Helpful Score: 6
Great read! I have a new 'must have' author.
I loved the opening with decrepit Miss Mabel whacking our hero with her walker because she thought he was hurting our heroine. The setup, secret warriors guarding the world from evil monsters, is not new but the author makes it her own.
The hero's people are born with a tattoo of a tree [lifetree] which grows and matures as they do. As they move through life, their bodies suck up power and store it. This power is meant to be used by their mate to fuel their magic. Unfortunately most of the women were killed [no details yet on how] 200 years ago leaving the men unmated. The power builds up causing extreme pain and slowly destroying their lifetree and their soul.
Our hero, Drake, finds Helen who takes away the pain and refreshes his lifetree and he mates her. He does not force her but he doesn't tell her all the repercussions, either. In his defense, when he tried to walk away he went into convulsions and would have died without her.
Helen has serious issues learning to use magic as the first thing they want her to do is call fire and Helen is terrified of fire. [She has a repeated vision of herself burning alive while a man, who turns out to be Drake, watches.]
One thing that I had trouble with - although I'm not sure how else the author could have handled it - was the monsters. There are several different types [none of which have common analogues in our culture] and they all look weird and have strange names. I really wanted a glossary - or at least a scorecard!
There are a lot of strings left for future books. There's a creepy little kid [who isn't a kid] who has visions, a plot by the Sanguinar [they don't like to be called vampires] and not much explanation of the source of the monsters.
There is also a teaser built in for the next book which leaves you hanging...
Sentinel Wars
1. Burning Alive (2009)
2. Finding the Lost (2009)
3. Running Scared (2010)
4. Living Nightmare (2010)
I loved the opening with decrepit Miss Mabel whacking our hero with her walker because she thought he was hurting our heroine. The setup, secret warriors guarding the world from evil monsters, is not new but the author makes it her own.
The hero's people are born with a tattoo of a tree [lifetree] which grows and matures as they do. As they move through life, their bodies suck up power and store it. This power is meant to be used by their mate to fuel their magic. Unfortunately most of the women were killed [no details yet on how] 200 years ago leaving the men unmated. The power builds up causing extreme pain and slowly destroying their lifetree and their soul.
Our hero, Drake, finds Helen who takes away the pain and refreshes his lifetree and he mates her. He does not force her but he doesn't tell her all the repercussions, either. In his defense, when he tried to walk away he went into convulsions and would have died without her.
Helen has serious issues learning to use magic as the first thing they want her to do is call fire and Helen is terrified of fire. [She has a repeated vision of herself burning alive while a man, who turns out to be Drake, watches.]
One thing that I had trouble with - although I'm not sure how else the author could have handled it - was the monsters. There are several different types [none of which have common analogues in our culture] and they all look weird and have strange names. I really wanted a glossary - or at least a scorecard!
There are a lot of strings left for future books. There's a creepy little kid [who isn't a kid] who has visions, a plot by the Sanguinar [they don't like to be called vampires] and not much explanation of the source of the monsters.
There is also a teaser built in for the next book which leaves you hanging...
Sentinel Wars
1. Burning Alive (2009)
2. Finding the Lost (2009)
3. Running Scared (2010)
4. Living Nightmare (2010)
Helpful Score: 1
I am typically not a big fan of the para-normal. I usually find then silly and far-fetched. But, I was actually believing this could happen! The story was good, as were the characters. A great kick-off for the series.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a great read. I had a hard time putting it down. The storyline reminded me a lot of Christine Feehan's Dark Series but the female counterparts were not as weak here.
I loved that Helen had to learn to fight and it wasn't natural for her to be the typical warrior. It was great to actually have a character that feared fighting. She seemed more real.
I read Zach and Lexi's story first. It wasn't difficult to read them out of order but I would recommend you do just to have a smooth storyline.
This story also made me understand why Logan and his "vampire" friends have their own agenda. The Sentinels really were awful to them. In the later books, that's not as evident.
Fun world she created. Would recommend.
I loved that Helen had to learn to fight and it wasn't natural for her to be the typical warrior. It was great to actually have a character that feared fighting. She seemed more real.
I read Zach and Lexi's story first. It wasn't difficult to read them out of order but I would recommend you do just to have a smooth storyline.
This story also made me understand why Logan and his "vampire" friends have their own agenda. The Sentinels really were awful to them. In the later books, that's not as evident.
