Dangerous Games (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 4) Reviews

• KEEP THEM COMING

  
  By ATBPZ2H5RV4WR on 2007-03-29
  DAMGEROUS GAMES is the fourth book in the series by Keri Arthur, and each of the stories pulls the reader deeper and deeper into the lust filled life of vampires and werewolves that is Riley Jenson. With each story brings her closer to becoming a true Guardian, and right now she isn't so sure this is a bad thing anymore. This time she hunts a serial killer, but this killer is beyond anything she has ever faced before, because this killer isn't anything that is from this time or place. Along with trying to stay focused enough to stay alive, she also has to battle her desire for her on again off again lover Quinn. This time her vampire lover may have crossed a line she isn't going to be able to let pass.
  
  Anyone already familer with the story about these two star crossed lovers will understand that last part. If you are just coming to this series with this book I really must advise you do the series, and yourself a favor and read the books in order. You will not be disappointed, and if you are just coming to this series you won't have to wait to read each story as the rest of had to. Lucky you.
  
  WOW this series is fast moving, powerful and never lacking in tense sexual desire. Keri Arthur keeps just enough sex involved in her stories to keep them interesting, but NEVER forgets the story. I have enjoyed this series so much and hope to see more of this wonderful character that Keri Arthur has created, along with all the other characters that bring this series to life. You just can't help but love Riley and all the trouble that just keeps following her even when she isn't looking. And lets be honest you also can't help but love her active social life......So gals have all the luck....
  
  Keep up the good work Ms. Arthur
  
  

• Still Entertaining

  
  By A3RMYB41XQS240 on 2007-04-05
  First, I think some of the below reviews are not exactly fair to the author. It seems to have become commonplace to compare any book with sex to LKH, and this series is markedly different than the Anita Blake novels. One reviewer complained of too much sex, but this is Book 4 of the series, so anyone reading by now should expect the sex (which is not as plentiful in this book as in the previous 3) or quit reading the series. I myself thought the sex in the early books lacked depth, but I wouldn't say they were contrived since the author establishes from the outset of Book 1 that sex is a necessary and celebrated focus of a werewolf's life within this world.
  
  I would also disagree with reviewers below who think this book offered no character development. I thought Riley Jenson gained a tremendous amount of character development since we are finally able to see her mature enough to realize that she does not necessarily have to be ruled by hormones. Not to mention the fact that the violence inflicted upon Riley in the big fight scene by book's end is definitely unique in that it is not typical for the heroine of a story to undergo something so traumatic. This definitely added a level of depth to Riley, who we have only previously seen as a somewhat shallow personality.
  
  A minor fault and note to editor/author - The recurring line "kaleidoscope of sensations" (used verbatim 3 times in Book 3) experienced by Riley makes yet another appearance in this book.
  
  There are some slightly darker themes in this book than the previous 3 with regard to Riley's sex life (one of her partners is a S&M worker) but they are definitely not as shocking or uncomfortable to read as the rape scene Riley witnesses in Book 3.
  
  As for Riley's relationship to on-again-off-again vampire Quinn, this book really made me despise him. I have not been a big Quinn fan since Book 1, and this book clinched it for me. I hope Riley gets rid of him for good, although I suspect he will be the eventual soul-mate she keeps hoping to meet given that he is the only constant in her array of lovers. Her relationship to Kellan was hardly touched on, and he is not involved in the story enough to be a sympathetic character.
  
  All in all, the Riley Jenson guardian novels are still an entertaining new series. I will definitely be buying the next one.
  
  
  

• Booooring

  
  By A205MVZWDI7JM0 on 2007-04-14
  One of my best friends says that he's never read a book that he hasn't learned something from, well, he obviously hasn't read this one.... Riley, our sexually 'free' dhampir, continues on her quest to fight evil. If you took all of the repetitions of "I don't want to be a paid killer" and "I won't go exclusive until I find my soul mate" and "desire flared" and the like out of the book the book would shrink to half its size and that half isn't much better or more interesting. The only book worth its money was #1 in the series and while I was sucked into reading 2, 3, and 4 I will not read #5 or any subsequent ones. My time is too valuable and there are so many much better books to read!
  
  

• Dangerous Games is right !!

  
  By A2OIX4KBD3FVC5 on 2007-04-07
  Dangerous in the sense of becoming a copycat of so many other paranormal series featuring females with "super"/"para" normal powers, overwhelming sexual appetites and a lost sense of both morality/reality. SO many times I wonder--why don't you just: say no/turn around/walk away or make any other reasonable choice? Of course, we are not dealing with the realms of reason, but that doesn't mean we have to over-indulge every sense, every time. When I find myself arguing with the character, I guess that indicates a a level of engagement with the story, BUT I'm not happy about it. I'm looking for entertainment--not a brawl. Pausing before I purchase the next one of this series because Riley and I are starting to have SERIOUS trust issues.
  
  

• Unsure how I feel about this one....

  
  By A2OV8Q231I525K on 2007-04-26
  I have finished the 4th book in this series and I have to say it, I hate Quinn! I was pulling for him in the first, maybe second book but the third and fourth books have just ruined him for me. Quinn has abused and mistreated Riley, the main character more than once and I get so frustrated that she is still putting up with him. I like characters who are stronger than I am and even I would have kicked this jerk to the curb. In my opionion it makes Riley seem weaker and frustrates me to no end. There are other characters that she could explore relationships with (What happened to Kade? We hardly see Kellen!) since she keeps complaining she wants to find her wolf soul mate, but she keeps dating a vampire!
  
  Other than that, I do enjoy this series and am looking forward to the next book that comes out in a few months. Everything else in this book works great and is action packed and enjoyable. I can't put the books down.
  
  
• Another Laurell K. Hamilton....
  By A32GGXUECOZFRC on 2007-04-04
  and when I say "Laurell K." I mean the recent almost no plots but lots and lots of hot, kinky sex (well, what the author considers to be hot & kinky but is really rather boring) LKH, rather than the good author she used to be.
  
  As far as the plot(?) goes, if I wanted to read a book about an angsty character with relationship problems and a concern about pregnancy I could pick up any 'Chick Lit' book out there and most likely get a better story.
  
  This series has disappointed from book one and I am not even going to bother with the next one when it comes out. If you like paranormal romance, pick this book and series up. If you like true urban/dark fantasy then grab something by Carrie Vaughn or Patricia Briggs instead.
  
  
• The Guardian Series is a phenomenon
  By A1IRV5S2ABCMPH on 2007-04-10
  The latest book in Keri Arthur's Guardian Series is a sensational hit! Riley is offically a guardian and Guatier is offically not a guardian anymore. With her latest lovers Quinn and Kellen still vying for her attention, Riley finds Jin who is a sexy looking human, but Riley senses that he is something more despite his humanly smell. There are big problems occuring where women keep turning up dead and Jin may be involved in some way. Riley will have to do what she never wanted to do before and use sex to get her answers. There are many twists and turns in this novel where Riley doesn't know who she can trust, but in the end she realizes who the only person she can trust is. This is a must read if you've ever read Keri Arthur or are looking for a good werewolf series to read. Note that there is two or three sex scenes in this novel as well as the series, but it is not dwelled upon for long.
  
  
• Dark very dark
  By ANAC3RCMQXUND on 2007-04-02
  This book is much darker than the first three and I don't like the direction in which Riley was taken with the S&M. I enjoyed the first three books, this one I just wanted to get through so I'd know what happened and be set up for the next book in the series - but I'm not sure that I want to read any more. Disturbing, this book is, very disturbing.
  
  
• Dangerous Games
  By ATAQH2H8Z2RTU on 2007-05-13
  I enjoy the Riley Jenson series and find her an interesting mix of a traditional and modern woman. Am hoping that she and the vampire love in her life are able to sort their differences. Looking forward to her next adventure and learning more of her 'tribe'. It is always good to find new authors as I read very quickly and prolifically.
  
  
• Loved It !!!
  By A10DT81RDF038W on 2007-05-14
  So far i've read all four of Keri Arthur's "Riley Jensen series" and loved them all. Each is packed with action, romance and intrigue. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who is interested in paranormal romances.
  
  

• Tempting Evil (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 3)
• Embraced By Darkness (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 5)
• Kissing Sin (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 2)
• Full Moon Rising (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 1)
• The Darkest Kiss (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 6)