Ash’s review of Shaedes of Gray by Amanda Bonilla
Urban fantasy published by Signet Eclipse 06 Dec 11

I think maybe I am getting burnt out on paranormals because I feel like I never have anything new to say. I like Shaedes of Gray, but it doesn’t blow me away. With so many books out in this genre, I want to be wowed, and, sadly, it doesn’t happen very often anymore.

Darian (whose name I do not like, for a woman anyway. Not important to the book but still, it bugs me) is a bit more of the annoying urban fantasy heroine. She believes she is the only paranormal being in existence and, therefore, she believes she can never get close to someone, she always has to be alone, etc., etc., etc. I’m pretty tired of the whole “I want to love you, but I don’t know what love is and never will” thing she has going on. I also find it a little hard to believe that not once in her 100 years or so of life she never got even the smallest hint of other beings, considering it turns out that there is a pretty damn big paranormal population with their own government systems and everything.  At times Darian comes off as just stupid and arrogant, not a person who is very appealing. Which makes me wonder why so many men seem to want her. I honestly don’t get it.

Everything else in the book I pretty much like. Shaedes of Gray doesn’t have the typical creatures. There are Shaedes, obviously, Jinn, Oracles, Fae, and other things both good and bad. I think this is what saved the book for me. It’s something refreshing that I am not used to reading about. The other characters are fascinating as well. The Shaedes are a mix of modern and old world who, as Darian says, feel like they are from Lord of the Rings. I want more of them and I hate when they aren’t the focus. Their king, Xander, is vying for Darian’s affection, and that is one thing that disappoints me. It’s as if a love triangle is thrown in just to add drama. I am hoping it doesn’t continue much longer because I really hate those. Tyler is my favorite for the hero, and, even though he messed up in a huge way (I wouldn’t have forgiven him as fast as Darian did), I still really like him.

Shaedes of Gray held my attention pretty well, and for me lately that is a huge feat. It does suffer from some bad dialogue, with the characters speaking like they are out of a bad made-for-TV movie. The constant repeating of the same things makes me roll my eyes every time (we get it Darian, you are a good assassin, you don’t kill innocent people), but I’m able to look past that and enjoy the story. It isn’t too complicated, nor is it a simple good vs. bad. I’ll probably read the next one, but I don’t think I would rush out to buy it.

Grade: C+

Summary:

In the shadows of the night, Darian has lived alone for almost a century. Made and abandoned by her former love, Darian is the last of her kind-an immortal Shaede who can slip into darkness as easily as breathing. With no one else to rely on, she has taught herself how to survive, using her unique skills to become a deadly assassin.

When Darian’s next mark turns out to be Xander Peck, King of the Shaede Nation, her whole worldview is thrown into question. Darian begins to wonder if she’s taken on more than her conscience will allow. But a good assassin never leaves a job unfinished…

Read an excerpt.

Ash’s review of Bloodlust (Nightshade Series, Book 2) by Michelle Rowen
Urban fantasy published by Berkley Sensation 05 Jul 11

I really enjoy this series and I am happy to say that Michelle Rowen has left me feeling happy and satisfied with how it ends. Declan is always going to be a favorite of mine.

The end of this series is kind of bittersweet for me. I am happy with the way things ended. Knowing that there is a definite end to the story is a nice change of pace. This series doesn’t need to be never ending in order to tell its story, and, as a reader, I really appreciate that. I am getting a bit tired of having to read 10, 20, or who knows how many books in order to know what’s going on. So kudos to Michelle Rowen for knowing that it’s okay to stop after two (not that I always mind long series, but sometimes enough is enough).

Bloodlust picks up where Nightshade left off. Jill and Declan are still trying to keep Jill alive and Declan from turning into a monster. Matthias is back and he wants Jill for himself, while his evil brother tries to rule over humans. The overall feel is pretty grim and it isn’t always clear that things will turn out all right for everyone. Declan and Jill’s bond is what has kept them going and it gets tested – a lot. That’s not really saying a lot, I know, but it would be hard to put it all into words, especially without giving everything away.

I think this has been one of my favorite urban fantasy series. I read both of the books in one sitting, I could not get through them fast enough. So much is packed into two books, it’s a non-stop ride that I am a little sad to see end. Everyone has changed and I wouldn’t mind seeing where they go from here. I read that Michelle Rowen left it so she could go back to this world someday and I would love it if she does.

Grade: A-

Summary:

ONE TASTE IS ALL IT TAKES

For those who feast on blood, Jillian Conrad is a fatal attraction. After being injected with a serum that made her blood both irresistible and deadly to vampires, she was used as a pawn to assassinate the vampire king. Now, the vampires want her eliminated.

Hunted and unable to return to her old life, Jillian desperately seeks to prevent the poison in her veins from killing her. And she must find a way to help her dhampyr protector, Declan, whose exposure to the serum has split his personality into one part uncontrolled desire, and one part stone cold killer.

But an even greater danger is rising. The Amarantos — a secret society of vampires — is seeking the infant daughter of the slain king to complete their quest for true immortality. And if they succeed, no one, living or undead, will escape the darkness.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Liviania’s review of Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, Book 5) by Ilona Andrews
Urban Fantasy published by Ace 31 May 11

Magic Bleeds is an almost perfect urban fantasy novel, so husband and wife team Ilona Andrews have a lot to live up to in Magic Slays.  But while Magic Slays falls short of its predecessor, it’s certainly not a step backward for the series.

Kate Daniels and Curran the Beast Lord are truly together.  Much of Kate’s past and connection to the mysterious Roland have been revealed.  Where do you go from there?  Survey says: her mother.  Kate’s mom has been a bit of a nonentity in the past, just a woman who died and barely managed to save her child.  Magic Slays casts what both we and Kate know in a different light.

Kate and Curran, meanwhile, are figuring out how they work as parents.  Kate’s foster daughter Julie is coming home.  At the same time, she’s now recognized as the female Alpha for Atlanta and expected to help keep the youngsters and other troublemakers in line.  In particular, Aunt B asks her to reform Arsenio, a werehyena teen who keeps having sex in public.  (Aunt B steals every scene she’s in, as always.)  Kate’s also expected to learn shapeshifter law and hear petitions.  It’s not a development she’s thrilled with.

She also gets a real case for Cutting Edge investigations when she learns a loose vampire is coming her way.  It’s not only the vampires who are running amok – werecreatures are going rogue as well.  It’s all orchestrated by a secret conspiracy.  Despite culminating in a huge, multi-species battle, it amounts to little.  Neither the world nor the characters are changed. Magic Slays is just a speed bump in the trajectory of the series.  The Lighthouse Keepers are fine as one-off villains, but it’s hard to forget that they have nothing to do with Big Bad Roland.

Plus, much of the emotion directed toward the villains feels false after the conclusion.  Pretty much, this is one of two books I’ve read recently with one serious, small flaw.  In this case, it’s Kate’s powers being a bit too super special.  She promises to never use her ability in that way again, but we’ll see.

Andrews’ worldbuilding continues to be excellent.  Kate’s new business is not an immediate success because her completion is more established and her reputation isn’t spotless.  The Lighthouse Keeper’s motivation makes sense given the changes in society caused when magic came to Atlanta.  There’s little new to explore in the alternate Atlanta, but it’s still important for things to remain consistent.

Little quibble aside, Magic Slays is fast-paced and fierce.  It’s less romantic than previous books, but I don’t feel that establishing the relationship damaged the chemistry between Kate and Curran.  Kate’s confrontation with her father is coming ever closer and until then she has a city to keep safe.  Unfortunately, we have to wait until 2013 for the next Kate Daniels adventure.

Grade: B

Summary:

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be-now that the Order is disparaging her good name. Plus, many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. But it turns out that this is not an isolated incident. Kate needs to get to the bottom of it-and fast, or the city and everyone dear to her may pay the ultimate price…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Liviania’s review of Serpent’s Storm (Calliope Reaper-Jones, Book 3) by Amber Benson
Urban fantasy published by Ace 22 Feb 11

Serpent’s Storm is one of two books I’ve read recently that I loved aside from one element.  Amber Benson (yes, Tara of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) has been improving with each book in the Calliope Reaper-Jones series, so I’m hoping she’ll deal with it better in the fourth book.

Each book, Calliope has shown she can step up to the plate.  But she’s never taken responsibility – it’s always been forced on her.  In Serpent’s Storm, she finally makes that leap.  But before then, she’s once more thrust into the breach when she unexpectedly becomes Death during what was supposed to be a normal work day.  That is, she becomes Death apart from having to kill the other two heirs apparent – one of whom is her boyfriend.  She also needs to take on the people who killed her father, the previous Death – one of whom is her older sister.  It’s quite the tangle.

Calliope and Daniel don’t spend much time together, but their scenes are well done.  They get a particularly cute moment in the middle of the book, when they’re supposed to be fighting to the death.  Less cute?  Frank, who Calliope has sex with.  Frank, who Calliope has sex with after he uses magic to make her more receptive to his advances when she begins their meeting by fighting him.  It’s creepy and gross.  Calliope knows he coerced her, but everyone still treats the encounter as completely consensual.  That’s double creepy and gross.  I’m not saying that she needs to be crying and devastated after, but thus far it’s only played out as her willfully cheating on her boyfriend, which isn’t what happened.

But Serpent’s Storm is a good, action-filled urban fantasy with plenty of character development.  Several new characters arrive, some with unexpected revelations.  Several old characters make cameos, some with unexpected revelations.  It can be annoying when an urban fantasy heroine makes a power up, but this one makes sense since Calliope has been Death’s heir since Death’s Daughter.  It also works because she still needs to grow into her powers and learn to use them correctly.  She also needs to start thinking ahead of her opponents.  Her narration is irreverent, injecting the right amount of comedy to keep Serpent’s Storm from being terribly depressing.

I’ll be back to see what Calliope Reaper-Jones does next, but I’m hoping there are no more skeevy subway scenes.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Calliope just wants to make it big in the Big Apple like any other working girl. But Callie is also Death’s Daughter, no matter how much she tries to stay out of the family business. And now her older sister has made a deal with the Devil himself to engage in a hostile takeover of both Death Inc. and Heaven-once they get Callie out of the way.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Liviania’s review of Twisted (Intertwined, Book 3) by Gena Showalter
Urban fantasy published by Harlequin Teen 30 Aug 11

Gena Showalter’s Intertwined series has never been light and fluffy, but Twisted takes some dark turns.  This isn’t too surprising considering Unraveled ended shortly after Aden, the hero, got stabbed through the heart.

Aden’s survival has serious consequences for both him and his vampire girlfriend Victoria.  Namely, they’ve been swapping both powers and personalities.  Aden’s not prepared to deal with the monster that lives in her head, nor is she suited to coping with the three souls that live in Aden’s.  Aden is becoming colder, which helps him to rule the vampires, but it hurts their relationship as Victoria becomes more insecure.  I particularly enjoyed the passages through Victoria’s POV.  She understands what’s happening, and she’s pretty good at working through her jealousy to pay attention to what’s really at risk.

Things at the homefront kick into gear when Victoria’s brother Sorin arrives to challenge Aden for the throne.  It’s a fight to the death, but Victoria wants both pugilists to survive.  Aden’s old mates at the home for troubled boys are brought back in a clever way but mostly wasted.  How the fight plays out between Sorin and Aden is genuinely thrilling, however.

Elsewhere, Mary Ann, Riley, and Tucker are trying to track down Aden’s parents and the people who knew the souls in his head before they died.  They’re having success, but Tucker’s still on the baddie’s side.  Of course, usually competent Riley does everything he can to alienate Tucker while letting him in on all of their plans.  (Riley also ends the book with some frustratingly dumb moves.)

Mary Ann and Riley’s problems reflect those of Aden and Victoria – down to Riley thinking about how he and Mary Ann have swapped personalities – but it just doesn’t work as well.  Possibly because we get a decent chunk of their story through Tucker’s POV.  Showalter tries valiantly to make him sympathetic, but it never takes.  His little brother is being held hostage, but he did a lot of damage before that development.  And, “I’m sorry I got her killed because I honestly liked her” seems more loathsome to me rather than less.  Tucker puts a lot of lip service toward escaping Vlad’s control, but that’s all it ever amounts to.

I enjoyed Twisted more than Unraveled, although things kind of fell apart at the end.  Until then, there are a number of good action sequences and several intriguing concepts are explored.  I’m loving Aden and Victoria, but it might be time for Riley and Mary Ann to see other people.

Grade: B-

Summary:

SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD ADEN STONE HAS HAD A HELL OF A WEEK. HE’S BEEN:

Tortured by angry witches.
Hypnotized by a vengeful faery.
Spied on by the most powerful vampire in existence.
And, oh, yeah. Killed – twice.

His vampire girlfriend might have brought him back to life, but he’s never felt more out of control. There’s a darkness within him, something taking over . . . changing him. Worse, because he was meant to die, death now stalks him at every turn. Any day could be his last.

Once upon a time, the three souls trapped inside his head could have helped him. He could have protected himself. But as the darkness grows stronger, the souls grow weaker – just like his girlfriend. The more vampire Aden becomes, the more human Victoria becomes, until everything they know and love is threatened.

Life couldn’t get any worse. Could it?

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Ash’s review of Death’s Sweet Embrace (Dark Brethren, Book 3) by Tracey O’Hara
Urban Fantasy published by Harper Voyager 25 Jan 11

To be honest, I don’t remember much of the first book. It’s been awhile and the details have just escaped me. I couldn’t remember the world or the characters. Luckily this one also has a glossary, and the story sucked me in right away, even without me remembering important things.

The main characters this time are Kitt and Raven. These two are Animalians, one feline and another canine, who have a history together. I did immediately like Kitt. She is a strong person but she isn’t all powerful, and while she can hold her own in a fight, she knows she isn’t a fighter. I also love Raven. He is mostly a mystery, but there is never any doubt that he loves Kitt. Their scenes are emotional and I’m really rooting for them to be together. Now, it’s not a romance book, but their relationship plays a role in the overall story. It’s just the right amount to satisfy the romance junkie in me.

The parts told from Antoinette’s POV just get in the way. I know I didn’t like her much in the first book, and while she’s not as bad here, her little side story is just a distraction. It pales in comparison to the rest of the story. I think she is someone who is better as a secondary character. It makes me wonder why the blurb, and the little teaser in the front of the book, make it seem like it’s still told by Antoinette. Just another pet peeve of mine, and I hope we won’t be going back to her in the next book.

The serial killer storyline is done really well. I never would have guessed who it turns out to be, and it is a twist that totally threw me. The books starts with the killer and the opening scene is enough to almost make me nauseous, but in a good way, if that makes sense.

Tracey O’Hara keeps vampires and shapeshifters fresh, and the world seems to be building with each book. I like the whole cast and reading Death’s Sweet Embrace is like watching a favorite TV show. I enjoyed every bit and I can’t wait to see them again.

Grade: B+

Summary:

After centuries of secret conflict, humans and parahumans have reached an uneasy truce. But unspeakable evil now threatens the tenuous peace.

Teenaged shapeshifters are being slaughtered by a sadistic serial killer who rips their still-beating hearts from their paralyzed bodies. A task force forms to halt the madness, including the vampiric Aeternus Antoinette Petrescu, as well as Kitt Jordan and Raven Matokwe, members of enemy Animalian tribes . . . and forbidden lovers.

A centuries-old blood feud has divided their shapeshifting peoples, and if their passion is discovered it will doom them both. But past hostilities must be put aside, for the killer they seek is but the first sign of the all-consuming nightmare of The Dark Brethren.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Ash’s review of Afterlight (The Dark Ink Chronicles, Book 1) by Elle Jasper
Urban Fantasy published by Signet Eclipse 02 Nov 10

Afterlight is a pretty average addition to the urban fantasy genre. It’s good enough to hold my interest, but there are more than a few things that stand out and make me roll my eyes.

The book is told from Riley’s point of view and there isn’t a chapter where we aren’t reminded that Riley was a bad teenager and she has a shady past. Okay, I get it already. She was hardcore, telling the reader about it over and over doesn’t make her any more of a badass. Her having to get back into “the scene” to find out where the bad vamps are hanging out is built up and then nothing really happened because of it. Nothing except more guys from her past that are creeps and more ways to show just how bad her teen years really were. Again, I got it the first few times.

Another problem I have with Riley is that for all her supposedly street smarts, she could be really stupid. She is told that the bad vamps have super strong mind control powers, she has a family of vampires watching out for her 24 hours a day, yet having freaky dreams and seeing her locked balcony doors open when she wakes up doesn’t ring any alarms in her head? Even without the vampires, what woman wouldn’t think it’s damn weird to wake up numerous times to a previously locked door (bedroom balcony door at that) open? Even one of the good vamps seems to shrug it off. Then her overprotective lover just forgets to mention the weird dreams and doors to his family? I find this all very hard to believe.

One of the thoughts I had while reading Afterlight is I wonder if Elle Jasper is a Twilight fan, because the similarities are most definitely there. There is Riley, the human who is thrust into a world she knows nothing about, falling fast for the dangerous vampire. Then there’s said vampire, Eli, who wants Riley, even when he knows having her could cause him to loose control and kill her. He also ends up leaving for a bit because he comes oh so close to doing just that. Sound familiar? Add in Eli’s vampire family, who protect Riley and teach her how to fight, Riley’s irresistible blood, a mini army of newbie vampires, and what do you have? By the way, I am a total Twilight fan (the books, not the movies), so those things didn’t bother me at all. In fact, since this is an adult book, I like some of those things better here.

If you want a book with a lot of substance, this isn’t the one for you. It is, however, a good book to read when you want to just sit back and go with the flow. I look forward to seeing more of Riley and Eli and to seeing what the effects of what happens in Afterlight are going to be.

Grade: C+

Summary:

As Savannah’s most unconventional tattoo artist, Riley Poe is quite familiar with the local underground scene. She lives and works on the edge of it every day.

Now, she’s about to step over the edge.

When her younger brother is taken by a sinister cult led by centuries-old vampires, Riley discovers a world of shadows and blood–and those who exist there.

Her ally is the hot-tempered vampire Eli Dupre, who is attracted both to Riley’s beauty as well as her one-of-a-kind blood type. A blood type he is not alone in craving.

To save her brother from certain un-death, Riley will face dangers she’s never dreamed of, ruthless bloodthirsty enemies, and an evil of endless hunger that wants to devour all in its vile grasp.

No excerpt found.

Other books in this series:

Liviania’s review of Secrets of the Demon (Demon Summoner, Book 3) by Diana Rowland
Urban Fantasy published by DAW 4 Jan 11

One of Sybil’s life goals is to convince me to read series out of order.  Sometimes I give in; sometimes I don’t.  It’s hard to resist when she hands me something like Diana Rowland’s Secrets of the Demon.  It is the third book in her Demon Summoner series, following Mark of the Demon and Blood of the Demon.  Bantam published the first two, so DAW downplays their existence.  It took me awhile to figure out Secrets of the Demon is not the first in a series, but by that point I was hooked on Kara Gillian’s story.

Kara becomes one of my favorite heroines within the first three chapters.  She keeps my admiration throughout the novel.  Rowland convinces me that Kara is a policewoman.  Kara believes in following proper procedure and working with her team.  She makes one dumb move that I can think of, and a couple of risky ones, but she’s generally cautious.  Her risks are calculated risks.  Plus, her powers might cause her to work with demons, but she doesn’t trust them unduly.  Best of all, while her love life might be complicated, she doesn’t let anyone make her feel bad about her decisions.

Kara’s caught between Ryan Kristoff, her mysterious partner, and Rhyzkahl, a demon lord.  She and Ryan have a serious flirtation going on, which ends abruptly when Kara agreed to summon Rhyzkahl once a month.  Of course, she made that deal to save Ryan.  She still likes him, but it’s hard when he’s being awful to her and Rhyzkahl is being nice.  At the same time, her widowed best friend Jill has just started a new relationship – and Kara suspects she might be with Ryan.  (Did I mention that Kara realizes she’s talking about herself too much and asks her friend what’s up with her?  And then listens?)

But enough with the relationships!  Kara, Ryan, and Zack’s latest case is the attempted kidnapping of Lida, a rock star.  They suspect it might be a scam for publicity, but there was some serious magic used in the attempt.  Then people tangentially related to Lida’s band begin dying.  Yet they’re so tangential the team isn’t sure the events are related.

Secrets of the Demon is an excellent introduction to Rowland’s Demon Summoner series.  I intend to try to find the first two novels.  (They appear to be readily available on Amazon, at least.  And highly rated.  How did I not know about this series?) But don’t let this convince you that Sybil’s evil plan is working.

Grade: A

Summary:

Homicide detective Kara Gillian has a special talent: she can sense the “arcane” in our world, and there’s quite a bit of it, even in Beaulac, Louisiana. She’s also a summoner of demons, and works on a task force that deals with supernatural crimes. Her partners are attractive and smart FBI agents, but they’re not summoners, and they’re not telling Kara why they are on this special force with her.

To make things worse, Kara has pledged herself to one of the most powerful of demons-a Demon Lord-who helped save her partner’s life, but now expects things in return. Meanwhile, she’s trying to solve a string of murders that are somehow tied together by money, sex, rock music and…mud. But how can she concentrate on the case when she’s not even sure who-or what-her partners are?

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Liviania’s review of Hellforged (Deadtown, Book 2) by Nancy Holzner
Urban Fantasy published by Ace 28 Dec 10

Hellforged does not start immediately after Deadtown, there’s little downtime between the two books.  Vicky may have just banished a demon, but that doesn’t mean her work is over.  She’s just created new problems for herself to solve as the only demon hunter around.  And demon hunters are needed when something is eating the zombies.

She also has a romantic dilemma.  She’s interested in nice guy police detective Daniel.  But her long-distance boyfriend Kane, a werewolf and a lawyer, is more on her mind since he became long-distance.  The love triangle, however, worked better in Deadtown.  Kane gets much more page space in Hellforged, making Vicky’s future decisions seem obvious.

I do like that both guys are good prospects.  Vicky isn’t attracted to the bad boys.  (Not that a bad boy doesn’t show up and try to tempt her.)  Kane crusades for undead rights and Daniel tries to uphold the law.  I’ve been reading a lot of YA lately, and it seems like way too many of the potential boyfriends are assholes.  Reading about two sexy good guys?  Now that’s a good time.

But Hellforged is an urban fantasy, not a paranormal romance.  So Vicky spends a lot of time away from both guys, doing small stuff like learning how to save the world.  She travels to Ireland, in fact, to train under her aunt.  Nancy Holzner wisely raises the stakes before the training sequences.  While reading Deadtown is not necessary, it makes the opening section of Hellforged sadder.  Likeable reoccurring characters are not safe.  It may hurt when it happens, but I do love an author willing to kill characters.  Without that willingness, the climax of Hellforged wouldn’t be as tense.

Vicky is a fine character on her own, as well.  The villain might not be impressed, but she thinks on her feet.  She improvises solutions, using what she knows about the undead and whatever weapons are on hand to keep herself and others alive.  Her trying to learn to be true to herself is a little hokey.  Aunt Mab mostly makes it sounds practical, but it’s a bit more sensibility than sense.

Holzner hasn’t managed to crack my favorites, but I’m definitely going to keep up with the series.  I like Vicky and enjoy reading about her adventures.  The Deadtown series is more straightforward than other stuff I read, but I do like a good action book now and then.

Grade: B

Summary:
After Vicky banished her demon nemesis to the fiery depths of Hell, she thought life would return to normal. But considering she has a werewolf lawyer boyfriend, a zombie apprentice who’s angling to become a pop star, and an eccentric vampire roommate, what is normal, anyway?

Then the supposedly banished Hellion starts to trespass in Vicky’s dreams—just as several of Deadtown’s zombies are viciously attacked and become really dead. When Vicky realizes she’s the only connection between the victims, she suspects that the demon is somehow working through her dreams to become Deadtown’s living nightmare.

What she doesn’t know is that her old enemy brings with it a force more terrifying—and deadly—than anything she’s battled before.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Liviania’s review of Tangled Threads (Elemental Assassin, Book 4) by Jennifer Estep
Urban Fantasy published by Pocket 26 Apr 11

I can’t decide if Jennifer Estep is spinning her wheels with Tangled Threads or not.  If it were a standalone novel, I would love it.  As it is, I feel like very few of the series threads were furthered.  The first and second books in the Elemental Assassin series had one-shot villains.  But in Venom, former assassin Gin Blanco took on one of the Big Bad’s main minions.  It seems like a step back for Gin to be focused on a new enemy.

The enemy in this case is LaFleur, an assassin who electrocutes people and kidnaps a young girl in order to convince a bartender to betray the Spider.  In addition to being hired to kill the Spider, Jonah McAllister (the remaining main minion) entices LaFleur to kill Gin.  I enjoyed the humor in Gin secretly evading her on two fronts.  Plus, all of the action scenes are excellent.  It’s a fun cat-and-cat tale.

As for the series threads, more information is revealed about the night Gin’s family died and Bria Cooper learns Gin’s secrets.  I am happy that Gin told Bria instead of Bria finding out on accident.  It does come at a good moment, too.  Tangled Threads doesn’t come to a standstill for them to discuss their past and their choices.  (Since one became an assassin and the other a cop, they view the same events fairly differently.)

The other cop in Gin’s life, her former lover, is less present in this novel as Gin continues to get over being left by Donovan Caine.  Owen Grayson, conversely, continues to earn Gin’s trust and love.  At the same time, Owen and Gin together are bland.  He fits her too perfectly.  Gin and Donovan’s relationship couldn’t last, but it had spark.  Owen is moving a little too fast for her since she just got out of a volatile relationship, but that problem is quickly resolved.  (And by his sister, rather than Gin.  Mostly.)  There are some nice domestic scenes involving the ensemble since Tangled Threads takes place during Christmas.

I like Estep’s writing and the world she has created.  I got a thrill from the big, dramatic action scenes of Tangled Threads.  But after the plot movement of Venom, it felt aimless.  Yay, Gin defeated an assassin we’ve never heard of before!  Maybe I’m just eager to see Jonah MacAllister and his boss get theirs.  (After all, if an assassin is going to be your protagonist, the antagonists need to be thoroughly awful.)  I’m definitely picking up Spider’s Revenge come October.  It’s the showdown I’ve been waiting to see.  I’m also excited about Touch of Frost, the first book in her new young adult series, which comes out this August.

Grade: B-

Summary:

I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.

But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead. Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me.

Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too. The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling . . . or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks.

And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead. . . .

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Liviania’s review of Right Hand Magic (Golgotham, Book 1) by Nancy A. Collin
Urban Fantasy published by ROC 7 Dec 10

Urban fantasy heroines kick ass.  It’s one of the great things about the genre.  At the same time, heroines who aren’t good fighters are a good change of pace.  There’s more than one way to be strong, capable, and competent.  Nancy A. Collins’s heroine might live in a world of magic, but she’s totally human.  She’s an artist who moved to Golgotham (the supernatural quarter of Manhattan) for the cheap rent.

Tate is actually the daughter of one of the richest men in the country.  But she decided to live oon her own since her parents wouldn’t support her art.  Golgotham is quite the change of pace.  She’s fascinated by the people, but quickly becomes aware that she’s an outsider.  The residents don’t care for the humans who have oppressed them for centuries.  Collins portrayal of fantastic racism is nicely done.  I don’t want to call it subtle, but it isn’t something she beats the reader over the head with.  It’s just a logical aspect of the setting that enhances the reality of Golgatham.

Hexe, a Kymeran Right Hand sorcerer, is Tate’s new landlord and love interest.  Left Hand magic, practiced by most Kymerans, focuses on curses and makes the sorcerer more money.  Right Hand magic runs more along the lines of healing.  Hexe is taking boarders to supplement his income from his magic.  Like Tate, he’s trying to live up to his own ideals rather than his family’s.

The two grow closer together after rescuing Lukas, a young shapeshifter.  They have to keep him safe and figure out how to stop the men who hurt him from hurting other shapeshifters.  I enjoyed watching Tate learn about Golgotham and begin to integrate herself into the world.  I wasn’t so fond of the romantic plot.  I felt she and Hexe worked wonderfully as friends, but I didn’t really feel any romantic chemistry.  I thought they would remain just friends for most of the beginning of the book.  I felt that Tate and Hexe got together simply because that’s what urban fantasy heroes and heroines do.

Some people might be disappointed by the climax since Tate isn’t a fighter but Hexe and Lukas are.  I thought Collins did a good job of involving Tate and allowing her to use her skills to contribute.  I was satisfied by the fact that she was neither useless nor a hindrance.

While the romance underwhelmed me, I thought Right Hand Magic was a breath of fresh air compared to the urban fantasy novels I’ve been reading lately.  I’m looking forward to the next Golgatham novel.

Grade: B

Summary:

Like most Manhattanites, aspiring artist Tate can’t resist a good rental deal-even if it’s in the city’s strangest neighborhood, Golgotham, where for centuries werewolves, centaurs, and countless other creatures have roamed the streets.

Her new landlord is a sorcerer name Hexe, who is determined to build his reputation without using dark, left-hand magic. As Tate is drawn into Hexe’s fascinating world, they both find that the right hand does not always know what the left hand is doing-and avoiding darkness is no easy trick…

No excerpt found.

Ash’s review of Night’s Cold Kiss by Tracey O’Hara
Urban Fantasy published by EOS 25 Aug 09

So, I haven’t read too many vampire books in the past few years, not as many as I used to. First I was bored with them all being alike, and then they all became so complicated just to be different. Night’s Cold Kiss is neither of those. The vampires are pretty straightforward, with the good and the bad, but the world around them is a little bit more complicated.

I was originally a little scared to read this book because it has a glossary, but it turns out I didn’t really need to use it. Tracey O’Hara makes the world pretty easy to slip into. The different branches of government organizations get confusing at times, but it’s easy to get past that. The different paranormal beings are the right amount of interesting, and there isn’t a hundred and one different species to deal with. The origin of the parahumans, as they are called, is a bit of a surprise that I am not sure really works for me, but it’s unique enough that I am open to it.

Sadly it is our heroine, Antoinette, that is my least favorite part of the story. She is one of the best venators, but I feel many of her actions and reactions are juvenile and it doesn’t mesh with who she is supposed to be.  She has more than her fair share of TSTL moments. Christian has a lot more patience with her than I would have. Night’s Cold Kiss is better for me when we are in Christian’s head. He happens to be my favorite character of the book, at least my favorite who is still alive at the end. Tracey O’Hara is not afraid to kill people off.

Looks like the next book has a new set of main characters, which I admit I am happy about. I’ve heard that there is hardly any Christian, which I am not happy about. As far as urban fantasies go, this isn’t the best I’ve read, but it’s far above the worst. I’d be happy to add this to my list of must-read series.

Grade: B

Summary:

The tension between the Aeternus, an ancient vampiric people, and humanity has been mounting for over a century. But when rogue vampires begin to drain humans in order to achieve an illegal blood-high, all bets are off.

After the death of her parents, Antoinette Petrescu devoted her life to becoming one of the top Venators, the elite hunters who destroy the rogue Necrodreniacs. Her kill count is legendary and her skills superb.

But now the serial killer who killed her parents has returned. And to stop him Antoinette must join forces not only with the Aeternus, but also their most legendary killer. One that is both dangerously attractive, and involved in buried secrets of her past. More dangerous still, a dark attraction grows between them–one that could doom both races.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Blood Sin (Awakened by Blood, Book 2) by Marie Treanor
Urban Fantasy published by NAL 5 Apr 11

I have found myself totally taken by Saloman, the hero of this series by Marie Treanor. His arrogance is in the stratosphere. His sensuality shoots beyond the stars. His aspirations to take over the world, to take care of those inferior humans, has Elizabeth up in arms, causing her dilemma of loving the crazy vampire or staking him to assure free will and independence aren’t excised from humanity. Neither are easy goals to have.

When Saloman saunters back into her life, Elizabeth is ecstatic, sure he has come for her. But she soon learns that isn’t the case. The exasperating man hasn’t given in one iota when it comes to his driving need to take over so he can rule his way. Thrown into the mix this time is a power-hungry senator who wants immortality, a distant cousin of Elizabeth’s who’s on Saloman’s revenge list, and an ancient sword that holds untold influence and is the topic of a dangerous ownership battle. Josh, Elizabeth’s cousin, believes the sword is his since his family has safeguarded it for eons. Senator Dante wants it only for what it can give him. But it’s Saloman who is determined to have it in his hands once again for his own reasons.

The sword is stolen and the race is on to find out if it will eventually be used for good or ill. Saloman makes his way to America to confront those vampires against him, asking Elizabeth to accompany him to continue their recently found camaraderie in battle, but Elizabeth goes with the understanding she’s searching for Josh only. Spending time with Saloman is a dream come true, however, and she’s living for the moment every night they spend together. Even Saloman begins to look forward and cherish those homey times, thinking he could live in this way the rest of his forever.

Twists and turns are woven throughout, just as in the first book. Saloman is always unpredictable. He’s the only one who knows what he’ll do and what’s in store for him, making his own fate. Except when it comes to Elizabeth. She’s not sure she’d want immortality if he asks, but she does want to be asked. I, of course, want her to go for it, be with her vampire into eternity. Darn her morals and principles! I was hoping by the end of this book Saloman and Elizabeth would have come together more. Their few times together are intense and sizzling, but I want more. Now. So it’s going to be interesting to see what Ms. Treanor has for us in the next book when it comes to these two.

Though we do have to wait for that last book and we’re left hanging again, it’s the epilogue and the excerpt that follows that gives a snippet to keep our interest and anticipation high. I have a feeling explosiveness is an understatement at what will happen next. But how I’m looking forward to it.

Grade: A

Summary:

Even if you walk in the light, you can dwell in the dark.

Months after her dangerous encounter with vampire overlord Saloman, Scottish academic Elizabeth Silk is still trying to cope with both the demands of her ancestral bloodline—which marks her as a vampire hunter — and the overpowering desire she feels for the immortal she brought back from the grave. But she is not alone in her fascination with Saloman.

When Elizabeth tracks down a distant cousin from America, she learns he possesses an antique sword that has caught the interest of the Grand Master of the American hunters. It is the ancient and mystical sword of Saloman — a treasure of vast occult powers and a prize beyond measure to both vampires and humans. Now the race is on for possession of the sword.

Even as her enemies and allies shift their allegiances and battle for supremacy, Elizabeth must decide which will rule her own perilous fate: unwanted loyalty or unholy love.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Blood Eternal - October 2011

Liviania’s review of Blackout (Cal Leandros, Book 6) by Rob Thurman
Urban Fantasy published by Roc 1 Mar 11

It seems like many romance readers hate the amnesia plot. Urban fantasy readers complain about it less, likely because it is used less. But I think Rob Thurman used it well. Despite being the sixth book in the Cal Leandros series, Blackout is accessible to new readers since Cal is discovering who he is and what his world is like. (Hint: It’s filled with things that go bump in the night.)

Cal wakes up on a beach. He’s surrounded by dead giant spiders, armed to the teeth, and carrying three fake IDs. There’s only one thing to do: get a haircut and work as a waiter. Okay, that’s what he does due to the generosity of the people in Nevah’s Landing, South Carolina. But pretty soon a man claiming to be his brother shows up – accompanied by a monster.

Readers of the series know that Niko is his brother, Robin is his best friend, and Cal isn’t usually that polite. The personality that Cal develops in the absence of his memories is intriguingly normal, considering that Cal became noticeably insane around Deathwish or Roadkill. Thus, new Cal pulls off two tricks. First, as mentioned before, is introducing new readers to the series. Second, older readers empathize with Niko’s dilemma. Does he help Cal to regain his memories or does he allow Cal to remain ignorant and happy? Old Cal is missed, but new Cal has his good points.

I enjoy character driven novels, so I got a kick out of Blackout. One of the reasons I love the Cal Leandros series so much is the chemistry in the ensemble. At the same time, others might be less satisfied with this entry than me. Blackout focuses much less on the action. Overall, the novel moves somewhat slower. When action scenes do occur, they’re less explosive. I found the trade-off acceptable and certainly won’t skip Blackout when rereading the series. At the same time, if I’m just revisiting one book in the series, it’s not likely to be Blackout.

Rob Thurman’s dialogue and narration remain snappy. Cal might be less prickly and sarcastic in this book, but he’s still a smartass. Not a romantic smartass, however. For those who like a dash of romance with their urban fantasy, another series might be better. Cal’s relationship with Delilah was always more about sex than romance, and at this point it’s definitely over. (Well, aside from one of them potentially killing the other in the future.)

Blackout may not be my favorite book in the series, but I thought it was a good change of pace. The characterization is strong, the story is fun, and the emotional beats work. There’s a reason I look forward to the newest entry in this series every year.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Some things are better forgotten.

I was alone, and I was lost. I didn’t know where I was; I didn’t know who I was. It doesn’t get more lost than that. Knowing what I knew and not knowing anything else at all, why would I want to be in the darkness where monsters hide?

Because killers hide there, too…

Half-human Cal Leandros has always walked a bloody line between keeping his mortal soul free and clear (sort of) and unleashing the horror of his otherworldly heritage. The one thing that’s always saved him is the memory of his brother, Niko, his friends, and those he loves… until now.

Cal wakes up on a beach littered with the recently slaughtered remains of a variety of hideous creatures that were obviously looking for trouble. The fact that he was the one doing the slaughtering doesn’t bother him. The fact that he feels like a natural-born killer doesn’t either. What bothers him is that Cal doesn’t remember Cal anymore…

And he’s not sure he cares.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Liviania’s review of Ghost of a Chance (Ghost Finders, Book 1) by Simon R. Green
Urban fantasy published by Ace 31 Aug 10

Simon R. Green began writing urban fantasy when the genre was still young. Thus, I’ve heard good things about his work for awhile. I bought one of his books before, only to discover it was the third in the series instead of the first. So I was very happy when I finally got the chance to read his work. Unfortunately, Ghost of a Chance is an unpleasant surprise.

JC Chance, Melody Chambers, and Happy Jack Palmer are a team working for the Carnacki Institute to exorcise bothersome ghosts.  Melody, the only girl on the team, is the techno-geek.  For most of the novel she has to leave her equipment behind, rendering her mostly useless.  (The techno-geek working for the Crowley Project, their enemies, much more wisely carries a laptop.)  JC is charming but gratingly arrogant.  Happy Jack is the telepath on drugs to deal with his abilities.  None of them really rise above their cookie-cutter roles.

The romance in the novel is central, which is kind of strange for a male-oriented urban fantasy.  When exorcising the Oxford Circus Tube Station, JC falls for the recently murdered Kim, who might hold the key to defeating the evil in the subway station.  Through the rest of the novel, JC and Kim are motivated by their instant true love.  (Kim, apparently, never notices that one of JC’s defining attributes is “annoying.”)  I could believe in the love at first sight if the relationship had ups and downs while forming, but it’s smooth sailing.  The only danger to the relationship is external.  JC manages to survive by deus ex machina halfway through the novel, which is very fortunate since that same deus ex machina saves the characters several times.

The human enemies are the best part of the novel.  Erik Grossman is a thug who uses cybernetic technology.  (Okay, he’s fairly flat too.  But you know what kind of flat character everyone is since they’re all introduced with two or more paragraphs of exposition.)  Natasha Chang is the gorgeous telepath with a suspiciously high number of ex-husbands.  She kind of admires JC and develops an interesting rapport with Happy Jack while trying to survive the horror in the tube station.

There’s a creepy horror story somewhere in Ghost of a Chance.  And flat characters wouldn’t hamper a horror story all that much.  But what actually happens is a bloodless adventure centered around a sugary sweet forbidden romance.  (Humans aren’t supposed to date ghosts, so JC will probably face fallout for that in the next book.)  Ghost of a Chance is more lame than terrible.  It feels like an amateur’s effort, rather than the newest release of a respected author.

Grade: D

Summary:

The Carnacki institute exists to Do Something About Ghosts. Lay them to rest, send them packing, or kick their nasty ectoplasmic arses with extreme prejudice.

The institute’s operatives are the best of the best. JC Chance: sharp, brave, charming, and almost unbearably arrogant; Melody Chambers: science geek, techno-wizard extraordinaire who keeps the antisupernatual equipment running smoothly; and Happy Jack Palmer: the telepath with the gloomy disposition, the last person anyone would want navigating through their head.

No excerpt found.

Ash’s review of Demon Song (Blood Singer Series, Book 3) by Cat Adams
Urban Fantasy published by Tor 01 Mar 11

It makes me sad that this series is getting less interesting as it goes on, I had really high hopes at the start of it.

It wasn’t until the last third of the book that I started getting into it. Before then it is kind of boring. There is no suspense, the build up to the final battle is slow and I don’t want to read about Celia’s normal day-to-day life. Sure, it might be full of drama, but there’s no real action. I feel like I am waiting the whole time for something big to happen. I want to know more about demons, more about magic, and more about sirens. I don’t feel like I know any more than I did at the end of Siren Song.

I think what kept me going is that I enjoy the characters. Celia makes it easy to be inside her head, and her friends and family are a great match to her. Of course, there is also the little bit of romance that sucks me in. Typically I hate love triangles. I will even not read a book if there is one, so I’m not too happy that one pops up in Demon Song. If it doesn’t last long, I can overlook it because it is written well, and the guys aren’t so bad. So even without action, I am sure I will keep reading this series, because I’m growing attached to everyone.

I’m not sure how or if Celia has grown as a person. Demon Song makes it seem like the next book (assuming there is one) will perhaps be a turning point for her. I hope it is, because I feel almost like I have read the same book three times. Something’s gotta give, and I hope it is for the better. I would hate to give up on this series.

Grade: C+

Summary:

Bodyguard Celia Graves plies her trade in a world where bloodthirsty vampires roam the night and street corner psychics have real powers. A vamp attack turned Celia into a unique creature who finds sunlight painful and must take all her food in liquid form—but who still possesses her human heart, mind, and soul.

The attack also awakened a hidden part of her heritage: Celia is part Siren, able to enthrall men . . . and enrage women . . . without half-trying.  Needless to say, her bodyguard business has taken off: who wouldn’t want to be protected by a sexy, extremely capable woman who is half-vampire, half-Siren princess?

