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Ren

Book Review of Ren Series Boxed Set (Ren Series #1-4), by Sarah Noffke

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I received a copy of Sarah Noffke‘s Ren: The Man Behind the Monster from the author, through a giveaway.

Descriptions:

Book 1:
Born with the power to control minds, hypnotize others, and read thoughts, Ren Lewis is certain of one thing: God made a mistake.

No one should be born with so much power. A monster awoke in him the same year he received his gifts. At ten years old. A prepubescent boy with the ability to control others might merely abuse his powers, but Ren allowed it to corrupt him. And since he can have and do anything he wants, Ren should be happy. However, his journey teaches him that harboring so much power doesn’t bring happiness, it steals it. Once this realization sets in, Ren makes up his mind to do the one thing that can bring his tortured soul some peace. He must kill the monster.

Book 2:
Ren Lewis has the life he’s always wanted: the perfect woman and the perfect job as an agent for the Lucidites, fixing problems before they happen. And yet, he’s still miserable.

He blames the monster buried inside of him for his problems. But what this redheaded Brit doesn’t realize is his life is about to be intensely transformed. Problems that he never could have fathomed begin to surface one at a time until his life quickly spirals out of control. Ren, who has never considered himself quite human, is about to learn just how flawed and vulnerable he really is. There just might be problems he doesn’t have answers for, villains he can’t defeat alone, and a heart in his chest that is actually capable of breaking. Readers witness a new side to this man, a side that will make him, if for only an instant, appear human. This powerful genius will meet his match. And she has the ability to do something special. She can break Ren Lewis.

Book 3:
Ren Lewis, who has faced every danger known to man, is about to meet a challenge he’s convinced has the power to undo him.

When he discovers that his daughter, Adelaide, has been hiding a pregnancy he goes into hiding himself. Having a daughter was one catastrophe he struggled with. But now, being expected to welcome her baby into his home is not something Ren knows how to assimilate into his life. With a new ferocity he throws himself into his work in order to avoid family responsibility. And there’s enough work to keep him occupied with Vivian Bishop trying to infiltrate American homes, intent on controlling and manipulating their residents. Ren soon realizes that Vivian is his perfect enemy. She’s strategic, brilliant and stunningly beautiful.

Book 3.5:
Ren Lewis has seen it all, or so he likes to think.

He’s encountered every danger known to man. Due to his powers as a Dream Traveler and unstoppable work ethic, he’s experienced more than any human alive. But Ren is about to have a brand new experience.

He’s being dragged on a family vacation.

Book 4:
Ren Lewis is the most powerful man in the world and he’s about to prove it.

Reviews:

Ren: The Man Behind the Monster (Book #1)
This was ok. It’s perfectly readable, the narrator did a good job and it’s part of an interesting world. The thing is that I didn’t know that all of Noffke’s series are set in the same world when I started this, so I was surprised. That would have been fine though, except that Ren is OBVIOUSLY a character from another series. And since Ren gets mixed up with the Lucidites society, I imagine he’s a character in the Lucidites series.

The book does stand alone. But you can still tell it’s a spinoff. You can FEEL it. The book is basically the highlights of one man’s 45 year life, starting at about 7. As you can imagine, that doesn’t leave room for a lot of detailed exploration. It’s his first person recount of living his life. Several times he references other occurrences or people, but says he’s not telling that story and instructs the reader to find that book.

I’ve not read any of the Lucidties books, but I’d bet even money that at least some the events that Ren talks about are the events of those books from his perspective, instead of whomever lives them in the other series. This was not enjoyable for me, to just get a bullet point version of something with instruction to go find it elsewhere if I want more.

What’s more, I found Ren a seriously unlikable character. I found it hard to spend a whole book with a bitter, narcissistic, unpleasant man. I suspect you’re supposed to read this after whatever other books he shows up in and already like him. You’re supposed to know him and want his tragic backstory. Because that’s what this feels like. It feels like the author decided she liked a character in another book and decided to give him his own backstory. It’s readable, but without previously knowing or caring about the character I found him lacking.

I’ll be finishing the compilation, because surely the rest can’t continue as the first did. But so far, I’m not thrilled with Ren.

Ren: God’s Little Monster (Book #2)
I enjoyed this book more than book one. In book one I really felt enjoyment was dependent on having read other series by the author. Ren is an exceedingly arrogant and unpleasant character and I found I couldn’t like him. But I expect that those who had read the other series encountered Ren after his redemption and came into the book liking him, but knowing he used to be a little shite. I’d not read another series with Ren in it, so I only knew him as the little shite.

But I have the 4 book compilation, so I took a little break after book one and then came back for book two. And I mostly enjoyed it. Ren is somewhat redeemed and in all his arrogance he really is funny. Pair this with the fact that those around him understand him and aren’t hurt by the hurtful things he says, they enjoy the scathing wit, and he becomes a lovable rogue.

So, I enjoyed him. I enjoyed seeing him reflected in the new addition to his life. But I generally thing the reveal at the end was one step too far. We’ll see how it works out in book three before I make a final decision on that.

My primary problem with this section of this series, and it’s one that will carry over into the next book as it was not concluded here (giving this a SERIOUS middle book syndrome) is that the plot is sooooo common. Question: How many times have you encountered a female villain who is obsessed with plotting world domination with a man who isn’t actually with her? The man being the hero. Me? This is the second time I’ve read this plot this week! It’s a plot that simultaneously makes no sense to me but is also painfully common. Plus, can a woman not be a villain, seeks to rule without it involving a man? Do we really need a man as our motivation in every single darned book?

Otherwise, the writing is good and the narrator is doing an excellent job. Onward and upward.

Ren: The Monster Inside the Monster (Book #3)
A third book in a series is hard to review. What do you say that hasn’t been said before? The characters are the same. In the case of this series, which is all parts of the same over-arching storyline, the plot is much the same. You’re basically left with a review that says, I liked this one more or less than the previous two. And I liked it about the same.

It’s holding steady at a 3-star read. I’ve gotten comfortable enough with Ren to appreciate his sarcasm (though he’d never call it that) and I think it’s cute the way everyone else thinks it’s cute too. He’s like an adorable spikey hedgehog.

Like in the previous book, the problem I had with the book was the mystery plot. I just don’t buy the “girl was obsessed with him, planned world domination to be with him, was smart enough to pull it all off, but left the giant back door open for Ren to cancel it all out with ease” plotting. Nope, it was far too easy.

Further, I thought he pushed Dahlia too far in this one and she should have walked. I appreciate that he showed personal growth in knowing he should have felt guilty (where in the past he wouldn’t have), but why does Dahlia put up with it?

And the baby plot still has me shaking my head.

Ren: The Monster’s Adventure
Amusingly absurd, but a little sappy and with a rushed change in Ren’s perspective.

Ren: The Monster’s Death (Ren Series #4)
I’m not sure what happened here, in this volume of the Ren Series. But it was a mess, not nearly as put together as the last three books. It felt rushed and barely put together. What’s more, I refuse to accept hand-waving, “invent these never before possible things and do it within a week” plot points. And the ending was just ridiculous.

The narrator Tim Campbell, however, did a wonderful job with all it.

merry christmas

2017 Christmas Challenge

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I enter a lot of giveaways for books. Honestly, it’s a bit of a compulsion. Though I always intend to read them, some of them end up sitting on my shelves for quite some time before I get to them. This tends to be especially true with holiday themed books. I’m just not likely to read a Thanksgiving themed book in May or a Christmas themed one in June.

This idea struck me the other day, when I noticed Beth Carpenter’s A gift for Santa on my shelf. Right behind that thought was, “well, it is the Christmas season. If not now, when?”

So, I searched and found three Christmas books and set out to read them all. Again, if not now, when? Later, I came across Take the Donut and, though not obviously Christmassy, the snowman and red, green and white sprinkles led me to think it might be (see cover below). So, I added it in after I’d started the challenge. In the end, I read four books either explicitly centered around the holiday or at least set during the season.

I would call this a mildly successful challenge. None of the books were big winners for me, two of them had disappointingly similar plot lines, and three of them were part of series I’ve not read. Of the four, I’d say A Gift for Santa was the best. It was pretty unoriginal (being one of the two almost identical plot lines) but I think the writing in it was better than the rest.

Having said all that, none of them were flat out bad. Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe was bottom of the pile, but even it wasn’t so bad I couldn’t finish it.

So, without further ado, here they are, reviews of my impromptu 2017 Christmas Challenge.

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe, by Melissa De La Cruz:

Two days before I started this book, I wrote a review about another book that stated, “There are two romances, where only one is needed. The first progresses only in that they clear up a misunderstanding from high school (one that was very obvious and persisted because they never spoke to one another again, despite being in the same class), but suddenly they’re all marriage and babies…Nope, I’ve neeevvvvveeerrr seen that used in a book before. Nope, it’s not trite and patriarchal. Nope, it doesn’t piss me off every time I see it. Oh wait, yes it does. ” I complained vehemently to my husband about how common and over used this storyline of the small town girl, who made it big in the city, finds herself unfulfilled by what she’s worked her whole life for and eventually returns to her roots only to discovers that all she really wants is a man and a baby. 

Then I picked up Pride Prejudice and Mistletoe up and, what do you know, it’s about a small town woman who moved to New York and made millions. Then returned home to Pemberly, Ohio, ran into her high school rival and fell instantly in love, eventually getting what every woman apparently truly wants as a happy ending: marriage and a baby. Like the last book, she had her best friend with her, who constituted a second romance in the book. Also like the last book, it was with the brother of the primary male romantic lead. Like the previous book one of the brothers was a carpenter and came from a lovely family while the main character was estranged from her family.

Sure the details of the two books differ, but they are essentially THE SAME STORY. These books are so similar I considered googling to see if the authors were actually two pen names of the same person. I’ve taken the time to lay this out to say this. I randomly picked these two books up. Both romances, but one a romantic mystery of sorts and one a Christmas themed book. Are there really so few storylines in the Romance genre that authors writing in totally different sub-genres can’t find something new? Do they really have to keep recycling the same old crap over and over, such that it’s unavoidable? *Sigh*

Outside of my frustration of reading the same storyline I’ve read a million times before, I never liked Darcy. I understood the point De La Cruz was making about self-esteem and self-worth, but the woman was just generally horrible. She was 29, but felt like a teenager. Luke was a caricature, as flat as cardboard. The romance was sudden and based on nothing the reader was given to understand. NOTHING. It just appeared out of no where. All the vacillating about Carl made no sense, since she didn’t even seem to like him. And the happily ever after was just tacked on at the end. Plus, the writing just isn’t very good.

The only thing I’ll give this book is that Luke moved to New York, instead of Darcy to Pemberly and she didn’t give up her career. That’s a lot more than most books using this storyline manage. But basically this is exactly the sort of book that convinced me I hated romance books for most of my adult life.

As a side note: There is a four-month-old baby stated to have been born “a year ago.” What’s up with that?

A Gift for Santa, by Beth Carpenter

I’m going to start out by saying this book is fine and it stands alone. I’d not read book one before reading this one and had no problems. The writing is readable and the editing seems fine too.

However, this is the third book I’ve read in a week in which the plot line was about a woman leaving home to pursue a career, then returning home to fall in love with a man from her past, and compromising her career to be a wife and mother. THE THIRD TIME IN A WEEK and I’m not trying to seek out similar books within the romance genre. One was romantic mystery, one a retelling of classic with a Christmas theme, and this one a Harlequin romance. You would think there was enough difference in the sub-genres to allow for differing storylines. Is there really no other plot line available in romance? Really? I will say that of the three, this was probably the best. And if you happen to like this plot line you’ll probably enjoy this book.

Outside of complaints about the apparently very frequently used plot, the characters were likable, the twist a little obvious, and the ending happy (as you would expect). Not bad, just also not original.

Away in a Manger, by Rhys Bowen:

Very sweet, but a little plebeian for my taste. I think it just wasn’t the right book for me. I found Molly too much of a pollyanna and her telling of the events of each day repetitive and unexciting. Further, I thought her solving of the mystery far too dependent on coincidence and luck to be believable and I wasn’t comfortable with some of her ideas on underaged criminals.

But again, that’s just my opinion. For those who like a sweet, uplifting mystery, I’m sure this will be a winner. The writing and editing seem fine and there is an appreciable amount of diversity in the cast (though I think a little of that was compromised by the final disclosure about the villain’s personality). Lastly, this is #15 in a series that I’ve not read, and though events from past books were mentioned, it successfully stands alone.

Take the Donut, by Annie Hansen:

Not bad, though I was a bit apathetic about it. I’m not sure if that is a reflection of the book or just the effect of it being number three in a series that I’ve not read book one and two. All in all, I found the writing perfectly readable. Though the author does use names in dialogue too frequently to feel natural. The characters are distinct and mostly likable (though Kelly definitely has her TSTL moments). And the mystery isn’t super obvious. I’d read another Hansen book and that is generally my mark of being good enough.

The Inheritance

Book Review of The Inheritance, by Jacqueline Seewald

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I won a copy of The Inheritance, by Jacqueline Seewald, through Goodreads.

Description:
Jennifer Stoddard is a 35-year-old widow who has just found out she is the sole heir of her grandmother’s estate, located in the midwest town she grew up in. But there is a catch; she must live in the house for two years before she can claim the estate and someone doesn’t want her there. The threats begin soon after her return. A rifle shot whizzes through her car window, her brakes are tampered with, and her tires are slashed. Police Chief, Grant Coleman, is called upon to investigate. Unfortunately, the history between Jen and Grant from high school causes them to mistrust each other. However, Grant is a professional and intends to do his job. Together they explore who might want to drive Jen out of the house, while trying to understand their feelings of anger, mistrust and desire for each other. With Jen’s life on the line, will they be able to put the past behind them to work together and save her and her son’s lives?

Review:
Not particularly original or well done. Characterization depends far too heavily on stereotypes. Names are used far too often in dialogue to feel natural, and names in the narrative are often first and last throughout the book, also not feeling natural.

There are two romances, where only one is needed. The first progresses only in that they clear up a misunderstanding from high school (one that was very obvious and persisted because they never spoke to one another again, despite being in the same class), but suddenly they’re all marriage and babies. The second, which is unneeded, seems to exist only to put the woman in the far too overused position of choosing between her successful and hard earned career and the love of a good man. Nope, I’ve neeevvvvveeerrr seen that used in a book before. Nope, it’s not trite and patriarchal. Nope, it doesn’t piss me off every time I see it. Oh wait, yes it does.

I figured the villain out literally the first time they showed up in the novel. Literally the first time, it’s that obvious.

All and all, a flop for me. The book does have a pretty cover though.