Dawn Study by Maria V Snyder

Dawn Study by Maria V Snyder Series: Soulfinder #3 & Study #6 EBook, 478 pages Released: January 31st, 2017

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Dawn Study by Maria V. Snyder

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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by Tynga at Friday, March 24, 2017

 Fantasy, Magic, Maria V. Snyder, Mira, Netgalley, Review, Study, young adult  Leave your mark

✎

Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs

Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs ★★★★★ Series: Mercy Thompson #10 Hardcover, 371 pages Released: March 7th 2017

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Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs

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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by Tynga at Friday, March 17, 2017

 Ace, Adult, Fantasy, Mercy Thompson, Netgalley, Paranormal, Patricia Briggs, Penguin, Review, Romance, Shifters, Urban, Urban Fantasy, Vampire, werewolf  2 People left their mark

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The Reclamation by Thorn Osgood

The Reclamation by Thorn Osgood

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The world as Corilan knows it is dying and taking humankind with it.  This is the ultimate ending to the series of disappointments that is her life along with trouble at work that required her to move her home and her problems with her family.  She gains only small comfort from the one place she could always expect it, the voice that only she can hear, the one calls Innerme.  What can old family ties and voices from the past do help Corilan?  Can they help others?

This is the beginning Reclamation by Thorn Osgood.  It is the first book in the dystopian series The Ancestral Guidance Saga.  This is a story with a wealth of science fiction, paranormal occurrences and some social and societal commentary for good measure. It is all presented in a style that tries for something between high fantasy and science fiction.

The problem with the story is not in the story itself.  The premise is really a unique take on some familiar elements.  I do not want to get in to the premise too much too avoid spoilers but, I do like the more orginal direction this story starts to take the reader.  The problem comes in the way the story is presented.

This book gives some of the best and worst examples of the show don't tell concept.  The problems arises with lackluster descriptions whether from the characters or the narrator.  This yet another example of the need for texture in scenery. Giving monochrome visuals can help sell the idea of a world bereft of vibrant colors but, intensifying the others senses is a good way to bring the reader into the story.  The narrative is further let down by dialog that looks like it was written by a middle school kid trying get good marks for proper grammar.  It's just not the way people really talk and takes the reader out of the story further with each conversation.

The Reclamation by Thorn Osgood is a book with lofty goals and a unique perspective.  It is unfortunately in need of text that seems like something more that just, well, text.

— Reviewed by Robert

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by Tynga at Wednesday, August 03, 2016

 Dystopian, Mind Wings Audio Publisher, Netgalley, Review, Science Fiction, The School of Ancestral Guidance Saga, Thorn Osgood  Leave your mark

✎

Dark Run by Mike Brooks

Dark Run by Mike Brooks 368 pages Released: 2015

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What do you get when you combine Clint Eastwood with Han Solo and Captain Kirk?  Probably something closely resembling Ichabod Drift, captain of The Keiko, privateering ship in Mike Brooks new space opera Dark Run.  This tale combines elements of the American old west, pirates of the high seas and of course space travel.

This is a book that relies heavily on the characters in it.  We spend most  of our time with the central character, Ichabod Drift, and his development sets the pace for much of the story.  The rest of the cast is made of many of the archetypes we expect to accompany a swashbuckling captain who has a reputation with the ladies.  Everything from the brooding and simple-minded muscle to the mysterious first mate to the techie who is only at home with gizmos and computers.  These are always nice touchstones to help the reader into a world that is unfamiliar but, in this case, there could have been a bit more life brought into each of the characters.  Having each match too closely to their job makes them almost seem like 'off-the-shelf' characters too easily dismissed as set pieces.  They really aren't since each has a crucial role to the narrative but, it take a little to long to feel they are more than their job descriptions.

The story itself is largely character driven and suffers some from the underpowered crew.  We start with an established crew of privateers who manage to keep the bills paid while travelling the galaxy.  One day, the captain is given an offer he can't refuse and does not fully explain to the rest of the crew.  This leads to events that but the whole crew to the test.  This along with the revelation of some crew members buried past puts the future of the group in jeopardy.

Dark Run by Mike Brooks is credible start to what could be a very interesting series.  Breathing life into the crew and some timely exposition of their pasts could make for some entertaining reading in the future.  The violence and sex scenes earn this one an R rating in my book.

— Reviewed by Robert

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by Tynga at Wednesday, July 13, 2016

 Mike Brooks, Netgalley, Review, Science Fiction, Simon and Schuster, Space Opera, Space Pirates  Leave your mark

✎

Reliquary by Sarah Fine

Reliquary by Sarah Fine 288 pages Released: June 14, 2016

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One thing I look forward to when a new book by a new author comes out is the possibility of a new magic system to explore.  In Reliquary by Sarah Fine, we get introduced to one of the more unique systems of magic.  Some are practitioners and some are merely sensitives

This is a story brought to us through the eyes of our main character, Mattie Carver.  She's a young lady who has her life planned to perfection and we all know what happens to well laid plans.  As her plans start go awry, we get to learn more about Mattie, her fiancé Ben and his brother Asa.  These are the characters we get to learn the most about as the adventure unfolds.  There is a lot of self realization for Mattie as she navigates the underworld of magic and tries to learn its rules.  When it comes to her fiancé and his brother and even some of her family members, Mattie is more adept at finding questions rather than answers.

The story itself has a decent flow.  It does suffer from pacing in some spots.  Part of that comes from the action scenes.  The narrative for many of the action scenes are overly verbose.  In an effort to get the details of the scene, we lose the  tempo of the struggles in depth of the description.  Unfortunately, some of the spots where a bit of detail would be welcome wind up a bit thin.

Reliquary by Sarah Fine is a urban fantasy that reads like an adventure/romance novel.  It explores not only the discovery of magic in a mundane world but, the beginning of the adventure of Mattie's self discovery.  This book has much violence (though not gratuitous) very frank discussions of sex and sexuality as well as some grown up language.  This is a definite R rated.

— Reviewed by Robert

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by Tynga at Wednesday, July 06, 2016

 47North, Action amp; Adventure, Magic, Netgalley, Review, Romance, Sarah Fine, sexuality, Urban Fantasy  Leave your mark

✎

Icon (The Persona Sequence Book 2) by Genevieve Valentine

Icon (The Persona Sequence Book 2) by Genevieve Valentine

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This is the second book in this series.  In my review, I may reveal plot points or other items of significant meaning in the plot of the first book.  Those things also known as spoilers.  If you have not started but may have the desire to read this series, don't read this review just yet.  Check out Persona by Genevieve Valentine and then come back and finish this review.

Icon by Genevieve Valentine is story filled with action and political intrigue.  This is the second book in the Persona Sequence.  Set in a dystopian society where the Cult of Personality reigns supreme this series is a study in what it would be like if 'reality TV' where to get too close to politics.  Not as though that could ever happen.

The main character, Suyana Sapaki, gains quite a bit of notoriety, not to mention political clout, from surviving an assassination attempt.  She accomplished that with the assistance of a reporter. The  connection between the two seems to be a bit incomplete, at least as far as one party is concerned.

With this book, I accidentally broke one of my cardinal rules: Never start in the middle of a series especially when it there is plot that lasts through the whole series.  This books makes it particularly difficult  to do this since it rarely treads over old territory from the first book.  This makes tracking the progression of the main characters tricky.  It also hinders the significance of new characters.

The description of the setting was a little less than I would like.  Not only does it breathe a little life into the story but, it can also give a bit of context to those who haven't read the first book or even those who did but need little reminders of some aspects.

Icon by Genevieve Valentine is a very unique vision of political science fiction that could open up this sub-genre of story telling.  It is a more mature read.

— Reviewed by Robert

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by Tynga at Wednesday, June 29, 2016

 Genevieve Valentine, Netgalley, Political, Review, Science Fiction, Simon and Schuster, The Persona Sequence  Leave your mark

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Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas) by Zoraida Córdova

Much like any typical teen, Alejandra (Alex) Mortiz has to deal with typical teen problems: school, fitting in at school, making friends and dating.  Alex has the added complication of being in a family of magic users all of whom wonder why her powers haven't surfaced yet.  Her older sister and younger sister have both had their abilities surface and everybody is looking forward to Alex's turn.  Everybody with the exception of Alex.  What secret does Alex keep that would explain her not wanting her powers?

In Labyrinth Lost, Zoraida Cordóva brings worlds  both magical and mundane to life through the eyes of a young woman at a time when she is learning more and more about life and herself.  Since this is written from Alex's view point, we get to see first hand how she begins to understand life.  The story challenges all of her perceptions her family and the differences between their powers and her situation as well as how she sees her friends and acquaintances.  Not only do we get a better understanding of her motivations but, we also start to understand a little better the one of the people she cares for.

Since this is the first book of what I'll guess to be a series, it is full of exposition without getting bogged down in over-explanation.  I prefer first person narration for these types of books because, just as Zoraida Cordóva does here, we are taught through both dialogue and inner monolog in a way that is understandable and allows the story to flow.  The scenes build well off each other without the feeling of being predictable.  You may not be sure of where you are going next but, once you get there, it makes sense.

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordóva is a magical journey of a young woman's discovery of herself and the world around her. This is a Young Adult book that I would have to put a slight emphasis on the Adult part.  The violence and intense emotional elements are probably a bit much for younger readers.  That's why I would give it a mild PG13.

 

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by Tynga at Wednesday, April 06, 2016

 Brooklyn Brujas, Fantasy amp; Magic, Love amp; Romance, Love and Romance, Magic, Mythology, Netgalley, Review, Sourcebooks Fire, young adult, Zoraida Córdova  Leave your mark

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Roses and Rot by Kat Howard

What is the price of a dream?  What sacrifice would be reasonable to reach your goals and to have those things in life you dearly desire?  What if it meant a friend, a love, a lover or family?  Imogen, Marin and their new found friends will all put these questions to the test in the new book Roses and Rot by Kat Howard. 

