BOUND BY FLAMES by Jeaniene Frost

Rating: A+
Synopsis:
Play with fire, pay the price.

Leila’s years on the carnie circuit were certainly an education. What she didn’t learn: how to be a vampire, or how to be married to the most famous vampire of them all. Adjusting to both has Leila teetering on a knife edge between passion and peril, and now the real danger is about to begin…

Vlad must battle with a centuries-old enemy whose reach stretches across continents and whose strength equals his own. It isn’t like Vlad to feel fear, but he does…for Leila, because his enemy knows she is Vlad’s greatest weakness. As friend and foe alike align against him—and his overprotectiveness drives Leila away—Vlad’s love for his new bride could be the very thing that dooms them both…

My thoughts on the book:
Bound by Flames, in my opinion, is the best book that Jeaniene Frost has ever written. I absolutely adore all of her novels, but this one really stands out. It is difficult to read in places (graphic torture), but it has heart, grit, and suspense. I couldn't put this one down. I'm a huge fan of the Night Huntress Series, and Vlad has always been one of my favorite "spin-off" characters, but this book goes above and beyond any expectations I had for him and his series. Well done, Ms. Frost. I can't wait to see what you come up with next. 

The character growth in this novel is astounding and extremely organic. Vlad really grows as a man, vampire, and husband in this installment. He proves he loves Leila by actually listening to her (sometimes). Leila, for her part, is coming into her own as a woman, vampire, and wife. She is learning how to deal with Vlad's overbearing ways and how to work things out through compromise. I really had tons of respect for both of them in this book. Some of the secondary characters really grow and/or show who they really are as well, and there are some very touching moments. 

Like all of Frost's novels, the pacing is pretty quick, and the plot is suspenseful, and full of action and romance with a touch of comedy. Some of the plot twists really surprised me, and I loved the cameo by Cat and Fabian. This novel had to be difficult to write with the torture scenes, and Frost shows that she doesn't shy away from challenges. She paints the torture scenes as vividly as the romance scenes, and that impressed me. While some of it is a little stomach churning to read (being skinned alive, for instance), Frost's ability to not back down while writing these scenes is deserving of respect. The Epilogue delivers some much-needed lightheartedness, and it's clear from the direction of this book that the series is winding down naturally (the next installment will be the last, unfortunately). While I can't wait to see what Frost comes up with for Leila and Vlad in the 4th book, I dread the end of this series. I've come to enjoy it just as much, if not more than, Cat's and Bones' books. 

Overall, I'd recommend this series to anyone who is looking for a good vampire novel that pokes some fun at the old Dracula myths. Frost is a fun and talented writer, and if you haven't read anything by her yet, you're definitely missing out. 

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UNCHOSEN by Michele Vail

Rating: C+
Synopsis:
I thought the worst of my reaper training was behind me… turns out I was wrong. Dead wrong. 

Molly Bartolucci has done a lot of growing up but after being accused of using illegal magic at her school for necromancers, reaper-in-training Molly is treading lightly. As the destined leader of Anubis’s Chosen, she needs to study hard, train harder, and stay out of trouble. 

Uh, right. 

It doesn’t help that she’s feeling more than academic about her melt-your-bones hot reaping instructor, Rath. And if her relationship drama isn’t enough to drive her over the edge, she has to deal with mother issues, nosy little sisters, suspicious friends, and an unnamed force stalking her at school. 

Then her family is attacked, and her bio-dad ends up comatose in the hospital. Now, Molly has to uncover who’s trying to hurt her loved ones—and all without the help of Anubis.

My thoughts on the book:
I really enjoyed the story that Vail told with this novel, but the typos really ruined it for me. I would have rated the book an A had it not been for those. The plot, pacing, and writing were fantastic, and the characters were fun to read. The world-building continued, and the book itself was really good. If you don't mind typos, you'll fall in love with this novel. 

Molly is a fun character with a lot of sarcasm, and I really enjoy reading from her perspective. She deals with things very well, and she grows a lot in this book. Molly really learns what's important in her life, and she learns that she must make sacrifices. I'm happy with the direction in which her character is going. I wish Rath had been more present in this book. He's such an interesting character, and he's good for Molly. I really enjoyed learning more about Barbie, though, and the grandparents are much deeper than I originally thought. 

The plot is fast-paced and kept me interested. Vail's writing and descriptions are pretty good, though lacking in some areas. The story itself is a solid one, but the typos really detract from it. Sometimes characters' names were switched. For instance, Vail calls Rath Ralph in one sentence. Also, tenses switch randomly throughout the novel. There are duplicate words, as well, such as "He ran to to the other side of the street." That's not a direct quote from the book, by the way, I'm just giving an example of what was going on. Also, the back of the novel said that the next installment would be out in March of this year, and it's not out. I hope that the third book is released. I have to see what happens next with Molly since this one ends on a cliff hanger. Aside from the typos, I absolutely adored this book, though. I grew to better understand the world that Vail had created, and the characters and plot are evolving naturally. Nothing seemed forced. I really hope there is a third book. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book, and series, for people who are looking for something a bit different from your usual necromancer novels. This involves Egyptian mythology, which is a nice touch, and it makes it stand out. 

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DARKER DAYS by Jus Accardo

Darker Days
Jus Accardo

Rating: A+
Release Date: 08/19/13
Synopsis:
Jessie Darker goes to high school during the day, but at night she helps with the family investigation business. Cheating husbands and stolen inheritances? They’re your girls—but their specialty is a bit darker. Zombie in your garage? Pesky Poltergeist living in your pool? They’ll have the problem solved in a magical minute. For a nominal fee, of course...

When gorgeous new client, Lukas Scott, saunters into the office requesting their help to find a stolen box, it sounds like a simple case—until the truth comes out. The box is full of Sin.

Seven deadly ones, in fact.

They’ve got five days to recapture the Sins before they're recalled by the box, taking seven hijacked human bodies with them. Easy peasy—except for one thing...

There’s a spell that will allow the Sins to remain free, causing chaos forever. When the key ingredient threatens the life of someone she knows, Jessie must make the ultimate choice between love and family—or lose everything.

My thoughts on the book:
Different from the typical YA Paranormal Romance,  Darker Days brings well-rounded and complex characters, a unique and captivating world, and a suspenseful and intriguing plot to ensure that it stands out in an overcrowded genre. Accardo's witty prose and romantic tension add to the book's charm, making Darker Days one of my favorite reads of the year. If you're looking for a new, exciting, well-written read, then this book is for you. 

Jessie is a strong, sarcastic, likable, and well-adjusted character. Even though she's far from normal and her dad is MIA, she's still happy with her life overall. Furthermore, Jessie is no-nonsense. From the first page, she introduces you to herself and her world with unapologetic honesty, which made me really enjoy reading from her perspective. She's not afraid to kick ass, and while more mature than many YA characters, she still acts like a teenager. She stands by what she believes in, and she will fight for what's right. More YA female leads need to be like Jessie. Jessie's MIA dad, Damien, is also a complex character. He's not a deadbeat like many YA fathers. He can't help being away. Also his relationship with her mother is complicated. Klaire, the mother, is pretty cool for a mom, but she still goes above and beyond to keep Jessie safe. Lukas is a tough and swoon-worthy love interest. He's more chivalrous than the contemporary man, but he isn't a chauvinist. He's very strong, both emotionally and physically, and he is willing to sacrifice himself in order to do what's right. Mr. Winkie/Smokey is also a favorite, and I hope I get to learn more about him in the next installment. He's a unique character (possessed Corgi who attaches himself to Jessie), and he has a lot of personality. 

 The concept of a paranormal detective agency isn't a new one, but a Pandora's-style box filled with the Seven Deadly Sins is certainly unique. How the sins react to their hosts isn't exactly original, the same thing was done on Charmed when a demon infected the Halliwells with sins, but the fact that the hosts can infect mass amounts of people is different and has very dangerous consequences. In fact, I couldn't put the book down because I didn't know what horrible thing would happen next, courtesy of the sins. The plot is full of twists and turns, and Accardo surprised me several times. The author's voice is strong and draws the reader in from the very beginning. Also, the ending ties things up nicely and thankfully isn't a cliffhanger. With a few of the things that happened throughout the book, though, it's clear that there will be a sequel. I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an original YA Paranormal Romance with a humorous tone. There are some serious parts, but I laughed out loud more than once. Darker Days is a fun and suspenseful read that touches on the importance of family and the beauty of love. You won't want to miss this one.

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WARD AGAINST DARKNESS by Melanie Card

Ward Against Darkness
Melanie Card

Rating: C-
Synopsis:
The last thing Ward de'Ath wants is more trouble. On the run from both the law and the criminal underworld, Ward and Celia flee Brawenal City only to stumble into the mansion of a powerful evil necromancer. And when Ward discovers the man possesses a dangerous grimoire, his duty leaves him no choice. He can't allow the necromancer to keep the grimoire. But the mansion is filled with monsters--human and undead--and Ward has no way of telling who's friend or foe. The only person he can trust is Celia who dominates more of his thoughts and feelings everyday. But there are still laws in the way of anything but friendship. She's still dead and he's still alive . . . for now.

My thoughts on the book:
This is one of those times when I can honestly say that it's not the book, it's me. For some reason, I just could not get into the second installment of this series. Ward Against Darkness had all of the makings of an excellent follow-up. There was romantic tension, superb writing, character growth, and a suspenseful plot. But for some reason that I just cannot figure out, this book fell flat for me. I just couldn't make myself care about what was going on, and the characters (whom I loved in the last novel, and who should have been just as charming this time because they weren't badly written) got on my nerves. I don't know what my problem is, but I just didn't enjoy this novel. 

I found Ward's inability to take care of himself cute in the last novel. It was refreshing to see a strong heroine (Celia) taking charge of situations while the more submissive character (Ward) followed her lead. However, in this installment, I found Ward to be weak and whiny. He supposedly has this honor, but he complains constantly about having it... so is it really honor, or does he just want to give the illusion of being a better person than he actually is? That would make him a very unreliable narrator, don't you think? Then Celia came across as overbearing instead of strong this time. It was like she was compensating for Ward's weakness. Also, Celia's personality makes her an unreliable narrator as well, so I didn't trust either of them. The secondary characters didn't stand out to me as much either. I felt like Grumpy Cat while reading this: "I hate morning people... and mornings... and people." But I digress.

The plot was paced well and full of suspense. However, since I didn't like the characters, I didn't give a big hairy rat's butt what happened. Therefore I trudged through without any appreciation of the finer plot intricacies. Also, the romantic tension was well-written, but I just didn't care about the pansy and the beast. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how the two of them could tolerate each other, much less like each other. I guess opposites really do attract. The ending wraps things up nicely and leaves room for a sequel, that I may or may not read. I just haven't decided yet. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book (surprisingly enough) to people who loved the first book. If you're a fan of the first in the series, then you'll more than likely really enjoy this one. It has great ratings, and like I said, the issues were mine, not the book's. I can't figure out what my problem was with this novel, but don't let that turn you against it. Chances are you'll enjoy it more than I did. 

A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY by Susan Dennard

A Darkness Strange and Lovely
Susan Dennard

Rating: A-
Synopsis:
Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath...

With her brother dead and her mother insane, Eleanor Fitt is alone. Even the Spirit-Hunters—Joseph, Jie, and the handsome Daniel—have fled to Paris. So when Eleanor hears the vicious barking of hounds and see haunting yellow eyes, she fears that the Dead, and the necromancer Marcus, are after her.

To escape, Eleanor boards a steamer bound for France. There she meets Oliver, a young man who claims to have known her brother. But Oliver harbors a dangerous secret involving necromancy and black magic that entices Eleanor beyond words. If she can resist him, she’ll be fine. But when she arrives in Paris, she finds that the Dead have taken over, and there’s a whole new evil lurking. And she is forced to make a deadly decision that will go against everything the Spirit-Hunters stand for.

In Paris, there’s a price for this darkness strange and lovely, and it may have Eleanor paying with her life.

My thoughts on the book:
A Darkness Strange and Lovely is an intriguing follow-up to Something Strange and Deadly. Dennard continues Eleanor's story, and complicates her life even further. This novel does not suffer from "second book syndrome," and I was engaged throughout the entire story. With rich world-building, an intriguing plot, and captivating characters, this is sure to be one of the summer's hottest reads. 

The characterization in this novel is top-notch. Eleanor annoyed me some in this installment, even though she is still a strong and interesting heroine. I don't like how she insists on keeping secrets from people, and she never seems to learn from her mistakes regarding that. Hopefully she'll improve in this department in the third book. Also, she keeps whining that no one will teach her anything, but she avoids the people who could teach her something. It makes no sense. Other than those two things, she is still extremely likable and surprisingly strong, considering the time period. I wish we could have seen more of Daniel, and I'm hopeful that the next book will focus on him quite a bit. I absolutely adored the new addition to the team, Oliver. He's extremely entertaining and well-developed. I can't wait to get to know him better. 

The plot is intriguing and mysterious, though I figured out the bad guy pretty early on. However, there were a few things thrown in there that surprised me. Also, Dennard includes a couple of red herrings to keep the reader on his/her toes. The pacing is pretty much perfect, and the descriptions are well-written. I could picture Victorian Paris, and I felt like I was there. Dennard's writing is lovely, and I enjoyed the awkward tension between Eleanor and Daniel. The ending sets the stage for the third installment, but ties up most of the problems in this novel quite nicely. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good Steam Punk novels. The zombie twist, along with Dennard's unique characters, make this series stand out from the other Steam Punk books. Give this series, and this book, a try. You won't be sorry. 

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WARD AGAINST DEATH by Melanie Card

Ward Against Death
Melanie Card

Rating: B+
Synopsis:
Twenty-year-old Ward de’Ath expected this to be a simple job—bring a nobleman’s daughter back from the dead for fifteen minutes, let her family say good-bye, and launch his fledgling career as a necromancer. Goddess knows he can’t be a surgeon—the Quayestri already branded him a criminal for trying—so bringing people back from the dead it is.

But when Ward wakes the beautiful Celia Carlyle, he gets more than he bargained for. Insistent that she’s been murdered, Celia begs Ward to keep her alive and help her find justice. By the time she drags him out her bedroom window and into the sewers, Ward can’t bring himself to break his damned physician’s Oath and desert her.

However, nothing is as it seems—including Celia. One second, she’s treating Ward like sewage, the next she’s kissing him. And for a nobleman’s daughter, she sure has a lot of enemies. If he could just convince his heart to give up on the infuriating beauty, he might get out of this alive…

My thoughts on the book:
Ward Against Death was a pleasant surprise for me. I went into this novel not expecting a lot, to be honest. The ratings on Good Reads aren't that flattering, but I decided I'd give it a try anyway. So I sampled it from Amazon and ended up downloading the entire novel. I'm glad that I did. This book is a fun and refreshing take on necromancers. The characters are unique and the plot is intriguing. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. 

Ward is an entertaining and endearing hero. He is a bit clumsy and not that tough, but he is highly intelligent. He has a good heart, and even though he's socially awkward, he still manages to make an impression on Celia. I really liked the fact that he's not some perfect, brooding, dark leading man. It was a nice change to have a flawed and charmingly awkward character for the hero. Celia is a bad ass, and sometimes I didn't like her. However, she is strong, and overall, I was rooting for her. The more I got to know her, the more I liked her. For both Ward and Celia (the story is told in alternating third person limited POVs), I felt like Card could have given us more to go on so that we got to know them better. I still enjoyed reading about them, though. 

The world-building is a bit lacking (I never got a completely clear view of the society), but the explanations that are given are woven throughout the story instead of given to the reader in info dumps, and I liked that. The pacing is pretty spot on, and I was hooked from the beginning. When a story starts with someone raising the dead, you know things will get more interesting from there. The plot itself is intriguing, and the bad guys are really, really bad and kind of horrifying. The writing style is more YA than Adult, but since I enjoy YA, that didn't bother me. There were times that I thought I was reading a YA novel instead of a New Adult story. The romance is lacking a bit, but thankfully there is no insta-love. It seems as if Card is building Ward and Celia's relationship on friendship, and I like that. The ending ties up a lot of loose ends, but leaves enough questions unanswered for the sequel, which I'm looking forward to. 

Overall, I'd recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a good New Adult Paranormal novel. The characters are endearing, the plot is unique, and the story is just a lot of fun. Give Ward Against Death a try. You won't be sorry. 

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THE RISING by Kelley Armstrong

The Rising
Kelley Armstrong

Rating: A+
Synopsis:
Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by the powerful St. Clouds and now a rival Cabal as well, they're quickly running out of places to hide. And with the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, it's not like they can just go to the authorities for help.

All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they're so valuable, and why their supernatural powers are getting more and more out of control.

But Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her. And now, like it or not, she'll have to face down some demons from her past if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because Maya can't keep running forever.

Old secrets are revealed and unexpected characters make a surprising return in this stunning conclusion to Kelley Armstrong's New York Times bestselling Darkness Rising trilogy.

My thoughts on the book:
I went into this book with super high expectations because Kelley Armstrong is my favorite author. The Rising somehow exceeded those expectations. This is one of the best books I've read all year. Armstrong takes on some difficult, yet important, social issues in the final novel of this trilogy. Additionally the plot is intense and captivating, the writing is spectacular, and the character growth is fantastic. I couldn't put this book down. The Rising reminded me why Kelley Armstrong is my favorite author. 

Maya grows up a lot in this novel. She becomes self-aware and even more responsible. She is honest and open and just an all around likable character. Daniel really grew on me in this installment as well, and by the end, I absolutely loved him. Rafe surprised me... in a good way, and I am glad that Armstrong painted him in this light. Additionally, I got to see all of my favorite characters from the Darkest Powers trilogy, and it was good to see how Derek, Chloe, Simon, Tori, Kit, and Lauren are doing. Derek also grew since the last book in the Darkest Powers trilogy, and I was impressed by how he's changed. There is also a surprise cameo that I was super excited about. I don't want to spoil things, though, so I'll leave that one alone. 

Armstrong surprised me with her social statements, but I was extremely pleased by them. She acknowledges and creates a dialogue about the dangers of stereotyping American Indians and First Nations peoples and illustrates how that leads to racism. Eventually, as she exemplifies, the racism leads to hateful violence against indigenous peoples. Armstrong handled this issue very gracefully and made an important contribution to the decolonizing movement without having her characters preach at people. Thank you for that, Kelley. 

The plot itself isn't extremely action-packed, though there are action scenes. It is intense and will keep you on the edge of your seat, though. Armstrong handles the love triangle with grace, and things seem to work themselves out naturally. The ending itself surprised me a bit, but I like how it ended. I think the characters handled things extremely well and made terrific decisions. I was happy with how things wrapped up, even though I was sad to see the ending of this trilogy. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book and trilogy to anyone who loves good books. Armstrong is a fantastic writer, and if you haven't had the pleasure of reading her work yet, then you're missing out. 

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UNDEADLY by Michelle Vail

Undeadly
Michelle Vail

Rating: A-
Release Date: 11/20/12
Synopsis:
The day I turned 16, my boyfriend-to-be died. I brought him back to life. Then things got a little weird...

Molly Bartolucci wants to blend in, date hottie Rick and keep her zombie-raising abilities on the down-low. Then the god Anubis chooses her to become a reaper—and she accidentally undoes the work of another reaper, Rath. Within days, she's shipped off to the Nekyia Academy, an elite boarding school that trains the best necromancers in the world. And her personal reaping tutor? Rath. 

Life at Nekyia has its pluses. Molly has her own personal ghoul, for one. Rick follows her there out of the blue, for another...except, there's something a little off about him. When students at the academy start to die and Rath disappears, Molly starts to wonder if anything is as it seems. Only one thing is certain—-Molly's got an undeadly knack for finding trouble....

My thoughts on the book:
Undeadly was a unique take on the teen supernatural boarding school story. The characters were well-developed, the plot was intriguing, and the pacing was perfect. I could not put this book down. This is one reaper story you won't want to miss.

In the beginning of the book, Molly was pretty annoying. She was a whiny, spoiled brat. However, the plot was so interesting that I gave her a chance anyway. I'm glad that I did. Her character grew immensely throughout the course of the novel, and by the end, she was a completely new person. I really like the direction her character was taking, and I can't wait to see what happens to her next. My one complaint with the characters is that we didn't get to know any of the secondary characters very well. Since this is a series, though, I assume that there will be more time for relationship building in the next installment. On the plus side of no relationships being firmly built, there was also no insta-love. Yay for that. My favorite characters so far are Henry, Anubis, and Rath. 

The plot is unique for a reaper book and for a boarding school book, and I really loved the incorporation of Egyptian mythology. I'm not going to go into anymore detail about the plot because I'd hate to spoil the novel for you. I'll just tell you that it's super intense and will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's non-stop suspense. Also, it was a quick read. I read it all in one sitting, but unfortunately, it ended on a cliffhanger. 

The world-building was also fantastic. This novel takes place in a world that knows reapers and necromancers exist. There is an open market for making zombies, and they teach necromancy history in public schools. That within itself fascinated me, and I had to learn more about this world. Vail did an excellent job of describing this new reality, and the world felt real to me. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves YA paranormal novels. Give Undeadly a try. You won't be sorry. 

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THIRTEEN by Kelley Armstrong

Thirteen
Kelley Armstrong

Rating: A+
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
The #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong delivers the novel her fans have been clamoring for: The epic finale of the Otherworld series.
It’s been more than ten years, a dozen installments, and hundreds of thousands of copies since Kelley Armstrong introduced readers to the all-too-real denizens of the Otherworld: witches, werewolves, necromancers, vampires, and half-demons, among others. And it’s all been leading to Thirteen, the final installment, the novel that brings all of these stories to a stunning conclusion.

A war is brewing—the first battle has been waged and Savannah Levine is left standing, albeit battered and bruised. She has rescued her half brother from supernatural medical testing, but he’s fighting to stay alive. The Supernatural Liberation Movement took him hostage, and they have a maniacal plan to expose the supernatural world to the unknowing.

Savannah has called upon her inner energy to summon spells with frightening strength, a strength she never knew she had, as she fights to keep her world from shattering. But it’s more than a matter of supernaturals against one another—both heaven and hell have entered the war; hellhounds, genetically modified werewolves, and all forces of good and evil have joined the fray.

Uniting Savannah with Adam, Paige, Lucas, Jaime, Hope, and other lost-but-notforgotten characters in one epic battle, Thirteen is a grand, crowd-pleasing closer for Armstrong’s legions of fans.


My thoughts on the book:
Thirteen was the best series finale I've ever read, I do believe. Armstrong brought back all of our favorites in this epic ending, and we got to see how each narrator's story ended. Everyone got a turn, and I really enjoyed that. While this book was all about Savannah's final journey, Armstrong included a very short epilogue of sorts letting us know how things wrapped up for Elena and Clay as well. She wanted things to come full circle, and I'm glad she handled things that way. I enjoyed the last story being about Savannah, but I liked the very, very end being about Elena and Clay. This ending was perfect, in my opinion, and while I was sad that the series was over, I ended the book feeling happy. Armstrong really couldn't have written a better ending to this series.


The narration was different from previous Otherworld books. Savannah told most of the story in first person narration, but randomly, one of the narrators of previous books got to tell their story. However, the other narrators were in third person limited POVs. Still, the narrators reflected on their lives so that we could also reflect on the character growth of all of the narrators over this series. Each narrator got a turn: Jamie, Elena, Paige, Hope, and Eve. The switch in narrators didn't bother me, and I enjoyed remembering each character's individual journey. I loved all of the narrators (other than Hope) in the series, and I was glad to see how they each came into their own. Savannah's character development was fantastic over the arc of the past three novels, and I am very happy with how she turned out. Cassandra really surprised me at the end, and I grew to respect her more as a character as well. I was left with good feelings about everyone in the series.


There was nonstop action and adventure, though there was really no mystery. By this point in the story, we knew who all of the bad guys were. People surprised the characters, betrayed them, etc., but I always saw it coming beforehand. Anytime something seemed to work out in a character's favor, I knew that it was too simple and things would fall apart shortly. That always happened. Armstrong really tested her characters up until the very end. There was no tranquil ending for the women of the Otherworld, and I'm sure they wouldn't want one. 


The pacing was spot on, and even though I purposefully dragged this book out, I was never bored. I just didn't want the series to end, so I read a little tiny bit at a time over a few days to ensure I made the series last as long as possible. I know, it's silly, but that's what I did anyway. The ending tied everything up nicely, and I truly feel that every question that's ever been raised in the series has been answered. I'm content with how everyone's story ended. The ending was open, however. There is the possibility of Armstrong writing another book if she wants because it's clear that the adventures are far from over, but I feel that the story arc itself has ended. Things were tied up nicely, and if there isn't another Otherworld book written ever, then I'd be perfectly happy with how things ended. 


I really do not want to spoil this book for anyone, so I am going to end this review here. The Otherworld series has been my favorite series for years, and will probably continue to be my favorite series for the rest of my life. Every single book grabbed me, and this last one was no different. I'd recommend this book to everyone who's ever read the series. If you haven't read the series, go buy Bitten right now! 


