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Chronicles of City M #2
Cardinal Sins
The most powerful man in City M, Paris Hansworth, has been hiding a painful secret: the world’s toxic environment is killing him. It’s killing everyone, or at least changing everyone’s DNA. Paris believes the only way to save his city and his friends is to find answers to the many mysteries of the last plague. His search leads him to a long abandoned facility, and to the rescue of a mercreature by the name of Rain.
Left behind and trapped by ice and toxic water, Rain finds himself intrigued by his strange savior, though he’s been lost so long even the language of the world has changed. He only hopes that he and Paris can find common ground before the internal demon Rain can see eating away at Paris, finally devours him completely.
A virus spreads through the city, targeting Paris’s loved ones, and Paris is willing to sacrifice almost anything, including his own life, to save them. But when the past Paris thought he’d escaped comes calling, he’s forced to adapt again, possibly becoming a monster himself. He’ll need to overcome his past to save his friends and only then will he have a chance at finding love.
Left behind and trapped by ice and toxic water, Rain finds himself intrigued by his strange savior, though he’s been lost so long even the language of the world has changed. He only hopes that he and Paris can find common ground before the internal demon Rain can see eating away at Paris, finally devours him completely.
A virus spreads through the city, targeting Paris’s loved ones, and Paris is willing to sacrifice almost anything, including his own life, to save them. But when the past Paris thought he’d escaped comes calling, he’s forced to adapt again, possibly becoming a monster himself. He’ll need to overcome his past to save his friends and only then will he have a chance at finding love.
366 pages, ebook
First published November 13, 2015
47 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
About the author
Lissa Kasey
72 books667 followersLissa Kasey is Ace/Aro and ENBY. Lissa's storytelling specializes in in-depth characters, detailed world building, sweet and spicy romance, and twisting plots to keep you clinging to the page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 4, 2016
3.75 rounded up
This is a hard one for me to rate. There is so much to like about the second installment in this series-great world building, great suspense, great storytelling, great characters so much greatness! But there is one issue and that is it's unfocused.
Let me just stop right here and say after reading Hidden Gem there was one secondary character that stood out and that was Paris. Paris's rags to riches story coupled with his domineering personality and no nonsense attitude spoke to me. When I read the blurb and realized it was not only going to be Paris's story but there was to be a merman... well, let's just say I kinda whigged out. A tiny bit. In a completely dignified way.
Paris is a senator now and an influential one but when he first came from the South to the North he worked as a whore at the Hidden Gem. His Southern family is affluent and chock full to the brim with asshats who made every effort to make his childhood and adolescence a living hell until finally kicking him out to fend for himself. He was rescued by Bart and has gone on to make his own family of rescues and strays.
Paris is also a dom but the BDSM strikes me as superfluous to the plot thus I'm not going to prattle on about it.
He uncovers a long forgotten near frozen facility with an aquarium which contains a merman named Rain who is the sweetest! I kinda wanted to stick him in my pocket but the whole no water in there would be problematic. And he's smitten with the pretty man a.k.a. Paris.
Such is life.
It just so happens that Paris has recently bought a former casino (Cardinal Sins) with a huge empty aquarium.
For science Paris and his team bring the merman and all the other fishes to Cardinal Sins. Of course he and Rain are drawn to one another, but Paris has a debilitating illness which is incurable and is literally on his last legs, so he simply takes comfort in being able to see Rain on a regular basis.
Where things began to falter was the virus that's sweeping the North which brings many A-Ms and psis to Cardinal Sins for treatment by Paris's on call doctor, Quinn Vitoric, including Shane which means Aki and Candy and his newest acquisition, Ivy. Quick side note: a glossary of terms would be appropriate. I'm not sure if it made it into the final published version, if not it would be a good idea for the next installment.
Anyhoo... where was I? Oh right, subplots.
These two subplots got so much page time that they overtook the main. I found myself rushing to get through those chapters so I could get back to Paris and Rain. The subplots are interesting held my attention. I especially loved all the shifted Shane looking for Mate (Aki) and even howling mournfully for him. They are crazy, stupid in love and it's cavity inducing in it's sweetness. I am kind of a sucker for a possessive, growly alpha though.
#NoShame
I know they're meant as set up for the grand finale as well as the next book, but there is such a thing as letting the teasing for the next book overwhelm the plot of the current one and that negatively affected my enjoyment.
The other casualty of these subplots was minimal relationship development between Rain and Paris. The romance is more of an afterthought. The sex is mostly awkward. But the HEA at the end came out of nowhere and I found my suspension of disbelief button on the fritz.
The last 30-35% was much tighter and more what I was looking for which is Paris being a BAMF! If the whole thing had been that focused this would easily be a 5 Hearter. As it stands, I'm somewhere between 3-4 Hearts.
In all likelihood, I will read the next one. Take that for what it's worth.
As always, your mileage may vary.
A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a hard one for me to rate. There is so much to like about the second installment in this series-great world building, great suspense, great storytelling, great characters so much greatness! But there is one issue and that is it's unfocused.
Let me just stop right here and say after reading Hidden Gem there was one secondary character that stood out and that was Paris. Paris's rags to riches story coupled with his domineering personality and no nonsense attitude spoke to me. When I read the blurb and realized it was not only going to be Paris's story but there was to be a merman... well, let's just say I kinda whigged out. A tiny bit. In a completely dignified way.
Paris is a senator now and an influential one but when he first came from the South to the North he worked as a whore at the Hidden Gem. His Southern family is affluent and chock full to the brim with asshats who made every effort to make his childhood and adolescence a living hell until finally kicking him out to fend for himself. He was rescued by Bart and has gone on to make his own family of rescues and strays.
Paris is also a dom but the BDSM strikes me as superfluous to the plot thus I'm not going to prattle on about it.
He uncovers a long forgotten near frozen facility with an aquarium which contains a merman named Rain who is the sweetest! I kinda wanted to stick him in my pocket but the whole no water in there would be problematic. And he's smitten with the pretty man a.k.a. Paris.
Such is life.
It just so happens that Paris has recently bought a former casino (Cardinal Sins) with a huge empty aquarium.
For science Paris and his team bring the merman and all the other fishes to Cardinal Sins. Of course he and Rain are drawn to one another, but Paris has a debilitating illness which is incurable and is literally on his last legs, so he simply takes comfort in being able to see Rain on a regular basis.
Where things began to falter was the virus that's sweeping the North which brings many A-Ms and psis to Cardinal Sins for treatment by Paris's on call doctor, Quinn Vitoric, including Shane which means Aki and Candy and his newest acquisition, Ivy. Quick side note: a glossary of terms would be appropriate. I'm not sure if it made it into the final published version, if not it would be a good idea for the next installment.
Anyhoo... where was I? Oh right, subplots.
These two subplots got so much page time that they overtook the main. I found myself rushing to get through those chapters so I could get back to Paris and Rain. The subplots are interesting held my attention. I especially loved all the shifted Shane looking for Mate (Aki) and even howling mournfully for him. They are crazy, stupid in love and it's cavity inducing in it's sweetness. I am kind of a sucker for a possessive, growly alpha though.
#NoShame
I know they're meant as set up for the grand finale as well as the next book, but there is such a thing as letting the teasing for the next book overwhelm the plot of the current one and that negatively affected my enjoyment.
The other casualty of these subplots was minimal relationship development between Rain and Paris. The romance is more of an afterthought. The sex is mostly awkward. But the HEA at the end came out of nowhere and I found my suspension of disbelief button on the fritz.
The last 30-35% was much tighter and more what I was looking for which is Paris being a BAMF! If the whole thing had been that focused this would easily be a 5 Hearter. As it stands, I'm somewhere between 3-4 Hearts.
In all likelihood, I will read the next one. Take that for what it's worth.
As always, your mileage may vary.
A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2016
Igual de bueno o mejor que el primero.
Volvemos a tener a todos los personajes del primer libro, centrandote más en París y Rain.
París era un personaje muy misterio. Un héroe oscuro. En este libro nos enseñan su pasado y lo que influyó a convertirlo en la persona que es hoy día.
Más misterios, virus mortales, venganza y romance.
Volvemos a tener a todos los personajes del primer libro, centrandote más en París y Rain.
París era un personaje muy misterio. Un héroe oscuro. En este libro nos enseñan su pasado y lo que influyó a convertirlo en la persona que es hoy día.
Más misterios, virus mortales, venganza y romance.
October 9, 2023
“He wondered how many he’d have to save to finally feel like he’d done something. The whole city? Surely that wasn’t an unreasonable goal. The whole of the North? And what about those suffering in the South? Paris heard more horror stories every day, and with each new discovery he felt more of a failure. At least he’d saved some. Mostly.”
I was very happy at the opportunity to return to Lissa Kasey's post-apocalyptic, dystopian world where nothing ever seems to be what you think it is. Particularly since 'Cardinal Sins' is Paris's story, and I'd been fascinated by him from the very first. There are so many secrets in Paris, so much to discover, and it made him irresistible to me.
Paris was a wealthy slaver's son, in the South, and when they found him kissing another boy, they beat him half to death and threw him away. Paris had always been a sickly child, and it was his will alone that got him to the North, where he met Bart. There he put his schooling to good use managing and creating the empire Hidden Gem became, and Paris was its top whore for many years. All during this time, he did his best to rescue the refugees who came from the South, and when he learned about the APs, A-Ms, and psis, he did all he could to help them. Paris rescued both Candy and Aki and brought them to Hidden Gem. Paris is no longer a whore, he is a senator in City M, but he's dying and none of the doctors have ever been able to figure out what is wrong with him.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
I was very happy at the opportunity to return to Lissa Kasey's post-apocalyptic, dystopian world where nothing ever seems to be what you think it is. Particularly since 'Cardinal Sins' is Paris's story, and I'd been fascinated by him from the very first. There are so many secrets in Paris, so much to discover, and it made him irresistible to me.
Paris was a wealthy slaver's son, in the South, and when they found him kissing another boy, they beat him half to death and threw him away. Paris had always been a sickly child, and it was his will alone that got him to the North, where he met Bart. There he put his schooling to good use managing and creating the empire Hidden Gem became, and Paris was its top whore for many years. All during this time, he did his best to rescue the refugees who came from the South, and when he learned about the APs, A-Ms, and psis, he did all he could to help them. Paris rescued both Candy and Aki and brought them to Hidden Gem. Paris is no longer a whore, he is a senator in City M, but he's dying and none of the doctors have ever been able to figure out what is wrong with him.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
July 22, 2022
I'm liking where the series seems to be going, enjoying the multiple POV, but there's a lot that's happening and quite a bit that's left unanswered. It'll be really interesting to see what Kasey does with the story next.
December 11, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
First, let me say, if I could give Cardinal Sins by Lissa Kasey more than five stars I would do so in a heartbeat. Second, let me stress that this is not a standalone novel but should, really must, be read after its predecessor, Hidden Gem, as this is a sequel. Can you tell I’m excited—babbling, even? It’s true; if there could ever be a better book than Hidden Gem it would have to be this one! I was floored that this author could go on to create another couple who could so thoroughly captivate me, thrill me, and capture my heart utterly. Paris and Rain, huge sigh, are just as mesmerizing, if not more so, than Aki and Shane. So, without further fangirling, I give you my review of Cardinal Sins by Lissa Kasey and be forewarned there is material here that will draw on the first novel, so if you have not yet read Hidden Gem—stop now and grab that delightful novel up and then move on to this one—you will not be disappointed, I assure you.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
First, let me say, if I could give Cardinal Sins by Lissa Kasey more than five stars I would do so in a heartbeat. Second, let me stress that this is not a standalone novel but should, really must, be read after its predecessor, Hidden Gem, as this is a sequel. Can you tell I’m excited—babbling, even? It’s true; if there could ever be a better book than Hidden Gem it would have to be this one! I was floored that this author could go on to create another couple who could so thoroughly captivate me, thrill me, and capture my heart utterly. Paris and Rain, huge sigh, are just as mesmerizing, if not more so, than Aki and Shane. So, without further fangirling, I give you my review of Cardinal Sins by Lissa Kasey and be forewarned there is material here that will draw on the first novel, so if you have not yet read Hidden Gem—stop now and grab that delightful novel up and then move on to this one—you will not be disappointed, I assure you.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
January 12, 2016
So I will start off this review by saying this world in this book the author created was amazing while at the same time so sad after what all the survivors have gone through! Now let me say you can read this as a stand alone because this book does feature a different couple then the first book in the series. But I would really suggest reading the first book in the series before this one because honestly I was a little lost and I regretted not reading Hidden Gem before this.
Paris is a senator and the most powerful man in the City M. Who also has been hiding the fact he is dying. He goes on a search for a missing AM when he finds Rain a Merman who has been stuck at a abandoned Lab for a long time.
He feels a instant connection to Rain and vice versa. The only real part I was not a fan of in this book honestly was I felt like they really did not get a lot of time together in this book. So everything happened so fast between them and I felt a little disappointed I did not get to read more about them.
You do get shifting POV's between Paris, Rain, Candy and Shane along with Aki which is one of the reasons you really should read Hidden Gem first. You also get some angst, along with some steam which happens mostly off page. There was also something that happened with Paris that really surprised me.
So I will leave this review with I loved this world and characters this author created!
All together I really loved this book!
I would 100% recommend this book!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
Paris is a senator and the most powerful man in the City M. Who also has been hiding the fact he is dying. He goes on a search for a missing AM when he finds Rain a Merman who has been stuck at a abandoned Lab for a long time.
He feels a instant connection to Rain and vice versa. The only real part I was not a fan of in this book honestly was I felt like they really did not get a lot of time together in this book. So everything happened so fast between them and I felt a little disappointed I did not get to read more about them.
