Veena’s review of Viper Game (Ghostwalkers, Book 11) by Christine Feehan
Paranormal Romance published by Jove 27 Jan 15
It’s been more than two years since the last installment in this series came out, so I had all but forgotten the mad scientist with his genetic and DNA experiments to create super soldiers for the US government, along with his manipulation of his creations in fascinating and untold ways that lead to perfect genetic matches planned way back when some of these people were children. It seems he’s now gone beyond men and women and is genetically engineering children and using them to continue his experiments. With mounting disbelief and outrage, I had to remind myself that this is fiction, but I do have to question where this madness in search of a “perfect” story stops.
In true Christine Feehan fashion, the sexual encounters between the lead characters are frequent and hot and steamy enough to peel the wallpaper off the walls. Interspersed between these is a story kernel that deals with figuring out how to protect three little girls, who were engineered in a test tube from their DNA and then used for vile experimentation. Not only do I have a hard time with the treatment of the women and children revealed in this story, but since I personally don’t like snakes, considering that they have snake DNA and characteristic, that is equally hard for me to get beyond.
Nonna is my absolute favorite character, having met her once before when Gator found his soul mate. She’s a wonderful old woman who lets nothing faze her, including having three little viperesses as grandchildren. Wyatt’s teammates also seem to be great characters, as they circle the wagons and use their skills to protect Wyatt and his family.
It is clear that Dr. Whitney is a monster extraordinaire, but the level of his plotting and manipulation of people and events going back so far in the distant past is so unbelievable that I just lost the battle and couldn’t truly enjoy this book. Is there going to be a point where he’s going to be exposed for his crimes to humanity and face justice?
This used to be one of my favorite series, and this story too probably has many parts that are thoroughly enjoyable as Pepper and Wyatt deal with the hand they’re dealt and try to navigate through the bayous to forge a future for themselves. For me it’s a bit too much to swallow and I definitely feel let down.
Grade: C
Summary:
GhostWalker Wyatt Fontenot knows the price he paid for the secret military experiments that gave him his special catlike abilities. After all, he left his bayou home a healer and came back a killer. While Wyatt and his GhostWalker brother Gator may have known exactly the sort of game they were getting into, Wyatt never anticipated where it would lead — or to whom.
The swamps hold many mysteries, but few are as sinuously seductive as Le Poivre de Cayenne. The woman the locals call Pepper is every bit as enigmatic as the three little girls she’s desperately trying to protect. From what, Wyatt is soon to discover. Right now Pepper needs a man like Wyatt. Passionately. But her secrets are about to take them both deeper into the bayou than either imagined — where desire is the deadliest poison of all.
Other books in this series:
