*Book Review* Catch Me by Parker Blue (YA Urban Fantasy)

Series: Demon Underground # 6
Publisher: Bell Bride Books
Released: April 21, 2015
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book, 222 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

*Synopsis*

Her loyalties will be tested.

What's a vampire slayer to do when San Antonio's vampire leader goes missing and rogue vampires are suddenly on the rise? Find him and bring him back--no matter what the cost--before the vacuum of power pits vampire against vampire in a deadly showdown for supremacy with her boyfriend Austin's immortal life at stake.

When she discovers that her ex, Shade, may have been "accidentally" responsible, Val Shapiro's problems take on a whole new dimension and her loyalty to everyone in her life will be tested.

Catch Me is the Sixth installment in the Demon Underground series by Parker Blue. The series features 18-year old Val Shapiro who is a vampire slayer, Paladin for the Demon Underground, keeper of the Encyclopedia Magicka books, and a 1/8 succubus that she calls Lola. Lola gives Val some amazing abilities, which she had lost in previous installments due to wrong choices. Val has the ability to control both demons and vampires alike.

Ability to be quick and enhanced strength. Abilities that come in handy when she has to deal with an infestation of Rogue vampires who target the New Blood Movement leadership looking to take over San Antonio where this series is set. Abilities she needs to use in order to get the New Blood Movements leader, Alejandro, back after being accidentally sent to the demon realm by a certain mopping demon.

I don't think this series gets enough credit. Perhaps it's the way the books have been scheduled at irregular times since 2008. I think Val and her trusty hellhound Fang are truly entertaining and that's why I continue to read this series. I do like Val and Fang's banter. He, at times, is her consciousness and her reason for pushing forward instead of walking away and going on an extended vacation. He also can be a bit of a smart ass, and has made his own mistakes that Val is just getting around to forgiving him for. 

I like that Val has moved on from her ex-Dan Sullivan, and Shade who is suffering after Dare Me. I like that she's kind of timid about her relationship with Austin, who is one of the Movement's lieutenants. I also like that Val has a new friend in Ivy Weiss, a new demon who arrives from Sedona. Ivy is able to gleam information from gemstones and rocks, which absolutely comes in handy. I like that there are connections between the two of girls, especially now that Val's former roommate Gwen was forcibly turned into a vampire against her will, and is now living and working with the vampires.

I like her interaction with her own inner thoughts. She puzzles over right and wrong and what course of action she should take. Does she follow her heart, her instinct, or does she listen to those like Micah that she has pledged to work for? Val has had an unusual 6 months. Her family kicked her out of her house, her step-father and sister were nearly turned into vampires, she lost her job at SCU after her true identity and loyalties came to light. She found herself struggling with her own identity as both slayer and succubus. She is very stubborn, and compassionate about her abilities as the Slayer and saving her friends from enemies that crawl out of the woodwork. Without her Lola powers, she might as well be just another pretty face.  

This is yet another short novel at 222 pages. I do hope that Blue releases another book sooner rather than later. There are a whole lot of loose ends that need to be tied up. I also want to see where this connection between Val and Austin leads, especially now that she's been given a third job as liaison between the three factions in San Antonio. I do wish that the family angle gets fixed. If would be nice if Val could have piece of mind knowing that they really do care, no matter who, or what she is.

**I received this book for free from (Bell Bridge Books) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

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*Book Review* Boundary Crossed by Melissa F. Olson (UF)

Series: Boundary Magic # 1
Published by 47North
Released: May 1, 2015
Format: E-book, 302 pages
Source: Amazon First Read
Genre: Urban Fantasy

After her twin sister’s brutal murder, former US Army Sergeant Allison “Lex” Luther vowed to protect her niece, Charlie. So when two vampires try to kidnap the baby, it quickly turns into a fight to the death—Lex’s death, that is.

She wakes up to two shocking discoveries: she has miraculously survived the fight, and baby Charlie is a “null,” gifted with the ability to weaken supernatural forces...and a target for creatures who want to control that power. Determined to guarantee her niece’s safety, Lex makes a deal with the local vampires. She sets out with the mysterious—and undead—“fixer” Quinn to track down whoever’s responsible for the kidnapping, sharpening her newfound magic skills along the way. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous her powers become.

Boundary Crossed is a dark, thrilling journey into a world where the line between living and dead isn’t nearly as solid as it appears.

Boundary Crossed is the first book in a new series called Boundary Magic. Melissa F. Olson is a new to me author who also wrote Dead Spots, which is supposedly set in the same world. Told in the first person narrative by Allison “Lex” Luther, a US Army Veteran who has seen her fair share of horror, Boundary Crossed is an eye opening adventure for an individual who was just an ordinary girl working nights, taking care of abandoned animals, and grieving over her lost twin sister Samantha. After briefly dying keeping kidnappers from taking her 18-month old niece Charlie, Lex's eyes are opened to an entirely different world that lies just out of sight of human eyes. 

The most intriguing twist is that Lex herself is anything but purely human. She is what's called a boundary witch, and a very powerful one at that. Lex also learns that Charlie is a null who is able to turn vampires human again. Lex, keeping her promise to Sam, will do absolutely anything to keep her niece safe. That includes working for powerful vampires who call Colorado their home, learning about magical abilities she didn't know she possessed, and working alongside the secretive Quinn who works as a fixer for the vampire leaders.  

I can totally understand Lex's personality, as it pretty much aligns with my own experiences. For some, who are not veterans of wars or have not faced death head on, Lex could be considered a bit over the top or even boring at times. I do believe that Olson could have touched a bit more on Lex's PTSD possibilities since denying it exists causes even more problems. You don't die, and then shrug it off like nothing happened. You are affected by the experience in dreams, in the way you treat others, and the way your family sees you. I don't have a problem with lead characters who are damaged or vulnerable to the whims of others. 

There are a few interesting secondary characters like witches Simon, Ivy, & Hazel Peller who help Lex understand her magic, the aforementioned vampire Quinn who gets tangled together in order to protect Charlie, and the head vampire of Colorado, Maven. I did like the twisted mystery. You really have no clue who the villains are until they jump off the page at you. The minor hiccup for me was the romance angle. Is Lex really over her first love? Will Lex and Quinn end up together and do the grove thing? Will this become a twisted love triangle? HOPEFULLY NOT! 

As a connoisseur of all things Urban Fantasy, I do believe that Boundary Crossed is a hopeful entry into a genre that has seen way too many series come and go without resolution. Hopefully, since this is Amazon's baby, the author will be allowed to explore Lex's new world and new responsibilities that she's been handed. Apparently, Boundary Lines is the sequel's title per Amazon, and the book releases October 13, 2015.

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*Book Review* Prudence by Gail Carriger (Steampunk/Paranormal)

Series: The Custard Protocol # 1
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: March 17, 2015
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Source: Library
Genre: Steampunk / Paranormal

When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is given an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female would under similar circumstances - names it the Spotted Custard and floats to India in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea. But India has more than just tea on offer. Rue stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis and an embarrassing lack of bloomers, what else is a young lady of good breeding to do but turn metanatural and find out everyone's secrets, even thousand-year-old fuzzy ones? 

Prudence is the first novel in The Custard Protocol series by Gail Garriger. The series is a spin-off of the Parasol Protectorate which featured Alexia Tarabotti-Maccon. Set 20 some years after Alexia's story, which would make it 1896 there or about, Prudence features her all grown up daughter Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama. Rue, as she is called by her friends, is a rather rare breed. She was born of a soulless mother and a werewolf father, while being adopted by a vampire due to the nature of her birth. She is the only Metanatural in the world. She has the ability to "soul-steal" from vampires, and werewolves and shape shift into either one which makes her enemy number one on the supernatural hit parade. Not unlike her mother who has been banded from traveling to various countries.

Rue is best friends, sisters if you will, with Primrose Tunstell, the daughter of Alexia's flighty, fashionably inept best friend who is now Hive Vampire Queen Ivy. Like Ivy and Alexia, Prim and Rue are a dangerous combination. One is spoiled rotten and careless, the other is a fashion plate who cares what society thinks of her. Are you lost yet? If so, I dare say that you should go back and read the Parasol Protectorate, especially the last book where things changed for everyone involved.

Rue is given a job by her adoptive vampire father Lord Akeldama, and a dirigible she names The Spotted Custard (painted to resemble a black and red ladybug). Her job is to travel to India to investigate some tea plants that are desired by Akeldama. Joined by Prim, Prim's twin brother Percy, and Quesnel Lefoux, son of Madame Lefoux, Rue's journey to India is not what it seems, nor does it lack from the usual sarcasm, humor, and often times nonsensical issues of what to wear, and the ghastly horror of wearing a day dress, instead of a walking dress. Shocking, I know.

I hate to rain on anyone's parade, but this story really had a whole lot of issues. Unfortunately, Rue is not remotely like her mother Alexia. She's not prepared in anyway for her supposed role as spy for Akeldama. She has no clue why she was really sent to India, or why her mother agreed to let her go in the first place. When she comes in contact with others, she has that far away look in her eyes like there's nobody home. She stumbles and bumbles her way into discovering a "new" supernatural entity, and then becomes involved in a political pow-pow in order to prevent a catastrophe from happening.

Another one of my issues with Prudence, is Rue's attraction/hatred towards Quensal Lefoux. Lefoux is as brilliant with inventions and engines, as he is with charming the bloomers off ladies. Perhaps because they already have a history with each other. Perhaps because Quensal is the perusal Male rake in a Steampunk/Paranormal setting, it is apparent that Carriger has already lined up Lefoux to become Rue's lover. Thankfully for me, the so called romance was secondary and nearly non existent for most of the story.

What saves this story from ruination for me, is Percy. Percy loves his books. He has a cat named Footnote. He has this strange tendency of luring almost any woman in his vicinity to him even when he's talking about breeding between chili peppers. He's not a world traveler by any means. But, he knows things that nobody else on Rue's crew knows, and helps save the day. Perhaps that was Carriger's intention. By using Percy to take on the serious issues, she allows herself plenty of room for silly scenes between Rue, and Prim.

Lastly, Prudence really doesn't have any sort of plot that I could put together. The last 1/3 of this book was probably the most exciting, and it does have a guest appearance by Lady Sidheag Kinfair, who has also been seen in Carrigers's finishing school series, as well as the mother ship series as the only female werewolf in existence. Perhaps the next book in this series will give Rue a chance to actually improve as a lead character. Perhaps, or perhaps not, we will get a better understanding of why Rue was sent on this journey without being prepared for what was coming at her.

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*Book Review* Burning Kingdoms by Lauren DeStefano (YA Dystopian)

Series: Interment Chronicles # 2
Publisher: S&S Books for Young Readers
Released: March 10, 2015
Source: Edelweiss
Format: E-Book, 312 pages
Genre: YA, Science Fiction

After escaping Internment, Morgan and her fellow fugitives land on the ground to finally learn about the world beneath their floating island home.

The ground is a strange place where water falls from the sky as snow, and people watch moving pictures and visit speakeasies. A place where families can have as many children as they want, their dead are buried in vast gardens of bodies, and Internment is the feature of an amusement park.

It is also a land at war.

Everyone who fled Internment had their own reasons to escape their corrupt haven, but now they’re caught under the watchful eye of another king who wants to dominate his world. They may have made it to the ground, but have they dragged Internment with them?

Burning Kingdoms is the sequel to Perfect Ruin. Morgan Stockhour and her band of rebels from Internment have miraculously made it to the ground in their flying monstrosity. They are immediately brought to the home of the King's adviser Jack Piper, and his five children who quickly become part of the story; especially Nimble and Birdie. This is a strange land called Havalais that is surrounded by water. It's a land where you are likely to find a mermaid, step into a silent movie theater, grab a drink from a speakeasy, or take in the view of Internment through telescopes at the amusement park. It is also a land that is deep into war between two kings not like their own king they left behind.

Morgan has always been a dreamer. She's dreamed about what it would like to be on the ground. She has the desire to do good by everyone she meets. She is sometimes curious, sometimes careless. Finally given the chance to see what the ground is really like, she finds that the grass isn't necessarily greener on the other side. What Morgan and crew find alters their opinions about fleeing their home. There are so many differences, including the food, the way people pray and dress, how they marry, and how they have children without anyone telling them how many they can have. When a major secret is let out of the bag, they also become pawns in the war between cities.

