Title: Trusted Bond (Change of Heart #2)
Author: Mary Calmes
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Buy Link: Buy Link
Genre: M/M Paranormal, Shapeshifter
Length: Novel (282 pdf pages)
Rating: 5+ stars out of 5
A Guest Review by Cole
**This review contains what could be considered spoilers**
Review Summary: This novel far surpassed the previous book in the series, Change of Heart, and gave me what I most wanted: more between our two heroes, while also giving us a whirlwind adventure that spanned the globe.
BLURB
Sequel to Change of Heart (reviewed here)
Jin Rayne is having trouble adjusting to the new life he’s supposed to love. Instead of adapting to being the mate of tribe leader Logan Church, Jin can’t get past the fact that his lover was straight before they met. He’s discovered the joy in belonging to Logan but fears his new life could disappear at a moment’s notice, despite Logan’s insistence that they are forever, end of story.
Jin wants to trust Logan, but that desire will be put to the test both by a rival tribe leader and by a startling revelation about Jin’s existence. At stake is Jin’s life and his place in the tribe. If he’s going to survive to see Logan again, he’ll have to release his fear and freely accept the bond, for only then can he truly trust.
REVIEW
We left Jin and Logan at the end of Change of Heart dealing with the fallout of a war between two tribes, issues of trust only newly cemented, and Jin reluctant to accept his place as his tribe’s reah, the heart of the tribe. The novel opens with Jin at home and Logan (the semel) away visiting another tribe. Logan is to be home in three days, which will allow Jin to heal himself before Logan sees him and learns what happened. While the semel was away, a guest from another tribe had cornered Jin, and seemingly enthralled by Jin’s presence, tried to rape him. Jin fought alongside his sheseru (the reah’s protector) to stop him. In the process, Jin was badly injured, enough that even with his superior skill at healing, when Logan comes home three days early to surprise his mate, Jin is still terribly battered.
As events unfold, we see that not only was the were-panther who assaulted Jin after him, but two other parties are after him as well. A mated reah is usually safe with their semel, however, there is something about Jin that is different. Not only is he the only known male reah, but he also has powers that make others marvel. He can change back and forth from human to panther form so fast that anyone watching would see him as almost invisible, not one form or the other. He’s also extremely intelligent. He was raised to take his father’s place as the sylvan (the teacher of the tribe and who is the master of were-panther law) of the old tribe before being beaten and exiled for being gay and a reah. Jin is unique and powerful, making other semels tempted to take him and make him theirs.
The story is centered around an annual trip to Sobek, the capital city of the were-panthers. Every year, the semel-aten (the top semel who resides in Sobek) holds court for all the semels and yareahs (a chosen mate to a semel) all over the world. Because Logan has mated to Jin, a true reah, they are the guests of honor. Yet, days before they are to leave for Egypt, a man from Jin’s past comes to their home to try to take what he believes to be his — Jin. This sets off a series of events that leave Jin alone, having to rely on his own strength and power as he tries desperately to make his way back to his mate. And when Jin is kept away from his mate for too long, who knows to what ends he will go in order to reunite them?
What made this sequel so much better than the first book of the series was that there was so much more room for Jin and Logan to come together. The first book focused mostly on the world-building and the initial mating of the two. This book already had a foundation to build on, so we get to spend more quality time with our two heroes talking to each other, actually expressing their fears and allowing themselves to lean on the other. Even before Jin is forced into his odyssey of sorts, he is starting to realize how lucky he has been to find a family and tribe that will welcome him with open arms. He’s lost that once before and he’s afraid that if he allows himself to accept their love, he might lose it all again. So he creates problems and tries to talk Logan out of loving him. He has no idea of his worth, of what he brings to the lives of those around him. Most especially, he doubts that they indeed love him and not just that he is a reah.
The characters in this novel were so much more 3-dimensional. We already knew the main characters from the first book pretty well, but some of the secondary characters that carried over into Trusted Bond were much more well rounded. We got to know the whole family better, especially Delphine, Markel, Mikhail, and Yuri. Some new characters were wonderful, including little Femi, the daughter of the semel-aten, who stole every scene she was in. The pace was set at a fast clip as Jin seemed to flee one cage only to enter another, all the while doing everything in his power to find his way back to Logan. The visit to Sobek also explains quite a lot about were-panther history and government as we get to see the mythology of their homeland through Jin’s eyes. This ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book, how Mary Calmes created this race of beings around Egyptian mythology and spirituality. The setting also said quite a bit about how different politics were in this part of the world. Jin, who was raised in and is now part of a very modern tribe, has to navigate the antiquated political formalities, all of which portray a harsh and restrictive society, especially against women, and even more against reahs. Then, because Jin is a male reah, when they don’t know how to treat him, they subjugate him to a submissive female role.
Jin’s struggle to keep a hold on his humanity was really the heart and soul of the book. The logical human viewpoint he adopted after the pain he endured was at war with the passionate panther inside him. Having to live at the mercy of everyone else made him learn to trust in himself. The road to absolution, to peace and family with Logan, may not be how he expected, but he starts to roll with the punches. I really love Jin and though Logan can seem too perfect at times (beautiful, loving, forgiving, affectionate, etc.), I could believe that he existed within the context of the story because of the bond he shares with Jin. If this were a story about two regular joes, who were perfect looking with no flaws, I wouldn’t believe the story. However, because its a fantasy, it didn’t bother me.
As she continued the world-building, Mary Calmes allowed Jin and Logan to work through their issues by playing off of each other, through both strong dialogue and really hot sex. I could tell early on that this book was coming together in a way that the first hadn’t. All of the ingredients were there, but for some reason, it is only now that all the elements of the story came together. Jin overanalyzes everything, ad nauseum, often to the detriment of his relationships. Now, he is turning outward, and staring to make roots in his new tribe. I loved Jin’s relationship with Delphine, which was cemented in the beginning of Change of Heart, but which we didn’t see much until now. However, the most interesting bond that Jin forms is with Yuri, his protector and champion. Though it is completely asexual, their attraction to each other is fierce — based on protection, love, and common goal, they make an excellent team.
Mary Calmes is currently working on the third book of this series and I’m looking forward to that installment. I can’t wait to visit Jin and Logan again and see what adventure lies in store for them next. Those that love paranormals, shifter stories, and/or stories of travel or odyssey will love this. If you’re squeamish about blood or violence you might have a problem with certain scenes, but it wasn’t overly indulgent in those things, so it didn’t bother me.
Highly Recommended. Enjoy.
Change of Heart Series
Great review.
I have to say Change of Heart is my favourite of the 2 , but then I love the whole shiny ‘ how they get together’ thing in books.
I enjoyed the whole adventure with Jin and all that amazing world building. This is also the first time I’ve read about a solution to the next generation which is satisfying.
I’m pleased to hear of another in the series as although originally I thought Change of Heart was a stand alone , it was fun revisiting this world.
Wow, see thats what I like about the comments, I had the completely opposite reaction, loving book 2 more than Change of Heart. I can see where if you really like the initial relationship sparks and stuff, you’d enjoy it more. They’re also fundamentally different books, plotwise. The first has some action and threats in it, but it is very much about the initial mating and their very quick romance. The second was a lot more about having to fight to keep what they had, after they had only just gotten it. So there was quite a bit of time where Jin and Logan were apart in the book. Jin needed to see that life with Logan as his semel was a blessing and the plot had to serve to bring them back together.
“This is also the first time I’ve read about a solution to the next generation which is satisfying.”
What do you mean, solution to the next generation?
Thanks Raine!
I very much disliked book one so I certainly will not read book two.
Something in the way it is written and some pushy characters put me off in a big way.
Hey Ingrid,
Do you remember which character it was? I’m curious which one it was 🙂 And what parts bothered you.
It seems like this author evokes either a love/hate relationship from her readers. I’ve yet to read any of her other books, but so far I’ve liked what I’ve read.
It was Logan that I did not like at all. It’s been a while since I read it but I do remember that he left a bad taste in my mouth. A pity because I did like the setting with the big cats. And as to date I haven’t read anything else by this writer
Great review. I love this author’s work. I am reading them in order now. Can’t wait to get to this one!
AJ,
Thank you very much! This book and Change of Heart are the only ones that I have read of Mary Calmes. I’m hoping that I like her other works as well.
I’m so excited–I can’t wait to read this!
I hope you like it! I definitely did!
I’d better stay away from the review until I read the books, but I saw your rating and I’m intrigued. I got to say, though, the cover art really makes the one guy look like a gal! If not for Dreamspinner as the publisher, I would have mistaken it for an m/f romance for sure.
Ha! I know, it does doesn’t it? He actually is supposed to look like that. He’s like, the first guy born in a “woman’s” biological role. Its like he has the best traits of both genders.
I’ve yet to read a Mary Calmes book – although I have 3 on my TBR pile (not this one, but I do have Change of Heart). I must get around to reading them soon because this sequel sounds good too!
Great review, Cole!
Hey Jen!
You know, I’ve only read these two books by her, so I’m not sure if I’ll like the others. Certainly a lot of people do, so its been really hard to recommend these. I can only tell people how much I liked them, especially this sequel. So, if you do read it, let me know what you think. I’d be really interested to hear from you guys if you don’t like it, then we can compare what the deal is between everyone’s tastes.
Thanks Jen!
Ugh, I’m totally on the fence about these two books. I read all these raving reviews and than I think how other author’s books got great reviews and I absolutely hated them. I read your review and see the elements I would certainly love in any other book. And, then this: “the first guy born in a “woman’s” biological role“. Just… NO. Please, tell me, he behaves like a man. Because if he is one of those “chicks with dicks” types there is no way in hell I’m reading this.
I’m thinking I’ll wait a bit and than probably read Change of Heart (there are so many great books out there and so little time and money XD). If I dislike it then – it will certainly be no more Mary Calmes for me.
*then I think how…*
All that thinking screwed my English. Badly. XD
Haha. I probably should have worded that better 🙂 The thing is, he is the first male panther born as a reah. The reahs are the mothers of the tribe, the heart, and they always mate with the semel, who is the tribal leader, and is always a man. However, there are like one million semels to one reah, which are very rare. So the fact that he’s a male reah, its like impossible. What I meant by “woman’s biological role” was simply that the reah is programmed to submit to the semel they end up mating with, its built into their genetic makeup. Yet Jin has probably the most strong willed mind I can think of. He was born to submit, but he fights it because he’s been taken advantage of. He is slight and has long hair, but no, he’s very much a man. That’s what I loved about him.
I think I just said I love pushy bottoms…:)
You know, if I really knew everyones likes and dislikes I might be able to tell you, but there is just such a huge line between people who love her work and people who hate it. I think it all comes down to the kind of characters you like. I would say, try at least one book and decide what you think. As these are the only books I’ve read by her, I really can’t dissuade or recommend the others, although I’ve heard a LOT about them 🙂
Hope that helped..
I think I just said I love pushy bottoms…:)
Hey, the pushy bottoms rock! ~_^
I’m so glad Jin is not a woman in disguise. I think I will take a chance with the first book when my TBB pile gets smaller. Although you people are making it grow on daily basis. XD
Hope that helped..
Yes, thanks!
I am one that loves everything that Mary Calmes has written. I was happy that Trusted Bond lived up to Change of Heart. I devoured it so quickly that I will reread it soon to savor it. Thanks for your review.
Hey Linda,
I’m glad you liked it too. Yeah, I was very happy almost from the beginning of Trusted Bond. I could tell it was going to be better, IMO.
Thanks again
Glad to find another fan of this series! MC does a great job of world building. She is able to express a lot through her story without a narrator talking to describe everything. She is also able to have vibrant side characters that add detail and energy.I loved Femi! She was a fun addition.
The characters are stylized a bit, reminds me of Jet Mykles mm characterization. I enjoy it as a change of pace.
I will definately read the next one to visit this world again.
Loved your review, you have a talent with words yourself. Hope you can put up with all of us and hang around for awhile!
Thank you, Reggie, that means a lot to me. I tried my hand at writing, and still do. I even got a degree at the only college in the US that offers a major in writing fiction. But at heart, I was always more of an editor. I LOVE marking up other people’s manuscripts 🙂
You have some great points also. And yes, Femi was the cutest little girl I’ve seen in m/m in a long time.
Well, sounds like book review is right up you alley – oops maybe I shouldn’t have said it that way . Well, I’m glad that Wave captured you for us– gee I think I’ll stop now. I don’t have a gift with words.:). Glad to have you here
“sounds like book review is right up you[r] alley – oops maybe I shouldn’t have said it that way … gee I think I’ll stop now. I don’t have a gift with words.”
I disagree 🙂
For some reason, every time that phrase pops into my head, I think the exact same thing, and let out a little giggle.
Wow Cole
I think you have convinced me to try these two books. Your awesome review and the world building and the characters make me want to read them, especially if this is going to be an ongoing series. I didn’t have a lot of fun with her last series, but this one is not contemporary so perhaps, as you mentioned, the characteristics that made me want to throw the books against the wall won’t have the same effect on me here.
I’m still trying to find a book by MC that totally wows me and maybe these two might do the trick – but don’t hold your breath ’cause the jury is still out. 🙂
Thank you so much for doing such a great job on these two books – Change of Heart and Trusted Bond. Maybe Mary Calmes might grow on me yet. lol
*gnashes teeth and lights a cigarette*
If you do take them up, Wave, I really hope you like them. I think that you might, in the sense that, despite general writing skill, there is so much difference between paranormal stories and contemporary that you don’t necessarily have to compare the two. As you know, I did have some problems with the first book, but they get resolved in the second. So, if you aren’t that crazy about the first one, try starting the second and if you can’t tell a difference, then that’s fine. Hopefully, though, you’ll like them 🙂 Thanks, Wave
I back up what Reggie said: you have a great way with words, Cole. Your review wowed me, it’s very engaging! It made me wish that I had enjoyed the book as much as you obviously did. *lol* 🙂
But unfortunately that wasn’t quite the case because I had a few issues with Trusted Bond. I still enjoyed reading it – some parts a great deal – for all the things you mentioned in your review.
What bugged me is in parts based on my personal taste alone. Jin is more than he seems but the execution of that didn’t appeal to me much. (I’m beeing vague here ’cause I don’t want to spoil anything. Hope you know what I mean. ;)) Still, I loved the concept behind it as part of the world building and the implications is has on the relationship between Jin and Logan. (cool and sexy *g*)
What I missed in this context is a thorough explanation of the why, what and how. It was one of the really important parts of the story but it left me wanting.
I felt that some rather long scenes that imo weren’t truly necessary to move the story forward (the talk with Laurent in the palace or Jin in the museum) could have been cut short or even out in favour of exploring it in more detail.
Then the conflict with Ammon. He got off the hook much to easily imo and I had difficulties bringing this in compliance with the rules of the panther society.
“A reah is treasured above all else” but there are just too many incidents with people going nuts over them and forgetting their law – it was getting a bit annoying and felt slightly inconsistent to me.
I know…just because you have strict rules doesn’t mean people care much about them. At one point in the story I thought that Sobek needed a revolution. *lol*
Maybe some of these issues will be resolved or further explored in the next book – the events in the last chapter might hint at that.
Anyway, I still enjoyed TB very much and I’m looking forward to the 3rd one.
I think I commented at goodreads that I thought Mare had kicked sequel arse with this book. Glad to know that I’m not the only one who thought so.
Great review, Cole. 😀
Thank you Kris! I’m glad you agree.
Hey Lilli,
Thank you so much for what you said. It really does mean a lot to me.
In regards to Trusted Bond: I agree with you wholeheartedly, on just about everything you mentioned, however, for me those things didn’t detract from the book at all.
“Jin is more than he seems but the execution of that didn’t appeal to me much.”
Yes, I did get what you’re talking about and that was a part that I loved about the story. You’re completely right that we didn’t get the how, what, why of that issue, and that bothered me at first until I found out that there was a another sequel. I can forgive a few things like that that I know they will have to come up again in the future, so I know I’ll get more information on it then. I wanted it now 🙂 but I can wait if I have to.
