#Review - Assassin's Maze by Everly Frost #Urban #Fantasy

Series: Assassin's Magic #3
Format: Kindle, 306 pages
Release Date: May 31, 2019
Publisher: Ever Realm Books
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Can love survive?

When Hunter Cassidy exposed the true identity of the underground's brutal leader, she also uncovered the devastating truth about her own life.

With her time running out, Hunter must ally herself with her mortal enemy—the only woman with the power to destroy Hunter and everything she loves, including Slade Baines.

Determined not to lose Hunter, Slade will do anything to find the final Realm that holds the secret to saving Hunter and destroying their enemies once and for all.

But within the Realm is a maze of dangers, magical creatures of myth and legend, and a labyrinth of traps that will force Hunter and Slade to make deadly sacrifices, threatening their alliances, their lives... and their love.

 

"Only the reckless or the desperate will enter the maze. The path to the feathers is paved with death"

Assassin's Maze is the third and final installment in author Everly Frost's Assassin Magic trilogy. This story picks up immediately where Assassin's Mask finished. Valkyrie Hunter Cassidy, the assassin known as the Glass Arrow, is up against time. She has to find a way to fight and defeat the Valkyrie Queen Amalia. She has to discover the identity and location of the supposed last Keres in existence who can kill both herself and Slade Baines. The same Keres that her own mother sacrificed her life to save. 

Hunter has to also discover the so called Maze which is supposedly the place where the original Valkyrie and Keres feathers are kept. Feathers that can restore Hunter, as well as Amalia back to full strength. In this book, we meet Archer Ryan, the woman her mother died to protect. The woman who has caught the attention of Cain, as well as the only one who is able to open the gates to the Maze itself. Hunter, Slade, Tansy, Vlad, Archer and Cain join forces to find the Maze. But, nothing is ever easy for Hunter or her allies.

I think the most impressive part of this book was Tansy. She battles against witches who stand in their way. She battles against a broken heart knowing Vlad isn't capable of feeling love. And, she may be the most powerful character in this book bar none. Tansy has also made her peace with Hunter and we do learn some interesting tidbits about Hunter's mother and Tansy's past. The part where Hunter, Archer, Cain and Slade enter the Maze was really good. They have different paths, different gates, and different challenges to face. 

They also have to face the worst moments of their lives and find a way to forgive themselves for their past. If you really want to be entertained, there is even an all out battle between Valkyrie and Keres in the land of the dead. The of this story is filled with some surprises. While this is the final story in this series, I would be interested if there was a spin off featuring Tansy and Vlad, or even Lutz Logan and a surprising romance that developed in this book. 

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#Review - The Witchkin Murders by Diana Pharaoh Francis #Urban #Fantasy

Series: Magicfall # 1
Format: E-Galley, 354 pages
Release Date: June 7, 2019
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Four years ago, my world—the world—exploded with wild magic. The cherry on top of that crap cake? The supernatural world declared war on humans, and my life went straight to hell.

I used to be a detective, and a damned good one. Then Magicfall happened, and I changed along with the world. I’m witchkin now—something more than human or not quite human, depending on your perspective. To survive, I’ve become a scavenger, searching abandoned houses and stores for the everyday luxuries in short supply—tampons and peanut butter. Oh, how the mighty have fallen, but anything’s better than risking my secret.

Except, old habits die hard. When I discover a murder scene screaming with signs of black magic ritual, I know my days of hiding are over. Any chance I had of escaping my past with my secret intact is gone. Solving the witchkin murders is going to be the hardest case of my life, and not just because every second will torture me with reminders of how much I miss my old life and my partner, who hates my guts for abandoning the department.

But it’s time to suck it up, because if I screw this up, Portland will be wiped out, and I’m not going to let that happen. Hold on to your butts, Portland. Justice is coming, and I don’t take prisoners.

The Witchkin Murders is the first installment in author Diana Pharaoh Francis' Magicfall Urban Fantasy series. 4 years ago, the world exploded with wild magic. The cherry on top of that crap cake? The supernatural world declared war on humans, and those like Kayla Reese and Ray Garza found themselves living a different life. Kayla Reese went from a cop to scavenger overnight, while Detective Ray Garza, Kayla's former partner, has been hiding in plain sight with a secret that's too great to reveal to anyone.

For years, Kayla has avoided law enforcement and trouble by keeping mostly to herself and by scavenging for scarce commodities in areas consumed by wild magic. The real story begins when Kayla finds 3 Witchkin murdered and calls Ray to investigate. The human world doesn’t think Witchkin are worthy to protect and serve. The police only protect humans. The Witchkin are little better than vermin. Ray does investigate even though he can’t do it officially. He does it for Kayla who he's still mad at, and wanting answers.  

He brings along Zach Logan, a technomage who you will see throughout this book. He still has no idea what caused Kayla to quit the force and disappear, but he sure isn't going to let her get away this time without an explanation. But what's worse is Ray's hypocrisy; he's been keeping secrets from everyone he knows that he's a witch. If his secret is revealed, there is a good chance that he will be kicked off the force since witch's aren't allowed on the force. The exact reason Kayla quit and disappeared after she was infected with magic. 

Ray is an untested and untried witch who has abilities he hasn't even touched yet. With Kayla back in his life, and an apparently able to shift into a Gold/Blue Dragon and perhaps an even grander fate than his own, the two will have to work together and get over themselves. Then things get real. A kidnapping of a powerful family hits Kayla close to home and since Ray is the lead detective, she finds herself once again deeply involved in trying to save Portland from being devastated by a new war that is slowly creeping towards reality.

Magicfall is actually the same world as The Horngate Witches books. These books are entirely separate with new characters. This is a world where an uneasy truce exists between humans and witchkin. Thanks to those called technomages, some technology still works. Technomages were also defenders of humanity during the brief war that happened when Mount Hood erupted with wild magic. If you are familiar with the authors Horngate Witches series, you will find several mentions of Sunspears, and Shadowblades. These are humans turned into warriors who protect witch covens. I, personally, would have liked to see several characters play a part in this series.

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*Review* Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau #Paranormal #Romance

Series: The Beast Charmer # 1
Format: Mass Market, 448 pages
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Romance / Paranormal

Assassin's Creed meets Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in this gripping, epic fantasy romance trilogy from debut author Maxym M. Martineau. 

My heart wasn't part of the deal when I bargained for my life,
But assassins so rarely keep their word.

Exiled Charmer Leena Edenfrell is running out of time. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts-an offense punishable by death-and now there's a price on her head. With the realm's most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes Noc an offer he can't refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.

Plagued by a curse that kills everyone he loves, Noc agrees to Leena's terms in hopes of finding a cure. Never mind that the dark magic binding the assassin's oath will eventually force him to choose between Leena's continued survival...and his own.

 

Kingdom of Exiles is the first installment in author Maxym Martineau's The Beast Charmer trilogy. This story revolves around two main characters: Leena Edenfrell and Noc, a Cruor Assassin who is hired to kill her. Leena is what's known as a charmer. A Charmer is a person who possesses the rare ability to summon magical beasts which is why the series is being compared to the book Fantastic Beasts. Charmers are only as strong as the beasts they keep, and Leena is one of the strongest around. Leena, who was sentenced to a lifelong exile from her former home, makes a living any way she can.

Which often means selling her beasts which is supposed to be forbidden. It's hard for Leena to sell the beasts since she has a connection to each of them and knows exactly what they offer her each time the are called. In fact, she carries a book around her neck with each beast she has in her bestiary. After meeting and defeating a Cruor assassin, Leena makes a deal that will not only save her life, but out the person who was responsible for marking her for death. She must provide four magical creatures to the Guild Master and 3 of his men in order to stay alive.

Noc is the Guild Master of the Assassin's group known as Cruor. The Cruor are undead. They raise those they can't live without which often times means loved ones or life long friends. They are not easily defeated or swayed. When an assassin takes a job, they are very successful at completing their mission. Until Leena defeats one of Noc's men and he is forced to take on Leena's bounty. The real point here is that there is magic attached to each bounty and the assassin who takes it. If the assassin fails, they forfeit their life. So, now Noc has to find a way to have Leena provide him and 3 of his men with 4 magical beasts while also uncovering the person who initiated the bounty.

Leena is a pretty decent character with a bit of bravado and vulnerability mixed in. Noc is charismatic, secretive, and brilliant. He knows how to box people in, and get the most out of them.  I really got to enjoy the secondary characters who join with Noc and Leena on their mission to collect 4 beasts. Kost is the assassin who failed to kill her, Ozias takes a keen interest in Leena right from the start and sticks by her side throughout, Calem is the flirty, wild assassin who looks for a challenge any where he can find it.

It took a bit to get into this book, but I will say that it is worth your time to take a chance with the book. The romance was pretty predictable but at least it wasn't love at first glance. I know it's a paranormal romance, therefore there will be romance involved in the story. Yep, that's for sure! I would have loved to learn more about Noc and who he really is. He is holding a key piece of the equation to who he was before he raised from the dead and became an assassin. Hopefully we will find out more when the second book comes out next year.

The Beast Charmer Series:
Kingdom of Exiles (June 2019)
The Frozen Prince (coming early 2020)
The Shattered Crown (coming late 2020)

 

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#Review - The Beyond by Chloe Neill #Urban #Fantasy

Series: Devil's Isle #4
Format: Paperback, 336 pages
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Berkley Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Sensitive Claire Connolly must journey to another world in the electrifying fourth installment of Chloe Neill’s post-apocalyptic urban fantasy series.

It’s been a year since the Veil between the human world and the world Beyond was torn apart, and war began again. Sensitive Claire Connolly and bounty hunter Liam Quinn have been helping their human and paranormal allies fight back against the ravaging invaders and save what’s left of New Orleans.

But a new enemy has arisen, more powerful than any they’ve seen before, and even Devil’s Isle cannot hold her…

When Claire learns of a new magical weapon—one built by paranormals themselves—she knows it could turn the tide of war. But to reach it, she and Liam will have to cross into the Beyond itself. In a world full of hostile magic and dangerous foes, she’ll have to channel the powers she once kept hidden in order to survive. New Orleans hangs in the balance, and the storm is growing closer…

 

The Beyond is the fourth and final installment in author Chloe Neill's Devil Isle series. This series cross blends urban fantasy with a post-apocalyptic setting of New Orleans. 8 years ago, the Veil that separates humanity from what lies beyond was torn apart, and New Orleans was engulfed in a supernatural war. Those with paranormal powers were confined in a walled community that humans call the District. Those who live there call it Devil's Isle. Protagonist Claire Connolly kept a dangerous secret for years: she’s a Sensitive, a human endowed with magic that seeped through the Veil.

Not too long ago, Claire would have found herself confined to Devil's Isle for the rest of her life. Now, there are Sensitives who chose to step out of the shadows and into the light in order to learn how to handle their magic before it destroys them. Throughout this series, Claire and her allies, including bounty hunter Liam, his brother Gavin, best friends Gunnar & Tadji, Consurlaris/Angel Malachi, Rachel Lewis, Moses, and Burke have been tested over and over again, but still stand. 

But, when a dangerous Seelie escapes from Devil's Isle and joins others of her species, New Orleans may not be able to survive the havoc that will soon reign down on them. They discover that there is only one way to defeat the enemy and it involves a journey into the beyond, which has the potential to be dangerous for many reasons. With a dangerous hurricane barreling its way directly for New Orleans, Claire and a group of her friends will have to travel to the Beyond where they hope to find a weapon to save the city. 

This is the first time that Claire has left New Orleans and what she finds in the Beyond is rather puzzling. Those who live there give the saying, something is better than nothing, a new meaning. Claire has grown a lot since the first book. She's much more confident now and has better control of her abilities and it doesn't hurt that she doesn't have to look over her shoulder any more worrying about when her life will take a drastic turn. She's learnt to appreciate life, she celebrates the small things like spending time with friends and family and is very focused on protecting the people she loves. 

It's fair to say that the ending of this series has me satisfied. I don't think you could write another ending without leaving a whole lot of answers.  

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#Review - DEV1AT3 by Jay Kristoff #YALIT #SyFy

Series: LIFEL1K3 (#2)
Format: Hardcover, 448 pages
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult / Science Fiction

From bestselling author Jay Kristoff comes the second installment in the LIFEL1K3 trilogy—hailed by Marie Lu as “a breathless, action-packed exploration of what humanity really means.”
 In the wake of a climactic battle in the ruined city of Babel, two former best friends suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of the same quest. Eve is torn between the memories of the girl she was, and the synthetic she’s discovered herself to be. Together with her lifelike “siblings,” Eve sets out to find the real Ana Monrova, whose DNA is the key to building an army of lifelikes. Meanwhile, Eve’s best friend, Lemon, is coming to terms with a power that she has long denied—and that others want to harness as a weapon. When she meets a strange boy named Grimm, he offers to lead her out of the horror-ridden landscape and to an enclave of other abnorms like herself. There, Lemon quickly finds a sense of belonging—and perhaps even love—among the other genetic deviates. But all is not what it seems, and with enemies and friends, heroes and villains wearing interchangeable faces, Lemon, too, will join the race to locate Ana Monrova before her former best friend can get to her.

DEV1AT3 is the second installment in author Jay Kristoff's LIFEL1K3 trilogy. In the wake of an uprising in a post-apocalyptic USA, the robotic populace have been reduced to slaves, and androids (robots who look like humans) have been outlawed. LIFEL1K3 was about a girl named Eve and her best friend Lemon who find a ruined android in a scrap heap; an almost-boy named Ezekiel, who knows the truth behind the robotic revolt and has been searching for one Ana Monrova.  

While LIFEL1K3 gave readers the making of a villain in Eve, DEV1AT3 focuses on Lemon’s rise to claim her destiny as a hero. The story itself alternates between Lemon, Ezekiel, Cricket, as well as Evie who made an interesting choice at the end of the previous installment. The story begins 5 hours after Lemon, Ezekiel, and Cricket escaped Babel Tower and the revelations that have no divided one best friend from the other. After a short fight for their lives, Lemon, Ezekiel and Cricket end up going in different directions for pretty much the entire length of this story. So, let's start with Lemon.

Lemon is coming to terms with a power that she has long denied. She is also being hunted by Daedalus who wants to use her for her powers that can be used as a weapon between two conglomerates who are fighting over world dominion. Lemon is her usual sassy self and we see her delve further into her abilities, bolstered by those who are like her. While searching for Ezekiel and Cricket, she meets a boy named Grimm. Grimm, Fix, and Diesel are like her. They are considered to be abnormal. Lemon finds a sense of belonging among the other genetic deviates. But all is not what it seems, and with enemies and friends, heroes and villains wearing interchangeable faces, Lemon, too, will join the race to locate Ana Monrova before her former best friend can get to her.  

Meanwhile, Cricket who was given a new body in the previous installment, finds himself being sold to the Brotherhood and is forced into fighting in the War Dome. If you know anything about Cricket, he is fiercely loyal to Evie, as well as Lemon. He hates being separated from his friends, but with the Brotherhood in control of the city where he now is forced to fight other Bots, it will take a miracle for him to escape and be reunited with Lemon. Cricket finds a way to unlock the 3 laws which are an imperative for all bots. This actually is pretty straight forward but adding in Solomon was a nice touch by the author.

Ezekiel is the hardest character for me to review since he has been forced into considering new avenues after finding out the truth about Eve, and the fact that the real Ana who he is in love with, is now a target for Evie and her L1felike brothers and sisters. Ezekiel ends up being teamed up with the dreaded Preacher for a great chunk of this story. He also ends up attempting to remind Evie that she isn't like the rest of her brothers and sisters who want to destroy humankind. But, will Evie listen, or will she go full villain?

Evie is such a twisted character which is typical of the author. He loves making them as conflicted as possible, and then laughs when the readers scream bloody murder for what happens when he tosses in a bunch of twists and turns and some curious questions as well. Is Evie really a villain? Or, will she rediscover that ending the human race isn't what she really intends to do? How can she possibly have feelings about Ana who she was modeled after while at the same time, hoping to find and take her DNA to open even more devastating wars?

DEV1AT3 introduces a new life form called Hunter. Their purpose is to hunt down high priority targets like Lemon. Lemon somehow managed to catch the eye of BioMass, and now Hunter is on her trail. These beings that blur the line between organic and artificial life make questions of robotic autonomy even harder to answer. Plus, there is the creep factor where these Hunters use bees to do their dirty work. 

It is fair to say that in Jay Kristoff fashion, there is a brilliantly devious cliffhanger ending that leaves just about every single character hanging on for dear life. Will Lemon be able to stand and deliver? Or, will she become a pawn between Daedalus and BioMaas? Will Eve really become a villain, or will she discover a way to step back from the newest attempt at destroying the world? Will Ezekiel ever find happiness again, or will he crash and burn once he has to face his family one last time?

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#Review - The Chosen by Taran Matharu #YALIT #Fantasy

Series: Contender (#1)
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Action & Adventure

An epic survival adventure and new YA trilogy from bestselling author Taran Matharu.
Introducing an epic new trilogy from Taran Matharu, author of the New York Times–bestselling Summoner series.

Throughout history, people have vanished with no explanation. A group of teenagers are about to discover why.

Cade is settling into a new boarding school, contemplating his future, when he finds himself transported to another realm. He soon discovers their new world is populated with lost remnants from the past: prehistoric creatures, ancient relics, and stranger still — people. Overwhelmed by his new surroundings, Cade has little time to adjust, for soon he and his fellow classmates are forced to become contenders in a brutal game, controlled by mysterious overlords.

But who are these beings and why did they choose these teens? Cade must prepare for battle . . . because hiding is not an option.
 

 

The Chosen is the first installment in author Taran Matharu's Contender Trilogy. When Cade Carter, a biracial student in a prestigious boarding school, is framed for stealing a set of laptops by his well-off roommate, he is sent to a juvenile detention center for troubled youths. The story, however, begins with Cade already in this alternate world faced with a creature he’s never seen before not having any clue what is in store for him, or where he is. Through a series of flashbacks, readers will follow Cade and fellow detainees between their current unknown time/date/place of survival and the prior six months that led them to them there.

Forced to find allies anywhere he can, including bullies from his own school, Cade finds himself a player in a game he doesn't understand, for stakes that are unimaginably high. One could legitimately compare this story to Maze Runner meets Jurassic Park since the entire setting is filled with strange monsters, dinosaurs, and those from different eras including Roman soldiers who were brought here to fight in a contest to save their home worlds. 

Things really get interesting when Cade discovers lost cities, as well as a Roman named Quintus who ends up being a good ally to have when the going really gets hard, and it's a matter of life or death whether you can survive the so called qualifying round in order to become a real contender. The ending of the book was so intense that it kept me on the edge of my seat. Cade and his allies have to face these terrifying creatures and make a stand against all odds in order to survive. 

It is fair to say that I requested this book from the publisher thanks to liking the authors previous series called Summoner. Matharu weaves interesting realistic facts into fiction seamlessly to keep you entertained throughout. There is a bit of social awareness in this story as the main character has to deal with racism from the bullies at his new school. It isn't until he is taken to a new alternative world that he comes out of his shadow and proves to himself and his bullies that he has brains as well as the historical knowledge that leads to him and others surviving brutal challenges and a hostile environment.

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#Review - Oath Taker by Audrey Grey #YALIT #Fantasy

Series: Kingdom of Runes #1
Format: Kindle, 317 pages
Release Date: May 23, 2019
Publisher: Starfall Press
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Light magic is forbidden. 
Dark magic spells death. 
Haven has both.
​
After the Prince of Penryth saved her from captivity, seventeen-year-old Haven Ashwood spends her days protecting the kind prince and her nights secretly fighting the monsters outside the castle walls. 

When one of those monsters kidnaps Prince Bell, Haven must ally with Archeron Halfbane and his band of immortals to rescue her friend. 

Her quest takes her deep into the domain of a warped and vicious queen where the rules are simple: break her curse or die.

Lost in a land of twisted magic and fabled creatures, Haven finds herself unprepared, not just for the feelings she develops for Archeron, but for the warring powers raging inside her. 

Her rare and forbidden type of magic may be their only hope . . . but mixing light and dark comes with a steep price. 

Haven’s soul.

Faced with impossible love, heartbreaking betrayals, and a queen intent on destroying the realm, only one thing remains certain. 

Haven must shatter the curse or it will devour everything she loves.

 

Oath Taker, by author Audrey Grey, is the first installment in the authors Kingdom of Runes series. Haven Ashwood lives in the land of Penryth where she is companion guard to the Crown Prince Bellamy. When she isn't protecting Bell, she is out hunting and killing shadowlings in the forest surrounding the castle. It has been 9 years since Bell found Haven and chose her to be his companion. Penryth is a land filled with shadowlings, and harbingers that feast on powerful magic as well as a certain Shadelord who has been watching Haven bravely take out his beasts.

Thanks to a curse that happened when a mortal prince killed the Queen Morgyrath's daughter Ravenna, those who show any inclination of having magic in their blood are given to the Queen's daughter. The Shade Queen has rights to demand a curse-price be paid if anyone shows any hints of magic. Ravenna has survived by feeding off common mortals for years. Nobody knows how to break the curse, but there are those who are searching for ways to do just that. There are also wishes involved for each curse breaker. 

After a show of magic by Bell, Stolas, Lord of the Underground, spirits Bell away to the home of the dreaded queen. Haven joins a group of Solis including Bjork, Surai, Archeron, and Rook to find clues as to how they can break the curse and thus get Bell back from imminent death. Haven is a curious character. She is fearless, and doesn't back down from a fight with anyone. That includes beasts, Gods, and humans. She has access to both dark and light magic, and it might have been her mistake that cost Bell's his fate. 

But, what we, as readers don't know, is where she came from and who her parents were. The author makes hints that she may have been stolen from her parents and ended up a slave. Haven's twisted connection with Archeron as well as Stolas is one that will definitely continue into the next installment. While Archeron is reluctant to teach Haven about her light side, Stolas is almost eager to find out what Haven is capable of and whether or not she one of the legendary Effendier. In this world, Noctis and Solis are still fighting a war that has been going on since the Goddess Freya gave humankind Runemagick. 

I'll finish this review by saying there are some good things and some things that make you go Hmmmm. It's fair to say that Bell's point of view was the most twisted since he is in a bad place with little or no hope. Meanwhile, Haven could have been a whole lot better if she actually knew what she was capable of and not just winging it as she went along. Alas, another flaw in this story is the quick change of narrative without any sort of warning. Bad deal. One could also say that the story is a bit on the repetitive side. Yes, we know what color Raven's hair is (Rose) since the author has to remind us nearly constantly. I think Stolas is a whole lot more than meets the eyes, so yes, I will most likely read the sequel when it releases. 

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