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GhostWalker #5
Deadly Game
It begins as a mission to protect a politician from an assassination threat. But the operation takes an unexpected turn when Mari, a mysteriously beautiful GhostWalker, is taken hostage. At the same time, Ken Norton, expert assassin and himself a GhostWalker warrior, is on a mission of his own—one that reaches into Mari’s own past. No stranger to the ways of violent warfare, Mari must join forces with Ken and trust his every move—each one more intimate than the last.*Publishers Weekly
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 27, 2007
572 people are currently reading
4029 people want to read
About the author
Christine Feehan
178 books52.7k followersChristine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 100 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders, Torpedo Ink and her Romantic Suspense novels. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews
May 25, 2017
4 Rough love Stars
*Some Spoilers below*
“I tried to save you. Whitney has my profile too. He knows me inside, where no one else does, and he thought it would be fun to pair you with the devil.”
I really enjoyed Deadly Game. It is a great read, but I want to give a heads up to some things that might be hard to read. The heroine has been raped repeated in the past and beat. The book doesn't go into great detail about the rapes or beatings but there is talk of it. Also she is almost raped in this book. The Hero was tortured horrendously in the past and mutilated. The book talks of that as well.
“You’re incredibly beautiful, Mari,” he whispered. “This isn’t Whitney’s pheromones talking. This is me, wanting you so bad I’m almost afraid to touch you.”
What this book is about
Ken Norton and his team are on a mission to protect the Senator that set him up to be caught, and tortured in the Congo. He smells a trap, so they plan to do their job, and get the hell out even if he would love to see the Senator die. Ken sees a sniper in a tree, and takes two shots. Both hit but not where he meant them to, and he almost never misses. He runs over to grab the man he shot to take prisoner. When ken gets to the prisoner he knows he is in trouble. He is looking into big beautiful brown eyes , eyes he knows belong to his sister- n -laws twin Mari, and She is his Mate. He knows he has to fight this pull he feels for her because he is a hideous monster, and knows he would destroy her just like his father destroyed his mother. Can Ken keep his promise to bring home Briony's sister without giving into this attraction?
I’d never give you freedom. Mari, think about this, think about what I am. I’d be possessive and jealous and want you in my sight every minute of every day. I’d be terrified of losing you. And I’d want to touch you, eat you alive, kiss you endlessly, and take you whenever I wanted, which, by the way, would be all the time.
Ken and Mari:
“Listen to me, honey. Neither of us has ever done this. We’re bound to panic, but it doesn’t matter. You hear me, Mari? It doesn’t matter. This is us. The two of us. What is normal for everyone else doesn’t matter. We’ll build our relationship brick by brick, and it will be so strong no one will ever tear it down. I’ll never walk away from you. Never. If there is one thing you can count it, it’s me standing by you. There aren’t mistakes here. We’ll just work it all out at our own pace.”
Ken is a very lovable character. He acts like he is playful, and easy going, but he is hurting so bad. He has so many demons. He hides his insecurities, and fears behind a smile, a laugh, or a joke, but he has a vulnerability that just makes me want to hug the crap out of him. He wants Mari but feels like he isn't good enough for her with his looks, and his controlling ways. He is jealous, rough, and feels she could never really love him. It really bothers him that he can't make slow love to her because of the damage to his manhood. He can only feel through the scars with rough touch.
“Oral sex? Is that what you thought that was?” He rubbed the scar splitting his lip with the pad of his thumb. “I don’t think so, honey. That was more like gobbling you up. Eating you alive. And just talking about it is making me hard all over again.”
Mari was okay for me. I liked her one minute and she got on my nerves badly the next. Anyone who knows me, knows I have a few pet peeves that just drive me up the wall. 1. Cheaters 2. Cowards 3. books that are less than 32 pages. Really even most Children's books at least have 32 pages for God sakes. 4. The main couple being apart for a lot of the book 5.The H or H being with someone else after they have met and know they like each other. 6. H or H with my children's name. I so don't want to read a detailed sex scene with my child's name in it!!!!!!!!!! But i digress a little. The point to all that was Mari acts like a coward a lot when it comes to Ken, and it drove me batty. She is like a yo yo. One minute she wants to be with him, and the next she knows she just can't stay with him bla bla bla. Grrrr Grow so damn balls Mari for real! Ken needs someone to be there for him and show him how lovable he is, how special. Not some yo yo pulling, and then pushing him away adding to his insecurities. I mean I get Mari has had a hard life, and I understand some fear, but Gawd fight for him, and for your happiness. Mari you are suppose to be so strong and kick ass . Sorry ranting a little.
Mari’s fingertips were feather-light on his face as she traced the pattern of his scars. “You’re so silly sometimes, Ken. You don’t see yourself as you really are at all.” “How do you see me?” He wanted to sink his teeth into her finger, to draw it into the warmth of his mouth, but he kept himself absolutely still, not daring to really breathe, in case she stopped touching him. “You’re extraordinary. Absolutely extraordinary.”
“I’ll say it now, Mari. I never want you to leave me. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. I can give you time—whatever you need.”
This book is full of action, has a great plot, and is darker than the others. Dr. Peter Whitney is in this book. I loved getting to finally see the evil Dr. Peter Whitney in action and learning a little more about him. Boy does he make the perfect villain he is evil to his core and creeps me out. Ken and Mari together are more sexual then romantic to me, but they do have some very sweet moments. I love it when Jack and ken are together. They make the book for me. This was a great addition to The GhostWalker series. I am on to the next book. Below I will leave some of the brotherly banter with Jack and Ken:
You’ve never walked away from a fight in your life. This is the biggest, most important battle you’ll ever have. You’re going to leave her to Brett? Or Sean? Hell, if you do, Ken, you don’t deserve her and you’re not man enough to have her. She needs someone who will stand up for her.
“You don’t know, Jack. I have this driving need to keep her in a little cocoon, wrap her up in bubble wrap and force her to do every single thing I say. What the hell kind of man thinks that way?” Jack snorted. “Pretty much all of them. We aren’t that far from swinging in the trees, Ken.”
You lying bastard. Jack snorted in derision. You walk away from sex. She isn’t just sex to you, bro. She’s the fucking Fourth of July and Christmas all wrapped up in one neat package. Kenny’s in love. Keep it up, Jack, I’ll tell Briony you stuck a gun to her sister’s head. You wouldn’t dare.
Jack nearly snorted coffee through his nose. “Is that what you think? Briony pretty much tells me how it’s going to be, except maybe in the bedroom, and even then, she likes what I do to her or she wouldn’t be doing it. Don’t kid yourself, bro, my woman makes up the rules and yours will too.”
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
*Some Spoilers below*
“I tried to save you. Whitney has my profile too. He knows me inside, where no one else does, and he thought it would be fun to pair you with the devil.”
I really enjoyed Deadly Game. It is a great read, but I want to give a heads up to some things that might be hard to read. The heroine has been raped repeated in the past and beat. The book doesn't go into great detail about the rapes or beatings but there is talk of it. Also she is almost raped in this book. The Hero was tortured horrendously in the past and mutilated. The book talks of that as well.
“You’re incredibly beautiful, Mari,” he whispered. “This isn’t Whitney’s pheromones talking. This is me, wanting you so bad I’m almost afraid to touch you.”
What this book is about
Ken Norton and his team are on a mission to protect the Senator that set him up to be caught, and tortured in the Congo. He smells a trap, so they plan to do their job, and get the hell out even if he would love to see the Senator die. Ken sees a sniper in a tree, and takes two shots. Both hit but not where he meant them to, and he almost never misses. He runs over to grab the man he shot to take prisoner. When ken gets to the prisoner he knows he is in trouble. He is looking into big beautiful brown eyes , eyes he knows belong to his sister- n -laws twin Mari, and She is his Mate. He knows he has to fight this pull he feels for her because he is a hideous monster, and knows he would destroy her just like his father destroyed his mother. Can Ken keep his promise to bring home Briony's sister without giving into this attraction?
I’d never give you freedom. Mari, think about this, think about what I am. I’d be possessive and jealous and want you in my sight every minute of every day. I’d be terrified of losing you. And I’d want to touch you, eat you alive, kiss you endlessly, and take you whenever I wanted, which, by the way, would be all the time.
Ken and Mari:
“Listen to me, honey. Neither of us has ever done this. We’re bound to panic, but it doesn’t matter. You hear me, Mari? It doesn’t matter. This is us. The two of us. What is normal for everyone else doesn’t matter. We’ll build our relationship brick by brick, and it will be so strong no one will ever tear it down. I’ll never walk away from you. Never. If there is one thing you can count it, it’s me standing by you. There aren’t mistakes here. We’ll just work it all out at our own pace.”
Ken is a very lovable character. He acts like he is playful, and easy going, but he is hurting so bad. He has so many demons. He hides his insecurities, and fears behind a smile, a laugh, or a joke, but he has a vulnerability that just makes me want to hug the crap out of him. He wants Mari but feels like he isn't good enough for her with his looks, and his controlling ways. He is jealous, rough, and feels she could never really love him. It really bothers him that he can't make slow love to her because of the damage to his manhood. He can only feel through the scars with rough touch.
“Oral sex? Is that what you thought that was?” He rubbed the scar splitting his lip with the pad of his thumb. “I don’t think so, honey. That was more like gobbling you up. Eating you alive. And just talking about it is making me hard all over again.”
Mari was okay for me. I liked her one minute and she got on my nerves badly the next. Anyone who knows me, knows I have a few pet peeves that just drive me up the wall. 1. Cheaters 2. Cowards 3. books that are less than 32 pages. Really even most Children's books at least have 32 pages for God sakes. 4. The main couple being apart for a lot of the book 5.The H or H being with someone else after they have met and know they like each other. 6. H or H with my children's name. I so don't want to read a detailed sex scene with my child's name in it!!!!!!!!!! But i digress a little. The point to all that was Mari acts like a coward a lot when it comes to Ken, and it drove me batty. She is like a yo yo. One minute she wants to be with him, and the next she knows she just can't stay with him bla bla bla. Grrrr Grow so damn balls Mari for real! Ken needs someone to be there for him and show him how lovable he is, how special. Not some yo yo pulling, and then pushing him away adding to his insecurities. I mean I get Mari has had a hard life, and I understand some fear, but Gawd fight for him, and for your happiness. Mari you are suppose to be so strong and kick ass . Sorry ranting a little.
Mari’s fingertips were feather-light on his face as she traced the pattern of his scars. “You’re so silly sometimes, Ken. You don’t see yourself as you really are at all.” “How do you see me?” He wanted to sink his teeth into her finger, to draw it into the warmth of his mouth, but he kept himself absolutely still, not daring to really breathe, in case she stopped touching him. “You’re extraordinary. Absolutely extraordinary.”
“I’ll say it now, Mari. I never want you to leave me. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. I can give you time—whatever you need.”
This book is full of action, has a great plot, and is darker than the others. Dr. Peter Whitney is in this book. I loved getting to finally see the evil Dr. Peter Whitney in action and learning a little more about him. Boy does he make the perfect villain he is evil to his core and creeps me out. Ken and Mari together are more sexual then romantic to me, but they do have some very sweet moments. I love it when Jack and ken are together. They make the book for me. This was a great addition to The GhostWalker series. I am on to the next book. Below I will leave some of the brotherly banter with Jack and Ken:
You’ve never walked away from a fight in your life. This is the biggest, most important battle you’ll ever have. You’re going to leave her to Brett? Or Sean? Hell, if you do, Ken, you don’t deserve her and you’re not man enough to have her. She needs someone who will stand up for her.
“You don’t know, Jack. I have this driving need to keep her in a little cocoon, wrap her up in bubble wrap and force her to do every single thing I say. What the hell kind of man thinks that way?” Jack snorted. “Pretty much all of them. We aren’t that far from swinging in the trees, Ken.”
You lying bastard. Jack snorted in derision. You walk away from sex. She isn’t just sex to you, bro. She’s the fucking Fourth of July and Christmas all wrapped up in one neat package. Kenny’s in love. Keep it up, Jack, I’ll tell Briony you stuck a gun to her sister’s head. You wouldn’t dare.
Jack nearly snorted coffee through his nose. “Is that what you think? Briony pretty much tells me how it’s going to be, except maybe in the bedroom, and even then, she likes what I do to her or she wouldn’t be doing it. Don’t kid yourself, bro, my woman makes up the rules and yours will too.”
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
September 9, 2016
Reread in August 2016
I was trying to go slowly to let my sister catch up, since we're supposed to be doing a buddy read, but I could not help myself! I adore Ken and Mari as a couple. They are still my favorite. There is something so classic about their love story. Ken is really the wounded beast, and Mari is his beauty, but the storyline is updated and so very fitted to the GhostWalkers storyline. I will be honest and admit I wanted to start over and read this again right after I finished! This book makes me sigh!
Reread on Kindle Text to Speech at night before bed completed between 3/1 and 5/20/14. Review essentially the same. Even though the robotic voice isn't the best, I still enjoyed listening and re-experiencing this in the Kindle format.
******Reread 6/13-6/15/2012
My Thoughts:
For the longest time, this was my favorite in the series, and that's saying something. I had thought I couldn't possibly love it as much the second time around, but I did. Something about this love story just did it for me. I know it has the beauty and the beast thing going on, which appeals, no doubt. But moreso, it's about a person who thought he was 100% ruined/broken/bereft of all things worthwhile except the ability to kill. And he meets a woman who never knew anything more than a cold, brutal soldier's life. Both lonely in different ways. Never expecting to be loved for who they are. My heart and my head is always drawn to these stories. Maybe because of my belief in redemption and the power of love to save what is lost. I think Christine Feehan wrote this story so well. She didn't solve all their problems. There will be issues for Ken and Mari to deal with. But they will deal with them together. How can I not love that about this book? This is a dark love story, but then I love my love stories dark. I guess it was fate that me and this book met and made a love connection.
Ken--
I love you man. You are so intense and hurt. So dark and lonely. You're a scared little boy in need of a hug. You're a scary, tough man who feels there is not place for you outside of the dark. But there is. There is so much to love about you. I love how you take it on the chin for Jack, but don't cut yourself any slack. Now you have Mari to take care of you, to love you. Your family is complete now with Jack and Briony. I'm so glad. I love all you GWs like crazy, but you're still one of my favorites. Always will be! You're my darling. I hope Mari doesn't come after me for saying that!
Mari--
You rock, woman! You are seriously a woman after my own heart. You are soft as silk and hard as steel. I guess you never knew you'd find a man like Ken. I'm glad that you did, even though we both know you don't need a man, well not really. You chose him and he chose you, and don't let that Dr. Crazy tell you any different. I'm so glad I could spend time visiting with you again. You made this reread so precious! Mari, you are my girl!
No other way to say it. I adored this book. It's in my heart, and this series takes me to that Book Cloud Nine. I'm out of words. If you don't feel it, I can't change your mind. I know it's real!
Check out my GhostWalkers Pinboard on Pinterest.
Original Review:
Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much. It was so intense it was like spending hours on the edge of a cliff. The storyline is like a Gordian Knot, getting more and more intricate as we discover that the conspiracy and the tendrils of the Ghostwalker experimentation go deeper and farther than ever could be imagined. Ken went through hell, but he's not a man you could or would dare feel sorry for, although if you're like me, your heart will ache for him, and you'll just want to give him a hug. And he was given the perfect woman to meet his needs. Mari lived through hell as well, so she is the perfect mate for a man like Ken who can never feel or live a normal life again. Mari is a total and complete badass. I could hug the woman. She is a machine of death, but with a woman's heart and soul. She's just what a tortured man like Ken needs. No gentle princess for him. But she's capable of the tenderness that his aching soul is afraid to cry out for. And Ken also meets Mari's needs. He teaches her that a man's touch doesn't have to be disgusting or painful. And considering what Mari endured, that's just what the doctor ordered. I love dangerous heroes and Ken is Platinum American Express card-carrier in the the dangerous heroes club. Can't help not loving them. I like reading stories about people who have surmounted tremendous odds but get their happy endings. This book is way up my alley in that sense. It's full of action, but the romance is the center focus. It was such a great mix of both, that I have this tremendous craving to re-read the book again, like now. But I have to move onto other books. At least I have my memories of this book until I get my tbr pile under some semblance of control and can revisit the rollercoaster ride that is Ken and Mari's romance.
I was trying to go slowly to let my sister catch up, since we're supposed to be doing a buddy read, but I could not help myself! I adore Ken and Mari as a couple. They are still my favorite. There is something so classic about their love story. Ken is really the wounded beast, and Mari is his beauty, but the storyline is updated and so very fitted to the GhostWalkers storyline. I will be honest and admit I wanted to start over and read this again right after I finished! This book makes me sigh!
Reread on Kindle Text to Speech at night before bed completed between 3/1 and 5/20/14. Review essentially the same. Even though the robotic voice isn't the best, I still enjoyed listening and re-experiencing this in the Kindle format.
******Reread 6/13-6/15/2012
My Thoughts:
For the longest time, this was my favorite in the series, and that's saying something. I had thought I couldn't possibly love it as much the second time around, but I did. Something about this love story just did it for me. I know it has the beauty and the beast thing going on, which appeals, no doubt. But moreso, it's about a person who thought he was 100% ruined/broken/bereft of all things worthwhile except the ability to kill. And he meets a woman who never knew anything more than a cold, brutal soldier's life. Both lonely in different ways. Never expecting to be loved for who they are. My heart and my head is always drawn to these stories. Maybe because of my belief in redemption and the power of love to save what is lost. I think Christine Feehan wrote this story so well. She didn't solve all their problems. There will be issues for Ken and Mari to deal with. But they will deal with them together. How can I not love that about this book? This is a dark love story, but then I love my love stories dark. I guess it was fate that me and this book met and made a love connection.
Ken--
I love you man. You are so intense and hurt. So dark and lonely. You're a scared little boy in need of a hug. You're a scary, tough man who feels there is not place for you outside of the dark. But there is. There is so much to love about you. I love how you take it on the chin for Jack, but don't cut yourself any slack. Now you have Mari to take care of you, to love you. Your family is complete now with Jack and Briony. I'm so glad. I love all you GWs like crazy, but you're still one of my favorites. Always will be! You're my darling. I hope Mari doesn't come after me for saying that!
Mari--
You rock, woman! You are seriously a woman after my own heart. You are soft as silk and hard as steel. I guess you never knew you'd find a man like Ken. I'm glad that you did, even though we both know you don't need a man, well not really. You chose him and he chose you, and don't let that Dr. Crazy tell you any different. I'm so glad I could spend time visiting with you again. You made this reread so precious! Mari, you are my girl!
No other way to say it. I adored this book. It's in my heart, and this series takes me to that Book Cloud Nine. I'm out of words. If you don't feel it, I can't change your mind. I know it's real!
Check out my GhostWalkers Pinboard on Pinterest.
Original Review:
Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much. It was so intense it was like spending hours on the edge of a cliff. The storyline is like a Gordian Knot, getting more and more intricate as we discover that the conspiracy and the tendrils of the Ghostwalker experimentation go deeper and farther than ever could be imagined. Ken went through hell, but he's not a man you could or would dare feel sorry for, although if you're like me, your heart will ache for him, and you'll just want to give him a hug. And he was given the perfect woman to meet his needs. Mari lived through hell as well, so she is the perfect mate for a man like Ken who can never feel or live a normal life again. Mari is a total and complete badass. I could hug the woman. She is a machine of death, but with a woman's heart and soul. She's just what a tortured man like Ken needs. No gentle princess for him. But she's capable of the tenderness that his aching soul is afraid to cry out for. And Ken also meets Mari's needs. He teaches her that a man's touch doesn't have to be disgusting or painful. And considering what Mari endured, that's just what the doctor ordered. I love dangerous heroes and Ken is Platinum American Express card-carrier in the the dangerous heroes club. Can't help not loving them. I like reading stories about people who have surmounted tremendous odds but get their happy endings. This book is way up my alley in that sense. It's full of action, but the romance is the center focus. It was such a great mix of both, that I have this tremendous craving to re-read the book again, like now. But I have to move onto other books. At least I have my memories of this book until I get my tbr pile under some semblance of control and can revisit the rollercoaster ride that is Ken and Mari's romance.
April 4, 2019
I was so excited to read Ken's book. I do not know what I expected but this was not it. There is nothing overtly wrong with the book, hence the mediocre rating, but it just did not work for me. There was none of the camaraderie and humor that was found in the previous book. It is a very violent book. Rarely have I read so much violence against the heroine in a "romance" book.
Ken was too whiny and insecure. He did not end up being even half as compelling to me as his brother Jack. I liked Ken, but he was so mentally unstable, I was not all that in favor of their relationship for much of the book. And that is NOT why I read romance! Mari was just blah. She was written as a super soldier, having endured horrible things. I cannot remember how many times Ken hit her, after shooting her. Much less how many other people hit her. So I totally understand her inability to trust. But she fought their relationship for 98% of the book. I just do not like that level of pushing away, no matter how much my logical brain understands it.
I am sure there are other books in this series I will think are great. But I can already tell they are very repetitive in filling in the past (in order to make them a "stand alone"). So I need to space them out. Also they do not seem to give much of a chance to see the couple together. They basically end on the decision to be a couple. I prefer at least a little time with the couple being a couple.
Safety Gang safe but a couple of triggers
Ken was too whiny and insecure. He did not end up being even half as compelling to me as his brother Jack. I liked Ken, but he was so mentally unstable, I was not all that in favor of their relationship for much of the book. And that is NOT why I read romance! Mari was just blah. She was written as a super soldier, having endured horrible things. I cannot remember how many times Ken hit her, after shooting her. Much less how many other people hit her. So I totally understand her inability to trust. But she fought their relationship for 98% of the book. I just do not like that level of pushing away, no matter how much my logical brain understands it.
I am sure there are other books in this series I will think are great. But I can already tell they are very repetitive in filling in the past (in order to make them a "stand alone"). So I need to space them out. Also they do not seem to give much of a chance to see the couple together. They basically end on the decision to be a couple. I prefer at least a little time with the couple being a couple.
Safety Gang safe but a couple of triggers
June 18, 2011
This was another great story in the GhostWalkers series! I was really looking forward to reading this book since I finished Conspiracy Game, but some reviews warned me it wasn't going to be a "comfortable" read so I waited until I was in the right mood. I'm glad I did, because there are some very "disturbing" torture scenes in this book. Thankfully, forewarned is forearmed. :)
Ken Norton is a deadly sniper, member of the elite Ghostwalkers, and a very, very dark and tortured hero. He has scars all over his body - yes, even there - due to several nasty torture sessions inflicted on him when he was taken prisoner during a rescue mission that went wrong in Conspiracy Game. Deadly Game opens with Ken and his twin brother Jack on another mission, one that goes wrong the minute they realize there's another team of GhostWalkers in the area. Friend or foe? They can't afford the time to find out, so Ken doesn't hesitate to shoot the other team's sniper. But somehow the shot doesn't kill the sniper, and Ken soon finds out that the sniper is Marigold Smith, the long lost sister of his twin brother Jack's wife Briony. Not knowing if Mari is an ally or enemy, Ken and Jack capture her and take her with them.
Mari has worked with Dr. Whitney - yes, the Mad Evil Doctor is alive, no surprise here - all her life, trained since childhood to be the perfect soldier and subjected to all kinds of testings, exercises and procedures to enhance her natural psychic powers. She was OK with it, since she didn't know any other way of life, until Dr. Whitney stepped over the line and decided to start his "breeding program", making all "his" women prisoners and encouraging his male soldiers to impregnate them, with or without their consent. Now Mari just wants to stop Dr. Whitney's madness but knows she can't do it alone.
Ken and Mari are strongly attracted to each other from the start, due to Dr. Whitney's genetic manipulation, but trust is another issue. They don't know where the other stands, and Mari tries to escape from Ken more than once. It doesn't take long until he realizes he's falling hard for her, and he doesn't know how to deal with it. Ken knows he's extremely dominant and agressive, so he fears he won't be able to control his jealousy and temper around Mari. At the same time, he doesn't know if he'll be able to let her go. Obsession, thy name is Ken. And that's where I had a problem with this book...
I think Ken loved Mari more than she loved him. Maybe I need a psychiatrist, but I wanted to see her as desperate as he was when it came to their relationship. Up until the end, I got the feeling that he would kill himself if she left him, while she would be sad but OK. I know, obsession isn't the basis for a healthy relationship but, seriously, this is Romancelandia and Ken deserved to have his obsession returned.
As usual in any GhostWalkers book, this story was action-driven, fast-paced, and filled with several thrilling moments that kept me glued to the pages. CF does know how to write fighting scenes. The torture scenes and the almost-rape scene weren't easy to read but, like I said before, forewarned is forearmed.
I'm a big fan of the GhostWalkers series, so I was kind of preconditioned to love this book. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Make no mistake, I really liked Deadly Game and I'm still a fan of the series, but the overall story arc took a turn in this book I'm not particularly happy with. What I always loved about this series was the fact that it was PNR with a "realistic" vibe. I mean, I suspend disbelief completely when I read PNR, as I don't belive in vampires, shapeshifters, and the alike - no matter how much I enjoy reading about them :) -, but the psychic world built by CF in the 1st books of the GhostWalkers series wasn't that far from possible - at least, to my open and delusional mind, LOL - so I was a bit bummed when the concept of inserting animal DNA into human beings was introduced into the mix. Now the series isn't only about people with psychic powers anymore, and the "realistic" vibe is gone. While I'm all for an author introducing twists and turns to keep a series fresh and interesting, I was slightly disappointed with the path CF has chosen here.
Ken Norton is a deadly sniper, member of the elite Ghostwalkers, and a very, very dark and tortured hero. He has scars all over his body - yes, even there - due to several nasty torture sessions inflicted on him when he was taken prisoner during a rescue mission that went wrong in Conspiracy Game. Deadly Game opens with Ken and his twin brother Jack on another mission, one that goes wrong the minute they realize there's another team of GhostWalkers in the area. Friend or foe? They can't afford the time to find out, so Ken doesn't hesitate to shoot the other team's sniper. But somehow the shot doesn't kill the sniper, and Ken soon finds out that the sniper is Marigold Smith, the long lost sister of his twin brother Jack's wife Briony. Not knowing if Mari is an ally or enemy, Ken and Jack capture her and take her with them.
Mari has worked with Dr. Whitney - yes, the Mad Evil Doctor is alive, no surprise here - all her life, trained since childhood to be the perfect soldier and subjected to all kinds of testings, exercises and procedures to enhance her natural psychic powers. She was OK with it, since she didn't know any other way of life, until Dr. Whitney stepped over the line and decided to start his "breeding program", making all "his" women prisoners and encouraging his male soldiers to impregnate them, with or without their consent. Now Mari just wants to stop Dr. Whitney's madness but knows she can't do it alone.
Ken and Mari are strongly attracted to each other from the start, due to Dr. Whitney's genetic manipulation, but trust is another issue. They don't know where the other stands, and Mari tries to escape from Ken more than once. It doesn't take long until he realizes he's falling hard for her, and he doesn't know how to deal with it. Ken knows he's extremely dominant and agressive, so he fears he won't be able to control his jealousy and temper around Mari. At the same time, he doesn't know if he'll be able to let her go. Obsession, thy name is Ken. And that's where I had a problem with this book...
I think Ken loved Mari more than she loved him. Maybe I need a psychiatrist, but I wanted to see her as desperate as he was when it came to their relationship. Up until the end, I got the feeling that he would kill himself if she left him, while she would be sad but OK. I know, obsession isn't the basis for a healthy relationship but, seriously, this is Romancelandia and Ken deserved to have his obsession returned.
As usual in any GhostWalkers book, this story was action-driven, fast-paced, and filled with several thrilling moments that kept me glued to the pages. CF does know how to write fighting scenes. The torture scenes and the almost-rape scene weren't easy to read but, like I said before, forewarned is forearmed.
I'm a big fan of the GhostWalkers series, so I was kind of preconditioned to love this book. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Make no mistake, I really liked Deadly Game and I'm still a fan of the series, but the overall story arc took a turn in this book I'm not particularly happy with. What I always loved about this series was the fact that it was PNR with a "realistic" vibe. I mean, I suspend disbelief completely when I read PNR, as I don't belive in vampires, shapeshifters, and the alike - no matter how much I enjoy reading about them :) -, but the psychic world built by CF in the 1st books of the GhostWalkers series wasn't that far from possible - at least, to my open and delusional mind, LOL - so I was a bit bummed when the concept of inserting animal DNA into human beings was introduced into the mix. Now the series isn't only about people with psychic powers anymore, and the "realistic" vibe is gone. While I'm all for an author introducing twists and turns to keep a series fresh and interesting, I was slightly disappointed with the path CF has chosen here.
November 14, 2011
Deadly Game is the Ghostwalker story about Ken and Mari.
Ken is a very deep, dark character that is suffocating from a huge burden from his past. His father killed his mother out of jealous rage and then attempted to kill Ken and his twin brother Jack. Growing up with serious issues, Ken and Jack joined the Special Ops team as two elite snipers.
Being physically as well as psychically enhanced, the Norton brothers are a force all their own. Whitney, the evil little dweeb of a scientist who apparently has more pull than Santa Clause, is doing everything possible to manipulate the outcome between Ken and Mari.
He wants her pregnant. Unfortunately for Mari and her sisters who were trained as soldiers since birth, that includes the new Breeding program. Whitney will stop at nothing to move his plans forward to the next phase, the study of the second generation of altered human beings.
What a little shit. Enough said.
Ken knows that his father’s legacy is in him, eating at his core, consuming him from the inside out. He has always hidden away from relationships and any notion of real feelings for anyone other than brother.
“Mari, honey, you have to be sure.” His voice was hoarse. “I’m not going to be able to stop in another minute. I don’t have a damn thing to use as protection and this is bullshit, taking you here. I’m not going to be gentle and loving like you deserve. And I don’t want to hurt you. I’m so damned afraid of hurting you, but I sear I’ll give you more pleasure than you’ve ever had in your life. If you cant’ do this with me, go all the way, take everything I need to give you, you’ve got to tell me to stop now and I swear to you. I’ll find the strength to leave you alone.”
Their relationship progression is heart wrenching. A total rollercoaster. I am a relationship disaster and it is interesting to read a story about two people who share such similarities that it is frightening. Talk about analyzing …
I recommend this book to all adults tho want to read something worthy of their time. Totally rockin awesome sexual content, delicious violence with some round about scenes of rape and degradation. It sounds terrible, but it’s not too bad.
~Happy reading!
Ken is a very deep, dark character that is suffocating from a huge burden from his past. His father killed his mother out of jealous rage and then attempted to kill Ken and his twin brother Jack. Growing up with serious issues, Ken and Jack joined the Special Ops team as two elite snipers.
Being physically as well as psychically enhanced, the Norton brothers are a force all their own. Whitney, the evil little dweeb of a scientist who apparently has more pull than Santa Clause, is doing everything possible to manipulate the outcome between Ken and Mari.
He wants her pregnant. Unfortunately for Mari and her sisters who were trained as soldiers since birth, that includes the new Breeding program. Whitney will stop at nothing to move his plans forward to the next phase, the study of the second generation of altered human beings.
What a little shit. Enough said.
Ken knows that his father’s legacy is in him, eating at his core, consuming him from the inside out. He has always hidden away from relationships and any notion of real feelings for anyone other than brother.
“Mari, honey, you have to be sure.” His voice was hoarse. “I’m not going to be able to stop in another minute. I don’t have a damn thing to use as protection and this is bullshit, taking you here. I’m not going to be gentle and loving like you deserve. And I don’t want to hurt you. I’m so damned afraid of hurting you, but I sear I’ll give you more pleasure than you’ve ever had in your life. If you cant’ do this with me, go all the way, take everything I need to give you, you’ve got to tell me to stop now and I swear to you. I’ll find the strength to leave you alone.”
Their relationship progression is heart wrenching. A total rollercoaster. I am a relationship disaster and it is interesting to read a story about two people who share such similarities that it is frightening. Talk about analyzing …
I recommend this book to all adults tho want to read something worthy of their time. Totally rockin awesome sexual content, delicious violence with some round about scenes of rape and degradation. It sounds terrible, but it’s not too bad.
~Happy reading!
August 5, 2011
5++++ stars
Wow - Wow - Wow !!!! I love Christine Feehan's Ghostwalker Series!!!
This 5th book tells the story of Ken Norton and Marigold "Mari" Smith and I.LOVED.IT!! A little darker than the previous books, intensely emotional, hot, hot, steamy with a hero and heroine I love and a story that kept me on the edge and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!!!
Wow - Wow - Wow !!!! I love Christine Feehan's Ghostwalker Series!!!
This 5th book tells the story of Ken Norton and Marigold "Mari" Smith and I.LOVED.IT!! A little darker than the previous books, intensely emotional, hot, hot, steamy with a hero and heroine I love and a story that kept me on the edge and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!!!
June 23, 2024
The two books featuring the Norton twins are my stand-out favourite of this series, they were when I initially read them and after reading them both back to back that hasn't changed. Is this series slightly cheesy? especially in regards to the sex? yep definitely, do I care? hell no, I lapped it up.
This is Jack's brother Ken's story, he's meant to be the more approachable and affable sibling, but we learn here that it was mostly a front to shield and assist his sibling. After his torture and mutilation in the Congo he now struggles to present his usual easygoing charm and his mental health is spiralling down a dark road.
When a job goes south and another ghostwalker team is present all hell breaks loose, after an enemy target is detained and injured Ken discovers that it is Marigold, Briony's twin sister and she's hostile believing them the enemy.
