December’s Quick Catch Up Reviews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archangel’s Shadows by Nalini Singh
At first I was worried that I didn’t care enough about Janvier and Ash, and while that may still be true after this book, it was ok. Archangel’s Shadows wasn’t focused entirely on them, it embraced being a book with many characters. It let us catch up on the events after the previous book, probably giving us time to adjust before the next one is out and more chaos ensues. I enjoyed this a lot and wish other authors reintroduce certain couples to just let readers catch up on all their favorites character past.

 
MoonBound Clan Vampire Series by Larissa Ione
Bound by Night  & Chained by Night
What can I say about this series so far, if you like Larissa Ione then this series isn’t any different. It’s new, it’s refreshing but I’m not entirely sure I’m won over by the premise. Vampires. Again. But this time as slaves to humanity? I suppose it’s possible – we do have a way of oppressing people we see as different but .. yeah, not sure.

Undivided by Neal Shusterman
Honestly, I have never read any of Neal Shusterman’s other books only because what could live up to the Unwind series?  There are no words for how much I love this series. No. Flaws. Ok, maybe there are – but I’m never one to analyze too much into books. I’m not looking for loopholes. I’m looking for a throughly engaging story. If it’s unique and memorable, well that just takes the cake.  This one – I cannot recommend it enough. The characters, their growth, their journey, the story. So much of it is so good. Then I could get all analytical, write comparisons to any sort of situation where we have social unrest (currently – this could prove a parallel to unrest that our country is, my city is facing in light of Mike Brown and Eric Garner that sets the backdrop of where and how unwinding could have come about).  But the series isn’t about that for me. It’s about how the story is woven together like fine tapestry – we get so many distinct personalities, stories within stories that well, I think I might just buy a physical set of the books.

By the way, this is totally not the review – I must, must review this one day… one day.

Talon by Julie Kagawa
We all know who Ember is going to end up with. I enjoyed it! Someone mentioned that no, we don’t always want a love triangle but to my knowledge I don’t believe Kagawa has ever really written one so I think this gets a pass. Plus, I like triangles! Heh. What this book lacks is probably a better look into a life of a Dragon. Ember is like any other teenager, so does this mean that Dragon’s are not as different as humans?

If you like Julie Kagawa’s work, you’d enjoy this but I don’t think it’s as strong as The Immortal Rules.

The Darkest Touch by Gena Showalter
Sadly, what happens when you like a character so much, you kind of envision them a certain way and it’s just not how he is… then it’s a little weird. Is it me, or is Torin all of a sudden not the smart-assy character we’ve read about. Wasn’t he always the one who was the lighter one? More fun, even if he was angsty? Did his personality change or did I just make that all up in my head?!  Ok so even without the personality transplant, this seemed a little uninspired. The Red Queen is mighty powerful, so… I guess that makes her cool? I don’t know. I really don’t. It just wasn’t that great and Torin just seemed like another macho alpha male. He’s no longer different.  I suppose, the problem now is that the series has been dragging on, overlapping and getting too big for its own good. This universe created is just too much.

Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake
The idea behind this series is wonderful, the mortality of beings who’ve never had to worry that their lives only gave them a limited amount of time here on earth. I’m not quite sure about the execution yet though. I like Athena. I’m not sure about Cassandra. I’m also not sure about their mythology to really tie in the relevance their characters had to one another. So while I enjoy reading this, it isn’t exactly one of those books that I have to read. I don’t find myself rushing to finish it. It’s nice… not great, yet (hoping it will be).

Immortal by J.R. Ward 
Turns out this is the last book in the series. What I like? That this wasn’t a drawn out series. We’ve reached the end!  Am I sad to see it go? No, not really. Surprised, yes. I’m not sad to see it go because it came to a conclusion, the “game” they played was done. It wrapped up nicely. Everyone got their ending, be it happy, continuing on in another series, or sad. I wouldn’t say the characters are enjoyable per se but they definitely are characters. Certain characters stuck out, and I particularly enjoyed Devina. She’s one of the best and unique villains I’ve read so far in any paranormal romance. She’s layered and shows motive and depth. Spinoff? Please?

