Ravensong by TJ Klune

Ravensong
by TJ Klune

Genre: Sci-fi and fantasy, General Fiction (Adult)

I loved Wolfsong, and was so pleased to finally get more from the Bennett pack. If you’ve not read and of TJ’s stories before just go with the way they are written, it may seem a bit confusing at times, but it gives a real sense of feeling, of understanding the characters, of how the pack feels as a collective and how individuals feel within it.
Gordo, what a traumatic childhood, and then just when he’s feeling secure it all upends again 😦 I understood why he wanted to stay out of the wolves issues, just run his garage, live his live. He wasn’t happy though, he was just coasting through life. And then – the Bennett pack returned and somehow he gets sucked into pack issues once more.
I loved the connection between Mark and Gordo, the feeling of push pull they had, that however far away Gordo tried to stay Mark was there inside him. It does take a seriously long time for the two to get themselves sorted, it really makes for a drawn out, slow burn romance, but its fabulous, really emotional.
I love the human pack characters here too, the witty banter that came just when things looked grim and somehow lightened the atmosphere. There are some very dark parts in this novel and that lightness was much needed. I sniggered along with them at times….
Its a progression from Wolfsong, not just a romance but a solid story about Pack, and the battles they have to overcome. They’re at the edge, now, facing a formidable opponent and I can’t wait for Heartsong to reveal more.

Stars: Five, another wonderful Pack novel, romance and adventure.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

Night Is For Hunting Moonrise #2 by Jules Kelley

Night Is For Hunting
Moonrise #2
by Jules Kelley

 

https://amzn.to/3NbaSu3

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance, Sci-fi and fantasy

I really enjoyed the first book, and this was a good follow up but didn’t grip me quite as much. Its an easy read, good story line, and some interesting characters.
The romance between Leland and Haley is growing, they’re learning more about each other. I was hoping for a bit more romance between Diego and Val, as so much of this story centres on them but its developing. Slowly 😉
I do wonder in stories like this where there are clearly lots of supernatural characters but hidden in plain sight so to speak, how realistic that is in the modern world? It didn’t feel quite believable here, small groups without big money to hide behind means to me discovery inevitable. But that could just be me being picky…..
And damn, not exactly a cliffhanger ending – but a very striking story line for the next book!

Stars: Three and a half, I wasn’t quite as taken with this one as the first but its still a good read, easy to follow and interesting
.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

Eastside Witch Hunt, A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel, T.J. Deschamps

Eastside Witch Hunt, A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel, T.J. Deschamps

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: general Fiction, Womens Fiction, Sci-fi and Fantasy

Womens Fiction – Sigh….just why. An outdated, sexist category.

Anyway, I didn’t realise this was book two, started reading and was completely lost. Luckily book one was on KU, so I read and enjoyed that, though with a few reservations. Then got onto book two with a clearer understanding.

The premise is fun, but in book one I felt there were too many different supernaturals, especially as they were mixed so some part werewolf, part witch etc. This book adds in even more of them, and it felt a bit like the blunderbuss effect, throw in everything and hope something sticks. Sometimes less is more and this book – IMO- would have benefited from a decent cull, keeping the Supes down to a basic few.

I wasn’t really sure where the story line was going – was it the Big Reveal? Was it the Fae heritage of the FMC, and the problems that brings? Was it her past with Satan, the Big Bad who she’s been hiding from, having made him think she was dead?
I jut felt there were so many plots overall, plus the new ones in this book, that combined with the myriad types of Supes it got a not muddled, and I lost interest. A shame, as from book one I felt this series has good potential for me.
I might try book three if its on KU, and see if things settle a bit, become clearer but I’m on the fence.

Stars: Three. I enjoyed book one but felt this was a bit of a muddled bag and lost direction.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

Edge of the Woods, Moonrise Book 1, Jules Kelley

Edge of the Woods, Moonrise Book 1, Jules Kelley

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance, Sci-fi & Fantasy

I love this kind of fantasy, and was keen to read this book. A whole new series, love that idea. I did enjoy the story, do want to read more but felt there were things here that ( for me ) could have been better.

Haley – love her but…she’s Alpha but it takes til right at the end before she really seems to believe or act like it.
Leland, the new sheriff, was a great guy, loved the interaction and attraction between him and Hayley but….I do find stories where the supernatural is hidden a little hard to take. That’s personal on my side, of course, but it just seems so difficult to ensure a secret of that magnitude stays secret.
Diego, he’s a great kid, coped well with what happened and I do hope the tentative moves towards a romance follows through. Given who the other person is that would really tie supernatural ends together.
,
I’d like to see more of the Pack, we really only meet Hayley, Michelle. Jo and Diego and I would like to see more interaction with other members. I didn’t guess who was moving things, driving the murder story line and would have liked to see more motivations. There was some explanation but it wouldn’t have been the whole story. It felt a little out of character from the little we learned, I wanted to know the back story.

Of course first books in a series have a lot to ask, a good story line to keep the reader engrossed, while delivering a new world setting and group(s) of characters. That’s tough, and I think this novel delivers pretty well, my comments aside. I’m a reader, not an author – that’s something way beyond my skill set!
I’m looking forward to seeing where this story line goes next.

Stars: Three and a half, its a good start but I have a few things that didn’t sit well with me.

ARC supplied by Netgally and publishers

Wild Sign, An Alpha and Omega Novel. Book 6, Patricia Briggs

Wild Sign, An Alpha and Omega Novel. Book 6, Patricia Briggs

Genre: Sci-fi and fantasy

Well, Patricia Briggs is by far my favourite author – in any genre. Her books are as fresh now as when I first read Moon Called back in Sept 2010!! I had to look that up, can’t believe it was so long ago…I’ve re read bother the Mercy Thompson ( Hauptmann) and the Alpha and Omega ones many times now. I discover things I’d missed in earlier reads each time, there is so much detail and subtle clues.

As these books have advanced in series I’ve noticed they’ve become closer, with characters from each series making cameo appearances in the other. Of course Bran, Charles and Samuel have always featured in both, and the more major secondary characters take appearances and get referred to, but now even the plots seem to be connected, and get referenced to in each story. I love that connection.

So having done my fan-girling about PB and these fab stories what about this book.
I made sure to read in daytime only, as one review mentioned parts verged on horror – and I’m a complete wimp. I get nightmares from the slightest things, My kids laughed when I couldn’t even watch The Mummy with them 😉
However I needn’t have worried, its got mo more “horror” in that the MT one with the Hardesty witches, and as usual everything here fitted the story line perfectly.

What I love is that its not just Charles and Anna, but others that creep in, and along the way seeds are sown for characters, plots in later books. With the story overlaps now, that could be in either series, its become a kind of game for me, trying to see people and events that may become more. One of my favourite “newish” characters from the MT series, Sherwood Post, makes an appearance here, not in person but as a character that’s been involved in the current plot in the past, and some of the mysteries about his past have come forward. I’ve a fleeting thought from this book of who he might be really, given he’s lost his memory and no-one knows – apart from Bran, who may know, but is saying nothing. That man is a real enigma.

Of course there’s the usual slow burn plot development, where things seem relatively simple, but turn out to be anything but, and Anna, Charles and Tag are in real danger. We’re introduced to yet another new supernatural entity, well two really, one is a group rather than one ..person? Creature? I wonder if the new group will take a greater part in later stories? I get the feeling by now that when PB introduces someone or something new its for a reason. Sherwood is a great case, he crept in fairly innocuously and yet he’s become a major, essential character in recent books. As a fellow one leg amputee I have a kind of feeling of kinship with him…though sadly wolf changing is beyond me. Leah features more here, usually she’s just the cold, unfeeling person in the background, the Alpha’s Mate who hates Mercy. PB did what I thought wasn’t possible, made me feel sorry for her.

Its a cracking read, and reminds me its been a while since I revisited the whole series. Over Xmas I reread all the Mercy novels and had a fabulous immersion into that world, so I think its time for an Alpha and Omega immersion, my favourite way to read books like this, allowing me to get totally lost into that world for a while.

And the end..what can I say about that? Nothing, sadly, without spilling too much, but its incredible, unexpected, though again the clues were set in earlier books from both series. Its not a cliffhanger, just a huge surprise ending. Bittersweet in that some folk are very happy and others will be very sad, and of course it makes me wonder whats going to happen about this new development..

 

Stars: Five. Another riveting, drama filled suspense from Patricia Briggs. A fantastic read, bring the series forward and setting openings for future plots. Thank goodness, what would I do if PB stopped now??

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

Wild Signs, Patricia Briggs

yay, just been approved for the latest Patricia Briggs egalley Wild Signs 🙂 I’m easily pleased.

Its been weird this last year, I find it really hard settling to anything, where I can ususally lose myslef for hours in a book, my mind is restless, thinking about what weird times we live in, how live has changed so very much in such a short span. So I’ve done a lot of rereading old favourites where my mind doesn’t have to work so hard as I know the story. I’m on the last book in my rereading of PB’s other series ( Mercy Thompson – I’m still in love with Adam though I have a soft spot for Ben, and Sherwood is fast growing on me too) for the Nth time…..so maybe a time to reread this series.

