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teenykins's review
3.0
This is one of those instances that it's me and not the book. M.A. Grant is a great author and her writing style let's the story flow through the pages, so much so that it didn't feel like a 300 pages book even though I have to admit that nothing in this book (or the previous one) pushed any of my enjoyment buttons.
I think mostly it's because after reading the blurb for Rare Vigilance I had different expectations so I never really enjoyed the Supernatural angle of the story, the chemistry between Cristian and Atlas or their push/pull relationship is totally absent for me in both books.
Anyways returning to this one I was hoping that the story would have progressed more but up till the last 2-3 chapters it felt like we were just circling around the same things over and over again with minimal advance. In those last chapters though everything exploded to fast forward, although I have to admit there was a section, before Cristian left to meet with Emil, that felt like I was watching something happen in fast forward and I had someone giving summarized descriptions of the scenes (like an unedited spot in the story).
Another not favorite thing that happened in a couple of instances were the out of the blue throw of "random" info apropos of anything, ie the whole plant thing for the UV glasses that didn't tie into anything that was currently happening in the story.
In the end I picked this up as a SPN-Romance and not a political games and maneuvering story which is what I got from it. Hope others have better luck with it.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Harlequin and this is my honest review.
I think mostly it's because after reading the blurb for Rare Vigilance I had different expectations so I never really enjoyed the Supernatural angle of the story, the chemistry between Cristian and Atlas or their push/pull relationship is totally absent for me in both books.
Anyways returning to this one I was hoping that the story would have progressed more but up till the last 2-3 chapters it felt like we were just circling around the same things over and over again with minimal advance. In those last chapters though everything exploded to fast forward, although I have to admit there was a section, before Cristian left to meet with Emil, that felt like I was watching something happen in fast forward and I had someone giving summarized descriptions of the scenes (like an unedited spot in the story).
Another not favorite thing that happened in a couple of instances were the out of the blue throw of "random" info apropos of anything, ie the whole plant thing for the UV glasses that didn't tie into anything that was currently happening in the story.
In the end I picked this up as a SPN-Romance and not a political games and maneuvering story which is what I got from it. Hope others have better luck with it.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Harlequin and this is my honest review.
bookschaosnart's review
5.0
I may have just about thrown my tablet across the room after another epic cliffhanger. Crooked Shadows continues the well done world building. I loved how it develops Cristian and Atlas's relationship in a believable and understanding way. Even more suspense and twists as the story becomes more of Atlas and Cristian against the world. A great second book in this trilogy and I'm very excited to see how they continue in the next book.
a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3.5 Hearts
Starting immediately after Rare Vigilance ends, our heroes Cristian and Atlas are on the run for their lives determined to find some answers about strange monstrous attacks that have made their way across the ocean to the United States. As they wend themselves throughout Cristian’s birthplace of Romania, the very place that still haunts Atlas’s nightmares from his military past, these two really truly need to get their shit together if they’re going to survive another day.
This time the story is told from Cristian’s POV, lending more insight to the enigmatic character who has seen and suffered much, who has maybe skirted/avoided his responsibilities a lot, but is now ready to do anything to help save himself, his lover, and his father’s empire. As other reviewers have said, this is more steeped in the mystery, trying to find who is hunting fellow vampires, investigating a friend’s mysterious disappearance, and avoiding the brutal machinations of a clan that won’t take no for an answer, all the while landing smack dab in the middle of a decades in the making power grab.
To say the least, this was atmospheric and dark, heavy with paranoia, as Grant further expands on the paranormal world she has created. There’s a very complex plot being woven here that is not quite finished, and the reader is lured by the growing bond between Cristian and Atlas (along with my utter disbelief that bodyguard Atlas’s only weapon is a small silver sword) amongst a compelling setup where enemies are a dime a dozen, true allies are a rarity if at all, and betrayal around every corner should always be expected.
Overall, an intense read with a very appreciated organic plausible growing romance. Some questions were answered, but be forewarned that this ends abruptly on one hell of a cliffhanger! The next book to come will indeed be a very long wait!
Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review
Starting immediately after Rare Vigilance ends, our heroes Cristian and Atlas are on the run for their lives determined to find some answers about strange monstrous attacks that have made their way across the ocean to the United States. As they wend themselves throughout Cristian’s birthplace of Romania, the very place that still haunts Atlas’s nightmares from his military past, these two really truly need to get their shit together if they’re going to survive another day.
This time the story is told from Cristian’s POV, lending more insight to the enigmatic character who has seen and suffered much, who has maybe skirted/avoided his responsibilities a lot, but is now ready to do anything to help save himself, his lover, and his father’s empire. As other reviewers have said, this is more steeped in the mystery, trying to find who is hunting fellow vampires, investigating a friend’s mysterious disappearance, and avoiding the brutal machinations of a clan that won’t take no for an answer, all the while landing smack dab in the middle of a decades in the making power grab.
To say the least, this was atmospheric and dark, heavy with paranoia, as Grant further expands on the paranormal world she has created. There’s a very complex plot being woven here that is not quite finished, and the reader is lured by the growing bond between Cristian and Atlas (along with my utter disbelief that bodyguard Atlas’s only weapon is a small silver sword) amongst a compelling setup where enemies are a dime a dozen, true allies are a rarity if at all, and betrayal around every corner should always be expected.
Overall, an intense read with a very appreciated organic plausible growing romance. Some questions were answered, but be forewarned that this ends abruptly on one hell of a cliffhanger! The next book to come will indeed be a very long wait!
Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review
jesuismoi's review against another edition
2.0
I got this because I felt like the previous volume ended in a cliffhanger and I wanted to see where things went.
