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The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence – a Review

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The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence – a Review

 

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Description:
We fight for the people we love. We fight for the ideas we want to be true.

Evar and Livira stand side by side and yet far beyond each other’s reach. Evar is forced to flee the library, driven before an implacable foe. Livira, trapped in a ghost world, has to recover her book if she’s to return to her life. While Evar’s journey leads him outside into the vastness of a world he’s never seen, Livira’s destination lies deep inside her own writing, where she must wrestle with her stories in order to reclaim the volume in which they were written.

And all the while, the library quietly weaves thread to thread, bringing the scattered elements of Livira’s old life – friends and foe alike – back together beneath new skies.

Long ago, a lie was told, and with the passing years it has grown and spread, a small push leading to a chain of desperate consequences. Now, as one edifice topples into the next with ever-growing violence, it threatens to break the world. The secret war that defines the library has chosen its champions and set them on the board. The time has come when they must fight for what they believe, or lose everything.

The Library Trilogy is about many things: adventure, discovery, and romance, but it’s also a love letter to books and the places where they live. The focus is on one vast and timeless library, but the love expands to encompass smaller more personal collections, and bookshops of all shades too.

 

 

Review:

The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence is the 2nd book in his The Library Trilogy. The Library Trilogy revolves around the Athenaeum, the legendary timeless library, such as; adventure, discovery, romance; also who controls access to knowledge or if information should be revealed.  The first half of the book was slow, with not a lot happening; however, the last half perked up a lot. It was a journey across various dimensions along the way. Though there were many characters in the book, the leads still revolved around Livira and Evar. 

Livira, who is a librarian, is now trying to find her way home to her family, as well find Evar again.  The relationship between Livira and Evan began in the first book, with both feeling love between them, but fear they will lose connections to each other in this multiversal time jump fantasy. Livera is also trying to find a book she wrote, which could possibly be a true threat to the library’s existence.  Evar, who was trapped with his adopted siblings for a very long time, being raised by the Assistant and Soldier.  He is determined to find Livira, and together with Evar’s sister, Clovis, who was an amazing and tough warrior, and his brother, as they manage to move forward; meeting up with other people in the huge library, with different walls. 

There were a number of new characters that played a part in this story.   Celcha, was born into slavery with her brother Hellet, as they both were part of a dig, finding lost books. A librarian manages to save them, and take both of them with her as they head into the Library world. Celcha was very good, as she was intelligent, tough, unyielding, and willing to fight. Hellet manages to create something that could destroy the library.  I really liked Arpix, who is a librarian, who also tutored Livira, and found himself falling for Clovis; with her being protective of him. Yute, deputy head librarian, also returns closer to the end.  I loved Wentworth (huge cat, who can find anyone), who was a terrific addition to the book.

I do not want to give spoilers, because you need to concentrate on what is happening, as we get closer to the end. This is a difficult review to write, as the whole concept was about books to reveal secrets, knowledge, freedom, as noted previously, as noted previously, the first half of the book was very slow.  The last half was exciting, with everyone coming together to make decisions on what to do.  The time will come when they will all decide if they will fight for what they believe or loose it all.

The Book That Broke the World was a different kind of fantasy, set in a huge immense library, with many chambers, with those who were trapped inside. The library had its own mechanism, with protectors of history, and the power of knowledge from those special books. The overall theme is knowledge, power, responsibility and war.  The Book that Broke the World was a complex and intriguing story line that was well written by Mark Lawrence. However, I will note that I have loved a number of series by Lawrence, and this book continues to be bit slow for most of the first half, but it was an exciting end.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Holy Man’s Sinner (Blood Coven World 3) by TM Smith-review

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The Holy Man’s Sinner (Blood Coven World 3) by TM Smith-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 2, 2024

The Sinner

Elisabeta is a vampire party girl. But when the revolving-door males, the dangerous craving for blood, and the indiscriminate sexual encounters no longer make her happy, she looks for something more in life. What she finds is surprising.

