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GhostWalker #12
Spider Game
In the new GhostWalker novel by the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Viper Game, a trained killer meets his match in a woman whose very kiss can stop a heart.
The Cajun dive in the middle of the godforsaken swamps wasn't exactly Trap Dawkins' idea of fun. But the GhostWalker wasn't there for a good time. He was looking for her. Cayenne. It's where she found her victims. Poor suckers. Then again, who wouldn't want to leave a place like this with a woman like her?
It's not Cayenne's fault. Locked up, experimented on and never knowing kindness, she was bred this way - with a heart of pure venom. Trap understands her. He survived his own dark past and he shares her desire for getting even. But now Trap's greatest danger is Cayenne herself. Because what's inside her is hard to control - especially when it's aroused by a lover as reckless as Trap.
465 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2016
589 people are currently reading
3434 people want to read
About the author
Christine Feehan
156 books53k followersChristine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 100 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders, Torpedo Ink and her Romantic Suspense novels. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 518 reviews
February 7, 2017
1,5 stars
Is Christine Feehan getting bored? Really, her last few books have left me feeling.............something like this........
Firstly, the main character's names......really!!! Cayenne & Trap!!!
Now, let's continue with Trap!!! What a d@##$khead!!! The way he treated Cayenne was beyond despicable.....here I was hoping that he would become a bit better...but no........he continues to be the ass@@@@@le........why she stuck around with him was beyond comprehension.
I am also becoming a bit bored with all the repetitive sex scenes....which crop up at the most unexpected times....
Anyway, I will probably read the next book in the series..........with the hope that just maybe....the next will be an awesome one!!!
Is Christine Feehan getting bored? Really, her last few books have left me feeling.............something like this........
Spider Game is the 12th book in her GhostWalkers Series - so what did I think of Cayenne and Trap's story??
Firstly, the main character's names......really!!! Cayenne & Trap!!!
But that's not the only reason why I found this story to be yet another....
I found Cayenne to be a pretty cool heroine....she was kickass - (that's the reason for 1,5 stars instead of 1) well in the beginning.......but then, what the hell happened to her!!!! Letting the hero, old Trap walk all over her!!!
Now, let's continue with Trap!!! What a d@##$khead!!! The way he treated Cayenne was beyond despicable.....here I was hoping that he would become a bit better...but no........he continues to be the ass@@@@@le........why she stuck around with him was beyond comprehension.
I am also becoming a bit bored with all the repetitive sex scenes....which crop up at the most unexpected times....
Anyway, I will probably read the next book in the series..........with the hope that just maybe....the next will be an awesome one!!!
January 17, 2016
Spider Game - Christine Feehan
Spider Game (GhostWalkers #12)
by Christine Feehan
The Cajun dive in the middle of the godforsaken swamps wasn’t exactly Trap Dawkins’ idea of fun. But the GhostWalker wasn’t there for a good time. He was looking for her. Cayenne. It’s where she found her victims. Poor suckers. Then again, who wouldn’t want to leave a place like this with a woman like her?
It’s not Cayenne’s fault. Locked up, experimented on and never knowing kindness, she was bred this way—with a heart of pure venom. Trap understands her. He survived his own dark past and he shares her desire for getting even. But now Trap’s greatest danger is Cayenne herself. Because what’s inside her is hard to control—especially when it’s aroused by a lover as reckless as Trap.
My Review:
Christine honey I love you. I really do. So when I say its time to re-evaluate your writing and your choice in character portrayal, I really hope you take it into consideration.
I really don't want to lose yet another author to this issue because your writing has meant so much to me over the years. But one series after another the Dark series, the Sisters series, and now the Ghostwalker series has had male leads that are violent, they're controlling, they're abusive on a physical, sexual, mental and emotional level that is disturbing and frankly does not belong anywhere near romance.
An authors writing reflects the authors mind and I am saddened by the kind of content and treatment that you are putting in your stories. I understand a need to create a sense of ownership and control but what you have put into your books lately truly bothers me.
As a person who has been on the receiving end of abusive relationships the kind of treatment you're forcing your female leads to endure is horrific and heartbreaking.
I used to really love your characters males and females all but the kind of savagery you are exploring in your stories is something I can't support if it continues. Please take this into consideration before you lose a large chunk of your female fans because I know I am not the only one who feels this way.
My Rating:
2 Stars
Reviewed By:
Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews
http://kkmalott.booklikes.com/
Note: I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley
Spider Game (GhostWalkers #12)
by Christine Feehan
The Cajun dive in the middle of the godforsaken swamps wasn’t exactly Trap Dawkins’ idea of fun. But the GhostWalker wasn’t there for a good time. He was looking for her. Cayenne. It’s where she found her victims. Poor suckers. Then again, who wouldn’t want to leave a place like this with a woman like her?
It’s not Cayenne’s fault. Locked up, experimented on and never knowing kindness, she was bred this way—with a heart of pure venom. Trap understands her. He survived his own dark past and he shares her desire for getting even. But now Trap’s greatest danger is Cayenne herself. Because what’s inside her is hard to control—especially when it’s aroused by a lover as reckless as Trap.
My Review:
Christine honey I love you. I really do. So when I say its time to re-evaluate your writing and your choice in character portrayal, I really hope you take it into consideration.
I really don't want to lose yet another author to this issue because your writing has meant so much to me over the years. But one series after another the Dark series, the Sisters series, and now the Ghostwalker series has had male leads that are violent, they're controlling, they're abusive on a physical, sexual, mental and emotional level that is disturbing and frankly does not belong anywhere near romance.
An authors writing reflects the authors mind and I am saddened by the kind of content and treatment that you are putting in your stories. I understand a need to create a sense of ownership and control but what you have put into your books lately truly bothers me.
As a person who has been on the receiving end of abusive relationships the kind of treatment you're forcing your female leads to endure is horrific and heartbreaking.
I used to really love your characters males and females all but the kind of savagery you are exploring in your stories is something I can't support if it continues. Please take this into consideration before you lose a large chunk of your female fans because I know I am not the only one who feels this way.
My Rating:
2 Stars
Reviewed By:
Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews
http://kkmalott.booklikes.com/
Note: I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley
January 2, 2016
The hero Trap made reading this book difficult.
Several times I needed to step away because he made me uncomfortable and fearful for the heroine.
There is a fine, fine line between arrogance... but Trap steps beyond that line and into abusive territory.
I had told my husband if he EVER behaved like Trap did to Cayenne to me, he would get a cast iron in the face. He laughed and told me to tell him everything about the hero that made me feel that way. So I started to tell him. Each thing my husband frowned and lost his laughter. He looks at me and said "That's not sexy, that is bordering on abusive." Mirroring my opinion.
I don't care if Trap is rich. That does not excuse him to being abusive. It felt like Cayenne traded one bad situation for another.
I am done with this series. Sadly I will not be picking up or buying any more of the Ghostwalker series. Which is sad for me because I love the earlier books.
February 11, 2016
3.5 Stars
I absolutely love the direction Ms. Feehan is taking the GhostWalkers series. The world is scary intense and, truth be told, just a little bit freaky! Cayenne’s enhanced DNA being that of a Black Widow spider was more than a little unsettling for me because I’ve been bitten by one of those bitches and it hurts. Like, mad pain! To imagine an adult woman with those traits... **shudder**
Anyway…
As I shared in my review of Viper Game, it’s true the stories are changing from the way they were in the beginning, but they're changing in ways I would expect them to, given Peter Whitney's evil (and totally twisted) desperation to create the perfect soldiers. The experiments are more and more extreme, and more and more heartbreaking. And, as with Viper Game, I found Spider Game to be more exciting, more captivating, and more intriguing than the last several books in the series.
But…
I understand the GhostWalkers are alpha and demanding, but too often Trap's comments directed at Cayenne were demeaning – so much so that I found them offensive. There came a point when his apologies meant nothing to me. Cayenne is insecure around other people, and understandably so, but because she put up with so much of Trap's garbage she came across as a needy woman who suffered from the "Anyone Is Better Than No One" syndrome. Trap seemed oblivious to her discomfort and acted out in completely unacceptable ways. In fact, I’m not sure any amount of remorse or groveling could have redeemed him in my eyes – and most importantly, in my heart.
The bottom line…
I think longtime fans of the series will love this installment – if you can overlook Trap’s appalling behavior toward Cayenne. I was thrilled to see so many familiar GhostWalker faces and, especially with Violet Smythe back, I expect there to be more crazy twists and turns in upcoming stories! What a wild ride this has become!
I absolutely love the direction Ms. Feehan is taking the GhostWalkers series. The world is scary intense and, truth be told, just a little bit freaky! Cayenne’s enhanced DNA being that of a Black Widow spider was more than a little unsettling for me because I’ve been bitten by one of those bitches and it hurts. Like, mad pain! To imagine an adult woman with those traits... **shudder**
Anyway…
As I shared in my review of Viper Game, it’s true the stories are changing from the way they were in the beginning, but they're changing in ways I would expect them to, given Peter Whitney's evil (and totally twisted) desperation to create the perfect soldiers. The experiments are more and more extreme, and more and more heartbreaking. And, as with Viper Game, I found Spider Game to be more exciting, more captivating, and more intriguing than the last several books in the series.
But…
I understand the GhostWalkers are alpha and demanding, but too often Trap's comments directed at Cayenne were demeaning – so much so that I found them offensive. There came a point when his apologies meant nothing to me. Cayenne is insecure around other people, and understandably so, but because she put up with so much of Trap's garbage she came across as a needy woman who suffered from the "Anyone Is Better Than No One" syndrome. Trap seemed oblivious to her discomfort and acted out in completely unacceptable ways. In fact, I’m not sure any amount of remorse or groveling could have redeemed him in my eyes – and most importantly, in my heart.
The bottom line…
I think longtime fans of the series will love this installment – if you can overlook Trap’s appalling behavior toward Cayenne. I was thrilled to see so many familiar GhostWalker faces and, especially with Violet Smythe back, I expect there to be more crazy twists and turns in upcoming stories! What a wild ride this has become!
February 2, 2016
*Sigh* Maybe it is time for me to give up this series. As good as those first series books were, these latter books continue to cross lines that I just don't care for. If the book was presented as a pure BDSM book, then I could have understood Trap's actions, but it wasn't. The plane scene was particularly cringe worthy. Trap acted like a complete A*&hole toward Cayenne. Those are your friends you stupid idiot not strangers. Then for Cayenne to put up with his BS. Yes he half-assed tried to explain his actions, but it was after he got his way. The whole entire scene was a wall-banger for me. The sad thing is, this could have been an awesome read, without all the Trap has to be a sh*t-head scenes. I guess the first books in the series had a different editor, because the latter books, especially these last two have been too verbally abusive and or walking the line of physically abusive. Especially Trap's actions off the plane, those are actions of an abuser. Not a man who loves, respects and trust that a woman has his best interest at heart. I think I am done with this series.
January 20, 2019
The Ice King and the Black Widow
This is my revised review for the book. It's been a while since I read it, but I needed the time to coalesce my thoughts. I am pretty darn disappointed, to be honest. Yeah, I still gave it four stars, and I'll explain why later.
I was loving the first 1/2 or so of the book, and it went downhill shortly thereafter. Trap was an ahole from the beginning but not in an intolerable way. I actually kind of liked him initially. I really enjoyed the banter on the scene at the beginning where the guys are hanging out in the bar. The GhostWalker camaraderie is one of my favorite things about there books. It was pretty fun how Trap was calculating how many peanut shells were on the floor and got the guys involved in, and then Cayenne had come up with her own estimates that were close to his. I felt like they had a pretty good meeting of the minds.
Trap had his moments, but later in the book, he was a serious douche bag. I liked the initial love scenes, but towards the end of the book, the scene on the airplane was just freaking rotten how he treated Cayenne just because she was having a bonding moment with a member of his team and then the sex after that. I don't like any butt play, and I do feel that I was highly disappointed that Feehan chose to spring that on me as a reader. I know most readers don't care about that, but I am not into that and I try to avoid books that have it. A big part of my issues with the sex were his motivations. It was like some sort of possessive/masculine domination/punishment for making Trap feel jealous on the plan. That nearly made me throw the book against the wall. I think Cayenne deserves better. He knew how crappy her life has been. He is very protective of her, but then he seems okay with pulling jerk moves on her. He's a highly intelligent guy, but he acts like he's all testosterone and 100% caveman sometime. Apparently, sex is his main outlet besides his work, so I guess being kinky is part of his nature. The way he's treated his past lovers is questionable, and I'm not saying he gets a pass for it, but i would hope you would get a clue that you don't treat a woman you're suppose to love and adore that way. It's a big deal how he built his house for her and to make a place that she was safe. But then he gives her reasons not to trust and feel safe with him. It's sad because I really wanted to like Trap, but I think he blew it for me with his behavior.
Cayenne, on the other hand, I loved consistently. She was lethal and tough, but also tormented and emotionally vulnerable. I felt bad that she couldn't leave Trap, and although he couldn't leave her, he just needed to treat her better. I normally love the whole fated to be mated thing, but in this book, it seems like a bad thing. I really want to believe that people should be with someone because they are deeply loved in return and there is caring and trust between them.
I'm having a real issue with the escalation of erotic sex tinged with violence in the later books that Feehan is writing. I still love her writing and her books, but I'm really nervous now that she's going to go full bore with the stuff I'm just not into and have no desire to read. I had to skip some scenes in Fire Bound (not between the H/h, but when the bad guys were abusing a woman). I would have to have to start skipping H/h scenes in her books. I enjoy the plotting and the ongoing storylines too much to quit reading her, so my hope is that she doesn't keep escalating with her content. If it comes down to it, I may have to just read the non sex scenes when they get over the top.
I'm still giving this four stars, because I love the GhostWalkers storyline so much, and I really, really enjoyed the first part of the book. I can't give it more because of how much of a cad Trap was and the butt plug stuff (eww).
This is my revised review for the book. It's been a while since I read it, but I needed the time to coalesce my thoughts. I am pretty darn disappointed, to be honest. Yeah, I still gave it four stars, and I'll explain why later.
I was loving the first 1/2 or so of the book, and it went downhill shortly thereafter. Trap was an ahole from the beginning but not in an intolerable way. I actually kind of liked him initially. I really enjoyed the banter on the scene at the beginning where the guys are hanging out in the bar. The GhostWalker camaraderie is one of my favorite things about there books. It was pretty fun how Trap was calculating how many peanut shells were on the floor and got the guys involved in, and then Cayenne had come up with her own estimates that were close to his. I felt like they had a pretty good meeting of the minds.
Trap had his moments, but later in the book, he was a serious douche bag. I liked the initial love scenes, but towards the end of the book, the scene on the airplane was just freaking rotten how he treated Cayenne just because she was having a bonding moment with a member of his team and then the sex after that. I don't like any butt play, and I do feel that I was highly disappointed that Feehan chose to spring that on me as a reader. I know most readers don't care about that, but I am not into that and I try to avoid books that have it. A big part of my issues with the sex were his motivations. It was like some sort of possessive/masculine domination/punishment for making Trap feel jealous on the plan. That nearly made me throw the book against the wall. I think Cayenne deserves better. He knew how crappy her life has been. He is very protective of her, but then he seems okay with pulling jerk moves on her. He's a highly intelligent guy, but he acts like he's all testosterone and 100% caveman sometime. Apparently, sex is his main outlet besides his work, so I guess being kinky is part of his nature. The way he's treated his past lovers is questionable, and I'm not saying he gets a pass for it, but i would hope you would get a clue that you don't treat a woman you're suppose to love and adore that way. It's a big deal how he built his house for her and to make a place that she was safe. But then he gives her reasons not to trust and feel safe with him. It's sad because I really wanted to like Trap, but I think he blew it for me with his behavior.
Cayenne, on the other hand, I loved consistently. She was lethal and tough, but also tormented and emotionally vulnerable. I felt bad that she couldn't leave Trap, and although he couldn't leave her, he just needed to treat her better. I normally love the whole fated to be mated thing, but in this book, it seems like a bad thing. I really want to believe that people should be with someone because they are deeply loved in return and there is caring and trust between them.
