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That's What I'm Talking About

I generally review romance, paranormal and urban fantasy. I tend to pick review books that I want to read, so generally my reviews will be positive. I always give my honest opinion: good, bad, and indifferent. 

 

Note: on my blog I use a letter grading system. I've listed the ratings below. For sites with stars, I have listed the equivalent rating. If I didn't finish the book, I will not rate it with stars.

 

A+  Personal Favorite (5 stars)
A    Loved It (4.5 or 5 stars)
A-   Enjoyed A Lot (4 or 4.5 stars)
B+  Liked It A Lot (4 stars)
B    Liked It -- Recommend (4 stars)
B-   Liked It -- But I had a few small issues (3 or 3.5 stars)
C+  Liked It -- But I had issues (3 or 3.5 stars)
C    Finished It -- Liked some, didn't like some (3 stars)
C-   Finished It -- Liked a little, didn't like a lot (2 or 2.5 stars)
D    Not A Big Fan (2 stars)
E    Don’t Waste Your Time (1 star)
----
TW: Reading this book was like watching a Train Wreck
DNF: Did Not Finish

 

updated July 9, 2015

Currently reading

Operation: Endgame (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Book 6) (English Edition)
Philippa Ballantine, Jeanne H. Ballantine, William Morris
Just You and Me (A Contemporary Romance Collection)
Fiona Miers, Caitlyn Lynch, Liz Durano, Deelylah Mullin, Cate Farren, Jacquie Biggar, Vicki Batman, Kate Richards, Brenna Zinn, Dalton Diaz, Tierney O'Malley, Desiree Holt, Nicole Morgan, Ashlyn Chase
Bitter Bite: Elemental Assassin, Book 14
Audible Studios, Jennifer Estep, Lauren Fortgang
Progress: 27 %

Review: Chained by Night

Chained by Night - Larissa Ione

Hunter, the leader of the MoonBound Vampires, has promised to marry his enemy’s eldest daughter in order to make peace with the ShadowSpawn Clan. Unfortunately, Hunter cannot stand to be around his soon-to-be mate, Rasha. Even further to his dismay, he finds himself attracted to her younger twin sister, Aylin, who selflessly agrees to go on a set of dangerous trials with him after Rasha selfishly refuses. As Aylin and Hunter grow closer, the pair find themselves torn between duty and love.

 

Chained by Night is the second book in Ms. Ione’s amazing MoonBound Clan Vampire series. While the author does an excellent job of setting the scene, and the book can be read as stand alone, I feel that one would miss out on too much background and world building by skipping the first book, Bound by Night. With that said, I found myself wrapped up in the adventure and warmed by the romance right from the get go. Chained by Night is an excellent story that kept me glued to the pages of the book until I was finished.

 

While I adore the overall story and found the action, adventure, and heroism exciting, it is the characters that make Chained by Night such a wonderful tale. I completely adore Aylin. Since she was second born, she has no standing among her Clan, even though her father is Clan chief. In addition, she has a crooked right leg, making it hard for her to hunt or compete, which puts her lower than dirt among the Clan. Although Rasha cares for her sister, she firmly believes in the rules and rolls of the Clan, and she talks down to Aylin and has ways to put her in her place. But there are hints that although she provides tough love, Rasha has done things to help her sister. It’s an interesting dynamic, which effectively gives the “bad guy” some likable qualities.

 

Watching Aylin come into her own is just fabulous and allows me to connect with the character on an emotional level. Now that she is away from her clan and father, Aylin learns to speak her mind and trust her instincts. Time alone with Hunter on the quest also gives her confidence and an inner strength that just shines. I adore that she revels in her own growth and development rather than her feelings for Hunter. And best of all… she stands up to Hunter to protect her own heart, rather than just give into the lust brewing between the pair. She is utterly strong and just awesome!

 

And let’s not forget Hunter. He is a noble male feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place. Right from the start, he is extremely introspective about his thoughts and feelings towards Aylin, knowing he cares deeply but stuck with the promise to mate with Rasha. He is determined to sacrifice his own happiness for the good of his clan. The pair work well together, both mentally and physically, as witnessed on their dangerous trials. I also enjoy that the pair communicate rather than let things stew. They voice their mutual desire and frustration over life and their situation. And together, Aylin and Hunter create a maelstrom of intense heat, so when they finally get through the muck and mire, their romance is like the fires of instantaneous combustion!

 

After all is said and done, there are some big changes and shifts among rival clans, as well as within Hunter’s own central core. There are a few situations that came up during the course of the story that are still open, somewhat to my frustration. I am interested to see the political fall out of Hunter’s decisions, as well as what happens for both Myne (one of Hunter’s elite fighters) and Rasha.

 

Overall, I loved reading Chained by Night! I was engaged from the beginning and fell completely in love with the hero/heroine pairing. The story has a powerful romance and exciting action, but also tender, emotional moments. I completely loved Aylin for her amazing strength. I admire that she puts Hunter in his place and doesn’t give in to her desire when she knows it’s not for the best. The characters totally drove the book and make it incredibly enjoyable. And with the way some things were left open and unfinished, I am itching for the next MoonBound Clan Vampire book today!

 

My Rating:  A, Loved it.

Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About

Review copy provided by publisher.