The Holy Man

While in a sacred shrine, Elisabeta contemplates her future. She meets Nelo, the spiritual leader of the vampire breed, but he’s nothing like an Earther holy man. He likes his blood fresh and his sex hot.They are an unlikely match.From the moment Nelo sees Elisabeta, he is struck by her beauty and sympathetic with her desire to change her life.

But Do opposites really attract?

••••

REVIEW: THE HOLY MAN’S SINNER is the third novella in TM Smith’s adult BLOOD COVEN WORLD erotic, paranormal/fantasy series-a spin off set in the author’s Blood Coven Series. This is vampire Elisabeth, and vampire holy man Nelo’s story line. THE HOLY MAN’S SINNER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines or series is revealed where necessary. Elisabeta is Firebrand Rein’s sister (The Firebrand #1).

SOME BACKGROUND: Thousands of years earlier, a powerful group of witches and warlocks, in an effort to protect the human race, divided the world creating three realms: Earth, Scath and Darque. The Blood Coven series focuses on the fight to keep the worlds separated in the face of some powerful people hoping to destroy the people of earth.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Elisabeta and Nelo) THE HOLY MAN’S SINNER follows the building relationship between our story line couple. Nelo is vampire a holy man, a Cruor, and as such he finds himself with a new guest, a female vampire name Elisabeta, a woman who is struggling with her present and her past. Hoping for absolution for her sins, Elisabeta begins her journey with the vampire holy man, the Cruor with whom she will fall in love but all is not well at the Strigodierna Shrine where Elisabeth and Nelo are currently thriving, as our heroine finds herself targeted by the women in charge.

The world building is limited as most of the story line focuses on the building and highly sexual relationship, a relationship questioned by the Carnemia, a group of cloistered females who serve the holy and our story line hero.

The relationship between Elisabeta and Nelo is one of immediate attraction. Elisabeta struggles with her direction in life, a life of sin as she considers her future. Nelo is a man, who wants our story line heroine but a man whose duty is to administer to the vampires in his territory. The $ex scenes are raw, erotic and intense.

THE HOLY MAN’S SINNER is a story of instant attraction, need and frenzy. The fast paced, character driven premise is edgy; the characters are spirited and sassy.

Reading Order and Previous review The Blood Coven World
The Lawgiver’s Firebrand
The Firebrand’s Succubus

Reading Order and Previous Reviews from The Blood Coven Series
The Firebrand
The Demon’s Fire
The Satyr’s Guilt
The Vampire’s Thirst
The Phoenix

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Social Media: Website/ Facebook/ Instagram/ Amazon Author/

A master’s degree in English and a doctorate in administration led me to education. After retiring from my career as a teacher and principal, I settled in to write something more creative than lesson plans on split infinitives and inner-school memos on noise in the hallway.

My first novel was the romantic mystery comedy romp Affection for Crime. My plans were to make this Maggie Hall book the first in a series about a quirky columnist and her friends and lovers. That may still happen, but interest in a different genre has changed my direction.

I am now living with vampires, demons, ylves, mages, and other magical beings who keep me awake at night with their tales of love and adventure. Taking great interest in their lives, I began a paranormal romance series with alpha males who aren’t always nice and females who have no problem keeping them in line.

I have learned much about the difference between writing a series and writing a stand-alone book. First, get a fantastic writing software program. Second, keep great notes. And third, do not think book one is complete until you have finished book five. These have been hard-learned lessons, but I am a hardheaded author.

Here are more orts, scraps, and fragments from my life. (Thank you, Virginia Woolf and Shakespeare.) I moved from sunny Las Vegas to the less-than-sunny Pacific Northwest. Here I have adventures with my daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters who also moved to the area. I also enjoy my membership at Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN), a local organization that supports the arts and offers classes and events with eleven different studios where a welcoming community of artists praise each other’s efforts. It was at BARN where my critique group began. With equal time given to in-depth comments on each other’s works, snarky remarks, and laughter, we have now been together over five years. (from the Author’s website)

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Lightningborn by Julie Kagawa – a Review

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Lightningborn by Julie Kagawa – a Review

 

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Description:
In a world in the clouds where only the rich own dragons, a poor boy named Remy finds a wild baby dragon—believed to be extinct—and becomes the focus of an evil pirate’s vengeance.

REMY spends his days trying to survive the mean streets of Cutthroat Wedge—one of the many islands floating in the gravitational pull of the magical Maelstrom raging below. But his life changes forever when a violent storm brings a baby dragon to his doorstep, and he feels a bond he has never felt with anyone. Remy names the dragon Storm and vows to protect this new friend, no matter the cost. 

GEM longs for the day when she call herself a true mage. That is, if she can convince her teachers and peers that just because she’s a princess doesn’t mean she’s lazy and spoiled. But when Gem learns that the floating islands that make up her kingdom are rapidly sinking into the Maelstrom, she makes it her mission to save her world. Against the king’s wishes, she accesses forbidden research and discovers the secret to saving humanity may lie in a True Dragon—a dragon capable of intelligent thought and able to cast and use magic. But True Dragons are extinct . . . aren’t they?

Remy’s and Gem’s lives will never be the same when their fates collide, thanks to Storm. With an evil pirate mage named Jhaeros determined to claim the rare dragon for himself, the two must learn to trust in each other as they team up with a shifty pirate captain and her crew, stand together against impossible odds, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

 

 

Review:

Lightningborn by Julie Kagawa is the first book in her new Storm Dragons series. The story revolves around two main characters; Remy, a street urchin who survives the dangerous streets of Cutthroat Wedge and Gem, a princess, who lives a life of privilege.

We meet young Remy, who has no family left, living in the family’s small poor house, and finding ways to to survive. He often hangs out at the local pub and talks to Bart, an old storyteller who shares his stories about dragons. Remy’s life will change forever, when a powerful magical storm will drop a baby dragon by his doorstep. He names the baby dragon, Storm, and quicky he feels a bond and will do everything to protect the dragon.  But Remy needs to hide Storm, as an evil pirate, Jhaeros is turning the town upside down to find the dragon.

Gem, is a princess, who attends the College of Magic, hoping to become a true mage. She overhears that the floating islands that make up her kingdom are slowly sinking. While in the library, Gem finds some details about Ancient Ones, which could help restore the magic. Determined to get more information, Gem, without her father’s approval goes in search to find Sir Bartello, the last person who had contact with a True Dragon. Can Sir Bartello help fix the storm crystals to save the kingdom? Gem takes her white dragon, Cloud on an adventure to seek help.

Remy does his best to help hide Storm, and his constantly finding food for him. Bart will find Remy and Storm, and decide to help them, bringing them to his home, which has caves to hide Storm.  But with the pirate Jhaeros offering large sums of money, the danger escalates, and when Remy learns that the pirate is going after Bart, he knows he has to save him, which would mean giving up Storm.

Gem is heading for Cutthroat Wedge with Cloud, and when a terrible storm hits, a pirate ship beckons her to come to safety, where she will meet Captain Cutlass.  The Captain (a lady pirate) is very fair, and is willing to help Gem find Sir Bertello, knowing who Gem is (princess) and her help will get her some gifts, after this adventure is over.   When they get to the island, they learn that Jhaeros has captured the baby dragon as well as Bart (Sir Bertello), as they just left. Gem begs Captain Cutlass to follow the ship, Windshark, and Remy who is nearby, offers his help, as his bond can help find Storm.

What follows is an exciting, intense and wild ride to rescue Storm and Bart.  Gem and Remy will slowly trust each other, to save Storm as well as Bart.  Together with Gem discussing with Captain Cutlass a plan for Remy and her to get on the ship, while the Captain finds ways to distract those on the Windstark.  It was a wild ride, that had us holding our breath.  To say too much more would be spoilers, as you need to read this book to see what happens.

