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: Plague of Giants by Kevin Hearne

*Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey Books for an ARC in exchange for a review*

A Plague of Giants marks the start of a new series by the New York Times bestselling author Kevin Hearne.  Rather a departure from The Iron Druid Chronicles, Hearne creates an unforgettable fantasy world . . . one that is forever changed when an army of giants invades. The kingdom's only hope? The discovery of a form of magic that will call the world's wondrous beasts to fight by the side of humankind.

Fans of epic fantasy with strong characters and world building will flock to this book.  Hearne continues to establish himself as a master storyteller. What I loved most were the echoes to the great oral masters in history--Homer, Ovid, & Virgil.  Plague reads in much the same way as the episodic nature of The Odyssey and I loved the way that the structure of the novel and its chapters support this homage.

A true shining star is the audiobook as narrated by Luke Daniels and Xe Sands.  Through their performances, the characters truly come to life and enhance the reading experience.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Highlighted Reviews--author Jennifer Probst

Miranda Storme never expected to see Gavin Luciano again. Three years ago, they had an intense affair—and then he bolted. Now he’s back, and Miranda has the pleasure of a little payback: a scathing review of his restaurant. Revenge is a dish best served the first chance you get…

Perhaps my least favorite Probst book to date. It lacks something for me, maybe since it is a standalone. I couldn't really engage with the plot or characters. 

2 out of 5 stars

Aidan Hunter is tired of city living and shallow women who only want to date him for his money and family legacy. He hopes to meet a woman who will love him for who he is…but he never counted on a certain schoolteacher to throw his world into chaos.

Isabella Summers is shocked at the sexual attraction she feels for the rude worker on the Christmas tree farm. But when he shows up at a friend’s party and seeks her out, she finds she no longer wants to fight their attraction…but she never counted on love with a stranger carrying a secret.

This was an entertaining holiday romance. I liked the short story format with good pacing and character development.  

4 out of 5 stars

The Billionaire Builders Series

 

Ever the responsible eldest brother, Caleb Pierce started working for his father’s luxury contracting business at a young age, dreaming of one day sitting in the boss’s chair. But his father’s will throws a wrench in his plans by stipulating that Caleb share control of the family business with his two estranged brothers.

Things only get more complicated when demanding high-end home designer Morgan hires Caleb to build her a customized dream house that matches her specifications to a T—or she’ll use her powerful connections to poison the Pierce brothers’ reputation. Not one to ignore a challenge, Caleb vows to get the job done—if only he can stop getting distracted by his new client’s perfect…amenities.

These books are like the Property Brothers meets contemporary romance. I enjoyed this book. Caleb and Morgan have great chemistry. There is a good build of romantic tension plus incorporation of character development for the later books in the series.

4 out of 5 stars

When she was a teen, Raven Bella Stratton’s father was killed in a horrible car crash. The bigger shock was the discovery of a woman with him—Diana Pierce—and their two fully packed suitcases with airline tickets to Paris. Devastated by her father’s betrayal, Raven went to live with her aunt, never truly overcoming the traumatic event. When she discovers that the mysterious woman had a family with a husband and three boys, Raven vows to leave the memory of her father behind.

Until Dalton Pierce visits one night and suddenly her past challenges her future...

Leaving his life in California behind to run Pierce Construction with his two older brothers, Dalton Pierce has enjoyed returning home and studying his passion of woodworking. But when he visits the local bar with his brothers one evening, he’s immediately drawn to the smart-mouthed, badass, sexy bartender who sets his body on fire. Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem as intrigued by him, and his multiple advances are met with rejection. When he offers to restore the bar back to its original glory, he begins to work with her on a daily basis, and falls harder.

This second book has more depth and a heavier storyline since it is dealing with grief and other complicated feelings surrounding tragedy. I like Raven and Dalton has a couple, perhaps my favorite of the series.

4 out of 5 stars

Tristan Pierce left the family business to carve out a life of his own, but never forgot his passionate affair with the much younger, inexperienced Sydney Green, or the hurtful break-up that tore him apart. When he’s forced to return home and face his past, will he be able to carve out a future, or will lies ruin his second chance at love?

Sydney Green loved Tristan her entire life, but when he left, he took not only her heart, but her trust with him. Now that they’re together again, it’s time they both face the biggest secret of all….

I had high hopes for this third book especially since Probst was building toward the relationship between Tristian and Sydney. Some good twists but she lost me when Tristian started to be such an arrogant, misogynistic ass--forcing Sydney into situations she wasn't ready for solely because he felt wronged and 'wanted' her to do what he perceived was right for their 'family.' That behavior was a real turn-off to the whole relationship for me as a reader and ultimately jaded the whole book for me.

3 out of 5 stars

The Searching For Series

This series is loosely tied to the Marriage to a Billionaire series with some cameos and character interaction in later books.  The premise is the three friends start Kinnections dating service. The first three book center around pairing for these three ladies--Kennedy, Kate and Genevieve--with short stories still connected by secondary characters.  

I've previously read Searching for Someday (Kate's book) and Searching for Perfect (Kennedy's) book over the past few years and enjoyed them for there characters, pacing, general storyline and steamy romance.

"Searching for You" is a short story set between books 2 and 3 and originally published in the anthology Baby, It's Cold Outside.  When a high-powered CEO and a playboy billionaire get stranded in a snowstorm, sparks will fly…if they can make it through the night together! 

This is one of those fun, snowed in romps where old classmates rekindle their attraction after a surprising and disastrous blind date. It is a quick, sexy read full of great banter, tension and romance.

4 out of 5 stars

Genevieve MacKenzie has her life completely under control. About to wed the charming Chief doctor at the local hospital, she’s an up-and-coming surgeon with everything she could ever want. Until an escape through the church window on the day of her wedding sends her life into a tailspin...and flings her right into her best friend’s arms. When Wolfe catches his best friend falling out a window on her wedding day, he doesn’t ask questions. He whisks her away, determined to watch over her and discover the truth behind her desperate escape. But when his feelings turn more than platonic, he realizes he may risk his most important relationship in order to protect his damaged heart, and the woman he loves.

Can Genevieve and Wolfe’s friendship turn into something deeper—or is it already too late for true love?

Fans of the Marriage to a Billionaire series have been waiting for Wolfe's story a long time.  Readers certainly won't be disappointed, especially if you are a sucker for best friends turned lovers romances like I am.  Wolf is still the super sexy bad boy with a secretive past but he adores and cherishes is friendship with Genevieve. He is there for her when her life spirals out of control.  This was by far my favorite book of the series!

5 out of 5 stars

She’s an expert in helping others de-stress, but Arilyn Meadows is running on fumes. Along with her job counseling singles seeking soul mates at the Kinnections agency in Verily, New York, she’s a yoga teacher, animal shelter volunteer, anger management therapist, and helping hand to her beloved grandfather. No time to find Mr. Right—but after discovering her yogi boyfriend in a compromising situation, Arilyn would rather dog-sit for her honeymooning friend Kate than risk her heart on another downward dog. And when police officer Stone Petty—radiating masculinity and bad-boy attitude—is sent to her for mandatory lessons in cooling off when the job gets too hot, Arilyn vows to ignore his seductive glances and sexy grin. But there’s no halting their sizzling flirtation—a red-hot, high-speed chase that’s breaking all the limits. 

I enjoyed this book and the character development but it wasn't my favorite.  The couple do have good banter and chemistry but I wasn't engaged as a reader like I have been with Gen and Wolf's story.

3 out of 5 stars

When Isabella MacKenzie tries to move on from her disastrous past, Officer William Devine is determined to show her that love is the only way to heal. This sexy enovella, the final installment in Jennifer Probst’s heartwarming Searching For series, follows the high-powered women of the popular matchmaking agency Kinnections, located in the small, picturesque town of Verily, NY.

Isabell is Gen's twin sister. She's had her own troubles with drug use and is determined to move on from her mistakes and have a bright future. One of her biggest regrets is the ending to a life-changing one night stand years ago.  Fate intervenes and places her back in the path of William Devine, now a cop.  These two get a second chance for forgiveness and finding happiness.

4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Intensity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

*Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

It’s a demon-eat-demon world for Nick Gautier. Just when he thinks he’s finally gotten a handle on how not to take over the world and destroy it, Death returns with an all-star cast that is determined to end the Malachai reign and lineage forever. Worse? Death and War have found the one, true enemy Nick can’t find, and even if he did, it’s one he could never bring himself to banish or kill.

Now framed for murders he hasn’t committed, and surrounded by new friends who might be turncoats, Nick is learning fast how his father went down in flames.

Intensity is the 8th in Kenyon's Chronicles of Nick YA series which connects in large part to her Dark Hunter universe. It remains terribly confusing to explain everything to a non-series reader; however, fans of Kenyon and her ability to map out a spectacularly detailed world and connected characters will enjoy Intensity for its place within the timeline as well as its humor and action.

This novel appears to map a shift in the series and what comes for the future of the Nick Gautier arc for both YA reads and adult fans. We'll just have to wait and see how all of it pans out. The new shift in publication seems to follow his son for now and hopefully undoing a lot of the negative impact Cyprian will have on the whole Dark Hunter universe.


Overall, good pacing but a little confusing at times. Readers will have to stay with it to truly get the point. Some good zingers, tears and a great cliffhanger.


Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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: King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

King's Cage is book three in Aveyard's Red Queen series. Readers were left with a jaw dropper of an ending.

Mare Barrow is a prisoner, virtually powerless as she's cut off from her lightning and held captive by King Maven, the young boy she once thought was her friend and a potential love. Maven struggles to control a kingdom plagued by rebellion.

Outside of the palace walls, Mare's friends and allies comprised of Reds and New Bloods plot to wage war again Maven as well as mount a rescue for their friend.

King's Cage is very much a transition book, setting the stage for the next installment in 2018. While I still enjoyed it, I wasn't as entertained nor enchanted as I was with Red Queen and Glass Sword. This is due in part to Mare being isolated from many of the other characters. There is finally a reunion; however, it takes much of the narrative for this to happen.  Mare's interactions with Maven and others at court are insightful but there was something lacking for me.

Another miss for me was Aveyard's decision to change the POV and narrative style.  One one hand, I understand the change given Mare's captivity and the necessity to follow characters at another location.  However, the change upsets the already established framework of the series--much like Allegiant did with the Divergent trilogy. I haven't connected with these other character to the degree that I have with Mare, despite her faults.

A strength for Aveyard remains her endings.  King's Cage ends with another doozy and plenty of broken hearts and touch decisions.  Mare isn't my favorite person right now but we'll have to see how it all develops.

For a while I was worried this was the final book and with so little happening, the ending would be rushed.  Luckily, readers have one more to look forward to next year.


Final rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars


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REVIEW: Red Queen (0.1, 0.2, 1, 2) by Victoria Aveyard

Cruel Crown is a short story prequel collection to Red Queen. In "Queen Song," readers get Coriane's story, King Tiberias' first wife.  Keeping a secret diary as the only means to keep her thoughts private, she shares her courtship with the king, birth of Prince Cal and the dangerous challenges accompanying her royal life--namely the jealousy of powerful 'whisper' Elara.

This story is pretty heartbreaking.  Coriane is a good person whose position in the royal family makes her vulnerable and all too alone. Readers already knew she has a terrible fate but "Queen Song" sheds light on Elara's wickedness and Silver power struggles.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

"Steel Scars" also has a female protagonist but with a different perspective. Raised to be independent and strong, Diana Farley has been tasked with planting seeds of rebellion; however, the job is tougher than expected as she travels behind the scenes of black market smugglers, traders and extremists.  Readers get a glimpse into the rise of the Scarlet Guard as well as Farley's pending connection to Mare Barrow.

I didn't like this story as much. I find Farley difficult to connect with but I did enjoy the introduction of Shade Barrow and the set up for the other books in the series. I recommend reading this after Red Queen to garner a better handle of the rebellion.

Final rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Red Queen is the first in an exciting futuristic series which depicts a society torn between two social groups.  The Silvers are the upper echelon of society--the merchants, nobles and royalty--born with powerful abilities (i.e. metal manipulation, telepathy, elemental affinities) that have helped them oppress others. The Reds are akin to peasants, lacking abilities and generally doomed to live labor filled lives of poverty and forced conscription in the kingdom of Norta's ongoing war with other lands.

Seventeen year old Red, Mare Barrow is an accomplished pickpocket who suddenly finds herself working at the Silver Palace, surrounded by the very people she loathes. Mare discovers that despite her 'Red' blood, she possesses Silver super abilities--the power to call and control lightning. Seeing this as a threat, Mare is forced to live at the palace and hide in plain sight, masquerading as a long lost Silver and future princess/bride to Prince Maven, second in line to the throne.

I read this last year upon its publication and really liked it.  I completed an epic re-read to prepare for Glass Sword.  I have to say I loved this even more the second time. I picked up on the nuances explored by Aveyard.  The overall world building is fantastic as is the characterization.  Mare is compelling--likeable and vulnerable but snarky, independent and a multifaceted, kick butt female protagonist. I also like the host of secondary characters and the sophisticated plot building laced with deceit and some pretty jaw dropping revelations.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Building on the excruciating betrayal at the end of Red Queen, Mare Barrow is on the run following her botched execution and rescue by the Red Guard.  Life isn't going to get better any time soon. If throne usurper King Maven can't have her, no one will. Leaders of the Red Guard don't trust her abilities nor those of exiled Prince Cal. Events lead her and a group of allies on a mission to find Reds born with abilities, amassing an army to combat their oppressors.

The journey is dangerous with plenty of twists, lies, angst and heartbreaking loss. Mare continues to mature and make sacrifices for the greater good despite friction between those closest to her who believe her means go far beyond what is exceptable. Glass Sword is certainly a bit darker, especially the nail biting ending that will have readers literally screaming for the next book in the series.

Aveyard continues to entice readers with this unique read filled with action, romance and villainy that truly exhibits YA fiction at its best.  Recommended for science fiction and fantasy genre readers as well as those who want a dash of romance. Definitely appeal for both male and female readers, grades 9 and up.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Follow the author on Twitter: @victoriaaveyard


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