Book Review ~ Dark Jenny

Dark Jenny (Eddie LaCrosse #3)
By Alex Bledsoe
Published By Tor Books

Summary (Goodreads): 
Alex Bledsoe’s novels featuring detective Eddie LaCrosse have drawn rave reviews for their ingenious blend of classic fantasy and hard-boiled detective fiction. Now with Dark Jenny, Bledsoe returns with an all-new tale of intrigue and murder. . . .
For twenty-five gold pieces a day, plus expenses, Eddie LaCrosse will take on most any case. But the unexpected delivery of a coffin in the dead of winter forces LaCrosse to look back at a bygone chapter in his past—and the premeditated murder of a dream.
Ruled by the noble King Marcus Drake, the island kingdom of Grand Braun is an oasis of peace and justice in an imperfect world. At least until the beautiful Queen Jennifer is accused of adultery and murder. In the wrong castle at the wrong time, Eddie finds himself drafted at sword’s point to solve the mystery. With time running out, and powerful nobles all too eager to pin the murder on Eddie himself, he must untangle a tangled web of palace intrigues, buried secrets, and bewitching women—before the entire kingdom erupts into civil war.
Murder, mystery, and magic—just another day on the job for Eddie LaCrosse.

My Thoughts: This is the third book in this series, even though I have not read the first two, I never felt lost or like I was missing backstory. This book can and does stand on its own. This reminded my a lot of Arthurian tales but with some twists. The main character Eddie reminded me a lot of Dresden from Jim Butcher's series. They both are more gritty type characters that aren't afraid of getting dirty to get to the bottom of the case. King Marcus is a larger than life figure, even in the few scenes he is in, this comes across. The twist with Queen Jennifer was interesting and added another level to the secrecy and intrigue that goes on in these kingdoms. The story of the King and Queen is told by Eddie while he is explaining what/why there was a coffin delivered to him. I agreed with the patrons of the tavern, the ending of their story was not a great one. We all want our heroes to go out better than King Marcus did.
The twists and turns in this story along with all the action kept me reading until the end. I will definitely be going back to read the first two books in this series.

Rating: 3.5

Book Review ~ Spy Glass

Spy Glass (Glass #3)
By Maria V. Snyder
Published By Harlequin

Summary (Goodreads): After siphoning her own blood magic in the showdown at Hubal, Opal Cowan has lost her powers. She can no longer create glass magic. More, she's immune to the effects of magic. Opal is now an outsider looking in, spying through the glass on those with the powers she once had, powers that make a difference in the world. Until spying through the glass becomes her new power. Suddenly, the beautiful pieces she makes flash in the presence of magic. And then she discovers that someone has st olen some of her blood--and that finding it might let her regain her powers. Or learn if they're lost forever...


**Spoiler Warning: This will contain spoilers for this book, only because I have some real problems with it that I need to get out.


My Thoughts: I wanted to like this book and for the most part I did. Opals need to find out if she will be able to get her magic back or if it is lost forever was a natural progression for this series.  I loved her growth in this final book, from single mindedness to realizing that she can just be Opal. I loved that most of the cast of characters were back for this book. Valek was around a lot, which is always a good thing.  There wasn't enough Ari and Janco but they are there also. I was glad that Opal had an HEA but was not happy with who it was with or how it came about.
This is where I complain some. First, Kade just being dropped out of the picture with no warning. This didn't really seem to fit with the characters as we know them.  I also didn't like the fact that he was upset but still just accepted it, again doesn't fit with this character, he's a storm dancer you would expect more emotion. Okay on to Devlin. I hated the fact that he was the HEA. I'm OK with reform, growth, and forgiveness but this was an extreme. I was kinda of creeped out with Opal suddenly being in love with the man who tortured and on some levels raped her earlier in this series. I just could not get behind this. Even Valek's support didn't help.  Like I said earlier, I was happy that Opal got her HEA just not who it was with.


**There seems to be a lot of controversy over whether what took place was rape or not. I look at it this way. Yes, the sex was consensual, but Opal thought she was with Ulrick. Even if she thought something was up with the personality changes, she still thought it was him. Do any of us really believe that she would have been with Devlin, in Devlin's body, after all the physical and mental torture? I don't which is why I have such a problem with this book.


