Book Review: Rogue by Rachel Vincent

Rogue

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Rogue 〰️

This is my second read of this series. I first read the series in the early 2010s. I remember enjoying it, but because many years have passed, I don't remember much of what happened other than a few key things. So, I'm excited to dive back into one of Vi’s earlier works.

I mentioned in my review of Stray that Faythe calling her dad "daddy" felt kind of weird, seeing how, nowadays, older women tend to (but not always) use that word in a sexual way. Thankfully, though she still calls Greg "daddy," she doesn't use the word as often. I almost thought Vincent decided to have that word removed from the book, but around 100 pages in, she finally said it for the first time—still, not a big deal. I'm curious to see how often Faythe uses "daddy" in the subsequent few volumes.

Also, I see Marc still has anger issues, although he seems to have tamed some of it. Perhaps it's because he's with Faythe now? Either way, the toxic masculinity is strong with him. I get he can be a great guy, and he is caring, but I do wonder what Faythe sees in him at the moment.

That said, I don't see anything else that bothers me in this novel. I think the first book had many flaws (despite my enjoyment), but the second book upped the stakes, action and emotion. Though Faythe can act immaturely, she's still a strong, badass female lead, and I love reading her story.

Book Review: Stray by Rachel Vincent

Stray

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Stray 〰️

This is my second time reading this series. I originally read them probably around 2012ish? I can’t recall. But it’s been long enough that reading it now feels like the first time. I’m excited to dive back into Vincent’s first series to see if they still hold up. And I know this is only the first book, but you know what? They do. Sure, there are some issues that I’ve noticed now that I, for some reason, didn’t pick up back then, but that doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of Vincent’s work. There is a reason everything she writes is an auto-buy and usually a re-read. (Though her Soul Screamers series will always be my first love and my favourite). 

So, let’s get a few things that bothered me out of the way. (Kinda rant?)

-Every time Faythe calls her dad “Daddy," it kinda creeps me out. I think it’s because people use “daddy” in a more sexual way these days. I know this book was written in the mid-2000s, and the sexual meaning wasn’t around (or as popular. It could have been around, but I didn’t realize it). Still, I can’t help but picture Faythe, a full-grown adult, getting all childish and pouty when she calls her dad “daddy.” (Nothing wrong with still calling your parents mommy and daddy at an older age. I’m just saying adults using “daddy” these days hold a different meaning most of the time).

-I forgot about how Marc was super territorial, to the point where it’s toxic masculinity. It wasn’t romantic. It was kinda gross. I forgot how most of the series goes, but I know Marc is endgame for Faythe, and the attempted love triangle with Jace was also weird. The fact that her parents basically forced her to be with Marc (yes, she still wants him, but that’s besides the point), is also creepy. Giving me arranged marriage vibes. I’m not sure how I feel about Marc at the moment. I think I like Jace more, but I do remember that Marc grew on me in later volumes, so we’ll see if that still holds true. He really needs to stop claiming Faythe, however. I mean, yes, they’re together at the end of the first book, but the moment they reunite, he literally claims her and maims his competition. And he gets rewarded for his behaviour by getting Faythe in the end. 

-And last, when she has sex with Marc for the first time, she’s technically cheating on Andrew. I know she realizes the consequences of it right in the next chapter, but yeah. Also, as conceptual as it was, it wasn’t since she was still drunk. I’m aware they have consensual romantic advances later, but she still hasn’t broken up with Andrew at that point. I’m not a fan of cheaters. 

-Most of the action happens in the last third of the book. The first half had Faythe essentially reminiscing about her childhood and deciding which dude she wanted to be with. Also, if you think about it, Faythe spends 80%ish of this book as a captive of sorts. I mean, she wasn’t truly captive at the ranch, but she was under heavy watch and guarded. Then, she was actually captured and spent a good chunk of time in a cage. At least Vincent’s writing is so good that the fact doesn’t matter because she still makes it an engaging read.

That all being said, I loved this book more this read than my first. I absolutely love Faythe as a character. She’s a smart-talking, badass, strong female lead that we can definitely root for. I love her passion and resolve about everything. I totally get her desire for freedom, especially since she knows she’ll eventually have the burden of keeping the Pride alive. Vincent can also make each character distinct and unique despite having many of them to go around. I can’t wait to continue with this series and have my heartstrings pulled at again. I can’t recall what will happen, but I do remember the series hitting me in the feels.

If you love shifters, cat puns (and cats!), excellent writing and a lovable MC, be sure to pick up Stray. (And while you’re at it, get the rest of the series so you can start right away).

Just know that there are some pretty dark scenes in the book's latter half, so consider this your trigger warning.

Book Review: The Flame Never Dies by Rachel Vincent

The Flame Never Dies

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The Flame Never Dies 〰️

This is my second read of this book. I've read both this one and the first book back when they first came out—loved them then. But somehow, I think I love them even more now. Vincent is my favourite author for a reason. Her books age like fine wine; they only get better with each re-read. And though I loved this book when I first read it, it's been a while, so it was basically like reading it for the first time. I was hooked. And I think I'm even more enamoured with this book than I was during my first read.

While the first book did read like the setup for this one (and it kind of was, but that didn't matter because Vincent's storytelling was compelling), this book was its payoff—the story Vincent really wanted to tell.

That being said, I never thought I'd be so invested in a side character's pregnancy. We don't see much of Nina's sister in both books, but in this one, she's about to pop and I completely forgot that Mellie never made it out alive. I thought she survived somehow, but nope. She dies off-screen being posses by a demon, and no one notices, including me, who read this book before. I wasn't saddened by her loss since we don't get much screentime with her, but I did enjoy the brief time we had with Meshara, the demon who passed her. I thought it was interesting having a demon who was pregnant but also infected. Vincent really knew how to draw out the tension on whether the baby would even be born, let alone live. I will say, however, we never really do get an explanation on how Adam survives without a soul being donated unless I missed it. Did the well of souls suddenly fill up again? Did the world go back to the days before we knew we had to die and donate our souls so newborns could live?

Besides that, the only true nitpick about these two books (besides Finn and Nina's insta-love, which I forgive because they're cute together) is the title of this series. I personally don't get the titles of either of the books other than they both sound really cool and have gorgeous covers to go with them. Besides that? I'm not sure what the titles mean in relation to the books. Well, I guess the title of this one, The Flame Never Dies, could relate to the white light "flame" the exorcist has when exorcising demons. But the title of the first book? No clue.

That being said, I don't think I will ever tire of Vincent's works. Perhaps not every book of hers will appeal to everyone, but she has enough that one of her books is bound to hook you. I personally believe that if you like Vincent's works, you'll love these two books as well.

Book Review: The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

The Stars Never Rise

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The Stars Never Rise 〰️

This is my second read of this book. I read this initially when it first came out. I loved it then, and I love it even more after this re-read. Somehow I feel like I am more into this story now than when it first came out. But that's the thing about Vincent. Her books age like fine wine. They're always amazing the first read. But after some time away and you re-read them, they're somehow even better than they were the first read. There is a reason Vincent is my all-time favourite author. Her works are so good they always demand a re-read, and they never disappoint.

This story takes place in the future and yet is grounded in today's reality. The Church has taken over all manners of authority, and because in this universe where demons are real, everyone allows the Church to dictate every aspect of their lives. It mirrors our world in a way. Religion plays a huge role in most people's lives, and people don't usually question the higher-up's authority. However, in Vincent's world, the Church is far more sinister than ours. (Not to say there isn't any evil in the Church in our world; there is corruption in anything with authority, unfortunately. Not always, but it happens).

This book does read like a considerable world-building and is set up for the second book in two-part series. That isn't to say it's a bad thing. And that also doesn't make this a bad book. Far from it, actually. But I can see how some people may see it that way. But because Vincent is such a masterful storyteller, we don't even realize it's a massive exposition dump. It reads like a valid story and is intriguing the entire way.

I will say, however, that Finn and Nina's relationship feels a bit insta-lovey. While I love their relationship, and I do find they have chemistry, both Nina and Finn are pretty attached to teacher other (like kissing) basically from the moment they meet. And that's fine, but they're acting like they've been together a lot longer than a week or so. That's the only negative thing I can say about this book, and even then, it's a huge nitpick because I also ship these two so much.

If you're a fan of any of Vincent's books, you'll be sure to enjoy this one (as well as the sequel, I bet).

Book Review: Living Dead Girl by Rachel Vincent

Living Dead Girl

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Living Dead Girl 〰️

Holy hell, what a ride! Seeing as this was one of her earlier works put on the back burner for a hot min, it's safe to say Vincent always knew how to tell a good story.

My only concern is since this was written many years ago, I wonder if she also wrote a sequel. The ending was great, but if this was a standalone book, it was also not satisfying at all. In fact, it's the type of ending that demands a sequel, and I worry we will never get one. I sure hope we do. There were so many unanswered questions.

