Shadow's Seduction by Kresley Cole

Shadow's Seduction by Kresley Cole

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Paperback : 248 pages
Publisher: Valkyrie Press
Release date: February 27th, 2017
Series: The Dacians #2 & Immortals After Dark #17

Source: 

Reviewed by: 

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

In this scorching Immortals After Dark/Dacian novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole brings together a wicked vampire prince used to getting everything he desires and a demon warrior who always felt like an outcast.

A NIGHT OF DEBAUCHERY . . .
Prince Mirceo Daciano and his new friend, Caspion the Tracker, comb the streets of Dacia, drunkenly seeking out pleasures of the flesh. In what should have been a typical night, they coax a bevy of nymphs to bed. To impress their females, the demon and the vampire kiss on a dare.

CHANGES THEM FOREVER . . .
Once they finally break away from their soul-searing kiss, they find themselves alone--and shaken. Had they imagined their explosive chemistry? Obstacles--ranging from a death sentence to exile in a war-torn dimension--threaten to destroy their lives . . . and the vulnerable promise in that one kiss.

HOW LONG CAN THEY RESIST THE FIRE THAT BLAZES BETWEEN THEM?
Even if Mirceo accepts Caspion as his fated mate, the seductive vampire still must convince the stubborn demon that their bond is forever. And any royal Dacian union must receive the blessing of King Lothaire, an unpredictable and savage killer. . . .

Mirceo is the youngest male royal in the Dacia family and has always counted on his charms to get him whatever he wanted and when he meets Caspion, a self-destructive depressed demon, he finally finds a run for his money. They are suchs opposite and despite that, they become great friends. And yet, Mirceo wants more. Will he succeed?

Shadow's Seduction sit somewhere between a short story and a full length novel and I wish it were actually a full novel. I understand though, with the book being m&m, that Kresley Cole decided to make it a short non-mandatory story within the overall Immortals After Dark story arc. Not everyone is willing to read male to male romance and I have to admit it was a first for me. I've never been incline to pick up such book before but since I love this series so much I decided to give it a shot. Did I enjoy it? yes. Will I pick up more books from this genre? Probably not, unless it's part of a series I already love.

The reason why I wish it were a full length novel is because I felt things were rushed at time. The shory started VERY abruptly with Caspion and Mirceo being at the same brothel and all of a sudden, totally randomly, Mirceo is entranced by Caspion and decided he wanted to have him (Mirceo is bi, but Caspion is straight). It really felt completely out of blue because of the lack on context, and background story. You literally jump right into that scene and it's how everything starts. You then fast forward to how they eventually became good friends but you don't witness it, and I honestly wish we did. Eventually it gets better and we live events right by their sides, and Cole is usually really good at getting you engrossed in a story and I think the shortness of this novella is what limited Cole in developing those events.

I really loved their stories though with how eccentric Mirceo is, how volatile his actions are but how dedicated he is to Caspion and how determined he is to prove him he can be the man he needs. Whereas Caspion is living in total denial of his growing feelings for Mirceo. He does not what to be gay (or bi) and exiles himself for hundreds or years hoping it'll go away. He grows hard, stubborn and hateful and at some point Mirceo's good mood rubs on him and everything changes. Their life-altering courtship was really great and I wish we got to see more of them when they finally committed to each other.

Reading this novella I thought the next book would be about Bettina because of events taking place and I was really surprise to see the story is about two completely different characters. Hopefully we will find out what happens to her (or maybe we already did in a past novel and I forgot??).

In conclusion, I really enjoyed this story and I would recommend it. If you are homophobic then this might not be the book for you. There are graphic scenes of sex between two male in this novel.

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by Tynga at Friday, April 28, 2017

 demons, Immortals After Dark, Kresley Cole, Mamp;M, Paranormal Romance, Purchased, Review, Romance, Valkyrie Press, vampires  Leave your mark

✎

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Hardcover: 648 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release date: September 1st, 2015

Series:  Throne of Glass #4

Source: 

Reviewed by: 

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

The queen has returned.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

Celaena Sardothien aka Aelin Galathynius has been through a lot, especially for someone so young, but her troubles are far from being over. She met and bonded with her precious Rowan during her oversea quest, but now she's back to Ardalan, on her own and needs to learn to fight without her magic powers once more. Her mission is quite simply, retrieve her cousin Aedion from the execution block, free magic, kill the King and free (or kill if it comes to this) Dorian. Easy peasy!

I loved this series and it's been a very long time since I've read the previous books, and I must say, my lack of memory was my worst enemy when reading this book. All through the novel Maas refers to past events or previous characters and while it 'rings a bell' she didn't provide enough information to really remind me what she was referring too. It was very frustrating to KNOW I should remember something, but not have a clue. Keltain and Elide were to two most frustrating characters for me for that reason, because I had no idea who they were! After searching online I found that Keltain was rich self-serving b*tch from book one (and dear lord did she change!) and Elide was the daughter of a maid who helped protect Aelin as a child. Maas did not provide enough details in Queen of Shadows for me to remember them while reading. Did you have the same problem? It might just be me...

I have really mixed feelings about the installment. I read it pretty fast because it's full of suspense and fairly action-packed, keeping a fast pace despite this book being so long (almost 600 pages!) but some parts of the plot seemed impossible. The whole book Aelin sets out on her own doing god-knows-what and later on surprises us with a certain plot twist and we are suppose to believe she plotted the whole things days / weeks before. It made things interesting, but didn't seem plausible.

On the other hand, we got to know Lysandra really well and she was truly a star for me. I learned to hate her in the previous novels but it turns out it was all an act and she is beyond awesome! I really enjoyed her company and her witty lines. We was a happy surprise! As was Nesryn, a rebel solider with wicked bow skills and she's Chaol's second-in-command.

I wasn't a fan of Manon (a witch) at all, and her chapter bored me at first, but she grew on me has she finally showed a bit of balls toward the end of the book and I am really curious about her future role in the final battle. She is currently fighting on the side of evil, but shows signs of redemption. Who knows where it will lead her!

Overall, I'm still in love with the series and plan to read the fifth installment (Empire of Storms) very soon. The events of Queen of Shadows are game changers and I'm really anxious to know what comes next. If you haven't tried this series, I would recommend starting with the novellas (Would can find them bound in a single book titled The Assassin's Blade or purchase 'em individually for e-readers) has the events taking place in those are crucial.

Happy reading!

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by Tynga at Friday, April 21, 2017

 Assassin, Bloomsbury Publishing USA, Fantasy, Fantasy amp; Magic, Fey, Love amp; Romance, Magic, Purchased, Review, Romance, Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass, young adult  Leave your mark

✎

Blind Tiger by Rachel Vincent

Blind Tiger by Rachel Vincent

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
eBook: 356 pages
Publisher: Self-published
Release date: February 13, 2017

Series:  Wildcats #2

Source: 

Reviewed by: 

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

Robyn Sheffield wants her life back.

As the only female stray in the US, she's had to deal with bloodlust, flashbacks, a lack of impulse control (which might not have anything to do with being a shifter), and weeks under house arrest for crimes she never meant to commit. But when she overhears the territorial council plotting to marry her off to an eligible tom? It's time for this chick to fly the coop.

Titus Alexander wants recognition.

He’s spent the past year carving his territory out of the Mississippi free zone, forming a community for strays exiled and forgotten by the US Prides. As the first stray Alpha, he’s sworn to bring the toms under his authority the rights, support, and respect that official confirmation from the council will bring. But then the council’s precious female stray sneaks into the free zone in the back of his car and demands sanctuary.

The council gives Titus a choice: send Robyn back and have his Pride acknowledged, or prepare for war. Citizenship for his men is within his grasp. So why is it so hard for him to let one rebellious tabby go?

Robyn has been on house arrest for what seems like eternity after she killed multiple shifters' murderers and now she's done. The first opportunity she has to escape presents itself in the form of a sexy stray and his unguarded Mercedes SUV. Robyn doesn't think of possible consequences (which is a pattern for her..) and dives into the car to hide and run away once she's in the free zone. Sexy Titus finds out though, and everything he is worked for is jeopardized by this young wild tabby.

I love Rachel Vincent, and I always recommend her Shifters series, but I must confess, while I enjoyed the Wildcats books, they are not as great as the Shifters series.

Robyn has a lot of potential, I like her spunk and how she fights for her ideas. BUT she comes off a bit childish and self-centered. She falls in love with Titus and decides to help him save his pack and all, but if she'd just taken her responsibility from the beginning, it would've been much easier. On the other hand, I like Titus. He is doing his best to be responsible, making the right decision but he also has a very passionate side I really appreciated.

I think one of the biggest elements that make me favor Shifters vs Wildcats is the action and the passion and the drive that was omnipresent in the Shifters series but cruelly absent in the Wildcats novels. Everything is about politics and what should or shouldn't be done. Lots of talking, and not much action. I really miss the down and dirty fights, the thrill of the chase, and the knock out suspense of not knowing if someone will die in the battle. I know Wildcats books take place in a time of 'peace' but I need to find that passion again! In the first book, Abby is more of a subdue female so I expected that from her, but Robyn is a firecracker so I was hoping I'd get more action and I was disappointed.

The intrigue was interesting though and I had a really strong opinion about what happened and who was the culprit (I won't go into details, don't want to give it away) and it turned out I was wrong. Which was an happy surprise. I liked how that particular mystery unfolded and I think it was very smart of Vincent to play it that way. On the other hand, The very conclusion, the way the characters dealt with the consequences seemed fake. I think Rachel felt like we should get somewhat of a happy ending but I just know the council wouldn't settle for that so I'm on the fence. *Tiny spoiler* I think Robyn should've gone back to the council and from there work out the details and consequences and that she'd have to work her way back to Titus in another book maybe.

I know my review isn't super positive and I did enjoy the book. It just didn't live up to my expectations. Will I read the third book? Yes, definitely. Would I recommend this series? If you love the Shifters series and want more of this world, yes. If you haven't read the Shifters series yet, then pick that one first!

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by Tynga at Friday, April 07, 2017

 Adult, Purchased, rachel vincent, Review, Self Published, Shifters, Urban Fantasy, werecats, Wildcats  Leave your 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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by Tynga at Monday, March 06, 2017

 androids, Droid, Feiwel amp; Friends, Graphic Novel, Macmillan, Marissa Meyer, Purchased, Review, sci-fi, Science Fiction, werewolf, Wires and Nerves  6 People left their mark

✎

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

There's been a lot of speculation whether Veronica Roth's new series would match or surpass her Divergent series. Personally, I really enjoyed this new book and although it's still early in the series, it's definitely on the right path. Roth created a rich new world that is out of this world, completely new and very bold. Her characters may be flawed, however, they have strong redeeming qualities that will captivate you.

In a galaxy where the current flows through everything and every living thing, people develop unique abilities once they reach a certain maturity. When this current-gift will develop, no one can predict, however some may say the oracles could certainly take a guess. Three oracles per planet exist, and their ability allows them to see possible futures. They also see fates, the eventual futures of a lucky few. Every citizen has a future, but only a select few are graced with a fate. These select few are considered special, for a reason I can't quite understand. Personally, I would find it restrictive, to live a life based on a certain and unwavering fact.

Cyra and Akos are two of these fate-marked young adults, however, their upbringing could not be more different. Cyra is the sister of a mad tyrant who controls the Shotet people through fear and divisiveness. Akos grew up in a peaceful and loving family. Part of his Thuvhe culture honours the oracles, and his mother just happens to be one. Their two societies couldn't be anymore different and it's from the lack of knowledge and understanding that their two societies have been at war for ages.

The Thuvhe are considered the rightful and controlling nation of the planet, so when the Shotet kidnap Akos and his brother, killing their father in the process, I'm kind of surprised nothing was done about it. For years, Akos was raised by the Shotet, separated from his brother, and the rest of his family, never to be rescued by his people. My only guess is that the Thuvhe are such peaceful race they have no clue how to infiltrate the Shotet to rescue a couple of their fate-marked. Now, as a young adult, Akos is given to Cyra to be her servant, in order to help her control her current-gift. The more time they spend together, the more they learn about each other's culture. Together, the form an unlikely alliance in hopes to overthrow Cyra's brother.

My first impression of Akos is that he's weak. To help and serve Cyra without question, isn't heroic, but I quickly realized that it was all part of a scheme. He's intelligent yet his downfall is that he cares too much. On the contrary, Cyra care about no one, especially her brother, Ryzek, who's taken advantage of her current-gift, ever since their father died. Her father wasn't a better leader, he was just less mad than Ryzek. Cyra's current gift makes her feel pain 24/7 while Akos neutralizes that pain with simply his touch. His gift for brewing tonics also helps control Cyra's constant pain. It seems that their gifts were made for one another, however, it just seems to good to be true.

Divergent fans will love this book because it does have some recurring themes. Carve the Mark isn't necessarily dystopian, but it does revolve around a broken leadership. The characters are in a dire situation yet they work together, and their hope for a better future brings them even closer together. Another similarity is Akos being taken away from his family and trained by another society to become a soldier (however, in this case it's involuntarily). Death, combat and rage are also other themes that mirror Divergent. It's hard not to compare, yet despite their similarities, trust me when I say they are two very distinct stories.

What makes this book so complete is definitely Akos and Cyra. Character building seems to be Veronica Roth's forte and she doesn't disappoint with these two main characters. The world building was also brilliant since she added so much detail to the world, the cultures and the different planets. It's really hard to mention everything, so instead, I urge you to discover it for yourself. Carve the Mark really deserves to be read slowly, since it does have a slow build-up, but it's so worth it in the end. The author was able to blend my two favourite genres, fantasy and science fiction, magnificently and even though it's still early in the year, there's a strong possibility it will end up at the top of my favourites of the year.

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by Tynga at Monday, January 30, 2017

 Carve the Mark, Harper Collins, Katherine Tegen Books, Purchased, Review, sci-fi, Science Fiction, Space, Veronica Roth, young adult  2 People left their mark

✎

Trident's Forge by Patrick S. Tomlinson

**Book 1 spoilers included in this review**

Like the first book in the series, this sequel blew me away. I'm always afraid of the sequel slump, but in this case, there's nothing to worry about. It's as if the author introduced us to a completely different world, and in a way, he did. In the first book, The Ark, we travel along with the last of the human race on a large ship, headed for a new planet. In this sequel, the human race has begun colonizing a new planet and making first contact with the native sentient beings.

Trident's Forge is a novel about making first contact with a new species. The Atlantians, as humans are calling this native race, also known as the G'tel are strange amphibian-like beings that are relatively new from an evolutionary stand point. They live in small tribal-like communities with very little in terms of technology, and have developed a faith system that worships a trio of deities. This trinity is really important to them and is a recurring theme in the book.

Oddly enough, this race doesn't really have genders, but it actually takes three beings to procreate; a pair of mates and a breeder. I had a hard time understanding their concept of gender, or lack thereof. The Atlantians don't really have genders. Instead of saying he or she, they say ze. And instead of saying him or her, they say zer. It's very confusing at first, especially when reading from the alien point of view, but the more you read through it, the easier it is to follow. I thought it was a very original approach and I applaud the author for taking the risk.

The hero of the first book, Bryan Benson, is still the main character in this novel. However, instead of being police chief and detective, his official role is as the director of athletic preparedness and recreation. He's also a coach for the new football league, a sport that hasn't been played in over 200 years. However, because of his success in risky and deadly situations and his strong investigative skills, he gets volun-told to be a member of the group that will make first contact with the aliens.

When a welcoming ceremony between humans and atlantians is disrupted by an attack that leads to multiple deaths, blame and fear erases the newly develop trust between the races. Benson and Kexx, an atlantian, are committed to investigating this attack. Kexx, the truth-digger of his tribe is responsible for investigating or finding the truth about anything threatening his tribe. His (or I should really say zer) vast knowledge, and zer ability to stay neutral makes zer an important advisor to the elders and the chief of zer tribe. Benson, as a retired detective, feels like he's obligated to help find the culprits who would wish war between the two races.

Benson and Kexx are similar in many ways and they form an easy friendship. Their respect for one another only grows as they work and fight together. Kexx is envious but hesitant of all the new technology the human race brings. As for Benson, he gains a strong appreciation for the connection the aliens have with their land. This simple friendship is a symbol of a strong future.

I'm really happy Benson and Theresa are still together, and now married instead of having a secret relationship. I guess there was no need for secrecy anymore since Benson retired from the force. Oddly enough, they are separated for most of the book. While Benson is investigating the attack, Theresa, as chief constable, is trying to control the rising tension and protests in the human city after the death of some of their own in the alien attack.

I really enjoyed the way the author combined everything together. It's obviously a sci-fi novel, but it also has mystery, adventure, and action. The author is also very good at keeping things light with humour and camaraderie between characters. I highly recommend this book. Even if it can be read as a stand-alone, it would be a good idea to read the first book. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Apparently, it will be set 15 years in the future and I really hope to read more about Benson, his wife Theresa and obviously his new atlantian friends.

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by Tynga at Thursday, January 19, 2017

 Alien, Angry Robot, Children of a Dead Earth, Patrick S. Tomlinson, Purchased, Review, sci-fi, Science Fiction, Space  Leave your mark

✎

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Station Eleven is a realistic and stunning novel about the end of the world. The author didn't need aliens, a meteor or supernatural forces in order to wipe out the majority of humanity. Nor did the fallen humans comes back to life and cause havoc as zombies. The fictional virus called the Georgian Flu killed a good portion of the human population throughout the world, and while a good portion of the novel is dedicated to what happens twenty years after the epidemic, the author also delves into the backstory of her main characters and where they were when the epidemic started.

The more you read the novel, the more your realize how interconnected the characters are. A child actress, a seasoned hollywood actor, a graphic novelist, a paparazzi turned paramedic, and a prophet, just to name a few. Kirsten Raymonde, the child actress now in her twenties,  has survived a great deal in this blacked out world. She is part of the Traveling Symphony, a group of artists that travel across the northeastern USA, performing Shakespeare plays and symphonies for the towns they visit. But when they return to a town called St. Deborah on the Water, something has gone very wrong. The artists they had left behind a while back have vanished and a so called prophet has taken over the town. This prophet and his cult threaten the survival of the members of the Traveling Symphony. And here begins the story of how the Symphony manages to escape and the dangers they encounter on the road to safety.

I would consider Kirsten the main character because her life somehow manages to be linked to most of the other characters in the book, whether in the present or in the past. Her life doesn't necesserily influence everyone else's, but the links are there, however subtle. For example, she was there when the hollywood actor died on stage before the epidemic, while the paramedic tried to resuscitate him. She's obsessed with Station Eleven, a graphic novel by the hollywood actor's ex-wife. Her story is a sad one, full of loss and hardship, but it's the only life she knows and she tries to make the best of it.

This novel isn't just about surviving in the apocalyptic world. It's really about relationships and human connections. I loved the way the author wrote the novel, with its slow build and the links between the present and the past. The old and the new. I'm usually not very fond of novels that go back and forth between past and present, but it was done beautifully in this book. I especially loved how the graphic novel Station Eleven ties into the novel. While not an integral part of the story, the graphic novel somehow allows Kirsten to stay grounded and it also somehow gives her hope. It allows her to remember the past, but also look forward to a brighter future. Personally, I would love for the graphic novel to get published in real life. It's a "fictional" graphic novel, but the author somehow makes you believe it's real. I can almost imagine the art within the covers and the possible outcome of the story.

I can't classify this novel in science-fiction because although it's set in the future, there are no futuristic elements in the novel. It's not dystopian either because there's no global or nation-wide society that promotes oppression and control. Post-apocalyptic might be the best sub-genre, but honestly I want to believe it's more than that. It's about humanity, and its constant need to survive. It's about optimism and our need to leave our mark behind. Many of the key players in this storyline haven't survived past the first few days of the epidemic, however, they   somehow have managed to mark Kirsten's life, even in death.

Station Eleven is a beautiful, dark and fascinating book. While not long very long, it still took me a while to read it. I kept pausing after a few chapters in order to absorb the story and the scenery as much as possible. I highly recommend it, to anyone, even if you're reluctant to read this certain genre.

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by Tynga at Monday, December 19, 2016

 canada, Emily St. John Mandel, future, Penguin Random House, Post-Apocalypse, Purchased, Review, virus  1 Person left their mark

✎

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

This book is genius. Everything about it is entertaining and captivating. What's so brilliant about it is the fact that it encompasses so many different genres and themes. The right genre might be speculative fiction but I would definitely categorize it as science-fiction. However, it's so much more than that. It's also a mystery thriller with a hint of corporate surveillance and psychological suspense. It tells the story of a man that lives and would do anything for his family. His love for his wife and son is what keeps him going and what makes him such a powerful protagonist.

Everything starts going wrong for Jason the night his friend is awarded a prestigious prize in science achievement. Jason is a little bit jealous of his friend, believing he could have won the prize if his life had turned out differently. If instead of starting a family, he had pursued his research in experimental physics. As he's leaving his favourite bar, where his friend is still celebrating, Jason is abducted and thrust into a whole new world where nothing makes sense and everything isn't as it should be. He's no longer married. He doesn't have a son. He owns the same house, yet everything is different.

Jason's experience with this alternate reality is confusing at first, and it's confusing as a reader too because you have no idea where the storyline is going. The way the book is written is brilliant because we experience Jason's confusion, disorientation, and frustration as the story unfolds. The scientific explanation behind alternate realities is intelligent yet not too complicated. The author makes the story very accessible and doesn't confuse the reader too much with complicated theories. He explains just enough to keep the story going. However, the more Jason investigates and asks questions, the more trouble he seem to be getting into. His quest to find his way back home is filled with violence, death and the unknown.

The author manages to tell an incredible story while raising many existential questions. He makes you question reality and makes you wonder if your life would have turned out differently based past decisions. He also makes you wonder if there's another you out there, living a different life, in a different world. This book takes the question "what if?" so much further than you could ever have imagined. I envy Jason, in a way, because he got the chance to see how his life might have turned out based on a decision he made 15 years ago. However, I don't envy his pain and the trouble he had to go through in order to survive his journey.

Dark Matter takes you on a wild ride but deep down, it's the story of a man, trying to find his way home. Human nature makes us do incredible things but for Jason, his emotional attachment to his wife and son is what keeps him going. Dark Matter may be a science-fiction novel, but I personally see it as a love story that spans multiple dimensions. I highly recommend this novel. It has been nominated for a Goodreads award for a reason!



 

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by Tynga at Monday, November 07, 2016

 Blake Crouch, Penguin, Purchased, Random House, Review, Science Fiction  11 People left their mark

✎

Betrayals by Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong never ceases to amaze me. She has written yet another novel that is intelligent, mysterious and fascinating. Betrayals has answered so many questions about the Cainesville world yet there's still so much we don't know.

Olivia was living a pretty normal life up until a few months ago. Ever since learning she was adopted and that her birth parents are in jail for murder, life hasn't been the same. Now she's living a life full of supernatural intrigue and visions. Working as a private investigator for lawyer and friend Gabriel Walsh, trouble seems to follow her around. Through one of her visions, she finds out that two girls were murdered and she makes it her duty to investigate. Because these girls are a type of fae, their bodies disappear soon after their death so Olivia is really their only hope for justice. Solving the mystery is even more important since someone is trying to pin an associated murder and disappearance on Ricky, Olivia's lover and the future leader of a biker gang.

I don't even know where to start when it comes to describing Cainsville. It's not a secret town but you can only find it if it wants to be found. It's a town built by Welsh fae, for the Welsh fae and their progeny. Almost like a safe haven in disguise. Olivia was drawn to the town for a reason, because the elders of the town believe she is a sort of reincarnation of Matilda, a maiden from one of their myths. It is said that Arawn and Gwynn, the princes of the Hunt and the Welsh fae, respectively, were both attracted to Matilda. Their story ended badly, but in our modern world, according to the town elders, Arawn is Ricky and Gwynn is Gabriel. Apparently Olivia must choose a side and the winning side would get the ultimate power to survive in the modern world.

Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky have decided to live out their lives as normally as possible, ignoring the "prophecy." However, Olivia is torn between Ricky and Gabriel. She is definitely attracted to Ricky and their physical relationship isn't suffering despite Olivia being stabbed and almost drowning. However, Olivia's strong feelings for Gabriel is unavoidable. Their calm and unassuming friendship isn't enough for Gabriel, and despite his jealousy of Ricky, he doesn't let it show. He does, however, try to win Olivia in his own way. Most of the time, I'm not a big fan of love triangles, but in this case, it's a drama you don't want to miss.

In my mind, Kelley Armstrong can do no wrong. This series is very different from her previous books but it's so original it makes me crave more. Betrayals is my favourite book of the series so far because of the drama unfolding between Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky. It has also answered many questions yet left us in the dark about so many other things. I can't wait to see how the series unfolds. I feel like the end is near yet I don't want this series to be over.

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by Tynga at Monday, October 24, 2016

 Cainsville, fae, Fairy Tales amp; Folklore, gargoyles, greek fae, Kelley Armstrong, Purchased, Random House Publishing Group, Review, signs, visions, welsh fae  Leave your mark

✎

Rosemary and Rue: An October Daye Novel, Book 1 by Seanan McGuire

Would you like to swing on a star? Carry moon beams home in a jar or would you rather be a......well, I wouldn't finish that question around Ms. October Daye.  It would be just plain rude considering what happens to her at the hands of a pure blood of the Fae.  As bad as that was, she has an even greater concerns in the here and now from some of those same Fae creatures.

Rosemary and Rue is cornucopia of mythological creatures and their quirks all found in and around San Francisco.  We are taken on a tour of the darker parts of the city and meet some of its denizens that are often much more than they appear to be in the light of day (or often even the dark of night.

We get to meet October (Toby) and some of her friends in this the first book of the series.  The problem I had was, we met so many more of her acquaintances and creatures she was familiar with.   It may be that I am so accustom to series like Harry Potter, Dresden Files or Jane Yellowrock where introductions are made on a more limited basis.  It gives me a chance to absorb the new paradigm the author is presenting in the world they are creating.  I am more than willing to believe it's just me and one of my more narrow ways but, if you are trying this series out for the first time, be prepared to meet what feels like the whole family.

 

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by Tynga at Wednesday, September 28, 2016

 fae, Fantasy, Fiction, Mythology, October Daye, Penguin, Purchased, Review, Seanan McGuire  Leave your mark

✎

Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal

For a while now I have been a fan and regular listener of the Writing Excuses podcast which features, among others, Mary Robinette Kowa.  So, when I saw that she had a new book out recently, it was like an old friend saying "Hey, check out what I just finished' and I had to read it.  No, are not really friends but, I've heard so much of her podcasts and read her work that I feel like I should know her.  Ghost Takers is a period piece set in France during the First World War.  The premise centers around the militaries using paranormally gifted people to help with the war effort.

The setting is one of my favorites.  It is a time that is a  bit simpler yet is rich with historical value.  This book does an excellent job of portraying the period without making enough errors to bring the reader out of the story.   The author avoids the all too often, mistake of bringing modern sensibilities into a period piece.  It may feel like it is easier on the reader but, it takes me out of a story when that is done.

This book also steers clear of the  overly competent main character.  Our main character here is a young woman who not only fits the bill for this special unit, she seems like she belongs in this time and place.  There is the right amount of period correctness mixed with a nice bit of progressiveness to make the character both credible and interesting.  After all, this was a time of great change.

Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal is an adventure set in a period we see too little of.  There is a great deal of violence as well as a bit of mature discussion which lands this book a mild PG13 rating from me.

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by Tynga at Wednesday, September 21, 2016

 Fiction, ghosts, Historical, Macmillan, Mary Robinette Kowal, Paranormal, Purchased, Review, Romance  Leave your mark

✎

Nemesis Games (The Expanse Book 5) by James S. A. Corey

Just like last weeks post this week I  am doing a review on another of the Expanse series by James S. A. Corey.  In discussing this weeks book, I will likely bring up events, plot points and characters that may give clues to the ending of the previous books, you know, spoilers.  If you have not read any of this series (and I believe you should at least try it out) and wish to be spoiler free, turn back now and ,please come back when you've caught up.

When last we left Captain James Holden and the crew of the Rocinante they had just saved themselves and hundreds more from a planet.  Well, to be honest a planet re-engineered by one group and taken over by yet another.  All before humans even knew it existed. It was a story that delved into many hidden thoughts, feelings and talents of the Rocinante.  In Nemesis Games, we get the opportunity to find out the hidden story behind them and some of the crewmembers themselves.

The setting of this reminded me much of one of hA Song of Ice and Fire Books in that it took place in a finite period of time but, the story was told in many different places.  We are allowed to sort of time shift to see events take place in one locale and be reported in another.  This is one of those times when I'm not sure if it is easier to have more than one author on a project.  Seeing as James S. A. Corey is really two people writing these books together and they did such an awesome job at managing it all, there may be some benefit to it. They keep a good time line and a very good pace throughout the book.

This, though, is truly a story of character development.  Events unfold that lead to some having to confront past decisions and the consequences and maybe even atone for those acts in the present.  Then there is a sort of re-introduction of somebody who was sorely missing from the previous book, Chrisjen Avasarala, the potty-mouthed, no-nonsense politician of Earth's UN.  She was showed up very briefly in Cibola Burn but, never fear, the diplomat with the razor sharp tongue and wit to match is on full display this time.

The Expanse is a series that delivers each time a  new story is released and Nemesis Games is a fine example of that.  It is meant for a mature audience so still maintains its R rating for violence, language and mature subjects.



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by Tynga at Wednesday, September 14, 2016

 Hard Science Fiction, James S.A. Corey, Orbit, Purchased, Review, Science Fiction, Space Adventure, SyFy, The Expanse  Leave your mark

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Cibola Burn Expanse Book 4 by James S. A. Corey

This is the 4th book in the Expanse series by James S. A. Corey.  Not only has it spawned numerous books in the series (starting with Leviathan Wakes) but also a TV show on the SyFy channel.  Since this is the fourth installment of that series, I will likely be touching on major plot points from the earlier books and the series (also known as Spoilers). So, if you have not started reading or viewing this series but think you may, turn back now and get started already! It's an excellent series in both print and video.

Those who have read this series thus far probably remember the black goo that turned people into 'vomit zombies' and took over a couple of settlements in the 'Outer Planets'?  It's what led to James Holden and three of his crewmates/friends claiming by right of salvage a Martian warship.  It also brought the already strained relations among Earth, Mars and the Outer Planet Alliance to its boiling point.  All of which was rendered mundane when the origin of the black goo was discovered and a gate that was a shortcut to many habitable worlds was found.

Cibola Burn begins at that gait and just within.  The discovery of a world suitable for humans was too much for two factions to deal with and tensions are high once again.  This is actually the continuation of a story that always seems to be on the brink of resolution but never makes it.  That is not meant in a negative way.  In reality, life is only resolved when it is over and this story has plenty of life left in it.  This part of the story is merely the next logical steps after what has happened previously.

This book does take a bit of a departure from the rest in two ways.  One is in the setting.  The number of different settings is reduced and the nature of one of them is very different indeed.  The other difference is that more POV's from characters other than the major four occur in this book.  One the more unusual characters gives us insights that were missing and we didn't likely realize it.

Cibola Burn is an action filled story that not only gets the heart pumping at times but also forces us to engage our minds and emotions.  This whole series has intense violence at times, frank sexual discussions and liberal use of language so, it gets a mild R rating from me

 

 

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by Tynga at Wednesday, September 07, 2016

 Action amp; Adventure, Hard Science Fiction, James S.A. Corey, Orbit, Purchased, Review, Space, SyFy, The Expanse  Leave your mark

✎

Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits: A Novel by David Wong

Hard Science Fiction is a world that takes itself seriously while giving us a fantastical glimpse into a future that may come.  In Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits, David Wong takes Hard Science Fiction and makes it part of a punch line. Sometimes it's a punch-line to a sophomoric joke to be honest.  It proves my 'Life is a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Theory' yet again.

Some may remember David Wong from John Dies at the End , a very irreverent and hilarious comedy that breaks every rule of story telling, science fiction and sometimes even good taste.  In Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits, David Wong goes for a completely different approach.  Well, maybe not completely different.  We still get treated to the edgy humor that made him famous only now the presentation is a bit different.

The setting being in the near future is not the most significant change.  That would be, in my opinion, the shift to a mostly strong female lead character.  I say mostly strong because she is not overly endowed with the grit or determination as we see with so many lead characters, gender not withstanding.  Dirty Harry squinting while delivering the cleverest of one-liners or cheeky puns has become such an over done trope, I can practically write half the lines in my sleep.  Instead of all that we have Zoey who escapes all of that by being believably human.  In these days of superheroes and antiheroes, Zoey is a good example of the Un-hero.  She has a cast of friends, enemies and associates that help her reach her ultimate destination but, much of her actions, reactions and inaction are hers and hers alone.  Many of the real bad guys may come off as two dimensional but, this story seemed to be mainly Zoey's story and much was likely sacrificed to the that end.  There may be some other spoilery explanations that I won't go into here (because they would be......)

Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits is a fast paced (moderately)hard science fiction with a sense of humor.  It has very rough language, mature subject matter and intensely graphic violence all of which earns this one an R rating from me.

 

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by Tynga at Wednesday, August 24, 2016

 Action amp; Adventure, body augmentation, David Wong, Humorous, Macmillan, Purchased, Review, Science Fiction, superhuman  Leave your mark

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Found by Evangeline Anderson

I read a few books from this series a couple years back and I'm really glad I decided to get back into it. I love a good science fiction novel and the way the author blends romance into her stories is wonderful. The love scenes are pretty erotic and not for the faint of heart but as a whole, the novel isn't just about the romance. There's an actual actual story that involves dangerous situations, multiple characters and many storylines.

The main storyline is about Lauren, a Florida native who was abducted by an evil alien race called the Scourge. It was prophesied by the AllFather, the leader of the Scourge, that she was the future of their dying race. Luckily, she was saved from a grave future of rape and torture by one of her captors, Xairn, whom she falls for romantically. At first, she attributes her feelings to a sort of Stockholm Syndrome but the more time she spends with Xairn, the stronger her feelings become. Xairn promises to keep Lauren safe but his duty doesn't come easily, especially when the AllFather still wants her. Also, Xairn feels he must protect her from himself and his dark sexual urges, so he represses his feelings, which annoys Lauren immensely.

They try to create a life together but Xairn's finds controlling his sexual urges difficult, especially with a very affectionate Lauren. The more Xairn shares about his past, the more Lauren realizes where his fears come from. Xairn's childhood was an abusive one which has shaped him into the cold warrior that he is. When the AllFather threatens someone he loves, the cold warrior facade might be the only thing that saves both of them.

The author made the right choice with Lauren. She could have made her the hapless female that is mentally scared by her abduction but instead Lauren has turned out to be a strong female lead. Xairn might be afraid of hurting her, but at this point, the only thing that could possibly hurt her is leaving. They've gone through so much together, including DNA modification, escaping the AllFather and a horrible market trade on a strange planet. I can't help but cheer for this couple, even if they are the most unlikely pair.

Space travel, psychic abilities, medical advances and alien technology are present in this novel, but the one thing I wish the author could have done is spent more time on is elaborating these aspects. Evangeline Anderson has created a wonderful and strange world and I can't wait to learn more about it and its remarkable inhabitants. Found is a compelling science fiction romance that is leading this series in a great direction.



 

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by Tynga at Monday, August 22, 2016

 aliens, Brides of the Kindred, Erotica, Evangeline Anderson, Purchased, Review, Romance, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Self Published  Leave your mark

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne

This is a book that needs no introduction in the literary world. As a true Harry Potter fan, I was so excited when I heard the news about the production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the simultaneous publication of its rehearsal script. In my mind, J.K. Rowling was done with Harry Potter but I always knew she would return to the magical wizarding world, somehow. I was surprised she returned not only to the world, but also returned with Harry.

