Review of Dan O'Brien's "Bitten"
Jul. 19th, 2013 03:13 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rainstardragonDan is one of the authors that I met in the ASMSG author group, and one that I've enjoyed interacting with in the group. Recently I got around to picking up "Bitten." I'd wanted to read it before, but the clincher was when he gave me a sample in an interview/guest spot that went up on the publishing blog.
So I bought the Kindle version. For only 99 cents I really got a good deal. Here's my review, in a cut for spoilers, but also because I really do think my mate would like this and don't want to spoil the story for him (cough:suggest a kindle:cough).
When I started, I was expecting paranormal mystery. I was very happy that the agent was a female. I was not expecting the romance bit to be such a heavy hitter in the story. I really liked how the werewolves are sentient and fully cognizant, and that they are born. This is one of the reasons that I ended up suggesting this book to my mate, who is not a big reading fan. He's interested enough to look into getting a copy for himself.
I also was impressed with seeing Hecate appear, and how accurately she was portrayed to my training and experience in both mythology and religion. Hecate is among my favorite goddesses. For this reason I think that it would appeal to many in the Pagan community, not just those that love a good paranormal story.
The werewolves in this produce a toxin in their saliva. I thought that was an interesting twist as well and a great explanation for why people go crazy after a bite.
The characters were all well rounded with their own backstories, and I enjoyed their interactions. Also, the one sex scene in this I found to be well written. There was enough detail that it was not hazy (meaning: you know what's going on), but not enough where it was gratuitous and tacky (no throbbing jumping you know whats). It took up all of one page, far less than many books I've read. The idea of two people flowing into each other was very well conveyed and actually rather beautiful.
I do hope that Agent Westlake encounters McManus again in another book. I was glad to see a separation happen since it is something I so rarely see happening, but I would certainly be equally happy seeing a reunion. Maybe that's just from how much I like werewolves though and want to see them get a happy end for once.
So, there's my official review.
Next up to read is Christopher Shields' "Weald Fae Journals" trilogy. I was given all three of those through a reading group. Pretty happy about that.
I'm also taking ye olde notebook with me on my coast trip next week. It will feel odd going back to doing that and writing on paper again.
So I bought the Kindle version. For only 99 cents I really got a good deal. Here's my review, in a cut for spoilers, but also because I really do think my mate would like this and don't want to spoil the story for him (cough:suggest a kindle:cough).
When I started, I was expecting paranormal mystery. I was very happy that the agent was a female. I was not expecting the romance bit to be such a heavy hitter in the story. I really liked how the werewolves are sentient and fully cognizant, and that they are born. This is one of the reasons that I ended up suggesting this book to my mate, who is not a big reading fan. He's interested enough to look into getting a copy for himself.
I also was impressed with seeing Hecate appear, and how accurately she was portrayed to my training and experience in both mythology and religion. Hecate is among my favorite goddesses. For this reason I think that it would appeal to many in the Pagan community, not just those that love a good paranormal story.
The werewolves in this produce a toxin in their saliva. I thought that was an interesting twist as well and a great explanation for why people go crazy after a bite.
The characters were all well rounded with their own backstories, and I enjoyed their interactions. Also, the one sex scene in this I found to be well written. There was enough detail that it was not hazy (meaning: you know what's going on), but not enough where it was gratuitous and tacky (no throbbing jumping you know whats). It took up all of one page, far less than many books I've read. The idea of two people flowing into each other was very well conveyed and actually rather beautiful.
I do hope that Agent Westlake encounters McManus again in another book. I was glad to see a separation happen since it is something I so rarely see happening, but I would certainly be equally happy seeing a reunion. Maybe that's just from how much I like werewolves though and want to see them get a happy end for once.
So, there's my official review.
Next up to read is Christopher Shields' "Weald Fae Journals" trilogy. I was given all three of those through a reading group. Pretty happy about that.
I'm also taking ye olde notebook with me on my coast trip next week. It will feel odd going back to doing that and writing on paper again.