Audiobook Review: Relatively Normal Secrets by C.W. Allen, Narrated by Ivy Tara Blair

Relatively Normal Secrets is a middle grade book written by C.W. Allen, and the audiobook is narrated by Ivy Tara Blair. It is currently scheduled for release on September 7 2022. 

Tuesday and Zed Furst are perfectly normal children with perfectly strange parents. Their father won’t discuss his job, their mother never leaves the house without her guard dog, and the topic of the family tree is off limits. When a last minute “business trip” gets the adults out of the way, Zed and Tuesday decide to get to the bottom of things once and for all. Too bad some thugs with shape-shifting weapons have other ideas. Their escape leaves them trapped in the modern-meets-medieval Falinnheim, where everyone insists their father is a disgraced fugitive. They hope whoever is leaving them coded clues may have some answers, but they’re not sure they’re going to like what they learn. If they ever want to see their parents again, they’ll need the help of a smuggler with a broken compass, their unusually talented dog, some extremely organized bandits, and a selection of suspiciously misquoted nursery rhymes. Zed and Tuesday may not have all the answers, but one thing is certain—when it comes to normal, everything is relative.

I thought Zed and Tuesday's story was well done. I liked the premise and the characters. I thought the slow reveal was handled well, and I liked the way the siblings worked together even when they did not necessarily agree. I liked the combination of action, fantasy, science, and mystery and think that it will appeal to a wide range of middle grade readers. I did have some trouble pinpointing the kid's ages, and I thought some of the things included in the story were a little too predictable or common for the genre, but I am also someone that has read more than my share of it and middle grade kids are likely to find it much newer and fresh than I did. I like that the book wrapped up the immediate questions, giving readers a satisfying ending but still leaving plenty of room for sequels. 

I liked the narrator's inflections and the spirit she put into the work. However, I have to admit that sometimes when she  I would not be able to make out what she was saying, no matter how high my volume was. It could very well be my hearing, but when certain characters were talking I had to work really hard to make out what was being said, and sometimes I still missed words or phrases. I would turn up the volume and then Tuesday would be talking and I would have to turn it back down. It become very frustrating especially since I listen to my audiobooks in the car and cannot often rewind to catch up with what was missed.

Relatively Normal Secrets is a good middle grade fantasy, but I think I would recommend reading a print copy rather than listening to the audiobook. 

Book Review: Ruby Fever (Hidden Legacy) by Ilona Andrews

Ruby Fever is the sixth book in the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews. This is a series that should be read in order to fully understand the world and characters that have been built. 

An escaped spider, the unexpected arrival of an Imperial Russian Prince, the senseless assassination of a powerful figure, a shocking attack on the supposedly invincible Warden of Texas, Catalina’s boss, and it’s only Monday. Within hours, the fate of Houston—not to mention the House of Baylor—now rests on Catalina, who will have to harness her powers as never before. But even with her fellow Prime and fiancé Alessandro Sagredo by her side, she may not be able to expose who’s responsible before all hell really breaks loose.

Ruby Fever is the last book in Catalina's story arc, and I am sad to see her personal story wrap up, even though it means we must be something from Arabella's point of view soon.  I really enjoyed her part of the story and think that this book was a great addition to the larger story. I though the action, mystery, and hints about the future were all very well balanced. I was engaged in the story the whole read, and while I saw some of the twists coming, everything was so well done that it did not matter. It was great seeing Catalina come into her own, and get a better understanding of herself and what she could do. Fans of the series will love the read and be looking forward to what ever come next in this world.

Ruby Fever is a must read for fans of the series. 

Book Review: Eventually, They All Fall by Jenna Marcus

Eventually, They All Fall by Jenna Marcus is a young adult urban fantasy. Domino Garrison knows that he is the king of all that is weird, but he would rather abdicate that throne. He would rather be a normal teenager who just goes to school and works at a bookstore—and for all intents and purposes—that's exactly how he appears to his peers; however, aside from his best friend, Griswold, no one knows Domino's secret, or his secrets. His father abandoned him and his only family—his mom—when he was 5 years old, and his mom is a drug addict who has a parade of men coming in and out of their home. Oh, and Domino has the ability to see into other people's fantasies. He thinks this ability is pretty useless; however, little does he know that his ability is more powerful and expansive than he thinks. When extraordinary circumstances begin to occur, like massive earthquakes hitting the East coast, exotic animals wandering around zoos that they had not escaped from, and black sludge eviscerating everything in its path, Domino soon discovers that not only can he see fantasies, but he can also pull these fantasies into reality; however, doing so causes horrendous pain and mental anguish as Domino is concerned that the power he has could corrupt his mind. However, he knows that it is up to him—with the support of his friends Griswold and Lucy, and his boss Miles—to put a stop to the unnatural occurrences plaguing the earth before it is too late.

Eventually, They All Fall is a read with a great premise and some intriguing possibilities. I thought the character introduction and building was very well done, and the world building for Domino's gifts was well done. I was glad to see character and relationship growth across the board, and even though there is a hint of romance, it did not take over the other aspects of the story and stayed in the background for the most part. I thought the problems the group faced were well constructed and handled, even if a few details seemed a little too easy for me - but when the magic involved is wish fulfillment it does make sense. There were some twists that went in a completely different direction than I was expecting, and some that follow my expectations. It was nice to be surprised a couple times. I will say that I liked everything about the book, but I did not get that 'I need to get back to reading" urge that some books give me. I do not think it had anything to do with the book or writing, but rather it was not the right book for me at the time. I still will be recommending it to those in my circle that I feel will enjoy it. I think there is a large audience for this book and I am interested to see where the story goes from here. 

Eventually, They All Fall is an engaging read the young adults and adults alike can enjoy.

Book Review: Of Claws and Fangs: Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood by Faith Hunter

Of Claws and Fangs: Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood by Faith Hunter is a collection of shorter works featuring heroines Jane Yellowrock and Nell Ingram, as well as a host of other characters from the Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood series.  From a vampire-filled Halloween evening in New Orleans to the searing tale of how a certain were-leopard first got his spots, this collection has something for everyone, and each story is sure to put the super in supernatural. With eighteen stories in all, Of Claws and Fangs will enrich and entertain—it’s a must-have for Faith Hunter’s readers and all lovers of fantasy.

Of Claws and Fangs  is a collection of vignettes, short stories, and a novella all from the world of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood. Those that subscribe to the newsletter and follow Hunter online might have seen some of these stories previously, but most will be brand new to readers. I loved getting a look at some of the moments between the stories I have read and particularly moments from characters the generally do not get to have their thoughts shared. I loved that some of these stories tie the characters I felt I have come to know well, and those that always seem on the periphery, closer together in ways I never expected. This was a great collection and I think all fans of Hunter's work will enjoy it very much. 

Of Claws and Fangs is a must have for fans of Faith Hunter. For those that prefer to listen, the audiobook version is available, and extremely well done. 

Book Review: Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare

Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare is a contemporary enemies to lovers romance with a magical twist. When Reggie Johnson answers a job ad in the paper, she’s astonished to find that she’s not applying to work at her favorite card game, Spellcraft: The Magicking. Instead, she’s applying to be an actual familiar for an actual witch. As in, real magic. The new job has a few perks - great room and board, excellent pay, and she's apprenticing to a powerful witch. Sure, the witch is a bit eccentric. And sure, there was that issue with the black cat Reggie would prefer to forget about. The biggest problem, however, is warlock Ben Magnus, her employer's nephew and the most arrogant, insufferable, maddening man to ever cast a spell. Reggie absolutely hates him. He's handsome, but he's also bossy and irritating and orders her around. Ben's butt might look great in a crystal ball vision, but that's as far as it goes. But when someone with a vendetta targets the household, she finds herself working with Ben to break a deadly curse. Apparently, when they're not fighting like cats and dogs, things get downright bewitching

Go Hex Yourself is an engaging and entertaining read. I like the world building and characters and think the balance of humor, mystery, and heat was well done. This book is not for readers that do not enjoy dirty talking or thinking, because there is plenty of that here- and frankly it fits the characters perfectly and I think it would have felt off personality wise if it was not there. I liked Ben's character the most, and I liked getting things from his perspective. The contrast of his emotion and concern for those he cares about against how everyone sees him, and how he sees himself, was very well written and I enjoyed getting a good look at his thoughts. I will say that Reggie sometimes irked me, but I liked how she generally stood up for herself. I will say that I guessed the big twist well before it was revealed, and honestly expected an extra one somewhere along the way with at least one set of secondary characters. That being said, if the author writes a follow up for a couple of the secondary characters, I would be ready for that. 

Go Hex Yourself is a fun and entertaining read. For those that are interested, the audio book is available and very well done.

Book Review: Sorceline by Sylvia Douyé, Paola Antista

Sorceline, written by Sylvia Douyé and illustrated by Paola Antista, is a middle grade graphic novel that is the first in a series. Welcome to the Island of Vorn, where mythical creatures roam free and only the brightest students are invited to study them. For as long as she can remember, Sorceline has had a knack for the study of mythical creatures. Now a student at Professor Archibald Balzar’s prestigious school of cryptozoology, she’s eager to test her skills and earn a spot as one of Balzar’s apprentices. But for all her knowledge of gorgons, vampires, and griffins, Sorceline is mystified by her fellow humans. While she excels in her studies, she quickly clashes with her classmates, revealing her fiery temper. When one of her rivals suddenly disappears, Sorceline must set aside her anger and join the quest to find her. But the mystery only deepens, leading Sorceline on a journey far darker and more personal than she expected. 

Sorceline is a beautifully drawn graphic novel with some fun twists and turns, layers of mystery, and characters with potential for great growth and challenges. I enjoyed the story on several levels. First off the art work is wonderful, and I thought the use of cursive writing for Soceline's thoughts was very well done, but might throw some readers that have had less exposure to it. I thought the school themes of friendship and rivalry, and relationships in general was well done, but left many loose threads that will need to be looked at again in upcoming volumes. I liked Sorceline's personal journey of trying to figure out the mysteries surrounding her, and her own story and skills. II did think there could have been a bit more character development and world building, just a bit more set up, but I think it all still came together well and I trust there will be some questions answered along the way.  thought everything was well balanced and highly engaging. I was left wanting more, and will be on the look out for future volumes. 

Sorceline is a stunning read, both in artwork and story. I think many readers middle grade and older will greatly enjoy it. 

Book Review: The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage, Volume 1, by Miraijin A and Kurikaramaru

The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage, Volume 1, written by Miraijin A and drawn by Kurikaramaru is a manga style graphic novel. Belamus was once a great sage with the power of reincarnation...but as all lives must pass, so did his. He reincarnated with his memories, but was suddenly abandoned as a newborn child! Luckily for him, he was adopted by the nearby goblin tribe, but this moment of kindness may mean more for both the Goblins and Belamus than either of them know!

The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage is a charming and well drawn story. I enjoyed the world and character building and thought everything moved at a good pace. I have read a few other reincarnation manga, and I thought that this did a good job with the trope. I liked the village and the collection of characters in it. The growing understanding in Belamus of the similarities of all intelligent creatures is pretty subtle, but the point bis likely to be more obvious as the story continues in future volumes. It was a fun and interesting read, which I enjoyed. I feel like there are many options as to where the story can go next and am interested to see which paths the plot takes us.

Book Review: Boss Witch (Fix-it Witches) by Ann Aguirre

Boss Witch by Ann Aguirre is the second book in the Fix-it witches series. While returning readers will have a better understanding of the characters and set up, I think it can also be enjoyed as a stand alone. 

Clementine Waterhouse is a perfectly logical witch. She doesn't tumble headlong into love. Rather she weighs the pros and cons and decides if a relationship is worth pursuing. At least that's always been her modus operandi before. Clem prefers being the one in charge, always the first to walk away when the time is right. Attraction has never struck her like lightning, until the witch hunter comes to town.  Gavin Rhys hates being a witch hunter, but his family honor is on the line, and he needs to prove he's nothing like his grandfather, a traitor who let everyone down. But things in St. Claire aren't what they seem, and Gavin is distracted from the job immediately by a bewitching brunette with a sexy smile and haunting secrets in her eyes. Can the bossiest witch in town find a happy ending with the last person she should ever love?

Boss Witch is a great follow up to Witch Please. I like that we get to see Clem's story, even as returning readers will see the overlaps of Danica's love story as well. I thought the dual points for view from Clem and Gavin was very well done. It gave the reader a much bigger picture of what was happening and what insecurities and outside complications were impacting the relationship. I liked the depth of the story, and the way the hunter versus witch dynamic played out, and I thought the resolution was a little too perfect, but I really enjoyed it. Just like in the first book, I enjoyed the support system in the town, magical and not. The community of St Claire is written so well that I rather want to move there. I also enjoyed Clem setting boundaries and figuring out how to balance what she wants and needs from the people in her life without being too nice or harsh about it. I think we all need to take a page from her book and do the same.

Boss Witch is an engaging read that fans of the author are going to need to read. 

Early Book Review: The Doors to Nowhere (Secrets of Camp Whatever) by Chris

The Doors to Nowhere is the second volume of the Secrets of Camp Whatever graphic novel series by Chris Grine. It is currently scheduled for release on May 3 2022. I do recommend reading the series in order to have the full backstory and understand who and what the characters are.

When twelve-year-old Willow went to her weird new town's even weirder summer camp, she didn't expect to get caught up in an ancient mystery involving forest-dwelling vampires, living garden gnomes, and other completely bonkers creatures most people would never believe exist. Now she's not only involved, she's marked—too close to the heart of an ages-old quest for power and control than she should be, and too concerned about her new friends and the dangers they face to let them go it alone. With the help of a spell book and her scrappy crew of camp friends, Willow is about to step through a doorway to magic and discovery that will change her world forever.

The Doors to Nowhere is another well written and skillfully drawn graphic novel for the middle grade and older set. I liked the continuation of the story and how the characters continue to grow as individuals and as part of a friend group. I liked the art style and found the expressiveness of character faces to be on point throughout the book. I thought the reminders of past adventures was well done, reminding readers of important moments without covering too much of the same ground. My only complaint is that I wanted more. The story had a satisfying resolution, with plenty of foreshadowing for further adventures, but it just felt like it was over far to quickly so I went back and enjoyed some of my favorite moments again. I am eager to see where the story goes from here.

The Doors to Nowhere is a great follow up to the first installment, and I look forward to reading what happens next. 

Book Review: Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen is a fantasy debut, inspired by West African mythology, in which a mermaid takes on the gods themselves. Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata—a mermaid—collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home. But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi does the unthinkable—she saves his life, going against an ancient decree. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy it. To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There's the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail. Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she doesn't, then she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.

Skin of the Sea is a wonderful book that has adventure, mythology, character growth, and some serious feels. I have read some of the mythology that is referenced in the book, and this read made me want to explore it even further. I was fully engaged in Simi's character right from the start, eager to see where the story would take her and how she came to be on the path that lead to this journey. There are a good number of twists and turns, as there are many powerful players with a stake in the long game. Some of the twists honestly surprised me, as I was waiting on a disaster or betrayal at every moment, and other times I saw it coming a mile away. In all cases going along with Simi as she tries to protect those important to her, and the larger world, to make a positive difference. I thought the heavy moments and subjects were handled extremely well, as were the settings and character building. I look forward to reading more from the author, especially since my only complaint was the ending- since I seriously want some more. 

Skin of the Sea is an amazing read with great regard to history and mythology. Characters and story are well balanced and developed- and all I was left wanting was more.  For those interested, there is an audiobook version available and it is wonderfully done. 

Early Book Review: When a Princess Proposes (Embraced by Magic) by Kerrelyn Sparks

When a Princess Proposes is the sixth book in the Embraced by Magic series by Kerrelyn Sparks. It takes place twenty years after the last novel in the series, and we get to see the next generation take center stage. It is currently scheduled for release on April 26 2022. 

All Princess Eviana needs is an escape. Possessed of an unfortunate and unusual Embraced gift, which she’s been banned from using, she required no training. Now, her overprotective parents want her to wed. As a result, the palace is crammed with obnoxious noblemen…Until Quentin, the enigmatic eagle shifter and royal spy, maneuvers several of the unsuitable suitors into revealing their most embarrassing secrets before the court. Finally, Eviana has an excuse to free herself. If only her family knew the blow that’s shaken her: golden-eyed Quentin’s refusal to let her near. Heroic, but low born, Quentin’s infatuation with Eviana is as inappropriate as it is unshakable. He must keep away from her, for his own sake. But after a series of suspicious deaths, and the princess’s narrow escape from kidnapping, Quentin knows that only together can they expose the danger stalking Aerthlan’s Embraced. On foot, in disguise, they’ll need trust and quick wits to uncover the vicious conspiracy closing around them. But finding the truth might break down their own defenses as well. 

When a Princess Proposes continues the story set up by the previous books, with some faces returning readers will remember well. I liked getting to know some of the secondary characters from the earlier books better, but somehow missed one along the way. I think readers that might have missed one or two will be able to follow the story fully, but like me want to go back and see how those missing bits played out. I liked Eviana and Quentin ad how they interacted a great deal. I liked that no one in this world is perfect- everyone has their issues to deal with and flaws to overcome while still doing the best they can. I loved the world building and how there are so many layers to the story, with even the minor characters feeling real and whole, like they just might get their own story next. I look forward to whatever Sparks might do in this world next.  

When a Princess Proposes is a good continuation of the series and I think fans of the series and author with be very happy with the direction the series has taken. 

Book Review: What the Fang? (Undead Ever After) by Stacey Kennedy

What the Fang? is the first book in the Undead Ever After series by Stacey Kennedy. Willa Farrington’s magic is broken. Shunned by her coven for failing to pass the Summer Solstice Rite, Willa escapes to the one place no witch belongs – Charleston, a city that belongs to vampires. Determined to embrace her new life, Willa opens Cauldron Boil Books, and unexpectedly finds some friends among the vampires. One terrible night Willa ends up on the wrong side of a pair of fangs. Thankfully, her captor’s plan is ruined when Killian Constantine, the drop-dead gorgeous Warden of Charleston, shows up to save her. But just when Willa thinks she’s safe, Killian demands to know why she – a witch – telepathically called him for help. Intent on finding answers, the two embark on a journey to unravel the mystery behind Willa’s attack and their unusual connection. As they get closer to the truth, the fiery passion between them ignites. Just as Willa starts to think that her entire existence is a lie, deadlier forces come out of the shadows. She will need to believe in her malfunctioning magic, trust bloodthirsty vampires, and cross her fingers that she and Killian make it out.

What the Fang? is a solid series starter. I was quickly invested in Willa's story, and like the way bits and pieces of her story were revealed. I did think the connection with Killian and some of the big reveals were a tad obvious, and a everyone seems to accept and process things way faster than I was quite prepared for, but the journey was still a great deal of fun. Killian was an interesting character, and I can see a great deal of potential with him, but I would have liked to have seen more of his thoughts and past straight from him rather than as he shared with Willa. I think some opportunities were missed there. I loved Willa's friends, and the reactions of some of the vampires to her in the book. I look forward to seeing more of them all in future installments of the series. I do have to admit that Ambrose was my absolute favorite character in the entire book. 

What the Fang? is a paranormal romance that nicely balances fun and danger. 

Book Review: Accidental Magic (Myrtlewood Mysteries) by Iris Beaglehole

Accidental Magic is the first book in the Myrtlewood Mysteries series by Iris Beaglehole. Life’s a struggle for Rosemary Thorn and her teen daughter, Athena. But their regular troubles are turned upside down after Granny Thorn’s mysterious death.  Despite her cousin's sinister maneuverings, Rosemary returns to Myrtlewood and the sprawling, dilapidated Thorn Manor. But there's more to the old house than meets the eye, as Rosemary and Athena soon find out — in a whirlwind of magic, adventure, mystical creatures and endless cups of tea. Life in Myrtlewood would be bliss if Rosemary could only clear her name in a certain murder investigation, solve the mystery and stay out of mortal peril – for at least a little while!  A small town with endless secrets, strange activities and a house with a mind of its own.

Accidental Magic left me satisfied with the ending, but with plenty of questions about where the series will go from here.  I thought that Rosemary and Athena had an interesting mother-daughter relationship, but I did like both characters. I thought that they balanced each other nicely and I was glad to get parts of the story from both of them. I liked the quirky nature of the town and its residents, although what do you expect from a magical town full of secrets. I am interested to see where some of the friendships and relationships might form and grow, and which might reveal even more secrets.  I was a little frustrated with the number of secrets and forgotten bits of information, even though it did fit with the story. I just felt like aspect of Rosemary and magic got used a little too often. However, I was interested in the mystery and magic of the story start to finish and plan on reading the second book to see what happens next and how Athena and Rosemary grow as characters.

Accidental Magic is an intriguing start to a new series and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes. 

Early Book Review: Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, Teny Issakhanian

Wingbearer, written by Marjorie Liu and illustrated by Teny Issakhanian, is currently scheduled for release on March 1 2022.It is the first book in a new middle grade graphic novel series. 

Zuli is extraordinary—she just doesn’t realize it yet. Raised by mystical bird spirits in the branches of the Great Tree, she’s never ventured beyond this safe haven. She’s never had to. Until now. When a sinister force threatens the life-giving magic of the tree, Zuli, along with her guardian owl, Frowly, must get to the root of it. So begins an adventure bigger than anything Zuli could’ve ever imagined—one that will bring her, along with some newfound friends, face-to-face with an ancient dragon, the so-called Witch-Queen, and most surprisingly of all: her true identity.

Wingbearer is a beautifully drawn and colored graphic novel with fantastic writing. I was engaged in the story from the very beginning, ad my only complaint is that now I have to try and wait patiently for the next installment. Zuli and the the characters that she meets on her journey are well written and complex, with very few good/evil absolutes. The world building, as revealed through the characters and their interactions, was very well done. I feel like I have a reasonable grasp of the important aspects of the world, and never felt like there was an info dump. It was reveals as things became important in a way that really made sense and felt natural. Although, I will admit that I saw the big reveal (not telling), or something very close to it coming on a couple levels. However, I think the way it was done was smart and will keep readers hooked and invested in continuing the series. I think this series will be a new favorite for a wide range of readers and I look forward to seeing what happens next.

Wingbearer is a wonderful start to a new series. I look forward to reading what comes next.

Book Review: Night Cry by Borja Gonzalez

Night Cry is a young adult graphic novel written and illustrated by Borja Gonzalez. When it comes to rituals, Teresa, who runs a bookstore specializing in magic and the occult, knows her fair share. But when she manages to summon Laura, an anime-loving demon, the ritual goes awry: Laura is there to grant her any wish, but Teresa doesn’t know what to ask for. And so the two are stuck with each other… Thus begins a strange cohabitation, while Laura decides to investigate a series of unexplained disappearances in town. Through the author’s captivating artwork and spirited dialogue, discover an offbeat and magical world close to our own, alternating between warmth and sweet melancholy.

Night Cry is a unique graphic novel. I liked the art style, I thought the use of color and the way the characters were drawn without facial features gave the book a very eerie vibe- and with the witch, ghost, and demon mentions that was on point. honestly the visuals were my favorite part of the story. There were little details and suggestions on every page that readers could interpret in many ways, coloring the storytelling. I liked the majority of the story, but have to admit that there were more than a few moments when I was really confused, and the story and my guesses about what was really going on and where the story might end up were disconnected. And, frankly the ending left me a bit baffled. I did enjoy the friendship development, and though I often hated the way Teresa treated Matilda, I thought some of it made sense for the personalities and twists that might have popped up in the story. 

Night Cry is an atmospheric and beautifully drawn graphic novel that is very much open to interpretation. 

Audiobook Review: Between Bloode and Stone (Between the Shadows) by Marie Harte, Narrated by Ellis Evans

Between Bloode and Stone is the first book in the Between the Shadows series by Marie Harte. The audiobook is narrated by Ellis Evans. Cursed long ago to check their growing power, vampires can only coexist in small groups. Yet despite their many conflicts, those Of the Bloode possess similar traits. All vampires, no matter from where they come, are male. They can go unnoticed by humans unless they wish otherwise, and they can’t survive sunlight. Mormo, servant of the goddess Hecate, has created a small new bloode clan at her behest. The six vampires he commands are rough, ill-disciplined, and mean, and they fail to follow orders on a daily basis. But they’re needed. Something big and bad is coming. Hecate, goddess of death, magic, and gateways, has a duty to guard the borders of the mortal world. She knows that without a strong force to contain the threat, chaos will come, destroying everything in its wake. Her secret weapons are those Of the Bloode. Though they refuse to worship anything but themselves, she loves their wild ways. In order to battle gods and monsters and survive, they’ll need ferocity, inner strength, and something to fight for.

Between Bloode and Stone is an interesting urban fantasy and series starter. First off, I think Ellis Evans did a great job narrating. I enjoyed the tone variations and inflections they used, and simply enjoyed listening. I also enjoyed the characters and world building. There was a great deal of ground to cover in the world building, and I suspect more important pieces have yet to be revealed about all the varied supernatural creatures living there in future books. I thought the development of the characters, and their relationships with each other, was very well paced and engaging. I liked that I did get different points of view, and that those view changes were clear as I listened. Getting insight to the minds of more than just the romantic leads was great, and gave me a better understanding of the bigger picture and how important certain things might be later in the series. It also made me more invested in the world and secondary characters. There were moments where the amount of world building seemed too much, but sometimes that happens at the beginning of any series to get a full understanding of the moving parts. I was not put off by this and think that I will continue on with this series, only partly because I want to see more of the vampires and see hoe the teasers in the epilogue play out.  

Between Bloode and Stone is a good start to a series, and I am interested to see where the story goes from here. 

Book Review: Blood and Fire (Alpha and Omega) by Kim Mullican

Blood and Fire is the first book in the Alpha and Omega series by Kim Mullican. I am Maia Delacroix and I hunt people and relics. My life does not lack excitement or danger. I have it in spades. Then the Mageri surprised me with an orphan...yes, an orphan. I can’t even keep a house plant alive, let alone a kid. It turns out I’m her only living relative, and even though we’ve never met, I’m her only hope. Great. Can I feed her after midnight? What does she eat? I have no idea what I’m doing. They tell me this little witchling will need care for a few years until she comes of age. The bizarre fire leaking out of Elaina’s hands is a pretty good indicator that she is no witch. Then the coven comes—they want her back. Necromancers show up, turning my vampire friends into enemies. If that isn’t bad enough, I have a demon problem now too. Join me, and see if we can make it out alive!

Blood and Fire is a book grabbed my attention from the beginning. I liked the character building from the start, and the development of personalities and history that were reveal throughout the book was entertaining and well paced. There was a great deal of information about the different kinds of magical people, and how they interact, that needed to be included for the story and set up for future adventure to work. At no point did it feel like an information dump because of how well it was woven into the story. I thought the emotional reactions through the book were realistic for the situation, and I enjoyed seeing Maia and her unusual collection of friends and antiquates play their parts in this book. I look forward to continuing this series and will be on the lookout for more from this author.

Blood and Fire is a solid start to a new series, with quality world and character building. I am eager for more.

Book Review: Demon Riding Shotgun (Magicsmith) by L. R. Braden

Demon Riding Shotgun is part of the world from the Magicsmith series by L. R. Braden.  This book does refer to events in the previous books, and has characters returning readers will recognize, but new readers could pick up the story line here fairly easily. 

Possessed by a demon since she was eleven years old, Mira Fuentes maintains a fragile alliance with the snarky soul who shares her body. Together they hunt down unstable Rifters— demon-controlled humans bent on causing chaos in the mortal realm. But when a routine hunt leads to a powerful Rifter with plans for Baltimore, Mira quickly finds herself in over her head and at the top of the city's Most Wanted. Recently retired from the PTF after losing his partner, Ty Williams now works for the Baltimore PD and keeps his distance from cases involving magic. But when a person dies of clearly magical causes and the PTF doesn't have any agents to spare, Ty is the closest thing the department has to an expert. Saddled with a new partner he doesn't want and a mountain of self-doubt, it's his job to track down a suspect who looks suspiciously like the one-night-stand he brought home from the bar last night. Mira will have to set her trust issues aside and enlist the help of a man determined to uncover her secrets if she hopes to learn the identity of the demon's host and prevent the human race from becoming meat puppets for the denizens of the Rift.

Demon Riding Shotgun is a book that takes the Magicsmith universe and runs with great characters and a fresh angle. I enjoyed getting to see more of Mira, since she had peaked my curiosity in the previous books. I thought Mira, Ty, and the secondary characters were all dynamic and well crafted. The individual trauma and hang ups will be continuous factors and how they have been handled thus far has been fantastic, and I am eager to see how they shape the future of the characters and adventures to come.  I will admit that I saw a twist or two coming pretty far off, but I enjoyed the ride. I thought the balance of explaining the world to newcomers and refreshing details to returning readers was very well done, and I never really felt like there were information dumps to slog through, which can sometimes happen in fantasy. I like the direction this story arc is going and I can see great potential for  action, mystery, romance, and some serious character development as the series continues. I am intrigued by Mira and want to see so much more of here interacting with Ty- and how he copes with everything. 

Demon Riding Shotgun is a great start to a new story arc and I am excited to see where it takes me.