This was a Vaginal Fantasy pick from Bonnie! I enjoyed the book, although I hear the subsequent installments really exceed the quality of 1, so I'm exThis was a Vaginal Fantasy pick from Bonnie! I enjoyed the book, although I hear the subsequent installments really exceed the quality of 1, so I'm excited to go deeper into the series. Nothing 100% innovative here, but had a nice tone that isn't quite as twee or cliched as other books in the genre. I enjoy the main character because she was believable in an interesting way. For VF readers, this one to explore! (No racy stuff tho, heads up!)...more
My favorite urban fantasy series totally delivers on this SEVENTH installment of Kate Daniels?! Damn, that's a lot of books! VERY satisfying ending toMy favorite urban fantasy series totally delivers on this SEVENTH installment of Kate Daniels?! Damn, that's a lot of books! VERY satisfying ending to a lot of overarching storylines set up back in book one. Not as much romance, but the action and interaction between the characters made up for it. The fight scenes, as usual, were HELLA awesome. I just can't recommend this series enough if you want a fun adventure with a kick-ass lady lead and a bit of supernatural romance throw in to boot (but not too sappy, so guys, you should be safe). :)...more
We read this book for my book club last month, Vaginal Fantasy. It's the sequel to "Dark Currents" the first in the series. I really loved this followWe read this book for my book club last month, Vaginal Fantasy. It's the sequel to "Dark Currents" the first in the series. I really loved this followup, somehow even more than the first. Daisy was a lot more compelling a character, I felt like she was proactive, competent, vulnerable when she needed to be, and really connected to the fabric of this really interesting town, where fairies and supernatural creatures are "out and about".
There were some interesting explorations with the various love interests in Daisy's life, and I have to say, as a fan of a CERTAIN character, the ending left some things in the realm of possibility that I really enjoyed. ;) Doors were closed as well that I thought NEEDED to be closed, and new characters were added to really fill out the texture and population of an already interesting world.
I will be reading along with the next one for sure! But, as this is one of my favorite authors, that's pretty predictable :) If you like Ilona Andrews or the Sookie Stackhouse books, you will really appreciate this series....more
I am doing a big project in my house: Reading the ever-increasing stack of ACTUAL books that is piling up next to my bed! The dust on them is just monI am doing a big project in my house: Reading the ever-increasing stack of ACTUAL books that is piling up next to my bed! The dust on them is just monumental, since I honestly read most of my stuff on my Kindle, sigh. So project; "Chip away at stack" commence!
I've had this book on the stack for a while, and I didn't know anything about it, except the blurb on the back reminded me of one of my favorite iOS games: Elder Signs. 20's, occult, NYC etc. I thought the atmosphere was pretty interesting, and the book definitely paid the concept off!
Basically it's about a secret society of people emerging with powers in 1920's New York City, to fight a looming bad guy (who will show up in a sequel down the road.) The cast of characters was pretty good, all flawed and interesting backgrounds, and the overall murder plot was gripping and had twists and turns enough to keep me interested. The main storyline was resolved really well, and there's a setup (albeit a bit TOO involved at the end) for the next one that definitely made me want to keep reading!
I guess my only wish is that the book had been NOT Young Adult. I didn't really get that when I went into it, and even though the lead girl was 17, I honestly feel like the book would have been a bit more effective had she just aged it up and made it more complex and grittier. But partially that could be my bias against YA novels in general, they always feel just a TOUCH hollow to me, like there's something there to be mined they can't because of an age restriction. Regardless, I really enjoyed it and recommend the book for something fresh and fun and different! ...more
The CONCEPT of this book captured me more than the actual book, but if you like YA novels and interesting world-building, then you will definitely getThe CONCEPT of this book captured me more than the actual book, but if you like YA novels and interesting world-building, then you will definitely get into it. Tarot cards embody the main characters of this post-apocalyptic world. I liked everything but the main characters, actually. The main dude in particular I wasn't drawn to, but the plot was SUPER interesting and concept really strong. I really want to see where this goes! Read this for Vaginal Fantasy....more
This was read for the Vaginal Fantasy group. I enjoyed it, but, like all of this author's books, I feel like the style is a BIT immature. The main chaThis was read for the Vaginal Fantasy group. I enjoyed it, but, like all of this author's books, I feel like the style is a BIT immature. The main character, Bettina, annoyed me a bit, but the main dude was a stud and a half, and this was fun enough for romance popcorn reading for sure!...more
Ok I love this author and I love the way she writes, and this world is really interesting. I love the Psy stories better than the shifters too. But I Ok I love this author and I love the way she writes, and this world is really interesting. I love the Psy stories better than the shifters too. But I have to admit, there was something totally controlling and stalky about this male love interest character. I was interested in his backstory before when he popped up in books, and there are some AMAZING moments in this, but I almost didn't LIKE that I enjoyed it, because the female character is so abused in so many ways, and then controlled by this guy...I dunno? Maybe it was me. But I did think it was very well written and will read more!...more
I mean, last month was a GREAT month because this book and then the Seanan McGuire sequel came out, two series in their 8-9th books that continue to gI mean, last month was a GREAT month because this book and then the Seanan McGuire sequel came out, two series in their 8-9th books that continue to grow in quality. If you want great urban fantasy both these are a MUST pick up. This series is a BIT more romance, but the adventure MORE than makes up for it, because Kate is just a badass. That said, this book did have a BIT of a contrived plot device that separated the two leads in a way that I don't think was entirely believable given their past relationship. BUT it did add conflict that, even if I didn't believe it I enjoyed it, if that makes sense, haha. The pack of shifters was amazing as always, and there were some heartfelt moments that enjoyed too. Definitely as series that is coming to a head, I guess, and I can't wait to see how it happens!...more
Love LOVE this series, and as it continues, I seem to love it more? For some reason the more we learn about the characters, the more I like seeing theLove LOVE this series, and as it continues, I seem to love it more? For some reason the more we learn about the characters, the more I like seeing them together. The plot is self-contained but there are large things looming on the grander world-building scale that I really can't wait to come to fruition. But the individual journeys of the books themselves are so satisfying and imaginative. I love the way the relationship has developed between the two main characters, and I really just want MORE FASTER!
Definitely recc the series, and make sure to get past the first book, which is weaker in the series, tbh. Believable and fun urban fantasy with a touch of romance, not too much! More adventure than romance....more
Forgot I didn't actually review this book! Please check my Vaginal Fantasy Hangout for a full review, but I definitely enjoyed this book. Lore buildinForgot I didn't actually review this book! Please check my Vaginal Fantasy Hangout for a full review, but I definitely enjoyed this book. Lore building around Angels, cool chicks who live in Prague and have blue hair and mysterious pasts, yeah! It's very YA in tone, which isn't my fave, so it might be a while before a pick up the next one, but the originality and characters were compelling....more
I mean, Vampire Geishas are cool, right? That's why I picked up this book, even though I'm over vampires. There were some cool things in this book, geI mean, Vampire Geishas are cool, right? That's why I picked up this book, even though I'm over vampires. There were some cool things in this book, genetically engineering Geishas for one, but I dunno, the main character was a bit erratic for my tastes, she was sometimes a badass, sometimes a moron. I liked the love interest, and the world was interesting, but the farther I got in the book the less I understood what the bad guys' functions were.
I got the next in the book because it was a fun romp. If you like vampires this is worth a try for sure!...more
Not a HUGE Young Adult reader, but when I read about this book as a "gritty modern-day Harry Potter" I had to do it! I think this book is a bit unevenNot a HUGE Young Adult reader, but when I read about this book as a "gritty modern-day Harry Potter" I had to do it! I think this book is a bit uneven but REALLY interesting. It is definitely a less rosy view on a teen with magic, I really loved the love interest and how she was an outcast, and the precocious lead character was really engaging, especially considering his somewhat challenging past. Towards the end of the book I wanted the characters to grow a bit more, but all in all a really fun read, especially if you like teen protagonists. The reality of the magic system was very grounded as well, which I enjoyed too....more
Finally finished this! It definitely picked up steam in the last half like the ladies said. It definitely isn't my cup of tea, but if you like teen roFinally finished this! It definitely picked up steam in the last half like the ladies said. It definitely isn't my cup of tea, but if you like teen romance and steampunk you will get into this. Still biggest criticism is there were WAY too many POVs, just sticking to a few would have been stronger because the world building was very interesting!...more
I loved the last book in this series (we read it for Vaginal Fantasy) but this one didn't hook me quite as much. I think the heroine is a BIT childishI loved the last book in this series (we read it for Vaginal Fantasy) but this one didn't hook me quite as much. I think the heroine is a BIT childish and innocent for my tastes (I mean, she's a unicorn shapeshifter so that makes sense). I also didn't dig that she had this weird gestation pregnancy where the fetus talked to her. I dunno, some ladies might be into that, but I kept thinking Aliens. Still a fan, just not my fave of the series!...more
This is a weird book that some people may not like, but I REALLY liked it, so there. It's not romance-y, it's steampunk/religious/thriller/alt-verse/fThis is a weird book that some people may not like, but I REALLY liked it, so there. It's not romance-y, it's steampunk/religious/thriller/alt-verse/fantasy. It's gritty and a bit complicated but I enjoyed it a LOT because it was DIFFERENT.
I love the idea of Living/Dead Gods (PC HODGELL'S GOD STALK is one of my faves) and this book really is intriguing in its dealing of the subject, and immense magical power harnessed by humans. I dunno, I just really liked it, the lead woman was ruthless and driven, which I was into, and not overly "sympathetic".
I think the only negative I could see is the sense of PLACE was vague for me, I didn't feel like I understood how the city looked and felt. Everything else was stellar. Definitely on board for another!...more
At first I loved Karen Chance's other series, Cassie Palmer, better, but this book definitely seals my Dorina favoritism. This book pretty much has evAt first I loved Karen Chance's other series, Cassie Palmer, better, but this book definitely seals my Dorina favoritism. This book pretty much has everything you want in one of these series, vampires, fae, smart ass chicks, and TONS of action scenes. Actually I think this author does action scenes better than any other paranormal author out there, she knows how to raise the stakes in incredible ways. In fact, I think sometimes she OVERDOES the action scenes (see the last Cassie Palmer book for reference), but this one has a perfect balance of mystery, world-building, character stuff and relationships. Really satisfying read, and I can't wait for more....more