Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Only three and a half stars, really, but I rounded up., November 5, 2004
Firstly, a word of warning: if you are thinking of reading this book, then make sure you read its predecessor 'Virtual Heaven' first, or there'll be a lot of stuff you won't understand. Sadly, though, this may have the same downside for you that it did for me: you will compare the two books, and find this one lacking by contrast.
In the first book in the series, 'Virtual Heaven', I loved the character of Vad. Okay, maybe that was partly because he was so gorgeously blonde, and I pictured him as looking like Orlando Bloom in 'The Lord of the Rings' (swoon!). Anyway, I couldn't wait to read his story in this book, 'Virtual Desire'. But boy, was I let down. I mean, don't get me wrong, this is still a reasonably good read, and Ann Lawrence's writing is still better than most others in the romance genre. But this book appeared to have been written in a rush, and the story did not flow the way it should. Some of the conversations between characters made me wonder if they were even listening to each other, or if they were just making random statements to explain the plot twists. More importantly, Vad appeared to lack some of the character traits that made him so endearing in 'Virtual Heaven'. He seemed almost two dimensional in places (and isn't a virtual reality game character actually supposed to appear three dimensional?!)
If you've already read 'Virtual Heaven' then you are probably already hooked on this series, and I would encourage you to read this, as it will satisfy your itch for more. However, don't expect it to be an earth-shattering experience. How best to illustrate the difference between the two books? Well, 'Virtual Heaven' is like going on a date with Hugh Jackman--gorgeous and appealing and very sexy! This one's more like a date with Hugh Heffner--there'll still be sex and thrills, but you won't like it half as much, especially since the thrills are old, and looking at the man will make you hark back to better times in the past!
Two more points, one good, one bad: I did really like the character of Neil in this. He was very appealing, and I look forward to reading his story in the next book in the series, 'Virtual Warrior'. Less appealing, though, was the cover art on this book, which made Vad look like a steroid-pumping, dark-haired man with dirty GREY hair painted on. Ick! I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but really...
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
WORTH THE WAIT!!, August 21, 2000
By A Customer
Over a year since my last Tolemac fix! This gem was well worth the wait. If you've been waiting for Vad's story, here it is, and you will not be disappointed. Ms. Lawrence continues to please her fans with well-crafted tales that take us from laughter to sweet tears. Vad's tale was not quite what I expected -- it's better! The gorgeous Vad (remember, warriors won't fight him, lest they harm an angel!) has set out to restore his honor by completing a quest for the high-and-mighty Councillors of Tolemac. In the process, he attempts to cross the ice fields, and winds up in our world. Here, he finds a confusing melange of colors, sights and sounds. Some are familiar, some aren't. The most confusing is the slender woman he initially mistakes for a lad. With her close-cropped hair and independent nature, he can't quite fit her into his conception of the man-woman relationship. The more time they spend together, the more he feels the pull of attraction. But his quest gets in the way, as honorable endeavors often do. The more he learns,the more he realizes nothing is as it seems. The friend he thought a traitor isn't, and the Council's quest becomes much more, a deceitful maneuver designed not to clear his name but to brand *him* traitor forever. Can he manage to solve the problems presented by the Councillors' treachery, this world's strange familiarity, and Gwen's physical and emotional appeal? In her first book, VIRTUAL HEAVEN, Ms. Lawrence introduced us to her strange new world, peopled by a cast of primary and secondary characters with rich personalities. In our second trip into the wilds of Tolemac (and Ocean City, NJ), she gives Vad center stage, and he steals our hearts as skillfully as a professional thief. If you haven't read the first one, I recommend you read it before you delve into this. The books will stand alone, but the experience has more depth if you know what has gone before. Fortunately, VIRTUAL HEAVEN is still available. Don't start either of these late at night. You won't get much sleep.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Romantic Scenes; Storyline just OK , March 31, 2005
I enjoyed meeting these characters. I liked Gwen's spirit and Vad's sexy description. But as other reviewer's pointed out, there didn't really seem to be a whole lot of true chemistry between them. Even the first time they made love was anti-climatic. They were under the influence of some herb that made them "out of it."
"Virtual Heaven" (the prequel to this book) was wonderful and I liked catching up with the characters that were mentioned in this book. Having read that book, it was easier to follow this one. I found the storyline for this book so tangled that it was hard to pick up the thread. Then almost too suddenly, it was all over. Very weak and strange villain and no real conflict there. I couldn't understand what Vad's quest was or the importance of it. I found the rescue of the maidens very strange and tedious. This book just didn't capture my heart.
The beginning of the book where Vad was in Gwen's world, and then when they first entered the game (and were sailing) were most interesting. The rest was not quite as good. But I will recommend it just for the wonderful love scenes and descriptions of Vad's beauty and guess what! -- I'm off to find Book 3 about Ardra!
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