Incredibly gripping, reels you in!
582547
Amaranthe Lokdon (i.e. goody two shoes) is an idealistic and charmingly enthusiastic enforcer (i.e. policewoman) who happened to have the misfortune of catching the eye of the emperor.  Little did the emperor know that he was being secretly poisoned, and manipulated, by his advisor and worse still, that his open admiration of Maranthe led the advisor to take drastic steps to try to get rid her.  So off he sends Amaranthe on a mission, to kill the notorious god-like assasin Sicarius. Sicarius is the complete opposite of Amaranthe. cynical, jaded, emotionless. the perfect killing machine.  but as fate would have it, this unlikely pair would have to band together to deal with the evil forces that creep up to threaten the empire.

Wow. This is an incredibly gripping story, which in large part, is due to the characterisation of the hero and heroine.  Amaranthe, while being goody-two shoes, is a believable goody-two shoes without being too over the top that would make you want to smack her. Sicarius, *swoon*, is a surprisingly intriguing lead despite not uttering more than a few sentences in the book. I do hope that they end up together, but one never knows (yes, I googled and tried to find out if they do end up together and the author herself was rather ambiguous about it on her webpage)! All in all, this is quite worth the read! (And that's saying a lot considering that I don't even like the steam punk genre, but one can never overlook a good plot.)
2495849
There is literally not a single, negative thing I can say about this book. This book traps you in from the very beginning. The author uses such profound adjectives that really gives you phenomenal imagery. While reading, you literally feel like a movie is playing in your head. He takes you into the story like you are experiencing it first-hand. You become connected to his characters and feel like you have experienced them outside of the book. One of the best books I ever had the privilege of reading. Its hard to put this book down and escape the worlds he has created. No doubt that you will be drawn in.
3925069
Wow, this book is really amazing.  Be prepared for every kind of feeling -- it's gritty, it's funny, it's ugly, it's sad, and ultimately it's hopeful.  I don't usually go for "drug culture" books, but this is a LOT more than that.  It's about growing up, being ill, getting well, going through hell, getting out.  Rayston's voice is very subtle and feminine, but unflinching and honest.  A fast, compelling read.  150% recommended for anyone looking for a truly gripping story.  I read the whole thing in one airplane ride!
1029364
This is a very clearly and compellingly written tale, which I found nearly impossible to put down. The protagonist is engaging (or all the protagonists?) , and the plot is impossibly gripping. In the search for his lost identity, and following any clues or scraps of his missing memory, the protagonist goes from crisis to crisis, gathering and then misproving possible identities... The reader is hopelessly caught up in the search as well, with the added clues of dreams - which the protagonist always forgets as soon as he wakes.
I love the world which Parker has created here - with Raiders from across the sea, and the sword-monks - for whom swordfighting seems to be a form of religion...
1021957
Liege Killer (as well as the rest of the saga) is an extremely gripping and well-told story. You will not be able to put the book down before you're through! It features a number of fascinating ideas. It is also,  however, not much of an intellectual challenge, to put it mildly. But then,  even fans of William Gibson or Isaac Asimov watch a Schwarzenegger movie  every now and then, right? This saga is the closest equivalent to a  Hollywood action movie I've ever encountered. I really liked it - don't  miss book 2 and 3 of the Paratwa Saga, "Ash Ock" and "The  Paratwa"!
2082575
Wow! Gripping scenes! I can just envision the various scenes in my mind like a movie...only more detailed.  I'm not completely finished but dang....the plot twists and turns have my total attention.
461978
Amazing ,gripping story !!! I knew that it was a prequel view shortly to a full nove but I had read others and it was no biggie to just forget what I had read . No so with this one! The writing was so smooth that you wanted to hurry to get to the next part. To soon you were at the end and your nerves were tingling to know more !! Alas I have to wait a while to get the rest of the story . But get it I will you better too !!!!
3684885
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Oh my!  This book is packed full of so many emotions, it was overwhelming, but in a good way.  The plot was extremely well written, grabbing and maintaining my attention until the end.  It was hard to put down once I got started.  The story is extreme, but also very real.  The subject is not what we hear of very often, but I would imagine happens often enough.  Human trafficing will always be a concern in the world, and this touches on it and how it could easily happen to anyone, and the struggles a survivor has to regain their lives if they are lucky enough to escape.
The characters are real and make it easy to "get into their heads" and feel all they are experiencing as you read.
I won't get into the synopsis, as there are sufficient reviews that have already done so, but I do recommend you read this.  It is an extremely heart grabbing story that will tear your heart apart, then slowly put it back together, bigger and better.
4550846
I've not written an Amazon review in ages, but I'm compelled to do so after reading this book.

Bitter is the first of the Bitter Trilogy. I've just put this book down and I'm already prepared and anxious to read the second. And third.

