Showing posts with label urban fantasy. Show all posts

Review: Ravensong by TJ Klune

Ravensong

by TJ Klune
Series: Green Creek #2
Pub: July 31, 2018
Genre(s): fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, lgbt/queer, m/m romance, shapeshifters/werewolves, adult fiction
4.5 stars



The Bennett family has a secret: They're not just a family, they're a pack. Ravensong is Gordo Livingstone's story.

Gordo Livingstone never forgot the lessons carved into his skin. Hardened by the betrayal of a pack that left him behind, he sought solace in the garage in his tiny mountain town, vowing never again to involve himself in the affairs of wolves.

It should have been enough.

It was, until the wolves came back, and with them, Mark Bennett. And when his town is caught in the jaws of a beast, Gordo is summoned back into the life that left him.

“Gordo, you must rise. For your pack. For us. I must ask you to become the witch to the wolves.”

Now, a year later, Gordo has once again found himself the witch of the Bennett pack. Green Creek has settled after the death of Richard Collins, and Gordo constantly struggles to ignore Mark and the song that howls between them.

But time is running out. Something is coming. And this time, it’s coming from within.


The Green Creek Series is for adult readers.

________________________________________________________________


Wolfsong, the first book in the Green Creek series, was an unforgettable reading experience. Because of that, I went into Ravensong with such high expectations, but most of all I was just happy to be returning to the Bennett pack (packpackpack). It felt like coming home (homehomehome). #IYKYK

 

Gordo was still a child when his father began adding the tattooed runes to his arms and teaching him what it meant to be the witch for a powerful werewolf pack. His mother told him things, too – you can’t trust a wolf, they don’t love you, they need you, they use you. But the Bennett pack was like family – especially Mark. While he may have once been strange and annoying, shadowing Gordo everywhere he went, they became friends – with the promise of more.

 

“I’m making sure you’re safe.”

I took a step back. “From what?”

He shrugged, looking more awkward than I’d ever seen him. “From… like. You know. Bad guys. And stuff.”

 

Tragedy struck, leaving Gordo without both mother and father, but the Bennett’s were there. Taking him in, providing home and family, love and support. But even that did not last. The Bennett’s left Green Creek, and Gordo. There were promises that they would come back for him, that he was loved, that he was still theirs. But all Gordo knew was that he was being left, he wasn’t enough, and he was being betrayed by the one person he never thought was capable of such a thing.

 

“They don’t trust me. And since they don’t trust me, you are leaving me here. You chose them over me.”

“No, Gordo. Never that. I would never –“

“Then stay here.”

 

Over the years, Gordo’s hurt and feelings of betrayal turned to anger. It was easier to be angry than deal with the pain of abandonment. And when the Bennett pack finally returned to Green Creek, he kept his distance, his anger creating a wall between them. When circumstances pulled him back into the Bennett pack, he had to question what he knew of the past and how it had shaped his life. And when danger encroached the bounds of Green Creek, Gordo was tested in ways he could never have imagined.

 

Ravensong delved deep into Gordo’s past and covered the years during the pack’s absence, especially his complicated relationship with Mark Bennett. Gordo, a man who begged to be chosen, wanted (“Right now. Here. Choose me. Mark, I’m asking you, for once in your life, to choose me.”) and Mark, a man who had to make an impossible choice that had lasting consequences. Gordo and Mark were characters who both made great sacrifices for those they loved and those sacrifices changed them. But despite time and distance and anger and hurt, their bond was always there.

 

I thought of a boy with eyes of ice telling me that he loved me, that he didn’t want to leave again but he had to, his Alpha was demanding it, and he would come back for me, Gordo, you have to believe I’ll come back for you. You are my mate, I love you, I love you, I love you.

 

As compelling as the plot was (intrigue, adventure, betrayal, suspense), it was the characters that kept me turning the pages. This cast of characters embodied the spirit of family and friendship and loyalty, even when tested under the most extreme circumstances. When war was brought to their doorstep, all differences were set aside and they came together as a united front.

