Infinite by Erica Crouch

*ARC received for an honest review, thank you!

Dance with the Devil...

There are infinite ways to die, and the fates are calling for blood. After evading Azael after her betrayal, it's finally time for Pen to stop running and face her desperate brother. But she won't have to challenge him alone: The army of New Genesis is ready to stand strong and fight to secure the future they believe in. As Azael spirals deeper and deeper into darkness, and Pen grapples with her new leadership role, a familiar name rises to power whose decisions have the potential to rewrite everyone's future. Dangerous secrets, silent traitors, and unravelling fates means that time is running out. There's no telling who will survive the final battle. 

I've been thinking all day/night about what I want to say in this review because i'm just so sad that this series is over...but then that ending was the most perfect ending ever and omg. Okay, so I've said this in every single review I have ever done for this series but it's very important, Erica Crouch's writing is just so beautifully poetic and flowing that I have only ever enjoyed two author's writing a little bit more, that of George R.R. Martin and Charlotte Bronte. It just immerses you straight away into the story and you can't help but get dragged along by such powerful language, all you can do is keep reading as these words empower, devastate, disgust and fill you so full of emotion that, in the case of the character of Lilith, you actually feel as though you are sharing all of her blood-thirsty emotions and thoughts. Had to drag myself out of that dark hole. The writing isn't the only spectacular thing about this book though, the one-of-a-kind characters and each of their struggles and actions make you really hope that they will get their happily ever after, even the bad ones. I just wanted to wrap Azael up in blankets (even though he would probably kill me for doing it) and keep him from making all of those terrible decisions. I loved Michael and Pen just as much, their love for each other warming the pages of a thick shadowy story. But my favourite character has to be Lilith. I just feel as though she has an added depth of character that the others did not, her imagery so powerful and devastating that she seemed almost real (which would be terrifying). I really hope this series continues somehow, because I want more Lilith and I need more of this writing. It's safe to say that from now on, whatever Crouch writes, I'll be reading! 

Rating: 5/5 

Incite by Erica Crouch

Darkhaven by A.F.E. Smith

*ARC received for an honest review, thank you!

Ayla nightshade never wanted to rule Darkhaven. But her half-brother Myrren-true heir to the throne-hasn't inherited her family's gift, forcing her to take his place. When this gift leads Ayla to being accused of killing her father, Myrren is the only one to be believe her innocence. Does something more sinister than the power to shapeshift lie at the heart of the Nightshade family line? Now on the run, Ayla must fight to clear her name if she is to ever wear the crown she never wanted and be allowed to return to a home she has always loved. 

Told through different point of views, Darkhaven was an intriguing read of mystery and fantasy. Although the author kind of just throws you into this new and confusing world, leaving you to scramble to catch up and to understand, most of it is left to your own imagination, which I enjoyed more than long descriptions of buildings and such in most books. Arkanaan is a magical world which I loved reading about, but unfortunately, the main character didn't do much for me. Ayla is contemptuous and allows the other characters to fight her battles for her while she sits in a room complaining about the plumbing. It also annoyed me that whenever she was attacked all she managed was a few lousy hits while hoping that someone else will help her, you have the power to shapeshift what are you doing slapping people?! Thank god for Sorrow, a female assassin and total badass, because if she hadn't turned up when she did I would have thrown the book down in total annoyance. While the mystery of the murders around the city kept me interested and trying to guess who was responsible, I guessed it half way through and had to drag myself to the end. I really wanted this book to succeed in getting me to like it because it had so much potential, and my high hopes for it might be why I'm a bit disappointed. 

Rating: 3/5

Blood Shadows by Lindsay J. Pryor

*ARC received for an honest review, thank you

For vengeance-would you trust a vampire?

For justice-could you betray your family?

For love-are you ready to question everything you believe in?

Gifted with the ability to read the shadows of third species being, Caitlin Parish is the Vampire Control Unit's most powerful agent. Despite that, her mission to hunt down Kane Malloy-a master vampire-comes with a death wish. Many have tried. But few have survived. For Caitlin, tracking Kane is about more than just professional reputation. With her parents both mysteriously killed seven years apart to the day, Caitlin knows that without Kane's help she is next. She has four days to make a deal with the wicked, the irresistible, the treacherous Kane Malloy. The vampire who despises everything she stands for. Or die. 

This book is a bit hard for me to review. I liked it. A lot. But it was different to the usual style of books I usually read. This story was really dark, without it being creepy and without characters being killed every chapter in gruesome ways. It was a romance story without a hint of romance within it. I know that doesn't really make sense, but that is what it felt like. The 'hero' wasn't a hero at all, not even a Byronic hero. He was dark, terrifying, and even when we get his point of view, his actions are always a surprise because of his changeability. But his need for vengeance against the people who murdered his sister in such a brutal way is what endears him to the reader, and to our heroine. I'm not completely sure whether or not I like Caitlin. She was dogmatic and sometimes got on my nerves with her stalking ways. I mean, I know it was her job to track Kane, but four years? And who has dreams about a guy who you think has done unimaginable sadistic murderous things? Anyway. Although I liked the world-building, I wouldn't have minded getting to know a bit more history behind it, because it was interesting, and I wanted to know more. Blood Shadow was an intense read, with unpredictable characters and a magnetism that draws you right in to this world of betrayal and revenge. 

Rating: 3.5/5

The Last True Vampire by Kate Baxter

*ARC received for an honest review, thank you!

He is the last of his race. The one true King of the vampires. Michael Aristov roams the nightclubs of L.A. after dark, haunted by his past and driven by his hunger. The last of the Ancient Ones, he alone has survived the destruction of his race at the hands of slayers. Now he is forced to hunt and feed like a common vampire, a creature of lust. Nothing in this world can fulfil his needs...until he meets a women who is everything he needs, and more. 

Her name is Claire Thompson. Her blood is so sweet, so intoxicating-the smell alone draws Michael to her like a moth to a flame. Sly, sexy and seductive, Claire seems to be the only mortal who can satisfy his craving and seal his fate-forever. Can she be trusted? From their very first kiss, the last tru vampire sweeps Claire into a world in which darkness rules desire-and where falling in love is the greatest danger of all...

A past-paced romance with non-stop action, The Last True Vampire was an incredible read that had me reading for almost half a day because I could not for the life of me put it down. Claire is a great main character, because although her past may be filled with pain, she tries desperately not to let it impact her future, practically adopting a young girl who reminds her of herself when she was young, even though she can barely pay her rent. Her selflessness juxtaposed with her determination to survive ay any cost makes her such a complex character that I instantly fell in love with her. Mikhail is also an interesting character that I loved on first read, but the minor characters just didn't have the level of depth I look for in them. They were fun, but there was just something missing that I can't pin-point. The world building was captivating and heart-pounding, the reason I was unable to tear my eyes away from this book, and although it felt a little but generic, there was still enough originality to keep me entertained. A thrilling story of survival and finding love in the darkest of times. 

Rating: 3.5/5

Sealed in Sin by Juliette Cross

Sometimes sin looks an awful lot like Heaven

One demon prince may be festering in the bowls of the soul-eater Cocytus, but Genevieve's troubles are far from over. Prince Bamal, the demon prince of New York City, still wants her. But this time, he wants her alive, to control her inherent power as a Vessel of light. With Jude Delacroix off searching for the prophesy, Thomas-a guardian angel with sea green eyes and an aura of winter woods-steps into the gap, offering her the power to protect herself. Yet she hesitates, for the transfer of that power comes through a kiss. While Gen's love for Jude is true, Thomas stirs a desire where there should be none. Thomas also knows Jude's darkest secret and plans to use it, if necessary, to win Gen for his own. While her Vessel power grows and more demon spawn creep from every dark corner of the world, one thing is certain-the Great War between the angels and the demons is quickly approaching. And Gen is in a race against time to awaken her full power before the storm breaks. 

