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The Cardinal #1
The Cardinal Bird
Callie Jensen has always been a little bit different. She was made fun of for being a math-whiz in school up until she was kidnapped. Growing up in the crime world from a young age, she was turned into a language savant and a hacker-expert. She tried to do what she was told and keep her head down...but...that was easier said than done. Trouble seems to follow her like it's her middle name. Eventually, things come to a head that puts her in the sights of a secret government organization. She finally has some allies in the form of several muscular, irresistibly handsome and talented guys. Callie wonders if she'll be able to find peace at last, but the struggles only keep piling up as she is shuffled around, wondering when or even if she will ever find somewhere she feels like is safe. People who she thought were safe might not be. And not only that, but her kidnapper is not willing to give her up without a fight, and he shows her all too well that he will go to some very dangerous lengths to get her back.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2019
858 people are currently reading
1713 people want to read
About the author
Mia Smantz
20 books278 followersA little about me. I love to read, write, travel, and drink tea. I especially love it when I can do more than one of those at a time. I have too many different series started, but all of them are definitely reverse-harem. It took me years to finish my first book, and now I have started to publish them.
My style leans towards paranormal, mystery, thriller themes when I write and read. If I'm trying to write, and I don't have time to read until I get inspired, I like to listen to music. That'll usually get me out of a block and back to writing!!
My style leans towards paranormal, mystery, thriller themes when I write and read. If I'm trying to write, and I don't have time to read until I get inspired, I like to listen to music. That'll usually get me out of a block and back to writing!!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews
July 23, 2020
This book exposed some pet peeves I didn't even know I had.
DNF @ 83%
1. The heroes are CIA agents/ Special Forces but they all acted like children. They are so badass but they are never serious, everything is a joke. They are unprofessional. They rescue the heroine and they are already looking at her with lust in their eyes even though they don't know how old she is and she is very small ( according to EVERYONE that meets her) for her age. It was creepy.
2. Some of them swear like moms afraid their kids might be listening. Wtf is Fudgesicles on a stick! Either commit to swearing or don't swear at all.
3. They each call her different pet names;damsel,babygirl,duso,little girl. She's met like 20 people already and they all call her something different. She is also very magnetic because everyone is drawn to her for no reason at all.
4.The heroine is conveniently very strong. She is shot twice, in the leg and the abdomen, she receives no treatment and has just do some rudimentary first aid. She is then thrown into a filthy tank while a dead body decomposes on the grate. Almost a day later, she is completely coherent, no fever, weakness or delirium. The guys rescue her. She walks on her own with no visible pain or signs of infection, gets into a vehicle and asks for first aid so she can patch her self up. Only then do the guys realize she's been shot, ONLY then does she loose consciousness and develop a fever.
Chapters later she is tortured and waterboarded, yet she does not break. The only thing they want to know is what her name is, her name is already known by the guys that rescued her and the staff in the hospital. What was the point in being tortured over a name that almost everyone she's met knows. Then I read that it isn't even her name.
5.While our heroine is super bad ass and feels no kind of pain even though she has a gut wound that might be infected, that people have lost part of their intestines for, she is also a very proficient hacker. While on the run with infected body which is not infected, she is able to hack into several Russian traffic lights to help them escape. The hacker from the CIA could not do it, just her, super hackers don't grow on trees you know.
I didn't like this book, it felt like someone just watched a thriller and decided to write about it as a satire because this was a joke. I haven't even gotten to the RH and I can already bet it's going to be forced. There is absolutely no reason the guys should want to share her but it is obviously going to happen. She also has a vendetta against the guy that tried to kill her so you know she is about to unleash her Super Saiyan level of badass in the prospective books. The thought is enough to make me gag.
DNF @ 83%
1. The heroes are CIA agents/ Special Forces but they all acted like children. They are so badass but they are never serious, everything is a joke. They are unprofessional. They rescue the heroine and they are already looking at her with lust in their eyes even though they don't know how old she is and she is very small ( according to EVERYONE that meets her) for her age. It was creepy.
2. Some of them swear like moms afraid their kids might be listening. Wtf is Fudgesicles on a stick! Either commit to swearing or don't swear at all.
3. They each call her different pet names;damsel,babygirl,duso,little girl. She's met like 20 people already and they all call her something different. She is also very magnetic because everyone is drawn to her for no reason at all.
4.The heroine is conveniently very strong. She is shot twice, in the leg and the abdomen, she receives no treatment and has just do some rudimentary first aid. She is then thrown into a filthy tank while a dead body decomposes on the grate. Almost a day later, she is completely coherent, no fever, weakness or delirium. The guys rescue her. She walks on her own with no visible pain or signs of infection, gets into a vehicle and asks for first aid so she can patch her self up. Only then do the guys realize she's been shot, ONLY then does she loose consciousness and develop a fever.
Chapters later she is tortured and waterboarded, yet she does not break. The only thing they want to know is what her name is, her name is already known by the guys that rescued her and the staff in the hospital. What was the point in being tortured over a name that almost everyone she's met knows. Then I read that it isn't even her name.
5.While our heroine is super bad ass and feels no kind of pain even though she has a gut wound that might be infected, that people have lost part of their intestines for, she is also a very proficient hacker. While on the run with infected body which is not infected, she is able to hack into several Russian traffic lights to help them escape. The hacker from the CIA could not do it, just her, super hackers don't grow on trees you know.
I didn't like this book, it felt like someone just watched a thriller and decided to write about it as a satire because this was a joke. I haven't even gotten to the RH and I can already bet it's going to be forced. There is absolutely no reason the guys should want to share her but it is obviously going to happen. She also has a vendetta against the guy that tried to kill her so you know she is about to unleash her Super Saiyan level of badass in the prospective books. The thought is enough to make me gag.
September 21, 2023
Rating: 5 stars
A spy thriller version of the Ghost Bird? Sign me in.
This is exactly what The Cardinal Bird is. A darker, action packed and deadly version of Sang's story or even Stardust. It's also a non magical Redemption Saga and gives off some Kit Davenport feels.
My, my, where is the originality in all of that then, would you ask? Well, let's not sugarcoat this: there is none. Especially if you have been reading thrillers on the side or even watched some action movies. But what do they all have in common? They're all badass and damn entertaining.
The Cardinal Bird is no exception and from the first page, I was already hooked. No, that would be a lie. From the blurb, I was already hooked. Because RH + spy stuff + drama + action? That is life.
If you have read The Ghost Bird and Stardust, you might have been a teeny tiny annoyed with all the secrecy, and let me tell you, there are tons here too. But for a change, it all comes from Callie, our heroine.
Callie is... a complex character? There isn't much known about her; she's petite, she's a hacker, she speaks a few languages fluently -most of them still unknown-, she betrayed the Russian mob and has been kidnapped when she was young. But around that, she is a complete mystery, for both the reader and the guys that came to save her. But like every single character in the book, the reader cannot help but be drawn to her, root for her, and wanting to unravel all of her secrets. Because this Byte-Syzed woman packs up a bunch.
I seriously cannot wait for the second book and see what direction will take. Five more books to go and I hope they will all be as much exciting as this one!
> No MM
> No FF
> Large harem
Trigger Warnings: Plenty, tons! Murder, torture, infanticide, kidnapping. Most of them are condensed in the first couple of chapters and one scene is particularly... gruesome. I might just have dark water, filth, closed space, and somewhat buried alive to the warnings.
You might also like: all aforementioned books
+ Introductions
+ Phoenix
+ A Life Of Shadows
+ The Vixen's Lead
booked.unicorn
A spy thriller version of the Ghost Bird? Sign me in.
This is exactly what The Cardinal Bird is. A darker, action packed and deadly version of Sang's story or even Stardust. It's also a non magical Redemption Saga and gives off some Kit Davenport feels.
My, my, where is the originality in all of that then, would you ask? Well, let's not sugarcoat this: there is none. Especially if you have been reading thrillers on the side or even watched some action movies. But what do they all have in common? They're all badass and damn entertaining.
The Cardinal Bird is no exception and from the first page, I was already hooked. No, that would be a lie. From the blurb, I was already hooked. Because RH + spy stuff + drama + action? That is life.
If you have read The Ghost Bird and Stardust, you might have been a teeny tiny annoyed with all the secrecy, and let me tell you, there are tons here too. But for a change, it all comes from Callie, our heroine.
Callie is... a complex character? There isn't much known about her; she's petite, she's a hacker, she speaks a few languages fluently -most of them still unknown-, she betrayed the Russian mob and has been kidnapped when she was young. But around that, she is a complete mystery, for both the reader and the guys that came to save her. But like every single character in the book, the reader cannot help but be drawn to her, root for her, and wanting to unravel all of her secrets. Because this Byte-Syzed woman packs up a bunch.
I seriously cannot wait for the second book and see what direction will take. Five more books to go and I hope they will all be as much exciting as this one!
> No MM
> No FF
> Large harem
Trigger Warnings: Plenty, tons! Murder, torture, infanticide, kidnapping. Most of them are condensed in the first couple of chapters and one scene is particularly... gruesome. I might just have dark water, filth, closed space, and somewhat buried alive to the warnings.
You might also like: all aforementioned books
+ Introductions
+ Phoenix
+ A Life Of Shadows
+ The Vixen's Lead
booked.unicorn
dnf
May 22, 2020DNF at 40%
double dang on this because a LOT of people seemed to like this one, but I don't want to continue reading when I'm not having much fun getting through this book atm.
So, from what I've gathered at this point, the h is a spy with weapons and fight training- can speak multiple languages- is a hacker- has an extremely high pain tolerance- and works for a criminal organization....but after being rescued is treated like being short is a personality trait, and that she is the most fragile of fragile pieces of glass.
And maybe its just me who doesn't like these cutsie nicknames, but all of the ones these guys were throwing out there were kind of weird. Like Damsel as in damsel in distress...and Malyshka which means 'little girl'. Neither of those are that flattering to me.
Then...a doctor who she's never met-is saying she sounds hot over the phone and calling her Babygirl
Um...ew? Whatever, this is a book I know- but she's been shot...TWICE and it's obviously infected. She could go into shock eventually or get sepsis- where is the urgency or professionalism? Instead he's flirting with her and telling her to call him by his first name even though Callie kept calling him Dr. Scott.
Maybe for me with these books its the timing.
I'm all for flirty, fun, sexy time- but right after the h's been pulled from a deprivation tank surrounded by bodies? Or is getting her wounds checked for infection to see if she's dying? Or they are on the run and trying not to get killed?
Like I said a lot of people liked this one- so if your looking for a RH thriller with a hacker/spy h and CIA H's- then check it out on KU
double dang on this because a LOT of people seemed to like this one, but I don't want to continue reading when I'm not having much fun getting through this book atm.
So, from what I've gathered at this point, the h is a spy with weapons and fight training- can speak multiple languages- is a hacker- has an extremely high pain tolerance- and works for a criminal organization....but after being rescued is treated like being short is a personality trait, and that she is the most fragile of fragile pieces of glass.
And maybe its just me who doesn't like these cutsie nicknames, but all of the ones these guys were throwing out there were kind of weird. Like Damsel as in damsel in distress...and Malyshka which means 'little girl'. Neither of those are that flattering to me.
Then...a doctor who she's never met-is saying she sounds hot over the phone and calling her Babygirl
"Well, well, well, who does that beautiful voice belong to? I’d love to have an in-person office-call as soon as possible."
Um...ew? Whatever, this is a book I know- but she's been shot...TWICE and it's obviously infected. She could go into shock eventually or get sepsis- where is the urgency or professionalism? Instead he's flirting with her and telling her to call him by his first name even though Callie kept calling him Dr. Scott.
Maybe for me with these books its the timing.
I'm all for flirty, fun, sexy time- but right after the h's been pulled from a deprivation tank surrounded by bodies? Or is getting her wounds checked for infection to see if she's dying? Or they are on the run and trying not to get killed?
Like I said a lot of people liked this one- so if your looking for a RH thriller with a hacker/spy h and CIA H's- then check it out on KU
September 4, 2019
This was a lot of fun. I liked the MC a lot. Shy, timid, but packs some serious skills.
I was also really impressed with the depth the author went to for computer science, hacking and coding. With my 2 years in a computer science degree I was able to actually follow along with the code snippets presented. Of course, it's not like... super accurate( and where's the fun in that anyway) it's still hollywood style hacking but this author has already gone above and beyond what most people do.
Also, super appreciate the "I'm In!" line. You don't have a true hacker story unless someone says i'm in. It's just one of those things.
I loved the back and forth between the other characters.
Aleksander is easily my favorite right now.
As for Brock, I don't care if the book describes him as being a blonde haired dude. Now and for all time, anyone who is named Brock I will always imagine as this amazing creature:
I'm sorry, it's just another one of those things. I don't make the rules.
I was also really impressed with the depth the author went to for computer science, hacking and coding. With my 2 years in a computer science degree I was able to actually follow along with the code snippets presented. Of course, it's not like... super accurate( and where's the fun in that anyway) it's still hollywood style hacking but this author has already gone above and beyond what most people do.
Also, super appreciate the "I'm In!" line. You don't have a true hacker story unless someone says i'm in. It's just one of those things.
I loved the back and forth between the other characters.
Aleksander is easily my favorite right now.
As for Brock, I don't care if the book describes him as being a blonde haired dude. Now and for all time, anyone who is named Brock I will always imagine as this amazing creature:
I'm sorry, it's just another one of those things. I don't make the rules.
January 3, 2022
What the hell did I read?
There is so many characters it’s really confusing, 8 love-interest is a lot of dicks even for a RH series!!!
I don’t get the story, I don’t get the world. I felt really dumb reading this book because everything was so freaking messy. How many guys is there and why aren’t they acting like professional?
They are supposed to be CIA or elite and they behave like virgin who has never seen a female before! Everyone is flirting with her at the worse time possible, ALL of them are instantly interested in her and calling her pet name like what ? She’s been shot but the doctor flirt with her, she’s out from surgery and they flirt with her, she’s been torture and is filthy and gross and guess what ? They don’t even care they still flirt with her!
She’s supposed to be that freaking math genius, badass hacker, spy and whatever but she’s always blushing and behave like a 15y doormat blooming virgin.
Oh my lord, I’m intrigue about this series and I want to get the hype but it’s seriously all over the place and messy. 1.5 stars ⭐️
There is so many characters it’s really confusing, 8 love-interest is a lot of dicks even for a RH series!!!
I don’t get the story, I don’t get the world. I felt really dumb reading this book because everything was so freaking messy. How many guys is there and why aren’t they acting like professional?
They are supposed to be CIA or elite and they behave like virgin who has never seen a female before! Everyone is flirting with her at the worse time possible, ALL of them are instantly interested in her and calling her pet name like what ? She’s been shot but the doctor flirt with her, she’s out from surgery and they flirt with her, she’s been torture and is filthy and gross and guess what ? They don’t even care they still flirt with her!
She’s supposed to be that freaking math genius, badass hacker, spy and whatever but she’s always blushing and behave like a 15y doormat blooming virgin.
Oh my lord, I’m intrigue about this series and I want to get the hype but it’s seriously all over the place and messy. 1.5 stars ⭐️
February 4, 2024
It’s not the plot, I like the plot. It’s the constant mention of the FMC’s size and the reference to her looking like a little girl/teenager, which is making me feel weird.
Some examples (which are definitely not spoiler-free) :
😑One of the guys nicknames her ‘Little Girl’(in Russian). Another calls her Babygirl (which I can acknowledge is less weird).
😑Others comment that she looks like a 14 years old.
😑Before she is found they find clothes and think they are from a child.
😑Constant mention that she is tiny and these men are massive giants (we get it she’s small)
Now I understand that she was kidnapped and is probably quite underweight from this experience, I’m not debating why she is this size. I’m just saying that the description of her so far and others' comments about her, has built a mental image of a young teenager.
I really can’t picture anyone else now, so it’s kind of ruined the relationship aspect for me. I DNF at 70% and it was a slow burn, so nothing had progressed between the characters yet. However, when it does, I know I’m going to feel strange about it because of her character description. Nope, too uncomfortable🙈
I’m also not liking some of the guys. I’m not going to refer to them as her harem because I have no clear idea which ones are in it. There are honestly so many of them. Also, I’m questioning what qualification you need to get into the CIA.
So they find her in a tank full of water (in a warehouse full of dead men) and don’t treat her like a potential threat at all. Yes, she was found in a situation that made her look like a victim, but she could be lying. They ask her literally no important questions. Some of the men then go on to heavily flirt with her. In one of the scenes, this flirting occurs after she’s just been knelt next to a deceased child. The flirting is constant, in really awkward times! It all seems a little unbelievable.
Also, imagine you go to talk on the phone to a doctor for the first time (ABOUT YOUR BULLET WOUNDS) and the first thing he says is …
"Well, well, well, who does that beautiful voice belong to? I'd love to have an in-person office-call as soon as possible." 🤢🫣🤢
Need I say more? Take this man’s medical license away. Take it away.
If the plot stayed the same, but some of the descriptions changed and we sacrificed some of the men, I would try it again. The plot was really interesting and it was a unique take to combine mafia/ hackers/ CIA.
Unfortunately, I can’t change the image of the FMC. Is this rational probably not, but oh well.
Some examples (which are definitely not spoiler-free) :
😑One of the guys nicknames her ‘Little Girl’(in Russian). Another calls her Babygirl (which I can acknowledge is less weird).
😑Others comment that she looks like a 14 years old.
😑Before she is found they find clothes and think they are from a child.
😑Constant mention that she is tiny and these men are massive giants (we get it she’s small)
Now I understand that she was kidnapped and is probably quite underweight from this experience, I’m not debating why she is this size. I’m just saying that the description of her so far and others' comments about her, has built a mental image of a young teenager.
I really can’t picture anyone else now, so it’s kind of ruined the relationship aspect for me. I DNF at 70% and it was a slow burn, so nothing had progressed between the characters yet. However, when it does, I know I’m going to feel strange about it because of her character description. Nope, too uncomfortable🙈
I’m also not liking some of the guys. I’m not going to refer to them as her harem because I have no clear idea which ones are in it. There are honestly so many of them. Also, I’m questioning what qualification you need to get into the CIA.
So they find her in a tank full of water (in a warehouse full of dead men) and don’t treat her like a potential threat at all. Yes, she was found in a situation that made her look like a victim, but she could be lying. They ask her literally no important questions. Some of the men then go on to heavily flirt with her. In one of the scenes, this flirting occurs after she’s just been knelt next to a deceased child. The flirting is constant, in really awkward times! It all seems a little unbelievable.
Also, imagine you go to talk on the phone to a doctor for the first time (ABOUT YOUR BULLET WOUNDS) and the first thing he says is …
"Well, well, well, who does that beautiful voice belong to? I'd love to have an in-person office-call as soon as possible." 🤢🫣🤢
Need I say more? Take this man’s medical license away. Take it away.
If the plot stayed the same, but some of the descriptions changed and we sacrificed some of the men, I would try it again. The plot was really interesting and it was a unique take to combine mafia/ hackers/ CIA.
Unfortunately, I can’t change the image of the FMC. Is this rational probably not, but oh well.
September 23, 2019
3.5.
This one was a bit of a mixture, for me.
On the one hand it was very engrossing, with some pretty fabulously written action scenes. It is brutal in places, but not in a gratuitous way. There were also somw characters I really liked, like Alexys. I also really like the choice Callie made at the end and I'm interested to see where thta storyline goes.
However, there were quite a few things that niggled at me.
Callie is pretty much Mary Sue personified. She's a super hacker, speaks loads of languages, can deal with torture and extreme pain and almost every single guy she meets (and she meets a lot of them) are enthralled by her. And my issue is, I'm not sure why...
She's 19, clearly a virgin, due to her horrific circumstances, and she's referred to a lot as being tiny and girlish. It's like they all want to be her White Knight and save her, or feel sorry for her and what she's endured. I guess I just felt there was little basis for the attraction or obsession from so many of them, as she barely had a conversation with some of them. I also don't like this idea of the two groups of supposedly highly trained super agents fighting over who gets to keep her. It seems stupidly juvenile. I think it would have preferred there to be just one of the teams.
The whole tone was much more YA than I usually would want, too. Callie comes across as much younger than she really is.
That being said, I'll read the next one I'm sure.
This one was a bit of a mixture, for me.
On the one hand it was very engrossing, with some pretty fabulously written action scenes. It is brutal in places, but not in a gratuitous way. There were also somw characters I really liked, like Alexys. I also really like the choice Callie made at the end and I'm interested to see where thta storyline goes.
However, there were quite a few things that niggled at me.
Callie is pretty much Mary Sue personified. She's a super hacker, speaks loads of languages, can deal with torture and extreme pain and almost every single guy she meets (and she meets a lot of them) are enthralled by her. And my issue is, I'm not sure why...
She's 19, clearly a virgin, due to her horrific circumstances, and she's referred to a lot as being tiny and girlish. It's like they all want to be her White Knight and save her, or feel sorry for her and what she's endured. I guess I just felt there was little basis for the attraction or obsession from so many of them, as she barely had a conversation with some of them. I also don't like this idea of the two groups of supposedly highly trained super agents fighting over who gets to keep her. It seems stupidly juvenile. I think it would have preferred there to be just one of the teams.
The whole tone was much more YA than I usually would want, too. Callie comes across as much younger than she really is.
That being said, I'll read the next one I'm sure.
February 5, 2020
This was...odd. I have no idea why all of these men like this girl so much. In fact, it just comes off as creepy given they are doing things like nicknaming her "Babygirl" when they have never met her and falling for her at the same time. It makes no sense. She is literally half dying the whole time they know her - why oh why do they like her so much? She's a doormat - as is pointed out by one of the guys - albeit a smart, talented doormat. She's also dirty and gross almost the whole time too, and they were still hitting on her hard. I'm not even sure when they figured out she was of age, since there was talk of wondering whether she was 14. This confusion, by the way, adds to the creep factor especially when coupled with the seriously infantilizing nicknames the men all give her... yuck. Altogether, I just felt icky reading the romance aspect of this story. Then the delta aspect was super convoluted and not well explained at all. I suppose I'll try out the next one to see if it is redeemable, but I don't hold out high hopes.
September 27, 2019
So here we have Callie, a hacker who is rescued from the Russian mob by two Delta force teams. She is then also rescued from a corrupt CIA/FBI guy and finally saved again. The book has a bit of a HFN ending but it’s obvious you just have to dive into the next book.
What I liked
This had quite a high level of action in it. It was like watching a film. It was gripping and the ideas were sound. I liked that Callie was mysterious. No one knew everything about her or what her complete set of skills were.
I thought it ended well. Callie could choose to be protected by the guys who saved her but she realises she needs to heal and become strong again on her own two feet. Great. She wasn’t totally helpless. She had skillz.
What I didn’t like
Jeez, why do I keep reading RH books? I think I love the idea of them but the practicality it somewhat different.
Hot Guy Memory Loss (HGML)
I can’t remember who anyone is. We are given a rundown of every guy she meets! Brown hair, blue eyes, freckles, smells of lemon. Check. Red hair, green eyes, Russian accent, smells of oranges. Check. Ack. I was totally confused and felt the descriptions were a little rote by the end. I kept skipping them. Every other paragraph was some hot dude!
Special Snowflake Syndrome (SSS)
Every guy Callie meets thinks she’s special sauce. But why? They barely speak. They barely hang out. Yet every guy is after her. I just don’t get it. It annoys me. It’s a real RH trophe. Yet Callie is actually very very special. She’s a hacker, a spook, a killer, withstands extreme pain and speaks 5 languages. Yadda yadda yadda. It was just a bit too much special sauce for me.
Little Girl Vulnerability (LGV)
Sometimes Callie felt younger than her 19 years. She was very small and very vulnerable. Guys were always holding her close and showering her with young girl endearments ‘little girl’, ‘little bear’... I just felt like she was 12 or this was a daddy book, but a bit of a creepy one.
The Erotica Void (TEV)
This book is so PG13. I kept holding out for something, anything. Sheesh, a guy holds her hand at 70% and I’m planning their wedding I am so desperate.
So yeah, 3 stars from me. But my complaints are really levelled at this entire genre. If you like RH and you like tight action then this book has all of that going on.
What I liked
This had quite a high level of action in it. It was like watching a film. It was gripping and the ideas were sound. I liked that Callie was mysterious. No one knew everything about her or what her complete set of skills were.
I thought it ended well. Callie could choose to be protected by the guys who saved her but she realises she needs to heal and become strong again on her own two feet. Great. She wasn’t totally helpless. She had skillz.
What I didn’t like
Jeez, why do I keep reading RH books? I think I love the idea of them but the practicality it somewhat different.
Hot Guy Memory Loss (HGML)
I can’t remember who anyone is. We are given a rundown of every guy she meets! Brown hair, blue eyes, freckles, smells of lemon. Check. Red hair, green eyes, Russian accent, smells of oranges. Check. Ack. I was totally confused and felt the descriptions were a little rote by the end. I kept skipping them. Every other paragraph was some hot dude!
Special Snowflake Syndrome (SSS)
Every guy Callie meets thinks she’s special sauce. But why? They barely speak. They barely hang out. Yet every guy is after her. I just don’t get it. It annoys me. It’s a real RH trophe. Yet Callie is actually very very special. She’s a hacker, a spook, a killer, withstands extreme pain and speaks 5 languages. Yadda yadda yadda. It was just a bit too much special sauce for me.
Little Girl Vulnerability (LGV)
Sometimes Callie felt younger than her 19 years. She was very small and very vulnerable. Guys were always holding her close and showering her with young girl endearments ‘little girl’, ‘little bear’... I just felt like she was 12 or this was a daddy book, but a bit of a creepy one.
The Erotica Void (TEV)
This book is so PG13. I kept holding out for something, anything. Sheesh, a guy holds her hand at 70% and I’m planning their wedding I am so desperate.
So yeah, 3 stars from me. But my complaints are really levelled at this entire genre. If you like RH and you like tight action then this book has all of that going on.
August 31, 2019
It's hard for me to give more than 3 stars to a book, but boy was I hooked with this one. This is my new favorite rh book! I cannot wait to read the next one, thank god it'll be released in October.
Ok, so before I start an rh book, I usually write down the names of the men so I know what to look for. In this case, I'm the first one reviewing so if you want to know, they are: Corbin, Bryce Rost, Emerson, Brock, (Karl Westphal?? I don't know), Aleksander, Jace Tate, CJ Tate, Duane Scott (doctor).
Ok, so before I start an rh book, I usually write down the names of the men so I know what to look for. In this case, I'm the first one reviewing so if you want to know, they are: Corbin, Bryce Rost, Emerson, Brock, (Karl Westphal?? I don't know), Aleksander, Jace Tate, CJ Tate, Duane Scott (doctor).
Read
October 12, 2019Current status: DNF for now.
I've never had a case where I'm sure I'm reading a different book compared to the rest of the reviewers, but here it is now.
[A tiny spoiler ahead? Not sure, I DNFed.]
See, I didn't hate the start of this book. I actually got a tad hooked on it. But after it took these HUGE MEN (as we kept being reminded) too damn many pages to get this TINY LITTLE GIRL (as was constantly mentioned) out of a disgusting torture tank, and then get her some medical attention, it was clear to me that things were moving way too slowly for my taste. Plus, the sizes of the characters' bodies also seemed to take up far too many unnecessary pages, and so I lost interest.
Aaaaaalso, I'm not a tiny person, so I can't judge, but if someone kept calling me a little girl, maiden, babygirl, or some other ridiculous child-like petname, they'd very soon discover that even tiny legs can carry me far, far away from idiots.
Not to mention, the men, with their constant stupid arguments and 'fuck/shit' -exclamations, didn't seem all that mature to be calling a clearly intelligent woman by anything other than her actual name to show some respect.
#roar
I've never had a case where I'm sure I'm reading a different book compared to the rest of the reviewers, but here it is now.
[A tiny spoiler ahead? Not sure, I DNFed.]
See, I didn't hate the start of this book. I actually got a tad hooked on it. But after it took these HUGE MEN (as we kept being reminded) too damn many pages to get this TINY LITTLE GIRL (as was constantly mentioned) out of a disgusting torture tank, and then get her some medical attention, it was clear to me that things were moving way too slowly for my taste. Plus, the sizes of the characters' bodies also seemed to take up far too many unnecessary pages, and so I lost interest.
