I am very mixed about this book. In some ways I really like it and would give it a 4 Star rating (world-building, mystery development). In other ways I would give this novel 2 Stars (sex) and say no more. Let me explain:
If you’re looking for a new paranormal series that involves romance and mystery this is a good one to start. If however you quit the Anita Blake series because of the copious amount of sex in it, do not start this one. There is a lot of sex!
For comparison: Anita Blake gained the vampire power called the ardeur and winds up having sex a lot to not die from a power drain. Riley Jenson was born part werewolf and must yield to moon lust. Both are used to add sexual encounters of the good kind and the drama, misadventure, and trouble kind to the books. Full Moon Rising had great mystery development but it was almost always upstaged by sex: the need for it, a sexual encounter, etc.
Just to be clear, the number of sex scenes in the book did not bother me. What bothered me were the werewolf culture and some particular incidences. Riley, like the rest of the werewolf populace is extremely casual about sex. Casual in the way you might say a slut likes to have sex – anyone will do, names aren’t necessary. It’s not very attractive or admirable in a heroine.
Both of Riley’s werewolf partners are assholes and at one point or the other use Riley or rape her. Sometimes more than once, depending on which guy you’re talking about and how you define more than once – as in repeatedly during a single scene or once in multiple scenes. Unfortunately for Riley moon lust just gets her primed and ready to go despite having to slake it with either of the bastards. Also moon lust warps her mind so while some part of her knows these guys are assholes, she doesn’t care, she just needs relief and fast. Again not very pleasant.
Luckily it looks like those two will be gone forever (hopefully) making room for the true saving grace of the novel… the hero Keri Arthur built in Quinn O’Connor. Quinn has been burned in love by a werewolf. He found out she was using him for his money and also drugging him. Also, his friend ‘committed suicide’ because of a werewolf. No wonder he’s leery. In addition he hates the werewolf culture when it comes to sex. He doesn’t believe a werewolf can ever be monogamous and it’s going to be a sticking point for him if as I know he will, becomes part of Riley’s life: physically and emotionally on a permanent basis.
If Quinn isn’t the major love interest and random pups get thrown repeatedly into the mix to screw things up between Riley and Quinn I’m going to sic Gautier on someone. It won’t be pleasant, believe me.
For those not in the know, Riley is part werewolf part vampire making her a dhampire. When her brother goes missing, Riley is determined to find him before he’s killed like the last ten guardians to disappear. When a mysterious vampire appears naked on her doorstep, trouble begins to heat up quickly. Who’s behind the cloning and cross-breeding and can they save Rhoan before it’s too late?
Rating: 3 Stars
Full Moon Rising (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 1)
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Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur 2006 Paperback Re |
US $2.99 | Sale |
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Full Moon Rising Riley Jensen Guardian Book 1 Keri |
US $1.19 | Sale |
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FULL MOON RISING KERI ARTHUR PAPERBACK NEW |
US $4.38 | Sale |
