Author: Jess Haines
Series: H and W Investigations, book 4
Publisher: Kensington
ISBN-10: 1420124021
ISBN-13: 978-1420124026
Source: From publisher for review
Buy it here:
Amazon
Book Depository
For more information visit Jess Haines' website
Shiarra is determined to hunt down her ex-boyfriend and his pack, the Sunstrikers. One of them may have infected her, and she has reason to believe they are murders. She allies with the anti-Others group, the White Hats to bring the Sunstrikers down. She also uses an enchanted belt that gives her more strength and speed, but it might also be affecting her in a different way.
Stalking the Others is number four in the H and W Investigations series. Despite the name of the series, there is not much investigating going on here. It is pure urban fantasy. This is a series you are going to have to start from the first book, Hunted by the Others. Without some of the back story I am unsure if first time readers will understand a lot of what is going on.
Shiarra believes that the only reason the Others (vampires, werewolves and mages) get involved with her is because they want something. She steps up and becomes a killer of the Others very quickly. I have to admit that this threw me for a loop, she has resources, friends, and other means to get information, yet she chooses strange paths. Once I understood I was a little irritated she hadn’t fought with herself a little more. I have to tread this lightly, because it is hard to not give something away. I do like the fact that Shiarra doesn’t come off as dense, but she has a resistance to let friends help her. Instead she would rather people help her that want something from her, which boggles my mind. It is fascinating that in a strange way the antagonist in this story is in part Shiarra herself.
I have had a love/hate relationship with these novels since the start. The fourth installment was a little bit of both. The end of the novel made up for a lot of my cliff hanger frustration set up by the third book. It doesn’t leave off on a cliff hanger, and it doesn’t seem to only be made for the next book. Instead it has a nice ending. It didn’t live up to the hype that book three had set up for it. I was expecting a lot more. That is not to say that there isn’t a lot of action. There is a great deal of action, and it doesn’t start slow. The story moves at a pace that will have the reader finished before they know it.
I did go ahead and read the expert for book five that was at the end of the novel. I am looking forward to it. There are some major relationship changes presented in Stalking the Others. I am excited to see what these relationship changes do to the characters, and how they change and grow. It is safe to say I am without a doubt sticking to this series. I would also recommend it for those who enjoy urban fantasy.
My Rating:
We are giving away a copy of Stalking the Others. This giveaway is open internationally and will end on July 17th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
33 Comments:
haven't read any of ur books this ones sounds really good. Its now on my to read list =)
I've read the first two books, but haven't had a chance to read book 3 yet. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens. I really enjoy this series.
I read the first book but had a little trouble relating to the main character - although she dressed badass very well from what I recall. It's nice to see that I am not the only one with a love/hate relationship with this series.
I can't wait to see where it goes from here too--the big change at the end does kind of give the series a chance to reboot or start a whole new area. That being said my Geek Crew had better be there LOL
I still need to read book 1. A love/hate relationship with this series actually makes me more curious. Plus, it sounds like the next may rock!
i haven't discovered this series yet so thank you a lot for this opportunity to win
all the best
oh! this book looks awesome :D
Awesome! I loooove this series! Shiarra is a helluva heroine! Great contest!
Thanks for the great review! I'm ashamed to say that I have the first 3 books languishing in my TBR pile. My goal is to read them this month!!!! I've read nothing but fabulous reviews for this series and I'm doing a headsmack for not reading them sooner :)
I'm on the second book...so far so good!
I would love to read this series. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com
I would love to read this! New author to me.
I loved the first two books...can't wait to read Stalking Others
I have to read a series in order. STALKING THE OTHERS does look amazing.
Liking the series very much!
Haven't read any books in this series...but still really like to try this one :)
Cant wait to read this book.Have an awesome weekend.
Looking forward to reading this book!
Beth's review was interesting, I was happy to see that she recommends the series since I haven't read it yet.
I haven't read books in this series but this one sounds pretty good.
thanks for the giveaway
Thanks for the review and giveaway! Glad the publisher realize their mistake with changing the cover for this one
Love the cover very nice and love the review!
I have mixed feeling about this series as well. I've read the first three (and want to read this one too) but Shiarra's character changes with the wind. Is she scared witless (she almost wets herself in book 1) of the Others or a fierce Other killer? She switches on a dime. Yes, there is some indication that she may be influenced by something, but... I also feel the other characters could have more of a role. That's what usually attracts me to UF, a decent group of supporting characters who are more than background. In the first three books we don't really know what's going on with Royce, the bad (?) guy.
I've read the first book in this series and liked it but the other books in the series have not had the best reviews until this one. I still think its a great series and plan to read all of the books in it.
I've read the first book in this series and liked it but the other books in the series have not had the best reviews until this one. I still think its a great series and plan to read all of the books in it.
I have not read this series yet but would love to try it out. Yes I would go back and start with book 1 if I one. I am just that way.
Thanks so much!
Great review Beth, I am looking forward to reading this one. I did enjoy the others though I have to fight myself from comparing it to the Anita Blake books.
Excellent interview and I love this author. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a huge fan of Jess Haines' and would love to add this book to my burgeoning home library.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
What a great review sounds like a great book can't wait to read it!
Thank you for the great giveaway!
The cover sucked me in first, but now I CAN NOT WAIT to read this :)
Post a Comment