Nocturnal Book Reviews

Steampunk Guest Review from Victoria: The Kaiser Affair by Joseph Robert Lewis

2013-05-20T05:00:00.000+01:00

I haven't known Vika for very long but I stumbled on her blog few months ago and followed her insightful, well-thought reviews ever since. Thank you, V., for your help and for sharing mutual love for steampunk!

My name is Victoria and I am the creator of www.zemfirkablogs.blogspot.com. Though new to blogging, I’ve had a long-nurtured love for books, and am an avid reader. Aside my passion for reading, I am also an enthusiastic cook. Thus, combining my two favorite activities, the idea behind my blog was born, where I get to share my book reviews and an occasional recipe or two. If you would like to reach me, email me at zemfirkablogs@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter and/or Goodreads.

The Kaiser Affair by Joseph Robert Lewis (The Drifting Isle Chronicles #1)

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads
When a master thief escapes from prison, detective Bettina Rothschild must put him back behind bars before the scandalous fiasco destroys the Ministry of Justice. Her investigation leads from decaying cemeteries where ravens conspire to warehouses where wondrous machines are built in secret, and even to the fabled Drifting Isle above the city of Eisenstadt where an ancient tomb hides a deadly secret.

The relentless chase proves taxing for a young woman who relies on her cane and her steamcarriage to get about, but that's where a good husband steps in. While Bettina picks locks and interrogates suspects, her beloved Arjuna defends her from the most brutal and bizarre assassins in Eisenstadt.

But as the clock ticks down, Bettina finds too many questions still remain. How did the thief escape from prison? How can he afford to hire so many killers? And why would he go to the Drifting Isle only to steal a giant beetle?

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US($3.99)/UK(£2.73)

8/10

* * *

I am an equal opportunity reader, generally. Although I tend to focus on certain genres at times, I still enjoy a variety of reads. As of late my focus has been geared toward PNR and/or steampunk reads.

I employ various avenues to discover new-to-me books, whether through recommendations or random perusal of my own, and picking this book was no exception. There was a mention of it on the Twitterverse, reviews looked great, the concept and book description as well. So, I decided to give it a try and dove into the world of The Drifting Isle Chronicles, which, in fact, is a project begun by a team of fantasy authors who have concocted this amazing idea: to create one fantasy world, filled with magic, steampunk elements, mysteries and more. Each of the authors contributed their own story, while individual to their style and genre, still interconnected in the whole scheme. I have yet to read the other stories in the series, but here’s my take on The Kaiser Affair, by Joseph Robert Lewis which is the first in the series.

“I can decide for myself whom I deserve to be with, thank you very much,” Bettina said. “Not that I have an intellectual equal, but if I did, I sincerely doubt she and I would be able to tolerate each other for more than five minutes’ time.”

As I read the lines above, spoken by the heroine of The Kaiser Affair, I knew that we will get on fabulously.

And truly, Bettina Rothschild is the kind of woman, I enjoy reading about: determined, levelheaded, with an often-sarcastic sense of humor, and in no need of the constant rescue by the man at her side (although, she doesn’t refrain from directing the skills of said man in a much more pleasant manner). Bettina is a detective, and so is her husband, a rakishly handsome gentleman – Arjuna Rana, whose talents extend far beyond his good looks, and who is the perfect counterpart to Bettina’s practicality with his undeniable humor and charm. Together, employed by the Ministry of Justice, they set out to re-capture a thief, who has escaped under mysterious circumstances; his escape threatening to upset the city’s political balance.

Their secret mission – essentially is a chase: through the city of Eisenstadt, and above – to unknown expanse of mysterious island of Inselmond (that just might be habitable after all), and behind the city’s shadows – home to the quasi-mythical brotherhood of assassins (who walk a thin line between ally and enemy). However, their investigation just might bring the detectives closer home than they’ve thought.

Indeed, The Kaiser Affair is a charming take on an old-fashioned mystery, a genre of which I was quite fond of. Combining the elements of fantasy and steampunk; an intriguing concept behind the world building; and filled with engaging characters, who don’t fail to share plenty of entertaining banter amongst themselves, with an occasional venture onto the naughty side – it was a refreshing read in my pile of PNR.

For me, Mr. Lewis’ work had slight reminiscence of the creative works of Kir Bulychev, the Russian science fiction and fantasy author, whose books I’ve devoured growing up, and comparison to whom I would consider a great praise.

Although, there were plenty of great elements in this novel, certain aspects of it were unsatisfying. I felt the novel lacked development of its main characters. The two detectives were instantly lovable characters, that I wished we had a chance to learn more of their beginnings, rather than simply witnessing their happily ever after. Perhaps Mr. Lewis is savoring it for the future?

Another annoyance that have slightly irritated my mind is that I couldn’t quite figure out the time frame for this novel. I’ve gotten quite used to being able to pin point such factors in other steampunk novels I’ve read thus far, and found it odd that it was not made clear here. Otherwise, aside slight repetitiveness of the continuous chase scenes, I found The Kaiser Affair an entertaining read. This novel serves as a good first foray into The Drifting Isle Chronicles, which just might pique a further interest.

Why Should You Read The Lives of Tao? An Interview with Wesley Chu

2013-05-18T05:00:00.000+01:00

Hi, Wesley! Thank you for coming and I hope you are ready for the ~~interrogation~~ interview?

In one sentence, what your book is about?

The Lives of Tao is a modern day sci-fi about an overweight loser who is inhabited by an ancient alien, and is drafted, kicking and screaming, to train and fight a war over control of humanity’s evolution. And cake. Okay, fine, the cake is a lie.

Where did your ideas for The Lives of Tao come from and how long did it take you to write this book?

The Lives of Tao is my first serious attempt at publication. I had previously written a 180k word monstrosity called Woes, Toads, and Crossroads. Yes, we shall never speak of it again. It was inevitably trunked but I learned so much from it that it made writing The Lives of Tao possible.

I began working on the manuscript on and off in 2007 while *cough* being an officer in a World of Warcraft raiding guild. It wasn’t until Wow and I broke up for the 4th and final time that I began to take writing seriously. By the way, being an officer in a Warcraft raiding guild should be a requirement for future leaders. The amount of tolerance to BS a person develops is amazing.

source

If the aliens could really possess our bodies who do you think will be safe from possession or what type of person would they look for?

First of all, no one is technically safe. If you’re in the vicinity of a Quasing and they want to possess you, unless you’re wearing a hazmat suit, you’re basically screwed. Of course, most people who are aware of the Quasing welcome becoming a host. After all, who wouldn’t’ want an all-wise alien doling out wisdom in their head?

Usually though, the Quasing try to be picky with who they inhabit. After all, once a Quasing enters a host, they can’t leave until the host dies. That means if a Quasing choose wrong, he’s living with that mistake for a long time.

While most Quasing prefer a new host that is already housebroken, ie…someone who is aware of their existence and preferably has a useful skill that can be used in their civil war, that isn’t always the case. Quasings can’t survive for long in our atmosphere, so if their host dies while on a mission, they only have minutes to find a new host before Earth’s environment tears them apart.

The story in The Lives of Tao is about a Quasing who is highly skilled in covert operations. Unfortunately, his host dies while on a mission and well…the nearest guy is this frozen pizza eating loser who huffs and puffs up the stairs. Obviously, Tao has his work cut out for him.

What type of reader do you think would be attracted to your book, Wes?

source

Let’s start with: everyone in the entire world would be attracted to The Lives of Tao. In fact, I’m pretty sure most domesticated pets would be too. I highly recommend that everyone get his or her own personal copy (as well as one for each of their pets) so that no one has to share.

Okay, in all seriousness, it’s a fun read with lots of action, a little romance, and an abundance of humor. It’s definitely a sci-fi, but not a punch-you-in-the-mouth sort of sci-fi. Someone even called it poignant, something no one has ever accused me of.

Have you ever read a book and thought "I wish I wrote that!"? If yes, what was it? :)

I think almost every book that I grew up with made me wish I wrote that. From 101 Dalmation to Ender’s Game to Eye of the World, my list of wistful thinking is pretty endless. There are a lot of talented writers out there and I’m always very thankful for the guys who wrote all these fantastic books (Terry Pratchet, Tim Powers, Piers Anthony, Lawrence Watt Evans… the list goes on) that nourished my imagination as a kid.

However, there is one book very near to my heart that still just blows my mind. That’s William Goldman’s The Princess Bride. The genius in that book still knocks me on my ass every time I flip through the pages. Psst… there’s a reason why my name is surprisingly similar to the hero in that book.

Any projects you are working at the moment?

Due to the great initial feedback for The Lives of Tao, the Angry Robot overlords have pushed up the sequel, The Deaths of Tao, from its original February publication date to Oct 31st, 2013. As for the third book in the series, The Rebirth of Tao, that is up to the readers. Make it happen!

I also have the beginnings of a new time travel book in the works. Hopefully, we’ll see that one sometime in 2014.

Thank you for being such a fantastic guest, Wes, and good luck with the rest of your books!

Wesley Chu was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Chicago, Illinois when he was just a pup. It was there he became a Kung Fu master and gymnast.

Wesley is an avid gamer and a contributing writer for the magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland. A former stunt man and a member of the Screen Actors Guild, he can also be seen in film and television playing roles such as “Banzai Chef” in Fred Claus and putting out Oscar worthy performances as a bank teller in Chicago Blackhawks commercials.

Besides working as an Associate Vice President at a bank, he spends his time writing and hanging out with his wife Paula Kim and their Airedale Terrier, Eva.

Find Wesley:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Summary

When out-of-shape IT technician Roen woke up and started hearing voices in his head, he naturally assumed he was losing it.

He wasn’t.

He now has a passenger in his brain – an ancient alien life-form called Tao, whose race crash-landed on Earth before the first fish crawled out of the oceans. Now split into two opposing factions – the peace-loving, but under-represented Prophus, and the savage, powerful Genjix – the aliens have been in a state of civil war for centuries. Both sides are searching for a way off-planet, and the Genjix will sacrifice the entire human race, if that’s what it takes.

Meanwhile, Roen is having to train to be the ultimate secret agent. Like that’s going to end up well…

File Under: Science Fiction [ The Tug of War | I Was Genghis | Diary of a Slob | Spy vs Spy

Goodreads

My Favorite Five Books of 2013: A Guest Post from Bea at Bea's Book Nook

2013-05-17T05:00:00.000+01:00

Bea's is one of my oldest blogger friends and a very versatile and charming blogger who share my love for cats and urban fantasy. You can find her on her blog, Twitter or Goodreads.

Hello! I’m happy to help out Kara while she’s away on vacation, sunning, relaxing and reading. I’m working two jobs and she’s off playing all day and night. No, I’m not jealous. HAH! Yeah, I am but we all need a break and I know Kara deserves it. So, while the cat’s away, let’s play! :D

When we were discussing topics, Kara suggested talking about my favorite books so far this year. I immediately thought of some books and said “Yep, I can do that.” So although the year is barely 5 months old as I write this, here are my favorite books so far this year.

First would have to be Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs, the newest Mercy Thompson book. I love urban fantasy, I love Patty’s writing, I love that series, and this book was like visiting with old friends. It had pretty much every major character in the series though a few were only present off-page via phone or message. The book was a near-perfect blend of action, mystery, conspiracies, the other, love, hate, romance and forgiveness with a sprinkle of humor. I like Mercy’s humor and I like that in many ways she feels like someone I would know in my daily life. She’s a strong, normal woman who happens to change into a coyote and hangs out with werewolves.

Next is a book I read shortly before writing this called The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan. I spent most of a weekend reading it, taking breaks only to feed myself and the animals, sleep, and do a couple loads of laundry. I was utterly engrossed and had a hard time putting it down. I’d look at the clock and see that an hour or two had passed then go right back to reading. It’s set both in the present day and in the sixteenth century and it truly is an epic story while also managing to be intimate and personal. Hmm, now that I think about it, like Frost Burned, this book addresses love and hate, and persecution for being different (most of the story is set during the Inquisition).

Next up is another urban fantasy, Dark Whispers by Krista D. Ball. It started out with a mix of humor and angst and moved quickly into angst, family problems, and a whole lotta action. Krista doesn’t worry about conventions or tropes but writes what she needs to and worries about genre later. So while it’s urban fantasy, it’s a bit different: Rachel is not all-powerful; we have ghosts instead of fae, angels, demons or vampires; it’s as much about Rachel’s relationships with her friends, family and neighbors as it is about non-human beings; it’s set in a small coastal town in Canada, which provides a tremendous amount of flavor and atmosphere; and Krista’s humor appeals to me, being both quirky and dry. Her take on paranormal romances had me rolling on the floor.

The last two are contemporary romances written by Ruthie Knox and they are the first two books in her Camelot series. How to Misbehave is the first one and it blew me away with how good it was. It was my first time reading Ruthie and I was kicking myself for not having picked up her earlier books. It was nearly perfect; Knox stitches it all seamlessly into a story of love, romance, hope, loss, forgiveness and change. It was sweet hot and sexy.

The next book in the series, Along Came Trouble had a different tone and feel to it but was just as good. One of its strength’s was characterization; Ruthie made every one different, real, and just like your next door neighbor or the aunt who annoys you at every family gathering. Like How to Misbehave it had humor and like The Sisterhood it kept me engrossed and up late reading.

All of these had humor in them but weren’t primarily humorous; had a love story of one type or another; had strong characterizations, and had a story line that kept me engrossed and lost in the world the author created. Forgiveness is another recurring theme in them. I hadn’t realized the similarities in the books until I wrote this post so I just learned something about myself and the books I enjoy.

Have you read any of these? What did you think? What have been your favorite books so far this year, and why?

Thanks Kara for letting me play in your sandbox. I hope you’re having a wonderful vacation!

TV & Anime Entertainment For The Paranormally Inclined: Guest Post from Hannah at Once Upon A Time

2013-05-15T05:00:00.000+01:00

Hi, everyone! Hannah is a UK blogger from Once Upon a Time and a dear friend. You can find her on her blog or stalk her on Twitter especially if you share her love for chick-lit, YA, fantasy and World of Warcraft among others :)

Hello readers of Nocturnal Book Reviews! I'm Hannah from Once Upon A Time and when I'm not reading or gaming, I love going on the hunt for the kinds of TV shows that will entice me. I've never really been the kind of girl who sits in front of the telly and watches soaps and game shows and whatever else might be on, but give me a good series and I'm a happy bunny.

But for me, a good TV show must have a good catch. To draw me in, it needs to be full of fantasy, paranormal creatures, humour, well-designed characters, a soundtrack to die for... basically, modern drama shows just don't do it for me. So I'm here to recommend the kinds of programs that we, paranormally inclined, like to sink our teeth into, and as well as western telly, I also enjoy a bit of anime. So here are my top 12.

Supernatural

I can't believe I waited until season 8 was live on our screens before picking up this series because it is now by and large my favourite. I imagine you all know this one but for those who might be behind like I was, Supernatural follows brothers Sam and Dean, hunters of the paranormal, as they work jobs to hunt things and save people from vampires, shapeshifters, demons and all other creatures of the night. There's always a long-running story arch through the series but the draw of this series is the banter between characters and the fun one-shot episodes. And I never cease to be amazed by how many of my friends think they're secretly in a relationship with Dean.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

I still haven't finished watching the second series of this anime, but I can't not include it. If you like anime, Stand Alone Complex is a must watch. A fantastically put together cyberpunk anime about a unit that strives to solve the harder to solve crimes in a very technologically advanced future, and the main character is a cyborg. In fact, so are many of the side characters. There are, on my last count, two series and two movies (or was that three?) but they are releasing a prequel anime in the Summer of four 1 hour long episodes. Watch out for that!

True Blood

Funnily enough, it was my dad who got me watching True Blood. He has very strange tastes when it comes to TV, but when we share a love for something it's usually pretty strong and True Blood is no different being one of maybe three television series that has made its way into his tiny DVD collection. The premise: what if vampires were among us and wanted equal rights? What if there were more creatures in the dark than we could ever imagine? Personally, I find the TV show to be much better than the books with many more interesting characters and different storylines going on. Plus, Alcide...

The Walking Dead

This has to be the show that has somehow gotten me used to gore and horror. Based on a longrunning comic series, The Walking Dead is a look at how people live, react, and get along during a zombie apocalypse and so even if you don't think you like zombies, I really recommend you try it anyway. It is an amazing show that looks pretty deeply at the human race. Okay, and there are zombies.

Death Note

Another notable anime would be Death Note. The first half being much better than the latter half, but even so, incredible. Light gets hold of a notebook called a “Death Note”, which states that whomever's name is written within the Death Note shall die. Light takes the law into his own hands and starts scribbling down the names of convicted criminals which begins a lengthy investigation into the character committing these killings: Kira. Meanwhile, the Shinigami who dropped the Death Note constantly hovers around Light, interested to see where he goes with the Death Note. It is seriously a must watch.

American Horror Story

I think I'm about halfway through series one of this particular show but it's just so... weird! And I'm using that as a compliment. A dysfunctional family moves into a house which turns out to be very haunted and very corruptive. There are several ghosts, and there seems to be a gimp, and the neighbours are incredibly eerie.. I'm really not sure how to describe it but do be warned, if you're easily frightened, keep the lights on.

Psycho Pass

Another cyberpunk anime. In fact, made by the same people behind Ghost in the Shell, this is definitely one for Stand Alone Complex fans. The idea behind Psycho Pass is that there is a future designed around humanity's happiness. Your psycho pass, a number given to you depending on the state of your mental health, is assessed on a regular basis to ensure you are not in danger of committing crime, and the same system puts you in the career you are best suited to thereby guaranteeing your happiness in life. It is supposed to be the ideal future. But what happens to those whose psycho passes get into the danger zone? I love it. I've got my partner loving it. And I highly recommend it.

Being Human

The British series, not the American one. And I more or less stopped watching after series 3. Being series 1-3 were fantastic. It's a series about a werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost living together and how they get along with each other, in life, and with others of their kind. With absolutely amazing acting and some great storylines, I have to recommend this one to paranormal fans.

Bleach

Oh come on, I had to mention Bleach in a list of my favourite paranormal things to watch! This anime is all about the Shinigami (Death Gods, in English) who protect humanity from Hollows, the distorted souls of deceased humans who were not put to rest properly and become hungry for human souls, particularly those they had an attachment to in life. The anime itself is more about the characters, and what characters they are! It is also based on the manga and as they were both running alongside each other, the anime contains a lot of “filler”, content included to let the manga run ahead so that the anime doesn't take over. This filler is renowned for not being amazing but I do love me some Bleach.

666 Park Avenue

I think I'm part of a minority who really likes this series as it was cancelled after just one series. I had high hopes for this series after reading the first novel by Gabriella Pierce about a young witch who moves from France to New York with her fiancé and ends up swept up in her fiancé's family of socialites and frightening mother. I adored the novel, and sat down to watch the series which turned out to be completely different. The series is about a very rich couple who own an old building in New York and a young couple, Jane and Henry, move in. There's much weirdness, magic, and horrid things occurring. Nothing like the novel but I liked it a lot. I recommend you give it a watch if you haven't yet.

Ergo Proxy

This anime is pretty dark and unusual. I didn't always understand what was going on but there was something about it that I fell in love with. Set in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian future with a little cyberpunk thrown in, it is perfect for paranormal readers. And of of only three anime series I own!

The Vampire Diaries

So I've gone off this particular series recently but there's something about this teenage vampire romance that I fell in love with so utterly I even had several dreams (about Damon cough), and I'm not usually that big on YA paranormal romances, but this one is a lot of fun so I had to include it.

What about yourselves? Anything you'd like to add to the list? There is still so much I haven't caught up on yet, and so many I couldn't quite squeeze into the list.

YA Sci-Fi Early Review: Parallel by Lauren Miller

2013-05-13T05:00:00.000+01:00

Parallel by Lauren Miller

Egalley thanks to HarperTeen

Synopsis from Goodreads
Abby Barnes had a plan. The Plan. She'd go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper, all before she turned twenty-two. But one tiny choice—taking a drama class her senior year of high school—changed all that. Now, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, miles from where she wants to be, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she's in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. Overnight, it's as if her past has been rewritten.

With the help of Caitlin, her science-savvy BFF, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. And not only that: Abby's life changes every time her parallel self makes a new choice. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby's senior year of high school and falling for someone Abby's never even met.

As she struggles to navigate her ever-shifting existence, forced to live out the consequences of a path she didn't choose, Abby must let go of the Plan and learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that's finally within reach.

Release date: May 14th 2013.

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond

9.5/10

* * *

Well, I refuse to call this book anything less than amazing. At the same time it's so convoluted, Lauren Miller must have had a room full of charts on the walls so she won't get confused. I certainly felt like I needed charts.

Abby's life as we know it is split on her 18th birthday. One night she goes to sleep with her head full of her fellow actor and her movie lines in L.A., the next thing she knows she wakes up in a dorm room in Yale with no recollection of the last year's version of her friends.

I don't even know how to explain it, but by a series of earthquakes around the world which happened in a parallel world to ours, that world collides with us, and the lives of our doubles and their decisions which may vary from ours super imposed on our memories. So we essentially became them.

Only Abby is a fluke. She remembers her life one way, but one slight different decision making of her parallel self in this world in her senior year in school turns her life as it is now in a completely different direction.

Now her double's actions from the last year slowly drip into her dreams and every decision her parallel self makes introduces a completely different present for Abby when she wakes up. It's terrifying, heart-breaking and most of the time Abby feels like the universe conspires against her, and only her best friend Caitlin knows what's happening.

This is a gripping and fascinating book, which for once ended so abruptly I was bemoaning the fact the it is a standalone. Fabulous read, very much recommended!

* * *

Ни фига себе книга! Вот это Лорен Миллер отвалила научно-фантастический роман о параллельных мирах. Я в полном восторге, дамы и госрода! Это надо ЧИТАТЬ!

Сейчас попытаюсь объяснить.

Абби засыпает в Лос-Анджелесе на съёмке фильма на свой восемнадцатый день рождения, а просыпается в своей комнате в Йелле и как выясняется весь прошедший год её воспоминания совершенно не соответствуют действительности.

Как оказывается, паралельный мир нашему сталкивается с нами, и все наши воспоминания стираются воспоминаниями наших дублей и с этого дня они начинают принимать решения за нас.

Только вот Абби оказывается единственной, чьи воспоминания никуда не ушли, зато у неё нет воспоминий её дубля за последний год. Они возвращаются к ней во снах, но каждый раз когда она просыпается, её реальность меняется соответственно увиденному и влияет на её решения в настоящем.

Абби - единственная кто понимает, что происходит и иногда за неё разрывается сердце, иногда за неё страшно, а иногда хорошо показан эффект решения её дубля оказывают на будущее девушки.

Я жутко разочаровалась, что концовка оказалась внезапной и сюжет оборвался на самом интересном месте. Ну почему когда хочется продолжения, книга оказывается не серийной?! Жалко очень.

Earth Angel Series: Guest Post and Giveaway from Kimba The Caffeinated Book Reviewer!

2013-05-11T05:00:00.000+01:00

Hey, peeps!

Thanks to fabulous Kimba The Caffeinated Book Reviewer and author Stacy Gail for stopping by my blog and giving us a chance to win Earth Angels series.
So, who is Kimba? you ask. She is only a rock chick blogger who is sweet and super organised (and I mean, I'd never be able to pre-schedule my reviews that far in advance unless I change my lazy ass personality) and who is enormously loved by book blogging community because she is a generous and loving person and very helpful and knows thing or two about her coffee... *wink*
Hugs and thanks for doing this, sweetie!
Find Kimba:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

I am excited to be sharing this guest post for Nocturnal Reviews and wanted to share a series I have been enjoying called Earth Angels and then give you a chance to win copies of the first three ebooks! Here is a synopsis of each book and links to my reviews. Fans of romantic suspense, mythology and paranormal woo-woo will find Gail's series entertaining.
Enjoy and be sure and enter to win giveaway:)

Nobody's Angel
by Stacy Gail
Series: Earth Angels #1
Publisher: Harlequin/Carina Press
Publication date: January 21, 2013
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon
My Review

Investigative journalist Kendall Glynn is horrified when a friend and colleague signs off permanently during a live newscast, jabbing a pen into his jugular. Kendall's no expert, but judging by the strange white veil in the anchorman's eyes, she would swear he was a man possessed. A descendant of the accursed Nephilim, Zeke Reece prowls San Francisco by night, keeping the city free from paranormal phenomena. But even he is no match for whatever malevolent force is behind a recent rash of murder-suicides. And when a beautiful tenacious reporter becomes the next target, Zeke has no choice but to stay close to her, until he can find the evil spirit and cross it over. The closer Kendall gets to the truth, the more danger she's in. Fortunately, a sexy and mysterious masked stranger keeps swooping in to the rescue. Kendall's life depends on finding who or what is responsible for the killings, before it finds her.

Savage Angel
by Stacy Gail
Series: The Earth Angels #2
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication date: February 4, 2013
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon
ARC provided in exchange for unbiased review
My Review

Feel nothing. Sara Savitch's personal mantra has been hard to live by ever since her torrid one-night stand with army doctor Gideon Mandeville. Descended from the Seraphim, angels known as heaven's soldiers, Sara may be an expert fighter, but she's an amateur when it comes to relationships. Physically unharmed, but still battle-scarred, Gideon has returned to Dallas in the hopes of regaining his faith in humanity—and in himself. Instead he's walked into a nightmare. His father is on a serial killer's hit list, and has hired a personal bodyguard—the very woman who has haunted Gideon's dreams for a year. As Sara works to build an impenetrable fortress around her client, she yearns to tear down the one around Gideon's heart. With his bitter rejection of warriors, will he ever be able to accept her true nature? Sara must find a way to trust Gideon with her secret as the killer closes in.

Wounded Angel
by Stacy Gail
Series: Earth Angels #3
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication date: May 27, 2013
Genre: Adult Paranormal
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon
ARC provided by author for unbiased review
My review

A descendant of the Angel of Vengeance, Nate da Luca was gifted with an uncanny ability to find things. It made his job as a detective a breeze—until he learned the hard way that some things should remain hidden. After that, his powers vanished, along with his belief in himself. Which is going to make tracking down Gabriella Littlefield for his latest client a challenge. Personal trainer Ella Little paid a hefty price for her life—now all she wants is to live it in peace. Then a sexy hulk of a man turns up in her gym, reigniting desires she thought she'd left behind along with her real name and hair color. Desires she can't deny even after she discovers Nate's no stranger to her dark past. Before he can convince her the attraction is mutual, Nate's going to have to earn Ella's trust. But a demon is playing for keeps in the world of humans, using Ella as bait, and the last thing they have is time.

If you like romantic suspense, angels, demons, paranormal woo-woo and fun, smexy characters I think you will enjoy the Earth Angel series. Thanks to the author you can enter to win a copy of all three ebooks!

A competitive figure skater from the age of eight, Stacy Gail began writing stories in between events to pass the time. By the age of fourteen, she told her parents she was either going to be a figure skating coach who was also a published romance writer, or a romance writer who was also a skating pro. Now with a day job of playing on the ice with her students, and writing everything from steampunk to cyberpunk, contemporary to paranormal at night, both dreams have come true.

Find Stacy:

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

GIVEAWAY
Open to all.
Ends May 25th 2013.
ONE winner will receive THREE ebooks of Earth Angel series.
Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contemporary YA Guest Review: That Boy by Jillian Dodd

2013-05-09T05:00:00.000+01:00

Thanks to my wonderful Goodreads friend, Sofija, who once again agreed to review a book for this blog! If you remember last year, she ended up DNFing Gabriel's Inferno. This time she is talking about a book she really enjoyed.

That Boy by Jillian Dodd (That Boy #1)

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads
That Boy is a contemporary romance about falling in love with the boys next door.

You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits.

There's Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible.

Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth. Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me. And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.

One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy.

Amazon US | Amazon kindle US/UK

9.5/10

* * *

Why didn’t I read it sooner? This book was so much fun!

Let me say, that I am not a fan of the cover. Even if it fits this book perfectly, I don’t think that a person who hasn’t read That boy will be interested in it because of the cover. It looks too simple and immature for my taste.

The book tells Jayden James Reynold's (JJ for short) life story starting from pre-school age and finishing with after-college years. The storytelling is similar to a diary form. It’s very well written, and this journal style makes you feel closer to the characters, almost like being a part of their lives. Moreover, the book has little drawings in it that are cute, fun and also show JJ's evolution from a child to a grown-up.

This is how it all starts. New boy (known as Devil Danny) moves to a house next to JJ, tries to steal her best friend, and tells her that girls can’t play football. So JJ punches Danny in the mouth and that’s how their lifelong friendship is born. Add up JJ’s longtime friend Phillip and you will get a lot of funny times with this three hilarious characters growing up.

The best thing about this book was Jayden voice. I had a girl-crush on her! I wish I had a friend like that. She is sweet, intelligent, down-to-earth, a little bit naïve, sometimes a little bit shy, sometimes a firecracker. Her thoughts, ideas and views are so much fun and will probably remind you of your own thoughts at that age.

“Maybe I'll just give up on boys. Okay, maybe not. I mean they're just so cute!”

What I love the most is that Jayden is a tomboy but it doesn’t stop her from being a girly girl either. She is a genially nice person and everybody loves her. She gets into a lot of awkward situations that will make you laugh out loud. My favorite part of the story is JJ & Co. teenage years. What I can say? These hormones made her do crazy things! *grinning*

So I talked to my friends, Katie and Lisa, about how to properly make out. But, well, here is just a bit of their unhelpful advice.
Just let him take the lead, do whatever he does.
Um, couldn't that get me into a lot of trouble?
Just sort of kiss his tongue, but try not to drool.
Don't open your mouth too wide.
And then, just open your mouth wide.
See?
Stupid, conflicting information.
And this from girls who supposedly know how to do this!
I feel like I'm an undercover CIA agent trying to wrestle vital information out of a ruthless double agent, and the fate of the free world depends upon it. All the while, the President is yelling at me in panic, saying, Somebody! Anybody! Just get me the truth!

The only drawback of this book is that I felt like we didn’t get to know Phillip quite as well as Jayden and Danny. JJ talks about him a lot, but there are not enough dialogues or straight interactions with him.

For those of you, who hate love triangles, don’t be afraid to start this book, because even if it makes you wonder WHICH boy is THAT boy, amazingly it doesn’t have love triangle. Jillian Dodd is that good of an author!

You can’t categorize this book as a genre. Is it Young Adult? New Adult? Chic-lit? Romance? I think it has all of it and together it makes an extraordinary package! This book answers a question if the friendship between opposite sexes is possible. It shows how life experiences formed JJ, Danny and Phillip characters.

To sum it all up, this book is my favorite of the year. Three-way-relationship, make out tutoring, strip football, mysterious "that boy", awesome story and wonderful characters can make it your favorite too! One of the greatest books about friendship.

“You know life is weird. There are times I feel so grown up and like I know everything I need to know, but then I think about the future and realize how little I do.”

* * *

И почему только я не прочитала эту книгу раньше? Это было так весело!

Для начала скажу, что я не фанат этой обложки. И хотя она идеально подходит для этой книги, я не думаю что человек, который не читал That Boy может заинтересоваться книгой основываясь только на обложке. Она выглядит слишком простой и детской на мой вкус.

В книге рассказывается жизненная история Джейден Джеймс Рейнольдс (сокращённо ДД) начиная с дошкольного возраста и заканчивая годами после окончания колледжа.

Повествование ведётся в форме дневника. Книга написана очень хорошим языком и такой журнальный стиль повествования заставляет почувствовать себя ближе к героям, стать частью их жизни. Более того, в книге есть небольшие рисунки в начале каждой главы. Они милые, забавные и так же показывают эволюцию ДД от ребёнка до взрослого человека.

Вот как всё началось. Новый мальчик (известный читателям как Дьявол Денни) переезжает в дом по соседству с ДД, пытается «украсть» её лучшего друга, и говорит, что девочки не могут играть в футбол. ДД ничего не остаётся, как ударить Денни по лицу и вот так зарождается дружба на века. А если добавить к этим героям ещё и лучшего друга ДД – Филлипа, то вы получите огромное количество весёлых историй, происходящих с персонажами по мере их взросления.

Самое лучшее в этой книге – это голос Джейден. Я немного влюблена в неё! Хотела бы я иметь такую подругу как она. ДД милая, умная, не заносчивая, немного наивная, иногда застенчивая, а иногда - душа компании. Её мысли, идеи и взгляды на жизнь такие забавные, что скорее всего напомнят вам ваши же в том же возрасте.

Единственный недостаток этой книги был в том, что мы не узнали Филлипа так же хорошо как Джейден и Денни. ДД много говорит о нём, но самих диалогов или прямых контактов с ним недостаточно много чтобы полностью раскрыть его характер.
Хочу заверить всех, кто ненавидит любовные треугольники. Не бойтесь начинать читать эту книгу, потому что хотя на протяжении всей истории мы гадаем который из мальчиков тот самый мальчик, на удивление это происходит без любовного треугольника. Просто Джиллиан Додд настолько талантливый писатель!

Эта книга не поддаётся строгой жанровой категоризации. Что это? Книга для подростков? Для людей старшего возраста? Женская беллитристика? Роман? Я думаю, что That Boy собрала в себя понемногу из всех жанров и из этого вышла отличная смесь! Эта книга отвечает на вопрос, возможна ли дружба между мужчиной и женщиной. Она описывает то, как события в жизни ДД, Денни и Филлипа сформировали их характер.

Подводя итоги, эта книга пока остаётся моей любимой в этом году. Трёхсторонняя дружба, репетиторство по поцелуям, футбол на раздевание, загадочный «тот самый мальчик», великолепное повествование и замечательные герои могут сделать эту книгу любимой и для вас тоже. Одна из наилучших книг про дружбу!

All That's Hot and Funny, Or Contemporary Romance That Makes Me Laugh: A Guest Post from Lesley at My Keeper Shelf

2013-05-07T05:00:00.000+01:00

Lesley is a fellow UK (or shall I say Scottish?) blogger and a lovely, gorgeous lady at

My Keeper Shelf. She shares my love for all things paranormal and urban fantasy, but she is also a person you want to go for some recommendations of hot, contemporary romance. That's why I begged her to share her favourites in this genre.

Thank you, Lesley, they are all yours! :)

Find Lesley on her blog, Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

Like most bloggers I read a lot, from paranormal romance to urban fantasy, from Historical Romance to “After Fifty” type erotica, my TBR pile is never ending and my kindle is never far away from me. What I’ve learned when I look at the books I’ve rated highest in Goodreads is that yes, I do love a bit of romance in my books but what I love the absolute most right now is contemporary romance that has a huge helping of humour.

I think my contemporary romance requirements are quite simple really. I like tough, smart, intense alpha male heroes, I like heroines that take no crap and have a heart of gold. I like hot romances that have me swooning and/or taking a cold shower. I also need drama by the bucket load, snarky dialogue and tonnes of laugh out loud moments.

Here’s a few of my all-time favourites:

Anything and I mean anything by Jill Shalvis her Lucky Harbour series remains one of my all-time favourites and she’s on my contemporary romance author “auto buy” list.

Jennifer Probst’s Marriage to a Billionaire series (I do love a Billionaire or two).

Newish author Elle Aycart’s Bowen series, I’m hoping there’s about 33 Bowen brothers, her alpha male heroes are to die for.

Anything by Ruthie Knox, her books really do make me laugh out loud; my all-time favourite of hers is About Last Night.

Here are a couple of my other favourites that were overflowing with swoonage and made me snort with laughter:

Wicked Game by Mercy Celeste
Strangers by Barbara Elsborg
Seducing Cinderella by Gina L. Maxwell
Wrong Bed, Right Guy by Katee Robert
Taming the Tycoon by Amy Andrews
Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

Thanks to lovely Karina for allowing me to be let loose on her blog today you can catch me over at My keeper shelf.

....and I'm off!

2013-05-06T05:00:00.000+01:00

Hey, ladies and fellas!

I'm officially off to Portugal, leaving my baby blog in the hands of my capable friends.

Please, treat them gently and don't scare them away :)

I'll be back on 25th of May and will reply to all your comments and emails, promise!

Ciao!

My Second Blogoversary Giveaway! (INT)

2013-05-05T05:00:00.000+01:00

Anna Fischer Photography

Well, here you go.
Almost 2 years ago on 9th of May 2011 I started this blog and never looked back.

I don't want to ramble on but I do want to say THANK YOU to friends whom I found or who found me and who encouraged me along the way!