The scenes you that you mentioned were extraneous seemed to me to be necessary. I felt like the talk with Laurant was important for us to see how much Jin has changed, and the walk around the museum with Femi allowed Jin hope, in having an ally and having an end-goal. He’s obviously meant to be a father.
As to Ammon, I keep wondering why Mary Calmes left this out. Since we don’t know much about the next book, I suppose there could be more intrigue into the job offer Logan was offered by the High Priest (you know the one I’m speaking about.) Even though he turned it down, earlier in the book he admitted that he might have to take it. I’m not sure about this. Even though it didn’t ring true with the characters and the law, maybe Mary Calmes purposely left him alone. It did seem that he was up to some kind of intrigue of his own out in the desert (the place he wanted to take Jin to keep him away). I will be upset, though, if there isn’t some kind of continuation or resolution with Ammon. It just wouldn’t be right.
Maybe I’m more forgiving than you are 🙂 But I think we just have different pet peeves. What do you think?
Awesome review Cole. Change of heart as I mentioned on another discussion thread here before was my first and favorite book by this writer. Ever since I kept coming back to her books, even though perfect beatiful people which are really really perfect is not what I really like. But Change of heart was magical for me, so I was really worried about sequel. I was especially worried about “manifactured angst” to borrow somebody else’s excellent expression. You know how some sequels are done, even if the couple seemed to resolve all their internal and external conflicts in first book, let’s come up with something out of left field to break up the couple for the whole sequel and then let them make up. Oy. I was really glad that she did not do it here and while Jin had his doubts and they have their quarrels them being apart was not due to them wanting it.
And yes, even beatiful people bothered me less than usual hehe. And I am very fond of Domin, I am glad of how his arc ends. Oh wait, there is book three you said. I guess adventures continue 🙂
I was not happy with what somebody on the thread called “Gin is more what he is” though either. I thought it could have been better executed too. But overall I enjoyed this book the best after Change of Heart and I read everything this writer did except A Matter of time series (cannot bring myself to do that, scared of Big Misunderstandings and super perfect people :-))
“let’s come up with something out of left field to break up the couple for the whole sequel and then let them make up. Oy.”
I completely agree, Sirius. That is the trapping of taking a perfectly self-sufficient and successful standalone novel and making it into a huge franchise. I’m glad that she didn’t go that route as well.
I loved Domin so much. In Change of Heart, of course I thought he was an asshole :), but deep down the assholes are often the sensitive ones. Yes, he’s a great character. I would love to see Domin and Koren get their own story.
I agree that there is more to be said about Jin’s “big problem,” so to speak. I’m hoping that will be the main objective in the next installment.
Thanks again, Sirius!
I’m so excited! I actually was able to get a book off my TBR list today. This one will fill the vacancy nicely. Great review. I so love to see an author receive those five lovely stars.
Yay Eden! I always feel so productive when I finish an ebook and check ‘archive’. It feels like having a long list and scratching out every task 🙂 So satisfying.
I really hope you like the book, this is one that I will come back to and read over again. That says a lot for me because I have so many books in my TBR pile that it is a real guilty pleasure to re-read a book.
Enjoy!
Sorry but I liked the story even less than Change of Heart (and I really don’t like insta-gay). It was all about an apparently never-ending row of people trying to harm the Jin without enough interaction between the two main characters.
Hi Enny,
Yeah, I know that a lot of people have a problem with GFY (Gay For You) stories. I like them okay if they make sense, but here it didn’t bother me at all because the whole reason for the initial attraction Logan had for Jin was because he recognized Jin as his mate. He does later say that he would have fallen in love with Jin anyway, because the mating bond is the whole reason Jin is insecure, but that’s really only after he’s gotten to know Jin as a person and gotten used to the idea of his mate being a guy. Like I said, in a paranormal story, its easier for me to suspend disbelief for things like that, because, in a sense the author gets to make up their own rules.
Thanks for the feedback!
I really liked the first story. I just got this one so I’ll skip the detailed review for now. I’m just happy to see your rating. I can’t wait to read it now! 🙂
Hey Lily!
Let me know what you think, k? I thought it was much better, and even more engaging. I stayed up all night reading it 🙂
Err, it’s thanks to Change of Heart, I read Trusted Bonds. But to say it surpass Change of Heart, in my opinion, it has not.
Change of Heart allow us love its fictional characters and their flaws. It is never a bore to re-read the story plot umpteen times but Trusted Bonds..from my first read, it’s a little mess up here and there. It looks like Jin’s the only man carrying the world on his shoulder but not enough to make me love him as in the first.
Maybe my expectation is higher since I found out of this sequel.
Anyway, it is still a good sequel with her interesting choice and flow of words.
Hi Monica,
I think it depends of which type of story you prefer… Change of Heart was much more about falling in love, coming to terms with the past, gathering courage and Trusted Bond is much more of a singular journey. It is less about both of them, than it is about Jin’s journey of self-discovery before coming to the point where he can allow them both to meet in the middle in their relationship. I think the first is more emotional while the second has more action. It certainly seems like a toss-up from the comments. About half seem to like Change of Heart best and the other half like Trusted Bond better. I liked both, but preferred Trusted Bond.
Thanks for replying! I really like hearing all of you guys and what you think of the books. Everyone is having wildly different opinions on both books and that doesn’t seem to happen too often in this genre 🙂
Hmm interesting. The protagonist in a Mary Calmes book tends to get progressively more Gary Stu-like the more she writes them. It’s probably for this reason alone that I prefer the first over the second.
However, I am curious why nobody seems all that bothered about the apparent disappearance of the third Church brother, Russ. This was a major deal breaker for me while reading Trusted Bond since I kept on waiting for somebody to come to their senses and say, “Hey, Papa Church. There’s no need to worry that two of your sons are gay. You still have Russ who can potentially get it on with a woman and spawn little Church babies.” It’s as if Calmes completely forgot that there was a third brother.
Then again, I read the first right before reading the second so the characters were all fresh in my head. It’s a bit understandable if readers forgot about Russ but for the author to do the same is a bit…
Hi Sam
This was exactly my impression from her books that I have reviewed but I’m hoping that Cole will convince me otherwise with his review of Trusted Bond and Change of Heart.
I haven’t read either of the two books but your observations about characters disappearing, never to be heard from again, is also something I’ve noticed and I thought it was just me. 🙂
Cole is getting a real workout with this review but he’s up for it. lol
Hi Cole,
well, I think you are perfectly right, we obviously have different pet peeves. 🙂
I, like Sirius, thought that CoH was kind of magical, but I’m also glad that my issues with TB weren’t so serious that they ruined the series for me.
There are so many more things to explore in this ‘verse! Jin hoping to be a father – I so want to see that! – and Ammon and Logan’s job offer, as you pointed out. And many more that were hinted at.
Love Domin, too, by the way, and Markel grows on me. I hated them both in CoH. *lol*
Maybe I will do a re-read in the near future and see if some of my perceptions change. Sometimes a different mood can alter the whole experience. 😉
Hi Sam,
just read your comment after I posted mine.
I noticed and wondered briefly but, astonishingly, it didn’t bother me that much. Interesting.
Hi Sam!
Good call about Papa Church. I was thinking it had something to do with Russ going into law-enforcement and living outside of the pack. I think he was the first in his line to to this. Maybe this was enough of a aberation for Papa Church to feel desperate?
Good question!
That’s why Trusted Bond fell short of my expectation.
It was like the plot got twisted halfway, things go dramatic with action thrown in the way to camouflage the shortcomings.
But it is still good,and hopefully she would able to rectify the shortcomings in the third volume.
“The protagonist in a Mary Calmes book tends to get progressively more Gary Stu-like the more she writes them.”
