Review: Lover Avenged by JR Ward

Published: April 2009 by New American Library (hardcover)

Number of Pages: 527

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood 7
1: Dark Lover
2: Lover Eternal
3: Lover Awakened
4: Lover Revealed
5: Lover Unbound
6: Lover Enshrined

Why This Book: It's book crack. Once you start you can't stop.

From the Author Site: Caldwell, NY, has long been the battleground for the battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the Lessening Society. It’s also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and notorious nightclub that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he’s approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King, and leader of the Brotherhood. Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood, even though his sister is married to a member. Because he’s a sympath, his identity is a deadly secret- the revelation of which will result in his banishment to a colony for sociopaths. And as plots within and outside the Brotherhood take their toll against Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in a darkening world- Elhena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him- and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

Read excerpt here.

Hero: Rehvenge, son of Rempoon, aka the Reverend, is the drug lord of Caldwell, a part of the vampire aristocracy, the gylmera, and a sympath (a sub-species of vampire who feed on and manipulates emotions). Being a sympath makes him unwelcome among the vampires and something he has to keep hidden. If that secret got out he would deported to the sympath colony where he would most likely to be killed for being a half-breed. That's just one secret he has to maintain in order to protect those close to him. In order to keep that most important secret, he pays his blackmailer in both flesh and jewels monthly. Having done this for decades has left him feeling unclean and unworthy. Although he has friends who know and understand as well as sister who loves him, he is lonely. A man simply existing and not living.

Heroine: Ehlena is a nurse at the vampire hospital and is caring for her ailing schizophrenic father. Her family was once a part of the vampire elite but due to some double-crosses and back-stabbing as well as her father's failing health, they have fallen into hard times and a meager existence. Ehlena gives and gives and cares for other while saving nothing for herself until her life is nothing but duty. She's almost too compassionate to be a real person, too sickeningly gentle, kind and giving. But her character is saved by the presence of a temper and prejudice that in keeping with her society.

Review: JR Ward delivers yet another action packed books. But unlike her last two books, this one has a romance that can be understood and appreciated. No suddenly dead heroines turning into ghosts or a completely lackluster romance between two uninteresting characters. The romance could stand on its own, which is an improvement from the last couple of books. Its poignant and a delight to read. But it does not take away from the hard core action we have come to expect from Ms Ward.

The war against the lessers is still raging on and the causalities are mounting. All the deaths and loss of property, not to mention lives (though most of the new gylmera council members don't seem to mind that last part) have undermined Wrath's power base with the elite. And the gylmera see a chance for wresting power away from Wrath by assassinating him. This internal power struggle only adds fuel to the fire.

The Brotherhood is too short on manpower to make any headway in the war which puts Wrath back in the field. Wrath's vision is failing, the lessers have become stronger under Lash's leadership and a drug war is in the making in Caldwell. The relationship between John Matthew and Xhex is morphing into something physically steamy while John's relationship with Tohr is on the decline. Everything seems to be ramping up for some great climax, the final showdown between the lessers and the Brotherhood, the Omega and the Scribe Virgin can almost be glimpsed on the horizon.

What I liked best: George and and Fritz. Where can I find some vacuum-loving doggens?

What I least liked: The use of the word "outtie" by the brothers and Rehv. These are tough men, fighters who instill fear and dread in their enemies. Having them use the word"outtie" diminishes them, makes the sounds like some misbehaving teenagers and is completely out of character and unbelievable.

Also the use of so many acronyms/abbreviations. Sure they are useful but not everyone hangs out with people who constantly use acronyms/abbreviations as a part of every day life. Having to figure what in the heck MMA stands for makes for breaks in the flow of the story being told.

Keeper?: Yes. Although it's a hardcover and throws off all my neat little rows, I'm keeping it because it's autographed.

Recommendation: Read the series in order. There is just too much of the back-story details that are needed to fully enjoy the book.

Grade: B
Series Grade to Date: B

Review: Darkness Calls by Marjorie M Liu

*********************** SPOILER ALERT ***********************************

For those who haven't started this series, be warned that there are spoilers ahead. As always I will try to keep them to a minimum, but this is a series that builds on the information given in previous books.


Published: July 2009 by Ace

Number of Pages: 303

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Book 2 of Hunter Kiss series
Prequel: Hunter Kiss novella in Wild Thing anthology or e-book
Book 1: Iron Hunt

Why This Book: Iron Hunt was one of my best of 2008 so this was a must read for me. And I really enjoy reading Marjorie M Liu stories.

From the Author Site:

They are the obsidian shadows of my flesh - tattoos with minds, hearts, and dreams. By day, they protect me. But when night calls to them, they leave my body, dissolving into their true form - as demons…

Nomad born and bred, demon hunter Maxine Kiss has always relied upon herself to fight the darkness that surrounds her, the predators-human, zombie, and otherwise - who threaten the earth. But one man has penetrated her lonely life: Grant, the last of his kind. With music he is able to control any living creature…including demons. And now his life is in danger.

Haunted by the past, determined to change the future, Maxine soon understands that to save Grant, she has only one choice-to lose control, and release her own powers of darkness…

Read excerpt here.

Heroine: Maxine Hunt is the last of the Wardens and the Veil that keeps the demons from entering this dimension is failing. But the Veil isn't Maxine's only problem, there is yet another rogue Avatar on the loose causing all sorts of havoc and mayhem, killing and destroying and must be stopped. If that isn't enough, there is also a darkness growing within her and one that threatens to destroy all that she is as well as hasten the end of the world. And the end of the world is coming, that is inevitable. But as to what end, it will be up to Maxine to decide.

Hero: Grant Cooperon is a Lightbringer. But he must find out what that is and who it will make him. He always thought he knew his history but now he past is covered in mysteries. It's no longer just Maxine's war but his as well. He must face the darkness, both in her and his murky past, and hope to come out sane and safe on the other end. Grant truly loves Maxine and knows that she probably won't grow to be an old woman but will die in her prime. So he writes a letter to the daughter they may one day have. One that he might not know. You can read it here.

Other Notables:
Jack Meddle aka the Meddling Man aka Old Wolf: Maxine's grandfather and an Avatar. Maxine's lineage was always from mother to daughter for countless generations with no mentions of fathers. Now that has changed in part due to Jack being an Avatar. The Avatars created Maxine's lineage and they fear what they had created. But by mixing her bloodline with that of an Avatar, he created something else. What and who is still a mystery and something to be feared.

The Boys (Zee, Raw, Aaz, Dek and Mal) aka Hounds: Maxine's eternal family. The family handed down from mother to daughter since the beginning of Maxine's line. By day, they reside on Maxine's skin as tattoos, making her invulnerable. By night, they are her guardians and aid her in her battle. But they have secrets, secrets about Maxine's past as well as the secrets of her complete bloodline. Very dangerous secrets.

Review: Another wonderful story by Marjorie M Liu. This is not like the her Dirk and Steele series. This is urban fantasy at its best! Dark and gritty with insurmountable odds and a no win situation. The end of the world as we know it coming, and it is inevitable. The how soon and who will do the destroying is what Maxine controls. There is no happy ending. Just more darkness ahead.

The story picks up pretty much right after the end of Iron Hunt. Maxine is still living with Grant Cooperon in Seattle. And still wondering about whether this was a good decision. She truly cares of Grant but being a nomad was bred into her. Being in one places still makes her itch. Her newly found grandfather, Jack, is missing. And strange events are pushing her and Grant into what they know is a trap but they must go anyway. The darkness grows and the end is coming closer.

The story continues in its first person narrative but this installment is action packed from beginning to end. The novella and first book did much more of the world building and character development. Those who did not enjoy the first book should really give this series another chance. The narrative style of this book is more action related and less of Maxine's internal turmoils.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is definitely going on my best of 2009 list. I liked how there was a no win situation. Its darkness and grittiness was refreshing as well as dealing with the issue of knowing that you have to do what you have to do and deal with the consequences later and that everything has a price. I can't wait for the next installment. The novella Armor of Roses will be included in the anthology Inked coming out in January 2010.

What I liked best: I love them boys! Even though they are countless centuries old, they are still children. They look to Maxine for love and support while still protecting her anyway they can. They add just the right touch of lightness to the story to keep it from being too overwhelmingly dark. Their baseball fascination as well as their love of Bon Jovi and teddy bears keeps you smiling even through the darkest parts of the book.

What I least liked: Nothing. Loved every word of it. Appropriately hated the villains as well as cheered for the good guys even when they weren't so good.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: This series is best read in order. Although some have read this book without reading Iron Hunt or the novella Hunter Kiss and still enjoyed this story. For those who didn't enjoy the first book, truly consider giving this series a second chance.

Grade: A+
Series Grade to Date: A

Review: Eve of Chaos by SJ Day

WARNING!!! If you haven't started this series beware of SPOILERS as each books builds on what happened before. As always I try to keep the spoilers to a minimum but it is particularly hard with this series.

Published: June 2009 by Tor

Number of Pages: 362

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Marked #3
Book 1: Eve of Darkness
Book 2: Eve of Destruction

Why This Book: I really enjoyed the first two books and needed to get my fix of the Eve-Cain-Abel triangle.

From the Author Site: How do you tell Satan that you ran over his hellhound?

Evangeline Hollis has no idea and she doesn't want to find out. Living with the Mark of Cain—and the two sexy brothers who come with it—is trouble enough. She doesn't need to borrow more. Too bad Satan is too pissed to oblige her.

Incensed at the loss of his pet, Satan has put a bounty on Eve's head, and Hell's denizens are converging en masse. The proliferation of Infernals is complicating Eve's hunts and creating chaos in her once orderly life. They've also brought her to the attention of an overzealous reverend who is certain she's Jezebel reincarnate.

How can a Mark drafted by God strike a bargain with the Devil? Eve's about to find out... Excerpt here.

Heroine: Evangeline Hollis killed Satan's last hellhound and Satan is pissed off to say the least. So with a Get-Out-Of-Hell card up for grabs its open season on Eve. Thus Southern California becomes the destination of choice for demons everywhere and that makes life very difficult for Eve and company. Not that she needs more. Eve is still trying to have a "normal" life while being a supernatural bounty hunter for God. But outing with her mother turn into death duels with demons. And her love life is in tangles. Since she's a one man woman, her bed is empty and dating both Cain and Abel is a challenge.

Other Notables:
Alex Cain: Cain is having trouble with his new position. He's not what he was and no one know quite what to expect since his situation is a first.

Reed Abel: Abel is both thrilled and disappointed with Cain's new role. Thrilled because it has provided an opening for him to be with Eve. Disappointed because he wants what Cain has managed to obtain.

Review: Another fantastic page turning story. Now that Eve has managed to graduate from her Mark training course alive she is being assigned demons to hunt down and eliminate. But there is trouble. Her mentor has other duties that take away from helping her cope with her new job. Her handler wants in her pants. And detectives that she thought she had seen the last of with the death of her neighbor are starting to find her a "person of interest" which makes her demon hunting activities that much more complicated.

Ms Day has once again turned up the heat and added a bit more spice to catch and keep our little mental taste buds tingling. She takes us on a journey to discover more about the whys of archangels and the firms as well as a taste of Cain and Abel's original home life with their parents, Adam and Eve. The love triangle of Eve-Cain-Abel gets a few more twists which only makes the story better.

A side note: The cover art for the first three books has been fantastic. Unlike some covers these accurately portrays story that is being told. Each portrays Eve in an outfit that she is described to be wearing wielding the appropriate weapon. The artist really took Ms Day's Eve and brought her to life.

What I liked best: The ever so entangled love triangle of Eve-Cain-Abel. I didn't like Abel so much in the other two books but I have to say that he is definitely growing on me.

What I least liked: The ending! I announce that Ms Day is an evil evil woman. How can she leave us hanging like this!!!??? Now I'll have to wait and wait until the next book to figure out WHO it was. Those of you who have read it will understand this pain and will most likely commiserate with me. And those of you who haven't read it, get to it so you can suffer just like me (pain does love company). So anyone know when book 4 will be released? Anyone? Hmmm.... maybe I need to go grovelling to the author. Will see her at RWA in a couple of days so perhaps I can get some additional info or at least another teaser to keep me on the edge of my seat.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: This is not a series that you should pick up in the middle. Each book build on the one before it. Each build the world a bit more and creates additional depth and if read out of order many things may not make a lot of sense.

Grade: A
Series Grade to Date: A-

Review: Eve of Destruction by SJ Day

Published: June 2009 by Tor

Number of Pages: 414

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Marked Book 2
Book 1: Eve of Darkness

Why This Book: I read book one and it left off with a cliffhanger so I had to read book 2.

From the Author Site: When you're learning to hunt demons, homework can be hell...

Class is in, but Evangeline Hollis is far from being the star pupil. She's struggling to get through the required training to be a full-fledged Mark -- one of thousands of sinners forced to hunt demons for God. When her class goes on a week-long field trip to an abandoned military base, passing the course suddenly isn't just a matter of pride... it's a matter of life and death. There's a demon hidden among them, killing off Eve's classmates one by one.

As the body count rises, a ragtag team of ghost hunters from a cable TV program unwittingly stumbles into the carnage. Now keeping the Mark system secret competes with the need to keep the "paranormal researchers" alive. With Cain on assignment and Abel investigating a new, terrifying class of demon, Eve must fly solo on her hunt to stop a killer before he strikes again. Excerpt here.

Heroine: Evangeline Hollis was "recruited" to be one of God's bounty hunters aka Marks and now has to attend her required training courses. Although she is a new Mark she has already has been on a hunt and has done some demon-ass kicking due to her having Cain as a mentor. Since Cain is God's number 1 Mark, all the other newbies are very jealous of her. Not to mention that her handler is Abel which also does not get her points with her classmates. Also going against her is being Archangel Raguel's teacher's pet (not her choice) and getting to keep her family ties. Therefore she's in the spotlight for many reasons and to many people which is mostly not good.

Other Notables:
Alex Cain aka Cain of Infamy: Eve's mentor and current boyfriend. Cain has the ambition of wanting to head his own firm of Marks and is pretty much willing to do anything to attain this goal except give up Eve. In addition to being Eve's mentor he is still "on-call" for the special hunts assigned to him by God himself.

Reed Abel: Eve's handler and want-to-be boyfriend. Abel also want to head his own firm and is also willing to anything to attain this goal even perhaps giving up Eve. Since he doesn't actually have her yet makes giving her up less painful. But as he spends time with her, the more he wants her. First he has to figure out how to get Cain out of the picture.

Review: The story picks up right where book 1 end. That being with a very toasty Eve. And Eve is still a tasty treat to be fought over in the oldest case of sibling rivalry, Cain vs. Abel. Cain has moved in to the empty condo next door but is spending most of his time at Eve's. Meanwhile, Abel is checking in on Eve at a regular basis. Both are leaving laundry and dirty dishes in her condo (isn't it just like a guy).

Eve's training as a Mark has begun in earnest with Archangel Raguel teaching the class just as Raguel intended. Eve is the most despised person in her class. Not only does she have Cain as a mentor (most think she has slept her way into this situation, which she did but not in the way her classmates think), she has Abel as her handler when all the other have not yet been assigned to a handler and on top of all that Raguel has made her his star pupil. Talk about a rough start.

