styxx's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
kenzlei's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
After Dark
3 Stars
Welcome to Harmony - a world colonized by humans centuries ago and then suddenly cut off from Earth leaving its inhabitants to fend for themselves. Set against the backdrop of a lost ancient civilization, Lydia Smith is a parapsychologist working in an off the grid museum following a traumatic incident in an alien tomb. Unfortunately, Lydia's plans to work as a freelancer go awry when she and her potential new client, the enigmatic Emmett London, stumble upon a corpse in a sarcophagus.
While this is the first book set on Harmony, it is the third that I've read. The first two as part of Krentz's Arcane series, and as such, the setting and world-building were more or less familiar.
Despite the originality of the concept (humans colonizing a planet that was once inhabited by a mysterious alien race), the romantic suspense plot could have been set anywhere. The murder mystery is pretty straightforward and very similar in nature to most of Krentz's books.
Likewise, the romance is reminiscent of Krentz's works both historical and contemporary. Both Lydia and Emmett are likable and engaging as individuals and as a couple. They have good chemistry and the next book in the series continues their story, so readers will be able to see them take their relationship to the next level.
Overall, readers who enjoy Jayne Ann Krentz's writing will enjoy this as well.
3 Stars
Welcome to Harmony - a world colonized by humans centuries ago and then suddenly cut off from Earth leaving its inhabitants to fend for themselves. Set against the backdrop of a lost ancient civilization, Lydia Smith is a parapsychologist working in an off the grid museum following a traumatic incident in an alien tomb. Unfortunately, Lydia's plans to work as a freelancer go awry when she and her potential new client, the enigmatic Emmett London, stumble upon a corpse in a sarcophagus.
While this is the first book set on Harmony, it is the third that I've read. The first two as part of Krentz's Arcane series, and as such, the setting and world-building were more or less familiar.
Despite the originality of the concept (humans colonizing a planet that was once inhabited by a mysterious alien race), the romantic suspense plot could have been set anywhere. The murder mystery is pretty straightforward and very similar in nature to most of Krentz's books.
Likewise, the romance is reminiscent of Krentz's works both historical and contemporary. Both Lydia and Emmett are likable and engaging as individuals and as a couple. They have good chemistry and the next book in the series continues their story, so readers will be able to see them take their relationship to the next level.
Overall, readers who enjoy Jayne Ann Krentz's writing will enjoy this as well.
nakedsushi's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting world building, but I would have liked more details about the alien ruins.
llkendrick's review against another edition
3.0
I did not like the world this author created, it's too confusing and weird, but I really liked the characters and storyline so I'll read the next book in the series for that reason.
caseymac's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Confinement, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Gaslighting, Child death, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Trafficking, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Body horror
berls's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
littlesydneylouwho's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
peacefulbookwyrm's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
This wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. The writing was fine, and this was entertaining, but the characters, setting, and plot weren't very well-developed. I suppose that this might get better in future volumes, as many series do. Although I was amused by this book (sometimes probably not at at the things that the author meant me to be amused by, like her obvious channeling of her experiences as a PhD student in making the main character's former PI (primary investigator) the horrible ex-boyfriend, demonstrated by how he would always make himself first author or research publications), it wasn't as exciting as it seems like a book that starts with a dead body and involves pulpy magic, should be.
Although I can usually do without the romance in these types of books, for a book classified as paranormal romance, the characters didn't seem like they had much chemistry, which could've merely been due to the lack of character depth. Most romance novels, at least the ones about "the chase" require a reason for the protagonists not to get together right away, to develop the tension that is eventually relieved in the happily-ever-after. I had trouble suspending my disbelief about the reasons the characters didn't just get together right away.
This wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. The writing was fine, and this was entertaining, but the characters, setting, and plot weren't very well-developed. I suppose that this might get better in future volumes, as many series do. Although I was amused by this book (sometimes probably not at at the things that the author meant me to be amused by, like her obvious channeling of her experiences as a PhD student in making the main character's former PI (primary investigator) the horrible ex-boyfriend, demonstrated by how he would always make himself first author or research publications), it wasn't as exciting as it seems like a book that starts with a dead body and involves pulpy magic, should be.
Although I can usually do without the romance in these types of books, for a book classified as paranormal romance, the characters didn't seem like they had much chemistry, which could've merely been due to the lack of character depth. Most romance novels, at least the ones about "the chase" require a reason for the protagonists not to get together right away, to develop the tension that is eventually relieved in the happily-ever-after. I had trouble suspending my disbelief about the reasons the characters didn't just get together right away.