REVIEW: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Twenty-year-old orphaned librarian, Lazlo Strange dreams of stories of a lost city...

Two hundred years ago, six merciless, magic-wielding Mesarthim landed their seraphim-shaped citadel in the legendary city, blocking its skies and cutting it off from the outside world. 

Fifteen years ago, the Godslayer Eril-Fane ended their reign of terror with the Carnage, and now the city is known only as Weep. Seeking to restore the skies to Weep, reluctant leader Eril-Fane recruits scientists from the world beyond Weep—and bemusedly welcomes Lazlo—to move the allegedly abandoned citadel. But the long-silent structure instead holds five surviving godspawn, gifted offspring of captured humans and cruel gods, equally traumatized by the massacre. 

Red-haired, blue-skinned 17-year-old Sarai is a dreamer like Lazlo but fears nightmares even as she inflicts them on the citizens below. Besides literal ghosts, Weep is also haunted by loss—lost memories, lost history, and lost half-blood children.

Taylor once again takes readers on a prolific journey exploring trauma, slavery, memory and identity as well as individual fears, hopes and dreams.  The prose is hypnotic in its careful execution of repetition, creativity and elevated structure.  New readers and fans of Taylor will be enthralled by this first in series and captivated by the shocking cliffhanger.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

One downfall for me was the less than stellar audio by narrator Steve West. It failed to do the narrative justice.

Audio final rating: 2 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: The Innkeeper Chronicles Vol 1 by Ilona Andrews

*Thanks to Netgalley and Subterranean Press for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Meet Dina Demille, a nice Texas gal who runs a seemingly ordinary, quaint B&B. But Dina’s inn is a magic, thinking entity; her fluffy Shih-tzu, Beast really is a beast; and her guests are the kind that no one on earth is supposed to know about: guests like a dethroned galactic tyrant with a massive bounty on her head, the Lord Marshal of a powerful vampire clan, and a displaced—and superhot—alpha-strain werewolf.

So don’t expect a normal stay…and don’t stand too close, or you may be collateral damage….

In Clean Sweep, Dina—with the unwanted assistance of newcomer (and alpha werewolf) Sean Evans and Arland, a cosmic vampire soldier—takes on an extraterrestrial killing machine that could destroy her Inn, her neighbors, and everything she holds dear.

I really enjoyed this book.  The Andrews husband/wife writing team do what they do best, build a fast paced, detailed and adventurous world filled to the brim with action, tension, humor and memorable character.  I love Dina and the other characters for their diversity as much as the snarky humor these authors do so well.

While this is a contained story-line, readers are introduced to enough continuing questions to want to come back for more!  I also cannot speak highly enough of the audio narration as performed by Renee Raudman.  She does a stellar job as she has will all the other Andrews audio titles.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Sweep in Peace, finds Dina hosting an anything-but peace summit between three warring intergalactic species; Space Vampires, the Hope-Crushing Horde, and the devious Merchants of Baha-char. 

This book was a hoot! I loved the premise and all the details of trying to make the peace summit successful despite some big hurdles.  What I also loved was the crossover from The Edge series and seeing some well loved characters mix with Dina.  However, for me, the best part was Orro, the high strung and masterful chef, who has been disgraced following the poisoning of a diplomat.  I adore him to the moon and back!

Overall, some great twists and surprises to bring back key characters.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

One Fell Sweep sends Dina to the galaxy’s worst penal colony to rescue her sister; and back home to fend off a clan of assassins in pursuit, all while saving a guest’s civilization from annihilation…and searching for her missing parents.

Another excellently plotted adventure with good romantic tension, action, and humor.  I enjoyed the addition of Dina's sister and niece as well as the resurgence of characters and some unexpected twists. Dina is making strides toward finding companionship and answers to her parents' disappearance. 

Fantastic performance in audio again by Renee Raudman.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

REVIEW: Witches of Echo Park (Books 2 and 3) by Amber Benson

The Last Dream Keeper is the second book in Benson's Witches of Echo Park trilogy. Lyse MacAllister never anticipated her visit to Echo Park would make her the master of a witches coven. She struggles to form bonds and to embrace her powers just as a dark force rises. The Flood--A group of fanatics intent on bringing about the end of times has invaded the witches Council—but the Council is turning a blind eye to the danger growing in its midst.

Only one witch is prophesied to be able to stop the encroaching darkness, leaving Lyse and her her coven of blood sisters to protect her at any cost.

Highlights for me include the multiple POV chapters and a uniquely intriguing plot. I did feel as if there were some choppy transitions due to these shifting POVs. As a reader, I think I would have connected more if there was more focus on just one narrator and more development of the villain.

Final rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

*Thank to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

In this final installment to the trilogy, magic has been loosed upon the world, with the consequences putting those magically inclined in jeopardy as well as the rest of humanity.

Lyse MacAllister used to be like everyone else, blissfully ignorant of magic. However, that was before her Aunt Eleanora died, leaving her to lead the Echo Park coven. Now she finds herself in the middle of a war with The Flood, anti-magic zealots and at odds with her blood sisters.

To save the world, those she loves, and herself, Lyse must come to terms with her magical abilities and figure out a way to regain the trust of her friends and family. 

Overall, I enjoyed this conclusion to the series. The pacing and storytelling were solid and I didn't not feel as if the transitions from chapter to chapter were as choppy as in The Last Dream Keeper.  I particularly enjoyed the ending and its impact on the overall story and character.

Benson continues to surprise and delight me as an author. She's truly talented as a writer and generally a pretty cool person. She was kind enough to Skype with our library book club for the release of The Witches of Echo Park (despite being very ill).  If you have not read this series or her Calliope Reaper-Jones series, I highly recommend them.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Dating You, Hating You by Christina Lauren

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Expected publication: June 6, 2017

All’s fair in love and work. 

Dating You, Hating You is the first standalone novel by writing duo Christina Lauren. The novel is a contemporary romance that is as sexy as fan would expect but also filled to the brim with humor and sassy dialogue that will keep readers hooked from start to finish. 

Despite the odds against them from an embarrassing meet-awkward at a mutual friend’s Halloween party, Carter and Evie immediately hit it off. Even the realization that they’re both high-powered agents at competing firms in Hollywood isn’t enough to squash the fire.

But when their two agencies merge—causing the pair to vie for the same position—all bets are off. What could have been a beautiful, blossoming romance turns into an all-out war of sabotage. Carter and Evie are both thirtysomething professionals—so why can’t they act like it?

As I reader, I nearly gobbled up the book in one sitting. The story pulls you in based on the the characters and plot. There is a little War of the Roses mixed with Office Space. While both characters have their flaws, and I wanted to smack Carter a few times, I really enjoyed the overall narrative.  As a duo, the writers explore character voice, POV and relationship tensions well. 

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Firestorm by Nancy Holzner

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC*

When Vicky allowed an ancient goddess to possess her, she had no regrets—it was the only way to protect the people she loved. But now Ceridwen, locked in a power struggle with the Hellion that long ago claimed Vicky with its mark, refuses to leave. Both beings believe controlling Vicky is the key to winning the coming war for the human realm.

Despite the forces pulling her apart, Vicky needs all her wits about her. The demons of Hell are growing bold and she can barely keep up with the attacks plaguing the city: sirens in the Mystic River, goblins snarling traffic on Storrow Drive, imps tearing the gold from the State House dome. As the signs of war multiply and Hell threatens to overrun its boundaries, Vicky finds herself torn between her duty to save the world and her desire to save something of herself.

The series ends with a strong finish. Vicky faces her literal and figurative demons to not only save herself, but those she love and pretty much the whole world. She does it with her expected humor and some assistance from her allies. The ending is appropriate and satisfying if a bit bittersweet since I always feel this way at the end of a series.

I commend Holzner for her writing and determination to publish this book despite personal tragedy that threatened to keep her from ever writing this final installment in the first place. I think her husband would be proud of her accomplishment.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Expected publication: May 16, 2017

The daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has long known her place—she may be an accomplished alchemist, but because she is not a boy, her future has always been out of her hands. For political gain, Mariko is promised to Minamoto Raiden, the son of the emperor's favorite consort. But on the way to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko narrowly escapes an assassination attempt by a the Black Clan, who she learns has been hired to kill her before she reaches the palace.

Disguised as a boy, Mariko seeks to infiltrate the Black Clan, determined to track down the person responsible for the target on her back. But she's quickly captured and taken to the Black Clan’s secret hideout, where she meets their leader, the rebel ronin Takeda Ranmaru, and his second-in-command, his best friend Okami. Still believing her to be a boy, Ranmaru and Okami eventually warm to Mariko, impressed by her intellect and ingenuity. As Mariko gets closer to the Black Clan, she uncovers a dark history of secrets, of betrayal and murder, which will force her to question everything she's ever known.

Ahdieh excels at writing a detailed, compelling narrative a cut above that typically found in YA fiction.  While the story is steeped in Japanese tradition and history, she's able to blend an air of modernity through fantasy and budding romance that will appeal to many readers. Mariko is a fantastic female protagonist who years to be seen as more than just a girl whose body and dowry will provide her father with power and standing. 

I did feel as if the pacing slowed a bit toward the middle; however, the ending was solid with plenty of action, secrets and betrayals. There are several cliffhangers that will have readers clamoring for the next book. 

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Highlighted Recent Reads

This final volume features three short stories:

"Order of the Wicked" - Dorothy Gale’s armies killed Lanadel’s entire family, and she’s determined to seek revenge. She sets off to find the elusive, secretive group known as the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked. They’re rumored to be training their own army to defeat Dorothy. But when she finds them, Lanadel soon learns that she’s seriously underprepared both in fighting skills, as well as magical abilities, and she has to prove herself in order to join the Order and become one of them.


Readers will encounter Lanadel again in The End of Oz. I liked this story but it wasn't a favorite. However, it was interesting to see this earlier side of Knox and Melindra.

Final rating: 3 out of 5 stars


"Dark Side of the Rainbow" - Polychrome, Princess of the Rainbow, has a pretty cushy job. She spends her days surfing at Indigo Beach, playing with her pet unicorn, and occasionally checking in on the tourists vacationing at Rainbow Falls, where she is—technically speaking—in charge. When Dorothy arrives, Polly is less than thrilled. She’d much rather flirt with mysterious surfer Bright than play tour guide to a spoiled wannabe princess. But Rainbow Falls won’t be paradise by the time Dorothy’s done with it. And Polly may have to leave her life of leisure behind, to become the ruler her land needs.

I enjoyed this story, especially the drastic character progression of Polly's demeanor about being a ruler compared to what she's prepared to do at the novella's end in order to protect her land. I adore the unicorn and have a better appreciation for Polly's role in the series.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

"The Queen of Oz" - Young Mombi was never the best witch in Oz. She wasn’t the most talented, or the most powerful. But when the Wizard knocks on her door holding a baby girl who needs protection, Mombi agrees to take the job. She casts one powerful, surprising spell—hiding the baby where no one would find her. Years later, a boy named Pete goes on a journey to the Emerald City, where he learns the truth about his true identity…and his role in Oz’s destiny.

This story is perfect for readers wanting some Mombi backstory as well as a better understanding of the Ozma/Pete enchantment. Mombi certainly comes across as more sympathetic and Pete's choices, based on his isolation, shed light on the narrative happenings featuring Glinda, Ozma and eventually Dorothy.

Final rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

Zeus has punished his son Apollo—god of the sun, music, archery, poetry, and more—by casting him down to earth in the form of a gawky, acne-covered sixteen-year-old mortal named Lester. The only way Apollo can reclaim his rightful place on Mount Olympus is by restoring several Oracles that have gone dark.

After experiencing a series of dangerous—and frankly, humiliating—trials at Camp Half-Blood, Apollo must now leave the relative safety of the demigod training ground and embark on a hair-raising journey across North America with some familiar companions for fans of Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus series (Leo, Calypso, Meg). 

I loved this book (even though the audiobook fell a bit short for me again because of the narrator's mispronunciation of terminology). It is hilarious but well written and well paced with attention to detail, character progression, and the author's ability to incorporate diversity within the story.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars