Okay, let me say this straight up. I LOVE Rachel Caine. I came across her Weather Warden series completely by accident and fell in love with it. I have NO idea why it took me so long to read her YA series. *headdesk*
I was at B&N on Saturday with my friend V and we went into the YA section. They had the whole series sitting on display, so I picked them all up and quite literally inhaled them. So, so good.
Claire is the main protaganist, a 16 year old (almost 17) girl who is in college. She's a bit of a brainiac and she finds herself on the bad side of the most popular girl in school. Now, the book could've gone in the expected direction where Claire becomes a bully back, but this series has some pretty crazy twists and turns.
Romance, betrayal, love, loss, expectation, devastation, etc. etc. It's like a giant soap opera, but with FUN! :)
I love the way that Ms. Caine tweaks things. You expect one thing and something else happens. Each book is full of action and intensity; sometimes not even allowing you to take a breath until the end (and sometimes not even then). I could not put these books down. I read the first 5 on Saturday night and read book 6 yesterday. I cannot recommend them enough.
Overall Rating: A-
Showing posts with label vampires. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vampires. Show all posts
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Hunted by PC & Kristin Cast
Back Blurb-What if the hottest guy in the world was hiding a nameless evil, and all he wanted was you? At the start of this heart-pounding new installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey’s friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren’t Neferet’s secrets any longer. But an unexpected danger has emerged. Neferet guards her powerful new consort, Kalona, and no one at the House of Night seems to understand the threat he poses. Kalona looks gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life shows Zoey secrets she doesn’t want to hear and truths she can’t face?
Whoo-boy. I've never hidden the fact that I'm a big PC Cast fan-girl. I love her books. There's something about her writing that just calls to me. I can't even begin to describe why. I remember when I found out that she & her daughter were going to be writing a YA series together. My first thought? Cool! My second? Aw, but it's vampires. Yeah, what did I know.
All along, we've had to follow Zoey and her...well, her choices. The girl's life has never been easy and it got even harder when she was Marked as a vampire and had to leave her "human" life behind. And now that we're into book 5, her life just gets more and more complicated.
For those of you who've read the House of Night series, I'll just say this...Hunted was probably the most spiritual of all of them. Not religious...spiritual. Zoey's struggles to deal with her powers, her friends, her world AND dealing with the evil that was unleashed at the end of Untamed really leads up to a crisis, not only of spirit, but also of her very reality.
And I think, for me, that's why this series is so amazing. It's not perfect, but the pure emotions that are behind all that Zoey does are what make this series such a winner for me. Out of all the books, Hunted is definitely the darkest one yet. Evil has manifested itself into an actual human guise and since Zoey and her friends are the only ones who can sense it, it is their responsibility to break the others free from this evil being.
Zoey has truly grown from the young, confused child that started out the series into a strong woman. It's amazing to me that such a short amount of time has passed since the beginning of the series. A lot has happened to her, in more ways than one.
The ramifications from her actions in the previous books are super strong in this book. She's not perfect. Which is why I like her. She's funny and sarcastic, but she also has a strong sense of right and wrong. Her powers are immense, but she still makes mistakes.
As I said earlier, this book is definitely the most spiritual yet. A combination of a lot of different elements. It's a book that definitely showcases the battle between good and evil. And all the shades of gray in the middle.
Was it perfect? No. The end was a bit abrupt and it seemed like it could have been, well, more, but all in all I really really enjoyed it. I can't wait to see what they cook up next.
My Rating: A-
Whoo-boy. I've never hidden the fact that I'm a big PC Cast fan-girl. I love her books. There's something about her writing that just calls to me. I can't even begin to describe why. I remember when I found out that she & her daughter were going to be writing a YA series together. My first thought? Cool! My second? Aw, but it's vampires. Yeah, what did I know.
All along, we've had to follow Zoey and her...well, her choices. The girl's life has never been easy and it got even harder when she was Marked as a vampire and had to leave her "human" life behind. And now that we're into book 5, her life just gets more and more complicated.
For those of you who've read the House of Night series, I'll just say this...Hunted was probably the most spiritual of all of them. Not religious...spiritual. Zoey's struggles to deal with her powers, her friends, her world AND dealing with the evil that was unleashed at the end of Untamed really leads up to a crisis, not only of spirit, but also of her very reality.
And I think, for me, that's why this series is so amazing. It's not perfect, but the pure emotions that are behind all that Zoey does are what make this series such a winner for me. Out of all the books, Hunted is definitely the darkest one yet. Evil has manifested itself into an actual human guise and since Zoey and her friends are the only ones who can sense it, it is their responsibility to break the others free from this evil being.
