Tag Archives: Urban Fantasy

Daiquiris and Daggers by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Daiquiris and Daggers
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #2.5
In: Hex on the Beach (Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This novella was a fantastic introduction to a new Melissa Marr series, for me at least. I mean, it does take place a little bit into the series, but still. It was the first one I read from Faery Bargains, and I freaking loved it. Now I can’t wait to see more of just how Gen found the amazing group of people she surrounds herself with. And how she manages her powers. And just, generally is so damn badass.

Although the “girl’s weekend” in this story didn’t quite go according to plan, it definitely seemed like a whole lot of fun. Definitely the kind of girl’s weekend that my mind wants to go on. I’m not so sure about the body because I’d honestly probably end up dead. But still, it was definitely an amazing, fun and silly kind of weekend. One that seems to have further cemented some of the relationships in this series.

I love how this novella is a complete story in and of itself. You can be like me and not have read any of the other books in this series (yet). But, you can also tell that it builds upon plot lines in the rest of the series. Then, there’s the brilliant fact that even though all of your questions are answered, and it’s tied up quite neatly. But, there are still so many open-ended moments that make you want to dive into the other stories in this series…

This novella was freaking fantastic and I’m absolutely in love with Gen and her girlfriends. Particularly Allie, I know from this that at some point she’s tried to actually kill Gen. But, there is something about her that is full on and intense. And just so damn fun that you can’t help but love her.

<- The Kiss & the KillerChampagne & Commitments ->

Image source: Booktopia

Blood Martinis and Mistletoe by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Blood Martinis & Mistletoe
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace:Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This is a fantastic novella that bridges some of the important story points between The Wicked and The Dead and The Kiss and The Killer. It kind of stands as a story all on its own, but mostly gives a bit of closure to a few questions that are presented at the end of The Wicked and The Dead. Which perfectly opens up the next book in this series, which I can’t wait to sink my literary teeth into.

I love that this is a novella in which Gen is mostly just trying to figure out how to negotiate all of the changes in her life. She has a fiancé, friends who always knew her secret, and some serious increases in her powers. Just one of those things would require a whole lot of adjustment…all three? Yeah, a whole lot of figuring things out. I like that although Gen is obviously still trying to figure some things out, she’s starting to come to terms with her life.

Eli is, honestly, total finance goals. He loves Gen for who she is, and just tries to be supportive. And also stop her from killing herself or getting killed. Throughout all of this, he is constantly working on trying to make Gen understand that he just wants her, not the idea of what she could be. And that he does truly support her in her chosen career.

Beatrice also plays a big part in this story. Her presence in the story leaves a lot of unanswered questions, but it also starts to supply some answers to just how powerful, Gen is going to become. I also just genuinely like Beatrice, she is protective and kind of terrifying. But definitely loves and cares for her own.

<- The Wicked and the DeadThe Kiss and the Killer ->

Image source: Amazon

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 ->

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 ->

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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 ->

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Crimson Twilight by Heather Graham

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Crimson Twilight
Author: Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #11.5
In: 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle One (Shayla Black, Heather Graham, Liliana Hart & Tina Folsom)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2015

Thoughts

This was a brilliant novella, I’ve read one other short story (Santa’s Mortuary) in this series, so I was looking forward to finding more out about this world. And I most definitely wasn’t disappointed. I’m seriously intrigued by this series and author, and have finally splurged to actually buy Phantom Evil, the first full-length novel in the Krewe of Hunters series.

This is a fun little paranormal whodunnit. I mean, ghosts are implicated, and romance also abounds (mostly a lot of passion and love in the case of this story), but they are not immediately assumed. I like that there are totally human and plausible reasons for the murders that are running rampant. Which, in the end meant that there were two mysteries – the one of the ghosts, and the one of the murders. Both made it really hard to put down this book and not keep diving into the pages.

It was really fun having a wedding and happily ever after implications as the backdrop to a murder mystery. I like that it’s not quite as cutesy and adorable as many of the stories that I read, but still kind of sweet. Particularly the idea that it doesn’t necessarily matter where you get married, just the commitment to one another and the future. Plus, there are so many moments that I just want to know who the psycho is running around killing people! And why there are ghosts. And there’s just so much death…

<- Forever WickedCaptured in Surrender ->

Image source: Booktopia

Phantom Evil by Heather Graham

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Phantom Evil
Author: Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2011

Thoughts

The whole time I was reading this, I felt a little bit like I was reading an adult version of Scooby Doo. Although that could be because I recently watched the movie… But, it was still a really fun kind of Whodunnit book. Even though there is an actual paranormal aspect to this story in the form of ghosts, it’s still a crime story that is based on pure human horrible-ness. I love that although ghosts are kind of implicated in the death, it is still a human driver and motivation that is ultimately the culprit (hence the Scooby Doo feeling).

Although this is a full-length, adult novel, it’s honestly a very easy read. I mean, it’s a quick and fun journey, but also has plenty of creep factor to keep you engaged. Kind of like with a cozy mystery, it gives you the chill factor and makes you really need to solve the mystery. But not to the degree that I couldn’t read it late at night. The perfect balance, plus, the romance aspect is, again, there, and has moments of intensity, but also not overly intense.

I love that Angela and Jackson are able to slowly build their relationship. But, it was kind of secondary to the crime story line. It was a nice slow burn, with a bit of instant attraction thrown in. I also liked that Angela and Jackson are kind of the default “parents” of their new “crew”. Taking on the responsibility of others and kind of guiding them. They also both have some paranormal abilities, but, again, these are kind of secondary to the fact that there is a murderer running free…

It’s always fun to have a beginning of the series starting with the forming of a new team. It means that as you get to know the characters, the rest of the team is actually getting to know them. Now I can’t wait to read more of this series and find out more about these fun characters… and the awesome characters they fall in love with.

<- More Heather GrahamHeart of Evil ->

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A Grave Girls’ Getaway by Jeaniene Frost

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: A Grave Girls’ Getaway
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress #7.6, Night Huntress Universe #16.5
In: Hex on the Beach (Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Sadly, I haven’t gotten as far into the Night Huntress series as I want. Mostly because I’m kind of a series slut and tend to jump around a lot. But, it’s definitely one that I continuously enjoy picking up. And every time I read anything set in this world, I’m reminded why I find this series so exciting and interesting. Alright, this novella takes place a bit further down in the series order, but it was still exciting and seriously enjoyable. There were a few spoilers for things that are going to come up. But, with the way I jump around, I’ll probably have forgotten about some of them by then anyway.

I love that this is a story about Cat just trying to have a nice, relaxing girls’ weekend. And that it completely goes off rails and doesn’t go to plan. I mean, it wouldn’t be a story featuring Cat if anything actually went according to plan. Particularly a weekend that is all about relaxing… instead, Cat and her girlfriend get witch cults, horrors and some kind of ocean goddess. Although, surprisingly there are some survivors at the end… left on purpose and I liked the rationale for not just killing everyone.

Drunk Cat is one of the more humorous things I’ve read in a book in a little while. I mean, she is literally trying to fight the floor. And determined to still go out and kill a bunch of people. Typical Cat stubbornness, and seriously funny in that she actually succeeds in her goals. As bloody and violent as they are.

Through all of the drama and violence, Cat is trying so dang hard to figure out how to be a good mum. As a new mum myself, I understand some of this guilt and challenge. The fact that her child is actually a teenager and was trained to kill… a little bit harder than what I’ve had to go through. Her way of being a good parent and the compromise she reaches at the end is brilliant and reminded me why I love this author and series so much.

<- Goddess of Summer LoveDaiquiris and Daggers ->

Image source: Booktopia