I'm having a real issue with the escalation of erotic sex tinged with violence in the later books that Feehan is writing. I still love her writing and her books, but I'm really nervous now that she's going to go full bore with the stuff I'm just not into and have no desire to read. I had to skip some scenes in Fire Bound (not between the H/h, but when the bad guys were abusing a woman). I would have to have to start skipping H/h scenes in her books. I enjoy the plotting and the ongoing storylines too much to quit reading her, so my hope is that she doesn't keep escalating with her content. If it comes down to it, I may have to just read the non sex scenes when they get over the top.
I'm still giving this four stars, because I love the GhostWalkers storyline so much, and I really, really enjoyed the first part of the book. I can't give it more because of how much of a cad Trap was and the butt plug stuff (eww).
May 30, 2016
Another ridiculous plot.. Team # 4.
I hated it. I hated Trap.. I am sorry but money and good looks is not everything. He was THE worse male lead character in the series, followed very closely by Wyatt from the previous book, another member of Team # 4.
I hated it. I hated Trap.. I am sorry but money and good looks is not everything. He was THE worse male lead character in the series, followed very closely by Wyatt from the previous book, another member of Team # 4.
January 31, 2016
Say hello to another book this month that has tested every ounce of my restraint and patience. Once again, I’m utterly disappointed in the direction a series has taken. These books have gone from being an automatic buy to being one I’m weary to even pick up. Which is a shame since this was one of my all-time favorites. I’ve recommended the Ghostwalkers to so many reader friends, can’t say I’ll be doing that again any time soon. I’m not sure when Feehan left the building; however, these latest books most certainly don’t feel like they are being written by the same author I first fell in love with.
It is a sad day when I can’t even find one worthy thing about the protagonists. Our hero and heroine left much to be desired. I liked Cayenne well enough, but for a “black widow,” she doesn’t have much back bone or grit when it comes to “her man.” Trap’s a pr*ck. A down right grade A, overbearing pr*ck, who likes to play in the world of bondage, dominance, and submissive. Feehan’s alpha male certainly left a nasty taste in my mouth. And I’m one of those readers who absolutely loves a man who possesses dominance and control, the more the better, in my opinion. Make no mistake, while Trap demanded complete control, he isn’t a dominant. Sorry not sorry, the need for control is NO EXCUSE to deal out the verbal attacks this man handed out to “his woman” when he wasn’t getting his own way.
Speaking of the term “his woman,” if I never read that, along with “your woman, my man, my woman, your man” again, it won’t be too soon! Ladies and gents, the term woman was used 223 times and the term baby was used 228 times. I wanted to poke my eyes out with flaming hot picks. To say I was beyond OVER these phrases is an understatement.
As you can see, Feehan’s repetitiveness is in full force. It doesn’t end with just these phrases those (e.g. quirks and traits, house descriptions, Trap and Cay's inner thoughts/conversations). Between that and the useless, long drawn out descriptions (e.g. cooking scene) Spider Game could have been half the amount of pages.
Also, I am slowly getting tired of sex being used to fill plot lines. What happened to applying thought and imagination to plot/character development? Don’t get me wrong, I like sexy times just as much as the next girl, but f*ck, enough is enough! Pages upon pages of each intimate act are not needed to make a five star read, sometimes less is best.
Where the hell did the intrigue and suspense that this series is known for go? Where is the camaraderie, humor, and team work that we all fell head over heels for? What in the world has happened to Whitney? All we have heard lately is that he is out there waiting to strike. Where are the hot, charismatic special ops guys that made your heart AND panties melt? Where are the heroines who are not only enhanced but have sass, grit, and strength of character?
I feel like all of this has taken a back seat to lord knows what this author is currently trying to create. At one point, this series had all the right components for the perfect romantic/paranormal suspense novel, now all it has is a mish mash of ingredients made for adult magazines.
Thank you, Berkeley Publishing, for the complimentary copy of Spider Game.
It is a sad day when I can’t even find one worthy thing about the protagonists. Our hero and heroine left much to be desired. I liked Cayenne well enough, but for a “black widow,” she doesn’t have much back bone or grit when it comes to “her man.” Trap’s a pr*ck. A down right grade A, overbearing pr*ck, who likes to play in the world of bondage, dominance, and submissive. Feehan’s alpha male certainly left a nasty taste in my mouth. And I’m one of those readers who absolutely loves a man who possesses dominance and control, the more the better, in my opinion. Make no mistake, while Trap demanded complete control, he isn’t a dominant. Sorry not sorry, the need for control is NO EXCUSE to deal out the verbal attacks this man handed out to “his woman” when he wasn’t getting his own way.
Speaking of the term “his woman,” if I never read that, along with “your woman, my man, my woman, your man” again, it won’t be too soon! Ladies and gents, the term woman was used 223 times and the term baby was used 228 times. I wanted to poke my eyes out with flaming hot picks. To say I was beyond OVER these phrases is an understatement.
As you can see, Feehan’s repetitiveness is in full force. It doesn’t end with just these phrases those (e.g. quirks and traits, house descriptions, Trap and Cay's inner thoughts/conversations). Between that and the useless, long drawn out descriptions (e.g. cooking scene) Spider Game could have been half the amount of pages.
Also, I am slowly getting tired of sex being used to fill plot lines. What happened to applying thought and imagination to plot/character development? Don’t get me wrong, I like sexy times just as much as the next girl, but f*ck, enough is enough! Pages upon pages of each intimate act are not needed to make a five star read, sometimes less is best.
Where the hell did the intrigue and suspense that this series is known for go? Where is the camaraderie, humor, and team work that we all fell head over heels for? What in the world has happened to Whitney? All we have heard lately is that he is out there waiting to strike. Where are the hot, charismatic special ops guys that made your heart AND panties melt? Where are the heroines who are not only enhanced but have sass, grit, and strength of character?
I feel like all of this has taken a back seat to lord knows what this author is currently trying to create. At one point, this series had all the right components for the perfect romantic/paranormal suspense novel, now all it has is a mish mash of ingredients made for adult magazines.
Thank you, Berkeley Publishing, for the complimentary copy of Spider Game.
January 30, 2016
3.25 stars---
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 26, 2016
The Cajun dive in the middle of the godforsaken swamps wasn’t exactly Trap Dawkins’ idea of fun. But the GhostWalker wasn’t there for a good time. He was looking for her. Cayenne. It’s where she found her victims. Poor suckers. Then again, who wouldn’t want to leave a place like this with a woman like her?
It’s not Cayenne’s fault. Locked up, experimented on and never knowing kindness, she was bred this way—with a heart of pure venom. Trap understands her. He survived his own dark past and he shares her desire for getting even. But now Trap’s greatest danger is Cayenne herself. Because what’s inside her is hard to control—especially when it’s aroused by a lover as reckless as Trap.
••••••
REVIEW: 3.25 stars---SPIDER GAME is the twelfth installment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult GHOSTWALKERS paranormal, romance series focusing on an elite group of ‘genetically enhanced’ men and women known as the Ghostwalkers. These ‘supersoldiers’ are part of an unauthorized government experiment performed by Dr. Peter Whitney-a man tantamount to evil incarnate. This is Dr. Trap Dawkins, and Cayenne’s storyline. Trap and Cayenne were first introduced, along with a new team of Ghostwalkers, in Viper Game (Ghostwalkers #11). SPIDER GAME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.
Told from several third person points of view including Cayenne and Trap, SPIDER GAME continues to focus on the dangerous experiments of Dr. Peter Whitney. Cayenne is considered a failure; an experiment gone horribly wrong and, along with Wyatt Fontenont’s children (Viper Game #11), was tagged for extermination. Rescued by Trap and Wyatt, Cayenne found herself alone without any food, clothing or a place to live. To stay alive, Cayenne resorted to some unethical tactics in order to survive in the Louisiana Bayou. When Trap discovers that the Cayene is the woman ‘made’ especially for him, he sets out to ‘trap’ his wayward mate but in doing also brings the hunt for Cayenne to his front door.
Cayenne is a Ghostwalker with enhanced special abilities brought about by ‘spider DNA’. Cayenne is a dangerous soldier whose training saw the death of many Ghostwalker Teams, and the potential for many more. Trap is a billionaire researcher; an inventor whose past has threatened to destroy once again. It is the nature of the male Ghostwalker to provide, protect and be all alpha male when his female is threatened by an outside source but Trap’s over protective nature leaves something to be desired.
