Cambion – episodes five and six

Title: Cambion – episodes 5 and 6
Author: Cari Z
Cover artist: Nathie Block
Publisher: Storm  Moon Press
Amazon: Buy Link
Genre: fantasy
Length: serial
Rating: 3.75 out of 5

A guest review by Sirius.

Summary: exciting action packed conclusion of the first season, which I liked but had some issues with.

These two episodes feature an action packed conclusion to the first season of this serial.

Review:

I reviewed first episode of this serial  here, second here, third here and fourth here.

After I finished episode four of this serial, I decided that I will wait till the end of the first season to review two remaining episodes together. I really dislike cliffhangers and while I could see how it made story more suspenseful, it did not make me feel any better :).

I guess I learned a valuable lesson – I really am not a reader of the stories written in the format like this one is. I mean, I do read series (and still feel that ending the long book which is part of the series in a cliffhanger is not something I like), but reading this story divided in tiny bits and pieces was even more frustrating. Of course this frustration only barely counts as the reason why I graded the story the way I did because it has nothing to do with the merits of the story.

I do not know if the Season 2 is coming or not, but if it does, I will be waiting till it will be completed and read it in its entirety.

Episode 5: Possession
With the demon Cressidus in the wind with Devon in tow, Rio and Steven are left with only the dying Porter Grey as their only link to their whereabouts. And time is quickly running out, as Cressidus is putting his final pieces on the board, leaving Devon in a fight for his life.

Review:

I actually thought that this was a very strong episode. I thought that Rio’s willingness to do anything, literary anything for Devon was very well portrayed and phone conversation with Devon’s fathers showed their desperation and made my heart break for all of them.

I was kind of amused how for all hints that Rio was such a bad ass and will use any means to achieve the end he needs the author avoided the need for him to torture Potter Grey in a really bad way. I mean, there was a tiny bit of torture but for me it was really nothing and do not get me wrong, I am really not complaining, it was just kind of surprising to me. I thought this author really excelled in the fantasy part of this story – the descriptions of demons, angels and some other creatures (I still really do not want to get into who Rio really is) was very well done. I loved the action fighting scenes. It really was very cinematic to read this story.

Grade – 4 stars.

Episode 6: Find Me
Rio’s running out of time if he hopes to save Devon. After burning all his bridges, he sets out for Kelowna, willing to sacrifice everything to save his cambion.

Review:

I thought the first part of this episode was fantastic. Again, great action fighting sequences – REALLY good. The description of Rio’s powers were awesome, I loved it. I also loved how the author added some very nice touches to the mythology of who Rio was. I mean, Rio is of course a rather well known figure in the religious mythology, but because I have read a lot of fantasy books about these beings, I really liked some small things the author added or twisted.

I thought the chemistry between Rio and Devon was off the charts, but can somebody tell me why there was a burning need to have sex right after Devon woke up? I just find such sequences so very annoying. I mean, I get that these two are both not completely human beings (and that would be an understatement of the century), and they will heal relatively fast, but they have not healed yet. Devon is exhausted, Rio has those awful wounds on him which did not close yet. They need to have sex right now? That very second? I understand that it was supposed to be touchingly romantic, but as I said to me it was very annoying.

And now when the first season ended I can say that I think I have read enough to decide that I am not completely happy with the characterization in this story. I do not feel that  even main characters were developed in enough depth to satisfy me. Basically for me this is an action story first and foremost, and characterization took a second seat. Maybe second season will change it for me.

I still liked it, I liked the ending, I thought it ended well, but also several storylines were hinted at which could be developed in the second season.

Grade: 3.5 stars.

I guess I will grade the whole season at 3.75  stars.