Rating: 3.5

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

If I Die (Soul Screamers #5)
By Rachel Vincent
Published By Harlequin
expected Release Date: September 20, 2011


Summary (Goodreads):No one wants to be this teacher’s pet . . . 

Everyone else is talking about Eastlake High’s gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck, but Kaylee Cavanaugh has bigger things on her mind. Kaylee’s a banshee—her scream is a portent of death. 

But the next scream might hit too close to home. Kaylee’s borrowed lifeline has almost run out. 

Yeah—it’s a shock to her, too. So to distract herself from her own problems, Kaylee is determined to defend her school against the latest supernatural threat. That hot new teacher is really an incubus, who feeds from the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend’s delinquent ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren’t quite human either. 

But Kaylee’s running out of time, and those who love her will do anything to save her life. 

Anything. 

Soul Screamers: The last thing you hear before you die.

** This is another series that I have been really enjoying and hate waiting for new books to come out ! :)

Book Review ~ The Wizard Heir

The Wizard Heir (The Heir Chronicles #2)
By Cinda Williams Chima
Published By Hyperion

Summary (Goodreads): Sixteen-year-old Seph McCauley has spent the past three years getting kicked out of one exclusive private school after another. Unfortunately it’s not his attitude that’s the problem. It’s the trail of magical accidents—lately, disasters—that follow in his wake. Seph is a wizard, orphaned and untrained—and now that the only person who could protect him has died, his powers are escalating out of control.

After causing a tragic fire at an after-hours party, Seph is sent to the Havens, a secluded boys’ school on the coast of Maine. At first, it seems like the answer to his prayers. Gregory Leicester, the headmaster, promises to train Seph in magic and initiate him into his mysterious order of wizards. But Seph's enthusiasm dampens quickly when he learns that training comes at a steep cost, and that Leicester plans to use his students' powers to serve his own mysterious agenda.

In this companion novel to the exciting fantasy The Warrior Heir, everyone's got a secret to keep: Jason Haley, a fellow student who’s been warned to keep away from Seph; the enchanter Linda Downey, who knew his parents; the rogue wizard Leander Hastings, and the warriors Jack Swift and Ellen Stephenson. This wizard war is one that Seph may not have the strength to survive.

My Thoughts: It took me some time to pick up this book after finishing The Warrior Heir. I was really concerned with how this was going to become a series when the first book seemed to wrap up the stories of the characters in that book.

I'm glad I finally read this book, it was worth the read and the author tied the two books together nicely even bringing back the characters from  The Warrior Heir in a way that made sense.
I thought Seph was a nice addition to this world and his personality and sense of self were really his own. His need/want of knowing who his parents really are and not the story that he has been given his whole life made him stronger and more resistance to the alumni and Leicester. The rest of the cast, from the students at the school to the residences of Trinity brought the book to another level.
The book was well paced from the beginning when you're getting to know the new characters right up until the big battle that takes place.  There was a nice wrap up to this part of Seph's story while getting you ready for The Dragon Heir.


Rating: 3.5

Follow Friday and Blog Hop

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee. This weeks question: 
Q.Circle Time! Time to share. 5 Quirky habits or things about you? We all have them..


A. I'm bad at circle time..
1. I almost never get the same thing at a restaurant,  even if I think I like this I'll have to get it again, I almost never do.
2. I separate my skittles, m&m's, etc by color before I eat them.
3. I have a different book for different rooms in the house and then another for when going out of the house (practice or dr's)
4.









The Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This meme is hosted by Crazy For Books. This weeks question:


If You were given the chance to spend one day in a fictional world (from a book), which book and what place?


I would still say either the world Maria V. Snyder created for her Study and Glass series or Kenyon's Dark Hunter World.


Have a Great Weekend and Happy Reading!!

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The Grey Wolf Crown (Seven Realms #3)
By Cinda Williams Chima
Published By Hyperion
Scheduled Release: September 20, 2011


Summary (Goodreads):Han Alister thought he had already lost everyone he loved. But when he finds his friend Rebecca Morley near death in the Spirit Mountains, Han knows that nothing matters more than saving her. The costs of his efforts are steep, but nothing can prepare him for what he soon discovers: the beautiful, mysterious girl he knew as Rebecca is none other than Raisaana’Marianna, heir to the Queendom of the Fells. Han is hurt and betrayed. He knows he has no future with a blueblood. And, as far as he’s concerned, the princess’s family killed his own mother and sister. But if Han is to fulfill his end of an old bargain, he must do everything in his power to see Raisa crowned queen. 

Meanwhile, some people will stop at nothing to prevent Raisa from ascending. With each attempt on her life, she wonders how long it will be before her enemies succeed. Her heart tells her that the thief-turned-wizard Han Alister can be trusted. She wants to believe it—he’s saved her life more than once. But with danger coming at her from every direction, Raisa can only rely on her wits and her iron-hard will to survive—and even that might not be enough. 

The Gray Wolf Throne is an epic tale of fierce loyalty, unbearable sacrifice, and the heartless hand of fate.

**I love this series. The world, characters, and plot have made for a great first two books in the series and I cannot wait to read this one.

Book Review ~ Demonglass

Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)
By Rachel Hawkins
Published By Hyperion Books

Summary (Goodreads): Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. 
That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth. 
Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers. 
But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

My Thoughts: I'll start with the ending: I really, really dislike cliffhangers. Especially when it doesn't feel like anything was answered in the book. I enjoyed the book until this point in the story. It was like we started to get answers and then the book was finished and we were still in the middle of a scene. 

I still enjoyed Sophie's snarky attitude and the addition of some romantic tension with someone other than Archer. I did still like the interactions with Sophie and Archer throughout and look forward to see what happens next. I found the side characters as interesting, if not more, than Sophie in this book. I kinda felt bad for the new kids(demons), even at the end of the book.  It felt as if Jenna grew a lot in this book and came into her own.

I think another part of the letdown for me was the discovery of who was creating all the problems wasn't that big of a surprise  so it didn't have that wow factor for me.  I'm more interested in what is going to happen with Sophie and her friends and what/how The Eye is going to help or hurt them.

Rating: 4

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Spell Bound (Women of the Otherworld #12)
By Kelley Armstrong
expected publication date: July 26, 2011

Summary (Goodreads):
At last, in the novel every Kelley Armstrong fan will need to own, all the major heroines and heroes of Otherworld are united.

It's been ten years since Bitten, the first novel in Kelley Armstrong's New York Times bestselling Otherworld series. In that time hundreds of thousands of fans have ravenously devoured the adventures of Armstrong's witches, demons, and werewolves. Now, in Spell Bound, she brings them all together for her most sweeping tale yet.

Savannah Levine is in terrible danger, and for once she's powerless to help herself. At the heartbreaking conclusion of Waking the Witch, Savannah swore that she would give up her powers if it would prevent further pain for a young orphan. Little did she know that someone would take her up on that promise.

And now, witch-hunting assassins, necromancers, half-demons, and rogue witches all seem to be after her. The threat is not just for Savannah; every member of the Otherworld might be at risk. While most of her fellow supernaturals are circling the wagons at a gathering of the council in Miami, Savannah is caught on the road, isolated from those who can protect her and unable to use her vast spell-casting talent, the thing she counts on most. In a story that will change the shape of the Otherworld forever, Armstrong gathers Elena, Clay, Paige, Lucas, Jamie, Hope, and other beloved characters, who soon learn that the greatest threat to supernaturals just may come from within.

**Now I just need to catch up with this series.  That said, I'm still looking forward to this book and bringing everything before together.

Book Review ~ Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy #1)
By Kiersten White
Published By HarperTeen

Summary (Goodreads):
Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.
But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.

My Thoughts: I think my expectations were too high going into this book. I was a few too many "this is the best book ever" type reviews. I didn't dislike this book, I just didn't love it as much as everyone else seemed to. Between the insta-love and the ignorant to their surroundings lead character, it brought the book down for me.
I understood Evie's wanting to be normal but it seemed to override everything. I had a difficult time getting behind her as the lead, how could someone have been doing this since they were young but not know, or want to know, anything about the paranormals she was chasing down. You would expect more cirousity about what is going on around you but she didn't seem to care about that either.
I did like Lend, he seemed more what I would expect from someone who is living in the world the author created. He was aware, interested, and even though it got him into trouble, willing to try and find the answers to the problems in his world.
I did enjoy the overall story and was very interested in what Evie and Vivian were and what it all meant to the fairies. There were still many unanswered questions concerning this so I'll be reading the second book to find out more. Hopefully Evie is one of those characters that grow on me over time and I'll like her more in coming books.

Rating: 3

In My Mailbox

This weekly feature is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Library

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
The Poison Eaters and Other Stories by Holly Black
The Way of the Wizard edited by John Joseph Adams
The School of Night by Louis Bayard

Won
Black Wings by Christina Henry ~ Thanks to Kristin @ My Bookish Ways
Swag Pack (bookmarks, stickers, etc) ~ Thanks to Jen @ I Read Banned Books

Gifts (Mother's Day)
Boxed Set ~ The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Thats it for me this week, so what did you get?
Have a Great Week and Happy Reading

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there. Here are a few of my son's favorite mom books...

By Harriet Ziefert











and the first book I got for Mother's Day when I was pregnant with my son

By P.K. Hallinan

Follow Friday and Blog Hop

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee. This weeks question: 
Q.Circle Time! Time to share. What character in a book would you most like to be, what character would you like to date?


This is one that changes with each book. As most people do I tend to put myself in whatever book I'm reading at the moment. Right now I'm in Eve and Roarke land. I will say I see myself more as Peabody than Eve but prefer Roarke over McNabb.





The Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This meme is hosted by Crazy For Books. This weeks question:


Q: Which book blogger would you most like to meet in real life?
While I'm sure everyone is great, I haven't been doing this long enough or gotten to know anyone to the point where I would be meeting them in person.


This concludes my crazy week. Hope everyone has a Great Week end and Happy Reading!
Happy Mother's Day to any Moms that stop by :)

Waiting On Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Retribution (Dark-Hunter #20)
By Sherrilyn Kenyon
Published By St. Martins


Summary:A hired gunslinger, William Jessup Brady lived his life with one foot in the grave. He believed that every life had a price. Until the day when he finally found a reason to live. In one single act of brutal betrayal, he lost everything, including his life. Brought back by a Greek goddess to be one of her Dark-Hunters, he gave his immortal soul for vengeance and swore he’d spend eternity protecting the humans he’d once considered prey. 

Orphaned as a toddler, Abigail Yager was taken in by a family of vampires and raised on one belief- Dark-Hunters are the evil who prey on both their people and mankind, and they must all be destroyed. While protecting her adoptive race, she has spent her life eliminating the Dark-Hunters and training for the day when she meets the man who killed her family: Jess Brady. 

A gun in the hand is worth two in the holster... 

Jess has been charged with finding and terminating the creature who’s assassinating Dark-Hunters. The last thing he expects to find is a human face behind the killings, but when that face bears a striking resemblance to the one who murdered him centuries ago, he knows something evil is going on. He also knows he’s not the one who killed her parents. But Abigail refuses to believe the truth and is determined to see him dead once and for all. 

Brought together by an angry god and chased by ancient enemies out to kill them both, they must find a way to overcome their mutual hatred or watch as one of the darkest of powers rises and kills both the races they’ve sworn to protect.

**Love this series and I'm always ready for a new one as soon as I finish the current.

Book Review ~ A Spy in the House

A Spy in the House (The Agency #1)
By Y.S. Lee
Published By Candlewick

Summary: Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this diverting mystery trails a feisty heroine as she takes on a precarious secret assignment.Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past

My Thoughts: The setting is what makes this book. If you were to place The Agency in modern times it would  not be as interesting. That being said I found Mary to be a strong, self-reliant female in a time when that was unheard of. The relationship between her and James, whether they were getting in each others ways or working together, was humorous and at times romantic pairing. There were also some very unlikeable characters in this story, more than usual. I found myself cringing at the behavior of the family Mary was working for. Some may have been acceptable of a family of this stature and in this time period but it was still cringe worthy.
The action was well paced and made for an enjoyable read from beginning to end. The conclusion of what was happening with the ships/sailors was a satisfying end to the story. It answered many questions while leaving enough for you to want to read the next book. I look forward to finding out more about Mary's own past as well as what kind of trouble she can cause in the future.

Rating: 3.5