Tag Archives: urban fantasy

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Blood of Angels

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17264134

Blood of Angels (Blood Hunters #2)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I enjoyed the first book more this one was still enjoyable enough to make me want to continue the series. The characters, some of whom were introduced in the first book, get expanded on so that they take on a new dimension. I was drawn in more quickly this time because I was familiar with who they were and what was going on with the mains. The setting is maybe not exotic but it is very different and makes the players more interesting because of their location. The language works for the vampires and the humans as they banter.

Eighteen months ago István went to the Angel and got on the bad side of its owner Angyalka, who just happens to be a vampire, when he and a group of hunters went there trying to capture Saloman. Not long after this fiasco István was very badly injured in a fight at the hunter library which left him semi paralyzed with little hope. But he and his fellow hunters were saved by Saloman and so began their alliance with the enemy. He has recovered and is now on his feet once again and creating his electronic marvels again.

István returns to the Angel supposedly to research how to store psychic energy. He believes that Angyalka can help him with this even though she is not very old but appears to be very powerful. Angyalka has not forgotten the hunter who humiliated her in front of her patrons and is looking for some payback. What they find is that two people can sometimes come together over their mutual short comings even when they fight it.

I like the idea behind an alliance between vampires and those who have traditionally hunted them. You get to see both sides, those who are for cooperation and those who would like to see a war between them. The two sides are going to be clashing more and more as things progress. This was just a taste of how the sides can get along if they stop seeing each other as so different. The sex is hot but not over the top and appropriate for what is going on. I would recommend.

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Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: The Laughing Corpse

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605250265944977278189

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

Reading this when I did was a good way to remind myself what Anita was like before she started dealing with the monsters on a personal level. This was my love/hate phase with Anita because she was such an extremely judgmental, holier-than-thou piece of work when she was younger. But at the same time she was a hard ass who knew enough to be afraid of what went bump in the night, since she knew it was real. The graphic novel just gave another dimension to the world that she lives in.

Anita as always has more going on than she can deal with alone. She has been asked to raise a zombie which will require a human sacrifice and refuses. She is also approached by Dominga Salvador to come and help her with a project she has with zombies, and the Senora does not like to be turned down. There is a killer zombie running around the city killing families and the police need Anita to help them capture and/or destroy it. Not to mention the fact that the Master of the City wishes to speak with her about her future. What’s a girl to do when she is this popular?

I loved this because the art work made it come alive so much more and has given me a visual to work with when I read the novels. I would recommend it to fans of the series or anyone who just wants to be entertained.

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Jason

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23205616

Jason (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #23)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
This was a nice short that gave a showcase to Jason Schuyler, a werewolf who works for Jean-Claude at his club and is also one of his blood donors. The story is straight forward and moves along cleanly and concisely as it lays itself out. The characters are mostly well established with a few new faces that are fleshed out good enough to make me like them. The language is just what you expect from the series after all this time. I am so happy that Jason got a feature since he has always been more of a side character, though he is mentioned quite often.

Jason has been speaking to several of Anita’s live-in loves behind her back. He has a request that he feels he needs back-up for even though Anita has managed to change so much over the past years. Jason is in love and he wants Anita to help him show J.J., the love of his life, what his type of rough sex is. He is considering making a move with J.J. and wants her to be completely good with who he is, just like he is for her. Things can go very well or very badly with the people involved in this little venture.

I would recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed the Anita Blake series.

“Anita,” Jason said. I looked at him and J.J. “You okay?” I shrugged. “I think this is the most complicated BDSM scene I’ve tried without Jean-Claude or Asher involved. It’s like we have all this talent and potential, but no one is in charge.” That was all true. It wasn’t exactly what was spooking me, but it was still part of the truth. It also meant that they’d probably quit asking me what was wrong. “I cannot be with Asher,” Jade said. I shook my head. “I wasn’t suggesting it, just not sure who’s directing everything.” “We’ve made love with Nathaniel in bed with us before,” she said, her voice soft, low, and strangely musical. Her voice didn’t always sound that way, but it often did when she was trying to persuade, or I guess manipulate me. I’d asked her if she’d had theater training, but she didn’t seem to know what I meant, so I’d let it go. I let a lot of things go with Jade, even I knew that, but when she puzzled me enough I stepped back rather than pushing. I wasn’t sure if I was growing up, or she was winning. “You’re in charge, Anita,” Domino said, “so be in charge. What do you want to do?” In my head I thought, Leave. Maybe it showed on my face, because he said, “Do what you enjoy and Jade will follow your lead.” Jade nodded. “Really?” I asked her. “Truly,” she said. “Okay, I know what I want to do.” “I will follow where you lead,” she said. I knew it was both the truth and a lie. She’d follow me for a while, until she decided she didn’t want to, or she got too uncomfortable, then she’d do whatever the hell she wanted to do and somehow it would be my fault, again. I was starting to seriously sympathize with the men who were dating me.”
― Laurell K. Hamilton, Jason       Laurell K. Hamilton
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The Scarlet Deep

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25500387

The Scarlet Deep (Elemental World #3)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have loved these books since I read my first Elemental Mysteries novel. I was pulled into those and when the series ended and started again with the Elemental World I was more than happy to continue following. We have many of the characters from the first series showing up and having an active place in these books, which always makes for a good read since you are able to relate to them as you get to know the new characters, though here most have been seen in prior books. The story which was started in earlier novels continues here and is added on to seamlessly as events continue and those in the past are recounted. The characters continue to evolve and become more than just flat actors on the page.

Patrick Murphy is a man who seems to have everything he could want, he runs the immortal side of Dublin with efficiency and a soft touch, he can have any woman he wants immortal or human, but he has regrets that keep him from fully enjoying his life. Anne O’Dea ran away from a relationship after 30 years because she felt her mate was not to be trusted and she had lost herself in their life together,and was no longer who she had been. With the threat of Elixir becoming more and more real for everyone in Ireland these two have to decide what they want before the choice is taken from them.

Murphy is a scoundrel but a lovable guy that you can’t help but root for as he tries to win back the love of his life. Anne is like most intelligent people, she can see the mistakes others make but not her own. The mystery of who is distributing Elixir is still an important part of the story and it is not neglected for the love story. I totally enjoyed this.

“I HATE you,” she told her sister over the speakerphone in her secure wing of Brigid and Carwyn’s house. “No, you don’t.” “I do.” “What did Murphy do?” “Nothing.”  Except kiss me in Galway and remind me that I miss him like a lost limb.  Stare at me during the opera as if he’d eat me alive in the most pleasurable way possible.  Show off his intellect, which has always been the most attractive thing about him.  “Patrick Murphy has been a complete gentleman,” she said. “Unerringly polite and respectful. Painfully welcoming.” Anne heard Mary suck on her cigarette and release a breath. “Hateful man. That would irritate the piss out of me.”
― Elizabeth Hunter, The Scarlet Deep  Elizabeth Hunter
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Guilty Pleasures

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6519728

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Graphic Novels #1-2 issues #1-12)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I totally enjoyed this graphic novel based on one of my favorite series. The story follows the novel but gives you that visuals that you always had to supply yourself. If you enjoy the Anita Blake series then you will definitely want to give the graphic novels a look. They hit the mark very well on their renditions of the characters. Going to keep reading them as long as they have them.
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The Gifted Soul

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22428690

The Gifted Soul

by Jeannie Ingraham (Editor), Sharon Prudente (Editor), Nada Orlic (Illustrator)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Based on the blurb and cover I was thinking that I might not enjoy this a great deal. But I have to say that it was not the case at all, I was very pleasantly surprised . I found myself pulled into the story immediately because I really like the main female character from the beginning. There are some glitches with grammar, spelling, and word use in some places but nothing to severe as to draw away from the narrative for long. The main characters are very well fleshed out with the secondary characters having enough depth to still keep things moving smoothly.

Sophie Walters is a junior in high school and has been able to avoid being found out in the Sweeps since she was in the sixth grade. She is one year away from never having to worry about it ever again, then something goes wrong. Sophie can see auras, ghosts, and read minds with touch, she is sought after for these abilities like so many others around the country. Now she is going to be sent away from her home and friends to an institution for others like her.

Lyle Raider ferreted out Sophie even though her administrator could not prove she was gifted. He is the reason she is now going to a school for kids with abilities like hers. But something is not right there and soon Sophie and her new friends will find themselves going against the grain to save themselves and others.

This had a little teen angst with some good psychic abilities on display. Definitely a good read for anyone who likes stories with a paranormal theme. Recommended for all ages!

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White Trash Zombie Apocalypse

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18182495

White Trash Zombie Apocalypse (White Trash Zombie #3)

by Diana Rowland (Author), Allison McLemore (Narrator)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Angel Crawford is back with her group of friends, family, and almost boyfriend. As is to be expected this was another great read with humor, mystery, revelations, and death. The story was fun and fast paced with enough new characters and old to keep things more than interesting. The plot is continuing to advance with new elements being added with each telling as we get more information on the characters and the forces they are aligned against.

They are making of all things a zombie movie in town at the high school with lots of extras. Before things even get going well there is a death on the set and Angel goes out to collect the body. But things are never as simple as they seem and soon Angel finds herself in the middle of another mystery that she will need to solve or risk losing her freedom or life.

I went through this quickly because I was engrossed in the story and wanted to see what would happen next to this girl who has made such changes in her life. Zombies have more of a life than a lot of people in this town. You have to read this series!

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A Shiver of Light

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19417217

A Shiver of Light (Merry Gentry #9)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have been waiting for the continuation of this story since the last book ended and I think it was worth it. People complain about how descriptive LKH is about everything in her books, but this is not a short story and so I want to know what’s going on with everything I can. This is about creating a scene that is visual and brings you into the story itself, that is what happens here, you cannot help but be pulled in because you know what the setting is so well. It has been five (5) years and I was happy to have the men described to me in minute detail, it gave me a thrill to sit back and see them again after so long. I love this series and the characters who populate it. They are like friends who have been on vacation only to come back for a visit that is not nearly long enough.

Merry is very heavy with child and about to deliver any day, she cannot find out who the father or fathers are until then. That is both a good thing and bad thing since Taranis, the King of Light and Illusion and Merry’s uncle is claiming that he is the father of one or all of her babies from his rape of her. Though she was pregnant when he raped her, he is delusional and believes she consented and was grateful for his rescue. It’s hard enough becoming a parent without having your crazy, powerful uncle trying to claim them and you as a prize.

With everything else that is going on Merry is finding herself being taken to those who carry her nail around their necks as a talisman. She has become a kind of deity to them though she refuses the title. She and the men she love are all waiting for the children but are also dreading the fight they know they will face in order to stay safe and keep their children safe from harm.

This book was a lot more tame than any of those before it as far as violence and sex. With the coming of the babies things have been toned down for the time being. There is happiness, love, lust, pride, loss, and redemption to be found between the pages of this book. If you love or even like the of LKH you will be happy with this entry. I just hope it is not the last we will be hearing from Princess Meredith Nic Essus and loves.

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Sudden Backtrack

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Sudden Backtrack (The Hollows #13.1)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was under the impression that this was going to be Al’s story, like him having the last word after all was said and done. This was nothing like what I expected. I was actually kind of bored while reading it, something that has never happened with one of Kim Harrison’s books. This just seemed like an after thought more than anything else, not a thought out short. I didn’t mind the length but I did mind that it was not a better short. It gets 3 stars because I love the characters even if I do not particularly like the story being told.

Newt and Gally (Al) have escaped but are trying to spin a curse on the elves which will affect their future children and they have chosen one of their hunters to be the one to spread it.

This was more about Newt than Al and it did give me the reason that she felt so close to Rachel. This I would say to read if you just want one more look at the world of the demons. It is very limited.

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Kiss of Crimson

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Kiss of Crimson (Midnight Breed #2)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book a great deal! This grabbed me from the opening and kept me fully engaged for the entire book. The characters are wonderful and well fleshed out giving them the feel of true life. I liked them as real people because their feelings seemed so genuine and they were not perfect but slightly flawed like most people are.

Dante is out looking for a quick nip and maybe something more. On his way out of the club he encounters a Rogue that is not affected by titanium and fights like a crazed animal. When he is attacked during his fight he ends up in the river but manages to find his way into the back room of a veterinary hospital owned by Tess. While trying to help the battered man in her business she is attacked and bitten by the handsome man. Dante later notices that she has a Breedmate mark, and is shocked to realize what he has started.

Tess does not remember being attacked and so continues with her life never knowing that a man/warrior has marked her. She also does not know that her ex is doing something that will ultimately come back and hurt her. Ben, her ex is obsessed with Tess and she has no idea what lengths he goes to see her. With a new drug on the streets that is causing havoc among Breed youth and Darkhaven youth disappearing, the question is are they linked.

These two people are both a little broken but want to be fixed, even they don’t always admit it. You have violence, kidnapping, and drug use, you also have honor, loyalty, and love. You get the best of everything here with vampires both good and bad who fight hard. If you have not started this series yet you need to.

“Then run to me.” Dante’s eyes were fierce as he held her gaze. “I know all about fear, Tess. It lives in me too. That ‘seizure’ I had in your clinic? It’s not a medical condition, not even close.” “What is it?” “Death,” he said woodenly. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve had these attacks—these visions—of my last moments alive. It’s hellish beyond imagining, but I see it as if it’s happening. I feel it, Tess. It’s my fate.” “I don’t understand. How can you be sure of that?” His smile was wry. “I’m sure. My mother had similar visions of her own death, and my father’s too. They happened precisely as she envisioned them. She couldn’t change what was to happen, or turn it back. So I’ve been trying to outrun my own end. I’ve been running from it forever. I’ve kept myself insulated from things that might make me want to slow down and live. I’ve never permitted myself to truly feel.” “There’s danger in feeling,” Tess murmured. Although she could not begin to imagine what kind of pain Dante carried within him, she felt a kinship growing between them. Both alone, both adrift in their worlds. “I don’t want to feel anything for you, Dante.” “God, Tess. I don’t want to feel anything for you either.”
― Lara Adrian, Kiss of CrimsonLara Adrian