Review: Final Heir

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The Final Heir is the action-packed finale to the Jane Yellowrock series, and I am so sad that the saga is over. I want to go back and read it from the beginning! There were some chapters closed for Jane in this last book, some good closures and some sad. It seemed like the interaction between Jane and her mentor “in the smoke” at the beginning was super poignant, but then it didn’t feel resolved and I felt it like a gaping wound as I read.

ARC Review: Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost

Series:	Night Rebel #1
Pub. Date:	Oct. 30, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	384 pgs
Source:	Publisher

This review is super late, and you may have noticed that I haven't posted in a while... but my work life has been absolutely nuts for the last couple months and I haven't been able to read much at all. I miss it! So I apologize to Jeaniene and Avon for my tardiness. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from Avon.

It's unfortunate that it took me so long to be able to read this first installment of the Night Rebel series, as I am absolutely gaga for our fun-loving, yet vulnerable hero, Ian. I knew, after the conclusion of the Night Prince series, that Ian's story was going to be spectacular. So I do suggest you read that series (along with Night Huntress) first, so you have the full backstory of what's going on. If you haven't read those series, be advised that this review may contain spoilers for those previous series.

Audiobook Review: Queen Takes Queen by Joely Sue Burkhart

Series:	Their Vampire Queen #3
Pub. Date:	June 26, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	Cassandra Myles
Length:	9 hrs 11 min
Source:	Publisher

Queen Takes Queen is the third book in the reverse harem series, Their Vampire Queen. The series is getting progressively better, with the addition of new characters in each installment as our vampire queen grows in power with her harem.

ARC Review: Wild Hunger by Chloe Neill

Series:	Heirs of Chicagoland #1
Pub. Date:	Aug. 14, 2018
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	352 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

Wild Hunger is the first book in the Heirs of Chicagoland series, is a spinoff of Chicagoland Vampires. I admit that I have been eagerly anticipating this book as I was totally sad that the original Chicagoland was ending. It's so hard to believe that the entire series had taken place in approximately a year... and now here we are about 20 years in the future.

Audiobook Review: Queen Takes King by Joely Sue Burkhart

Series:	Their Vampire Queen #2
Pub. Date:	May 29, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrators:	Tristan James Cassandra Myles
Length:	8 hrs 22 min
Source:	Publisher

Their Vampire Queen has been my first foray into the recently trending reverse harem genre. I wasn't sure how I felt after the first book, Queen Takes Knights, but the story is starting to shape up and I was more interested in this installment.

ARC Review: Serpentine by Laurell K. Hamilton

Series:	Anita Blake #26
Pub. Date:	Aug 7, 2018
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	512 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

It's hard to believe that Serpentine is the 26th book in the Anita Blake series. I wish the Merry Gentry series had so many books out! I'm glad they are both still going as, whenever one comes out, it's like spending some time with old friends (who are ass-kicking monster killers).

Audiobook Review: Chosen by the Vampire Kings by Charlene Hartnady

Series:	The Chosen #1
Pub. Date:	May 22, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	Tatiana Sokolov
Length:	12 hrs 19 min
Source:	Publisher

This is my first read by Charlene Hartnady, even though this book has been on my TBR for a bit. I'm not a fan of serials, so I was happy to see that it was released as one book in both print and audio. It's been a while since I've read a new vampire book, and I was pleasantly surprised by this one. 

Audiobook Review: Queen takes Knights by Joely Sue Burkhart

Series: Their Vampire Queen #1 Pub. Date: May 8, 2018 Publisher: Tantor Audio Narrators: Tristan James Cassandra Myles Length: 5 hrs 31 min Source: Publisher

So my friend Deanna has been raving about a lot of reverse harem lately, a new trend/trope in the romance community, particularly with indie authors. It seems that most of these stories are written in the young adult and new adult age groups, but I wanted to give it a shot and see what all the hoopla is about. The Their Vampire Queen seemed liked a good and steamy place to start, with each book being a quick read of about novella length.

Shara Isador grew up not knowing what she was or anything about her heritage. All Shara knew was that she was in constant danger, and both of her parents died protecting her. But when two handsome strangers come to Shara's rescue one night in the middle of Arkansas, it begins an enlightening and awakening for Shara where she will learn her true nature, potential, and power.

