Librarian's note: Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9781465857538.
Power. Werewolf Alexa O’Brien has more power than she can handle. Learning how to control and use it effectively is at the top of her priority list. The one man who has the knowledge she needs is the vampire she loathes, Harley Kayson. He just so happens to be the sire of her vampire lover, Arys Knight.
Alexa’s wolf mate, Shaz, wants her to feel secure with the power she commands, especially with unwelcome new werewolves in town. Despite sharing some steamy encounters with Alexa, Arys and Shaz rarely see eye to eye. This time is no different.
Arys doesn’t want Alexa anywhere near Harley. When desperation drives Alexa to make a deal with Harley, Arys is livid. Conflict threatens to destroy Alexa’s relationship with Arys, but due to their eternal bond, they can never truly walk free of each other.
When Arys teams up with his sire to revisit their sordid past, the pain he and Alexa inflict on one another rises to a scathing boil. Alexa comes to realize that her only solution is to fulfill Arys’ greatest wish and worst nightmare, regardless of the consequences.
I am the author of the Alexa O’Brien Huntress and the Rebel Heart series. I write urban fantasy that is dark and gritty with a twist of romance and horror but which is ultimately about people in dark places discovering who they are and what they’re made of.
I’ve been writing since the age of 9 when I had a Christmas themed short story published in the local town paper. A lover of rock music, vampires and muscle cars, I’m a dreamer who always secretly wanted to be a rockstar.
I love to hear from readers so don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
Still thinking 3.5 stars for this. Throughout the trilogy I've been trying to put my finger on what's bugging me and it was very difficult to pin down. I think I came to an answer in this, the third installment.
I enjoyed the lore, the alternative universe, the developing relationships, the sex scenes, the conflicts, and for the most part most of the characters. So what bugged me?
The characters weren't consistent enough. I found myself often going "huh? But, that doesn't make sense" over things. The one that comes to my mind easiest I will use as an example. The protagonist, Alexa O'Brien, is a stone cold killer. She's also compassionate and able to care for people, but she's got a bloodlust jones and has occasionally given in to it in spite of having an assassination job in which she kills weres and vamps who are going overboard with the killing and risking exposure. She's involved with a vamp who much prefers the kill at the end of the feed than not and he doesn't really hold back. She's also involved with an alpha were. So there's plenty of death, fighting, and conflict to go around. Except when her alpha and vamp are going to fight or the fight is between each other, or with someone else...then Alexa wigs and has to stop the fight at all costs. Huh? What? Wait...two hours ago you were getting a boner because he killed someone...now you're going to be Ms. Codependents-R-Us because he's going to fight? Why? No explanation. It made no sense. It was inconsistent, and it messed with character likability for me.
So, good lore, good world building, good relationship development, good conflicts/ action, decent enough sex scenes that eventually embraced more than monogamy. But only 3.5 stars because I often had a difficult time understanding the characters motivations.
This book was a struggle for me...the storyline felt chaotic and unfocused...I felt frustrated the majority of time with the decisions Alexa made...she seemed helpless and insecure turning from one man to another for her comfort (I think she had some level of sexual interaction with at least 5 different characters!!!)... it seemed the story got lost to the sexual dynamics....for me, the relationship between Alexa, Arys, and Shaz stepped too far out of my comfort zone that I felt disconnected from it and uninterested in it's outcome...I suppose I was looking for the story to deepen in it's meaning and complexity, but I was left disappointed...2 stars:(
I downloaded this as a free book from Amazon. This series hovers close to the Anita Blake series (incubus/ succubus vampire/werewolf triangle), but I'm happy to report Shaz in no mild, conflicted Richard. There is a good plot to the series, and the supernaturals are not nice guys- they are unabashed killers. With a code. Sorta. Fast paced for the most part, with well drawn characters overall. The only thing that keeps the series from a 5-star rating is the personal growth of the main character, Alexa. Each book sees an upgrade for her abilities, and she is gaining a little more control- but I've been disappointed she is still a bit wishy washy with when she's strong and when she's unsure of herself. If I had her powers, I wouldn't only be seeking answers to what I could do-- I'd be practicing.
This series had potential but I think it got lost somewhere along the way. Alexa had the ability to wield magic and yet was still a werewolf and of course the two lovers in her life did spice up the pages yet the ongoing threesome does not lend credibility to this book. I am less invested in the characters as their relationships don't feel genuine, more like shock value really, especially the scene at the end between Shaz and Arys. Alexa is still reactive and has not learn't self control indulging her whims and does not suffer any responsibility for all the drama she causes. So much could have been done with the plot about Alexa wanting to take down Arys sire yet it ended with a whimper and not a bang. Still some action and sexy scenes but no real substance which is disappointing
These books just get better and better. In this one, the conflict between Alexa and Harley come to a point, and Alexa has to make a decision that could very well damage the already tumultuous relationship she has with Arys.
As more and more of Arys's dark past comes to light, Alexa is also finding her powers growing. But she can't control them. And Shaz is worrying because Harley has Alexa in his sights and Arys does not seem to want to handle the situation.
Another good read from Trina M. Lee. I couldn't put it down, and I lost a lot of sleep trying to finish this one so I could start the fourth. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the genre.
As much as I was enjoying the series, in this installment I was overwhelmed by the characters' constant changing of personality. While certain pieces can be attributed to change in response to things that happen, the majority of it was just odd. I feel as though the author doesn't really know her characters well.
That said, I'll read one more in the series and see if she managed to work out those issues.
I’ve held off on rating the books as the series goes on, simply because I don’t know HOW to rate them.
Shaz cheating and Alexa justifying it was absolutely fucking wild to me. I ✨hate✨ when writers do this. The whole “well I have multiple partners so it’s fine if my partners do the same thing.” Yeah, no thank you.
Erin Flynn does it too, and I’ve stopped reading her work because of it. Advertising something as RH when it’s really just a circle of people who cheat indiscriminately and justify it is crazy to me.
To me, RH is like an atom. There’s a central person and the others circle around that center like a force of gravity. They’re loyal to each other and that’s that.
Yes, Alexa sleeps with Kale and doesn’t disclose it to Shaz and Arys right away. HOWEVER, neither Shaz or Arys are blind to the budding attraction/relationship and are well aware that something IS going to happen. That said, Shaz starts to fuck around with several vampires intimately and doesn’t tell Alexa and thus, she’s literally in the dark about it all until she witnesses it first hand.
It left a bad taste in my mouth. I’m not justifying Alexa’s own indiscretions, but there was definitely an imbalance. Alexa was upfront with both men about her feelings towards Kale. Shaz did not give her the same respect.
I’ll keep reading the series because it’s a train wreck I can’t stop, but it is what it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
In this third installment, Alexa struggles with her new found powers as she navigates through the eternal bond she now shares with Arys, her vampire lover. With nowhere left to turn, she seeks out the counsel of the one person who was set on controlling her and making her his in the first place. As the plot thickens throughout this series, the lines of trust get tested between lovers and friends, and Alexa’s power begins to attract those around her (including her friend Kale, as well as many foes that wish her dead). We get to see a different side of Alexa in this book, as she questions herself and those that surround her, and how she reacts to her blood lust and doing what is right, no matter the consequence.
Listened on audio: The narration of this series is amazing! Sarah Puckett has done a tremendous performance each time, keeping a continuity of pace and voices throughout each book for a seamless and pleasurable listening experience.
Not very good as a standalone at this point in the series. This book moves forward with some events that took place in The Wicked Kiss, so it's best to have at least listened to that one first. There is a lot more conflict in our love triangle in this book than before. Some important events happen in this book as well but it wasn't as suspenseful as book 2, this feels like more of a transitional book that wraps up the situation from book 2; it is also a book that allows for some plot growth and seems to be leading into something major for book 4. It feels a tad slow compared to book 2. Really love this series!
I think the narration was the key that took this from a 4/4.5 star to a 5 star, for this installment of the series. Fantastic job of staying consistent with character voices through the entire series. Excellent narration.