I love you, me dears.

Thank you, all the readers who might not comment but still lurk here every day, - you keep me going!

Now let's get to the point everyone is waiting for, shall we?

GIVEAWAY

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS.
EACH CAN CHOOSE ONE BOOK FROM THE LIST.
GIVEAWAY IS OPEN WORLDWIDE
(if The Book Depository doesn't post to you,
please make sure Fishpond or BetterWorldBooks have what you want in stock).
GIVEAWAY ENDS MAY 31st 2013.
GOOD LUCK!

What can you win?

They are all paperbacks (I've no money for hardbacks, sorry).

If paperback is not released yet, then it will be a pre-order.

Best of luck and

may the odds be ever in your favour!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner of Lindsay J. Pryor's book!

2013-05-04T13:17:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Meghan S.!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you everyone, who participated and please come back on Sunday. There is a nice surprise waiting for you on the blog *wink*

Ciao!

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge May 2013

2013-05-04T05:00:00.000+01:00

The Rules

Thanks to Kimba and The Windy Pages for creating this challenge!

Basic goal is to clear out as many ARCs as possible from your TBR during May.

Here is my list of ARCs that need to be reviewed as soon as possible:

Born of Illusion by Teri Brown

Lexicon by Max Barry

A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest

Devil's Honor by S.W. Vaughn

Disconnect by Imran Siddiq

Vampire Miami by Phil Tucker

Vigilant by Angela Lawson

The Deadly Sisterhood by Leonie Frieda
Dreamwielder by Garrett Calcaterra
The Red Plague Affair by Lilith Saintcrow

This is it. Hopefully I'll be able to do it while I'm away.

I won't be able to do any updates until I'm back though.

Cheers!

New Adult Review: Undeclared by Jen Frederick

2013-05-03T05:00:00.000+01:00

Undeclared by Jen Frederick (Woodlands #1)

Review copy from the author

Synopsis from Goodreads
For four years, Grace Sullivan wrote to a Marine she never met, and fell in love. But when his deployment ended, so did the letters. Ever since that day, Grace has been coasting, academically and emotionally. The one thing she’s decided? No way is Noah Jackson — or any man — ever going to break her heart again.

Noah has always known exactly what he wants out of life. Success. Stability. Control. That’s why he joined the Marines and that’s why he’s fighting his way — literally — through college. Now that he’s got the rest of his life on track, he has one last conquest: Grace Sullivan. But since he was the one who stopped writing, he knows that winning her back will be his biggest battle yet.

Amazon kindle US/UK | Smashwords | All Romance Ebooks | Kobo

8.5/10

* * *

You know how little I've read of New Adult genre, so it's with much trepidation I agreed to review this book, because Jen was charming in her email request.

Undeclared was genuinely a lovely debut book. I was craving something comforting when I started reading it, and what I got was a big fluffy pillow of a sweet love story.

Both Noah and Grace are ordinary people with normal problems, insecurities and aspirations, but it's by pure chance that they get to know each other.

Noah has been a Marine deployed in Afghanistan for 4 years, and Grace chose to write letters to him as a school project. What started as a friendship slowly turned to love as they got to know each others dreams and plans for future, but when Noah left Marines he freaked out how unsuitable it made him for civilian's life and chose to write Dear Jane letter to Grace breaking up with her with a much dreaded phrase "let us be just friends".

Now, more than a year later, Noah gets his shit together after some counselling and intensive planning and is ready to do anything to make amends and conquer Grace's heart again, hence him enrolling into the same Uni, Grace is in.

The plot in the present is interspersed with Noah's old letters to Grace.

Dear Grace,

I think what you feel on my letters is dust. I'm bummed that it is on my letters to you. They say it is sand, but it's finer than that. It's like the particles that make up the sand, and it is everywhere. When you get home from leave and wash for the first time, you have to stand under the water for at least twenty minutes, all the while watching the black dust collect and pool at your feet, creating coffee-colored water that swirls down the drain.

I don't think you can ever fully erase the dust from your belongings. It sticks with you, no matter how long you let the water wash over you, or how many times you wipe it away. Like the tension I have in being weaponless and exposed back home, the dust is one of the many things I'll carry with me when I'm out. I'm sorry that it is invading your space now through my letters. It's like I'm spreading a contaminant. Am I patient zero, or are you?

I probably shouldn't have volunteered for a third tour but combat pay is hard to turn down. After three years here, though, I feel like I am a loosely contained conglomerate of those particles of dust.

Yours, Noah

Noah is also doing fights (sometimes underground fights) to make money and buy his first business while he is getting his financial degree, but don't be alarmed those of you, who hated Beautiful Disaster as much as I did. He is nothing like Travis.

He might have jealous, possessive impulses, but no matter how many times he imagines acting on them, - he never does. That man is charming, lovely and stable as a rock even if he is only 4 years older than Grace, and it's great to watch these two stumble in the dark to find each others hearts again and with that their own confidence in what they want from life.

Secondary characters are also very engaging, both Noah's best friend, enigmatic Bo, and Grace's cousin, Lana. I have a secret desire that these two golden kids will get together - they are both wry, self-deprecating, gorgeous and loyal to their friends and family.

Wonderful, lovely book, and I wholly recommend you read it.

* * *

Я совершенно не ожидала, что эта книга мне так понравится!

Обычно когда мне хочется чего-то комфортного, чтобы передохнуть от паранормала, я обращаюсь к историческому роману, но здесь мне попался в руки дебютный роман нью-адалт от Джен Фредерик и я с огромным удовольствием его проглотила.

Ноа служит пехотинцем в Афганистане в течение 4х лет, и Ноа и Грэйс знакомятся через письма, которые она начинает писать ему в качестве школьного проекта. То, что начинается как дружба постепенно перерастает в любовь, и когда Ноа уходит из армии и понимает насколько он неприспособен к гражданской жизни и насколько опасны его реакции в настоящий момент, он пишет письмо Грэйс прерывая их отношения типичной фразой "давай останемся друзьями" и разбивая ей сердце.

Теперь год спустя после терапии и интенсивной работы над своими планами и мечтами, Ноа поступает в тот же университет, что и Грэйс и он готов на всё, чтобы вновь завоевать её сердце.

Оба - совершенно нормальные люди, с типичными проблемами, неуверенностью в себе и ошибкамии, которые совершаем мы все, поэтому так приятно смотреть на то, как они постепенно вновь раскрывают сердца друг другу и приобретают уверенность в себе.

Ноа поступает на ускоренный курс по финансам и планирует купить свой первый бизнес деньгами заработанными в боях на ринге (легальных и нелегальных). Однако, если у вас сразу же появилось желание сравнить его с ненавистным мне Трэвисом из Прекрасного Кошмара (Beautiful Disaster), - у них нет между собой ничего общего. Ноа может чувствовать ревность и желание спрятать Грэйс в пещере и никому её не показывать, но в отличие он Трэвиса, на свои импульсы он не реагирует. Он очарователен, ведёт себя как джентельмен и морально стабилен. Читать о нём, - одно удовольствие.

Второстепенные характеры тоже очень хороши - Бо, лучший друг Ноа и Лана, кузина Грэйс. Они настолько очаровательны и в определённой степени мудры, что у меня таится желание увидеть их как пару в следующей книге, которая выйдет в августе этого года.

В общем, читайте.

May New Releases I'm Dying to Read

2013-05-01T05:00:00.000+01:00

I've read Heart of Iron and I'll be reading Parallel very soon, otherwise I haven't pre-ordered any of these. How about you? What are you dying to read among May releases?

Release Day Steampunk Novel Review: Clockwork Mafia by Seleste deLaney

2013-04-29T05:00:00.000+01:00

Clockwork Mafia by Seleste deLaney (Badlands #2)

Egalley thanks to Carina Press

Synopsis from Goodreads
Inventor Henrietta Mason is retiring from airships and adventuring to return home to Philadelphia. Determined to erase all trails leading to her late father's duplicity, she dismantles his lab and removes all records of the Badlands gold. While in the city, she can't resist the lure of a charity gala but winds up regretting the whole experience. Well, everything except a heart-racing dance with a certain U.S. Marshal.

His career and vengeance on the line, Carson Alexander must prove a connection between Senator Mason and the mafia. He lucked out happening across Mason's strikingly beautiful daughter, only to have her slip through his fingers. On a desperate hunt to track her down, he never expects his search to take him into the brutal Badlands.

With a mechanically enhanced enforcer after them, only Carson knows the extent of the danger they face. He'll have to win over Henrietta's trust, and her heart, before it's too late...

Amazon kindle US($2.99)/UK(£2.01)

8/10

* * *

Fun, short, intriguing and left me hungry for more. Ironically for Carina Press title, the romance is not what keeps you hanging in this book. The romance is just there like an afterthought.

What fascinates you is Henrietta's formidable character as a doctor and an inventor, and one pretty wicked villain made of clockwork and pure evil, - Gambini.

The rest, although interesting, - the kingdom of Badlands; the mafia headed by Don Lupo; larger than life, fierce Ever; the array of inventions by Henrietta and her father... fades a bit into the background.

I'd like to know more about Henri's father for example. How did he become this evil inventor and yet helped Carson's fiance's medical condition? What's Gambini's background? Why so much interest in St.Clair?

I'm pretty sure it's my own fault in missing out on the first book of this series, Badlands, which would have probably answered my questions. So make sure you read book one before you start Clockwork Mafia for a more satisfying experience. Otherwise it's a very engaging and easy read!

* * *

Книга читается легко и быстро и учитывая как коротки книги от издательства Карина Пресс, всё равно успевает вместить в себя большое количество присходящего.

Несмотря на то, что визитной карточкой издательства остаются романы, Часовая Мафия читается как стимпанковское приключение и роман между главными героями Карсоном и Генриеттой практически не замечается.

Интригует сама Генриетта - хладнокровный изобретатель и доктор на торговом дирижабле, за бумагами отца которой охотится правая рука мафиозо Дона Люпо, - Гамбини.

Автору также удалось выписать из Гамбини прекрасного злодея. Он беспощадный психопат и социопат, и в то же время его прошлое вызывает у читателя огромный интерес, так как большая часть его тела состоит из часовых механизмов и его практически невозможно уничтожить. Как он докатился до такого состояния? Как Генриетта, дочка влиятельного аристократа оказалась на задворках цивилизации? Что случилось с её отцом, который не только заключил сделку с мафией, но и в то же время помог обществу своими медицинскими экспериментами?

Я так понимаю, чтобы вникнуть во все нюансы книги, следует прочитать первый роман серии, Badlands, чего мне к сожалению сделать не удалось.

В остальном, я считаю, что книга очень даже неплохо написана, и я от её прочтения получила удовольствие.

The Postman Knock #29

2013-04-28T05:00:00.000+01:00

Hey, peeps!

Thank God, my cold ended this Thursday and I'm glad I took 3 days off work because I really didn't want working with it in an environment where you're supposed to sterilize surgical equipment :)

Consequiently, and glutted myself on books.

Please don't be scared but I did read a lot and not review requests either.

I was a bad, bad girl!

READ:

ADRIEN ENGLISH MYSTERIES 1-5 is a must read. I can't tell you just HOW GOOD these cozy mysteries are. I've read all 5 books in one day and I'm craving more. Thanks to Betsy, who introduced me to this author. All 5 books have this grand romance between Adrien, the book seller and this tough police detective Jake Ryordan, who is so intense, he reminded me of Barrons and who is slowly forced to confront his suppressed sexuality and his feelings for Adrien. *phew* You bet, I'm reading everything else that Josh Lanyon has ever written. TOUCHSTONE SERIES 1-3 is something that I fancied reading for a long time, and again Andrea, which blew my mind with her And All The Stars managed a very compicated and absolutely addictive sci-fi YA series about a girl from Earth who drops through the wormhole to an absolutely alien civilization and manages to help them fight monsters and make their worlds her home. Anyone who loves anime will adore this series. I have a huge crush on Setari - squads of gorgeous psychic space samurai *sigh* On the other hand, CLOCKWORK MAFIA and SHAEDES OF GRAY delivered a stellar performance and I enjoyed reading both these steampunk and urban fantasy novels. SHAPESHIFTED was also a really yummy, very well written urban fantasy and it only took me a day to read. At last, PARALLEL was another beautiful sci-fi read which left me reeling. I love reading about multiverse, and I thought this book was absolutely amazing and heartbreaking.

FOR REVIEW:

Thank yo very much, Cassie! I'm looking forward to this!

BOUGHT:

FREEBIE:

Another recommendation from my book guru, Betsy, and it was free on Amazon UK for a short while.

This is it.

There won't be any mail posts until June, peeps, as I'm going away and all May you'll have awesome giveaways, reviews and guest posts. I hope you enjoy it all.

Don't forget to check this giveaway which started yesterday (INT) too!

Love and hugs, ciao!

P.S. Has anyone started listening o Great Gatsby OST? It's EPIC, ladies and gents! I'll be really surprised if it doesn't win any awards...

Bitten by Paranormal, A Guest Post+Giveaway from Lindsay J. Pryor (INT)

2013-04-27T05:00:00.000+01:00

Huge thanks to Karina for inviting me to do a guest post here. She suggested I talk about 5-10 books that influenced me and made me write paranormal romance. I’m going to cheat and include TV too as that’s where it all started.

I’ve been writing paranormal romance for over twenty years, my Blackthorn series under construction for sixteen of those. My fascination with the paranormal started when I became hooked on the imported children’s TV show, The Little Vampire, when I was about nine years old. I was instantly captivated with the possibility of an alternative world living alongside ours. I went on to love books such as The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and The Worst Witch – hardly anything comparable to what I write now, other than the merger of fantasy and reality.

By the age of seventeen, my reading tastes had matured but my fascination with vampirism remained. Paranormal romance didn’t exist back then though – at least not in my local books shops and libraries (there was no internet back then). So, having already been writing for several years, I did the only thing I could and wrote what I couldn’t find – romantic urban vampires.

I was studying classics at the time, amongst which were Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, John Milton’s Paradise Lost and works of the Metaphysical Poets. I went on to read Dracula, Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Grey, amongst others. They hardly reflect what I write now in style, but I’ve no doubt those dark, gothic books containing hints of a supernatural world only consolidated my passion for the paranormal genre.

Anti-heroes, vampires, the questionable lines between good and evil, tales of judgment and explorations into morality all shaped my thinking.

Then came The Lost Boys film.

If I was hooked on vampires before, now I was addicted. It was the closest reflection of the stories I was writing. I no longer felt peculiar for wanting my vampires out of cloaks and castles and into the mainstream. I was heavily into TV shows like the X-Files and Ultraviolet, which merged those fantasy/reality lines brilliantly. Around that time, I also devoured the only vampire romance available to me – Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, and became fascinated by the comparably human plights of these so-called ‘monsters’.

In the meantime, I’d moved out of home, hundreds of miles away to a big city. One night, I got lost on my way home. I found myself alone in a run-down, isolated part of the city and the first thoughts of Blackthorn were born. Over the forthcoming years, I worked on creating the series.

I knew I wanted to question all the traditional vampire rules and myths and create something different. I spent years researching vampire mythology and their evolution in literature, grabbing what I could from second hand bookstores such as Christopher Frayling’s Vampyres. Developing Blackthorn became my secret, guilty pleasure.

By the time paranormal romance was truly coming into its own, much of the Blackthorn series
was mapped out – the world was created, the characters established and many stories written. It was too late (and too disheartening) to be influenced by what was being published in the genre. Convinced my series didn’t quite fit, I didn’t even attempt publication.

But I bit the bullet back in 2010 when I entered the opening chapters of one of my Blackthorn stories, Blood Roses, into Harlequin Mills and Boon’s New Voices online competition. Voted for by readers, it reached the final. Another of my Blackthorn stories, Blood Shadows, reached the final in 2011. The competition lead to me being discovered by my publisher and, five months ago, Blackthorn was finally out there. It’s been quite a journey.

Lindsay J. Pryor is a British Paranormal Romance author who writes dark, intense, multi-layered stories set in the dystopian world of Blackthorn.

Combining sizzling passion and dark, sinfully seductive vampire heroes, Lindsay J. Pryor's writing is an exciting new find for those who love paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

If you're a fan of J.R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kelley Armstrong, Christine Feehan, Kresley Cole or Felicity Heaton then you'll love Lindsay J. Pryor's books too.

Following the critically acclaimed Blood Shadows, Blood Roses is book two in the Blackthorn series. Blood Torn will follow in the Autumn of 2013.

Find Lindsay

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Summary
For vengeance - would you trust a vampire?
For justice - could you betray your family?
For love - are you ready to question everything you believe in?

Gifted with the ability to read the shadows of 'third species' beings, Caitlin Parish is the Vampire Control Unit's most powerful agent. Despite that, her mission to hunt down Kane Malloy - a master vampire - comes with a death wish. Many have tried, but few have survived.

For Caitlin, tracking Kane is about more than just professional reputation. With her parents both mysteriously killed 7 years apart to the day, Caitlin knows that without Kane's help she is next.

She has four days to make a deal with the wicked, the irresistible, the treacherous Kane Malloy. The vampire who despises everything she stands for. Or die.

Blood Shadows is book one in the Blackthorn series, brought to you by Lindsay J. Pryor - a British Paranormal Romance author who writes dark, intense and passionate stories.

Lindsay's trademark powerful vampire heroes and utterly combustible sensual romances have earned Lindsay comparisons with both J.R Ward and Sherrilyn Kenyon.

My Review

Summary

“She was supposed to kill vampires, not save them. Those were the rules. That was the lore.”

A rare and powerful witch whose blood is lethal to vampires, Leila has always viewed her serryn abilities as a curse. After seeing her mother slaughtered as a child, Leila longs for a safe, quiet life.

That wish is shattered by Caleb Dehain – a vampire with a dark past and a darker heart. The most feared serryn hunter of his generation, Caleb now needs the help of one of the witches he despises to save his dying brother.

A serryn who has no reason to help him. Except that he has her sister.

Caleb and Leila are each other’s worst nightmare – but the slow-burning spark of attraction between them is undeniable. Will Leila’s blood be his damnation? Or could her kiss be his salvation?

My review

GIVEAWAY

ONE lucky winner will win an ebook of

Blood Shadows or Blood Roses (their choice).

Open to all.

