POISON PROMISE by Jennifer Estep

Rating: A-
Synopsis:
Gin Blanco is hard-nosed, sexy, and lethal. Nicknamed “The Spider,” she’s a stone elemental assassin who brings her unique mix of magic and tact to every assignment, no matter the target.

There’s a new drug on the streets of Ashland, and its name “Burn” sums up the potent effect it has on its users. When one of her restaurant employees is threatened by dealers of the drug, Gin steps in to set things straight...

My thoughts on the book:
This is one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series, and 11 books in, it still hasn't gotten old. I feel like the series is coming close to an end because Gin isn't growing much anymore, and we all know she'll come out of everything okay. However, I still enjoy meeting the new villains and seeing what Gin and her friends are up to. Poison Promise is a fast-paced novel, full of action and adventure. You won't be able to put this one down. 

I really enjoyed this novel, but I still had a few complaints. For instance, Gin didn't grow at all, in my opinion, over the course of the book. I wish something had changed for her... at least something small. Bria still annoyed the crap out of me, and I still hate her and Finn together. Also, they have 0 chemistry. I really think Finn needs to find someone else. Their relationship is too convenient for my liking. Owen and Gin are back to normal, and he is fully supportive of her. Yes, he made mistakes in the past, and I wish those had been dealt with in book 10 instead of having a flashback novel, but I really love how he accepts and supports her as she is. I think they're a good match. Beauregard Benson, the villain is different, but he seemed weak to me, so I wasn't worried about Gin at all. I really enjoyed Silvio, though, and I'm glad we'll get to see more of him. I'm also glad we finally met M.M. Monroe. This nemesis may be worthy of the Spider.

This book has a lot of action, just like all of the Elemental Assassin books do. Gin's fights need to be mixed up some, though, and I'm tired of her getting kidnapped constantly. We all know she'll make it out alive. In a way I feel that the formula for these novels is getting old, but I was still intrigued and flew through the pages of this book. The pacing is fast, and I love that. Also, Estep quit spending pages upon pages rehashing things that happened in past books, and for that I am thankful. The ending tied things up nicely and set the stage for the next book in the series. I am definitely looking forward to the next installment thanks to M. M. Monroe's introduction. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book and series to anyone who loves a good, bad ass lead character and action packed Urban Fantasies. Estep is a fantastic author, and Gin is a great character. You won't be sorry you gave this series a try. 

Order Poison Promise

SASQUATCH by Andrea Schicke Hirsch Cover Reveal!

I am super excited to show you guys the cover for Sasquatch! I haven't read a book about a sasquatch yet, so I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on this one.

Release Date: March 2015

Synopsis:

Following his parents' ugly divorce, Jake Oliver chooses to move with his father to a remote corner of Connecticut. Bad enough their new home turns out to be a fenced-in dump in the middle of nowhere, but it seems that the previous owner, his dad’s late Uncle Horace, had been the local crackpot ridiculed by the community for his belief that a Bigfoot roamed the vast woodland preserve that lay beyond the property. Not everything about Jake’s new life is bad, though. His job at the local market is okay, and it doesn’t hurt that his coworker is pretty Nell Davis. But when odd things start to happen, like weird calls in the dead of night, stones thrown by an unseen assailant, and lingering foul odors wafting on the breeze, Jake starts to believe that maybe old Horace wasn’t so crazy after all. With Nell’s help, Jake is determined to make a name for himself by proving to the world that the mythical Sasquatch is alive and well and living in the woods just on the other side of that fence.

About the Author:

Andrea Schicke Hirsch has been a bookseller, editor and copywriter, teacher and paralegal.  She studied theatre and English at Fordham University and has a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Bridgeport. A Connecticut native, she lives in Wilton with her family. This is her first YA novel.

Waiting on Wednesday #40

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This Wednesday I'm waiting on Visions by Kelley Armstrong.

Release Date: 8/19/14

Synopsis:

As #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong’s new Cainsville series continues, Olivia’s power to read omens leads to the discovery of a gruesome crime with troubling connections to her new hometown.

Omens, the first installment in Kelley Armstrong’s exciting new series, introduced Olivia Taylor-Jones, daughter of notorious serial killers, and Gabriel Walsh, the self-serving, morally ambiguous lawyer who became her unlikely ally. Together, they chased down a devious killer and partially cleared her parents of their horrifying crimes.

