#Thursday Review - Vanished by Elizabeth Heiter (Mystery, Thriller)

Series: The Profiler # 2
Format: Paperback, 400 pages
Release Date: December 30, 2014
Publisher: Mira
Source: Library
Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Sometimes the past can haunt you...

Eighteen years ago, FBI profiler Evelyn Baine s best friend, Cassie Byers, disappeared, the third in a series of unsolved abductions. Only a macabre nursery rhyme was left at the scene, a nursery rhyme that claimed Evelyn was also an intended victim. Now, after all these years of silence, another girl has gone missing in South Carolina, and the Nursery Rhyme Killer is taking credit. But is Cassie s abductor really back, or is there a copycat at work?

Sometimes the past is best forgotten...

Evelyn has waited eighteen years for a chance to investigate, but when she returns to Rose Bay, she finds a dark side to the seemingly idyllic town. As the place erupts in violence and the kidnapper strikes again, Evelyn knows this is her last chance. If she doesn t figure out what happened to Cassie eighteen years ago, it may be Evelyn s turn to vanish without a trace

Vanished, by author Elizabeth Heiter, is the second installment in The Profiler series. The Profiler series features 30 year old Evelyn Baine who works for the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. Evelyn has seen a whole lot in her short career. As one of the BAU's rising stars, she's profiled serial killers, arsonists, bomb makers, child abductors, terrorists, and faced her own mortality in Hunted. But, there is one case that refuses to go away no matter how hard she tries. It is what drove her to becoming an FBI profiler in the first place.

18 years ago, 12 year old Cassie Byers, best friend to one Evelyn Baine, disappeared without a trace and evidence revealed that Evelyn may have also been the the Nursery Rhyme Killer's next victim had the serial killer not stopped when he did. In the present, Evelyn gets a surprising phone call from Cassie's mother Julie saying that the Nursery Rhyme Killer has returned and claimed another victim. Upon arriving in the Rose Bay, South Carolina, Evelyn isn't necessarily welcomed with open arms. In fact, there are those who believe she's allowing a personal vendetta to get in the way of finding the victims.

But, Evelyn won't allow anyone to stand in her way of finding out what happened to Cassie. Not her own boss at the BAU Dan Moore, not her mentor and sometimes partner Greg Ibsen, and not her romantic interest Kyle McKenzie who works for the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team but seems to be set on being Evelyn's bodyguard as well as her potential love interest. Evelyn is a very interesting character who I have come to embrace over this series, and yes, that means I have read all three books. Just not in order.

She's got a deep seeded secret of her own that hasn't been fully resolved regarding her mother (which I hope Heiter explores soon), has had Cassie's disappearance hanging over her had for almost two decades, and now she's back in the town where prejudices tend to raise their ugly heads to those who are "between" skin colors. Even though Evelyn is far from the perfect profiler that one would expect from one with her drive and determination, she doesn't allow stupid mistakes to stop her from solving her cases.

But, readers will sill ask themselves questions. Will Evelyn's personal ego get in the way of solving Cassie's case before another victim pays the ultimate price? Will it come down to making the least amount of errors, or being in the wrong place at the right time? By the time this investigation is over, will Evelyn still have a job at BAU, or will her career come crashing down around her ears? After 18 years of wondering and pushing herself to the limits to be the first one in, and last one to leave, will Evelyn be able to deal with what she finds in her investigation? Will she have the courage to move on once Cassie's fate has been revealed?

I do believe there are enough twists, suspense, and sudden direction moves that will keep everyone on their toes. You really have a whole lot of characters to choose from before deciding who the actual Nursery Rhyme Killer really is. I dare say if you guess wrong, don't feel bad. I was kind of shocked when the truth finally came out. I have enjoyed this series because I honestly adore Heiter's actual research into the subject of being a profiler. There are plenty of books, and even Criminal Minds to compare this series to, but Evelyn's character, her strength, and who she really is, makes picking up one of Heiter's book well worth the money.

 

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Wednesday Review - The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh (Young Adult, High Fantasy)

Series: The Wrath and the Dawn # 1
Format: Hardcover, 395 pages
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, High Fantasy 

In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.

Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?

Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn is a sumptuous and enthralling read from beginning to end. 

The Wrath and the Dawn is the first book in author Renee Ahdieh's The Wrath and The Dawn series. It is a reimaging of either The Arabian Nights, or A Thousand and One Nights depending on how you look at things. The story is set in a mythical land of Khorasan where 18-year old Khalid Ibn al-Rashid is the Caliph of Khorasan. Khalid is trying to live a life atoning for his past sins by taking a new bride every night and leaving a silk cords wrapped around the women's throats come morning.  

"One hundred lives for the one you took. One life to one dawn. Should you fail but a single morn, I shall take from you your dream. I shall take from you your city. And I shall take from you these lives, a thousandfold. "

But, Khalid never imagined meeting 16-year old Shahrzad al-Khayzuian. Shazi volunteers as tribute in an effort to undermine Khalid and get revenge for the killing of her best friend Shiva. Shazi attempts to do the impossible; get close to the Khalid and kill him for all the pain and suffering he has caused multitudes of families. But, after continually delaying the inevitable with her stories and her slick moves, something happens between Shazi and Khalid that pretty throws all of her plans into disarray.

"I will live to see tomorrow's sunset. Make no mistake. I swear I will live to see as many sunsets as it takes. And I will kill you. With my own hands." 

For me, this book is very similair to A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston. The books male protagonists are eerily similair except when it comes to the ending and the dangers that face each character. Both male characters are hiding deep, dark secrets that keep them from revealing what is actually behind the killing of brides. So Shahrzad and Khalid go from adversaries, to companions, to a romance that blossoms in the face of severe challenges from inside and outside of Khalid's kingdom.

There are other characters to pay close attention to. Tariq the boy who loves Shazi, and would do anything to save her life from the Caliph. Despina, Shazi's handmaiden and the person who has her back despite all indications to the contrary. Jalal al-Khoury is the Captain of the Guard, and the one who allows Shazi some freedom and flexibility and makes a fateful choice when all is said and done. The last character is Shazi's father Jahander who was once vizier to the former Caliph, and is driven by revenge and hatred to see an end to Khalid's rule.

I could say that this book is far from perfect but it managed to hold my attention from beginning to end. I could say that Shazi doesn't come close to the original Scheherazade who was brave, intelligent, and admired by all around her. There is also the dreaded love triangle that continues to slap me upside my head and call me names while giggling maniacally at my pain and suffering. But, the one thing that really put me in a foul mood, was the cliffhanger ending. I realize that this is a two book series, but, really?  

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Tuesday Review - Broken Crowns by Lauren DeStefano (YA, Science Fiction)

Series: The Internment Chronicles # 3
Format: E-Galley, 272 pages
Release Date: March 22, 2016
Publisher: Simon & Schuster BYR
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Genre: YA, Science Fiction

War rages everywhere and Morgan is caught in the middle in the haunting conclusion of The Internment Chronicles, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Chemical Garden trilogy.

The city is falling out of the sky…

Morgan always thought it was just a saying. A metaphor. The words of the dying. But as they look up at the floating island that was their home, Pen and Morgan make a horrible discovery—Internment is sinking.  And it’s all Morgan’s fault.

Corrupted from the inside by one terrible king and assailed from the outside for precious resources by another, Internment could be destroyed because Morgan couldn’t keep a secret. As two wars become one, Morgan must find a way to bring her two worlds together to stop the kings that wage them…
Or face the furthest fall yet. 

Broken Crowns is the third and final installment in The Internment Chronicles by author Lauren DeStefano. The story picks up right where Burning Kingdoms left off. The trilogy has been told in the first person narrative by Morgan Stockhour, a resident of the floating city of Internment. Morgan has discovered that sometimes, things aren't necessarily greener on the other side. Internment is supposed to be a utopian society free of mundane things but ruled by a King who rules with an iron claw. 

Over the course of this trilogy, the cover has been blown off what is really happening on Interment and how labeling something a utopian society, isn't factual at all. Morgan has lost more than she has gained, although her friendship with Pen remains strong. Her relationship with her jumper brother remains strained, and hard to believe that anything can fix it. Morgan has seen too much in her six months on the ground. She's seen war, destruction, death, and a maniacal king who would do anything to get a foot hold on a new fuel source that may be the answer to defeating his enemies from Daster. 

But, that soon changes after Pen discovers that Internment is sinking, and Morgan and Basil fly home to hopefully set in motion things that will save the city of Internment before it is too late. Things on Internment are in disarray as Internment's King is now powerless over his own people. Internment is slowly being torn apart at the seem, and the people are being forced into doing another kings bidding. Can Morgan, Basil, Pen, Nimble, and Celeste stop their home from being destroyed?

One could read the synopsis and believe that everything that has happened to this point is entirely on Morgan Stockhour's shoulders. From jumping into a flying machine with her brother, best friend, and betrothed, to landing in the ground kingdom of Havalais, to kissing the wrong boy, to opening up her mouth about a powerful fuel source that is only found on Internment. While she does hold her fair share of responsibility, she's not the only one to have set into motion things that will surely bring a war to the floating city called Internment.

While there were plenty of opportunities for action, the story is more or less slowly churning in the ocean until a major storm gathers enough strength to make things rather interesting. One expects that characters will grow and show adult aspects as we get around to the third installment. One expects that Morgan will stand up and take responsibilities for her actions, and try to make things right so that those she loves do not end up in harms way. Morgan who was once an optimist about almost everything, has now seen the other side of the tracks and it's not all that great. 

I am happy that the author resolved the love triangle aspects that I came to hate in the previous book. I am happy that Morgan and Basil have worked out her mistake and moved on in a positive way. I am satisfied that DeStefano enlightened readers about Pen's father. It really does explain her character very well. I am not at all happy by the ending, but as I said before, it could no doubt have been a whole lot worse than it was.  

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Monday Review - A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab (Fantasy)

Series: Shadows of Magic # 2
Format: Hardcover, 512 pages
Release Date: February 23, 2016
Publisher: Tor Books
Source: Library
Genre: Fantasy

Four months have passed since the shadow stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Rhy was wounded and the Dane twins fell, and the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift, and into Black London.

In many ways, things have almost returned to normal, though Rhy is more sober, and Kell is now plagued by his guilt. Restless, and having given up smuggling, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks like she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games—an extravagant international competition of magic, meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries—a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.

But while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life, and those who were thought to be forever gone have returned. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night reappears in the morning, and so it seems Black London has risen again—meaning that another London must fall. 

A Gathering of Shadows is the second installment in V.E. Schwab's Shadows of Magic series. The series is set in an alternative reality where there are actually four separate worlds: Red (where magic is healthy), White (a place that is starving for magic), Black (a supposed dead world), and Grey (where there is no magic at all). The series features two main characters in Delilah Bard, originally from Grey London, and Kell, one of the last remaining travelers who are able to travel between worlds by using magic. 

A Gathering of Shadows picks up FOUR months after the end of A Darker Shade of Magic. When last we saw our heroes, Lila (thief, privateer, magician, & possibly traveler) was walking away from Kell on her way to finding her own way in the Red London world. She helped save a world, and held magic the palm of her hands. Now, she wants to explore everything about this new world and its magic. Lila hitches a ride with Captain Alucard Emery and spends the next four months learning about her new found magical abilities and the language and being the best thief around. 

Lila's encounter with Kell and the Dane twins has awakened something in her that will try and test her throughout this story, and leave readers asking a whole lot of questions by the time the last page is turned. The most brilliant part of this novel was Lila's deception after she cons her way into a magical tournament called the Essen Tasch which is held every three years. The tournament consists of participants from the three main kingdoms (Faro, Vesk, & Arnes) in a winner take all contest. 

Back in Red London, Kell is coming to terms with the bond that now entangles him and Prince Rhy together and the fact that he is treated more as property than a person. Kell is a different character than the first book. Kell is afraid that if anything happens to him, then Rhy will also suffer. On top of all of this, Lila is still on his mind. The most interesting part of this story is the Games themselves and the fact that Lila and Kell both participate unaware of the others involvement. I kind of felt a whole lot of emotions for Kell. He tries to do the best he can, but in the end, there are only a few people he can truly trust.

There are several other key characters that one should keep an eye out for. There is Captain Emery who has a very interesting past and history, then Prince Rhy who really doesn't like the fact that he is tied to Kell, and manages to put his food down when Kell starts acting meek and afraid. There are other characters in the White London for which you should definitely pay attention. They are keys to what happens in the next installment, and why I was pulling my hair out when the last chapters were finished. 

I have to say that I respect Schwab for her world building and her sassy, sarcastic, broken characters like Lila and Kell. Lila really grows this time around, and I can't wait to see what happens in the sequel. This is a story that is told via multiple third person narratives. There is a bit of romance, but it doesn't snap the pacing, or the action that takes place in the story. I am all in for the sequel. I dare say that Kell needs a break and a happy ending when all is said and done.

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

#Saturday Review - Of Scions and Men by Courtney Sloan (Urban Fantasy)

Series: American Scions # 1
Format: E-Galley, 296 pages
Release Date: February 22, 2016
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Geopolitical babysitting while arresting preternatural killers, it’s just the daily grind for Scion Rowan Brady. Brash and sarcastic, Rowan has sold her life, her career and her very blood to the controlling paranormal ruling class of America, all to make sure her kid brother can eat.

Now she uses her powers as a scion to kick the ass of any preternatural creature idiotic enough to break the rules and prey upon humanity without a license. All it costs her is her freedom and a pint or two per week to her new Master.