That being said, I'm glad to see another adult book back in her urban fantasy roots. Don't get me wrong; she writes the best YA. (though I may be biased since literally anything of any genre Vincent writes is literary gold for me). But she also writes amazing adult, and I feel like we haven't seen that in a while. And technically still haven't since this was originally written years ago, only now to resurface and polish up for modern times.

This story had me right from the start. Vincent knows how to give a good chapter cliffhanger that keeps you reading straight until the very end. If you are a fan of Vincent's earlier works, like the Shifters series (a great series, by the way), you'll also love this book. I will never stop recommending Vincent's books to anyone who will listen to me.

Book Review: Fury by Rachel Vincent

Fury

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Fury 〰️

To say this book ended on a bittersweet tone on multiple levels is an understatement. How Vincent managed to tell two separate yet intertwining stories was perfection. And the ending. Just wow.

This is my second all-time favourite series from Vincent, the first being her Soul Screamers series. And in both, the main character dies. Not many authors kill off prominent characters (at least not in the books I've read). But when they do, it's usually not the main character we've been following for an entire series. Yet Vincent braves to write about it and make it a necessary part of the story.

I love how we learn more about the world we are in each part of this trilogy at the right time. I love Delilah's found family bond with her fellow escapees/former captives. Each character is so unique and well-written. I felt so upset when Eryx died and even more when it was Delilah's turn.

My only problem was that this book ended. (That and maybe we don't really know how Deliah's found family ended up five years after her death, though it seems that things are looking better for Cryptids. One can hope, anyway). Aside from that minor nitpick, this book and the series as a whole were absolutely amazing. Each new book had added new slew of problems to overcome, and none of them easy. I was as captivated by this book as I was by the first and second. This is defiantly a series worth re-reading.

If you are a fan of any of Vincent's books, you'll also enjoy this series. Granted, the end is bittersweet, but it's still the perfect ending to a perfect series.

Book review: Spectacle by Rachel Vincent

Spectacle

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Spectacle 〰️

Rachel Vincent has done it again. She managed to somehow up the high stakes of the first book and turn the dial past its maximum point. If you thought life at the menagerie was horrible, life at Savage Spectacle makes Metzger's place sound like a pretty sweet deal.

In Spectacle, the horror of captivity has been amplified. Sure, it may seem like a step up from the carnival at first, but with the introduction of the collars, it's a new nightmare. And once again, Vincent's writing is so superb I felt just as trapped and helpless as Delilah and her fellow captives. Granted, it's not a nice feeling, but I enjoy immersing myself in the world I'm currently reading, and Vincent's master storytelling does just that.

Reading this book makes me feel so many emotions about situations I've never been in and hopefully never will be. But that's what I love about Vincent and her works, how she can transport you to her world from the safety of your own home.

If you enjoyed the first book, Menagerie, you'll surely enjoy this one just as much. The world-building is expanded, and fresh plot twists. The writing is engaging, and you'll never want to put the book down. Actually, if you're a fan of Vincent in general, this book is for you. Just make sure to have the third (and final) book ready for when you finish because you are going to want to immediately fice back into this story the moment you finish the second book.

Book Review: Menagerie by Rachel Vincent

Menagerie

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Menagerie 〰️

This is my second reading of this book, and once again, I was not disappointed.

Rachel Vincent's Menagerie series is a super close second to my all-time favourite series of hers, the Soul Screamers series. (Though if you have read any of my previous Vincent book reviews, you'll know that anything she writes is literary gold, in my opinion, and there's a reason she is an insta-buy for any new book she writes).

I can't begin to describe how excellent this book is. I've never been stripped of all my rights and treated worse than a death row inmate, but Vincent's writing made me feel as though I have. I could feel Delilah's despair as her humanity was stripped away. I felt the sadness of her fellow captives. I wasn't just reading this story; I was experiencing it. And that is why Vincent is a master storyteller.

From the very first page, Vincent pulls you into a world where not only do animals and humans exists, but cryptids such as mermaids and shifters are real. Sadly, something known as the reaping happened in the 80s and cryptids is no longer allowed to co-exist with humans. (I read the whole series when it first came out; I just never did a review. So I can say that as the books go on, we learn more about the event known as the reaping). It's unfortunate to see cryptids being treated so poorly, but knowing humanity, I can buy this happening in our world.

If you are a fan of any of Vincent's works, especially her Shifters series or mythical creatures in general, this is the story for you. The twists and excellent writing keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time, wondering how Delilah can escape her fate of captivity. A true masterpiece of a story. 10/10 I highly recommend it.