Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, book 1) by J.K. Rowling

Genre: Independent Reader
(or my very first URBAN FANTASY)
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1)

  Harry Potter's life is miserable. His parents are dead and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.

Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.

Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.

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Review:

There are no words to describe how much this book means to me. No review that could ever do it justice. So I'll attempt something.

My story with Harry Potter begins in the 3^rd grade. Our little school library (and basically any library in my home town) really never got anything new. Until Harry Potter. The only reason I read was because AR Reading (AKA Accelerated Reading, er, reading) I didn't like any of the books and they had me on super low. The teachers I had before deemed that I could not read hardly at all. Barely passing reading homework, but acing my reading tests. The reality was that before the teachers had started to "teach me how to read", I already could. Between my mom reading to me, teaching programs on the computer, Sesame Street, and Between the Lions I was pretty advance long passed the silly children's books I refused to read. Though I was a slow reader. I still am compared to some of the other power readers out there, but it's something I've always loved because I feel like I commit the book to memory better.

So I wasn't that into reading after school got done with me, but when Harry Potter hit the library students went insane. There was to be a school wide drawing that would determine who got to check out the book first and then from there who would follow. When I went to put my name in the drawing bowl my teacher actually scoffed at me and told me I wouldn't be able to read it. So of course I put my name in. To my surprise I was the first person drawn out of that bowl. It was the first time I had ever won anything. It was also one of the first times I ever enjoyed a book that was “for school”. Yes it took me a month to devour it. Mainly because it didn't occur to me until halfway through that I could take my AR books home and actually enjoy them.

Upon finishing that first Harry Potter book I knew that I was truly a reader. My mom so astonished that she even bought me the other available books at the time. I was a reader! Sadly the library still had limited books I wanted to read and R.L. Stine didn't test for a lot of points. It wasn't until my 5^th Grade teacher saw me reading a huge paperback for “fun reading” that it was realized that I was a damn good reader. That's another story.

I've reread and reread this book many times. Before this latest reread I hadn't picked it up since 2007. Part of it is because I soon became a member of the “real world” and it broke my heart that I would never get my letter via owl ever. Another part is because the final book came out in 2007 and the epic journey that had shaped my youth ended.

What prompted me to pick up Harry Potter is that I find myself at a crossroads in life again. A huge struggle and I knew the one book that could help me would be it. The book was even easier to read then ever. I knew my old self would have binged it in a few hours, but with my current struggle that wasn't an option. That's okay. It allowed me to savor the amazing content of this book.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a simple setup book and an introduction to the world. Maybe nothing ground breaking happens, but the world of Harry is so unique it is that ground breaking. No one can deny Rowling's unique voice and power over words.

I've watched the movies since and I find it fun seeing which lines were jazzed up or down. Which ones were taken away from characters and given to others. I do truly wish Peeves could have been in the movie and I understand why not. Though really it's a shame because of a certain scene with Professor McGonagall many books later.

I did find myself quite surprised by how little Dumbledore actually is in this. Besides a few odd speeches and appearances he doesn't come in until the end of the book to make his very famous words that I still live by. So I can only assume my undying love for the crazy old coon comes in the later books.

It surprised me how insufferable Hermione was until the troll incident. “But from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friend. There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.”

What truly surprised me was how much this time around I loved Neville Longbottom. I'd like to say it's not because I know how he turns out. Instead that I've experienced enough of the world to appreciate the klutz in this book who in many ways is truly as brave as Ron, Hermione, and Harry. He's relatable as a kid trying to find his way in life despite his many great fears. Not to mention that even though he lives with his wizarding family he clearly has just as horrible a home life as Harry.

I can also see how Harry's bond with Fred and George begins. For such a “simple” book and intro to the world there's a lot of foreshadowing and clues that I never picked up on before. Even during my great reread in 2007 for the final book.

So that's my story and review for my great love Harry Potter. I can understand why people may feel disenchanted by this first book. (Though I still think they be fools.) It seems so straightforward and basic. (Though I have a feeling they either heard about the world or watched the movies before appreciating this first book.) My love for Harry Potter has no bounds. It also says something that I used it as my first book reintroducing me back into the world of reading again. As one of my favorite actors (who I deeply miss) states of the books:

“When I'm 80 years old and sitting in my rocking chair, I'll be reading Harry Potter. And my family will say to me, “After all this time?” And I will say, “Always.” – Alan Rickman (AKA Professor Snape)

Content Warning: Huh, I don't think this hits any buttons, my child abuse/cruelty from aunts and uncles. (Not just Harry's.)

 
5/5 - Forget obsession this book consumed me. 

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (3) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (4) Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (5) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (6) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (7)	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (3) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (4) Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (5) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (6) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (7)	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (3) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (4) Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (5) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (6) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (7)

Review: Reap the Shadows

Reap the Shadows (Steel & Stone, book 4) by Annette Marie

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

Piper is feeling a bit overwhelmed. With Seiya and Lyre missing, Ash recovering from near fatal injuries, and the Gaians picking fights with daemons all over the city, a girl can’t help but think she might be in over her head. And this time, she’s on her own.

Before she even has a chance to investigate the Gaians’ new stockpile of mysterious, high-tech weaponry, an old enemy ambushes her: Samael’s henchman Raum. He wants Ash’s help and won’t take “get lost” for an answer. She doesn’t know if she can trust Raum, but even more than that, she can’t trust herself with Ash. Sooner or later he’ll catch up to her, and she fears she won’t be able to walk away from him a second time.

Despite her feelings, it will take their combined strength to face a frightening discovery about the Gaians. She and Ash begin to realize that the daemon war is coming to Earth, and they might be the only ones who can stop it — if it’s not already too late.

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Review:

“You fear neither Ashtaroth nor your inner daemon, but you should fear both. All that remains is to wait.”

Holy cow! I loved it! But can I first grumble about how much time the characters, especially Piper spend getting kidnapped and then running away. Though to be honest it's all part of the thrills. Sure I wish that time could be spent doing other things and exploring other ideas. However, this series has always been about racing the clock. Kidnappings just up the ante and get things going even if it's an easy starting place.

“You’re a weak link that must be protected. But if you are strong enough to fight beside him, then you are no longer a liability.”

Piper has grown a lot as a character. True. But I also feel like in some ways she hasn't learned anything from prior events and now has confused some of her experiences into the wrong kind of street smarts. Many times I became frustrated with her and I had though she'd learned from the last book about how to handle situations. Piper has a thick skull which makes it hard for things to get through, but that's why I love her. She is still trying, and despite it all, she's only human. Mistakes are natural.

That was her problem: not that she was weak, but that she was willing to be weak when someone stronger was around to save her.

Other characters have grown indeed. Seiya, kind of. Though I think the growth was actually in the short story before this book. So I advice reading Feed the Flames first. I was super disappointed by how Lyre treated Piper. Piper truly thought Lyre was a friend, but he tells her off when she wants to know more about him. In fact, I think he pretty much states they're friends because of Ash. Through the series I thought Lyre was a true friend of Piper, but some of the conversations and actions tossed that all out the window.

Good news is Feed the Flames let us see into Lyre a bit more. Better news is that I don't think Lyre and Seiya will be a couple. Actually I thought maybe hints of Miysis and Seiya being something was teased. (Or was that my extreme dislike of Seiya coloring things?)

Piper's battle with using the Sahar is a freaking adrenaline rush. Let's be honest the battle is with Natania. Natania isn't some evil being though. I totally get where she is coming from and feel for her. Besides that she's been trapped in that stone for ages with the memories of the men she loves betraying her. She's cray-cray for vengeance. All that combined means she's now coo coo for male draconian daemon. Boy do I fear for Ash because Natania has focused the cray-cray and coo coo on him. It really makes me nervous. Piper isn't nervous enough.

“Just for tonight, I want to forget about it all and just be with you.”

Speaking of Ash and Piper: fans will be happy! Their romantic build up has been a true treat. Each book they've discovered more about each other and I'm totally invested in them. Thank you Annette Marie for giving me a romantic build up and sexual tension that spans more than a single book.

“Just for tonight,” he whispered, “and for as long as you want me.”

Another solid entry to one of my favorite series! I'm saddened that there is only one book left, but author Annette Marie is gonna give me at least one last wild ride! The huge plot twists with Piper's parent's seemed very off—as in predictable. Not to mention Piper's dad apparently acting out of character, which I didn't pick up on. That's all we've seen him be. Though the big ender shook me still. The final battle is coming! It's gonna be epic. Personally I'm on team destroy the Sahar and let Natania free. After all Natania deserves it and dead woman can't disturb (or hurt Ash) things.

Man the final book is gonna be a killer. Can't wait.

Content Warning: Killing and violence, noting to explicit and is the usual for the series. Sex scene that is not explicit and of course the usual sexual humor.

 
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) Feed the Flames (3.5) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)	Chase the Dark (1) Bind the Soul (2) Yield the Night (3) Feed the Flames (3.5) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)	Chase the Dark (1) Bind the Soul (2) Yield the Night (3) Feed the Flames (3.5) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)

Review: Labyrinth Lost

**Review copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.**

Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas, book 1) by Zoraida Córdova

Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Edition Reviewed: ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Labyrinth Lost (1)

Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives.

I fall to my knees. Shattered glass, melted candles and the outline of scorched feathers are all that surround me. Every single person who was in my house – my entire family — is gone.

Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can’t trust. A boy whose intentions are as dark as the strange markings on his skin.

The only way to get her family back is to travel with Nova to Los Lagos, a land in-between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland…

Beautiful Creatures meets Daughter of Smoke and Bone with an infusion of Latin American tradition in this highly original fantasy adventure.

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Review:

“I'm not the encantrix everyone thought I would be. Right now, I'm just a girl, and there is also magic in that.”

The instant the synopsis dropped I was obsessed with this book. When the cover dropped I stalked Netgalley waiting for it. Thank goodness I did and that I was approved! The writing, world and characters stole my heart from the first page. Unfortunately things didn't quite keep my reading high going.

Alex is a very interesting lead. The idea that she's afraid of her powers and the consequences of using them was spot on. As the story went it became frustrating that she wasn't just hiding from the truth of her powers, she was willfully thinking that it was all nonsense. Despite all of the proof saying otherwise. She ignored her powers until she finally used them, and be of damned the “consequences” when she was meddling with scary things. Common sense says is scary as she never studied using them to suddenly think she could pull off big magic.

Alex was frustrating. I understand wanting to deny such scary powers and things. Yet to actually try and make yourself believe it isn't real, and then to turn around and play with dangerous powers that you've ignored. Alex is supposed to be the smart girl. Even after she made the mistake she actually became this bully. It was a bit unsettling.

Thankfully after all that drama Alex goes on adventure to Los Lagos and I was again enchanted. The magic of Bruja's, not witches, and their beliefs is so fascinating. Bruja's aren't that common in paranormal titles and are usually reserved as side character roles. So I was intrigued by the rich history and the rules of the magic. The close relation to death.

“Death is the most sure but unexpected part about life. It's almost up there with love. It's bound to happen, but how and when—now that's the tricky part.”
“Tricky isn't the world I'd use.”

In essence Labyrinth Lost is a coming of age story. One in which Alex not only have to face the reality of her powers, how she feels about her family, her father leaving, and who she is. Or basically facing the reality that she's trying to be someone else and isn't happy in it. Alex essentially becomes a hero trying to fix the horrible mistake that she made. It's realistic.

Labyrinth Lost is filled with other amazing characters. Alex's mother and sisters are amazing. Not to mention the relationships she had with both her older and younger sisters. What was most refreshing is the love triangle. I have yet to see such a one in a mainstream release. I love that Alex is just as conflicted about love and that her story does not rely on her choosing or being in love. Instead her heart and feelings are something that grow along with her discovering herself. The love triangle isn't wrapped up in this book. Alex has a journey ahead with regard to both, and still has to explore the degrees and types of love one can have for another person.

Overall I wouldn't say that the plot is terribly original. It's the basic story of a young girl having to face reality and to quit having a pity party. Oh, and getting over lots of denial. It works though and I think this is a fun introduction to Brooklyn Brujas. A series I hope to see more of. Now that the tiring drama is out of the way maybe the future books will be even better! Oh, and I am so in for this love triangle.

Content Warning: Kissing, minor homosexual theme, sexual humor. This is a title that the girl is exploring love . . . I don't want to spoil anything. Nothing graphic, and I think it does a beautiful and natural job.

Dead things people. Corpses. Despite dark themes, this book is pretty "light" hearted.

 
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:
Labyrinth Lost (1) Untitled (2) Untitled (3)	Labyrinth Lost (1) Untitled (2) Untitled (3)	Labyrinth Lost (1) Untitled (2) Untitled (3)

Review: Indelible

**Review copy provided through Goodreads Giveaways for an honest review.**

Indelible (The Twixt, book 1) by Dawn Metcalf

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

Some things are permanent.

Indelible.

And they cannot be changed back.

Joy Malone learns this the night she sees a stranger with all-black eyes across a crowded room—right before the mystery boy tries to cut out her eye. Instead, the wound accidentally marks her as property of Indelible Ink, and this dangerous mistake thrusts Joy into an incomprehensible world—a world of monsters at the window, glowing girls on the doorstep, and a life that will never be the same.

Now, Joy must pretend to be Ink’s chosen one—his helper, his love, his something for the foreseeable future...and failure to be convincing means a painful death for them both. Swept into a world of monsters, illusion, immortal honor and revenge, Joy discovers that sometimes, there are no mistakes.
Somewhere between reality and myth lies…

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Review:

Indelible was such an odd and yet familiar read. My feelings are so mixed about it. On one hand I didn't care for the lead and I felt like the romance was off. However, that “off” feeling that I felt about the romance is what made it so unique. Young Adult Fairy reads tend to have a very dream like quality to them. Which is something Indelible used to its advantage. Even masking it's lack of plot.

Almost. Indelible kind of wanders around and then sometime after the half way mark kind of goes “oh, bookworms I've got to tell a compelling story!” So enter the trying, and tiring, girl-saves-the-entire-world because she's special. Even though her having the sight only felt like a small catalyst, one in which leads to her getting a boyfriend. Let alone the real special talent she uses to save the world . . . isn't touched on. She's just extra special. Apparently that needs no explaining.

Indelible Ink and his sister where very unique characters. Clearly not human and him falling for Joy was interesting. However, that's where the dream like quality of the book kind of backfired. I felt like the whole story from the romance and the actual plot felt clouded. Like I was watching everything from afar. It was nice, but I couldn't fully get involved in the story.

Indelible was a growing up story about Joy not wanting to grow up and think of others. That people change and you can't throw your life away and pout just because things are changing. At one point I found her inner dialogue rough to handle. Boo-hoo the world isn't going how I want it to, so I'm gonna show everyone by being miserable and failing. My bad attitude isn't enough to prove how distraught I am.

Sure Joy grows, but I never really got over my initial dislike of her. Points to the author for letting the girl save herself and her man.

Indelible kind of borrows from other YA fairy stories and then tries to make its own way. The whole time I felt like the fairy mists where keeping me at hands length from the story. The first half of the book was so ponderous and then suddenly we're “saving all mind kind!” in a blink. The build up and execution actually ended up being dull. The parts that were unique such as Joy and Ink falling in love and learning about the Twixt (they're not called fairies here) felt like after thoughts. Honestly I can't even imagine where a series could be born from this.

In all I feel mixed about Indelible. The parts that annoyed me really annoyed me, including the lead. The parts I liked I REALLY liked, however they were not explored nor developed enough. Too much of Indelible was borrowed and the original parts not explored enough. Okay, I'm rambling on and repeating myself. In the end I won't deny that I did enjoy Indelible. To be quite honest I'm curious about the other books.

Content Warning: The lead is transported into the after math of an orgy. I felt like this was supposed to be humorous, but much like the lead all I felt was awkward. (And I like my orgies in books. ^_-)

Plenty of sexual humor and some frank discussions between two teens talking about sex and their views.

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

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Indelible (1)  Invisible (2) Insidious (3) Invincible (4)	Indelible (1)  Invisible (2) Insidious (3) Invincible (4)	Indelible (1)  Invisible (2) Insidious (3) Invincible (4)

Review: The Prophecy of Shadows

**Review copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.**

The Prophecy of Shadows (Elementals, book 1) by Michelle Madow

Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: The Prophecy of Shadows (1)

When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches. Even more surprisingly … she’s apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers—and, to her dismay, by Blake—the school’s notorious bad-boy.

Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle’s wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance.

When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers. But the comet has another effect—it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it’s up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town … and possibly the world.

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Review:

Hmmmmm. Honestly the only reason I went back and finished this book was because I was so excited about it and requested the ARC. Nothing bums me out more than when a book I requested doesn't work out for me. About 17% of the way in I had to take a break. The reasons were that it was generic and boring. So upon picking it up after quite a bit of time has passed and I'm in a different frame of mind. Enough of a new frame of mind that I did finish the whole book, so that now I can elaborate as to why I found it generic and boring.

First off after you've read a certain amount of books you pick up on things. Plots and stories ideas, so on. At some point you just can't stand reading the same story again featuring (hopefully at least) new character names and a slight spin. Or no spin. The world of paranormal YA has been explored and The Prophecy of Shadows had nothing new to bring to it. Especially as everyone has done Greek mythology. When another YA PR book decides to “borrow” it either falls flat or at least makes its character stand out.

However, even the characters were borrowed. They were never developed enough to not be hallow shells. I feel like this book was a check list of things a title like this needs. The most exciting parts about it where some of the jokes made about Harry Potter.

Don't even get me started on the mysterious boy/love interest. I guess "Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt." from the synopsis. Not to mention this winner: "His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic."

I'm not sure if I really paid attention to the synopsis.

What is with YA titles where the girls land the hottest guy who happens to have a horrible girlfriend that she steals him from. First off, why are they dating that horrible girl. (Yeah there's always some lame excuse. Why can't they admit it's probably not for hand holding?) Secondly, don't covet and date him. Coveting another's man is bad, secondly um he's dating a horrible person. Whom you stole him from.

World building, plot, and characters weren't even really attempted. If anything this was just a lazy attempt to try and cash out on the genre. You know if you write it the fans will come. Yeah, there are plenty of readers who probably won't recognize or mind that isn't trying. Which works fine. I however have no interest in seeing where this uninspired series is going to go.

Content Warning: Wow, I can't remember. I think there may have been mild sexual humor. Pretty sure this is a safe read all around.

 

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:
The Prophecy of Shadows (1) The Blood of Hydra (2) The Head of Medusa (3) The Portal to Kerberos (4) The Hands of Time (5)	The Prophecy of Shadows (1) The Blood of Hydra (2) The Head of Medusa (3) The Portal to Kerberos (4) The Hands of Time (5)	The Prophecy of Shadows (1) The Blood of Hydra (2) The Head of Medusa (3) The Portal to Kerberos (4) The Hands of Time (5)

Review: Feed the Flames

Feed the Flames (Steel & Stone, book 3.5) by Annette Marie

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

In this short story addition to the Steel & Stone series, discover the fate of Seiya and Lyre following the conclusion of YIELD THE NIGHT (Steel & Stone #3).

Seiya wants nothing more than to disappear with her brother, safe from all the enemies that would tear them apart. But now she, along with Lyre, has been taken prisoner. Separated from Ash, his fate unknown, and tormented by memories of her imprisonment in Asphodel, she must put her faith in Lyre and his carefully guarded secrets. To have any chance of escape, they’ll have to work together to find a way out before they learn what fate their captors are planning for them.

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Review:

“You're right, because if not for her, Ash would be dead and you'd still be in Asphodel, pregnant with the next generation of Samael's slaves.”

That's right Seiya! Ugh! You tell her Lyre.

Honestly I did not want to read from Seiya's point of view. By the end of Yield the Night all I wanted was to strangle her and weigh her body down somewhere so she wouldn't sully any more page time. Sleep with the fishes you annoying SOB. It also ticked me off to see the whole hate was part jealousy despite what Lyre told Piper. Lyre new it too, and I enjoyed that he confronted Seiya about it.

It was really cool seeing what happened to Lyre and Seiya after they returned through the portal. I think there's some discord in the Raas' clan. I think this will signal the turning point for Seiya's characters, and I actually would suggest reading it for the series. Especially since despite this being told from Seiya's POV it is very much a Lyre book. As he finally divulges some information about himself. OMG!!!

Sexual Content: Actually, I don't think Lyre worked any of his flitateous magics. (Much to Seiya's annoyance.) A mild dark theme is referenced (see quote above), but honestly this book is clean.

  
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) Feed the Flames (3.5) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)	Chase the Dark (1) Bind the Soul (2) Yield the Night (3) Feed the Flames (3.5) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)	Chase the Dark (1) Bind the Soul (2) Yield the Night (3) Feed the Flames (3.5) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)

Review: Yield the Night

Yield the Night (Steel & Stone, book 3) by Annette Marie

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

After surviving a round-trip to hell, Piper figures she can survive anything. After all, she just lived through the devastating loss of her Consul apprenticeship and a torturous stint at boarding school. How much worse could it get?

Well, she wasn’t expecting a group of crazy radicals to burn her home to the ground and take her prisoner.

The Gaians, a.k.a. the crazy radicals, plan to rid Earth of daemons and they need Piper’s help. In exchange for her cooperation, they promise her the answer to all her problems: magic. With her own magic, she could reclaim her apprenticeship, the only future she’s ever wanted. But her magic comes at price — it could kill her.

With the life she’s always known crumbling around her and her future slipping from her grasp, she needs Ash’s help one more time. But the greatest danger of all lies within her, and no matter what she does, she may lose everything — including him.

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Review:

The Steel & Stone series has easily become one of my favorite Young Adult Urban Fantasy series. Surpassing many other popular ones from traditional publishers/authors. To be honest I was really nervous about how things were going to go with Piper going to human boarding school. Thank goodness the story picks up when Piper gets home to the consulate skipping all that school crap. The general gist is given of what school was like, but minus angsty school drama stuff. Yeah! (Besides we already knew human boys can't handle Piper.)

So I figured after we dealt with Ash's Samael problem the next step would logically be Piper's mother. Her mother and the radical Gaians. Nailed it. What I enjoyed most was that both sides of Gaians and Consulates could be seen. They both have good and bad. Though one is clearly a fanatical group that has no conscience. Willing to hurt humans and daemons for "the" cause. Even killing their own members.

She sighed. She must be jaded: being kidnapped just didn't faze her anymore.

So Piper gets kidnapped again. Yeah. But let us be honest, it's a trope that happens in pretty much every Urban Fantasy series. (Heck, and a lot of PNR titles.) Marie does the smart thing though. The kidnap reminds interesting and gives the world a lot of expanding. Especially what its like to be haeman outside of the Consulate, because they don't pick up haemons for training. In fact humans and demons kind of shun them, and they don't have teachers or schools for them. (Which is odd as I had assumed up until this point they'd have something for their magical training at least.) Family's disown them unwilling to deal, or cope, with them. Haemon children may have no idea that they are haemon until their powers manifest. It's scary and it's interesting seeing the Gaians prey upon them and the Consulates ignore them. It's an eye opener that the Consulates need to expand the job quota and get reorganized.

So I can predict this series pretty easily. I knew that the Gaians would be next and her mom would get what her fanatical heart wanted. I'm trying to be as vague as possible because I know not everyone is good at predicting where a story is going. I've enjoyed the mythology surrounding the Sahar Stone. Boom! It is sentient and I'm very happy about that, but considering that a soul has been trapped in there it's out for vengeance. Because she's still angry and very mad. Hell hath no furry, like a haeman scorned.

Considering Piper had risked her life to save Seiya from imprisonment and torture, the girl seriously lacked gratitude.

The progression of this series is wonderful! I love that Marie knows where this series is going to go, how each book should be, and doesn't give readers fillers. I will admit I did not like how Seiya was acting in this book. The short after this book helps to give readers more insight. But it still feels over dramatized. Why Seiya blames Piper for putting Ash at risk. Not to mention that I thought Seiya could be an awesome friend for Piper, not an enemy. It's something I've become aware of lately, and tired of, where other females hate/are jealous of the female lead.

Ah, Ash. He's back and the fire between him and Piper is amazing. I'm positive at this point that Lyre is simply a succubus friend to Piper. He understands that Ash and Piper have something. He'll flirt and be a succubus, but he's there for his friends. I like how much Lyre understands people and that he wants to help Ash out so much. But I doubt I'm going to get the bromance I've been dying for from this series. (Or a love triangle where Lyre hearts Ash. Girl can dream. There was sparks in that first book I tell you!)

She was done letting other people risk their lives for her. She was done letting Ash bleed for her. She would fight her own battles from now on.

Piper's growth is amazing! How she handles learning truths about her dreams and the reality of what's happening around her is perfection. She's grown up from the first book. (I'm so proud of her.) Her progress with the magic in her life is handled well and I love how rich the lore is. Instead of the Underworld Piper heads on over to the Upperworld (AKA Heaven). Which was amazing.

I'll be honest some of the hints and plots in this book where really in-you-face-obvious. Every page was sheer pleasure though, and at the very least it all made since how it got there. I'm bothered by how much of Quinn and Piper's relationship is ignored in these books. Heck, I think I understand the crazy mother more than I do Quinn! I'm pretty sure it can't be ignored in the next book. (But I do find my self saying that after each book!) Ash and Piper's relationship is on point. I love the buildup this series has created. The burn. The passion! The respect for one another. Not to mention trust. Thank you. Also, I love that it's not really a love triangle. Lyre is a friend to both Ash and Piper. It breaks my heart to think that I've got only two books left in the series.

Oh, hot book my mind is ready! But my feelings are so confused. Never let it end.

Sexual Content: Sexual content, minor dark themes talked about, some (hot as hell!) make out scenes, and still overall clean for the kiddies.

 
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) Feed the Flames (3.5) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)	Chase the Dark (1) Bind the Soul (2) Yield the Night (3) Feed the Flames (3.5) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)	Chase the Dark (1) Bind the Soul (2) Yield the Night (3) Feed the Flames (3.5) Reap the Shadows (4) Unleash the Storm (5)

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)