Zoey has truly grown from the young, confused child that started out the series into a strong woman. It's amazing to me that such a short amount of time has passed since the beginning of the series. A lot has happened to her, in more ways than one.
The ramifications from her actions in the previous books are super strong in this book. She's not perfect. Which is why I like her. She's funny and sarcastic, but she also has a strong sense of right and wrong. Her powers are immense, but she still makes mistakes.
As I said earlier, this book is definitely the most spiritual yet. A combination of a lot of different elements. It's a book that definitely showcases the battle between good and evil. And all the shades of gray in the middle.
Was it perfect? No. The end was a bit abrupt and it seemed like it could have been, well, more, but all in all I really really enjoyed it. I can't wait to see what they cook up next.
My Rating: A-
Friday, March 6, 2009
Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
Back Blurb-Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she's the best—but she doesn't know if she's good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option...even if the task is impossible.
Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other…and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn't destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break…
I'm a Nalini Singh fan-girl. There, I've said it. :) I've been anticipating this book since Nalini hinted about it eons ago. I bought it on Tuesday, but it wasn't until today that I read it. I know, my willpower astounds me as well. :) And I can't believe I waited so long, especially now that I've finished it.
There's no way for me to go into a ton of detail on this story without spoilers, so I'm going to Good and Bad it. Here goes.
The Good-
Elena: Wow, talk about an amazing, kick-butt heroine. Someone else mentioned this in their review (I think it was on Dear Author, but can't remember) that the big thing that bugs them about Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance (but UF esp.) is that the heroine is always so kick-butt and is almost inhuman. Thankfully, Elena isn't like that. Yes, she kicks butt. Yes, she has a lack of fear when it comes to death. However, the thing that sets her apart, at least for me, is that she does have vulnerabilities that make her more human. Whoo-hoo!
Raphael: Um, whoa. I think that about sums it up. Raphael is not human. It is obvious in his thoughts, his actions, everything. He has no compunctions about killing Elena if it means getting a means to an end. And I think that's why I like him so much. He's inhuman and ACTS LIKE IT! There's nothing I hate more than a character who is written as some tough, hard-core Alpha who ends up acting like a woman once a woman is involved. Raphael can be a jerk, but he's true to his character.
The world-building: As always, tight, descriptive without being over-descriptive.
The Writing: As I was reading this I realized something about Nalini's writing that I've noticed in her Psy/Changeling series, but never vocalized. The one thing that she truly specializes in is an ability to paint pictures with words. Location, people, everything. It's like being able to "see" what she's talking about even though nothing is a visual.
The Twist: Whoo-boy and what a twist it is. :) I know, I'm evil.
The Secondary Characters-Esp. the Seven and the Archangels. I mean, whoa.
The Action: As always tight and crisp. I felt the final showdown was a smidge anti-climatic, but not. Hard to explain w/o spoilers, so I'll just leave it at that. :D
The Bad-
For once, I don't really have anything to add to the bad list. I do have some frustration issues, but that's due to the fact that I know she's planning on bringing Elena & Raphael back for Angel's Kiss. I hope she answers the questions she brings up, especially in regards to Elena's past.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I'm always afraid when an author that I really and truly enjoy starts something new. I'm worried that the new stuff won't be as good as the old. I think the thing I can really commend her on is that Angels' Blood doesn't read anything like the Psy/Changeling books. It's truly a different book. The only similarities are the super-tough heroine and the hard-core Alpha. :)
I cannot WAIT for Angel's Blood.
Rating: A-
PS. The snippet of Branded by Fire in the back? That is just plain cruel. That is all. :D
Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other…and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn't destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break…
I'm a Nalini Singh fan-girl. There, I've said it. :) I've been anticipating this book since Nalini hinted about it eons ago. I bought it on Tuesday, but it wasn't until today that I read it. I know, my willpower astounds me as well. :) And I can't believe I waited so long, especially now that I've finished it.
There's no way for me to go into a ton of detail on this story without spoilers, so I'm going to Good and Bad it. Here goes.
The Good-
Elena: Wow, talk about an amazing, kick-butt heroine. Someone else mentioned this in their review (I think it was on Dear Author, but can't remember) that the big thing that bugs them about Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance (but UF esp.) is that the heroine is always so kick-butt and is almost inhuman. Thankfully, Elena isn't like that. Yes, she kicks butt. Yes, she has a lack of fear when it comes to death. However, the thing that sets her apart, at least for me, is that she does have vulnerabilities that make her more human. Whoo-hoo!
