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Infected #4
Freefall
In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds.
Conceived bearing the lion strain of the virus, Roan is the only fully functioning virus child in the country—maybe in the world. But that doesn’t mean he’s okay. He’s still struggling with the death of his husband and the guilt of finding new love; his old enemy, the Church of the Divine Transformation, is becoming increasingly hostile; and he’s taken on a tragic cold case involving a long-missing boy.
As Roan fights to control the lion inside him, his world explodes with all kinds of trouble. The leader of the church is ramping up the violence against him, calling Roan out as a traitor to his kind. There’s a loose infected terrorizing the city. And Holden, male prostitute and Roan’s unofficial assistant, brings him a case involving the suspicious death of one of Holden’s clients, which puts Roan far too close to a murderer for his state of mind....
1st Edition published by Dreamspinner Press, November 2011
Conceived bearing the lion strain of the virus, Roan is the only fully functioning virus child in the country—maybe in the world. But that doesn’t mean he’s okay. He’s still struggling with the death of his husband and the guilt of finding new love; his old enemy, the Church of the Divine Transformation, is becoming increasingly hostile; and he’s taken on a tragic cold case involving a long-missing boy.
As Roan fights to control the lion inside him, his world explodes with all kinds of trouble. The leader of the church is ramping up the violence against him, calling Roan out as a traitor to his kind. There’s a loose infected terrorizing the city. And Holden, male prostitute and Roan’s unofficial assistant, brings him a case involving the suspicious death of one of Holden’s clients, which puts Roan far too close to a murderer for his state of mind....
1st Edition published by Dreamspinner Press, November 2011
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2011
15 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Speed
77 books511 followersSuper nerd. Former EIC at Cx Pulp. I've won Rainbow Awards, and still can't believe it. A small medicinal horse. The Meryl Streep of stunt corpses. Enby.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
December 31, 2023
This series nearly destroyed me.
Yeaahh, it broke my heart into a zillion pieces, chewed 'em up 'n spit 'em out.
I was a blubbering fool for a long time.
BUT...I joined forces with another pride and pushed through.
It wasn't quite as hard as I thought.
There were moments, but I expected those moments.
Roan is learning to live without Paris...kinda.
He is learning to love again (shhh, don't tell him though!)...well, again...kinda.
Dylan is a f*cking saint and deserves a holiday in his name.
Holden has gotten interesting. Yep, he has my attention now.
The investigations? Mysterious as always, but Ro has other more pressing things on his mind.
He needs to change his ways and he needs to do it fast.
I'm ready for more snarky-crazy-fubarded tales.
*hugs to my girls*
'spanks for reminding me how much I love this "Infected" world.
*4 freaky-falling-fast stars*
Yeaahh, it broke my heart into a zillion pieces, chewed 'em up 'n spit 'em out.
I was a blubbering fool for a long time.
BUT...I joined forces with another pride and pushed through.
It wasn't quite as hard as I thought.
There were moments, but I expected those moments.
Roan is learning to live without Paris...kinda.
He is learning to love again (shhh, don't tell him though!)...well, again...kinda.
Dylan is a f*cking saint and deserves a holiday in his name.
Holden has gotten interesting. Yep, he has my attention now.
The investigations? Mysterious as always, but Ro has other more pressing things on his mind.
He needs to change his ways and he needs to do it fast.
I'm ready for more snarky-crazy-fubarded tales.
*hugs to my girls*
'spanks for reminding me how much I love this "Infected" world.
*4 freaky-falling-fast stars*
December 16, 2014
3.5 stars
It is a good thing that I read this series because of the characters involved. I’ve become invested in the characters I knew previously and Speed has the ability to make me care of the new ones she introduces. Her forte is her character development. Plotting wise she chooses the realistic approach where not all cases are solved or if they are, they are solved not in a picture perfect way. Like our life stuff, her plots leave question marks.
But her people, yes they are people I want to know, and know more of. I’m very intrigued by Holden, the man beneath the mask. Holden may not be infected but he to struggles between himself and Fox just like Roan has that continuous inner battle between him and the Lion. Watching the dynamics between them has me drawn in.
In this one Holden stole the show a bit but Roan is still there going his own smart ass way and things have got to a very interesting stage. So I’m itching to continue………
As always, thanks to my girls for the company, reading this would not be the same without you.
BR with my lion pride Rosa, RA, Otila, Desinka, Meep and Sheri on 8th Dec 2014 Our BR link
It is a good thing that I read this series because of the characters involved. I’ve become invested in the characters I knew previously and Speed has the ability to make me care of the new ones she introduces. Her forte is her character development. Plotting wise she chooses the realistic approach where not all cases are solved or if they are, they are solved not in a picture perfect way. Like our life stuff, her plots leave question marks.
But her people, yes they are people I want to know, and know more of. I’m very intrigued by Holden, the man beneath the mask. Holden may not be infected but he to struggles between himself and Fox just like Roan has that continuous inner battle between him and the Lion. Watching the dynamics between them has me drawn in.
In this one Holden stole the show a bit but Roan is still there going his own smart ass way and things have got to a very interesting stage. So I’m itching to continue………
As always, thanks to my girls for the company, reading this would not be the same without you.
BR with my lion pride Rosa, RA, Otila, Desinka, Meep and Sheri on 8th Dec 2014 Our BR link
December 15, 2014
This whole series has a great feel so I don't want to repeat what I like about it. Another good installment.
Book 1: I was a bit disappointed with how things ended and that the cases got resolved in weird ways. Everything else was great.
Book 2: This was quite eventful and emotionally intense. I really liked it. Holden taking a central part in this was also very interesting.
Looking forward to the next installment:)
Hugs for my great reading buddies Sofia, Rosa, RA, Otila, Meep and Sheri.
Book 1: I was a bit disappointed with how things ended and that the cases got resolved in weird ways. Everything else was great.
Book 2: This was quite eventful and emotionally intense. I really liked it. Holden taking a central part in this was also very interesting.
Looking forward to the next installment:)
Hugs for my great reading buddies Sofia, Rosa, RA, Otila, Meep and Sheri.
May 16, 2016
“Here was a man who would never truly be at peace with himself, because he wasn't just a man, but he wasn't a lion either. He was and forever would be the unholy combination of both.”
“He deserved to die as he lived, neither here nor there, torn between human and other.”
Freefall was absolutely wonderful but Bloodletting felt a little slow at times, even though lots was happening, and I was left very disappointed. I think after the insanity that occurred at the end of Freefall everything else (bar a slightly psychopathic Holden losing his shit in a way that terrified and enthralled me) felt anticlimactic and some insane stuff happens, so it really goes to show how epic Roan's hissy fit at the end of Freefall was.
I love Holden but I'm slightly concerned about him right now and Roan's condition seems like it's going to get a lot worse before anything gets better which is making me rather scared of the next book, I will soldier on though, mainly because the cover of the next one is my favourite and this proves I'm a total cover ho!!
Perhaps my least favourite so far in the series but I think that might have to do with the constant RL interruptions imposed on me while reading it and it felt like it took 10 years to finish.
December 17, 2014
I continue to really enjoy this series.
Speed has managed to make me care about all her characters and what happens to them. I'm invested in Roan's journey and how his friends fit into his world.
So it doesn't matter that much that plot points are completely dropped or forgotten and that the mysteries are sometimes unsatisfactorily resolved. It actually bugged much less than in the previous book.
I look forward to the next one.
Thanks for another great BR girls- Sofia, Rosa, R, Desinka, Meep and Sheri. This journey is so much better when shared with all of you.
BR Link
Speed has managed to make me care about all her characters and what happens to them. I'm invested in Roan's journey and how his friends fit into his world.
So it doesn't matter that much that plot points are completely dropped or forgotten and that the mysteries are sometimes unsatisfactorily resolved. It actually bugged much less than in the previous book.
I look forward to the next one.
Thanks for another great BR girls- Sofia, Rosa, R, Desinka, Meep and Sheri. This journey is so much better when shared with all of you.
BR Link
February 13, 2012
Simply some of the best, snarkiest, and mature urban fantasy I've read.
August 13, 2016
Oh, Roan! I have missed you! You and your wicked sense of humor and unbelievable knack for finding trouble.
Andrea Speed has a style all her own and a world that completely pulls me in and engulfs me. I always need time to get back into her style and rhythm—the words and details; characters and chaos; loss and love. I can’t really explain it. It’s like learning how to breathe in a whole new way. And Roan! Roan McKichan is an unforgettable character that you don’t want to let go. Can’t actually. I read the first three books of this series over a year ago, but with just a few twists and turns into this story it all came back. Like I never left.
Right off the top here, I have to apologize. I suck at reviewing Speed books. It’s the way she packs a book with so much action and love. There is never a dull moment. I don’t know how Roan gets any sleep—Oh, yeah!—Hehe….he doesn’t! Layer upon layer. Past and present. So many characters! But Speed brings all of them to life with humor, smell, history, family and friends. I know and remember every single one. Makes for one hell of a book to review though. Plus you throw in the fact Ms. Speed divides the book into two separate stories well…Just forget about it! I don’t know where to start. As you can tell. :) So let the ramble begin…
Roan, everyone's favorite werecat PI, gets right to it in this book. Trouble from the word go! Investigations, drug problems, dreams, death threats, and boyfriend worries all swirling together with anger and pain and grief. Roan can break your heart one minute and cover it all up again with a hilarious one liner. His wit and humor hide a lot of pain, but also fuel the fun. Roan’s jabs and jokes can feel so tender and flirty with Dylan, but turn around and be cutting and wicked with Holden. The energy caught in a conversation, caught between the words and jokes is stunning. I nearly spit my coffee out all over my kindle with this line…….”The croissants here were so good, they’d make you punch a nun.” Haha….It completely caught me off guard.
Our story revolves around a sad, cold case with a missing child, cheating husbands, drugs, cat cult threats, murder, scandal and more. It wouldn’t be a day with Roan without a death threat or two. The cases were intriguing at first, but felt rushed at the end. The mysteries are usually not my focus with an Infected book though. It is Roan and this world. So much imagination. So much to read, see, and feel. Andrea Speed builds a world on the page beautifully, but she also builds a world of emotion. Raw and powerful emotions. A memory or name can make my heart hurt. I feel like I’ve known these characters for years! We have seen them fall, break, and get back up again. Roan has become one of my favorite characters. And at book 4 there is still so much to learn. So much I want to learn. His huge heart has been beaten and broken, but it still beats. In this book—it beats with a lot of anger! His anger brought up a lot of questions about transforming and his lion. It made me stop and really look at Roan and his different sides. Made me really see Roan and the lion as one.
I did have one bump in the road though with this book. Truth be told...Speed confused me a couple of times. I mean really lost me! Words and actions felt all tangled up. At one point I had to ask— Is the guy dead or not? Haha…But in the end, all was forgiven. I just love spending time here in Roan’s action packed world. I mean the man could rip your throat out (especially if you call him Batman. :D) and make you smile with his cheap plastic Simpson’s watch.
This series is something special. Go meet Roan!
Off to book five…
p.s. Speed’s writing is full of shout outs to bands and TV shows. But this….This is my favorite! Pure love and laughs for any horror fan.
December 6, 2017
4.2 Stars
You know, the characterization, witty dialogue and detailed cases are just so damned well-written that I don't even mind that there are no sex scenes. You can still feel the romance, the intimacy between the MCs...and with this installment it's just so painful to see Roan wrestle with the affection he has for Dylan while still grieving Paris. Also, still creepy to be reminded that Paris basically picked Dylan for Roan knowing how it would sap Roan of the will to go on.
Thankfully his Lion isn't gonna let him waste away, nor is it going to let the virus symptoms kill him...because Roan really doesn't fear death and in a way taunts danger which already puts him at risk.
I know the story continues but if I had read this when it came out I think I'd worry that Dylan would be the one to mourn Roan dying, or wait for the moment Roan breaks his heart.
I did think that the multiple POV segments were weird. Holden, Dylan and another character all have their thoughts and whatnot detailed on page which...I'm not sure I liked that. From what I can remember it's always been just Roan's POV, so the switch there was jarring.
That said, I love Holden. Dylan is great. Dylan is perfect. Dylan is too great and perfect. BUT as we learned with more info on Connor, Roan needs that strength, that stabilizing affection. That complete lack of drama and bullshit. (I still think Roan/Holden would melt my brain, even if we'd never even get a word of the actual sex.)
Definitely going to continue with the series.
Also, why the hell isn't this optioned for television? I mean, several of the Donald Strachey mysteries got made into movies and this has the added paranormal aspect - I think it would lend itself well to serialization...no need to rewrite Roan as straight either because there's no sex. Damn, sometimes it's just a shame that great writing is overlooked because of the genre...
You know, the characterization, witty dialogue and detailed cases are just so damned well-written that I don't even mind that there are no sex scenes. You can still feel the romance, the intimacy between the MCs...and with this installment it's just so painful to see Roan wrestle with the affection he has for Dylan while still grieving Paris. Also, still creepy to be reminded that Paris basically picked Dylan for Roan knowing how it would sap Roan of the will to go on.
Thankfully his Lion isn't gonna let him waste away, nor is it going to let the virus symptoms kill him...because Roan really doesn't fear death and in a way taunts danger which already puts him at risk.
I know the story continues but if I had read this when it came out I think I'd worry that Dylan would be the one to mourn Roan dying, or wait for the moment Roan breaks his heart.
I did think that the multiple POV segments were weird. Holden, Dylan and another character all have their thoughts and whatnot detailed on page which...I'm not sure I liked that. From what I can remember it's always been just Roan's POV, so the switch there was jarring.
That said, I love Holden. Dylan is great. Dylan is perfect. Dylan is too great and perfect. BUT as we learned with more info on Connor, Roan needs that strength, that stabilizing affection. That complete lack of drama and bullshit. (I still think Roan/Holden would melt my brain, even if we'd never even get a word of the actual sex.)
Definitely going to continue with the series.
Also, why the hell isn't this optioned for television? I mean, several of the Donald Strachey mysteries got made into movies and this has the added paranormal aspect - I think it would lend itself well to serialization...no need to rewrite Roan as straight either because there's no sex. Damn, sometimes it's just a shame that great writing is overlooked because of the genre...
June 14, 2017
4.5 Stars
Oh Roan - our favorite grumpy PI with a sensitive side is back and he really needs to get his shit together. Some time has passed and he and Dylan are now officially official, but he's still wallowing in guilt and self loathing. To me he's a walking contradiction. He hates his lion but also uses it to its full effectiveness - saving people, threatening people, trying to get his point across to stubborn assholes. He doesn't give a shit about himself but if one hurts those he cares about... watch out!
This entry was by far the most entertaining to me. I was thoroughly and repeatedly amused by the inner snark and private jokes of not just Roan, but Holden as well. Their keen perceptions and observations, along with witty banter and the reactions of those around them were hilarious, if not morbidly and depressingly true.
But... obviously things are not perfect. Roan continues to avoid his feelings, continues to avoid conflict until his anger unleashes his lion with what looks like some serious side effects. There is ugliness and violence, and Roan's world is still dark and bleak. He's our tragically flawed hero who doesn't think he's worth a damn. However there are many who think otherwise and I love this cast of characters from steadfast Dylan, to nosy but caring ex boyfriend Diego, to hopefully new "sidekick" Holden.
The bar has definitely been raised this time around and the stakes are higher and the risks greater. Again, I want happiness for Roan, as well as for all the other characters - they deserve better and I hope they find it within themselves and with each other!
Thanks Sofia, Rosa, Otila, Meep, Desinka and Sheri for another fun BR!! Can't wait to read the next installment with you!
Oh Roan - our favorite grumpy PI with a sensitive side is back and he really needs to get his shit together. Some time has passed and he and Dylan are now officially official, but he's still wallowing in guilt and self loathing. To me he's a walking contradiction. He hates his lion but also uses it to its full effectiveness - saving people, threatening people, trying to get his point across to stubborn assholes. He doesn't give a shit about himself but if one hurts those he cares about... watch out!
This entry was by far the most entertaining to me. I was thoroughly and repeatedly amused by the inner snark and private jokes of not just Roan, but Holden as well. Their keen perceptions and observations, along with witty banter and the reactions of those around them were hilarious, if not morbidly and depressingly true.
But... obviously things are not perfect. Roan continues to avoid his feelings, continues to avoid conflict until his anger unleashes his lion with what looks like some serious side effects. There is ugliness and violence, and Roan's world is still dark and bleak. He's our tragically flawed hero who doesn't think he's worth a damn. However there are many who think otherwise and I love this cast of characters from steadfast Dylan, to nosy but caring ex boyfriend Diego, to hopefully new "sidekick" Holden.
The bar has definitely been raised this time around and the stakes are higher and the risks greater. Again, I want happiness for Roan, as well as for all the other characters - they deserve better and I hope they find it within themselves and with each other!
Thanks Sofia, Rosa, Otila, Meep, Desinka and Sheri for another fun BR!! Can't wait to read the next installment with you!
December 17, 2022
Roan is one messed up kitty cat. I love how well developed the characters in this series are, even side character's personalities and backstories are well thought out. Roan is fiercely protective and geared to fight for others, even, maybe especially, with himself.
There's a lot of infected/cat happenings in this book, it's obviously a big part of Roan and unavoidable. The investigations don't seem as focused on, not all have a satisfactory conclusion - especially that of the first 'book' so be prepared for that. But it actually made the book feel more real to me. Roan always has more than one case to investigate, plus cat-stuff and related health-stuff and life doesn't always have neat answers. Not every crime is solved. Life is a complicated tangle.
Relationships are complicated. I like the fact Paris is still very much in Roan's thoughts. But pity Dylan whose accepting that. Yet they compliment each other, Dylan is very perceptive and perhaps a calming influence Roan needs. The fact he doesn't feel loved though...
Holden, Paris's charm with a cold core. He's an interesting character that needs people more than he'd admit.
While occasional pov changes doesn't seem the most sophisticated writing, I'm liking it. It adds something to hear some inner thoughts. There's some great inner snark along the way.
There's a lot of infected/cat happenings in this book, it's obviously a big part of Roan and unavoidable. The investigations don't seem as focused on, not all have a satisfactory conclusion - especially that of the first 'book' so be prepared for that. But it actually made the book feel more real to me. Roan always has more than one case to investigate, plus cat-stuff and related health-stuff and life doesn't always have neat answers. Not every crime is solved. Life is a complicated tangle.
Relationships are complicated. I like the fact Paris is still very much in Roan's thoughts. But pity Dylan whose accepting that. Yet they compliment each other, Dylan is very perceptive and perhaps a calming influence Roan needs. The fact he doesn't feel loved though...
Holden, Paris's charm with a cold core. He's an interesting character that needs people more than he'd admit.
While occasional pov changes doesn't seem the most sophisticated writing, I'm liking it. It adds something to hear some inner thoughts. There's some great inner snark along the way.
May 7, 2017
Man I love this series.
Part 1 was okay, but I loved part 2. Roan's and Dylan's relationship progress. But, I'm sorry, I still don't care that much about Dylan. I have more feelings toward Dee, than I do Dylan, and I don't want him to be Roan's boyfriend either. Holden, I like. I wouldn't object to some sexy times with him and Roan. I really enjoyed Holden's portion of part 2.
I kinda like that the mystery portions don't get wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end. At least they had a conclusion this time, even if it wasn't always a happy, fully detailed out conclusion. I think it's more realistic that a case isn't going to end with every detail worked out.
Love Roan, REALLY like Holden, like Dee...indifferent about Dylan. (I don't think I want to find out if Dylan is end game or not)
Roan's health is a worry. I'm ready to plow into the next book, just to find out how Roan's health is doing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re-read 5/6/17
Until this year, I rarely re-read books. This year, I have decided to re-read a few favorites.
Normally I enjoy a re-read, but not as much as the first time around. So far, this series has been an exception. I think I've enjoyed ever book more the 2nd time around.
First time, I had no feelings for Dylan. Not good, not bad....he was just kinda blah to me. This time around, I have hindsight on my side. I enjoyed Dylan a lot more. I was able to appreciate his role a lot more.
Although this is not one of my top favorites in the series, there is one portion that ranks up there in my favorite scenes. It wasn't a Roan scene, it was a Holden scene. (Not gonna say what, because of spoilers) I like when Holden gets protective of Roan. I've come to see, that Holden and Roan would not make a good couple...but I still would love to see them hook up, in a one off.--Maybe in a fanfic though, so there would be some details! As a couple they may not work...but I love them as friends.
I've never notice the lack of sex scenes in these book, while reading...all though they would be nice. Even without an on page love scene, Roan and Holden both are hot as f*ck. (still think that without Roan, Dylan is blah...but with Roan, he works)
Part 1 was okay, but I loved part 2. Roan's and Dylan's relationship progress. But, I'm sorry, I still don't care that much about Dylan. I have more feelings toward Dee, than I do Dylan, and I don't want him to be Roan's boyfriend either. Holden, I like. I wouldn't object to some sexy times with him and Roan. I really enjoyed Holden's portion of part 2.
I kinda like that the mystery portions don't get wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end. At least they had a conclusion this time, even if it wasn't always a happy, fully detailed out conclusion. I think it's more realistic that a case isn't going to end with every detail worked out.
Love Roan, REALLY like Holden, like Dee...indifferent about Dylan. (I don't think I want to find out if Dylan is end game or not)
Roan's health is a worry. I'm ready to plow into the next book, just to find out how Roan's health is doing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re-read 5/6/17
Until this year, I rarely re-read books. This year, I have decided to re-read a few favorites.
Normally I enjoy a re-read, but not as much as the first time around. So far, this series has been an exception. I think I've enjoyed ever book more the 2nd time around.
First time, I had no feelings for Dylan. Not good, not bad....he was just kinda blah to me. This time around, I have hindsight on my side. I enjoyed Dylan a lot more. I was able to appreciate his role a lot more.
Although this is not one of my top favorites in the series, there is one portion that ranks up there in my favorite scenes. It wasn't a Roan scene, it was a Holden scene. (Not gonna say what, because of spoilers) I like when Holden gets protective of Roan. I've come to see, that Holden and Roan would not make a good couple...but I still would love to see them hook up, in a one off.--Maybe in a fanfic though, so there would be some details! As a couple they may not work...but I love them as friends.
I've never notice the lack of sex scenes in these book, while reading...all though they would be nice. Even without an on page love scene, Roan and Holden both are hot as f*ck. (still think that without Roan, Dylan is blah...but with Roan, he works)
May 15, 2016
Andrea Speed is killllling me. I love Roan so hard. And, Holden even harder. Amaaaazing storytelling. This book was fantastically intense.
October 25, 2012
Warning, spoilers ahead (most of them unhidden)!
This was another book split into 2 novellas, and this one is easier to review as such because it seemed to be a tighter book, in terms of editing. The tears didn't fall as often or as hard when I was reading it either, so perhaps Ms. Speed was also getting back on track after recovering from the trauma herself. (Which I'd like to once again oh-sospitefully helpfully point out, was self-inflicted.)
Funny, my reviews on this series have been all over the place - probably reflecting my own emotional states after reading them. I am using a lot of quotes in this one, as they sort of speak for themselves as to what especially stood out to me in this book. (And it's also why this review looks like a scroll, it's so long! LOL)
"Freefall"
"Sometimes you had almost nothing and could close a case; sometimes you had everything, and it wasn’t enough. It seemed like a grotesque joke. But that was life. The first guy you genuinely fall in love with turns out to be a tortured alcoholic who almost but never quite gets his shit together; the guy who you feel is your soul mate, a bullshit term you always dismissed as romantic fantasy, dies too young because his stupid fucking infection eats him from the inside out. And now you were with a beautiful young guy whom you liked an awful lot but just couldn’t love, because your soul felt burnt. He felt a great deal of affection for Dylan. He kind of wished he could love him, but Paris seemed to have taken all the love Roan had with him."
IS it better to have loved and lost then have never loved at all? I've always thought that was bullshit, and Roan keeps proving me right. It becomes clear later on in both this novella and the book as a whole that Roan *does* love Dylan, as much as he is capable of in this stage of his life at any rate, and Dylan knows that Roan will always love Paris. It makes me wonder, like it did when I read LAD, how is it possible to love someone so much that you're willing to settle for 2nd best? To know you will always love that person more than they love you back?
Dylan is a great character - I really do like him, but it's not easy to accept his acceptance of that situation. It's weird, because I want Roan to have him - he needs him, but I don't want it for Dylan. LOL I feel a bit torn about it. If we were friends in RL, I'd probably lecture him about putting up with being 2nd best. I'm not self-sacrificing enough to ever put myself in that position, but clearly Dylan is a better person than I am. XD And I know he does get something out of it - great sex and fidelity and being needed, but... I don't know. My point in all that rambling is that I still have no idea how I feel about their relationship.
And anyway, I suppose it's irrelevant, as I know they .
Another way in which Roan and I are alike (from the scene in which Dylan shows Roan his half-lion, half-human portrait he painted of him):
He couldn’t actually decide how he felt about any of this. Enraged? Disbelieving? Maybe a little bit scared? All of the above? His heart was pounding, blood roaring in his ears, and he settled on anger, because it was easiest. Anger was always easiest, his default setting.
I like that Dylan calls Roan on his bullshit in this scene, but he doesn't have the same ability to meet his bullshit and call it like it is that Paris did. Even if Roan had reacted the same way with him, no way would Paris have let him walk out of that apartment that pissed off, I'm sure of it.
People whose default setting isn't anger really don't get it. But sure as shit, I do, as it's also my default setting. Especially when someone tells me something I know is true and don't want to hear. It's not even because of self-deception - it's because you don't want others to easily see through your armor to your vulnerabilities. It's how people hurt you. And Roan has just been hurt big time. Who can blame him? Speed must either be this way herself, or is close to someone like that, because she nailed it in this scene. I feel sorry for Dylan, of course, but it's what you get when you have someone who can't move on and can't forgive themselves. But I admire his balls in being honest with his feelings in that scene - .
Now, about Roan's growing drug dependency:
He dreams about Connor...
Con told him, “If numbing yourself is all you can think about, something’s wrong.”
He sighed wearily. “You are so not the person to tell me that.”
Connor grimaced slightly before cupping Roan’s face in his hand. “No, love, there’s no one better to tell you that.”
Yeah, you knew when you were self-destructive, but you thought you had it under control… until you didn’t. Connor must have gone through something similar, thinking his alcoholism and depression and self-loathing was nothing he couldn’t handle, until it killed him. He never wanted to become Con, but at some point he had.
Then has this conversation with Holden ...
“Am I going crazy?”
“No, you’re just self-destructing. I’ve seen it happen to a lot of people. Most people do it one drink at a time, but you just had to go and prove to everyone you were gay by being flamboyant about it.” He scoffed in mock disgust. “Okay, we get it, you’re dying inside. Do you have to make a big deal out of it, cocksucker?”
I wasn't crazy about this subplot, but it was handled well - better than I expected, based on some of the reviews I saw before I read the book myself. And I can't blame him for numbing himself, but it's still frustrating to see someone as smart as Roan develop a pill addiction.
Overall, I was happy that I didn't really cry reading this one until the last few pages, when he again dreamed of Paris. And it wasn't hysterical sobbing, it was just a few gentle tears. That was refreshing. LOL I am *hoping* that means the worst of the emotional trauma is behind us, but we'll see - there are still two more books in the series, after all!
I was also very sad that Roan didn't , but otherwise, the mystery plots in this book were a lot tighter than in the previous book, and it was better edited all-around (see my note above about the author recovering from the Paris trauma).
"Bloodletting"
This one had one of my favorite mystery plots so far in it - Holden hires Roan to find the murderer of one of his clients. Very well done, and nicely wrapped up at the end. It was also interesting to learn a little more about Randi's personal life, with the subplot about her brother - one of the things I like about these books is how many threads are going at once, but how well they connect thematically to the overall story.
I like that this book started with him talking about Connor's play-turned-movie - I wondered what the fate was of that! But, I was sad to hear that the movie had been "straight-washed." Though not surprised - Speed nailed that on the head, as it's probably exactly what would have happened in RL. LOL!
About the tiger tattoo:
He had his Paris one on his right arm, so why not get one on his left? Balance himself out. The funny thing was, he’d never been much for tattoos, and yet he felt compelled to add this, to burn it on his skin. The fact that it was a tiger didn’t escape his notice, and he wondered if it was yet another tribute to Paris. He’d probably cover his body with tributes to Paris if he could. No one should forget him, least of all him.
There's something tragically poetic about Dylan designing a tiger tattoo for Roan. The new lover memorializing the old one. But I love that Roan was so intensely turned on by Dylan's artistic focus.
It's funny, but I mostly held it together with the Paris mentions. But this had me full-out crying again: He wanted to take the bike, but took the GTO instead, as how many drone detectives drove Buells? Then again, how many drove lovingly restored ’60s muscle cars? It still seemed like the lesser of two evils, and besides, without Paris to work on it, the GTO was starting to look a little rougher, which worked with the image he was trying to convey.
Is that weird?
This I have to share because it was my absolute favorite Roan line yet: "The croissants here were so good, they'd make you punch a nun." BUWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. It seems we share a love of the same pastries - I, too, have an unnatural fondness for croissants. Too bad this place is fictional! I'd love to try one so good it would make me want to punch a nun.
Dylan wondered what it said about him that he’d decided to accept Roan as a drug addict, just like he’d accepted that he was always going to love Paris more. It was sad. He’d always had more self-esteem than that, and yet he had decided if he wanted to be in Roan’s life, he’d have to compromise. Sometimes loving someone just sucked.
See my comments above under "Freefall" about this topic. It doubly applied here.
Now, about Holden. I knew he wanted to fuck Roan all along, but I didn't realize until this moment that he loved him, too (in his own Holden-esque way):
He was strangely attractive, not a pretty boy but weirdly alluring all the same, with intense, haunted eyes. And god, was he trouble: not just infected, but an obvious depressive, too smart for his own good, a romantic turned cynic, battered by the world and not sure how to handle it. He raged at dying light, or whatever was handy, and had taken to numbing himself with chemicals. He was stubborn and moody, a total pain in the ass. Holden didn’t envy Dylan, putting up with him. But that was the weird thing: he didn’t envy him, but wasn’t he still a bit jealous anyways? Yeah, he was trouble, but Holden suspected he was rarely ever boring. The true outcasts rarely were. Nothing could ever work between him and Roan, but Holden bet it would have been a fun disaster.
And when he , it kind of cemented that sentiment, IMO. I know Roan is a one-man kinda guy, and I love him for it. I like Dylan, and I am not even remotely okay with people cheating. But is it wrong that I kind of wish he'd screw Holden at least once?!
And finally about the brain :
I was also unsurprised to see that Dylan was not the only one who figured this out:
Roan sat there, wondering how far ahead Paris had planned. He’d discovered only after he met Dylan that Paris had actively singled Dylan out and all but groomed him to take his place. He had selected Roan’s next boyfriend for him, which was exactly like Par, so much so that he didn’t know why it shocked him that he had. Like he’d let him find someone that Par didn’t judge worthy? As if. But was this part of the reason why? Paris knew Roan would be eager to join him in the nothingness of death, sweet oblivion, so he made sure there was something that would pull him back, make him want to stay alive even if only by sheer guilt. Was that the entire intent?
Probably, Roan.
I can't say I'm surprised that Roan would be okay with death, especially if he thought there was even a remote possibility he would be with Paris again. But what a shitty addition to the situation for poor Dylan, knowing that his boyfriend is . At least it explains his headaches!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and was seriously relieved to have no moments that made me sob like a rabid hyena (TM) ;-) - I was worried I was going to be hospitalized for dehydration after reading Bloodlines and Life After Death. LOL Freefall was well-written with interesting cases and, as always, had some truly hilarious moments in it. It also wins my 'Hot Cover' award - dayum, Roan! And I don't want to sound like I don't support Dylan and Roan's relationship - like I said above, I do want Roan to have Dylan. I just feel bad for both of them - bad for Roan, because not only is he a widower who's still in love with his dead husband, but he also feels guilty for his emotional dependency on Dylan. And I feel bad for Dylan, because he will always be second best to Paris, no matter how much Roan loves him. Like I said in my review for LAD, the whole thing is just tragic, and I'm not sure I'll ever fully get over my resentment about Paris's death.
It will be really interesting to see what happens in the next book, since they are !
This was another book split into 2 novellas, and this one is easier to review as such because it seemed to be a tighter book, in terms of editing. The tears didn't fall as often or as hard when I was reading it either, so perhaps Ms. Speed was also getting back on track after recovering from the trauma herself. (Which I'd like to once again oh-so
Funny, my reviews on this series have been all over the place - probably reflecting my own emotional states after reading them. I am using a lot of quotes in this one, as they sort of speak for themselves as to what especially stood out to me in this book. (And it's also why this review looks like a scroll, it's so long! LOL)
"Freefall"
"Sometimes you had almost nothing and could close a case; sometimes you had everything, and it wasn’t enough. It seemed like a grotesque joke. But that was life. The first guy you genuinely fall in love with turns out to be a tortured alcoholic who almost but never quite gets his shit together; the guy who you feel is your soul mate, a bullshit term you always dismissed as romantic fantasy, dies too young because his stupid fucking infection eats him from the inside out. And now you were with a beautiful young guy whom you liked an awful lot but just couldn’t love, because your soul felt burnt. He felt a great deal of affection for Dylan. He kind of wished he could love him, but Paris seemed to have taken all the love Roan had with him."
IS it better to have loved and lost then have never loved at all? I've always thought that was bullshit, and Roan keeps proving me right. It becomes clear later on in both this novella and the book as a whole that Roan *does* love Dylan, as much as he is capable of in this stage of his life at any rate, and Dylan knows that Roan will always love Paris. It makes me wonder, like it did when I read LAD, how is it possible to love someone so much that you're willing to settle for 2nd best? To know you will always love that person more than they love you back?
Dylan is a great character - I really do like him, but it's not easy to accept his acceptance of that situation. It's weird, because I want Roan to have him - he needs him, but I don't want it for Dylan. LOL I feel a bit torn about it. If we were friends in RL, I'd probably lecture him about putting up with being 2nd best. I'm not self-sacrificing enough to ever put myself in that position, but clearly Dylan is a better person than I am. XD And I know he does get something out of it - great sex and fidelity and being needed, but... I don't know. My point in all that rambling is that I still have no idea how I feel about their relationship.
And anyway, I suppose it's irrelevant, as I know they .
Another way in which Roan and I are alike (from the scene in which Dylan shows Roan his half-lion, half-human portrait he painted of him):
He couldn’t actually decide how he felt about any of this. Enraged? Disbelieving? Maybe a little bit scared? All of the above? His heart was pounding, blood roaring in his ears, and he settled on anger, because it was easiest. Anger was always easiest, his default setting.