A Beautiful Disaster

Book Review: Darkest Craving by Gena Showalter
Rating: 2.5/5

Oh Kane, my beautiful disaster, always left behind. Kane is the Lord that no one remembers, he’s always been forgettable but now it is time for him to shine. It’s too bad that he doesn’t. He’s never been a strong personality since we learn so little of him in the previous books. The only thing we know is that he’s constantly in the center of mayhem, things fall on him, and objects explode around him, that sort of thing. In anticipation of his book, his storyline gets amped up and he’s dragged into hell, tortured beyond repair and an apocalyptic prophecy hangs over his head. We’ve been set up to expect something of EPIC proportions and I’m sad to say that it’s a pretty big letdown here.

I was expecting a story about Kane’s time in hell and his recuperation; instead we get a large part of the book dedicated to the royal Fae court. At the start of the book, Kane has already been freed and you’d think he would be suffering from his ordeal in Hell but it’s pretty glossed over. The wound is fresh, but we never feel Kane’s trauma.

The book was ok, nothing really memorable so there isn’t anything to add to the series as a whole. Sadly, it was forgettable for me. Forgettable enough that I started my review, and left it in my drafts for two weeks before thinking, oh I have nothing to do at work, might as well work on my blog! The biggest problem I think was the detraction from what we know as the LOTU universe. All of a sudden we are in a different realm with little to do with the other lords and the greater story at hand (hunters, hell, angels etc.)

Best part? The little snippets of Torin. Even Cameo’s cameo was more interesting than Kane’s story. I’m sorry but this book is a pass.

Random Notes:
Did LOTU always have a Fae realm or is this a new thing to accommodate this ever expanding universe?

Dream Cast: Torin from Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter

Dream cast for Torin. He’s next in line for a book. Yeeeesssss!!!

Book Review: Beauty Awakened by Gena Showalter

Angels of the Dark is a misleading series name. Haven’t we been told continuously in this book that they are not Angels? They are Sent Ones. I think Gena’s world has gotten so large and so ambitious that she’s in way over her head now. I think we need a map to sort everything out (working on this soon!)

This book really deviated from what you’d normally expect to read from Ms Showalter. It wasn’t very sexy and there wasn’t anything tangible or anyone to root against (and normal demons don’t count). You would think that Koldo’s past would come back to haunt him, both figuratively and literally but it’s a measly road bump for him to overcome. At times the book does come off a little new age pretentious (its not religious when you call G-d The Mighty High mind you) with the if you believe it to be true then you will prevail mindset. Where was that sentiment when Zachary’s mate was in trouble (I can’t remember that book at all but I’m assuming she must have been in trouble at some point). 

What I did like about this book is Koldo. He’s great because he is so different from most of the male leads in PNR. He is honest, polite and straight forward to a fault. His entire being has been shaped from the neglect and abuse he suffered as a child so there was potential for some angst and poor decision making but
it never happened. He chose the high road, he chose the dull road. While I’m glad he doesn’t blame his childhood for his actions, he spent far less time wrestling with his figurative demons than I would have thought plausible. How could he so easily come to terms with the decision regarding his mother?

Then there’s Nicola. She could have been anyone else. She was unremarkable is so many ways and her sister proved to have more personality and spark. Was she just a victim if her circumstances? Is she boring because of all her responsibilities? Is this the same author who brought Anya into life?! On that note, I just can’t get behind their relationship. It’s nice and all but where is the chemistry?

Gasp, I hate to say this but this book is a total PASS for me. The only thing that was interesting was the little tidbits and crumbs she’s laying down for us; William and Axel’s relationship, Thane’s trio, and the rest of the band of misfit angels.