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2013 reading goal:
15 new-to-me authors.
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2) Heather Massey
3) Sidney Bristol
4) Ann Mayburn
5) Thea Harrison
6) Virna DePaul
7) Mary Quast
8) Molly Harper
9) Eleri Stone
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Showing posts with label NAL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NAL. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Review: Fall of Night by Rachel Caine
Fall of Night
Author: Rachel Caine
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: NAL
The Morganville Vampires #14
ISBN: #978-0451414250
Genre: YA Paranormal
Format(s): Hardcover (352 pgs)
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Claire never thought she’d leave Morganville, but when she gets accepted into the graduate program at MIT, she can’t pass up the opportunity. Saying good-bye to her friends is bittersweet, especially since things are still raw and unsettled between Claire and her boyfriend, Shane.
Her new life at MIT is scary and exciting, but Morganville is never really far from Claire’s mind. Enrolled in a special advanced study program with Professor Irene Anderson, a former Morganville native, Claire is able to work on her machine, which is designed to cancel the mental abilities of vampires.
But when she begins testing her machine on live subjects, things quickly spiral out of control, and Claire starts to wonder whether leaving Morganville was the last mistake she’ll ever make...
What Una is talking about:
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Fall of Night is the fourteenth book on the Morganville Vampire series. Ms. Caine has been successful as this series continues, which is no small feat with a long running series. Considering the end of the previous novel, Bitter Blood, I was concerned how Fall of Night would go. I am pleasantly surprised how Claire's adventure to MIT went and even more intrigued with what awaited her in Morganville.
The love story between Claire and Shane has had its trials and triumphs. However, as Bitter Blood came to a close, Shane's distrust of Claire was a final straw. With the Founder's permission, Claire has a one-way ticket to her dream, an independent study at MIT. However, even though Shane has the same permission, Claire refuses to have him accompany her. She needs to see what life is like outside of Morganville and on her own. She has dreamed of attending MIT and pursuing high academic studies. Plus, after all of her time in Morganville, she dreams of a normal life.
Fall of Night begins with Claire leaving Morganville and heading to MIT to see what a normal life is like. However, normal is a matter of opinion, and Claire is a fully assimilated Morganviller. From the start of her reunion with her BFF from high school to her new professor and boss, Dr. Anderson, Claire is not sure this was the right decision. Between the changes her roommate has gone through, not to mention her creepy ex-stalker, and the oddness of Dr. Anderson together with the suits that she works for, Claire feels she was safer in Morganville. Even with that, she is eager to start working in earnest on her device, and considering she is not in Morganville, Claire assumes she is safe. But the normal world has dangers of its own, and it is easier to live with the enemies you know than the unknown. It seems that there is a new enemy in the world of Morganville that is making its introduction to Claire finally and forcefully.
Anyone would think that with Claire leaving Morganville, Fall of Night would be solely from Claire's point of view, but that is not the case. In what world would Shane let Claire march into the unknown without being close, just in case? Certainly not this one. However, Shane does give Claire the space she asks for, just not in the distance she thought. So there are both point of views during the course of Fall of Night. Being able to have both Claire and Shane's point of views allows the reader to experience the growth that they both experience during this separation.
I will warn you, there is a huge cliffhanger at the end and personally, I cannot wait to find out what happens next in the Morganville Vampires series. If you haven't heard of this great young adult series, I would recommend starting at the beginning.
Una’s Rating:
|
Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Labels:
4 stars,
Morganville Vampires,
NAL,
paranormal YA,
Rachel Caine,
Una Review,
YA Literature
|
0
comments
Friday, May 17, 2013
Review & Giveaway of Blush by Lauren Jameson
Blush
Author: Lauren Jameson
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: NAL Trade
ISBN: 978-0451419729
In Vino Veritas #1
Genre: Erotic Romance
Format(s): paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
Keep reading for the details about a special GIVEAWAY of Blush!
Book Spotlight:
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Madeline Stone is determined to heal from her tragic past, one difficult step at a time…and she doesn’t need any distractions. Then she meets a mysterious and captivating stranger—and over a glass of outrageously expensive wine, her world turns upside down. Try as she might to banish the wealthy business mogul from her thoughts, Madeline can’t fight Alex’s staggering appeal or his enticing offer of intimate discovery.
Alex doesn’t date—at least, not in the traditional sense. Still, he wants Madeline…and his sexual intensity provides her with a much-needed escape. They embark on a tumultuous erotic affair, one that takes them to the pinnacle of obsession and desire. But underneath each explosive encounter lie dangerous secrets waiting to consume them both.…
What VampBard’s talking about:
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I have an unbidden love for Blush, the first in Lauren Jameson's new trio of titles surrounding rich guys that share ownership of a BDSM club near Vegas. While my logical brain says, “Um, WTH?” my heart has a bookmance going on with this story.
With that stuff out of the way, I have to tell you why my heart has a 'thing' for Blush.
I read this title in ONE EVENING. I even made dinner (yes, a real dinner, not picking up pizza or making box mac & cheese), ran laundry, helped with homework, and nursed a sick child. There's some serious internal conflict for our leading lady, Maddie; this conflict keeps Alex at arms-length, until secrets that have the potential to tear them apart are revealed. Wrap it up with some stellar external conflict, predicted earlier in the title, and tie off with a gorgeous red happily-ever-after bow. Mmmhm. That is Blush. HEAT INDEX: 3.5 out of 5. Sweet & spicy story.
I liked Maddie as a main character. I like her sassy-ness, and I like the fact that even though she's messed up in the head, she thinks before she acts. Even when it comes to signing a D/s contract for the hottest dude ever born. Even when Maddie doesn't think she deserves to be with Mr. Hottie Alex, she uses calming strategies to suck out the anxiety she feels. Let me tell you, I can totally identify with Maddie. Mr. VampBard is my anxiety sucker. I liked Maddie as a charcter, but I think that she could have been better developed, with more details about her at the end. When you read the last chapter and the epilogue, you'll understand. It's almost as though I'm waiting for the rest of the story. Ms. Jameson could be wrapping up Maddie & Alex's story in her next title of the series, however.
Alex is the billionaire-du-jour. I must admit that I'm a bit smitten by his ability to complete tasks and how he seems to love so completely, and with assurance. I fell in love with the way Alex portrayed a D/s relationship. How gentle he was with Maddie. How he seemed to worship her. It's all about TRUST. And, after all, isn't that what ALL relationships should be built upon?
One of the most awesome things about this title is that neither party appears to be coerced into divulging things about themselves before they're really ready.
While Blush, on the surface, seems to be another stab at the 50 bandwagon, it really isn't in the same category. With healthy relationships, boundaries clearly established, and a female lead character that has a set of steel cajones, I am totally in a bookmance with this title simply because it's REAL.
VampBard’s Rating:
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Enjoyed, strongly recommend (A-)
NOTE: There are a couple things in the NetGalley version that I read that really troubled Ms. Nit-Picky-English-Teacher. I mean **really** bothered. There were many usage errors, left-out words, as well as one significant (for me, anyway) inconsistency in the plot, that I was annoyed enough to go back and fact-check for consistency myself. I based my rating of the book trusting that one last pass by an eagle-eyed editor will snagged these issues.
About the author:
Lauren Jameson is a writer who lives in the shadows of the great Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada. She also writes erotic romance as Lauren Hawkeye. Visit her online at www.laurenjameson.com and twitter.com/LaurenHJameson.
Special Giveaway!
Thank you to the publisher, NAL/Penguin, for offering three (3) copies of Blush to 3 lucky winners (US/CAN only). To enter, please complete the RAFFLECOPTER form, below. Prize offered by publisher; I am not responsible for items lost in the mail.
Purchase Info:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Friday, May 10, 2013
Guest Review: Down London Road by Samantha Young
Today we welcome back Nena from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly review blog. She brings you today’s Guest Review of...
Down London Road
Author: Samantha Young
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: NAL Trade
On Dublin Street #2
ISBN: #978-0451419712
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
About the book:
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It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.
But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.
Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.
What Nema is talking about:
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Samantha Young delivers a great stand -alone romance novel that is part of the On Dublin Street Series. Even though this book was a spin off her best-selling novel On Dublin Street, this novel stands on its own and will appeal to all Young's fans and new readers.
The Good: As a fan of On Dublin Street, I had great expectations for this book. Even though I loved the first book and I would have loved a sequel for it, I was very pleased with a spin-off of a minor character in book one. I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised when a character that I had no connection to, developed into a strong character with an interesting story to tell. Down London Road is a well written, character-driven novel. The romance is central to the plot but you are in for an emotional struggle. I even shed a tear or two.
The Bad: The plot is not complex but it had a little too many conflicts. I would have liked to see maybe two conflicts and see them be resolved slowly than seeing all the conflicts resolve on their own. The book could have had a very strong-female theme but the heroine left a few things up to fate and everything was tied up nicely. I thought was a little weak, but again, that didn't stop me from loving the story.
The Ugly: The interaction in between the characters from Down London Road and On Dublin Street seemed very forced to me. If you have not read On Dublin Street, you probably won't even notice, but for me, it felt unrealistic and flat. Given that this book was a spin off, I think the author felt force to please the old readers by giving little glimpses of the well-loved characters from On Dublin Street, but for me it was distracting and annoying. Every time they came into view, they stole the show for the lead couple in Down London Road.
Overall Down London Road is a quick read with a lot of chemistry. A great contemporary romance, full of sexual tension that will leave the reader wanting for more.
Nema’s Rating:
|
Liked it - recommend (B+)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the series:
Labels:
3.5 stars,
contemporary romance,
guest review,
NAL,
On Dublin Street,
Samantha Young
|
1 comments
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Review: Children of the Underground by Trevor Shane
Children of the Underground
Author: Trevor Shane
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: NAL Trade
Children of Paranoia #2
ISBN: #978-0451239297
Genre: Suspense
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Even if you have choices, sometimes you have only one worth taking.
The war had been raging for as long as anyone could remember. The secret, endless war between two opposing sides—one good, one evil. Neither side knows which is which; it is kill or be killed in an invisible conflict where assassination is the weapon of choice.
When she was just seventeen, Maria was pulled into this secret war and they killed her lover and stole her child. Now they are telling her to go home. To ignore what she knows is going on in the shadows all around her. They told Maria to forget all she’d lost. The trouble is, some things simply can’t be forgotten.
Now, with a loose-cannon killer at her side, Maria is going to do whatever it takes to get back what belongs to her. And that means starting a war of her own…
What B is talking about:
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When we first met Maria in Children of Paranoia, she was a seventeen year old girl who’d fallen in love with a dangerous man, gotten pregnant, and realized, too late, that the world wasn’t what she thought it was. Instead of the rules she was used to (flirting with an attractive man, attending university, growing up), she discovered that a secret war, perpetuated by fear and vengeance, was being waged all around her, and had been for so many generations that no one could say for certain why the killing began in the first place. This war was dictated by an entirely different set of rules. Rules that quickly and brutally destroyed everything that she loved. No longer an innocent in “the War,” she’s now determined to take back what was stolen from her so long ago, no matter the cost.
Although this isn’t a genre I typically choose for myself, I have very much enjoyed the novels in the Children of Paranoia series so far. Children of the Underground was even more clever and intricate than its predecessor, the characters’ stories unfolding via dual storylines playing out simultaneously, offering the reader a view of the future unfolding alongside the present, and tying both together within each chapter. It isn’t nearly as confusing as it sounds. By telling Maria’s story via her journal entries to her son, Mr. Shane continues what he began in Children of Paranoia, while opening the door for her son, Christopher, who may be a messiah in the making, to tell his story in the next book.
Children of the Underground is not light reading. Nor should it be read as a standalone. There is simply too much story contained in the first novel in the series to fully appreciate the second without, and I wholeheartedly recommend starting this series from the beginning. Both sides of “the War” believe in their own righteousness, as well as the other side’s inherent evil, yet neither really knows which is which anymore. Innocence is lost. The “good guys” don’t always survive. There is plenty of death, and blood, and pain, yet there is always an undercurrent of determined hope. Maria’s hope for her son is pervasive, and is, in itself, a kind of salvation for those who are touched by it. And that salvation, while it doesn’t guarantee a happy ending, makes life worth living again for as long as it lasts. In the end, Maria’s story is one of sacrifice and love, and I will be eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series.
B’s Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Friday, March 29, 2013
Review: Lover At Last by JR Ward
Lover At Last
Author: JR Ward
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Publisher: NAL
Black Dagger Brotherhood #11
ISBN: #978-0451239358
Genre: Paranormal Romance, m/m romance
Format(s): Hardcover (608 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
About the book:
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Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....
Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.
Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.
What I’m talking about:
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Like almost every other fan of JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, I have been waiting for this story since Blay and Qhuinn shared their first (extremely passionate) kiss in the sixth book, Lover Enshrined (June 2008). I am happy to report that for me, Lover At Last met my expectations and is a wonderful addition to this long-running series.
