Review: Wages of Sin

Wages of Sin by Jenna Maclaine (Cin Craven #1)

St. Martins Press, 352 pages
GOODREADS

Quote

" 'I can't see anything but shadow and torchlight,' I said, not bothering to add that I couldn’t hear anything either over the pounding of my own heart. She chuckled against the side of my neck. 'I have always wondered how you humans survived as a species. Your senses are almost nonexistent.' 'Dumb luck?' I said in a small, choked voice. "

Content
Dulcinea Craven descends from a long line of witches, and she has just inherited wild, untrained magical powers that she has no idea how to control. Now a ruthless vampire and an age-old demon are determined to enslave Cin and steal her power for their own. Her only hope is The Righteous, a band of warrior vampires who slay the rogue undead. Among them is Michael, a fierce swordsman who inflames Cin’s most primal hungers. Showing her a sensual pleasure beyond anything in the mortal realm, she must choose between the human existence she has always known, and immortality as a vampire—a new life filled with forbidden urges, dark yearning, and unearthly passions…

Thoughts

A vampire witch as a main character just sounds soooo cool, so I decided to give this one a try.

For some reason I thought the whole 18th century thing that was going on would only be a prelude. I really thought it would change to the present. I guess because there wasn't really a mention of the time it was set in, so I presumed ... wrongly. Bugger.

I would put this between books the likes of How To Charm a Rake and My Gentleman Thief or what not (I made these up), because this was really all out love-at-first-sight-oh-my-i-am-soo-powerful-and-gosh-look-at-my-beauty stupid. *Sigh* It wasn't bad, but I was disappointed, especially considering it's good overall ratings at Goodreads...

Cin at times seemed so mature and knowing, like a good 22 year old young lady even, but sometimes she behaved more like a 14 year old girl with a crush. Which she had, alright, but come oooooon ... falling in love after meeting each other once is a bit fast, isn't it? And , gaaah, that scene where they stood together going all Power Rangers "We are The Protectors" one after another standing next to Cin made me just plain laugh. *sigh* ... and sigh ...

I think if you know what awaits you, you might like it, but I found it to be lacking and I'm not interested in following this Series anymore.

Review: The Battle Sylph

The Battle Sylph by L. J. McDonald
(Sylph #1)

Leisure Books, 323 pages

GOODREADS

Quote
“Hey, you,” she managed, barely able to speak at all, she was so frightened. She swallowed, trying to get her tongue untied enough to ask its name, and it breathed warm air on her. Heyou,it repeated softly, the sound echoing in her mind. Had she just named it? she wondered, and suddenly became aware that there was shouting. Startled, she looked away from the beast to see that the priests were backing away in terror, the soldiers moving in with real fright in their eyes, but still determined.




Content
He is one of many: a creature of magic, unrelentingly male. He is lured through the portal by pure female beauty, a virgin sacrifice. She is killed, and he is silenced and enslaved. Such a dark ritual is necessary. Unlike their elemental cousins—those gentler sylphs of wind and fire—battlers find no joy in everyday labor. Their magic can destroy an army or demolish a castle, and each has but one goal: find his queen, then protect and pleasure her at any cost. What would a maiden do if she were given such a servant? What would befall that kingdom foolish enough to allow a battler to escape? Young Solie and the people of Eferem are about to find out.


Thoughts
Oooooh Ooooooooooh what utter rubbish! I know, I know, what did I expect, right?
Reading the description on Goodreads and seeing all these good reviews, I thought it would be more epic … There where just too many thinks I didn’t like and couldn’t tolerate! Heyou and Solie – the MAIN CHARACTERS , didn’t have enough face time. It WAS their story right Miss McDonald??


I found Ral to be quite more fascinating, there is a big story there , real feelings! But H. and S. where just two stupid love-struck BRAINLESS children with no concept of reality. I can get behind Solie becoming queen by banging the otherworldy man-child (it IS a romance-fantasy novel after all ), but GAWD she was just … just so… so … GAAAAWD.
*Throws eBook across imaginary library*


“Oopsie – me queen? Nooo I dont wanna have power and tell u what to doooo, don’t kill anyone pleasey-pooo?” Because it is a romance novel, I kinda expected a love-at-first sight thing, just maybe a bit more substance?


Also, Solie making him look like her dream man the moment they met is just kinda wrong. I get it , it was to show us they can change form however they want, but it made me feel a bit awkward. How would you like if your lover remakes you however s/he pleases?


But he’s a stupid drone anyway… sorry I’m rambling it was just so frustrating. I think the world created here has great potential, it’s a more unique idea than most authors have in the fantasy genre, but I just expected so much more and something a bit different.


Rating ★★☆☆☆