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mads0527's review
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
eidal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
demckee's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
teenykins's review against another edition
3.0
To be completely honest when it comes to how the narration from John Solo was I can't really remark anything except that I didn't particularly like the cadence he chose for Christian. Now the reason why I can't say much about his performance was because I was more focused to the story, because unlike most of my other audiobook listens, I haven't read the story before so I wasn't familiar with it to pay more attention on John Solo's delivery.
I'm gonna go with 3 stars to his narration though 'cos as I said I wasn't particularly fond of Christian's voice and it was throwing me off.
Now when it comes to the story.... *siiiiigh* nothing really drew my interest. Not the lore, not the chemistry between Atlas and Christian that I was hard pressed to find a smidge off, not the political intrigue between the 2 families.... and the worst is that I was so sure I'd like this I requested the ARC of the 2nd book in the series *face palm*. I want to say I'll go with an open mind to it but more likely I'd go in with a defeated attitude which is not good for anyone.
Also I am annoyed with Atlas for letting chance after chance of coming clean to Christian and his father (grow some balls dude!!!) and when he decided to do so Christian stopped him from saying anything. I really hope it was because he suspected/knew and understood that Atlas wasn't thinking clearly when he did what he did, shocked after what he saw and what had happened to him in the past.
Anyways... here's to me hoping that the 2nd book will be a blast!
I'm gonna go with 3 stars to his narration though 'cos as I said I wasn't particularly fond of Christian's voice and it was throwing me off.
Now when it comes to the story.... *siiiiigh* nothing really drew my interest. Not the lore, not the chemistry between Atlas and Christian that I was hard pressed to find a smidge off, not the political intrigue between the 2 families.... and the worst is that I was so sure I'd like this I requested the ARC of the 2nd book in the series *face palm*. I want to say I'll go with an open mind to it but more likely I'd go in with a defeated attitude which is not good for anyone.
Also I am annoyed with Atlas for letting chance after chance of coming clean to Christian and his father (grow some balls dude!!!) and when he decided to do so Christian stopped him from saying anything. I really hope it was because he suspected/knew and understood that Atlas wasn't thinking clearly when he did what he did, shocked after what he saw and what had happened to him in the past.
Anyways... here's to me hoping that the 2nd book will be a blast!
kaity_b's review
3.0
3-3.5 stars
Loved the start but once they were attacked I didn’t love it as much.
The secret that Atlas was holding was not what I wanted to happen but ehh what can you do..
This was also told in third person POV but we only got Atlas’s POV… I wanted Cristian’s POV…
It did end on a sort of cliffhanger so now the question is do I continue or do I find something else?
Loved the start but once they were attacked I didn’t love it as much.
The secret that Atlas was holding was not what I wanted to happen but ehh what can you do..
This was also told in third person POV but we only got Atlas’s POV… I wanted Cristian’s POV…
It did end on a sort of cliffhanger so now the question is do I continue or do I find something else?
a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3.5 Stars!
My first read by MA Grant, and I’m confident it won’t be my last.
This starts out with ex-marine Atlas, who’s been traumatized by a mysterious attack that left him the sole survivor of his combat unit, struggling daily with PTSD. However, his sister owns and operates a successful private security agency, and there just so happens to be a lucrative contract that other employees have not meshed well with. This serendipitously adapts for Atlas’s personal/physical struggles that traditional protection jobs can’t typically accommodate.
What I appreciated was the slow burn between Atlas and his charge Christian. They barely tolerate each other, sometimes they oppose one another but ultimately, they learn that there’s more than meets the eye on both their parts, resulting in grudging respect and inevitably more. Secrets abound, politics and takeover machinations are constantly brewing, lives are in danger, and these two must learn to trust each other before it’s too late.
This had a good foundation to the paranormal world building, more I suspect will be further explored in the next book. This also brings a slight twist to standard lore which I enjoyed and want to know more of. Despite my absolute disbelief that Atlas never had a weapon on him (once he utilized a knife), I also suspect that will change in the sequel. Apparently, I need more dead bodies and gore than previously thought. Lol.
Again, a good start to what I hope will be an even better series. And that ending?? I loved it!
My first read by MA Grant, and I’m confident it won’t be my last.
This starts out with ex-marine Atlas, who’s been traumatized by a mysterious attack that left him the sole survivor of his combat unit, struggling daily with PTSD. However, his sister owns and operates a successful private security agency, and there just so happens to be a lucrative contract that other employees have not meshed well with. This serendipitously adapts for Atlas’s personal/physical struggles that traditional protection jobs can’t typically accommodate.
What I appreciated was the slow burn between Atlas and his charge Christian. They barely tolerate each other, sometimes they oppose one another but ultimately, they learn that there’s more than meets the eye on both their parts, resulting in grudging respect and inevitably more. Secrets abound, politics and takeover machinations are constantly brewing, lives are in danger, and these two must learn to trust each other before it’s too late.
This had a good foundation to the paranormal world building, more I suspect will be further explored in the next book. This also brings a slight twist to standard lore which I enjoyed and want to know more of. Despite my absolute disbelief that Atlas never had a weapon on him (once he utilized a knife), I also suspect that will change in the sequel. Apparently, I need more dead bodies and gore than previously thought. Lol.
Again, a good start to what I hope will be an even better series. And that ending?? I loved it!
xasafi's review
2.0
~2 stars~
Based on the blurb, this book seemed promising. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed yet again.
First of all, this story felt like a gay book written by a (straight) woman solely for (straight) women to enjoy. I don't know if that's the case here but that's the vibe and that's not something I look for in queer books.
Also, the whole 'Imma gain your trust and betray you, oops, I fell in love with you, now I'm gonna right the wrongs and protect you' thing is just terrible. I hate that.
The main character and his love interest had no chemistry together and their relationship was poorly developed. There was no connection between them and they barely knew anything about each other before they got together.
Also, shit is going down, people are fighting for their lives and those two are fvcking? Really?
What else, what else…
Ah, yes. Descriptions of Atlas's PTSD were weak and I would hazard a guess the author didn't do much research in this regard - which is a shame.
The plot itself wasn't THAT bad (though it wasn't anything I haven't seen before, nothing new, nothing original) so that's the only positive thing about this book.
Based on the blurb, this book seemed promising. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed yet again.
First of all, this story felt like a gay book written by a (straight) woman solely for (straight) women to enjoy. I don't know if that's the case here but that's the vibe and that's not something I look for in queer books.
Also, the whole 'Imma gain your trust and betray you, oops, I fell in love with you, now I'm gonna right the wrongs and protect you' thing is just terrible. I hate that.
The main character and his love interest had no chemistry together and their relationship was poorly developed. There was no connection between them and they barely knew anything about each other before they got together.
Also, shit is going down, people are fighting for their lives and those two are fvcking? Really?
What else, what else…
Ah, yes. Descriptions of Atlas's PTSD were weak and I would hazard a guess the author didn't do much research in this regard - which is a shame.
The plot itself wasn't THAT bad (though it wasn't anything I haven't seen before, nothing new, nothing original) so that's the only positive thing about this book.
louloureadsbooks's review
Arghhh. I'm having a run of dnfs at the moment.
I got probably maybe half way through (it's an audiobook and I started jumping forward until I gave up doing that, so don't really know).
I was quite enjoying this (the 2 stars) up until Atlas joins the baddies without asking ANY pertinent questions like who are you actually and why REALLY do you want to take Decebel down? I would have thought this was an important question, if Decebel was such a power then removing him/his family is going to cause a vacuum and who is going to fill it? Oh I just wonder.
But no our hero doesn't ask anything reasonable. Just says I'm angry, like some vengeance ridden teenager, sign me up. Completely disregarding all the apparently logical, calm etc personality traits that were painstakingly detailed and atrributed to him on his first shift after the hide and seek with Cristian.
Of course later Atlas realises how bad the baddie is whilst also (I think a bit later, I started skipping bits after it was clear he wasn't going to admit, or pathetically couldn't find the right time. Pff!) realising how wonderful and kind wossname is, Cristian, and now there are LIES because apparently Atlas can't stop working for the baddies. But can't he? Really? Could he not just tell the truth to Decebel and we can all move on to something more interesting in the story? Like thwarting the baddies and taking them down or something? That's what I want to read. Not lies
Maybe Atlas did tell them and I didn't get that far. I don't know
I wasn't a fan of the sister either she was borderline 'I know best about all of your life, I'm older than you so I must know best.' Yawn.
I did think Atlas was going to tell sister about vampires, once he discovered Cristian was one but then he didn't and that felt weak.
But mainly the lie about the baddies has got me rolling my eyes and huffing like a Black Labrador. The lie seemed like the storing up of unnecessary drama just so it can be used later for some break up/make up jobby, like a soap opera. Almost expected to hear the Eastenders drum roll.
So yeah, not for me.
I got probably maybe half way through (it's an audiobook and I started jumping forward until I gave up doing that, so don't really know).
I was quite enjoying this (the 2 stars) up until Atlas joins the baddies without asking ANY pertinent questions like who are you actually and why REALLY do you want to take Decebel down? I would have thought this was an important question, if Decebel was such a power then removing him/his family is going to cause a vacuum and who is going to fill it? Oh I just wonder.
But no our hero doesn't ask anything reasonable. Just says I'm angry, like some vengeance ridden teenager, sign me up. Completely disregarding all the apparently logical, calm etc personality traits that were painstakingly detailed and atrributed to him on his first shift after the hide and seek with Cristian.
Of course later Atlas realises how bad the baddie is whilst also (I think a bit later, I started skipping bits after it was clear he wasn't going to admit, or pathetically couldn't find the right time. Pff!) realising how wonderful and kind wossname is, Cristian, and now there are LIES because apparently Atlas can't stop working for the baddies. But can't he? Really? Could he not just tell the truth to Decebel and we can all move on to something more interesting in the story? Like thwarting the baddies and taking them down or something? That's what I want to read. Not lies
Maybe Atlas did tell them and I didn't get that far. I don't know
I wasn't a fan of the sister either she was borderline 'I know best about all of your life, I'm older than you so I must know best.' Yawn.
I did think Atlas was going to tell sister about vampires, once he discovered Cristian was one but then he didn't and that felt weak.
But mainly the lie about the baddies has got me rolling my eyes and huffing like a Black Labrador. The lie seemed like the storing up of unnecessary drama just so it can be used later for some break up/make up jobby, like a soap opera. Almost expected to hear the Eastenders drum roll.
So yeah, not for me.
norassick's review
4.0
scary cover aside, this was fun, so much fun. I adore Cristian, Atlas and Bea (who deserves the entire world)
Moving forward to book 2 hopefully!
Moving forward to book 2 hopefully!
kaitlin_durante's review
3.0
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Rare Vigilance by M.A. Grant is the first book in the Whitethorn Agency series. Atlas Kinkaid has returned from military service with both physical and mental scars. He has found a safe place at his sister’s security agency. Beatrice approaches him with a tough case that has already run off several other agents, protecting Cristian Slava. Working to protect the son of a business mogul seems simple but it proves to be anything but as Cristian tries to get rid of him and the protection gets complicated with territory disputes, secrets being exposed and family fighting. Atlas finds himself becoming more attached to Cristian than is appropriate and struggles as the lines blurring between protection and affection. As danger from Atlas’ past comes to haunt them, Cristian and Atlas will find themselves caught in the crosshairs.
Atlas Kinkaid is a broken man who puts on a brave face day in and day out to get by. He has the support of his sister after returning from the attack overseas but it isn’t until he meets Cristian that he even begins to deal with his past. Atlas makes questionable decisions out of fear that will continue to impact him and Cristian more than we even know at the ending of this first book in the trilogy. The slow burn leading up to the men exploring their attraction was just right based on the two men’s backgrounds. Everything you learn about Cristian Slava is from Atlas’ perspective as this story is told from just the single POV. Cristian obviously struggles to allow his attachment to Atlas to show out of fear of rejection but takes brave steps knowing getting to know Atlas is worth it in the long run.
“How am I looking at you?” Atlas asked, desperate to keep his head and not do something foolish.
“Like I’m finally worth the risk.” Cristian smiled, a tentative quirk of his lips.
Rare Vigilance was not what I expected from being just from Atlas’ perspective to being a world building driven urban supernatural story with slow burn romantic aspects. That being said I enjoyed the book once I came around to the idea that I wouldn’t get Cristian’s POV and that this wasn’t going to be a burning up the pages romance. I am choosing to leave the supernatural aspect out of this review because readers will enjoy the story more discovering it themselves. I have every intention of continuing the series knowing that I was left on that cliff just wanting more.
3.5 stars for a good start to a new urban supernatural series.
Rare Vigilance by M.A. Grant is the first book in the Whitethorn Agency series. Atlas Kinkaid has returned from military service with both physical and mental scars. He has found a safe place at his sister’s security agency. Beatrice approaches him with a tough case that has already run off several other agents, protecting Cristian Slava. Working to protect the son of a business mogul seems simple but it proves to be anything but as Cristian tries to get rid of him and the protection gets complicated with territory disputes, secrets being exposed and family fighting. Atlas finds himself becoming more attached to Cristian than is appropriate and struggles as the lines blurring between protection and affection. As danger from Atlas’ past comes to haunt them, Cristian and Atlas will find themselves caught in the crosshairs.
Atlas Kinkaid is a broken man who puts on a brave face day in and day out to get by. He has the support of his sister after returning from the attack overseas but it isn’t until he meets Cristian that he even begins to deal with his past. Atlas makes questionable decisions out of fear that will continue to impact him and Cristian more than we even know at the ending of this first book in the trilogy. The slow burn leading up to the men exploring their attraction was just right based on the two men’s backgrounds. Everything you learn about Cristian Slava is from Atlas’ perspective as this story is told from just the single POV. Cristian obviously struggles to allow his attachment to Atlas to show out of fear of rejection but takes brave steps knowing getting to know Atlas is worth it in the long run.
“How am I looking at you?” Atlas asked, desperate to keep his head and not do something foolish.
“Like I’m finally worth the risk.” Cristian smiled, a tentative quirk of his lips.
Rare Vigilance was not what I expected from being just from Atlas’ perspective to being a world building driven urban supernatural story with slow burn romantic aspects. That being said I enjoyed the book once I came around to the idea that I wouldn’t get Cristian’s POV and that this wasn’t going to be a burning up the pages romance. I am choosing to leave the supernatural aspect out of this review because readers will enjoy the story more discovering it themselves. I have every intention of continuing the series knowing that I was left on that cliff just wanting more.
3.5 stars for a good start to a new urban supernatural series.