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Showing posts with label Abby Sinclair Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abby Sinclair Series. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Review & Giveaway: A Trace of Moonlight by Allison Pang
A Trace of Moonlight
Author: Allison Pang
Release Date: Oct. 30, 2012
Publisher: Pocket Books
Abby Sinclair #3
ISBN: #978-1439198360
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Book Tour
About the book:
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Drinking from the waters of lethe and offering herself up as Faerie’s sacrificial Tithe …these just might be the least of Abby Sinclair’s problems.
Abby’s pact with a demon—whether or not she remembers making it—is binding, so she’d better count herself lucky that (in the words of a daemon who knows better) there’s nearly always a loophole. But her friends’ reckless attempts to free her, well intentioned though they may be, set off a disastrous chain of events. In no time at all, Abby turns her incubus lover mortal and gets herself killed, cursed, and married to an elven prince whose mother wants her dead. She might have even been able to recover from all that had she not lost the Key to the CrossRoads to her mortal enemy, who promptly uses his restored power to wreak havoc on the OtherWorld and put its very existence in jeopardy.
Only one person can make things right again, but to find her, Abby must place her trust in allies of mixed loyalties, and conquer her nightmares once and for all.
What B is talking about:
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Trapped in Faery with no memory of how she got there or the destiny that still awaits her, Abby Sinclair finds herself at the center of a brewing unrest between the different paths of the Crossroads. Although dying (and coming back to life) certainly puts a new perspective on the happenings around her, Abby has to learn to trust in those dearest to her before time runs out, and any hope of a world worth living in is lost forever.
Abby is back in the third, and final, installment of this wonderful series from Allison Pang, and is just as much a danger to herself and others as ever. As a TouchStone, Dreamer, and KeyStone, Abby has had to shoulder enormous responsibility, and has made some disastrous mistakes along the way. Caught between the arrogance of powerful immortals and the impatience of her own mortality, Abby has often caused more trouble than she could possibly solve. But, the Abby in A Trace of Moonlight has changed. She is more cautious, less self-assured, as well as more giving. She is a better, wiser Abby, and more deserving of the dedication and sacrifice of those who love her.
That’s not to say she doesn’t make mistakes this time around, too. Although Abby again manages to cause some problems and heartache, she still has the loyalty and faith of her closest friends, all of whom I was very happy to see again. Brystion and Talivar have returned, each vying for Abby’s love and both proving themselves to be devoted and worthy of real happiness. Phineas, possibly my favorite character in the series, is back as well, in all his pervy, flatulent glory, still playing the role of Abby’s confidant and advisor. Also joining Abby are Melanie and Charlie, their friends from The Hallows, and the colorful denizens of the Barras.
Although I have enjoyed this series from the beginning, A Trace of Moonlight is my favorite story yet; the world Ms. Pang has created having grown richer and more inventive with each successive novel. While not a romance, A Trace of Moonlight devotes a good many of its pages to Abby’s tangled love life, finally giving some closure to the inevitable turmoil that comes from considering any sort of love between those who are mortal and those who aren’t. Told from Abby’s perspective, the series has allowed me to cringe at her failures and cheer her accomplishments, especially as she comes to realize that the weight of destiny isn’t hers to bear alone. While I’m happy that Abby’s tale turned out as it did, I am very sorry to see this series end. It’s been a good one.
B’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
GIVEAWAY: As part of the blog tour, Allison is sponsoring a giveaway of A Trace of Moonlight at each stop on the tour. Thank you to Allison for sponsoring the giveaway! To enter, please use the RAFFLECOPTER entry form, below. This is open INTERNATIONALLY! For more information about the giveaway and tour, please visit Bewitching Book Tours.
Stops on the Tour:
October 16 Interview
Preternatura
October 16 Review
Place of Reads book blog
October 17 Guest blog and review
The Book Nympho
October 18 Guest blog
Urban Fantasy Investigations
October 18 Promo and review
Confessions from Romaholics:
October 19 Interview
October 20 Promo and review
Bitten By Love Reviews
October 21 Review
Sky Rose Reviews -
October 22 Interview and review
Urban Girl Reader –
October 23 Interview
Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews
Oct 23 Review
October 24 Review
Between Dreams and Reality:
October 25 Guest blog
Ramblings From This Chick
October 26 Promo and review
Mama Knows Books
October 27 Promo
Cabin Goddess
October 27 Promo and review
Gizmos Reviews
October 28 Promo (review)
Nikki Brandyberry
Ramblings From A Chaotic Mind
October 29 Guest blog and review
Tynga's Reviews
October 30 Promo and review
The Book Tart
October 31 Interview and review
Fangs, Wands & Fairydust and Winged Effigy
November 1 Interview
Juniper Grove
November 1 Promo
My Miscellaneous Bookshelf.
November 2 Interview
Books & Other Spells.
November 2 Promo
Bookin' It Reviews ~
November 3 Promo and review
Snowdrop Dreams of Books
November 4 Interview
Simply Infatuated
November 4 review
LilyElement Book Reviews
November 5 Promo
Mimmi's Musings
November 5 Promo and review
Booked & Loaded
November 6 promo
SMARTMOUTHTEXAN
November 7 Promo
V's Book Life
November 7 Review
A Bibliophile's Thoughts on Books
November 8 Interview
November 9 Interview and review
The Reading Diaries
November 10 Interview and review
Never Judge a Book by its Cover
November 11 Interview
Under the Covers Blog
November 11 review
Book Briefs
November 12 Promo and review
Starry night book reviews
November 13 Review
Butterfly-o-Meter Books
November 14 Interview and review
The Speculative Salon:
November 14 Promo and review
On the Broomstick
Labels:
Monday, February 20, 2012
Review: A Sliver of Shadow
A Sliver Of Shadow
Author: Allison Pang
Release Date: Feb. 28, 2012
Publisher: Pocket Books
Abby Sinclair Book #2
ISBN: #978-1439198346
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Just when her new life as a TouchStone – a mortal bound to help OtherFolk cross between Faery and human worlds – seems to be settling down, Abby Sinclair is left in charge when the Protectorate, Moira, leaves for the Faery Court. And when the Protectorate’s away…let’s just say things spiral out of control when a spell on Abby backfires and the Faery Queen declares the Doors between their worlds officially closed.
The results are disastrous for both sides: OtherFolk trapped in the mortal world are beginning to fade, while Faerie is on the brink of war with the daemons of Hell. Along with her brooding elven prince Talivar and sexy incubus Brystion, Abby ventures to the CrossRoads in an attempt to override the Queen’s magic. But nothing in this beautiful, dangerous realm will compare to the discoveries she’s making about her past, her destiny, and what she will sacrifice for those she loves.
What B is talking about:
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Eight months after the end of A Brush of Darkness, Abby Sinclair is still figuring out her place among the OtherFolk. She’s not only a TouchStone to her boss and Faery Princess, Moira, but she’s a living Keystone as well, a designation that has more than a few complications of its own. She’s also the temporary guardian of Moira’s infant son, the object of an elven prince’s affections, and the possessor of a Faery relic some would kill to have for their own.
This time, Abby travels to the royal court of Faerie itself, and finally gets the answers to some of her most vexing questions. That she doesn’t like some of those answers is to be expected, but Pang made it clear in the previous novel that she’s not inclined to make the journey easy for either her characters, or her readers.
Once again, Abby is tossed into the most impossible situations, many of which don’t turn out well, though they are a lot of fun to read. She is still a delightful mix of snarky wit and mortal vulnerability, and carries the weight of two worlds with competing bouts of resignation and determination. She is sometimes hurtful and always stubborn, but she admits her mistakes and would die for those she loves.
As dark as A Sliver of Shadow occasionally becomes, Pang balances it well with hilarious dialog and an enthusiastic sense of humor. The returning cast of characters, especially Phineas, the pervy miniature unicorn, is a welcome addition to the madness. Abby’s friends are colorful and fierce, and the more she learns about herself, the stronger those bonds become.
Abby’s romantic entanglements are just as enjoyable this time around, despite my lingering concerns for her happiness from the last story. She finds a kindred soul in Talivar, the “Crippled Prince,” who’s vastly different from Brystion, but good for Abby in a lot of ways. Brystion is back and vying for her affections, too, I was happy to see, and for a little while, she manages to have them both. The possibilities that are hinted at between the three of them are just lovely, even though Pang stops the fantasy at some well-orchestrated teasing.
A Sliver of Shadow is an excellent follow up in this series, and handily carries on the momentum established in the first story. Abby and her friends are easy to become attached to, and I found myself thoroughly invested in their shared story, both cheering for them and worrying for them as they made their way through the twists and turns of the novel. Pang has proven that she’s a consistently able writer, never giving up too much, while making Abby an open, relatable heroine who’s both mystifying and irresistible. I’ve enjoyed every bit of this series so far, and cannot wait to find out what’s in store next.
B’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Review: A Brush of Darkness
A Brush Of Darkness
Author: Allison Pang
Release Date: Jan. 25, 2011
Publisher: Pocket Books
Abby Sinclair Book #1
ISBN: #978-1439198322
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (368 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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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 as sexy as sin incubus who shows up searching for his sister—and is convinced Abby has the key to the succubus’s whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invading 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 Abby is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, she realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart—and there’s no one she can trust to save her.
What B is talking about:
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Abby Sinclair is one of the most enjoyable heroines I’ve read in a while. She is lost and imperfect, and is in way over her head, but she is loyal, fiercely protective, and determined to right the wrongs she commits along her journey. But she’s also very aware of the fragility of her own mortality, and unapologetically takes her comfort where she can.
Pang introduces a host of what could have been overly familiar characters in A Brush of Darkness, but by instilling them with such distinctive personalities, she makes each one completely unique. Brystion is a sexy, gorgeous unknown in the game Abby finds herself playing, but she’s unable to help herself where he’s concerned, and I don’t blame her one bit. Phineas, the miniature unicorn, is a smart, hilariously naughty, if occasionally inebriated, surprise, and I’m certain the novel wouldn’t have been the same without him. The other characters are similarly fascinating, and Pang does an excellent job keeping the comfort level low and the pages turning.
Another thing that made reading this book so much fun is that Abby herself is new to the OtherWorld. As a reader, there’s a sort of reassurance in not being the only one with a lot of questions. I felt a ready connection to Abby’s disorientation, and happily cheered her on as she struggled her way through. Pang does her worldbuilding through the eyes of a character who’s being given a crash course in all things supernatural, and she’s bringing her audience along for the ride.
A Brush of Darkness was a surprisingly good read, filled with mystery, suspense, and more than one shot of heady eroticism. Unlike some other Urban Fantasy stories I’ve read, there’s plenty of romance, and enough optimism, that I am hopeful for the characters’ fates as well as their hearts. Pang doesn’t burden her story with more drama than it can handle, striking a satisfying balance between weight and wit. It all adds up to a fun, snarky, and endearing tale that’s left me impatient to find out what will happen next.
B’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
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