Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews

Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Hardcover: 381 pages
Publisher: Penguin
Release date: July 29th, 2014

Series:  Kate Daniels #7

Source: 

Reviewed by: 

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…

As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.

As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…

I know I am super late to this party as this book released a few years ago, but there is so many books to read and so little time! Don't make the same mistake I did though, get on reading this series ASAP and you won't be disappointed.

Magic Breaks is the seventh installment in the series and is the culmination of an incredibly suspenseful story arc between Kate and her evil father Roland. In the midst of her previous adventures, Kate built her confidence, learned to let people into her heart, knitted solid friendship and painfully gathered important allies and she needs every trick in her bag to survive her current adventure. In fact, in this novel, d'Ambray, master puppeteer that he is,  made sure Curran was busy half-way across the world to plot a full blown war between the Pack and the People while Kate was alone in charge. She had to prove her leadership within the pack, protect its members by unfolding a mysterious murder, all the while preventing a terrible war. I loved how she shone with all of her qualities and was able to metaphorically kick in the butt the opposition.

The entire book was suspenseful and action-packed and at times I had to remembered to breath because I was so caught-up in the story. Every event was engrossing, the death of some characters stunning and some revelations were simply beyond amazing. I know I sound like a gushing mess, but really, this novel was amazing beyond words. And I don't want to give anything away so I won't get into details, but Curran's grand entrance toward the end was just mind-blowing. I really loved the escape part of the story line.

I loved that every character joined the party and that we got to discover more about Gastek in particular. D'Ambray was an especially annoying display of strength and I almost pity him, while Roland was an awe-stricking revelation.

Ilona and Gordon really wrote a masterpiece with this series and this novel has blown away my expectations. If I hadn't known this novel wasn't the last one in the series I might have died of an heart-attack but thankfully there are more adventures to come. If you love urban fantasy, you do not want to miss this amazing series.

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Posted by Tynga at 02:21

 contemporary, Fantasy, Ilona Andrews, Kate Daniels, Magic, Penguin, Publisher, Review, shapeshifters, Urban, Urban Fantasy, vampires  1 Person left their mark

Stacking The Shelves {249}

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page!

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 I hope everyone had a great week! I purchase a couple of ebooks since my last stacking the shelves and here they are ^^

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Burning Bright by Melissa McShane

Darkness Awakened by Stephanie Rowe

I haven't read any of them yet, but they look promising :D

What did you add to your shelves?

[inlinkz_linkup id=705369]

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Posted by Tynga at 01:13

 Stacking The Shelves  18 People left their mark

Dawn Study by Maria V. Snyder

Dawn Study by Maria V. Snyder

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
eBook: 478 pages
Publisher: MIRA
Release date: January 31st, 2017

Series:  Soulfinder #3 & Study #6

Source: 

Reviewed by: 

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder brings her Poison Study series to its exhilarating conclusion.

Despite the odds, Yelena and Valek have forged an irrevocable bond and a family that transcends borders. Now, when their two homelands stand on the brink of war, they must fight with magic and cunning to thwart an Ixian plot to invade Sitia.

Yelena seeks to break the hold of the insidious Theobroma that destroys a person's resistance to magical persuasion. But the Cartel is determined to keep influential citizens and Sitian diplomats in thrall and Yelena at bay. With every bounty hunter after her, Yelena is forced to make a dangerous deal.

With might and magic, Valek peels back the layers of betrayal surrounding the Commander. At its rotten core lies a powerful magician and his latest discovery. The fate of all rests upon two unlikely weapons. One may turn the tide. The other could spell the end of everything. 

I have been a big fan of this series since it's debut with Poison Study, and have read all 9 books since. I am deeply in love with each character and I'm super sad this is the last installment. I must confess, and I'm really hoping there will be another spin off series, maybe taking place in a few years when the younger characters are growing up? Owning their powers? Valek's siblings, or Reema and Teegan? Ok ok, I am babbling! Let me get this review started!

In this episode, Yelena is pregnant and still magic-less and she is working really hard with her merry gang to put down Owen, his control over the commander, the Cartel and all of theirs enemies before they manage to rob every magician in Sitia of their powers, or worst. All our favorite characters are involved and they are in great danger, facing so many unknown factors and poisons they don't know how to counter. They have to play smart and we can only hope they all survive this dire situation. The whole endeavor is action packed from cover to cover and will leave you breathless! 

Snyder knitted her plot seamlessly and every twist and turn kept me in high alert. When you think there's no way out of a situation, our favorite characters bounce back and when you think things are finally starting to get together, something else comes up and messes everything. It's highly frustrating, but oh so addictive. I was glued to kindle and devoured every page.

I was satisfied with the ending and with how Snyder tied every thread for this final novel. I must say I wish the epilogue was longer. I am not ready to let go *cries* which is why I am praying for a spin-off series. I love these characters so much and I hope we get to see Yelena and Valek a couple of years from now. Hopefully living their happily ever after.

If you haven't read this series yet, I urge you to do so! The first installment is Poison Study and you can find the perfect reading order on Maria's website.

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Posted by Tynga at 02:57

 Fantasy, Magic, Maria V. Snyder, Mira, Netgalley, Review, Study, young adult  1 Person left their mark

The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi (Review Tour)

The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Adult
Genre: Science-Fiction
Paperback ARC:  336 pages
Publisher: Tor Books
Release date: March 21, 2017

Series:  The Interdependency

Source: For review

Reviewed by:  Stéphanie

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

The first novel of a new space-opera sequence set in an all-new universe by the Hugo Award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author of Redshirts and Old Man's War.

Our universe is ruled by physics and faster than light travel is not possible -- until the discovery of The Flow, an extra-dimensional field we can access at certain points in space-time that transport us to other worlds, around other stars.

Humanity flows away from Earth, into space, and in time forgets our home world and creates a new empire, the Interdependency, whose ethos requires that no one human outpost can survive without the others. It’s a hedge against interstellar war -- and a system of control for the rulers of the empire.

The Flow is eternal -- but it is not static. Just as a river changes course, The Flow changes as well, cutting off worlds from the rest of humanity. When it’s discovered that The Flow is moving, possibly cutting off all human worlds from faster than light travel forever, three individuals -- a scientist, a starship captain and the Empress of the Interdependency -- are in a race against time to discover what, if anything, can be salvaged from an interstellar empire on the brink of collapse.

The Collapsing Empire is the first book in a new series by Hugo Award winner and New York Times bestselling author, John Scalzi. Personally, I've only read a couple of his books, but he's gained at least one new fan with this most recent novel. This novel will certainly be creating waves in the coming months because it's something completely new, accessible and despite being science fiction, it actually has some relevant present day themes.

When it comes to interstellar travel, the author doesn't try to go into too much scientific detail. Actually, he states in the beginning of his novel that most people wouldn't even understand it. In short, something called the Flow allows a ship to ride a "stream" from one location to another without the need for light-speed travel, something that still doesn't exist, even in this post-Earth civilization. Some streams take months to travel, and they aren't always the shortest or most logical routes.

Streams are also one way, like the only one leaving the planet End. The planet is called End because many streams lead to it, but there's only one that leaves it to go back to Hub, the seat of the Interdependency because most streams lead back to it. Curious enough, End is the only planet humanity has discovered that is suitable for human life, all other planets needing special habitats or rotating space stations for survival. However, End is not a very desirable place to settle because it's so far away from everything else. It isn't called End for no apparent reason. Personally, I love this concept of space travel because even though it's fiction, it's still believable. There's still a lot we don't know about our universe and John Scalzi makes it easy to believe in the Flow.

The author also introduces us to a wide range of interesting characters, including a physicist named Marce Claremont who believes something drastic is about to happen to the Flow, and actually, already happening. Many of his peers believe the Flow is something stable, however, Marce and his father have studied the Flow extensively and data shows what can only be called the collapse of the Flow. Since trade and the economy depend heavily on Flow routes, business and political tensions arise in forms of rebellions, piracy and political trickery. The newly crowned emperox of the Interdependency, Cardenia, now Grayland II, has to deal with feuding business families, assassination attempts and news about the shifting Flow.

Funny enough, the author mentions in his afterward that the plot line is not based on the current american situation, that in fact, the book was plotted and written before the 2016 american election. However, one can see how anything as unpredictable can create tension, fear and violence. Many businesses and families capitalize on this fear and I think the author demonstrates very well how some people crave power and money, and will do just about anything to have both.

As a relative newbie to John Scalzi's work, I'll definitely have to read his previous books to see how this new series compares to career building series, Old Man's War. The Collapsing Empire deserve much attention and is one of my new favourites of the genre. It's an epic and grand introduction to a new sci-fi universe and I'm really looking forward to what happens next.

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JOHN SCALZI is one of the most popular and acclaimed SF authors to emerge in the last decade. His massively successful debut, Old Man’s War, won him science fiction’s John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His New York Times bestsellers include The Last Colony; Fuzzy Nation; Redshirts, which won 2013’s Hugo Award for Best Novel; and Lock In. Material from his widely read blog, Whatever, has also earned him two other Hugo Awards. He lives in Ohio with his wife and daughter.

Follow the rest of the blog tour:

March 14: Bookwraiths

March 15: Just A World Away

March 16: Bookworm Everlasting

March 17: It's All About Books

March 21: Books Bones & Buffy

March 22: Ageless Pages Reviews

March 23: Lynn's Books

March 24: Culturess

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Posted by Tynga at 03:55

 John Scalzi, Publisher, Review, sci-fi, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, The Collapsing Empire, Tor  3 People left their mark

Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs

Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Hardcover: 371 pages
Publisher: Ace Books
Release date: March 7th 2017

Series:  Mercy Thompson #10

Source: 

Reviewed by: 

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

In the #1 New York Times bestselling Mercy Thompson novels, the coyote shapeshifter has found her voice in the werewolf pack. But when Mercy's bond with the pack and her mate is broken, she'll learn what it truly means to be alone...

Attacked and abducted in her home territory, Mercy finds herself in the clutches of the most powerful vampire in the world, taken as a weapon to use against alpha werewolf Adam and the ruler of the Tri-Cities vampires. In coyote form, Mercy escapes only to find herself without money, without clothing, and alone in the heart of Europe...

Unable to contact Adam and the rest of the pack, Mercy has allies to find and enemies to fight, and she needs to figure out which is which. Ancient powers stir, and Mercy must be her agile best to avoid causing a war between vampires and werewolves, and between werewolves and werewolves. And in the heart of the ancient city of Prague, old ghosts rise...

For once, Mercy was minding her own business, heading to the convenience store, a necessary step to feed chocolate chip cookies to a horde of video game playing werewolves, when she got caught in a near-deadly kidnapping plot. Unconscious and very badly injured, she was hauled all the way across the Atlantic ocean, in Italy, far from everyone she knows and cut off from her pack bound. How will she get out of this one alive?

The Mercy Thompson series has been one of my favorite for years and I am happy to say this novel did not disappoint. It actually made me fall in love all over again with my favorite characters! As much as I love my heroines getting the guy of their dream along a book series, couple lives can get a bit dull around the corners so I was very happy that I would get to see Mercy, and Adam, on their own in this novel. There is just this special and desperate energy going on when you are facing extremely dangerous situations by yourself and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Mercy's determination, resourcefulness, and surviving skills were at the fore-front and I truly enjoyed it. I loved her spunk and the way she built on her coyote skills in this novel. On the other hand, I loved how Adam was forced to let Mercy deal with things on her own and how he had to develop his negotiating skills in a dire situation. Honey, a character I wasn't a fan off in the past, also happily surprised me. I did not expect it from her, but she really rose to the challenge.

This novel has a very special time-line and you have to pay close attention if you don't want to be confused. Add to it narration alternating between Mercy, Adam and other important characters and you have a recipe for chaos (if you don't follow along!) or sheer genius (if you pay close attention lol). Briggs really took her story-telling skills up a notch in this installment, and I'll tell you off the bat she threw one spectacular curve-ball that made me want to re-read the novel as soon as possible.

I don't think I could ever tire of these characters and it's a shame we have to wait so long between installments. I'm already super impatient for the next novel to release! If you haven't picked up this series yet, I urge you to start with the first novel, Moon Called, and I am sure you will crave for more!

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Posted by Tynga at 04:43

 Ace, Adult, Fantasy, Mercy Thompson, Netgalley, Paranormal, Patricia Briggs, Penguin, Review, Romance, Shifters, Urban, Urban Fantasy, Vampire, werewolf  3 People left their mark

Stacking The Shelves {248}

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page!

——————

 I'd like to start this week's STS post with an apologie. I have been away and inactive for quite a while, and I would like to apologize. I will do my very best to get back on track and be as active as I can be once more :) I'd also like to thank Stéphanie for picking up my slack!

Also, I am opening recruitment again in hopes of bringing some new blood and energy to the blog. You can view all the necessary information here:

Now onto the books I added to my shelves!

Purchased:

Shadow's Seduction by Kresley Cole (kindle edition)

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas (Kindle edition)

Into the Fire by Jeaniene Frost (Print edition)

Dawn Study by Maria V Snyder (Print edition)

Received for Review:

Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs (Via NetGalley)

What did you add to your shelves this week?

[inlinkz_linkup id=702726]

Enregistrer

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Posted by Tynga at 23:21

 Stacking The Shelves  26 People left their mark

Recruitment Post!

Hello my darlings!

There has been a lot going on in the lives of all our reviewers lately and unfortunately the blog has suffered for it and I am probably the first one to blame. Juggling with 3 jobs, 2 kids and spending what little free time I have with my husband, I haven't written a review in quite some time.

Robert and Marie also gave me their resignation in the past couple of weeks (Marie this morning actually) and it's given me a kick in the rear. From now on, I will do my best to get back to my weekly review as much as possible and I would like to find someone that is passionate with paranormal books to join our little team made of Stephanie, Kara (part-time) and I (hopefully full time again!).

I want to find someone who will commit for a once a week review + occasional Stacking the Shelves and promo post, for the long run. You preferred genre should be paranormal/fantasy (both YA and adult are accepted), dystopian and even a bit of SciFi is fine.

I am looking for someone with the following criteria:

• Books reviewed must be of the Paranormal Genre (some dystopian and steampunk accepted).


• You must be 16 + (with parental permission if under 18)


• You don’t already have a blog of your own (negotiable)


• You must write fairly articulate reviews, and I’d like to see some you’ve previously written (amazon, goodreads and the likes)


• If you have a goodreads account, I’d like to see it.


• I’m not against negative reviews but I’m against bashing and disrespect. I reserve a veto vote on anything we publish.


• No plagiary tolerated.


• Must be able to use WordPress and publish their posts according to the actual template.

What's in it for you?

• A platform to express your thoughts on books


• Being part of a fairly successful blog (this includes your own About Me section, custom sig, wishlist)


• Interaction with your favourite authors when planning events


• Possibility to sign up for tours


• A couple of free books along the line. I want it to be clear though, that reviewing for Team Tynga’s Reviews does not guaranty you a plethora of free books, it shouldn’t be your prime motivation.

I might have forgotten something, so feel free to contact me with any questions you might have =)

TyngaUF(a)gmail.com

If you are interested, please FILL THE FORM

Enregistrer

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Posted by Tynga at 02:15

   264 People left their mark

Wires and Nerves, Volume 1 by Marissa Meyer

Wires and Nerves, Volume 1 by Marissa Meyer

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Young Adult
Genre: Science-Fiction
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Macmillan
Release date: January 31st, 2017

Series:  Wires and Nerves #1

Source: Purchased

Reviewed by: Stéphanie

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

In her first graphic novel, #1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller Marissa Meyer follows Iko, the beloved android from the Lunar Chronicles, on a dangerous and romantic new adventure -- with a little help from Cinder and the Lunar team.

In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new, action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold. When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the bestselling series.

I don't read many graphic novels, so when I do, it's bound to be something special. Wires and Nerves follows the story of Iko, the loyal and lovable droid from Marissa Meyer's bestselling series, The Lunar Chronicles. Iko is a wonderful character that probably didn't get enough credit in the book series so I'm really glad her story is finally being told in graphic novel form.

For someone that's accustomed to novels, reading graphic novels seems like cheating, like I'm speed reading through the story. So I think it's unfair when I say that the story felt too short because I know graphic novels take more time and space. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this graphic novel and it's a great extension to the series.

One thing I really appreciated is that all main character from the four Lunar Chronicle books are represented in this story. Obviously Iko shines and is the narrator too, but I think it was important to include everyone. Iko, a droid with a human-like body, is charged with the task of searching and arresting all the wolf-hybrid soldiers deployed on Earth by the ex-Queen of Luna, that have been hurting and killing people all over the world. So far, Iko's record is pretty good but some have resisted, unaware that they are being brought back to Luna for a fair trial, not as slaves to the new Queen.

^{Source: Amazon Preview}

Searching and fighting are things Iko knows how to do, however love and feelings might not be part of her programming. She is a hopeless romantic, fawning over princes and bad boys, but as a service droid, she has always thought love as something unobtainable. So it will be fun to follow her romantic storyline in sequel since the creators leave us on a pretty steep cliffhanger.

The art is very well done however a little bit simple. It's easy to follow and very well organized. Obviously, it would have been better in colour, and at that price point, you kind of expected it to be coloured. However, the grey tone kind of fits the lunar theme so it might have been a deliberate choice. I highly recommend Wires and Nerves to any fans of The Lunar Chronicles but for those of you who haven't read the books, you might not appreciate it as much and might be a little lost in the story.

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Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 androids, Droid, Feiwel amp; Friends, Graphic Novel, Macmillan, Marissa Meyer, Purchased, Review, sci-fi, Science Fiction, werewolf, Wires and Nerves  78 People left their mark

Poisoned Blade by Kate Elliott

Poisoned Blade by Kate Elliott

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Hardcover: 468 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release date: August 16th, 2016

Series:  Court of Fives #2

Source: Library

Reviewed by: Kara

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

Jessamy is moving up the ranks of the Fives—the complex athletic contest favored by the lowliest Commoners and the loftiest Patrons in her embattled kingdom. Pitted against far more formidable adversaries, success is Jes's only option, as her prize money is essential to keeping her hidden family alive. She leaps at the chance to tour the countryside and face more competitors, but then a fatal attack on Jes's traveling party puts her at the center of the war that Lord Kalliarkos—the prince she still loves—is fighting against their country's enemies. With a sinister overlord watching her every move and Kal's life on the line, Jes must now become more than a Fives champion...She must become a warrior.

Like the first book, I really enjoyed this second continuation. However, being a second book, you do have to understand certain key elements from the first, one most notably being the royal lineage. I was so confused by how everyone was related that it brought me out of the story quite a lot. Before starting this one, the reader should re-read the first and make a family tree chart for the royal family! It does not so much fall into a typical second book pitfall as the character and plot development are well fleshed out and the action doesn't slow, but there are moments where events pass by so quickly that you might not be quite sure what exactly has happened.

In Court of Fives, Jessamy wanted to be a Fives adversary to live her dream, but in this book, her dream has come at a price and the stakes are much higher for survival. She's a Fives Challenger but she also must keep her status and win more Fives competitions to stay in Lord Gargaron's good graces. Since the political conflicts are ramping up - like the war with Saro-Urok; a possible plot by Prince Nikonos and Lady Menoe to kill the royal family and Kalliarkos; another plot by Lord Gargaron to put Lady Menoe and Kalliarkos on the throne; and the hints of rebellion by the Efeans - Jessamy is caught in the middle with her father's marriage to Lady Menoe, her love for Kalliarkos, her Efean heritage, and her duty as part of Lord Gargaron's Fives stable. With her mother and siblings in hiding (except for the missing Bettany), Jessamy also has to assume responsibility for her family and supply them with money, keep them safely away from Lord Gargaron and his soldiers, and search for Bettany if she can. But most direct plans are thwarted, and she must rely on the Efean rebellion to help them. When Amaya joins Lord Gargaron's household in disguise to help her friend Denya, spy for news, and supply an income, Jessamy finds an ally to search for Bettany and in convincing Lord Gargaron to travel around so she can become a better Challenger. However, in doing so, she unknowingly stumbles into the thick of all the building political machinations. Her unique view has put her at an advantage few others can see, and she must take the step from pawn and small rebel to being a leader and she discovers her mistakes can have disastrous consequences.

Another key element is her relationship with her father and her understanding of his actions. As a military leader and under Lord Gargaron's orders, he had to wed Lady Menoe and set aside his former family, but when hard pressed, he acknowledges Jessamy as legitimate and is proud of her accomplishments, which is significant. Since she encounters a bit of his past in visiting the garrison where he was a spider scout, she comes to understand a bit of why he's made the choices he has, and why his relationship with her mother was so important and different than everyone else's. In examining her father's choices and that of her siblings, she also finds Bettany and how far one might go when you really sacrifice your family for your beliefs...

This book also brings her back to Kal and despite being on different sides, she discovers they are still allies. Since Kal is absent from Jessamy for much of the novel, there is even less romance than the last book. This situation with Kal, I expect, will also be a big part of book three, Buried Heart, coming August 2017. Really looking forward to it!

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Action amp; Adventure, Brown Books for Young Readers, Court of Fives, Fantasy, Fantasy amp; Magic, Kate Elliott, Library, Little, Poisoned Blade, race, Review, we need diverse books, young adult  1 Person left their mark