An awesome second book to a series that makes me smile like a complete moron in happiness and cry like a baby in fear for the characters. I love Genevieve and Jude so much, their loyalty and need to do the right thing always winning out over the temptations of the dark. They are such complex characters that I am always cheering for them, even the minor characters make me need several spin-offs. Cross' world is dark, with creatures lurking in the shadows waiting to feed off the character's pain and suffering, but there is always a glimmer of light to found, and that is what makes this series so enchanting and engaging. It is so hard to put these books down, even when there are no pages left to turn. Sealed in Sin is such an emotional and tense story, the characters growing individually and together, and the world around them becoming darker and darker. A beautifully written story of love, light, destiny and temptation. 

Rating: 5/5

Chosen Thief by Scarlett Dawn

Caroline Jules knows death is imminent. She's only 22, but as an inmate of death row in the most secure Mystical jail, what else could her future hold? Caro has no idea. Her solitary, transient life is about to get flipped on its head when it is revealed that she is the new Elemental Prodigie, and she has responsibilities and ties that she can't ever escape. Caro is attempting to run from a brutal past, but the rulers have other plans for this thief's future. But the transition from a self contained existence to life with the other prodigies, the Kings and Queens, and even the Elders was never going to be easy, and Caro has secrets she's loathe to share. Suddenly she has friends, mentors, lovers-and they all want to know more about her than she is willing to reveal. Can she learn to thrive in the role of a future leader, or will the obligations scare her into disappearing again-this time forever?

This series just keeps on getting better and better. Chosen Thief welcomes a new group of characters into the spotlight, all the while keeping us up to date with past characters who we will never get enough of. The new prodigies are very different to the now Kings and Queens, we have a terrified Mage, a snob of a Shifter, a Vampire with questionable clothing choices and an Elemental with a vast criminal record who are next in line for the thrones. I just love this series so frickin much I don't know where to start! Sin's and Caro's relationship just made me wish for something like they have and the fact that Caro is bi just made my day, finally getting some recognition of other sexualities besides straight and gay in the Urban Fantasy genres, yayayay!!! But stepping away from the characters because I could go on about how fantastic they are all day. The humour in this series never fails to make me cry and grasp my stomach in pain, through awkward sex talks and bad-mouthing of very important people on live radio, I just needed a break from the constant laughter! The world-building continues to grow along with the characters, and this definitely has to be one of my favourite series out there today. It just has everything I could want in a fantasy series: amazing five dimensional characters who are all fantastic in their own unique ways, an original world where anything can happen, humour that will make you pee yourself and a plot that will never leave you bored.

Rating: 5/5

The Forever Evoremore Series by Scarlett Dawn

Koven by Vanessa Skye

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

When Celeste was kidnapped and turned a century ago by a cruel vampire fighter, she expected to spend her doomed eternity chained in darkness and questioned her ability to survive. But things don't always go as expected. Just ask her kidnapper. He never expected Celeste to learn how to fight. He never expected Celeste to become the best warrior he had ever seen. And he certainly never expected to become a victim of his own sword. Tormented by her past and dreams she can't explain, Celeste romans the earth slaying creatures she loathes and seeking revenge against those who harm innocents in the name of bloodlust. Until she crosses paths with Striker, the handsome vampire leader weighed down by his own tortured story. In his quest for answers about Celeste, Striker finds out more than he could have ever thought possible-about himself, his origins and his destiny. 

While I did enjoy this book and loved the characters, there were just a bit too many comparisons between this story and J.R. Ward's 'Black Dagger Brotherhood' series. For example, in Koven the letter 'K' is used a lot in names and places where it shouldn't be, while in Ward's series, the letter 'H' is used in names such as Rehvenge and Rhage, another one is that Striker is the leader of a small group of exceptional warrior vampires, just as Wrath is. 'Koven' just didn't feel very original, but in saying that, I still loved the main character Celeste and her story of revenge, love and finally being able to move on from a horrific past, and while Striker's and Celeste's love story felt a bit rushed, I still managed to be happy for them without rolling my eyes. This is a hard book to rate for me, I was never once bored while reading, but I wasn't fully engaged either, and while I will read the next in the series if I have time, I will not be actively searching relentlessly for it. 

Rating: 2.5/5