GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Sheep Book Review: Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost | I Smell Sheep

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Sheep Book Review: Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

Once Burned, by Jeaniene Frost, is the first edition in her new PNR Night Prince saga. Vlad's book was highly anticipated and I for one was waiting on pins and needles to dive right into this newest edition. While Once Burned turned out leaving me a little disappointed I'm not by any means losing faith in Frost.

Plot
After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person's darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude...until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world's most infamous vampire...

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all--but whatever you do, don't call him Dracula. Vlad's ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him - a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

How hard it must be for a vampire like Vlad to have any even remotely meaningful relationship with the ladies. They either want to ride the pony for his riches, power, or fame. It would be a nice notch on the belt to say you boinked Dracula, plus he's a Prince! (not the artist formally known as Prince either) Vlad lost a bit of that spunky nature I liked about him, but that being said he's still fun to read! So when Leila steps into the picture with her bag of circus tricks I wanted to fully believe that this could end up being a match made in undead heaven. Sadly that didn't really pan out for me.

Here's what I DID like about Leila: she stands up to a vampire who could kill her at any moment, she's got a kickass last name (Dalton! Woot Woot!), she's physically and emotionally scarred, has electric power, she's flawed and makes mistakes. But what I didn't enjoy was the constant babysitting this chick required AND the fact that she keeps getting people either wounded or killed just because they knew her. Plus she does the typical girl thing and falls for a man that tells her point blank "I can never love you". *shakes head* Um, honey he just told you! I wanted to slap some sense into her at times but alas she is a fictional character. Note to self: Stop slapping book pages.

The book pace was fairly well laid out, but there were a few little lag spots here and there before action or major dialog picked up. In addition, a new bad guy steps into the picture which should help carry this saga along for at least another book. While the story itself didn't hit any emotional bones in me. Frost is a fantastic writer and delivers a good story but when you've read "great" books by her you get a little disappointed. The romance between our lead two was average but yet again nothing that really sparked to life on the pages for me.

For those that have yet to find the amazing Night Huntress Series, the series from which this book is a spin-off, you should absolutely read that at the first opportunity. That's the series that sucked me in and got me hooked on Vlad, Bones, Spade and company. Great stuff! I'm sticking with Frost and hoping for more heat, action and catchier dialog in the next edition due out in 2013.

Getting 3 and 1/2 Sheep
KD

8 comments:

  1. I just finished it the other day. I enjoyed it. I was trying to figure out what was different about Vlad, you hit it. He wasn't his usual spunky self.

    I liked his explanation on why he hasn't had many relationships. It is nice to know that every hero doesn't have to be a man whore.

    Of course she was going to fall in love with him. LOL

    Thanks for the review.

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    1. Yeah, he was just off from his character in the Huntress saga. I still like me some Vlad but the transition from side character the lead got a little muddy. Still, I am sticking with the series as a whole. Very enjoyable books!

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  2. Wow. I'm surprised by the rating! I'm currently reading the book now so I only skimmed the review because I don't want to spoil the book. I have found though that her books on the side characters haven't been that great.

    Liz ^_^
    www.vampyrekisses.com

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    1. Yes and no Liz. Cause I LOVED the Spade book. Freakin LOVED that book. This one was good...just not great! But finish it and let me know what ya think. xo

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  3. Let me say Ms. Katie, I love your reviews - they can turn a mediocre day into a little gig of fun! Thank you for sharing. I, being a dyed in the wool fangirl of JF, will definitely stay in line for this installment just cause reading and enjoyment of a good book are so subjective and I have to read it myself LOL

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    1. Yes! And I am totally looking forward to hearing what YOU thought of the book. We will prob agree and disagree on a few points but that's the fun in it! Woot!

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  4. lol, ride that pony...snort! you are so funny Katie I have a copy and just waiting for the chance to read it.

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