Review: Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Publication Date: December 3, 2013
Publisher: NYLA
Number of Pages: 175
Format: Ebook
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is...different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, "normal" is a bit of a stretch for Dina.

And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night....Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.

First I would like to thank Ilona Andrews in providing me with a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Everything I pick up from them I instantly fall in love with, and with this is no exception. The world building is just amazing. I love that with all of their books the world isn't explained up front. It makes the book more mysterious, and the reader sitting there coming up with different theories. 

Dina is pretty kickass herself. And you have to feel bad for her, struggling to get by. Not to mention her parents just disappeared one day and no one has any clue what happened. What's a good book without a love interest or two? Although myself I preferred Sean. I wished there were a little more romance in it and that it was a little bit longer. But you take what you can get.

The book was exactly what I come to expect from a Ilona Andrews book. I think one of my favorite things about the book was the humor. There were parts that had me laughing so hard I was crying. If you haven't read this yet, you should. And the illustrations included was pure amazing.

Looks like this will be made into a series. That news made me beyond excited and already want more of this series. I'll be looking forward for the next installment impatiently.

Rating: 4/5

 

 

Review: Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones

Fifth Grave Past the Light (Charley Davidson, #5) by Darynda Jones
Publisher: Piatkus
Publication date: July 9th, 2013
Number of pages: 339 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | The Book Depository

Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. As he is the main suspect in her arson case, she has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth.

However, when dead women start appearing in her apartment—lost, confused and terrified beyond reason—Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes' help, especially when it becomes apparent that her own sister, Gemma, is the serial killer's next target. With his ability to observe incorporeally, surely he can find out who's responsible. And even if he can't, he is the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return: Charley. All of her—body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she might be willing to pay...

There are times when I can't believe I hadn't read this series sooner. This is far becoming one of my favourites in Urban Fantasy. Darynda can do it all. From hot and sexy. To humorous fun and interesting cases. This is definitely one that needs to be read by everyone interested in this genre.

With book five under the belt, I can honestly say this has been my favourite thus far, and that goes to saying something as the last few books have been amazing. The stakes have been raised, the cases have been intriging, but most of all, the relationship between Charley and Reyes have progressed to a point of no return.
Reyes is full of flaws, is a complicated man, but loved with his whole heart. Charley is the one who has made him heart and soul ever since the beginning. Reyes is the only man for Charley, no matter what she might have told herself from time to time. They will come to a stand-still, a never-ending point where they cannot go back, only forward.  That time is now...

It's about time things have started to happen with our favourite couple. It has been a slow burn over the past four books, but that all has changed with this newest installment. Things have always been hot, heated and steamy  where it concerns these two, but there was never a real push in the right direction. Things have changed --   ever since Reyes became Charley's new neighbour, he has made his intentions clear to her.  He wants her, body and soul, and there isn't anything he isn't willing to do to claim her as his.  The thing is though, she has always been his, and he hers. It just has taken them a while to admit certain things, because they sure have not been easy.

Charley and Reyes as individuals have grown from strength to strength. They have had their own personal journeys they have been on, but those journeys have lead them to one another. It's where they are supposed to be, if they can make things work, that will be the end of it. The start of a new life.. together.
Charley is at first a little hesitant, but of course, nobody can ever rest Reyes for very long.  Minus that, her newest case keeps her busy especially when her sister becomes the possible next victim, and she'll need Reyes help in locating the person responsible. But by him helping her, he'll need only one thing...

If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy and have not yet been introduced to these books, then what are you waiting for?  This is a series you should not be missing out for a second.
I look forward to the sixth installment. BRING IT ON.

5 Stars

Review: Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet by Darynda Jones

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (Charley Davidson, #4) by Darynda Jones
Publisher: Piatkus
Publication date: October 30th, 2012
Number of pages: 308 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | The Book Depository

Welcome to the world of grim reaper extraordinaire, Charley Davidson. Try as she might, there's no avoiding her destiny.

Sometimes being the grim reaper really is, well, "grim." And since Charley's last case went so awry, she has taken a couple of months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above . . . or at least get dressed. It becomes clear something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she's insane. But the more they refute the woman's story, the more Charley believes it.

In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, is out of prison and out of Charley's life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved.

Darynda Jones has done it again. She has produced yet another amazing installment in the Charley Davidson series. She steps everything up a notch. Not only do we learn more about Charley, but also Reyes, who is very promiment in this book, and we finally get major progress for our favourite couple, Charley & Reyes. In every way possible.

Charley has been a bit, not herself after she takes a break after the events of the previous book. She probably wouldn't have come out of her stupor if it wasn't for her best friend, Cookie who brings her a case that she can't refuse. A woman comes by and claims someone is trying to kill her. This may be a run of the mill type case, and at first she doesn't think of it, until Charley begins to think Harper's claim just may well be true.

Charley goes through many changes in this book, but I feel it's to make the readers see that she is human. She goes through life events and it does affect her. She isn't some sort of robot that has no emotions, but she does.
She went through a lot and is still recovering after what Earl did to her in the previous book, and it's not something one easily gets over.  With the help of one best friend, Charley slowly begins to come back into the world and take her place as she knows it.
There are many reveals in this book,  one for example is the reason why her dad went to the extremes that he did, and I think you can understand him a little more now that he wasn't doing those things just for the kick of it. He had valid reasons, and it kind of made me a little teary when telling her about it.

After Charley tries to get the vacant and yet superior apartment, she discover who exactly had bought it, shockingly, a new neighbour in Reyes.
Out of prison and now back in her life. Who would have thought? Reyes acting like a human and decides to court her. He seems to have gotten over his issues about her bounding him when he was in prison and all the stuff that went on.
Charley, and the readers get many answers when it comes to Reyes. Like why he calls her Dutch, and just what other abilities Charley may have that she doesn't yet know about.

I look forward to the fifth installment, to see what Charley and her band of friends are up to.

5 Stars

Review: Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones

Third Grave Dead Ahead (Charley Davidson, #3) by Darynda Jones
Publisher: Piatkus
Publication date: February 2nd, 2012
Number of pages: 310 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository | Kindle

Paranormal private eye. Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back! And she's drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because every time she closes her eyes she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the part-human, part-supermodel son of Satan.

Granted she did imprison Reyes for all eternity, but how is she supposed to solve a missing-persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hell-bent on murder when the devil's son just won't give up on his plan of seduction..... and revenge?

The third installment to the Charley Davidson series is just as awesome as the previous two. Seriously, there is just nothing not to love. These characters. Hilarious lines and a swoonworthy love interest in the form of the son of Satan. What can get any better than that?

These characters just get better and better. While Charley is trying to not to sleep because she is told she is summoning Reyes, who she has bound his spirit back to his body and he aint too pleased about that. It's like her subconscious wants him there with her, no matter what she thinks in the daytime.
There were some scenes that were downright heartbreaking, there were others that were sexy as well.  This is what you get when dealing with Reyes. He is sex on a stick, man. No way to go around that.

We have other characters that come into play.  Cookie, who is just as great as ever, and then there is Charley's dad. Now, okay. I can understand where he is coming from, and I felt bad for him in time especially toward the end, but I guess it was also his own doing when you think about it. Not wanting your daughter involved with this kind of stuff anymore is hard to explain when you're the one who got her into it in the first place.  I think he is kinda regretting that now.  Ah, men! I hated seeing them fight though, because I love their father/daughter relationship they have going on.

Garrett's story just is too heartbreaking, and there was a little something that happens at the end where he is concerned. I was both concerned and worried he may not come back from this, but thankfully it is not his time yet.
And then we have the Biker gang who happen to own the asylum. They were a crack and a half, and interesting and new interactions we have with our Charley.

The relationship between Charley and Reyes heats again, and he is more present in this book than he was in the previous one. We discover a lot about him that we didn't before. He will make your heart bleed, and make you swoon all at the same time.

Onto the next book it is.

5 Stars

Review: Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods  (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead
Publisher: Dutton
Publication date: June 4th
Number of pages: 464
Format: E-format via Netgalley
Preorder: Amazon | The Book Depository (Free Shipping)

In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

I originally reviewed this when I receieved an arc for it, but a few months ago, I decided to buy the book and give it another shot thinking that maybe I was a little hasty with when I first read it.
I'm glad I did because I ended up liking it a lot more than I first did. Funny how those things can happen, right?

We're quickly introduced to Mae, who after the death of a friend (and maybe more than that?), one of the members of the miltary's most elite, gets sent to pick up someone who has been exiled because they need the experience and his talents for a case that only he can solve.  Mae doesn't know who he is or what it's concerning, doesn't know what he looks like either, so when she meets Justin at a party who saves her from a group of thugs, the two of them hit it off instantly...

Justin... I loved him. He isn't your normal hero, but then again, Richelle never does things the easy way, and so he has a complicated past, invisible friends and a prophecy if it ever comes to pass, it would spell no good things for him, and he would do anything he can to stop that from coming true.
But sometimes... not everything will go the way you wish or want it to... Justin knows this first hand.

Mae, I came to like her. She was strong with also a complicated past with a complicated family life she doesn't like to speak of. I felt she and Justin connected because of their common interests, their lonliness and their sad souls. I bet they never expected to meet again after their first encounter, but sometimes things are meant to be whether or not you want them to be.  I really adored the relationship between them.  It's not an easy one, and I have a feeling it's gonna be one that is a work-in-progress for the series.  They may have had some moments, but I wouldn't say they have a romance in this book. It's more like a beginning, but it can only envolve and progress from here on out.

The world-building was fascinating. The first time Richelle has done dystopia/sci fi, and I think I like it. It's certainly different, but I can't wait to see how the series folds and pans out in the next book, because the end certain sets things up nicely, especially where it comes Justin+Mae, plus Justin's little prophecy  he needs to be concerned with.

If you haven't given this a shot, then go ahead, you may end up being surprised.

Rating: 4/5

Review: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander #2) by Diana Gabaldon
Publication Date: July 1, 1992
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 743
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland's majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones...about a love that transcends the boundaries of time...and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his ....

Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire's spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart ...in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising...and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves....

The second Outlander book picks up not only right after the first one ends, but also twenty years in the future. That doesn't sound possible now does it? The beginning picks up twenty years later. Claire has returned to the land that she had once fell in love with, Scotland with her grown daughter. At some point Claire had returned to her time, back to Frank pregnant. Frank made Claire promise that as long as he lives she won't tell their daughter, Brianna, who her real father is. Now it wasn't made clear to me if Frank ever believed her story or not. Just that he's not the biological father of the baby. But with the passing of Frank, Claire knows it's time to tell Brianna the truth.

Claire seeks out Roger, the adopted nephew of the Reverend, the close friend of Frank's in the first book. She wants him to find out what happened to a list of Scottish warriors. In their search, Claire makes a devastating discovery that could change everything. She then reveals the truth to her daughter, and tells her and Roger her journey through time. This is where the book picks up from the last one. Jamie and Claire are in Paris pretending to be Jacobites to prevent the Highlanders from going to war. 

Although I did love this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first one. I've heard many complaints about how long the book is, and how a lot of it could be cut out. But that's one of the things I love about these books. We get to see their everyday lives, and it seems more realistic. Like you are right there with them. I do have to admit the beginning with them being in Paris kind of moved slow. Maybe it's just my bias towards Scotland, but the scenes placed there were my favorite.

I didn't think my love for Jamie could grow after the first book. But once again I was wrong. We saw Jamie and Claire grow as a couple. They weren't perfect, they had their ups and downs, arguments, and then there was even a few situations you weren't sure they could work through. Their love is realistic. You don't just fall in love and then happy ever after, you have to work for it.

Trying to change history isn't an easy task. And with a few surprising discoveries, they aren't sure if they can. But  with a twist of turns of events we discovered why Claire went back to her own time. I thought that at some point the story would go back to the present time and Claire and Brianna would venture back to Jamie's time, and was kind of disappointed that they didn't.

Like the first book, I thought this was just amazing. The same conflicts show up in this one as well, violence and rape. If you can't handle those subjects this isn't the series for you. Also the Scottish dialect is used and sometimes took me a few times to read a sentence to understand.

Rating: 4/5

Teaser Tuesday 27

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, I know, it's been months since I've done one of these. I always remember the day after. To make up for lost time I will post a few teasers.

The first one comes from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, the second novel in her Outlander series. I just finished this one today, and I absolutely love me some Jamie Frasier.

“I will find you," he whispered in my ear. "I promise. If I must endure two hundred years of purgatory, two hundred years without you - then that is my punishment, which I have earned for my crimes. For I have lied, and killed, and stolen; betrayed and broken trust. But there is the one thing that shall lie in the balance. When I shall stand before God, I shall have one thing to say, to weigh against the rest."

This next one comes from On the Edge by Ilona Andrews. I've only read the first book, but I can't wait to read more of the series.

"Go brush your teeth, comb your hair, put on dry clothes, and get the guns. We're going to Wal-Mart.”

 

Review: The Darkest Craving by Gena Showalter

The Darkest Craving (Lords of the Underworld #10) by Gena Showalter
Publication Date: July 30, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Number of Pages: 466
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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Having endured weeks of torture in the bowels of hell, Kane wants nothing to do with his beautiful rescuer, Josephina Aisling. The half-Fae female threatens to awaken the demon of Disaster inside him—a beast he’s determined to kill, no matter the price.

Josephina is hunted by a brutal enemy—her royal family—and Kane is her only source of protection. He’s also the only male to ever set her aflame, and even he succumbs to the heat. But as they navigate the treacherous world of the Fae, they are forced to make a choice: live apart…or die together.

I've been putting this off for almost a month. Honestly, I'm sorry for being MIA lately. But also this is going to be a very short and brief review.

First off, I absolutely love the cover model. He looks like Paul Wesley. *drools* I had a mix of emotions going into this book. On the one had, the memory of the disappointment with Paris' book, and the failure of the second angel book had me hesitant. But I had friends say this book was a lot better, that it seems like Gena is getting her groove back.

While this book was a great improvement, I still found it lacking. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book. But once they go back to the land of the Fae, I found it a little slow and almost boring. Even after they leave, I still couldn't invest myself fully in. I really liked Kane and Josephina. Or at least at first I did. Don't get me wrong I still liked the book and both the hero and heroine, but I could tell the difference. Josephina was strong, but she had a vulnerable side too.  And towards the end I felt like she was too vulnerable. Also with Kane we saw his vulnerable side, a soft side that we haven't seen in any of the Lords. One that I felt was too soft. Yes it's nice to see a soft side and not just the "caveman" affect on these men, but it was just too much for me. I like to see these as the alpha man, and when they fall in love they take charge and protect their woman; not saying Kane didn't do that, I just don't want to see them weak in love.

Also something different in this book, the Fae  knew all about the Lords. And to them the Lords were celebrities and watched their every move. Even had fan clubs, and the girls even fan girl over them. There was no retelling of the Lords backstory, which was kind of nice. After so many books you get the picture. We got to see Torin's story being set up, which I was more interested in. I didn't like how the story ended, where ended up living.

This wasn't her best book, but he wasn't her worst. Although I still love this series and remains one of my favorites, I'm looking forward to the series wrapping up.

Rating: 3/5

 

Review: Winds of Salem by Melissa de la Cruz

Winds of Salem (The Beauchamp Family, #3) by Melissa de la Cruz
Publisher: Hyperion
Publication date: August 13th, 2013
Number of pages: 320 pgs
Format: Hardcover
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Freya Beauchamp has been kidnapped and sucked into the past, forced to relive the horrors of Salem and return to the witch-burning hysteria that gripped the small Massachusetts town. Freya’s family is determined to save her, but the Passages of Time are closed to the Beauchamp family, leaving them stuck in the present, centuries from Freya. Joanna, Freddie, and Ingrid must find another way back to save Freya before it's too late. Because this time, when Freya is hanged, she's not coming back…ever.

The Beauchamps are sure that their nemesis, the trickster god Loki, is behind the brewing hatred in Salem and Freya's kidnapping—but is the witch hunt just a way for the power-seeking Putnam family, whose daughter Ann was one of the first accusers, to settle scores and consolidate their hold on the lands and power in town?

Black magic, time travel, romance, mystery, history, and adventure are served up in a cauldron of bubbly magic in the latest installation of the New York Times bestselling series Witches of East End.

Melissa has continued to impress me book by book, and this one is no exception. In the third installment to Melissa de la Cruz's 'Witches of East End' aka 'The Beauchamp Family' series comes a thrilling and new story has it continues from Serpent's Kiss.

Not only do we discover what indeed happened to Freya after she was sucked back in time, thanks to Loki, but we also discover what really happened to the mystery of the bridge back in Asgard. Not everything or everyone is as it seems, and there was some twists and turns not even I saw coming.
Freya finds herself trapped back in the past which she had already relived; during the time when she was in the Salem Witch Trials and burned at the stake. Not a pleasant time to rehash, no? She has no choice, but with the help of some new friends, Freya will see if she can stop the ultimate outcome. There seems to be someone that wants her erased, for good, but who is it? Is it the trickster, Loki, or is it some other enemy they have yet to see coming?

This book is split between the past where we deal with the Witch Hunts and Freya with her entanglement, and then we have present day and discover just what is happening with Ingrid & Matt, Joanna and Norman and Freddie with his life.
Melissa did a great job with tying up storylines in this book. We get the answers we have waited since the beginning to discover which surprised me a tad. We get the end of some eras, and the beginning of others.
We also find out more about the past between Freya/Killian/Bran. Speaking of the triangle. I am not sure if I like how she concluded it in the end. I suppose in some ways it makes sense, but in other ways, it just makes Freya just another in the middle of two men. Although in my opinion, Killian/Balder has always been her true love. It's definitely a difficult situation to be in that's for sure.; And if Melissa continues on with more books we'll see what happens with the three of them.


Some parts of the book, toward the end made me sad, but I also love the relationship between Joanna and her husband, Norman. You discover more of their past that goes back to the beginning of time and how they started out. I think they may be the true love story of the series. This series is about family. true love. friendships and sisterhood. Magic. Mythology.


A pretty satisfying conclusion to this particular arc. I definitely would love if Melissa did decide to do more books. I think there are more stories to tell for these characters and past to be explored.

Rating: 4.5/5

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
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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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
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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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

 

Review: Lightpoints by Peter Kassan

Lightpoints by Peter Kassan
Publisher: Melange Books
Publication date: March 24th, 2013
Number of pages: 210 pgs
Format: E-format
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

What if you suddenly discovered you had a sense-and powers-that almost no one else in the world did? When Amanda Lindner Nichols, a 24-year-old graphic artist living with her husband in Queens, New York, is revived from a near-death experience, she discovers she perceives everyone around her as points of light-but not with her eyes. She soon learns she can not only perceive the life energy of others, but she can give and take it. With the help of others like her, she brings her husband Chris to the brink of death and back to bestow on him the same remarkable faculty, and they're the happiest they've been. But not for long. All over the world, people who've been revived from their own near-death experience at just the right moment discover themselves with these same unusual powers. They find ways to use them-some for good and some for evil. When Amanda and Chris encounter a ruthless group of gangsters with the same faculty, tragedy follows-and Amanda faces the greatest challenge of her life.

I was given this to review by the author, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Peter.

This story starts off quick when we see Amanda Nichols being attacked at Grant Central Station. From that point on, when she survives, she discovers something has changed about her. She is not all the same person she was before the attack happened. She has inhierited some special abilities in which she is able to see people's essence's around her, aka light points.
It's a frightening experience for her, but she soon discovers she is not alone...

Amanda soon finds herself on a journey of self discovery in determining the things she can do, what does that mean for her marriage and her family if she is the only one who can do something like this.
This novels goes through all emotions and situations.  From death, horror, love, discovery of one's self, friendships and so much more.
This may be Peter Kassan's first published novel, but it was done in a way that can hook a reader to the story to the point of no return.
It may not be the most descriptive novel I have read, but it is as engaging as any other. The characters, the experiences they endure an the things Amanda has to experience throughout the story just manages to pull a reader into the world Peter has created here.

This novel is a rarity. It's a story you don't find around often, so when you do, you cherish it for what it is.
A great vision, characters, relationships and a plot to boot.  This is one unmissable book.

Rating: 3.5/5

Review: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, #1) by Darynda Jones
Publisher: St.Martins Griffin
Publication date: July 5th, 2011
Number of pages: 338 pgs
Format: Mass-Market Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Private investigator Charlotte Davidson was born with three things: looks; a healthy respect for the male anatomy; and the rather odd job title of grim reaper. Since the age of five, she has been helping the departed solve the mysteries of their deaths so they can cross over. Thus, when three lawyers from the same law firm are murdered, they come to her to find their killer.

In the meantime, Charley's dealing with a being more powerful - and definitely sexier - than any spectre she's ever come across before. With the help of a pain-in-the-ass skip tracer, a dead pubescent gangbanger named Angel, and a lifetime supply of sarcasm, Charley sets out to solve the highest profile case of the year and discovers that dodging bullets isn't nearly as dangerous as falling in love

It took me until a few months ago to pick up the first book. A friend of mine kept telling me to read this series, but when I see the word 'Ghosts' and I start to feel disinterested because it's not my favourite aspect to the supernatural world. When she told me that it wasn't ghosts exactly, but the fact the main character is a reaper --- that is the point I thought, Oh well, that is different, so I decided to take the chance and pick up the first book.

In this first novel, Charley is a reaper for ghosts who have died and want to pass on.  She is basically like the light tunnel to which they go through to their ever after. Some stick around though, sometimes because they aren't ready to move on, and sometimes, to maybe bug her, LOL 
In the meantime, Charley has been having hot and sexy dreams of a mystery man, and also she tends to see him in real life from time to time.  She has no idea who he is or why she is seeing him, but why question the sexy man? :P
Work also keeps her pretty busy, especially now when she has more than one case to deal with.  She needs to deal with the fact she has three murdered lawyer ghosts trying to get her to help find their bodies and solve their murders.  Ah, the life of a reaper.  Life is never dull for Charley. Just an everyday occurance.

Charley is a very fabulous heroine.  Not only is she smart, talented and gorgeous... but she also has this awesome wit where you can't help but laugh at some of the things she says, does or events she finds himself in the middle of.  If she wanted easy, she would not be in this job --- not that this was a choice where she could decide yes, or not if she wants this career path. This was chosen for her, but it's not so bad.

The hero for this series, well he is unlike any other male. I have had heard about Reyes from Alpha male contests around the web and also from friends, but until I met him, I had no idea what I was really dealing with.
We see small things regarding him. He is a mystery I can't wait to find out more about. Charley discovers some things about him when she finds out he is the man from her dreams. I loved what I have read about him so far, and I can't wait to dig into the rest of the books to get to know him even more deeply than you do in this first book.

I was surprised at how much I loved this book. It just goes to show that sometimes the best stories are the ones you don't have in your life.

I can't wait to dig into the next book in this new fab series.

Rating: 5/5

Review: Beauty Awakened by Gena Showalter

Beauty Awakened (Angels of the Dark #2) by Gena Showalter
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
Publisher: HQN Books
Number of Pages: 448
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble 
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His name is Koldo. He is scarred, powerful, his control legendary-and he lives only for vengeance, determined to punish the angel who viciously removed his wings. But if he yields to the forces of hatred, he will be kicked from the heavens, eternally damned.

She is his last hope. Nicola Lane was born with a defective heart, yet this fragile human shows surprising strength as demons stalk her every move, determined to end her. She is the key to Koldo's deliverance...and his downfall. Though he fights duty, destiny and his first addictive taste of desire, his toughest battle will be the one for Nicola's life-even if he has to sacrifice his own....

 I was excited to read this. I love Gena Showalter, and the first book was amazing. But sadly this book falls short on my scale. I just couldn't really get into the book, and it took forever to read. I also heard she wrote this at a time where she rediscovered faith and got real religious. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking down religion, I'm religious myself. But you can tell it impacted the book. It was toned down a lot, and not a lot of steamy scenes that you expect with one of her books. Once my friend told me she had gotten religious, the style of the book made sense.

Don't get me wrong, I liked the book, but it wasn't one of her best works. I couldn't really connect to either main character. And felt like the plot just dragged on, and felt like the book could of been cut by at least 100 pages. I really did like Axel and want to see more of him. William showed up for a brief moment and we got hints to William's heritage.

The one theme that kept repeating was that to heal yourself you must let go of the negative thoughts and focus on the positive. Also that the Most High loves them and will always answer their pleas. It's a good message, although I felt like it was repeated a little too much. Like I said I liked the book but it felt like something was missing.

I almost consider not finishing the book and continuing with the series. But I was told that the new LotU book is a lot better and steamier. And the next Angel book sounds better too.

Rating: 3/5

 

Review: Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Dulton Adult
Number of Pages: 448
Format: Hardback
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In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

I was a little hesitant to read this since I heard a lot of people gave it bad reviews and didn't like it. Not to mention I had forgot about the book, but I had saw it in Books a Million for half off, which I didn't take as a good sign for it to be marked that low so soon after it's released. But I love Richelle, and haven't found a book by her I didn't like.

If you've noticed I've tagged this book both as sci-fi and paranormal. Is that even possible? I couldn't decide what genre this book would fall under. At first it seems sci-fi, but as you get deeper in it, there's some paranormal aspects to it. Hence I put in both.

Right off the bat, this book is completely different from Mead's other works. It doesn't read like anything she's written, and it's in the third person. It had me wondering if the negative feedback was because the book was so different, fear of the unknown?  I do have to say there was a scene where Mae is remembering how she met her ex, it felt outplace and like it was just stuck in placement.

I really enjoyed the book. The world it is set in is interesting, and has more of a dystopian feel to it. The humor that is presented in all her other books was missing in this one. She keeps strong characters, and even a kick ass heroine.

I wouldn't say this is her best work. I didn't love it. But I really did enjoy it. And curious on how things will play out. More curious about Mae and her past. And I can't help but shipping her and Justin.

Rating: 4/5

 

Review: Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach

Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Publication date: July 4th, 2013
Number of pages: 320 pgs
Format: Trade Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository | Bookworld Australia

A chilling and intense first novel, this is the story of a solitary young woman drawn into an online world run by a charismatic web guru who entices her into impersonating a glamorous but desperate woman.

When Leila discovers the website Red Pill, she feels she has finally found people who understand her. A sheltered young woman raised by her mother, Leila has often struggled to connect with the girls at school; but on Red Pill, a chat forum for ethical debate, Leila comes into her own, impressing the website's founder, a brilliant and elusive man named Adrian. Leila is thrilled when Adrian asks to meet her, and is flattered when he invites her to be part of "Project Tess."

Tess is a woman Leila might never have met in real life. She is beautiful, urbane, witty, and damaged. As they email, chat, and Skype, Leila becomes enveloped in the world of Tess, learning every single thing she can about this other woman--because soon, Leila will have to become her.

An ingeniously plotted novel of stolen identity, Kiss Me First is brilliantly frightening about the lies we tell--to ourselves, and to others, for good, and for ill.

A big thank you to Pan Macmillan giving me this chance to read and review this riveting tale. The moment I saw the synopsis of it, I knew I wanted to read this.
Something that was different from my usual genres. Something that was a woman's journey, real, honest and exciting adventure.

This is a unique story of mystery, intrigue, love, tragedy and friendships. From an Australian author comes a story which I was enticed by before I had even read it.
It all comes down to the life of a young woman, Leila. She had an ordinary life, but after the death of her mother, Leila suddenly finds comfort in a philosophical website forum in which she can talk to others about the same kind of views as she.  Quickly, she became closely acquainted with the owner of the website, Adrian.
Leila becomes involved in a deep and secret project organised by Adrian called "Project Tess," this is one thing that will change her life forever, make her question everything, but also will open up so much opportunity for her.

As Leila gets to know and understand Tess, she becomes her friend, her confidant and only person who knows and understands what she is going through. But is Tess telling Leila everything she needs to know? Everything is vital for when the time comes when Leila is to become Tess. As Leila gets involved with Tess's life and world, Leila starts to notice not everything matches up... is there a possibility that not everything as it seems, and Tess is holding back more than she should?

This book surprised me.  I wasn't sure what I would think of it, but I loved it.  From the different characters, to the world that Leila was drawn into.  It was part mystery, part thriller.

Rating: 4/5

Review: Rise of the Gryphon by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love

Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4) by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
Publication Date: July 30, 2013
Publisher: Pocket Books
Number of Pages: 480
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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To prevent a genocide, Evalle is forced to embrace her destiny…but at what cost?

As an Alterant who fights everything from trolls to demons, Evalle has lived as an outcast among the Beladors, but can now change all that…and find answers to her origins as well. Those answers and a traitor hide within the Medb coven, an enemy poised to destroy the mortal world and all that Evalle holds dear. While her best friends Tzader and Quinn want to help, they have their own conflicts and face unthinkable choices as relationships with the women they love twist in unexpected directions. With time ticking down on a decision that will compel allies to become deadly enemies, Evalle turns to Storm and takes a major step that only complicates matters more when the witchdoctor he’s been hunting now stalks Evalle.

 Evalle is running out of time to find five Alterants to swear loyalty to Macha, and to find Tristian to find out their true origins. But first they must find a way into an illegal beast fight club, one that if she gets caught nobody will able to save her. Not to mention succeeding means going with the Medb, where she might not have a way out of their plans for her.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others. Don't get me wrong I still loved the book, but it felt like something was lacking. Maybe barely any scenes with Evalle, Quinn, and Tzader. Also we only got one scene with Isak. But on the plus side this book is filled with Storm and Evalle moments. I felt like some scenes were a little too cheesy, but I've been waiting since book one for these two to get with the program.

A little change from previous books, this one focus a lot less on the other characters and subplots, and focus mainly on Evalle. We do get a few answers in this book. We find out about Evalle's past, which I'm sure most of us had already figured out what had happened. Also we FINALLY get to know the other half of Alterants origins. And I was shocked. Thinking back, it kind of made sense. But still.

There's a significant death, that was both shocking and unexpected. I wanted this character gone from the beginning, but when it came down to it, well I realized I came to kind of like this person. Plus along with the death came a shocking revelation. The ending came with a few other surprises. Without giving anything away, Evalle stands up to Macha and basically tells her they will doing things her way from now on.

Giving how everything is coming together, I'm sure the next book will be the last. I can't wait to see how everything is wrapped up.

Rating: 4/5