Well not my cup of tea

I'm sure there are lots of women out there that are interested in an annoying Dominant man that is into bondage and telling women what to do. Don't get me wrong a little is kind of hot BUT the whole way through. Plus the constant reminder that he keeps saying that's the way he is and you have to get used to it is a bit too much and over the top for me. I have about 7 hrs left of this book and I'm not sure if I can go back and finish it. Its not the narrators fault its how its written. I put this all on the author. There should be more substance to the story aside from the dominance and the constant use of needy this and that.

25 people found this helpful

Take out the redundant parts and the book would be half as long

Ok. I am a patient person. I will listen to almost anything. This book is ridiculously redundant. How many times do we have to hear how manly, hot, and dangerous, loving of his 'village' he is? How many times do we have to hear about her tingles and dampness? How often does it have to be repeated about the danger his family is?? The book repeats too often and it's possible reading it in print it would be skim-able but in audio it's irritating. :( Narrator is great, as always.

25 people found this helpful

So...So..

I have just got to say that I really didn't care for this book. There wasn't a lot of character building through the first half. I think she waited to long to get into the back story and personal story of the characters and when she did it was lacking. Found my self rolling my eyes at the ridiculous reactions of the main character. I pushed through hoping the story would get better, it didn't really and sadly was just ok..

15 people found this helpful

Great possibilities- too much male dominance

I really hate to say harsh things- writers work hard.
The beginnings had possibilities. I like strong family/clan groups, I like strong men (and women) defending the newbie of a group.
At first, I tolerated Sefano’s domination of Francesca, his protectiveness is likeable and he was good to her in general. When the sex started, however, it got uncomfortable, sometimes very so. Then it’s like the author knew it too and a little clause would be added that Francesca loved it even if he sometimes scared the poop out of her. And if the bed “play” was getting icky (to me), author would have Stefano tell her that she should say if she was ever uncomfortable.
And then there is the fact that once sex finally started (the lead-up took way too long too, no romance, just “chemistry”) it went on and on... and on. Oh, and on. At this point, I was hoping it would be explained that these supernatural beings had some sort of sex issues that made it normal, so Francesca’s acceptance of all the domination of her life might be normal too.
I kind of wanted to see how it ended, so I started fast-forwarding. I fell asleep (Audible) so it ended and I might go back to hunt and peck out the storyline, but not sure yet.
Finally something had started to happen besides sex when I fell asleep, but I realize as I write this unless the ending is incredible; there’s just not much of a plot going on. The actual story is pretty thin. The interesting superpowers aren’t talked about much. Sigh. I picked this b/c a fellow reader on Goodreads liked it. Maybe I got the series wrong.
The narration was fine. I prefer when all characters sound different, especially male from female, but I guess the author did do that: I never had hard time knowing who was talking. I liked characters in general. Stefano explained over and over who he was and how he was, warning Francesca (though he secretly knew he couldn’t give her up because of their otherworldly connection.). But she kept saying she loved it. His thoughts describe how much he loves her and there is the touching part that she wants to take care of him, which no one has ever done. That was sweet. So I guess it was all fair and square, if all parties warned and loving it.
But jiminy Christmas- I like a sexy book, but this one was just too much- way too “cave-man” as Francesca lovingly described it. (Eyeroll.). And for me, the sex was not touching, it felt icky. So I guess lovers of Shades of grey or whatever, I haven’t read that one cause I’m so not into BDSM, might enjoy it.

10 people found this helpful

Oh to be so creative, CF is a genius!

Christine Feehan never ceases to amaze me. Her worlds are so unique. Where she comes up with her characters and their unique abilities, I’ll never understand. I never read any other author’s works that are so vast and varied. Of course, she also chose one of the world’s most talented narrators, to complete the perfect audio experience. Yes, there is a lot of violence and graphic sex but, it fits in her world. As long as you can handle the sex and violence, this is a must listen!
-V from Kansas

67 people found this helpful

She's Back

She's back. Stefano reminds me of Gregori in the Dark Series. Although he is the leader he exudes such understated power that I know he is going to be good. He is extremely possessive. This book is more substance than sex. I am so glad that Ms Feehan is back to her usual style of writing. Francesca is strong yet weak and she is made to appear both in the correct circumstances. I have read everyone of her Dark Series as well as the Ghostwalkers and the Sisters series. I enjoyed all of them and if she works this series like she did the Dark Series then she will still be my second favorite author. She has not surpassed Diana Palmer yet but she is running a close second.

I don't give away the story in my review but this book is well worth reading. There is a real story included and the sex is very understated.

21 people found this helpful

What a Brilliant Story -Well Narrated

The Godfather meets the paranormal. It could have been tacky but instead, the characters are well developed and 3 dimensional.

I've read.many enjoyable books by this author but this is the most compelling story line to-date.

I look forward to the next installment.

27 people found this helpful

So hard to get through.

I had to fast forward through much of it. So very repetitive and boring at times.

4 people found this helpful

Finally

After being disappointed with the last few books CF brings a new series with sass. I always love the first few books in every CF series but my interest dies after that. They just seem phoned in after books 3 or 4. Hopefully these Shadow riders will be different. Looking forward to book 2.

12 people found this helpful

Jim Frangione's is spot-on!

What made the experience of listening to Shadow Rider the most enjoyable?

Christine Feehan was one of the first romance authors that I followed faithfully. I, like many of her fans, loved her Carpathian series. I have been reading her for now over 10 years. It hasn't always been a love relationship. There for awhile, I stopped buying her books. I hated the pages and pages of Carpathian text, which I felt was filler for weaker plots.

I know I am starting a review in a negative light, but, other fans of her series have voiced and written of the same. We know what this author is capable of, and we know when books are churned out too fast and undeveloped. We look at a new series with trepidation, wondering if we are getting more of the same. I can say that this really is a breath of fresh air for her fans, however, I have a "but" to put in there.

I purchased this book on audio. I am so very happy that the publisher decided to go with Jim Frangione. Anyone who listens to J.R. Ward's BDB series knows what a great performer Jim can be. His level of sensitivity, his pace, and his damned sexy voice makes any story come alive. With a name like Frangione, you know those Italian accents are going to be spot on. (and, his Boston accents aren't bad either!)

In Shadow Rider, I guess I didn't know what to expect. With Christine Feehan, I thought of immortal biker's. I was wrong. These men and woman of capable of becoming shadows themselves and traveling wherever the shadows are. That little trick comes in handy when you are an assassin for the good. A Rider is mortal, aging just as other humans. You cannot be converted, you must be born of that bloodline. While the whole family is born with the ability to hear truth or lies (human lie detector), not all can ride the shadows. Men and women can only produce offspring with these capabilities with other Shadow Riders. They know their mate when their shadow reaches out to touch that of another's.

The members of the family who cannot travel the shadows (or are too old to) are called Greeters. If you have a Big & Bad that needs to die, you seek an audience with a Greeter. They offer no promises, but will listen to your tell of woe. If they hear truth, others will investigate your claims. If the Greeter detect lies or know you are a cop, they will simply sympathize with your outrage and encourage you to talk with the police to find your justice.

If your claims are valid, such as pedophile who rapes and murders children, and no other recourse is available, such as no physical evidence to hold up in court, A Shadow Rider will find you where you live, snap you neck while uttering "Justice is served". Meanwhile, the paparazzi is validating the Rider's alibi elsewhere.

GREAT PLOT! My hat is off to Feehan for cooking this one up!

The Ferraro family is but one cell in the Chicago area. (Feehan has said there are multiple cells- meaning: multiple books coming.) Stefano is the first in her family to find his mate; Francesca. Francesca is on the run, settling in Chicago with no money, no job, and limited friends. She was not raised as a Rider, but she does have the blood. Stefano knows her instinctively as his mate when his shadow reaches for hers.

In true Feehan fashion, Stefano bullies his way in to Francesca's life, THEN, tries to romance her and win her over. Feehan has rarely deviated from this alpha male stereotype. And in turn, Francesca is like many of her other heroines, afraid and timid, but miraculously find her voice and backbone through her overbearing man. If you have read her body of work, none of this is new. As a woman, I like to think that all women are strong, but, that is not the reality. And truth be told, sometimes I like a story about men like Stefano, or Gregori (Carpathian), or Wyatt (Ghostwalker). If you are looking for strong women, you are better off finding them through J.R. Ward, Sherrilynn Kenyon, or Kresley Cole.

Now for The But..... My love for Feehan has always been clouded with what I like to call "the dog with a bone" phenomenon. Sometimes she just focuses on one item or situation and doesn't let go, no matter what. And in this book, it was that damned coat of Stefano's. It took too much of the story line in the beginning, painting Stefano in such a condescending, arrogant light. To have woman sleeping on a pallet of rags, shivering no less, while that coat hangs above her makeshift bed in all it's pristine glory is beyond me. What does that say about him, or her? I was halfway through the audio-book before that coat was safely back in Stefano's closet.

In the end, did it stop me from enjoying the book? ((sighs)) "No". The book has a strong plot. I enjoyed the supporting characters as much as I enjoyed Stefano and Francesca. I enjoyed the fight scenes as much as the steamy scenes. (OMG, some of those were really hot!) This book is a reminder of why I love Feehan and look forward to the next one regardless of any hang-ups that I might have, especially if Jim Frangione is reading it to me.

What does Jim Frangione bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Jim is my favorite of narrators.... I have been listening since J. R. Ward's Dark Lover. The emotion he gives will make you laugh and cry!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!

20 people found this helpful