Review: Born to Die

Born to Die (Blood Red Bells Saga, book 1)by J.W. Ellis

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Edition Reviewed: Kindle
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Born to Die (1)

A Secret Prophecy Lies Dormant in her Blood...

Lyric Mason is close to losing her sanity, after a decade of domination and torture, at the hands of her sire. Flashbacks to the moments that lead up to her breaking point push her to make one last attempt at freedom or die trying. When instead freedom comes from an unknown ally and promises to unite Lyric with her beloved, she takes it.

Her Past, Determines Their Future...

Free from imprisonment, a race to freedom begins with dangers lurking in the shadows. An accumulation of charismatic companions, fight to protect her and her the path. A slow manifestation of uncontrollable and deadly abilities threaten to destroy her happiness. Discovering who she really is, may be the only way to protect everyone. For her true heritage has set an apocalyptic prophecy into motion, that could change their world forever.

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Review:

This is a debut novel and while I'm impressed, and it's a friend's book. I'm sticking to my guns. Because I'm mean like that.

Born to Die is a very character driven world. It immediately hooked me as Lyric began to muse upon her life in the first chapter. It sets up the novel well and established that this was going to be a dark and haunting read. Shit happens to Lyric, it's unpleasant and horrible. Gosh I loved it. The villain(s) is pretty dastardly and there's this huge mystery as to why he's fixated on Lyric.

The connections the characters have to each other are dysfunctional and creepy as all get out. No—dysfunctional doesn't even come close. I don't know!!! It's scary to see them interact and while they're interacting, at any moment one of them could go even more psycho and simply maim another character. Let alone kill.

The romance is very interesting and there's just enough mystery behind it. Not a terrible love triangle. Though the “dream guy” took me a while to swallow. Ellis works her character skills and eventually wins me over. Besides it was cool in the end. The vampires and the mystery of what other supernatural creatures are out there kept me driven to finish this book.

Driven to keep going despite the fact that I had numerous questions about the world. This is slightly futuristic, but at no time did I feel like it was really futuristic. So why the time line speed up? The characters and they're interactions were well done; I had a very clear image of them. The scenes and the world in which the story takes place was barren. A couch was mentioned here, a creepy basement talked about but not fully described to set the scene.

Basic things in the world were left out. Like the house that Lyric was staying in. Was it the vampire's house? Did they simply break in, why didn't people notice? Especially with the screams and psychotic noises coming from the house? Things are kind of hinted/assumed at, but I never felt like a scene was fully developed. Not to mention the important ones pertaining to the mythology and setup of the world.

I've said it before, well done characters can save an average world or average plot. However, it's hard to do if the world isn't fully explored, or a single scene setup. Make the time period you've picked for your book feel relevant; you're story is taking place in it. If a character is being tortured I want the full picture of the room. Sorry, but if I'm wondering what the room looks like I'm not truly enjoying the story.

The writing is pretty well crafted. At times beautiful creating haunting and chilling scenes. Sweet and moving scenes, and heightened emotions. However. A few times there were too many characters being referred to by “her/hers/she” and “him/his/he” that it was confusing. Especially at the start of the book. As if Ellis had forgotten she was talking about multiple characters and that it might be a good idea to distinguish them by name.

My final critiques on the writing is that at times it was repetitive. Saying the same thing over and over again just with different words. Sometimes I felt like the coma bombs were too much. Just make it two separate—or three—sentences. Again that was more at the beginning of the book. The final (and last one I promise) is that every now and then a description felt totally out of place for the style of writing. Imagine this haunting passage that left you numb, and then this hit: “it was sadder then road kill”. Or something like that. (Sorry my highlighting feature wasn't working so I can't remember the exact quote. It wasn't as bad as that example.) I think it was added to add flavor to Lyric and make her seem more like a simple country girl. It didn't work because it was so out of place!

A lot of readers might not mind those type of things. I know when I've read other books and they lacked on some front it seemed like I was the only one who found issue. Because this novel is chilling and haunting. This is a dark horror mashup that fantasy readers of vampires will like. Ellis isn't afraid to go there. Rape, slaughtering children, mental and physical abuse, and loss are the tip of it. Not to mention that no matter how dark things get, there's hope. This is a promising attempt and if Ellis does it right she'll be a formidable author.

Sexual Content: It's there. Nothing really slapped me in the face. However, there's rape and mental rape. Very dark themes and some minor sexual humor.

 
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Born to Die (1) Breath of Life (2) Dark Paradise (3) Untitled (4) Untitled (5) Untitled (6) Untitled (7)	Born to Die (1) Breath of Life (2) Dark Paradise (3) Untitled (4) Untitled (5) Untitled (6) Untitled (7)	Born to Die (1) Breath of Life (2) Dark Paradise (3) Untitled (4) Untitled (5) Untitled (6) Untitled (7)

Review: First Grave on the Right

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, book 1) by Darynda Jones

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Hardcover
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: First Grave on the Right (1)

This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual.
Or a diagram of some kind.
A flow chart would have been nice.

Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can't she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?

With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor, First Grave on the Right is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order.

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Review:

“I gotta tell you, Davidson, I'm impressed,” he said, his eyes glued to the screen. “That took balls.”

“Please,” I said with a snort, “That took ovaries. Of which I have two.”

Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance books that are “supposed to be funny” never sit well with me. We don't mesh and I rarely end up laughing. There's very few authors who can pull it off and hit the mark. Molly Harper's Jane Jameson hit the mark, and remained one of my favorite series to make me laugh. Notice the “remained”. Because Second Grave on the Right just blew that out of the water! In fact, I'd put Jones first entry to this series on pare with Nicole Peeler's Jane True books. Yeah, it was that good for me. (Whoa, seems to be a theme with Janes.)

Charley Davidson is my new BBFF (Best Book Friend Forever!). She's genuinely clever, and when she's snarky isn't rude—unless you've ticked her off. She's a well rounded lead and she's been a Grim Reaper for while. So when readers come in she knows what she's doing and we don't have to go through denial and tons of other stupid things. Even though we're coming in late to the game Jones does a wonderful job on blending the current story with what Charley has gone through in the past. That way readers don't miss a beat and can feel completely connected to Charley. It's also charming that despite how strong she is, her flaws are real. Meaning she is very relatable . The life she's led makes me believe what she's thinking and feeling. Even if I don't agree with her on being a failure—mommy issues!

Then there's Reyes. He's the magnetic, enigma haunting Charley's sexed up dreams. (And now currently haunting mine.) I just adore that Charley has a bit of past with him that gives their relationship a foundation. Even better is that the mysterious part is given answers. It bothers me how many series simply let the mysterious man candy go on being that way. Reyes past is given a story. Charley learns about him! Actual answers! Even more answers then I had hoped for. You know what that did? It made Reyes super sexy and an actual person. Thank you Jones. Thank you.

What I enjoy most is that the story starts out simple. Charley is a Grim Reaper. Ghosts are attracted to her and they come to her to move onto the next life. Or tie up lose ends. She's a PI who consults with the police and I love seeing her use that gift. Then as readers get more information about Charley and how her Grim Reaper skills work it naturally ties in to some of the bigger leaps. The simple world that Charley lives in gets even more paranormal. At the end the revelations don't just come out of no where. There's a foundation for them and I was really happy by the end. (I'm being vague so that other readers can enjoy it.)

By page 33 I knew this book was going to be a favorite. Not just a favorite book, but series. It shames me that I took so long to read it. (Though part of it being it was the last book I ever purchased at Borders. Thus making it the last book I have bought in an actual bookstore. The heartbreak.) Part of it was due to heartache, and the other to fear of another “humorous” paranormal read being less than humorous. Jones balances out mystery, the paranormal, sexy fun times, and humor splendidly. If you haven't read this series for shame! I feel that shame and I plan to remedy it fast! This is an excellent addiction—err, addition—to any Urban Fantasy readers' collection.

Sexual Content: Nothing explicit or overly detailed, but there are sex scenes. Some minor dark sexual themes—nothing scary. Plenty of sexual humor!!

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
First Grave on the Right (1) For I Have Sinned (1.5) Second Grave on the Left (2) Third Grave Dead Ahead (3) Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (4) Fifth Grave Past the Light (5) Shimmer (5.5) Glow (5.6) Sixth Grave on the Edge (6) Seventh Grave and No Body (7) Eighth Grave After Dark (8) Brighter Than the Sun (8.5) The Dirt on Ninth Grave (9) The Curse of Tenth Grave (10) Untitled (11)	First Grave on the Right (1) For I Have Sinned (1.5) Second Grave on the Left (2) Third Grave Dead Ahead (3) Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (4) Fifth Grave Past the Light (5) Shimmer (5.5) Glow (5.6) Sixth Grave on the Edge (6) Seventh Grave and No Body (7) Eighth Grave After Dark (8) Brighter Than the Sun (8.5) The Dirt on Ninth Grave (9) The Curse of Tenth Grave (10) Untitled (11)	First Grave on the Right (1) For I Have Sinned (1.5) Second Grave on the Left (2) Third Grave Dead Ahead (3) Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (4) Fifth Grave Past the Light (5) Shimmer (5.5) Glow (5.6) Sixth Grave on the Edge (6) Seventh Grave and No Body (7) Eighth Grave After Dark (8) Brighter Than the Sun (8.5) The Dirt on Ninth Grave (9) The Curse of Tenth Grave (10) Untitled (11)

Wednesday Wishes

Well I just got caught up as far as I could on The Shannara Chronicles, to episode 3. I'm going to be honest it's been well over a decade since I read my last Shannara book. But since it was one of the first High Fantasy series that I ever got into I do remember things fairly well. The changes are interesting and I like it better than I thought.

If you're curious MTV actually has it online to watch. So heads up!

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Bride of Death by T.A. Pratt

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Marla Manson, book 7

Marla Mason has been a mercenary, chief sorcerer and protector of an entire city, and an occult detective, and now she's a goddess of Death... but only part-time. She gets to spend six months a year living as a mortal woman on Earth, and she's decided to devote those months to hunting monsters for fun and personal redemption. Armed with axe and dagger, with the living severed head of her worst enemy in a birdcage for a traveling companion, she sets off by motorcycle into the American Southwest on a journey of self-discovery and other-destruction.

 

Lady of Misrule by T.A. Pratt

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Series: Marla Manson, book 8

Marla awakens for her month on Earth and finds her allies missing, and an old enemy causing trouble in her home city of Felport, where Marla once ruled as chief sorcerer.

Meanwhile, a rather charming gentlemen who happens to be a monstrous exile from beyond our multiverse has decided that murdering gods might be a fun pastime, and he figures he'll start with Marla.

With the help of her former apprentice Bradley Bowman, Marla has to rescue her friends, crush her enemies, and eliminate the aforementioned existential threat–before her month runs out and she returns to the underworld.

Book 6 was self pub and I had thought this series had ended. But somehow I missed books 7 and 8 coming out. Glad to see the series continuing with such amazing covers. I definitely want.

Review: Chase the Dark

Chase the Dark  (Steel & Stone, book 1)by Annette Marie

Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Chase the Dark (1)

Piper Griffiths wants one thing in life: To become a Consul, a keeper of the peace between humans and daemons. There are precisely three obstacles in her way.

The first is Lyre. Incubus. Hotter than hell and with a wicked streak to match. His greatest mission in life is to get Piper into bed and otherwise annoy the crap out of her. The second is Ash. Draconian. Powerful. Dangerous. He knows too much and reveals nothing. Also, disturbingly attractive — and scary. Did she mention scary?

The third is the Sahar Stone. Top secret magical weapon of mass destruction. Previously hidden in her Consulate until thieves broke in, went on a murder spree, and disappeared with the weapon.

And they left Piper to take the fall for their crimes.

Now she’s on the run, her dreams of becoming a Consul shattered and every daemon in the city gunning to kill her. She’s dead on her own, but there’s no one she can trust — no one except two entirely untrustworthy daemons... See problems one and two.

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Review:

Wow. Just wow. You know that magical hungry feeling you get when you're reading a great book that's hitting all the right spots? Chase the Dark was that book. I hadn't read a decent Urban Fantasy in Young Adult for a really long while. Almost a full year. During that full year YA leading ladies haven't been this good either. The words I've been using to describe them has been “whiny and characterless”.

Piper is amazing and a far cry from either of those two words. She's so well developed, not to mention flawed and realistic. She might be training to become a Consul, but she has along way to go. Piper knows it and she's aware of her strengths. It's also enjoyable having a non-magical lead who needs that magic to interact in the world. (Though I have a feeling it won't stay that way.) She has some hot headed moments where her emotions take over, but I couldn't blame her. In fact, there was only one moment when I wanted to smack her upside the head, but I understood where she was coming from.

Lyre and Ash are both amazing reads. They both start out as stereotypes at first glance. Lyre the pervy over flirty incubus. It starts off a little much with the sexual innuendos, but once the flow of the writing settles in it's pretty fun. Ash was setup to be the bad ass jerk character. But he's not. He's complicated and super caring. He's still bad ass, but he's an actual person—err, draconians. (Yeah, dragons. ^_^)

There's no insta-love and while there's a clear setup for a love triangle Chase the Dark simply flirts with the idea. Lyre and Ash are such amazing characters that I know this is going to be one of those series that I adore the build up of said love triangle. It's going to tear me apart emotionally at some point! Yeah! (And maybe give me a bromance between Lyre and Ash! Or something more . . . ?)

Another thing I've missed from Young Adult Urban Fantasy titles is unique worlds. Well this one is very unique. Apparently humans used bombs, biological warfare and weapons of mass destruction for three years to kill each other. Until daemons decided it was worth sacrificing the secret of their existence to kill military types to end the war. Even wiping out the weapons. Most major cities where wiped out and daemons become part of society. Consuls and Consulates came to be to house demons, mediate, witnesses, be judge, jury, and executioner. Consuls are haeman—human and daemon beings—who act as a buffer between daemons and humans.

See cool world!

Chase the Dark is well written and for a self pub the grammar errors were down to a minimum. Just some jumbled wording here and there. Nothing noticeable. Though there was this awkward moment when a room was described to be the size of a swimming pool. Swimming pools come in a lot of sizes . There were one or to other weirdly non-describing comments like that. But again nothing too noticeable. In fact, most readers aren't going to notice. It's me being nit picking.

The writing had wit and just the write snark. Clever pacing kept the adrenaline going. Each character had a unique voice and Annette Marie does a wonderful job making them stand out. Some of the side characters such as Piper's Uncle, father, and mother don't get enough page time to become developed. Basically they are the obligated stereotypes and do exactly what you expect them to do. That's OK. Because I enjoyed other aspects especially meeting and interacting with other daemons. It tickles me seeing the Underworld—hell—and Upperworld—heaven—daemons and knowing that there's not much difference between the two except what realm they're from. There aren't any angels to be found here.

Hopefully the long winded-ness of my review helps to convey how much I truly enjoyed this book. Unfortunately this is one of those times where I just can't seem to convey with words how awesome this book was. If you've been missing well written and realized Young Adult Urban Fantasy this is your book. Piper is a strong lead in not only fighting capabilities, but strong in the character development department. The male leads are great and interact well with Piper. No awkward insta-love and it's only the buildup for the foundation of a love triangle—and I have some niggling theory burning in the back of my head. In the end the rush and overall plot are the main focus. The main characters are well realized and I genuinely want to know what happens next. Thank goodness I already own the next 3 books!

Sexual Content: Talk about sex, humor, and some minor dark themes. There is some sexual predator moments, nothing scary. More like a warning and a reality check.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Chase the Dark (1) Bind the Soul (2) Yield the Night (3) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)	Chase the Dark (1) Bind the Soul (2) Yield the Night (3) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)	Chase the Dark (1) Bind the Soul (2) Yield the Night (3) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)

Cover Coveting (10)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

Well no Shadowhunters for today. The next episode airs next week.

However, that gives us time to enjoy a Monday full of lovely covers!

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A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses, book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: This is not as amazing as the first cover, but it's still pretty kick booty! I love that armor, it's so cool.

Big Vamp on Campus by Molly Harper

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Half-Moon  Hollow, book 5.5 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Shera’s thoughts: Well it's ugly. I'd feel worse abut it if it wasn't for a short.

Bound by Blood and Sand by Becky Allen

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Untiltled Series, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: I love the way the girl looks and that she matches the title font. It's very cool that they tried to make the smoke wisps curl around the title. But it's too much of the same wisps.

Deja Who by Maryjanice Davidson

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Insighter, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Urban Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: Wow, I really like the way the title looks. Especially that glare of light. It looks like such a cool watermark. I also love the cover model. I'm wondering why she's holding her arms like that, but I enjoy the rest of her. She's covered, wearing a T-shirt! Even

Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Maiden Lane, book 10 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Historical Romance Shera’s thoughts: Meh. I find myself liking the pretty ladies on their covers with the pretty dresses more. Though I have to admit this cover model is something to look out. Wow, that look.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: N/A  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: Love it!! I like the hints to Wonderland.

Reckoning by Veronica Wolff

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Watchers, book 5 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: This series is notorious for having bad floating head covers. Which have always reminded me of the Vampire Academy covers. But I am so happy that this series is going to continue. I'll be happy to buy this book no matter how ugly the covers. If the author ever comes across this I want her to know how happy I am! Though she probably never will. Either way THANK YOU!

Shadow Silence by Yasmine Galenorn

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Whisper Hollow, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Shera’s thoughts: Galenorn has been very blessed in the cover department. This one isn't my favorite, but it's cool. I like how warm the couple look together.

The White Spell by Lynn Kurland

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Nine Kingdoms, book 10 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Romantic Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: I love the covers for this series. This is slight different art style, but I still love it. Yeah!

Zeus' Warriors by Michael West

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Lecacy of the Gods, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: This is such an old school cover!

Review: Red Queen

Red Queen (Red Queen, book 1) by Victoria Aveyard

Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Red Queen (1)

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart ...

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Review:

Up front I will say that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I was reading The Red Queen as a buddy read, with a chapter limit, and it was so hard to make myself stop. Even though the writing was very bare, it captivated me.

However—and my buddy read partner Kat can confirm—right off the bat I had it figured out. The whole plot. That huge cliffhanger that everyone was talking about was obvious within the first 20 pages. And despite it's addictive qualities Red Queen has huge flaws.

Mainly being that every aspect of the book is borrowed. It's dipped its pen in every genre and plot tropes/lines to create a fun, exciting read. Sadly many things are forgotten because of it. The world that these characters are in feels like high fantasy. Yet there is technology. It's never described well enough to actually explain how advanced that technology is, or what anything being used really looks like. There's TV and security systems, but is it high tech or low tech? Nothing is ever elaborated on. Leaving the readers imagination to feel in the blanks.

The characters are one dimensional and very predictable. Their interactions at times were fun, but I never truly felt for them. Which could have counteracted the low quality of the world building. Since I knew where everything was going I felt like all the characters' actions and responses were contrived. The female lead was a moron. Though she had her moments and it wasn't romance being forced down reader's throats. Well sort of.

In the end The Red Queen was so busy borrowing things that it ended up lacking any substance. If you're good at figuring out plots this will be a bitter disappointment. Even if you're not good at guessing, you'll probably figure it out. The best part about The Red Queen has to be that you'll know right away if you can read it. It will either suck you in despite yourself, or you'll escape it's grasp. Despite myself I'm looking forward to the next book. After all I had fun and it was a quick read, why not check out the next one?

Sexual Content: Humor, mild make out sessions, kissing of multiple love interests, and actually fairly clean.

 
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Red Queen (1) Glass Sword (2) Untitled (3) Untitled (4)	Red Queen (1) Glass Sword (2) Untitled (3) Untitled (4)	Red Queen (1) Glass Sword (2) Untitled (3) Untitled (4)

Wednesday Wishes

This Wednesday Wishes is dedicated to one book! One book that I never thought would actually get made or released. One that when I heard there would be a book to I had my doubts.

What one is it? Look below!

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Love in the Light by Laura Kaye

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Erotica Contemporary
Series: Hearts In Darkness,book 2

Makenna James and Caden Grayson have been inseparable since the day they were trapped in a pitch-black elevator and found acceptance and love in the arms of a stranger. Makenna hopes that night put them on the path to forever—which can’t happen until she introduces her tattooed, pierced, and scarred boyfriend to her father and three over-protective brothers.
Must fight for love in the light…

Haunted by a childhood tragedy and the loss of his family, Caden never thought he’d find the love he shares with Makenna. But the deeper he falls, the more he fears the devastation sure to come if he ever lost her, too. When meeting her family doesn’t go smoothly, Caden questions whether Makenna deserves someone better, stronger, and just more…normal. Maybe they’re too different—and he’s far too damaged—after all…

I actually just read the first book, Hearts in Darkness, last month. That's when I noticed that it had turned into a series. I was elated. Then I read one of her other eroticas, In the Service of the King, and it wasn't for me. It really wasn't for me.

It made me leery about continuing what was a really solid stand alone. Now reviews are coming in and they're pretty positive! So I'm really excited that it released already. 

So by the time this posts I will have probably already bought it.

 

Review: Fire Falling

Fire Falling (Air Awakens, book 2) by Elise Kova

Genre: Young Adult Romantic Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Fire Falling (1)

Soldier… Sorcerer… Savior… Who is Vhalla Yarl?

Vhalla Yarl marches to war as property of the Solaris Empire. The Emperor counts on her to bring victory, the Senate counts on her death, and the only thing Vhalla can count on is the fight of her life. As she grapples with the ghosts of her past, new challenges in the present threaten to shatter the remnants of her fragile sanity. Will she maintain her humanity? Or will she truly become the Empire’s monster?

Fire Falling is the second book in the Air Awakens Series.

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Somtimes I have conversations with the characters from the books I'm reading in my head. This was one of those times. I decided to share it.

A Conversation With the Character:

Shera: Hey, Vhalla.

Vhalla: grumbles

Shera: Oh, are you in one of those self-pity moods? Should I come back when you've cooled down?

Vhalla: No, you might be waiting a while.

Shera: True.

Vhalla: dramatic sigh So what did you want to talk to me about?

Shera: Well. You're bonded to Prince Aldrik.

Vhalla: Yes.

Shera: You've finally had the revelation that you've loved him since forever.

Vhalla starts tearing up: Y-y-yes!

Shera: Um. Don't start that. You just spent a few pages self-pitying your love and crying. Stop it.

Vhalla: sobs

Shera: Oh, dear this won't be ending soon. So besides this bonding, why do you love him?

Vhalla sniffles out: Because I know him.

Shera: Yeah—wait, what?

Vhalla: I just know him. Better than—

Shera: Hold it! Hold it right there. You don't even know the relationship that Aldrik has with his brother. Or parents!

Vhalla: Well, I kind of do. There's tension there, he doesn't want to discuss it. But he'll tell me when he's ready.

Shera: Riiiiiiiight. Just like he told you how people would react to Windwalkers? Or the serious danger you were in as a the only living Windwalker?

Vhalla pouts: But I trust him!

Shera: OK. You trust a man who tossed you off the top of a building because he had vague ideas that you'd survive and that you're Bond would not allow him to harm you. Sure. Winner there. Or that he'd tell you what is currently going on?

Vhalla: He's protecting me. He'll tell me when he's ready.

Shera: Yes, because all of his protection hasn't lead to you currently being property of the Empire.

Well why don't you ask other people some questions? Clearly this dark side of Aldrik that everyone is warning you about is worth looking into? You know nothing about him, he's not giving you answers. He's using you. Most of your relationship is based on meaningful touches and looks. Then he ignores you.

Girl you don't even know his real favorite color. You say black I'll cut you.

Vhalla: We don't have anything! I don't have to explain it to you! He'll tell me when he's ready, and can trust him with my life!

Shera: Oh, god. You're supposed to be smart. You're a librarian apprentice who loves knowledge and learning! You've already been played by the royals and senate!! How are you not asking questions? How can you be in love with a man you know NOTHING about except that he's a mysterious “dark” prince?

Vhalla: I don't have to explain myself to anyone!!!

Shera: OK, so he's off limits. What about your lack of making connections with your magic? Why aren't you trying to ask questions there? How are you not making connections between your magical dreams, what little you do know about your powers, and well just learning in general? You have people around you with vast amounts of knowledge!! You can't rely on how you're magically learning how to fight.

Vhalla sharply turns away and stomps away to resume sulking.

Shera: Mature, like you didn't spend most of the book doing that! God, I'm out. You're another dumb female lead. To Stupid to Live.

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Review:

It wasn't too long that I realized this should have been a DNF for me. But I was stubborn. The ending of the last book had so much promise. The world—everything—had so much promise! I kept thinking that maybe Kova was just taking a while to warm up to Vhalla and her role in the Emperor's army. That the action and real plot was just around the corner. Then at 27% I had really had enough, but my stubbornness would not quite let me give up. Things started looking up around 33 %! Then this piss of shit line smacked me up side the head:

"If it was an actual competition for Aldrik's attention, it was one Vhalla was winning.” - From Vhalla's head.

What. The. Fuck. (And you guys know I do not like to swear too hard in my reviews. But there's no bleeping this one out.) So. The ending of the first book was a big fat lie. Vhalla didn't become a stronger person. No. She became a sodding idiot! Vhalla had promise, she was smart quite a few times in the first book. This one she was so obsessed with Aldrik. And for what reason?????? She knows nothing about him. The male love interests who are these dark and mysterious men need to go. Vhalla is convinced that she knows him best! Despite not knowing what kind of relationship he has with the people around him, or who he trusts. Her life is in shambles because of Prince Aldrik's lack of information sharing. But she's OK with this.

Vhalla was a librarian assistant. She LOVES knowledge. Yet she never asks question. Never any important ones. Doesn't even think about getting information that pertains to her. Maybe she should try and make herself that warrior she was talking about. The one at the end of the book? The one that would make the senator piss their hoity-toity pants?

Oh, and the best part. This is one of those books where the lead just magically learns how to fight. Sure Kova tries to explain it away by Vhalla's Bond to Aldrik. It just pissed me off. Characters should suffer and grow. They should be HUMAN. You know learn. Not only that but she has magic that know one knows anything about, and she doesn't connect the dots. She knows wind magic isn't just the wind, it's mind. And despite glaring signs that a simpleton, let a lone a “brilliant” mind like her, should be able to pick up on. Vhalla gave me a headache with her stupidity. And with everyone telling her how smart she was.

So Vhalla is wasted because the amazing female lead we were promised from the first book turns into a overly angst and overly emotional twit. Obsesses endlessly over Prince Aldrik. Obsession does not equal love. Who magically becomes a better fighter (AKA character development cop out.) She lashes out at friends. Who do nothing but love and earn her trust over and over again. Can't bet bothered to ask questions. Basically lets everyone walk all over her.

Aldrik is wasted because he has to be “mysterious” and apparently being a bad boy means a jerk. After the emotional does-he-love-me dance where and is hot'n'cold he does man up. Conversations aren't there really there between Vhalla and Aldrik. Readers are told that Vhalla and Aldrik are having a conversation that makes them closer. Or that they're talking for hours on end. Hmmmm.

Those interesting side characters that I was excited to know more about were fed to the wolves. The gay character became a token. Thanks. Vhalla's mentor, who happens to be Aldrik's one and only friend, does get time to develop. But she's only developed for a certain plot point, so it felt wasted. This book does the exact same thing plot wise as the first book, but makes it more insufferable. Thank you again.

The cliffhanger of this book is wonderful. I loved it. It almost made up for pushing through and dealing with Vhalla. Almost. Because I'm pretty sure Kova won't stick to it. All of the information about magic—bare bones here—is pointing to this cliffhanger being false. If you're going to go there, freaking go through with it!!!! (Who knows maybe she will. I doubt it and I'll be asking GR friends who actually read the next one.) In the end Vhalla has become another insufferable female lead. At the end of the book I would have gladly bashed her brains in if Vhalla magically appeared before me. Would have saved her a lot of grief. This book did nothing to expand the world, the magic, or anything other than Vhalla's unending—unfounded—love for Aldrik. It feels like readers and authors have forgotten what truly makes a great romance. And that a romance does not need to compromise the characters and world building. Developing those aspects will not make your book boring. Quite the opposite. Oh, and the epic action and war readers are promised is barely a blip in the book, and poorly done.

*Drops book.* I'm out.

Sexual Content: Kissing and mild make out scenes. Some homosexual humor/reference, and some mild talk about sex. Some rude sexual humor from the overly creepy the Heartbreaker Prince, and some other mildly creepy things from him.

 
1/5- I couldn't finish it or wish I hadn't.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Air Awakens (1) Fire Falling (2) Earth’s End (3) Untitled (4) Untitled (5)	Air Awakens (1) Fire Falling (2) Earth’s End (3) Untitled (4) Untitled (5)	Air Awakens (1) Fire Falling (2) Earth’s End (3) Untitled (4) Untitled (5)