Mini-Review: Widow's Web by Jennifer Estep

Title: Widow's Web
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin #7
Publisher: Pocket Books
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 08/21/12
Reviewed by: Sara
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Summary:

I used to murder people for money, but lately it’s become more of a survival technique.

Once an assassin, always an assassin. So much for being plain old Gin Blanco. With every lowlife in Ashland gunning for me, I don’t need another problem, but a new one has come to town anyway. Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but she’s really a dangerous enemy whose water elemental magic can go head-to-head with my own Ice and Stone power. Salina also has an intimate history with my lover, Owen Grayson, and now that she’s back, she thinks he’s hers for the taking. Salina’s playing a mysterious game that involves a shady local casino owner with a surprising connection to Owen. But they call me the Spider for a reason. I’m going to untangle her deadly scheme, even if it leaves my love affair hanging by a thread.

Mini-Review: This was yet another fantastic installment to one of my favorite urban fantasy series of all time. Even after seven books, the author still surprises me every time. I really enjoyed getting more of Owen's backstory, since until now only bits and pieces have been hinted to. This novel was yet another tangled puzzle for Gin to figure out, and it had its fair share of twists and turns. As always, I was glued to my kindle as I gobbled the story up. The author provides just enough backstory that I don't feel lost as I get back into this wonderfully gritty world. Salina was definitely an interestingly evil character, and I liked learning more about her water elemental powers. I think one of my favorite parts of this series is how the author introduces us to at least one new elemental power per novel, and after seven novels they feel almost real because of all that I have learned about them. The secondary characters are what really makes this series. As much as I love rough and tough Gin, Finn and Sophia may be my favorite characters. As far as the cover, I'm not sure if I like the stepback idea as much as everyone else. The white does stand out very well on my bookcase. Plus, the image under the stepback fits in with the rest of the series. I think it just boils down to the fact that I don't really like change.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an eARC for review from the author.

Mini-Review: Blood and Silver by James R. Tuck

Title: Blood and Silver
Author: James R. Tuck
Series: Deacon Chalk, Occult Bounty Hunter #2
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 08/07/12
Reviewed by: Sara
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Summary:

Deacon Chalk normally has no trouble telling innocent victims from real monsters. So protecting an abused pregnant were-dog is a no-brainer... until a vicious lycanthrope leader and his brotherhood target Deacon, other shape-shifters, and any humans in their way. Suddenly, Deacon is outnumbered, outgunned, and unsure who -- or what -- to trust. The only edge he has left is a weapon hungry for his soul and his most savage impulses. And using it will exact a price even this hell-raising hunter fears to pay...

Mini-Review: This installment in the Deacon Chalk, Occult Bounty Hunter series was just as strong as the first. I really enjoyed the twists and turns, as Deacon once again went in guns blazing. There was a shocking were-creature near the end that left me speechless. It was totally awesome and believeable. I won't give anything away, but you must read this book for that awesome shifter alone! Once again, the author gave us a fast-paced book that I could not put down. The novel kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting what would happen next. It never felt rushed, and it also never slowed down. I really enjoyed watching Deacon grow as a person throughout this novel, and I hope the next installent continues in the same direction. The cast of secondary characters in this series are realistic and strong, and really bring a lot to the stories. The oranges and reds of the cover fit this novel perfectly, and the cover model looks very kick-ass. Whoever chose the cover model, definitely channeled Deacon and his toughness.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 4.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC for review from the publisher via the author.

Mini-Review: Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Title: Ripple
Author: Mandy Hubbard
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 07/21/11
Reviewed by: Sara
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Summary:

A siren must choose between the curse that defines her and a chance at love

Lexi is cursed. Following in the footsteps of every woman on her mother's side of the family, she's a siren whose song lures unsuspecting victims to their watery deaths. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim to stay alive. Lexi wants desperately to be a normal girl, but she cuts herself off, becoming an ice queen to keep from hurting the people she cares about. Then she finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision of her life. Will she learn that love finds a way to overcome even the strongest of curses?

Ripple is a sea-ravaged tale of melancholy beauty, and the choices one girl makes between land and waves, love and freedom, her future -- and her heart.

