Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs

Title: Fire Touched

Author: Patricia Briggs

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Mercy Thompson # 9

320 Pages, Hardcover

Publication: March 8, 2016

Source: Personal Library

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Tensions between the fae and humans are coming to a head. And when coyote shapeshifter Mercy and her Alpha werewolf mate, Adam, are called upon to stop a rampaging troll, they find themselves with something that could be used to make the fae back down and forestall out-and-out war: a human child stolen long ago by the fae.

Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?

MY THOUGHTS

The last Mercy book that went in-depth on the Fae was the third installment, Iron Kissed. But the Fae take center stage once again in the ninth installment, Fire Touched, when Zee is broken out of Underhill along with a human child touched by the Fae who is seeking sanctuary with Mercy and Adam from the Gray Lords.

I'm surprised to say this, but I think Fire Touched is my favorite Mercy novel in the series so far and I'm only a little more than halfway through. I loved seeing many of the key players again. We have Zee, Tad, and the entire pack, but we're also introduced to new characters such as the other Gray Lords, Baba Yaga, and Aiden, the human child.

To be frank, this far into the series, I was afraid the story would start to feel repetitive or monotonous, but that wasn't the case at all. I love that I can still enjoy the series and continue to be surprised by it. The last time I read a Mercy book, her relationship with the pack was still rocky, and in Fire Touched we still see some of that strain while also watching those relationships slowly improve.

It was cool to see Adam's pack making unprecedented changes that could affect all packs across the U.S., although I'm sure that will bring even more trouble in future books. The Fae politics were also interesting. Many of the Fae were hoping to go to war with the humans, indirectly through Adam and Mercy, so we got to see how that all played out and how it affected the Marrok.

Another thing I appreciate about this book and the series overall is seeing the evolution of Mercy and Adam's relationship. Most of the time, especially in newer books, we don't get to see the "after" in happily ever after once the lead couple finally gets together. Stories usually end too early. And even when we do get to see it, it's often poorly done, treated as unimportant, or pushed to the back burner.

That's not the case here, though. Seeing their relationship continue to grow and strengthen is so refreshing. I love how honest and open their communication is. They're mature, supportive, and always have each other's backs. It's just wonderful to see in fantasy books.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series, and I hope this is the last time we see Christy because she is nothing but bad juju and drama.

Royal Pawn By K.N. Banet

Title: Royal Pawn

Author: K.N. Banet

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Jacky Leon # 6

384 pages, Paperback

Publication: July 13, 2021

Source: Kindle Unlimited

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I’m Jacqueline, daughter of Hasan, ruling werecat of the Americas, the werecat liaison to humanity, and the lover of Heath Everson, Alpha werewolf. But I go by Jacky Leon and no one knows about the werewolf.

Some time ago, I met a fae and his family while on the run. They helped me, and for his own reasons, the fae had given me a gift. I never went looking for him. I knew the name he gave me and I did my best not to think too hard about it, him, or his family.

Life has a fun way of bringing things back because he's the lost king of the fae and now everyone knows. People who want him to take back the throne, people who want to kill him so he can’t, and people who want to hurt those he loves just to see him hurt.

And I’m the werecat he gave a gift, just in case he ever needed someone to protect his innocent human wife. I’m now a pawn in a deadly clash of fae powers the likes of which has never been seen.

Brin knows even a pawn can change the game.

Especially this pawn.

MY THOUGHTS

I took a short break from the Jacky Leon series and finally went back to it after a couple of months. Like the previous books, each installment focuses on a specific supernatural sect. In Royal Pawn, Jacky is going head-to-head with the fae.

Jacky and Heath have hidden their relationship for a long time, so it doesn’t come as a surprise when it’s used against them as blackmail. And that’s exactly what Brin, a.k.a. King Brion does, he blackmails Jacky and Heath into protecting his human wife, Fiona. Having met Brin and his family early on in the series and learning that he’s the long-lost king should have made me more excited and intrigued. Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect.