Raphael: Um, whoa. I think that about sums it up. Raphael is not human. It is obvious in his thoughts, his actions, everything. He has no compunctions about killing Elena if it means getting a means to an end. And I think that's why I like him so much. He's inhuman and ACTS LIKE IT! There's nothing I hate more than a character who is written as some tough, hard-core Alpha who ends up acting like a woman once a woman is involved. Raphael can be a jerk, but he's true to his character.
The world-building: As always, tight, descriptive without being over-descriptive.
The Writing: As I was reading this I realized something about Nalini's writing that I've noticed in her Psy/Changeling series, but never vocalized. The one thing that she truly specializes in is an ability to paint pictures with words. Location, people, everything. It's like being able to "see" what she's talking about even though nothing is a visual.
The Twist: Whoo-boy and what a twist it is. :) I know, I'm evil.
The Secondary Characters-Esp. the Seven and the Archangels. I mean, whoa.
The Action: As always tight and crisp. I felt the final showdown was a smidge anti-climatic, but not. Hard to explain w/o spoilers, so I'll just leave it at that. :D
The Bad-
For once, I don't really have anything to add to the bad list. I do have some frustration issues, but that's due to the fact that I know she's planning on bringing Elena & Raphael back for Angel's Kiss. I hope she answers the questions she brings up, especially in regards to Elena's past.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I'm always afraid when an author that I really and truly enjoy starts something new. I'm worried that the new stuff won't be as good as the old. I think the thing I can really commend her on is that Angels' Blood doesn't read anything like the Psy/Changeling books. It's truly a different book. The only similarities are the super-tough heroine and the hard-core Alpha. :)
I cannot WAIT for Angel's Blood.
Rating: A-
PS. The snippet of Branded by Fire in the back? That is just plain cruel. That is all. :D
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Once Bitten, Twice Shy and Another One Bites The Dust...both by Jennifer Rardin
Okay, so this isn't going to be a true review. More like an overview of why I really like this series (so far) and why I think it's a shame humor is so nonexistent in so many paranormals. Ready for my rant? :)
How I came to read these books is kind of a funny story. Jennifer friended me on Facebook and then I felt guilty because I'd never read any of her stuff before. I picked up Once Bitten, Twice Shy, snarfed it down and wondered why on earth I'd waited so long.
So why do I like this series so much? I think 99% of it has to do with Jaz. She's irreverant, snarky and cracks my butt up. She's not perfect by any means. Has a ton of baggage and sometimes makes really stupid, rash decisions, but (and this is a big but) she stays true to herself. It's not one minute she makes an idiot of herself and then all of a sudden is perfect.
Not at all. In fact, she's not the most coordinated person in the world and there's a truly LOL moment in AOBTD when she walks into a tent pole (read it). I snorted and almost choked on my tea when I read it.
And that's where my rant comes from. I'm a big fan of paranormals. I love them actually. I've read everything from vampires to pixies and I love the genre, but the one big complaint I have about so many of them is that they've lost their sense of humor. The authors expect us to take the characters ultra-seriously and there aren't a lot of light moments to balance the dark.
Why? I think in a book where you're up against unbelievable odds that there should be some moments of levity. Facing down the ultimate baddy? Make an obnoxious retort. Laugh at him. Do something other than angst. Face your fears and move on.
Jaz does that. She has a lot of dark moments in these books; facing the death of her loved ones, her separation from her family, almost dying multiple times, but she never loses her sense of humor.
And Vayl. What a great hero. Has so much potential to be a perfect hero. Yummy, sexy, likes her for WHO she is, and willing to be there to cover her back.
So, this is my "review" of Jennifer Rardin's Jaz Sparks series (so far). I wish I had the fundage to go buy the others in the series. Have to wait until Friday. *sigh*
My overall grade so far? A very solid B+
How I came to read these books is kind of a funny story. Jennifer friended me on Facebook and then I felt guilty because I'd never read any of her stuff before. I picked up Once Bitten, Twice Shy, snarfed it down and wondered why on earth I'd waited so long.
So why do I like this series so much? I think 99% of it has to do with Jaz. She's irreverant, snarky and cracks my butt up. She's not perfect by any means. Has a ton of baggage and sometimes makes really stupid, rash decisions, but (and this is a big but) she stays true to herself. It's not one minute she makes an idiot of herself and then all of a sudden is perfect.
