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divapitbull's review against another edition
5.0
Why the Devil Stalks Death
5 stars despite some annoyances because 1. I LOVE Ethan, 2. I love Ethan and Jack together and 3. I mostly like (although he severely tested my patience in this one) Jack. In this second full-length novel in the trilogy we are back to the “Before” and “After “organizational plot device from the first book. It works even less well here than it did in Where Death Meets the Devil -which is to say…Not at all. Switching between Before and After is enough to give you whiplash. It’s confusing, disjointed and annoying. It’s a testament to the core story – the relationship between Ethan and Jack – that it is enjoyable and engaging enough to transcend the way in which their story is told.
It's been 4 months since jack and Ethan parted in Vietnam and Jack is starting to have his doubts about whether Ethan really is going to follow through with moving in with him (I mean hell, he doesn’t even know where he is). It’s a good thing that his job with The Office of Counterterrorism and Intelligence keeps him busy hunting terrorists. Jack returns home to find Victoria in his garage around the same time that he is given an undercover assignment as – more or less himself. He is going undercover as his cover for his covert secret job in the clandestine Office. He is going undercover as Specialist Security Advisor Jack Reardon from the International Security Office– loaned to the Melbourne police department’s newly minted Infinity Strike Force tracking a serial killer known as The Judge.
Jack and Ethan’s reunion is heartwarming. Every time these two are on the same page together sparks ignite, and their chemistry is palpable. And then there’s that damn Before and After plot device being used to create unnecessary tension and angst. I spent half the book with my face scrunched up worried that Jack really was a colossal dickhead; and the other half convincing myself that he could not possibly have done what was being suggested. As it was, Jack sabotaging their very new and fragile relationship by leaving Ethan at home waiting for him and deciding NOW is the time he must have a “friend” and that he’s going to go for drinks and dinner with his “friend” Adam – made me fantasize about The Judge removing one of his testicles with a rusty paring knife. The fact that Adam – the forensic psychologist on the Infinity strike force; was a former hook up of Jack’s who still obnoxiously had the hots for him – made me want that testicle in a jar to put on my mantle. In Jack’s very limited and generously offered defense; Ethan is having his moments of slinking off to destinations unknown, weird bruises, cold-hearted killer moods, silent distance and avoidance of sexy times.
As Jack tracks a serial killer, Ethan once again confronts his past. They stumble over having a real relationship, they both fuck up (someone fucks up MORE than the other, IMO) and they both confront their fears. Jack accepts his chest grenade for what it is, and Ethan confronts his trauma and strives to learn how to live. Ethan is heartbreakingly vulnerable, and Jack is sweetly protective (when he gets his shit together). There are kisses…on the mouth (Thank God) and blowjobs all around. Jack accepts Ethan and all his borne of trauma OCD quirks, and Ethan feels truly safe with Jack. (And I guess Jack feels truly safe with Ethan too because he decides Ethan really isn’t going to kill him)
So in summary:
Jack repeated “I am so sorry you had to deal with him, as a kid and now. Anything you need, just ask me, okay, baby?
Ethan: Despite the twisting guilt and flowing doubts, I had to laugh. “Baby”?
Grimacing, Jack muttered, “I was trying something. Clearly it didn’t work”.
Ethan: My laughter subsided into a smile as I closed the space between us. “Don’t sell yourself short. It may have worked more than you thought it did”.
Looking forward to the third and final book even though I know I’m going to get a migraine from more Before and After nonsense; and wishing there were like ten novellas between Why The Devil Stalks Death and the final book. I LOVE these guys!
5 stars despite some annoyances because 1. I LOVE Ethan, 2. I love Ethan and Jack together and 3. I mostly like (although he severely tested my patience in this one) Jack. In this second full-length novel in the trilogy we are back to the “Before” and “After “organizational plot device from the first book. It works even less well here than it did in Where Death Meets the Devil -which is to say…Not at all. Switching between Before and After is enough to give you whiplash. It’s confusing, disjointed and annoying. It’s a testament to the core story – the relationship between Ethan and Jack – that it is enjoyable and engaging enough to transcend the way in which their story is told.
It's been 4 months since jack and Ethan parted in Vietnam and Jack is starting to have his doubts about whether Ethan really is going to follow through with moving in with him (I mean hell, he doesn’t even know where he is). It’s a good thing that his job with The Office of Counterterrorism and Intelligence keeps him busy hunting terrorists. Jack returns home to find Victoria in his garage around the same time that he is given an undercover assignment as – more or less himself. He is going undercover as his cover for his covert secret job in the clandestine Office. He is going undercover as Specialist Security Advisor Jack Reardon from the International Security Office– loaned to the Melbourne police department’s newly minted Infinity Strike Force tracking a serial killer known as The Judge.
Jack and Ethan’s reunion is heartwarming. Every time these two are on the same page together sparks ignite, and their chemistry is palpable. And then there’s that damn Before and After plot device being used to create unnecessary tension and angst. I spent half the book with my face scrunched up worried that Jack really was a colossal dickhead; and the other half convincing myself that he could not possibly have done what was being suggested. As it was, Jack sabotaging their very new and fragile relationship by leaving Ethan at home waiting for him and deciding NOW is the time he must have a “friend” and that he’s going to go for drinks and dinner with his “friend” Adam – made me fantasize about The Judge removing one of his testicles with a rusty paring knife. The fact that Adam – the forensic psychologist on the Infinity strike force; was a former hook up of Jack’s who still obnoxiously had the hots for him – made me want that testicle in a jar to put on my mantle. In Jack’s very limited and generously offered defense; Ethan is having his moments of slinking off to destinations unknown, weird bruises, cold-hearted killer moods, silent distance and avoidance of sexy times.
As Jack tracks a serial killer, Ethan once again confronts his past. They stumble over having a real relationship, they both fuck up (someone fucks up MORE than the other, IMO) and they both confront their fears. Jack accepts his chest grenade for what it is, and Ethan confronts his trauma and strives to learn how to live. Ethan is heartbreakingly vulnerable, and Jack is sweetly protective (when he gets his shit together). There are kisses…on the mouth (Thank God) and blowjobs all around. Jack accepts Ethan and all his borne of trauma OCD quirks, and Ethan feels truly safe with Jack. (And I guess Jack feels truly safe with Ethan too because he decides Ethan really isn’t going to kill him)
So in summary:
Jack repeated “I am so sorry you had to deal with him, as a kid and now. Anything you need, just ask me, okay, baby?
Ethan: Despite the twisting guilt and flowing doubts, I had to laugh. “Baby”?
Grimacing, Jack muttered, “I was trying something. Clearly it didn’t work”.
Ethan: My laughter subsided into a smile as I closed the space between us. “Don’t sell yourself short. It may have worked more than you thought it did”.
Looking forward to the third and final book even though I know I’m going to get a migraine from more Before and After nonsense; and wishing there were like ten novellas between Why The Devil Stalks Death and the final book. I LOVE these guys!
dutchtreat's review against another edition
3.0
I still love the story and characters, but the now/then alternating chapter format was much more distracting in this book over the first. I think there weren't enough distinguishing clues for setting, or the transitions weren't stark enough to mentally cue the back and forth, at least for me.
I'm still diving into book 3 next!
I'm still diving into book 3 next!
nevclue's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. I never quite got the emotional through-line from the first book, through the novellas, to this. Didn't love the mystery, didn't think the time shifts worked as well as in the first.
marlobo's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
The story between Jack and Ethan is still exciting, and the plot of the case in this book is good, but as I have been saying in more than one review, is something that has me tired enough; and, in this series, is particularly disappointing.
Please, I'm not saying that the book isn't worth the read, at all; because it is. Even more, I intend to read the third book as soon as it is released.
Besides... Ping ??
Goddamnit! When??
The story between Jack and Ethan is still exciting, and the plot of the case in this book is good, but as I have been saying in more than one review,
Spoiler
resorting to the crazy villain to explain a casePlease, I'm not saying that the book isn't worth the read, at all; because it is. Even more, I intend to read the third book as soon as it is released.
Besides... Ping ??
Goddamnit! When??
jacqueleenthereadingqueen's review against another edition
5.0
I am riveted by the romantic suspense L.J. Hayward has entertained us with thus far. I devour every snippet of information and novella thrown my way. This installment gave me exactly what I was craving, more Ethan. Us as the reader and Jack have always been mostly in the dark about Ethan's past. That changes with this book. We learn how " the Ethan Blade " came to be. It's not a pretty story as I am sure you've guessed. My heart ached right along with Jack's with every gritty detail we learned. But I also fell in love with Ethan a little bit more. His sweet almost innocent blushes and wry sense of humor are still intact after everything he's gone through.
And if you were to leave me, I should remind you, I’m retired, not disabled
The last book had Ethan and Jack agreeing to move in together. The rest of the story stems from there. A lot goes on in this story in terms of suspense, the romantic angle, and of course steam. None of which I will go into because I think it would ruin the enjoyment of the story. It's best you go in blind with this one. There are quite a few surprises. I would rate this one a solid 5 star read and will eagerly await the conclusion of the series.
And if you were to leave me, I should remind you, I’m retired, not disabled
The last book had Ethan and Jack agreeing to move in together. The rest of the story stems from there. A lot goes on in this story in terms of suspense, the romantic angle, and of course steam. None of which I will go into because I think it would ruin the enjoyment of the story. It's best you go in blind with this one. There are quite a few surprises. I would rate this one a solid 5 star read and will eagerly await the conclusion of the series.
missawn's review against another edition
4.0
This is very quickly becoming one of my favorite series in this genre. Everything about it is so clever and so well done. The chemistry is good and the characters endearing. Like the first book in the series, this is book alternates between two different time frames in the story. It definitely adds to the excitement and intrigue -- and makes these books incredibly engaging and fast paced -- however, there were a few times when I lost track of where I was in the story and had to back track -- this did not happen very often, and I loved how the two treads converged at the end of the novel. Jake and Ethan are nicely complex characters -- nicely fleshed out and take a well-deserved place as one of the best pairings in this genre.
You know a book is good when you are sad when you have finished it -- and can't WAIT until the next book in the series is released ...
You know a book is good when you are sad when you have finished it -- and can't WAIT until the next book in the series is released ...
downtown_kb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
This was very good. Fast pace and had me agonizing and on my toes. I would have given this 5 stars but the flipping back and forth between the past and current timeline, with each chapter, drove me insane. Sure, it builds tension/suspense but I had such a hard time keeping track of what was going on. Especially with the over-arching plot. It would take a few pages to remember where we left off in the previous timeline. So frustrating!
I enjoyed learning more about Ethan and the way it all tied into the mystery. I liked seeing these two work through their issues even if it was messy and angsty.
I enjoyed learning more about Ethan and the way it all tied into the mystery. I liked seeing these two work through their issues even if it was messy and angsty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Torture
Minor: Grief
sarahjonewt's review against another edition
3.0
Barely 3 stars, tbh. This was mildly entertaining but that’s about it. The beginning started strong but the end flagged and became overly maudlin. The author relies way too much on exposition and there’s way too much “tell” rather than “show.” The dialogue is weak (and often jerked me from the story because most conversations don’t sound like that).
Besides the rough dialogue, my second biggest peeve is that the author builds “suspense” and mystery by having the POV character allude to a development that they already know but just refuse to relay to the reader. In other words, the plot isn’t unfolding in real time as the character makes discoveries. The “unknowns” are shown by the POV character making a vague declaration, demonstrating that he knows the answer but is just choosing not to reveal it. To me, that’s a cheap, lazy way to unfold the plot.
The one thing the author does consistently well, however, is write the character Ethan Blade. I think the only reason I’ve gotten though two novels (and the only reason I’ll read the third) is because he is such a compelling character.
Also, it go so sappy towards the end that I did sort of skim through the last very pages.
Anyway, despite my bashing, this is good novel to unwind to. I found that I didn’t need to pay a lot of attention, nor did I feel gutwrenched at the end. It’s a good “rebound” book.
Besides the rough dialogue, my second biggest peeve is that the author builds “suspense” and mystery by having the POV character allude to a development that they already know but just refuse to relay to the reader. In other words, the plot isn’t unfolding in real time as the character makes discoveries. The “unknowns” are shown by the POV character making a vague declaration, demonstrating that he knows the answer but is just choosing not to reveal it. To me, that’s a cheap, lazy way to unfold the plot.
The one thing the author does consistently well, however, is write the character Ethan Blade. I think the only reason I’ve gotten though two novels (and the only reason I’ll read the third) is because he is such a compelling character.
Also, it go so sappy towards the end that I did sort of skim through the last very pages.
Anyway, despite my bashing, this is good novel to unwind to. I found that I didn’t need to pay a lot of attention, nor did I feel gutwrenched at the end. It’s a good “rebound” book.
novacaine3's review against another edition
5.0
5* in condition of my feigning quinn’s inexistence. self-delusion is my saving grace while on the contrary, i live for the angst of the hard-earned, non to barely to fiercely functioning relationship. that’s the only way my heart and sanity can take it. i took a strong liking to nine and look how that turned out.
“Half right, Ja–“
“Half right, Ja–“