#Review - The Wayward Prince by Leonard Goldberg #Mystery #Historical

Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries (#7)
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: July 11, 2023
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Mystery / Historical

The fate of Prince Harry and the British throne lies in the hands of Joanna and the Watsons in the latest Daughter of Sherlock Holmes mystery from USA Today bestselling author Leonard Goldberg.

During the height of the Great War, playboy Prince Harry, the third in line to the British throne, vanishes in thin air while horseback riding in Hyde Park The strikingly handsome playboy prince is initially believed to have arranged his disappearance so he can enjoy a brief rendezvous with one of his secret lovers. But when his absence continues on for days, the royal family grows concerned and summons Scotland Yard, who can only recover scant, unrevealing clues.

The concern deepens when MI5 decodes a recent message from German spies in London which speaks of a captured asset that will bring great embarrassment to the Crown. There is a strong belief within the Intelligence agency that plans are underway to transport the captive prince to Berlin without delay. Despite an intensive search, no trace of the royal can be detected.

With Scotland Yard and MI5 baffled, Joanna and the Watsons are called in, and they soon find themselves entangled in a web of abortion, murder, treason, and spies, all of which is seemingly being orchestrated by an arch-enemy of the long-dead Sherlock Holmes. In their race to rescue Prince Harry, it becomes clear that the mastermind behind the maze of crimes has a singular motive in mind. He desires overdue revenge in the form of Joanna’s death.

The Wayward Prince, by author Leonard Goldberg, is the Seventh installment in the authors The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series. During the height of the Great War, playboy Prince Harry, the third in line to the British throne, vanishes in thin air while horseback riding in Hyde Park. The strikingly handsome playboy prince is initially believed to have arranged his disappearance so he can enjoy a brief rendezvous with one of his secret lovers. But when his absence continues on for days, the royal family grows concerned and summons Scotland Yard, who can only recover scant, unrevealing clues.

The concern deepens when MI5 decodes a recent message from German spies in London which speaks of a captured asset that will bring great embarrassment to the Crown. There is a strong belief within the Intelligence agency that plans are underway to transport the captive prince to Berlin without delay. Despite an intensive search, no trace of the royal can be detected. With Scotland Yard and MI5 baffled, Joanna and the Watson's are called in by Commissioner Sir Charles Bradberry, and they soon find themselves entangled in a web of abortion, murder, treason, and spies, all of which is seemingly being orchestrated by an arch-enemy of the long-dead Sherlock Holmes. 

In their race to rescue Prince Harry, it becomes clear that the mastermind behind the maze of crimes has a singular motive in mind. He desires overdue revenge in the form of Joanna’s death. Like her own father, Sherlock, Joanna will face the wrath of Professor Moriarty, but this time, Colonel James Moriarty seems to be two steps ahead of Joanna which will eventually lead to a confrontation at the infamous Reichenbach Falls. 

Once again, Joanna's husband John Watson Jr. MD, who is a pathologist at St.Bart's Hospital, is the narrator of this story, pretty much the same as his father John Watson Sr. MD, a former British army surgeon and prolific marksman, did with Sherlock Holmes. Joanna's son Johnny from her marriage to her first husband, a student at Eton, also plays a curious role which seems to indicate that not to far away he will be taking over the reigns for his mother. Oh, and I nearly forgot, we can't forget about the Irregulars that Joanna uses in basically the same way that Sherlock did to help solve the mystery.

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#Review - Dead Letter Days by Kelley Armstrong #Mystery

Series: Rockton Series
Format: E-Book, 120 pages
Release Date: July 3, 2023
Publisher: Kelley Armstrong
Source: Amazon
Genre: Mystery

Eric Dalton spent most of his life in Rockton, a hidden town in the Yukon for people who need to disappear. Now that sanctuary is gone, and he’s holed up in a wilderness lodge with his girlfriend, Casey Duncan, and their friends, as they scout for a place to build their own Rockton. When Eric and Casey find a literal message-in-a-bottle, it leads them to the mystery of a woman who went missing decades ago, having never received that vital message. As they investigate that cold case, Dalton must finally lay to rest the ghosts of his own past and make some overdue decisions before he’s ready to step forward in his new life with Casey.

