Soul of the Dragon ( Soul 1) by Natalie J Damschroder

Hello to all,

                    Last day of the month... at the end i didn't read as many dragon theme books for the challenge even if i prepared several i guess i rebelled against the fact i had to read them...also today was a heavy day for me with lot of bad news so i guess September will be finished... after all october is paranormal month so i can hope to participate in great challenge and contests i perhaps be lucky to get more books in my favourite genres

However, September is still on for a few hours and i wanted to share with you a book with dragon that i got during a promotion ( can't remember when exactly or from where^^;; bad me i know) it was on my computer for quite a long time and thus i decided to read it . i posted the resume from goodread but i saw there was an error in it and i couldn't find one without so don't put to much thinking into it if you read or have read the story.

So here comes Soul of the Dragon by Natalie Damschroder. Happy Reading!

Publisher: Dragonsoul Books

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0373277210

Genre: paranormal romance, fantasy, dragon
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: got free during a promotional action

Short description from goodreads :

 A thousand years ago, a jealous mage cursed a young lord into dragon form to keep him from his soulmate, a peasant girl coveted by the mage. They have three lifetimes to break the curse.

Twice they have failed.

Alexa Ranger doesn’t remember the lord’s son who was her soulmate three lifetimes ago, nor does she recall their previous attempts to break the curse—each one ending in her death. But she does remember Cyrgyn, the golden dragon who has haunted her dreams since childhood and has appeared to her now to begin their final attempt.


A highly trained spy, Alexa has been preparing for this mission her entire life. But her skills are no match for the desperate mage who has lost none of his command of magic—and none of his twisted, possessive need for her. She is determined to save the dragon she has come to love, but there is more than the curse standing in their way…

My opinion:

           I picked this book because of the dragon since I wanted more for the challenge ….i had it on my pile for a long time but since it was also the first book in the “soul” series I thought I was really time I read it.  I don’t regret this choice really but I’m disappointed…even the summary isn’t correct by the way: they have 4 attempts to lift the curse and failed 3 times already ( not 2) I don’t understand why it hasn’t been corrected yet.

 I perhaps had too many expectations about this one because of the flashing colors on the cover but at the end it’s a pleasant read yes but nothing more. The beginning is a little hard to get into because Cyrgyn has years of experiences and Alexa thanks to her training and profession can nearly confront everything throw at her but as a reader the connection with the characters needed more, it was too rushed and underdeveloped. I can accept the fact they are soulmates and thus for them it’s normal but something was missing. First they accept all: dragon exist, there is a curse, he is my soulmate etc and then she doubts to love him etc either she feel the connection or she doesn’t but she can’t at the same time trust him and not believe him completely it doesn’t make sense to me.

Then after several chapters when the action is really taking place, I enjoyed the story more yes but I wasn’t completely immersed in it either. The character of Ryc was a little too predictable oh the idea in itself was good and the plot had interesting bases but the final result didn’t reach my expectations. Like I said it was predictable, the characters accept the situation too easily, now there is a twist at the end that I didn’t expect but it dropped too quickly. The characters do their quest, some things are revealed and that stops there…I missed a real conclusion with the bad ones punished etc

I’m not saying the end is a cliffhanger because it’s not but while the story is finished you are left wanting, hoping for something more… either a big punishment or a big happy moment  instead of which you get idea about a future, plans  and nothing more. So this book isn’t bad, some idea and concept are really interesting but the story telling needs improvement in my opinion so we could life the story and not be a simple spectator.

We do get dragon action and dragon romance but it could have been more, it doesn’t focuses on that while the dragon part of the title could have make us hope. Alexa is the main heroine and the one who has the biggest role.

 I could perhaps give the rest of the series a try but to be honest I will do so only if book 2 gets free during a promotional action because I’m hoping it will get only better but I don’t want to bet my money of that either. Now it doesn’t mean I will abandon this author either, if I’m correct I do have another of her book and I’m really curious to see the difference in both books.

Score:  2,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

Moonshifted (Edie Spence 2) by Cassie Alexander

Happy Sunday to all,

           this week has been really busy for me and sadly it meant also less reading reading time but i did enjoy what i read so i'm happy. I'm planning to try to put some order in my books today to prepare my piles for the next months challenges but it will be done step by step i think^^.

 So today i'm sharing with you my opinion on the second book in the Edie Spence series by Cassie Alexander, it's not my favourite series but one i come to enjoy more and more after each book.


Happy Reading!

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0312553404

Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

 After surviving a brutal vampire attack, Nurse Edie Spence is ready to get back to work—attending to supernatural creatures in need of medical help. But her nursing skills are put to the test when she witnesses a hit-and-run on her lunch break. The injured pedestrian is not only a werewolf, he’s the pack leader. And now Edie’s stuck in the middle of an all-out were-war…


With two rival packs fighting tooth and nail, Edie has no intention of crossing enemy lines. But when she meets her patient’s nephew—a tattooed werewolf named Lucas with a predatory gleam in his eye that’s hard to resist—Edie can’t help but choose sides. The question is: can she trust this dangerous new ally? And can she trust her own instincts when she’s near him? Either way, Edie can’t seem to pull away—even if getting involved makes her easy prey…

My opinion:

          To start with the positive, i greatly enjoyed the plot in this book, the fact the werewolves were predominant could help ^^ but i enjoyed it and getting Bear-weres was more than interesting. Thanks to Gina and Lucas we learn more about how weres are mad, how it can be transmitted in this universe. So after focusing on vampires in book1 now it’s on were, going progressively is a good idea in my opinion since there is a lot to learn and like Edie we get it slowly.

I also really enjoyed finding Asher back, still the same. He is really a good back up for Edie and I would love if she was more grateful to him. She is interested partly but she fears him and not being sure which appearance is real is disturbing for her… I can get that but only to a point. I mean he is oki when she needs help but she has difficulties to consider him as a friend…and when she does she still has reservations, not fair.

Anna was also a character I was pleased to see even more that she is perfectly coherent with how she was described in Nightshifted. In book 1 I has a small preference for grand father , and he didn’t disappoint me in this one except for a detail… i admit the mixing with Gideon  was surprising and it’s still surprising but i thought he was there for Edie, now he is with Anna since Gideon is part of her house…. Edie get left behind so i wonder where his loyalty lies and I’m a little afraid.

The rhythm is not too fast even if we do get lot information at the same time, the action is fast paced and Edie takes time to start thinking about consequences and everything that’s happening around her… but she is still strong willed and quite selfless, trying to help everyone. Oh and we get to see the superior of the shadows and i loved that part…

So after so many positive elements why not an higher score? I’m fed up with Edie’s love life if we can call it that. I mean in book one she has a one night stand with a shapeshifter the she is in a relationship with a zombie… so far i can accept but then because the said zombie left she jump on a were and nearly try to start again with Asher….and when she does she is crying after. Oki she is a grown adult woman, yes she can have needs but a new supernatural creature each time? Worse: one that could start a change and she won’t be human… yes she doesn’t know all the specifics since she was interrupted in her chat with Gina but still she is a nurse so she should know better and sleeping around isn’t something  i agree with so her behaviour on that part didn’t sit well with me at  all.

So if you want a good urban fantasy, different creatures, some steamy scenes a great plot and don’t mind an heroine like Edie, this book is a more than enjoyable reads.

Score:  3,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

Reborn (Six Saviors 3) by Carly Fall

Hello to all,

 i know i 've already posted about this series this month and yes it has nothing to do with the topic of dragons but i enjoyed the first 2 books so much i couldn't wait to read book 3 of the Six Saviors Series....and of course i wanted to share it with you so here it is^^

Staring tomorrow i will try to get back on the topic but strange as it is i was really  anticipating this month and at the end i don't feel like reading the books i prepared^^

Happy Reading

Publisher: Westward Publishing

Publication: 2012

Genre: paranormal romance
Violence: Strong
Language: normal
sex: Strong
Public: 18+

Source: ecopy in exchange for an honest review

Description from goodreads :

 Warrior Hudson from the Six Saviors seems to have it all – good looks, fine clothing, expensive jewelry and women just waiting for their turn to sleep with him. But, what he safely keeps hidden from the world is the terrible pain he’s suffered for many years. As he fights his internal demons, he joins his fellow Warriors in waging war on the evil from their planet that has been let loose on Earth.

Beverly Devlone was a highly respected doctor, until tragedy hit her and a drug addiction destroyed her career and reputation. As a lonely woman fresh out of rehab, she’s now uncertain of her place in the world, what her purpose is, and where she belongs.


When an explosive event brings Hudson and Beverly together, the instant attraction between them cannot be ignored. As the two grow closer and share secrets, they help each other heal from the shackles of their pasts.


But true happiness eludes them when they are forced to go their separate ways, until Beverly returns with an admission that will rock the very fabric of Hudson’s world.

My opinion:

          A really good book but so far my least favourite in the series. This book is to me the more violent one or to be more precise, in precedent books we got some gruesome report on colonist’s crimes but we didn’t really assisted in one like we do in Reborn. Oh don’t worry it’s well written, well thought but I couldn’t connect with the characters as much as I hoped I would and I did found this one a little too predictable for me.

Hudson seemed to be a pillar of the saviours team while he is in fact one that suffer the most, not only from his past on SR44, but also from event taking place on Earth. He never got over Abby’s Mother, Iris, rejection and that’s mining him. Male from their planet have a really strong link to their mate and if the mate goes missing they can become crazy and suffer physically….i can understand that of course but then I had some little difficulty as why the other didn’t understand his situation and was left to himself. There is different kinds of love true but with what happen it makes me think he fantasized himself in love with Iris when he was only fond of her and it’s kind of strange after all his time on earth he didn’t see that. I guess it’s also a little for that I had difficulties to accept how he acted with Beverly.

