BURNING ALIVE

Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher

Verdict: Irritating Read

Genre: urban fantasy

Warning: Spoilers!

I confess that I picked this one up just because I am a huge fan of Jim Butcher. I was kinda expecting, more or less, the same fast-paced and engrossing quality that I've come to associate with Jim Butcher but with a romantic twist. I shouldn't have done that because I think that is one of the reasons that ruined this book for me. Having preconceived expectations. The other reason is, I really hate characters in the book behaving so vastly different from the way they were described. So out of character, that there is no semblance whatsoever to the way they were described in the book anymore. I have "inconsistency issues" here. Take for example this scenario:

A Theronai warrior is described as having a protective instinct a mile wide. Then, our Theronai protagonist went and brought his bonded female into the heart of the enemy "nest" with no training, no education and no knowledge of her powers whatsoever and ended up almost getting killed. What!?!

Okey, so there was not enough time to do training and stuff. But... if you have a protective instinct a mile wide, I do not think you would bring anyone, never mind your "bonded female", into the enemy nest. I just do not think so.

The protagonist is behaving so so out of character that a reader has a difficulty connecting with the character anymore. Makes it a bit difficult for a reader to "suspend disbelief".

Maybe this book would be great for somebody more forgiving than me. But I would not buy anymore Shannon Butchers.

Cherry's Rating: 1 out of 5 cherries

About This Book:

There are worse ways to die...

They are the Sentinels. Three races descended from ancient guardians of mankind, each possessing unique abilities in their battle to protect humanity against their eternal foes--the Synestryn. Now, one warrior must fight his own desire if he is to discover the power that lies within his one true love...

For too long, Helen Day has been haunted by visions of her own death, surrounded by flames as a dark-haired man watches her burn. So when she sees the man of her nightmares staring at her across a diner, she attempts to flee--and ends up in the man's arms. There, she awakens a force more powerful and enticing than she could ever imagine.

The instant the Theronai warrior Drake touches Helen, the anguish he has borne for years fades away. He is determined to know why this beautiful, fearful woman has such power over him. The answer lies in his very blood--and in Helen's as well. For together, they may become more than lovers--they may become a weapon of light that could tip the balance of the war--and save Drake's people...

'Til death...

Helen shivered and heard a small moan lift from her mouth. Every cell in her body stood at attention from that one little touch. Her skin grew warm and her abdomen tightened against a jolt of heat. She wanted something she couldn't name. Needed it. It wasn't just desire. It went deeper than that. Bone deep. Soul deep. He had something that belonged to her and she wanted it. Even if it killed her.

His lips slid over her cheek, barely touching. Maybe not even touching, just stirring the fine hairs along her skin. Whatever he was doing, it was wonderful, fear or not. She felt like she was being filled up with energy. She felt more alive than she ever had before.

All from a barely-there touch from the man who would watch her die...

Source: Info in the About This Book was taken from the author's website at http://www.shannonkbutcher.com/index.php?id=13.