I don’t particularly like blackmail as a plot device, but more so, Brin/Brion and his entire family were extremely unlikeable. Fiona, a human who is apparently 92 years old, sits on a high horse with a lot of opinions and prejudice for someone who doesn’t know anything about Brion’s previous life or Sidhe customs. My thoughts throughout the entire book were: why did they have to be blackmailed and called to duty over someone who is not only unworthy but also likely to die sooner rather than later?

Jacky was frustrating in this latest installment. Anyone who has read this series knows she’s prone to recklessness and shows little regard for her own life, but this time around it felt more asinine than usual. She wanted to keep the relationship on the down low; she didn’t want to tell Heath she loved him because it made things too real… but she blew all of that within seconds. I normally praise Jacky for her maturity and clear, level thinking, but it was absent in Royal Pawn. I also thought Heath was a bit overkill in voicing his feelings, it started to feel like love-bombing… but with how the book ended, perhaps not? I do think it’s too soon for wedding bells, but we’ll see.

It saddens me to say this, but Royal Pawn is the weakest installment so far. I didn’t like the plot, I didn’t like the fae, and most, if not all of the characters were getting on my nerves, with the exception of Oliver, Dirk, and Landon. I hope this book was just a fluke and that the next one will be better. Otherwise, this might be the end of the series for me.

Waifs and Strays by Helen Harper

Title: Waifs and Strays

Author: Helen Harper

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: The Cat Lady Chronicles # 1

298 pages, Paperback

Publication: February 10, 2025

Source: Personal Library

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Nobody is just a cat lady.

Kit McCafferty's life is quiet, unremarkable and filled with cat hair. In the magical city of Coldstream, located on the border between Scotland and England, Kit is viewed as little more than mildly eccentric and mostly harmless. She passes her days caring for her family of five cats, feeding the local feral moggies, and maintaining relatively good relations with her neighbours.

All that changes, however, when a teenage werewolf shows up at her door in the desperate hope of renting out a nearby vacant flat. Kit knows that the smart move is to tell him to leave. The last thing she needs is to become embroiled in complicated shapeshifter politics. But something about the secretive young werewolf tugs at her heartstrings.

It's not long before Kit ends up caught in a maelstrom of mysterious crime and magical wrong-doing. Fortunately, there's far more to Kit McCafferty than meets the eye and she has a few dark secrets of her own.

Of course, anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows that you underestimate a cat lady at your own peril.

MY THOUGHTS

I stumbled upon Waifs and Strays during one of those free eBook days. I loved the cover, it felt playful and the synopsis was interesting enough. Plus, I’m always looking for a good Urban Fantasy. It’s not every day that I find an Urban Fantasy set in the UK or one featuring a heroine in her forties, which piqued my interest even more.

The beginning of the book took a little getting used to. As the title and series name suggest, there are a lot of cats in the story. However, their names are pretty unconventional. They play a significant role, and as the book progressed, I did get used to their unique naming style. The worldbuilding is straightforward: it’s an open world where supernaturals are known to the public. Coldstream, where Kit lives, is mostly inhabited by magical folk like fae, vampires, werewolves, and all sorts of other creatures.

At first glance, Kit is known around the neighborhood as the innocuous, middle-aged cat lady. She’s anything but simple, as we eventually discover. Kit was a likable heroine. I enjoyed learning about her past profession and magical abilities and seeing them come into play when a young werewolf is abducted. She’s essentially the local superhero or maybe vigilante, despite trying to live a quiet, normal life. I also liked what I assume will become the supporting cast, though it’s still too early to tell. Is it weird that I’m hoping for a love triangle between Thane and the Alpha? Lol.

I thought Waifs and Strays was a great introduction to The Cat Lady Chronicles. The pacing was solid, and the book was well written. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it. I’m about to start the second book, the series feels promising.

We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark

Title: We Who Will Die

Author: Stacia Stark

Genre: Romantasy

Series: Empire of Blood # 1

423 pages, Hardcover

Publication: December 30, 2025

Source: Libby Library

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Life in the perilous Thorn district is a constant battle for Arvelle and her younger brothers. And the vampire standing on her doorstep is about to turn their world upside down.

Faced with an unthinkable choice, Arvelle makes a magically binding vow to do the impossible: kill the emperor, an ancient vampire created by the god Umbros. But first, she must enter the Sundering—an arena where only the fastest, strongest, and deadliest survive long enough to be selected for the emperor’s elite guard.

She quickly draws the ire of the Primus, the powerful figure charged with protecting the emperor. But the vampire under the armor is the last person Arvelle expects to encounter in the emperor’s court.

With her brothers’ lives in the balance, Arvelle has no choice but to ally with the man who once shattered her heart… and with the emperor’s sadistic son, Rorrik—two vampires whose motives are impossible to pin down. Rorrik holds the key to understanding the powers Arvelle is developing—abilities that would put a price on her head if discovered by the emperor.

To survive the arena and complete her mission, Arvelle must get to the bottom of a conspiracy that will change everything she thought she knew about herself—and the two vampires who are deeply entwined with her destiny…

MY THOUGHTS

I am a big fan of Stark’s Deals with Demons and was excited to hear she was writing a new book. Gladiators and vampires with The Hunger Games vibes sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, We Who Will Die was a major disappointment for me.

I believe this book was meant to be set in the Roman Empire, or something similar but I never once got that impression. The only small hint might be the fighting in the coliseum, but that alone could apply to many settings. The world-building was all over the place, and the magic aspect was incredibly underwhelming.

This book was soooooo boring. I kept waiting for it to get better, even at 75% and it never did. I didn’t care about the plot or the characters. The storyline felt extremely generic, and while there are countless books featuring competitions or trials, this was by far the dullest execution I’ve ever read. The first two trials happened within just a couple of chapters, which was completely anticlimactic, and the final trial was so quick and uneventful that I almost missed it. Honestly, I’m not sure why the book was as long as it was, because there was barely any action or suspense. Even the reveal of who was behind Bran was unsurprising and by the time I reached the end, I simply didn’t care anymore.

I didn’t like or care about Arvelle (what an atrocious name). She’s yet another typical rage-filled character, constantly raging against society, norms, or whatever else. One thing she did over and over again that annoyed the heck out of me was constantly daydreaming or zoning out in what were supposed to be life-or-death situations. For example, she’s training and fighting against another competitor, they’re charging straight at her, and she’s completely spaced out. Then, during one of the trials, her opponent is wielding a sword and aiming straight for her head but she’s busy reminiscing about the past. Like, what the heck? There was absolutely no sense of awareness or self-preservation at all. And then there's the love triangle or love interests, who were about as interesting as a cardboard box. Could they be any more humdrum? I also guessed early on that they were brothers...again, boring and predictable.

There was nothing redeeming or worthwhile about We Who Will Die. It’s easily one of the most unoriginal and boring books I’ve read in the last few years. The use of gladiators and vampires was completely wasted on a lackluster plot and underwhelming characters. This book is absolutely nothing like The Hunger Games, not even in vibes.

Broken Loyalty by K.N. Banet

Title: Broken Loyalty

Author: K.N. Banet

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Jacky Leon # 3

368 pages, Paperback

Publication: April 15, 2020

Source: Kindle Unlimited

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I'm a member of the strongest werecat family alive; a family that commands the loyalty of every werecat that walks the face of the earth. They are the definition of power, and no one has dared challenge that for millennia. It’s not a legacy I’m always comfortable with, but it’s the one I was given the day Hasan decided to change me into a werecat. I’m resolved to do my best with my new responsibilities.

Others have been watching me and my family. Rogue werecats are now testing my territory borders and putting those I care about at risk. As the events grow stranger, I can feel the tension mount. I have this nagging feeling that my family is about to learn a valuable lesson and it’s coming for me first.

My name is Jacky Leon and my family’s enemies have a message for us.

Loyalty is worthless when it’s broken.

MY THOUGHTS

Broken Loyalty is the third book in the Jacky Leon series. After defeating the vampire nest in Washington, Hasan believes Jacky has more than proven herself to the family and deserves greater responsibility. As a result, she’s appointed as the family’s representative for North and South America. But that’s not all, the family also decides Jacky could be using her time more wisely and assigns two employees to help her run Kick Shot. Still, it’s rarely a quiet time for Jacky, especially when rogue werecats begin appearing in her territory.

This book is all about the werecats. We finally get to see and learn more about these elusive supernaturals and their complicated relationships with one another and with other sects. I was happy to see Jacky’s family take center stage in this third installment, though that did mean Heath and his family took a backseat for much of the book. Hasan finally gives Jacky some long-awaited answers, especially regarding why she was saved and not Shane. We also learn more about Davors, Zuri, and Niko. The family is eclectic, and the more I read about them, the more pleasantly surprised I became. They’re also genuinely funny, when you forget they’re an ancient and powerful race, at their core they’re just like a typical dysfunctional family.

So far, this series has been a slow burn, and I absolutely love that. I really appreciate Banet taking the time to build Jacky and Heath’s relationship, allowing the characters to truly get to know one another instead of rushing into anything. Like the characters themselves, the relationship feels authentic and real, and when things do happen, they carry real emotional weight. I am tired, TIRED of reading about baseless and inorganic relationships in fantasy, where characters jump into bed within the first book (if that's your thing, cool but it's not my preference). The gradual growth between Jacky and Heath is refreshing, and I’m excited to see how their relationship evolves over the course of the series.

Broken Loyalty is another strong and solid addition to the series, and I plan to pick up the next book ASAP.

Oath Sworn by K.N. Banet

Title: Oath Sworn

Author: K.N. Banet

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Jacky Leon # 1

356 pages, Paperback

Publication: July 15, 2019

Source: Kindle Unlimited

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I’ve never been the type to find trouble. Owning a bar takes work and that was all I wanted. Serving cold beers and paying my taxes. Those were the responsibilities I wanted for the rest of my life.

I didn’t ask to be a werecat. I didn’t ask for the responsibility to uphold an ancient treaty. I didn’t ask to get pulled into the middle of a werewolf pack’s coup.

But Carey Everson, the very human daughter of a werewolf Alpha, needs me. Her father’s enemies are on her heels and I’m her last defense. And I’ll be that defense until my final breath, even if it means challenging the very Laws that govern the supernatural. I gave her my word.

My name is Jacky Leon and nothing is going to stop me from honoring my word.

MY THOUGHTS

I’m always on the lookout for a great urban fantasy series, but I honestly haven’t found one that truly hit for me since the early 2000s, think 2006–2010. So it’s probably no surprise that I’m in a fantasy Facebook group, and it was there that someone recommended the Jacky Leon series. They compared it to Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews and Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs, my two all-time favorite series. Those are huge shoes to fill, in my opinion. I’ve seen plenty of urban fantasy series compared to them before, but none have ever actually come close. Until now. Whoever recommended this series, may you be blessed by the book fairy. The Jacky Leon series has everything I love to read about and everything I adore about the urban fantasy genre.

Like all urban fantasy, magic and the supernatural exist alongside our modern, real world. In Oath Sworn, we’re introduced to Jacky Leon, a bar owner in Texas who also happens to be a rare and special supernatural, a werecat. While the world is populated with werewolves, vampires, and fae, I loved that our main heroine isn’t your typical lion or jaguar shifter, but something far more unique: a prehistoric saber-toothed werecat. Werecats are rare in urban fantasy, with only one well-known series coming to mind, so discovering them here was a huge win for me.

The worldbuilding is easy to follow and refreshingly straightforward. Banet does an excellent job of laying the foundation for both the characters and the world, weaving in history and background without ever bogging the story down with info-dumping. At the same time, the plot is engaging and compelling, keeping me glued from the very first page all the way to the end.

One of the biggest and most delightful surprises was discovering that Jacky is thirty-six. Finding a heroine in her mid-thirties is incredibly rare, and it made her feel instantly realistic and relatable. Jacky is an amazing protagonist; far from perfect, but mature, independent, fiercely loyal, and an all-around badass with a big heart. That’s not to say she won’t fight dirty or do whatever needs to be done, because she absolutely will and she’s unapologetic about it. It’s so refreshing to read about a self-aware, confident woman who knows who she is and what she stands for. Honestly, this kind of character feels sorely missing in today’s fantasy.

I also absolutely loved the supporting cast. Every character feels well-written and fully fleshed out. Hasan and his family are fascinating, and I can’t wait to learn more about him and his children. Heath, Carey, and Landon are a breath of fresh air, and I really enjoyed the family dynamics. I’m especially excited to see how these relationships develop as the series continues.

Oath Sworn was the perfect way to start the new year, and I can already tell this series is going to be a new favorite. The Jacky Leon series has everything I love about urban fantasy: a strong, capable protagonist, a fantastic magic system, compelling supernatural politics, and at its heart, a story about family, friendship, and the bonds we choose. I can’t wait to start the next book. I’m honestly shocked that I’m only discovering this series now. It deserves so much more attention and love. If you love urban fantasy as much as I do, I highly, highly recommend picking up Oath Sworn. You won’t be disappointed.

Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Title: Mate

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Bride # 2

457 pages, Paperback

Publication: October 7, 2025

Source: Personal Library

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Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left—if he’ll have her.

As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn’t matter if Serena doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.

But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation…

MY THOUGHTS

I read and enjoyed Bride last year and was excited when I heard there would be a sequel featuring none other than Misery’s BFF, Serena. However, since its release, the reviews have been a mixed bag, and I felt some trepidation about starting it. Still, I prefer to form my own opinions and don’t really listen to or care too much about what other readers think (at least not enough to sway whether I’ll read a book or not).

The dry humor I enjoyed with Misery is alive and well in the second book, with Serena, Koen, and Misery, of course. That said, I wasn’t immediately sold on Serena as the female lead the way I expected to be. I don’t recall how much page time she had in the first book, but I didn’t remember her being so immature and childish. The dry humor didn’t work in her favor, and I didn’t find her particularly endearing. As I continued reading, I also noticed that Hazelwood’s characters tend to be written in very similar ways, I didn’t feel like anyone truly stood out. Don’t get me wrong, it was an okay novel, and I did enjoy some scenes. However, on top of the mediocre characterization, the plot itself was also ridiculous.

For example, for a good third of the book, Serena believes she’s going to die and actively prepares for it, only to find out she isn’t dying at all but is actually in heat. Serena is so horny, she thinks she's dying...cue major eye-roll. That is one of the dumbest plot points I’ve ever read. Then there was the religious cult and her painfully obvious, predictable connection to it.

Koen, the love interest, gave me major ick. I didn’t understand why the author used immature, made-up words for him; it wasn’t funny or cute. I was honestly close to DNF-ing over the word “jizzmuffin.” Gag. I also didn’t like how he was mean to Serena and repeatedly told her he wasn’t interested, while consistently doing the exact opposite. Yes, I understand they’re mates. Yes, I understand the covenant pack rule. I still didn’t like it. Serena wasn’t much better: she spends most of the book convinced she’s dying, constantly reminding herself and Koen that they can never work and listing all the reasons why. Then, once they both decide to flip the bird to the rules and have a week-long screw-fest, they suddenly love each other and would die for one another. Yadda yadda yadda. It was hot-and-cold, unrealistic, and hard to believe, especially considering they’d only really known each other for a couple of weeks.

Oh, and speaking of “dying”; as weres, you’d think they’d be able to smell the difference if someone were truly on the verge of death. That’s literally been scientifically studied and proven in animals…just not in this book, apparently. That inconsistency annoyed me to no end.

As I said, Mate was a decent read, but I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as Bride, though, to be honest, my memory of Bride is now a bit fuzzy. For a book like Mate, it was awfully way too long. It had no business being as long as it was. I think this is the end of the road for me with Hazelwood’s books. I didn’t like the writing this time around, nor the characters or the plot. There were some good scenes and a few funny moments, but overall, it was a disappointing read.

Night Broken by Patricia Briggs

Title: Night Broken

Author: Patricia Briggs

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Mercy Thompson # 8

320 Pages, Hardcover

Publication: March 4, 2014

Source: Libby Library

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An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from a stalker. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the furthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get him, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s stalker is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

MY THOUGHTS

In Night Broken, Mercy’s standing within the Pack is still fragile as everyone continues dealing with the fallout from the previous book’s events. To make matters worse, Adam’s ex-wife seeks shelter in their home while fleeing an abusive man and there’s a serial killer on the loose in the Tri-Cities.

I enjoyed Night Broken much more than I expected. I loved meeting all the new characters, especially ones we had heard about before but had never actually seen on the page, such as Christy and a Gray Lord. There were also some unexpected appearances, including more of Coyote and the introduction of a supposedly lost sibling, which was a pleasant surprise. Mercy and the Pack’s interactions with this newcomer added a fun and interesting dynamic to the story; it was probably one of my favorite parts.

The plot was great, and I loved how Briggs tied two seemingly unrelated subplots into one cohesive storyline. Clever! I also appreciated the ongoing development in Mercy and Adam’s relationship. With Adam’s ex moving in, Mercy could have reacted very differently, but her maturity really stood out. Readers also learn alongside Mercy as she discovers more about her evolving abilities. She has certainly come a long way since the first book, when we believed she was just a simple shapeshifting mechanic.

I can’t wait to continue with the next books in the series. I’ve loved the Urban Fantasy genre ever since discovering it in the early 2000s. If you enjoy books with rich world-building, strong character development, and intriguing elements of Native folklore, I highly recommend checking out the Mercy Thompson series.

Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

Title: Frost Burned

Author: Patricia Briggs

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Mercy Thompson # 7

Publication: January 1, 2013 

352 pages

Source: Personal Library

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Mercy Thompson's life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman - the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack - has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy's life. But on the edges of humanity, a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more...

After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can't reach Adam - or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They've all been abducted.

Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. But she fears Adam's disappearance may be related to the political battle the werewolves have been fighting to gain acceptance from the public - and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outmatched and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

MY THOUGHTS

It’s been over ten years since I last read the Mercy Thompson series, so naturally, I decided a re-read was in order. I’m so glad I did; it reminded me just how much I love this world and these characters. Frost Burned is the seventh installment in the series, following Mercy, a coyote shifter, and her husband Adam, the local werewolf Alpha, as they navigate their new mate bond while dealing with the usual highs and lows of supernatural politics.

The story kicks off with a bang when Mercy and Jesse are ambushed during a Black Friday outing, and things only get worse when she discovers the entire pack, except Ben, has vanished. It turns out they’ve been taken by mercenaries, setting the stage for an action-packed ride.

If you’ve ever read this series or really any Urban Fantasy, you’ll know the protagonist rarely gets any downtime, and Mercy is no exception. Even seven books in, I was happy to find that the characters, writing, and plot remain just as strong as when I first started the series. There wasn’t a single lull; I stayed engaged and invested all the way through. I especially enjoyed this plot compared to some of the previous installments, and I liked seeing the mix of both familiar and fresh faces playing active roles in the story.

Now that I’ve finished my re-reads, it’s on to the books I haven’t yet read. I’m excited to see what Briggs has in store for Mercy and the crew.

A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison

Title: A Fistful of Charms

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: The Hollows # 4

Publication: June 27, 2006, 510 pages

Source: Personal Library

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The evil night things that prowl Cincinnati despise witch and bounty hunter Rachel Morgan. Her new reputation for the dark arts is turning human and undead heads alike with the intent to possess, bed, and kill her -- not necessarily in that order.

Now a mortal lover who abandoned Rachel has returned, haunted by his secret past. And there are those who covet what Nick possesses -- savage beasts willing to destroy the Hollows and everyone in it if necessary.

Forced to keep a low profile or eternally suffer the wrath of a vengeful demon, Rachel must nevertheless act quickly. For the pack is gathering for the first time in millennia to ravage and to rule. And suddenly more than Rachel's soul is at stake.

MY THOUGHTS

A Fistful of Charms throws us straight into the action, with Rachel, a newly recognized pack member is already facing a challenge from another Alpha. Luckily, she wins her first fight thanks to her spells. In this fourth installment, Rachel’s business takes her out of Cincinnati and deeper into the world of werewolf hierarchy and mayhem.

If you've read my previous Hollows book review, you know I’m continuing this series in the hopes of seeing more of David and Trent. To my disappointment, neither of them gets any real page time and we don’t even see Trent at all. Instead, Rachel’s out-of-town adventure consists of the characters I loathe most: Jenks, Nick, and Ivy. Literally the three I dislike the most.

Nick, being the spineless S.O.B. that he is, lands himself in trouble, and of course, the only person who can save him is Rachel. Jenks tags along because Nick has his son, Jackson. Ivy shows up later, either to help or just to be her usual possessive self. In my last review, I mentioned how much I dislike Ivy’s possessiveness over Rachel, and it gets even worse in this book. The first three books hinted at Ivy biting Rachel, and now she finally does, which only makes things more complicated. It blurs the line between friendship and lovers, even though Rachel isn’t interested in her that way. I still don’t like it and think it's disturbing.

The plot was more engaging this time around, as we got to explore werewolf hierarchy and territory. I appreciated the change of pace and scenery because I was getting tired of all the demon and vampire politics. Overall, this was another solid installment in the messy life of Rachel Morgan. I really hope Harrison brings Trent back soon. And is it too much to ask to get rid of Ivy and Jenks? I mean, at least Nick is finally gone gone.

Every Which Way but Dead by Kim Harrison

Title: Every Which Way but Dead

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: The Hollows # 3

Publication: 501 pages, June 28, 2005

Source: Personal Library

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There's no witch in Cincinnati tougher, sexier, or more screwed up than bounty hunter Rachel Morgan, who's already put her love life and soul in dire jeopardy through her determined efforts to bring criminal night creatures to justice.

Between "runs," she has her hands full fending off the attentions of her blood-drinking partner, keeping a deadly secret from her backup, and resisting a hot new vamp suitor.

Rachel must also take a stand in the war that's raging in the city's underworld, since she helped put away its former vampire kingpin - and made a deal with a powerful demon to do so that could cost her an eternity of pain, torment, and degradation.

And now her dark "master" is coming to collect his due.

MY THOUGHTS

Three books into The Hollows, and there hasn't been much improvement for our heroine, Rachel Morgan. Many of the problems she faced were entirely her own doing. Which would've been preventable if she stopped to think before rushing in. The demon Al continues to cause havoc, as always, trying to drag Rachel into the Ever After. Oddly enough, Rachel manages to outsmart Al toward the end, and I sincerely hope this is the last we see of him because his storyline has become repetitive and stale.

Nick, Rachel’s boyfriend, or rather, ex-boyfriend has finally left. I must say, I’m relieved. I never liked him, and his presence in the group added nothing to the story. As for Ivy, Rachel’s vampire friend and roommate, I’m tired of her as well. She’s overly possessive of Rachel in a way that comes off as borderline romantic, and honestly, it’s just creepy. The author tries to excuse it as a vampire trait, but… no. Just no. Even Rachel is growing frustrated with it! The codependency is pathetic, especially considering Ivy is supposedly next in line to be the most powerful vampire in Cincinnati. Powerful, how?

The only part of the book that truly piqued my interest was Rachel’s interactions with Trent. I enjoyed learning more about their connection and Rachel’s past. The more I read about Trent, the more I realize he’s not so bad. Compared to everyone else in Rachel’s life, he might actually be the most normal and sane one. We’re also introduced to a new character, David, whom I really liked. I hope to see more of him, especially after everything that happened at the end.

