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Infected #5
Shift
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.
Between his mutating virus and his rocky relationship with his artist boyfriend, Dylan, Roan has enough problems to solve without taking on other people’s, but that’s the nature of his work. Someone has to look into the case of the murdered trans woman, and if the perp is the dirty cop Roan suspects it is, the police are not the right people for the job.
But now Roan has a new obstacle to overcome: someone caught part of his transformation on video, and the media frenzy is making it hard to do his job. One case nets him a hockey team full of new friends. Another leads to an attempt on his life. And Roan’s hustler sidekick drags him on a quest for revenge. With his world and his body both in turmoil, Roan is finding it harder and harder to see the line between justice and vigilantism.
1st Edition published by Dreamspinner Press, May 2012
Between his mutating virus and his rocky relationship with his artist boyfriend, Dylan, Roan has enough problems to solve without taking on other people’s, but that’s the nature of his work. Someone has to look into the case of the murdered trans woman, and if the perp is the dirty cop Roan suspects it is, the police are not the right people for the job.
But now Roan has a new obstacle to overcome: someone caught part of his transformation on video, and the media frenzy is making it hard to do his job. One case nets him a hockey team full of new friends. Another leads to an attempt on his life. And Roan’s hustler sidekick drags him on a quest for revenge. With his world and his body both in turmoil, Roan is finding it harder and harder to see the line between justice and vigilantism.
1st Edition published by Dreamspinner Press, May 2012
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2012
9 people are currently reading
543 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 114 reviews
January 11, 2015
My mind is a blank so you're just going to have to trust me when I say this is one of the best books in this series.
Cuz of things. And stuff. And other things.
Yup.
Thanks BR buddies---Sofia, R, Otila, Desinka, Meep and Sheri!
4.5
May 20, 2016
“There’s bigots in every race, creed, and orientation. Idiocy is universal.”
This book just made me hate humanity in general to be honest. I've come to the opinion that Roan should just eat everyone. They deserve it. Humans suck.
One of the things that's terribly disconcerting about this series is that it really shows humanity at it's absolute worse and yet I laugh like a crazy person and fall in love with some of the crazy people. Not the majority of the crazies now but the ones who Roan seems to adopt. In this case a crazy hockey team that made no sense and yet fit in perfectly. I'm a little in love with all of them but Tank is my favourite (even though I don't want to talk about how long it took my brain to remember that people can and do speak French in Canada therefore he did not fall into the 'not Canadian' camp in relation to the Falcons. I almost did an update. I feel shame. Sorry French Canadians!) Grey is my second favourite and if Scott does not watch himself I will rip his heart out. For reasons!!
Anywho!!!
This felt like the most violent so far but I think that is mainly because I've been reading them pretty much consistently for the last couple of weeks and as a result I'm dreaming a lot about murder and big cats and throats getting ripped out and street kids being found dead on the sides of roads and blood. I'm dreaming about a lot of blood! I may need to take a little break!!
What's hurting my heart the most though is Roan's fears about himself and the constant feeling of grief that radiates off him. I want to scream at him to snap out of it at times and I want to wrap him up in cotton wool and hid him away from the world all the other times.
This series is taking over my life, it is not perfect but it is addictive. It's difficult to read at times because it is dark and grim but it is also funny as fuck and it's impossible not to root for Roan and Holden and all those who follow them. The obscure references do nothing but add to the fabulousness of it (there was a Father Ted reference that made me squeal for joy) and there is a scene where Roan and Dylan discuss who would play everyone in a movie that caused a google frenzy. I've lists and lists of bands and music to look up and I have highlighted the crap out of the majority of the books. Basically these books, so far, owe me absolutely nothing cause let me tell you I've got my monies worth!!
Plus and also this ones cover:
I can't explain why I love it so much but I want it framed and added to a wall in my house where I will see it often because I absolutely love it. I'm a total cover ho' in general but for some reason this has become one of my favourites. Thank goodness I loved the book or I'd be devastated!!
Again, I'm almost afraid of what is to come next but I'm also really, really hoping the Lion comes out again. Is that bad? That's bad isn't it?
January 13, 2015
***4.5***
This is my favorite in the series so far. I'm an action-movie lovin' gal so I found all the violence, murder and and mayhem in this book completely entertaining.
The new characters introduced in this one were great. I love Tank and Grey and I hope to see more of them in the future.
I think I love Holden even more now. I love his moral ambiguity and badassness. "Now don't be insulting. You know I'm not a psycho. I'm just icily pragmatic. Fuck that whole hooker with a heart of gold stereotype. I've got a heart of stone. And you can't say you didn't know that."
I like how his character plays off of Roan's. I think Roan wants to believe that his moral compass is still intact, that in comparison to Holden, he's got an excuse for his actions: the lion. Since the first book, Roan has shown that his comfortable in the gray areas. He can rationalize turning a blind eye to others taking justice into their own hands and even nudging them towards it. In this book he went much further and i'm interested to see how far he'll go and still insist it's the lion's fault.
The writing in this book is much more solid than in previous books. The mysteries were intriguing and there's not as many plot threads left hanging or details that go ignored. There's still some but they don't annoy me as much as they did before.
BR with Sofia, Rosa, RA, Desinka, Meep and Sheri
June 14, 2017
4.5 Stars
So the saga of Roan, aka Batman, continues and I was not disappointed. In this installment, there was a lot of character development where motivation and feelings were explored more. We see a different side to Dylan. Though he feels powerless to keep Roan safe, he makes his needs known, pushing Roan to be more aware of the consequences of his actions. He's deceptively insightful, surprisingly forceful. Holden too plays a major part, becoming an invaluable part of the team. He's full of street cred, the perfect partner as he works the opposite angles of their investigations. His moral ambiguity allows certain things to get resolved. Will it complement Roan or corrupt both of them further? And let's not forget the fabulous group of kickass hockey players. What started off as a client/investigator relationship changed to almost a surrogate family. Tough, fierce, crazy - their loyalty and acceptance were a joy to read.
I continue to appreciate the exceptional humor, the bitter sarcasm. At times this was a lot of fun - at others, the mysteries/cases were particularly dark and disturbing. Speed as always, continues to show the absolute horrible depravity and evil that some are capable of, and this was probably the most brutal entry yet.
There's a lot of debate and back and forth, regarding Roan's other half. Some are scared of it. Some want him to embrace and own it. Others want him to use it to champion all infecteds, while many condemn him for merely existing. He too, constantly struggles with the uncertainty of his condition. Can he keep his humanity? Who's in control of whom? Surely he must realize that his very nature allows him to do what he does best - protect and mete out justice. But of course being a "superhero" does have potential consequences; his greatest fear being that it will hurt those he loves. Time will only tell if Speed allows him to come to peace with this internal fight and whether or not his living by the sword will be his undoing.
"He was born this way, caught between human and virus, lion and man, a hybrid compromise between two incompatible states... he was a thing that shouldn't have been."
