Rivals and Retribution by Shannon DelanyPublished: 7th August 2012
By: St. Martin's Griffen
Source: The Book Depository
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
SPOILERS
The 13 to Life series started of amazingly well for me and I was completely enamoured with this original werewolf story. But, books 4 and 5 were a complete let down. I felt book 4, Destiny and Deception, was just a long drawn out lead up to this one. Peter is a completely different character from the beginning after taking the cure, and not in a good way, the timing is all over the place, and just as things start to pick up, it ends on a cliff hanger.
Rivals and Retribution opens where Destiny and Deception left off, with a rescue mission by the Rusakova's to rescue Jessie. Even at Jessie's kidnapping, Pietr didn't seem to be able to build up any heat or passion. Thankfully, fear for Jessie's life is enough to make Pietr's wolf overcome the cure, but my joy at that didn't last very long, as he immediately imprints with Marlaena, alpha of a rival pack who arrived in Junction in the last book, and is a really unappealing character.
The Pietr who appeared in the first three books of this series was hot, passionate, caring, tough, protective and all those things that I love in my book crushes, but this guy disappeared at the end of book 3 and unfortunately, never makes a reappearance.
Again, the timing in this book was all over the place and at times, it felt rushed. At one point, Alexei is struggling to find the new cure and doesn't know if he's going to have it in time to save Pietr, then within a couple of pages, he's on his way home from the laboratory with enough of the cure for everyone. It was just really off.
The last chapter was really annoying. Jessie wakes up after a few hours of sleep and thinks the whole book series has just been a dream!!!! WTF! She eventually realises it wasn't but this was just ridiculous.
I feel as if Shannon had completely lost interest in this series for the last two books. If she'd stopped after book 3, this would have been an amazing series, but unfortunately, that wasn't to be. With the result that I'll be reluctant to pick up anything by this author again.
This sounds like another series that should have been cut short. There are far too many that lose potential half-way. I read the first couple of books in this series and didn't really enjoy them, in all honesty, but those seem to have been a hit with most people. What happened in the end here would have really annoyed me, too! I'm sorry this fell short in some ways, but brilliant review, Suzanne. :)
Aw! This is a series that I really struggled to get into. I managed to read half of the first book and that's it. I just didn't grab me and I'm kind of glad now because I hate series that drag. Great review hun x
Eeep I hate it when one of your favourite series' starts going downhill. I think I would have been so tempted to have given up with this book at some point. But well done for sticking it out, hoping for a better read. I think I might be still compelled in picking the first book seeing as you enjoyed it! Great review Suzanne! :)
Sorry it was such a let down. I read the first, liked but not loved it and have been fine not reading more. Thanks for review though, and hope your next book is better.
Happy reading,
Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Aw, it's too bad the author didn't wrap up this series a bit earlier. I haven't read anything of this author yet and don't think this series is the right way for me to be introduced to her work. I know she has a book coming out called Weather Witch and think I'll start with that one.
Aww, that sucks when that happens. I just leaves a bad taste in your mouth, huh?
Btw, I love knowing what time it is in Dublin when I come to your blog. :)
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