There is a lot that happens during Lover At Last, and I’m not going to try to give a play-by-play summary, but rather hit a few of the high points. Overall, I felt the writing was tight and the flow of the book much better than those in recent history. For the first time in I don’t know how long, I actually enjoyed every section and subplot, and I didn’t skip over any parts. All of the pieces created a richer story that I simply adored.
First and foremost, this is the story of the love between Blay and Qhuinn. Although there is a lot going on around the couple, the book never loses focus on the ending point -- their union. I knew that with their shared history, this wasn’t going to be an easy journey, but thankfully, their path to HEA wasn't made to be ridiculously difficult. Prior to this book, we started seeing a more mature Qhuinn, and his transformation and growth continued during Lover At Last. At one point when he thought he might die, Qhuinn’s first regret was that he would never know is unborn daughter followed by the fact that he hadn’t told Blay his true feelings. As a parent, I got that and adored Qhuinn even more because of it. He has grown up.
Blay... poor Blay. The young warrior has been hurt so many times by Qhuinn, and frankly, I didn’t blame him one iota when he continued to push Qhuinn away, even letting him believe Blay loved Saxton. I adored reading Blay’s innermost thoughts as he wondered if Qhuinn truly was growing up. His confusion and hesitation was all too real and perfectly done. I also loved Blay’s interactions with his family. Those parts of the story added value by demonstrating and contrasting the backgrounds of both warriors.
Luckily for us, we didn’t have to wait the entire book for some sexy hookup time. At first, the couple’s sexual encounters were driven by anger and filled with desperation. It was very emotional to watch Qhuinn beg, taking whatever he could get, and have Blay push away when he felt they were getting too close. In the end, their romance was both passionate and sweet. The epilogue was probably one of the best scenes ever in a BDB story. *sigh*
As far as the numerous side stories go, I have a hard time picking which is my favorite. First, we pick up again with the Lessers - and before you cringe and want to skip... these sections are not overly long and contain and/or initiate other powerful scenes that I enjoyed immensely. One of my absolute favorite scenes in the entire book falls into this category. While hunting Lessers, the Brotherhood finds itself in danger of losing one of their own. Qhuinn steps up big time and attempts to fly a plane to take the injured warrior home. The journey and conclusion was powerful and brought tears to my eyes. Just wonderful!
There is also the continuing drama of Layla’s pregnancy (with Qhuinn). Again, I was prepared to be annoyed, but let me tell you, Layla grew some big ones since the last book. She’s a much more confident woman and I love how she stood up for herself when Havers tried to put her into a tough place. And the time Layla and Qhuinn spend together furthers my adoration for Qhuinn and how both characters have matured.
The book also deals with Xcor and his Band of Bastards. Xcor is simply evil and twisted, and it will be interesting to see how Ms. Ward finds a way to redeem him. There is also a significant side story for Trez (thinking he may be the next book?!), and another dealing with Assail - the vampire who took over Rehv’s drug business in Caldwell. Both were left with significant loose ends that will hopefully be addressed in the next book. Finally, there is a very small and somewhat subtle thread dealing with Wrath, Beth and the idea of an heir/child. I really enjoyed the set up for some major (future) drama and conflict there.
Honestly, I truly enjoyed Lover At Last from beginning to end and every bit in between. Blay and Qhuinn (and the reader) finally got the story they so richly deserved. I was delighted that every part of the book, including the numerous side stories, were well-written and enjoyable. Overall, I feel that as a whole book, Lover At Last is the best yet of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
My Rating:
|
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Reviews in the Series:
Labels:
4.5 stars,
BDB,
Black Dagger Brotherhood,
GLBT,
JR Ward,
m/m romance,
NAL,
paranormal romance,
Twimom Review
|
7
comments
Monday, February 4, 2013
Guest Review: House Rules by Chloe Neill
Please welcome Wendy, who brings you today’s Guest Review of...
House Rules
Author: Chloe Neill
Release Date: Feb. 5, 2013
Publisher: NAL
Chicagoland Vampires #7
ISBN: #978-0451237101
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (352 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.
At the tender age of twenty-seven, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal—tested like never before.
It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.
What Wendy is talking about:
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As usual, there's a lot on our girl Merit's plate. We have a vampire serial killer on the loose at the same time Cadogan House prepares for the dissolution of its relationship with the Greenwich Presidium. Ethan's ex-girlfriend and Master vampire, Lacey, is in town, stirring up trouble between Merit and Ethan. Oh, and it's time for Merit decide whether or not to commit to the Red Guard.