Thanks to Desinka, Meep, Otila, Rosa, Sheri and Sofia for another fabulous BR!
So the saga of Roan, aka Batman, continues and I was not disappointed. In this installment, there was a lot of character development where motivation and feelings were explored more. We see a different side to Dylan. Though he feels powerless to keep Roan safe, he makes his needs known, pushing Roan to be more aware of the consequences of his actions. He's deceptively insightful, surprisingly forceful. Holden too plays a major part, becoming an invaluable part of the team. He's full of street cred, the perfect partner as he works the opposite angles of their investigations. His moral ambiguity allows certain things to get resolved. Will it complement Roan or corrupt both of them further? And let's not forget the fabulous group of kickass hockey players. What started off as a client/investigator relationship changed to almost a surrogate family. Tough, fierce, crazy - their loyalty and acceptance were a joy to read.
I continue to appreciate the exceptional humor, the bitter sarcasm. At times this was a lot of fun - at others, the mysteries/cases were particularly dark and disturbing. Speed as always, continues to show the absolute horrible depravity and evil that some are capable of, and this was probably the most brutal entry yet.
There's a lot of debate and back and forth, regarding Roan's other half. Some are scared of it. Some want him to embrace and own it. Others want him to use it to champion all infecteds, while many condemn him for merely existing. He too, constantly struggles with the uncertainty of his condition. Can he keep his humanity? Who's in control of whom? Surely he must realize that his very nature allows him to do what he does best - protect and mete out justice. But of course being a "superhero" does have potential consequences; his greatest fear being that it will hurt those he loves. Time will only tell if Speed allows him to come to peace with this internal fight and whether or not his living by the sword will be his undoing.
"He was born this way, caught between human and virus, lion and man, a hybrid compromise between two incompatible states... he was a thing that shouldn't have been."
Thanks to Desinka, Meep, Otila, Rosa, Sheri and Sofia for another fabulous BR!
April 23, 2014
4.5 Stars
This series keeps getting better and better!
Shift is book five in Andrea Speed’s Infected series and one of my favorites so far. It has it all from humor to heartache and cuddles to blood & guts!
Roan, werecat detective and all around superhero, is in a world of hurt and uncertainty. His virus and lion seem to be shifting or adapting in ways that Roan cannot understand, predict or control—which scares him. Is he in control or is the lion? Some great questions pop up in this book—I would say profound--but Roan would slug me for going there. Not even the doctors know what to make of Roan’s change. The lion’s rage and hunger are coming out with almost no warning and causing more physical and mental consequences for Roan. Can he control the lion? Or will it consume him?
New cases and new friends keep Roan busy, distracted, and laughing though. A murder case introduces Roan to The Seattle Falcons, a semi professional hockey team with one hell of a love for fighting. I believe Roan found his people! :) Tank, Grey, Scott, and more add huge doses of humor to this tale. Tank, the insane goalie, instantly hit my “Can’t-help-loving-you-even-though-you’re-a-psycho” List hard! He’s the type of guy that will have your back in a fight no matter what. Plus he can guard, cook, and swear! And speaking of fighting—WOW! Speed writes some kickass fight scenes here. Bloody, bone crushing brutal, gross, and fun! Bones pop and “crackle like bubble wrap”, people! How fun is that? :D
This book hit me like a jolt of adrenaline! The fighting, investigating, and loving all added up to fun and one of my favorite visits to Roan’s world. The pace and suspense were spot on perfect! All the pieces came together—and there are a lot of pieces and connections. Roan’s life is filled with so much chaos, action, and love. Born infected, Roan has always felt and lived one step away from death, but yet I can’t help but be in awe at how alive Roan is from morning to night. He makes me want to go out and live! Get in a fight and fall in love! Haha…It sounds silly, but he does. Roan McKichan is constantly thinking, moving, and living!
All of these characters dug deeper and deeper into my heart. From old friends to new. I loved them all, but Holden and Dylan especially. They both made me very happy in this leg of the journey. Roan wasn’t the only one in a state of flux. Others around him seemed to experience a shift, change of heart, or slap in the face. Dylan standing up and asking for more from Roan made me cheer. And Holden…I liked Holden at first sight, but he just keeps getting better. More layers! More laughs! More mystery! I want more!
I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again---GO meet Roan and the gang. Now!
Just a Few More Reasons to Love this Book
1. Roan’s T-shirt collection. From old school punk to one line insults and humor. You gotta love the man’s taste.
2. Simpsons shout outs! Roan’s Homer boxer shorts are priceless. Hehe…
3. Hockey love.
4. Words! Speed threw out some gems here. My favorites—gormless, miasma, and meshuggenah.
5. This is a true spoiler. Beware. DO NOT CLICK if you haven’t read the previous books.
My “eww” moment:
“Tank then started beating on the guy, big roundhouse slugs to the head that made one of his earlobes burst open and start spurting blood.” Haha…So gross!
Thank you for the book gossip, Christina. It feels right sharing Roan’s world with a friend. :)
May 29, 2017
This is my favorite in the series so far.
Is it just me? Or was anyone else hoping that Dylan was heading to the friend zone?
HEY! If there can be tv show shippers, I can have a book series Ship.
I ship Roan and Holden.
I know, your going to say that Holden will corrupt Roan further, and bring him to the dark side. I say NO! Holden would do everything in his power to protect Roan from darkness, wile taking it on himself.
or
Someone please write a Roan/Holden explicit fan fic....PLEASE!
Okay, wishes are done, back to the review.
The mysteries was much more solid this time around. Yeah, were a couple questions, but they were minor. Every case had conclusions.
I love all the humor. I love the music references. I love the new Hockey team, they were a fun addition. I hope they continue on in the series.
I even liked Dylan better this book.
It's nice to see a series get better with every installment, instead of running out of steam. I'm even more excited to start the next book, than I was after finishing prior books.
Is it just me? Or was anyone else hoping that Dylan was heading to the friend zone?
HEY! If there can be tv show shippers, I can have a book series Ship.
I ship Roan and Holden.
I know, your going to say that Holden will corrupt Roan further, and bring him to the dark side. I say NO! Holden would do everything in his power to protect Roan from darkness, wile taking it on himself.
"I know you're a good guy, Roan. It's endearing, if slightly naive. But I'm not, and you knew that. That's why you bought me in. You want to heap guilt on someone, heap it on me. I can take it." He then leaned over and kissed Roan gently on the forehead before giving him a bittersweet sort of smile. "No one's better than whores for absolution."
or
"I'm not your assistant investigator because I'm eye candy, although I'm that too, if I don't say so myself, nor am I a great detective. I'm your assistant because I will always back your play, because you being in any form of lion will never shock me, and because I'm so motherfucking ruthless it kinda scares you at times. I get the job done, and we never discuss the costs/"
Someone please write a Roan/Holden explicit fan fic....PLEASE!
Okay, wishes are done, back to the review.
The mysteries was much more solid this time around. Yeah, were a couple questions, but they were minor. Every case had conclusions.
I love all the humor. I love the music references. I love the new Hockey team, they were a fun addition. I hope they continue on in the series.
I even liked Dylan better this book.
It's nice to see a series get better with every installment, instead of running out of steam. I'm even more excited to start the next book, than I was after finishing prior books.
February 15, 2018
4.5 Stars
Damn, these books just keep getting better and better. They're so well written and engaging you almost don't even notice the lack of sex scenes (although, this had the most "graphic" one so far, and it wasn't actually detailed, just the bit of making out and then after-sex cleanup).
Still loving the morally ambiguous Holden. (I don't even know if that's appropriate because there's no ambiguity to his morality at all, and IDGAF either.) Sometimes I think he'd make a better partner for Roan...
Except, in this installment we finally get to see Dylan snap a bit. It was ridiculously refreshing and made me warm up to him a little more. He's not as perfect as he's been previously portrayed and that was a brilliant move; I think his peace-loving, serene disposition is hard-won and makes that balance he provides for Roan, that safe, loving home more special in many ways. Roan needs that soft place to land when things inevitably go pear-shaped, which is why Dylan is the boyfriend, and a necessary complement to Roan.
I mentioned in an update that I think those Falcons hockey team guys should have their own book. I don't even care that they are (mostly) straight; I'd still read it if Andrea wrote it. (I should check her book list...for all I know, she did write one and I am an unobservant idiot.)
Damn, these books just keep getting better and better. They're so well written and engaging you almost don't even notice the lack of sex scenes (although, this had the most "graphic" one so far, and it wasn't actually detailed, just the bit of making out and then after-sex cleanup).
Still loving the morally ambiguous Holden. (I don't even know if that's appropriate because there's no ambiguity to his morality at all, and IDGAF either.) Sometimes I think he'd make a better partner for Roan...
Except, in this installment we finally get to see Dylan snap a bit. It was ridiculously refreshing and made me warm up to him a little more. He's not as perfect as he's been previously portrayed and that was a brilliant move; I think his peace-loving, serene disposition is hard-won and makes that balance he provides for Roan, that safe, loving home more special in many ways. Roan needs that soft place to land when things inevitably go pear-shaped, which is why Dylan is the boyfriend, and a necessary complement to Roan.
I mentioned in an update that I think those Falcons hockey team guys should have their own book. I don't even care that they are (mostly) straight; I'd still read it if Andrea wrote it. (I should check her book list...for all I know, she did write one and I am an unobservant idiot.)
May 23, 2012
This series continues to be enthralling and excellently written. Book two is still my favorite (*sigh* Paris) but I'm becoming extremely fond of Dylan and also of Holden. This book has some of the funniest moments of the series. The scenes with Roan and the hockey team which adopts him as an honorary member are wonderful. The relationship between Roan and Dylan moves forward in believable and sometimes painful ways, and Roan's adaptation to his virus is still evolving. His attempts to balance the components of his life can be heartbreaking and he remains one of the most complex characters in M/M fiction, and one of the most sympathetic and unusual. I will reread this, and wait eagerly for the next one.
December 31, 2023
Cataclysmic chaos.
Things come together for Roan and then hell breaks loose again.
I certainly don't envy his anything-but-boring life. He is either dodging or throwing fireballs. Constant flux. But? Now with adaptation? The crazy just got crazier. Uh huh.
Book five was powerful, but hell, when is anything not sharp, strong and violent with Roan?
The investigations were intense.
The hockey team is bad ass. *bubble thought* (Tank and Grey are awesome. Scott can kiss my ass.) ;)
Dylan is surely winning over my heart.
And Holden? He is scarier than Ro. I'm struggling to figure out his appeal and fan club. I'm intrigued but sure as hell not smitten with him. He's a loose cannon and as much as Roan needs him, I'm not sure he does?
Roan's bulletproof exterior has cracked. Dylan slipped in. Ro realized he has something to live for. It's about damn time!
Yep, the going is still good.
Another frisky buddy read with my girls, and I'm roaring 'n ready for the next.
*4 Is it Batman?-Or Superman?-No,it's Crazy Cat! stars*
***It's taken me awhile, but I've finally figured it out!
Speed loves comics. Her frequent use parentheses is the bubble above their head! Ha! I kinda drove me nutty the first book or two, but I hardly gave it second thought when I came across an entire paragraph in parentheses in the first chapter. It's simply their bubble talk. :P
Things come together for Roan and then hell breaks loose again.
I certainly don't envy his anything-but-boring life. He is either dodging or throwing fireballs. Constant flux. But? Now with adaptation? The crazy just got crazier. Uh huh.
Book five was powerful, but hell, when is anything not sharp, strong and violent with Roan?
The investigations were intense.
The hockey team is bad ass. *bubble thought* (Tank and Grey are awesome. Scott can kiss my ass.) ;)
Dylan is surely winning over my heart.
And Holden? He is scarier than Ro. I'm struggling to figure out his appeal and fan club. I'm intrigued but sure as hell not smitten with him. He's a loose cannon and as much as Roan needs him, I'm not sure he does?
Roan's bulletproof exterior has cracked. Dylan slipped in. Ro realized he has something to live for. It's about damn time!
Yep, the going is still good.
Another frisky buddy read with my girls, and I'm roaring 'n ready for the next.
*4 Is it Batman?-Or Superman?-No,it's Crazy Cat! stars*
***It's taken me awhile, but I've finally figured it out!
Speed loves comics. Her frequent use parentheses is the bubble above their head! Ha! I kinda drove me nutty the first book or two, but I hardly gave it second thought when I came across an entire paragraph in parentheses in the first chapter. It's simply their bubble talk. :P
June 4, 2016
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfK-WX...
Brilliant book, love Roan, one of my favourite characters despite the lack of any overt sex in this series. I also love the peripheral characters Dylan and Holden and even the ice hockey team that befriends him! Two different cases in this book in which the lion takes more and more control of Roan..
Samuel Beckett's 'Krapp's Last Tape'... There was a piece of it he wanted as his next tattoo. A broken phrase, but it had all he wanted in it: "clear to me at last that the dark I have always struggled to keep under is in reality my most unshatterable association..."
Brilliant book, love Roan, one of my favourite characters despite the lack of any overt sex in this series. I also love the peripheral characters Dylan and Holden and even the ice hockey team that befriends him! Two different cases in this book in which the lion takes more and more control of Roan..
Samuel Beckett's 'Krapp's Last Tape'... There was a piece of it he wanted as his next tattoo. A broken phrase, but it had all he wanted in it: "clear to me at last that the dark I have always struggled to keep under is in reality my most unshatterable association..."
