REVIEW: Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews

Happy Book Birthday to Iron and Magic!


Publisher's Summary: 
Truly a stellar read. Iron and Magic marks the first in the Iron Covenant series for Ilona Anderews, the husband and wife writing team that have brought us the Kate Daniels books and many more.  If you love Kate Daniels, then you have also grown to love/hate Hugh d'Ambray. He's a complicated villain who has now lost his way since being cast out by Roland, Kate's evil, wizard father. (That is probably over simplifying lol).
Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast. 

Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she's trapped between the magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky into a war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself—and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify. 

Hugh needs a base, Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies? 

As the prophet says: “It is better to marry than to burn.” 

Hugh and Elara may do both. 

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When Hugh learns that his Iron Dogs are in jeopardy, his pulls himself together and forges an alliance with Elara, a witch known as the White Lady. Elara is an enigma--strong, beautiful and possessing a mysterious ancient power that is both awe inducing and terrifying. The two have a marriage of convenience--Hugh will help protect Elara's people, and in turn Hugh and his Iron Dogs have food, shelter and a chance at a new life.

Their alliance is tenuous at best but rife with coiled tension. Hugh remains an antihero but as reader's learn more about him, Hugh has an interesting past and his perceptions are skewed based on his time under Roland's influence. He isn't without honor or empathy and he is learning to care for others and see a larger picture. Following his journey will be exciting.

Elara is equally intriguing. I cannot wait to find out more about her and just what she's sacrificed for her people. She and Hugh are a good match and we'll have to see if real love is in the cards (which I'm guessing it is).  These two have amazing banter, tension and good sexual chemistry--tenants of what you'd expect from any of Andrews' couples. There is great plot, action, adventure and monsters.

Loved the book!

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Ash & Quill by Rachel Caine

Publisher's Summary:

Words can kill.

Hoarding all the knowledge of the world, the Great Library jealously guards its secrets. But now a group of rebels poses a dangerous threat to its tyranny…

Jess Brightwell and his band of exiles have fled London, only to find themselves imprisoned in Philadelphia, a city led by those who would rather burn books than submit. But Jess and his friends have a bargaining chip: the knowledge to build a machine that will break the Library’s rule.

Their time is running out. To survive, they’ll have to choose to live or die as one, to take the fight to their enemies—and to save the very soul of the Great Library.

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Ash and Quill is certainly a book about betrayals. Jess and his group of exiles have fled London and start out imprisoned in Philadelphia. Again, they work together to defy the odds in order to escape.  Finding respite with the Brightwell clan, Jess is in for a betrayal he didn't see coming and will ultimately have to betray those he loves and trusts the most for the greater good.  It is the only chance they'll have to finally be free of the Great Library's oppression.

Another highly imaginative and well written book full of action, suspense and romance. The plot certainly thickens for the fourth installment, Smoke & Iron, expected to be published July 3, 2018. Look at that cover! Oh so pretty! 

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Claimed by Gods--Eva Chase

Publisher's Summary:
I thought I'd survived everything life could throw at me. All I wanted was to keep my distance from the criminals I work for and get my little brother out of the hell that is our mother's house. 

Then I died and woke up to four stunningly hot gods telling me I'm now a valkyrie. 

Sly, sharp Loki. Jovial but ferocious Thor. Dreamily compassionate Baldur. Grim and secretive Hod. They all have something to teach me. And around them, my walls start to crack. 

But the gods didn't summon me just for kicks. Their king is missing, and they need me to find him. The first three valkyries they sent on the job never made it back. 

More power is awakening in me than I could ever have imagined—and the gods' enemies are more devious than even they knew. It's going to take every trick in the book for me to save myself, my brother, and these divine men who're getting under my skin in the most alluring way. 

I'm Aria Watson, and Valhalla ain't seen nothing yet. 

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The initial reader's appeal for me was:

1) Cool cover!

2) The general book description because hey, Norse mythology is cool!  Aria dies and is chosen to come back as a valkyrie to aide Loki, Thor, Baldur, Hod and Freya in their quest to find Odin and get back to Asgard.  I mean that in itself sounds awesome.  

Some issues lingered for me as a reader starting with POV. I'd have preferred the whole story told from Aria's perspective without switching to Lokie, Thor, etc. I think this would help with pacing and general plot and character development. I felt like I was deprived of some of the depth I'd expected.  It seems as if Aria's love life is going to get complicated- LOL!

The plot remains intriguing with one journey seemingly finished and yet more questions and a whopper of a cliffhanger remain.  Fans who enjoy reading mythology based romance and urban fantasy will be entertained.

Final rating: 3 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Like Never and Always by Ann Aguirre

Like Never and Always by Ann Aguirre

Expected publication: July 17, 2018 by Tor Teen

Publishers Summary:
On a hot summer night, a screech of brakes and shattering glass changes two lives forever.

Liv wakes in the hospital, confused when they call her Morgan. She assumes it’s a case of mistaken identity, yet when the bandages come off, it’s not her face in the mirror anymore. It’s her best friend Morgan’s.

Morgan always seemed to have the perfect life, yet Liv must navigate endlessly disturbing secrets of the criminal and murderous variety—and a romance that feels like a betrayal. Torn between the boy she loved as Liv and the boy she’s grown to love as Morgan, Liv still has to survive Morgan’s last request.

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I enjoyed this despite a few shortcomings.  It is a fast-paced, romantic suspense novel that skews more toward New Adult or mature YA with adult reader interest. There is a hint of science fiction but one short coming is a lack of exploration of how/why this occurs. The cause is hinted at a bit, but as a fan of the genre, I expected more.

There is a good love triangle development for Liv as Morgan with great tension and some unexpected revelations.  

One final critique is a lack of narrative follow through as it pertains to some rather big plot details. Those looking for more answers and closure might be disappointed.  Overall, Like Never and Always delivers great suspense and would certainly be a page turning summer read.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Racked and Stacked by Lorelei James

Racked and Stacked by Lorelei James

Expected publication: August 7, 2018 by Berkley

Publisher's Summary:
Growing up with three older brothers, Larissa "Riss" Thorpe defines the term tomboy--a moniker that never mattered to her until she crossed paths with sexy cowboy playboy, Ike Palmer. His declaration that he prefers his women soft and feminine is the one benefit to becoming his business partner. Since Riss is obviously not his type, there's little chance they'll mix business and pleasure when they're in close quarters on the road together.

Former cattle broker Ike Palmer was ready for a new chapter in his life when he partnered with Riss, a contrary redhead who lords her mechanical abilities over him at every turn. Ike raised his three younger sisters; he knows a thing or three about how women work. The problem is...Riss is unlike any woman he's ever met.

With the odds stacked against them, Riss and Ike will have to choose between the stubbornness that keeps them apart and the fiery attraction that could lead to something more.

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As a true fan of the series, I have been waiting for Riss and Ike's book for far too long!  James once again does what she does best: present realistically, complicated and likeable characters that have electric chemistry that develops into a profound bound and romance that keep readers coming back for me.

I love Riss, sassy yet vulnerable and Ike who is lost in his own way. Sparks fly when these two share close quarters but the depth of their understand of each other is just as interesting as the tension that builds while reader's wait to find out just when they will give in to each other.

Racked and Stacked has the feel like it could be the end of this series but I'd be delighted if we get to see more from this group of characters.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars