Tori's Review: Shadow's Claim by Kresley Cole

Released: November 27, 2012
Paperback: 496 pages
Price: $7.99
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 
Source: Bought 
Genre: Paranormal Romance 
Series: The Dacians 
Buy: Amazon


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Shadow's Claim features Prince Trehan, a ruthless master assassin who will do anything to possess Bettina, his beautiful sorceress mate, even compete for her hand in a blood-sport tournament—to the death.

He won't be denied...

Trehan Daciano, known as the Prince of Shadows, has spent his life serving his people, striking in the night, quietly executing any threat to their realm. The coldly disciplined swordsman has never desired anything for himself—until he beholds Bettina, the sheltered ward of two of the Lore's most fearsome villains.

She's bound to another...

Desperate to earn her guardians' approval after a life-shattering mistake, young Bettina has no choice but to marry whichever suitor prevails—even though she's lost her heart to another. Yet one lethal competitor, a mysterious cloaked swordsman, invades her dreams, tempting her with forbidden pleasure.

A battle for her body and soul...

Even if Trehan can survive the punishing contests to claim her as his wife, the true battle for Bettina's heart is yet to come. And unleashing a millennium's worth of savage need will either frighten his Bride away—or stoke Bettina's own desires to a fever-pitch...

My Rating:

My Opinion:
Bzzt, bzzt. Brain has short-circuited from the awesomeness of this book.

Okay, on a serious note, I don't want to write a fangirl review. BUT since I am a KC fangirl, I find it impossible to avoid. For that reason, I think it is safe to say that once again, Kresley Cole has written an amazing title that you would be silly not to read. These books just keep getting better, the characters are always unique, and there's always humor. Who doesn't enjoy a good old dollop of humor in their cup of romance?

I am intrigued to learn about the other Dacians now that we've gotten a taste of who each of these sexy vamps are through Trehan's story. I was particularly happy to see Lothaire make an appearance. I laughed my ass off in a lot of those scenes.

Another must read. I think you should read the IAD series first (just to attain a further understanding of this world), however, it is not entirely necessary to do so. You simply run the risk of not appreciating some of the characters as much as us IAD fans do.


Series Order:
1. Shadow's Claim

Tori's Review: Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione

Released: November 20, 2012
Paperback: 432 pages
Price: $7.99
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Source: Netgalley 
Genre: Paranormal Romance 
Series: Lords of Deliverance 
Buy: Amazon


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Jillian Cardiff came to this remote mountain town to forget the demon attack that almost killed her. Instead, she rescues-and falls for-a gorgeous stranger who has no memory of anything other than his name. Handsome, charming, and protective, Reseph seems like the kind of man whom Jillian can trust. But with hints of a troubling history of his own, he's also the kind of man who can be very dangerous . . .

Reseph may not know why he mysteriously appeared in Jillian's life, but he knows he wants to stay. Yet when Jillian's neighbors are killed, and demon hunters arrive on the scene, Reseph fears that he's putting Jillian in danger. And once it's revealed that Reseph is also Pestilence, the Horseman responsible for ravaging the world, he and Jillian must face the greatest challenge of all: Can they forget the horrors of a chilling past to save the future they both desire?

My Rating:

My Opinion:
Larissa Ione has done it yet again. She has blown me away with her superb writing skills, lovable characters, and a world that is so lush it's hard to remember that it's not real.

I think Reseph's story was the one I anticipated the most. I loved his playboy character, his carefree attitude, and I was so curious to see how she would redeem him after his ugly transformation into the wicked Pestilence. I was also worried that the heroine in this novel wouldn't live up to my expectations. I have a tendency to expect the heroine to be badass enough to be with the heroes I adore, and more often than not, a lot of the heroines end up being whiny and lack a backbone.

Not the case with Jilly (am I going to get hit with a frying pan??). Despite her traumatizing past, she essentially shoves her fears aside and defends those she cares for. Her character isn't suffocating with motherly instincts. She isn't a pushover. She knows what she wants, and she won't cave in--even to Reseph. And Reseph in turn doesn't turn into some whipped boytoy by the end of the story. He was humbled without being emasculated. Hoorah!!

I thought that this would be the end to the Horsemen series, but I was thrilled to see that there would be another book. No saying goodbye yet. There were so many twists this time around, and I came to care for characters I initially felt deserved whatever horrible fate they had coming their way. It's amazing how a few scenes can completely change my perspective, and I think this just affirms that Larissa is an excellent storyteller.

Worldbuilding is of course amazing. The plot doesn't have any lulls in it. The sex, like always, was hot. Not too many mushy scenes that would make you feel like you'd get a bunch of cavities; in fact, those lovey scenes didn't turn me off like they sometimes do in other books. It worked, and I think it worked because I knew that those scenes held so much more meaning because of the characters and their pasts.

Another amazing read. Start this series from the beginning. Like I've said in other reviews, if you really want to appreciate this world, start from the very beginning in the Daemonica series. Lots of books to read, but its worth it in the end.

Series Order:
1. Eternal Rider (Tori's Review)
2. Immortal Rider (Tori's Review)
3. Lethal Rider (Tori's Review)
4. Rogue Rider

Tori's Review: Death's Rival by Faith Hunter

Released: October 2, 2012
Paperback: 336 pages
Price: $7.99
Publisher: Penguin 
Source: Publisher 
Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Series: Jane Yellowrock 
Buy: Amazon

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Jane Yellowrock is a shapeshifting skinwalker you don’t want to cross—especially if you’re one of the undead…

For a vampire killer like Jane, having Leo Pellisier as a boss took some getting used to. But now, someone is out to take his place as Master Vampire of the city of New Orleans, and is not afraid to go through Jane to do it. After an attack that’s tantamount to a war declaration, Leo knows his rival is both powerful and vicious, but Leo’s not about to run scared. After all, he has Jane. But then, a plague strikes, one that takes down vampires and makes their masters easy prey.

Now, to uncover the identity of the vamp who wants Leo’s territory, and to find the cause of the vamp-plague, Jane will have to go to extremes…and maybe even to war.

My Rating:

My Opinion:
Holy sweet baby Jesus, this book was good.

It took me longer than expected to finish DEATH'S RIVAL (DR); I was planning on finishing the day after I started, and wanted to have my review posted before the October release date. Alas, GREs thwarted my plans--but I managed to survive them! ...unfortunately, I don't think I will survive the wait for the next book.

It's no secret that I am a fangirl of the JY series, and these books hold a special place in my heart. SKINWALKER was the first novel I ever wrote a review for on Book Faery. Jane, Beast, Leo, Rick, and Bruiser are a unique bunch, and they never fail to keep me amused. Much like Kresley Cole's IAD series, whenever I read about Jane and her world, I feel like I'm coming back home and reuniting with some good friends.

The start, much like RAVEN CURSED (RC), was somewhat slow for my tastes. It took me a brief period of time to become fully immersed in Faith's writing. Like I said in my review of RC, those who may not be as invested in the series (or those of you sillies who read this series out of order) have a higher chance of not feeling invested enough to continue reading the book. I hope not, but based off my own reading experiences from new-to-me authors/novels, if I'm not pulled in right away, I probably won't continue reading. What I've come to notice in the more recent books in the JY series is that the beginnings are a slow buildup. By the time you finally get to the last few scenes, it's like an avalanche effect; Faith hits you over the head with one thing after another and I absolutely love it.

Religion and Jane's faith came up again, but I did not find it to be as obnoxious as it was in MERCY BLADE (MB). Jane has, for the most part, come to terms with her beliefs, and she has come to understand and accept what is morally acceptable for her person. I never thought I would say this, but I felt like her religion humanizes her when compared to the vampires that she interacts with on a daily basis. This is especially true by the final showdown...which was amazing.

There are quite a few plot twists in DR; one in particular made my jaw drop and had me squealing in displeasure about halfway through. I was so pissed on Jane's behalf, and I really wished I could have punched Leo for her. I eventually forgave him, but then the ending of the book had me about to start squealing again. By this point, I didn't know who I wanted to punch, though Rick may be the most likely candidate, surprisingly enough.

Speaking of the ending of the book: wow. It wasn't a cliffhanger by any means, but it was open-ended regarding a fairly important issue affecting both Jane and Beast. For that reason, it kind of feels like a cliffhanger for me--hence my angsting as I await the next book release.

One thing I think readers with similar tastes to my own will take issue with is the romance in this series. There is no set love interest (well I guess there kind of was before, but I'm not so sure that he is now after the way he reacted to Jane's reaction *sad panda*), but there are quite a few men that Jane and Beast either want to mate with or flirt with. I have no problem with this, because I think Faith handles everything both tastefully and realistically, but some readers who are jaded when it comes to YAs and the notorious love triangles may reflexively cringe at the number of men in Jane's life. I view it as: there aren't a lot of women in this line of work. Jane is a strong, beautiful, and independent woman with a mysterious air about her--of course all these single men are going to start panting over her if they interact with her on an almost daily basis. Hell, one of her nicknames is Legs. She's getting a lot of positive attention. What girl wouldn't react in a similar fashion?

Like I've been saying, if you haven't given the Jane Yellowrock series a shot, you really need to. The character development throughout the entire series is astounding, the worldbuilding is well thought out and unique, and the characters themselves will squirm their way into your heart and never let you go. The best piece of advice I can give is to start with SKINWALKER, and work your way through the series in order. If you start with a later book, you will be missing valuable information and character development. Definitely a must read.


Series Order:
1. Skinwalker (Tori's Review)
2. Blood Cross (Tori's Review)
3. Mercy Blade (Tori's Review)
4. Raven Cursed (Tori's Review)
5. Death's Rival

Tori's Review: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Released: July 10, 2012
Hardcover: 480 pages
Price: $17.99
Publisher: Random House 
Source: Amazon Vine 
Genre: YA - Fantasy
Series: Seraphina 
Buy: Amazon

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Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

My Rating:

My Opinion:
I am so depressed that I finished this book.

I wasn't expecting to have such a strong reaction to SERAPHINA; in fact, ask any of my friends the first day I started reading it and they could tell you that I was not impressed with this novel. The writing at the beginning reminds me of DoSaB By Laini Taylor, or anything by Maggie Stiefvater--not in how poetic it is, because I did not find SERAPHINA to be very poetic--but in how...different it is from the typical YA novel. I believe that, because this is a fantasy, the foreign names contributed to this "eccentric" writing style, if you will.

It was not until Seraphina met Lucien that I really took an interest in the book, if I'll be completely honest. I've been craving a good old romance, and once I realized that there was the potential for one between these two, I was hooked. I am still hooked now, and am desperately awaiting the second book in this series. Yes, there is the potential for a romance. Does one ever blossom? Maybe. Either way, I'm satisfied...for now.

I will say that Lucien is certainly not the typical romantic interest that I would squeal over. He's not dark and not an ass (well, not without good reason, anyway)--not that I support either of those qualities. He's very bubbly and cheerful, and I think he is like that in order to draw Seraphina out of her shell. I didn't see myself swooning over him like I would some other YA or adult heroes, but I liked him. He needs to grow on me more.

Seraphina was peculiar. I liked her as a character, but she kind of fell flat for me. I felt engrossed in her trials, felt myself tearing up at one particular scene, was cheering her on as she developed and grew a pair, and at the same time, I was apathetic about her. I can't describe it. I suppose I felt some sort of disconnect when it came to all the characters. They didn't pop, but I would not go so far as to say they're 2D.

There was another factor that kept me reading, even before I caught on to the potential for a romance: the dragons. I found this entire world, and how the dragons play a role in it, to be incredibly fascinating. Even when I felt myself growing tired of Lucien at some points, the dragons and my curiosity of them made me continue on. Then that curiosity shifted to the half dragons, and all the illusions inside Seraphina's head. When those creatures were first introduced, I had no interest... But leave it to Rachel to suddenly make them so important--and in turn, so mysterious--that I'm dying to learn more about them! Especially the girl who was sealed away (won't say anything more, you'll just have to read the book to know what I'm talking about).

Does this novel end with a cliffhanger? Yes and no. No, you will not be screaming and threatening the air because the story was suddenly cut off at an important scene. Yes, there are plenty of loose ends that have not been acknowledged because there is a second book in this series. I am content with how the story ended and will be able to survive the wait for book two, though I would be pissed if the series was suddenly discontinued.

Do I recommend? Well, you're either going to love it right away, you'll love it eventually (like me), or you'll probably feel apathetic. I don't think many people will hate it, but I do see people DNFing it because of the slow start. Honestly, this is one book that I'm wary of recommending because I had such an unexpected response to it.

Series Order:
0.5. The Audition (Tori's Review)
1. Seraphina
2. Dracomachia (2013 release)

Tori's Review: The Audition by Rachel Hartman

Released: June 19, 2012
Paperback: 19 pages
Price: $7.99
Publisher: N/A 
Source: Scribd
Genre: YA - Fantasy
Series: Seraphina 
Read: Scribd 



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My Rating: 

My Opinion:
This was such a cute little piece! It contained everything I fell in love with while reading SERAPHINA, and it was such an unexpected teaser that it made me want to reread SERAPHINA as soon as possible.

For those who loved the first book in this series, you will love THE AUDITION. Seraphina and Orma's interactions held more meaning to me after learning about the two in the novel. I found it humorous, to boot.

For those who were not too crazy about SERAPHINA, I am unsure if this short story will appeal to you, either. I've found that people either love Hartman's writing style, or they don't. It can't hurt to give THE AUDITION a shot, since it's free, though.

For those of you who have not yet read this series, I would suggest you save it to savor once you have finished SERAPHINA. I think that THE AUDITION gives readers a good taste of Hartman's writing style, but, unless you are familiar with the characters to begin with, I do not think many will appreciate them.

Either way, THE AUDITION is free, and I suggest you take the time to read this piece. I'm so happy I spent ten minutes to!


Series Order:
0.5. The Audition
1. Seraphina (Tori's Review)
2. Dracomachia (2013 release)


Seraphina Prequel WEB

Tori's Review: Undercurrent by Tricia Rayburn

Released: July 12, 2011
Paperback: 352 pages
Price: $8.99
Publisher: Egmont USA 
Source: BEA 2011 
Genre: Paranormal, YA
Series: Siren 
Buy: Amazon

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The sirens are back, but Vanessa may be the biggest threat of all. . . .

Nothing has been normal since Vanessa Sands learned that her sister was murdered by sirens—femme fatales of the watery depths—and that everything she believed about her family was a lie.

Her boyfriend Simon’s been the only person Vanessa feels she can really trust. But now there are some secrets she can’t tell even him. And when Vanessa finds herself in the sights of Parker, Hawthorne Prep’s resident charmer, she needs someone to confide in more than ever. Doubting her relationship with Simon, unsure of Parker’s intentions—and of her own—and terrified by what she’s learned about herself, Vanessa has never felt so alone.

But personal problems must be put aside, because the Winter Harbor sirens are back for revenge. Now, Vanessa must face her past and accept that she is just like her enemies—every bit as alluring, every bit as dangerous.

My Rating:

My Opinion:
UNDERCURRENT is the first book I've read in months. Yes, MONTHS! I've been so busy with these courses I'm taking in preparation for grad school that my brain just has not been cooperating when it comes to reading books. And then whenever it actually did cooperate, there was this little issue with me suffering from a nearly lethal dosage of book burnout.

But today, something snapped. Perhaps it's because I'm finally overcoming my cold. Or perhaps it's because I was craving a well-written story that would totally distract me for my first day off (in a while) with no worries about statistics or the human body. Either way, UNDERCURRENT had me hooked from front cover to back, and as I snapped the ARC shut, I groaned in disappointment.

I need book 3 NOW.

Tricia's got a way with words. The way she's developed Vanessa's voice is beautifully done. It's easy for the words to blur away and for her (Vanessa's) actual voice to echo in my mind as I'm reading. I feel like, instead of simply reading about Vanessa's adventures, she's telling them to me herself over a cup of coffee. I can't say that this sort of experience happens often, but I am delighted to say that it happened for the second time in this series.

And now I will begin jumping from point to point. Forget about an eloquent review here... I don't have it in me to write one yet.

The only negative in this story: Simon got on my nerves a little bit. He came off as wimpy, and in turn, Vanessa came off as heartless and weak at times. I wanted to smack him and tell him to grow a pair--especially since he's in college and shouldn't be such a lovesick puppy dog. By the middle of the book, I was happy with what happened... but then by the end, I was growling in frustration. Not so happy anymore!

I enjoyed how Tricia developed Vanessa's relationship with her parents. In most YAs, parents are notoriously absent from their child's lives... which, I mean, is great for certain stories, but not so great for others--which, in turn, feels like a cop out on the author's part. It was refreshing seeing an author embrace the family ties, as opposed to severing them for the sake of having an easier time with a story.

Don't get me wrong--Vanessa's parents aren't strict or anything, so it's not like our heroine suffered from nagging parents who insisted on a ridiculous curfew she HAD to follow. They exist in this world for another reason entirely, and I loved that reason. Kudos Tricia!

It's been a year and a half since I read SIREN, so when I first began UNDERCURRENT, I was quite a bit foggy on details. I couldn't initially remember who Paige was until the story progressed a bit further, and you know, I was totally okay with that. Once again I use the word "refreshing" in regards to this YA novel, because... we didn't get bogged down with page after page of recapping what happened in book one. Instead, Tricia started the story off strong (WOW what a beginning!) and subtly added a hint here or there to jog a reader's memory.

For those jumping on board to the series now without reading SIREN... well, you're going to be confused without so much rehashing, but I'm sure you'll get the jist of what's going on. I suggest reading SIREN first if you haven't, though. This series is perfect. The plot is interesting, there is enough of a mystery to keep you guessing (so many twists!), and the characters are all strong enough to stand on their own.

Suffice to say, this book and series is highly recommended for ALL the people who follow my reviews and look for my book recs. You won't be disappointed.


Series Order:
1. Siren (Tori's review)
2. Undercurrent

Tori's Review: Head Rush by Carolyn Crane

Released: December 6, 2011
Ebook: N/A
Price: $5.50
Publisher: Samhain
Source: Bought (the ebook--AGAIN, GASP!)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: The Disillusionists Trilogy 
Buy: Amazon




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JUSTINE JONES FACES HER ULTIMATE ENEMY: HERSELF!

In an attempt to put her unhappy past behind her, Justine Jones throws herself into nursing school and planning her wedding to Otto Sanchez, the man of her dreams. But something is off. Random details aren’t adding up, and is it her imagination, or are her friends and fiancé keeping secrets from her? And what’s with this strange sense of unease, and her odd new headaches?

Justine tries to stay upbeat as Midcity cowers under martial law, sleepwalking cannibals, and a mysterious rash of paranormal copycat violence, but her search for answers leads her into the most dangerous mindgame yet.

With the help of unlikely allies, including her paranoid dad and best frenemy Simon, Justine fights her ultimate foe…and unravels the most startling mystery of all.

My Rating:

My Opinion:
Did you ever have a bad experience with a publisher (probably because of an editor, or because of a couple of authors) that ultimately left you with a rotten taste in your mouth? I'm sure we've all gotten burnt at one point, and likewise, I'm sure there are some publishers and/or authors whom we refuse to support due to that very experience.

I start off with that question because I have been burnt, which is why it was somewhat difficult for me to (initially, like, before I finished MIND GAMES) justify purchasing HEAD RUSH. I don't want drama by stating this, because honestly, it's quite simple for me to refrain from purchasing e-books from this publisher (not that I really buy e-books that often, anyway); however, I wanted to briefly mention my... aversion--if you will--to prove how utterly amazing Carolyn Crane's Disillusionists Trilogy is. I do not buy books, and my frantic rush to not only buy, but to also finish reading DOUBLE CROSS and HEAD RUSH attests to how this series is pretty much the best urban fantasy I've read in a LONG time.

The last book that had my heart pounding and my stomach churning was ENCLAVE by Ann Aguirre. HEAD RUSH's final showdown elicited an even stronger reaction.

I felt this huge discomfort while reading, and I found myself spamming Karen with texts as I freaked out about scene after scene. She stated it perfectly well when she said how this book made her squirm. I squirmed. A lot.

There is tension. Oh boy, you could cut the tension with a knife because it got progressively more and more... tense.

Packard is a sexy beast, that is all.

One thing that annoyed me, once again, though not as much as the other two books, was Justine's sense of defending those who are being blamed for something. Sometimes, I wish she would just open her eyes, instead of deluding herself. But hey, if she did that, then there would be less tension!

Secondary characters have all squirmed their way into my heart. I love them all, and wish I knew them.

I can't say much more about this book/trilogy without spoiling some important things, so I will end my review with this: MIND GAMES, DOUBLE CROSS, and HEAD RUSH are all huge mind fucks. Expect the unexpected while reading this UF series, and enjoy every single page while you can... because once you finish, those refreshingly magical surprises that you don't find in any regular UF won't be such a brand-new-slap-in-the-face surprise anymore.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED series. Read it, like, now!


Series Order:
1. Mind Games (Tori's Review)
2. Double Cross (Tori's Review)
3. Head Rush
3.5 Devil's Luck

Tori's Review: Double Cross by Carolyn Crane

Released: September 28, 2010
Paperback: 336 pages
Price: $7.99
Publisher: Spectra 
Source: Bought (the ebook, GASP!!)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: The Disillusionists Trilogy 
Buy: Amazon



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SOME SECRETS
COME BACK TO HAUNT.
OTHERS COME TO KILL.

Justine Jones lived her life as a fearful hypochondriac until she was lured into the web of a mysterious mastermind named Packard, who gifts her with extraordinary mental powers - dooming her to fight Midcity's shadowy war on paranormal crime in order to find the peace she so desperately craves.

But now serial killers with unheard-of skills are terrorizing the most powerful beings in Midcity, including mastermind Packard and his oldest friend and worst enemy, Midcity's new mayor, who has the ability to bend matter itself to his will.

As the body count grows, Justine faces a crisis of conscience as she tests the limits of her new powers and faces an impossible choice between two flawed but brilliant men - one on a journey of redemption, the other descending into a pit of moral depravity.

My Rating:

My Opinion:
Thought # 1: Oh my god, what a mind fuck.

Thought #2: Read it in one sitting. Woo hoo, a book finally got me pulling an all nighter again!!

Little mini review aside, I think that DOUBLE CROSS had the best cliffhanger ever. It didn't piss me off and it didn't make me feel like Carolyn threw it in there for the sake of doing so because everyone's trying to hook their readers. It fit with the storyline perfectly, and I appreciated it because I wanted to read more, and I wanted to read more fast.

I haven't appreciated a good cliffhanger in a long, long time.

What's there to say about this book? For one, MIND GAMES ended on such a good note that I was salivating for DOUBLE CROSS. I reserved it at my library, and after half a day, I got way too impatient and ordered it for my Kindle.

I do not buy books (unless we're talking about an auto-buy author), and I certainly do not buy e-books. I may have a Kindle, but I get free e-books for it because I think the pricing in general is a bit ridiculous. And guess what? I didn't even CARE that DOUBLE CROSS was the same price as the paperback version; I needed this book ASAP so that I could see what happened next to Justine and Packard and Otto.

When an author has the ability to get me that invested in a book/plot/universe, I do not take that lightly. Nor do I take such stories for granted because they rarely seem to come my way anymore.

Carolyn Crane: I'm kicking myself for not reading your series sooner. You're an auto-buy for me, now.

DOUBLE CROSS, like its predecessor, receives a highly recommended from me. I think I've fallen in love with the Urban Fantasy genre all over again.


Series Order:
1. Mind Games (Tori's Review)
2. Double Cross
3. Head Rush (Tori's Review)
3.5 Devil's Luck

Tori's Review: Lothaire by Kresley Cole

Released: January 10, 2012
Hardcover: 506 pages
Price: $25.00
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 
Source: Bought 
Genre: Paranormal Romance 
Series: Immortals After Dark 
Buy: Amazon


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ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

My Rating:

 

My Opinion:
I have no words to describe how fucking amazing LOTHAIRE was, so I'm not even going to bother trying to write a "real" review. If you've read any of the IAD books, you know how kickass Lothaire (as a character) is, and if you haven't read his book yet, I genuinely don't know what could be stopping you... aside from my advice to NOT read this book if you haven't read the previous ones in the series, that is.

If you haven't read any of Kresley's Immortals After Dark books, then you are seriously missing out on one AMAZING paranormal romance series. All of Kresley's characters are three dimensional and funny to boot. Every single time I read another IAD book, I feel like I am being reunited with a bunch of old friends. No other book or series has had that effect on me. Ever.

LOTHAIRE gets two thumbs up and a highly, highly, HIGHLY recommended from me. I don't dare say anything more, since I don't want to spoil it, and since there really isn't much for me to say without beginning the fangirl squealing. Read it, people!


Series Order:
1. The Warlord Wants Forever
2. A Hunger Like No Other
3. No Rest for the Wicked
4. Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
5. Dark Needs at Night's Edge
6. Dark Desires After Dusk
7. Kiss of a Demon King
8. Deep Kiss of Winter (Tori's Review)
9. Pleasure of a Dark Prince
10. Demon from the Dark (Tori's Review)
11. Dreams of a Dark Warrior (Tori's Review)
12. Lothaire

Tori's Review: Dead Iron by Devon Monk

Paperback: 352 pages
Price: $15.00 
ISBN: 978-0451463968
Released: July 5, 2011
Publisher: Penguin
Author's Website: Devon Monk 
Buy it: Amazon
Obtained: Publisher
Genre: Steampunk 
Series: Age of Steam 
Book Order: 
1. Dead Iron

In some ways, Cedar Hunt seems to have been created for America's steam age. This hard-working bounty hunter possesses the guns, the savvy, and the grit to survive in this power-driven world; but he also has a major chip on his shoulder: He's a werewolf and, even worse, he's burning with guilt about the death of his brother. When he receives word that his sibling may yet survive, Cedar pulls out all the stops to get to the truth.

My Rating:

My Opinion: 
Amazing. DEAD IRON jostled me out of my reading funk and also got me squealing about how awesome it was--no small feat after a summer of science-filled hell.

Ever since reading Meljean Brook's amazing contribution to the BURNING UP anthology, I have been dying to get my hands on Steampunk that is not only written well, but also engaging. When I find a novel that contains both, it usually feels like I'm being swept back to those earlier years where all you would find me doing was playing Final Fantasy games. Which, interestingly enough, were like a video game-ized versions of the Steampunk genre (at least to me they are).

With that sweet memory fresh in my mind, I will now tell you why you must buy and read this book ASAP.

1) Devon takes the Steampunk genre and makes it her own. How? By making this like a Wild West story.

I hate cowboys and never really find anything out west (historical-wise) interesting. I figured if I didn't like DEAD IRON, those would be my two reasons why. Thankfully, the setting, while important, is not overly emphasized, so it is easy to forget where exactly the characters are.

And there are no cliche cowboys. YES!

2) This is not your typical gritty story. There is bloodshed, brains getting busted open, and so much gore I was actually surprised at how far the brain-bashing went. Thankfully, it was tastefully done. The killings were much deserved when they happened, and that little vindictive part of me that always wishes the heroes and heroines extracted their revenge more fully, rejoiced. Devon was not afraid to get down and dirty, and I really appreciated that.

3) The final battle...

HOLY COW. Even if you don't like Steampunk, you should read DEAD IRON for that battle. It was the coolest and most creative one I've read in a long time. Plus, the ending was done so well I was excited and felt like I was part of the party.

Now that I say that, I can't help but think of Oregon Trail. Someone's gonna get cholera or will be swept down the river.

While I do rate DEAD IRON 5 stars, I would like to mention that I had a few issues with the book (that initially was going to make me rate it a 4 before I finished reading).

First is that the story does lag at a few points. Thankfully, since I read DEAD IRON over such an extended period of time, the lulls did not bother me as much as they might have, normally.

The second is that I would have liked a bit more world-building. I felt like I was in Cedar's world, but I also felt disconnected from it all at the same time. I'm still trying to pinpoint what exactly was throwing me off-kilter while reading DEAD IRON, and the only thing I can come up with is the POV.

This novel follows a few characters, which amps up the tension when the final battle draws nearer (and got my heart racing at almost every scene). Before the battle, however, I felt like there was some sort of emotional chasm separating me from the characters. The only way I can describe it is that, while I was immersed in the world, there was a fog obstructing my vision. That fog is was prevented me from feeling fully connected.

...until we reached the climax of the story, that is. Once the action picked up, the characters felt more real to me. And while my connection was brief, it was so intense that I couldn't help but fall in love with this story and world.

Which is why, despite the "could-be-betters," I am highly recommending DEAD IRON to you all. Give it a shot, because there are plenty of paranormal elements within to keep both paranormal and steampunk fans satisfied.