Wednesday 24 January 2018

Book Review: Thorns and Fangs by Gillian St. Kevern

Title: Thorns and Fangs (#1)
Author: Gillian St. Kevern
Publisher: NineStar Press
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 372
Format: eBook - EPUB
Genre: MM/PNR
Source: ARC via NetGalley



Nate is caught between two dangerously hot vampires who can compel people to do whatever they want and a ruthless necromancer who wants Nate for all the wrong reasons—and that’s only the start of his problems.

Escort Nate prides himself on two things: his ability to please his clients and his normality – living in the monster capital of the world, ordinary is rare. Hunter, a darkly charming vampire with more charisma than is good for him, decides Nate is just what he needs. Nate’s sympathetic nature and skill in the bedroom are put to the ultimate test. But Hunter wants Nate for someone else – his brother, Ben. Nate is immediately attracted by the control with which Ben holds his sensitive nature in force. Too afraid of becoming a monster to allow himself to feel, Ben struggles to resist Nate’s generosity of emotion. As a vindictive necromancer makes Ben his target of revenge, Nate discovers that making people feel good doesn’t compare to making Ben feel. As Nate’s normal world crumbles around him, and he desperately searches for a way to save Ben, Nate is unable to escape becoming the necromancer’s latest victim.

But Nate’s death is only the beginning. Coming back to life in the bathroom of Gunn, a Department Seven officer who hates the vampire family that Ben and Hunter belong to, Nate doesn’t know who to trust or even what he is. As the necromancer’s trap pulls tighter around himself and Ben, Nate is forced to let go of normal and embrace powers he doesn’t fully understand. In defiance of Ben’s vampire sire and hunted by Department Seven, Nate and Ben finally learn to trust and rely on each other. But when the necromancer succeeds in capturing Ben, Nate alone can come to his rescue.(Goodreads Synopsis)


Thorns and Fangs is a book over whose rating I struggled. On the one hand, I love the concept behind the story, and, taken individually, the characters are interesting and engaging. However, there was just something about it that didn't quite come together for me. I think the main difficulty I had was the pacing. The opening was really slow and comprised mostly of sex scenes. That wouldn't bother me if it had been linked to the plot, but the real 'story' didn't commence until about 25% in, and by then my interest had started to waiver. However, once things finally got going, I did get into the story more... until the end, when all the action concluded but there followed another bout of sex and a 'final threat' that didn't amount to much. To my mind, the story would have worked better had there been some trimming at the start and finish. Nevertheless, I am still giving it 3.5 stars, because I did enjoy the premise and the world building, and when the action was in full swing, it was an enjoyable read.

No comments:

Post a Comment