La Loba

Rating:
Summary: Beware
Review: At approximately chapter 18; I began to grow tired of La Loba, but thought it would get better since I had numerous chapters to go. I have to admit that, unfortunately, I was disappointed in La Loba at the end because the story took an unexpected turn that lost my interest. In the beginning, the story seemed to be about a female detective who was a wolf-creature vigilante on the side. Since that is the type of book that appeals to me, I was truly excited to continue reading it. However, as the story progressed, it morphed into an overbearing and preachy feminist journey. Do not misunderstand; there is nothing inherently offensive about feminism. But if force-fed relentlessly, it tends to translate to the stereotypical militant feminism. La Loba turned into such a story. I got the distinct impression that Hodge was preaching to me about the offensiveness of men and social injustices against women and children. The preaching quickly became tiresome. Perhaps it would have been tolerable if a concise plot was included, but the plot was not concise. I am not sure if the book was more about Riley Redd's personal journey to finding herself or her vigilante journey to exact punishment on Max Regal, the underdeveloped villain. Speaking of the characters, I was fed up with the main character, Riley Redd, by the end of the story. At the start, she seemed a reasonable career minded woman; by the end, she became overly self-righteous and somewhat pretentious. The very notion of vigilantism implies self-righteousness, but even a vigilante has to be "proven wrong" within a work of fiction. Otherwise, there is no interesting tension between the opposing forces. Riley Redd was never "wrong". Her actions and thoughts were always the "right thing to do", which implies perfection - impossible. I think Max Regal was supposed to be the character to "prove" the vigilante Riley Redd "wrong" and to be her opposing force, but he and his stance were so underdeveloped that the tension between the two was never very compelling. Elliott (Riley's detective partner) had a constant presence in the story, but he was a bit one-dimensional. A lot was said about him, but I never felt like I truly knew him. The strongest character was Jordan; however, he achieved his objective early in the story. After achieving his objective, he then became a plot puppet instead of a plot player.

There were some touching and entertaining moments in La Loba (like Book the mountain man and Jordan's sister, Karen) and there were some preposterous moments (like frolicking with Mama Bear and her cubs), but the preposterous and preachy outnumbered the touching and entertaining. My overall assessment of La Loba is that I started out interested, but lost interest as the story evolved.

Rating:
Summary: I love Riley Redd/La Loba!
Review: I can see where this new author can polish up a bit, but I found myself involved with all the characters. I borrowed the book from a friend and liked it so much, I ordered one for my bookshelf.

As a female looking for female strength to identify with in my own life, I could really feel Riley Redd's quandary and indecision. She knew what she wanted and needed to do but just couldn't break away and do it. How very true that is for so many women! That's what the book is all about.

I would have liked more of Karla, the outspoken somewhat zany friend who was not quite a sidekick. I also liked the way Redd's male friend Elliott was written. Hodge kept him low-key. I like that. Greater prominence would have overshadowed the female protagonist.

Redd's flashbacks to her childhood interspersed here and there in italics were sometimes chilling and sometimes hit close to home. Hodge gave just enough description for me to "see" the characters without being overwhelmed. However, I was wowed by the description of La Loba (love the image on the cover). For once, we have a "wolf" character that is not drooling and ugly. I could feel myself standing tall with her when she changed into La Loba and, man oh man, would I like to run with her! And she only killed the really evil people. I want more! I want to know what happens in those mountains.

My only complaint: The book was not long enough. I'm ready for a sequel!


Rating:
Summary: I was riveted
Review: I literally could not put this book down. Ms. Hodge's account of this modern day vigilante is expertly told. I can not wait for her next work.

Rating:
Summary: La Loba
Review: LaLoba, a myth? or could we have a little LoLoba in all of us. As you read this book, take a word of caution, Riley is in charge and the evil that exists in the minds of men will be avenged with the swiftness of justice from the "wolf-creature" of Dallas.

I found this book one that if you put it down, you find yourself going back and picking it back up minutes later to read of what is going to happen next. In a blend of feminine fantasy and downright bone-raw action, this book packs a wallop. It leaves you with the feeling that there is justice waiting out there to take hold and do what needs to be done in order to make it a better place to live.

This book pulls you in, to the places and sounds and situations that are being laid before you in each chapter. I enjoyed the detail that the author took to describe the different places that were visited in Dallas, you could smell the food and hear the sounds that were all around, be it in a restaurant, the police station or in the alleyways and creek beds of this area.

I give this book thumbs up for excitement, drama and all and all entertainment

Rating:
Summary: La Loba
Review: LaLoba, a myth? or could we have a little LoLoba in all of us. As you read this book, take a word of caution, Riley is in charge and the evil that exists in the minds of men will be avenged with the swiftness of justice from the "wolf-creature" of Dallas.

I found this book one that if you put it down, you find yourself going back and picking it back up minutes later to read of what is going to happen next. In a blend of feminine fantasy and downright bone-raw action, this book packs a wallop. It leaves you with the feeling that there is justice waiting out there to take hold and do what needs to be done in order to make it a better place to live.

This book pulls you in, to the places and sounds and situations that are being laid before you in each chapter. I enjoyed the detail that the author took to describe the different places that were visited in Dallas, you could smell the food and hear the sounds that were all around, be it in a restaurant, the police station or in the alleyways and creek beds of this area.

I give this book thumbs up for excitement, drama and all and all entertainment