Bidding Ado to Favorites

Up From the Grave is the last of Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. Cat and Bones are one of my favorite paranormal romance couples. Partly because of their personalities, partly because every time I read Bones speaking I do it in an English accent that sounds a lot like Benedict Cumberbatch.  Not going to lie, I am little sad that this is the last of the series, but I did get to go to Jeaniene Frost's talk and book signing at Barnes and Noble in Cary, NC.  I am now a proud owner of a signed copy of Up From the Grave, and I will give a summary of what she talked about at the end.

Cat and Bones have a some down time lately from their crazy, hectic life, so naturally trouble comes knocking.  When Cat's Uncle Don's ghost shows up, he does not bring good news.  He is worried about her former team, Tate, Cooper, Dave, and Juan.  They haven't been home in a long time, and he wants Cat and Bones to check into it.

In their search, they learn that Don's replacement has done something to them, and they are determined to find out what.  They learn that Madigan has been doing some super terrible stuff, like messing with genetic material of humans, vampires, and ghouls.  In their quest to save their friends, and stop Madigan that learn secrets that will change the supernatural world and their lives forever.

Congratulations to Ms. Frost to a series well done, and not dragging it out unnecessarily.  I thought she did a wonderful job with this book, and making the perfect reason for Cat and Bones to retire to the quiet life.  Plus she does not skimp on the action and the romance I have come to expect from her novels.

I love that many of my old favorite make their way back into this book in one way or another.  Like Tyler, the fabulous medium with the gassy bulldog named Dexter.   Of course there was Spade, Ian, and Mencheres.  Oh, and the Vlad and Leila wedding made an appearance.

First off, big thank you for Jeaniene Frost for making out to the signing event despite the weather. (We do not deal well with snow in the south.) It was my first author meet and greet event, and I have to say now I really want to do so many more.

Ms. Frost talked about the new book, and her new series that will be coming out in later summer, early fall.  She also took question from the audience.

Her new series sounds like it is going to be lots of fun.  To people fighting their destiny are drawn together to fight for their lives. She said she has this idea for several years, but it did not really fall into adult genre, but it did not make in to YA genre either. I, personally, will be placing The Beautiful Ashes, the first book of the Broken Destiny series, on my reading list when it comes out.  She also said the next book of the Night Prince series would likely be out at the end of this year or the beginning of 2015.

She, of course, got the inevitable question of whether Ian will ever get his own book.  She said that she could not see him getting a book.  But wait no cries of outrage, yet, I am happy to report that today on Twitter, with so pestering by Ilona Andrews and Melissa Marr, that she will seriously consider an Ian book.

In conclusion, Up From the Grave was a wonderful ending to a great series, and well worth my time.  Also, if you ever get a chance to go to a author's meet and greet, DO IT!

Currently Reading:
Ashes & Alchemy
by Cindy Spencer Pape

Light & Dark

Shadow and Bone is the first book of Leigh Bardugo's The Grisha series.  The land of Ravka is very much reminiscent of imperial Russia with the setting, the people, and the attitudes.  Ravka has been ravaged by war, and make it worse, they have been cut off to their coast and trade by the Shadow Fold.  An area where no sunlight can penetrate and the monsters, volcra, kill many who dare to cross the Fold.

Alina was orphaned by the wars, and the only constant in her life has been her best friend, Mal. Lately, her feelings toward Mal have become confusing.  While she tries to deal with her feelings, their army units set out to cross the Fold.  On the crossing they are attacked by the volcra, and when it looks like all is lost and she will lose Mal the most amazing thing happens, they are saved by a bright flash.

Alina is dragged to the Darkling, the most powerful of the Grisha. Grisha are those who practice the small sciences, or magic.  The Darkling informs her that she is a Sun Summoner, and that she is the one who can save Ravka from the Shadow Fold.  She is rushed away to the Little Palace, where the Grisha train, to begin her education.

Alina feels out of place and lonely, and Mal is not answering her letters. She slowly grows to learn how to use her powers and feels drawn to the Darkling, but in the process, she learns not everyone's motives are what they appear to be.

When I was younger, I was fascinated with Imperial Russia, so naturally I love the setting of Ravka that is so much like Imperial Russia.  It not only captures the beautiful things about that era, like the beautiful palace and amazing architecture, but it also highlights the what was wrong with it, like the disparity between the rich and the poor.  There is even a very Rasputin like figure in the Apparat.

The idea of the Shadow Fold is brilliant, in my opinion.  It plays to humans' most basic fear, monsters in the dark.  Plus, it was created out of humans biggest vice, the want for more power and stopping at nothing to get it.

Alina is a naive orphan girl who is thrust into a world she really does not understand, but she feels very refreshing in the world of the Grisha.  She does not dance around what she is thinking, but speaks her mind.  While she may feel like an imposture in the Grisha, she does not try to be something she is not.  I like her, and like that she stands up what she thinks is right and who she loves, no matter who stands against her.

Did I mention who well Ms.Bardugo does in playing with light and dark in the characters of Alina and the Darkling.  They reverse reflection of each other, both in powers and personalities.  He controls darkness, and is so closed to those around him.  Then Alina controls the sun, and is an open book.  It makes for an interesting relationship between them, both the ups and downs.  I think the best scene that illustrates their difference is with the Morozova stag, which if you read the book you totally get, but I don't want to give anything away for those who haven't read it yet.

Shadow and Bone presents a world of intrigue and conspiracies where everyone is not as they seem, and that kept me quite entertained.  I am excited to see how the second book, Siege and Storm will go.

Currently Reading
Up from the Grave
by Jeaniene Frost

Between the Worlds of Magic and the Mundane

On the Edge is the first of Ilona Andrews' The Edge series.  Ilona Andrews, the pseudonym for a husband and wife writing team, is author the of one of my favorite series, The Kate Daniels series.  The Edge is the place between the world of magic, the Weird, and the world of the mundane, the Broken.  People who live in the Edge have magic, but not as strong as those in the Weird.  In the Edge, power is measured by your Flash, the liter the color of your Flash, the stronger the magic.

Rose Drayton lives in the Edge.  She works under the table as a maid for a cleaning company, and she takes care of her two younger brothers, George and Jack, since her mother died and her father left. Rose had very strong magic, she Flashes white, but that does not place food on the table.  When it can out that she Flashed white, both Edge and Weird families sought to have her, either  for breeding or soldiering.  It isn't easy raising two boys, especially when one can raise the dead and the other can change into a lynx.

When a Blueblood, a Weird noble, shows up in the Edge, Rose becomes worried, especially once he appears at her house.  Declan is the Earl of Camarine, and he binds Rose to an agreement where she is to give him three challenges, and if completes all of them then she will be his.  But Declan is more than what he seems.  After his arrival, he saves Jack from a magic eating creature, and some Edgers from the same creatures, Rose really begins to wonder about the real Declan.

The creatures are controlled by madman from the Weird with delusions of grandeur and who is quickly losing his hold on reality. He must be stopped or the people of the Edge are doomed to die or move to the Broken.  Rose and Declan work together to stop him, and are developing feelings for each other.

I love Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniel series, so I had high expectations for this book.  Good news, there was not disappointment to be had in this book.  I loved the unique world that has been created with this book, where magic and mundane are parallel worlds.  The characters are so well developed and wonderful.  I think that being a husband and wife writing team helps to make the male characters so much more believable that some other series with female writers alone.

There are so many great characters in the book.  Not only are Rose and Declan fantastically developed, but George, Jack, William, and Grandma Eleanor are such wonderful additions.  In fact, Jack might be my favorite character.  They did such are great job of balancing the little boy in him and the cat in him.  I think my favorite scene in the book is when William discovers that Jack is a changeling, and the conversation they have.  I really felt it showed how well Jack is written, and it also showed what a wonderful guardian Rose has been for Jack.

Speaking of Rose, she is so great.  She really loves her brothers, and is super loyal to them. It would be so easy to bitter about her situation, but she makes the best of it, even after everything she has gone through.  She is smart, and as demonstrated when she practices her Flash with Delcan, she is a very fast learner.

Declan, talk about yummy awesomeness in a character.  He is obviously very loyal, as demonstrated by him wanting to save William. He is also caring, which is not necessarily what I would expect from a former soldier like himself. He works hard to keep Jack and George safe and to earn their trust.

William is a character I find myself wanting to know more about, so I am super excited that the next book, Bayou Moon features him as a main character.

I am can't wait to read more from this series, and learn more about the world that Ilona Andrews has created in it.

Currently Reading:
Shadow and Bone
by Leigh Bardugo

Til Death Do Us Part, and Then Some

Elegy is the last novel in Tara Hudson's Hereafter trilogy.  Amelia is dead, and after the events in Arise, she has become a Risen ghost.  The love of her life or death, depending on how you look at it, is Joshua Mayhew.  The boy she rescued from death in Hereafter, who happens to come from a long line of Seers and can touch her when no one else can.

Amelia has been issued an ultimatum by the demonic forces of the Netherworld, join them or someone dies every week until she does.  She is so shaken by this, that along with Joshua, Jillian, and Scott, she attempts to destroy High Bridge.  Of course it can't be that easy, and it only serves to tick off the demons.  They begin going after those she cares about, starting with Serena, who was her best friend while she was living.

Amelia know she has to do something drastic, or a lot more people will die.  She even enlist the help of Ruth Mayhew, despite their mutual dislike of each other.  Unfortunately that does not go well either.  As Amelia tries to think of some way to stop the demons, she approached by those of the Light and asked to join them.  In fact, she learns that the powers she has to harm the demonic forces are because of the Higher Powers of the Light.

She is faced with a heartbreaking choices, join the Netherworld where she will certainly suffer, join the Light and never see Joshua again, or remain as she is and watch those she loves dies.  She wants to make her choice on her own terms, and save those she loves both dead and alive.

Kudos to Ms. Hudson on a fantastic ending to this trilogy.  It could have gone so wrong, in so many ways, but it was great.  I was terribly worried that it would in end some ridiculous way that made no sense at all, but it was just perfect and made complete sense.  Not going to lie, it was a bittersweet ending, but believable and worked so well with the story.

Amelia is such a wonderful character.  She refuses to allow others to dictate her fate to her.  She goes about solving the problems she faces on her own terms, and that makes her strong and likable character.  She is loyal and caring, which the demons view as a weakness, but it is her greatest strength.

Can I just take a minute to talk about how much I love Joshua.  He is romantic, loyal, and always knows the right things to say.  He is so good at reading Amelia, and knows what she needs, sometimes before she even knows.  Not that he doesn't do dumb things at times, like in Arise the who making Amelia Risen without her consent, but he never does them out of maliciousness.

The Hereafter trilogy is one I definitely recommend.  It is well written, great characters, and Arise's setting is so wonderfully New Orleans, so beautifully depicted in the written word, you almost can smell the beignets.

Currently Reading:
On the Edge
by Ilona Andrews    

What's in a Name?

The Power of Six is the second of the Lorien Legacies by Pittacus Lore.  The story of nine children known as the Garde and their guardians, Cepan, who escaped from another world.  They are being hunted down by the Mogadoriens, who destroyed their planet, and now want to destroy them.  This book bounce between John, number four, and Merina , number 7, as the narrators.

John, along with his best friend Sam and Six, are on the run after the events in Paradise Ohio.  They are unsure of what to do next  now that Henri is dead.  All they have left is John's Chest which he spends the better part of the book reluctant to open, and the other half having no idea what half the stuff inside is.  When they discover a secret about Sam's missing dad, they head back to Ohio, only to find serious trouble.

Merina has been living as an orphan in a convent in Spain for year now.  Her Cepan is posing as a nun, and she is no longer a believer in their mission.  Merina is trying to live up to her destiny, and she searches for the other.  She knows about John, and she is having dreams about Six, but does not know how to reach them on her own.  Please she has a suspicion that the Mogadoriens have found her.

I really enjoyed I am Number Four, and I wanted so badly to like this book too, but I just could not do it.  The author contradicts himself from the first book. Like Loriens only fall in love once, just kidding I have decided that I like John and Six together, so they can have multiple loves.  Or taking a character I really liked from the first book, Sarah, and making her into a spineless and unloyal witch.

Then there is the whole Merina story, while better than John, Six and Sam story, I was really having trouble seeing how the stories would come together.  When they did intersect, it felt like the author went, oh yeah, I forgot to tie my two storylines together so here goes.

Still don't have any clue why the Mogadoriens destroyed their world, and now what to kill all the Garde. Plus why is the book even called The Power of Six, she is not even a narrator or making so dramatic discover of her powers in this book. This book left me feeling very disappointed with the whole thing.  I definitely will not be finishing this series.

Currently Reading:
Elegy
by Tara Hudson

Death's Daughter

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers is the second of the His Fair Assassin series.  This book follows Sybella, a daughter of Death and one of his handmaidens trained by the convent.  While the first book, Grave Mercy, is more about the politics and court intrigue of the Brittany, this book is more of Sybella's personal journey.

When Sybella arrives at the convent of St. Mortain death would be a welcome relief to her life, she finds that there are uses for her skills, and trains as an assassin along side Ismae and Annith.  There she finds comfort, but it does not last for she is sent on assignment by to her old home, back to her father d'Albret and her brother Julian who loves her too much.  She awaits the orders to kill d'Albret, what she was promised for her return to him.

When she finally receives orders, it is not to kill d'Albret, but to free his prisoner, and return him to the duchess.  The prisoner is the Baron of Waroch, or Beast as he is known in the tales and to his friends.  She frees Beast, and on their attempt to smuggle him out, he knocks her out, and she is taken along with them.

In Beast, Sybella finds a kindred spirit and a kind heart.  She must decided whether to trust him with her secrets.  Time is running out, and d'Albret is after them and still has plans for the duchess.

I believe this book was every bit as good as Grave Mercy, if not better.  Sybella has a seriously messed up home life, and it is amazing she as any kind of sanity at all, let alone being extremely intelligent and cunning. She is a strong and wonderful character, and I simply love the moments when Ms. LaFevers shows her gentler side.  I enjoyed seeing how every different Sybella is from Ismae, and not just in her upbrining, but in her personality too.  I think Beast puts it best when he says while Ismae does her job as Death's handmaiden well, it is just that to her, a job, but Sybella enjoys the thrill of the job and the righteous kill.

I like the fact that Beast is not a traditional male lead. He is by no means consider handsome, but he has the most wonderful spirit.  He is loyal to his duchess and friends, and inspiring to the men he leads into battle.  He cares for those weaker than he is.

Sybella and Beast make a wonderful pair. They work so well together in battle and in their planning.  Plus, each of them has deeper ties to each other than they are first aware.

So I have to admit, one of my absolute favorite parts of the book, just like in Grave Mercy, is when Sybella meets her true father, Death.  It is touching, and enlightening to what Death expects from his children, which is nothing but to be happy.  It proves that the ways of man are not the ways of the gods, and that even the abbess is not always right.

Speaking of the abbess of St. Mortain, I don't like or trust her.  I have a feeling that there is more going with her than we know, yet.  It will be interesting to see what roles she will play in the next book.

So the next book in the series is not due out until November, bummer, but it looks like it will be following Annith.  I cannot wait to know her story, and what role she will be playing.

Currently Reading:
The Power of Six
by Pittacus Lore

All's Fair in Love and War

Requiem by Lauren Oliver is the final book in her Delirium trilogy.  It is a world where love is a disease, Delira, and people are given at cure when they turn 18.  Those without the cure, or for whom the cure doesn't work are the invalids.  Warning: if you have not read the first two books there will be SPOILERS from those in this review. (I also recommend reading Hana before reading this book.)

So at the end of Pandemonium, Lena goes back to New York to rescue Julian, who she developed feelings for during their capture and escape.  She had no idea that Raven and Tack made it a set up so to ruin the DFA's poster boy.  Once rescued, they rejoin the group, and surprise, surprise Alex is alive and has escaped the Crypts in Portland.

In Requiem the book bounce back and forth between Lena and Hana's lives.  Lena is dealing with the reappearance of Alex, and the change that has happened to him while they were apart.  Alex is aloof and avoiding her.  When she confronts him, he tells her that he doesn't love her, and that he never loved her.  This, of course, sends he rushing into Julian's arms.  There is definitely a strained relationship between Lena, Julian and Alex which eventually leads to a Julian and Alex fight and Alex leaving the rest of the group.

Hana is now cured and preparing for her marriage to Fred Hargrove, the new Mayor of Portland.  She thought the cure was suppose to make everything easier, but she is still having dreams.  She still feels guilty for turning Lena and Alex in, and the guilt press down more on her when she learns has happened to Lena's family as a result.  Plus he soon-to-husband is not the quite the golden boy he appears to be.

The resistance is growing stronger, and the Cured are cracking down more.  Regulators are in the Wilds, and bombings in the civilization.

Requiem is written in a way that you know that is leading up to the eventual confrontation between Lena and Hana, so there was no surprise when that happened. Honestly the Julian and Lena relationship felt so forced, and spent time debating whether Ms. Oliver did that on purpose to heighten the tension between Julian, Lena, and Alex, or that is just the way it happened.

Plus Hana was a rather bland character in this book. She really fades into the background when she appears with any other character.  When she sees Grace, Lena's cousin, it is Grace that steals the scene.  It is Grace that I am drawn to as a character, and I almost forget that Hana is even there.

I did like that Lena and her mother finally got reconnected.  I know she made a brief appearance in Pandemonium, but here we finally saw them developing a relationship.  Lena learning why her mother did the things she did, and her mother getting to know her the daughter she missed see grow up.

The ending was so bleh for me.  It left me with questions still, and so much unresolved.  Like what happens to the world, does the resistance succeed in the end or does the establishment beat them back down?  What happens to Hana, Lena, Alex, and Julian?  As I finished the last page, I find myself muttering, "Is that it?"  I feel so unfulfilled be the ending to the book and to the trilogy.

Currently Reading:
Dark Triumph
by Robin LaFevers