Their success, however, is short-lived. While Olivia takes refuge in the old, secluded town of Cainsville, Gabriel’s past mistakes have come to light, creating a rift between the pair just when she needs his help the most.

Olivia finds a dead woman in her car, dressed to look like her, but the body vanishes before anyone else sees it. Olivia’s convinced it’s another omen, a sign of impending danger. But then she learns that a troubled young woman went missing just days ago—the same woman Olivia found dead in her car. Someone has gone to great lengths to kill and leave this young woman as a warning. But why? And what role has her new home played in this disturbing murder?

Olivia’s effort to uncover the truth places her in the crosshairs of old and powerful forces, forces that have their own agenda, and closely guarded secrets they don’t want revealed.

Why I'm Waiting:

Kelley Armstrong is my favorite author, and I absolutely adored Omens. I can't wait to see what Olivia is up to next. 

IF EVER I WOULD LEAVE YOU by Jessica Jarman, Bronwyn Green, and Abigail Barnette Book Blitz!

If Ever I Would Leave You: Arthurian Stories For A New Generation

by Jessica Jarman, Bronwyn Green, Jenny Trout</ a> writing as Abigail Barnette
Release Date: 07/2014

Summary from Goodreads:
Surfacing

Bronwyn Green

A year after Tabby Nolan’s sister vanished from the Lake Michigan shore with her boyfriend, Liam, Tabby visits the spot where the two were last seen– and finds herself pulled into the crumbling world of Avalon.

Since his disappearance, Liam has been trapped in the mythical land, with no link to the world he knew. Now, their shared memories of Tabby’s missing sister are all they can cling to as Avalon dies around them.

But Tabby doesn’t want to be a replacement for her sister, and her growing attachment to Liam feels like a betrayal. As Avalon fades around them, Liam and Tabby must rely on each other– or be lost with the ancient kingdom forever.

Albion’s Circle: The Deepest Cut

Jessica Jarman

For nineteen years, Anna has been plagued by dreams of lives lived only in legend. Finally free from the family that believed her hopeless and worthless, she’s ready to start her life over—alone.

When Anna meets an enigmatic stranger claiming to be the legendary wizard Merlin, she is forced to question the very reality she’s struggled to accept. With the mythic figures from her dreams intruding on her waking life, Anna learns that she’s been reborn to fight an ancient evil alongside King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Caught in an ages old conflict, Anna is the key to stopping a dark magic that will destroy the world— and Merlin wants to make sure that this time, Anna isn’t alone.

A Choice Fit For A Queen

Jenny Trout

writing as Abigail Barnette

For perpetual overachiever Madison Lane, a summer studying Arthurian mythology in the Welsh countryside with professor Thomas Evans is a dream come true, and the adventure of a lifetime.

Of course, the enormous crush Madison developed on the professor after a semester of his lectures at U of M has absolutely nothing to do with her desire to learn more about the enduring legend of Camelot. At least, that’s what she’s telling her parents.

When Madison meets fellow student Rhys Crewe, sparks fly, throwing her plans for wild fling with Professor Evans completely out of whack—as do her unexpectedly complicated feelings for Thomas. With tales of Arthur and Lancelot haunting her every waking moment, Madison has to make the most difficult choice of her life.

Excerpt:

By Jenny Trout writing as Abigail Barnette

To say that the Rose and Pig was off the beaten path would have been an understatement. There were no streetlights. The street wasn’t even paved. It was barely more than a dirt two-track leading past the low stone fence that surrounded the field. At the end, a two-story wattle-and-daub house stood, chimney smoking. The light spilling from its windows promised warmth and a place to get dry. Though my feet ached and stung with raw blisters from jogging around airports all day, I practically sprinted the last leg of my journey. Mud splattered onto the legs of my jeans, and I didn’t care. All I wanted was to get inside, away from the hellish downpour. I reached the door, prepared to fling it open and launch myself into the warm embrace of a charming Welsh pub.

No. Visions of sleeping in the cold, shivering in the dark, wet, pneumonia-encouraging night put urgency into my arm as I pounded on the door. “Hello! Hey, is anybody inside? Can anyone help—“

A guy opened the door. A hot guy. An annoyed hot guy. One look at him and my heart jolted. I froze in shock, but managed to stutter out, “m-me?”

He was absolutely gorgeous. Flawless dark brown skin stretched over a face that made the words “aesthetically pleasing” an understatement. His cheeks were full, like he’d retained baby fat in the exact right places, and his lush lips spread in a smile that was half “let’s be friends” and half “let’s be friends with benefits” as he looked me over.

Unfortunately, the longer I stared at him, the more his smile faded. He leaned his shoulder against the door and slung a white bar towel over the other to cross his arms over his chest. “Let me guess. American white girl, thinking, ‘What do you mean, they have black people in Wales?’” He held up his hands in mock apology. “Sorry, we’re everywhere. Hope you’re not too disappointed.”

“N-no, I wasn’t—“ Explaining was not going to work if I couldn’t talk like a normal human. I had to glance down and push my wet hair from my face to concentrate and steel myself against his good looks when I raised my head again. When I did, I managed a smile. I hoped I didn’t look goofy. “I was actually thinking, ‘wow, the guys are a lot hotter here than at home.’”

His smile returned slowly. “Yeah, all right. You’re forgiven. Come on inside.”

His accent. Oh god.

About the Authors:

Jessica Jarman is an author, blogger, and rather obsessive fangirl. Having grown up in Upper Michigan and currently living in Minnesota, she is a Midwestern girl through and through. And wouldn’t have it any other way. When Jessica isn’t working to get words on the page, she passes the time with her amazing husband and four children, attempting to be crafty (and failing miserably), squeeing uncontrollably over her favorite shows or curling up with a good book. 

Bronwyn Green is an author, blogger and compulsive crafter. She lives Michigan with her husband, two sons and three somewhat-psychotic cats. When not frantically writing, she can be found helping in her youngest son’s classroom or binge-watching Netflix while working on her latest craft project. Bronwyn loves to talk to her readers and can be found at www.bronwyngreen.com

Jenny Trout (writing as Abigail Barnette) is an author, blogger, and funny person. Writing asJennifer Armintrout, she made the USA Today bestseller list with Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her novel American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online. She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to kill her. Visit her on twitter (@Jenny_Trout) or at her blog, jennytrout.com

GIVEAWAY:

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STRANGE AND EVER AFTER by Susan Dennard

Rating: B+
Synopsis:
In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.

My thoughts on the book:
This novel was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Every time I thought I had something figured out, Dennard threw in another surprise. The character growth was fantastic, the plot and pacing were top notch, and the writing was wonderful. My only complaint was the lack of chemistry between Eleanor and Daniel. I just didn't feel like they really loved each other this time. I'm not sure why. Anyway, this was a great end to a fantastic series. 

Eleanor showed her strength time and time again in this installment. She suffered loss after loss after loss, and while she had her selfish moments, she ended up growing into a very selfless, caring, and courageous character. I really enjoyed her progression throughout the trilogy, and especially in this book. Her strength at the end was unbelievable. I credit Oliver for a lot of her growth. Speaking of Oliver, his character grew immensely as well. I absolutely adored the demon in this novel. I will admit, I was kind of shipping Eleanor and Oliver. Jie, Daniel, and Joseph didn't grow that much, but that didn't detract from the rest of the book. I know that secondary characters never evolve as much as the main character, and I'm happy with how Eleanor turned out. 

There was a lot of action and adventure in this book, and the pacing was pretty spot on. I didn't get bored at all, as we traveled from city to city. Dennard did a great job at painting the scenery, and I could fully picture Cairo, Marseilles, and Paris. The plot was intriguing, and Dennard's writing was fabulous. The ending tied things up nicely and really showed how much Eleanor had grown. I know a lot of people didn't like the ending, but I did. Yes, I cried, but it worked, and Dennard handled the situation believably and beautifully, in my opinion. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book and series to anyone who loves steampunk and/or zombie novels. This trilogy is unique, and I'm so glad I read it. I can't wait to see what Dennard comes up with next. 

Order Strange and Ever After!

DARKNESS WATCHING by Emma Adams Cover Reveal!!!

Hey everyone, I am super excited to share this cover with you. The book seems amazing, and I can't wait to read it. So, without further adieu...

Darkness Watching, by Emma Adams

Genre: new-adult, urban-fantasy, paranormal-romance

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Date of Re-Release­­: September 1^st, 2014

Cover Artist: Amy Chitulescu (http://ameliethe.deviantart.com/)

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18071001-darkness-watching

Description:

Eighteen-year-old Ashlyn is one interview away from her future when she first sees the demons. She thinks she’s losing her mind, but the truth is far more frightening: she can see into the Darkworld, the home of spirits - and the darkness is staring back.