The story is both fast paced and full of action and keeps you flipping those pages just so you can see what happens next. About half-way through the book there is a great plot twist which changes the Eve-Cain-Abel triangle in so many different ways that adds an extra layer depth and complication to their relationship. Ms. Day has certainly spiced up the age old tale of Cain and Abel to make it red hot and has added many more spices to keeps us all drooling and begging for more.

What I liked best: Eve's nicknames for her fellow classmates. But my absolute favorite is the demon Giselle's reaction to a certain incident with Cain. Since I am trying very hard not to give a spoiler, I'll end with that.

What I least liked: There isn't one thing in specific that I didn't like but the general feeling that God is stacking the deck against Eve in many different ways. As it is mentioned several times that there are no coincidences so it really does seem like someone wants to give Eve very hard time and its not all coming from the dark side.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: This is book 2 in a the series and they should be read in order. Book 1 describes how Eve got into her current situation. Book 2 picks up exactly where Book 1 left off. They really could have been one really long book.

Grade: A-
Series Grade to Date: A-

Review: Eve of Darkness by SJ Day

Title: Eve of Darkness

Author: SJ Day

Published: April 2009

Number of Pages: 344

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Marked #1

Why This Book: Heard lots of good things about from one of my favorite book dealers *whispers "KB"*.

From the Author Site: Cursed by God, hunted by demons, desired by Cain and Abel... All in a day's work.

For Evangeline Hollis, a long-ago fling with a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks just became a disaster of biblical proportions. One night with a leather-clad man of mystery has led to a divine punishment: the Mark of Cain.

Thrust into a world where sinners are drafted to kill demons, Eve knows her learning curve must be short. A longtime agnostic, she begrudgingly maneuvers through a celestial bureaucracy where she is a valuable but ill-treated pawn. She's also become the latest point of contention in the oldest case of sibling rivalry in history...

But she'll worry about all that later. Right now she's more concerned with learning to kill while staying alive. And saving the soul she'd never quite believed she had.

The Cast:
Alec Cain aka Cain: The bible's first murderer. Marked and doomed to roam the earth because he killed his brother, Abel. He was God's first bounty hunter, or Mark, who hunts rouge demons or Infernals. Now he is bounty hunter number #1 who takes order only from God himself unlike the other Marks, who take their orders from the archangels. Cain doesn't like rules and has been on his own for a really long time and he had no weakness until he met and fell in love with Eve, gave into the temptation and slept with her. He has made a deal that has him assigned as Eve's mentor.

Reed Abel aka Abel: The, not so innocent, victim of the first murder. Now an angel working under an archangel and is Eve's handler, one responsible for her training and assignments. Abel loves the rules, has always toed the line and followed orders. A company man through and through. Enter Eve. Here's something bad brother Cain wants so natural Abel has decided that he has to take her away from Cain. But now he too is finding Eve a temptation and wants her for other reasons than to annoy Cain.

Raguel Gadara aka Archangel Raguel: Runs the firm that controls all the Marks in North America. Abel's boss and therefore Eve's boss. He has motives of his own and he needs Cain in order to achieve them, so he must have and keep Eve under his control.

Evangeline Hollis aka Eve: She slept with Cain when she was eighteen (and, well, stupid) and this altered her destiny forever. Talk about really bad first dates. Cain takes her virginity, ruined her for any other man, because the sex was out of this world good, then disappeared from her life. Enter Abel ten years later, he lures her into a stairwell, screws her blind, brands her and basically ruins her life. Talk about bad luck. Here she was minding her own business and is quite successful as an interior designer when her number gets called and she is branded with the Mark of Cain and is now one of God's bounty hunters. Except that she's special because Cain is in love with her. This makes her a target for just about everyone.

Review: SJ Day's first book in her Marked series. She has taken the biblical story of Cain and Abel and gave it a new twist. Abel doesn't really "die" and Cain's punishment isn't the end for him either. Cain can earn his redemption by slaying rouge demons (Infernals). But, as he's not so good at following the rules, he's sins keeps pace with his earned indulgences (atonement for his sins). While Abel, the good brother, is an angel, he isn't "good" and Cain, the muderer, isn't "bad".

Day's world building is good. Nothing too wild. Everything fits neatly into the story. And all the nifty little details are there and everything is consistent. She has worked the biblical story and histories nicely into her world. I like that she's taken into consideration that the Bible was written by men thus not everything in it is the full truth and that it is mostly allegorical. Day's archangels are highly competitive and are in constant competetion with each other and man, God's greatest creation. Sure they love God and are devoted servants and curry God's favor, but they each want to be first in God's eye. And God... well he is all-knowing and all-seeing but he doesn't always pay attention. *g*

In Day's world's history, the number of rouge Infernals out pace Cain's ability to control, God creates the Marked system. Some sinners are marked with the mark of Cain becoming Marks and allowed earn indulgences by working for the archangels. Each Mark is assigned a role depending his or her skill set. This system has increased until to the current state where Marks work for firms run by archangels. There are seven firms and each headed by a different archangel. Each firm is located on one of the continents. Cain doesn't belong to any firm, since he is doom to roam he has no "home" base. Abel works for the North American firm.

What I liked best: Cain. What a sweetie. Yeah he's bad ass but he really loves Eve and only wants to be with her. And he's willing to do anything to stay with her, even follow orders and deal with Abel, whom he despises even after all these years.

What I least liked: After the first chapter (you can read it here), everything is a flashback. It starts with circumstances of Eve's marking up to the events in Upland that was mentioned in first chapter with more flashbacks of Eve's initial encounter with Cain. So the book basically leaves you hanging and wondering what the hell happens after chapter one. We know how she ended up in that situation but nothing after. Total cliff hanger! Ick! The good news is that Book 2 is out in early June so we hope there will be some resolution.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: Yes. A good read. Would probably recommend that you wait until Book 2, Eve of Destruction, is out to read this if you are like me and don't like loose ends at the end of your story.

Grade: B

Review: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Strikes

Author: Ilona Andrews

Published: March 2007

Number of Pages: 310

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Kate Daniels #3
Book 1: Magic Bites
Book 2: Magic Burns

Why This Book: It's Kate Daniels!!! How can you pass it up?!

From the Author Site: Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.

But when Kate’s werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games - an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament - she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta’s shapeshifting community…

Heroine: Kate Daniels is still the sword wielding manic that we have all come to love! She's still mouthy and has problems with authority figures (mostly Curran), but she is certainly learning all those codes and regulations. I guess that happens when you are a civil servant and lets face it working for the Order of Merciful Aid is definitely working in law enforcement. You know: bad pay, horrible hours, and doing things that no one in there right mind would actually volunteer to do. And on top of all that she's still the Order representative for all things mercenary or Pack related. AND she has to deal with Saiman! Poor thing! (*grins with glee*)

Review: This is another action packed page turner!! Ilona Andrews takes us back into Kate's world, the post-magic wave Atlanta, where all thing are not well. This story opens a few months after the events of Magic Burns. The post flare months were a bit slow, but with magic back in the swing of things, everything picking up. Once again, Kate's having to stick her neck, and sword, out to protect her friends and the world at large.

Once the action starts there is no stopping right up to the last page. The story is fast pace, the dialog is witty (still snickering at some of Kate exchanges with Jim and Curran) and well thought out. All those lovely details required for the story are filled out just enough to make every understandable and enjoyable. The world building in relation to Roland continues smoothly and it makes me eager to see the "final" battle/show down between Kate and Roland! This is what the whole series is building towards and I really love that about a series. An overall "goal" or outcome that the story it building towards. It helps keep all the stories in continuity with each other and makes for a great series.

Kate with her brash, no nonsense, kick ass attitude makes it a fun read. Since all is told from her perspective, we get all her inside thoughts and feeling. Which still a hoot! I just love the way her mind works (or doesn't at times). Though Kate doesn't want friends or responsibilities she's got them and she goes the extra mile and then some for them. She is definitely a great friend to have, especially if you need to kick some ass!

I honestly couldn't put it down. In fact I read it then pulled out books 1 and 2 and read right on through book 3 again! It was great! All that's missing is MORE! More Kate and her wicked sword skills, more Kate and Curran, more Roland, more, more, more! Ilona Andrews leaves us with tantalizing teaser which just makes me snicker then yell for MORE.

On Kate's relationship with Curran: I just love their banter! Their whole relationship has me laughing myself silly every time I thing about them. So let's sum up their relationship to date.

Magic Bites: At their very first meeting, she greets him with:

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.

And he's response, after trying to wrap his head around her greeting, is:

What kind of woman greets the Beast Lord with 'here, kitty, kitty'?

Magic Burns: As their relationship starts to be more than just work, at least in Curran's eyes. Kate's whole take on it is:

If we were the last two people on Earth, I'd find myself a moving island so I could get the hell away from you.

To which he responds with:

We'll see

Magic Strikes: Curran is still is pursuit and Kate is, well, being Kate and is still evading and denying that anything at all exists. Kate:

I think you're confused as to the nature of our relationship ship. You and I don't get along. You're a psychopathic control freak. You order me around and I want to kill you. I'm pigheaded insubordinate ass. I drive you mad and you want to strangle me."

And Curran:

Once! I did it once!

LOL... I can't wait to see what happens. Especially with that tantalizing note at the end of the book!

What I liked Best: I have to say it's Curran's little note to Kate at the very end of the book. In fact it on the very last page of the book. It so totally makes me drool for the next book! And it's not out until March 2010!!! *sigh* And the best line in the whole book:

Er. I was sitting atop the Beast Lord in my underwear, holding a knife to his throat. What the hell was my next move?

What I found Most Annoying: Nothing! I love it. I think the only thing that bothers me is that I need MORE Kate! And now I have to wait until March 2010!! Good thing that whole Mayan end of the world thing isn't until December 2010 so there should be no trouble in getting the book! *grin*

Keeper?: YES!!! Must have!

Recommendation: I highly recommend this series. Although each book stands well on its own, in order to fully enjoy all of Kate's on-going relationship you should read the series in order.

Grade: A+
Series Grade to Date: A+

ARC Review: Angels' Blood

This review is brought to you thanks to my book fairy (you know who you are)! I know it comes out next week but I was totally impatient and couldn't wait. And sure, I have it on pre-order but had to read it NOW! And it's GREAT! On to the review...

Title: Angels' Blood

Author: Nalini Singh

Published: March 2009

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Stand Alone/Series: Guild Hunters Book #1
Novella (ebook only): Angels' Pawn

From the Author Site: Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she's the best—but she doesn't know if she's good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option...even if the task is impossible.

Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other…and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn't destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break…

Hero: Raphael, Archangel of New York. Dangerously beautiful, ruthless, lethal, seductive and alluring. He is definitely not one of those "nice" angel. He has the dangerous allure, the kind that has you fascinated from afar wishing you had the bravery to snuggle him up close and very personal. And as to his angel dust... he can dust me anytime he'd like, especially with that special blend of his! The quote that definitely sums up Raphael is:

“Don’t fail, Elena.” His eyes were mild but his smile, it spoke of things better not said aloud. “You intrigue me—I’d hate to have to punish you.”

Her mind flashed to that image of the vampire in Times Square, that broken mess that had once been a person… Raphael’s definition of punishment.

Heroine: Elena Deveraux, Guild Hunter. She is definitely gusty and stubborn as well as a bit reckless when it comes to Raphael. Elena is one of the hunter-born, born with skills that help her track vampire, and has probably the strongest set of those skills therefore when the Cadre of Ten (the Archangels) needs that special someone to track the impossible (Archangel gone bad), she's their gal. Like all good urban fantasy heroine's, she not afraid of the fight (even against the impossible), has a smart mouth (that only gets her into more trouble), is constantly armed and is more likely to kick ass and take numbers than wait for her hero to come get her out of the mess she's in. The quote that sums Elena up best is:

"Great." Elena walked out from behind Rahael. "Join the queue."

Micheala folded her arms across her front, plumping up her breast. "Do tell. It might be entertaining to see who gets to you first."

"Excuse me if entertaining you isn't at the top of my agenda." Oh, she could be brave now, when Raphael needed her. After... well, she had so many other problems, it didn't seem worth the effort to mollify a pissy archangel.

Review: Loved it! Nalini Singh definitely has another best seller on her hands as well as another great series. This is her first book in her new Guild Hunters series as well as her debut into the urban fantasy genre. Unlike other recent urban fantasy novels, this is told in the third person with some first person insights from the heroine, hero and villain. The style is in keeping with what one has come to expects from Ms. Nalini: a wonderfully crafted story with intriguing characters that take one out of the mundane world and into the fantastic. Her worlds are rich with fantastic character and situation while keeping everything believable.

The story is fast paced, packed full of action and tension right up to the end. It opens with Elena on a vampire hunt which leads her to a breakfast meeting with Raphael, Archangel of New York, and her latest, even if it is unwanted, gig of hunting down a rogue archangel with Raphael where failure, or quitting, is NOT an option.

The tension between Elena and Raphael is sublime. Elena can't help but be attracted by Raphael even though it's probably going to cost her her life. And Raphael is intrigued by Elena, something that doesn't happen frequently to this immortal, and she keeps telling him something he does not hear often, if ever, which is "No." They simple sizzle.

Angels in this story are not your nice, friendly, caring angels. They are a group of ruthless immortals who make and control vampires. They are ruled by the Cadre of Ten. The Cadre of Ten is definitely not a group to piss off. Basically they are the ten archangels who rule the world. Getting in on their bad side is worse than fatal. I think the maxin "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" works well for these angels and archangels.

The cast of secondary characters is fantastic. You have Elena's best friends: Sara and Ransom. Then you have Raphael's guys: Dimitri, Venom, Illium and Jason. As well as the other archangels in the Cadre of Ten. Can't wait to read more about them in the future adventures of Elena and Raphael. I would love to see the back story on Sara and her tracker husband, Deacon, as well as that of Archangel Elijah and Angel Hannah.

The only part I didn't enjoy was the bit confusing part/interaction with Elena's family. Didn't think it really added much to the story, other than a bit of "huh?" and the affirmation that Elena's family is a bunch of self-centered losers who don't care about Elena is the least.

The book also has some great teasers included. The steamy excerpt from Nalini Singh's next Psy/Changling book, Branded by Fire and a sneak teaser into Angels' Kiss the next book in the Guild Hunters series.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: A must read for all Nalini Singh fans. And if you haven't read any Nalini Singh, well here's your chance.

Rating: A

Review: Iron Hunt

Title: The Iron Hunt

Author: Marjorie M. Liu

Published: June 2008

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fiction

Stand Alone/Series: Hunter Kiss #1, Prequel: Hunter Kiss in Wild Thing Anthology

From the Author Site: Silver smoke winds around my torso, peeling away from my ribs and back, stealing the dark mist covering my hands and lower extremities…tattoos dissolving into demon flesh, coalescing into small dark bodies. My boys. The only friends I have in this world. Demons.

I am a demon hunter. I am a demon. I am Hunter Kiss.

By day, her tattoos are her armor. By night, they unwind from her body to take on forms of their own. Demons of the flesh, turned into flesh. This is the only family demon hunter Maxine Kiss has ever known. The only way to live—and the very way she’ll die. For one day, her demons will abandon her for her daughter to assure their own survival—leaving Maxine helpless against her enemies.

But such is the way of Earth’s last protector—the only one standing between humanity and the demons breaking out from behind the prison veils. It is a life lacking in love, reveling in death, until one moment—and one man—changes everything...

Heroine: Hunter Maxine Kiss is the latest and last of the Hunters. She is descended from the first Hunter in an unbroken female line that started ten thousand years ago when the veil was erected and the demons imprisoned. Over the centuries the other Hunter lines have died out leaving only the Kiss line and finally Maxine as the only Hunter-Warden left to protect the earth from demons. The story starts with Maxine "knowing" who and what she is but as the story unfolds that understanding starts to falter.

She is a totally kick-ass heroine but soft-hearted, unless you are a demon. Definitely ranking up there with Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels and Meljean Brook's Lilith as one of my favorite no-nonsense heroines. The kick ass first and ask questions second type of ladies. Gotta love that.

Plot: Loved the storyline. The veil that keeps the demons imprisoned and the earth safe is falling and only Maxine is left to protect the earth from the coming demon apocalypse. Already scouts are coming through and Maxine must find the strength and knowledge to protect not only herself but the whole world.

There are mysteries about Maxine that even she does not know and something "the boys" won't/can't tell her. Something spoken of in hints and riddles but never fully explained. The discovery of the hidden world around her, things her mother never told her about and surprises for everyone involved.

Review: A page-turner that hooked little claws into me and didn't let go until the very end. Action packed with lots of mystery around every corner. Just enough mystery to be tantalizing and kept me flipping to pages to find out more and now leaving me begging for more. This storyline is definitely going on my A-list. Marjorie has added bits of lore/myth/fairytales into the storyline and I can't wait to see how she uses these bits in the future.

Love "the boys"! Even though only Zee can communicate with Maxine, they all seem to just leap off the pages with their love and protectiveness toward Maxine (they are also going on my list of immortal companions to have right up there with Meljean's Sir Pup... so I seem to like the ones that can "dispose of the evidence" go figure). I am still a bit mixed about Grant, I like his character and he does make a nice foil for Maxine's toughness but he seems a bit wimpy to me.

All told in the first person. Seems to the trend in urban fiction. I like it. It so much easier to keep up with all the twist and turns and keeps the suspense building since the reader only knows as much as the heroine/main character.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: Excellent story with lots of tension and action. To fully enjoy the storyline, read the short story Hunter Kiss first. It set the scene of the story and provides some very important world building facts.

Rating: 5

Review: Magic Burns

Title: Magic Burns

Author: Ilona Andrews

Published: April 2008

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Kate Daniels #2
Book 1: Magic Bites

From the Author Site: Down in Atlanta, tempers - and temperatures - are about to flare...

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate's going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta's paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest - and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can't stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive...

Review: Its back to the adventures of Kate Daniels. So its been a couple of months since the death of her Guardian and she's still working for the Order as the liaison to the Mercenary Guild. Still having a hard to making ends meet and taking on the odd jobs for the Mercenary Guild. But for the most part things have settled down to a somewhat happy routine for Kate.

Then of course its the late night call for an assist that turns into more trouble than the norm. Kate not so happily goes to the aid Jim, the panther shapeshifter mercenary, (for a fee of course) and one thing leads to another and the next thing she knows the Pack wants her help to:

... track down a supernaturally fast sniper who can disappear into thin air, retrieve your maps, and do it so nobody finds out what [Kate] is doing or why...

So the adventure starts. And one thing leads to another and before she can do anything about, Kate is once again wading neck deep in trouble. Not only does she have to deal with a sniper who can poof anywhere and has more wandering hands than an octopus, she's has to protect a helpless kid looking for her mom, deal with demons that just won't die and go away, and she's helping the Beast Lord's ex-lover by arranging her marriage to Kate's almost boyfriend, Crest.

Like Magic Bites, this book gets it claws into you and doesn't let go until the end. We're introduced to some intriguing new characters, Andrea, a Knight of the Order who has some serious problems and Julie, the abandoned street kid. We get to catch up with Derek, Kate's former wolf shifter body guard, who has matured some and has moved up a bit in the Pack hierarchy. Ghastek, the Master of the Dead, also makes appearance as does Saiman (still don't know what he is other than a bit strange) and of course Curran, the Beast Lord. And the revelation of the true depth of Kate's powers and more hints about Roland.

And the book leaves us with some intriguing questions: 1.) Just who and what is Roland (other than Kate's possible father) and just how powerful is he? 2.) How powerful is Kate? After the glimpse of her raw strength, it leaves one to wonder. Also the continued references of waiting until she is more powerful to kill someone, possibly Roland, makes one think that she only going to get more powerful as time goes by. And the biggest question of all 3.) Will Kate and Curran ever get together? Curran is a definite YES with:

Not only will you sleep with me, but you will say 'please'.

Ooh... the shivers. Love that whole alpha-male thing. And Kate is a definite NO with:

You've got to be insane. All that peroxide in your hair has finally did you brain in, Goldilocks.

You gotta love that smart mouth remark especially considering he can turn into a lion. Oh the possibilities. Can't wait to see how it all plays out.

Although the story is very satisfying it leaves you flipping pages helplessly at the end shaking your fist saying... "wait there's gotta be more, I NEED more" then wailing "What do you mean I have to wait until April 2009 for the next book!" And of course drooling for the next book. Can't wait for Magic Strikes!

Keeper?: Definitely.

Recommendation: It was definitely a great read. Anyone who loves a mouthy, kick-ass heroine will enjoy this book greatly. It going on my best of 2008 list for sure!

Rating: 5 of 5

Review: Magic Bites - Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Bites

Author: Ilona Andrews

Published: March 2007

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Stand Alone/Series: Book 1, Kate Daniels

From the Author Site: Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren't for magic...

When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while the guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic receeds as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta's magic circles.

The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizzare killings - and the death of Kate's guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she's way out of her league - but she wouldn't have it any other way...

Review: This book grabbed you from the very beginning and didn't let go until the end. A definite page-turner with non-stop action and suspense throughout the story. It is told all in the first person and masterfully done.

The story starts with Kate relaxing at home when a vampire comes to visit and asks her when she saw her guardian last. This compels Kate to check on her guardian, Greg, only to find out that he has be murdered. So Kate leave her safe, comfortable home and heads to Atlanta to investigate the death of her guardian who also happens to be the knight-diviner for the Knights of the Order of Merciful Aid of the Atlanta Chapter. The knight-protector for the Atlanta Chapter of the Order allows Kate to investigate of Greg's murder. From there everything goes wild. She get drawn into a mystery dealing with the deaths of shapeshifters (the Pack) and vampires (controlled by the Masters of the Dead or the People) and their respective leaders in the Atlanta area (Beast Lord aka Curran and Master of the Dead Nataraja).

Kate Daniels is a completely kick ass heroine, quite literally. No nonsense, action inclines and smart mouthed, that gets her into a lot of trouble. With her trusty sword, Slayer, she takes each problem and challenge head on. I love that she is straight forward, do what needs to be done kind of heroine. Also there is a mystery of her origins and the mystery of her blood is quite interesting and I hope that the author will enlighten us on it in future book.

The world was fascinating. Apparently technology ruled the world at one point, like ours, but suddenly magic started strongly flux into the world the throwing the world into chaos. It was interesting to see the struggle between technological equipments (cars, building, lights, etc.) and the magically equipment (cars that run on magic, leylines, feylanterns, etc.). I also liked the concept of vampires as puppets and are controlled by necromancers. It was very colorful and mostly believable. The history is somewhat sparse but adequate for the intent of the story. I would have like to see more of how magic re-entered the world and the founding of all the different organizations, but that just me and it was not really required for the storyline.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: Anyone who enjoys a good story will enjoy this book. Lots of action and adventure and sticky situations. Not for someone looking for a romance. Though there is some, it is not the center piece of the story. (I do hope that she ends up with Curran in the long run though).

Rating: 4.5 of 5

Dead To Me

Title: Dead to Me

Author: Anton Strout

Published: February 2008

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Stand Alone/Series: Book 1 of Simon Canderous

From the Author Site: Possessing the power of psychometry has meant a life of petty crime and failed relationships for Simon Canderous, but now he's gone over to the good side. A recent recruit to New York City's underfunded and (mostly) secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, Simon's learning his way around mazes of red tape, office politics, and the basics of paranormal investigation. But it's not just the paperwork that has him breathless...

After Simon spills his coffee on (okay, through) the mysterious ghost of a beautiful woman—who doesn't know she's dead—he and his mentor decide to track down her killers. But Simon's not at all prepared for the strange and nefarious plot that unfolds before him, one involving politically correct cultists, a large wooden fish, a homicidal bookcase, and the forces of Darkness, which kind of have a crush on him.

Review: I was pulled into the story at the very first chapter! Due to some unfortunate timing in other life activities, I was not able to finish it in one sitting, but I certainly wanted to that.

You really get emotionally tied to Simon Canderous from the very beginning. There he was trying hard to keep a girlfriend when his powers go crazy on him, and she, of course thinks that he has been reading her secret diaries, dumps him like a ton of bricks. And like any other government agent, he is underpaid and overworked due to budget cuts. But unlike the drudgery of a government job, working in the Other Division of the DEA keeps Simon on his toes while he keeps trying the hit the curve balls life keeps throwing at him. And his poor love life, first a ghost, a very attractive ghost, but dead none the less. Then its the Enemy!

I loved the whole idea of the DEA (that is the Department of Extraordinary Affairs). And the department names and the names of the different groups were highly amusing, not to mention the different pamphlets and training seminars at the DEA! My personal favorite is "DEA or DOA, Your Choice"! It reminded me of all the ridiculous reading material I have to read whenever I start at a new company. Though I wish my reading was more interesting, who wouldn't rather read "Witty Banter to Ease Any Paranormal Situation" than "Manual Data Recording Rules".

As for the setting, it was based on modern date New York City but with the twist that there really are zombies, vampires and ghosts around and the average person just doesn't see them. And thanks to the Department of Plausible Excuses, the government continues to keep the average citizen in the dark to the extraordinary world. Although it isn't a very original world, it was done quite well and was made quite believable. Of course the government is keeping secrets from the general public and they could be hiding the extraordinary world from the general public! Most of us will never know what they are hiding.

I will definitely pick up the next adventure of Simon Canderous!

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: It was fun to read and the characters were delightful. Not for someone who is looking for romance, but definitely for everyone who love a good story.

Rating: 4.5 of 5