This Dark Magic by Chryse Wymer

Book Description

Capital City is a tough-as-titanium riotous town, but it wasn't always that way. Only a month ago, it was a placid place to live. In this quirky dark fantasy novella, Charlie Landers must navigate a dangerous world of black magic in order to save his little corner of the universe. Somewhat silly, and crap-your-pants scary in places. 

Review

*I received this e-book from the author for review*

I went into this book with a bit of an acknowledged prejudice against independently published authors. My previous experience had not been good. Initially I wasn’t going to review This Dark Magic, but I thought I’d give this book a chance to change my mind.

First thing I noticed about This Dark Magic was that it had been edited well. Now you may think all books would be thoughourly edited, but my experience with IM’s says otherwise. So straight away I started to be less cynical about this book.

The first problem with the book that I encountered, was the metaphors and similes used in This Dark Magic to describe situations e.g. “The skyscraper resembelled a rectangular soup can, not  brooding and cool but ugly and barely functional”. While I think I got the general idea of what Wymer was portraying with this metaphor i.e. that a soup can in the form of a rectangualr prism would be not as functional as a round one etc., I think a general description of the scene would have given more insight into what I should be imagining. A metaphor could have been used to highlight the description.

In addition, I think more description would have also helped with the pacing of the story. For such a short book, the pace of the story felt surprisingly slow. There were times when the book jumped from one description, to another, without explaining what happened in-between or making appropriate transitions. For example, the story went from describing the skyscraper, directly to this quote: “Fifth floor. The elevators were down so I took the stairs two at a time, wheezing by the time I hit the third floor.” The problem: what happened between being outside in the car and climbing up the stairs? The change seemed noticeable and I was momentarily confused. Likely because there was no real reason to end and begin at those places in the story.

The writing was a little stilted. In the same manner as the scenes jumped, a lot of small sentences were used to quickly jump through the story and while this is perfectly fine grammatically, I found that reading the story was a little impersonal. I found it hard to relate to the characters and easily follow what was happening. However, while the story didn’t always flow smoothly, the short sentences did create an appropriate atmosphere. The short sentences heightened the feeling of desolation within the fractured city and from the city residents (including Charles). I wouldn’t like to read a full length novel written in a similar manner, but for a short story it was distinctive.

So, what did I enjoy about the book? The idea about a city, which had a massive rise in killings and crime, was good; and the main storyline about a journalist who was looking into a story when he was cursed with dark magic was also promising. I also enjoyed the way the sentences were composed, in an English skill sense. It was evident that the author has a talent for writing and will likely improve her storytelling. Alot of the phrases were witty and cleverly composed. In addition, the book got more enjoyable towards the end. It was less confusing with a reduced amount of jumping between scenarios.

In general, for the first book of an independent author, I think the story was good. For an e- book that only costs $0.99 to buy at Amazon, I would recommend that fans of Urban Fantasy give this book a go. It fills a good market niche for people wanting something to read immediately when they have already maxed out their book budget. I was happily surprised by the quality and I think a lot of other people will be as well. I personally, don’t often read short stories and for people who do enjoy them more than me, it’s likely you will enjoy this book more than I did. If the book was compared to full length novels then areas such as world building and character creation could be further explored. However, these aspects can’t be expected to be explored in more detail, in such a short amount of time.

My rating out of 5:

3/5

Follow me Friday

Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy For Books so head on over to join in the fun!

"Tell us about one of your posts from this week and give us a link so we can read it (review or otherwise)!"

My answer:  I read the most amazing book this week: Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning. I gave it an all time high of 5/5+. It is the final book in the MacKayla Lane series and I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion. 

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning

 Book description

“Evil is a completely different creature, Mac. Evil is bad that believes it’s good.”

MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina, were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever.

Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister’s murderer. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals who have lived concealed among us for thousands of years.

What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh—a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King, containing the power to create and destroy worlds.

In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turns on Mac and begins mowing a deadly path through those she loves.
Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman haunting her dreams? More important, who is Mac herself and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card?

From the luxury of the Lord Master’s penthouse to the sordid depths of an Unseelie nightclub, from the erotic bed of her lover to the terrifying bed of the Unseelie King, Mac’s journey will force her to face the truth of her exile, and to make a choice that will either save the world . . . or destroy it.
 

  Review

Karen Marie Moning is a master of Urban Fantasy. When I started Shadowfever, within four pages I could tell that the book was going to be something great. This is one series I recommend to everyone. A series that I suggest to people I want to get addicted to the genre like I am. Even though I'm sure it's possible, I can't conceptualize someone who likes the genre, not liking this series. For me this is a series where I want every book in hardcover. I want the books to last a long time. 

I had the book ready to read for over a week before I actually read it. I was super excited but I couldn't bring myself to read it because I knew that as soon as I did, I would no longer have it to look forward to and that first time read experience would be over. Eventually though, my anticipation couldn’t wait any longer and I devoured it in one day and one sleepless night.  I then proceeded to wish I hadn’t read it so quickly and savored it instead. After I finished it, I also didn’t want to read anything for the next few days day because I didn’t want whatever I read to pale in comparison. Of course, this all shows, how tragically emotionally involved I get when I find a series I love. 

So, do I think there is anything that could have been improved….um no. No way. Not in any of the books.  It was awesome. Change one thing and the whole feel of the book or series could come crashing down like a house of cards. Sometimes bits you may not like have to be there. I think Shadowfever is one of the most satisfying endings to a series I ever read. It was complex, engaging and emotional. It wasn’t rushed, it tied into the previous books, it explained all the loose ends, it didn’t end abruptly and by the end I was smiling like an idiot. 

How did this book in particular stand up to others in the series? Fantastically. The book is dramatically written, with inspired statements about life, love and pain. It uses heaps of descriptors in an effort to convey the feelings and experiences of Mac’s journey. 

Sometimes things that are said within the book are confusing, but that’s part of the charm. It leaves you wanting to know what was meant, to know all the secrets and find the hidden meanings. It gives you hints of information that you can use to formulate your own ideas. Ideas I’m never sure about because the books are in no way predictable. This book brings up a new question, what is Mac?

  

I hope I successfully conveyed how awesome I thought this book and this series was. Now the question is: how long should I wait until I read the series all over again?

5/5+

Awaken by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast, book 8

Book Description

Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it? Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…

And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?

In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?

Summary

The book starts of where it ended in the last book with Stark and Zoey on the Isle of Skye and the return of Kalona to Neferet. Zoey and Skye use their time on the Isle to recover from the Otherworld and explore their relationship but are soon called back to Tulsa after a tragedy.

Review

What can I say except I think this series is brilliant. Every book has new developments that are heart rendering and perfectly integrated so that I’m never disappointed in the way the story moves. All the characters engage my interest with character development and engaging personalities. The plot-lines are complex and multi-layered with seamless connections between books and complications, in one single long running story. The ability of P.C. and Kristin Cast to be able to do this for such a long running series shows, what I believe to be, an impressive display of writing skill. It’s hard to keep every reader satisfied, especially with longer running series, since people expect and enjoy different things from the books they read. They also become more invested in the storyline. However, I was surprised at the amount of lower rated reviews when I looked to see what the general reaction to the book was but I guess this had something to do with it. 

Awaken had a lot of new turning points in the storyline. Some were expected but well executed and others were a complete surprise to me (in particular the ending). I don’t think this book was as good as the last few and considering how emotional Burned was, I’m not surprised. I think almost anything would be diminished in comparison to the emotion stirred in the last one (if I remember correctly, I had the tissue box close by). However, Awaken showed that this series won’t slow down any time soon.

Stevie Rae had some major developments and I’m a lot less worried about her character now. The tempo of the book was a bit different from previous books. For example, there was less group co-operation between Zoey and her friends but it makes sense with the storyline progression. There wasn’t much I didn’t like about the book, except it seemed a little slower than previous books. I think this had something to do with the lack of action in this book. However, I definitely wouldn’t call the book ‘slow’. I loved seeing the new relationship developments after the ending of Burned for Zoey and Stark and I loved the developments with Stevie Rae. There were instances where the developments were not happy but I love how P.C. and Kirstin Cast are willing to have sadder endings for the characters. Her books show that life is not always completely happy but when one door closes another opens. It also shows that when certain things happen it doesn’t mean the end of all happiness. In general, I think the life lessons used in the books are really appropriate for teenagers.

For parents: There are a few references to sex and making love in this book but no graphic descriptions.

My rating out of 5:

4/5

Follow me Friday

 Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy For Books so head on over to join in the fun!

 "What are you reading now and why are you reading it?"

My Answer: I'm Reading Awaken (House of Night, book 8) by P.C. Cast and  Kristin Cast because I LOVE this series and so far I'm loving this new book. 

Eagerly Anticipating for Feburary 2011

 Adult

 Kimberly Frost
Halfway Hexed (A Southern Witch Novel, book 3)

New witch Tammy Jo Trask has a whole town full of trouble, in the latest from the national bestselling author of Barely Bewitched.

First, there are the local residents who form a scripture-spouting posse and kidnap Tammy to "defend" Duvall, Texas, against witchcraft. Next, someone saddles her with a secret package chock full of dangerous visions, just as the president of WAM-the World Association of Magic- arrives with his entourage to investigate her. And who worse to examine Tammy's entanglement with off-limits and drop-dead gorgeous wizard Bryn Lyons than his ex-girlfriend? Not to mention that the clash between the locals and the magical visitors leads to a series of unnatural disasters that may doom them all.

While the fate of the town hangs in the balance, one thing's certain: this would-be witch is ready to rumble, Texas style.

 Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (February 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425238768
ISBN-13: 978-0425238769

Michelle Rowen 
Nightshade, book 1

Jillian Conrad never believed in vampires-until she was unwillingly injected with a serum that was supposed to act as a deadly poison to them. Now, tormented half-vampire Declan Reese wants her blood to destroy the undead kingdom. Unfortunately, the serum has also made her blood irresistible to all vampires-including Declan, whose desire for Jillian is more than mere hunger.

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley (February 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425239829
ISBN-13: 978-0425239827

 Sophie Littlefield
 Aftertime, book 1

 Awakening in a bleak landscape as scarred as her body, Cass Dollar vaguely recalls surviving something terrible. Having no idea how many weeks have passed, she slowly realizes the horrifying truth: Ruthie has vanished.

And with her, nearly all of civilization.

Where once-lush hills carried cars and commerce, the roads today see only cannibalistic Beaters—people turned hungry for human flesh by a government experiment gone wrong.

In a broken, barren California, Cass will undergo a harrowing quest to get Ruthie back. Few people trust an outsider, let alone a woman who became a zombie and somehow turned back, but she finds help from an enigmatic outlaw, Smoke. Smoke is her savior, and her safety.

For the Beaters are out there.

And the humans grip at survival with their trigger fingers. Especially when they learn that she and Ruthie have become the most feared, and desired, of weapons in a brave new world….

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Luna; Original edition (February 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373803362
ISBN-13: 978-0373803361

 Suzanne McLeod
 The Bitter Seed of Magic (Spellcrackers, book 3)

On the surface, Genny's life seems ripple-free right now. Finn, her sexy boss, has stopped pushing for a decision on their relationship. The seductive vampire Malik al-Khan has vanished back into the shadows. And the witches have declared her no longer a threat. But unless Genny can find a way to break the fertility curse afflicting London's fae, she knows this is just the lull before the magical storm. Then a faeling - a teenage girl - is fished out of the River Thames, dead and bound with magic, and Genny is called into investigate. As she digs through the clues, her search takes a sinister and dangerous turn, exposing age-old secrets that might be better left buried. Then another faeling disappears, and Genny finds herself in a race against time to save the faeling and stop the curse from claiming its next victim - herself!

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Gollancz; Export ed edition (February 17, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0575084324
ISBN-13: 978-0575084322

 Adrian Phoenix
 Etched in Bone, book 4

 SON OF A FALLEN ANGEL. FORGED IN VAMPIRE’S BLOOD. SWORN TO A MORTAL WOMAN. IF DANTE FALLS, THE WORLD FALLS WITH HIM. . . .

THREE LEGACIES ETCHED IN BONE

More beautiful and powerful than any creature the world has ever seen, Dante Baptiste has become the supreme target of the three worlds that spawned him. The mortal agents of the Shadow Branch have tried to control his mind through psychological torture. The vampire elders who guide nightkind society have plotted to use him in their bloodthirsty bid for power. And the Fallen have waited for millennia for Dante to claim his birthright as their Maker. But Dante belongs to no one—except the woman he loves. . . .

ONE PASSION SWORN IN BLOOD

Determined to face the Fallen and the world on his own terms, Dante hopes to piece together his shattered past and claim his future, with FBI agent Heather Wallace at his side. But in Heather’s human family awaits an unexpected enemy. One who could rip Heather from Dante’s heart and fill the holes with bullets. One who could force Dante to choose his darkest destiny—as the Great Destroyer. . . .

Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Pocket (February 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439137307
ISBN-13: 978-1439137307

 Jaye Wells
 Green Eyed Demon (Sabina Kane, book 3)

Things to do:

1. Rescue sister.
2. Murder grandmother.
3. Don't upset the voodoo priestess.

The clock is ticking for Sabina Kane. Her sister has been kidnapped by her grandmother, the Dark Races are on the brink of war, and a mysterious order is manipulating everyone behind the scenes.

Working on information provided by an unlikely ally, Sabina and her trusty sidekicks--a sexy mage named Adam Lazarus and Giguhl, a Mischief demon--head to New Orleans to begin the hunt for her sister. Once there, they must contend with belligerent werewolves, magic-wielding vampires and--perhaps most frightening of all--humans.

But as much as Sabina is focused on surviving the present, the past won't be ignored. Before she can save those she cares about most, she must save herself from the ghosts of her past.

 Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Orbit (February 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031603777X
ISBN-13: 978-0316037778

 Richelle Mead
 Iron Crowned (Dark Swan, book 3)

 New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead takes readers back to the Otherworld, an embattled realm mystically entwined with our world--and ruled by one woman's dangerous choice. . .

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

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

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra (February 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420111795
ISBN-13: 978-1420111798

 Kim Harrison
Pale Demon (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows, book 9)


Condemned to death for black magic and shunned, Rachel Morgan has three days to somehow get to the annual witches convention in San Francisco and clear her name. If she fails, the only way she can escape death is to live in the demonic ever after . . . for ever after.

Banned from the flight lists, Rachel teams up with elven tycoon Trent Kalamack, headed for the West Coast for his own mysterious business. But Rachel isn’t the only passanger along for the ride. Can a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car survive for over 2,300 miles? And that’s not counting the assassin on their tail.

A fearsome demon walks the sunlight, freed after centuries of torment to slay the innocent and devour souls. But his ultimate prey is Rachel Morgan. While the powerful witch with nerves of steel will do whatever it takes to stay alive, even embracing her own demonic nature may not be enough to save her.

Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Eos (February 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061138061
ISBN-13: 978-0061138065
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1 inches

Jeaniene Frost
This Side of the Grave (Night Huntress, book 5)

 The highly anticipated continuation of Jeaniene Frost's New York Times and USA Today bestselling Night Huntress series, in which Cat and Bones face an enemy unlike any they've met before.

Danger waits on both sides of the grave.

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance...

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"--the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war. ...to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (February 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061783188
ISBN-13: 978-0061783180

Young Adult

 Kimberly Derting
Desires of the Dead (The Body Finder, book 2)

 The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.

Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (February 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061779849
ISBN-13: 978-0061779848

Shannon Delany
Secrets and Shadows (13 to Life, book 2)

Nothing’s simple when you run with werewolves. Jess Gillmansen thinks she’s seen it all but her eyes are about to be opened to even more danger and a reality far more paranormal than she’s suspected. With Jess’s realization that the Rusakovas’ mother is still alive and imprisoned, the group’s choices become harder and trust more important. Lines are drawn and relationships change as the broken Rusakova family struggles to reunite long enough to free their mother and people who Jess always just took to be normal people show themselves to be much, much more.

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (February 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312609159
ISBN-13: 978-0312609153

Eagerly Anticipating for January 2011

This feature is a little late but better late than never

       

   Adult 

Nicole Peeler                           
Tempest's Legacy (Jane True, book 3)

After a peaceful hiatus at home in Rockabill, Jane True thinks that her worst problem is that she still throws like a girl - at least while throwing fireballs. Her peace of mind ends, however, when Anyan arrives one night with terrible news . . . news that will rock Jane's world to its very core.

After demanding to help investigate a series of gruesome attacks on females -- supernatural, halfling, and human -- Jane quickly finds herself forced to confront her darkest nightmares as well as her deepest desires.

And she's not sure which she finds more frightening.

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Orbit; 1 edition (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031605660X
ISBN-13: 978-0316056601

 
 Faith Hunter
 Mercy Blade (Jane Yellowrock, Book 3) 

 Jane, a shapeshifting vampire-hunter-for-hire, crosses paths with a stranger who has arrived in New Orleans, enlisted to hunt vampires who have gone insane-or so he says...

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Roc; Original edition (January 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451463722
ISBN-13: 978-0451463722

Diana Rowland 
Secrets of the Demon (Kara Gillian, Book 3)

Homicide detective Kara Gillian has a special talent: she can sense the "arcane" in our world, and there's quite a bit of it, even in Beaulac, Louisiana. She's also a summoner of demons, and works on a task force that deals with supernatural crimes. Her partners are attractive and smart FBI agents, but they're not summoners, and they're not telling Kara why they are on this special force with her.

To make things worse, Kara has pledged herself to one of the most powerful of demons-a Demon Lord-who helped save her partner's life, but now expects things in return. Meanwhile, she's trying to solve a string of murders that are somehow tied together by money, sex, rock music and...mud. But how can she concentrate on the case when she's not even sure who-or what-her partners are?


Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: DAW; Original edition (January 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0756406528
ISBN-13: 978-0756406523

Jess Haines
Taken By The Others (H&W Investigations, book 2) 

 Once, New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest's most pressing problem was keeping her agency afloat. Now she's dealing with two dangerous, seductive vampires who have been enemies for centuries. The only thing Max Carlyle and Alec Royce agree on is that they both want Shia - for very different reasons. Max is determined to destroy Shia for killing his progeny, while Royce's interest is a lot more personal. That's not sitting well with Shia's werewolf boyfriend, Chaz. As the feud between Max and Royce gets ever more deadly, a powerful vampire-hunting faction is urging Shia to join their side. Shia has always believed vamps were the bad guys, but she's discovering unexpected shades of grey that are about to redefine her friends, her loyalties - and even her desires.

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420111884
ISBN-13: 978-1420111880
 

Karen Marie Moning 
Shadowfever (MacKayla Lane, book 5) 

 In Dreamfever, Karen Marie Moning has left listeners with the most heart-stopping cliff-hanger to date. Shadowfever will answer all the questions fans have been dying to know in the final chapter of MacKayla Lane's shockingly suspenseful and deeply satisfying adventure.

Hardcover: 608 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press (January 18, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385341679
ISBN-13: 978-0385341677
 

Tracey O'hara
Death's Sweet Embrace (A Dark Brethren Novel, book 2) 

 After centuries of secret conflict, humans and parahumans have reached an uneasy truce. But unspeakable evil now threatens the tenuous peace.

Teenaged shapeshifters are being slaughtered by a sadistic serial killer who rips their still-beating hearts from their paralyzed bodies. A task force forms to halt the madness, including the vampiric Aeternus Antoinette Petrescu, as well as Kitt Jordan and Raven Matokwe, members of enemy Animalian tribes . . . and forbidden lovers.

A centuries-old blood feud has divided their shapeshifting peoples, and if their passion is discovered it will doom them both. But past hostilities must be put aside, for the killer they seek is but the first sign of the all-consuming nightmare of The Dark Brethren.

Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Eos (January 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061783145
ISBN-13: 978-0061783142

Young Adult 

 Rachel Vincent
 My Soul to Steal (Soul Screamers, Book 4)

 Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373210272
ISBN-13: 978-0373210275

 P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
 Awakened (House of Night, book 8)

 Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it? Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…

And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?

In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (January 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312650248
ISBN-13: 978-0312650247



 Jenna Black 
 Shadowspell (Faeriewalker, book 2)

 On top of spending most of her time in a bunkerlike safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathaway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hunt have descended upon Avalon. With his homicidal appetite and immortal powers, the Erlking has long been the nightmare of the Fae realm. A fragile treaty with the Faerie Queen, sealed with a mysterious spell, is the one thing that keeps him from hunting unchecked in Avalon, the only place on Earth where humans and Fae live together. Which means Dana’s in trouble, since it’s common knowledge that the Faerie Queen wants her – and her rare Faeriewalker powers – dead. The smoldering, sexy Erlking’s got his sights set on Dana, but does he only seek to kill her, or does he have something much darker in mind?

 Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Original edition (January 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312575947
ISBN-13: 978-0312575946

       

Vicious Grace by M.L.N. Hanover - The Black Sun's Daughter book 3

Book description

When you’re staring evil in the eye, don’t forget to watch your back . . .

For the first time in forever, Jayné Heller’s life is making sense. Even if she routinely risks her life to destroy demonic parasites that prey on mortals, she now has friends, colleagues, a trusted lover, and newfound confidence in the mission she inherited from her wealthy, mysterious uncle. Her next job might just rob her of all of them. At Grace Memorial Hospital in Chicago, something is stirring. Patients are going AWOL and research subjects share the same sinister dreams. Half a century ago, something was buried under Grace in a terrible ritual, and it’s straining to be free. Jayné is primed to take on whatever’s about to be let loose. Yet the greatest danger now may not be the huge, unseen force lurking below, but the evil that has been hiding in plain sight all along—taking her ever closer to losing her body, her mind, and her soul. . . .

Summary

After the unexpected death of her Uncle Eric, Jayne Heller found out she had inherited all of his vast estate and all of his paranormal legacy. This legacy included his work helping people affected by 'Riders'. Riders is the generic term for things that possess people, some examples are vampires, lycans, spirits, voodoo gods, and types of demons.

Jayne gathered a group of men that worked with her uncle Eric and hired them to be part of her circle, so they could guide her in how to deal with the Riders. In this latest installment, Vicious Grace, they've been summoned to Chicago, to a hospital that is experiencing some very disturbing problems. The person that called them to the hospital is Jayne's lover Aubrey's ex wife, Kim.When helping to rid the hospital of a rider and in the process save the world, Jayne and her compainions find out startling revelations about Eric.

Review

This is one of those series where you forget how good it is until you read the next book. Then, when you’re reading it, you are like ‘I LOVE this series’. I lost a lot of sleep because of this book. I could not put it down. It just got better and better and when I got to the end, I pondered what could be coming in the next book for awhile.

There are so many great things about this book and when combined they create an edge of your seat experience that is thrilling. Some of the things that helped to create the amazing read include:  Jayne’s jealously of Aubrey’s wife and in opposition to this the respect for her that she has and the friendship she has found with her, the tension between Aubrey and Ex, the mystery that links back and forward through the books, Jayne’s character development and her stagnation, the fascinating detailed world of riders and magic, the mystery of her uncle Eric and the secrets the characters are keeping, Chogyi Jake’s wisdom and Jayne’s determination to follow the legacy of her Uncle to the possible loss of her life even though she is out of her depth, and finally the revelations, their impacts…..and then the pain, the guilt and the realisations.

It was a seemingly, well researched book, with the description of hospital functions being accurate and well integrated, real history components used for explanations about the Riders.

I think this is the best book in the series so far. So if you have already read and liked the first two books, I don’t think you will be disappointed. If you are a first time reader I would recommend going back and reading the first two before you read this one as the content of other books will help you appreciate this book more. Despite the recap at the beginning, I wouldn’t suggest you read this as a stand-alone book. 

 My Rating out of 5:

5/5

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Go check out Breaking the Spine if you are interested in participating in Waiting on Wednesday! This week's book:

 Iron Crowned (Dark Swan, Book 3) by Richelle Mead

Publication date: February 22, 2011

Book Description

New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead takes readers back to the Otherworld, an embattled realm mystically entwined with our world--and ruled by one woman's dangerous choice. . .

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

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

Review: Tracey O'Hara - Death's Sweet Embrace - Book 2

Book Description

After centuries of secret conflict, humans and parahumans have reached an uneasy truce. But unspeakable evil now threatens the tenuous peace.

Teenaged shapeshifters are being slaughtered by a sadistic serial killer who rips their still-beating hearts from their paralyzed bodies. A task force forms to halt the madness, including the vampiric Aeternus Antoinette Petrescu, as well as Kitt Jordan and Raven Matokwe, members of enemy Animalian tribes . . . and forbidden lovers.

A centuries-old blood feud has divided their shapeshifting peoples, and if their passion is discovered it will doom them both. But past hostilities must be put aside, for the killer they seek is but the first sign of the all-consuming nightmare of The Dark Brethren.
  

Review 

I got this book as an ARC for review.

I must admit I was hesitant about this book when I found out that the protagonist had changed to Kitt, a friend of Oberon’s (a secondary character in Night’s Colds Kiss). I tend to treat a spin off book with the same distrust I would give a TV series spin off or a sequel of a classic Disney movie. However, when I read Death’s Sweet Embrace I really enjoyed it. Antionette and Christian were still featured as secondary characters so I could see what they were doing and experience some more fight scenes featuring Antionette, while I learnt about Kitt and grew to love her as well. In essence, demoting Antionette to a secondary character really worked.

Kitt is a snow leopard shifter with black and white hair which is distinctive to the race. She works as a lecturer of parahuman forensic pathology. Raven is the love interest and he was a werewolf. The crime aspect of the story reminded me of the early work by Laurell K Hamilton’s with Anita Blake. Tracey O’Hara displayed the same attention to detail when examining the body post-mortem.

The story was layered with Raven and Kitt’s history. At the beginning it could be a little confusing where a feeling was created where you knew you were missing something, but this added to the intrigue. Just like the first book in the series, death’s sweet embrace had a fascinating mystery involving a serial killer that kept you wondering.

The book was a little slow at the beginning possibly because of the, at times, frustratingly slow revelations of information concerning Kitt and Raven’s past. In addition, the romance wasn’t filled with as much chemistry as I would have expected with their history. In this way it felt more like a dark urban fantasy than a paranormal romance, more focused on the world and the storyline than the romance.

However, I still enjoyed the romance between Kitt and Raven. I loved the idea of these two characters being apart for twenty years but still loving each other, as well as the progressively revealed story about why they separated and the sacrifices they made in their lives. I also really felt for Kitt and while reading I was continually hoping she would get treated with more fairness, be given access to her children and be accepted back into her pack. I was completely surprised when I found out why she was exiled by her father.

On a side note, I was very curious as to how old Kitt was when I read that the shape shifters (Animalian) could live for several hundred years. This wasn’t answered in the book. Raven had to be at least 80 but there was no mention of Kitt’s age that I noticed except a few things mentioned that leads you to conclude that she has to be at least 40 or older. I also had some standout favourite scenes that I absolutely loved. First I loved how Antionette helped Kitt get rid of some unwanted suitors, including the fight afterwards; it was so funny (If you have read the book you’ll know what I mean). Second, the idea for the shadow combat game was great. A unique twist on the idea of using magic and paranormal abilities to compete i.e. baseball with vampire players in the Twilight series and Quidditch in Harry Potter. Finally, one of my favourite parts was when Christian jumps out and surprises Antionette and Kitt.

In summary, I’m looking forward to reading the next book. I’m especially looking forward to learning more about the Dark Brethren.

My rating out of 5:

4/5