Fun world she created. Would recommend.
Helpful Score: 1
I decided to read this book based on the rave reviews. However, I am wondering if the reviewers read a different book, because I found he story disjointed and the heroine insipid. And when I thought a character was interesting, the author killed him.
Helpful Score: 1
Very enjoyable! I found this book to be fast paced and thrilling. It didn't feel like I was reading a "first in a series" book. The plot line and characters were new and fresh...not just the same old vampire book or paranormal warrior book. She also had a way to introduce the characters that didn't feel forced or an after thought. Having read Kenyon, Showalter and JR Ward, I would most compare her style to Ward's: fun, gripping, unexpected, the characters met challenges and disappointments. The eroticism was fun and certainly arousing but not violent and graphic like Showalter. I didn't laugh out loud like I do with the afore mentioned, but that may come in time too.
I look forward to the next Sentinel book! Hope you enjoy this as well!
Happy Reading!
I look forward to the next Sentinel book! Hope you enjoy this as well!
Happy Reading!
Helpful Score: 1
Helen Day is far from a "normal" human woman, but she does not know that. This story will take you through 72 of the most action packed hours any woman has ever lived. I could not put this book down. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
This was a promising PNR. The idea of the Sentential was well written and I enjoyed their world. My main issue was between the H/h. They had the usual "found mate, bond with mate" ritual for the first few hours of their being together.
Helen is a waitress in a diner. She spots Drake and her fearful vision of burning alive [with him watching:] hits her full force. Drake sees Helen and a force draws him. Her touch takes away centuries of crushing pain. See? Sounds good right?
This I shelfed paranormal lite. It never quite gets any deeper than Helen always afraid of her vision coming true [therefore never quite falling for Drake:] and Drake never wanting to let her go. The author never writes the struggle between them. A lot of time has to be spent world building and I think that is where the romantic spark was lost. Then suddenly the span of a couple days they are head over heels in love after the world has been established. Ha! I just never really seen a PNR written/created like this.
A LOT of reality suspension. If the intimate connection was more believable then, yeah, maybe. But Helen never really falls for Drake until like the very last page. Ugh.I think I just missed the feel of this one altogether.
So to wrap it up. Not a bad book, but if you want a dangerous, tortured, sigh-worthy hero and an independent yet vulnerable, kick ass heroine this just wasn't the story. I rated it because I did like the concept of the Sentenial and their war against the demons they fight.
Helen is a waitress in a diner. She spots Drake and her fearful vision of burning alive [with him watching:] hits her full force. Drake sees Helen and a force draws him. Her touch takes away centuries of crushing pain. See? Sounds good right?
This I shelfed paranormal lite. It never quite gets any deeper than Helen always afraid of her vision coming true [therefore never quite falling for Drake:] and Drake never wanting to let her go. The author never writes the struggle between them. A lot of time has to be spent world building and I think that is where the romantic spark was lost. Then suddenly the span of a couple days they are head over heels in love after the world has been established. Ha! I just never really seen a PNR written/created like this.
A LOT of reality suspension. If the intimate connection was more believable then, yeah, maybe. But Helen never really falls for Drake until like the very last page. Ugh.I think I just missed the feel of this one altogether.
So to wrap it up. Not a bad book, but if you want a dangerous, tortured, sigh-worthy hero and an independent yet vulnerable, kick ass heroine this just wasn't the story. I rated it because I did like the concept of the Sentenial and their war against the demons they fight.
Good start to a new series. There were some parts that I thought dragged on a bit, but overall the book was interesting and had a good take on demons and those who fight to kill them. I liked the way that the author had the main characters connect in the very beginning of the story ~ a very interesting take on finding the "one". Although it does take a while to get the background on the Sentinals and the war vs the Synestryn, you can kind of fill in the pieces as you go and when the explanation does come everything makes sense. I also liked how well developed the secondary characters were. I found myself wanting learning more about each of them, ***SPOILER***and actually upset knowing that I won't be able to read a story about one of them in a future book. There is a great series in the making just based on this first book and I look forward to reading the series.
I feel like I *should* have liked this more than I did. I had a hard time connecting. Helen has had visions of burning alive while a strange man watches her. When she sees this man while she is dining out, she gets scared.
I thought Helen was stupid at times. I found her fear of fire annoying. I really had a hard time connecting with her (or even liking her). Drake was okay. Their relationship developed fast. A bit of an open ended epilogue (dare I say cliffhanger?).
Interesting concepts (the tattooed trees) and I liked some of the secondary characters. I'm on the fence about continuing on to book 2.
I thought Helen was stupid at times. I found her fear of fire annoying. I really had a hard time connecting with her (or even liking her). Drake was okay. Their relationship developed fast. A bit of an open ended epilogue (dare I say cliffhanger?).
Interesting concepts (the tattooed trees) and I liked some of the secondary characters. I'm on the fence about continuing on to book 2.
Thankfully it was a snow day when I picked this up and dinner was already bubbling in the crock pot, because once I started this book I didn't put it down. Other reviewers have summarized the plot points really well, so I'll just say it was nice to have a regular gal kind of heroine who was scared while rising to the challenges thrown at her. It felt like a superhero story for grown-ups with noble good guys and monstrous baddies, and my only regret is that I didn't order book two when I requested book one!
This is a new series with a new take on the demon/monster vs immortal warriors. The Sentinels losing leaves off their life tree body art leading to the loss of their soul is the urgency to find mates. I was very fustrated with the heroine in this first book, the rational for the conflict with "her" warrior was a dream she has had for years that she is sure will come true. That premise very quickly grew annoying. The series seems like it will be interesting but I was halfway through the book before the Sentinel Wars was explained and only in bits and pieces so you actually had to fill in the blanks with your imagination. No wonder the heroine was confused. I will definitely look for the next book in the series because the Sentinals all seem very interesting. I hope the next book is Lexi's story because she seems like a real warrior woman.
What a surprising new series! It is not your usual paranormal romance. The story is new, and the paranormal aspect of it is a surprisingly different vision. I loved the characters, and there are many of them. You could become attached to them easily, and the story has many character layers happening. But it is easy to follow along. I was hooked in the first 20 pages. Most new series spend a lot of time setting up, that I get bored before the action started. But not this one, it makes you dive right in to the deep end. It captured my attention so well that i didn't put it down until i finished it (and i got it in the mail this morning). Now i can't wait to get the next ones on wish list, I am heading to the store to get the next 2!!
www.texasreader-stacy.blogspot.com
www.texasreader-stacy.blogspot.com
What an awesome book!! Im a HUGE Jim Butcher fan and I was impressed with Shannons style of writing, the plot, characters, and all the amazing visuals I got along the way!!
The book is about a war against the Sentinels and the Synestryn, and how the different races within the Sentinels trys to put a stop to the evil forces that want to take over earth.
Its a very interesting plot and leaves the story line open for more characters and more books. This particular book has a love story about Helen and Drake. She doesnt know that she is a direct descendant of the Theroani, a race that has mostly males and hardly any females. The males need the females to draw off their powers and ease their pain. The males have these tattoos on them of a tree that is embedded into their very souls. Once the last leaf falls off they lose their soul and only a female can make the leaves gown back.
There is also another race within the Sentinels, the Sanguinar, (one named Logan has a part in this book) and Drake calls them the Blood Suckers. They sound like vampires but I dont think they like to be called that. I could see how there could be another series about that particular race!
Theres a lot to go on in this book which makes me excited to read more!!!
The book is about a war against the Sentinels and the Synestryn, and how the different races within the Sentinels trys to put a stop to the evil forces that want to take over earth.
Its a very interesting plot and leaves the story line open for more characters and more books. This particular book has a love story about Helen and Drake. She doesnt know that she is a direct descendant of the Theroani, a race that has mostly males and hardly any females. The males need the females to draw off their powers and ease their pain. The males have these tattoos on them of a tree that is embedded into their very souls. Once the last leaf falls off they lose their soul and only a female can make the leaves gown back.
There is also another race within the Sentinels, the Sanguinar, (one named Logan has a part in this book) and Drake calls them the Blood Suckers. They sound like vampires but I dont think they like to be called that. I could see how there could be another series about that particular race!
Theres a lot to go on in this book which makes me excited to read more!!!
Where can I find a sentinel of my own?!?! Drake and Helen are excellently written, I found both the main characters and the peripheral characters to all be likable, realistic, but super romantic without being goofy, silly, or cheesy.
I LOVE the intensity! Drake is HOT and Helen is a great counter balance for him. I was thrilled to be introduced to this series and have passed it on to many friends who are equally grateful to have been immersed in Butcher's world.
