The Temptation by Alisa Valdes
April 24, 2012
HarperTeen
Young Adult | Supernatural Thriller
The Temptation #1
Pages: 320
Source/Format: Publisher/ARC
Rating: ★ 1/2
His touch was electric.
His eyes were magnetic.
His lips were a temptation....
But was he real?
After crashing her car on an empty highway, Shane is miraculously saved by Travis, a mysterious cowboy who walks out of nowhere. She is instantly attracted to him, and for the first time, she believes in “soul mates.” But Shane soon discovers that Travis is dead and that strict rules from the Underworld govern kindred spirits of different dimensions. Breaking these rules could destroy both their souls. And while Travis is almost impossible to resist, temptation proves to be the kindest enemy they encounter.
Can true love surpass the power of pure evil? Part love story, part supernatural thriller, this first book in the Kindred trilogy will leave readers lusting for more.
His eyes were magnetic.
His lips were a temptation....
But was he real?
After crashing her car on an empty highway, Shane is miraculously saved by Travis, a mysterious cowboy who walks out of nowhere. She is instantly attracted to him, and for the first time, she believes in “soul mates.” But Shane soon discovers that Travis is dead and that strict rules from the Underworld govern kindred spirits of different dimensions. Breaking these rules could destroy both their souls. And while Travis is almost impossible to resist, temptation proves to be the kindest enemy they encounter.
Can true love surpass the power of pure evil? Part love story, part supernatural thriller, this first book in the Kindred trilogy will leave readers lusting for more.
REVIEW:
At first I thought The Temptation was an angel book and was so excited
because I love angel books. And HarperTeen has some *amazing* angel
books. But alas, no it is not an angel book. It’s a ghost book, which is
still rather cool. I like ghosts! I’m pretty sure my house is haunted,
so hey, I think I sorta need to like them, you know? But The Temptation
is. . . not a great ghost read.
Guys, I have never actually read a book where I wanted to throw it across the room until this one. I just thought that was an expression for disliking a book. No, I wasn’t even done with this book and I was so angry I almost DID throw it across the room. But I read the rest THEN threw it. Holy bejuzes, The Temptation (honestly) sucks.
The Temptation by Alisa Valdes is supposed to be this amazing love story and frankly, it’s not one. Valdes could have developed the romance in this book a lot more—instead she let Shane fall in love with Travis as soon as he saved her; I don’t even think she got a good look at him before she fell heads over in head in love with him. In chapter three. On page fifteen. Then on page 97, Travis tells her he’s a ghost and they might be soul mates. I believe at that time it’d been a day since he saved her. A WHOLE FUCKING DAY!
Dear God, if somebody told me that I would be out of the coffee shop and far, far away. Also, might I add that while I would freak out (and most others would too, kthx) Shane did not?
Why does this keep happening? Look, I know paranormals aren’t real, and maybe not supernaturals, but it’s OKAY TO FREAK OUT WHEN THEY SAY OH HEY I’M A [creature that doesn’t really exist.]
Let’s talk about the “evil.” The “villain” of the story. It appears on page 28, but he didn’t seem *so* evil that when Travis talks about him because his “enemy” I busted up laughing. IT WAS SO CHEESY. In fact, this entire story is rather cheesy, from Shane’s reaction to everything that happens to Travis to the ending and it was just bad. I was never scared, and apparently I was supposed to be a tiny bit afraid? Lol when, dear people? When should I have been scared and frightened for our characters during this story? (answer: never. Or well, probably page 115… lol NOPE.)
And then–la la la, what do we have here?—the biggest YA cliché that ever invented happens. Travis leaves Shane so Victor, the Evil. The Villain. The Enemy won’t go after her. Oh, sigh. Oh, dear. Tut tut. When will this stop happening? Listen here, guys, you are putting your girl in danger when you leave here (like that ever works!) It doesn’t, by the way. It almost never works.
Although, you know what I did like before it went to hell? The friendship between Shane and Kelsey. I LIKE it when the friends stick around when the MC sees her True Love. What I don’t like is when they don’t act like friends. Guys, Kelsey is SO not a friend. Shane tells her all about Travis and him being a ghost and what does Kelsey do? WELL, she tells Shane’s mother. SHE TELLS HER MOTHER THAT SHANE IS GOING INSANE. What the crackerjack, you never tell your best friend’s mother anything! Never!
NEVER. Okay? Okay.
Alas, it seems like I didn’t really enjoy this book, right? Well—I really didn’t. I did however like the setting; hooray for western-ish YA books! The beginning also hooked me, even though I didn’t feel as if she really was dying from the car crash. I mean come ON, Shane, if you were dying, you wouldn’t be chasing after your dog. You would be DYING IN THE DITCH. It feels more like she had a few bumps and bruises and the worst part was her dog was thrown from the car and her car was totaled. Not her almost dying. Nope don’t believe it one bit. NOT ONE BIT AT ALL.
Holy mother, I can’t even say something nice about this book without delving into the negatives, can I?
Well, speaking of negatives: the ex-boyfriend, Logan. Oh Logan. Can you believe that Shane felt like she was cheating on Travis with Logan? Which is just ridiculous because a) her and Logan were dating first and b) Travis and her hadn’t even kissed and c) TRAVIS IS DEAD. And they aren’t dating. And you are an idiot, Shane.
OH speaking of Shane being an idiot: her character was so hard to like and yes it did feel like Valdes made her be an idiot. She seemed like she was smart . . . until she met Travis. YO. You do NOT get dumb when you meet a guy and for the love of god, if you can protect yourself, do not let your boy do it for you. Didn’t we learn that from Buffy? Like seriously. Girl, if you can be independent and kick some ass, go out there and be independent and kick some ass.
Now I just reminded myself of the women are strong degree deodorant commercial…
I wouldn’t recommend this book at all. I’m sure some people will love it, but for the most part it isn’t the best love story out there. The Temptation reminded me a lot of A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford, except that A Touch Mortal is a lot better. And the evil *is* scary (but awesome.) And the love story, while it is insta-love, it’s developed. I don’t know about this one, though, guys. It was just bad.
Guys, I have never actually read a book where I wanted to throw it across the room until this one. I just thought that was an expression for disliking a book. No, I wasn’t even done with this book and I was so angry I almost DID throw it across the room. But I read the rest THEN threw it. Holy bejuzes, The Temptation (honestly) sucks.
The Temptation by Alisa Valdes is supposed to be this amazing love story and frankly, it’s not one. Valdes could have developed the romance in this book a lot more—instead she let Shane fall in love with Travis as soon as he saved her; I don’t even think she got a good look at him before she fell heads over in head in love with him. In chapter three. On page fifteen. Then on page 97, Travis tells her he’s a ghost and they might be soul mates. I believe at that time it’d been a day since he saved her. A WHOLE FUCKING DAY!
Dear God, if somebody told me that I would be out of the coffee shop and far, far away. Also, might I add that while I would freak out (and most others would too, kthx) Shane did not?
Why does this keep happening? Look, I know paranormals aren’t real, and maybe not supernaturals, but it’s OKAY TO FREAK OUT WHEN THEY SAY OH HEY I’M A [creature that doesn’t really exist.]
Let’s talk about the “evil.” The “villain” of the story. It appears on page 28, but he didn’t seem *so* evil that when Travis talks about him because his “enemy” I busted up laughing. IT WAS SO CHEESY. In fact, this entire story is rather cheesy, from Shane’s reaction to everything that happens to Travis to the ending and it was just bad. I was never scared, and apparently I was supposed to be a tiny bit afraid? Lol when, dear people? When should I have been scared and frightened for our characters during this story? (answer: never. Or well, probably page 115… lol NOPE.)
And then–la la la, what do we have here?—the biggest YA cliché that ever invented happens. Travis leaves Shane so Victor, the Evil. The Villain. The Enemy won’t go after her. Oh, sigh. Oh, dear. Tut tut. When will this stop happening? Listen here, guys, you are putting your girl in danger when you leave here (like that ever works!) It doesn’t, by the way. It almost never works.
Although, you know what I did like before it went to hell? The friendship between Shane and Kelsey. I LIKE it when the friends stick around when the MC sees her True Love. What I don’t like is when they don’t act like friends. Guys, Kelsey is SO not a friend. Shane tells her all about Travis and him being a ghost and what does Kelsey do? WELL, she tells Shane’s mother. SHE TELLS HER MOTHER THAT SHANE IS GOING INSANE. What the crackerjack, you never tell your best friend’s mother anything! Never!