You do get shifting POV's between Paris, Rain, Candy and Shane along with Aki which is one of the reasons you really should read Hidden Gem first. You also get some angst, along with some steam which happens mostly off page. There was also something that happened with Paris that really surprised me.
So I will leave this review with I loved this world and characters this author created!
All together I really loved this book!
I would 100% recommend this book!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
November 2, 2015
Cardinal Sin (Hidden Gem #2) by Lissa Kasey
M/M Shifter, sci-fi, mystery
4 stars
Triggers: Slave trade, scientific experimentation
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
I really enjoyed book 1 of this series and was hopeful for book 2. It didn't disappoint. It was along the same lines as the first, with the A-M (Animal mutant) changes, Psi mutations and even a little mixture of them both.
This story focuses more on Paris and his debilitating disease ridden body - he is desperately trying to set things right so that when he dies, which seems to be the conclusion that he's coming upon, that all that he cares for will be taken care of. He knows that while his time is limited, he must figure out how to ensure that Candy and the other whores are looked after.
What he doesn't know is that there is a snake among them. Someone sent there to betray their trust and wipe them out forever.
Then, we are introduced to a new character, Rain. He is gentle, curious and beautiful. I love how he attaches to Paris - knowing that Paris needs someone to help him. I also really like that he learns to communicate with Paris.
Overall, this was a good story. I do wish that there was more in the section of romance and less on the outbreak and Paris' issues. However, I did enjoy it.
I really, really hope Jack gets his own story.
M/M Shifter, sci-fi, mystery
4 stars
Triggers: Slave trade, scientific experimentation
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
I really enjoyed book 1 of this series and was hopeful for book 2. It didn't disappoint. It was along the same lines as the first, with the A-M (Animal mutant) changes, Psi mutations and even a little mixture of them both.
This story focuses more on Paris and his debilitating disease ridden body - he is desperately trying to set things right so that when he dies, which seems to be the conclusion that he's coming upon, that all that he cares for will be taken care of. He knows that while his time is limited, he must figure out how to ensure that Candy and the other whores are looked after.
What he doesn't know is that there is a snake among them. Someone sent there to betray their trust and wipe them out forever.
Then, we are introduced to a new character, Rain. He is gentle, curious and beautiful. I love how he attaches to Paris - knowing that Paris needs someone to help him. I also really like that he learns to communicate with Paris.
Overall, this was a good story. I do wish that there was more in the section of romance and less on the outbreak and Paris' issues. However, I did enjoy it.
I really, really hope Jack gets his own story.
May 2, 2016
Title: Cardinal Sins
Author: Lissa Kasey
Series: Hidden Gem Book 2
Publisher:Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: November 13, 2015
Genre(s): Paranormal fantasy, Gay male romance
Page Count: 299 pages
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
This series just keeps on getting better, and more insane. The first book ended and things were okay, but now things have gone almost nuclear. I am pretty sure that somewhere during WWIII they actually did go nuclear. The reason that the people in this story are mutants. They can change into the most unbelievable things, and Lissa Kasey does it so well that I believed every word. I hope that the world never comes to this craziness. The plot of book 2 pretty much picks up where book 1 ended. Life is going well. Candy has bought the contract of another psi whore from another house. Ivy needs some training, and Candy is more than up for the job. Also the illness that Paris has been fighting since childhood is taking its toll. Paris is losing the battle, but there is so much he still wants to do to make the lives of the people of City M better. More importantly there is Rain the merman that they found in the north after the vision that Aki had. Things are going to change again. To Paris, the people that he loves as a new plague threatens the Psi, the A-M’s as well as the human race. The chemistry just keeps getting hotter and the most unlikely relationships are forming. The pacing of this book is beyond exciting. There is so much going on. This is definitely a book and series that can be read more than once, just incase you missed something the first time around. Unlike the first book, the end of this book leaves you with a bunch of unanswered questions. These characters are developing and changing constantly. I have formed an emotional attachment to all these people. Yeah I know, FICTION, but I am sure once you read these books you will want to take care of these characters also.
SCORES on a scale of 1-5 Stars rate each of the Following 5 Categories
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 5 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 5 Stars
Review Copy of Cardinal Sins provided by the Author, Lissa Kasey for an honest Review. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
Author: Lissa Kasey
Series: Hidden Gem Book 2
Publisher:Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: November 13, 2015
Genre(s): Paranormal fantasy, Gay male romance
Page Count: 299 pages
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Hidden Gem: Book Two
Paris Hansworth, star whore turned senator and the most powerful man in City M, has been hiding his terminal illness for years. Searching for a way to reverse the toxic environment that’s killing him, Paris stumbles upon a lost research facility, and a merman named Rain.
Years alone have made Rain long for companionship, and the beautiful man on the other side of the glass intrigues him. But Rain speaks the wrong language, and is decades out of touch. He isn’t quite sure what to think of the new environment he’s been thrust into.
As a virus spreads through the city targeting City M's most private residents—A-Ms—Paris realizes he’s out of time. He’s willing to sacrifice everything, even his own life, to stop it. But Rain might just be the missing DNA link to explain the mutations created in the last plague, maybe even the cure.
Watching Paris race to save his friends, Rain knows he's found someone special and will do anything to stay by his side. But the past Paris thought he’d escaped is seeking revenge, and he’s forced to adapt yet again, possibly even becoming a monster. He only hopes Rain will still want him.
Review:
This series just keeps on getting better, and more insane. The first book ended and things were okay, but now things have gone almost nuclear. I am pretty sure that somewhere during WWIII they actually did go nuclear. The reason that the people in this story are mutants. They can change into the most unbelievable things, and Lissa Kasey does it so well that I believed every word. I hope that the world never comes to this craziness. The plot of book 2 pretty much picks up where book 1 ended. Life is going well. Candy has bought the contract of another psi whore from another house. Ivy needs some training, and Candy is more than up for the job. Also the illness that Paris has been fighting since childhood is taking its toll. Paris is losing the battle, but there is so much he still wants to do to make the lives of the people of City M better. More importantly there is Rain the merman that they found in the north after the vision that Aki had. Things are going to change again. To Paris, the people that he loves as a new plague threatens the Psi, the A-M’s as well as the human race. The chemistry just keeps getting hotter and the most unlikely relationships are forming. The pacing of this book is beyond exciting. There is so much going on. This is definitely a book and series that can be read more than once, just incase you missed something the first time around. Unlike the first book, the end of this book leaves you with a bunch of unanswered questions. These characters are developing and changing constantly. I have formed an emotional attachment to all these people. Yeah I know, FICTION, but I am sure once you read these books you will want to take care of these characters also.
SCORES on a scale of 1-5 Stars rate each of the Following 5 Categories
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 5 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 5 Stars
Review Copy of Cardinal Sins provided by the Author, Lissa Kasey for an honest Review. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
December 6, 2015
There is a lot of sickness and heartache in Book Two of the Hidden Gem series, and comparatively little focus on new romance. Despite this, the plot is engrossing. The narrative alternates among several main characters who are all easy to become invested in.
Senator Paris Hansworth is dying, and he tries desperately to set affairs in order for those who must come after him and take up the reins of his responsibilities. This storyline was the most affecting in the book. Paris’s sorrow and regret never became maudlin, and he was both flawed and heroic. His friends, Candy, Aki, and Shane from the first book, try to be there for him but are all dealing with their own horrors.
As the origins and scope of the deadly man-made plagues begin to come to light in this second book, the cast of characters is filling up with every kind of paranormal creature. Rain is a merman, who comes into Paris’s life by fleeting chance. They are intrigued by each other from the start, but Paris is distracted and spread thin, and their romance is a very slow burn as the grim dystopian plotline sweeps everyone along in its wake.
The science is befuddling at best, as even the doctors don’t know wtf, and the misery of the plague-infected characters is graphically detailed. But as in Book One, there is an abundance of love, of both the romantic and the “chosen family” kind.
Recommended.
Senator Paris Hansworth is dying, and he tries desperately to set affairs in order for those who must come after him and take up the reins of his responsibilities. This storyline was the most affecting in the book. Paris’s sorrow and regret never became maudlin, and he was both flawed and heroic. His friends, Candy, Aki, and Shane from the first book, try to be there for him but are all dealing with their own horrors.
As the origins and scope of the deadly man-made plagues begin to come to light in this second book, the cast of characters is filling up with every kind of paranormal creature. Rain is a merman, who comes into Paris’s life by fleeting chance. They are intrigued by each other from the start, but Paris is distracted and spread thin, and their romance is a very slow burn as the grim dystopian plotline sweeps everyone along in its wake.
The science is befuddling at best, as even the doctors don’t know wtf, and the misery of the plague-infected characters is graphically detailed. But as in Book One, there is an abundance of love, of both the romantic and the “chosen family” kind.
Recommended.
January 1, 2016
Cardinal Sins by Lissa Kasey (MM/Romance/Fantasy)
A copy of this book was provided to me by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
***3 STARS***
Oh man, this book confused me. I should have read book 1, but I was lead to believe that this could be a stand alone book with some of Book 1's characters mentioned...not the case. I feel like this had way too much characters than the main characters in the description in it. It through me off.
I'm probably not giving a fair rating cause I didn't read book 1, but i think it should be mentioned in the description if the couple from book 1 would take almost as much scene time as the "main" characters on book 2, so reading book 1 first is recommended. Sadly, now I don't even wanna read book 1.
I was interested in the story enough to give it a 3 though. There was a lot of emotions, plots (probably too many) and the characters had an anime-vibe to them. Rain is cute and Paris is sort-of good enough for him. I wish I was able to bond this this couple, but I feel like there were way too many characters in one book to compete with.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
***3 STARS***
Oh man, this book confused me. I should have read book 1, but I was lead to believe that this could be a stand alone book with some of Book 1's characters mentioned...not the case. I feel like this had way too much characters than the main characters in the description in it. It through me off.
I'm probably not giving a fair rating cause I didn't read book 1, but i think it should be mentioned in the description if the couple from book 1 would take almost as much scene time as the "main" characters on book 2, so reading book 1 first is recommended. Sadly, now I don't even wanna read book 1.
I was interested in the story enough to give it a 3 though. There was a lot of emotions, plots (probably too many) and the characters had an anime-vibe to them. Rain is cute and Paris is sort-of good enough for him. I wish I was able to bond this this couple, but I feel like there were way too many characters in one book to compete with.
December 5, 2015
While i thoroughly enjoyed this book, I felt the two MC's didn't get enough time. I wanted more of their story, I was disappointed I didn't get it.
March 11, 2022
I'm like wow. I absolutely loved it. Review to come
July 9, 2017
Picking up where the first in the series left off, Aki is now living with Shane who has attempted to retire from the police force but still does the more difficult jobs of chasing serial killers for them when needed. After having discovered that Aki is much more than a psi (a genetically engineered super human) and has the ability to sprout wings and fly, Shane and he are still grappling with Aki’s crippling headaches and memory loss. Theirs is now an exclusive relationship, due to Paris giving Shane Aki’s slave contract and ending the psi’s reputation as a top-notch whore for higher.
In the beginning chapters we enter the world where Paris resides as a Senator in the governing body of City M and we get a glimpse into his world. We discover that he is really a good guy, who admittedly trains those he saves from a life of slavery and turns them into high paid whores who have contracts that they can eventually work off and become free in their own right. While this sounds terrible—the alternate life these people face is horrific at best and in a society where most have been wiped out due to plague and war, the life of a high paid whore is actually a really good one. Paris is also a Dominant and trains the men he rescues in the role of either a submissive or a dominant. Currently he is overseeing the finishing touches on a better, bigger, pleasure resort and casino which will be known as Cardinal Sins and boast only the finest whores to an expensive clientele.
When Aki has a vision of a boy in a lake, Paris goes to investigate and discovers an underwater aquarium of sorts where all types of fish reside that are obviously mutated and possibly the result of experimentation gone wrong. He also discovers a real life mermaid, or at least a man who appears to be so but is, in fact, a psi who has undergone genetic manipulation and has been left behind when the camp he was imprisoned in was left abandoned. Rain not only speaks a long dead language and thus is nearly impossible to communicate with; he also has been alone for so long his understanding of everything around him is limited at best. But there is something that attracts Paris to this mysterious waterman and before he can really begin to explore just what Rain is, Paris’ body succumbs to his long-lived childhood illness and the man realizes he is running on borrowed time.
To make the plot even more involved, a new strain of plague breaks out that seems to impact the A-M population most directly, sending Shane into quarantine as he physically breaks down with life threatening results. Now the race is on to save Shane and others, help Rain to acclimate to his new life, and keep Paris alive.
Phew—and believe me when I say that little synopsis barely scratches the surface of this incredible story! Cardinal Sins is amazing! Again we are visitors to an incredibly detailed post-apocalyptic world that author Lissa Kasey so lovingly creates. While this story followed several main and secondary characters through some fairly horrific circumstances, I was never lost or confused—this plot was woven together so impeccably that each new storyline that was introduced fit seamlessly into the overall picture. The descriptive passages of the stages the plague took and the impact it had, particularly on those who shifted into other creatures as the A-m did, were so visceral and detailed I felt as though I was inside the room watching it all unfold.
In this novel we got to understand and know Paris and Candy just a little bit better and I must say that both were fully three-dimensional characters who captured the imagination completely. The new characters, Rain and Ivy, were folded into this family so readily the attraction felt by Paris and Candy for these new psi was completely natural and realistic.
Honestly I could go on and on here. My regard for this author just continues to grow and grow.
In the beginning chapters we enter the world where Paris resides as a Senator in the governing body of City M and we get a glimpse into his world. We discover that he is really a good guy, who admittedly trains those he saves from a life of slavery and turns them into high paid whores who have contracts that they can eventually work off and become free in their own right. While this sounds terrible—the alternate life these people face is horrific at best and in a society where most have been wiped out due to plague and war, the life of a high paid whore is actually a really good one. Paris is also a Dominant and trains the men he rescues in the role of either a submissive or a dominant. Currently he is overseeing the finishing touches on a better, bigger, pleasure resort and casino which will be known as Cardinal Sins and boast only the finest whores to an expensive clientele.
When Aki has a vision of a boy in a lake, Paris goes to investigate and discovers an underwater aquarium of sorts where all types of fish reside that are obviously mutated and possibly the result of experimentation gone wrong. He also discovers a real life mermaid, or at least a man who appears to be so but is, in fact, a psi who has undergone genetic manipulation and has been left behind when the camp he was imprisoned in was left abandoned. Rain not only speaks a long dead language and thus is nearly impossible to communicate with; he also has been alone for so long his understanding of everything around him is limited at best. But there is something that attracts Paris to this mysterious waterman and before he can really begin to explore just what Rain is, Paris’ body succumbs to his long-lived childhood illness and the man realizes he is running on borrowed time.
To make the plot even more involved, a new strain of plague breaks out that seems to impact the A-M population most directly, sending Shane into quarantine as he physically breaks down with life threatening results. Now the race is on to save Shane and others, help Rain to acclimate to his new life, and keep Paris alive.
Phew—and believe me when I say that little synopsis barely scratches the surface of this incredible story! Cardinal Sins is amazing! Again we are visitors to an incredibly detailed post-apocalyptic world that author Lissa Kasey so lovingly creates. While this story followed several main and secondary characters through some fairly horrific circumstances, I was never lost or confused—this plot was woven together so impeccably that each new storyline that was introduced fit seamlessly into the overall picture. The descriptive passages of the stages the plague took and the impact it had, particularly on those who shifted into other creatures as the A-m did, were so visceral and detailed I felt as though I was inside the room watching it all unfold.
In this novel we got to understand and know Paris and Candy just a little bit better and I must say that both were fully three-dimensional characters who captured the imagination completely. The new characters, Rain and Ivy, were folded into this family so readily the attraction felt by Paris and Candy for these new psi was completely natural and realistic.
Honestly I could go on and on here. My regard for this author just continues to grow and grow.
November 8, 2020
4 stars
Cardinal Sins is the second book in the Hidden Gem series by Lissa Kasey. I was a bit hesitant going into this book. I liked Hidden Gem well enough, but thought it had a lot more potential that wasn't being used. This book on the other hand included everything I liked about the first book, like the great world building and unique fantasy characters, and tightened up the weaker points like the pacing and focus of the different story lines. I thought the author did a great job moving the series along and I especially liked the addition of the multiple POVs. I thought it provided more character depth and gave a wider view of the world and environment outside of City M. I wasn't much of a fan of Paris and in Aki’s book and it took some time to warm up to hime, but Rain immediately stole my heart from his first appearance. I don't often get my hands on a story about mercreatures, so this was definitely a trt. Rain was beautiful but also mysterious and intriguing, I just wanted so much more of him. In fact, my biggest frustration with an otherwise exceptional novel is that the ending felt a bit rushed. I would have loved more time spent with Paris and Rain, especially once they were able to communicate with each other much easier. I am still quite looking forward to the next instalment with the lovely Candy and enigmatic Ivy.
Cardinal Sins is the second book in the Hidden Gem series by Lissa Kasey. I was a bit hesitant going into this book. I liked Hidden Gem well enough, but thought it had a lot more potential that wasn't being used. This book on the other hand included everything I liked about the first book, like the great world building and unique fantasy characters, and tightened up the weaker points like the pacing and focus of the different story lines. I thought the author did a great job moving the series along and I especially liked the addition of the multiple POVs. I thought it provided more character depth and gave a wider view of the world and environment outside of City M. I wasn't much of a fan of Paris and in Aki’s book and it took some time to warm up to hime, but Rain immediately stole my heart from his first appearance. I don't often get my hands on a story about mercreatures, so this was definitely a trt. Rain was beautiful but also mysterious and intriguing, I just wanted so much more of him. In fact, my biggest frustration with an otherwise exceptional novel is that the ending felt a bit rushed. I would have loved more time spent with Paris and Rain, especially once they were able to communicate with each other much easier. I am still quite looking forward to the next instalment with the lovely Candy and enigmatic Ivy.
September 29, 2023
4.5 stars
Paris is slowly dying of a mysterious disease, and has been since he was a child. He has risen from being kicked out of his home for being gay to being a powerful senator. Before Paris dies, he wants to make sure that the city he made his home and the people he made his family are taken care of. But before that happens, Paris heads further north to see if he can figure out what one of his friends saw in a vision. There he discovers Rain, a merman. Although they don't speak the same language, something about the other calls to them. However, Paris also has to deal with an illness that seems to only be targeting the shifter community.
There was so much going on here, but it all just seemed to flow naturally. It had been awhile since I read the first book, and I pretty much only remembered the big stuff, so trying to fit people into places was a little bit of a trial. However, once I got everything all straight in my mind, I was off. In spite of the fact that Paris and Rain didn't speak the same language, I completely believed their feelings for each other. I love the family that Paris made for himself, and how it kept expanding. Overall, I got a lot of enjoyment from this one.
Paris is slowly dying of a mysterious disease, and has been since he was a child. He has risen from being kicked out of his home for being gay to being a powerful senator. Before Paris dies, he wants to make sure that the city he made his home and the people he made his family are taken care of. But before that happens, Paris heads further north to see if he can figure out what one of his friends saw in a vision. There he discovers Rain, a merman. Although they don't speak the same language, something about the other calls to them. However, Paris also has to deal with an illness that seems to only be targeting the shifter community.
There was so much going on here, but it all just seemed to flow naturally. It had been awhile since I read the first book, and I pretty much only remembered the big stuff, so trying to fit people into places was a little bit of a trial. However, once I got everything all straight in my mind, I was off. In spite of the fact that Paris and Rain didn't speak the same language, I completely believed their feelings for each other. I love the family that Paris made for himself, and how it kept expanding. Overall, I got a lot of enjoyment from this one.
June 18, 2020
Dark Dystopian paranormal MM
4.5 stars!
Book 2 was sooo much better than book 1! Book 1 is still really necessary to get an understanding of the world and learn the characters but the BDSM is minimal in book 2 which I appreciated!
The author got the balance right in this story between paranormal happenings and relationships. The world building is quite spectacular and the main storyline is moved forward quite a bit in book 2.
I think saying this is a romance would be quite a stretch but trust and comfort is found between some of the characters which is a type of love but it isn't "lovey" it isn't cute or romantic but it is safety and comfort which I think it a type of love.
I just really can't say enough good things about this crazy story but it isn't for the faint of heart as it is quite dark with some gore and it definitely isn't an easy life these characters have so there is plenty of talk of abuse, rape, and slavery. Book 3 here I come!
4.5 stars!
Book 2 was sooo much better than book 1! Book 1 is still really necessary to get an understanding of the world and learn the characters but the BDSM is minimal in book 2 which I appreciated!
The author got the balance right in this story between paranormal happenings and relationships. The world building is quite spectacular and the main storyline is moved forward quite a bit in book 2.
I think saying this is a romance would be quite a stretch but trust and comfort is found between some of the characters which is a type of love but it isn't "lovey" it isn't cute or romantic but it is safety and comfort which I think it a type of love.
I just really can't say enough good things about this crazy story but it isn't for the faint of heart as it is quite dark with some gore and it definitely isn't an easy life these characters have so there is plenty of talk of abuse, rape, and slavery. Book 3 here I come!
December 27, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
The world created in this series is fascinating and endless in its possibilities. I mean you pick up book one expecting a book about a brothel but you get SO much more. Wars, plagues, shifters, Psis, espionage, political intrigue, serial killers, romance and that’s not even close to all of it. It’s like a goulash of goodies for me personally. If you haven’t read book one you need to read it before you read this one. The world building is fairly complex and events from book 1 are important to the development of things in book 2. Plus it’s just a damn good story. Book 1 Hidden Gem introduces us to Aki and Shane. Book 2 Cardinal Sins is about Paris finding his guy and finally finding his own happiness. However there are many cameos from characters in the Hidden Gem and some new ones. The story is told through the POVs from Paris, Shane, Rain, Aki and Candy. So there’s a ton going in this book. Lots of struggles and emotions to work through. Bad guys and cooties to conquer! Mermen to be saved.
Shane and Aki are settling into their domesticated life together. Aki barely leaves the house because he’s still struggling with all the changes he underwent in book 1. That sort of metamorphasis takes a bit of getting used to. Aki doesn’t exactly have control over his memory losses or panic attacks. One of those episodes lands Aki in the hospital where he’s exposed to a strange new virus that’s killing A-Ms and making humans sick at an alarming rate. He’s put into quarantine but of course Shane gets to his man and exposes himself also. I found myself just as caught up in their devotion and love as I was the first book. Aki is like a lovable ticking time bomb. So devoted and fragile. Though he’s one of the good guys his powers are unknown and potentially catastrophic to those around him. Shane is his anchor to his human side. They need each other like air. There’s just something powerful about their connection the author captures so well.
Paris in this story was quite a bit different than he was in book one. He seemed in charge and together but in Cardinal Sin we learn he’s very sick and weakening daily. Too many people depend on him for him to slow down. He does everything he can until the end. Including looking for a man Aki saw in a vision. What he finds is something close to a merman named Rain. Paris is drawn to Rain. Rain is drawn to his savior Paris. The romance between Paris and Rain was kind of insta love meets the I’m not good enough for you thing. Paris has a ton of responsibilities and keeping up appearances as a powerful and capable Senator is key. He’s a former whore turned Senator who is a very vocal supporter of A-M and Psi rights. He’s forever trying to atone for the sins of his father by saving slaves from the south. Save more people from the violent pray away the gay camps . Paris thinks he has to save everyone. He’s accomplished great things his life but he struggles with how he got there and being worthy of someone’s love. Rain is naive. He’s totally enamored with Paris from the beginning. Sadly this couple just never grabbed me like Shane and Aki did. One of the things that did capture my full attention was Paris’s past . Besides the characters his trip down south was my favorite part of the book. I LOVE ruthless Paris. You do not mess with his family or his city.
The deadly virus unleashed brings in the fear and the gore. Which I generally enjoy. It also reminds us that just because the country has been divided into the north and the south, doesn’t mean the war between the two is over. After the plague that devastated the population and made things toxic, the population had finally started to find a sense of normality and lessened fear in the cities in the north. The virus has a similar shocking effect bringing back all those emotions from the plague and it’s death toll. It sets a tone of weariness but that also makes the guys realize how lucky they are to have found a family like structure with each other.
This book has tons of characters with different histories and tragedies. The plague, loss and government experiments have created some really messed up people. This world is pretty ugly. Each character has a unique story we get little glimpses into. So I’m always intrigued on what’s coming next. Candy meets Ivy his newest star whore for the Gem in this one. Jack the detective who won’t let anybody close to him is going to play a role in the next book. Ino is finally opening up to Aki so there’s potential there for more from him.
To sum this up there are many story lines going on in this book. A few love stories. Some resolution for Paris. New responsibilities for Candy. I’d describe this world as post apocalyptic where anything is possible. Mermen, angels, vampires, shifters, mind control… Basically it’s the story of these men surviving horrible things and finding some joy in each other. I liked this one but not as much as the first one. For me there was just so much going and so many POV changes I couldn’t ever really sink into it and just get lost. It was a good read but it felt much longer than its 300 pages because of the start and stop from each story line. If you liked the first book in this series, you’ll want to read this one. And the next! I’m looking forward to getting some more answers and getting back the the Gem.
The world created in this series is fascinating and endless in its possibilities. I mean you pick up book one expecting a book about a brothel but you get SO much more. Wars, plagues, shifters, Psis, espionage, political intrigue, serial killers, romance and that’s not even close to all of it. It’s like a goulash of goodies for me personally. If you haven’t read book one you need to read it before you read this one. The world building is fairly complex and events from book 1 are important to the development of things in book 2. Plus it’s just a damn good story. Book 1 Hidden Gem introduces us to Aki and Shane. Book 2 Cardinal Sins is about Paris finding his guy and finally finding his own happiness. However there are many cameos from characters in the Hidden Gem and some new ones. The story is told through the POVs from Paris, Shane, Rain, Aki and Candy. So there’s a ton going in this book. Lots of struggles and emotions to work through. Bad guys and cooties to conquer! Mermen to be saved.
Shane and Aki are settling into their domesticated life together. Aki barely leaves the house because he’s still struggling with all the changes he underwent in book 1. That sort of metamorphasis takes a bit of getting used to. Aki doesn’t exactly have control over his memory losses or panic attacks. One of those episodes lands Aki in the hospital where he’s exposed to a strange new virus that’s killing A-Ms and making humans sick at an alarming rate. He’s put into quarantine but of course Shane gets to his man and exposes himself also. I found myself just as caught up in their devotion and love as I was the first book. Aki is like a lovable ticking time bomb. So devoted and fragile. Though he’s one of the good guys his powers are unknown and potentially catastrophic to those around him. Shane is his anchor to his human side. They need each other like air. There’s just something powerful about their connection the author captures so well.
Paris in this story was quite a bit different than he was in book one. He seemed in charge and together but in Cardinal Sin we learn he’s very sick and weakening daily. Too many people depend on him for him to slow down. He does everything he can until the end. Including looking for a man Aki saw in a vision. What he finds is something close to a merman named Rain. Paris is drawn to Rain. Rain is drawn to his savior Paris. The romance between Paris and Rain was kind of insta love meets the I’m not good enough for you thing. Paris has a ton of responsibilities and keeping up appearances as a powerful and capable Senator is key. He’s a former whore turned Senator who is a very vocal supporter of A-M and Psi rights. He’s forever trying to atone for the sins of his father by saving slaves from the south. Save more people from the violent pray away the gay camps . Paris thinks he has to save everyone. He’s accomplished great things his life but he struggles with how he got there and being worthy of someone’s love. Rain is naive. He’s totally enamored with Paris from the beginning. Sadly this couple just never grabbed me like Shane and Aki did. One of the things that did capture my full attention was Paris’s past . Besides the characters his trip down south was my favorite part of the book. I LOVE ruthless Paris. You do not mess with his family or his city.
The deadly virus unleashed brings in the fear and the gore. Which I generally enjoy. It also reminds us that just because the country has been divided into the north and the south, doesn’t mean the war between the two is over. After the plague that devastated the population and made things toxic, the population had finally started to find a sense of normality and lessened fear in the cities in the north. The virus has a similar shocking effect bringing back all those emotions from the plague and it’s death toll. It sets a tone of weariness but that also makes the guys realize how lucky they are to have found a family like structure with each other.
This book has tons of characters with different histories and tragedies. The plague, loss and government experiments have created some really messed up people. This world is pretty ugly. Each character has a unique story we get little glimpses into. So I’m always intrigued on what’s coming next. Candy meets Ivy his newest star whore for the Gem in this one. Jack the detective who won’t let anybody close to him is going to play a role in the next book. Ino is finally opening up to Aki so there’s potential there for more from him.
To sum this up there are many story lines going on in this book. A few love stories. Some resolution for Paris. New responsibilities for Candy. I’d describe this world as post apocalyptic where anything is possible. Mermen, angels, vampires, shifters, mind control… Basically it’s the story of these men surviving horrible things and finding some joy in each other. I liked this one but not as much as the first one. For me there was just so much going and so many POV changes I couldn’t ever really sink into it and just get lost. It was a good read but it felt much longer than its 300 pages because of the start and stop from each story line. If you liked the first book in this series, you’ll want to read this one. And the next! I’m looking forward to getting some more answers and getting back the the Gem.
August 9, 2017
This book is an awesome post apocalyptic, scifi, gay romance. I loved all the characters and the relationships were so perfect. I was truly able to lose myself in this book and the complex relationships of the characters. My book at pages 273 and 274 flipped so that confused me for a minute but I so enjoyed the read.
July 28, 2020
3am...tears and questioning
if I should start Book 3 or go to sleep because holy smokes this was amazing. Loved the multiple interwoven stories and all the characters. Can not wait for Jack - Ivy and Candy.
if I should start Book 3 or go to sleep because holy smokes this was amazing. Loved the multiple interwoven stories and all the characters. Can not wait for Jack - Ivy and Candy.
May 19, 2017
I honestly tried a few different times to pick this book up. I was never able to get past the first couple dozen pages.
March 15, 2020
I am really enjoying this series.
March 28, 2022
This is honestly so much better than the first book since the character development was great! It was also building up to the third book, and the romance here wasn't bad either.
December 6, 2015
I highly recommend reading Hidden Gem before you venture into Cardinal Sins. Aki and Shane have a huge amount of page time in the second book of Lissa Kasey’s Hidden Gems series. In all honesty I felt like this book was divided into thirds. A third of this book belongs to Rain and Paris, a third to Shane and Aki, the other third went to what I’m assuming will be the next romance. I would have enjoyed more of Paris and Rain but the events unraveling here affect Aki and Shane just as much as the other others of this world.
Someone wants all of the North dead and they have created a super virus to see it happen. To make matters worse Paris is losing a battle to an illness that he has tried to hide all of his life. Paris doesn’t have time to stop for his medical needs though. He has to see to properly training the new whores at the Gem, get his new casino Cardinal Sins up and running, keep up appearances for his senate seat, find his senate seat successor, and he feels he must atone for the sins of his father by continuing to rescue the strays from the south. It’s the slaver background that has Paris on a helicopter seeking an AP facility in a frozen lake looking for a long lost link to Aki’s past.
Alone for far too long in a buried fish tank Rain welcomes the newcomers who have stumbled upon his frigid underwater dwellings that was once a laboratory of some sort. Rain is hopeful that the humans curiosity will lead to freedom and friendship, a little more variety in his diet will also be much appreciated. His new home in the fish tanks of the Cardinal Sins Casino is nearly a dream come true. He can explore nearly the entire casino in the warmer tank with its numerous access tunnels. Keeping an eye on the extremely handsome Paris quickly becomes his favorite way to pass the time. That is a blessing of sorts as Rain is able to help Paris at the very moment he needed it most.
Rain is definitely the easiest going captive I’ve ever read, he never tries to escape. I would have thought after his initial capture that put him where Paris found his he’d have been weary of the new people. I never got that impression. The page time given to the previous book and the next book took away from Paris and Rain’s romance. While I enjoyed what I believe to be some build up for the next book I was left wanting more of the development of Paris and Rain’s feelings for each other. I’m still completely intrigued by this world though. It is so vastly different from what we’re living today. The struggles that the characters have deal with on a daily basis while far-fetched to me make so much sense to the time and place that this book is set.
Someone wants all of the North dead and they have created a super virus to see it happen. To make matters worse Paris is losing a battle to an illness that he has tried to hide all of his life. Paris doesn’t have time to stop for his medical needs though. He has to see to properly training the new whores at the Gem, get his new casino Cardinal Sins up and running, keep up appearances for his senate seat, find his senate seat successor, and he feels he must atone for the sins of his father by continuing to rescue the strays from the south. It’s the slaver background that has Paris on a helicopter seeking an AP facility in a frozen lake looking for a long lost link to Aki’s past.
Alone for far too long in a buried fish tank Rain welcomes the newcomers who have stumbled upon his frigid underwater dwellings that was once a laboratory of some sort. Rain is hopeful that the humans curiosity will lead to freedom and friendship, a little more variety in his diet will also be much appreciated. His new home in the fish tanks of the Cardinal Sins Casino is nearly a dream come true. He can explore nearly the entire casino in the warmer tank with its numerous access tunnels. Keeping an eye on the extremely handsome Paris quickly becomes his favorite way to pass the time. That is a blessing of sorts as Rain is able to help Paris at the very moment he needed it most.
Rain is definitely the easiest going captive I’ve ever read, he never tries to escape. I would have thought after his initial capture that put him where Paris found his he’d have been weary of the new people. I never got that impression. The page time given to the previous book and the next book took away from Paris and Rain’s romance. While I enjoyed what I believe to be some build up for the next book I was left wanting more of the development of Paris and Rain’s feelings for each other. I’m still completely intrigued by this world though. It is so vastly different from what we’re living today. The struggles that the characters have deal with on a daily basis while far-fetched to me make so much sense to the time and place that this book is set.
November 14, 2016
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four and a half stars!
I absolutely love the world Ms. Kasey created here. You don’t have to read Hidden Gem to know or understand what’s going on in this book. However I suggest you read it anyway because it’s just a good book.
In this story we get to see more of Paris, his history and what makes him the way he is. It was fascinating to see more of Paris. I loved him in Hidden Gem. He broke my heart in this story more than once as we see him struggle to survive and then struggle to handle who he thinks he is.
There’s so much more going on in City M and in the North vs. South tension. We get to learn more about some of the history and that things aren’t quite what we think they are.
The story telling in this book is wonderful. We see all of the characters and get into their heads just a little bit. I loved getting to see Aki and Shane again, how they’re still fabulously in love and care about each other’s well being. I loved Candy in this book. You get to see how he’s grown since Aki left the Gem. Plus we meet new characters that make you immediately like them and want to know more about them. Ino grew in this book too and it was amazing seeing how he handles being a brother in the beginning versus the end.
But Paris and how he tries to save everyone is the main focus of the book. He’s so good at saving people and making sure they are taken care of he tends to forget about himself. rain does a fabulous job of that in the story though and the scenes with those two are wonderful. You can feel their friendship and fondness for each other grow as you read. You can see and feel their emotions as they realize their feelings go deeper.
I cannot wait to see more of this world and have some questions answered in the next book. The final book in the series will hopefully have everything wrapped up and I’m so freaking excited for it to come out.
Four and a half stars!
I absolutely love the world Ms. Kasey created here. You don’t have to read Hidden Gem to know or understand what’s going on in this book. However I suggest you read it anyway because it’s just a good book.
In this story we get to see more of Paris, his history and what makes him the way he is. It was fascinating to see more of Paris. I loved him in Hidden Gem. He broke my heart in this story more than once as we see him struggle to survive and then struggle to handle who he thinks he is.
There’s so much more going on in City M and in the North vs. South tension. We get to learn more about some of the history and that things aren’t quite what we think they are.
The story telling in this book is wonderful. We see all of the characters and get into their heads just a little bit. I loved getting to see Aki and Shane again, how they’re still fabulously in love and care about each other’s well being. I loved Candy in this book. You get to see how he’s grown since Aki left the Gem. Plus we meet new characters that make you immediately like them and want to know more about them. Ino grew in this book too and it was amazing seeing how he handles being a brother in the beginning versus the end.
But Paris and how he tries to save everyone is the main focus of the book. He’s so good at saving people and making sure they are taken care of he tends to forget about himself. rain does a fabulous job of that in the story though and the scenes with those two are wonderful. You can feel their friendship and fondness for each other grow as you read. You can see and feel their emotions as they realize their feelings go deeper.
I cannot wait to see more of this world and have some questions answered in the next book. The final book in the series will hopefully have everything wrapped up and I’m so freaking excited for it to come out.
October 12, 2016
So, so good. I am incredibly glad that I re-read book 1, however, as we still get pov sections from Aki and Shane. And their relationship is still developing in this one as well. Honestly, their relationship seemed to get even more time than Paris and Rain. And then we've got the developing relationship for #3 already forming as well. So this one felt much more action- and world-building-oriented and much less relationship-oriented than books I've been reading recently.
But I do appreciate how thoroughly we get to know each of the characters. Aki, Shane, Paris, Rain and Candy (and Jack? I can't remember) all have pov sections, so this felt much more like an ensemble cast. And I love how much we learn about them and each other as we see them both as they see themselves and as the others see them.
I also adored the primary setting for this one. Paris's newly-remodeled, about-to-open casino Cardinal Sins was gloriously vividly described.
I can't decide if I regret waiting so long or not, because now #3's been released and I can go dive right in to Candy's book!
Some Favorite Quotes:
Paris glanced at the door and then back to the chair, then sighed and sat. "I really am no one, sir."
The man nodded. "Then who do you plan to be?"
Not being loved by your parents wasn't a character deficit unless a person made it one.
But I do appreciate how thoroughly we get to know each of the characters. Aki, Shane, Paris, Rain and Candy (and Jack? I can't remember) all have pov sections, so this felt much more like an ensemble cast. And I love how much we learn about them and each other as we see them both as they see themselves and as the others see them.
I also adored the primary setting for this one. Paris's newly-remodeled, about-to-open casino Cardinal Sins was gloriously vividly described.
I can't decide if I regret waiting so long or not, because now #3's been released and I can go dive right in to Candy's book!
Some Favorite Quotes:
Paris glanced at the door and then back to the chair, then sighed and sat. "I really am no one, sir."
The man nodded. "Then who do you plan to be?"
Not being loved by your parents wasn't a character deficit unless a person made it one.
September 13, 2016
The gang is back and a deadly virus is spreading fast, who will survive or is it the plague reborn? "Cardinal Sins" is an amazing follow up to "Hidden Gem". Aki is now living with Shane, Paris is dying and Candy is stressed realizing he'll be taking over for Paris much sooner than he thought. When they least expect it a deadly virus hits and its affecting the A-M's more than anyone. Aki and Manny are exposed, then Shane and Jack get infected, Candy is exposed and in turn the new psi, Ivy, she just brought in also. Next Takeshi, Aki's brother is infected. Will Paris be able to find the source and cure while also finding out who is and how his new merman, Rain, came to be? This book is thrilling and you won't want to put it down. It mirrors how humans treat those who are different in the real world. How humans have repeatedly tried to destroy those we don't understand, can't control or are jealous of. How we as a species constantly mess with and try to manipulate things we should not, playing God. I am loving this series and can't wait to start book 3, " Candy Land" tomorrow. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2016
This petered out for me about halfway through. I found myself repeatedly putting it down. The writing lacked cohesion and became mushy. Too much time was spent on all the plot lines - which were essentially the same.
Paris has a mysterious life-threatening illness - will he survive?
Shane has a mysterious illness - will he survive?
And then Jack and Ino fall ill - will they survive?
I don’t need the details of each character’s journey when they are all the same. The boredom started to make my head hurt.
Paris has a mysterious life-threatening illness - will he survive?
Shane has a mysterious illness - will he survive?
And then Jack and Ino fall ill - will they survive?
I don’t need the details of each character’s journey when they are all the same. The boredom started to make my head hurt.
January 11, 2020
Cardinal Sins
In this book the se story unfolds more and we get to know more about Aki and Shane. Paris secrets are revealed and we meet a new psi. The story just gets better and better!!
In this book the se story unfolds more and we get to know more about Aki and Shane. Paris secrets are revealed and we meet a new psi. The story just gets better and better!!
November 28, 2015
This really dragged for me, and I honestly didn't care about half of the POV characters. The virus storyline kinda petered out at the beginning and never picked back up. And I didn't like how Rain was consistently characterized at the beginning as not being quite as intelligent as a human but more than an animal - it made the sudden romance at about 60% seem kinda ick.
July 12, 2017
4.5 stars
I may have liked this one even better than the first one, Hidden Gem. Great world building and character development, wonderfully unique story, well written. Could have been edited a bit more closely, but it did not diminish my enjoyment of the book. Highly recommended.
I may have liked this one even better than the first one, Hidden Gem. Great world building and character development, wonderfully unique story, well written. Could have been edited a bit more closely, but it did not diminish my enjoyment of the book. Highly recommended.
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