Thrift Store Trolls - Book Review

 

Thrift Store Trolls (Flea Market Magic #1)

by Shawntelle Madison

What is it about:

Something wicked is coming to South Toms River, New Jersey.

Selling haunted trinkets and witches' wands is just another normal day for the delightfully neurotic werewolf Natalya Stravinsky. From one day to another, as the new South Toms River Pack alpha female, she tries to keep finicky supernatural customers placated while managing her underhanded goblin boss and eccentric supernatural co-workers. Her life is complicated further when competition rolls a peculiar troll-owned mart with subpar haunted knick-knacks and deadly antiques appears.

A powerful fairy path veers off course, heading towards South Toms River, attracting the attention of a deadly, shadowed force. Mysterious steamer trunks from the 1920s pop up all over town, unleashing horrific beasts. Natalya must find the inner strength to bring her pack together to uncover the culprit before her enemies threaten everyone she holds dear.

This is the first book in the Flea Market Magic Series! You don't have to read the Coveted Series to jump into the fun!

What did I think of it:

I absolutely loved the Coveted series, so decided to give this spin-off series a try.

And although I must say there are less trolls than I expected it is a really cool and fun read.

There's lots of action, creepy monsters, red herrings, and more. I was soon hooked and loved trying to figure out what was going on, and cheered Natalya on to save the day.

I enjoyed being back with these characters and being back in this world. The blurb says you don't need to read the Coveted series first, and I agree. You can easily follow this story and get into this world without reading the first series, but let's be honest: You want to read the Coveted series! It's so much fun!

Overall a great series starter. I think I'll get my trotters on the next book to see what's next for Natalya.

Why should you read it:

It's a fun and action-packed Urban Fantasy.

Under My Skin - Book Review

Under My Skin (Immortality Strain #1)
by Shawntelle Madison

What is it about:
Everyone wants to either be a member of the Guild or work for them. Little does the populace know that the Guild hides sinister secrets...

For Tate Sullivan, life in her small, coastal town is far from glamorous. The affluent lives of the Guild members and their servants isn't something she has ever wanted. But all sixteen year-olds must take a simple test, and Tate's result thrusts her into the Guild's world, one where they hide horrible plans for those they select. Tate must fight the relentless General Dagon for control of her mind, body, and soul to keep the one precious thing she has always taken for granted: herself.

Her only ally is the same handsome boy she is pitted against in General Dagon’s deadly game. Quinn desires nothing more than to end the life of General Dagon who has taken over Tate's mind. While romance blooms between Tate and Quinn, General Dagon plots to eventually take over Tate's body, and love might end before it even begins.

What did I think of it:
I loved the Coveted series by Madison, so was curious if this book would be just as fun.

Although it turned out this book isn't fun in the way Coveted was, it did turn out to be a cool read.

The future world that Madison created wasn't expanded on much, it even felt a bit old fashioned, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment. I liked Tate and was soon engrossed in the story. There were some story-hooks that I think weren't used to their full potential, but the story I did get was intriguing and suspenseful enough to keep me from grumbling.

Tate's struggle with General Dagon could have been taken a bit further as well in my opinion. At times things felt a bit too easy. Those things aside I had a great time with this book though, and near the end things do get a bit more dire.

The ending is satisfactory while also hinting at much more to come. I fear that there won't be a second book though, seeing how this one was released in 2014, but I can hope.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable YA red.


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Cursed - Book Review

Cursed: A Collection of Coveted Short Stories
by Shawntelle Madison

What is it about:
Return to the Coveted universe with several whimsical short stories featuring the delightfully neurotic werewolf Natalya Stravinsky and the rest of the zany supernatural inhabitants of South Toms River, New Jersey. Tales include a Coveted prequel, previously released tales, as well as never seen before stories.

What did I think of it:
I very much enjoyed the Coveted trilogy, so I was very happy to get my trotters on this book with short stories set in the same world.

There are several stories with Natalya, the lead character of the trilogy, but also some with other characters from the series. I enjoyed the stories with Natalya the most I will confess. I especially liked the story where she keeps an eye on her grandmother, who's going on a date, but the title story Cursed is really cool as well.

All in all a fun and enjoyable addition to the trilogy. I can advice this book to anyone who loved the trilogy and wants to read a little bit more about the characters and the world.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun collection of Coveted stories.

Compelled - Book Review

Compelled (Coveted #3)
by Shawntelle Madison

What is it about:
For the past five years, Natalya Stravinsky has dreamed of two things: to rejoin the South Toms River werewolf pack and to be reunited with Thorn Grantham. Fate may have brought the pack back into her life, but unless she journeys to Russia to save Thorn, the love she’s found may be lost again. For a stubborn werewolf like Natalya, no distance is too far, no magic spell too complex to master, because one way or another she will find a way to have everything she has ever wanted.

What did I think of it:
I very much enjoyed the first two book in this series, so was very happy to get my trotters on a signed version of Compelled. Some reviewers seemed to be disappointed by this book though, so I was afraid to start on it, and only recently picked it up from my TBR-pile.

And I must say I really liked it!

Thorn being cursed and losing his strength meant that he wasn't as annoyingly present as in the last book. Yes: he may be Natalya's love interest, but I do not like him. So without Thorn constantly in Natalya's way, trying to wipe her nose for her, she could actually get the job done.

Some of the characters from the previous books got more depth and screentime, and there were some interesting new characters as well. I was a little bummed that my favorite character had just disappeared and wasn't in this book, but that is a minor grumble.

Overall this book is fun, full of action, and very entertaining. This is the last book in this series as far as I know, and it does end satisfying where it comes to Natalya and her quests. There are some things left open for other characters, so I'm curious if Madison will address those in novella's or spin-off books. I will keep my eyes out for news!

