Have Mercy

Night Broken is the latest Mercy Thompson novel by Patricia Briggs.

An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy.  Her mate Adam's ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend.  Adam isn't the kind of man to turn away a person in need- and Mercy Knows it.  But with Christy holed up in Adam's house, Mercy can't shake the feeling that something about the situation isn't right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions.  She wants Adam back and she's willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam's pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn't about to step down without a fight, but there's more dangerous threat circling.  Christy's ex is more than bad man- in fact, may not be human at all.  As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

The Breakdown:
1. Mercy and Adam's relationship is one of my favorite fictional relationships.  They are very much equals in it, and Briggs writes the love between them so well. Part of what makes their relationship work so well, it that Mercy is her own woman.  She doesn't need Adam to feel good about herself, but that does not make her love him any less. She is no damsel in distress, in fact she is pretty bad-ass and has saved Adam just as much as he saved her.

2. So Adam's ex, Christy, has been mentioned in previous books, and you get the idea that she is polar opposite of Mercy, but this book Briggs pulls her in, front and center.  She is quite a devious and manipulative person. Having her around made me see exactly how well Mercy and Adam work together.

3. I love that Briggs is able to keep her storylines new and exciting after so many books.  Each one feels fresh. She keeps exploring the world she has created, and surprising me with me aspects all the time.

4. My only complaint, well not really complaint more like a wish, is that there will be Mercy-Adam babies soon.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Gone
by Lisa McMann

Bonus Book Review

As promised yesterday, a bonus review of Jennifer L. Armentrout's Obsession, which takes place in the same universe as her Luxen books, but can be read alone and is an adult novel.

He's arrogant, domineering, and ... To. Dir. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn't chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys.  Most of the time he enjoys his job.  That is, until he's saddled with something he's never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn't believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something...unnatural.  Who would? But then she witnesses her friend's murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena's temper and her lust despite their differences.  Soon he's doing the unthinkable- breaking the rules he's lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe.  But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena's life... or is it Hunter?

The Breakdown:
1. This book gives a whole different side to the Luxen versus Arum story. We get to see that not all Arum are bad, and not all Luxen are good.

2. Why yes, Hunter and Serena are the couple that make a brief appearance at Luc's in Origins.  In fact, we get to see that from Serena's perspective in this book. They also make an interesting deal with Luc, which has me wondering if they will play a part in the final Lux book, Opposition.

3. Loved Serena's character.  She is strong and loyal, and despite her whole world crumbling around her, she does not rock by herself in the corner in a fetal position. She wants to do something about.

4. Plus Hunter is super hot. He is sure of his self and his strengths, but is totally new to dealing with the emotions that Serena brings out in him.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Perfect Ending

Son by Lois Lowry is the final book in The Giver quartet.

They called her Water Claire.  When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn't exist.  The she had become a Vessel at age thirteen.  That she had carried a Product at age fourteen.  That it had been stolen from her body.  Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew.  What was his name? Was he even alive? She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice.

The Breakdown:
1. This was a fantastic conclusion to The Giver series. Lowry did such an excellent job of tying all the books together, and answering lingering questions.

2. This book brings us back to the original community introduced in The Giver, and gives a different side of the community compared to Jonas's story.  Here Lowry shows the life of the Birthmothers, and what is expected of them and what happens when something goes wrong.

3. Loved that Lowry shows all the favorite characters from past books and where there are now, like Jonas, Kira, and Gabriel.

4. This book gives the full picture of the Trademaster, which honestly is a little terrifying. He is definitely one of the more frightening antagonist of any book I have read.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Currently Reading: 
Night Broken
by Patricia Briggs

(Stayed tuned tomorrow for a bonus review of JLA's Obsession)

Fade

Fade is the second book in Lisa McMann's Dream Catcher's trilogy

For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams.  They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck.

Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking.  When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open-- but nothing goes as planned.  Not even close.  Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both. 

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability-- and it's bleak.  Seriously, brutally bleak.  Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared...

The Breakdown:
1. Overall I like the concept and story line of the Dream Catcher's trilogy, but the way McMann formats her books is strange and I am not sure I can on broad with it.  It is a little like notes taken from surveillance of Janie and Cabel.  It just does not flow well.

2. Janie and Cabel have serious home problems, but together they seem to make their own home. With each other, they really learn what is like to care for someone, and have them care for you in return.

3. This book really explains what it means to be a Dream Catcher, both the good and the bad of it. I finally have a grasp on what are Janie's abilities with this book, and what they mean for her.

To Read or Not to Read:
If you can get over the writing style and appreciate the story and characters, Read it.

Currently Reading:
Son
by Lois Lowry

Smells Like Teen Spirits

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins is the first book in the series of the same name, which is a spin-off of her Hex Hall series.

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters.  For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures.  But when Izzy's older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they  need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it's not as normal as it appears.  A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate.  But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done.  For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it's strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help fins the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?

The Breakdown:
1. As a fan of Hawkins' Hex Hall series, of course I wanted to read this book, especially since Izzy was my favorite of the Brannick's.  Plus the Brannick's are a little like the female version of the Winchesters, minus the Impala. While I liked this book, I just didn't think it was quite as good as the Hex Hall books.

2. I find Izzy's awkwardness simply enduring.  As tough as she is at fighting monsters, she has no clue on how to navigate high school, but  that makes me like her even more.

3. How awesome is Dex? He has his own sense of style and doesn't let popular opinion change him. He is also quite the gentleman.

4. Hawkins definitely left  lots of lingering questions at the end of this book, and it will interesting to see where she takes the series. Plus to see how Izzy and Dex relationship plays out, and if Torin will be a factor in it.

5. Speaking of Torin, I like the cheeky warlock trapped in the mirror.  He is 400+ years old but still enjoys watching teen soaps with Izzy. I think he knows more about Finley than he is letting on, and might have feelings for Izzy.

6. My biggest complaint is that there is no appearance of Sophie and Archer.  I was hoping they would show, but maybe in later books. (crosses fingers)

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading
Fade
by Lisa McMann

Boundless

Boundless by Cynthia Hand is the final book in her Unearthly series.

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated.  Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her... even if it means breaking both their hearts.  Leaving town seems like the best option, so she's headed back to California- and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move.  And he's not the only one... with the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny.  But it won't come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

The Breakdown:
1. Wow, Hand does an amazing job with the conclusion to the Unearthly series.  She answer my questions and ties up her lose ends very well.   She also does a great job of filling out the story line without adding in unnecessary fillers.

2. This book does amazing things for Clara.  She really learns to stand on her on, and what she wants to be as both a human and angel.  In this book Hand shows that Clara is truly an amazing person, and a super loyal friend.  I liked Clara in the first two books, but I think this book is the one that made me fall in love with her.

3. Radiant made me think that Angela's Italian boyfriend would come into play in this book, but I would never have guessed how big a part he plays in the plot.  So, you should really read Radiant before reading Boundless.

4. I have to admit, Christian grew on me a little more, still not to the level of Tucker love, but I definitely like him better. I got this feeling he started to feel that Clara was more than his destiny, but also a person he could love. Plus there are some surprising facts we learn about Christian life in it.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Currently Reading:
School Spirits
by Rachel Hawkins

Deerskin

Finally finished Robin McKinley's Deerskin

As Princess Lissla Lissar reaches womanhood, it is clear to all the kingdom that in her beauty she is the image of her dead mother, the queen.  But this likeness forces her to flee from her father's lust and madness; and in the pain and the horror of that flight she forgets who she is and what it is she flees from:  forgets almost everything but the love and loyalty of her dog, Ash, who accompanies her.  But a chance encounter on the road leads to a job in another king's kennels, where the prince finds himself falling in love with the new kennel maid... and one day he tells her of a princess named Lissla Lissar, who had a dog named Ash.

The Breakdown:
1. Deerskin is a very hard book to get into.  McKinley spends a lot of time describing Lissar's childhood, and the relationship between her parents.  They are not likable people, and since she gives very little of Lissar's personality, there is not really a good character to connect with.

2. After some serious trauma, Lissar goes through this whole dissociation event in which the writing feels muddle and at times it is hard to follow where the story line is going.  The story drags a lot while Lissar deals with this, and I really just wanted to move on.

3. It felt like that McKinley spent so much time dealing with Lissar's background and issues, that the ending with her meeting Ossin and their relationship was super rushed. I wish she had spent more time on that aspect of the story.

To Read or Not to Read:
Skip It

Currently Reading:
Boundless
by Cynthia Hand