Monster song

That pretty much sums it up. I really want to like this author. The idea of the story is great. But I can’t stand the way these books flow. Things are happening until suddenly the book is over. There’s a good way to do that to build suspense and put you on the edge of your seat begging for the next book….and then there’s this. I enjoy all of the characters that we get to know and that’s why I kept reading. But the way the plot goes for this book and the first one is just juvenile and simplistic. I don’t know if the author really thinks she’s being clever with the action scenes and plans that the characters are making or not. But I’m pretty sure a middle school child could come up with more clever “plans” and they would probably make more sense.

3 stars for the fact that I enjoy the characters and the potential this story has. I definitely feel like the relationships built fairly well. There were a few times the character names were mixed up but it wasn’t too often. Don’t read if you are expecting hot sex scenes. Sex is there but it’s nothing to write home about. I think cohesion and a clear lack of direction is what was missing here. I felt like there was too much trying to happen with no real purpose. It’s worth the read I guess if you want to know the conclusion to the whole Demeter plot. Spoiler: everything in both books happens exactly as all the good guys plan without a single hiccup or any kind of real opposition. But I don’t know that I want to bother reading the next one. That ending was extremely ridiculous and abrupt. There is no conclusion to this story.

After being disappointed by the first book, I decided to give the second book a try. I hoped it would get better and I really wanted to find out what happens.

What happens is that everyone “falls hard” for the main character — literally that phrase is used for each one: X (who has never been in love/had a mate before) falls hard when they fall in love, and now they’ve fallen hard.

And this is after about a week of meeting each other. We’re half way through book 2 of this series. The characters still barely know each other and there’s been ZERO relationship development. They have a cuddle pile to watch TV together. Then the main character goes from being interested, but reserved regarding their advances to completely shameless and having sex with them one after another to tell them she wants to be with them all. She just can’t pick between these characters she doesn’t know a thing about. (No sex-shaming here, she can have as many partners as she wants – that’s the genre – however the lack of development and unexpected shift in attitudes is jarring.)

And, the “monsters” suddenly can’t be without her and no one minds sharing her to keep her in their lives. The one character that didn’t want to be around her is now so deeply into her that he wants to be her mate for life because he “had time to think”!?!?! They all start talking about “marking” her as a mate with zero previous indication of any of them wanting to be with her long term or that it was even a thing in this series. In fact, one of the DOES mark her as their mate without permission and no one is upset.

Is there some bonding/fated mate thing going on? No. Just random “mate” stuff jammed in out the blue. I can only guess that the author Googled “PNR tropes” and tried to stuff as many into the story as possible.

The “monsters” apparently all went to the same “hold her arms over her head” class and when we finally did get to the steamy scenes they weren’t exactly steamy. The characters make a big deal about everyone being disease free, but not one concern about contraception. We know she’s not on the pill because she was kidnapped and Hades didn’t even have the decency to grab her purse or – as the main character pointed out – her vibrator. Because THAT’s what’s important in these situations.

The author points out repeatedly that these “monsters” have been a team for centuries, but doesn’t use the opportunity to demonstrate that in fighting, playing, or relationship wise – with the main character (which could a VERY fun bedroom scene) or each other except to harp on a conflict two of them have with each other that’s gone of for centuries and the others are tired of their petty bickering.

At 63% read, I had to put the book down and walk away. I don’t even care if they save Persephone. I see there’s a third book and I can’t even … This book was DNF and it makes me sad because it could have been so much better. I’m so sorry. I usually try to sandwich the “bad” parts with what I liked and what worked, but, I’m at a loss except to say: This is an amazing premise and I hope someone helps the author find a way to make it reach it’s full potential.

I loved this story and reading about River and her monsters. I am especially loving all of the Greek mythology mashed up with some other cool elements! I am especially loving Hephaestus and his interactions with River and the rest of her group. I need more, and can’t wait for the next book!

Once again this author can write sexy characters and HAWT lesbian and straight sex scenes. Rivers character reads like a teenager though. I love all her mates but I feel the God Hepastases got the shaft big time! I thought river was attracted to him but I feel like he is an after thought! I don’t care about Zeus and all their pettiness towards the people that made them great! The first book is very interesting so that’s why I got this book. I don’t like where the third book is going but I’m gonna get it anyway.

I am so glad the stunning book cover from book one lead me to read it because this is turning out to be a fascinating series! Book 2’s cover was just as beautiful. Can’t wait to read the next one.