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lisa_me's review
4.0
FIRST TO BURN is a unique story about an immortal warrior who fought with Beowulf. He has supernatural healing abilities. The heroine is a doctor who is drawn to Wulf and discovers his healing ability. That's a bad thing for Wulf.
The setting starts out at a base in Afghanistan. The plots (many of them) start with captain-sergeant fraternization problems, move to drug dealing, terrorism, murder, kidnapping and torture, a hunt for a relic, and a lethal feud (for mortals) between immortals. There are probably more I haven't thought of. Richland could have gotten away with fewer plot lines.
The sexual tension, suspense, and military realism are excellent.
I didn't quite understand the ending.
Spoiler
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How can they have a "forever" HEA when she's going to age and die? Can someone explain that to me?
The setting starts out at a base in Afghanistan. The plots (many of them) start with captain-sergeant fraternization problems, move to drug dealing, terrorism, murder, kidnapping and torture, a hunt for a relic, and a lethal feud (for mortals) between immortals. There are probably more I haven't thought of. Richland could have gotten away with fewer plot lines.
The sexual tension, suspense, and military realism are excellent.
I didn't quite understand the ending.
Spoiler
*
*
*
How can they have a "forever" HEA when she's going to age and die? Can someone explain that to me?
tessisreading2's review against another edition
4.0
Suffers a little from that form of first-novel-itis where everything, from the locations to the medical jargon, has been excruciatingly well-researched; but over all very original and highly readable. Looking forward to the sequels.
rclz's review against another edition
5.0
Good stuff. This isn't my usual fair as it's not quite Urban Fantasy enough and Wulf aside, it's too real. That said, it's a good book and I've already pre-ordered the next one. Her characters are really well done. I can't wait to see how Ivar does in the next one. Wulf has been a real treat in this one. Plot wise, I didn't find any holes and it went together really well. I love the supporting characters enough that I feared for them and didn't want anything to happen to them.
novel_nomad's review against another edition
3.0
First Viking read and I deliberately chose a book that placed the Viking in the 21st Century - yeah, these Vikings are immortal. So I was surprised when it opened in Afganistan with the US Army, and the heroine was a doctor and captain - her character was wonderfully active and complex even if it didn't greatly change. The Viking himself was surprisingly civilised, but I suppose one would civilise alongside civilisation.
The action and plot were detailed but the pacing was out of joint, moving too fast in the action scenes and over inflating others. It definitely left too many threads loose at the end, as the story seemed to bolt to an anticlimactic finale. I also had difficulty following the army lingo and rushed dialogue, adding greater confusion to the pacing. If the second book picked up straight after the events in Copenhagen then I think I might be interested in continuing the series.
The action and plot were detailed but the pacing was out of joint, moving too fast in the action scenes and over inflating others. It definitely left too many threads loose at the end, as the story seemed to bolt to an anticlimactic finale. I also had difficulty following the army lingo and rushed dialogue, adding greater confusion to the pacing. If the second book picked up straight after the events in Copenhagen then I think I might be interested in continuing the series.
cleo_reads's review against another edition
2.0
This is Anna Richland's first published novel and I think it shows. I'm glad I discovered her by reading His Road Home, because it's a much stronger book.
funsizelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this novel and really want to read the rest of the series. The paranormal element is super low-key and character development is really what's central to the plot. Fantastic writing put me in the story - which was action packed. Read my full review here:http://myfun-sizelife.blogspot.com/2015/07/first-to-burn-by-anna-richland-very.html
readermonica's review against another edition
3.0
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the author through the LoP*
I love a good Viking hero and when I read the synopsis for this book I knew that it would be one that I wanted to give a try. This is not in any way a typical paranormal story. There is an immortal Viking, but he is very much a modern soldier. Despite being able to heal even the worst of wounds sustained in battle. Wulf fits in with his group of Special Forces brothers and has earned and received respect from his fellow soldiers. Our heroine, Theresa, is a confident and competent military doctor who figures out what makes Wulf so different from all of the other soldiers.