Why should you read it:
It's a really fun Urban Fantasy read

Repossessed - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Repossessed (Warlock Repo Man Chronicles #1)
by Shawntelle Madison

What is it about:
Return to the Coveted universe with a new series featuring witches and warlocks!

Supernatural matchmaker Tessa Dandridge knows a little mist here and a little magic there will help reckless werewolves and precocious pixies find love. That is, until her magical Smythe scroll is lost in her repo'ed car and she can't contact her V.I.P. clients. To connect with an important client cavorting in the fifth dimension, Tessa must depend on handsome Rob Shin, a warlock repo man, to enter Limbo and find her Smythe scroll.

Rob has money problems of his own, thanks to the bank determined to foreclose on his elderly aunt and uncle's home. Repossessing magic wands and cursed pianos from disgruntled warlocks isn't the best pay, but the Navy SEAL works well as a repo man to pay off his family's debts. Rob's repossession jobs catch up with him when a powerful warlock seeks to end his life for his constant meddling, drawing Tessa in the middle.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
After having read and loved Madison's Coveted and Kept, I wanted more, so I picked up Repossessed, which is set in the same universe as those books.

And this is a very enjoyable read.

I will confess I thought the main plot of Tessa trying to get back her scroll was a bit far fetched. I really couldn't believe that getting the scroll back through legal channels would be even more complicated than the way she's trying to get to the scroll.

But that aside this is a fun and entertaining read.

The interaction between Rob and Tessa was very enjoyable to read, and I loved Rob's family. I hope there will be more character development, and explanations of certain magical items and such in future books though.

Overall this book isn't as cool as the books in the Coveted series, but certainly fun enough to keep an eye out for the next book. I can advice this book to anyone who's looking for a fun and entertaining read.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable Paranormal Romance.

Kept - Book Review

Kept (Coveted #2)
by Shawntelle Madison

What is it about:
Fresh from defending her pack in battle, Natalya Stravinsky, a whip-smart werewolf with a lovable neurotic streak, wants a little rest and relaxation. Once an outcast, she’s now eager to rejoin the ranks of her New Jersey pack, and has even gotten a handle on her obsessive urge to hoard holiday ornaments. Yet Nat barely has time to revel in her progress before the next crisis comes howling at her door.

Nat’s father has suddenly gone missing, captured by the Russian werewolf mafia. And as Nat steps up to save her dad from a mob boss’s deadly game, two men step in to play another round for her heart: her gorgeous alpha ex-boyfriend, Thorn, and her new flame, the sweetly sensitive wizard Nick. With her life growing more harried by the minute, Nat must stay cool, calm, and collected . . . or else risk losing everything.

What did I think of it:
I loved the first book in this series, so I got my trotters on Kept as soon as possible.

And this book too is a great read.

I will confess I was a little annoyed by Thorn's behavior, who acts at times as if Nat isn't even capable of tying her own shoes. Luckily Nat has learned to stand up for herself and she doesn't let herself get sidelined.

The story is cool, suspenseful and fun. I liked how Nat gets help from her female friends as well. So often the other women are only there to compliment the heroine or to act as a jealousy story hook, so it's cool to see some great female characters who actually help out and are part of the action.

There's a lot of love triangling going on and I'm sure some readers will love how that's progressing, but I'm not liking where it's going. I'm rooting for the wrong guy again I fear.

So all in all this is a great read, although a little bit more frustrating than the first book. I will certainly continue reading this series, and I will try to get hold of other books by Madison as well.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Paranormal read.

Coveted - Book Review

Coveted (Coveted #1)
by Shawntelle Madison

What is it about:
For werewolf Natalya Stravinsky, the supernatural is nothing extraordinary. What does seem strange is that she’s stuck in her hometown of South Toms River, New Jersey, the outcast of her pack, selling antiques to finicky magical creatures. Restless and recovering from her split with gorgeous ex-boyfriend, Thorn, Nat finds comfort in an unusual place: her obsessively collected stash of holiday trinkets. But complications pile up faster than her ornaments when Thorn returns home—and the two discover that the spark between them remains intense.

Before Nat can sort out their relationship, she must face a more immediate and dangerous problem. Her pack is under attack from the savage Long Island werewolves—and Nat is their first target in a turf war. Toss in a handsome wizard vying for her affection, a therapy group for the anxious and enchanted, and the South Toms River pack leader ready to throw her to the wolves, and it’s enough to give anybody a panic attack. With the stakes as high as the full moon, Nat must summon all of her strength to save her pack and, ultimately, herself.

What did I think of it:
I will confess I had seen this book around, but didn't pay real attention to it because of the cover. But then I got it as a birthday present from Melliane and gave it a try.

And once again I was reminded that I shouldn't judge a book by its cover!

This is such a fun read.

In her cover quote Ann Aguirre compares Natalya to Carolyn Crane's Justine (Disillusionists trilogy) and I can tell you I can see why she said that. Natalya is a messed up heroine, but just as Justine she's very likeable and relatable. I was invested and rooting for her from the start. I also really loved Natalya's friend Aggie and some members of Natalya's family.

The story is both fun and suspenseful. I was laughing one moment and biting my nails the next. The pacing is fast and I raced through the book in an afternoon, I just couldn't put it down.

The one small point of critique is that the story is told from Natalya's point of view, but information that Natalya has, is kept from the reader to create suspense. But seeing how much fun this book is I won't hold that against it, because this book is certainly not alone in pulling that particular trick.

All in all I started this book with the expectation to like it, but instead I fell in love with it. I can tell you I will read the next book in this series as soon as possible, because I'm hooked!

Why should you read it:
It's a fun and very entertaining Paranormal read.