Unfortunately, they appear to be going to plot land. Character development and relationship development seems to have stopped, I’m about a third of the way through, and it’s just plot new person, new person, new person, new threat, new threat, new threat, new person, with no real tie in to what was going on in the previous book, and certainly no continuation of the previous relationship.
It’s probably going to go on my did not finish pile, which is unfortunate, because I enjoyed the previous one.
Edit: I skipped a LOT to finish it. Plot, plot, plot. I’m not sure where the characters changed, as there’s no time between all the plot for any introspection and this is literally the next moment from the last book, but the ones in this book don’t even seem the same as the last one.
And another really big cliffhanger.
Unfortunately, they appear to be going to plot land. Character development and relationship development seems to have stopped, I’m about a third of the way through, and it’s just plot new person, new person, new person, new threat, new threat, new threat, new person, with no real tie in to what was going on in the previous book, and certainly no continuation of the previous relationship.
It’s probably going to go on my did not finish pile, which is unfortunate, because I enjoyed the previous one.
Edit: I skipped a LOT to finish it. Plot, plot, plot. I’m not sure where the characters changed, as there’s no time between all the plot for any introspection and this is literally the next moment from the last book, but the ones in this book don’t even seem the same as the last one.
And another really big cliffhanger.
norassick's review
4.0
amazing. Chef's kiss. cliffhanger is excellent and I'm not losing my mind over it because off to book three we go. this was fun and fast-paced. I loved it<3
kaitlin_durante's review
4.0
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Crooked Shadows by M.A. Grant is the second book in the Whitethorn Agency series. This story picks up where the previous ended with Atlas Kinkaid and Cristian Slava reeling from the events in Scarsboro and venturing overseas to try to uncover where the new dangers have originated. The uneasy relationship the two men have developed is tested as both have a history steeped in fear and sadness in Romania. With new friends and new enemies challenging Atlas and Cristian, the two will try to unravel the secrets of the past and how it impacts their future.
This book immediately starts out different because you are seeing the world through Cristian Slava’s perspective (mostly?). He is wonderfully complex because although he has lived many centuries he still values each day, especially now that he has Atlas in his life. Cristian feels his own emotions so deeply and struggles because he not only feels the crushing weight of his own but also can sense Atlas’. He knew that it would be dangerous to bring Atlas back to where it all went wrong but the two men are determined to try and save themselves and others from the dangers in the woods. The intimate moments between Atlas and Cristian are not only physical but also so emotional as Atlas opens up his memories and soul. Their connection is felt so much deeper and develops so much more.
“Atlas knew Cristian would be there for him when his secrets grew too heavy to bear.”
Crooked Shadows was a fast paced mystery that kept unveiling layers I didn’t expect. The story connected enough to the first but pushed both MCs forward and further developed them individually and together. I enjoyed the mix of history and present day. Cristian is proving to be a sweetheart who I couldn’t help but fall for. I am so glad we got his perspective. I did find it odd that you had it like 80% only Cristian’s POV and then all of a sudden you got small sections of Atlas. Besides that being a bit jarring it was great to join Cristian and Atlas on this adventure.
4 stars for the continuation of Cristian and Atlas’ adventures in the dark.
Crooked Shadows by M.A. Grant is the second book in the Whitethorn Agency series. This story picks up where the previous ended with Atlas Kinkaid and Cristian Slava reeling from the events in Scarsboro and venturing overseas to try to uncover where the new dangers have originated. The uneasy relationship the two men have developed is tested as both have a history steeped in fear and sadness in Romania. With new friends and new enemies challenging Atlas and Cristian, the two will try to unravel the secrets of the past and how it impacts their future.
This book immediately starts out different because you are seeing the world through Cristian Slava’s perspective (mostly?). He is wonderfully complex because although he has lived many centuries he still values each day, especially now that he has Atlas in his life. Cristian feels his own emotions so deeply and struggles because he not only feels the crushing weight of his own but also can sense Atlas’. He knew that it would be dangerous to bring Atlas back to where it all went wrong but the two men are determined to try and save themselves and others from the dangers in the woods. The intimate moments between Atlas and Cristian are not only physical but also so emotional as Atlas opens up his memories and soul. Their connection is felt so much deeper and develops so much more.
“Atlas knew Cristian would be there for him when his secrets grew too heavy to bear.”
Crooked Shadows was a fast paced mystery that kept unveiling layers I didn’t expect. The story connected enough to the first but pushed both MCs forward and further developed them individually and together. I enjoyed the mix of history and present day. Cristian is proving to be a sweetheart who I couldn’t help but fall for. I am so glad we got his perspective. I did find it odd that you had it like 80% only Cristian’s POV and then all of a sudden you got small sections of Atlas. Besides that being a bit jarring it was great to join Cristian and Atlas on this adventure.
4 stars for the continuation of Cristian and Atlas’ adventures in the dark.
onemamareads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
missawn's review
4.0
I am enjoying this dark, gruesome series. I think there is nobody that writes MCs like this author does. Consistently written MCs that the reader should hate but don't. This book is a master class on how to write characters that are not particularly likeable but the reader is still able to connect with and ultimately cheer for! I find the whole vampire theme quite disturbing and that is definitely exploited in this series. But I am enjoying the squirm and the high drama. The MCs are interesting and easy to connect with. I do sometimes struggle to follow along with all the vampiric politics but that doesn't seem to impact my enjoyment of these overall series. I am not a fan of cliffhanger endings but they are effective in making me want to keep reading this series. I usually read a series and stick with it based on the quality of the storytelling and generally find cliffhangers annoying. However, I do enjoy this author's writing and these series continue to intrigue me. I am looking forward to the next book!