I LOVE the intensity! Drake is HOT and Helen is a great counter balance for him. I was thrilled to be introduced to this series and have passed it on to many friends who are equally grateful to have been immersed in Butcher's world.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I read other reviews that this book wasn't great however I thought is was a good start to a compelling series.
I really loved the characters Shannon Butcher created. Although some characters I felt she should of elaborated more on. She lacked on description. Also, at times I felt like Helen and Drake's relationship was a bit flat and unbelievable. I felt that the slow foreplay many authors create for their hero and heroine was lacking a bit in this book. There was a lot of grammatical errors too but I was able to look past them.
What I really liked about this book was it seemed to follow the typical paranormal romance equation yet it strayed quite a few times giving me a surprise. I thought it was going to be really predictable but it wasn't. It has a pretty intricate plot that leaves you thirsty for the next installment. Her writing reminds me a little like C.L. Wilson although Wilson is far better in my opinion.
I really loved the characters Shannon Butcher created. Although some characters I felt she should of elaborated more on. She lacked on description. Also, at times I felt like Helen and Drake's relationship was a bit flat and unbelievable. I felt that the slow foreplay many authors create for their hero and heroine was lacking a bit in this book. There was a lot of grammatical errors too but I was able to look past them.
What I really liked about this book was it seemed to follow the typical paranormal romance equation yet it strayed quite a few times giving me a surprise. I thought it was going to be really predictable but it wasn't. It has a pretty intricate plot that leaves you thirsty for the next installment. Her writing reminds me a little like C.L. Wilson although Wilson is far better in my opinion.
Love it! Can't wait to get the next one, even if it's a little slower I still have a ton of questions. Like "what did the grey lady do"? She is not what she seems, neither is that child (creepy)
I am going to have to buy all this series in hard back as keepers. Maybe even cd I'd they make it.
I am going to have to buy all this series in hard back as keepers. Maybe even cd I'd they make it.
LOVED IT!!!!
I'm getting ready to start book two and I can't wait!!!!
I'm getting ready to start book two and I can't wait!!!!
I was not sure when I started the book but about a 4th of the way in it grabed me and it hard to put done. If you like the Carpathians books you will love this. I will be starting the next book soon so I can find out what happens.
I loved this book! I loved the characters and the plotlines, as well as the world that was created.
Definitely a Keeper.
A strong heroine , a super Hot Hero, secondary characters you want to cheer for, and a story that follows all the way through to the end of the book earns this first book in Butcher's Sentinel Wars series, a place on my permanent shelf.
Despite a bit of camp/corniness early on in the book there were enough unexpected bits in the plot to make this a fun read. And that we get not just the H and h's point of view, but of a few of the minor characters as well makes me extra eager to read the next book in the series!
On a side note (and this may contain some spoilers), another reviewer mentions the heroine's rationale for the conflict was a dream she had, and it was one she stuck to till just about the end of the book... I just wanted to add that though it does become frustrating after awhile, it's also understandable. She's been haunted by fires for years, one killed her mother, and then she has a vision she, herself, will be killed in one? While her love interest looks proudly on? I for one, was rather elated that she didn't just get over her fear as soon as her Hero shows up, but had to really work through it (despite the few times when I just wanted her slap her silly)
Anyway, like I said this one is absolutely a keeper!
A strong heroine , a super Hot Hero, secondary characters you want to cheer for, and a story that follows all the way through to the end of the book earns this first book in Butcher's Sentinel Wars series, a place on my permanent shelf.
Despite a bit of camp/corniness early on in the book there were enough unexpected bits in the plot to make this a fun read. And that we get not just the H and h's point of view, but of a few of the minor characters as well makes me extra eager to read the next book in the series!
On a side note (and this may contain some spoilers), another reviewer mentions the heroine's rationale for the conflict was a dream she had, and it was one she stuck to till just about the end of the book... I just wanted to add that though it does become frustrating after awhile, it's also understandable. She's been haunted by fires for years, one killed her mother, and then she has a vision she, herself, will be killed in one? While her love interest looks proudly on? I for one, was rather elated that she didn't just get over her fear as soon as her Hero shows up, but had to really work through it (despite the few times when I just wanted her slap her silly)
Anyway, like I said this one is absolutely a keeper!