January 19, 2015
This was a great installment in the series. I liked both the relationship bits and the "detecting". The second case was too gross and depressing but apart form that I can say this was a very well balanced and engaging read. I was happy with both Roan and Dylan. And Holden was on par as usual:)
Looking forward to the next installment:)
Thanks to my reading buddies R*A, Meep, Otila, Rosa, Sheri and Sofia:) I didn't manage much sharing but it was great to know you are here:)
Looking forward to the next installment:)
Thanks to my reading buddies R*A, Meep, Otila, Rosa, Sheri and Sofia:) I didn't manage much sharing but it was great to know you are here:)
August 11, 2012
Smart, snarky writing, interesting, complicated characters, and well developed plots makes this one of my favorite series. The only downside for me is that I have to wait for the next one.
August 13, 2016
"There's bigots in every race, creed, and orientation. Idiocy is universal."
So this was book five and I feel like something ominous is going to happen. I think I have 3 full books left and I'm worried about Roan alot. Learning that the virus is adapting to Roan was super scary. What does it really mean? Is he suddenly going to outlive everyone? Between learning about the virus evolving and the huge amount of violence, I don't really know what to think. WTF Holden? I'm not giving him a pass to be on his vigilant kick. Sure everyone deserved what they got, but who anointed him to be Judge, Jury and Executor?
I like Dylan, but honestly I would rather him move on. I know Roan loves him, but at this stage of the series I just feel like he's a warm body. It's taking a toll on him, you can see it from each book. I feel like the trauma that he witnessed as a kid is the same feeling now without the familial guilt surrounding it. Roan is in a different place, and on one hand I want Dylan to stick around, but only because I think Roan will find a way to end it if there's no one their for him to be with. It's the sad truth and it's purely selfish on my part for him to exclude his happiness in order to place Roan.
I do miss Kevin. What the hell is up with that? This book the hockey players made me enjoy it alot. They were funny, and such a protective bunch. Kinda made the story lighter then what it was. It was almost dark at times, and it hurt to see Roan lose himself in the Lion at times. The lion takes over and Roan completely loses himself. I'm so afraid that he is going to do something that he regrets sooner then later.
Definitely looking forward to the next book, but I can't read these back to back. I need to space them.
September 9, 2014
This has seriously got to be the best book in the series, it was absolutely terrific. I loved the big action scene right at the end where Holden and Roan seemed to take on the whole world. The both of them work so well together and it's great to know that Holden has Roan's back in any situation.
Bloody brilliant!
One thing - where's Matt, I thought he was a great character and had hoped to see more of him?
Bloody brilliant!
One thing - where's Matt, I thought he was a great character and had hoped to see more of him?
December 20, 2022
Roan's fatalism continues as does the changes.
Dylan stands up for himself a bit but still feels a background character to me; the dead Paris seems more relevant, as often is Holden. It bothered me that Roan continues to lie and hide so much.
Hello madcap hockey team support crew. They're fun. Though Tank's craziness is mentioned every chance. As is Fiona being p/t dominatrics. There's never a mention of either without flashing those credentials.
Niggles
There seems a growing anti-het vibe to the series. Initially it seemed relevant to Roan his career and background but it permeates everything. For the record not all straights cheat!
Continues to be a fascinating series.
Dylan stands up for himself a bit but still feels a background character to me; the dead Paris seems more relevant, as often is Holden. It bothered me that Roan continues to lie and hide so much.
Hello madcap hockey team support crew. They're fun. Though Tank's craziness is mentioned every chance. As is Fiona being p/t dominatrics. There's never a mention of either without flashing those credentials.
Niggles
There seems a growing anti-het vibe to the series. Initially it seemed relevant to Roan his career and background but it permeates everything. For the record not all straights cheat!
Continues to be a fascinating series.
August 25, 2017
I loved these cases and I loved the new friends and I loved the realistic clashing with Dylan, but I'm getting a little tired of the House M.D. impersonation Roan is trying to pull off. I like a self-destructive hero as much as the next gal, but it's starting to feel like Roan isn't capable of any personal growth, and without a character arc what are we even doing here?
It's funny, because as long as it took me to warm up to Dylan, now I'm mad at Roan on Dylan's behalf. Roan is lying to Dylan too often and keeping too much from him, and I'm worried about their relationship. I love Roan, but, man . . . he'd better get his head out of his ass.
I suppose I'll find out if he manages to do that, pretty much right now, since I'm starting the next book immediately. I'm on a roll.
It's funny, because as long as it took me to warm up to Dylan, now I'm mad at Roan on Dylan's behalf. Roan is lying to Dylan too often and keeping too much from him, and I'm worried about their relationship. I love Roan, but, man . . . he'd better get his head out of his ass.
I suppose I'll find out if he manages to do that, pretty much right now, since I'm starting the next book immediately. I'm on a roll.
August 12, 2012
Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/
What an exceptional ending? this book was to the Infected series. Roan and Dylan are having their relationship ups and downs due to their own insecurities and a long tally of lies on Roan's part. The virus seems to have mutated making Roan one of a kind Infected and Dr. Rosenberg doesn't even have a clue about what is happening in Roan's body. Roan manages to pick up two big clients. He is hired by Grey Williams who is a professional hockey player to find the killer of a pre-op transsexual friend of Grey's. The case has been sitting cold in another precinct but Roan soon heats it up. Roan and Dylan also manage to inherit Grey's entire hockey team and a great extra cast of characters. The second client is a creep of a software billionaire named Robert Hatcher who wants Roan to find his missing son, Jordan. The Hatcher case brings more of a focus on Holden and his many talents as Hatcher has more secrets in his closet than you can imagine. I did not read the previous Infected books so this new, novel approach to shifters was all new to me. Ms Speed has created a dark and edgy new world which I fell into easily. Roan, Dylan and Holden were all perfectly thought out and developed characters with their own strengths and flaws. I was a little bit lost about Paris at first because of starting with book five but that was the book the publisher wanted reviewed. I plan on starting the series from the beginning very soon. The hockey team was a riot the way they just picked up Roan and integrated him into their ranks. Scott, Grey and Tank were fun secondary characters. Holden was my personal favorite character with his no bullshit attitude. Yes Roan and Dylan were the central characters in the book but Holden was clear cut and not as angsty as Roan and Dylan. Robert Hatcher was just evil incarnate and should have been killed in my opinion. I am in awe of how Ms Speed managed to juggle such a large cast of characters and still have the storyline read almost flawlessly. The action and suspense in this book never let up and while the book can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone as I read it, I would suggest that the books be read in order so some holes are filled in. I heartily recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique spin on a shifter story with more than enough action to keep any reader's attention.
