Blame it on bouncing back from a five star book or blame it on taste differences in writing styles, but this book simply wasn’t for me.
I haven’t read the other The Keepers-series Graham co-authored with Alexandra Sokoloff and Deborah Leblanc, but I did like the paranormal world presented here. The set up was unfortunately—or fortunately depending on your point of view—delivered in an infodump prologue and it actually made me curious about the Others blending in the masses of non-believing humans. More importantly, it made me want to read about an elven character.
However, I was quickly disappointed. The world building I liked—the idea of keepers ensuring the peace among other races of paranormal creatures—but I couldn’t connect with the characters. Graham filled the beginning with repetitious lines and descriptions that quickly eroded my interest. As I read further, the less I cared about Rhiannon and Brodie, their budding relationship, and the mystery they were trying to untangle. I couldn’t even be bothered to look for the clues for the killer as I speedread through the rest of the book. On the positive side, my disinterest prevented me from absolutely hating the book.
I’m guessing that if you’re familiar with Graham’s previous work and like it, you’ll enjoy this novel too.
2 stars
Series: The Keepers: L.A. #1
Pages: 304 (paperback)
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Nocturne
Published: Expected: December 18th 2012
Source: NetGalley
I'm still not sure how I feel about Graham's books. I'm still exploring. I've seen hints of this in other reads but it hasn't bothered me too much as of yet.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying I'll never ever try her books again, but I do think I have a better chance enjoying the translations than the originals, if that fact tells you anything.
DeleteDarn, I love her hunters series
ReplyDeleteThen there's a really good chance you'll love this one too. For me the issue was in the writing style. I could see the good story underneath it but I just couldn't connect with it.
DeleteEveryone goes gaga over somebody's writing. For me those authors include Melina Marchetta, Courtney Milan, and a couple of others. Graham is like the antithesis of that for me.
2 stars leaves me feeling that this wouldn't turn out good for me.
ReplyDeleteIf you've read Graham before and enjoyed her writing, there's a good chance you'll like the book better than I did.
DeleteThis was on the OK side of two stars, not on the "bad but I didn't hate it."
I've read a book by this aithor but didn't like it but wasn't really conviced so I haven't tried any other. Well it looks like I won't read this one either...
ReplyDeleteLet's just say it's not a book I'd use to convert people to become Graham's fans.
Delete(Also, thank you for existing and making me feel less alone in this.)
I am disappointed that you did not like this. I love the idea of the book, to read about elven characters seems pretty intriguing but it looks like the authors didn't deliver very well.
ReplyDeleteGREAT review, anyway
Your reader,
Soma
http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/
Thanks.
DeleteI'm not a huge fan of the fictional elves, but it felt like they were the best part of this book, for me. If you're not averse to Graham's writing style, you should give it a try.
Thanks Rameau :D
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteI still need to read a Graham book. I have a couple on the tbr. Will have to try her one day.
ReplyDeleteAnd when that day comes, I would very much like to know how you like her writing.
DeleteI have a few books by Heather Graham but I'm not usually a fan of mysteries so I haven't read them yet.
ReplyDeleteFrom your review I'm thinking they aren't for me.
I can't really comment on the mystery part of the equation because I was struggling to get through the book, but from what I remember it played a very small part. Basically it was just an excuse to connect individual scenes together.
DeleteThat authors name looks familiar to me. I'm thinking I saw a book by her somewhere or something. I'm curious. Sorry it wasn't a winner for you.
ReplyDeleteGraham's author profile on GR says she's written 214 distinct works. Even if they're all just short Harlequin stories that's A LOT, and explains why the name looks familiar.
DeleteHeidi's theory makes more sense to me now.
Too bad it dissapointed. I was just looking at this author's books recently.
ReplyDeleteIt never hurts to try. Her writing might work for you better than it did for me.
DeleteI haven't read Graham before, and this is unlikely to be the starting point (though I have heard some good things.) Like you, I can't stand the dreaded info dump.
ReplyDeleteYou could always skip the prologue which had the infodump, but the world might not make sense to you without it. Maybe someone else can direct you to a good place to start.
DeleteI've been a little disappointed with the last few Heather Graham books I've read so not sure I'll give this one a go!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I can't help you there. A
DeleteOn the positive side, my disinterest prevented me from absolutely hating the book.
ReplyDeleteWith such a positive side who needs any negatives...oh well. Next book will be better.
I do not recognise that face, who are you?
DeleteBackhanded compliments are becoming my specialty. Maybe I should fix that.
I am the phantom. Not from an opera though. ;p
DeleteAre you saying there are ghost writers at work in here? That actually makes me less likely to want to read anything with her name on it.
ReplyDeleteThe rest of the series will be written by two co-authors whose work I've never read, and can't comment on.
aww, that's too bad!
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteI'm an urban fantasy geek so I like the premise of this book but I value a good story telling quality which it dont sound like this book has...
ReplyDeleteI truly don't know what to say. It could just be my bias or it could be something more serious.
DeleteI read 2 books by Heather Graham and they weren't for me. I don't think this will be different from those. :(
ReplyDeleteThen I definitely wouldn't recommend this one for you. Luckily there are other books out there ;)
Deletebummer this one didn't do it for you, can't all be winners I guess lol
ReplyDeleteNo, they can't, unfortunately.
Delete