Cover Coveting (6)

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

OK. So Hulu is slowly letting us cheap people finally watch The Shadowhunters. Despite myself I've enjoyed the show. Simon, Mangus, and Alec are still my favorite parts. And I need to give a shout out to the writers starting to hit the humor.

Clary. Yeah. She's still not the best actress, but I will give her credit for pulling the kiss off.

Now let's look at some covers.

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Illusion by Martina Boone

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Heirs of Watson Island, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Young Adult Shera’s thoughts: What a lovely view of the bridge and couple.

Rebel by Mike Shepherd

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Vicky Peterwald, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Science Fiction Shera’s thoughts: I love the covers for this series. Though it looks like she's leaning up against the hood of a truck.

Remember Me by Wendy Higgins

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: See Me, book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Young Adult Shera’s thoughts: Ah, what a magical look. I love the roots and flowers growing from the tree.

The Blood of the Hydra by Michelle Madow

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Elementals, book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Young Adult Shera’s thoughts: I wonder if this means the next one will be a girl? It's OK. Fits the series.

The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Queen of the Tearling, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: What? The. Hell. How on earth could we go from the stunning—freaking gorgeous!—covers of the first two to this? Heck. Fail. Fail. Fail.

Time Keepers by Tara Sim

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Timekeeper, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Time Travel Young Adult Shera’s thoughts: Meh. It's an attempt.

Wednesday Wishes

You know I hate it when a hyped book, or currently in my case drama (Rooftop Prince), and it doesn't work. I'm even breaking my 4 rule episode about checking out a new show! I'm going for 7 episodes.

Hopefully these book wishes work out for me! Especially since these are all self published titles. It's funny they've all caught my attention last week.

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Chosen by K.F. Breene

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: The Warrior Chronicles, book 1

It is said that when war threatens the world, one individual will be selected by prophecy to lead the Shadow Warriors out of the Land of Mist and reclaim the freedom which has been stolen.
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Shanti has grown up under the constant threat of war. Since she helped her people defeat a raiding party by using a special power, she’s been a hunted woman. Carrying rare abilities and an uncanny fighting aptitude, Shanti is the only hope of salvation for her people. The problem is, she doesn’t believe in her own divinity, and when she flounders, she nearly fails in the duty hanging so heavy on her shoulders.

It seems like any other day when Sanders and his band of misfit boys find a foreign woman clinging to life in the wastelands. Oblivious to the weapon they now have in their possession, they are content to harbor the mysterious woman until she is well enough to continue her journey.

But when the war spreads its arms and lands on her borrowed doorstep, Shanti has no choice but to reveal her secrets, plunging her saviors into danger. If they band with her, they will face certain death. But to trade her to Xandre, the warlord desperate to add her to his war machine, would be to give up their entire way of life.

War is coming. The only choice becomes: Which side do you choose?

While not many of my Goodreads friends haven't read this the few that have love it. In fact, one of them that I trust to find good URBAN FATNASTY (not PNR) raved about this series.

So what do I have to lose? Besides the first book is free.

Elemental Arcane by Phaedra Weldon

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: The Eldritch Files, book 1

Samantha Hawthorne lives a rather curious life in New Orleans running a magic and herb shop. As an Elemental Witch in the Big Easy and owner of a wolf Familiar as well as the head of a former Faerie Queen, curious is as quiet as it gets for Sam.

Until children start turning into blood-thirsty Changelings and attack their parents.

When one of these children shows up in front of her shop, Sam and her friends are determined to find out where they’re coming from and where the exchanged children are being kept and put a stop to it. But will they succeed when they find themselves pitted against ninja ghouls, one of the oldest and darkest enemies of the mortal world, and a secret from Sam’s childhood that could unravel her magic?

It's a freebie and I enjoyed preview I had of it. Again, another freebie on Amazon.

Mercenary Magic by Ella Summer

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Dragon Born Serafina, book 1

Long ago, the Dragon Born were hailed as the most powerful mages in the world. Today, they are condemned as abominations and have been hunted to near extinction.

Sera Dering has spent her entire life hiding her forbidden magic from the supernatural council who would kill her for the crime of being born. After years of drifting, she’s finally found a new life working as a low-grade mercenary for San Francisco’s oldest monster cleanup guild. She’s safe—as long as she pretends to be human.

But a dark and mysterious power is taking control of mages’ minds, and Sera’s guild sends her in to investigate. To save her city from a magical apocalypse, she must work together with a sexy and deadly mage who represents the very council that sentenced the Dragon Born to death. And if he finds out what she is, she’ll be next…

Mercenary Magic is the first book in the Dragon Born Serafina urban fantasy series.

The Dragon Born Series The Dragon Born Serafina and Dragon Born Alexandria sister series can be read independently or together. Suggested reading order: Mercenary Magic (Dragon Born Serafina, Book 1) Magic Edge (Dragon Born Alexandria, Book 1) Magic Games (Dragon Born Serafina, Book 2) Magic Nights (Dragon Born Serafina, Book 3) Blood Magic (Dragon Born Alexandria, Book 2) ~ coming soon! And more books coming later...

Dragons! Dragons! Dragons. I really love the idea behind this book. Not to mention the series. So complex! (I've highlighted it in green above. In the synopsis.)

This will be a title I'd be going in blind as none of my GR friends have read it yet. How exciting!

Review: Wild Magic

Wild Magic (The Immortals, book 1) by Tamora Pierce

Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Wild Magic (1)

 

Thirteen-year-old DaIne has always had a knack with animals, but it's not until she's forced to leave home that she realizes it's more than a knack -- it's magic. With this wild magic, not only can Daine speak to animals, but also she can make them obey her. Daine takes a job handling horses for the Queen's Riders, where she meets the master mage Numair and becomes his student.

Under Numair's guidance, Daine explores the scope of her magic. But she begins to sense other beings too: immortals. These bloodthirsty monsters have been imprisoned in the Divine Realms for the past four hundred years, but now someone has broken the barrier. It's up to Daine and her friends to defend their world from an immortal attack.

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Review:

Hmmm. You know what? Wild magic should be up my alley. A girl who can talk with animals and isn't quite human herself. The animal speech is awesome! From hilarious, cute, to a little scary. The book moves swiftly! The cameos were awesome. It was too wonderful seeing my favorite characters again. Especially to seem them as happy couples. Oh, and their kids. So cute.

So why didn't it hit as hard as the The Song of the Lioness series?

Simple. Daine.

Alanna walked a perilous path. Between her magic and the hand of the goddess guiding her she could have become a Mary Sue so easily. Or at the very least an unrealistic and uninteresting character. It could have gone south fast. Pierce guided the story to make Alanna real. She had to work hard to achieve her dreams. To have a personality that was strong, but able to show doubts and weakness. I could understand her. Relate.

Daine was too unbelievable and not relatable. I could not find a connection. It didn't help that Daine has this magical gift that no one else has, some type of higher power is guiding her (not the Goddess), she's super amazing with the bow, and basically really special. Unlike Alanna I never felt like Daine was real. Daine had a horrific experience with humans fearing her, and it's scary. But she is still human and the people who wanted to be her friends gave her unconditional trust. Yet she doesn't care enough about them.  Basically she was willing to let everyone die and didn't really worry about those who called her friend. She used her magic to do the very thing she said she wouldn't: control animals so they would do what she wanted.

I understand where she was coming from. But I also understood the bigger picture and numerous times I thought her actions were pretty stupid. From what I can understand she was raised human and thought human. So why couldn't she see both the repercussions of how things would affect humans and the animals?

Daine was a sticky point. Because I loved seeing the old characters and the new ones that were actually developed were great. Daine doesn't really have any friends outside of animals, it made it hard to like her. (Oh, plenty people said they were her friend and treated her wonderfully. But Daine shuts everyone out.) Not to mention that every action she did was either “amazing” or extremely stupid. She wouldn't, or didn't, take learning seriously leading to her putting herself at risk many times. (Actually almost killing herself more than once.)

I hope the next book will have her dealing with her distrust of humans, or at least developing her into a human. She needs to be made real. Things just magically happening to Daine. It worked for Alanna because other aspects were in play. They just happen to Daine and it's over the top Mary Sue stuff.

There are so many great aspects to Wild Magic. Especially that ending. Even if it's one of those things that just "happens" to Daine to make her more of a legendary character. It's still the wonderful world of Tortall. I loved seeing my favorite characters and how the kingdom has changed. There's very interesting characters and I would love to get to know them more. Not to mention I'd like Daine to make some real connections, or the very least to have her friendships be a real. Not just a bunch of required side characters.

Besides my gripes this one is definitely another great one for kids. I have no doubts that little girls will connect with Daine.

Sexual Content: Some mild humor, but really-really-really clean. Way cleaner than the first Alanna.

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Wild Magic (1) Wolf-Speaker (2) Emperor Mage (3) The Realms of the Gods (4)	Wild Magic (1) Wolf-Speaker (2) Emperor Mage (3) The Realms of the Gods (4)	Wild Magic (1) Wolf-Speaker (2) Emperor Mage (3) The Realms of the Gods (4)

Cover Coveting (7)

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

Well just when I thought I wasn't going to find any covers! Yeah!

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Aerie by Maria Dahvana Headley

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Magonia, book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Young Adult Shera’s thoughts: Interesting. I feel like I should dislike this dissipating floating anchor. Somehow it works. Doesn't have the same gorgeous quality of the previous cover, but it still looks lovely.

Black Jade by Kylie Chan

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Celestial Battle, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: Fits the series really well.

Black Moon by Romina Russell

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Zodiac, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi Shera’s thoughts: What a lovely astrology cover. My only issue is that the color of the type makes it hard to read. Especially for the series name.

Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Falling Kingdoms, book 5 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Epic Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: OK, so I've been talking about how tired I am of the cape and hood look on fantasy covers. But the Falling Kingdoms gets it done right.

Empire of Dust by Eleanor Herman

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Blood of Gods and Royals, book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: I like the idea of this cover, but the look is a little off.

Feversong by Karen Marie Moning

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Fever, book 9 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Shera’s thoughts: I love all of the flames and FIRE! Especially the forest in the background.

Hound's Bite by E.J. Stevens

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Ivy Granger, book 5 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Urban Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: I think this is a better cover than the previous ones.

Review: Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy, book 1) by Kiersten White

Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Paranormacly (1)

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.

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Review:

“You're under arrest under statue three point seven of the International Paranormal Containment Agreement, Vampire Protocol. You are required to report to the nearest processing facility in Bucharest. If you fail to report within the next twelve hours, you will be . . . terminated. If you attack any humans, you will be terminated. If you attempt to remove the tracking device, you will be terminated. We look forward to working with you.”

There are to things I love the most about Paranormalcy. First is the witty humor and banter the characters have. Secondly, this Young Adult title does not occur in school. I know that these paranormal YA books take place at the age when the characters are in school. But that usually means silly angst  school stuff. Angst stuff that's basically annoying tropes at this point that I'd prefer authors would forget about and come up with new ideas.

Most importantly Paranormalcy does not have love triangles. The male lead actually has a personality and White fully fleshes him out. He's not some broody male with a ton of secrets! Thank goodness. Because I love Lend, he is a real dreamboat. He's caring, polite, smart, and basically not another male jerk. He fit Evie well and I loved them as a budding couple.

Speaking of Evie, I adore her. Despite being orphaned and abandoned she wasn't some brooding, depressing creature. She's fun and perky! Besides she wears hot pink boots and zebra print dresses, that's my kind of style! How could I not love her. She sees the bright side of things. When she might be wrong she goes out and seeks information. She can change her mind and opinion. The friendships she has are important to her.

Paranormalcy isn't just a light fun read, beloved characters die and it deals with a fae stalker of scary proportions. The mystery of what Evie is was fun, and I'm very curious to find out what it will mean for future books. Overall I feel bad that I waited this long to finally read this series! It was excellent and I think if you liked Lish McBride's Necromancer books you'll enjoy this one. Humor!

Sexual Content: Some make out scenes and sexual humor. Pretty clean.

 

4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Paranormalcy (1) Supernaturally (2) Endlessly (3)	Paranormalcy (1) Supernaturally (2) Endlessly (3)	Paranormalcy (1) Supernaturally (2) Endlessly (3)

Review: Bind the Soul

Bind the Soul (Steel & Stone, book 2) by Annette Marie

Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Bind the Soul (2)

The most important rule for an Apprentice Consul is simple: Don't get involved with daemons. Well, Piper is planning to break that rule — big time.

After a near-deadly scandal with the Sahar Stone, she has the chance to return to the only life she's ever wanted. All she has to do to keep her Apprenticeship is forget about Ash and Lyre. Ash might be enigmatic and notoriously lethal, and Lyre might be as sinfully irresistible as he is irritating, but they’re not bad for a couple of daemons.

There's just one problem: Ash is missing.

Really, she shouldn't risk her future for him. He lied. He betrayed her. But he also saved her life, damn it. Wherever he is, he's in trouble, and if she doesn't save his sorry butt, who will? But with every dangerous secret she unravels, each one darker than the last, she slips deeper into Ash's world — a world with no escape for either of them.

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Review:

Holy bookworm! I can't believe this series came on my radar last December. For shame! This is why I FREAKING love Urban Fantasy. This is what I've missed from Young Adult Urban Fantasy (Paranormal). Bind the Soul may have started out a little weak, it really took off. Piper may even makes some annoying choices and moves, but I like that she learns from these mistakes. Bind the Soul shook me out of my reading block!!

Some more details are given about the current world of Steel & Stone and I enjoyed it. Sadly this book doesn't really get to explore that world. Like the first book I do want more of the world. Instead of consulates, clubs, hospitals, apartments, and fight rings. (Which were all super entertaining!) The earth of this series really intrigues me. However, it was all made better. Because we get to go to the Underworld!

Oh, and Annette Marie doesn't waste any time. Plot lines that I thought would be dragged out for multiple books were seriously developed! Questions as to what Ashe's reason for being a slave to Samael isn't just answered. Nothing is left in the dark! (I won't say what it is if you didn't guess it from the last book.) The history behind the Sahar Stone is A-mazing. I love magical artifacts, especially if they might be sentient. Because how an inanimate object becomes sentient is usually deliciously, disturbingly gruesome! Either because someone wants it so bad . . . or are betrayed.

Bind the Soul is amazing. Piper is amazing. I love books that don't beat around the bush, but chop that thorny thing down! The romance, plot, action, and everything is just—bookworms of gloriousness. This is what I want. Nay. What I NEED from my paranormal YA!!! Bless you Annette Marie. Bless you. Now for the impossible, to keep myself from jumping on the next book so I stay in pace with my buddy read.

Sexual Content: Some minor dark themes, nothing gets over the top. Some make out scenes, but I'm not telling with whom.

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

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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)

Wednesday Wishes

Do you ever have those moments when you realize you're a total nerd? Books, anime, manga, comics, dramas, and on and on.

After I finish post dating this and a few other posts I'm going to junk out on anime and then proceed to my current read.

It feels good to be a nerd.

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Winning by Lara Deloza

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Series: N/A

House of Cards meets Election in this wickedly entertaining story about an uber-ambitious high school junior.

Whoever said being nice would get you to the top?

Certainly not Alexandra Miles. She isn’t nice, but she’s more than skilled at playing the part. She floats through the halls of Spencer High, effortlessly orchestrating the actions of everyone around her, making people bend to her whim without even noticing they’re doing it. She is the queen of Spencer High—and it’s time to make it official.

Alexandra has a goal, you see—Homecoming Queen. Her ambitions are far grander than her small town will allow, but homecoming is just the first step to achieving total domination. So when peppy, popular Erin Hewett moves to town and seems to have a real shot at the crown, Alexandra has to take action.

With the help of her trusted friend Sam, she devises her most devious plot yet. She’ll introduce an unexpected third competitor in the mix, one whose meteoric rise—and devastating fall—will destroy Erin’s chances once and for all. Alexandra can run a scheme like this in her sleep. What could possibly go wrong?

Khanh (the Grinch) gave this 5 stars. If you're not familiar with her, she does not give out fives that often. After reading her review I want it so bad!!

Unfortunately it doesn't come out until June 28th, 2016!!! Lucky Khanh. Mean Khanh.

Author Gossip: Arcana Chronicles News & New Cover!

I didn't see a do not share on Kresley Cole's Newsletter, but I still waited just in case. Here's the latest new on her Arcana series (YIPEE!) and an actual release schedule!

Though I'm not going to believe any of the dates/rough time table is it. You know, release dates change. All the time.

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Straight from Cole's newsletter:

I've always wanted to explore the apocalypse from different characters' points of views and reveal how they entered the game.

In DAY ZERO, we'll meet new Arcana who'll be very influential in the upcoming books, and we'll see how some of the players we already love/hate survived the Flash. I can't wait for you guys to read about Aric, Lark, Gabriel, Spite, Richter, and more!

TV Series: Fingers crossed we'll have some great news soon! 

I'll leave you guys with a sneak peek at the DAY ZERO draft cover. Love!

As promised the release shedule:

MY TENATIVE RELEASE SCHEDULE - (GASP!!)

THE PLAYER - The Game Maker Series, April 12

DAY ZERO - An Arcana Chronicles Novella, Summer

BLOOD RED KISS - Anthology with Gena Showalter and Larissa Ione, Sept 20

ARCANA CHRONICLES BOOK 4 - Fall 2016 (Title TBA)

SHADOW'S SEDUCTION - A Dacians/Immortals After Dark Novella, Feb 2017 

IAD #17 - March 2017 (Title TBA)

OK, so that's a new cover. For a new Arcana book. Goodreads has it marked as 3.5 in the series. Than book 4. Well there's no page count. I have a feeling this will not be a short. Nope. In fact, I feel like this is a Kate Daniel's Gunmetal Magic or The Lunar Chronicles' Fairest.

That leads my to wonder if she will go back to the main story? That's what I'm afraid of. I am excited about the prospect of getting to know other Arcana cards. HOWEVER. I do not want to have the main story left behind and all these other stories with open stories.

I love the Immortals After Dark series, but she teases. There are so many open stories and . . . that's one of the reasons I love the Arcana books. It brought all the best of Cole's writing and then made her have to stick with the leads and flesh out a story for a long while.

Also, if it is a full book that's cruel to leave us on that cliffhanger. Really cruel. Though if she sticks to the tentative schedule it won't be so bad.