Review: Prudence

Title: The Custard Protocol #1: Prudence

Author: Gail Carriger

Date of Publication: March 17, 2015

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: From New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger comes a new novel in the world of the Parasol Protectorate starring Prudence, the daughter of Alexia Tarabotti.

When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is given an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female would under similar circumstances - names it the Spotted Custard and floats to India in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea. But India has more than just tea on offer. Rue stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis and an embarrassing lack of bloomers, what else is a young lady of good breeding to do but turn metanatural and find out everyone's secrets, even thousand-year-old fuzzy ones?

My Review:

Every author out there has a book that just didn't quite turn out. Some of them are horrendous failures, but some are just books that are obviously not the authors best work. Prudence is one of those books. While I wouldn't call this  book a failure, I wouldn't say it was Carriger's best work either. Though the writing was fantastic, as it always is, everything else from lack of plot to poor character development really brought this novel down. 

The number one problem in this novel was our heroine, Rue. Bratty, rude, and annoying, she was everything I hate in a main character and more. I kept waiting for her to show some shred of intelligence but instead I was subjected to her shallow inner dialogue making fun of everyone and their fashion choices. Prim, her best friend, wasn't any better but I wouldn't have minded a shallow best friend character if the main character had shown any amount of smarts, which she didn't. 

The other major thing wrong was that this novel had almost no plot at all. Things do start to pick up toward the very end, but other than that I was completely bored by the majority of the book. Most of the book was spent listening to Rue and Prim compare fashions and make fun of Prim's twin Percy, both of which were entertaining every once and awhile but honestly got old fast. Not only that but, I quickly grew tired of Rue bumbling around looking for "tea" when she had quite obviously embroiled herself in a different conflict and was too dumb to realize. Though the story had the potential for conflict every time I thought something was going to happen, it just didn't.

Though I couldn't stand any of the characters and the plot left much to be desired, there was one diamond in the rough and that was Quesnel. My favorite hero of Carriger's so far I fell absolutely in love with him and his rakish personality. The only bearable parts of the novel were the ones where he was around teasing Rue, dropping French endearments, and otherwise being completely swoon worthy. The only reason I kept plodding away at this one was so I could see more of Quesnel, and he didn't even play as big of a role as I would have liked.

Though I'm willing to read the next book (only because I'm so in love with Quesnel) I wasn't impressed by the first installment of The Custard Protocol series. Hopefully Rue grows up a little in the next one, but really, I'll just be reading for Quesnel.

3/5

Review: Oppostion

Title: Lux #5: Opposition

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Date of Publication: August 5, 2014

Formats Available: Hardback, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

My Review;

The Lux series has been a long time favorite of mine and it's taken me entirely too long to finally get around to finishing this last novel. After how much I loved the previous one I had high hopes for this book and I couldn't wait to watch the romance develop between Katy and Daemon and finally watch the conclusion of the series unfold. Unfortunately, while this novel was still fantastic, it just wasn't quite all that I had been hoping for. 

First of all, the plot was exciting and action packed, but it didn't have the same level of excitement that I was expecting. The Lux have come to earth looking to take over and this novel has a bit of an apocalyptic vibe to it, however despite all the danger surrounding them it felt like Katy and Daemon were sitting around doing a lot of talking, rather than taking part in the action. Of course there were some moments, like when Katy goes home to see her mom, but overall I just found myself getting a little bored during the parts where everyone was talking rather than doing. 

The one thing I really missed was the romance between Katy and Daemon. In previous novels their romance was so sweet and heartfelt, but in this one it just fell a little flat. Because they were already married it felt like less effort was put into their romance and I missed the silly banter and romantic moments that I'd grown accustomed to in previous novels. It felt like their romance mostly centered around them having sex rather than having a deep and meaningful connection. Even though the romance hadn't quite lived up to my expectations I really enjoyed reading from both of their perspectives and the few moments they did have were absolutely fantastic.

Even though there were a few things I didn't like Opposition was still a great conclusion to the series and a wonderful read. Armentrout tied everything up nicely and I didn't finish this novel feeling unsatisfied or with any lingering questions. I loved watching Dawson and Beth finally get their happy ending and see how much everyone has changed since the very beginning of the series. Daemon was still the bad boy we've all come to know and love and Katy was still her sweet self, just with a lot more character development. I'm going to miss them!

Finishing up a series is always difficult and Armentrout did it with a lot of grace. Though it wasn't my favorite Opposition was a great conclusion to a fantastic series that I can't recommend enough. The first four books are some of my favorites of all time and Opposition doesn't fall far behind. One of my favorite YA series! 

4/5

Short Story Saturday: Bitter Sweet Love

Title: Dark Elements #0.5: Bitter Sweet Love

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Date of Publication: December 1, 2013

Formats Available: E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining the balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again...

My Review:

After reading and loving the first two books of the Dark Elements series it only seemed natural that I had to pick up the prequel novella. Though I don't really remember Dez all that much I was excited to read more about Jas and Danika and see what life was like for a female warden. Plus, knowing Armentrout like I do, I was sure that we would get to see a cameo of Layla!

My biggest complaint about short stories is that I feel that sometimes the story just isn't fleshed out enough to make it enjoyable. It's hard to develop a whole world and characters in a short amount of time but Armentrout did it beautifully and I loved all the action and romance she managed to pack into such a short time. With a unique cast of gargoyles and demons, and even a new creature I've never heard of, Pukwudgies, Armentrout makes the most of her 105 pages, and I adored every minute of it!

I love books where two characters travel together and fall in love so Bitter Sweet Love was right up my alley. The romance between Jas and Dez was adorable and heartwarming. Even though Jas started off not trusting him, since he abandoned her, he quickly redeems himself and I fell in love with him right along with Jas. The road trip device gave plenty of opportunity for action and romance and from the streets of New York city, to a hilarious scene with a Pukwudgie, this novel had it all!

Fans of the Dark Elements series will no doubt fall in love with Jas and Dez and I highly recommend this novel to fans of the series or those wanting to try something by Armentrout without the commitment of a whole novel. Armentrout is one of the best writers in paranormal romance and I'm excited to see what she does next!

4/5

Short Story Satruday: This is Your Destiny

Title: A Curse Keepers Secret #3: This is Your Destiny

Author: Denise Grover Swank

Date of Publication: January 20, 2015

Formats Available: E-book

Number of Pages: 71

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: Collin Dailey is a trapped man: struggling to make a living as a fisherman, deep in debt to the gangster he does business with…and shackled to his destiny as a Curse Keeper. Sworn to guard the sealed portal to hell, Collin yearns to escape the dark duty that binds him. But his dream of outrunning his tormented life may be an impossible one. After all, he can’t turn his back on centuries of sacred tradition—or ignore his iron-fisted conjurer grandmother and her dire prophecies of a terrifying enemy bent on destroying him.

When the fearsome creator god Ahone reaches out with a tempting offer, Collin may not be able to resist. If he breaks the curse that barricades the demon realm, he’ll be liberated forever…as long as he can survive a confrontation with his deadly counterpart.

In the new prequel to the Curse Keepers series by New York Times bestselling author Denise Grover Swank, a young man must decide between seizing his own coveted freedom and sealing humankind’s doom.

My Review:

This is Your Destiny is another amazing short story tie-in to the Curse Keepers series, this time focusing on Collin and telling his side of the story and his involvement with the curse. I loved being able to learn more about Collin and finally see things from his point of view. This short story made me even more excited to get my hands on the 4th book of the series and see how things are finally going to turn out! 

I absolutely loved getting the chance to read about Collin's childhood and this story gave a ton of insight to what it was like for Collin growing up. After reading about his abusive childhood and everything that he'd gone through I have a whole new respect for Collin and I love him even more than I did in the first place! We finally get to see what gave Collin his bad boy streak and what led him down the road to a life of petty crimes. Reading about his life, as well as the relationship between him and his mother and brother, really gave me a whole new perspective on Collin and parts of the series in general. 

This short story also gives more reasoning behind why Collin allowed the gate to be opened in the first place and what drove him to his decision. While reading the full length novels about Ellie it's hard to understand why Collin would want to unleash the demons and gods behind the gate, but this story finally gives us reasons, and very relatable ones at that, as to why he allowed them all to go free. I feel like after this story I really understand Collin and everything about his life has made me just that much more sure that I want him and Ellie to end up together!

Another fantastic short story set in the world of the Curse Keepers I have no doubt in my mind about recommending this one to fans of the series. I loved the chance to get inside Collins head and see Ellie and the curse from his point of view. I'm hoping we get to read more from him in the future!

4/5

Review: The Curse Defiers

Title: The Curse Keepers #3: The Curse Defiers

Author: Denise Grover Swank

Date of Publication: September 30, 2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: For centuries the gods have waited—for the betrayal that will release them, for the traitors who will defend them, for the warrior who will challenge them. Now at long last the gate between the human and spirit worlds is open, and with it, an army of vengeful demons poised to swarm the earth. Only the Curse Keepers, Ellie Lancaster and Collin Dailey, can stop it…if they can break free from a tangled web of treachery, jealousy, and lies.

Torn between two men—her heart belongs to David, yet her soul is bound to Collin’s—Ellie no longer knows who she can trust. Demons slipping through the gate are leaving a trail of bodies in their wake, each death a chilling reminder of the power of the ancient spirits to bring humanity to its knees. Faced with an unimaginable future, Ellie realizes the time has come to turn her back on prophecy and choose her own destiny—even if it means defying the gods themselves.

In the thrilling conclusion to the Curse Keepers trilogy, humanity faces its final battle for survival!

My Review:

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this novel, since I had some mixed feelings about the last one, but I definitely wasn't expecting The Curse Defiers to be the best book in the Curse Keepers series yet! Though I was under the impression this was going to be the last book in the series it looks like there's going to be even more books about Ellie and Collin and I can't wait to get my hands on them! 

The Curse Defiers was easily the most action packed and exciting novel in the series. With a new type of demon, the Raven Mockers, a jealous ex-girlfriend, and a kidnapping there was hardly a dull moment. I was glued to the page for the majority of the novel and I just love the references to Native American mythology. There aren't enough books out there that focus on this aspect of mythology and I'm so happy to see at least one that's doing it, and doing it right. The folklore and references to Roanoke continue to be one of my favorite parts of the story and I'm excited to see what Ahone and Okeus get up to next! 

I was also pleased to see Collin playing a bigger role in this novel than in the previous novel. Even though he can be a bit of a jerk I really enjoy reading about him and I much prefer him over David. I love the connection between him and Ellie and though he knows that Ellie doesn't love him (right now anyway) he still continues to do everything in his power to help her, even if it means doing something he doesn't really want to do. This novel also gives Collin a little bit of a chance to explain why he did what he did and let the gate open, I was glad to finally see his side of things and now I finally understand, at least a little bit, what made him do it.

The only thing I didn't like was the ever present love triangle. For whatever reason David just drives me insane, I think he's just a little too perfect for me to properly connect to him. I don't really feel the connection between Ellie and David and though he's not a bad character I wish he was more of a friend than love interest. I could really see the romance going either way, especially with the connection Ellie and Collin have because of their marks. With all the secrets flying around between them I could see those two ending up together, even if it breaks David's heart. 

Overall I would definitely recommend this series to fans of both historical and paranormal romance. Those who hate love triangles may want to be a little wary, but behind the love triangle is a wonderful series full of Native American gods, demons, and an action packed plot! 

4/5

Review: Dead Heat

Title: Alpha & Omega #4: Dead Heat

Author: Patricia Briggs

Date of Publication: March 3, 2015

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles’s role as his father’s enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal, as Charles plans to buy Anna a horse for her birthday. Or at least it starts out that way...

Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous Fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae’s cold war with humanity is about to heat up—and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire.

My Review:

I've always been a huge fan of Patricia Briggs, so needless to say I had really high expectations going into this novel. I wasn't as impressed with the third book in the Alpha and Omega series so I was eager to get my hands on this one, but a little nervous as well. However, I had no reason to be nervous because, as usual, Briggs completely blew me away and I fell even more in love with Charles and Anna. 

Anna has come a long way since the beginning of this series. She started the Alpha and Omega series as a quiet and broken character and I've loved watching her transform into strong and outgoing character she is now. Dead Heat really emphasized this change and I loved watching her take charge of situations and watching her and Charles work together. The dynamic between Charles and Anna has changed a lot, Charles has gone from more of a protector to a friend and I've loved watching the relationship between the two of them grow and evolve. 

Dead Heat has one of the best mysteries in the whole series so far. The last book in the series left a little to be desired in the plot aspect, but this novel totally made up for it. The child stealing fae we're introduced to in this novel is terrifying and I was on the edge of my seat for the entire novel. From kidnappings to murder this novel had it all and I just couldn't get enough of it. I definitely didn't see the ending coming and I was kept on my toes the whole time. 

Though the romance between Charles and Anna is subtle at best but Briggs knows how to make the most of the moments she orchestrates between them. Part of what make the romance between Charles and Anna so wonderful is the connection between them, because of their connection I don't feel like the romance is lacking even though there's so little of it. I also adored the chance to see inside both Charles's and Anna's minds, reading their inner commentary about each other was just adorable and I love seeing each of them from the other's perspective. 

I wouldn't say the Alpha and Omega series is as good as the Mercy Thompson series but I would definitely recommend it to fans of paranormal romance. Briggs is one of the best writers in PNR today and I just can't recommend her enough. Amazing characters, a fast paced plot, and an adorable romance this book has it all! 

5/5

Short Story Saturday: This Changes Everything

Title: A Curse Keepers Secret #2: This Changes Everything

Author: Denise Grover Swank

Date of Publication: August 12, 2014

Formats Available: E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Number of Pages: 48

Synopsis: Ellie Dare Lancaster is only eight years old, but the secret she carries stretches back four hundred years, to the doomed pioneer colony of Roanoke Island—and the dark pact made by her ancestor, Ananias Dare. Though her father has told Ellie of her heritage, and she knows she will one day become a Curse Keeper, she never dreamed how soon that day would come…or how dear a sacrifice her grim duty will demand.

After impulsively sharing the truth about her destiny with her best friend, Ellie fears she has summoned something dreadful, something that cannot be denied. But it’s her parents’ discovery of an eighteenth-century artifact—linked to the mystery of the vanished North Carolina settlers—that brings fear, and murder, into their once safe and happy home. Now, the unholy forces unleashed at the dawn of a new nation stir once more, to challenge another generation fated to wage the war between gods of good and evil.

A short story, This Changes Everything delves deeper into the world of Ellie Lancaster and the Curse Keeper series!

My Review:

This Changes Everything is the second short story in the Curse Keeprs world and focuses on Ellie as a child, as well as the night of her mothers murder. I went into this story know that it would be a sad one, but I wasn't expecting to learn so much about the curse and how this night impacted it. Though it was a hard story to read, especially since eight year old Ellie is so cute and endearing, it was easily my favorite in the series so far.

As I said, I absolutely loved this little story. At first I was a little nervous about reading it since I knew it wouldn't have a happy ending but Swank instantly drew me in and even though it was hard to read I absolutely adored it. Seeing eight year old Ellie was such a treat and I loved being introduced to the mother we always read about, but have never met. I also enjoyed seeing what Ellie's dad was like before the Alzheimer's took over and his views on the curse.

The appearance of Ahone and Collin's dad was completely unexpected and gave a whole new twist to the story that I hadn't been expecting. Ellie's mothers murder is mentioned several times in the main novels but since Ellie doesn't remember much of it the details are usually glossed over. However, this story went in depth about what happened that night and how it impacted the curse. Though the murder was gruesome and depressing it also provided a huge insight to the series and I would definitely say this story is a must read for those invested in the series.

Even though it was a sad read I loved this short story and it was my favorite story in the Curse Keepers series so far. Reading this story has only drawn me even more into the world of the Curse Keepers and I can't wait to read even more about Ellie, Collin, and the curse!

5/5

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

Short Story Saturday: This Place is Death

Title: A Curse Keepers Secret #1: This Place is Death

Author: Denise Grover Swank

Date of Publication: February 11, 2014

Formats Available: E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Number of Pages: 53

Synopsis: It’s one of the most enduring mysteries in American history: What became of the English colony off the Virginian coast on Roanoke Island? Why, and how, did they vanish so completely?

No one suspected an ancient curse…

Ananias Dare and his expectant wife are among the pioneers who have come to brave an uncharted frontier. But conditions are harsh, and hostile natives have already spilled English blood. Only the peaceful Croatan Indians welcome the settlers. But when friend and guide Manteo has a haunting encounter deep in the woods, Ananias fears the colony faces a threat much darker than mortal enemies. As a brutal winter and an Indian massacre loom, Manteo and Ananias—and the dreadful secret they share—may be the settlers’ only hope of survival. But for the salvation they desperately seek, there will be hell to pay.

This Place Is Death is a short story revealing the chilling origins of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank’s urban fantasy series, The Curse Keepers.

My Review:

Ever since I started the Curse Keepers series I was fascinated by the events of Roanoke and the events that led up to the curse. Swank does an absolutely amazing job combining the mystery of Roanoke with the mythology of the Native Americans. The more I read, the more enchanting this series becomes. I just can't seem to get enough!  

This short story was a great refresher for me and I only wish I had read it before I started the second book. I loved getting a first hand view of what really happened that fateful day the colony disappeared and meeting the characters that made it happen. I was a little mixed up on some of the characters who started the curse and it was great to meet Ananias and Manteo and finally get their roles in the curse straight.

Though Swank didn't have much time to work with she did a great job fleshing out the characters and fleshing out the story. I felt like I was right there with Ananias, Maneto, and the other settlers. The beginning of the story started off a little slow but once the events started leading up to the curse I found myself getting more and more pulled into the story. Swank even incorporated a bit of a villain figure in Ananias's father in law, which only made the drama in this story that much more exciting.

This Place is Death was a great short story in the Curse Keepers series and I really enjoyed reading it. I love all the history in this series and I loved being sent to the past to see where the series began. I'm excited to continue the series!

4/5

*I received a copy of this story from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review. 

Review: Lord of Misrule

Title: The Morganville Vampires #5: The Lord Misrule

Author: Rachel Caine

Date of Publication: January 6, 2009

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, the master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn’t the only threat.

Violent black cyclone clouds hover, promising a storm of devastating proportions as student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against elements both natural and unnatural.

My Review:

I've always been a huge fan of the Morganville Vampire's series. Each installment is a short, quick read and they all read like one continuous novel since each one picks up right where the last left off. I picked up my first Morganville book 6 years ago and even though so much as changed since then I still love this series and I just can't recommend it enough to fans of YA fiction. With action, excitement, and romance this series has it all and each of the books is more addicting than the last.

That being said, Lord of Misrule was probably my least favorite in the series so far. Though I enjoyed the action I really missed a lot of the character interactions that were present in the previous books. Claire, Shane, Eve, and Michael spent most of this book doing their own things and I really missed seeing the interactions between the four of them. There was barely a moment when they were all in the same room together and I especially missed seeing the romance between Eve and Michael. 

However, what was lacking in character interactions Caine made up for in plot. Lord of Misrule is easily the most exciting installment so far and most definitely a turning point for the series. I absolutely devoured this novel; between the upcoming war between the vampires and the reappearance of Shane's father there was hardly a dull moment. The ending was especially exciting and with all the death and destruction, paired with the cliffhanger, I ended this novel already reaching for the next one!

Claire and Shane are always going to be one of my favorite fictional couples and even though interactions between the two of them were limited this time around I still loved every stolen moment between them. I was sad to see that the romance between them was a little light this time around but I've got my hopes up for upcoming novels, I just love the two of them together and I can't wait to see where it goes. Shane is one of those characters I just love even though he can drive me a little insane sometimes, especially when it comes to some of his life choices. However, Claire is his perfect match and when Shane decides to be sweet and adorable he sure does it right. 

Overall Lord of Misrule wasn't my favorite in the series but it was still a fun and exciting read. The Morganville Vampires has always held a special place in my heart and if I had to recommend one YA vampire series it would most definitely be this one. 

4/5

Review: Sisters of Blood and Spirit

Title: Sisters of Blood and Spirit

Author: Kady Cross

Date of Publication: March 31, 2015

Formats Available: Hardcover, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: Wren Noble is dead—she was born that way. Vibrant, unlike other dead things, she craves those rare moments when her twin sister allows her to step inside her body and experience the world of the living.

Lark Noble is alive but often feels she belongs in the muted Shadow Lands—the realm of the dead. Known as the crazy girl who talks to her dead sister, she doesn't exactly fit in with the living, though a recent suicide attempt and time in a psych ward have proved to her she's not ready to join her sister in the afterlife.

Now the guy who saved Lark's life needs her to repay the favor. He and his friends have been marked for death by the malevolent spirit of a vicious and long-dead serial killer, and the twins—who should know better than to mess with the dead—may be their only hope of staying alive.

My Review:

I'm a huge fan of The Steampunk Chronicles series so when I saw that Cross was coming out with a new book I was absolutely thrilled to get my hands on it. Sisters of Blood and Spirit is unlike anything Cross has written before but I loved the originality of the idea and though the execution wasn't perfect this series definitely holds a lot of potential. 

I didn't immediately like Lark and Wren, but once I got used to their characters I enjoyed reading about them. Lark was an interesting character because though I didn't necessarily like her I really liked reading about her story. By far the hardest part of this novel was finding ways to connect to Lark, I really wanted to like her but she just made it really difficult. She wasn't just cold and distant to the secondary characters but to the reader as well. Wren was a little bit easier to relate to but she played a much smaller role in the novel so I didn't get to see her as much as I would have liked. 

What really made this story was the fantastic plot and world building. I loved reading about the Shadowlands, which I hope we get to learn more about later, and the world of deliciously eerie ghosts who are out for murder. Its been a long time since I read a book as creepy as this one and Cross did a fantastic job chilling me to the bone with her murderous ghosts and violent visions. I absolutely loved the lore surround the ghosts and I'm excited to learn even more about this world in following novels.  

My biggest complaint about this novel was, that while I really loved the story itself, I felt like I barely knew the characters. I felt like Lark and Wren had a super interesting back story but we barely learned anything about them and I spent the whole novel feeling a little disconnected from the two of them. Because Lark has such a harsh personality she didn't develop many relationships with any of the secondary characters and that made it hard to connect with anyone other than Wren. Since I felt like I barely knew the characters the romance ended up feeling a little forced but hopefully the second novel will give more opportunity to connect with each of the characters. 

Despite a little bit of a rough start this series has a lot of potential and I'm excited to see where it goes next. Cross is a fantastic writer and with a little more character development I know I could get really into this series. I definitely recommend this series to fans of YA paranormal!

4/5

*I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

Short Story Saturday: Hollow

Title: Hollow (from the anthology Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson)

Author: Patricia Briggs

Date of Publication: September 2, 2014

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Number of Pages: 42

Synopsis: "I have always had vivid dreams. Those dreams are especially real when I am sick- sometimes it takes me a while to figure out which part was the dream and which the reality. This story is born from a nightmare about an old friend who was being haunted by his murdered wife. It is also about Mercy making peace with the changes in her life." - Patricia Briggs, Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

My Review:

Mercy Thompson is one of my favorite heroines of all time so the last story in this anthology was definitely the one I was most looking forward to, and the one that ended up being my favorite. Though there aren't many returning characters in this one I enjoyed meeting some new faces in the Mercy world and I absolutely loved Briggs's take on ghosts.

One of the things I love most about Mercy is that she always finds herself in some of the most exciting situations and this one was no exception. I absolutely loved the ghost story/mystery in this one and my only complaint is that I wish it had been longer! Briggs did a wonderful job with the development of the plot and even though it was a short story she packed quite a punch in the time that she did have. I loved the ghost story aspect and I hope we get to see more of that in future novels!  

Even though there weren't many returning characters one person I was thrilled to see was Adam- swoon! He played a relatively small role in the story, only a page or two, but he was just as sweet and amazing as I remembered him, and his brief appearance made me fall in love with him all over again. Seeing a little peek of him, and the interaction between him and Mercy, made me desperate all over again for the next book in the series! 

A great conclusion to the collection Hollow was one of the best in the series and I loved getting a little story about Mercy to keep me satisfied while I wait for the 9th book in the series. If you only have time to read a few stories in this collection definitely make sure Hollow is one of them!

5/5

Review: Hand of Miriam

Title: Bayla and the Golem #1: Hand of Miriam

Author: Eva Gordon

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: On an archaeological expedition, Bayla Gideon, is widowed by a supernatural force and branded with the Hand of Miriam or Knowing Eye. Threatened by evil, she awakens the golem; a mythical man of clay, who protected the Jewish community over three centuries ago.

The golem, Gesher, is surprised. Freedom –by a beautiful, enchanting woman. His desire is to return to the celestial spheres and regain his status as an avenging angel. Yet, Bayla challenges his mind, body and soul. Would he risk his return to the heavens for her?

Besides, dealing with the otherkind, mad inventors and an unrelenting matchmaking aunt, Bayla is equally determined to resist her steamy attraction to the striking fallen angel.

Thrust into a malevolent war, which includes facing Jack the Ripper, they must resist the magnetic pull toward each other, while protecting the world from encroaching evil.

My Review:

I've been meaning to read The Hand of Miriam for what feels like forever, so when I finally sat down to start this one I didn't even read the description and jumped right in. After only a few pages I was thrilled to discover this novel full of steampunk inventions, a unique cast of characters, and a fascinating story line. I was quickly drawn into the story and I only wish I had picked this one up sooner! 

I was immediately fascinated by the the physical Hand of Miriam, which embeds itself in Bayla's palm, and Gesher, the golem. Though I've heard of both before I've never read a book about either of them and I loved being introduced to Jewish customs and stories. From werewolves, to vampires, and unsuitable suitors this novel had it all! The Hand of Miriam was a highly original novel and I loved reading about the stories and creatures associated with the Jewish religion rather than Christianity. I've never read anything quite like this novel, and I enjoyed every moment of it. 

Though Gesher can't be with a human woman, or he'll be stuck on earth forever, he falls in love with Bayla anyway and the romance between them ranged from sweet to steamy and everything else in between. Because much of the novel is spent with the two of them hiding their feelings for each other and building up sexual tension the moment when the two of them finally admitted their feelings for each other was only all the better. Though Gesher could be a bit on the alpha male and domineering side I wasn't overly bothered by his attitude and it was obvious that he only had Bayla's best interests at heart. 

The mystery involving Jack the Ripper kind of fell to the background in the beginning but it really took a strong lead at the end and I loved every moment of it. I used to absolutely love mysteries and I just don't read enough of them anymore. The murders were gruesome and though it wasn't particularly hard to figure out who was behind them I still enjoyed the ride to get there. The ending was action packed and I loved watching all the villains get exactly what they deserved and seeing Bayla and Gesher finally be together! 

I was very impressed by the first installment of the Bayla and the Golem series and I'm excited to see where Gordon takes it next! I loved the action, the romance, and learning about a whole section of paranormal creatures and their stories. A great read! 

4/5

*I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a free and honest review.

Short Story Saturday: Redemption

Title: Redemption (from the anthology Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson)

Author: Patricia Briggs

Date of Publication: September 2, 2014

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Number of Pages: 34

Synopsis: "Ben is in the process of change. We mere mortals have only seventy years or so in which to get over the bad things hat have happened to us- and the bad things we've done. I found an event that would be pivotal for Ben- and a chance to bring in some of the werid and absurd things my husband ran into in his years as a DBA (data base administrator) for a huge government contractor." - Patricia Briggs, Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

My Review:

 I am a huge, huge, huge fan of Ben. Even though he's rough around the edges and not always the best person I still love him and I know that, hiding under his rude and abrasive personality, there is a good person no matter how hard he tries to hide it. The friendship between him and Mercy is one of my favorite relationships in the whole series so I was thrilled to finally read a story from his perspective.

Though I didn't love this one as much as I was hoping I still enjoyed it. I liked getting inside Ben's head and seeing him from another perspective. Even though he was a jerk for the majority of the novel there was also a part of him that has always been a good person and I liked seeing little bits of that shine through. Because it was Ben Briggs was able to include a little bit of humor in this story as well and I really enjoyed watching Ben struggle through his challenge not to cuss and his attitude toward the people he worked with, both of which made me laugh.

One of the other most interesting parts of this story was learning a little bit more about Ben's past. In the novels his past is brushed on a little bit but never fully explained, while I still have a few questions it was really nice to learn a little bit more about Ben and what makes him tick. Ben's been through a lot, and even though his whole story hasn't quite been divulged yet I still have a special place in my heart for his character.

While Redemption wasn't one of my favorites of the collection I did enjoy it and fans of Ben will definitely be excited to finally learn a little bit more about him. I can't wait to see more of Ben in the future and I hope we get to learn even more about him as the series continues!

3/5

Short Story Saturday: In Red, With Pearls

Title: In Red, With Pearls (from the anthology Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson)

Author: Patricia Briggs

Date of Publication: September 2, 2014

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Number of Pages: 44

Synopsis: "Because I write the Mercy books from Mercy's point of view, her impressions of people are all I can show. To Mercy, Warren seems to be the least intimidating of the werewolves. This is largely because they are friends but partially because she sees him as a kind, caring, and gentle man- which he is. But he is also a very dominant and gay werewolf who has survived more than a century when most gay werewolves do not (my werewolves are still, for the most part, caught in the mores of a hundred years ago). Warren is bone-deep tough and practical- and here, for the first time, he gets to tell the story"- Patricia Briggs, Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

My Review:

 I was super excited for this story, I've always loved Warren and Kyle and I couldn't wait to read about the two of them from a different point of view. I've always loved Warren and Kyle and I couldn't wait to see them interact with each other from a different point of view, however this story wasn't quite what I thought it would be. The little mystery and the plot were enjoyable, but I didn't end up liking this one as much as I thought I would.

Maybe I was expecting more interaction between Kyle and Warren but I was sad to see Kyle barely playing a part in this short story. One of the reasons I've always loved Warren is the fact that he's gay and I was seriously hoping for more romance between him and Kyle. In the books we often see little snippets of affection between them and this time around I was hoping to see something a little more personal. I did enjoy getting a look into Warren's mind though,

I did like seeing Warren from a different perspective, as Briggs said Mercy sees Warren as a not very intimidating wolf and in this story we get to see another side of him. Warren wasn't afraid to do what he needed to in order to protect Kyle, even if it wasn't the nicest course of action. I was also super interested in the new creature introduced into the Mercy world, zombies. It wasn't quite a direction I could see Briggs going but overall the whole zombie aspect worked really well for the story and who knows, maybe we're destined to see a few more in the future!

In the end this was a very enjoyable story, and I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of it, but it fell just a little bit flat. I think I was just expecting a little bit more of the character interaction I love from Briggs but got more of a plot based story instead. Still a good read and a great addition to the anthology!

4/5

Review: The Ruby Circle

Title: Bloodlines #6: The Ruby Circle

Author: Richelle Mead

Date of Publication: February 10, 2015

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: The epic conclusion to Richelle Mead's New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series is finally here...

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

After their secret romance is exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series. When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world.

My Review:

It's always sad to see a series end, especially one I've been so dedicated to following for the past four years. It's been a wild ride with Sydney and Adrian and I'm really sad to see them go.  The Ruby Circle did a great job tying up loose ends in the series but leaving just enough threads behind to make another series entirely possible, and my fingers are crossed that there will be one!

I was super nervous to start this novel since the last one, Silver Shadows, hadn't quite lived up to my expectations. Sadly, I found myself having similar feelings about this novel. It's not to say I didn't like this novel - I loved it, but there was just something missing that was present in the first 4 books of the series. But despite all that Mead did a fantastic job wrapping up the series and answering any lingering questions, plus Mead threw a few twists in there that I totally wasn't expecting. I think what I really missed was the interactions between Sydney and Adrian, something felt a little off between them this time, but I just couldn't quite put my finger on it. 

Now that Sydney and Adrian are married the romance has cooled off a bit. I missed the old banter between the two of them but the two of them have come such a long way since the beginning of the series it would be impossible for everything to stay the same. However, I wished there had been a few more romantic moments between the two of them, Adrian is one of my favorite book boyfriends and I was sad not to see him sprouting his trademark lines that made me love him in the first place. The epilogue was adorable though and I was happy to see that it not only included Sydney and Adrian but Rose and Dimitri as well.  

Though The Ruby Circle is the last book in the Bloodlines series I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of this world. Mead has started so many overlying story arcs, especially regarding Spirit, that it would be impossible for her to stop now where there are so many questions that still need answering! My money is on Angeline being the protagonist of a new series, but I would honestly be happy with just about anyone! 

The Bloodlines series is one of the most amazing series in young adult fiction and I honestly can't recommend it enough! I can't wait to see who Mead writes about yet, and learn more about the fantastic world that she's created! 

5/5

Short Story Saturday: Roses in Winter

Title: Roses in Winter (from the anthology Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson)

Author: Patricia Briggs

Date of Publication: September 2, 2014

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Number of Pages: 44

Synopsis: "Kara never appeared in any of the Mercy books, but her father's appeal to Mercy for help in Blood Bound struck a chord in readers. I never go to a book-signing event where someone doesn't ask about her. I knew that she went to Aspen Creek with the Marrok's pack, and I expected her to show up in the Alpha and Omega novels. That's what I told people. But she didn't come to Aspen Creek until after the events in Cry Wolf and Hunting Ground. And then Fair Game jumped ahead because I needed events at the end of the book to happen between River Marked and Frost Burned. Which meant that if I was going to tell Kara's story, I'd have to do it in a short story." - Patricia Briggs, Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

My Review:

Roses in Winter was, hands down, my absolute favorite of the collection, and ironically enough, the one I was least excited for. I've always liked Asil well enough but I was never particularly excited by his character. Likewise, while I do remember Kara a bit, I was never really interested to see what happened to her. However, this story absolutely blew me away and by the end I found I cared way more about both of them than I ever thought I would.

The friendship between Asil and Kara was heartwarming and adorable. Asil always tries to play himself off as being dangerous and insane but this story proved that he is anything but. Despite his claims Asil has one of the kindest hearts out of any of the werewolves in the series, not only does he help Kara but he also helps one of the older wolves, Devon, by letting both of them into his greenhouse. Asil's had a hard past and we really get a peek into how much he misses his mate and the effect her death had on him.

Since this story was from Asil's point of view I loved seeing Bran, Charles, Leah, and other various characters from a new set of eyes. Plus we got to see a soft side of Asil that we don't normally see in the main Mercy series. He did things to help Kara (I don't want to give away too much!) that I never pictured him doing for anybody and it made me absolutely fall in love with him. I really hope we get to see even more of Asil in the future and I hope Briggs has a happy ending for him planned somewhere down the line!

Roses in Winter was most definitely one of the best stories in this anthology. With a mix of new and old characters, and a friendship that will warm your heart this story has it all. If you only have time for one story I whole hardheartedly suggest you make it this one.

5/5

Review: The Curse Breakers

Title: The Curse Keepers #2: The Curse Breakers

Author: Denise Grover Swank

Date of Publication: April 29,2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: For more than four hundred years, the Curse Keepers guarded the barrier between the human and spirit realms. All that changed the day Ellie Lancaster met Collin Dailey. Prophecy demanded they defend the world from evil?even as it ignited a passion that threatened to consume them both.

Now Ellie faces a frightening new life, abandoned by the man she loves and tormented by malevolent spirits unleashing their vengeance upon the earth. Her only shot at protecting humanity?and herself?from the demon scourge is to claim the mark of the god Ahone as her own. Finding it means trusting Dr. David Preston, a handsome professor of Native American studies whose skepticism is surpassed only by his attraction to Ellie. Together they must finish what the Curse Keepers began, defying the forces of darkness to face hell on earth?and unlock the truth of Ellie's destiny.

My Review:

I absolutely loved the first book in this series so I don't know why it took me so long to finally get started on the second. However, once I got started I couldn't put this book down! Swank completely pulled me back into the world of the lost Roanoke Colony and all the action surrounding it. 

What initially drew me to this series, and the reason I love it so much, is all the history about the Roanoke Colony. Swank seamlessly integrates both history and the paranormal into an unforgettable read. I've always been fascinated about the disappearance of the colony and Swank offers a believable, although paranormal, explanation that works perfectly for the story but isn't so far out there that I can't appreciate the history aspect of the novel. 

Despite being a good book overall I would have to say that The Curse Breakers definitely suffers from what I call second book slump. Trilogies are a tricky thing in that the first book introduces the conflict and the third book resolves the conflict, but the second book often gets bogged down with set up for the final resolution. Though this book was fun to read most of the plot was spent on dialogue, rather than action, which was interesting but not very exciting.

However, the characters totally made up for the lack of action and I loved being reconnected with Ellie and Collin and getting introduced to new characters in the series. I was a huge fan of the Collin and Ellie paring in the first novel so, needless to say, I was a little disappointed by the development of a love triangle in this one. I'm still rooting for Collin all the way and, even though he can be a major jerk, I like his personality a lot more than that of David, the new love interest.

The Curse Breakers series is one of the best blends of history and the paranormal that I've ever read and I have no qualms about recommending this one to fans of not just urban fantasy but those who love history as well.

4/5

*I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgally in exchange for a free and honest review. 

Short Story Saturday: The Star of David

Title: The Star of David (from the anthology Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson)

Author: Patricia Briggs

Date of Publication: September 2, 2014

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Number of Pages: 34

Synopsis: "So I was asked to write a Christmas story about werewolves. David Christiansen, who appeared in Moon Called, had such a tragic history, I couldn't help but write a Christmas story for him. A fellow army ranger, he and Adam were the only survivors of a mission gone bad in the Vietnam War. They returned stateside, only to discover that they had been turned into the beast they had defeated. David is, more than my of my wolves, suffering from the traditional curse of the werewolf. A good man who, while in his wolf form was in control, killed the very last person he wanted to hurt." - Patricia Briggs, Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

My Review:

The Star of David was my other least favorite of this collection. Though it had a heart warming message, I didn't particularly enjoy the story and I wasn't as caught up in the action as I was during other stories in this anthology. The characters in this one felt a little distant and I just didn't connect to them the way I usually connect to Briggs's characters.

I don't remember David at all from the series, but it's been awhile since I read Moon Called. However the farther I read into the story it became obvious why I had forgotten him, David definitely isn't my favorite character and though his story is sad I just didn't feel any connection to him. Because David seemed so detached from the tragedy around him it made it hard for me to really get into his character and relate to him.

The most interesting part of the story was getting introduced to a seldom seen type of character in the Mercy world, wizards. Though the series has its fair share of female witches I'm excited to see how wizards differ and learn more about Devonte and his powers. While the plot taking place in the hospital after the attack was okay I was much more interested in how Devonte discovered his powers and the circumstances that caused him to use them.

Even though The Star of David wasn't my favorite it was an enjoyable story nevertheless and a nice addition to the Shifting Shadows anthology. However, if you only have limited time I would suggest reading this one last.

3/5

Short Story Saturday: Seeing Eye

Title: Seeing Eye (from the anthology Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson)

Author: Patricia Briggs

Date of Publication: September 2, 2014

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Number of Pages: 30

Synopsis: "In Mercy's world, good witches are few and far between- and mostly on the run from dark witches. I thought about how a white witch could gain enough power to stand up to the evil ones, and Moria was born. A moment later, Tom knocked at my (figurative) door, full-fledged and ready to go. I am going to write more about Tom and Moira eventually. But for those who want more now, they also have a guestappearance in Hunting Ground." - Patricia Briggs, Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

My Review:

 I vaguely remember Tom and Moira from the Alpha and Omega series, but this story made me want to go back and re-read all the books in order to find the spot where they appeared. I absolutely loved reading about the two of them and they easily take the cake as two of my favorite secondary characters in the series (other than Ben, Kyle, and Warren, of course!) and I'm so excited to read more about them in the future.

Right off the bat I loved the chemistry between Tom and Moira. Even though there wasn't necessarily any romance-romance between them I could tell that there was a connection and I loved reading about their interactions, especially because of the uniqueness of Moria's character. Because she's blind it adds a whole new dimension to her personality and watching her overcome her adversaries despite her disability was extremely satisfying. Moria was a wonderful character and I finished this story wanting to know more about her but not feeling unsatisfied like I didn't know enough.

Even though this is a short story Briggs included so many threads that  could lead to a full length story and I was fascinated by each of them. Between how Moria got her blindness and her family drama I know that this story only touched the tip of the iceberg. Likewise I can't wait to learn more about Moria's magic and how Tom plays into all of it. Plus the shifting POV's is always a treat, I loved being able to see both Tom and Moria from each other's perspectives!

Seeing Eye was another of my favorites in the series and I have a feeling that this story is going to be much like Alpha & Omega in that we haven't seen the last of Moria and Tom! I just hope the stories about them come sooner rather than later!

4/5

Short Story Saturday: Gray

Title: Gray (from the anthology Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson)

Author: Patricia Briggs

Date of Publication: September 2, 2014

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Number of Pages: 34

Synopsis: "We lived in Chicago (a good long time ago now), and it remains one of my favorite big cities. It, like my hometown, has a colorful past and terrific people. Anyone who has been in Chicago in February, however, knows about those gray days, when everything is wet and cold and nasty, when it feels like it has been cold forever and spring will never come. Like those winter days, our heroine, Elyna, has been feeling cold and gray for a very long time." - Patricia Briggs, Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

My Review:

Gray introduced a new character into the Mercy world, Elyna, who's another one of the few good vampires. Gray was most definitely one of the best stories in the anthology, I loved Elyna and her bittersweet story; tale of tragedy, determination, hope, and love. I really connected to this story and I honestly wouldn't mind a full length novel about Elyna and her quest to be reunited with her husband.

Even though the story was heartbreaking it offered a little slice of hope, which was what made me love it. The story of what happened to Elyna and the death of her husband broke my heart, it was obvious that she loved him and even though a terrible sequence of events took him from her she refused to give up hope. Elyna was a strong character and I really respected her, especially her determination to get away from those who changed her and finally find peace with herself for what happened so many years ago.

Not only did Briggs write an amazing love story I also adored the friendship Elyna forged with Peter, the contractor she hired to help her restore the apartment. Briggs has a talent not only for romance, but writing some of the most satisfying friendships in the urban fantasy genre. Even though this story was so short I really fell in love with both Elyna and Peter and I loved watching their friendship blossom.

Out of the two stories that introduced whole new sets of characters Gray was, hands down, the best. I loved Elyna and I really hope she makes an appearance in either the Mercy Thompson series or the Alpha & Omega series... Anna is from Chicago so I've got my fingers crossed!

5/5