…author raises issues which have no apparent connection with the ongoing book to book conflict.

I thought these issues are meant to add to the overall confusion.

As to the spoilers…

1. I didn’t pay much attention to this, figuring it would continue into other stories.
2. As to killing Richard, I’m not so sure that’s what Lucan was ultimately trying to do.
3. This one I did buy into, the neighbor/friends, have no real idea what would be happening.
4. The Leigh thing, I think the threats were meant to annoy, and as to surviving, heck, it seems many of the character survive all sorts of torture.
5. The stalking–this added to the confusion as to who was doijng the torturing and killing, so it worked for me.

I can see and understand your disappointment, but I guess I came to it from a different perspective.

But when the author raises issues which have no apparent connection with the ongoing book to book conflict: i.e., Lucan’s feelings of self worth, Samantha’s stalker, the monk friend of John’s and so forth, that is where my real problem comes in. I particulary thought that the romance between Lucan and Samantha was weak and uninspired given this author’s talent. I felt, at the end of the story, that so little time was spent on Lucan and Samantha’s romance that it would barely fit into a short story and so as a romance book (and aren’t these billed as romances?) it failed. Obviously I am passionate about this book because of my love for the series! :)

And the rest of the post gets into some spoilers so

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

1. I found it unbelievable that Samantha did not recognize who Suarez was until he took off his GLASSES.
2. I found it unbelievable that the whole “stage” show was set up so that Lucan could try to kill Richard, which didn’t work anyway.
3. I found it unbelievable that Sam’s neighbor and her friends were there at the bar “helping” her.
4. I found it unbelievable that Leigh could come back after drinking the “heart” potion to kill Lucan and everyone else (in addition to sending Lucan the silly copper threats).
5. I found the inclusion of the stalker story to be meaningless. What was the point of that? And why did he show up at the end?

I normally agree with most of Jane’s reviews, we seem to have very similar taste, but I really enjoyed this book. I do think If Angels BUrn is the best in the series to this point, but I thought this was a little better than the second.

I think the “half scenes” are intentional, as the story is always shrouded in mystery and confusion, you’re never quite sure where it’s going. Michael is never completely honest with Alex, keeping her perpetually in the dark about what is going on within the “Darkyn” and the story also keeps us somewhat in the dark. They are good vs. evil stories and at times you’re not sure which is which, Darkyn vs. Order. John seems to be coming closer to his decision.

The relationship between Samantha and Lucan seems to fall much closer to a “romance” style book, and yet the book still has the feeling of horror and mystery.

Too many ideas and not enough resolution.

These books don’t stand alone, each builds and moves towards the next, ultimately nothing except the romantic relationships are resolved and isn’t that part of the point of the series, to pull us to the next book.

I look at the “half scenes” differently. It’s a way to continue the secrets, nothing is ever fully told in any of the books. How often does Alex realize Michael has lied by omission through these books. Each character is revealed slowly and never completely. This adds to the good vs. evil feel of the book without ever really knowing ultimately which group is which, Darkyn or Order. Though with each book John seems to be coming closer to making that decision.

I thought the relationship between Sam and Lucan is the closest LV has gotten to actually creating a romance. I also thought the stalking by her previous partner was part of the story has it causes confusion that add to the whodunit.

Too many ideas and not enough resolution.

I think that’s part of the point of the continuing story line, thes books are not meant to be stand alone, each grows on the previous and adds additional layers to the long term story.