paradoxically's review
2.0
Overall, disappointing.
At first I was pretty excited. I'm a sucker for shifters and secret backgrounds and a special main character. Add in a great love interest and I'm alllll ears. That said, the more I read The Genesis of Evangeline the less interested I became and the more I noticed the flaws. This book was slow, god it was slow. I'm all for slow builds, but this just never seemed to ramp up my attention beyond a middling interest. It really did feel like an extended introduction to Seaton Falls and to Evie.
Then there's the first person POV shift between Evie and Nick and I HATE that, ugh. I can't say Nick's portions were meaningless, because you do get information and plot through them, but I have never been fond of switching POVs, especially when they're first person POVs. Then there's the author's propensity for telling instead of showing. I kept getting told Evie's or Nick's emotions and I was never really convinced about their budding interest in one another, among other things. It was weirdly flat even with the writing being otherwise all right.
It was a bit sad I wasn't sold on either romance (or... beginnings of romance) between Evie and Nick or Evie and Liam. Nick and Evie spend more time thinking how hot the other is and less time actually talking about things and being open with one another. Liam is the guy in Evie's head who you'd think I'd be all over (being hot, strong, I'll-protect-you-with-my-life), except again, weirdly flat. Just no real interest in either of the two characters.
The background story is a bit... eh... I try really hard to believe it. I'm still not sure what makes Evie special, other than. Then you get that Seaton Falls has a huge shifter (mostly lycan) population but is controlled by the Council, who in turn is supposed to be beholden to the Sovereign, except undercurrents of rebellion and the like. Except the Council is also filled with a bunch of jerks. Stereotypical robe wearing, old smug men villain types. Meh.
I just didn't like it so much. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good either. It doesn't help that the characterizations seemed weak, and when I read a book like this I'm all about characterizations. I can at least hand wave the world building, but let me believe in the characters. Or even let me like them better--Evie, Nick, and Liam I can tolerate (I wanted to love them so bad though), but Roz? She definitely gives off annoying sidekick vibes. The rest of everyone else? They're not one of the main three, so they're kicked off to the wayside. 2 stars.
At first I was pretty excited. I'm a sucker for shifters and secret backgrounds and a special main character. Add in a great love interest and I'm alllll ears. That said, the more I read The Genesis of Evangeline the less interested I became and the more I noticed the flaws. This book was slow, god it was slow. I'm all for slow builds, but this just never seemed to ramp up my attention beyond a middling interest. It really did feel like an extended introduction to Seaton Falls and to Evie.
Then there's the first person POV shift between Evie and Nick and I HATE that, ugh. I can't say Nick's portions were meaningless, because you do get information and plot through them, but I have never been fond of switching POVs, especially when they're first person POVs. Then there's the author's propensity for telling instead of showing. I kept getting told Evie's or Nick's emotions and I was never really convinced about their budding interest in one another, among other things. It was weirdly flat even with the writing being otherwise all right.
It was a bit sad I wasn't sold on either romance (or... beginnings of romance) between Evie and Nick or Evie and Liam. Nick and Evie spend more time thinking how hot the other is and less time actually talking about things and being open with one another. Liam is the guy in Evie's head who you'd think I'd be all over (being hot, strong, I'll-protect-you-with-my-life), except again, weirdly flat. Just no real interest in either of the two characters.
The background story is a bit... eh... I try really hard to believe it. I'm still not sure what makes Evie special, other than
Spoiler
she's the only female born of two Original shifters. So. What's great about being female versus her brothers... also... why...I just didn't like it so much. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good either. It doesn't help that the characterizations seemed weak, and when I read a book like this I'm all about characterizations. I can at least hand wave the world building, but let me believe in the characters. Or even let me like them better--Evie, Nick, and Liam I can tolerate (I wanted to love them so bad though), but Roz? She definitely gives off annoying sidekick vibes. The rest of everyone else? They're not one of the main three, so they're kicked off to the wayside. 2 stars.
mrose21's review
2.0
OK, so we have instant love, a love triangle and a super duper female lead...
I've read worse. This won't be the worst book for me in 2020 but this wasn't that enjoyable in the end.
Evie is OK. I thought she had potential.
I don't know about Liam - something isn't right there
Nick I'm also on the fence about.
I just don't think there is enough interest for me to continue this series.
I've read worse. This won't be the worst book for me in 2020 but this wasn't that enjoyable in the end.
Evie is OK. I thought she had potential.
I don't know about Liam - something isn't right there
Nick I'm also on the fence about.
I just don't think there is enough interest for me to continue this series.
illustriousbooknerds's review
I just gotta say this.... WHO IN THE WORLD MAKES A DRAGON SHIFTER BOOK AND DOESN’T HAVE ANYONE SHIFT INTO AN ACTUAL DRAGON!?!?!?!?!
Look at this! This is when she first sees a shifted ‘dragon’
“There was no other word to describe him. Fire moved over every inch of his skin just like it did mine. In his flames, the silhouetted outline of his majestic dragon was subtly visible almost as though his human form was contained within it. He once said our shifted forms were truer than our fleshly forms. I could see that clearly now. His eyes burned completely white and I imagined he could have said the same of mine. Beneath the almost blinding light covering him, his tattoos shone through, their ink like lava-laden images stamped on his skin.”
Look at this! This is when she first sees a shifted ‘dragon’
“There was no other word to describe him. Fire moved over every inch of his skin just like it did mine. In his flames, the silhouetted outline of his majestic dragon was subtly visible almost as though his human form was contained within it. He once said our shifted forms were truer than our fleshly forms. I could see that clearly now. His eyes burned completely white and I imagined he could have said the same of mine. Beneath the almost blinding light covering him, his tattoos shone through, their ink like lava-laden images stamped on his skin.”
nikkim17's review
4.0
Very, very good!
This story took hold on me fairly quickly and I'm going to get part 2 after I finish writing this review. The story still has an ending but also a cliffhanger, but not one so large that it feels like you were left hanging in the middle of a sentence. The reason for four stars for me is although I loved the story, there were some action and important detailed scenes that I had to reread because I felt it wasn't descriptive enough or I wouldn't catch what happened because of how it was worded. But other than that, (which is probably just me not catching on quicker) lol it wasn't a deal breaker and I'm continuing the series now!
This story took hold on me fairly quickly and I'm going to get part 2 after I finish writing this review. The story still has an ending but also a cliffhanger, but not one so large that it feels like you were left hanging in the middle of a sentence. The reason for four stars for me is although I loved the story, there were some action and important detailed scenes that I had to reread because I felt it wasn't descriptive enough or I wouldn't catch what happened because of how it was worded. But other than that, (which is probably just me not catching on quicker) lol it wasn't a deal breaker and I'm continuing the series now!
itslaurakatarina's review
4.0
WOW. I don't even know where to start with this book. I couldn't stop turning the pages. The characters are extremely likeable and relatable that it made for addicting reading. The setting was carried out perfectly and I found myself actually visualising their world. The ending had be absolutely hooked and I've purchased and currently reading the next book in the series.
Now, you might be asking, why only 4 stars if I liked it so much? Well, there were a few basic grammar mistakes that kind of irked me since they could have been fixed in the proofreading process. Also, the blurb gave way too much away. When the climax of the story happened I thought "I already knew that" so quite a bit of suspense and surprise was taken away from reading the blurb.
All that aside. I adore this book and I can't wait to devour the second. Well done.
Now, you might be asking, why only 4 stars if I liked it so much? Well, there were a few basic grammar mistakes that kind of irked me since they could have been fixed in the proofreading process. Also, the blurb gave way too much away. When the climax of the story happened I thought "I already knew that" so quite a bit of suspense and surprise was taken away from reading the blurb.
All that aside. I adore this book and I can't wait to devour the second. Well done.
the_novel_reader's review
5.0
This book simply blew me away. I was completely sucked in right off the bat. This story has a little bit of everything: mystery, intrigue, fantasy and supernatural themes. I loved the characters. They are well developed yet relatable and I see a little bit of myself in each of the characters. This story flowed exceptionally smooth with no hiccups or bumps. I am loving the evolution of Evie, and how she is becoming more comfortable in her own skin. Ms. Jonas’ writing is beautiful and well thought out. This book does end in a cliffhanger and I know I was very eager to read the next book! This series will be a must reread series. I can not say enough kind words about this book. Don’t miss this series, it is truly a MUST READ!
shelovestoread81's review
5.0
This is such a great book. So much happened and it was a great length. I loved the whole thing. It was good and I will probably grab the next one too.
tina27596's review
4.0
Loved!
This is my first Rachel Jonas book and I loved it! Looking forward to seeing how Eve learns her powers and grows into who she is meant to be. Right now my heart hurts for Nick but I hold out hope that all will end well.
This is my first Rachel Jonas book and I loved it! Looking forward to seeing how Eve learns her powers and grows into who she is meant to be. Right now my heart hurts for Nick but I hold out hope that all will end well.
steelheartsavior's review
3.0
2.5-3 Stars.
My friend loved this book. I did... not. That has a lot less to do with the MC or the plot and a lot more to do with our male love interests.
Pros:
Fast read
Interesting
Shifters (my thing at the moment)
Cons:
Bad love triangle
NICK
The writing is not super great
Insta-love
My friend loved this book. I did... not. That has a lot less to do with the MC or the plot and a lot more to do with our male love interests.
Pros:
Fast read
Interesting
Shifters (my thing at the moment)
Cons:
Bad love triangle
NICK
The writing is not super great
Insta-love