Review: Blood Men: A Thriller

Blood Men: A Thriller by Paul Cleave
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Even though I predicted most of the twists, I greatly enjoyed this thriller. It's my third Paul Cleave book, and every time, I'm wowed by his ability to drag me into the seedy world of his fictional take on Christchurch in his home country of New Zealand. He can write a thriller like nobody's business!

It's been a while since I read the last one before I read this one... I won't be waiting as long this time to pick up another.

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Review: One Fell Sweep

One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ugh, Ilona, that ending... you're going to leave us hanging for another year? *weeps* Maybe for the next one I'll read along with the serial... though that seems harder to me than waiting for the whole thing and binging...

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Review: The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story

The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story by Douglas Preston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's no secret that I love Douglas Preston. I've read (and reread) his co-authored Special Agent Pendergast series multiple times. I've worked with the publishers for the past few years for ARCs of that series and interviewed Mr. Preston and Lincoln Child, his Pendergast co-author. I've read pretty much everything they've both ever written, with a few things still remaining on my to-read pile.

I also love adventure stories. Lost temples, jungle treks, scary wildlife, special teams going in to discover the past... so when I saw this one hit Netgalley, I knew I had to request it. I subscribe to Preston's email newsletters, and I was aware of his long-term interest in the lost White City of Honduras. I paid attention when they used the lidar to map some potential locations of this city in the Honduran jungles, and gobbled up details when they set out on their expedition.

This book provides Preston's account of his take on the whole scenario -- from the history of the search for the lost city, to his actual involvement, to the aftereffects of that fateful journey. It's a solid read, which I expect from Preston, who is a fantastic writer.

My biggest gripe is the end. I know it's a non-fiction weaving of historical detail into modern day adventure memoir, but the last few chapters focus solely on the deadly and scary disease that affects much of the third world, and hit many of the explorers. It turns from a lesson on the White City and a recording of the adventure into a public service notice about the future of the disease and the need for treatments to be researched and available to all, not only because the disease is quickly passing from third world into first world, but mostly because of the millions of people it affects and the tens of thousands it kills on a yearly basis in the third world, where they have no financial ability to pay for treatment and big pharm sees no profit in it.

Don't get me wrong -- I entirely agree with Preston's views on the subject. I think my problem was that the book was about the adventure into what might have been the source for the legends of the Lost City of the Monkey God, so rather than ending on the disease chapters, those could have been put into the middle and the ending been something more suited to the adventurous side of the tale and how much more we have to learn from the past.

Just my opinion, but that's what reviews are. Either way, I read very little non-fiction, and this book kept my focus and my attention, and showcases Preston's strong talents. You should really take the opportunity to follow in Preston and team's footsteps into the jungles of Honduras. Just watch out for the venomous and aggressive fer-de-lance snakes and the leish-transmitting sandflies... among the bazillion other deadly things waiting for you out there. Lucky for you, you're safe on your couch. ;)

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Review: Pocket Apocalypse

Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a rollercoaster! I couldn't put this one down. I really love Shelby, and I think Alex and her make a great team.

This one had a great take on lycanthropy/werewolfs, lots of action, a good mystery, and some serious family drama. Oddly enough, the family drama this time wasn't Price family drama, but involved the intensely paranoid, rude, and obnoxious Tanner family. Don't get me wrong, I liked some members of "Shelly's" family (aka Raina, whose sarcasm and Pokemon obsession cracked me up), but for the most part, no matter how much Alex proved that he was there to help them, they treated him like crap at every turn. They got a little better by the end, but there is still a lot of growth left for them (and the Society) before they're going to gain MY trust.

The Aeslin mice were also the typical treat. I love them so much!!! I want my own splinter colony, and I want it now!!! *Veruca Salt scream*

There was one thing in this book that seriously broke my heart. I actually cried - UGLY cried. I knew after this many books and short stories that it was bound to happen eventually... but I wasn't ready for it, not even a little bit. :(

Anyways, thanks Seanan McGuire, for another excellent book. I am actually kinda sad we're going back to Verity and Dominic in the next one -- I really like Alex and Shelby -- but it'll be nice to check back in on them.

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Review: The Seventh Plague

The Seventh Plague by James Rollins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one fell a little (just slightly) flat for me. I really enjoyed that Safia al-Maaz was back -- we haven't seen her since the very first book in the series, Sandstorm, and she was a great character in that book. Unfortunately, in this installment, I kind of felt like most of the main characters were cardboard cutouts of themselves. Seichan and Kowalski showed a little personality, but it wasn't near as much as in previous books in the series. I also didn't feel much of a connection to the newly introduced characters like I usually do.

Luckily for Rollins, his ability to tell a rollicking fun adventure hasn't waned, and the exotic locales and crazy explosions helped.

All in all, still a typical enjoyable and fun Rollins novel, just not the best that the series has to offer.

3.5 stars rounded up. (Please note that some health issues and stress might have also taken away from my enjoyment of this novel!)

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Review: Half-Off Ragnarok

Half-Off Ragnarok by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks, Seanan, for swapping Price perspectives and giving us a little time with a different family member. Thank you for taking that chance, and completely nailing the execution. I should have believed you knew what you were doing -- you've literally never let me down before, so why didn't I have faith? *I'd make a bad Aeslin mouse.*

Anywho, it was awesome getting to see a different piece of the Incryptid world with a (mostly) new cast of Price/Healy/Baker/Zellaby family members. I really liked Carol in the first book, don't ask me why, she just stood out to me as a fun minor character. Probably because Seanan McGuire is so good at making this weirdness feel like it makes sense in our modern world. I mean, really, taking a gorgon and plopping her into a strip club waitressing gig and talking about needing a wig to cover her snakes? Pure creative genius. Anyways, this digression was a side note to say, MORE GORGONS in this one! I very much enjoyed the character of Dee and her storyline. It was really cool to have another major player in a story be an Incryptid instead of a human, and to play a big role in the story, and to be something other than the cuckoo we've come to love (Sarah!).

Shelby was also a pleasant surprise. Her backstory got more and more interesting, and she reminds me a lot of Frances/Fran from the Incryptid history short stories, which is good, because I adore Fran.

Alex was entertaining as well. As a guy who grew up dorky, I related to him on some level, though he grew up to be a badass cryptozoologist, and my accounting career is just as boring as you'd think it would be. (Don't worry, I'm working on changing that!)

Anyways, McGuire knocked another one out of the park. To close, I have to make side note of my favorite line from the book. Sarah, who is recovering from her misadventures in NYC with Verity, loves math, like all the cuckoos in the series. She's off to bed and she says, "Will you read me a bedtime equation?" <3

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Review: Paniha's Taniwha

Paniha's Taniwha by A.W. Exley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, as a huge fan of the Artifact Hunter series, I've been DYING for Loki to get his own story, showcasing his wild nature and his bad boy fun pirate side. A.W. Exley has delivered and surpassed my expectations!

First, let's start with the beautiful cover!!! I am really digging the new covers for the series, and this one is no exception.

Now, on to story. We've got wit. We've got charm. We've got adventure in the wilds of New Zealand. We've got beautiful native maidens and strong half-naked muscular warriors. Throwing Loki into this mixture? EXPLOSIVE. Did I mention that when the romance threads of this one finally come to a head, it's one of the hottest things I've ever read? And that is including the lady bits (which I'm not really a fan of in general *shudders*)... but knowing Loki from the main books in the series, the way this worked out felt very natural for his story. And I'm not going to lie, I'd kill for a Hone of my own!!!

Now I want a Nate, a Loki, and a Hone (collect the whole set? haha!).

If you like steampunk with adventure, a little magic/supernatural, do YOURSELF a favor and pick up the Artifact Hunters. You won't be disappointed... at least not until you realize that the series is finished (I'm still hoping for more!!!).

Special thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Feast of All Souls

The Feast of All Souls by Simon Bestwick
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First - thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not entirely sure where to start on this one. It was a decent story, with some great characters and a nice creepy vibe all the way through. I think I just didn't like how convoluted it got. It was trying to tie so many mythologies into the explanation, and it never really did a great job explaining how the creepy supernatural weirdness actually caused what it did. The children were strictly there to be part of the horror vibe, and the resolution with that part of the story was very lackluster and unfulfilling. The big twist about the villain wasn't really hard to see coming -- I had considered it from the very beginning, really.

I just felt like it needed a lot more polish, another run-through on the plot to focus on removing/clarifying places it got too convoluted to be entertaining, and a little more depth to the story and reveals and explanations.

It was a decent tale overall, and I enjoyed it, so three stars for "liked but nowhere near loved."

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Review: Midnight Blue-Light Special

Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's becoming a habit to post reviews for Seanan McGuire books with five stars. It's almost reflex -- because she's never let me down so far... I've never reviewed her less than four stars! She's just THAT good. And she's a prolific writer, putting out instllments in multiple series AND short stories EVERY YEAR. Do yourself a favor and pick up some Seanan!

Midnight Blue-Light Special really kicked the danger up a notch! It brought more development in a diverse (literally, a bunch of different kinds of monsters = diverse) cast of characters, and I loved every minute of it. It was a thrill ride.

I've grown to love Verity and the group of Manhattanites in the first two books, so I'm a little sad that, for now at least, we're taking a side trip to Verity's brother in the next book... but Seanan has crafted such an amazing world (and as said above is such a good writer) that I trust her in the shift.

On to book three... next week! (Reading this with my Wednesday UF buddies over at Buddies, Books, and Baubles)... short stories will tide me over, right? :D

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Review: Skitter

Skitter by Ezekiel Boone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ezekiel Boone, why are you doing this to me? You can't leave me hanging like this!!!! How long will I have to wait, unable to move or scream or even blink, for the third book?

If you weren't terrified of spiders before this series... if book one didn't increase that fear tenfold... then this book HAD to have seriously upped the scary level enough to produce some semblance of a reaction. Like man-eating swarms of spiders wasn't enough... like spiders that cut a hole and slip into your body unnoticed and lay eggs that burst forth like the movie alien couldn't be sufficient, Boone succeeds in kicking the fear up a notch. The spiders from the first book? Yeah, they're just the first wave... and wait until you see the second...

Awesome books. Fast and easy to read -- very movie-like quality to them. I'm super excited for book three. Too bad book two's actual release (this was an ARC) is months away, meaning book three is probably a year away at least. Oh well, it's not like I'm going anywhere, wrapped in silky threads and unable to scream... I'll be here... waiting for what's coming.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Discount Armageddon

Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm sure you're probably stunned to find out that I *LOVED* a Seanan McGuire book. Oh, wait, no, nevermind. You probably expected that, since I 100% fanboyed over October Daye (#tybaltmeOW).

I read this little gem with my Wednesday UF ladies (and one or two of us gents) over at the Buddies Books and Baubles on Goodreads, and I'm so glad we picked this to be our next series read.

This series has weird. It has fun. It has dangerous. It has weird. It has exciting. It has sexy. It has weird. It has strip-club working, ball-room dancing, parkour-esque city adventuring cryptozoologists with cuckoo cousins and lesser gorgon co-workers. Did I mention that it has WEIRD?

Don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just leave off here and say -- do yourself a favor and grab something by Seanan McGuire. :)

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Review: Nice Guys Bite

Nice Guys Bite by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a cute little side-story, set in the holiday season, and involving one of the newest cast members in the Elemental Assassin series.

It was highly entertaining to see inside the mind of Silvio, but it was a little bit disheartening to see that behind his facade of togetherness, he's hurting and broken inside.

Luckily for our protagonist, he's joined one of the best "chosen families" in all of Urban Fantasy.

The little lingering potential thread of hope at the end was especially heartwarming.

Thanks Netgalley and Jennifer Estep (for posting the Read Now link on her facebook!) and the publisher for this review copy. The only thing I got out of it was the free read, in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Review: The Hatching

The Hatching by Ezekiel Boone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seriously, it's fall here where I live, which means leaves are falling or already on the ground, which means that when the wind blows, they bounce and flutter and, dare I say, skitter across the street and the sidewalk... and now, thanks to this book, every time I hear something make a noise that could be construed as such, my brain instantly jumps to OMG INVASION OF THE KILLER SPIDERS!

Excellent book - it's written like a movie. Big cast, lots of locations, viewpoints from all over - and it's extremely fast-paced and easy to read quickly.

Just beware, these spiders will get inside your head, tie their webs around your brain, and leave little eggs, waiting to hatch and feed off your fear.

*shudders*

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Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So glad I reread this one - perfect time, having just seen Fantastic Beasts recently and getting to refresh my memory on some of Dumbledore's childhood, Grindelwald's history, etc. :)

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Review: Angels' Flight

Angels' Flight by Nalini Singh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed these four short stories that provided a little history into some great characters and showed time periods outside of our main storyline.

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Review: Conspiracy of Ravens

Conspiracy of Ravens by Lila Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As you may know from my review, I *LOVED* Wake of Vultures, book one in this series about the Shadow. This installment, Conspiracy of Ravens, hit me in a lot of the same feels, but this time, it felt a little less polished. The plot took longer to spool up to where the action would really start -- the first 50-60% of the book was strictly traveling to the location where the main plot would actually begin to create the real action. This book had a lot more setup, creating some new threads for future books, and adding some new characters into the mix, so I understand why the plot had to take a back seat for part of the book, but I feel like it could have been done more seamlessly, rather than taking a long meandering approach to getting where they needed to go so they could do what they needed to do.

Nettie finally helps clear up my confusion of which pronoun to use, accepts herself as a himself (and an itself, but no spoilers from me on that one!), and begins to live as Rhett, and his life gets infinitely more interesting in this "episode" of The Shadow. He starts to discover the joys of intimacy, and a love tangle appears. Yes, I say tangle, because there are just too many potential threads to lay out into a shape that makes sense LOL. Oh, and

The urban fantasy/historical fiction blend still really works for me, making the west into the Wild West, and being easy on brain's imagination gears.

Now begins the long wait for book three, some time in 2017 *hopefully*...

Final verdict? Great book, one less star than book one because of the slow plot advancement for the first 50-60% of the book, so four feathers, err, stars. :)

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Review: Archangel's Heart

Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another excellent entry in what overall is an awesome series (at least one was kind of a dud to me).

I love the history we get in this one, and I love the "locked room" or "bottle episode" feel of the book, especially after the storm hits and the plot comes to a head in Lumia.

Mostly I loved that this one had tender moments that felt realistic, and not the overly obnoxious and flowery-described sex of so many of the other books. As Nalini Singh has toned that down a little as the series progresses, the books get so much better as we go along.

Tis a shame now to be caught up with the series and have to wait... Now I understand how our group of heroes and heroines must feel as they wait, wait, wait for Lijuan's rising.

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Review: Crash and Burn: A Sigma Force Short Story

Crash and Burn: A Sigma Force Short Story by James Rollins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kowalski's always fun to have around, and I liked getting to see a little character growth in Seichan as well.

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Review: Wake of Vultures

Wake of Vultures by Lila Bowen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I stinkin' loved this book. Clearly, as I gave it five stars, so that's obvious. And normally my reviews don't get all analytical or deep, but because this book tackles so much and does it really, really well, I feel like it deserves some praise and a little bit deeper of a review.

This book is set in the past - the late 1800s Southwest, to be exact -- but its message includes some highly relevant subjects. Sure it's a fantasy take on the famous western "Cowboy and Indian" tales and games we used to play as kids, down to the small desert towns, saloons, and badged rangers, but it's so much more than that.

Okay, yeah, a lot of this "more" is because it's got magic mixed in, which is honestly one of the only reasons I'd give a western book a chance -- not a big fan of the genre in general -- but the biggest "more" of Bowen's work is the intense level of diversity she has included. Her main character is not the typical "cowboy hero" or "native who has a heart for all people." She's dark, gritty, and a loner by nature. But then the "modern" issues enter the picture (I use quotes there because, well, these issues have long been a part of the human experience, but archaic thinking and religion and most cultures have tamped down things that are different for as long as the world has memory) - gender identity, self-acceptance, race (mixed, even!), and sexuality all play a vital role in the development of our heroine/hero. Nettie Lonesome is a half-black, half-Comanche badass. She just doesn't know how badass she is at first. She starts the book virtually as a slave to the couple that "adopted" her, not knowing her past, and getting by, unhappy. She's not comfortable in her womanhood, and feels more comfortable in her own skin by living as a man. So as time goes by, her choices lead her to join the Rangers (who fight monsters of the actual variety) as Rhett, not as Nettie, and the story leads us to a final conclusion against a brutal, vicious monster AND through a journey of not only self-discovery, but of a deeper understanding of a world she thought she understood, but barely knew.

I struggle with knowing the correct pronoun to use, because the author herself uses "she" but Nettie's compatriots think she is (and therefore refer to her as) a man. So I'll just put my little apology here, and end with the following plea:

If you're comfortable with all those "today topics," give this book a shot.
If you're NOT comfortable with all those "today topics," give this book a shot.
If you want a good historical urban fantasy, give this book a shot.
JUST GIVE THIS BOOK A SHOT.

Can't wait for book two.

(Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

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Review: Archangel's Enigma

Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My favorite of the series so far. I just loved Andromeda so much! Of course, Naasir is lovable too.

I do wish I had understood the point of the Grimoirr. Lol did I miss something?

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Review: The Operator

The Operator by Kim Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Much more solid book than #1. Less confusion going back and forth between who was betraying whom, and the plot felt like it had more framework. This one makes me really excited to read book three, and hope for the return of some specific characters - like Harmony, in particular, who was an excellent addition to the cast. I like her spunk!

I received a copy of this book in advance in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read it!

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Review: Archangel's Shadows

Archangel's Shadows by Nalini Singh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed Ash and Janvier's book!

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Review: Curse on the Land

Curse on the Land by Faith Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you've never picked up Faith Hunter, stop right here, go to Amazon or Book Depository or your local bookstore and BUY SOME FAITH. Seriously, you won't regret it.

In this second installment in the Soulwood series, Faith seamlessly blends her magical world with some crazy creepy real science, and it succeeds on every level. Plot twists galore, lots of character development, betrayal, and lots and lots of GOOP.

And in Nell, Faith has found an amazing voice. Nell is such a deep character, and I love seeing the world from her perspective. As much as I adore Jane, I feel this deeply rooted (PUN!) connection with Nell, and hope her series gets to stretch to the lengths of Jane's.

Please, do yourself a favor and pick up the Soulwood books. Reading the Jane series is recommended, but not required.

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Review: Archangel's Legion

Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the battle in this one -- it was the most interesting part, other than the character growth in Eve, Illium, Aodhan, and Naasir, to name a few.

Overall, a good read, even with the glaring deus ex machina ending.

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Review: The Darkest Part of the Forest

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once I picked this one up, I couldn't put it down. I read almost all of it in one day. It was that entertaining. I was hooked, needing to know what was next, what was going on, where these characters would end up.

My first Holly Black book will certainly not be my last!

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Review: Archangel's Storm

Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable entry. Mahiya turned out to be a very likeable character. It's very easy to respect someone who conquers the near-impossible challenge of being good when the world around you is bad, not breaking with the unending negative around you, staying whole when the world tries its hardest to shatter you.

All in all, very entertaining. I have to say that I will NEVER adjust to the flowery terminology that the author uses in her nigh-PNR sex scenes... honestly, sheathes and hilts and quivering things. Gah.

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Review: The Hammer of Thor

The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I know that Rick Riordan's books aren't for everyone. They have a silly, wacky style that just doesn't appeal to all readers. But for me, they're relaxing, fun, and highly entertaining because of the sheer amount of cheese. And I love how they share knowledge about mythology while cloaked in the disguise of a fun romp through multiple worlds.

This one was an excellent "middle book" for the Norse trilogy... and the end REALLY makes me excited to see the big finale. I mean, honestly... hints of you know who making an appearance? YES PLEASE!

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Review: Archangel's Blade

Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you, Nalini Singh, for restoring my faith in your series. Book three felt like such a mess that this one was refreshing. Much better plotting, less filler sex, way fewer instances of flowery sex descriptions (still some, of course, that's her style), and lots of backstory!!!

My biggest gripe was the final reveal of Honor's history. I know they were building it up throughout the book, but it should have played a bigger part of the story than just the stuff at the end... "oh hey, THIS."

All in all, I liked Honor, I liked Dmitri, I liked Ash... so much good in this one.

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Review: A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So many others have written much better reviews than I could ever write on this masterpiece.

If you've ever experienced loss, are in the middle of preparing for a loss, or will one day face a loss, then you need to read this book (aka, everyone!).

Just don't forget to bring the tissues. And a water bottle to stay hydrated.

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Review: Archangel's Consort

Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Meh. This was one big ball of meh. I REALLY liked the first two. I was very disappointed with how this one felt like plot scenes were second thoughts and built around the sex scenes. Here's a rundown:

-go out and smell bodies
-sex
-talk to friend/sister
-sex
-train for flying/fighting
-sex
-repeat, repeat, repeat
-oh, crap, I didn't put a real plot in, okay, ummm, his mom and the Chinese super creepy angel thingy at the end!
-probably more sex

It wouldn't have been as annoying had the sex been remotely hot (which, to be fair, is an uphill battle for the author trying to make a gay man think any hooha language is hot), but instead, she uses flowery language that makes it ridiculous. Honestly, he's shoving manhood into her sheath all the way to the hilt, and later he's quivering at the "entrance to her body" and... come on. Ridiculous descriptions.

Then we have to go and mention her damn "mortal heart" over and over... we get it. We were there with her when what happened happened. It doesn't need to be brought up every two pages!

I'll try book 4, since it's a break from Elena and Raphael and shows some backstory for a very intriguing character... but if I didn't like the characters as much as I do, I'd be done at this point.

If not for Illium (serious book crush!), some family progress, and finally more scenes (not enough though) with her hunter friends/family, it would have been a two star for me.

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Review: Waylaid

Waylaid by Kim Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This just made me miss Jenks and Al and Trent and Rachel and ALL OF THEM so much. Fun little crossover story. :)

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Review: The Drafter

The Drafter by Kim Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*writes a review*
*gets shot*
*drafts back 45 seconds*
What was I doing? Oh yeah, working on a review for Kim Harrison's newest series first.

What a roller coaster! So many crosses and double-crosses and lies and betrayals. Total mind-screwing stuff, especially for poor Peri! I had a blast though, and am definitely entertained enough to read the rest of the trilogy as it comes out. I'm hoping that with the three book deal, she has built a great plot to twist and turn through the three books and come to an explosive, satisfying ending!

All in all, while not Harrison's best, it was still a fun book. 3.5 stars, rounded up for Goodreads' inability to do half stars.

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Review: Crooked Kingdom

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really love the world and the characters Leigh Bardugo has created -- this duology makes me want to go back and read the Grisha trilogy (which is upcoming on my to-read, for anyone wondering, so no need to pester me to go read it)... but...

One major event in this book felt so needless, out of place, lacking emotional/plot payoff, that I just can't give it all the stars I might have given it.

So, if another story/book comes out that takes the fallout from this event and makes it MEAN SOMETHING, then I'll come back and revise this review. Otherwise, meh. Not pleased.

It lost another star because, well, honestly, Kaz's incessant "one-step ahead, but that won't be revealed until the last second each time" just didn't feel realistic. I mean, seriously, aren't these characters teenagers fighting adults with years more experience and knowledge, etc?

Still loved the duology... and this cast of characters!

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Review: The Wendigo

The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Meh. Didn't feel like enough buildup, just lots of conversations... and the Wendigo parts weren't even remotely scary.

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Review: Sideswiped

Sideswiped by Kim Harrison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This shorty provided some fun entertainment with a small time travel twist. I wouldn't say it's Kim Harrison's best work, but it sets the stage for an interesting series first novel in The Drafter.

I did really like Summer, Silas, and Peri. We'll see how it goes with Peri as the main character in the following book.

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Review: Shiloh and the Brick

Shiloh and the Brick by Faith Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Don't you just love when authors give us fun little treats?

Especially when we get to see just how deep Leo can plan!

(Free to read at http://www.faithhunter.net/wp/2016/10... )

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Review: The Scorpio Races

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you, Maggie Stiefvater, for this hauntingly beautiful love story. Love between family members, love of home, love of life, love of beloved pets/magnificent creatures... this book showcases so many different kinds of love. And it accomplishes that with polish, grace, and realism.

While this book was amazing, I had to take away a star because for the first 60-80% of the book, it felt so slow, and you don't get the payoff from that slow burn until you get to the final bit. Don't get me wrong, it's totally worth it, and it was the absolute best and most majestic way it could have gone (and needed to go), but it was hard to see until you're completely done.

Please don't judge/hate/troll me, Stiefvaterites!

Like I said in my last status update for this book -- This might have been my first Stiefvater book, but it definitely will not be my last.

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Review: Marked in Flesh

Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another year, another Others under my belt, another year to wait... *sigh*

I love this series. I love the creative characters. I love the unique world. I love the dangerous Earth Natives. I love the Meg.

Why, oh why must there be only one book remaining? *cries*

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Review: Never Shines the Sun

Never Shines the Sun by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not even going to lie -- I spent the last day of my time off between jobs running around and found myself at Barnes & Noble exploring books and board games for purchase. I was glancing through the SF/F shelves and it hit me -- this short story was only available in the physical copy of the book, and I purchased the Kindle version... So I grabbed it off the shelf, made myself comfortable, and tore through this little nugget of awesome.

Loved it. It has one of my top favorite characters in it, and gives a little backstory into October's Choice. And, it makes VERY clear (if it wasn't already from the main books in the series) that the Luidaeg and Faerie have some big plans in store for Toby.

I can't wait to know more. This is far and away one of my top favorite series. :D

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Review: The Girl on the Train

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow! What a book! So hard to put down... great plot twists... I suspected the killer a little, but couldn't quite put my finger on why until it was laid out for me...

I liked that we got the perspectives of three different characters, and it should definitely make an interesting movie.

I can see why it got a lot of hype. It was a great thriller.

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Review: Magic Binds

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So many other reviewers have done a much better job reviewing this one than I could. Check those out, and read this series ASAP if you haven't.

Sad that there is only one left, and it's a year away. *thank goodness for rereads*

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Review: Archangel's Kiss

Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting sophomore installment in the Guild Hunter series. There were some things I liked (great secondary cast, interesting villains), and some things I really didn't like (too much detail on lady juices, some repetitive things)... but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I really want some wings of my own. :) And I want to hug some of these broken secondary characters.

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Review: The Obsidian Chamber

The Obsidian Chamber by Douglas Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First, thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for a review!

This book was one plot twist after another... and it seriously relied on the reader having partaken in most of the prior 15 books. Unlike many of the others in the series, which can be read on their own without much series spoilage or backstory needed, this one really brought back a LOT of elements of so many of the prior books and tied up a bunch of stories. Of course, it also left a lot hanging, but that's the fun of a series book -- until the author states the end is nigh, you know more is coming.

Other than making sure that other readers know that this one is definitely a "read-the-others-first" entry in the series, I can't say much about the story because, well, saying more would seriously spoil multiple books worth of twists, cliffhangers, and mysteries.

I absolutely love this series, and Obsidian Chamber was no exception to that love.

Pick up this series. You've got a lot of great books to catch up on if you do. :)


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Review: The Purloined Poodle

The Purloined Poodle by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So Iron Druid hasn't entirely been my top favorite UF series. The first two entries were totally amazeballs, but after that, they've teetered close into the "meh" category. I feel like Kevin Hearne's split focus and working on his epic fantasy kinda left Iron Druid out in the cold on putting quality time into it.

All that being said, this little nugget was highly entertaining... mostly because, well, Oberon is the bee's knees. Seriously, he's probably the best part about the entire series.
Let's examine a few quotes as proof:

"But the boxer was kind of like Tybalt, this Prince of Cats Atticus was telling me about" (WHO DOESN'T LOVE OCTOBER DAYE REFERENCES???)

"I mean, it's a bona fide, certified fact that I am hashtag-blessed in the fighting department"

"He seems like the type to have a basement with lots of plastic sheeting on the walls and floors, you know what I mean?"

"Okay. Is this linear time or a big ball of wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff?" (WHO DOESN'T LOVE DOCTOR WHO REFERENCES???)

All in all, thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this three-point-five-star-rounded-up-to-four-star read. :)

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Review: Angels' Blood

Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Highly enjoyable and a very original take on Angel/Vampire interactions. There were some "omg these two are annoying" sections, but by the end of it, I was entertained and invested enough to continue. :)

Yet another enjoyable BBB UF Crew read. :)

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Review: Three Slices

Three Slices by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Iron Druid short story: A Prelude to War
3 Stars
I'm not sure what happened to Iron Druid, but I loved it at the beginning, and the farther along it's gotten and the more time passes in between, I just don't love it anymore. I still like it. It's still entertaining. I really love Oberon and Granuaile and the deities and even Atticus, though.

This short story was decent. Not great. Felt kinda rushed. And the whole cheese-o-mancy was a little, well, cheesy.

**I skipped the Blud short story for now, as I've not read that series yet. But it's on my to-read, so maybe one day?**

Miriam Black short story: Interlude: The Swallow
4.5 stars
I love Miriam Black. I just do. She's got a cool power, she's strong and flawed and on some levels relatable, and she f*cking curses like a drunken horny sailor. Seriously, potty potty potty mouth!

This quick tale also felt a little rushed, but had a good story and some characters that were pretty neat. So I enjoyed it, of course. Did I mention her hilarious potty mouth?

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Review: Dead Souls: A Novel

Dead Souls: A Novel by J. Lincoln Fenn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Now THAT was one HELL OF A BOOK.

Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read this nightmare-producer in exchange for an honest review. I just hope I didn't accidentally somehow sell my soul to the devil.

Just like that, Fiona finds herself indebted to the Devil, all because of a casual drunken exchange at a bar after seeing her boyfriend get into a cab with a cute woman in pink. At least she can turn invisible at will now, right? She got SOMETHING out of it, right?

As you slowly learn more and more about our flawed, damaged, and still root-for-able (so not a word!!!) protagonist, we watch her life careen towards the day when her favor will be called in...

This book has some rough material, but was well-written, well-plotted, and extra creepy. Highly recommended to horror and fantasy thriller readers.

Just be careful when talking to random strangers... the devil always calls in his favors...

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Review: In Little Stars

In Little Stars by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very interesting to see some history of the Mists, and to see things from a character so far removed from Toby. ;)

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Review: Stage of Fools

Stage of Fools by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

<3 Tybalt... need I say more?

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Review: Dreams and Slumbers

Dreams and Slumbers by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's always a lot of fun when UF writers give us short stories from the points of view of a secondary character. Arden's quest to awaken her brother Nolan from his elf-shot slumber takes an interesting turn, and we get some time with Walther and Cassandra too.

Just makes me MORE excited for the next Toby book!!!

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