Not at all. In fact, she's not the most coordinated person in the world and there's a truly LOL moment in AOBTD when she walks into a tent pole (read it). I snorted and almost choked on my tea when I read it.
And that's where my rant comes from. I'm a big fan of paranormals. I love them actually. I've read everything from vampires to pixies and I love the genre, but the one big complaint I have about so many of them is that they've lost their sense of humor. The authors expect us to take the characters ultra-seriously and there aren't a lot of light moments to balance the dark.
Why? I think in a book where you're up against unbelievable odds that there should be some moments of levity. Facing down the ultimate baddy? Make an obnoxious retort. Laugh at him. Do something other than angst. Face your fears and move on.
Jaz does that. She has a lot of dark moments in these books; facing the death of her loved ones, her separation from her family, almost dying multiple times, but she never loses her sense of humor.
And Vayl. What a great hero. Has so much potential to be a perfect hero. Yummy, sexy, likes her for WHO she is, and willing to be there to cover her back.
So, this is my "review" of Jennifer Rardin's Jaz Sparks series (so far). I wish I had the fundage to go buy the others in the series. Have to wait until Friday. *sigh*
My overall grade so far? A very solid B+
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Angel's Pawn by Nalini Singh (E-Book)
Boy, oh boy, oh boy! Okay, so for any of you out there who DON'T know, I'm a HUGE Nalini Singh fan. I first came across her via e-harlequin (I think) and she was such a sweet lady I snapped up Slave To Sensation and have never looked back.
She has a new series coming out. The print book is called Angel's Blood and it comes out next Tuesday. I've been waiting with bated breath for this book to come out and when I heard that she had an e-book that was connected to this new series coming out...well, of course I had to snap it up! And hello, so cheap. he-he
I haven't read Angel's Blood yet (no ARC for me *sniffle*), but I've heard wonderful things about it. The thing I love about Angel's Pawn is that it gives me an idea of what I might be getting into with AB. In Angel's Pawn, we're introduced to Ashwini, a guild-hunter who has an...interesting relationship with Janvier, a vampire. In this world, vampires were created by angels who hold this over the vampires for a term of service (usually 100 years).
Ashwini has been contacted by Nazarach, an angel, who wants her to stop a feud between two rival vampires. I gotta admit, it's hard to describe this book. The names keep tripping me up. Suffice it to say, this story has a LOT of sexual tension. Mmmm...my favorite. No sex, but sexual tension up the wazoo.
And the way it's ended...PLEASE TELL ME WE GET MORE!!!!!! I'm demanding here! LOL! If you love Nalini Singh, I can't recommend that you get this e-book enough. Yes, it's an e-book which is kind of annoying, but trust me...it's worth it.
Overall Rating: A
She has a new series coming out. The print book is called Angel's Blood and it comes out next Tuesday. I've been waiting with bated breath for this book to come out and when I heard that she had an e-book that was connected to this new series coming out...well, of course I had to snap it up! And hello, so cheap. he-he
I haven't read Angel's Blood yet (no ARC for me *sniffle*), but I've heard wonderful things about it. The thing I love about Angel's Pawn is that it gives me an idea of what I might be getting into with AB. In Angel's Pawn, we're introduced to Ashwini, a guild-hunter who has an...interesting relationship with Janvier, a vampire. In this world, vampires were created by angels who hold this over the vampires for a term of service (usually 100 years).
Ashwini has been contacted by Nazarach, an angel, who wants her to stop a feud between two rival vampires. I gotta admit, it's hard to describe this book. The names keep tripping me up. Suffice it to say, this story has a LOT of sexual tension. Mmmm...my favorite. No sex, but sexual tension up the wazoo.
And the way it's ended...PLEASE TELL ME WE GET MORE!!!!!! I'm demanding here! LOL! If you love Nalini Singh, I can't recommend that you get this e-book enough. Yes, it's an e-book which is kind of annoying, but trust me...it's worth it.
Overall Rating: A
Friday, October 17, 2008
One Bite With a Stranger by Christine Warren
I first came across Ms. Warren a year or so ago when I read her first print book about the Others. I remember reading it and thinking I'd definitely missed something. Found out later that she'd written 6 books for Ellora's Cave that introduced the Others and that I HAD missed something. One Bite With a Stranger is Book 1. Here's the back blurb:
When Regina's friends insist on setting her up on a "Fantasy Fix" to help her get over her cheating ex, she dreams up some kinky out-of-this-world encounters that they could never possibly bring to life. But the next thing Regina knows, her friends have her laced into a shiny black corset, tight leather pants, and a sexy pair of stilletos. It's time for some downtown vampire-fantasy fun...
The Vampire Ball in Manhattan's East Village isn't really Dmitri Vidame's idea of a good time, but as a member of the Council that governs The Others, he has to keep an eye on all the young vamps who prey on the pretenders. After he feasts his dark eyes on fiery Regina at the bar, he knows that he must have her. But for the first time Dmitri meets a woman who is more than a match for his indomitable will. And he may be the fantasy Regina hoped for..until she-and her feisty friends-discover her sexy new lover's bloodsucking secret...
A couple of things...first of all, I really do like this world that Ms. Warren has created. Otherworldly creatures surviving side by side with humans. How fun is that? And the fact that she can write a smokin' hot love scene isn't anything to sneeze at. One of the hottest scenes I've ever read is from her book The Demon You Know. The office scene? Youch! Burns to even think about it. :~)
But that's not my focus tonight. Tonight I'm going to talk about One Bite With a Stranger. There are both good and bad things to talk about, so I'm going to do my favorite: a good & bad list for your enjoyment. :)
The Bad:
There are a couple of things that bugged me about this story. From the very beginning, she has never really explored how the Others came into being. Have they always been around? Was it some sort of genetic experimenting? Nothing. I'm more than happy to make up my own story on that, but I would really love it if she would really delve into the history, especially on how the Council started and the history of the changelings in particular.
Also, because this story started out as erotica, it's not fleshed out as a true real romance. They jump into the sack basically immediately and though the sex is very hot, it's also very superficial (in the beginning anyway). I understand what she was trying to accomplish, but the relationship between the two of them never really seemed 100% fleshed out. They fell in love, but it seemed extremely rushed.
Regina accepted the fact that her lover is a vampire WAY too easily. She basically shrugged, said okay and asked if he'd change her too. I dunno about you, but if it were me? I'd have freaked out and run away.
Ava...She's always come across as an obnoxious control freak. Her book comes out shortly and I will read it. I'm hoping that her psyche will be delved into a bit more because she's more of a (word rhymes with witch). :)
The Good:
Dmitri...yum. A dark, built, billionaire? Oh yeah. :) I wouldn't turn him down, even if he did insist on biting me every time we did the nasty. LOL!
Regina-Though she accepted his vampirism way too easily, she was a pretty cool heroine. She didn't let him walk all over her. She told him to suck it when he went a bit too cave man on her. She just needed a bit more backbone when it came to her friends. However, by the end of the book, she did. :)
The sex. Again, smoking hot. Regina has a fantasy that Dmitri is more than willing to fulfil. Wow. Smokin'! :)
So, all in all, I really did enjoy this book. It had its faults, but was still a highly enjoyable read.
My Rating: B-
When Regina's friends insist on setting her up on a "Fantasy Fix" to help her get over her cheating ex, she dreams up some kinky out-of-this-world encounters that they could never possibly bring to life. But the next thing Regina knows, her friends have her laced into a shiny black corset, tight leather pants, and a sexy pair of stilletos. It's time for some downtown vampire-fantasy fun...
The Vampire Ball in Manhattan's East Village isn't really Dmitri Vidame's idea of a good time, but as a member of the Council that governs The Others, he has to keep an eye on all the young vamps who prey on the pretenders. After he feasts his dark eyes on fiery Regina at the bar, he knows that he must have her. But for the first time Dmitri meets a woman who is more than a match for his indomitable will. And he may be the fantasy Regina hoped for..until she-and her feisty friends-discover her sexy new lover's bloodsucking secret...
A couple of things...first of all, I really do like this world that Ms. Warren has created. Otherworldly creatures surviving side by side with humans. How fun is that? And the fact that she can write a smokin' hot love scene isn't anything to sneeze at. One of the hottest scenes I've ever read is from her book The Demon You Know. The office scene? Youch! Burns to even think about it. :~)
But that's not my focus tonight. Tonight I'm going to talk about One Bite With a Stranger. There are both good and bad things to talk about, so I'm going to do my favorite: a good & bad list for your enjoyment. :)
The Bad:
There are a couple of things that bugged me about this story. From the very beginning, she has never really explored how the Others came into being. Have they always been around? Was it some sort of genetic experimenting? Nothing. I'm more than happy to make up my own story on that, but I would really love it if she would really delve into the history, especially on how the Council started and the history of the changelings in particular.
Also, because this story started out as erotica, it's not fleshed out as a true real romance. They jump into the sack basically immediately and though the sex is very hot, it's also very superficial (in the beginning anyway). I understand what she was trying to accomplish, but the relationship between the two of them never really seemed 100% fleshed out. They fell in love, but it seemed extremely rushed.
Regina accepted the fact that her lover is a vampire WAY too easily. She basically shrugged, said okay and asked if he'd change her too. I dunno about you, but if it were me? I'd have freaked out and run away.
Ava...She's always come across as an obnoxious control freak. Her book comes out shortly and I will read it. I'm hoping that her psyche will be delved into a bit more because she's more of a (word rhymes with witch). :)
The Good:
Dmitri...yum. A dark, built, billionaire? Oh yeah. :) I wouldn't turn him down, even if he did insist on biting me every time we did the nasty. LOL!
Regina-Though she accepted his vampirism way too easily, she was a pretty cool heroine. She didn't let him walk all over her. She told him to suck it when he went a bit too cave man on her. She just needed a bit more backbone when it came to her friends. However, by the end of the book, she did. :)
The sex. Again, smoking hot. Regina has a fantasy that Dmitri is more than willing to fulfil. Wow. Smokin'! :)
So, all in all, I really did enjoy this book. It had its faults, but was still a highly enjoyable read.
My Rating: B-
Monday, September 22, 2008
When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason
Ruining Victoria's homecoming, a vampire stalks the streets of Lond--during the daylight. Not only is Victoria unable to detect the vampire with her heightened senses but she's being framed as the prime suspect behind the killings.
Meanwhile, her heart is still divided between the enigmatic Sebastian Vioget and her fellow slayer Max Pesaro. The battle is made even more difficult by the legacy of a vampire's touch--a vampire who left in Victoria's veins boiling blood that forces her to fight evil on two fronts: against the new breed of undead threatening Londong and against the darkness in herself.
Who-boy. After having Colleen here on my blog, interviewing her and all that stuff, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book! For some reason, the copy she mailed to me never arrived. When I went to the signing on Friday and saw it sitting there, I just couldn't help myself. :)
I would say that WTB is the darkest yet of the Gardella series. Sure, at the end of Rises the Night, something REALLY bad happens, but in this book, Victoria's biggest enemy might just be herself.
After the events at the end of The Bleeding Dusk, questions were raised on if Victoria herself might be a vampire as well. Confused and alone (or so she feels), Victoria pushes herself in her training and focuses on obliterating the vampires in her neck of the woods. She's also horribly confused about her feelings for Sebastian...and for Max.
All throughout the series, even in the first one when Victoria was married and then widowed, there's been this overwhelming tension building between the three of them. Sebastian has already had a taste of her (so to speak), but he's also done some pretty despicable things to her as well. He's had his reasons, but the things he did were not all happy & light. Max, on the other hand, started out being a complete jerk to her, but there was always an underlying HMMM to it all that made me think there was something just under the surface. Might be why I'm a total Max girl. :)
Anyway, in this book, Colleen basically leaves no question as to who Victoria ends up with. I will not spoil it for those of you who haven't read it (MAX), but I personally think it's the right choice.
This book is full of action and adventure. Trust gained, trust broken, secrets revealed, secrets made...etc, etc. etc. Oh, just go read it, will you!
Rating: A
Meanwhile, her heart is still divided between the enigmatic Sebastian Vioget and her fellow slayer Max Pesaro. The battle is made even more difficult by the legacy of a vampire's touch--a vampire who left in Victoria's veins boiling blood that forces her to fight evil on two fronts: against the new breed of undead threatening Londong and against the darkness in herself.
Who-boy. After having Colleen here on my blog, interviewing her and all that stuff, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book! For some reason, the copy she mailed to me never arrived. When I went to the signing on Friday and saw it sitting there, I just couldn't help myself. :)
I would say that WTB is the darkest yet of the Gardella series. Sure, at the end of Rises the Night, something REALLY bad happens, but in this book, Victoria's biggest enemy might just be herself.
After the events at the end of The Bleeding Dusk, questions were raised on if Victoria herself might be a vampire as well. Confused and alone (or so she feels), Victoria pushes herself in her training and focuses on obliterating the vampires in her neck of the woods. She's also horribly confused about her feelings for Sebastian...and for Max.
All throughout the series, even in the first one when Victoria was married and then widowed, there's been this overwhelming tension building between the three of them. Sebastian has already had a taste of her (so to speak), but he's also done some pretty despicable things to her as well. He's had his reasons, but the things he did were not all happy & light. Max, on the other hand, started out being a complete jerk to her, but there was always an underlying HMMM to it all that made me think there was something just under the surface. Might be why I'm a total Max girl. :)
Anyway, in this book, Colleen basically leaves no question as to who Victoria ends up with. I will not spoil it for those of you who haven't read it (MAX), but I personally think it's the right choice.