An ancient rift between the demonic dimension and our own—sealed during the destruction of Atlantis—begins to open, threatening to loose all the demons of hell on humanity (including the one personally bent on destroying Celia).  Celia’s hellish recent experiences might have have given her the unique combination of abilities needed to close the rift.  But to overcome a death curse which nearly guarantees her failure, she’ll need to join forces with people she no longer trusts . . . and put people she has come to care about directly in harm’s way.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

These four reviews are quick quack reviews by Liviania of the newest two books in two series: Jocelynn Drake’s Dark Days and Seanan McGuire’s October Daye books.

Pray for Dawn (Dark Days, Book 4) by Jocelynn Drake
Urban fantasy published by Harper Voyager 29 Jun 10

I haven’t read every book in this series, so I don’t know if Jocelynn Drake has done one from Danaus’s point of view before. I loved it. It’s rare that an urban fantasy with strong romantic elements is entirely narrated by a man. Given that Danaus is a vampire slayer whereas Mira is a vampire, it also gave an interesting look at how differently they approach their world and their relationship.

Drake’s world is complicated, so the fourth book probably isn’t the place for new readers to begin. Older readers should find this a fun entry in the series (even if it does have a small amount of heartbreak at the end).

Grade: B+

Summary:

Pray for salvation . . .

Pray for daylight . . .

Murder has pulled Mira out of the shadows and back into the living world . . .

As the fire-wielding enforcer of the nightwalker coven wrestles with the mind-destroying ghosts of her dark past, the slaying of a senator’s daughter in Savannah threatens to expose her kind to the brilliant light of day. The dawn of chaos has come. The naturi have broken free of their eternal prison to feed on the defenseless and unbelieving of an unprepared Earth.

Mira and Danaus—vampire and vampire slayer—must unite to prevent the annihilation of their separate races. But for Danaus the challenge is intensified, for he must also fight the bori who covets his soul. And Mira, the nightwalker he must protect—whose power is the Earth’s last hope—is rapidly going insane.

Read an excerpt here.

Wait for Dusk (Dark Days, Book 5) by Jocelynn Drake
Urban fantasy published by Harper Voyager 27 Jul 10

Since Pray for Dawn was such a strong entry in the series, I had high hopes for Wait for Dusk. It mostly met my expectations, but I found it less exciting. Mira and Danaus are once more in Europe, this time to discover why vampires are disappearing in Budapest and why no one is in control of the region. Mira’s sometime allies Valerio and Stefan are along for the ride. They help convince Mira to be a bit freer with her displays of violence, which gets on Danaus’s nerves. Of course, Danaus bothers Mira with his concern for an alleged damsel-in-distress.

I like the Drake’s hero and heroine, but they’re far more entertaining when they’re working together than when they’re annoyed with each other. I will still be along for the sixth Dark Days novel – Drake keeps things moving fast and she writes excellent sexual tension.

Grade: B-

Summary:

There is no sanctuary in the night . . .

Feared even by her own kind for her mastery of fire, the nightwalker Mira is summoned by the coven to take her rightful place as Elder. But with this honor comes grave responsibility—a commitment to the annihilation of the unleashed naturi. For now the foul creatures walk the earth—and neither vampire nor human will survive their horrific onslaught.

A tide of blood is sweeping relentlessly across the European continent, as Mira is dispatched to Budapest for the most devastating test yet of her astonishing powers—and falls into a well-laid trap. With the dark secrets that haunt her growing darker by the hour, she must confront the terrible truth of her past and protect her fragile sanity in the face of unanticipated treachery—a betrayal by her trusted ally, her beloved enemy, the vampire slayer Danaus.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

A Local Habitation (October Daye, Book 2) by Seanan McGuire
Urban fantasy published by DAW 2 Mar 10

Sybil is corrupting me. Because of her, I keep reading series out of order. This time I only started on the second book, but still. I am sad I didn’t start with the first October Daye book, since it sounds nifty. (Evil twin brothers!) A Local Habitation did have its own attractions. (Evil computer company!) The October Daye novels draw from a variety of mythological influences, but the major ones are Celtic, which always makes me happy. Toby’s past is somewhat complicated, but her world isn’t too unfamiliar. That makes it easy to step in.

The mystery did provide a nice amount of tension – no one expects the main character to die, but there were plenty of other good characters at risk from the murderer. I did find one of the love interests kind of lackluster. He’s married, and no matter how awful the woman he’s married to is, it still seems skeevy.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Now comes the second in the series-from a dynamic new fantasy talent!

Toby Daye-a half-human, half-fae changeling-has been an outsider from birth. After getting burned by both sides of her heritage, Toby has denied the fae world, retreating to a “normal” life. Unfortunately for her, the Faerie world had other ideas…

Now her liege, the Duke of the Shadowed Hills, has asked Toby to go to the Country of Tamed Lightening to make sure all is well with his niece, Countess January O’Leary. It seems like a simple enough assignment-until Toby discovers that someone has begun murdering people close to January, and that if the killer isn’t stopped, January may be the next victim.

Read an excerpt here.

An Artificial Night (October Daye, Book 3) by Seanan McGuire
Urban fantasy published by DAW 27 Sep 10

The highlight of the October Daye novels might be Toby’s strange friendship with the Luidaeg. In An Artificial Night, that friendship comes in handy since Toby is battling the Luidaeg’s brother Blind Michael. Toby isn’t the world’s best investigator, so it helps that she knows whodunit almost immediately and just needs to find out how to rescue his victims.

There’s also some interesting developments that will play out in future installments of the series, like Toby’s fetch May Daye. Who can resist a friendly harbinger of death who can’t drive? The second novel is probably a better starting place than this one, but it’s still accessible to new readers.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Experience the thrill of the hunt in the third October Daye urban fantasy novel.

October “Toby” Daye is a changeling-half human and half fae-and the only one who has earned knighthood. Now she must take on a nightmarish new challenge. Someone is stealing the children of the fae as well as mortal children, and all signs point to Blind Michael. Toby has no choice but to track the villain down-even when there are only three magical roads by which to reach Blind Michael’s realm, home of the Wild Hunt-and no road may be taken more than once. If Toby cannot escape with the children, she will fall prey to the Wild Hunt and Blind Michael’s inescapable power.

No excerpt found.

Other books in the series:

Gwen’s review of Shadowfever (Fever Series, Book 5) by Karen Marie Moning
Urban fantasy hardcover released by Delacorte Press 18 Jan 2011

Well, well, well.  Here we are.  Finally at the end of this innovative and addictive series.  I started reading it because I love Moning’s historical/time-traveling romances.  I thought I’d see how one of my favorite authors fared in a completely new genre – not always a successful venture for some authors.  I should have had more faith in Moning’s skill.  I have never been disappointed in this series – frustrated, yes, anxious for the next release, definitely, but never, ever disappointed.

Mac Lane is a unique heroine. She is immediately identifiable to those of us raised in the South – pretty, pampered, and generally spoiled by an easy life.  Then tragedy sends her life in an altogether different direction. She is dragged, sometimes kicking and screaming, into the world of fae, druidry, and hot men who do all they can to manipulate her.

Mac’s “hero”, Jericho Z. Barrons, is a contrary, perversely closedmouthed hunk of a man that she is never able to figure out.  She also lusts after him with a sometimes inexplicable fervor.  JZB also has an agenda that Mac isn’t sure is on the side of the angels, so to speak.

The development of the story arc throughout the series is one of the more intricate bits of writing I’ve experienced.  There’s a push/pull between the main characters, the secondary characters, the story elements, and all the other bits that keep the reader from knowing what to expect from anyone or anything.  This leads to one surprise after another and makes for some very entertaining books.

In Shadowfever, we see the culmination of all these elements and characters.  It’s definitely not the end of the story – no sir-ee -  but it is the end of this initial arc.  These books have developed a new world that is lavish in details, and full of characters that are fun to love, fun to hate, and everything jumbled up in between.  We see whole new sides to some of the main characters and all is revealed.  Well, almost all.  We still don’t know what the heck one of the main characters is (stepping lightly here to avoid spoilers).

For the romance readers out there, you’re given a very tender peek into the Mac & JZB dynamic.  Shadowfever begins in the most gut-wrenching scene I’ve read in some time.  This leads to a crystallization of Mackayla into the powerful being she must be to live through all the events of this book and some of them are wowzers.

I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a good urban fantasy that takes us down a very different, very entertaining road. I do not recommend reading this on its own – each book builds on the story and the tension into this first-rate finale.  If you haven’t started the series, please run, don’t walk, to your closest bookstore.

Grade: A

Read other reviews and info for this series here.

Summary:

MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina, were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever.

Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister’s murderer. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals who have lived concealed among us for thousands of years.

What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh—a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King, containing the power to create and destroy worlds.

In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turns on Mac and begins mowing a deadly path through those she loves. Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman haunting her dreams? More important, who is Mac herself and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card?

From the luxury of the Lord Master’s penthouse to the sordid depths of an Unseelie nightclub, from the erotic bed of her lover to the terrifying bed of the Unseelie King, Mac’s journey will force her to face the truth of her exile, and to make a choice that will either save the world . . . or destroy it.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series (links to the mass-market paperbacks where available):

Liviania’s Quick Quack Reviews of one science fiction romance and three urban fantasy novels by Cameron Haley, Ilona Andrews, Katherine Allred, and Phaedra Weldon.

Mob Rules (Underworld Cycle, Book 1) by Cameron Haley
Urban fantasy published by Luna 1 Sep 10

I love the world Cameron Haley sets up in Mob Rules. Her sorcerers are LA gang members who get power boosts from graffiti. Domino Riley, an enforcer for Shanar Rashan, is investigating a murder. Riley soon realizes that there’s something odd about Jamal’s murder when she has trouble summoning his spirit. It also means that her outfit is going to war with Papa Danwe’s outfit.

There’s a strong cast of background characters, especially the piskie Honey. The romance with Adan is nice, but ultimately a non-starter. I’m excited for the next Underworld Cycle novel. Riley’s smart and tough and Haley’s worldbuilding is off to a good start.

Grade: B+

Summary:

As LA plunges into an occult gang war, mob sorceress Domino Riley must unravel a conspiracy that reaches beyond the magic-soaked mean streets into a world of myth and legend.

Domino investigates the ritual execution of a mob associate, a graffiti magician named Jamal. The kid isn’t just dead, he’s been squeezed — the killer stole his magical power or “juice.” Domino summons Jamal’s shade, and the ghost points to Adan Rashan as his killer. This is tricky, because Adan is the favored son of Domino’s boss, Shanar Rashan, a six-thousand-year-old Sumerian wizard. It’s even trickier because only a mobbed-up sorcerer could have squeezed Jamal and Adan isn’t a sorcerer.

As the corpses pile up, Domino must confront the killer and unmask an otherworldly kingpin with designs on her gang’s magic-rich turf.

MOB RULES is an urban fantasy novel of murder and magic, betrayal and redemption set in the supernatural underworld of Los Angeles.

Read an excerpt here.

Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, Book 4) by Ilona Andrews
Urban fantasy published by Ace 25 May 10

I am extremely happy I finally read Ilona Andrews’ works. I read Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, and Magic Bleeds in quick succession. Thus, my memories are somewhat blended together. (I may also spoil parts of the previous novels.) Even with that handicap, I am convinced that Magic Bleeds is a highlight. Quite a bit is revealed about Kate’s mysterious past due to her adversary. Kate’s confrontation with her father is probably going to come soon, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.

In addition, Curran and Kate’s relationship is progressing nicely. In fact, Kate’s willing to fight to stay with him. Kate’s becoming more connected to her community in a variety of ways and it makes her a stronger person. I can see why this series is so hyped, and I must say that it’s living up to all the nice things people say.

Grade: A

Summary:
Kate Daniels cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to deal with-especially if they involve Atlanta’s shapeshifting community.

And now there’s a new player in town-a foe that may be too much for even Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Close Contact (Alien Affairs, Book 2) by Katherine Allred
Science fiction romance published by Harper Voyager 8 Jun 10

Science fiction romances aren’t that common, so I was somewhat excited by this one. Echo Adams is a Genetically Engineered Person with psi abilities. Now, instead of planning parties, she’s attempting to steal back a stolen crystal on a far-off planet and falling in love with the commander of the king’s army. But there’s something strange about Reynard and his fellow Madreans.

I found this one a little disappointing. I prefer hard SF to soft SF, and all the psi abilities being used might as well be magic. Echo and Reynard’s romance worked fine, but wasn’t overly memorable. The book is, however, better than the cover would lead you to believe.

Grade: B-

Summary:

GEPs just want to have fun . . .

A Genetically Engineered Person and self-proclaimed “party girl,” Echo Adams loves her diplomatic job entertaining alien bigwigs for the Galactic Federation. But the Bureau of Alien Affairs has discovered she’s much more than she thinks—that a rogue scientist endowed her with skills and psi abilities dwarfing those of common GEPs. And suddenly Echo’s luxury life is over, replaced with a far more dangerous one: a special agent expected to not only chase bad guys but eliminate them.

Echo hates being stuck on Madrea—a planet of technophobes off limits to Federation visitors—hunting for a stolen quartz crystal with a powerful alien life form embedded inside. She despises the Bureau’s restrictive rules—especially the one warning her away from the dangerously seductive commander of the king’s army. And if she doesn’t learn how to use her alleged super-psi powers soon, her partying days—in fact all of her days—will be over for good.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Revenant (Zoë Martinique Investigations, Book 4) by Phaedra Weldon
Urban fantasy published by Ace 1 Jun 10

Revenant is the fourth Zoë Martinique Investigation novel and an excellent example of why I like to start series from the beginning. The novel begins with a brief explanation of Zoë’s past. By the third page I was completely lost. She used a number of abbreviations and the timeline was quite confusing, plus it’s a totally made up system of magic. I may give Revenant another change if I can first read one of the earlier books. I’m not sure about the prose, however. It had a strong rhythm, with lots of staccato sentences. It seems like it would be jarring to read a full work written in Zoë’s voice.

Grade: DNF

Summary:

The smart, sassy, single, and “highly original” (#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs) Zoë Martinique is back- and she’s seeking clues on the other side…

Zoë Martinique’s life hasn’t been ordinary for quite awhile. First she developed the ability to travel outside her body at will-where she encountered some seriously weird things. Things that left her with powers that she didn’t really want or need. Still, a person can get used to almost anything- even being a Wraith. Though more often than not, it plays serious havoc with her love life.

But for once, Zoë is glad of her abilities. Bodies are showing up all over Atlanta, drained of blood. They’re beings from another astral plane, called Revenants-and they’re being stalked by her old enemy, the Phantasm. The Revenants are hardly the nicest of creatures-but to preserve the cosmic balance, Zoë will need to put everything on the line to save them…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Ash’s review of Nightshade by Michelle Rowen
Urban Fantasy published by Berkley 01 Feb 11

I’ve been reluctant to read urban fantasy lately, I have needed something with a more happy outlook. For that reason I have put off reading this book, even though I was pretty sure I would enjoy it. Turns out, I wasn’t wrong about liking it and I am glad I made myself start reading.

The action starts on page 4, which makes me very happy. I hate having to read through chapters to get to the good stuff. I am not a patient person. I don’t need 20 pages describing the world, the characters, or what outfit looks best. I much prefer to learn as we go, which is what happens in Nightshade. Jill is thrown into a situation that she is completely unprepared for, but she adapts. I tend to be overly critical of urban fantasy heroines, but Jill just works for me. I could actually see her growing, while still maintaining who she is.  She is someone I can easily root for.

Hoping for a romance in this book (when am I not?), there is, sort of. Declan is, again, a character I can really like. He isn’t a cookie-cutter bad ass, and he doesn’t always win the fight. I hope that he and Jill can be together, but, of course, thanks to a drug, Declan doesn’t really feel emotions. Instead of being like a robot, he still has personality and Michelle Rowen does a good job with him. He is pretty close to the kind of hero I love reading about.

Actually, in Nightshade, I feel like she did a great job with all the characters. Every one was so clear in my head. I especially have a soft spot for Noah and the vampire Matthias. I was looking forward to the fact that vampires are bad, simple as that, only it’s not that simple. Matthias shows that they aren’t all the monsters they are thought to be. He is one of my favorite characters, and I wouldn’t have enjoyed the story as much without him.

Another thing that really gets me into the story is that it’s kind of a paranormal and science fiction mix. Jill gets injected with a serum and, therefore, becomes what she becomes. It has nothing to do with magic or anything like that. We don’t really know how vampires come to be, but I like that it’s not the typical fantasy story with magic and such. There are many things about Nightshade I enjoyed, and I can’t even remember the little things that bugged me. My only complaint is I have to wait until July for the next story.

Grade: B

Summary:

Jillian Conrad never believed in vampires. But she’s just become a living, breathing weapon against them. Attacked by a desperate scientist, she is injected with a serum that was supposed to act as a deadly poison to vampires. And when the scientist is gunned down in front of her, his secrets die with him.

Declan Reese was only half-vampire, but he hates them with all his heart. He knows that the poison in Jillian’s veins could finally destroy the undead kingdom. Also, the serum has had an unintended effect, making her blood irresistible to all vampires—including Declan, whose bloodthirsty traits are driven into a frenzy by her.

Driven by duty to protect her and by instinct to crave her, Declan takes Jillian into his shadowy world of blood and battle. But he soon realizes his increasing need for her may be a different kind of hunger…

Read an excerpt here.

Ash’s review of Don’t Kill the Messenger by Eileen Rendahl
Urban Fantasy published by Berkley Trade 02 Mar 10

I was hoping for more from this book, but I am not giving up on this series just yet.

This is one of those times where I don’t really know what to say. Don’t Kill the Messenger is an average urban fantasy to me, nothing really stood out. The world is nothing new, but that wasn’t exactly a bad thing. I’m able to follow along without any trouble understanding what’s going on.

Melina doesn’t seem to be anything special. She is a forgettable character and I don’t really care about her either way. I find her boring and unremarkable as a heroine. There isn’t much of her being a messenger, which I want more of, and the action in the book is lacking up until the very end, and even that is a letdown.

Her love interest is not the guy I was hoping he would be, so that left me wanting more. The ending makes it seem like there is going to be romantic drama in the coming books, and I am getting tired of the whole ‘which guy will it be’ thing. I didn’t see any chemistry between Melina and Ted, so I didn’t get why they’re together.

It’s the rest of the characters that save this book from being completely dull. I want to find out more about them and the magical side of Melina’s world. So while it might not be the most exciting book, I did enjoy it for the most part. I do plan to read the next one, but I can’t say it’s one I am dying to read.

Grade: C

Summary:

Melina Markowitz is a Messenger, a go-between for paranormal forces and supernatural creatures. Problem is, when a girl’s a go-between, it’s hard not to get caught in the middle…

When ninjas steal an envelope from Melina, her search leads her to a Taoist temple in Old Sacramento, where the priests seem to practice Zen and the art of mayhem. Melina learns from the handsome ER doctor (and vampire) who gave her the envelope that it contained talismans created by the priests to control Chinese vampires, who are attacking gang members to spark a street war.

Although he may look more like a surfer than a cop, Ted Goodnight is dead serious about investigating the surge in gang violence. At every turn he runs into Melina, a very attractive-and very mysterious-young woman. Can Melina enlist his help to battle something he doesn’t even believe in without blowing her cover?

Read an excerpt here.

Gwen’s review of Blood Challenge (World of the Lupi, Book 7) by Eileen Wilks
Urban fantasy published by Berkley 4 Jan 11

I’ve been an Eileen Wilks fan for several years now.  I’ve enjoyed everything of hers I’ve read and have eagerly anticipated her next novels.  Her writing is always taut, interesting, and full of emotion. Blood Challenge keeps up its end of the bargain.

The thing I love about the World of the Lupi series is its believability.  Part of that is this many books into the series, I feel like I’m visiting old friends and I’m nowhere near tired of reading about them. The rest of that feeling is a result of the depth of Wilks’s storytelling. She fully populates her world with good, bad, and all the in-between. The richness of detail and fullness of characters paints vivid pictures in my mind. I don’t so much “read” her books as I “fall into” them. Really a wonderful experience for a reader.

In this entry into Lily and Rule’s world, we find our intrepid protagonists embattled on many fronts – personal, professional, clan, and mystical.  Most of which are traced back to the Lupi’s ultimate enemy.  All of this action leads to some very tender scenes with the previous books’ couples.  It also introduces us to a new couple: Benedict and Arjenie.

Yes, you read that right. Rule’s normally taciturn and lethal brother gets a woman. THAT, in itself, is reason enough to read this book. But add to it some marvelous action, really good storytelling, mixed with excellent romance, and you have a bang-up novel.

I missed reading scenes with Lily’s grandmother and dragon-friend, Sam, but that was all offset with a nicely multi-faceted tale that kept me busy.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the series.  If you haven’t read any of the previous novels, you may be a bit at sea.  Even I had to go back to previous books and reacquaint myself with some of the characters and what happened to them.

Even so, if you’re a fan of urban fantasy or of shapeshifter novels, you really shouldn’t miss this series.  Start at the beginning – you won’t regret it.

Grade: A

Read more about this series by following its tag here.

Summary:

Lily Yu and Rule Turner’s engagement announcement is stirring up ugly passions in the Humans First camp. There’s hate mail. Death threats. Lily’s car is vandalized. But professionally, things are going smoothly . . . until a lupus in Tennessee goes on a killing spree.

Then Rule’s brother, Benedict, catches a lovely intruder–twice. The first time she’s sneaking around the home of the leader of Humans First. The second time, she sneaks into Nokolai Clanhome with a mysterious potion.

It may not be possible to deal with the rapidly escalating situation the way Lily always has: through the law. Especially when she’s pulled off the case due to an alleged conflict of interest. Lily’s loyalties will be stretched to the breaking point when she discovers that the deaths in Tennessee were only the opening skirmish in an all-out war.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

		Death Magic, coming Nov 2011

Gwen’s review of Archangel’s Consort (Guild Hunters, Book 3) by Nalini Singh
Urban Fantasy released by Berkley 25 Jan 11

Let me just start by saying that Nalini Singh is a goddess. I adore her writing and am always entertained by her books.  Her heroes are hot, tender, and yummy. Her heroines women I can see myself befriending. However, whomever designed this cover knows NOTHING about the heroine Singh created in Elena – she’d never care about wearing this much make-up.  Just sayin’…  But I’m here to talk about the inside of the book, so let’s carry on, shall we?

I’m a huge fan of this series. LOVE the otherworldly-ness of Raphael. Love that he loves and can’t imagine his existence without Elena. Their relationship gets bigger and better with each book.

Elena’s safe place with Raphael is helping her slowly heal from the brutal loss of her sisters and her mother’s suicide.  Elena is even beginning to feel more about, and acknowledge those feelings, her severely dysfunctional relationship with her bastard of a father (and can I just say that I wish Raphael would just end that useless dad already?).  Her character development is by turns joyful, cathartic, and utterly devastating. I cried a few times for her.

I’m not entirely sure what the overall series’ story arc is building to, but it’s going somewhere – you can feel an underlying thread of some impending “big bad”. The characters’ abilities are developing and evolving for some greater purpose.

This entry deals with old enemies and a new threat. It is this part of the plot is a little slow moving in Archangel’s Consort.  It seemed to take forever for things to happen, and yet there’s lots of action. A conundrum for me that I couldn’t identify fully.

The Archangel world is full of profoundly interesting characters – possible heroes, heroines, wonderfully evil villains, and funny sidekicks. I wouldn’t mind seeing a whole host of 0ther characters getting their own books.  Fill out this world so that we can see it from more than just Raphael and Elena’s point of view.

This series is for anyone looking for an “alternate Earth” story full of supremely powerful beings and their enemies. The romance is there but we get lots of deeper character development that is often missing from more traditional romances.  If you’re new to the world, I think you’ll enjoy this entry, but I’d read the previous books to get the full impact of all Singh’s imaginative prose.

If you’re a fan of these books already, I get the feeling that this book is setting up some future actions, so don’t miss it.

Grade: A

Read more reviews for this series by following its tag here.

Summary:

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil…

A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders.

The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.

An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Ash’s review of A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang
Urban Fantasy published by Pocket 25 Jan 11

I think I have been a bit burnt out on urban fantasy lately, and I have a few series that I love so I am always measuring books against those. A Brush of Darkness comes pretty damn close and I think I have found a new author to love.

First off, there will be spoilers here. There is no way for me to avoid it, just so you know.

I really, really like Abby. She is one of the most realistic heroines I have read in a long time. I feel like she could be someone I know. She talks normal, dresses normal, has normal reactions. She doesn’t have any superpowers, she doesn’t know much about the paranormal world she gets involved with, and she’s been adopted by a leg-humping mini unicorn.

Abby is in over her head, but she won’t ever admit it. Right away we are introduced to Brystion, an incubus with his own agenda. I love the banter between them.  Brystion might make her feel like a school girl with a crush, but she stands on her own with him. She admits she wouldn’t mind being naked with him, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to hop into bed. Considering he is an incubus, this book could have easily slid into erotica territory, but Allison Pang does a great job of not using it as an excuse for them to have sex. There is emotion between them that made it more than just physical.

The world Allison Pang has created is rich and yet uncomplicated. The scene of Abby managing the magical marketplace is one of my favorites. Nothing really happens, aside from the appearance of Phineas the unicorn, but it adds something more to the story.  There are fae, daemons, werewolves, pixies, angels, and so many more different types of beings.

I think my favorite so far is Phineas. He is a unicorn, but not the flowers and rainbow kind. His favorite place to sleep is Abby’s underwear drawer, and he has a thing for biting people in the butt. He is not what Abby or I expected. We are learning along with Abby, and I like that. I really can’t wait to see what else we find out about in the next book, and there is so much to choose from.

The mystery is intriguing and it doesn’t take long to figure out some of the pieces, but the end is surprising enough to satisfy. A big thing is revealed and I never saw it coming.

My one problem with the story is how things are left with Abby and Brystion, and this is where the spoiler comes in. Throughout the book they grow to care and even love each other. Yes, there are betrayals and hurt from both sides, but I feel the way they parted is out of character, at least for Brystion. I really thought he would fight to be with Abby, instead of walking away like it’s no big deal. Their relationship is a huge part of the book, and I feel let down. I know  that there is a Book 2 coming, and I am hopeful it’s not really the end for them, but this is not the ending I’m looking for after such a great story.

Grade: B+

Summary:

The man of her dreams might be the cause of her nightmares.Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn’t at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and sexy-as- sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus’s whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish, as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart—and there’s no one she can trust to save her.

No excerpt found.

Gwen’s review of Black Magic Sanction (Rachel Morgan and The Hollows, Book 8 ) by Kim Harrison
Urban fantasy hardcover released by Eos 23 Feb 10, mass market paperback release 28 Dec 10

The Hollows series is a guilty pleasure for me.  Rachel Morgan’s life is such a hot mess, it never fails to make me feel better about mine. Plus, it’s entertaining as hell to read about Rachel pissing everyone off and still managing to make them like her. 

In this entry, Rachel is fighting the war for her life on so many fronts it’s a little difficult to keep track of all the players.  The coven is trying to kill her for what she knows. Trent Kalamack is trying to kill her for what she’s done to him. Her almost boyfriend Pierce appears to not be on her side. And Al, the demon, is just having fun with Rachel by threatening her and all the people she loves, while at the same time, teaching her about demon magic.  It’s a trip reading about Rachel’s world and wondering how embattled one witch can be and still survive.

This entry in the Rachel Morgan world is a very entertaining one. In earlier novels, the story would drag  at times – like when Rachel would have the never ending navel lint inspection regarding her relationship with Ivy (I always say “Get over it already!” – nobody listened). We’re carried along as Rachel is gutted emotionally by her own paranormal community and then finds out they weren’t really serious about it after all.

If you’re a fan of this series, I highly recommend reading this book.  It sets up some fun action in the next entry and is really very entertaining.  If you haven’t read the previous books, you may not want to start with this one – the story is pretty involved and understanding Rachel is not a simple thing.

But for you fans out there? Read it.  The mass market paperback of this hardcover is releasing in a few days.

Grade: A

Read other information on this series by following its tag here.

Summary:

In New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison’s most complex and nuanced adventure yet, bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan fights a deadly battle—mind, body, and soul

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter—and lived to tell the tale. But she’s never faced off against her own kind . . . until now.

Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment—at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.

It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series, in reading order (all links for mass market paperback where available):

Gwen’s review of Blood Magic (World of the Lupi, Book 6) by Eileen Wilks
Urban fantasy released by Berkley 2 Feb 10

This series just keeps getting better and better.  Wilks’s storytelling is also getting better, and it started out excellent.

This entry in the series has us back with Rule and Lily – and boy am I happy about that.  I love those two characters.  The plot is classic urban fantasy and is told with excellent tension and just the right touch of sex and drama.

It’s not that I’ve disliked the separate storylines with the other characters.  Those are fun to read and have served to keep the world fresh.  But Rule and Lily are just so bloody appealing.  I’d love to know these people, have them over for dinner, and just get to know them.  They’re that cool and approachable.

In this entry into the world of the Lupi, Rule and Lily are confronted with an enemy that looks like anything BUT an enemy.  Wolf senses can’t even detect him/her.  This creates some very tense moments while they try to figure out how to find the enemy and then how to get rid of them.

Add to this even more complications from both families surrounding their upcoming wedding.  The whole thing is just chock full of potential problems and misunderstandings.  All the while, Rule and Lily have to work on keeping from taking it out on each other.

I highly recommend this for anyone following the series. If you’re new to the series, this may not be the best book to start with. If you love urban fantasy and romance, you definitely want to read this series.  Wilks’s writing is taut, entertaining, and interesting enough to please even the most demanding reader.

Grade: A

Read more about this series by following its tag here.

Summary:

As they plan their wedding, Lily Yu and Rule Turner, a prince of the lupi, are facing a great deal of tension from both their families. Not everyone can accept their mixed marriage: she’s Chinese; he’s a werewolf. Even Lily’s grandmother is acting strangely distant, though Lily and Rule are about to discover that her behavior has nothing to do with their upcoming nuptials.

A powerful, undying nemesis has come to San Diego to exact vengeance on Lily’s family – and turn the city into a feeding ground. It’s up to Lily and Rule to stop her, in spite of ancient treaties and an inheritance passed down through the blood. Otherwise San Diego could go up in flames, and they won’t live to make it to the altar…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Ash’s review of Siren Song (Blood Singer Series, Book 2) by Cat Adams
Urban Fantasy released by Tor 28 SEP 10

I really enjoyed the first book, and for some reason I put off reading this one. I think I worried it wouldn’t be as good or things would happen to annoy me. Turns out I had nothing to worry about and I ended up forcing myself to put it down and go to bed.

Celia is a character I find it easy to like. She is yet another tough, kick-ass heroine, but there are things that keep her human, even though she isn’t really one anymore. She’s confident but not cocky. She has found out the reasons why some things happen to her, and she doesn’t let it give her an excuse. She keeps fighting and doing what’s right.

In Siren Song, Celia is dealing with a broken heart, a demon who wants to own her, and an unknown enemy who has been after her since she was a child. We get to meet the other sirens as well. I wasn’t sure I would like them, since it’s just kind of thrown into the mix at the end of Blood Song. I feel like it would be yet another obstacle for Celia, but it turns out to be a good thing for her. I also enjoy the new characters and I hope we get more of them in the next book.

Celia’s personal relationships are changing everywhere and some were good, others not so much. Celia is dealing with a broken heart, kind of. She doesn’t really have time to dwell on it, but that whole scene breaks my heart as well.  I’m not a fan of Bruno, so I’m not too sad to see him go, and honestly I hope he stays gone. Though I do like Creede and the relationship possibilities that are there, I know it is too soon for anything with anyone. I still think there is going to be something with Kevin, but me and Celia are both mad at him right now.

