I understand that authors are always warned not to "info-dump" to their readers, that they should include the information the reader needs to know naturally through the story. But there's a downside to that, when so many things are going on that everyone EXCEPT the main character knows about. At some point, someone needs to … Continue reading Review: Wolfromance (Reluctant Necromancer #3) by Kaye Draper
Review: Vampromance (Reluctant Necromancer #2) by Kaye Draper
I don't get to binge-read this series like I did Draper's previous reverse harem epic, but I'm enjoying it all the same. Esper is an intriguing character, and I appreciate the set-up of her being lost from her family line as a way for the audience to learn about the greater magical world through her … Continue reading Review: Vampromance (Reluctant Necromancer #2) by Kaye Draper
Review: Ghostromance (Reluctant Necromancer #1) by Kaye Draper
I probably shouldn’t have read this so close on the heels of Draper’s previous reverse harem series, Gesa’s Menagerie. I prefer Gesa as a character to Esper, but that doesn’t mean anything is necessarily wrong with Esper. I got a bit tired of her “Woe is me, I’m so ugly” ruminations, but otherwise she’s a … Continue reading Review: Ghostromance (Reluctant Necromancer #1) by Kaye Draper
Review: Gesa’s Menagerie #2-#9 by Kaye Draper
Usually when I read series, I try to break them up with other books so that I don't get burned out. But sometimes a series is less of a series and more of a really long epic book broken up into eight separate novellas. And sometimes I get sick and need to spend the day … Continue reading Review: Gesa’s Menagerie #2-#9 by Kaye Draper
Review: Gryphon’s Pride (Gesa’s Menagerie #1) by Kaye Draper
The author warns in the book description that this is “not your typical reverse harem.” I would also happily argue that this is not a typical romance or typical urban fantasy. With that combination, I was immediately sucked into the world-building, the plot, and the characters. Gesa is the “strong female character” taken to the … Continue reading Review: Gryphon’s Pride (Gesa’s Menagerie #1) by Kaye Draper
Review: The Bartered Brides (Elemental Masters #13) by Mercedes Lackey
I’m not going to lie. I significantly prefer the fairy tale retellings in this fantasy series to the Sherlock Holmes pastiches featuring Nan and Sara. I didn’t dislike this book, but I found myself not as invested in the main characters as I could have been. Both women gain new skills and mastery over their … Continue reading Review: The Bartered Brides (Elemental Masters #13) by Mercedes Lackey
2019 Resolution Project: Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels #10) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. This is my first time reading this novel. You can read my full review here. An excerpt: And then we … Continue reading 2019 Resolution Project: Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels #10) by Ilona Andrews
2019 Resolution Project: Iron and Magic (Iron Covenant #1) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. This is my first time reading this novel, which the authors have advised should be read prior to reading Kate … Continue reading 2019 Resolution Project: Iron and Magic (Iron Covenant #1) by Ilona Andrews
Review: No Rest for the Wicked (Immortals After Dark #3) by Kresley Cole
I adored everything about this book — except for the two main characters, who fell short in contrast to the scope of this exciting tale. Sebastian’s character arc may have been typical of alpha romance heroes when this book was first published, but it doesn’t hold up as well in 2019. He starts the book … Continue reading Review: No Rest for the Wicked (Immortals After Dark #3) by Kresley Cole
2019 Resolution Project: Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read the eighth book, Magic Shifts,before, and originally reviewed it in April 2016. You can find NEW my full review here. An excerpt: … Continue reading 2019 Resolution Project: Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8) by Ilona Andrews
Review: The Portrait Problem (The Galipp Files #3) by Jamaila Brinkley
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I bought the ebook for full price. The Galipp Files are a solid trilogy chronicling the evolving relationship between Anastasia and her partner-turned-fiance Simon. Along the way, they solve magical crimes in their version of not overly-magical London. My biggest complaint about this series is how much … Continue reading Review: The Portrait Problem (The Galipp Files #3) by Jamaila Brinkley
Review: A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark #2) by Kresley Cole
I'm intrigued by the expansive world-building in the universe of this paranormal romance series, obviously enough to read the second book in the series. And I just bought the third one. But I have such conflicted feelings about the relationships in the romance aspect of the stories. The whole "vampire bride," "werewolf mate," etc. facet … Continue reading Review: A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark #2) by Kresley Cole
Review: Seder in Space and Other Tales by J.D. Blackrose
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased this ebook for full price before I ever met her in person! Favorite Story: "Seder in SPACE" is a short science-fiction story that embodies one of things I find in the best science-fiction stories -- that the more things change, the more things stay the … Continue reading Review: Seder in Space and Other Tales by J.D. Blackrose
Review: Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy #4) by Ilona Andrews
It's no secret to anyone following my book reviews that Ilona Andrews is one of my "drop everything and read the new book ASAP" authors. I anxiously awaited the arrival of the newest installment of the Hidden Legacy series and devoured the book within 24 hours. Reading the previous installments of this series makes for … Continue reading Review: Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy #4) by Ilona Andrews
2019 Resolution Project: Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read the seventh book, Magic Breaks, before, and originally reviewed it in March 2016. You can find my NEW full review here. … Continue reading 2019 Resolution Project: Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews
Review: Black and Blue (Red and Black #2) by Nancy O’Toole Meservier
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; I received an electronic version of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is very obviously the middle book in a trilogy; at the same time, it does not suffer many of the issues that middle books usually employ. Instead, it works as a solid follow-up … Continue reading Review: Black and Blue (Red and Black #2) by Nancy O’Toole Meservier
2019 Resolution Project: Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read this book, Magic Rises, before, but never officially reviewed it. You can find my full review here. An excerpt: "In … Continue reading 2019 Resolution Project: Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews
2019 Resolution Project: Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels #5.5) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read this companion book, Gunmetal Magic, before, but never officially reviewed it. You can find my full review here. An excerpt: … Continue reading 2019 Resolution Project: Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels #5.5) by Ilona Andrews
Review: “An Ill-Advised Rescue” (Kate Daniels #5.?) by Ilona Andrews
This short story is included in the back of Kate Daniels Book #6: Magic Rises, and the author note in the front advises the reader to start there before launching into the novel. Since I can't find a place to review this story on Amazon or Goodreads (indeed, it's not even listed as part of … Continue reading Review: “An Ill-Advised Rescue” (Kate Daniels #5.?) by Ilona Andrews
New Release: Steel Shadows!
Today, Steel Empires Book 5: Steel Shadows is released! That's five books in five years. Time to party! Information about the book is below, including how to purchase your own copy and ways to celebrate with me. ABOUT THE BOOK The shadows are talking and they won’t take no for an answer. Victory has returned … Continue reading New Release: Steel Shadows!