I like that Dylan calls Roan on his bullshit in this scene, but he doesn't have the same ability to meet his bullshit and call it like it is that Paris did. Even if Roan had reacted the same way with him, no way would Paris have let him walk out of that apartment that pissed off, I'm sure of it.
People whose default setting isn't anger really don't get it. But sure as shit, I do, as it's also my default setting. Especially when someone tells me something I know is true and don't want to hear. It's not even because of self-deception - it's because you don't want others to easily see through your armor to your vulnerabilities. It's how people hurt you. And Roan has just been hurt big time. Who can blame him? Speed must either be this way herself, or is close to someone like that, because she nailed it in this scene. I feel sorry for Dylan, of course, but it's what you get when you have someone who can't move on and can't forgive themselves. But I admire his balls in being honest with his feelings in that scene - .
Now, about Roan's growing drug dependency:
He dreams about Connor...
Con told him, “If numbing yourself is all you can think about, something’s wrong.”
He sighed wearily. “You are so not the person to tell me that.”
Connor grimaced slightly before cupping Roan’s face in his hand. “No, love, there’s no one better to tell you that.”
Yeah, you knew when you were self-destructive, but you thought you had it under control… until you didn’t. Connor must have gone through something similar, thinking his alcoholism and depression and self-loathing was nothing he couldn’t handle, until it killed him. He never wanted to become Con, but at some point he had.
Then has this conversation with Holden ...
“Am I going crazy?”
“No, you’re just self-destructing. I’ve seen it happen to a lot of people. Most people do it one drink at a time, but you just had to go and prove to everyone you were gay by being flamboyant about it.” He scoffed in mock disgust. “Okay, we get it, you’re dying inside. Do you have to make a big deal out of it, cocksucker?”
I wasn't crazy about this subplot, but it was handled well - better than I expected, based on some of the reviews I saw before I read the book myself. And I can't blame him for numbing himself, but it's still frustrating to see someone as smart as Roan develop a pill addiction.
Overall, I was happy that I didn't really cry reading this one until the last few pages, when he again dreamed of Paris. And it wasn't hysterical sobbing, it was just a few gentle tears. That was refreshing. LOL I am *hoping* that means the worst of the emotional trauma is behind us, but we'll see - there are still two more books in the series, after all!
I was also very sad that Roan didn't , but otherwise, the mystery plots in this book were a lot tighter than in the previous book, and it was better edited all-around (see my note above about the author recovering from the Paris trauma).
"Bloodletting"
This one had one of my favorite mystery plots so far in it - Holden hires Roan to find the murderer of one of his clients. Very well done, and nicely wrapped up at the end. It was also interesting to learn a little more about Randi's personal life, with the subplot about her brother - one of the things I like about these books is how many threads are going at once, but how well they connect thematically to the overall story.
I like that this book started with him talking about Connor's play-turned-movie - I wondered what the fate was of that! But, I was sad to hear that the movie had been "straight-washed." Though not surprised - Speed nailed that on the head, as it's probably exactly what would have happened in RL. LOL!
About the tiger tattoo:
He had his Paris one on his right arm, so why not get one on his left? Balance himself out. The funny thing was, he’d never been much for tattoos, and yet he felt compelled to add this, to burn it on his skin. The fact that it was a tiger didn’t escape his notice, and he wondered if it was yet another tribute to Paris. He’d probably cover his body with tributes to Paris if he could. No one should forget him, least of all him.
There's something tragically poetic about Dylan designing a tiger tattoo for Roan. The new lover memorializing the old one. But I love that Roan was so intensely turned on by Dylan's artistic focus.
It's funny, but I mostly held it together with the Paris mentions. But this had me full-out crying again: He wanted to take the bike, but took the GTO instead, as how many drone detectives drove Buells? Then again, how many drove lovingly restored ’60s muscle cars? It still seemed like the lesser of two evils, and besides, without Paris to work on it, the GTO was starting to look a little rougher, which worked with the image he was trying to convey.
Is that weird?
This I have to share because it was my absolute favorite Roan line yet: "The croissants here were so good, they'd make you punch a nun." BUWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. It seems we share a love of the same pastries - I, too, have an unnatural fondness for croissants. Too bad this place is fictional! I'd love to try one so good it would make me want to punch a nun.
Dylan wondered what it said about him that he’d decided to accept Roan as a drug addict, just like he’d accepted that he was always going to love Paris more. It was sad. He’d always had more self-esteem than that, and yet he had decided if he wanted to be in Roan’s life, he’d have to compromise. Sometimes loving someone just sucked.
See my comments above under "Freefall" about this topic. It doubly applied here.
Now, about Holden. I knew he wanted to fuck Roan all along, but I didn't realize until this moment that he loved him, too (in his own Holden-esque way):
He was strangely attractive, not a pretty boy but weirdly alluring all the same, with intense, haunted eyes. And god, was he trouble: not just infected, but an obvious depressive, too smart for his own good, a romantic turned cynic, battered by the world and not sure how to handle it. He raged at dying light, or whatever was handy, and had taken to numbing himself with chemicals. He was stubborn and moody, a total pain in the ass. Holden didn’t envy Dylan, putting up with him. But that was the weird thing: he didn’t envy him, but wasn’t he still a bit jealous anyways? Yeah, he was trouble, but Holden suspected he was rarely ever boring. The true outcasts rarely were. Nothing could ever work between him and Roan, but Holden bet it would have been a fun disaster.
And when he , it kind of cemented that sentiment, IMO. I know Roan is a one-man kinda guy, and I love him for it. I like Dylan, and I am not even remotely okay with people cheating. But is it wrong that I kind of wish he'd screw Holden at least once?!
And finally about the brain :
I was also unsurprised to see that Dylan was not the only one who figured this out:
Roan sat there, wondering how far ahead Paris had planned. He’d discovered only after he met Dylan that Paris had actively singled Dylan out and all but groomed him to take his place. He had selected Roan’s next boyfriend for him, which was exactly like Par, so much so that he didn’t know why it shocked him that he had. Like he’d let him find someone that Par didn’t judge worthy? As if. But was this part of the reason why? Paris knew Roan would be eager to join him in the nothingness of death, sweet oblivion, so he made sure there was something that would pull him back, make him want to stay alive even if only by sheer guilt. Was that the entire intent?
Probably, Roan.
I can't say I'm surprised that Roan would be okay with death, especially if he thought there was even a remote possibility he would be with Paris again. But what a shitty addition to the situation for poor Dylan, knowing that his boyfriend is . At least it explains his headaches!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and was seriously relieved to have no moments that made me sob like a rabid hyena (TM) ;-) - I was worried I was going to be hospitalized for dehydration after reading Bloodlines and Life After Death. LOL Freefall was well-written with interesting cases and, as always, had some truly hilarious moments in it. It also wins my 'Hot Cover' award - dayum, Roan! And I don't want to sound like I don't support Dylan and Roan's relationship - like I said above, I do want Roan to have Dylan. I just feel bad for both of them - bad for Roan, because not only is he a widower who's still in love with his dead husband, but he also feels guilty for his emotional dependency on Dylan. And I feel bad for Dylan, because he will always be second best to Paris, no matter how much Roan loves him. Like I said in my review for LAD, the whole thing is just tragic, and I'm not sure I'll ever fully get over my resentment about Paris's death.
It will be really interesting to see what happens in the next book, since they are !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2016
Self Destruction: noun
1.the destruction or ruination of oneself or one's life.
2.suicide.
Okay, this installment had me angriest the most. Throughout the series so far, I've seen Roan be alot of things. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he would be on this path. I want to say honestly, Tamika you should have seen this coming. While it might not be 100% intention it still is there. Roan was selfish in this book. Not only to Dylan the guy he loves but doesn't really want to but to the memory of Paris as well. Roan had to face alot of his demons in this book, and I'm sure it isn't going to get easier from here on out. I would like to stay he's stronger then the bouts of anger and pill consumption, but I don't know. I do know he did let me down in this one.
I put him so high up on the pedestal because he has a community of people rallying around him. I enjoyed Freefall, but the second part of the story bored me. I dislike Dylan putting up with Roan's behavior. I don't care for the nonchalance behavior of their relationship at times. Some times it feels like Roan is a one man Army and if you fall in his wake then it's completely on you.
What's scary is to see the path that Holden went down. He's a completely different guy from book three. This Holden is has completely did 180% personality change. I mean the vigilantism wasn't something that I would have thought he would do. He's suffering from his life being uprooted and being loyal to Roan.
It's a mixed feeling that I have regarding this book. First half was okay, but the second half was a bust for me. Of course I'm anxious to start the next book. Hopefully this motley crew of a cast can get their ish together.
September 3, 2014
What an absolutely fantastic series this is, I'm now fully invested in Roan, Dylan, Holden and the rest of the characters. Roan now has some serious struggles going on, his addiction to pills, depression, and of course his difficulty in taking control of his inner lion. As well as that he now has other life threatening health concerns. I enjoy all the detective work but sometimes it can get a little confusing and it goes right over my head - but that's fine, as the story is enjoyable on so many other levels it really doesn't matter. Moving swiftly on to book 5 Shift!
December 15, 2015
Good but a bit boring and the usual problems (too much telling, unclear pronoun references) However I don't care as I really like Roan, and Holden is interesting. I would say that the weakest link in this book is Gary Stu Dylan.
August 13, 2016
3.5 Stars
There are many aspects that I love about Speed's writing. She has a way of developing strong and well developed characters and her descriptions pull you right into the story, but unfortunately, it’s not all good. She has a tendency to tell rather than show and merely summarizes large portions of the plot. This has always been an issue for me. I also think she has too many mysteries going on at once and tends to lose focus on any one given issue.
As far as character advancement and development, I enjoyed book 1 (Freefall) better than book 2 (Bloodletting). The mysteries not so much. There were a lot of holes and were rushed at the end. The mysteries in book 2 were fairly solid.
In book 1, we see Roan’s destructive behavior in the forefront. He uses his anger as a shield. It’s basically his go to emotion. It created a tense and volatile atmosphere. Roan is depressed and hates what is happening with the lion, along with almost everything else in his life. It’s heart-breaking to see him struggle with everything. I didn't get the same feel in book 2. I’m not a fan of splitting the books into two novellas or books. For me, even though not a lot of time passes, it breaks the flow and the feel of the story telling.
Book 2 brings an entire new set of issues for Roan and because I was in the same frame of mind from book 1, this was a letdown. I was expecting to see more of Roan’s self destructive behavior but the story shifts to Roan’s problem with headaches. I can see where the author is taking this but because of the change in story-lines, her writing seems clunky and doesn't always work for me.
I really enjoyed hearing more from Dylan and Holden. I love how Holden is becoming a prominent character. That’s really what saved book 2. Although I like Dylan and I think he is good for Roan, I hope he’s strong enough to handle the relationship.
One of my favorite parts was when It was a perfect moment.
This is always a fun world to be in.
There are many aspects that I love about Speed's writing. She has a way of developing strong and well developed characters and her descriptions pull you right into the story, but unfortunately, it’s not all good. She has a tendency to tell rather than show and merely summarizes large portions of the plot. This has always been an issue for me. I also think she has too many mysteries going on at once and tends to lose focus on any one given issue.
As far as character advancement and development, I enjoyed book 1 (Freefall) better than book 2 (Bloodletting). The mysteries not so much. There were a lot of holes and were rushed at the end. The mysteries in book 2 were fairly solid.
In book 1, we see Roan’s destructive behavior in the forefront. He uses his anger as a shield. It’s basically his go to emotion. It created a tense and volatile atmosphere. Roan is depressed and hates what is happening with the lion, along with almost everything else in his life. It’s heart-breaking to see him struggle with everything. I didn't get the same feel in book 2. I’m not a fan of splitting the books into two novellas or books. For me, even though not a lot of time passes, it breaks the flow and the feel of the story telling.
Book 2 brings an entire new set of issues for Roan and because I was in the same frame of mind from book 1, this was a letdown. I was expecting to see more of Roan’s self destructive behavior but the story shifts to Roan’s problem with headaches. I can see where the author is taking this but because of the change in story-lines, her writing seems clunky and doesn't always work for me.
I really enjoyed hearing more from Dylan and Holden. I love how Holden is becoming a prominent character. That’s really what saved book 2. Although I like Dylan and I think he is good for Roan, I hope he’s strong enough to handle the relationship.
One of my favorite parts was when It was a perfect moment.
This is always a fun world to be in.
June 4, 2016
Roan's relationship with Dylan deepens and his health deteriorates. Holden plays a larger role than previously. Love the humour in these books..
'When Roan had conquered his lethargy, he turned on the stereo and cranked These Arms Are Snakes as he forced himself to do what he had to do to keep his mind off the pills.'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAiNp_...
'As soon as Walker asked him if he knew of anyone who might want to hurt Roan, he rolled his eyes and admitted it might be easier to start listing the people who didn't want to kill him.'
'When Roan had conquered his lethargy, he turned on the stereo and cranked These Arms Are Snakes as he forced himself to do what he had to do to keep his mind off the pills.'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAiNp_...
'As soon as Walker asked him if he knew of anyone who might want to hurt Roan, he rolled his eyes and admitted it might be easier to start listing the people who didn't want to kill him.'
February 8, 2016
In the beginning i had mixed feelings about the course of the book and in my mind by the look of it it just deserved a 3-star rate. But by the end, about 80% or so the book picked up speed and the plot got better. Holden got the character development I so asked for throught the course of the book, and I'm so happy about it!. Good ending.
March 2, 2016
Infected: Freefall is very aptly named. The mysteries are interesting, but take a back seat to Roan fighting against himself on several fronts. He is losing control over his dark side, the lion that lives within himself. He is freefalling into depression, having vivid dreams of Connor, his first love and Paris (I promised you - never forgotten) and with his powers and the lions control increasing, he becomes more and more addicted to painkillers. He does live in constant physical and mental pain, but this trend is still worrying.
There is also a major spotlight on Roan and Dylan's relationship. Obviously, it is very different from Roan's relationship with Paris, because Dylan is a VERY different guy. He has this whole zen thing going on and is more interested in Roan than this lion. I think Paris loved Roan and his Lion equally, but as the lion becomes more and more powerful and gives Roan new, unnatural abilities, it is a good thing that Dylan loves Roan, the human. He needs to constantly be reminded who he is and that he deserves to be loved.
Their struggle about finding a right dynamic his interesting to watch. How involved can they be in all the different parts of each other's lives, how will Dylan react to Roan'S increasing addiction to painkillers, etc. I feel like Dylan has a better understanding of Roan's dark side than many might assume, but chooses to focus on loving Roan's humanity. He gives him the room he needs and the love he deserves and ankers him to this world, as Paris used to do. Just in a different way.
I LOVED that Holden/Fox is becoming a major character. He takes on an assistant role with ROan, which is important since Roan hits a falling out of control and is not up for taking care of everything. He has a very different style than Roan, but I think he is a super interesting character and I was very excited to read his scenes and get to know him better.
The different POVs with Dylan really worked well for me, because they ARE major characters now and to see things from their perspective was very important to get the full story. I don'T want to miss anything about Roan and his life and that includes how the other people most important to him perceive everything that happens.
It almost feels like Dylan with his easy love and acceptance and his zen attitude towards life takes care of Roan's humanity and Fox, with his own dark side, the strong protective urge and his own dark moral code take care of Roan's dark side. Fox is super intelligent, fiercly loyal, courageous, strong and I'm so glad that he is now one of the majors. <3
I felt like this book was very easy to read. I care so deeply about these characters by now that I devour every word I can find about them. I NEED to know how their story continues and I'm actually glad that a story this complex and complicated is not just a threadbare book, but has some meat to sink my teeth in. The amazing characters, tight editing and the two-books-in-one thing works very well for me by now.
10/10 Pots of Golde (100% Recommended) - Compares to 5/5 Stars
There is also a major spotlight on Roan and Dylan's relationship. Obviously, it is very different from Roan's relationship with Paris, because Dylan is a VERY different guy. He has this whole zen thing going on and is more interested in Roan than this lion. I think Paris loved Roan and his Lion equally, but as the lion becomes more and more powerful and gives Roan new, unnatural abilities, it is a good thing that Dylan loves Roan, the human. He needs to constantly be reminded who he is and that he deserves to be loved.
Their struggle about finding a right dynamic his interesting to watch. How involved can they be in all the different parts of each other's lives, how will Dylan react to Roan'S increasing addiction to painkillers, etc. I feel like Dylan has a better understanding of Roan's dark side than many might assume, but chooses to focus on loving Roan's humanity. He gives him the room he needs and the love he deserves and ankers him to this world, as Paris used to do. Just in a different way.
I LOVED that Holden/Fox is becoming a major character. He takes on an assistant role with ROan, which is important since Roan hits a falling out of control and is not up for taking care of everything. He has a very different style than Roan, but I think he is a super interesting character and I was very excited to read his scenes and get to know him better.
The different POVs with Dylan really worked well for me, because they ARE major characters now and to see things from their perspective was very important to get the full story. I don'T want to miss anything about Roan and his life and that includes how the other people most important to him perceive everything that happens.
