Book Review

Review: Lost in Time by Melissa de la Cruz

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A Blue Bloods Novel 6

Lost in Time by Melissa de la Cruz, UK edition cover.

Title: Lost in Time (A Blue Bloods Novel)
Author:  Melissa de la Cruz
Genre: Paranoraml Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: atom (6th October 2011)
Blurb:

They’re young, fabulous and fanged . . .

Egypt, a land of ancient mysteries, seems to hold the key to protecting the Blue Bloods. But when Schuyler and Jack are forced to separate, can she find the strength to fulfil the Van Alen  Legacy on her own?

Mimi finds herself in Egypt too, in an attempt to rescue Kingsley from Hell’s grasp. Can her love story finally have a happy ending? Or will she have to put her own feelings aside to save her crumbling New York Coven?

On thing’s for certain: the fates are never kind to the Blue Bloods. And there’s more at stake for these vampires than love. . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Lost in Time is the sixth book in Melissa de la Cruz’s epic Blue Bloods series. It continues the story of Schuyler Alen, a girl who is anything but ordinary even in the extraordinary world she is a part of. As those who have read the previous books in the series know, being a Blue Blood makes you very special indeed. . .

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Review: Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh

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A Psy-Changeling Novel 10

Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh, UK edition cover

Title: Kiss of Snow (A Psy-Changeling Novel)
Author:  Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher:Gollancz Fiction (11th August 2011)
Blurb:

SINCE THE MOMENT OF HER DEFECTION FROM THE PSYNET AND INTO THE SNOWDANCER WOLF PACK, SIENNA LAUREN HAS HAD ONE WEAKNESS. HAWKE. A DANGEROUS ALPHA, THE RESPONSE HE DRAWS FROM HER COULD ALMOST COMPEL HER TO MADNESS.

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would’ve been his mate. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules and, suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other’s secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight.

A deadly enemy is out to destroy the SnowDancer pack, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna’s darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home . . . and the alpha who is its heartbeat . . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Kiss of Snow is the tenth book in Nalini Singh’s brilliant A Psy-Changeling Novel series, so by this point I know pretty much what to expect. However, although the book follows the same formula as previous books in the series, it was still a brilliant and entertaining read.

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Review: Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong

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Women of the Otherworld Anthology

Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong, UK edition cover.

Title: Tales of the Otherworld (The Otherworld)
Author:  Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit (13th April 2010)
Blurb:

Kelley Armstrong’s gripping and imaginative short stories are brought together in a fantastic new collection.

A young vampire learns the heavy price of his new existence; black witch Eve Levine meets Kristof Nast, her soulmate and her nemesis; Lucas Cortez, lawyer, sorcerer and unwilling heir to his father’s Cabal, sets out on a case that will change his destiny; Paige Winterbourne discovers just how fraught a white (witch) wedding can be; and Elena Michaels begins her unwitting journey to a new life – as the only female werewolf in the world . . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

With Tales of the Otherworld Kelley Armstrong introduces her second anthology of short stories based in her fantastic The Otherworld series. This book holds a collection of eight stories, some of which were at one point available on Armstrong’s website for free. However, with the publication of this book Armstrong has her proceeds go to World Literacy of Canada.

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Review: Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh

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A Guild Hunter Novel 4

Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh, UK edition cover.

Title: Archangel’s Balde (A Guild Hunter Novel)
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Gollancz Fiction (8th September 2011)
Blurb:


The severed head with a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts hones over hundreds of years compelled the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past . . . but Dmitri’s need to discover the truth is nothing compared to his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.

Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with a seductive vampire who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality . . . the same vampire who had been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.

As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting, and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more . . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Archangel’s Blade is the fourth book in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter Series. Unlike the previous three books in the series, this one does not focus on the relationship between Elena and Raphael – although they do both appear as minor characters. Instead, for the first time, we get to see Dmitri centre stage and boy is it a treat!

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Review: Pale Demon by Kim Harrison

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The Hollows 9

Pale Demon by Kim Harrison, UK edition cover.

Title: Pale Demon (The Hollows 9)
Author: Kim Harrison
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: HarperVoyager (4th August 2011)
Blurb:

Condemned and shunned for black magic, Rachel Morgan has three days to get to the annual witches’ conference and clear her name, or be trapped in the demonic ever-after. . . forever after.

But a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car going across the country? Talk about a recipe for certain disaster, even without being the targets for assassination.

For after centuries of torment, a fearsome demon walks in the sunlight – freed at last to slay the innocent and devour their souls. But his ultimate goal is Rachel Morgan, and in the fight for survival that follows, even embracing her own demonic nature may not be enough to save her.

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Pale Demon is the ninth book in Kim Harrison’s The Hollows series, or the Rachel Morgan series as it is sometimes referred to. It has been an interesting ride getting to this point in the series, but I have really enjoyed the journey. For various reasons real life meant it took a while for me to reach this book in my to-read pile, but I think it was worth the wait.

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Review: Red Glove by Holly Black

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The Curse Workers Book 2

Red Glove by Holly Black, UK edition cover.

Title: Red Glove (The Curse Workers Book 2)
Author: Holly Black
Genre: Young Adult (YA), Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: 16 June 2011
Blurb:

Curses and Cons
Magic and the Mob

In Cassel Sharpe’s world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth – he’s the most powerful curse worker around. He can transform anything – or anyone – into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became the white cat. Now she’s back, but she’s been cursed to love him. If Lila’s love is as false as Cassel’s made-up memories, then he can’t believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel’s oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help find his brother’s killer. But the mob wants Cassel too – they know how valuable he could be to them. He will have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. Where can he turn when he can’t trust anyone – least of all, himself?

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

Red Glove is the second book set in Holly Black’s fantastic The Curse Workers series. The story starts some time after the events of White Cat but before the start of the new school year.

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