smitch29's review
3.0
3.6
I really couldn't decide whether to round the rating up or down for this book. Overall, I enjoyed it, but there was never a moment where I was thinking "I really like this book", so alas, it gets rounded-down. To be fair, I thought this story was an improvement over that last book (regardless of their similar ratings). This story delved into how the politics of the US government interacts with the politics of the supernaturals. There was also more development of Jacky and Heath's relationship, they even reveal themselves to a couple other characters in this story.
To really understand my opinion on this book, there needs to be some baseline knowledge. This is a Kindle Unlimited series, so I do not expect it to be superb, and I will even admit this series is much better than a lot of UF books I've read from the KU collection. The first couple of books were the best, probably because they have the interesting world-building. There were clearly a few issues with the writing and the developing, but they were easily forgiven. As series progress it is isn't uncommon for them to improve in quality, since most of the exposition is done and authors can really up the intrigue and the nuance. This series seems to be suffering from the opposite. There is some improvement in the nuances of the world, but the weak points that existed in the first novels feel more exacerbated in this later books.
For instance, for the majority of the time reading this book, I frequently felt confusion for character's words and motivations. I am not skilled enough to fully understand what has gone wrong, but it doesn't feel seamless like most of my favorite, well-written stories do. By the end of this novel, I can admit I was back to intrigued and I was ready for the next book in the series to be published already. Looking back, I think my problem with it was that the author had an idea of where the book would start (because that is more or less where the plot left off in the previous novel) and where the book should end. I can even believe there was an idea of where to take the story throughout bits of the middle of the plot, but really the author just tried to flesh out the story to force it into the envisioned ending. It either wasn't fully fleshed out or was too forced, I can't quite say. The ultimate bad guy for this plot used minions to cover for him. The timing of his minions entering the story was never explained supposedly the big bad sent them at the time to sabotage Jacky's dealing with the US government, but they showed up awfully early for the big bad to have known that it was good timing. Perhaps I missed it, and the timing is easily explained. Perhaps, the author didn't elaborate on this point. Perhaps, the author forced this point. I can't really be sure, especially without re-reading, and I won't likely do that until the next book releases. But this is just an example where it felt like crucial parts were haphazard.
On a side note, this book also saw more of how terrible Jacky is at keeping secrets. How can anyone trust her when every secret she has tried to keep (i.e. her pack magics and who gave it to her, her relationship with Heath, her werecat status), she has let slip, usually in the wrong company.
Overall, I still enjoy this series and will continue with it when the next one releases.
I really couldn't decide whether to round the rating up or down for this book. Overall, I enjoyed it, but there was never a moment where I was thinking "I really like this book", so alas, it gets rounded-down. To be fair, I thought this story was an improvement over that last book (regardless of their similar ratings). This story delved into how the politics of the US government interacts with the politics of the supernaturals. There was also more development of Jacky and Heath's relationship, they even reveal themselves to a couple other characters in this story.
To really understand my opinion on this book, there needs to be some baseline knowledge. This is a Kindle Unlimited series, so I do not expect it to be superb, and I will even admit this series is much better than a lot of UF books I've read from the KU collection. The first couple of books were the best, probably because they have the interesting world-building. There were clearly a few issues with the writing and the developing, but they were easily forgiven. As series progress it is isn't uncommon for them to improve in quality, since most of the exposition is done and authors can really up the intrigue and the nuance. This series seems to be suffering from the opposite. There is some improvement in the nuances of the world, but the weak points that existed in the first novels feel more exacerbated in this later books.
