Search - Insatiable

From the moment I first heard of INSATIABLE’s plot, I was tempted. Curiously enough, I do not have vampire burnout like most avid readers apparently do. Unfortunately, INSATIABLE was a plotting and characterization disappointment, an ambitious novel that failed to entirely put the “chick lit” into the “bit lit.”

I never fully connected with Meena being the anti-vampire-obsessed modern woman. She is introduced to us as an independent and responsible woman who disdains the romanticization of vampires. However, it is not long before Meena herself perfectly fits the stereotypical role of smart-ass damsel-in-distress. Inexplicably two men who are enemies of one another find themselves attracted to her, and mostly because of her soft, exposed skin. Say what? Is this vampire lit or a more feminist Twilight for the adult audience? Obviously I felt little attraction within the love triangle, which felt forced.

In fact, most of the story feels extremely…well, structurally fictional. Obviously I know this is fiction, but I’m referring here to the way some stories, whether realistic or fantasy, draw us in so completely that we do not stop and question the veracity of the situations but rather find ourselves right there alongside the characters. This was not the case with INSATIABLE. The typical “Meg Cabot narration” in this story—characters constantly trying to rationalize scenarios in their heads, going off on tangents, bringing themselves back on track, going off on a rationalizing tangent again—didn’t work with the world she tried to set up here. I never felt connected with lives being at stake, and more often than not was not aware that major conflicts were going on, so roundabout and unfortunately petty were the characters’ inner monologues and plodding dialogue. I put down the book with less than 100 pages to go, feeling no need to know how the story ends.

INSATIABLE, sadly, has the same problem that many of Meg Cabot’s books seem to have: there is a uncomfortable lack of heart and commitment to the stories. I realize I can’t make any assumptions about what these stories mean to the author. But 30- or 40-something books later, I find myself wondering whether or not Meg Cabot is putting as much into her books as she did with her earlier books.

Nice story set in New York City. Focus on vampires and how they are trying to stay under the radar and a group of vampire hunters after them. Our Heroine falls in love with Lucien Prince of Darkness. Good story. Easy summer read. Not sure if she can do a sequal.

I have such mixed feelings about this book that I hardly know where to start. The premise of the story was fascinating and really tailor-made for my reading pleasure. Unfortunately, it took about 100 pages for the story to really get started and by that time I was having trouble staying interested. This is one of those stories where up until about page 300 I had absolutely no trouble setting it down and continuing on about my life without giving the book a second thought until I picked it up again. That’s unusual for me.

The other problem I have with this story is that while it seemed to take forever to get to the main event of the story, the book itself takes place only over a period of 10 days. So much happens in those 10 days that it seemed much longer to me.

The characters are wonderful and each one adds to the story with their unique personalities, gifts and wits. I really cared about the characters. Meena has a heart of gold and is surrounded by unforgettable people. I want to know more about Meena and the rest of the people in this book.

By about page 300 I was really loving this story, finally. Everything was coming together as it should have earlier. It was finally drawing my undivided attention and I was really having trouble leaving Insatiable behind. When I closed the book, my eyes were misty and I was left wanting to know more, to read more, to visit the characters and the world Meg Cabot created again and very soon.

I guess after a rather slow start the book finally gained momentum and that momentum was enough to give me hope for future of this series. I think the potential for a memorable series is there, I just hope that the next book starts off a little more exciting and gripping than this book did. I really am looking forward to whatever is going to happen next.

Cherise Everhard, May 2010

Much like the main character in her book, I think the author was pressure into writing a vampire book to work with the latest trend in novels. It doesn't work.

Wow. Wasn't what I was expecting at all. I had no idea what it was about vampires prior to starting it. Was pleasantly surprised. Really enjoyed it. Although one part at the end (I won't say what so as to not spoil it) was a bit over the top. I am glad I had not read the reviews listed prior to reading this book. I did like it and the characters. I did not find it hard to get into at all. It was nice light reading.

I agree with the other reviews of this book. I forced myself to get through it as I had bought it new as a hardcover. Very hard to keep reading for the first 200+ pages then mildly entertaining. Very cartoonish characters for me. One dimensional. Ending obviously set up for a sequel which I will not be reading.