Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Review + Giveaway: Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost






Once Burned (Night Prince, #1)
by Jeaniene Frost
S
eries


Published June 26th 2012 by Avon
Mass Market Paperback, 346 pages
ISBN
006178320X (ISBN13: 9780061783203)

*Personal Purchase*


















She's a mortal with dark powers...
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...

He's the Prince of Night...

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.








Vlad, Vlad, Vlad....How I miss your humor and sex appeal.... :(

This was one of the hardest review for me to write up, becuse of my love for this series. BUT, this book did not meet my expectations and I was disappointed....


I am a HUGE fan of Jeaniene Frost and her fantastic Night Huntress Series. I love, and adore Jeaniene's writing style and love to be whisked away by her main character in the series, Bones, *little obsession*.
 I also adore the secondary characters(vamps) in the series. Being that Jeaniene has branched off the original series and is giving her secondary characters their own books, I find I'm missing the main characters and the group as a whole in these secondary books.


Having been introduced previously to Vlad as one of the secondary vampire's in this series, we as readers finally get an insight to Vlad and all of his charming ways, in his own book, or so we thought!

I was so excited to read this book, I mean Vlad was funny, snarky, sexy, hmmm. if I wasn't already attached to Bones, and Ian, he would definitely be my third choice! lol
But, sadly I must say I was very disappointed in this book. Now, don't get me wrong or think I'm bashing the author, I just think this book totally missed it's mark for me, and unfortunately it is my least favorite book by Jeaniene that I've read, and I've read them all! So, on that standpoint I know what she is capable of. I wanted to be swept away by Vlad. I wanted him to exude his confidence and be engulfed in his heated flame, and not just the flame he is able to produce from his body.  

In this book she doesn't show Vlad as she did in the past, instead he reminds me of being a little tight, and not as easy going as he was previously, gone is the humor, and snarkiness, gone is his "heat". 
The writing felt obscured and distant. I didn't care for the main plot as Vlad meets his future love and they can hear each others thoughts, for me it didn't really work. I really didn't care for Vlad's love, Leila, as the book is mostly told from her POV. I didn't feel the connection between these two, and at times felt like giving up reading this book. I think the  main reason was because of the way so much emphasis was placed on Leila and less on Vlad. I felt no connection to Leila, as I did with past ladies in the series.

I also missed the whole "gang" I believe the reason why the Night Huntress series is so successful, is because Jeaniene is able to incorporate so many great characters and make you fall for them, but with less of a showing of the "gang" I found I missed them terribly.
Per, Jeaniene's website I read that she will continue with Vlad and Leila's story, with less emphasis placed on Bones and Cat, which really makes me sooo sad. She will also end the Night Huntress series(Bones and Cat) at book #9. I'm not sure she should be giving up on them.



I really dislike giving books low ratings, and I'm not into bashing authors. I mean it took me forever to write this review, I actually read this back in the end of July.
I just feel when/if Jeaniene continues with this series, she brings back the characters we first fell in love with and how they made us laugh and fall in love with them. I want the old gang fighting together, with maybe each book featuring each secondary character in a relationship. I really loved how she displayed that with past Night Prince books. I also want to see more of Bones and Cat.

2.5/5 Stars 





Actual Quotes from this book,  I incorporated my thoughts in pink.


“People frequently bore me, sometimes amuse me, most often irritate me, but rarely intrigue me.”

This is my thoughts when thinking about, Leila


“How unconvincing. Try again.”

This is what comes to my mind when trying to think of these two as a couple


“Of course he wouldn't hesitate before trying something that had never been done before. He was Vlad Tepesh. How could he fail?”

But, fail he did :(

“Let me introduce my friend, Cat.’ The redhead, and for some reason, she looked familiar. ‘Her husband Bones’ – here Vlad smiled coolly at the short-haired brunet – ‘is not my friend.”

Aaah, there is the Vlad we all know and love....


I can give you honesty, monogamy, and more passion than you can stand, but not love. That emotion died in me long ago, as I suspect you already know.”

Yes, I did know, but along with it went your humor and snark!








Now, I want you to have a chance at reading this and tell me if my review is too harsh.
**You don't have to read the whole series to be able to read this book, can be classified as stand alone. You just won't understand how Vlad is in previous books and why sooo many *swooned* for him, in the first place...**



**Questions can be found on Rafflecopter form**

1) If you read this book,what were your thoughts?
 1A) Have you read any of Jeaniene's books?
 2) Do you think my review was too harsh or just right?
3)When you have to write a less than stellar review, do you find yourself, not as confident. I know I was unsure about writing this one (Thanks for supporting me and boosting my confidence Kristin @ My Parahangover)
**In no way was Kristin an influence on my review. She just helped me feel better about me having to write a less than stellar review!** All thoughts above are 100% my own!!
4)What was the last book you read that disappointed you? 



I'll giveaway one paperback copy of Once Burned plus some surprise bookmarks/swag

  • Open Int.
  • Must fill out rafflecopter form
  • Winner will have 48hrs. to respond to winning e-mail notification








a Rafflecopter giveaway




                                                                                                                                                                                                             

48 comments:

  1. -I have read all of JF's books except Once Burned.
    -I don't think your review was too harsh. You were respectful and honest.
    -I am always less confident when I have to write a negative review.

    I'm always going to love the Cat & Bones books the most. I do like the spinoffs, but they pale in comparison.

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  2. I haven't read any books from her yet. And I don't think your review was harsh! Reading and liking a book is very subjective thing. I liked that you wasn't scared to share your honest opinion! I read Lenghts by Liz Reinhardt a few weeks ago and I didn't like it, I couldn't even finish the book. But I read on Goodreads awesome 5star reviews about it, and I'm completely okay with that. We can't love the same books!

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  3. Of course these are all my thoughts and I totally influenced you!! Ha ha ha!!! Great review, girlie!! You are no where near bashing the author!! That is when you attack her personally. You just didn't like the direction the author took her beloved characters. And it really is a different Vlad on these pages.

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  4. 1)I haven't read any book by Jeaniene yet :)
    2)I think you have to be honest. You were really sincere and besides you love the series and for me is right to say that you don't like this book so much :)
    3)For me is hard to write a negative review. I try not to hurt anybody's feelings but at the end you have to be honest :)
    4)I was really dissapointed by the first book in the Sleeping Beauty series by Anne Rice :( I didn't like it

    Ruty
    thnks for the giveaway

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  5. 1)I haven't read Once Burn yet but I have read others Jeaniene Frost's books and I love them!
    2&3)but sometimes a book doesn't fit or you don't liked enough, you don't have to feel bad or sad about it! You have to be honest with yourself and your readers, there will be books you will love and others you will hate or dislike, and that is ok. :)
    4)I was so so disappointed with Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton. I didn't finish it.

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  6. 1) I havent read Once Burned, but Ive read all the others and loved them.

    kerryjcj@verizon.net

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  7. Oh no, I was sooooo looking forward to Vlad's story. I am so sorry this didn't work for you ,and I truly understand about writing a negative review especially when its an author you love. You did an excellent job of explaining why you didn't like this one. I appreciate your honest, cause I only have so many birthday bucks to spend next week and a wishlist as long as the state of California..and I want some good reads..LOL

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  8. 1) I also thought Once Burned was a bit of a disappointment, though not as much as you. I loved Vlad in the Night Huntress series, but somehow he lost that spark in Once Burned.
    2) I like when reviewers are honest, so no, I didn't think it was too harsh!
    3) Yes, it's a bit hard for me to write a negative review, especially one about an author I like!
    4) Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook was a huge disappointment. I just didn't like it as much as the book before it :(

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  9. 1) Haven't it read yet.
    1A) I've read 2 wasn't a huge fan of her writing style but thought I'd give her another try
    2) If its what you feel its not too harsh
    3)I don't like writing bad reviews so those are usually short and to the point
    4)Gilded Web by Mary Balogh (never read her stuff before but had heard great things)

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  10. Question #1
    I have read her series and love them. I'm looking forward to Ian having his own book though.

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  11. 1) I haven't read her yet, but I do have her original series in my TBR pile
    2) I resepct and like honesty and I don't think you were too harsh
    3) It's hard to write a negative review, but you need to be honest. I try to write them as objectively and concisely as I can so that it doesn't seem personal.
    4) Wicked Burn by Beth Kery

    thanks for the great giveaway!

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  12. Question #4

    I was dissapointed in The Goblin King by Shona Husk.

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  13. I haven't read any of this authors books yet.

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  14. 1. I have not read anything by Ms. Frost yet but have read great things about her books and have them on my wishlist :)
    2. I think your review was good...you explained why you were disappointed with the book. I have not read any of the other books though, so I don't have any expectations going into this book.
    3. I have not really wrote any bad reviews yet. I think they would be very difficult for me but I would hope that I could write one as good as this one.
    4. I can't remember the name of the book but it was a historical. It sounded great, but I just did not enjoy it. Unfortunately, I forced myself to finish it (should have given up on it) and it burnt me out on historicals for a LONG time :(

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  15. I haven't read any books by Jeaniene Frost yet.

    BTW, I made a mistake on the RC form, but it won't let me correct it: I'm following My Parahangover's blog as Dovile via Linky, not GFC.

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  16. The last book that I found disappointing was Preternatural by Margaret Wander Bonanno. I liked her other books, but from this books blurb I expected it to be somewhat different than what the book actually was. It wasn't baldly written and was even quite funny in places, just not what I wanted to read about.

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  17. Hi! Thanks for this chance!
    1) No I didn't read any Ms. Frost book yet!
    2) It always depends on the reviewer, but I don't think it was too harsh, I think you have your reasons!!!
    3)I don't do review for 3 starts or less....
    4)Ouff I don't really remember... There is some but the name.... I think one of the lowest was from Jessa Slade...

    Thanks again!

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  18. I haven't read this book. I just found the Night Huntress series and have only listened to the first book (which was quite an experience). It is hard to write a negative review and I always try not to be too harsh on an author and if it's a book that I have absolutely nothing good to say about it (and I actually finished it), I'll sometimes just skip a review because I hate being negative. I don't think, however, that your review here was too harsh. I think the most recent book I read that disappointed me a little was Demon Catchers of Milan.

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  19. Lets start with the questions:
    1) I have read 3 or 4 of her night huntress series and then I lost interest.. Yes I loved Cat and Bones but that was just it.. It was always the same..
    2) I don't think it was a harsh review, I believe it was an honest one.
    3) I don't have a blog but I always want to write a review when I'm giving a book low rating so others know what I didn't like about it. I always write a review on my goodreads account if I give a low rating.
    4) Last book that disappointed me was Take This Regret by A.L. Jackson . I gave it a 3 star rating but I was expecting more.. esecially after reading all those great reviews about it.
    Thank you for the international giveway!

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  20. 1. I liked this book but I didn't LOVE this book like I normally LOVE Night Huntress books. I was expecting to LOVE this book because Vlad is normally so snarky and alpha but it was a little flat.

    4. How to Drive A Dragon Crazy was the last book I read that I was a bit disappointed with. Don't get me wrong I still really liked it but I think it could of been better. Again I think it was because there was such a long wait and huge build up to it. I mean come on it was after all Izzy and Eibhear!

    I answered the other questions in the form.

    Thanks so much!



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  21. 4. I just finished Until I Die by Amy Plum and at this moment, I don't think I have ever been as disappointed as I am now, and really annoyed too.

    I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this one as much as you expected and that you felt that the character Vlad had a complete change in personality. I also find it hard to enjoy a book when I don't like the main character. I do hope to someday get around to reading the Night Huntress series though. Great honest review Lisa.

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  22. I have not read Once Burned yet, but I have read several in the Night Huntress series. I am currently reading This Side of the Grave, so number 5(?) in the Cat and Bones series, plus I have read Mencheneres and Spade's stories. I don't think your review was too harsh. I think a blogger/reviewer should tell their honest opinion of a book and there is a way to do it without being mean. I think you were able to do that. I know as a fan of books, although I am not a blogger I do leave reaviews on places like Goodreads, I always hate leaving low stars or bad reviews. As for the answer to your last question, it depends on what you mean by disappointed. I enjoyed books like Divergent, City of Bones, and the Iron King, all which I read this summer, but I didn't feel that any of them matched the hype. The last book I really didn't like that I expected to, probably was Wuthering Heights.

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  23. 1) I haven't read this book yet.
    1A) I've read all the Night Huntress books and all the Night Huntress World books.
    2) As long as your review is honest and not mean and malicious, it's fine...and yours was honest with no ill-will!
    3)Yes! I do feel awful when I have to review a book I didn't care for. But I readers want you to be honest and I think the authors do too! I am much less secure writing those, though, and take more time to make sure it is thoughtful, helpful, and not hurtful!
    4) The last book that I read that disappointed me was "Wicked Allure".

    Despite your rating, I really want to read this book as I LOVE Vlad!

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  24. I haven't read this book or any books by this author. What attracted me is your question about writing a bad review. You can never be too harsh with a review as long as it is done tastefully. I have reviewed my fair share of books and I tell it like it is. Some authors feel the need to defend their book. To them I say,"Hey, out of all the books in the world, at least I picked yours to read."

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    Replies
    1. Forgot my last sucky book "Divine Inspiration" by Jayme Alan Toomey. I have no words to describe how horrible it was, I didn't even make it past chapter 1...it was THAT bad!

      Delete
  25. Totally agree with your review. I wanted more of Kat's Vlad, this man wasn't the same. I have read all of JF's books, and this was one of my least favourites.
    The most disappointing book was "Boomerang Bride", which won a Rita, and I put down after 50 pages because the heroine was too naive to live.

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  26. I have not read any of her books yet.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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    Replies
    1. And the last book that disappointed me was Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.

      Delete
  27. I haven't read any books by Jeaniene Frost.

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  28. Can't remember any recent books that disappointed me.

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  29. I have read all of the Night Huntres series and loved most of them. I am so sad this one didn't meet expectations. But how you explained it, I see what's not that great about it. I'm sad now. :(

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  30. The last book I didn't like that was suppose to be amazing was The Raven Boys.

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  31. I've read this book already and I was not a huge fan either. There was not enough chemistry between Vlad and Leila. I'm still interested in reading the next book, but if I'm not wowed, I will probably give up on this spin off.

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  32. 1a) I have yet to read anything by her but I've heard amazing things about The Night Huntress series and I recently ordered the first two books. Can't wait to get started!

    2)I don't think it was harsh, just honest

    3) I am always nervous when I write a review for a book I didn't enjoy. I try to be honest but not too harsh and with all the hoopla that has been going on with reviews and authors, there have been a couple times I was nervous.

    4)A Demon Does it Better by Linda Wisdom. I had a hard time with this book and didn't really get into it


    Jolene A

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  33. 1)I've read all of her books apart from the latest Cat&Bones and Once Burned, and I loved them all (I liked book 4 a bit less though).
    2)I'm sorry you didn't like Once Burned :/ I think your review remained respectful though and you explained what didn't work for you, so I wouldn't say it's too harsh.
    4)I've read some really awesome books lately, so it was a while back. She Wulf by Sheryl Steines. I wanted to edit along as I read, because the story itself was decent.

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  34. 1)I already read any book by Jeaniene except once burned
    2)I don't think it was harsh, just honest, just right
    3)For me is hard to write a negative review. sometimes i not confident to about my review
    4)I was really dissapointed by the first book in the Sleeping Beauty series by Anne Rice

    thnks for the giveaway
    -Lilian S

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  35. I have not read any of her books before.

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  36. 1) I liked Once Burned, but I'll admit I was a little disappointed. I loved Vlad in Night Huntress series, but in this I didn't find him as attractive. He's definitely not Bones. Overall I did enjoy this book, but Night Huntress is still number one.
    1A) I have read all the books in Night Huntress series, First Drop of Crimson, Eternal Kiss of Darkness & Once Burned.
    2) I think your review was your honest opinion. So I think it was just right. I would rather read your truthful thoughts than a lie.
    3) I honestly try to avoid writing negative reviews. But sometimes when I do, I try to be as confident as I can.
    4) The last book I read that disappointed me was Vegetarian Mate by Becca Van. The repetitive use of the phrase 'Gods sake' irritated me so much. If it was once or twice, it would have been fine, but to read it over & over again just turned this book into a complete disappointment.
    Thanks for the giveaway. :)

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  37. Answers:
    1. I've read all her books and I did like this book alot although it wasn't near as good as the first 3 books of Cat and Bones
    2. I think 2.5 was too low for this book, but it was lower in my own rating than her other books
    3. Yes
    4. Ceaseless by Abbi Glines, love her writing and the series, but the end fell really flat for me

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  38. I haven't read this one, but previous Jeanine Frost's books were great. I loved them.
    Reviews are personal opions and I don't think yours was too harsh. it express your feelings!
    I HATE writing less than stellar reviews. I feel bad but I just can't lie. If I don't like a book, I have to say it. Politely, of course, sometimes sarcastically, but I just hate it. Especially when the publisher sent me the book. But that's what HONESTY means.
    I really didnt' like the scorpio races. Sorry!

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  39. 1)I have read the book and I honestly absolutely loved it. I'm a huge fan of Jeaniene Frost and I love all of her books. Thanks for the great giveaway!
    2) I don't think you were too harsh I just don't share your opinion. I too, missed the 'gang' but this is 1st book in the series so I expect it to grow over time. Let's not forget that it was only Cat and Bones in the 1st NH book.. I respect your review though and I hope you like the second book more... I would hate the day book 9 of the NH series comes out because it'll be the last one(we're on the same page here, I don't want the series to end).
    3) I generally don't like finishing books I don't like because it'll lead to writing a low rating review, but I do what I have to. There are always going to be people who don't agree with you and you shouldn't feel bad if you didn't like a certain book(so long as you don't bash the author of the story on purpose)... at least that's what I tell myself when I have to write a review like that.
    4) Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I was expecting something better and that book was a little too slow for my taste. Anyway, that was quite disappointing. Sorry..

    Martina K. in the rafflecopter form!

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  40. 1)Read the book and loved it, even though I think it would have been even better from Vlad's POV
    4)Really can't remember, besides books from the YA genre that friends keep trying to make me love :)) I usually tend to love everything if I'm in the mood for it

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  41. 1a. haven't read any by Jeaniene Frost yet - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  42. 1a. Not yet but I really want to~ I hear a lot of good things and am super curious!
    4. I hate to say it but Iron King by Julie Kagawa. I've heard so many raving reviews about it and when I read it I felt like it wasn't anywhere near as well done as I would have guessed based on what I heard before picking it up. :(

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  43. 1. I didn't read any book by Jeaniene Frost, but I want to.
    2. I think your review is right and I like it.
    3.

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  44. 1. I've read The Night Huntress series/Night Huntress World series from book 1 to 6 and I'm about to read the seventh book :D
    I llloooveee them all! Jeaniene Frost rocks! xD
    2. I think your review is a little bit harsh, but I don't question about personal opinions :)
    3. When I write negative reviews I always try to make them funny (at least we can laugh about it!) and I specify what I didn't like and why (not just: I hated it) :P
    4. Last books I read and absolutely didn't like were Beautiful creatures & Switched :(

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  45. I hate writing a negative review but I thought yours was right on. I love Jeaniene Frost but Once Burned was a let down. I'll still read the next one, of course, in hopes the series will redeem itself. Great review and I'm glad I'm not the only one that felt this way!

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  46. I find it interesting that this was your impression. My opinion may not be popular, but since i started with Once Burned and Twice Tempted, then went back and read the Night Huntress series, I actually preferred this series. Maybe it has a little to do with the order in which you have read them?

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