I know that I missed last week’s post, I was too busy running around doing the family things for Christmas time. And now, ironically, on Christmas Eve I have actually finished with Christmas. Not only have I seen all the family members and exchanged all of the gifts. It’s a weird feeling since normally, in our family, Christmas is a four day celebration starting at this time. But, my family has gone away and I am by myself.
Something about being by yourself for Christmas seems a little depressing (it’s family time after all). But I’m actually enjoying the relative peace. I don’t have to see extended family and converse with masses of people. I get to stay in the comfort of my own home and spend the time as I see fit. My partner will be around, but when I don’t feel like talking to people, I don’t have to make nice.
Plus, I get to spend it with my beautiful puppies (who are currently tearing around the house like maniacs). I also have my parents’ two dogs who are… difficult. The lab is mostly okay, except everytime I move so does she. It’s the spaniel that is problematic. He has already done damage to our brand new windows, and likes to ignore 90% of what I say to him. Needless to say, as much as I am enjoying the break from the rest of humanity, there is a level of frustration in being left with four crazy dogs….
Savannah and Adam are trying to negotiate the new boundaries of their relationship while hunting down a unique half-demon.
Seven months after the occurrences of 13, and Savannah and Adam are forced to negotiate and really look at what their new relationship means. The backdrop of a unique type of half-demon and their battle against the Cabals is a great way to raise the stakes in their activities. It also helps to highlight Savannah’s immensely complex relationship with the Cabals – primarily the tug of war between herself, the Cortez and Nast Cabals and how everything that happened in 13 just helped these already tenuous relationships completely implode.
I love the idea of Adam and Savannah, the age gap is kind of big, but Savannah’s maturity (Adam’s immaturity) and the way that they’ve grown together is kind of amazing. I literally cheered out loud when they finally got together towards the end of Spellbound and more officially in 13. Their own issues and independence mean that they both have a tendency to freak out about their relationship, and most of the personal storyline in this tale is about them finding a way to be themselves, and in a couple as well. The communication aspect might need a lot of work, but there is nothing like hunting down an unknown talent and facing up to other Cabals to put it through a pressure cooker.
Elena and Clay join the rest of the Pack in Russia, not long after the events of 13. And boy, are they in for a surprise.
The events of 13 drove the challenges and actions of all the members of the Women of the Otherworld forwards. Jeremy decides that now is the time for Elena’s ascension to Alpha, and looks forward to his retirement. The Pack is weathering the remainder of the storm in Russia and Elena and Clay struggle to deal with the revelation that Malcolm is still alive.
13 indicated the end of an era, not only for the Pack, but for Savannah, Paige and the rest of the group – the end of one adventure and the beginning of a new one. Elena becoming Pack Alpha is just another step in this journey. Kate and Logan’s responses to this are fantastic, as is the way in which Jeremy approaches the need of a ‘challenge’. Elena is forced to beat him at a mind game, rather than fighting in a physical battle. This is incredibly in tune with Jeremy’s approach to Pack leadership, and I am looking forward to investigating how Elena goes in her new leadership role.
A sinister cult known as the Supernatural Liberation Movement is hell-bent on exposing the truth about supernaturals to the rest of the world. Their violent, ruthless plan has put everyone at risk: from werewolves to vampires, from witches to half-demons.
Savannah Levine – fiery and unpredictable – stands at the heart of the maelstorm. There is a new, dark magic inside her, granting her the power to summon spells of terrifying strength. But whether this magic is a gift or a curse, no one knows.
On the eve of battle, all the major players must come together in a last, desperate fight for survival – Elena and Clay; Adam and Savannah; Paige and Lucas; Jeremy and Jaime; Hope, Eve and more… They are fighting for their lives. They are fighting for their loved ones.
They are fighting for the Otherworld.
This was an absolutely AMAZING finale to this series! Although there are a number of short stories and novellas that follow and tell you how the many characters have continued life after the war, this was the final of the actual novels. And it was an epic final battle. I loved that although the majority of this story was told from Savannah’s point of view (like the preceding two books), the main players from the other books also had their own chapters. It’s almost the last section of a three part book – making it impossible to put Waking the Witch, Spellbound OR 13 down.
The Women of the Otherworld storyline felt a little staggered and haphazard (but still awesome) at the beginning of the series. But after a while, there seemed to be a larger storyline at work throughout the different tales. 13 provided a fantastic wrap up of this. Although, as it says at the end, more adventures are awaiting them. But the major points of the story are tied up, and there is an overarching feeling of a happy ending and a bright new future ahead for everyone.
There is something poetic about the fact that a paranormal series has thirteen books, and the final book is called 13. The cover art, the name and the number in the series all work beautifully to add onto the feel and theme that has been created throughout the series. I was actually kind of sad to turn the last page of this story. Only to remember that there are some short stories left to read…
Savannah Levine is in danger. That’s not usually a problem. But, caught in the grip of a disturbing and violent murder case, Savannah swore to give up her unique gifts if it would save an innocent young girl. Little did she know that someone – or something – was listening… Now she has no idea how to restore her powers, just when she needs them the most.
In this compelling, fast-paced thriller, Savannah has to face a host of deadly enemies bent on destroying not only her but the very fabric of the supernatural world. As dark forces gather, Savannah isn’t just fighting for her life, but for everything and everyone she loves.
The ending of Waking the Witch was a bit of a cliff hanger. What would happen of Savannah’s blunder and how was it going to be fixed? Her final promise to give up her powers to save a young girl leave her incredibly vulnerable. And not just with a lack of powers, but it also causes her to ask who she is and what it all means? The added complications of Savannah’s guilt and her confusion about Adam help to make this a journey that I couldn’t put down.
Losing her powers, surprisingly helped Savannah to become stronger – not just in herself, but she finds ways to compensate for the lack of firepower. It’s a great reminder of all of the shortcuts that Savannah has taken throughout the series, and she is forced to really rely on herself. And, as has been slowly forming since the occurrences in Broken, the supernatural war is beginning. Which means that Savannah’s position at the centre of maelstrom makes her abilities and power integral to the survival of all of our Women of the Otherworld favourites.
Although Adam and Savannah haven’t gotten romantically entangled yet, there is a really strong undertone to their relationship that keeps hinting at the future that I want them to have. Actually, it starts to become resolved at the end of this book, but mostly the undertone drives the storyline and tale of the story. His protectiveness of Savannah while she is vulnerable and being hunted shows how much he cares about her, and their ability to work as partners is kind of poetic. Yet, when Savannah pushes him too far, he shuts her down completely.
Title: Waking the Witch Author: Kelley Armstrong Series: Women of the Otherworld #11 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Orbit Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: Summer was almost here, and I needed a new wardrobe, which meant a trip to New York with my favorite shopping buddy.
When three young women are found dead – apparent victims of ritual murder – the small, fading town of Columbus is shaken to its core. But things are about to turn even more strange and sinister…
Private investigator Savannah Levine can handle ‘strange and sinister’. As the daughter of a black witch, she has a lot of power running through her veins, and she’s not afraid to use it. But her arrival in town has not gone unnoticed. Savannah may think she’s tracking down a murderer, but could she be the killer’s next target?
Every time I read one of the books in the Women of the Otherworld series, I decide that they are my absolute favourite heroines of the series. And then I open the next book and my mind changes all over again. Every single lead in this series has her own amazing prowess and something that makes me feel connected to them. But, they’re all different enough that the storyline never gets boring. The first book featuring a grown Savannah Levine was no different. Her teenage rebellion and attitude have mellowed since her introduction in Stolen, but she still has this sense of sass that none of the other characters possess. And, her infatuation with Adam has blown from a school girl crush to an understanding of love and giving.
From the moment that she was introduced in the series, Savannah possesses a don’t care, self-centred persona. Yet, as she tries to track down a serial killer and befriends some of the locals, it becomes obvious that this is just that – a persona. She has a thick skin and protects herself with her mother’s reputation and her ability to be pithy and rude. But she cares so deeply about the people that surround her. Kayla, the young daughter of one of the victims, helps to add an extra layer of risk and emotion to her actions. Throw in some shady cult leaders, a not-so-nice crime family and the fact that Leah is back haunting earth somewhere… yeah, this story not only shows that Savannah has a soft side, but it also drags it out of her kicking and screaming. Which, of course, leads to a pretty intense and emotional conclusion that had me reaching for Spell Bound as soon as I could.
Throughout our daily lives, my partner and I are constantly forced into gender roles and made fun of when one or the other don’t fit these. The age difference between Adam and Savannah just encourages this assumption throughout the story. The idea that Savannah is unable to lead her own investigation is compounded by the fact that Adam shows up to give her moral support. Yet, he is more than willing to let her have her head. He actually lets her be herself, dominant, pissy, strong… something that is needed in a lot of relationships (or so I believe).
Title: The Morning Gift Author: Eva Ibbotson Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, History, Romance Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Picador Year: 1993 5th sentence, 74th page: Once he had a lusty son or two, he’d forget all this nonsense about the Trust.
Ruth lives happily in the magnificent city of Vienna. Then the Nazis invade and her world is turned upside down.
Her parents flee to London, but Ruth is accidentally left behind. A family friend offers her an escape route: a marriage of convenience to be dissolved as soon as they reach England. But Ruth’s feelings for Quin soon take her by surprise, and her efforts to set him free do not quite go as she plans…
This is such a beautiful love story, set against an amazing backdrop of one of the most horrible moments in recent history – the beginning of WWII and the rein of Hitler. The juxtaposition between the romance and the horror works really nicely, and although it does give a face to what some Jewish people experienced in this time, it is mostly about the glory of falling in love. Not just that first, cute, puppy love, but that moment you realise you need to be with someone for every moment of the rest of your life – that you’ve found not only a friend and a lover, but a partner to your life.
I honestly think that this is my favourite Eva Ibbotson novel – it’s a little more mature than her other stories. After all, it deals with pregnancy and death and the horrors of WWII. But, it’s also my favourite story because I find Ruth the easiest to relate to – she’s a science student with a love of life. Yet, she’s still trying to find out who she is and what she’s going to become (a point that I’m currently at in my life). She’s also completely overwhelmed by her first experiences of the adult world (again, I’m still going through this). Yet, although she is a scientist, she is also a music lover.
The two aspects of Ruth that are constantly warring throughout this novel are also echoed in the two love interests. Heini is music personified (mostly because he is irreparably talented). On the other hand Quinton is science, he is rough, slightly uncultured and insanely intelligent. Personally, I like the intelligent guy – Heini is a little too self-centred in his pursuit of music and not exactly partner material. Although I love the outer contrast of the inner conflict that Ruth undergoes throughout this story. It’s also a mark of her ability to grow from a young, sheltered girl into a strong, educated woman… maybe one day I’ll undergo that transformation.
Title: One Fell Sweep Author: Ilona Andrews Series: The Innkeeper Chronicles #3 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Ilona Andrews Year: 2016 5th sentence, 74th page: “You know what, Jim, we are some distance away,” a male voice said through the mild static.
Dina DeMille may run the nicest Bed and Breakfast in Red Deer, Texas, but she caters to a very particular kind of guest… the kind that no one on Earth is supposed to know about. Guests like a former intergalactic tyrant with an impressive bounty on her head, the Lord Marshal of a powerful vampire clan, and a displaced-and-superhot werewolf; so don’t stand too close, or you may be collateral damage.
But what passes for Dina’s normal life is about to be thrown into chaos. First, she must rescue her long-distant older sister, Maud, who’s been exiled with her family to a planet that functions as the most lawless penal colony since Botany Bay. Then she agrees to help a guest whose last chance at saving his civilization could bring death and disaster to all Dina holds dear. Now Gertrude Hunt is under siege by a clan of assassins. To keep her guests safe and to find her missing parents, Dina will risk everything, even if she has to pay the ultimate price. Though Sean may have something to say about that!
This series just keeps on getting better and better. The expansion of Dina’s world and the ways in which she is constantly challenged help to open up a greater world that I can’t help but sink my teeth into. Again, this only took me a day to read and, although the writing style helps to give fluent breaks and pauses throughout the story, I still found it impossible to put down.
Following Sweep in Peace, Dina finds Sean returned to her in slightly damaged condition, but it is obvious that there is some true romance going on. Yet, instead of focusing on the joys of a blossoming new relationship, she is forced to travel to the Australia of the cosmos (yes, I went there), and find her sister. What she finds is nothing like she expects – a hardcore, assassin woman who has literally survived hell on earth. The fact that Dina’s cute (and a little unhinged) five-year-old niece is thrown into the mix makes it one hell of a family outing. That, and Arland’s able to make a new appearance with some very interesting consequences…
Although Dina starts this story with a bit of inter-planetary travel, it’s mostly about her ability to keep the victims of a holocaust alive. The Hiru come seeking help and asylum in her inn, and this leads to a race of Nazi-like aliens knocking on her door. Dina and the inn are able to survive almost anything, but with the challenges that she is forced to face, it is certainly a close call this time.
Title: Markheim Author: Robert Louis Stevenson In: Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde and Other Strange Tales (Robert Louis Stevenson) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Classics, Easy reading Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Kingsford Edition Year: 1885 5th sentence, 74th page: What to expect he knew not, whether the dead man walking, or the official ministers of human justice, or some chance witness blindly stumbling in to consign him to the gallows.
At Christmastime, Markheim, the protagonist, comes to a dealer’s shop, pretending that he is looking for a present for a lady. His real plan, however, is to murder the dealer so he can steal his merchandise and money. Markheim rejects the dealer’s suggestion of a hand mirror for the lady, referring to it as a “hand conscience.” Presumably, from his reaction to the mirror, Markheim feels twinges from his conscience even before he commits the murder. While the dealer is still in the midst of assisting him in finding a present, Markheim stabs and kills him.
This might have been my favourite book in this collection of Robert Louis Stevenson short stories / novellas. Maybe because I felt like I understood the message and symbolism so much more than the other four tales. Maybe just because I liked the message and symbolism so much more. Either way, it was a short, interesting tale that serves as a reminder that we should do what is right, even when the consequences for doing so may result in our own death.
The beginning of this tale was nothing like what I expected and reinforced the idea that in the 1800s, people wrote in a highly convoluted manner. Something that I thoroughly enjoy… when I’m in the right mood for it. But, the language used in this was still clearer than some other stories from the 1800s. Markheim’s journey to return to himself is filled with moments of self-doubt, confusion and fear. Mostly for himself, but there is also a level of consciousness that ultimately helps to save the day.
Title: Steel’s Edge Author: Ilona Andrews Series: The Edge #4 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Strong women Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Ace Fantasy Year: 2012 5th sentence, 74th page: Whatever it was, she could use a distraction, and he was the man for the job.
The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Wal-Mart and magic is a fairy tale – and the Weird, where bludblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny…
Charlotte de Nay is as noble as they come, a blueblood straight out of the Weird. But even though she possesses rare magical healing abilities, her life has been filled with nothing but pain. After her marriage crumbles, she flees to the Edge to build a new home for herself. But when Richard Mar is brought to her for treatment, Charlotte’s life is turned upside down once again.
Richard is a swordsman without peer, the future head of his large and rambunctious Edger clan – and he’s on a clandestine quest to wipe out slavers trafficking humans in the Weird. So when his presence leads his very dangerous enemies to Charlotte, she vows to help Richard destroy them. The slavers’ operation, however, goes deeper tahn Richard knows, and even working together, he and Charlotte may not survive…
This was a great finale (so far, I hope) to The Edge series. I’m still hoping that more books will be written based in this amazing world, but if it doesn’t, then this is a pretty damn good story to end with. Following Richard Mar as he tries to right the wrongs of Sophie’s past and heal his own wounds. This novel gave everyone a happy ending and a hope for a better future, something that all good series should end with – a sense of hope.
Although Steel’s Edge keeps in the strain of the rest of the series, it’s a beautiful urban fantasy, paranormal romance that follows two dysfunctional characters as they slowly fall in love. Yet, Charlotte’s position as one of the bluebloods, the upper echelon of Andrews’ worlds gave it a nice new spin. Both Richard and Charlotte have had past marriages and past tragedies, in a way that I don’t understand, they are damaged. Yet, the united cause of stopping slave traders helps to bring them closer together and finds a way in which they can both overcome their horrible pasts.
Of all The Edge books, this had the best finale and ending to the story. Richard and Charlotte’s admittance of their feelings and the ways in which they show their love is completely different to the other three couples in this series. Yet, I found their relationship that sweetest and the ending with the family that they create the most endearing.
Steel’s Edge helps to tell more of Sophie’s story. Her, George and their compatriots have more of their adult life told in Sweep in Peace, but how Sophie becomes a master swordswoman isn’t really told. Sophie’s relationship with Charlotte is really sweet, but her attitude towards her surrounds is a little overwhelming and intimidating.
Title: The Morning Gift
Title: Markheim
Earth and Skye 