shirazy's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
itscass's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readingsloth33's review against another edition
3.0
I’m still loving the characters, but I feel like some of the plot points could use simpler explanations. Also this book had more spice than the others.
bunnerz's review against another edition
4.0
Ratings - completed series:
#1 Gypsy Blood: ★★★★☆
#2 Gypsy Freak: ★★★★☆
#3 Gypsy Origins (this book): ★★★★☆
#4 Gypsy Moon: ★★★★☆
#5 Gypsy Rising: ★★★★☆
#6 Gypsy Truths: ★★★★☆
#1 Gypsy Blood: ★★★★☆
#2 Gypsy Freak: ★★★★☆
#3 Gypsy Origins (this book): ★★★★☆
#4 Gypsy Moon: ★★★★☆
#5 Gypsy Rising: ★★★★☆
#6 Gypsy Truths: ★★★★☆
emilygently's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ninabereading's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Finally this series seems to be having a better ratio of spice to plot. I am enjoying all the monsters especially the Monstar Quad. I love that they each have their very own specific personalities, and although at any point in time there may be one who is more affectionate or "nice" none of them are the typical golden retriever type you often see in why choose books. I am glad to finally be starting the last book and I hope there is closure to all of these secrets.
clumsycrane's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 - 4 stars. I enjoyed most of this book but I felt like there was a part of it that was unnecessarily convoluted and confusing. I'm still on to book 4.
bobsvoid's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not the leading role.
I'm just a side character in the longest running tale that nobody wants to talk about.
All I can say is holy shit. Things are getting much better which means the drama is unfolding more. The pattern for these books are that we only get pieces of the puzzle, but never the full thing. Gypsy Origins is exactly self explanatory. We're told how the monsters came to be, but it only brings up more questions.
Things are getting complicated for everyone. They all want answers, but no one wants to fully explain themselves. The dark past of the monsters are making Violet's life more difficult. Her attraction to them was one thing, but it seems to be growing into more. It doesn't help that she's beginning to feel more like she's coming into the middle of their story and she doesn't fit.
Violet and the alphas are growing closer while the secrets between them fester. It makes it hard for you to completely take sides because sometimes everyones reasonings make sense. Violet is softer than all of the characters, but she isn't weak. She handles the mischievousness of Damien; can stand the aggressiveness of Emit; notice the subtleness of Vance, and in a way rationalize the psychotic tendencies of Arion. They're all charming and endearing at times and it further muddles her mind more, but she can't stop being around them.
"We find a way to pick up the pieces of our mistakes, no matter how cold, cruel, and sad they may be, and we patch ourselves together with them like a story quilt."
Life in Shadow Hills isn't going according to plan for Violet. The death of her mother set her up with one goal in mind, but it seems like that has to take the back burner to do what she's really meant for. Every time she thinks she's adjusting more things happen to change her mind. The monsters that want in her pants constantly don't make it easier. But the things she shouldn't want appeal to her regardless. Putting a pin in her emotions is the only way she's moving on.
The foundation for the four alpha monsters to share Violet isn't going the way Arion had hoped for. He started out at the front, but seems to find himself barely keeping up. The gypsy is making things difficult for him and he can't figure out why. It's not helping that the other three are leaving him out and with holding secrets.
Vance, Emit, and Damien are on the same page about one thing: they all truly want Violet. As secrets slowly unravel they begin agreeing on more. The need to keep her secret safe and figure out a way to protect her from their crazy ex while also not upsetting the vampire alpha. Life only gets messier when they realize what Violet's true purpose is. Forbidden fruit is always the tastiest and no one knows it more than them.
Those who have all the information don't always know which parts are confusing to those of us who don't.
With them, it's always like collecting a trail of breadcrumbs, leaving me only to guess where they all lead. I hope I don't get baked in some crazy bitch's oven when I finally find the trail.