12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing When Compared to the First Book, February 7, 2006
This review is from: Flesh and Stone (Les Gargouillen, Book 2) (Paperback)
The second book into Vickie Taylor's unique world of gargoyles was, for me, extremely disappointing and boring. I'm somewhat astounded that this is her second book in a series I thought would take off without a hitch. The story picks up basically where "Carved in Stone", the first book, leaves off and even though readers are somewhat clued into what is going on, there's not that much as far as plot or character development to keep this installment going.
Conner Rihyad, a secondary character from the first book, is the main focus in this story. If readers remember, he had a huge hang-up with Nathan Cross for Cross's wishes to modernize the gargoyle culture. Conner has gone undercover to find out why the gargoyles of the Minnesota congregation have been after their children. When Conner gains their trust to a point and he is installed at their remote farmhouse he discovers something even more horrifying - the woman they are keeping as slaves. Mara Kincaid is one of these women. She herself is hiding her own secret, so she's not there by chance either. She and Conner form a tentative relationship, kind of a you-help-me and I'll-help-you routine. Together they concoct a plan to help the women enslaved by the Minnesota congregation as well as figure out who their mysterious wizenot leader is. There is an evil taint lingering over this clannish group and the evil is spreading, reaching for the gargoyles of Chicago.
Points I did like about the book were relatively simple. The small amount of plot that is doled out is somewhat essential if you've become a fan of the series. We see more of Rachel, Nathan's wife, from the first book and we get to find out more about her missing brother Levi, whose story will be featured next and is entitled "Legacy of Stone". That was all this book had going for it though - as a setup for the next book. Conner and Mara's relationship was stilted and stale, with no underlying tension between them or any real chemistry. They felt underdeveloped. Their reasons for becoming intimate with one another were very unromantic, Conner simply having the gargoyle drive to procreate, while Mara just seemed to go along with it. Her acceptance of Conner's gargoyle nature was just too easy and I did not buy into their "relationship" at all. While I have to respect a guy that will go to bat for a group of women he doesn't even know, I still wished he and Mara's characters had been more fleshed out. Conner was kind of a bad guy in the first book (he does try to kill Rachel in book one), but there's a complete turnaround in this installment to the celebrated hero status, without much of an explanation as to how and why (except if you think about the gargoyle's basic ingrained nature to protect humans). Even the captured women acted as a mere backdrop despite their horrible situation, with very little effort put into conveying their supposed fear and desperation. The Minnesota gargoyles made for terrible villains, most of them being about as interesting as your average couch potatoe. The most interesting part of the book was Rachel's continued search for her brother, the mysterious wizenot of the Minnesota congregation and why he wants Rachel and Levi. It would have made more sense to continue the series on that note. Conner's mission and rescue of the women by no means came through as interestingly. For the most part, this was a waste of my hard earned money. I definitely want to find out what happens to Rachel's brother, but wouldn't have been as hot to buy it with this lackluster predecessor paving its way. Only the strong first installment, "Carved in Stone" will guarantee that. Three stars for at least somewhat keeping my interest in the third book to come, minus the others for the boring characters in this installment.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The return of the Gargoyles...., February 7, 2006
This review is from: Flesh and Stone (Les Gargouillen, Book 2) (Paperback)
Vickie Taylor's second Gargoyle book is just as intriguing as the first. For those unfamiliar with the series, the Gargoyles are a race of men cursed to be the protectors of humans while in the guise of beasts. Connor Rihyad has always subscribed to the Old Ways where the Gargoyles remain hidden from humans yet protecting them even at the risk of his own life. Connor agrees to go undercover after the Chicago congregation's home was decimated by the Minnesota congregation (see CARVED IN STONE). The Minnesota congregation, led by their Wizenot, has eschewed the role of protector for humans and is instead kidnapping women to use for breeding purposes; the Wizenot hopes to create his own powerful army of Gargoyles. Mara Kincaide is one of the kidnapped women, but like Connor, she also has a secret mission- to find and rescue her best friend, Angela. Mara breaks through Connor's barriers and together they formulate a plan to keep the women safe while Connor completes his mission. I won't spoil the story but I will tell you that Nathan and Rachel return to play pivotal roles while the mystery behind the Minnesota Wizenot and the search for Rachel's brother is revealed. Highly recommended!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gargoyles Rule, August 2, 2006
This review is from: Flesh and Stone (Les Gargouillen, Book 2) (Paperback)
The cover grabbed my attention; however, the first chapter held me captive until I finished the book with an "Aahhhh." Conner Rihyad came across as the intelligent, loyal stud committed to protect the children of his congregation. His newly found ally, Mara Kincaide is equally committed to finding and saving her friend. Female slavery, violence, and evil zeal for human domination push their steadfast commitment to the edge. Commitments that slowly merge into a sizzling commitment to each other. Taylor kept me on the edge and hooked to point I just order the previous book to learn more.
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