The secondary and supporting cast includes Wyatt and Trap’s new team of genetically enhanced soldiers including Malachai, Mordichai and Ezekiel Fortunes; Jo and Draden. There are a few cameo appearances ( and several mentions of) by earlier Ghostwalkers including Gator and Flame, Lily and Ryland, and of course, Nonny who is everybody’s loving grand-mere. Violet Smythe’s return and her ambitions for the vice-presidency sets up some revealing information and the potential for a more dangerous mission for all of the Ghostwalkers.
But….there comes a time in every author’s career where a change in direction is needed or required; where the long quiet muse has finally awakened some dormant need in many authors to push the boundaries of the character to a dark and dangerous abyss that borders on a free fall of questionable choices, and in this SPIDER GAME has fallen into the dangerous area of questionable actions and behavior of the leading hero. This is also true of most of Christine Feehan’s series-the amount of abuse, graphic violence, and aggression towards women is elevating at an exponential rate, and her heroes are the perpetrators of much of the abuse.
In SPIDER GAME, Trap is an over protective alpha male but his actions towards his mate borders on abusive. His bi-polar emotional and physical outbursts would give anyone whiplash. When a beloved series by a favorite author crosses over into a territory where mental, emotional, physical and sexual abuse is hidden behind the proclamation of love and protection, it is time to question the author’s motives: From where did this anger come? To whom is it directed at? And why is the target always the women or female lead? Trap Hawkins is NOT a likeable hero; he tries to justify his actions at every opportunity but he comes across as a controlling, jealous, and abusive pr*ck. This is not romance or romantic; this is not love or even akin to anything near love; this is all about power and control. At times, there were scenes of questionable consent that bordered on sexual assault, and for a powerful heroine she took it without question or a fight. An abuser hides behind and uses ‘love’ to justify his actions and Trap Dawkins tries to justify his actions as a need to protect. Cayenne has been tortured, experimented upon, and abused for years by scientists all in the name of the ultimate weapon of destruction, and her ‘freedom’ forces Cayenne from one abuser to another (from the proverbial frying pan into the fire)-this is NOT the love of a protective male but the need to control; to break the will of an injured animal that must succumb to the abuse in order to survive.
SPIDER GAME is a sexually graphic story line with scenes of questionable consent and graphic acts of power and control. In the past, some of Christine Feehan’s male leads (especially in the Dark Series) have ‘forced’ their females into a mating, bordering on rape and sexual assault, but the frequency of abusive situations is increasing, and I am having a difficult time looking past the act and seeing a potential, positive outcome for these story line heroines. Many readers become one with the story, with the leading hero or heroine to experience the ultimate fantasy romance but when romance becomes abuse, perhaps it is time to find another hero (or series) with whom to fall in love.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 26, 2016
The Cajun dive in the middle of the godforsaken swamps wasn’t exactly Trap Dawkins’ idea of fun. But the GhostWalker wasn’t there for a good time. He was looking for her. Cayenne. It’s where she found her victims. Poor suckers. Then again, who wouldn’t want to leave a place like this with a woman like her?
It’s not Cayenne’s fault. Locked up, experimented on and never knowing kindness, she was bred this way—with a heart of pure venom. Trap understands her. He survived his own dark past and he shares her desire for getting even. But now Trap’s greatest danger is Cayenne herself. Because what’s inside her is hard to control—especially when it’s aroused by a lover as reckless as Trap.
••••••
REVIEW: 3.25 stars---SPIDER GAME is the twelfth installment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult GHOSTWALKERS paranormal, romance series focusing on an elite group of ‘genetically enhanced’ men and women known as the Ghostwalkers. These ‘supersoldiers’ are part of an unauthorized government experiment performed by Dr. Peter Whitney-a man tantamount to evil incarnate. This is Dr. Trap Dawkins, and Cayenne’s storyline. Trap and Cayenne were first introduced, along with a new team of Ghostwalkers, in Viper Game (Ghostwalkers #11). SPIDER GAME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.
Told from several third person points of view including Cayenne and Trap, SPIDER GAME continues to focus on the dangerous experiments of Dr. Peter Whitney. Cayenne is considered a failure; an experiment gone horribly wrong and, along with Wyatt Fontenont’s children (Viper Game #11), was tagged for extermination. Rescued by Trap and Wyatt, Cayenne found herself alone without any food, clothing or a place to live. To stay alive, Cayenne resorted to some unethical tactics in order to survive in the Louisiana Bayou. When Trap discovers that the Cayene is the woman ‘made’ especially for him, he sets out to ‘trap’ his wayward mate but in doing also brings the hunt for Cayenne to his front door.
Cayenne is a Ghostwalker with enhanced special abilities brought about by ‘spider DNA’. Cayenne is a dangerous soldier whose training saw the death of many Ghostwalker Teams, and the potential for many more. Trap is a billionaire researcher; an inventor whose past has threatened to destroy once again. It is the nature of the male Ghostwalker to provide, protect and be all alpha male when his female is threatened by an outside source but Trap’s over protective nature leaves something to be desired.
The secondary and supporting cast includes Wyatt and Trap’s new team of genetically enhanced soldiers including Malachai, Mordichai and Ezekiel Fortunes; Jo and Draden. There are a few cameo appearances ( and several mentions of) by earlier Ghostwalkers including Gator and Flame, Lily and Ryland, and of course, Nonny who is everybody’s loving grand-mere. Violet Smythe’s return and her ambitions for the vice-presidency sets up some revealing information and the potential for a more dangerous mission for all of the Ghostwalkers.
But….there comes a time in every author’s career where a change in direction is needed or required; where the long quiet muse has finally awakened some dormant need in many authors to push the boundaries of the character to a dark and dangerous abyss that borders on a free fall of questionable choices, and in this SPIDER GAME has fallen into the dangerous area of questionable actions and behavior of the leading hero. This is also true of most of Christine Feehan’s series-the amount of abuse, graphic violence, and aggression towards women is elevating at an exponential rate, and her heroes are the perpetrators of much of the abuse.
In SPIDER GAME, Trap is an over protective alpha male but his actions towards his mate borders on abusive. His bi-polar emotional and physical outbursts would give anyone whiplash. When a beloved series by a favorite author crosses over into a territory where mental, emotional, physical and sexual abuse is hidden behind the proclamation of love and protection, it is time to question the author’s motives: From where did this anger come? To whom is it directed at? And why is the target always the women or female lead? Trap Hawkins is NOT a likeable hero; he tries to justify his actions at every opportunity but he comes across as a controlling, jealous, and abusive pr*ck. This is not romance or romantic; this is not love or even akin to anything near love; this is all about power and control. At times, there were scenes of questionable consent that bordered on sexual assault, and for a powerful heroine she took it without question or a fight. An abuser hides behind and uses ‘love’ to justify his actions and Trap Dawkins tries to justify his actions as a need to protect. Cayenne has been tortured, experimented upon, and abused for years by scientists all in the name of the ultimate weapon of destruction, and her ‘freedom’ forces Cayenne from one abuser to another (from the proverbial frying pan into the fire)-this is NOT the love of a protective male but the need to control; to break the will of an injured animal that must succumb to the abuse in order to survive.
SPIDER GAME is a sexually graphic story line with scenes of questionable consent and graphic acts of power and control. In the past, some of Christine Feehan’s male leads (especially in the Dark Series) have ‘forced’ their females into a mating, bordering on rape and sexual assault, but the frequency of abusive situations is increasing, and I am having a difficult time looking past the act and seeing a potential, positive outcome for these story line heroines. Many readers become one with the story, with the leading hero or heroine to experience the ultimate fantasy romance but when romance becomes abuse, perhaps it is time to find another hero (or series) with whom to fall in love.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.
www.thereadingcafe.com
February 8, 2016
Thank God I finished. Took me too long even when I skipped pages and pages. Unnecessary long book. I was very looking forward to Trap and Cayenne's story but Feehan disappointed me yet again (hardly surprising). This book had so much potential with the old team showing up and old enemies but Feehan didn't use that opportunity to write an epic story but spent a lot of time on Trap's thoughts. His thoughts took half of the book most of it was repetition. Cayenne is very interesting gal but Feehan's new signature is to turn her heroes into bunch of cruel jackasses and her heroines into such weakling dolts when they are not. This book could have been a great reunion and epic action like this series used to be rather it focused on too much repetitive sex that becomes boring over time and less on delivering a good story. Feehan, you lost how to balance a story. Either finish this series or get it together.
January 31, 2016
I didn't love this book, or hate it, it was pretty 'meh' for me. Which sucks because I think Cayenne was probably the coolest heroine we've had in this series for awhile. I just thought her powers were pretty cool and I wish we could have had more fight scenes to see her use them. Trap on the other hand really did nothing for me, I felt no emotional connection to him and mostly thought he was a dick.
I'm not sure what is going on with Feehan but her last few books have really been unimpressive and it makes me really sad. I'll probably give her next book a try but I'm pretty close to giving up on them all together.
I'm not sure what is going on with Feehan but her last few books have really been unimpressive and it makes me really sad. I'll probably give her next book a try but I'm pretty close to giving up on them all together.
February 10, 2016
Well this is another Feehan series down the tubes.
The main problem with this book is that I noticed all the plot inconsistencies. I'm not bothering with separating my spoilers so:
The main problem with this book is that I noticed all the plot inconsistencies. I'm not bothering with separating my spoilers so:
January 30, 2016
I enjoyed Spider Game the 25% storyline was good the other 75% sex scenes was just to much. CF needs to write novella's if she can't develop enough story to write for a full novel. Now she is taking a page from Fifty Shade of Grey for her sex scenes. The small amount of story about Dr.Whitney and Violet never got off the ground and didn't make much sense. It was over before it started. The story about Trap and his murderous uncles was good but not enough of it. The ending was rushed and the Uncles got a way to easy death. They should have gotten a slow horrible death. Instead of quick and easy one. I did like Trap and Cayenne as a couple and I felt like they truly loved each other. . Just wanted less sex and more story!!
Read
February 8, 2016Thank you Lord,I finally finished this book!
Review pending as I need to gather my scattered thoughts!
Review pending as I need to gather my scattered thoughts!
January 19, 2016
Too much sex, not enough plot/ action!
February 3, 2018
I own everything Christine Feehan has ever written in the Dark, Sea Haven, Sisters of the Heart, and Jaguar series and as a writer I have always loved her characters. Her women are no weak willed fainting flowers and her heroes are no only alpha protectors they have always been known for knowing when to back off and let their leading ladies take the lead. This does not seem to be the case anymore. This is the second book she has released that has a dominate leading male who has crossed the line into abusive behavior and the little ladies are supposed to be wounded from their behavior but to understand that the guys are "damaged" and suffering terribly. Sorry, but that is NO excuse for emotional abuse. I am not a fan of dominance/submission roles in my romance, but I have a policy of live and let live if both are happy and it hurts no one. This is the second book Ms. Feehan has released that the hero is emotionally and verbally abusive toward the female lead without any change of heart or repercussions. (And just for the record, not that it matters all that much, but the language has gotten really bad as well. A word or two to express extreme moments of stress is completely understandable, but literally cannot get through a page without the "f" word).
I don't know what has changed but I really hope Ms. Feehan can get back to what makes her characters unforgettable and her worlds memorable before she alters the Sisters or the Heart or Dark Series so much that I can't read that anymore either. :(
I am not ready to give up on the ghost walkers yet, or any of Feehan's series for that matter yet, but I was very disappointed in the lost potential these two characters had. The story was right, the setting was great, but the main female character was too "messed up" to be in a healthy relationship (she should not have been quite so .... damaged for lack of a better word, emotionally) and the main male character was just unpalatable. Dominance and aggressiveness I can understand, but if someone loves someone, they do NOT verbally abuse that person knowing it will damage them emotionally. And even that, I might could find a way to tolerate if there was any learning or changing in his behavior. But the story ends on the male lead getting everything he wants the way he wants it despite how it might hurt or be abusing to the female lead. Sorry, Christine, I do love your books, but this one and Wild Cat I have to say were not good books. Spider Game was ok, but left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
I don't know what has changed but I really hope Ms. Feehan can get back to what makes her characters unforgettable and her worlds memorable before she alters the Sisters or the Heart or Dark Series so much that I can't read that anymore either. :(
I am not ready to give up on the ghost walkers yet, or any of Feehan's series for that matter yet, but I was very disappointed in the lost potential these two characters had. The story was right, the setting was great, but the main female character was too "messed up" to be in a healthy relationship (she should not have been quite so .... damaged for lack of a better word, emotionally) and the main male character was just unpalatable. Dominance and aggressiveness I can understand, but if someone loves someone, they do NOT verbally abuse that person knowing it will damage them emotionally. And even that, I might could find a way to tolerate if there was any learning or changing in his behavior. But the story ends on the male lead getting everything he wants the way he wants it despite how it might hurt or be abusing to the female lead. Sorry, Christine, I do love your books, but this one and Wild Cat I have to say were not good books. Spider Game was ok, but left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
January 27, 2016
Trap Dawkins is a trained killer who’s met his match, because what’s inside Cayenne is hard to control – especially when it’s aroused by a lover as reckless as Trap in this adrenaline-charged paranormal romance.
Cayenne’s been locked up, experimented on and has never known kindness and the readers can’t help but get caught in the exhilarating web of passion and thrills as Trap sets out to convince Cayenne that she’s not a monster. The chemistry and emotional turmoil flows from the pages and captures the heart as these strong, charismatic characters draw readers into their world and refuse to let go and with Cayenne now facing the unknown and everything she’s been taught about herself, Trap has his work cut out for him in getting past her fears and showing her that she’s not alone and she can learn to exist in the world of course, Trap has some issues of his own that add to turbulence and make this couple a perfect match for each other in this fast paced, smooth flowing plot full of suspense, action and romance.
There is never a dull moment to be found in this thrilling story as not only is Cayenne deadly, she has little control of some parts of herself which makes Trap’s courtship of her a risky proposition that keeps readers on the edge of their seat and excitement builds throughout the story as the GhostWalkers’ enemies have targeted Cayenne for termination with Trap’s past showing up to cause a bit of mischief (I got a good chuckle at Cayenne’s solution) as well and in an unexpected twist changes the rules of the game that the GhostWalkers have been fighting and since the author spins her tales with well written scenes, the readers can enjoy every vivid detail as they become immersed in the story.
The GhostWalkers series always manages to thrill me while surprising me with new experiences in their fight against the evil Dr. Whitney and Trap and Cayenne caught me in their web from the very beginning and there was no way I could put their story down.
- Eva
Cayenne’s been locked up, experimented on and has never known kindness and the readers can’t help but get caught in the exhilarating web of passion and thrills as Trap sets out to convince Cayenne that she’s not a monster. The chemistry and emotional turmoil flows from the pages and captures the heart as these strong, charismatic characters draw readers into their world and refuse to let go and with Cayenne now facing the unknown and everything she’s been taught about herself, Trap has his work cut out for him in getting past her fears and showing her that she’s not alone and she can learn to exist in the world of course, Trap has some issues of his own that add to turbulence and make this couple a perfect match for each other in this fast paced, smooth flowing plot full of suspense, action and romance.
There is never a dull moment to be found in this thrilling story as not only is Cayenne deadly, she has little control of some parts of herself which makes Trap’s courtship of her a risky proposition that keeps readers on the edge of their seat and excitement builds throughout the story as the GhostWalkers’ enemies have targeted Cayenne for termination with Trap’s past showing up to cause a bit of mischief (I got a good chuckle at Cayenne’s solution) as well and in an unexpected twist changes the rules of the game that the GhostWalkers have been fighting and since the author spins her tales with well written scenes, the readers can enjoy every vivid detail as they become immersed in the story.
The GhostWalkers series always manages to thrill me while surprising me with new experiences in their fight against the evil Dr. Whitney and Trap and Cayenne caught me in their web from the very beginning and there was no way I could put their story down.
- Eva
October 12, 2015
3.5 stars
The genetically modified leads have a strong chemistry that worked well. The sex is spicy, and the emotional intimacy almost as strong.
The plot of Whitney and Violet will be familiar to series readers but will likely have new readers totally confused. Some of the paranormal aspects of the story weren't explained well (where exactly does Cayenne's spider webs come from) but still interesting. The community of men from this Ghost Walker team are wonderful, especially the brothers, and will have readers anxious for their stories.
My issue with this romance is Trap. Cayenne has no experience with the outside world and this was powerfully written, for example when she has to go shopping. Trap's almost autistic disassociation is laid out well but how he treats Cayenne is almost unforgivable to me. For instance, he gets jealous when Cayenne responds to one of Trap's friend's teasing and Trap says horrible stuff to her, like accusing her of seducing other men. Cayenne remains calm and understanding in the face of Trap's emotional abuse. His apology is of the "you know it's because I love you so much and can't be without you" variety--classic abuser thinking!
Series fans like me will have to read this book but it's certainly not my favorite romance of the series.
The genetically modified leads have a strong chemistry that worked well. The sex is spicy, and the emotional intimacy almost as strong.
The plot of Whitney and Violet will be familiar to series readers but will likely have new readers totally confused. Some of the paranormal aspects of the story weren't explained well (where exactly does Cayenne's spider webs come from) but still interesting. The community of men from this Ghost Walker team are wonderful, especially the brothers, and will have readers anxious for their stories.
My issue with this romance is Trap. Cayenne has no experience with the outside world and this was powerfully written, for example when she has to go shopping. Trap's almost autistic disassociation is laid out well but how he treats Cayenne is almost unforgivable to me. For instance, he gets jealous when Cayenne responds to one of Trap's friend's teasing and Trap says horrible stuff to her, like accusing her of seducing other men. Cayenne remains calm and understanding in the face of Trap's emotional abuse. His apology is of the "you know it's because I love you so much and can't be without you" variety--classic abuser thinking!
Series fans like me will have to read this book but it's certainly not my favorite romance of the series.
February 1, 2016
Paranormal and romance woven into perfection...
I LOVE this author. Let's just get that right in the open up front. She hooked me on the Dark series and anything she writes I'm sure to follow. Regardless of the series—whether vampires or shifters or green-eyed aliens (if she ever chose to write them)—I know the characters will be interesting and the writing will be stellar. This outing was no exception. Even if I paused just for a second at the thought of... spider woman?
Trap Dawkins is a Ghostwalker. That alone made him special let alone the traits and skills uniquely his own. He was a killer but he was so much more than that... And Cayenne helped him see that. Pursuing her, Trap thought he knew what he would find when he caught up with her. He had no freakin' clue....
"She made him whole. She made him a better man. She did it all by giving herself to him without reservation."
Where do I start trying to describe these complex characters? Trap is gorgeous and protective but also controlling and a bit of a p***k. How I could consider that a mark in the plus column I'm not sure, but honestly, the whole package is more than the sum of its parts in this case. While some of the things he comes up with should offend my feminine sensibilities, I just can't seem to care. He's a complex man but has some simple thoughts on how things should be. It's his way and he's unapologetic about it. Would he translate so well in real life? I'm not sure, but again I repeat, I don't care!
Cayenne's character has been through so much that to see her come out so confident and strong is a testament to how this author feels about what a woman can accomplish. Yes, she falls under Trap's spell, (she's not alone, see previous paragraph) but she does not lose herself completely in the surrender. When push comes to shove she can still be as ruthless as her training made her and twice as deadly. Men are not the only ones who love fiercely and protectively, and with her skills she has what it takes to back it up.
There is danger and harm around every corner, with a more than healthy dose of paranormal to keep everyone on their toes, but as usual the ensemble cast and the lead characters ably fight through it while taking the reader along on the same exciting ride. Another great read! ~ Diane, 4 stars
I LOVE this author. Let's just get that right in the open up front. She hooked me on the Dark series and anything she writes I'm sure to follow. Regardless of the series—whether vampires or shifters or green-eyed aliens (if she ever chose to write them)—I know the characters will be interesting and the writing will be stellar. This outing was no exception. Even if I paused just for a second at the thought of... spider woman?
Trap Dawkins is a Ghostwalker. That alone made him special let alone the traits and skills uniquely his own. He was a killer but he was so much more than that... And Cayenne helped him see that. Pursuing her, Trap thought he knew what he would find when he caught up with her. He had no freakin' clue....
"She made him whole. She made him a better man. She did it all by giving herself to him without reservation."
Where do I start trying to describe these complex characters? Trap is gorgeous and protective but also controlling and a bit of a p***k. How I could consider that a mark in the plus column I'm not sure, but honestly, the whole package is more than the sum of its parts in this case. While some of the things he comes up with should offend my feminine sensibilities, I just can't seem to care. He's a complex man but has some simple thoughts on how things should be. It's his way and he's unapologetic about it. Would he translate so well in real life? I'm not sure, but again I repeat, I don't care!
Cayenne's character has been through so much that to see her come out so confident and strong is a testament to how this author feels about what a woman can accomplish. Yes, she falls under Trap's spell, (she's not alone, see previous paragraph) but she does not lose herself completely in the surrender. When push comes to shove she can still be as ruthless as her training made her and twice as deadly. Men are not the only ones who love fiercely and protectively, and with her skills she has what it takes to back it up.
There is danger and harm around every corner, with a more than healthy dose of paranormal to keep everyone on their toes, but as usual the ensemble cast and the lead characters ably fight through it while taking the reader along on the same exciting ride. Another great read! ~ Diane, 4 stars
April 7, 2016
Where to start? I won't recap the book, you've read it and either liked it or not. I'm of the NOT group and am really so very disappointed in Feehan for the trash she is writing and collecting money for. Is she just going to rest on her laurels now? I truly feel ripped off. I've been reading her since 1999 and though there have been some books that were truly GOOD and others that were ok, they were all enjoyable. And that was in all her series.
For me she has now ruined the Ghost Walkers series. This is romance for one, not Sci-Fi. Spiders and snakes, oh my! What bullshit. I swear I wouldn't have been surprised to find out she could shoot webs out her ass. And Cayenne is another whiny heroine who will do whatever Trap says. He is a mess himself and I don't care if you agree or not, he's an emotionally abusive ass. Women who have been with a man like that know it isn't wonderful and that they just love you soooo much they don't want to share you. Nope, get thee to a counselor asap! This has nothing to do with love and everything to do with control.
So bottom line, I had a hard time finishing it. I'm having an even harder time with why this author has gone down this road. She has skirted the edge of this before and, IMO, has taken this too far. Her couples used to be so much more balanced and the men did not act like cavemen. Or not like this anyway. They treated the women with respect and love. And they didn't say F*** every other word. What is with that?
It's hard to think about giving up an author that I have so many years invested in but unless things change I don't know if I can read another book of hers. I've found for me, that even in fiction, abuse of any kind is not ok. I think she is sending out a bad message with her making excuses that it's all in love so it's ok. Yes, it's fiction but it still sends it out there.
For me she has now ruined the Ghost Walkers series. This is romance for one, not Sci-Fi. Spiders and snakes, oh my! What bullshit. I swear I wouldn't have been surprised to find out she could shoot webs out her ass. And Cayenne is another whiny heroine who will do whatever Trap says. He is a mess himself and I don't care if you agree or not, he's an emotionally abusive ass. Women who have been with a man like that know it isn't wonderful and that they just love you soooo much they don't want to share you. Nope, get thee to a counselor asap! This has nothing to do with love and everything to do with control.
So bottom line, I had a hard time finishing it. I'm having an even harder time with why this author has gone down this road. She has skirted the edge of this before and, IMO, has taken this too far. Her couples used to be so much more balanced and the men did not act like cavemen. Or not like this anyway. They treated the women with respect and love. And they didn't say F*** every other word. What is with that?
It's hard to think about giving up an author that I have so many years invested in but unless things change I don't know if I can read another book of hers. I've found for me, that even in fiction, abuse of any kind is not ok. I think she is sending out a bad message with her making excuses that it's all in love so it's ok. Yes, it's fiction but it still sends it out there.
October 31, 2016
3½.
TOO MUCH SEX. Seriously, I love this series. I love the matching of wits between the various Ghostwalker teams versus the dastardly Dr. Whitney and we didn't get enough of that. Also, the subplot of Trap and his uncles wasn't developed as well. But the whole alpha male thing was emphasized ad nauseum.
Cayenne was rescued from her cage in the last book Viper Game and we learned that her dna was spliced with a Black widow DNA. So from last book, we went from snake DNA to now spider DNA. Yikes!
Let me say this: According to National Geographics, black widows are solitary except when mating. So Trap expecting Cayenne, who lived in a cage all her life, to make good decisions in more social settings is ridiculous.
Also, Trap constantly dominating Cayenne seemed weird considering I was expecting her to either eat him or inject him with venom after they were intimate. He seemed like another jailer and an overbearing partner. He did seem to love her but he has a very rough way of showing it due to his own jacked up family situation. He wasn't as sweet as I would have liked for her.
But I love the whole family dynamic with Wyatt & Co. etc. It added humor, history as well as a sense of collective strength. Dr. Whitney and these extra animal experiments are becoming more and more twisted. I love this series and hope the author gets back to the heart of this series, stopping Dr. Whitney.
TOO MUCH SEX. Seriously, I love this series. I love the matching of wits between the various Ghostwalker teams versus the dastardly Dr. Whitney and we didn't get enough of that. Also, the subplot of Trap and his uncles wasn't developed as well. But the whole alpha male thing was emphasized ad nauseum.
Cayenne was rescued from her cage in the last book Viper Game and we learned that her dna was spliced with a Black widow DNA. So from last book, we went from snake DNA to now spider DNA. Yikes!
Let me say this: According to National Geographics, black widows are solitary except when mating. So Trap expecting Cayenne, who lived in a cage all her life, to make good decisions in more social settings is ridiculous.
Also, Trap constantly dominating Cayenne seemed weird considering I was expecting her to either eat him or inject him with venom after they were intimate. He seemed like another jailer and an overbearing partner. He did seem to love her but he has a very rough way of showing it due to his own jacked up family situation. He wasn't as sweet as I would have liked for her.
But I love the whole family dynamic with Wyatt & Co. etc. It added humor, history as well as a sense of collective strength. Dr. Whitney and these extra animal experiments are becoming more and more twisted. I love this series and hope the author gets back to the heart of this series, stopping Dr. Whitney.
December 4, 2019
Review to Follow
January 30, 2016
First off, there was a review I read that said that Trap was completely abusive. I disagree with that statement. Sure, he was a huge emotionally abusive jerk twice but, while I’m not excusing his behavior, I can kind of understand it. While I do understand it, I really wish he could’ve gotten a hold on his emotions so he didn’t treat Cayenne that way.
I don’t think Trap is as bad as Wyatt is, he continually hurt Pepper but Trap was amazing with Cayenne when he wasn’t being a jealous jerk those two times.
I almost cried a few times when he was speaking to her, he was so sweet and comforting and, even when he could’ve taken control, he didn’t. He let Cayenne get used to him, find her own way to be with him. Also, the cooking lesson was funny. Not the actual cooking lesson but the banter in the middle of it with one of the team members.
This is one of the first Ghostwalker books where the couple is married before the end of the book so, I liked seeing that, though it wasn’t really all that much different, except for the husband and wife titles.
I really liked knowing Gator and Flame were there even if they didn’t actually make an appearance. I really want to know Gator’s reaction to his brother becoming a Ghostwalker, I want to read that scene.
The ending was a little anticlimactic, it was so quick and hardly any action happened when they were supposed to be this huge threat.
With everything going on with the plot, the attack, the gala and the attack at the end, though anticlimactic, all kept the book from getting boring however, in the beginning Trap and the team kind of explain how to count peanut shells on the floor and my eyes kind of glazed over at that, I kind of just skimmed over that. Science and math aren’t all that interesting for me.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
I don’t think Trap is as bad as Wyatt is, he continually hurt Pepper but Trap was amazing with Cayenne when he wasn’t being a jealous jerk those two times.
I almost cried a few times when he was speaking to her, he was so sweet and comforting and, even when he could’ve taken control, he didn’t. He let Cayenne get used to him, find her own way to be with him. Also, the cooking lesson was funny. Not the actual cooking lesson but the banter in the middle of it with one of the team members.
This is one of the first Ghostwalker books where the couple is married before the end of the book so, I liked seeing that, though it wasn’t really all that much different, except for the husband and wife titles.
I really liked knowing Gator and Flame were there even if they didn’t actually make an appearance. I really want to know Gator’s reaction to his brother becoming a Ghostwalker, I want to read that scene.
The ending was a little anticlimactic, it was so quick and hardly any action happened when they were supposed to be this huge threat.
With everything going on with the plot, the attack, the gala and the attack at the end, though anticlimactic, all kept the book from getting boring however, in the beginning Trap and the team kind of explain how to count peanut shells on the floor and my eyes kind of glazed over at that, I kind of just skimmed over that. Science and math aren’t all that interesting for me.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
April 4, 2019
I had a hard time connecting to the MCs. I feel Trap underwent a personality change from the last book to this one. I felt sorry for Cayenne. But spiders...no...just no. It was a bridge too far.
The story was ok. But I was mostly bored. Waiting for something to happen.
The story was ok. But I was mostly bored. Waiting for something to happen.
February 10, 2017
You know what I worried most about this series?
Ms. Feehan created these H/h abilities more and more like H/h in Carpathian books.
I'm glad that not happening and still one of the series I like:)
Ms. Feehan created these H/h abilities more and more like H/h in Carpathian books.
I'm glad that not happening and still one of the series I like:)
January 28, 2016
After reading the Books 1st chapter where Trap described Wyatt as being too sweet I decided I would hate this book. B/c Wyatt was a complete jerk I thought Trap would be a colossal asshole. So happy I was wrong.
I loved Cayenne the h. Her life was hell until Trap the H rescued her 4 months ago. The H tracked her down b/c she ran after she was rescued. I loved being in her mind. She wasn't like most of CF h's that say it's wrong to kill the vile petverts and evil people. Whatever I say some people need to die. She had compassion and the need to belong b/c she has never had anyone. But she was not a pushover. She was honest w/ herself.
For the most part I really liked Trap. There were a few times where he needed his ass kcked. He so pissed me off w/ the comments he said to the h out of some misguided jealousy.
The H/h learn to accept each other. I enjoyed the humor and emotional connection between them. Their relationship was not one sided. Usually it's the h in CF most recent books that give. Their only goal is to please the H b/c that is what makes them happy. H wanted to be a good man for the h. Her happiness meant everything to him.
The sex was hot and I was happily surprised CF went Vanilla kinky.
This is a re read for me. I took off a star b/c of all the repetitive details and Traps a-hole behavior in the plane.
I loved Cayenne the h. Her life was hell until Trap the H rescued her 4 months ago. The H tracked her down b/c she ran after she was rescued. I loved being in her mind. She wasn't like most of CF h's that say it's wrong to kill the vile petverts and evil people. Whatever I say some people need to die. She had compassion and the need to belong b/c she has never had anyone. But she was not a pushover. She was honest w/ herself.
For the most part I really liked Trap. There were a few times where he needed his ass kcked. He so pissed me off w/ the comments he said to the h out of some misguided jealousy.
The H/h learn to accept each other. I enjoyed the humor and emotional connection between them. Their relationship was not one sided. Usually it's the h in CF most recent books that give. Their only goal is to please the H b/c that is what makes them happy. H wanted to be a good man for the h. Her happiness meant everything to him.
The sex was hot and I was happily surprised CF went Vanilla kinky.
This is a re read for me. I took off a star b/c of all the repetitive details and Traps a-hole behavior in the plane.
March 14, 2016
3.5 stars.
I was interested in the spider-woman ever since she was introduced in the last book Viper Game.
Cayenne turned out to be a very very forgiving and like-able heroine. Loved her super-hero spider-woman abilities.
Trap, on the other hand, turned out to be a bit of a jerk. I get that he had a tough upbringing and he is "Ice" under critical situations but I didn't think that excused him from the nasty remarks he keeps giving Cayenne whenever he feels jealous and under stress. I don't think it makes it ok because he tells her that she has to understand that's the way he is. I think she's far too understanding.
The book is a mite long and a bit repetitive in places. The whole episode with Violet seems superfluous, but I'm guessing it's setting up for the upcoming books.
Overall, still a good read.
I was interested in the spider-woman ever since she was introduced in the last book Viper Game.
Cayenne turned out to be a very very forgiving and like-able heroine. Loved her super-hero spider-woman abilities.
Trap, on the other hand, turned out to be a bit of a jerk. I get that he had a tough upbringing and he is "Ice" under critical situations but I didn't think that excused him from the nasty remarks he keeps giving Cayenne whenever he feels jealous and under stress. I don't think it makes it ok because he tells her that she has to understand that's the way he is. I think she's far too understanding.
The book is a mite long and a bit repetitive in places. The whole episode with Violet seems superfluous, but I'm guessing it's setting up for the upcoming books.
Overall, still a good read.
April 12, 2016
I haven't really like the tone of the men in the last few of this series. Yes, these men are alpha, but they are becoming mean. Trap was right up there with the way that he could turn off and on his emotions in public. Once Cayenne understood she was ok with it, but the first time it happened I thought it was cruel. Cayenne was still so unsure of things between her and Trap, so Trap becoming a cold bastard undid all the positive forward movement he made with her.
The one thing that saved this book was Nonnie and how she welcomed Cayenne into the family. I loved the cooking class with Nonnie, Cayenne and Pepper. It made me wish that I could have joined in.
The one thing that saved this book was Nonnie and how she welcomed Cayenne into the family. I loved the cooking class with Nonnie, Cayenne and Pepper. It made me wish that I could have joined in.
February 5, 2016
After meeting the newest Ghostwalker team and Trap Dawkins and Cayenne in the last book Viper Game , I was really excited to read Spider Game. Viper Game was one of my faves reads of 2015 and I was easily immersed back into the Ghostwalker world and all of the new characters. But for some reason, I did not enjoy Spider Game as much.
Trap is the Iceman. He is highly intelligent, filthy rich, a brilliant scientist and analyst. He has several skills that make him a force to be reckoned with and a dangerous enemy. He is usually aloof and calculating. He does not have any family attachments and his past marked him negatively, but he has formed bonds with his Ghostwalker family. But even with them he borders on anti-social and rude.
Cayenne is another one of Whitney's female experiments that was set for termination. Trap saved her when they were saving Pepper and the triplets in the first book. She is part woman and part arachnid. She's seen as a deadly black widow with seductive deadly enhancements. But she has lived her life in a cage and is just now free, vulnerable, and frightened of her new surroundings.
She and Trap ended up with that psychic mental pull to each other and intense physical need engineered to mate them. But both have dangerous reasons to resist being together. They can telepathically communicate and both are deadly in their own way. She has the ultimate of defenses, feeling a need to be independent, scared of relying on anyone, and afraid to get close. She strikes out when cornered or afraid. But he is not afraid to push her and demand she be his. It begins as war within themselves and each other.
Trap is determined to win her at all costs despite her intense fears and lack of experience in the real world. As they begin to navigate the world together, they will both have to face their fears, threats, and learn how to manage their enhancements. And this time there are multiple threats and players that could be coming for them.
I was disappointed that I did not love this one too. I just felt a disconnect with these characters and this story for some reason despite the fact that all of the characters I loved from Viper Game are back. I felt like the story dragged and was repetitive. I usually like when an author recaps the previous book because I generally need the refresher, but this one seemed to go overboard. And some of the other scenes like the sex scenes and even a cooking scene went on forever. I mean the cooking scene actually had all of the steps and measurements for the whole dish so I could probably take my kindle to the kitchen and make the dish myself. I just really struggled trying to push through it and there was of course some drama and suspense, but it just did not keep my attention like the other books. Maybe it was just my mood, but it took me three nights to get through it.
Cayenne's skittishness and fear annoyed me at the beginning, but she grew on me as she had such a voracious appetite for learning and wanted to be strong, equal, and his match in every way. I liked that she was adaptable and could hold her own with him in the bedroom, in the lab, and intellectually. And most of the time I liked Trap but there were times when his ice cracked and his inner hot anger came out that I would literally cringe at the things coming out of his mind or mouth. He was bossy, demanding, and very protective, but sometimes he was very moody and could even rage. Basically this was a story of two enhanced individuals that had lived their lives in a void with little or no feelings touching them for so long and their journey towards connecting, adapting, protecting each other, and thriving in the safest environment they could create together.
I like that the Ghostwalkers are trying to build them a new compound to protect each other from their enemies that just seem to be growing. I expect we will continue to see more from this team. The flirty and funny Malichai seemed to be spotlighted in this one, but there are also Mordichai, Zeke, Draden, and Gino still available.
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Trap is the Iceman. He is highly intelligent, filthy rich, a brilliant scientist and analyst. He has several skills that make him a force to be reckoned with and a dangerous enemy. He is usually aloof and calculating. He does not have any family attachments and his past marked him negatively, but he has formed bonds with his Ghostwalker family. But even with them he borders on anti-social and rude.
Cayenne is another one of Whitney's female experiments that was set for termination. Trap saved her when they were saving Pepper and the triplets in the first book. She is part woman and part arachnid. She's seen as a deadly black widow with seductive deadly enhancements. But she has lived her life in a cage and is just now free, vulnerable, and frightened of her new surroundings.
She and Trap ended up with that psychic mental pull to each other and intense physical need engineered to mate them. But both have dangerous reasons to resist being together. They can telepathically communicate and both are deadly in their own way. She has the ultimate of defenses, feeling a need to be independent, scared of relying on anyone, and afraid to get close. She strikes out when cornered or afraid. But he is not afraid to push her and demand she be his. It begins as war within themselves and each other.
Trap is determined to win her at all costs despite her intense fears and lack of experience in the real world. As they begin to navigate the world together, they will both have to face their fears, threats, and learn how to manage their enhancements. And this time there are multiple threats and players that could be coming for them.
I was disappointed that I did not love this one too. I just felt a disconnect with these characters and this story for some reason despite the fact that all of the characters I loved from Viper Game are back. I felt like the story dragged and was repetitive. I usually like when an author recaps the previous book because I generally need the refresher, but this one seemed to go overboard. And some of the other scenes like the sex scenes and even a cooking scene went on forever. I mean the cooking scene actually had all of the steps and measurements for the whole dish so I could probably take my kindle to the kitchen and make the dish myself. I just really struggled trying to push through it and there was of course some drama and suspense, but it just did not keep my attention like the other books. Maybe it was just my mood, but it took me three nights to get through it.
Cayenne's skittishness and fear annoyed me at the beginning, but she grew on me as she had such a voracious appetite for learning and wanted to be strong, equal, and his match in every way. I liked that she was adaptable and could hold her own with him in the bedroom, in the lab, and intellectually. And most of the time I liked Trap but there were times when his ice cracked and his inner hot anger came out that I would literally cringe at the things coming out of his mind or mouth. He was bossy, demanding, and very protective, but sometimes he was very moody and could even rage. Basically this was a story of two enhanced individuals that had lived their lives in a void with little or no feelings touching them for so long and their journey towards connecting, adapting, protecting each other, and thriving in the safest environment they could create together.
I like that the Ghostwalkers are trying to build them a new compound to protect each other from their enemies that just seem to be growing. I expect we will continue to see more from this team. The flirty and funny Malichai seemed to be spotlighted in this one, but there are also Mordichai, Zeke, Draden, and Gino still available.
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2016
I'm so disappointed of this book. This used to be one of my favorite sagas.
There is a thin line between being controlling and being abusive. The male main character crosses that line.
This has some sweet moments, that the reason I gave it two starts instead of one, but I can't condone the intention of the author of trying to pass something as abuse in a relationship as normal or even worth looking for.
I took me 3 months to write this review. I had to wait so I wouldn't say whatever was in my mind in a random way and send the series to hell.
I don't know if I can keep reading this series. If I do and this couple is mentioned again, it will ruin whatever I'm reading, I know it. Also, I'll fear to discover the next couple has a relationship as this one.
I'm depressed, angry and disappointed. Not how I expect to feel after reading a love story.
There is a thin line between being controlling and being abusive. The male main character crosses that line.
This has some sweet moments, that the reason I gave it two starts instead of one, but I can't condone the intention of the author of trying to pass something as abuse in a relationship as normal or even worth looking for.
I took me 3 months to write this review. I had to wait so I wouldn't say whatever was in my mind in a random way and send the series to hell.
I don't know if I can keep reading this series. If I do and this couple is mentioned again, it will ruin whatever I'm reading, I know it. Also, I'll fear to discover the next couple has a relationship as this one.
I'm depressed, angry and disappointed. Not how I expect to feel after reading a love story.
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