Review: Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

Title: Dead Ever After (Sookie Stackhouse #13)

Author: Charlaine Harris
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Ace
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Library

There are secrets in the town of Bon Temps, ones that threaten those closest to Sookie—and could destroy her heart...

Sookie Stackhouse finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.

But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough.

Dead Ever After is the final installment of the long running Sookie Stackhouse series. This series has been steadily going downhill for me for a while now but I knew that I wanted to finish it and get some closure. After the previous book, I didn't have very high expectations for this one.

After 13 books, Harris definitely had her work cut out for her. There were a lot of loose ends to figure out and you can never really please everyone with a series as popular as this. I expected Sookie to go out with a bang, but the ending surprised me .

The book starts when a body is found behind Merlotte's.  The body conveniently has a piece of Sookie's clothing on it and she becomes the number one suspect. Harris goes back into familiar territory here as Sookie tries to unravel the mystery, while trying to stay alive. A lot of characters pop up in this book. While some of them do add to the plot, I can't help but feel that some of them are there just to make a goodbye appearance.

Of course, the big question is - which guy does Sookie end up with? Without spoiling it I have to say that I am not surprised by the outcome. Harris has been hinting in the last few books which way this might go. I think a lot of fans might be disappointed but I didn't have a strong feeling about it. In many ways I think she ended up with the right person but I also would have been OK had it gone in another direction. I guess I just didn't have that much invested in Sookie's romantic life anymore.

While I was expecting some kind of epic ending for the series with revelations and battles galore, what I got was just another Sookie book. There were more guest appearances than usual by characters I imagine Harris wanted to say goodbye to but didn't have much bearing on the plot. Harris does wrap up the major plot points. For the most part though, it really didn't feel like an ending, but just another crazy day in Bon Temps. While I was a bit underwhelmed by the whole thing, I wasn't particularly upset about the ending. Would I have liked to have seen some things resolved differently? Sure, but this is Harris's baby, this is how she wanted to end it.

Even though I wasn't a huge fan of the last few books, I will always think of this series fondly, and am interested to see what Harris will do next.

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Visit the author online at www.charlaineharris.com and follow her blog.


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Review: Tiger Magic by Jennifer Ashley

Title: Tiger Magic (Shifters Unbound #3)

Author: Jennifer Ashley
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Purchased

He was once a captive, but his urges were never caged. Now he’ll release them on a beautiful stranger whose own secret desires are longing to be sated…

He doesn’t have a name. He doesn’t have a clan. The humans who held him prisoner for forty years have taken them away. He knew nothing but captivity until nearly a year ago, when he was released into the light. Now Tiger lives in the Austin Shiftertown, where he struggles to belong and searches for an identity.

Carly Randal thinks her fabulous life is complete—until her car breaks down on the side of the road, and a wild-looking Shifter is the only one to help her. Tiger takes one look at Carly and knows instantly—she will be his mate. As Carly is drawn into his Shifter world, she risks everything she has for that forbidden something she still wants: passionate love.

With the introduction of Tiger in Tiger Magic, Jennifer Ashley veers slightly in a new direction with her Shifters Unbound series.  Though I haven't always read all of the books in this series in the correct order, if you want to know more about Shifters Unbound, I would begin with Pride Mates (Shifters Unbound #1).  Additionally, though you can read Tiger Magic without reading Mate Claimed (Shifters Unbound #4), readers who would like more of Tiger's backstory might want to add that one to their list as well.

In Tiger Magic, Ashley's main character is a tiger shifter named Tiger for his obvious similarities to his animal self.  Unlike the other shifters, Tiger was created and not born from parents who were shifters.  His abilities are significantly different than other shifters and he is considerably more unpredictable and, in some ways, wilder.  This makes other shifters uncomfortable around Tiger.

The story begins with Carly Randal, on the side of the road with a car that has broken down.  Tiger senses an immediate connection or bond and believes her to be his mate.  He approaches her and helps get her car working again.  Shortly after this the fun begins.  Carly is engaged to an arrogant and very rich man, who she discovers having an affair in their kitchen. When Tiger goes into protector mode, he nearly gets killed and winds up in the hospital, where it turns out that Carly is one of the only ones who can control him.

Carly recognizes that there is also a connection with Tiger, but isn't all that certain about this "mate bond" that Tiger keeps talking about.  I don't know about other readers, but I was immediately drawn to Tiger (who is an ultimate alpha male) and Carly.  Carly is a strong female and was a really nice balance for Tiger.  Their connection felt real even if it did contain quite a bit of "insta-love".  I felt that the introduction of Tiger has brought some new life to Ashley's series.

In addition to the romance aspect of the book, which definitely plays a large role in the story line, there is also a mystery about Tiger's abilities and what his purpose is. Why was he created?  There are some federal agent types that are after Tiger and it takes awhile to figure out who is good and who is just plain trouble. This story line adds another layer of interest for readers beyond just the romance.  Finally, I enjoyed catching up with previously introduced characters who live in the Austin Shifter town.  Readers, new and old, to Ashley's Shifter Unbound will want to pick up Tiger Magic and read it as soon as possible.

   

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Visit the author online at www.jennifersromances.com, her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @jennallyson

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Magic Bites - Review

Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1) 

by Ilona Andrews

Publication date: 01 April 2007 by Ace

ISBN 10/13: 0441014895 | 9780441014897
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Category: Adult Urban Fantasy
Keywords: Urban fantasy, weres, shifters, vampires, mercenaries, magic
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis:

When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta's magic circles.

The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings—and the death of Kate's guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she's way out of her league—but she wouldn't have it any other way.

Review:

I've had this book on my shelf for a couple of years now. It's been patiently waiting for me while I flitted about with other books, all the while biding its time. I have no valid excuse for why it took me this long to finally read it except for the fact that perhaps my unconscious brain knew how much I would like it and the obsession that would ensue and was allowing me time to fully prepare. Once I started, I simply could not stop and I read my way through five books in the series as well as one spin-off book in a little over a week.

Magic Bites drops us right into the middle of a future Atlanta where magic and technology fight for dominance and magic is winning. It's a world in which vampires and shapeshifters exist but where horses are a favored mode of transport. While there is a lot of information to process and it took me a while to remember all of it, I liked that Andrews is content to let the reader figure it out themselves. There's no obvious info-dumping and the world and its rules are revealed in a very natural way. I also liked her unique take on vampires. Instead of the glamorous, sexy creatures we're used to, they are horrible, grotesque creatures that are the stuff of nightmares.

Kate Daniels is one of my favorite urban fantasy heroines to date. If you looked up "badass" in the dictionary, you would probably find a picture of her. Kate is the first person to run into a fight, swinging her sword and smack-talking the whole way. The upbringing that honed her into a fierce fighter has left her with some emotional scars and she's not always the friendliest person. But there's more to Kate than meets they eye and she is extremely loyal and kind. She is also hiding a BIG SECRET which I am sure we will learn more about as the series goes on.

Now we get to Curran, aka the Beast Lord. He is arrogant but he has reason to be. Alpha of all of the shapeshifters, he is very powerful and protective of his people. He also annoys the hell out of Kate and she, in turn, is a thorn in his side. I don't know about you guys but insta-love is not my thing. I am all about the insta-hate, as my friends call it. I love it when two characters can't stand each other. If the level of dislike is any indication of how much chemistry two characters have, then Curran and Kate are combustible. Though there's no real romance in Magic Bites, you can feel it brewing and the fighting between Curran and Kate is just foreplay.

I really enjoyed immersing myself in this new world. The mystery was unexpected and smart, with lots of twists and turns along the way. If you like fantastic world building and kickass characters, then you need to read this series! I can't wait to see what trouble Kate gets into in the next book.

 

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Visit the author online at www.ilona-andrews.com and follow on Twitter @ilona_andrews and Facebook.


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Deadlocked - Review

Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse #12) by Charlaine Harris

Publication date: 01 May 2012 by Ace

ISBN 10/13: 1937007448 | 9781937007447
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Category: Adult Urban Fantasy
Keywords: Urban fantasy, paranormal, mystery, vampires, shifters, weres, murder, fae
Format: Hardcover, eBook
Source: Library

Synopsis:

With Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), in town, it’s the worst possible time for a body to show up in Eric Northman’s front yard—especially the body of a woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

Thuy's Review:

I think this is my least favorite Sookie Stackhouse book. Unlike a lot of people, I really enjoyed the previous book, Dead Reckoning. The series to me had been going downhill for the last few books. Perhaps Harris was losing steam or maybe I was just losing interest. But I felt like Dead Reckoning was finally getting the series back on track and I found myself once again engaged in Sookie’s world. So it was with anticipation and excitement that I opened up Deadlocked.

Unfortunately Deadlocked was not what I was hoping for. The first hundred pages or so were slow but I figured that the series has so many characters and crazy plot lines that Harris really needed to get us caught up with everyone. Finally they find a dead body and I thought, “Now things are going to start happening.” Only...they don’t. I mean, they do, but not in a way that moves the series forward. Like trying to walk through knee high wet sand, I felt like I was trudging through this book with little to show for my efforts. There were no sexy times, no fun times and even the murder mystery was uninteresting after awhile.

I also didn’t want to hear about every little detail of Sookie’s day. Sookie goes to the grocery store, she paints her nails, does the laundry, goes to work, goes to the grocery store again....You get the idea. Now I don’t mind a little taste of Sookie’s life. The series has always had little bits here and there about how Sookie goes about her day and I appreciate these small details. However, this book was filled with mundane tasks that added nothing to the story and only succeeded in boring me. And the endless recapping! Everyone was constantly recapping events to someone who wasn’t there who would then recap it to another person and then they’d go over it again themselves in case they missed something. I was almost hoping that someone would just send out a mass email or put it on Facebook to save me the trouble of reading it 5 different ways.

Now let’s talk romance, or the lack of it. I am in the minority here since I have always been Team Bill and that possibility died long ago. But that doesn’t mean that I want Sookie and Eric to go kaput. I actually like them together and it’s clear that they have strong feelings for each other, despite all the angst. Vampire politics once again rears its ugly head with Eric and Sookie caught in the middle. The politics only aid in showing how dysfunctional their relationship is and Eric has very little page time in this book. This book is also sadly lacking in any hot sex scenes. Perhaps Harris is slowly leading Sookie in another romantic path but the constant drama between Sookie and Eric is getting old and I find myself not caring one way or the other if they stay together or not. Sookie does have a few nice moments with Bill though I don’t think they’ll ever be together again (Bill, call me!). Sam is as faithful and true as ever and his taste in women still sucks.

The story finally picked up in the last few chapters but, by that point, I didn’t really care. This really felt like a filler book. I just finished it half an hour ago and already I am hard pressed to recall what happened in it. I am glad the series is coming to a close. I still love the series and the characters in it but I think Harris has done all she can with it and it’s time to move on. I look forward to seeing how Harris closes out the series and what the fate holds in store for Sookie and the rest of the Bon Temps gang.

 

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Visit the author online at www.charlaineharris.com 

Tangle of Need - Review

Tangle of Need (Psy-Changeling #11) by Nalini Singh

Publication date: 29 May 2012 by Onyx

ISBN 10/13: 0425247562 | 9780425247563
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: Paranormal, romance, psy-changeling, shifters
Format: Hardcover, eBook

**Note: I generally try to stay away from spoilers in my review but this one does have a small one. But I will warn you before it comes in the review.**

Review:

Tangle of Need is the eleventh installment in the Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh. I am a total Nalini Singh fangirl and pre-ordered this for my Kindle so I could get it as soon as possible. As with any long running series, there are going to be books that you really love and some that you don’t love as much. For me, this is one that I enjoyed but isn’t one of my favorites. This book wraps up some loose ends while also setting things up for the final battle between the Psy and the Changelings and is a solid installment to the series.

The main couple of this story is Adria and Riaz, two characters who have made minor appearances before now. Both of them are emotionally damaged and are not looking for any kind of relationship. Indigo has recently extricated herself from a very unhealthy long term relationship that has left her an emotional wreck. And Riaz, a lone wolf, has come home to heal with his pack after meeting a woman who he feels the pull of a mating bond with but who is married and in love with another man.

Both of them fight their physical attraction to each other at first. Riaz feels like his is betraying his mate by having feelings for Adria even though they haven’t actually mated. And Adria self esteem is so messed up after her last lover that she is wary of ever making herself vulnerable to a man again. But their attraction is undeniable and they finally give in to their need. It’s not just about sex, though. Adria and Riaz slowly get under each other’s skin, slowly opening themselves up to the possibility of finding love again. Riaz and Adria were both really great characters. They are both kind of similar. They are both tough soldiers who are extremely loyal to the pack and also really stubborn. There were times when I wanted to smack some sense into both of them. I enjoyed watching them butt heads and then make up later. :)

A lot is happening in the Psy-Changeling world. After the events in Kiss of Snow, the Psy are on the brink of a Civil War and the Psy Council is in disarray. No big battles take place in this book, which is nice, though there is definitely still clashing going on between the various groups. From Pure Psy, the Council, The Human Alliance, all of the Changeling groups, and The Ghost, it’s clear that something big is on the horizon. The Arrows play a big part in this one and I am really interested in seeing what Singh has planned for Aden and Vasic.

Fans of Hawke and Sienna will also be very happy as they have a lot of scene time in this book. We see how they are handling being the new alpha couple and what that entails, especially for Sienna, who has a whole new set of responsibilities being an alpha’s mate. Alice Eldridge, who was found in the last book, is still unconscious and Sascha and others work to wake her up. But it’s not all super serious. There are a lot of fun scenes involving other members of the pack and Hawke and Sienna finally have their wedding. There is also some big news for Mercy and Riley which was awesome. They’ve always been one of my favorite couples and it was nice to see them again.

I admit that I wasn’t as invested in the romance in this one as much as I usually am. There was a lot going on in this book besides Riaz and Adria’s story and I just felt like the focus was not on them. It could also be that they were both minor characters I had never given much thought to before I knew about this book and therefore didn’t have as much invested in them. Coming off of Kiss of Snow, which was the ultimate, most awesome, most intense of all the Psy/Changeling relationships, perhaps any story would have paled in comparison.

***And here come the spoilery bits. Please look away if you don’t want to be spoiled.***


**I warned you!**

I was also a little disappointed at first in the lack of a mating bond between Riaz and Adria. I know it was always kind of off the table but I really thought that it might happen at the end. Having read all 10 of the previous books, I’ve been conditioned us to equate the mating bond with true love so the lack of one seemed out of line with what we know about the Psy-Changeling world. However, after thinking about it for a day I have some thoughts on this. The almost scene in the book where Adria and Riaz are at the park, they discuss the lack of the mating bond. Adria is scared that, without the bond, one day Riaz will wake hating her for taking him away from his true mate. But Riaz points out a human couple to her, one that is celebrating their hundredth anniversary. Though they aren’t Changeling and have no mating bond, it’s obvious that they have a connection that is just as strong and just as real as any mated Changeling pair. Instead of this being about the lack of a mating bond, perhaps what Singh is trying to say is that love is possible for everyone, if they are open to it and allow themselves to be vulnerable enough to love and be loved. That choosing to be with someone because you love them is just as powerful as a fated love. Even us humans have a chance at it. Maybe I am reading too much into it but I like this theory so I am sticking to it.

**End spoiler**

Another solid book by Nalini Singh. Even though I felt like the focus was a little uneven in this one, with Adria and Riaz having to fight for their time between Hawke and Sienna and the other happenings in the Psy-Changeling landscape, overall I was satisfied with their story. As it is after every Nalini Singh book, I am now counting down the days until the next one. :)

Stop by later this week as we will be giving away an e-book copy of Tangle of Need as part of the Shameless Summer Giveaway Hop.

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Visit the author online at www.nalinisingh.com and follow her on Twitter @NaliniSingh

Blood Bound - Review

Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson #2) by Patricia Briggs

Publication date: 30 January 2007 by Ace Roc

ISBN 10/13: 0441014739 | 9780441014736

Category: Adult Urban Fantasy
Keywords: Urban fantasy, vampires, weres, fae, shapeshifter
Format: Hardcover, mass market paperback, eBook

From goodreads:

Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places-and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.

But this new vampire is hardly ordinary-and neither is the demon inside of him.

Thuy's review:

**This review is spoiler free but this book is part of a series. You may not want to skip this review if you haven't read the previous books in the series.**

I have a new love and her name is Mercy Thompson. This series is just so fun and I love all of the characters. Blood Bound pics up a few months after the events of Moon Called. Things have been relatively quiet until Stefan calls in the favor the Mercy owes him. A dangerous creature is on the loose and Stefan needs her help to find out more about him in order to stop him. Mercy is soon neck deep in dangerous vampire business. And when Stefan and some of her friends go missing, head mistress vampire Marsilia, asks Mercy to help. She believes that Mercy's unique powers will help her succeed where others have failed.

This book made me love Mercy even more. She's no super woman. She gets scared and frustrated and is often physically weaker than her opponents, but she deals with it moves on. I love her loyalty and the fact that she will jump in to help her friends, even when it's clear that she has little chance of success. I love her dry humor and sarcastic voice, too.

Things in the Mercy-Adam-Samuel triangle heat up. Samuel kisses Mercy twice! Mercy also has a nice sweaty workout with Adam (yum!) and learns more about the werewolf hierarchy and how it affects her. I am just dying for her to make out with Adam (or more). Briggs also throws another curveball in there with possible romantic interest by Stefan. The series also has some great secondary characters. Warren and Kyle are probably my favorite gay werewolf/human literary couple (not that there are many). They have a real relationship complicated with paranormal issues. We also get more Ben, who fascinates me. I think his whole woman hating jerk persona is a facade to cover something else up - and I want to know what it is! I know he has a heart hiding in there somewhere. I would be so happy if Ben got his own book one day.

Another fantastic read by Patricia Briggs. I am totally hooked on the characters and the world of Mercy Thompson and look forward to reading book 3!

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Visit the author online at www.patriciabriggs.com and follow @Mercys_Garage on Twitter

Play of Passion - Review

 

Play of Passion (Psy-Changeling #9) by Nalini Singh

Publication date: 02 November 2010 by Berkley
ISBN 10/13: 0425237796 | 9780425237793

Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: Paranormal romance, psy-changeling, shifters
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook, Kindle

From goodreads:

In his position as Tracker for the SnowDancer pack, Drew Kincaid must rein in rogue changelings who've lost control of their animal halves- even if it means killing those who've gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage-to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite...and who threatens to enslave his wolf.

Thuy's review:

Ooh this was a really good one. Nine books in and this series still rocks! We have Indigo, dominant wolf female and one of the top lieutenants in the Snow Dancer pack. Circumstances have made Indigo wary of ever being involved with a male less dominant than her. Drew, the pack tracker, has never fit in with the pack hierarchy. While still a dominant male, his role has always necessitated being outside of the hierarchy. When he finally decides to go for the woman he wants, he finds himself facing down one of the biggest challenges of his life.

Indigo is one of Snow Dancer's top lieutenants. She is smart, strong and can kick the ass of most of the males in the pack. She’s also terrified of giving up control in a relationship. She's reluctant to start anything with Drew, a younger wolf who doesn't fit her idea of her ideal mate. She's seen up close up how a relationship with a less dominant male can go very wrong. Since Drew doesn't fit into the standard hierarchy, her wolf is attracted to him but is unsure if a relationship with him can work. She's also also used to being in charge, which leaves her in the awkward position of wanting a more dominant partner but also reluctant to give up control. When Drew comes along with his plan of charm and conquer, Indigo is thrown for a loop. But what she wants and what she needs are two entirely different things and Drew is the perfect foil for the serious lieutenant.

Drew is probably one of my favorite males in the Psy-Changeling series. I mean, he could charm the pants off of anyone. He had me grinning with his playful antics and the crazy stunts he pulls when Indigo gets mad at him. And even though he seems like he's all play, he also has an intense and serious side to him. He loves the pack and he will go to any lengths to protect it and those he loves. His laid back attitude complements Indigo's more reserved nature well. He makes her laugh and isn't threatened by her high rank. She challenges him and, even though she is more reserved in showing her affections, it's clear that she adores him. The last scene at the hospital squeezed really pulled my heart strings.

To tell the truth, I am don't remember all that well what happens with the Psy Council in this one. I was too wrapped up in Drew and Indigo's story to take too much note of it. However, unrest is escalating within in the Council and in the Psy Net. Lines are being drawn among the Council members and sides will have to be chosen soon.

I love you, Nalini Singh and I love this series, too. Next up is Hawke and Sienna's story, which I think everyone has been waiting for. Squeeee!

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Visit the author online at www.nalinisingh.com and follow @nalinisingh on Twitter

Lord of Rage - Review

Lord of Rage (Royal House of Shadows #2) by Jill Monroe

Publication date: 20 September 2011 by Harlequin Nocturne
ISBN 10/13: 0373618689 | 9780373618682

Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords:Paranormal, romance, shifters, revenge
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley for review)

Thuy's synopsis:

Lord of Rage is the second book in the Royal Book of Shadows series and is the story of Princess Breena, only daughter of the royal family of Elden. Like her brother Nicolai in Lord of the Vampires, Breena is flung from her home when, in an attempt to save her life, her dying parents cast two spells on her and her siblings - one to survive and one to seek vengeance on The Blood Sorcerer. The spells cause Breena to be whisked away during her attempt to escape the castle and she finds herself in unknown woods, with a patchy recollection of who she is and what she is doing there. She’s also without her magical powers, which were always weak at best. Unlike her mother, who can speak to people in her dreams, Breena’s only ever been able to find one person in her dreams - a dark and dangerous warrior who knows her body like no one else. Starving and exhausted, Breena stumbles upon a small cabin in the woods after wandering the woods for several days. She breaks in and steals some food before she collapses into one of the beds in the house.

Osborn is one of the last of his people. An Ursan warrior, he has secluded himself with his two younger brothers in the small cabin at the edge of town. His people were wiped out 10 years ago by a group of vicious vampires in the colors of the Elden guard. He’s sworn revenge against Elden and has become a mercenary in order to survive and support his family. When he finds Breena in his bed, he is furious until he realizes that the woman from his dreams is real and is in his home. Breena pleads with Osborn to help her avenge her family as she tries to piece together what’s happened to them and fights her attraction to the gruff warrior.

Thuy's review:

I didn’t love the first book in this series, Lord of the Vampires (see review here), and went into this one cautiously. I am glad I did, though, because I really enjoyed Lord of Rage.

Breena’s your typical princess - bred to be a political asset and a good wife, she has been sheltered and is somewhat naive about the ways of the world. She is a stark contrast to Osborn, a fighter who is adept at surviving any way he has to. Breena’s no wilting flower, though. She has a rebellious spirit and strong will. She isn’t afraid to stand up to Osborn or seek the vengeance she feels her family deserves. Osborn definitely has a dark side to him. Being one of the last members of his race, he’s very isolated. He is also consumed with guilt still seeks revenge. He comes off as rude and moody at times but it’s tempered with humor and tenderness. His feelings for Breena confuse him and he doesn’t handle it very well at first. I love antagonist romantic relationships, though, so I enjoyed the verbal (and physical) sparring between Breena and Osborn. There’s plenty of sexual tension between the two. When they finally succumb to their feelings, watch out! Their love scenes are HOT and also surprisingly sweet.

I also loved the mythology that Monroe created around Osborn and his people. I am not sure how much of it, if any, is grounded in any real mythology but I found myself captivated by it. The spiritual connection that Osborn feels towards the bear is profound and quite beautiful. Even though the ritual and its accompanying power are violent, there is also a great respect for the spirit of the animal and a sense of partnership vs dominance.

A fun twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Lord of Rage is an entertaining read and a solid installment to the series. This is my first Jill Monroe book and I enjoyed her writing very much. All of the characters were well developed and the story furthered the overall plot with the siblings and The Blood Sorcerer. I am still a little confused about the timeline of this book - where Nicolai’s story comes and if Brenna jumped time at all. Also unsure about the importance of the magical timepieces that each of the siblings have but hopefully this will all be explained soon. Overall I had a lot of fun reading this book am looking forward to reading the next one.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.jillmonroe.com and follow @JillMonroe on Twitter