Helpful Score: 9
I bought this book at the urging of Meljean Brooks website. It didnt hurt that the cover was littered with praise by noted romance authors like Mary Jo Putney and Elizabeth Vaughan *and* that the Amazon reviews were GLOWING. However excitement for the next great romance series (not to mention my purchase of book 2 before I even started reading book 1) was perhaps extremely premature. I just cant stand this book. I really wanted to, but it has merely helped me get to sleep for the past week and a half. I begrudgingly open its pages, read for a whole ten pages, and fall into a boredom-induced sleepeven when Im not tired. I refuse to quit reading because I know once I set it down I will not pick it up again, and, worse, I will never pick up its sequel (Scoundrel) which has a small chance of being better than its predecessor. Plus I really dont want to have made this tiring literary journey for nothing, nor do I want to have spent money on two books that appeal to me now simply because the cover of the first is cool and ancient Greek (for the archaeology/ancient history nerd in me) is a plot point in the second.
But at what point should I admit defeat and just put it down for good? After the romance comes together after zero anticipation? After the one-dimensional villains are introduced and continue to be about as interesting (and threatening) as cardboard? After the fantasy plot reveals itself to be pretty banal? After the 23rd time I had to read about Gabriels irresistible He-Man qualitiesso irksome that Id much rather watch the idiocy of GossipGirl than run the risk of stabbing my eyes out in an effort to forever erase from my mind the dramatic fangirl description of our heros every body part. I just cant forgive, or refrain from rolling my eyes during, passages like this on page 230 (and Im editing out the unintentionally funny dirty bits): It was a marvel of perfect shape, perfect for being inside of her, claiming her. Thalia tore her gaze from his erection and looked her fill, all over. He was the essence of Man, a warrior who would possess his woman. And his woman, at that moment, was Thalia.
It was not long after this point when the magic of their lovemaking opened up the magic of the cosmos that I had to stop reading before the romance genre was forever ruined for me. This is the kind of writing that, in my opinion, gives romance a bad name.
Perhaps its not too late to take Scoundrel back to Borders for an exchange. Maybe Ill be in a better mood if I start finally reading The Girl Who Played With Fire. At least the latter will be more romantic and I wont have to read incessantly about the lead heros manly masculinity. Seriously Ive seen more poetry in the description of lust (and lets face it, Thalia and Gabriel are in LUST, not love, at least not yet) from chocolate commercials!
I wish the author had put as much effort into developing her characters as she did into writing about the Mongolian landscape and culture. I really tried to like this novel but I think the experience has merely made me bitter.
But at what point should I admit defeat and just put it down for good? After the romance comes together after zero anticipation? After the one-dimensional villains are introduced and continue to be about as interesting (and threatening) as cardboard? After the fantasy plot reveals itself to be pretty banal? After the 23rd time I had to read about Gabriels irresistible He-Man qualitiesso irksome that Id much rather watch the idiocy of GossipGirl than run the risk of stabbing my eyes out in an effort to forever erase from my mind the dramatic fangirl description of our heros every body part. I just cant forgive, or refrain from rolling my eyes during, passages like this on page 230 (and Im editing out the unintentionally funny dirty bits): It was a marvel of perfect shape, perfect for being inside of her, claiming her. Thalia tore her gaze from his erection and looked her fill, all over. He was the essence of Man, a warrior who would possess his woman. And his woman, at that moment, was Thalia.
It was not long after this point when the magic of their lovemaking opened up the magic of the cosmos that I had to stop reading before the romance genre was forever ruined for me. This is the kind of writing that, in my opinion, gives romance a bad name.
Perhaps its not too late to take Scoundrel back to Borders for an exchange. Maybe Ill be in a better mood if I start finally reading The Girl Who Played With Fire. At least the latter will be more romantic and I wont have to read incessantly about the lead heros manly masculinity. Seriously Ive seen more poetry in the description of lust (and lets face it, Thalia and Gabriel are in LUST, not love, at least not yet) from chocolate commercials!
I wish the author had put as much effort into developing her characters as she did into writing about the Mongolian landscape and culture. I really tried to like this novel but I think the experience has merely made me bitter.
Helpful Score: 2
Grade B-
Warrior is the first book in Zoe Archer's The Blades of the Rose series. Captain Gabriel Huntley has only known the life of a soldier, but now that he has left the service he has plans to settle down in the English countryside. Not long after leaving the docks he witnesses a group of people attacking a man. Never one to stand an unfair fight, Gabriel comes to the mans assistance. Unfortunately, the man dies and Gabriel makes a promise to go to Mongolia to deliver a message. When Gabriel gets to Mongolia, he becomes embroiled in a mission upon saving magical artifacts that must not get into the wrong hands. Never one to back away from danger, Gabriel takes it upon himself to protect Thalia Burgess, whose father is a member of The Blades of the Roses and is too sick to go on the mission himself.
For me the strength of this book is the unusual setting of Mongolia and the paranormal plot development. The scenery and customs of the Mongolian people is unique and interesting to read about. The history of the people and how magic is tied to the earth reminded me some of Native American culture. The fact that the story is told through an Englishman and woman makes it all the more different.
While I like both Gabriel and Thalia, I felt that the romance between these two seemed forced. Instead of showing me how the relationship developed, the author told me. At least this is how it was in the beginning of the book. By the time I had read half the book, I felt the writing had gotten better and the relationship felt less forced. For me though, I was more focused on the external conflict between the Blades and Heirs. I definitely see the potential in this series. It is unusual enough that I will be giving the second book Scoundrel a try.
