A Skipper's Oath: 5 Stars

Author: P. Wesley Lundburg
Length: 430 pgs.

I signed up to read this book for free in exchange for a review as part of my Freebie Chicks’ featured Author of the Month. I asked to read this after seeing the blurb for the book. It sounded like a great thriller and reminded me somewhat of that Meryl Streep movie River Wild, where a family out for an innocent day on their boat are taken hostage by criminals, finding themselves completely isolated from society and at the mercy of a few psychos.

That’s not to say this book is anything like River Wild, but I’m glad I signed up for a copy because I ended up LOVING IT. The author hooks us from the very beginning, throwing us for a loop as we think we’re reading from the perspective of the main character at first (at least I did, since I didn’t take note of the main character’s name too closely before diving into the book, apparently). Tragic circumstances ensue, and we realize we haven’t even met our protagonist yet, we’re just learning to hate the bad guys he will eventually be going after.

The first thing I noticed and one of the most notable things about the book is the amazing setting in which it takes place. Apparently the author resided in Alaska for over 17 years and ran a fishing boat charter, but I didn’t need to know that to understand that this book is written by someone who’s been where he’s describing. Thanks to the succinctly elegant prose you can almost see Alaska, can almost smell the water and feel the spray of it against your face as you speed through the water with Frank Mattituck on his boat. The author’s love for the place lives in Mattituck’s thoughts and words, and makes me want to add “retire on boat in Alaska” to my bucket list. And that’s another thing – I know absolutely nothing about fishing or boating, but for these characters it’s pretty much a way of life so there’s no avoiding the terminology. Fortunately Lundburg has a way of explaining things in certain terms without treating his readers like idiots. Even I knew what was going on, though I couldn’t tell starboard from portside-or whatever it is-if my life depended on it (though I now apparently must learn all of this before my retirement). Alaska isn’t just the setting where this book occurs, it’s a living breathing character in itself.

The second thing I noticed is how terrifying the antagonists in the book are. There are two of them, and we’re not sure if they’re running to or from something at first, but they seem immeasurably wreckless and kill without warning or sense. We witness their disregard for human life within the first few pages. This isn’t just a case of catch-the-bad-guy(s), it’s can they catch the bad guy? And how are they going to do that?? Once Frank finds himself in the killers’ line of sight and must desperately seek shelter on an uninhabited island, things become even more dangerous.

The murder of a close friend sets off a series of events that leads to Frank being deputized and partnering up with his acquaintance Todd, who is a State Trooper. Their budding partnership was one of my favorite parts of the book. Something else the author seems to excel at is character building, and I grew to really like Frank and Todd for different reasons. I wanted to be on the boat with them, drinking coffee and plotting our next move.

The plot itself is well thought-out and perfectly executed. I was on the edge of my seat, not sure if my favorite characters were going to be sacrificed by the author or if they would be spared. Like Todd says at one point (I’m paraphrasing), if you follow one thread long enough everything will eventually unravel, and tagging along as he and Frank uncovered more and more information about their two suspects and their purpose was fascinating.

I love a good thriller, and this did not disappoint. Not only did we get a great story, but a beautiful and tangible setting to accompany it, along with smartly crafted characters from all walks of life. I truly enjoyed this and am giving it five stars for captivating me and keeping me turning the pages in an unsettling combination of anticipation and dread. I didn’t know ahead of reading this that there was a second book but I will definitely be picking it up!!

House of Royals: 3 Stars

Author: Keary Taylor
Length: 225 pgs

What to say, what to say…

This was pretty middle of the road for me. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t a gripping pageturner. I did like the vampire world built here, how there are “born” vampires versus “bitten” vampires, and those who are born don’t know they’re born until they die as humans and find themselves resurrected five days later as a vampire. There’s an interesting history regarding the vampire King and his cursed bride who is reincarnated every few years, and a unique heirarchy regarding hundreds of different “Royal” houses spread throughout the world.

Unfortunately the book, while it introduces this information, mostly revolves around the main characters and their semi-forbidden insta-love. My biggest problem was that I didn’t really connect with the characters at all so being invested in their relationship wasn’t something I felt. As a result the extenuating circumstances working against them were less than thrilling since I didn’t really mind either way what became of them. Their road to romance is identical to many other books in this genre, so there was nothing unique that made this pair of characters stand out or root for them.

There’s a cliffhanger at the end that I liked and which will probably push many readers into reading at least the second book. This one seems to focus more on setting up events for the books to come. I liked it but didn’t love it, and probably won’t continue the series. But if you’re into non-erotica, YA PNR this is probably right up your alley.

