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Heart of the Witch
When a serial killer called "The Tin Man" makes a mistake and leaves his latest victim alive, ex-homicide detective Nick Lassiter plans to use her to crack the case wide open until he actually meets this brave woman who is part helpless waif, part merciless vigilante. Original. 125,000 first printing.
290 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2009
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907 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Dean
65 books678 followersI am a suspense and paranormal romance author living in Edmond, Oklahoma. I have three grown children. My passions are reading, writing, wearing pajamas, and watching (or rewatching) my favorite television shows such as The Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Justified, and Dexter. I am a huge MLB and Elvis Presley fan. I usually mention one or both in every novel and short story I write. :-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
March 12, 2010
Ravyn Skyler is abducted one night by the Tin Man serial killer. His plans on mutilation and rape don't include her being a witch. Which he suffers for greatly.
But Ravyn now has to cover the fact that she's used her powers to harm another person. Not only can she not tell the authorities how she managed to escape without disclosing that she's a witch, she cna't let her coven know that she's used magic in a way that is against their laws.
Now the Tin Man Killer is out for revenge. And she gets a blast form her past to throw more complications in the mix. Now she has to watch her back from just about every angle.
Nick is a Private Investigator who's been hired to help track down this serial killer. And when he meets the surviving victim, he's overcome with his desire for her. He has no idea what she really is, and is confused by all the pieces of the pussle that don't add up.
Ravyn and Nick have to put all of that aside to work together to catch this killer before he takes another life.
This one is more like 3.5 stars. But I can't bring myself to give it 4. I liked it, but it was missing something crucial.
One problem was that it started off full steam ahead for the first 30 pages or so. Then it just seemed to lose momentum. It eventually picked back up. But it never really regained my full attention.
The story had the potential to be great. But the lack of dimension in the characters just held it back. They were flat. I understood the way Ravyn thinks....but what I want to know is WHY does she feel this way? What is her motivation? I know by reading that Nick in grieving. But I want to FEEL Nick's grief. They just weren't fleshed out. And I couldn't bring myself to care about them the way I should have. And the result was that I couldn't appreciate their plight.
I would be open to another book by this author to see if she can improve on charactger developement. But I think it would be a library read and not one I go out and buy.
But Ravyn now has to cover the fact that she's used her powers to harm another person. Not only can she not tell the authorities how she managed to escape without disclosing that she's a witch, she cna't let her coven know that she's used magic in a way that is against their laws.
Now the Tin Man Killer is out for revenge. And she gets a blast form her past to throw more complications in the mix. Now she has to watch her back from just about every angle.
Nick is a Private Investigator who's been hired to help track down this serial killer. And when he meets the surviving victim, he's overcome with his desire for her. He has no idea what she really is, and is confused by all the pieces of the pussle that don't add up.
Ravyn and Nick have to put all of that aside to work together to catch this killer before he takes another life.
This one is more like 3.5 stars. But I can't bring myself to give it 4. I liked it, but it was missing something crucial.
One problem was that it started off full steam ahead for the first 30 pages or so. Then it just seemed to lose momentum. It eventually picked back up. But it never really regained my full attention.
The story had the potential to be great. But the lack of dimension in the characters just held it back. They were flat. I understood the way Ravyn thinks....but what I want to know is WHY does she feel this way? What is her motivation? I know by reading that Nick in grieving. But I want to FEEL Nick's grief. They just weren't fleshed out. And I couldn't bring myself to care about them the way I should have. And the result was that I couldn't appreciate their plight.
I would be open to another book by this author to see if she can improve on charactger developement. But I think it would be a library read and not one I go out and buy.
June 11, 2011
This book is further proof that I must finish every book until the end, no matter how bad. I didn't connect with the main character at all, she just irritated me most of the time. The whole part about how her coven would disown her if they found out that she used magic to stop the serial killer from mutilating and killing her just wasn't flying with me. I mean, if you can't use magic in that situation, when the heck can you?
And then there's Kayne. I was only mildly interested when the author first mentioned him, though that was tinted with annoyance because it took forever to follow up. And when we finally did learn more about him, he still was not that interesting. Plus I kept getting confused...does turning to the darkside make you weaker, or stronger? Because it was repeated more than once about using your powers outside of the coven rules will make you weaker, and yet Kayne was always so much stronger than Ravyn and she was always afraid she would lose against him. And seriously, what was the point of the loincloth? Really??
I was disappointed by the whole betrayal part. "Oh my god, I can't believe she's a witch!" "Oh my god, I can't believe he's leading a task force of policemen to go hunt witches!" As usual, they don't ask any questions about it and go running off on crazy false assumptions without ever just asking each other about any of it. At least the author didn't drag it out too long, they seemed to get over it relatively quickly.
My dislike only grew once it hit the big climax with the Kayne confrontation. Until that point, I had problems with the book, but I was able to overcome them. But Ravyn on with the rope around her neck and the battle, it was just downright silly. Seriously, silly. I would not have been upset if I had forgotten to read this, but it was free from nook, so I did.
Silly. I mean it. And not really in the good way.
And then there's Kayne. I was only mildly interested when the author first mentioned him, though that was tinted with annoyance because it took forever to follow up. And when we finally did learn more about him, he still was not that interesting. Plus I kept getting confused...does turning to the darkside make you weaker, or stronger? Because it was repeated more than once about using your powers outside of the coven rules will make you weaker, and yet Kayne was always so much stronger than Ravyn and she was always afraid she would lose against him. And seriously, what was the point of the loincloth? Really??
I was disappointed by the whole betrayal part. "Oh my god, I can't believe she's a witch!" "Oh my god, I can't believe he's leading a task force of policemen to go hunt witches!" As usual, they don't ask any questions about it and go running off on crazy false assumptions without ever just asking each other about any of it. At least the author didn't drag it out too long, they seemed to get over it relatively quickly.
My dislike only grew once it hit the big climax with the Kayne confrontation. Until that point, I had problems with the book, but I was able to overcome them. But Ravyn on with the rope around her neck and the battle, it was just downright silly. Seriously, silly. I would not have been upset if I had forgotten to read this, but it was free from nook, so I did.
Silly. I mean it. And not really in the good way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2011
The book begins with Ravyn at the mercy of a serial killer known as the Tin Man. But Ravyn has a secret- she's a witch. While she is able to escape certain death, she doesn't trust the police to catch the Tin Man, mostly because she doesn't want her secret getting out. Nick Lassiter is a former cop, now little more than a washed-up, alcoholic private investigator. He has been hired to catch the Tin Man, so he inevitably crosses paths with Ravyn. What he isn't expecting is the instant and deep attraction he feels for her. He's been living a half-life since his wife's death, and isn't entirely certain he likes the feeling. Before they really have time to explore their mutual attraction, Ravyn's ex, and dark witch Kayne enters the picture. Can Ravyn and Nick stop the serial killer before he destroys more lives... and will Kayne destroy everything before they have the chance?
I really felt that you never get to know Ravyn. She's so worried about keeping secrets from everyone that she never opens up, even to the reader. Nick has a lot of hard feelings from his time in the police force, but the way that situation is resolved is completely anticlimactic and rather shallow. There's really two stories going on in this book- catching the serial killer and Kayne's obsession with Ravyn. While the author attempts to bring them together, it felt forced. I also felt there were a lot of superfluous scenes that didn't add to the story... and there's a lot about past lives influencing current events that just didn't seem to be anything more than a quick fix to a current problem. It wasn't badly written, but it almost felt that the author got bored and just kind of threw things together to finish the book.
I really felt that you never get to know Ravyn. She's so worried about keeping secrets from everyone that she never opens up, even to the reader. Nick has a lot of hard feelings from his time in the police force, but the way that situation is resolved is completely anticlimactic and rather shallow. There's really two stories going on in this book- catching the serial killer and Kayne's obsession with Ravyn. While the author attempts to bring them together, it felt forced. I also felt there were a lot of superfluous scenes that didn't add to the story... and there's a lot about past lives influencing current events that just didn't seem to be anything more than a quick fix to a current problem. It wasn't badly written, but it almost felt that the author got bored and just kind of threw things together to finish the book.
Want to read
May 21, 2011115 pages in, so far so good. this was a free book from b & n on the nook. I just got my nook today and needed a book to read. since this one was free i went for it. i wasnt expecting much for a free read but was pleasantly surprised.
June 2, 2011
I enjoyed this book a lot. Some parts were painful to read because they were vivid! Will def look for other books from this author :)
June 3, 2011
Great book! I was entranced from the beginning. Couldn't put the kindle down! Definitely a must read for magic lovers or romance readers.
July 13, 2011
What I liked: The magical ability of the witches in the story. I'm the kind of fantasy lover that loves to see and read about witches being able to do things with their spells and candles. And even have natural abilities. No offense to real wiccans. But I truly enjoy being swept away in the magical fantasy of powers.
Although I wasn't a fan of Sorina's(Main character, Ravyn's sister) overtly bubbly manner and crying at the drop of the hat. I have to say I give her props for loving Ravyn no matter what and sticking up for her even though she was the younger sister when they were kids. As I have read so many stories in the past where if the younger sibling is the shit, they usually join in the band wagon of teasing and picking on the sibling that isn't.
I also give props to Ravyn for trying to take care of Sorina's cat after Sorina was murdered. And also for Nick for a change putting the bottle and cigs down for a time to sober up enough and handle a serious P.I. Case as he was beyond slouching on the job. Hell his client was out performing him for a time in the story and that was just a shame.
What I didn't like about the book:
How about the incesstant whining from the characters? I mean hello had the serial killer power tripping over his kills one minute. And the next he was whining that Rayvn put a end to his sick ultimate goal dreams because she lit his crotch on fire. Then Ravyn was whining about having harmed the guy so that she could get away. All the back and forth about how she shouldn't have done it but that he deserved it and she was full of rage about it and but felt so bad. Look I tell anybody if someone is going to try and off me, there is no time to question surviving in the moment, it is just him or me. No two ways about it. And then enter Nick, the P.I. is whining about his dead wife and how he can't go on. Hell his client the attorney that was one of the serial killer's victims was solving the case far better than Nick was even though the guy was sad about his late wife too. Just ugh.
Another thing I wasn't too fond of is how it was such a casual thing for Nick to grab on to Ravyn like it was nothing. I get he wanted to get her attention and to stop and talk to him about something. But there were quite a few times where he seemed to have a bit of a yanking fit. I know he wasn't doing it to be abusive but come on?
And what was up with that half assed modern day witch hunting task force? Not to mention how that was handled toward the end of the story.
So overall I would have to say that although there are some likable parts of this story. I can't really say I would recommend it as the best thing I ever read. It will do in a pinch but not something I would think folks should rush out and buy.
Although I wasn't a fan of Sorina's(Main character, Ravyn's sister) overtly bubbly manner and crying at the drop of the hat. I have to say I give her props for loving Ravyn no matter what and sticking up for her even though she was the younger sister when they were kids. As I have read so many stories in the past where if the younger sibling is the shit, they usually join in the band wagon of teasing and picking on the sibling that isn't.
I also give props to Ravyn for trying to take care of Sorina's cat after Sorina was murdered. And also for Nick for a change putting the bottle and cigs down for a time to sober up enough and handle a serious P.I. Case as he was beyond slouching on the job. Hell his client was out performing him for a time in the story and that was just a shame.