Warrior is the first book in Zoe Archer's The Blades of the Rose series. Captain Gabriel Huntley has only known the life of a soldier, but now that he has left the service he has plans to settle down in the English countryside. Not long after leaving the docks he witnesses a group of people attacking a man. Never one to stand an unfair fight, Gabriel comes to the mans assistance. Unfortunately, the man dies and Gabriel makes a promise to go to Mongolia to deliver a message. When Gabriel gets to Mongolia, he becomes embroiled in a mission upon saving magical artifacts that must not get into the wrong hands. Never one to back away from danger, Gabriel takes it upon himself to protect Thalia Burgess, whose father is a member of The Blades of the Roses and is too sick to go on the mission himself.
For me the strength of this book is the unusual setting of Mongolia and the paranormal plot development. The scenery and customs of the Mongolian people is unique and interesting to read about. The history of the people and how magic is tied to the earth reminded me some of Native American culture. The fact that the story is told through an Englishman and woman makes it all the more different.
While I like both Gabriel and Thalia, I felt that the romance between these two seemed forced. Instead of showing me how the relationship developed, the author told me. At least this is how it was in the beginning of the book. By the time I had read half the book, I felt the writing had gotten better and the relationship felt less forced. For me though, I was more focused on the external conflict between the Blades and Heirs. I definitely see the potential in this series. It is unusual enough that I will be giving the second book Scoundrel a try.
Helpful Score: 2
I must have started and stopped this book at least twenty times or so in the past few months, always putting it aside for something more pressing. I chalked it up to being over-extended but when I finally had a day to lounge around and do nothing but read I still had a heck of a time getting through it. And because I cant pinpoint anything in particular that was wrong with the story, I am completely frustrated. The premise sounded good enough adventure, lust, and magic and all of my friends loved it to pieces (and shoved it upon me) but I just cant share their enthusiasm for it. It dragged on for chapters at a time, hooking me for a moment and then losing me again. I really had to struggle to stick with it so for that I can only give it three stars.
Gabriel is a newly retired soldier who stumbles upon a fight, jumps in to help and is asked to deliver a message from the dying man. Gabriel, having nothing much better to do than find a dull wife and start making babies, doesnt refuse and travels to Mongolia. This is how he meets Thalia and how he gets involved in a mysterious world of secret hidden magic after joining her on an action packed mission to find and protect a valuable Source (of magic). She is unlike any woman he has met but, as even he admits, he hasnt met many women other than the working kind while hes been in the military. Still, he deems her much more attractive than the delicate, boring ladies of England. She resists the temptation that is Gabriel for 100 or so pages which felt more like 1000 because she was burned in the past by some other guy. But, hot damn, hes physically gorgeous and perfection personified so you all know how this ends, right?
Sadly, as much as I tried, I never shared in the chemistry between Gabriel and Thalia. Sure I was told they exchanged lots of lusty thoughts and smoldering looks in between trying to save the world from evil-doers but I wasnt feeling it like I should have. I did enjoy the unique Mongolia setting and appreciated all of the research the author clearly put in to bring the place to vivid life. And though Warrior had a good solid story with non-annoying characters it didnt resonate with me in any way. There was a lot of action and adventure as well as plenty of one on one time with the characters so I cant say it was boring but I too often found it difficult to stay interested even during the spicier scenes (true story Im afraid to admit). Right now I am annoyed at myself for buying the rest of the books in this series brand new before even reading this one and seeing if I liked the style of the author. Ah well, lesson learned.
If there is anyone out there who had a similar experience and then went on to read book 2 can you tell me if its more of the same?
Gabriel is a newly retired soldier who stumbles upon a fight, jumps in to help and is asked to deliver a message from the dying man. Gabriel, having nothing much better to do than find a dull wife and start making babies, doesnt refuse and travels to Mongolia. This is how he meets Thalia and how he gets involved in a mysterious world of secret hidden magic after joining her on an action packed mission to find and protect a valuable Source (of magic). She is unlike any woman he has met but, as even he admits, he hasnt met many women other than the working kind while hes been in the military. Still, he deems her much more attractive than the delicate, boring ladies of England. She resists the temptation that is Gabriel for 100 or so pages which felt more like 1000 because she was burned in the past by some other guy. But, hot damn, hes physically gorgeous and perfection personified so you all know how this ends, right?
Sadly, as much as I tried, I never shared in the chemistry between Gabriel and Thalia. Sure I was told they exchanged lots of lusty thoughts and smoldering looks in between trying to save the world from evil-doers but I wasnt feeling it like I should have. I did enjoy the unique Mongolia setting and appreciated all of the research the author clearly put in to bring the place to vivid life. And though Warrior had a good solid story with non-annoying characters it didnt resonate with me in any way. There was a lot of action and adventure as well as plenty of one on one time with the characters so I cant say it was boring but I too often found it difficult to stay interested even during the spicier scenes (true story Im afraid to admit). Right now I am annoyed at myself for buying the rest of the books in this series brand new before even reading this one and seeing if I liked the style of the author. Ah well, lesson learned.
If there is anyone out there who had a similar experience and then went on to read book 2 can you tell me if its more of the same?
