that will be a hard battle for them both. Highly recommend.
September 1, 2013
First, everyone should know that ending is not satisfying. Everything stays open and more complicated, more then it was at the beginning. Story plot is like some Spanish drama. Two guys are best friends. One in love with other and one blind to it. Then sadness, anger and hurt ruins all.
It is very unsatisfying ending. Its better to wait for next book.
It is very unsatisfying ending. Its better to wait for next book.
March 1, 2014
After reading other reviews about this book as I continue to read, I honestly don't understand how so many people fell in love with this book. The writing is T E R R I B L E. There are SO many grammatical errors and tense changes and just frustration that I couldn't take it anymore. Did anyone edit this book at all?
If this comes out in another edition then perhaps I would give it a try. But this is probably the most I've seen as far as errors are concerned in a published book.
The storyline was eh. So many things were happening that I didn't even know what the real plot was except for a few slight hints at an "upheaval" or an "uprising" but then again I didn't even finish the thing.
I hear from the reviews that there's a bit of a split between the two main characters and since I kind of like them but kind of don't at the same time I kind of don't want to see that. Hudson is pretty whiny and he's so damn secretive and doesn't even know why. And Keller is a womanizer but I probably like him more than Hudson. He's very open and caring and dependent on Hudson which you can't really blame him for considering his past.
This was just a mess and I stopped at about 37% on the Kindle. I just couldn't push through. As I said earlier, I'll give it another try if it comes out in another edition but at this moment I don't plan on reading the next in the series and I don't plan on revisiting this edition.
If this comes out in another edition then perhaps I would give it a try. But this is probably the most I've seen as far as errors are concerned in a published book.
The storyline was eh. So many things were happening that I didn't even know what the real plot was except for a few slight hints at an "upheaval" or an "uprising" but then again I didn't even finish the thing.
I hear from the reviews that there's a bit of a split between the two main characters and since I kind of like them but kind of don't at the same time I kind of don't want to see that. Hudson is pretty whiny and he's so damn secretive and doesn't even know why. And Keller is a womanizer but I probably like him more than Hudson. He's very open and caring and dependent on Hudson which you can't really blame him for considering his past.
This was just a mess and I stopped at about 37% on the Kindle. I just couldn't push through. As I said earlier, I'll give it another try if it comes out in another edition but at this moment I don't plan on reading the next in the series and I don't plan on revisiting this edition.
April 29, 2013
Different....but I loved it. Didn't think I would but I did.
November 14, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I've been looking for a supernatural/paranormal book such as this for quite some time. I look forward to the sequel.
April 11, 2014
Review also posted at Chaos Reads: The Young Adult Forums
http://chaosreads.com/topic/6853-alli...
1. Plot & Writing
This is a very character driven book and I love it...The plot is driven by the 2 lead characters, Keller & Hudson. While the plot seems to be about the impending war.....that takes backseat to the development of these 2 characters and their friendship and a secret that Hudson is keeping that begins to tear their friendship apart.
The plot is quite original for me for a YA story featuring Gay/Questioning character(s) and the whole Incubi/Succubus mythology going on. It was a very sexy read but nothing that is too bad for Older Teens and Young Adults to read. It is one of the few 1st person books I genuinely can say I liked because the characters were interesting and compelling.
What i liked about the writing is how the POVs would be from one point of view and the next chapter when they switch it sort of shows you what the other was reacting/thinking to in the previous scene. This was a strength that was utilize very well. I think the fact that two authors wrote this book definitely made it better because you have 2 distinctive and unique narrators.
Such great writing. The guys acted like real guys. They acted like teenagers but they also matured. The book's summary describes a war that is coming(and it is coming) but the war is not the main plot of this book, it is about coming to terms with yourself, accepting yourself and what happens when the people you thought had your back forever may not be around and may turn into your enemy. Paranormal Aspects may be in this book but there were a lot of double meanings that definitely relate to me in a normal way and I loved it.
2. Characters
The Book alternates between Keller & Hudson as the narrator....and I have to say this worked out flawlessly because you get to see from points of view the same scene but in different perspectives.
Keller is a bad boy. No ifs, ands or buts about it. He is what it is. He likes to sleep around and has no issue hooking up with someone's girlfriend. He's an incubus and he enjoys being wanted and enjoys the lust. However, it's obvious that he uses this as a defense mechanism as he doesn't have a good stable family life. His only true person who has been there all his life is Hudson. He doesn't have parents around to shower him with love so he uses lust as a crutch. He starts the book off as this arrogant, jackass type who you hate kind of but you secretly like him. He's impulsive. Wreckless and sometimes just plain stupid.
But as the book reaches the Climax of when all hell breaks loose...we start to see a completely different Hudson. Gone is the asshole and it's replace by someone who wants to feel. Who wants to express himself but he is so afraid to do it. Keller is a perfect example of a FLAWED Protagonist who makes you feel for him and root for him.
