C+
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
This RITA® Reader Challenge 2015 review was written by Sabrina W. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Paranormal Romance category.
The summary:
Under Fire
Eve Bradley was undercover looking for a story, not a cause. But something about the man they called Subject Thirteen got her involved. The scientists said he was a devil, and they had a decent case: Terrifying power. A bad attitude. And looks that could lead anyone to sin. . .
Cain O’Connor knows the minute he catches her candy scent that Eve could drive him wild. But she’s a threat–in a way no one has been for him in years. She’s safer away from him, too. But with a powerful conspiracy determined to shut Eve up for good, there’s no time to argue. All they can do is trust their instincts–and their hearts. . .
Here is Sabrina W.'s review:
Burn for Me opens with Eve, an Intrepid Reporter who has gone undercover to investigate Genesis Labs. The company experiments on paranormals who have supposedly volunteered to help Science, but Eve suspects that Genesis and its research isn’t as ethical as advertised. She meets Cain—our hero and a stock Brooding Alpha Asshole—when he is chained up and about to be experimented on. As soon as they’re in the same room, the only thing they can think about it how sexy the other is, despite the fact that Cain is clearly about to be tortured. Priorities, people.
Turns out Cain is a phoenix, which I thought was pretty freaking cool, although I was disappointed he didn’t actually turn into a flaming bird at any point. Anyway, not long after their first meeting, Eve breaks Cain out of the lab. At that point, the plot begins to move at breakneck speed. Explosions! Cage fighting! Betrayals! Kidnappings! Vampires! More betrayals! Even more explosions! And of course, lots of hawt, hawt sexing, sometimes at inappropriate times and in really odd locations (caved-in area with lots of dirt and rocks and bad guys all around = no).
I spent an awful lot of time trying to decide what grade to give this book. On one hand, there is a lot to like. The writing was quite good, and the sex scenes (odd locations notwithstanding) was hot. The fast-paced plot held my interest, and as soon as I finished this book, I started the second (thank you, Scribd). I would definitely read other books by Cynthia Eden. As a bonus, the book lacked many of the flaws or clichés in romance that bother me the most (e.g. heroine being a complete doormat, Big Misunderstandings, etc.).
However, the book does have its flaws. The worldbuilding is rather nonexistent – it’s just your general world where there are shapeshifters, vampires, etc. Because there’s so much going on with the plot, there’s no space for Eve or Cain to undergo any character growth. I never quite bought into their forever love, given that all Cain really does is growl at her, and then think brooding thoughts about how he’s not worthy, how he’s destined for darkness, etc., etc. Eve also teeters precariously towards TSTL on a few occasions, given that she insists on going with Cain every single place that he goes, no matter how dangerous. And he lets her, because Plot, not because she has any terribly reasonable arguments. Most damningly, the majority of the book floated right out of my head not long after I read it, and I had to do a significant amount of rereading in order to write this review.
In the end, I settled on C+ as a grade. I was tempted for quite a while to go with B-, because good writing means a lot to me, and because I really did enjoy reading it. But I decided the flaws are too much to give this the higher grade. Still, I would recommend this to anyone in the mood for a fast, fun read.
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Thanks for the review. I enjoyed reading what you liked and didn’t like about the book. I found that very helpful because I think if I just went by the letter grade I would have assumed you didn’t enjoy the book as much as you seemed to in the review. Going on to the second book in the series is a good indicator to me whether someone really enjoyed a book or not. It’s like when people calling for a reference on a potential employee ask whether you would hire the former worker again.
I guess that although the book amused me at the time, the flaws in regards to character development and overall forgettableness of the book made me really hesitate to grade it higher. I’m a pretty strict book grader :).
It’s also worth noting that i read about 1/3 of the second book and then promptly forgot about it. I’ll probably finish it someday
I can’t remember which reviewer once said you can tell who’s the heroine of a paranormal romance because her blood smells extra yummy. But that’s exactly what “candy scent” made me think of.
I know exactly what you mean about an enjoyable but forgettable book. The books I would grade the highest are the ones that leave me thinking after I have finished them, either about the characters, the world or any issues it brought up. I think letter grades are very subjective and I have debated about it with other people/reviewers because it’s quite personal. ( I once had a college professor begin her first day of class stating ” I consider a D to be a very good grade” it’s a wonder we all didn’t run out the door). That’s why I appreciate reviews where people like you take the time to explain what works (or doesn’t) because as I mostly don’t know the reviewer or their taste (unless it’s someone who has written dozens of reviews) someone just saying “it’s great” or “I hated it” means almost nothing without context.
3.5 or C+ books I think are still often well worth reading. It is a passing grade, meaning, IMO, it is still worth your money if it fits your specific preferences. I know not everyone re-reads, but for me, that is how I tend to grade things, how likely I am to re-read them. This book wasn’t a re-reader for me, but it was still very enjoyable while I was in the moment.
As for the series as a whole, I think book 2 was the least strong in the series (it felt too much like a rehash of book 1) but book 3 I enjoyed even more than the first one. That last one had some interesting dynamics between the hero and the heroine.
I wouldn’t be able to get past the title. “Burn for Me” sounds like the heroine has an intimate condition that needs to be treated with antibiotics.
That’s a shame Nerdalisque, because Ilona Andrews’ Burn for Me (a different book with the same title) is truly excellent, it was runner up for dabwaha this year.
I never quite bought into their forever love, given that all Cain really does is growl at her, and then think brooding thoughts about how he’s not worthy, how he’s destined for darkness, etc., etc.
This cracked me up. Doesn’t seem like my kind of book – but good review!