For instance, for the majority of the time reading this book, I frequently felt confusion for character's words and motivations. I am not skilled enough to fully understand what has gone wrong, but it doesn't feel seamless like most of my favorite, well-written stories do. By the end of this novel, I can admit I was back to intrigued and I was ready for the next book in the series to be published already. Looking back, I think my problem with it was that the author had an idea of where the book would start (because that is more or less where the plot left off in the previous novel) and where the book should end. I can even believe there was an idea of where to take the story throughout bits of the middle of the plot, but really the author just tried to flesh out the story to force it into the envisioned ending. It either wasn't fully fleshed out or was too forced, I can't quite say. The ultimate bad guy for this plot used minions to cover for him. The timing of his minions entering the story was never explained supposedly the big bad sent them at the time to sabotage Jacky's dealing with the US government, but they showed up awfully early for the big bad to have known that it was good timing. Perhaps I missed it, and the timing is easily explained. Perhaps, the author didn't elaborate on this point. Perhaps, the author forced this point. I can't really be sure, especially without re-reading, and I won't likely do that until the next book releases. But this is just an example where it felt like crucial parts were haphazard.
On a side note, this book also saw more of how terrible Jacky is at keeping secrets. How can anyone trust her when every secret she has tried to keep (i.e. her pack magics and who gave it to her, her relationship with Heath, her werecat status), she has let slip, usually in the wrong company.
Overall, I still enjoy this series and will continue with it when the next one releases.
sarasfroggy's review
5.0
I only recently found this series. This book was unquestionably a 5 star book. Poor Jacky can't catch a break but this book gives you hope.
a_ab's review
DNF at chapter 7. As soon as human agents showed up I abruptly and completely lost interest and couldn't bring myself to keep reading. Hence no rating.
Perhaps I could pick it up in a different mood, but I doubt it will make much difference. I found the setup and the dealings around it profoundly spasm-inducingly boring.
Perhaps I could pick it up in a different mood, but I doubt it will make much difference. I found the setup and the dealings around it profoundly spasm-inducingly boring.
reading_ninja's review against another edition
4.0
More werecat wonderfulness
Another great book in this urban fantasy series. More challenges for Jacky both personal and otherwise, as usual she kicks ass with the help of her friends.
Another great book in this urban fantasy series. More challenges for Jacky both personal and otherwise, as usual she kicks ass with the help of her friends.
rubyn's review against another edition
For the first time, I guessed all the plot twists. Except for Zuri’s news, that was very unexpected. No epic battle or world travel
Brin, I knew it, I knew it!!
Brin, I knew it, I knew it!!
ririmlls's review against another edition
5.0
Bloody brillant! Loved every second of it, definitely a one-sitting book or nighttimer ! Gorgeously written and the action, revelations and relationships parts were amazing! I NEED MORE!
Good news, the following one is scheduled for June 2021
Good news, the following one is scheduled for June 2021
setaian's review against another edition
5.0
Her secret is out. Jacky has somehow managed to get caught on camera in her werecat form and now government agencies are sniffing around trying to interview her and find out what she is. Even worse, her werewolf boyfriend is in the frame which could reignite animosities that have been simmering for centuries.
Adding to her woes, someone is taking silver tainted pot-shots at her. Even if she survives the assassins and special agents, she faces an uncertain future with her own kind.
Book 5 in the Jacky Leon series has her moving further away from the peaceful life she envisioned for herself. She always does the right thing and unfortunately that character flaw (?) well and truly puts her in the spotlight.
I loved this book. In some ways it's a smaller story than the previous books and it's better for it. Honestly that's what I loved the most about Shades of Hate.
This review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Adding to her woes, someone is taking silver tainted pot-shots at her. Even if she survives the assassins and special agents, she faces an uncertain future with her own kind.
Book 5 in the Jacky Leon series has her moving further away from the peaceful life she envisioned for herself. She always does the right thing and unfortunately that character flaw (?) well and truly puts her in the spotlight.
I loved this book. In some ways it's a smaller story than the previous books and it's better for it. Honestly that's what I loved the most about Shades of Hate.
This review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
kittyhawk's review against another edition
5.0
This series just keeps delivering for me. After Heath and Jackie finally decide to become an official couple, albeit a secret one, at the very end of the last one, I thought it would be hard to follow up. Turns out, not so difficult after all.