Mini-Review: I have been waiting for a chance to borrow this book from the library for a while, and it definitely didn't disappoint. Even Christen enjoyed it (she read it before me), and she is harder to please when it comes to Paranormal Young Adult. I really enjoyed the siren lore in this novel, and how Lexi coped. It was very interesting to see her interact with the other kids at school after the events leading up to the story. Once I was hooked, I couldn't put this book down. It was a quick read, but definitely in a good way. As Lexi was put into certain situations at school, I got to learn more about the students she used to be friends with. All in all, this was a great paranormal read with some interesting twists and turns. The cover was a bit simple, but really worked well with the story.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I borrowed this book for my local library.

Review: Darklands by Nancy Holzner

Title: Darklands
Author: Nancy Holzner
Series: Deadtown #4
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 07/31/12
Reviewed by: Sara
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Summary:

They call it Deadtown: the city’s quarantined section for its inhuman and undead residents. Most humans stay far from its border -- but Victory Vaughn, Boston’s only professional demon slayer, isn’t exactly human...

Boston’s demons have been disappearing, and Vicky’s clients are canceling left and right. While fewer demons might seem like a good thing, Vicky suspects foul play. A missing Celtic cauldron from Harvard’s Peabody museum leads her to an unwelcome conclusion: Pryce, her demi-demon cousin and bitter enemy, is trying to regain his full powers.

But Pryce isn’t alone. He’s conjured another, darker villain from Vicky’s past. To stop them from destroying everything she loves, she’ll have to face her own worst fear -- in the realm of the dead itself.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
This series holds a special place in my heart because Nancy was the first author to ever contact me for a review. I have loved each and every installment in this series, and this title was no different. I've learned to expect the unexpected. The author always keeps my on my toes with the twists and turns. I also really enjoy the wide array of paranormal creatures within the world the author has created. All too often, novels feel the author threw in everything but the kitchen sink, but it really works in this series. I also really enjoy the idea of Deadtown and the fight for paranormal rights.

Pace: 4 Stars
The first half of this novel flew by. It felt like I was catching up with old friends. The novel had just enough recap to bring me up to date without dragging the story down. Although at first, I wished the story had begun with a demon extermination like the three previous installments, I quickly changed my mind. This novel started out with an even bigger bang at Tina's career day. Once we were introduced to the Darklands, the realm of the dead, there were points in which the pacing slowed down a bit. But then the book ended with a bang, leaving me excited for the next novel.

Characters: 5 Stars
All of the characters in this series made great appearances in this novel, no matter how big or small. Tina was her usual self in the beginning, when she brought Vicki in for career day. I forget how much I love Tina's snarkiness in between novels, but she's definitely one of my favorite characters. I also really enjoyed seeing more of Maria, Vicki's niece. You get to learn more about the Cerddorion and how they develop their powers as she experiences the changes. It was also amusing to see how Juliet spent her house-arrest. I really liked the new characters introduced in this installment, especially one that was a big surprise. Although I really enjoy Vicki as a strong urban fantasy heroine, I think the cast of characters around her really make this series fantastic.

Cover: 4 Stars
This cover breaks from the pattern of the first three a bit in the angle and stance of the cover model. It's the first cover that zooms in and doesn't include a full body shot. The flaming sword also isn't quite as front and center as the previous covers. But all in all, the cover definitely fits in with the rest. It gives off the same kick-ass vibe as the rest of the series, and the greens in the lower corner stand out. I really love that the title and author are in the same font and the same placement on each cover. It helps give the series continuity.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel for review.

Mini-Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Obsidian
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux #1
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 11/29/11
Reviewed by: Sara
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Summary:

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something... unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

Mini-Review: I'm not really a fan of the alien/space sub-genre of science fiction. I kept seeing glowing reviews for this book around the blogosphere, so when I found out the author would be practically right down the street for a book signing, I decided to give it a shot. And I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed this novel. The aliens came across as a new and strange paranormal creature, instead of some gross being a la Men in Black. I sped through this novel and can't wait to start the next. My favorite part of the novel was the fact that the main character is a book blogger. It helped me connect with her. I found all of the characters to be interesting and unique. I think the cover models are perfect for Daemon and Katy (although I'm a bit biased since I met them at the signing), and I really enjoy the green. It makes the book stand out on my bookshelf. All in all, I definitely recommend this novel to all paranormal young adult lovers, even if aliens aren't normally your thing.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Review: Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep

Title: Dark Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy #3
Publisher: Kensington Teen
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 05/29/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

I've seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall. I know I'm supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I'm just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me -- again.

Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects -- and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I'm also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me? It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can't use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me -- and I'm in for the fight of my life.

Plot: 5 Stars
The world the author has built at Mythos Academy is such an interesting and unique place. Each book shows us a little more of the world, and I really enjoyed the field trips we take with the characters in this installment. Gwen's search for the Helheim Dagger involved her digging into her mom's past and it was great to learn more about her. And it was fun trying to puzzle it out alongside Gwen. The Reapers always end up sneaking up on me, and this novel didn't disappoint.

Pace: 4.5 Stars
I don't think I've read a book by this author that hasn't had a terrific pace, and this novel didn't disappoint. There is enough backstory and recapping that I feel comfortable jumping right in, which is great because I have way too big of a TBR pile to be re-reading everything. There was never a dull moment while following Gwen and company around Mythos Academy on their latest adventure.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
Gwen is such a fantastic character. She's had a lot thrown at her throughout this series, but she has stayed strong. I really liked how she learned more about her powers in this novel. A few characters from book two that I wasn't expecting came back and I really enjoyed what they brought to the story. We met a number of new characters in this novel, and many brought along some surprises that I definitely didn't see coming. All in all, this series has a fantastic cast.

Cover: 4 Stars
I like that they went back to the cover model from the first novel. It gives the covers a bit of continuity. But her hair blends into the background a little too much, leaving too much blank space and leaving me wondering if the cover model is bald. But other than that, the cover is spot on. I love the lit up building in the background. And the snowflake necklace is a nice detail. My favorite detail is the sword that is always in place of a "t" in the title. The yellow text complements the purple eyes and stand out against the dark background.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received a eARC of this novel for review from the author.

Mini-Review: Torn by Amanda Hocking

Title: Torn
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: Trylle #2
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 02/28/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story...

She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined -- and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers -- and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits... and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.


Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted... in both worlds.

Mini-Review: I almost always enjoy the first book in a series the most, and while that holds true with this series, this novel was a very strong follow up. The plot progressed easily from the first book to this one, and I really enjoyed getting to see more of the Vittra. Wendy also learned more about her heritage. The pace of this novel was a bit slower than its predecessor. There were a couple chapters in the middle in which mothing much besides training happened. But we did get to learn more about a number of characters, including Tove and Matt. We also got to meet Finn's family and more members of the Vittra. Although the blue of this cover is gorgeous, it softens the image a bit, whereas the red of the first novel was more striking.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 4.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: Blooded by Amanda Carlson

Title: Blooded
Author: Amanda Carlson
Series: Jessica McClain #0.5
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 04/11/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Summary:

Jessica McClain was born the only female in an all male race. The only problem is -- she's no wolf. Called a curse, a witch and the Daughter of Evil by the superstitious wolves, Jessica decides to fight for her freedom, at age nineteen, the only way she can -- in the ring.

When she's brutally attacked right after her fight, is it enough to finally earn her freedom off Compound, or will she be forced to endure the hatred even longer...

Mini-Review: This novella is a perfect example of how to introduce a character and her world, and make me want the first novel to ASAP. I love new twists on paranormal lore, and Jessica being a female human born to a werewolf in a world in which all werewolves are male is a great twist. Add to that a myth that has led most of the wolves to think she is evil incarnate, and Jessica has her plate full trying to prove herself. This novella was filled with action and great fight scenes as Jessica tried to show the werewolves that she could hold her own. I also enjoyed the glimpses of other characters that I hope to learn more about when the first novel in the series releases.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I won an electronic copy of this novella from the author via twitter.

Review: Evil Dark by Justin Gustainis

Title: Evil Dark
Author: Justin Gustainis
Series: Occult Crime Unit Investigation #2
Publisher: Angry Robot
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 04/24/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

My name's Markowski. I carry a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets.

A series of seemingly motiveless murders of supernatural creatures points to a vigilante targeting the supe community. Markowski wouldn't normally have much of a problem with that, but his daughter may be next on the killer's list...

File Under: Urban Fantasy [ Unnatural Law | Thicker Than Water | The Bite Stuff | Duty Calls ]

Plot: 4.5 Stars
I love the balance between cop procedural and the paranormal in this series. Stan and Karl are a part of the Occult Crimes Unit, and its no different from any other police unit, except for the paranormal creatures. On any given day, Stan and Karl are tring to solve numerous cases involving werewolves, vampires, goblins, witches, and any of the other supernatural creatures that are living in Scranton. If this series was made into a tv show, it would be something like Law and Order: Paranormal Victims Unit.