Lighningborn was an exciting start to the first book in the Storm Dragons series; it was fast paced action and suspense throughout.  I did like Remy; but I liked Gem even more; she was not only brave, determined with a strong personality.  I loved Storm. Lighntingborn was so very well written by Julie Kawaga. I look forward the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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An Accident Waiting to Dragon by Abigail Owen – a Review

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An Accident Waiting to Dragon by Abigail Owen – a Review

 

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Description:
It’s not the heat…it’s the pixie dust.

The day her brother died, Gwendolyn Moonsoar fled from her veil of pixies. Grief drove her away, but a broken heart made her stay gone for good. Lucky for Gwen, Brimstone Inc. was there to break her fall. Now, as a special courier transporting the most valuable and dangerous items of the supernatural world, Gwen is good at her job. Damn good. After all, disappearing is her specialty.

Dragon shifter Asher Kato will always be haunted by his best friend Goran’s death. Although a promise he made gave him no choice, Asher will never forgive himself for the role he played…or the fallout it caused with Goran’s younger sister, Gwen. Burying himself in his role as second-in-command of the blue dragons is his only escape. Unfortunately, the peace they fought so hard for isn’t meant for a warrior like him. So, when a courier transporting a rare basilisk egg goes missing, Asher volunteers to track her down.

Except Asher’s mission leads him straight into the arms of the one pixie who would rather vanish forever than spend a single second with him…

 

 

Review:

An Accident Waiting to Dragon by Abigail Owen is the 3rd book in her Brimstone Inc. series. I’ve read most of this authors works. And I’m slowly reading her older books. But I couldn’t download this fast enough. I loved her Brimstone Inc. series and devoured both her Fire’s Edge and Rising Inferno series. You don’t have to read the three previous series to enjoy this one, but for fans it’s a great addition, and for new readers to her books it will have to wanting to read the backlog 😉 

So….. 

Asher is second in command to the blue dragon King Ladon (Ladon, who we met in his book The Blood King) he is a dragon of action and all this sitting around is making him and his dragon restless. 

Gwen is a Moonlight Pixie (but no ordinary one, she can transport rare, dangerous and hard to obtain objects to the Green Dragon Queen’s kingdoms.) So this new task is just right for her.

These two have a previous relationship, they’ve known each other for years (Asher’s best friend was Gwen’s brother) but an unfortunate incident split the friends apart…Asher didn’t think he would see Gwen again, after the death of her brother (by Asher’s own dragon fire!) Gwen avoided him and then fled her home and world! 

Gwen has no idea what she was flying into with her latest mission, but she would complete it as was her reputation on the line… And when Asher is sent on a mission to rescue her, his dragon makes it clear it wants Gwen(I think they must have meant a little more than friends to each other as Gwen is resistant to Asher and his rescue attempt!) 

As always this author has you on the edge of your seat. The action is fast paced and full of drama. The world in which this is based is rich in description and the authors imagination is a thing of wonder and beauty. 

So can Asher convince Gwen that he only wants to help? Can Gwen move past the fact the friend she knew from her childhood has grown into an honourable dragon and the past was something he couldn’t change?  And when Asher tries to do the right thing, will Gwen run again, or will she stay by his side to fight? 

Another highly recommended read from me. Give it a go if you love this author/dragons/action and adventure. You won’t be sorry. 

Reviewed by Julie 🦋

Copy Supplied for review

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Gild by Raven Kennedy – a Review

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Gild by Raven Kennedy – a Review

 

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Description:
The fae abandoned this world to us. And the ones with power rule.

Gold.

Gold floors, gold walls, gold furniture, gold clothes. In Highbell, in the castle built into the frozen mountains, everything is made of gold.

Even me.

King Midas rescued me. Dug me out of the slums and placed me on a pedestal. I’m called his precious. His favored. I’m the woman he Gold-Touched to show everyone that I belong to him. To show how powerful he is. He gave me protection, and I gave him my heart. And even though I don’t leave the confines of the palace, I’m safe.

Until war comes to the kingdom and a deal is struck.

Suddenly, my trust is broken. My love is challenged. And I realize that everything I thought I knew about Midas might be wrong.

Because these bars I’m kept in, no matter how gilded, are still just a cage. But the monsters on the other side might make me wish I’d never left.

The myth of King Midas reimagined. This compelling adult fantasy series is as addictive as it is unexpected. With romance, intrigue, and danger, the gilded world of Orea will grip you from the very first page.

 

 

Review:

Gild by Raven Kennedy is the 1st book in her The Plated Prisoner series. This is a dark fantasy inspired by the myth of King Midas; a retelling of the man who turned everything he touched to gold.

Auren, our heroine, had a rough childhood, losing her parents at a young age; having to fend for herself; but soon she is rescued by Midas, who will give her protection and kindness. 10 years later, after he became King, Auren is his favorite, with her body and hair totally gold, except for her eyes and teeth. She lives in a gilded cage, with Midas not sharing her with anyone, and pampering her; also, being a friend and lover to him.  Midas has a number of concubines whom he uses for sexual pleasures, and allowing those concubines (saddles) to enjoy the other men, but only Auren belonged solely to Midas.

Though we did not see sex scenes between Auren and Midas, even though he was her lover. I have to say this book had so many graphic non-consensual sex/rape scenes, that were really degrading for women.  Even using the “saddles” reference was terrible.  When Auren learns that Midas is offering her a one-night stand with another King, she is desperate to stop it, but Midas will eventually eliminate the other King, protecting Auren. 

When Midas takes control over the other kingdom, a war breaks out, and all the concubines & Auren are captured by pirates, with many of the soldiers killed. The pirate captain plans to make a deal to sell the concubines (after they have fun with them), to King Ravinger.  Commander Rip is the feared leader who forces the pirate captain to agree for them to take all the concubines, even though the captain wanted to keep Auren.   It was amazing though that Auren was able to use her unknown powers to save Rissa and herself.

Gild was an interesting fantasy, which from what I have discovered, will be three more books for this series.  However, I thought there was too much graphic sexual violence done to some of these women, which was extremely degrading, and most certainly for an adult audience.   The end of the book, Auren and the ladies will find themselves going to King Ravinger’s kingdom, and a new possible romance with Commander Rip, as well as Midas planning to go to war.  Gild was an intriguing story and disturbing; with the overall intriguing concept written by Raven Kennedy.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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ENDLESS SKYE (Skye Druids 4) by Donna Grant-review

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💜ENDLESS SKYE (Skye Druids 4) by Donna Grant-review💜

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 12, 2024

Passion comes with a price…

For Willa Ryan, family is everything. So, when her brother asks her to locate a book of unparalleled power, she doesn’t hesitate. Except she does more than find it. She attempts to steal it, and in the process, ends up running for her life—straight into the arms of a man waiting to rescue her. Jasper is unlike anyone she’s ever met, and she’s helpless to resist the undeniable passion between them. But desire always comes at a cost.

Jasper McCabe is a master of disguise and deception, and he uses both ruthlessly. Yet nothing can prepare him when he comes face-to-face with the breathtaking women he’s supposed to use for his ruse. Every instinct screams for him to run as far from Willa as he can. But there’s no escape from the captivating Druid and the feelings she awakens. With his darkest enemies closing in, Jasper is forced to choose with his heart, or lose the woman who is his one chance at salvation.

••••••••

REVIEW: ENDLESS SKYE is the fourth instalment in Donna Grant’s contemporary, adult SKYE DRUIDS paranormal / fantasy romance series -a spin off from the author’s REAPER series which in turn is a spin off from the author’s many interconnected series and stories. This is Druids Willa Ryan, and Jasper McCabe’s story line. Willa Ryan is Scott’s sister (Iron Ember #1). ENDLESS SKYE should not be read as a stand alone- I recommend reading the series in order, as well as DARK ALPHA’S COMMAND (Reaper 15) for back story and cohesion as many of the events of the current time line are as of a direct result of the events in Dark Alpha’s Command. Several characters from the other series including Reaper Balladyn and Druid Rhona (Dark Alpha’s Command) and some of the original Dragon Kings (Nikolai) and Reaper characters appear as secondary and supporting characters.

SOME BACKGROUND: Months earlier, betrayal and vengeance forced a take-over of power on the Isle of Skye but someone or something is killing the Druids, not only on the Isle of Skye, but around the world including Edinburgh Scotland. With the focus on the death of the Druids on the Isle of Skye, Balladyn and Rhona (Dark Alpha’s Command/Reaper 15) begin an investigation that reveals a danger targeting the Druids and the MacLean family, in particular.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Willa and Jasper ENDLESS SKYE follows Willa Ryan, on the run, from a powerful group taking aim at the Druids. Along with her father, Willa planned their escape but Willa was attacked, and barely made it to the Isle of Skye where she will meet fellow Druids Jasper McCabe, a man with a special ability that may save them all but Jasper has a secret that is about to be exposed, threatening the lives of the Druids on the Isle of Skye. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Jasper and Willa, and the potential fall-out when the truth about Jasper is revealed, and our couple are targeted by someone determined to destroy them all.

The world building is complex and detailed as the killing mist is but the least of their worries. Unable to determined to origins of the mist, the Druids on the Isle of Skye are facing two more adversaries that have targeted anyone with magic and power, and there may be a traitor in the mix.

The relationship between Jasper and Willa begins as a lie. Jasper is not whom he proclaims himself to be, and his sudden appearance on the Isle of Skye is questioned, especially in the face of his quick seduction of our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Like the other instalments, there is large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters from Donna Grant’s numerous interconnected series including Druids, Reapers, Dragons and Fae: the TruthSeeker Esther and her mate Nikolai (Heat/Dark Kings 12); Elodie and Scott, Edie and Trevor; Rhona and Ballady; Mason, Krisi, and Callum. The requisite evil has many faces.

ENDLESS SKYE is a comprehensive and intricate story of madness and obsession, power and control, secrets and lies, forgiveness and love that follows several intersecting paths and developing stories. The premise is thrilling and suspenseful; the romance is seductive but predicated upon a lie; the characters are desperate and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Iron Ember
Shoulder the Skye
Heart of Glass

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK |  NEWSLETTER SIGNUP / TUMBLR / PINTEREST / GOODREADS

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Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison – a Review

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Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison – a Review

 

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Description:
Petra Grady has known since adolescence that she has no talent for magic—and that’s never going to change. But as a sweeper first-class, she’s parlayed her rare ability to handle dross—the damaging, magical waste generated by her more talented kin’s spellwork—into a decent life working at the mages’ university.

Except Grady’s relatively predictable life is about to be upended. When the oblivious, sexy, and oh-so-out-of-reach Benedict Strom needs someone with her abilities for a research project studying dross and how to render it harmless, she’s stuck working on his team—whether she wants to or not.

Only Benedict doesn’t understand the characteristics of dross like Grady does. After an unthinkable accident, she and Benedict are forced to go on the run to seek out the one person who might be able to help: an outcast exiled ten years ago for the crime of using dross to cast spells. Now Grady must decide whether to stick with the magical status quo or embrace her own hidden talents . . . and risk shattering their entire world.

 

 

Review:

Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison is the first book in her new The Shadow Age series. We meet Petra Grady, our heroine, who is a sweeper extraordinaire, who has the unique ability to handle dross, a damaging, magical waste. Dross is magical garbage that is left behind by mages performing magic. Petra has never been able to perform magic, but she has the rare talent to in handling the dross: dross if left lying around, can turn into bad luck for anyone who touches it.

Benedict Strom, a former friend, has been working to crack a code by neutralizing dross. He needs someone like Petra, with her unique abilities, to help research aimed at making it less dangerous. Petra wants nothing to do with what she feels is dangerous and hopeless, but her boss forces her to become part of Benedict’s team. Her life is about to change drastically.

After a terrible accident blows up the lab, both Petra and Benedict are on the run. Seems Benedict is being blamed for the explosion, and Petra decides to seek out an exiled outcast, who knows everything about the Mages, Dross and Shadows. Upon meeting the man who was close to her deceased father, Petra shortly will learn that she does have hidden talents, which will change everything.

Petra comes into contact with Shadow, which is feared by all magic users. Petra manages to build on her contact with shadow, with mental talking to each other, which also leads her to have magical ability.    I did felt bad when her lovable dog, Pluck, dies; but later on, the Shadow Pluck becomes an important part of the changes, especially her having weaver abilities.  What follows is an exciting last third of the book, with Petra, Benedict, her father’s friend, and Len (a militia member) who will fight the mages.  I will say I really hated her roommate, Ashley, who turned into an evil person. 

Three Kinds of Lucky was a very good start to this new series, and was very well written by Kim Harrison.  I look forward to what she has in store for us, with the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Rift in the Soul by Faith Hunter – a Review

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Rift in the Soul by Faith Hunter – a Review

 

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Description:
Nell Ingram draws her powers from deep in the earth, and uses them to help Psy-LED, the Psychometric Law Enforcement Division, which solves paranormal crimes. When a local vampire calls to report a dead body on her compound, Nell knows she and her team have to be ready for anything.

But the dead body is just the beginning of a mystery that involves supernaturals of all kinds, including some of the most powerful vampires in the country. As Nell gets closer to the truth, she begins to understand that the perpetrator is tracking her too—and that there is something personal about this crime. Something with roots that go almost as deep as those in Soulwood.

 

 

Review:

Rift in the Soul by Faith Hunter is the 6th book in her terrific Soulwood series.  Brief refresher: Nell Ingram is a member of PsyLed (Unit Eighteen), a Homeland Security division that investigates paranormal cases and is based in Knoxville, TN, close to Soulwood.  The PsyLed team is made up of witches, werewolves, empaths and Nell fits right in with her Soulwood powers; they make a great team, as they are all very likeable (Occam, Ayatas, T-Laine, JoJo, Tandy & Rick). Nell has really come into her own, as she is a powerful woman controlling her Soulwood land and plants.

Rift in the Soul begins with Nell summoned by the Master of the City, vampire Ming of Glass, reporting a dead body; both Ayatas and Rick also respond, making sure to protect Nell. Ming tries to get Nell to kill a powerful and ancient vampire, who plans to destroy everything.  Nell senses things are not right, with Ming and her team; soon after, an attack destroys Ming’s home by the ancient vampire, who is searching for the Blood Tarot.  While on the site, both Nell and Occam find the Blood Tarot, which is now hidden at PsyLed.

In a short time, Nell learns that the perpetrator, has a demon inside him, making things even more dangerous.  All of the PsyLed team join Nell at Soulwood, where attacks are at full force; with Nell’s magical connection to the land, fighting off the vampires. We learn so much more about Nell’s family, and how her powers in the land continue to grow. I really love how her younger sister, Mud is also gaining powers as a plant-woman, throughout Soulwood’s land.  We get to see Esther, who recently divorced, and has two babies, now living in Soulwood, and is also gaining powers. Nell, her family and PsyLed friends do everything in their power to stop the baddies.

While all this is ongoing, the whole family is in the process of preparing Nell’s wedding to Occam (her cat man). I loved how much the relationship between and Occam and Nell became totally filled with deep love.  Though Jane Yellowrock (she is the Dark Queen), is not fully part of the story line, there were so many mentions of her; especially with her on her honeymoon, as well as her approving many issues to help.

What follows is an intense, exciting, gripping and violent story.  Rift in the Soul is another fabulous addition to this series, as it is non-stop action, suspenseful and intense..  The last half of the book was an edge of your seat thriller, and Nell was totally amazing stepping up in a wild and fantastic ride to the climax. We are used to Faith Hunter always having a fantastic group of characters, an amazing heroine in her series. Nell is a great heroine, and in this book, she evolves to be even more powerful.  I loved her sisters joining together to fight the evil. The epilogue was wonderful, as we get to see Nell marry Occam, with everyone there.  Faith Hunter has once again given us a fantastic story, with so many emotions throughout.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

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