Well done, Kelley, well done. 

SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY by Susan Dennard

Something Strange and Deadly
Susan Dennard

Rating: A
Release Date: 07/24/12
Synopsis from goodreads.com:The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.


My thoughts on the book:
Something Strange and Deadly is one of those intense novels that kept me on the edge of my seat. I should have started this novel earlier in the day because I refused to put it down before I finished it. This resulted in a lost night's sleep, but it was so worth it! From the first zombie attack, which happened within the first few pages, I was hooked. The characters are well-developed, flawed, likable, and realistic. I couldn't help but sympathize with everyone (other than Eleanor's mother), even the bad guys. The plot is unique and engrossing. I also loved the setting. Most novels that are set in the Victorian Era are set in England and are steampunk. This isn't a steampunk book. There is not one overly advanced piece of technology. There are some strange inventions, but those inventions are still very much within the realm of possibility for the late 19th century. Dennard offers an interesting look into what Victorian Philadelphia would have been like if there had been a zombie invasion. 


Eleanor is no simpering miss, and because of this, she does not fit in during her time period. She's aware of this. She's too free-thinking for the Victorian Era. Therefore, she always feels like a misfit, which is a play on her name "Miss Fitt." Eleanor is a strong lead character who is willing to fight for what she believes in. She also isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and can take care of herself. She makes mistakes throughout this novel, but she grows immensely as a character. I can't wait to see what the sequel brings for her.


Another character that I found extremely interesting was Jie. However, I don't want to spoil the surprise with who Jie is, so I'm not going to analyze this character any further. Daniel is also a great leading man. He's tortured (of course) and has done some awful things. However, deep down, he's good, and he's willing to try to make amends. There are a lot of characters in this novel who want to make amends for their mistakes, and there are also some who are unrepentant. That seems to be the defining way to tell who is good and who is not - if they want to make up for the pain they've caused others, or if they want to continue to hurt others. There are no strong messages against class or oppression or anything like that, but I don't think taking a stand against Victorian Era society would be applicable to our contemporary society. Therefore, it would be rather pointless to make any statements to that effect. 


The plot is intense, and there is a mystery going on throughout the course of the novel. I figured it out pretty early on, but it wasn't obvious. I just made a guess based and was correct. There are tiny hints, but nothing that gives it away until the big reveal. Also, the plot is an emotional roller coaster. I was laughing at a lot of parts, and I cried at the end. Because of my ability to relate to all of the characters, I was extremely emotionally invested in this novel. Furthermore, the pacing is perfect. The story flew by even though the book is 400 pages long. Nothing felt rushed, though. I know I was white-knuckling my Kindle during the last 20% or so of the book. The intensity of the plot grows as the story continues, which basically forced me to finish this book in one sitting.


Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves zombie stories, mysteries, books set in the Victorian Era, or supernatural/paranormal books. Something Strange and Deadly has something for everyone, and it is one novel that you don't want to miss!


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THE HUNTER AND THE HUNTED by Kelley Armstrong

The Hunter and the Hunted
Kelley Armstrong

Rating: A
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
In Off-Duty Angel , dark witch and half-demon Eve Levine is desperate for a little entertainment while her lover, Kristof Nast, is detained in afterlife court—enough to volunteer an extra week’s worth of angel corps duty just to pass the time. Luckily something even better comes up: a real celestial bounty-hunter mission to trail a shaman, someone who might prove to be a useful lead in Kristof’s court case. Following the target goes smoothly, until he leads Eve to the British Museum, where she inadvertently steps into a secret dimensional passage and stumbles upon a far more enticing puzzle . . . and a much greater danger.


This collection also includes Stalked (Otherworld #7.3), previously printed in My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon.
It’s not a good sign when Elena Michaels and Clayton Danvers resort to everyday activities on their long-awaited honeymoon in St. Louis. But their encroaching boredom is about to take a backseat to an unexpected threat that catches Clay’s attention. A non-pack werewolf is clearly stalking them—out to claim Elena for himself—and Clay has no intention of letting the upstart mutt spoil their romantic getaway, even if that means deceiving Elena as he pursues the rival werewolf on his own.


Includes an exclusive early look at the first seven chapters of Thirteen, the Otherworld series finale coming July 24, 2012.


My thoughts on the book:

The Hunter and the Hunted are two short stories from Kelley Armstrong's the Otherworld series. Penguin also threw in the first seven chapters of Thirteen, and let me just say that I cannot wait for that book. I've had it pre-ordered for awhile now, but reading these first few chapters really sold me on it. I'm counting the days until it's released. The two short stories are good, and I always love getting more Elena and Clay. While I enjoyed them, I enjoyed the sneak peek of Thirteen more.

The first story in this novella is a short story about Elena and Clay, told from Clay's perspective. I love when Clay narrates because he has such a unique perspective. It's always like I'm reading from a wolf's perspective instead of a man's. I love Elena as a narrator too, but it's always interesting to see Clay's take on things. "Stalked," the story, is a cute story about Elena and Clay's honeymoon. It was interesting to see how they interacted and how much they tried to stick to human ideals while on their honeymoon. I'm going to miss those two characters when the series ends. 

"Off-Duty Angel" is told from Eve's perspective. It's also a cute story, and it was nice to get to know Eve better. Since she only had one book in the series, I don't feel like I know her as well as I know the other characters. She's not present as much as Jaime (who also only had one book) is. I feel like I know Eve more through reputation than through observing her behaviors, so I liked getting to see more of her. Both stories are only around 30 pages each and very light-hearted. 

The teaser for Thirteen blew my mind. I was already wishing July 24 would hurry and get here, and now it's a billion times worse. The final book in the Otherworld series is shaping up to be an intense and emotional thrill-ride. I have a feeling I'll laugh, cry, and be on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book. I'm literally counting the days until I can get my hands on this novel. 

Overall, I'd recommend this novella to any Kelley Armstrong fan. If you're a fan of the Otherworld series, then you'll love getting more looks into the characters' lives. It's also a nice edition to the series because we get to hear from characters who usually don't get to narrate their own stories. If you haven't read the Otherworld series yet, then you're missing out. Start with Bitten, though. You'd be completely lost with this novella if you hadn't read the other books first. The Hunter and the Hunted is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon in e-book format. This is a novella you'll want to add to your e-reader library.

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ENTHRALLED edited by Kelley Armstrong and Melissa Marr

Enthralled
Edited by Kelley Armstrong and Melissa Marr

Rating: C+


Description from goodreads.com:

A journey may take hundreds of miles, or it may cover the distance between duty and desire.

Sixteen of today's hottest writers of paranormal tales weave stories on a common theme of journeying. Authors such as Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, and Melissa Marr return to the beloved worlds of their bestselling series, while others, like Claudia Gray, Kami Garcia, and Margaret Stohl, create new landscapes and characters. But whether they're writing about vampires, faeries, angels, or other magical beings, each author explores the strength and resilience of the human heart.

Suspenseful, funny, or romantic, the stories in "Enthralled" will leave you moved. 

My thoughts on the book:

Let me start off by saying that I'm not a huge fan of short stories, so this rating is probably a bit more subjective than I'd like to admit. That being said, when I saw Kelley Armstrong and Melissa Marr teamed up to edit this, and there were stories from many of my favorite authors in the book, I thought I'd give it a try. I checked it out from the library just in case I didn't like it, and I'm glad I did.

Authors that I usually love wrote stories that I wasn't too fond of. Rachel Caine's story bored me, as did Jennifer Lynn Barnes' (that really surprised me. I usually love her work). Melissa Marr's short story fell flat as well. None of these were terrible, just not the quality work that I'm used to from these authors. However, I know that writing a short story is a bit different, and sometimes more difficult, than writing a novel. So it's not like I'm judging their writing abilities based on these stories.

The one bright spot in the book was Kelley Armstrong's short story, "Facing Facts." That story grabbed me and didn't let me go until the end. My only complaint was that it ended too soon. Kelley Armstrong is my favorite author, though, so I'd probably say the same thing if she'd written a book of limericks. Basically, to me, anything Armstrong writes is golden. 

Armstrong's story is set in the world of the Darkest Powers series, and it deals with Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori. I love that series and these characters, and this adventure was incredibly suspenseful. She really had me convinced one thing happened when something else had happened. Armstrong has an amazing way of doing that, though. She always keeps me on the edge of my seat.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to you if you enjoy short stories because then you'd probably like more of the stories than I did. If you're not the world's biggest fan of short stories, but you like the authors, then check the book out from the library first. 

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