Customer Reviews

Born of Ice

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This was my favorite of the three League novels. The story was full of action, romance, humor, and all the characters were entertaining. I couldn't stop reading it and wished it had been a lot longer. Though this is science fiction romance (versus the author's Dark and Were Hunters paranormal romance books), there's nothing complex in its story line. To me, it was that elegant, to the point 'woman meets man - man meets woman - they fall in love - have great sex - have some problems to solve - solve the problems - and live happily ever after' simplicity that made it such a perfect enjoyable read.

The romantic leads in this story are Devyn (Syn's and Sahara's son) and his 'heroine' Alix. The major characters from the previous two books have background roles but a lot of their children play major roles. And Vik (the mech from Born of Fire) is present with all his adorable, sarcastic humor. All these characters added just the right touch of tying in all three stories into one happy ending that I loved.

I hope Sherrilyn Kenyon comes up with another League novel. I like this series even better than the Dark-hunters books.

I read all three books in the series and if you loved the first two, this one might be a little bit of a let down. It was still a decent read (partly because I hate not finishing series), but it lacked a lot of the character development and substance that the first two books had. Part of what I liked about them was that they weren't just romances-they were action, sci-fi, romance and had some actual depth to them. This book was much more of a run of the mill "romance" complete with cheesy scenes and lines. Everything seemed to work out just a little too conveniently, like the author just wanted to finish up the series and either didn't put as much of her heart into it as the other two books or ran out of ideas. I liked what one reviewer said when he/she compared all of the prior character's kids as "the Paris Hilton's of the world." All those wealthy family connections with Emperors, Doctors, Top Smugglers, League Assassins, etc. made everything in the book flow too perfectly, with no real consequences.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
And where did the twist with Paden come from except an obvious attempt to tie up loose ends in an all too cheesy happy ending? Also, having "Mom" check in every 5 minutes was a little ridiculous...not how I picture Shahara as a mother.

I enjoyed the first two books as they had good character development that really dug into character motivation that goes into psyche and action. It's hard to connect with Devyn, Syn's son, and while we are at it, Nyk's spawns also. These "trust fund babies" have been given everything to them and with all their parents' political connections, it makes me wonder if Devyn will ever get punished even if he is caught as a Runner. There's no conflict because I feel like these kids are like the Paris Hiltons of the world.

Questions loom for me (could be spoilers) like if Nyk hated the League so much, why did a handful of his kids join? Andron's situation was a real bummer. Did Shahara have a personality switch or what? I still love Syn, because he is that good. Palen's twist was just too convenient to tie everything together. While we are at it, his personality wasn't really explored, it was just there.

My biggest one ponderment...
How did the "manwhore" Caillan Dagan become an Emperor. Did I miss something?

It just seems like there were just too many convenient "facts" that were thrown out there and you had to accept it for what it was. There was no depth.

A fast read, but just wasn't as good or fulfilling as the first two books. I do enjoy this universe, but just feel that this book was rushed and had the potential for a greater plot line.

i loved this book! i really loved how Vik had a big part in it and i hope he has a larger role in the future books. This author is amazing! i really like her dark hunter books if you havnt read those you should start right now! but the league is by far my favorite! i can't wait for the next one to come out!!!!

I will give it this- the `thinking' of the characters doesn't feel as strained and it left behind the trust them/don't trust them one-eighty as in the previous additions. The old shtick of having the characters babble on and on still is overused and I really think the author has trouble setting the scene and describing. It is rare to have an author who can do both well and usually if you do one right, the other one can be forgiven. Not so with Kenyon. The clichés ruin that affect along with the characters TMI factor.

For example, about fifty pages in the MC Devyn gives too much information about another member of his crew (Sway). For someone doing illicit activities, giving a new crewmember -that no background check has been done- isn't showing any intelligence. Along the lines of the descriptive, the instant attraction seems forced; especially considering the female MC Alix was used sexually before. She goes from lusting after him in her mind to `he's going to kill me'.

Let's speak on the female MC Alix, shall we? Once again we have a skinny character to the point a sammich is called for. It's as if the author thinks that's what men want in life. A woman that if they decided to really have some monkey sex they'd have to worry about breaking her in two. Again we have a character that is being forced to bring down the MC. We have another woman whose family is in trouble if she doesn't do what the bad guy says and, again, you never get any interaction with the antagonist. Yeah, I'm not even going to call the female MC Alix the antagonist because she doesn't even come close.

Maybe that's the real problem in this series as a whole. The antagonist is so far in the background you don't feel for the characters as a whole. You get their perspective on the `big meanie' but except for what the characters briefly (and I mean briefly) divulge her and there.

