Goddess with a Blade

By: Lauren Dane

Narrated by: Eve Bianco

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Rowan Summerwaite is no ordinary woman. Physical vessel to the Celtic goddess Brigid and raised by the leader of the Vampire Nation, she's a supercharged hunter with the power to slay any vampire who violates the age-old treaty.

A recent string of murders has her at odds with Las Vegas's new Scion, the arrogant and powerful Clive Stewart. The killings have the mark of Vampire all over them, and Rowan warns Clive to keep his people in line - or she'll mete out her own brand of justice.

Though her dealings with Clive are adversarial to say the least, Rowan is intensely aware of her attraction to him. But she can't let it distract her from her duty: to find and battle the killer before more women die.

©2011 Lauren Dane (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Average

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really. It was not what I was expecting.

Would you recommend Goddess with a Blade to your friends? Why or why not?

No, because I prefer my books with more passion.

Any additional comments?

This one just did not live up to my expectations. I'd use my credit on something that was more exciting.

Super Good Listen!!

This was a very enjoyable story. We have a human Hunter, that is a vessel for a goddess. Her job is to keep Vampires honest to an age old treaty that keeps them from killing humans, under penalty of their own demise. This story takes place in Las Vegas, a very fun, decadent city, with things always happening. The mystery is who is killing human women and why, the most puzzling is the state the bodies are discovered in. With the scion of Las Vegas, (new head of the Vampyrs, Rowan killed the other one) at odds with her, but he can't keep his lips off hers, and not being very co-operative sets up the tension aspect of the book. So much so, she goes over his head to the First. Needless to say things get very interesting with the discovery of more bodies, with the Vegas police involved it will be hard for them not to realize that something not human is doing the killings. This book is worth a credit and I will be listening to it again.

Attitude

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to several of my friends. There many trademarks in this book I like. The story is well written in my opinion, there is attitude from the main characters, the book has mystery, sex, mythology and vampires. I have listened to the book several times and enjoyed it every time. This something I don't usually do.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Goddess with a Blade?

When Rowan calls The First during one of her conversations with Clive. In spite of her rocky relationship with The First, she continues to honor him even when she is not in his presence. The First is over joyed to hear from her as well, lets her know she is missed. Clive witnesses the respect Rowan has for the First and the admiration the First has for Rowan, he then realizes he will not be getting his way. Clive witness something probably no one has witnessed there is a real father daughter relationship there. Even is Rowan doesn't believe it so.

Which scene was your favorite?

Sex on the desk.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I am not sure.

Any additional comments?

This book has a way of making a really awful day better. I really enjoyed the book.

Excellent spin on the supernatural world

Excellent spin on the supernatural world - just be aware that there are some very descriptive sex scenes (although they don't take over the book like some authors) and use of colourful language, (again it exists but there are must worse out there) so if such things put you off then this book is probably not for you. which would be a pity as it well worth the purchase and listen.

The narrator is excellent

Good to Run Errands With

Well written, interesting way to see vampires and demigods. I do want to see how the love interests work out.

Cliche. Whiny lead.

I just couldn’t finish it. Too cliche. If you are going to write about a bad ass female lead, please DO NOT make her whiny and volatile. This girl throws fits and then boasts about how bad ass she is and she’s the best hunter with a bad ass goddess in her. It would be more believable if she’s actually a bad ass and not some weak female trying to be a bad ass but is doing a horrible job at it. The narrator just made her sound so irritating. On the 2nd meeting of the new scion, she kisses him and then tries to blame it on being close to the window. Like a teenager. Ugh. No thank you. I couldn’t make it past chapter 4.

AWESOME STORY! Underwhelming performance of it!

Good story line, but the performance was a little underwhelming...I don't think the narrator performed it to the ability of the storyline...The performance was too casual, not enough SOUL in it...Her voice of Clive sounds like a whiny girl and not a strong intimidating vampire, the other male character voices were fine, but his voice did not connect to the chracter that I imagine him to be in the book...The performance of the fight scene at the end was soooo underwhelming, she did NOT do that good at All! No Grit in it at ALL!!! But overall what a GREAT storyline, just a So-So performance though!!!

Eh...

I just couldn't suspend my disbelief with this story. The premise is interesting and it was set up for success but execution fell short. The narrator's performance is a credit to her though. There's realism in her reactions and voice acting. The male voices are a bit softer and higher pitched than I like but she still has a husky masculinity. What really threw me off was how quickly Rowen went from "I can't work with this vampire" to having sex the next minute. No buildup or dynamic shift in their relationship before they were in bed. She doesn't even remark much on his looks or charm. I think she only mentioned it the first meeting. He doesn't seem to care at all until he's suddenly jealous of Jack. Made no sense to me.

Needs more snarky bitch, snarky head bitch

Any additional comments?

I love these books and found the narration style, overall really good. There's only one gripe I have...

I don't give characters voices, I read far to fast for that to happen, and I found this voice actress did everyone's voice really well except for Rowans. When someone is described as a wretched bitch and comes back with HBIC - Head Bitch In Charge, when someone's written voice is all snarky comebacks and whip fast zingers then you'd expect their "voice" to be much more lived in, sarcastic toned, snark. The voice actress chose to go with sunshine and lollypops instead.

Needless to say when you're expecting snarky (I know I'm using this word a lot, it's the only polite one I can) sarcasm tones and attitude and get soft, sweet and melodious it does tend to take you out of the moment.

Otherwise this book lived up to it's read.

An all time fave!!

I loved everything about this book. The haughty vampire the stong kick-ass herione and the humanity i glimpsed in the first. That was a twist with a real treat. I also loved how mythology was interwoven in such an otherwise cut and dry vampire tale

On a re-read with an added listen!

I originally read these a few years ago and they appeared at the top of my kindle library. On checking I found them in Audible too so now I can switch between the two.

Rowan Somerwaite is the current vessel of the goddess Bridgit, she endows Rowan with supernatural powers and strengths which allow her to perform her duties as a vampire hunter. She and her blade are the final justice when vampires stray over the line they agreed when the vampire nation charter was created.

Raised by the first as his foster daughter until she discovers exactly why she was fostered, Rowan has made her own place in the world. Having slaughtered the previous vampire Scion of Vegas for dipping and double dealing she is now faced with the very British Clive Stewart. They strike sparks off each other, they know they are fighting a losing battle as they are destined to be together.

As they struggle with their hormones dead women start dropping out of the air, all evidence points to a vampire ... but who?

What a fight.

Lauren Dane, author, and Eve Bianco, the narrator, together have created a world with vampires and Hunters, who protect the humans. But there's one special Hunter with powers of her own and a strength of character to use them. If you enjoy the likes of Rachel Morgan and Anita Blake I suggest you try this series.