Review of Twice Bitten (New Moon #1) by K. E. Turner
As someone who enjoys diving into the intricate worlds of paranormal romance, K. E. Turner’s Twice Bitten immediately piqued my interest. The cover art and the promise of shifters, vampire lore, and a harem dynamic drew me in like a moth to a flame. However, my initial enthusiasm gave way to a rollercoaster of thoughts and feelings—a testament to the complexity of the themes presented in this story.
From the very first chapter, Twice Bitten raises eyebrows. Lexi, the protagonist, is on the run from Child Protection Services (CPS) yet somehow manages to navigate enrolling in a public school without a hitch. This odd juxtaposition left me scratching my head—surely, transferring school records wouldn’t be so simple if CPS were truly after her? It feels like a lapse in authenticity that gnawed at my suspension of disbelief. As a reader, I yearned for more concrete realism, especially considering that many significant elements hinge on the credibility of CPS’s involvement.
The romantic angle is equally perplexing. Lexi is bombarded with not just one, but a horde of suitors vying for her attention—all smelling her enticing scent. While I usually revel in the fated mates trope, the execution here fell flat. Every guy in school being attracted to her stripped the allure away; it felt chaotic rather than romantic. Ranger, the self-proclaimed "fated mate," annoyed me more than intrigued me. His arrogance, impulsiveness, and disregard for Lexi’s autonomy made him a difficult character to root for. My instinct to root for Lexi and Raff, who exhibited chemistry that felt more genuine, only grew stronger.
Furthermore, the character dynamics felt somewhat disjointed. Galen, the vampire teacher, wielded questionable ethics, compelling a school office employee to alter Lexi’s grades—a huge red flag for me. In a narrative dealing with themes of choice and autonomy, these moments were disappointing and tainted my perspective of him as a potential hero.
Amidst the chaos, Turner cleverly weaves in a mystery about Lexi’s identity. Her unique scent and resistance to certain supernatural influences hint at an intriguing backstory that kept me engaged, even as other elements faltered. By the end, the burning question of “What is Lexi?” lingered in my mind, and I am curious enough to return for the sequel.
Turner’s writing style has a youthful flair, which plays into the high school setting, yet I felt it could have benefited from a tighter edit. The pacing occasionally dragged as a consequence of the convoluted story arcs and character portrayals.
Twice Bitten stands out for its ambition and imaginative premise, but it ultimately left me divided. If you’re a fan of quirky paranormal romances with elements of shifter mythology and enjoy complex relationship dynamics, you might find something to latch onto here. For readers who crave coherence and character depth, this may warrant some caution. As for me, while not the perfect read, I found a flicker of curiosity that beckons me to explore what comes next in Lexi’s journey.
In short, while Twice Bitten has its flaws, it’s a tale that ignites discussion and reflection—something every book lover can appreciate. Will I read the next installment? You bet! I’m eagerly waiting to discover more about Lexi’s world and her secrets.
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