Lillie's Review: Archangel's Sun by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Sun by Nalini Singh

Publisher: Berkley (November 24, 2020)

Series: Guild Hunter, 13

Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy (M/F)

A horrifying secret rises in the aftermath of an archangelic war in New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s deadly and beautiful Guild Hunter world. . . .

The Archangel of Death and the Archangel of Disease may be gone but their legacy of evil lives on—especially in Africa, where the shambling, rotting creatures called the reborn have gained a glimmer of vicious intelligence.

It is up to Titus, archangel of this vast continent, to stop the reborn from spreading across the world. Titus can’t do it alone, but of the surviving powerful angels and archangels, large numbers are wounded, while the rest are fighting a surge of murderous vampires.

There is no one left . . . but the Hummingbird. Old, powerful, her mind long a broken kaleidoscope. Now, she must stand at Titus’s side against a tide of death upon a discovery more chilling than any other. For the Archangel of Disease has left them one last terrible gift . . . .

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | NOOK | Kobo

More Info:

Author's Site 

Add it on Goodreads! | Find the Series

Lillie's Review:

[Blog Tour Review]: "Curse Keepers" + Giveaway!

The Curse Keepers by Denise Grover Swank

Publisher: 47North (November 19, 2013)

Series: The Curse Keepers, 1

Genre: Paranormal Romance

The wall between our world and that of vengeful spirits has protected humanity for more than 400 years. It’s about to come crashing down.


Ellie Lancaster has lived her whole life by the site of the mysterious Lost Colony of Roanoke, the Virginia settlement that vanished without a trace around 1590. Only the descendants of the two men who banished the spirits of an enemy tribe from the material realm know what really happened to the colony. Ellie is one of those descendants—a Curse Keeper. Her father took pains to teach her what he knew of the curse and the responsibilities of its guardians. He taught her that if the two Curse Keepers ever meet, the curse will be lifted, the gate will open, and the raging Native American spirits will be unleashed to seek their revenge.

Despite her father’s seriousness, Ellie has always taken the legend for a harmless fairy tale. Until she meets the darkly handsome, but downright infuriating, Collin Dailey and realizes everything she was told is true. For when they meet, it’s like the air is sucked from the room. Collin’s presence is electrifying… and it’s not just attraction Ellie feels, but the inexorable pull toward her destiny. The prophecy is real, and now Ellie and Collin must battle supernatural forces and their loathing—and passion—for each other to set things right.


The Curse Keepers are all that stand between the world and its destruction.

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN 

More Info:

Author's Site

Add it on GoodReads! | Find the Series

My Review:

[Blog Tour Review]: "I Kissed a Dog"

I Kissed a Dog by Carol Van Atta

Publisher: Cambridge Press US (November 21, 2012)

Series: Werewolves of the West, 1

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Chloe Carpenter isn't like other women. She can communicate with animals. A gift she unwrapped following one of her frequent dances with death. In her otherwise wacky life, she's finally found a semblance of sanity working at the Plum Beach Wildlife Park, where her unique talents can make life or death differences for the animals in her care. That semblance is shattered when a new veterinarian roars into the park in his spiffed up sports car and sets his golden gaze on her. If she had her way, he'd roar right back out. Problem: He's her new coworker and he's saved her life twice - in the past twenty-four hours.

Zane Marshall, Enforcer for the Pacific Pack of purebred werewolves, has a job to do - figure out who or what is mutilating the young men of Plum Beach.

With orders to find the woman who talks to animals, he accepts a position working alongside the fiery Chloe Carpenter, a female who ignites his interest far more than he ever expected. Remarkably, she's the one elusive female with potential to bring meaning and passion to his empty existence. Problem: She despises him.

Together, they're forced to unravel a mystery of supernatural proportions, a murderous mystery with eternal implications for everyone. In the process, they discover opposites really do attract. Major Problem: Zane is pledged to another woman, and she'll do anything to keep him from Chloe.
 

 

 
Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN

More Info:

Author's Site

Add it on GoodReads! | Find the Series

My Review:


I can honestly say that there wasn't a boring moment while reading this book. Danger, secrets, mysteries, all combined to create an attention-grabbing story. Just when I thought I knew who was good and who was bad, as well as what was going to happen next, Carol Van Atta threw a new twist into the mix. And I enjoyed every moment of it!

I'll admit that at times Chloe mildly annoyed me. Why couldn't she stop keeping secrets from Zane? Didn't she learn the first few times? And why, oh why, did she continue to trust the wrong people?


I wish we could have seen some of the book from Zane's POV; that, I think, is the one downfall to 1^st person POV books: it often makes it hard to like/understand the other characters when their side is never told.

4 STARS! I Kissed a Dog was a fun and exciting read, and one that I truly enjoyed. I'll definitely be looking forward to future books in this series, not only to see how Chloe gets out of her current troubles, but to meet some of the other characters again, too.

~ * ~ * ~

I received an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

~ * ~ * ~

Like most authors, Carol Van Atta is no stranger to the written word. She penned a short novel at age 12 (somewhat frightening illustrations included, and lots of bunnies were involved), and had a creative writing piece published in her high school newspaper (about David Bowie's Diamond Dogs LP). Yes, she's an ex-80's chick.

Devouring books from numerous genres, Carol developed a deep thirst/hunger for more reading material, and could almost always be found with her nose in a book.

She has contributed to several popular inspirational anthologies and devotional books, and lives in the rainy wetland of Oregon with a terrifying teen (another in college) and a small zoo of animals. She is taking an undetermined hiatus away from inspirational writing to delve into her darker side. (Though you can check out her latest spiritual suspense novel, Soul Defenders). It is rumored that this genre-jumping occurred after Carol discovered too suspicious red marks on her neck, and experienced an unquenchable urge to howl at the moon.

 

 

Where to Find Carol:

Website | Blog | Facebook (Author) | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Be sure to follow the rest of the tour!

Enjoy!   



Until Next Time,

 
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Blog Tour Review]: "Broods of Fenrir"

Broods of Fenrir by Coral Moore

Publisher: Bared Teeth Publishing (November 19, 2011)

Series: Broods of Fenrir, 1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shapeshifter Brand Geirson was raised to rule the Broods of Fenrir, but he refused his birthright. Instead, he killed their brutal leader–his own father–and walked away.

For hundreds of years he’s avoided brood society, until a werewolf kills an innocent human woman and Brand finds himself dragged back into the violent politics of the shapeshifters. When the two brood women who mean the most to him come under threat, he must take up the throne and risk becoming the kind of vicious bastard his father was, or let the broods descend further into chaos–taking the friend he swore to protect and his lover with them.
Contains Strong Language, Violence, and Sexual Situations.
  

 

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Add it on GoodReads! | Find the Series

My Review:

I am a huge fan of fantasy in any shape, but especially when it comes to shifters. I can honestly say it's been a while since I came across one that made me excited for the genre again. Broods of Fenrir did just that, and I couldn't put it down! Now, this may sound cliched, but coming from me, it's not. Lately I've been picking up and putting down books like crazy because not many have held my interest.

This one did and then some!

Brand can be the King of the broods...if only he can step forward and take the crown. His sire, the previous king, was a viscous bastard of the worst degree. When Brand finally broke free of his father and killed him, he walked away from the throne, vowing never to take the position. Now, centuries later, he finally realizes that by turning his back on the throne, he turned his back on his people. Can he fix the clans, who are stuck in the past and treating women and weak members as slaves, or will he die trying?

I truly loved this book. The writing pulled me in from the very start. There's just something about Coral Moore's writing—it flows very easily, and makes the reader wish to continue. I'm definitely adding her books to my list in the future!

 

Brand's tale does have a bit of romance to it, but it doesn't take center stage all the time, and I was okay with that. I loved his possessiveness, not just to Dagny, but everyone under his protection. He could have easily been like his father, drunk on power but with no honor. Instead he became very much the perfect hero.

 

4 STARS! For a captivating shifter tale, one that pulls from old Norse tales a bit, Broods of Fenrir is sure to be a hit with fans of the genre! I will be recommending it to others, and I am anxious to read book two ,as I'm hoping many of the secondary characters pop up again, or better yet get their own tale!

~ * ~ * ~ 
I recieved an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
~ * ~ * ~

Be sure to follow the rest of the tour! :)

Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

 

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[NOR Review]: "Deadly Descendant"

Deadly Descendant by Jenna Black

Publisher: Pocket Books; (April 24, 2012)

Series: Nikki Glass, 2

Genre: Urban Fantasy

An ancient evil is unleashed in the modern world— unless one fearless P.I. can hunt it down. . . . Nikki Glass, Immortal Huntress, returns in this new novel in the acclaimed series by Jenna Black.

As a living descendant of Artemis the Huntress, private investigator Nikki Glass knows how to track someone down. But when an Oracle shows up, warning the Descendants about wild dog attacks in Washington, D.C., Nikki is afraid it might be a trap. The Olympians believe the “dogs” are really jackals, controlled by a blood-crazed descendant of the Egyptian death-god Anubis. Whatever. . . . If Nikki hopes to muzzle Dogboy, she’s got to catch him in the act. But when she stakes out a local cemetery, she ends up face-to-snout with a snarling pack of shadow-jackals whose bite is worse than their bark. These hellhounds are deadly—even for an immortal like Nikki. “Dog” spelled backward may be “god,” but that won’t stop Nikki from teaching these old gods some new tricks. Like playing dead.

 
Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt

Add it on GoodReads!

My Review:

I love the idea of this series—I'm always looking for unique parnormals, especially ones with gods and goddesses. Deadly Descendant definitely fits the bill! Nikki is a tough heroine, yet one who isn't completely sure who she is, what she has to do. I really enjoyed reading her story, and I look forward to future books in this series!

Deadly Descendant is book two in the Nikki Glass series. I knew this when I picked it up, but, not having the first book, I decided to just jump right in—hoping it would work out and I'd catch up later. Overall, I wasn't too lost in the book. However, there were definitely parts where I felt a bit left out, as I hadn't read Dark Descendant. Liberi, Olympians, Descendants—I'm still trying to wrap my head around the differences between them. I think this would have been much clearer to me if I had simply waited to read book 1. I've learned my lesson now!

Who needs another vampire/demon hunter? Come join Nikki Glass as she learns about her godly blood and tries to figure out her future, her destiny. Action-packed, unique and very intense, Deadly Descendant is a great escape from the usual books on the market. This may have been my first Jenna Black book, but it won't be my last.

P.I. Nikki Glass suddenly finds herself searching for more than just your average scumbag. Now she's tracking a murderer, one who uses death magic in the form of jackals to maul the victims. The murderer is a descendant of the old Egyptian god, Anubis. Yes, that god--The god of death, which just makes the situation even worse, if possible. Can she find and stop him before it is too late?

Did I mention Nikki's a descendant of Artemis? Yeah, welcome to her world....

Rating:

4 STARS!

~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 




Enjoy!



Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Interview: C.L. Parks + Giveaway [US + INT]!

It's Paranormal Week here at TBQ's Book Palace as part of my 4 year blogoversary celebration!

And don't forget to stop by to enter my Week 2 giveaway for the event!


I'm more than happy to introduce readers to new authors--even when the author in question is new to me! :) And so I'm happy to introduce to you today Christy (CL Parks), author of the UF book, She Who Hunts. I hope you enjoy!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

CL Parks is a paranormal romance, and urban fantasy author. In her free time she stays busy caring for the variety of creatures at her country home including chickens, dogs, a cat, four reptiles...oh, and three kids.

When not tending to animals or plugging away at her newest story, CL and her three children enjoy attending her husband's 80's cover band shows.

 

Where to Find Christy:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads

The_Book_Queen: Hi Christy! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Christy: Because I have such an awesome husband I’m able to stay home and write…well, when the two and four-legged kids allow me to. We have a small zoo in our home including an English Mastiff, an Akita mix, two cats, four chickens, one strange rooster (he actually likes me), and a rather spoiled Iguana. When I’m not tending to them, or reading or writing, the kids and I love to go to my husband’s band shows.

TBQ: What made you decide to start writing?

C: I never really know how to answer this one. Ever since I read Charlotte’s Web I’ve always rewrote the books to end the way I wanted. I did not want Charlotte to die; that was before I became arachnophobic. I can’t not write!

TBQ: Your newest release, She Who Hunts, is out now. Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it?

C: In Tenna’s world, humans become possessed by demons, but there’s no such thing as exorcisms. The only way to kill the demon and release the human is by killing the host. Unfortunately for Tenna, she’s faced with the fact she either has to kill her husband to release him from the demon, or allow him to continue murdering innocent people.

TBQ: Are there other genres you would like to write about?

C: I’ve dabbled a little in paranomormal romance, but my idea of romance is way different than most. I wanted to give my husband a vial of my blood for our first wedding anniversary, kind of like Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob, but he said that was too weird. I’ve also become interested in YA lately, because my young teen kids are dying to read something their mom wrote.

TBQ: I know we all hate this question, author and reader alike. :) But I have to ask: What are a few of your favorite books and/or authors?

C:This is actually an easy one for me. But, I have such a long list, I usually have to cut it down. I love Rachel Vincent’s Shifter series, anything by Stephen King, Jeaniene Frost, Katie Salidas, and I recently read a book called Black Smoke by Robin Leigh Miller that I loved. And, I have a confession…I’m a Twihard. I’ve read all four books about five times each and own the first four movies. Hey, it’s my guilty pleasure. [ :) I think it's a guilty pleasure for many; I'll admit, I was a Twihard. I'm not as big a fan now, but I still like it!]

TBQ: What do you look for in a good book—characters, story, cover...?

C: I need to fall in love with the characters and actually care what happens to them. A book that can make me anxious to find out what will happen next is the best. When I put it down, I want to be able to obsess over what’s next. The story has to be dynamic enough for me to believe in the actions, and read through my fingers, or sigh at the romantic parts. [Well said, I have to agree with you! :)]

TBQ: What's next-- Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming releases or WIP?

C: I’m currently working on the second book in Tenna’s story. This book will contain more back story about Tenna and the Hunters as a whole. Hopefully, I’ll have it completed before the end of summer, but we all know how book writing goes, especially with the kids home on summer break.

SPEED ROUND:

A day on a secluded island OR a day at the spa?Secluded island with a stack of books! [Yes!]

Reading a spicy romance novel OR a sweet “my-heart-skips-a-beat” one?Definitely spicy romance!

Which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy highlander OR a devilishly handsome English lord?Ooooh, I think I’ll go the sexy highlander! Yum! [Indeed!]

Hot summer days OR cold winter nights?Hot summer days! I hate clothes and I hate shoes. The less I have to wear the better.

Where would your dream house be: in the city, where all the action is OR nestled in the mountain where you can enjoy the quiet and the wilderness?
Nestled away somewhere quiet. I currently live in the country, and I’d love it to be even more isolated, where I wouldn’t be able to hear cars and could have a working ranch. No, I’m not a farmer. *laughs*

If you could live in any time period, past or future, which one would it be?I always thought I would like to live in the 50s, but I can’t imagine the people accepting someone as strange as I am.

Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?Cover lover! I tend to skip over the blurbs!

Steamy Novella OR Sweet Novel? (aka, Quickie or Slow Build Up?)STEAMY! I’m not a generally sweet person, so I tend to get toothaches when I read something too sweet and sappy.

And finally, tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself:My nickname is the Lizard Lady, and my niece and nephews call me Sucka.

I have a bathtub phobia (don’t even know if there’s a technical term for it). I can’t even stand the thought of my skin touching the bathtub, and I shower on my toes.

Believe it or not, I can actually sew. I love when people who know me from my husband’s band find out I’m actually quite domestic. Just because I like things that go bump in the night doesn’t mean I can’t make a mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

BTW, For anyone interested in a copy of She Who Hunts, it’s currently set at a value price of $1.99 while we wait for Barnes & Noble and the other venues to stock it on their shelves.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Christy, and please know that you are welcome back anytime! Do you have any questions for our readers—something to spark a good discussion? :)

C: If someone you loved was possessed by a demon, could you kill them to release their soul?

The first two people to comment on your blog will receive a signed paperback copy of She Who Hunts [US ONLY!].

The next three will receive a free ebook for their e-reader [INT]. Ready? Set? Go!

I also have an abundance of swag in the form of bookmarks for anyone interested for their collection.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

She Who Hunts by C.L. Parks

Genre: UF

Tenna Massey’s husband is possessed, and may be the one responsible for the string of murders in her community. Only a demon Hunter can stop him, and unfortunately for Tenna, she comes from a long line of them, a legacy she ran away from years ago.

If Tenna chooses to become the Hunter she was destined to be, it will mean stepping back into the world she thought she'd left behind for good. Worse, it will mean killing the man she's loved for so long. But if she doesn't, the murders won't stop.

The longer she puts off her decision, the more innocent lives are in danger, and the more Tenna realizes she can't run forever.

 
Where to Buy*:

 Kindle | Smashwords

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Christy has been generous enough to offer up a few prizes for you! :)

The first two people to comment on this blog will receive a signed paperback copy of She Who Hunts [US ONLY!].

The next three will receive a free ebook for their e-reader [INT!].

How to Enter:

Mandatory: You must leave a comment on this post--Please Answer Christy's Question!

Mandatory: You must put either US or INT at the end of your comment. This makes it easier to determine the 5 winners!

Winners will be choosen, per Christy's rules, by the order their comment shows up. HOWEVER, if the very first person that comments is outside of the US, they will not get the paperback, but rather will count as the first winner of the e-book. Final decision on winners will be up to Christy.

^A note on email addresses: Your email address must be visible to be entered into this contest. Why? This makes it easy for me to contact the winner and therefore get the prize out! Visible means: a) Email is left in your comment (ninja style is perfectly fine); b) Email is visible on your Blogger profile (or other such website--Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc); or c) Email is used to log-in and fill out the Rafflecopter.

Christy's Question:
If someone you loved was possessed by a demon, could you kill them to release their soul?

Giveaway open June 13th through June 20th! I will announce the winners Thursday morning (June 21st). Good Luck!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Thanks for stopping by, Christy--and thanks for offering up some great prizes! :)

See what else is going on for Paranormal Week!
Enter the Paranormal Week Giveaway (US)

Enter my Blogoversary Giveaway (INT)

Enjoy!
  


Until Next Time,
 
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[Review]: "Illicit Magic"

Illicit Magic by Camilla Chafer
Publisher: Audacious (May 1, 2011)
Series: Stella Mayweather, 1
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Romance

Summary (Amazon.com):
More than three hundred years after the most terrifying witch hunts the world has ever known, it's happening again.

Racing from attack by the ruthless Brotherhood in London to the powerful witch council in New York, twenty-four-year-old novice witch Stella has to put her faith in strangers just to stay alive but she might not be any safer in their midst than from the danger she is running from.

Sent to an extraordinary safe house by the sea to learn her craft, Stella finds there is more than one dark secret in her new family: Étoile’s sister is spoken of in fear and sadness; Marc is supposed to be a powerful witch but is missing his magic; where does the owner of their safe house vanish to every day and why does Evan have the eyes of someone not quite human? There is only one secret that someone will do anything to keep quiet, but whose secret is it and will Stella have to pay the price for silence?

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | NOOK | AllRomance

More Info:

Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt

Other Books in the Series:

Click on the covers to buy from BN.com; the title links to the book's page on the author's website.

Book 2: Unruly Magic

Book 3: Devious Magic

My Review:

Illicit Magic begins the story of Stella Mayweather, who has just found out that she's a witch. As she slowly starts to learn the craft, as well as how to perfect her gifts, she finds herself running from the Brotherhood, a group that is scouring the world, burning witches alive. As if that wasn't enough, while staying at a safe home with other magic weavers, someone close to the group comes after her, ransacking her room and attacking the entire household, all in the hopes of getting hold of Stella. Can Stella learn to control her powers, help solve her parents' murders, protect her new friends, AND figure out what her relationship is with her sexy “teacher”, Evan, before it's too late?

