I don't care for paranormal books, but....
599233
I'm not a fan of paranormal books, or YA, as a general rule, but I make an exception for this author's books. Nicole Tillman's easy to read prose is the kind of book you should never start right before bedtime. You will not want to put it down! This story picks up where book one left off. If you missed the first one, go back and read it first, or this story will make little sense.
My only problem with this book is that book 3 isn't out yet!! Expect cliffhangers!!!
3404194
I had a strong suspicion I was picking up a part of a series when I saw this book, but decided to read it anyway, hoping I wouldn't be too lost. I was correct on both counts - turns out "Realm of Shadows" is book four in Shannon Drake's Alliance Vampires series, and for those like me who hadn't read any of the other books, there wasn't an overabundance of allusions to past events/people so the novice can jump right in.

As to the story itself, it was mildly interesting, but nothing a veteran of paranormal romances wouldn't have encountered in other stories. Urban legends about mythological creatures (vampires and werewolves) hews pretty much to what we know from popular media. The pace of the story was just fine - not too fast, nor too slow. The dialogue though, felt a little stilted to me. The language seemed somewhat formal. It's logical for the long-lived characters to speak that way, as they've lived for centuries, but even the modern characters were overly wordy.

One major way this book was unlike its distaff members in this genre involved the love (read: sex) scenes. They were very tame, with non-explicit descriptions. It was as though readers were reading the scenes through a gauze curtain, so as to spare the sensibilities of those who don't care to have erotica injected in their paranormal-urban fantasy romance. I personally didn't care either way, but wanted to point this out, as it was a big departure from other PNR I've read.

My final analysis was this book was neither great, nor dreck. It was an average read, with an average plot, filled with average characters. I suppose the biggest indictment from me is that "Realm of Shadows" didn't care to make we want to read the other books in the series. One book was enough for me to get a sense of what Vampire Alliance is about, and one was just fine.
807559
I am disappointed that there was no indication that this book is in the paranormal romance genre because I do not like to read those kinds of books. I gave this book five stars based on how well it was written, but I didn't finish the book, and didn't want to slap the writer in the face just because I don't like the genre. I liked everything else a out the book except for the paranormal episodes, but am giving the book back to Amazon because I don't want paranormal books in my list. Please make it obvious in the initial presentation/offering when books contain paranormal material so readers don't waste their time or don't bring into their homes material that they find offensive.
4595343
Somewhat entertaining but I don't care enough to buy the rest of the series
687293
I am not a mystery fan. Read it for a book discussion group
2377342
I won't sumarize the book for you--it's been done.  This is a sly, tongue-in-cheek, and yes, unembarassingly over the top, paranormal romance that made me laugh out loud just when I'd nearly given up on romance all together.
2659450
I'm not generally a paranormal romance kind of person but it was free so I gave it a try. Really glad I did.
4173234
I'm not into romance/sex novels.  I prefer my mysteries to be straightforward mysteries.  This guy likes girl, she hates him then loves him formula is boring for me.  I found it got in the way of the story.  Mother-in-law's ghost forcing her to investigate didn't do it for me either.
1169731
I lost interest before finishing, but I don't really like super natural books.
2053676
A group of supernatural brother warriors living together in a massive, overdecorated-with-priceless-works-of-art mansion with an underground training facility that includes an over-the-top gym.
The warriors curse a lot, speak in short, harsh sentences, and wear "shitkickers".
They also have weird names like Venom and Forge.
They can't go out during the day because it will kill them.
They have love-at-first-sight mates that they know are "theirs" and who they'd kill or die for.

Sound familiar? You might be thinking of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood. You'd be wrong.

I picked up FURY OF SEDUCTION (Dragonfury Series #3) by Coreene Callahan via Amazon Vine (seems logical, considering Montlake Romance is an imprint of Amazon Publishing), excited because it's a genre I love (paranormal romance) and the blurb sounded great.

Dragons and the end of the human race and, of course, lurve. Sounds most excellent.

I didn't like that Tania gives off a bit of a victim vibe with her actions. She doesn't really stand up for herself and isn't very aware of what's going on around her. Heading down to visit her sister in prison every other weekend, she berates herself for being a bad sister, even though there's a stalker prison guard who abuses his power with threats and taunts.

As soon as Mac learned Tania was potentially in trouble (another stalker male who wants to take her for his own, then use her for breeding purposes and to taunt his enemies. Nice.), he freaks out and takes off without backup, thinking only mine and to protect the little woman. Who he's only met once. *sigh*

Sadly, this book ended up being a book breakup for me. While the story had potential, I just couldn't get past the similarities to a certain bestselling series or the insta-love (insta-possessiveness, more like).

I feel a little bad about abandoning this book -- I'm afraid my reading and reviewing slump contributed to my harsh response. Maybe I'll have to pick it back up once I'm less cranky...or maybe I'll try her new series, which sounds pretty good.
262929
Didn't expect the supernatural twist. Didn't care for it either
2368914
From the first page I decided it was a book I did not care to read, so I deleted it.  Just not my thing
2132137
Not my cup of tea.  Much about paranormal stuff, fractured history and death and torture....just weird.
2621457
This was a strange book that I enjoyed, but felt at odds with. I feel that the character relationship development was lacking at times. I am already reading the second installment and I am not enjoying it as much, but I will still push through and finish the series. The best way to describe this series for people who READ A LOT is to say that I would not read it again and I wouldn't care if it was on my shelf. It is not one of those books you revisit over and over. Books I would categorized as this would be Vampire Academy, The Immoral Rules and The Experiment in Terror series (later books in the series). I am one of those people who keep books I love on the shelf (and sometimes my kindle) and books that are mediocre on my kindle or exchanged at the used book store for a new read.

This series is a fun read with a hint of beastiality in the beginning, but it is enjoyable. Grace isn't very easy for me to relate to. It never feels as if anything monumental happening in this book... even though there are. I was never on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen. There were never any of those "Oh S***" moments when you are so surprised or overwhelmed and excited about what the author wrote. For me to love a book, I need my "Oh S***" moments so when I am reading in public people stare at me like I am someone to be avoided... that way they don't interrupt my reading!
3289751
I Have never read a paranormal book where the people are aliens so this was a first for me. It was good and I think it flowed very well the characters were believable but it just really isn't my cup of tea.
1821345
I liked the beginning, but in my opinion too much of the book was spent on the paranormal abilities. I got bored and actually didn't finish the book.
1394739
I didn't know this story was heavy into the supernatural.  As I am not a fan of that kind of book, I stopped reading and never finished it.
If you like the supernatural it will be an easy read.