#Tuesday Review - Enthralling Retribution by Theresa M. Jones #YALit #Paranormal

Series: Empyrean Chronicles # 3
Format: Kindle, 294 pages
Release Date: February 8, 2016
Publisher: Luftmensch Press
Source: BookLending.com
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Lily has fought through the Ardeenes and all the creatures who lurk in the shadows of the trees.She has battled deep within the depths of Muricadia, despite the danger due to her very nature. 

Finally, she has the chance to see Vesuvius, the land of her mother, and the fire in her blood warms at the thought. 

But this will be no vacation. 

Lynn has been captured and held hostage in Vesuvius for longer than any Sprite can handle. Mazes, snakes, and even dragons will impede her path. But together with her closest allies, Lily is determined to save Lynn, no matter the sacrifices that have to be made. 

Until the sacrifices cut too close, and she has to choose between trying to save Lynn and the man she loves.

Enthralling Retribution is the third installment in author Theresa M. Jones's Empyrean Chronicles. 17-year old Lilkaleena (Lily) Volante is the heir to the Empyrean throne. She is half pixie, half sylph, and has accepted that she needs to step up and prove her worth to the rest of the Fae world. They are looking for a leader to push back against the current King, Mastikh, who wants to destroy all of Empyrean and take on the mortal realm as well. But, Mastikh isn't a pushover. He's extremely powerful, and so are his allies. 

Lily and her allies are living in a dangerous times. There is already a rebellion against the King brewing because of his taxation laws, which is having a severe affect on the world's magic. Bloody battles have spread everywhere Lily has traveled. Lily has faced some really hard losses, including that of her own parents, which sent her on a mission to seek out retribution against those who were responsible. Lily herself was stabbed by a sovereign blade and managed to survived. But, Lily has slowly but surely gained her confidence, while her magic has also appeared to blossom. 

Not so easy when you have to unite Nymphs, Sprites, Sylphs, and Pixies who barely get along with each other. Not even the romance between Lily and Alec, who is also her mentor & protector, has been easy. Lily is also an anomaly compared to her allies and friends. She shouldn't have any magic, and yet she does and that gives pause to even her staunchest allies. She has an etching, thanks to an original Fae. That etching is a tattoo infused with magic which gives the bearer strength and makes them more powerful.

But, nothing can prepare Lily for what she and her allies find when they attempt to rescue rebel leader Lynn from Vesuvius. Lily and her allies will be tested every inch of the way. They will face monsters you've never heard of before, but luckily the author does a decent job of giving you a description of what is to come in each chapter. I actually loved this part of the story because of Lily and the Dragons. These Dragons have been waiting for a reason to act, and act they do. They act by understanding that Lily is the heir, the Righteous Mother, & the Patron of the Suffering. They act by helping Lily & her allies against a powerful foe. 

Unfortunately, I do not yet see the fourth book in this series called Enraptured Vengeance. There is a cover, a synopsis, and a link to Goodreads. The fourth book was supposed to be released in the summer of 2016. I want to see how this series wraps up. I want to see how Lily manages to fight against someone is not afraid of her in any way. In fact, they meet a few times in this story, but nothing will be settled for me until I see that last chapter of the last book.

#Monday Review - Windwitch by Susan Dennard #YALit #Fantasy @stdennard @torteen

Series: The Witchlands # 2
Format: Hardcover, 384 pages
Release Date: January 10, 2017
Publisher: Tor Teen
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Sometimes our enemies are also our only allies…

After an explosion destroys his ship, the world believes Prince Merik, Windwitch, is dead. Scarred yet alive, Merik is determined to prove his sister’s treachery. Upon reaching the royal capital, crowded with refugees, he haunts the streets, fighting for the weak—which leads to whispers of a disfigured demigod, the Fury, who brings justice to the oppressed.

When the Bloodwitch Aeduan discovers a bounty on Iseult, he makes sure to be the first to find her—yet in a surprise twist, Iseult offers him a deal. She will return money stolen from him, if he locates Safi. Now they must work together to cross the Witchlands, while constantly wondering, who will betray whom first?

After a surprise attack and shipwreck, Safi and the Empress of Marstok barely escape with their lives. Alone in a land of pirates, every moment balances on a knife’s edge—especially when the pirates’ next move could unleash war upon the Witchlands.

Windwitch is the second installment in author Susan Dennard's The Witchlands series. The story picks up about where Truthwitch left off with that absolutely insane in the brain ending. If you haven’t yet read Truthwitch, I must offer that things are connected in a big way, and that you should go back and read the first book post haste. The world building is so ginormous, and the characters are all fantastically sussed out, that to mess around and bypass one book to get to this one, would be to leave a huge chunk of important stuff behind. 

The series revolves around five main characters: Prince Merik Hihari, Safiya fon Hasstrel, Iseult de Midenzi, as well as Aeduan, and Viva Hihari. As the story picks up, Merik has somehow managed to survive his ship being blown up. He is burned & badly scarred, and ends up back in Nubrevna where some call him the Fury who fights for the weak. Merik truly believes his sister Viva is to blame for what happened to him, his ship, and his crew. Especially since she's had no regrets in making it known that Merik is too weak to lead their country.

Merik's only real companion is Cam who stayed behind and lived. Merik is an angry character for most of this story. He tries so hard to pin his anger on Viva, that he becomes blinded by his rage. I liked Cam and Merik's relationship. I liked that he let Cam be who she wanted to be, and made no comments about who she should be. Cam has her own baggage, but Merik never once thinks about leaving her to her own devices. 

Meanwhile, Safiya and Vaness find themselves in a similar situation to Merik's. The ship they are on is blown up. They find themselves at the mercy of the Hell-Bards & in the middle of Pirates who are coalescing to form a huge enough force to invade other countries. If that weren't enough, Safiya has to face someone from her past who helped start her entire journey rolling. Safiya's choice in joining Vaness, the Empress of Marstok, and a powerful Ironwitch, has separated her from Iseult. Vaness is the youngest, most powerful Empress in Witchland. But, even the most powerful are vulnerable. Safiya & Vaness's journey in the next book, should be interesting to read about.

I choose to talk about Iseult next, because her journey, and her unusual alliance with Aeduan, (who is given a contract to bring Iseult back alive), really kept this story going for me. Iseult has some major choices to make over the next two books, and I can't wait to see where Dennard takes her. Aeduan also has come tough choices, especially after discovering who his father is, and what he's been up to. Iseult is connected to Weaverwitch Esme, and her connection has only grown the more they are together. Aeduan is an interesting character, his relationship to Iseult is filled with hard choices, action, bloodshed, and the rescue of an important person.

Viva is next because readers really need to get a deeper look into the woman who wants to be the next leader of her country. She's sharp willed. She's searching for a lost magical well that her mother apparently knew about. She creates her own secretive group in order to help stock food enough to feed her people. She encounters men dragging their feet, and making her life more difficult than it should be. Viva's relationship with her father is an interesting one, and one that I dare say put the cherry on the top of me actually respecting and liking Viva. Viva is also a really kickass character, and when the chips are down, she proves she's worthy.

This book covers a whole lot of ground. Characters find themselves making alliances with enemies, and enemies become allies even if they are sworn to another avenue. The addition of the Pirates, and Safiya & Vaness in Saldonica wasn't the strongest part of the story, but I'm hoping that things that happened in the end, will lead to even more. If you are looking for romance in this book, fuhgettaboutit! No, I'm being serious. Merik & Safi are separated. They each have issues and those issues need to be resolved before they even think about reconnecting. 

If you haven't already caught it, the third installment is being called Bloodwitch, and yes, that means it's Aeduan's story. 

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#Stacking the Shelves / Bought, Borrowed & Bagged # 49

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!

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 Shopping by!

Hello everyone! Mom flew into Florida on Tuesday. Was supposed to have surgery on Thursday, but VA doctor's dropped the ball. They approved the surgery, and now they are saying it could be rather dangerous to me. Great!

Since my surgery was cancelled due to B_____! We've decided to have a Spring cleaning week at my apartment. Good timing! Yet, I can't help feel as though the VA owes my mom for putting her life on hold in order to be there when they put me under. Trying to figure out my next step.

Have a great weekend!

Shelley

This Weeks Reviews: 

Monday - The Ghoul Vendetta by Lisa Shearin (Urban Fantasy)

Tuesday - Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin (YA, Fantasy)

Wednesday - The Turn by Kim Harrison (Urban Fantasy)

Thursday - Grave by Michelle Sagara (Urban Fantasy)

Friday - Guardian of Secrets by Brenda Drake (YA, Fantasy)

Saturday - Island of Exiles by Erica Cameron (YA, Fantasy)

*Received from Edelweiss, NetGalley, Borrowed from Library*

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#Saturday Review - Island of Exiles by Erica Cameron #YALit #Fantasy @ByEricaCameron @EntangledTeen

Series: The Ryogan Chronicles # 1
Format: E-Galley, 400 pages
Release Date: February 14th 2017
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

In this diverse, gritty survival fantasy, a girl warrior turns against her island clan to find the brother they claim died, uncovering secrets. Perfect for fans of Graceling & Snow like Ashes. 

In Khya’s world, every breath is a battle.

On the isolated desert island of Shiara, dying young is inevitable. The clan comes before self, and protecting her home means Khya is a warrior above all else.

But when following the clan and obeying their leaders could cost her brother his life, Khya's home becomes a deadly trap. The only person who can help is Tessen, her lifelong rival and the boy who challenges her at every turn. The council she hoped to join has betrayed her, and their secrets, hundreds of years deep, reach around a world she's never seen.

To save her brother’s life and her island home, her only choice is to trust Tessen, turn against her clan, and go on the run—a betrayal and a death sentence.

Island of Exiles is the first installment in author Erica Cameron's The Ryogan Chronicles. In this opening act, Cameron introduces readers to a Khya Nyshin-Ten. Khya lives in the wall city called Sagen Sy Itagami on the island called Shiara. Khya is a trained warrior who can also use fykina magic to create wards. She is apparently the strongest fykina magic user among those who call Sagen home. 

Khya and her fellow warriors have been trained in a hostile environment. They face weather challenges, dangerous wild-life, enemies who test the strength of Khya, and her own people. Khya was raised to put her clan above herself, but after what happens to her brother Yorri, the pain & heartbreak will push Khya into an alliance with Tessen Nyshin-Ten, her dreaded adversary, and yonin Sanii who was set to become Yorri's bound mate. 

Khya's world is turned up on its head by her search for clues about Yorri, and the missing Miriseh (immortals). She will discover a dangerous undertow that sits right under the surface of Sagen waiting to explode. Khya must make a difficult choice into who she can actually trust, which puts her at odds with those she is supposed to be friends with. This means aligning herself with supposed enemies called Tsimo & Denhiho, while also trusting that she will find a way to save Yorri.

There is a romance in this story. It is really a sort of "I hate you so damn much, why won't you fall off the wall and die!" <Why would I do that when I see you, and care about what happens to you?> "You can't mean that! Especially since you stole everything from me!" <Yes, but I was really doing it because I respected you so much. You are, after-all, the best fighter in the city!> I think you get the idea. 

Island of Exiles is truly a strange journey, and I will not hesitate to say that I struggled a great deal with the first part of the story. Plus, the story contains a diverse cast of characters that uses terms that I had to flip to the back of the story to search for answers. Thankfully, the author makes a glossary of terms available so that if you are like me, and struggling to make sense of what's up, and what's down, you can right your ship and set a course past the turbulence. 

One of the more interesting aspects of this story is the use of Ey, & Eir, which is presumably Eben for one who is neither male nor female. Over the past few years, this has been an especially intriguing conversation to have with someone who doesn't sit by with being called just male, or female. I won't hesitate to give props to Cameron for her world building. This has got to be one of the most original, most interesting cast of characters that I've read in a very long time. It is steep with magical abilities, and destined to be one of those books that you have to pick up the next book in order to find out what happens next.

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#Review - Guardian of Secrets by Brenda Drake #YALit #Fantasy @brendadrake @EntangledTeen

Series: Library Jumpers # 2
Format: E-Galley, 400 pages
Release Date: February 7th 2017 
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Being a Sentinel isn’t all fairy tales and secret gardens. 

Sure, jumping through books into the world’s most beautiful libraries to protect humans from mystical creatures is awesome. No one knows that better than Gia Kearns, but she could do without the part where people are always trying to kill her. Oh, and the fact that Pop and her had to move away from her friends and life as she knew it.

And if that isn’t enough, her boyfriend, Arik, is acting strangely. Like, maybe she should be calling him “ex,” since he’s so into another girl. But she doesn’t have time to be mad or even jealous, because someone has to save the world from the upcoming apocalypse, and it looks like that’s going to be Gia.

Maybe. If she survives.

Guardian of Secrets is the second installment in author Brenda Drake's Library Jumpers series. This is a story that is filled with action, heartbreak, library jumping, a return of a major villain, and enough secrets to keep even the most stubborn reader entertained right to the very end. Protagonist Gia Kearns and her friends have gone into hiding after their encounter with Conemar. Gia is a sentinel, aka a magical knight, who was introduced to an entirely new world after being pulled into a magical portal in Thief of Lies. 

A world where Gia, like the rest of her sentinel teammates, is able to travel to different libraries around the world. But, the most important mission for Gina, is to find the remaining magical keys aka Chiavi. She's already collected several of them already. It has become Gina & Nick's mission to search for the remaining Chiavi since they seems to have the magical touch when doing the actual research and jumping from library to library. In between her Sentinel life, and the search for the Chiavi, she's is also expected to attend High School.

HS is where the twisted storyline, and intrigue comes from. 

HS is where Gina finds that her connection to Arik is severely tested thanks to a new character who really pushes Gina's buttons. I must say that this divisive behavior bothered me because there was no rhyme or reason for what happened. Yet, in the end, after everything that happens between Gia and Arik, I don't know where my loyalties like. I like Bastian, the wizard who is presumably betrothed to Mia and who apparently Gia also has feelings for. Yet, Arik was there first. 

Nick has become almost as important to this series as Gia. His father has twisted things so much, that he has a collection of Sentinels, Wizards, Hunters, and others following his direction. Nick's struggle with his new status, his parentage, and choices that he will have to make in the next installment, makes me eager to read the sequel. There are a whole lot of other interesting characters in this book, including The Red, has set this series to some amazing places, and I do believe, things will only get more twisted when all is said and done.

The ending of this book is emotional in many ways. A new chapter is being written for everyone close to Gia. The question that needs to be asked is whether or not everyone will survive to the last page of the last book.

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#Review - Grave by Michelle Sagara (Urban Fantasy) @dawbooks

Series: The Queen of the Dead
Format: E-Galley, 464 pages
Release Date: February 7, 2017
Publisher: DAW
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

The concluding novel in a gripping paranormal trilogy, The Queen of the Dead.

Emma and her friends have survived the Necromancers sent to the city to kill them. They’ve gone to ground in a cottage north of the city, but time is not on their side. There are no barriers that can keep the dead out, and the dead obey their Queen. It’s only a matter of time before they’re found.

Nathan has been blessed by the Queen of the Dead. She has granted him a physical body. He can eat, he can breathe, he can speak and be heard. The Queen calls this resurrection. Nathan calls it Hell. The living think he’s alive. He’s not. He’s trapped in the citadel that the Queen of the Dead calls home.

Emma wants to free him. To do that she has to survive long enough to reach the City of the Dead, and face its ancient Queen. But the city of the dead is the heart of the Queen’s stronghold—and her power. Emma can’t do it alone.

She’s not alone. But even with hunters and her own dead at her side, what hope does she have against a woman who has lived so long, and grown so powerful, she’s almost a god?

Grave is the third and final installment in author Michelle Sagara's The Queen of the Dead trilogy. 17-year old Emma Hall found out that she has a unique ability. She's a necromancer with the ability to see, guide, and when she touches them, other people are able to see the dead as well. She's also a conduit. Emma hasn't exactly had a smooth ride since her boyfriend Nathan was struck and killed. Being a necromancer has come with consequences. 

There have been hunters like Chase, and Eric who were supposed to kill her, but chose to protect her instead since she didn't go evil on them. Chase, most especially, has many reasons for hating Necromancers and wanting them dead. The Queen sent men to kidnap her, and in the process, put an innocent boys life in jeopardy. Emma will never be free to have a normal life as long as the Queen is alive & reigns over the dead, preventing them from moving on. 

This story takes Emma and her allies straight into the heart of the most dangerous woman in existence and a floating city in the sky that is only accessible via portals. What they find there will either save them all, or make them permanent residents of the city of the dead. Emma picks up even more interesting allies, not including Helmi, and her mother who gave Emma a powerful lantern instead of her own daughter. The search for answers to bring down the Queen, takes Emma face to face with the one person she loved the most while he was alive. 

Speaking of Nathan, Grave opens up with Nathan and Reyna, the Queen of the Dead, giving him something that gives him pause. Nathan finds himself on a Floating city made from the dead. What exactly does Reyna want from Nathan, and what does the Queen's sister Helmi really want? Nathan is a confused character. He remembers dying. He remembers Emma. He hasn't a clue why Reyna has chosen to give him such a precious gift. Plus, Reyna's sister Helmi seems to have hitched her saddle to Nathan for some yet unknown reason.

Thankfully for readers, and Emma's allies, she is still a rather amateurish necromancer with plenty of power to spare. But, the little knowledge she does have, will be tested to its limits over the course of this story. She's definitely not as obsessed with power as Reyna. She doesn't use cruelty as a weapon like Reyna. And, she doesn't leave her friends behind, even though she probably should have a long time ago. Emma has been surrounded by her best friend Allison, Emma's half deaf dog Petal, as well as Michael who I adore because he's really special, Amy, the Queen B of their High School, as well as the previously named Chase, and Eric who will never forget himself for falling in love with Reyna. 

Let's also not forget about Margaret who tried to teach Emma about her abilities, and bonded herself to Emma by choice, not by Emma's hand. I do have some general issues with not only this story, but with the series itself. Silence released in 2012, followed 2 years later by Touch. That is a rather long time between books. So many new series have come and gone, especially for those who read more than 100 books a years. It is always a good thing to remind readers of where things are and how the characters reached this point in the series.

Yes, I do know that Emma and friends went on the run after a devastating turn of events in Touch. Yes, there is the POV from Reyna which gives you an idea about how this powerfully trained woman turned to the dark side after things go horizontally on her. Yes, there is a flashback which shows what led Chase down his path. Readers really have to make a decision on whether you can or can't forgive Reyna for her actions, her obsession with Eric, and her desire to keep the dead from crossing over.

In the end, I'm kind of sad at the ending, and yes I did get a bit misty eyed. After what Emma has been put through, & the actions she took to keep everyone safe, she should have had a happy ending. Perhaps this is for the best. After all, Emma is still learning. She figuring out her powers, and perhaps one day in the future, she will have her own happy ending.

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#Review - The Turn: The Hollows Begins With Death by Kim Harrison @BurningBunnies @GalleryBooks

Series: The Hollows 0.1
Format: E-Galley, 448 pages
Release Date: February 7, 2017
Publisher: Gallery Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Kim Harrison returns to her beloved Hollows series with The Turn, the official prequel to the series that will introduce fans and readers to a whole new side of Rachel Morgan's world as they've never seen it before!

Can science save us when all else fails?

Trisk and her hated rival, Kalamack, have the same goal: save their species from extinction.

Death comes in the guise of hope when a genetically modified tomato created to feed the world combines with the government's new tactical virus, giving it an unexpected host and a mode of transport. Plague takes the world, giving the paranormal species an uncomfortable choice to stay hidden and allow humanity to die, or to show themselves in a bid to save them.

Under accusations of scientific misconduct, Trisk and Kal flee across a plague torn United States to convince leaders of the major paranormal species to save their supposedly weaker kin, but not everyone thinks humanity should be saved.

Kal surreptitiously works against her as Trisk fights the prejudices of two societies to prove that not only does humanity have something to offer, but that long-accepted beliefs against women, dark magic, and humanity itself can turn to understanding; that when people are at their worst that the best show their true strength, and that love can hold the world together as a new balance is found.

The Turn, by author Kim Harrison, is considered to be the prequel to the Hollow series. This story takes readers back in time to the 1960's where humans thought they were alone in the world. They weren't. Where two genetic researchers, dark elf Felecia Eloytrisk Cambri (Trisk) and Trenton Kalamack, aka Trent's father, competed against each other for bragging rights and prestige in a game that ended up having deadly consequences for the entire world. 

After a spectacular fight with Kal, Sa'han Ulbrine offers Trisk a job working at Global Genetics where she is supposed to spy on the company & report back on any new developments. 3 years later, she has created a hairy tomato called T4 Angel Tomato. The tomato was supposed to help feed the poorest of the poor world wide. But, she also secretly made sure that Daniel Planks virus would not be deadly to Interlanders. It also wasn't supposed to be deadly to humans either, but....  

Along came a spider who decided that taking taking credit for Trisk's work would finally get him the respect and admiration that he needs to go forward with his plan of saving the Elf population. How dare a dark elf usurp his plans for world wide admiration and respect! How dare it be Trisk who he taunted, and made fun of most throughout school!! Kal, not unlike his future son Trent, is one of the more arrogant & Nonredeemable characters in either series, and that's saying a lot. 

After a deadly virus crosses with Trisk's tomato, humanity finds itself in dire straights. Kal, Trisk, and Daniel Plank end up going on the run from those who are not in a hurry to save human kind from itself. This is the time for the Interlanders to either step out of the shadow, or let humanity die out. Who knew that a little tomato, with hair on it, could cause so many problems? Who knew the tomato would end up being the most villainized fruit in the history of human and supernatural kind? 

I was happy to hear about The Turn being released by author Kim Harrison and Gallery. I loved the Hollows series, and was on the sad side to see it end. I was happy to see old Hollows characters like Quen, Algaliarept, Piscary, Rynn Cormel, and my favorite new character, a pixy named Orchid who pre-dates Jenks, and may be just as kickass as Jenks was. I have told that this story takes place five decades before Rachel's story. I've been told that I should have most likely read Dead Witch Walking before this. But, I think you'll be just fine reading this novel alone. If you haven't read this book yet, and want to read the first chapters, please check out the authors web page. I do hope there is another prequel that picks up after the ending of this book. There is, I believe more to tell about these characters.

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