Review 2011

Review: Once Dead, Twice Shy: A Novel by Kim Harrison

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Madison Avery #1

Once Dead, Twice Shy: A Novel by Kim Harrison

Title: Once Dead, Twice Shy: A novel (Madison Avery #1)
Author:  Kim Harrison
Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  HarperTeen (26th May 2009)
Source: Won on Kim Harrison’s Manic Monday
Blurb:

My name is Madison Avery, and I’m here to tell you that there’s more out there then you can see, hear, or touch. Because I’m there. Seeing it. Touching it. Living it.

Madison Avery’s prom was a killer – literally. For some reason she’s been targeted by a dark reaper – yeah, that kind of reaper – intent on getting her, body and soul. But before the reaper can finish the job, Madison was able to snag his strange, glowing amulet and get away.

Now she’s stuck on Earth – dead  but not gone. Somehow the amulet gives her the illusion of a body, allowing her to toe the line between life and death. She still doesn’t know why the reaper is after her, but she’s not about to just sit around and let fate take its course.

With a little ingenuity, some light-blending, and the help of a light reaper (one of the good guys! Maybe . . . ), her cute crush, and oh yeah, her guardian angel, Madison’s ready to take control of her destiny once and for all, before it takes control of her.

Well, if she believed in that stuff.


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

This is the first book in Kim Harrison’s YA trilogy. I’m a fan of Kim’s The Hollows series, so when I won this on her giveaway I thought I’d give it a go.

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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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Review: The Warlock by Michael Scott

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The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Book 5

The Warlock by Michael Scott, UK edition cover.

Title: The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)
Author: Michael Scott
Genre: Young Adult (YA), Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: 2nd June 2011 (Doubleday)
Blurb:

The twins of prophecy have finally been divided. The end is near.

In Alcatraz, Machiavelli and Billy the Kid are following the Elders’ plans to unleash the monsters of Alcatraz on the city of San Francisco, triggering the end of the Humani race.

In the Shadowrealm, warriors – including Scathach and Palamedes – have been summoned to travel back in time to destroy the lost city of Danu Talis. The island must fall to save the modern world.

In San Francisco, Josh has chosen a side – and he will not stand with his sister, Sophie, or the Alchemyst, Nicholas Flamel. He has chosen to fight alongside John Dee and the mysterious Virginia Dare.


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

The Warlock is the penultimate book in Michael Scott’s series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. The story starts from where The Necromancer leaves off. Scott crams so much into such a short period of time – it is hard to believe that the first book in the series The Alchemyst takes place on Thursday 31st May whilst this book takes place  on Wednesday 6th June. A lot happens in just six days in this world.

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Review: Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong

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Women of the Otherworld 12

Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong, UK edition cover.

Title: Spell Bound (Women of the Otherworld 13)
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: 4th August 2011

Blurb:

Savannah Levine is in danger. That’s not  usually a problem. But, caught in the grip of a disturbing and violent murder case, Savannah swore to give up her unique gifts if it would save an innocent girl. Little did she know that someone – or something – was listening … Now she has no idea how to restore her powers, just when she needs them the most.

In this compelling, fast-paced new thriller, Savannah has to face a host of deadly enemies bent on destroying not only her, but the very fabric of the supernatural world.

As dark forces gather, Savannah isn’t just fighting for her life, but for everything and everyone she loves …


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

This is the twelfth book in Kelley Armstrong’s epic Women of the Otherworld. This book continues the storyline started in Waking the Witch (Women of the Otherworld 11) showing the consequences of Savannah’s words/wish at the end of the book. It is a fast-paced story; once started I could not put it down.

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Review: Play of Passion by Nalini Singh

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A Psy-Changeling Novel 9

Play of Passion by Nalini Singh, UK edition cover.

Title: Play of Passion (A Psy-Changeling Novel)
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: 26th May 2011

Blurb:

Passion and reason collide with explosive force in the newest installment of Nalini Sing’s mesmerizing Psy-Changeling series. As a conflict with Pure Psy looms on the horizon, two powerful wolves fight a more intimate war of their own . . .

In his role as tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it’s up to Drew Kincaid to rein in rogue changelings who have lost control of their animal halves – even if it means killing those who have gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite . . . and who threatens to enslave his wolf.

Lieutenant Indigo Riviere doesn’t easily allow skin privileges, especially not those of the sensual kind – and the last person she expects to find herself craving is the most wickedly playful male in the den. Everything she knows tells he r to pull back before the flames burn them both to ash . . . but she hasn’t counted on Drew’s determination to win her.

Now, two of SnowDancer’s most stubborn wolves find themselves playing a hot, sexy courtship game even as lethal danger stalks the very place they call home . . .

Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

This is the ninth installment of Nalini Singh’s fantastic A Psy-Changeling Novel, and boy is it  a fantastic read. With this book we’re straight back into changeling territory, although the Psy do feature prominently in the book as the world is on the brink of war (as it was in the previous book) though it’s not tipped over yet.

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Review: Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton

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Anita Blake book 20

Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton, UK edition cover.

Title: Hit List (An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Novel)
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: 7th June 2011

Blurb:

We followed the fresh blood even though every molecule in my body was screaming at me to run. Run before dark. Run before the vampires come. Run.

My name is Anita Blake. The vampires call me ‘The Executioner’. So when a series of gruesome and spectacular murders occur in the Pacific Northwest, the local police call in me and fellow US Marshal Edward to track down a serial killer they are convinced must be a ‘monster’.

But I know that some monsters are very real. The Harlequin have been the bogeymen of the vampire world for more than a thousand years; they are a secret so dark that even to speak their name can earn you a death sentence. Now they are here in America, hunting weretigers and human police. And me.

The Harlequin serve the Mother of All Darkness, the first vampire. She was supposed to be dead, but only her body was destroyed. Now Mommie Dearest is back, determined to kill Edward and to possess me. And she doesn’t care how many have to die along the way.

Rating: **** (3 1/2 stars)
Review:

This is Anita’s twentieth book, which is kind of scary as the series seems to have been part of my life for a long time. In the last book, Bullet, lines were drawn in the sand and the fall-out occurs in this book. This book is more about Anita’s police work than it is about her love life – something which I really enjoyed. It’s also set outside St. Louis, so we get introduced to some new characters. But the book is not without its problems, which is why it didn’t quite make it to four stars.

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