A Book Obsession..

Waiting on Wednesday (71)

, by KT

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

My pick this week:

Bedeviled - Dark Breed #2

by Sable Grace

Publication Date: December 27th, 2011

Amazon Pre-Order: Bedeviled: A Dark Breed Novel (Dark Breed Novels)

She has done the unthinkable—turned her best friend into a dark breed: part Vampyre, Lychen and Witch . . .

Kyana thought only to save her friend’s life when she fed Haven her blood; instead, she created a monster. Now the woman she thought of as a sister is under the spell of an ancient, vengeful god, determined to set him free and wreak havoc on the mortal world . . . and only Kyana can stop her.

But time is running out. In just seven days, Kyana’s Vampyre and Lychen abilities will be gone and she’ll be completely transformed into the Goddess of the Hunt—and her blood ties to Haven will be severed. By her side is Ryker—ally, demigod, lover— who will sacrifice everything to keep Kyana safe . . . even the attraction that burns between them. Together they have one chance to save Haven from herself . . . to save humanity from hell on earth.

Shatter Me

, by KT

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me #1

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in 264 days. Her touch is lethal, even if she doesn't mean for it be. After being locked up for accidentally killing someone she's spent her days in silence. She's watched the world around her slowly crumble apart as people starve and the environment becomes slowly even more uninhabitable. To make matters worse, there is a movement called the Reestablishment that has taken over everything and ruined what hope was left. Anyone who opposes them finds themselves quickly executed, and yet there are still those who would fight. And their numbers are growing. Her confinement ends when someone in the Res realizes that they could harness her power to once and for all crush the opposition. Problem is that Juliette has no desire to use her power for evil, but she may not have a choice in the end.

In the start of the book, Juliette is as close to crazy as you can really get without stepping over the edge. Of course being in solitary confinement for such a long time would surely crack even the best of us. Her thoughts weren't quite coherent, but that made everything all the more powerful as she poured out her fears and thoughts. She has this very interesting way of ~~crossing out~~ what she really means, and follows it with what she should say. It is almost like she is constantly editing her own thoughts, but only ~~crosses~~ them out rather than fully erasing them, giving them a whole lot more value and meaning. Then as time goes on she starts to come out of the shell she has built around herself for protection. Not once did it cease to amaze me how she stayed so pure and good despite the horrific treatment she has endured. The world around her is literally in shambles, and to be honest, I'm not sure if the people on the "outside" of her cell had things any better, yet they still treat her as a pariah. This is dystopian at its finest, or worst depending on how you look at it.

You wouldn't think a book with such horrifying circumstances and a heroine with a deadly touch could possibly have a believable romance, let alone one that was so utterly breathtaking. Yet the connection between the two of them steamed right off the page. Every touch, kiss, or even gesture would completely overwhelm Juliette in such a way that made every single moment feel precious. And so it should be as she has gone a lifetime without any touch at all. So to be capable of it now would be nothing short of spectacular. But don't think it is a love out of happenstance due to the hero's odd ability to touch Juliette. There is so much more to them, with a foundation that is built to last.

It is impossible to not make comparisons between Juliette and Rouge from X-Men, but do not let that discourage you or make you think you've read this story before with just a different name. There is so much more to it than just a girl who can kill with only a touch. It is a story about horrifying circumstances as well as the strength and determination to stand above it all. This is dystopian at its finest, or worst depending on how you look at it. Add that into the fact that Tahereh's writing is absolutely amazing and you have one incredible book. It kept me utterly captivated as I devoured this book. And trust me, Shatter Me deserves to be utterly consumed and devoured. I've never quite read anything like the amazingly unique voice Tahereh gave Juliette.I will be waiting with bated breath for the sequel.

Rating:

Buy a copy from Amazon:
Shatter Me

Other Reviews:

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It's Monday What Are You Reading? (71)

, by KT

It's Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Journey, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Here's what I read this past week:

Darkness Unbound by Keri Arthur (Review)
Darkness Rising by Keri Arthur (Review)
Shaedes of Gray by Amanda Bonilla (Early Review)

I love everything Keri Arthur writes, especially the Riley Jensen series. I was really sad to say goodbye when it ended, so you can only imagine how excited I was to find out there would be a spin-off. After reading the books, I've decided they are every bit as good. A word of warning though, do not expect Risa to be just like Riley. She is definitely her own person, with a completely different set of problems that make things fun. I devoured the first two as soon as they came out and now am impatiently waiting for the third.

