Review: Biting Bad by Chloe Neill

Biting Bad (Chicagoland Vampires #8) by Chloe Neill
Publication Date: August 6, 2013
Publisher: NAL Penguin
Number of Pages: 350
Format: Paperback
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Merit has been a vampire for only a short while, but she’s already seen a lifetime’s worth of trouble. She and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, have risked their lives time and again to save the city they love. But not all of Chicago is loving them back.

Anti-vampire riots are erupting all over town, striking vampires where it hurts the most. A splinter group armed with Molotov cocktails and deep-seated hate is intent on clearing the fanged from the Windy City come hell or high water.

Merit and her allies rush to figure out who’s behind the attacks, who will be targeted next, and whether there’s any way to stop the wanton destruction. The battle for Chicago is just beginning, and Merit is running out of time.

Considering it's been about a month since I've read this, this review will be rather short.

It might of took eight books, but Merit and Ethan have finally some drama free relationship time. It was rather nice to see nothing interfering with their relationship for once.  They even go to Merit's parent's house for a family dinner. Which was probably one of my favorite scenes in the books.

But Chicago's vampire scene has never been quiet since Merit has joined its ranked. There's an anti-vampire group striking out and rioting hitting vampire houses and their safe locations. I had a good feeling who was behind it but not why, since some of the attacks didn't really destroy anything.

We do see Merit and Mallory getting somewhat back on track. And even a tiny bit of the shapeshifters, which is never enough. There was a mention back to the vision of that child that we assumed is somehow Ethan and Merit. And even foreshadowing that there could and may be a way for Merit to turned back human. Which honestly I think at this point she wouldn't. And I couldn't see Ethan turning back to a human.

This was probably one of my favorite books in the series. We got a little bit of everything. Including a jaw dropping cliff hanger, that no doubts sets up the next book. You can tell the series is winding down, and although it makes me sad I can't wait to see how it all ends.

Rating: 4/5

Review: On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

On the Edge (The Edge #1) by Ilona Andrews
Publication Date: September 29, 2009
Publisher: Ace
Number of Pages: 309
Format: Paperback
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Rose Drayton lives on the Edge, between the world of the Broken (where people drive cars, shop at Wal-Mart, and magic is a fairy tale) and the Weird (where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny). Only Edgers like Rose can easily travel from one world to the next, but they never truly belong in either.

Rose thought if she practiced her magic, she could build a better life for herself. But things didn’t turn out how she planned, and now she works a minimum wage, off the books job in the Broken just to survive. Then Declan Camarine, a blueblood noble straight out of the deepest part of the Weird, comes into her life, determined to have her (and her power).

But when a terrible danger invades the Edge from the Weird, a flood of creatures hungry for magic, Declan and Rose must work together to destroy them—or they’ll devour the Edge and everyone in it.

I'm not sure why it has taken me this long to read this series. I've been thinking about it ever since I discovered Kate Daniels. I had even brought the first book a few months ago and hadn't gotten around to it. And once again I wanted to hit myself for not reading this sooner.

Ilona Andrews is a literary genius. I'm convinced now that they can write nothing to disappoint me. However I think I do enjoy Kate Daniels more this book stands on its own. I knew only a few pages in I was hooked when I came across this line:

 “Yes, I'm too mad to punish you right now. We'll talk about it when we get home. Go brush your teeth, comb your hair, put on dry clothes, and get the guns. We're going to Wal-Mart.”

Although we learn afterwards the guns has nothing to do with actually going to Wal-Mart, but the statement makes you think that. And along with thousands of others sometimes I wished I had a gun in Wal-Mart. *sigh*

We potentially have two love interest for Rose, who I loved from the beginning. It's almost hard to hate a kick ass heroine, especially one with two younger brothers who she is responsible for. Initially I wanted Rose to give William a chance. I didn't particularly care for Declan, although I grew to love him as did Rose. I really did love the ending, and I couldn't help but smile/giggle about it for days.

From looking at the descriptions of the other books, I find it interesting that each book features different main characters like the paranormal romance series, yet there's no doubt that this is urban fantasy. At first I wasn't sure I would like that, but after reading this book and seeing that it focus more on the plot rather than romance I'm positive I'm going to love it. I can't wait till I can go buy the rest of the series and continue.

Rating: 5/5

 

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: 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
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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: 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
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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: 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
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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: Magic Bites by Illona Andrews

Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1) by Ilona Andrews
Publication Date: April 1, 2007
Publisher: Ace
Number of Pages: 260
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

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, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta's magic circles.The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings-and the death of Kate's guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she's way out of her league-but she wouldn't have it any other way.

Doing re reads before a next release book is always fun. You pick up things you didn't noticed before. Enter Atlanta in a post Shift world. Magic comes in unpredictable waves and knocks out all technology.  Meet Kate Daniels, mercenary who can barely scrape by. When Greg,the Order's knight-diveiner and Kate's guardian and only family she has left is killed in the middle of a job Kate is out for justice and blood.

It's unsure in what time the novel is set in, but it seems to be a time in the near future. Kate is definitely kick ass and doesn't take any shit. You can tell immediately she's hiding a deep secret, with her talk about hiding who she is and burning any of her spilled blood. Not to mention that later in the book there's talk about power and magic running through her blood, and hinting she knows a lot more Roland, the mysterious leader of the People, and who he really is. Even though this is a re read, I'm intrigued by these mysteries and then I remember I know the truths. With knowing the truth's it's a lot easier to pick up on the hints and foreshadow of who Kate is.

And of course investigating a very high profile murder warrants the attention of the Beast Lord, ruler of the shapeshifters in Atlanta area. At first Curran and Kate don't get along, they push each other buttons. Well it's not much better towards the end of the book either. But you can't help but smile at them. He even saves her life.

If you haven't read this series yet, you should. It's one of those that will become an instant favorite in one book. Urban fantasy at it's finest.

Rating: 5/5

 

Review: Bound to Shadows by Keri Arthur

Bound to Shadows (Riley Jensen Guardian #8) by Keri Arthur
Publication Date: October 27, 2009
Publisher: Dell
Number of Pages: 346
Format: Paperback
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Part vampire, part werewolf, Riley Jenson knows what can happen when vamps don’t play well with others. But she’s never seen anything like this: a series of brutal murders surrounding the latest hot spot for vampire-human hookups—and the victims aren’t just killed, they’re beheaded. Now Riley is launching into action, toying with a seductive—and highly suspicious—club owner, and finding herself in the middle of another mystery: women being killed one by one, without a trace of violence.

For Riley, solving multiple cases—in a world going mad with human and vampire passions—would have been tough enough. Instead she has two jealous lovers on her hands: Kye Murphy, the amber-eyed werewolf who makes Riley’s wolf blood howl—and Quinn, the cool, elegant vamp who has over a thousand years’ experience at fulfilling women’s desires. While she’s busy juggling these two sexy beasts, Riley’s detective work takes a stunningly violent turn. Finding a murderer is now a matter of life and death. Especially since the killer has long since found her . . .

As far as Riley is concern she could care less if she sees Kye Murphy ever again, even if he's her soul mate. And Kye feels the same way. Yet while she's investigating her new case Kye shows up again. And not only does he show up, but apparently he has had a small change of heart and can't stay away from Riley.

You start to feel bad for the girl. Seems like she can't catch a break from the gruesome cases. But having issues in her love life, she throws herself into work. Not to mention that Rhoan and his soul mate Liander has decided they want a child and form their own pack, and they want to use one of Riley's eggs so it'll be her child too. I don't know why she hesitated to give them an answer. All along all she says she wants is to find her soul mate and to have children. Yet she chooses to stay with Quinn, who will never be her soul mate and can't even understand the werewolf culture nor does he approve it; which I do have to say he has gotten better over time of trying to be understanding, and not only can he not give Riley children he wouldn't want children. Yes Riley might love him, but sometimes love isn't enough.

And as with previous books the small amount of Quinn in the one was way to much for me. And we barely got to see Kade, Rhoan, and Liander. The series would be so much better off seeing more of them, especially since this series started because Rhoan was missing.

The ending was surprising, I had suspected it along with Riley, but I was hopping it wasn't true. I had really liked Kye. Even though he did have Rhoan shot and threatened to kill everyone Riley cares about, I was really hoping for a turnaround. But he was never given a fighting chance from day one. And that pisses me off. Granted he turned out to be crazy at the end and was even I couldn't forgive him for his sins. There's two surprising deaths at the end. Ok maybe just one surprising death. The other one was kind of given. But the one that shocked me the most made me so mad! There's a part of me that is still extremely pissed off and even considered not even reading the last and final book.  

Rating: 3/5

Teaser Tuesday 22

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

Even though I was pretty disappointed with Chosen at Nightfall by C.C. Hunter, the book had some humorous lines that we have grown to love with her books. Here's one of my favorites.

"Does anyone listen to me around here?" Burnett asked, his frustration making his tone sound almost comical. "Obviously not," one of the FRU agents said, and chuckled. 

Review: Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead

Shadow Heir (Dark Swan #4) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Zebra
Number of Pages:390
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld. . .

The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't—or won't—reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon—and risk the ultimate sacrifice. . .

  The conclusion to Mead's Dark Swan book picks up a few months after the last one left off. Eugenie is pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl. And she has decided to have the babies, prophecy be damned. But there are those who will do anything to kill her unborn children even if that means killing Eugenie. Including Kiyo, ex lover and the father of her children. Which means she has has to avoid her home in Arizona, spending majority of her time in the Otherworld. Only going back to the human world for doctor appointments in Ohio. But when her secret hid out has been discover, Eugenie faces a difficult decision; she must leave everyone she knows and love behind and go in hiding.

The first half of the book is kind of uneventful. But once she has the twins, Roland comes to see her. There has been a winter blight to fall over majority of the kingdoms in the Otherworld. It doesn't take long for them to figure out that the Yew Land is behind it. Eugenie makes the difficult choice in leaving her babies behind, and with a team head to the Yew Land to save the other kingdoms, including Kiyo.

I loved that we found out Volusian's backstory. I hated that he ended up being banished. Yes he wanted to kill Eugenie, and was sick and twisted, but he was also very amusing. I loved the fact that the love triangle was non existence in this book.

And of course this wouldn't be a Mead book without some twists and turns. At the end Kiyo reveals a very surprising twist that made me very happy. But I wished Eugenie would of told Dorian. And the Storm King's heir turns out to be someone we weren't expecting. Which looking back it made sense. And at the beginning of the book there were hints. But this doesn't mean the twins are out of danger.

The only thing I hated about this book was that it didn't feel like an end to a series.  Things were left very open ended. It feels like there should be another book, which Mead has said she would love to do but doesn't have plans for the immediate future. I hope she doesn't wait too long.

Rating: 4/5

 

Review: Chosen at Nightfall by C.C. Hunter

Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5) by C.C. Hunter
Publication Date: April 23, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Number of Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
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Kylie Galen's life hasn't been the same since her world was turned upside-down in Born at Midnight, Shadow Falls #1, and now an epic conclusion to her journey—not to mention a tough choice between two guys!—is brewing in Chosen at Nightfall:

When Kylie Galen left Shadow Falls, she thought it was the hardest decision of her life. Heartbroken and separated from everyone she loves, she has to embrace her abilities and what it means to be a chameleon. But as Kylie's journey comes to a close, she must return to the camp that started it all...and she must finally chose between the two boys who love her. The werewolf who broke her heart when he chose his pack over her, and the half-fae who ran from their intense attraction before they ever really had a chance. For Kylie, everything will finally be revealed and nothing will ever be the same.

 The final installment in the Shadow Falls series picks up about two weeks after the last book. Kylie has left Shadow Falls and gone to the chameleon compound with her grandfather and great aunt. But it's not what she thought it would be.The chameleon are in constant fear that they will be discovered, and they keep the teens isolated from the world. No phone, internet or anything. Only when they mature, which means they are able to change their pattern at will, are they allow out in the world. Kylie has never felt more alone then she does hidden away. Her grandfather does allow her limited phone access. And of course like every book, this one starts off with a new ghost. This one insists that Kylie needs to kill him or she will be killed. It took her most of the book to figure out who is the he. Which the whole time I just wanted to slap her. I knew from the beginning who the ghost was referring to.

It doesn't take Burnett to find where their hidden lair is located. Mario has been spotted in town and a fellow camper has been attacked, and Burnett is pretty sure Mario was behind it. As Burnett points out he found the compound, it's only a matter of time before Mario finds her. And back to Shadow Falls Kylie goes.

You have to feel sorry for Kylie. A psychopath is after her, she has a ghost that claims that it's a big possibility she will be killed, issues with parents and even grandparents, plus she still has boy trouble. This book kind of annoyed me, or at least I found Della annoying. I'm not even sure why. I feel like the book lacked Miranda. She just wasn't in it as much as Della. I love both girls, but I find Miranda a lot more interesting. Burnett and Holiday were amazing as always. Now a spin off series or even a short story with them would be fantastic. There's even a little twist in the story concerning these two, a very happy ending.

Kylie finally gets to meet her father's adoptive grandparents, and her mom is not too happy. Speaking of her mom, we learn who exactly is her boyfriend. I knew from the first moment that he was evil and after Kylie.

I'm sure you heard of saving the best for last? Well in this case I'm saving the worst for last. I loved the last book because it seemed that Kylie would end up picking Derek. This whole book to me felt like a cop out where Lucas was concerned. Even though he had pledged his soul to another girl and promise to marry her, he has to sign a contract afterwards to make it official. And guess who didn't do it?! What the hell was the point in having Kylie witness all of that?! I'm sorry not signing some paper doesn't and shouldn't change the fact that you pledge YOUR SOUL to another girl. Oh he gave up everything for Kylie? This is coming a little too late. The whole series he has put his pack before Kylie, and then in the last book he just gives up everything for her? Not buying it. Not to mention they kept bringing up when Derek slept with his ex and "cheated" on Kylie. Umm excuse me, Kylie and Derek were NOT together. And Kylie even said they weren't together when it happened so it wasn't cheating. And now all of a sudden in this book it's changed to cheating on her?! Really?! It was like Hunter twisted everything so it would be ok for her to end with Lucas. Honestly I lost respect.

Ok rant over. Besides a huge amount of Lucas in the book, the book was really good. Just what you come to expect from a book in the series. And everyone gets their "happy ending". Which I don't agree with the choices. Well everyone but Della who is being stubborn. But I guess the ending sets up nicely for the spin off about Della. Which honestly I won't be reading.

In all I couldn't get past Kylie's choices and how details gets twisted around. I'm really disappointed in the book and feels like everything was a cop out.

Rating: 2.5/5

 

Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead

Iron Crowned (Dark Swan #3) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Publisher: Zebra
Number of Pages: 375
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land's queen, she's fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear...

Who Eugenie can trust is the hardest part. Fairy king Dorian has his own agenda for aiding her search. And Kiyo, her shape-shifter ex-boyfriend, has every reason to betray her along the way. To control the Crown's ever-consuming powers, Eugenie will have to confront an unimaginable temptation - one that will put her soul and the fate of two worlds in mortal peril...

Iron Crowned picks up where Thorn Queen left off. Eugenie and Dorian are not only back together as a couple, but are united in a war against Rowan Land and Queen Katrice. Desperate to end the war in a peaceful way, Eugenie hears stories of the legendary Iron Crown. A crown hidden somewhere and one must venture through mines of iron along with other obstacles to obtain it, not to mention the crown itself is made of iron. Dorian claims the crown has no real power, that it's just a symbol of the trails one goes through to get it. And that enough would make Katrice end the war. Not initially wanting to go after it, Dorian pushes her towards it. He even convinces her to take Kiyo with her, who even though isn't involved wants to see the war ended peacefully.

Getting the crown wasn't easy, but she realizes that Dorian had lied to her about the crown. Unable to trust his motivations anymore she breaks things off with him. And this is the one thing I hate about this series. The back and forth between Dorian and Kiyo. Not to mention she jumps right into bed with Kiyo after the breakup.

I really loved the fact that Jasmine has turned over a new leaf, or maybe not so. But the two have become closer and towards the end of the book Eugenie feels she can trust her enough to take off her cuffs and even takes her back to her house in the human world.

If you've read any other Mead's series you should noticed that the third book in the series is a heart breaker.  Not only does Eugenie find a way to end the war without anymore bloodshed, which is a big shock. At first reaction the twist at the end will make you gasp. But at the same time it's kind of foreseen, especially with earlier events in the book. Now fearing for her life from one man in her life she must seek protection from the other man. She's not entirely sure she can fully trust either one.

Rating: 4/5

 

Teaser Tuesday 21

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

Just finished re reading Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead. One of the things I love about adult urban fantasy is the humor you find in it.

Later, I would ask Shaya to help me compose a formal response to Katrice's letter, something a long the lines of "I am the Thorn Queen. Fuck Off.