NEVER. Okay? Okay.
Alas, it seems like I didn’t really enjoy this book, right? Well—I really didn’t. I did however like the setting; hooray for western-ish YA books! The beginning also hooked me, even though I didn’t feel as if she really was dying from the car crash. I mean come ON, Shane, if you were dying, you wouldn’t be chasing after your dog. You would be DYING IN THE DITCH. It feels more like she had a few bumps and bruises and the worst part was her dog was thrown from the car and her car was totaled. Not her almost dying. Nope don’t believe it one bit. NOT ONE BIT AT ALL.
Holy mother, I can’t even say something nice about this book without delving into the negatives, can I?
Well, speaking of negatives: the ex-boyfriend, Logan. Oh Logan. Can you believe that Shane felt like she was cheating on Travis with Logan? Which is just ridiculous because a) her and Logan were dating first and b) Travis and her hadn’t even kissed and c) TRAVIS IS DEAD. And they aren’t dating. And you are an idiot, Shane.
OH speaking of Shane being an idiot: her character was so hard to like and yes it did feel like Valdes made her be an idiot. She seemed like she was smart . . . until she met Travis. YO. You do NOT get dumb when you meet a guy and for the love of god, if you can protect yourself, do not let your boy do it for you. Didn’t we learn that from Buffy? Like seriously. Girl, if you can be independent and kick some ass, go out there and be independent and kick some ass.
Now I just reminded myself of the women are strong degree deodorant commercial…
I wouldn’t recommend this book at all. I’m sure some people will love it, but for the most part it isn’t the best love story out there. The Temptation reminded me a lot of A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford, except that A Touch Mortal is a lot better. And the evil *is* scary (but awesome.) And the love story, while it is insta-love, it’s developed. I don’t know about this one, though, guys. It was just bad.
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.
Other Reviews:
Great review! I honestly haven't heard of this book at all yet but probably won't pick it up. That's too bad that this book was disappointing for you. I hate when characters aren't developed and when there is nothing new or different about the plot. Also the villain doesn't sound all that great either.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I love your negative reviews! So freakin' hilarious. I wonder how these books even get published if they are so bad, lol. I can tell from all the insta-love and "we're meant to be together" nonsense that this one isn't for me. Unless the "meant to be together" garbage is tied into the plot or world building, then I can't buy into it. It has to make sense within the story world, or it's just that naive stuff you believe in when you're young and stupid.
ReplyDeleteI mean... it sort of DOES tie into the plot/worldbuilding in Temptation, but it just didn't work for me at all. O___o
DeleteAt least you're honest. I have a copy of The Temptation that randomly showed up for review, and sigh this review does make me a little sad, but I will still keep sort of an open mind.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as I was reading this I thought Shane was a boy, not a girl. Alas.
UM ONE AND A HALF? I got an ARC of this one and then a finished copy of it too. And well, I'm pretty good at reading what I'm pretty sure I'll like, so I avoided this. And now, I'll avoid it like the plague. I've never thrown a book across the room, and I don't think I want to.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, hilarious review, Ashelynn.
one for finishing it, half for the setting. :P
Delete"I'm pretty good at reading what I'm pretty sure I'll like, so I avoided this." all I can think when I read this is DID SHE JUST CALL ME STUPID? wouldn't be the first time you did. :P in my defense, I DID want to read it. Because I thought it was about angels.
>___>
I haven't heard of this one and not a huge reader of paranormal-y stuff anymore, so I'll definitely stay clear of this one :/ thanks for the honest, Ashelynn.
ReplyDeletealso...Shane is a girl? o.O lol
yes. it's obvious from the cover. :P
DeleteOh wow. I have this one and I totally thought it was an angel book, too! I like ghosts beteter though. And I quite literally laughed out loud when you said that you thought throwing a book across the room was an expression. I threw Hemingway into the wall when I was 15. Anyways, I'm not in a place where I should be laughing, so thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteoh thank god. I was thinking I was the only one thinking that!
Deletebahaha. also, did something happen? :(
OH WAIT nevermind. I just realized what you were actually saying. I probably shouldn't answer comments before coffee. O__o
Delete