Twisted Threads is fast-paced thriller packed with hot, romantic currents throughout the story! What I really liked: - STORY - A nice plot with enough supporting casts and a few twists to uphold the elements of mystery and keep the reader guessing up till the latter part of the book. I like how the author revved up the engines in the first few chapters with short, crips action scenes that instantly held my interest in the story; gave way to a more subtle buildup of the mystery in the middle portion, developing the main characters and their relationship; and intensified the thrill factor again in a grand finale that doesn't let down. The fight scenes were appropriately graphic and descriptive. - AKIRA - Our lead heroine. Akira's character is one that is really interesting to me. I'm picturing a feminine, demure Japanese geisha but with a "Kill Bill" type of badass character. A contrast of sorts, something you don't really see in the real world. But beyond her tough exterior, there is a sad and lonely character longing for a sense of normalcy in her life -- this she unwittingly discovered when she met Devon. I really like the development of her character at this stage: the initial reinforcement to her real character, then as she gets to know Devon more, the internal struggle to continue living her old self or to break free towards a new brighter future, and a final realization and decision. Well thought of. - CHEMISTRY - I just have to add this in. A really nice and slow build-up to an intensely hot relationship between Akira and Devon. I really like how the author did not hurry the development of their relationship. This really made it much sweeter and very realistic for me. What could have been better: - BACKSTORY - To clarify, the story did make enough mention of Akira's past and what transpired that led her to her current state. I just wished the backstory was longer, better if portrayed out as a story, to really appreciate how she became the assassin that she is today. It does after all take extraordinary talent to turn a geisha into a top notch assassin. (The other point I wonder is the absence of any language barrier, as usually Akira would most likely not have been exposed to English?) - YUKI - I also would have preferred a few pages dedicated to her character development. I felt her character was suddenly thrusted towards the end to tie up loose ends, but would have been nicer if there was some sections devoted to her somewhere in the first half of the story. Overall, I would rate this a 4.5 stars! Totally enjoyable, and absolutely kept my interest from start to finish.