Review: The Afterlife of Holly Chase

Read if you like: teen romance stories, interesting takes on old books, paranormal fantasy.

The Afterlife of Holly Chase | Cynthia Hand

Genre: YA Fantasy
Released: October 24th 2017
Pages: 389
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

On Christmas Eve five years ago, Holly was visited by three ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she'd become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways.

She didn't.

And then she died.

Now she's stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge--as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past.

Every year, they save another miserly grouch. Every year, Holly stays frozen at seventeen while her family and friends go on living without her. So far, Holly's afterlife has been miserable.

But this year, everything is about to change. . . . 

This is perfect for its target audience. Teenagers are going to love this. But me? I wanted it to be more.

The concept of this is so cool, I had an idea of what it'd be in my head. It's a young romance at its heart, and that's kind of IT. I wanted supernatural awesomeness, and the blurb made it sound like it would be. I didn't click with the characters either, or the romance (to me it was just ... bland) so I didn't enjoy it much. I still think its so interesting as a concept and younger readers will find more to love but I just didn't like much.

2.5 stars

#FreeInKU - Queen Takes Knights

Read if you like: women who can hold their own, alpha males in HEALTHY relationships, and hot-as-hell romance.

Queen Takes Knights | Joely Sue Bukhart

Series: Their Vampire Queen

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance, Reverse Harem
Released: October 17th 2017
Pages: 190
Format: Ebook
Source: Kindle Unlimited

A lost virgin vampire queen. Two vampire knights sworn to protect her.
It’s about to get very hot… and bloody…

Ever since her mother was murdered by monsters five years ago, Shara Isador has been on the run. Alone, scared, and exhausted, she’s finally cornered in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Out of hope with nowhere else to turn, she’s ready to end it all when two men come to her rescue.

They say she’s a lost queen descended from Isis, and they’re her Blood, vampire knights sworn to protect her. It all seems like a crazy nightmare, until the alpha offers his blood. Then she realizes she’s never wanted anything more. Except maybe his body… and his friend’s, too.

But they’re not the only ones searching for a lost queen. Shara must learn how to wield her new powers quickly and conquer her fears if she intends to keep them all alive.

Paranormal romance with not one but TWO alphas who aren't domineering, controlling, or problematic. This book is awesome. Steamy, awesomely dangerous, and a story that is genuinely interesting with a plot twist. And consent is SO important in this. I love it so much and need the next book!

5 stars

Review: Graveyard Shift

Graveyard Shift | Michael F. Haspil

Published by: Tor Books, July 18th 2017

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Pages: 352

Format: Hardback

Source: Tor Books

Police procedurals go supernatural in this gritty urban fantasy debut 

Alex Menkaure, former pharaoh and mummy, and his vampire partner, Marcus, who was born in ancient Rome, once hunted evil vampires for UMBRA, a super-secret unit of the NSA. That was before the discovery of a blood substitute and a Supreme Court ruling allowed thousands of vampires to integrate into society.

Now, Alex and Marcus are vice cops in a special police unit. They fight to keep the streets safe from criminal vampires, shape-shifters, blood-dealers, and anti-vampire vigilantes.

When someone starts poisoning the artificial blood, race relations between vampires and humans deteriorate to the brink of anarchy. While the city threatens to tear itself apart, Alex and Marcus must form an unnatural alliance with a vigilante gang and a shape-shifter woman in a desperate battle against an ancient vampire conspiracy.

If they succeed, they'll be pariahs, hunted by everyone. If they fail, the result will be a race-war bloodierthan any the world has ever seen.

Gritty urban fantasy and hard-boiled noir packed into a hand grenade of awesome! Mario Acevedo, author of Werewolf Smackdown 

I wanted to like this book SO MUCH. A guy who used to be a mummy but who's now part of a special vampire branch of the police? Sign me the heck up. But I just could not get into the writing style. It's very detail-packed, down to the specific type of gun used, and I just could not connect with the voice. But that's a 100% personal thing, and I know a tonne of people will love this book.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★☆☆☆

Review: Legion

Talon: Legion | Julie Kagawa

Published by: HQ, April 25th 2017

Genre: Urban fantasy, Dragons

Pages: 384

Format: Ebook

Source: HQ, via Netgalley

The legions are about to be unleashed, and no human, rogue dragon or former dragon slayer can stand against the coming horde. Book 4 of 5 in The Talon Saga from New York Times bestselling author Julie Kagawa.

Dragon hatchling Ember Hill was never prepared to find love at all--dragons do not suffer human emotions--let alone the love of a human and a former dragonslayer, at that. With ex-soldier Garret dying at her feet after sacrificing his freedom and his life to expose the deepest of betrayals, Ember knows only that nothing she was taught by dragon organization Talon is true. About humans, about rogue dragons, about herself and what she's capable of doing and feeling.

In the face of great loss, Ember vows to stand with rogue dragon Riley against the dragon-slaying Order of St. George and her own twin brother Dante--the heir apparent to all of Talon, and the boy who will soon unleash the greatest threat and terror dragonkind has ever known.

Talon is poised to take over the world, and the abominations they have created will soon take to the skies, darkening the world with the promise of blood and death to those who refuse to yield. 

(I am so happy no one died. So, so happy.)

I didn't love this nearly as much as the other books but it was still packed full of action, heart, and intrigue. I really liked how we saw Dante's role more, even though I don't like him at all, and how far he's willing to go for Talon (way, way too far.) Garret and Ember continue to be couple goals, and I love them supporting each other. And Riley, poor Riley - I actually felt sad for him in this book. Please let him find someone to love him (hi, Mist, looking at you.)

This series is one of my favourites, and this was another strong installment. There's nothing I don't like in these books. Everything's going to hell in the next book but I'm actually looking forward to it. Plus, I'm super excited to see the fallout of Riley saving Garret (please can we give him a dragon form? That would be AWESOME!)

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Reviews: Lost Wolf, Chosen Wolf

Curse Of The Moon: Lost Wolf | Stacy Claflin

Published: July 17th 2016

Genre: NA, Paranormal, Romance

Pages: 258

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

She’s hiding a dark secret. It already killed her once. 

Victoria can’t wait to start college, but there’s a hitch—she can’t remember anything before arriving on campus. Her memories finally spark when she sees her ruggedly handsome math professor, but she senses something terrible happened. The shock on his face affirms her fears. 

Toby is an alpha wolf who never thought he’d see his true love again—not after she died in his arms. Nothing could have prepared him for her walking into his class. But to his dismay, not only has she forgotten the past, she doesn’t even know who she is. 

He’s determined to do whatever it takes to restore what they’ve lost. Can Toby help Victoria recover her memories, or will he lose her forever? 

USA Today bestselling author, Stacy Claflin, brings you Lost Wolf, the first book in the Curse of the Moon series. It’s a paranormal romantic suspense saga that features gripping supernatural drama, surprising twists, dynamic characters, and heart-pounding romance. 

Read Lost Wolf today to satisfy your craving for a fast-paced paranormal tale.

So, so damn good. I hoped for a decent paranormal story with okay romance at best but holy hell this was awesome. Exciting and gripping story with tonnes of mystery and questions. A hot as HELL romance. Seriously, I want a Toby. And I really liked Victoria as a MC too. The only downside was Carter, who felt surplus, but I can live with that. A romantic, mysterious story. Don't hesitate to read this.

Characters ★★★★☆
Setting/World ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

Curse Of The Moon: Chosen Wolf | Stacy Claflin

Published: September 29th 2016

Genre: NA, Paranormal, Romance

Pages: 228

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Victoria is a werewolf who can’t shift… and it’s slowly killing her.

Since leaving her family’s pack, Victoria has acquired many enemies. One of them has cursed her with the inability to turn at the full moon. Each un-shift is painfully worse than the last, breaking bones as well as her optimism.

Before finding the cure, Victoria must figure out who is behind it, and that proves harder than it would seem. Even with the high witch, a valkyrie, and a former troll king on her side, the mystery only continues to deepen. A cursed body is unearthed and friends disappear.

Can Victoria and her new pack find the cure in time to save both her and their missing friends?

Chosen Wolf is the second book in the Curse of the Moon series by USA Today bestselling author, Stacy Claflin. It’s a paranormal romantic suspense saga that features gripping supernatural drama, surprising twists, dynamic characters, and heart-pounding romance.

Read Chosen Wolf today to satisfy your craving for a heart-pounding paranormal tale. 

With just as much wolfy, paranormal drama and smoldering romance, this is a strong sequel. I didn't love it QUITE as much as book one, but I like how Victoria and Toby's relationship grew, and the look into their past, along with the growing threat surrounding them. Great action, layers upon layers of mystery, and an awesome cast of characters. I'm so glad I started this series!

Characters ★★★☆☆
Setting/World ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

Review: What The Dead Want

What The Dead Want | Norah Olson

Published by: Katherine Tegen Books, July 26th 2016

Genre: YA, Paranormal, Gothic, Ghosts

Pages: 320

Format: Ebook

Source: Katherine Tegen, via Edelweiss

16 -year-old Gretchen takes photographs to understand the world around her, a passion her mother Mona fostered and encouraged when she was still around. Since her mom disappeared years ago, Gretchen and her dad have lived on their own in New York City, haunted by Mona’s absence.

When Gretchen’s great aunt Esther calls unexpectedly to tell her that she has inherited the pre-Civil War mansion on her mother’s side of the family in upstate New York, Gretchen understands nothing except that her aunt needs her help. But what she finds there is beyond her imagination. The house is crumbling apart, filled with stacks of papers and journals from decades, even centuries past, and it’s crawling with rodents. It’s also full of secrets and a legacy of racism and violence so reprehensible that the ghosts of the past are exacting revenge on the living.

Somehow the mystery of Mona’s disappearance and the atrocities that happened on the land during the Civil War are inextricably intertwined, and it’s up to Gretchen to figure out how…before even more lives are lost. 

This is a damn good ghost story. When I went into this book I expected a run-of-the-mill horror. Flat characters, bland relationships, a tonne of unanswered questions, a bit of tense spookiness to keep me going. But it was Halloween, and What The Dead Want seemed suitably creepy. 

This is not run-of-the-mill. This is stand out, well written gothic paranormal and it has memorable, likeable (what?!) characters. The story was not predictable at all. I LOVED the element of photography, how spirits could be captured on film, and how integral it was to the end of the story. There's a perfect blend of ghostiness (that's a word!), history, mystery, danger, and plucky and brave characters trying to uncover secrets. I also loved how it confronted the racist history of the house and the church, and how Gretchen accepted her own link to her predecessor's horrific actions. How she never shifted the blame or responsibility and was determined to get justice for the victims.

Multi-faceted, horrifying in unexpected ways, and driven by passion and heart. You won't find a better ghost story than this.

Characters ★★★★☆
Setting/World ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

ARC Review: Labyrinth Lost

Brooklyn Brujas: Labyrinth Lost | Zoraida Cordova

Published by: Sourcebooks Fire, September 6th 2016

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Queer

Pages: 336

Format: Paperback

Source: Sourcebooks Fire, via Netgalley

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.

Sorta what I expected, sorta not, but I really enjoyed it! Here are my thoughts:

- I really like Alex, love Nova, but I'm kinda ehhh about Rishi. I just didn't connect with her at all, which is such a disappointment because it's a f/f romance!

- I am CRAZY about the diversity in this book. It's such an authentic voice and it really shows in the writing and the passionate detail of this book. The main character is a queer WOC and so is her love interest!

-Nova is precious and I want to keep him forever. I'm SO here for his redemption arc!

- I loved the Deos, and Los Lagos was so cool and inventive - bird people! It's just really nice to read about a world and pantheon inspired by another culture than mine

- The magic was awesome, and totally witchy. I've found a new love for Brujas.

- I really, really think Alex's dad is a Deo. That's not really an opinion on the book. I just hope I'm right!

- Beautifully detailed and lovingly written. Alex is fierce and flawed and you'll love her!

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Book Blitz: Vial Things

Leah Clifford is back with a BLOODY good young adult novel that you don’t want to miss. And at $2.99 – there’s no reason to!  

Vial Things Synopsis

As an eighteen-year-old resurrectionist, Allie knows staying vigilant means staying alive. The blood of the resurrectionists is heavily regulated, only used with the express permission of the group’s leaders for fear of being discovered. She’s taken every precaution--self-defense classes since childhood, extensive weapons training with knives, and even going so far as to befriend a homeless boy named Ploy, who unknowingly trades a few nights a week on her couch in exchange for being a human tripwire to those after her blood.
But as Allie and Ploy’s feelings for each other grow, and a hunter starts taking out the resurrectionists of Fissure’s Whipp, Allie begins to realize even her best laid plans won’t be enough to keep both Ploy and herself safe.
Protecting a girl he shouldn’t love, from a threat he understands too well, Ploy must face his past to save his future in Allie’s world--a world where bringing back the dead can cost you your life.

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About The Author

Leah Clifford was born and raised outside of Cleveland Ohio. She has an affinity for all things weird and creepy as made evident by her oddity shop Petite Grotesque and her previous young adult novels, A Touch Mortal, A Touch Morbid and A Touch Menacing.
You can find her on Twitter

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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