Tag Archives: Russian Mythology

Dangerously Driven by Deborah Blake

November 8, 2018Book ReviewBaba Yaga World, Broken Riders, Deborah Blake, Fae, Mythology, Paranormal Romance, Russian Mythologyskyebjenner

Title: Dangerously Driven
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Broken Riders #3.5, Baba Yaga World #6.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Mythology, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Deborah Blake
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: “Ah,” Jazz said, lifting one finger into the air.

The Riders… three legendary brothers who were born to aid the Baba Yagas, until tragedy changed everything. Separated by guilt and circumstance, they will finally have a chance to come back together. But what will happen when they do?

Neither Mikhail, Alexei, nor Gregori are enthusiastic about the invtiation to join the three Baba Yagas at Bella’s home in the Wyoming woods. But Bella and her apprentice Jazz have just spent a year in the Otherworld after Jazz’s disastrous attempt to cure the Riders’ loss of their immortality, so it isn’t really a summons any of them can refuse. As much as they might wish they could.

Each brother has his own reason to feel guilty, and they all mourn what they have lost despite having built themselves rewarding new lives. None of them is quite ready for a reunion. But they no longer have all the time in the world. So they get on their enchancted steeds (now a black Harley, a red Ducati, and a white Yamaha) and head out across the country, never expecting the adventures that lie ahead.

The brothers travel different roads to get to Wyoming, but they all end up on the same path. A surprise visit from an old friend might just show them that the journey is more important than the destination… especially when you travel it with those you love.

This was a cute way to tie in the three brother Riders after the Broken Riders series. It also lets us revisit the Baba Yagas and their apprentices. Something that I found incredibly enjoyable and refreshing. There’s also the lingering hint of a future tale in the last words and scene of this novella.

I loved the world of the Baba Yagas and every time Blake creates a new novella or story that fits into the world, I have a lot of fun revisiting something that I so thoroughly enjoyed previously. And Dangerously Driven was no different. It let us revisit all of our beloved characters and also find out how their lives ended up.

Dangerously Driven visits each of the three brothers and follows them as they journey to their reunion. In more ways than one. It left such a happy feeling in the pit of my stomach to find the three brothers united and with a goal in life yet again. Definitely a nice way to tie up the Broken Riders trilogy and one that I would certainly suggest to lovers of this series.

<- Dangerously Fierce Review

Wickedly Dangerous Review ->

Image source: Amazon

Wickedly Powerful by Deborah Blake

October 8, 2016Book ReviewBaba Yaga, Deborah Blake, Mythology, Paranormal Romance, Russia, Russian Mythology, Witchesskyebjenner

Title: Wickedly Dangerous
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Baba Yaga #3, Baba Yaga World #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: She patted the large leather-bound book that had pride of place in the middle of her worktable.

Known as the wicked witch of Russian fairy tales, Baba Yaga is not one woman, but rather a title carried by a chosen few. They keep the balance of nature and guard the borders of our world, but don’t make the mistake of crossing one of them…

The only thing more fiery than Bella Young’s red hair is her temper. She knows that a Baba Yaga’s power without strict control can leave the people she cares about burned, so to protect her heart – and everyone around her – the only company she keeps is her dragon-turned-Norwegian-Forest-cat, Koshka.

But when Bella is tasked with discovering who’s setting magical fires on Wyoming’s Black Mountain, she finds herself working closely with former Hotshots firefighter Sam Corbett – and falling hard for his quiet strength and charm.

Sam may bear the scars of his past, but Bella can see beyond them and would do anything to help him heal. Only before she can rescue her Prince Charming, she’ll have to overcome the mysterious foe setting the forest fires – a truly wicked witch who wields as much power and even more anger than Bella…

So far, this is my favourite Baba Yaga novel. It’s the combination of two severely damaged leads (both physically and emotionally), and fire that seems to claw at my heart and make me want to read this story again and again and again. Being terrified to get close to someone is something that I am all too familiar with, and working through this self-constructed barrier is something that Bella does amazingly well throughout the story.

The other reason that this tale so compels me is the constant presence of fire. Growing up in country Australia, fire is a constant thought and after the bushfires of the past two years, it is all the more present in my mind. So, a story about an ex-firefighter and survivor of fire was uniquely compelling. For me, it’s a primal concern, maybe even fear, and the idea of a man surviving a ravaging fire when no one else does is heart wrenching and leaves me thinking like nothing else does.

The last, but certainly not least, reason for my mild obsession with this book is Bella’s love interest – Sam. He is this gorgeous man who suffers from PTSD and is just as damaged as Bella is. Blake uses this character to beautifully investigate the effects that past tragedies can have on our everyday lives. She uses the idea of survivor’s guilt to create this beautifully multi-layered character that draws you in as much as the heroine.

<- Wickedly Ever After Review

Wickedly Spirited Review ->

Image source: Deborah Blake

Wickedly Wonderful by Deborah Blake

October 7, 2016Book ReviewBaba Yaga, Deborah Blake, Mythology, Paranormal Romance, Russia, Russian Mythology, Witchesskyebjenner

Title: Wickedly Wonderful
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Baba Yaga #2, Baba Yaga World #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: An Irish accent made the simple words pleasantly exotic.

Though she looks like a typical California surfer girl, Beka Yancy is in fact a powerful yet inexperienced witch who’s struggling with her duties as a Baba Yaga. Luckily she has her faithful dragon-turned-dog for moral support, especially when faced with her biggest job yet…

A mysterious toxin is driving the Selkies and Mer from their homes deep in the trenches of Monterey Bay. To investigate, Beka buys her way onto the boat of Marcus Dermott, a battle-scarred former U.S. Marine, and his ailing fisherman father.

While diving for clues, Beka drives Marcus crazy with her flaky new age ideas and dazzling blue eyes. She thinks he’s rigid and cranky (and way too attractive). Meanwhile, a charming Selkie prince has plans that include Beka. Only by trusting her powers can Beka save the underwater races, pick the right man, and choose the path she’ll follow for the rest of her life…

This is a fantastic sequel to Wickedly Dangerous. Beka is a starkly different heroine to Barbara and this contrast between two sister Babas was brilliantly done. Not only did Wickedly Wonderful take me on a whole new adventure, but it also let me fall in love with a new, and striking female lead. I love chief protagonists that are full of self-doubt, I think that it makes them all the more real and relatable. So to go from Barbara’s cocky self-assurance (and total lack of social skills) to Beka’s open and vulnerable persona was endearing and refreshing.

Where Wickedly Dangerous taps into our need to protect and nurture our children, Wickedly Wonderful emphasises the importance of the ocean in all of our daily lives. The beach-feel of the book and characters is so much more laid back than that of Barbara’s tale and the pages simply ooze relaxation and sweetness. Although, beneath her surfy exterior, Beka shows herself to have a backbone of steel when it really counts.

I’m reminded of the realities of cancer and radiation poisoning throughout this book, they’re such serious issues that touch upon so many lives. So reading about them in a not-so-tragic way brings home the pain and suffering that this can cause, without making you cry. Which I appreciate, sometimes it is good to have a nice sob over a book, but some days not so much.

<- Wickedly Dangerous Review

Wickedly Ever After Review ->

Image source: Pinterest

Wickedly Ever After by Deborah Blake

October 7, 2016Book ReviewBaba Yaga, Deborah Blake, Mythology, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Russia, Russian Mythology, Witchesskyebjenner

Title: Wickedly Ever After
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Baba Yaga #2.5, Baba Yaga World #2.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: Chudo-Yudo spat out his bone with a thunk.

Having triumphed over a powerful enemy and ended up with both a wonderful guy—Sheriff Liam McClellan—and an adorable adopted daughter to raise as a Baba Yaga, Barbara Yager is ready to welcome her happily ever after.

But first she must bring Liam to the Otherworld and get the Queen’s permission to marry him. The Queen, however, is not so easily persuaded. She gives them three impossible tasks to complete in two weeks’ time—and if they fail Barbara will have to watch Liam slowly age and die like all humans, and kiss her happily ever after good-bye forever.

As with the rest of the books in the Baba Yaga series, Wickedly Ever After reminds us all that we get a happy ending, even not-so-wicked witches. Although Barbara and Liam get engaged at the end of Wickedly Dangerous, their story isn’t quite finished, and it was such a pleasure to revisit their love in this short story. No matter what happens in these stories, I always turn the last page with a huge smile on my lips. Who wouldn’t? They are sweet, endearing tales of triumph and love in the face of numerous obstacles.

The Queen is a great representation of the fae – they are known to be fickle, demanding and at times, uncaring of others. Or at least, that’s how the court fae are represented in folklore. Blake’s use of her as a representative of this supernatural group is not only a great catalyst within the stories, but also a fantastic use of pre-existing mythological notions. I also love how she represents the id in our desires – none of us are truly able to pursue our own desires and whims, the Queen is able to though. This makes things not only difficult for others, but a figure that is both intimidating and enviable. Who doesn’t want to follow their own dreams and desires?

Wickedly Ever After is a great novella in the Baba Yaga universe, it ties in the lives of the three witches and their eventual marriages. I love the small side stories within the main plot line, they add an extra layer of texture and characterisation within the series that continues to make my heart soar and my mind believe in true love.

<- Wickedly Wonderful Review

Wickedly Powerful Review ->

Image source: Open Book Society

Wickedly Magical by Deborah Blake

October 5, 2016Book ReviewBaba Yaga, Deborah Blake, Mythology, Paranormal Romance, Russian Mythology, Witchesskyebjenner

Title: Wickedly Magical
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Baba Yaga #0.5, Baba Yaga World #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Too busy playing footsie with Jonathan.

Barbara Yager loves being one of the most powerful witches in the world, but sometimes she’d rather kick back in her enchanted Airstream with a beer in her hand than work out how to grant the requests of the worthy few who seek her out.

But when a man appears with the token of a family debt of honor, Barbara must drop everything to satisfy the promise owed by her predecessor—and she isn’t above being a little wicked to make sure the debt is paid in full…

Reading this story left me with an amazingly warm and happy feeling. The bad guy is bested, there is a beautiful happy ending and the ending leads perfectly into the first Baba Yaga book. All in all, it is a beautiful novella that left a smile on my face long after I finished the last page.

This story investigates the relationship between the three Baba Yaga sisters in more depth. They are constantly in contact throughout the tale and Blake beautifully highlights the differences between these characters through their conversations. The kinship between the three practically jumps off the page, and I can only hope that people have this relationship with their own siblings, the ease and camaraderie of familiarity and friendship.

Barbara’s protective tendencies are further highlighted in her rage at the villain within the story. Although she is driven to justice throughout the Baba Yaga novels, her pure rage at the children’s mistreatment in this story is heart-warming. I love her temperamental nature and the fact that her fits of rage are driven by a sense of injustice and neglect.