roses_rose's review against another edition
3.0
The book was slow paced and was more angst than I would like. I didn't enjoy as much as I thought I would.
demonsreadtoo's review against another edition
3.0
This one left me feeling a little mixed as to whether I liked it or not. There were moments where I couldn’t get enough of Michael and Dominic’s growing relationship, and other times when I wished something would hurry up and happen. I enjoyed the first half a lot more than the second half of the book. The introduction of Dominic’s psycho ex, and maker, took the book off course, becoming more focussed on the past than on the interesting changes going on in the present. But the Australian setting was a welcome change, providing enough of a description without becoming lost in the words.
Read full review at Demons Read Too
Read full review at Demons Read Too
crtsjffrsn's review against another edition
2.0
Dominic has roamed the world as a vampire since the height of the Roman empire. But in all his years, he's never been as fascinated by a mortal as he is by Michael, a young tattoo artist. In fact, Dominic is so fascinated, he wanders into Michael's world to get a tattoo (knowing it won't keep) and finds himself in a world he doesn't want to leave. And as the two fall for each other, they find that there are forces that are conspiring to keep them apart.
This one just wasn't my cup of tea. There's nothing specific that I would say the author did wrong. It just didn't grab me as a reader, though that's likely due more to my own interests than any fault on the part of the writing or the characters.
This one just wasn't my cup of tea. There's nothing specific that I would say the author did wrong. It just didn't grab me as a reader, though that's likely due more to my own interests than any fault on the part of the writing or the characters.
ezichinny's review against another edition
3.0
I am not sure what i expected but this wasn't it.
Every review comparing Dominic to Louis (Anne Rice's hero) was an apt description. He was just depressing and gloomy but couldn't keep away from the object of his attraction: Michael Chapman the tattoo artist.
Most of the first half was a fight to stay away from Michael, self denial until he succumb. Of course his maker, and ex-lover Galen shows up, not liking this new connection and the battle against Galen begins.
The writing was good but the story didn't hold my attention much. I like a lot of joy and angst, and I found this one to be more melancholy. I just didn't love it.
Every review comparing Dominic to Louis (Anne Rice's hero) was an apt description. He was just depressing and gloomy but couldn't keep away from the object of his attraction: Michael Chapman the tattoo artist.
Most of the first half was a fight to stay away from Michael, self denial until he succumb. Of course his maker, and ex-lover Galen shows up, not liking this new connection and the battle against Galen begins.
The writing was good but the story didn't hold my attention much. I like a lot of joy and angst, and I found this one to be more melancholy. I just didn't love it.
see_sadie_read's review against another edition
DNF 33%
I almost gave up on this at 15%. I think that's when it goes from being passable with a chance of improvement to...well, not. I have four main problems that keep me from enjoying and finishing this book. 1. It's mostly tell, not show. 2. Everything moves far to quickly and is far too intense for two men who JUST MET. 3. No one responds appropriately to the vampire. They all just calmly talk about it, like it's normal. 4. Far too many things/feelings/decision/actions are explained as, 'he didn't know why, but..." I don't want mysterious, unexplained impetuses to be the driving force of a book.
I think there is a chance that the vampire bonding method could turn out to be interesting. That's what kept me reading past 15%, but I just can't bear to read anymore to find out. What a waste of a great cover.
I almost gave up on this at 15%. I think that's when it goes from being passable with a chance of improvement to...well, not. I have four main problems that keep me from enjoying and finishing this book. 1. It's mostly tell, not show. 2. Everything moves far to quickly and is far too intense for two men who JUST MET. 3. No one responds appropriately to the vampire. They all just calmly talk about it, like it's normal. 4. Far too many things/feelings/decision/actions are explained as, 'he didn't know why, but..." I don't want mysterious, unexplained impetuses to be the driving force of a book.
I think there is a chance that the vampire bonding method could turn out to be interesting. That's what kept me reading past 15%, but I just can't bear to read anymore to find out. What a waste of a great cover.
shazov's review against another edition
4.0
In all honesty, this book surprised me. Not because I didn't like it, cause I did; more than just like actually. But it has a different 'feel' to it than other vampire books I have read. I suppose I should have expected that from Isabelle Rowan... Mind you please don't ask what is so different about it, because I don't know if I have a cut and dry answer to that.
All I do know is that I hated having to put the book down for any reason. I wanted to finish, to know exactly what was going to happen to Dominic and Michael especially. The book offers everything; there's romance, suspence and of course a tiny bit of angst thrown in. Let's face it, it wouldn't be an Isabelle Rowan book if there wasn't lol! All these elements wove together to make a great and entertaining read.
All I do know is that I hated having to put the book down for any reason. I wanted to finish, to know exactly what was going to happen to Dominic and Michael especially. The book offers everything; there's romance, suspence and of course a tiny bit of angst thrown in. Let's face it, it wouldn't be an Isabelle Rowan book if there wasn't lol! All these elements wove together to make a great and entertaining read.
deehaichess's review against another edition
1.0
And so we go from Fielding's Night Shift, where my faith was restored in an mm writer's ability to, well, write, to this which, having learned my lesson skim reading two Evangeline Anderson books and one JR Ward, I have in fact abandoned.
Why? Well, I probably could have put up with the premise - obligatory lonely and brooding vampire Dominic pining after spunky young tattoo artist Michael. Points for narrative hook there because if a vampire obsessed with tattoos isn't an instant recipe for self-destructive trouble I don't know what is. I mean, what a great classic set up - the one thing the character can't stop himself from doing is the one thing that will put him in danger while simultaneously being the one thing that he never knew he needed in order to be free/happy/etc.
Sadly, things started out hinting at this and then quickly devolved into this wishy-washy "let me be with you" "no I must not for I will destroy you and yet I want you like no other blar-blar blar" drama. Honestly, I have nothing against a little bit of tragic romance but this resulted in zero believable narrative tension. I'm not sure if this was because it was set in the Australian gothic subculture where said denizens are apparently totally ok with all things supernatural and would never react with fear, horror or disbelief at having scary shit happening to them (yes that was a said with a touch of sarcasm), but all this cool acceptance of Dominic's being a creature of the night and messing with their minds and all that just undermined the whole set up.
On top of that the other deal-breaker for me was a constant and undelineated shift in POV. I find this kind of thing both incredibly annoying and hard to follow as well as evidence of immature writing - being unable to or choosing not to maintain one POV in a single scene leads me to assume the writer will similarly not be able to control their narrative structure. There's a place for POV change and it's not mid paragraph.
I suppose in contrast I should take back some of the things I said about EA and JRW; at least their stories were interesting enough to keep me skim reading. This time, I couldn't even force myself to do that. I wonder if Dreamspinner will give me my money back?
Why? Well, I probably could have put up with the premise - obligatory lonely and brooding vampire Dominic pining after spunky young tattoo artist Michael. Points for narrative hook there because if a vampire obsessed with tattoos isn't an instant recipe for self-destructive trouble I don't know what is. I mean, what a great classic set up - the one thing the character can't stop himself from doing is the one thing that will put him in danger while simultaneously being the one thing that he never knew he needed in order to be free/happy/etc.
Sadly, things started out hinting at this and then quickly devolved into this wishy-washy "let me be with you" "no I must not for I will destroy you and yet I want you like no other blar-blar blar" drama. Honestly, I have nothing against a little bit of tragic romance but this resulted in zero believable narrative tension. I'm not sure if this was because it was set in the Australian gothic subculture where said denizens are apparently totally ok with all things supernatural and would never react with fear, horror or disbelief at having scary shit happening to them (yes that was a said with a touch of sarcasm), but all this cool acceptance of Dominic's being a creature of the night and messing with their minds and all that just undermined the whole set up.
On top of that the other deal-breaker for me was a constant and undelineated shift in POV. I find this kind of thing both incredibly annoying and hard to follow as well as evidence of immature writing - being unable to or choosing not to maintain one POV in a single scene leads me to assume the writer will similarly not be able to control their narrative structure. There's a place for POV change and it's not mid paragraph.
I suppose in contrast I should take back some of the things I said about EA and JRW; at least their stories were interesting enough to keep me skim reading. This time, I couldn't even force myself to do that. I wonder if Dreamspinner will give me my money back?
xan_van_rooyen's review against another edition
I loved the cover and loved the idea of vampires and tattoos but I'm not a romance reader and I struggled my way half way through this book before admitting defeat. This book wasn't bad but just not my type of story. If you enjoy romance, you'll probably enjoy this a lot more than I did.
findmeinanotherland's review against another edition
4.0
I will admit that the cover art was the first thing that drew me to this novel. I mean, how, I ask you, could I resist?
Next, the description intrigued me. Roman centurions, you say? Yes, please. Vampires? Lovely! Tattoos? I enjoy those... It sounded like it could be interesting. On the other hand, it also sounded like it had the potential to be a corny cliché-ridden disaster. Thankfully, what I found was a tastefully written novel that explores the nuances and nature of love, friendship and humanity through the story of a vampire romance.
If you're looking for an action-packed read, sexual or otherwise, this may not be the book for you. While there is certainly a main story line that introduces situational tension into the mix, Ink really focuses on and shines in the areas of character development and exploration of its main themes. Rowan writes descriptive prose that is able to bring the characters, locations and situations to life, without being overly wordy. The relationships between the characters feel real and their struggles personal. Consequently, though, the pace of the novel drags a bit, especially around the middle sections.
Although this is definitely a character- and relationship-driven book, it also heavily focuses on the nature of vampires and, by association, humanity. Ink explores questions like: Can vampires retain their humanity? What constitutes humanity? Can vampires have relationships with other vampires and humans that aren't about power? Can the essential nature of a vampire change over the vast expanse of their existence? Are vampires really so emotionally different from humans? In short, if you are not into vampires, you may find the whole thing boring.
Fortunately, I enjoy vampires. I was moved by the complex relationships between the novel's three vampires as well as between the vampires and their various human relations. I heartily hope that a sequel is in the works.
Next, the description intrigued me. Roman centurions, you say? Yes, please. Vampires? Lovely! Tattoos? I enjoy those... It sounded like it could be interesting. On the other hand, it also sounded like it had the potential to be a corny cliché-ridden disaster. Thankfully, what I found was a tastefully written novel that explores the nuances and nature of love, friendship and humanity through the story of a vampire romance.
If you're looking for an action-packed read, sexual or otherwise, this may not be the book for you. While there is certainly a main story line that introduces situational tension into the mix, Ink really focuses on and shines in the areas of character development and exploration of its main themes. Rowan writes descriptive prose that is able to bring the characters, locations and situations to life, without being overly wordy. The relationships between the characters feel real and their struggles personal. Consequently, though, the pace of the novel drags a bit, especially around the middle sections.
Although this is definitely a character- and relationship-driven book, it also heavily focuses on the nature of vampires and, by association, humanity. Ink explores questions like: Can vampires retain their humanity? What constitutes humanity? Can vampires have relationships with other vampires and humans that aren't about power? Can the essential nature of a vampire change over the vast expanse of their existence? Are vampires really so emotionally different from humans? In short, if you are not into vampires, you may find the whole thing boring.
Fortunately, I enjoy vampires. I was moved by the complex relationships between the novel's three vampires as well as between the vampires and their various human relations. I heartily hope that a sequel is in the works.
adubrow's review
3.0
An enjoyable, somewhat sad and very sweet story about a vampire and a tattoo artist. I sort of wish there had been more of a plot, but the way the romance unfolded was lovely.