I Was a Teenage Weredeer (Bright Falls Mysteries, #1): 3.5 Stars

Author: C.T. Phipps
Length: 9 hrs 54 min

I listened to the audio version of this book. I thought the narrator did a good job voicing all the different characters, from a crimelord dragon shifter to vampires, werewolves, teenagers with New York accents, etc. It was easy to listen to and the story moved at a swift pace.

The plot itself contains many elements: a murderous demon, a corrupt town history, human sacrifices, a coven made up of magic-hungry teenagers willing to do whatever it takes to obtain shifter abilities. The world here is similar to that of the Sookie Stackhouse series in that vampires and shifters have “come out” to the public; but while their existence is known, it’s not entirely accepted. In certain states it’s legal to shoot shifters on site, and there’s hierarchy among the different types of animal shifters. Unsurprisingly, werewolves are at the top of the totem pole, while main character Jane Doe’s race of weredear possess the ability to become shamans. Within a few pages of the book we learn that Jane Doe’s best friend Emma is a werewolf, and her sister Victoria has just been found dead with Jane’s brother as the primary suspect. Thus begins the unrelenting cycle of events that unfold throughout the book.

The story takes a lot of turns, and we learn quickly not to take everything at face value. Many characters have secrets that they don’t want coming to light in the wake of Victoria’s murder and the subsequent investigation. There’s an unintended trip to hell, a haunted forest with evil spirits lurking within, and a magical convenience store of sorts that can be conjured up if you need to buy an enchanted rabbit foot and some scented candles. There’s a lot of nerd references (I say this as a proud nerd) to the Matrix, Star Wars, LOTR, etc. One of the characters is constantly quoting sci-fi movies. It makes you feel like you’re hanging out with a close friend and I found myself laughing at this quite frequently.

The book doesn’t take itself too seriously, so while we’re accompanying Jane on her twisted journey to find Victoria’s killer and exorcise a demon, there’s a lot of fun to be had as we learn about the paranomal history of the town and the eclectic characters we meet. The one thing that grated on me was Emma – her sarcasm and general negative personality made me question why she and Jane were friends, but to be fair I haven’t been a teenage girl in over ten years so maybe I just can’t relate to snark as a relationship-builder anymore.

Overall I enjoyed the story. It was something different, and I love any book that treats supernatural beings and magical occurences as completely normal so that we can enjoy the fun of it rather than dwell on its unlikelyhood. That’s the kind of world I’d want to live in- though I might stay away from Bright Falls and its penchant for human sacrfices!

I received a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Dark Breaks the Dawn: 4 Stars

Author: Sara B. Larson
Length: 320 pgs.

I really enjoyed this book, and didn’t want to put it down. It’s been a while since a fantasy novel grabbed me, but this did the trick. The writing is beautiful, and makes me want to go back and read that copy of Defy (also by Sara Larson) that’s been on my kindle for 3+ years and I haven’t gotten to. I loved reading about the differences between the Light and Dark Draiolon, their respective kingdoms and rulers, and how magic works in this world. With so many books in this genre sometimes they tend to blur together so I appreciate an author’s attempt to lend some uniqueness to their story.

The heroine, Evelayn, is immediately likeable. She’s determined, strong, and it’s easy to feel for her after she suffers the devastating loss of both her parents in a decade long war. Her magic doesn’t come easy to her but she has no choice but to take a crash course in order to take up the fight against the relentless King Bain.

The love story introduced in this book is charming and pleasant. Larson gives us the satisfaction of letting it play out naturally, not hindering it with the popular use of inner conflict that prevents so many book couples from ever getting together. Unfortunately this is only the first book of a duology, so while we get to see two likeable people fall in love, we’re not given the security of knowing they’ll have their happily ever after.

The story took a few turns that definitely gave me the creeps: a foreboding agreement of sorts between the Queen and a magical entity who will one day collect on an unnamed favor, a Dark prince who has something brewing behind the scenes, a general sense that danger is lurking just outside of our peripheral vision. Larson is excellent at propelling the story towards a disturbing and cliffhanger climax.

I’m glad I picked this up as I initially had brushed it off as yet another YA fantasy novel. Will definitely read the next one!

