Wednesday Wishes

So apparently this is Young Adult Science Fiction themed!

---

Railhead by Philip Reeve

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Series: N/A

Come with me, Zen Starling, she had said. The girl in the red coat. But how did she know his name?
The Great Network is a place of drones and androids, maintenance spiders and Station Angels. The place of the thousand gates, where sentient trains criss-cross the galaxy in a heartbeat.
Zen Starling is a petty thief, a street urchin from Thunder City.
So when mysterious stranger Raven sends Zen and his new friend Nova on a mission to infiltrate the Emperor's train, he jumps at the chance to traverse the Great Network, to cross the galaxy in a heartbeat, to meet interesting people - and to steal their stuff.
But the Great Network is a dangerous place, and Zen has no idea where his journey will take him.

Trains and galaxy. Take my money please.

False Hearts by Laura Lam

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Series: False Hearts, book 1

Orphan Black meets Inception: Two formerly conjoined sisters are ensnared in a murderous plot involving psychoactive drugs, shared dreaming, organized crime, and a sinister cult.

Raised in the closed cult of Mana’s Hearth and denied access to modern technology, conjoined sisters Taema and Tila dream of a life beyond the walls of the compound. When the heart they share begins to fail, the twins escape to San Francisco, where they are surgically separated and given new artificial hearts. From then on they pursue lives beyond anything they could have previously imagined.

Ten years later, Tila returns one night to the twins’ home in the city, terrified and covered in blood, just before the police arrive and arrest her for murder—the first homicide by a civilian in decades. Tila is suspected of involvement with the Ratel, a powerful crime syndicate that deals in the flow of Zeal, a drug that allows violent minds to enact their darkest desires in a terrifying dreamscape. Taema is given a proposition: go undercover as her sister and perhaps save her twin’s life. But during her investigation Taema discovers disturbing links between the twins’ past and their present. Once unable to keep anything from each other, the sisters now discover the true cost of secrets.

Crap. I fell for those stupid blank meets blank crap lines. But Orphan Black and Inception are pretty awesome.

Review: Kate's Crew

Kate's Crew (Powertools, book 1) by Jayne Rylon

Genre: Ménage Erotica
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Kate's Crew (1)

Nothing's sexier than a man, or five, with power tools.
Sultry summer heat has nothing on the five-man crew renovating the house next door. No one could blame Kate for leaning out the window for a better view of the manscape. The nasty fall that follows isn't part of her fantasy--but the man who saves her from splattering the sidewalk is definitely the star.

When Mike personally attends to her injuries, she realizes her white knight in a hard hat has a tender side, giving her no choice but to surrender to the lust that's been arcing between them since day one. In the aftermath of the best sex of her life, she whispers her most secret desire: to be ravaged by his crew.

She never expected Mike would dare her to take what she wants--or that the freedom to make her most decadent desires come true could be the foundation for something lasting...

---

Review:

Last year I decided to start visiting some of the stories that inducted me into the erotica genres. The ones that made me change my mind about the genre, or the ones that were my first. Kate's Crew was my first M/M, and well M/M/M/F/M/M. Well basically orgy read! Up until that point I had read some threesome books. A Goodreads friend informed me that I was a ménage amour reader and I should check out the Powertools series.

Boy was that an introduction. Because Kate's Crew has so much hot stuff going on. My mind kept blowing up! As maybe one of my 3^rd or 4^th eroticas at the time I was scandalized. And hooked.

Years later visiting Kate's Crew it still does have some of the hottest (AKA raunchy) erotica ménage scenes I've read. However, it's very character light. It doesn't paint what the characters look like, though you can get a slight general feel for their personalities. Heck, even by the end of the book I wasn't sure what the leads name was. One of the guys has a scary big dick, and they're all really muscular men. I think some hair color was tossed around.

Overall it's underwhelming. But I remember being so attached to the characters, and I think it's because the later books finally develop them. Which I will be very curious to find out as I continue my reread. There's some grammar errors, some odd wording, and I will admit one or two sexual descriptions that made me cringe. However, it's still one of the hottest ménages I have ever read.

Sexual Content: Warning! Warning! Totally graphic. Men on men action and 5 men one woman action.

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

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Kate's Crew (1) Morgan's Surprise (2) Kayla's Gift (3) Devon's Pair (4) Mailed to the Wall (5) Hammer it Home (6)	Kate's Crew (1) Morgan's Surprise (2) Kayla's Gift (3) Devon's Pair (4) Nailed to the Wall (5) Hammer it Home (6)	Kate's Crew (1) Morgan's Surprise (2) Kayla's Gift (3) Devon's Pair (4) Nailed to the Wall (5) Hammer it Home (6)

Cover Coveting (12)

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

Ah, the one thing that could pull me back to Book Whispers after my all consuming Drama binge viewing and being sick. (No really I lost 10 pounds. I honestly can't afford to lose that weight, I feel it.) 

Covers. Yummy book covers. Oh, how I've missed you.

---

Bad Blood by Demitria Lunetta

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: N/A  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Young Adult Shera’s thoughts: Very dramatic cover! Though the buildings, sky, and girl all feel like separate items.

Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: N/A  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Alternate History Shera’s thoughts: I see what they were going for. I love the roses losing their color and then turning to ash. Very cool.

Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Others, book 5 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Urban Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: They may not be the best covers every, but I enjoy the consistency of the feel and look of them.

Fall of Thrones and Thorns by Jennifer Ellision

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Threats of Sky and Sea, book 3  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: There's always something overly done about these covers. They're pretty, sure. I think book 2 is still my favorite though.

Once Broken Faith by Seanan McGuire

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: October Daye, book 10  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Urban Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: I love these covers. Every time I see the font and typography I know it's coming! Ah, in then the lovely art. Personally I hate that little bubble/sticker they put on to inform readers about the map and novella.

Poison's Kiss by Breeana Shields

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Untitled, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: Cool snake cover. However, the "Love is Lethal" is tacky. But a clear warning that this is not going to be an awesome assassin book. Nope romance ahead. To be quite honest I don't think the synopsis read like that when I put it on my TBR.

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Bargainer, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: I LOVE this cover! The way that clothe is wrapped around the wing is so cool. The title is a little hard to read, but pretty.

Royal Tour by Amy Alward

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Potion Diaries, book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: I really liked the cover for the first book. I admire the attempt I just don't care for this one.

Spectacle by Rachel Vincent

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Menagerie, book 2  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Young Adult Shera’s thoughts: I like that they kept the sparkles there. Interesting claw and beautiful typography.

The Dragon's Price by Bethany Wiggins

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Transference, book 2  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: I love the idea and all. I just think it could have been executed a bit cleaner. Overall, though, badass.

The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Girl From Everywhere, book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Time Travel Shera’s thoughts: I just love the covers for this series! This cover is perfection and fits so well with the first!

Torn by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Wicked, book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Shera’s thoughts: Ah, another dramatic/romantic water tryst. Fits well with the series.

Wednesday Wishes

Ah, that time of the year when only one book matters. The book that I've been lusting after is almost ready to be released.

---

Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Paranormal Romance 
Series: Psy-Changeling, book 15

The “unparalleled romantic adventure”* of Nalini Singh’s New York Times bestselling series continues as a new dawn begins for the Psy-Changeling world...

The Psy-Changeling world has undergone a staggering transformation and now stands at a crossroads. The Trinity Accord promises a new era of cooperation between disparate races and groups. It is a beacon of hope held together by many hands: Old enemies. New allies. Wary loners.

But a century of distrust and suspicion can’t be so easily forgotten and threatens to shatter Trinity from within at any moment. As rival members vie for dominance, chaos and evil gather in the shadows and a kidnapped woman’s cry for help washes up in San Francisco, while the Consortium turns its murderous gaze toward a child who is the embodiment of change, of love, of piercing hope: A child who is both Psy…and changeling.

To find the lost, protect the vulnerable—and save Trinity—no one can stand alone. This is a time of loyalty across divisions, of bonds woven into the heart and the soul, of heroes known and unknown standing back to back and holding the line. But is an allegiance of honor even possible with traitors lurking in their midst?

Yep! Especially since this one is the book that has multiple characters POV as the lead.

Ah, so magical.

Cover Coveting (8)

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

I've been on a super K-drama binge lately. (Which is probably why I have no book on my currently reading shelf. I know, I'm super shocked as well.)

This season of Korean dramas are excellent. Beautiful Gong Shin, Mirror of the Witch, and Dear My Friends are currently my favorite. Lucky Romance isn't as great, but I'm warming up to it.

---

Darkness Savage by Rachel A Marks

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Dark Cycle, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Young Adult   Shera’s thoughts: It fits the series well and I  like the magical quality of the cover. But their hands look super freaky.

Exo by Fonda Lee

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: N/A  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi Shera’s thoughts: First off I did immediately think of my beloved Exo band. I really like this

Quanta Reset by Lola Dodge

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Shadow Ravens, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Shera’s thoughts: Love this cover! It fits perfectly with the series and I love the more magical feel to this cover where the others just feel ghostly. The hair looks awesome. Though I feel like it should be on fire not blowing, but hey.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: N/A  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Dystopian/Paranormal Shera’s thoughts: Simple is best. Man this is a looker. All the right kind of contrast and I love the red hues and cream.

Take the key and Lock her Up by Ally Carter

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Embassy Row, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Espionage/Spy Shera’s thoughts: Wow! That is a dramatic dress cover. She started out with pants, went to a dress, and now the dresses are just getting bigger and bigger.

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Bone Witch, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: First off this is a stunning cover. Secondly I have issues that the leads name is Tea. *cough* Like a said this cover is stunning and I love the overlay of the design with the artwork. The placement of the skull is perfect and takes the ethereal cover to a edgier place.

The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Bone Season, book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: This cover feels a bit out of place from the first two. I don't like this one as much as the first two. Which look very beautiful, and despite the art being a bit "more" here it feels colder.

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Thousandth Floor, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction Shera’s thoughts: This is so cool! I love that the "tower" is in the sky and that the building is disintegrating from the bottom. The text is lovely.

Review: Sins & Shadows

Sins & Shadows (Shadows Inquiries, book 1) by Lyn Benedict

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Sins & Shadows (1)

Sylvie Lightner is no ordinary P.I. She specializes in cases involving the unusual, in a world where magic is real-and where death isn't the worst thing that can happen to you.

But when an employee is murdered in front of her, Sylvie has had enough. After years of confounding the dark forces of the Magicus Mundi, she's closing up shop-until a man claiming to be the God of Justice wants Sylvie to find his lost lover.

And he won't take no for an answer.

---

Review:

Upon finishing Sins & Shadows it immediately hit me that something should have come before it. You know how you start up a first book of a series and this feeling creeps in that you've missed the short story. You know the one that launches the series. Well I got that feeling with Sins & Shadows. Except that I had missed the first two or three books prior to it. But no. Sins & Shadows is the first book in the series.

Despite that I could still follow along and I never felt myself lost. Why does this feel like a first book? Well there's a whole cast that has a history and we step right in the middle of the after affects of a huge moral changing event for the lead—Sylvie. Sylvie finds herself teetering on the verge of becoming a monster herself. The line of justice, vengeance, and helping the innocent without hurting them is being tiptoed. A beloved friend had died on a horrible case, and satanic creeps are after them. Not to mention world ending events lead Sylvie to Chicago on an adventure. Usually a move reserved for the 3^rd of 4^th book of a series, or even farther along.

Because of that I think it's off putting. You can't make the connection to the side characters because it's like a bunch of hit and runs here. No really most of the side characters that Sylvie interacts with are brief notes. Thus making her actions toward them and the characters themselves hard to care for. All you can see is how Sylvie treats the people in her life so horribly. You know there's a huge past and they should be important players in future books, but they're being ignored like they've already been developed.

There is a huge plus though. I admire a book willing to kill off the type of character that was brutally killed here. However, since we're told that Sylvie and that character had a past it felt cold. Not to mention that things weren't developed and the whole story isn't fully divulged. In fact, if the story would have started when they met I would have loved it. The events of this book would have had more impact as a book 3 or 4.

Overall I liked the lead and the Greek mythology presented here. The drama of the Gods and the immortality of both men and monsters was perfect. Not to mention that it wasn't just Greek mythology, angels with Christianity, Egyptian, and more! All of it is in this melting pot. They're aren't just Greek gods! And they're all aware of each other. It's all kind of hanging in some kind of crazy balance.

Considering the history already pack into this first book I'm looking forward to what else Shadows Inquiry series will bring. The mythology and world is original and gritty, getting a 5 stars from me on that front! The big reveals about Sylvie make me really curious as to what her new role will be. Also, I'm dying to see her in her city and with her people. She burned some bridges this book. Despite everything I still say this is a solid start. The world building is on point, and Sylvie is definitely one heck of a leading lady.

Sexual Content: Sexual humor, homo sexual themes, sexual abuse, talk of child molestation, and a sex scene. It's plenty dark, but things aren't overly explicit.

 

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

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Sins & Shadows (1) Ghosts & Echoes (2) Gods & Monsters (3) Lies & Omens (4)	Sins & Shadows (1)Ghosts & Echoes (2) Gods & Monsters (3) Lies & Omens (4)	Sins & Shadows (1) Ghosts & Echoes (2) Gods & Monsters (3) Lies & Omens (4)

Wednesday Wishes

Watching Zoolander 2. Wow, they didn't miss a beat. *giggles* That perfume commercial.

This week's Wednesday Wishes I decided to go back into my Future Purchased shelf and see what books got lost in the pile.

---

Shadow Lands by Kate Brian

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Series: Shadowsland, book 1

Rory Miller had one chance to fight back and she took it. Rory survived and the serial killer who attacked her escaped. Now that the infamous Steven Nell is on the loose, Rory must enter the witness protection program. Entering the program alongside her, is her father and sister Darcy. The trio starts a new life and a new beginning leaving their friends and family behind without a goodbye.

Starting over in a new town with only each other is unimaginable for Rory and Darcy. They were inseparable as children but now they can barely stand each other. As the sisters settle in to Juniper Landing, a picturesque vacation island, it seems like their new home may be just the fresh start they need. They fall in with a group of beautiful, carefree teens and spend their days surfing, partying on the beach, and hiking into endless sunsets. Just as they’re starting to feel safe again, one of their new friends goes missing. Is it a coincidence? Or is the nightmare beginning all over again?

Wow, I totally had forgotten about this one. To be honest reading the synopsis makes it sound contemporary not paranormal. But I double checked and some people are saying it is paranormal.

Skulk by Rosie Best

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Series: Skulk, book 1

When Meg witnesses the dying moments of a shapeshifting fox and is given a beautiful and powerful stone, her life changes forever. She is plunged into the dark world of the Skulk, a group of shapeshifting foxes.

As she learns about the other groups of shapeshifters that lurk around London – the Rabble, the Horde, the Cluster and the Conspiracy – she becomes aware of a deadly threat against all the shapeshifters. They must put aside all their enmity and hostility and fight together to defeat it.

This time I know it's paranormal! Yeah! Can't believe I've forgotten about this one. It sounds and looks so good. Not to mention that it's shapeshifters and London.