Okay, so we clearly see Sherri L. King's admiration of Laurell K. Hamiltons kick ass heroine Anita Blake, and also, Laurell K. Hamilton's sex-kitten kick ass heroine Princess Meredith. We also see Ms. King is a Buffy the Vampire Slayer (either/both Movie &/or T.V. Series) fan. But what we also see is a very talented and created individual who can take elements of both Joss Whedon & Laurell K. and NOT steal their work and try to pass of the creativeness of these two authors as her own.
When I first began reading images of Buffy flooded my mind. As the story progressed it became clear Ms. King had, infact, read Laurell K. Hamilton and I began to dread I had purchased a (albeit GOOD) book imitating other GREAT books written by better authors. I am ecstatic to say I was mistaken. Yes, there are elements that raise the eyebrow (anyone notice The Travellor was eirily similiar the The Queen's Darkness? or that Cinder bares a strikingly similar physical description of The Killing Frost?) But alas, it matters not, all of Sherri L. King's characters come into their own. Besides a few nods to Anita & Buffy (gotta love that Browning) the book is entirely Ms. King's. Faced paced & action packed. If someone wasn't dying (and goodie, its typically the baddies) then someone is getting some action in the bedroom if you know what I mean. Whoa-yeah.
Excellent characterization. For me personally, it is the most important aspect of a book. Well, that and the ability to actually write as if you are addressing an adult and/or literate audience (as, sadly, not all erotic romances do). I was becoming weary of the genre after reading a few godawful books recently. Desperate to find an erotic romance that dared to go beyond campy sex and/or dialogue so bad and patronizing that I often sought out a silk stocking not to bind myself to my bedpost but to hang myself from my chandelier. Won't name names ... I'll be good. . . . for now anyway.
Basically, If you like the sassy-but-deadly wise-ass heroine's created by Laurell K. Hamilton and you can deal with the stoic faced tongue-in-cheek dialogue of Joss Whedon's Buffy - Well, this is the book for you. The lead character Cady Swann is a woman unto herself and darn if the romance genre, especially erotic romance, NEEDS a strong independant woman who can sink her teeth into nearly seven foot warriors and come out with, not only a wisecrack, but pearly whites still intact and grinning with girlish delight. And the men DO make you want to sink you your teeth... and visa versa (cough-cough).
Anyone familiar with Johanna's Lindsey's ShaKa'Ani Warriors will want to read this one just for the hot men alone! Forget the fabulous heroine.
I basically loved everything about this book. From beginning to end. I picked it up at 7:30am and finished it at 9:30am. Went online and purchased book II in the series. Now I have to wait (oh the agony) to continue the adventure. So will use my brain (and all the money in my bank account, le sigh) to buy the next four books now, tee-hee. Who cares if one is broke when they can escape to a world like this!!! *swoon*
Whereas most books are great in and of themselves, I have a feeling the next chapter will be even better because all of the supporting characters in the first book where memorable and lovable. The pace of the book is fast but yet everyone has their time and you actually care when typically introducing other characters unrelated to the steamy action of the two main characters usually annoys me. Go figure.
Love the heroine. Love the Hero. Love the supporting cast. Love the writing & the dialogue. I was completely enchanted & will be buying all things Sherri L King!
Highest recommendations.