This is a story that straddles worlds.  The subtle transitions from one to the another adds tremendously to the mystery and mystique of some of the places we get to visit.  The author takes us on a journey from the almost tragically mundane to the seductively fantastical.  This is where I might normally have a bit of a problem with the level of detail in a story.  Fantasy stories almost require rich descriptions of characters and places.  In my opinion, this is one of those books that is the exception that proves the rule.  Much like The Downfall of the Gods, the story is paramount here.  There is enough description to give the reader a framework to build on.  There are some very good moments where the author does make excellent use of all five senses  to make things real.

As important as the story is in this book there is still the matter of the characters.  This really is a fine example of the slow exposition as far as some of our central characters are concerned.  Most of the side characters show a good bit of growth as well.   It is not simply the way the characters develop that makes them come alive in this book.  It is also how they act and interact that really breathes life into them.  Here is where I must give fair warning:  This is a very emotional story.  This story relies less on action and more on the psychological and emotional to give us all the conflict, struggle and resolution we are looking for.

Roses and Rot by Kat Howard is a journey to the center of the artists soul.  While there is not a tremendous amount of violence, the mature content and deep emotional themes have it earn a PG13 rating from me. 

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by Tynga at Wednesday, March 16, 2016

 Artistry, fae, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Fiction, Kat Howard, Netgalley, Review, Saga Press  2 People left their mark

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Shadow Rites: A Jane Yellowrock Novel by Faith Hunter

This is a review of the 10th installment to the Jane Yellowrock series.  A thus far intriguing and exciting series that I would not want to spoil for any of you who may not be current in it.  If that is you, stop reading this and start reading the first book right away, I'm sure you'll be hooked immediately.  When you've caught up, come back and read up on what's new with Jane.

The Big Cat is back!  Along with her partners Eli and Alex  and so many of her friends and acquaintances that we have grown to know and appreciate.  Still in the Big Easy and still Enforcer for Leo Pellissier and getting ready for the big meeting between witches and vampires.  The only problem is, two witches decide to visit Jane early and leave a mystery in their wake.

When it comes to stories about anything fantastical or paranormal in the U.S., it's hard to beat a New Orleans for the setting.  It is a city rich in cultures and the histories that surround them.  Faith Hunter makes good use of this setting every time she brings back to visit with Jane.  In this book, as well as the others, her use of scenery enhances the mood either by matching it or by contrast.  Well appointed offices, posh parlors and smelly swamps all do their parts to lull the reader into false security or to put the reader on guard for the next beastly attack.

One of the traps for a series of this depth is the possibility of a lack of growth in the characters.  At ten books into the series, the Jane Yellowrock series does not have that problem.  Jane herself continues to have enough mystique in both her future and her past that we may yet see a great deal more of her in books to come.  Her compatriots get similar treatment.  We still don't know much of Eli Younger's past and Alex Younger might be a future that bears watching.

The plot and pacing themselves are somewhat familiar but, don't feel forced or formulaic.  We have general ideas that conflicts will happen and resolutions reached.  Thing is, it may not happen in the order you expect.  Some resolutions may be from books past some conflicts remain in place.  Much like real life, you don't know when things will settle down.

Shadow Rites: A Jane Yellowrock Novel by Faith Hunter  maintains and actually boosts the momentum initiated by the previous installments of this series. Very entertaining though it lands comfortably in the PG13 rating for me.  There's very little in the way of language but, the violence and mature situations keep it there.

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by Tynga at Wednesday, February 17, 2016

 Faith Hunter, Fantasy, Jane Yellowrock, Netgalley, Paranormal, Penguin, Review, Skinwalker, Urban, Vampire, Witch  4 People left their mark

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The Downfall of the Gods by K. J. Parker

What if you did a really bad thing and wanted absolution from the deity of your choice.  You might go to the local temple of said deity and pray for forgiveness and make offerings.  But, what if that deity suddenly appeared to you and denied you petition in person, how could one possibly react?

That is the opening to the very unique tale in Downfall of the Gods by K. J. Parker.  Lord Archias seeks out forgiveness and redemption of his soul only to be turned down flat by the goddess he was praying to.  Instead, they reach an arrangement that leads to adventure.

From the very beginning of this book I was struck by one thing:  this is a narrative written with little embellishment or physical detail and yet the tale remains compelling.  My first reaction was that it was very much like a more mature version of a Roald Dahl book.  Elements like location, scene or time were given sparingly and only when crucial to the plot.  It was a more plain spoken and direct interpretation of a story that allows the reader to paint their own picture.

Not only were scenery and setting  given in Spartan measure, the characters were likewise not over-done.  We get very little in the way of physical description and only start off with just a bit more about who the characters are in this world.  What we do get is excellent character development of our central characters.  With a narrative that is this short and bereft of window dressing the author seems to have banked on the motivation of the characters.  I have to say, it pays off very well.

Downfall of the Gods  is raw yet entertaining storytelling.  This book proves that, though helpful, a good story does not require dramatic scenery to create drama.  I do have to rate this a PG13 due to some of the language and some mature subject matter discussed in the story.

 

 

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by Tynga at Wednesday, February 10, 2016

 Fantasy, goddess, K. J. Parker, Netgalley, Review, Subterranean Press  Leave your mark

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Silver in the Blood by Jessica Day George

Dacia and Lou are embarking for the trip of their life when they head to Romania to meet with their mother's family. A lot of secrets awaits them, and nothing could prepare them for what they will have to face.

Silver in the Blood has a fun concept, but the execution was lacking for me. The first 50% of the novel is, I'll dare say, boring. It took me almost 2 weeks of reluctant reading, wondering if I should give up altogether, to reach the 50% milestone. The world building is extremely slow and Jessica is so focused on keeping things vague and mysterious that she completely lost my interest. Up to that point, the characters were drab and typical.

Thankfully, things finally picked up when the big, bad secret (which, let's be honest, wasn't much of a surprise) was revealed. There was finally interesting moments and some action to hang onto. The characters finally had some flavor as well! Dacia who had been outgoing and fast-spoken thus far suddenly became almost catatonic until she knocked out of it toward the end. Lou, on the other hand, had been a shy introvert who turned onto a confident and strong woman. I think Lou's transformation is the only thing I really loved about this book. She was like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.

The lore had an interesting (if not completely original) flavor. The legend surrounding the Florescu family was good, but there was definitely not enough details about Mihai's family. Do they have powers of their own? Why would the Florescus feel compelled to protect them for centuries if they don't have anything special? We don't get answers and it just didn't make sense. I liked the part about the Wing, the Claw, and the Smoke. It was an interesting twist.

We don't meet Dacia's mother at all and it is kind of disappointing because I was curious about her. What kind of woman would send her daughter across the world to face such trauma?

Overall, my review is clearly negative. It's not a bad book, I know many are raving about it, but its flaws bothered me. If you are curious about it, I would suggest getting it from the library.

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by Tynga at Friday, July 24, 2015

 Bloomsbury Publishing USA, Fantasy amp; Magic, Historical, jessica day george, Netgalley, Review, Silver in the Blood, werewolf, young adult  6 People left their mark

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The Shattered Court by M. J. Scott

I'm not a big fan of M. J. Scott's Half Light City series but she's completely won me over with THE SHATTERED COURT.  It's a compelling story and the start of what looks to be a truly engaging series. It's been a while since I've read a book that captured my attention as thoroughly as THE SHATTERED COURT has. The characters and mythology are so very interesting and Scott's done a marvellous job with them!

As always, mythology is a big thing for me and Scott has created a very strong setting for this series. Witches are an accepted part of the world, but their magic is highly constrained, at least in Anglion. It's a societal decision, though, restricting royal witches to "safe" magic, under strict oversight and magical bonds. And marriage, since the Crown marries royal witches off to nobles, depending on how strong their magic is. Outside of Anglion, witches are allowed to practice more than just earth magic, but these kingdoms are regarded as dangerous by Anglion leaders and citizenry. I love the subtext you can read into the story if you choose, much like the Hunger Games trilogy; you can, however, thoroughly enjoy the story without thinking about the real-word parallels. :)

The protagonist of THE SHATTERED COURT is Lady Sophia Kendall, thirty-second in line to the throne and handmaiden to the princess. She is a rather unassuming young woman in many ways - anxious about whether or not she'll come into her magic, and who'll she marry as a result. She's only a few days away from her birthday, the day when she'll discover if she has magic, but the usual ceremony gets cast aside when Anglion comes under attack. She is forced on the run, her only protection a member of the royal guard named Lieutenant Cameron Mackenzie. Sophia comes into her magic when she's on the run, which means she doesn't participate in the usual rites, and this is where it gets interesting. Sophia is outside of society's rules and has magic unlike other women in the kingdom. It doesn't make anyone happy, not even Sophia, who finds herself with questions and suspicions plaguing her. Religious and political leaders view her as a threat but she also finds herself with abilities denied other witches by the rituals they usually participate in. Sophia is forced to grow into her new role and her journey through this discovery, and through her new relationships with members of court, is what propels THE SHATTERED COURT forward. Her relationship with Cameron is particularly interesting because it's instantly intimate but also incredibly distant, but there are other relationships that need to be renegotiated after Sophia comes into her power that are just as compelling.

The book ends a bit abruptly to my mind, but it's not a cliffhanger. There is resolution for Sophia's journey but also set up for the next book in the series, leaving me with a mixture of satisfaction and anticipation.  Scott's writing makes reading THE SHATTERED COURT a dream and I think this is definitely the beginning of a wonderful new series. I'm already looking forward to the next phase of Sophia's journey.

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by Tynga at Sunday, May 24, 2015

 Adult, Fantasy, M. J. Scott, M.J. Scott, Netgalley, Penguin, Review, The Four Arts, Witch  2 People left their mark

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The Talon of the Hawk by Jeffe Kennedy

Everything Andy and Ami went through in the past two novels leads to this Epic conclusion, this time lead by Ursula, the eldest sister. The faith of the Twelves Kingdoms lays on her shoulders as she has to juggle between an erratic King, the disappearance of her youngest sister along with her children, and her desire to honor her mother's memory.  Of course, there also needs to be a man in the picture, and this one is probably my favorite of the series!

First let me tell you that Ursula is nothing like I imagined from the first two books. She was pictured as stoic, obedient and heartless, and even though she has to uncontrollable desire to please the King, she is no where near as stuck-up as I thought she would be. Even though I was excited for this book, I was actually scared I wouldn't like her, but I was totally wrong. She has had a very difficult past (one she hid from her sisters to shield them) and has a lot of issues to work through. On one hand she wants to follow her heart, and on the other she is fiercely loyal to her father, and both instincts clash terribly.

At first I thought Harlan would be an enemy, but as the story progressed it was clear I had misjudged him. I really liked how attentive he was, how patient and supporting of Ursula he has been the entire book, even though she really was a bitch about it. The only thing that bothered me a bit was how he fell in love with her the first time he saw her, and pledge his life to protect her a couple of hours later. That kind of devotion should be earned, and I thought he handed it wayyyyy too easily. That element aside, I thought the progression of their intimacy was nicely paced and believable (at least from Ursula's side).

The sisterly bond is also an aspect I really liked from this third novel. We see them interact a lot more than in the previous books.

I thought the plot was very engaging and I really liked how one thing lead to another to really escalate toward the final rescue. BUT things went down hill for me after that. The three sisters launched on a mission and it felt extremely rushed. Personally, I think the third book should've ended after this rescue, and there should have been a fourth book, with the narration shared between all three sisters, to really give the final events/battle the attention to detail and intensity it deserved. I liked the major points and how it unfolded, but it needed so much more meat on the bones! It killed me really :(

I liked this book anyway, mind you, and I really love this trilogy as a whole. Jeffe Kennedy was a new to me author before this series, and I was pleasantly surprised. If you like high fantasy you should definitely give it a try, but make sure you start with book one, The Mark of the Tala.

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by Tynga at Friday, May 22, 2015

 Adult, High Fantasy, Historical, Jeffe Kennedy, Kensington, Magic, Netgalley, Review, Shifters, The Twelve Kingdoms  2 People left their mark

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Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

I was very sad when Jennifer Estep ended her first YA series, Mythos Academy. Thankfully, she's back with an exciting new world inhabited by some very interesting characters in COLD BURN OF MAGIC, the start of her new YA series.

In Cloudburst Falls, West Virginia, a town dubbed “the most magical place in America”, the world works a bit differently. There are magical Families that run the town, like magical mobsters, with the Sinclairs and the Draconis on top. People have different Talents that largely fall into three categories: strength, speed, and senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell). Non-magical people, uncharitably called rubes by some, don't realise that there's real magic in the world but those who are in the know are aware of the monsters, magic, and danger that exists in this town.

As with every Estep urban fantasy, the heroine of this series is tough, independent, and smart. Lila is edgier and harder than Gwen from Mythos Academy but she's not quite as tough as Gin from the Elemental Assassin books. Lila's an orphan who makes a living as a thief, secretly living in the basement of a public library and attending a mundane high school. The only constant in her life is Mo, her guardian and also her employer. It's not an easy life but she's living off the radar, the way she wants, until she saves the life of Devon Sinclair and gets pulled into the world of the Families, where Lila uses her street smarts, fighting skills, and heirlooms from her mother to figure out why Devon's a target and keep him alive while she's working on this mystery.

The other characters in COLD BURN OF MAGIC are also well developed. I'm particularly fond of Oscar the pixie, who is delightfully grumpy. Felix and Devon are also nicely written and I'm looking forward to learning more about them over the series. I don't want to go into things in great detail since it's a new series and I want you to enjoy meeting this new world and these new characters as much as I did.

Estep's written a nice and twisty path for Lila to negotiate and it makes for a very interesting read. I expected nothing less from one of my favourite authors and she's definitely delivered a fun and exciting story. I read the whole thing in one setting!

COLD BURN OF MAGIC is a fantastic new book and a great start to the Black Blade series. Estep is a wonderful writer and I think that you'll really enjoy it!

Read an excerpt (scroll down)

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by Tynga at Sunday, April 26, 2015

 Black Blade, Jennifer Estep, Kensington, Kensington Books, Magic, Netgalley, Review, Urban Fantasy, young adult  5 People left their mark

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Dark Heir by Faith Hunter

I have a longstanding love affair with Faith Hunter's writing (see my DYTR... post for SKINWALKER, the first book) and DARK HEIR has only furthered my admiration for her writing. In the series' ninth book, Hunter has managed to expand the world Jane lives in, in so many ways.

In DARK HEIR, the stakes are incredibly high (if you'll pardon the vampire-related pun). Jane has to track down and subdue one of the original vampires: Joses, one of the Sons of Darkness. It's an incredibly daunting mission but one she has no choice to accept because her city and her friends are in serious peril. Jane has faced down some serious foes in previous novels but there's a real sense of danger and potential failure in DARK HEIR. As events unfold, I honestly couldn't figure out how Jane was going to get out of the pickle she's in this time around. Joses is seriously powerful and Jane is seriously outmatched.

As always, the fight scenes and action are beautifully written but what really resonated with me was the way that Hunter has developed the different relationships in Jane's life. The Youngers, for example, are such a great addition to Jane's world, adding a great sense of family and a lot of humour to the series. I'm particularly fond of Eli - he's such a great partner for Jane! We also get some lovely progress in her romantic relationship with Bruiser, which always makes me smile. Hunter writes Jane's baby-steps in the romance department with such talent and I really enjoy watching Jane adjust to being in a happy and accepting romance. And then, of course, there's the dicey dance she does with Leo, which is always Entertaining with a capital "E".

There are so many reasons to love the Jane Yellowrock series and I feel like I've gushed about it time and time again. I won't belabour the point here. I'll just say that I think this is one of the strongest and most consistent urban fantasy series out there and you're missing out if you've not given it a shot.

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by Tynga at Monday, March 30, 2015

 Ace, Adult, Faith Hunter, Jane Yellowrock, Netgalley, Penguin, Review, ROC, Skinwalker, Urban Fantasy, Vampire  6 People left their mark

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Soulbound by Kristen Callihan

Finally free! Or so Eliza May thought. She'd been chained to Adam for months when she'd been finally freed. She didn't know she was getting herself into another form of enslavement when she moved in with her aunt Mab, though. She must now escape once more and ironically, she'll need the help of Adam to get away.

I really love Kristen's books and Soulbound is no exception! Fool that I am, I almost missed the release day of this book altogether! It would've been a grave offense! Anyhow, this pretty is now sitting on my shelf, along with the previous books, and I am eagerly awaiting the next one!

Adam had always been some kind of enigma to me, and even though he is still mysterious by the end of this title, I feel I know him a lot more. Actually, the man itself laid it all out for all to see and judge, it really is his job and how he controls the GIMs that still remains mysterious. BUT, I got enough answers to keep me satisfied. I really like him and despite not approving all of his decisions, I can understand where he is coming from, and I loved that Callihan shed light on his past, allowing us to really understand his motives. He is a true knight in not-so-shiny armor at his core, but had to become a scheming bastard to survive this long. It's a complicated mix, and I truly enjoyed it.

Eliza May is a force to be reckon-with under her lady attire. She had a very troubled past, has those really weird- and deadly - powers and has to deal with her last slaver to  escape her most recent nightmare. It took a lot of strength to face all that came her way and I command her for it. She is smart and wary, has a strong attitude and the language to back it up, and I loved her verbal sparing with Adam. I rooted for her the whole time and I really hoped it would work out for Adam and her, in the end.

The plot was highly addictive and I have to tip my hat and give a round of applaud to Adam. He is a master manipulator and I can only admire how he managed to make it all work the way he wanted to. With all his smarts, Eliza still managed to get one on him in the end, and I am SOOOO glad she did! What a sad ending it would've been otherwise.

The end isn't your typical happily ever after, and Adam and Eliza aren't your typical couple either. I guess all things considered things didn't turn out not so bad and I'm glad Sin gave his 30cents to Eliza!

Now, I'm under the impression Sin will be the star of the next novel (or maybe Lucien?? who knows) and I can't wait to read it! This series is awesome, and I urge you to read it if you haven't started yet!

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by Tynga at Friday, March 13, 2015

 Adult, Banshee, Darkest London, ghosts, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette, Historical, Kristen Callihan, Netgalley, Paranormal, Review, Romance, steampunk  Leave your mark

✎

Shadow Study by Maria V Snyder

Yelena, once so scared of magic grew dependent on her powers, and she realizes it when they are suddenly gone. A weird attack rendered her powerless and feeling oddly vulnerable. How did she live all those years so defenseless before she discovered her powers? She must keep it a secret though because many of her enemies would jump on this opportunity to put an end to her life.

I have been waiting for years for another Yelena & Valek book and I was so happy when Maria announced she's working on a new series featuring them. As much as I loved this novel, and I'll tell you all about it later, I'm afraid the years between the releases ( 7 since the last Study book, 5 since the last Glass book) played hell on my memory and I grew frustrated about all the details I had forgotten. To avoid this situation, I would suggest you reread the books before you get to Shadow Study, if it's something that would bother you too.

Yelena gained quite the reputation as the Soulfinder and liaison between Ixia and Sitia. She is almost bigger than life if you listen to all the gossip, so for her to be suddenly powerless and away from Valek was quite the challenge. I loved that even though giving in to despair was tempting, she never gave up and fought back with everything she had. This girl just doesn't have it in her to hide and wait it out. The mystery surrounding her magic's disappearance is quite thick, and I'm afraid we'll have to wait for the next novel to really know what actually happened. Thankfully, Snyder pointed us the culprit, which make the tension bearable, but barely. I really want to know how that person did it!

My favorite aspect of this novel, and by far, are all the visits to Valek's past. What happened in his youth, how he became an assassin, his struggles, meeting with the commander and finally, killing the king. I was completely mesmerized by those bit of tales speckled all over the book and I was craving the next one again and again. I admired his focus, determination and resourcefulness. Really, Ari & Janco can only dream of being that good, I was thoroughly impressed.

Fans will be happy to know many old friends -and foes- are featured in this novel. A peculiar new character is also introduced, and she is bound to leave you scratching your head in wonder.

The plot is of course filled with intrigue, battles and twist & turns. I never would have guessed the extend of the different betrayals taking place in this book, and I can't wait to see all the consequences in the next novel, Night Study, expected in 2016.

If I had one complaint to formulate, can we please have Yelena and Valek together?? They were apart the whole time! *pouts*

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by Tynga at Sunday, February 08, 2015

 Fantasy, Fantasy amp; Magic, Harlequin, Magic, Maria V Snyder, Maria V. Snyder, Mira, Netgalley, Review, Soulfinders, Study  5 People left their mark

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Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

Shopping for a new horse should have been an uneventful event, but while visiting old friends of Charles, Anna and him stumble right into a fae mess. They must get involved because they targeted his friend's grandchildren, and nobody threaten children on Charles' watch.

It's been three years since the release of the previous book in the Alpha & Omega series, which is wayyyy too long if you ask me lol I love Charles and Anna and I am very happy I could finally visit them again. Briggs really has a talent for bringing a story to life, and even though I don't know a darn thing about horses, I still wanted to know which one Anna would choose in the end. Jokes aside, Dead Heat was another great installment in the series.

For unknown reasons, a fae held prisoner was released onto the world to wreck havoc. By inadvertence, he got tangled with the local alpha's family and the chase was thrilling. Anna's abilities to read and calm people and Charles fierceness work perfectly together to solve any mysteries they encounter. It's probably because Briggs' stories are always so engrossing, but her books always feel too short. I can't help but want more every time.

A & C are as amazing as ever, but one of the aspect I particularly liked was his interaction with his old friend. It was obvious he was dear to him and I felt his sorrow since he had to part from him. This story contained yet another trip to Charles' past and I always enjoy those, revealing more about the character.

The conclusion was heart-pounding and breath-taking. I loved every moment! I sincerely hope it won't take another three years before we get another Alpha & Omega book. If you haven't read Patricia Brigg's book yet, I strongly suggest you do, starting with Moon Called, the first book in this world (It's from the Mercy Thompson series).

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by Tynga at Friday, January 30, 2015

 Alpha amp; Omega, fae, Fantasy amp; Magic, Netgalley, Patricia Briggs, Penguin, Review, Urban Fantasy, werewolf, Witch  6 People left their mark

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Take Two: Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

Take Two is a new feature on the blog! Tynga’s reviews have been around for 6 years, and we have reviewed A LOT of books! And because we are a team of many with the same tastes, I decided to allow a second review of a same book, to give the reader a second opinion. I hope you will enjoy!

Jenn's thoughts on Burn For Me

My thoughts:

In hopes of  creating more powerful soldiers, scientists developed a serum that awakened magical abilities in people. The results were disastrous and it's usage has been ruled out. The powerful and wealthy now interbred to keep their magic as powerful as possible. Primes are at the top of the ladder and each one of the 5 most powerful houses have at least one. That's the kind of scary world Nevada lives in, and she's in over her head when she is blackmailed into hunting one of those primes going rogue and setting fire to anything and everything.

The concept is quite interesting and as much as I love Ilona Andrews, I would lie if I said it was love at first sight with this newest series. I never disliked it, but it wasn't a burning passion either. To keep it up with the fire analogy, it was a slow building blaze.

I liked Nevada just fine from the beginning, but I didn't really care for neither Rogan nor Adam at first. They were both extremely confident, full of themselves and had no care for human life. Not exactly dating material, even though both of them try to get into Nev's pants. Aside from Nevada, my favorite character was her grandma. I bet she spread Cool on her toast for breakfast. I swear, no grandma should have a right to be this awesome. Don't believe me? She fixes tanks for a living, and takes pictures of Hunks with her cell phone!

The precarious relationship between Mad Rogan and Nevada was by far my favorite part of this novel. His value system is so off the chart you never know how he will react and his clashing against Nev is super entertaining. We don't really know if he really cares for her or just want a good lay, but his seducing technics are surprising, to say the least.

The battles were shocking and breathtaking. It really was a action filled novel and I felt like a was racing, breathless, as I flipped page after page to rush to the end. The mystery aspect wasn't exactly the strongest and lots of questions still remain, but I felt involved the whole way through.

Something I noted and that is worth mentioning is that so far the romance feels a lot like Kate & Curran's relationship. What I mean is that in both series the female is incredibly attracted to the alpha-super-badass male and she just won't give in because she is scared of being used then discarded. Convinced that she is too low ranked to be of worth to him.

Overall, this is a great beginning to a new urban fantasy/paranormal romance that is definitely worth a try. I'm sure fans of Ilona will be pleased and ask for more. I know I am awaiting the next novel :)

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by Tynga at Friday, January 02, 2015

 Harper Collins, Hidden Legacy, Ilona Andrews, Magic, Netgalley, Paranormal, Review, Romance, Urban Fantasy  4 People left their mark

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Vacant by Alex Hughes

Sorry for the absence, folks! Teaching, job hunting and family stuff have taken over my life and I've barely had time to read, which is why you haven't seen much of me (and may not for a little while). But I committed to this tour for VACANT because I'm a huge Alex Hughes fan, as you probably know if you're a long-time reader of the blog, and I wanted to spread the love!

The fourth book in Hughes' Mindspace Investigations series, VACANT is a serious game changer and I was glued to my e-reader from start to finish. It has all of the great qualities I associate with the series: strong writing, an intriguing case, and nice character development. It's hard to discuss VACANT without referencing previous events so be forewarned!

VACANT is a book about choices -- choices Adam has to make in this novel and choices that he's made in the past that come back to haunt him. It's a rewarding novel to people who have been with the series since the start since we get to see how much Adam has grown and also how much he continues to struggle.

In a brief, happy moment, VACANT opens with Adam and Cherabino on a date. They're at a concert, which Adam finds overwhelming at first, until he realises what an incredible high he can get from everyone's positive energy. (Is this foreshadowing a new addiction for him?) Things rapidly take a turn for the worst, though, as Cherabino is set up for a murder she didn't commit and Adam is called out of town to help the FBI with a case. It's a nicely set up conflict for Adam: does he protect Tommy (whom he's seen die in his process visions) or does he abandon his charge to help Cherabino when it's obvious she's being railroaded? It makes VACANT a meaty read since it forces Adam to make touch choices and shows us a lot about his character.

Even without the emotional turmoil, VACANT pays out on a lot of Hughes' promises from previous novels, as old enemies come out of the woodwork. The links to previous novels are nicely orchestrated and add some excellent layers to the story. Plus, Adam finds himself working with a new team, which places him sorely out of his element, not just because of new partners but because he's working as a Minder, not as an investigator. I love a good fish-out-of-water story and Hughes delivers it in spades with this story.

VACANT ends in a way that has me eagerly anticipating what Hughes gives us next. The world's become a lot bigger now for Adam and I'm so curious to see where Hughes will take him (and us).



In addition to fun blog posts, interviews, and exclusive excerpts, fans will have a chance to solve a mystery during the month-long VACANT blog tour! A “Clue-like” checklist is available to download from the author’s blog, to be marked off as readers visit stops along the tour schedule. Somewhere on participating blog posts will be clues (clearly marked) that will eliminate specific “Location”, “Weapon”, or “Suspect” options. At the end of the tour, a rafflecopter entry form will help Alex choose a grand prize winner amongst all who correctly guess “who dunnit?” based on the remaining options. There will also be individual blog giveaways for print, digital, and audio copies of Mindspace Investigations novels.

Here's our clue:

You can find other clues by visiting other blogs on the tour:

Blog Tour Schedule
Nov 25^th - SF Signal
Nov 26^th - I Smell Sheep
Nov 27^th – Thanksgiving (US)
Nov 28^th - Ashley’s Random Blog
Dec 1^st - What The Cat Read & BookHounds
Dec 2^nd - NicholasKaufmann.com & Books Make Me Happy
Dec 3^rd - Vampire Book Club
Dec 4^th - Little Read Riding Hood
Dec 5^th - Insane About Books
Dec 8^th - BiblioFiend & Between The Lines
Dec 9^th - Smart Girls Love Sci/Fi & Paranormal Romance
Dec 10^th - Reading Reality
Dec 11^th - Short & Sweet Reviews
Dec 12^th - That’s What I’m Talking About & Anna’s Book Blog
Dec 15^th - Tynga’s Reviews
Dec 16^th - Janice Hardy – Fiction University
Dec 17^th - Preturnatura & Amberkatze’s Book Blog
Dec 18^th - Fantasy Literature & That’s What I’m Talking About
Dec 19^th - Books That Hook & Literal Addiction
Dec 21^st - Literary Escapism
Dec 22^nd - Open Book Society
Dec 23^rd - My Bookish Ways

We're also giving away one (1) print copy of VACANT to a lucky reader!

US/Canada/UK only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Alex Hughes, the author of the award-winning Mindspace Investigations series from Roc, has lived in the Atlanta area since the age of eight. She is a graduate of the prestigious Odyssey Writing Workshop, and a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and the International Thriller Writers. Her short fiction has been published in several markets including EveryDay Fiction, Thunder on the Battlefield and White Cat Magazine. She is an avid cook and foodie, a trivia buff, and a science geek, and loves to talk about neuroscience, the Food Network, and writing craft—but not necessarily all at the same time!

Website | Twitter | Facebook

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by Tynga at Monday, December 15, 2014

 Alex Hughes, giveaway, Mindspace Investigations, Netgalley, New adult, Penguin, Review, Science Fiction  4 People left their mark

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