*posts, then picks up the book again*

[jmc_bks]

I am bored. Bored by this book. Which book, you wonder? Lover Revealed. I picked up a copy of it at lunch yesterday. But such is my Miles-love that I couldn't start it until I finished A Civil Campaign. What can I say? Maniacal dwarfs with distorted body image really do it for me.



Anyway, I got around to starting Lover Revealed this morning. Snowing like crazy, so I worked from home...as much as is possible: my job really is office-based, most of the materials are there in hard copy, not electronic, not accessible from home even with Citrix connectivity. After the work was done, I settled down to read. Of course, I read the itty bitty excerpt from Vishous's book first, since I'm fascinated by The Hand and The Tattoos. I liked Xhex from the excerpt online, so I was wondering if V would get a hardassed heroine, but it looks like no. [If you hang out at Ward's MB, you probably already know that...but I don't, so it was news to me.] Then back to the front of the book to read Marissa & Butch's story. Except I fell asleep....in the middle of the day! Sitting upright on the couch! Okay, I was tired, but still, I don't often fall asleep during the middle of the day while reading an anticipated new book.

I'm awake again, obviously, and reading it and I think some of Ward's imagery and language are excellent. But then the names and the labels and the slang just kill the story for me. I haven't found a reason to like or care for Butch as a hero. I'm interested in Marissa, and in seeing if she turns out to be a more active, assertive heroine than Beth, Mary or Bella. I'm also interested in seeing where, if anywhere, Ward goes with women's roles in the vampire society, but that's probably not a subject to be tackled in a single book, more likely over a story arc if addressed at all. Frankly, it seems extremely restricted and subservient to me through the first three books, which is kind of grating on me.

Comments

[sarahf.livejournal.com]

Marissa gets better. Especially toward end with....well, won't even hint. In epilogue, role of women seems to be "Strong Wife who stays home and waits for Warrior Husband to come home with shield or on it, but will be pretty pissed about the on it part." So, yeah, I get what you mean.

Xhex could get interesting. So could the promised Payne, female brother (from MB only). After this book, I canNOT wait for Rehv's book (V, Phury, Rehv, apparently, is order of next few).

Butch or Marissa didn't grab me like Z did, but the overall story is brilliant, especially the deal with Butch and V at the end, and I can see her maturing as a writer.

[dogzzz2002.livejournal.com]

Uh, oh. You have the Great Book Blues! I probably shouldn't bring up that I have not read Miles, right? He's in the pile!

Hope the book gets better for you! Butch grabbed me in the first book - I cared about him more than the H/H but then he became metro-sexual in the next few books so I'm interested in seeing if he 'mans' up in this book ;)

Cindys

[jmc-bks.livejournal.com]

I liked Butch well enough in the first book...but I'm put off by the label dropping and the woe is me attitude. But I'm still reading, so I may get sucked it despite myself.

[sarahf.livejournal.com]

Less label dropping later. It's making a point at the beginning. Or at least, I noticed it less.

[jperceval.livejournal.com]

OK, Xhex???? What the hell kind of name is THAT?

[jmc-bks.livejournal.com]

I know, it's ridiculous. All the names are. But I like the idea of a hardass heroine in this series, since they've all pretty much been doormats so far. Marissa may improve, but I'm getting tired of the heroine who stays behind tending the home front while the men go out and confront the Big Bad.

[(Anonymous)]

Heh. xhex. I just ate bran xhex for breakfast.

Kate R.

[jmc-bks.livejournal.com]

I prefer rice xhex, myself ;)

[miladyinsanity.livejournal.com]

Xhex? Ahahahahahahahahahaha!

I'm sorry to take over your blog with my laughter.

I won't be picking this book up, but I'm interested in the reviews.