Driven

Each new Shomi novel I read convinces me more and more that this new line is one of the best things to happen to romance in a very long time. Raina is a strong woman, smart, driven and on the run from a diabolical man who threatens her very existence. She's thrown into a situation where she ends up taking on a mysterious and sexy stranger who challenges her control. Wizard is sexy and strong and utterly not what he seems and Kenin (Eve Silver) draws out his story with a fine hand. As well as she does the emotion between these two characters. I'm not always a fan of the big reveal of original intent where the heroine finds something out, feels betrayed, runs off and the hero saves her sort of thing - but again, in the right hands, it works like it does here. Nail biting action, a very well developed world and great characters make Driven an absolute must read.

I just finished 'Driven' by Eve Kenin and WHOA, it was fantasticalisious.... LOVED.IT. At first I read the back and was thinking....'A woman trucker in the middle of an arctic wasteland, so not my thing' but, on the advice of several friends I started it anyway and NEVER PUT IT DOWN AGAIN. I adored the heroine Reina, who may be one of the strongest female characters I've seen in a good long while, and then there's Wizard who went from making me kind of doubt his ability to be the 'hero' in the first few pages to taking my breath away by the last page. The world building is excellent and the action scenes are riveting. This is one of the best books I have read this year and I will happily recommend it to anyone.

Not being a big fan of graphic novels, everything about the presentation of this book put me off--the cover the "Shomi" Asian/pun imprint title. So I took a risk completely based on the reviews and it was a worthwhile jump! Great attention to detail from the author in her world building, lots of logical follow-through, excellent smart, tough but still realistically loving and emotional characters--for the setting. This is not hearts and flowers but it's certainly not anamalistic sensuality and generalized character stupidity. This is the kind of book an older teen or even college student might enjoy as an intro into novel-style reading. Excellent start!

I have read all 3 Shomi books out on the market so far and have found I like Driven the best. The story was very original and perfectly executed, with wonderful characters. Raina is a strong and independent character without being annoying. Wizard is cold and emotionless but is the perfect hero for breaking down Raina's barriers. Furthermore, Kenin did a great job of letting the characters evolve through the book. Wizard slowly grows with emotions and feelings that he sometimes finds hard to cope with but is strong enough to handle. Raina starts out as someone who prefers being alone and not having to rely on anyone, but over the course of the book she realizes that she does need Wizard and friends if not for her sanity than for her own simple happiness. Overall I really enjoyed this book. I was slightly disappointed Driven is not 1st person like the first two Shomi books, but think the writing style fits perfectly. I really hope Eve Kenin (aka Eve Silver) will be writing another book centered in this very imaginative world. One of the problems I did have with this book is that a thread was left hanging that the reader can only assume turns out well, as nothing is ever mentioned otherwise. The second problem I had (along with all the Shomi books) is the HORRIBLE artwork. I just hope it doesn't turn away possible readers from this great new series that every romance fan should read.