Mona Lisa Blossoming

This is the second book in the Monere: Children of Moon series by Sunny. I didn't think the first book was all that great, it seemed to be echoing the Meredith Gentry series too much. But I borrowed this book from a friend so I thought why not give it a read. Luckily I actually liked it.

Mona Lisa is going to lay claim and move into her new territory. She has to deal with her enemy from the first book, who is now her neighbor and the existing Monere in her territory. If the premise sounds straight forward it is. This is a very quick, easy, yet fun read.

The characters are what make this book. More specifically Halcyon; without him this book would not be nearly was good. The Lord of Hell was also an interesting character. There is a lot of show more sex. The only thing I can say about that is that I think that the sex is more creative and more psychologically motivated than the sex in the Meredith Gentry series. Although I did get a bit sick of the different synonyms used to describe male parts.

So I guess if you know what you are getting into, liked the first book, and want more of that this is the book for you. It's a quick, fun read. There's lots of time spent on character development and sex. So if you aren't interested in that then don't read it. This is more of a romance than a fantasy or typical paranormal book. show less

When I finished the first book of this series, I was sort of intrigued but not really hooked. I knew I would want to read the rest of the series, but I wasn't in any rush. Now, having finished book two, I'm a little more interested. I like where some of the characters went in "Blossoming", and I found Mona Lisa more likable than she was in "Awakening". I do have a bit of a hard time taking these books seriously given the strong and blatant borrowing from other books. For instance, the author so heavily takes from Anne Bishop's "Black Jewels" books that I sometimes feel like I'm reading a piece of fanfiction. Of course, I fanatically love Bishop's Daemon, the basis for Sunny's Halcyon, so all that isn't entirely a negative mark in my show more estimation. show less

Mona Lisa Blossoming by Sunny. umm.... I don't know why I read these; they're okay if you like reading a lot of metaphors and flowery descriptions of sex, with lots of gushy love stuff thrown in. I probably read them because among all this flowery emoting, suddenly a horrific violent episode will occur. There seems to be to or three authors all rolled into one. One thing I do respect though, is that even though Sunny's writing is close to LKH's style (ahem- her most recent style), at least she has the cojones to actually kill characters off, even though they may be special to the main character. Mona Lisa is a one-quarter human, three-quarters Monere woman. She has just recently discovered her own power and heritage, becoming a Monere show more Queen. In the first three novels (these two included) She gains powers through sex, gains a Demon Prince's love, gains and loses Monere men, and struggles to come to terms with her Monere background- difficult to do with her human sensitivities and morals. Mona Lisa does continue to have a lot of sex, some kinky, and to gain new powers. Apparently the gaining of new powers comes with the Sexxing-up of her men. The Monere men (these people are Monere, used to live on the moon, or another planet - forget which exactly) can also gain powers from their queens. However most of the queens don't allow their men (who are treated like slaves, except for Mona Lisa's men) to gain much power, and are in fact pretty sadistic and cruel toward their men. One I don't get, Mona Lisa is a quarter human, has grown up human without training, but she feels like she MUST protect (physically) all her huge heavily muscled guards. That part just doesn't fit for me. I'll probably read more of Sunny's books, but I think I'd feel better buying them used. She has written another series starring the Demon Prince's sister, Lucinda. I wonder if that will be written in the same style - could it be better? show less

Mona Lisa has come to New Orleans to claim the territory formerly in the care of the icy Mona Louisa. However, she is not prepared to learn that instead of just her entourage she now has hundreds of Monere under her care and protection. With the help of her trusted mates Gryphon and Amber she learns to adapt to her new found responsibilities and the inherent dangers of living in the bayou. But far more dangerous is the hatred of another Queen, a thirst for revenge that threatens everything that that Mona Lisa has come to care for.

This second story of Sunny's tale of a mixed-blood Monere is definitely another engrossing story. However, instead of one distinct plot line through the book Mona Lisa seems to undergo a series of unconnected show more mini-adventures ranging from the discovery of a wild half-breed prisoner to her assistance of a Monere Queen in need of some psychological (i.e. sexual) healing. As with Mona Lisa Awakening this book was rife with love scenes to the point I must admit I simply started skimming over them. Luckily the story (or series of small stories) was intriguing enough to keep me hooked and reading into the wee hours in the morning. The ending of the book was surprisingly bitter-sweet and I look forward to reading the next Mona Lisa book when it comes out. show less

This is really a 2.5..... so-so...could have been better, could have been worse.

I was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Excited to get this book....and really there isn't much of a plot. Mostly, Lust, sex, fighting, death, lust, sex, fighting, death, revenge, sex, fighting, death.... until the next installment.

Ok, so aside from that: Mona Lisa (a Monere) and her entourage; Gryphon, Amber, Thaddeus, Tersa, Chami, Aquila, et. al. arrive at their new new home in New Orleans (which was once the home of rival Monere Queen Mona Louisa). Immediately one of Mona Louisa's former "guards" challenges Amber for the right to be with Mona Lisa.... Then there is the mixed blood locked in the room....and a fight with a alligator....Halcyon and a few others show more show up....then Mona Louisa shows up and tries to get revenge.....and then.... well I'm not going to tell you.

So after all the blood & sex, I'm just going to have to read the next book, which I hope is better than this one. I'm always soooo unhappy when a sequel isn't as good and the prequel. show less

A continuation of Sunny's Children of the Moon series coming after Mona Lisa Awakening. Is this going to be an alphabet thing?

THis one picks up right where the first left off. Mona Lisa and her entourage are on their way to New Orleans to claim her new territory. SHe is not sure what to expect as this territory was taken from Mona Louisa who had attemped numerous times to have Mona Lisa killed in the first book. And here Mona Lisa is taking over her territory and 400 some people that had previously be loyal to Mona Louisa. Of course, things don't go smoothly.

This book was as fast paced and full of action like the first one. There are still alot of back story on the Monere to be fleshed out but I am not disappointed to not have a total show more picture yet. As each book unfolds I expect to learn more and more of this race. show less

Compelling second novel about Mona Lisa and the Monere. With her family and friends Mona Lisa arrives in her new territory in New Orleans, Louisiana. However, the former Queen is determined to regain her thrown from the upstart mixed blood Queen and her followers. Warning the ending may not be for everyone.