Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Typically novels that have a 4.5 star average with over 100 reviews are as close to a lock as possible when it comes to a quality read. That wasn't really the case with this book. I should have taken a little more time when reading the reviews to realize that pretty much every review was by a female. As such, I was a little disappointed when this book had a bit more in common with Twilight than with a quality fantasy novel. Like Twilight, the female protagonist (Rose) is pretty much an empty shell. I have no idea what she looks like, other than that she is supposed to be attractive. Meanwhile, excruciating detail is supplied as to how Declan looks, smells, feels, sounds, and tastes. Simply way too much emphasis is placed on this that it becomes nauseating. The phrase "sandalwood musk" was used so many times I feel a compelling urge to now chop down every sandalwood tree I run across throughout the remainder of my life. The premise, while interesting, does not develop into a plot that is captivating. The characters are all one dimensional, and the book is at times painful to read because it far too often sounds like its written from some awkward and unattractive teenage girl's dream diary. The way men pursue and treat Rose is borderline unbelievable. Declan has absolutely no flaws of which to speak, unless you consider earned confidence a flaw (which Rose does, for whatever reason). I know Ilona Andrews is supposed to be a male/female team, but wherever the writing from a former Army sergeant is supposed to be, I don't see it... unless he is charged with describing the battle scenes, which are almost as bad as the "fauning over Declan" scenes. Essentially, every combat scene can be summed up by Declan cutting a "hound" in half with his sword. That said, I read the book in its entirety. It isn't horrible, it just isn't good. It's a formulaic female romance novel that just happens to be set in a fantasy world. I write this review because that just wasn't made clear enough when I saw the rating and read some of the reviews when deciding to purchase this book. I wouldn't recommend this to any male readers, or for any woman who isn't constantly day dreaming about a Prince Charming coming along and rescuing her from all of life's troubles. Unfortunately, I bought all 3 available books in the series, but I won't be reading the second two. Within 15 minutes of starting the 2nd book I already realized I am about to read the same novel all over again, only with two different characters taking on the roles of Rose and Declan. A quick glance at the cover of the 3rd book showed me all I needed to know as to what exactly this series is and will continue to be.