11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
I wanted to like it..I really really did...not., December 21, 2008
This review is from: Red Fire: A Gods of Midnight Novel (Mass Market Paperback)
I wanted to love this book. The concept of non-werewolf-vampire heroes or heroes based in historical period other than the medieval Scottish highlands was intriguing. Don't get me wrong I love all the werewolf-vampire-highlander stuff but the draw of this new arena of hunky hero Spartan warriors was thrilling. An unyet explored area of history. Unfortunately Ms Knight first book in the genre fell flat for me.
My biggest top 5 biggest beefs with this book:
1. Did everyone have a nickname? Jax, Shay, Mace, Ari, Leo? Why give names to characters if you are only going to shorten them. It is hard enough to remember who is who in the beginning of a series without making the constant switch between names.
2. Shayanna`s constant twang and often vulgar turn of phrase. Don`t get me wrong I LOVE a southern drawl.(See Karen Marie Moning and Darkfever for the true southern lady turned tough) But when writing for a universal audience the use of proper laguage atleast 90% of the time is essential so that we can understand the story and keep our head in the game so to speak. This story had tons of gratuitous phrasing which slowed pacing and lent nothing to character (see Kresley Cole`s use of South African in Dark Deeds After Dusk for exposure to this concept done WELL). Shay sounded like stupid hick and a 12 year old one at that!(`Dude. Dude you really dig my name` pg 102) Not a strong sophisticated southern woman.
3. Ajax`s difficulty remaining in human form to be intimate with Shay was a bit weird. He had been a shapeshifter for thousands of years and still couldnèt keep it together? I have read my share of animal/shifter stories and sometimes men in romanctic fiction ARE animalistic (isn't that the point?)but the talons, and feathers on his genitals were uncomfortably unfamiliar and not erotic in any way. Even the screeching was disturbing. Especially when Shay got in on the act. EEEK!
4. The transition between points of view were rough and often jolting. I felt tossed around like so much garbage. The transitions would often take effect at odd points in an interaction and for what would seem like no purpose. Often to introduce interactions between secondary characters. In addition, Ms. Knight tried very hard to make the secondary characters likeable but they fell short and aside from a few notables (Leo and the Oracle); they were stiff and unendearing. I could hardly remianed focussed after a few turns through the ringer!
5 Finally and most importantly , the primary characters did not connect to the reader in my opinion. Jax was obsessive and uncontrolled. Heroes in this genre are desireable because of their difficulty in controlling their desires and pain but here Jax just seemed weak and patronising. Shay, as mentioned, seemed whiny and immature. A recipe for disaster especially when the love scenes are weird and flat.
I like to think that an experienced and well loved writer like Ms. Knight intended this book to be more character driven that it actually was. Perhaps some editor is to blame for the lack of cohesiveness as there certainly were some areas you can see where Ms. Knight ALMOST made a sincere connection between her characters.(see Leo and The ORacle again for the minor bits of shining light and sweetness)
Perhaps Ms. Knight could study such great character writers as Gena Showalter, J.R. Ward and Karen Marie Moning in the paranormal genre to see how great character, the use of dialogue and even humour is essential to a story about love and sex.
I will not be continuing with this series and will not be lending it to friends.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Action and Steamy, April 5, 2009
This review is from: Red Fire: A Gods of Midnight Novel (Mass Market Paperback)
Genre: Fantasy Romance; My Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Ajax Petrakos is one of seven Spartan warriors that have been made immortal by Ares. Two thousand years have passed and Ajax is struggling to fight boredom and find any satisfaction in his continued immortality. His only relief and hope is found in the prophesy that someday he will find his true mate, Shay Angel. Ajax is sent by his King and the Oracle to Savanna, Georgia to face a demon threat and respond to the latest prophesy. He arrives to discover the threat is his old enemy Sable who schemed to take away his loved ones right after Ajax became immortal and received his unusual immortal shape. Ajax jumps into battle against Sable to protect a human female. Soon he discovers that the human is his Shay Angel.
Shay is part of a demon hunting family. Her parents and brothers have always tried to protect her and refused to train her to fight. But Shay has started to see the demons all around and she has been studying some family records in secret to try to teach herself some means of defense. She still wants to fight the demons but finds herself very grateful to be protected by the warrior and his friend, River.
The attraction between Ajax and Shay becomes pretty irresistible as they keep getting thrown together trying to fight off Sable and his lesser demon pals. Ajax and Shay learn that she has to play a very important part in the latest prophesies, as well as being the fulfillment of his promised prophesy - if only for a short time as their lives and time together are threatened by Sable and an interfering Ares.
Ajax and Shay are wonderful characters and there is plenty of fighting action and steamy sex to keep this a fast, interesting read. This is the first in a series and begins the story of River, Ajax's servant and immortal friend who was turned into a weapon that can be used for killing or healing. There is also a very nice story developing between King Leonidas and the Oracle! I'm looking forward to more good reads about these hunky Spartans.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
HOT!!, May 23, 2009
This review is from: Red Fire: A Gods of Midnight Novel (Mass Market Paperback)
This just might be the hottest first book of series ever. I loved Ms. Knight's Parallel books, but Greek gods and immortal Spartan warriors? Sign me up!! Shay and Jax burn up the pages, and I totally fell for the Spartan band, especially King Leo and his feisty Oracle, and my absolute favorite, River. I cannot wait for his book! Hurry up, RED KISS: June 2nd can't come fast enough for me!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