Aaaaaalso, I'm not a tiny person, so I can't judge, but if someone kept calling me a little girl, maiden, babygirl, or some other ridiculous child-like petname, they'd very soon discover that even tiny legs can carry me far, far away from idiots.
Not to mention, the men, with their constant stupid arguments and 'fuck/shit' -exclamations, didn't seem all that mature to be calling a clearly intelligent woman by anything other than her actual name to show some respect.
#roar
January 17, 2020
3,8 stars
very interesting book, i really liked the plot. I have found out that i often like the books with broken and deep main characters. i think that´s cuz we get to see so much emotions in those books and i like that.
very interesting book, i really liked the plot. I have found out that i often like the books with broken and deep main characters. i think that´s cuz we get to see so much emotions in those books and i like that.
February 27, 2020
New Style of Reverse-Harem -- action packed, suspense thriller
You'll love the book as the first one in the series. There aren't a lot of reverse harems with action and fighting and thrills. Snipers, hackers, high-speed chases, and corrupt government agents. It's got it all!
You'll love the book as the first one in the series. There aren't a lot of reverse harems with action and fighting and thrills. Snipers, hackers, high-speed chases, and corrupt government agents. It's got it all!
August 30, 2020
DAMNIT!!!! This was a good read! OH C.L. Stone I told you that you had too much competition to have your readers waiting so long for a new book in your Ghost Bird Series... And here we are to prove me so freaking RIGHT!!! BOOM! Mia Smantz hit it out the park and it's a homerun!!!
I'm so please and satisfied with this series so far... I just hope it's not a really long slow burn, (jeesh I just can't take another book like that at this time because I don't have the patience for that crap!) because as I see it all the main characters are of age to get the damn move on!!
So yes, I will be jumping into book 2 like right now... So excited...hehehehe...
Overall rating:
5* ~ An Awesome Read!
I'm so please and satisfied with this series so far... I just hope it's not a really long slow burn, (jeesh I just can't take another book like that at this time because I don't have the patience for that crap!) because as I see it all the main characters are of age to get the damn move on!!
So yes, I will be jumping into book 2 like right now... So excited...hehehehe...
Overall rating:
5* ~ An Awesome Read!
June 1, 2021
This was great. Although there are so, so many characters. There are some pretty dark things that happen here, so heads up. But, her budding relationship with the guys is super cute and fluffy.
September 5, 2019
I discovered this little Gem looking through the new releases, and I had to share. I was intrigued from the very beginning.
The Cardinal Bird is about Callie Jensen who was kidnapped as a kid. She was turned into the perfect hacker. She can speak several languages and is so very smart. Nikolai Ivanov, a ruthless crime boss, has had Callie for some time. She works for him, if you could call it that. He has discovered that she has double crossed him. The consequences are heartbreaking. Left to die, she is found by a misfit team of different men.
Chasing the same man that left her to die, they stumble upon Callie, and instantly see the fight in her. They become protective of her. They see how special she is, not just because the information she has, but because of who she is. But they will need the help of more than just one team to protect the trouble prone Callie. For not only is Nikolai out to finish the job, the government wants her for the things she knows.
First of all, Callie is a character that I fell in love with. She has been through so much and fights so hard. She is smart, loyal, funny, and so strong. To survive what she has, and still fight. She has become one of my favorite characters.
The guys, and man is there a lot of them. I do not know which ones she will end up with, but I am honestly half in love with them all. They are a variety of rag tag group, that are very protective of her. And they are hilarious. The back and forth between them all had me rolling. I don't really have a fave at this time. Cause honestly they are all just that awesome!!
The story is fast paced yet descriptive. I felt like I was watching a movie rather than reading. The fight and action scenes are very detailed, I really couldn't stop reading. If you haven't checked out this series yet, I would suggest giving it a try. I absolutely loved it and cannot wait for book two.
The Cardinal Bird is about Callie Jensen who was kidnapped as a kid. She was turned into the perfect hacker. She can speak several languages and is so very smart. Nikolai Ivanov, a ruthless crime boss, has had Callie for some time. She works for him, if you could call it that. He has discovered that she has double crossed him. The consequences are heartbreaking. Left to die, she is found by a misfit team of different men.
Chasing the same man that left her to die, they stumble upon Callie, and instantly see the fight in her. They become protective of her. They see how special she is, not just because the information she has, but because of who she is. But they will need the help of more than just one team to protect the trouble prone Callie. For not only is Nikolai out to finish the job, the government wants her for the things she knows.
First of all, Callie is a character that I fell in love with. She has been through so much and fights so hard. She is smart, loyal, funny, and so strong. To survive what she has, and still fight. She has become one of my favorite characters.
The guys, and man is there a lot of them. I do not know which ones she will end up with, but I am honestly half in love with them all. They are a variety of rag tag group, that are very protective of her. And they are hilarious. The back and forth between them all had me rolling. I don't really have a fave at this time. Cause honestly they are all just that awesome!!
The story is fast paced yet descriptive. I felt like I was watching a movie rather than reading. The fight and action scenes are very detailed, I really couldn't stop reading. If you haven't checked out this series yet, I would suggest giving it a try. I absolutely loved it and cannot wait for book two.
January 19, 2020
Misleading Reviews!
I wanted to like this book because the reviews raved on how this was such a good story.
Sorry, maybe I stand alone, but this was not good. So many things were wrong with this.
Everything drug on foooorrrrever. Plus the FMC went through an absolute horrifying experience in the very beginning of the book, was fighting a life threatening infection, yet she was turned on by these guys as soon as they saved her?
Not. Realistic!
Oh and let's not forget... Who are her actual guys?! I swear she seemed to have feelings for a dozen men. It was so confusing and.. blah.
I wanted to like this book because the reviews raved on how this was such a good story.
Sorry, maybe I stand alone, but this was not good. So many things were wrong with this.
