Customer Reviews

Prey (Signet Eclipse)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this book because the author had been recommended to me by a person whose opinon I trusted. Unfortunatly this book dissapointed me no end. It was hard at first to put a finger on what it was that I did not like, but the conclusion I reached is that the feel of the book is as if a novice had written it.

The sentences have a staccato feel to them as of they were put together with an eye towards how short they can be. This inturrupts the flow of the book and is annoying to read. Conversations between persons also felt stilted and forced.

Alhough I felt that the concept was OK -not very orginal- there were a few explainations that fel to convenient. Like for example the fact that the Russian blues could shapeshift back and forth without loosing their clothes because they were givien this as a gift by some good... and then you read a few more pages and get exactly the same explaination for the reason the Main Coons have this same ability. It seems that the author simply could not be bothered to come up with a diffierent explanation.

I realize that some of this will look like nit-picking as I am not critizicing the plot line it self. The thing was that to me these points (and a few others I have not mentioned) stood out inturrupted my enjoyment of the story and prevented me from actually liking it.

I think that if this book had had a better editor these problems could have been avoided -but I have to say; I will not be buying more of these books. there are so many other better stories out there where the main characters are not continually fighting their urge to 'go' werecat.

+++please ignore the spelling mistakes I did not have a spellchecker available :)++++

I enjoyed Prey. The relationship of Viv and Pavel was good, but again, it was more of a gradual, off the scenes, chemistry and we're not really given a lot of the details. We get the sly glances and the knowledge that these two are going to hook up, but it kind of just happens. I don't really know if I can pinpoint the exact moment where they are together because they just seemed to be. It was good though. The plots were well meshed together and they were definitely interesting enough to keep my attention.

For my full review, please check out Literary Escapism

Melina Morel's Prey is fast-paced and intriguing. Werecats from two different clans caught up in stolen Russian artifacts. Vivian is strong and has met her match in Pavel. When Pavel realizes his attraction, Vivian's safety surpasses any feeling he has ever known. Ms. Morel pulls you into the drama like only a great writer can. I enjoyed this paranormal love story and I look forward to reading more of Melina Morel's work. She knows how to tell a story!

Viv and Marc Roussel are both art dealers and werecat siblings. In both realms, they are considered valuable community members, with Viv being near royalty among their kind. Their latest acquisition, a rare Madonna icon, brings danger, adventure, and love into their lives. Shortly after getting it, Viv is kidnapped, and though she gets free, the danger has only just begun. In response to all this, they hire Russian Blue were cat, Pavel, for security. However, against all sense and logic, he wants to be more to Viv. That will have to be lower on the totem pole of priorities until the enemy is apprehended, but in the meantime, the attraction between the two sizzles.

**** Fast paced action and romance that is hot, but not graphic make this a winning romantic thriller. Though the were aspect is definitely important, it does not overwhelm the main story; you get the feeling that the lycanthropes are humans who can change more than that they are animals who are human when they have to be. It's a refreshing change of tone and once again, this promising, relatively new author lives up to her past success. Thrills abound on every page and the writing is both strong and powerful. Easily, you can read this in one round, it is so vigorously paced and intriguing. ****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore for Huntress Reviews.

Another winner for Melina Morel. Fast-paced story in a cosmopolitan setting. Exciting and romantic. Great storytelling by the author. Don't miss this one!!!

I had a hard time getting into this book, just as another reviewer said, but about half way into it I liked it a lot better and am now going to look into her other book. Prey was well written and kept me guessing at the outcome.

Vivian Roussel is a Werecat, but in her clan she is a very special one as she is a direct descendant of a highly regarded goddess. As a matter of fact, Vivian is sometimes described as a demigoddess herself. In day-to-day life, Vivian runs an antique store with her brother, one that for some reason has attracted a lot of unwanted attention. Trying to figure out why and to beef up the security, Vivian agrees to get a new security team that does more than just put security into place. Maybe now they can figure out what is behind the sudden attraction the shop, Vivian and her brother have gotten.

Pavel Federov is a surveillance expert who runs his own firm. Pavel is a Russian Blue Werecat who can pick and choose which assignments to take. When he is contacted concerning the problems with Vivian and her shop, Pavel agrees to talk because they are a reference from a very good client. Something is seriously off with the breakins and the surveillance that seems to be happening, but Pavel can't seem to put his finger on what is behind it because nothing can be pointed at as the cause.

The attraction that Pavel and Vivian experience is unexpected because all clans have a taboo about mating with Werecats out of your own clan. That just doesn't seem to matter to either Vivian or Pavel the more they learn about each other. That is background to the danger that is discovered when Vivian's brother discovers an historical idol. Now, the what is known and so Pavel, Vivian and others just have to discover the who, how and why. Inter clan problems with both Pavel and Vivian's clans seem to be happening at the same time - is this just a coincidence or can this also somehow be involved?

Clans of Werecats, ancient religious idols, death and passion are some words to what can be found in Prey. Vivian has always taken her responsibilities in the clan seriously, but she has also made sure to keep those decisions that are hers alone to make. Pavel immigrated to New York after suffering a major loss and now he runs a security company. Pavel and Vivian are brought together by danger and a stolen idol. It will take both passion and determination to put things the way they should be and keep them together. I was intrigued with all the very intricate subplots that were going on at the same time. Vivian and Pavel know what they want and are going to make sure they fight for it. The intense feelings that both felt not only for the other but also for their clans and just their strong core of what was right and wrong was enough to keep me wanting to know what was next. As I said in the beginning, Prey has everything a good who-done-it should have and to top it off there is a happy ending that will let you purr.

Jo
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

In New York City, werecat siblings Vivian and Marc Roussel own a successful Russian artifact import business. However, when someone breaks into their warehouse and steals a valuable icon, the Roussels know they need outside expert help in protection and security.

They hire Russian Blue werecat Pavel Federov to provide the security to their firm and their persons. Pavel is shocked by how deep his attraction is for Vivian; his brain keeps insisting she is just another client, but the rest of his body argues much more eloquently. Assailants abduct Vivian, but she manages to escape compounding their belief this is bigger than a break and entry. As the trio search for the icon and Vivian and Pavel fall in love werecat style, adversarial killers make deadly concerted efforts to obtain the priceless artifact and Vivian.

Romantic urban fantasy suspense readers will relish Melina Morel's werecats in Manhattan thriller. The story line is fast-paced from the first moment that Pavel meets his new clients and never slows down as predators are everywhere. As with the fabulous paranormal horror thriller DEVOUR, PREY keeps the romance in line as foremost this tale is an excellent paranormal mystery.

Harriet Klausner