Teaser Tuesday 26

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Want to play along?

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Share the title and author

In honor of Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews being finally released today, and since I've already read the book I can't hold my excitement and even my emotions in. And because of that (and because I couldn't chose just one) I'm going to share to share two teasers and they are longer then two sentences. Enjoy!

"A young dijigit stopped by my room," I said. "His name is Volodja and for three thousand dollars he will walk me deep into the mountains and show me where the bad shapeshifters live."
"How fortunate." Aunt B's eyes lit up. "Would you like some compmany for this wonderful trap, I mean, adventure?"
"I would." 

 "So this is what it's about? This is your mature response-to go off into the mountains rather than talking about it and have s'mores with a gnome and a mountain man."
"Yep."
"What's your plan for tomorrow? Brunch with a unicorn?"
"As long as it doesn't involve you, it fine with me."

Review: Magic Rises from Ilona Andrews

Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews
Publication Date: July 30, 2013
Publisher: ACE
Number of Pages: 327
Format: Paperback
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Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

What's that you say? This book isn't out till tomorrow? Yes I know. But I happened to won a copy from a giveaway on Goodreads. I was beyond excited. And of course after waiting two years I couldn't wait to read it.

Both Curran and Kate has been asked to arbitrate a dispute and to protect a pregnant shapeshifter from the European packs. They both know it's a trap, but being paid in medicine that will help the children stop going loup. They can't ignore it and must go. But they aren't stupid enough to go alone, and take with them a team. The only one that I'm sad didn't go was Jim. I really do love him, and I thought it would feel weird not having him around. But in his place we get his sister, Kira. Love Kira, who is equally amusing.

They all are staying at a castle in a neutral area. The lord of the castle is human, but is widely respected by the shapeshifters and even have them as guards. The first holy shit moment happens, the lord turns out to be Hugh, Roland's warlord. And what seems to be a filler book suddenly turns into something much more. But Kate can't figure out what Hugh is up to, he's not actively trying to kill Kate nor seems like he has alerted Roland. I was fully expecting to hate Hugh. But DAMNIT! I ended up liking him, and seems like he's interested in Kate more than just turning her into Roland.

But Hugh isn't the only thing Kate has to worry about. The shapeshifter princess from the Alaskan pack is there. And it's obvious that she wants Kate's position. And as everyone keeps telling her, she's easy to replace since her and Curran aren't married.

The book isn't all sunshine and unicorns. It's emotional draining for Kate and Curran. Through majority of the book I just wanted to jump in there and beat him. There were plenty of times where I just wanted to throw the book out the window. I wanted to cry through most of the book. Trust me, when you read this book have lots of tissues around you. And a punching bag, and someone/something to scream at. There were times where I wanted to fine Ilona and just scream at them and ask why. But hold on to hope. It will be worth it in the end.

There's an almost death that had me in tears. And who saves the character will shock you to the core. But just when you think they may all get home safe, a shocking death that you never saw coming. I never thought I would miss this person.

Amazing isn't the word for this book. I haven't read a book/series that made me feel this way since Fever series by KMM. It will make you laugh, cry, scream, punch things. After I was done all I could do was sit there, and cry. It's been two days since I've finished the book and I still can't get over it. I find myself skimming through the book and re reading passages. Ilona Andrews have outdone themselves. Hands down the best book in the series yet.

Tomorrow when the bookstores open, run don't walk. You will not be disappointed in this book. This book deserves a million stars.

Rating: 5/5

Review: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5) by Ilona Andrews
Publication Date: May 31, 2011
Publisher: ACE
Number of Pages: 308
Format: Paperback
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Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price .

Being mated to the Beast Lord has it's perks. Kate has now opened her own private investigation business, and things would be great if only Kate could get some business. When the Red Guard comes to her and want her to find a missing inventor and his invention, Kate jumps to the chance at her first paying job.

This is the first book in the series that isn't connected to Roland. But the danger could be worst than anything they have seen before. The missing device has the power to kill anything in its range that has any kind of magical abilities. And a secret society is behind it all and wants the world magic free. I won't go into much detail because it would give a lot away.

We finally get to see Kate and Curran as a couple. It's also a fear in books once your favorite duo gets together they will become boring and lose that spark. Kate and Curran could never be boring. He's still a control freak and she still fights all authority. We even discover they have pet names for each other. How sweet.

This book is just as amazing as the rest. We learn the fate of Andrea, whom true identity was discovered by the Order, and was forced to retired. With no job, Kate offers Andrea a job with her. I've always enjoyed Andrea and I love her and Kate's scenes together. We see Julie return, getting kicked out of school. But not everything is peachy. Julie is bitten by a shapeshifter and is endanger of going loup. Kate refuses to kill her. And her only other option is something dangerous. And Kate barely comes out of it alive, and in return ends in a coma, and it's Curran's turn to sit by her.

Of course I can't have a Kate review without some quotes:

The tension in his voice eased. "You sure you don't need your Prince Charming to come and save you?"
The kot in my stomach evaporated. My Prince Charming, huh. "Sure, do you have one handy?"
"Oh, I think I could scrounge one up somewhere. As often as I have to rescue you..."

 “Andrea raised her hand. “This is the hand that slapped Aunt B.”
“Maybe you should have it gold-plated.”
“Here, you can touch it, since you’re my best friend.”

 “Yes I can,” Curran snarled. “Listen: this is me telling you what you will not do.”
I raised the cookbook and tapped him on the nose. Bad cat.

 “It’s your duty as my best friend to be outraged with me.”
“I’m outraged!” I snarled. “That bastard!”
“Thank you,” Andrea said.

 “I know it's late, but could you find a book for me? It's called The Slavs: Study of Pagan Tradition by Osvintsev."
Barabas sighed dramatically. "Kate, you make me despair. Let's try that again from the top, except this time pretend you are an alpha."
"I don't need a lecture. I just need the book."
"Much better. Little more growl in the voice?"
"Barabas!"
"And we're there. Congratulations!”

 Shapeshifter parenting motto—if your kid slit somebody's throat, always have a backup plan to make the body disappear.

 “You snore worse. At least I don't turn into a lion in my sleep."
"I only did it once."
"Once was weird enough, thank you.”

 “I clawed my eyes open and rolled off my bed. For some reason, someone had moved the floor several feet lower than I had expected, and I fell and crashed with a thud.
Ow.
A blond head popped over the side of the bed, and a familiar male voice asked, “Are you okay down there?”
Curran. The Beast Lord was in my bed. No, wait a minute. I didn’t have a bed, because my insane aunt had destroyed my apartment. I was mated to the Beast Lord, which meant I was in the Keep, in Curran’s rooms, and in his bed. Our bed. Which was four feet high. Right.
“Kate?”
“I’m fine.”
“Would you like me to install one of those child playground slides for you?”

 Andrea stared at me. "You're not taking me seriously!"
"That's probably because you're not excited enough," Derek said. "You should clench your fists like they do in the movies, shake them, and yell, 'This is bigger than any of us! It goes all the way to the top!”

 “Did he just rip out the engine?" I asked.
"Yes", Saiman said. "And now he is demolishing the Maserati with it."
Ten seconds later Curran hurled the twisted wreck of black and orange that used to be the Maserati into the wall.
The first melodic notes of an old song came from the computer. I glanced at Saiman.
He shrugged. "It begged for a soundtrack.”

We also learn that Kate's mother was a witch and learn about her power. And we learn the truth what really happened when Kate's mom ran away with Voron. I like to ignore that. It's not a happy picture.
As I said this is the first book not to have a direct threat from Roland. But at the end Kate receives flowers and a card from Hugh, Roland's warlord. In the note he calls Kate Highness, which I find interesting. Or maybe not too interesting, just that Hugh knows for sure who Kate is.

Rating: 5/5

 

Review: Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels #4) by Ilona Andrews
Publication Date: May 25, 2010
Publisher: ACE
Number of Pages: 349
Format: Paperback
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Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren't for the magic. When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose.Kate Daniels works for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, officially as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle-especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community.When she's called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar on the border between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers that there's a new player in town. One who's been around for thousands of years-and who rode to war at the side of Kate's father.This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Beast Lord, to handle. Because this time Kate will be taking on family.

The fourth book picks up on the night of the dinner date between Kate and Curran. Kate has pulled out all the stops and even puts makeup on. Only one problem, Curran is a no show. When Kate calls the Keep she is informed that he is too busy to talk to her and next time to go through the proper channels. Ouch. Naturally Kate is pissed, no beyond pissed. She's heartbroken.

But magic doesn't wait for Kate to nurse her broken heart, and it seems like someone is targeting shapeshifters...again. It doesn't take long for Kate to realize that her crazy aunt has come to town. And once coming face to face it didn't take long for her aunt to realize who Kate is, especially since Kate and her aunt looks exactly a like. Even though her aunt wanted to destroy her, their meeting before hand I actually enjoyed. Especially since it was kind of nice to see Kate have a somewhat civilized sit down with one family member, since I'm sure she won't get that with her father. Also her life was saved by an unusual shapeshifter. And who hired the shapeshifter comes at a complete shock, but once you think about it makes sense. Kind of hoping we will see her again sometime in the future. I'm curious about a reptile shapeshifter, plus she knew exactly where Jim's safe house was.

And then we have Curran. He refuses to let go of Kate, the night of the dinner was a misunderstanding. But once Kate gives in she realizes that he expects to give all or nothing. Which Kate simply can not do with working for the order. Curran threatens to walk away from it all, but is Kate strong enough to let him go?

Keeping in theme with the last review here's some amazing quotes:

"You don't return your phone calls." The vampire leaned forward, tapping my doodle with a scimitar claw. "Is that a lion with horns and a pitchfork?"
"Yep."
"Is he carrying the moon on his pitchfork?"
"No, it's a pie. What can I do for Atlanta's premier Master of the Dead?"

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Curran's face. Like looking into a glacier.
"Please relay my greetings to the Beast Lord," I said. "I appreciate his willingness to alter his extremely busy schedule and make an appearance."
Curran showed no emotion. No gloating, no anger, nothing at all. Jim looked at me, looked at Curran, looked back at me again.
"Kate says hi," he said finally.
"I'm ecstatic," Curran said.

"I pulled the plug? You stood me up, you arrogant asshole!"
"You ran away!" He moved toward me. "I deserve an explanation."
Slayer left its sheath almost on its own. It was the fastest draw of my life. One moment empty space lay between us and the next my saber jumped into my hand. "You deserve nothing."
Gold rolled over Curran's eyes, so briefly that had I blinked, I would've missed it. His face gained a slightly bored expression. "Do you honestly think your toothpick can hurt me?"
"Let's find out."
"Let's not." Jim stepped between us.
Curran looked at him. his voice rasped with the beginning of a snarl. "What are you doing?"
"My job."

For the love of God. "I didn't run away. I made you your damn dinner, but you didn't have the decency to show."
Jim's eyebrows crept up. "Dinner?"

"Hey!" Jim barked.
"What?" Curran and I said at almost the same time.
Jim looked at me. "Did you make him dinner?"
He'd find out sooner or later, "Yes."
Jim turned on his foot, went out of the room, and shut the door behind him.
Alrighty, then.
"He thinks we're mated." Curran moved forward, too light light on his feet for a man of his size, his gaze locked on me-a predator stalking its prey. "In the Pack, one doesn't stand between two mates. He's being polite. He doesn't realize you broke it off."

"I'll cal you," he repeated.
"If you call me, I won't pick up the phone."
"You will wait by the phone for my call, and when it rings, you will pick it up and you will speak to me in a civil manner. If you don't know how, ask someone."

"He's making a big deal about never expecting me to behave like a shapeshifter. So I did."
"Are you out of your mind?"
It's not polite to lie to your best friend.
"It's a possibility."

He almost ran me over. Coward. Let's have a partnership, Kate. I offer honestly, Kate. I don't have to outrun the Beast Lord I just pissed off, Kate. I only have to outrun you and hit you wiht my car as I ghttail it out of here.

"I miss you."
This wasn't happening.
"I worry about you." He dipped his head and looked into my eyes. "I worry something stupid will happen and I won't be there and you'll be gone. I worry we won't ever get a chance and it's driving me out of my skull."
No, no, no, no...
We stared at each other. The tiny space between us felt too hot. Muscles bulged on his naked frame. He looked feral.
Mad gold eyes stared into mine. "Do you miss me, Kate?"
I closed my eyes, trying to shut him out. I could lie and then we'd be back to square one. Nothing would be resolved. I'd still be alone, hating him and wanting him.
He grabbed by shoulders and shook me once. "Do you miss me?"
I took the plunge, "Yes."

"Look, you don't get to run my life. We slept together once-"
He held up seven fingers.
"Fine," I squeezed through my teeth. "We had sex seven times in a twenty-four hour period. Just because I'm your lover-"
"Mate."
Words died in my mouth. In shapshifter terms, mate meant monogramy, family, children-a union, civil physical, and spiritual. It meant marriage. Apparently he hadn't given up on that idea.
"Mate," I said finally, tasting the word. He winked at me. Dear God.
I gave him my hard stare. "You're a control freak and I fight all authority. And you want us to mate?"
A wicked spark lit his eyes. "Many, many times."
"What's wrong with you? did I hit you too hard on the head?"
"My mate lives with me," he said. "In the Keep."
"Have you had many mates before?"
He gave me a look reserved for the mentally challenged. "I had lovers."
"So this is a new rule you made up on the spot?"
"That's the perk of being the Beast Lord. You get to make up rules."

I could've picked somebody rational. But no, I had to fall in love with this arrogant idiot. Come to the Keep with me, be my princess. Mourn me when your crazy dad kills me. Yeah, right.

"Little squirrel!You taste like family."
Oh, shit.

Erra chuckled. "I figured out who you are. You're the lost child Im carries on about, when he gets his attacks of melancholy."
Melancholy, right. He mourns the fact he failed to kill me-how charming. "Im?"
"A childhood nickname of your father's. Do you know who I am?"
"The scourge of the ancient world. Plaguebringer. City Eater. My aunt."
 Roland's older sister.

She smiled. "You're too funny to be his. His children tend to take themselves absurdly seriously."

"I will kill him."
Erra's eyebrows rose. "You'd have to go through me first."
I shrugged. "I have to do something for a warm-up."
She laughed softly. "That's the spirit. I do think you might be my favorite niece."

He sighed. "Because certain people aren't altogether rational at the moment. If I came with you, I'd have to answer uncomfortable questions. I ask questions, I don't answer them."
"What kind of questions?"
"Why were you in a vehicle with Kate, alone? What were you wearing? What was she wearing? How long were you there? Did you do something or did you talk? What was the nature of your discussion? Could this trip have been avoided?"
I rubbed my face. "So basically you're scared that His Lordship might get his panties in a bunch?"

So they told him already. "Did you rip anyone to pieces?"
"Not yet, I'm thinking about it."

"We don't live in a safe world. I can't give you the white picket fence, and if I did, you'd set it on fire."
True. "Only if I ran out of kindling."
"Or needed some hardened wooden shards to drive into someone's eye."

"You stayed with me," Curran said.
"Always."

I especially love the last one since it mirrors the quote between them in the last book. Kate was raised to depend on only herself and not to care or let anyone else in. Four books in and we can see that had failed. She has many people in the pack she would die for, she's adopted a kid as her niece, and in this book a dog.

I haven't read a Kate Daniels book yet that I haven't loved. Yes there are times when I want to smack Kate and yell at her. But she has to be one of my favorite heroines ever.

Rating: 5/5

 

Review: The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

The Girl with the Iron Touch (Steampunk Chronicles #3) by Kady Cross
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Number of Pages: 384
Format: Hardback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What's left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons—or forfeit her friends' lives.

With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke's sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him...and for Griffin.

Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel's desolate alleyways to Mayfair's elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine.

To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist's ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she's to have any chance at triumphing, she must summon a strength even she doesn't know she has....

Not sure why it's taken me a few months to read this since I've been dying to get my hands on it. Maybe since it's been a while since I read the first two? Out of sight out of mind?

The book books picks up a few months after the second. There's something wrong with Griffin and he's hiding it from not only Finely but the whole gang. He's not sleeping, eating, or even really coming out of his room majority of the time. But he most pull it together when Emily is kidnapped. Finding her is important to everybody, especially Sam. Right before she was kidnapped Emily confessed her love to Sam. Before he could respond Jasper says he needs his help. He's determined to find Emily and tell her how he feels before it's too late.

What makes this series so unique is that it focuses on each person in the whole group instead of just Finely. Very rare in YA. While I do adore Emily, I just really couldn't get into the book. I found myself for the most part skimming over her parts, just wanting to get back to Finely and Griffin. I was glad to see that there was more Jack Dandy in this one than the previous. Watching Griffin get all jealous over him always made me smile. Which in this book the relationship between Griffin and Finely definitely heats up. There's just wasn't enough of them in this book, which is understandable. This book was more of about Emily and Sam. Which Sam and Finely were able to be more civil towards each other. And I am glad. I want the whole group to be close.

Like I said, I ended up skimming through a lot of the book. It just couldn't really hold my attention. I honestly can't tell you about them saving Emily. By the time I realized she was saved and the Machinist was dead again, I was already beyond that point. I hope future books are better, especially since I fell in love with the first two books.

Rating:3/5

 

Review: Moon Sworn by Keri Arthur

Moon Sworn (Riley Jensen Guardian #9) by Keri Arthur
Publication Date: May 25, 2010
Publisher: Dell
Number of Pages: 416
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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 Some nights never end.

Some desires never die. . . .

She ventures where no one else dares—into realms of peril and pleasure. But will this next journey be her last?

Shape-shifting werewolf and vampire Riley Jenson is through with death–causing it, solving it, surviving it. Her soul mate, Kye Murphy, is dead–and at Riley’s own hands. Not even the seductive embrace of her vampire lover, Quinn, can fully ease her mind, for she has begun questioning everything that makes her Riley–including her job at the Directorate.

Now, the ritualistically slain bodies of ex-cons have started turning up. Reluctantly, Riley takes the case, but something even worse is waiting in the wings. For a vicious enemy from her past is determined to strip Riley of everything that gives her life any meaning: her lover, her brother–and even her own identity. Can Riley survive this ultimate assault? All she knows is, she must fight one last time to find answers, before everything goes dark forever…

A little over a year later, and I'm finally finish with the series. My first reaction? Thank God! As I mention in previous reviews I have a complicated relationship with this series. I wasn't impressed with the first book, but I loved the second book. But the last half of this series? Disappointed. I should of stopped. Most of it I do have to say is for my dislike of Quinn, and Riley choosing to be with him.

Killing her soul mate has taken a toll on Riley, and her worst fear of becoming a cold murderer like her brother is coming true. She knows she needs to get out, but she doesn't have much options. It's either the Directorate or the military. But she can't shake the last thing Kye told her, that Blake wants revenge, and will come after her. Which is how she found herself kidnapped, and lost all her memories. Honesty? That was my favorite part of the book. And even kidnapped without her memories of who she is Riley finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. Like we've established trouble finds Riley. Of course the murder investigation she finds herself in has connections to the case she was working on when she was kidnapped. Really the murders weren't that relevant to the story. Even after reading it, I couldn't remember the details of who it it and why.

Like everyone one of the previous books this book didn't have enough of Rhoan or Liander. Kade's death and absently was very much noted. While kidnapped there was a wolf that insisted was her brother, but she knew he wasn't. Even when he came clean he still swore he was her brother. At first I thought it was Rhoan undercovered. A moment later I knew it wasn't, but I just knew that he was some kind of sibling to her. And what do you know, I was right. Riley founds out that her mother had married, and this was her step brother. On top of that her and Rhoan has half siblings. I was sure we would see closure with their previous pack and more with their mother. We did have closure but not what I wanted to see. Barely anything with their mother. What I disappointment. I feel like the end of this series was Riley coming to terms with who she is and her past.

I'm still upset she ended up with Quinn, and even that Kye was her soul mate. It really should of been Cole. Now that would of worked wonders. I think I mentioned it in the last review or not, but I get the message in this. There are times when a love is stronger than soul mates or even destiny, and dreams can change. But the author never gave it a fighting chance with Riley and her soul mate. Speaking of soul mates and family, not sure how I feel about Riley and Liander having kids. Yes it was said that the three of them would raise them, but it was never clear on who would be who. Would Riley be seen as their mom? Which I believe would be yes. But would both Liander and Rhoan been known as their dads? Or just Liander? I find the whole situation weird, but maybe in their werewolf culture not. But then again their pack would be unique, especially considering Riley married a vampire. Which is another thing. Quinn made it clear he wasn't interested in kids and didn't want to actively help raise them. How can you be with someone, no matter how much you love them, they didn't want the same things you do? Especially that wouldn't want to be actively interested in your own kids lives? I really did love the last line in the book, even though it was kind of weird. It gave the impression that Liander and Riley would be raising the kids. No mention of Rhoan. 

"Those," he said with a grin that lit up his entire face, "are our babies. Riley Jensen, you and I are having twins."

.  The series wasn't bad. Just not my thing. I still believe Quinn isn't the right person for Riley. And Riley getting out of the Directorate way too easily. I feel like there's loose strings left hanging. Like the drugs in her system. That I feel was a huge part of the series. And I feel cheated that we didn't see Rhoan finally settling down with Liander. I know there's a spin off series, and against my better judgement I've agree to at least read the first book, but I don't feel like these issues would be answered in there.

Rating: 3/5

Review: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Hysteria by Megan Miranda
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Publication date: February 14th, 2013
Number of pages: 352 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository | Bookworld Aus

Mallory's life is falling apart.

Her boyfriend was stabbed. He bled to death in her kitchen. Mallory was the one who stabbed him. But she can't remember what happened that night. She only remembers the fear...

When Mallory's parents send her away to a boarding school, she thinks she can escape the gossip and the threats. But someone, or something, has followed her. There's the hand that touches her shoulder when she's drifting off to sleep. A voice whispering her name. And everyone knows what happened. So when a pupil is found dead, Mallory's name is on their lips.

Her past can be forgotten but it's never gone. Can Mallory live with that?

This was my first book by Megan Miranda. I had heard about this for ages before I actually bought it. I was glad I did. While this may be a contemporary book, I fell into the world which Megan created. I loved the mystery to it. That's what draws me in when it comes to contemporary books. They need to have some sort of twist or mystery to the story to make it extra compelling..

Mallory's life couldn't get any worse. Her boyfriend was killed in her kitchen and she was a witness. The thing is.... she can't remember the events of it, or what happened at that moment. She doesn't know if she was the one who killed him or whether it was someone else and she just happened to be there at the time.
Soon after the funeral, Mallory's parents send her away to boarding school to get away from it all, to give her a new start. But things aren't as easy as that.
Just when she thinks she might be able to be happy --- someone ends up dead and the evidence points to one person. Her.

Mallory feels like there is someone watching her. Something has followed her to her new life and can't stand of her moving on.
Who is it, and what do they want?
She knows she needs to put this whole mess behind her. But when her past keeps being brought into the present, it's hard to go forward.

This was a pretty impressive book. There was plenty of action, mystery and some romance.  I loved the flashbacks we got to understand how everything came to be.
There was twists and turns. Unexpected things happen, and people turn out to be not who you thought they were.

All in all, an action-packed story that I was glad I decided to pick up. I wouldn't mind reading other things by this author in the future. A great read indeed.

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Alice in Zombieland  (White Rabbit Chronicles, #1) by Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia
Publication date: October 1st, 2012
Number of pages: 404 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository | Bookworld AU

She won't rest until she's sent every walking corpse back to its grave.

Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that's all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real.

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn't careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies.

Oh boy! Man, this was pure awesome. I have a big fan of Gena's work. I've read some of her YA (Intertwined) and I go crazy over her PNR series (LotU) so naturally this was a MUST READ for me.
I love re-tellings of fairytales and the sort, and the thought of zombies in a story like this, with a twist intrigued me even more so.
I could smack myself for waiting this long to read it though. I had so much to read and it kind of fell to the backburner, but I am so glad I did give this a chance as it was so awesome. I should not have expected anything less from a fabulous author such as Gena!

Gena gives us  such an amazing story. It's not what you would expect, nor are used to, but Gena brings a whole new aspect to this world and it's such an interesting one that I would not have wanted anything but.
We meet Alice fairly quickly who is the daughter to two loving parents and a sister to a younger sibling. Then, one things changes everything. A horrible crash completely throws her whole world upside down. Her life. Gone. Her family. Gone.  As a survivor to a horrible tragedy, she can't get the image of how her family was taken from her... but this is a secret she can't bare to tell anyone for fear she may appear to be crazy.

Soon Alice (going by "Ali") has to move in with her grandparents and attend a new school. As if that isn't daunting enough. The moment she sees bad boy Cole Holland, she is drawn in by him. A first look and she is smacked with images, exotic and intense images of the two of them making out. WHAT THE? You must be thinking. It is kind of strange, I thought so too.  The relationship between Ali and Cole was so intense, so soulful, exciting and aching to see more.
Gena sure knows how to write romances, and this one is no exception. She brings out everything and more.. especially when things begin to get complicated...

I really adored the characters. Ali, our protagonist I felt for quite deeply. How could you not? After witnessing the murders of her family, having been uprooted and starting a new life someplace else --- it couldn't have been an easy adjustment for a teenager. Her experiences. Her emotions and everything that came after was so real. It's easily relatable especially if you have lost someone close to you. Becoming an orphan is not something she anticipated and that is something Ali needs to deal with and find some way to cope.

Cole easily became a favourite character of mine by the end of the book. Initially he may appear to be your average bad boy, but he was so much more than that. As you begin to get to know him, you see him for who he is, what he has been through and the world he has opened up to Ali.

Of course given the title of the book, it was a given that this take on this world would include zombies. That might have been a little odd to think about at first, but Gena works it into this story as easy as pie. They aren't your average zombies. They are different, but yet have that similar feel about them.
I was very intrigued and this version of zombies enticed me throughout the story. I will never look at them the same way again.

If you are a fan of Genas, or never heard of her before. If you want something different and are intrigued by this story, then I would recommend giving this a shot. You will not be disappointed.
I look forward to the upcoming sequel. I can't wait to find myself back in this world once again.

Review: 5/5

Follow Friday #20: PhotoBOMB!

It's time once again for the Feature and Follow Blog Hop hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read The Feature and Follow Blog Hop is an excellent chance to connect with other bloggers and answering questions about our favorite books. Here's this week's question:

ACTIVITY: PHOTOBOMB!!!! Photobomb a picture with your favorite book. Share it of course.

 

 

Everyone and their mother should read this series.  Shadowfever happens to be book 5 in the FEVER series by Karen Marie Moning.
It's adult. Urban Fantasy. It's sexy. Mysterious. Full of mythology with characters that will amaze, frustrate and you will love. 

 

Review: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels #3) by Ilona Andrews
Publication Date: March 31, 2009
Publisher: ACE
Number of Pages: 310
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble 
Add to Goodreads

Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.

But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games—an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament—she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community…

The third  installment takes place a month or so after the second one ended. Atlanta is still recovering from the magic flare and Kate isn't any shortage of work. But where there is Kate trouble can't be too far behind. It all started with her once sidekick werewolf friend Derek attempting to break and enter into Saiman's penthouse to steal tickets to the Midnight Games, an illegal fight to the death tournament. Kate ends up attending with Saiman, and decides she doesn't want anything to do with the Games. But when Derek is discovered beaten to death by member's of one of the teams, things turn personal. Not to mention they are out to destroyed the Pack. The kicker? Curran has forbidden participation in the games and the group of them most hid from the Beast Lord. Nor does it help that Kate realize that Roland is behind it, and the consequences for her could be deadly.

This may be my favorite book in the series. There are tons of interactions between Curran and Kate, not to mention Curran kicks up chasing Kate a notch. We see more of Andrea and even Raphael and I adore them both. Who Kate really is has been hinted at in the past two books, but this book it's confirms who her biological father is. By a few numbers and years mentioned we also find out that the present year is 2030. Kind of makes you feel like a pervert for crushing on Curran.

I can't help but include most of my favorite quotes/scenes:

In a breath he halted by my side. "I lied. I need your help."
"Who are we killing?"

Because she was my best friend, and sticking knives into your best friend's windpipe was generally considered to be a social faux pas.

"His Majesty needs a can-I girl anyway. And I'm not it."
"A can-I girl?" Andrea frowned.
I leaned back. " 'Can I fetch you your food, Your Majesty? Can I tell you how strong and mighty you are, Your Majesty? Can I pick out your fleas, Your Majesty? Can I kiss your ass, Your Majesty? Can I..."
It dawned on me that Raphael was sitting every still. Frozen, like a statue, his gaze fixed on the point above my head.
"He's standing behind me, isn't he?"
Andrea nodded slowly.
"Technically it should be 'may I,' " Curran said, his voice deeper than I remembered. "Since you're asking permission."

"I see. Is Jim with you now?"
"Yes, he is. We're having rough sex. You're interrupting."

He groaned and I saw his face. "Curran!" I would've preferred a homicidal lunatic. Oh, wait...

"I thought you were some sort of maniac!" I growled.
"I am."
"What are you doing here?"
"Looking for Jim in your bed."
"He isn't here."
"I see that."

"You kept a key to my apartment. You bastard. How often do you come here?"
"Once in a while."
"Why?"
"To check on you. Saves me the trouble of sitting by the phone waiting for your 'come and rescue me' calls."
"You don't have to be troubled: there won't be any more calls. I'd rather die than call you."
"That's what worries me," he said.

"Since when do you give a crap about my welfare anyway? I think you're confused as to the nature of our relationship. You and I, we don't get along. You're a psychopathic control freak. You order me around and I want to kill you. I'm a pigheaded insubordinate ass. I drive you mad and you want to strangle me."
"Once! I did it once!"
"Once was plenty. The point is, we don't play nice."

"You sure you don't want me to stay? I'll make you coffee and ask you about your day."
"Out. Now."

Andrea waved her arms. "Of course I'll do it. I meant shoot-somebody type of help."
"Oh. Not at the moment. But I'll call you if I need a bullet through somebody's head."
"You do that. Try not to get killed."
"Will do."

"I wanted to kiss you when we were in your house. In Savannah."
Why the hell was my heart pounding? "And?"
"You looked afraid. That wasn't the reaction I was hoping for."
Be calm and reasonable. "You flatter yourself. You're not that scary."
"After I kissed you this morning, you were afraid again. Right after you looked like you were about to melt."
Melt?
"You're scared there might be something there, between you and me." 

"Go play your games with Jim. I'll find you both when I need you."
Arrogant asshole. "I tell you what, if you find us before those three days run out, I'll cook you a damn dinner and serve it to you naked."

We have to get the Diamond. And Cesare's head."
They looked at me.
"Why the head?" Doolittle asked.
"Because it's easy to carry and I can torture it for a long time." And I didn't just say it out loud, did I? I checked their faces. Yep, I did.

Also, when he opened the door to leave, Curran told him very casually that if Jim wanted to pick fights with his future mate, he was welcome to do so, but he should keep in mind that Curran wouldn't come and rescue him when you beat his ass. You should've seen Jim's face."
"His what?"
"His mate. M-A-T-E."
I cursed.

As he passed me, he leaned to Curran and handed him a paper fan folded from some sort of flyer.
Curran looked at the fan. "What?"
"An emergency precaution, Your Majesty. In case the lady faints."
Curran just stared at him. Raphael strode toward the Pit, turned, flexed a bit, and winked at me.
"Give me that," I told Curran. "I need to fan myself."
"No, you don't."

"Kiss me and I'll kill you," I warned.
"It might be worth it," he said softly.

He came for me. Into a flying palace full of thousands of armed rakshasas in the middle of a magic jungle. Oh, you stupid, stupid idiot man. What was the God damn point of saving him only to watch him throw his life away?

"Stay with me, baby."
"I will."

"You came for me," I whispered.
"Always," he told me.

"Just staying sharp. Keeping you safe keeps me in shape."

Doolittle  sighed. "Shall I tell you the usual? Where you are, how you are, and in what manner you have gotten here?"
I looked at Doolittle. "Doc, we've got to stop meeting like this."
A sour grimace wrinkled his face. "You're preaching to the choir."

I know that's a lot, but well this book is amazing. And that' only half of my favorite quotes. The ending makes you want to go out and buy the next book to read ASAP. If you're just starting the series and on the fence about the series, hold out till this book. I promise you it will make you fall right in love. This book is AMAZING, and will you begging for more.

Rating: 5/5

 

Teaser Tuesday 25

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Want to play along?

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Share the title and author

I know it's been forever since I've done one of these. I kept remembering too late. Since it's been over a month I'm going to do two teasers.  Both from Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews since I'm doing a re read. Both are from Magic Strikes which I just finished.

"I've never seen such a collection of idiots in my whole life." Doolittle shook his head. "If you participate in this lunacy, y'all will get yourselves killed. Then don't come crying to me."
Now that would be a neat trick.

 And this one has to be my favorite quote in the whole series.

"You came for me," I whispered.
 "Always," he told me.

Review: Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication Date: April 4, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Number of Pages: 343
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

 From the last book I pretty much stopped shipping Alex and Seth. I recognized that her heart will always belong to Aiden, BUT I just can't like him. Even so I had high hopes for this book. But if left me feeling disappointed. It took me almost a week to read this book. I just couldn't get into it, and I would go days without even reading or even remember I was reading it. Even though I'm Team Seth, while Alex was under the influence of the bond, I hated how she referred to him as "my Seth". It made it sound like he owned her. Which that is another thing that bugged me, the bond. Earlier books made it seem like the bond was this powerful thing and almost impossible to break. But Alex remembering her love for Aiden broke it no problem. I guess the message was that their love is more powerful than the bond? I was hoping we would get to see Alex and Seth together before she broke the bond.

Speaking of Seth, we barely saw him in the book. We saw conversations between him and Alex through their connection, and there was a scene where he was able to pull her into his subconscious. I'm still holding on to some hope that he can be redeemed. Like Alex has realized he just wants to be accepted and loved and he's drunk on power. Another question arosed in this book about Seth. Alex and every other Apollyon eye's turned amber once they awakened, but Seth was born with amber eyes, the eyes of the Apollyon. Why?

The first half of the book was very slow, but if you love Aiden/Alex then you will probably love it. It was too much for me. I guess not enough action. I ended up skimming through a lot of it. I was ready to give up on the book, but the second half really picked up the pace and had me interested again. Alex travels back to the Underworld to seek out Solaris. There she finds out the secret to stopping Seth. But if seems impossible, she must transfer his power to herself and become the God Killer instead of Seth.

 We finally find out what god is responsible for Seth and behind the destruction. Honestly I wanted to slap Alex for not realizing it sooner.  I swear these books needs to have more of the gods in them, especially Apollo. I loved at the end when Apollo tells Alex a story behind one of his sons and tell hers the moral of the story is he always finds a way to take care of his own. I swear if Alex wasn't a descendant from him I would so ship Alex and Apollo.

Overall this book was blah to me. Not sure why I didn't noticed it till now but there are tons and tons of pop culture references in this series. Which I do find neat and usually enjoy. But what about ten years down the road? It's not going to appeal to those who pick the book up then. I did enjoy one that I'm pretty sure is a reference to the author's LUX series (which is on my tbr list and dying to start). I'm glad there's only one more book in the series. With how this book turned out, I'm not sure I could take much more. I'm curious how things will be wrapped up.

Rating: 2.5/5

 

Review: Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

Magic Burns (Kate Daniels #2) by Ilona Andrews
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
Publisher: ACE
Number of Pages: 260
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

Down in Atlanta, tempers – and temperatures – are about to flare…

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…

Kate has managed to stay away from Curran since the ending of the last book and she likes to keep it that way. But fate is a bitch, and she can't keep her distance from him for long. When the Pack's treasured maps are stolen, Kate sets out to find them. Only one slight problem, the thief has the ability to disappeared in thin air.  Or it doesn't help that Kate has retrieved them twice and the thief "pops" back in and takes them all over again.

While investigating, Kate runs into a street kid she met in the last book, Red. With Red is a 13 year old girl, Julie, who Red asks Kate to protect. Her mom was in a witch coven and they all have disappeared. Keeping Julie safe is proving harder than it should be with undead creatures coming after her.

I can't talk about a Kate Daniels book without talking about Kate and Curran. And one of the reasons I love them so much is it wasn't love at first sight, mushy or anything like that. Kate didn't even like him at first, and it doesn't change much in this book. Except that we do get hints of Curran's interest in her. After saving Kate and Julie, Curran takes them back to one of the Pack's offices. Curran feeds Kate some soup, and later it is hinted that it means something significant in the shapeshifter community. Plus he starts call Kate baby, which drives her up the wall, and tells her that she will sleep with him eventually. Not to mention the last scene in the book is just amazing.

And we get some light shed on the mystery surrounding Kate. In this book there are very strong hints at who she really is, and just how powerful she is. It leaves you enough to come up for a theory but wanting to know more.

Rating: 5/5

 

Review: Angel by L.A Weatherly

Angel (Angel, #1) by L.A Weatherly
Publisher: Usborne Publishing
Publication date: October 1st, 2010
Number of page: 512 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Angels are all around us: beautiful, awe-inspiring, irresistible.

Ordinary mortals yearn to catch a glimpse of one of these stunning beings and thousands flock to The Church of Angels to feel their healing touch.
But what if their potent magnetism isn't what it seems?
Willow knows she's different from other girls. And not just because she loves tinkering around with cars.
Willow has a gift. She can look into people's futures, know their dreams, their hopes and their regrets, just by touching them. But she has no idea where she gets this power from.

Until she meets Alex…
Alex is one of the few who know the truth about angels. He knows Willow's secret and is on a mission to stop her.
The dark forces within Willow make her dangerous – and irresistible.
In spite of himself, Alex finds he is falling in love with his sworn enemy.

I know there are Angel books everywhere, but this series brings a whole new world to what you think you have read it all before.
In L.A Weatherly's "Angel" series, you'll be sucked into a world of mythology you won't be able to resist.
Not only does it have some crazy mythology to the Angel genre that you have not seen yet, but it has one of the most beautiful love stories I have seen in this genre yet.

It may be a case of forbidden love, but that is only the beginning....

This book follows two protagonists... Willow, and Alex.

Willow has always been known as a bit of a freak. Someone who doesn't dress like anyone else, tinkers with cars... and has the ability to be able to see into the future. It's an ability she doesn't use very often, doesn't know where it came from,but it is also a part of her she can't ignore and sometimes helps at times.


Alex is an Angel killer who has been sent to kill a potential threat, via text message. Alex is involved in a group sent to destroy those who destroy humans by taking their life-force.  It's a no questions asked kind of thing, and not something he has second guessed about ... until now.
When Alex gets sent to an address to take out someone he is told is an angel, he is shocked to discover the form of a beautiful teenager.  This is where he stops and questions himself... he doesn't pick up a full angel, but he knows that she isn't fully human either.  He is in two minds about this decision and is unsure on how to proceed. So instead, he decides to gather more information before making a final decision on what to do.

When Willow and Alex have to become strange partners when they find themselves on the run after a big incident after Willow tries to find something good and rescue someone from what appears to be a bad situation, but when the Angels discover who Willow is, that is when she knows she has to get out, and get out fast before she ends up.. dead.
She has no choice but to trust Alex, and it's something neither of them want, but can't seem to do anything about it.

The relationship between Alex and Willow slowly go from two people forced to be in one another's company, to becoming friends, and then finally.. to something more. While some people might have found their relationship forced, or happened too quickly, and cheesy --- but I found it the exact opposite. 

The mythology blew me away. It introduces a world where Angels are not the good kind. They use humankind for their own purposes, and they don't care how they do it. I like when this genre is not your typical and makes it interesting in its own right.

L.A Weatherly did a great job with the story, and one of my favourite books in this Angel genre.

Rating: 5/5

Review: The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test, #3) by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test, #3) by Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia
Publication date: March 1st, 2013
Number of pages: 283 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository | Bookworld Australia

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her — until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity…

It was so sad to see the end to this series. I admit, I've never expected to adore this series as much as I have. I was very unsure about the first book, but by the end of it, I was won over.  While it did a little time in making my brain click on who was who in terms of the Gods and matching them with the characters, but by the second book, I was pretty up to date on that kind of thing.

Kate has had the most agonising, confusing and life-changing journey than any character I have ever read in a while. She is someone whose life has changed dramatically without her having any say in it. But it's also one she wouldn't change for a minute.
The connection she has formed with this new group of people she has come to love as her own family, she couldn't have anticipated before. But they are not connections she would have wished would disappear.

While Kate and Henry are clearly who the story is about, but characters such as James, Ava, Calliope etc are all people who play a major part in this story and you could not have wanted it any other way.
All of these lives are equally important; not only to Kate and her life, but also to the story at hand. Each play an important part, and have their own story.

This is the final conclusion to this trilogy, and we find Kate, having discovered she is pregnant with Henry's child, in captivity with Cronus and Calliope. Kate soon discovers just why they want her child, and what they plan on doing, not only to her and the child, but also the world. Kate will have to make a life-changing choice that will affect her in ways she could never have imagined. Having someone to choose between your child and the whole of humanity.  When Cronus suddenly offers Kate a deal, she has no choice but to accept his terms, even though she doesn't have much choice in the matter....

Meanwhile, Henry and the gang soon hatch a plan, but will they get to Kate in time, or will time run out before they can save the day and everyone can get what they want?  Will good win over evil, or will hell raise over humanity?

This was one hell of a end, and I loved every moment of it. While I loved this entire series, this may be the book that had the most action, the most dramatic and emotional impact.  Over all, a great ending to this series.

Rating: 4.5/5

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