While I liked the story that Illicit Magic told, as well as some of the characters, I felt like there was something missing from the book. I can't put my finger on it, exactly, but whatever it was took a book that could have been a “wow” for me and turned it into only a “meh”. And although “meh” isn't a bad rating, it's obviously not the kind of review that anyone wants to write—and surely not one that an author wants to read! But I have to be honest in my reviews, and, for me at least, this story fell short.

I was a bit annoyed by how some things were repeated over and over again in the book—perhaps not word for word, but still repetitive all the same. I was also a bit put off by the fact that I knew what was happening in the story before even Stella—either she was slow or blind, I'm not sure which, and since this was told from a 1^st person POV, that's saying a lot when the reader connects the dots before the heroine!

Yet there were plenty of things I liked about this book. Evan was great, and though I wanted to know more about him (I guess I'll just have to wait for the next two books), he was a pretty good hero. I was happy to see him and Stella get together, though it did take some time (and they have yet to reach a HEA by any means). I really enjoyed how he distracted Stella while he was helping her to practice with her powers. I think that scene was my favorite, both for it's subtle sexiness and slight humor.

3 STARS! A good, quick read, Illicit Magic begins the Stella Mayweather series with a kick! I'm curious to see what happens next (as this one ended with a cliff hanger big enough that I was tempted to throw the book against the wall), although I won't be picking up the sequels right away. While I enjoyed parts of the book, there were still enough flaws and rough patches in the story to take my overall rating of the book down a few notches. Still, this book turned out to be pretty good, and I don't regret reading it one bit. If you're looking for a new series to get behind, one filled with magic and action and even a good dose of romance, then Chafer's books may just be what you need!

~*~*~*~

I received this e-book from Bewitching Book Tours, in addition to joining the blog tour for this author. In exchange, I agreed to give my honest opinion on the novel.

~*~*~*~

Don't forget that Camilla Chafer will be back on March 30th with a guest post!

Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[NOR Review]: "Unbroken"

Unbroken by Rachel Caine
Publisher: Roc (February 7, 2012)
Series: The Outcast Season, #4
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Romance

Summary (Amazon.com):

For millennia, Cassiel was a powerful Djinn—until she was exiled to live among mortals. Now the threat of an apocalypse looms, and Cassiel is in danger of losing everything she has come to hold dear…

As the world begins to fall apart around her, Cassiel finds herself fighting those she once called her own: the Djinn. With Weather Warden Luis Rocha and the rescued child Ibby by her side, Cassiel struggles to find a way to protect those who are in her charge and come to terms with the leadership role she never asked for.

Cassiel is opposed by Pearl—a powerful Djinn bent on raising an army of kidnapped Warden children to bring about nothing less than the end of the world. It will take everything Cassiel has to stop the Djinn from starting a war that will wipe all of humanity from the face of the earth. She knows that this might not be a battle she can survive, but protecting those she loves is worth any cost…

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN.com

More Info:

Author's Site | Book Site | Excerpt

Other Books in the Series:

Click on the covers to buy from BN.com; the title links to the book's page on the author's website.

Book 1: Undone

Book 2: Unknown

Book 3: Unseen

My Review:

Cassiel, Luis and Isabella are back, and the struggle for Earth's survival—for humanity's very continuation—is still on going. As the planet is literally pulled apart, destroyed piece by piece, and the Wardens are trying to fight off the Djinn's attacks, another enemy starts to take advantage of the upheaval. Cassiel knows that even if they survive the attacks from the Mother, they won't survive what Pearl has in mind for them. But how can she get the Wardens to believe her and stand against Pearl?

Another thrilling chapter in the action-packed life of Cassiel (former Djinn, now merely human), Unbroken continues the story, adding new twists and turns when I least expected it. This series is anything but simple. Filled with complex characters, complex plots and enough fighting to keep you on your toes, it is a perfect example of urban fantasy at its best!

