Review: Rogue's Possession

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Rogue’s Possession is the second book in the re-released series, Covenant of Thorns. Gwynn seems to have adjusted to her new life in Faery, but is still firmly ensconced as the battle sorceress for Lord Falcon’s war. I have to admit that I still don’t see the point to the war, but I think that is by design. I’m not sure the warring parties actually know the purpose of their war either. In any event, the pitched battles are entertaining and Gwynn usually finds a way to meet the terms of her deal without loss of human life. And I will never complain about mermaids, dragons and sea monsters in a book. 😜

Review: Long Live the Soulless

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This is the end… of everything.

Binge complete! Long Live the Soulless it the culmination of the Dark Maji series, in which we have met mages, skeevs, raksasa, pirate queens, tree-dwelling warriors, and dark gods.

Review: For King and Corruption

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It’s 2:06a.m. and I am cursing Kel Carpenter because I immediately need to start the next book. OMG. Major cliffhanger ending. I. MUST. KNOW. WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT!

Review: Twisted is the Crown

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Vengeance is Had…

With the 3rd book in the Dark Maji series, Twisted is the Crown, we see Quinn Darkova returning to her homeland of N’Skara. Although they return under the guise of seeking an alliance for House Fierte, Quinn has her own agenda.

Review: Blessed be the Wicked

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Political Intrigue and Pirate Queens!

The Dark Maji series continues with Blessed be the Wicked, where we follow Lord Fierte and his vassals into Tritol to seek an alliance with Imogen, the famous pirate queen of Ilvas. This installment is full of political intrigue, betrayal, and assassination attempts. Imogen and her House were not as cordial and welcoming to House Fierte, so Lazarus was forced to rely more on his vassals to gain what he sought.

Review: Fortune Favors the Cruel

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Fortune Favors the Cruel is a compelling start to the Dark Maji series. This book encompasses what I suspect to be the bulk of the world-building and overall plot trajectory. The world that has been created by Kel Carpenter is lush and darkly alluring. There are light, dark and gray maji, as well as mundane non-magical people. The landscape changes as our main characters traverse the realm, but the author brings each territory to life with just enough description to give you an idea and let your imagination fill in the rest.

Review: Rogue's Pawn

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Rogue's Pawn is the first book ever written by Jeffe Kennedy, and is being re-released with some slight updates. As much as I love this author, I can't believe I hadn't actually read this series!

Audiobook Review: Fury by Rachel Vincent

Series:	Menagerie #3
Pub. Date:	Oct 30, 2018
Publisher:	Recorded Books
Narrator:	Gabra Zackman
Length:	8 hrs 29 min
Source:	RBDigital

This is a blogger shame review as it's quite overdue, but life has gotten crazy busy for me the last few months. So I was happy that I found an audio copy of this book available at the library so I could listen on my drive home over the holidays. 

Audiobook Review: Spectacle by Rachel Vincent

Series:	Menagerie #2
Pub. Date:	May 30, 2017
Publisher:	Recorded Books
Narrator:	Gabra Zackman
Length:	9 hrs 25 min
Source:	RBDigital

Spectacle is the second installment of Rachel Vincent's dark fantasy series, Menagerie. This series has been a unique breath of fresh air, and totally different from what I was expecting at the outset of first book. This is a dark fantasy series, with some horror elements thrown in, so don't go into this series expecting a warm fuzzy read. It's gritty and shows the worst of human nature at times. But it's sure to draw you in and hold your interest whether you are reading in print, or listening by audio. These books will need to be read in order to follow the continuing story line, and this review may contain spoilers from the first book.

Audiobook Review: Menagerie by Rachel Vincent

Series:	Menagerie #1
Pub. Date:	Sept. 29, 2015
Publisher:	Recorded Books
Narrator:	Gabra Zackman
Length:	10 hrs 57 min
Source:	RBDigital

Well, this book certainly was not what I was expecting! In truth, I avoided the blurb before reading it. I am a fan of Rachel Vincent so I knew it would be good without investigating what the story was about... and I was right. Though unexpected, I was captivated by the story from beginning to end. This dark fantasy was a blend of mythology and horror set in the backdrop of a cruel and unusual carnival like you've never seen before.

ARC Review: Bright Smoke, Cold Fire by Rosamund Hodge

Series:	Untitled #1
Pub. Date:	Sept. 27, 2016
Publisher:	Balzar + Bray
Length:	448 pages
Source:	Edelweiss

I have been craving more fantasy in my life this year, and have been seeking out new (to me) fantasy authors left and right. I totally got sucked in by the cover of Bright Smoke, Cold Fire, and the blurb piqued my interest as well. I can't recall having read a retelling of Romeo and Juliet in the last handful of years, so I was definitely intrigued.

ARC Review: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Series:	Three Dark Crowns #1
Pub. Date:	Sept. 20, 2016
Publisher:	HarperTeen
Length:	416 pages
Source:	Edelweiss

I was really intrigued by the blurb for this book as I love a good dark fantasy. The premise of the story is that three sisters (triplets) are born queens. Once they are born, it is the end of their queen mother's reign. The girls are raised together at the Black Cottage for a short time, but are all separated at six years old according to their magical powers. One is a poisoner and is immune to poison. One is a naturalist and can make things grow and have animals as familiars. And the other is an elemental, who controls the elements of earth, air, wind and fire. Katherine is being raised by the poisoners; Arsinoe is being raised by the naturalists; and Mirabella is being raised by the elementals. To become the next queen, one of the girls must murder her sisters and take the throne.

Review: Escaping Destiny by Amelia Hutchins

Escaping Destiny by Amelia Hutchins

My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sultry Scale: 4 of 5 flames

I thought things couldn't get worse. I was wrong. 
I found out what I really wanted and was forced to give him up. Just as I found out who I really am, I was presented to the elusive Horde King as a gift. 
This was the mystical being I was hidden from for more than twenty years. 
Although Ryder promised to save me, I couldn't let him get near this creature, so I willingly (sort of) signed myself over to be his new plaything. 
Now in the Horde Realm, nothing is going remotely like I thought it would. 
My powers and emotions are on the fritz, and each day seems to bring surprises that I am not sure how to deal with. 
The Horde King thinks he has me exactly where he wants me. 
He thinks he has taken all of my options away. 
I still have choices. 
Embracing what destiny has planned for me, or escaping it.

I wish I had written this review before I started Seducing Destiny... that was my mistake. It's already overshadowing what I read in Book 3. Argh! So I'm gonna try to remember... here goes!

We finally found out the identity of the elusive Horde King (like we didn't know already). I was annoyed with Syn at this point. How was she so freaking blind? I mean, she had seen his beast eyes and heard the multi-layered voice before. And could his beast form really look that different? It doesn't seem like it is from the description. I love that the beast is a Terrible Beauty... though I wish he had a name. I don't like calling him beast. And come on, how can you not love a creature made for sex with an 8" tongue? Freaky, Ms. Hutchins. I see you.

Ristan continues to be my favorite secondary character. I would really like to see him get his own book... but I have a feeling there is something going on between him and Danu. The whole conversation between Ristan and Ryder about wooing cracked me up. Ryder ended up being pretty good w/ the woo, despite his misgivings. I loved that he took her to the OPI Headquarters. That was a nice touch.

Overall I don't feel like there was a ton of action in this book - we just had a nice enjoyable progression of the story... but nothing too earth shattering. There was some drama about Ryder's pre-arranged engagement to Claire's sister, and Claire continues to be a huge biatch. Syn finally fully accepts her destiny and that she is fae... but there is foreshadowing she may be more than we thought. Keep reading to find out!

Favorite quotes from this book?

Suck it, Fairy!
I don't plan to suck anything. I plan to lick it until it flows down my face.

*****************************************************************************

Now just because I'm letting you touch my sword and play with it Flower, doesn't mean we're dating and shit. Don't go getting the wrong impression here.

*****************************************************************************

Good girls get special kisses.

Other Books in Series:
1. Fighting Destiny
2. Taunting Destiny
4. Seducing Destiny



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Review: Taunting Destiny by Amelia Hutchins

Taunting Destiny by Amelia Hutchins
Series:  The Fae Chronicles (#2)

My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sultry Scale: 4 of 5 flames

I thought things were bad and weird before – hold on – it’s getting worse.

Adam and I are both going through identity crises of epic proportions as we Transition from who we were, and discover who we were meant to be. More Fae are dying, and I feel as if time is running out for us to find all of those responsible and put an end to the killings.

The people I thought I could trust have betrayed me and the one person I should absolutely not trust; is taking me deeper and deeper into his world.

Ryder’s secrets are dangerous and devastating.

With each touch and word, he pulls my heart closer to himself and at the same time he is trying to keep me at arm’s length. The dance he and I have begun, is getting more complicated as our worlds are being shaken from all sides, and the visions of the future are frightening, and nothing like I had ever pictured for myself or those I care for.

This time, destiny is taunting me.

I had always thought that I controlled my destiny. Now, my rights are being taken from me by powerful people and leaving me with alternatives that range between bad and awful.

This time, the choices I have to make can decide the fate of both worlds.

Everything is unraveling, and nothing will ever be the same again. 

I am so glad the next book in the series is already out - because there is no way I could wait for the next book after that ending! However, this not being the first time I read this book, I felt myself being more critical this time. I was impatient with the love-hate relationship between Ryder and Syn. And I feel like she is a bit dense when it comes to figuring things out.

That being said - I love everything else about this series. It is causing me to neglect my other obligations.. which is always the sign of a good book. The excuses they keep making for Ryder being a total ass are interesting, and I don't know my position on them yet. He is not human, and we shouldn't expect him to act like one. But does that excuse him from being an amoral prick? I'm not sure. That being said, I LOVE Ryder's beast. I don't know why - but I do. And we got the hint that the brothers have beasts too... so I am crossing my fingers that Amelia Hutchins writes a spinoff series where all the brothers (and Adam) found their fated mates.

Things I loved about this book? Sexytime that was hot, sexy and with all the magic of the fae. We got more Ristan - my favorite secondary character. Mr. Fancy Pants! You turn back into a dog right now! I like when the story switches to Faery. The whole Faery world is fascinating to me, and I like Amelia's take on it. We finally meet the mysterious Horde King - and he is a terrible beauty. Who is he? Well, read and see if you can figure it out!

Other Books in Series:
1.  Fighting Destiny
3.  Seducing Destiny

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Review: No Love for the Wicked (Damned # 2)

No Love for the Wicked (Damned # 2) by Megan Powell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sultry Scale: 2 of 5 flames

It’s taken six months, but supernaturally gifted Magnolia Kelch finally seems to have her surging powers under control. Then she arrives home to find a group of strangers in her beloved farmhouse, and that control is immediately put to the test. Magnolia quickly learns that her “guests” are actually part of the Network—not from the task force headed by her mentor, Thirteen, but a second group, led by British agent Colin St. Pierre.

Unfortunately, Theo, a Network agent who shares an intimate connection with Magnolia, doesn’t trust Colin as a new commander. When team missions collide, Magnolia finds herself in the middle of Network infighting, asking herself who among those closest to her truly has her best interests at heart.

But an even greater threat lies on the horizon. Intent on tracking down the source of Magnolia’s powers, a familiar enemy resurfaces with a plan—one that is far more sinister than the Network has ever seen.

The second book in the series picks up about 6 months after the last book ended. Magnolia is back, and she has grown as a person, and learned to control her emotions and magical powers. This book took the backstory that we got in No Peace for the Damned, and built on it. There was lots of drama, betrayal, action, suspense, and even sex this time! ***insert sexytime dance here*** There was some foreshadowing as to things that are going to unfold throughout the series (i.e. with the man appearing in Magnolia's dreams), and I look forward to how Megan Powell is going to develop the story.

I tend to be a bigger fan of urban fantasy series than paranormals. That's because I liked to follow the same couple throughout multiple books. So I am glad to have found another series to add to my growing list of must-reads.

Series:
1. No Peace for the Damned




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Review: No Peace for the Damned (Damned # 1)

No Peace for the Damned (Damned # 1) by Megan Powell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sultry Scale: 0 of 5 flames

Magnolia Kelch is no stranger to pain. Beautiful and powerful, she’s spent her entire life at the mercy of her sadistic father and the rest of the Kelch clan, who have tortured her and tested the limits of her powers. After one particularly heinous night that leaves Magnolia nearly dead, she finally sees her chance for escape…

But this first taste of freedom is short-lived when she collides with Thirteen, head of the Network—a secret organization dedicated to fighting supernatural criminals—who recruits her into the group. Even as she’s coming to grips with this new life and the horrific memories that still haunt her, she’s conflicted by her growing attraction to fellow team member Theo and the emergence of new, untested abilities. After months of grueling training, her loyalty to the team is tested when she learns her target is the Network’s most wanted: the Kelch family.

Revenge may course through her veins, but so does the blood of the Kelches. And opposing her family may cost her the thing she treasures most. After all, Magnolia is still a Kelch. And the Kelch are damned.

This is a dark urban fantasy. Our heroine has had a troubled life full of pain and violence. Now that Magnolia has escaped her the family that put her through hell, she has self-esteem and trust issues, almost seeing herself as the anti-heroine due to her family name. I liked the relationship that Magnolia developed with Thirteen, the head of the supernatural crime fighting team after her family. He really became a father figure to Magnolia, a semblance of a normal family that she desperately needed.  I also liked the tension of the growing attraction between Magnolia and Theo. I can't really say that I disliked anything about this book. The writing style allowed me to connect with Magnolia despite her atrocious upbringing. I especially liked that, even though she was a broken girl who had never known love, she still kicked ass. The end is not quite a cliffhanger... but just an unresolved ending so that you know the series is going to continue.

Series:
2. No Love for the Wicked

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