Mass Market Paperback and e-book formats,
448 pages
Release Date: December 26, 2012
Otherworld Assassin #1
I think I have only ever read one book from Gena Showalter before, and while I found it to be stylistically similar, it was nothing like this is. Her unique voice is getting stronger and story wise it was nothing like this. I have never read anything like this before. It did not feel as contrived as the one Lord of the Underworld book I read before. But, it is that very loosely strung forma of fantasy where not everything is explained and a deus ex machina can ride in to save the day.
It does start off with an act of cruelty to both the main female character and her pets so nasty I almost put the book down. I have in the past stopped reading because of animal cruelty, but i didn't feel this was gratuitous. It had a purpose both in developing the story and the characters. But, if you're squeamish you may want to skip the prologue.
Vikka and SOlo aer the main characters and love interests. There are many peripheral characters. I can't say I liked Vikka right away; she is a paradox. Too weak to stop evil, but strong enough to continue in its face without succumbing to it. Solo, well he seems from the start to be a violent oaf. Through the story both characters change dramatically, but they are pretty much the only nuanced characters in the story. The remaining characters are sketches.
Vikka lives in a circus owned by her extremely evil father, Solo, the sole member of his species living on "earth" has just become one of the exhibits. Solo is a government assassin, he works for Michael, and his teammates are John and Blue. John and Blue are also Aliens and they each have amazing powers.
The setting is a future world. I think it is earth but since everything is labeled New, as in New Colorado, New Atlanta, I am never entirely certain. The othrworlders have all arrived fleeing war and persecution on their worlds. They seem to have been revealed en masse an this starts a huge war. Although physically superior and almost cetainly technically so, they are often mistreated and abused.
Issues: Gena Showalter has undergone a faith-strengthening experience so strong she testifies about it on her fan site. When your faith is central in your life and you feel the need to express it, it is invariably going to come out in your work. Still I had no reason to expect the book to be any more or less religiously based than anything by any other person of faith. This experience of illness and faith building are fairly recent to Gena so I think perhaps they are a little more at the fore of her mental processing.
I kept seeing biblical parallels throughout the story. It's certainly not a retelling of the bible but many characters and themes are apparent. However, I would wager that since what I read is often written by persons of Judeo-Christian descent, and thus is based there. Vikka is a very Christ-like character, always turning the other cheek and almost always taking the high road. Solo, Samsonesque, so strong but ultimately brought down by pride and a failure to listen to his conscience. Audra, Vikka's former friend, and her father's lover,, always in the garb if a dancing girl is almost certainly Salome. Jeci's and Matas, Vikka's father and protege, are like all the bad guys in the bible put together. Jecis even places temptation squarely into Solo's laps, almost in an actual desert. Michael, Solo's boss, is a thwarted Moses who is always trying to lead his people from the desert. At one time Solo even tells Vikka the story of David and Goliath.
There are also symbols from Greco-Roman mythology, such as the snake-bearded lady who is apparently a stand in for Medusa.
Style-wise, I couldn't decide if Showalter simply has a unique and modern voice, or if this is a very descriptive outline from an omniscient author who likes to tell a story rather than show it. At times I really liked it and there were times I felt that surely, as well-loved and prolific as Showalter is, certainly she have turned in something that didn't feel as it it were written in a hurry and against a deadline. I am on the fence about this new style; a style I am experiencing more and more. Art changes and we no longer speak as we once did, perhaps writing is changing as well. I am curious to know whether others have seen this trend, either in Showalter or with others? How do you feel about it?
I will go out on a limb to say I have seen this more often in independent or self-published work, butthat I am beginning to see it more in mainstream publishing. To be sure, it has an edgy and modern feel that may fit our information technology driven world. As we become more the consumers of information rather than the consumers of experiences perhaps that is how we will also read and write.
I am getting used to it, and sometimes I even like it. The speed that Showalter's style gives this story means that, even though it takes a long time for things to happen, it feels as if they happen very quickly. I read through it in about two days. If you enjoy her style and want to read a very different story, I would recommend this to you.
It is a great way to spend those bookish gift certificates!
Last Kiss Goodnight At AMAZON
Last Kiss Goodnightat B and N
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448 pages
Release Date: December 26, 2012
Otherworld Assassin #1
Description
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter ignites a thrilling new paranormal series with this breathtaking tale of a warrior enslaved by desire, and the woman who frees his soul. THE SWEETEST TEMPTATION . . .
Black ops agent Solomon Judah awakens caged and bound in a twisted zoo where otherworlders are the main attraction. Vika Lukas, the owner’s daughter, is tasked with Solo’s care and feeding. The monster inside him yearns to kill her on sight, even though she holds the key to his escape. But the human side of him realizes the beautiful deaf girl is more than she seems—she’s his.
THE ULTIMATE PRICE . . .
Vika endures the captives’ taunts and loathing, hoping to keep them alive even if she can’t free them. Only, Solo is different— he protects her. But as hostility turns to forbidden romance, his feelings for her will be used against him . . . and he’ll be put to a killer test.
GenaShowalter.com
GIVEAWAY!
Make sure you enter the Candy Cane Kink hop before midnight on 12/21/2012for a chance to win this one!Review
I think I have only ever read one book from Gena Showalter before, and while I found it to be stylistically similar, it was nothing like this is. Her unique voice is getting stronger and story wise it was nothing like this. I have never read anything like this before. It did not feel as contrived as the one Lord of the Underworld book I read before. But, it is that very loosely strung forma of fantasy where not everything is explained and a deus ex machina can ride in to save the day.
It does start off with an act of cruelty to both the main female character and her pets so nasty I almost put the book down. I have in the past stopped reading because of animal cruelty, but i didn't feel this was gratuitous. It had a purpose both in developing the story and the characters. But, if you're squeamish you may want to skip the prologue.
Vikka and SOlo aer the main characters and love interests. There are many peripheral characters. I can't say I liked Vikka right away; she is a paradox. Too weak to stop evil, but strong enough to continue in its face without succumbing to it. Solo, well he seems from the start to be a violent oaf. Through the story both characters change dramatically, but they are pretty much the only nuanced characters in the story. The remaining characters are sketches.
Vikka lives in a circus owned by her extremely evil father, Solo, the sole member of his species living on "earth" has just become one of the exhibits. Solo is a government assassin, he works for Michael, and his teammates are John and Blue. John and Blue are also Aliens and they each have amazing powers.
The setting is a future world. I think it is earth but since everything is labeled New, as in New Colorado, New Atlanta, I am never entirely certain. The othrworlders have all arrived fleeing war and persecution on their worlds. They seem to have been revealed en masse an this starts a huge war. Although physically superior and almost cetainly technically so, they are often mistreated and abused.
 |
| David with the Head of Goliath |
I kept seeing biblical parallels throughout the story. It's certainly not a retelling of the bible but many characters and themes are apparent. However, I would wager that since what I read is often written by persons of Judeo-Christian descent, and thus is based there. Vikka is a very Christ-like character, always turning the other cheek and almost always taking the high road. Solo, Samsonesque, so strong but ultimately brought down by pride and a failure to listen to his conscience. Audra, Vikka's former friend, and her father's lover,, always in the garb if a dancing girl is almost certainly Salome. Jeci's and Matas, Vikka's father and protege, are like all the bad guys in the bible put together. Jecis even places temptation squarely into Solo's laps, almost in an actual desert. Michael, Solo's boss, is a thwarted Moses who is always trying to lead his people from the desert. At one time Solo even tells Vikka the story of David and Goliath.
There are also symbols from Greco-Roman mythology, such as the snake-bearded lady who is apparently a stand in for Medusa.
Style-wise, I couldn't decide if Showalter simply has a unique and modern voice, or if this is a very descriptive outline from an omniscient author who likes to tell a story rather than show it. At times I really liked it and there were times I felt that surely, as well-loved and prolific as Showalter is, certainly she have turned in something that didn't feel as it it were written in a hurry and against a deadline. I am on the fence about this new style; a style I am experiencing more and more. Art changes and we no longer speak as we once did, perhaps writing is changing as well. I am curious to know whether others have seen this trend, either in Showalter or with others? How do you feel about it?
I will go out on a limb to say I have seen this more often in independent or self-published work, butthat I am beginning to see it more in mainstream publishing. To be sure, it has an edgy and modern feel that may fit our information technology driven world. As we become more the consumers of information rather than the consumers of experiences perhaps that is how we will also read and write.
I am getting used to it, and sometimes I even like it. The speed that Showalter's style gives this story means that, even though it takes a long time for things to happen, it feels as if they happen very quickly. I read through it in about two days. If you enjoy her style and want to read a very different story, I would recommend this to you.
It is a great way to spend those bookish gift certificates!
Last Kiss Goodnight At AMAZON
Last Kiss Goodnightat B and N
GIVEAWAY!
Make sure you enter the Candy Cane Kink hop before midnight on 12/21/2012for a chance to win this one! Tweet