Everything drug on foooorrrrever. Plus the FMC went through an absolute horrifying experience in the very beginning of the book, was fighting a life threatening infection, yet she was turned on by these guys as soon as they saved her?
Not. Realistic!
Oh and let's not forget... Who are her actual guys?! I swear she seemed to have feelings for a dozen men. It was so confusing and.. blah.
September 6, 2019
Fantastic book!!!
Wow!!! I so completely enjoyed this book!!!! The RH bully trope has taken over, and even though I love them, this was such a nice change of pace to read about guys that want to help, and care for the heroine, Callie. The action in this book was amazing and I love every single one of the guys!!! I can’t wait to read the next book!!!!
Wow!!! I so completely enjoyed this book!!!! The RH bully trope has taken over, and even though I love them, this was such a nice change of pace to read about guys that want to help, and care for the heroine, Callie. The action in this book was amazing and I love every single one of the guys!!! I can’t wait to read the next book!!!!
March 11, 2020
This book really intrigued me and just grew more interesting as it went on. I could feel the whole reverse harem coming on but not fully take off in the book. I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I have the 2 book ready to read but I think I’m going to put it to the side for now.
February 6, 2021
I don't think I've had as many questions while reading a book in a while. All in a good way, mind. This was such an unexpected read but I really enjoyed it. I've already started into book 2 and figured I should express my thoughts before I forget where things ended here. Things immediately pick up in book 2 with minimal review so you definitely can't skip.
Much of the RH stories I read tend to focus on the relationship and although some have a good balance with the primary plot, the circumstances are set such that the h and Hs can readily and continuously interact to develop their relationship. This story, on the other hand, was non-stop thrilling action and definitely driven by Callie and her circumstances with her kidnapper. We get introduced to the core group of potential love interests, although I admit, I was thinking "How many guys is she going to have?!", "Is he also interested in Callie?" and "How are they going to make this work?!!". So. Many. Questions.
All of the Hs we meet so far are very likable and I just can't wait for when things progress. I had to check what the length of the series will be, because things were too damn busy for Callie and the guys to even remotely have any type of development aside from becoming acquainted and friendship. Although part of me wishes things moved along faster, I understand and appreciate the restraint Ms. Smantz had with regards to this. Given Callie's situation, she definitely needs to focus on Free-Callie first. I also think relative to the men, there must be a significant age gap.. at least with several of them. I totally don't mind that, and I think especially because of that, making this a slow-burn and is the right way to go. After knowing that it'll be a 6-part series, I hope we get to see Callie develop, heal and find happiness. With how the men are, I think it will be glorious.
On that note, what I found interesting about the men and possibly indicative of their maturity, is that they didn't give over the top declarations of wanting to protect her, never letting her get hurt etc. They were flirtatious and protective, but definitely weren't coddlers. I wouldn't have minded and probably preferred if they were a bit more caring, because I don't know how Callie was functioning with what she went through.
Some things seemed a bit rushed/abrupt with regards to the offer given to Callie, but, in the grand scheme of things, it works. I'm glad I came across this book and am definitely going to continue with this series and just hope to see more progress on the relationship end. I love Callie's character and want to see her have her HEA. I highly recommend giving this story a try.
Much of the RH stories I read tend to focus on the relationship and although some have a good balance with the primary plot, the circumstances are set such that the h and Hs can readily and continuously interact to develop their relationship. This story, on the other hand, was non-stop thrilling action and definitely driven by Callie and her circumstances with her kidnapper. We get introduced to the core group of potential love interests, although I admit, I was thinking "How many guys is she going to have?!", "Is he also interested in Callie?" and "How are they going to make this work?!!". So. Many. Questions.
All of the Hs we meet so far are very likable and I just can't wait for when things progress. I had to check what the length of the series will be, because things were too damn busy for Callie and the guys to even remotely have any type of development aside from becoming acquainted and friendship. Although part of me wishes things moved along faster, I understand and appreciate the restraint Ms. Smantz had with regards to this. Given Callie's situation, she definitely needs to focus on Free-Callie first. I also think relative to the men, there must be a significant age gap.. at least with several of them. I totally don't mind that, and I think especially because of that, making this a slow-burn and is the right way to go. After knowing that it'll be a 6-part series, I hope we get to see Callie develop, heal and find happiness. With how the men are, I think it will be glorious.
On that note, what I found interesting about the men and possibly indicative of their maturity, is that they didn't give over the top declarations of wanting to protect her, never letting her get hurt etc. They were flirtatious and protective, but definitely weren't coddlers. I wouldn't have minded and probably preferred if they were a bit more caring, because I don't know how Callie was functioning with what she went through.
Some things seemed a bit rushed/abrupt with regards to the offer given to Callie, but, in the grand scheme of things, it works. I'm glad I came across this book and am definitely going to continue with this series and just hope to see more progress on the relationship end. I love Callie's character and want to see her have her HEA. I highly recommend giving this story a try.
September 1, 2020
New and exciting
I absolutely loved this, you don't know where it's going until you get there! The men are in equal parts sweet and dominant and Callie is totally relatable. I can't wait for book two!
I absolutely loved this, you don't know where it's going until you get there! The men are in equal parts sweet and dominant and Callie is totally relatable. I can't wait for book two!
September 6, 2019
Clever, clever book
I stayed up all night reading this! Its been a long time since a book was that intriguing! Thank you Ms Smantz!
I stayed up all night reading this! Its been a long time since a book was that intriguing! Thank you Ms Smantz!