 

“You are not alone, Gordo. And I promise you that you never will be.”

 

It is impossible for me not to compare Ravensong and Wolfsong. And while Gordo’s stranglehold on his anger over the years sometimes made me yearn for the sweetness and softness of Joe and Ox (from Wolfsong), I understood it came from a place of hurt. And let’s not forget that Gordo was also a total badass (“You done f*cked up. You would do well to start running now. Because the last time someone came for our pack, he ended up getting his head torn off.”). All in all, Ravensong delivered an incredible tale of family in all its forms, the lengths some will go to to protect them, and a love that can overcome it all. I will return to the Bennett family again and again. 4.5 stars

Art credit: unknown

Have you read Ravensong?

Review: Wolfsong by TJ Klune

 

Wolfsong

by TJ Klune
Series: Green Creek #1
Pub: June 20, 2016
Genre(s): fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, lgbt/queer, m/m romance, shapeshifters/werewolves, adult fiction
5 stars



The Bennett family has a secret: They're not just a family, they're a pack. Wolfsong is Ox Matheson's story.

Oxnard Matheson was twelve when his father taught him that Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then his father left.

Ox was sixteen when the energetic Bennett family moved in next door, harboring a secret that would change him forever. The Bennetts are shapeshifters. They can transform into wolves at will. Drawn to their magic, loyalty, and enduring friendships, Ox feels a gulf between this extraordinary new world and the quiet life he’s known, but he finds an ally in Joe, the youngest Bennett boy.

Ox was twenty-three when murder came to town and tore a hole in his heart. Violence flared, tragedy split the pack, and Joe left town, leaving Ox behind. Three years later, the boy is back. Except now he’s a man – charming, handsome, but haunted – and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.

The beloved fantasy romance sensation by New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, about love, loyalty, betrayal, and family.

The Green Creek Series is for adult readers.

________________________________________________________________


Wolfsong languished on my Kindle for years before I finally read it. Big mistake. Because by page three I knew I had just been introduced to a special snowflake of a character (and I mean that in the very best way) that would be unforgettable.


Ox was only twelve when his father left, leaving him and his mother to fend for themselves. When he started working at the nearby garage, he found friendship among the other mechanics, and a steady and supportive figure in Gordo, the owner of the garage. But it wasn’t until he met the Bennett family that he found true acceptance and a feeling of belonging. Ox was sixteen when he met Joe Bennett on the dirt road that led to his small house. And that’s when everything changed.

 

“Mom! Mom. You have to smell him! It’s like… I don’t even know what it’s like! You gotta smell him and then tell me why it’s all candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome.” – Joe Bennett

 

As the years passed, Ox was drawn more and more into the lives of the Bennett family. Or rather, as he came to learn, the Bennett pack. Because his new-found friends could shift into wolves and their pack was strong, with deep ties to the town of Green Creek and the land around them. Despite their strength, the pack was devastated by loss when they were betrayed by a friend and former pack member. Then Joe was gone, overwhelmed with grief, but hell bent on vengeance. In Joe’s absence, Ox becomes more than he ever thought possible, his ties with the Bennett pack strengthened in ways that defy logic and reason. Joe returns to find much has changes, himself included. Ox and Joe must find their way back to one another – and face an enemy from the past that threatens them all.

 

“Am I part of your pack?”

He said, “What do you think pack means?”

“Family,” I said promptly.

Thomas smiled. “Yes, Ox. You are part of my pack.”

 

There wasn’t a single thing that I did not love about Wolfsong. I loved Ox, who was so precious and so pure, and made my heart hurt every time he was misunderstood and simply not seen. But he also filled my heart with joy for the sweet soul that he was. Then there was Joe, whose joyful exuberance as a child was tempered by loss, but his unwavering love for Ox never diminished. The Bennett family were so loving and devoted – Thomas and Elizabeth, Carter and Kelly, and Mark – and I wished I could be invited to Sunday dinner (“because it’s tradition”). There was Gordo and the guys at the garage – Rico and Chris and Tanner – who provided so much comic relief and had me giggling at their banter.

 

“I’m a witch,” he said.

And I said, “You’re a wizard, Harry,” because I thought there was a very real chance I was caught in a dream.

 

The relationships in Wolfsong captured my heart. The friendships, the family, the love… each felt so genuine and so multi-layered and complex. Klune has a gift at creating such special characters and weaving their bonds together to create a sense of family, whether that be biological or chosen. The entire book had a strong underlying theme of family and loyalty, and I loved the way Klune portrayed that in every interaction and conversation. Wolfsong was also a love story and oh what a love story! From the early bonds of friendship, to the slow awakening of more, to the pining – the evolution of Ox and Joe’s relationship had epic love story written all over it.

 

“I knew the day I met you that I would do anything for you. I would do anything to make you happy because no one had ever smelled like you did. It was candy canes and pinecones. It was epic and awesome. And it was home. You smelled like my home, Ox.”

 

Wolfsong was filled with heart aching sweetness, heartbreaking sadness, and laughter. With its truly unforgettable characters, Wolfsong delivered an extraordinary story that became an instant favorite. 5 stars

Art credit: unknown

Have you read Wolfsong?

Short Take Reviews: Further to Fall (Catherine Cowles ) and Kiss of Snow (Nalini Singh)

 

by Catherine Cowles
Pub: 10/24/2018
Format: Kindle

4 stars

An MMA fighter trying to take on the world. A teacher trying to make the world a better place. A friendship neither expected.

Until one night, one mistake tore them apart.

Losing her almost broke him. But he climbed his way out of the darkness and now he’s back and determined to battle for his girl.

But, from the sidelines, someone watches. Someone who’ll do just about anything to keep them apart. Their second chance might be over before it even begins.

  

What worked for me: Having read and loved so many from Catherine Cowles (a dozen or more), I decided to do a deep dive into her backlist. Further to Fall is her first published novel and while it won't go down as a favorite, I still enjoyed it. Carter was a sweetheart and I loved how dedicated she was to her job and her students. Her pining for Austin felt genuine and my heart hurt for her, wanting what she was sure would never be. The banter between the friend group was a lot of fun and a real highlight. But what really got me, was when the lightbulb went on above my head and I realized most of these characters were either featured or appeared in Cowles' Sutter Lake series. Getting a glimpse of them in the past so to speak, while knowing their future stories, put a big smile on my face.

But not so much: Austin had serious commitment issues after being burned in the past, so when he learned the depth of Carter's feelings for him he handled it in the worst way possible. He was intentionally cruel and hurtful and I seriously disliked him for that. Carter forgave him way too easily and I needed a lot more groveling from him to really redeem himself.

by Nalini Singh
Pub: 5/1/2011
Format: Kindle

4.25 stars

Since her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness: "Hawke." Alpha and dangerous, he lost the woman who would've been his mate long ago. Now he walks alone. But Sienna stirs his primal heart, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf. Yet as they strip away each other's secrets, a deadly enemy is striking at everything the pack holds dear...but Sienna's darkest secret may savage the pack that is her home-and the alpha who is its heartbeat.

  

What worked for me: I'd been waiting for Hawke and Sienna's story for a long time and Kiss of Snow delivered that and more. These two characters have been dancing around each other, and clashing, for a long time. And while it took a while (a long while!) for Hawke to finally come to his senses, once he did the results were epic. I loved their dynamic and they way Sienna held her own against the alpha of the SnowDancer pack, letting him know in no uncertain terms that when it was just the two of them he was never to "pull rank" on her. The addition of the secondary romance between Walker and Lara was an unexpected surprise, and one that I was totally there for. The plot showcased the escalating friction between the Psy and the Changelings, and the growing threat of all-out war really amped up the tension. All in all, one of my favorite entries in the series so far.

