Book Review: Vanish

Today's review is on Vanish by Sophie Jordan

 

Vanish is the second installment in Sophie Jordan's Firelight series, and though I have not read the first book; Firelight, I must confess that Vanish is a decent stand alone book.

Jacinda has left Will to return to her home among the draki bringing shame to herself and her family. Shunned by neighbors and her best friend Az, Jacinda still cannot forget about Will and the love they share, and she once again plans to run away only this time someone follows her.

Cassian's sister has the ability to vanish and follows Jacinda to where she is suppose to meet with Will and the both of them get captured. Will arrives to rescue them, but Cassian's sister refuses to go. Now Jacinda must return to the pride to explain what has happened.

In order to save the girl he loves, Cassian offers the only alternative he can think of to save Jacinda from having her wings clipped. They become a bonded pair.

Now Jacinda, her sister, Cassian, and Will are out to free the draki that are being held against their will including Cassian's sister and hopefully Jacinda's own father.

Vanish has all the necessary components of a good YA book. The love triangle, adventure, conflict, and anguish. I'm sure the series will be a great success.

3.5 of 5 stars

Book Review: If I Die

Today's review is on If I Die by Rachel Vincent

If I Die is the 5th installment in Vincent's Soul Screamers series and is as good, if not better than the previous installments.  Where as all of the other titles in this series allude to the souls of taking, keeping etc., this title alludes to the impending death of our heroine Kaylee.  This change makes for a very different, exciting, and heart wrenching story.

Todd informs Kaylee that he has found out that her name has appeared on "the list" and that she has just one week left to live.  Even with this hanging over her head, she still finds time to thwart the efforts of an incubus posing as a math teacher in her school.  Though most often an incubus gets a human female pregnant, the baby needs a soul to survive, and not just any soul.  An optimal soul is a pure virginal soul, something Kaylee still has.

Todd and Kaylee's relationship takes off when she finds herself kissing him, and though she hurts Nash she realizes that the relationship between them can never move on. She wants more and more to be with Todd.

In the end Kaylee saves the day by destroying the incubus, but can not prevent her own death and quite possibly the true death of Todd when he refuses to do his job and take her life.  However in Vincent's world dead doesn't always mean DEAD.

A delightful series that keeps getting better and better with each successive installment.  I hope there is at least one more.  I have to know what happens next.

4 of 5 stars

Book Review: The Fallen #3

Today's review is on The Fallen #3 by Thomas Sniegoski

The third in The Fallen series, End of Days, took me three days to read.  This 359 page book seemed to never end.

Aaron and his gang of half human half angels have finally defeated the Powers, but the war rages on.  The instrument that will bring forth the end of the world is being hunted by others that were hand picked to take over should the Powers fail.

Just that plot alone would have made for a good story, but the author added in some conflict between Aaron, his girlfriend, and another half angel.  Lucifer goes missing and the Devil comes into the foray.  None of these smaller stories add much to the book other than taking up space and making the book go on and on and on and. . .you know what I mean.

This is the first time I have decided that I will not be reading any more books in this series.

2 of 5 stars

Book Review: Out of Breath

Today's review is on Out of Breath by Blair Richmond

Out of Breath is the debut release by Blair Richmond and shows tremendous promise.  This 268 page, first installment of Richmond's three part series is easily read in one day. 

The reader follows the adventure of Katherine Healy, a nineteen year old runaway who also LOVES to literally run.  You see, she was on track in high school, winning races and impressing recruiters until,that is,her father runs over her foot.  Now she's on the run trying to get away from her problems, and her secrets. She ends her journey in the small town of Lithia and finds that things are not exactly what they seem.  Lithia has a secret all of its own, and she is thrown right into the middle of it.

Though I feel that this series shows great promise, I did find it to be a bit slow.  The reader never knows why Kat is on the run until the end of the book, and there wasn't much leading up to the great reveal. 

I would have liked a little more build up to the dramatic events in the book as well.  After all the first part of dramatic is drama.  Also, I know there is a love triangle there between Kat, Roman, and Alex, but it too is a little flat.

All in all, it is a good book, and I enjoyed it.  I am however looking forward to some growth in Richmond's writing with each new installment.  That; I feel, is the best part of being a book reviewer.  Watching the development, and improvement of new authors.

3 of 5 stars

Book Review: Angel Eyes

Today's review is on Angel Eyes by Quinteria Ramey

Angel Eyes is the final installment in the Forever Trilogy, and for me it fell a bit below the mark. There were numerous spelling and grammar errors through out the book, and was a bit anti-climatic.

There was great build up to THE final battle where Ana would finally right the wrong's of her previous lives, but once you got there, there was little to zero action. And though I am a sucker for the happy ending, I think that perhaps the author's could have written it a bit better. It took far to many years for her to be reunited with Tristan, and to see her entire lives relived differently? That's just a little out there.

I had had such high hopes for this last book and was let down. I really liked and enjoyed the two previous installments; even with the numerous errors, and am quite sad Angel Eyes couldn't stand up with them.


2 of 5 stars

Today's review is on Claimed by K.R. Smith

Claimed is the first book in Smith's Lokoti Werewolf series and though I have read some negative reviews of this book, I think it was pretty good and I really enjoyed reading it.  The copy that I have been given did have one or two error's, but I was notified that the author has already submitted a revised copy. 

Jessica Tandy, a self proclaimed city girl and business professional, goes on a camping trip with her boyfriend of two months and a couple of his friends.  Unfortunately, what she thought would be fun turns into the camping trip from Hell.  All she wants now is a nice hot bath, a nice bed to sleep in, some good old fashion room service, and an actual toilet.  When the group stops at a local bar it seems she will not get any those things though, plus she's hungry and her blood sugar is low.  There is one shining star in all of this though.  It seems she has caught the attention of a tall-dark-and-handsome Lokoti man.

Flint offers to drive Jessica to Anchorage; which is a four hour drive, wanting to make sure she gets there safe.  After all, her "boyfriend" doesn't seem to be taking care of her and he's been drinking.  But once at her hotel room neither one of them can control the passion that is flowing between them.  In the morning she leaves before he awakes and heads home to Seattle.

Once home and settled, she finds that she just can not get the handsome Lokoti, Flint Riverclaw, out of her head and is surprised when he shows up on her doorstep.  Flint has some surprising news for Jessica.  Not only does she find out that Flint is a Werewolf, but that she is now his mate and is carrying his child.

Claimed was well written and flowed nicely. No, it is not a perfect story, but it IS good. A nice one day story that will leave you with a smile.

4 of 5 stars

Book Review: Craved

Today's review is on Craved by Stephanie Nelson

Craved is the first installment in Nelson's Gwen Sparks series and has promise to be a great success. Nicely written and well edited, Craved is one of those books that you just can't put down.

Gwen Sparks is a witch, and not just any witch. Gwen can read the dead with the help of her cat who is her link to the spirit world. When Gwen reads about the recent murder of a witch, she is compelled to help the local PD find the person responsible, but that would mean working closely with Micah the Were that broke her heart. Then there's Aiden, the vampire who has been in love with her since the day they met in a cafe. She is undeniably attracted to him, and that attraction is finally set free as they become involved.

The three of them find out that witches are being killed for their magical blood that gives new vampires a high and those older the ability to perform magic themselves.

Craved has just enough mystery, just enough adventure and suspense, and just enough sex to keep you up through the night hoping that your vampire lover will come for you next.

5 of 5 stars

Book Review: Halloween Fantasies

Today's review is on Halloween Fantasies by Katie Salidas

Sasha and her roommate Angela are out to have a good time at the Halloween Ball.  Though Sasha has been dreaming of meeting a real vampire she never dreamed she really would, let alone meet two.

Dante and his brother Trevor decide to woo the two girls "the old fashion way", using only their charm and sex appeal.  And man does Dante have plenty of that.

What starts as a night full of wonderful, hot sex between Sasha and Dante turns into a delightful ménage à trois when Trevor comes into the mix.

Halloween Fantasies; though a good read, was a bit to short for my tastes.  I would have liked a little more depth.  A little more back story.  I think that with that, it may have been a bit more erotic for me.  As it stands, it's just people having sex.

2.5 of 5 stars

Book Review: The Call Within

Today's review is on The Call Within by Erin Nelson

The Call Within is a relatively short paranormal romance with a side order or eroticism so parents beware.  It is well written and edited with just a few grammatical errors.  (Again I stress the need to have your work checked and double checked.)  My only complaint is that the book is just to short.  For me anything below at least 300 pages is a magazine article.  However, I can not judge a work of art solely because  I feel it is to short.

The general premise of the story is that the Dearhart pack of Werewolves; led by Owen Dearhart, the Alpha, is dwindling and Owen must find his mate and have children.  Female Werewolves are scarce however, and Owen is taken by surprise when he walks into a diner and meets Kristen Still.

Upon just seeing her Owen knows that he must have her, and the wolf inside of him is insisting; by the rising of his erection, that he take her then and there, but he fights his inner wolf.  He doesn't want to go to fast so he flees the diner and watches her from a distance.  That is until Kristen's ex; a shapeshifter, tries to plant his own seed into her, causing Owen to shift himself to protect her.

Now they are on the run from Kristen's ex along with other shapeshifters.  Trying to reach the rest of the Dearhart pack and safety.  However, unbeknownst to everyone, there is someone else lurking in the shadows ready to exact revenge.

The Call Within was both easy and a pleasure to read.

3 of 5 stars

Book Review: Ink

Today's review is on Ink by S. J. Davis

Ink is the only book by Davis that I have read, and though I found it enjoyable I also found it to be a bit muddled and to short.

While driving her daughter to school one morning, Sparrow and her mother are the victim's of a terrible car accident.  Knowing that she is about to die her mother leaves her with one last message.  “It’s a good day to die." She tells Sparrow, "but as you grieve for me, listen for the voices. Then, you must get the ink.”

Guilt ridden, she begins cutting herself.  She is able to keep this hidden until Layne finds out.  Though they become closer as a couple, Sparrow continues to hear voices and begins to see Mateo, her spirit guide. 

Not really knowing what is going on with her life, Sparrow puts her trust in Mateo and believes him when he tells her that there is someone who wants the power of the tattoo ink.  The ink that Sparrow's own mother had used for her own tattoo.  The ink that holds the power of the Blackfoot.

I don't feel that the story flows well.  Once you start to get into each chapter it's already done and you jump to something else.  I would also have liked a little more book period.  The story is just to short.  With the Indian aspect alone, this could have been a good 300 page book rather than an 80 page book.  To be honest, I feel a bit let down.  The little summary sounded so good that I guess I was expecting a bit more than what I got, and for that I have to lower my rating accordingly.  Who knows, perhaps others will rave about how much they love this book, but for me it needs some work.

2 of 5 stars

Book Review: Requiem

Today's Review is on Requiem by Jamie McGuire

Requiem is the second installment in McGuire's Providence series and picks up right where the first book left off. 

Though Nina is now happy to be with Jared living in the loft together, she is plagued with terrifying nightmares. Nightmares where her father and Gabe are stealing Shax's book. 

As if Nina didn't have her plate full all ready, what with going back to Brown, working at her father's company, and still feeling guilty about Ryan joining the military, now she finds that she is the woman in both a Biblical and Demonic prophecy.  She and Jared will have a child that will upset the balance between Heaven and Hell.  She will give birth to a Son of God.

Though Requiem had just as many if not more editing errors, it was still and excellent book. Just as descriptive and exciting as the first book, I had to keep reading into the wee hours of the night to see what happened next.

5 of 5 stars

Book Review: Providence

Today's Review is on Providence by Jamie McGuire

Providence grabs you and pulls you in from the very first page and carries you along on an exciting and adventurous love story that you will never forget.

Nina Grey, a student at Brown University, is going through a tough time.  The father that she absolutely adores is dying.  As the story unfolds, Nina finds that there were many things she never knew about her father and the things that he had done. 

On the night her father slips away, Nina meets Jared.  Unknown to her, Jared has always been in her life.  He eventually tells her the truth, that he is her Guardian Angel, and that he is in love with her.

Providence is a exceptionally written book.  The details that McGuire uses makes the pages come to life.  I really enjoyed reading this book even though there were many errors left uncorrected during editing.  Even as such, I look forward to the next installment of this three book series.

4 of 5 stars

Book Review: Chosen

Today's review is on Chosen by Denise Grover Swank

Chosen is just the second published work by Swank, and after reading Chosen all I can say is WOW.  Chosen grabs your interest right from page one and takes you on a series of adventures to the very last page.

Emma has been on the run with her five-year-old son Jake for the last three years.  Though she doesn't know who it is that is hunting them down, Jake tells her they are "Bad Men".  In the past he was able to warn her far in advance of the "bad men" finding them, but now something has changed. 

While trying to get away from her motel with Jake, Emma comes face to face with Will.  Under the guise of helping her, Will gets sucked into gun fights, car chases, and Love. 

Chosen is a fantastic book, even though there were some editing errors.  I cant wait for book #2!!

4 of 5 stars.

Book Review: Invisible Sun

Today's review is on Invisible Sun By S. J. Davis

Invisible Sun is the second book that I have read by Davis and I must confess that I really liked it.  While I did enjoy the other book; Ink, Invisible Sun shines just a bit more.  The story had a bit of science that just piqued my inner geek as well as my affinity for vampires.  Though set in the 1800's, the events are explained so well that it maintains its ability to seem plausible even though it is a work of fiction.

Mordecai and his coven of Vampires have been dabbling in genetics trying to create the perfect Vampire.  Through their efforts however, they have made all of the female Vampires unable to reproduce.  Their only alternative is to use human woman.

Though both Luca and Draegan both have the same human mother, Draegan is terribly different from his brother.  While Luca follows the laws set forth by the Counsel, Draegan goes against them.  He has begun taking the lives of humans.  Draining them until there is nothing left until Mordecai convinces him to return.

Mordecai puts Draegan in charge of developing a new project that will alter the DNA of a fetus so that only male Vampires will be born.  Something goes wrong.  The women used as test subjects all lose their children and go mad.  Draegan himself becomes infected too by consuming the blood of one of the victims.  Now Draegan's mental state is worse than it was before.  Pushed by his own anger at Mordecai, the Counsel, Luca, and Luca's love of a human woman, Draegan sets in motion the fall of not only the humans but that of him and his own kind.

Not all stories have an happily ever after.  In fact it is often those that do not that seem to stay in our hearts and thoughts longer.  Invisible Sun is one of those stories.  Perhaps Davis will come out with another installment to Invisible Sun and Luca and his love will have their happy ending.  Perhaps she will not.  Either way I will be on the look out for adventures from this new author.

 4 of 5 stars

Book Review: Succubus Revealed

*******SPOILER******SPOILER*******SPOILER******


Today's review is on Succubus Revealed by Richelle Mead

Succubus Revealed is the sixth and final installment in the Georgina Kincaid series.

Saying good bye to friends is never easy, and saying good bye to a great series is just as hard. But, good writers know when to continue on and when to stop. Richelle Mead is one of them.

I have enjoyed each and every installment in the Succubus series, but there is only so much you can throw at your characters before you start repeating yourself. I am sad that the series has ended, but happy that it ends on such a good note.

I loved the way Mead showed the connection Georgina and Seth had and why they were drawn together. I also loved how strong the relationships were between Georgina and her friends, and the extent to which they would sacrifice for her. How much they loved her. (Roman)

I'm a sucker for the happy endings as much as the next person, so I was glad to see the slate washed clean for the couple and that the visions from the Nyx were going to come true. I would have however wanted to see a bit of what happens next, but again "all great things must come to an end."

I look forward to the next great series from Mead as I'm sure many others are as well.

4 of 5 stars

P.S.
Good bye Georgina, Seth, Roman, Peter, Cody, Hugh, and Carter. I will miss you guys.

Book Review: Time of the Faeries: Afterlight, End of the World

Today's review is on Time of the Faeries:  Afterlight, End of the World by J. Corsentino

I have never really been interested in comic books as a kid, nor have I ever had any interest in graphic novels as an adult.  That said, Corsentino's book is a playground for the eyes.  The photography with which the story is told are captivating and eye catching. 

The story is basically about the fall of not only humanity, but the fall of the angels that were once our guardians.  Now, instead of helping humans they are killing them. Though they see it as a humane thing to do.

Though I didn't find the story very interesting, I'm sure others may find it right up their alley.  I would purchase it myself for the amazing pictures alone.

5 of 5 stars based on the artwork

Book Review: Caressed by Moonlight

Today's review is on Caressed by Moonlight by Amanda J Greene


Caressed by Moonlight is the first installment in Amanda Greene's Rulers of Darkness series and was a really nice read. There were however many, many errors throughout.

Victoria and her little sister Margaret have to leave the comfort of their country home to live with their horrid aunt after the death of their father. He had become despondent after the death of his wife and had taken his own life with little Margaret finding his body.

Because of the debt he owed, Victoria had sold everything and had moved to London with her sister to her fathers' sister's home. The aunt despised the girl's mother and because Victoria looked so much like her, the aunt despised her as well. She gave Victoria an unimaginable task. She was to be wed by the end of the month or she would never see her little sister again.

Little did her aunt realize that Victoria would capture the heart of Dorian. But Dorian has a secret. He is a vampire King who is determined to save his clan from destruction. Once he sees Victoria however, he has to have her.

What follows is a story of adventure, action, and love. There is sex abound, but nothing to graphic. There is blood shed, but again nothing to graphic. It is just a nice story about finding love.

I would have rated it higher had there not been so many errors.

3 of 5 stars

Book Review: Her Dear and Loving Husband

Today's review is on Her Dear and Loving Husband by Meredith Allard

Her Dear and Loving Husband is an amazing work of art. Well written and well edited, it is a must read. What starts out looking like some sort of ghost story is actually a wonderful mix of vampires, witches, and the afterlife. A love story that spans the great beyond.

Sarah Alexander is plagued with terrible nightmares almost every night. Bound in chains and dying. Seeing others hanged. But some nights the dreams are pleasant. A man with golden hair. A man who she knows loves her with all of his heart. Yet she can never see his face.

Thrown into the middle of a modern day witch hunt Sarah and James; the man she loves, must work together along with their friends to stop a local reporter from exposing James' secret.

Her Dear and Loving Husband is the first in Allard's Loving Husband series standing high above my rating bar. An exceptional book filled with romance, suspense, intrigue, drama, love, excitement, and on and on. If you have any inclination towards books about witches, vampires, werewolves, and the like, then you will LOVE this book!

The second installment, Her Dear Loving Husband's Curse will be out in 2012.

5 of 5 stars