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Forged Decisions (Tribal Spirits #2)
Forged Decisions (Tribal Spirits #2)
Katherine McIntyre | 2018 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Forged Decisions (Tribal Spirits #2) by Katherine McIntyre
Forged Decisions is the second book in the Tribal Spirits series, and I would definitely recommend you read this as a series, rather than a set of standalones.

I mentioned in my review of book one that I wanted to know more about the representatives of The Tribe. I got my wish as we spend the book with Navi. She is paired with the Great Panther, and has control over the element of water. Finn is the beta of the Red Rock pack, but due to his past, he feels restless and out of control. Together, these two confront both of their pasts, and maybe even find a future.

With plenty of action in this book, the story is fast-paced and, as I would expect from Katherine McIntyre, exceedingly well written. I didn't have the immediate connection with Navi and Finn like I did with Sierra and Dax, but I don't believe that to be a fault of the author. This pair grew on me the further along I read, and I was fully invested in their story by midway through.

With no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, I have no hesitation in recommending this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and can't wait for the next one.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
The October Man (Rivers of London #7.5)
The October Man (Rivers of London #7.5)
Ben Aaronovitch | 2019 | Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller
7
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
New location. New characters. (0 more)
Does not include Peter Grant as a main character. (0 more)
Novella set in Germany. Book 7.5 of the Rivers of London series.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

The October Man by Ben Aaronovitch is the "#7.5" book in his Rivers of London series. I read the first book, Rivers of London for book club last year and has marked the 2nd book, Moon over Soho, to be read on Goodreads. When the opportunity arose to read this novella, I jumped at the chance. To give a fair review, I read books 2 - 7, not including the novellas, before reading this.

Peter Grant is mentioned in the novella but his German equivalent, Tobias Winter, leads this investigation set in Trier, Germany's oldest city.

While Aaronovitch's writing style and humor show through, I missed the characters I have been fortunate enough to meet in the books set in London. The backdrop of London has become as important as any of the characters.

Setting the novella in Germany was interesting because it allowed us to see the difference between how the German's investigate and the Folly. It brought the magical world into a different point of view as when FBI agent Kimberley Reynolds was around. I would have enjoyed this more if Peter Grant had helped with Tobias Winter's investigation.

I already marked book 8, False Value, to be read.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/15/19.
  
Shy Girl vs Popular Boy (Forever Love #3)
Shy Girl vs Popular Boy (Forever Love #3)
Jordan Ford | 2019 | Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Shy Girl vs Popular Boy is the third book in the Forever Love series, and now the focus moves to Bianca, Cam, and Stacey.

Cam likes Bianca but has a horde of girls who wants his attention. He doesn't think anything of it as he is not interested in them, but Bianca sees it. With her low self-esteem she wonders how he could ever really like her. These two swing backward and forward throughout the book, but it does give them a HFN finish.

Stacey plays a huge part in this book, and although her storyline does impact Bianca and Cam, I felt it almost overshadowed them at times. Don't get me wrong, what she goes through is horrendous, and Bianca and Cam SHOULD be there for her, just like everyone else. It just felt like this story almost matched Bianca's life - pushed to the background for Stacey.

Saying that, I still really enjoyed this story, and can't wait for the next installment in this series that is turning into a family saga rather than 'just' a contemporary romance. This family is intertwined, now and forever, and I sincerely want to continue to find out about all of them!

I have no hesitation in recommending this book, but due to the intertwining, I would recommend you start at book one, otherwise you will miss out!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Lake Season (Bluebell Inn Romance, #1)
Lake Season (Bluebell Inn Romance, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was a classic feel good, and make you warm inside type of a book.  From the first chapter little by little Denise Hunter drew me in, she fed me little nuggets of information about the characters, arousing my curiosity about how the book would end. It was great getting to meet a famous author and a new innkeeper and her family. Plus, Denise Hunter threw in a bit of a mystery with an ending I totally didn’t see coming. All the characters (not just the main ones, as this book is the first in a series) were developed in such a way that I felt personally invested in their lives. By the end of the book I felt like I genuinely knew the characters and their struggles, which doesn’t always happen in books. It was also interesting to see how Denise Hunter weaved in a dual plot-line; I really loved the glimpses into the past. I think I am already looking forward to learning about the rest of the family in Bluebell, NC.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for the hint of mystery, the end I totally did not see coming, and for leaving me in want of the next book in the series. Personally, I think that the best books are about what really happens in life and the ways that God can use anything for His good. In Lake Season, Denise Hunter put this into perspective for her characters and for anyone who reads Lake Season.
  
Daimon (Guardians of Hades #6)
Daimon (Guardians of Hades #6)
Felicity Heaton | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Daimon is the sixth book in the Guardians of Hades series and we finally meet Mr Cool himself, Daimon. From the start, my heart has gone out to him. Just like Ares, he can't touch anyone without his power hurting them. Ares was lucky with Meghan but Daimon is still alone.

Cass first showed up with Mari and Cal in book five. She is strong and not prepared to sit on the side-lines. She can't help but be near to Daimon. At first, she thinks it's just an itch but realises it's so much more.

I loved this one and, to be honest, that took me by surprise. Although I have loved Daimon from the start, Cass came across as a bit abrasive in the other book. So I was delighted to find out there was a heart there after all AND the reasons behind her mask.

As with the others, the connection is immediate but these two sure work hard to make anything happen. A cat and mouse game of give and take, one step forward, two back... and it was PERFECT!

I am loving the overall story arc which becomes more intense with each book, plus the hint to Keras' book. A fantastic addition to the series that I absolutely recommend. Now I really can't wait for Keras!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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Asylum (Asylum, #1)
10
6.5 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
I cannot begin to express just how much I loved reading this book. I wasn't even halfway through it and I had already purchased the second book in this series.

This is truly a creepy read as it blends young adults, an old and abandoned asylum with portions of it turned into dorm rooms, vintage pictures and of course an eerily paranormal factor. Edge of your seat, spine tingling read that pulls you in right from the very beginning and overwhelms your senses with a strong story line, well developed characters and the world building was fantastic.

I can't wait to start reading the second book as I must say that I was completely impressed by the author's skill at storytelling and the goosebumps I got while reading this book.
  
PS
Prairie Song (Hearts Seeking Home, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is really good. I loved it from the beginning. You will be reminded of a book from the other series that you may think that it connected to it. It was really intruding. You will learn how to deal with some really serious issues.

The issues are a various of different things. One person in this book can show how they deal with geif and it not all good. You get to experience some things going on Trail as well. I would recommend this book to any one that likes historical fiction, a bit of civil war era, romance.

Though I am not going to make you decide I will let you decide for yourself if you want to read it or not and rate for yourself.
  
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4)
Rick Riordan | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
8.8 (19 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ugh Percy if your book wasn't so funny I would really stop reading you. Book #4, almost done the series and I will keep reading you of course because.. why stop now?

You're always so cute and funny to read but still not that super awesome of a book. Always disappointed at the end when I finish, but super quick reads so I don't feel bad about it either way.

Grover is always my favourite character to read and now Tyson added to that list as well - again with the secondaries. The story was fun, the historyness of the gods is always fun to read or whatnot but still nothing to write home about.

2.5 lovely stars for you Percy, perhaps you shall surprise me with book 5.....................................................
  
Howl's Moving Castle
Howl's Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones | 1989 | Children
10
9.3 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
I love the world I enter reading this book. This is the second time I have read this book, and I can say I loved it just as much. The first time I read it I absolutely loved it, then watched the movie and hated it because it wasn’t as good as the book, typical for 11-13-year-old me. I later learned to LOVE the movie. Re-reading it allowed me to compare the two a little more clear-headed and I have to say that despite differences the tone is caught in the film. I love everything about this book, characters, setting, plot, magic… It is so much fun, and I get completely sucked it. This time I am planning on reading the remainder of this series.
  
Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1)
Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1)
Sylvain Neuvel | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.0 (20 Ratings)
Book Rating
Holy.... Crap....

I loved absolutely everything about this book, so much so that I finished it in one sitting. I listened to the audiobook while I followed along with the physical book and honestly, I think that was the best way to go about this book since it is a full cast and told in the format of only dialogue since they are all voice recordings.

The plot is phenomenal and pulls you from the first page, the characters are all amazing but hands down my favorite was definitely the mysterious "Sir".

For this being a book with all dialogue I could picture every detail of the story and honestly that was probably why I loved it so damn much.... and that ending of I already ordered the rest of the series.