There is a lot of melodrama in these books, which I know some people find it hard to get past. But when you keep in mind that none of the main characters are truly human, then it makes more sense. They are both sub- and super-human. The people growl, some of them go into rut, they sometimes serve their queens as thoughtlessly as honeybees--they have very animal-like characteristics; they also love and live like humans, yet are extremely powerful. Keep that in mind as you read these books, and I think you'll enjoy them.