NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR NALINI SINGH DIVES BENEATH THE SURFACE OF HER PSY-CHANGELING WORLD INTO A STORY OF PASSIONATE DEVOTION AND SELFLESS LOVE…
Security specialist Bowen Knight has come back from the dead. But there’s a ticking time bomb in his head: a chip implanted to block telepathic interference that could fail at any moment – taking his brain along with it. With no time to waste, he should be back on land helping the Human Alliance. Instead, he’s at the bottom of the ocean, consumed with an enigmatic changeling…
Kaia Luna may have traded in science for being a chef, but she won’t hide the facts of Bo’s condition from him or herself. She’s suffered too much loss in her life to fall prey to the dangerous charm of a human who is a dead man walking. And she carries a devastating secret that Bo could never imagine…
But when Kaia is taken by those who mean her deadly harm, all bets are off. Bo will do anything to get her back – even if it means striking a devil’s bargain and giving up his mind to the enemy.
I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting for this to come out…. And once it finally arrived, well, I read it in less than 24 hours. It was just like every other book in this series, amazing, sweet and impossible to put down.
Kaia is so damaged, and yet caring and tender. I love that as her past unfolds, you can understand why she’s quite standoffish. But it’s her ability to care and love that truly shines through. There’s a reason why whenever things are going to hell in a handbasket in my own life, I pursue stories such as this – with Singh’sPsy-Changeling world there is always a happy ending. And a character like Kaia who is able to overcome everything in her past and be purely good. The fact that she is a dominant maternal, unlike any of the other changelings in the entire series just made the cockles of my heart warm all the more.
Silver Silence ended with Bo being shot. And although he’s had some kind of shady moments throughout the series, I was completely taken away and a little horrified. He’s an incredibly key character to the large overarching tale that ties all of the many Psy-Changeling stories together and I just couldn’t imagine how the trinity would work without him. Luckily, Singh obviously created him to be like this, because he didn’t die, he was just put into a top secret medical facility. Although in past books Bo has just been an amazing ally (and in some cases potential enemy), he didn’t seem like much more to me before Ocean Light. Then I fell just as madly in love with him as every other character that has had their tale told.
Other than the amazing love story and tale of conspiracy created by the resistance to the Trinity, Ocean Light also introduces the world of BlackSea. An underwater realm full of swimming changelings and mystery. Now I want another tale of the changelings of BlackSea to come out… it looks like I’ll just have to wait a little while until it does.
August is always a weird month for me – it’s my baby sister’s birthday and so should be one of my favourite months. But it also seems to be the month in which a lot of not-so-good things have happened in my life. Plus, it’s winter, and I hate being cold and sick, so I have just buried myself in the realm of books…
Title: Green-Eyed Envy Author: Kasey MacKenzie Series: Shades of Fury #2 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Ace Fantasy Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: My overactive imagination the night before had delighted in reminding me over and over again that Scott had been involved with Harper, however briefly, which meant that he very well could be in danger from this lunatic
As a Fury, Marissa Holloway belongs to an arcane race that has meted out justice since time immemorial. As Boston’s Chief Magical Investigator, she’s responsible for solving any crimes committed by or against supernaturals.
Months have gone by since Riss discovered some unwelcome truths about her past – and managed to stop a supernatural war. Since then, tings have been quiet. Too quiet. But that all changes when the bodies of Bastai, shape-shifters also known as Cats, begin piling up in Boston’s magical underbelly – even though the legendary shifters are supposed to have ninety-nine lives.
One common thread ties the victims together: All were old flames of FBI Agent Harper Cruz. And since Scott Murphy, Riss’s lover, enjoyed a long-ago one-night stand with Harper, the Fury has twice the incentive to crack the case wide open, before the killer’s green-eyed gaze turns in Scott’s direction…
Everyone can get a little jealous at times. But, when that jealousy turns to something completely different that it can become dangerous. And in this case, downright deadly. Although Riss isn’t necessarily the one in danger, her own jealousy throughout this tale puts her in a decent amount of danger. And as two parallel conspiracies unfold around her, she is not only in a race to save the next victim of a serial killer, but also a race to save her own family.
Although one of these tales (the issues with her family) doesn’t actually get solved during Green-Eyed Envy, the fact that there is an extra complication in Riss’ life helps to increase the fast pace of this tale. Her ties to her family also help to not only ground her when things start getting a little bit too weird, but also create a larger issue. One that I can’t wait to see solved (hopefully) in the next Shades of Fury novel.
Serial killer tales and the race to stop them can always be interesting but adding in a supernatural spin on this murder spree, I just lapped it up. Add in Scott’s ex, racial prejudice and wedding bells in the future… well, you know that this is going to be good fun. I also love the way that issues such as racism and maddened possession are built upon to create a better understanding of the world. That, and it makes some of the issues that Riss is facing a little more relatable and realistic. I doubt anyone has seen a Fury, but we’ve all seen racism…
Title: Red Hot Fury Author: Kasey MacKenzie Series: Shades of Fury #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Ace Fantasy Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: No less than the truth.
As a Fury, Marissa Holloway belongs to an arcane race that has avenged wrongdoing since time immemorial. As Boston’s Chief Magical Investigator for the past five years, she’s doing what she was born to do: solving supernatural crimes.
It’s far from business as usual when the body of a sister Fury washes up in Boston Harbor. But when Riss reports that the corpse’s identity has been magically altered, she’s immediately – and inexplicably – suspended from her job. Then a human assassin makes an attempt on her life, and Riss realizes that someone is trying to stir up strife between mortals and arcanes.
When a Fury gets mad, she gets even, and Riss is determined to uncover the truth. Without the support of the mortal PD, she turns to the one man she can trust to watch her back: shape-shifting Warhound Scott Murphy. But since Scott is also Riss’s ex, she’ll have to keep a short leash on more than just the supernatural rage that feeds her power as they try to solve a murder – and stop a war…
When I moved out of home, a lot of my books got boxed up. And sadly this was one of them. But, recently I was able to unpack all of the amazing books that I have stashed over the years and really sink my teeth into them. I read the majority of this in one night. Even though I knew what was going to happen (kind of, it’s been a long time), it still completely swept me away and pulled me in from the very first moment. So much so that I picked up Green-Eyed Envy immediately afterwards. Like I said, it’s just that good.
Furies in the folklore are something that fascinates me – really, anything paranormal and feminine is going to fascinate me if I’m honest. And I really like how this paranormal paragon of justice is also a cop in the story – it helps to layer the paranormal on top of the reality. It’s also a little fun to read a story that starts as a paranormal murder mystery. It quickly turns into something far more complex and intense, but at the very beginning, it lulls you into thinking this is going to be a little bit of a paranormal crime type story.
As with most stories, there is a romantic entanglement throughout Red Hot Fury. However, instead of being a budding romance, it is Riss’ ex that provides the emotional entanglements that raise the stakes of the story. As much as you kind of know that they will eventually end up together (because they always do, and we always enjoy it), I liked the added complication of a past breakup and all of the hot headed words that that entails. The past really informs all of the relationships throughout this tale and the slow unravelling of what is happening along both timelines makes you want to turn each and every page as quickly as possible.
5th sentence, 74th page: It was more vivid than any I’ve ever had.
A future oracle of her people travels to save the world. But she finds herself and her future instead.
I don’t get the obsession with virgins. The idea that a virgin woman (it’s always a woman) has some kind of mythical powers or prowess. It’s not something that’s ever made sense to me, and when I started reading this short story, part of me was going oh god, here we go again. And it was kind of like that… she has to be a virgin to become an oracle. She finds a temptation. But it wasn’t anywhere near as horrifying as I was expecting.
The immediate attachment between the two main characters was fun and potent. Although a little too predictable. The battle that they have to fight, and the storyline, were really well written and developed. Although I didn’t have much of an interest in the romance aspect of this tale (which is kind of new for me), I did like the rest of the story.
When New York Times bestselling author Marjorie M. Liu’s demon hunter Maxine Kiss investigates a grisly murder, she finds herself involved in a conspiracy dating back to World War II – and a secret mission that her grandmother may have carried out for the U.S. government, one that involes the mysterious “Armor of Roses.”
Lately I’ve been enjoying a graphic novel series by Marjorie M. Liu & Sana Takeda. So, I already knew that I enjoyed this author. However, reading this novella showed me that she is certainly one that I need to buy more of! And now I have to wait for the books to arrive…
I really enjoyed the swanky opening scene of this story – it was a swanky yacht with a very different crowd and a woman who so completely obviously didn’t fit in. Which, of course, drew me in immediately. Maxine is literally a woman who is surrounded by demons… luckily they are her constant friends and companions. But, it does make it a little difficult for her to fit in with the rest of the crowd she is originally surrounded by. Luckily, this quickly changes and she heads into a world that far better suits her companions.
I really wasn’t expecting a time travel component to this story. Or a greater conspiracy that would draw in World War II. But, it worked brilliantly and it was impossible to put down from the moment Maxine was forced to visit her grandmother. It was a really good journey and, as with all stories that I love, it didn’t go where I expected or predicted. Although, it did kind of hint at the first two novels in this series that I haven’t yet read… which might ruin the storyline a little, but certainly something that I look forward to regardless.
Title: Turbulent Sea Author: Christine Feehan Series: Drake Sisters #6, Sea Haven #6 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:The Coast, Family, Magic, Paranormal romance Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Jove Year: 2008 5th sentence, 74th page: That man was with the Reverend’s demented flock, and he had a can of spray paint in his hand to mark you as the devil’s harlot.
The star: Joley Drake was born with a legacy of unexpected magical gifts, but it was the gift of singing that made her an overnight sensation – a rock-and-roll goddess trapped by fame, fortune and ambition. Heated by the flush of success, Joley can have any man she wants. And there’s only one man who can give her what she really needs.
The bodyguard: Ilya Prakenskii, cool, inscrutable, dangerously sexy and working in the shadow of his infamous reputation – that of a secret Russian hit man on the payroll of a notorious mobster. He’s the last man Joley should get close to, yet when her life is threatened on tour, she has nowhere left to turn. But in the seductive safety of Ilya’s embrace, is Joley really as secure as she imagines?
As soon as I read the blurb for this story, I had the theme song from Whitney Houston’s The Bodyguard stuck in my head. I had it stuck in my head for the four hours that it took me to read this from cover to cover. There are quite a few similarities. Although I was so incredibly hopeful that Turbulent Sea wouldn’t end in the same way as the movie. It didn’t. We’re good (I would have flung the book across the room if it ended that sadly).
Joley is wonderfully independent, incredibly fierce and completely able to stand up for herself. But, as the book unfolds, its also obvious that she’s very lonely, vulnerable and cares a lot about everyone around her. Not necessarily a bad thing, but placed in the world of a Rockstar, it does lead to her burn out. As someone who is currently experiencing a bit of an emotional burn out myself, it was nice to read about someone else who is experiencing this. It was also great that she finds someone who can recognise that and support her.
Oceans of Fire first introduced issues with the Russian mob to the Drake Sisters world. It also introduced Ilya Prakenskii, a scary and somewhat sexy SOB. The stakes were raised further in Safe Harbor and the dangers are just increased in Turbulent Sea. Their presence and the interconnectedness of the sisters with law enforcement and the Russians keeps on raising the stakes and creating a fast paced, intense tale. It made it completely impossible to put down Turbulent Sea and I have now banned myself from picking up Hidden Currents until I get a little more productive work done…
Title: Safe Harbor Author: Christine Feehan Series: Drake Sisters #5, Sea Haven #5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:The Coast, Family, Magic, Paranormal romance Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Jove Year: 2007 5th sentence, 74th page: The cameras jumped from inside the show to outside, wheree a crowd pushed along the sidewalk hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the celebrities.
One of seven daughters in a line of extraordinary women, Hannah Drake has been the elusive object of affection for Jonas Harrington for as long as the rugged sheriff can remember. It only the stunning supermodel was driven by a passion other than her career. But Jonas isn’t the only one with desires for Hannah.
From the shadows has emerged a vengeful figure who stalks the beauty with one terrifying purpose: to strip her of all she is and destroy her. Only one man was destined as her protector. Now, out of a storm of danger, Jonas must guide the woman he loves from a sinister darkness that threatens not only Hannah, but the entire Drake family.
I’ve been waiting for Hannah and Jonas’ story since I first read Magic in the Wind. It was obvious from the get-go that they were meant to be together, and I absolutely loved both characters. So I simply devoured this book.
Unlike the rest of the Drake Sisters stories, Jonas and Hannah get together very quickly and have their first couple moment. Which makes sense, because the work up to their relationship has really gone on throughout the first four books. But, since this is a whole novel and there needs to be something that comes between them, it so quickly turns badly. Hannah’s attack is so unlike the rest of the trials that the sisters have to face. And I loved it because although it comes between the lead couple, it doesn’t come between their love – just the ways in which they have to deal with one another.
Although Hannah is a supermodel, she is always described as homely and loving by the rest of the sisters. The fact that this is how she wants to be – a homely, motherly figure is kind of fun. It’s a great reminder that although women get to be strong and independent, it’s also okay to want to stay at home and be a mother and wife. Jonas’ love of and acceptance of her just makes this all the more sweet. But, ultimately it’s the way that he is able to see the true her when even her sisters can’t that just made my heart melt. I’m loving every single couple in the Drake Sisters series, but these two hold a special place in my literary heart.
Dr. Libby Drake is sensible and practical. To her more adventurous sisters, she’s always been the “good girl”. Certainly not the kind to attract the attention of a genius like Ty Derrick – until a tragic accident leaves the handsome biochemist at her mercy.
Acting on her uncanny ability to heal, she stirs in the reawakened Ty his own long-suppressed desires for the woman who saved his life. But he’s not the only man with designs on Libby Drake. Her miraculous and selfless power has also captured the attention of a dangerously influential admirer. He’s pursuing the elementally gifted beauty for his own wicked purpose. And he’s willing to go to deadly lengths to make it happen.
Libby is so cute and sweet. A little bit annoyingly so, but that’s mostly because I can’t imagine anyone being that naïve and sweet. At all. Ever. So it was good fun and refreshing to read a tale about someone like that. But I also occasionally wanted to reach through the pages of the book and smack her for not seeing the world clearly. Probably because I am a naturally cynical and sarcastic child who doesn’t really trust anyone…
I was honestly lucky to get some sleep last night, because I started reading this just before bedtime. I got about two thirds of the way through before I decided I had to responsibly adult and go to sleep. So the first thing I did when I woke up? Finish the tale of Libby and Ty. I love that they are so different to the other couples in the Drake Sisters series so far. Ty still has the cave man, alpha male thing going on. Which in theory I hate, but when I read about it, it makes me go more than a little gooey. And then I remember that I have my own controlling caveman, and much like the Drake Sisters, I agree and then do whatever the hell I want anyway. Actually, the reason I found Libby the hardest to relate to so far is that she didn’t just shrug off what he said and do whatever, she actually listened to him and had compassion for his forceful suggestions. It’s not something I’m quite capable of myself…
As a scientist, I related to Ty incredibly. I get this insane tunnel vision and often forget to eat. I actually specifically don’t plug in my laptop and have a Fitbit that goes off every hour so that I remember things. I’m not quite so bad, I normally remember the big, important things, but the little ones like meetings and events… I do quite often forget those. The fact that Feehan obviously did a lot of research to get the experience of the science and the technicalities of Ty’s ill-fortuned rescue venture correct really read well. And they just added to the idea of his brilliance, and the completely different world that a reader will find themselves in when they are thrown into the incredibly weird world of single-minded scientists.
Title: Green-Eyed Envy
Title: Red Hot Fury
Title: Oracle
Title: Turbulent Sea
Title: Safe Harbor
Title: Dangerous Tides
Earth and Skye 