Every Which Way but Dead was a decent addition to the series, better than the first two. While Rachel remains frustrating, I’ll keep reading for now, if only to see more of Trent and David.

The House at Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning

Title: The House at Watch Hill

Author: Karen Marie Moning

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: The Watch Hill # 1

Publication: 384 pages, October 1, 2024

Source: Personal Library

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Zo Grey is reeling from the sudden death of her mother when she receives a surprising call from an attorney in Divinity, Louisiana, with the news she has been left an inheritance by a distant relative, the terms of which he will only discuss in person. Destitute and alone, with nothing left to lose, Zo heads to Divinity and discovers she is the sole beneficiary of a huge fortune and a monstrosity of a house that sits ominously at the peak of Watch Hill—but she must live in it, alone, for three years before the house, or the money, is hers.

Met with this irresistible opportunity to finally build a future for herself, Zo puts aside her misgivings about the foreboding Gothic mansion and the strange circumstances, and moves in, where she is quickly met by a red-eyed Stygian owl and an impossibly sexy Scottish groundskeeper.

Her new home is full of countless secrets and mystifying riddles, with doors that go nowhere, others that are impossible to open, and a turret into which there is no visible means of ingress. And the townspeople are odd…

What Zo doesn’t yet know is that her own roots lie in this very house and that in order to discover her true identity and awaken her dormant powers, she will have to face off against sinister forces she doesn’t quite comprehend—or risk being consumed by them.

MY THOUGHTS

I've been a fan of Moning for a while now. Her Fever series (the first five books) is one of my favorites. Naturally, I’ve been eagerly anticipating Moning's next series. When I heard it was going to be about witches, I was thrilled. A gothic setting in Louisiana? Literal perfection. However, it saddens me to say that The House at Watch Hill did not meet my expectations. Honestly, I was surprised this was written by the same author as the Fever series.

The House at Watch Hill is the first book in a planned trilogy. Despite being 384 pages long, there was a whole lot of nothing happening. For the majority of the book, about two-thirds, readers are left in the dark about key plot points, including why Zo's mother passed, her heritage, and why she was summoned to Divinity. The world-building was minimal at best; if it existed, I must have missed it. When Zo’s best friend, Este, finally arrived in Divinity, readers were bombarded with a heap of information dumping. But even that was short-lived, as Zo's temper tantrum almost took her friend out. The buildup to the mystery or any significant revelation wasn’t even suspenseful, just frustrating. I honestly expected better writing from Moning, given she's a seasoned writer with a long backlist.

As for the main character, Zo was an immature, unlikeable lead prone to constant temper tantrums. Throughout most of the book, her primary focus was on sex. Occasionally, she’d dwell on “woe is me” sentiments; lamenting her hard life, how everyone lied to her, etc. I didn't think she exhibited any redeeming qualities or intelligence, for that matter. Despite being twenty-four, she behaved like an impulsive teenager. Over the course of the book, she made no effort to improve herself or change her circumstances. The whole subplot with her mother was already weak but made weaker when readers discovered why she was ill in the first place...which plainly was stupid. Instead, being named Hier magically fixed everything for her. She made several mistakes in the story, but each time, the consequences were conveniently swept away. I don’t enjoy reading about "special snowflakes" or plots that advance without meaningful and purposeful change or character growth. The side characters weren’t much better. Este and the two potential love interests were as bland as vanilla, with no significant development or contributions to the story.

Additionally, the book included a few chapters from a character named Alisdair. I couldn’t figure out their purpose. Alisdair’s chapters consisted of him talking to himself and “warning” Zo except she couldn’t even hear him. I’m guessing he might be the Owl lurking around the house, but honestly, his chapters felt pointless. And really? Who cares?

All in all, The House at Watch Hill was a disappointing read. I can’t find a single positive thing to say about it. The only reason this book even made it onto my radar was because I’d read and loved the Fever series and hoped for the same spark I felt reading those books long ago. Unfortunately, this book is a far cry from the Fever series. With lackluster world-building, undeveloped characters, a weak plot, and mediocre writing, I can’t recommend it.