This one honestly made me hate Arys. He’s just straight up abusive - “let me control you or I’ll hurt you. Oh the threat of physical violence didn’t work? Let me emotionally manipulate you. Oh that didn’t work? Let me let you catch me with a man I supposedly hate and another woman, knowing full well that you would come looking for me. When I know I’ve hurt you I’ll check in again, and when you call me on my bullshit I’ll blame you for my behavior.” There are multiple layers of emotional abuse there. The worst part is seeing all of the ways she changes to suit him without even realizing it. I’m team Shaz and team Kale all the way. If I have to pick just one? Definitely Shaz. He’s the only truly healthy relationship she’s got.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I did not like this book as much as I liked the first two. It was still entertaining but Alexa kind of drove me crazy. She has a lot of going on, I get it. But she’s acting like a lunatic. She loves Ayrs she hates him. She wants to kill him or screw him. The back and forth is exhausting. The bloodlust thing also gets a little repetitive. We understand that she wants blood.
Also I love reverse harem books. But I do not like Ayrs... Shaz is okay. He’s better in this book, more alpha but again I don’t love him. I think this is why this book just didn’t work for me. I will probably read the next book because I’m invested now.
This book was great! Alexa is having issues controlling her power while Harley still has his sights set on her, another pack is in town wanting to hunt down Raoul’s daughter, and tensions run high between Alexa and Arys. Only Vampires Cry Blood is the steamiest book so far in the series and also has the most conflict between bonds. Sarah did another excellent job with her narration! She can always keep me entertained from start to finish and leave me wanting more. *I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. @AudiobookObsession
Start this series from the beginning or you'll be lost. Not meant to be a stand-alone. The steamiest book yet! Ordinarily, I don't like love triangles, but there's something about this one that seems to draw me in. I feel like Alexa... I'm torn between the two! Alexa is having trouble controlling her powers and has decisions to make. It's really a question of whether she can live with the choices. The writing is solid, but the narration is what saves it for me. Sarah is nothing but solid in her narration. Sheer perfection!
Sarah Puckett continues her excellent narration and brings these characters and this story to life so very well.
The more I work through this series the more I like it and the deeper I get sucked into both the story and the characters. I've even got to the point where I am talking to them in my head, egging them on or shouting at them, lol. I love watching the characters as they are working out their new places in the world they inhabit. Very enjoyable and excellent continuation of the series.
**************Spoilers within review**************** This book was just as amazing as the first two. The only thing that I just did not like is her whatevs attitude towards Arys. Hoepfully it will change in the next story. Also WTH on Raoul coming back to life. What an epilogue. I have a theory that it could be that the daughter did not truly kill him like everyone thought or he came back to life when Lex changed Raoul's daughters form. Cannot wait to read Blonde and Blue.
Better and better With every book of the Alexa O'Brien series they get even more action packed, sensual and touching. I can't even begin to tell you how surprised this one turned out, in some turns I knew they would eventually happen, preferably sooner rather than later as was done. I really enjoyed reading books 1-3. Looking forward to reading book 4 ^_^
Better and better With every book of the Alexa O'Brien series they get even more action packed, sensual and touching. I can't even begin to tell you how surprised this one turned out, in some turns I knew they would eventually happen, preferably sooner rather than later as was done. I really enjoyed reading books 1-3. Looking forward to reading book 4 ^_^
There are too many random things going on. Too much talking about doing certain things and not enough action about it. There is action but not enough to really get the heart pumping and it was too quick. It was mostly about Alexa trying to figure out Arys and where she fits the in their relationship. She's got too much dialogue in her head. No wonder she's always confused about her power.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Although this is the last audiobook in the series that I know of, I have really enjoyed listening to the last three books and hope the next will come out in audio soon. So much confusion and love is shown in this book and I am glad that these three are able to exist together without too much tension anymore. The way this book ended definitely has my excited to see what comes next!
I have to give this book a five-star. This book is beyond good and in was drowning in the book and what was going on. I think this Arthur did a great job with the story and telling it.
These books are absolutely addictive! I’m going to be waiting at the edge of my seat until the next book finally releases. Sarah Puckett does such a great job. I was given a copy of the book for a fair and unbiased review @audiobookobsession
I was on the edge of my seat threw the whole book. Alexa is one bada$$ werewolf/vampire. Her love triangle with Shaz and Arys is freaking hot. This book is full of action and sexiness. I just love all the characters. On to the next book.
Alexas life gets more and more complicated as she tries to figure out her powers. Action packed, angst filled and full of sexual energy this story won't let you put it down. Awesome characters and some seriously sensual scenes. Highly recommended!