Yeah, I can see that. I think it may not have bothered me because maybe when I think if Jin, his foremost attribute to me is the pain he endured and still carries and how it has made him so weak inside. I’m trying to find a way to explain what I’m thinking, but its like Jin is a study in duality. There is the real Jin (that even he doesn’t remember) coated in a thick veneer of what is ultimately a “gary-stu” caricature. Does that make sense? Probably not 🙂
About Russ: I have to admit, it might be wrong of me, but I tend to trust that the author is going somewhere when there is a loose end left untied, etc, especially when its a series. I just assume it will somehow come back around in another installment. Maybe that’s because these are the first of Mary Calmes’ work I have read, and therefore I don’t feel as if I’ve been let down in the past. In chapter one, Jin tells Crane that it was important that Russ go to LA to a “recruiting conference.” We aren’t told exactly what for, but there are lots of instances in the novel where tribe members are living with other tribes for various reasons. Maybe I assumed, but it always seemed from the first time Jin came to Logan’s house in CoH that Russ was sort of the diplomat of the family. As to children, who knows? Maybe Papa Church ( 🙂 ) wanted the semel to reproduce. And the plan that came later was concocted by Jin and Delphine. I don’t know, but I hope we’ll find out in another book. Even Russ not coming to Egypt didn’t bother me as he wasn’t the only one to stay behind.
From reading all of your comments, it seems like these things bother you guys a lot more than they do me. Sometimes they might irk me a little, but unless they are completely devoid of explanation or reason, I usually give them a pass.
“From reading all of your comments, it seems like these things bother you guys a lot more than they do me…”
Well, part of this probably stems from the fact that some of us have read many books by this author; I remember being surprised by others’ comments about her when I was in the position of having read only one or two of her books.
I actually am a fan of hers for the most part – I tend to view her books as a sort of escapist change of pace – but I have to admit, she tends always to write the same type of protagonist and the same type of relationship dynamic. After a while, they start to blend together and/or feel a little tedious, and flaws that might be easy to overlook in just one book become more difficult to ignore when you encounter them repeatedly in book after book; the accumulation gives them greater weight.
Nonetheless, as I said, I do enjoy her imagination and even her characteristic too-perfect protagonists and fairly rigid relationship roles/power dynamic as long as I don’t overdo it (someone above compared her to Jet Mykles, who also has a typical dynamic, and though JM’s feels a bit less extreme to me than MC’s, it’s true that I likewise enjoy JM’s work more when I don’t read too much of it at once).
Change of Heart wasn’t my favorite of her books, but I’m still looking forward to the sequel, and I too enjoyed your review and appreciate all the thought and care and detail you put into it!
Very succinctly put, Justacat. I had a feeling it might be a case of reusing similar characters and plotlines over and over and I’m not getting it because her voice is still new to me. I think I’ll check out a few of her other books just to see if I can pinpoint a lot of these things people are talking about for myself.
Thanks!
Ooooops, I’m bad! I was skimming through CoH during football and couldn’t find the refence to Russ’s interview. It’s been a brain draining week. I must be mixing-up books.
Fun discussion though!
Thanks Cole for being a great moderator!
You’re welcome, Reggie. Thank you for your great insight 🙂
I listened to Change of Heart on tape and enjoyed it, but haven’t been too thrilled when reading her other books (I tried 2). I think listening on tape is easier if there are editing or character issues because it goes by at a different pace and I’m usually doing other things (like driving). I might wait on this one to see if they the audiobook because I would like to revisit the characters and see what happens next.
I am so ADD, I absolutely cannot listen to audiotapes. I can barely make it through a paragraph and I’m already doing and thinking about something else. I really wish I could! But then again, maybe its good that I can’t. I once swore I would never ever read an ebook, being a true paperback purist. Siiike.
After your review for the prequel to Trusted Bonds, I decided to give them both a try and they’re great! Thanks for the review!
Hey Gwenny,
I’m glad you liked them!
I have read EVERY book by Mary Calmes and I can honestly say that I’ve loved all of them, but of all of them Change of Heart and Trusted Bond are my favorite books by her, and Trusted Bond totally wins out as my all-time favorite. I think it’s probably because I see myself in Jin. I’m excited about the third book, I can’t wait to see where Mrs. Calmes is about to take this couple. If you’re interested in some of her best works, I recommend: Timing, Tooth and Nail, and The Guardian. Definitely three of my faves.