June 28, 2025
So there will be spoilers because I can't talk about the ick without them. So for half the book, you have 6 MC but then 5 more get added to the mix with hints that there could be more than that. The problem with this is that everyone is a paper cutout; there is not enough page time for anyone to really be more than that in a book under 300 pages. Another issue is that the whole book takes place in one week, and for 4 days of that, of the few days she is awake, no one gets to know her at all, so all the fighting over her is just odd. Another bit of ick, the author drives the point home with a sledgehammer that the FMC is super tiny. The agents think she was a child at first, and even after they decided she isn't a child but likely a teenager, they don't actually know or even bother to find out for days if she is an adult. She was in a tank of water with dead things for a good 24 hrs. before they found her with two mostly untreated bullet wounds that she is just very blasé about and she was beat up but the guys just started flirting with her right away. So not only do they not know if she's even an adult but she is seriously gross and badly infected so like WTF, it's just very ick. Then there is the "doctor" who is actually a vet but also somehow gets to treat this human in a hospital... Yeah, he was the biggest ick of all, saying things that were just gross to this girl that is going to die if something isn't done asap. I'm truly surprised this book is as popular and getting recommended as often as it is.
July 17, 2023
mixed
New read, 3.5 stars.
I mostly like this but there were some things that bothered me and reduced my rating:
1) the cutesy nicknames. RH seems to be the worse for them and I generally find it annoying when each male character has to come up with a nickname for the FMC - but this book is even worse because they nickname her without knowing her at all and in the worse context. They are supposed to be professionals and she is a victim that has gone through it. The way they talked to her and treated her was so not appropriate.
2) what does the FMC look like because by all accounts she is described as very young looking. One character said she looked like his 14 year old niece. There are no descriptions of her that really counter this assertion - so the flirty nature of the all the guys, the sexual innuendo… well, it felt gross and creepy.
3) another common RH annoying thing - making everything so over the top. It’s not just 1 bad mafia guy out to get her - it’s so many people doing heinous awful things. Making the FMC a horrible situation magnet may add drama but it also strains believably way too far sometimes.
4) there were so many guys. This book didn’t really have any romance besides flirty behavior on the part of the guys… but like every guy seemed immediately obsessed with her. It was super weird - again, especially given the context of the story.
I’m not sure I’ll read the next one or not.
New read, 3.5 stars.
I mostly like this but there were some things that bothered me and reduced my rating:
1) the cutesy nicknames. RH seems to be the worse for them and I generally find it annoying when each male character has to come up with a nickname for the FMC - but this book is even worse because they nickname her without knowing her at all and in the worse context. They are supposed to be professionals and she is a victim that has gone through it. The way they talked to her and treated her was so not appropriate.
2) what does the FMC look like because by all accounts she is described as very young looking. One character said she looked like his 14 year old niece. There are no descriptions of her that really counter this assertion - so the flirty nature of the all the guys, the sexual innuendo… well, it felt gross and creepy.
3) another common RH annoying thing - making everything so over the top. It’s not just 1 bad mafia guy out to get her - it’s so many people doing heinous awful things. Making the FMC a horrible situation magnet may add drama but it also strains believably way too far sometimes.
4) there were so many guys. This book didn’t really have any romance besides flirty behavior on the part of the guys… but like every guy seemed immediately obsessed with her. It was super weird - again, especially given the context of the story.
I’m not sure I’ll read the next one or not.
March 2, 2022
5/5 stars
I'M SO CONFLICTED!!!!!!!
I honestly just wish all the guys were on the same team, I don't like how it's sort of a competition :(
As you can tell I devoured this book, and am just ready to move onto the next one. I was hooked the WHOLE time, and literally just didn't want to stop reading it. I love them all, and I actually REALLY enjoyed Callie's character. She is SO strong, and deserves to be happy!
I am upset that
Also random but don't you think that they guys are like high enough in status that they should have been able to stop that dude from going to what was it, the CIA? I can't exactly remember, I just thought that was a little weird. I also didn't understand the coding parts of the book, but I thought they were cool and that was just me being stupid.
Other than that I am excited but also REALLY nervous to see how this pans out.... the best I can do is hope *crosses fingers*
I'M SO CONFLICTED!!!!!!!
I honestly just wish all the guys were on the same team, I don't like how it's sort of a competition :(
As you can tell I devoured this book, and am just ready to move onto the next one. I was hooked the WHOLE time, and literally just didn't want to stop reading it. I love them all, and I actually REALLY enjoyed Callie's character. She is SO strong, and deserves to be happy!
I am upset that
Also random but don't you think that they guys are like high enough in status that they should have been able to stop that dude from going to what was it, the CIA? I can't exactly remember, I just thought that was a little weird. I also didn't understand the coding parts of the book, but I thought they were cool and that was just me being stupid.
Other than that I am excited but also REALLY nervous to see how this pans out.... the best I can do is hope *crosses fingers*
December 3, 2020
Loved it
I was a bit unsure about this book but it was always highly recommended so I thought I'd give it a go, and was I pleasantly surprised at just how good this story was. I couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I was a bit unsure about this book but it was always highly recommended so I thought I'd give it a go, and was I pleasantly surprised at just how good this story was. I couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
September 8, 2024
What a nice departure from my usual reverse harem! I read it in one go, I couldn't put it down.
I had a few icks though:
1- another virgin fmc. That equals to 0 sex jesus.
2- she's a shy wallflower so 100% she's blushing.
3- how likely is it that 8 special force friends instantly want the same chikita?
I had a few icks though:
1- another virgin fmc. That equals to 0 sex jesus.
2- she's a shy wallflower so 100% she's blushing.
3- how likely is it that 8 special force friends instantly want the same chikita?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2020
Interesting start for the series
November 22, 2020
Awesome
What an absolutely fascinating first read. I was hooked and couldn't put it down, I need more and will absolutely be started book 2 immediately lol
What an absolutely fascinating first read. I was hooked and couldn't put it down, I need more and will absolutely be started book 2 immediately lol
August 29, 2022
4 or 4.5 for no spice whatsoever. If it would have had that, or hell, even a kiss, then I would have given it 5 stars since the storyline was so good and kept me interested from start to finish.
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