I do think this book was much slower than Perfect Ruin. Perhaps it was intentional on DeStefano's part. Perhaps it was her intention to give Morgan new challenges, and see what happens when everyone else around her starts rethinking their decision about leaving Internment. Throw in Pen's moods and strange behavior that frays the relationship between best friends; Morgan's own unresolved anger towards her brother Lex; issues with Judas and Amy, and Princess Celeste's actual reasoning for tagging along with the rebels. This leads to a story that is less action packed, and more of a mind bender.

What's worse is that DeStefano has once again created a situation where Morgan now must make up her mind between being with her betrothed Basil, or someone else entirely. She must find a way to allow Morgan to grow up as a character, while letting the rest of her cast do their own thing. She must work through new alliances that have shifted and twisted, friendships that have been nearly broken, and friendships that have blossomed between Morgan and Celeste and Birdie.

Once again, DeStefano leaves the story in a very strange place. The plot consists mostly of talking and bemoaning the differences between Internment and the ground. Burning Kingdoms falls into the class reviewers call a bridge book. There's plenty of time for contemplation, and some serious revelations that affect key characters, but nothing is resolved. Then, there is the whopping cliffhanger ending that leaves EVERYTHING up in the air.

**I received this book for free from (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) via (Edelweiss) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Book Review* Perfect Ruin by Lauren Destefano (YA Dystopia)

Series: The Interment Chronicles 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR
Released: October 1, 2013
Source: Library
Format: Hardcover, 356 pages
Genre: YA, Science Fiction

On the floating city of Internment, you can be anything you dream. Unless you approach the edge. Children’s Literature says “shades of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and George Orwell’s 1984 inspire DeStefano’s sci-fi/murder mystery page-turner.”

Morgan Stockhour knows getting too close to the edge of Internment, the floating city and her home, can lead to madness. Even though her older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. There’s too much for her on Internment: her parents, best friend Pen, and her betrothed, Basil. Her life is ordinary and safe, even if she sometimes does wonder about the ground and why it’s forbidden.

Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially once she meets Judas. Betrothed to the victim, Judas is being blamed for the murder, but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find—or whom she will lose.

Perfect Ruin is the first book in the Internment Chronicles by the author who also wrote the Chemical Garden trilogy. Narrated by 16-year old Morgan Stockhour, the story takes place in a fictional city in the sky called Internment. It is said that Internment was ripped from the Ground by the god of the sky who the residents pray to to keep them safe. It is a Utopian society where there is no crime. It is a place where it is your life to embrace the things you want to do, or squander it like a rich Kardashian who just got their inheritance and immediately went out and blew the entire kit and caboodle because they wanted a body makeover.

There is only one real rule: Don't get too close to the edge. The lure of looking down to the ground can and has invited madness to overcome sanity. Morgan knows this better than most because her brother Lex, is one of those Jumpers who lost his sight in the process. Morgan hasn't exactly had an easy life since then. She's become known as a daydreamer and her parents are distant at times while her mother suffers deep, dark depression. 

She's only got one true friend in Pen, which is a good thing since Pen has been by her side since the beginning and doesn't abandon Morgan but stands by her side. She also has her brothers wife Alice, who is adorable and amazing and strong and everything I believe women should strive to be. Alice is also a victim of the King's rules, which makes her even more likable since she refuses to give up but continues to fight.  

Internment is a society based on the immediate betrothed theory. Right out of the womb, you are mated with your intended who you will spend your entire life with due to the fact that there is no divorce, and the life and death rate is closely monitored. If your mate dies before the maximum age, you end up alone until you're time comes. Morgan's intended is Basil, and I have to say, I adore Basil. I adore the fact that he's not pushy. I love that he's patient, and let's Morgan be who she is. I love that it's Morgan and Basil, and not Morgan, and Basil, and someone else! I'm not into all that book boyfriend craziness, but he definitely makes my list of how I envision men should aim to be like.

Perfect Ruin has an interesting concept with world building that is stellar. Throw in a King who rules all, a murdered girl Morgan's age who questions everything, a rebellion to overthrow the Kings mandates, and people trying to find a way off Internment to the ground, and you have the start of an interesting new series. However, over the first, say 200 pages, Morgan was one of the most boring, cardboard characters you will ever meet. 

Secondary characters like her brother Lex, his wife Alice, and Pen were more interesting. Snore fest though most of the first 100 pages or more. Probably at 200 pages, the story got very interesting, especially with Judas and Amy's participation. The story ended in a weird place. Literally. Then again, considering this is the same author who gave us the the Chemical Gardens trilogy, why would anyone be surprised?

Other Books in Series:

*Note* After Perfect Ruin was released, there was a complete cover redesign!*

    

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*Book Review* Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan (YA Thriler)

Series: Standalone
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 26, 2015
Source: Penguin First Reads
Format: E-book, 384 pages
Genre: YA / Thriller

I’m the daughter of murdered parents.
I’m the friend of a dead girl.
I’m the lover of my enemy.
And I will have my revenge.
 
In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process.
 
Sharp and incisive, Daughter of Deep Silence by bestselling author Carrie Ryan is a deliciously smart revenge thriller that examines perceptions of identity, love, and the lengths to which one girl is willing to go when she thinks she has nothing to lose.

"Revenge is the absence of emotion."

When Frances Mace was Fourteen, she watched in horror as her parents were gunned down along with hundreds of others on a cruise ship called the Persephone. She managed to survive thanks to her friend Elizabeth "Libby" O'Malley and a bit of quick thinking on her part. Libby and Frances spend Seven days in a raft hoping to survive long enough to be rescued. Hoping that it would rain so they could drink water necessary to keep the body from shutting down. Hoping that the truth about what really happened to them on the Persephone comes out. But, when Frances learns that two others have survived, Senator Wells and his son Greyson, while her friend was dying needlessly, plans are put into place that sets Frances on a dangerous course that will ultimately test her limits, her sanity, and her love for the boy she thought she knew.

Four years later, Frances travels to South Carolina having completely taken over Libby's identity and personality. Four years of formulating a plan, researching her intended targets, and collecting everything she needs to get her revenge. For "Libby," nothing matters but the truth about what really happened to the Persephone, her family, her friend, and paying back those who lied about what really happened for their own personal careers. But, how far does one go to ruin the life of the only boy who she truly loved and maybe still loves? How can she forget about the boy that her friend left behind? How far does one go to get revenge on those she believes are responsible? How many people does she have to turn away before she realizes that she doesn't have to do it all by herself?

Daughter of Deep Silence is such an imaginary tale with hints of the TV show Revenge integrated into the story. Haven't watched Revenge? Watch an episode before reading this book, if you like. I loved the description of being stranded in the ocean without any hope of being rescued. Such a vivid reminder of how frail the human body really is. Loved the struggles Frances had with reconciling who she really was. Is she still Frances, or has Libby taken control of her thoughts? Or, is she a hybrid of the two of them now? What does she do if and when her plan for revenge is actually finished? What happens if anyone finds out Frances true identity?

Daughter of Deep Silence is the first novel I have read by author Carrie Ryan and probably won't me my last. I think there are those who will latch onto Libby's plight. Her refusal to make friends. Her determination to see justice done for her family and friend. Her difficulty resolving her feelings for Grey, and her lack of understanding about Libby's loss would affect the boy she loved. What grabbed my attention, was the unusual attention paid to Frances identity struggles. How would her family feel about what she's doing now? Would they be proud or embarrassed. The idea of revenge has always intrigued me. I definitely recommended this story as something to add to your reading list, soon.

**I received this book for free from Dutton Books for Young Readers via First Reads in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

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*Stacking My Shelves & Weekly Wrap-up* May 9, 2015

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course eBooks!

WELCOME BACK!

So, on Thursday of this week, NetGalley/Publishers decided to approve titles that have been sitting around for sometime! WOO HOO! Needless to say, I have plenty of awesomeness to keep me occupied until the end of the century! OK, maybe not that long! Hope you find something you like!

~Shelley~ 

The Week in Reviews:

Monday - The Girl on The Train by Paula Hawkins (Mystery)

Tuesday - Fury of the Demon by Diana Rowland (UF)

Skandal by Lindsay Smith (Historical) -- Talk Supe Blog

Wednesday - Unbinding by Eileen Wilks (UF)

Thursday - Day Shift by Charlaine Harris (UF)

Friday - Weekly Roundup & Stacking My Shelves

Saturday - Daughter of Silence by Carrie Ryan (YA Mystery)

Received from St. Martin's Press

Received via Edelweiss or NetGalley

    

    

     

    

Borrowed from Library