But not so much: Sienna's Psy abilities, and her efforts to control them, were a large part of the story. There was a pivotal action scene where Sienna put her abilities to use and, unfortunately, it didn't make a lot of sense to me. The aftermath conflicted with the way the scene was described and what little explanation was provided afterward didn't really shed any light. I had to decide to just go with it. While confusing, it didn't hamper my enjoyment of the story.



Have you read either of these books?

Short Take Reviews: Branded by Fire, Faking It with #41, Knotted

 


BRANDED BY FIRE
Nalini Singh
Psy-Changeling #6
Format: Kindle

It’s always fun to return to the Psy-Changeling series. In Branded by Fire, DarkRiver sentinel Mercy pairs off against SnowDancer lieutenant Riley in a battle of wills. Both dominant forces in their respective packs, neither was willing to bend to the other. That made for some fantastic banter and some off-the-charts chemistry. I grew frustrated over time with Mercy’s resistance to Riley and her refusal to admit her feelings for him, but even so, there were plenty of sweet moments that went a long way in showing her true feelings. For once the main conflict did not come from the Psy, but rather from the Human Alliance. There were so many scenes between the various pack members that were touching and emotional and it proved just how talented Singh is at creating sympathetic characters and a strong family dynamic. Events in this one had me more excited than ever for Hawke and Sienna’s story (and pulling my hair out because there are still three books in between). I become more and more invested with each book and can’t wait to see more of the story unfold.          4 STARS



FAKING IT WITH #41

Piper Rayne
Hockey Hotties #3
Format: Audio

Hockey star Ford Jacobs unexpectedly found himself a single father when a previous hook-up left their infant daughter in his care and disappeared. His father, determined to rehabilitate Ford’s image, insisted on a fake relationship with Lena, the wealthy family’s publicist. Although Ford and Lena had long butted heads, they both had their reasons for agreeing to the arrangement. I’m not usually a fan of the fake dating/fake relationship trope, but I am a fan of Piper Rayne and their hockey series, so I was pretty sure they would make it work for me. Mission accomplished because I was so on board and lapped up every page as their relationship morphed from fake to the real thing. They both had some baggage and Lena, in particular, had to make peace with her past. My heart was bursting seeing the change in Ford from previous playboy to doting dad. Watching as Ford, Lena, and Annabelle formed a family – even when they didn’t realize that’s what they were doing – was so heartwarming. The drama when Annabelle’s mother returned was handled well (I was practically cheering for Ford) and wasn’t over the top. The friendship and camaraderie of the team continues to be a big highlight for me.  4 STARS



KNOTTED

Pam Godwin
Trails of Sin #1
Format: Kindle

Brothers Jake and Jarret, siblings Conor and Lorne – all share a close friendship. For Jake and Conor it goes beyond friendship and even though they are young, their love is one that will last. One horrific night changed the lives of all four friends forever.

I wasn’t sure what to expect since Knotted was my first by Godwin, but there’s a reason she’s known for dark romance. The events at the beginning were brutal and the aftermath was heartbreaking. I was riveted from the very start. This story grabbed me and didn’t let go. There were twists that I guessed and others that floored me. A couple aspects strained belief, but I was so taken with these characters and the overall narrative that I was more than willing to just go with it. The relationship between Jake and Conor was layered and complicated. I loved his patience and the way he made sure she had a safe space with him. Knotted won’t be for everyone - Godwin doesn’t shy away from graphic content – but I was 100% hooked. This is one that I couldn’t stop thinking about long after I finished it.  4.5 STARS



HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THESE BOOKS?