ARC Review: Dark Challenge by Christine Feehan

Series:	Carpathians #5
Re-Release Date:	June 26, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	400 pgs
Source:	Publisher

I have been trying to get caught up on Christine Feehan's backlist for a while now... but she is so prolific that I don't think I will ever catch up. (And that's a good thing seeing as I like her writing.) I happened to be notified about the re-release of Dark Challenge, and it coincided with where I was in the Carpathians series, so I jumped at the chance for a review copy. I have been curious about Julian for a while, and I was glad to dive into his story.

Audiobook Review: Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Series:	Night Huntress #4
Pub. Date:	Dec. 22, 2010
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio
Narrator:	Tavia Gilbert
Length:	9 hrs 33 min
Source:	Audible Romance

So this year I have not been able to go on a road trip this year without getting a craving for Cat and Bones, so the re-read has continued with Destined for an Early Grave, the fourth book in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. 

I remember reading this book for the first time and being thrown for a loop with some of the revelations about Cat's past. It was definitely not something I predicted, and I am happy to report that I am still discovering (or rediscovering) tidbits that I didn't remember from before. A totally unexpected vampire has surfaced to derail Cat and Bones' relationship, and he has some unique dreamwalking powers that are super scary and put Cat in danger. Gregor was an interesting character... I almost wanted to know more about him and his motivations. 

Audiobook Review: At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost

Series:	Night Huntress #3
Pub. Date:	Nov. 11, 2010
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio
Narrator::	Tavia Gilbert
Length:	9 hrs 28 min
Source:	Hoopla

The series binge continues with the third book, At Grave's End. The focus of this book shied away from further relationship development for Cat and Bones, and instead focused on the action and drama. Secondary characters played a huge role in this installment, to the extent that this was really more their story.

Audiobook Review: One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Series:	Night Huntress #2
Pub. Date:	Oct. 20, 2010
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio
Narrator::	Tavia Gilbert
Length:	9 hrs 47 min
Source:	Hoopla

My binge of the Night Huntress series continued right through my 3-day road trip, and I of course couldn't skip probably the most infamous book of the series. Having met Jeaniene a few times at signings now, I have heard her speak about this book more than once. Whenever Chapter 32 gets brought up, I can't help but chuckle at her story. She really is one of the most down-to-earth, humble and funny authors that I have met.

Note: This review may contain spoilers for prior books in the series.

ARC Review: Dark Queen by Faith Hunter

Series:	Jane Yellowrock #12
Pub. Date:	May 1, 2018
Publisher:	Ace
Length:	432 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

Sigh, I was so happy to be back with Jane and the gang that I really didn't want this book to end. Then as I was reading, with this being the end of a story arc (the Sangre Duello), I was afraid it would be the end of the series. Jane and Beast have become one of my very favorite heroine pairs in urban fantasy, and I hope they stay around for the foreseeable future.

Audiobook Review: The Dark Ones by Rachel Van Dyken

Series:	The Dark Ones #1
Pub. Date:	Jan. 30, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrators:	Chris Chambers Hollie Jackson
Length:	7 hrs 1 min
Source:	Publisher

The Dark Ones is the first book in a series of the same name by Rachel Van Dyken that features a diverse cast of paranormal characters including vampires, werewolves, sirens and fallen angels. 

Our heroine is named Genesis, a human whose number has been called to go and serve immortal society. The way Genesis was raised has given her an inferiority complex, and you really wanted to shake the spit out of her hateful mother. But this results in Genesis arriving before the immortals wholly ignorant of her role and what is expected of her. She adapted fairly quickly and took things in stride without freaking out, which was commendable. 

ARC Review: The White Lily by Juliette Cross

Series:	Vampire Blood #3
Pub. Date:	Oct. 23, 2017
Publisher:	Entangled
Length:	326 pages
Source:	NetGalley

The Vampire Blood series is probably the most interesting take on fairytale retellings that I have read thus far. I mean we have Arabella (Cinderella) as a vampire hunter, Sienna (Little Red Riding Hood) living in a magical forest with huge Hart wolves, and now Brennalyn (Snow White) as the adoptive mother to seven children. And when you pair these unique heroines with some uber yummy (and fangy) heroes, sparks fly.

ARC Review: Sleeper by Lexi Blake

Series:	Hunter #3 / Thieves #8
Pub. Date:	Oct. 17, 2017
Publisher:	DLZ Entertainment
Length:	476 pages
Source:	InkSlingrPR

I'm very greedy for this series, to the extent that I did an entire series re-read last year and then bought the whole series from Lexi at the RT Convention. So I did a happy dance when I saw we had a new installment coming out this month. And, seeing as I got the ARC on my birthday... happy birthday to me!!!

As this is an urban fantasy series, you really need to read all the earlier books before embarking upon Sleeper. There are new storylines for each book, but there is also a continuing series arc that would be difficult to follow. Plus, all the books are awesome so... just read them.

ARC Review: Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh

Series:	Guild Hunter #10
Pub. Date:	Sept. 26, 2017
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	361 pages
Source:	NetGalley

Nalini Singh has never disappointed me, and Archangel's Viper is no exception. I love the diversity and uniqueness of her characters, and I like the continuing story arcs so that we see prior characters and couples in abundance. Every time I read a new book in this series, it makes me want to go back and read the others all over again!

ARC Review: The Red Lily by Juliette Cross

Series:	Vampire Blood #2
Pub. Date:	June 19, 2017
Publisher:	Entangled
Length:	298 pages
Source:	NetGalley

Juliette Cross has delivered another vampiric retelling of a favorite fairytale with a revolutionary twist. I recommend reading this series in order so that you may following the continuing story arc, and get the full fairytale experience. 

The first book, The Black Lily, is based on Cinderella, if she were a vampire hunter falling in love with a vampire prince. The tales continue in The Red Lily, which is loosely based on Little Red Riding Hood, where our hero and heroine face danger to aid in the revolutionary endeavors of The Black Lily. Those endeavors being freeing humans from vampire enslavement and violence against their person.

ARC Review: Cold Reign by Faith Hunter

Series:	Jane Yellowrock #11
Pub. Date:	May 2, 2017
Publisher:	Ace
Length:	378 pages
Source:	NetGalley

After delivering two fantastic books in her new series, Soulwood, Faith Hunter is back with a dynamic offering in the long-standing Jane Yellowrock series. I was a late-comer to this series, discovering it after I read the Soulwood books, but Jane and Beast quickly became one of my favorite heroine/duos in urban fantasy. This is a series that you must read in order as its a continuing storyline, but I also recommend that you read it in publication order in conjunction w/ the Soulwood series, as there is some character crossover.

ARC Review: Blade Bound by Chloe Neill

Series:	Chicagoland #13
Pub. Date:	April 25, 2017
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	384 pages
Source:	NetGalley

Oh its a happy sad end of an era with Blade Bound, the last book of the Chicagoland Vampires series. It's hard to believe that all thirteen of these books have taken place in the span of a year or less... sometimes it seems longer, and sometimes it seems like just yesterday that Merit was made a vampire. It's definitely been a crazy eventful year for Merit and Cadogan House.

We begin Blade Bound with the last minute preparations for Ethan and Merit's wedding, and all the details required to make the event "fit for a Master" of the City as Helen would say. This was one of my favorite parts of the book, and I actually felt myself getting a little teary-eyed during the big event! But as history has proven for Ethan and Merit, things never quite go as planned.

Another big bad is emerging (or returning?) and the city is on the cusp, waiting for things to explode. Between crazed delusional people and wonky weather, the tensions are definitely running high. There are still humans protesting supernaturals and blaming them for the destructive and dangerous events that have happened in Chicagoland, and this big bad is not going to help ease those tensions. The resolution for this conflict saw input from the normal gang - the Cadogan vamps, the Omsbuddies and Mallory. Human law enforcement and military got in on the act, as well as the Order, with varying results. Of course there are always those who think they know better and are too arrogant to take advice from the team... so we had some back and forth between city government, The Order and Team Cadogan. I would have liked to see the shifters step in, and there was a small cameo from the fae that I wished would have been developed more. But in the end, we can always count on Merit to get things done.

While I enjoyed this final installment, I was hoping for a bigger bang. The conflict and resolution of the plot in Blade Bound didn't vary greatly from the last few books. A big bad emerges, Merit and the gang investigate and do battle to save the city. I was expecting this last book to be explosive and action-packed, but it just a nice steady story that follows the same formula that we've seen before. That being said, the formula has worked and the stories are entertaining. The wedding aspect was stellar, and I loved the epilogue (though I wished it was longer and more expansive). Overall this has been a thoroughly enjoyable series, one that I will probably re-read at some point in the future.

We've heard rumors of a spinoff for this series, and the epilogue definitely gave me ideas. If my suspicions are right, I think that would be a stellar storyline and would be excited to get my greedy lil' hands on it.

Don't miss the giveaway that Chloe Neill is hosting on her website through April 28th. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Berkley.