Twisted Magic: Out Now!

 

You want this book! It's so good!

Twisted Magic (Renegades of Magic #3)

by Jeffe Kennedy

Their love makes them stronger together… Unless the world rips them apart

Jadren El-Adrel knows he’s a mess. He’s a cobbled-together monster pretending to be a wizard, still unable to master the magic that makes him pretty much immortal and is useless for anything else. Though he’s tried to learn to work with his familiar, Seliah, he’s still terrified to discover what might happen if he gives himself full access to the depths of her powerful magic. Some questions should never be answered.

Seliah Phel got her happy ever after. Jadren loves her; they’re together in a safe and beautiful place; and they’re finally learning to work together as wizard and familiar. But even she must recognize that Jadren continues to stew in his black moods, brooding that only worsens when he receives a missive from home, his horrible family demanding the that they both return to House El-Adrel.As the denizens of House Phel fight an increasingly pitched battle against the enemies determined to destroy them forever, Jadren and Selly fight their own war—against the past and to overcome their own failings. To become truly stronger together.

Untethered Sky - Book Review

Untethered Sky

by Fonda Lee

What is it about:

Ester’s family was torn apart when a manticore killed her mother and baby brother, leaving her with nothing but her father’s painful silence and a single, overwhelming need to kill the monsters that took her family.

Ester’s path leads her to the King’s Royal Mews, where the giant rocs of legend are flown to hunt manticores by their brave and dedicated ruhkers. Paired with a fledgling roc named Zahra, Ester finds purpose and acclaim by devoting herself to a calling that demands absolute sacrifice and a creature that will never return her love. The terrifying partnership between woman and roc leads Ester not only on the empire’s most dangerous manticore hunt, but on a journey of perseverance and acceptance.

What did I think of it:

This is a beautiful and bittersweet read.

Ester dedicates her life to hunting manticores after her mother and brother are killed by one. Although I could mostly understand her feelings, her obsession was  painful to see at times. 

As the story follows her progress it shows all the sacrifices she and her fellow ruhkers have to make as well as the consequences for those who let their focus slip. I wasn't sure if I should root for Ester to succeed or for her to find a different path in life.

All in all beautiful read that stayed with me long after I finished  it. I will have to investigate what else Leee has written.

Why should you read it:

It's a beautiful Fantsy read.

 

Infinity Bell - Book Review

 

Infinity Bell (House Immortal #2)

by Devon Monk)

What is it about:

Return to national bestselling author Devon Monk's heartpounding House Immortal series, where eleven powerful Houses control the world and all its resources. But now, the treaty between them has been broken, and no one—not even the immortal galvanized—is safe....

Matilda Case isn’t normal. Normal people aren’t stitched together, inhumanly strong, and ageless, as she and the other galvanized are. Normal people’s bodies don’t hold the secret to immortality—something the powerful Houses will kill to possess. And normal people don’t know that they’re going to die in a few days.

Matilda’s fight to protect the people she loves triggered a chaotic war between the Houses and shattered the world’s peace. On the run, she must find a way to stop the repeat of the ancient time experiment that gifted her and the other galvanized with immortality. Because this time, it will destroy her and everything she holds dear.

Caught in a cat-and-mouse game of lies, betrayal, and unseen foes, Matilda must fight to save the world from utter destruction. But time itself is her enemy, and every second brings her one step closer to disaster....

What did I think of it:

This book starts right where the first ended, and we're immediately back int action and intrigue.

I enjoyed the book, but slightly less than the first. It was hard to put a finger on it though. I mean: there was action, danger, suspense, there was Neds (totally my favorite character).

Then it hit me: I really do not like Matilda's brother or her love interest. Both really rub me the wrong way. And especially her brother has a huge role in his book. Luckily there's enough to love about this book that I still had a great time with it.

The ending of his book is... something! I'm eager to find out what happens in the last book so I'll be picking it up soon. 

Why should you read it:

It's a cool Urban Fantasy Read.

Teaser Tuesdays - Poison Fruit

 

"More's the pity," he observed. "I hope you appreciate the irony. You, possessed of world-shattering power, can never use it."

(page 83, Poison Fruit by Jacqueline Carey)

---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Thorn Queen - Book Review

 

Thorn Queen (Dark Swan #2)

by Richelle Mead

What is it about:

Eugenie Markham is a shaman for hire. She's paid

to bind and banish creatures from the

Otherworld.

But something happened after her last battle. She became queen of the Thorn Land. With her kingdom in tatters, her love life in chaos, and eager to avoid the prophecy about her firstborn destroying mankind, the job's really not all it's cracked up to be.

Now young girls are disappearing from the Otherworld, and no one seems willing to find out why. Or to put an end to it. Not that Eugenie's fazed by spilling fey blood, but this enemy is shrewd, subtle, and dangerous -- and nursing a very personal grudge.

Eugenie must venture deep into the Otherworld and trust in a power she can barely control. She may be a reluctant queen, but she's vowed to do her duty, even if it means facing the darkest and deadliest side of her nature.

What did I think of it:

I had fun with the first book, so picked up book two to see if this series would keep entertaining me.

Once again I had a good time. I really like one of the love interests, even while I despise the other. There's still a couple of books to go, but I have high hopes Eugenie will be smart. I liked seeing Eugenie trying to balance her old life with this new life she fell into.

The story is suspenseful and should probably come with some trigger warnings, so if you do pick this up: handle with caution. I myself don't get triggered easily, but others might.

 Overall another cool read. I'll be picking up the next book soon.

Why should you read it:

It's a suspenseful Urban Fantasy Read.

Teaser Tuesdays - This Time it's Real

 

By the time we're dropped off at school, I have 472 unread messages and god knows how many Twitter mentions.

And then things get significantly weirder.

(page 31, This Time it's Real by Ann Liang)

---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Autumn Bones - Book Review

 

Autumn Bones (Agent of Hel #2)

by Jacqueline Carey

What is it about:

New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Carey returns to the curious Midwest tourist community where normal and paranormal worlds co-exist—however tenuously—under the watchful eye of a female hellspawn…...

Fathered by an incubus, raised by a mortal mother, and liaison to the Pemkowet Police Department, Daisy Johanssen pulled the community together after a summer tragedy befell the resort town she calls home. Things are back to normal—as normal as it gets for a town famous for its supernatural tourism, and presided over by the reclusive Norse goddess Hel.

Not only has Daisy now gained respect as Hel’s enforcer, she’s dating Sinclair Palmer, a nice, seemingly normal human guy. Not too shabby for the daughter of a demon. Unfortunately, Sinclair has a secret. And it’s a big one.

He’s descended from Obeah sorcerers and they want him back. If he doesn’t return to Jamaica to take up his rightful role in the family, they’ll unleash spirit magic that could have dire consequences for the town. It’s Daisy’s job to stop it, and she’s going to need a lot of help. But time is running out, the dead are growing restless, and one mistake could cost Daisy everything…

What did I think of it:

After rereading the first book in this series I immediately grabbed this book, because I wanted more.

And I wasn't disappointed. This book is just as much fun!

Both Lurine and the ghouls are still my favorites of the mythical creatures. Luckily they all got their chance to shine.

I wasn't a fan of Sinclair when he was introduced in Dark Currents, and I didn't warm up to him in this book, but as he is the one at the center of all the events in this book I could live with him for the sake of an awesome suspenseful story. I kept reading to see what was happening next. 

Overall the storyline in this book felt a bit more meandering than in the first book, but as it was all cool and fun I didn't mind.

You bet I'll be picking up book 3 soon.

Why should you read it:

It's a really cool Urban Fantasy Read

Dark Currents - Book Review (reread/repost)

 

Dark Currents (Agent of Hel #1)
by Jacqueline Carey

What is it about:
The Midwestern resort town of Pemkowet boasts a diverse population: eccentric locals, wealthy summer people, and tourists by the busload; not to mention fairies, sprites, vampires, naiads, ogres and a whole host of eldritch folk, presided over by Hel, a reclusive Norse goddess.

To Daisy Johanssen, fathered by an incubus and raised by a single mother, it’s home. And as Hel’s enforcer and the designated liaison to the Pemkowet Police Department, it’s up to her to ensure relations between the mundane and eldritch communities run smoothly.

But when a young man from a nearby college drowns—and signs point to eldritch involvement—the town’s booming paranormal tourism trade is at stake. Teamed up with her childhood crush, Officer Cody Fairfax, a sexy werewolf on the down-low, Daisy must solve the crime—and keep a tight rein on the darker side of her nature. For if she’s ever tempted to invoke her demonic birthright, it could accidentally unleash nothing less than Armageddon.

What did I think of it:
This is a fun read.

I loved the word building in this book. It's very diverse and even though it lends from all kinds of mythologies it felt unique.

Daisy was a cool character with an interesting back-story. She of course does attract the attention of multiple men, because she's so special, but it wasn't annoying. The annoyance will probably come in upcoming books when she will pick the wrong guy(s) in my opinion.

That aside: The story was both funny and suspenseful. I kept trying to guess what would happen next, and how Daisy would solve things. I loved how a lot of different supernatural creatures get involved and introduced. I especially liked the ghouls, and Daisy's friend Lurine.

Although the murder mystery is resolved in this book, there are some things happening in this book that lend themselves for more intrigue and suspense for the next book, so you bet I will be getting my trotters on it to find out what's next for Daisy.

Thought on rereading:

Another book where I almost didn't remember anything. But I had book 2 in my TBR since 2015, so I decided to do a reread to refresh my memory. And this is such a cool read! Why did I forget about it? I immediately picked up book 2 after finishing my reread. 

Why should you read it:
It's an entertaining Urban Fantasy read.