Review: Trouble with the Cursed

Trouble with the Cursed by Kim Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Special thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for gifting me a copy of this book. The opinion expressed below is my honest opinion.

I am so glad that Kim Harrison decided to return to the world of Rachel Morgan! She's got some seriously interesting plotlines going through the last three books, the new ones, and I am loving where the story has been taken.

This one cleared up a few questions we had, sets up some new things, and really digs deep into Rachel's life. A long game is revealed, and it's so fun to read (but man, poor Rachel, yet again! lol).

I don't want to reveal any more, because there's some big stuff happening in this one. I can't wait for what comes next!

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Review: The Omega Factor

The Omega Factor by Steve Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central for gifting me an advanced copy. I provide my honest review below.

I'm really glad that Berry decided to take a break from Cotton Malone and write a palate cleanser with a new protagonist. I adore the Cotton Malone series, but the last one just felt off to me, and this was the breath I needed to return to Cotton next year with a fresh perspective.

Nick Lee was a fun new lead, but honestly, it didn't feel like he was a solo lead. It felt like an ensemble cast, which I also really liked. While I get the feeling that he's probably the only major player that would make a return if we get more Nick Lee adventures, I did very much enjoy getting to follow a large group of principals heading towards an inevitable clash.

All in all, a great read and a lot of fun. Definitely recommend.

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Review: A Rip Through Time

A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, and have yet to pick up one of her other series. When I saw this available for request at Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to try a new one.

That's my mistake, not because the book is bad, but because it was REALLY good and now I have to wait who-knows-how-long for book two!!!!

Mallory is a fantastic character, well developed, brave, intelligent, and thoughtful. The supporting cast members are all interesting, and the plot definitely was a good mystery. I also enjoyed the setting, the world-building, and the excellent pacing of the story.

I did guess the solution a little early, so couldn't give it a full 5 stars, but 4.5 (had to round down for Goodreads/Amazon) is still great! Absolutely worth picking up.

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Review: Deep Water

Deep Water by Emma Bamford
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery/Scout Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sadly, an honest review is what I have to give. I didn't care for this one. It opened with a fantastic hook, but quickly jumped back in time and then spent countless pages on mundane details like fixing up the boat, sailing, spending time on the water, etc before any of the meat of the story happened.

I feel like this would have been a better hour and a half movie, rather than a book that took more hours than that to read. I also feel like I've seen this movie and read this story before, but executed better.

The only character I found really likeable was Gus, the dog. The rest were either unlikeable or not fleshed out enough to cause me to invest. The setting was good, but was definitely underused, and the details of the history of the island were a huge waste of words. The specific plot "twists" were all predictable.

I did like the "much later" epilogue that closed out the story decently.

Overall, it was a bore with a few random redeeming qualities, such as the setting and the hook. So, two and a half stars rounded down.

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Review: I Kissed Shara Wheeler

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Casey McQuiston strikes again! So far, I've loved everything they've written.

This one brought back some memories of private Christian school (for me, from third to twelfth grade!!) - some good, some not so good. I'm a little jealous of Chloe's support circle. I didn't have that in my life in school.

I feel like this was probably more of a four or four-and-a-half star read, but I literally could not put it down. I stayed up well into the night until I couldn't keep my eyes open, then picked it up again first thing in the morning. To me, that kind of a book gets that extra star.

I really enjoyed following Chloe, Smith, and Rory as they delved into this puzzle that Shara created for them, seeing the aftermath, and basking in the afterglow.

Highly recommended.

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Review: Heroic Hearts

Heroic Hearts by Jim Butcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I knew I had to request this one when I saw who some of the authors were!!!

Overall score: I have to give this one 5 stars, because the 4 and 5 star stories were just THAT GOOD.

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Little Things by Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files
My Series Status: Devoted Follower/Obsessee
Stars: Four

NOTE: Do not read this without having read the series up to Battle Ground. Spoilers, people, spoilers.

I love Toot-Toot. Seriously, he's the reason I requested this anthology. Sure, there are plenty of great authors contributing to it, but a story from Toot's perspective was NECESSARY in my life.

I loved this one! It was really cool to be in Toot-Toot's head and see how he views Dresden, Mister, feelings, and the world around him.
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The Dark Ship by Anne Bishop
Series: The Others
My Series Status: Devoted Follower/Obsessee
Stars: Five (I'd give more if five weren't the limit)
Absolute gem of a story. We get a story set in the world of The Others, but this time, it's in Cel-Romano and revolves around a separate cast in the Mediterranean Sea area. This story was fantastic - I loved the characters, the buildup, and the way she ended it just right.
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Comfort Zone by Kelley Armstrong
Series: Darkest Powers/The Otherworld Universe
My Series Status: New to me and Devoted Follower/Obsessee
Stars: Four

New characters in a side story from The Otherworld. A necromancer and a werewolf. Honestly, I feel like they might have been from the secret lab in Stolen. But it's been a long time since I've read the early books. Either way, we get a brief mention of the Nasts too! These two characters decide to start using their powers for good, and this is their first case. Really enjoyed it.
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Train to Last Hope by Annie Bellet
Series: N/A
My Series Status: N/A
Stars: Five

I have no idea if these are side characters from her Twenty-Sided Sorceress world or not, as this is my first time reading Annie Bellet, but I very much enjoyed this one. It threw you right into the story and built the history up as you went along, but it worked really well and showed pretty damn deep characterization for such a shorty. Nailed it.

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Fire Hazard by Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles
My Series Status: Read through book 7 (currently two books behind)
Stars: Three

I liked the first few books in this series, but the last few haven't been as fun or as exciting. Maybe it's just me, but I grew kinda bored of the whole series, which is a shame, because I love Oberon and Granuaile. This one is from Oberon's point of view, which made it more entertaining, but I also am missing a few things for this one since I haven't read the last two books of the series.

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Grave Gambles by R.R. Virdi
Series: The Grave Report
My Series Status: New to me
Stars: Four

Umm, wow. That was a great story! Definitely going to have to pick up this series. I loved the premise - body-hopping soul jumps into murdered people's bodies and solves their murders!

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Silverspell by Chloe Neill
Series: Heirs of Chicagoland
My Series Status: New to me
Stars: Three and a half

It was a little predictable, but it was also interesting enough that I will definitely be checking out the main series (though I'll start with the series Chicagoland, as this Heirs series is a followup/spinoff).

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Troll Life by Kerrie L. Hughes
Series: N/A
My Series Status: N/A
Stars: Four

I'd read more about this world! I loved the development in such a short story. Excellent job building the world. I really liked all the different supernaturals in one story!

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The Return of the Mage by Charlaine Harris
Series: Southern Vampire Mysteries/Sookie Stackhouse Universe
My Series Status: Devoted Follower/Obsessee
Stars: Three

Batanya and Clovache, Britlingen Mercs from All Together Dead, are back in this shortie. It was a very strange story, but oddly intriguing. I'd read more about these Britlingens! :)

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The Vampires Karamazov by Nancy Holder
Series: N/A
My Series Status: N/A
Stars: Two and a half

I really didn't care much for this one. I liked Alexei's struggle with good/evil, but I thought the ending was contrived and just wasn't a fan.

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The Necessity of Pragmatic Magic by Jennifer Brozek
Series: N/A
My Series Status: N/A
Stars: Four

First, I want more Maureen and Felicia. They were hilarious and brave. Second, I want to know what "Him" was. This story was super fun!

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Dating Terrors by Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega (Mercyverse)
My Series Status: Devoted Follower/Obsessee
Stars: Five

Asil is such an interesting character, and these little side shorts reveal so much more of who he is at his core. His gracious protection of the characters in this book really make his personality shine, and I very much enjoyed meeting Ruby and her team. I also loved seeing Asil's wolf become his partner again after so long... and the claim it made... I'm gonna need so much more of this story! Please give us more, Patty!!

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Review: Of Claws and Fangs

Of Claws and Fangs by Faith Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've read many of these short stories before, as this anthology is a compilation of all the shorties that she's put out since the release of her first compilation anthology, Blood in Her Veins. But of course, revisiting Jane's world is always a pleasure and it's been a long time for most of these stories, so I'm reading them all again! Yay!

ALL of these stories were good, most of them I'd call great.
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Story: Candy from a Vampire
I love Leo and I love Del, and I liked this glimpse of seeing Leo's growth. I also really loved getting the story of Leo's decision to give Del real responsibility. Plus, I love Halloween!
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Story: Make It Snappy
We get another glimpse of Leo in this one, and it has a fantastic twist. I also love seeing some of Leo's history come back to haunt him.
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Story: It's Just a Date
Wish we'd had a little more of the date before the stuff happens... or a little more of the date after. But it was cute to see Wrassler and Jodi so nervous. :)
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Story: Life's a Bitch and Then You Die
Hard to read, but great history of Wesa and Cat working together for the first time and understanding the origin of the "Beast" moniker.
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Story: Black Friday Shopping
I love me some Nell and Occam, but this story just left me wanting more - more explanation, more resolution, more!
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Story: How Occam Got His Name
Devastating story. But I sure do adore Occam.
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Story: Shiloh and the Brick
Leo always has plans within plans within plans, years ahead.
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Story: Beast Hunts Vampire with Jane
It's always fun to be in Beast's thoughts.
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Story: Of Cats and Cars
Do you know how much I love Edmund? SO MUCH. And Beast has always wanted to ride in that car... deals and hinjinx ensue, obviously. I really enjoyed getting Edmund's POV - especially his grief over you know who's death - juxtaposed with Beast's.
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Story: Beast Hunts Pie-Bald Deer
That was a cute interaction between Beast and Faith Hunter, told from Beast's perspective.
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Story: Jane Tracks Down Miz A
What a truly sad tale. :(
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Story: Anzu, Duba, Beast
Gee is a very interesting character. Feathers and lightning and Mercy Blade status. Plus, it's really fun to see Jane get to shift into new things. Plus who doesn't love a good zombie were-bear-hyena story?
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Story: Eighteen Sixty
Ayatas is so interesting and I loved getting to see some of his backstory... also, Everhart reference!!!
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Story: Wolves Howling in the Night
More of Ayatas and Etsi Everhart. A little harder to read, based on the subject matter (potential trigger warning!), but a good story and shows Ayatas' sense of justice and morality.
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Story: Death and the Fashionista
My favorite supernaturals to read about are... witches! And I adore the Everharts. Personality-wise, they're fantastic. Power-wise, they're badass. This story is no exception. We get to see a handful of the Everhart Trueblood clan go up against Death, Fear, and demon of dark magic... and it's a BLAST.
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Story: My Dark Knight
Witch stuff AND Edmund? Yes please! Angie and Edmund's bond is such good reading. I can't wait to see future books after Jane ends. I need to see Angie grown up!
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Story: Bound into Darkness
Eli + Liz 4eva. I love them together!!! Definitely one of my favorites of the anthology. Plus it was way longer :)
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Story: The Ties That Bind
Whaaaat? We get a story with the famous Everhart daughters' MOTHER!? Awesome! :) We get to see a little bit more of what's going on in Bound into Darkness, but events that took place elsewhere. I love Faith's witch lore.

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