Tag Archives: Animagus

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Wild Magic

Title: Wild Magic
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Immortals Quartet #1, Tortall #12
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 1992
5th sentence, 74th page: “Please, Horsemistress -” It was Miri.

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Synopsis

Daine has been running from her past, from the murder of her family and the madness that followed. She has a special magic, but she must learn to control it, especially now that creatures of nightmare and legend – not seen in the mortal realm since they were banished centuries ago – are returning to the skies. Daine needs to be ready, or else see friends and home destroyed once more…

Thoughts

Tamora Pierce is one of the first authors I truly became obsessed with. Her books are the first I can remember just devouring and spending hours reading at a time. So, any book of hers is going to get a good review from me. And, The Immortals Quartet is probably one of my favourite Tortall stories. Probably because there is a heavy emphasis on the natural world and animals.

The Immortals Quartet is the first series that ever made me seriously consider my relationship to animals and the natural world. Sure, it was something that people talked about, but I was kind of a head in the clouds kind of kid (I’m still a head in the clouds kind of adult to be honest). Being able to communicate with animals and understand how humans can have an impact on their lives was a really big moment for me, and although I’m not vegetarian, I am very aware of where my food comes from and the conditions that the animals live in before they are slaughtered. Daine is literally the voice of the animals, and for me it was a potent reminder that we are the voices of our furry friends.

Aside from being able to talk to animals, Daine has another power that I am incredibly envious of – she’s an amazing archer. I’ve always wanted to be a crack shot, and the fact that this hero combines talking with animals with amazing weaponry skills and a pure, innocent outlook on life has always made me completely envious. Probably another reason why I love this series so much – archery has long been a passion of mine and I love Pierce’s description of the sport. It is one of the most realistic descriptions of archery that I have read (aside from John Flanagan’s Rangers Apprentice series).

Wild Magic also introduces the idea of Stormwings to the Tortall world. The idea of these terrifying creatures that feed on war and despair is kind of terrifying. The fact that they act as our predators makes them all the more interesting. I’ve long believed that humans are the only evil creatures (a philosophical debate for another day), and so the very personification of these evils in a literary creature really appealed to me. Although, as in real life, they don’t actually stop people from being horrific towards each other.

<- Lioness Rampant Review Wolf-Speaker Review ->
Image source: Booktopia

Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks

Book Review, , ,

Overview

tempting-danger

Title: Tempting Danger
Author: Eileen Wilks
Series: World of the Lupi #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: All of us.

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Synopsis

National bestselling author Eileen Wilks has thrilled countless readers with her fresh and compelling stories. Now she has created a bold new world where the magical and the mundane coexist in an uneasy balance – a balance that is threatened by a cold-blooded killer. And the only one who can end the threat is a cop on her own knife-edge struggling with a particularly tempting danger…

Lily Yu is a San Diego police detective investigating a series of grisly murders that appear to be the work of a werewolf. To hunt down the killer, she must infiltrate the clans. Only one man can help her – a werewolf named Rule Turner, a prince of the lupi, whose charismatic presence disturbs Lily. Rule has his own reasons for helping the investigation – reasons he doesn’t want to share with Lily. Logic and honor demand she keep her distance, but the attraction between them is immediate and devastating – and beyond human reason. Now in a race to fend off evil, Lily finds herself in uncharted territory, tested as never before, and, at her back, a man she’s not sure she can trust…

Thoughts

Tempting Danger is a great adult, paranormal romance read with a tale that stuck with me long after I turned the last page. Although the storyline can be a little predictable – you know that the two leads are going to end up together, the way in which this relationship blossoms was completely unpredictable – at least in my opinion.

Lily is a great heroine, and a breath of fresh air in paranormal romances – she isn’t pushy and strong in the way that many of my favourite heroines are. Instead, she is silently confident and very much withdrawn into her own reality and self. She is so pulled in upon herself that when I started reading the story, she seemed to be a privileged Chinese woman with a nice (albeit slightly gross) job. However, as the exciting events of the story unfold, her resolve is shown to be strong and her drive to pursue justice enviable. I loved slowly unpacking the layers of this character as the story progressed, and look forward to the further layering of Lily and Rule in the next World of the Lupi book.

Aside from the multi-layered and fascinating characters and the romantic storyline, Tempting Danger was a great ‘who-done-it’ story? Starting with a murder and steadily going down the windy path of divine intervention, fierce Grandmothers and conspiracies, it was difficult to put this book down – even if I have read it once before (a long time ago). If you like paranormal romances with a heavy dose of suspense, then this is a book that is definitely worth sticking your nose into.

<- Only HumanOriginally Human ->

Image source: Audiobooks

Only Human by Eileen Wilks

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

lover-beware

Title: Only Human
Author: Eileen Wilks
Series: World of the Lupi #0.5
In: Lover Beware (Christine Feehan)
Rating Out of 5:  3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: Take another step.

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Synopsis

Lily is a Chinese-American detective working with the city of San Diego on a murder that appears to be the work of a werewolf. But, if she wants to find out who the killer is, she’ll have to get inside the clans. She enlists the help of a were named Rule, though she detests his species. Will her prejudices hold up under the heat of passion?

Thoughts

This is not really a prequel to the World of the Lupi series, it’s almost like a first draft of Tempting Danger. I still enjoyed reading it, although, I made sure that I read Tempting Danger first as a few of the twists are given away in Only Human.

There were a few plot holes in this short story – it seemed like one victim wasn’t accounted for and there were a few jumps in time that didn’t quite make sense. But, like I said, this short story feels more like a first draft than a final version of the story.

If you like completely immersing yourself within a series, this is worth reading, if you’re not as obsessive as I tend to be, it’s safe to give this a miss.

<- The New KidTempting Danger ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Of Swine and Roses by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

of-swine-and-roses

Title: Of Swine and Roses
Author: Ilona Andrews
In: Small Magics (Ilona Andrews)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Easy reading, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook short story
Publisher: NYLA
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Almost there.

Synopsis

A young adult short story about a girl, a pig, some magic, and the worst date ever.

Chad Thurman is a thug, who carries brass knuckles in both pockets and lays magic traps for intruders into “his” neighborhood. The last thing Alena Kornov wants to do is to go on the date with him. But when her family pressures her, she can’t say no. Now the ice-cream is absent, the pig is running for its life, and we won’t even mention the dead guy…

Thoughts

I’ve not really been on many dates, so I don’t have terrifying first date stories like many of my friends, but, Of Swine and Roses is kind of exactly how I picture some of those more horrific first dates. Awkward, unpleasant and just one disaster after another. It kind of makes me grateful that I fell in love with my best friend! Having said that, this great and uplifting short story is in no way a deterrent from finding someone to spend your time with. In fact, the ending is so damn sweet that it reminds you that sometimes the most awkward clouds have a silver lining.

Alena’s sweet and endearing goodness burst from the very first page of this story. Normally I find naïve heroines a little tedious and frustrating, but Alena somehow just worked. She is sweet, kind and does get talked into doing things for her family. However, her morals still stand and her standards and ability to hold herself up to these morals helps to dispel some of the frustration at her borderline angelic disposition. Something for which I was very grateful, and made me enjoy the story even more.

 <- A Mere FormalityGrace of Small Magics ->

Image source: Goodreads

Blood Cross by Faith Hunter

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

blood-cross

Title: Blood Cross
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Dark fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: That was low.

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Synopsis

As a vampire hunter and skinwalker, Jane Yellowrock is public enemy number one in the vampire community – even though she’s also the key to their survival. Now she’s about to learn that working for the enemy can be just as dangerous as hunting them.

The Vampire Council of New Orleans has hired Jane to hunt and kill one of their own who has broken sacred ancient rules. But she quickly realizes that in a community that is thousands of years old, loyalties run deep.

With the help of her witch best friend and local vigilantes, Jane finds herself caught between bitter rivalries – and closer than ever to the secret origin of the entire vampire race. But in a city of old grudges and dark magic, Jane will have to fight to protect both sides, even if no one will protect her.

Thoughts

The second full novel in the Jane Yellowrock series was a great, fast paced read and a fantastic follow up to the first story. Set not long after the explosive ending of Skinwalker, Jane is thrust further into the intriguing world of vampires and their politics. Molly’s presence in the story brings a much wanted layer of softness to the story to balance out Jane’s strong and unyielding presence.

There is nothing like some saucy love interests and sexual tension to boost the octane of a plot, and Hunter has done this beautifully. With three potential interests in Skinwalker, Jane falls further into the laps of these men. These raunchy scenes are a great, pulse-quickening way to further the storyline and raise the stakes. It is also a fantastic way to highlight Jane’s independence – she is attracted and interested, but not willing to fully commit.

My favourite thing about this story is the love and care that Jane shows towards the children. They gain her protection and care above all else. Hunter shows Jane’s stunning ability to care for others, but she also reminds us of Jane’s own isolated upbringing. Her inability to believe in a positive future for herself plucks at the heart strings as she fights for the future of others.

<- First SightMercy Blade ->

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First Sight by Faith Hunter

Book Review, , , , , , , ,

Overview

Blood in Her Veins

Title: First Sight
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #1.5
In: Blood in Her Veins by Faith Hunter & Jane Yellowrock World Companion by Faith Hunter
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Dark fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: And I smelled the scent of burning flesh, remembering only then the cross in her hand.

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Synopsis

It is in Skinwalker that Jane Yellowrock first meets George Dumas (Bruiser) and Leo Pellissier. Now, in “First Sight”, that encounter is revisited – only this time from Bruiser’s point of view.

Thoughts

Many of the Jane Yellowrock short stories are written from the point of view of other characters in the series, which is very enjoyable. First Sight is the first story that divulges the first impressions of another character within the stories. Especially when this first impression is that of a man who is interested in her.

Molly reminds us of Jane’s vulnerability, and Beast and We Sa show the animalistic side of her skinwalker nature, but Bruiser’s retelling of their first meeting places her in the context of an attractive woman. Something I hadn’t considered previously.

Reading of Jane and Bruiser’s first meeting also helped to further explain the relationship between himself and Leo. The potence of the blood bond between vampire and servant is incredibly strong, and learning about it from the point of view of one who is bonded was incredibly insightful.

<- SkinwalkerBlood Cross ->

Image source: Goodreads

Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

skinwalker

Title: Skinwalker
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Dark fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Fine.

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Synopsis

Last year Jane nearly lost her life taking down a deadly family of vampires who preyed on the helpless local populace. Now, after months of recuperation, she’s back and ready to fight again. Except this time, she’s been hired by those she’s trained to kill – vampires.

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind – a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires – and hunts the undead for a living. But now she’s been hired by Katherine Fonteneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie’s Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vamps.

Amidst a bordelllo full of real “ladies of the night,” and a hot Cajun biker with a panther tattoo who stirs her carnal desire, Jane must stay focused and complete her mission… or else the next skin she’ll need to save may be her own.

Thoughts

I have never read anything like this novel. I’ve heard of skinwalkers before, and I have read a plethora of books about vampires, but nothing like this novel. And that is saying something! Books that have a supernatural spin and are based in some form of mythology usually focus on the European mythos, so it was really exciting to read about Native American mythos. It is an area that I find fascinating, and I love the uniqueness of such a tale.

The tone and language throughout this book is very adult, definitely not good if you want to read something less mature. Some of this is because of the sexual content, but it is more than that. The voice is that of a woman who is independent, strong, and mostly alone in the world. This translates beautifully in the point of view of the story. It also gives a slightly darker spin to a world, that, quite frankly, can be treated a little too light-heartedly in some novels. There was also a stark contrast in the way that sections were written – when Beast is in charge, the sentences are shorter, the explanation of the surrounds much more visceral.

Jane is a truly dual-natured heroine. She incorporates Beast and her human embodiment, basal-predator and human-hunter. There is an uneasy truce between the two sides, and for me, this is a great reminder of the constant war between our desires (what we want) and our responsibilities (what we need).

<- Make It SnappyFirst Sight ->

Image source: Amazon

Signatures of the Dead by Faith Hunter

Book Review, , , , , , , , ,

Overview

Blood in Her Veins

Title: Signatures of the Dead
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #0.7
In: Blood in Her Veins by Faith Hunter, Have Stakes, Will Travel by Faith Hunter & Strange Brew edited by P.N. Elrod
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Dark fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc, Roc & St Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: It could only be used in clear life-and-death situations.

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Synopsis

Jane Yellowrock, her best friend Molly Trueblood, an earth witch, police detective Paul “Brax” Braxton, and Molly’s husband Evan go after a blood-family of rogue-vampires who killed a local family.

Thoughts

Molly is a fantastic contrast to Jane, and telling the tale of Jane’s most successful vampire hunt through her eyes was refreshing and a very unique way to tell a new tale. Likewise, such a horrifyingly difficult hunt and journey was softened through Molly’s voice. Her ability to sense the dead and feel what they felt made the tale more tender and the deaths of the victims more tragic.

I read this short story after reading Skinwalker, so finding out more about the battle that put Jane on the map (so to speak), was fascinating and enjoyable. It also drove home the prowess and power of Jane in battle; she isn’t soft and is completely fearless and ruthless in battle.

<- HaintsMake it Snappy ->

Image source: Goodreads

Haints by Faith Hunter

Book Review, , , , , , , ,

Overview

Have Stakes Will Travel

Title: Haints
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #0.6
In: Blood in Her Veins by Faith Hunter & Have Stakes, Will Travel by Faith Hunter
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Dark fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: She’s making those little puffs of breath that she does when we just can’t wake her.

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Synopsis

Molly Everhart Trueblood and Jane Yellowrock try to discover if a local house is indeed haunted. But the problem that they discover is far worse than a ghostly haunting, and far more difficult to solve.

Thoughts

Changing the point of view of a story is always a nice change and a breath of fresh air, and Haints was no different. The Jane Yellowrock series allows us to delve into Jane’s experiences and her feelings about the Everheart family, but Haints tells of Molly’s motherly and caring attachment to Jane.

Throughout the stories Molly is often seen to be the one requiring protection, but Haints highlights her own brand of steely protectiveness. She is soft and motherly where Jane is hard and unyielding. The combination of these two personalities is a beautiful way in which friendships can thrive on diversity and the acceptance of this.

<- Kits Signatures of the Dead ->

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Kits by Faith Hunter

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

Blood in Her Veins

Title: Kits
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #0.5
In: Blood in Her Veins by Faith Hunter
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Dark fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Storm fell apart.

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Synopsis

When Molly Everhart Trueblood doesn’t show up for her shift at Seven Sassy Sisters Herb Shop and Café, Jane Yellowrock goes to the house to check on her. There Jane discovers a black cloud of wild, out of control magic attacking the small home. How can Jane save the small family?

Thoughts

Kits further highlights two aspects of Jane’s life; her love for children, especially the Everhart girls, and the simple and honest friendship between Jane and Molly. The previous short stories have focused on Jane’s early life and her isolation from everyone else. Finding Molly and her small family is a beautiful moment in which Jane is able to have family and loved ones – people that she wants to protect.

This pivotal moment in Jane’s life is beautifully retold and plucks at the heart strings – a vulnerable and maternal side to the vampire hunter is highlighted. The potency of Angela’s powers are also a great foreshadowing for potential future storylines and the difficulties that Molly and Evan are forced to face.

<- Cat Tats Haints ->

Image source: Goodreads