Customer Reviews

The Last of the Red-hot Vampires (Wheeler Large Print Book Series)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I must confess I wasn't sure if I was reading part of the much Beloved (pun intended) vampire series or not. It almost seemed as though the author got quite some distance into the novel, remembered she was supposed to be writing for the series, then had to figure a quick way into squishing this book in. While it was mostly entertaining, I had problems with a highly intelligent heroine who seemed to be unable to understand (unwilling?) some fairly simple concepts and the "deus ex machina" ending to it all.
I was just a little disappointed. It would have been a far better stand alone novel and possibly even the beginning of a new series. Of course, it won't stop me from watching madly for the next in the series.

The heroine, Portia, is given a power she doesn't want. To keep it, she has to pass seven trials. If she doesn't pass these trials, the power (that she doesn't want), is stripped from her. No harm, no foul, no punishment if she fails. Okay, then why would she want to pass the tests again? The fairly lame reason given is that Theo (the hero), wants to get into the Court of Divine Blood, and if she passes, she can petition for his inclusion. Why he wants to be a member of that Court is never adequately explained.

After several misunderstandings, Portia decides to help Theo (he's sexy, so why not?) During the trials, Theo is turned into a Dark One, his soul ripped away by a Demon (Bael, from the Aisling series). Somehow, this horrific loss is treated with a minor shrug, and very little concern. Five minutes after the deed he compensates by a cheerful, rollicking first-time roll in the bed with the heroine. Instantly, Portia becomes Theo's Beloved. No long centuries searching for the woman who will save him, she's there, ready and available. Very convenient. Theo's loss of his soul settles down to his annoyance that he can't taste his favorite foods until he becomes accustomed to his new blood diet. Christian Dante makes a cameo guest appearance to explain the rules of Theo's new lifestyle. That tie-in ticked me off a bit, other fans might feel the same. Theo's easy acceptance of his situation pretty much made a mockery of all the previous heroes in this genre who suffered needlessly. I'm guessing that since this is the "last" of the red hot vampires, this series is complete.

Some action, cute best friend as a straight-man for the jokes and pep talks, travels to magical worlds, self-sacrifice, the usual seven steps of a Beloved, predictable ending. PG-13 for sex and language. Not up to the usual standard of the author, not particularly re-readable.

This was a nice little story that was inventive but far too fast paced. The speed of the action, for me, was the largest deterent to this book being ranked higher. The characters just sort of go from hating each other to being wildly in love. Our extremely sceptical physist heroine just suddenly believes. Our 1700 year old angel? hero who has loved before just suddenly deals really well with having his soul sucked from him. Wouldn't you think that this would effect him more than anyone else due to his being half-angel?

And how exactly does the baddy know that those two will fall for each other and she will be his beloved which is integral to his plans? All the other Dark One's have had to search for centuries for their Beloved's but his is already there.

Altogether, it was a mostly satisfying read that was worth sprawling around with on a lazy day...but it deservedly shouldn't be flying off the shelves. It's just not as good as the first three books in the series. i'm relieved to say I feel it is better than the last book "Even Vampires Get the Blues" which kind of stank the place out. Though I still have real issues with young vampires going out in the noon day sun. I hope Ms. MacAlister can get this once great series back on track. An avid reader who devoured all of her other books I have to admit that I didn't even bother to purchase this one but instead waited and borrowed it from a freind.

This is not one of Katie's better works. The title is misleading. I found the story to be dull, and slow. Stick with the Aisling Grey stories instead.

This book was a very hard read for me --- had to practically force myself to finish it. I normally love Katie's writing style but this one did nothing for me.

I absolutely love the Dark Ones series. My favorite thing about them? The plucky, loveable heroines of course. "The Last of the Red Hot Vampires" fell short in that area. While most of Katie MacAlister's female characters start out as skeptics, none are as obnoxious about it as Portia. Even when she has a rain cloud following her around, she still refuses to believe and insults everyone around her who does. I found it incredibly hard to finish this novel because of her character. I am so glad this wasn't the "Last" of the Dark Ones. Pia, in "Zen and the Art of Vampires", has my vote any day.

All right. I love Katie and am eagerly awaiting her next Dark Ones installement, Crouching Vampire Hidden Fang but this book was sooo darn boring. I tried and tried to like it inspite of the completely annoying main character and the only so-so red-hot vamp but in the end I skipped more then I read and put the book down just as quickly as I picked it up. I feel like this book was a bunch of ideas rolled into one and then never fully developed. I didn't like all that other realm crap and couldnt be more disappointed that I ended up paying full price for it. A great author isnt going to get it right everytime so I dont fault her at all I just really HATED this book.

Pia Thomason's tale on the other hand was absolutely hillarious. A perfect blend of action, romance, suspense and smoldering vamps that will melt women in all the right places.

This was a quick read, but was not really like the other Dark Ones/Beloved novels. I don't recommend this book unless you are a big Katie MacAlister fan. It is sort of funny, but not my cup of tea.

Katie MacAlister has often had me laughing out loud and really enjoying her storylines and her characters; however, she has missed the mark with this book. The main character, Portia is not likeable. In fact, if I were her friend I would have told her to find someone else to vacation with instead of making my vacation a pedant rave fest. I find that if I can't enjoy the main character within the first few pages of the book, I have a very hard time continuing reading the book. I got as far as page 75 and still couldn't find a reason anyone would like this woman. My feeling is that this is what my highschool teacher labeled as a "potboiler" which the author churned out in order to make a deadline while working on a better book. Take out all of the stupid denial and you probably will find a short story which could have been better served by its inclusion in an anthology.

Portia Harding was an uber-skeptic, but while on a trip to England, did agree to try to be more open to the idea that there was more to the world than what can be proven. Barely was the promise made than she had to make good on it. While relaxing in a fairy ring, she reads a summoning spell and in response, a woman calling herself the virtue, Hope, shows up, giving her the "Gift" before fleeing from pursuers unknown. Portia thinks she's just having a delusion, even after handsome Theo North shows up demanding that she grant him forgiveness and forcibly removing both her and her friend, Sarah from the fairy ring. The two women escape, but he continues to come after them, stating that he's a nephilim and needs her to forgive him. That's only the beginning of the weirdness. Odd people begin popping up to put Portia through "trials" so that she can join the Court of Divine Blood and take on her role as a virtue. Finally, Portia is forced to believe what is going on is real. Of course, by that point, the situation has turned dire. Theo has lost his soul and been turned into a Dark One, with her as his Beloved; and she has been accused of murdering Hope. Portia has scant days in which to complete her trials successfully, restore Theo's soul, and prove her innocence. She might also get to save the Court of Divine Blood in the process, but that's almost a side benefit. One thing's certain, when Portia is wrong, she's wrong in a big way.

**** Another certainty, in the real world, is that if readers are looking for clever, witty, paranormal romances, then they need look no further than Katie MacAlister to begin their list. Portia's conversion from skeptic to believer is filled with laughs and highlighted by moments of profoundness. This is the Best Dark One novel yet, and the ones that came before it were wonderful. ****

Amanda Killgore