There are plenty of fight scenes, magic, and ghosts.  What makes this book stand out a little more to me is that there is as much focus on other things besides going after the big bad. It is a pretty good balance, and it made me care more about the characters. I am intrigued by the demon who wants Celia, and I assume the next book (Demon Song) will have more about him. I look forward to the next and I don’t plan to wait as long to read it.

Grade: B

Summary:

Nothing if not resilient, Celia Graves is slowly adjusting to being a half-human, half-vampire Abomination. But her troubles are far from over. Her best friend’s murder is still unsolved, the cops are convinced she should be in jail, and her old lover, the magician Bruno DeLuca, has resurfaced in her life, saying he has something important to tell her.

The vampire attack that transformed Celia kicked her latent Siren abilities into high gear, and now she’s been summoned to the Sirens’ island to justify her existence—and possibly fight for her life—in front of the Siren Queen. Celia isn’t sure she’ll survive to make the trip. The demon she defeated in Blood Song hasn’t exactly gone quietly—he’s left Celia suffering from a powerful curse.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Liviania’s review of Venom (Elemental Assassin, Book 3) by Jennifer Estep
Urban fantasy released by Pocket 28 Sept 10

Venom is the second book I read recently that I thought was the end of a trilogy instead of just the third in an ongoing series.  It made me sad when I realized the ongoing plot would not be resolved, although Jennifer Estep did bring several threads of the story to a satisfying conclusion.  Of course, it also means I get to enjoy more books with these characters.  I do like Gin Blanco, since she plows through angst quickly.

Gin now knows who killed her parents and needs to face down Ashland’s underworld to avenge them.  First up is Mab’s right-hand giant Elliot Slater, who is pursuing Gin’s mildly friendly acquaintance Roslyn Phillips against her will.  He makes for a truly disgusting and threatening villain, which is good.  (With an assassin for a heroine, the bad guys have to be really bad.)  I wish Gin could go after the head honcho immediately, but I might’ve been more content if I hadn’t thought Venom was the last book of the Elemental Assassin series.

Donovan Caine is officially out of the picture.  Owen Grayson, however, is eager to replace him in Gin’s life.  Heroine Gin may have retired from the assassin business, but pro bono cases just keep cropping up.  As a cop, Donovan couldn’t deal, but Owen knows the criminal side of life.  He owns the kind of weapons that impress Gin.  I like that Gin is willing to move on while she’s still recovering from the break-up.  She’s got a bit of a gooey center, but she is the kind of person who deals brusquely with emotional pain.  Plus, I like how he attracts Gin.  She knows little about him, but she’s kind of interested just because he’s clearly interested.  It’s understandable to want to be around a guy who makes you feel especially desirable.

On the family vengeance front, Bria – Gin’s long lost younger sister – has just transferred to Ashland.  She’s looking for whoever killed her mother and sisters too, but she became a cop.  I liked her level-headedness.  She remains a bit unknown though, since Gin refuses to get close.  I really, really wished Gin would reveal their relationship like Finn (her adopted brother) encouraged.  It’s one of those things that you know is going to bite her in the ass when it finally comes out.

While Bria remains somewhat enigmatic, Venom does reveal more about secondary characters who have been around since Spider’s Bite.  Gin learns more about Sophia and Jo-Jo Deveraux, the dwarf sisters who clean up her messes and heal her wounds respectively.  I liked learning about Sophia, because I think she’s one of Estep’s most creative touches in the series.  Who hasn’t wondered what happens to all those bodies urban fantasy protagonists leave lying around?

Venom might not have been the end, but it looks like there are more interesting things to come.  Gin’s secondary powers are developing now that she’s more comfortable with her magic, and developing a relationship with her sister might be on the horizon.  I hope Gin doesn’t take forever to get her vengeance, but Estep’s series is not spinning its wheels yet.  I’m also excited that Estep has a young adult series coming out in 2011.

Grade: B

Summary:

What kind of assassin works pro bono?

It’s hard to be a badass assassin when a giant is beating the crap out of you. Luckily, I never let pride get in the way of my work. My current mission is personal: annihilate Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered my family. Which means protecting my identity, even if I have to conceal my powerful Stone and Ice magic when I need it most. To the public, I’m Gin Blanco, owner of Ashland’s best barbecue joint. To my friends, I’m the Spider, retired assassin. I still do favors on the side. Like ridding a vampire friend of her oversized stalker—Mab’s right-hand goon who almost got me dead with his massive fists. At least irresistible Owen Grayson is on my side. The man knows too much about me, but I’ll take my chances. Then there’s Detective Bria Coolidge, one of Ashland’s finest. Until recently, I thought my baby sister was dead. She probably thinks the same about me. Little does she know, I’m a cold-blooded killer . . . who is about to save her life.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Liviania’s review of Unraveled (Intertwined, Book 2) by Gena Showalter
Young adult urban fantasy released by Harlequin Teen 31 Aug 2010

I like Gena Showalter.  But even an author you really like can write a novel that doesn’t quite work for you. Unraveled falls into that category.  There were parts of it that I enjoyed, but the book felt like it was standing still.

When I reviewed Intertwined, I noted that it had a huge cast of characters and that many of them were underdeveloped – especially those of the voices in Aden Stone’s head.  As Intertwined focused on one of the voices, I expected subsequent novels would do the same.  But Aden’s three remaining voices are mostly shoved to the side in Unraveled.  Poor Caleb gets close to the limelight, but doesn’t get any answers because the other characters don’t have time to figure out anything about his past other than the fact he’s connected to the witches harassing them.

The end of Intertwined introduced the witches, who placed a death curse on Aden, Mary Ann, Victoria, and Riley.  The beginning of Unraveled introduces the fairies, who loathe the vampires.  Aden kills the fairy who tries to kill him and then must hide his deed.  Both of these plots need to be dealt with, but there are also lingering issues from Aden becoming the vampire king.  He needs a vampire queen and they won’t let him pick Victoria without considering other girls first.  Plus, he has to wait to be crowned since the old king might not be dead yet.

The vampire plot takes up most of the novel, with the witch and fairy plots periodically showing up before Aden again turns his attention to the vampires.  (He pretty willfully ignores that he should do something about his therapist.)  That is until the witch and fairy plots take over for a big fight scene to finish the novel.  The witch plot does get a bit more attention when the novel focuses on Mary Ann.  She’s finding out that her ability to dampen other’s abilities might not be that innocent.  She’s also trying to hide the extent of her relationship with Riley from her father.

I liked the development in Mary Ann and Riley’s relationship, as Victoria and Aden’s still fills kind of shallow.  They do have some good scenes together as well, however.  That’s the whole problem with Unraveled.  There are good scenes, but it’s all kind of shallow.  There’s too much going on.  Showalter never focuses on one thing long enough for me to feel invested.  Every time she sucked me in she pushed me right back out to moving on to something completely different without offering any resolution.

I may continue this series just because I like Showalter, but I vastly prefer her Lords of the Underworld series.  She does a much better job there of setting up plots that run through multiple books while still developing and resolving a single book plot.

Grade: C-

Summary:

Since coming to Crossroads, Oklahoma, former outcast Aden Stone has been living the good life. Never mind that one of his best friends is a werewolf, his girlfriend is a vampire princess who hungers for his blood, and he’s supposed to be crowned Vampire King—while still a human! Well, kind of.
With four—oops, three now—human souls living inside his head, Aden has always been “different” himself. These souls can time-travel, raise the dead, possess another’s mind and, his least favorite these days, tell the future.

The forecast for Aden? A knife through the heart.

Because a war is brewing between the creatures of the dark, and Aden is somehow at the center of it all. But he isn’t about to lie down and accept his destiny without a fight. Not when his new friends have his back, not when Victoria has risked her own future to be with him, and not when he has a reason to live for the first time in his life….

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Liviania’s review of Poison Kissed (Shadowfae, Book 3) by Erica Hayes
Urban fantasy/erotica released by St. Martins 28 Sept 10

Erica Hayes’s prose in the Shadowfae novels reminds me of Francesca Lia Block, particularly the Weetzie Bat books.  It’s hallucinatory dreamy and often has a strong sense of rhythm, due to repetition or anaphora or other techniques.  I like it, but she does change up her style a little for each narrator.  Mina, the narrator of Poison Kissed, is more straightforward and thinks more straightforwardly than most of the other characters.

Mina has a fairly simple goal: find the man who killed her mother and kill him.  That and convince her boss Joey to sleep with her.  Joey, unfortunately, misreads all the signs of Mina’s desire as disgust since he’s a snake-shifter and doesn’t go all the way back to human in his bipedal form.  This is the third book Mina and Joey appear in and his inability to see what every other character sees is annoying.  He manages to decide that Mina backing off during a make-out session is because she realized she didn’t want to touch him at all, when really is was just going too fast for her.

In her quest to find her mother’s killer, Mina manages to implicate herself as a traitor to Joey and lose her banshee powers.  This works pretty well to alleviate some of my annoyance with Joey, as he manages to trust Mina quite a bit despite the evidence to the contrary.  Mina also wavers between trusting Joey or not.  It builds the emotional side of their romance fairly well.

Hayes hasn’t sold me on erotica.  The sex is well-described, but most of the sex is either between people who don’t like each other, interrupted, or later regretted.  I think I’d like the sex more if the characters enjoyed it more.

Poison Kissed is my least favorite of the series so far.  Mina and Joey are on the opposite side of the protagonists of the previous two books, who all worked for Kane.  Kane is the demon who controls Melbourne despite all the others who’d like his slice of the pie.  Thus, the Kane storyline, which ties the books together, seemed disconnected from the rest of the action and slowed things down when it interrupted.  Usually, it pushes the rest of the story forward.

I am going to continue reading the Shadowfae series even though I thought Poison Kissed was a weaker entry.  I find the overarching storyline intriguing and I like Hayes’s writing style.  (I was a fan of the Weetzie Bat books as a teenager.)  Okay, and I like fairies.  Hayes’s has done well in shaping a city of supernatural beings who can do almost anything they want since the demon-in-charge wants his people focused on their desires.

Grade: C+

Summary:

Mina is a banshee whose greatest power lies in her siren song. She’s beholden to her boss Joey, a snake-shifter who once saved her life and now employs her as a gang enforcer. She refuses to upset the fragile balance between them by admitting that she longs for him, that his embrace is the only thing she craves more than revenge for her mother’s death…
When Mina learns that Joey may have been involved in her mother’s murder, fury threatens to spill out of her note by vicious note. She and Joey have always trusted each other to stay alive, but now she’s not sure what to believe. The evidence stacked against him—or the one man who haunts her dreams and burns her blood…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series: