Helpful Score: 6
Futuristic erotic romance from Lauren Dane. In this 'Verse, everything is run by the Ranked families, and Roman is the Leader of the government, and the Ranked families. The Families have run everything, forever. Abbie is unranked, and head of a movement promoting that the Unranked have a say in their government. Abbie gets an appointment with Roman, and the chemistry is instant, and nuclear. Of course, there are those pushing for change, and those who'll do anything to prevent it. This is the classic tale of love and passion between two people from different classes, in a futuristic setting. I love this book. It's better than the first of series, Undercover. It is romantic, exciting, and both Roman and Abbie are likeable. The sex scenes are scorching. On the critical side, the book is long, and a little repetitive. But, the positives outweigh the negatives. Love the book, worth a credit.
Helpful Score: 5
Hmmm, I'm just going to cut to the chase and list what I did and didn't like:
Likes: Roman and Abbie were both likeable (Abbie was especially admirable), they had great chemistry, secondary characters were either enjoyable or about as evil as they could get. It had a good premise and was also definitely steamy, as is typical for what I've read from this author.
Dislikes: The overdone star-crossed lovers plot that goes on for way, way, too long in a 339 page book. They can't be together because of a rule that doesn't allow ranked individuals to marry those that are unranked. Yep, he's ranked, she's not. Saw that one coming, didn't you? They quickly get involved but have to keep it secret...he has to protect his high ranking position and image...she can't let her father know because he'll use them both for his own political causes...blah, blah, let's have sex, blah...we can't see each other anymore...but let's have sex...more drama...we have no future, but I love you...more sex....I couldn't stay away...more sex...Oh please, enough. By the end of the book, I wanted to smack Roman for being such an idiot and I desperately wanted it to end. Thankfully, he does finally figure it out..a solution so simple you wonder why a smart guy like that didn't think of it 200 pages sooner.
The thing is, this was actually a pretty good book - it just went on too long for me personally. Had the same story been told in half as many pages, I'd likely have given it a much better review. As it is, it gets 3 stars and a quick trip to the mailbox.
Likes: Roman and Abbie were both likeable (Abbie was especially admirable), they had great chemistry, secondary characters were either enjoyable or about as evil as they could get. It had a good premise and was also definitely steamy, as is typical for what I've read from this author.
Dislikes: The overdone star-crossed lovers plot that goes on for way, way, too long in a 339 page book. They can't be together because of a rule that doesn't allow ranked individuals to marry those that are unranked. Yep, he's ranked, she's not. Saw that one coming, didn't you? They quickly get involved but have to keep it secret...he has to protect his high ranking position and image...she can't let her father know because he'll use them both for his own political causes...blah, blah, let's have sex, blah...we can't see each other anymore...but let's have sex...more drama...we have no future, but I love you...more sex....I couldn't stay away...more sex...Oh please, enough. By the end of the book, I wanted to smack Roman for being such an idiot and I desperately wanted it to end. Thankfully, he does finally figure it out..a solution so simple you wonder why a smart guy like that didn't think of it 200 pages sooner.
The thing is, this was actually a pretty good book - it just went on too long for me personally. Had the same story been told in half as many pages, I'd likely have given it a much better review. As it is, it gets 3 stars and a quick trip to the mailbox.
Helpful Score: 3
Loved this!! Gave it five stars. I wish there were more books like this in the genre. This is what an erotic romance novel should be. There's a solid story within all the great love scenes. This is the classic tale of two star-crossed lovers. The story is set in the future, but not so futuristic that we can't relate to what's happening.
The story takes place in the future when people have moved beyond Earth. Rather than a democratic system, there are great Houses. People in the Houses are Ranked. The Unranked, the group to which the heroine belongs, don't have much say in governing. She's a lawyer by training. She's nobody's fool. Unlike many other heroines in this genre, she's more than equal to the hero in terms of wit, tenacity, courage, and sexuality. He is at the top of the aristocracy. There's an age gap between the heroine and hero. He's older, but the age difference isn't an issue for the reader or the two characters.
Unlike some other erotic romances which don't have much of a plot, this book delivers on the story. There's a great plot, good intrigue, and wonderful dialog. The romance is believable, the sex is nuclear hot and extremely well written, but not in a way where the sex overtakes the story. You really want these two characters to find a way to make their relationship work in spite of the obstacles in their way. I agree with a previous reviewer who said it took too long for these two to find a way to be together. That was frustrating to me as well, but given the culture that they live in, it was also realistic that things wouldn't fall so easily into place.
This is a keeper. It's my first book by Lauren Dane. I'm definitely going to read more of her work.
The story takes place in the future when people have moved beyond Earth. Rather than a democratic system, there are great Houses. People in the Houses are Ranked. The Unranked, the group to which the heroine belongs, don't have much say in governing. She's a lawyer by training. She's nobody's fool. Unlike many other heroines in this genre, she's more than equal to the hero in terms of wit, tenacity, courage, and sexuality. He is at the top of the aristocracy. There's an age gap between the heroine and hero. He's older, but the age difference isn't an issue for the reader or the two characters.
Unlike some other erotic romances which don't have much of a plot, this book delivers on the story. There's a great plot, good intrigue, and wonderful dialog. The romance is believable, the sex is nuclear hot and extremely well written, but not in a way where the sex overtakes the story. You really want these two characters to find a way to make their relationship work in spite of the obstacles in their way. I agree with a previous reviewer who said it took too long for these two to find a way to be together. That was frustrating to me as well, but given the culture that they live in, it was also realistic that things wouldn't fall so easily into place.
This is a keeper. It's my first book by Lauren Dane. I'm definitely going to read more of her work.
Helpful Score: 1
I liked this one better than the first book, it has a little more story and a little less angst. Still relationship driven plot. There's very little overlap between the two books so order doesn't particularly matter here...
Federation Chronicles
1. Undercover
2. Relentless
Phantom Corps
3. Insatiable
4. Mesmerized
5. Captivated
Federation Chronicles
1. Undercover
2. Relentless
Phantom Corps
3. Insatiable
4. Mesmerized
5. Captivated
Abbie fights for a more democratic system. 15 Families control the government and are Ranked. Everyone else is unranked and considered dirt, unworthy. The Ranked make all the decision, but the unranked are expected to follow orders, contribute, etc. Roman happens to be the head of the Family in charge of everything.
Even though this is futuristic and people live on various different planets, women are still "only" there to be wives/mothers and mistresses (in the Ranked world). Women are not in places of power.
Of course Abbie and Roman fall in love, but can't be together because of her & his status. What good is power if you can't be with who you want? Anyway, this furthered the story-line from book 1 (with the Traitors/Imperialists). Abbie's brother's (Daniel) story is next.
Even though this is futuristic and people live on various different planets, women are still "only" there to be wives/mothers and mistresses (in the Ranked world). Women are not in places of power.
Of course Abbie and Roman fall in love, but can't be together because of her & his status. What good is power if you can't be with who you want? Anyway, this furthered the story-line from book 1 (with the Traitors/Imperialists). Abbie's brother's (Daniel) story is next.
This is the best romance book I have read in 2009.
loved it! spicy,fast read!i want more.
