Lanie Bross

It's true that Fates drew me in with its gorgeous cover. I mean look at that thing of beauty! It called to me. It held the promise of myth mixed with adventure. Little did I know that between these pages was a veritable labyrinth of a story. One that, no matter how much more I read, I wasn't able to find my way out of. This wasn't a fun read, my friends. Not at all. It was maddeningly confusing, and I am honestly surprised that I made it to the end. I did make it to the end though, as I had promised a review for this book. So please pardon the rambling below.

To be completely honest, this book had potential at the beginning. The reader stumbles upon Corinthe as she is fulfilling her duty as an Executor. As the one who makes sure that Fate takes its proper course. I was thrilled with this idea. Greek myth speaks of The Fates often. Of those very powerful beings who hold the very existence of every person on Earth in their hands. Why wouldn't that extend to our every day lives? It made sense to me that there would be someone here to make sure that everything went according to plan. It fits perfectly with the idea of free will vs. fate. So yes, that I loved.

Then things took a very odd turn. Suddenly Luc was in Corinthe's path, and nothing made sense anymore. These two fall in insta-love and, worse yet, the reader never really gets to know them because they hardly have time to get to know one another. I never felt anything for either of these characters. No hate, or anger, or even happiness when things went right. I felt like I was stuck in the middle of a story that had the right to do whatever it took to make it to the ending. Corinthe needs to kill Luc to get home? Okay. We still need romance though, so let's have him fall head over heels for her for no reason. Also, because this book is of the Paranormal persuasion, let's add in gnomes, hornets, and all manner of other things but not explain any of them at all. Sound good? That's this book.

Which basically meant that the first third of the book was slow, as it was building up to something bigger. The middle was confusing as all get out, and I had so many questions that I couldn't keep them all straight in my mind. Finally, as I neared the ending, everything just somehow magically wrapped up. I never had any of my questions answered. I never met half of the beings who were referred to in this book. Most frustrating of all, I didn't even feel anything at an ending that should have made me feel at least a little bit sad. What's a reader to do?

Apparently this is the first in a series, but I won't be reading past this. When it comes to first books, I'm generally pretty forgiving. I'll let a lot slide in the name of future installments. Fates, though? Too much left undone. Too many plot holes. Not enough interest left at the end.… (altro)

I really liked this book. The characters, the story, the writing, all of it.

Also, if insta-love MUST happen, this is the way to do it. Start with the characters lusting after one another pretty hard, it makes the leap to love a tad easier to believe.

But while all the constituent parts of this book were great and bound together in a way that flowed and was lovely... nothing about this book made it stand out.

So, not five stars worthy, or favorite shelf worthy. Sorry.

I especially Miranda and Rhys, they were two of my favorite characters. And I feel the time travel element will make the next book stand out.… (altro)

I found this book quite randomly at my library, and really enjoyed it as I began reading, as I was in the mood for a mostly romance-oriented story. By the end, though, I didn't feel too strongly about it.

I thought that the attraction-at-first-sight, which is used in a lot of YA with only a partial success rate, worked here, because Luc and Corinthe weren't pretending to be in love with each other; they just admitted that, for some reason or another, they were drawn to each other. However, one of the things I found dissatisfying by the end was that they do reach that point of being in love, but after having spent precious little time together. I think that, for that level of development in the romance to be believable and satisfying to me, the main characters would have had to spend significantly more time together. Yes, life-threatening situations reveal more (perhaps... I'm not quite convinced) than boring ones, but regardless of all that, there are some things you only learn about another person over time.

I actually also really liked Bross's writing; I found it pleasant for the most part, though some parts dragged or felt repetitive. I will also admit that some details were just too much for me. The Blood Nymphs, for example? Yuck! Way too squeamish!

I didn't love the ending, but while I'm usually happy-endings-or-bust, I didn't mind this one, and I think part of the reason I felt that way is because I didn't quite believe the level of relational development.

Overall, it was enjoyable at parts, but still lackluster.… (altro)

When I requested this on NetGalley it was more for the hell of it, I didn't think that I would get it or that I would really enjoy it for that matter, but I did. There was just something about it that made me smile. Don't get me wrong, there was a lot about the book that could have been better, but all in all I think it was a really good review and a good first book in a series.

the book focus around Corinthe, (obviously) who like the description said was banished from her life in Pyralis to earth, to life among us like one of us but while still being forced to do her job and execute crucial moments in other peoples life's, including death. The book starts off with Corinthe trying to do just that, but when she is left bleeding at the scene, something that she shouldn't do, and seen by a handsome young man who goes by the name Lucas Kaller, her life seems to get more complicated. (not that it was ever easy).

When Miranda, her mentor, presents to her the last task before she is able to go home, nothing will stand in her way. Or so you would think. Going home is something she has thought about since the very moment she came to earth, but when the last mission is to kill Lucas Kaller, can she really do it?

other than a few predictable chapters and the annoying characters (some of them) this book was rather good. I think though half the reason I liked it so much was because it reminded me of The Demonata series by Darren Shan with all the changing of realms and the sadistic sense of some of them. So that's always a good thing. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mythology, but also can take things with a pinch of salt, because like I said this book comes with faults, the romance that seem dot pop up out of no where is one of them, it was just really unbelievable and at times annoying.… (altro)