Published: 2010
Publisher: Ballantine Books (Spectra)
Author's Website: authorcarolyncrane.com
Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she’s convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startling handsome man named Packard peers into Justine’s soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a litter of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outwards on Midcity’s worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she’s always craved. End of problem.
Or is it? In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine’s first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizadry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard’s help, Justine has freed herself from her madness – only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone’s worst fears.
Mind Games is the debut novel, first in a trilogy, of up and coming author Carolyn Crane. Her first novel is nothing like anything I have read before. It’s original and full of zing.
The first time I read the synopsis of this book, I wasn’t entirely sure if I would be my kind of book. But in the end I gave in and bought the it and I got really excited about getting to read it and I must say I was not disappointed in the slightest.
I was constantly on edge reading this book. I never knew what was going to happen in this story and what Justine was going to do next. She isn’t a girl that gets pushed around easily. We see her go from a very severe hypochondriac to an all powerful zinging machine that helps reform the humans of Midcity that can’t be proved guilty in court. Justine has help in the form of her disillusionist team mates, Shelby, Carter, Simon and Packard. But zinging comes at a cost.
Shelby has this dry humour about her and I absolutely loved her character to the bone. Carter is like my male double, especially when he is driving a car. Simon is the dangerous one in the group, he doesn’t always follow the rules and makes his own boundaries. Packard is the leader of the disillusionists, he formed the group and decides the cases they take on.
My absolute favourite part of the book was the scene with the pool, which is a lot further in the book. This is the turning point in the book which will cause readers to really think about the story. I know I got confused from here on as I didn’t know who was the good guy and who was the bad guy. The line seems to be really thin. I also love all the interaction that Justine has with Shelby and Simon. Although I didn’t like Simon to begin with, but he sort of grew on me.
This book is an absolute mind blower and I would recommend this to everyone. Seriously, just try it, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. I wasn’t. I can’t wait for the next instalment in the series. I wonder what the disillusionists will get up to next.
Disclaimer: I bought this book with my own money and I am not paid to review this book in any way. Everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.
Published: First published in1995
Publisher: Orbit
Author's Website: laurellkhamilton.org
Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
I'm Anita Blake, expert on creatures of the night. I've dined with shapeshifters, danced with werewolves, and been wooed - but not won - by Jean-Claude, the Vampire Master of the City.
And now a darkly dangerous vampire names Alejandro has hti town. He wants me for his human servant. A war of the undead has begun. Over me...
DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE PREVIOUS BOOK AS IT MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR YOU
Circus of the Damned is the third instalment in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. This book focuses more on the vampires and shape shifters than the animator side of things. We are introduced to a new creature and personally I am thankful I wasn’t Anita. Coming face to face with this creature, I don’t think my skin would stop crawling.
Well I was much happier with this book than the last one in the series, The Laughing Corpse. Anita is in amongst all the action once again and she uncovers a few new things about a certain master vampire and her report friend, Irving Griswold.
There was so much going on in this book that I don’t want to say too much as I don’t want to spoil it for you out there that have not read the book/series yet. What I will say is that loved the twist in the story about the villains and Edward is back.
I think Edward is a rather interesting character. He is a dark and dangerous human being that shows no emotion when he is killing and isn’t close to anyone, except Anita. Now why is that? I think it’s because they are sort of in the same line of business, killing vampires and he has respect for her. They both have their own rules that they live by and they don’t break them for anything. This is real honour and a really good characteristic to have. You know you can always count on them to what they always do as they are sticking to their rules. Anita is sometimes confused as to where she stands with Edward as she doesn’t want to call him a friend as she knows he would kill her if he had to but at the same time what else do you call someone else that you trust with your life in violent situations? There’s no real attraction between the two so I don’t think anything romantic will happen in the series. To me they are friends, but I suppose we will just all have to wait and find out what exactly they are to one another later on in the series. I think they are friends and that’s it.
Now as for Jean Claude, what do I think of him? I think he is a very mysterious old man. He wants Anita, but I don’t think it’s because she is the Executioner although I think that adds to the allure of her. I think he sees someone he could spend the rest of eternity with but he is not above trying to coerce her into being his servant as we see in this book but at the same time he wants her to come to him willingly. But as we have seen previously Anita is totally against being his human servant and keeps threatening his life. They are both attracted to one another so I think something might happen in a later book but I can’t be sure as I am not entirely sure that Anita can get over the fact the he is indeed a dead man and a monster. But only time will tell I suppose.
And last but not least, Anita’s new love interest. Richard. From his description he is really hot and well built. He works for Jean Claude, who has warned him away from Anita, but this doesn’t stop him asking her out on a date. That’s all I will say on that matter otherwise I will spoil the story for you.
Overall, I was enjoyed this book thoroughly. The twists and turns in the plot were superb and I loved the new creature that we were introduced to in this book. I hope we keep meeting more mythical creatures in this series.
Disclaimer: I did not purchase this book, I borrowed it from my local library. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.
Published: 2008
Publisher: Orbit
Author's Website: patriciabriggs.com
Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
It wasn’t hard to follow the scent of blood to the living room where the fae had been killed. It had been a violent death, perfect for creating ghosts.
Mercy Thompson enjoys being a mechanic, but life is never simple given her increasing closeness to the local werewolf pack, and her ability to change into coyote form at will. And when a member of the fae community calls in a favour, needing her skills for a covert murder investigation, she jumps into the hunt.
But the dangers multiply and she clashes with shadowed creatures of great power. When her old boss Zee is charged with a brutal assassination, Mercy finds herself fighting alone. There are those who love her, who would keep her safe, but she is way and holds her freedom precious. Until, that is, she has nothing left to lose but her life…
Iron Kissed is the third novel in the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Mercy is one tough nut and it takes a lot to get her down but we see a different side to her in this story. This book is full of action and torment for Mercy, as she tries her hand at detective work and her heart is aching with a question she doesn’t know the answer to.
Mercy has a tough time in this book as she faces creatures she has never come across in her walker life. She comes face to face with some fierce fae and they don’t take to her very well. All those fairytales won’t help you out much against these fae.
This series is one of my favourites. It’s more focused on the plot than romance but we see the romance card is being used quite a few times in this book. To me there are three love rivals but we don’t see the third at all in this book, makes me wonder where he has gone and if he will be back. The other two, Adam and Samuel, are at the fore front of Mercy’s thoughts. She doesn’t know who to choose though and continues to debates this throughout the book.
I think my favourite part of this book was at the very end after everything was over and done with (I don’t want to give out details in case you haven’t read the book/series yet) and Mercy was with a certain someone. It ends on a suggestive note that leaves you wondering what happens next.
I really didn’t like reading the last few chapters. Something happens to Mercy and I found it hard to read because trying to imagine what Mercy had gone through was too horrific to even think about. I know it’s most likely essential to the plot line but I can’t see how yet, that will probably all pan out in the rest of the series. Or was it to show that Mercy can be weakened and that she isn’t the super duper heroine we all think she is?
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I have liked the series as a whole so far. I would recommend this book/series for anyone that is a young adult upwards. I wonder what Mercy is going to get up to next in Bone Crossed will have to wait and see.
Disclaimer: I do not own this book, I borrowed it from the library. I am not paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.
My Rating: E, B, H, X
Published: 2007
Publisher: Razorbill
Author's Website: richellemead.com
Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess; a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangerous vampires - the ones who never die.
The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making her one of them.
After two years of illicit freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking Academy hearts.
Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir's - inside the Academy's iron gates, their world is even more fraught with danger. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals, and their secretive nature and love of the night creates an enigmatic world full of social complexities. Rose and Lissa must navigate through this dangerous world, confront the temptation of forbidden romance, and never once let their guard down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever...
Vampire Academy is the first novel in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. The first book introduces us into the world of the vampires in Montana. Rose, a Dhampir (a mortal half vampire, half human), is the best friend and unofficial guardian of the, Moroi (mortal upper class vampire), Princess Lissa Dragomir. They are connected by a bond that was forged after a horrible accident that happened a few years prior to the present time set in the book.
The story starts with Rose and Lissa on the run from the academy and trying to keep out of Strigoi’s way. The Strigoi are vampires are evil and have killed which makes them immortal but it takes away their ability to go out in the sun and it takes away their magic. The pair ran away because there was danger near at the academy and Rose decided it was best to get Lissa away from there as she fears for their lives. They manage to remain hidden for two years. But eventually they were caught.
Once they return to the academy, a string of unusual sacrifices start happening and they are directed at our leading ladies. They don’t know who is behind it but they do know that they can’t let their secret get out or else their lives will never be the same.
Rose carries on her Dhampir education but also takes on extra training sessions with Lissa’s other guardian, Dimitiri, in order to make her the best guardian she can be. She wants to be able to protect Lissa the best she can and to do this she must know how to take down and defeat the Strigroi even if it’s someone she knows. She can’t allow herself to hesitate or to be distracted, which proves difficult when she becomes attracted to someone she really shouldn’t.
I loved all the action in this book. There were a few action scenes but there also lots of nice warm moments between Lissa and Rose. You can see that their friendship goes beyond their bond and that they care deeply for one another. Rose always has Lissa’s back and won’t let anything hurt her. Lissa is the exact same, she doesn’t like it when people try to hurt Rose.
Rose is an excellent, kick ass, tough character. She doesn’t take anything lying down, she gets back up and fights it head on. I envy her quick wittedness and her loyalty to Lissa. Nothing can break her loyalty to Lissa, even when she pushes Rose away. Lissa comes across as a delicate flower, beautiful and gentle but easily crushed if in the wrong hands. But what people don’t realise is that she is the hidden bee within that flower, ready to sting if Rose or she is threatened.
Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait to sink my teeth into the next book in the series, Frostbite. I think this book has an excellent plot and it’s well balance between the plot, romance and friendship. There are lots of funny parts in this book, which is because of Rose although Christian’s dark humour is rather amusing. There are scenes of a sexual nature but nothing too erotic or explicit and there are a few gruesome scenes. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys vampire fiction. This book is a mix between PC & Kristin Cast’s House of Night Series and MaryJanice Davidson’s Queen Betsy series and I love both of these series.
Disclaimer: I have not purchased this book, I borrowed it from the library. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.
Published: September 1994
Publisher: Marvel
Author's Website: laurellkhamilton.org
Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com
After a few centuries, the only death ‘big enough’ is a human sacrifice. I know because I’m an animator. My name is Anita Blake.
Working for Animators, Inc. is just a job – like selling insurance. But all the money in the world wasn’t enough for me to take on the particular job Harold Gaynor was offering.
Somebody else did, though – a rogue animator. Now he’s not just raising the dead...he’s raising Hell. An it’s up to me to stop it.
The Laughing Corpse is the second book in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton.
A rogue zombie is going around killing people as its’ animator has lost control over it. Someone tries to hire Anita to raise a very old corpse but she won’t do it as this requires a human sacrifice, even with their persuasive techniques she will not do it. Jean Claude is trying to rein Anita in as his human servant but Anita is having none of it – she submits to no one.
I can’t say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was kind of hard to get a handle on the plot to begin with so I think this threw me off big time. I think I finally started to get into the book about three quarters of the way through. Once I got into it, I enjoyed the plotline and the characters. My favourite bit is the interaction between Anita and a copy at a murder scene.
I’m scared for Anita and her future as what happens in this story changes her and I don’t think this change is going to be good for her. She has gone one step too far.
I was hoping Jean Claude would make an appearance again. I grew to like him in the first book. Hopefully Anita and Jean Claude get together at some point – would make the whole Master Vampire and human servant link rather interesting. Seeing as Anita is blatantly not submissive.
Where was Edward in this book? I was hoping he would turn up and help Anita kill the zombie, I see him as a sort of sidekick. He has more of a violent streak than Anita though.
Overall, the story was a slow start for me and eventually I got into it but I would only recommend this to the right reader. If you want to read a more in depth novel in regard to plots and characters then this book series is for you.
Disclaimer: I do not own this book. I borrowed it from the library. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.