I LOVE the direction that Merit and Ethan’s romance takes… They’re becoming a solid couple, able to handle issues, even big ones, without freaking out and breaking up. I like for my UF books to have a strong female protagonist and a male partner who believes in her and backs her up, no matter what and this is finally what we’re getting from this series.
Interestingly enough, much like its Master and Sentinel, Cadogan House seems to have found its footing. The GP presents a major challenge to the House, using trickery to lure away their Fairy Security and to attempt to pull their assets (including the actual house ) right out from under them. Ethan leads them as a team to work together to save their collective asses. (And besides, who wants to see poor, homeless vampires? It takes away a little of the mystique and glamour.)
This is the first of these books in a long time that I enjoyed from beginning to end. I feel like the series has finally settled down and found its groove. There was a much better balance in this book between romance and mystery, suspense and humor. Merit and Ethan just keep getting stronger as a couple. There's enough conflict between them to keep it interesting but not so much that it overwhelms the book and turns it into a vampire romance novel. (Not that I don't enjoy those too!) Can’t wait for the next one!
Wendy’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Review: Bitter Blood by Rachel Caine
Bitter Blood
Author: Rachel Caine
Release Date: Nov. 6, 2012
Publisher: NAL
The Morganville Vampires #13
ISBN: #978-0451238115
Genre: Young Adult, paranormal
Format(s): Hardcover (404 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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For years, the human and vampire residents of Morganville, Texas, have managed to co-exist in peace. But now that the threat to the vampires has been defeated, the human residents are learning that the gravest danger they face is the enemy within…
Thanks to the eradication of the parasitic creatures known as the draug, the vampires of Morganville have been freed of their usual constraints. With the vampires indulging their every whim, the town’s human population is determined to hold on to their lives by taking up arms. But college student Claire Danvers isn’t about to take sides, considering she has ties to both the humans and the vampires.
To make matters worse, a television show comes to Morganville looking for ghosts, just as vampire and human politics collide. Now, Claire and her friends have to figure out how to keep the peace without ending up on the nightly news… or worse.
What Una is talking about:
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Wow. Wow, just wow. I am stunned and this review is going to be late because I am speechless. Bitter Blood is the thirteenth edition in the riveting Morganville Vampires series. I….I just don’t know whether to be happy or absolutely depressed…anxious, worried, thrilled. I feel as if I am on pins and needles. Ms. Caine has delivered a novel that I don’t know really what to say but, if you are fans of the series…you may be supremely stunned.
The town has recovered from several threats over the last twelve books: the blood born vampire illness, Bishop, the Draug, just to name the majors. However, our fearless foursome was always able to weather the storm…no matter how the painful the learning experience, it brought them together. But I fear I am getting ahead of myself.
Ms. Caine continues in this novel to give us the point of view of more than just Claire. Which continues to provide the reader a rich story. I was especially thrilled to have Myrnin’s POV in Bitter Blood. However, I feel now as if the multiple POV’s were a foreshadowing of what was to transpire in this novel. That maybe the multiple POV’s will allow some our near and dear to be absent in the future…
Now that the Draug are gone, the vampires are once again at the top of the food-chain of Morganville. They have nothing to fear. Meanwhile the human population has much to fear, especially the town reverting back to what it was. Although Claire, our human heroine and Amelie, the vampire, had an agreement that humans and vampires would coexist, they needed to be on more equal planes. However, it seems that Oliver and Amelie’s relationship is giving Oliver a measure of influence that is a reason for the humans to fear. The tentative balance between vampires and humans seems to be deteriorating and this time - the cows, oops, I mean the humans are not going to go “gently into that good night.”
As the mysterious ringleader of all the strife and dissension is discovered, there is much collateral damage. Not just to the town and the residents, but to our fearless four – emotionally and physically. In some ways, I fear that some damage may not be fixed. However, we are given a glimmer of hope, albeit a clouded one, in the end of Bitter Blood. I am thrilled for some of the potential outcomes but I fear, deep, deep inside (geez, when did these kids become so near and dear to me…ack, I mean characters….) that we are at a huge crossroads. Just as in life, sometimes people come and go. Like in whatever movie it is: “endings are sad and beginnings are scary.” However, beginnings can be thrilling. It seems in the resolution of the overall story arc of the Draug, we are in the beginning of a new story arc. Like I said, I am sad, I am afraid, but I am also a little excited. Where are you taking us, Ms. Caine? And when is the next book due out so I can inhale it and find out?!?!?!
If you haven’t tried the Morganville Vampires, you may be supremely surprised. For the most part, they are quick reads, and oh so enjoyable. Therefore, do not let the fact that Bitter Blood is the thirteenth in the series. You can easily catch up and be as mesmerized and enthralled as I am. You won’t regret it!
Una’s Rating:
|
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Labels:
4.5 stars,
Morganville Vampires,
NAL,
paranormal YA,
Rachel Caine,
Una Review,
YA Literature
|
0
comments
Monday, August 6, 2012
Review: Blood Fever by Veronica Wolff
Blood Fever
Author: Veronica Wolff
Release Date: Aug. 7, 2012
Publisher: NAL Trade
The Watchers #3
ISBN: #978-0451237033
Genre: Young Adult (Urban Fantasy)
Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME —
EVEN IF HOME IS WHERE THE DEAD LIVE.
It’s the start of the fall semester, and a new crop of Acari and Trainees has descended on the Isle of Night. Watcher training has intensified, and Drew has a new roommate named Mei-Ling. But Mei-Ling harbors a dangerous secret that drove the vampires to abduct her against her will. Drew knows she shouldn’t get involved, but she can’t seem to leave her roommate to fend for herself.
Luckily, Drew has other things on her mind—like vampire Carden. A blood bond to a brawny, eighteenth-century Scottish bad boy tends to preoccupy a girl. And though she’s still figuring out what this bond means, one thing has become clear: She craves him in a major way.
But then bodies start turning up on the island. All the evidence points to the existence of a rogue vampire, and the sinister vampire Alcántara is gunning for Carden, even though Drew has proof that Carden had nothing to do with the murders. Now she has to find the true killer—without endangering Carden, Mei-Ling, or herself…
What G & U are talking about:
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Gikany and Una make no qualms about it, this Watchers series is excellent. It is for truly for young adults (high school and older) unless your middle school child is mature enough to handle the violence and romantic situations.
The latest installment in the Watchers series is Blood Fever, and, man, did it heat up! If you haven’t picked up this series yet, what are you waiting for?! The premise, characters and mythology are fresh, enthralling and invigorating. Sadly, Ms. Wolff has no qualms about killing characters; however, it is never done without reason.
The Watchers is a series told from the perspective of Annelise Drew. If you think of the Isle of Night as a combination of the evil Twilight vampires and the Hunger Games, you’ll have a good idea of what this series is about. Drew is brought to the Isle of Night under false pretenses to be trained as a Watcher. Watchers are highly trained and extremely lethal women who protect and support the exclusively male Vampires. There are some obviously chauvinistic tendencies seen by the way Vampires treat the Watcher trainees, as most of the vampires on the island are very old. Despite this, the training is fascinating. Oh, we forgot to mention, you don’t fail out of this training, you live to advance or you die trying.
After the conclusion of the second book, Vampire’s Kiss, Drew has the added complication of her connection with Carden McCloud, the very attractive and very different Vampire she rescued. The interactions between Carden, *ahem* Master McCloud, and Drew are wonderful. Ms. Wolff masterfully allows the reader to be a teenager again in Drew shoes. It is a treasured opportunity to experience again first-hand all those new found emotions, spurred by hormones all while trying to temper it with logic.
We enjoyed the introduction of Drew’s new roommate, Mei-Ling. The subtle differences between the two of them, the mystery over why this particular Acari was placed with Drew and the friendship that blossoms between them was gripping. What is more, the quiet strength of Mei-Ling was appealing and a well-placed juxtaposition to the loud mouthed brawn of Drew. Their interactions while teaming up with Drew’s best friend, Emma (she is just so awesome) in Blood Fever and the outcome of it at the end was enthralling and heartfelt. The great team that Emma and Drew made (something thoroughly discouraged by the Vampires) was only enhanced by the addition of Mei-Ling. This is especially evident as they investigate the rogue Vampire who is killing people…without permission and leaving their bodies to be found.
This is a difficult review to write without giving anything away. The ending of Blood Fever will surprise you, anger you, and yet, if you read the snippet from the next novel The Keep, will give hope. Drew still has a long road ahead of her, but at least she has the first year down. So if you haven’t done so, pick up the Watchers series, you won’t regret it!
Their Rating:
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Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
Labels:
5 stars,
G-U Review,
NAL,
paranormal YA,
The Watchers,
Veronica Wolff,
YA Literature
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