 

Yesterday I read Spinning Silver Naomi Novak but….I didn’t really enjoy it even though I stayed up way too late to finish, I hate when that happens. It was one of those where i had to see what happened, and how they got there.

I loved Uprooted, her first book, so was disappointed not to enjoy this.

The Awakening, The Dragon Heart Legacy Book 1, Nora Roberts

The Awakening, The Dragon Heart Legacy Book 1, Nora Roberts

Genre: General fiction ( Adult).

Its ages since I read a Nora Roberts trilogy, ( or any from her alter ego Nora Robb come to that…) Those I have read have always been when all the books are released. I hate waiting for next parts, and part two is Nov 21 and its scheduled to finish in Nov 22! I find I’ve forgotten much of the story by time next installment is out. Still, when all parts are out its wonderful to get lost in another world, in a back to back reading fest. I can see this story being one of those.

I found the start Very Slow, at times it dragged. There were a few magic elements slid in with Sedric’s interventions but they are few and mysterious as we don’t know then what its all about. I did out aside a couple of times and come back to it another day here…
Then once more we have the obligatory Gay Best Friend. Are there really so many of these? Solid, safe backups, someone who’s protective to death, trustworthy, has the other persons best interests are the front always? And of course, good looking, great friends etc. It seems every other book has one now, and its beginning to feel unreal. They’ve been in the last three books I’ve read, all different genres.

So, once that slow start is past its a story that was great fun and had me gripped. Magic, magical creatures, spells, Good and Bad people, and of course a contender for the male MC’s heart. That’s very early though and may just be wishful thinking on my part, I do so love a good “ bad” manipulative person 😉 The possibilities are there, so I’m hoping it happens.
I love Nora’s writing, full of interest, lots of minor plots, lots of threads to hold my interest. The story doesn’t jump about, just moves through these threads, these different sections, gradually joining them all together.
I loved the characters, in both worlds, and the sheer volume of supernatural in the story. I hate ones that promise magic, and then throw in a tiny speck, a few minor spells and that’s it. Once Bree is in Talamh she’s surrounded by all magics. I loved it. Just hate that wait for next two parts.

Stars: Four. If it wasn’t for that slow, slow start this would be a five star read. Roll on the next book. And the one after 😉

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

Intended Bondmates, D. Lieber

Intended Bondmates, D. Lieber

Genre: Sci-fi and fantasy, Romance.

I love paranormal romance, and this sounded intriguing, with some serious conflict happening. Sadly the conflict only lasted a short while before everyone was happy and friends 😦 From there it became a fairly simple story of friendship that quickly turned to more, a few vampire clashes, meeting others in the extended family, and a neat twist towards the end, throwing everything Luna believes into confusion.
Its a sweet romance, I’d have liked to know a little more about how the different types of paranormals interacted, and their history but it was easy enough to follow on. There’s no overall story arc that suggests a series, so I assume this is a stand alone read. It is a pretty basic story, low on drama and high on cute, which makes it feel to me a YA type read. I’ve read some great YA reads, even though I’m long past that, but this is one that I think YA readers will enjoy more. I’m looking for something with a bit more depth and drama, more twists and turmoil, more story and less simplicity.

Stars: Two and a half, its a good read, well done but the story-line just feels too YA for me.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

Smoke Bitten, Mercy Thompson Book 12, Patricia Briggs.

Smoke Bitten, Mercy Thompson Book 12, Patricia Briggs.

Genre: Sci-fi and Fantasy

Well, wow! This series continues to grow, each book building upon the whole story. With some ongoing series its clear at a certain point they’ve run out of steam, but this one has plenty of potential stories yet.
Patricia Briggs is my favourite author, this series my number one closely followed by her alpha and Omega novels. I could – and have- read them over and over, seeing this I missed each time. This twelfth book still feels as fresh as the first one.
There are so many fantasy reads out there in book-world, some excellent and some ( only imo of course) are just dire. I’d love if Patricia could write faster, I could devour everything she puts out, but what makes these books special is the realistic characters ( even though the are anything but real!), the solid story, the multiple plots, the carefully woven links that grow through each book, and that takes time. I’d rather wait and have quality to read, than for the series to have more books but devolve into some of that dire writing. Actually I don’t think Patricia could ever write like that, its just not in her. Thankfully.

Well, another puzzle for Adam and Mercy here, and as usual there’s not just one plot but multiple ones. A weird and incredibly dangerous creature no-one knows much about, that may have escaped through the door Tilly opened in Mercy’s back yard, some strange werewolves in town, and problems between Adam and Mercy, not with their relationship but which could affect it.
Its always a treat trying to work out just how Marcy and Co will resolve things. Because although Mercy is always the driving force, she’s aided each time by her pack, her friends and somehow she always ends up in the firing line.
I love that we see so many of the old characters here, along with the new ones. I can see how things from earlier books have led to relationships – not friendships but those kind of connections that prove very important when Mercy needs them. As well as the tension and danger, there’s the usual fun and games, the day to day issues that make the story feel grounded and balanced. Fae bargains have to have balance, and for me books need to have balance too…
With some authors I feel they write themselves into plots that only magical solutions will get them out of, and when they just pull those out of a hat, do things no-one has heard of, that have never been mentioned and don’t have any real connections and – bingo- everything’s fine, I feel cheated. With this series though the magic is part of it, and though Mercy has no magic per-se, she has those connections, the Fae, the vampires and of course Adam and the pack, with the Marrok always in the background, and of course her own special heritage from Coyote. When there’s magic involved it always follows set rules that have been brought up in earlier books, so I don’t feel its some new, unheard of superpower solution. Mercy and the pack bonds feature strongly here, and her being pack but not pack, being coyote and something different, means her pack bonds are different too. I found that part really interesting, had me visualising what Mercy was seeing.
I love that Adam has some problems here. I adore the man, the perfect mix of gorgeous, charming, Gentleman and sex, and sometimes guys like that need a few issues to make them real. There’s one point where I was really almost tearful at events, very much moved, and also very much angry that things had gone so far.
Once more its like meeting old friends, and knowing their individual strengths and weaknesses ( Aurielle and Christy!) I can see how they will work in the story. I guess my big fear is that the constant dangers to them mean each book maybe is the last for some of them. We’ve seen people die in previous books, it happens with the constant pressures, it can’t be just the bad guys that die, that would make it unbalanced. The fact so many have died or left the pack because of the dangers is brought up here. The Colombian Basin pack is noticeably smaller, and that brings in vulnerabilities. My heart was heavy that it might happen here to two longstanding characters, and that fear is what makes it real. And I’m not saying if they died or not 😉
So, I finished this yesterday and am already thinking – read again or go the whole hog through the series – I know that these books can stand that constant re reading. Maybe I’ll do both 😉

Stars: five, a cracking read, perfectly paced and balanced, and gave me a story to lose the real world for a time. I adore these books, fingers crossed there’s many, many more to come 🙂

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

Shadow Hunter, (Rosie O’Grady’s Paranormal Bar and Grill 1), B.R.Kingsolver

Shadow Hunter, (Rosie O’Grady’s Paranormal Bar and Grill 1), B.R.Kingsolver

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Sci-fi and Fantasy

Well, I’m always looking for fantasy reads I’ll enjoy, there are thousands, probably hundreds of thousands, on KU so its hard to fine a gem among the dross. There are good books that simply suit different readers, different tastes, and then there are books that TBH should never see the light of day. Some people seem to think throw a few words together, cull bits from bestsellers with minimal changes and a fortune awaits. It doesn’t, but the morass of these stories do make it hard to find ones that are worth reading sometimes.
Anyway, Shadow Hunter proved to be one of those Gems, characters that feel real ( as much as they can in a fantasy setting), a major plot that will run through future story arcs, and lots of smaller plots. First books in series have it hard, deliver a story to keep reader engaged while setting out new characters and world building. Shadow
Hunter does that really well, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and promptly borrowed book two in KU.
The story is believable and has potential to stay that way through future books. I was hooked on it after the first few pages, and was keen to see just where it would take us. We’re learning more about Erin, she’s strange in some ways, a magical assaisin but incredibly naive when it comes to everyday life. She’s been brought up simply typ be a killer for the Illuminati, and at that time believes she’s working – and killing – for the greater good, but very quickly in this book she – and we- learn its all been a lie. As part of her training she’s bale to mix with the escelons of socierty so put her in designer clothes and heels, take her to top restaurants and opera houses and she copes fine, but ordering a pizza, making friends, coping with everyday life and she’s having to learn as she goes, watching others to see how they do it.
I really enjoyed meeting the main characters that seem set to lead future stories, and there’s a couple of faintly possible romantic prospects – they may come to nothing, though I’m hoping something with gel for Erin. I do love a romance within a story. Its a treat though to find a story where romance doesn’t dominate, in fact its not in this book more than a couple of hints, and when the supernatural fiction genre seems dominated by stories that are simply dross romances, but with supernatural creatures and no decent world building I was so happy to finally find this gem of a read. It makes trawling through endless samples of dull novels worth it.

Stars: Four and a half, not quite the magic five for me but a great read, and once I finish this series I’ll be looking at others BB Kingsolver has written.

Novel via KU