hazyclear's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
unapologetic_romantic's review against another edition
4.0
The Barrier Between starts off pretty much where City in Embers finishes, give or take a few minutes.
After a barely there escape at the end of book one, book two is quick to spring into action. Zoey and Ryker find themselves miles away, in a different country in fact, from the groups gunning for them. Zoey and Ryker, and not forgetting Spring, can now focus on the task at hand, getting Ryker's powers back, but to do that, they'll need help, but more on that later.
The first half of this book is where Zoey and Ryker's relationship finally gets where we've all been dying for it to go. Together and (relatively) safe, they hole up in a little flat in sunny South America where the temperature isn't the only thing getting hot and humid. After many pages of awkward moments and Zoey's stomach being invaded by giant birds of prey, the two of them finally wizened up and jumped each other's bones.
I'm not going to say that I wasnt ridiculously happy that those two bone-heads finally stopped denying what we all wanted, but with all that happiness, something has to go wrong right? I mean, come on, we're only half way through the book!
According the Ryker, to get his powers backs, they'll need the help of a powerful Shaman, and not just any ol' shaman. To find the guy they need they start scouring the surrounding area for any fae that might have a clue as to his whereabouts; in strides Croygen - pirate/fae extraordinaire. With Croygen's help, Ryker and Zoey are lead to another fae, who can help them find their shaman. As I said earlier, something had to go wrong.
The fae that can lead them to the man they need, just happened to be Ryker's girlfriend (faefriend?) Amara - queue furious emotions towards Ms Brown for ripping apart my happiness!
With everything falling apart and her happy world splintering, Zoey's just not having a good week, and like with the first book, Zoey manages to ONCE AGAIN end up in the clutches of the SAME GROUP that kidnapped her and forced her into street fighting; the Avenging Angle makes another come back. Beaten, threatened and held hostage, Zoey's week just hit an all time low, thankfully it doesn't last for long. Just as the vicious group of fae after Ryker track down Zoey, she slips out of their clutches and back into the anxious, awkward, tension filled flat that's now home to five different fae (including Zoey) because while escaping the evil fae overlords, Ryker's powers shifted and became Zoey's powers, the thing that NONE OF THEM EVER WANTED TO HAPPEN.
Obviously for Ms Brown, enough to shit what's my already making its way to the fan, she needs to throw a whole bunch more. The groups of evil fae overlord, the vicious murderers coming after Ryker have made there way to the little village that the Duo, I mean Trio, or Quartet? Are staying and well, let's just say that my happiness level plummeted every further.
That being said, this is a must read! Anyway who loves badass fae, toe-curling romance and just really good story writing, DONT SKIP THIS BOOK!
After a barely there escape at the end of book one, book two is quick to spring into action. Zoey and Ryker find themselves miles away, in a different country in fact, from the groups gunning for them. Zoey and Ryker, and not forgetting Spring, can now focus on the task at hand, getting Ryker's powers back, but to do that, they'll need help, but more on that later.
The first half of this book is where Zoey and Ryker's relationship finally gets where we've all been dying for it to go. Together and (relatively) safe, they hole up in a little flat in sunny South America where the temperature isn't the only thing getting hot and humid. After many pages of awkward moments and Zoey's stomach being invaded by giant birds of prey, the two of them finally wizened up and jumped each other's bones.
I'm not going to say that I wasnt ridiculously happy that those two bone-heads finally stopped denying what we all wanted, but with all that happiness, something has to go wrong right? I mean, come on, we're only half way through the book!
According the Ryker, to get his powers backs, they'll need the help of a powerful Shaman, and not just any ol' shaman. To find the guy they need they start scouring the surrounding area for any fae that might have a clue as to his whereabouts; in strides Croygen - pirate/fae extraordinaire. With Croygen's help, Ryker and Zoey are lead to another fae, who can help them find their shaman. As I said earlier, something had to go wrong.
The fae that can lead them to the man they need, just happened to be Ryker's girlfriend (faefriend?) Amara - queue furious emotions towards Ms Brown for ripping apart my happiness!
With everything falling apart and her happy world splintering, Zoey's just not having a good week, and like with the first book, Zoey manages to ONCE AGAIN end up in the clutches of the SAME GROUP that kidnapped her and forced her into street fighting; the Avenging Angle makes another come back. Beaten, threatened and held hostage, Zoey's week just hit an all time low, thankfully it doesn't last for long. Just as the vicious group of fae after Ryker track down Zoey, she slips out of their clutches and back into the anxious, awkward, tension filled flat that's now home to five different fae (including Zoey) because while escaping the evil fae overlords, Ryker's powers shifted and became Zoey's powers, the thing that NONE OF THEM EVER WANTED TO HAPPEN.
Obviously for Ms Brown, enough to shit what's my already making its way to the fan, she needs to throw a whole bunch more. The groups of evil fae overlord, the vicious murderers coming after Ryker have made there way to the little village that the Duo, I mean Trio, or Quartet? Are staying and well, let's just say that my happiness level plummeted every further.
That being said, this is a must read! Anyway who loves badass fae, toe-curling romance and just really good story writing, DONT SKIP THIS BOOK!
lucypkeen's review against another edition
5.0
This book had so much slow burn, frustrating enemies to lovers tension. It was great. Love Ryker, Love Croygen, Love Sprig. Was so happy to have the change of local to Peru! How fun! As much as I have loved the rainy/grey locations (I live in the PNW) it was a nice change of mental scenery. Also, really enjoyed the awkwardness of Amara, Ryker, Zoey, Croygen AND Sprig in one room. Also, there was definitely some HEAT! "What are you doing?" "Ruthlessly going after what I want." OOF. Who doesn't love a Viking with an axe?
raven168's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one quite a bit more than the first. I think because it was just so much fun to read about Ryker and Zoey while they were hiding out in Peru and fighting their attraction for the other as opposed to them just fighting each other and constantly on the run. Plus seeing them act as "parents" toward Sprig was always a good time. They fight all the time but they truly are an entertaining, and pretty great, couple. We meet a couple new fae types this time around too and meet some new characters who will no doubt be important.
Also, Ryker is just fucking hot. I always picture him looking like Ragnar, just younger...
'cause Ragnar is hot in his own way, but Ryker just has to be hotter.
Picking up right where we end with the last book, Ryker and Zoey appear in a bar in South America and freak the hell out of the owner. For quite a while, not much actually happens. Even so, I still enjoyed it because the wall between the two of them is crumbling and it's only a matter of time before they come together. About time too. They actually end up being able to carve out a sort of happy bubble together while they're there. They even make some local friends. But of course, their peace can't last forever. While looking for information on how to contact the one person Ryker thinks can help him get his powers back, they end up in contact with a guy Ryker has known for quite a while. They don't get along very well at all but Croygen owes Ryker a life debt and it won't be repaid until it decides so. But Croygen shows up claiming to be able to help them find the shaman so they go along with him. Unfortunately, who he takes them to instead causes nothing but trouble. When Amara shows back up claiming that Croygen helped her escape I was super suspicious. Needless to say, Zoey and Amara do not get along. Between these four people, the tension is almost always palpable. Ryker has changed though and surprises Zoey one day with taking her somewhere she always wanted to go. On the way back they're attacked and in a moment of panic, Zoey jumps...back to Seattle. And this was a part I didn't really care for because it brought back the the whole Avenging Angel crap again. But it's because of that that Vadik is eventually able to track down Ryker. We end with betrayals and a whole lot fighting. But they're just too overpowered and Ryker and Zoey are forced to be separated. With only a crushing promise made to bind them now.
Also, Ryker is just fucking hot. I always picture him looking like Ragnar, just younger...
'cause Ragnar is hot in his own way, but Ryker just has to be hotter.
Picking up right where we end with the last book, Ryker and Zoey appear in a bar in South America and freak the hell out of the owner. For quite a while, not much actually happens. Even so, I still enjoyed it because the wall between the two of them is crumbling and it's only a matter of time before they come together. About time too. They actually end up being able to carve out a sort of happy bubble together while they're there. They even make some local friends. But of course, their peace can't last forever. While looking for information on how to contact the one person Ryker thinks can help him get his powers back, they end up in contact with a guy Ryker has known for quite a while. They don't get along very well at all but Croygen owes Ryker a life debt and it won't be repaid until it decides so. But Croygen shows up claiming to be able to help them find the shaman so they go along with him. Unfortunately, who he takes them to instead causes nothing but trouble. When Amara shows back up claiming that Croygen helped her escape I was super suspicious.
Spoiler
Turns out I was right to be, just wrong on what her role truly was. I thought she was teamed up with Croygen to get the stone, but never thought she actually would be working for Vadik. And for such a long time too! That was some deep betrayal there.ashlee_bookworm78's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
books_and_chocolat3's review
5.0
I used to have a life .. a baby, a house, a job .. but this book got me so hooked that I couldn't think of anything else...
The romance between Zoey and Ryker is finally developing .. they go on an adventure and we go with them .. it's funny and sexy, it's addicting .. the characters are brilliant, the writing absolutely addictive... Hell .. That was amazing
whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition
4.0
4 The Barrier Between Stars
Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.
I liked this book too, and I totally fist bumped the air when somethings happened.
I can’t help it!!! I love, love.
Although I did fine some parts of the story to be a little slow. I was still pretty impressed with how much my attention was caught and held by this book.
I am invested now I need to know what is going to happen. Though I will say I want to shake Zoey sometimes I can’t really blame her.
It’s the ex that bothers me and how Ryker never really questions her like WTF man. Something is sketchy about that.
I love Sprig! His honey addiction and narcolepsy crack me up something funny and how Ryker and Zoey treat him like their child.
Again loving the narration like I said before. She doesn’t try to be all the characters and the ones she does she brings to life.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.
I liked this book too, and I totally fist bumped the air when somethings happened.
I can’t help it!!! I love, love.
Although I did fine some parts of the story to be a little slow. I was still pretty impressed with how much my attention was caught and held by this book.
I am invested now I need to know what is going to happen. Though I will say I want to shake Zoey sometimes I can’t really blame her.
It’s the ex that bothers me and how Ryker never really questions her like WTF man. Something is sketchy about that.
I love Sprig! His honey addiction and narcolepsy crack me up something funny and how Ryker and Zoey treat him like their child.
Again loving the narration like I said before. She doesn’t try to be all the characters and the ones she does she brings to life.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
littlelucyc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
3.25