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Fallen Siren #2
Reckoning
Join Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong.
She’s sacrificed. He’s suffered. They’ve both been betrayed.
Now it’s time for a reckoning.
Special Agent Emma Monroe has a secret. She’s a Fallen Siren, cursed by the gods and banished to Earth for her failure to prevent the kidnapping of Persephone. As an FBI agent she saves the lives of others believing redemption could be one rescue away.
Her partner Zack is a werewolf and former Black Ops sniper who once carried out a string of questionable assignments. Now he’s determined to atone for his past. Ironically, there’s a portion of his past Zack doesn’t remember—an affair with Emma. Giving into their attraction for one another almost led to their undoing. Now it’s back to business as usual.
While trying to unravel the mystery behind a series of kidnappings in Southern California, Emma and Zack become entangled with political tensions in the vampire and Were worlds. Not to mention the struggles they face in their relationship with one another. With so much uncertainty, they come to realize the only thing they can really count on is one another…or can they?
She’s sacrificed. He’s suffered. They’ve both been betrayed.
Now it’s time for a reckoning.
Special Agent Emma Monroe has a secret. She’s a Fallen Siren, cursed by the gods and banished to Earth for her failure to prevent the kidnapping of Persephone. As an FBI agent she saves the lives of others believing redemption could be one rescue away.
Her partner Zack is a werewolf and former Black Ops sniper who once carried out a string of questionable assignments. Now he’s determined to atone for his past. Ironically, there’s a portion of his past Zack doesn’t remember—an affair with Emma. Giving into their attraction for one another almost led to their undoing. Now it’s back to business as usual.
While trying to unravel the mystery behind a series of kidnappings in Southern California, Emma and Zack become entangled with political tensions in the vampire and Were worlds. Not to mention the struggles they face in their relationship with one another. With so much uncertainty, they come to realize the only thing they can really count on is one another…or can they?
292 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 7, 2014
21 people are currently reading
1170 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Harper
5 books546 followersS.J. Harper is the pen name for the writing team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein, two friends who met at Comic-Con in San Diego and quickly bonded over a mutual love of good wine, edgy urban fantasy, and everything Joss Whedon.
Samantha Sommersby left what she used to call her “real life” day job in the psychiatric field to pursue writing full-time in 2007. She is the author of more than ten novels and novellas including the critically acclaimed Forbidden series. She currently lives with her husband and cocker spaniel, Buck, in a century old Southern California Craftsman. Sam happily spends her days immersed in a world where vampires, werewolves, and demons are real, myths and legends are revered, magic is possible, and love still conquers all.
Jeanne Stein is the national bestselling author of The Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles. She also has numerous short story credits, including most recently the novella, Blood Debt, from the New York Times bestselling anthology, Hexed. Her series has been picked up in three foreign countries and her short stories published in collections here in the US and the UK. She lives in Denver, CO where she finds gardening a challenge more daunting than navigating the world of mythical creatures.
Samantha Sommersby left what she used to call her “real life” day job in the psychiatric field to pursue writing full-time in 2007. She is the author of more than ten novels and novellas including the critically acclaimed Forbidden series. She currently lives with her husband and cocker spaniel, Buck, in a century old Southern California Craftsman. Sam happily spends her days immersed in a world where vampires, werewolves, and demons are real, myths and legends are revered, magic is possible, and love still conquers all.
Jeanne Stein is the national bestselling author of The Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles. She also has numerous short story credits, including most recently the novella, Blood Debt, from the New York Times bestselling anthology, Hexed. Her series has been picked up in three foreign countries and her short stories published in collections here in the US and the UK. She lives in Denver, CO where she finds gardening a challenge more daunting than navigating the world of mythical creatures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
July 22, 2015
Warning: this review contains spoilers. Deal with it.
I’m such an emotional wreck, it’s completely ridiculous. As I started reading the very first lines of this book, I just knew the authors were up to no good. I just knew one of the two people involved wouldn’t be the one I wanted them to be. Talk about being sucker-punched! And don’t think it stopped there. It went on and on and on throughout the book and there I was, a nervous wreck with a broken heart and my stomach in knots. All that because of what? Because of a silly, INFURIATING Siren who can’t get her act straight.
I have to admit that Emma almost ruined Reckoning for me. She just confused the hell out of me and made me want to (choose all that apply):
(a) Throw my Kindle across the room
(b) Scream like a freaking maniac
(c) Shake her until I got some sense into her little siren head
(d) Give up on the book altogether
I know she only wants to protect Zack from Demeter’s curse. I get that, it’s fine. But the whole Kallistos thing?! I don’t think so! I just don’t care how FREAKING HOT sex with Kallistos is, there is absolutely no chemistry there. The flesh is weak and she’s a Siren, a very sexual creature, sex is the only thing she can have since she can’t have love, vampire sex is amazing, blah blah blah… Well, it looks like the mind-blowing sex directly affected this Siren’s little grey cells. Rarely have I been so mad at a main character. Why? Because Kallistos is a manipulative, pretentious, selfish, greedy, untrustworthy prick. I can’t stand the guy. I thought he was pretty cool when his character was introduced at the end of Cursed but now? I just hate his guts and it gets worse every time he appears. I am SO on Team Zack. Actually, Zack is the only reason I kept reading this book. I love him as much as I hate Kallistos.
I really HATE the whole love triangle thing, it just doesn’t do it for me. But hey, sing HALLELUIAH, because our silly Siren finally sees the light towards the end of the book!! Eat your heart out Kallistos!
I know things aren’t good between Emma & Zack at the end of the book but I’d rather have them this way than have Emma with Kallistos. And I swear, if they get back together in the next instalment, I’ll done with this series.
As far as the secondary characters are concerned, I can’t say we get to see much of them in this instalment. I liked the little we saw of Owen in Cursed and was happy that he was in Reckoning as well. I wished we’d seen more of Evan too. I can’t stand Liz and the way the constantly bosses Emma around is infuriating. Who does this silly little witch think she is anyway?
As in Cursed, the plot is a bit slow to develop but the investigation is as interesting as its outcome is original. I enjoyed the build-up and satisfying resolution.
A note on mythology: as I was reading Reckoning, I realized I had no idea what the difference between mermaids and sirens was. I had always thought they were one and the same since there is only one word for both creatures in French and Spanish: "sirène" and "sirena". After doing some research I found out that Sirens are the original mythological creatures. In Greek mythology, they are half-human and half-bird (they can thank Demeter for that!). Mermaids on the other hand come from medieval Scandinavian folklore and are half-human, half-fish. Pretty interesting stuff! I wish the authors would include more mythological elements in this series and would focus more on this aspect of the story. I hope they do in the next instalment.
Reckoning is a one hell of an emotional ride. Entertaining? Yep. Infuriating? Absolutely. Riveting? That too. More! I want More!
♦ Captured (#0.5) ★★★★
♦ Cursed (#1) ★★★★
♦ Forsaken (#2.5) ★★★★
I’m such an emotional wreck, it’s completely ridiculous. As I started reading the very first lines of this book, I just knew the authors were up to no good. I just knew one of the two people involved wouldn’t be the one I wanted them to be. Talk about being sucker-punched! And don’t think it stopped there. It went on and on and on throughout the book and there I was, a nervous wreck with a broken heart and my stomach in knots. All that because of what? Because of a silly, INFURIATING Siren who can’t get her act straight.
I have to admit that Emma almost ruined Reckoning for me. She just confused the hell out of me and made me want to (choose all that apply):
(a) Throw my Kindle across the room
(b) Scream like a freaking maniac
(c) Shake her until I got some sense into her little siren head
(d) Give up on the book altogether
I know she only wants to protect Zack from Demeter’s curse. I get that, it’s fine. But the whole Kallistos thing?! I don’t think so! I just don’t care how FREAKING HOT sex with Kallistos is, there is absolutely no chemistry there. The flesh is weak and she’s a Siren, a very sexual creature, sex is the only thing she can have since she can’t have love, vampire sex is amazing, blah blah blah… Well, it looks like the mind-blowing sex directly affected this Siren’s little grey cells. Rarely have I been so mad at a main character. Why? Because Kallistos is a manipulative, pretentious, selfish, greedy, untrustworthy prick. I can’t stand the guy. I thought he was pretty cool when his character was introduced at the end of Cursed but now? I just hate his guts and it gets worse every time he appears. I am SO on Team Zack. Actually, Zack is the only reason I kept reading this book. I love him as much as I hate Kallistos.
I really HATE the whole love triangle thing, it just doesn’t do it for me. But hey, sing HALLELUIAH, because our silly Siren finally sees the light towards the end of the book!! Eat your heart out Kallistos!
I know things aren’t good between Emma & Zack at the end of the book but I’d rather have them this way than have Emma with Kallistos. And I swear, if they get back together in the next instalment, I’ll done with this series.
As far as the secondary characters are concerned, I can’t say we get to see much of them in this instalment. I liked the little we saw of Owen in Cursed and was happy that he was in Reckoning as well. I wished we’d seen more of Evan too. I can’t stand Liz and the way the constantly bosses Emma around is infuriating. Who does this silly little witch think she is anyway?
As in Cursed, the plot is a bit slow to develop but the investigation is as interesting as its outcome is original. I enjoyed the build-up and satisfying resolution.
A note on mythology: as I was reading Reckoning, I realized I had no idea what the difference between mermaids and sirens was. I had always thought they were one and the same since there is only one word for both creatures in French and Spanish: "sirène" and "sirena". After doing some research I found out that Sirens are the original mythological creatures. In Greek mythology, they are half-human and half-bird (they can thank Demeter for that!). Mermaids on the other hand come from medieval Scandinavian folklore and are half-human, half-fish. Pretty interesting stuff! I wish the authors would include more mythological elements in this series and would focus more on this aspect of the story. I hope they do in the next instalment.
Reckoning is a one hell of an emotional ride. Entertaining? Yep. Infuriating? Absolutely. Riveting? That too. More! I want More!
♦ Captured (#0.5) ★★★★
♦ Cursed (#1) ★★★★
♦ Forsaken (#2.5) ★★★★
October 23, 2014
I finished this book in less than 24 hours, and when I turned the last page, I said, "Shit."
Shit, because I have to wait forever for the next book. Ugh!
It's rare these days that I find a book I can't put down. But from the second I started reading, I was sucked right back into the story and into Emma's life. I also remembered how much I love Zack. They're so good together. They banter, compliment each other's skills, trust each other. They're a great couple, even while they're not a couple.
Again, this is kind of a police procedural type of story, something I normally don't like. But I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their investigation and watching them put clues together. I think one thing that works for me is that, in both books, the missing persons investigation always has a link to the paranormal world. I read, trying to figure out that link. And, in both books, the link or the end investigation has big, world wide complications. That tiny bit of paranormal politics always pulls me in.
This book contained more steamy scenes than I anticipated. Not a complaint at all. Kallistos plays a big, big part in the story, and I really like the guy. He reminds me of JD Robb's Roarke. Handsome, rich, powerful. He really cares for Emma. I'm not sure if he loves her. Sometimes, I think so. Sometimes, I think she's just someone he cares for. Either way, I kind of dig their relationship.
And I NEED the next book! This one doesn't end with a cliff hanger or anything, just an, um, complication, but I want to be back in Emma's head. I want to know what happens with Kallistos. I really really really hope we get to meet one of Emma's sisters.
If you guys like the Shadow Reader books, you'll love these. I promise. Give them a try. It's one of my favorite urban fantasy series.
Shit, because I have to wait forever for the next book. Ugh!
It's rare these days that I find a book I can't put down. But from the second I started reading, I was sucked right back into the story and into Emma's life. I also remembered how much I love Zack. They're so good together. They banter, compliment each other's skills, trust each other. They're a great couple, even while they're not a couple.
Again, this is kind of a police procedural type of story, something I normally don't like. But I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their investigation and watching them put clues together. I think one thing that works for me is that, in both books, the missing persons investigation always has a link to the paranormal world. I read, trying to figure out that link. And, in both books, the link or the end investigation has big, world wide complications. That tiny bit of paranormal politics always pulls me in.
This book contained more steamy scenes than I anticipated. Not a complaint at all. Kallistos plays a big, big part in the story, and I really like the guy. He reminds me of JD Robb's Roarke. Handsome, rich, powerful. He really cares for Emma. I'm not sure if he loves her. Sometimes, I think so. Sometimes, I think she's just someone he cares for. Either way, I kind of dig their relationship.
And I NEED the next book! This one doesn't end with a cliff hanger or anything, just an, um, complication, but I want to be back in Emma's head. I want to know what happens with Kallistos. I really really really hope we get to meet one of Emma's sisters.
If you guys like the Shadow Reader books, you'll love these. I promise. Give them a try. It's one of my favorite urban fantasy series.
August 12, 2021
A solid 3.5 stars rounded up--some parts worked very well for me and others didn't. What worked well? The overall quality of the writing, tight and highly readable, not easy to put down (I read it in just two sessions). And much of the novel reads as a straightforward police procedural with good detail, set here in San Diego with only a few inaccuracies. Scenes are well described, though some of the shifts from one location to another were hard to visualize.
Special Agent Emma Monroe of the FBI's San Diego office is secretly thousands of years old, living under a curse; Emma's partner Zack is a werewolf, and her lover is king of the Western States vampires. Three girls at a private high school have disappeared over three days, and when it's finally being treated as kidnapping so that the FBI takes over, Emma and Zack are given the case in tense circumstances--their chief's niece is best friends with one of the victims. I thought the human side of the investigation, with its impact on everyone concerned, was particularly well done.
Zack is a very warm, human werewolf--there's little to see of his beastly nature beyond a focus on his relation with his pack leader and their conflict with his former pack master Asa Gray, who comes in from South Carolina as a classic villain. That vampire king, incongruously named Kallistos Kouros (ancient Greek for "most beautiful boy"), is well portrayed as a leader who can be an enemy or an ally (and his cooperation is urgently needed). He brings the vampire-boss stereotypes to new life, and the writers have done a superb job of making him a hero and a villain at the same time.
The blurb lets you know that "while trying to unravel the mystery...Emma and Zack become entangled with political tensions in the vampire and Were worlds." I mentioned Asa Grey among the werewolves, and the vampire "tension" comes from an outside threat too, as Lamont, the thoroughly evil king of the Southern States vampires, attempts to take over Kallistos's territory. Step by step the police procedural goes into supernatural affairs.
All right, what didn't work? It's about poor Emma and that curse, which is the foundation block of the Fallen Siren series. I read the first book Cursed three years ago and forgot a lot of relevant details, many of which are unmentioned or only hinted at in this book. The series is best read from the beginning, but if you're reading this as a stand-alone, my review of the first book might help a little: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
The viciousness of the ancient Greek gods is really hard to take in this case. Emma is really Lygeia, one of the three sirens who are being punished by Demeter for failing to rescue her daughter Persephone from Hades. Demeter is still on hand (she has an icy scene in this book) administering the punishment. If Emma falls in love, Demeter sees to it that her beloved is killed. Emma can have all the sex she wants, but no love. She must rescue girls across the centuries until Demeter grants her redemption.
And she had better not use any of her siren powers in the rescues. She'll use her powers stealthily, though, hoping Demeter won't notice. (Huh? Demeter is an all-seeing divine being who knows everything that's going on. Emma just tries not to draw her attention.)
Talk about a punishment that doesn't fit the crime! And Hades committed the crime, not the sirens. It's like Demeter had a tantrum that never came to an end. For thousands of years she's there teasing Emma/Lygeia that the next rescue just might be enough for her to end the curse. Demeter is the goddess of mean girls everywhere.
The curse isn't just disproportionate. Romance between Zack and Emma is curiously crippled. To save his life from the curse after they hooked up in the first book, Emma had Zack's memory of their affair wiped. (Somehow that appeased Demeter.) So Zack's just back to strong feelings for Emma, and has to watch her cavort with Kallistos and be assured that that's just sex, not love. (I think Emma actually got an okay from Demeter for her hookup with the vampire king--it's framed that she's having enthusiastic sex with someone she couldn't possibly love, because, look what a vampire king is like! How could anyone love that?)
So this triangle is a peculiar one, but it certainly makes for tension when the three of them head into the climactic scene. I won't put any of the climax and denouement into a spoiler tag except , just to confirm that the "love" element was the biggest thing that didn't work for me.
Special Agent Emma Monroe of the FBI's San Diego office is secretly thousands of years old, living under a curse; Emma's partner Zack is a werewolf, and her lover is king of the Western States vampires. Three girls at a private high school have disappeared over three days, and when it's finally being treated as kidnapping so that the FBI takes over, Emma and Zack are given the case in tense circumstances--their chief's niece is best friends with one of the victims. I thought the human side of the investigation, with its impact on everyone concerned, was particularly well done.
Zack is a very warm, human werewolf--there's little to see of his beastly nature beyond a focus on his relation with his pack leader and their conflict with his former pack master Asa Gray, who comes in from South Carolina as a classic villain. That vampire king, incongruously named Kallistos Kouros (ancient Greek for "most beautiful boy"), is well portrayed as a leader who can be an enemy or an ally (and his cooperation is urgently needed). He brings the vampire-boss stereotypes to new life, and the writers have done a superb job of making him a hero and a villain at the same time.
The blurb lets you know that "while trying to unravel the mystery...Emma and Zack become entangled with political tensions in the vampire and Were worlds." I mentioned Asa Grey among the werewolves, and the vampire "tension" comes from an outside threat too, as Lamont, the thoroughly evil king of the Southern States vampires, attempts to take over Kallistos's territory. Step by step the police procedural goes into supernatural affairs.
All right, what didn't work? It's about poor Emma and that curse, which is the foundation block of the Fallen Siren series. I read the first book Cursed three years ago and forgot a lot of relevant details, many of which are unmentioned or only hinted at in this book. The series is best read from the beginning, but if you're reading this as a stand-alone, my review of the first book might help a little: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
The viciousness of the ancient Greek gods is really hard to take in this case. Emma is really Lygeia, one of the three sirens who are being punished by Demeter for failing to rescue her daughter Persephone from Hades. Demeter is still on hand (she has an icy scene in this book) administering the punishment. If Emma falls in love, Demeter sees to it that her beloved is killed. Emma can have all the sex she wants, but no love. She must rescue girls across the centuries until Demeter grants her redemption.
And she had better not use any of her siren powers in the rescues. She'll use her powers stealthily, though, hoping Demeter won't notice. (Huh? Demeter is an all-seeing divine being who knows everything that's going on. Emma just tries not to draw her attention.)
Talk about a punishment that doesn't fit the crime! And Hades committed the crime, not the sirens. It's like Demeter had a tantrum that never came to an end. For thousands of years she's there teasing Emma/Lygeia that the next rescue just might be enough for her to end the curse. Demeter is the goddess of mean girls everywhere.
The curse isn't just disproportionate. Romance between Zack and Emma is curiously crippled. To save his life from the curse after they hooked up in the first book, Emma had Zack's memory of their affair wiped. (Somehow that appeased Demeter.) So Zack's just back to strong feelings for Emma, and has to watch her cavort with Kallistos and be assured that that's just sex, not love. (I think Emma actually got an okay from Demeter for her hookup with the vampire king--it's framed that she's having enthusiastic sex with someone she couldn't possibly love, because, look what a vampire king is like! How could anyone love that?)
So this triangle is a peculiar one, but it certainly makes for tension when the three of them head into the climactic scene. I won't put any of the climax and denouement into a spoiler tag except , just to confirm that the "love" element was the biggest thing that didn't work for me.
April 23, 2015
Emma is a siren who was cursed thousands of years ago by the goddess Demeter for not preventing Hades from kidnapping her daughter Persephone. Emma and her sisters have spent their whole lives trying to atone for their mistake in the hope that they will achieve redemption and be allowed to return to their home. As part of their punishment they are forbidden from falling in love, if they do their partner will suffer Demeter's wrath. Emma is working as an FBI agent and has a strong bond with her werewolf partner Zack but to protect him and save his life she had to wipe his memory of the intimate part of their relationship. It's the worst kind of torture for Emma, she gets to spend her days with the man she loves knowing that they can never have any kind of personal relationship. Zack may not remember the time they spent together but that doesn't mean he has lost his feelings for her and he doesn't understand what has Emma running so scared when he knows she is attracted to him.
This series is going to break my heart, I can't even tell you how much I love Zack and want him and Emma to find a way to be together but everything is against them and has been from the very beginning. The opening few pages of this book almost had me jumping for joy but even though I knew deep down that things couldn't possibly be what I thought they were I still found myself incredibly disappointed when I realised that Emma has started a relationship with someone else. The only reason she is with the vampire Kallistos is because she knows there is no chance she will fall in love with him and that's a pretty sad kind of relationship if you ask me. She is with him because she wants a connection with someone but he will never be that equal partner she has in Zack. I hate to say it but I'm really not a fan of Kallistos, I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him and I don't think he has Emma's best interests at heart. Unlike Zack I can't imagine Kallistos risking anything to protect her unless he has something else to get out of it. Kallistos lies to her, he treats her like his property and I don't think he has any respect for her.
Seeing Emma with Kallistos was enough to drive me crazy, it was just so obvious that they're wrong for each other and I really wanted to climb into the book and shake some sense into her. I can understand why she is afraid to be with Zack and she's doing it to protect him but that's no reason to be with someone else. I know she's a siren but women can be single and happy for crying out loud! We do get a bit of light at the end of the tunnel as far as Emma and Zack goes later on in the book but they aren't out of the woods yet and it's quite obvious that Demeter has a few more tricks up her sleeves when it comes to the two of them. I really do want to see them work things out though because they're obviously meant to be together.
I know I've spent a lot of time talking about the romance but that isn't all that this series is about and just like with the previous stories there is plenty of action and mystery going on as Emma and Zack investigate another missing persons case. This time they are looking into the disappearance of three teenage girls, girls from poor families that have received no ransom demands. Emma is determined to find them and bring them home but as they dig deeper they find more questions than answers. Can they find the girls in time or have they already lost their lives?
This series is going from strength to strength and I really hope we don't have to wait too much longer for the next instalment!
This series is going to break my heart, I can't even tell you how much I love Zack and want him and Emma to find a way to be together but everything is against them and has been from the very beginning. The opening few pages of this book almost had me jumping for joy but even though I knew deep down that things couldn't possibly be what I thought they were I still found myself incredibly disappointed when I realised that Emma has started a relationship with someone else. The only reason she is with the vampire Kallistos is because she knows there is no chance she will fall in love with him and that's a pretty sad kind of relationship if you ask me. She is with him because she wants a connection with someone but he will never be that equal partner she has in Zack. I hate to say it but I'm really not a fan of Kallistos, I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him and I don't think he has Emma's best interests at heart. Unlike Zack I can't imagine Kallistos risking anything to protect her unless he has something else to get out of it. Kallistos lies to her, he treats her like his property and I don't think he has any respect for her.
Seeing Emma with Kallistos was enough to drive me crazy, it was just so obvious that they're wrong for each other and I really wanted to climb into the book and shake some sense into her. I can understand why she is afraid to be with Zack and she's doing it to protect him but that's no reason to be with someone else. I know she's a siren but women can be single and happy for crying out loud! We do get a bit of light at the end of the tunnel as far as Emma and Zack goes later on in the book but they aren't out of the woods yet and it's quite obvious that Demeter has a few more tricks up her sleeves when it comes to the two of them. I really do want to see them work things out though because they're obviously meant to be together.
I know I've spent a lot of time talking about the romance but that isn't all that this series is about and just like with the previous stories there is plenty of action and mystery going on as Emma and Zack investigate another missing persons case. This time they are looking into the disappearance of three teenage girls, girls from poor families that have received no ransom demands. Emma is determined to find them and bring them home but as they dig deeper they find more questions than answers. Can they find the girls in time or have they already lost their lives?
This series is going from strength to strength and I really hope we don't have to wait too much longer for the next instalment!
February 5, 2015
Loved this even more than the first book!
October 18, 2014
For some reason this series doesn't stick with me between books but it didn't take too long to remember the basic framework: Emma is a Siren trying to earn redemption from the goddess Demeter for failing to rescue Persephone, and so now Emma's task is to find the missing or the kidnapped as an FBI agent. As part of the Demeter's punishment, Emma's not allowed to fall in love and it's a death sentence for the guy who falls in love with her, so she's wiped the memory of her partner Zack so he doesn't remember their time together. To fill her bed -but not the Zack sized hole in her heart -she's taken master vampire Kallistos as a lover.
The case this time around is trying to find who kidnapped a trio of prep school girls and the case was very interesting. Kallistos in the picture means there's smexy times early in the story, though it was hard seeing her struggle with her relationship with Zack and how Emma suffers for Demeter's cruelty. I enjoy this smexy urban fantasy series, but it sure is hard on my inner romance reader.
The case this time around is trying to find who kidnapped a trio of prep school girls and the case was very interesting. Kallistos in the picture means there's smexy times early in the story, though it was hard seeing her struggle with her relationship with Zack and how Emma suffers for Demeter's cruelty. I enjoy this smexy urban fantasy series, but it sure is hard on my inner romance reader.
March 23, 2015
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I loved the first volume and I confess that I could not wait to get into this one when it came out. The previous volume did not end necessarily well as (it’s said in the synopsis) Zack forgot over his relationship with Emma.
It was a pretty heartbreaking ending, especially when we know the feelings of the young woman and the reasons behind all that.
Monroe Emma is cursed, and this fact is reflected in her everyday life. Having accepted (or is this the case?) to leave Zack behind, she begins a relationship with the vampire king that we had met before: Kallistos. I can honestly say that I was quite surprised at first, because I thought that the authors would drag the story between the two men. Yet in the end I think it’s not so bad like that and it was interesting to see how the young woman was with him. It’s quite interesting to see her connection with this vampire, she is sure that nothing is happening between them and yet despite what they’re saying, I think there is currently something. Of course it’s different from the story that Emma has with the wolf but a link is forming between them and they also care to each other. I think there may be more on the side of the King (although it’s really quite difficult to confirm that) but I admit that I’m curious to see what will happen afterwards. As for Zack, I admit that I was really sad for them. Although the young woman tries to come off, she does not succeed and finally flirts a lot with this prohibited man. I admit that I wanted to shake her sometimes because it hurts others too. The man knows that he has forgotten something important and knows that there is something with Emma but he does not reject her and stay with her. But it’s true that in the end, the relationships are very sad to follow and the conclusion does not help at all. I was expecting it to be like this, but I find it a shame. I need volume 3 !!!! Yes, I want to know what will happen now in this complicated trio.
In terms of plot I admit that the whole thing was pretty interesting. Girls from private school are disappearing and our two heroes must manage to discover what happened. The story develops slowly and becomes much more complicated than expected, mixing vampires intrigues and conspiracies in everything. But that’s not all because the Zack’s enemies and Kallistos’ are also present in the book and I’m sure it’s not over.
It was again a very good story I enjoyed it even though I am sad by the events. There are some very good ideas and we can read the whole quite quickly (I must say that I was eager to get to the bottom of the story!). I’m really looking forward to have more and discover the further adventures of our beloved Siren.
My English review
I loved the first volume and I confess that I could not wait to get into this one when it came out. The previous volume did not end necessarily well as (it’s said in the synopsis) Zack forgot over his relationship with Emma.
It was a pretty heartbreaking ending, especially when we know the feelings of the young woman and the reasons behind all that.
Monroe Emma is cursed, and this fact is reflected in her everyday life. Having accepted (or is this the case?) to leave Zack behind, she begins a relationship with the vampire king that we had met before: Kallistos. I can honestly say that I was quite surprised at first, because I thought that the authors would drag the story between the two men. Yet in the end I think it’s not so bad like that and it was interesting to see how the young woman was with him. It’s quite interesting to see her connection with this vampire, she is sure that nothing is happening between them and yet despite what they’re saying, I think there is currently something. Of course it’s different from the story that Emma has with the wolf but a link is forming between them and they also care to each other. I think there may be more on the side of the King (although it’s really quite difficult to confirm that) but I admit that I’m curious to see what will happen afterwards. As for Zack, I admit that I was really sad for them. Although the young woman tries to come off, she does not succeed and finally flirts a lot with this prohibited man. I admit that I wanted to shake her sometimes because it hurts others too. The man knows that he has forgotten something important and knows that there is something with Emma but he does not reject her and stay with her. But it’s true that in the end, the relationships are very sad to follow and the conclusion does not help at all. I was expecting it to be like this, but I find it a shame. I need volume 3 !!!! Yes, I want to know what will happen now in this complicated trio.
In terms of plot I admit that the whole thing was pretty interesting. Girls from private school are disappearing and our two heroes must manage to discover what happened. The story develops slowly and becomes much more complicated than expected, mixing vampires intrigues and conspiracies in everything. But that’s not all because the Zack’s enemies and Kallistos’ are also present in the book and I’m sure it’s not over.
It was again a very good story I enjoyed it even though I am sad by the events. There are some very good ideas and we can read the whole quite quickly (I must say that I was eager to get to the bottom of the story!). I’m really looking forward to have more and discover the further adventures of our beloved Siren.
January 5, 2015
I fell in love with this series with book one and the second installment did not disappoint. Even better than the first!
My favorite character... Kallistos! He is the ancient vampire that we met in book one. The steam is definitely taken up a notch between Kallistos and our fallen siren Emma. He is a character that you know you can't trust but at the same time you can't help to be drawn to him. He is mysterious, dangerous and has an exuberant amount of sex appeal. Emma, a Siren who has needs and isn't allowed to fall in love decides to take advantage of the no strings attached relationship he can provide. But, as things go... the relationship gets "complicated".
Then we have Zack, Emma's partner. Emma loves him but to protect him from her curse and keep him safe she must always keep him at arms length. This is where the story kind of sucks me in... Demeter, the goddess who keeps an eye on Emma is such an evil character. Demeter purposely keeps Emma in the company of the man she loves to make sure she suffers appropriately.
The only way Emma can break the curse is by doing her part on earth to find the missing. Each time she finds a missing person and saves them, she brings herself one more step closer to freedom. Her character has so much compassion and that makes me hate Demeter even more... Emma truly does not deserve this harsh curse that was placed upon her.
In this book Zack and Emma are on the hunt for 3 missing girls. It was a well developed and suspenseful storyline that kept me turning the pages.
This series is perfect for those who like Paranormal Romance mixed with Romantic Suspense... very appealing characters, engaging story and left me wanting more. Can't wait for the next installment!
ARC was provided by netgalley
www.ktbookreviews.com
My favorite character... Kallistos! He is the ancient vampire that we met in book one. The steam is definitely taken up a notch between Kallistos and our fallen siren Emma. He is a character that you know you can't trust but at the same time you can't help to be drawn to him. He is mysterious, dangerous and has an exuberant amount of sex appeal. Emma, a Siren who has needs and isn't allowed to fall in love decides to take advantage of the no strings attached relationship he can provide. But, as things go... the relationship gets "complicated".
Then we have Zack, Emma's partner. Emma loves him but to protect him from her curse and keep him safe she must always keep him at arms length. This is where the story kind of sucks me in... Demeter, the goddess who keeps an eye on Emma is such an evil character. Demeter purposely keeps Emma in the company of the man she loves to make sure she suffers appropriately.
The only way Emma can break the curse is by doing her part on earth to find the missing. Each time she finds a missing person and saves them, she brings herself one more step closer to freedom. Her character has so much compassion and that makes me hate Demeter even more... Emma truly does not deserve this harsh curse that was placed upon her.
In this book Zack and Emma are on the hunt for 3 missing girls. It was a well developed and suspenseful storyline that kept me turning the pages.
This series is perfect for those who like Paranormal Romance mixed with Romantic Suspense... very appealing characters, engaging story and left me wanting more. Can't wait for the next installment!
ARC was provided by netgalley
www.ktbookreviews.com
October 10, 2014
Review Courtesy All Things Urban Fantasy
remember ripping through the first in the Fallen Siren series, reading it like someone was likely to come up behind me at any moment and rip it out of my hands. RECKONING was good, but it wasn’t quite the same level of desperate need to read.
RECKONING has a strong plot and an engaging mystery that kept me guessing until the very end, just elaborate enough to entice but not so overly convoluted. My favorite characters were there and I loved them just as much; even found a new character to love in Simon.
I’m going to put my reaction down to my eternal romance junkie and how much I loved Zach and Emma together and I really, really did love them. So much so, the end of Cursed broke my heart in a thousand little pieces. I had hopes, at the very beginning, that maybe I’d remembered it wrong. Turns out I hadn’t…and now there appears to be a triangle forming. As with most triangles, I have my favorite sides, and Kallistos isn’t one of them. I still love Emma, I adore Zach. The vampire not so much. Then there was a little spoiler moment where I just got a case of the skeevies and it didn’t help me to feel any warmer towards them.
I missed Zach and Emma together and that colored a lot of my attachment to the story. There were a few fun moments, and a few close-calls, and then one heartbreaking moment of “oh shit no.” Not enough to pull me away from continuing, but enough that I’ll have hope for next time.
And for all my love of Greek gods and goddesses, I still kind of want to punch Demeter in the throat.
remember ripping through the first in the Fallen Siren series, reading it like someone was likely to come up behind me at any moment and rip it out of my hands. RECKONING was good, but it wasn’t quite the same level of desperate need to read.
RECKONING has a strong plot and an engaging mystery that kept me guessing until the very end, just elaborate enough to entice but not so overly convoluted. My favorite characters were there and I loved them just as much; even found a new character to love in Simon.
I’m going to put my reaction down to my eternal romance junkie and how much I loved Zach and Emma together and I really, really did love them. So much so, the end of Cursed broke my heart in a thousand little pieces. I had hopes, at the very beginning, that maybe I’d remembered it wrong. Turns out I hadn’t…and now there appears to be a triangle forming. As with most triangles, I have my favorite sides, and Kallistos isn’t one of them. I still love Emma, I adore Zach. The vampire not so much. Then there was a little spoiler moment where I just got a case of the skeevies and it didn’t help me to feel any warmer towards them.
I missed Zach and Emma together and that colored a lot of my attachment to the story. There were a few fun moments, and a few close-calls, and then one heartbreaking moment of “oh shit no.” Not enough to pull me away from continuing, but enough that I’ll have hope for next time.
And for all my love of Greek gods and goddesses, I still kind of want to punch Demeter in the throat.
March 8, 2015
4.25
This was really good! The first one was as well and this just added another layer to the story. I really like Emma and I feel so bad for the situation she's in. It's hard to fathom her ever having a HEA. Zack is all sorts of hotness and Kalistos is too. You can't help but love the characters and want the best for them. Now the ending: All in all a fantastic series and I hope the authors get book 3 out soon!
This was really good! The first one was as well and this just added another layer to the story. I really like Emma and I feel so bad for the situation she's in. It's hard to fathom her ever having a HEA. Zack is all sorts of hotness and Kalistos is too. You can't help but love the characters and want the best for them. Now the ending: All in all a fantastic series and I hope the authors get book 3 out soon!
February 1, 2016
Taking off five months after the events in book one, Cursed, the siren known as Special Agent Emma Monroe is trying to move on from the man she loves, her partner/werewolf Zack. Emma is trying with a loveless relationship with vamp king Kallistos. Zack is irritated by the romance and is irked with the feeling he’s missing something. Of course if he knew his erased memories of time spent with Emma was the cause, how would he react? Oh guys…. I feel so much for both Emma and Zack. That bitch goddess Demeter is a cruel one. I mean how long will Emma have to pay penance? And why make the man she loves suffer for sins uncommitted? I think the Goddess needs to look within a little bit.
All this plays behind the scenes as the try to solve the case of three missing girls. Finding a connection between them proves to be a mystery they cannot solve without the help of Kallistos. The dynamic of this threesome culminates into witty banter, snarky one-liners, and some annoyed alpha tension. Oh so good! I gotta say, I am feeling for Kallistos as well. He may be a cold vamp, but I suspect a warmth growing where Emma is concerned.
I was positively glued to this book. The combination of mystery/thriller/PNR is spot on. One of the best I have read this year. It’s just the right amount of action versus romance. The writing team of S.J. Harper hit it out of the park. I am left just as before, wanting more. The twist in the end will make waiting for book three an arduous one. I WANT IT NOW, MUMMY!
5 STARS!
T~
www.ktbookreviews.com
*ARC provided by Berkley/NAL Penguin Group USA
All this plays behind the scenes as the try to solve the case of three missing girls. Finding a connection between them proves to be a mystery they cannot solve without the help of Kallistos. The dynamic of this threesome culminates into witty banter, snarky one-liners, and some annoyed alpha tension. Oh so good! I gotta say, I am feeling for Kallistos as well. He may be a cold vamp, but I suspect a warmth growing where Emma is concerned.
I was positively glued to this book. The combination of mystery/thriller/PNR is spot on. One of the best I have read this year. It’s just the right amount of action versus romance. The writing team of S.J. Harper hit it out of the park. I am left just as before, wanting more. The twist in the end will make waiting for book three an arduous one. I WANT IT NOW, MUMMY!
5 STARS!
T~
www.ktbookreviews.com
*ARC provided by Berkley/NAL Penguin Group USA
March 17, 2015
This book was similar to book one but with a little more time spent on Emma's personal life.
First of all, I don't enjoy the mythology tie-in as the goddess Demeter seems cruel and unforgiving. She punished Emma and 2 other sirens for allowing Persephone to get captured but there doesn't seem to be an end to the punishment. Emma has been atoning for her mistake for a century but nothing seems to cool the goddess ire.
Emma and Zack are investigating a case where young girls are going missing from a prestigious high school and they can't seem to find any clues to the whereabouts of the missing teens. Emma and Zack's chief has a niece who attends that school and suspicion was cast her way by one of the parents. Considering the fact that there is no ransom note, the disappearance looks personal and the chief needs his top detectives to clear his niece's name. Will they be able to find the culprit and the girls alive?
In addition, Kallistos wants Emma to commit to him and move in to his place but Emma still pins for Zack. Should she give up on her hearts desire and go for the relationship the goddess would let her have? Emma is torn and has to make a very painful decision.
I hate the Emma, Kallistos & Zach thing. I don't even think it's a true triangle because one is love and the other is a friends with benefit situation. So it's clear what her heart desires. What I want to know is how this siren will deal with the goddess and her punishment. Emma needs to gain some kind of control back or she will be under Demeter's thumb forever.
First of all, I don't enjoy the mythology tie-in as the goddess Demeter seems cruel and unforgiving. She punished Emma and 2 other sirens for allowing Persephone to get captured but there doesn't seem to be an end to the punishment. Emma has been atoning for her mistake for a century but nothing seems to cool the goddess ire.
Emma and Zack are investigating a case where young girls are going missing from a prestigious high school and they can't seem to find any clues to the whereabouts of the missing teens. Emma and Zack's chief has a niece who attends that school and suspicion was cast her way by one of the parents. Considering the fact that there is no ransom note, the disappearance looks personal and the chief needs his top detectives to clear his niece's name. Will they be able to find the culprit and the girls alive?
In addition, Kallistos wants Emma to commit to him and move in to his place but Emma still pins for Zack. Should she give up on her hearts desire and go for the relationship the goddess would let her have? Emma is torn and has to make a very painful decision.
I hate the Emma, Kallistos & Zach thing. I don't even think it's a true triangle because one is love and the other is a friends with benefit situation. So it's clear what her heart desires. What I want to know is how this siren will deal with the goddess and her punishment. Emma needs to gain some kind of control back or she will be under Demeter's thumb forever.
September 23, 2015
I'll go with 3.5 stars
I really, really don't like the Goddess Demeter, she's a real bitch. She enjoys torturing Special Agent Emma Monroe, who is a fallen siren, and her two sisters, because they allowed Persephone to be kidnapped by Hades. She also cursed Emma, in that if she falls in love, the lovee is killed.
Zack her FBI partner, a werewolf, knows that Emma won't get involved, and there is a reason, but Emma isn't saying. So the sexual tension is high.
Vampire politics also raises its ugly head, and in fact Emma's squeeze Kallistos who knows about Demeter, is the local King of Vampires.
The case of missing school girls with no ransom demands, no bodies, few leads, has Emma & Zack hopping around, until they figure out why these girls were taken. Then its just a matter of finding them in time.
Enjoyed it but the whole Demeter thing is a turn off especially when its been going on for centuries and has no end in sight.
I really, really don't like the Goddess Demeter, she's a real bitch. She enjoys torturing Special Agent Emma Monroe, who is a fallen siren, and her two sisters, because they allowed Persephone to be kidnapped by Hades. She also cursed Emma, in that if she falls in love, the lovee is killed.
Zack her FBI partner, a werewolf, knows that Emma won't get involved, and there is a reason, but Emma isn't saying. So the sexual tension is high.
Vampire politics also raises its ugly head, and in fact Emma's squeeze Kallistos who knows about Demeter, is the local King of Vampires.
The case of missing school girls with no ransom demands, no bodies, few leads, has Emma & Zack hopping around, until they figure out why these girls were taken. Then its just a matter of finding them in time.
Enjoyed it but the whole Demeter thing is a turn off especially when its been going on for centuries and has no end in sight.
January 11, 2015
How can a centuaries old siren be so guileless, idealistic & impulsive? Emma really needs to get over the warewolf. I don't understand his apeal. He's such a boring character to me even the "sexual tension" is lacking. That's not to say the series doesn't have charectors I find interesting. I enjoy Liz, Emma, Simon, & Calistos. Team Vamp all the way. I will continue the series. I rate this book 5 stars.
October 16, 2014
How many centuries of suffering is enough for one mistake? Apparently, the gods can hold a vicious grudge and Demeter is not through with Emma, the Earthbound Siren, as the amazing writing team that calls themselves S. J. Harper brilliantly and painfully point out in Reckoning.
Emma and her partner, Zach, a werewolf, are FBI agents; the case involves the mysterious disappearance of three teens. Is it a slave ring? Prostitution? Or is it something even more sinister? When all clues lead to a connection with Emma’s current lover, vampire royalty, Kallistos, the hunt takes a dark and vile turn.
Meanwhile, Emma fights the pain of having to work with a man who no longer remembers the love they shared and the guilt of knowing she was the one to wipe his memory. Even knowing it was to save his life doesn’t ease the pain. She and Kallistos get along fine as lovers, but he is not Zach, and she cannot return his feelings completely. Not your typical love triangle, and doomed to hurt all involved. Will Emma ever receive her pardon from the gods? Will her heart ever be able to express its feelings with causing pain, or death?
There are three girls to find and the clock is ticking, once again, Emma must lock her heart away, but will it be in time or will the events that play out shatter it even further? Can anyone walk away unscathed?
From page one, I was there as the characters jumped off the pages and the action and intrigue had me in a choke hold. The writing team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein prove that sometimes two heads are better than one as they pour page after page of “moments to remember” into their tale. Get ready to run the gauntlet of emotions to reach the end of this trip through their fertile minds, and never expect anything but the unexpected! Well written, well- paced , filled with mystery and romance, the paranormal was like icing on the cake!
I received this copy as part of the Reckoning Series Blast & Giveaway stopping at Tome Tender October 27, 2014 ENTER TO WIN A KINDLE FIRE!
Series: Fallen Siren – Book 2
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Roc
ISBN-10: 0425263304
ISBN-13: 978-0425263303
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Page Count: 304 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Emma and her partner, Zach, a werewolf, are FBI agents; the case involves the mysterious disappearance of three teens. Is it a slave ring? Prostitution? Or is it something even more sinister? When all clues lead to a connection with Emma’s current lover, vampire royalty, Kallistos, the hunt takes a dark and vile turn.
Meanwhile, Emma fights the pain of having to work with a man who no longer remembers the love they shared and the guilt of knowing she was the one to wipe his memory. Even knowing it was to save his life doesn’t ease the pain. She and Kallistos get along fine as lovers, but he is not Zach, and she cannot return his feelings completely. Not your typical love triangle, and doomed to hurt all involved. Will Emma ever receive her pardon from the gods? Will her heart ever be able to express its feelings with causing pain, or death?
There are three girls to find and the clock is ticking, once again, Emma must lock her heart away, but will it be in time or will the events that play out shatter it even further? Can anyone walk away unscathed?
From page one, I was there as the characters jumped off the pages and the action and intrigue had me in a choke hold. The writing team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein prove that sometimes two heads are better than one as they pour page after page of “moments to remember” into their tale. Get ready to run the gauntlet of emotions to reach the end of this trip through their fertile minds, and never expect anything but the unexpected! Well written, well- paced , filled with mystery and romance, the paranormal was like icing on the cake!
I received this copy as part of the Reckoning Series Blast & Giveaway stopping at Tome Tender October 27, 2014 ENTER TO WIN A KINDLE FIRE!
Series: Fallen Siren – Book 2
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Roc
ISBN-10: 0425263304
ISBN-13: 978-0425263303
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Page Count: 304 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
October 6, 2014
Reckoning by S.J. Harper is the second book in her Fallen Siren series. I really enjoyed the first book, with a fun, sexy and entertaining story. I was anxiously awaiting this book to see if this great team of Emma and Zack would continue. I am happy to say this was just as good as the first.
In case you have not read the first book, here is a brief description of the series: Emma Monroe is our heroine. Emma is Siren back in the days of the goddess Demeter, when she and other sirens were punished for the kidnapping of Persephone. Emma spends her life on earth; she is an FBI special agent, with her duty to help save the lives of humans, as she waits for redemption. Of course, thousands of years have passed, and the goddess doesn’t look like she plans on forgiving Emma. Zack is her partner, a werewolf, and in the first book they both fell hard for each other. At the end of the first book, Emma erased his memory, to save his life, as Demeter will do anything to make Emma miserable
Months later, Emma and Zach are assigned to a high profile case of the kidnappings of teenage girls, all young, blond and virgins. Zack and Emma investigate, and slowly some of the pieces will fall into place. This will cause Emma to enlist the help of her vampire lover, Kallistos, since clues are pointing at vampires somehow involved with blood donations.
What follows is a very well written story, excellent pace, as we discover the truth. Zack, Emma, Kallistos and the rest of their friends/teams find themselves up against a dangerous enemy. While this is going on, Zach, and Kallistos have their own battle to fight for Emma’s affections. Zach finds himself puzzled and angry that Emma is with the vampire, and pushes his attempts away. He knows she has feelings for him, but refuses to act on them. This does cause friction between Zach and Kallistos, which is fun at times to see them try to best each other. This threesome was a lot of fun, in between the danger surrounding them.
I do not want to give any spoilers, but this was an excellent mystery, with magic and some mythology, not to mention the romance. Poor Emma though, must face Demeter again, and we feel her pain. You need to read this series, to get in on this fun series.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
In case you have not read the first book, here is a brief description of the series: Emma Monroe is our heroine. Emma is Siren back in the days of the goddess Demeter, when she and other sirens were punished for the kidnapping of Persephone. Emma spends her life on earth; she is an FBI special agent, with her duty to help save the lives of humans, as she waits for redemption. Of course, thousands of years have passed, and the goddess doesn’t look like she plans on forgiving Emma. Zack is her partner, a werewolf, and in the first book they both fell hard for each other. At the end of the first book, Emma erased his memory, to save his life, as Demeter will do anything to make Emma miserable
Months later, Emma and Zach are assigned to a high profile case of the kidnappings of teenage girls, all young, blond and virgins. Zack and Emma investigate, and slowly some of the pieces will fall into place. This will cause Emma to enlist the help of her vampire lover, Kallistos, since clues are pointing at vampires somehow involved with blood donations.
What follows is a very well written story, excellent pace, as we discover the truth. Zack, Emma, Kallistos and the rest of their friends/teams find themselves up against a dangerous enemy. While this is going on, Zach, and Kallistos have their own battle to fight for Emma’s affections. Zach finds himself puzzled and angry that Emma is with the vampire, and pushes his attempts away. He knows she has feelings for him, but refuses to act on them. This does cause friction between Zach and Kallistos, which is fun at times to see them try to best each other. This threesome was a lot of fun, in between the danger surrounding them.
I do not want to give any spoilers, but this was an excellent mystery, with magic and some mythology, not to mention the romance. Poor Emma though, must face Demeter again, and we feel her pain. You need to read this series, to get in on this fun series.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
November 13, 2014
I love, love, love this series!!! There is so much going on and so many awesome levels. It has been a little while since the last book in the series, and I have forgotten a few things about the last book. There are plenty of reminders along the way, so if you did not read the first book, you will get caught up. But I definitely recommend reading the whole series in order.
Emma is a fabulous kick butt chick. I love that she is a Siren, I have always been a big fan of Greek mythology. This gives new levels to the myth and adds it to a modern setting. I kind of wish there were some of her sisters' stories as well. I know they are separated, but it would be great to get more than the hints of them this book gives.
There is plenty of yummy steam here. Especially when you have a Siren torn between a Vampire lover and a Werewolf soul mate. The bedroom door is wide open, detailed enough to heat a gal up. It isn't full erotic detail, but there is plenty of hot steamy stuff. Very mainstream kind of sexy.
The story this time is great, keeps to the missing persons police procedural end of things. The mix of standard police case and paranormal elements is fantastic. The world building is through and engaging. The storytelling was dynamic and smooth. Everything is from Emma's POV, so the narrative is limited to what she knows, thinks or is a party to.
The romance is there but not really the key plot line, it is more a side plot. The investigation takes center stage most of the time. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. Always eager to know what next. The supporting cast is colorful as well. I adore Simon, the techie vampire hacker. He is super fun to read, I hope to see much more of him.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Johanna Parker, who is terrific! I love her energy and the emotion she infuses into the read. She has a nice swift pace that moves with the action of the story. The accents a subtle, yet distinct. She is a real credit to the series. It was an enjoyable listen on all fronts!
I am a big fan of this series. I am more than eager for the next book. I hate waiting!! The ending gives just enough of a hint of things to come, it had me salivating for the next book!
Emma is a fabulous kick butt chick. I love that she is a Siren, I have always been a big fan of Greek mythology. This gives new levels to the myth and adds it to a modern setting. I kind of wish there were some of her sisters' stories as well. I know they are separated, but it would be great to get more than the hints of them this book gives.
There is plenty of yummy steam here. Especially when you have a Siren torn between a Vampire lover and a Werewolf soul mate. The bedroom door is wide open, detailed enough to heat a gal up. It isn't full erotic detail, but there is plenty of hot steamy stuff. Very mainstream kind of sexy.
The story this time is great, keeps to the missing persons police procedural end of things. The mix of standard police case and paranormal elements is fantastic. The world building is through and engaging. The storytelling was dynamic and smooth. Everything is from Emma's POV, so the narrative is limited to what she knows, thinks or is a party to.
The romance is there but not really the key plot line, it is more a side plot. The investigation takes center stage most of the time. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. Always eager to know what next. The supporting cast is colorful as well. I adore Simon, the techie vampire hacker. He is super fun to read, I hope to see much more of him.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Johanna Parker, who is terrific! I love her energy and the emotion she infuses into the read. She has a nice swift pace that moves with the action of the story. The accents a subtle, yet distinct. She is a real credit to the series. It was an enjoyable listen on all fronts!
I am a big fan of this series. I am more than eager for the next book. I hate waiting!! The ending gives just enough of a hint of things to come, it had me salivating for the next book!
October 11, 2014
I think I actually ended up liking RECKONING a tad bit more than book 1. I was really able to connect to the characters and story, not having to play catch-up with the background and world building was nice. I really enjoyed the mystery behind the case Emma and Zack were working. The authors did a great job of keeping me guessing.
Love interests: Interesting enough, Emma is 'dating' Kallistos , the vampire king, when the books starts off. They have a nice arrangement going, but to me it felt a little deeper on his part than it was supposed to be. They do fit together nicely, but knowing she loves another kind of turned me off to their relationship.
We all know what happened between Zack and Emma in CURSED. RECKONING just has them as partners in a business sense. Zack remembers nothing of their time together, but he knows something is missing from his life and he does make his feelings known to Emma at a few points in time. Emma really does want to be with him, but doesn't want to put him in danger. Some stuff happens with Demeter and just when I thought I was beginning to like her she had to go and show how much of a cold biatch she really is. The book does not end with Emma and Zack on good terms. Lots of relationship drama going on for an urban fantasy, but I'm not complaining in the least.
I look forward to the next book. Watching Emma struggle with her feelings and working hard to hopefully someday break her curse makes it easy to root for her to succeed. The action and romance that's thrown in makes the story that much better.
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Love interests: Interesting enough, Emma is 'dating' Kallistos , the vampire king, when the books starts off. They have a nice arrangement going, but to me it felt a little deeper on his part than it was supposed to be. They do fit together nicely, but knowing she loves another kind of turned me off to their relationship.
We all know what happened between Zack and Emma in CURSED. RECKONING just has them as partners in a business sense. Zack remembers nothing of their time together, but he knows something is missing from his life and he does make his feelings known to Emma at a few points in time. Emma really does want to be with him, but doesn't want to put him in danger. Some stuff happens with Demeter and just when I thought I was beginning to like her she had to go and show how much of a cold biatch she really is. The book does not end with Emma and Zack on good terms. Lots of relationship drama going on for an urban fantasy, but I'm not complaining in the least.
I look forward to the next book. Watching Emma struggle with her feelings and working hard to hopefully someday break her curse makes it easy to root for her to succeed. The action and romance that's thrown in makes the story that much better.
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2014
Oh, that Demeter is one nasty, cruel goddess. I knew it was too good to be true and I was right. Near the end of the book she offers Emma a gift but it was really a cruel joke. Nasty, nasty spiteful goddess. Poor Emma. For thousands of years she's been punished for one mistake. I sometimes doubt if Demeter will ever forgive or allow Emma to return home. Though, with the life she's made on Earth, she might find it hard to walk away from her mortal life.
"Reckoning" is an apt title in many respects: Demeter extracts a reckoning, Zack and Emma have a reckoning, Emma and Kallistos have a reckoning, and so on. It's tightly written story that kept me up late reading. Teen girls have gone missing from a local private school. As Zack and Emma investigate, they find commonalities among the girls and slowly they uncover info, find threads, and start to piece it together. Harper briefly goes into religion, faith, and judging by appearances; l I wish it had been more in depth but at least the topics are touched on.
Mixed into all this of course is the supernatural; the majority of Emma's and Zack's cases do. In this story, Emma has to balance her needs to find the missing girls with the need to keep the supernatural off the human radar and to balance the needs of the girls against the needs and desires of Kallistos, her lover and the Regional vampire king. Ah, politics.
"Reckoning" has a tight story line, multiple threads, multi-faceted characters, and an excellent blend of mythology, magic, mystery, and romance. I really want Zack and Emma to be together but that nasty goddess Demeter is always watching. I can't wait for the next book to see the fall out from this story.
"Reckoning" is an apt title in many respects: Demeter extracts a reckoning, Zack and Emma have a reckoning, Emma and Kallistos have a reckoning, and so on. It's tightly written story that kept me up late reading. Teen girls have gone missing from a local private school. As Zack and Emma investigate, they find commonalities among the girls and slowly they uncover info, find threads, and start to piece it together. Harper briefly goes into religion, faith, and judging by appearances; l I wish it had been more in depth but at least the topics are touched on.
Mixed into all this of course is the supernatural; the majority of Emma's and Zack's cases do. In this story, Emma has to balance her needs to find the missing girls with the need to keep the supernatural off the human radar and to balance the needs of the girls against the needs and desires of Kallistos, her lover and the Regional vampire king. Ah, politics.
"Reckoning" has a tight story line, multiple threads, multi-faceted characters, and an excellent blend of mythology, magic, mystery, and romance. I really want Zack and Emma to be together but that nasty goddess Demeter is always watching. I can't wait for the next book to see the fall out from this story.
November 1, 2025
There is something about the Fallen Siren Series that sucks you in. My personal opinion, its the magical writing team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein that make up S. J. Harper.
Emma Monroe and her partner Zach must solve multiple kidnappings. Young girls have gone missing and they must connect all the clues before its too late. The deeper they investigate, the more Emma and Zach realizes it must connect to the paranormal community.
Emma is suffering with her separation from Zach. To save him from the wrath of the goddess, Emma must not let her feeling show. Her love still burns strong for Zach but can falling into the arms of another man/vampire help heal her heart or rip it to shreds?
The combination of a mystery, romance and the paranormal characters make for outstanding reading but the vivid storytelling brings it all together. This world jumps of the pages and come alive in your imagination.
Reckoning is action intense while not falling short on the romance. Don't forget getting pulled right into the heartrending emotions. Engrossed in Reckoning from page 1, I didn't want it to end.
Wow, what a twist at the end. S. J. Harper, once again, left me breathless in anticipation for what's to come.
I received this ARC copy of Reckoning from PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW - ROC - S.J. Harper in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication October 7, 2014.
Emma Monroe and her partner Zach must solve multiple kidnappings. Young girls have gone missing and they must connect all the clues before its too late. The deeper they investigate, the more Emma and Zach realizes it must connect to the paranormal community.
Emma is suffering with her separation from Zach. To save him from the wrath of the goddess, Emma must not let her feeling show. Her love still burns strong for Zach but can falling into the arms of another man/vampire help heal her heart or rip it to shreds?
The combination of a mystery, romance and the paranormal characters make for outstanding reading but the vivid storytelling brings it all together. This world jumps of the pages and come alive in your imagination.
Reckoning is action intense while not falling short on the romance. Don't forget getting pulled right into the heartrending emotions. Engrossed in Reckoning from page 1, I didn't want it to end.
Wow, what a twist at the end. S. J. Harper, once again, left me breathless in anticipation for what's to come.
I received this ARC copy of Reckoning from PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW - ROC - S.J. Harper in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication October 7, 2014.
September 15, 2015
After certain events from Cursed left Emma with no choice but to erase Zack's memories of the intimacy they shared, she has fallen into bed with the local Vampire King Kallistos and left at the mercy of his whims. Though at his mercy seems to be exactly where Emma wants to be. It's hard enough for her to maintain a professional facade whenever Zack is around, and becoming Kallistos's lover does wonder for relieving that particularly consistent ache. Though whether or not she can trust the sexy vamp is yet to be determine, and the answer is looking bleaker as Emma delves deeper into her newest case.
Several girls have gone missing in the last week and leads are hard to find. Emma hits wall after wall as she struggles to determine what has become of three wayward teens, and possibly a whole slew of other girls all throughout California.Things become even more complicated when she discovers the possible involvement of the Southern Vampire King and the implications that his involvement may bring.
Things are heating up in the supernatural world, and despite Emma's commitment to finding the missing teens, the unrest in the supernatural world is quickly becoming one of her top priorities. Can she balance her responsibilities as an FBI agent, Supernatural member, and a Vampire's lover on top of keeping Zack from discovering the secrets that lie in their past? All this and SO MUCH MORE in this second installment to the Fallen Siren series.
Several girls have gone missing in the last week and leads are hard to find. Emma hits wall after wall as she struggles to determine what has become of three wayward teens, and possibly a whole slew of other girls all throughout California.Things become even more complicated when she discovers the possible involvement of the Southern Vampire King and the implications that his involvement may bring.
Things are heating up in the supernatural world, and despite Emma's commitment to finding the missing teens, the unrest in the supernatural world is quickly becoming one of her top priorities. Can she balance her responsibilities as an FBI agent, Supernatural member, and a Vampire's lover on top of keeping Zack from discovering the secrets that lie in their past? All this and SO MUCH MORE in this second installment to the Fallen Siren series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2015
I enjoyed the second book in the Fallen Sire series more than the first and I think a lot of that comes from the fact that the writing and the world seem to flow much easier now. Even though there were aspects of the book I wasn’t fond of *coughKallistoscough*, I still couldn’t put the book down. I really love Zack in this book and the entire time I am rooting for him to win whatever it is he wants to win. Emma is a bit better although I’m still not feeling the ancient creature vibe from her. I also really wish she’d realize how pushy her best friend Liz is. It makes me wonder what Liz’s motive is for beating the Kallistos idea with a stick. It’s annoying and suspicious. And really Kallistos is not that great. Until the very, very end, I didn’t even like the guy at all.
I really hope that we get more of this series. I want to explore the Demeter curse more. I would love to see some of Emma’s past. As it is, we’ve been told bits and pieces, but we haven’t really seen much. Still love the supernatural mixed with the suspenseful kidnappings that look normal to begin with, but have a chance to become anything but. More please!
I really hope that we get more of this series. I want to explore the Demeter curse more. I would love to see some of Emma’s past. As it is, we’ve been told bits and pieces, but we haven’t really seen much. Still love the supernatural mixed with the suspenseful kidnappings that look normal to begin with, but have a chance to become anything but. More please!
maybe
October 5, 2014Maybe. I read the first book just three months ago and am having serious trouble remembering plot basics. Not good.
November 24, 2014
I did not like the ending of this!! But the rest of it was good!
March 10, 2015
I hated the beginning and was moved mightily by the ending.
March 18, 2017
I read this one because I'd been pleasantly surprised by book #1, but in this outing I had the "mystery" figured out by about page 45 as it had been heavily telegraphed in the previous installment. Also I'm all for a good sex scene as much as the next person, but found this all pretty heavy-handed. If you are really into paranormal / forbidden romance / etc. then it will probably be worth your while to continue on but as for me, I'm heading back over to my usual genres. Cheers y'all.
February 28, 2019
ETA: Just discovered that this series is written in part by known scammer Lori James.
In the first book Emma seemed strong and capable, but in this one she comes across more and more as a whiny damsel. I think part of that is the tone the narrator chooses to take, but either way I was barely affected by the meant-to-be-heartbreaking twist.
In the first book Emma seemed strong and capable, but in this one she comes across more and more as a whiny damsel. I think part of that is the tone the narrator chooses to take, but either way I was barely affected by the meant-to-be-heartbreaking twist.
September 27, 2014
Special Agent Emma Monroe is an FBI agent who finds missing children – both as a profession and as a curse laid on the siren by Demeter in revenge for her failure to find Persephone. As part of that curse, Emma may not be happy, may not fall in love.
And love is not what she shares with Kallistos, the vampire king who shares her bed, though they certainly have fun. Less fun is her FBI partner Zack, werewolf, professional, fellow agent – and ex lover. If he could remember it – unknown to him they were once lovers and deeply in love and unable to be together without risking Demeter’s wrath. Saying no, is hard though.
All three are drawn into the hunt for missing girls – but it’s a hunt that spills over from her professional life to the supernatural as both werewolf and vampire politics raise their ugly heads.
There is a lot of sexual tension in this book, certainly more so than in the first book – but it’s just that for most of it, tension; there’s a lot of both of them lusting after the other, a fair amount of physical description that isn’t always necessary and more than a dollop of angst because of the curse that keeps Emma and Zack apart. There’s also a thread of angst between Emma and Kallistos; she has a no strings attached relationship with the vampire, the only kind of relationship that could work for her.
In many ways it does work, neither of them are embarrassed or ashamed about having casual sex, nor is their relationship considered wrong, something to hide, something to be embarrassed about or in any way it’s nice to see. But at the same time it’s inherently cast as inferior because it will always be the second choice to Zack and that shadows the whole thing – no matter how casual a relationship is, Emma pining after another man does not exactly make Kallistos feel happy and joyful. So it’s a fairly good representation of shameless sexual relationship but still holds it as inherently inferior.
The other source of conflict in their relationship is Kallistos being a vampire ruler and, because of that, a man who does evil things out of necessity. This is one of the better conflicts of the book – because it’s very tempting to look at Kallistos as the good vampire and then Lamont, an antagonist, as the bad vampire. But there’s a lair of complexity there – Kallistos is not a good person, he cannot even be a good person and still hold power. In fact, it can even be argued (and he does argue) that he cannot be a good person and even be a vampire – he can be a less bad person – but ultimately he is a being that preys on humanity which, on some level, means the exploitation and use of humans; made more fraught by the necessity of secrecy. I like how it looks at many of the things that other books may present as hallmarks of a “good” vampire and points out that “less bad” and “good” are a long way apart – and messing with people’s memories, stealing their blood, etc are not ever going to go in the “good” column.
So there’s a lot of emotional conflict here, some of it is romantic. But, while they are dominant parts of the book (and certainly more dominant than the first book) they don’t overwhelm the story because, whatever else Emma and Zack are, they’re also supremely professional. And their profession is FBI agents who search for kidnapped children. By definition that has to take priority – and allowing their issues to eclipse that search would just be unacceptable on an epic level to both of them. Even when consumed by lust, burning with rage or all mopey with angst, that need to find these children before the worst happens means all of those issues simply has to go on the back burner. They can’t dwell on it, they can’t be consumed by it, they can’t be distracted by it – so these issues can be powerful, present and very felt by Emma and Zack, they never actually derail the book as is a common annoyance. (Books where protagonists will actually pause to scream at their lovers while the enemy is RIGHT THERE, or delay an escape attempt to have sex in a cupboard or in the mud exist and annoy me).
Another element I loved about the previous book is that, while there is a lot of woo-woo in this world, it’s not overwhelming and nor does it replace the need for the police to do actual police work. Zack and Emma’s problems – and Emma’s job and quest/curse – is not all solved by the waving of a magic wand, the baring of fangs and the sprouting of fur. Sure, it helps and gives them an edge – and this book certainly has more supernatural elements than the previous – ultimately investigation and intelligence and diligence pay off as much as woo-woo does. I appreciate this because it requires a chain of evidence, a logical storyline and some very real sense of tension and conflict because Emma and Zack cannot just pull out the magical deus ex of problem-solving and make it all go away. This seems to stretch beyond the investigation to many other aspects of the book – for example, in one of the dramatic conflicts of the book, fangs and claws certainly help, but a gun seems to be equally effective. The only magical game changer is Demeter – who is literally a goddess.
Read More
And love is not what she shares with Kallistos, the vampire king who shares her bed, though they certainly have fun. Less fun is her FBI partner Zack, werewolf, professional, fellow agent – and ex lover. If he could remember it – unknown to him they were once lovers and deeply in love and unable to be together without risking Demeter’s wrath. Saying no, is hard though.
All three are drawn into the hunt for missing girls – but it’s a hunt that spills over from her professional life to the supernatural as both werewolf and vampire politics raise their ugly heads.
There is a lot of sexual tension in this book, certainly more so than in the first book – but it’s just that for most of it, tension; there’s a lot of both of them lusting after the other, a fair amount of physical description that isn’t always necessary and more than a dollop of angst because of the curse that keeps Emma and Zack apart. There’s also a thread of angst between Emma and Kallistos; she has a no strings attached relationship with the vampire, the only kind of relationship that could work for her.
In many ways it does work, neither of them are embarrassed or ashamed about having casual sex, nor is their relationship considered wrong, something to hide, something to be embarrassed about or in any way it’s nice to see. But at the same time it’s inherently cast as inferior because it will always be the second choice to Zack and that shadows the whole thing – no matter how casual a relationship is, Emma pining after another man does not exactly make Kallistos feel happy and joyful. So it’s a fairly good representation of shameless sexual relationship but still holds it as inherently inferior.
The other source of conflict in their relationship is Kallistos being a vampire ruler and, because of that, a man who does evil things out of necessity. This is one of the better conflicts of the book – because it’s very tempting to look at Kallistos as the good vampire and then Lamont, an antagonist, as the bad vampire. But there’s a lair of complexity there – Kallistos is not a good person, he cannot even be a good person and still hold power. In fact, it can even be argued (and he does argue) that he cannot be a good person and even be a vampire – he can be a less bad person – but ultimately he is a being that preys on humanity which, on some level, means the exploitation and use of humans; made more fraught by the necessity of secrecy. I like how it looks at many of the things that other books may present as hallmarks of a “good” vampire and points out that “less bad” and “good” are a long way apart – and messing with people’s memories, stealing their blood, etc are not ever going to go in the “good” column.
So there’s a lot of emotional conflict here, some of it is romantic. But, while they are dominant parts of the book (and certainly more dominant than the first book) they don’t overwhelm the story because, whatever else Emma and Zack are, they’re also supremely professional. And their profession is FBI agents who search for kidnapped children. By definition that has to take priority – and allowing their issues to eclipse that search would just be unacceptable on an epic level to both of them. Even when consumed by lust, burning with rage or all mopey with angst, that need to find these children before the worst happens means all of those issues simply has to go on the back burner. They can’t dwell on it, they can’t be consumed by it, they can’t be distracted by it – so these issues can be powerful, present and very felt by Emma and Zack, they never actually derail the book as is a common annoyance. (Books where protagonists will actually pause to scream at their lovers while the enemy is RIGHT THERE, or delay an escape attempt to have sex in a cupboard or in the mud exist and annoy me).
Another element I loved about the previous book is that, while there is a lot of woo-woo in this world, it’s not overwhelming and nor does it replace the need for the police to do actual police work. Zack and Emma’s problems – and Emma’s job and quest/curse – is not all solved by the waving of a magic wand, the baring of fangs and the sprouting of fur. Sure, it helps and gives them an edge – and this book certainly has more supernatural elements than the previous – ultimately investigation and intelligence and diligence pay off as much as woo-woo does. I appreciate this because it requires a chain of evidence, a logical storyline and some very real sense of tension and conflict because Emma and Zack cannot just pull out the magical deus ex of problem-solving and make it all go away. This seems to stretch beyond the investigation to many other aspects of the book – for example, in one of the dramatic conflicts of the book, fangs and claws certainly help, but a gun seems to be equally effective. The only magical game changer is Demeter – who is literally a goddess.
Read More
February 12, 2018
God's, I need more.
March 24, 2018
This was good!
Thank You S.J.Harper
Ken
Thank You S.J.Harper
Ken
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