Helpful Score: 6
From the moment I first heard of INSATIABLEs plot, I was tempted. Curiously enough, I do not have vampire burnout like most avid readers apparently do. Unfortunately, INSATIABLE was a plotting and characterization disappointment, an ambitious novel that failed to entirely put the chick lit into the bit lit.
I never fully connected with Meena being the anti-vampire-obsessed modern woman. She is introduced to us as an independent and responsible woman who disdains the romanticization of vampires. However, it is not long before Meena herself perfectly fits the stereotypical role of smart-ass damsel-in-distress. Inexplicably two men who are enemies of one another find themselves attracted to her, and mostly because of her soft, exposed skin. Say what? Is this vampire lit or a more feminist Twilight for the adult audience? Obviously I felt little attraction within the love triangle, which felt forced.
In fact, most of the story feels extremelywell, structurally fictional. Obviously I know this is fiction, but Im referring here to the way some stories, whether realistic or fantasy, draw us in so completely that we do not stop and question the veracity of the situations but rather find ourselves right there alongside the characters. This was not the case with INSATIABLE. The typical Meg Cabot narration in this storycharacters constantly trying to rationalize scenarios in their heads, going off on tangents, bringing themselves back on track, going off on a rationalizing tangent againdidnt work with the world she tried to set up here. I never felt connected with lives being at stake, and more often than not was not aware that major conflicts were going on, so roundabout and unfortunately petty were the characters inner monologues and plodding dialogue. I put down the book with less than 100 pages to go, feeling no need to know how the story ends.
INSATIABLE, sadly, has the same problem that many of Meg Cabots books seem to have: there is a uncomfortable lack of heart and commitment to the stories. I realize I cant make any assumptions about what these stories mean to the author. But 30- or 40-something books later, I find myself wondering whether or not Meg Cabot is putting as much into her books as she did with her earlier books.
I never fully connected with Meena being the anti-vampire-obsessed modern woman. She is introduced to us as an independent and responsible woman who disdains the romanticization of vampires. However, it is not long before Meena herself perfectly fits the stereotypical role of smart-ass damsel-in-distress. Inexplicably two men who are enemies of one another find themselves attracted to her, and mostly because of her soft, exposed skin. Say what? Is this vampire lit or a more feminist Twilight for the adult audience? Obviously I felt little attraction within the love triangle, which felt forced.
In fact, most of the story feels extremelywell, structurally fictional. Obviously I know this is fiction, but Im referring here to the way some stories, whether realistic or fantasy, draw us in so completely that we do not stop and question the veracity of the situations but rather find ourselves right there alongside the characters. This was not the case with INSATIABLE. The typical Meg Cabot narration in this storycharacters constantly trying to rationalize scenarios in their heads, going off on tangents, bringing themselves back on track, going off on a rationalizing tangent againdidnt work with the world she tried to set up here. I never felt connected with lives being at stake, and more often than not was not aware that major conflicts were going on, so roundabout and unfortunately petty were the characters inner monologues and plodding dialogue. I put down the book with less than 100 pages to go, feeling no need to know how the story ends.
INSATIABLE, sadly, has the same problem that many of Meg Cabots books seem to have: there is a uncomfortable lack of heart and commitment to the stories. I realize I cant make any assumptions about what these stories mean to the author. But 30- or 40-something books later, I find myself wondering whether or not Meg Cabot is putting as much into her books as she did with her earlier books.
Helpful Score: 2
I have such mixed feelings about this book that I hardly know where to start. The premise of the story was fascinating and really tailor-made for my reading pleasure. Unfortunately, it took about 100 pages for the story to really get started and by that time I was having trouble staying interested. This is one of those stories where up until about page 300 I had absolutely no trouble setting it down and continuing on about my life without giving the book a second thought until I picked it up again. Thats unusual for me.
The other problem I have with this story is that while it seemed to take forever to get to the main event of the story, the book itself takes place only over a period of 10 days. So much happens in those 10 days that it seemed much longer to me.
The characters are wonderful and each one adds to the story with their unique personalities, gifts and wits. I really cared about the characters. Meena has a heart of gold and is surrounded by unforgettable people. I want to know more about Meena and the rest of the people in this book.
By about page 300 I was really loving this story, finally. Everything was coming together as it should have earlier. It was finally drawing my undivided attention and I was really having trouble leaving Insatiable behind. When I closed the book, my eyes were misty and I was left wanting to know more, to read more, to visit the characters and the world Meg Cabot created again and very soon.
I guess after a rather slow start the book finally gained momentum and that momentum was enough to give me hope for future of this series. I think the potential for a memorable series is there, I just hope that the next book starts off a little more exciting and gripping than this book did. I really am looking forward to whatever is going to happen next.
Cherise Everhard, May 2010
The other problem I have with this story is that while it seemed to take forever to get to the main event of the story, the book itself takes place only over a period of 10 days. So much happens in those 10 days that it seemed much longer to me.
The characters are wonderful and each one adds to the story with their unique personalities, gifts and wits. I really cared about the characters. Meena has a heart of gold and is surrounded by unforgettable people. I want to know more about Meena and the rest of the people in this book.
By about page 300 I was really loving this story, finally. Everything was coming together as it should have earlier. It was finally drawing my undivided attention and I was really having trouble leaving Insatiable behind. When I closed the book, my eyes were misty and I was left wanting to know more, to read more, to visit the characters and the world Meg Cabot created again and very soon.
I guess after a rather slow start the book finally gained momentum and that momentum was enough to give me hope for future of this series. I think the potential for a memorable series is there, I just hope that the next book starts off a little more exciting and gripping than this book did. I really am looking forward to whatever is going to happen next.
Cherise Everhard, May 2010
Helpful Score: 2
Nice story set in New York City. Focus on vampires and how they are trying to stay under the radar and a group of vampire hunters after them. Our Heroine falls in love with Lucien Prince of Darkness. Good story. Easy summer read. Not sure if she can do a sequal.
Helpful Score: 1
I guess I'm the opposite of the other reviewers. I really liked this book. Kinda of a twist on the Twilight series, which I also loved, surprisingly because vampire stories aren't usually my type of books at all. I liked Meena, thought she was funny. Many funny lines in this story. I read it over 2 days and thought it moved fairly quickly, though obviously I'm in the minority. I would think fans of Twilight might like this one as well. I know I did!
Helpful Score: 1
I almost wish I could write 2 completely separate reviews for this book. One for the first half and one for the second. I absolutely could not get into reading this book for a little more than the first 200 pages. I wasn't connecting with the characters at all, the story seemed to drag on and on, and I had absolutely no interest in the storyline. But somewhere around the 1/2 way, that all changed. It's like it finally decided to have substance. The story finally decided to go somewhere, and that somewhere was pretty great!
The second half, I was able to connect with Meena, who ended up being funny and charming. I was able to read and enjoy the story and all the connecting characters on a level that wasn't there previously. It ended up being a really fun spoof of a modern day Dracula tale. There were a lot of really funny quirks that made fun of other vampire books. Little subtle jokes about Edward, Sookie, even a quick mention of Strigio (from the Vampire Academy series).
My favorite character of all had to be Alaric Wulf, the vampire hunter. He was absolutely hilarious from the time he entered the book until his last scene. He definitely worked a little of that "Alaric Wulf magic" on me! I was rooting for him the whole way.
If I was could only rate the 2nd half of this book, it would be a 5 star for me. I read as many pages last night, in a span of only a few hours, as i had for 5 days trying to get through the earlier sections. But, never-the-less, I must rate the book as a whole. To be honest, if this hadn't have been a read for a tour site, I probably would have quit it before it ever had a chance to get good. I'm very thankful that I didn't.
The second half, I was able to connect with Meena, who ended up being funny and charming. I was able to read and enjoy the story and all the connecting characters on a level that wasn't there previously. It ended up being a really fun spoof of a modern day Dracula tale. There were a lot of really funny quirks that made fun of other vampire books. Little subtle jokes about Edward, Sookie, even a quick mention of Strigio (from the Vampire Academy series).
My favorite character of all had to be Alaric Wulf, the vampire hunter. He was absolutely hilarious from the time he entered the book until his last scene. He definitely worked a little of that "Alaric Wulf magic" on me! I was rooting for him the whole way.
If I was could only rate the 2nd half of this book, it would be a 5 star for me. I read as many pages last night, in a span of only a few hours, as i had for 5 days trying to get through the earlier sections. But, never-the-less, I must rate the book as a whole. To be honest, if this hadn't have been a read for a tour site, I probably would have quit it before it ever had a chance to get good. I'm very thankful that I didn't.