Overall, the story chugs along with no real climax. I' m not so much concerned with the fact that the children of the previous books are involved with the League (again, not really explained much as far as the League in general), it's more that they don't get themselves out of the trouble. Their parents do it for them. You could draw the conclusion that they are spoiled children but I don't think that's it.

Trying to be too sappy and over-the-top just makes it a downer of the book. Putting in Syn's first kid Paden just made it worse.

This book was a little more likeable but it still had too many flaws to be considered a good read.

There is next to no character development in this story and it is full of contradictions with the character motivations of the previous books in the series. I find it difficult to believe that Nyk (of Born of Night), an assassin who deserted the League, would allow his progeny to join this institution he worked so hard to elude and undermine. The presedents set up in the two previous books are blown out of the water.

This book moved extremely quickly. Normally that is an admirable attribute in a thriller or some other instance. However, in this book, it just seemed too much like a poorly constructed short story.

Devyn Kell was once a physician for The League, until their corruptness forced him to leave. No one voluntarily leaves The League though. Devyn has been a hunted man ever since - just like his father before him. Alix Garran is desperate. She has to bring Devyn Kell to Merjack, the chief minister of Justice. Otherwise Merjack will kill her mother and sister. Once she manages to get on board Devyn's ship, Alix begins to see that Devyn is not the ruthless criminal Merjack portrays him as, but she can't risk her family's lives just because he seems like a good guy. Devyn has been decieved before and he doesn't trust easily, but something about Alix has him giving her a chance. Alix knows Merjack's brutality knows no bounds, but it won't compare to Devyn's if he finds out what she's up to.

I love Born of Ice's storyline and Alix's charming innocence. I adore how the story and characters from the second book, Born of Fire, and Born of Ice are tied together. While you don't have to read Born of Fire first, Born of Ice is that much better if you do. Devyn Kell is the son of Shahara and Syn from Born of Fire and he is fighting against an even more corrupt League than his father did. Devyn is different from Kenyon's usual leading man. While he's dealt with his share of angst, he's not her typical tortured hero; he's a new breed of deliciousness. Alix is the one with the tormented and painful past. Her ability to remain unjaded and kind after the degradation and indifference she has suffered is admirable. She has a conscience, and from the beginning she has trouble being deceitful. Alix's vulnerability and guilelessness are endearing. When there's no action taking place in Born of Ice, the witty banter between Devyn, Vic, Sway, and the rest of their friends is highly entertaining. And the sex between Devyn and Alix is as poignant as it is sensual. Born of Ice has action, adventure, and a passionate romance while the surprising twists at the end give it a dramatic and exciting conclusion.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Anyone who's in love with the dark hunter series is going to be seriously disappointed here. The first book in this series was ok and by far the best. I agree with other reviewers that it bordered on juvenile. But the born of ice, the 3rd book, is just awful. Every single guy and girl is described as 'the best looking guy/girl she'd ever seen'. You will seriously get tired of reading that reaction from the heroine to everyone she sees. The dialog which is meant to be witty reminds me of the akwardness that follows someone telling a bad joke. It was a supreme effort for me to finish this book. If you are geeking for lack of the dh novels, I highly suggest checking out J.R. Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood Series.

Alix Gerran has three weeks to save her mother and sister from execution by the Ritadarion Chief Minister of Justice Merjack. To free them, she must find evidence of treasonous activity by Devyn Kell, the son of the notorious couple Sharara Dagan and C.I. Syn (see Born of Fire). Merjack warns her every agent he has sent to bring Kell in to stand public trial has come home in a body bag.

Alix obtains a position as an engineer on the same ship that Kell is a doctor. Once in service to the League as an assassin until he had an epiphany; now a Runner he smuggles supplies to those in need of basic sustenance in order to survive. . If she fails to find proof, Alix is to plant the evidence needed to legally hang Kell. However, she is not only attracted to him; she admires what he and other crew do for the downtrodden. He is falling in love with the new ship employee, but knows she hides something that he fears will make her his Achilles' heel.

The third League tale is a fast-paced exhilarating romantic science fiction thriller that showcases the offspring of the heroes of previous tales (see Born of Night). Filled with action and plenty of humor, fans of the saga will enjoy this fine finish as Kell meets his equal in Alix. Readers will enjoy this strong rewriting of the Ichidian Universe even if Merjack a bit over the top of Olympus Mons with his degree of hatred surpassing the hottest sun.

Harriet Klausner

I am a huge fan of Ms Kenyon's book, but this one was crap. Of Fire and Of Night provided all the back story for this novel and it seems she didn't feel the need to flesh out this story line any further. About a quarter into the book you feel like you have already read this story, you know how it finishes out. Very disappointed.

This is the first time any Sherrilyn Kenyon book has left me feeling cheated of my money and time.