2014: Book Year in Review

While I usually only post reviews, at the end of the year is a good time to highlight my favorites reads of the year!  I read 294 books this year, so it only makes sense that I had more highlights this year than in years previous.

In no particular order, my 5 star rated best reads of 2014 were:

Anomaly
His Road Home
Sins of Eden
Night Sky
Playing with Fire
Just Desserts
Stormfront
Torn by Fury
Stone Song
Unquenchable
Silver Skin
The Adventures of Jillian Spectre
Undeniable
Gathering Water
The Relentless Warrior
Avoiding Alpha
Keeping Secret
Becoming Alpha

Big thanks are due to authors or NetGalley participants that offered ARCs for review.  I've been able to find new and interesting stories and authors along the way.  Here's hoping for another good year of great books to read!

Review: Counterfeit Magic

Counterfeit Magic by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



What a roller coaster ride! This novella had all the twists and turns of a typical Paige/Lucas book and had me rushing to figure out the mystery.

This story dives deep into Lucas and Paige's relationship. We haven't checked in with them in a while, and a lot has changed. Savannah is more involved in the business and trying to find her way in the world. Lucas is taking more responsibility in the Cabal. Paige is... well, she's struggling. She tries to be Lucas's equal in the Cabal and that's not working. She tries to be his equal in the business, but Lucas definitely has brand name power. Ultimately, she is feeling less like a partner and more like a... wife. Since that was the last thing she really wanted, this has left her floundering for her own specialty.

When Ava shows up asking for Lucas, Paige tries to field this new client with her typical poise and grace (especially since Lucas isn't due in soon), but it turns out Ava only wants Lucas. Sure, Paige trusts him, but their relationship is really put to the test as Paige and Savannah separate from Lucas to cover more ground. They are introduced to the supernatural fight club scene and end up getting more than they bargained for.

Ultimately, Paige and Lucas fail this relationship test and it is rightfully addressed in books to come. I love this couple and while it was sad to see them struggle, they really faced it head-on.



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Review: Reckless Magic

Reckless Magic by Rachel Higginson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I really loved this book! I am usually not one to like young adult stories but this one was infinitely more interesting than I expected!

Eden has been jumping between schools for a while because of her uncontrollable destructive powers. Kingsley is definitely more geared towards her powers and she soon makes some interesting new friends and enemies. Kiran draws her in some inexplicable way, but keeps throwing her into deeper trouble.

There's magic, romance, and mystery in this YA read. Hopefully the series continues along with the same wonderful pacing and rich story.



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Review: Marked

Marked by Rebecca Zanetti

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a little late to the game with this series, having not read any previous books. That being said, I think this book can be read alone, but would probably be more satisfying if you read all the previous installments. This is the last of the series, but leads into a spin-off that I'll certainly be checking out.

Janie is a chosen one, forced into a destiny bigger than herself. She's the only human in an all vampire world, so she's been bluffing her way through life for a while now. As if attending peace talks between all the paranormal races wasn't nerve-wracking enough, she gets a startling revelation too. Zane, the boy who has been sharing her dream world all her life, turns out to be a demon-vampire hybrid. Oh, and the demons are also the vampire's sworn enemies, having kidnapped Janie's uncle and tortured him.

This story reads like the paranormal version of an internet dating story. While Janie and Zane know each other through dreams, they don't know anything about the real-life people. As they are thrown from dangerous situation to even more dangerous situation, they are trying to work on a possible relationship (that is completely forbidden). There's some truly sizzling scenes (with some dominance play involved) that show these two are even more compatible than they thought.

So much happens to get to the end of this book that a summary isn't really possible. There's some deadly weapons used, surprise happy/sad news, surprise betrayals, surprise alliances, and some truly shocking sacrifices. This being the last of the series, we got glimpses of where all the previous couples are and how happy they are. This was a great read, which is probably indicative of how the rest of the series was, too.



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Review: Azagoth

Azagoth by Larissa Ione

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was a wonderful short read that reminded me of why I love Larissa Ione. There was passion, paranormal, and lots of familiar faces. As someone who has read both the Demonica and Lords of Deliverance series, this book was a treat to read.

Lilliana is an angel who was mentioned briefly as the one who helped Reaver get all his Christmas gifts for his kids. Clearly she is a good person with a little rebellious streak. Azagoth is the grim reaper who is tired of playing stud to the angels. As the father of the new race of angels, he's done with these love-less unions and demands a mate. Raphael, being a jerk, forces Lilliana to choose between having her powers stripped or mating with Azagoth, with the added bonus of being freed if she steals from him. An impossible position, but Lilli is determined to follow her instincts.

Of course, they begin to fall for one another. Azagoth displays his vulnerable side and Lilli shows him her naughty side. The results are amazing and the chemistry if off-the-charts hot. This couple is perfect for each other, and their relationship has even benefited a bunch of familiar characters. While not mandatory reading, this story fills a gap between books nicely.



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Review: Hellsbane Hereafter

Hellsbane Hereafter by Paige Cuccaro

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a completely satisfying ending to a really great trilogy. While I joined a little late in the game, I still fell in love with Eli, Emma Jane, and all her friends and foes.

Emma Jane is trying to find a "normal" life, as much as one can when they're working with their fallen archangel father. Eli has fallen now, but he seems happier than ever before. Unfortunately, Emma Jane is battling her overwhelming guilt over Eli's fall and ends up making some bad deals because of it. While trying to juggle her double agent status, she also manages to push away the few people who could be her allies.

The book was filled with the witty sarcastic humor that I've come to expect and enjoy throughout. Even when Emma Jane is making horrible decisions for Eli, I still forgave her and could even understand her motivations (as wrong as they were). While I'm sad that this series has ended, the ending was exactly what we needed. It's not a perfect, fairy tale ending, but it's a very satisfying one.



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Review: Twisted Dreams

Twisted Dreams by Marissa Farrar

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really quick, fun, interesting read that left me eager for more. There's vampires, witches, carnies, and love at first sight. If you're looking for a good coming of age story (of a half-vampire), check this book out.

Beth is ready begin her college journey, but the world seems to conspire against her. On the drive out to her dorm (alone), she almost gets killed by a downed power line. Luckily, she's a half-vampire, more than capable of outrunning and powering through anything that gets in her way. Unfortunately, this attract the attention of the guys setting up a local carnival. The rest of her journey to college is also filled with mysterious hotties, helpful strangers, and annoying roommates -- all the types of things you would expect for a first year student. There's (of course) lots of additional paranormal elements. Why is her roommate disappearing at night? Why is the hottest student paying so much attention to her? Why doesn't she get the typical flashes of premonition when she touches the students here?

This being the first book of a new series, we are still left with a bunch of questions, but I really liked the overall story. There's a sort-of love triangle, but it wasn't as painful as I usually find them to be. Beth has an innocent quality to her that allowed me to let some rushed romantic encounters and silly arguments slide. I'm hoping she learns and grows from what turns into a life-or-death first week at school. When I finished the book, I realized there was a whole other series based on Beth's parents that I'll definitely be checking out. I'm sure that adds another dimension to this follow-up series. As a stand-alone, or part of a larger series, this was still a really solid read.



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Review: Beginnings (Otherworld Stories, #0.08)

Beginnings (Otherworld Stories, #0.08) by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I love Clay and Elena.

That being said, I'm not sure I love how their relationship started (as humans, at least). When they first meet, it's *awesome* to watch them both struggle to connect. Being in Clay's head only makes it that much sweeter. I almost wish the story just showed us the beginning of their relationship. Unfortunately, the story continues on to show Clay's issues with telling the pack, how he alienates himself from his pack brothers, and how he really messes things up for Elena.

Overall, it ended on such a sad note that it overshadowed the nice gooey feelings from the beginning. I know it's all necessary, but it really hurts to read this as a standalone story. Now I feel like I need to go back and read something that reassures me they end up happy.



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Review: The Delphi Revelation: Book III of the Delphi Trilogy

The Delphi Revelation: Book III of the Delphi Trilogy by Chris Everheart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow - this was one action-packed finale to this addictive trilogy! If you read the previous books, then you know there are oodles of secrets and mysteries still lurking, and all of those are revealed in this last book of the series.

Zach/Joshua was captured at the end of the last book and you can imagine what the league has been subjecting him to in the time between books. He believes Ashley is long gone, Katie has betrayed him, and there's no help coming. As with just about everything else in this series - things are not as they seem. There are even more allies than he knows lurking around in this sleepy town. Just when you think you know everyone's motivations and which side they're on, things keep changing.

Of course, Zach/Joshua escapes, finding all his allies, but finding even more problems coming his way. For a single boy, he sure has attracted a lot of trouble. His Dad isn't the man he thought he was, Katie isn't such a horrible person anymore, and Ashley is back by his side. The pacing and writing style made reading this book like watching an action flick. I couldn't put the book down! I'm sad that this is the end of this series, but very happy with the way it ended. All my questions have been answered (and even questions I didn't know I should have were answered!) and we even get a nice HEA. Sure, it's not perfect and pretty, but it's the ending that this town and story deserve.



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Review: Amityville Horrible

Amityville Horrible by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Jaime and Jeremy - need I say more? This story is very reminiscent of Jaime's other foray into reality TV. There's demanding producers, rigged sets, and surprises when Jaime arrives. Luckily Jaime and Jeremy to pull her out of any bad situation and ground her when she's in a tailspin. These two are wonderful to see interact and I can only demand more of them. This story revolves around 3 missing girls and a mystery no one seems to be able to solve. Of course, there's a lot of devious surprises (it's TV, right?), so it was a fun mystery to watch Jaime solve.



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Review: Wedding Bell Hell

Wedding Bell Hell by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was the adorable story of Paige and Lucas getting married. Pretty much everything you wanted was in this one: Lucas making lists, Savannah changing things without asking, Lucas's father interfering at every turn, and all Paige's friends in attendance! This really was a fun read that just gave you all the good stuff and none of the bad. A must-read for Paige/Lucas fans!



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Review: Escape

Escape by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Looking to find out how Eve and Savannah made their escape? This story shows the sad story of what happened "off screen" from Elena. Eve is her typical cocky and determined self, trying to protect her daughter but also throwing herself into danger. As we know how this ends, it was also a little bittersweet. At least we know this isn't the end of Eve Levine.



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Review: Ghosts

Ghosts by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This story takes place after Jeremy has sent Clay and Elena away in Bitten. While walking through his rather empty house, Jeremy takes a moment to relive his decisions and life choices that put him here. It was interesting to watch the rather decisive and strong leader spend a little bit of time questioning himself. Jeremy continues to be one of the most interesting characters in the series (for me).



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Review: Rebirth

Rebirth by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This short story gave us a glimpse into Aaron's life before and after becoming a vampire. We also get to watch the tentative meeting between Cass and Aaron. As a bonus, I learned even more about the vampires and their creation than I knew before. I guess a bit of the backstory is hinted at in the books, but it was a nice quick read either way.



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Review: Birthright (Otherworld Stories, #0.07)

Birthright (Otherworld Stories, #0.07) by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Another very quick short story, this one told from Logan's perspective. He was raised outside of the pack and only ends up with Jeremy because of a letter mailed to him when he nears his Change. Under the impression that he'd be getting critical medical information, he stumbles into Clay who does... what Clay does. We know how this ends, so the story was a little bittersweet to read at this point.



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Review: The Case of the Half-Demon Spy

The Case of the Half-Demon Spy by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Knowing what I do about how these characters end up, it's a little weird reading this short story about them growing up together. Adam is a typical young boy, with horrible things on the brain, and Paige is, well, Paige. Yuck. Pushing that aside, this very short story followed the two kids as they try to stop a half demon from listening in to the council meeting. They're both still struggling with their powers and it shows.



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Review: Expectations

Expectations by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This story showed the younger Lucas trying to show how big and bad he can be. When confronted with the opportunity to get out in the field, he jumps at the chance, trying to stand up to the big bad - Eve Levine. He has a rather humbling experience, that he mentions further in the series. A very quick read to fill in some backstory gaps for Lucas.



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Review: Framed

Framed by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This slightly longer short story was about Nick and his determination to assert himself as a useful part of the pack. When confronted with a difficult situation, rather than running to Jeremy, Elena, or Clay, he tries to figure out a Nick-acceptable way to get out of trouble (i.e. not a Clay killing-friendly way). While important to see, so you can watch his character grow-up a little, it didn't really involve any action or pack character interaction. It was a little sad to watch Elena react at the end.



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Review: The Bobcat's Tale

The Bobcat's Tale by Georgette St. Clair

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This book continues the craziness that is the Blue Moon Junction. There's all sorts of shifters, all sorts of small-town drama, and oodles of mystery!

Lainey is a bobcat shifter and determined to run away from all her problems. Her family is trying to force her into an arranged marriage, so to hide from them she is trying to pretend to be her best friend and hide out in this small town. Too bad for her, the town is filled with "love psychics" and some very interested wolf shifters that are doing everything they can to lure her out of her shell. There was some name confusion, but once you get past that, it was an easy and fun read.

It was nice to watch this girl who has been beaten down really "bloom" in this very special town. Tate and his crazy family were definitely the highlight of this read. He's got tons of brothers and sisters that just keep getting into trouble. That's probably the real thing that brings Tate and Lainey together - the way she is with all the kids. It was a happy ending for everyone involved.



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Review: Territorial

Territorial by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I'm not really Karl's biggest fan, but this story gives you a little look at where Karl was before Bitten. If you've read the entire series, then you already know all of this from Karl and Hope's books. Yes, it gives a little sympathy to Karl, but you should have learned that even Clay is over Karl's actions by the time we need to deal with him. Overall, it was good backstory, if you read the stories in order.



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Review: Adventurer

Adventurer by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



"Silent Kenneth" is the shaman on the interracial council that doesn't get much mention. This was a really beautifully done story that reminds us that we will never know everything. Kenneth has been secretly helping out all the "stars" of the series and we never knew!



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Review: Bargain

Bargain by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Curious how Xavier ended up getting the From Hell job? This story gives the motivations and backstory that led to all the drama that came along with a "simple job." This would be a good lead in to reading Broken, but is definitely not required reading. You get some insight into how the supernatural underbelly operates, but other than that, there's not much value added.



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Review: Checkmate

Checkmate by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



As always, Clay and Elena stories are entertaining. This one shows them going mutt hunting together before Frostbitten. There's a little twisty-turny mystery, but the real story is always Clay and Elena. They are adorable and fun to watch. These short stories that show us little private moments are always the best.



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Review: Truth and Consequences

Truth and Consequences by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This story takes place early in the storyline, which might be why I had some trouble with Elena. Yes, we don't know her yet. Yes, she is still trying to find her place. I don't know, but it just rubbed me the wrong way. I like seeing Elena be tough and play with the big boys, but I definitely missed Clay. They balance each other so much that without him, she's just not as memorable. The short story showed a con man trying to get money in exchange for a information about real werewolves. Obviously, Elena controls the situation.



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Review: Recruit

Recruit by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was a fun little quick read showing how Clay and Elena end up where they do in Frostbitten. There is a lot of discussion about how the pack is "recruiting" and looking for viable members. As usual, Clay and Elena are more than able to handle a mutt looking to extort money from them.



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Review: Christmas with a Bite

Christmas with a Bite by Patricia A. Wolf

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a quick and sexy read, filled with vampires and fated mates.

Mara is headed to her parent's house in a snowstorm when her car runs off the road. Connor, a reclusive vampire, discovers her on his doorstep, injured and running from wolves. The two have instant chemistry and attraction that began years before at Mara's sister's wedding. They shared a hot dance only to spend years apart. Fate, luckily, had other plans for the two of them. Not only are they drawn to one another, they also share the same humor, love of board games, and are willing to take a chance.

After a steamy week together, Connor's secrets and the decree from his family (that he not date any more humans, and find an immortal to marry) weigh on Connor enough that things don't look good for the couple. Luckily Mara is a lot more understanding than expected and we get a solid HEA.



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Review: Dragon Her Back

Dragon Her Back by Susannah Scott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my new favorite of the series. I think everyone was waiting or the Darius/Mei story to be told and this gives us everything we want - even a HEA!

Mei comes off as an ice queen, especially towards Darius. They share a mate mark, indicating that they are destined for one another (and that Darius will lose his dragon form if they don't formally mate). Mei has been avoiding and shrugging off Darius in every way that she can. Darius has been trying everything he can think of (or that the internet can suggest) to try to get Mei back to his side (and in his bed). The two are so stubborn that you can't help but understand how years have passed without them getting back to one another. Lucky for us, this story changes everything.

Darius really shows the type of man (and dragon) he is by accepting Mei for all she is (crazy revelations included). Mei also is not the dragon she has been showing everyone. She has a horrible past, some crazy secrets, and has not been as immune to the mating pull as she's been making Darius believe. This couple is awesome and was really fun to watch. They had a lot to overcome, but that's what made the story even better.

This dragon shifter world is really unique and manages to blend a bit of fantasy, magic, and romance without making it a high fantasy novel. I can't wait to see more from this author.



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Review: A True Alpha Christmas

A True Alpha Christmas by Alisa Woods

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

While I think you can read this on its own, I really enjoyed the follow-up to the true alpha series. Wondering how Mia and Lucas work to find common ground? This is pretty much what we get here.

Mia is struggling to balance her family, her past, and her wonderful new mate. Lucas, being a little oblivious to the situation, is still sexy hot, showing her how much he cares in a few different ways, but not in the way she needs him to. They fight and struggle to get over their communication issues, eventually finding their way back to normal.

This little Christmas story was a nice addition in the true alpha series that the fans should check out.



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Review: Men of the Otherworld

Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is a wonderful book of short stories revolving around the werewolves. It's definitely a must read for any fan of this group of characters. You can follow Jeremy's birth, to his meeting with Clay, to Clay's troubled youth, all the way to his journey of self-discovery.

Infusion (4 stars)
This story shows us how Jeremy came into this world and why he has his "feelings" about things. We also get a nice reminder about how much we all should hate Malcolm, his biological father. Sadly, not much changes in him between this story and when we hear about him again.

Savage (5 stars)
A bunch of short stories are bundled together to represent Clay's earlier years. It is *amazing* to read this after knowing the older Clay and Jeremy. Especially Jeremy. He was never really my favorite character, but the adorable guardian is now absolutely the best. If you are even the slightest bit curious about how Clay and Jeremy met and how they developed their strong bond -- this is a MUST READ.

Ascension (4 stars)
This is another bunch of short stories, this time from Jeremy's rise to become alpha. While I've heard all these stories in passing throughout the books, it was neat to see them play out from Clay's POV. I love being inside Clay's head, so it was no hardship to get through these stories. Also, since I love this world, I could read 100 of these little gems. Give me more werewolves!

Kitsunegari (4 stars)
I knew I was missing something between books when everyone seemed to know that Jeremy came from a line of fox shifters. This story gives some insight into his discovery and how he came to know his past. It's good to see the mystery runes storyline resolve itself, and always good to get more Jeremy (and Jaime).



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Review: Sound of Sirens

Sound of Sirens by Jen Minkman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this world there are two groups: one “ruling class” that has access to electricity and is located further away from the water and its deadly inhabitants, and one “lesser class” that lives in a primitive manner, scraping for everything they have. This story is a bit of a love story between two people from opposing sides, brought together by music and passion.

I admit to being a little overwhelmed by this story at the start. There are a lot of names that gave me pause, but the world that the author built was so unique and interesting that I muddled through (probably pronouncing things completely wrong in my head). Enna is a dreamer and music lover who relies heavily on the records her brother brings back from overseas. One day he returns with a record that can only be played with electricity, which they obviously do not have. On the docks, she strikes a forbidden deal with Royce, someone she shouldn’t even be talking to, and they agree to share music and electricity. They end up sharing more than that (hubba-hubba), and the tale spirals from there.

There’s rebellion on the horizon, and this books sets it up nicely. If you’re looking for a truly unique tale of love, betrayal, and overcoming insurmountable odds, this book is worth checking out.




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Review: Angelic

Angelic by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This was a short read that revolved around Eve as she struggles through some tough choices. She’s finally had enough of the fates messing with her life and determined to quit. Lucky for her, she has Kris to keep her grounded and stop her from completely messing everything up.

While this was short, it certainly had some good relevance to the overall story. I like the twists they threw in for the bad guys, and we even got some Djinn to learn about (I wondered if they existed in this world). It was a nice little “check in” with a lot of characters (Jeremy and Jaime being a nice little touch), but wasn’t strictly required reading to get from book to book. I was hoping for more missing answers in here, but we really only get some Angel/Demon drama.




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Review: Vincent

Vincent by D.B. Reynolds

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After the activities of the preceding short story, we all knew the next book would be heading to Mexico with Cyn’s bounty hunter contact. This book manages to push along the bigger vampire lord war plot as well as give us a bunch of new characters that I really enjoyed.

Lana is a bounty hunter for her father’s business. While she plays at being a tomboy and acts like she an ice queen, we watch that shell slowly dissolve through the wonderful machinations of the one particularly persistent vampire, Vincent. Vincent was also not your typical stuffy vampire lord (or soon-to-be lord in this case). He jokes, uses slang, and is pretty up front about most things (at least with Lana). Their romance was a little bit difficult because Lana insisted on calling them “partners” even once they started having incredibly hot and steamy sex. It was a little fun to watch Vincent handle it, though.

Overall, we got a slightly different type of mate romance, but I’m sure she’ll blend right in with the other members of the mates club. These books are like little yummy candies that I can’t stop eating. I know where it will go, what the story will do, but I still keep coming back for more. I am eager to see the developing war happen, especially after the ending of this book.




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Review: Oceans Untamed

Oceans Untamed by Cleo Peitsche

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This book took some twists and turns, but kept me hooked from start to finish.

Koenraad went through a lot in this book. Between the impact of his decisions to save Monroe, the trickery of his evil baby mama, mysteries surrounding the council's actions, and tough relationship choices, I'm surprised he survived it at all. Monroe, who is kept mostly in the dark, has had to deal with her own share of drama, too. She and Thomas finally run into each other (and I still hate him). Koenraad stands her up (for completely explainable, but misunderstood reasons). Oh, and she is targeted by some bad guys, as if her life needs more trouble.

The book really culminates in a very tough decision for the both of them (that is only tough because they are both too stubborn to say the "l" word). The actions of this book should make the next one even more exciting (and sexy). I can't wait!



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Review: Master of the Deep

Master of the Deep by Cleo Peitsche

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

These books are still sizzling and somehow have convinced me that shark-shifter erotica is totally hot.

Monroe has extended her stay on the island to explore her very complicated relationship with Koenraad. While they don't know a lot about each other (because both of them are a little shy about sharing or asking questions), that doesn't stop their chemistry at all. This book was filled with further revelations about Koenraad's shifter physiology, his research, and his son. Somehow, he still manages to avoid telling Monroe about her biggest threat: his crazy baby mama.

I guess I can forgive this couple for their oversights, because very time they have time alone, they pretty much spend it in bed (or on flat surfaces, or in the shower, etc etc). I'm willing to overlook the game of avoidance because this book was sizzling hot. Oh, and the surprises just keep coming! It's got me completely hooked and dying for more!



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Review: I Choose You

I Choose You by Tawdra Kandle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you've read any of the other books that involve these characters (Julia, Ava, Liam), this is a sweet little reward. It starts with Julia and Jesse's wedding and all the awkwardness that comes with bringing your current boyfriend to the wedding of his ex.

As a non-traditional bride myself, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to relate to this story. Once again, I was completely wrong! This story has something for everyone: Italian family awesomeness, family drama, wedding planning stresses, good friendships, and (of course) a swoon-worthy love story. We get to follow Ava and Liam as they navigate the treacherous path from engagement to wedding.

Oh, and did I mention that there's some sizzling Ava/Liam scenes? Well there is no shortage of hotness to remind us that Liam and Ava's chemistry is off-the-charts hot! This couple really has it all and goes through the ups and downs with grace and very few freak-outs (significantly less than I had planning my wedding).

If you're looking for a heartwarming tale during the Christmas season, this is the book for you! It can certainly be read alone, but I highly recommend checking out the other books set in this world so you get the full impact of this romantic tale.



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Review: Otherworld Nights

Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a nice collection of short stories set in the Otherworld universe. Overall, they blended together in a way that wasn't as jarring as other short story anthologies I've read. Of course, my favorites were the werewolf stories (as usual), but I also loved some serious Adam time (even if it was filled with lots of drama).

Demonology was a story about how Adam's mother meets his eventual stepfather. It also shows how his mother ended up in the situation where she was unknowingly pregnant with a demon's child. It was nice to see Adam's early life, even if at a brief glance. 4 stars

Stalked is a Clay and Elena story, told from Clay's POV (which was a nice change). While on their honeymoon, a mutt almost spoils their chance at a normal tradition. Lucky for them, neither actually wants to be normal anymore. 4 stars

Hidden was the longest of the stories and centered on Elena and Clay again. The tale involved a really dark big bad, some investigative work, and a difficult decision. It was nice to check in with Clay and Elena again adn learn more about how they both parent. In most of the other books we just get to watch them make calls home and don't actually get to watch them parent. This was a nice change of pace and ultimately led to a choice about when to tell their kids about werewolves. 4 stars

Twilight was a short read that showed a little bit of Cass's softer side. She and Aaron have history and as Cass's life is coming to an end, we learn about how hard it is for her to sustain her existence. 3 stars

Chivalrous tells us all about Reese's past. Remember how we learned that he had a lot of baggage surrounding discussions of home? Well this story tells us exactly how horrible his last memories of home really are. It also shows us why he doesn't really trust himself and his judgement anymore. This one was really tragic. 4 stars

Lucifer's Daughter is a Hope and Karl story that shows them solving a quick demon related problem by honing Hope's skill and mixing it with Karl's brute force. 3 stars

From Russia with Love gives us a glimpse into the inner workings of the pack at a meet in Russia. This is immediately following the events of Thirteen and is a short and mandatory read for all Elena (and Jeremy) fans. 4 stars

Vanishing Act was not at all what I expected. I wanted to read a nice, fun story about Adam and Savannah as they grow into their relationship. Turns out, Adam is just filled with emotional baggage and it takes an intervention from a teleporting demon to make them confront their problems. 4 stars



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Review: Thirteen

Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was the final installment of the Women of the Otherworld series, but read more like the end of a Savannah trilogy. There were parts that felt like a wrap-up, but could just as easily tie into more books. Based on the author’s note at the end, though, it seems like we will just get short stories as follow-ups on our favorite characters. I can deal with that, and I can see where she’s coming from.

Savannah is still mostly powerless, but she has grown in leaps and bounds since the previous books. We have entered some real end of the world type situation now. Hell creatures are manifesting on earth, people who have been long dead are being summoned back into real-life bodies, demon lords are possessing people, and the “SLAM” movement has gotten completely out of control. The council, the pack, and even some Cabals are all working together for the first time in history. Savannah and Adam finally resolve all their issues in wonderful and awesome ways. I love this couple because they are adorable and young. They help balance out all the more mature couples that are still floating around.

Obviously the big story here is the supernatural reveal and the “good guys” attempting to stop it all from going wrong. The minor big bad is the anti-reveal movement folks that end up only screwing things up more than their counterparts. There are a lot of familiar faces in these groups, and it gave nice continuity to know what they were all up to. While some things are nicely tied up, I was left with a lot of “what happened?” for some loose ends along the way. Some storylines got only a short sentence letting us know how things ended up. I guess that was in the interest of time, but I thought at the very least we should see how the big impetus for Bryce’s situation resolved itself.

Overall, this book delivered a nice ending to the three book Savannah story and, thankfully, didn’t create a major bloodbath because it was the last installment. There were the twists and turns I’ve come to expect from this series, with a nice amount of character growth along the way. I’ve apparently got to pick up these short stories to fill in the gaps in my reading history because a lot of time between books is a black hole to me.




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Review: Spell Bound

Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This book continues immediately after the events of the last book. Savannah has lost her powers in some weird wish situation, but has managed to save the fragile home life of the kid that she befriended along the way.

Adam finally learns to put his foot down in this book. Savannah may have been the one doing a lot of soul searching and growing up, but Adam really learned how to force Savannah to stop treating him like her flunkey. It was a little rough to watch these two fight, but I’m happy that it might finally be getting us somewhere. A lot of meaningful looks were exchanged, or avoided, but progress is progress. This book had a lot of setup for the upcoming “war,” or whatever it turns out to be. Demons are coming out of the woodwork, mythical characters are resurfacing, all of our favorite characters from previous books are making an appearance, and everything is pointing at a big event on the horizon. Witch-hunters are cast as the big bad in this story, but it is something so much more than that.

The struggle in this book was watching Savannah try to confront her biggest fear: being normal. Without her powers, she’s just a whiney girl who keeps getting kidnapped. Lucky for us, this phase doesn’t really last that long. She figures out what her issues are (thanks to Adam) and tries to address them, while trying to, you know, save her friends. It was nice to see the changes in Savannah along the way and I hope she continues to grow up in the next book (which is also from her POV). I wish we had a HEA here, too, but maybe at the end of the next one?




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Review: Waking the Witch

Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This book begins a set of three Savannah-centric stories. I was never a big fan of the cocky teenage witch/warlock/demon hybrid, but I’m hoping that she grows on me now that she’s out of her teen angst phase.

Savannah has been left alone to keep an eye on the business while Paige and Lucas are away on a rare vacation. Yes, she’s still the cocky kid we know and love to hate on, but she’s showing signs of being more responsible (or at least not starting any race wars in the coming months…). When one of Lucas’s contacts (confirmed via photo file) asks for help with a case nearby, Savannah jumps at the chance to prove herself a worthwhile employee (and more than a receptionist). She fights for all the leads she gets, tries to balance her gut reactions with legitimate investigative work, and tries not to be too much of a schoolgirl about her crush on Adam. I really thought we’d get a little further with the Adam story, to be honest, but I guess this was more about Savannah’s development and the plot itself. Fooey. At least we get some good mystery and crime-fighting action thrown in to make up for the lack of romance.

I am really glad that Savannah got knocked around a little in this one. I’m sure she’s just going through some growing pains, but the ego was out of control in this story. Also, if you’re looking for a solid wrap-up and HEA, this book will not give you that. It reads as a standalone (plot-wise), but the overall story certainly leaves a lot up in the air at the end. If the next book wasn’t available, I would’ve been more than a little upset. Yes, I want Adam and Savannah to live happily ever after, but I sure do want her to learn some lessons before we get there. I guess that’s the ultimate goal in this book. It could be titled “Savannah, grow up.”




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Review: Frostbitten

Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This book went back to where we all fell in love with this series. There’s Elena and Clay, hunting mutts, protecting the pack, and fumbling around in their relationship. Sure, they’ve got kids now, but that doesn’t change the level of chemistry or even the risks they are willing to take.

Elena and Clay have taken an uncharacteristic time apart due to their respective assignments. This put Elena in a bit of a strange situation and left her off-kilter for what should have been a regular mutt chase. She gets spooked by a visit from her past and it puts her on a collision course with disaster. Oh, and Alaska. We meet yet another type of supernatural (hmm, is this a theme?) and are confronted with the upcoming changes in pack dynamic. There was a lot of action, lots of romance (for Clay and Elena at least, it was adorable watching them snipe at each other), and interesting amounts of knowledge sharing.

This book, while darker than I expected, was also a little bit of a relief. Sure, there were some bad guys and lots of close calls, but it was almost like a vacation for Clay and Elena to work out any issues. They were far enough away from their usual paranormal allies that it focused completely on them. It was really nice to have a book that reminded me why I started reading this series.




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Review: Deadly Wrong

Deadly Wrong by S.M. Reine

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really wonderful addition in a rapidly growing story. While the previous books in this series have revolved around Cesar, this book was completely Cesar-free and revolved around Isobel and Fritz. Looking for answers about her past? This book is filled with them!

We pick up a few months after Isobel got her memories back. They’re still trickling in but she now knows enough to be straddling the two “selves.” She’s almost at the end of her contracted “zombie” time when she finally reconnects with Fritz. While I was firmly on Team Cesar for a little bit, I can definitely say that I’m over him (as, it appears, Isobel is too). Now on Team Fritz, I was happy that this book was really just about the two of them. Their relationship (or relationships?) is anything but simple, filled with all sorts of revelations throughout the book. Yes, there’s some romance and some good stuff, but this book still bears the stamp of a nice and gritty urban fantasy.

For fans of other books by this author, we get some nice little nods to things you know already (but other readers might not). There’s some good foreshadowing and setups happening along the way that I can appreciate fully. I don’t think it would hurt if you didn’t read any other series. It might be nice to re-read after you do, though (and you should completely read the other stories). This book really “rebooted” this series for me. Cesar was really starting to grate on me and I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to be in his head any more. While there is a distinct lack of his sarcastic wit, I didn’t miss it at all. This book was a fun and quick read that left me completely satisfied.




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Review: Living with the Dead

Living with the Dead by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I had a lot of trouble getting through this book. While I love the series, I am not in love with these characters. I found it difficult to care about what happened to this group of new people. Will the next book continue with them? We didn’t even get a HEA…

This book bounces back and forth between 4 POVs: Hope (who we met in the last book), Robyn (who we meet in this book), Finn (who we meet in this book), and Adele (who is a bad guy we meet in this book). Hope and Karl are visiting LA on a “work exchange,” that she orchestrated to check on her friend Robyn. Robyn lost her husband suddenly 6 months ago and hasn’t quite gotten out of the depression spiral. She can find a way to swing just about anything back around to memories of her husband. Taking a job as the PR rep for a minor celebrity hasn’t really helped things either. Her celebrity is killed and Robyn is set up as the likely suspect. While on the run, Hope and Karl aim to assist but things never actually go as planned. We did, however, get some good cameos and name dropping along the way.

I think the real point of this book was the proper introduction of clairvoyants as a supernatural race. While we’ve seen them before, this showed the darker side, complete with abusive cult mentality. There’s torture, rape, and brainwashing just to name a few things that we encounter in their world. Maybe the best thing to come out of the book was Rhys, who I hope shows up again to be further fleshed out. While not my favorite book of the series, I suppose this is a necessary step to set up some sort of massive supernatural war?




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Review: Personal Demon

Personal Demon by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Hope is the central character in this story. We met her in a few of the previous books, but she has certainly never had such a main role. To balance this jarring change from the “formula,” the POV is changes between Hope and Lucas. While it was nice to see where Lucas and Paige are, this book threw Lucas into a whole bunch of trouble. I guess we’ll see where this goes, but I suppose it gave a good push to the overall Cabal storyline.

Hope is, as we know, the daughter of Lucifer. Gifted with a heightened chaos sense (which at first seemed kind of lame) appears to be a really good selling point for her to the council, the Cabals, and (apparently) rogue Cabal gangs. Lucas’s father approaches Hope at the start of this story to offer her a way to close out her debt. In the history of things, it was actually Karl and Hope’s debt, but being the wannabe tough chick that she is, she absorbs it without even mentioning it to Karl. The Hope/Karl love story has been building for a little bit, but I wasn’t 100% sold on seeing Karl as anything but a killer/businessman werewolf… until this story. The book does a really good job convincing me that this horrible guy is actually a perfect love interest for Hope.

As far as the gang story, Hope uses her reporter skills and her chaos skills really well (maybe too well) and might actually make herself into another sleuthing council representative (like Paige and Lucas). She infiltrates the gang with ease and probably could have solved whatever mystery was happening if there weren’t tons of shocking reveals involved. To be honest, I was more interested in Karl and Hope for the majority of the story (and some super sexy chaos demon sex) than this Cabal storyline. Towards the end, though, I was completely sucked into the drama. I loved watching Lucas take action and become a real leader. I loved being baffled by the mystery plot. I loved all of it, which is really the only reason I can get behind this book in the series being mostly about a side character. It really moved a lot of pieces into place for some good action to come.




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Review: No Humans Involved

No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This book has been a long time coming. After a few books spent watching Jaime bumble through her relationship with Jeremy, this book finally forces a big decision on the two of them. It was really satisfying to finally not have the “will they or won’t they” looming anymore.

So if you’ve read my previous reviews, you might recall that Jaime was not my favorite. I found her annoying and didn’t quite get the appeal. Well, somehow, through all these books, Jaime has managed to creep into my list of favorites. Maybe it was her school girl crush on Jeremy. Maybe it was the fact that she always gets kidnapped. I have no idea how it happened. Suddenly I’m wishing for a book from her POV when it should have been the last thing I wanted. No matter the driver, this book delivers in a big way. It accomplishes some big things in my book: 1) Jeremy and Jaime alone time (enough said) 2) There is finally a reason that I read the Eve book 3) Did I mention Jeremy and Jaime alone time? That comes complete with Jeremy insight and revelations. I guess number 4 should be the overall premise of the book, but who knows if that’s going anywhere further than this book. The series has a habit of doing some big build up and then not touching that story for a while.

Jaime is invited to be on a TV show where she and a bunch of other “spiritualists” will try to contact the ghost of some famous movie stars. Obviously, things go wrong from the start, forcing her time with Jeremy to be dangerous (and fun) and filled with bad guys (or good guys, or both). Luckily, danger and excitement force the two of them together in new ways that bring up the attraction Jaime has been trying to hide for many years. I was happy to see Jaime evolve from the awkward love struck woman into a self-confident “I’m not going to be kidnapped again” woman I kind of always wanted her to be. Her conversations with Jeremy are some of my favorites and are filled with such yummy little tidbits.

If you’ve been tricked into liking Jaime (like I have), this is the book you’ve been waiting for. It truly delivers exactly what I wanted from a Jaime (and Jeremy) book. In looking ahead, I’m sad that we don’t get a follow-up book right afterwards, but I’ll be happy with my very satisfying ending from this one.




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Review: Broken

Broken by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This installment of the series might be one of my new favorites. While it doesn’t have more than a dash of Paige and Lucas, we get a whole lot of uninterrupted Clay and Elena time. Yes, there’s the added complication of her “condition,” but she certainly doesn’t let that change the way she lives her life (as much as she can fight Clay and Jeremy on it).

Admittedly when I skimmed the synopsis I was a little hesitant to start this story. Jack the Ripper? Really? I just want some Clay and Elena time. That being said, the book is really not about Jack the Ripper. The story is about how Clay and Elena can depend on one another, how they adapt to deal with a unique ghostly threat, and how all of their relationships have grown. Yes, there is a mystery of sorts in the form of a mystical portal, a letter from Jack the Ripper, and the ever present backstabbing. Oh, and there’s Jaime and Jeremy, still not dating each other, but also not dating other people. I can’t wait for the book that throws them at each other.

Elena is still the tough chick that we’ve come to expect, fighting off the bad guys while she makes sure she takes care of her growing pack. All in all, this was a really great read from start to finish, complete with HEA (although not for Jaime, yet!). This series has a way of “fast forwarding” time and switching storytellers just enough to keep me consistently interested in where it is headed.




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Review: Anomaly

Anomaly by Tonya Kuper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This is the absolute perfect blend of YA drama and paranormal romance all wrapped up in an adorably dorky package. If nerdy references and witty sarcasm are things you enjoy, you should definitely check out this wonderful read.

The story begins in your typical YA way, with a high school girl (Josie) on the verge of a big change. Having just broken up with her boyfriend, her birthday is decidedly not going as planned. Enter super hot guy on a motorcycle, bringing with him all the change and paranormal goodness that you can handle. Turns out that this brainy teen has the ability to "push" things into existence with a mere thought. There was a really great explanation that made my science loving brain very very happy. I can honestly say that I haven't encountered any paranormal story that really explained phenomena in such a believable way (and, by the way, I'm a scientist in real life, so that is saying something).

The world that we are introduced to in this book sucked me in and had me completely engaged from the first chapter. From the characters, to the powers, to the mysterious big bad, I just wanted the book to go on forever. Josie and Reid (her trainer, and hottie crush) were captivating and I was on the edge of my seat playing the "will they or won't they" game. The chemistry is sizzling, the paranormal abilities are unique and completely awesome, and the story was surprising and new. Josie is a great teen to watch grow into the tough "anomaly" that everyone believes she can become. There was none of the dreaded misunderstanding segments or pointless fights. This book was jam packed with meaningful scenes that didn't waste a moment.

All in all, this was exactly what I look for in an excellent 5 star read. Oh, and to top all that good stuff off the right way, there's no big cliffhanger moment that made me want to chuck my kindle across the room. You get some good with some bad, but in a surprisingly "real" story. I will be counting the days until the next book in this series comes out.



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Review: Lives of Kings

Lives of Kings by Lucy Leiderman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After being pleasantly surprised by the first book in this series, I was very eager to see where book 2 would take us. This set of books is a really enjoyable mix of epic storytelling, paranormal romance, YA drama, and urban fantasy. Oh, and you get some bonus reincarnation/historical elements thrown in to round out the series.

Gwen and her past-life/current-life group of magic infused teenagers are still poised to do battle against the “Magicians.” While they begin this book on the run, they soon realize that there will be no progress with either their magic or their memories if they stay in hiding. It actually takes some scary witch doctor magic to convince them of what they probably already suspected. While we spend about half the book with Gwen and her friends, the rest of the time is spent learning Kian’s backstory, motivation, and generally getting over the fact that he appeared to betray them all. Me, being a hopeless romantic, was hoping for Gwen and Kian all the way. I was eager to forgive him all his past sins and was quick to accept whatever motivation led him to end up with the magicians.

This book also gave us a deeper look into the powers and responsibility that each of these teenagers has accepted. Tensions rise and some people are not able to handle either the pressure or the responsibility. While this is a bit of romance, it is mostly made up of the friendship or kinship that these gifted individuals share. The massive events of this book left us with a little bit of a cliffhanger in the form of “how will they deal with this new set of challenges?!?” but otherwise it was a very satisfying action/adventure tale. The good guys are making progress, the bad guys are taking hits, and I’m still rooting for lots of love and relationships to spring out of these extraordinary circumstances.




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Review: A Cursed Bloodline

A Cursed Bloodline by Cecy Robson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I admit, I’ve only read a short prequel to this series and haven’t read any of the other books. That being said, I don’t think it was really too difficult to catch up. The author does a good job getting the reader up to speed.

Poor Celia should be having the best day of her life when she is suddenly thrown into some insane supernatural drama. Anara, evil bad guy extraordinaire, rains on her parade by making her break up with Aric, her werewolf mate. If that wasn’t bad enough, he also beat her up (a lot). Celia is mostly left to her own devices (even when surrounded by family and friends) because Anara also threatens her for even thinking of telling anyone about his evil deeds. There was a lot of crying in this book. A lot. Everyone cried. The emotional turmoil dial was set at 11. When they weren’t running from bad guys or fighting for their lives, the sisters were as weird as they are made out to be. That’s not to short any of the other characters in this book. Be warned, I’m going to ramble!

I am in love with these wacky characters. They do the silliest, sweetest things at the strangest times, but that only adds to their charm. I was especially smitten with the vampires and “schoolgirls” that filled the middle of this book. I could read an entire spinoff that shows a day in the life of Misha. Misha was also my favorite of the adorable men in this book. Watching him interact with Celia and his harem had me smiling all the way through.

This book was certainly a rollercoaster ride of emotion. People go from happy to heartbroken in less than a page, with some truly heinous acts in between. If gore or touchy subjects bother you, this book will probably offend you in one way or another. For me, though, this was a really strong read in the arena of paranormal romance (with a gritty urban fantasy edge).




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Review: Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between

Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between by J.A. Saare

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Looking for a book that’s a mix of strip club, vampires, and necromancers? Look no further than this one! This gritty urban fantasy is an eclectic mix of characters and stories that blend together to create something truly unique. Beware, though, because this one has a hard to swallow cliffhanger at the end.

Rhiannon is a tough as nails ex-foster kid who now works bartending at an even tougher strip club. She’s grown up knowing that she sees dead people, but doesn’t quite know what to do with this talent. Mostly, she ignores it, until a vampire won’t let her. Disco (ugh, that name kills me) is the vampire in question, who forces Rhiannon to face her powerful talent and her undeniable attraction to him. The chemistry sizzles and the magic is pretty snazzy too.

Ultimately, Rhiannon finds herself caught in between some really bad black magic and the vampires she’s grown to respect (and love?). There are some truly gritty and tough scenes, but I found that it only made me appreciate the sappiness more. This book had me hooked right up until the end, when it slapped me across the face with some cliffhanger pain.




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Review: Penumbra

Penumbra by Keri Arthur

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is the last in the trilogy for the Spook Squad. I would've liked to have had more time to wrap my head around this very fast-paced, action-packed series, but this book makes it very clear that there will be no more.

Sam and Gabriel are still butting heads at the start of this book. She's fighting against his constant avoidance by forcing his brother to re-assign her where she can better do her job. It's sad, because I feel like Sam would be great at her job, if she could actually do it without all the secrets, lies, and misdirection. Gabriel takes Sam's reassignment just about as well as you can expect, which is to say, like a child. He loves her, he hates her, etc etc. After 2 previous books of being wishy-washy, I had high hopes for this book being a nice wrap up to all the oodles of questions. I really have to remember that Keri Arthur is not big on tying up all the loose ends.

Yes, we get to find out who Josh, Joe, and Sethanon are (you've probably guessed the answer to this already, maybe around book 2). Yes, there is resolution between Sam and Gabriel. No, things are not wrapped up in a tidy bow. If this will bother you, I'd recommend not even starting the series. This will hurt, badly, and you might end up a little less likely to start something else by the author, and that would be a shame. The other series I have read have slightly more reassuring endings, if not tidy. Overall, this series has *a lot* of questions, story, action, and a smidge of romance. If you can endure having a not so solid ending, it's worth a read.



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Review: Haunted

Haunted by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I will admit to being very reluctant to read a book that revolved around Eve. I've already complained about how the previous books are starting to convince me that this evil witch wasn't so very evil. It's amazing what this author can do, though, because by the time I was a quarter of the way through the book, I was rooting for Eve all the way.

This book is from Eve's perspective. Sure, we get visits from Jamie, Lucas, Paige, Savannah, and even a cameo from Jeremy, but it is mostly starring Eve and her ex/not-so-ex Kris. Oh, and there's angels now. Huh. The fates we met in the last book, so I guess angels shouldn't be so far fetched. While some of the other books might have been filled with some sunshine and rainbows, this book was certainly a bit darker and more gritty. Eve is in the afterlife, breaking all the rules but managing to keep her own set of rules unbroken. She barters instead of owing, always paying all her debts. One such debt was earned in the last book for Paige and Lucas. When the fates call her in, she accepts without question, tasked with hunting down a demi-demon (a "Nix") who is responsible for a whole string of serial killers.

One downside to this book is it was filled to the brim with history and backstory. It's kid of essential for the true story of this Nix to be told, but did fill up a lot of pages along the way, slowing the action down a bit. Aside from that, it had all the goodness you've come to expect: lots of paranormals, a snarky necromancer, an unlikely love story, and sacrifice a'plenty. Oh, and angels. They seem like the oddest thing to throw into this story about a "black witch," but I guess the fates are crazy.

At the end of the story I took a peek to see what the next book was about and was a little startled to see it didn't have anybody's name in it from this one. What about Tsriel (did I spell that right?)? We spent a whole bunch of time learning about angels to just drop them now... Maybe we need all this information at some point in the future...



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