Tag Archives: Urban Fantasy

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 ->

Image source: Amazon

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

Robber Bride by Marjorie M. Liu

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Robber Bride
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
In: Huntress (Christine Warren, Marjorie M. Liu, Caitlin Kittredge & Jenna Maclaine)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Thoughts

This novella wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but also seriously good. However, there was definitely more of an ick factor than I was anticipating… the lead was definitely more of a grey hero than anything. She had good motivations, but she also didn’t necessarily have innocence on her side. Plus, at the beginning I thought that Irdu would be the romantic interest – they had the set up for it. But, nothing, and I repeat nothing turned out as I anticipated.

Although I don’t necessarily agree with all of the choices made throughout this story, I do love that the lead will do pretty much anything to chase down someone she cares about. I mean, there are constant moments throughout this where she is questioning her decisions, but she is still driven by her loyalty. Honestly, if I end up in a post-apocalyptic world, I would want someone like The Fixer on my side.

I really loved the Crow shapeshifter in this novella. There was a bit of a driving off into the sunset feeling with him, but nothing overt. He is also obviously loyal, although I’m still vague on the motivations if I’m being honest. He was a great alternative romantic entanglement that worked a lot better for my happiness.

This was a fantastic novella. One that I seriously enjoyed, but also couldn’t quite understand all of. I feel like I could reread this multiple times, and not quite get all of the nuances throughout…

<- Devil’s BargainDown in the Ground Where the Dead Men Go ->

Image source: Amazon

Devil’s Bargain by Christine Warren

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Devil’s Bargain
Author: Christine Warren
In: Huntress (Christine Warren, Marjorie M. Liu, Caitlin Kittredge & Jenna Maclaine)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2009

Thoughts

This novella might not have been an epic, can’t put down page turner. But it was still a good page turner. It was a fun story that was easy to enjoy and get sucked into. You know from the beginning that this is a tale that is going to get a happily ever after. But, it was still a fun journey getting there. Which is all I want in a novella sometimes.

I love that Lilli and Aaron kind of have the insta-love thing going. But their relationship still starts off with the two of them beating the absolute crap out of each other. I always solve a good fight scene, and this one was kind of brilliantly written. It was very easy to imagine each movement and just how out of their depth both the characters are. Plus, what better way to meet your future partner?

Finally, this is all about prophecies and the apocalypse. It’s fun trying to figure out just where the prophecy is going to take you. And how a multitude of meanings can come from a single prophecy. A reminder that even if we believe that fate and the future is set in stone, there are always surprises on the horizon.

<- HuntressThe Robber Bride ->

Image source: Amazon

Hex on the Beach by Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Hex on the Beach
Author: Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost & Melissa Marr
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: Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I loved every single one of these three novellas. One of those anthologies that I’m glad I have on the shelves. And one that I look forward to reading again and again. I mean, I kind of figured that would be the case because I’ve read all of these authors before and loved them all. But, it was still nice to be right in that assumption.

It comes as absolutely no surprise that I loved all of the series that these stories feature in. Two of which I’d already started reading, one of which I had in my TBR anyway. Now I just want to dive into these urban fantasy series all over again.

Even though all three novellas have that same summer vibe throughout this collection, they all have a wonderfully unique flavour. I love that there is the chilling with friends, enjoying a vacation feel, which goes completely belly up in every one of the stories. But, the ways that chaos hits the group is completely different for each tale.

A brilliant collection, one that I was completely in love with from the very first moment.

<- Goddess of Summer LoveDaiquiris and Daggers ->

Image source: Booktopia

Big Bad Beast by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Big Bad Beast
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #6
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: 2011

Thoughts

I’ve been waiting to read more of Dee Ann’s story since I met her in my very first Shelly Laurenston book. I mean, she’s obviously insanely badass. And I wondered how she ended up with a wonderfully sophisticated man. I love the whole opposites attract vibe that they both have. And now that I’ve finally read their romance – I was NOT disappointed. It was everything that I wanted and more. The perfect, fun opposites attract romance. One with plenty of violence and mayhem (just how I like them).

Although this was a great opposites attract story, it was also one about love at first sight… to a degree. I love how Ric decides when he is not even a teenager that he’s going to marry Dee Ann. And it kind of seems that once his mind is made up, nothing is going to shift him. A trait that is very good with a woman who is just as stubborn and independently minded. The fact that he’s subtle about it and just slowly works on Dee Ann just made it all that much better. Plus, Ric’s love language is food! I love when there’s a couple in which one is just determined to feed up the other. It definitely made me slightly hungry while reading this.

I love that this story also expands on the whole hybrid fighting rings story line. At least one of the key characters in driving this fighting ring is revealed (and receives their comeuppance, as they should). But I get the feeling that there are going to be a whole lot more evil things going on in the background. It was great that this was the more high octane aspect of the plot line. Ric and Dee Ann’s romance actually doesn’t have all too many boundaries, I mean there’s a little bit about the fact that they come from two warring packs, but it’s not too bad. All of this just means that there is a wonderfully violent battle at the end.

There are two major wolf dynasties throughout this series. You get to know about both of them a little throughout the first few books in the Pride series. But it was nice to have them take centre stage and be contrasted in Big Bad Beast. It’s very enjoyable how Laurenston is able to take the idea of different species of shifters, and then different aspects of those species and create such strong, distinct groups. I’m not sure which Pack I want more of now – the Smiths or the Van Holtzes…

<- Beast Behaving BadlyBear Meets Girl ->

Image source: Amazon

Beast Behaving Badly by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Beast Behaving Badly
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #5
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: 2010

Thoughts

Blayne is one of those amazing show stealer secondary characters in The Mane Squeeze. It mademe want to dive right into her story immediately after finishing The Mane Squeeze. Which, of course I did. And man, was I not disappointed. Blayne’s story was brilliant and fun. Plus, I remember her and Bo from the Honey Badger Chronicles, so reading their origin story was nice.

Blayne is one of those terrifying individuals who is just… happy. All. The. Time. Bo is a really nice counterpoint to this. He’s incredibly rude and blunt. I mean, if I had someone like Bo in my life, I’d punch him in the face. Repeatedly. Probably everyday if I could… but then, I’d probably be the same with a personality type like Blayne. They’re two extremes of irritating. And reading about them was way too much fun.

I love that although Blayne seems like a crazy, naive fool, she is actually incredibly dangerous. Like, insanely dangerous. And the fact that sheslearnt all of this at her father’s knee… it’s a whole lot of fun and beautiful love. The fact that there’s a good chance that her father is completely insane just makes it all that much more fun. In fact, I love his breakdown of their dynamic and how drastically different his point of view is to that of his daughter’s. Best father daughter relationship I’ve read in a while.

The hybrid fighting ring plot line also gains some pretty major traction throughout this story. Enough so that it’s gaining some major heat and intensity. Each time I read more about this world and the hybrid battles, I want to know more. And who is the big, evil behind it all… I’m sure that’s going to be a huge reveal later in the series…

<- The Mane SqueezeBig Bad Beast ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Mane Squeeze by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Mane Squeeze
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #4
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: 2009

Thoughts

This is yet another brilliant book by Laurenston, it was funny, engaging and incredibly cute. Not to mention witty and sassy. Everything I’ve grown to love in a Laurenston romance. Gwen isn’t quite what you expect from her appearances in her brothers’ stories. She’s definitely an absolute spitfire of a cat. One that has absolutely no hesitation fighting for, well, anything. I would constantly too, with moronic brothers like she has.

Lock is a great, and incredibly sweet counterpoint to Gwen’s feistiness. I love what a chilled sweetheart he is. I mean, he is constantly just meandering along and going with the flow. Although, my favourite part is that he is CONSTANTLY downplaying all of the information that he passes on. I mean, thers being calm, and then there’s being purposefully dense about how impactful information can be.

So far in the Pride series, there’s been a bit of working up towards the idea of hunting of hybrids. Although some of this has been touched upon, the prejudice against hybrids and how dangerous that is is truly shown in this story. Although there is absolutely no conclusion to this part of the story, it does set up an overarching battle throughout the series. One that makes me want to dive straight back into this series.

I’ve read some stories with crazy mothers before. But never anyone of the calibre of Roxy. I mean, she damn well shaves a woman’s head (and other crackjack behaviours) in retaliation for daring to threaten her daughter. She also just has a habit of ending up in the most bizarre situations. One’s which of course flow over to her poor daughter.

The Roller Derby babes are also absolutely fantastic. Not only do I live the idea of this incredibly bloody shifter version of the sport. But I also live the camaraderie and care the women show for one another. Particularly Bayne. Who I can’t read more about, just who and what she ends up with…

<- The Mane AttractionBeast Behaving Badly ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

The Mane Attraction by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Mane Attraction
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Pride #3
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: 2008

Thoughts

Sissy Mae is one of those show stealing secondary characters since you meet her in Christmas Pride. She is sassy, witty and full of attitude. Just the kind of woman that I love. But, she’s also obviously got a heart of gold underneath all of that violence that she happily totes around. Which means that I very quickly dived right into The Mane Attraction… I had to know how she got her happily ever after! And what kind of supportive male she ends up with.

I love that Sissy is an incredibly tough (and very violent) woman. She might have the best heart ever, but it’s how happy she is to stir other people up that I truly fell in love with. Although I don’t have the gumption to constantly cause a ruckus wherever I go, it was fun to read about someone who enjoys doing so. Her good heart also makes it a little bit more difficult to read about the treatment that she endures from some of her brothers and her mother. The mother is definitely misplaced affection… but her brothers?

As a nice counterpoint to Sissy Mae’s less-than-kind brother, Mitch’s relationship with his own sibling is really sweet. I love how the two lion brothers fall for wolf-shifter women. And literally just go along for the ride. Mostly in horror and confusion at the antics of Sissy Mae and Ronnie Lee. I mean, the driving? The weird derby race? I can completely understand the fear of the two males, but also how freaking fun would that all be!?!?!?

There are so many good (well-written I should say) sibling relationships throughout this story. But, honestly, I particularly like that when Sissy Mae is pushed to show her strength (and alpha-ness), she manages to break her brothers knee. I mean, that is a wonderful way to show that she is able to take care of herself. There are some other wonderful consequences to that action, but I just like that Sissy has no hesitations to get her revenge on someone who has been treating her seriously poorly.

Alongside the sibling relationships and issues are the older generation of women in both families. They are so happy meddling in the relationship of Sissy and Mitch. Although, most of this manipulation is quite obvious, there are a lot of subtle moments throughout that the couple are completely oblivious to. I particularly like how the matriarchs on both sides of the family unwittingly band together to stop threats to the couple. And give us all a happily ever after.

<- The Beast in HimThe Mane Squeeze ->

Image source: Amazon