Rayne > Recent Status Updates

Finished book 2
This is still good. Slow but the world building and character interactions keeps me reading. Still unraveling all the technicalities around the Sabres and Crown but I think I understand. It does distract me though from the flow of the story. Overall though I’m curious enough to read Book 3

Finished book 1
Very slow burn - and a bit confusing. Lots of layers to understand about the world. Characters are still unpacking - I think it would have been useful to have been in multiple POV as so to understand the guys better and the reasoning behind their decisions. I’m still a bit lost in what is going on- liking Seth. Not sure about Shade yet.
Will continue onto book 2.

Chapter 5 - still going strong with this series

Ok - I am on chapter 4 and I just want to throttle Hella. What did she really think would happen after her non-bio dads reaction in book 1 - hmm?? Not really hard to believe that people would just roll over and accept things coz she says so

Ok - I’m at about a Chapter 31 out of 83 in book 2 and I’m really not liking Hella and her attitude. Please just grow-up!! She is really p-ing me off.

Falling for Darkness - A bit more progress happened in this one. I feel Ariana has started to mature and we get a bit more clarity. A big reveal and some more chaos leads right up to a cliffhanger ending. This book was a lot stronger than the others.

Book 2 Into the Darkness
This book moved along slowly. A few little developments- some predictable. A little hiccup but mostly sorted. A bit of a filler really - didn’t learn too much more. A bit of action and Ariana is getting stronger but still a bit naive. Onto book 3.

Book 1 Chosen By Darkness
A strong start to the series. Definitely has me hooked. Ariana is a strong enough lead - fairly well balanced between dependent & independent. The 4 Princes are interesting in their own right. The story moved fairly quickly in the relationship department but I don’t think that’s the main story - it seems to be more the politics. I think this may become clearer in book 2.

Book 1 & 2 down
Incognito Billionaire: 2.5 stars. Was ok - light read. A bit confusing at times. I felt I missed something significant because it jumped around so much.
Who wants to Date a Billionaire- 3 stars again an ok light read. Felt a bit forced in spots but cleverly set up.

Hidden Blade by Pippa Dacosta
2 stars
This was an ok read. The main character took a bit for me to feel vested in. The storyline was interesting and the take on Egyptian Gods was a refreshing change. By the end of the book I still didn’t feel any attach,ent to the characters - so I don’t think I will check out book 2.

Relentless by Karen Lynch
4 Stars
I liked this more than I thought I would. Easy to read and the storyline flowed effortlessly. The characters are well developed and the world building on point. Predictable in parts there was a few times that felt a bit long. The mix of the different paranormal species was intriguing and I was left wanting to read book 2.

Marked by Kim Richardson
3 stars
This wasn’t as smooth a read as it could have been. Overall though it was very creative and kept my interest. Kara was an ok MC - I had to remind myself a few times that I was reading about a 16 year old and not get so frustrated at her immaturity. David was not one of my favourite characters - though there were a few redeemable qualities towards the end.

Blood Debt by Nancy Straight
3.5stars
This was really good. The unusual twists and turns had me turning the pages late into the night. There were a few times where the pacing felt a little off but the story smoothed out again. The ending leaves the story open for book 2 to pick up - there is still so much left to discover. I hope that the next book focuses more on developing her ancestry.

Twin Souls - DelSheree Gladden
3.5 stars.
I really liked this story. I did struggle with Uriah’s name but the whole concept of Twin Souls was delivered very creatively. Loved Talon. Ended with a bit of a cliffhanger - so if I come across book 2 - I will definitely check it out.

Nolander by Becca Mills
2.5 stars
I liked the book - I got a bit lost with the vagueness of descriptions. I followed along mostly but it took so long for the story to move along from Beth’s panic attacks. I felt the story stalled from about 1/4 until 3/4. I’m still not totally clear on what some of the characters looked like but I did like Ghosteater and Kara.I may check out book 2 - maybe.

2.5 stars - I hesitate towards a 3.
Just too much unnecessary descriptions. I like when the MC describes things in relation to what I need to know for the storyline. I admit I did a bit of skimming through this story as it dragged from about 40% until 80%. There was a rush of a cliffhanger at the end. I’m left wanting to know what happens but hesitant about wanting to read book 2 due the lengthy writing style.

Soul Marked - I struggled to create the world in my head. It’s an unusual twist on elves, humans and mythology. Everything is presented but not fleshed out enough for me. By the end of the book I still couldn’t ‘visualise’ Lionel or Tara properly or the worlds. There seemed to be a lull part way through and then a rush in the last couple of chapters. Overall, I did persist and read the whole book though.

Elsker by S. T. Bende : 2.5stars I really loved the take on Mythology and the Battle of Ragnarok.
I struggled at times with the link between Kristia and Ull. I think it was the chemistry that fell flat for me. But the mythology was what kept me turning the pages. I wanted to know where this story was going. If I happen across book 2 - I think I would check it out, if only to know how the battle pans out.

Now we’re getting somewhere