What an exceptional ending? this book was to the Infected series. Roan and Dylan are having their relationship ups and downs due to their own insecurities and a long tally of lies on Roan's part. The virus seems to have mutated making Roan one of a kind Infected and Dr. Rosenberg doesn't even have a clue about what is happening in Roan's body. Roan manages to pick up two big clients. He is hired by Grey Williams who is a professional hockey player to find the killer of a pre-op transsexual friend of Grey's. The case has been sitting cold in another precinct but Roan soon heats it up. Roan and Dylan also manage to inherit Grey's entire hockey team and a great extra cast of characters. The second client is a creep of a software billionaire named Robert Hatcher who wants Roan to find his missing son, Jordan. The Hatcher case brings more of a focus on Holden and his many talents as Hatcher has more secrets in his closet than you can imagine. I did not read the previous Infected books so this new, novel approach to shifters was all new to me. Ms Speed has created a dark and edgy new world which I fell into easily. Roan, Dylan and Holden were all perfectly thought out and developed characters with their own strengths and flaws. I was a little bit lost about Paris at first because of starting with book five but that was the book the publisher wanted reviewed. I plan on starting the series from the beginning very soon. The hockey team was a riot the way they just picked up Roan and integrated him into their ranks. Scott, Grey and Tank were fun secondary characters. Holden was my personal favorite character with his no bullshit attitude. Yes Roan and Dylan were the central characters in the book but Holden was clear cut and not as angsty as Roan and Dylan. Robert Hatcher was just evil incarnate and should have been killed in my opinion. I am in awe of how Ms Speed managed to juggle such a large cast of characters and still have the storyline read almost flawlessly. The action and suspense in this book never let up and while the book can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone as I read it, I would suggest that the books be read in order so some holes are filled in. I heartily recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique spin on a shifter story with more than enough action to keep any reader's attention.
September 4, 2018
4.5 stars
I'll be honest. Since this was the last book in the Dreamspinner bundle, I was ready to quit the series here. Up to this point, the stories were good, with some brilliance hiding in amongst the mediocre, and the characters were compelling but at the same time not exactly giving me much to come back to. Most of my issues with this series to date has been the author's writing style, which I've detailed over the previous reviews, and there's just no real way to get around that no matter how promising the premise. I'm not sure what happened with this book, if this is a sign of the author's growth as a writer or the editors doing their job, but while there were still some of the issues present, they were far less numerous and much less annoying. With those out of the way, and two well-done and well-written cases, the writing was finally able to get out my way so I could enjoy the story - if that makes sense. (Though it's not completely without side-eye, hence the half-star off the rating.)
Oh, and there are hockey players. Clueless, lovable, batcrap crazy dude-broing hockey players. :D I loved the Falcons and the dynamic they brought to the story and really hope to see them again. It doesn't make sense. It's like trying to squeeze The Mighty Ducks into an episode of Thundercats (which itself is really more like an episode of Fringe pretending to be an episode of Thundercats), and yet somehow it works.
I should probably slap an "unprofessional professional" on this story but it seems a little late for that. Roan's never really walked the line anyway, and while he should've had his PI license revoked about three books ago, there's no denying he gets the job done. And those jobs are getting messier, more dangerous and much more personal. I guess I have more of a vigilante streak than I thought I did, because instead of headshaking at the dude (or at Holden), I'm rooting them on. Seriously, these scumbags deserve it.
There are some ups and downs for Dylan and Roan too, and I'm getting to the point where I'd like to see more of Dylan's POV, especially with all the challenges he faces in this book. Telling me he's doing 'y' because of what he did after 'x' just doesn't cut it. I want to see it, and I hope we get that in the next book. Because I will be reading it. I'm in it for the long haul after this and can only hope the series doesn't backslide after getting this much needed boost.
I'll be honest. Since this was the last book in the Dreamspinner bundle, I was ready to quit the series here. Up to this point, the stories were good, with some brilliance hiding in amongst the mediocre, and the characters were compelling but at the same time not exactly giving me much to come back to. Most of my issues with this series to date has been the author's writing style, which I've detailed over the previous reviews, and there's just no real way to get around that no matter how promising the premise. I'm not sure what happened with this book, if this is a sign of the author's growth as a writer or the editors doing their job, but while there were still some of the issues present, they were far less numerous and much less annoying. With those out of the way, and two well-done and well-written cases, the writing was finally able to get out my way so I could enjoy the story - if that makes sense. (Though it's not completely without side-eye, hence the half-star off the rating.)
Oh, and there are hockey players. Clueless, lovable, batcrap crazy dude-broing hockey players. :D I loved the Falcons and the dynamic they brought to the story and really hope to see them again. It doesn't make sense. It's like trying to squeeze The Mighty Ducks into an episode of Thundercats (which itself is really more like an episode of Fringe pretending to be an episode of Thundercats), and yet somehow it works.
I should probably slap an "unprofessional professional" on this story but it seems a little late for that. Roan's never really walked the line anyway, and while he should've had his PI license revoked about three books ago, there's no denying he gets the job done. And those jobs are getting messier, more dangerous and much more personal. I guess I have more of a vigilante streak than I thought I did, because instead of headshaking at the dude (or at Holden), I'm rooting them on. Seriously, these scumbags deserve it.
There are some ups and downs for Dylan and Roan too, and I'm getting to the point where I'd like to see more of Dylan's POV, especially with all the challenges he faces in this book. Telling me he's doing 'y' because of what he did after 'x' just doesn't cut it. I want to see it, and I hope we get that in the next book. Because I will be reading it. I'm in it for the long haul after this and can only hope the series doesn't backslide after getting this much needed boost.
April 14, 2014
Still as mesmerized as I was last week when I started the series. If I'm reading - it's these books. I'm on to #6 and I almost want to slow down so I can relish these last two for now. I think I might cry when I get to the end and have to wait for another. I'm just not that patient. Dammit!
October 18, 2021
3 Stars
Hmmh. What has happened? Why has volume 5 suddenly a star less?
To be honest I find it difficult to explain. The story doesn't seem to go forward. Or only by inches. I still don't like Dylan and don't like him for Roan either. To me it feels like he isn't his equal and couldn't hold his own against him. I would have prefered Holden for Roan. I really like Holden actually, maybe even more than Roan whose constant self-hate and depression starts to grow mold by now.
The book was again split into two cases that I found only okay. The second case was introduced by a time lapse, which is something I'm generally not fond of. Still the crime cases felt at times like decoration. Speed has this peculiar writing style. She can become very detailed in a scene that seems totally unimportant (like sitting on the couch drinking or eating, every little taste and smell) and then things are happening that are rather crucial (for example to the criminal plot) but we only learn of the in a by-the-way-fashion, mentioned in a telephone call with someone or simply narrated from Roans pov but long after the event. In my opinion this steals a good deal of potential suspense from the story. And this time around I had problems of staying interested in the plot at times.
Of course - Roan is still a very good character and as mentioned before I like Holden just as much if not even more. So I'm sure I will continue with the series, but not with great urgency.
Hmmh. What has happened? Why has volume 5 suddenly a star less?
To be honest I find it difficult to explain. The story doesn't seem to go forward. Or only by inches. I still don't like Dylan and don't like him for Roan either. To me it feels like he isn't his equal and couldn't hold his own against him. I would have prefered Holden for Roan. I really like Holden actually, maybe even more than Roan whose constant self-hate and depression starts to grow mold by now.
