Monthly Archives: March 2012

Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop – a Review

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Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop – a Review

This trilogy is one of my favorite series.  I loved this trilogy, the characters we come to love, and the secondary characters and legendary animals, we love almost as much.  This is a super trilogy, but the first book, which Anne Bishop introduces us to this world, and to the characters, has a lot of darkness in it.  This led the way to the other books in the series, but book 2 & 3 lose most of the darkness, and become two of my most favorite books.

 Daughter of the Blood – book 1

Daughter of the Blood was totally not what I expected.  Bishop has created a world unlike anything I have seen yet.  It was a complex world, and totally different.  Her writing, how she creates characters that are dark, and in time makes you fall in love with them (at least some of them), was superb.  In the beginning, I was trying to absorb the worlds, the introductions of the characters, and the existence that made up of this world.  One thing that Bishop does with Black Jewels, is change the concept of most fantasies.  In this series, the women rule the worlds.  The Queen leads the matriarchy, with other queens or witches ruling men under them.  Also in this book, many of the powerful men are enslaved, become pleasure slaves, and are forced into obedience in an unusual way.  The women ruling these worlds have become corrupt over the years, and are cruel.

This is just the background, and as you get past trying to understand what this world is about, the story begins to unfold.  The three male protagonists you at first do not like, begins to change immediately, as you meet a 7 year old girl, who is destined to become a very powerful witch.  But you fall in love with this young girl…Jaenelle, and those men, some who you think have no heart, and strike fear into others (because of their torture), see into this young girl something they have been waiting for centuries, that will change their lives in the future…if they can keep her alive.  The effect she has, a mere child, on them is wonderful and you totally feel it too. 

The great thing about this book is that you find yourself falling in love or adoring some of those, who you expected to be totally bad, and make no mistake, they are capable of being horrific.  Besides Jaenelle, I totally fell for the Daemon (who was like an anti hero, whom you come to love), & Saetan (adored him), Surreal (a female warrior of a different type), Lucivar, and many good secondary characters.  Sure this book had dark parts, but also has some funny parts, and most amazingly in this type of book…..emotional parts.  Wheras, the dark parts can be horrific, such as the concept for young witches (children still) to suffer through virgin night, which could drive them into madness, child rapes, but unlike other fantasy books, you technically do not see this, therefore you do not suffer to read it.  The cruel men, who enjoy those games, and the Queens who enjoy the suffering they bestow on the men they enslave for their enjoyment, are the dark of this story.  I found it funny, that the enslaved men are loaned by the Queen give the married wives enjoyment, with the husband’s approval. Lol

This amazing ride takes you into the dark, then gets you emotionally involved, then the tension builds as you become invested in trying to save Jaenelle, who is the only one to be able change things for the better in the future,  if she survives, as the Queen and the High Priestess want her dead.   Daughter of the Blood ends partially, but with enough of a cliffhanger to force you to read the next book “Heir to the Shadows”. 

Heir to the Shadows – Book 2

Heir to the Shadows picks up pretty much where the first book left off.  There were such great characters in Daughter of the Blood, but this book introduces even more great characters whom you will come to enjoy.  “Heir to the Shadows” belongs to Jaenelle, as she is still healing and matures along the way. You will marvel at her powers, that even shock Saetan, who is one of the most powerful, if not the most.  Janelle’s life is always in danger, especially since she is still young, even now at 17. The beginning finally brings together Saetan, with the daughter of his soul, as he becomes her father…by choice. 

I can’t say enough about Anne Bishop, how she takes us on this adventure, through the dark parts, and brings forth all the love between Jaenelle, Saetan, and the rest of those who make up her new family.  As Jaenelle continues to heal, her friends come forth to spend the summer with her. The friends you never saw her visiting secretly in the first book, but knew she was meeting them all.  Meeting them (the coven) was a joy, that made this book so special, and an incredible trip.  The more you read, the more you became absorbed with the feelings, and thoughts of each character.  You laugh at Saetan’s reactions to her friends & to Jaenelle; his fears for Jaenelle on seeing her powers; you enjoy the banter between her friends, as well feeling their affection; you cry at some of terrible things done to her kindred or sacrifices along the way.  Bravo, Anne Bishop for bringing a range of emotion throughout this book.  Amazing.

Finally, almost midway, Lucivar comes forth and becomes a major part in the book.  Daemon has a small role in this book, but we know somehow, someway he will return in the next one.  Loved Lucivar, who loved Jaenelle from afar, hardly knowing her, while imprisoned and suffering; but he becomes the big brother & protector that will always stand by her, even if she does have so many. 

Where the first book was more dark and much torture, this book lightens up a lot, though again it must have its cruel events, and dark villains, it is still an easier and great read.  Sometimes second books of trilogies are not as good as the first, but this one to me continued the storyline and growth of Jaenelle so well, it surpassed the first book, and leads to the last book.  The last 1/3 of the book was sensational, very exciting, with heart shattering moments that pull you so deep into the story, that you feel you are experiencing it.  Saetan is such a wonderful character, watching him love Janelle, laugh at her, worry about her, and fear losing her, take the teasing from her friends or Lucivar, and he is the High Lord of Hell.  What a joy to read such great characters.

Queen of the Darkness – Book 3

“Queen of the Darkness” is the 3rd book in Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels trilogy.  After I finished this book, I was totally hyped and couldn’t come down fast enough from an emotional read. “In “Queen of the Darkness”, the lighter, but intense story continues to an exciting and emotional ending. 

“Queen of the Darkness” is two parts.  Part 1 brings you back into the story, meeting all the wonderful people you became so attached to in the previous two books, as well as some new characters. It also brings the major pieces together, such as Daemon and Surreal to the family, and sets things up for the exciting Part 2, where choices have to made, to face the forthcoming battle against evil.  

Anne Bishop not only creates such wonderful leading characters, her secondary characters are just as lovable.  She has a way that brings them so close to your heart, and it’s almost like you are living within each of those characters. Of course, as in any story, she has her villains, and in this case they are women (some men); her 2 vicious villainess’ are as hated, as the others are loved. 

Upon finishing the Black Jewels trilogy, these wonderful characters that I have come to love, will stay with me:

Jaenelle– whom you meet at 7 years old, and know she is destined for greatness.  You will love her immediately and watch her mature from a child, to a young adult, to a young woman, and to WITCH.

 Saetan – He is the High Lord of Hell, as I said before, nothing like you would have imagined him to be.  He is a joy to watch throughout the entire series.  He is fun, humorous, and at the same time can be lethal.   But his love for the daughter of his soul, Jaenelle, and later on for his sons, his family, and her friends is so wonderful to be part of. 

Lucivar – So strong, funny, tough, a leader and loyal to his sister.  He knew early on that this child he briefly met would be someone in the future who will change his life forever. 

Daemon – He should go down as one of the best leading male characters in fiction.  He is strong, beautiful, and highly sexual.  He has a very cruel side (due to his horrific early days), and the wonderful emotional loving side (after he meets Jaenelle). Daemon fits the description of dark & light…love & hate. A very emotional ride throughout for him. 

The four of them complete each other.  But there are so many other characters you also come to care deeply about;  Surreal, Andulvar, Karla, Prothvar, Ladvarian, Kaelas, Graysfang, and of course the rest of her coven and their warlords.  You know you are in trouble, when you find yourself falling in love with Lord Ladvarian..one of the warlord heroes…………………………..a kindred dog…lmao…ahhhhh Ladvarian.  🙂

The last  third of the book was very exciting and tense, as Anne Bishop pulled everything out of her imagination to play with your emotions…hatred for those evil bitches, for what they were doing; sadness and tears for the sacrifices to be made to save the them all.  Surreal trying to teach Jaenelle how to kiss Daemon.…laughter;  Saetan dreaming..and all those characters who came to visit him in his dream to say goodbye….tears;  Surreal & her mother….crying vengeance against two of the most vile men..….cheers;  Daemon at the fountain….double tears;  Saetan hearing the wolves howling.…triple tears.  Then later came my Ladvarian….*grins* to bring some peace.

If I had to pick one thing that I would have changed..it is part of the ending.  Though it was a good ending, I would have liked to have enhanced it more with an epilogue or another chapter bringing some of them together as a group.  But that is me, I like those mushy endings.

Anne Bishop follows this trilogy with Dreams Made Flesh, which is 4 short stories in the Black Jewels.  The last story in the book, picks up after the end of Queen of the Darkness, and we get our answers. 

I am totally in awe of Anne Bishop, who took her time in telling us her story, and bringing us these wonderful characters, whom we were able to live through them.  She has created a heart rendering, beautiful story of a young child coming to greatness, and the devoted men and friends, who stood beside her against the evil.  Bravo… Bravo Anne Bishop.  Lastly, I have to say one more thing…………………”Mother Night!”   🙂

Reviewed by Barb

 

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FOURTH GRAVE BENEATH MY FEET-Darynda Jones Cover Reveal

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FOURTH GRAVE BENEATH MY FEET is the 4th instalment in the Darynda Jones’ Grave series featuring Charley Davidson-grim reaper extraordinaire and private investigator.

RELEASE DATE: October 30, 2012

READING ORDER:
1. First Grave on the Right
2. Second Grave on the Left
3. Third Grave Dead Ahead
4. Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (Oct 2012)

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BURNING ALIVE (Sentinel Wars #1) by Shannon K Butcher: A Review

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BURNING ALIVE (Sentinel Wars #1) by Shannon K. Butcher-a review

Every Thursday, Tynga at Tynga’s Reviews host “Daring You to Read”. Each site selects a book from a series or a stand alone (release date more than six months ago) and we ‘dare you to read’.

You can find Tynga’s Reviews at: Tynga’s Reviews

 

This week THE READING CAFE is featuring the magnificent author Shannon K. Butcher and what better way to start our week with Shannon than daring you to read the first book in The Sentinel Wars series: BURNING ALIVE.

BURNING ALIVE is Shannon K. Butcher’s first novel in the Sentinel Wars series of books. Released in May 2009, this paranormal story introduces the premise and characters behind the Sentinel Wars  series. The Sentinels are three races descended from an ancient race of guardians known as the Athanasians, who defend and protect mankind from the demons at the door. The Theronai are the protectors, the Sanguinar are the healers (as well as blood feeders) and the Synestryn-the demons. There is a lot of background information contained in Burning Alive, and hopefully I can do Shannon’s writing justice.

Helen Day is a young woman who is haunted by a dream about dying-burning alive, while a smiling man, watches her burn. When she finally meets the stranger from her dreams, she feels an immediate connection with the man.

Theronai warrior Drake, is in constant pain from the excess of power inhabiting his body, and is nearing the end of his life. His Theonai lifemark-Tree of Life-has been shedding leaves for 100’s of years, and Drake has only a few leaves remaining. Without a mate, to save his dying soul and syphon off the excess power, his Tree of Life will die, along with his soul. The lifemark is a visual gage of a soul’s health, and all of the warriors are suffering with the pain, and are running out of time. The Synestryn demons murdered most of the females over a century ago, and there have been no children produced in almost as long.

The fates intercede, while Drake and his fellow warriors (Zach and Thomas) are on the hunt for the Synestry- who are in possession of a fallen warrior’s mystical sword. With one touch from the frightened woman- all of Drake’s pain disappears, but how is he going to keep in physical contact, while fighting to save mankind? When Helen releases her hold on Drake, the return of the pain is agonizing, and the couple must figure a way to either keep their distance or return together as one. But a demon attack at Helen’s house, and the appearance of Logan, the Sanguinar, does not bode well for the couple, and they must return to the compound where the warriors live.

Logan, as a gifted healer with the ability to read memories, requires blood, and without the Gerai around (blooded human descendant from the Athanasians), Helen is the nearest candidate. When she allows Logan to feed, she is now permanently connected to the Sanguinar, and must be available for feeding whenever Logan insists. Drake is beyond angry, for his mate now has a blood debt with Logan, as well as Logan having had access to Helen’s memories, and his presence, was only necessary as a healer. The Sanguinar are considered ‘bloodsuckers’ because of their need to feed, but they are Sentinel warriors, none the less.

As the story progresses, Drake talks of the luceria-a necklace and ring combination, shared by mates. As the couple’s relationship grows, the colors within each piece, swirl into a solid color, but if one of the pair should walk away or die, the luceria would return to its’ original state. A female must agree to wear the symbol of Theronai mating, and is only able to remove the collar, by its’ intended wearer. But Drake convinces Helen, that she must agree to wear the necklace, so that he is able to protect her, should she have need. When one of the other Theronai warriors may also be compatible with Helen, he lets it be known, that Drake has not been honest with his intended mate. Without that knowledge, Drake has not been honest and must now offer Helen a means with which to end their relationship.

Meanwhile, Helen must be trained in the ways of the Theronai warriors, if she is to fight by Drake’s side. Now that the couple has started their mating, and she has accepted the luceria, Drake no longer suffers with the pain, as Helen is able to syphon his excess power. But it is Logan, who reveals to the Gray Lady, a queen of sorts, that Helen is not all that she seems. There are powers within Helen that have yet to be released, but something is holding her back-buried so deep, that she is unable to use the powers within.

As the Theronai warriors pledge their honor and protection to the newest female, Drake and the others are convinced that Helen is not a mere human, but perhaps a descendant or product of a human/Theronia interaction. But, the story evolves, and their history of no children and no females reveals, that Helen never had knowledge of her father.

A death of a warrior, a young female seer and a missing waitress named Roxi, add plenty of background information for the reader. But the dream of burning alive-still haunts Helen, and only when she is told, that the fire is ‘within her’ to control, does she realize her dream may very well come true. A lesson in power, from the Gray Lady and a vision from a young child, haunt Helen’s dreams- a fight with fire, that could very well end Drake’s life. Without the ability to control her internal flames, Helen could destroy the man, who has become her life. But her life with Drake takes on new meaning when their luceria colors turn a matching red, as does her title as The Red Lady.

BURNING ALIVE is a wonderful debut book in the Sentinel Wars series. There is an eclectic mixture of demons, warriors, sword fights, sexual tension, passion and some humor. The Hall of the Fallen will bring a tear to your eye, and the death of a warrior, will be forever etched in your soul. As with every debut book in a serial storyline, Burning Alive was filled with plenty of background information and character introductions, that you know will evolve into something even bigger. Burning Alive is a great start to Shannon K Butcher’s Sentinel Wars series. 

Reviewed by Sandy

READING ORDER:  The Sentinel Wars

Burning Alive (May 2009)
Finding the Lost (November 2009)
Running Scared (May 2010)
On the Hunt – “The Collector” (February 2011)
Living Nightmare (November 2010)
Blood Hunt (August 2011)
Bound by Vengeance (February 2012)
Dying Wish (March 2012)

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WELCOME to March at The Reading Cafe

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Welcome to MARCH. The Reading Cafe can’t wait to share with everyone some of the exciting things we have planned for the upcoming month.

Along with our usual reviews, up to date Cafe News, special articles and giveaways, we have more wonderful interviews planned with some of your favorite authors and cover models.

WE have the wonderful Anne Bishop, who will tell us everything we want to know about her new book BRIDGE OF DREAMS (Ephemera Series) to be released March 6, 2012, as well as answering our questions about her other great series such as The Black Jewels and House of Gian series. Anne has graciously donated a signed copy of two of her books for a giveaway.

WE also have the equally fantastic Shannon K. Butcher, who will be releasing her latest novel DYING WISH, from her Sentinel Wars series, also on March 6, 2012. Shannon will tell us all about it, as well as offering a special giveaway to one of our lucky members.

Sandy will also have 2 great Cover Model interviews.

And, closer to the end of the month we will introduce a couple of new authors:

M.A. Abraham, who is about to release her first novel, “Gabriel”, this month. We will have a review, as well as get the scoop directly from the author about her new book. In the days ahead, M.A. Abraham, will keep The Reading Cafe abreast of her exciting adventure to publishing her first book:

J.L.Barnett, who released his first novel in January 2012. We will present a review and an interview. March is a month you do not want to miss a thing.

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♥WOMEN OF THE OTHERWORLD CHALLENGE♥

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The Challenge:

Each month beginning March 1st, 2012, challenge members will read or re-read the title for that month. In addition, challenge members will either post a review, their reading experience, character castings or anything else related to that title. You have freedom to have fun with your monthly post so be creative! Seeing as this series is 13 novels long, this challenge will last 13 months.

CLICK HERE FOR : Moonlight Gleam’s Challenge

FIRST CHALLENGE:  MARCH 2012-BITTEN by Kelley Armstrong

 

BITTEN is the first book in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. With the introduction of Elena Michaels, Clayton and Jeremy Danvers and the Pack, Kelley uses first person narration, in most of her Otherworld storylines, to let the reader into the minds of the characters. Elena is the principle narrator for BITTEN, but through descriptive narration, we can feel the pain and emotion that each characters experiences throughout the storyline.

Elena Michaels is a bitten werewolf, and werewolf lore specifically notes, there are NO female wolves, yet Elena is the only made female wolf in existence. Turned by a bite from her werewolf lover Clayton Danvers, Elena spirals out of control and eventually, after years of fighting and warring with her mate, Elena moves to Toronto, to start a new life away from the Pack. When a rogue mutt (werewolf not belonging to any pack) starts a killing spree, Elena and the others are called back to Stonehaven, home of the Pack leader and Alpha Jeremy Danvers, and his enforcer (and adopted son) Clayton. Not ready to face either man, Elena tries to ignore Jeremy’s phone calls, but truth be told, Elena must return, as she is Pack. Leaving behind a confused fiancé, and a heavy heart, Elena heads back to Stonehaven and the only man, who will ever, truly know and love, the real Elena Michaels-Clayton Danvers.

With so much history between Elena and Clay, the other Pack members, and best friends to Clay and Jeremy, Nicolas and his father, Antonio Sorrentino, are left in the precarious position of watching from the sidelines as tension mounts. Not wanting to continue her relationship with Clay, Elena tries to avoid all confrontation with her mate. But like wolves in the wild, there is only one true mate for each werewolf, and with Elena, the only known female werewolf, there is much rivalry from ‘outside’ wolves, in other areas and packs. Elena must continuously fend off advances from other males, and potential life-threatening situations because of her position in the Pack. But when fellow pack-members Peter Myers, and close friend Logan Jonsen are murdered, Elena makes it her goal to seek justice and retribution, regardless of the directive of the Alpha.

There is much speculation surrounding Logan and Peter’s murders, and different names are mentioned, including former and wannabe Pack members. But when more bodies start to appear on the Stonehaven property, Jeremy and the Pack must go hunting. Karl Marsten, Zachary Cain, Daniel Santos and Jimmy Koenig are a few names suggested as potential suspects, but it isn’t until Elena is forced to move back to Toronto, for her own safety, do the names and suspects begin to add up. Much to her dismay and disappointment, Clay is sent to Toronto as protection for Elena, but she sees Clayton’s form of protection, as interference. When she returns to her apartment after a day at work, she finds her fiancé injured and Clay missing. Her only clue– is the wedding band Clay has worn for over 10 years (a symbol of his fidelity to Elena), left behind with a note, demanding Elena in exchange for Clayton. The scent belonged to Daniel Santos.

When Elena arranges a meeting with Daniel, she is surprised when wannabe pack wolf, Karl Marsten is present. Not knowing Karl’s true motives, Elena is curious as to his involvement with the former Pack member Daniel Santos. Unbeknownst to the Pack, Elena offers herself up, in exchange for a severely injured and drugged Clayton-only to realize, she wasn’t the true target. Daniel was seeking revenge for his father’s death at the hands of Clayton, and was using Karl Marsten as a means to an end.

Following Daniel’s death, and Clayton’s subsequent release, Elena is compelled to return to Stonehaven to aid in Clay’s recovery. But it doesn’t take anyone long to realize, that Elena is still and always has been, in love with her mate. When she returns to Toronto, Clay follows, fearing she has left him for good. A chance meeting between Clay and Elena, on the sidewalk outside of her Toronto apartment, reveals the reality of the situation. Elena had returned to say goodbye to her ex-fiance, and was heading back to Stonehaven to start a new life with Clay and the Pack.

I love this series. I have looked forward to every new release of Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. With her many novellas and anthologies, Kelley has revealed plenty of background information and delved into the lives of the werewolves and other supernatural beings throughout her Otherworld series. I was especially thrilled with her Men of the Otherworld collection of short stories, as well as her Tales of the Otherworld.  Both of these books contain ‘prequels’ to the current storyline, and by way of flashbacks and flash-forwards, the story arcs came full circle. Most of the reader’s questions are answered.

Reviewed by Sandy

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