The Swan and the Jackal by J.A. Redmerski Publisher: Self-Published on March 3, 2014
Genres: Adult, Dark, Romance, Suspense
Pages: 381
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
Fredrik Gustavsson never considered the possibility of love, or that anyone could ever understand or accept his dark and bloody lifestyle—until he met Seraphina, a woman as vicious and blood-thirsty as Fredrik himself. They spent two short but unforgettable years together, full of lust and killing and the darkest kind of love that two people can share.
And then Seraphina was gone.
It’s been six years since Fredrik’s lover and sadistic partner in crime turned his world upside-down. Seraphina went into hiding and has eluded him ever since. Now, he’s getting closer to finding her, and an innocent woman named Cassia is the key to drawing Seraphina from the shadows. But Cassia—after sustaining injuries from a fire that Seraphina ignited—suffers from amnesia and can’t give Fredrik the information he desperately seeks. Having no other choice, Fredrik has been keeping Cassia locked in his basement as he not only tries to get her to recall her past—because she and Seraphina share it—but also to protect her from Seraphina, who clearly wants her dead.
But Cassia is a light in the darkness that Fredrik never believed existed. After a year subjected to her kindness and compassion, he finds himself struggling with his love for Seraphina, and his growing feelings for Cassia—because he knows that to love one, the other must die.
Will light win out over darkness, or will something more powerful than either further destroy an already tortured soul?
Warning: This review is not going to be very helpful. It’s all about me ranting and being pissed off. Lots of cussing too.
At A Glance
I call Bullshit!
The Good/The Bad
Seriously? That’s Fredrik’s story? WTF? Really? How am I suppose to react to that? For me, there are 4 book deal breakers that I just can’t forgive or put up with. The Swan and the Jackal did something that makes reading miserable for me. I am so upset right now, I can’t even separate my good and bad section for this review.
At the end, I wouldn’t believe ‘it’ really happened. I totally thought someone was going to say, “Just kidding, we would never end this story like that. See, everything is fine.” Rainbows and unicorns. FUCKING RAINBOWS AND UNICORNS! No, this book poured acid on the rainbow and shot the unicorn between the eyes.
Sure, I liked the story and the plot. I loved this book for the most part while reading it, but I will not stand for that ending. I WILL NOT! I know other readers could easily love this book (and most do according to Goodreads), but it really really really really wasn’t for me.
I loved Fredrik, I liked Cassia. I loved how fucked up their relationship was. But in the end, there was no character development. Actually, Fredrik regressed as a character. He really needed his HEA, especially with his horrific childhood, and he didn’t get it. No, that dream was shattered, grinded, melted, eaten, and shit out slowly by a sloth.
The Snuggly
Don’t even get me started. I WILL pop an eye blood vessel, I just know it.
Final Thoughts
I have to be honest, I am giving this book 2.5 pity stars. I still love this series, but this book is useless to me. It would have been a 3.5 to 4 star book if the ending was different. The series is recommended, but this book isn’t.
Quotes
“Because love is the greatest scam of all time. And because as much as I fucking love you, I hate you for inflicting it upon me!”
“The past has shaped me, molded me into a monster. A monster with a persecuted heart and a dead soul.”
“That treacherous little black heart that sits behind my ribs, as always when I think of her, begins to beat to a slow and ominous rhythm, betraying me so cruelly that I wish I could rip it from my chest and be free of it forever.”
Red Iza
Wow, that’s what I call a heartfelt review ! I’m sorry you were that disappointed, I hope next book will make it up to you, but I’m also wary since I’m going to read the series soon… Oh well, I’ll see !
Jennifer Bielman
hehe, well, hopeful what happens in this one won’t affect you like it did me. the series is great.
Braine
is this the last book? I hope not! Gosh now you make me want to start the series just to understand where this rage is coming from.
Jennifer Bielman
No, it’s not the last book. LOL, you should read the series though. You will love it.
ailyn
this is one raging review but point taken
Jennifer Bielman
LOL
kindlemom1
I was thinking there was another book after this one too isn’t there? I know I devoured this series but I agree, this one wasn’t my favorite of them all.
Jennifer Bielman
There is another book. I am going to read it soon.
Lekeisha
Sorry about this one. It really sucks to have a book in your favorite series turn to mush. I think I’ll skip this one when I start the series.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, it’s unnecessary heartbreak.
Christy
Haha whoa! I freaking loved this book and the ending. Fucked up is my middle name, though, so … yeah. lol. Besides … the series isn’t over.
Christy
That’s what I love so much about this … it’s not rainbows and unicorns. It really is fucked up.
Jennifer Bielman
I like fucked up, but come on, how much are we suppose to take???
Jennifer Bielman
I know the series isn’t over, thank goodness, but I couldn’t deal with this type of heartbreak.
sharon - Obsession with Books
Oh no! what a disappointment, I am a big fan of this author but I need to play catch-up; I might just be missing this book.
Thanks for sharing Jennifer, I’m sorry this wasn’t your favourite.
Sharon – Obsession with Books
Jennifer Bielman
I love this author too, I just wish this book ended a different way.
Keionda@Keionda Hearts Books
I can feel your anger girl. And trust me we have all been there. I’ve had my eye vessel popping worthy books too. I totally can relate!
Jennifer Bielman
LOL, thanks for feeling my pain.
Melliane
It’s sad that this book made you feel like that mainly as you love the series. I haven’t tried the series but now I’m annoyed about the ending for you too lol.
Jennifer Bielman
At least that is another book, so hopefully that one will end better.
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
LOL well that is GOOD to know. I’d seen Christy’s review and she loved it and I was thinking Ooo but you have me scared over that ending. What in the world happened??
Jennifer Bielman
Christy is a sadist! lol, she loves when horrible things happen to the characters we love. That’s why I like her, hehe, because I can’t handle too much heartbreak so she handles it for me.
Grace MyBookSnack
I’ve heard good things about this series. Is this is last installment? If so, then how disappointing. Sorry to hear there was no character development and that this wasn’t great for you.
Jennifer Bielman
No, there is another book, but still, I wish this one was better.
Wickedly Delicious Book Blog
Fredrik story fans either hated it or loved it. Yes for most it was the ending that had fans not too happy. For me it was an amazing read including the ending. I would of not wanted it to end any other way. I know that sounds messed up but I have my reasons but do not want to put on here and spoil it for others.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, it’s a love or hate thing here. I get the people who loved it, but I have my 4 things I won’t forgive in a book, and that was one of them. It’s just how my mind works, it makes me too upset.