Monthly Round Up (6)

Monthly round up is a journal where I record my reading progress, reviews, and my favourite books/biggest disappointments of the month.

I'm hosting a reading challenge tackling free ebooks!! More info here.

Reviews:

Soldier
King Slayer
Bright Blaze of Magic
Heat of The Moment
Smoke on The Water

ALSO:

Cover reveal: Darkness Savage

What I've read this month:

I fell into a deep hole of NA urban fantasy toward the end of the month. I am LOVING it.

Favourite book:

I can't pick between these two. Love them both for different reasons. I mean, I read TRK twice so...

Biggest Disappointment:

The first two books were so good and this was so meh.

What did you read this month? Leave a comment!

~Saruuh

Review: Smoke on The Water

Sisters of The Craft: Smoke on The Water | Lori Handeland

Published by: St. Martin's Paperbacks, August 4th 2015

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Witches

Pages: 352

Format: Ebook

Source: St. Martin's, via Netgalley

Abandoned beneath a black willow tree on the banks of a northern Wisconsin creek, Willow Black spent her entire childhood in foster care. Her entire life she's had terrifying visions, and it is these visions that eventually land her in a psychiatric facility. And so Willow takes her meds and believes she is getting better. Until she meets a fellow patient who doesn't think she is crazy at all. She thinks Willow is a witch. 

Willow's psychiatrist, Dr. Sebastian Crane, works hard to resist his feeling that he and Willow are destined to be together while also working to convince her that strange occurrences aren't the result of witchcraft… until he is thrown into the middle of a storm of supernatural events that can't be explained any other way…

Okay, off the bat, these books are really great for the witchy stuff. It's good old fashioned elemental witchcraft and I really enjoy it. The historical bits stretch believe-ability but it's easy to move past.

NOW, here's what really frustrated me with this book and the finale of the series, in Goodreads updates:

Saruuh Kelsey is 59% done

Oh my god why is everyone engaged? That is NOT the natural state of a few-months-old relationship o.O For two sisters to be engaged to their LIs??? Come ON. Does that mean Sister #3 will be engaged by the end of this book????

Saruuh Kelsey is 80% done

Heeyyyyyyy just throwing this wild idea out there but what if we had someone who saw the future AND was mentally ill, and finding out she's a seer didn't Suddenly Miraculously Cure her of her illness????? How Super Neat would that be??????? I'm fed up with this seer-in-psych-ward trope. Kill it.

Saruuh Kelsey is 96% done

Ugghhhhhhhh why is every woman's happy ending pregnancy/marriage????

Saruuh Kelsey is 98% done

Oh my GOD, of course the third sister is getting married too. How else could this love story play out....???

I've pretty much said everything I want to about the mental illness trope in my passive aggression. I hate it with a fiery passion. But the sister's stories ending in engagement, marriage, and pregnancy has got my blood boiling. The pregnancy was used as a plot device so I can sort of forgive that. But why does every sister, after knowing their love interests for bare months (sure, Becca knew Owen long before but she hadn't known him FOR TEN YEARS) get engaged???? I know this is romance, but relationships do not work that way. That's how divorce happens. 

And by having every woman's story end in engagement, and having the series end in marriage, it suggests that this is the highest thing a woman can aspire to being. A wife. A mother. And both of those things are really great, and important to women, but I would have enjoyed these endings much, much more if only one of them got engaged. I mean, what are the chances three sisters would get engaged within the same period?? Sure it's fate and magic or whatever, but it's unrealistic and frustrating. And it says that Every Woman's Story should end this way. I'd have been so happy to see the sisters continuing their magic education, for that to be their promise of the future, or for Willow to be recovering from being institutionalised, instead of marriage and motherhood for EVERY SINGLE SISTER.

Okay, rant over.

These books are good urban fantasy. I'm just mad about the message the end sends. Although, I did actually enjoy this book the least. It was a little slow and drawn out until halfway. But hey, a satisfying culmination of the witchcraft and Venatores Mali.

Characters ★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

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Review: Heat of The Moment

Sisters of The Craft: Heat of The Moment | Lori Handeland

Published by: St. Martin's Paperbacks, June 30th 2015

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Witches

Pages: 352

Format: Ebook

Source: St. Martin's, via Netgalley

A spell that tore three sisters apart is broken four hundred years later, when the magic in their blood reunites them. Now, one of them will discover her gift—and reignite a love long thought lost…
Flame-haired Becca Carstairs was born to be a veterinarian. Since childhood, her affinity for animals has been special, and her healing touch nothing short of magic. But only Becca knows the truth—that she alone can hear the creatures’ voices. She’s always trusted her sixth sense… until a string of missing pets, an attempted murder, and a face from her past converge into one explosive mystery, with her at its center.

Is haunted Owen McAllister, the boy who broke her heart ten years ago, related to the sinister crimes that have peaceful Three Harbors, Wisconsin, on its guard? Or is his reappearance part of the answer to questions that have troubled her all her life? As Becca delves into her strange heritage, she’ll have to fight for her life… and the man she will always love.

Just as full of danger, intrigue, and magic as the first book.

I really liked Bobby Doucet, but I LOVED Owen. I don't know what it was about him but I really clicked with him. What I liked was that he was disabled. What I didn't like was how he was healed at the end and that was his happy ending. But I did like Becca, the main character, and their relationship with each other. This book also features some pretty great parents. Way to go, Heat of The Moment.

Becca's communicating with animals was a nice difference to other books I've read, and I loved how obvious her healing magic was once I got to the end. Very cleverly snuck in through the whole book. 

I do have some gripes. The historical Scotland bits are SO out of place it's jarring. And why does every female in this series need a male hero to come and save her? I get that Becca did save herself in a way, but it still ticked me off. There was also a comment about a farmer having only daughters, no sons, so there's no way his farm could continue and that really riled me up. FEMALE FARMERS EXIST!

But hey, apart from the slights to my feminist sensibilities, this book is fun, and fast paced, and the romance is very nice. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

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ARC Review: Bright Blaze of Magic

Black Blade: Bright Blaze of Magic | Jennifer Estep

Published by: Kensington Books, April 26th 2016

Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Magic

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: Kensington, via Netgalley

Bad Things Always Come In Threes…

As a thief, I'm good at three things: hiding in the shadows, getting in and out unseen, and uncovering secrets. I put these skills to work for the Sinclair Family, one of the magical mobs that run the tourist town of Cloudburst Falls.

Everyone knows Victor Draconi wants to take over all the other Families--and kill every last Sinclair. What they don't know is that I'm on to him, and no way will I let the man who murdered my mom get away with hurting all the other people I care about. Especially when I've got places to break into, stuff to steal, and Devon Sinclair fighting right by my side…

"An adventurous ride you will never want to get off." --#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout on Cold Burn of Magic 

Finally! An enjoyable finale that didn't rip my heart into tiny little pieces. Thank you, Bright Blaze of Magic for this relief. Not to say this book isn't still emotional and packed with heartbreak - cause it totally is. But there's always Lila/Devon's super sweet love to balance all the hurt and torturing and kidnapping.

This book is as action filled and exciting as urban fantasy gets. Actually as any book gets. It's a great blend of mob war and paranormal, with quirky monsters to boot. The characters are pretty epic too - I love the interactions between Lila, Devon, Felix, and Deah - and I ADORED Lila and Deah's enemies-to-sisters journey. I love my ladies being supportive of each other. Lila herself is a dynamic character, and every emotion she experiences feels so real that I feel it too. This book just has everything I like. Great characters, great plot, incredibly unique world populated with magic and monsters and mortals, and simmering romance.

A fun, exciting series for fantasy fans of all kinds. Lila is kickass and funny and you'll love her story of secrets and revenge.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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ARC Review: King Slayer

Witch Hunter: King Slayer| Virginia Boecker

Published by: Orchard Books, June 2nd 2016

Genre: YA, Historical, Fantasy, Witches

Pages: 400

Format: Ebook

Source: Orchard, via Netgalley

Magic, suspense, and political intrigue collide in this sequel to The Witch Hunter, perfect for fans of Graceling and the Grisha Trilogy.

Former witch hunter Elizabeth Grey is hiding within the magically protected village of Harrow, evading the price put on her head by Lord Blackwell, the usurper king of Anglia. Their last encounter left Blackwell ruined, but his thirst for power grows stronger every day. He's readying for a war against those who would resist his rule--namely Elizabeth and the witches, wizards, pirates, and healers she now calls her friends.

Having lost her stigma, a magical source of protection and healing, Elizabeth's strength is tested both physically and emotionally. War always means sacrifice, and as the lines between good and evil blur once more, Elizabeth must decide just how far she'll go to save those she loves.

In this sequel to The Witch Hunter, Virginia Boecker delivers a powerful story full of action, suspense, camaraderie, and romance. 

My heart has been stabbed half a dozen times. This heartless book.

First off, Elizabeth is my fave, forever. She's capable and deadly with a sword but sensitive and caring. I love her so much. And John. And them together. But the corrupt!John thing KILLED ME. I cried about three times, and it was so unfair. He didn't deserve that. (Plus WHY with the ending? So, so cruel. Worst ending ever.)

Other things I adore about this book are: the perfect tension that really made it feel like a war was building, Blackwell's vulnerability - he really came into his own as a villain in this book, Caleb's cunning, incredible setting details, scary as hell plot (I'm talking about John not loving Elizabeth here), and pretty damn awesome friendships, by which I mean Elizabeth and Schuyler, Elizabeth and Fifer. I didn't like Elizabeth forgiving Malcolm, but you do you (plus she thought they were about to die, so I forgive that.) And it did have some lovely romantic moments that were a balm to my sore heart - I will never forget Elizabeth and John in the apothecary shop. Please print that scene on my tomb stone.

A thrilling and tense historical fantasy series, with romance that hurts and soothes at once, and characters that are impossible to forget. I love this series so much.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

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ARC Review: Soldier

Talon: Soldier | Julie Kagawa

Published by: Mira Ink, May 5th 2016

Genre: YA, Paranormal, Dragons

Pages: 400

Format: Ebook

Source: Mira Ink, via Netgalley

The thrilling next story in the The Talon Saga, the incredible new YA fantasy series from New York Times bestselling author Julie Kagawa.

When forced to choose between the sinister Talon organisation and being hunted by her own kind, dragon-human hybrid Ember fled. Even if it meant losing Garret, the dragon-slaying soldier she shares a deep bond with.

Now Garret has uncovered secrets that will shake the foundations of dragons and dragon-slayers alike. Can the danger reunite them?

I honestly don't know how to review this book, because I love it so much and it so cruelly hurt me. Here are my thoughts:

-Ember is so kickass and I love her so much. She's tough and fights and yet cries. I love the complexities in her identity - as both dragon and human.

- Riley, what happened? I was super into you in Rogue but you reverted into the possessive ultra-dick. Come on, dude.

-Garret, YOU DESERVED BETTER. And, I'm assuming, will get better in the next book. He can't be permanently ... y'know. Say it aint so! I love Garret so much - he's noble, caring, and deadly with a gun. All the things I like.

- The plot is full of action and danger but still has enough quiet, emotional moments to satisfy the romantic in me

- Ember made up her mind!!!! She didn't keep floundering between Riley and Garret, even though each side of her is conflicted about who they want. She made a choice and stuck with it. I respect her so much after that.

- I do NOT like the lifemate thing. Seems a convenient way to undermine Ember's choice & keep the other guy an option

- Packed full of fun and drama and thrills.

- The ending is unacceptable. Just straight up cruel. I will never forgive this book.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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Cover Reveal: Darkness Savage

Darkness Savage
Rachel A. Marks
(The Dark Cycle #3)
Published by: Skyscape
Publication date: October 13th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

The forces of Darkness have only gotten stronger as Aidan struggles to control his newly awakened abilities that seem to be his only hope for fixing the mess he made by waking up his little sister, Ava, who seems to think it’s all a game as she taunts him and begins a torturous game of cat and mouse. And while Rebecca isn’t sure where she fits in the fight, one thing she does know is that something has gone very wrong inside her. And uncovering what it is could upend any hope Aidan has to save the lives of everyone he’s grown to love.
Everything he’s built, everything he’s fought for until now, hangs in the balance—as well as the fate of the world. Now Aidan and the Lights he’s brought together must take their true place to fight the forces rising from the shadows at a startling rate, forces trying to tear them apart. But when Aidan can’t save the one thing he needs the most, he begins to wonder if he’ll have anything true left to hold on to in the end.

Goodreads / Amazon

Previous books in the series:

Author Bio:
Rachel A. Marks is an award-winning author and professional artist, a SoCal girl, cancer survivor, a surfer and dirt-bike rider, chocolate lover and keeper of faerie secrets. She was voted: Most Likely to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse, but hopes she'll never have to test the theory. Her debut series The Dark Cycle, described as Dickens' Oliver Twist meets TV's Supernatural, is now out through Skyscape, beginning with DARKNESS BRUTAL.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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