A Book Obsession..

It's Monday What Are You Reading (108)

, by KT

It's Monday! What Are You Reading, is 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.

Reviews for the past week:

Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong (Review)
Bedeviled by Sable Grace (Review)
Chosen by Sable Grace (Early Review)

As bittersweet as it was to say goodbye, I felt Thirteen was a really good wrap up for the Women of the Otherworld series. It definitely went out with a bang. That being said, there will be several short story anthologies coming up that I'm super excited for. So I guess it isn't a hard goodbye after all.

I loved Sable Grace's Ascension, and I was super excited about the sequel, Bedeviled. However, life ensued and review copies kept taking presedence, so it kept getting pushed down my TBR pile. However, when I received an ARC copy of Chosen, it instantly got bumped up the list, and I'm really glad it did. I enjoyed getting the chance to see the characters grow over the trilogy, and I felt Chosen wrapped things up mostly well. That being said, I'd love to see more from this world in the future as I feel like there is so much potential left.

Kirsten's Book of the Week:

The Devil's Mixtape by Mary Borsellino (Review)

Other Posts:

Book Blogger Confessions asked about Making Money Off Our Blogs.

I introduced my new reviewer Kirsten, and I hope you all give her a very warm welcome!

Brigid Kemmerer stopped by to tell us about her dating horror stories, and I'm giving away my extra ARC copy of Spark. The book rocked, so you'll definitely want to read it, and what better way than to get an early copy?

Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh was featured for Waiting on Wednesday

This week's Bargain Books & Kindle Deals

T.G.I.F asked about unexpected books.

I received 8 books in the past two weeks. Check out my Stacking the Shelves to see which ones.

Upcoming List:

The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Francis Long (Early Review)
How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days by Saranna DeWylde (Early Review)
Spark by Brigid Kemmerer (Early Review)

Kirsten Reviews: Wild Justice by Ellen Datlow

Stacking the Shelves (8)

, by KT

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

Here's the books that I have received in the last two weeks:

For Review:

Thank you Dial, Tor Teen, Brava, & Kensington!!

From Netgalley:

Thank you Harlequin Teen!! From Edelweis:

Thank you Harper Voyager!! Won:

Thank you to Anna's Book Blog and Pocket!!
From the Library:
(Even though I won a copy, I couldn't wait to read it, so I snatched it up from my library while waiting for my copy to arrive.)

Early Review: Chosen by Sable Grace

, by KT

Chosen by Sable Grace

Dark Breed #3

She was a Dark Breed—half Vampyre, half Lychen. Now she is chosen . . .

Kyana is the new Goddess of the Hunt, chosen for her determination to survive as much as for her passion to protect those she loves. Now, just when she’s finally ready to shed her past and let the one man who really matters into her heart, an evil has resurrected, and only Kyana stands in its way.

But Ryker, as the new Zeus, will not let her fight alone. It has taken him too long to convince Kyana they belong together for him to lose her. And if it means descending into the depths of Hades to make the ultimate sacrifice, then so be it. The fate of the world is at stake, and for Kyana and Ryker, no fight has ever been more personal.

Kyana's entire very long life has been a struggle, from her mortal years as an abused wife in a harem, to her death and rebirth as a hated Dark Breed, then through the years of prejudice as she tried to use her half Vampyre, half Lychen nature to help others, and then finally through her transition into the Goddess of the Hunt. She was chosen for this role for her perseverance to protect others throughout the years and her fierce will to survive. Yet now that her life could have finally been settling down, a massive threat looms on the horizon, as Chronos sets to conquer the gods and humans a like. With Ryker, the man she is coming to love at her side, Kyana knows that they must do whatever it takes to finally stop Chronos once and for all, even if that means making the ultimate sacrifice.

Looking back at the Kyana that was introduced in Ascension and the one that finished out Chosen, and I can hardly believe they are the same person. Kyana has gone through so much change, all of it for the better. Sure she may be a little softer rather than a killer bad ass, but that only opened her up to allowing others into her heart which is never a bad thing in my opinion. Also, I think her fighting skills have greatly improved as well now that she isn't so quick to run head first into battle. In the past, her temper and her leap before looking nature got her into some sticky jams, that honestly took a miracle to get out of. Now however, she is much more thoughtful and takes the time to consider her decisions before making them, giving her both the brawns and the brains to take down just about any foe. Considering the nasty showdown with Chronos, she's need every advantage she can get.

I really enjoyed the blend of the old gods and new ones in Chosen. There always is a great deal of friction in any situation when it is time for the next generation to take over. Considering the longevity of the original gods' rule, things were only more difficult, especially in Zeus/Ryker's place. Yet, with the massive threat of Chronos looming darkly over their heads, they didn't have much choice as infighting would have crippled them in a time where they needed every last one of them to have even the slightest chance at success. I just enjoyed seeing how even the most ancient of beings can put aside differences and stand up for a worthy cause. Even though this is only fiction, it kind of gives me a little hope for the real world.

As much as I enjoyed Chosen and felt it wrapped things up well for Kyana and Ryker's story, I can't help feeling like there was so much left unsaid, especially since the ending felt rather abrupt. I can't exactly put my finger on what that is, but I definitely think there is a potential for more books in this series, even if they don't center around Kyana and Ryker. I just feel like only the surface of this world has been scratched, and that there are many more stories left to tell. I'd particularly like to see a spin off featuring Haven as I'd love to see some happiness for her. So I'm crossing my fingers that the open-endedness of the wrap up means that there is more in store for this world. As far as Chosen, it definitely was an impressively action packed wrap-up to a series I have come to love, and I highly recommend it.

(Received a copy from the publisher via Edelweiss)

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Kirsten Reviews: The Devil's Mixtape

, by KT

The Devil's Mixtape by Mary Borsellino

In 1999, Ella was one of three students who arrived at her Denver school with a cache of weapons and a plan to use them. Years later, she sifts through accounts of other violent young women, writing letters to a little sister who had to grow up in the aftermath of that day.

In 1952, Sally was a runaway, hitch-hiking around Australia with a strange, secretive girl named Amy. Each outcasts in their own way, the pair navigate a landscape scarred by old memories and tragedies, searching for a place that will feel like safety and home.

And in 2011, Charlotte was a music journalist on tour with a band, listening to their stories of loss and hope. Though they are in very different times and places, the three are linked by a web of legacies and second chances.

Demons, fallen soldiers, hunters, rock & roll stars, and high-school heartbreaks are all thrown together. The result could never be anything but the Devil's mixtape.

YA and dark fantasy writer Borsellino (Wolf House, 2010, etc.) is known for combining her love of music with the fraught journey of adolescence, and her latest work continues this trend.

Each chapter is told from the perspective of a young woman, from three distinct periods of time. Ella, Sally, and Charlotte may have lived in different decades, but as the plot develops, a reader realizes that they are all linked by a single legacy and the aftermath of decisions made years ago. The book delves into the emotions of teenagers and young adults with a frankness that does not shy away from the emotional extremes that those years bring. The storyline feels unconnected at times, but if a reader is willing to invest in the blend of teenagers, rock and roll, and even demons, then they will find that all the elements are united with a common theme over the course of the narrative. It should be noted that the novel's subject matter may be disturbing to some readers. One of the characters' passages are an attempt to explain her violent actions to a family member. This section of the book is given the same focus as any other, and anyone who is uncomfortable with school violence may want to skip over this part. The tragedy is not glorified in any way, but rather presented from one character's perspective and later reflected on from that of another woman. In this way, you see the way that one person's actions affect other people, and the ways in which they try to move on with their lives. The novel focuses as much on Australia as it does on the intertwined story lines, transforming Australia itself into a character as vibrant as the protagonists. The result of this is that the extremes of the landscape and sometimes oppressive weight of the sun are excellent counterpoints to the stories of three women searching for a way to move on from tragedy.

Intense, with heroines that defy the traditional mold, and an unflinching look at the battlefield of teenagers everywhere.

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Review: Bedeviled by Sable Grace

, by KT

Bedeviled by Sable Grace

Dark Breed #2

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.

The last of her kind, half Vampyre, half Lychen, Kyana was forbidden from passing her curse onto another. But in order to save her friend Haven, she did exactly that, creating a monster in the progress. Haven has become possessed by the spirit of the most evil of all Titans, Cronos, and seeks to raise him from the dead. Kyana, as her sire has the only chance at bringing Haven down. But time is running out. In only seven days, Kyana will complete the transformation from half-breed to the Goddess of the Hunt, and lose all her blood ties to Haven. If Haven isn't brought down before she raises the dark God, then all will be lost, with no one safe, not even the Gods themselves.

Bedeviled was all about change for Kyana as she transforms from half-breed to the Goddess of the Hunt. For centuries Kyana has been ostracized for her half vampire, half lychen nature, and despite her determination to use her abilities to help others, she has been greatly disdained by many. To cope she has cloaked herself with a brash and hard as nails exterior, fully embracing the darker halves of herself in order to get the job done. Now however, as her half-breed nature is slipping away to turn her into a full fledged Goddess, her world is being turned upside down. She can no longer hide behind her other nature and it has left her more than a little lost. Even so, she is adapting remarkably well considering the circumstances, and once she fully embraces her new nature, she will be even more of a force to reckoned with. Trust me, that is saying something.

I'll be the first one to admit that I don't always have the best of patience for a slow moving romance. I am such a sap for that happiness, that I always want that instant gratification. However, in this series, I am actually really enjoying the slow build up between Kyana and Ryker. They are both so incredibly damaged, that anything else wouldn't have been stable enough to last. Honestly I love it when both the hero and the heroine are wrecks as it puts them on equal footing, and then can heal one another. Although in this case, Ryker does have a little bit one up on Kyana, as he both knows and freely admits that he wants her, not just for now, but for always. Kyana is much more skittish, but I enjoyed seeing her start to slowly open up a little more in Bedeviled. There's still a very long road ahead, but the two of them seem to be headed in the right direction.

Bedeviled was a really great follow up to Ascension, and definitely kept me more than entertained. The blend of mythologies, from the Greek Gods, to vamps and lychens, and a plethora of other supernatural creatures, makes for a very enriching world, that is sure to please. I highly recommend Bedeviled as it is a very solid second installment in the Dark Breed Series that shouldn't be missed.

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Previous Books:

Ascension

Bargain Books & Kindle Deals (11)

, by KT

I've decided to make my Bargain Book and Kindle Deal finds a weekly feature here at A Book Obsession.. If you guys are anything like me, your book addiction can easily get out of hand, so any sales/deals are a huge help. If you like any of the deals below, I would appreciate if you use the affiliate links below. All earning support the giveaways here on the blog. :)

(Prices accurate as of 8/8)

Bargain New Paperbacks/Hardcovers:

Kindle Deals:

$0.99

$1.59-$1.99 $2.99 $3.99 $4.00-$5.99

Waiting on Wednesday (107)

, 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:

Archangel's Storm - Guild Hunter #5

by Nalini Singh

Publication Date: September 4th, 2012

Pre-Order:

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.

Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price—Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.

With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

Review: Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong

, by KT

Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong

Women of the Otherworld #13

The #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong delivers the novel her fans have been clamoring for: The epic finale of the Otherworld series.

It’s been more than ten years, a dozen installments, and hundreds of thousands of copies since Kelley Armstrong introduced readers to the all-too-real denizens of the Otherworld: witches, werewolves, necromancers, vampires, and half-demons, among others. And it’s all been leading to Thirteen, the final installment, the novel that brings all of these stories to a stunning conclusion.

A war is brewing—the first battle has been waged and Savannah Levine is left standing, albeit battered and bruised. She has rescued her half brother from supernatural medical testing, but he’s fighting to stay alive. The Supernatural Liberation Movement took him hostage, and they have a maniacal plan to expose the supernatural world to the unknowing.

Savannah has called upon her inner energy to summon spells with frightening strength, a strength she never knew she had, as she fights to keep her world from shattering. But it’s more than a matter of supernaturals against one another—both heaven and hell have entered the war; hellhounds, genetically modified werewolves, and all forces of good and evil have joined the fray.

Uniting Savannah with Adam, Paige, Lucas, Jaime, Hope, and other lost-but-notforgotten characters in one epic battle, Thirteen is a grand, crowd-pleasing closer for Armstrong’s legions of fans.

Over the last twelve installments the Women of the Otherworld have been telling their tales of danger keeping readers enthralled. But everything prior to this point has been leading to one final showdown that will bring all of the beloved characters characters back together one last time. The stakes have never been higher as the lives of every supernatural are hanging in the balance. Told from Savannah's perspective, the reader will be enthralled as they watch her scramble with her other allies to stop the war from destroying them all. But it won't be easy as the fight isn't only on earth, but heaven and hell have joined the fray. No matter the outcome, in the end nothing will ever be the same.

There are so many elements in Thirteen that I would love to talk about, but in all honesty the entire book is one big spoiler and I completely understand why the publisher opted to put such a strict release date and no early review copies. This is a book that truly deserves to be savored not spoiled, and for that reason, I won't be going into may detail or specifics in this review. I apologize in advance if things seem overly vague or I end up sounding like a squealing fan girl as a result. It just wouldn't do this fantastic book any justice to give anything away in advance.

From the very start, Thirteen took off with a bang. It was so jammed pack with action that the even when the characters would score a small victory, both they and myself barely had a chance to breath before it was off to the next crisis. Seriously, I don't think my heart rate lowered once while reading Thirteen as the stakes were that high. However, even though that action was incredibly exciting, what really kept me enthralled were the emotional aspects of the book. Again, keeping from spoiling things I won't go into specifics, but suffice it to say the emotion took the book from really good to absolutely stellar. I especially loved the added in chapters from the different characters' perspectives periodically throughout the book. Don't get me wrong, Savannah's perspective was great, but it was nice to see into the heads of some of my favorite characters from the rest of the series.

I am always torn by my emotions whenever the final book in a series comes out. On one hand I am very excited for the anticipation and wait to finally be over, so I can dive into the story and see how everything plays out in the end. However, on the other hand, finding out that resolution also means saying goodbye to characters that I have grown to love. In Thirteen's case this inner conflict was even worse due to the long build up over so many books. With each installment, my anticipation of the final showdown and resolution only grew, but so did my love for the characters, making saying goodbye even harder. Even though I knew the blow would be softened somewhat by the short story collections set to be released in the future, I still was still rather nervous as I started this book. However, after finishing it, I am happy to say that Thirteen not only delivered on but exceeded my expectations. Granted the ending wasn't exactly what I was expecting, with nothing tied up in pretty bows, but in not doing so, it served these characters so much better. Their personalities and circumstance wouldn't allow for anything less and I'm very happy Kelley stayed true to them. She really is a fantastic writer, and will always be one of my favorite authors. Thirteen is an absolute must read for fans of the series!

(Received a copy from the Publisher)

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