Beverly is a kind soul she just doesn’t have enough inner strength, more than she thinks but a lot less than Faith for example. As a doctor she wants to help, to save live and thus when she failed to save the one important to her and then had an accident it crushed her. However, it’s also what made her meet the saviours….like it was her destiny. In her medical mode she is really proficient and determined, she immediately see that Hudson is hiding more than he let on and that he can’t be trusted alone…sometimes it takes a broken soul to recognize another , anyway it’s her personal experience that gives her what she need to reach to Hudson and find the right words. They are saving each other but at first she still doesn’t fight for herself, to make him accept her no and that frustrated me.

The action is strong is this one and I guessed the identity of the colonist after the first pages, it was well done but it was still evident for me. Then after the event in “ Finding My faith” it was impossible not to expect trouble… there are here just even stronger I mean…he even tell Hudson more is to come and as reader you know what he has done but the saviours done and I really hope they are ready…. I guess if I liked this one less it’s also linked to how I consider SR44….i mean they throw their citizens on a mission but without any contact allowed and no back up and now we see with no information either… this could have been prevented if the chiefs had given them a list with the culprits’ name… but no they just have to find the twelve who escaped… no more explanation just a set of rules really strong, cruel even. In this book I resented this even more because of Hudson…. In a sense they are the sacrificial lambs.

The romance is cute but it missed the deepness from the other books…they need to work on their connection in a sense after attraction , learning about each other past they must create something more. I could love this couple but so far it’s just appreciation.

Now on a technical level, this is the 3^rd book in the series and if it could works as stand alone.. I wouldn’t recommend it to be read out of order. Yes the author give a little background from the universes so you are not lost but this book more than the precedent one is set in a line of events better to be followed so I really recommend you to start with book 1 first and then follow the rest in order to understand the saviours and get the story in a whole because the stakes are growing after each book and the suspense is mounting ( but no real cliffhanger no).

A good book for lover of paranormal romance with aliens.

Score:  3,5/5

Disclaimer: Source: a copy in exchange for an honest review .All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

If you want this book you can buy it on  Smashwords in the digital format you prefer or on amazon 

and book 1 is still free here for those who are just discovering this series. Enjoy! 

You can find more informations on the series and Carly on her Website 

Challenge:

Hunted (Hunter’s Moon 1) by Ellie Ferguson

Hello to all,

                  For those who doesn't know it yet, goodreads  has changed his rules regarding reviews but also shelves while in itself i don't think it's a bad thing ( a little control and some rules are not bad in itself) i regret how it has been done because you could have some of your work deleted without prior notice. And what worries me even more is that we don't know who takes the decision you can't defend yourself and it simply going too far. If you want to learn more you can check it here

I'm not for bashing or bullying anyone, i want to be respectful when i write my revews because for me it's important but i also want to be honest and yes that include sometimes speaking about the author. It's not an attack against said author as a person but some behaviours could make me want to avoid reading his or her books so i think it's normal to share it with readers and now it's forbidden....i don't think it's fair to any parties. Even more being honest means sharing the positive and the negative so what if i've been impressed by how kind and polite an author was? I can't share it because it's not only about the book? i disagree while it doesn't impact how the book was written it could help some to choose beteween two authors and yes if one was kind i would love to see that rewarded.

 I was hesitant to speak about this at first but when i saw which book i wanted to review today and how i came to review it i thought it was important. So yes there are good authors and i don't mind telling it ( as i would said if one was rude or worse)

      Hunted started for me with the meeting of a kind and attentive author, when I saw this book featured on a friend’s blog I was more than interested…I fired questions to Ellie Ferguson, the author, and I enjoyed it even from what I learned but the book was only available in epub or mobi format…so inaccessible for me…when she saw that Ellie promised to look at a possibility to offer pdf format too and when we were all so happy she offered us a copy yes simply like that she offered to all of us that were commenting at the time a copy of her book instead of only one copy to a winner who had to be drawn like it was scheduled at first…and she sends me “hunted” too

It really means a lot to me and I ‘m grateful for this generosity so I wanted to review the book too not only to read it even if it meant being honest in case I got disappointed but it’s far from it as you will see^^ so Thank you a lot Ellie to remind us that they are great authors around who listen to us humble readers.

Happy Reading!

Publisher: Naked Reader Press

Publication: 2013

Genre: paranormal romance
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: received from the author nothing expected in return

Short description from goodreads :

 When Meg Finley’s parents died, the authorities classified it as a double suicide. Alone, hurting and suddenly the object of the clan’s alpha's desire, her life was a nightmare. He didn’t care that she was grieving any more than he cared that she was only fifteen. So she’d run and she’d been running ever since. But now, years later, her luck’s run out. The alpha’s trackers have found her and they’re under orders to bring her back, no matter what.


Without warning, Meg finds herself in a game of cat and mouse with the trackers in a downtown Dallas parking garage. She’s learned a lot over the years but, without help, it might not be enough to escape a fate she knows will be worse than death. What she didn’t expect was that help would come from the local clan leader. But would he turn out to be her savior or something else, something much more dangerous?

My opinion:

          Not only Ellie Ferguson is a really generous author attentive to her readers but this book is really promising as the beginning of a series. When I saw the summary of “Hunted” I wanted to read it so when Ellie went all the way to make this possible, getting me the format I needed I was over the moon.  It was kind and generous and without strings attached….but I couldn’t keep my thoughts to me since I loved this book! I had to share.

I was really surprised how fast I was drawn into the book…. It’s not a long one but the story felt complete after the last page and if it was written on the cover that’s the first book of a series you could have skipped that because you do get a real closure ( but if the next story is about Sharon and Danny then I can’t wait^^). Also it’s not an exceptional one but there are original elements in it and I found the writing style neat, the romance is there yes but this book has a lot of suspense and twists to keep you immersed in the story trying to guess what will happen, often being wrong, and be surprised at the “how” it happens even if you have guessed the “what.”

It’s a more than enjoyable paranormal story full of shifters for those who love them like I do. Some of the original elements: first they are the tattoos... each shifter must have one that identify his pride (family or pack) and his clan  but the individual can add the element he want for example to show his lineage or his personality. If you move from a pride then you must change or alter the tattoo to show it.  I found that surprising at first since for me shifters had other ways to tell which clan they belong to, I thought like scents but in fact it makes perfect sense in the universe Ellie Ferguson created. For her, shifters are born not made and it’s not because your parents are shifters that the children are automatically shifters too… some can; some other are simply human and some with only one parent able to shift have the same ability… kind of a lottery in a sense….that being said the tattoo does make sense, it’s a way to include even those who can’t shift but are still part of the pride or clan (children, mates etc).

The other interesting detail is that, the shifter has in fact at minimum 3 appearances…: fully human with eventually the “beast” instinct/intuition, half way meaning he/she has the better reflexes, senses and is stronger but look human for no shifters and fully animal form but still with an human mind….. now yes you have see I did add “minimum”…why because the stronger shifters, the stronger between the alpha ones can eventually shift in different animals not only one like typical shifter…and I enjoy this concept.

When Matt rescued Meg, alias Finn, he acted because she was a female in danger on his territory…he didn’t think to do it to gain something…even less a mate but his animal, beast does react strongly to Meg. When he learns the truth about the trespassers and about her he swears to protect her even before she offer to become his mate.  He is loyal, protective and a good alpha.

Meg/Finn has run all her life since her parents’ death…she is tired of it but still terrified by the reason of her escape: Michael…when Matt saves her in extremist…she is confronted to other shifters which she had nearly forgotten…but her jaguar didn’t and Matt is definitively the male she wants . Afraid, wanting protection but understanding that she can’t ask and give nothing in return, Finn ask to be part of Matt’s clan and offer herself as his mate.

Now let me get things straight… it’s not “insta” love… it’s “insta” attraction and that’s so different… they are attracted to each other, they lust for each other but they agree they must also learn about each other and they want to become partner not just lovers…that’s a thing I appreciate a lot. Finn has some trust issues she must overcome and Matt is really patient with her…both have a good idea of what they want their union to be and they know they will need time to build it…oki that part is a little rushed…we don’t see the all construction, simply the base but we know it will be there. The action and the process to uncover the past events take the majority of the story.

What made me smile…and a lot it’s the connection I did with another paranormal romance thriller I’ve read and introduced to you “ Storm Force”…it seems to me that if you are a shifter name Michael then you are probably a complete shizo, obsessive, ready to do anything to get what you want ( especially underaged woman) and that you held a grudge far, far longer than normal^^ . Here Michael when he took the place of Alpha after the death of Meg’s parents, tried to mate her going even against the law…and then she tried to catch her for 15years! And still claim she is his mate…..-insane and obsessive, no?- In Storm Force: Michael, shifter alpha, wants Mori ..not love her wants her and he did what he had to get her when she was only a baby ( oki he did accept to wait) when she refuse he become crazy and put the cops on her trail to make come back “home”…if you read both story it will really make you hate shifter withat name when you see the similitude in their personality^^ it was strange and funny because they are different and at the same time so alike^^

I really spend a good time with this book and even if it was only because of Ellie ‘s personality you should give this book a try! I really hope to read book 2 as soon as it’s released but first ^^ let gives Ellie time to write it. If you love shifter, suspense, investigation, action and romance try this book!

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenge:

Encounter at Shalana (Adventures of Kristy Ryan 1) by Angelia Almos

Hello to all,

             for me it's already late in the day but  i saw that i had forgotten to post this earlier so a little night work to compensate.

I'm always surprised when i discover that an author i love writes under another name like Suzanne Johnson changes her writing name to Susannah Sandlin when she switch to the paranormal romance genre and she is far from the only one but my knowledge is still limited concerning author's pseudo so i know i'm missing a lot. This was also the case in this instance.... i absolutely loved Mafia secret by Angie Derek but when i was looking for more of her work i didn't know the author wrote also under Angelia Almos so it was an excellent surprise for me.

Angelia does write in several genres like fantasy, space opera (the author name changes for Angie Derek when it's paranormal romance, urban fantasy and romantic suspense ) and i will be glad to review a bit of each for for today i will stay with the space opera because it was a long time i read some and was really curious^^ ( sorry Amber but don't worry next one will be paranormal ;) ) now i just happy to know book 2 is under preparation because you will want it if you indulge in Encounter at Shalana, book 1 of the adventures of Kristy Ryan... if you love Star Trek you will be smiling reading this!

happy reading!

Publisher: Thoroughweb Press

Publication: 2011

ISBN:  0373277210

Genre: YA, space-opera
Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 14+

Source: ecopy received in exchange for an honest review

Short description from goodreads :

 Space pirate Captain Kristy Ryan grew up the only daughter of a notorious privateer in the Border Planet Region. She learned her trade the hard way - there were no free rides on her father’s ship. Now, she has her own ship, the Unicorn, and successfully works in the shadows, the fringes of legitimate trade. Her life is just how she wants it even on those days when her pilot and lover, Andrew Bennet, drives her crazy. But an unexpected visit from the Military Space Alliance changes everything. Her father disappeared while working a dangerous mission for the MSA. Now, she’s being blackmailed into finishing his mission.

My opinion:

          Angelia has been a fan of Star Wars and Star Trek and I must admit, for having read quite a share of them, that she does make them honor! Really this story could have fit in the other universes without problem and the quality of her writing is really good.

I really liked this book and the plot was well developed to keep me interested and curious. The romance is there, sweet and not predominant which works in favour of the story. However I’m really glad this book seems to be the first of a series because there are things I thought missing and I can hope to get answer in future books.  From the beginning we learn than Kristy and her father are in a disagreement of sort to say the least…but we know nothing about it. The fact I couldn’t understand from where her resentment came made it a little more difficult for me to connect with the character.  We see she has been hurt, she is even crying in her sleep but we don’t know about why… in fact we only discover that some events took place on one planet and that’s linked to that…. That’s all. It’s something I regret but since more books are possible we could get the bottom of this. (yes I do have hope^^ even better it was confirmed that book 2 was under work YEAH!)

I particularly enjoyed to see the interaction between the crew, Wilhelmina is quite funny, acting like a mother for the rest of them, we know she is a kind of cat humanoid and that she worked with Kristy’s father before but I wouldn’t mind learning more about the linguist ^^ , what are the specific of her species, how she came to be with the Ryan etc .She is also really resourceful. Andrews is the best pilot and I’m glad he does have some alpha trait to keep up with grumpy Kristy… now when we discover his family we understand him even better ( little Ashley is more than likely wanting to join his brother on the side than her sister in the military, never underestimate little sister^^)Then you add Glenn, ex military, and Felicity, courageous engineer and you have the crew… small but effective

It’s a good read but if you are not used to space opera novel, the ending could surprise you. It’s not a cliffhanger, not at all, but often in space opera you get the bottom of the investigation, you see who was behind the plot or who was the villain….but you don’t see how it’s resolved . It’s left to your imagination or occasionally in series  you get a little more info in later books when the main characters talk about the past events. So here you understand, we see what they do about it but if you are the kind of reader who want to see the bad ones punished… you will be left  hanging ( now I do admit I love to see the bad ones punished but after reading a lot of star trek and Star wars novel I’m used not to get immediately still it’s a little regret) Angelia Almos really found how to end her story keeping us happy and wanting more at the same time so  I can only hope more books in the series are on schedule.

If you love space opera, classic one, without steamy scenes, this is the right book for you. If you want to discover the genre, it’s also a good approach thanks to the talent of the author who renders the story really accessible. Now to discover the author I would perhaps recommend to try some of other works first ( I loved some a lot more!)but keep this one on your list , it’s really worth it.

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

             If you want this book you can buy it on  Smashwords in the digital format you prefer or for print copy on amazon or bookdepository

                      You can find more informations on the series and Angelia on her Website 

Discount Armageddon ( InCryptid 1) by Seanan Mcguire

Hello to all,

 This week has been quite busy so i'm posting this later than when i hoped but at least you get it ^^. I started this book during the last bout of books read a thon and i had to postpone my reading when after a few pages i checked the back cover and saw the world "dragon"... it has been hard because i was really addicted to the story but the rules are the rules and to enter the dragon reading challenge this month i had to wait.... now i can't wait for book 2 to arrive  but at least while waiting i can enjoy some free stories that the authors has on her website so don't hesitate to  have a look^^


Now without more delay here is my opinion on a paranormal story including dragon(s), from an auithor i've come to appreciate more and more.... Discount Armageddon by Seana McGuire!

Happy reading!

Publisher: DAW

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0756407133

Genre: urban fantasy, romance, dragons, shifters, others

Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: won

Short description from goodreads :

 Ghoulies. Ghosties. Long-legged beasties. Things that go bump in the night... The Price family has spent generations studying the monsters of the world, working to protect them from humanity-and humanity from them. Enter Verity Price. Despite being trained from birth as a cryptozoologist, she'd rather dance a tango than tangle with a demon, and is spending a year in Manhattan while she pursues her career in professional ballroom dance. Sounds pretty simple, right? It would be, if it weren't for the talking mice, the telepathic mathematicians, the asbestos supermodels, and the trained monster-hunter sent by the Price family's old enemies, the Covenant of St. George. When a Price girl meets a Covenant boy, high stakes, high heels, and a lot of collateral damage are almost guaranteed. To complicate matters further, local cryptids are disappearing, strange lizard-men are appearing in the sewers, and someone's spreading rumors about a dragon sleeping underneath the city...

My opinion:

          This series was recommended to me and I really don’t regret to have listened and gotten book 1. I really love this author’s writing more and more.

Discount Armageddon is the first book in the InCryptid series, by  cryptid you can understand  monsters or mysterious creatures because that include a really large range like gargoyles, dragon, gorgon, but also some less known ones like madhura, Johrlac and numerous others…. That’s really a particularity I appreciate,   I love reading about different kinds of mythological or fantasy creatures so I was really in paradise…. For example there was shifters too… but tanuki one! What a pleasure!! Oki, I admit I was relieved to get a index of sort at the end of the books to keep track of those I’ve just learned because there are so many than once you turn the last page you can be a little confused. However, during the course of the story, Verity is a great teacher and you are not lost at all.

This story has a lot of action, Verity love to dance, would like to have such a career yes but deep down she is a fighter and quite an impulsive one. She comes from a family of specialists, one with a long history of fighting then protecting creatures, so that means hard training since little.  All the family members have their own specialisation…like poison, guns and such and they do have a sort of job/hobby: her mother is like a doctor while her father is more of an historian….In fact we only get to know them by the calls Verity is making and by what she is telling Dominic so I really would like to meet them in future adventure, it could be really fun. The only member we really see and learn about is Sarah, she is not family by blood but you wouldn’t doubt the loyalty even for a second. Sara is a Johrlac…so it’s an humanoid creature with telepathic powers but I won’t say more to let you learn about it yourself, it’s really too good to miss it.

Now aside from the action part, there is some investigation, a little predictable since I guessed one of the villains’identity but still an excellent once and I wasn’t bothered for a minute. There are also romance, no matter how Dominic tries to avoid it at first he can’t resist Verity, the strange fascinating and irritating traitor girl…in fact she is even starting to counter his learning because let’s face it… yes he is covenant and send to the city to kill creatures but in fact he knows nothing about them, can’t recognize some and even has problem to blend in the humans population….each time Verity speaks aloud he nearly has a heart attack ^^ that’s too cute and funny. Yes, humour is a full component of this series from Verity’s actions, in her relation with Dominic, the exchange with Sarah and the most important part the Aeslin Mice….yes a colony of creatures looking like mice but speaking and really religious creatures (in their own way of course)…with them everything is topic for a celebration, with songs and all and they do have a calendar filled with them so you can’t resist them

If you want a funny urban fantasy, with some violence yes but really a lot of humour, wants to discover creatures not than often introduced but so well described in a complex universe with a great setting, this is the book for you! It should at least make you smile more than once.

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

Waynest 2 : Enlevée par Jess Haines

Coucou à tous,

 je ne vais pas être longue car aujourd'hui c'est l'anniversaire de mon frère et je suis en charge de tout... et il reste encore beaucoup à faire. Cependant je ne voulais pas attendre avant de poster cet avis car il y a actuellement sur le blog de Melliane et Inessa un concours, jusqu'au 24 septembre pour vous permettre de remporter ce livre, et les autres de la série actuellement parus.

Alors pour commencer voici donc mon avis!

Editeur VF: Milady 2013
Titre original:Taken by the Others ( edited 2011)
Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: élevée
Langage: normal
sexe: aucun
Public: +18ans 

Prix : 7,60euro

Obtenu par achat

Quatrième de couverture de l'éditeur Milady:

Il fut un temps où le principal problème de Shiarra Waynest, détective privée, était de maintenir son agence à flot. Elle doit désormais négocier avec deux dangereux et séduisants vampires, ennemis depuis des siècles, dont elle a éveillé les convoitises. Alors que les tensions s’intensifient, les White Hats, chasseurs de vampires, pressent Shiarra de les rejoindre. Elle va alors découvrir que les apparences sont trompeuses, ce qui affectera toutes ses convictions… ainsi que ses désirs.

Avis:

          Un récit assez bon mais loin de capter mon intérêt sans faillir. J’ai vraiment du mal à m’identifier à l’héroïne et à la comprendre de ce fait je décroche un peu trop vite avec pour résultat que j’ai pris bien plus longtemps pour finir ce tome que je ne l’avais prévu. Oh l’histoire est bonne, complexe et ne manque pas d’actions toutefois le coupable était un peu trop évident pour moi ajouter à cela le fait que je voulais foutre des baffes à Shiarra je ne peux pas honnêtement dire que l’histoire m’aie captivée bien que certains éléments sont très intéressants et j’espère vont faire en sorte que la série n’en devienne que meilleure pour moi.

Mais commençons par le commencement….ce tome pourrait être lu sans que vous ayez au préalable lu le tome 1 je pense car Jess haines prends bien soin de remettre les événements en perspective cependant j’admets que sans avoir lu Traquée avant on pourrait manquer d’information sur certains personnages secondaires.

Je suppose que ce qui m’a vraiment énervée c’était le manque d’évolution dans le comportement et les croyances de Shiarra. Certes, on ne change pas radicalement lorsque l’on a grandit en croyant fermement quelque chose mais quand même j’ai trouvé qu’elle faisait preuve d’une certaine duplicité qui m’a dérangée. Après tout, dans le tome 1 elle a pu voir les loups garous en action, elle s’est battues à leur côtés et même plus…alors maintenant, des mois plus tard,  elle les tolère oui mais elle les évite quand même et surtout elle n’a pas chercher à en apprendre d’avantage et cela me semble suspect. Après tout en tant que détective, les recherches c’est son truc et pourtant elle continue à s’en tenir aux croyances populaires et ragots des journaux à sensations, avec moins de crédulité peut-être mais elle ne se renseigne quand même pas. (Ni sur les vampires et leurs pouvoirs ou coutumes d’aillleurs… or même si elle les considère comme des ennuis ce n’est qu’une raison de plus pour rassembler un maximum d’information.)

Pire son attitude vis a vis de Chaz son petit ami m’a vraiment ennuyée. Elle ne semble pas sincère, même lorsqu’elle pense à lui elle le voit comme un protecteur, capable de la protéger, capable de l’aider dans ses enquêtes mais toujours un loups garou donc leur relation reste platonique…elle ne se demande même pas si il en souffre, elle ne regarde que son avantage… oui maintenant elle accepte de le toucher, elle hurle pas quand il est transformer mais il y a à peine une tolérance pas un amour fou même si elle va chercher du réconfort auprès de lui quand elle en a besoin… Si elle l’aime vraiment elle doit l’aimer complètement pas jouer à chat comme cela
Elle fait la morale à d’autres mais son attitude n’est guère meilleure.

Nous découvrons cependant 2 « whites hats » ( pour rappel c’est une sorte de secte terroristes qui est contre tout ce qui n’est pas humain) qui en sont pas 100% extrémistes ou plus exactement on en rencontre un Devon, qui accepte même de travailler avec des Autres, et on en retrouve un Minus ( Shiarra l’avait rencontré dans le tome 1 mais ignorait son nom. Tous deux sont assez amusants et même loyal vis-à-vis de Shiarra et j’ai apprécie que finalement elle prenne ses distances ( j’ai détesté qu’elle songe à les rejoindre !!)

Jess Haines joue les tentatrices dans ce tome, en effet elle nous glisse des éléments mais sans donner de véritables réponses pour le moment. Ainsi on en apprend plus sur le passé du Vampire Royce et on découvre que son créateur, une femme, est encore en vie et loin d’être commode. Mais plus important encore la raison de l’intérêt qu’il porte à Shiarra peut commencer à s’éclairer puisqu’on lui dit qu’elle a de l’énergie fae ( et c’est une elfe qui le dit ^^).. Comment c’est possible ?, à quel niveau exactement ?, comment Royce l’a découvert ? Tout cela reste sans réponse et nous met l’eau à la bouche.. une bonne raison pour continuer de donner le change à cette série sans aucun doute.

Du côté des retrouvailles on entend parler de Sarah et Arnold, le mage, assez souvent mais dans les faits ils n’interviennent presque pas cette fois, cependant leur simple mention est efficace pour faire baisser la tension lorsque cela devient nécessaire.

La romance est un peu trouble comme je l’ai déjà fait remarqué précédemment du moins entre Shiarra et Chaz, entre Sarah et Arnorld tout va pour le mieux. La relation entre Shiarra et Royce est compliquée et on ignore si ses sentiments à lui sont réels, pour elle on découvre que la majeure partie du temps ils sont influencés d’une manière ou d’une autre ( par Royce, Max ou même la ceinture artefact). Je me demande vraiment vers quoi l’auteur souhaite aller.

L’action est très présente et ce tome est un peu plus noire  au vu du nombre de décès et d’attaques mais c’est plus latent alors que pour « traquée » tout explosait à un seul moment.

Je vais continuer à suivre cette série en espérant voir une véritable évolution chez Shiarra mais surtout à l’heure actuelle c’est pour en apprendre plus sur Royce, voir Chaz et retrouver La Carpe, une vampire très compétente mais amicale, et espérer revoir Devon et Minus que je n’ai pas envie d’attendre^^.

Score:  3/5

Disclaimer: Toutes les opinions exprimées ici sont les miennes, il s’agit de d’un avis honnête et personnel. Aucune compensation n’a été fournie en échange de ce dernier.

Challenge:

et comme je l'avais annoncé il y a concours sure le site Between Dreams and Reality vous pouvez profitez d'une interview de l'auteur et participer ici ( encore merci Melliane et Inessa!). N'attendez pas, le concours n'est ouvert que jusque fin septembre (le  24 pour être précis)

The Hour of Dust and Ashes (Charlie Madigan 3) by Kelly Gay

Hello everybody!

                      So September has started and this week was extremely hot , it was great to have a little more sun yes but 25°C would have been enough and we were a lot about that i had to adjust but happiness was high and general. Now the temperatures have dropped, rain is back and it does affect the mood more than necessary..because yes in my country is generally all or nothing... but back to reading topic.

While checking my TBR pile trying to decide what to read for this month, with the topic of dragon, i discovered that i forgot the 3rd book of the Charlie Madigan  i had prepared for the siren theme last month. I felt so stupid until i remembered that there is a dragon too in this^^ even a druid dragon king to be precise so "contre fortune bon coeur" i've read it for this month and i was happy with this decision because i enjoyed it!

I won't read only dragon books of course, after all there are other challenges i must complete but better start somewhere^^ so here is my opinion on The Hour of Dust and Ashes by Kelly Gay

happy reading!

Publisher: Pocket

Publication: 2011

ISBN:  1451625472

Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 18+

Source: bought
 

Short description from goodreads :

 To save her sister, she must stop a silent killer. . . .

Protecting Atlanta from the off-world criminals of Underground is tough enough, but now Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner, Hank, learn that the addicts of the offworld drug ash have begun taking their own lives. Ash makes humans the perfect vessels for possession, and something or someone is leading them to their deaths. Charlie is desperate to save her addicted sister, Bryn, from a similar fate. As New Year’s Eve approaches and time runs out, Charlie makes a deadly bargain with an ancient race of beings and embarks on a dangerous journey into hellish Charbydon with Hank and the Revenant Rex to save Bryn and make it back before it’s too late. Only, for one of them, coming home means facing a fate worse then death. . . .

My opinion:

          I was surprised to be so happy to find myself this universe once again and in a matter of minutes I was immersed in the story…now it was only possible since I’ve read book 1 and 2 already (and not that long ago) because even if there are some recaps of what happened it’s really a series you must read in order to really get into it.

Charlie is still experiencing some changes and trying to get used to them when she must cope with the consequences of the events on the Helios Tower. Some enemies doesn’t believe what the officials said and they don’t hesitate to attack Charlie to get information.  Now some attacks she is used to it but the problem are the complications inherent to these new fights…as soon as she use her powers a strange shadowy creature appears and she can’t understand it. Then Bryn her sister and all the other ash victims must be put under surveillance and more because they start to commit suicide without logical reason.

For Charlie it means they must still be possessed but then all the exorcists have fled the city or were killed, without any other solution available she must accept the help of the Sylphs, long thought extinct or a myth. However such a gift doesn’t come without a big price and a limited time.

 Now I must admit that I was really surprised by the different twists in this story so I enjoyed greatly how the author managed to put me on edge. I didn’t know what to expect until the final page and I still have a lot of question that I hope will be answered in book 4.  Here we discover that the sylphs are really strange and powerful, but I was even more surprised by the sirens. I though I liked Hank because he was a siren but in fact…he is more just a siren by look and power than personality.  Really those are so cruel despite they looks it’s frightening… I guess they are not all bad but at least they don’t question their leaders’ acts….never and believe without trying to put thing into perspective…for nearly immortal creatures that sounds quite stupid… I do pity Hank.

Another really fun element in this book is that we finally got to see one of the other world: Charbydon, and it does look strange I would be happy to learn more. We have learned about Elysian more but we still haven’t put a foot on it (though with what we learned it’s getting more and more difficult to see it as a paradise).

The romance between Hank and Charlie is growing to and they finally admit it even if they don’t act on it yet. He trusts her enough to tell her about his past and she accept to appears weak in front of him.. a few kisses are exchanged but that’s all.  Rex is showing more his past talents, gifts and he is teaching Brim,… we see that he was really a great jinn but at the same time he really changed too.

I can’t wait to jump into book 4 but at the same time I’m afraid because I’m not sure when book 5 is scheduled so I will see if I can resist and not read it immediately but it’s only in fear of a cliffhanger in next book..; only for that. It’s really an excellent book if you love urban fantasy series with intrigues and action ^^ to recommend.

Score:  4/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges: