Talia Gryphon

I was leery when this book had a blurb on the cover from Laurell Hamilton. That should have made me more than leery, it should have been a klaxon blaring a cataclysmic warning.

I only read the first third of this book and then I could read no farther. The main character, Gillian Key, is allegedly a Marine and a parapsychologist. I guess for this author Marine is code for angry, violent, belligerent, and stupid and parapsychologist is code for unethical, unhelpful, screaming person.

Gryphon, the author, gushes over Laurell Hamilton (another well-known author of paranormal fantasy), and I can see why: Gryphon's Gillian Key is pure embodiment of Anita Blake, who is pure embodiment of Laurell Hamilton. Can you say Mary Sue? Also in complete plagiarism of Hamilton, every man who meets Gillian is instantly hard, wants her, is incredibly beautiful, and is determined to have sex with her. EVERY single one. I know it's fantasy, but there has to be some injection of reality.

The writing style is confusing, flipping back and forth between the characters within a scene, which tends to confuse the reader. Further, Gryphon informs the reader at least a dozen times in the first third of the book that Gillian is a Marine and a parapsychologist. I get it, okay? I understand those facts the first half dozen times I read them. Move on! Or hey, actually have Gillian *behave* as a Marine and parapsychologist would and tell a story from there. Gillian smokes, is constantly turned on by her CLIENTS, angry, violent, and having sex inappropriately with every man who wants her. Don't waste your time or money with this drivel.… (mer)

As the third book in the series, Key to Redemption tosses you right into the story – no gentle reintroduction to the world or the characters here. Instead, Talia Gryphon opens up with our heroine Gillian, an empathic ex-Marine and psychiatrist, getting a van-load of new patients, one of whom is the Phantom of the Opera, in need of sex therapy.

To be honest, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first two. The whole sex therapy angle really wasn’t my cup of tea, although I think it was done well enough. Unfortunately, that was pretty much the meat of the novel and, while it did lead to some character development for Gillian and Aleksei (her vampire lover), I felt like the overall story of the epic battle against Dracula was neglected. In fact, it felt like this book was all about sex and not about the characters, which was a little disappointing. I think I’ll give this series one more installment and then, if it doesn’t change course, it’ll become one to borrow from the library, not one I’ll keep buying.

Originally published at http://ireadgood.wordpress.com… (mer)