Quote of the Day

"Love is rarely flawless. Humans delude themselves by thinking it has to be. It is the imperfections that make love perfect." 

~Succubus Blues, Richelle Mead 

The Nightshade Cases (Episode 2: Exotica) by Patti Larsen

*I received a copy of this novel from Badass Marketing in exchange for an honest review. 

Bodies wash up on the Silver City beach all the time, but this one is different. Detective Gerry Meyers is once again hot on the case with the help of medical examiner Dr. Ray Hunter and anthropologist Dr. Kinsey DanAllart. For this new case to be solved, they will need to uncover the dangerous secrets that led to the deaths at a popular new nightclub, Exotica. Will they deduce a logical explanation for the murders? Or will they uncover a darker and deeper conspiracy hiding the truth about what is lurking on the streets of the Silver City?  

The hints and teases of a supernatural conspiracy hiding within the pages of this series is one episode away from making me insane with the thirst (haha) for knowledge and information about what the heck is going on! I must know how all of these weird happenings are all threaded together before I lose my mind. Whilst I still adore the three main characters, the absolutely stubborn-headed Gerry is going to be the death of me, just admit that there is something not normal going on ok, thanks. The writing is my favourite part of this series because it is always so vivid in detail in my mind, it really makes me feel like I am the director of it. I am really starting to feel the anticipation of a fantastic and awesome supernatural reveal, but it really needs to hurry up because my mind can't handle the jittery excitement! 

Rating: 4/5 Titans

Quote of the Day

"I don't quite comprehend why you'd force someone to bow when the purpose of the gesture is to display allegiance and respect."

~Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

Storm Siren by Mary Weber

In a world at war, a slave girl's lethal curse could become one kingdom's weapon of salvation, if the curse-and the girl-can be controlled. As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-year-old Nym isn't merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and are always killed at birth. She shouldn't even exist. Standing on the auction block and awaiting her fifteenth sell, Nym's hood is removed, revealing the pure white hair of an Elemental. Whilst the commoners fear her, Nym is snatched up by a court adviser and given a choice: be trained as the weapon Faelen needs to win the war, or be killed. Choosing the former, Nym is unleashed in a new world of politics, bizarre parties and rumours of an evil more sinister than she is prepared to fight. But what if she doesn't want to be the weapon they have all been hoping for? Set in a beautifully eclectic world of suspicion, mysterious powers and monsters, Storm Siren is a story of power. And whoever controls this power will win. 

When I started this book I was expecting knights, horse-drawn carriages and over-the-top balls. What I got was an almost steampunk version of what I was expecting. The kingdom of Faelen is filled with man-eating war horses, flying ships and glamorous parties that even whilst reading seemed crazily eccentric. But all of these things, though strange, just kept drawing me more and more into this world of intrigue, politics, powers and monsters. Nym was a great main character who carried so much guilt over the horrific things she had done with her unpredictable power, but she was strong in that she was one of the most selfless characters I have read about. Whilst the story didn't suck me in straight away, by the end of it I realised that I didn't want it to end (cliffhangers are going to be the death of me). Storm Siren is a beautifully written story and a fantastical one at that. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Titans

"I think some have to fight harder to choose good over evil because the evil's got it out for them. And maybe it's because those're the ones evil knows will become the strongest warriors."

Hellhound Awakened by Karen Swart

Evil is dominating the constant battle-ground of good verse evil and is leaving mankind in destruction upon its wake. But with God's intervention, a creature is created that is destined to conquer and destroy the growing numbers of the Fallen Archangel's army. He gives earth Hellhounds to help fight back and reclaim their hope and freedom. Kasadya Levourne is one of these same Hellhounds who fights against evil to protect us. With each step she faces trials and pain, and yet she has a talent for giving it back ten-fold. Stubborn and courages, she begins to make her mark in the Fallen world and starts a battle that none can escape. Will evil prevail? Or will Kas and her Fallen friends succeed in protecting us against the sins and temptations that it brings?

Hellhounds have made a new name for themselves with this story. Forget the Greek Cerberus who guards the entrance to Hades and the slavering black dogs that we have come to proclaim them as, these Hellhounds are now God-sent creatures of retribution and a whole lot of smiting. The world of the Fallen and the Demons they battle in order to reclaim their place in Heaven after Lucifer's betrayal is such a fantastically imaginative story that I fell in love with the book half-way through its introduction. The characters are all amazingly different and yet all strong-willed and brave, especially the protagonist Kas, who, after the events of the book, went through a very realistic character development and made her even more of a likeable character than before. A definite must-read for all urban fantasy fans, Hellhound Awakened will leave you on the edge of your seat and begging for more. 

Rating: 4/5 Titans

Other Books in the 'Kasadya' Series

Hellhound Awakened
Hellhound Twisted
Hellhound Born
Hellhound Defined

Quote of the Day

"People aren't born good or bad. Maybe their born with tendencies either way, but it's the way you live your life that matters."

~City of Glass, Cassandra Claire

Angelfire by Hanna Peach

Alyxandria is not your typical white-winged angel, in fact, you are much more likely to find her slicing into demons with her blades rather than plucking on harp strings. She trains harder than any other warrior angel in order to prove that she is nothing like the parents who abandoned her to become rogues, but after a series of confusing visions, Alyx saves Israel, a mysterious mortal who knows way too much than he should. After being selected as his Guardian, Alyx begins to unravel malicious plans that will change everything. An Elder's dark intent, a scattered key to unlock hell and a prophecy that warns of the greatest war this earth will ever know. Alyx's problems are multiplying and the war for earth is just beginning. 

Well then, forget everything you know about angels because 'Angelfire' will blow all of your misconceptions out of the water, because these angels are all about swords, magic and blood. Peach has seemed to combine the wings of heaven with all of the magic that comes from being a witch and has produced a completely different and slightly terrifying way of writing about angels, and this for me, was the best part of the book because I love when author's use their own imagination rather than borrowing off of others. As the main protagonist Alyx was such a great character because she was so emotionally complex and I can hardly ever go past a heroin who uses a sword to smash misogyny several layers into the ground. Peach's world is filled with betrayals, mysteries, lies and tyranny, and I can't wait to find out where they will lead Alyx and Israel in the next book. 

Rating: 3.5/5

Other Book in the 'Dark Angel' Series

Angelfire
Angelstone
Angelsong
Angelblood