The Wicked and the Dead by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Wicked and the Dead
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

It did take me a little while to get into this novel. More so because there is a lot of background information that needs to be shown before you can really get into all of the battles that Gen is facing. And, sometimes, that can be a bit to wade through. However, once you get all of the bits and pieces of the backstory sorted in your head – it’s a freaking amazing novel. I think about three chapters in, I got to the point (and quickly) that I just didn’t want to put this book down. A seriously amazing story, and I can’t wait to keep going further down the rabbit hole that is this series.

I love that Gen is a half witch, half vampire-ish creature. The mix itself lends to different challenges, but the fact that there are so many things that Gen herself doesn’t know? It’s a fun journey of self-discovery to embark on with her. Plus, she’s literally a half-dead being whose power comes from nature, life and the living (or at least the witch half). And she has blue hair, which for some reason I absolutely love (maybe a bit of a reflection on the days when I had blue hair and the type of care free times that reminds me of). I can’t wait to see how much her powers grow in the future books.

Sometimes I want to read a series that has no love interest, or introduces one quite late to the party. I enjoyed that Eli was obviously the love interest from the very first moment. Plus, he is a really great match, just content to work with Gen and wait for her. He’s a great partner – patient and loyal, and in love with who Gen is, not who she could be. Although, that isn’t to say that he isn’t just as powerful and intimidating as Gen – he’s fae. And he plays all of the fae games and makes the bargains that you would anticipate. Luckily they are often (in a roundabout way) to the benefit of Gen.

Finally, as part of the supporting cast, there are Gen’s friends. They are the actual best tribe I’ve read about in a while. They all know about her fucked up lineage – and just accept her. Gen is a little ignorant of just how truly wonderful and loyal her friends are, but it’s still a fun little journey. And the times that they indicate their discomfort with her chosen career… it’s because they care about her. And, well, basically aren’t keen on Gen dying… which I feel like is going to be a close call multiple times throughout this series.

<- More Melissa MarrBlood Martinis and Mistletoe ->

Warchild by Marjorie M. Liu & Sana Takeda

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Warchild
Author: Marjorie M. Liu & Sana Takeda
Series: Monstress #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Graphic novels, Steampunk
Pace: Fast
Format: Graphic novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

As always, this graphic novel is dark with many twisty threads. The further into this series that I get, the more I realise that there is a lot of thought that has gone into the backstory of this. It’s definitely one that I need to sit down and reread, just so I can see how all of these threads connect in hindsight. It’s brilliant though, and unlike books that are just prose, takes a whole different kind of thought process. Which, of course, I thoroughly enjoy.

I love that at this point in the series, both the past and present are woven together. It shows that there are misconceptions about Half-Wolf’s past and there are some pretty big treacheries in her future. These facts just add to the darkness of the story. Not just aesthetically speaking, but also emotionally. Liu and Takeda are brilliant at just giving you hints of the motives of all of the players on the board…

There are just so many story lines in this, and then, whilst I’ve been trying to concentrate on this fact, I would get sucked in by the graphics. The pictures throughout this are absolutely gorgeous. And, again, every time I look at it, I discover something new. I was reading this while waiting for blood tests, and it was so damn easy to get mesmerised by the beauty of the pages.

Honestly, I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series. And to discover just how much trouble Half-Wolf is about to find herself in…

<- The ChosenThe Vow ->

Image source: Goodreads

Bite Me by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Bite Me
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #9
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

Bite Me is a fantastic ending to an absolutely wonderful series. I love that it let’s you know battles will continue to be fought, but that the Big Bad was finally caught. At least for this arc that Laurenston has painstakingly crafted. It didn’t quite focus in the main couple as much as some of the other books in this series, rather it touched on most of the other couples as well. Which. I kind of liked. It gave a little bit of extra closure to the whole series.

The fact that Bite Me jumps around a little and touches upon the other couples works well. But it also meant that it took me a little while to truly invest in the stories. Plus, I kept waiting for Max (Livvy’s cousin) to show up, which she didn’t. And I was kind of disappointed about that. However, once I finally got into it, I couldn’t put it down! Maybe I’d just burnt myself out on reading Pride books back to back…

Livvy is a great departure from the rest of her family. I love that they’re consistently stealing things, fighting, breaking the law…and Livvy is just doing her own thing and living her life. Yet, when push comestibles shove not only is she able to call on her completely insane family, she is also able to wrangle them. I fact, she kind of acts like an alpha to the rest of her insane clan.

As a great counterpoint to Livvy’s volatile nature, I love that Vic is a kind of socially awkward, chilled counterpoint to this. He seems to spend most of the time, just pottering along and enjoying life. I mean, you’d probably need that kind of level of chill to handle the insanity of not just Livvy’s family, but also the Jean-Parker Louis clan. Particularly well loved (in my head) characters like Kyle.

This was a great read, and I’ll definitely enjoy diving into it again. Because honey badgers.

<- Wolf with BenefitsMore Shelly Laurenston ->

Image source: Shelly Laurenston

Wolf with Benefits by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Wolf with Benefits
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #8
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2013

Thoughts

I love that this Pride novel features the head of the Jean-Louis Parker siblings. I mean, I’ve read about them through many of the Honey Badger Chronicles books, and they all seem certifiable. And entertaining. Which means that I loved reading about Toni. Not only because she was completely amazing in and of herself. But she also spends the entirety of this story managing her insane family. Which leads to a whole lot more humour and shenanigans.

Ricky Lee is a great counterpoint to the pure insanity that is thrown at Toni every day. Of the three Reed boys, I’m glad that this story featured him. He’s happily entertained by whatever goes on around him. Incredibly calm and chilled. And just… goes with the flow. Plus, once he’s decided on Toni, he just… waits and enjoys her company.

I can’t imagine having just one prodigy in my family – but having the whole family be such a high-needs individual? It is unfathomable. At least, to my brain. Yet, Toni is able to handle multiple highly problematic personalities. And in a way that leaves everyone, if not happy, content. I’m good at managing chaos, but Toni takes it to a whole other level. And I love that when she finally decides to step into her own life, all of these skills are completely transferable. Plus, there’s the whole side story of the incredibly evil sister, and how Toni is able to handle her psychopathological behaviours. Again, absolutely priceless.

Not only are Toni and Ricky Lee great, as is the rest of the Jean-Parker Louis clan. But this book also introduces the first honey badger shifter! If you didn’t read the series out of order like I did. I love how Livvy is introduced into this world. And the reluctance to be involved and none to these shifters is further explained. Livvy is an absolute firecracker of a best friend. And I can’t wait to read her romance. After all, she might be a honey badger, but she still seems way more sane than the MacKilligan sisters…

There are so many great characters who make cameos throughout this book. Both from earlier in the Pride series and from the Honey Badger Chronicles. A brilliant story, and yet another that I look forward to rereading in the future!

<- Bear Meets GirlBite Me ->

Image source: Shelly Laurenston

Bear Meets Girl by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Bear Meets Girl
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #7
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2012

Thoughts

From the moment you meet Cella in the series, you can kind of tell that she’s certifiably insane. But, reading her story and getting to know her better? You realise that she is quite possibly even more nutty than you realised. Or at least that’s what I found. Of course I found that her total insanity and disregard for convention made me love her all that much more. And, getting to know more of the Malones… I also want to read more about this less than legal family.

I love that Cella is a single mum. Alright, when she starts talking to Lou, she makes it sound like her kid is much younger. And she definitely isn’t what you’d consider a conventional mother. But it was nice that she is still a loving one. And that her bond with her daughter is able to stand up to some incredibly irritating family dynamics. That Lou is so willingly welcomed by her daughter just worked all that much better.

Lou works as a fantastic contrast to Cella. He is calm and fairly chilled. Although a little judgemental. Mostly I just love how he spends the majority of his time just trying to figure out what the hell is going on with the insanity that surrounds Cella. Which, admittedly would be a very difficult thing to do. Then there’s the fact that he is partner to Dez who is her own special brand of crazy…

I love that, aside from the family drama, this is a story about a cop and an assassin who work together to find the Big Bad Man. They both have some drastically different approaches to it, but they work well together. And, even if the guy who is actually driving a lot of this isn’t caught, at least another cog in the machine is. And now onto the next battle…

<- Big Bad BeastWolf with Benefits ->

Image source: Amazon

Silent Bite by Tina Folsom

Book Review,
Overview

Title: Silent Bite
Author: Tina Folsom
In: 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle One (Shayla Black, Heather Graham, Liliana Hart & Tina Folsom)
Rating Out of 5: 0.5 (Couldn’t get past the first sentence)
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2015

Thoughts

I couldn’t get past two pages of this story. I just don’t seem to like Folsom’s writing and find it a bit clunky. So onto the next story.

<- Captured in Surrender1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Two ->

Image source: Booktopia

Praying for Rain by Jay Kristoff

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Praying for Rain
Author: Jay Kristoff
Series: The Lotus Wars #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Science fiction
Pace: Slow
Format: Free online short story
Year: 2013

Thoughts

This was a very intense and emotional short story. A little slow to get going, but once it picked up speed… it was hard to put it down. Kristoff does a great job of world building and bringing you into the intrigue that is to be The Lotus Wars series.

Kristoff’s world building is absolutely phenomenal in this short story. I was expecting good world building, but this was of a totally different calibre. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of this series. I mean, this is a steampunk, dystopia feeling world. Full of politics, conflict and magic.

I absolutely adored this short story, and now I can’t wait to read the first book in The Lotus Wars series. I mean, I kind of expected that from Kristoff, but it was nice to have the confirmation.

<- More Jay KristoffThe Last Stormdancer ->

Image source: Novel Heartbeat

Down in the Ground Where the Dead Men Go by Caitlin Kittredge

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Down in the Dark Where the Dead Men Go
Author: Caitlin Kittredge
Series: Black London #1.5
In: Huntress (Christine Warren, Marjorie M. Liu, Caitlin Kittredge & Jenna Maclaine)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Thoughts

Although this is a novella length tale, it’s kind of structured like a short story. I mean, there is one chapter and it’s definitely slightly shorter than the other novellas in the Huntress collection. It was, a lot of fun to read. A good, slightly dark and fun story.

I must admit, Jack is an absolute idiot. I mean, he knows that the woman coming onto him is no good. And yet, he still decides to mess around with her. Which just leads to his entrapment. I mean, honestly mate. It was more than a little ridiculous and see-through of her motivations. Serious fool.

There are two potential romantic interests in this story. And I’m really annoyed that the one who was actually kind and good ended up being consumed. I think it was consumed, I’m not even 100% on that to be honest. Then, the manipulative, horrible woman gets to ride off, happily into the sunset. Not quite the ending that I wanted.

I really enjoyed this, as I’ve enjoyed all of the stories by Kittredge. Fun and dark. Just how I sometimes like my tales of magic and mayhem.

<- The Robber BrideSin Slayer ->

Image source: Amazon

Shopping for a Billionaire’s Fiancée by Julia Kent

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Title: Shopping for a Billionaire’s Fiancée
Author: Julia Kent
Series: Shopping for a Billionaire #6
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

Following the tone of the rest of this series, OF COURSE Declan’s proposal was going to end seriously awry. I mean, you can’t really get much worse than ending up in the ER (which is what is explained on the first page). But the journey there, as with everything in the Shopping for a Billionaire series, is absolutely priceless. It had me grinning the whole way through.

I love that the first five books in this series are written from Shannon’s point of view, and then this book is written from Delcan’s. It’s a great departure and gives a whole new perspective into their relationship. It also means that Declan touches upon his past decisions and mistakes. Again, giving a wonderful, new perspective to their relationship.

As someone who has a somewhat close-knit family, and one that isn’t always great with boundaries, Delcan’s difficulties with dealing with this are quite intriguing. Particularly as it made me understand a little more just some of the difficulties my own SO has with my family. Family dynamics are always difficult, but Shannon’s definitely take the cake.

Even though this is a story just filled with calamities, Shannon and Declan do still get their perfect moment. Actually, I find their true moment so much better than what Declan had planned. It was such a wonderful read, and I can’t wait to see how Amanda and Andrew find their own way to a HEA.

<- Christmas Shopping for a BillionaireShopping for a CEO ->

Image source: Amazon

The Fadeaway by Rebecca Jenshak

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Fadeaway
Author: Rebecca Jenshak
Series: Smart Jocks #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

There is a whole lot to unpack within this very sweet college romance. A little bit like there was a lot to unpack in The Assist. It’s, at it’s core a jock / sports romance. And ultimately an easy read. But Jenshak manages to throw in some pretty hefty thoughts and conversations about society and the ways our judgements and preconceived notions influence us. It gave me an extra layer to this incredibly fun story.

Katrina’s battles with being a single mum, and a teenage mum are pretty intense. It’s hard enough being a mother, but becoming one young and then doing it all alone? Difficult doesn’t begin to describe it. Although she has an amazing support system in her friends, she is always constantly uncomfortable with the judgement of others, and admittedly, she also tends to harshly judge herself. The juggling act that she constantly must balance is also pretty intense, but Jenshak does a great job of highlighting the difficulties, whilst also showing that there are no regrets – because sometimes being a parent is really awesome.

Joel on the other hand is a bit of a man child. As his history starts to be revealed, you can understand that some of his actions aren’t actually that ridiculous. But it takes a little while to get to that. Mostly, he flirts that line of being too immature to actually like, and seriously likeable in his kind and giving moments. Once you find out his full back story though, you realise that all of his decisions are just because of his own burdens and past. And that he’s, ultimately, a really lovely guy.

I loved how The Fadeaway is both an incredibly easy read, but it was also one that left me thinking about it long after I turned that final page. The characters go through a lot of growth throughout this story, and it reminds us of all of the things that are going on below the surface. Plus, it’s just fun reading about two people who are totally meant to be together, finally, finding a way to make it work.

<- The AssistThe Tip-Off ->

Image source: Amazon