I have read the first book in this series, A Perfect Darkness, and found that I preferred that book to Burning Darkness, despite a badass heroine that doesn't take anybody's crap. Nevertheless, I did enjoy reading this action- packed page turner.
Fonda Raine is out for revenge. Our hero, Eric Aruda, is a pyrokinetic that murdered Fonda's late boyfriend. When the opportunity to kill Eric finally presents itself, Fonda finds herself unable to kill him for reasons unexplained, and shortly thereafter, the pair finds out that they are both targets of a mysterious enemy. Even though the two loathe each other (well, she did just drug him and attempt murder), they agree that working together to fight their enemy is the safer option than splitting off and going their separate ways.
Much of the book after this features Eric and Fonda scrambling from place to place, where their super powerful enemy easily tracks them down, and plays with them like a cat would mice. In the midst of it all, they become closer and more attracted to one another, until—
Fonda has sex with Eric while he out cold. Asleep. Ill. This is the first time they sleep together, by the way. My reaction was essentially this: What? What? What?
This single scene ruined the rest of the book for me - not only because of its weirdness or the fact that this was the big first sex scene, the one that's supposed to count - but because to me, Fonda just raped Eric. I mean, hello, he's indisposed, unconscious, and unable to consent to that. You couldn't wait until he was awake? I don't know, folks, personally I'd rather not have somebody use my body while I'm asleep, even if I did find them attractive and likable.
However, I carried on reading. Fonda repeatedly proves her strength. To me that was a definite bonus. She never stops, either. She never caves into the "stay behind or you'll get hurt" routine that Eric takes up, as many heroes have done before him. In many a book I have read the heroine actually listens to the "you'll get hurt" fodder the hero spews, but Fonda goes on her merry way, kicks some asses, and takes some names.
In summation, did I like it? Yes and no. The sleep-sex destroyed a lot of that book for me, awesome heroines aside. But...it is full of action, and that really keeps a reader going. I'll give this a tentative recommendation to readers of paranormals, provided you're okay with sleep-sex. I'm not, but if you don't mind it, read on!
Sensuality: Warm
Publication Date: 2011/02
Recent Comments …
Done. I’ve tried to be honest. Some books I’m not sure and I haven’t ticked them one way or the…
The cover is so beautiful! I loved this book too and I’ve been wanting to talk about it so I…
It’s a pretty big tradition. I guess I don’t understand what we are afraid of–readers like what readers like. That’s…
I have one suggestion, which was discussed here before, I believe: I would suggest a cutoff date. Then, of course,…
Dune 2 on IMAX is worth the cost. Hope the timing works at some point!
All About Eve is so good: Davis has never been as magnificent. Jerry Maguire is a Cameron Crowe film. That…