rclz's review against another edition
3.0
This one kind of missed the mark for me. Not sure why but I liked it a little less. Not bad, just didn't connect with the characters as well.
thebookdisciple's review against another edition
4.0
Blade is the story of a kidnapped Pantera shifter and a kidnapped human woman who are tortured into an unbelievable circumstance: a pregnancy by force. You can read this story without having any knowledge of the world Ivy and Wright have created; they give you enough info to understand the what, where, and why of it all and jump right into the story of Blade and Villi.
Villi was kidnapped and inseminated against her will by Benson enterprises in their attempt to study the Pantera and find ways to use them as super soldiers. Villi and Blade both eventually escape and the story begins about 2 months later. Blade knows he has to find Villi and protect her. The story is a bit of his attempt to find her, then his attempt to convince her he is good, and then the attempt to keep her safe from Benson. Benson wants her back because she was one of only a few humans whose insemination was successful. Poor Villi-she was impregnated against her will, now has to come to terms with having a Pantera cub as a baby, finding a mate, and still being hunted by evil.
Since Blade is part of the 1001 Dark Nights series, it is short and sweet. I love these stories because sometimes a short story is exactly what I need to help break up my reading! I enjoy the world of the Pantera, I love the fated mates trope, and have enjoyed every Bayou Heat book I have read so far! If you like PNR that pits the shifters against a human enemy, Blade and the Bayou Heat series is perfect!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: shifter, fated mates
- Triggers:
Spoiler
kidnapping and insemination against her will - Series/Standalone: standalone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger:
Spoiler
no - HEA:
Spoiler
yes, no epilogue
Stone Cold Fox by Evangeline Anderson, Drakon's Plunder by NJ Walters, Black Bullet by LD Rose...then you will probably like Blade!
Blade
Blade didn’t miss her shudder of relief, the quick glimmer of tears in her eyes. Warmth filled his heart, and a rush of gratitude. Whatever her confused and angry feelings toward him, it was obvious she cared deeply about their child.
“Then why am I here?” she demanded, trying to sit up.
The Healer placed another pillow under her head so she could be slightly upright. “Blade was concerned when you fainted.”
“Blade?” She whirled back to study Blade with a skittish gaze. “That’s your name?”
His lips twisted into a humorless smile. “A little late for introductions, I know, but yes.” He nodded toward the male across the bed. “And that’s Jean-Baptiste. A Pantera healer. One of our best.”
She frowned. “I don’t get this. I thought there was nothing wrong with me. Why would I need a healer?”
“I said nothing was physically wrong,” Jean-Baptiste clarified.
Her stunningly beautiful face tightened, as if she was offended by the words, her hand reaching up to brush away Jean-Baptiste’s hand.
“I’m not crazy,” she ground out.
“No one said you were,” Blade said, reaching to grasp her hand, which lay on top of the light blanket covering her body. Thankfully she made no effort to pull away from his grasp this time.
He hated it, but he needed to touch her.
To feel the heat of her skin and hear the steady beat of her heart.
“Then what are you saying?” she demanded, once again turning her attention to the Healer.
Jean-Baptiste chose his words with care. “I suspect that the doctors at the clinic used hypnosis to distort your memories.”
Valli flinched, her fear scenting the air. Blade’s cat pressed beneath his skin, wanting out. It didn’t understand human deceit or betrayal. It only knew that this female was afraid and in need of comfort.
“No,” she breathed. “You’re just trying to protect your friend after what he...” She didn’t finish.
This time it was Blade who pulled his hand from hers.
With a growl.See full review on The Book Disciple
malissac's review against another edition
5.0
Blade is one of my favorite Bayou Heat novellas in a while. I feel like the authors gave us a fresh look into the world of Pantera while still staying true the current story. When you have had a story that has gone on for 23 books, even if they are novella's it is easy for that story to get bogged down in the muck and stuck in patterns that cause each book to sound exactly the same but Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright always find a way to make each relationship feel fresh. Each book has it's own twists and turns that carry us forward in the story without making it seem like the plot is dragging and stagnant. I always know the when I enter the world of the Pantera I will find a relationship to love, characters that I have missed and new one that I want to know more about. I will want to know the next part of the story to bringing the Pantera 'back to life'...which is a wonderful theme in this book.
Blade and Valli's story is one of courage, faith, love, and life. It is the story of two people put in a horrific situation who not only over come their own personal battles but ultimately fight for each other and for their baby. It's about taking a more than difficult situation and making just the best out of it but making it your future, about growing through it and breaking through any obstacle to protect the ones you love.
It is a theme that you will find in all the Pantera books but even more so in this one. Valli and Blades passion and courage are beautifully written about and wonderful to read. You will have all the feels with this one. If you haven't read the Pantera series yet don't worry you 'll be okay to pick this one up and start here though I highly recommend going back to the beginning. I know you're like but, but....it's 23 books. Well, yeh, kinda. Each of those is novella length so don't run scared, it won't take you any time to get caught up and trust me it will be so worth it. If you are a fan of this series don't stop reading now, grab this one up and get sucked back into the bayou, you won't regret it!
~ HAPPY READING ~
http://www.readsallthebooks.com/2017/08/blade-by-alexandra-ivy-and-laura-wright16.html
Blade and Valli's story is one of courage, faith, love, and life. It is the story of two people put in a horrific situation who not only over come their own personal battles but ultimately fight for each other and for their baby. It's about taking a more than difficult situation and making just the best out of it but making it your future, about growing through it and breaking through any obstacle to protect the ones you love.
It is a theme that you will find in all the Pantera books but even more so in this one. Valli and Blades passion and courage are beautifully written about and wonderful to read. You will have all the feels with this one. If you haven't read the Pantera series yet don't worry you 'll be okay to pick this one up and start here though I highly recommend going back to the beginning. I know you're like but, but....it's 23 books. Well, yeh, kinda. Each of those is novella length so don't run scared, it won't take you any time to get caught up and trust me it will be so worth it. If you are a fan of this series don't stop reading now, grab this one up and get sucked back into the bayou, you won't regret it!
~ HAPPY READING ~
http://www.readsallthebooks.com/2017/08/blade-by-alexandra-ivy-and-laura-wright16.html
noveladdiction's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes, I just need some classic paranormal/shifter romance - and this series is a perfect choice to hit the spot considering they're short and sweet. Another great addition to an already awesome series.
See my full review on my blog, Novel Addiction.
Disclaimer: I received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
See my full review on my blog, Novel Addiction.
Disclaimer: I received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
bookishlyruby's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally posted at Ruby's Books
*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.
I enjoyed reading this new installment in the Bayou Heat series.
This book offers an interesting perspective into the world of the Pantera. Blade is one of the shifters that has been kept captive, tortured, tested, prodded and who knows what else by Benson Enterprises. I found it very refreshing to see the perspective of the males kept captive there, to explore the damage that was done to the males as well. Granted, I'm late in reading the series and I haven't read the first installments yet, so I'm not sure if this is something that was explored in earlier books. I liked Blade. I liked that he wanted to track Valli down and take care of her, when he really didn't have to. they were both victims of mad people, and no one would have blamed him if he had chosen to go on living his life away from everyone and everything. I thought his choice showed how much of a good person Blade is, how brave, loyal and honorable he is.
Valli is just as brave as Blade is, albeit a bit too naive at times. I was a bit sad for her, because it was easy to see how her childhood affected her, and influenced her ability to defend herself or to sense when people want to harm her. Even so, I liked her. I liked how she tried to understand what had happened. She's a perfect match to Blade, if you ask me.
The story was really fast-paced, almost a little too fast-paced if that makes sense. I definitely did not see the ending coming, because I wasn't able to figure out who the bad guy was. I am curious to see what will happen in the future with everyone that worked at or for the Benson clinic, as well as the future of Pantera. All in all, a pretty good book, perfect for Paranormal Romance lovers.
*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.
I enjoyed reading this new installment in the Bayou Heat series.
This book offers an interesting perspective into the world of the Pantera. Blade is one of the shifters that has been kept captive, tortured, tested, prodded and who knows what else by Benson Enterprises. I found it very refreshing to see the perspective of the males kept captive there, to explore the damage that was done to the males as well. Granted, I'm late in reading the series and I haven't read the first installments yet, so I'm not sure if this is something that was explored in earlier books. I liked Blade. I liked that he wanted to track Valli down and take care of her, when he really didn't have to. they were both victims of mad people, and no one would have blamed him if he had chosen to go on living his life away from everyone and everything. I thought his choice showed how much of a good person Blade is, how brave, loyal and honorable he is.
Valli is just as brave as Blade is, albeit a bit too naive at times. I was a bit sad for her, because it was easy to see how her childhood affected her, and influenced her ability to defend herself or to sense when people want to harm her. Even so, I liked her. I liked how she tried to understand what had happened. She's a perfect match to Blade, if you ask me.
The story was really fast-paced, almost a little too fast-paced if that makes sense. I definitely did not see the ending coming, because I wasn't able to figure out who the bad guy was. I am curious to see what will happen in the future with everyone that worked at or for the Benson clinic, as well as the future of Pantera. All in all, a pretty good book, perfect for Paranormal Romance lovers.
animation's review against another edition
5.0
I love the Bayou! I like re-reading the entire series every time a new book comes out. This never disappoints.
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