Reviews

Wanted: Undead or Alive by Kerrelyn Sparks

lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This and other reviews can be found on my blog : (un)Conventional Bookviews

First of all, I, who often don't even notice covers, have to just mention this cover. That guy on the cover just can't be Dr. Phang! Dr. Phang is black - that guy over there is definitely not black. I don't understand why someone else is on the cover of Phang's book. There, now that's off my chest.

rbradley923's review

Go to review page

adventurous funny fast-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

dragon_lion64's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Book #12
I wasn’t too enthusiastic when I started reading this book and found out it was about Phineas. I like Phineas and all but I just thought he was superficial with all of his “Love Doctor” and “Dr. Fang” lingo. I just didn’t think he was the leading man type of character but I got over it once I found out all of that “Love Doctor” stuff was just to amuse people and he knew it was cheesy. Phineas ended up being deep and sincere leading man.

Phineas McKinney is a young vampire recently transformed by some evil vampires (Malcontents) who thought he would be a great addition to their cause but he was not evil and could not murder humans like they did. He was saved by the good vampires (Vamps) and started working for them to fight against the evil Malcontents. He is the sole provider for his two siblings and his aunt since his mother passed away. His father left years before his mother died. Now that he works for the Vamps, he is able to afford sending his brother to college. His life is pretty good but he misses blue skies and the sun.

Brynley is a 30 year old wolf shifter or werewolf. Her father is the Supreme Pack Master of Wyoming and he rules with an iron fist. When he orders Brynley to marry a shifter from Alaska, Brynley runs away to live with her brother who was banished from the pack many years ago for not bowing down to their father’s orders. Her brother, Phil, has made a new life for himself guarding the Vamps during the day and fighting against Malcontents. He is even married to a Vamp. Brynley hates vampires and blames them for keeping her brother away from her even though the Vamps have taken her in and given her a teaching job at their secret school for specially gifted children.

Now, Phineas and Brynley have to work together in order to find Corky Courrant, the vicious reporter turned Malcontent. She is reported to be in Wyoming so Phineas is sent there to investigate. He needs a daytime guard to watch over him while he sleeps and someone who knows the territory so Brynley is asked to be his guard and guide. He’s worried because he has met her a few times and she has let him know that she can’t stand him. Secretly, they both are attracted to each other. Working together will be a huge challenge for each of them. Brynley has to make sure her father doesn’t find out she is in Wyoming because he will have his minions capture her and this time she will never get away.

As always, Kerrelyn Sparks includes a lot of humor in this book which is why I enjoy this series so much. Even though the books have become more complicated and serious, there is still room for humor; otherwise, it would be too dark and gloomy like some of the other paranormal romance series. The humor is what sets this series apart from the others.

There was a new threat introduced besides Corky Courrant. Rhett Bleddyn is the Supreme Pack Master of Alaska and the man Brynley was supposed to marry before she ran away. He is power hungry and greedy. He’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. There was a part when Howard, one of the main characters who is a Kodiak bear shifter, hears Rhett Bleddyn’s name and says something like he thought he had already killed him…so there is a story there that was not elaborated on so I’m sure we will be hearing more about that.

The story and plot were great. The romance was okay except I thought both Phineas and Brynley acted really immature with each other…Brynley more than Phineas but it still felt a little middle schoolish to me.

One more thing that I have to complain about…I’m not sure if anyone else noticed but the author used the word ‘winced’ way too much. She used the word ‘winced’ 55 times. I’m sure there are other word and other ways to express ‘winced’ or maybe there is just too many people ‘wincing’ in this book. I’ve noticed it in the previous books too but I was getting irritated with it in this book.
The next book, Wild About You, is about Howard. I’ve already started reading it.

Book Cover Design – Who the heck is the white dude on the front cover? Phineas is black. Was there a shortage of black models? I really hate when the cover models don’t match the characters in the story. It makes me think that the graphic designer did a poor job of investigating what the story was about. If the model would have been the right color, the cover would have been a hit with me. The western theme is appropriate and the fiery background along with the foreground that looks like dust that has been kicked up from a rodeo works really well together. The color of the typography is okay but the ‘or’ in ‘Undead or Alive is ugly. I think this author should be asking the publisher to work a little harder on her book covers.

www.paranormalromanceslut.com

ecahilly's review

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.25

alejandranataly's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

4.0

whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This baby has been on my TBR shelf since 2012! I have read books 1-11 and I guess I needed a break.
I am so glad I picked this baby back up even though it has been years. It was like coming home to a friend. I remember how much I loved this series!
What have I been thinking all this time letting him get dusty on my book shelf like that? I am terribly sorry Phineas!

Hello Ladies! I freaking love the Love Doctor! Ha Ha
I was looking forward to reading this book when I first bought it. So it’s no surprised I liked it even all this time later.
Getting to see Phineas come in to his own you see that he has grown up since his turning.
And his brother is soooooo like him. I am looking forward to watching him grow as a character as well.

Bryn, the werewolf princess.. I never would have thought of her as that, if I hadn’t known she was the daughter of a powerful alpha because she never once acted like she was better than anyone else.

Seeing these two come together was awesome I loved that she fought it so hard. But in the end don’t we all fall for Dr. Phang ha!
Sigh I won’t let years pass before pick up the next book that is for dang sure.

mokey81's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I don't know what to think. Throughout the series, Pheneas (Dr. Phang) has always been annoying and immature. And suddenly, in his book he's intelligent and normal and romantic. I don't know, I didn't buy it.

The 1st sex scene came a LOT later than it has in any of the other books.

I don't know...I generally liked the overarching story of the Love at Stake series, but it seems to be petering out. Perhaps Sparks should have quit while she's ahead.

craftingrama's review

Go to review page

4.0

It was far from perfect but it was so damn funny towards the end that I almost got myself in trouble with my neighbors. The character voices were pretty bad but I've heard worse at least I was able to understand what they were saying if barely at times. The music coulda been ditched I have to admit the humor is what got it the most points cause it was that good

helenkat's review

Go to review page

4.0

4.5 stars

renpuspita's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Phinneas aka Dr Phang aka Love Doctor story..
I hope his story still funny but not suck like Gregori's.

BTW see the stepback



.
.
.

Thanks God! His heroine is Brynley Jones (Phil Jones's twin sister at [b:Forbidden Nights with a Vampire|5577077|Forbidden Nights with a Vampire (Love at Stake, #7)|Kerrelyn Sparks|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1236389111s/5577077.jpg|5748279]) not La Toya.