Not my favorite in the series, but I still love this series
580922
t has been a while since I have read any installments in the Jim Butcher series "The Dresden Files", so when I started Blood Rites it felt really slow. In fact I kept putting it down and reading other books.

Book Number 6 in the series actually feels like a "bridging novel". It concentrates more on Harry's personal life, then it does on chasing one particular demon. I think this kind of story is really important to the overall story in the series.

I don't usually put spoilers in these little mini-reviews I do, but I can't resist with this one. I uttered a huge "oh wow" when I read that Harry and Thomas, a White Court Vampire, are related. It makes so much sense now, when you recall their relationship, but wow. Of course it now makes the story interesting, as Thomas has been disinherited by the White Court and is now by his side. It will be interesting to see how the story develops from here, and of course the reappearance of Walker, a demon Harry thought he had banished.

This installment has definitely made me want to read more in the series, and I'm sure I will be settling down to read "Dead Beat" soon.
1029681
This is not my favorite in the series, but it has the most and usually paired characters. I really like Josie! She was so new to being a part of the Lore. We got to see Nix be cruel and kind at the same time while she was teaching Josie her powers. It was nice to see many of the past books' characters, like Lothaire, come together to defend the Valkyries home. I can't wait to read more books about the Ascension. There are many new characters that I would like to read about introduced in this book as well.
1216014
Great series.  I love this author but this was not my favorite in the series.
3061060
I love this series! I mean I love it!! It is a must read as soon as it gets into my greedy little paws! That being said, this book just did not "pop" for me. I was peeved that Max acted like an immature child about her relationship with Alexander; I get it, she has trust issues and has shut herself off from getting too close to someone. I also get that she does it without even realizing it because of said issues. I get it, I do. However, the Max I have grown to love is brave and smart and resourceful, and she never hides from her problems, she meets them head-on, so I was really irritated by her whiney pity me party that she felt about her love life through most of the book. She whined, she hid, she ran, and she made the poorest decisions so far in the series while preparing herself for death over and over again. For a chick that is supposed to feel responsible and fiercely protective of those around her, she sure does throw herself into no win situations easily. I mean she never thinks that maybe if she dies it will be lights out for those around her? I also thought the author did a poor job on writing about the relationship while incorporating the plot around it; the amount of angst the central characters had toward each other left me feeling cold about their relationship in general, and made it hard for me to really get in to their intimacy when they came together.
Overall I thought this book felt rushed and a bit unsubstantial compared to the others. Still a decent read, and I cant wait for the next in the series.
4407271
I'm giving everyone slightly crazy eyes right now because OHMIGAWD I LOVE THIS SERIES SO HARD. So. Hard.

Why do I love it? Because Grier is messed up. Her circumstances leave her in a place where all her friendships and interactions are suspect and she's *still* dealing with the fallout from her time in prison and she's a messssssss.

And yet, she's making it work. Not always as smoothly as she might wish, but things find a way of working out around her and, really, that's what matters.

Even though sometimes "working out" means her friends end up in danger and the one person she shouldn't trust but does is the one helping her out of her situation.

Like I said, messsssssed up.

Anywho. THINGS HAPPEN in this book. THINGS. I'm torn between being happy (for reasons) and angry because Grier deserves better than what she was given. However, I'm sort of loving where things are going *crosses fingers* and I'm ALL IN for whatever comes next.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
3945403
So, I love this series and was so excited when I learned a 3rd book (Of Neptune) was coming out.  I made sure to let everyone know that I wanted it for my birthday.  I was so excited when my best friend presented it to me that it was all I could do not to just sit down and start reading it right then and there.  That being said, I do have to say I felt like this one was a bit slower of a read than the previous two.  I kind of steps into a different world as well.  This isn't exactly bad and in many ways made it very interesting, but I was not as thrilled with it as the first two.  Still, I will say don't give up on it.  It is still very much worth reading, especially if you enjoyed the others.
188107
3.7/5 Stars
This one was my least favorite of the series, but still a good book. I think it was the characters more than anything. I didn't like that Hauk had a daughter. I almost always hate children in romances. They completely ruin the atmosphere, for me. McCollum does do a nice job of getting rid of the kid as much as possible, but I just felt like she got in the way of the romance. I didn't like that Merewin had sex with Hauk while she was still his slave. That really bothered me. Hauks power was confusing and never really defined and I don't think it added anything to the plot, just muddled it. The H&h really didn't spend much time together either. They just thought about the other person and when they did find time together they were always interrupted. Very few meaningful conversations happening, which isn't typical for McCollum. I have read everything published by Heather McCollum and there isn't a book of hers I didn't like. I highly recommend her books and especially this series. WARNING: there is sex in this book, it is not erotica, but enough to be a steamy & hot adult romance. Please do not read if you are looking for something PG. Romance-3.5/5 Steaminess-3/5 Explicitness-3/5
3566416
I really love this series and even though this book did not have as much action as the past three I still found myself sucked into it. It is not as fast as the previous but finally the author brings some resolve to things that needed to be taken care of --- or that I wanted to happen. I really like the way the author writes and I can't wait for the next book to come out. I need more...
1226150
I really love this series so far, and I liked this volume, but I don't think it's as good as the other four. The events that take place in this volume are generally even sillier than usual, although not necessarily as funny as some of the scenes in other volumes (for example, the haunted house and the drawing contest).

There is, however, a small development in Sato and Yoshida's relationship--it's hinted that they might take their physical relationship to the next level soon.

I was disappointed that we didn't see Torachin and Yamanaka in this volume, so I hope they'll be in the next one.

As far as other supporting characters, the Nozawa twins were in this one, and I like seeing them. (I like how they stand out from the other students.)

If you're really enjoying the series, you'll probably enjoy this one. I do enjoy every exchange between the main characters, so I was happy with it, but I hope the next one picks up a bit (and includes Torachin and Yamanaka).
4579616
Finally starting to get back to what I loved about the earlier books in the series!
3497695
I'm giving it 4 stars because I really love the series. That being said, I found myself a bit like Casey - unsure. In fact, I read the book twice, before I even decided to write a review, because I really wanted to LOVE this book. I did like it a little better the second time. At least I accepted the conflict between Tommy and Carly a little more. But my 2 biggest problems were: 1) I really expected more difficulties with the Tommy/Carly relationship; 2) the introduction of Casey/Dakota dilemma taking away from the main characters.
And while it's always great to see the other family members, rehashing (in detail) soooo many things that happened in the other books got a little old. Besides, most of us have re-read the other books several times. I understand Raeann wanting to attract new readers, but it was a bit too much.
If you haven't read the other books, you should read them first (and I think it was a great idea to offer them at a discount). I know this is a labor of love for the author, and she wants to keep her fans happy, but take your time on Casey, Raeann. We can wait.
4907654
This is not my favorite book, mostly because I never really loved Marissa and she is always so perfect, but so full of problems. Butch is a nice guy and I liked him living with the brothers, especially his relationship with Vishous, they are truly great friends and this book showed some changes in their bromance. I like the other stories that as usual happen in this series, the most important is John training. I loved him since Lover Eternal and hes growing to be a great warrior.

But my huge problem with this book is the fact I don't love the couple, they are great together, but I just don't feel a great empathy toward them. Butch is more a human to me than a vampire and his changing was a little too much for me. I understand the only way he could be with Marissa was if he became a vampire, but it changed the dynamic with V and I loved these two changing insults and some love.

Next book is Vishous story and I cant wait for him to find his other half.
3906480
3.5 stars
I am behind on reviews pretty much because I've been on a BDB reading binge and have just finished 6 of them in a row. I had to stop because I'm on the wait list for the last one, Lover At Last, which I cannot wait for!

I was actually surprised how much I enjoyed Butch's story. He never really grabbed me in the other books and seemed so crude that he kind of rubbed me the wrong way. He did win me over in the end though and continued to impress me through the following books. I especially loved when he starts babbling to the Scribe Virgin and can't seem to help himself. His relationship with Vishous was also fascinating to watch. It was developing into a true bromance and was kind of odd to see since you know Butch with Marissa so I was curious to see how that would be resolved since V was so into Butch.

I had mixed feelings about Marissa. I felt bad for her because her brother was such a douche bag for the way he turned her out but she was way too passive for my tastes. It was nice to see her grow in the end and I loved how she ended up shooting down the council after being treated so shabbily for such a long time.

This wouldn't be counted as one of my favorites in the series but definitely enjoyed it more than I expected.
4104319
LOVE this series. This one was my least favorite by far though. It was still a fun read.
1590394
I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the previous books in the series.
884248
3 1/2 Stars
I loved the first book in this series. I was hoping for good things for Hannah after the loss of her husband. While there were parts of this book that I loved, there were others I really didn't care for.
I really loved Nolan. The man had the patience of a saint when it came to Hannah. He was cautious, caring and loving with her. Never pushing, always conscious of her mind set and feelings. Always putting her first, even at his own expense.
I love this little town created for this series, from the quirky townsfolk to the towns mascot, Fred the moose.
I loved catching glimpses of Hannah's rather large family. And seeing the probable storylines set up for several of her siblings. Her father and grandfather are hilarious. I love the epilogue.

What I didn't care for was Hannah. While I understand her loss, and I know everyone deals with loss in their own way, it just felt like she took it to the extreme. She seemed to be more worried about how everyone else felt about her moving on, than how she herself should feel. Going as far as putting distance between herself and Nolan when it upset her brother-in-law after he found out she was seeing him. She spent so much time worrying about what others would think, she forgot to live her own life.
Hannah's internal monologue became monotonous. The book could have been shortened by at least a third, if we didn't have to put up with her thoughts of why she shouldn't move on, and what everyone must/probably/could be, thinking of her.
And Caleb, the deceased husband, had more page time than most of the living characters.
Nolan and Hannah do have a happy ending. But there were a few things I wanted answers to. Like what ultimately happened to Nolan's dad? The plans he had for his house? And her plans for the retreat she and Cameron came up with? Lots of things thrown out there that were just left dangling.
It did feel a bit like a "transition" book. Used to set up the upcoming books.
Even with this one not being my favorite, I'll continue to read the series. I'm curious about where some of the stories may be going.
2643493
I have read every word of the Alexa series, and absolutely adored it. Although I loved getting into Arys head, it wasn't my favorite novels from the series. This won't stop me from reading the next one, but I didn't absolutely love this one as much as the others.