It almost feels like Dylan with his easy love and acceptance and his zen attitude towards life takes care of Roan's humanity and Fox, with his own dark side, the strong protective urge and his own dark moral code take care of Roan's dark side. Fox is super intelligent, fiercly loyal, courageous, strong and I'm so glad that he is now one of the majors. <3
I felt like this book was very easy to read. I care so deeply about these characters by now that I devour every word I can find about them. I NEED to know how their story continues and I'm actually glad that a story this complex and complicated is not just a threadbare book, but has some meat to sink my teeth in. The amazing characters, tight editing and the two-books-in-one thing works very well for me by now.
10/10 Pots of Golde (100% Recommended) - Compares to 5/5 Stars
January 23, 2015
Every one of the books in this series so far has received a five star review. When I finished this one I wasn't sure why I felt I couldn't give it five starts only four, so I gave myself a night to think things over.
Firstly the things I liked. I enjoyed the cases in this book, and I love the secondary characters. The secondary characters taking over the narration of the book was fantastic, as we got to see through their eyes. I enjoyed that we got to see through Holden's eyes, he is a great addition. Vindictive and not afraid to take action, with his past this is understandable.
The part is didn't like , and even after some time I'm not going to be able to explain it properly, is the relationship between Dylan and Roan. I love Dylan but there was a few times in this book I wanted to give him a little bit of a slap and say what are you doing, same with Roan. The imbalance in the relationship bothers me. No matter what Roan tells himself, he loves Dylan, his actions at times during this book prove that. And then you have Dylan who believes that Roan may never love him as much as Paris or in fact at all but is ok with that. That imbalance of one person being in love and the other coasting is what bothered me. I know Roan is still grieving, but he started a relationship and asked the person to move in with him. Dylan deserves more than that. And the part where Paris had a hand in picking out Roans next boyfriend, I found kind if creepy.
I would like to see more of Roan's lion and Dylan's reactions and interactions with the lion, as I'm not convinced he is all ok with the lion part of Roan. I think Paris being infected himself had it easier associating with Roans lion as he understood it, but I would definately like to see Dylan's reaction and acceptance.
Still a good read, and I'm looking forward to the next book
Firstly the things I liked. I enjoyed the cases in this book, and I love the secondary characters. The secondary characters taking over the narration of the book was fantastic, as we got to see through their eyes. I enjoyed that we got to see through Holden's eyes, he is a great addition. Vindictive and not afraid to take action, with his past this is understandable.
The part is didn't like , and even after some time I'm not going to be able to explain it properly, is the relationship between Dylan and Roan. I love Dylan but there was a few times in this book I wanted to give him a little bit of a slap and say what are you doing, same with Roan. The imbalance in the relationship bothers me. No matter what Roan tells himself, he loves Dylan, his actions at times during this book prove that. And then you have Dylan who believes that Roan may never love him as much as Paris or in fact at all but is ok with that. That imbalance of one person being in love and the other coasting is what bothered me. I know Roan is still grieving, but he started a relationship and asked the person to move in with him. Dylan deserves more than that. And the part where Paris had a hand in picking out Roans next boyfriend, I found kind if creepy.
I would like to see more of Roan's lion and Dylan's reactions and interactions with the lion, as I'm not convinced he is all ok with the lion part of Roan. I think Paris being infected himself had it easier associating with Roans lion as he understood it, but I would definately like to see Dylan's reaction and acceptance.
Still a good read, and I'm looking forward to the next book
October 24, 2020
Reread 2020
I stand by my rating and the review from 2013. I'm loving revisiting these guys!
Original review
A fantastic continuation of a series that even though it seems impossible, actually just keeps delivering and getting better. I love the character of Roan. He's a hardcore, soft centred tough guy with a heart as big as the moon. Dylan, while no Paris (but then he never tries or claims to be) is a gorgeous, loving and peaceful counterpart to all of the suppressed and controlled violence that is Roan.
The humour and sarcasm throughout is brilliant. A great counterpart to the action and mystery that each of these stories contain. I'm just so glad that there is more to read, as I'm not ready to let these guys go.
I stand by my rating and the review from 2013. I'm loving revisiting these guys!
Original review
A fantastic continuation of a series that even though it seems impossible, actually just keeps delivering and getting better. I love the character of Roan. He's a hardcore, soft centred tough guy with a heart as big as the moon. Dylan, while no Paris (but then he never tries or claims to be) is a gorgeous, loving and peaceful counterpart to all of the suppressed and controlled violence that is Roan.
The humour and sarcasm throughout is brilliant. A great counterpart to the action and mystery that each of these stories contain. I'm just so glad that there is more to read, as I'm not ready to let these guys go.
July 22, 2015
Didn't really enjoy the first half. It wasn't bad, I just didn't connect to the mystery or to Dylan and Roan. Second half was MUCH better. The mystery was decent. Less of a fan of Holden getting such a big part but whatever. Roan/Dylan improved too. They made some progress in their relationship. There's still a lot that needs to be handled before I really really LOVE them but it's good going so far.
December 4, 2011
3,5 stars. I am still not convinced that Dylan is the right person for Roan, too sweet, bland, nice whatever. There is something big missing in that relationship. Andrea mentioned again in the final pages about Dylan being personally chosen by Paris but I don't buy it.
It wasn't a bad read, not at all, but I am still waiting for the moment she ditches Dylan and finds someone else.
It wasn't a bad read, not at all, but I am still waiting for the moment she ditches Dylan and finds someone else.
March 2, 2014
An exceptional series that you never get tired of. Wonderfully crafted and engaging secondary characters.
August 27, 2018
3.5 stars
In this two-fer, Roan's falling apart. Not literally, but definitely figuratively - and okay, a little literally I guess. It's not pretty, folks. Well, except maybe that one scene was pretty sweet. You know the one.
The main case in book one involves a trans-male looking for his missing son. At this point in the series, I guess I have to accept that the cases just aren't going to be worked out like they would in a typical mystery series. I thought there was a really fricking obvious potential lead that was never followed up on when the kid originally went missing - - but Roan goes in the complete opposite direction. He never even considers that other lead, which just seemed really strange to me that he wouldn't. I know he's got spidey senses and at this point we're just supposed to assume he's probably right even when it can't be verified, but that was still a glaring oversight. The case in book two was much better executed and had the weight and scope to carry the whole book from start to finish, bringing in Holden again and getting to see the whole "team," ragtag though they may be, working together. This is more what I expected all the cases to be like.
I have to say, as much as I like Dylan as a character, I'm just not feeling him and Roan as an item. Maybe because Roan's not really feeling it. He's gutted after the loss of Paris and probably should've taken more time to mourn before getting involved with someone else. We do get some POVs from Dylan's perspective, which certainly helps, but I still don't really understand his motivation for staying with Roan or wanting to be in a relationship with him. Since this isn't a romance series, I have no idea if they're supposed to have staying power and we the readers should be rooting for them, but I honestly want to see Dylan move on and find someone else. I love Roan, but the dude is not good for Dylan at this point.
I continue to appreciate how real Roan is as a character. The various side characters aren't always prominent in each book, but when they are, I feel that's when this series is at it's strongest. Ms. Speed's characters are complicated and don't always make the best choices - looking at you, Holden - but you can understand why they make them even if you don't agree with them.
The weird potentially transphobic language is still present in this book, and I'm starting to get a little weary of the guys referring to themselves as queens all the time. I'm not a gay man, so maybe I just don't get it. *shrugs* Yes, I'm sure this is how some people actually talk but it still makes me uncomfortable, and it seems improbable that every single person Roan knows, including Roan himself, would talk like that.
This book still has the same issues with editing as the previous books. I guess it really is true that Dreamspinner doesn't bother with editing their books anymore because the overuse of "his" when the "his" being referred to isn't clear and the repetition is ridiculous at this point. There was one point where Roan thinks no less than five times over the course of about five pages that he doesn't know why he's angry with Dylan over a painting Dylan made. Three of those times were in a single paragraph. That's probably the worst example, but there are others. Get better editors, DSP!
In this two-fer, Roan's falling apart. Not literally, but definitely figuratively - and okay, a little literally I guess. It's not pretty, folks. Well, except maybe that one scene was pretty sweet. You know the one.
The main case in book one involves a trans-male looking for his missing son. At this point in the series, I guess I have to accept that the cases just aren't going to be worked out like they would in a typical mystery series. I thought there was a really fricking obvious potential lead that was never followed up on when the kid originally went missing - - but Roan goes in the complete opposite direction. He never even considers that other lead, which just seemed really strange to me that he wouldn't. I know he's got spidey senses and at this point we're just supposed to assume he's probably right even when it can't be verified, but that was still a glaring oversight. The case in book two was much better executed and had the weight and scope to carry the whole book from start to finish, bringing in Holden again and getting to see the whole "team," ragtag though they may be, working together. This is more what I expected all the cases to be like.
I have to say, as much as I like Dylan as a character, I'm just not feeling him and Roan as an item. Maybe because Roan's not really feeling it. He's gutted after the loss of Paris and probably should've taken more time to mourn before getting involved with someone else. We do get some POVs from Dylan's perspective, which certainly helps, but I still don't really understand his motivation for staying with Roan or wanting to be in a relationship with him. Since this isn't a romance series, I have no idea if they're supposed to have staying power and we the readers should be rooting for them, but I honestly want to see Dylan move on and find someone else. I love Roan, but the dude is not good for Dylan at this point.
I continue to appreciate how real Roan is as a character. The various side characters aren't always prominent in each book, but when they are, I feel that's when this series is at it's strongest. Ms. Speed's characters are complicated and don't always make the best choices - looking at you, Holden - but you can understand why they make them even if you don't agree with them.
The weird potentially transphobic language is still present in this book, and I'm starting to get a little weary of the guys referring to themselves as queens all the time. I'm not a gay man, so maybe I just don't get it. *shrugs* Yes, I'm sure this is how some people actually talk but it still makes me uncomfortable, and it seems improbable that every single person Roan knows, including Roan himself, would talk like that.
This book still has the same issues with editing as the previous books. I guess it really is true that Dreamspinner doesn't bother with editing their books anymore because the overuse of "his" when the "his" being referred to isn't clear and the repetition is ridiculous at this point. There was one point where Roan thinks no less than five times over the course of about five pages that he doesn't know why he's angry with Dylan over a painting Dylan made. Three of those times were in a single paragraph. That's probably the worst example, but there are others. Get better editors, DSP!
September 11, 2021
3 Stars
In this 4th volume again the book is divided in two parts and both parts are subdivided into several smaller cases that are being handled often simultanously. I guess that makes sense. In reality it won't be like a detective won't take on a new case just because the last one is not concluded yet. In a book but this leads to several plot lines some of them (again realistically) never fully resolved 100%. But let's be honest, the "Infected"-Series is probably not something people read for the crime stories. Those are at the best times just average. It's the world-building and character development where Speed excels. And she does.
It is not - however - the romance, the relationship between Roan and Dylan feels (at least at this point) not so strong. It is growing slowly but - very slowly. Even at this point their love won't compare to what Roan and Paris had.
Usually what I like most is the character of Roan, listening to his thoughts, watching him being batman. In this volume however Holden's star is rising and he is almost over-shadowing Roan. I really like Holden, I would probably have liked him better for Roan as a love-insterest, more his equal than Dylan is (I quite like Dylan but he almost feels a bit pale and housewifey next to Roan while Holden is pretty badass himself).
I thought this volume was a bit weaker than the last ones because a. it did not take Roan's story much further (his supernatural side, his relationship...) b. the criminal plots were mostly all over the place, not entirely logical imo and most of all not as interesting and not resolved to my full satisfaction. Still ... Roan and now Holden make we want to pursue this series further.
In this 4th volume again the book is divided in two parts and both parts are subdivided into several smaller cases that are being handled often simultanously. I guess that makes sense. In reality it won't be like a detective won't take on a new case just because the last one is not concluded yet. In a book but this leads to several plot lines some of them (again realistically) never fully resolved 100%. But let's be honest, the "Infected"-Series is probably not something people read for the crime stories. Those are at the best times just average. It's the world-building and character development where Speed excels. And she does.
It is not - however - the romance, the relationship between Roan and Dylan feels (at least at this point) not so strong. It is growing slowly but - very slowly. Even at this point their love won't compare to what Roan and Paris had.
Usually what I like most is the character of Roan, listening to his thoughts, watching him being batman. In this volume however Holden's star is rising and he is almost over-shadowing Roan. I really like Holden, I would probably have liked him better for Roan as a love-insterest, more his equal than Dylan is (I quite like Dylan but he almost feels a bit pale and housewifey next to Roan while Holden is pretty badass himself).
I thought this volume was a bit weaker than the last ones because a. it did not take Roan's story much further (his supernatural side, his relationship...) b. the criminal plots were mostly all over the place, not entirely logical imo and most of all not as interesting and not resolved to my full satisfaction. Still ... Roan and now Holden make we want to pursue this series further.
August 24, 2017
My favorite of the series so far. I've finally warmed up to Dylan and I totally loved the way the Scooby gang banded together to work on the case while Roan was incapacitated. This whole series just keeps getting better. On to the next!
November 28, 2011
Book 6: Freefall
Although this book opens with Roan taking a case about a supposedly-cheated husband and then taking a cold case about a boy missing 10 years ago, those actually don't really go anywhere. Instead, the focus of this book sort of shifts into a serious threat from Church of the Divine Transformation, who managed to hurt Dylan (Roan's new lover), as well as a deeper take into Roan's thoughts of having Dylan in his life. I love Dylan -- I love Paris, but I love Dylan too. I think he can be a good thing for Roan. Their first serious fight, about Dylan worrying for Roan's death wish is a powerful scene and very significant for them.
In this story, Holden's role is getting bigger. I like him being sort of Roan's sidekick. If Roan is Batman, Holden can be his Boy Wonder (I'm sure Holden looks good in tight :p). Just like Dylan being good for Roan (personally), I think Holden also brings some sort of "compliment" to Roan, professionally. Holden is probably Roan's first true friend -- who sees him in his good and his bad situation (meaning when Roan lion out) -- and can actually calms Roan down.
Book 7: Bloodletting
Again, Roan is involved in two cases at a same time. There is an infected on the loose -- and it seems to be the brother of Paris's friend, Miranda Kim. Another case is actually coming from Holden -- he suspects that one of his client suspiciously died and he wants Roan to investigate. Both cases are more appealing for me, compared to those from Book 6. Although, truthfully, Roan doesn't actually solve them 100%. The missing brother appears by himself and Holden is the one that takes care of the murderer (though with Roan's help to stray him to the right suspect)
Holden is one character that, for me, makes more development in each book. He's like the "Dark" Boy Wonder to Roan's "Batman". He's a street kid, a prostitute, and unlike Roan, I feel like he's more prone to vigilante justice. He's not afraid of commiting violence and crime, while Roan sometimes still check himself of doing so (except if it threats his loved ones). I just love him more and more.
As for Roan and Dylan's relationship, there is an important musing from Dylan here, when Roan succumbs to poison and must be brought to hospital. I enjoy these perspectives from Dylan (and Holden) because it makes him a more rounded character, than just Roan's current boyfriend. I feel for his dilemma about being in love with a 'superhero' but at the same time worries about Roan's "suicidal tendency" and knows in heart that Paris will always be Roan's soulmate.
It's a captivating on-going series ... and I hope more books are getting published please.
PS: Sorry for too many spoilers here *grin*
Although this book opens with Roan taking a case about a supposedly-cheated husband and then taking a cold case about a boy missing 10 years ago, those actually don't really go anywhere. Instead, the focus of this book sort of shifts into a serious threat from Church of the Divine Transformation, who managed to hurt Dylan (Roan's new lover), as well as a deeper take into Roan's thoughts of having Dylan in his life. I love Dylan -- I love Paris, but I love Dylan too. I think he can be a good thing for Roan. Their first serious fight, about Dylan worrying for Roan's death wish is a powerful scene and very significant for them.
In this story, Holden's role is getting bigger. I like him being sort of Roan's sidekick. If Roan is Batman, Holden can be his Boy Wonder (I'm sure Holden looks good in tight :p). Just like Dylan being good for Roan (personally), I think Holden also brings some sort of "compliment" to Roan, professionally. Holden is probably Roan's first true friend -- who sees him in his good and his bad situation (meaning when Roan lion out) -- and can actually calms Roan down.
Book 7: Bloodletting
Again, Roan is involved in two cases at a same time. There is an infected on the loose -- and it seems to be the brother of Paris's friend, Miranda Kim. Another case is actually coming from Holden -- he suspects that one of his client suspiciously died and he wants Roan to investigate. Both cases are more appealing for me, compared to those from Book 6. Although, truthfully, Roan doesn't actually solve them 100%. The missing brother appears by himself and Holden is the one that takes care of the murderer (though with Roan's help to stray him to the right suspect)
Holden is one character that, for me, makes more development in each book. He's like the "Dark" Boy Wonder to Roan's "Batman". He's a street kid, a prostitute, and unlike Roan, I feel like he's more prone to vigilante justice. He's not afraid of commiting violence and crime, while Roan sometimes still check himself of doing so (except if it threats his loved ones). I just love him more and more.
As for Roan and Dylan's relationship, there is an important musing from Dylan here, when Roan succumbs to poison and must be brought to hospital. I enjoy these perspectives from Dylan (and Holden) because it makes him a more rounded character, than just Roan's current boyfriend. I feel for his dilemma about being in love with a 'superhero' but at the same time worries about Roan's "suicidal tendency" and knows in heart that Paris will always be Roan's soulmate.
It's a captivating on-going series ... and I hope more books are getting published please.
PS: Sorry for too many spoilers here *grin*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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