Pace: 4.5 Stars
This novel was non-stop Paranormal cop drama/action. From the very first page, I was sucked right back into the author's gritty world. This time around I already knew about the no-chapters-only-page-breaks thing, and I didn't even notice. My favorite part about this novel was that Stan and Karl has other cases to work around the big case that was the main focus. These cases filled the spaces between twists and turns, which meant there was no downtime for my brain to wander. This was a fast-paced, gritty Urban Fantasy that I didn't want to put down.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
Although I enjoyed learning more about Stan and Karl, I was really excited to learn more about Stan's daughter, Christine. Between Karl and Christine, Stan's opinion of Supes, or supernatural creatures, has been turned upside-down. It's forced him to face some hard truths, and even get into a couple of arguments. It was also nice to see more of Rachel, a witch that the precinct hires as a consultant for cases. There were also a couple of FBI agents that were introduced, and it was very interesting to see how they interacted with the cops within the precinct. There were also numerous characters introduced as Stan and Karl made progress in their cases, with a few surprises mixed in.

Cover: 4 Stars
If you put this cover next to its predecessor, there's no mistaking that the two go together. The main image of the cover is a bit grainy, like its an actual crime scene photo. Which fits considering the image is a crime scene straight out of the pages of the novel. The bold fonts and font colors draw your attention, while the detailed crime scene keeps it. I liked that a little bit of yellow was used in this cover, since it was so prominent in the first cover. But the addition of red for the title was a great idea, considering how much blood is involved in the cases within the novel.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend #1
Genre: Dystopian Young Adult
Release Date: 11/29/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths -- until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Mini-Review: This novel is definitely a must read for anyone who needs more dystopian YA after seeing the Hunger Games. My favorite part of the novel was the alternating points of view. Each chapter switches between Day and June, giving the reader a look at both sides of the Republic simultaneously. Sometimes POV switches can slow the plot down, but it did the exact opposite in this novel. Day and June were equally strong and interesting. They really balanced each other out throughout the novel, even before they met. This cover conveys the feel of the novel very well (and looks even better in person). But for a book as fantastic as this, I wish there was just a bit more detail in it.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel as a Christmas gift.

Mini-Review: Wicked as They Come by Delilah S. Dawson

Title: Wicked as They Come
Author: Delilah S. Dawson
Series: Blud #1
Genre: Paranormal/Steampunk Romance
Release Date: 03/27/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Have you ever heard of a Bludman? They’re rather like you and me—only more fabulous, immortal, and mostly indestructible. (They’re also very good kissers.)
Delilah S. Dawson’s darkly tempting debut drops her unsuspecting heroine into a strange faraway land for a romantic adventure that’s part paranormal, part steampunk... and completely irresistible.
When Tish Everett forces open the ruby locket she finds at an estate sale, she has no idea that a deliciously rakish Bludman has cast a spell just for her. She wakes up in a surreal world, where Criminy Stain, the dashing proprietor of a magical traveling circus, curiously awaits. At Criminy’s electric touch, Tish glimpses a tantalizing future, but she also foresees her ultimate doom. Before she can decide whether to risk her fate with the charming daredevil, the locket disappears, and with it, her only chance to return home. Tish and Criminy battle roaring sea monsters and thundering bludmares, vengeful ghosts and crooked Coppers in a treacherous race to recover the necklace from the evil Blud-hating Magistrate. But if they succeed, will Tish forsake her fanged suitor and return to her normal life, or will she take a chance on an unpredictable but dangerous destiny with the Bludman she’s coming to love?

Mini-Review: There is one word to sum up the awesomeness of this novel: bludbunnies! Little blood-sucking bunnies! After falling into this strange new dimension of Bludmen and clockwork devices, it wasn't long before Tish was punting the little bludbunnies away like a natural. I really loved how Tish fell into this new world while asleep. And the alternate dimension she fell into was a creepy and crazy world that was a touch dystopian, a big part steampunk, with a fresh take on vampires known as Bludmen. I really loved all of the circus performers, and hope we will see more from them in the next book. Criminy Stain was a very interesting character. He was mysterious, humorous, dangerous, and definitely a performer. He accompanies Tish on her quest to find the missing locket, and this journey brings them all over this new world. There were twists and turns I never saw coming, and all sorts of new places along the way. The cover itself is a gorgeous blue. I loved the hints of blood and gears, and the cover model's outfit is perfect.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: Isle of Night by Veronica Wolff

Title: Isle of Night
Author: Veronica Wolff
Series: The Watchers #1
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 09/06/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Is life offering fewer and fewer options? Then join the dead.

When Annelise meets dark and seductive Ronan, he promises her a new life -- if she has the courage to chance the unknown. Now, she's whisked away to a mysterious island and pitted against other female recruits to become a Watcher -- girls who are partnered with vampires and assist them in their missions. To survive and become a Watcher, Annelise has to beat out every other girl, but she's determined to do so, because to fail doesn't mean dishonor -- it means death.

Mini-Review: I really enjoyed the Florida setting in the beginning of this novel, because I know where these places are! I'm always looking for a good paranormal book in which the main character is in college, so even though it doesn't work out for Drew, that little touch of college grabbed my attention. I really enjoyed how creepy this novel was, overall. The vampires were scary, the students learned strange things, many came from questionable backgrounds. It all added up to a very dark and creepy tale. Drew was a great characters, and Ronan kept me on my toes. Although I really enjoy the color scheme of the novel and the building at the bottom, the floating heads are a little weird. Something about their composition just puzzles me a bit.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: Hexed by Kevin Hearne

Title: Hexed
Author: Kevin Hearne
Series: Iron Druid Chronicles #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 06/07/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, doesn’t care much for witches. Still, he’s about to make nice with the local coven by signing a mutually beneficial nonaggression treaty -- when suddenly the witch population in modern-day Tempe, Arizona, quadruples overnight. And the new girls are not just bad, they’re badasses with a dark history on the German side of World War II.

With a fallen angel feasting on local high school students, a horde of Bacchants blowing in from Vegas with their special brand of deadly decadence, and a dangerously sexy Celtic goddess of fire vying for his attention, Atticus is having trouble scheduling the witch hunt. But aided by his magical sword, his neighbor’s rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and his vampire attorney, Atticus is ready to sweep the town and show the witchy women they picked the wrong Druid to hex.

Mini-Review: After enjoying book one so much, I don't know what took me so long to pick up book two. The plot of this novel was just as intriguing as the last, with many twists and turns along the way for Atticus and Oberon. The humor was definitely still there, especially where Oberon is concerned. The pace of this novel slowed down just a touch compared to book one, but nothing to make me put the book down. There was a lot of development for many of the characters Atticus interacted with, and I enjoyed learning more about everyone. And for those keeping track, the cover model is still gorgeous (and I'd still hit that). The greens and yellows contrasted well against the browns of the first cover, while still keeping a great continuity for the series.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: Blood of Eden by Tami Dane

Title: Blood of Eden
Author: Tami Dane
Series: Sloan Skye #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 12/01/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

This mind-blowing new series introduces Sloan Skye, and ambitious intern at the FBI's paranormal unit, where the usual rules of crime fighting don't apply...

Sloan has a sky-high IQ, a chaotic personal life, and a dream: to work for the FBI. Her goal is within reach until an error lands her with the FBI's ugly stepchild: the new Paranormal Behavioral Analysis Unit. She'll get to profile criminals, but the pool of suspects is a little more... diverse. Yet even as Sloan tackles her first case -- a string of victims, all with puncture wounds to the neck -- she can't silence her inner para-skeptic.

To catch the killer she'll have to think like one. That means casting aside her doubts, and dealing with the bizarre nightmares that started with the job. But the strangeness is only beginning, as Sloan pieces together the shocking truth about a case that's more personal than she ever would have guessed.

Mini-Review: I really, really enjoyed this novel. It reminded me of Criminal Minds every now and then. So many times, I had no idea where the story was going, and I loved the mystery. There was so much going on, but the different plot lines never became muddled. I also really enjoyed the majority of the characters. My favorites were definitely Sloan and her roommate. The cover isn't nearly eye-catching enough to do this story justice.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I purchased this novel with a giftcard I received as a Christmas gift.

Mini-Review: Thread of Death by Jennifer Estep

Title: Thread of Death
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin #5.5
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 01/31/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Summary:

Gin Blanco, aka the assassin the Spider, might have finally killed her nemesis, Mab Monroe, but that doesn’t mean that it’s smooth sailing. Gin goes to Mab’s funeral to say her goodbyes and runs into some of Ashland’s most notorious underworld power players, including Jonah McAllister and Phillip Kincaid. McAllister wants her dead, and Kincaid has his own murky motives when it comes to the Spider, and Gin once again finds herself fighting for her life. Only this time, she might wind up in the cemetery right next to Mab...

