Review: Strange Angels (Strange Angels #1) by Lil St Crow

In Strange Angels, Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.) Then her dad turns up dead—but still walking—and Dru knows she’s next. Even worse, she’s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they’re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever—or whoever— is hunting her?

I'd had this book on my TBR pile for quite a while. It was definitely something I wanted to read but something else would always catch my eye and I would forget about it for while. Well nothing else did this time. I liked it right from the off. The tone and the pacing felt just right. I really liked Dru. She's tough, savvy, and didn't whine and moan like some lead characters do. It reminded me of Supernatural, only with a female lead. Obviously there's nothing wrong with that, I love Supernatural - I then read other Goodread reviews that said the same thing. I took to Graves right away as well, but I can't believe that he took everything in his stride as well as he did. Dru's reaction to her dad dying and then coping with the events afterwards were more realistic.

I would have liked more dialogue. This is my first time reading Lil St Crow so I don't know whether this is just her style, but I felt that the long narration sometimes had me biting at the bit. Don't get me wrong, I actually did liked the narration. Dru's voice was great but so much of it in a continuous chunk was a little monotonous at times.

Then things started to go a little airy. Around 60% of the way in, so slightly over the halfway mark, it just kinda started to lose it. The characters started to really annoy me. It was like the Author got to a certain point and thought shit! What now? Then threw everything together no matter how ludicrous it sounded. It was either that or someone else started writing it. I really had to force myself to finish it. I couldn't believe my quickly my feeling towards this book changed.

It was on it's way to earning itself 5 stars, but I just totally disconnected from the characters and the story. It saddened me as I was really enjoying it. However, it did kinda settle again right toward the end. I liked it more than I didn't so I'm definitely going to continue with the series.

Right, time to go empty the dishwasher ;)

Rating: 3/6 - it was ok

Review: Venom (Elemental assassin #3) by Jennifer Estep

What kind of assassin works pro bono? 

It’s hard to be a badass assassin when a giant is beating the crap out of you. Luckily, I never let pride get in the way of my work. My current mission is personal: annihilate Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered my family. Which means protecting my identity, even if I have to conceal my powerful Stone and Ice magic when I need it most. 

To the public, I’m Gin Blanco, owner of Ashland’s best barbecue joint. To my friends, I’m the Spider, retired assassin. I still do favors on the side. Like ridding a vampire friend of her oversized stalker—Mab’s right-hand goon who almost got me dead with his massive fists. 

At least irresistible Owen Grayson is on my side. The man knows too much about me, but I’ll take my chances. Then there’s Detective Bria Coolidge, one of Ashland’s finest. Until recently, I thought my baby sister was dead. She probably thinks the same about me. Little does she know, I’m a cold-blooded killer . . . who is about to save her life.

I really need to stop star rating books on goodreads immediately after I finish reading the book. I'm way too involved and often give a 5 when really it should be a 4. I want to give this book a 5 though. :/ but I have issues with it. Notably the re-capping of previous events, and also the fact that Gin kept saying "don't worry I kill him/them. You'll never have to worry about him again" then she'd mess up, but she'd keep on saying it so that I stopped believing her. It's a little thing but still :/ 


After reading Spider's bite and Web of Lie in quick succession, I couldn't wait to get stuck into this 3rd instalment, Vemon. I'm loving this series. Gin is still kick ass but we're starting to see a little beneath the surface now. Again, it's action packed and fast paced. One of the many reasons I love this series. The only thing I don't like (and I've already mentioned) is the way Estep re-caps everything that happens in the previous books. Everything! All the time. It's like the start of a TV show "previously on..." but throughout. I find it jarring, and it makes me skip ahead a lot and I don't want to do that. This happens in every book and by the 3rd book I wanted to pull my hair out. Okay, it didn't bother me that much and the fact that it's a great series makes it up a little but I wish it would stop. I know there's a reason for it but it's getting repetitive, and to be fair, if you're going to start a series in the middle, or 3rd book in you deserve to not know what the hell is going on (IMHO). 


 All in all Vemon is a great read. You get everything you expect from Gin and more, although, please start at the beginning of the series :) 


Rating: 5/6 - Really Liked It

Review: Street Magic (Black London #1) by Caitlin Kittredge

 Her name is Pete Caldecott. She was just sixteen when she met Jack Winter, a gorgeous, larger-than-life  mage who thrilled her with his witchcraft. Then a spirit Jack summoned killed him before Pete’s eyes—or so she thought. Now a detective, Pete is investigating the case of a young girl kidnapped from the streets of London. A tipster’s chilling prediction has led police directly to the child…but when Pete meets the informant, she’s shocked to learn he is none other than Jack. Strung out on heroin, Jack a shadow of his former self.  But he’s able to tell Pete exactly where Bridget’s kidnappers are hiding: in the supernatural shadow-world of the fey.  Even though she’s spent years disavowing the supernatural, Pete follows Jack into the invisible fey underworld, where she hopes to discover the truth about what happened to Bridget—and what happened to Jack on that dark day so long ago

I'd seen a review for this somewhere (most probably Goodreads) and it instantly caught my attention. It sounded dark and gritty, both of which I really love so I kinda had high hopes.

We meet Pete in the middle of a case where children are going missing. It felt like I'd been dumped in the middle of something and didn't know what the hell was going on, but saying that, that can be a usual thing for me. And although I liked Pete right away I Initially I found the 3rd person narration a little confusing. I don't normally, but for some reason I did while reading this.

I was disappointed to be honest. Street Magic had everything I like but it never got me excited. There was just something missing that I can't put my finger on. I don't know whether it was the fact that Jack was a heroin addict, or that there was no spark between the two, I just don't know. And I don't just mean a romantic spark SPOILER (scroll to see) incidentally, I really didn't understand why she'd offer to die for him. Up to that point it came across as she really didn't care for him at all END SPOILER. 

I need to mention the swear words. They were so distracting. On one page it would be all Wankstick, demon-buggering gits, then on the next it would be fucking cunts and dickheads. You either commit to swearing or you don't. The strange mix of hard and soft swear words just sounded stupid. 

Also I never really believed that they were in London. The story could have took place anywhere really. I first thought that it was maybe it was London USA until Big Ben chimed. But I never really felt it but that could be just my predjuice. If I think of London I think dank and dark Jack the ripper London. 

I never connected with Jack and I know it's not the actual drug theme as I never had a problem with the drug use in the Downside Ghost series. It's because he's a heroin addict. It's just a dirty stanky drug. I think if he'd had an addiction to a fictional drug, or pills, or anything else but heroin I would have felt differently but I just didnt like him because of that drug, and couldn't take to him on an emotional level. I've already said that I liked Pete, and I did at the start but Jesus H Christ what a nag she was. I felt like yelling for her just to stop. She didn't shut up whinging and moaning and after a while it wore on my nerves a bit. 

I just didn't become emotionally engaged in the two leads or the story at all. Not at any point of the story did I feel like I knew what the hell was going on, even the magic was confusing and wasn't very visual. The second half of the book was much better than the first but it wasn't enough. I will read the 2nd book in the series though. I thought it was okay (I did finish it) but I had issues with it. I'm sorry I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. 

Rating: 3/6 - it was okay

Review: Kiss of Snow (Psy-Changeling #10) by Nalini Singh

Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness. 

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would've been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.  Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other's secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight… 

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna's darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat…

It feels like I've waited for this book for so long. I adore this series. Nalini singh is the author I use to judge all other paranormal romance by. In fact she has spoiled me. I was introduced to this series at the start of my foray into PNR/Urban Fantasy by a friend and it set the standard. Sometimes I wish I'd read Christen Feehan first, because at least then I wouldn't have something good to compare it too. No one can beat Nalini Singh. No one. Hers are the only books I don't ever roll my eyes too (okay admittedly maybe once during the first book!). They are the only books I've come across that have great romance coupled with an interesting and kiss ass plot. No other series/book combines the two quite as well, no where near as well.

Hawke's story is one that has been slowly burning away in the background from book one (Slave to Sensation), and one I've been desperate to read. I'd read excerpts/quotes on Singh's website and on Goodreads and they only whetted my appetite. I wasn't disappointed. It was everything I'd hoped for and more. Hawke and Sienna's history being what it is, every look and interaction was filled with sexual tension, and both of them were at breaking point.

The second romance between the pack healer, Lara and, Walker Sienna's uncle, was an added bonus but I do wish they had their own book. I think they deserved that. There was also the birth of Sascha and Lucas's baby which was lovely, and I enjoyed seeing the Changelings reaction to this.

There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered surrounding the Psy, and to be honest I was far more interested in the Changelings this time round. I really need to reread the book again (maybe slightly slower this time :) ) to enable me to take more information in.

A fantastic read. 


Rating: 6/6 - It Was Amazing

Review: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5) by Ilona Andrews

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job. 

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate. 

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price.

I re-read the first 4 books in the Kate Daniels series in January (for the 3rd time). Mistakenly thinking this was due out the beginning of February. I was wrong and I was only slightly annoyed that I had to wait another few months (yeah this review is kinda old).


I love this series. I love Kate and Curran, and I love Ilona Andrews. Although I didn't get ecstatic over the scenes from Curran's pov, I did enjoy them.


Magic Slays was released on the same day as Kiss of Snow, the 10th Psy-Changling book, and another favourite series of mine. I ended up reading Kiss of Snow first because I've been impatiently waiting for that one for what felt like ages, but that's neither here nor there regarding my preference.


The one thing about this series I'd forgotten about was the humour. In those short months I forgot how funny these books were. As with the other books, Magic Slay had me laughing out loud. I love Kate's and Curran's relationship and how they bounce off each other. The one thing that jumped out at me though was how violent they can be together when Kate is super angry. They get very physical and sometimes it's hard to read.


As usual the story felt very visual. I love the world building of this series, and Andrew's ability to put you in her world so easily.


A great read, and if you haven't started this series yet, what are you waiting for?


Rating: 6/6 - It Was Amazing

Review: Grave Witch (Alex Craft #1) by Kalayna Price

As a grave witch, Alex Craft can speak to the dead-she's even on good terms with Death himself. As a consultant for the police, she's seen a lot of dark magic, but nothing has prepared her for her latest case. When she's raising a "shade" involved in a high profile murder, it attacks her, and then someone makes an attempt on her life. Someone really doesn't want her to know what the dead have to say, and she'll have to work with mysterious homicide detective Falin Andrews to figure out why.

I saw this book a while ago on a book blog or Goodreads, I forget which and I managed to picked it up a few weeks ago. It was the cover that caught my eye originally but the story also sounded really interesting so I didn't wait too long before starting it.

Alex is a grave witch. She can raise and speak to the dead but she goes near blind afterwards. I really liked that using her grave sight had a price -I not sure why I like the fact that she became vulnerable, but I did. She isn't stupid and that is a big plus for me. There’s nothing I dislike more than an annoyingly stupid heroine (coughMacfromDarkfevercough). Okay she rushes ahead sometimes and that can get her into trouble, but you can see why she couldn't wait around so it's easy to let that go.

Death (a sole collector only Alex seems to be able to see), and Falin (a police detective) are the two love interests and I liked them both. I felt that Death could have played a bigger part in the whole scheme of things than he did but because there was a lot more of Falin, it was him I felt I 'knew' better so was rooting for him throughout.

It was very easy to get into and the writing was really good. Alex is a rounded character and very likable. Death was cool but Falin was sexy.

I couldn't put it down. I really, really enjoyed it.

A great start to a promising series.

Rating: 5/6 - Really liked it

Review: Hunted By The Others (H&W Investigations #1) by Jess Haines

Shiarra Waynest's detective work was dangerous enough when her client base was strictly mortal. But ailing finances have forced her to accept a lucrative case that could save her firm - if it doesn't kill her first. Shiarra has signed on to work for a high-level mage to recover an ancient artifact owned by one of New York's most powerful vampires. As soon as Shiarra meets sexy, mesmerizing vamp Alec Royce, she knows her assignment is even more complicated than she thought. With a clandestine anti-Other group trying to recruit her, and magi being eliminated, Shiarra needs back-up and enlists her ex-boyfriend - a werewolf whose non-furry form is disarmingly appealing - and a nerdy mage with surprising talents. But it may not be enough. In a city where the undead roam, magic rules, and even the Others aren't always what they seem, Shiarra has just become the secret weapon in a battle between good and evil - whether she likes it or not.

I've been in a bit of a slum these past few days, flitting from book to book. I'd read a few pages of one then quickly leave it for another. Then the cover of Hunted by The Others caught my eye on Goodreads, I saw all the good ratings and thought why not. I'm kinda glad I did, at first.


Shianna is a PI, a PI whose business is in trouble and both she and it, are running in the red. Needing money fast she takes a seemingly easy job for a lot of money and bites of way more than she can chew.


I don't know how I feel about this book. It started off good but slowly turned into Darkfever #2.


The weapon cave made me think of Batman but nowhere near as cool. There was lots of mundane dialogue, no humour and not very exciting. I don't get why she was so special that everyone wanted a piece of her. I didn't feel the attraction/spark between her and Royce either.


I quite liked Shianna but I'd like her more if she'd shown some loyalty instead of switching sides so easily. I get the she was struggling with the fact that there wasn't a side she wanted to be on, but wow a show of fangs/a slight hint of a threat and she was anyones. A pair of balls wouldn't have gone a miss.


With frequent info dumps, no excitement and a dull protagonist, I not so much struggled to finish this, more that I wasn't really interest. After taking 3 days to read the first half of the book I finally seemed to settle into it around chapter 19. I still found the plot up to this point a little lame but I knew if I could get past all the setting up of the story/characters I'd start to enjoy it more because the writing was good.


I did hate the fact the belt could 'talk'. It was so cheesy but I'm nic-picking now.


Chaz was boring and I didn't trust him, in fact I didn't really care for any of the characters and I guess that was one of the main issues I had with it.


I may get tempted to read the next installment in the hope of it getting better, but I don't hold out too much hope.


Rating: 3/6 - It Was Okay

Review: A Fistful of Charms (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows #4) by Kim Harrison

Description (from Goodreads)

The evil night things that prowl Cincinnati despise witch and bounty hunter Rachel Morgan. Her new reputation for the dark arts is turning human and undead heads alike with the intent to possess, bed, and kill her -- not necessarily in that order.

Now a mortal lover who abandoned Rachel has returned, haunted by his secret past. And there are those who covet what Nick possesses -- savage beasts willing to destroy the Hollows and everyone in it if necessary.

Forced to keep a low profile or eternally suffer the wrath of a vengeful demon, Rachel must nevertheless act quickly. For the pack is gathering for the first time in millennia to ravage and to rule. And suddenly more than Rachel's soul is at stake.

I took a mini break after reading book 3 of The Hollows series, Every Which Way But Dead. I was rushing through them as per usual and I always end up regretting it, so I decided to read a different book in between. The book I chose took me a few days to finish so I was more than ready to get back to this series.


Jenks was kinda getting on my nerves at the beginning. I wanted to get hold of him, give him a rough shake and shout at him to get a grip. I didn't see the point of his sulking. Yes, small Pixies have massive egos but what was Harrison's point of having him run off at the last 1/3 of book 3 and just disappear? It didn't benefited the plot any, not as far as I can see anyway. It just made me annoyed with him. He's a blabber mouth, everyone knows it, even him and we love him anyway. He really needed to get over it more quickly. I forgave him not long after, though :)


I was a little shocked at how Kist went from bad ass to domestic kitten in the space of 5 months. Yes he's still dangerous (he's got sharp teeth, duh) but he just seemed like 'the boyfriend' and not a very interesting one at that. I want to see bad ass Kisten!


The first half was a little slow for me. In fact, it felt like it went on forever. It wasn't until I looked on goodreads that I realised how long it was (500 odd pages). I'm still liking Rachel but I'm noticing that she's really quite selfish (I may be late to party with this). I don't think she realises it, though, or that it's done consciously. She just is. It's most obvious with her treatment of Ivy.


And what the hell happened to Nick? Okay, fair dues, I didn't particularly like him anyway but wow he really did get the shitty end of the stick in this book. He went from being an okay kinda guy to a real slimy jerk. I also have to mention the weres. I love werewolves. I really, really do, but they are horrible in this book. Yes, okay they are the bad guys, but come on, really?!


Overall I did really like this book, although I do think it would have been better if the werewolves had more character. They could have been fleshed out better.


Rating: 5/6 - Really Liked It

Review: Every Which Way But Dead (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows #3) by Kim Harrison

Description (from Goodreads)

There's no witch in Cincinnati tougher, sexier, or more screwed up than bounty hunter Rachel Morgan, who's already put her love life and soul in dire jeopardy through her determined efforts to bring criminal night creatures to justice. Between runs, she has her hands full fending off the attentions of her blooddrinking partner, keeping a deadly secret from her backup, and resisting a hot new vamp suitor. Rachel must also take a stand in the war that's raging in the city's underworld, since she helped put away its former vampire kingpin - and made a deal with a powerful demon to do so that could cost her an eternity of pain, torment, and degradation. And now her dark "master" is coming to collect his due.

This is the third book of Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series and it has a lot of meat. I'm hooked on this series now and I really enjoyed this one, in fact, I think it's my favourite so far. Although it doesn't seem to have much plot it makes up for it with character development and lots of acton.


Rachel doesn't have it easy. There's a lot going on in this book. Big Al continues to be the bane of Rachel's life. Always turning up when he's least expected to leaving Rachel way under prepared, but she always manages to come up triumphant. Luckily (very lucky) for her she has friends who would do anything to help her.


I really loved the date with Kisten and I'm really, really glad it happened. It did kinda feel a little sudden though, that's he's gone from scary to dateable in such a short space of time but hey I'm not complaining :)


Rating: 5/6 - Really Liked It

Review: Rebirth (Otherworld #1) by Kelley Armstrong

Rebirth is no longer available online (so says Goodreads)


I don't really like short stories so I tend to avoid them, even if they're by my favourite author. I never know how to review them, especially ones that begin a series. Sometimes the writing is completely different than the next installment, and not in a good way. I usually only read them if I really need to for the story. I read this one because I was so confused about the reading order and the whole concept of the otherworld, and women of the otherworld series so I thought it best to start at the beginning.


To tell the truth I had no idea what was going on, and I thought it was total rubbish. The only reason I finished reading it was that it was short. If I'd seen that book cover (I read it on my kindle) I wouldn't have gone near it. And yes I am claiming it towards my reading goal!


You want to know what the story is about? Um it's about a guy who's mother tells him -on his deathbed (I think) that he won't die but become a vampire instead. However, he has to kill a person and drink their blood once a year, every year, to stay alive. He vows not to but then does so, vowing that would be the first and only time. He meets another vampire, a female and I think they team up. The end. And this is where I regret not making some kind of notes while I read, and not writing up reviews in a timely manner.


Okay, I know I'm a little rubbish at reviews but I think I hit an all time low this time. I really wouldn't bother reading rebirth (or this review for that matter) if I was you.


Rating: 2/6 - Struggled to Finished

Review: Dark lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J.R. Ward

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood...

The only purebred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed - orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate - Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead... Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both


I borrowed this book quite a few months ago and left it to gather dust before finally picking up 6 months later. I don't know why I left it so long, but I'd start it then turn the first page over and think blah, before putting it back on the shelf.

I kinda liked it to begin with, but I ended up skipping parts. Yes sex, lust and all that good stuff is great but I like the emotions behind those feelings to be more believable than they were. I liked wrath though. Although a toned down version would have been better. The lessers, Mr X, and Marissa all bored me and I ended up skipping to Wrath and Beth parts.

I started off quite liking it, then I liked it a little, then I began to get bored, then finally my eyes began to roll. The more I read the less I liked it. I really wanted to like it but there were too many inconsistencies. Like near the beginning wrath didn't like beth leaving because she was near the Change but over half way she still hasn't changed yet it stopped being an issue.

I won't read it again, although I may read the next book at some point in the future just to make sure I don't want to carry on with the series. I know a few of my friends like it, so I figure that I'm either missing something or it gets better. We'll see.

Rating: 2/6 - Struggled to Finished

Review: Stolen (Women of the otherworld #2) by Kelley Armstrong

Description (from Goodreads)

Even though she's the world's only female werewolf, Elena Michaels is just a regular girl at heart -- with larger than normal appetites. She sticks to three feasts a day, loves long runs in the moonlight, and has a lover who is unbelievable frustrating yet all the more sexy for his dark side. Like every regular girl, she certainly doesn't believe in witches. Then again, when two small, ridiculously feminine women manage to hurl her against a wall, and then save her from the hunters on her tail, Elena realizes that maybe there are more things in heaven and earth than she's dreamt of.

Vampires, demons, shamans, witches -- in Stolen they all exist, and they're all under attack. An obsessed tycoon with a sick curiosity is well on his way to amassing a private collection of supernaturals, and plans to harness their powers for himself -- even if it means killing them. For Elena, kidnapped and imprisoned deep underground, separated from her Pack, unable to tell her friends from her enemies, choosing the right allies is a matter of life and death.

This is the second book in the Women of the Otherworld series, and another great read.

I'd read some reviews before I started this (I know but I couldn't help myself) and I was a little apprehensive. I'm reading this series for the werewolves and some reviews imply that there wasn't much of the wolves. But I needn't have worried. There was plenty.

I got totally absorbed. Again. I love clay and elena and I'm going to miss them until I can read Broken.

I adore Armstrong's writing style (well the style these first 2 books are written in at least). She doesn't seem to waste words, or emotions. She doesn't repeat things over and over until her point is slapping you in the face. She doesn't spoon feed you, she expects you to feed yourself, and I like that. I definitely like that.

That's not to imply that it's devoid of emotion, it's so not. Infact I teared up a few times, its just that Armstrong make you work for them. It makes reading her books (or these books) such a pleasure. I don't think it was as good as Bitten, but it still great.

Rating: 5/6 - Really Liked It

Review: Crescendo (hush hush #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Description (from Goodreads)

Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but atleast she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.
Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Path hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.
Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperatly searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

I'm not sure why I hadn't read this before now. I think that maybe I was distracted by other series. I remember I really liked Hush Hush, and I remember looking for reviews for Crescendo. I just never got round to it I suppose.

I only remembered about it now because I'd just finished just finished Torment. I just hoped would be better.

I found it a little difficult to get into a first. I couldn't remember why I liked it, and nothing much about the characters at all.

I had to read up on it just to get everything straight in my head. I shouldn't have bothered. Nora is the stupidest person I've ever read about, and Vee is just a pain in the arse. She has to be the worst excuse of a friend ever. I can't believe I ever liked these people. Reading this gave me a headache. I don't even know where to start... oh wait, how about the fact that I just wanted to punch them all in the face all the way through? I've never swore so much reading a book in my life.

The ending was only slightly better as I didn't see it coming (forgive me I had a headache). Although I think the plot was written for 5 year olds who wouldn't question or even notice that nothing made sense.

I could go on about patch, or about the worse love triangle in the history of love triangles but I can't really be bothered. I've had enough frustration for one day.

Rating: 2/6 - Struggled to Finish

Review: The good, the bad, and the Undead (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows #2) by Kim Harrison

Description (from Goodreads)

Rachel Morgan s back, and in more trouble than ever! Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and other vampire novels won t want to miss the second novel in Kim Harrison s addicting--and already bestselling--supernatural series.

Former-bounty-hunter Rachel Morgan has it pretty good. She s left the corrupt Inderland Runner Service and started her own independent service. She s survived werewolves, shape-changing demons, bad-hair days, and sharing a church with her vampire roommate Ivy. She even has a cute (if human) boyfriend-what more could a witch want?

But living with a reformed vampire isn t all it s cracked up to be, particularly when your roommate s very bad ex-boyfriend wants her back, and wouldn t mind you in the process. And especially when he s six feet of sheer supernatural seduction, and you ve got a demon mark that makes vampires literally hotter than hell....

To save herself and Ivy, Rachel must confront the vampire master-and the dark secrets she's hidden even from herself.

I struggled to get to grips with the first couple of pages. It felt like I was just dumped straight into the thick of it and it took me a few pages to catch up. This happened with the first book, but I kinda guess that's the effect Harrison's after. Its one of the first elements of story telling we're taught in school after all; put the reader straight into the middle of the action. But when there's so much mundane detail right at the beginning it confuses me, well it does with Hollow books. But I'm nitpicking.

What I'm loving about this series so far are the vampires. They are scary! These aren't loveable rouges, no they are scary motherfuckers and I love it. Ivy especially. God when she blows she blows evil on your ass. She's so calm that it's chilling.

I know what was missing from the first book! Romance! I'm glad it finally made an appearance here. During the first half I didn't feel the chemistry between nick and Rachel at all (maybe because there wasn't any). I even though for a brief moment that she may have got on it with Glenn (lol). I'm glad we saw a bit more of their relationship (her and Nicks).

I found myself skim reading parts of the last quarter of the book, though. I think mainly it was because the action (tension?) scenes were littered with other little details that I got distracted. I was rushing to get to the important bits.

I really liked the plot, and enjoyed the book as a whole. I wish there was less mundane detail though. It clogs up the action and distracts me. It's for that reason this gets a 5 and not a 6.

I'm still looking forward to reading the next book though.

Rating: 5/6 - Really Liked It

Encouragement Needed

Ugh. I'm really struggling to finish Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. I'm over the halfway mark but it's driving me crazy. I need to finish it so it doesn't end up on my December Challenge (to re-read all the books I couldn't finish during 2011).

I'd been really looking forward to starting this series and I was really excited to start the first book. I just couldn't get into it. I was hoping that it would get going and improve after a few chapters, it was the first book after all. Maybe it was me. Maybe I'd hyped it up too much in my head. Had I built it up into something it wasn't?

I can't stand Mac, and Barrons... words fail me.

Please tell me that it gets better, that it'll be worth it in the end?

Review: Dead Witch Walking (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows #1) by Kim Harrison

Description (from Goodreads)

The underground population of witches, vampires, werewolves—creatures of dreams and nightmares—has lived beside humans for centuries, hiding their powers. But after a genetically engineered virus wipes out a large part of humanity, many of the "Inderlanders" reveal themselves, changing everything.

Rachel Morgan, witch and bounty hunter with the Inderland Runner Services, is one of the best at apprehending supernatural lawbreakers throughout Cincinnati, but when it comes to following the rules, she falls desperately short. Determined to buck the system, she quits and takes off on the run with an I.S. contract on her head and is reluctantly forced to team up with Ivy, Inderland's best runner . . . and a living vampire. But this witch is way out of her league, and to clear her name, Rachel must evade shape-changing assassins, outwit a powerful businessman/crime lord, and survive a vicious underground fight-to-the-death . . . not to mention her own roommate.

I first started reading this late 2010 but for some reason (I think it had something to do with the annoying pixy) I couldn't get into it so only after a few pages I'd leave it and read something else. I'd pick it up every once and a while but I'd read maybe a page then, again, I would looked for something else. It was only when I started to read Shiver (and looking for something else to read in order to avoid it) that I picked it up again and managed to stick with it.

Actually the pixy isn't that annoying. I can't really tell you why I thought he was in the first place, but once I got used to him buzzing round, it was like meh, whatever. Around halfway through I started to like him. I was just really prejudiced against pixies I guess. Maybe I was just sceptical since this was my first time with fairyland characters. I found Ivy really dark and intriguing. The incident with Rachel when they first moved into the church was creepy. I like creepy.

The characters felt well rounded and were easy to like. Rachel wasn't annoying like some heroines I've read recently, and her actions felt real. Above all else though, it's just really well written. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Rating: 5/6 - I Really liked It

Review: Wild Rain (Leopards #2) by Christine Feehan

Humm. There isn't a description as such on Goodreads. I guess even they had trouble trying to describe what happens in this book. I'll try... A woman on a aid mission in a rain forest fakes her own death. She is attacked by a leopard after finding a deserted hut. However it is not deserted. She is helped by the owner of the hut. Things get sensual... No, I wont give up my day job :)

Straight away I knew I liked this slightly more than the first book in this series, The Awakening. Although the quantity of different names in the first 2 pages felt like a roll call. But when a breast presses against a chest on the 2nd page I had to groan. I have to admit, though, it did surprise me a little. Yes it has more story than the novella, but only just. It held slightly more promise at the beginning but then slipped and I got bored. I began getting annoyed that I'd started reading it at the weekend when I could've been reading something worthwhile, so I stopped with the attention of picking it back up at some point later that week.

6 months later... I was sick of seeing it sitting, or rather lying, on my bedside table, so decided it was finally time to finish it. It wasn't too bad. The story wasn't great, it was a slow first half, actually it was all slow. Slow and sensual. Rachael was a quite whiny. She'd constantly refuse to talk about some things in her past when Rio was for the most part, open with her.

The lack plot wasn't too annoying, but the one thing that irritated me the most was the constant repetition of their names; Rachael, Rio, Rachael, Rio. Rio? Rachael? Rio! Rachael? UGH! SHUT UP! People don't talk like that.

Random thought; a mango. Really?!

Apart from a couple of instances, most of the story centres around Rio's hut/house in a rainforest and nothing much happens at all. Like AT ALL.

It was boring as hell but I could read it. Not like Nightwalker, or The Turning, where the writing/character development/dialogue was so bad that I had to stop reading before I tore my hair out, because Wild Rain has no character development, or plot for that matter. But at least I've learnt something useful; sensual = boring. If I read sensual in a books description I'll know not to read it :)

Rating: 3/6 - It Was Okay (boring but okay)

Review: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games Trilogy #2) by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol.

Wow just wow. I loved this book. So intense. Slight spoiler coming, look away now.... (highlight to see)

...I kinda knew that Gale wouldn't be the victor of katniss's heart. After everything she and peeta went through the Games it would have been impossible for her to have the same kind of bonds with Gale.

I think I'm secretly hoping that mockingjay would enable them to share something that could bring their relationship back on tract (whatever that relationship may be).

A fantastic read.

Rating: 6/6 - It Was Amazing

Review: The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I'd kinda been shying away from this series due to the hype the books received, especially Mockingjay. I don't think it help that Mockingjay was all over twitter when it came out. But I knew I wanted to read them so I tried to avoid the spoilers, but jeez it was just everywhere.

I really shouldn't have waited, save the benefit of having all 3 books already published so no waiting months on end (years?!).

I really, really liked it. I was hooked from the start. Katniss's voice and personality were so strong. Wow the Games. What can I say that hasn't been said? The concept was brilliant and the world building was vivid. I loved the ease she had with Gale while they were out hunting at the beginning.

I think my heart broke a little when she told peeta that he had no competition... anywhere . All through the book I held out for Gale, and although I knew that romance wasn't the main theme in the book, I still held out for some. When you're fighting for you life I guess romance takes a back seat. The guys created the love triangle though not katniss. I don't think she would have a had a clue otherwise.

This book made me laugh out loud, cry, and tug at my hair . Well worth all the uncertainty.

Rating: 6/6 - It Was Amazing

Review: Bitten (women of the otherworld #1) by Kelley Armstrong

Description (from Goodreads)

Ever since her parents were killed in a car accident when she was five, Elena Michaels has longed for a normal family life. Smart, beautiful, and engaged to be married, Elena hopes to fulfill that dream when disaster strikes. Not only has her fiancé lied about his secret life as a werewolf, but he's made her one, too. She has no choice but to join him at Stonehaven, the upstate New York home of an elite pack of werewolves.

In an attempt to break away, she moves to Toronto to lead a normal life. Working as a journalist, Elena now lives with her new architect boyfriend, works out in the basement gym of their high-rise apartment, lunches with girlfriends from the office, and —once a week, at four in the morning —runs naked and furred through a downtown Toronto ravine, ripping out the throats of her animal prey. But when a band of outlaw werewolves threatens the Stonehaven pack, Elena's feral instincts drive her back there to join the defense. What follows is a war for territory, for pride, and ultimately for Elena herself.

I'll be blunt; I LOVED this book. I loved Elena, in fact I loved all of the characters. Armstrong writes wonderfully. The emotional pull you feel is subtle. Armstrong doesn't give it to you easy, the clues are there you just have to see them. She doesn't tell you, she shows you. You feel everything Elena feels.

I must admit I'm apprehensive about the rest of these books. I don't know how this series is going to pan out; the reading order seems confused; the otherworld, women of the otherworld, short stories; are they seperate yet together? I read a short (rebirth) Which starts these books (or did it, did it start the men of the otherworld?).  It was okay, not my style but then again shorts aren't my style. So this series may take a wrong turn for me somewhere along the line but I'm willing to try. I have to try. I loved this book too much not to try. I just hope the rest are as good as this.

Rating 6/6 - It Was Amazing