This book is full of action and adventure. Trust gained, trust broken, secrets revealed, secrets made...etc, etc. etc. Oh, just go read it, will you!
Rating: A
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Rises The Night by Colleen Gleason
Oops! I didn't get a chance to do this when I thought I would. Shame on me! :)
Victoria Gardella has been a vampire slayer for just over a year, balancing her life as a peer of Society with the dangerous role that takes her out on moonlit streets, stake in hand.
As Victoria races across Europe to stop what could be the most deadly army the Gardellas have ever faced, she is accompanied by the unlikely Sebastian Vioget, a man as tempting as he is untrustworthy. But when Victoria discovers that she has been betrayed by one of her most trusted allies, the truth will challenge all her powers as a Venator – and as a woman.
The best way to describe this book is action-packed. Where The Rest Falls Away was the introductory book to this series, RTN is the craziness. :) It seems that Victoria's life has gone from heartbreak to heartbreak throughout this entire series. I know it's to show her growth as a person, but whoa.
When RTN first starts, it's not long after the end of TRFA. Victoria is struggling with grief and What if's. She blames herself for the circumstances and decides to step back from her Venatoring to concentrate on healing. Thankfully, this happens behind the scenes and the book jumps forward.
The book is mostly based in Italy & Colleen really makes you feel like you're there. It's dark, it's dirty, it's gritty and there's a lot going on behind the scenes that Victoria slowly, but surely finds out. She also finds Max.
This book is really, really hard to talk about without giving a lot away. Suffice it to say that there will be the biggest betrayal Victoria has ever had to face at the end of this book. It will bring about great events, but her hurt and anger will be something I don't know if she'll ever get over.
Rises the Night has all the intrigue, sexiness, and say what moments a girl like me could ask for. Seductions, betrayals, revelations...it's all here.
By the time you get to the end of this book, I think you'll be either totally in the Max or totally in the Sebastian camp as to who Victoria should go for. I'm a total Max girl, but that's just because I love his dark, up front, to the point nature. He doesn't fawn over Victoria and he tells her like he sees it. Sebastian, on the other hand, has way too many secrets and too many things that could be more detrimental than good when it comes to Victoria. Sure, he's a total hottie and I believe he cares for her, but there's something a bit self-serving when it comes to him IMHO. :)
So, if you like TRFA and want to know more, I definitely recommend this book. The end will make you cry (it did me), but it's a powerful scene. I'm rereading The Bleeding Dusk now. Here's hoping I'll finish it tonight so I can review it before the winner is chosen. :)
My Rating: A-
Victoria Gardella has been a vampire slayer for just over a year, balancing her life as a peer of Society with the dangerous role that takes her out on moonlit streets, stake in hand.
As Victoria races across Europe to stop what could be the most deadly army the Gardellas have ever faced, she is accompanied by the unlikely Sebastian Vioget, a man as tempting as he is untrustworthy. But when Victoria discovers that she has been betrayed by one of her most trusted allies, the truth will challenge all her powers as a Venator – and as a woman.
The best way to describe this book is action-packed. Where The Rest Falls Away was the introductory book to this series, RTN is the craziness. :) It seems that Victoria's life has gone from heartbreak to heartbreak throughout this entire series. I know it's to show her growth as a person, but whoa.
When RTN first starts, it's not long after the end of TRFA. Victoria is struggling with grief and What if's. She blames herself for the circumstances and decides to step back from her Venatoring to concentrate on healing. Thankfully, this happens behind the scenes and the book jumps forward.
The book is mostly based in Italy & Colleen really makes you feel like you're there. It's dark, it's dirty, it's gritty and there's a lot going on behind the scenes that Victoria slowly, but surely finds out. She also finds Max.
This book is really, really hard to talk about without giving a lot away. Suffice it to say that there will be the biggest betrayal Victoria has ever had to face at the end of this book. It will bring about great events, but her hurt and anger will be something I don't know if she'll ever get over.
Rises the Night has all the intrigue, sexiness, and say what moments a girl like me could ask for. Seductions, betrayals, revelations...it's all here.