Hudson is the complete opposite of Keller...He is more reserved and hates the attention he gets from being an Incubus who enhances the lust of others. In fact he has no idea why his incubus nature hasn't awakened. At least not right away...As the book Progresses, Hudson begins to struggle with his sexuality and his growing feelings for Keller who has no idea his best friend is gay. Hudson struggles with resentment because he wants Keller but at the same time he is jealous because he wants to be like Keller...he doesn't want to be gay. He wants to be what he thinks is normal...straight.
These 2 start out as best friends and bros...Hudson always has Keller's back when he is about to get his ass kicked but by the end of the book when Hudson's secret is finally out, they are more or less enemies and now with the war going on between the species they are on separate sides.
Secondary characters were great as well...
Cain is a manipulative little bastard but he is so cool you can't help but like him. He is Hudson's main love interest and Keller's rival as the book progresses on and you can see that he is slowly using Hudson's insecurity to try and turn him against Keller. But as manipulative as Cain was, he also encouraged Hudson to stop hiding and just be who he is and accept it.
Tanner & Sophie were two characters who I absolutely loved. Sophie wasn't like all the other girls Keller was able to persuade but she did challenge him and keep him on his toes. Tanner's story was heartbreaking with his father and I was mad at what Hudson more or less did to him. But Tanner also managed to humanize Keller. Keller for the first time begin to care about someone other than himself and Hudson..
The other secondary characters were sort of just there and it's hard to form an opinion of them. Hudson's father was a bit weak in my opinion because he just wasn't that interesting...especially with the big reveal as we already sort of could tell something was off about him. Jacob more or less just served as a gossip and was a bit annoying. I'm hoping we'll get more from Him and Tanner and sophie in the sequel.
3. Overall
This book had good action and fight scenes but what made me love the books isn't the use of Powers and the use of fighting...it was the characters.
Never have I connected so strongly with 2 boys the way I did Keller and Hudson...and even Tanner. Their struggle both internally and externally makes you just want to jump in and fight their battles for them.
SO many times you want to just scream to Hudson...tell him that you love him and stop hiding.
So many times you want to punch Keller and tell him to not let Cain take Hudson away so easily from him.
You want to hug tanner and never let him go.
This book will make you scream in good ways because these boys are just fantastic. I can't say enough how great a book is and I wish these boys were real because oh my god.
The fight scenes as I said were great...I love the one-liners and the banter was great.
The only one thing I will say negative is after Keller finally discovers Hudson is gay and his feelings for him...they became a bit catty...Hudson would more or less try to piss Keller off by hooking up with people right in front of him and Keller would do the same. At first I liked it but it did begin to get a bit repetitive.
I rate this book a perfect 5 out of 5.
http://chaosreads.com/topic/6853-alli...
1. Plot & Writing
This is a very character driven book and I love it...The plot is driven by the 2 lead characters, Keller & Hudson. While the plot seems to be about the impending war.....that takes backseat to the development of these 2 characters and their friendship and a secret that Hudson is keeping that begins to tear their friendship apart.
The plot is quite original for me for a YA story featuring Gay/Questioning character(s) and the whole Incubi/Succubus mythology going on. It was a very sexy read but nothing that is too bad for Older Teens and Young Adults to read. It is one of the few 1st person books I genuinely can say I liked because the characters were interesting and compelling.
What i liked about the writing is how the POVs would be from one point of view and the next chapter when they switch it sort of shows you what the other was reacting/thinking to in the previous scene. This was a strength that was utilize very well. I think the fact that two authors wrote this book definitely made it better because you have 2 distinctive and unique narrators.
Such great writing. The guys acted like real guys. They acted like teenagers but they also matured. The book's summary describes a war that is coming(and it is coming) but the war is not the main plot of this book, it is about coming to terms with yourself, accepting yourself and what happens when the people you thought had your back forever may not be around and may turn into your enemy. Paranormal Aspects may be in this book but there were a lot of double meanings that definitely relate to me in a normal way and I loved it.
2. Characters
The Book alternates between Keller & Hudson as the narrator....and I have to say this worked out flawlessly because you get to see from points of view the same scene but in different perspectives.
Keller is a bad boy. No ifs, ands or buts about it. He is what it is. He likes to sleep around and has no issue hooking up with someone's girlfriend. He's an incubus and he enjoys being wanted and enjoys the lust. However, it's obvious that he uses this as a defense mechanism as he doesn't have a good stable family life. His only true person who has been there all his life is Hudson. He doesn't have parents around to shower him with love so he uses lust as a crutch. He starts the book off as this arrogant, jackass type who you hate kind of but you secretly like him. He's impulsive. Wreckless and sometimes just plain stupid.
But as the book reaches the Climax of when all hell breaks loose...we start to see a completely different Hudson. Gone is the asshole and it's replace by someone who wants to feel. Who wants to express himself but he is so afraid to do it. Keller is a perfect example of a FLAWED Protagonist who makes you feel for him and root for him.
Hudson is the complete opposite of Keller...He is more reserved and hates the attention he gets from being an Incubus who enhances the lust of others. In fact he has no idea why his incubus nature hasn't awakened. At least not right away...As the book Progresses, Hudson begins to struggle with his sexuality and his growing feelings for Keller who has no idea his best friend is gay. Hudson struggles with resentment because he wants Keller but at the same time he is jealous because he wants to be like Keller...he doesn't want to be gay. He wants to be what he thinks is normal...straight.
These 2 start out as best friends and bros...Hudson always has Keller's back when he is about to get his ass kicked but by the end of the book when Hudson's secret is finally out, they are more or less enemies and now with the war going on between the species they are on separate sides.
Secondary characters were great as well...
Cain is a manipulative little bastard but he is so cool you can't help but like him. He is Hudson's main love interest and Keller's rival as the book progresses on and you can see that he is slowly using Hudson's insecurity to try and turn him against Keller. But as manipulative as Cain was, he also encouraged Hudson to stop hiding and just be who he is and accept it.
Tanner & Sophie were two characters who I absolutely loved. Sophie wasn't like all the other girls Keller was able to persuade but she did challenge him and keep him on his toes. Tanner's story was heartbreaking with his father and I was mad at what Hudson more or less did to him. But Tanner also managed to humanize Keller. Keller for the first time begin to care about someone other than himself and Hudson..
The other secondary characters were sort of just there and it's hard to form an opinion of them. Hudson's father was a bit weak in my opinion because he just wasn't that interesting...especially with the big reveal as we already sort of could tell something was off about him. Jacob more or less just served as a gossip and was a bit annoying. I'm hoping we'll get more from Him and Tanner and sophie in the sequel.
3. Overall
This book had good action and fight scenes but what made me love the books isn't the use of Powers and the use of fighting...it was the characters.
Never have I connected so strongly with 2 boys the way I did Keller and Hudson...and even Tanner. Their struggle both internally and externally makes you just want to jump in and fight their battles for them.
SO many times you want to just scream to Hudson...tell him that you love him and stop hiding.
So many times you want to punch Keller and tell him to not let Cain take Hudson away so easily from him.
You want to hug tanner and never let him go.
This book will make you scream in good ways because these boys are just fantastic. I can't say enough how great a book is and I wish these boys were real because oh my god.
The fight scenes as I said were great...I love the one-liners and the banter was great.
The only one thing I will say negative is after Keller finally discovers Hudson is gay and his feelings for him...they became a bit catty...Hudson would more or less try to piss Keller off by hooking up with people right in front of him and Keller would do the same. At first I liked it but it did begin to get a bit repetitive.
I rate this book a perfect 5 out of 5.
December 1, 2013
Ok me gosh! oh me gosh! that ending!! this book!! the feels man the feels... The love love love Cain is the most perfect character type. I so expect him to be like what he is the question is are his feeling sincere?!?!? AND that Keller ohhh baby i want a piece of him! Hudson is the lamest of the lame I understand there was that one day after shit hit the fan but Damn revenge is a bitch and a double edge sword.
______________Spoilers_________________Spoilers_______________
Cain is either-
A:So good at what s does. He doesn't just stick his hand in your heart but makes his prey want it so that when he crushes it you are thanking him. He IS part fallen angel part human. Then angel part is jealous, the human part is emotional, the fallen part makes it so that all his motives are for his own gain.
or
B: A super passionate guy that ends up on the wrong side of the war.
Keller is confused but knows that he want his best friend either as a lover or a brother. The after he walk out he knew that bringing girl home would hurt Hudson, he just had to push his bottons and now look were there at. Yes, Hudson should have forgiving Keller buy Keller didn't have to pull that ONE dick move. And is was only one Hudson has beenmaking mistakes all though out this book and it just keeps getting worse soon his "ex' Best friend" is going to die for him then where will he be in Hell!! grrrr boys to god damn emotional...(lol i laugh @ myself)
______________Spoilers_________________Spoilers_______________
Cain is either-
A:So good at what s does. He doesn't just stick his hand in your heart but makes his prey want it so that when he crushes it you are thanking him. He IS part fallen angel part human. Then angel part is jealous, the human part is emotional, the fallen part makes it so that all his motives are for his own gain.
or
B: A super passionate guy that ends up on the wrong side of the war.
Keller is confused but knows that he want his best friend either as a lover or a brother. The after he walk out he knew that bringing girl home would hurt Hudson, he just had to push his bottons and now look were there at. Yes, Hudson should have forgiving Keller buy Keller didn't have to pull that ONE dick move. And is was only one Hudson has beenmaking mistakes all though out this book and it just keeps getting worse soon his "ex' Best friend" is going to die for him then where will he be in Hell!! grrrr boys to god damn emotional...(lol i laugh @ myself)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2020
What was all that about? High school angst and sex romps with supernaturals as characters? It's like the authors took arcs from overdone teen TV series and inserted 'incubus', 'vampires', etc. DNF at 75% because nothing AT ALL happened that could maintain my interest, and that was with maximum effort on my part. I should've given up sooner.
Currently reading
May 7, 2013Loving this book so far, the characters are really interesting and the plot line shows great promise. Really looking forward to sitting down later to finish it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews