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

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: 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

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

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

Short Story Saturday: Fairy Gifts

Title: Fairy Gifts (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: "I grew up in Butte, Montana... there were all sorts of stories that were told about the "old days." Stories about the racetrack that had stood where East Junior High (now East Middle School) had been built. I heard tales of Shoestring Annie, Dirty-Mouth Jean, and the old madame who beat up Carrie Nation when she took her temperance crusade to the wrong bar. So I just had to set a story in Butte." - Patricia Briggs, "Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson"

My Review:

Fairy Gifts was probably my least favorite short story in the Mercy Thompson collection. Thomas and his back story were interesting enough, and I would have loved to learn more about his life in the past, but I had a few issues with the plot that really hindered my enjoyment of the story.

I like Thomas, we don't see many good vampires in the Mercy world so I was happy to be introduced to another one. He had a fascinating back story and I would have loved to learn more about his life before he became a vampire as well as the times right after he was changed. His part in his fathers opium den intrigued me and I was fascinated by the powers to the earth he possesses.  However, I felt that this story didn't give enough time for me to really get to know Thomas's character or go into any depth with the plot.

The main reason I didn't like this short story was because I finished it with more questions than answers. I went back and read, and re-read, and re-read again but I just couldn't figure out why the events were taking place. Why was Margaret trapped in the mine in the first place? Why did Thomas's father punish him by making him a vampire? Why did the other fae in the beginning of the novel betray Margaret's father? The story just wasn't long enough to answer important questions and I finished this story feeling unsatisfied. Plus the entire plot of the story was the exact same thing happening twice, once in the past and once in the present.

Though I wouldn't say this story was bad it definitely wasn't what I was expecting from Briggs. The lack of a fleshed out plot, and quite a few holes along the way, just didn't do it for me. Though I wouldn't mind seeing Thomas again in the future I just wasn't impressed with his story.

3/5

Review: Stone Cold Touch

Title: The Dark Elements #2: Stone Cold Touch

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Date of Publication: October 21, 2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

My Review:

After how much I enjoyed White Hot Kiss I had big expectations for this novel, however the farther I along I got in Stone Cold Touch the more I realized this was not going to be the novel I was expecting. Though I knew there was a minor love triangle going on I wasn't prepared for how intense the love triangle was going to get in this novel. A huge portion of the plot was devoted to creating one of the biggest love triangles I've witnessed in YA lit in a long, long time and I'm not going to lie, I wasn't a fan.

I'm not a huge fan of love triangles and this one was no exception. Zayne drove me absolutely insane, he's so cheesy and perfect that I had a really hard time taking anything about him seriously at all. Layla has built him up to be so much in her mind that she can't see any of his faults, which honestly he has plenty. Though his rival Roth does have his share of issues, the main one being that he's the Crown Prince of hell, he's a much more believable love interest in the sense that Layla can see his faults and still likes him anyway.

Though I still hate Stacey (can we please have a best friend character that isn't sexed up and a terrible influence) I ended up enjoying most of the other main and secondary characters. I was sad to see Roth playing less of a role in this one but I guess Zayne needed his time to shine. The relationship between Layla and Danika took an interesting turn and I'm eager to see how everything between them is going to play out, especially after how much the romance between Layla and Zayne heated up. Abbott also took on a more of a villainous role in this novel and its definitely going to be interesting seeing what he does next.

The best part about this novel was, hands down, the plot. I was fascinated by the development of the Lilin and what that meant for Layla, Roth, and Zayne. The effects of the Lilin were devastating and after watching characters die one after the other I began to wonder who was next. There was plenty of excitement and intrigue to hold my interest but the love triangle kept driving me insane at ever turn. Layla wasn't as strong of a character in this novel and she was constantly running back to Zayne every time something happened. However the cliff hanger ending has me definitely signing up for the next novel (with the hope that Roth gets much more action the third time around)!

The Dark Elements is a good series, however most of the plot is dependent on a major love triangle so love triangle haters might want to take a pass on this series. Though I can't stand all the back and forth between Roth and Zayne I'm excited to see where the series goes next!

4/5

Review: Forged

Title: The World of Nightwalkers #4: Forged

Author: Jacquelyn Frank

Date of Publication: April 29, 2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes a seductive new paranormal romance set in the World of the Nightwalkers, as a battle-scarred bodyguard and a sensitive beauty risk their lives—and their hearts—in the face of evil.

When Katrina Haynes discovers a large man lying wounded in the snow, she fears he is at death’s door. But as Kat tends to his injuries, she quickly realizes that they’re the least of her worries. With an irresistible Scottish brogue and a strange ability to harden his chiseled body like a statue, the stranger awakens a desire she is unable to resist—and a fascination about the intriguing world he exists in.

As a proud Gargoyle, Ahnvil must safeguard the Nightwalker to whom he’s sworn fealty. But as this bewitching woman nurses him back to health, arousing an almost uncontrollable hunger within him, he is possessed with the fierce impulse to protect her as well. And he will have to shield her—for by coming to his rescue, Kat has placed herself in the middle of a supernatural war . . . and exposed herself to dark, powerful magic. As human and Gargoyle forge an unbreakable bond, Kat will discover that despite his intimidating strength and size, one thing Ahnvil does not possess is a heart of stone.

My Review:

Forged absolutely blew me away. I started this novel expecting the typical heroine with something to prove and the instant romance that I tend to see a lot of in the paranormal genre. However, it quickly became clear that Forged was not going to fall into either of these stereotypes. Although it was the 4th book in the series, and I haven't read any of the others, I had no problem following the plot and I ended up enjoying this book more with every page.

Kat and Ahnvil were great characters to read about (even though I just couldn't take anyone with the name Ahnvil seriously). Kat was sweet but fiery and I loved watching the banter between her and Ahnvil. Both of them had such strong personalities that watching both of them interact was one of the most fun parts of the novel. Plus there were plenty of ancient curses, new creatures, and sexy romance scenes to keep me entertained throughout the entirety of the novel.

The number one reason I loved this book was the romance. Sure, Kat and Ahnvil started off the story with plenty of lust and sexual tension but they didn't act on it until much later in the novel, giving me the opportunity to get to know both of them and allowing me to appreciate the romance for what it was, rather than trying to figure out their personalities in the midst of passionate encounters. Though Ahnvil's possessiveness of Kat was a little over the top she wasn't afraid to put him in his place. I loved how they weren't afraid to speak their minds, even if it developed into a fight, and even when they were fighting it was obvious that they still loved and cared for each other.

I was also hugely impressed by the plot, full of action and excitement there was hardly a dull moment throughout the bulk of the novel. Gargoyles seem to be making a steady appearance in the paranormal genre and Frank did a fantastic job developing the lore that surrounds them. From Egyptian myths to a unique crew of secondary characters this book had it all! I especially love SingSing, I'm seriously hoping she gets her own book in the future because her bouncy and mischievous personality kept me smiling whenever she was around.

Overall Forged is a solid addition to the paranormal romance genre and I'm excited to continue with the series. I would definitely recommend this one to fans of romance and of the paranormal. A great read!

4/5

Short Story Saturday: Silver

Title: Silver (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: 71

Synopsis: "Herein is the ill fated romance between Ariana and Samuel, the first half of the story that continues in Silver Borne. This is also an origin story of sorts, because how he met Ariana is also tied up with the story of the witch, his grandmother, who held Samuel and his father for such a long time. I have to say that if it had not been for the constant requests for this story, I, usually a teller of happier tales, would have left this one alone."  - Patricia Briggs, Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

My Review:

Initially I had planned to review this entire book in one huge review, dedicating no more than a paragraph to each story. However, after finishing Silver I knew that was going to be impossible. Briggs is truly a master at her craft and I have way more to say than can ever fit in only one paragraph. So because nobody wants to read a HUGE review I'm going to spend the next 9 weeks reviewing each story in this wonderful anthology individually with a new review coming out every Saturday.

Right of the bat Silver really impressed me, I was never a huge fan of Samuel in the Mercy Thompson series; he was okay, but I just never really felt any connection to him and I didn't particularly care what he was up to. However, this story changed all that. In Silver we get a deep look into Samuel's origins and even get to see the moment that he becomes a werewolf. Samuel has gone through a lot of hardship in his life and this story really gets into detail on events that have only been brushed upon during the main series. Between his abusive grandmother and all the death and destruction she brought forth to Samuel and his father, as well as all the hardship he went through before he was even a werewolf,  Samuel's life hasn't been easy and I honestly have a whole new respect for him.

I don't really remember Ariana all that much, it's been quite awhile since I read Silver Borne and her character never really made an impact on me. However I really enjoyed reading about her in this story. Though I was a little confused at first about the beast and artifact I quickly got caught up and really got into her story. Ariana's life is filled with just as much terror and destruction as Samuel but only in a more personal way. While Samuel seems more detached from everything going on around him Ariana's story was much more personal. From her cruel and power hungry father, to the beast inside of her,Ariana hasn't had an easy life and her strength and independence impressed me more with every page.

The romance between Ariana and Samuel was cute and heart warming. Even though they both had a hard life they were able to find love and comfort in each other and although their feelings were subtle I still found myself "awwing" with every little exchange. Though this story does have a sad ending Brigg's included an outtake from Silver Borne at the end that includes a happy ending for both of them and I can't think of two characters more deserving. Now that I've fallen in love with both Samuel and Ariana I'm excited to see more of them in future Mercy Thompson books and I can't wait to watch their romance develop!

Briggs did a fantastic job giving us a little glimpse into Samuel's life and after reading Silver I have a whole new respect for his character. I love Sam and Ariana and I hope their romance lasts this time, because I can't bear to read anything sad about them again!

4/5

Review: The Shadow Prince

Title: Into the Dark #1: The Shadow Prince

Author: Bree Despain

Date of Publication: March 11. 2014

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

My Review:

The Shadow Prince didn't start off bad, in fact, in the beginning I was rather enjoying it. However as the novel dragged on and on and and I found myself enjoying it less and less, it's needless to say I was eager to finally get to the end of this giant novel. For such a long novel 500+ pages, this was a hard one for me to get through and, I'm not going to lie, it was a bit of a relief to finally mark this one as read.

Lets start with the main reason I didn't like this novel, Daphne. From the beginning Daphne struck me as a little bit of a cold-hearted person, leaving her mom (who obviously loved her so much) to go live with a dad she's never met. Even though I could understand the frustration Daphne went through with a mom who never let her leave her home town I was shocked that Daphne could just leave her without even a second glance. Then later in the novel when Daphne's dad tried to reconnect with her she shot him down at every opportunity. He made mistakes in the past but I don't understand why Daphne was just flat out mean to him all the time. Not that but she was presented as absolutely perfect in every regard, she had a perfect singing voice with a perfect range, so obviously all the girls hated her for her pefection (honestly who wouldn't). Then she blows off the only friend she makes in order to run off with Hayden, despite the fact that her friend warned her over and over that he was bad news.

Now for the second reason I didn't like this novel, Hayden. In the beginning Hayden wasn't bad, but as the novel wore on I found myself disliking him more and more. He was so completely full of himself that I could barely stand to read his self centered inner monologue. I understood that he felt that he had something to prove but his attitude just drove me up the wall. The only thing I'll say about him is that there were a few humorous moments when he was learning about what it was like to live in the human world, but those didn't make up for the rest of his faults.  Plus the romance between him and Daphne felt so forced and awkward that I had a hard time reading it without cringing the entire time.

Now the plot itself wasn't totally awful, it was just boring instead. The majority of the novel is spent at Daphne's new school reading about her perfection in the music department, which, trust me, got old fast. There's been some girls getting hurt from a mysterious assailant, and Hayden just happens to be there every time, making him the prime suspect. However Daphne just knows that it isn't him, despite everything telling her otherwise. I knew exactly where this story was going the moment it started and it wasn't a particularly exciting ride getting there. Of course Daphne and Hayden fall in love, despite the ridiculously small amount of time they spent together, and go off into the sunset to find a way to keep Hayden from having to take her back to the underworld. And don't even get me started on how Greek Mythology played into all this.

The Shadow Prince just wasn't an enjoyable book, no matter how I look at it. I was disappointed at every turn and every time I thought things were going to get better, they didn't. Maybe I'm just a little too old to really appreciate this one but I'm sorry to say that I just don't recommend this novel, especially to older fans of the YA genre.

2/5

Review: The Retribution of Mara Dyer

Title: Mara Dyer #3:The Retribution of Mara Dyer

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Date of Publication: November 4, 2014

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she’s been told.
There is.

She doesn’t stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.
She should.

She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.
She will now.

Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer’s story.
Retribution has arrived.

My Review:

 The Retribution of Mara Dyer has been a long time coming, and after numerous pushed back release dates I was thrilled when I was finally able to hold the finished product in my hands. The Mara Dyer series has been on of my favorite of all time, so saying I had high expectations for this book would be an understatement. It's taken me a long time to get to writing this review, the conclusion of this series is so dark and intense that it's taken me awhile to wrap my brain around everything that happened enough to put everything I felt into words. But if I had to sum it up in just a few, I would say I absolutely loved every second of the harsh but exciting ride.

Hands down one of the most fascinating parts of this series was watching how much Mara has changed from book one. Mara has gone through so much that it's impossible for her not to have changed, but I wasn't expecting to be so surprised by the person she's come to be. Instead being of a clear cut heroine Mara takes the cake as the most morally ambiguous protagonist in YA fiction. I found myself, throughout much of the novel, not sure what to think of her and her actions. This is the book that really changed my opinion about Mara, not in a bad way, but in a way that made me realize this wasn't the somewhat lighter-hearted school story heroine we met in the first book.

Mara is a girl with a purpose, she doesn't care what she has to do in order to get what she wants, Noah. Despite her questionable actions I was able to relate to her overwhelming love for Noah. She would do absolutely anything for him and that love was what kept her human. Mara completely dedicated herself to finding Noah, proving that he was alive, and absolutely nobody was going to stand in her way. Even though her love for Noah was what kept her human, it was also what brought many of her questionable actions into play, making it the cause of her moral ambiguity. That was the thing about this book, I never knew who was bad and who was good, and even now, after I've finished, I still don't know. But really, that was the beauty of it.

The best part of this novel was definitely getting answers to all the questions I've had since the first book. With flashbacks to the past, that I absolutely loved, and revelations around every corner, the ending of the novel was satisfying in that I finally knew what I had always been dying to find out. One thing I will say about this novel is that the plot is complex, I had to read some sections a couple times to finally absorb everything, but finally getting the answers to questions that have been on my mind for over a year was definitely worth it.

The conclusion of the Mara Dyer series is just as thrilling as I had hoped and I'm so sad to see the series end. If there is one YA series I would recommend above all others it would be this one. Hodkin is the most talented writer in YA fiction and I'm eagerly anticipating what she's going to write next.

5/5

Review: White Hot Kiss

Title: The Dark Elements #1: White Hot Kiss

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Date of Publication: February 25, 2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne… it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

My Review:

I've loved everything I've ever read by Armentrout and White Hot Kiss was no exception! When I first heard about this book I wasn't sure what to think, gargoyles has never been something that really appealed to me, but since it was written by Armentrout I was willing to give it a shot; and I'm so glad I did! A fantastic romance, fascinating world, and the fun writing style that only Armentrout can pull off, all came together to make this a wonderful read.

Even though the novel started off a little slow; with introductions to the characters, world, and the role of gargoyles, once the novel picked up it was a fast paced and highly entertaining read. The plot wasn't overly complicated but at the same time it was complex enough to keep me interested. Armentrout did a great job integrating the paranormal creatures into the story and making everything feel believable.

We all know that I hate love triangles but the little triangle between Zayne, Roth, and Layla actually brought a lot to the story. It's obvious, at least to me, who Layla is going to end up with so its more of a non- love triangle than anything else. I absolutely loved Roth's character, his off color comments always made me laugh and I loved watching him interact with Layla. Zayne had his good points too, but honestly he was too much of a goody goody to make much of a blip on my radar.

Though I loved this book I have just a small complaint, and it's Stacey. I'm so tired of reading YA books with the shallow and stupid "best friend" character. Stacy's only thoughts centered around hot guys, sex, and looks, and I couldn't stand her more and more with every page. What I hate most is that is she is nothing outside of her sexuality, she had absolutely no personality except for her pointless dialogue relating to boys and sex. Thankfully she played a relatively small role in the novel and I didn't have to sit through enough of her idiotic babble to make me really hate her.

In the end though, White Hot Kiss is another amazing book by an amazing author. I just can't get enough of Armentrout's writing and I'm so excited to get my hands on the next one in the series! I can't recommend this author enough!

5/5

Review: Silence of the Wolf

Title: Silence of the Wolf

Author: Terry Spear

Date of Publication: March 4, 2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: Gray werewolf Tom Silver is determined to find the wolves who have been attacking local livestock. While tracking the pack through the Rockies, a blizzard forces him into a remote cabin where he hears a plane crash nearby.

When he discovers the sole survivor is a beautiful female werewolf/coyote shifter mix, bound as a prisoner, he knows it's his duty to hide her. Now, they are both at risk as a search ensues for the missing prisoner.

Will Tom be able to protect this beautiful stranger while tracking down the wolves responsible for terrorizing the local livestock?

My Review:

Silence of the Wolf is one of those books that I wasn't really expecting to be amazing but I was expecting just a little more than I got. I felt like this book was just thrown together, without a lot of thought given to the story (which the author contradicted herself on) or to the characters. Though it started off well enough, the story progressively got more and more frustrating, especially on the character front.

The number one thing that drove me absolutely insane was Tom; I absolutely could not stand him. Every time I turned a page he was pulling some jerk move that made me hate him even more. He was so presumptuous and full of himself that watching him try to flirt with Elizabeth made me want to scream and his "smooth" lines made me cringe. Not only that but he didn't even have much of a personality outside of his arrogant attitude, so there was absolutely nothing to redeem him. On the other hand Tom's love interest, Elizabeth,  was likable enough, but that was only because her personality was so flat there wasn't much to dislike.

Not only were the characters awful but the romance was as well. Reading the steamy scenes between Elizabeth and Tom made me shudder and the way their relationship played out moved way to fast for me to appreciate any of it. I couldn't feel any sort of attraction between them and their casual attitude toward their commitment to each other made me question their relationship even more. Plus that whole business of someone taking a video of them kissing and then selling it just weirded me out, I honestly didn't feel the same about anyone after that.

But it wasn't all bad. Even though there were so many things I didn't like about this book it was still sort of entertaining. The little mystery about the murders of Elizabeth's parents and the drama at the end of the book were both pretty good and honestly those were the two things that kept me going throughout this novel. I was genuinely interested to see how those two plot lines would turn out, it was just the characters and the romance that ruined it all. The mystery itself was good, too bad everything else just wasn't.

Even though I've heard a lot of good things about Spear I just wasn't impressed by this novel, however I am willing to give her a second shot in the future. This time though I'm going to have to say that I just don't recommend this one.

2/5

Review: The Winter Long

Title: October Daye #8: The Winter Long

Author: Seanan McGuire

Date of Publication: September 2, 2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: Toby thought she understood her own past; she thought she knew the score.

She was wrong.

It's time to learn the truth.

My Review: 

I can't believe I've been following this series for over two years now and this series is still just as amazing as it was when I read the first one. Instead of declining over time this series is still going strong and I'm so excited to get my hands on the next book in the series, especially after what happened at the very end. McGuire is truly a genius at creating engaging plots and non-stop action and every time I pick up a book by her I find it impossible to put it down until I'm done.

The thing that made this book absolutely amazing was finally getting answers to all the questions I had all the way from book one. The first book in the series left a lot of unanswered questions that sort of fell to the background throughout the constant adventure and excitement of the 6 books in between, however McGuire finally came back to the very beginning with this novel to answer the questions we've been wondering in the back of our minds this whole time. McGuire dropped so many bombshells in this book, there was one moment when I couldn't help but gasp aloud at some of the things about Toby's past that were finally being revealed. Though I can't give anything away this novel was definitely full of the unexpected twists and turns we've all come to expect from McGuire.

Another thing I loved about this novel was the re-connection of the relationship between Toby and Tybalt. In the last book, even though they had their moments, I didn't feel the connection between them that I felt in previous books. I'm happy to say that the ties between them have been renewed and I was able to feel the love and devotion between them, in this novel especially Tybalt proved his dedication to Toby again and again and feeling the ties between them made me smile. The end of this novel left things between them in a really good place and I'm eager to see how everything works out for them in the future, especially after what Tybalt says at the very end.

Even though this novel answers so many questions I had it also brings up a whole set of new ones. The Winter Long was no doubt a turning point in the series and a whole new set of changes and challenges lies in store for Toby in the next few books. I can't wait to see what McGuire has in mind for the rest of the series and I know that whatever it is, it's going to be amazing. There's no shortage of action in these novels and even though they're a little light on the romance side everything just works, McGuire knows how to write a good story and she never disappoints!

The October Daye series is no doubt one of the best (if not the best) series in paranormal romance and urban fantasy. McGuires talent for writing stories with non-stop action and unique and lovable characters makes this series impossible to put down. I'm already dying to get my hands on the next book and I'm not sure if I can stand another year long wait!

5/5

Review: Chained by Night

Title: The Moonbound Clan Vampires #2: Chained by Night

Author: Larissa Ione

Date of Publication: September 30, 2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Larissa Ione sets the night on fire with a thrilling new novel of irresistible hungers and immortal enemies in a world as sensual and dark as her Demonica series...

THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE
Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction- or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation. To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader's daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.

THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL
But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress's identical twin sister?

My Review:

I absolutely loved the first book I read by Ione and I had high hopes that I would love this one too. I was not disappointed; yet again Ione totally blew me away and I ended up loving this book just was much as I loved the first book in this series. Ione truly has a talent for paranormal romance!

Let me just start off by saying I absolutely ADORED Aylin and Hunter. They were two of the most real and down to earth leads in paranormal romance and I just loved that about them. I have a soft spot in my heart for characters with disabilities and what Aylin had to go through with her crippled leg just made me love her all the more. Likewise Hunter was as real as they come, spending his spare time with movies and video games just as much as any other guy. Not only did I love them but I loved all the secondary characters as well; one of the things I love about these characters so much is that they aren't cruel or unnaturally perfect, like a lot of the other characters in PNR, they have their flaws and weaknesses and thats what makes them so fun to read about.

Not only were the characters amazing but I just couldn't get enough of the sexual tension between Aylin and Hunter. Ione did a fatnastic job with their relationship and I could feel the connection between them. Ione did a really great job making the romance between them feel genuine, rather than a little sleazy like some romances end up feeling. The quest they went on together really bound them together and going through such a similar experience really created a bond between them. Even though their attraction seemed to stem almost out of nowhere I was impressed by how well Ione handed the sudden attraction and made their relationship sound reasonable, even though it was bordering on a "insta-love".

Not only that but the plot was absolutely fantastic. Ione does amazing job blending action and romance; using the action filled moments to create a deeper relationship between two characters. Between the quest Hunter and Aylin went on to the political unrest this novel had plenty more going on than just the romance. Likewise each of the characters added their own little spin on the action, each of them was wonderfully written and I especially loved the drama Rasha added to the novel. Harsh and cruel she was constantly throwing out little barbs that made for some interesting character interactions. At the same time there was more to her character than just cruelty, underneath it all she had a little bit of a soft spot and I'm hoping we get to see more of that in coming novels.

The second book in The Moonbound Clan Vampires series was just as amazing at the first and I whole-heartedly recommend this series to fans of paranormal romance. Ione is quickly becoming one my favorite authors and with good reason, she's a talented writer and I just can't get enough of her characters!

5/5

Review: Lothaire

Title: Lothaire

Author: Kresley Cole

Date of Publication: January 10, 2012

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: In this thrilling tale of the Immortals After Dark, #1 New York Timesbestselling author Kresley Cole reveals secrets of the Lore, fierce realm of the immortals.

All Fear The Enemy Of Old

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A Deadly Force Dwells Within Her

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

Centuries Of Cold Indifference Shattered

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

My Review:

Lothaire was one of those books that was super entertaining, despite it's faults, and even though there are lots of reasons I should dislike this novel, I actually ended up really enjoying it. The romance was right on point, the plot was fast paced and entertainig, and the pairing between Ellie and Lothaire was absolutely perfect. Although it's not my favorite by Cole it was still a great read and Lothaire's 400+ pages absolutely flew by!

First of all the pairing between Lothaire and Ellie was fantastic, they were complete opposites but Cole was able to make them work despite everything standing against them. I loved Ellie, defiant and brave she wasn't afraid to stand up to Lothaire and his threats. She stood her ground no matter what Lothaire threw at her and I really liked her for that. However, it was Lothaire himself that made me feel like I should hate this book; he degraded Ellie at every opportunity and never stopped reminding her how worthless she was. But there was something about their relationship that just worked, despite the fact I hated Lothaire more and more at every turn.

I also really enjoyed the plot in this novel; Saroya was perfectly evil and having Ellie be possessed by her made a perfect juxtaposition between the two characters. Even though  Lothaire and Saroya seemed to make a better pair, each of them boasting about their evil deeds and their mutual dislike of humans, watching Lothaire slowly change his entire endgame for Ellie was no doubt the most satisfying part of the novel. I also loved the wonderful cast of characters, from Hag and her prophecies and concoctions to Nix and her slight insanity, Cole created a perfectly diverse and unique cast that kept me interested the whole novel and I'm excited to read more about each of them!

The romance in this novel was absolutely out of this world. Cole really knows how to write a romance and she went all out in this novel; the moments she orchestrated between Ellie and Lothaire made me swoon and I loved watching Lothaire slowly realize that his bride wasn't Saroya, but Ellie instead. Even though he was cruel, reading about him falling in love changed my perspective about him a little bit. Toe curling and swoon worthy I was absolutely glued to the page at any hint of romance. Not only did Cole make the romance hot but I loved watching little bits of Lothaire's tough exterior fall away as he developed feelings for Ellie, making me feel like maybe he wasn't such a bad guy in the end.

Overall Lothaire was a fun, and highly romantic, read and I definitely recommend this novel to fans of paranormal romance. I've enjoyed every book I've read in the Immortals After Dark series so far and I'm excited to get my hands on another one!

4/5