I also read Shades of Gray by Amanda Bonilla. This was a really interesting debut that was unlike anything I've read before. It's a great read for Urban Fantasy fans that want something a little different from everything else out there.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I'm still trying to recoup from the insane Black Friday shopping. ;)

My Upcoming List:

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost
Flying Blind by Deborah Cooke
Winging It by Deborah Cooke (Early Review)

Shaedes of Gray (Early Review)

, by KT

Shaedes of Gray by Amanda Bonilla

Shaedes Assassin #1

In the shadows of the night, Darian has lived alone for almost a century. Made and abandoned by her former love, Darian is the last of her kind-an immortal Shaede who can slip into darkness as easily as breathing. With no one else to rely on, she has taught herself how to survive, using her unique skills to become a deadly assassin.

When Darian's next mark turns out to be Xander Peck, King of the Shaede Nation, her whole worldview is thrown into question. Darian begins to wonder if she's taken on more than her conscience will allow. But a good assassin never leaves a job unfinished...

Darian is an immortal Shaede who can slip into shadow at will. She wasn't always this way, she used to be human. But her former lover changed her, and then abandoned her, making her believe she was the last of her kind. She did what she had to in order to survive and is now an assassin who never misses her mark. However, things get a little sticky when her latest job leads her to not only others like herself, but the very King of her species. Her entire world view is turned upside down as she is thrown into a nefarious plot with all sides clambering to claim her for her own. Trouble is, she vowed to never be controlled ever again, and she isn't about to start now.

I absolutely loved Darian's character. Yes in the beginning she is extremely arrogant and quite overconfident. However, even as she gets knocked down a few pegs by all that she didn't know, she never really loses that iron will. She goes through an incredible character growth as she stumbles upon all the lies she has been told, and for once in her life starts to make choices based on knowledge rather than ignorance. Of course she still has a lot of her independent nature, making it next to impossible for her to accept help when she needs it. But even there, by the end of the book she had made huge strides as she started to open herself up, making me love her even more.

There were stirrings of a love triangle possibility, although if you ask me I don't think one of them stands a snowball's chance. I just wasn't feeling anything than a desire for possession from the new guy. Definitely a turn off. On the other side of things, the sexual tension between Darian and the original guy was practically off the charts, even if she was in denial about it all. To be honest, I don't blame her one bit for being so wary and for trying to keep her distance from everyone. After all the lies she has been fed, along with everyone seeming to have an agenda to use her for themselves, it's a wonder she is able to feel anything at all besides anger and resentment. But somehow, something does slowly grow in the romance department. Of course, these obstacles, both emotional and physical, once overcome will make the final romance all the more meaningful and gratifying in the end. If something comes easily and never has to be fought for, you can't truly appreciate it. Trust me, Darian will fully appreciate everything in her relationship when all is said and done because nothing is going to come easy here. I just can't wait to see how things turn out!

As much as I loved Shaedes of Gray, there was a part of the book that became incredibly confusing for me. I was following everything well, reveling in learning everything right alongside Darian. However, in the last third of the book prophecies started getting sprouted and a whole bunch of other reveals were made, leading up to the big final fight. Unfortunately everything seemed too jumbled together and I got lost. I'm still really not sure what was going on and why certain events happened. Although, to be honest I don't think Darian or her allies have much of a clue either. It was just a little bit of a let down since I had been completely immersed into the book prior to that point, and the confusion drew me out a little. Perhaps the next installment will make things a little more clear, and in the grand scheme of things it really is only a small complaint. All in all, Shaedes of Gray is a great debut that is completely fresh and original, a rare find in the Urban Fantasy genre. I eagerly await the next installment, and I highly recommend it!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

Pre-order from Amazon:
Shaedes of Gray: A Shaede Assassin Novel

Other Reviews:

Wicked Little Pixie

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Happy Turkey Day!

, by KT

May your day be full of blessings, good food, and family!

Darkness Rising

, by KT

Darkness Rising by Keri Arthur

Dark Angels #2

Risa will go to any lengths to avenge her mother’s murder—even if it means making a pact with the most evil vampire she’s ever met. Lethal and powerful, Madeline Hunter is leader of the vampire council, and will put her resources behind finding the killer—for a price. The venerable vampire requires the assistance of Risa’s psychic powers. Quid pro quo.

Someone—or something—is targeting the elders of the local council, cursing the immortal vampires to rapidly age, sink into madness, and die. Risa must track down the vengeful being responsible. But Risa’s father, a rogue Aedh priest, also enlists her in a dangerous mission. And not even the great Madeline Hunter may be able to protect her from the shadowy forces that desire nothing less than Risa’s destruction.

In a moment of weakness right after her mother's brutal murder, Risa agreed to help the leader of the vampire council, in exchange for assistance in revenge for her mother. Now she is saddled with an impossible task at finding a deadly threat to the council members. If she fails, the penalty is death. However, the council aren't the only ones gunning for her head. Her father and everyone else wants to use her to find the Keys to the Gates of Hell, and they will stop at nothing to get them. She'll have to learn who to trust, and quickly as her enemies seem to be around every corner.

I knew trouble was going to be coming as soon as Risa agreed to work for Hunter. To me that was like signing a deal with the devil. It took no time at all for Hunter to start making her demands. What I really don't get is why Hunter is setting Risa up to fail at her new job when she supposedly needs Risa to find the Keys to the Gates, because the council is determined to execute her if she fails. I guess that just proves how different vampires are, you just can't expect them to make sense. Risa really has a touch road ahead of her as she deals with all the different agendas that seem to center themselves around her. I just hope her determination continues to hold strong or she will end up be sacrificed like any other pawn.

The men in Risa's life are a real lesson in frustration. On one hand you have Lucian who is yummy and trust me the sparks are flying between them. Well physically that is, there isn't much there in emotional attachment. Being a werewolf, that should be ideal for her as sex without any strings is basically their culture. However, Risa isn't just a werewolf, she's also Adeh. Of course they are emotionless beings, but Risa is different. You can just sense the lack of true satisfaction she has with Lucian due to the lack of connection. That became even more apparent as his own agenda was revealed, and we saw how much it affected Risa. If she was really looking for no strings, it wouldn't have bothered her. To be honest I wish she would get rid of him. There is just something fishy about him and I, like Azriel, do not trust him at all. Speaking of a certain reaper, he has his own set of secrets, and yet I still think he is wholy on Risa's side. There is such a tension there as both of them try to keep their working relationship strictly professional, but to be honest I don't think that will last much longer. There have been several hints at something much deeper between them. I can't help but wonder if Risa is his Caomh, which I take to be a sort of soul mate. So in case I wasn't clear, Risa needs to get rid of Lucian and get it on with Azriel.

I really cannot get enough of Risa and the continuation of the world set up in the Riley Jenson series. I was quite spoiled having these first two books released only a month apart, but in the end that only makes the wait for the next installment even harder. I can guarantee you I will be picking it up on the day it releases, that is how much I love these books. I would caution against reading Darkness Rising without reading the first installment, as a lot of things were set up. To be honest, this book is really a continuation of Darkness Unbound rather than a self-contained story. Also, if you haven't read the Riley books, I'd recommend going back and checking them out. It will only enhance your enjoyment of this great series. In the end I was thoroughly impressed with Darkness Rising and I can't wait to see more of Risa in the future.

Rating:

Buy now from Amazon:
Darkness Rising (Dark Angels, Book 2)

Other Reviews:

Book Savvy Babe

Previous Books:

Darkness Unbound

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Waiting on Wednesday (70)

, by KT

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

My pick this week:

Angel Fire - Angel #2

by L.A. Weatherly

Publication Date: December 27th, 2011

Amazon Pre-Order: Angel Fire (Angel Trilogy)

Only Willow has the power to defeat the malevolent Church of Angels, and they will stop at nothing to destroy her. Willow isn’t alone, though. She has Alex by her side – a trained Angel Killer and her one true love. But nothing can change the fact that Willow’s a half-angel, and when Alex joins forces with a group of AKs, she’s treated with mistrust and suspicion. She’s never felt more alone…until she meets Seb. He’s been searching for Willow his whole life – because Seb is a half-angel too.

Darkness Unbound

, by KT

Darkness Unbound by Keri Arthur

Dark Angels #1

Risa Jones is as extraordinary as her heritage. Born from a lab-enhanced clone mother and an Aedh father, she can not only talk to the souls of the dying and the dead, but she can see the reapers and walk the gray fields that divide this world from the next.

They are skill she rarely uses, however, preferring to concentrate on the business she shares with her two best friends. But when her mother asks her to help the parents of a little girl locked in a coma, she reluctantly agrees. What she discovers scares the hell out of her. Because the little girl’s soul no longer resides in her body, and it wasn’t death and the reapers that took her.

Someone had ripped her soul from her flesh.

As it turns out, a creature consuming the souls of the innocent–and not so innocent–is the least of her problems.

Because someone wants to rip open the gates that divided hell from earth, and Risa is a key component in their plans.

And the only person standing between her and disaster is a reaper who isn’t exactly on her side.

There isn't anyone quite like Risa. Her mother, a lab created clone, is an extremely strong clairvoyant and also a very special kind of werewolf, able to shift facial structure. Her father is an Adeh, capable of becoming only mist, as well as several other perks. This mixed heritage has made Risa incredibly unique and powerful. Yet all she wants is to live a normal life. Yet, when her mother asks her to help out with a little girl whose soul has been stolen, Risa finds herself in the middle of a very dangerous plot. While she has trained with her guardian "aunt and uncle" nothing could have prepared her for what happens next.

If you are a fan of Keri Arthur's Riley Jenson books, then you won't want to miss this new spin off series. Favorites return, but the real focus is on Risa. However, don't be expecting her to be a Riley 2.0, as she is very much her own person. Yes, Risa is part wolf, but unlike Riley, she isn't chained as much by the sexual nature of her wolf side. In fact Risa is more Adeh than anything, making for a fresh new set of skills. She also is her mother's daughter, in that she has plenty of physic abilities. It would have been so easy to follow down the same path her "Aunt" Riley had with the directorate, but for the moment, Risa seems happier to live a normal life. Or, well that was the case until certain events were set into motion in this book. Now it looks like that normal life will be thing of the past, which is bad for Risa, but very entertaining for the reader.

There are two very sexy men that show up in Risa's life in Darkness Unbound. A sexually frustrated werewolf is an incredibly dangerous thing, so their arrival was just in time, since Risa's wolf side, while much milder than most, was starting to show the signs of neglect. Lucian, being a full Adeh seems to be surprisingly straight forward, a rare occurrence. Of course there still could be more to him than meets the eye, but only time will tell. Azriel on the other hand is quite mysterious, making me desperate to know more. He's a reaper charged with following Risa around until he gets his answers. Despite his outward demeanor, I don't think he is quite as aloof as he pretends to be towards her. One made some progress with Risa in this book, (I won't say which) but to be honest I'm more intrigued by the other one. I'm quite curious to see how things will play out for Risa, and how much of her wolf side will come into play. Does she have a soul mate like most wolves? It is a pair like her aunt's due to their dual natures, or does her Adeh nature cancel all that out? I cannot wait to see the answers to these questions, and where Risa's love life goes.

On a slightly side note, it is mentioned that Riley and Rhoan haven't aged at all, yet Liander is showing some signs. This worries me immensely, as Rhoan cannot survive without him, and in turn Riley wouldn't survive without her twin. Then that leaves Quinn and I'm not so sure how he would fair in all that too, as they are all a package deal. I'm kinda hoping Liander gets turned or something, as him aging is sure to cause a massive domino effect. But that is enough of those worries for now, and I'll get back to the book at hand. Keri Arthur once again proves just how good she is at writing an intriguing book with a fast moving plot that has plenty of steaminess on the side. I'll be counting down the days until the next book releases.

Rating:

Buy now from Amazon:
Darkness Unbound: A Dark Angels Novel

Other Reviews:

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It's Monday! What are you reading (70)

, by KT

Eyes to See by Joseph Nassise (Review)
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (Review)
Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews (Early Review)
Acquainted With the Night by Piper Maitland (Early Review)

First up was Eyes to See by Joseph Nassise. This book didn't quite live up to my expectations, but I did enjoy the author's writing and I plan to give the next installment a chance.

Next was The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. This book completely blew my socks off! It was so full of emotion and horror that it kept my heart pounding the entire time. You don't want to miss this one.

Fate's Edge is the latest installment in the Edge series by Ilona Andrews and I have to say it is my favorite installment yet. I love the two main characters, as well as the return of Jack and George.

Finally, I read Acquainted With the Night. This was a really great debut with an interesting take on vampires. I also have and interview posted with Piper Maitland as well as a giveaway of two copies of the book.

I also am participating in the Gratitude Giveaway Hop. That ends 11/27, and I'm giving away a book up to $10 from the Book Depository.

My Upcoming List:

Darkness Unbound by Keri Arthur
Darkness Rising by Keri Arthur
Shaedes of Gray by Amanda Bonilla

Interview and Giveaway with Piper Maitland

, by KT

Piper Maitland was gracious enough to include A Book Obsession.. on her Acquainted With the Night blog tour. Read down for an interview with her. Also don't forget to check out my review. :)

Is Acquainted With the Night a stand alone novel, or the first in a series? If it is the latter can you give any hints as to what is in store next?

It’s the first in a series, but I also wanted the book to be a stand-alone. The title of the second novel is A Requiem for Daylight.

I'm so excited that it is a series! I definitely want to see more of Caro and Jude. How do you choose your character names?

The character usually determines his or her name—sometimes in a second or third draft. I have no qualms about changing a name if it feels right or if a problem surfaces. The characters in AWTN were assertive from the get-go, and I didn’t dare change their names.

That is really interesting that your characters were so strong of will in your mind. If Acquainted With the Night were to be made into a movie who would be your top picks for the cast?

I don’t have a clue! I can’t think of a single actress who has Caro’s wild hair.

Hmm, I guess that would be tough to find! If you could tell readers one thing about yourself or your books what would that be?

I wrote every single day for a decade before my first novel was published.

That is some serious determination. What are some of your favorite books in the paranormal genre?

The Sookie Stackhouse series; anything by Christine Feehan and Laurell K. Hamilton.

Great picks! Could you tell us a little about you?

I have a B.S. in nursing and was a chemotherapy nurse. I’m married to a physician; my oldest son is a professional chef, and my younger son is a biochemist. We live on a small farm in middle Tennessee.

What are your passions other than reading or writing?

Cooking. When I’m not writing, you can find me in the kitchen.

I'm not the greatest of cooks, but I can bake like crazy. What is the craziest or at least most interesting thing you have ever done?

One snowy December I climbed the steep steps to Varlaam Monastery in Meteora, Greece—the stones were quite slippery and the drop-offs were heart-stopping. If I had the chance, I’d do it again.

I bet that was beautiful. Just for fun. If you were stranded somewhere but had electric, what 3 things other than basic survival supplies would you have to have?

A long flannel nightgown, Sisson’s Synonyms, chocolate chip-pecan cookies, iPhone, dog food.

Finish this statement: “You’ll like Acquainted With the Night if.."

"..you like quests, romance, the science of vampirism, and a mystery."

Thank you for having me!

Best,

Piper Maitland

Author Info:

Piper Maitland lives on a Tennessee farm with her family. She is the author of the vampire thriller, Acquainted With the Night (Berkley/November 2011). She is currently working on the sequel, A Requiem for Daylight. Piper has also written novels under the name Michael Lee West.

Find Piper online:

Website Blog Twitter Facebook

Book Info:

The pages of history are written in the blood of the undead…

A woman’s quest for the truth…

A medieval icon that holds the clues…

An ancient book with the power to shake Christianity—and humanity itself…

Caroline Clifford’s bland life as a London tour guide flips upside down when her beloved uncle is brutally murdered at a Bulgarian archeological site. While traveling to recover his remains, she meets a man who corresponded with her uncle. Jude Barrett is a biochemist on a mission—to eradicate the world of vampires…

At first, Caro is dismissive of Jude’s beliefs, but she can’t ignore the signs around her—the human bites on her uncle, the strange men following her, the anguished cries after sundown. Strange anagrams on her uncle’s passport lead her and Jude to a cliff-top monastery in Greece, where a shattering revelation connects a relic Caro inherited from her parents to an age-old text on immortality—and an enigmatic prophecy that pits the forces of darkness and light in a showdown that could destroy them all…