The first part of First to Burn mostly focuses on how Theresa figures out what is different about Wulf and there is lots of military action. There is some tension between Wulf and Theresa and as they are on different sides of the fraternization line they are not allowed to pursue a relationship. I am not sure why there was a disconnect for me with these characters because the book is well written. Richland has provided an immortal alpha hero who is strong, capable, committed to his friends, and who has not lost touch with his ability to care for other people. Theresa is a strong lead female who faces a challenge that would make many people falter and give up, but it does not keep her from moving forward.
The story line all makes sense, flows together and leaves enough questions both answered and unanswered so that the story may continue without leaving too much open at the end. So why didn't I fall in love with this story and the characters? I'm not really sure. When I think of this book I can't point to any one thing and say that it is why I didn't get sucked in the way that I wanted to, it just didn't happen for me. There are many good reviews for this book so I figure maybe I am just the anomaly on this one and I somehow missed the boat.
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
I love a good Viking hero and when I read the synopsis for this book I knew that it would be one that I wanted to give a try. This is not in any way a typical paranormal story. There is an immortal Viking, but he is very much a modern soldier. Despite being able to heal even the worst of wounds sustained in battle. Wulf fits in with his group of Special Forces brothers and has earned and received respect from his fellow soldiers. Our heroine, Theresa, is a confident and competent military doctor who figures out what makes Wulf so different from all of the other soldiers.
The first part of First to Burn mostly focuses on how Theresa figures out what is different about Wulf and there is lots of military action. There is some tension between Wulf and Theresa and as they are on different sides of the fraternization line they are not allowed to pursue a relationship. I am not sure why there was a disconnect for me with these characters because the book is well written. Richland has provided an immortal alpha hero who is strong, capable, committed to his friends, and who has not lost touch with his ability to care for other people. Theresa is a strong lead female who faces a challenge that would make many people falter and give up, but it does not keep her from moving forward.
The story line all makes sense, flows together and leaves enough questions both answered and unanswered so that the story may continue without leaving too much open at the end. So why didn't I fall in love with this story and the characters? I'm not really sure. When I think of this book I can't point to any one thing and say that it is why I didn't get sucked in the way that I wanted to, it just didn't happen for me. There are many good reviews for this book so I figure maybe I am just the anomaly on this one and I somehow missed the boat.
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
fictionbrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This was so good! I loved all the military detail--it made everything feel very real. And the MCs were complex and interesting, the conflict solid and compelling. I hope Richland writes more in this series than the two entries currently published.
see_sadie_read's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good for what it is. But what it is is a bit of fluff. I enjoyed the banter between the main characters and the humor of the Special Forces men. I liked that the heroine was a soldier herself and came back strong after a fairly traumatic injury. I liked that the hero wasn't an alpha A-hole and was really responsive to any 'no' she uttered, without any guilting or attempted manipulation.
I did think the narrative had too much going on, the whole immortality schtick wasn't well enough developed to actually be needed, and the villain was defeated too easily. Also, the little bit of light, kinky play as therapy irritated me. Despite all that, I'd read more of the series and certainly more by this author.
I did think the narrative had too much going on, the whole immortality schtick wasn't well enough developed to actually be needed, and the villain was defeated too easily. Also, the little bit of light, kinky play as therapy irritated me. Despite all that, I'd read more of the series and certainly more by this author.
rincondejoss's review
4.0
I was given the book from the author, for an honest review
It was so cool, it had a lot of things I love in a book, romance, a little suspense a little angst, lots of fun.
it's a very cool book, I really recommend it if you like epic, romance and some little tears here and there, it's a super good story really.
It was so cool, it had a lot of things I love in a book, romance, a little suspense a little angst, lots of fun.
it's a very cool book, I really recommend it if you like epic, romance and some little tears here and there, it's a super good story really.