Harry is older now, forty years old to be exact. He has a demanding job at the Ministry of Magic and also as the father of three children. His oldest, James, is the son everyone admires while Albus, his second, feels like an outsider. Albus has never fit in and has always felt like the odd one out. He doesn't really get along with his father and has never really been able to connect with his family members. Everyone is surprised when he's sorted in a house other than Gryffindor, but for Albus, it feels natural. He quickly forms a bond with Scorpius Malfoy and the two become the best of friends.

But as Albus is about to start his fourth year at Hogwarts, something is brewing in the wizarding world. Rumours about dark magic has been spreading and Harry's job as Head of Magical Law Enforcement has him buried in paperwork. To make matters worse, Albus has a plan to go back in time to right some wrongs. Personally, I hate time traveling stories but funny enough, The Prisoner of Azkaban is one of my favourite Harry Potter books. We were first introduced to time-turners in this novel but honestly, I'm not a fan of the way time-turners were used in this play. The characters go back years into the past and everything becomes a confusing mess as alternate realities are created because of the small changes Albus and Scorpius force on the past.

Voldemort definitely makes his presence known but a new enemy is introduced in this story. While characters like Harry, Ron and Hermione (and Ginny!) play major roles in this play, I love how we are introduced to a whole new set of heroes. I do wish we could have spent a lot more time in J.K. Rowling's world. This script was made for the theatre, and while I understand plays can only last so long, I think Harry and his progeny deserve more than just a couple of hours to recap the last 19 years.

Give me a novel before a play, any day. I have never been a fan reading plays, whether it was Shakespeare or Molière, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child hasn't changed my opinion about plays. On the other hand, I love going to the theatre and seeing a story come to life on stage. I imagine seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on stage would blow me away, because the scene descriptions and the magical special effects look great on paper. I'm definitely curious how they managed transforming the characters into other characters and how time traveling played out on stage. But I can't justify paying for the extravagant tickets that can cost over $1000 (and the costs of travelling to London, of course). Maybe I'll just wait for a movie? 

I'm a little bit disappointed with this book, but it still has a spot at the top of one of my book shelves, solely dedicated to Harry Potter books and paraphernalia. Fans Harry Potter will definitely read this book but I'm sure there will be a lot of mixed emotions and thoughts about the return of the famous wizard.

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by Tynga at Monday, August 15, 2016

 Fantasy amp; Magic, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, John Tiffany, Magic, Play, Purchased, Review, Scholastic, Witch, Wizard, young adult  Leave your mark

✎

The Hawley Book of the Dead by Chrysler Szarlan

What kind of murder mystery starts out with the full knowledge of the identity of the person who pulls the trigger? The obvious answer is that it has to involve magic of some sort.  This is one of the elements of this gripping tale of love, murder, family and magic by Chrysler Szarlan in the book The Hawley Book of the Dead.

The story begins with the glitz and glam setting of Las Vegas and a husband and wife magic show.  They are enjoying a level of success and fame that allows them to provide a stable life for their three daughters and themselves until fate steps in.  After a tragedy on stage, the remaining members of the family  are left to confront and live with what they learn of their ancestors and the legacy that has been handed them.  I am sure that it would be easy enough to find other stories that could loosely fit that description but, this is one that takes that skeleton and fleshes it out into an entertaining story.  Chrysler Szarlan uses setting and history to great effect and in a way which pulls the reader even further into the narrative.  Whether in the deserts of Nevada or a New England woods we are treated to scenes and scenery that helps build the energy and tension for this book.

We get to learn about the family mainly from the perspective of Revelation Dyer.  It is her thought, feelings and observations that bring this all to life to us for the most part.  The author did do something a bit unusual in shifting from Revelation's first point of view to a third person point of view centering on other characters.  The real surprise is how well it works.  To me, it came across as a clever way to give the intimate details that first person allows while still providing a glimpse into other parts of the story.

The Hawley Book of the Dead by Chrysler Szarlan is an interesting and entertaining book. It breaks a few a the rules and tells a story that will surely play the heart strings of its readers.  There is a bit of language and a small amount of suggestive dialog which earns this one a PG13 in my mind.

 

 

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by Tynga at Wednesday, July 27, 2016

 Chrysler Szarlan, fae, Fantasy, Magic, Purchased, Random House Publishing Group, Review, Romance, Suspense  Leave your mark

✎

The Claiming by Jayne Faith and Christine Castle

I was quite disappointed with this fourth and final book of the Sapient Salvation series. What started off as a good story in book one and two, turned into a mediocre and predictable ending. I felt rushed throughout the book and like I was being led nowhere.

The characters, while we see emotions control most of their actions, never mature or evolve. Maya remains the innocent and timid girl we met in the beginning. While the authors would have us believe she has grown into a fierce woman with her interest in BDSM, it all seems fake and forced. Maya's interest in whips and floggers are simply to please Lord Toric and I just can't see it. Maya is too much of a submissive herself to dominate Lord Toric, the way he needs to be dominated. If the roles were reverse, I think I would believe that so much more, but as it stands, it just doesn't feel authentic. We never really see much in terms of bed play since the book is aimed more for the young adult and new adult crowds, but in my opinion, what's the point in brining up BDSM if you shy away from vanilla sex?

The whole series has been about the Calistan return to Earthenfell. The prophecy says that the time is near, however, as Lord Toric begins the steps for the return, the High Priestess is suddenly against him. For someone who truly believes in the prophecy, Lord Toric is quick to dismiss the leader of his faith, the one who is supposed to guide him through the process. For an alien race who is so advanced technologically and intellectually, you would think faith would be secondary instead of ruling their actions and emotions. In Lord Toric's case, his love for Maya is more important than his faith and while he still follows the steps of the prophecy, he is quick to dismiss everything else about his faith. For a leader to reject almost everything in the divine books, you have to wonder how his subjects will react to this. Personally, I'm not a religious or spiritual person, but the way everything played out with the prophecy and the Calistan faith, it's not right. You can't pick and choose what you like and ignore what you don't like.

I'm glad the characters did get their happily ever after. Lord Toric and Maya love each other, and even though they seem like the oddest couple, it's nice that love can triumph through difficult times. As I said, I was disappointed with the conclusion of this series. I think I was expecting something bigger and grander but it's almost as if the authors simply took the easy way out. My expectations were too high, but I'm glad I got to finish the series and that everything ends positively.

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by Tynga at Monday, July 25, 2016

 Christine Castle, Faith, Fantasy amp; Magic, Jayne Faith, Prophecy, Purchased, Review, Sapient Salvation #4, sci-fi, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Self Published  Leave your mark

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My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows

My Lady Jane is definitely an original take on the historical novel. The authors took many liberties while writing this book. They more or less rewrote history and romanticized the short reign of Lady Jane Grey. It's full of satire, whimsy and witty dialogue. While the concept of shapeshifters in Tudor England and the situations the characters find themselves in are absurd, the whole thing simply works!

Lady Jane is a wonderful character. She would rather spend her day with her nose in a book than playing nice with the people of the English court. (I think this will resonate with so many readers!) So when she finds herself crowned Queen of England, not only is she confused, she has to find the courage to not run away. Luckily for her, her reign is short (nine days!) when her cousin Mary usurps the throne. While most of what happens in the first part of the book is loosely based on fact, the second part is mostly all fiction.

The book could have worked without the paranormal aspects but I think it adds just enough whimsy to make the story a little more special. Eδians are shapeshifters that transform into an animal form in their time of need. I love how the authors used the Eδians vs. Verities (the Eδians haters) conflicts to replace the Protestant-Catholic feud. Religion is a touchy subject to begin with so I think the authors found a nice loophole to avoid touching the subject. The way the Eδian lore is incorporated in the book is seamless, as if it's truly part of history.

Overtime Eδians can learn to control their ability to shift back and forth between their human and animal shapes, but Gifford (call him G) is stuck as a horse by day, only to shift back to his human side at nightfall. G and Jane are forced into an arranged marriage and they couldn't be more different. Jane has always envied Eδians but she never imagined being married to one. Actually, she never imagined being married to anyone, after so many failed attempts. G and Jane eventually learn to trust each other and even to love each other. Their story is a crazy and adventurous one so I'm glad the authors decided on a happily ever after, instead of killing them off, like real history dictates.

Although King Edward VI died at a young age and thus began Lady Jane's reign as Queen, the fictionalized Edward survived. His point of view was my least favourite of the three (I absolutely adored Jane and G so they were hard to beat), probably because he continuously had his head up in clouds (you'll know what I mean once you read the book). As confused as he may have been as a king, he did redeem himself in the end.

If you love whimsy and satire, I highly recommend picking up this book. I didn't except to love this book as much as I did. I love historical England books, especially the Tudor era (although my favourite is the Victorian Era) so I wasn't sure how I was going to like this reimagined story. As long as you keep an open mind, and don't take it too seriously, this retelling will surely make you chuckle.

Long live the Queen!

P.S. The Lady Janies (what the trio of author call themselves) are having an event on their blog to celebrate Lady Jane's nine days of reign (July 9th - 18th). Check it out to win some awesome prizes!

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by Tynga at Monday, July 11, 2016

 Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, Harper Collins, HarperTeen, Historical, Jodi Meadows, Paranormal, Purchased, shapeshifters, stand-alone, Tudor  1 Person left their mark

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First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones (second opinion)

I'm not the first reviewer here on the blog to discuss Charley Davidson books. Actually, Lili reviewed and was "Daring You to Read..." this very book a few years back. I don't know why I waited so long to get into this series, but I'm really glad I did. First Grave on the Right is hilarious, fun and witty.

I think it's a perfect book to listen to as an audiobook. To be honest, this was the first audiobook I ever listened to in its entirety. I've tried to listen to books multiple times but I've never quite understood the appeal, until now. The narrator of First Grave on the Right, Loralei King, is wonderful and easy to listen to. The voices and the accents she uses makes it easy to follow and differentiate the characters. She reads the sarcastic comments perfectly and simply "gets" Charley Davidson's humour. Berls from Fantasy is More Fun actually recommended this series based on the narrator, and I think from now on, I'll be making more informed purchases when it comes to audiobooks.

As for the actual story, it's the perfect mix of mystery, paranormal and romance. If it wasn't for the paranormal aspects, the story would actually read like a cozie mystery. It has the humour and the crazy situations of a cozie but the author added this wonderful twist, which is Charley Davidson. Charley is a private investigator/police consultant/bartender/grim reaper. That last job title is obviously not on her business card. When we first meet her, she has a lot on her plate but even with her disorganized life she's able to do her job. She's able to juggle four murders, a comatose prisoner from her past, a mysterious shadowy lover, a mysterious shadowy Big Bad, and oh so many ghosts. As a grim reaper, she can see ghosts, and her job as a grim reaper is to try to help them get to the other side. Wherever that may be. As for being a PI, she got into that business because ever since she was five years old, her detective father and uncle have used her special ability to solve murders.

Charley is the perfect female PI for a paranormal romance. She's smart, courageous and resourceful. Her sarcastic wit is very similar to mine so I feel like we would get along perfectly. Her obsession with coffee borders on unhealthy, but come to think of it, so does mine. Her sensual encounters with a mysterious shadow being are pretty steamy, and the more the being interacts with Charley, the more she's led to believe he's Reyes, a complicated character she once met when she was in high school. Charley knows very little about this Reyes, but the more she investigate, the more she wants to find out. We do end up finding out who and what he is at the end of the book, and although I'm not surprised, it raises so many more interesting questions!

If you're a newbie to audiobooks like me, I highly recommend trying this one out as an audio. If you're reluctant, or simply prefer reading, this story is still a great choice. Be prepared to laugh out loud and get sucked into this grim reaper tale.



https://soundcloud.com/macaudio-2/first-grave-on-the-right-by-darynda-jones-audiobook-excerpt

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by Tynga at Monday, July 04, 2016

 Audio, Charley Davidson, Darynda Jones, ghost, Grim Reaper, Macmillan, Paranormal Romance, Purchased, Review  1 Person left their mark

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