Early Review: Tempt the Stars by Karen Chance

, by KT

Tempt the Stars by Karen Chance
Cassandra Palmer #6

Being a goddess is a lot less fun than you might think. Especially when you’re only a half goddess, and you only found out about it recently, and you still don’t know what you’re doing half the time. And when you’ve just used your not-so-reliable powers to burglarize the booby-trapped office of a vampire mob boss.

Yeah, that part sucks.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for Cassandra Palmer, aka the Pythia, the freshly minted chief seer of the supernatural world. After all, Cassie still has to save a friend from a fate worse than death, deal with an increasingly possessive master vampire, and prevent a party of her own acolytes from unleashing a storm of fury upon the world. Totally just your average day at the office, right?


Cassie may be half-goddess, but she doesn't have the power of one. While she may hold the power of the Pythia office, she still has human limitations. But when her half-demon mage guardian was dragged back into the demon realm, Cassie knew nothing would stop her from rescuing him. But even a trip into hell itself should be a piece of cake compared to everything else she has survived so far, and will face in her fight to keep the gods from coming back to the human realm and destroying everything in vengeance. It's a hefty job for a mortal, but she's the only one who can do it.

Let me start off by saying that I love this series. Like absolutely adore it. I even have grown to love the love triangle thing going on between Mircea and Pritkin. This is no small feat considering I typically fall for the "first" love interest, and hate the introduction of a new one in most books. So the fact that I'm so terribly torn between the two leading men is pretty impressive to me, especially since everything with Pritkin had been mostly hints up to this point. If you've read the previous book, you'll know that Pritkin had been kinda thrown out of the picture. But of course Cassie wouldn't sit idly by on this, so I was expecting her to go after him. What I was not expecting was for Mircea to completely disappear from the story. Granted he was mentioned, and there was one small possible dream sequence, but he never came "on page," not even for a single phone call or interaction with Cassie. The reason for this is guessed at, but honestly it just ticked me off. Even for "Team Pritkin" fans, this will feel like a cop out, something I'm not a fan of at all. I want Cassie to actually choose who she wants to be with, not have one of the guys bow out on their own. Granted, it's not certain if he will, but it definitely looks like it was headed that way. And then when you add in both Cassie and Pritkin's refusal to see what is right in front of them, well it led to a lot of frustration in the romance department.

TEMPT THE STARS expanded greatly on the world building of the series, and considering how strong and diverse this world has already been built to, I was rather surprised. Prior to this point the demon realm had only been mentioned in an abstract sense, only really playing a part in the series because Pritkin is half demon. Well, now it's been brought to the forefront, and not only is that realm facinating, but it has also added a whole new element to the story and plot line with the fight against the gods. Yep that's right, we have gods, vampires, dhampires, shapeshifters, demons, mages, time-shifters/future seers, and who knows what else that I'm forgetting at this moment. You would think all of that would be overwhelming and complicated, but Karen Chance has done a fantastic job weaving everything together into a fantastic story that sucks you right in. I can't wait until the next installment to see more!

By all rights this is a 5 star book, when you account for the incredible amount of action, the new world building and the stellar characters, but when my own personal preferences on the romance and the fact that it has yet another cliffhanger ending, I have to knock this down to a 4. Honestly that's something I hate to do since I know the book itself is stellar and it's my own hangups getting in the way, but in the end I guess a review is supposed to be personal, so it is what it is. Also as a side note, the cliffhanger would have been a bit easier to swallow if the wait between books was shorter, since this time around it was two years, I have to admit that adding another cliffhanger has really soured things for me. Hopefully the wait will be a bit less, but as there is no release date listed for the next one, only time will tell. But getting back to the good stuff, TEMPT THE STARS was an enjoyable read that was a roller coaster from start to finish, romance issues aside, fans of the series will be more than pleased with this latest installment.

(Received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley)

Rating:






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Other Reviews:
     The Demon Librarian
     Fangs for the Fantasy
     Curiosity Killed the Bookworm

Previous Books:
     1. Touch the Dark
     2. Claimed by Shadow
     3. Embrace the Night
     4. Curse the Dawn
     5. Hunt the Moon
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Waiting on Wednesday (165)

, by KT



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

Our pick this week:



Daylighters - Morganville Vampires #15
by Rachel Caine
Publication Date: November 5th, 2013
Pre-Order:



While Morganville, Texas, is often a troubled town, Claire Danvers and her friends are looking forward to coming home. But the Morganville they return to isn’t the one they know; it’s become a different place—a deadly one…

Something drastic has happened in Morganville while Claire and her friends were away. The town looks cleaner and happier than they’ve ever seen it before, but when their incoming group is arrested and separated—vampires from humans—they realize that the changes definitely aren’t for the better.

It seems that an organization called the Daylight Foundation has offered the population of Morganville something they’ve never had: hope of a vampire-free future. And while it sounds like salvation—even for the vampires themselves—the truth is far more sinister and deadly.

Now, Claire, Shane and Eve need to find a way to break their friends out of Daylighter custody, before the vampires of Morganville meet their untimely end…

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Early Review: Cursed by S.J. Harper

, by KT

Cursed by S.J. Harper
Fallen Siren #1

Meet FBI Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong. She's cursed. He's damned. Together, they make one hell of a team.

Emma Monroe is a Siren, cursed by the gods and bound to earth to atone for an ancient failure. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now that she works missing persons cases for the FBI, it could be just a rescue away. Unless her new partner leads her astray.

Special Agent Zack Armstrong just transferred into the San Diego Field Office. He’s a werewolf, doing his best to beat back the demons from his dark and dangerous past. As a former Black Ops sniper, he’s taken enough lives. Now he’s doing penance by saving them.

Emma and Zack’s very first case draws them deep into the realm of the paranormal, and forces them to use their own supernatural abilities. But that leaves each of them vulnerable, and there are lines partners should not cross. As secrets are revealed and more women go missing, one thing becomes clear: as they race to save the victims, Emma and Zack risk losing themselves.

Long ago Emma was cursed by the gods, stripped of her wings, and forced to roam the earth finding one missing person at a time in penance. She's a Siren able to lure men and woman alike to revealing all their secrets and lust after her, all while still having to keep her own heart locked up tight. As much as she hates her fate, she's largely resigned to it and a loveless life. But all that changes when Agent Zack Armstrong comes back into her life as her new partner in the FBI. Suddenly keeping her heart locked up tight isn't so easy anymore, not when thoughts of Zack seem to haunt her every waking moment. Between getting to the bottom of their latest case which has hit close to home and keeping her heart and Zack safe, Emma's life has gotten a whole lot more complicated.

I absolutely loved the dynamic Emma and Zack! There was such an incredible amount of sexual tension between them that just about drove me out of my mind. But it also went much deeper than just that tension as you could tell there was definitely something real between them. And therein lied the problem. While I'm a huge fan of greek mythology, in this case that mythology only really served to depress me as it prevented Emma from forming a lasting connection with any male, no matter how much she wanted to. Of course I'm going to hold out hope that things will get resolved somehow there in the next installment, but since her punishment has already lasted 1000s of years, it's not going to be easy. But of course that makes for the best and most engrossing reads, and I can honestly say that I'm fully invested in their plight.

The world behind CURSED was pretty incredible. Not only is there the Greek Mythology aspect like I mentioned, but there also was plenty of Vampire, Werewolf, and Witch goodness to keep me more than entertained. Considering each of those elements had their own back story and issue going on during the book, it really is amazing that they never got jumbled up. In fact the pacing was one of the most impressive things about this book aside from the fabulous characters of course. There never was a time where I felt things were dragging, and more importantly it never got too overwhelming or fast either. I'm really looking forward to seeing how all of the issues started in CURSED play a role in the next book, between the werewolf struggle, the ancient vamp, and of course Emma's curse, it should make for one heck of a read!

When I picked this book up, I had no idea that it was written by an author duo, one of which I'm already a huge fan of, Jeanne C. Stein. Since I really enjoyed this book, I'll definitely be checking out Samatha Sommerby's other books as well. But getting back to CURSED, I have to say that I was incredibly impressed with the way the book flowed. I imagine it had to be hard to make their writing blend so seamlessly together so that Emma's "voice" never once changed. Her personality held true throughout, and when you add that to all of the other fantastic elements of this book, it made for a very enjoyable read. CURSED is just one of those books that you can hunker down into for a great escape to lose yourself for a few hours, because trust me once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:






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Other Reviews:
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Book Birthdays: New Titles This Week (54)

, by KT


Releasing 9/23 - 9/29
 

A Radiant Sky by Jocelyn Davies
A Beautiful Dark #3

Perfect for fans of Lauren Kate’s Fallen series and Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush saga, this darkly romantic story that began with A Beautiful Dark and gathered intensity in A Fractured Light comes to a thrilling conclusion in A Radiant Sky.

Since the night of her seventeenth birthday, Skye has been torn between two opposites: light and dark, the Order and the Rebellion, Devin and Asher. But in a shocking decision, she chose neither.

With the help of her friends, Skye now forges her own path, setting out to gather an uprising of Rogues. The elusive half-angels may be the key to maintaining the balance of fate and free will. But completing the mission her parents left unfinished is more difficult—and dangerous—than she could have imagined. And doing so comes at a cost: her greatest love may now be a lethal enemy. Because it’s not just the Order that sees her as a threat who must be eliminated. The Rebellion does, too.
Dark days lie ahead, and if Skye is to survive, she’ll need to rely on her extraordinary powers and the strength of her will. Because she has a future—and a love—that’s worth fighting for.



Autumn Whispers by Yasmine Galenorn
Sisters of the Otherworld #14

We’re the D’Artigo sisters: savvy half-human, half-Fae ex-operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. My sister Camille is a wicked-good witch with three sexy husbands. My sister Menolly is a vampire married to a wildly hot werepuma. And me? I’m Delilah, a two-faced werecat and Death Maiden. The Supe Community is in danger, and now it’s up to us to unravel a mystery to which we may not want the answers…

When two vampiric software engineers approach us about a missing colleague, we don’t expect to find much. But then Grandmother Coyote steps in and our simple missing persons case rapidly devolves into a nightmare of debauchery, slavery, and corporate greed. Now, we must infiltrate and destroy an underground organization of influential men, led by the mysterious Lowestar Radcliff, before they discover we’re on to them. But one misstep puts our whole operation and our lives in peril, and I must unleash my powers as a Death Maiden, even if it means destroying someone I love.


Bound by Night by Larissa Ione
MoonBound Clan Vampire #1

Larissa Ione’s bestselling Demonica series has captivated fans with its sensual blend of dark passion and demonic fury. Now she takes you to another intoxicating world—where a dangerous clan of wild vampires rules the night . . .

A WOMAN OUT FOR BLOOD
Nicole Martin was only eight years old when the vampire slaves rose up in rebellion and killed her family. Now she devotes her life to finding a vaccine against vampirism, hoping to wipe out her memories—along with every bloodsucker on the planet. But there’s one thing she cannot destroy: her searing, undeniable attraction for the one man she should hate and fear the most . . .

A VAMPIRE OUT FOR REVENGE
A member of the renegade vampire MoonBound Clan, Riker is haunted by demons of his own. When he recognizes Nicole and remembers how her family enslaved his loved ones, his heart burns for vengeance. But when he kidnaps Nicole and holds her in a secret lair, his mortal enemy becomes his soul obsession, his greatest temptation, and, perhaps, his only salvation—a hot-blooded lover who could heal him with her touch . . . or bury him forever. 


Celtic Moon by Jan DeLima
Celtic Wolves #1

Like father, like son…

Sophie Thibodeau has been on the run from the father of her son for more than fifteen years. Now her son, Joshua, is changing, and her greatest fears are about to be realized. He’s going to end up being just like his father—a man who can change into a wolf.

Dylan Black has been hunting for Sophie since the night she ran from him—an obsession he cannot afford in the midst of an impending war. Dylan controls Rhuddin Village, an isolated town in Maine where he lives with an ancient Celtic tribe. One of the few of his clan who can still shift into a wolf, he must protect his people from the Guardians, vicious warriors who seek to destroy them.

When Sophie and Dylan come together for the sake of their son, their reunion reignites the fierce passion they once shared. For the first time in years, Dylan’s lost family is within his grasp. But will he lose them all over again? Are Joshua and Sophie strong enough to fight alongside Dylan in battle? Nothing less than the fate of his tribe depends on it…


Countdown by Michelle Rowen

3 seconds left to live.

Once the countdown starts, it cannot be stopped.

2 pawns thrown into a brutal underground reality game.

Kira Jordan survived her family's murder and months on plague-devastated city streets with hard-won savvy and a low-level psi ability. She figures she can handle anything. Until she wakes up in a barren room, chained next to the notorious Rogan Ellis.

1 reason Kira will never, ever trust Rogan. Even though both their lives depend on it.

Their every move is controlled and televised for a vicious exclusive audience. And as Kira's psi skill unexpectedly grows and Rogan's secrets prove ever more deadly, Kira's only chance of survival is to risk trusting him as much as her instincts. Even if that means running head-on into the one trap she can't escape.

GAME 0VER


Deep in Crimson by Sarah Gilman
Return to Sanctuary #2

Kidnapped by humans and raised in a research facility, Jett was taught to believe his own race of demons insidious and violent. But a friendship with the archangel Raphael shatters Jett’s reality. Caught between two worlds, his first months of freedom find him lingering on the fringes of his home colony, Sanctuary.

When the human who stole Jett captures another demon youth from Sanctuary, Jett learns of the real plan—to steal Raphael’s archangel grandchildren. Jett wants to bring his captor to justice, but he must overcome the lies from his past and join forces with the demon Guardians, and the demon child’s older sister, Lexine.

Irresistible attraction grows between Jett and Lexine, but Lexine’s prophetic dreams of being mated to a poacher make her wary. And if Jett goes through the all-consuming process of becoming a Guardian, he may forfeit any chance they have of being together.



Inhuman by Kat Falls
Fetch #1

In a world ravaged by mutation, a teenage girl must travel into the forbidden Savage Zone to recover lost artifacts or her father’s life is forfeit.

America has been ravaged by a war that has left the eastern half of the country riddled with mutation. Many of the people there exhibit varying degrees of animal traits. Even the plantlife has gone feral.

Crossing from west to east is supposed to be forbidden, but sometimes it’s necessary. Some enter the Savage Zone to provide humanitarian relief. Sixteen-year-old Lane’s father goes there to retrieve lost artifacts—he is a Fetch. It’s a dangerous life, but rewarding—until he’s caught.

Desperate to save her father, Lane agrees to complete his latest job. That means leaving behind her life of comfort and risking life and limb—and her very DNA—in the Savage Zone. But she’s not alone. In order to complete her objective, Lane strikes a deal with handsome, roguish Rafe. In exchange for his help as a guide, Lane is supposed to sneak him back west. But though Rafe doesn’t exhibit any signs of “manimal” mutation, he’s hardly civilized . . . and he may not be trustworthy.



Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Fans of classic frontier survival stories as well as readers of dystopian literature will enjoy this futuristic story where water is worth more than gold.

Teenage Lynn has been taught to defend her pond against every threat: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most important, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. But when strangers appear, the mysterious footprints by the pond, the nighttime threats, and the gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won't stop until they get it. . . .

New York Times bestselling author Michael Grant says Not a Drop to Drink is a debut "not to be missed." With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl's journey in a frontierlike world not so different from our own.


Stonecast by Anton Strout
Spellmason Chronicles #2

NO STONE UNTURNED…

Alexandra Belarus was an artist stuck working in her New York family’s business…until she discovered her true legacy—a deep and ancient magic. Lexi became the last practicing Spellmason, with the power to breathe life into stone. And as her powers awoke, so did her family’s most faithful protector: a gargoyle named Stanis. But when a centuries-old evil threatened her family and her city, Stanis sacrificed himself to save everything Lexi held dear.

With Stanis gone, Lexi’s efforts to master Spellmasonry—even with the help of her dedicated friends—are faltering. Hidden forces both watch her and threaten her, and she finds herself suddenly under the mysterious wing of a secret religious society determined to keep magic hidden from the world.

But the question of Stanis’s fate haunts her—and as the storm around her grows, so does the fear that she won’t be able to save him in her turn. 


Through the Zombie Glass
White Rabbit Chronicles #2

Zombies stalk the night. Forget blood and brains. These monsters hunger for human souls. Sadly, they've got mine…

Alice Bell has lost so much. Family. Friends. A home. She thought she had nothing else to give. She was wrong.

After a new zombie attack, strange things begin to happen to her. Mirrors come to life, and the whispers of the dead assault her ears. But the worst? A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do very wicked things.

She's never needed her team of zombie slayers more, but ultra bad-boy Cole Holland, the leader and her boyfriend, suddenly withdraws from her…from everyone. Now, with her best friend Kat at her side, Ali must kill the zombies, uncover Cole's secret and learn to fight the darkness.

But the clock is ticking…and if she fails at a single task, they're all doomed.

THE WHITE RABBIT CHRONICLES

I've lost so much.

A dear friend.

My new home.

My purpose. My pride.

And it's my fault. I can blame no one else.

I and I alone let the darkness in.


Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan
Lynburn Legacy #2

Free from bonds, but not each other

It’s time to choose sides… On the surface, Sorry-in-the-Vale is a sleepy English town. But Kami Glass knows the truth. Sorry-in-the-Vale is full of magic. In the old days, the Lynburn family ruled with fear, terrifying the people into submission in order to kill for blood and power. Now the Lynburns are back, and Rob Lynburn is gathering sorcerers so that the town can return to the old ways.

But Rob and his followers aren’t the only sorcerers in town. A decision must be made: pay the blood sacrifice, or fight. For Kami, this means more than just choosing between good and evil. With her link to Jared Lynburn severed, she’s now free to love anyone she chooses. But who should that be?
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Monday Wrapup (165)

, 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.









Reviews for the past week:
Blackout by Robison Wells (Early Review)
"While BLACKOUT earned 4 stars from me, it wasn't without flaws that stemmed some frustration for me. There were so many burning questions from the start, but the answers were far and few between and overwhelmingly slow coming."




 Inhuman by Kat Falls (Early Review)
"I absolutely loved this book and I could not put it down once I picked it up. It was almost like the story was going down an imaginary checklist, hitting every single element needed to make a fantastically intense roller coaster ride."



Kirsten's Book of the Week:
Chosen by Benedict Jacka (Review)
"The story includes a fair amount of action sequences, as well as the moral quandary that Alex finds himself in: what is the cost of not only admitting to past mistakes, but not letting them define a person? Future books promise to deal with the consequences of this story, as well as its long-term effects on the characters and their world. "

Other Posts:

We posted about the One Day Covet Sale, which is over, except one title, Don't Bite the Bridesmaid by Tiffany Allee is still on sale for just $0.99 for just a short while longer!

Book Birthdays featured 6 new releases for this week.

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

The Gold Blog Tour stopped by. I love these books!!


Upcoming List:

Cursed by S.J. Harper (Early Review)
Tempt the Stars by Karen Chance (Early Review)

Kirsten Reviews: TBD
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Early Review: Inhuman by Kat Falls

, by KT

Inhuman by Kat Falls
Fetch #1

In a world ravaged by mutation, a teenage girl must travel into the forbidden Savage Zone to recover lost artifacts or her father’s life is forfeit.

America has been ravaged by a war that has left the eastern half of the country riddled with mutation. Many of the people there exhibit varying degrees of animal traits. Even the plantlife has gone feral.

Crossing from west to east is supposed to be forbidden, but sometimes it’s necessary. Some enter the Savage Zone to provide humanitarian relief. Sixteen-year-old Lane’s father goes there to retrieve lost artifacts—he is a Fetch. It’s a dangerous life, but rewarding—until he’s caught.

Desperate to save her father, Lane agrees to complete his latest job. That means leaving behind her life of comfort and risking life and limb—and her very DNA—in the Savage Zone. But she’s not alone. In order to complete her objective, Lane strikes a deal with handsome, roguish Rafe. In exchange for his help as a guide, Lane is supposed to sneak him back west. But though Rafe doesn’t exhibit any signs of “manimal” mutation, he’s hardly civilized . . . and he may not be trustworthy.

Years ago a virus that mutated humans into animals ravaged the country. It started in the east, so the west side quickly built up a containment wall to keep the virus and the abominations it made out. Lane grew up in the west side where germophobia has a new meaning and no one ever dreams of crossing over to the east. At least no one but Fetches that is. These few people go over to the other side to retrieve anything for a price, but face execution if they are caught. So when one of the higher ups in disease control shows Lane evidence that will destroy her Fetch father, Lane agrees to travel to the other side to do a retreval mission to clear her father's name. But the savage zone is no place for someone like her, and she'll either have to toughen up quick or die trying as there are no second chances where she's going.

The world behind INHUMAN was absolutely incredible. Not only is it a post-apocalyptic/dystopian society, but there the whole animal/human element as well. Unlike other plague ravaged worlds, in this one, after some time, the plague didn't kill but mutated. Not into zombies, but a combination of animals and people. And no, I'm not talking shifters like werewolves, but honest to goodness hybrids. It was utterly fascinating, especially considering the danger that these ferals potentially held, and yet at the same time were still so human for a very long time before finally succumbing to the animal completely. Between the danger of that, and how easily the virus can spread, the fear between humans and the infected is incredibly high, making for an intense read.

I absolutely adored Lane's character. She started out so meek and mild, not unlike the scared little rabbit she was compared to. She had such a germ phobia and was obsessed with hand sanitizer. Yet, underneath all that she had an iron core of strength that just hadn't been given a reason to shine through, at least not until her father went missing and she was given only five days to clear his name. Then suddenly she's travelling to the savage zone risking everything in order to save her father. Slowly she starts to come out of her shell and her very soft hearted nature starts to harden, and yet she still doesn't lose who she is at the core, even as she finds herself starting to fall for a boy at the same time. Granted the romantic aspects played a very very small role in the book, and there were possible stirrings of a love triangle, I still very much enjoyed it. In fact, I'm hoping it will play a larger role in the next book as Lane's confidence continues to increase, but only time will tell.

This book wasn't even on my radar until I stumbled across it in a waiting on Catching Fire promotion, but boy am I glad I did. I absolutely loved this book and I could not put it down once I picked it up. It was almost like the story was going down an imaginary checklist, hitting every single element needed to make a fantastically intense roller coaster ride. Fans of post-apocalyptic/dystopian worlds do not want to miss this utterly unique new series. I know I'll be counting down the days until the next installment is released!

(Received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley)

Rating:





Pre-order:



Other Reviews:
     Smash Attack Reads
     Escape into Words
     Tome Tender
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Kirsten Reviews: Chosen by Benedict Jacka

, by KT

Chosen by Benedict Jacka
Alex Versus #4

I don’t publicly advertise that I’m a mage, but I don’t exactly hide it either, and one of the odd things I’ve learnt over the years is just how much you can get away with if you’re blatant enough. Hide something behind smoke and mirrors and make people work to find it, and they’ll tear the place down looking for what’s there.

Alex Verus is a diviner who can see probable futures—a talent that’s gotten him out of many a tough scrape. But this time, he may be in over his head. Alex was once apprenticed to a Dark mage, and in his service he did a lot of things he isn’t proud of.

As rumors swirl that his old master is coming back, Alex comes face to face with his misdeeds in the form of a young adept whose only goal is to get revenge. Alex has changed his life for the better, but he’s afraid of what his friends—including his apprentice, Luna—will think of his past. But if they’re going to put themselves at risk, they need to know exactly what kind of man they’re fighting for...

Chosen by Benedict Jacka is the latest Alex Verus novel, and both stands up well to the previous books and sets the bar for future stories in the ‘verse. However, the ‘magician with a past’ trope has gotten a little tired lately, and a fresh perspective would be a nice change. On the upside, Alex Verus doesn’t spend much of his time angsting over the mistakes he’s made - which is good, because that never solved any problems.

And, for the record, Alex Verus, mage, seer, or diviner has a past in which he’s made his fair share of mistakes. Divining isn’t a showy ability, but it makes Alex good in a fight - he can see his foe’s next move coming, can find things he’s looking for, and of course, can look into the future.

There are Light Mages, Dark Mages, and adepts, with Alex having been nearly initiated as a Dark Mage when he was young, and which has now made him extremely unpopular with the Light Mages.

Unfortunately, as an apprentice Dark Mage, Alex did a number of unpleasant things, and in this book, he faces the consequences. A young adept is attempting to kill off all Dark Mages in order to liberate fellow adepts. As an adept, one is vulnerable to the malice of Dark Mages, the adept, Will, leads a group of other adepts on a mission that includes killing Alex, whose former Dark Mage Master killed his sister.

While Alex doesn’t want to kill this young adept, he isn’t willing to lay down his life, but is so unwilling to step up and fight Will that he nearly gets killed. Not wanting to involve anyone else in the fallout of his mistakes, or put anyone else in danger means he does this behind the backs of his friends, thus creating even more issues.

The story includes a fair amount of action sequences, as well as the moral quandary that Alex finds himself in: what is the cost of not only admitting to past mistakes, but not letting them define a person? Future books promise to deal with the consequences of this story, as well as its long-term effects on the characters and their world.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:





Order Links:



Other Reviews:
     All Things Urban Fantasy
     Biblophilic Book Blog
     Candace's Book Blog

Previous Books:
     1. Fated
     2. Cursed
     3. Taken
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Gold Blog Tour

, by KT


*Where did you get the inspiration for the Bandia series?

The inspiration started with my own high school experiences and friends. Yeah, about that goddess thing, awkward. Seriously, a lot of the characters started out based on people I knew. I had a project horse that I had to sell, met a boy playing quarters and then pushed him off on my best friend and lived to regret it (at least until I married him thirteen years later) and dated a boy who was charming, and attractive but maybe not the best thing for me. When I set out to write the series, I knew I wanted the relationships to be complicated with lots of shades of grey. I don’t think any of the characters are all good or all bad, they just want different things, and they’re willing to fight for what matters to them. The mythology in the series is inspired by a combination of Celtic myth, witchcraft, and my own imagination.

*Will there be more books in this series? (Yes I know I already asked this via twitter, but for the benefit of new readers here, and in spirit of my own selfish wants, I'm asking again.) Any hints for what's up next if you do write more?

I would love to write a third one, but I don’t know at this point if or when it will happen. I have a few other projects to complete before I can think about it. Some things I think would be in it (all subject to change) include the goddess Morrigan, Micah going a little agro, Blake and Brianna becoming friends (something they skipped the first time around) and of course a romance, but one that will require Brianna to be the pursuer and really put her heart on the line in a way she hasn’t had to before.

*If your books were to be made into a movie, who would be your top picks for the cast?

I put together a dream cast for SILVER. http://www.twochicksonbooks.com/2012/09/silver-blog-tour-dream-cast-and-giveaway.html although I think I’d cast Douglas Booth as Austin now. For Mickel, Rupert Grint, Braden would be Darren Criss and Portia would be Evan Rachel Wood.

*Could you tell us a little about the ups and downs you have experienced in publishing?

Fortunately, it’s been mostly ups. I’ve met so many amazing people who share a love of books, and that has been a real highlight. It’s been fun to share my stories with others, especially when someone connects with the characters. I’ve had very supportive editors and publishers, gotten industry reviews and seen my books on the shelves of bookstores. The downs I’ve experienced are usually self-induced- times when I second guess myself or worry that I should be further along than I am. Most of the time, I am just thrilled to get to write books that I love.

*What are some of your favorite books in the paranormal genre?

I love Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, which is full of humor and romance. The Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand has great characters and setting, and I really enjoyed the Collector by Victoria Scott for voice.

*If you could tell readers one thing about yourself or your books, what would that be?

There are still pieces of me left in GOLD that I fear I will never get back.

*What is the craziest or at least most interesting thing you have ever done? 

When I was eleven, I sang in front of 5000 people, and I am not a good singer. But it was awesome.

*Finish this statement: "You'll like the Bandia series if...

You like magic and hot boys with a touch of humor.


Thanks Talia!!

Tour Schedule:
Week 1
9/9/2013- My Guilty Obsession- Guest Post
9/10/2013- Fiktshun- Blake Interview
9/11/2013- Magical Urban Fantasy Reads- Guest Post
9/12/2013- Ravenous Reader- Guest Post
9/13/2013- Taters Tall Tails- Austin Interview

Week 2
9/16/2013- Book Pics- Brianna Interview
9/17/2013- What the Cat Read- Interview
9/18/2013- Ya Sisterhood- Guest Post
9/19/2013- A Book Obsession- Interview
9/20/2013- Two Chicks on Books- Austin Guest Post- Quarters Scene from Austin’s POV



Talia Vance is a practicing litigation attorney living in Northern California with her real life love interest, two-point-five kids, and a needy Saint Bernard named Huckleberry. Talia has been writing since she could talk, making up stories for every doll, stuffed animal and action figure she could get her hands on. She grew up hoping to write the great American novel, but her life ran more along the lines of tortured romance and fast paced thrillers, so that's what she writes.

Find Talia Online:

Book Info:



Descended from an Irish demigod, Brianna has fled to Ireland to escape destruction at the hands of her sworn enemies, the Sons of Killian. Taking refuge at the estate of her former nemesis, Austin Montgomery, Brianna discovers a rift in time that opens to an era before the feud began. 

Wrestling with her newfound feelings for the more innocent Austin, Brianna begins to wonder if she can alter the past. But when Brianna and Austin learn that the Sons are raising an army of mythical beasts, the pair will need to use their magical strength in the present to avoid a tragic end.

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