The Scarlet Tanager (The Annika Brisby Series)

**SPOILERS AHEAD ** So I only stuck it out with this book because I'm already invested in the series. I loved the first book and hated the second book but by the end I thought the story had potential. Question in book 3 and I could barely ready it! I hate Finn and I'm annoyed with Annika. She may not remember her husband and only hears bad things but for Christ's sake she is still married and doesn't she think that counts for something? Or to it least hold out till she sees him to understand why she is with him? Instead she is head over heels to dump his memory and shaggy his brother without a thought or respect to the family who is taking care of her! Then the ending really really made me mad. Now I can envision how Annika is going to once again distrust Talvi even though unlike her he has always been faithful! I'm very disappointed because Annika in book one is strong, saucy and knows what she wants but Annika in book 2 and 3 is weak, simple minded and self conscious and self centered. Talvi on the other hand is always thinking of Annika until she pushes and pushes and he's had enough!

Annika and Talvi are trying too hard to get to know each other and she's trying not to get upset about his past conquests that she's always trying to understand him but he keeps so much from her that she's always suspicious and angry, then she's abducted by a doplganger of Talvi and kidnapped and taken away and Talvi is trying desperately to find her after he gave up his job to try and spend more time with his wife. When his boss's learn he's married they are all not taking it seriously and Annika is livid when she meets his lady gorgeous boss and all the innuendo's about herself and Talvi. It seems everywhere she turns his flirting and past sexual appetites keep smacking her in the face and starts her doubting her marriage. Talvi is trying everything too make her happy but then just gets upset and gives up. But Finn is filling his role but gets caught up in Annika and wants her too! But after she gets abducted she's sold too a group of vampires who are addicted to her blood and she's tortured and bitten so many times and left chained and naked in a basement with dead sheep and no food or anything, but Pavlo finds her and also tastes her blood and is drawn to too, but he knows who she is and takes her bandages her wounds and has to get her out of there fast. He gets her to konnstentine and he takes her to Talvis home and Finn steps in and takes care of her and gets even closer to her and his sister Yuri is taking full advantage of Finns affair with Annika and knows he loves her, but he's leading his younger brother on a wild goose chase in order to have more time with her. Finn is prepared too go all the way too have her! Blood will spill but who's?

**Spoiler Alert** I gave this book 4 stars because I did like it, but only because of Talvi. Annika is completely annoying and I really hate Finn. Neither Annika nor Finn have any respect for the fact she is MARRIED. Hello!.... It made me so angry reading half this book. Talvi is constantly showing Annika that he loves her and she can trust him. Who cares about his past? How is he with you? Why don't you worry about that? Ugh! Annika constantly talks about how "No ones going to tell me what to do", but when Talvi's around, she's got feelings for him; when Finn is around, oh no! now she has feelings for him. Come on, girl! Make up your mind and have some respect for yourself! The series isn't over with yet, so maybe they'll be some redeeming qualities in this character and she'll come around to be a strong independent woman again, but right now, it's difficult to continue reading about her. I guess we'll see in the 4th book, which I'm only reading because of Talvi. Seriously, if she would have killed off Talvi, I'd be done! Hopefully it won't be full of Annika doubting Talvi again because he defended himself. Geesh..

This instalment of the Annika Brisby series is where things begin to get REALLY messy. Finn has to step in & care for Annika, while Talvi has no idea where she is. This makes things more than a little awkward. Most of the book is spent with Talvi & Annika separated.The relationships between Annika & the Marrinossians are fleshing out, giving us more understanding of life on Eritähti for the Elves. We get a few choice bait moments that hint at Yuri's role in the overarching plot, while learning more about the vampires. The details of the overarching plot are still fairly blurry right now; there's no telling what's actually going to happen. We learn more about the nature of Annika & Talvi's rings, & the changes that have been caused by them.While I am looking forward to seeing where this goes, I'm currently reeling from the ending of this instalment. I can't see how the last scene was necessary. The actions of one character are entirely out of character, & the situation they find themselves in is not one that should ever have come about. The risk posed to a life there is far too far outside the rational responses of the characters, as well as being entirely galling - there's such an extreme switch of pace it sent me reeling. That really needs addressing.There are a few more line errors in this piece compared to the previous books. These errors are mostly grammatical. I can't help but think this book has not been so carefully edited.With room for improvement, I enjoyed this book, & look forward to the next part.

I started reading this series about a week ago and have devoured them. I have to admit when I started the first book I was a bit underwhelmed to start with but the author has a way of making you want to keep reading to find out what happens. It’s like those annoying TV programmes that have an hour of nothing then the last 10minutes is full of action then leaves you on a cliffhanger so you HAVE to watch next weeks episode. I wasn’t massively happy with how the story went in this book as I hate love triangles and sometimes Annika is quite unlikeable and fickle. I know it’s ‘in her nature’ but it became quite tedious and I just kept reading for the right one to come back and sort it out! Frustrating as it is I will still read the next one because the series on a whole is good and I love Talvi and the rest of the gang.

I have read all of the books up to date and have enjoyed the story. Well written but my only fault I found was that the books contained more Sex than fighting. On this last book when two brothers are fighting in the kitchen with one brother dead. And family stood at the kitchen door having seen blood.glass all over the floor.the book says to be continued next year. By next year I will have forgotten all about the story on how the book suddenly stoped. Even though I have made a note of the next book.

Don't buy... it's addictive. I bought this book thinking it was a stand alone book, nope it's in a series and the latest book hasn't been released. For a book-a-holic that's the worst thing that could have happened.It's quite a interesting read with a gripping but mundane (in a good way) plot. It could almost have happened to you (if unicorns and elves do exist!) 🦄As a person whose read thousands of books and own a couple of hundred physical and kindle books, I recommend this grown up fantasy realm to delve into! Just try not to drive, walk, eat and read. I know it's good. Hahah.

A good rea. Kept me interested throughout...the ending made me realise I had to wait for the next one though!

love this story and eagerly waiting for the next one in the series