Covet - Book Review by Voodoo bride

Covet (The Fallen Angels #1) by J.R. Ward

What is it about:
Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about-his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charge with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option.
Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough- talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. But then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart-and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I usually like my romances to be paranormal, but this is one romance that would have worked better for me if it had ditched the paranormal stuff and had stayed well within the lines of contemporary romance.

I quite liked Vin and his love interest Marie-Terese and they have some very good scenes together, but I just couldn't buy all the paranormal stuff in this story. It felt unnecessary and overly complicated for what in fact is a rather straightforward romance. Add to that a suspense storyline that was crossing over in 'too much coincidence'-territory and I was close to putting the book down. I only finished the book because I really wanted to see Vin and Marie-Terese get their Happily Ever After.

Chances of me reading more in this series are slim to none, but I might give other books by Ward a try as I've heard many people rave about her Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

Why should you read it:
It's a nicely written paranormal romance.

Unholy Magic - Book Review

Unholy Magic (Downside Ghosts #2) by Stacia Kane

What is it about:
For Chess Putnam, finding herself near-fatally poisoned by a con psychic and then stopping a murderous ghost is just another day on the job. As an agent of the Church of Real Truth, Chess must expose those looking to profit from the world’s unpleasant little poltergeist problem—humans filing false claims of hauntings—all while staving off any undead who really are looking for a kill. But Chess has been extra busy these days, coping with a new “celebrity” assignment while trying on her own time to help some desperate prostitutes.

Someone’s taking out the hookers of Downside in the most gruesome way, and Chess is sure the rumors that it’s the work of a ghost are way off base. But proving herself right means walking in the path of a maniac, not to mention standing between the two men in her life just as they—along with their ruthless employers—are moving closer to a catastrophic showdown. Someone is dealing in murder, sex, and the supernatural, and once again Chess finds herself right in the crossfire.

What did I think of it:
It isn't the story that makes this series awesome in my opinion.
To be honest: I think the story suffers from too much convenient coincidental occurrences. Still I absolutely love this series and it's Kane's writing style combined with the amazing characters that pull this off.

It's a rare writer who can write a criminal, violent character like Terrible and make him more than likeable. Same goes for Chess: she's an addict, does stupid things and still I'm rooting for her. It's these and other characters and their interactions that make me read this series and turn a blind eye at the obvious flaws in the storyline.

Not that the story is all bad: it's actually a cool and creepy story if you don't focus too much on the coincidental stuff, but it's the characters and the writing that make the story come to life and turn it from a nice read to a reread favourite. If Kane keeps writing her characters the way she does I'll keep on reading this series.

Why should you read it:
If you like grim, character-driven Urban Fantasy you should really read this series.

Teaser Tuesdays - The Last Twilight

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, 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!

A tired smile touched the young man's mouth, and for a brief moment the two men stared at each other with a weight and gravity that made Rikki feel totally insignificant, a stranger amongst friends. It made her wonder how they saw her -if she was nothing but a paycheck. A burden.
(page 94, The Last Twilight by Marjorie M. Liu)

War with the Newts - Book Review

War with the Newts by Karel Čapek

What is it about:
War with the Newts (1936) is Karel Čapek's darkly humorous allegory of early twentieth-century Czech politics. Captain van Toch discovers a colony of newts in Sumatra which can not only be taught to trade and use tools, but also to speak. As the rest of the world learns of the creatures and their wonderful capabilities, it is clear that this new species is ripe for exploitation – they can be traded in their thousands, will do the work no human wants to do, and can fight – but the humans have given no thought to the terrible consequences of their actions.

What did I think of it:
While in Prague I decided I should try a book by a Czech author. I picked up War with the Newts as the concept of intelligent newts sounded intriguing.

It was a very interesting and at times funny read.
It's build up in three parts and of these part one is the most funny and the most like an actual story. Part two is rather dry and written like a collections of articles, although there's lots of humor in this part as well. Part three is the most grim and written like the recounting of historical happenings.

What surprised me is how current this story still is today as it's written in 1936. It paints a very accurate, cynical picture of human nature, while using humor to do so. The writing is a bit old fashioned at times, but not so much that it annoyed me and apart from some articles in part two that were a bit too dry for me I really enjoyed this book.

The one negative thing I can say is that I think the book is one chapter too long. I could have done without the last chapter, which for me took away from the powerful message this book is carrying out.

Why should you read it:
It's a disturbing, but humoress look into human nature.

I'm Back!

I'm back and online again after a lovely week in Prague!
I saw lots of cool books, but they were all in Czech.

I'll be back to my regular reviewing and posting starting tomorrow!

Might go Missing for a Bit

If I'm not posting the next couple of days it's because I'm without my internet connection, so don't worry. I'll be back soon!

On other news:

Deceived by the Others by Jess Haines will be released on July 5th!

Make sure to keep an eye out for it as it's a read you don't want to miss.

And hop over to Jess' blog to enter her DBTO release celebration giveaway:
here
I've heard she's giving away underwear for your books!

The Red Heart of Jade - Book Review

The Red Heart of Jade (Dirk & Steele #3) by Marjorie M. Liu

What is it about:
The grisly murders are just the beginning. Dean Campbell, ex-cop and clairvoyant, is sent to investigate. He is with the Dirk & Steele Detective Agency, that global association of more-than-human men and women. Shapeshifters, psychics and other paranormals, Dean and his peers are devoted to protecting life. But there are those who live to destroy.

In Taipei, he finds the remains of burned-alive men and women, bits of bone and ash, that reveal a pattern far more deadly than any he has foreseen. Someone knows Dean’s secret. And they know more—of a power that can change the world, and of a woman who can complete him: Mirabelle Lee, the childhood sweetheart he’d once thought dead. Now, all that remains was blinding light and searing pain, potent passion and a purifying fire. And beneath it all is…The Red Heart of Jade.

What did I think of it:
I had a bit of trouble getting into this story at first, but once I did it was an exciting read from there on. The story did feel a bit over-complicated from time to time, but Liu's writing is so beautiful I'm willing to go where she leads me and take any twisted road to get to the conclusion which so far with every book has been more than satisfying. There was lots of action, cool characters and a very sweet romance. This might not be my favourite book of this series so far, it certainly is a treat for any Liu fan, although I wouldn't recommend this one to people who are new to her books.

Why should you read it:
Fans of Liu can't go wrong with this book!