But juggling her job and duties becomes even tougher when she is tasked with keeping a contingency of diplomats from Canada from getting gnawed on. However, negotiations for an International Blood Exchange are interrupted when bodies start showing up.

Now Rowan must rely on her talent and wit to defend the society she despises to save the lives she’s sworn to protect. But as she stumbles into the truth, she chances becoming a target of not only these killers, but of her own government. With shifters, ghosts, vampires and psychics all watching her, can she stop the killings before she is silenced?

Key Characters: Rowan Brady, Devon Shuvalov, Nadia Gavrilova, and Carson Holt

Setting: Chicago post Reclamation America

*The What*  

After a global economic collapse and an epidemic of nuclear terrorist attacks, the world has been decimated. To protect the world and their food supply, vampires rallied with other preternaturals world-wide to come to humanity's defense. Doing so, they took control of all governments to restore civilization and insure the survival of the human populace. Fifty years later, they have created a world with healthcare and order, costing only an reliable and tradable supply of blood.

Orphaned in this dark new world after her parents died in a car accident, Rowan Brady grew tired of watching her younger brother struggle in poverty. She sold her life, her career, and her very blood to become a Scion, a guardian by day and source of blood by night for a powerful vampire of the New American ruling class. What Rowan gained was superhuman speed, strength, and heightened senses. What she lost was her freedom. But she has found one silver lining in her new life as a Scion… taking down bloodsuckers guilty of blood theft. When monsters are the Government and blood is the currency, it is often Rowan's job to protect humanity from its very saviors.

*The Review*

Of Scions and Men is the first installment in author Courtney Sloan's American Scion series. Protagonist Rowan Brady is an officer for the DEC (Department of Energy Conservation). The DEC ensures compliance by vampires and humans. Rowan is what is called a Blood Theft specialist. She is the person who gets to run down vampires who abuse their power and take blood from unsuspecting humans without permission. 

In this universe, America has closed off its borders to almost all outsiders but there is hope or change after Devon hosts a diplomatic visit from Canadian vampire Nadia Gavrilova, and her scion Carson Holt (who are hoping to foster open borders between the countries). But, as things are getting started, the DEC, under President Selvic Romaric, demands that Devon and Rowan solve the mystery of unknown foreign vampires killing women who tested positive for ley hormones that are key to making a scion.

As a scion, Rowan and Devon are linked through blood. He drinks from her, she gains strength and speed and perhaps, longevity that non-scions don't enjoy. The only negative is that Devon can listen in on all of her conversations whether she likes it or not and she is considered a monster by non-scions or worse. Rowan is pretty much stuck with her situation since she would do anything to protect her younger brother Will from going hungry and living on the street. But, that is who Rowan is. She's a kick-ass, sarcastic, and perhaps a bit mouthy at times when she needs to bite her tongue heroine who doesn't play well with others. 

Plus, there is the whole return of the ex (Curtis) who is now working for a Human Gangster named Masterson to return humans to being in control of themselves and not relying on the vampires. It will take a whole lot of patience, stamina, luck, and pure driven desire, to survive what happens next.  Can vampires and scions work together in order to solve the murders, or will they both be disgraced and eliminated by the Basement? 

I paused on this rating for a few days because of certain aspects of editing that fell through the cracks. I don't care for the fact that in one sentence Rowan is talking about Carson, and yet the next sentence she is talking about her ex-loser Curtis. I have bitten my tongue over editing issues in the past, but I just can't understand how something simple as ensuring you are talking about the same character can be missed. I guess since this is an ARC, one can expect loose ends.

I will be reading the sequel whenever Curiosity Quills announces its release. There are a whole lot of questions remaining after the events of the last few chapters, and what they will mean for Rowan and Devon in the future.  

Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

#Stacking the Shelves / Bought, Borrowed & Bagged # 8

Bought Borrowed and Bagged is all about the latest additions to your library – virtual or actual, with books that are  bought, borrowed, won or ARCs  you will be reading soon. Bought Borrowed and Bagged is a homage to to Barron’s Books and Baubles from Karen Marie Moning’s amazing Fever series, and is hosted by Braine over at Talk Supe. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you find something you like!

~Shelley~

Reviewed THIS Next Week: 

Monday - Morning Star by Pierce Brown (Science Fiction)

Tuesday - Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop (Urban Fantasy)

Wednesday - Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs (Urban Fantasy)

Thursday - The Visitor by Amanda Stevens (Urban Fantasy)

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer (Young Adult) - Talk Supe Blog

Friday - Battlestorm by Susan Krinard (Urban Fantasy)

Saturday - Of Scions and Men by Courtney Sloan (Urban Fantasy)

Scheduled for Next Week: 

Monday - A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab (Fantasy)

Tuesday - Broken Chains by Lauren DeStefano (YA, Science Fiction)

Wednesday - The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh (YA, Fantasy)

Thursday - Vanished by Elizabeth Heiter (Mystery, Thriller)

Friday - Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier (Fantasy)

Saturday - Powerless by Tera Lynn Childs/Tracy Deebs (YA Science Fiction)

*Received from NetGalley/Edelweiss*

 

*Received from Gallery Books*

*Received from Author*

*Borrowed from Library*

*Amazon Deals for March, so far*

 

 

 

#Friday Review - Battlestorm by Susan Krinard (Urban Fantasy)

Series: Midgard # 3
Format: Paperback, 480 pages
Release Date: March 29, 2016
Publisher: Tor Books
Source: Tor Books
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mythology

The third installment in New York Times bestselling author Susan Krinard’s first urban fantasy series...

Centuries ago, the Norse gods and goddesses fought their Last Battle with the trickster god Loki and his frost giants. All were believed lost, except for a few survivors…including the Valkyrie Mist, forgotten daughter of the goddess Freya.

But the battle isn’t over, and Mist—living a mortal life in San Francisco—is at the center of a new war, with the fate of earth hanging in the balance. As old enemies and allies reappear around the city, Mist must determine who to trust, all while learning to control her own growing power. It will take all of Mist’s courage, determination, and newfound magical abilities to stop Loki before history repeats itself. 

Battlestorm is the third installment in Susan Krinard's Midgard series. Right before the Dispersal, (the event that destroyed the other Eight homeworlds) Odin sent his most prized possessions to Midgard with his most trusted Valkyries. Since that time, most Gods and Goddesses have vanished, including Odin. 

But, there are two Gods, Freya and Loki, who would love nothing more than to bring an new kind of world to Midgard. One that is built in their image. It is up to the bravery of Mist, and her human descendants of Gods, Elves and others, to ensure the human races survival. The Midgard series that actually features FOUR main characters: Mist, Loki, Freya, and Dainn. 

Mist is a Valkyrie with a pretty interesting heritage and is one of the trusted Valkyrie Odin sent one of his most important treasures with; his spear. Mist has been living in San Francisco for the past 50 years as a person who hand designs weapons. Mist and her Valkyrie sisters were given the responsibility of guarding the most valuable treasures in mythology. Items like Odin's spear, Thor's Hammer, and Freya's Cloak.  

Mist and her allies (including Valkyrie's Eir, Hild, Bryn and Rota, mortals and former military who are descendants from Gods, Goddesses, and Elves). For more than Eight months, they have been battling against Loki and his frost giants and several traitors who stabbed Mist in the back for Odin's treasures. Over the previous two books, Mist learned that she is the daughter of Freya, the Goddess of love and desires which means that she has some pretty interesting abilities that sure do come in handy, especially in this novel. But, she also can't fully trust her mother since she's got her own agenda. One which is slowly revealed in all it's dirty details. 

The goal of both sides in this war, is to collect the most treasures. If Mist's side wins, they may able to put an end to the end to the strife that has caused so much damage and destruction to San Francisco and its citizens. As I have already mentioned Freya, let's continue. Freya and Loki are at war. You can definitely say it is a game that puts the humans right in the middle of things that should be there like Jotunn Frost Giants, and Trixster Gods who don't care who they hurt as long as they are trying to outfox the other side. 

The third character is obviously Loki. He is the trickster God of legend. He and Freya don't rightly care who gets hurt as long as they are on the winning side. Loki has collected his own Valkyrie and treasures and is keeping a keen eye out for the remaining items and the Valkyrie that protect them. 

The final character is the most interesting and the most powerful outside of Mist. His name is Dainn. He's an Elf, maybe the first, and has been labeled as Faithbreaker, and Ruinbringer. Dainn and Mist have had a strange relationship. He was her ally who deceived her, but his reasons weren't all that apparent until you've read this and the last book. His affection for the boy named Danny is genuine, as is his feelings for Mist. The only question is, can he truly be trusted?

Although this is said to be the third installment in the series, I fear it may have been the finale as well. Things are tied up in ways that will leave your head spinning. There is plenty of action, some huge and shocking surprises, and enough romance to keep everyone happy. If this is the final installment, then I am happy to have started the series. It has been a non-stop ride of twists and turns and characters straight out of mythology. Definitely recommended.

Previous Installments:

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo