This book was exactly what I needed. Fluffy, fun, cute romance. I often turn to historical romance as a palate cleanser. I've been reading primarily uThis book was exactly what I needed. Fluffy, fun, cute romance. I often turn to historical romance as a palate cleanser. I've been reading primarily urban fantasy and fantasy. My preferred genres, but I needed a break. Even so, historical romance can be iffy for me, so I wasn't sure what to grab.
Then I read Navessa's review and I knew I had to start The Duchess Deal.
It started off so incredibly strong - I adored the meet-cute, and their banter. I loved the heroine - Emma. She's a no-nonsense character who still believes in seeing the best in people. It's a perfect, for me, blend of idealist, optimist, and realist. Ash, with his sarcastic, self-deprecating, and just-plain snarkiness hit me in exactly the right spot.
And for a while it was primarily just them. There was the butler that almost-but-not-quite filled the father figure for Ash, the lady's maid who definitely spoke beyond her station, but I was able to ignore the unlikelihood of these characters because I was having so much fun with Ash and Emma, and their slow fall in love.
Emma is absolutely perfect for Ash. She's what he needs. Emma, on the other hand, doesn't seem to really need Ash. She loves him, because of small moments and I totally get that. But she doesn't need him. She's self-sufficient, had a plan for her financial future, and enjoyed life. For once I really appreciated that not only the hero in the story was getting some convenience out of the marriage-of-convenience.
Everything was going along smashingly, and this was a solid 4-stars, until somewhere around 60%. I'm not even sure what it was. Maybe it was the excessive side characters with their all-too intriguing quirks. I just know their stories are coming up next. Or maybe it was the misunderstandings and lack of faith in the one you profess to love? I don't know. But some of the shine wore off in the last third of the book.
Luckily, all issues and problems were cleared up quickly, with actual discussion and conversation, so it didn't detract from my enjoyment too terribly much. The "big misunderstanding" can be the death knell of a book for me, this was only a little misunderstanding, thankfully.
Overall, Tessa Dare is becoming one of my go-to historical romance authors when I need the perfect fix of fun and fluff, and romance to make me happy. I'm glad I read this, and I am actually looking forward to seeing the other women on Emma's street find love (with their own Dukes?)....more
I'm incredibly late to reviewing this novella. Not because I haven't read it, but because I always struggle with reviewing my favorites. I devolve intI'm incredibly late to reviewing this novella. Not because I haven't read it, but because I always struggle with reviewing my favorites. I devolve into a gibbering mess of large hand gestures and stuttering sentences that consist of 'Just...You gotta...Read it...NOW!'
Diamond Fire is no exception, even if it is just a novella. A lot of novellas are short stories, short on character development, short on world development, short on plot. That's not the case here. Diamond Fire expands on the world that we already know (and LOVE) from Nevada and Rogan's story - the Hidden Legacy Series, so we know a good number of the characters, we understand the world. But I read this time with an eye towards not knowing any of this, and I still think that Ilona Andrews pack more into their novellas than some authors put in their full-length novels.
An advantage, and disadvantage, of reviewing this more than a few weeks past release day is that hundreds of other people have already reviewed it. Disadvantage because it's hard to say something new when it's all already been said. But, I think in this case especially, it's an advantage because I can speak to some things that I wouldn't have even thought about discussing before because they never occurred to me.
We join Catalina in this book as she's trying to be the wedding planner for Nevada and Rogan's wedding with her sister, Arabella. Nevada's sisters have taken this over because Nevada has fired the last couple of wedding planners she tried to hire. Nevada also suddenly demands lilacs in her bouquet. Enough people complained and talked about these demanding, Bridezilla (their words, not mine), sort of actions from Nevada that seemed out of character from what we knew, that Ilona herself addressed it on her blog.
I won't rehash that, but I can say - easily - that Nevada's actions never struck me as Bridezilla, demanding, or high-maintenance. She fired the first wedding planner because the planner kept telling her she couldn't do something, when she really meant she wouldn't. Would you keep a wedding planner that wouldn't do what you wanted at your wedding? She fired the second wedding planner because the wedding planner was LYING to her. Sorry, not really, but I wouldn't accept that either.
The one demand that I hear her make in the entire story is that she wants lilacs in her bouquet. As Grandma Frida says: "If she wants lilacs, just let her have lilacs. What's the harm?" Indeed. It's not ridiculous to have the flowers you want in your bouquet. The wedding is for the people getting married. No one else.
I had a small, intimate wedding with my parents, our kids, and my sister-in-law in attendance. I wore red, my wife work black. Not traditional, but it's what we wanted. I wouldn't have tolerated anyone telling me that my vision of my wedding wasn't possible. Clearly it's possible because it happened.
Anyway, Nevada was never demanding and rude. Just firm and expected the respect that comes when you hire someone. All the other drama that came about because of Catalina and Arabella planning the wedding had to do with Rogan's excessively large family and the stress of Prime life. Nothing else.
Anyway, I think I spent just as much time here talking about it as is spent on it in the book itself. Everything else focuses on Catalina coming into her own. We get to see her work an investigation, use and learn more about her magic, and get inside her head.
I can already tell I'm going to love Catalina. Though to be fair, I knew that way back in Burn for Me. I'm excited to read Sapphire Flames - honestly, the prospect of a review copy sent me on a five-day binge re-read of the series that made my heart happy.
This was the fondant on the perfect cake that was Nevada and Rogan's story. I get to see their wedding and get invested in a whole 'nother Baylor. I can't wait for more.
Then there's the story that's here, too. The interesting world. And the art that pulled me in and kepWow. Just wow. This book kicked some serious ass.
Then there's the story that's here, too. The interesting world. And the art that pulled me in and kept me clicking for the next page.
Set in a post-apocalyptic (of some sort) wasteland where "Families" vie for power and control. Think mafioso, except with some dysptopian sci-fi thrown in. Eve, short for Forever, is the Lazarus of her family. This means that she is often sent on the dangerous missions, as she can regenerate from extreme damage, things that would nearly kill anyone else. I loved her from page 1, where she slaughters a bunch of guys that think they're going to kill her.
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She kicks some serious ass throughout this graphic novel. Every time she did I fell a little bit more in love with her. Add in the plot with back-stabbing family politics, spying, and a possible romance, and you've very nearly hit everything on my wish list. Not to mention the fact that Eve is clearly the only one not in on the secret that she isn't *really* related to her family. Something that is sure to come out ... probably pretty damn soon.
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This was a super quick read, at only 104 pages which left me done before I wanted to be.
One thing is for sure, I can't wait to see what Eve does next, who she kills, and where she goes.
"Before, the average person spoke sixteen thousand words a day, but now women only have
one hundred
to make themselves heard." That, right there, "Before, the average person spoke sixteen thousand words a day, but now women only have
one hundred
to make themselves heard." That, right there, is why I requested this book. Honestly, it's a terrifying prospect, and one that feels plausible in the current climate where before I would have written it off as about as likely as The Hunger Games - which also don't feel as unrealistic anymore, either. Perhaps I'm being alarmist, or exaggerating the possible threat. At times I want to think that, but I see how easily some people have destroyed the basic human rights of others, seemingly overnight.
Vox is a terrifyingly plausible dystopia, and yet, a little unrealistic. I went into with few pre-conceived notions or expectations beyond the basic of wanting to see how on earth they could have forced women in the United States to speak less than 100 words per day. How could they do this in a place where women outnumber men 161 million to 156.1 million? And it's explained. Kind of. Not enough to make this a 5-star read, but enough to make me think that the author vaguely thought about it. The logic that allowed this to happen in our near future is that the Bible Belt of the south expanded, becoming a corset. The only places that resisted the change were the liberal-heavy centers of D.C., the Pacific Northwest, California, and a couple of others. The problem I see with this chain of events is the power and populations that are in those liberal areas of the country and the level of resistance I'm seeing in them currently; however the scary reality is that when you pare it down, the center states could effect change on a nationwide level.
My issue is that I still am a little bit in denial of this ever being able to happen, and the author didn't convince me that it could. Once I set that aside though, I did speed through this story. It's a quick read that takes place in an extremely truncated timeline. The word-limit was only implemented about a year ago. So women like Jean are still getting used to it, we haven't really begun to see the long-term effects on children, especially young girls. Because I couldn't see how this had happened, it made swallowing the fact that women didn't have the right to choose, gay relationships were effectively banned, birth-control was non-existent...Many of women's worst fears. But I had a hard time understanding how we'd really gotten to this point.
Though I do give the author full points for including a lot of thought into the diversity and the differences in rights presented therein. I appreciated that Jean recognized she lived in a safe bubble, in part because she was a white woman, and she was quickly getting her bubble burst. But she still wasn't nearly as affected as others who had no safe-bubble in the first place, and how she came to recognize that.
Jean is an interesting narrator. She's a neuro-linguistic scientist, studying how to enable repair of the speech centers of the brain after traumatic injury. Because of the word limit for women, we spend a good deal of time in Jean's head. A place where she not only informs the reader of what is happening, but what she sometimes believes, or wishes, is happening. It's a variant of an unreliable narrator, except where you're never quite sure what the truth is, Jean herself tells you very soon after the imagined scenario. I quite liked that about her. Because I often think in the same way, of possibilities, best- and worst-case scenarios. She's also a mother, of three boys and one little girl.
She's far from perfect. I actually loved that, though I can understand that some may not. She doesn't make excuses for herself, and you're presented with a unvarnished truth of her. I appreciated that she acknowledges that part of the reason this happened is because she didn't get active when things were less dire, she didn't even vote. And she is experiencing the consequences of those lack of actions on her, and thousands of others', parts.
There were lots of things that made me uncomfortable in this book, and they were meant to. Women unable to say 'no' to their husbands because they'd reached their word limit. Yes, she could have made him know in another way, but she didn't feel like it was worth doing - so they had sex, not because she wanted to, but because he did. Girl children unable to cry out and scream or vent when they're terrified or being harmed. Women left with no choices.
The other thing that I really loved here is that it seems the author has either some good authority on the medical and sociological impacts of this kind of change, or has done a hell of a lot of research. I spent a good amount of time thinking about the implications of such a change in our society. What would it do to young children to be raised by women who couldn't speak? How would it affect their brain development? Their social interactions? The truth is that it would affect them greatly. And while the government (or villains) in this story didn't think of that, the author did and it's considered and used in the story. I appreciated that. I appreciated the level of thought that went into the 'what if' questions. I think some readers may find it too heavy-handed with the medical and research related jargon, but I can't say it is. There's just enough there to make it feel real without me getting bogged down - and that's what I want from my books. Ah, and I just looked and Christina Dalcher earned her doctorate in theoretical linguistics. Now I know why it all feels so real. I'm a huge fan of that part of it.
What felt a little less likely was how there were so many characters that showed themselves to be allies at just the perfect moment. I'm not entirely sure if it's because of that or not, but I never felt the urgency in any of the characters. They continued on their paths, without really letting us in on the plans for reshaping the country. It made me feel like an outsider, despite being deeply entrenched in Jean's head. Because of that I felt less anxiety or tension due to the climax of the story. The ending ties up a little too neatly. Jean has many revelations about herself throughout the story, but I'm left feeling a little unsure if she's actually changed because of her experiences. Or just escaped. I can't say I blame her if she has simply escaped, but it felt a little too ambiguous for me.
Vox ended up being an quick, provocative read that made me think more than once. The only thing that could have made this better for me is more of how they got to that point, and more drama/suspense/action with the resolution....more
Read the serial format available online - will do a more full review when I read it again.
All in all, this was a fun sci-fi space romp. I love Samara.Read the serial format available online - will do a more full review when I read it again.
All in all, this was a fun sci-fi space romp. I love Samara. And I'm intrigued by Valentin. I can't wait to see where this goes from here! There's definitely some shady stuff going on, and I'm excited to see Samara get in the middle of it.
I especially loved how easy it was to visualize the advanced tech, world, and societies, how the problems and advantages of those advances were thought out, and how it wasn't simply used as a deus ex machina to fix all the problems. ...more
I picked up this book on a whim. Honestly, I was trying to clear books that I had lost interest in from my Kindle - not permanent interest, but temporI picked up this book on a whim. Honestly, I was trying to clear books that I had lost interest in from my Kindle - not permanent interest, but temporary-genre-interest. I go through phases. Most often I am reading fantasy, sci-fi, and urban fantasy of some sort. But occasionally, which is getting more and more occasional, I enjoy a good contemporary or historical romance. Not long ago I was in one of these romance phases and loaded my Kindle with hundreds of books that I thought would tempt me. As quickly as I entered that phase, I fell out of it. I lost interest. But I still had hundreds of books on my Kindle, taking up space, and making it difficult for me to find what I actually wanted to read.
For some reason I decided it was only fair that I try to start this book before I unceremoniously deleted it from my Kindle. And once I started, I was charmed. I liked Nina, a bookworm who is not (really) insecure in herself. I liked that she was comfortable with who she is, and that she really didn't feel the need to conform to anyone else's ideal of what's "cool." Not terribly common in high school by my experience, but I liked it all the same. I hope the same for my kids as they transition from the tween to teenager phase.
West was, on the surface, the boy that girls want to change. Moody and (apparently) cool, he had no shortage of girls interested in him. I would have rolled my eyes but we learn more about West and his life early in the book and it gave him some incredible depth.
This book is told in alternating 1st person point-of-view. Thankfully it's clearly marked which chapters are in which character's POV. I don't remember a hugely significant difference between the sound of their voices, but I always knew whose head I was in so it was clear. There wasn't a lot of angst, which was a nice relief. There was something of a "misunderstanding" or "willful omission" that became a problem. It was slightly irritating to me, in the way that misunderstandings and not talking always are to me, but I liked how realistically it was resolved. I liked how the characters seemed to be fairly level headed, while still learning who they are and what is acceptable to them, or what they can forgive. It made an idealized version of being a teenager, I think - or at least one that I, nor anyone I've ever known, experienced.
I say idealized because, for me, growing up was never filled with extra money, a car I could count on, and the ability to do whatever I wanted. I don't ever recall them doing actual homework, working, or earning any money through chores. They just had money to spend on gifts, movies, food, and gas - apparently. It's a background consideration in a story, but it makes everything more real to me. And here it felt unrealistic. Which isn't a bad thing. This was a cute story that deftly dealt, I think, with some surprisingly heavy topics and issues.
I saw some discussion on it, but I actually thought the love of reading for both Nina and West was nicely shown, as was their enjoyment of Harry Potter. I would have liked to see the deeper connection that most HP-lovers I know have, but it still felt mostly natural to their characters.
Overall, this is a cute, fun book with a minimal amount of angst, and characters that seem to have their heads pretty straight. I liked it....more
I've been a fan of Jennifer Estep since the first Elemental Assassin book came out back in 2010. When I heard she was writi3 May 2020: $2.99 on Kindle
I've been a fan of Jennifer Estep since the first Elemental Assassin book came out back in 2010. When I heard she was writing a straight-up fantasy series I was literally clamoring for it. I could not wait to get my hands on it. Life got in the way a bit and I ended up reading this a lot later than I'd initially intended. Lucky for me that means that book 2 is already out.
Crown of Shards takes place in an interesting fantasy world. There's magic, shifters (known as morphs), and royalty. There are battle queens, and intrigue, and wars for the throne. I'm hoping to explore more, deeper, and further into the world in the future books. It's worthy of it. I can't wait to see what the next books bring these characters and how they deal with it.
Speaking of characters - Evie is the one that I want to talk about most. I really enjoyed her. She's pretty no-nonsense, kick-ass, and determined. But she doesn't shove it in everyone's face either. She just takes care of business, because she knows that she needs to - for herself. I love that. That she made the decision on who she was, and she's stuck to that. Regardless of how hard it may make her path. And her decisions and choices do sometimes make her path harder. Thankfully, she's never stupid. She thinks, is cautious, and doesn't trust easily. I love all of this. I need more heroines like her.
And this is really her story. Regardless of the world, or the many other characters peppering the story and helping (or hindering) her progress, it's Evie's story. This is something I love. And I appreciate that the romance isn't over-developed here. The potential is there, but not deeply explored. Because Evie's nature doesn't allow her trust easily, so it's not like we're going to get deep, meaningful relationship building between the two of them. But I hope for it. Yes, I do.
There are a handful of other characters that I can't wait to see again, too.
I won't give anymore of the plot away, which the blurb summarizes well. I did really enjoy the story and how Evie grew into her own skin. She always knew who she was, but the events make her more firmly herself. I love that.
Now, excuse me while I go try to beg for a review copy of the second book, Protect the Prince, due out October 2019....more
I really enjoy this series. It's so fresh, while at the same time containing everything I love about Nora Roberts. It's rejuvenated my love of NR, to I really enjoy this series. It's so fresh, while at the same time containing everything I love about Nora Roberts. It's rejuvenated my love of NR, to be honest. I can't wait for the next, and final, book in the series.
I think this series is going to test me with it's cross-genre categorization. The first book was pretty clearly Urban Fantasy and Post-Apocalyptic with a good deal of Romance thrown in. Book 2, Of Blood and Bone, is more Young Adult, Post-Apocalyptic, Urban Fantasy. This book also follows Fantasy's "hero's journey" pretty thoroughly.
Fallon Swift, the protagonist, born of Max Fallon and Lana Bingham from Year One, is just a teenager during this book. It takes place, primarily, from ages thirteen to seventeen. Throughout this time we get to see Fallon learn, grown, and come to terms with her "destiny."
"Destiny" (in quotations) because it's also her choice. Always her choice. And like most things in life there are, serious, consequences for those choices. Both for and against. As I'm sure we've all learned, despite best intentions sometimes we just have to do something we're not really wanting to do. Fallon starts this way. I mean, honestly, it's pretty tough knowing from the time you're little that you're the CHOSEN ONE. C'mon. That's rough.
I like the rebellion and uncertainty that Fallon shows as she's growing into who she is. Her reliance on the foundation that her parents have given her to build herself and her values is perfect. And I love seeing her grow into the person capable of being the Chosen One.
If I'm being honest there's not a ton of action in this book. There are a handful of events that happen that really move the world along, but most of the story is laser-focused on Fallon, her quests, journey, growth, and learning. Personally, I appreciate and enjoy that. But if you're not expecting it, and expecting something closer to NR's "normal" writing, it might be a bit harder to swallow.
Even as this book delves further into the post-apocalyptic world that everyone is currently living, it also becomes more of a fantasy world as well. There are deeper and further explorations of the beings and peoples that now inhabit this earth, and I can't wait to see that expand even further.
Overall, I read this book over a pleasant couple of days and enjoyed every moment. I think I said it for Year One, but this series has rejuvenated my love of Nora Roberts. She's truly stepping outside of her "norm" and delivering everything I've ever enjoyed about her writing in a new and unique way.
I can't wait to see how this ends in The Rise of Magicks, due November 2019....more
I've read plenty of Nora Roberts' in my life. I remember reading my first book by her, Carolina Moon, back when I was about 18 years' old. A co-workerI've read plenty of Nora Roberts' in my life. I remember reading my first book by her, Carolina Moon, back when I was about 18 years' old. A co-worker had introduced me to her work. Prior to that, I'd never read much romance. Prior to that, I thought the "Romance" genre was a joke. "Bodice-rippers," with no plot, no characterization, and stupid heroines getting themselves into trouble they couldn't get out of. Nora Roberts changed my mind, opened my eyes, made me re-evaluate my assumptions. I have her to thank for years of satisfied and happy reading.
But, I fell out of love with Ms. Roberts' books several years ago. I still read them, but they're no longer the urgent-must-read-as-soon-as-released books that they used to be for me. Everything began to feel too much the same. Which was good and bad. Good, because I knew that every time I picked up a Nora Roberts' book I would slip into a comfortable world where I knew - in essentials - what to expect. I would empathize with the characters. I would root for them. And everyone would be happy at the end.
Bad, because...of the exact same thing. It began to feel like wash-rinse-repeat. The characters started to blur together. Everything that I loved was always there, but it was always there. It was so much the same. And though I love to re-read, I didn't particularly love doing it in every new book I read by her. That was the trilogies and series. I admit that the stand-alone novels didn't seem so much rinse and repeat, but after a few that had a bit too much graphic, triggering, writing in it, I approach them with more caution and less joy. Weirdly, for someone that loved the first several seasons of The Walking Dead, and all the uncertainty, brutality, and humanity-at-its-best-and-worst, I couldn't handle the darkness that came to permeate some of her stand-alone suspense novels. Maybe it just didn't mix well for me.
It's probably my own fault. I read most of her extensive backlist in the three to four years after I was first introduced to her. Anyway, this is all to say that I usually wait until her trilogies and series are complete and then I binge them over a long weekend. So, I added Year One to my to-read list, but promptly forgot about it. Then I read somewhere that it was Urban Fantasy. And I immediately downloaded it to my Kindle.
I was well rewarded. Year One is a book that contains the most minute shades of previous books I've read by Nora Roberts. I can see it in her relationships, in the magicks that she brings to bear, but the similarities end there. Year One is much more fatalistic, less HEA, and more brutal. It's suspenseful, and for the first time in ... ever, I worried about characters making it through to the end. As I should have. My worry was well-founded, and justified. So, while there is definitely romance, several of them in fact, they're not as well-developed as in her Romance books, nor are they guaranteed.
However, it's also un-endingly hopeful. There's a belief in the best of people, without being naive, that permeates the characters that I loved following. Despite what everyone is put through, despite the worst done to them. There's good in people and the world. It's nice to see that. More than is really ever shown in The Walking Dead, for sure. Speaking of, I was reminded a lot of the zombie show while reading this book. Not that there are zombies, but a group of people, clinging together, with trust and necessity, to get somewhere safe. To protect their own. It's not as dark as The Walking Dead, because there's always that hopefulness and trust in the general goodness of at least some people, that flows throughout the novel.
I read this book in a quick couple of days, on a flight, because I couldn't put it down. It's the first Nora Roberts' book, in a long time, that has compelled me to keep reading, to see what happens. The first that's really enmeshed me in the story and the world. What happens, how it happens, how humanity breaks down, how the heroes get through it - that was mesmerizing. I had to know they'd get through, see how they'd get through.
When I was about halfway through Year One, I texted a friend that I was hooked. That I wouldn't be able to wait to see what happens. And while the ending was slightly bittersweet, and left me feeling like this was more of a prequel (perhaps I'm wrong - can't know until the next book comes out), I'm still well, and truly hooked.
So, here I am again, eagerly anticipating the next Nora Roberts' release....more
Though I purchased this on release day, because how could I not, I didn't read it until recently. I had missed the fact that they were almost all new Though I purchased this on release day, because how could I not, I didn't read it until recently. I had missed the fact that they were almost all new stories. In fact, 8 of the 9 are brand new. As soon as I recognized that, I immediately dove in. I know I've recently binged this series, and remember the characterization of females getting better and better throughout the series - and I can easily say that it continues here. I appreciate the awareness the characters exhibit of many of the current political hot-button issues that seem to constantly be under debate. The acknowledgment, inclusion, and the fact that it's not made to be a big deal, is handled well.
My thoughts on each story are broken out below. First, a note: At the beginning of each story Kevin Hearne notes where in the chronology they take place. It's not perfect though. Because while Atticus and Granuaile may be speaking while he's training her (4.x), the story Atticus is telling takes place long before the events of Hounded, for example. So, I'll number them as Hearne notes them, and try to place the story told within the story as well.
The Eye of Horus (4.1) - Narrated by Atticus. We learn the tale of how he came to be in possession of Bast's book (see The Grimoire of the Lamb). This is an interesting tale of thievery and protections and Egyptian gods (always of interest to me). There are hints of the reasons Atticus was driven to create his iron amulets; the ones that allow him to perform bindings without speaking. Fun story, nice history of Atticus.
This was six more chambers than Ogma had told me to expect, and none of them was labeled helpfully with THIS ONE HAS THAT THING OGMA WANTS.
Goddess at the Crossroads (4.2) - Narrated by Atticus. Of the time that he met William Shakespeare. And how the witches came to curse The Scottish Play. This was such a fun story! Shakespeare's history is neatly and interestingly incorporated.
The triskele tattoo on the back of my right hand would raise far too many questions...To the Jacobeans, there was functionally no difference between a Druid and a witch: If it was magic, their solution was to kill it with fire.
The Demon Barker of Wheat Street (4.6) - Narrated by Atticus. Who knew demon stories in this world would turn out to be some of my favorites. The variety of incorporated mythologies in the Iron Druid Chronicles is one of my favorite things. Previously published, in Carniepunk.
*Curiosity killed the cat but never hurt a hound, you know.*
Gold Dust Druid (4.7) - Narrated by Atticus. Granuaile, and we, hear about his encounter with a demon during the gold rush of California. I really enjoyed seeing Atticus figure out how to assimilate, even temporarily, when he's been out of touch for a while. It shows an attention to detail that the character doesn't always just know what's going on everywhere. Additionally, the story had a great atmosphere.
*One star.*
"What? You didn't even let me finish my first sentence!"
The Bogeyman of Boora Bog (8.1) - Narrated by Owen. I went into this anthology with a pretty strong dislike of Owen. His judgment of Atticus, without any understanding or compassion, has always frustrated me. Atticus has made hard choices, and there wasn't always a good option. Owen never seemed to take that into account. Instead he just seemed to take his lover's opinion as his own. I still kind of hate Greta. In this short story, however, we learn how Owen came to be Archdruid of Atticus. It's a fascinating story, that shows the good guys aren't always who you think they should be. It also gave some depth to Owen's thoughts and feelings regarding Atticus. Something I appreciated very much.
That's basically the core of what I taught him: Protect Gaia first, protect humans second, and question everything else.
Cuddle Dungeon (8.2) - Narrated by Perun. This is right up there for one of my favorite stories in the series. Perun and Flidais go to a BDSM club, in search of new experiences. I quite liked that Flidais was the Domme. That Perun enjoyed the suspense and submitting. That consent was foremost. This is both a fun story, and a nice learning experience for Flidais.
"'Consent is prime importance.' He was talking about sexy things, but applies to other things also."
Blood Pudding (8.6) - Narrated by Granuaile. This story takes place before the vampire treaty deadline. Granuaile is confronted by a vampire while in Poland, continuing her education with the Sisters of the Three Auroras. I really am enjoying Granuaile's character. It's easy to see how much she's grown. It's nice, also, to see such first-hand proof of how the author has grown with writing female characters. Or maybe it's just that he's finally got someone else besides a goddess to work with. Either way, she's pretty awesome.
"I will have poetry in my life... Poetry and asskicking. You can have both, you now. There's a certain poetry to violence, don't you find? ...There's a certain violence to sex too. Penetration. Screaming. You know. ...But you should know I have a boyfriend. He's a Druid too. He got shot in the head once, but he's fine now and can recite the complete works of William Shakespeare from memory. He kills gods on Saturdays."
Haunted Devils (8.7) - Narrated by Owen. Another excellent story, here we learn about Atticus, Owen, and Owen's Grove going to heal some Tasmanian Devils of wrongs. The Tasmanian elemental has contacted them both, and brings them there separately. This causes some grief with Greta, but I like the way this may be heading. I especially liked how Owen is teaching the kids, and how we're getting to see it. I feel, already, like he's doing better than he did with Atticus all those years ago. As he said, he's not as angry now.
Greta may only see what he's destroyed, but I see what he's created too, and I have to admit: It makes me proud.
The End of Idylls (8.9) - Narrated by Atticus. Ugh. I can't say I loved this story. I knew it was going to be sad from nearly the start, and it was. On a small scale, it was heart-wrenching. Despite all of Atticus' best efforts, I'm still terrified there're some devastating losses to come. The title here refers to what the Morrigan calls Atticus' reprieve while Loki readies himself for Ragnarok. This story leads directly into the final book in this series, Scourged. And I'm more than somewhat apprehensive.
*What is it, Atticus? Cybermen? Borgs? Frakkin' toasters?*
This is a solid collection of short stories in the Iron Druid Chronicles. The stories are more enjoyable if you're already invested in the world. But if you're not, I'd definitely recommend starting at the beginning anyway. After a somewhat rocky start in book 1, Hounded, this has easily become one of my favorites. I'm on the edge of my seat, and dreading, the end to come.
You may know Hugh from my much beloved Kate Daniels' series. You may love him. Maybe you hate him. Honestly, I think you're mostly meant to hate him. You may know Hugh from my much beloved Kate Daniels' series. You may love him. Maybe you hate him. Honestly, I think you're mostly meant to hate him. He's an epic asshole.
I'm drawn to epic assholes - in literature anyway. What can I say. I love him. As soon as I met him, I wanted to know more, before I even knew his name. I've remained intrigued and enamored. Even when I've hated what he's doing - and he's done some despicable things - I love the foil that he is for Kate. So when Ilona Andrews posted on their blog that they'd be writing Hugh's full-length book, I was overwhelmed with excitement. Here was going to be a chance to learn more about the Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, through a different lens, and with different circumstances, than we do in the main series. Then I realized it was April Fools' Day.
Luckily, for me, there was such interest and excitement - which I think probably stoked Ilona and Gordon's interest - that they ended up making good on that joke. And not only do we get one full-length novel, we're going to get (at least) THREE!
I think you probably could start with Iron and Magic as your introduction to Hugh, and the world. The question is: with 9 full-length, and a handful of novella-length, stories, why would you want to? The Kate Daniels' series gives you Hugh as he was. Having that will allow you to better understand Hugh here. Iron and Magic does a good job of showing and explaining why Hugh is the way he is, but ... just go read Kate.
Hugh doesn't stop being an asshole. He is who he is. I think and hope he always will be. He's not redeemed in this book. It would be impossible to do so, but there is a start here. Hugh is free, for the first time - ever. He's calling the shots, living with the consequences, and making the decisions, all on his own. It's a new experience for him. Seeing all of this, seeing him be who he actually is - asshole and all - is a true treat.
Elara is Hugh's match in every way. She's powerful - the White Warlock you may have heard of (seriously, go read Kate if you haven't already). She's snarky. She doesn't take shit from anyone. And she's probably just as tortured as Hugh is.
It's, honestly, a match made in heaven - or wherever. The snarkiness, banter, and fighting between them is one of the best parts of this book.
I was invested and intrigued throughout the story as to what was happening, what was going to happen next, and trying to figure out everything I could about everyone we meet. Ilona and Gordon are amazing at expanding the world, creating a full cast of interesting and diverse characters, and continuously making me want more.
Now, I just wait for the next one. At least I am sure it's not an April Fools' Day joke now. :)
Nalini Singh is one of my go-to authors. I trust her to consistently take me on a journey that I adore. Ocean Light is no exception. This book has a mNalini Singh is one of my go-to authors. I trust her to consistently take me on a journey that I adore. Ocean Light is no exception. This book has a more introspective and character-driven approach. Despite the ticking time-bomb in Bowen's head, and the incredibly present mystery to be solved.
I quite enjoyed this pace and having the time to get to know them both. Bo, despite being a somewhat regular character in the story, has never really been someone that I was too intrigued with. I should probably stop being surprised by enjoying Nalini's human hero/ines nearly as much as her Psy and Changeling hero/ines. But Bo did surprise me. He was sweet, and almost boyishly charming. He was completely devoted, and unrelentingly supportive. I loved watching him pursue Kaia.
Speaking of Kaia - she's an amazing character. I love her playfulness and the way she doesn't step back from hard realizations. The fact that she can re-examine her beliefs and understandings, easily, when confronted with new information made me adore her. The way she understood Bowen, and cared about him, was everything he deserved.
Together they were easily my favorite part of the book. The mystery left me a little wanting, mostly because it was so much background for a good portion of the book. I was on the edge of my seat when the action picked up. Especially when my favorite character made an appearance near the end.
The only thing that brings my rating down from a solid five-stars is the coincidences here. Kaia has severe anxiety in certain situations, and because of certain specific experiences. It seemed like things just kept happening to exacerbate that anxiety. I began to wonder if it was plausible that so much could happen to her so quickly. Minor, honestly, but I did notice it.
This book definitely makes me want to re-read all the previous books in the series - all 16 of them (plus shorts and novellas). I was reading late into the night, on a work-night, and I was obviously entranced. As always, I can't wait to see where Nalini takes us next.
I admit, this is the one I was waiting for the most. Riley intrigued me - being an archaeologist, my own passion, probably helped with that. And DoyleI admit, this is the one I was waiting for the most. Riley intrigued me - being an archaeologist, my own passion, probably helped with that. And Doyle. Well, he had that gruff, kind-of-asshole-but-not-really thing going on. I like that, especially when it ends in a true romance. So I was eager to read their story.
And I was right. I enjoyed the romance the most. Probably, at least in part, because Riley and Doyle had two whole books to get to know one another, to interact with each other, and to learn about themselves both separately and together. So when they come together in this book, in a clash of need and desire, it's eminently satisfying. Though I wonder a little that it didn't happen sooner with the obvious desire on both their parts.
I love that they start their relationship with no strings. There's just need, mutual appreciation, care, and enjoying each other. I love, too, that Riley tells Doyle when that changes for her - with, again, no strings or expectations attached to it. She takes responsibility for her feelings, and doesn't expect anyone else to have to accommodate them. That's hard to do in real life, and pretty rare in the Romance genre.
For the relationship, I probably would give this book 4 stars. What brought it back down to a 3-star read for me was the resolution and the entire Island of Glass thing. It felt abrupt. Here they've been fighting, winning by the skin of their teeth, for nearly three months. But suddenly it's all over in a matter of a couple of thrusts of the sword. It was the quickest climactic fight I think I've ever read. And the Malmon thing? Just weird and seemed extraneous.
Then there was the entirety of the deus-ex-machina that solved all their problems at the end. I mean, don't get me wrong, I wanted them all together and happy. But if you're just going to wipe aside the problems, like that, then why present them as problems in the first place?
This isn't likely to be a series I'll re-read, but I don't count it as time wasted either. I enjoyed reading the adventures of Bran, Sasha, Annika, Sawyer, Riley, and Doyle.
Because I was on a roll, I grabbed this book immediately upon finishing Stars of Fortune.
I'm curious about how people will react to Annika, and her roBecause I was on a roll, I grabbed this book immediately upon finishing Stars of Fortune.
I'm curious about how people will react to Annika, and her romance, in this book. It's not that Annika is innocent or childlike, exactly, but she's definitely not... Well, she's not as jaded as most people are by the time they hit their late twenties or early thirties. She seems incredibly innocent, and almost child-like in her demeanor. Which can make it hard to buy into a romance. I think Nora Roberts does a good job here of differentiating between her innocence in this world, and the fact that she's still an adult.
Just because she isn't inured to the atrocities as most humans have, it doesn't mean that she should be treated with anything other than respect. I worried about that quite a lot. That the characters would talk down to her, or treat her with kid gloves. But it, mostly, wasn't the case. There were a few jokes when she got syntax and language incorrect. Which frustrated me a bit - but it was never mean-spirited or hurtful. Never judgmental on her, more self-deprecating on the character making the observation.
I think all of the team wanted, honestly, to be able to be as carefree, happy, and just innocent, as Annika. Because of that, she was a breath of fresh air. I did enjoy how she overcame the objections of Sawyer, who was honestly trying to be honorable, and still maintained her oaths. Annika is probably one of my favorite characters in this series, or any of Nora Roberts' series.
I liked this book better than the second for the development of the team. I think that the team dynamic was actually developed a bit more slowly than Bran and Sasha's relationship - or even maybe than Annika and Sawyer's. It was much more satisfying because of that.
Which leads into the book I had been most looking forward to. Riley and Doyle....more
If you've read the Kate Daniels series you'll instantly recognize the scene set here - of when she first meets Saiman. Though it's April 2016 Re-read.
If you've read the Kate Daniels series you'll instantly recognize the scene set here - of when she first meets Saiman. Though it's very short, and a quick read, there's plenty of ass kicking and snark.
"What happened?"
"You fell."
"Really? What did I fall into?"
"My fist."
Kate's a merc, and when she takes a job for bodyguard detail she ends up getting more than she planned for.
But bodyguard detail was a couple's kind of dance. You had to work with the body you guarded, and in my experience, bodies proved uncooperative.
You get to see why Saiman is so fascinated with Kate - and it's not just because she says no the first time. As I love Kate, too, I can't really blame Saiman; even if he is a creepy bastard.
My paper said the client's name was Saiman. No indication if it was his last or first name. Perhaps he was like Batman, one of a kind.
I love anything to do with Kate Daniels, and I have a hard time thinking about anything but how much I love these books when I read this. This is a short story, so it's an incredibly quick read, but well worth it. Definitely recommended to anyone that enjoys the Kate Daniels series; and for those that aren't too sure about Kate after the first book (some of my friends, can you believe it?) I think this novella offers some additional intriguing insights into her character. Even though it is a prequel, you needn't read it before Magic Bites.
May 2019 Re-read. *sighs happily* I do so love Nevada and Rogan and all the Baylors.
It’s been a rough month or so for me. I’d intended to have this reMay 2019 Re-read. *sighs happily* I do so love Nevada and Rogan and all the Baylors.
It’s been a rough month or so for me. I’d intended to have this review up much sooner. Life got in the way.
As has been the case my entire life, when life gets me down – books bring me back up. When I was devastated recently, I turned to the Hidden Legacy series for comfort. Ilona Andrews is one of a few authors that can consistently give me that. I started with Burn for Me, flew through White Hot, and finally re-read Wildfire.
I am just as impressed this time as I was the first time I read it. Wildfire, cranks up the tension and kept me on the edge of my seat – despite knowing what was going to happen. The stakes are high, and Nevada and Rogan once again find themselves at the center of a disaster waiting to happen.
For me, the best thing in this series is Nevada and Rogan, and their relationship. The fact that they’re not perfect, they’re not infallible, and they sometimes make bone-headed decisions, simply adds to my certainty of their perfection for each other.
I also really enjoyed seeing Nevada navigate some of the more subtle, and even more obvious, nuances of politics within the Houses.
Obviously, I can’t say a whole heck of a lot without spoiling some of the best aspects of this book – but I will say that I missed (somewhat to my surprise) a certain character.
And despite this being (very loosely) tied up – I’m hoping we get a lot more books in this world, and specifically in this series to more firmly tie up a rather large, dangling thread....more
I went into this novella knowing very little, except that it had potentially world-changing events within its pages. Now that I'm done - I tore through this on my (extended) lunch break today - I can definitely say that's the dead-honest truth.
I've long wanted a Derek book, and I've been 'shipping Derek and Julie, hard, for a very long time (since the metal rose). To say I was excited when I realized exactly who this would center around is a massive understatement. I could not wait to dive into the world. I thought, initially, that it would be told in Julie's point-of-view, but it's actually in Derek's, and I think I like that better. I think Julie might have begun to sound a bit too much like Kate, not that that would be unrealistic, but it would make it harder to fall into the story.
Derek has a very different voice. Different from Kate, Curran, and just about every other character I've read from Ilona Andrews. And I love that. He's himself. If you've read the rest of the series you know who Derek is (if you haven't, stop here and go start!), and exactly how Kate describes his scars - which is minimally. I like that when we get to step into other characters' heads in this series we learn a bit more about Kate and Curran as well. Kate tends to minimize things that others would see as faults or disfigurements in her friends and loved ones, and even though I suspected that, seeing how true it is in regards to Derek's scars was a bit of a revelation. I think an even bigger revelation, though, was the scars he carries on the inside. He hides them well, until we're in his head.
Julie kicks ass. I'm not usually a fan of kids in stories, because they're generally written so unrealistically. That was never a problem with Julie, she's always been exactly who she is, and it never felt forced or fake (like some kids do). She's grown so much, and seeing those changes in her is amazing. She's strong, and powerful, and smart, and absolutely, awesomely, self-assured and confident. I love her. A lot.
I won't say a lot about the plot because it is a novella and I don't want to risk spoiling anything, but I will say that a lot of new, interesting, world-building things appear. And a few WORLD-CHANGING things are revealed. I think I'd known some of the revelations from previous books, but the extent of the implications and knowledge of that was nothing compared to what I learned here. I can't wait to see how this affects everything going forward. Considering we're in the home-stretch of the main story-arc of the series, this story just amps up my excitement - and worry - for everyone I love in this series.
This book was amazing - I always enjoy the Kate Daniels' World novellas, but this one is something else altogether. I loved every moment and read it in one sitting. Now I just want more.
And I still 'ship Derek and Julie. Harder now than ever before.
SPOILERS (view spoiler)[I'm serious, there are REALLY BIG SPOILERS HERE.(view spoiler)[Honestly, don't click unless you've read the book.(view spoiler)[Are you sure?(view spoiler)[Okay, some things that blew my mind: (view spoiler)[1. Roland cast Hugh out?! OMG. With the news that IA is writing Hugh's book, this is even MORE interesting. Comment from blog
Ilona says December 6, 2015 at 1:26 pm
We will probably go down to one book with New York. It depends heavily on how this does and how Hugh’s novel does.
No, Hugh’s book that is the April Fools joke. People have requested it at libraries. We are writing it.
2. JULIE IS TALKING TO ROLAND! AND LEARNING FROM HIM! AND SHE CAN USE POWER WORDS!!!!!!!!!! And she doesn't have the problems that Kate used to have because she incants beforehand! OMG. Please, please, please tell me that Kate will learn this, too.
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