By the time you get to the end of this book, I think you'll be either totally in the Max or totally in the Sebastian camp as to who Victoria should go for. I'm a total Max girl, but that's just because I love his dark, up front, to the point nature. He doesn't fawn over Victoria and he tells her like he sees it. Sebastian, on the other hand, has way too many secrets and too many things that could be more detrimental than good when it comes to Victoria. Sure, he's a total hottie and I believe he cares for her, but there's something a bit self-serving when it comes to him IMHO. :)
So, if you like TRFA and want to know more, I definitely recommend this book. The end will make you cry (it did me), but it's a powerful scene. I'm rereading The Bleeding Dusk now. Here's hoping I'll finish it tonight so I can review it before the winner is chosen. :)
My Rating: A-
Friday, August 1, 2008
The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
I figured that since I've got Ms. Gleason on my blog this weekend, I would review the first three books in the series (especially for those of you who haven't read her yet). I'm a big fan of this series. It's funny, sexy, heartbreaking...the list goes on and on. The world that Colleen has created is very unique. In some ways, it's our own history, but she's tweaked it and that's what makes it so fun. So, without further ado...here is my review of book 1. :)
Beneath the glitter of dazzling 19th-century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil... .
Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long taken over the world.
In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake.
But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget.
And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.
Okeydokey...where to begin. At first, TRFA seems like your typical historical romance. Victoria is your basic society miss who is looking for a husband. It is her first season (though she is a bit older...family deaths & mourning caused it to be delayed). She has also just found out that she is a Venator, a vampire slayer.
Her family (the Gardella branch) has a very long history of slaying vampires. Her great aunt is the head of the Venator's, but she is getting quite elderly and it's time for someone to step in to take over the reins (so to speak). So, while Victoria is doing the usual society things like balls and the like, she is also training in kicking vampire butt.
She meets the super hunky Marquess of Rockley and is quickly swept off her feet. It is a mutual thing and they soon agree to marry. However, she also has this pesky attraction to Sebastian who is...not all that he seems.
Juggling her two lives is nothing but trouble for poor Victoria. If it's not one thing, it's something else. In some ways she would love to be just a wife and mother, but her responsibilities are too important to just walk away. How is she going to balance everything?
What I love about this story is how she goes about balancing this double-life she is leading. Yes, she makes some mistakes, but she is so young! You forget that while reading the story, but she's still a girl in a lot of ways. As the book progresses, her choices begin to be harder and have more ramifications. How does she go about protecting her husband and still get her job done?
This book has it all. An intriguing setting, a unique twist on the whole vampire thing, sexy men and a strong heroine. The characters that play a major part throughout the rest of the series are all introduced here (most of them anyway), but it doesn't feel like they've just been dumped into the story just because. Each character that is there is meant to be there. Their part in the story just makes it all the more intriguing.
Is TRFA my favorite in this series? No, but it is an excellent start. I can't recommend it enough. I will be reviewing Rises the Night tomorrow.
My Rating: B
Beneath the glitter of dazzling 19th-century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil... .
Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long taken over the world.
In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake.
But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget.
And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.
Okeydokey...where to begin. At first, TRFA seems like your typical historical romance. Victoria is your basic society miss who is looking for a husband. It is her first season (though she is a bit older...family deaths & mourning caused it to be delayed). She has also just found out that she is a Venator, a vampire slayer.
Her family (the Gardella branch) has a very long history of slaying vampires. Her great aunt is the head of the Venator's, but she is getting quite elderly and it's time for someone to step in to take over the reins (so to speak). So, while Victoria is doing the usual society things like balls and the like, she is also training in kicking vampire butt.
She meets the super hunky Marquess of Rockley and is quickly swept off her feet. It is a mutual thing and they soon agree to marry. However, she also has this pesky attraction to Sebastian who is...not all that he seems.
Juggling her two lives is nothing but trouble for poor Victoria. If it's not one thing, it's something else. In some ways she would love to be just a wife and mother, but her responsibilities are too important to just walk away. How is she going to balance everything?
What I love about this story is how she goes about balancing this double-life she is leading. Yes, she makes some mistakes, but she is so young! You forget that while reading the story, but she's still a girl in a lot of ways. As the book progresses, her choices begin to be harder and have more ramifications. How does she go about protecting her husband and still get her job done?
This book has it all. An intriguing setting, a unique twist on the whole vampire thing, sexy men and a strong heroine. The characters that play a major part throughout the rest of the series are all introduced here (most of them anyway), but it doesn't feel like they've just been dumped into the story just because. Each character that is there is meant to be there. Their part in the story just makes it all the more intriguing.
Is TRFA my favorite in this series? No, but it is an excellent start. I can't recommend it enough. I will be reviewing Rises the Night tomorrow.
My Rating: B
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