Mari has been raised as a soldier in a facility and this is all she's ever known. Under the control of Doctor Whitney, who she detests, he has now placed all of the women in a breeding programme and their lives are bloody hell. She wants nothing more than to escape but won't leave her claimed sisters behind and she is naturally low on trust.
This one had lots of feels I adored these two and Mari is the polar opposite of her sister in all ways. Ken is scarred and has massive trauma from his past and time in the Congo and he fights his connection to Mari believing himself a potential monster. Mari is a mix of capable vulnerability and Ken is bloody obsessed instantly.
This one is very similar to the previous book in terms of the actions, it was non-stop and had you on the edge of your seat. Be aware this also has triggers nothing too extreme but worth a mention. Also, Mari does get knocked about she's not had an easy life and at first because it's a combat situation Ken doesn't know who she is only that she's the enemy, so it's a violent first meeting for sure.
This series is definite nostalgia for me and I'm enjoying rereading. They are slightly samey using a similar formula each time, there also rather over the top in terms of the relationships and the sex but that's honestly my favourite thing about it. Some are better than others as well but they all are easy entertaining reads and a definite good time. Just be aware this one is a smidge darker than previous reads in the series.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
October 25, 2015
I read this awhile ago but I never rated it on here. Fabulous series!
July 4, 2014
DNF. Too much internal conflict and pondering. Not enough external action happening.
I read 49% of the book. Here is the first scene which is good. Ken and his brother Jack are outside guarding a home. Some military guys arrive. Ken and Jack shoot and wound one of them. The others leave. Ken and Jack realize the wounded guy is Mari the long lost sister of Jack’s wife.
The first half of the book:
Everything is about what happened in the past. There is no current action, like Ken going somewhere, interacting with people or the environment, doing things, changing things. Instead it’s worries and thinking about the past. The past would be ok if the author showed “action” in the past – like how Ken arrived in the Congo, who was with him, what they said and did, what happened when bad guys took him prisoner, the details of how he got rescued, etc. Or things and conversations happening in Mari’s past. But no past action details were told.
Maybe the second half of the book is different. Many readers enjoyed this, so I say great. It’s just not the kind of writing I like.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Tom Stechschulte was good, as usual.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 13 hrs and 24 mins. Swearing language: strong but rarely used. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes in the first half of the book: two. Setting: current day U.S. Book copyright: 2007. Genre: paranormal romantic suspense.
I read 49% of the book. Here is the first scene which is good. Ken and his brother Jack are outside guarding a home. Some military guys arrive. Ken and Jack shoot and wound one of them. The others leave. Ken and Jack realize the wounded guy is Mari the long lost sister of Jack’s wife.
The first half of the book:
Everything is about what happened in the past. There is no current action, like Ken going somewhere, interacting with people or the environment, doing things, changing things. Instead it’s worries and thinking about the past. The past would be ok if the author showed “action” in the past – like how Ken arrived in the Congo, who was with him, what they said and did, what happened when bad guys took him prisoner, the details of how he got rescued, etc. Or things and conversations happening in Mari’s past. But no past action details were told.
Maybe the second half of the book is different. Many readers enjoyed this, so I say great. It’s just not the kind of writing I like.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Tom Stechschulte was good, as usual.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 13 hrs and 24 mins. Swearing language: strong but rarely used. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes in the first half of the book: two. Setting: current day U.S. Book copyright: 2007. Genre: paranormal romantic suspense.
June 19, 2013
Re-read via audiobook. Hmm, didn't like this as much the second time around. I know this is nit-picky, but I stop and start the audiobook throughout the day and the sex scenes just went on and on. This should be a good thing but it wasn't for me. Also, I think they're making a mistake using the same narrator throughout the series. That's fine if it's the same hero and heroine but these are different people each book but sound almost exactly the same (unless they're southern), that's the only difference. I bought the whole audiobook series so I'm just going to finish it. Hopefully I'll enjoy it more. Lowering my rating to a 3.
Previous review 05/31/10 Ken and Mari - boy what a relationship - He's totally scarred from an awful torture and she's been locked up and experimented on her whole life. They're both so damaged and right up until the end they're questioning whether they're good for each other. What was nice about this wasn't that not telling the other person how they really feel and having all these misunderstandings like a lot of romance type books. This was both of them trying to figure out how to be open and vulnerable and whether what they were doing was right. Loved this book. Would recommend it.
Previous review 05/31/10 Ken and Mari - boy what a relationship - He's totally scarred from an awful torture and she's been locked up and experimented on her whole life. They're both so damaged and right up until the end they're questioning whether they're good for each other. What was nice about this wasn't that not telling the other person how they really feel and having all these misunderstandings like a lot of romance type books. This was both of them trying to figure out how to be open and vulnerable and whether what they were doing was right. Loved this book. Would recommend it.
December 4, 2014
This was a continuation from book 4, Conspiracy Game, where Ken Norton had been set up to be kidnapped in Columbia. In that book, we found out that the "dead" Dr. Whitney set it up to draw twins Jack and Ken out and set them up with breeding mates.
In this book, it's Jack's turn to support his twin Ken as Ken goes to rescue Marigold (Brionne's sister).
I think book marks a turning point in the Ghostwalkers on going battle with the mad scientist Dr. Whitney because here we get irrefutable proof that he is alive. Yes, the dastardly doctor makes his return here and he has been up to no good. I believe we have barely scratched the surface regarding what the evil doctor has been engineering. This is the first book detailing him splicing animal DNA with his enhanced soldiers. The Ghostwalkers are going to have a tough time especially since he seems to be 3 steps ahead considering he studied each and everyone of them.
I do like the matches the doctor gave us with Jack and Brionne, now Ken and Mari. I love the protectiveness each male felt over all of the women in Dr. Whitney's experiments. I am excited to where the battle goes from here.
In this book, it's Jack's turn to support his twin Ken as Ken goes to rescue Marigold (Brionne's sister).
I think book marks a turning point in the Ghostwalkers on going battle with the mad scientist Dr. Whitney because here we get irrefutable proof that he is alive. Yes, the dastardly doctor makes his return here and he has been up to no good. I believe we have barely scratched the surface regarding what the evil doctor has been engineering. This is the first book detailing him splicing animal DNA with his enhanced soldiers. The Ghostwalkers are going to have a tough time especially since he seems to be 3 steps ahead considering he studied each and everyone of them.
I do like the matches the doctor gave us with Jack and Brionne, now Ken and Mari. I love the protectiveness each male felt over all of the women in Dr. Whitney's experiments. I am excited to where the battle goes from here.
February 12, 2015
"4 Stars!!"
“Mari, honey, you have to be sure.” His voice was hoarse. “I’m not going to be able to stop in another minute. I don’t have a damn thing to use as protection and this is bullshit, taking you here. I’m not going to be gentle and loving like you deserve. And I don’t want to hurt you. I’m so damned afraid of hurting you, but I sear I’ll give you more pleasure than you’ve ever had in your life. If you cant’ do this with me, go all the way, take everything I need to give you, you’ve got to tell me to stop now and I swear to you. I’ll find the strength to leave you alone.”~Ken Norton
Yeah and we all know this is the point where she says "your right Ken no I can't do this get away from me!" haha NOT!!! I totally love Ken and his brother Jack they are my Ghost Walker men ... Ken thinks he's all broken and damaged but he's really just been hurt one too many times a good woman like well me err Mari will straighten him right out :)
That said this book dragged for me a little bit in spots... it was good but could have moved a long a bit more or had more action in places. Otherwise I loved it :)
“Mari, honey, you have to be sure.” His voice was hoarse. “I’m not going to be able to stop in another minute. I don’t have a damn thing to use as protection and this is bullshit, taking you here. I’m not going to be gentle and loving like you deserve. And I don’t want to hurt you. I’m so damned afraid of hurting you, but I sear I’ll give you more pleasure than you’ve ever had in your life. If you cant’ do this with me, go all the way, take everything I need to give you, you’ve got to tell me to stop now and I swear to you. I’ll find the strength to leave you alone.”~Ken Norton
Yeah and we all know this is the point where she says "your right Ken no I can't do this get away from me!" haha NOT!!! I totally love Ken and his brother Jack they are my Ghost Walker men ... Ken thinks he's all broken and damaged but he's really just been hurt one too many times a good woman like well me err Mari will straighten him right out :)
That said this book dragged for me a little bit in spots... it was good but could have moved a long a bit more or had more action in places. Otherwise I loved it :)
November 5, 2021
It was ... okay.
The characters in this book are my least favorite so far. I saw no emotional development or relationship development. They both were predictable to quote, and I knew exactly when one character would resist and the other would say something sweet, yet those roles would reverse quickly. It was a ping pong game back and forth with no progress!
There was no sub plot to the overall series plot, and that was disappointing. The overall series plot already feels dried up. Then, specifically in this book there was SO MUCH RECAP! I understand the need to provide a small bit of a recap for readers who do not read the previous books, but there was just SO MUCH.
Final thought - I do not know if I can read one more line/comment of "enhanced both physically and psychically". I get it. We all get it! That does not need to be stated every time a character speaks.
I think it is time for a break from this series. Maybe I will come back to it, but right now I highly doubt it.
The characters in this book are my least favorite so far. I saw no emotional development or relationship development. They both were predictable to quote, and I knew exactly when one character would resist and the other would say something sweet, yet those roles would reverse quickly. It was a ping pong game back and forth with no progress!
There was no sub plot to the overall series plot, and that was disappointing. The overall series plot already feels dried up. Then, specifically in this book there was SO MUCH RECAP! I understand the need to provide a small bit of a recap for readers who do not read the previous books, but there was just SO MUCH.
Final thought - I do not know if I can read one more line/comment of "enhanced both physically and psychically". I get it. We all get it! That does not need to be stated every time a character speaks.
I think it is time for a break from this series. Maybe I will come back to it, but right now I highly doubt it.
July 28, 2010
Just when you think it can't get any better with Jack........
along comes his twin, Ken and we're beggin for more again.........
OMG *thud*
will be back to write when I can compose myself and after I get a cold shower.........icy cold...............freezing............
K, out of the cold shower. When I read the previous book about Jack, I thought he was the toughest one, the most diabolical, the most tortured, the most lethal, the most uncaring.....until he met his destined, then he turned into a big ol' teddybear.
Ken, his twin, is all those things that his brother is x's 1000, but after everything he's been thru, emotionally and physically, he still fell to his knees when he fell in love w/ Mari.
This book was filled w/ just as much action as hot steamy sex and the story is so wonderful, I wish these books were longer. lol
I honestly can't say which book is my favorite so far. I love them all equally.
along comes his twin, Ken and we're beggin for more again.........
OMG *thud*
will be back to write when I can compose myself and after I get a cold shower.........icy cold...............freezing............
K, out of the cold shower. When I read the previous book about Jack, I thought he was the toughest one, the most diabolical, the most tortured, the most lethal, the most uncaring.....until he met his destined, then he turned into a big ol' teddybear.
Ken, his twin, is all those things that his brother is x's 1000, but after everything he's been thru, emotionally and physically, he still fell to his knees when he fell in love w/ Mari.
This book was filled w/ just as much action as hot steamy sex and the story is so wonderful, I wish these books were longer. lol
I honestly can't say which book is my favorite so far. I love them all equally.
December 24, 2007
Book #5 in the Ghostwalker series and I wish that Ken Norton had a better story. This was a sad and depressing book; too dark for me to really like.
December 7, 2012
This was definitely more darker than the previous books and it was very emotional. There was the occurrence of much darker themes and subject matters in this book. Both Ken and Mari have lived through and survived hell from their pasts and that's one of the reasons why they are so perfect for each other. They are both fierce and lethal soldiers, and they are fighters and survivors.
They may not underestimate themselves when in the battle field or when in danger of losing their lives, but they underestimate themselves as they believe they are incapable of having a relationship.
I enjoyed Mari as a heroine. She may be tough and a total badsass, and completely capable of taking care of herself, she also has a softer side that we got to see when she was with Ken. I previously read a review of this book that stated that the reader didn't believe that Mari felt the same way that Ken felt for intensely for her. And I understand where that reader is coming from but then again, when you look at what Mari has been through. Confinement, abuse in a range of ways, her complete lack of freedom... I can understand why she battled whether she should join her sisters or fully commit to Ken and his need to execute his dominance.
I loved Ken. I love his intensity, his passion, even his need to be protective and possessive. He definitely needed someone like Mari who would not only take away some of his darkness and loneliness, but also challenge him and won't just take his shit and let him walk all over her.
There were so many loose ties in this book which will set up and create more drama and conflict for the next books in the series. I can't wait to read the next book!
They may not underestimate themselves when in the battle field or when in danger of losing their lives, but they underestimate themselves as they believe they are incapable of having a relationship.
I enjoyed Mari as a heroine. She may be tough and a total badsass, and completely capable of taking care of herself, she also has a softer side that we got to see when she was with Ken. I previously read a review of this book that stated that the reader didn't believe that Mari felt the same way that Ken felt for intensely for her. And I understand where that reader is coming from but then again, when you look at what Mari has been through. Confinement, abuse in a range of ways, her complete lack of freedom... I can understand why she battled whether she should join her sisters or fully commit to Ken and his need to execute his dominance.
I loved Ken. I love his intensity, his passion, even his need to be protective and possessive. He definitely needed someone like Mari who would not only take away some of his darkness and loneliness, but also challenge him and won't just take his shit and let him walk all over her.
There were so many loose ties in this book which will set up and create more drama and conflict for the next books in the series. I can't wait to read the next book!
August 1, 2020
It was obvious from the ending of the last book this one was going to be about Ken and Mari. But this was a good story. Ken struggles with his internal demons and doesn't think he deserves to have someone in his life as he worries he's a threat to them. Mari's never known anything but a soldiers life. Her entire life has been controlled by Whitney. She wants to taste freedom but not at the expense of the other women in Whitney's breeding program.
These two were thrown together and of course are drawn to one another due to Whitney's pheromone enhancements. They had quite a rough start to things. I mean it is never idea to shoot the one you're destined to fall for. Of course there was always going to be another confrontation with Whitney's soldiers as they learn more about what's going on. I wanted Mari and Ken to work through their struggles as they both know nothing about being in a relationship.
I'm enjoying this whole series. Mari'd had a rough time of things being trapped by Whitney in his program. Ken is terrified he isn't the right man for her, that he has too much of his father in him for her to be safe. But yet he can't walk away from her either. The action was good and the characters were solid.
These two were thrown together and of course are drawn to one another due to Whitney's pheromone enhancements. They had quite a rough start to things. I mean it is never idea to shoot the one you're destined to fall for. Of course there was always going to be another confrontation with Whitney's soldiers as they learn more about what's going on. I wanted Mari and Ken to work through their struggles as they both know nothing about being in a relationship.
I'm enjoying this whole series. Mari'd had a rough time of things being trapped by Whitney in his program. Ken is terrified he isn't the right man for her, that he has too much of his father in him for her to be safe. But yet he can't walk away from her either. The action was good and the characters were solid.
August 10, 2016
La calificación está en que tardé todo un fin de semana en terminar los últimos capítulos. Creo que eso lo dice todo.
No me voy a detener mucho en explicar punto por punto porqué me cayó mal porque en realidad ni siquiera resulta interesante para destriparlo. Pero a grandes rasgos lo que me choca es que Ken tiene una debilidad (el temor de ser igual que su padre) y la autora lo explota hasta el hartazgo. Y no hay ninguna evolución en los personajes, Ken cree que va a ser igual que él y actúa así y fin, está "dentro de él" y ya "no hay que na' que hacerle" ¿perdón?
Mari entre lo dejo o no lo dejo cansó también (aunque tiene razón, pero molesta que ese sea su único conflicto "verdadero"). Lo único que rescato es la lealtad que ella siente por sus hermanas (no contemos a Briony porque no la conoce) que resulta más fuerte que la atracción que siente por Ken y Mari no se permite poner en riesgo la vida de sus hermanas confiando en un completo desconocido. Lo único "lógico" en toda la historia digamos.
Una de cal y otra de arena, Feehan.
No me voy a detener mucho en explicar punto por punto porqué me cayó mal porque en realidad ni siquiera resulta interesante para destriparlo. Pero a grandes rasgos lo que me choca es que Ken tiene una debilidad (el temor de ser igual que su padre) y la autora lo explota hasta el hartazgo. Y no hay ninguna evolución en los personajes, Ken cree que va a ser igual que él y actúa así y fin, está "dentro de él" y ya "no hay que na' que hacerle" ¿perdón?
Mari entre lo dejo o no lo dejo cansó también (aunque tiene razón, pero molesta que ese sea su único conflicto "verdadero"). Lo único que rescato es la lealtad que ella siente por sus hermanas (no contemos a Briony porque no la conoce) que resulta más fuerte que la atracción que siente por Ken y Mari no se permite poner en riesgo la vida de sus hermanas confiando en un completo desconocido. Lo único "lógico" en toda la historia digamos.
Una de cal y otra de arena, Feehan.
March 6, 2022
Re-read~ moved to 4 star
I enjoyed this book a whole lot more this time around. It showed more development of Whitney and his personality/plans it also brought more attention to the vastness of the programs and teams. Mari was fascinating and I loved her reactions and strength. Ken struck me more as well with his internal debates and struggles. Loved seeing the views of the home and land and the relationships of the two twins.
Original~ 3 star
I liked getting the twins story and finding out more about what the women have endured and experienced in their experiments. The violence was more evident in this story, but the female also had more of a violent role and addition to her than the other women. Not my favorite in the series, but still a good story that provided more details and good characters!
I enjoyed this book a whole lot more this time around. It showed more development of Whitney and his personality/plans it also brought more attention to the vastness of the programs and teams. Mari was fascinating and I loved her reactions and strength. Ken struck me more as well with his internal debates and struggles. Loved seeing the views of the home and land and the relationships of the two twins.
Original~ 3 star
I liked getting the twins story and finding out more about what the women have endured and experienced in their experiments. The violence was more evident in this story, but the female also had more of a violent role and addition to her than the other women. Not my favorite in the series, but still a good story that provided more details and good characters!
April 6, 2025
This is probably my least favorite in the series. Much of the book is a repeat of the previous story. Ken deserves more than a re-hash of his brothers' issues. I did love that he and Meri get together and I love the fact that Meri is a soldier and can handle herself. But then this book goes all over the place. The overall plot is good if slow moving and leaves lots of room for the books to come.
November 16, 2015
Originally read: April 2011
Re-read: November 2015
Re-read: November 2015
September 13, 2018
3 this got interesting stars ✨ sorta spoilers I guess?
It's slow going on this Christine feehan backlog. This is apart of the ghostwalker series and I enjoyed it.
Ken is my favorite character so far. I have a thing for horribly scarred and everyone is scared of them because of being lethal alpha male trope. He went through torture and have the scars to prove he survived. These kind of men are my favorite to read about finding love with their ladies . It makes things interesting. Sometimes you don't want to read about how the main male is an Adonis.
The stuff with his dad being the way he was and how the twins have to deal with it and not be like it was a nice spin. I also like everything with the actually having the main villain present and it's our first real insight with what's going on with him sense the first book. Lily and having to come to terms with her fathers actions seemed great to.
Ok the romance. The relationship between them started off good for me. I think we have to give a little leeway with the whole instant attraction thing. I'm glad she fights and I thought it was great she couldn't be trusted by the team for most of the book. And I like the sex scenes. Sue me.
And the ending with she leaving ?
I was like yes girl!
You do you!
You are free!
You don't know what you like and you could go slow to figure out what you want!
How incredible would that be ? Them not just jumping into being together forever with marriage and babies but maybe dating and traveling their own separate ways but circling back together (sign) sexual tension my friends.
Buuuuttt nope 👎
instead she runs back to him and they live HEA. I forgot this was a straight up feehan romance book.
Feehans books have the same kind of characters with very few exceptions. The men are all possessive overprotective alpha males and the women are either super demure and shy and give the men what they want or "strong take no bull" but really fold for love and give the men what they want. And that's ok . You know what your getting into when you read these books.
I will say that I think the Ghostwalker series has the most plot so far than any of her others and I like that. I now own most of this series along with most of the dark series from her as well.
Onto the next one
It's slow going on this Christine feehan backlog. This is apart of the ghostwalker series and I enjoyed it.
Ken is my favorite character so far. I have a thing for horribly scarred and everyone is scared of them because of being lethal alpha male trope. He went through torture and have the scars to prove he survived. These kind of men are my favorite to read about finding love with their ladies . It makes things interesting. Sometimes you don't want to read about how the main male is an Adonis.
The stuff with his dad being the way he was and how the twins have to deal with it and not be like it was a nice spin. I also like everything with the actually having the main villain present and it's our first real insight with what's going on with him sense the first book. Lily and having to come to terms with her fathers actions seemed great to.
Ok the romance. The relationship between them started off good for me. I think we have to give a little leeway with the whole instant attraction thing. I'm glad she fights and I thought it was great she couldn't be trusted by the team for most of the book. And I like the sex scenes. Sue me.
And the ending with she leaving ?
I was like yes girl!
You do you!
You are free!
You don't know what you like and you could go slow to figure out what you want!
How incredible would that be ? Them not just jumping into being together forever with marriage and babies but maybe dating and traveling their own separate ways but circling back together (sign) sexual tension my friends.
Buuuuttt nope 👎
instead she runs back to him and they live HEA. I forgot this was a straight up feehan romance book.
Feehans books have the same kind of characters with very few exceptions. The men are all possessive overprotective alpha males and the women are either super demure and shy and give the men what they want or "strong take no bull" but really fold for love and give the men what they want. And that's ok . You know what your getting into when you read these books.
I will say that I think the Ghostwalker series has the most plot so far than any of her others and I like that. I now own most of this series along with most of the dark series from her as well.
Onto the next one
May 18, 2018
En serio estoy sorprendida con todos los giros que está tomando la serie, no me he esperado ninguna de las situaciones que se nos están presentando y menos los de este libro en particular, wao pobre chicas y sobre todo Mari sobretodo porque con ella la cosa fue cada vez peor, lo único que debo admitir y no es que sea una mala historia y el constante martilleo de Ken con que no se merecía a Mari y luego las dudas de ella, pero en fin me ha gustado como ha terminado todo, pero en serio esto cada vez se complica más, voy por el próximo a ver qué nuevo lío se está tramando ahora.
mi calificación 3.5 ESTRELLAS
mi calificación 3.5 ESTRELLAS
March 31, 2021
This Whitney dude is getting too powerful to believe. In book 1, Lily seemed to remember a version of Whitney where he loved her but I'm just finding that too hard to believe. He seems to have connections and escape routes everywhere!
Also, there were lots of plot holes in this book.
Why did Mari have to go back?
Feehan didn't call Brett a rapist until the end.
Who bombed Lily's lab?
Ken can feel everything Mari does but somehow Mari still managed to hide her sisters' plan.
Whitney seems to have a lot of super-soldiers. His bad guys are too loyal to be true. No one seems to betray him.
Verdict: Get your stories straight
Also, there were lots of plot holes in this book.
Why did Mari have to go back?
Feehan didn't call Brett a rapist until the end.
Who bombed Lily's lab?
Ken can feel everything Mari does but somehow Mari still managed to hide her sisters' plan.
Whitney seems to have a lot of super-soldiers. His bad guys are too loyal to be true. No one seems to betray him.
Verdict: Get your stories straight
August 5, 2012
Sigh. I love to be pleasantly surprised. After reading Conspiracy Game I didn’t think I’d enjoy Ken’s story as much as I did. But I was wrong. Spoliers ahead everyone, read at thy own risk.
Ken is definitely the grittier, more haunted twin. He’s suffered more because he was brutally tortured and has scars literally crisscrossing his entire body. He’s physically ruined that way. Everything works, but his scars are the kind that make people stare and then look away in horror. I really felt bad that he had to endure that kind of attention and pity from others. It makes you ache for him. And on top of that, he’s convinced he’s like his father. Jack was convinced of that too, but Ken’s conviction seems to run a lot deeper, is connected far more with fear. In this book, the brothers switch places. We always thought Jack was the hard up stone cold killer, the loner. And he is. But in this book we discover Ken is twice what Jack is. It’s really scary to think about. But he’s also the more soulful in my opinion. He refuses to let Mari go, he has this overpowering need to control the situation, to command Mari in order to keep her safe, in order to function because her safety is paramount to him. And sometimes it made me really mad because it really was over the top and kind of narcissistic. But as we get to know Ken better, we realize what Mari knew all along: he’s not so bad. I think I can forgive his badass personality because in the end he finds the strength to do the one thing he was certain he could never ever do, and that’s letting go of Mari. When she leaves him, it breaks him wide open and he wants her back badly. He’s even chasing her, wanting to drag her back to him but he decides that he can’t do that to her and that he won’t. He loves her enough for it to be her choice and that moment, when he’s made the choice to let her leave and he’s crying with the loss of not only her, but his ruined body and face, that moment is very telling of who Ken really is. And he’s not the asshole he sometimes comes across as.
So Ken made this is a great read. Mari was also super cool. She’s kick ass, trained to be a solider, fierce, protective of the women she was raised with, loving and every bit as much as control freak about Ken’s safety as he is about hers. They are soo perfect together. No one else would be willing to put up with either of them. Her courage and determination screamed girl power all through this book. The way she dealt with Whitney was brilliant too.
Yes, we get to see the evil Dr. Whitney in this book. The man is scum. He’s the bacteria that grows on scum. He’s the stuff the eats the bacteria that grows on scum. He’s sick, sick, sick. I hate this character. I really wish Ken had killed him. Well, what do we learn about the evil conspiracy in this novel that actually has scenes with Dr. Evil? Not much I’m afraid. We already knew he had a sick breeding program going on. We already knew he was nuts. We already knew these experiments were sanctioned and funded by someone. We don’t find out who. We do find out that one of the women, Violet is semi cooperating/involved, and is willing to go along with this nightmare because she wants to keep her sicko husband alive. I ain’t liking her, and I ain’t trusting her. She smells like trouble. We do discover that Whitney is starting to slip off the edge of sanity (no shit!) and that he is planning something big and twisted (oh really? Very astute of the GhostWalkers to figure that out). More importantly, we find out he has some psychic ability himself. So we glean some tidbits, but nothing super significant. Very frustrating.
I have to say, I’m starting to get uncomfortable with the fact that all these couples have been paired, almost chemically matched/programmed to one another. It didn’t seem so huge an issue in the last three books, but now that it’s so blatant and out there that it’s not just some coincidence that their psychic powers draw them together and match them up so perfectly, it’s kinda creepy. I think it’s supposed to be, but I’m finding it’s kinda a buzz kill on the romance part of it. I mean, I love Ken and Mari together, and ultimately it is their choice to be together, just like it was with Jack and Briony. I guess it just feels like we already know that they will overcome everything to be together because being apart doesn’t just seem like it’s really an option. And that makes me wonder how real it is, their love for each other. I think it’s creepy not only because it seems like a lot of the choice has been taken away (although I notice that all of these couples seem to rise above the programming and put their partner first, not letting the chemistry or whatever really overrule them) but also because I’m a little afraid where Feehan is going with this paired coupling thing she’s got going on. What end does Whitney have in mind? Did he do that just to get superbabies? Now that he’s realized the women don’t have to be paired, that only the men do and he’s playing around with so much extra genetic code, what the heck is next? Yeah, lot of questions. Anyway, that creep factor, I rose above it while reading, focusing more on Ken and Mari then the weirdness, but it was there and that’s why I’m taking one star off of this read. Romance, every paranormal romance, should not be marred by creep factor when it comes to our couple.
Four glittering stars
More reviews at www.devastatingreads.blogspot.com
Ken is definitely the grittier, more haunted twin. He’s suffered more because he was brutally tortured and has scars literally crisscrossing his entire body. He’s physically ruined that way. Everything works, but his scars are the kind that make people stare and then look away in horror. I really felt bad that he had to endure that kind of attention and pity from others. It makes you ache for him. And on top of that, he’s convinced he’s like his father. Jack was convinced of that too, but Ken’s conviction seems to run a lot deeper, is connected far more with fear. In this book, the brothers switch places. We always thought Jack was the hard up stone cold killer, the loner. And he is. But in this book we discover Ken is twice what Jack is. It’s really scary to think about. But he’s also the more soulful in my opinion. He refuses to let Mari go, he has this overpowering need to control the situation, to command Mari in order to keep her safe, in order to function because her safety is paramount to him. And sometimes it made me really mad because it really was over the top and kind of narcissistic. But as we get to know Ken better, we realize what Mari knew all along: he’s not so bad. I think I can forgive his badass personality because in the end he finds the strength to do the one thing he was certain he could never ever do, and that’s letting go of Mari. When she leaves him, it breaks him wide open and he wants her back badly. He’s even chasing her, wanting to drag her back to him but he decides that he can’t do that to her and that he won’t. He loves her enough for it to be her choice and that moment, when he’s made the choice to let her leave and he’s crying with the loss of not only her, but his ruined body and face, that moment is very telling of who Ken really is. And he’s not the asshole he sometimes comes across as.
So Ken made this is a great read. Mari was also super cool. She’s kick ass, trained to be a solider, fierce, protective of the women she was raised with, loving and every bit as much as control freak about Ken’s safety as he is about hers. They are soo perfect together. No one else would be willing to put up with either of them. Her courage and determination screamed girl power all through this book. The way she dealt with Whitney was brilliant too.
Yes, we get to see the evil Dr. Whitney in this book. The man is scum. He’s the bacteria that grows on scum. He’s the stuff the eats the bacteria that grows on scum. He’s sick, sick, sick. I hate this character. I really wish Ken had killed him. Well, what do we learn about the evil conspiracy in this novel that actually has scenes with Dr. Evil? Not much I’m afraid. We already knew he had a sick breeding program going on. We already knew he was nuts. We already knew these experiments were sanctioned and funded by someone. We don’t find out who. We do find out that one of the women, Violet is semi cooperating/involved, and is willing to go along with this nightmare because she wants to keep her sicko husband alive. I ain’t liking her, and I ain’t trusting her. She smells like trouble. We do discover that Whitney is starting to slip off the edge of sanity (no shit!) and that he is planning something big and twisted (oh really? Very astute of the GhostWalkers to figure that out). More importantly, we find out he has some psychic ability himself. So we glean some tidbits, but nothing super significant. Very frustrating.
I have to say, I’m starting to get uncomfortable with the fact that all these couples have been paired, almost chemically matched/programmed to one another. It didn’t seem so huge an issue in the last three books, but now that it’s so blatant and out there that it’s not just some coincidence that their psychic powers draw them together and match them up so perfectly, it’s kinda creepy. I think it’s supposed to be, but I’m finding it’s kinda a buzz kill on the romance part of it. I mean, I love Ken and Mari together, and ultimately it is their choice to be together, just like it was with Jack and Briony. I guess it just feels like we already know that they will overcome everything to be together because being apart doesn’t just seem like it’s really an option. And that makes me wonder how real it is, their love for each other. I think it’s creepy not only because it seems like a lot of the choice has been taken away (although I notice that all of these couples seem to rise above the programming and put their partner first, not letting the chemistry or whatever really overrule them) but also because I’m a little afraid where Feehan is going with this paired coupling thing she’s got going on. What end does Whitney have in mind? Did he do that just to get superbabies? Now that he’s realized the women don’t have to be paired, that only the men do and he’s playing around with so much extra genetic code, what the heck is next? Yeah, lot of questions. Anyway, that creep factor, I rose above it while reading, focusing more on Ken and Mari then the weirdness, but it was there and that’s why I’m taking one star off of this read. Romance, every paranormal romance, should not be marred by creep factor when it comes to our couple.
Four glittering stars
More reviews at www.devastatingreads.blogspot.com
June 24, 2019
This was...something. I got this book in a book of used books I ordered from the Ripped Bodice, and have never read the prequels or for that matter, anything by Christine Feehan. So I got dropped in mid plot and there was a lot going on? Fake assassinations, supersoldiers, forced breeding programs, long lost twins, scars on the heroes genitalia... I could go on. But I finished it and it counts for bingo and that's really all I wanted.
**Read for Ripped Bodice Bingo 2019, Assassins**
**Read for Ripped Bodice Bingo 2019, Assassins**
July 1, 2018
Ken's on assignment and he sees a woman who makes his heart thump. All in all I like him a lot and I like Mari. She's as tough as he is and she's been part of an experiment all her life but she is mean, tough and willing to fight to the very end for herself and her sisters. I truly enjoy her as a protagonist in this series even when Feehand wants to make her soft Mari still tough. This was a great I'd one, that's for sure.
February 17, 2019
Ken broke my heart.
Ken was captured and was partially skinned alive among other things. He was rescued but he was left with many scars and a sense of total loss. Loss that no one would ever see him as a person again. Mari was raised as a soldier from her earliest memories. She knew nothing else. Then these two met. This was the best book. Totally devoured it! Highly recommend!
Ken was captured and was partially skinned alive among other things. He was rescued but he was left with many scars and a sense of total loss. Loss that no one would ever see him as a person again. Mari was raised as a soldier from her earliest memories. She knew nothing else. Then these two met. This was the best book. Totally devoured it! Highly recommend!
August 8, 2019
Although not my favorite in the series, still a pretty good listen thanks largely to the stellar narration - again - from Tom Stechschulte.
April 16, 2020
While not my favorite, it was interesting to get confirmation on somethings we’ve been teased about. Still looking forward to more unraveling and who gets their match next.
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