Scythe (Arc of a Sycthe #1): 4 Stars

Author: Neal Shusterman

Scythe tells the story of a far-off future, one in which nobody dies because they can undergo a procedure called “turning the corner” and become any age they want, virtually starting life over again to marry again, have more children, etc. As a result of this, Scythes are created to enforce population control. Scythes are the chosen few whose duty it is to, er, “remove” people from the living. Murder doesn’t exist in this world, so the word used to describe a Scythe’s duties is called “gleaning”. You can live forever in this world, or you can be one of the unlucky who is chosen for gleaning and find yourself face to face with a Scythe who will kill you, then maybe pick up some groceries and go home to eat their dinner. Understandably, most people fear and avoid Scythes like the plague.

Both Rowan and Citra are teenagers who find themselves face to face with a Scythe, but not to be gleaned. Their encounters with this Scythe send their lives in a much different direction than either of them anticipated, and they end up in a joint apprenticeship competing to be a “junior Scythe”. One of the benefits of becoming a Scythe is immunity from gleaning for your loved ones, so Rowan and Citra keep this in their heads as they struggle to accept the bizarre path they’ve both been set upon.

The premise itself is enough to keep you reading until things start to get REALLY interesting. Imagine rogue Scythes, who view their position as one of power, performing “mass gleanings” in shopping malls, on airplanes, in religious sanctuaries. Mass murder would be the word we’d use today, but in the Scythe’s world, it is entirely justified. Or is it?

An unexpected series of events puts Rowan and Citra at odds, and I have to admit I didn’t see about 80% of the following events coming at ALL. More than once I said aloud “oh shit!” while listening to the audiobook and its excellent narrator, in response to the shocking moments that pepper the story. Neal Shusterman is an absolute creative genius; giving very different emotions, feelings, memories, and opinions to many different colorful characters. And though this story is set in the far-off future, humans are very much the same, which made me feel unsure about what direction the storyline would take-since being technologically advanced obviously doesn’t guarantee that we’re any wiser or make better decisions.

I was guessing up until the end, which was both satisfying and a delicious cliffhanger of sorts, showing us what choices the characters might be making in the next chapter of their separate lives. It perfectly sets up the second book in the series, Thunderhead.

Definitely recommend and I can see why this one got all the stars from other readers!

The Long Way Down (Daniel Faust #1): 5 Stars

Author: Craig Shaeffer
Length: 374 pgs.
The Long Way Down is one of those books that I’ve had on my TBR forever, was FREE to me with Kindle Unlimited, and I just kept putting it off and putting it off – despite the great reviews, despite wanting to “get to it eventually”, etc. etc. Then finally I canceled my KU subscription, and with the impending date of cancellation just a week away, I decided to take advantage of it and FINALLY start the Daniel Faust series.

And so of course it is AMAZING and heart-stopping, tragic and shocking; a roller-coaster of emotions and just EVERYTHING.

I read and enjoyed the author’s Harmony Black series (books 1-3) but to be honest, they have nothing on book #1 in the Daniel Faust series. I was hooked immediately, when within the first few pages Daniel comes face to face with a fractured soul-ghost thingy in the sewers. The rest of the story plays out like a well-written blockbuster movie, complete with a romantic sub-plot, moments that make you gasp in surprise and horror, obstacles you’re not sure the main character can overcome, and an unrelenting countdown to the end of the world.

One of the thoughts I had while reading the book is that I really like Daniel Faust. He’s a kind, good person who sticks up for his friends and does the right thing – even in the face of seemingly unsurmountable odds. His complete likeability would have saved the book from an unfortunate plot or less-than-stellar writing, but neither of these things exist in The Long Way Down. From beginning to end, it pulls at your heart-strings, scares you, disturbs you, and more than satisfies any craving one might have for a great urban fantasy novel.

Shaeffer’s creativity is mind-blowing. The things that he comes up with, whether it’s a small detail or a complex conspiracy, are unfathomable to me. I guess this is why he’s the writer and I’m the reader. I’m good with that arrangement.

Dark Pleasures (Pure/Dark Ones #4): 4 Stars

Author: Aja James

I was kindly given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Dark Pleasures tells Devlin Sinclair’s story. Devlin is the sexy, somewhat smart-alecky Dark One we’ve gotten glimpses of in the past 2 books. Half the fun of the Pure/Dark Ones series is that (unless you ruin it by reading the blurb) you don’t know whose story is going to be coming up next. The other half of the fun is reading the books, which continue to pique my interest and keep me ravenous for more information.

The female star of this book is Grace Darling, who’s an unlikely heroine as someone with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. She lives alone and abides by a strict schedule, with only her aunt to check in on her. She likes it that way, too, until she meets Devlin. Grace’s interaction with Devlin confuses her, because emotions aren’t second nature to Grace. She’s a hacker, and her mind works in scientific and mathematical ways. I won’t ruin it here but the way that Grace and Devlin first begin their “relationship” is hilarious. If only it could be so cut and dry for all of us as it is for Grace!

The story differs here from previous books because Ms. Aja James usually makes us wait for the male/female main characters to end up in bed together – this book starts out with a bang (badum-dum!) but that’s certainly not the end of it. And in addition to Grace & Devlin’s storyline we get a peek at some of our other favorite characters. In true Aja fashion we only get to see a little of this here, and little of that there-just enough to whet our appetite for more. It’s hard to say too much without giving spoilers, but know that some of your favorite side characters from recent books pop up just enough to drop a few more revelations. You think you have some things figured out but then a two minute conversation between certain characters can turn that completely upside down!

This has to truly be one of the most well thought-out and planned series as I’m just amazed how everything ties in together, even things that previously seemed disconnected or standalone. And the characters that Aja James creates are either loveable or you love-to-hate-them, there’s not too much in between. As usual, the ending leaves me only wanting more!!

Dark Desires (Pure/Dark Ones #3): 4 Stars

Author: Aja James
Length: 331 pgs.
Number three in the Pure/Dark Ones series, Dark Desires has one of my favorite heroines ever in Ava Monroe. The girl is hilarious: smart, curvy, self-effacing, turns to blubbering idiot around handsome men. Cue Ryu Takamura, assasin for the Dark Ones. We got a glimpse of Ryu in the second book, Dark Longing, and in learning more about him and his origins here, you can’t help but connect to him.

The budding relationship between Ava and Ryu was touching and funny – I loved the way Ava opened up to him, even in spite of her own embarrassment. She speaks before she thinks, charming both Ryu and the reader. When we meet her mother, we see where she gets that charm. My favorite part of this story, though, was the plot: Ava isn’t aware that she’s being used to further an inhumane experiment led by the mysterious “A. Medusa”. Ryu’s instructions are to end the experiment no matter what it takes – even if he must kill Ava in the process.

There’s explosions, a kidnapping, torturing of a mysterious prisoner, shadow assassins, two-faced tricksters, and a love story – what more could you want?

The book manages to answer some questions raised in the two previous installments while continuing to set up mysteries that won’t unfold until future books. None of the Pure/Dark Ones stories are completely self-contained, so even while we get to witness Ryu and Ava’s story, we also learn a bit more about things that are going on outside of their love bubble. Such is the genius of Aja James in that she rewards us with bits and pieces while at the same time keeping us wanting more. It’s cruel, really.

Buddy read with the Freebie chicks!

Werebear Skye: 4 Stars

Author: Aubrey Law
Length: 36 pages (novella)
I was generously given an ARC from the author and was super excited to dive into this novella!

As always Aubrey Law weaves an exciting, fast paced tale of revenge involving multiple supernatural creatures including shifters, vampires, necromancers, and zombies. Werebear Skye introduces us to the woman who becomes Black Annis' accomplice in Black Annis: Demon Slayer and we get to learn her backstory. I love the world that Aubrey Law has created, and the story is peppered with the rye humor that we saw in the Black Annis books. This goes perfectly with the bloody violence exacted during Skye's revenge on the men responsible for her father's death. I am looking forward to continuing the series and reading more about this character!

Tacet A Mortuis (The Elite Kings Club #3): 2 Stars

Author: Amo Jones
Length: 302 pgs.
Buddy read with my girl Elaine!

After finishing this last night I browsed the ratings, sure I’d find some likeminded people, but 4 stars? 5 stars? Really people??

I’m guessing the people who gave this book 5 stars are die hard Amo Jones fans who automatically give out this rating despite the actual content of the book, or under the age of 18 in which case this book probably isn’t appropriate for you anyway. Firstly, where was the editing before this was published?? The grammar is awful in many places and there are misplaced apostrophes scattered throughout the book. It’s one thing to write a book about teenagers and put their own lingo in quotes when a teenage character is speaking, but for most of the book Amo Jones’ prose reflects this immaturity as well.

Secondly, WTF is up with all the SONGS named throughout the book? Like another reviewer said, I don’t share the same musical tastes with Amo Jones so if she was trying to infuse a specific meaning or feeling into the book by using these song names that was lost on me because I had no idea what the fuck the song was. And if you’re a writer and you’re using song titles to make the reader feel a certain ambiance, that’s a cop out anyway.

I forgave the childish writing and rap artist name-dropping in the previous 2 books because the content was edge-of-your-seat. The questions piled up and we were led to believe we’d get some answers with Tacet. Unfortunately about 70% of this book is Bishop & Maddie going back and forth in their “relationship”, having sex, fighting, making joint playlists that show the reader how much they love each other, etc. etc., pure teenage bullshit. Then there’s 15% of Maddie acting like a whore, going to parties in the sluttiest clothes possible, getting wasted, almost hooking up with other Kings, etc. Any time we do come close to finding out anything, Maddie says that she “can’t handle this right now” and goes back to fucking Bishop or complaining to Tatum. Even when she finds out that someone close to her knows something about Tillie, who went missing suddenly in book 2, she doesn’t follow up on it because it’s not the right time and that person is dealing with too much for her to press the subject further. Ok, I hope if I ever go missing that my friends are a little more dedicated to my well being than that.

Thirdly…(Fourthly?) where is the flow and organization in this book? I swear, at one point Maddie called Tatum over (whom she started calling Tate in this book because they’re superclose and stuff) to her house, Tate shows up with a bunch of junk food which they start eating, I turn to the next page and it’s the next day – NO indication that they went to bed, that there was any time passing whatsoever. I figured it out on my own cuz I have a decent sized brain, but kinda seems like Amo was sleep deprived the day she wrote that part because it doesn’t make ANY sense. There are other cases of this as well, read for yourself and highlight away.

Amo also decided to switch POVs in this book, which-whatever, but I don’t really need to read from Bishop’s POV how much he really loves Maddie and would “fucking kill for her”, then switch back to Maddie’s POV and Bishop is ignoring her again. I don’t see the point or advantage in giving us these changing perspectives. There’s also no indication as to WHOSE POV we are reading from when the chapter changes – no character name at the chapter header or anything, and it’s all first person so it’s not until you start getting into a conversation with other characters that you know whose perspective you’ve switched to. Great decision making there.

We’re pretty much strung along for the ENTIRE book, given little bits and pieces of ridiculous information that I guess is supposed to explain some of the questions in the first 2 books but really only incite more curiosity, which is never satisfied because Maddie can only handle certain amounts of information before her tiny teenage brain wants to explode. Then in the last 15% shit goes off the rails and everything is finished and wrapped up super quickly. Which begs the question - so maybe I’m not remembering something from the first two books but are we really supposed to believe that Katsia is the only reason why Swans are being killed? I don’t recall this ever being hinted at or stated previously, and supposedly they can’t get rid of Katsia because she’s the last of her blood line, but you’re telling me that all the Elite Kings and members of the Circle have no say in the murder of baby girls born into the Elite Kings lineage because of Katsia? Hmmm….what a very simple solution that turned out to be for a very complicated seeming, built-up-over-three-books problem. Kinda seems like one of those examples of authors writing themselves into a corner and then having to figure out how to easily get out of it. Before starting another series, might I suggest going back to the basics of English lit and creating an outline.

I did like the violent vision Daemon has at the end of the book which involves the death of many main characters. Thanks to “Trickery” for the best scene in the book, even if it didn’t turn out to be real. And speaking of Daemon, it’s funny to me how close Maddie claims to be to him even though she’s only really known him for a few weeks. Sure, he’s her twin brother, who was raised as a brainwashed assassin and only speaks Latin and who SHOT her, but apparently they’re so close that other characters have heard “stories about their bond.” Ha! What a joke. Maddie “bonds” irreversibly and unquestionably with apparently everyone, even if they’ve done unspeakable things to her in her past. The Kings all want her, even if they find out they’re related to her by blood. She says Tatum is her BFF, but also Tillie, but especially Tatum even though Tate’s head over heels for Nate, whom Maddie nearly sleeps with. And speaking of Nate, did anyone else start laughing at the scene where (in front of her PARENTS) he steals a tear from her cheek and sucks it into his mouth??

So basically:
Maddie is a whore who will fuck anyone, including her own stepbrother who she loves like a brother, except for when she wants to fuck him. (Can someone over the age of 18 please give Maddie a non-sexual spanking and send her to her room please? Girl needs to be grounded FOR LIFE)

Maddie and Bishop are a fucked up couple who shouldn’t be together, but will continue to mentally and emotionally abuse each other until they run out of songs to add to their joint playlist.

EVERYONE is involved in this conspiracy, even random guys at school and librarians.

I can’t even go on with this nonsense.

And let’s not even start on the “deleted” scene at the end which is basically just the author satisfying her pornographic appetite, whaaaaaaat the actual fuck did we need that for. I’m all for erotica but please. Such a strange addition to the conclusion..

I give it 2 stars for stringing me along to the finish line because I cared at least enough to get some answers. What a MESS!! And that ending – pathetic attempt to keep people invested in the series. Will not continue. Other reviewers say this is supposed to be 13 books long??

The Invisible Library: 2 Stars

Author: Genevieve Cogman
Length: 10 long hours, 31 painful minutes
This book was a total flop for me, which is such a bummer because it had such great potential. I fell in love with the premise and when the book had a price drop last year I snatched it up. Unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations at all. The storyline was completely confusing and mindboggling, with the librarian Irene and her trainee Kai chasing down a missing book for unknown reasons and every circumstance possible managing to get in their way. The action was painfully underwhelming and didn’t do the story any favors. Instead of being exciting, the magic that the librarians have the ability to perform in some cases was written in a way that made it the exact opposite. How can cyborg, mind-controlled alligators, evil faeries and a rogue librarian who hijacks human skin be uninteresting?? I was bored out of my mind for 99% of the story with the 1% being the climax and part of my interest stemming from the fact that I knew the book was FINALLY going to end.

I think I wanted this to be like the Chronicles of St. Mary's series (see Just One Damned Thing After Another) which is the case when I come across any sort of time/dimension travel storyline, because that series is epically exciting. That’s never, ever the case and I never seem to learn my lesson.

Darkfever (Fever, #1): 4 Stars

Author: Karen Marie Moning
Length: 342 pgs.
So I finally got around to reading Darkfever and finding out what all the fuss is about!

This is one of the smarter urban fantasies I’ve read. The writing is really good. Details and definitions of magical items and beings are meant to be catalogued in the reader’s mind and remembered. And, surprisingly (to me), it’s pretty freakin’ scary.

The main character, Mac, becomes introduced to the faerie world after her sister is murdered. We’re given information little by little as it’s learned firsthand by Mac, so we share in her strange fascination with all this new and overwhelming knowledge. I loved Mac and her uniqueness, the way her peppiness and style clashed with those around her. She may be in a completely new world with no idea what the hell was going on but she definitely stayed true to herself throughout the book.

I loved that she and Jericho weren’t insta-lovers. In fact they’re completely the opposite, but they both must use the other to get the information they’re seeking.

I loved the faerie history with its creepy Unseelies, the super freaky Gray Man and the unprecedented V’Lane. Basically the whole world that was created here. No wonder this book is so popular and the series so beloved. I was not expecting it to be so dark but that made me love it even more. I can’t wait to get to #2 and find out what happens next.

Fashionably Dead (Hot Damned #1): 4 Stars

Author: Robyn Peterman
Length: 323 pgs.
This book was a lot of fun and completely unexpected! When it started I was taking it seriously…then the character was turned into a vampire by a hypnotist, met her guardian angel who looks (and talks) like Oprah and a faerie physical trainer who is a replica of Arnold Schwarzenegger, and began getting drafted into sorority-like vampire houses with gift bags. Cut to her seeing demon-like creatures on her ceiling and her friend finding out she’s some sort of faerie royalty and I realized this is not the kind of book to take seriously. It made me laugh out loud throughout the story and the action moved along really quickly. Despite its bonkers character list the writer managed to bring me to tears at a few points and throw in some little twists throughout to remind you that it’s a continuing series and there’s more good stuff to come.

I got the first book as a freebie from Amazon and added narration which was awesome and probably made me love it 10x more. The next book is not free but definitely reasonably priced so this series will go on my TBR!

Good to read if you love paranormal but are in the mood for something lighter!

Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter #1): 3 Stars

Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Length: 309 pgs.
This was an okay read for me. I enjoyed it-but there were a few things that turned me off about the book.

The writing seemed a little more befitting of young adult or something along those lines. I’ve read a lot of PNR lately and found superior writing in other books like Pure Healing and Mated in Treason. That’s not to say the writing is bad. Maybe other people who have read the book will know what I mean. It just feels very bare-minimum at times and moves from day to day very quickly, but on the upside that made the book easy to get through. Maybe what I'm trying to say is that this is light reading.

Additionally in the beginning of the book the writer mentions some things offhand that confused me and made me doublecheck that this actually was the first book in the series and I hadn’t missed a prequel or something. It has to do with a character named Julian and his origins. She also very casually adds bits and pieces about Amanda’s sisters being involved in magic/supernatural forces in one way or another, but doesn’t ever talk about how this began or why Amanda’s family is like this which would’ve been very interesting to know. And then we meet Julian’s parents, and I was completely thrown off by that. Again, I checked to see that I hadn’t missed another book, but no, this is the first book in the series.

I did like the history of the Dark-Hunters that the writer created. Each vampire series has its own world-building and history and I liked the mythology aspect of this one with the addition of the Apollites and the other gods/goddesses who made appearances or were mentioned. That was definitely a plus for me that the author managed to combine mythology and paranormal in a unique way. I love that she imagined up different types of Hunters and Vampires!

I liked the ending and the little twist thrown in by the author there even if I did suspect that Amanda was up to something just before the climax. Overall I did enjoy this book and may continue the series at some point.

Mated in Treason (Kan Asma #1): 4 Stars

Length: 339 pgs.
Author: Christa Paige

This book was generously gifted to me by the author, Christa Paige, due to our longstanding friendship. Just kidding, I basically begged her for it and am so happy that she obliged!

With so many books out there in this genre, it's hard for a story stand out, but Mated in Treason is one of my favorite PNR books that I've ever read. The vampire world constructed here is unique to anything else I've come across for many reasons; one of them being that in this world (the world of Kan Asma) you can't choose your mate. Women must go through a horrific testing process followed by a goblet ceremony that ultimately binds them to their lifelong mate based on a DNA match and Council-selected applicants. Whether they love that person or not doesn't matter. They could be mated to someone and live a long, miserable life together, bound by resentment and unhappiness. Nadia's parents, for example, have been married most of their lives and share a child together, but not a bed-or even a bedroom.

Nadia is a female vampire who is nearing 40, works as a nurse in a vampire hospital and lives with her parents. Her mother anxiously awaits her goblet ceremony but Nadia feels otherwise when she meets Gunnar, who ends up in her hospital after being injured in an explosion. The attraction is instant as is their chemistry, but they both know there's no chance of them being mated by the Council due to their difference in social status.

That doesn't keep them from ultimately starting a secret relationship however. While this is going on Nadia's chosen for a Goblet ceremony and the archaic process she's put through during her DNA testing is disturbing to say the least. There's also an underground revolt brewing against the ruling members of Kan Asma, and Nadia and Gunnar soon find themselves among this faction.

I was on pins and needles throughout the book wondering how they were going to get themselves out of their mess, how Nadia was going to avoid a goblet ceremony-IF she managed to avoid it-and how they were both going to escape the faction without harm. Christa Paige is excellent at creating a tense environment - at about 75% I knew something wasn't right, and so did Nadia and Gunnar, but how exactly it was going to play out was anyone's guess.

I wish I could do the book justice with my review but there's so many aspects of the story that I loved from the writing to the origin of the Kan Asma, to Nadia & Gunnar together, to Nadia herself as a relatable character, to the Kan Asma hierarchy and traditions. I would recommend this book if you enjoy this genre because it will likely end up being a favorite. I will definitely be continuing this series.

Reviews to come

Corrupt, finished 04/10/18 (audiobook)

Darkfever, finished 04/10/18

Shifters (Jade Forest Chronicles #1): 2.5 stars

Author: Vivienne Neas
Length: 105 pgs.

(Setting record for shortest review)

A just-okay prequel novella to the Jade Forest Chronicles series. Wasn't feeling the insta-chemistry between the were and the fae and too much time was spent at the beginning discussing some land that was up for grabs and why this group or that group should get their hands on it. Nothing really grabbed me enough to want to continue the series.

The Vow (Lords of Action #1): 3.5 Stars

Author: K.J. Jackson
Length: 292 pgs.
3.5 stars

I picked this up as an Amazon freebie and read it as a Book of the Month with my Freebie chicks!

This was a pleasant surprise of a book. I'm glad it was chosen as BOTM because I wouldn't have gotten to it otherwise and it would just be stewing on my TBR. It tells the story of Ara and Caine, who are brought together after a mistaken rescue at a brothel virgin sale. Ara ends up working for Caine running his household, and together they run a secret operation rescuing other girls who are put up for sale. Over 6 years they rescue countless girls and fall in love in the process.

Of course neither Caine nor Ara admit their feelings for each other, and a lot of the book is frustrating in that they both push the other one away in mistaken attempts to do the honorable thing. This misunderstanding goes on for quite a while and you want to yell at them to JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER. Seriously, a quick honest conversation could clear all of this up.

Fortunately while they're stewing over their suppressed feelings, there are other things going on. Word of their undercover operation may be getting leaked somehow, threatening both of their reputations and putting them and their rescued girls in danger. Caine learns he must find a wife in order to keep his estate afloat. And Ara is haunted by a horrifying secret she's been keeping about something that happened in the brothel all those years ago.

A few nice twists were thrown in which caught me off-guard and enhanced the story. Overall it was an enjoyable historical romance with a little mystery to keep it interesting.

Pestilence (The Four Horsemen #1): 4 Stars

Author: Laura Thalassa
Length: 382 pgs.
This book gave me all the feels.

I was able to read this via Kindle Unlimited. I started reading it mostly out of curiosity – a book about one of the four horseman bringing on the apocalypse? And he gets it on (supposedly) with a human female? And it has great ratings? How and why does all this come about?

Of course it was written much better than that. All my questions were answered and curiosities put to rest. I loved the main characters – Sara Burns and Pestilence (and let’s not forget Trixie Skillz). After Sara’s actions bring them irreversibly together, she and Pestilence journey through mostly evacuated cities as Pestilence spreads plague in his task to wipe out the human race. Along the way, the unlikely pair encounter drastically different members of the human race. They experience hostility, fear, hatred, and-most surprisingly of all-understanding and forgiveness. The author was great at bringing so many emotions to the page, emotions that are in turn seamlessly absorbed by the reader.

While reading this story I laughed, I cried, I felt alternately hopeful and saddened for the human race depicted by Laura Thalassa (which, let’s face it, isn’t so far off from reality). I really wasn’t sure how everything was going to wrap up and what kind of ending I had coming. Fortunately, the ending that we get is so much better than I could’ve hoped for. It was perfect and completely warmed my heart.

4 stars, definitely recommend reading for yourself because it’s hard to review without spoiling everything.

Audio Add-Ons

So I can't go too long without checking out my audio companions, I'm such a sucker. Today I added on narration to three of the kindle books I own:

I picked this book up as an Amazon freebie, narration was $1.99.
A smokin’ hot British player…
A jilted girl…
One night of mistaken identity…

Two weeks before her wedding, Remi Montague’s fiancé drops her faster than a drunken sorority girl in stilettos. Armed with her best friend and a bottle of tequila, she hops a plane to London to drown her sorrows before fall semester begins at Whitman University.

She didn't plan on attending a masquerade party. She sure didn’t plan on waking up next to the British bad boy who broke her heart three years ago—the devastatingly handsome and naked Dax Blay. Furthermore, she has no clue how they acquired matching tattoos.

Once back at Whitman together, they endeavor to pretend they never had their night of unbridled passion in London.

But that’s damn hard to do when you live in the same house…

One night. Two damaged hearts. The passion of a lifetime.

Also a freebie! Narration was $2.99.
Victorian London: For five years, Charlotte (Charlie) Holloway has lived as a boy in the slums. But when one theft too many gets her arrested, her only means of escape lies with a dead man. Charlie hasn't raised a spirit since she first discovered she could do so five years ago. That time, her father banished her. This time, she brings even more trouble upon herself.

People are now hunting Charlie all over London, but only one man succeeds in capturing her.

Lincoln Fitzroy is the mysterious head of a secret organization on the trail of a madman who needs a necromancer to control his newly "made" creatures. There was only one known necromancer in the world - Charlotte - but now there appears to be two. Lincoln captures the willful Charlie in the hopes the boy will lead him to Charlotte. But what happens when he discovers the boy is in fact the young woman he's been searching for all along? And will she agree to work for the man who held her against her will, and for an organization she doesn't trust?

Because Lincoln and his ministry might be just as dangerous as the madman they're hunting.

I am most excited about this one! I purchased the kindle book for 99 cents and it was chosen for me to read as a Buddy Pick in my favorite Goodreads group a few months back- I think December, but I never got to it. It's on the longer side at 460 pages so the audiobook will help me get to it quicker and through it faster. I splurged a bit on this one - audio companion was $7.49. That's pretty much the typical going rate for all my books so I don't tend to purchase them at that price, but this book has been on the top of my TBR for a while.
Erika:
I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.

His name is Michael Crist.

My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He is handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.

But I noticed him.

I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.

Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.

Because he’s finally noticed me.

Michael:
Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.

My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.

Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.

In my city.

Unprotected.

The opportunity is too good to be true as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.

We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.