Mediocre

I have finished the first 4 books prior to writing this review and I do plan to finish them. I listen to books while I run errands, cook, and clean. And I listen to them at work, because my job requires precision and wearing headphones with a book enhances my ability to perform repetitive, precise tasks, without disruption.
I often have books I want to relax with, and the books I use for background noise. These books are regulated to background noise, but they are interesting enough that I have occasionally found myself listening for longer than I originally planned.

** short version of this review: The romance doesn’t really start moving until book 4. It’s definitely more plot-driven than romance-driven. The world building is poor overall but probably not unusual for a paranormal urban romance. The limits of using magic aren’t defined and the uses aren’t well explained so sometimes it just seems too convenient to take seriously. Lots of action, so it it maintains a consistent high level of interest. Seems intended for a younger audience.

Content age: 16-22 (there is violence, death, killing and some mature themes in later books)

Reading Comprehension level: (grade 6-7; age 12-13 years old)

**Full review**

**The romance**
Book 1 had an extremely slow build romance. Basically she is attracted to a few males and they are probably attracted to her. I am mid way through the series still not sure what male character she is interested in. I think based on the corresponding series from the male point-of-view that the love interest will eventually be the male main character in the companion series, but it’s poorly executed. I usually like the dominance thing that the author is attempting, but it’s so singularly focused on his dominance and his aloofness that it’s near impossible to like him. He’s constantly described as dominant and withholding, but his actions and choices seem immature. It’s not the dominance of a self-assured man who knows what they want. It comes across like the kind of dominance that occurs right before a high school bully tries to appear tough in front of their friends. It feels forced and showy. He is constantly displaying dominance by making decisions and forcing things on the female main character, but ultimately he is in a state of reaction and his sense of self seems constantly threatened by her. Honestly the female main character seems more dominant and self assured throughout most of the books. I think sometimes people forget that ‘anger’ is an emotion. When a person is constantly at the whims of their own anger instead of remaining rational and steadfast they seem just as whiny and weak as someone who is always crying. But so far I’ve been able to ignore it because the romance really isn’t central to the plot.

**The world-building**

The books are set in contemporary USA. The world of supernatural beings exists in unknown coexistence with humans. The supernatural beings are largely segregated by species but they seem to find themselves with interests that align and will work together when needed or forced. They trade in power and favours, The different supernatural beings have their own internal governing systems but there wasn’t anything unique or surprising about the structure of their societies.

**The use of Magic**

The magic system itself is extremely flawed. I was hoping that it would work as a fantasy novel but the magic system seemed to have been invented as they wrote. There are no clear rules, clear limits, or clear cost/benefit distinctions. The way they perform magic and draw power is not explained and magic seems to be omnipotent. It seems like anything is possible with the right circumstances or right magical items. The magic system issues do not get clearer as the story progresses. In fact the story seems to vaguely introduce several different magic systems as the story progresses without providing any true distinction or difference.
But again, this kind of flaw is not surprising for a paranormal romance.

**Literary issues** I don’t think it would be fair to drag out my pitchfork and pick this apart. I hardly think they were expecting a Pulitzer. I read that this author produces a new book every 4 months.
That’s really an accomplishment and a testament to their ability to write quickly. So Its a paranormal romance novel and it seems to be about par with most novels of this genre.
My only problem with the composition of this book is that the story jumps around without a clear indication of the passing of time and/or changing setting. I found myself going back on several occasions thinking I must have missed something or skipped a chapter only to find that the story had simply jumped ahead without any indication that the setting or time had changed. This does improve in the later books but book 1 was jumpy.

**Performance/ narration ***
Very slow, lacked emotion. Improved in later books (or maybe I got used to it). It helps to turn their speed up to 1.2x. They speak very slowly without proper inflection, so they sound almost like artificial intelligence at times.
Also the performer seemed to struggle to properly pronounce some of the less frequently used words. It’s not overtly noticeable and you will understand what they intend to say if you know the word; but it is still noticeable. I find mispronunciations inherently cringey in an audiobook because reading should be a source of knowledge, no matter the quality of the writing; so when the performer butchers the words they aren’t familiar with it takes away from the more passive learning that occurs when reading.

Ultimately, it’s guilty pleasure reading. I equate it to watching a cheesy reality TV show. I normally don’t watch reality TV, I avoid it when there is something better on, but every now and then I might land on some stupid show accidentally and all of a sudden I binge watched 4 episodes. It’s not great, but there is enough action and some successful surprises.

Overall rating 4/10

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1 person found this helpful

Just not into in

The narrator is really monotone and main character is denial about everything a weak character really. Keeps putting herself in danger for no reason is seems.

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Narrator Put me to sleep

I’m think the book may be ok BUT , the Narrator speaks so slowly and without ANY feeling that I couldn’t stay focused on the story. I tried to listen to it several times but the narrator ruined it for me. This was a waste of a credit. With a different narrator the story may be good?

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Nasal congestion?

I really looked forward to listening to this series. However, I just can’t get past the nasal congestion. Changing speed is not changing it for me sorry.

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Underrated

Narrator is a little slow at first, so I simply sped it up. Worked like a charm. I've heard much worse in the way of differentiating voices for the characters, although many of the more intense sense lack enthusiasm. Not bad overall.

No complaints about the story. Main character is kind of bratty but can't really blame her with all that going on and only being 23 years old. I've met less mature people of that age.

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