Early Review: Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh

Guild Hunter #8

Naasir is the most feral of the powerful group of vampires and angels known as the Seven, his loyalty pledged to the Archangel Raphael. When rumors surface of a plot to murder the former Archangel of Persia, now lost in the Sleep of the Ancients, Naasir is dispatched to find him. For only he possesses the tracking skills required—those more common to predatory animals than to man.

Enlisted to accompany Naasir, Andromeda, a young angelic scholar with dangerous secrets, is fascinated by his nature—at once playful and brilliant, sensual and brutal. As they race to find the Sleeping archangel before it’s too late, Naasir will force her to question all she knows...and tempt her to walk into the magnificent, feral darkness of his world. But first they must survive an enemy vicious enough to shatter the greatest taboo of the angelic race and plunge the world into a screaming nightmare…

I cannot express how much I loved ARCHANGEL'S ENIGMA, so much so that I don't know what to say in this review past a lot of fangirling and squeeing. There's many times where a book knocks my socks off, but I can't remember the last time where I finished the book and wanted to immediately re-read it.

I always loved the mystery behind Naasir in the previous books, but I have to admit I was a bit unsure how he would work as the hero. There's something just so feral and sometimes childlike about him, that make for a really interesting character, but I just wasn't sure how that would translate to the romance department. I shouldn't have worried at all. Nalini did an utterly amazing job at bringing his character truly to life. Naasir stole my heart from the very first page. Instead of his feralness and sometimes childlike wonder detracting from his attractiveness, it actually enhanced it. I wish I could describe just how incredible Naasir were, but to keep from spoiling I'll just let you find out for yourself.

Easily my number one read for the year, ARCHANGEL'S ENIGMA is an absolute must read. Run, do not walk to your nearest book store and snatch this one up. Just make sure to set aside enough time to devour it uninterrupted as you will not be able to put it down once you start.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Previous Books:
     1. Angels' Blood
     2. Archangel's Kiss
     3. Archangel's Consort
     4. Archangel's Blade
     5. Archangel's Storm

     6. Archangel's Legion

     7. Archangel's Shadows

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Kirsten Reviews: The Good, the Bad, and the Smug by Tom Holt

The Good, The Bad and The Smug by Tom Holt

YouSpace #4

A new novel from a master of comic fantasy, Tom Holt.

New Evil.Same as the Old Evil, but with better PR.

Mordak isn't bad, as far as goblin kings go, but when someone, or something, starts pumping gold into the human kingdoms it puts his rule into serious jeopardy. Suddenly he's locked in an arms race with a species whose arms he once considered merely part of a calorie-controlled diet.

Helped by an elf with a background in journalism and a masters degree in being really pleased with herself, Mordak sets out to discover what on earth (if indeed, that's where he is) is going on. He knows that the truth is out there. If only he could remember where he put it.

The Good, the Bad, and the Smug - a novel beyond good and evil by Tom Holt is about a new kind of evil, the sort that knows its way around good infrastructure and sanitation regulations.

Mordak the goblin, is a king with some big ideas, and none of them include how best to make himself the most popular within the community of evildoers. He’s more focused on improving working conditions, securing long term financial stability for goblins, and the small matter of taking over the press. As the elves run all newspapers - or did, until Mordak comes along, this makes him either more evil than expected, or simply a goblin with a plan.

Unfortunately for Mordak, his schemes are hampered by the issue of humans suddenly having more gold than they know what to do with. And with all this newfound wealth, they are arming themselves, which makes goblins and other races a bit nervous about the potential for all-out war.

With the help of an elf named Efluviel, who only wants to be a journalist, and is helping the goblin king in order to get her job back, Mordak sets out to learn who is giving humans so much gold. They would be well-advised to consult a man who spins straw into gold, and seems to know know quite a bit about supply and demand. Meanwhile, another goblin, Ozork manages to transform into a human named Archie by accident, when he’s seeking the Realms of Transcendent Bliss, and winds up on a film set in New Zealand.

The three distinct narratives of this book are evenly paced, and while at first, seem disparate, come together neatly in a tale that is both intelligent, and quite funny. For readers who enjoy the books of Terry Pratchett, this will be swiftly read and enjoyed.
(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     The Book Plank
     Fantasy Literature
     Derelict Space Sheep

Previous Books:
     1. Doughnut
     2. When it's a Jar
     3. The Outsorcerer's Apprentice

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Early Review: Wish Bound by J.C. Nelson

Wish Bound by J.C. Nelson

Grimm Agency #3

From the author of Armageddon Rules, the fanciful and fun continuation of the Grimm Agency novels...

As a partner at Grimm’s magical Agency, Marissa Locks is used to working odd jobs. But when an evil queen reappears in Kingdom, life becomes too strange to handle…

Even when she’s not starting it, trouble follows Marissa everywhere. First there was the incident with the homicidal Fairy Godmother. Then there was the time she accidentally started Armageddon. But the problems that always seem to arise on Marissa’s birthday take the cake.

This year, her annual bad-luck presents include an army of invading goblins, the resurrection of two vengeful enemies from hell, and the return of the Black Queen, the evil sorceress whose reign of terror still haunts Kingdom and who happens to have claimed Marissa as her servant.

As Marissa’s friends try to save her from the Black Queen’s clutches, Marissa fights to end a bitter war that started before her birth. But her quest for peace is about to bring up some inconvenient truths about her own past—ones that might cost her the happily ever after she’s always dreamed of…

This book is going to be really hard for me to review. I enjoyed it, but there were things that stuck out to me, keeping me from fully immersing and loving the story as much as I did in book two. But on the flip side, nothing really amazing stuck out to me, so unfortunately this review will focus on the less than great things. From the start, WISH BOUND proceeds at an almost frenetic pace. While this kept me completely hooked into the story, at times it was a a bit hard to follow. There's just so much going on with the story jumping all around that I found myself having to go back and re-read paragraphs just to make sure I didn't miss anything. I enjoy a fast paced plot as much as the next gal, but it needs to flow and allow me to fully immerse in the story, which just didn't happen here.

I have a feeling this is a series ending book, based on how many loose ends were tied up. After finishing I'm not quite sure about how I feel about everything in the end. On one hand, the end result has me content, but the path taken there and the motivating reasons which had been hid previously just seemed a bit forced to me. Between Grimm's secrecy, the reveal behind everything with Marissa, and the Dark Queen's motivations, I was left scratching my head at times. I feel like there's been this huge build up over the series, and while I wouldn't say the reveals fell flat, they didn't wow me either. Perhaps I'm judging things too harshly, but after the 2nd book knocking things out of the park for me, I was just hoping for a bigger end result.

I realize this review probably makes it seem like I wasn't a fan, but I did enjoy the book, if not as much as I had hoped I would. I almost wish I had more to say on the positive side to balance out the things that bothered me, because it is a good read. The book more than kept my attention, and I didn't want to put it down once I put it up. I'm glad I read WISH BOUND, and fans of the series should enjoy it as well. Marissa and company are left in a satisfying place that makes the overall journey in this series worth it

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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     Book Junkiez

Previous Books:
     1. Free Agent
     2. Armageddon Rules
   

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Early Review: Crucible Zero by Devon Monk

Crucible Zero by Devon Monk

House Immortal #3

The national bestselling author of Infinity Bell returns to her “fresh and unique”* world where the truce between the ruling Houses has shattered and chaos now reigns. Only one woman has the power to save the world—but she could also destroy it...

Matilda Case never thought of herself as a hero. But because she is galvanized—and nearly immortal in her stitched, endlessly healing body—she doesn’t have much of a choice. Even if she doesn’t want to save the world, she’s the only one capable of traveling in time to do so.

But her rescue attempt hasn’t gone as planned. She’s stuck in an alternate universe, and her world is in danger of disappearing. Worst of all, an unfathomably powerful man who can also travel through history doesn’t want her to put things to rights. He’s willing to wage bloody war to stop Matilda, unless she surrenders control of time to him.

Now, with the minutes ticking, Matilda must make impossible decisions, knowing that one wrong choice will destroy her—and any chance of saving everything she loves...

This book was one heck of a ride, there just isn't a better way to describe it. From the opening where we are thrust into a whole new version of Matilda's world. The ending events of the last book completely changed everything, and those changes are anything but calm. I was on the edge of my seat from the start. It's amazing how a world can be so similar and yet so very very different at the same time. Ms. Monk did an incredible job bringing all these changes to life and all the vast implications. From the lack of technology, to having to step into someone else's shoes, to the incredible differences with the Galvenized, Tilly had her hands more than full. The biggest challenge was in the romance department. The changes there felt like a sucker punch to the gut to be honest as I was sucked right into everything along with Tilly. Watching how everything panned out in this book definitely made for an enthralling and utterly engrossing read. 

Series enders are always bittersweet for me with having to say goodbye to much loved characters, and CRUCIBLE ZERO is no exception. That being said, I'm really happy with how everything came together in the end in a very fulfilling matter, especially when you consider all the curveballs thrown in this last week. But don't take my word for it, go grab your copy and find out for yourself how great of a read this is. A guaranteed ride from start to finish, CRUCIBLE ZERO and the entire House Immortal series are must reads for avid fans of Urban Fantasy.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Previous Books:
     1. House Immortal
     2. Infinity Bell

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Early Review: Deceptions by Kelley Armstrong

Deceptions by Kelley Armstrong

Cainsville #3

Olivia Taylor Jones's life has exploded. She's discovered she is not only adopted, but her real parents are convicted serial killers. Fleeing the media frenzy, she took refuge in the oddly secluded town of Cainsville. She has since solved the town's mysteries and finds herself not only the target of its secretive elders but also her stalker ex-fiancé.

Visions continue to haunt her: particularly a little blond girl in a green sundress who insists she has an important message for Olivia, one that may help her balance the light and darkness within herself. Death stalks both Olivia and the two men most important to her, as she desperately searches to understand whether ancient scripts are dictating the triangle that connects them. Will darkness prevail, or does Olivia have the power to prevent a tragic fate?

I'm a huge Kelley Armstrong fan, but this series has been a bit of an up and down for me. I absolutely loved the first book in this series, but the second book just didn't wow me. The lack of answers and forward momentum really slowed things down for me. So, this time around I have to admit I went into the book with just a bit of trepidation, worried about another book without explanations. I shouldn't have worried. After finishing DECEPTIONS, I'm happy to say that I was hooked from the start. Sure there's still a lot of things unanswered but between the things that were revealed and the plot/character momentum those questions didn't seem so important anymore. There just was a certain amount of intensity this time around that put things back on track and now I'm content to sit along for the ride. And a ride it was.

Another thing that made this book more addictive was the stronger prevalence of the love triangle. Sure it was hinted at previously, but it was only that, a hint. Typically I'm not the biggest fan of these as there's always a whole lot of angst involved. But for Olivia, Ricky, and Gabriel, it just somehow works. Perhaps that's because it's all tied into the plotline and secrets behind Cainsville, or perhaps because there's no real jealousy involved. Regardless, I found it interesting and I'm rather anxious to see how everything plays out in that department especially as it intertwines with each of their choices and future. I'm honestly not sure who I'm rooting for, and that's just fine with me.

All in all DECEPTIONS was a very enjoyable installment in the Cainsville series. I know I'll be counting down the days until the next book's release.  

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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     Rabid Reads
     a GREAT read

Previous Books:
     1. Omens
     2. Visions
 

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Early Review: Reawakened by Colleen Houck

Reawakened by Colleen Houck

The Reawakened #1

When seventeen-year-old Lilliana Young enters the Metropolitan Museum of Art one morning during spring break, the last thing she expects to find is a live Egyptian prince with godlike powers, who has been reawakened after a thousand years of mummification.

And she really can't imagine being chosen to aid him in an epic quest that will lead them across the globe to find his brothers and complete a grand ceremony that will save mankind.

But fate has taken hold of Lily, and she, along with her sun prince, Amon, must travel to the Valley of the Kings, raise his brothers, and stop an evil, shape-shifting god named Seth from taking over the world.

From New York Times bestselling author Colleen Houck comes an epic adventure about two star-crossed teens who must battle mythical forces and ancient curses on a journey with more twists and turns than the Nile itself.

When I realized REAWAKENED involved Egyptian lore, it instantly became an absolute must read. I've always had a fascination with ancient Egypt, and really enjoy books in this theme where the world is done well. In this case it wasn't just done well, but incredibly so. It reminded me so much of the Mummy movies that I really enjoyed, but also always wanted just a bit more from them, and this book delivers that. Of course that's not to say they are anything remotely alike in plot-line, as I'm more talking about the feeling and love of the lore.  REAWAKENED takes that ancient Egypt theme and amps it up tenfold bringing it to everything I could want. It's like Colleen Houck took everything there's to love about the movies, removed everything that wasn't so great and built upon it to make for a spellbinding read. 

As fantastic as the Egyptian lore was, the characters really stole the show overall. At the start of the book, Lily is almost a shell of who she blossoms to be by the end of the book. Her parents have forced perfection and an incredibly stale life upon her from their expectations. Amon's arrival turns everything upside down, and I really enjoyed watching her step outside that forced comfort zone. Speaking of Amon, he had his own comfort zone to step outside as well. I cannot imagine what it would be like to wake after a thousand years, especially into our modern world. Amon utterly fits the fish out of water description, and yet he was still so confident and strong. The pair of them were truly admirable and made this book such an amazing read.  

My only complaint about this book is that it ended and I'm now desperate to get my hands on the next one. Hopefully the wait won't be too long! Absolutely enthralling from the very first page, REAWAKENED is a simply must read book for fans of Egyptian lore. Trust me, this one is not to be missed.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     The Eater of Books
     a GREAT read
     Nick's Book Blog

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Early Review: Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews

Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels #8

In the latest Kate Daniels novel from #1 New York Times best-selling author Ilona Andrews, magic is coming and going in waves in post-Shift Atlanta—and each crest leaves danger in its wake…

After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate—former Beast Lord Curran Lennart—are adjusting to a very different pace. While they’re thrilled to escape all the infighting, Curran misses the constant challenges of leading the shapeshifters.

So when the Pack offers him its stake in the Mercenary Guild, Curran seizes the opportunity—too bad the Guild wants nothing to do with him and Kate. Luckily, as a veteran merc, Kate can take over any of the Guild’s unfinished jobs in order to bring in money and build their reputation. But what Kate and Curran don’t realize is that the odd jobs they’ve been working are all connected.

An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it—before it takes their city apart piece by piece…

The ending of the previous book was a serious game changer and I couldn't wait to get my hands MAGIC SHIFTS to see how everything panned out. So honestly I expected this book to be mostly about the repercussions of those game changing events, but it was that and oh so much more. Sometimes I'm in awe at how the stakes can continually be raised in a long running series. Every time I think "That's it, the author cannot possibly top this," and then the next book comes along and somehow they do. It truly is incredible.

I really love how these books make me both laugh and cry, and also keep me on the edge of my seat for the entire book. They definitely make for intense reads, almost to the point where I have to keep telling myself to slow down and savor the read, otherwise I'm so sucked in that I want to rush to the end. But I guess that's what they make "re-reads" for, and if there's ever been a series worthy of one, it's the Kate Daniels series. I've read all the books several times over, and MAGIC SHIFTS is sure to be the same. They simply are that incredible. Trust me, these are THE books to read for urban fantasy fans.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     Between Dreams and Reality

Previous Books:
     1. Magic Bites
     2. Magic Burns
     3. Magic Strikes
     4. Magic Bleeds
     5. Magic Slays
     5.5. Gunmetal Magic

     6. Magic Rises

     7. Magic Breaks

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Early Review: The Veil by Chloe Neill

The Veil by Chloe Neill

Devil's Isle #1

Seven years ago, the Veil that separates humanity from what lies beyond was torn apart, and New Orleans was engulfed in a supernatural war. Now, those with paranormal powers have been confined in a walled community that humans call the District. Those who live there call it Devil's Isle.

Claire Connolly is a good girl with a dangerous secret: she’s a Sensitive, a human endowed with magic that seeped through the Veil. Claire knows that revealing her skills would mean being confined to Devil’s Isle. Unfortunately, hiding her power has left her untrained and unfocused.

Liam Quinn knows from experience that magic makes monsters of the weak, and he has no time for a Sensitive with no control of her own strength. But when he sees Claire using her powers to save a human under attack—in full view of the French Quarter—Liam decides to bring her to Devil’s Isle and the teacher she needs, even though getting her out of his way isn’t the same as keeping her out of his head.

But when the Veil threatens to shatter completely, Claire and Liam must work together to stop it, or else New Orleans will burn…

THE VEIL brings a fresh and interesting world as it's an interesting blend of dystopian and urban fantasy. So, pretty much the perfect combination in my book. There's a whole lot going on between the paras, human magic users, the Veil itself, and the Containment control and oppression over everything. What really interested me was that so many chose to stay in the zoned French Quarter. It's made clear that the "outside" world wasn't affected much and yet so many chose to stay behind with limited resources and constant struggle.

Claire made for a really interesting character. At the start of THE VEIL, she knows about her own ability but is living in hiding. Despite having these unwanted abilities with magic, she's still rather prejudiced about other magical users and the paranormal world. Granted considering what magic and paranormals cost her, I don't blame her one bit. That being said, her eyes are slowly opened in this book and I really enjoyed her progression from almost naive with a huge lack of confidence, to someone decidedly stronger by the end of the book. It was interesting to watch, and I can't wait to see how she grows even more over the next few books. Speaking of interesting characters, the supporting cast was very well fleshed out. From Claire's best friends, to their enemies, the paras, and an interesting newcomer, Liam, every single character really stood out, only further serving to hook me into this new series.

I enjoyed this start of a new series from Chloe Neill. While she's most known for her Chicagoland books, I can see these books becoming every bit as popular.  If you're looking for a fast paced read that you won't want to put down once you pick it up, look no further than THE VEIL.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     Between Dreams and Reality
     Carol's Random Life
     Under the Covers Book Blog

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Kirsten Reviews: Witches in Red by Barb Hendee

Witches in Red by Barb Hendee

The Mist-Torn Witches #2

Céline and Amelie Fawe can see into anyone’s past and future simply by touching them. They have used their powers to secure sanctuary—and a fine apothecary’s shop—in the village around Castle Sèone. But their continued safety has a price…

Far to the north, the men of an isolated silver mining community are turning into vicious “beasts” that slaughter anyone in sight. The mines belong to the noble family of Prince Anton—ruler of Castle Sèone and Céline and Amelie’s patron—and Anton’s tyrannical father has ordered his son to solve the mystery as a test of his leadership. He has no choice but to send the witches into the perilous north, to use their abilities to discover the cause of the transformations. Given how much they owe the prince, the sisters have no choice but to accept.

Together with the over-protective Lieutenant Jaromir, Célene and Amelie enter the dark world of a far off mining camp tainted by fear, mistrust, and enslavement—and haunted by men turning into massive, mad wolves without warning. Now, the two must draw upon strength and cunning they never thought they possessed not only to solve the mystery, but to survive…

Witches in Red, the second book in Barb Hendee’s The Mist Torn Witches series finds sisters and witches, Céline and Amelie Fawe being sent to the far north, to an isolated silver mining community where men are turning into ‘beasts.’ Their patron, Prince Anton has received orders from his father to figure out what is happening in order to test his leadership. In spite of his misgivings, Anton has to send the witches northward, so they can use their abilities, including the talent for seeing the future of anyone they touch in order to solve the mystery.

As they journey north, accompanied by Lieutenant Jaromir, who tends to be overprotective, sometimes with good reason, other times, inconveniently so, Célene and Amelie find a town rife with mistrust, slavery, and men who transform into enraged wolves.

This book includes many of the same story devices as the first one, including the sisters using their gifts on various suspects, of which there aren’t many, and revealing a few secrets in the process. If a fairly straightforward sort of narrative is your thing, then this won’t be a problem, but others may prefer a more complex plotline.

Although Célene is more comfortable with her gifts, Amelie is learning to use them with greater confidence, and by looking into the past, is able to sort out some important aspects of the mystery. This makes things feel more equal between the sisters, while at the same time, keeping their maturity levels believable.

As a whole, the story is fairly simple, and the villain may stand out for those readers paying close attention, but most will enjoy the further worldbuilding, and the story of two sisters learning how to use their powers and find their way in the world together.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     Open Book Society
     The Other Side
     Candace's Book Blog

Previous Books:
     1. The Mist-Torn Witches
 

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Kirsten Reviews: Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow

Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow

Gallow and Ragged #1

New York Times bestselling author Lilith Saintcrow returns to dark fantasy with a new series where the fairy world inhabits diners, dive bars and trailer parks.

Jeremy Gallow is just another construction worker, and that's the way he likes it. He's left his past behind, but some things cannot be erased. Like the tattoos on his arms that transform into a weapon, or that he was once closer to the Queen of Summer than any half-human should be. Now the half-sidhe all in Summer once feared is dragged back into the world of enchantment, danger, and fickle fae—by a woman who looks uncannily like his dead wife. Her name is Robin, and her secrets are more than enough to get them both killed. A plague has come, the fullborn-fae are dying, and the dark answer to Summer's Court is breaking loose.

Be afraid, for Unwinter is riding...

Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow begins a new series, Gallow and Ragged, and introduces readers to a new version of the Sidhe, complete with political double dealing, betrayal, and even a bit of singing.

The titular characters, Robin Ragged, and Jeremiah Gallow are clearly on trajectory toward one another from the first page. Gallow, a half fae, who was once very close to the Queen of Summer, is working as a construction worker, mourning his dead wife, and pretending that he is human, largely through depressed inertia. Meanwhile, Robin Ragged is an unwilling servant of that same queen, and is doing all that she can simply not to be killed by her mistress on one of the fae’s cruel whims. Meanwhile, she is being sent on errands by the queen as there is a sickness creeping through the courts of the fae, and the purebloods are being stricken down without mercy.

One of the most recognizable characters, Puck, is acting in his own interests, moving between the two courts, and may very well be an ally to Robin or Gallow, but more than likely, he has several dozen plans of his own.

Beyond the wishes of her queen, Robin is occupied with keeping herself out of the hands of Unseelie, as Unwinter would like to use her talents to further their own agenda. She is not one to trust any man easily, particularly Gallow, who believes she looks like the wife he is mourning.

The book features a great deal of the language used by the fae, their tools, and traditions, and the fact that they only reluctantly pass over the barrier into the world of mortals. To them, humans are nothing more than tools, to be drained of all usefulness and eventually life. Some of this may put readers off, but for anyone interested in fae in any sort of urban fantasy, this book’s spin on the Courts, their magic, politics, and those caught up in them will enjoy this new series.

There are plenty of pretty words, interesting creatures, and jeopardy, both mortal and otherwise to keep pages turning, and there is a great deal of intriguing story to explore in the sequel.(Received a copy from the publisher)

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     Rabid Reads
     My Para Hangover

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