What I didn't like about the book:
How about the incesstant whining from the characters? I mean hello had the serial killer power tripping over his kills one minute. And the next he was whining that Rayvn put a end to his sick ultimate goal dreams because she lit his crotch on fire. Then Ravyn was whining about having harmed the guy so that she could get away. All the back and forth about how she shouldn't have done it but that he deserved it and she was full of rage about it and but felt so bad. Look I tell anybody if someone is going to try and off me, there is no time to question surviving in the moment, it is just him or me. No two ways about it. And then enter Nick, the P.I. is whining about his dead wife and how he can't go on. Hell his client the attorney that was one of the serial killer's victims was solving the case far better than Nick was even though the guy was sad about his late wife too. Just ugh.
Another thing I wasn't too fond of is how it was such a casual thing for Nick to grab on to Ravyn like it was nothing. I get he wanted to get her attention and to stop and talk to him about something. But there were quite a few times where he seemed to have a bit of a yanking fit. I know he wasn't doing it to be abusive but come on?
And what was up with that half assed modern day witch hunting task force? Not to mention how that was handled toward the end of the story.
So overall I would have to say that although there are some likable parts of this story. I can't really say I would recommend it as the best thing I ever read. It will do in a pinch but not something I would think folks should rush out and buy.
May 24, 2014
I would give this 3.5 stars.
Heart of the Witch by Alicia Dean is a stand alone novel filled with some romance and a bit of action.
Ravyn is a witch who survives an attack by a serial killer, she is the only woman to ever survive. With the aid of her sister, Ravyn works to move on from her attack while hiding her heritage from the police. With the police investigation going nowhere one of the other victim's husband hires private detective Nick Lassiter to find the killer. Upon hearing of Ravyn's survival, Nick sets out to learn more about her and how she survived.
At first the book really had my attention and I really enjoyed it. The characters are not difficult to relate to and the story moves at a decent pace. I did not, however, really enjoy the sudden plot twists. Although the twists kept you guessing as to what would happen, I found that they lacked an emotional connection to the characters. I was also somewhat disappointed in the ending, for the novel to have gone through several plot twists the ending seemed to plain or simple for me. I also struggled with this being a stand alone novel, although that may be just me preferring series books. There was a fair amount of backstory given throughout the novel (we learn about Ravyn's past) and it is left somewhat open for future books.
Heart of the Witch by Alicia Dean is a stand alone novel filled with some romance and a bit of action.
Ravyn is a witch who survives an attack by a serial killer, she is the only woman to ever survive. With the aid of her sister, Ravyn works to move on from her attack while hiding her heritage from the police. With the police investigation going nowhere one of the other victim's husband hires private detective Nick Lassiter to find the killer. Upon hearing of Ravyn's survival, Nick sets out to learn more about her and how she survived.
At first the book really had my attention and I really enjoyed it. The characters are not difficult to relate to and the story moves at a decent pace. I did not, however, really enjoy the sudden plot twists. Although the twists kept you guessing as to what would happen, I found that they lacked an emotional connection to the characters. I was also somewhat disappointed in the ending, for the novel to have gone through several plot twists the ending seemed to plain or simple for me. I also struggled with this being a stand alone novel, although that may be just me preferring series books. There was a fair amount of backstory given throughout the novel (we learn about Ravyn's past) and it is left somewhat open for future books.
May 24, 2011
Ravyn was kidnapped in a parking garage by a serial killer called the tin man. He tortures them before killing them in a broken cabin in the woods. Ravyn was drugged and is tied up naked on a gurney and has a burning knife seared on her stomach. All of a sudden her eyes go wierd and he feels his groin on fire. tin man screams and takes off in his car. some poachers come running and cut her loose and dial 911. Ravyn tell the cops a little but is afraid her coven will find out she used her power to harm.
Nick is PI hired to find and stop the tin man he used to be a good cop but with his wife dead of 5 yrs he drinks a lot. He knows Ravyn has more information so he works undercover at her store. they wind out working together to find and stop the tinman before he kills again.
the story keeps your attention and you dont want to stop until it is over with. I will look for more books of hers to read. recommend this book.
