Danielle
EDIT: September 2023
Every character has their best and their worst moments, their strenghts and their weaknesses. Scenes like the one below I can't unsee.
It sounded like Mencheres sighed. “My visions haven't returned. I see nothing anymore... and neither can I use my power to pinpoint Denise's location. That, too, is gone from me.”“Why the bloody hell haven't you found a way to fix that!” Spade almost shouted into the mobile, fear making him irrational. “I've never once asked you to use your power for me before. Why now, when I need you the most, are you of no use to me?”
I realise that due to trauma, this is the frantic rawest version of Spade, but his behaviour is a deal breaker for me. I don't like people who hurts others when they are hurt or scared.
There is, however, a bright and shining star in this book: Ian.
“Hallo, all !” Ian announced cheerfully. “That was a capital evening.”“Ian, mate , you look a bit worse for wear,” Spade gritted out, glaring at him. “Let's get you tucked into bed before you break anything else.”“I know our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's,” Ian singsonged. Cat looked at Bones and let out a grunt. “Useless,” she muttered. Spade grabbed Ian, hissing something in his ear Denise didn't hear . Whatever it was, Ian laughed. “Charles, mate, you fret too much. I'm a grown man, I am, and I can blood my handle.”“Handle your blood?” Bones offered dryly.Ian grinned. “Exactly.”
In this book we start to see a different side of Ian. He's still the manipulative, morally questionable, licentious Ian we met in the previous books, but there is more to him than meets the eye.
“I know I'm a rotten bastard, but there are four people in the world I'd never see come to harm, even at the cost of my own life,” Ian said in a steady voice, turquoise gaze clear. “Two of them are here, yet neither of them trusts me. Believe me, even ruthless sods like me can be hurt by that.”“Yet you do lie, Ian, and you do manipulate, even the two of us,” Crispin said quietly. “Over little, insignificant things. Never over something that could mean your lives. Blimey, Crispin, you humiliated me over Cat, yet did I seek revenge? No. I went to bloody war for you less than a year later. I'll own what I am, but don't label me what I'm not when it comes to either of you.”
It moments like these that makes me want to skip the next few books and jump straight to Ian's story.
Spade had just risked his life to get Nathanial. So had Cat and everyone else ... Ian jumped over into the other boat, giving them a jaunty wave. “My compliments on an entertaining evening, everyone!”
Then again, if Ian and Bones are my type of hero, maybe I am not the right person to appreciate Spade.
Denise stifled her snort. As if Spade's chivalry would allow him to do anything to a woman. The harshest punishment she could imagine him dishing out to Cat would be refusing to open a door for her.
I am re-reading the entire Night Huntress Universe, let's see how this will go the second time around.
Some relationships are doomed from the start. You might try to force it, make excuses or go for couple's counseling, but sometimes you have to just give up and accept the inevitable.
This book was a doomed relationship from the start.
I gave it a chance, even though I did not like main characters when they made guest appearances in the other books. I tried to force the chemistry. As a last resort, I stopped reading to go through what others said to get me into the mood.
“I believe the most difficult choice you will ever have to make is whether you should just move on, or hold on a little tighter.” - Anonymous
It is with great regret that I am writing this:
I am giving up.
DNF
(April 2020)
Normally I don't write reviews, but this book is the exception. How it got such a good ratings is beyond me.
Exhibit A: H apologises for kissing the h by blaming her for the dress she wore.
"So I think maybe I should apologize.” “Apologize for . . . ?” But she knew and she wished he wouldn't. “For kissing you last night. I'm still not sure how it happened.” He looked over her head as if the answer were written on the wall. “If you hadn't cut your hair and been looking so good, I don't think it would have happened ... Probably had more to do with that dress. That dress was designed with ulterior motives ... And the little gold chain hanging down your back was there for only one reason. ” “What? To hypnotize you?” She was being sarcastic, but she wasn't that far off. “Maybe not hypnotize, but it's there so any man seeing it will think about unhooking it...."It puts the blame on me, and I didn't walk into your apartment last night and kiss you. You kissed me.” “You didn't protest.” He didn't know what had shocked him more. Him kissing her, or her response. He never would have guessed that so much passion could be contained in so little a package. “You were so hot for it,” he said in a slow and deliberate drawl as he looked back up at her, “I could have had you naked in no time.”
Is this guy for real?
He only saw Jane once in Philadelphia, but the second she entered the locker room at the First Union Center, he noticed her red lips. And he knew she'd worn lipstick on purpose just to drive him insane .
Up to now the h never indicated (words or actions) that she wants to seduce him. He just assumes and acts on it. Nowhere does the h decide to ‘drive him insane.'
He slid his hand to the back of her neck and he lowered his mouth to hers. “I've never had you my way,” he said, and he kissed her because he couldn't seem to stop himself .
This guy is scary.
Exhibit B: He tells her what to wear so it doesn't inconvenience him.
"Are you wearing a bra?” “Are we back to that?” “Yes. Why don't you wear a bra like most women?” “Why do you care?” His gaze lowered to the front of her wool coat, but of course he couldn't see anything. “Your nipples stick out, and it's distracting.”
Excuse me?!
Exhibit C: He feels entitled to have sex with her, because she is a ‘tease.'
"I'm going to fuck you real good.” She didn't say anything and he looked down into her face. She unwrapped her leg from his waist and lowered her foot to the ground. “In a motel room?” “Yes. We can take my car.” “No.” “Where?” She pushed his hand from her breast. “Nowhere.” “Why the hell not? I'm hard, and I don't have to stick my hand down your pants to know you're wet."
When she still doesn't give in, he throws a tantrum and walks away.
“You're a tease and a damn prude,” he said and turned on his heels.He was sorry he'd ever met Jane. He was sorry he'd ever laid eyes on her, and sorrier that she made him so insane that he'd kissed her and now he was going home hard ... He backed out of the parking space and headed home. Someone should teach the little prude a thing or two about being a tease.
Ladies and gentlemen, our hero.
I. am. done.
After reading mixed reviews from people who identify as Jews, I decided to refrain from rating this book to listen to the invaluable complex reponses of those who are represented in the book.
EDIT: September 2023
Reading this book as a stand alone doesn't do Bones' story justice. I made that mistake the first time around. Rather read it alongside Halfway To the Grave. Even though it is the same scenes, reading the events from his perspective adds another dimmension to the story. Now when I read the other books, I feel like I understand him more as a character.
**
Original Rating: DNF (January 2022)