I was a bit let down by the lack of romance between Cassiel and Luis, but I could (kind of) understand why. After all, when your life, and the lives of everyone else on the planet, is in danger, and the fight for survival is never ending, when do you schedule time for a little something-something with your lover? I would have preferred more from them, but the tension between Luis and Cassiel was pretty high—and with only the smallest spark, they could have went up in flames! As they say, sometimes the build-up can be just as satisfying as the actual event... :)

^Favorite Quote:

“I ate in silence while Luis and Betty chattered on—discussing pasts, comparing relatives, talking of nothing in particular, and certainly not the lives being lost, the cities burning, the horrible cost of what was to come. It might be called denial by some, but in that moment I thought it was the very strength that made humanity so successful...the ability to transcend reality, to create reality around them, even for a moment.

It was a gift the Djinn did not have, and until that moment, I had never imagined it to be so powerful.”

4 STARS! From the moment I picked up Unbroken, I was sucked back into Caine's thrilling world! I couldn't flip the pages fast enough, and even though it had been nearly a year since I read the last book in the series, I wasn't lost—the details came back, much like being reunited with an old friend, a talent that Ms. Caine has honed over the years! Surprises lurk on every page, and it's unclear whether or not anyone will survive this great battle. The only way to find out is to jump on and enjoy the journey with Cassiel, a kick-butt heroine, and Luis, the sexy man she's fallen for. Get ready, because in true Rachel Caine fashion, this is one helluva ride, and one that you will not want to miss!

^Quote belongs solely to the author. I do not claim it in anyway.

~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 


Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

[NOR Review]: "Unknown"

Title: Unknown
Author: Rachel Caine
Publisher/Publication Date: Roc (February 2, 2010)
Series: The Outcasts, Book 2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Summary (Amazon):
Second in the new series from the New York Times bestselling author.


Living among mortals, the djinn Cassiel has developed a reluctant affection for them-especially for Warden Luis Rocha. As the mystery deepens around the kidnapping of innocent Warden children, Cassiel and Luis are the only ones who can investigate both the human and djinn realms. But the trail will lead them to a traitor who may be more powerful than they can handle...

 

Places to order Unknown at:

Amazon

Borders

B and N

My Review:

Known by many for her witty YA vampire series, Rachel Caine is also author to an urban fantasy series, The Outcasts. Unknown is the second novel in this new series, and if this book is any indication, the series is sure to be one wild ride!

How do you stop a powerful rogue djinn from destroying the world, save the captured Warden children, fall in love with your own personal Warden, and come to terms with your fall from God-like powers? Cassiel is about to find out! But will she be able to handle all of this before it's too late..?

Considering this was a second book for the series, not the debut, I was surprised at the slow pace throughout some of the book. Nothing too bad, of course, but it did affect my reading for a brief time. I'm use to her YA Morganville Vampire books, which are a bit more witty and quick paced, so it took a few chapters to get use to this book, with the slightly different writing style.

As an urban fantasy, the romance takes a back seat to the heroine's kicking butt, saving the world, etc.; however, I do wish the connection simmering between Cassiel and Luis had been a bit more pronounced in this book. If they've yet to hit it off after two books, how much longer will it take before they do? I guess I'm simply use to romance novels, where the connection is blatant, not so subtle. But the slower build up to the romance was refreshing, and sweet, just not my personal preference.

Despite a few minor criticisms, I still enjoyed this novel. It was a quick read, like all of Caine's novels, and the plot peaked my interest enough that now I wish to go back and read the previous books in this series and her similar series, The Weather Wardens.



4.5 Stars! A light fantasy novel, with just a hint of smoldering romance; perfect for anyone who wants something new instead of the same old paranormal themes. I'm interested in seeing what will happen next in Cassiel and Luis's adventures... only time will tell!




~~~
Thanks to Night Owl Reviews, where I received this print book for free in exchange for reviewing the book. (Free book does not equal biased review, however!) This review is the property of NOR.
~~~ 



Enjoy!




Until Next Time,

"Any Given Doomsday" Wonderful, Sexy, and Funny Fantasy Ride!

Synopis From B&N.com:

Elizabeth Phoenix once used her unique skills as a psychic to help in the Milwaukee Police Department’s fight against injustice. But when Liz’s foster mother is found viciously murdered—and Liz is discovered unconscious at the scene—her only memory of the crime comes in the form of terrifying dreams...of creatures more horrific than anything Liz has seen in real life. What do these visions mean? And what in the world do they have to do with her former lover, Jimmy Sanducci?

While the police question Jimmy in the murder, Jimmy opens Liz’s eyes to a supernatural war that has raged since the dawn of time in which innocent people are hunted by malevolent beings disguised as humans. Only a chosen few have the ability to fight their evil, and Jimmy believes Liz is among them. Now, with her senses heightened, new feelings are rising within Liz—ones that re-ignite her dangerous attraction to Jimmy. But Jimmy has a secret that will rock Liz to her core…and put the survival of the human race in peril.



From the very first page, Any Given Doomsday grabbed my attention and pulled me head-long into the story, into the action and adventure and passion going on everywhere. And it didn't let go of me until the very last page, leaving me wanting more, craving the next book in Haneland's newest series, The Phoenix Chronicles. And when I found out it won't be available for another 5 or more months, I was upset-- I can't wait that long to find out what happens to Jimmy and Lizzy! But I guess I'll just have to wait... *SIGH*

This book has everything-- adventure, action, suspense, paranormal *tons of it!*, humor, and of course, hot, wicked sex scenes. Some reviewers said that the latter was too explicit and made the book's over all rating go down, but in my opinion, I thought it was perfectly fine, and it was a part of the book. I mean, yes, it is labeled as an 'urban fantasy' book, but most people know that many of the urban fantasy book written now days are also partially romance books, and depending on the author, you can expect anything from tame love scenes that almost bore you to death to hot and heavy ones, borderline 'erotica' at times. This book falls in the second category, but I thought that Handeland wrote it nicely, giving the reader a nice little subplot of love from the past (That is, Jimmy and Lizzy were hot and heavy, both in love and in sex, when they were teenagers, but something happened, so they split up. Of course, when he returns to town, the fire between them is quickly re-kindled.) If you can't stand the sex, then yeah, maybe this book isn't right for you. But if you like it, or can at least deal with it *even if that means skipping over some of it* then I would suggest this book in a heartbeat.

Lizzy's story is very interesting, almost addicting, and whenever the story twists and turns, you follow right along, hungry for whatever will happen next. She's the only one who can help to save the world from total destruction--and, oh, by the way, all the creatures you had nightmares about as a child, ones that go bump in the night, really do exist. Werewolves? Check. Shapeshifters? Check. Vampires? Check. Various magical and maybe even slightly demonic creatures? Check, check, and check. And they plan on taking over the world in the name of Satan. Bad news for human kind, right? That's where Lizzy comes in. Unfortunately, she just learned all of this, so she has absolutely no idea how to fix any of this. So jump right in, and enjoy the ride as she learns as she goes.

I'd really like to read the next book, because I want to see if Jimmy and Lizzy's complicated relationship can be fixed, if it can, somehow, end up like a regular romance "And they lived happily ever after." Doubtful, at least not without many twists and turns and road blocks along the way, but I can still hope, right? I really want to believe that their love can be completely rebuilt, but you just can't know for sure-- it seems like it could go either way.

And what role will Sawyer play in the future? What's his story? He's a very.. unique character, full of unknown power and ability, and you never know what he'll do next, what he'll say. He hinted to a previous love, but he never says anything past that. I'd really like to know though, and I hope he plays as big of a part in the next book(s), if not bigger. He's sly, but sexy and mysterious, and it makes the reader curious to know more about his story.

4.5/5 stars! A wonderfully written fantasy/romance novel, with action and humor, love and sex...and plenty of paranormal creatures (Though they're almost all evil, instead of sexy like in all the romance books I read...Oh well, I guess you just can't always have it your way, right?!). Honestly, what more could you ask for? Makes me want to go and pick up her other books from her previous paranormal series even more!

~TBQ~