Nick is PI hired to find and stop the tin man he used to be a good cop but with his wife dead of 5 yrs he drinks a lot. He knows Ravyn has more information so he works undercover at her store. they wind out working together to find and stop the tinman before he kills again.
the story keeps your attention and you dont want to stop until it is over with. I will look for more books of hers to read. recommend this book.
February 7, 2013
This was a free Friday on my Nook... And two words that I have for this book is WOMP WOMP!!!! What a waste of my freaking time... This book was all over the place... I found myself having to reread sentences because the author would switch from character to character without a decent segue... I literally struggled to get through this book and I haven't struggled to finish reading a book since college and that book was for a science course and when I compare the two this book is way worse....I never really understood why the main characters feel in love and what they loved about each other....also she had too many villains and I felt like she struggled with having to juggle all of these characters... At the end of the day I would NOT recommend this book to anyone I repeat DONT DO IT!!!!!!! Now I have to go read a book from an author that actually has talent so my brain cells can recover from this foolishness that I have exposed it to!!!!!
June 15, 2011
I really liked this free read. I can see how others wouldn't like it though. It is a romance but it's not all rainbows and unicorns. I always appreciate a fantasy or paranormal book that's not all about vampires, so I really liked the witch aspect. What I enjoyed the most, was that it started out like an episode of criminal minds with a serial killer ... then gradually got more into a sci-fi romance. It wasn't all pretty and I appreciate writing that can creep me out, yet still make me fall in love with the hero.
June 13, 2011
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I mean, I have never really been a huge fan of witch romance, but it was well written and had a ton of shocking turns, which kept my interest. I was very involved with the characters and could visualize exactly what the writer wrote. I would definitely recommend this book, it was a free download for free friday for nook.
June 22, 2019
Any one who likes to read about Witch’s and what they do will like reading this books. I like reading about witch’s and all other books like this.some off this could be true or what ever you want to do.
It is like being in a different time and place.i like to think that some off this can go on.
It is like being in a different time and place.i like to think that some off this can go on.
June 20, 2011
this book was better than i expected it to be. it starts out really strong however, the end is just lacking substance. it felt like the author rushed to finish the book but other than that it was a decent read.
June 17, 2011
Was a good murder mystery as it turned out to be with a little bit of romance in there. I really liked it and the Characters stayed true to form. Nick and Ravyn. Wow!! I really liked it.. Thanks Barnes and Noble for the free book.
May 30, 2011
This was a freebie on nook. Very easy read but I thought that the book was well written and kept me interested.
May 30, 2011
This is last Week's free Friday Nook book. Not a very good book - Barnes and Noble needs to improve the Free Friday selection!
Want to read
June 15, 2011Free Nook Book, gonna give it a try :)
June 6, 2011
An Ok book (was a freebie on the Nook). Never have read a 'witch' type novel before - actually it was somewhat captivating. Read it in a day. I would read this author's books again.
June 23, 2011
I really enjoyed this book, intense, kept me reading. I just felt like for such a good book the end was kind of disappointing.
October 11, 2012
Besides a few gratuitous sex scenes in the beginning of the book the story line was just okay. This was a free Nook book for me, but I would not recommend reading.
February 12, 2018
Interesting
I enjoyed the novel plot and characters. It was well edited and even if the rules Ravyn and her coven lived by seemed a little too strict, it was entirely believable. Great read. Well edited.
I enjoyed the novel plot and characters. It was well edited and even if the rules Ravyn and her coven lived by seemed a little too strict, it was entirely believable. Great read. Well edited.
June 11, 2017
Love!!
I couldn't put this book down...suspense, thriller, magic. Definitely a good read and I would love a crime fighting sequel.
I couldn't put this book down...suspense, thriller, magic. Definitely a good read and I would love a crime fighting sequel.
February 16, 2018
An enjoyable read but pretty much predictable.
October 8, 2023
Easy read.
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
April 12, 2012
Heart of the Witch was a lot better than I had anticipated upon reading a few reviews before starting the book. Personally, I was fully engaged right from the start. I don't know if it was because it began amidst a traumatic event or what, but I knew from the first page that I'd be completing this read. There was no question about it.
At first, I thought this was a young adult book, but it's geared towards adults. There's a little bit of everything in it. You have fantasy, they're witches; you have suspense, there's a killer on the loose; you have romance, there's some boy-meets-girl butterflies; you have tragedy, killer indeed killed; and then to top it all off, you have some watered down sex scenes (graphic enough to be considered graphic but I wouldn't consider it full blown erotica/porn).
What I liked most about this book was Ravyn's character's complexity. It's typical to have a little good witch/bad witch going on in stories like this, but in this case, it felt like she wasn't completely sure which she really was. She'd choose goodness over evil, of course, but there were times where she had to things that went against her teachings for the "greater good" and in doing it, you're left wondering if it was enough to push her to lean further to the left or the right. I'm not sure how others would take to it, but I found it interesting and a nice contrast to the typical one dimensional good witch/bad witch deal I find in most of the witchy books I read.
What I don't understand is Kayne's persona. Clearly, he was a dejected lunatic, but where the other characters made sense, he did not. He came across more as a self-proclaimed God than a witch or a warlock...and not in a positive way. I found him to be a corny addition stuck in time, although, I'm awful curious about what he'd look like in his infamous loincloth. >.> lol. One other tiny criticism would be the word mortals being used to refer to the "regular" people. Wouldn't they all be mortals? Witches can die...they have powers, they cast spells...but they're not immortal and the fact that it was shown during the read that the witches weren't immune to death, seeing the term mortals peppered through-out the story became a minor peeve of mine. No biggie, it just made my eyes roll a few times, but it didn't stop me from reading.
I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. It's definitely fast-paced and worth the read if you're between books and another plus for me was that the characters in this book were NOT all in high school as what I've found becoming common with the more recent witchy books coming out. It's nice to read about adult witchery from time to time.
At first, I thought this was a young adult book, but it's geared towards adults. There's a little bit of everything in it. You have fantasy, they're witches; you have suspense, there's a killer on the loose; you have romance, there's some boy-meets-girl butterflies; you have tragedy, killer indeed killed; and then to top it all off, you have some watered down sex scenes (graphic enough to be considered graphic but I wouldn't consider it full blown erotica/porn).
What I liked most about this book was Ravyn's character's complexity. It's typical to have a little good witch/bad witch going on in stories like this, but in this case, it felt like she wasn't completely sure which she really was. She'd choose goodness over evil, of course, but there were times where she had to things that went against her teachings for the "greater good" and in doing it, you're left wondering if it was enough to push her to lean further to the left or the right. I'm not sure how others would take to it, but I found it interesting and a nice contrast to the typical one dimensional good witch/bad witch deal I find in most of the witchy books I read.
What I don't understand is Kayne's persona. Clearly, he was a dejected lunatic, but where the other characters made sense, he did not. He came across more as a self-proclaimed God than a witch or a warlock...and not in a positive way. I found him to be a corny addition stuck in time, although, I'm awful curious about what he'd look like in his infamous loincloth. >.> lol. One other tiny criticism would be the word mortals being used to refer to the "regular" people. Wouldn't they all be mortals? Witches can die...they have powers, they cast spells...but they're not immortal and the fact that it was shown during the read that the witches weren't immune to death, seeing the term mortals peppered through-out the story became a minor peeve of mine. No biggie, it just made my eyes roll a few times, but it didn't stop me from reading.
I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. It's definitely fast-paced and worth the read if you're between books and another plus for me was that the characters in this book were NOT all in high school as what I've found becoming common with the more recent witchy books coming out. It's nice to read about adult witchery from time to time.
July 12, 2011
In dialogues between two characters, any two characters in this book, the author does some good story-telling; I did not enjoy any other aspect of this book.
The main characters are filled with so much pain from what they are currently experiencing and from what they've experienced in the past that it is really hard to connect with them, as the only attributes they have besides their painful histories are 1) a need to be alone and 2) looking sexy. And while it's been proven time and time again that solitary figures in literature are very alluring, and of course, we want our romantic heroes and heroines to be physically attractive and physically attracted to each other, the recurring refrain of "I'm so hurt and sexy but I don't know that I'm sexy, I only know I'm hurt, hurt so much that I can't even stand other people who incidentally are either well-intentioned towards other people (this means stupid) or large" gets old very quickly. The numerous painful incidents of the past are revealed so casually that the exposition reads like an outline rather than developed thought. Authority figures in this world are inept, because they are either evil or they keep turning their investigation over to other people. Inept authority figures in fiction are logical catalysts for main characters to get involved, as in this case, in solving a crime, but ultimately, I had to ask myself, why is this world worth saving? There isn't enough development of the positive influences in the heroine's life to get a sense of anything being at stake here, except that evil in the world is interrupting the heroine's alone time. Overall, the heroine faces a mortal and a supernatural threat. Either conflict alone would make for an imposing obstacle. Together the threats combine for a shallow story.
The main characters are filled with so much pain from what they are currently experiencing and from what they've experienced in the past that it is really hard to connect with them, as the only attributes they have besides their painful histories are 1) a need to be alone and 2) looking sexy. And while it's been proven time and time again that solitary figures in literature are very alluring, and of course, we want our romantic heroes and heroines to be physically attractive and physically attracted to each other, the recurring refrain of "I'm so hurt and sexy but I don't know that I'm sexy, I only know I'm hurt, hurt so much that I can't even stand other people who incidentally are either well-intentioned towards other people (this means stupid) or large" gets old very quickly. The numerous painful incidents of the past are revealed so casually that the exposition reads like an outline rather than developed thought. Authority figures in this world are inept, because they are either evil or they keep turning their investigation over to other people. Inept authority figures in fiction are logical catalysts for main characters to get involved, as in this case, in solving a crime, but ultimately, I had to ask myself, why is this world worth saving? There isn't enough development of the positive influences in the heroine's life to get a sense of anything being at stake here, except that evil in the world is interrupting the heroine's alone time. Overall, the heroine faces a mortal and a supernatural threat. Either conflict alone would make for an imposing obstacle. Together the threats combine for a shallow story.
May 31, 2011
While this wasn't a bad book by any means, I was never really drawn into it to the point of being unable to put it down. I never connected with the characters like I thought I should. In part, I think this stems from initially meeting Ravyn as she was on the verge of being tortured. I didn't have the chance to get into her head before she was closing down as she attempted to deal with her kidnapping, torture and misuse of her powers.
Now, in all fairness I should point out that Ravyn was known for being emotionally closed off. She doesn't cry. She's prickly. She's more focused on her magic than on bothering to be friendly to those around her. While her emotional distance is explained as being part of her personality, it made her a hard character to get to know.
As for Nick, once he managed to pull himself together and focus on catching the bad guy he became someone worth reading about. He was interesting. He was dynamic. But it takes him time to let go of the bottle and realize that there's more to life than wallowing in his guilt.
Like I said, it wasn't a bad book. There were just times were it seemed to lose focus and I'd find my attention wandering. That said, I did read it over the course of one day so that must say something.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Now, in all fairness I should point out that Ravyn was known for being emotionally closed off. She doesn't cry. She's prickly. She's more focused on her magic than on bothering to be friendly to those around her. While her emotional distance is explained as being part of her personality, it made her a hard character to get to know.
As for Nick, once he managed to pull himself together and focus on catching the bad guy he became someone worth reading about. He was interesting. He was dynamic. But it takes him time to let go of the bottle and realize that there's more to life than wallowing in his guilt.
Like I said, it wasn't a bad book. There were just times were it seemed to lose focus and I'd find my attention wandering. That said, I did read it over the course of one day so that must say something.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
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