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amanda_p's review
4.0
Hooboy. This book. How to rate it?
The first 25% was...disappointing, honestly, because it felt a lot like this:
Just round and round and round with no forward momentum. And the usual LR commentary and humor was mostly missing in that portion of the book.
But.
Once 42 starts emerging from her shell a bit and a plot point finally emerges, it's pretty smooth sailing from there. LR's observational humor comes back full-force, including a little winking at us as we have to suffer enraged, TSTL over-grown Brat 42's constant drama llamaing and poor decision making:
“I’m not acting spoiled! I’m acting brave!”
“There’s nothing brave about shrieking at the man trying to keep you safe from yourself.”
Mistaking loud shrieking and poor decisions for bravery is such a common pitfall in all of the romance genres. UGH. It's such a cheap substitute.
Anywho, I have a lot of this text highlighted for anyone curious about the gems LR dropped in this installment of the Possessive Aliens series. There are so many just ripe for discussion, including what true freedom is and how most humans do not truly want it. We think we do, but we really don't. Most want just enough freedom to be comfortable to live their lives without having to think too hard or work constantly or take responsibility for their 100% keeping.
In order to not be lost about plot and characters, definitely read the first installment in this series, Mine. Otherwise, you might not enjoy this one as much. In the end I really liked this one, especially the final third of the book when things take a more philosophical bent. However, I miss the Tarkan/Reaper bickering and antics that were so enjoyable in Mine, which may be partially responsible for the less shiny quality of this book. I really liked the first story more.And LR never does explain what's up with 42's knee-jerk hatred and violence towards One. I would have liked to see them come to a place of mutual tolerance, at least. Poor One put herself out there and tried at least; 42 just...ugh. Did not. And was a snarly nasty beast about it.
This story got lost in the woods for a time while establishing just how patient and sympathetic Tarkan can actually be, but it does find itself in the end with a set up for the next installment.
The first 25% was...disappointing, honestly, because it felt a lot like this:
Just round and round and round with no forward momentum. And the usual LR commentary and humor was mostly missing in that portion of the book.
But.
Once 42 starts emerging from her shell a bit and a plot point finally emerges, it's pretty smooth sailing from there. LR's observational humor comes back full-force, including a little winking at us as we have to suffer enraged, TSTL over-grown Brat 42's constant drama llamaing and poor decision making:
“I’m not acting spoiled! I’m acting brave!”
“There’s nothing brave about shrieking at the man trying to keep you safe from yourself.”
Mistaking loud shrieking and poor decisions for bravery is such a common pitfall in all of the romance genres. UGH. It's such a cheap substitute.
Anywho, I have a lot of this text highlighted for anyone curious about the gems LR dropped in this installment of the Possessive Aliens series. There are so many just ripe for discussion, including what true freedom is and how most humans do not truly want it. We think we do, but we really don't. Most want just enough freedom to be comfortable to live their lives without having to think too hard or work constantly or take responsibility for their 100% keeping.
In order to not be lost about plot and characters, definitely read the first installment in this series, Mine. Otherwise, you might not enjoy this one as much. In the end I really liked this one, especially the final third of the book when things take a more philosophical bent. However, I miss the Tarkan/Reaper bickering and antics that were so enjoyable in Mine, which may be partially responsible for the less shiny quality of this book. I really liked the first story more.
This story got lost in the woods for a time while establishing just how patient and sympathetic Tarkan can actually be, but it does find itself in the end with a set up for the next installment.
mousegoddess's review
3.0
I find myself uncertain how to rate this. The world building was interesting but the TSTL was a bit too much for me even as it seemed the author hates TSTL as much as I do