This is a very well-written book that was hard to put down. The characters are fleshed out very well, so much to the point that you feel like you know them. The actions are so descriptive that you feel like you're watching a movie; almost to where you're watching a reality show. The vivid imagery cast is enough for you to even create your own movie or video treatment.

What makes this book even more interesting is its method of storytelling. Everything reads like journal entries in chronological order; almost like excerpts from each character's autobiography. Everything is in the first person as if you're living these moments right there with them.

I'm so enthralled with this book that I'm fighting temptation to read the second, as it's currently 10:30pm and I've got work in the morning. Lol.

This is definitely worth the read. And re-read.
4903172
I typically have a short attention span and usually have a difficult time reading more than a few pages of a book before I lose interest.  This wonderful book literally grabbed my interest immediately, and I quickly found that I couldn't put it down!  I also typically only like "real life" type stories, however I was completely drawn into this captivating book.  The difficult decisions having to be made by the main characters as the story unfolds leaves you truly pondering what you would do if handed a similar fate.  The author does an excellent job of describing every aspect of the characters as well as their surroundings and circumstances, giving you the feeling you are right there amongst them throughout their journey...highly recommend!
3985476
Once I began reading this gripping story I couldn't stop! It's filled with intense action and believable characters. In the end I let out a gasp!
176755
I'm not sure what possessed me to buy this book, but I am glad that I did. This doesn't fit into most of my usual genre's of books, but I really enjoyed it. I am actually going to recommend this to my father (an avid reader) and my fiance.

This story had a great lead female role who was believable in every way. I even found myself laughing out loud at some of the things she said because they were so true, and in other cases I kept nudging my fiance and saying "Look he's writing about you!"

An incredibly gripping story! I recommend it
3512707
Gripping, enthralling, superbly well written. The dialogue and reactions of the men are seemingly 'spot on! I have rarely read a better story in any genre. No spoilers here but let me just tell you that you will hate it when this book end...it is that good! Craig D is becoming one if my favorite authors. This would make an incredibly good movie...someone option it quickly!
2918383
This book is amazing! I fell in love with the writing right away, so ... visual, beautiful, gripping, heart-wrenching in a good way, in that everything builds slowly and makes sense, and comes alive in full color. Someone said that the ending is not what one would expect but it leaves you feeling happy, with warmth in one's heart, and it's really what happens, difficult to pin this one into words. I highly recommend it! (does need a bit of patience, at times; the second half i couldn't put down though)
4399459
I completely got absorbed in this book! So many twists and turns with characters that keep you guessing from the start of the book through to the finish as to their loyalties and intentions.

Salome's terror was completely gripping and had me on the edge of my seat. The story has many twists and turns with the characters trying to work out how to break the curse that has plagued Salome's family for generations. Just when you thought you had the story figured out, the author throws a curly for the reader when you least expect it. Nevin captures your attention with his regard and affection for Salome and has you wondering if anything will come of it and where he actually places in Salome's life. Gareth, holy heck, was just burning up the pages with his sweetness, hotness and magnificence in the role he plays within the book. An integral character who shines and sets hearts aflutter throughout.

The characters and story will stick with you long after you have finished the book. The vitality, integrity and spirit of the characters captures, entertains and has the reader rapt.
I relished reading The Winter People by Rebekah L. Purdy, the story and the characters - it was just a phenomenally engrossing, heartfelt read.
*ARC Received from the Publisher for an honest review
4846510
What an absolutely incredible book! I haven't read something that grabbed my emotions like this in a very long time. The synopsis does not even begin to delve into the many layers of this story. I don't feel comfortable going into details of the storyline, because it would ruin the book and give too many spoilers. What I can say is that this book is intense and gripping. I could not put it down. I was running theories through my mind during the whole thing only to find out how wrong I was with a twist that will leave you reeling. Portia Moore has an incredible writing style that injects so much life into her characters. I seemed to feel every emotion as if it were happening to me. There were several times I was brought to tears by the turmoil the main character was experiencing. There is so much to this book, I don't even know where to begin. I highly recommend it to about anyone. Men and women alike could love this story. It holds a bit of something for everyone; romance, suspense, mystery, thriller, you name it. I absolutely can't wait to read the next book in the series. And I will always hope for a happily ever after, but not sure how that will work with the twist this book throws at you!
4837232
This book gripped me from the start and hung on tight!

The beginning leaves you holding your breath and then plunges you into the world of mobsters  totally unrelated. Or so one thinks.

There are many characters attached to the two main characters and the story line leaves you wondering how everything connects, what will happen, who will end up dead next, and how will it all end up resolved.

In the end, we see all it all connects, but it left me guessing and turning the pages through the entire book.

If you enjoy thrillers, this is definitely one to read  you won't regret it!