In My Mailbox [15]

First off, In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Where we share what books we receive in the mail each week.

Bought:

Daughter of Smoke and Bones by Laini Taylor

Faeire Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Sins of the Angel by Linda Poitevin

 What did you get in your IMM this week? Leave link in comments :)

Short & Sweet Reivew: The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams (ARC)

Title: The Shadow Reader

Author: Sandy Williams

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series:  McKenzie Lewis #1

Where did I get the book: Won through a giveaway

Summary (via Amazon): 

There can only be one allegiance.
It’s her time to choose.

Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.

A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.

But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.

My Thoughts: I first heard about this book while browsing book related social media sites. The cover and synopsis caught my eyes immediately. At the time I was reading a lot of fae-related books like Seanan McGuire’s October Daye series and KMM’s Fever series. So I knew instantly that this was a book I was looking forward to read in 2011. Than just last month I entered a contest to win this year’s most anticipated reads, and to my gleeful surprise, I won The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams! 

I won’t recap the story this time, since I think the synopsis does a good job already. Mrs. Williams does an amazing job of creating realistic characters and a world to match it. The fairies in this book are different from any other fairies that I have ever read.  For example, when a fae and human interact with one another you can see “chaos lusters’’, small blue electric current flow around the skin. There was a lot of information to take in, but once you continue reading, it builds on top on one another for a better understanding. 

McKenzie was a very likeable heroine. When she is captured by the rebel Aren, she does everything possible to escape. You have to admire her determination in never giving up, and her loyalty to the king and Kyol. As you will come to see there is competition for Mckenzie, between the rebel Aren and the faithful King’s sword-master Kyol. She keeps going back and forth on who to trust and fights her feeling for both men.  I usually don’t like love-triangle much but even I at some point don’t know which man she should choose. Yes, they are both that appealing! I also really love the secondary characters; they all have their own distinct personalities. 

This is Mrs. William’s debut novel. Although her writing, the world and characters that she has created, you would have thought that she’s been doing it for a long time. I loved everything about this book. The first page will grab your attention, and you won’t be putting this book down till you finish it. The action starts immediately, there was never a dull moment in the book. Mrs. William is definitely going on my auto-buy list. If you’re looking for a strong-snarky heroine, a sexy sword-master and a hot rebel leader, look no further!  I recommend this book to all urban fantasy fans, Run don’t walk to your nearest book store! This is by far my favorite book of 2011; I can’t wait for the next book!

WoW: Waiting on Wednesday [13]

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine, to show books that we are patiently waiting for.  

I Love the synopsis and it has an interesting cover...can't wait to read it!

Summary (via Goodreads):

Babylon Steel, ex-sword-for-hire, ex-other things, runs the best brothel in Scalentine; city of many portals, two moons, and a wide variety of races, were-creatures, and religions, not to mention the occasional insane warlock. She’s not having a good week. The Vessels of Purity are protesting against brothels, women in the trade are being attacked, it’s tax time, and there’s not enough money to pay the bill. So when the mysterious Darask Fain offers her a job finding a missing girl, Babylon decides to take it. But the missing girl is not what she seems, and neither is Darask Fain. In the meantime twomoon is approaching, and more than just a few night’s takings are at risk when Babylon’s hidden past reaches out to grab her by the throat.

 [Publication date December 27, 2011 (according to GR)]

Short & Sweet Reviews: Deadworld by J.N. Duncan

Title: Deadworld                                                                                           

Author: J.N. Duncan

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Deadworld #1

Mass market papaer, 352 pages

Published on April 1, 2011

Source: Bought it

Summary (via Amazon): She's as tough as anything haunting Chicago's streets. But to deal with an inhuman power that won't stay buried, this FBI agent needs help that comes at an immortal price...Jackie Rutledge has seen her share of supernatural killers. But her latest murder case is what recurring nightmares are made of. Brutally exsanguinated human victims, vanishing-into-the-ether evidence, and a city on the edge of panic mean that she and her psychic partner, Laurel, are going to need more than just backup...So Jackie is fine with any help rugged P.I. Nick Anderson can give - even if that includes the impish ghost and sexy vampire who make up his team. But Nick is hiding secrets of his own. And Jackie's investigation has plunged them both into a vengeful game reaching back centuries - and up against a malevolent force hungry for more than just victory...

My thoughts: Not what I expected.  The book started out with FBI agent Jackie and her partner Laurel being called to the scene of a dead boy. The boy was drained of blood, and as the story progress more victims turn up dead with the same MO. Jackie’s character is suppose to be this hard-though, kick-butt chick but she came off as an awful and unlikeable character. As for Laurel she is the opposite of Jackie, she’s suppose to be the softer-wise one. Laurel is really one of those forgettable characters you either don’t care for or don’t even remember. 

The plot started out real slow, I think I almost gave up at one point but forced myself to continue. To be honest, I bought this book mostly based solely the cover and the so-so synopsis. The plot turns out to be a real bore and nothing exciting really happens. The scenes that are meant to be climatic were not.  Even the character’s dialogue had no real feelings, or at least I was never able to connect with any of the characters like I usually do when I read other books. 

Overall the book had poor character development and world-building. If you really want to read this, than I suggest borrowing it from a friend or library but otherwise avoid at all cost. Do not waste your time or money. 

Other information about the book:

-          Told in the third person perspective

-           Vampires,  Witches, and Ghosts

-          3 books so far in series, third coming out next year.  

In My Mailbox [14]

First off, In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Where we share what books we receive in the mail each week.

 

 

Bought:

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Blood Rights by Kristen Painter

Won:

The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams  

**Thank you Dear Author, and Ace** 

 What did you guys get this week in your IMM? Leave link so I can check them out :) 

WoW: Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine, to show books that we are patiently waiting for. 

This is actually a reprint, a trilogy published in 98'-00', this include all three books (Hex, Shadows, Ghosts)

 

Summary (via Goodreads):

The CPS, a secret government agency, is on a mission to seek and destroy the Hex - human mutants with 

supercomputer minds. They are young. They look like normal teens. They must never be allowed to grow up.

But the CPS hasn't discovered Raven. Soon they will feel her power and know her rage.

Raven and her brother, Wraith, must use Raven’s Hex powers and Wraith’s street skills to save first their long-lost sister, and then the entire Hex community. But before they start, Raven must overcome her mantra: work alone and think only of herself. Even then the challenges don't stop as they must crack the top-secret and high-tech security of the CPS, ally with a political-terrorist group, and then ultimately take down the evil European Federation.

And even the best laid plans can go awry.

[Publication date November 15, 2011] 

In My Mailbox [13]

First off, In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Where we share what books we receive in the mail each week.

 Bought:

Frost Moon by Anthony Frost

Serpent's Kiss by Thea Harrison

Won:

Heart of Darkness (ARC) 

What did you guy get in this week's IMM? Leave your IMM , so I can check it out!!

Short & Sweet reviews: Damage by Anya Parrish

Title: Damage 

Author: Anya Parrish

Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult

Series: 

Trade paperback, 264 pages

Published on September 8, 2011 by Flux

Summary (via Goodreads): 

There was a time when I prayed for Rachel to be real. Until the night I learned she'd always planned to kill me.

When Dani was eight, she fell from a building. No one believed her claim that she was pushed by Rachel . . . her imaginary friend. It took years of therapy to convince Dani that Rachel wasn't real.

Now fifteen, Dani wants to make it as a dancer. But a deadly freak accident sends Dani a terrifying message: Rachel is back, she's real, and she'll stop at nothing to kill Dani.

Complicating matters is Jesse, the school bad boy who's being stalked by his own invisible childhood nemesis. Dani and Jesse join forces to learn why their astral tormenters are back. Their investigation leads to a horrifying discovery—and the terrible experiment that binds them to each other.

My thoughts: I was first drawn to this book by its cover. It has the pretty-creepy factor going on, and a really chilling synopsis that demanded me to read it. I ended up pre-ordering this book way in advance, that’s how good it sounds!  The story is told from two point of views that alter between chapters, from the two main characters Dani and Jesse. Dani and Jesse have been tormented by their imaginary friends as a child, and were told by their elders that what they experience is all in their head. As both grew older, they both came to believe that the adults were probably right and it was nothing but their imagination. One day while Dani and Jesse are on a school trip, their bus gets knocked off the road by another truck.  Matters go from bad to worse when their imaginary friends turn out to be real, and are trying to kill them.

The pace of the book was great; it immediately caught my attention from the first page. Hearing the description of Rachel gave me the creeps, which was extra scary considering I was reading at 12-1 in the morning (ekk!) I kind of thought that this book was going to be somewhat like a ghost story, but as the book progress and we learn how Dani and Jesse are connected, it was clear that this was no ghost story. This book really surprised me because of all the twist and turns it took.  Overall a good story, the only small problem I had with the book is how quick the two characters fell for each other. It was practically right when they set their sights on one another, than again it is a young adult novel…characters are both 15 and 17 years old. I finished this book in about a day, fairly short considering its 264 pages. The book span is about one day, where we go from the crash site, and travel along side with the two characters as they try and escape their "imaginary friends" and find answers to what happened to them as children and now.

If you want to read a book with a mix of horror, action and romance or to read something new and different than pick this book up. I can definitely say that this isn’t like many books out there (well not any that I’ve read), and I can’t exactly say why because I would give away too much spoilers. For those who are considering reading this book, the synopsis and the actual story can be totally different from what you expect. I'll give you two words that can give you a feel of what the book is about "experimental drugs"

WoW: Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine, to show books that we are patiently waiting for.  

 

 

Love the cover and the synopsis for this book!! 

Summary (via goodreads): 

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love

 

[Publication 2012]

Short & Sweet reviews: One Salt Sea by Seanan McGuire

Title: One Salt Sea

Author: Seanan McGuire

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: October Daye # 5

Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages

Published on September 6, 2011 by DAW

Where did I get the book: Bought it

Summary (via Amazon): October "Toby" Daye is settling into her new role as Countess of Goldengreen. She's actually dating again, and she's taken on Quentin as her squire. So, of course, it's time for things to take a turn for the worse. 

Someone has kidnapped the sons of the regent of the Undersea Duchy of Saltmist. To prevent a war between land and sea, Toby must find the missing boys and prove the Queen of the Mists was not behind their abduction. Toby's search will take her from the streets of San Francisco to the lands beneath the waves, and her deadline is firm: she must find the boys in three days' time, or all of the Mists will pay the price. But someone is determined to stop her-and whoever it is isn't playing by Oberon's Laws...

My thoughts: First off, don’t you guys just love the covers for this series? I remember seeing it for the first time and was like “Is that a tail?!!” Chris McGrath did an amazing job on this and all the previous covers. One Salt Sea is the fifth book in the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire.  In this latest addition to the series, we find Toby a.k.a October settling into her role as Countess of Goldengreen. If anyone knows Toby, troubles always find her in the least convenient way. Someone has kidnapped the sons of the Undersea Duchy, and people are pointing their fingers at the Queen of Mists. Unless the children are found within three days, Undersea will declare war against Mists. Once again it is up to Toby to prove the queen’s innocence, and prevent a war from breaking out.

Many authors who have 4-5 books out usually have a hard time staying on par with their previous work.  Not only does McGuire not have this problem, but she exceeds it. Every October Daye book gets better and better each time. In this book readers will get to explore a little more of faeire in the duchy of Saltmist and meet a different group of undersea faes. The faeire world that McGuire has built is so descriptive and beautiful that it will leave you breathless. The world building is beyond amazing, it makes you feel as if the places described are real. Most of the October Daye books comes across as a mystery-PI work (although she WAS once a PI), but I really don’t mind it…I love a little mystery in my reading, keeps you in suspense.  Readers will learn a little more about Toby, and get a deeper understanding of the Luidaeg (the sea witch) and why she is the way she is and underneath that hard exterior of her...there’s something more. Secondary characters that we met in previous book will have more interaction with Toby and follow/and help her on her quest to find the missing children like; Tybalt, Quentin, May, and Raj. The perpetrator in the kidnapping was kind of predictable, I think readers who read the series will figure it out a little before hitting halfway through the novel.  That being said, it was still a great read. It had me constantly flipping the page and never putting the book down. 

I love everything about this series, the world building and all the characters that live in it. Every time I pick up an October Daye book, it’s like visiting an old friend, and I never ever want to leave. If you never read this series, pick up the first book, Rosemary and Rue NOW! This is a series not to be missed. This series has a little bit of everything for everyone; mystery, romance, and plenty of action. For readers who already read this series, you will definitely enjoy this latest book to the series. I’m extremely sad that we will have to wait a whole year till the next book (since before, there were 2 books per year).  

The author is coming out with a new series in March 2012 (Discount Armageddon), so thank goodness for that…it will have to do till the next October Daye book. 

Order of series:

1. Rosemary and Rue

2. A Local Habitation 

3. An Artificial Night

4. Late Eclipse

5. One Salt Sea

In My Mailbox [12]

First off, In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Where we share what books we receive in the mail each week.

 Bought:

The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Knight's Curse by Karen Duvall 

What did you guy's get in your IMM this week? Leave a link so I can check yours out :)

Short & Sweet reviews: Wildefire by Karsten Knight

Title: Wildefire
Author: Karsten Knight
Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult
Series: Wildefire #1 of a trilogy

Hardcover, 400 pages
Published on July 26, 2011 by Simon & Schuster

I received this book for review from Simon & Schuster.

Summary (via goodreads): Every flame begins with a spark. 

 Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

My thoughts: I remember hearing about this book awhile back but didn’t really know much about it. Then I received this book in the mail for review/gift from the publishing house, and read the synopsis and to my surprise it actually sounds good! Gods and Goddess all end up at a remote private school don’t tell me that DOESN’T catch your attention!  The first chapter caught me totally off guard and really surprised me because of the violence. Literally the first page we have the main heroine beating up another classmate because she was sneaking around with her boyfriend. I stopped reading at one point and turn to the cover flat to make sure that I was reading a YA book (laughs), yup…cover flap says for ages 14 and up! Ashline, the main character ends up transferring school (you’ll have to read the book to know why, don’t want to spoil it for you guys), it is there where we meet other gods and goddess who were reincarnated into a mortal’s body…so they have powers but are NOT immortal. 

Many readers have brought up the issue of violence in the book and the unnecessary vulgar language that Ashline and the other characters expresses. Although I agree that it was a bit much and maybe it should be for readers ages 17 and up…I still thought that this was a great book.  It’s not like the typical boarding school book that currently out.  The concept of the novel was refreshing and new; you have god and goddess from different cultures. For example, Shango Zulu god of thunder, Konohana Shinto goddess of the blossoms, Baldur god of light, and Isis, Egyptian goddess of the dead.  The book is told in third person. The book doesn’t go by chapters but instead go by three different parts ( I, II and III). In between these parts, there are some flashback scenes so that readers can learn a little more about the secondary characters and their past.

Overall, a great book even with some flaws, but these flaws don’t take away from the characterization and story line. Some readers will either love the book or hate it. The book starts off strong and fast and continues that way till the end. There was never a boring moment; I would have finished the book in a day or two if it wasn’t for school. The ending will have readers pining for the next book in the series, the ending was a shocker because let me tell you…definitely didn’t see that one coming! 

Readers who love YA should give this book a chance; they may be surprised at how great it was like me. Or if you want to read something other than vampires, or werewolves, than pick this book up ASAP!