Review: The Darkest Lie (Lords of the Underwold #6) by Gena Showalter

In this riveting new installment of New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series, Gideon, keeper of the Demon of Lies, fights to uncover the truth….

Forced to his knees in agony whenever he speaks the truth, Gideon can recognize any lie—until he captures Scarlet, a demon-possessed immortal who claims to be his long-lost wife. He doesn’t remember the beautiful female, much less wedding — or bedding — her. But he wants to ... almost as much as he wants her.

But Scarlet is keeper of Nightmares, too dangerous to roam free, and a future with her could mean ultimate ruin. Especially as Gideon’s enemies draw closer . . . and the truth threatens to destroy all he’s come to love ...

From Goodreads

In case you were wondering what one of my "guilty pleasures" in reading is, this would be it. Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series is campy and fun with some serious sexiness mixed in. Even so, there is so much going on, and so many characters, that I sometimes have to really focus to keep up with the plotline. Although this is definitely one of those books where the plot is not the main point of reading the story.

Despite that, I enjoyed catching up with Gideon in this installment. Cursed with the demon of Lies, trying to keep up with what he really means is always a challenge. And the woman most likely to drive him batty with her staunch refusal to play by his rules is his supposed wife Scarlet. They aren't necessarily on the same side, but at least they aren't outright trying to kill one another...right now. What doesn't add up though is their backstory. There are so many holes & missed steps that something just smells wrong.

With all these red flags going off, it's amazing that they still find time to be attracted to one another. Even though it's been hundreds, if not thousands, of years since they've been in each other's presence, they are drawn together in a battle they won't soon forget.

Gena makes you want her characters as badly as they desire each other. From their behavior to their structuring, down to their vocabulary, if you enjoy macho, virile men for entertaining purposes, then these books are just for you. If you still like a bit of substance to accompany your bawdy tales, then this is even more perfect for you. The background that she uses, from settings to characters, is unique unto this series. While lots of other books use gods & goddesses, I don't think anyone has done it as singularly as Gena.

For fun, romance, and even so acceptable war-based violence, The Darkest Lie is a great addition to the Lords of the Underworld series. Enjoy!

June Genreflecting: Giveaway of Mistwood by Leah Cypress & Review of Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I'm sorry this didn't go up on Friday like it was supposed to. Unfortunately instead of finishing up the post on Thursday night I was rushing to the vet and we had to make the extremely painful decision to put our kitten Hugo down. We were in shock & are grieving, but I managed to pull this together for you for today. Enjoy.

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck's reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle--disguised and alone--to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart.
From Goodreads
Bitterblue wasn't nearly as spellbinding for me as the first two books in the Graceling Realms "series". I enjoyed the characters & some of the action, but felt that things dragged on a bit as the story progressed. While following Bitterblue as she traveled her kingdom & adventured with Katsa & Po was quite entertaining, the second half of the book was more depressing than I was prepared for. Suffice it to say that this was not one of my favorite works by Kristin Cashore.
As far as a fantasy book goes, it hits the mark right on. Between the magical realm, the unique "Graces," and the adventuring, we've got a prime example of an epic fantasy. The battle between Bitterblue's graceful reign & her tyrannical father's oppression is about as truthful a good vs. evil situation as you can get in this world. While they aren't on a specific quest together per se, there is a large group of characters that all kind of lend themselves to being grouped into smaller clusters. While I may not have been the biggest fan of this book, I do have to respect it for what it is in the genre.
Now for what I'm sure y'all are really interested in: the giveaway! In keeping with the fantasy theme I'm giving away Leah Cypress's Mistwood. You know the rules: you must be over 13 & live in the US (or at least have a US mailing address). a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: Horde (Razorland #3) by Ann Aguirre

MAJOR SPOILERS for the first two books in the trilogy. Check out my reviews of Enclave & Outpost.

The horde is coming.

Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.

Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.

This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.

From Goodreads

Towns falling, people dying, and all Deuce can do is fight on. Not truly a Huntress anymore, but something between that and just a girl, Deuce finds herself with her faithful companions battling the monsters that threaten to take everything. Things are as easy as they once were because now the monsters are evolving, growing smarter, and learning better ways to murder the humans they hunt.

After the sacking of Salvation, Deuce, Fade, Stalker, & Teagan make it to Soldiers Pond with the few survivors of their almost home. Unafraid of fighting for what she wants, Deuce tries to convince the new command that the monsters are gathering their strength for a full-on onslaught and that an army of the people, from all the towns, needs to be raised. She sets out to do just that, all while struggling with Stalker's affections, Fade's retreat into himself. & Teagan's insecurity about her abilities.

Can the girl from below who has fought so hard to get to where she is really pull off the impossible and preserve humanity?

