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: 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: 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: Fate’s Edge Author: Ilona Andrews Series: The Edge #3 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: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: His voice trembled slightly.
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…
Born into a family of con men, Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge for an unmagical existence in the Broken. Audrey is determined to stay on the straight and narrow, but when her brother gets into hot water, she takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack-of-all-trades.
Kaldar Mar is a gambler, a lawyer, a thief, and a spy with some unusual talents that guarantee him lucrative work. His latest assignment has him tracking down a stolen item, and Kaldar doesn’t expect much of a challenge – until Audrey turns up to give him a run for his money.
But when the missing object falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job and survive, he’s going to need Audrey’s help…
I always love it when there is a character that is cheeky, mischievous and a bit of a trickster. Kaldar’s presence in Bayou Moon filled this urge perfectly – he’s a bit of a trickster, but with a deadly edge to his every move. The fact that he spent the majority of Bayou Moon purposely going out of his way to irritate William just made me love him even more. So, an edge novel all about him – and his partner… I was ridiculously excited to jump into this series.
Audrey was an interesting change from Cerise and Rose – she isn’t a killer or able to physically defend herself. Instead, she is constantly finding ways to con herself in and out of situations. Which, surprisingly at the end of the story, is what helps to save the day. Although Kaldar’s humour shines through in his past appearances, it’s his deadlier side which is highlighted in Fate’s Edge, and it is this aspect of himself that I took a little while to understand. Not in his characterisation, but in how Audrey and he would be able to end up together. After all, he’s a spy and although a conman, it’s his swordsmanship and cutthroat familial ethics that shine the brightest. But, somehow, it all just works. Audrey is able to see through his bullshit, and, although she isn’t able to fight, she still has an amazing tough inner-core.
George, Jack and Gaston have a great role to play in this story – predominately George and Jack. I love the brothers, the fact that they are polar opposites (like myself and my sister), but also have this same inner core. The fact that they actually make an appearance as adults in Sweep in Peace just made my jaw drop and I am completely, totally and utterly in love with their storyline now. I actually want to find out more about their lives and hope that they show up in Steel’s Edge a little more. But, even if they don’t, the ways in which they’ve already grown throughout this series has been fun – beautiful and effortless.
At the tender age of twenty-seven, merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle – and her metal – tested like never before.
It starts when two Rogues vanish without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their House in peril, Merit and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.
I still really enjoy this series, but the Ethan and Merit saga is starting to get a little old. They’re in love, they get their shit together, then something happens and it all goes up in flames. Then, at the end of the story, it’s all happily ever after. Until the next time. I’m all for a little bit of romantic drama, but in this novel I was finding it a little tedious. Plus, I like it when I actually like the lead man – and this is just making Ethan into kind of a dick.
Having said all of that, the Cadogan house leaving the vampire mafia and striking out on their own is a really enjoyable experience. It not only highlights the corruptness of some large governing bodies (power over protection, etc), but the sense in Merit and her cohorts that justice and what is right needs to come before what is politically acceptable. The addition of a vampiric serial killer into the mix helps to liven up the double-dealings and trickery that the vampires are forced to seriously consider their priorities.
The political ramifications of a serial killer who is preying on vampires is spine-chilling. They are forced to examine every which way in which somebody can break into their sanctuaries and commit murder. That, and old enemies raise their heads to create an extra patina of fear that is going to carry through the next few books (I predict anyway).
Title: Rise of the Blood Author: Lucienne Diver Series: The Latter-Day Olympians #3 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Mythology, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Samhain Publishing Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: If they (or an agent for them, since I hadn’t yet been struck by lightning or another freak storm) were behind the note, what was the purpose?
Weddings can be war.
Great. Tori Karacis’s face is on the front of yet another tabloid “news”paper, linked to Hollywood hottie Apollo Demas. It was ONE dinner, and she was pissed with him at the time. But that’s the least of her worries. Just before leaving for her cousin’s destination wedding in Delphi, she learns that her arch nemeses, Zeus and Poseidon, have escaped police custody.
Despite looking forward to seeing Detective Nick Armani in a tux, her bad pre-flight jitters are confirmed when Apollo, with his sexy new co-star on his arm, boards the same plane. A plane that a freak storm nearly tears out of the sky.
What awaits them atop Mount Parnassus is even more deadly. A prophecy, a kidnapping, and a bloodletting that stirs up the mother of all trouble—literally. Rhea is awakened, and she’s none too happy with her offspring for losing their usurped dominion over the Earth.
The Olympians have fallen. It’s time for the Titans to rise again. Which means it’ll be a bad day for anyone standing in their way.
Product Warnings Bloodbath or blissful union…either way, the stakes are high in this destination Delphi wedding high atop the peaks of Mount Parnassus. Passions will flare, Titans will rise, monsters will awake, blood will boil and some will spill.
Every time I open one of the Latter-Day Olympians stories, I know that Tori has managed to find herself in trouble. Of some kind. Again.
Normally that trouble starts of pretty minor, but very quickly expands into a cacophony of danger that she is trying to escape. While working on her relationship with Nick. And ignoring her attraction to Apollo. And being a good bridesmaid to her cousin. Gaea’s attempt at revenge and rising not only tends to put a bit of a spanner into these plans, but it is also the catalyst for a very large change in Tori’s life. One that is going to be really interesting to follow in Battle for the Blood.
Rise of the Blood also helps to reveal a little more about Tori’s ancestral history. We know that she is a descendant of one of the Gorgons, but it turns out that she’s also a descendant of Pan. Which explains so much about her brother, although, it is obvious Tori inherited her many interesting traits from her other ancestor. I love the total chaos that Tori’s family creates. Not just in her life, but the insanity of their love and roles in life. Tori is still very much the outcast, but you can see where she gets her crisis handling from. After all, the only family that is more chaotic than Tori’s is the Olympians themselves. Something that is a huge driver in the final battle of the story.
Although this novel does sort of end with an epic battle, it also ends with Tori finally making a decision about who she is going to choose. Nick or Apollo. It’s the very last scene of the story, so whether it sticks or not will be seen in the next novel. But, it’s definitely a tale that I’m looking forward to reading.
Title: Veiled Magic Author: Deborah Blake Series: Veiled Magic #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Witches Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: InterMix Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: Farmingham quavered a little under her suspicious look, but then rallied.
Since Witches came out of the broom-closet in the early 21st century, they have worked alongside humans as police officers, healers, stock traders, and more. But they aren’t the only paranormal entities in our world…
Police officer and Witch Donata Santori spends her days interrogating dead witnesses by summoning their spectral forms. Normally the job is little more than taking statements and filing reports. But when she’s called in on the case of a murdered art restorer, she finds herself suddenly in possession of a mystical portrait that both the human and paranormal communities would kill to get their hands on.
Unable to take on the forces hunting her alone, Donata seeks help from two unlikely and attractive allies: a reluctant shape-changer and a half-dragon art forger. But as the three of them hurry to uncover the truth about the powerful painting, Donata realizes that she’s caught in the middle of not one but two wars—one for possession of the painting’s secrets and one for possession of her heart…
I love the magical realism that Blake brings to her work. She manages to take the world of today, Wicca and our daily social struggles and create a world that is entirely her own. It is the most enjoyable and wonderful way to become immersed in a story. Especially when Donata is such a relatable and thrilling character to take you on such a whirlwind adventure.
I’ve had this novel on my ereader for ages, but actually finding the time to sit there and read it has been a whole other story. No matter how many good ebooks I get my hands on, I still love the feeling of a good, hard cover in my hands. So, it did take me forever to actually read this. And now I kind of regret taking so long to read it. Because it was phenomenal, and now I can almost immediately start on the next book in the series, Veiled Menace. Although I won’t, because there are a whole slew of other books that are in my TBR pile and I tend to jump between series.
Other than Blake’s ability to create a beautifully realistic and layered world in which dragons, witches and changelings are part of everyday life, I love her character construction. There is something beautifully relatable about these characters. Donata is the black sheep of her family – the one who doesn’t quite fit in, never measures up to their expectations and has never been able to fit, so are the other two members of the little love triangle that she finds herself in. Yet, unlike many of the black sheep stories that I’ve read, Donata’s is willing to still love her and accept her. Alright, there’s strings attached and maybe they’re not as willing to accept her as the picturesque family would be – but there is still love there.
Unlike the Baba Yaga series, this has a very cops and criminals feel to it. Probably because Donata herself is a cop, but I love the overlay of the supernatural need for a cop as well. It is such a promising beginning of a new series, and I can’t wait to see which other supernatural crimes she is forced to face up to…
Earth and Skye 