Mini-Review: This novella was a great bridge between books five and six in this series. It allowed the author to elaborate on the funeral, without bogging down book six. Although I enjoyed getting other characters' points of view, it did seem to slow the pace down just a touch compared to the rest of the series. I enjoyed getting into the other characters' heads, but found I missed Gin's inner monologue at the same time. The cover is a fantastic edition to the series. It fits in perfectly, and has the same level of detail.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Cover: 4.5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an eARC of this novella from the author.

Review: Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck

Title: Blood and Bullets
Author: James R. Tuck
Series: Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 02/07/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

He lives to kill monsters. He keeps his city safe. And his silver hollow-points and back-from-the-dead abilities help him take out any kind of supernatural threat. But now an immortal evil has this bad-ass bounty hunter dead in its sights...

Ever since a monster murdered his family, Deacon Chalk hunts any creature that preys on the innocent. So when a pretty vampire girl "hires" him to eliminate a fellow slayer, Deacon goes to warn him -- and barely escapes a vampire ambush. Now he's got a way-inexperienced newbie hunter to protect and everything from bloodsuckers to cursed immortals on his trail. There's also a malevolent force controlling the living and the undead, hellbent on turning Deacon's greatest loss into the one weapon that could destroy him...

Plot: 5 Stars
Blood and Bullets had two of my favorite things in an urban fantasy: a male main character and scary vampires. And let me tell you, these vampires were creepy, violent monsters. One of my favorite parts of the novel was seeing the newbie vampire hunter, Larson, work with Deacon. They were complete opposities, and yet they still each learned from the other. I also really enjoyed the peaks into Deacon's past, along with his little anecdotes as to why he does what he does.

Pace: 4 Stars
This novel was action-packed. There was little down time between these action-packed scenes, but the story never felt rushed. Although there were a few plot points I guessed beforehand, there were still a number of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The story flowed very well, and never slowed down. All in all, this novel was a quick and refreshing read.

Characters: 5 Stars
Deacon Chalk was a fantastic character. He has a mysterious and tortured past. With only glimpses into the events that made him hunt monsters, I can't wait until the next novel comes out so we can learn a bit more. He's also a badass. There's no other way to describe him. The girls at Polecats, the strip club Deacon owns, were interesting although they played a much smaller part. I look forward to learning more about them in future novels as well. Father Mulcahy was a great addition to the team. Not only did he bless all of the weapons, but he also had a bit of gruff humor. Larson made me roll my eyes in the beginning, but really grew as the story progressed.

Cover: 4 Stars
The cover model is exactly how I envisioned Deacon: a total badass. They really stayed true to the character, and I especially enjoy the tattoos. All too often tattoos on a cover don't correspond with the story, but these fit the main character and his description. I also liked the detail of the crosses and weapon on the cover. The purple background isn't the most masculine color, but somehow it works. The cloud and lightning details make the purple seem a little daunting and creepy. The font choice works really well. It's simply, yet bold.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel for review.

Review: Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Title: Kiss of Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy #2
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 11/29/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Logan Quinn was trying to kill me. My Spartan classmate relentlessly pursued me, swinging his sword at me over and over again, the shining silver blade inching closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes practically glowed with the thrill of battle...

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Academy, and I have no idea how I’m going to survive the rest of the semester. One day, I’m getting schooled in swordplay by the guy who broke my heart -- the drop-dead gorgeous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invisible archer in the Library of Antiquities decides to use me for target practice. And now, I find out that someone at the academy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword -- with Logan’s help -- I just might die by the sword...

Plot: 4.5 Stars
When I first read that this novel was going to center around the school taking a ski trip for a winter trip, I immediately thought of Frostbite by Richelle Mead. While the two novels share that one plot idea in common, the two are far from the same, and I admit that Kiss of Frost is definitely better. Although the winter trip seemed straight forward in the beginning, Gwen soon found herself mixed up in a possible Chaos plot. There were twists and turns around every corner, and I was left guessing until the very end.

Pace: 5 Stars
My favorite part of any of the author's novels is that she does a great job of reviewing key points from past novels in a way that flows with the current novel. I'm never left trying to remember what exactly happened previously, regardless of how long I go between novels. This one was no exception. There was also never a lull in the action, once the story picked up.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
I loved the character development in this novel. Not only do we learn more about Gwen and her powers, but we learn more about her friends, classmates, and teachers also. There's also the addition of students from other Mythos Academy campuses added to the mix. Some characters had ulterior motives that surprised me, and some characters showed their true feelings that also surprised me. All in all, I was very excited with the characters in this novel and their actions.

Cover: 4.5 Stars
Although the cover model on this cover doesn't seem to be the same as the first book in the series, I really enjoy her pose and the snowflakes. The act of blowing a kiss is a play on the title, and I think it's an unusual pose that will stand out against many of the paranormal young adult novel it's shelved with. The snowflakes are a nice way of alluding to the winter holiday that the novel centers around. The gargoyle in the background and the sword in the place of the letter "t" in the titles bring continuity to the covers, while still allowing them to be unique. The choice of pink for some of the text was a very interesting choice and went well with the faint purple hue of the cover.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received a signed ARC of this novel for review from the author.

Review + Giveaway: Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Title: Unleashed
Author: Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Series: Wolf Springs Chronicles #1
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release Date: 11/22/11
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night -- welcome to Wolf Springs.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
There was a cloud of mystery surrounding this entire novel that gave it a fantastically creepy feel. Wolf Springs itself was a pretty mysterious and creepy place filled with mysterious and creepy people. The setting really gave a lot to the rest of the novel, and allowed for some storylines that may not have worked in a more urban setting. Although I figured out pretty early what the paranormal creature in this novel was, it was still interesting to follow Katelyn as she figured it out. And I was definitely surprised by who was and wasn’t said paranormal creature. There were many twists and turns in this novel, many of which I didn’t expect. I really liked how some of the mystery was figured out, but other parts have been left to explore more in future books. It really makes me antsy in anticipation for the next novel. This is definitely a great addition to Paranormal Young Adult.

Pace: 4.5 Stars
This was a fast-paced novel that I read in only a few sitting. What sucked me in so quickly was the weirdness of Wolf Springs and its residents. I wanted to know what was going on and why everyone was so strange. Katelyn’s grandfather’s strict rules about not going in to the woods after dark only furthered my curiosity. Just when things seemed to be getting a bit more normal with schoolwork and parties, something crazy would happen to suck me right back in. Although the novel didn’t end with a cliffhanger exactly, it did end right as Kat had a revelation that could definitely change things. And it left me wanting more. I can’t wait for the next novel in this series to come out.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
In a small town like Wolf Springs, everyone knows everyone, so it was the talk of the town when Katelyn showed up after her mother’s death to live with her grandfather. She had a lot of her plate: dealing with her grief, leaving her home and best friend, starting at a new school, and trying to make new friends. I think she dealt with everything pretty well, especially when thrown into weird positions. I would have liked to learn a bit more about her late parents and best friend, Kimi, and hope more information about them appears in future books. I also don’t feel like I learned that much about her grandfather, considering Kat was living with him. But the air of mystery surrounding him made him an interesting character. Trick was Kat’s ride to school, and kind of a weird dude (in a good way). He didn’t always make sense and didn’t get along with some of the other kids, but he was a great character. Cordelia, on the other hand, was a very frustrating character. Her moods flip-flopped constantly and she was always very vague when answering questions. She was hiding a big secret, but sometimes it was too frustrating. And her family was all kinds of dysfunctional.

Cover: 4 Stars
The top half of the cover works a lot better than the bottom half. I like the full moon in the woods. It gives the cover a mysterious feel that really fits Wolfs Springs. It also hints at the paranormal aspect of the novel. The bottom half comes across very over-dramatic vampire movie to me. The hands gripping the cover model’s head, along with the way she leans her head back to expose her neck, just screams vampires instead of werewolves. There’s also a bit of dead space around the cover model and the mysterious arms. But I absolutely love the font chosen for the title, and really like when the series title is included. The way the title splits the cover in half is very unique, and really draws the eye. The navy blue color chosen for the cover is a great choice because it really fits the mood of the novel.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel for review from the publisher.



Giveaway:
I have three (3) copies of Unleashed to giveaway! To enter, just answer the following question: Would you rather live in a tight-knit small town, or a large urban city?

Giveaway Rules:
1. Must leave a comment answering the question.
2. Must leave a valid e-mail address.
3. Giveaway is open to the US only.
4. Giveaway is open until midnight on Wednesday 12/14.
5. Winners will be chosen on Thursday 12/15 using random.org.