Comments on: REVIEW: Key to Conspiracy by Talia Gryphon http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/ Romance, Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal, Young Adult, Book reviews, industry news, and commentary from a reader's point of view Sun, 27 May 2012 19:51:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Chris http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-214282 Chris Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:33:55 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-214282 Hello- I read the first one, here is what I thought about it. I liked some of this, some of it I did not. There were little things that bothered me. One, I felt like I needed a dictionary to sypher all of the five dollar words. Two, and as simple as this is, she should've researched a little better. I am veteran, I served in the USMC (that is why I read the book, she was a Marine, go kick butt tough chick!). Marines do not EVER refer to themselves as soldiers; soldiers are Army, Maries are Marines. I would get mad whenever I read the character refer to herself as a "Soldier." Three, I was really into it, and then my interest tapered off, I guess I could have ADD, but other authors rarely do that. I am STILL reading this book, and fighting to figure out what happens at the end. I bought the other (this review) before I finished this one and got bored, or my short attention span if you want to call it that :) I have read all of the Sookie Stackhouse novels and I played online games for quite awhile, so the lingo does not bother me much- I understood the Were(animal), fae, ect. Hello-

I read the first one, here is what I thought about it.

I liked some of this, some of it I did not. There were little things that bothered me. One, I felt like I needed a dictionary to sypher all of the five dollar words.
Two, and as simple as this is, she should’ve researched a little better.
I am veteran, I served in the USMC (that is why I read the book, she was a Marine, go kick butt tough chick!). Marines do not EVER refer to themselves as soldiers; soldiers are Army, Maries are Marines. I would get mad whenever I read the character refer to herself as a “Soldier.” Three, I was really into it, and then my interest tapered off, I guess I could have ADD, but other authors rarely do that. I am STILL reading this book, and fighting to figure out what happens at the end. I bought the other (this review) before I finished this one and got bored, or my short attention span if you want to call it that :)

I have read all of the Sookie Stackhouse novels and I played online games for quite awhile, so the lingo does not bother me much- I understood the Were(animal), fae, ect.

]]> By: vera http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-199197 vera Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:31:55 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-199197 Honestly, I love this book and can't seem to put it down. The sex scenes are very, very hot; the characters and their own little romances nice; and Jack the Ripper- need I say more? I love Gillian's temper and her mouth :) and by that I mean the words that come out of it, not, well..... you know. Some people find it hard to keep up with all the terms and story lines, and, very obviously, that's because you most likely a) don't like the book enough to even try to keep up, or b) you just don't have the mental capability to keep up; either way, it's fine, just know that I love this book so so so so so so so much, and is so so so so so so on my favs list. Danke und chao. Honestly, I love this book and can’t seem to put it down.
The sex scenes are very, very hot; the characters and their own little romances nice; and Jack the Ripper- need I say more? I love Gillian’s temper and her mouth :) and by that I mean the words that come out of it, not, well….. you know.
Some people find it hard to keep up with all the terms and story lines, and, very obviously, that’s because you most likely a) don’t like the book enough to even try to keep up, or b) you just don’t have the mental capability to keep up; either way, it’s fine, just know that I love this book so so so so so so so much, and is so so so so so so on my favs list. Danke und chao.

]]> By: RKB http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-198660 RKB Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:10:24 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-198660 I haven't laughed this hard over a review in awhile. I was crying copious tears from laughing so hard. Thank you. :-) I haven’t laughed this hard over a review in awhile. I was crying copious tears from laughing so hard. Thank you. :-)

]]> By: an http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161616 an Wed, 07 May 2008 05:33:16 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161616 I just finished reading the first book of the series, and I was all excited that you reviewed this one, and didn't read the post until I'd finished it and got all excited about throwing my two cents in about this book. Then I realized that I'd read the first book, and you'd reviewed the second. Then I realized that I'd been so enthusiastic about my response to the book that I'd done a blog-worthy post. So, I reviewed number one (Key of Whatever), at my blog. If you don't care about spoilers, go see! www.serasonho.blogspot.com ps. I know it is unbelievably tacky and uncouth to post a link to my blog. I'm sorry. I know. Tacky. I was just really excited about actually reading a book that's been reviewed (it never happens. ever) shortly after it's been reviewed. I just finished reading the first book of the series, and I was all excited that you reviewed this one, and didn’t read the post until I’d finished it and got all excited about throwing my two cents in about this book.

Then I realized that I’d read the first book, and you’d reviewed the second.

Then I realized that I’d been so enthusiastic about my response to the book that I’d done a blog-worthy post.

So, I reviewed number one (Key of Whatever), at my blog. If you don’t care about spoilers, go see!

http://www.serasonho.blogspot.com

ps. I know it is unbelievably tacky and uncouth to post a link to my blog. I’m sorry. I know. Tacky. I was just really excited about actually reading a book that’s been reviewed (it never happens. ever) shortly after it’s been reviewed.

]]> By: Bernita http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161434 Bernita Tue, 06 May 2008 11:23:02 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161434 On re-reading the review and the list of mythic characters, I have to ask - does the story include a were-sink? On re-reading the review and the list of mythic characters, I have to ask – does the story include a were-sink?

]]> By: Keishon http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161421 Keishon Tue, 06 May 2008 03:17:48 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161421 The LKH cover quote would have been more than enough to make me put this book back down on the shelf where I found it. The LKH cover quote would have been more than enough to make me put this book back down on the shelf where I found it.

]]> By: Kristie(J) http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161420 Kristie(J) Tue, 06 May 2008 01:58:11 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161420 I thought I was reading good Gilligan and bad Gilligan and was thinking "Wha?" Were the Skipper and Marianne there too or something. And weremoose? Now that's going to far I think. Would a group of them be called weremooses - that's just silly!! I thought I was reading good Gilligan and bad Gilligan and was thinking “Wha?” Were the Skipper and Marianne there too or something.
And weremoose? Now that’s going to far I think. Would a group of them be called weremooses – that’s just silly!!

]]> By: Another Path to Publishing « The Not-so-deep Thoughts http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161417 Another Path to Publishing « The Not-so-deep Thoughts Tue, 06 May 2008 01:34:36 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161417 [...] this, this and [...] [...] this, this and [...]

]]> By: Jia http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161408 Jia Mon, 05 May 2008 23:57:48 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161408 Thanks for taking the bullet, Jane. I just wasn't able to make it past the first few pages of this. Thanks for taking the bullet, Jane. I just wasn’t able to make it past the first few pages of this.

]]> By: katiebabs http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161403 katiebabs Mon, 05 May 2008 22:23:45 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161403 I want a pet were-moose. I will call him George. :D I want a pet were-moose. I will call him George. :D

]]> By: Jennifer Estep http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161395 Jennifer Estep Mon, 05 May 2008 20:04:06 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161395 Hmm ... interesting discussion. In my book, everyone who has an ability is a "paramortal" and everyone who doesn't is just a "mortal." It doesn't really have anything to do with their <em>mortality</em>, per se. (Although all my characters can die -- and some of them do, quite horribly). The paramortals are just those that have a little something extra. Plus, some of them are human and some aren't. And hey, I thought it sounded cooler than "parahuman." :-) Hmm … interesting discussion. In my book, everyone who has an ability is a “paramortal” and everyone who doesn’t is just a “mortal.” It doesn’t really have anything to do with their mortality, per se. (Although all my characters can die — and some of them do, quite horribly). The paramortals are just those that have a little something extra. Plus, some of them are human and some aren’t.

And hey, I thought it sounded cooler than “parahuman.” :-)

]]> By: Seressia http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161393 Seressia Mon, 05 May 2008 19:25:21 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161393 Jennifer, I think "paramortal" would be fine if talking about humans with paranormal abilities, or mortals with paranormal abilities, to distinguish them from the immortals. This book seems to use it as a catch-all for anything/one with ability, mortal or not. Werebears and wereMooses? wow. Jennifer,

I think “paramortal” would be fine if talking about humans with paranormal abilities, or mortals with paranormal abilities, to distinguish them from the immortals. This book seems to use it as a catch-all for anything/one with ability, mortal or not.

Werebears and wereMooses? wow.

]]> By: Bernita http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161392 Bernita Mon, 05 May 2008 19:17:29 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161392 While the book sounds a total mess, the term "paramortal" sounds fine to me. While the book sounds a total mess, the term “paramortal” sounds fine to me.

]]> By: Jane http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161390 Jane Mon, 05 May 2008 18:45:02 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161390 Jennifer Estep - I guess my problem with paramortal is that the prefix "para" has the meaning of "alongside" but within the same genus. I.e., a paramilitary group is still a military group. Parapsychology is still some form of psychology only a fringe science. Paramortal to describe something not mortal at all seems strange to me. Other <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/para" rel="nofollow">definitions</a>: # Beside; near; alongside: paranucleus. # Beyond: parapsychology. # Incorrect; abnormal: paradipsia. # Similar to; resembling: paratyphoid. # Subsidiary; assistant: Jennifer Estep – I guess my problem with paramortal is that the prefix “para” has the meaning of “alongside” but within the same genus. I.e., a paramilitary group is still a military group. Parapsychology is still some form of psychology only a fringe science. Paramortal to describe something not mortal at all seems strange to me.

Other definitions:

# Beside; near; alongside: paranucleus.
# Beyond: parapsychology.
# Incorrect; abnormal: paradipsia.
# Similar to; resembling: paratyphoid.
# Subsidiary; assistant:

]]> By: Cassie http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161389 Cassie Mon, 05 May 2008 18:31:30 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161389 I've been hestitating on picking up the second one (glutton for punishment and all since I didn't even finish the first) but am so glad I haven't spent the money. Thanks for the review, Jane. You've listed all the things that drive me crazy. I'm not even going to read it for the sheer awfulness. That would be a waste of my time. Time spent on better books and better authors. I’ve been hestitating on picking up the second one (glutton for punishment and all since I didn’t even finish the first) but am so glad I haven’t spent the money. Thanks for the review, Jane. You’ve listed all the things that drive me crazy. I’m not even going to read it for the sheer awfulness. That would be a waste of my time. Time spent on better books and better authors.

]]> By: Liviania http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161388 Liviania Mon, 05 May 2008 18:28:26 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161388 That sounds like a hideous mix of paranormals. The number of different cultures and time periods that those creatures come from . . . I doubt she paid much attention to tradition. Weremoose. Now that's something lacking in a long tradition. She could've made the poor guy a wereElk at least. That sounds like a hideous mix of paranormals. The number of different cultures and time periods that those creatures come from . . . I doubt she paid much attention to tradition.

Weremoose. Now that’s something lacking in a long tradition. She could’ve made the poor guy a wereElk at least.

]]> By: Jennifer Estep http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161387 Jennifer Estep Mon, 05 May 2008 18:28:04 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161387 Um, I use the word "paramortal" in one of my urban fantasies as a catch-all phrase for everyone who has a power/ability -- vampires, Druids, lycanthropes, etc. (No immortals or gods in my book). I thought it was a cool word, but given the reaction to the word here, I'm wondering if I should reconsider that ... Speaking outside of the review, what makes a fantasy word/phrase work or not work for you as a reader? The reaction here has made me curious ... Um, I use the word “paramortal” in one of my urban fantasies as a catch-all phrase for everyone who has a power/ability — vampires, Druids, lycanthropes, etc. (No immortals or gods in my book).

I thought it was a cool word, but given the reaction to the word here, I’m wondering if I should reconsider that …

Speaking outside of the review, what makes a fantasy word/phrase work or not work for you as a reader? The reaction here has made me curious …

]]> By: (Jān) http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161385 (Jān) Mon, 05 May 2008 18:05:50 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161385 <blockquote>Were-moose? Are you kidding me? Does this take place in Canada? Are Rocky and Bullwinkle in it too?</blockquote> LOL! That's what I was thinking. Maybe that explains why Natasha dressed like Morticia Adams. And how embarrassing would being a were-moose be in the paranormal community? I suppose it's way better than being a were-flounder. Now that would be inconvenient.

Were-moose? Are you kidding me? Does this take place in Canada? Are Rocky and Bullwinkle in it too?

LOL! That’s what I was thinking. Maybe that explains why Natasha dressed like Morticia Adams.

And how embarrassing would being a were-moose be in the paranormal community? I suppose it’s way better than being a were-flounder. Now that would be inconvenient.

]]> By: Ann Bruce http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161384 Ann Bruce Mon, 05 May 2008 18:02:01 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161384 <blockquote>When they go with more than just a few paranorms I get confused and lose track what all these weird beings are supposed to be.</blockquote> Maybe someone can put together a paranormal reading guide or cheat sheet.

When they go with more than just a few paranorms I get confused and lose track what all these weird beings are supposed to be.

Maybe someone can put together a paranormal reading guide or cheat sheet.

]]> By: Vicky http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/f-reviews/review-key-to-conspiracy-by-talia-gryphon/#comment-161383 Vicky Mon, 05 May 2008 16:50:53 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/?p=4399#comment-161383 Oh dear, it sounds much like <strong>Key to Conflict</strong> which I <em>hated</em>. One of my big problems with that book was Gillian having an affair with the vampire she was seeing as a patient. Um, ethics anyone? Oh dear, it sounds much like Key to Conflict which I hated. One of my big problems with that book was Gillian having an affair with the vampire she was seeing as a patient. Um, ethics anyone?

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