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JessDix
Posted December 15, 2010
Fantastic. I'm so glad I found this author! This series is so much fun. The writing is geared toward adults and the humor is fantastic. It's dramatic and sarcastic....and dare I say...one of my favorite books?
Jolie gives a phenominal preformance and we fall in love with the suave Sinjin. Oh, I wait with bated breath for the next installment!
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Jolie Wilkins' magical powers are strong enough to raise the dead, and she may have to do a lot of dead-raising very soon if the impending supernatural war goes on as planned. The evil Bella wants to rule all otherworldly peoples, and she has a huge army on her side, while the good guys (led by Rand, Jolie's warlock boss) have a relatively small group of fighters to back up their noble intentions. Jolie's got to get stronger if she wants to convince Rand to let her fight in the battle, and when Sinjin, the sorta-bad vampire from the previous book, starts showing an interest in her, she has to decide where her heart and her allegiances truly lie.
Toil and Trouble is action-packed, but I like how Jolie spends the first portion of the novel incapacitated. At the end of Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble she beat the fairy king Odran's champion in a duel, in order to convince Odran to support Rand in the upcoming war. She succeeded, but the fight has drained her energy so badly that she's bedridden for awhile, then spends a few chapters regaining the use of her limbs. It's always good to see a heroine with weaknesses as well as strengths; it makes Jolie very humanized, despite her extreme magical talents.
Rand and Jolie's love story is the emotional core of the book. They both love each other, but because of their magical natures, if they decide to commit to each other, it'll be a forever-and-eternity no-going-back sort of thing, which is a weighty prospect, even with all they've been through together in the past months. Rand is all the more leery of the commitment because he had a former love who died, and apparently the experience of losing her was so painful, almost all of his memories of her had to be erased. Rand and Jolie are really at a stalemate, and are frustrated by the fact that they can't be together and can't really be apart, either.
Enter Sinjin. Jolie's love life is a little complicated even with just Rand around, but now that Sinjin is on their side, he's constantly around her and he seems more appealing as time passes. They start spending even more time together because Jolie needs Sinjin's help. Rand doesn't want her to fight in the war, but Jolie knows that she needs to be the one to kill the super-evil vampire Ryder, so she gets Sinjin to help her train in secret. Sinjin's not so bad (and I know he has some major fans), but I'm not fond of the back-and-forth triangle that starts. It would be great if Sinjin were the main guy, but he's less of a leading man and more of a temptation away from Rand. But ultimately, a good clue about the guys is how they treat other people: Rand is a gentleman, and while he may prefer keeping to himself, he's a generous person when placed in social situations. He's nice to ladies other than Jolie, and even kind to complete strangers, while Sinjin's kindness and gallantry are directed almost solely at Jolie.
Luckily, after extensive fight training, a lot of magic-using, some time-travelling, and a hardcore battle, things look like they're finally resolved once and for all on the romantic front. Plus, we still have plenty of adventure left to look forward to as Jolie takes on some new challenges and responsibilities. Jolie's still got that great, smart but not too sarcastic narrative voice that feels like a good friend is telling you about her joys and misadventures, so her stories are always going to be fun to read.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.brinkee
Posted December 8, 2010
I loved this book! All of the characters are well-written and I cannot wait until the third one is finished!!! Brilliant!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LoriBrighton
Posted December 1, 2010
H.P. Mallory continues her wonderful series with this second of the Jolie Wilkins books. If you loved Fire Burn, you'll adore Toil and Trouble. Jolie and her friends are preparing for the battle of their lives and on top of that, Jolie must decide where her heart belongs, with the gorgeous and honorable Rand, or the so bad he's good Sinjin. You'll laugh, you'll sigh, and you'll be truly stunned by the surprising ending.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.toadswoman
Posted December 11, 2010
This is a cross between Stephanie Plum and Twilight. Highly entertaining! Action, humor, sarcasm, romance, a little bit of everything that works great together. Thanks H P Mallory!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 19, 2011
Great follow up to the first book. I read it in one night!! Keep writing...I cant wait for the third!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 7, 2011
So many twists and turns in this book Loved it!!! Easy read, your heart pounds, breaks, and swells, with the different emotions of the character's in the story. Again Jolie and Rand didn't disappoint!. My heart broke for Sinjin, I wanted to root for him all the way, but Rand was just sooooo Rand!!!! Again Jolie and Rand frustrated the heck out of you but worth the bumpy ride. I laughed out loud so many times my children thought I was losing it. Can't wait for the next in the series.... this is the part I hate WAITING FOR THE NEXT BOOK!!!!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 23, 2011
Great read with lots of laughs. If you love witches, vampires and anything paranormal you'll enjoy this.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 22, 2011
If you are looking for a good book with a good story...this was great! I love the way HP Mallory writes!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Lealea23
Posted April 3, 2011
Loved this book, it's an easy read!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 16, 2011
reminds me of authors like charlene harris and laurell k hamilton. captivating and fun to read. a great book to get lost in!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 15, 2011
wonderfully, fast paced, and fun to read!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 12, 2011
I absolutely love all of H.P. Mallory's books. I just can't seem to put them down.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 10, 2011
I love how Mallory brings the characters to life! This series is one of my favorites and it is definitely a must read for any paranormal romance lovers out there.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 9, 2012
2nd Book in the Jolie Wilkins series. Still feel like this book drags more than her other series, and most definitely ends in a cliff hanger way. I do like going deeper into Rand's past. However, I feel like Sinjin's character is a light switch, it's either on or off, two completely types of characteristics and very little in between. I will read the other books because I am curious to see where the story goes.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 27, 2012
I'm team Sinjin all the way. Rand just pisses me off.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 6, 2012
I find that i am forcing myself to finish this book and i'm only in chapter seven with what feels like an eternity more pages to go. Too much repetition. Sick of reading about his impressive, expansive, blah blah blah chest, eyes, etc. Story would be good if so much of the same stuff wasn't constantly repeated. And the back and forth with their relationship.....UGH!! I don't see myself reading the rest of the series, but who knows, maybe it will totally redeem it's self the further i read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 20, 2011
with many books today using the 'paranormal' theme i was a bit cautious to start the jolie wilkins series, but am i glad i did! hp mallory makes her tale of the underworld unforgettable. looking forward to book three!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.great 2nd book, love this one
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 7, 2011
I really enjoy these. Fun easy read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Toil and Trouble:
The...