DNF Review: Kiss of Pride by Sandra Hill
Author: Sandra Hill
Tittle: Kiss of Pride
Release: April 24th 2012
Series: Deadly Angels 1
Reviewer: Kitt
Source: HarperCollins (NetGally)
Purchase: | Book DepositorySOME MEN ARE TOO BAD TO BE TRUE…
Is he really a Viking with a vampire’s bit? An angel with the body of a thunder god? A lone wolf with love on his mind? Alexandra Kelly, his prey, thinks Vikar Sigurdsson is either flat-out crazy or he’s trying to maneuver her into his bed–which is hardly where a professional reporter should conduct an interview, tempting as that prospect might be.
SOME MEN ARE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE…
Until Vikar does something a teensy bit unexpected, and Alex begins to wonder whether her mystery man could really be everything he says he is: a Viking Vampire Angel on a thousand-year-long mission with his pack of sinful brothers—and a man who’s finally found the woman of his dreams. By then, Vikar is already wrapping his chiseled arms around Alex’s body…and sinking his wicked fangs right into her neck. If this is sin, why does it feel so good?
I really do try my best to finish every book. If the story is interesting enough, I will find the strength to muddle my way through to the end. It’s a compulsion for me, the NEED to know what will happen next. Slowly but surely, I’m learning quickly to just stop instead of subjecting myself further to a book I just don’t like.
Kiss of Pride should have been a triple threat. I mean Viking Vampire Angels? Score, right? Unfortunately for me, no. I tried really hard for over a week to get through the first hundred pages to no avail. From the very first pages we’re greeted with a subject matter that doesn’t match the levity of its language, but instead comes off completely absurd and just plain immature:
”I am deeply disappointed in the Vikings. I made them proud examples of a favored race.”
Lightning bolts shot from Gods hands, which He raised on high, and the clouds wept.
“Micheal!” God called out, and immediately appeared the Archangel Micheal, feathers flying as he rushed to His side.
Without words, Michael could see down below to what had so offended his Lord. “Tsk, tsk!” was the best he could come up with.
“God loved Michael’s idea. “You will head this enterprise. Viking vampire angels. Well, not really angels. More like angels-in-training.”
The archangel gasped with horror at his mistake. “Oh, not me, Lord. I have to help St. Peter repair the Pearly Gates. And Noah is building another ark. We have no room to put another ark. And those hippos! Phew!”
Kiss of Pride is the first in Ms. Hill’s Deadly Angels paranormal romance series designed to tell the story of the seven VIK who each committed one of the seven deadly sins and must now spend their lives as one of God’s vangels – vampire angels – fighting against the Lucipires – Lucifer’s vampires.
Now, I will admit to being somewhat shallow myself in choosing Kiss of Pride. That cover is HOT and who doesn’t secretly harbor desires for Viking Vampires, hmm? However, after reading just a short way through, that’s where all my interests ended. I didn’t get much past the introductions to the story and characters to report on more of what happens, but I can say what irritated me the most was the gravity of the situations warred with the humor. I, for one, am all for humor in books, but sometimes too much can make a mockery out of what is trying to be conveyed and make it all sound rather empty and foolish.
Oh, Kitt, you have no idea how happy I am that it wasn’t just me. See, I downloaded the ARC, too, fully intending to review it, but couldn’t. I had the same problem as you…the humor and seriousness simply didn’t play together nicely and ended up coming off as a parody rather than a real book.
Instead of a review, I had to post a DNF for the publisher. :(
That is sad, but nope you aren’t alone. I talked to some of our bookie friends to ask if this was her normal style of writing and it appears that it is. Though, I would be interested in their thoughts after they’ve read it themselves to see if they still feel the same way.
Thanks for the review! I’ve got such mixed feelings about this book cuz the reviews run from one extreme to the other. This might be a bargain sale purchase or borrow….
Kiss of Pride seems to be directed at a certain type of reader instead of the masses, which is completely unfortunate. If you’re a fan of Ms. Hills already and use to her writing then what bothered me may not bother you, but if you are not, then yes, I suggest you wait if you’re really that interested.