Jessica Andersen’s Nightkeepers – Don’t Forget to Pack a Clean Pair of Underwear! Doomsday is Coming 2012
12 Oct, 2009 in Book Reviews, Paranormal Romance 15 Comments
Book 1 in the Final Prophecy Series
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: June 2008
3 Smokin ‘ Smooches
This book was purchased with my own mullah
Ever since my future brother in-law introduced me to the 2012 Apocalypse conspiracy theory I’ve been hooked and perhaps a tad obsessed with this whole concept. I have my brother-in-law to thank for my diagnosable sleep deprivation and can now add anxiety about the world ending to my list of woe’s that keep me up at night. I might even be planning to take a vacation day around Dec 21 at 11:00-am, 2012. I’m of the motto never be embarrassed to error on the side caution. Next on the list is for hubs to get started on that underground bunker.
The 2012 phenomenon is a present-day cultural meme proposing that cataclysmic or transformative events will occur in the year 2012. The forecast is based primarily on what is claimed to be the end-date of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, which is presented as lasting 5,125 years and as terminating on December 21 or 23, 2012. Source Wikipedia
Nightkeepers are a dying race of Mayan warrior-priests and priestesses who are pre-destined to save the world before the 2012 doomsday prophecy. Striking Jaguar is last descendant of the Nightkeepers (and future King) and is all that is left of the race after a bloody massacre. Fast forward 20 years later and enter detective Leah Daniels, who has her own experiences with the 2012 apocalypse. Her brother’s recent death at the hands of the 2012 cult leader Banal Kax (aka the bad guy) has Leah Daniels obsessed with bringing her brother’s killer to justice. Banal Kax has other plans, he kidnaps her to perform a hedonistic ritual sacrifice where she is to be used as the ‘vessel’ for a bloody-thirsty god. Strike (Nightkeeper King) rescues Leah from Banal and has to ahem, “finish” the kinky part of the ritual in order to save Leah. I would volunteer to be in Leah’s place any day of the week! Strike must step up to the plate and call on the remaining survivors of the last Nightkeepers and ask for help from the ancient Mayan God to fight the 2012 cult bad guys. In true Myan fashion a sacrifice has to made and it has already been determined to be Leah Daniels.
My Thoughts
I had a hard time connecting with Leah Daniels. I felt her tough as nails, Miami vice personality disorder was abrasive and for lack of a better word, trashy. I was a bit confused about Leah’s character as she would oscillate between this tough as nails ball-buster to a weeping female wuss. There was a bit of a disconnect in her character’s direction and development. Another downer was the lack of sexual tension between Leah and Strike. They start off strong and heavy less than 100 pages in and then sort of fizzle out and become background noise to the story-line.
Another point of mine was that I bought this book mainly for the fact that J.R. Ward is Jessica Andersen’s mentor. I could tell that the writing style is somewhat similar (minus the BDB slang) and could see some similarities where the main characters are not always the focal point of the story. On the positive side, although her main characters faded to the background, I did enjoy the different point’s of view of the other Nightkeepers. I loved it so much I kind of forgot all about Leah and Strike, an added bonus since I had such a hard time finding the ‘good’ in Leah. The story was very rich in Myan culture and filled with more action than a Jackie Chan movie. All in all this book had a great story, rich culture development and 2012 Doomsday yumminess. If you liked J.R. Ward’s Covet I think you might like this book.
I’m on the fence with this one, my OCD diva keeps telling me to buy the other books in the series. However, I’m on a bid of a book budget and I think I’ll hold off until my First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit kicks in. I’m sure hubs won’t mind if I take a small percentage and go to Borders, right?
2012 Doomsday the next Apocalypse or Y2k fiasco?
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Like you I love the whole doomsday prophecy premise…I think you have another series from Nina Bangs….let me look in boocases…aahhh, right. Nina Bangs kicks of her series with Eternal Pleasure, have you read that one too??
I enjoyed Nightkeepers and just found out I don’t have my review added to my blog *headdesk* From memory I loved the premise, the group and overall plot. Romance was nice but not “week-in-the-knees” good.
Don’t you just hate the budget boundaries!
I was not paying attention to the 2012 prophecy until I talked to a friend of mine – once I heard her theories and reasons behind it, makes me want to get started on that list I’m supposed to do before I die.
This series doesn’t really appeal to me for some reason.
I’ve been wondering about this series, especially with the 2012 doomsday angle. I might give it a try since I have the first book. But when you said Leah cries a bit much, this rubs me wrong. For some reason, I don’t like it when the heroine does a lot boo-hooing in a book. I think because it comes across as weak.
It drives me nuts when a character is not consistent, especially tough girl/wuss. Nice honest review, I’ll probably skip this one.
@Leontine
Oh nos another Doomsday series, great now I want to read it. You are so not healthy for my book budget
@Mandi
I’m already freaking out that I don’t have a basement *whimper* Oh dear, hopefully this series didn’t appeal to you before I reviwed…? Wasn’t my intention to make this book sound bad, actually quite good just lacked some little thinge here and there.
@Donna
I like the heronie then I didn’t like her 3 chapters later, then I liked her again. I really like the POVs of the different Nightkeepers probably best part of the book IMO. I think you’ll enjoy this book
@Patti
Was I too harsh? I kind of compare this book like Covet, good story but little things sort of bothered me. I still want to buy the other books, for some reason. It’s like I have to finish a series or else!
I was ‘ho-hum’ about this book and struggled to finish it. The main characters just were not that interesting to me. I don’t know when I became such a picky book reader but I was really interested in the premise of the book but just couldn’t get into the story. Good concept but the execution of the story is a bit boring. I’ll think I’ll give her one more shot.
@Marie K
Her 3rd book Skykeepers has better reviews. I know and I’ll end up buying the rest of her series b/c it is an interesting premise and her side character development is rich.
Fantastic Review K.C.! You have a great way of making your reviews informative yet personable. Love it.
I have this entire series on my shelf and like you, I bought them because of J.R. Ward’s endorsement. Despite your inability to connect with the H/h, I’m still genuinely interested in the series. It sounds like the plot is fascinating and I feel the need to become informed on the whole 2012 dommsday deal.
Thanks again for the awesome review!!
@VampFanGirl
I can’t tell you how often I find myself Google-ing 2012 *eek* Ms. Andersen’s definitely spins a intricate tale. Let me know how you liked the bks once you get a chance to read ‘em.
Hey K.C!
Betrayals comes out in November and it is YA.
I haven’t read this authors stuff but looks good!
@Wendy
Oh thankies! Was wondering when that bk was going to be released!
I reviewed this one too when it came out and had a similar reaction. The heroine didn’t bother me but the Big Climactic Magic scene didn’t do it for me.
@Nicola O I’m with you my reaction was meh. Final showdown was also a bit of a let down. I did like the whole 2012 concept though!
I watch the 2012 doomsday stuff every time it comes on the history channel, and then spend the rest of the night worrying. This looks like it’s one to get from the library…
@Colette guilty I watch 2012 doomsday shows ALL the time! Then I wonder why I can’t sleep at night