Wednesday, October 28, 2009

HBIC Editor Review - Parajunkee


H B I C R E V I E W  - by Parajunkee

Because of the intensity of Intertwined, these reviews tend to be long winded - *cough cough* not naming any names. So, I've chopped my review up a bit - took out the replay - and just have my thoughts on the story.  Figure you don't need my version of the events.  You can read my review in it's entirety, synopsis and all, on my personal blog site. 

Intertwined, aptly named, because it was choked full of twist, turns and everything that could possibly happen to 1, 2, 10 main characters. Ms. Showalter throws everything at you, and while it might get confusing at times, I was able to follow it very easily. The book is a testament to Showalter’s skill as a writer, for she kept everything moving, the tone of the book was consistent and the writing was spot on and flowed well. This was my first Gena Showalter book, and so far I am impressed with her skills. 

My favorite parts and dislikes regarding this book all revolved around the side characters. I believe too many characters were introduced and she should have stuck to a chosen few… the character I want to see more of is Riley. I hope he gets more play in the next books. Nothing like the dark and dangerous male to spice up your reading environment.

I wasn’t too impressed with Mary Ann, I think her characteristics weren’t very believable. Fifteen years old and obsessed with becoming a shrink? Reading clinical papers to impress her father – the man as a shrink himself should have put her on meds. Then dating a guy (Tucker) you could tell she didn’t really like, just because he called her beautiful every now and again. Accepting a werewolf was mentally talking to her without a little bit of freak out??? C’mon, didn’t like her.

Another peev of mine was all the side plots and extra nonsense throughout the story. There was just way too much. All these extra paranormals…they could have popped up in the second book. I also thought the D&M ranch restricted Aden’s movements throughout the story – I think Showalter could have done without it. She could have written Aden into a foster home with guardians that didn’t pay much attention and go the same results from the book. Instead she put him in this environment and it led him into a lot of extra nonsense that had no bearing to the main gist of the story. The character of Dan could have been eradicated – the fact that Aden was practically calling him Papa was ridiculous. Shannon and that other druggie (can’t keep track of all the names) could have been eradicated. All the trips vampy Victoria had to make to erase memories and hypnotize could have been eradicated…leaving the plot not so confusing.

Other than that, well written, faced paced, enjoyable read. 

I give Intertwined a BWB rating of 3



Discussion Questions:
#1  Do you feel the ending was cut short and needed more to be resolved before the book ended?
Yes, I believe that this book felt like a Part I in a larger novel.

#2 Regarding Question #1, what are your thoughts on series books? For one you get more and more and more - depending on how long the series drags on - for another some series leave you with very little resolution at the end of the novels, i.e. the Merry Gentry series where only a couple of hours pass within the time span of one book. Do you find this is just an authors way of having guaranteed book sales - or do you really enjoy series and love reading about your fav characters over and over again?

I tend to get aggravated with these drawn out series.  I'm big on resolution and hate when something is left open-ended.  I enjoy series novels that have a defined plot line and resolutions within the frame of that one book are my favorites.  The Harry Potter series - each book was separated by a year in Hogwarts.  Even though I'm not a big fan, I like the wan Nora Roberts handles her series sometimes, where she separates the books by couples.  So if it is a trilogy, there are six main characters, there is a final resolution, or battle in the final book, but each book ends with resolution.

#3 Which "trapped" soul was your favorite and do you see potential in the future story lines with the remaining three?
I didn't really like any of the trapped souls. Easy answer but it is the truth. 

#4  When a larger-than-life character such as Vlad Tepes aka Dracula is used as a side-plot character do you believe it gives the story a more factual base, or makes it less real?
I think Vlad was there for a reason.  He was there to put a dark face on the vampires in this novel.  I think it was an easy way out for the author.  But, with all the other characters, it makes sense. 

#5 What did you think of the side plot involving Tucker and Penny?  Do you think the issues from that plot were adequately resolved?
I believe this could have been left out. They should have let Tucker die...and I'm scared of Penny's child if Tucker is that bad, it seems you really can't help being nasty if you are a demon.

#6 What is your best guess as to what Aden Stone's superpower is - the power he possess without his souls?  
Necromancer - I was thinking that the vamps were drawn to him because he might have some kind of power over them, like the Anita Blake character, but that got shot down when all the other supes showed up.

4 comments:

Jamie said...

I didn't care for all the "extra" stuff either but still really enjoyed the book.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

LOL...yes I was a bit long winded....but I had so much to say about all the vamps, tramps, friends, fun, time travel, fights, kisses, smurfs, teen preg, reading minds........................

Caitlin said...

You're right.. Showalter could have left a lot of that extra junk out and it would have been just as good, if not better.