You guys...this is how you should end a series. I will do my best to do this book justice while covering all my bases, but suffice it to say that if you've read the first two you'll enjoy this one as well and if you haven't read the other two, go do that now.

Deuce isn't a typical heroine. I know we all have our preconceived ideas of what that means, but I think she really stands out among the multitude of female protagonists in the genre. She must contend with her emotions, identity, ability, & beliefs that continually clash against one another. Her romantic notions are not as simple as one might expect, they are complex and rooted in her self-worth & self-understanding. Her struggles are the driving force behind the story & carry the narrative along.

Fade, Stalker, & Teagan are wonderful representations of what else is going on in Deuce's world. They each speak to a different part of her & support/encourage her strengths while shoring up her weaknesses. In their own rights they are a steadfast crew battling their own issues for the greater good. There is no room for idle hands and none of these characters are willing to give up what they've all worked so hard to attain.

The new characters introduced in this novel blend well with the story & setting. I found it interesting that each "spokesperson" for their respective territory were reflective of the town itself. Meaning that their personalities & behavior seemed to either stem from or contribute to the way their territories functioned. The territories were also unique because each one posed a specific problem to our intrepid heroine.

I think my favorite part of this book though was the overall tone & action. Knowing that this will be the last one, I wasn't sure whether I should expect easy street conflicts or really demanding, reaching conflicts. I am thrilled to report that Ann Aguirre doesn't let her characters off easily. They fight tooth, claw, & weapon for what they want and to ensure that they do the best they're capable of. There are no holds barred, so brace yourself for some heart-stopping moments of dread. It's not easy, but it was necessary and satisfying.

It sucks that this book doesn't come out until October, but if I can manage it I will definitely be picking up a boxed set to add to my personal library. An uplifting, if fairly gruesome tale, the Razorland saga is not to be missed!

ARC graciously provided by Around the World ARC Tours

June Genreflecting: Fantasy: The Details

Based on the Collins English Dictionary, a subgenre is "a category that is a subdivision of a larger genre." (Source) In the case of Fantasy, we have several subgenres that are quite commonplace. They range in setting from distant past, distant future, to alternate present reality and most commonly deal with a coming-of-age scenario for our protagonist. Here are some of the most popular selections:

• Epic fantasy- Sword fights between good and evil set in a magical land..sound familiar? This is the kind of book most people think of when they hear the word "fantasy." It encompasses the likes of Tamora Pierce, J.R.R. Tolkien, and my personal favorite Kristin Cashore. This kind of writing lends itself to many different types of readers whether they prefer group adventures or solo expeditions and magic or braun. Whether you want a long series or a simple read through, this subgenre has something for everyone.
• Faerie- While I believe this one to be self-explanatory, some folks often times confuse faeries with fairy tales. The latter is dealt with in connection with myths and legends so as not to confuse readers. Faerie books deal with the creatures themselves, sprites, nymphs, elves, gnomes, etc. These creatures are all different species of magical beings that can work their charms on, oftentimes to the detriment of, humans. Holly Black, Eoin Colfer, and Melissa Marr are very popular faeries writers in YA. They offer a nice balance between real world and alternate realm settings allowing for diversity in faerie rules.
• Mythic reality- Much like the "urban fantasy" subgenre of paranormal books, mythic reality takes place in the real world. Fantastical creatures and events take place in an otherwise mundane setting allowing the reader to believe in magic all around them. These books oftentimes lend themselves very well to a movie crossover as witnessed by Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series & Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's Beautiful Creatures. 
• Myths, legends, and fairy tales- Personally, these are the kinds of books I think of when I hear "fantasy." My go-to thoughts are of Arthurian legends and the original Grimm's fairy tales. I'm not the biggest fan of epic fantasies or the popular faerie books. I prefer my magic ensconced in these realms. Retellings of popular stories are "in" right now, but there is also a long history of complete reworkings. Some great examples are Jackson Pearce's retellings and Stacey Jay's reworkings. In general though you can find plenty of variety from the likes of Gerald Morris, Francesca Lia Block, and Donna Jo Napoli.

I truly adore getting into writer's heads when it comes to building these worlds. There are so many options and details to think about that I get overwhelmed just contemplating it. Kristin Cashore did an amazing job in an interview with Amazon a few years back detailing how she built the seven kingdom's world. I was kind of shocked at what I perceived to be the backward nature of this process, but in fact it makes tons of sense.

Amazon.com: At what point did the world of the seven kingdoms emerge, and how did it evolve and affect the arc of the story?

KC: I went back to my book plan for this question, too, and was kind of amused to discover that the seven kingdoms emerged very specifically from the opening scene I wanted to use for the book. I wanted the book to begin with Katsa sneaking at midnight through the court of a kingdom other than her own, rescuing a stranger who’d been kidnapped from a strange land. This gave me at least three kingdoms just to start with: Katsa’s, the stranger’s strange land, and the kingdom of the kidnappers. So, from the beginning, I had a sense of a big world, and as I hammered out the plot, that world kept growing. I realized that it worked for there to be a number of kingdoms, most of which were badly run—it fit in with Katsa’s desire to sneak around from kingdom to kingdom doling out undercover justice. It also made the mystery I was building more mysterious—if there are seven kings, it takes longer for your protagonist to figure out who’s responsible for mysterious goings on.

I fleshed out the details of my world as I went along, and that includes its dramatic landscapes and weather, which turned out to be really fun tools for making my characters miserable

From http://www.omnivoracious.com/2008/09/my-grace-is-wri.html

I hope this was informative. Fantasy is such a broad subject that it really helped me find my reading niche when I starting exploring the subgenres. That doesn't mean I don't try things anyway, but it's always good to know what you like from the start. Which one(s) do you prefer? What influential writers am I missing from those very abbreviated lists? Be sure to check back next week for my review of an old fantasy book Briar Rose by Jane Yolen.

June Genreflecting: Fantasy: The Basics

I wanted to do a reading challenge for the subject of Genreflecting, but I didn't get much feedback (maybe because it asked you to read 2 books for each genre and discuss them or because it's not really a "reading challenge" per se, but more an educational experiment), so I've turned it into a monthly feature! For each month of 2013, there will be a specific genre that will be analyzed. I'm planning to have author input and at least 2 reviews of books in the genre as well.

June's genre is Fantasy! Fantasy books lead readers on trips into magical realms or worlds where our rules don't necessarily apply. There are dragons, faeries, wizards, and more. It is a genre based upon reality suspension. You don't have to puzzle through the mechanics of the inner workings, you just have to go with the flow. Magic, whether embodied in wands or nature, is a binding agent for most books in this genre as well as magical creatures. The biggest conflict of definition stems from crossover books that mix fantasy with science fiction or paranormal books. There are lots of subgenres in this category ranging from fairy tale retellings to epic adventures, so be sure to check back next week for the details post. (paraphrased from Teen Genreflecting, 2003)

A few of my favorite authors you may recognize in this genre are:

• Michelle Harrison; 13 Treasures
• Maggie Stiefvater; Lament
• Karen Marie Moning; Darkfever (adult)
• Margaret Stohl & Kami Garcia; Beautiful Creatures
• Kristin Cashore; Graceling
• Jackson Pearce; Sisters Red

I'm excited to say that I've chosen my two books, one older and one newer, to read for this challenge. The older book is Briar Rose by Jane Yolen (originally published in 1992) and I'll have a review and analysis up on Friday, June 21st. The newer book is Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (originally published in 2012) and I'll have a review and analysis up on Friday, June 28th. I'll also be hosting a giveaway, so stay tuned!

Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson #7) by Patricia Briggs review

Obviously MAJOR SPOILERS abound as this is the 7th book in a series.

Mercy Thompson’s life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman—the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack—has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy’s life. But on the edges of humanity, what passes for a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more…

After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can’t reach Adam—or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They’ve all been abducted.

Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam’s disappearance may be related—and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

From Goodreads

If you've read my blog long, or even if you're new around here, you might know that I ADORE the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. I found this series fairly early in the game, right before the 4th book was published. I devoured them all and eagerly await the next installment every time. Unsure if they were "appropriate" for my blog audience, I refrained from reviewing them for quite some time. When I finally did bite the bullet, I did 2 sets of mini-reviews that cover the first 5 books (1-3, 4-5) and have subsequently reviewed each released book since then. Even more exciting was the fact that I finally got the chance to meet Patty at a signing for this book! It made all the difference in the world to hear her talk about her characters and actually read to us in the voices of those characters. But enough rambling, let's dig into the review!

Some time has passed between the ending of River Marked and the beginning of this book. Mercy has healed from her wounds and is settling in as the alpha's mate. Now residing in the Hauptman household, she is also officially step-mother to Adam's daughter Jesse. The easy-going nature of this relationship is what lulls you into a fall sense of security because right from the get-go we know something is wrong when no one from the pack can be reached.

There is a lot of suspense and detective work that has to go into discovering just what has happened to the pack. Making things even more difficult is the shear number of those involved. Despite these obstacles, and being a bit out of her element being the one solely in charge of the well-being of any and all pack members, Mercy shines throughout the book. Her dedication to the ones she loves can lead her into trouble if she's not cautious, as it naturally does in this book, but she wouldn't be Mercy if she didn't fight tooth and claw.

What made me really love this book, as opposed to the "meh" feeling I had for the last one, was the reappearance of some long-missed companions. There are a lot of beings and characters in Mercy's world and we don't often get to see many of them as often as we'd like due to other storylines. This book however saw the return of many characters that I had missed and their interjection allowed us to see how Mercy has grown and changed since the series first started. She is no longer just a shapeshifting mechanic working for a fae in a local shop, aggravating her werewolf neighbor with broken down vehicles, but otherwise trying to stay out of the supernatural world. Rather than hide from this world that she can't help but be a part of, Mercy has embraced her role in it and is a bit more careful in her actions.

If you haven't read the series yet, give it a go. There's hardly any romance, but lots of supernatural action that will keep you wanting to read. If you're a bit squeamish though, be forewarned, as these are werewolves, vampires, & fae who don't always necessarily have the best interests of humans in mind.

Do you read this series? What do you think? Do you have any other series that are like it that you love? 

Waiting on Wednesday: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I am super excited about the new Seven Kingdoms book from Kristin Cashore. You may remember her smash hits Graceling or Fire. Well Bitterblue takes place a few years after Graceling ends. It's sure to be another mesmerizing tale with captivating storytelling & engrossing characters. May 1st can't get here soon enough!

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

From Goodreads

How fantastic does that sound? I may re-read Graceling just to get back into the groove of her writing & worlds. I'm sure it won't disappoint.

What are you waiting on this week?

Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon review

SPOILER ALERT: This is the 18th book in the Dark Hunter series & while the author says that the books can be read in any order, I like to give fair warning anyway. Just FYI.

Fang Kattalakis is far from a lone wolf. He is a member of a pack, with his brother, his father & several other folks. But he has never desired a female as much as that of Aimee Peltier. Too bad she's not a wolf, she's actually the owner of Sanctuary's daughter. Oh, and a bear too.

Fang wasn't looking for a mate, heck he wasn't even looking for a date when he & some pack members wandered into Sanctuary for a meal. Of course nothing can ever be that simple & when Aimee's life is threatened by roving jackals, Fang protects & defends her, winning eternal gratification from the bears.

As it turns out, that "gratification" comes in very handy when things go sour faster than he ever thought possible. When his own father hands down the execution order for Fang & his brother, the bears are there to nurse them both back to health. Unfortunately the damage to Fang is extensive & he finds himself actually locked in a hellish purgatory with Aimee as his only way out. The unwilling couple form a bond that nothing seems to shake & she manages to save, in more way than one. Their bond, although tenuous, comes in handy sooner than they would have liked when the different lycanthrope groups decide to stage an all-out war. Will Sanctuary survive the battle or will it become a casualty of the young couple's budding romance?

Bad Moon Rising is one of the plethora of books from the wonderfully enchanting Sherrilyn Kenyon. I pick and choose which books of her's I want to read because while they are all loosely affiliated, you do not have to read the previous books to understand the main storyline of the current book you're reading. The first book I read was No Mercy , which comes after this book in sequence, so I understood certain things with more clarity after reading Bad Moon Rising, but nothing that completely altered the book for me. Any way...

Aimee & Fang are a fun couple to watch develop. They really have no intention of being attracted to one another & actively try to dissuade & distract themselves from the other, but they just have no luck. As cursed beings their lives are kind of determined by the gods & the gods have a sick sense of humor when it comes to messing with people's love lives. Aimee is a strong-willed woman who is the only female of the bear clan & is doing everything in her power to keep the family name clear & pure to continue their legacy. Fang is a little haggard, but his rough-and-tumble life is as good as he could expect it to be. Bringing these two smart-mouthed, wise-cracking, hard-headed fools together is one of the most explosive & fun things I've seen Ms. Kenyon do in her books.

The writing is spot on with some great quotes & active story building. The Dark Hunter/Were Hunter worlds are very diverse with a lot of history & details that I can't even begin to imagine trying to keep up with, so I appreciate the effort she puts in to make the story so engrossing. This one was turned turn in steamy romance compared to the first book I read, but there is still definitely some lovin' (of multiple acts) going on between these two characters. As I've continued to say, I'm not the biggest fan of misplaced romance. It has to actually add something to the story in order for me to get behind it. That was definitely the case in this book, so I didn't mind so much.

I'm looking forward to the next book I plan to read from Ms. Kenyon, although I'm not sure if it will be a Dark Hunter/Were Hunter book or if I'll wait for the next Chronicles of Nick book that's due out in February of 2012. I'm stuck. What do you think?

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Nick Gautier is one of the cockiest, most smart mouthed 14 year old in all of New Orleans. Or at least he thinks he is. The son of a teen mother & death-row inmate, Nick hasn't hasn't had the easiest of lives, but that doesn't change this Cajun's fiery attitude. He would lay his life down to defend his mother & wants nothing more than to become the man worthy of her praises.

Unfortunately there are things lurking in New Orleans that have always been on the periphery, that are now attracted to Nick like bees to honey. Every crazy creature from every horror movie ever created, and some new ones to boot, are coming after him & his friends. Some of them have been sent for nefarious reasons & others are renegade agents accidentally created by a nerd trying to avoid being bullied.

As Nick sinks deeper into the new New Orleans, he's learning more about himself & his friends than he ever expected. Those closest to you are your most dangerous enemies & strangers' kindness always comes with strings attached. Can Nick hold his ground or will he have to give an inch to gain a mile?

While I must admit that overall I did like this story, there is absolutely no denying that this book was written by someone accustomed to writing adult, romance novels. Nick Gautier is one of the more intriguing "human" characters in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters series. As such, he was created in an adult world. Despite the fact that she is now going back & writing his back story for teens, she can't very well change his lineage as it already exists. Therefore, Nick's mom is a Bourbon Street stripper & his father is a homicidal death row inmate. There are also some phrasing choices & references that some more reserved readers may cringe at, but nothing overly imposing.

All that being said, I really loved the feeling of New Orleans in this book. Sherrilyn really captures the city's majesty & essence while also managing to capture the more struggling side of life. There is something about a "Cinderella" story, rising to greatness from the lowest depths, that I find truly compelling & masterful. Sherrilyn manages to combine all of these elements together in a truly astounding way that is still so very relative.

My absolute favorite character in this story is Bubba. A backwater, zombie-hunting, Oprah-watching redneck who owns a computer repair/gun shop, he is a main source of information on the preternatural & Nick's unofficial guide while he's learning to navigate in this new dark world.

A fun read, with creative flair, Infinity is the beginning of a series I intend to keep an eye on.

One last thing, if you've never checked out Sherrilyn's website, you really should. She has so much information on all her series & characters. Be forewarned though, since there is some crossover between the adult & teen series, there are spoilers in the adult profiles. The niftiest part I found on Nicky's profile was his 10 Things to Know About Me:

1. I was born standing standing up and talking back
2. Cajun born and bred
3. My fave haunts are Mulates and Cafe Du Monde where my mom takes me after work.
4. I live for Zydeco and good gumbo.
5. I really want a gaming system, but we can't afford it.
6. I don't like authority and it doesn't like me.
7. Bubba is one of my best friends.
8. Rich man's gumbo is when the meat is actually bought in a store.
9. Schools and prisons. Both are institutions with people who want to abuse you where you're confined to little rooms.
10. Manga. The new drug.

No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon

SPOILER ALERT: This is the 19th book in the Dark Hunter series & while the author says that the books can be read in any order, the beginning of this one leads me to believe it would give away the ending of a previous novel. Just FYI.

Devereaux Peltier (Dev) has always stayed close to his family's New Orleans-based paranormal night club, Sanctuary, to help his mother & keep a watchful eye on his younger sister. After the gigantic battle to defend their nightclub & the loss of both his parents during that fight, Dev is a shapeshifting bear adrift. As the night bouncer for the club, he sees all sorts of characters. Unfortunately the one who took his breath away is off-limits.

Samia (Sam) is an Amazonian dark-hunter. She is an immortal who sold her soul to Artemis in order to avenge the murder of her family. Eons later she is still roaming the Earth by night to protect the human race from all manner of foul creatures. The night that she returns to Sanctuary for business is a night that will change everything she has taken as fact for the last 5,000 years.

When Sam & Dev have to join together to keep Sam alive & out of the hands of the bad guys, the two find that they have a lot more in common than they originally thought & that their mutual attraction is something they really can't seem to fight.

Let me just preface this review with a personal note. I am not a prude when it comes to sexual situations. I consider myself to be very liberal in my acceptance of all manner & expression of all relationships. That being said, I am not a fan of gratuitous sex scenes in film or print. Honestly, if there is no real plot point behind the deed, then I don't need a play-by-play, let alone several.

Overall I must say I really liked this book. Sherrilyn Kenyon has an amazing ability to capture not only the action, but the essence of a situation, without getting too bogged down in the details or word count. I could picture almost every action & sequence as I read the book, including some that were just a bit too much for my reading tastes.

As I just stated, I don't enjoy reading gratuitous sex scenes, and I feel like this was one of those books where every 75 pages someone was getting it on, or had just finished getting it on. It irked me, but I decided to ignore that and focus on the story. When I did that, I found I enjoyed the story in general.

The characters were certainly engaging & had some depth to them, while still managing to be accessible to someone who has never read the series. The dialogue was witty & amusing & really helped move the story along. My favorite part of her writing though, was her inclusion of the Greek dieties. The mythology added another layer of intrigue to the story that I think bound it together well. While by the end of the book I felt I needed a character index, I was still able to grasp the whole story.

All in all, I would highly recommend this book for more mature young adults. If you enjoy urban fantasy novels, and can get past or even enjoy the extra sex scenes, then I would recommend this book & series. I think I may go back & pick through the series since it doesn't have to necessarily be read in order. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Sisters Red (Fairytale Retellings #1) by Jackson Pearce

Scarlett and Rosie March are hunters. They eat, sleep, and breath hunting. We're not talking about rabbits & ducks; these girls hunt Fenris, wolves. These monsters take on men's forms to lure in young girls who they devour. After a horrific Fenris attack that left Scarlett horribly scarred with an eye patch & their grandmother dead, the girls began training with the Pa Reynolds, their neighborhood woodsmen. Growing up with Pa Reynolds's son Silas, the girls do their duty to protect their homeland.

When another wolf ambles by looking for the Potential, all three teen's senses are on alert. They decide to move to the city in search of better luck tracking the Potential & taking down the wolf population in the process. But Rosie isn't really in to it all. Silas, who has just returned from a year long hiatus in San Francisco, can see it in her eyes and encourages her to explore other activities. Rosie discovers that not only does she enjoy these other activities, but she actually has an aptitude for something besides throwing daggers. Scarlett is determined to put a stop to the turning of the Potential. Silas is torn between his heart's desire & his duty.

One thing is for sure, none of these three will ever be the same & the Fenris don't stand a chance against them united.

This was an interesting twist on the Little Red Riding Hood tale. This time though, Little Red Riding Hood doesn't necessarily need the woodsman to save her. These girls are tough and determined. They are presented as two parts of the same heart which is very understandable given their traumatic experience as children. Put together they really would make a dynamic person, but as two individuals they can't possibly remain together forever. Silas really is just there to throw hormones into the mix. I feel like he didn't really add much to the story other than being a catalyst for Rosie & acting as eye candy.

The Fenris were an interesting group. They really were wolf-possessed men with no souls instead of a traditional werewolf. That was an unexpected element as it made the Little Red Riding Hood background make more sense. I really liked the mythology behind the Potential and how the wolves sought him & found it quite enchanting.

Jackson Pearce is really onto something with this kind of storyline and I look forward to her future works as they seem to be heading down the fables & fairy tales path.

Waiting on Wednesday: Trance

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I'm pretty stoked about the October 14th release of Trance by Linda Gerber. A twist on the banshee tale, this book takes a different angle.

It begins with a subtle vibration, a tingling. There is time to take only one breath. The trance begins. When it is through, she is certain of two things: Someone she knows is about to die. And she is powerless to stop it.

Ashlyn Greenfield has always known when bad things are going to happen. Each time that familiar tingling at the back of her neck begins, she knows what's to come a trance. She's pulled in, blindsided, an unwilling witness to a horrible upcoming event. But she's never been able to stop it not even when the vision was of her mother's fatal car accident. When soulful Jake enters Ashlyn's life, she begins having trances about another car accident. And as her trances escalate, one thing becomes clear: it's up to her to save Jake from near-certain death.

From Goodreads

I'm really looking forward to the author's descriptions of these trances. I will be sorely disappointed if they don't take on a life of their own. They will hopefully be described in detail. While I'm fairly certain I know the basic plotline of the story, since there are only so many ways it can go, I'm intrigued to see how Linda decides to use her word count. Only the book will tell. What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: Enchanted Ivy

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spin.

This week I am uber-excited to be featuring Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst, which is set to arrive October 12th. This isn't her first novel, but it is definitely the first one of hers that has really gotten my attention. With a blurb like this, what's not to like?

What Lily Carter wants most in the world is to attend Princeton University just like her grandfather. When she finally visits the campus, Grandpa surprises her: She has been selected to take the top-secret Legacy Test. Passing means automatic acceptance to Princeton. Sweet!Lily's test is to find the Ivy Key. But what is she looking for? Where does she start? As she searches, Lily is joined by Tye, a cute college boy with orange and black hair who says he's her guard. That's weird. But things get seriously strange when a gargoyle talks to her. He tells her that there are two Princetons—the ordinary one and a magical one—and the Key opens the gate between them. But there are more secrets that surround Lily. Worse secrets.When Lily enters the magical Princeton, she uncovers old betrayals and new dangers, and a chance at her dream becomes a fight for her life. Soon Lily is caught in a power struggle between two worlds, with her family at its center. In a place where Knights slay monsters, boys are were-tigers, and dragons might be out for blood, Lily will need all of her ingenuity and courage—and a little magic—to unite the worlds and unlock the secrets of her past and her future.

From Goodreads

Seriously?! An alternate/sketchy reality version of the fourth oldest college in the US just sounds amazing. I have always loved looking at postcards of those older campuses because they are very representative of the time in which they were constructed. Back to Lily though, I am stoked about her story. I really want to get to know why it is so important to her to attend Princeton and what her guard is all about. So exciting! What are you waiting on this week?

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Again, just a fair warning, this is book two in a series so if you haven't read the first book, City of Bones, please be warned that MAJOR spoilers exist below. That is all.

Clary is just having a really rough time. In just a few short days she went from being a normal teen with a geek streak to being the daughter of two famous Shadowhunters; unfortunately one of them went evil, world-controlling, power-hungry and the other is in a magically induced coma.

With her newly discovered brother Jace, and fellow sibling Shadowhunting friends Alec and Isabelle, Clary is setting off to find a way to save her mother while protecting all of them from the Downworlders (werewolves, vampires, et al). Too bad that's easier said than done when your best friend Simon, who happens to be in love with you, has just sealed his fate as being a vampire and you discover that your close family friend Luke, who has been like an uncle to you, is a werewolf. Can life get any more complicated?

Of course it can and unfortunately for Clary and all those involved, it's just going to continue to get worse until her evil father, Valentine, is stopped, permanently. A great chase ensues and everyone will have to choose which side to stand on in the upcoming war. That is also easier said than done. Where will Clary's loyalties lie when parts of her family, both blood-relations and extended, are on opposing sides?

City of Ashes picks up shortly after City of Bones leaves off. We continue the story of a Manhattan girl lost in the big world of Shadowhunting. Clary is a likable enough girl, but the sexual tension between her and her brother is just down right creepy, especially when she's supposed to be dating Simon. The demons get more creative in this book than in the last and there is definitely more action. I must say, for a middle book in a series, I actually liked this one more than the first! An easy, quick read despite its size, City of Ashes is a fast-paced fun novel. I can't wait to see what happens in City of Glass!

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Nimira is a trouser girl. Not many people think much of these talented singer/dancers anymore. Once they were the highlight of the night life and quite well respected, at least in Nimira's home country. Those days are sadly long gone and Nimira has been forced to perform in a seedy night show routine at a dirty bar. Until the night that Mr. Parry shows up and informs her that he is in need of a singer to duet with his piano-playing automaton.

At first Nimira is reluctant to leave the familiarity of her current troupe, but she determines that there is very little really keeping her there. So she packs up her meager belongings, mostly heirloom items that her mother made, and heads out to meet the mysterious Mr. Parry. After a long and bumpy road they arrive at his estate; and what an estate it is! There are multiple floors, more rooms than she can count, and a library to rival anything she's ever seen.

Unfortunately that's not all it comes with. There is talk of other girls who ran away claiming that the automaton was alive and a nefarious house maid who doesn't like Nimira from the moment she set foot in the house. Nimira decides to put all that aside and just do as she is being well-paid to do. Only when she beings practicing with the automaton does she begin to believe that the stories are true.

His name is Erris and he suffers through a terrible existence. A soul trapped in mechanical armor, all he wants is some company. After establishing a communication system with Nimira, Erris starts to tell his story and ask for help. Only, since nothing can ever goes as planned in these stories, they are continually interrupted by the sketchy Head of the Sorcerer's Council. He has taken a keen interest in Erris and is determined to get to the bottom of the situation and rid of Nimira.

This book was quite an adventure. You could tell that it was set in a fantasy world as it speaks of fairies and "far off lands" but it wasn't a major plot point. It was almost as if I was reading a story taking place in a foreign country more than one in a separate system or universe. This was a very easy and pleasant read. Nimira was a bit flighty for my tastes; one minute she was being a good girl and following orders, the next she was defying everything and everyone and being her own person. I felt she could have been a touch more independent, but I think her hesitance was intentional. Mr. Parry, her benefactor, was a likable enough guy, but his actions were very opposite of her personality. Erris was well-played. His personality and reactions were right on the mark for what was to be expected for his character.

The overarching storyline was fairly interesting. The fact that a "nobody" kind of girl could free a soul trapped in a metal body and then take on a powerful sorcerer made this a fantastic read. I felt so drawn to Nimira and her plight. I felt like I really was there, rooting for her. The plot was a little heavy handed and seemed to jump around a bit, but when you consider that this is a debut novel, I can overlook somethings. Most of all I liked how the ending left off. It was an ending befitting a single book or the beginning of a series. It was a great way to leave it. Overall I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't the best book ever, but it was decent. Let me know what you think if you've read it.

Oh and one last thing. This is the new cover:
All I can say is that I LOVE IT! It is so much more appropriate than the first one. I'm going to have to buy it just for the cover! Ok, I'm done now, I promise. :D

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Everyone has known since the day Fire was born that she is a monster, but that has never stopped her from trying to conceal it. In the Dells, there are many monsters who look just like their normal counterparts, except for the fantastical colors that separate them. Fire is the last human monster who, just like all other monsters, can ensnare the mind with one look. She stands out from the regular human population due to her atypical beauty and flaming red hair.

Fire has lived a rather quiet life in the outer reaches of the Dells in a house that her father Cansrel, the borderline-evil henchman of the last King, set up for her. He taught her everything she needed to know about being a human monster and all the things she is capable of, even though she refuses to use her gifts to harm others. After years of isolated living alongside her friend and occasional bedmate Archer, so named because he is the best in the land, and his father, Fire finds herself at the center of the plan to save the Dells from complete ruination.

After an attack from a rogue poacher, Fire searches for answers at nearby Queen Roen's estate. Unfortunately, Fire encounters two people she was hoping to avoid, the Queen's sons King Nash and the commander of the King's army Brigan. Feeling that she is not safe enough, despite Archer's assurances to the contrary, they decide to bring Fire to the King's castle and use her abilities to uncover the plot to overtake the throne. Fire's abilities are strong, but they can only do so much. Can she do as she is bid, even if it means becoming like her father?

A marvelous tale, told with the same build-up of Graceling, Fire continues to mesmerize. Kristin Cashore has created a fantastic world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary with a simple tweak. Humans and creatures become monsters simply by mind control and bright colors. Children become Gracelings simply by having two different colored eyes and an aptitude for something.

While I found this story more intriguing than Graceling, it was much more complicated and in depth. That's not to say that it was boring or anything like that, it just took a little while to get started because of the history and knowledge that has to be imparted to the reader. The monsters lend a new and intriguing aspect to life in an otherwise normal kingdom. The fact that there can be human monsters is even more interesting, especially since Fire is the last of her kind (and plans to keep it that way).

The characters gave a wide and varied perspective on the kingdom. Archer is an upper middle class type citizen with a jealous streak when it comes to Fire. She is a sheltered and fearful person with large expectations of herself. Brigan is a nobleman through and through with a heart so large that he's had to close it off to many. Nash is rather rash and unwieldy in his personal affairs, but quite reliable when it comes to taking care of his kingdom. They all come together in a manner that allows for many crossings and interactions of both a personal and public sort.

Truly an exciting read that I will enjoy again and again, Fire is an enrapturing novel filled with enticing characters and more action than I hope I ever have to see in real life. Pick it up and give it a shot and I truly hope you will agree!

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Graces are supposed to be gifts. How is the ability to fight extremely well and kill anything a gift? Katsa, a young, female warrior has pondered that very question for most of her life. Her uncle, the King, uses her as an enforcer and she has caused more pain than she cares to remember. There is no hiding her abilities because not only is she incapable of just not fulfilling her grace, but her eyes give her away. All gracelings have two different colored eyes.

Her unparalleled abilities are what allow her an escape. She is given a wide berth by many in the kingdom, so she is free to do as she pleases. She chose to create an alliance of local citizens who right wrongs and injustices committed by the King. During one such mission, rescuing an old man from prison, she meets a fellow graceling. Her mission and the graceling have more in common than she first realizes and soon she finds herself, along with some trusty side-kicks, on a quest to discover the plot behind the kidnapping of the imprisoned man.

An enthralling fusion of fantasy, adventure, and love, this debut novel is sure to capture your imagination. It’s a little bumpy towards the end, but still a fabulous piece of work for a first-time author.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Mortals...they always get in the way. Clary is just your typical teenage girl. She goes to school, hangs out with her adoring best friend Simon, and argues with her mother. That is until she is witness to something she should have never seen. Clary meets Jace, Isabelle, and Alec while they are on a mission to kill a demon. That's right, a demon; in a night club.

Clary suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar world when her mother mysteriously disappears and a demon attacks her in her own home. Lucky for her Jace had taken an interest in her and helped to save her life. Now she is discovering a whole new world that her mother had kept secret from her. Clary is a Shadowhunter, just like Jace, Isabelle, and Alec. She is a member of an elite demon-killing race from another world. They are part-demon (the good kind) and exist in a world where fairies, vampires, warlocks, werewolves, and other "fairy tale creatures" are real.

She quickly learns that her mother has hidden quite a lot from Clary over the years. Her mother knew the location of one of the 3 magical items that can be used to create more Shadowhunters, and this knowledge is what lead to her capture. As Clary tries to come to grips with her new reality, she is also trying to save her mother from wherever she has been taken, keep her very human friend away from the very non-human things that are trying to kill her, and try not to fall for Jace.

This is just the first book in a 4 book trilogy (go figure) that has a very Buffy feel to it. A young girl finds out that she is a centuries-old prophetic protector sworn to destroy all things that go bump in the night and try to kill humans. While there are some truly funny moments (I mean who doesn't love a teenage boy who makes references to Dungeons & Dragons?) and the over-all story line is quite intriguing, the book lacks a change of pace from many other books like it. A great read if you are looking for a series filled with all manner of fantastical creatures.