Kelley Armstrong's Dead Letter Days is a 120 page novella that takes place between the end of the Rockton series, and the beginning of the authors new Haven Rock series. This story, however, is narrated by Eric Dalton who was the Sheriff of Rockton. This story once again takes place in the Northern British Columbia area which you can call the Yukon. The new town of Haven Rock is slowly coming into existence with the help of the usual suspects like Casey, April, Will, Phil, Isabel, Kenny, and Diana with financial help from Emilie.

This book has a few threads that will eventually come together nicely. First, Storm, Casey's dog, finds a message in a bottle that seems to have been left behind some 30 years ago by a woman who wanted to escape Rockton and her abusive husband. The joke of this series, well not so much of a joke as factual evidence, is that Casey literally stumbles across bodies where ever she goes. Thankfully, with the help of the owners of a nearby lodge, Casey and Eric eventually follow leads to find out what really happened to the woman.

Second, for awhile now, readers of this series have known that Eric was kidnapped by Sheriff Gene Dalton when he was a young kid who got too close to Rockton while he was out exploring. We now know what a piece of garbage Gene Dalton was through letters found from Eric's actual birth mother, Amy Mulligan who tried really hard to get Eric back, only to fear losing Jacob. We also know that Eric hasn't found time to deal with his adoptive parents actions, especially Gene, while Eric has been avoiding all contact with Katherine Dalton, the woman who raised Eric after he was taken.

If you have read the first book in the new Haven Rock series, you are aware that a certain event happens in this book that really is a long time coming. No spoilers, but readers of the series can pretty much guess what I am referring to. Also, in the final chapters of this novella, are the first chapters of the new Haven Rock series. So, read the novella, and then read the new series that way you will be caught up with everything that happened after the Rockton series ended.

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#Review - Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros #Fantasy

Series: The Empyrean (#1)
Format: Hardcover, 528 pages
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Publisher: Entangled (Red Tower Books)
Source: Library
Genre: Fantasy / Dragons

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

 

 

"A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without its dragon is dead."-Article One, Section One. The Dragon Rider's Codex 🐉 

 

Rebecca Yarros's Fourth Wing is the first installment in the authors The Empyrean series. Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die. 20-year-old Violet Sorrengail trained for years to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. She wanted to follow in her father's footsteps. Now, however, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

Violet's older sister Mira, who has a reputation of her own as a valiant dragon rider, objects but has little say over her own mothers decision. Got to say that I adored Mira. She was very protective of Violet, and even went as far as to give her the tools in order to prevent someone from quickly killing her quickly. Unfortunately for Violet, she is smaller than everyone else and she has battled a chronic illness all her life. She has to overcome challenges that she wasn't built for using her wits and anything else at her disposal. 

In this world, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them. With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, and over 300 trying to become one of the elite, Violet has a huge target on her back. More than a few of the candidates would gladly kill her just for being the daughter of a ruthless Commander. Others like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant and the son of a legendary traitor who tried to bring down the monarchy, looks at Violet as payback for what her mother did. 

Violet's brother Brennan was allegedly killed by Xaden's father but was captured by Violet's mother. To make matters more dangerous for Violet, all of the children of rebellion leaders were given no choice but to join Basgiath War College to become dragon riders as punishment for their parents actions. She’ll need every edge, including a childhood friend, and a girl she saves from certain death along with her wits, just to see the next sunrise. 

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret. Certain death seems to be around every corner. Violet is not going down without a fight, and she will do everything she can to defy the odds to earn her spot. But during Presentation Day, when candidates are either chosen by a dragon, or ignored, Violet finds that she has become even more of a target after a dragon that hasn't been seen in 6 years decides to bond with her. 

To make matters more twisted, Xaden seems to be actually trying to help her survive, rather than just kill her quickly. She should stay away from him, but a fire burns between these two that is bound to consume them both. Thanks to Violet's training and her father's urging, Violet is brilliant. Her mind is her strength and what she needs to survive. This book captivated me with its compelling characters. Violet's relentless determination to become a formidable individual, even with her flaws and occasional outbursts, made her an awesome protagonist.

Skilled world building, fascinating details of dragon training, looming conspiracies, and a blazing love story make this one impossible to put down. I hear through the grapevine that the sequel will be releasing later in 2023. YAY!!! 

To approach a green dragon, lower your eyes in supplication and wait for their approval. That's what I read, right?

I drop my gaze as one chuffs another breath at me. It's hot and appallingly wet, but I'm not dead yet, so that's a plus.

The one on the right chortles deep in its throat. Wait, is that the sound of approval I'm looking for?
Shit, I wish I'd asked Mira.

Mira. She's going to be devastated when she reads the rolls.

I lift my head and suck in a sharp breath. They're even closer. The one on the left nudges my hands with its giant nose, but I somehow stand my ground, rocking back on my heels to keep from falling over.

Greens are the most reasonable.

"I cut my hands climbing the obstacle course." I lift my palms, like they can see through the black fabric binding my wounds.

The one on the right sets its nose right at my breasts and chuffs again.

What. The. Hell.

It inhales, making that noise in its throat, and the other shoves its nose into my ribs, making me raise my arms just in case they feel like taking a little nibble.

"Violet!" Rhiannon whisper-shouts.

"I'm all right!" I call back, then wince, hoping I didn't just seal my fate by screaming in their ears.

Another chuff. Another chortle, like they're talking to each other as they sniff me.

The one under my arm moves its nostrils to my back and sniffs again.

Realization hits and I choke out a tight, surreal laugh. "You smell Teine, don't you?" I ask quietly.
They both draw back, just far enough for me to look them in their golden eyes, but they keep their jaws shut, giving me the courage to keep talking.

"I'm Mira's sister, Violet." Slowly lowering my arms, I run my hands over my snot-covered vest and the armor carefully sewn into it. "She collected Teine's scales after he shed them last year and had them shrunk down so she could sew them into the vest to help keep me safe."

The one on the right blinks.

The one on the left sticks its nose in again, sniffing loudly.

"The scales have saved me a few times," I whisper. "But no one else knows they're in there. Just Mira and Teine."

They both blink at me, and I lower my gaze, bowing my head because it feels like the thing to do. Professor Kaori taught us every way to approach a dragon and exactly zero ways to disengage one.

Step by step, they retreat until I see them take up their places in line in my peripherals, and I finally raise my head.

Taking several deep breaths, I try to lock my muscles to keep from trembling.

"Violet." Rhiannon is only a few feet away, a look of terror in her eyes. She must have been right behind their heads.

"I'm fine." I force a smile and nod. "I have dragon-scale armor under the vest," I whisper. "They smell my sister's dragon." If she wants trust, there it is. "Please don't tell anyone."

"I won't," she whispers. "You're all right?"

"Other than having a few years of my life shaved off." I laugh. The sound is shaky, bordering on hysteria.

"Let's get out of here." She swallows, her gaze darting toward the line of dragons.

"Good idea."

She turns and walks back to her place, and once there's fifteen feet between us, I follow.

"I think I just shat myself," Ridoc says, and my laughter only pitches higher as we move through the field.

"Honestly, I thought they were going to eat you," Luca remarks.

"Me too," I admit.

"I wouldn't have blamed them," she continues.

"You're insufferable," Ridoc calls back.

I focus on the path and keep walking.

"What? She's obviously our weakest link after Pryor, and I don't blame them for snuffing him out," she argues. "He could never make a decision, and no one wants someone like that as their rider-"

A blast of heat singes my back and I halt.

Don't be Ridoc. Don't be-

"Guess the dragons think she's insufferable, too," Ridoc mutters.

Our squad is down to six first-years.

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#Review - Mirrorverse: Pure of Heart by Delilah S. Dawson #YA #Fantasy

Series: Unknown
Format: Hardcover, 304 pages
Release Date: July 4, 2023
Publisher: Disney Press
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic

Step into the Disney Mirrorverse, a brand-new realm full of endless adventure, where mirrored reflections of beloved Disney and Pixar characters are amplified and transformed, becoming battle-ready Guardians that must unite to defeat a powerful evil that threatens their home worlds and beyond.

Step into the Disney Mirrorverse, a brand-new realm full of endless adventure, where mirrored reflections of beloved Disney and Pixar characters are amplified and transformed, becoming battle-ready Guardians that must unite to defeat a powerful evil that threatens their home worlds and beyond.

Step into the Disney Mirrorverse, a brand-new realm full of endless adventure, where mirrored reflections of beloved Disney and Pixar characters are amplified and transformed, becoming battle-ready Guardians that must unite to defeat a powerful evil that threatens their home worlds and beyond. Set in a fantasy land that is familiar but slightly changed, the story begins as Snow White helps a young deer in the forest. This isn’t the Snow White that Disney fans know: she has been recently transformed by the creation of the Disney Mirrorverse and given magical powers that she does not yet know how to wield. 

Despite her new abilities and the strange things happening in her world, Snow White, or “Snow” as her friends often call her, has been carrying on as normal…until now. As she returns to her cottage, Snow spots her seven (Dwarves) friends with dark, angry expressions, and glowing white eyes. They attack her, claiming they need to capture “the heart of Snow White.” Snow desperately tries to reason with her friends, but they refuse to listen to her, and she ultimately has to use the strange magic she has recently acquired to fend them off. Snow is horrified when it seems that she has accidentally killed her friends in her attempt to protect herself. 

It is only when a strange talking creature, who she learns to be Sorcerer Mickey, the ruler of the Disney Mirrorverse, arrives and explains that the creatures she defeated were not her friends. They were a group of Fractured: evil copies created by Dark Magic. Snow believes that the evil Queen has taken her friends, and it is up to Snow to retrieve them and the Fractured Mirror, the source of the Mirrorverse’s power, before it can be used to destroy Snow’s home world forever. But Snow doesn’t need to face the Queen alone. Mickey assigns her a team of Guardians, powerful beings from many different worlds who have committed to thwarting the Fractured and protecting the Mirrorverse from evil. 

Snow meets Tiana (Princess and the Frog)—an expert potion-maker—Rapunzel (and Pascal)—a fighter who knows how to wield a frying pan—Lilo’s companion Stitch—a chaotic blue alien who can change forms— Sulley from Monsters, Inc— a monster with a big heart—and Hades—the lord of the underworld, who has offered to join the mission to see what this whole “Guardian gig” is about. This unlikely crew ventures into Snow’s world, where they find growing Fractured, a determined huntsman, and a newly poisoned dark forest. On the way to the palace, each character faces a challenge seemingly created just for them.

This story is a bit on the young side for my tastes. The intended audience is 7th to 12th graders. The way this story ends, it would not surprise me if Dawson or another author picks up the series from here. 

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#Review - The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix

Series: The Left-Handed Booksellers of London # 1
Format: Hardcover, 416 pages
Release Date: August 25, 2020
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic

A girl’s quest to find her father leads her to an extended family of magical fighting booksellers who police the mythical Old World of England when it intrudes on the modern world. From the bestselling master of teen fantasy, Garth Nix.

In a slightly alternate London in 1983, Susan Arkshaw is looking for her father, a man she has never met. Crime boss Frank Thringley might be able to help her, but Susan doesn’t get time to ask Frank any questions before he is turned to dust by the prick of a silver hatpin in the hands of the outrageously attractive Merlin.

Merlin is a young left-handed bookseller (one of the fighting ones). With the right-handed booksellers (the intellectual ones), he belongs to an extended family of magical beings who police the mythic and legendary Old World when it intrudes on the modern world, in addition to running several bookshops.

Susan’s search for her father begins with her mother’s possibly misremembered or misspelled surnames, a reading-room ticket, and a silver cigarette case engraved with something that might be a coat of arms.

Merlin has a quest of his own: to find the Old World entity who used ordinary criminals to kill his mother. As he and his sister, a right-handed bookseller named Vivien, tread in the path of a botched or covered-up police investigation from years past, they find their quest strangely overlaps with Susan’s. Who or what was her father? Susan, Merlin, and Vivien must find out, as the Old World erupts dangerously into the New.

 

Garth Nix's The Left-Handed Booksellers of London is the first installment in the authors series by the same name. This series takes place in an alternative version of 1983 London. It features Susan Arkshaw, an art student who has never met her father, but hopes to see what spills out after she arrives in London a few weeks before her classes begin. Susan’s search for her father begins with her mother’s possibly misremembered or misspelled surnames, a reading-room ticket, and a silver cigarette case engraved with something that might be a coat of arms.

Crime boss Frank Thringley might be able to help her, but Susan doesn’t get time to ask Frank any questions before he is turned to dust by the prick of a silver hatpin in the hands of Merlin. Merlin is a left handed bookseller, part of an extended (and ancient) family of both right- and left-handed booksellers. Besides running a couple of bookshops in London, they police the border between the New World and the mythic beings of the Old World. After Susan discovers Merlin undoing a villain in his own home, she soon finds that there are people out there who would love to see her dead. 

Fortunately for Susan, Merlin, and his sister Vivian, may have the answers that she is looking for if they can keep her alive long enough until those answers are actually revealed. Merlin is also on the hunt for those who used ordinary criminals to kill his mother. Merlin's sister Vivian is a Right-Handed bookseller with some pretty interesting magical abilities that time and time again get the trio out of danger when facing an assortment of villains and even some traitors among the booksellers themselves.  

Just like in the blockbuster comic book–turned-movie Kingsman, this book imagines a coexisting world—with all the hallmarks of classic Garth Nix world building that will have readers hanging on every fascinating detail. While the action sequences are, by turns, hilarious, gory, and terrifying, all characters find moments of humor that keep the tone throughout perfectly balanced and, at moments, laugh out loud. The Left-Handed Booksellers of London captures a popular decade (1980's) for teens (like Stranger Things). Merlin and his booksellers span the centuries, seamlessly bringing together the modern and the mythic.

A perennial hook for readers. Literature, bookstores, and sellers feature prominently. In this world, there are right and left handed booksellers who double as guardians against Old World magic. Nix combines classic faerie lore with the pacing and characters of a thriller. With unexpected twists and turns and magical, mystical characters, Left-Handed Booksellers is definitely one of those stories that has everything you need to enjoy a story. 

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#Review - A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand #Fantasy #Romance

Series: The Middlemist Trilogy (#1)
Format: Hardcover, 560 pages
Release Date: June 27, 2023
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: Publisher
Genre: Dark Fantasy / Romance

New York Times bestselling author Claire Legrand makes her debut in adult fantasy with an enchanting romantic story perfect for readers of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer Armentrout.

Lady Gemma Ashbourne is gorgeous and rich, her family Anointed by the gods—but her charming smile and deft wit mask a wrenching sadness. Years ago, her sister Mara was taken to the Middlemist to guard against the treacherous magic of the Old Country. Her mother long ago abandoned the family. Her father and eldest sister, Farrin—embroiled in a deadly blood feud with the powerful Bask family—often forget Gemma exists.

Worst of all, Gemma is the only Ashbourne to possess no magic. Instead, her body fights it like poison. Constantly ill, aching with loneliness, Gemma craves love and yearns to belong.

Then she meets the devastatingly handsome Talan d’Astier. Seduced by a demon, his family dabbled in forbidden magic and destroyed themselves. Talan, the only survivor, is determined to redeem his family’s name. Intrigued and enchanted, Gemma proposes a bargain: She’ll help Talan navigate Gallinor high society if he helps her destroy the Basks. According to popular legend, a demon called The Man With the Three-Eyed Crown is behind the families’ blood feud. Gemma is skeptical of such ludicrous tales, but vengeful Talan is eager for a chance to kill a demon. It’s the perfect plan. 

But attacks on the Middlemist are increasing. The plot against the Basks quickly spirals out of control. And something immense and terrifying is awakening in Gemma, drawing her inexorably toward Talan and an all-consuming passion that could destroy her—or show her the true strength of her power at last.

A Crown of Ivy and Glass, by author Claire Legrand, is the first installment in the authors Middlemist series. It is also the authors first foray in the adult fantasy romance genre. Three sisters in a noble magic family must fight to protect their home from invasion by the creatures of the Old Country—the realm of the gods and the birthplace of magic—before the weakening Middlemist, the boundary dividing the two worlds, disappears forever. Lady Imogen "Gemma" Ashbourne is gorgeous and rich, her family Anointed by the gods—but her charming smile and deft wit mask a wrenching sadness. 

Years ago, her sister Mara was taken to the Middlemist to guard against the treacherous magic of the Old Country. Her mother long ago abandoned the family and nobody knows if she is alive, or not. Her father Lord Gideon and eldest sister, Farrin are embroiled in a deadly blood feud with the powerful Bask family often forgetting that Gemma exists. Worst of all, Gemma is apparently the only Ashbourne to possess no magic. Instead, her body fights it like poison. Constantly ill, aching with loneliness, Gemma craves love and yearns to belong. Then she meets the devastatingly handsome Talan d’Astier. 

Seduced by a demon, his family dabbled in forbidden magic and destroyed themselves. Talan, the only survivor, is determined to redeem his family’s name. Intrigued and enchanted, Gemma proposes a bargain: She’ll help Talan navigate Gallinor high society if he helps her destroy the Basks. According to popular legend, a demon called The Man With the Three-Eyed Crown is behind the families’ blood feud. Gemma is skeptical of such ludicrous tales, but vengeful Talan is eager for a chance to kill a demon. It’s the perfect plan. But attacks on the Middlemist are increasing. 

The plot against the Basks quickly spirals out of control. And something immense and terrifying is awakening in Gemma, drawing her inexorably toward Talan and an all-consuming passion that could destroy her—or show her the true strength of her power at last. Sadly, this books pacing left me wanting it to speed up. Also, the author apparently wanted to make an impression with New Adult readers as well as Fantasy Romance readers because she tends to end up with chapter after chapter with X-Rated sex scenes which I ended up skipping as quickly as I could. 

I would put a rating on the book itself, but with children as young as 5 being shown X-rated perversion in their classrooms, I will refrain from telling anyone not to read this book. You can argue with me about the finer points of allowing anyone that young to read this book, but until we get rid of the garbage that teachers are showing our children, I will keep fighting for it to be removed. 

Apparently, I have discovered that this trilogy will feature all three of the sisters which means Farrin, the Heir, and Mara, Order of the Rose, will get their chances to prove that they can carry a story. I do think there is more to the hated Basts that meets the eyes, so I look forward to seeing how they review Gemma's family after what happens in this book. The reason for my review, mainly, is that Gemma is a character who is all about thinking that she is the most gorgeous female in all the lands, and she has the dance cards to prove that men line up to be with her. Later, she becomes more, but it takes almost 1/2 the book for her to grow up.

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#Review - Gray Seas by Hailey Edwards #Fantasy #Paranormal

Series: Black Hat Bureau # 8
Format: Kindle, 270 pages
Release Date: June 17, 2023
Publisher: Black Dog Books, LLC
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Urban Fantasy

After the challenge for the throne of Hael went sideways, Rue expected Stavros to place a bounty on Asa’s head, but she didn’t expect him to pin an even bigger target on her back. Then again, it was her fault he was forced to turn tail and run from the fight during a live broadcast to the entire kingdom. That had to sting his pride. Life would have been so much simpler if only he had been incinerated by her magic along with the rest of the arena.

But simple is one thing Rue’s life has never been. And things keep getting more complicated when a stalker turns to murder, carving messages into the bodies of his victims. With a killer on her trail, she ought to be focused on staying alive, but a hot tip on another case leads her into the bowels of the Black Hat compound, where Rue discovers a world of secrets and lies that just might bring the Bureau crashing to its knees.

Gray Seas, by author Hailey Edwards, is the 8th installment in the authors Black Hat Bureau series. Rue Hollis, former black witch, current Deputy Director of the Black Hat Bureau, has been waiting for retribution from Stavros for what happened in Hael, while also waiting for Calixta, her grandmother, to make a move on Stavros and take the crown from him so that Rue can try to save Aedan. While her own grandfather, the director of Black Hat, is hiding from Rue, she has enough on her plate that will keep her busy over the course of this story.

After Rue is the target of an assassination at a local restaurant, she feels a disturbing movement that may spell the end of the Black Hat Bureau before she or her father can make a move. Something she has been figuring a way to do for the past several books now. Especially now that she knows that certain black witches are gaining traction to the point that if Rue doesn't act fast, she will be on the sidelines watching as others bring down Black Hat. It also seems as though one of the assassins is actually trying to impress Rue with his cunning. 

Meanwhile, Rue and her team which consists of Clay, Asa (Blay), and Colby, now adds Marita, a warg who has been hired to protect Asa from Stavros and other fae and daemon who might want to kill him. One of the things that has slowly taken place is that Rue now has a pretty solid group behind her including Jase Isiforos (daemon) who has become part of her team as a team leader. There are others as well, plus, the setting ends up going in places like Salem, as well as Boston, before a twist sends Rue and Asa deep below the Black Hat compound where surprises await.

Several chapters in this story are told from the perspective of Aedan as he marches to Calixta's orders as she is forced to move closer and closer to her eventual confrontation with Stavros. I really feel for Aedan and hope that Rue finds a way to bring him back home where he is wanted and not used like a weapon. The most disappointing part of this book was the ending. Even after 8 books, the author has to put in a cliffhanger ending hoping people will keep reading the series. I don't think that was necessary.  

As a side note: Edwards tends to enjoy torturing readers with her apt description of food. Food of all kind and shapes and well, delicacies as well. Reminds me of author Jennifer Estep in that regards.

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