Paranormal Romance

Review: Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

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Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Title: Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3)
Author:  Richelle Mead
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Razorbill (4th February 2010)
Blurb:

WHAT IF FOLLOWING HER HEART MEANS LOSING HER BEST FRIEND – FOREVER?

ROSE HATHAWAY KNOWS IT IS FORBIDDEN TO LOVE ANOTHER GUARDIAN. HER BEST FRIEND, LISSA, MUST ALWAYS COME FIRST. UNFORTUNATELY, THEN IT COMES TO THE GORGEOUS DIMITRI BELIKOV, SOME RULES ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN.

Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing, but suddenly there’s way more than friendship at stake. The immortal dead are on the prowl and in a heart-stopping battle, Rose will have to choose between life, love and the two people who matter most.

But will her choice mean that only one survives?


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

Shadow Kiss is the third book in Richelle Mead’s brilliant Vampire Academy series. In this book Rose Hathaway is faced with some difficult choices. Still recovering from the aftermath of Frostbite Rose needs her friends, but life has never been that simple.

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Review: Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr

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Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr

Title: Faery Tales & Nightmares
Author: Melissa Marr
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  HarperCollins (1st March 2012)
Blurb:

Dangerous promises and beguiling threats swirl together in a dozen stories of enchantments, light and dark.

Uncanny and unexpected creatures appear from behind bushes, rise from under the seas, or manifest for seasonal storms to pursue the objects of their attention – amorous or sinister intent – relentlessly.

Takes of favourite characters from Marr’s Wicked Lovely novels mix with accounts of new characters for readers to fall in love with . . . or fear.

Rating: ***** (5 stars)

Review:

Faery Tales & Nightmares is a collection of short stories by Melissa Marr, some of which are set in her Wicked Lovelyuniverse – answering questions that weren’t answered in the books – whilst others are of new characters and places. There are twelve stories in total in the collection.

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Review: Biting Cold by Chloe Neill

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As this is the sith book in the series it may be possible that this review will contain spoilers for previous books in the Chicagoland Vampires Novel series.
A Chicagoland Vampires Novel, #6

Biting Cold by Chloe Neill

Title: Biting Cold (A Chicagoland Vampires Novel, #6)
Author:Chloe Neill
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Gollancz Fiction (9th August 2012)
Blurb:

Turned into a vampire against her will, Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye, and more of them than the public ever imagined. And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing – among humans or inhumans.

Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artefact that could unleash catasrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed. No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.

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

Biting Cold is the sixth book in Chloe Neill’s brilliant Chicagoland Vampire Novels.  We are reunited with Merit, Sentinel of  Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire. A lot has happened to Merit and her House since she became a vampire. It has been an exciting and enjoyable read. This sixth book is no different.

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Review: A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton

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Winter Trilogy #1

A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton

Title: A Witch in Winter (Winter Trilogy #1)
Author: Ruth Warburton
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Hodder Children’s Books (5th January 2012)
Blurb:

When love is tangled up in magic, how do you know what’s real?

When Anna meets Seth, it’s magic. But her hidden powers unleash a spell that sparks a war among witches and enslaves Seth’s heart.

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Review:

A Witch in Winter is Ruth Warburton’s debut novel and the first book in her Winter Trilogy. In it we meet Anna Winterson, a teenager who has recently moved from London to the town of Winter into Wicker House.

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Review: Until I Die by Amy Plum

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Revenants #2Title: Until I Die (Revenants #2)
Author: Amy Plum
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (3rd May 2012)
Blurb:

MY LIFE HAD ALWAYS BEE BLISSFULLY, WONDERFULLY NORMAL. BUT IT ONLY TOOK ONE MOMENT TO CHANGE EVERYTHING.

Kate had chosen to leave the comfort and safety of her human life in order to join Vincent in the dangerous supernatural world he inhabits. For his part, he has sworn to go against his very nature and resist the repeated deaths that are his fate as a revenant – even though it will bring him immeasurable suffering.

Desperate to help him, Kate’s search for answers takes her from the glamorous streets of Paris to the city’s squalid underbelly. But when she stumbles across a secret that should overthrow their enemies for ever, Kate unwittingly puts everyone she loves at risk. And puts herself in the midst of an ancient and deadly war, not as a bystander . . . but as a target.

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Review:

Until I Die is the second book in Amy Plum’s fantastic Revenants trilogy, continuing the story of Kate and Vincent. The story starts around five months after the events of Die For Me. I started reading this straight after I finished the first book, and boy am I glad there wasn’t any wait. As I mentioned in my review of Die For Me (which can be found here), I fell in love with this world and with Kate, so I was a bit worried going into this book – but I was not disappointed.

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Review: Die For Me by Amy Plum

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Revenants #1

Die For Me by Amy Plum

Title: Die For Me (Revenants #1)
Author: Amy Plum
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (5th May 2011)
Blurb:

MY LIFE HAD ALWAYS BEEN BLISSFULLY, WONDERFULLY NORMAL. BUT IT ONLY TOOK ONE MOMENT TO CHANGE EVERYTHING.

Suddenly, my sister Georgia and I were orphans. We put out lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with our grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I’m fighting to piece together  the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart – as well as my life and my family’s – in jeopardy for a chance at love?

A STUNNING NOVEL OF LIFE, DEATH AND THE LENGTHS WE GO TO FOR LOVE.

Rating: ***** (5 stars)

Review:

Die For Me is Amy Plum’s debut novel and the first book in her Revenants trilogy.  In Die For Me we are introduced to Kate, a sixteen-year-old who moves from Brooklyn to Paris with her elder sister Georgia after the death of her parents to live with her grandparents. The death of her parents hits Kate, and her sister, hard. Whilst she is learning to cope with their loss she encounters Vincent.

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Review: Night School by C. J. Daugherty

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Night School #1

Night School by C. J. Daugherty

Title: Night School (Night School #1)
Author: C. J. Daugherty
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (5th January 2012)
Blurb:

Allie’s world is falling apart . . .

She hates her school. Her brother has run away. She’s just been arrested. Again. And now her parents are sending her away.

But instead of hating boarding school, Allie is happy. She’s making friends. And there’s Carter, a brooding loner with whom she feels an instant connection.

Cimmeria Academy is no ordinary school. Her classmates – and maybe some of the teachers – are hiding a secret. And soon it begins to feel like a very dangerous place . . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Review:

Night School is C. J. Daugherty’s debut novel, and the first book in her Night School series – the second installment is expected to be published in the UK in January 2013. In it we are introduced to Allie who is slowly falling apart after the disappearance of her brother.

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Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

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The Iron Fey #4

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron King (The Iron Fey #4)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  MiraInk (6th January 2012)
Blurb:

My name – my True Name – is Ashallayn’darkmyr Tallyn.

I am the last remaining Winter Prince, son of the Queen of the Unseelie Court.

And I am dead to her.

MY FALL BEGAN AS MANY STORIES DO, WITH A GIRL . . .

Love is a weakness for mortals and fools. And Ash, heir to the winter court, is no mere mortal. But when he swore to be Meghan Chase’s knight, his oath bound him to her irrevocably. Now the girl ash loves is ruler of a realm where no Winter Prince can ever survive. To be with her he must have a soul and a mortal body, yet the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible.

There is one thing stronger than his will to live: his vow to Meghan. As Ash battles he larns truths that challenge his darkest beliefs and who him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Review:

The Iron Knight is a continuation of The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, this time with Ash as the protagonist instead of Meghan. In this book we see Ash’s quest to be with the woman he loves. Of course, Puck and Grimalkin deside to help him out – as well as some new characters.

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Review: Dragon’s Oath by P.C. and Kristin Cast

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House of Night Novella #1

Dragon’s Oath by P.C. and Kristin Cast.

Title: Dragon’s Oath (House of Night Novella #1)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (12th July 2011)
Blurb:

Had I chosen differently those many years ago,

perhaps I could have kept all this from happening.

Strength tempered by mercy was a mistake.

Do you not remember, my love?

I do. I will never forget.

Dragon Lankford wasn’t always an instructor at the House of Night. Once he was a student: young, talented and in love. But the mistake that cost him everything might be the key to helping Zoey and the rest of the vampyres in their fight against the darkness . . .


Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

Dragon’s Oath is the first novella in the House of Night series, and the novella is set partly during the events of Awakening, and partly in the past when Dragon and his Anastasia first meet. I would not suggest reading this novella before you have read Awakened as you might be spoiled.

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Review: Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast

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House of Night #8

Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast, UK edition cover.

Title: Awakened (House of Night #8)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (25th October 2011)
Blurb:

‘Zoey lives.’

Neferet’s voice was flat, cold, lifeless.

‘She does. What will happen next?’

‘It is quite simple. I will ensure Zoey is drawn back to Oklahoma. There, on my own terms, I will complete the task you failed.‘

Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’a House of Night, Neferet has sworn vegence on Zoey. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Sky and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Bring Queen could be cool, wouldn’t it?

And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?


Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

Awakened is the eight book in the House of Night series by P.C. and Kristin Cast. Awakened follows on from the dramatic events of Burned.

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