The book was again split into two cases that I found only okay. The second case was introduced by a time lapse, which is something I'm generally not fond of. Still the crime cases felt at times like decoration. Speed has this peculiar writing style. She can become very detailed in a scene that seems totally unimportant (like sitting on the couch drinking or eating, every little taste and smell) and then things are happening that are rather crucial (for example to the criminal plot) but we only learn of the in a by-the-way-fashion, mentioned in a telephone call with someone or simply narrated from Roans pov but long after the event. In my opinion this steals a good deal of potential suspense from the story. And this time around I had problems of staying interested in the plot at times.
Of course - Roan is still a very good character and as mentioned before I like Holden just as much if not even more. So I'm sure I will continue with the series, but not with great urgency.
March 10, 2016
Roan continues to be one of the most complex and fascinating charcters I have ever had the pleasure to read about. Even when he struggles with his inner darkness as the virus inside him grows stronger and stronger, his heart is good and it is impossible not to care for and love him.
This book is one of my absolute favorites in the series, but I'm not sure I would be able to re-read it. I was reading this book in July 2015, during my summer vacation and it turned into a hell of a dark beach read. More than any demon or vampire or paranormal creature, the capacity of humans to do evil scares the crap out of me. I know that the more traditional monsters are not real, but the fact that such things as snuff films exist makes me almost lose faith in humanity.
The mere thought of the despicable, disgusting and unforgivable actions of some of the bad guys in this book made me sick. Especially knowing that such darkness exists in the real world, I really couldn't fault Roan and Holden for tapping into their own darkness and using every weapon in their arsenal to hunt down these monsters.
Don't get me wrong, Roan and Holden can be really fucking scary, but I have seen their thoughts and experienced life through their eyes and however scary they get, I know they are the good guys. They may cross into vigilantism in this book, but I'm pretty sure most readers will be glad they do and hope that they will be able to stop the bad guys - in any way neccesary.
However, I am also very glad that Andrea Speed did not just drag us down into the very darkest abyss of the human soul, without balancing the darkness with light. This book also introduces Dr. Rosenberg, Roan's no-nonsense doctor and quasi-mother, who has no problem keeping up with Roan and kicking his ass. Her inclusion into the series seems especially important now that Roan seems to spiral out of control more and more with his self-destructive behavior and depression. She may swear like a sailor, but she really cares about Roan and cuts through all of his crap.
We are also introduced to a hockey team that includes some of the most awesome and unexpected characters you will ever meet. When this series was recommended to me, people kept talking about a hockey team and how fun and awesome they are and while reading this series I kept waiting for them. I'm not disappointed. They are loud and rowdy and bold and have open hearts and open minds and in a weird way fit in perfectly with our favorite band of misfits.
The hockey team brings in beautifully dark and much needed humor and they are just so much fun that any scenes with them are vibrating with life. Roan is so down on himself and sees himself as a monster more and more, that these new friends who accept him completely are incredibly important. They stand with him and in a way rescue him and I loved it.
Meanwhile, Roan and Dylan's relationship feels like a rollercoaster ride. It is realistic, though, because they love each other but the things they have to deal with would challenge every and destroy most relationships. Watching them try to find their way can be painful to watch, but it seems an important dance, so they can find a dynamic that works for them. Roan and Dylan are so different in many ways, but in my opinion they really do fit in a strange way and Dylan makes Roan want to life and cling to his humanity and I am forever grateful for that.
This series continues to be gripping, complex, funny and dark and features the best 'ensemble cast' in any book I've read. I can't recommend this series enough if you don't mnd dark stories and love fantastic mysteries and complex characters.
This book is one of my absolute favorites in the series, but I'm not sure I would be able to re-read it. I was reading this book in July 2015, during my summer vacation and it turned into a hell of a dark beach read. More than any demon or vampire or paranormal creature, the capacity of humans to do evil scares the crap out of me. I know that the more traditional monsters are not real, but the fact that such things as snuff films exist makes me almost lose faith in humanity.
The mere thought of the despicable, disgusting and unforgivable actions of some of the bad guys in this book made me sick. Especially knowing that such darkness exists in the real world, I really couldn't fault Roan and Holden for tapping into their own darkness and using every weapon in their arsenal to hunt down these monsters.
Don't get me wrong, Roan and Holden can be really fucking scary, but I have seen their thoughts and experienced life through their eyes and however scary they get, I know they are the good guys. They may cross into vigilantism in this book, but I'm pretty sure most readers will be glad they do and hope that they will be able to stop the bad guys - in any way neccesary.
However, I am also very glad that Andrea Speed did not just drag us down into the very darkest abyss of the human soul, without balancing the darkness with light. This book also introduces Dr. Rosenberg, Roan's no-nonsense doctor and quasi-mother, who has no problem keeping up with Roan and kicking his ass. Her inclusion into the series seems especially important now that Roan seems to spiral out of control more and more with his self-destructive behavior and depression. She may swear like a sailor, but she really cares about Roan and cuts through all of his crap.
We are also introduced to a hockey team that includes some of the most awesome and unexpected characters you will ever meet. When this series was recommended to me, people kept talking about a hockey team and how fun and awesome they are and while reading this series I kept waiting for them. I'm not disappointed. They are loud and rowdy and bold and have open hearts and open minds and in a weird way fit in perfectly with our favorite band of misfits.
The hockey team brings in beautifully dark and much needed humor and they are just so much fun that any scenes with them are vibrating with life. Roan is so down on himself and sees himself as a monster more and more, that these new friends who accept him completely are incredibly important. They stand with him and in a way rescue him and I loved it.
Meanwhile, Roan and Dylan's relationship feels like a rollercoaster ride. It is realistic, though, because they love each other but the things they have to deal with would challenge every and destroy most relationships. Watching them try to find their way can be painful to watch, but it seems an important dance, so they can find a dynamic that works for them. Roan and Dylan are so different in many ways, but in my opinion they really do fit in a strange way and Dylan makes Roan want to life and cling to his humanity and I am forever grateful for that.
This series continues to be gripping, complex, funny and dark and features the best 'ensemble cast' in any book I've read. I can't recommend this series enough if you don't mnd dark stories and love fantastic mysteries and complex characters.
October 4, 2012
I love this series, I don't remember if I've begun all my revs the same way, but yeah, I love it.
In the two episodes of the book, there are quite a few changes.
Roan is changing physically and it seems he gets stronger but also more fragile at the same time. On one hand the lion virus allows him physical strength, inhuman reflexes, exceptional powers of smell, on the other hand it seems to take over beyond Roan's control. There is still a degree of consciousness in Roan, but it seems to become more strenous and it leaves him spent and tired after every change - and we're not talking about the virus cycle, since Roan is no more subjected to those, we're talking about more or less willing shiftings. Even if Roan feels he might lose his humanity, in my opinion he's instead getting closer to it. He breaks down a couple of times, showing a vulnerability that really moved me, and he doesn't do it all by his lonesome but in front of people who know him. I wasn't expecting this and they were wonderful moments.
Roan and Dylan's relationship is changing. Dylan is more solid, more present as a character, he is not only the cute and mild boyfriend, he shows he can be stubborn and tough and that he can fight for Roan and for his love. He's in a very uncomfortable position, he comes after the immense Paris, and he knows it, but he also believes that what he can give is far more important than what he can receive from Roan. It's a desperate and pure love and Dylan is earning his place next to Roan.
What's changing is that Roan has found friends he can rely on. The Falcons hockey team with their mix of crazy players provides a sort of stress relief even for the reader. It's not clear what they find in Roan - Dylan keeps telling him that they made him their gay mascot - but Roan provides him with the same adrenaline they find in the game.
The world is changing around Roan because he's becoming more visible and a catalyst for both the Infected haters and the infected who are without a leader and a defender. Roan is a political statement in flesh, but while he's facing the haters, he shies away from the infected, refusing to take the lead in order to protect the people who are closer to him.
About the two cases Roan investigates: I like very much that the author doesn't wrap them up with a pink ribbon making a real superhero of Roan. There is never a resolution that allows the reader to walk away from them with a sigh of relief. The cases are ugly, the world is imperfect and that's what you get: imperfect ugly resolutions. It's always Roan's struggle that makes you go on. And the action hooker, Holden. I didn't like him so much the first time I met him in the series, but he's become an essential part of it.
I am addicted to Roan. Before I forget, I don't know if I ever praised the covers, but they're fantastic and this one is gorgeous, absolutely perfect to show Roan's mixed nature.
In the two episodes of the book, there are quite a few changes.
Roan is changing physically and it seems he gets stronger but also more fragile at the same time. On one hand the lion virus allows him physical strength, inhuman reflexes, exceptional powers of smell, on the other hand it seems to take over beyond Roan's control. There is still a degree of consciousness in Roan, but it seems to become more strenous and it leaves him spent and tired after every change - and we're not talking about the virus cycle, since Roan is no more subjected to those, we're talking about more or less willing shiftings. Even if Roan feels he might lose his humanity, in my opinion he's instead getting closer to it. He breaks down a couple of times, showing a vulnerability that really moved me, and he doesn't do it all by his lonesome but in front of people who know him. I wasn't expecting this and they were wonderful moments.
Roan and Dylan's relationship is changing. Dylan is more solid, more present as a character, he is not only the cute and mild boyfriend, he shows he can be stubborn and tough and that he can fight for Roan and for his love. He's in a very uncomfortable position, he comes after the immense Paris, and he knows it, but he also believes that what he can give is far more important than what he can receive from Roan. It's a desperate and pure love and Dylan is earning his place next to Roan.
What's changing is that Roan has found friends he can rely on. The Falcons hockey team with their mix of crazy players provides a sort of stress relief even for the reader. It's not clear what they find in Roan - Dylan keeps telling him that they made him their gay mascot - but Roan provides him with the same adrenaline they find in the game.
The world is changing around Roan because he's becoming more visible and a catalyst for both the Infected haters and the infected who are without a leader and a defender. Roan is a political statement in flesh, but while he's facing the haters, he shies away from the infected, refusing to take the lead in order to protect the people who are closer to him.
About the two cases Roan investigates: I like very much that the author doesn't wrap them up with a pink ribbon making a real superhero of Roan. There is never a resolution that allows the reader to walk away from them with a sigh of relief. The cases are ugly, the world is imperfect and that's what you get: imperfect ugly resolutions. It's always Roan's struggle that makes you go on. And the action hooker, Holden. I didn't like him so much the first time I met him in the series, but he's become an essential part of it.
I am addicted to Roan. Before I forget, I don't know if I ever praised the covers, but they're fantastic and this one is gorgeous, absolutely perfect to show Roan's mixed nature.
September 1, 2013
Book five in the 'Infected' series keeps the excitement going. I really want to start this review by waxing poetically about how much I love this series. But, I've done that in the last four books' reviews, so I thought I might change it up a little.
I love Holden! I am crazy about this guy. He is really jumping into his role working for Roan. Hands down, when he got attacked and knifed by the two guys and managed to bust a testicle on one of them and practically tear a hole in the other guy's leg, that was it. I was crazy for him! I love his ruthlessness and absolute practicality.
Roan and Dylan had some issues this time around. As much as I loved Paris, it was actually kind of nice to see this relationship start and watch the ups and downs. I feel sort of sorry for Dylan because I don't feel like I've really gotten to know him yet. He's not as in-your-face as Roan, or as strangely compelling as Holden, or as tragic as Paris was. I'm really hoping to be able to "see" him at some point because right now I feel like he's kind of in the background, hiding.
Now to the mysteries/cases Roan gets. GAWD they're always really fantastic! Some of the best I've read in my many, many years *cough* of reading. I like how there's always more than one in these books. The first Roan is looking into is a hockey player's best friend's pre-op transsexual sister's murder. Wow, that was a mouthful, huh? Of course, Roan (and Holden, now) solve it and Roan gets himself a hockey team - guys who fight like he does. So fun! The second has Roan looking into the disappearance of an arrogant multi-billionaire's son - what fun for the team. Along the way they run into actual snuff films, rude teenaged rich kids, and someone framing cats for horrible murders and trying to kill Roan. Ah, all in the life of our favorite private detective.
I guess it's no surprise by now that I really love this series. I love the way the author is keeping me on my toes and nothing is getting stale. I'm so excited for more of these books!
I love Holden! I am crazy about this guy. He is really jumping into his role working for Roan. Hands down, when he got attacked and knifed by the two guys and managed to bust a testicle on one of them and practically tear a hole in the other guy's leg, that was it. I was crazy for him! I love his ruthlessness and absolute practicality.
Roan and Dylan had some issues this time around. As much as I loved Paris, it was actually kind of nice to see this relationship start and watch the ups and downs. I feel sort of sorry for Dylan because I don't feel like I've really gotten to know him yet. He's not as in-your-face as Roan, or as strangely compelling as Holden, or as tragic as Paris was. I'm really hoping to be able to "see" him at some point because right now I feel like he's kind of in the background, hiding.
Now to the mysteries/cases Roan gets. GAWD they're always really fantastic! Some of the best I've read in my many, many years *cough* of reading. I like how there's always more than one in these books. The first Roan is looking into is a hockey player's best friend's pre-op transsexual sister's murder. Wow, that was a mouthful, huh? Of course, Roan (and Holden, now) solve it and Roan gets himself a hockey team - guys who fight like he does. So fun! The second has Roan looking into the disappearance of an arrogant multi-billionaire's son - what fun for the team. Along the way they run into actual snuff films, rude teenaged rich kids, and someone framing cats for horrible murders and trying to kill Roan. Ah, all in the life of our favorite private detective.
I guess it's no surprise by now that I really love this series. I love the way the author is keeping me on my toes and nothing is getting stale. I'm so excited for more of these books!
October 9, 2012
This installment of the series has pretty much the same strengths and weaknesses of the preceding volumes.
On the plus side, Speed continues to do great character and emotional work with a mix of introspection and an inarticulate, confused, raw emotiveness that seems both genuine and affecting to me. Speed also constructs engaging plots that have enough complication to keep you thinking and enough action to keep you looking for the next big blowup. And yes, I love the hockey players just like everyone else does!
On the minus side, Speed still has problems with fact-checking issues and some continuity errors (for instance legal issues concerning cat shifters have changed between books, with no explanation of the changes); and her prose, although it has improved over the course of the series, is still not much to write home about.
For more detailed opinions about the series, please check my reviews of the previous books.
On the plus side, Speed continues to do great character and emotional work with a mix of introspection and an inarticulate, confused, raw emotiveness that seems both genuine and affecting to me. Speed also constructs engaging plots that have enough complication to keep you thinking and enough action to keep you looking for the next big blowup. And yes, I love the hockey players just like everyone else does!
On the minus side, Speed still has problems with fact-checking issues and some continuity errors (for instance legal issues concerning cat shifters have changed between books, with no explanation of the changes); and her prose, although it has improved over the course of the series, is still not much to write home about.
For more detailed opinions about the series, please check my reviews of the previous books.
October 25, 2020
2020 reread
Like in 2013 this series has sucked me right back in. I'm loving the growth of Roan and Dylan, but personally and in their relationship. And the newly introduced characters are still a hoot!
Original review
I'm really not sure how to describe how much I love this series. The characters are so well written that honestly I'm constantly surprised they don't just walk off my page and start talking to me.
None of these books are light or fluffy reads. No quite the opposite. They are dark and filled with violence, aggression and depression. Yet they are filled with sweetness, goodness and love as well. It's this contradiction that makes them so addictive, so perfect.
Like in 2013 this series has sucked me right back in. I'm loving the growth of Roan and Dylan, but personally and in their relationship. And the newly introduced characters are still a hoot!
Original review
I'm really not sure how to describe how much I love this series. The characters are so well written that honestly I'm constantly surprised they don't just walk off my page and start talking to me.
None of these books are light or fluffy reads. No quite the opposite. They are dark and filled with violence, aggression and depression. Yet they are filled with sweetness, goodness and love as well. It's this contradiction that makes them so addictive, so perfect.
March 2, 2016
WOW! This book kicks ass! Definitely the best in the series so far. I am adding it to my favourites shelf!
Non-stop action, including action with Holden =), Roan's hot and tough "personal" hockey team (please, let Scott end up with Holden, ple-ease!!!)! Partially fun and funny, partially terrifying and dark ...and darker, partially sad and nostalgic due to Paris's presence - it's the best book evah!
I was a touch disappointed how things went down in the end. No criminal was made to suffer for what they had done, but I guess things don't always turn out as we want them to.
10 stars.
Non-stop action, including action with Holden =), Roan's hot and tough "personal" hockey team (please, let Scott end up with Holden, ple-ease!!!)! Partially fun and funny, partially terrifying and dark ...and darker, partially sad and nostalgic due to Paris's presence - it's the best book evah!
I was a touch disappointed how things went down in the end. No criminal was made to suffer for what they had done, but I guess things don't always turn out as we want them to.
10 stars.
November 17, 2012
Humanity can be ugly, arrogant and despairing but there is still friendship and love and imperfect people swimming in troubled water, doubting and trying to find their path in this fragile state.
How I love this series, Roan and his crew!
June 11, 2012
holy cow! I am addicted to these guys!! MORE!!
June 3, 2012
Excellent m/m paranormal romantic suspense in which Roan's abilities continue to develop in new and inexplicable ways and he and Dylan face some hard truths about themselves and their relationship.
June 12, 2012
Book 8: Shift (free version read January 2011, released version read June 2012)
This is the first story that brings one of the most lovable and hilariously fun hockey teams ever, The Seattle Falcons. It is started from Roan taking a case from Grey Williams, Falcon's defenseman, to take a look of a murder case which might involves corrupted cop. Along the way, the hockey team seems to adopt Roan as their own, which is highly amusing :). Holden keeps his status as bad-ass assistant detective to Roan, and I highly think of him as one of the best side-kicks since --- urgh, I try not to say Boy Wonder, but Roan is indeed called Batman --- oh, you think of your own best side-kick character. There is a ripple in Roan and Dylan's relationship, as Dylan keeps worrying about Roan's death wish which leads to a serious fight. However, it also results in the "I love you" statement from both, so it's all good :).
Book 9: Bloodbath (free version read January 2010, released version read June 2012)
Roan McKichan, private investigator and infected extraordinaire is taking a case of a missing son of a software industrialist. The case ends up connected to some real gay-snuffs. Roan enlists Holden to help. In the meantime, some white supremacists are making threats to Roan and Dylan as well. This story is just getting better and better. I love how Roan's life (and his infected status) is getting more complicated. He is no longer 'just' an infected. His lion adapts to his situation, making him some kind of hybrid. I love his relationship with Dylan is getting steadier, and in fact it moves forward with domestic partnership registration. Dylan is not Paris, but I'm happy that he seems to give a peacefulness and become a home for Roan. Holden still rocks -- his status as a whore, who has his own street justice, is a great back-up to Roan's more "darker" way to deal with things. And the hockey team acting like bodyguards? Priceless!
This is the first story that brings one of the most lovable and hilariously fun hockey teams ever, The Seattle Falcons. It is started from Roan taking a case from Grey Williams, Falcon's defenseman, to take a look of a murder case which might involves corrupted cop. Along the way, the hockey team seems to adopt Roan as their own, which is highly amusing :). Holden keeps his status as bad-ass assistant detective to Roan, and I highly think of him as one of the best side-kicks since --- urgh, I try not to say Boy Wonder, but Roan is indeed called Batman --- oh, you think of your own best side-kick character. There is a ripple in Roan and Dylan's relationship, as Dylan keeps worrying about Roan's death wish which leads to a serious fight. However, it also results in the "I love you" statement from both, so it's all good :).
Book 9: Bloodbath (free version read January 2010, released version read June 2012)
Roan McKichan, private investigator and infected extraordinaire is taking a case of a missing son of a software industrialist. The case ends up connected to some real gay-snuffs. Roan enlists Holden to help. In the meantime, some white supremacists are making threats to Roan and Dylan as well. This story is just getting better and better. I love how Roan's life (and his infected status) is getting more complicated. He is no longer 'just' an infected. His lion adapts to his situation, making him some kind of hybrid. I love his relationship with Dylan is getting steadier, and in fact it moves forward with domestic partnership registration. Dylan is not Paris, but I'm happy that he seems to give a peacefulness and become a home for Roan. Holden still rocks -- his status as a whore, who has his own street justice, is a great back-up to Roan's more "darker" way to deal with things. And the hockey team acting like bodyguards? Priceless!
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