Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4) by Ilona Andrews

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Kate Daniels keeps the peace in Atlanta for the Order, humans caught between the vampire controlling People led by her biological father and best kept secret, Roland, and the shape-shifter Pack, led by her mate-to-be Curran, the Lord of the Beasts. But her look-alike aunt Erra, Babylon's god of chaos and terror, has come to town controlling seven naked warriors: Deluge (flood water), Tremor (earth quake), Gale (hurricane wind), Torch (fire inferno), Venom (disease poison), Beast (animal monster), and Darkness (overpowering dread).

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Wow!! Without question the best in the series so far. I just fell in love with these authors and am looking to get my hands on everything that they write.

Loved this book as we learn a lot about Kate's background, get to see her in action, and have some resolution on her and Curran's relationship. Overall a can't put down read.



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Working Stiff (Revivalist, #1) by Rachel Caine

Working Stiff by Rachel Caine

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Bryn Davis was killed on the job after discovering her bosses were selling a drug designed to resurrect the dead. Now, revived by that same drug, she becomes an undead soldier in a corporate war to take down the very pharmaceutical company responsible for her new condition...

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Very different type of book from the other series that I have read by Rachel Caine. Not bad different, just a little unexpected.

First I have to say that this book should in no way be classified as either Paranormal or Urban Fantasy. I would say it is more of a techno-thriller than anything. While there are 'zombies' in the book, this term is used very loosely. What we really have is science making it possible for nanites to revive and keep alive a human body. While the body will decay if injections are withheld the results are about as far as you can get from your typical storybook zombies. The person who is revived is in complete control of themselves (well most of the time)and has no strange cravings whatsoever.

This is the story of unsuspecting heroine getting caught up in something that she has nothing to do with. Wrong place, wrong time, basically. The story comes complete with corporate espionage, James Bond type good guys and enough futuristic science fiction to make you go hmmmmmmmm.

Overall an enjoyable read, though I was a little disappointed in the ending. Of course there are more books to follow in the series. I will continue to read, but not with the enthusiasm that I have consumed some of Ms. Caine's other books.



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Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, #3) by Ilona Andrews

Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Without question the best book in the series so far. So much happened in this book that really brought this series together. The writing is phenomenal, the characters are a fabulous blend of traits that make them unforgettable. The story line is evolving at a pace that makes you keep wanting more and more.


Investigator for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, Kate Daniels keeps humans safe in Atlanta. But when her werewolf friend Derek is dying in human form, from attack by the mysterious Reaper team at the Midnight Games, she and Curran, the Beast Lord, must fight together to win the Wolf Diamond topaz and save his Pack and her friends.
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We learned a lot in this book about several of the characters histories and it all plays into the plot of the series. Kate's background, which comes out in this book, adds so much depth to her character. It is a wonderful mix of mystery, strength and humor. While Curran is the perfect alpha male, who can be ruthless and ferocious when those he cares about are in danger. I absolutely love the twists and turns of the relationship between the two of these characters.

Not only has the author developed these two strong main characters, but the other characters in the book have just as much depth. I found myself drawn into the emotions of the characters to the point that I did not want to stop reading. I can not wait to start reading the next book in this series.

The world that Ilona Andrews is developing through this series is breathtaking. I can not wait to go back.



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Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2) by Ilona Andrews

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, Celtic god Morfran supersedes goddess Morrigan for witch coven worshippers of the Crow, and sea monsters from the Underworld enter via the Cauldron of Plenty. Kate starts looking for Pack maps and 13-year old Julia's witch mother, and ends up uniting shapeshifters and vampire zombie controllers to save the world.

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I read the first book in this series back in 2008 so I was a little concerned that it would be hard to get back into the series. Fortunately it was not. I was able to jump right in and did not feel like I had missed anything.

I love the main character, Kate. She is definitely a kick-ass heroine with a witty, quirky personality. There are plenty of other interesting characters and the story line keeps you reading. Looking forward to moving on to the next book in this series. Can not wait to see how Kate and Curran's relationship evolve.



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Rebel Ice (Stardoc, #6) by S.L. Viehl

Rebel Ice by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Dr. Cherijo Torin crash-lands on an ice planet whose population is on the verge of civil war. With no knowledge of her past-or even her identity-she becomes entangled in the encroaching conflict, unaware that her husband is moving heaven and earth to find her.

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I have to say that I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as the previous books in this series. The beginning of the book was very confusing as we are plopped down on a whole new world and it was somewhat difficult to understand the politics/dynamics of the various groups involved in the story.

The book got better about half way through when some of the bits and pieces started coming together, but overall I did not really like the guessing game of who Resa and Jarn really were. I did not like the 'new' Cherijo and I did not like the way that the book ended.

But I do love the series and I am very much looking forward to continuing it with the hopes that Ms. Viehl will redeem herself with the next installment.



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Eternity Row (Stardoc, #5) by S.L. Viehl

Eternity Row by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cherijo and her husband have found safety aboard the star vessel Sunlace. But they have promises to keep-promises that will endanger everything she ever fought for-including her solemn oath to protect life.

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And another great book in the Stardoc series. I really enjoyed riding along with Cherijo as she discovered more about herself and her origins. I am glad that I was able to read this book immediately after the previous one. Looking forward to much more in this series.



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Shockball (Stardoc, #4) by S.L. Viehl

Shockball by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Cherijo Grey Veil is searching for a place where she'll be safe from the demented man who created her. But she soon finds that she can't just run from her past-she must destroy it...

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It has been quite a while since I last read a book in the Stardoc series. Maybe that was a good thing because I totally enjoyed this one. Wrapped up a lot concerning Cherijo's creation and ongoing problems with her 'father' as well as solidifying her relationship with Duncan. Love the new characters that were introduced as well as some old ones who returned. Looking forward to the next book as the group heads out into space. I really enjoy Viehl's writing and look forward to more adventures with the Sunlace crew.



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Hell Fire (Corine Solomon #2) by Ann Aguirre

Hell Fire by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book reminded me why I like Ann Aguirre's writing so much. She draws you into the story and then makes sure that you never want to leave.


As a handler, Corine Solomon can touch any object and know its history. It's too bad she can't seem to forget her own. With her ex-boyfriend Chance in tow-lending his own supernatural brand of luck-Corine journeys back home to Kilmer, Georgia, in order to discover the truth behind her mother's death and the origins of "gift".

But while trying to uncover the secrets in her past, Corine and Chance find that something is rotten in the state of Georgia. Inside Kilmer's borders there are signs of a dark curse affecting the town and all its residents-and it can only be satisfied with death...

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This story was a little dark. Corine returns to her hometown where 13 years earlier her mother had been killed. She is determined to find out the truth about what happened and in the process ends up discovering a secret that affects the entire town.

I only gave the book 4 stars because the inner dialogue that Corine always has going on concerning Chance and Jesse tends to get bothersome. The constant back and forth of her feelings for both men is annoying. For me, that was the only drawback of the book.



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