Ends May 3rd 2013.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Steampunk Western Review: The Native Star by M.K. Hobson

2013-04-26T05:00:00.000+01:00

The Native Star by M.K. Hobson (Veneficas Americana #1)

Christmas gift

Synopsis from Goodreads
In the tradition of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, this brilliant first novel fuses history, fantasy, and romance. Prepare to be enchanted by M. K. Hobson’s captivating take on the Wild, Wild West.

The year is 1876. In the small Sierra Nevada settlement of Lost Pine, the town witch, Emily Edwards, is being run out of business by an influx of mail-order patent magics. Attempting to solve her problem with a love spell, Emily only makes things worse. But before she can undo the damage, an enchanted artifact falls into her possession—and suddenly Emily must flee for her life, pursued by evil warlocks who want the object for themselves.

Dreadnought Stanton, a warlock from New York City whose personality is as pompous and abrasive as his name, has been exiled to Lost Pine for mysterious reasons. Now he finds himself involuntarily allied with Emily in a race against time—and across the United States by horse, train, and biomechanical flying machine—in quest of the great Professor Mirabilis, who alone can unlock the secret of the coveted artifact. But along the way, Emily and Stanton will be forced to contend with the most powerful and unpredictable magic of all—the magic of the human heart.

Amazon US/UK(£4.69) | Amazon kindle US | The Book Depository US/UK(£4.67)

9/10

* * *

This was an excellent steampunk western, and I'd fully recommend it to anyone who loves steampunk or just alternative history adventures.

M.K. Hobson blew me away with her world-building and sassy wonderful main characters. Both Emily and Stanton are a such contradiction as in they are polar opposite to each other it's pure fun to see them try and work together.

Emily is a young witch in a backwater country who can't even make a love spell without it going awry, and Dreadnaught is a stuffy young educated warlock who can't help but lament his exile away from civilised society of New York and point Emily's inadequacies to her.

Of course how it often happens, a magical mining explosion releases a horde of zombie-like creatures and unleashes a magical artifact that embeds itself in Emily's palm, and now the couple will have to travel to New York to help Emily to get rid of it.

However be wary of impending magical disaster, treachery among warlocks, a mounting movement of witch burning and political intrigues while they are at it. Add native American magic, cross-dressing, a villain with a flair, and an embarrassing growing attraction between Emily and Stanton, and you'd get an excellent, wonderful adventure!

Highly recommended.

* * *

Лихой получился у Хобсон стиманковский вестерн! Добавьте альтернативную Америку 19в. с магией со-существующей с технологическим прогрессом, сложное построение мира, прекрасных драматических героев, замечательного злодея и мешанину различных культур и получите Коренную Звезду.

Эмили - молодая ведьма, живущая в позабытой маленькой деревеньке на Западе, у которой даже приворотное зелье выходит слишком сильным. Дреднот Стэнтон - молодой колдун, обученный в Нью-Йорке и оплакивающий своё изгнание из цивилизации в закулички страны. Оба отличаются как небо и земля и терпеть не могут друг друга.

Однако когда после взрыва на шахте магический артефакт освобождает зомби рабочих из под контроля и вживается в ладонь Эмили, пытающейся этих зомби остановить, Эмили и Стэнтону ничего не остаётся как отправиться в Нью-Йорк, чтобы извлечь артефакт и изучить его возможности.

Однако путь через земли, испещрённые бандитами и индейцами, а также новым движением, выступающим за сожжение ведьм, опасен, а сам Нью-Йорк полон предательств среди колдунов, политических интриг и ассассинов, умеющих населять тела будущих жертв...

Ожидайте погони, перестрелки и перепалки среди неизбежного, растущего между героями влечения, а также эпическую концовку, доказывающую, что Эмили вполне способна постоять за себя сама.

Очень рекомендую и читала с большим удовольствием!

Dystopian Young Adult Early Review: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

2013-04-24T05:00:00.000+01:00

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa (Blood of Eden #2)

Egalley thanks to Harlequin Teen

Synopsis from Goodreads
In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood

She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever-and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago-and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.

Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make.

Release date: April 30th 2013

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond

8/10

* * *

Don't get me wrong. It's a very good book, but I felt like The Immortal Rules was written much better pace-wise.

The Eternity Cure for me dragged until maybe the last third of the book? The plot is pretty straightforward and easy to follow, and excuse me if I give you spoilers, but Ally - Zeke situation is getting old fast. I had hopes that she would leave him behind and moves on as a character, but despite all her words about how she changed, she holds onto this illusion of hope against all odds that they can be together.

Zeke on the other hand is this perfect devoted boyfriend that just miraculously reappears from nowhere at the moment she needs him most. Let's not forget that he is human who treks through the land full of Rabids, nasty raiders and vampires in a vain hope that he'll be able to find Ally and does get places faster than the girl herself. Why is that possible, I wonder?

However, despite all the drawbacks this book needs to be read because of Jackal. Yep, that Jackal, the Raider king and the second offspring of Kanin.

He is the biggest and the most delicious surprise of the book, the most well-rounded and developed character as well. You remember Spike when he was evil? Oh yeah, baby, that sarcasm just drips off Jackal, and he actually is the only person in this insane book who talks sense and doesn't hide from the truth.

I absolutely loved it and that moral dubiousness, that pendulum which you couldn't predict swinging right or wrong was what keeping me on the edge and shivering until the very end.

I also have to, just have to mention Sarren. The author did a great job painting him as a scary ass psychopath, and it's not often you meet someone that great as a villain in YA dystopians.

Overall, a great read, and I'm very much looking forward to the next book in this series. Miss Kagawa, don't be afraid to kill off your characters. Joss Whedon did it frequently and we loved him for it.

* * *

Совсем неплохая книга вышла у Кагавы, и в то же время первая лично для меня оказалась гораздо сильнее по структуре и ритму.

Уж очень тянулась для меня Панацея Бессмертия почти что до последней трети книги, когда собственно и произошло всё самое интересное. Сама Алли как главная героиня никак не развивалась, и вообще её ситуация с Эзекилем меня только раздражала. Я тайно надеялась, что мы его больше не увидим после Идена.

Но нет, верный поклонник Алли оказался в нужном месте в нужный момент как по волшебству несмотря на полный абсурд ситуации и невозможность какого-либо будущего между нашими Ромео и Джульеттой. *вздох*

Единственное, что радовало меня до восторженного писка, это Шакал. Да тот самый саркастичный злодей, король рэйдеров Чикаго и кровный брат Алли по Канину. О_о! Помните Спайка в качестве сарастичного, но такого очаровательного злодея вампира в Баффи? Так вот, Шакал просто срисован с него и не только постоянно спасает задницу упрямой Алли, он по-моему единственный, кто ничего от неё не скрывает и выдаёт ей правду о её натуре монстра и гибельных отношениях с Зеком такими какие они есть. Он для меня был просто как глоток свежего воздуха.

Невозможно также оставить в стороне психопата и главного злодея книги - Саррена. Уж очень он удался мисс Кагаве. Вот так вот.

Читать надо из-за этих моментов и ждать продолжения тоже следует. Моё единственное пожелание для автора? Джули, не бойтесь убивать героев. Джосс Ведон делал это постоянно и с большим успехом, и мы его за это ещё больше любим.

Urban Fantasy Early Review: Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson

2013-04-22T05:00:00.000+01:00

Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson (Jessica McClain #2)

Egalley thanks to Hachette Book Group

Synopsis from Goodreads
It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.

Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge --- but Jessica is playing for keeps.

Because she's the only female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of rules...and powers.

Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means.

All in a day's work for a girl.

The second novel in the Jessica McClain series is a full on action adventure featuring one angry Goddess and plenty of monsters, demons, and a few newly risen beasties...

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond

9/10

* * *

I am really enjoying this new name in urban fantasy genre. Amanda Carlson proved that she can write decisive, interesting, fully capable of badassery characters; create a wonderfully complex world-building and end her books with a big bang. And I LOVE that. This is what encompasses UF genre for me!

Hot Blooded might be even better than Full Blooded. The whole book is about Jessica and her companions on the move to get Rourke from a really crazy, sadistic Goddess, Selena. Again, Rourke is in Jessica thoughts but he doesn't domineer the plot. Even when they are back together, there is no moochiness I so dislike in instant love/perfect mate shifter relationship. It's all go, go, go, act now, love later as it's only appropriate in the situation.

There is also a deep, lovely connection between Jessica and her brother, Tyler, interesting developments with a couple of vamps who help them on their journey, Eamonn and Naomi, and ever so amusing snarkiness of human police detective, Roy.

Roy, I am rooting for you! Don't you dare disappear in the next book! I fully expect you to play an important role in this series :)

Overall, it's an excellent, action packed urban fantasy, reminiscent of Rachel Vincent and Caitlin Kittredge's writing, so if you loved both of these authors, I suggest you don't miss out on Amanda Carlson!

* * *

Отличное городское фэнтези от нового автора, Аманды Карлсон. Вторая книга читается также легко и быстро как и первая. Действие не останавливается ни на минуту и полно драйва и задора, построение мира интересное, и здесь такая мешанина паранормальных существ, что без водки и не разберёшься!

В Горячей Крови Джессика отправляется за своим партнёром/половинкой её волчьей души, Рурком, которого захватила в плен совершенно сумасшедшая садистка, богиня Селена. В дороге ей помогают её братишка Тайлер, друг Дэнни, два вампира-близнеца Еамонн и Наоми, и наконец с собой она тащит упёртого занозу в заднице, полицейского детектива Роя.

За Роя я кстати очень болею. Он такой колоритный персонаж, что мне совершенно не хочется с ним прощаться, и учитывая, как заканчивается вторая книга, будет очень интересно за ним наблюдать и дальше :)

Всё путешествие полно смертельных сюрпризов, предательств и совершенно неожиданных развитий сюжета, и в целом Аманда знает как закончить книгу на высокой ноте, после отличнейших схваток и удовлетворительной победы над Селеной.

Что мне также очень импонирует, так это то, что отношениям между Джессикой и Рурком не отдана большая часть повествования. Читатель знает, что они существуют и как крепка связь между обоими, но это совершенно не мешает самому сюжету.

В общем, серию очень советую фанатам Рэйчел Винсент и Кэйтлин Киттредж, потому как Аманда Карлсон очень мне напоминает авторский стиль обоих авторов.

The Postman Knock #28

2013-04-21T05:00:00.000+01:00

Wow, weird week.

I feel like I'm getting ill as my hubby just recovered from his cold, so I'm sorry I've been absent from the interwebs :)

Otherwise, I've been on a bit of a steampunk binge...

I'VE READ:

I read ROUGH SURRENDER on my friend's, Betsy, recommendation and really really enjoyed it. It describes a woman pilot in 19th century Egypt and a man with light BDSM tastes. Brilliant, beautifully written book! Of course, after that I had to go and read Miss Silverwood's STEAMWORK'S CHRONICLE S trilogy, which despite absolutely glorious world-building couldn't quite re-capture the brilliance of the first book I read. Still. I enjoyed it. I've also finished RIVETED, Meljean Brook's third steampunk book, and it left me absolutely enchanted with Iceland of witches and trolls Annika described. At last, THE ETERNITY CURE, was a pretty slow book for me, but I quite liked it, although I still think that 1st one was much better structurally.

BOUGHT:

FOR REVIEW:

Thank you, Angel!

Otherwise, I've been resisting review requests all week, because believe it or not, I give the books I review such high rating for a reason. Either I choose them myself or they were on my wishlist for a long time and I've been craving reading them...

How was your week, ladies and gents?

Rammstein still totally rules after all these years. :)

Happy Sunday!

The Abundance of Reds (Feature)

2013-04-20T05:00:00.000+01:00

It's been almost 2 months since our last meeting, and it looks like you are overdue for another dose of redheads, my dear reader...

The question is: Are you ready?

(See previous collections under Features)

Phew. That's it. What are you picks for the best and worst?

Mine are...

WORST

(without question)

BEST

It's perfect. Hair, dress and background... Gorgeous!

Erotic Novel Review: To Seek a Master by Monica Belle

2013-04-19T05:00:00.000+01:00

To Seek a Master by Monica Belle

Egalley thanks to Random House UK

Synopsis from Goodreads
Work hard, play harder. . .

Eclipsed by the high-powered businesspeople that surround her, shy Laura Irving spends her time absorbed in her own workplace-fantasies.

So when the masterful and arrogant man known as 'The Devil' begins to show interest she is both terrified and thrilled. And there is nothing she wants more than to call him 'Master'.

A classic Black Lace tale of a love-hate affair and an explosive relationship.

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond

8/10

* * *

First of all, it's a relief to know that this is a reprint of 2009 edition, so all the comparisons to Fifty can stop now. Secondly, it's fun and flirty and it's based in Britain - yay for that!

Laura works as a PA for a company supplying energy panels. Every day she travels on a train to Cambridge and she has a nice fantasy in her head about her fellow commuters: handsome married Darcy, stoic dangerous Devil, the Hovis Boy, etc. She is bored, she is lonely and like millions other people she drifts along her life lacking direction.

Then she gets a torrid old historical novel from a charity shop and surprises the hell out of herself by getting off on the heroine spanked and tied up at the mercy of a villain. She attempts to have an affair to satisfy her fantasies but it goes horribly awry.

But then, there are weird emails on her work address from someone she calls The Controller, and Laura decides to follow his instructions to flush the mysterious stalker out. Of course, it has nothing to do with her getting a thrill from doing what the Controller orders her to do...

It's funny, slightly naive, hot and a little bit farcical. The latter made me think that surely to be in D/S relationship you have to be at least in upper middle class category? It's a pretty costly affair to have a dungeon, an array of proper toys and keep buying all these titillating clothes only to be torn and discarded... Maybe, this is a part of the massive allure BDSM books have for an ordinary reader? It gives you a weird sense of financial security and feeling of being protected and taken care of. But I digress.

It's a nice read, although I felt that it ended too abruptly. Recommended with slight reservations.

* * *

Это переиздание книги, выпущенной в 2009 г., так что сразу скажу, сравнений с Пятидесятью Оттенками можно закономерно избежать.

Я редко беру эротику на рецензию, но тут уж запала на обложку, которая напомнила мне книги Тиффани Райс, и книгу утащила себе в папку. В Поисках Мастера - лёгкое, игривое и забавное чтиво, немного наивное и с налётом фарса, однако читается очень быстро, интерес держит, плюс в качестве бонуса, действие происходит в Англии.

Лаура работает личным секретарём в фирме по производству электрических панелей. Каждый день она отправляется на работу в Кембридж на поезде и фантазирует о придуманных её же жизнях группы людей которая вот уже 4 года с понедельника по пятницу путешествует на том же поезде. она даже дала им свои клички - Дарси, Ховис Бой, Дьявол и т.д. Лауре скучно, и она как миллионы людей дрейфует по жизни без какой-либо цели или понимания, чего она от неё хочет.

В один день она покупает подержанный старомодный исторический роман, где главную героиню отшлёпывают и привязывают к различным столбам и деревьям на милость злодеев, и неожиданно для себя Лаура начинает фантазировать о подобных сценариях для самой себя. Она даже решается на ужасный роман на работе, который заканчивается очень для неё неудачно.

Кроме того, Лаура начинает получать странные электронные письма на рабочий адрес, подписанные Контролёром (The Controller), и решает действовать согласно его указаниям, чтобы узнать кто скрывается за таинственным ником...

Книга читается как чик-лит (chick-lit) с примесью BDSM. Рассмешило меня то, что книга эта заставила меня задуматься о том, что такой стиль жизнь могут себе позволить только высший средний класс (upper middle class) и богачи. Нам беднякам уж точно не до дорогих игрушек, донжонов и кучи порванного дорогостоящего белья... :) Но с другой стороны, в этом и заключается часть аллюра BDSM для ординарного читателя, не правда ли? Во многом он олицетворяет статус финансовой защищённости и чувство того, что кто-то (как в старомодных исторических романах) возьмёт на себя заботу обо всём.

Fantasy Review: Cold Fire by Kate Elliott

2013-04-17T05:00:00.000+01:00

Cold Fire by Kate Elliott (Spiritwalker #2)

borrowed from the library

Synopsis from Goodreads
Only one thing is certain: when Hallows' Night comes, the Wild Hunt will ride - and it feeds on mortal blood.

Cat and her cousin Bee are caught in a maze of intrigue, treachery, and magic. Everyone seems to want something from them: the Cold Mages are trying to take them prisoner, and the warlord who wants to conquer all of Europa seems sure they have a special destiny to aid him whether they want to or not. Worse, hidden powers deep in the spirit world are rising, and they are the most dangerous of all. Cat must seek allies and figure out who she can trust in order to save the ones she loves. For if she doesn't, everything will be lost.

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository US/UK

9.5/10

* * *

While I really liked Cold Magic, this book I adored. I have a feeling that mostly it happened because of its exotic location, which made Cold Fire so much more colourful.

You see, after cold and dreadful European winter we are transported onto a hot and humid equivalent of Caribbean islands. The flavors, the spicy, explosive mentality of the people, the slang, the beliefs - everything is so different from what we're used to, it's marvelous!

The atmosphere is incredible. I felt like I was soaking in the sun and exploring this new and confusing world along with Cat. Funnily enough, the weather helped the main characters to loosen up.

Add to it a mysterious zombie island, Fire Mages (here no one knows about Cold Mages and seem to think them a myth), the dangerous mood of coming uprising and political intrigues of general Camjiata, Bee's unknown role in Camjiata's plans, Cat and Vai's push and pull relationships... and what you get is a hornet's nest. Buzzing, frustrating, nerve-wracking and at times shocking, but above all, brilliant.

Really enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

* * *

Читала я Холодный Огонь с ещё большим удовольствием, чем Холодную Магию, и виню я в этом внезапный переход от холодной и заснеженной Европы к жгучим, жарким островам Карибского моря.

Добавьте к этому атмосферу вуду, остров зомби, Огненных магов (здесь Холодных магов считают мифом), колоритный слэнг, суеверия и предреволюционные настроения толп. Примешайте интриги генерала Камджиаты (версия Наполеона), его странные планы по отношению к Би, неловкие отношения типа Дарси-Лиззи между Кат и Ваем... интриги Мастера Охоты и прочее, прочее, прочее... и вы получите настоящее осиное гнездо.

Читается на одном дыхании, много непредвиденных шокирующих моментов, интенсивно, драматично и безумно увлекательно. Очень советую эту серию!

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9.5/10