Desperate to escape the demons, Ash accepts a place at a university in the small town of Blackstone, in the middle of nowhere - little knowing that it isn’t coincidence that led her there but the pull of the Venantium, the sorcerers who maintain the barrier keeping demons from crossing from the Darkworld into our own world.

All-night parties, new friendships and a life without rules or limits are all part of the package of student life - but demons still stalk Ash, and their interest in her has attracted the attention of every sorcerer in the area. Ash is soon caught between her new life and a group of other students with a connection to the Darkworld, who could offer the answers she’s looking for. The demons want something from her, and someone is determined to kill her before she can find out what it is.

In a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface, not everyone is what they appear to be…

--

About The Author:

Emma Adams spent her childhood creating imaginary worlds to compensate for a disappointingly average reality, so it was probably inevitable that she ended up writing fantasy and paranormal for young adults.

She was born in Birmingham, UK, which she fled at the first opportunity to study English Literature at Lancaster University. In her three years at Lancaster, she hiked up mountains, skydived in Australia, and endured a traumatic episode involving a swarm of bees in the Costa Rican jungle. She also wrote various novels and short stories. These included her first publication, a rather bleak dystopian piece, and a disturbing story about a homicidal duck (which she hopes will never see the light of day).

Now a reluctant graduate, she can usually be found in front of her writing desk, creating weird and wonderful alternative worlds. Her debut novel The Puppet Spell, published in January 2013 by Rowanvale Books, is a fantasy tale for young adults and the young at heart, featuring disappearing uncles, invisibility potions and chimeras.

Emma also writes dark and creepy supernatural novels for older teens and adults. Her next book, Darkness Watching, is the first in the upper-YA/New Adult Darkworld series, and was published in October 2013 by Curiosity Quills Press.

Find Emma Adams Online:

Facebook  | Twitter | Goodreads | Website

Stacking the Shelves #37

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by  Tynga's Reviews! This meme showcases the books received, bought, or checked out from the library over the past week. 

For Review:

Poison Promise
By: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: 07/22/14
A big thank you to Pocket Books and Edelweiss!
Synopsis:
In book eleven of her New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin series, author Jennifer Estep continues “one of the best urban fantasy series going on the market” (Fresh Fiction).

Gin Blanco is hard-nosed, sexy, and lethal. Nicknamed “The Spider,” she’s a stone elemental assassin who brings her unique mix of magic and tact to every assignment, no matter the target.

There’s a new drug on the streets of Ashland, and its name “Burn” sums up the potent effect it has on its users. When one of her restaurant employees is threatened by dealers of the drug, Gin steps in to set things straight…

Guild Assassin: Curse Breaker
By: Berley Kerr
Release Date: 07/28/14
A big thank you to Curiosity Quills!
Synopsis:
Wendy Magdalena Braca lived in a Victorian mansion under three moons in Jupiter City. But her privileged upbringing falters when after the death of her father and the murder of her mother, she is shipped away to Greenleaf Asylum for Troubled Girls and lived there for years until she is “rescued” by a strange guild that shows Wendy their world; the world of Guild Assassins made up of the Cæcus (normal humans), the Validus (magic-users), and Half-Breeds (demi-gods). In this world, Wendy discovers she is the most special and powerful Validus known to exist, the Curse Breaker.

Bought:

A Kiss of Blood
By: Pamela Palmer
Synopsis:
Only one woman can save Vamp City...

One of the few humans who managed to escape the deadly twilight world of Vamp City, Quinn Lennox vows to never return. But the vampires want her back, for only she has the power to renew the magic of their crumbling world and free the vampires trapped within.

When the dangerous and all-too-seductive Arturo Mazza comes for her, Quinn knows she can never trust him after the betrayal she suffered at his hands. But with her beloved brother's fate hanging in the balance, and her own power beginning to emerge, she chooses to risk all on yet another perilous journey back to Vamp City. And though she tries to deny it, her heart begins to hold hope that even a ruthless vampire can learn the meaning of true love.

Entice
By: Carrie Jones
Synopsis:
Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together for ever. But that's not quite how things have worked out. For starters, Nick has gone. He has been taken to the mythical place for warriors known as Valhalla. Zara and her friends might be able to get him back, it's just not going to be easy. Meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But even if Zara and her friends do discover the route to Valhalla, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't turned into just any pixie... She's Astley's queen.

Goddess
By: Josephine Angelini
Synopsis:
After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched.

Lies Beneath
By: Anne Greenwood Brown
Synopsis:
Fans of Amanda Hocking's novel, Wake, will dive into this paranormal romance featuring mermaids--the killer kind--and won't come up for air!
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans and absorb their positive energy. Usually, they select their victims at random, but this time around, the underwater clan chooses its target for a reason: revenge. They want to kill Jason Hancock, the man they blame for their mother's death.

It's going to take a concerted effort to lure the aquaphobic Hancock onto the water. Calder's job is to gain Hancock's trust by getting close to his family. Relying on his irresistible good looks and charm, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter Lily. Easy enough, but Calder screws everything up by falling in love--just as Lily starts to suspect there's more to the monster-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined, and just as the mermaids threaten to take matters into their own hands, forcing Calder to choose between them and the girl he loves.

One thing's for sure: whatever Calder decides, the outcome won't be pretty.

Of Poseidon
By: Anna Banks
Synopsis:
Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

Rush
By: Eve Silver
Synopsis:
So what’s the game now? This, or the life I used to know?

When Miki Jones is pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game—her carefully controlled life spirals into chaos. In the game, she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Miki has only the guidance of secretive but maddeningly attractive team leader Jackson Tate, who says the game isn’t really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival, and the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn’t. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn.

Strange and Ever After
By: Susan Dennard
Synopsis:
In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.

What did you get for your shelves this week?

Feature and Follow #43

This is a meme hosted every Friday by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, where book bloggers answer a question each week and check out how others answered it. It's a cool way for bloggers and viewers to connect and learn more about each other!

Please state in the post if you're a new follower or old follower. Also, be sure to leave a link back to your blog, otherwise I won't know where to go to follow you! Thank you.

This week's question: What is your favorite tv series that you can watch over and over again on Netflix?Answer: Doctor Who, Grimm, and Merlin. Yes, I love British TV and supernatural shows. These really grab and hold my interest. 
How about you? What are your favorite TV shows?

BORN OF DECEPTION by Teri Brown

Rating: C
Synopsis:
Budding illusionist Anna Van Housen is on top of the world: after scoring a spot on a prestigious European vaudeville tour, she has moved to London to chase her dream and to join an underground society for people like her with psychic abilities. Along with her handsome beau, Cole Archer, Anna is prepared to take the city by storm.

But when Anna arrives in London, she finds the group in turmoil. Sensitives are disappearing and, without a suspect, the group’s members are turning on one another. Could the kidnapper be someone within the society itself—or has the nefarious Dr. Boyle followed them to London?

As Cole and Anna begin to unravel the case and secrets about the society are revealed, they find themselves at odds, their plans for romance in London having vanished. Her life in danger and her relationship fizzling, can Anna find a way to track down the killer before he makes her his next victim—or will she have to pay the ultimate price for her powers?

Set in Jazz-Age London, this alluring sequel to Born of Illusion comes alive with sparkling romance, deadly intrigue, and daring magic.

My thoughts on the book:
I really enjoyed Born of Illusion because of the unique setting and world that Brown had created. However, the magic is gone with this second installment. The descriptions, world-building, and character development are seriously lacking in this novel. Also, part of the book, including the climax, were extremely boring. From about 25% until about 75% was fantastic, though. That's why I rated this a C instead of a D or an F. However, I'm not sure I want to continue this series. 

In the last book, I fell in love with Cole and Anna and the world of magic that they created together. In this book, the chemistry is gone. Cole is one of the dullest characters I've ever read, and Anna is a whiny, emo brat. Bronco Billy had the potential to be interesting, but that was taken from him, and Brown tried and failed to create a love triangle. None of the characters was fully developed enough to actually be intriguing. 

The world-building is lacking. Brown managed to somehow strip all the character out of London, and this story could have taken place anywhere in the world. I still don't understand the society, and I'm not sure I really got what Calypso's powers were, either. Everything was vague and nothing was delved into enough. Also, the climax of the story was so anti-climactic, I could have slept through it. I was riveted for about half the book (25%-75%), but the climax itself had no sense of urgency about it. The ending wrapped everything up in a nice little package, complete with bow, which was also disappointing. That makes me not care about the sequel that much at all. 

Overall, I'd only read this book if you were in love with the first novel and really want to continue the series. Otherwise, you're going to be bored and disappointed.