katleap's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I love Alec and Carmen. Love, love, love, love. I liked Alec before but in this book I completely fell in love with his awesomeness. He is totally the duck tape and Carmen in no pushover. I can't wait for Kat and Andrew.
I love Alec and Carmen. Love, love, love, love. I liked Alec before but in this book I completely fell in love with his awesomeness. He is totally the duck tape and Carmen in no pushover. I can't wait for Kat and Andrew.
elenajohansen's review against another edition
3.0
I came to this series after reading the much more polished (and later-written-and-published) Beyond series by the same authors under a different name. I can't help comparing the two, because I loved Beyond so much and wouldn't be reading this otherwise.
One thing Southern Arcana is doing better than Beyond ever did is integrating the character set up for later romances into the earlier books. Alec has been a major character from the beginning and now it's time for him to find love, while Carmen is an entirely new character, but introducing her politically-involved family at this point in the overall arc works well, and sets up Alec's major non-romantic conflict for the book.
(Also I see that the next book is about Kat and Andrew, and their crazy-epic love-avoidance relationship has been set up through three books, now.)
Too bad for me, and my enjoyment of this book, that all I could see Alec as was a proto-Dallas. Gee, look, an self-proclaimed "alpha bastard" who doesn't really want to be involved in society and politics, but ends up having to, because otherwise the world's going to hell in a handbasket.
I shouldn't hold it against Alec that I read the other series first, but I've definitely seen this reluctant-leader type before. And he never gets much personality past that. He's the definition of a hardass with a heart of gold, and Carmen lets him express that, but it doesn't go much farther.
Good thing Carmen is pretty interesting, then, and we get to see a lot of her, not just as a love interest for Alec, but also as a sister to both of her brothers (who become one major and one minor character, judging by the blurbs for the later books) and a daughter deeply conflicted by her upbringing and what being with Alec-the-politician would mean for her future. She's the best part of the book.
One thing Southern Arcana is doing better than Beyond ever did is integrating the character set up for later romances into the earlier books. Alec has been a major character from the beginning and now it's time for him to find love, while Carmen is an entirely new character, but introducing her politically-involved family at this point in the overall arc works well, and sets up Alec's major non-romantic conflict for the book.
(Also I see that the next book is about Kat and Andrew, and their crazy-epic love-avoidance relationship has been set up through three books, now.)
Too bad for me, and my enjoyment of this book, that all I could see Alec as was a proto-Dallas. Gee, look, an self-proclaimed "alpha bastard" who doesn't really want to be involved in society and politics, but ends up having to, because otherwise the world's going to hell in a handbasket.
I shouldn't hold it against Alec that I read the other series first, but I've definitely seen this reluctant-leader type before. And he never gets much personality past that. He's the definition of a hardass with a heart of gold, and Carmen lets him express that, but it doesn't go much farther.
Good thing Carmen is pretty interesting, then, and we get to see a lot of her, not just as a love interest for Alec, but also as a sister to both of her brothers (who become one major and one minor character, judging by the blurbs for the later books) and a daughter deeply conflicted by her upbringing and what being with Alec-the-politician would mean for her future. She's the best part of the book.
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book on its own, but I was more excited about the turns and twists it brought to the story arc of the entire story.
lifeinthebooklane's review
4.5
Reread August 2023
When I re-read books #1 and #2 I could recall certain events but this one I didn't recall having read before. I couldn't believe I'd already written a review for it 😂😂😂.
4.5 stars
Wow, this is one action-packed and steamy read. I read books 1 and 2 a while ago and, at first, felt a little out of the loop. However, the fantastic writing duo that are Moira Rogers soon had me right back into this world of shifters, psychics and those with magical powers.
I loved Alec, he's alpha through and through but not in an arrogant way. It was clear from the previous two books that he cares, he cares almost too much. Carmen was very contained, and down-to-earth, wanting to avoid the seedy politics that are involved in the wolf shifter world.
The chemistry between Alec and Carmen is intense, to say the least - but can it be trusted? Things are further complicated by heartbreaking pasts and interfering families. This leads to plenty of angst and lots of nail-biting action.
I was hooked from start to finish and massively enjoyed this story. I'm now off to read the next book in the series as I need more of this world.
When I re-read books #1 and #2 I could recall certain events but this one I didn't recall having read before. I couldn't believe I'd already written a review for it 😂😂😂.
4.5 stars
Wow, this is one action-packed and steamy read. I read books 1 and 2 a while ago and, at first, felt a little out of the loop. However, the fantastic writing duo that are Moira Rogers soon had me right back into this world of shifters, psychics and those with magical powers.
I loved Alec, he's alpha through and through but not in an arrogant way. It was clear from the previous two books that he cares, he cares almost too much. Carmen was very contained, and down-to-earth, wanting to avoid the seedy politics that are involved in the wolf shifter world.
The chemistry between Alec and Carmen is intense, to say the least - but can it be trusted? Things are further complicated by heartbreaking pasts and interfering families. This leads to plenty of angst and lots of nail-biting action.
I was hooked from start to finish and massively enjoyed this story. I'm now off to read the next book in the series as I need more of this world.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Deadlock
4 Stars
A quick and satisfying read overall but the obstacles are overcome far too easily.
Alec and Carmen meet and fall in lust then love in the blink of an eye with nothing to hamper their romance (Alec gets over his dead wife very quickly, Carmen accepts his dominance and relinquishes her independence in a flash, and Alec accepts his political destiny without reservation). Nevertheless, their relatively angst free relationship is engaging and they are both likeable characters who are easy to root for.
The complex political maneuvering within werewolf society continues and adds an additional layer to the world building. Moreover, the resolution to the conclave and council vacancies is original and contributes to an exciting conclusion.
The next book focuses on Andrew and Kat whose tense relationship is painful to see and it will be interesting to see how things work out.
4 Stars
A quick and satisfying read overall but the obstacles are overcome far too easily.
Alec and Carmen meet and fall in lust then love in the blink of an eye with nothing to hamper their romance (Alec gets over his dead wife very quickly, Carmen accepts his dominance and relinquishes her independence in a flash, and Alec accepts his political destiny without reservation). Nevertheless, their relatively angst free relationship is engaging and they are both likeable characters who are easy to root for.
The complex political maneuvering within werewolf society continues and adds an additional layer to the world building. Moreover, the resolution to the conclave and council vacancies is original and contributes to an exciting conclusion.
The next book focuses on Andrew and Kat whose tense relationship is painful to see and it will be interesting to see how things work out.
schomj's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
The beginning was fantastic. It provided enough back-story and in such a way that I was able to connect emotionally to the characters and understand their connections to each other, without being buried in info-dumps. I enjoyed watching Alec and Carmen grow as characters and as a couple. Really, the emotional development in the first part of the story was wonderfully done. At that point, I was ready to give this book 5 stars.
Unfortunately, the second part of the book focused more on werewolf politics and... I just didn't find that part very engaging. So, I'm not sure if the second half wasn't as emotionally developed as the first half or if I was just not paying attention because werewolf politics = zzzz.
The beginning was fantastic. It provided enough back-story and in such a way that I was able to connect emotionally to the characters and understand their connections to each other, without being buried in info-dumps. I enjoyed watching Alec and Carmen grow as characters and as a couple. Really, the emotional development in the first part of the story was wonderfully done. At that point, I was ready to give this book 5 stars.
Unfortunately, the second part of the book focused more on werewolf politics and... I just didn't find that part very engaging. So, I'm not sure if the second half wasn't as emotionally developed as the first half or if I was just not paying attention because werewolf politics = zzzz.
bodagirl's review against another edition
4.0
Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2015 | Task 13: Romance
blodeuedd's review
3.0
Ever since I first met Alec I wanted this story, and now I finally got it. He was just so alpha, wounded and all that jazz.
I am gonna make this into a quickie (will try at least).
Alec is being his usual self, taking care of New Orleans and at the same time not taking part in politics. In comes Carmen, sparks fly and she is the one to soothe his soul. Sparks fly, in and out of bed (when they get there).
And there is politics. Her family is making a play for a seat, and they are real bastards. Alec has some figuring out to do.
And we meet everyone from before. Now, I do want Kat's book.
There you have it, a sort of quickie review. A nice series that is not really pnr, and not really uf either.
I am gonna make this into a quickie (will try at least).
Alec is being his usual self, taking care of New Orleans and at the same time not taking part in politics. In comes Carmen, sparks fly and she is the one to soothe his soul. Sparks fly, in and out of bed (when they get there).
And there is politics. Her family is making a play for a seat, and they are real bastards. Alec has some figuring out to do.
And we meet everyone from before. Now, I do want Kat's book.
There you have it, a sort of quickie review. A nice series that is not really pnr, and not really uf either.
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