Short Take Reviews: The Psy-Changeling Edition

  

Hi friends. I'm using my Short Take Review banner for this post but I'm not even sure these can be considered reviews. More like my fast and furious thoughts on each Psy-Changeling book I've read so far. I've only read two of the full-length novels, but I've also made it a point to read the bonus material as I go and those have been so good! So here are my super-quick thoughts on each.
Psy-Changeling #1

I was sucked right into this world that Singh created. She did a great job of setting up the dichotomy between the Psy and the Changelings (humans don't come into play much). Sascha, a Cardinal Psy, constantly had to hide the fact that she actually experienced emotions, something that had been basically conditioned out of the Psy race. Her interactions with Lucas, an Alpha Changeling, threw those emotions into turmoil. I loved the push and pull between Sascha and Lucas. There was mutual distrust but also incredible chemistry. I admit I was confused by some of the intricacies of the Psy world, but I just went with it. The tension really amped up at the end as I tried to see a way out for Sascha. The connection between she and Lucas hit me right in the heart and as soon as I turned the last page I was ready for more.  Final thoughts: I can't believe I slept on this series for so long. 4 STARS

Psy-Changeling #2

This second book paired another Psy, who had to hide her emotions (even when she didn't recognize that's what they were), with a member of the DarkRiver pack. Faith's mental state was fragile and the dark and violent visions she was having put her in peril. Having been isolated for much of her life, she found the outside world completely overwhelming. As a Sentinel, Vaughn held a position of authority within the pack, and he was perhaps the wildest of the Changelings, with his inner jaguar being very close to the surface at all times. I loved how tactile Vaughn was and, even though Faith was so sensitive to touch and would often ask not to be touched, he just couldn't help himself. I'm finding that I'm much more invested in the Changeling aspect of the stories than the Psy (especially when there's too much info given about the PsyNet - oy, my head!). Overall, I loved Vaughn and Faith's story - maybe even more than the first book. 4 STARS


After reading the first two books, I delved into some of the bonus content (short stories and novellas) and each one delivered in a big way!

Psy-Changeling #0.5
*Included in the anthology Wild Invitation

Oh my heart! This story of how Tamsyn, the DarkRiver healer, and Nathan, a DarkRiver Sentinel, came together about broke me. Tamsyn had known she was meant for Nathan for several years but he refused to complete their mating bond, convinced that because of her age she needed to be free and experience life before being mated. I felt Tamsyn's hurt and heartbreak on every page and at one point had tears running down my face. In just 78 pages, Singh managed to destroy me... and I loved it. 4.5 STARS

Psy-Changeling #0.6
*Short story on Singh's website

This short story gave a little peek at Tamsyn and Nathan years down the road when they finally had cubs of their own. Super quick and super sweet. 4 STARS

Psy-Changeling #0.75
*Included in the anthology Burning Up

Loved it! This novella featured Emmett, a lethal DarkRiver leopard soldier, and Ria, a Chinese-American young woman with an overprotective family. After Emmett saves her from an attack, she finds herself under his protection. And while Ria may have been small in stature, she had serious backbone and spirit. I could sit here and wax rhapsodic about Emmett for pages. I adored him! He was incredibly protective, eminently sweet, and I was a puddle of mush reading every page.           4.5 STARS

Psy-Changeling #1.1
*Short story on Singh's website

This was another quickie that featured Lucas and Sascha babysitting Julian and Roman (Tamsyn and Nathan's cubs). I love the interactions these two have with the cubs - so adorable! - and it made for a sweet snippet with the original couple. 4 STARS


HAVE YOU READ THE PSY-CHANGELING SERIES?

Review: Crowbones by Anne Bishop

CROWBONES

by Anne Bishop
Publication date: March 8, 2022
Series: The Others #8 | The World of The Others #3
Format: Audio
Source: Audible
4 Stars

In this engrossing and gripping fantasy set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Others series, an inn owner and her friends must find a killer-before it's too late....

Crowbones will gitcha if you don't watch out!

Deep in the territory controlled by the Others-shape-shifters, vampires, and even deadlier paranormal beings-Vicki DeVine has made a new life for herself running The Jumble, a rustic resort. When she decides to host a gathering of friends and guests for Trickster Night, at first everything is going well between the humans and the Others.

But then someone arrives dressed as Crowbones, the Crowgard bogeyman. When the impostor is killed along with a shape-shifting Crow, and the deaths are clearly connected, everyone fears that the real Crowbones may have come to The Jumble-and that could mean serious trouble.

To "encourage" humans to help them find some answers, the Elders and Elementals close all the roads, locking in suspects and victims alike. Now Vicki, human police chief Grimshaw, vampire lawyer Ilya Sanguinati, and the rest of their friends have to figure out who is manipulating events designed to pit humans against Others-and who may have put Vicki DeVine in the crosshairs of a powerful hunter.


GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUDIBLE




It’s too bad Anne Bishop can’t write as fast as I can read, because I would happily keep reading about The Others book after book. It’s been three years since the last book in the series (Wild Country), so I was more than ready to dive back into this world that has so thoroughly captured my imagination.

Don’t matter if you caw,
Don’t matter if you shout.
Crowbones will gitcha
If you don’t watch out!


Vicki DeVine has a full house at her inn on Trickster Night. Amid pizza and handing out treats, no one was prepared for who showed up – a human dressed as Crowbones, the Crowgard’s version of the bogeyman. The crows are terrified, the guests are rattled, and the trickster is found dead. This sets into motion a series of events that draws the attention of the Elders – and a Hunter that has its own brand of justice.

I was sucked right into the happenings at Lake Silence and the nearby town of Sproing. Familiar characters from the previous book set at Lake Silence were there, as well as plenty of new faces. And the small cameos from beloved characters at the Lakeside Courtyard made my heart swell and put a huge smile on my face.

The short chapters switched POV between several main characters and kept the story fresh and interesting as events were seen through different eyes. I continue to be fascinated by the Sanguinati (vampires) and was happy to see their presence increased in this entry. Bishop does a great job at balancing tense scenes with lighter moments and I love the humor that often comes from interactions between Vicki and the terra indigene (The Others). Some of my favorite moments included The Five - Elders who have taken an interest in Vicki and the happenings at her inn.

Alexandra Harris, who has voiced all eight books in the series, returns to narrate Crowbones and I enjoyed her familiar voice(s) just as much as I enjoyed returning to the world of The Others. Every single voice is distinctive, and I always knew which character was speaking.

Crowbones was an exciting, entertaining mystery wrapped in an urban fantasy setting and I enjoyed it from start to finish. Fingers crossed that it won’t be another three years until I can return to the World of The Others.

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Covers link to GoodReads




Short Take Reviews: The Novella Edition | Alpha and Omega, The Warlord Wants Forever, Magic in the Wind

  

I was recently in the mood to read some paranormal/urban fantasy and decided to pick up the prequel novellas to several series. All were available though my library's Overdrive app (two on audio and one ebook) so it was easy to give these series a test drive without committing to full-length novels. The results were decidedly mixed. Read on to find out my thoughts.



ALPHA AND OMEGA

Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #0.5

Anna Latham never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack... and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the Chicago pack, she's learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But when she discovers wrongdoing in her pack, she has to go above her Alpha's head to ask for help.


Charles Cornick is the son — and enforcer — of the leader of the North American werewolves. Now his father has sent him to Chicago to clean up a problem there. Charles never expected to find Anna, a rare Omega wolf — and he certainly never expected to recognize her as his mate...

*****
This series was recommended to me when I mentioned I was looking for an urban fantasy series along the lines of The Others by Anne Bishop. I was drawn into this story from the start. Anna is in a precarious position and that’s only exacerbated when she makes a call that brings Charles into her life. It was so interesting to learn about the pack hierarchy and the machinations that were going on behind the scenes. And I'm definitely curious about The Marrock, the leader of all the packs in North America. The instant connection between Charles and Anna was a little hard to go with but I get the feeling that the mated thing is pretty common in shifter stories. At roughly 70 pages, there was only so much that could happen, but I’m curious to see where this story goes. This felt like a really good introduction to a series that could be addictive.

Rating: 3.5
Will I Continue the Series: Definitely
Kresley Cole
Series: Immortals After Dark #0.5

The Warlord
Nikolai Wroth, a ruthless vampire general, will stop at nothing to find his Bride, the one woman who can “blood” him, making his heart beat and filling him with strength. Coldly interested only in the power his Bride will bring, he can hardly believe when Myst the Coveted awakens him body—and soul.

The Seductress
Famed throughout the world as the most beautiful Valkyrie, Myst has devoted her life to protecting a magical jewel and to fighting the vampires. Wroth provides her with the perfect opportunity to torment her sworn enemy—for with his new heartbeat comes a consuming sexual desire that can only be slaked by her. Denying him, she flees, struggling to forget his searing, possessive kiss.

The Hunt is on...
She eludes him for five years, but he has finally chased her to ground and stolen her enchanted jewel, giving him absolute power over her. Now that she’s his for the taking, he intends to make her experience first-hand the agonizing, unending lust she subjected him to for half a decade. Yet when Nikolai realizes he wants far more than vengeance from Myst and frees her, will she come back to him?

*****

I was a bit lost at the start of this one and it took me some time to kind of find my bearings in this world. The time period wasn’t made clear and I was certain at first that it was historical. When I finally realized the setting was in modern times I really had to shift my thinking. Beyond the initial confusion, I really enjoyed the world building. There were vampires, Valkyries, demons and more and it was interesting to figure out the specific lore and abilities. Wroth started off as cold and domineering but he came around. Myst was a character I never could get a handle on. I couldn’t figure her out – her motivations, her decisions, her end game - so that was a bit of a struggle. And the sex scenes were a little cringey. I know it’s sounding like I didn’t enjoy this one but overall, I really did. Novellas can be tricky anyway and setting up a new world in under 200 pages is even more so. But I was intrigued and I liked the apparent set-up for the characters featured in the first full-length novel.

Rating: 3
Will I Continue the Series: Maybe at some point
Christine Feehan
Series: Drake Sisters #0.5

"Sarah's coming home."

Ever since Damon Wilder sought refuge in Sea Haven, he's heard the same breathless rumor pass the lips of nearly every local in the sleepy coastal town. Even the wind seems to whisper her name - a reverie so powerfully suggestive that it carries the curious Damon to Sarah's clifftop home, and seeks to shelter him there.

But Damon has not arrived alone. Two men have tracked him to Sea Haven, and into the shadows of Drake House, where Sarah hides her own secrets. And danger- as well as a desire more urgent than either has ever known- is just a whisper away...

*****

Oof. This just wasn't good. Everything about it felt  surface-level. The plot, the characters, everything. There were no explanations for anything. No background about the sisters, no background about Damon other than an extremely vague mention of a hush-hush government job that "bad guys" were willing to kill him over (which made no sense – since he was no longer working or developing anything what could possibly be accomplished by killing him?), and no explanation of the "magic" the sisters seemed to have.

Worst of all, there was no explanation for the insta-love between Damon and Sarah. I was told constantly about how strong their feelings were, but I couldn't understand why. They were virtual strangers and everything seemed to happen in matter of days. Very little was shared about the time they spent together, how they got to know one another, or where these intense feelings came from. It made no sense.

The big "prophecy" seemed to boil down to this: Sarah would fall in love with Damon because the gate unlocked for him. Yeah, that was it. That was the big prophecy. Pretty freaking weak as far as prophecies go. Having never read anything by Feehan before, I don't know if this was not her best, or if this is just her style. Either way, it really wasn't for me. 

Rating: 2
Will I Continue the Series: Not a chance


HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THESE BOOKS?


Review: Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

RAGE AND RUIN
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication date: June 9, 2020
Series: The Harbinger #2
Genres: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
Format: eARC
Source: Inkyard Press and Edelweiss
4.5 Stars
 ADD TO GOODREADS
 
Rage and Ruin releases on June 9th. 
Pre-order your copy now!



S Y N O P S I S
Half-angel Trinity and her bonded gargoyle protector, Zayne, have been working with demons to stop the apocalypse while avoiding falling in love. The Harbinger is coming…but who or what is it? All of humankind may fall if Trinity and Zayne can’t win the race against time as dark forces gather.

As tensions rise, they must stay close together and patrol the DC streets at night, seeking signs of the Harbinger, an entity that is killing Wardens and demons with no seeming rhyme or reason. Forbidden to be with each other, Zayne and Trinity fight their feelings and turn to unusual sources for help—the demon Roth and his cohorts. But as deaths pile up and they uncover a sinister plot involving the local high school and endangering someone dear to Zayne, Trin realizes she is being led…herded…played for some unknown end. As anger builds and feelings spiral out of control, it becomes clear that rage may be the ruin of them all. 

M Y   T H O U G H T S


Wow. What a wild ride this was! Jennifer Armentrout totally kicked up the action and the intensity in Rage and Ruin. Half-angel Trinity is teamed up with her Warden (gargoyle) protector Zayne in an effort to find and destroy the Harbinger. The only problem: they don’t know who or what the Harbinger is; only that it is killing demons and Wardens alike. With so much on the line (just the fate of the whole world), Trinity and Zayne pull out all the stops to find the Harbinger before it’s too late while also fighting their growing feelings for each other.


Rage and ruin had not corrupted me. They powered me. 

Rage and Ruin picked up right where Storm and Fury left off. Trinity is dealing with the aftermath of those events – or rather, she’s trying to carry on while not really dealing with what happened. Her father’s vague warnings about the Harbinger weren’t exactly helpful and she and Zayne are basically feeling around blindly in the dark trying to catch an unknown entity. Like a needle in a haystack. Enter Roth, the Crown Prince of Hell himself. I loved that Roth played such a big role in this entry and he was right there in all his uber-hot, snarky, less-than-humble glory.



Complicating matters was the serious attraction between Trinity and Zayne that was growing into something a whole lot deeper. Which was, unfortunately, also something that was a whole lot forbidden. I’ll admit I was never really on the Zayne Train in the original Dark Elements trilogy (100% #TeamRoth, baby), but here in this series, with Trinity, I can totally see Zayne’s appeal. This guy is an absolute rock (gargoyle… rock… see what I did there?) in his support of Trinity. He is protective without ever holding her back, he’s in awe of her strength without ever being threatened by it, and he works around her eyesight issues with care and concern and not pity. There was so much tension and chemistry between these two and the push and pull going on was delicious torture.



There was a fantastic build-up going on throughout the book and Armentrout did an amazing job amping up the stakes and providing plenty of action leading up to the final climax. And what an ending it was! People, when I say I was shocked by the final showdown, I mean I was floored. I reread the same scene over and over, thinking I had to be misunderstanding something. I had to be missing something. This couldn’t be happening. I’ll say it: I cried buckets. And then yet another twist in the final chapter left me reeling once more. My mind was blown. I was not okay. I can’t decide if Jennifer Armentrout is an evil sadist who obviously feeds on the tears of her readers (sorry Jennifer, nothing but love… really) or a plotting genius who knows how to write one epic cliffhanger. Because like I said, I am not okay.

If you love Jennifer Armentrout, if you love paranormal/urban fantasy, if you love kick-ass heroines who are still totally vulnerable, if you love swoony heroes, and lots of action, and plenty of humor, and plot twists that will blow your little mind… do yourself a favor and read this series. Grab Storm and Fury and then dive right into Rage and Ruin. And then you can join me in the tortuous wait for the final book. 

Disclosure: I received a a complimentary copy of this book for review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


#1 New York Times and #1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Border Jack Apollo, six judgemental alpacas, two rude goats, and five fluffy sheep. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications.  Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.



Website: https://jenniferlarmentrout.com/
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