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Merissa (13154 KP) rated Hunted (Dragonlands #2) in Books

Apr 6, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
Hunted (Dragonlands #2)
Hunted (Dragonlands #2)
Megg Jensen | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WOW! The first book in this series, Hidden, is really good but this book blows that one out of the water. It is an excellent follow up although I warn you that it has a killer cliffhanger ending.

This story does follow on from Hidden so I definitely recommend you read that first or you simply won't have a clue what is happening here. For those that have read it, I can say that the story continues to move forward in such a way that will amaze and astound. The characters are growing and changing whilst the plot thickens. I especially loved the character development of Tressa and Bastian. This felt completely natural considering that they are meeting new people for the first time in their lives.

So many twists and turns in this story and I won't even try to explain any of them. Suffice it to say that I now have lots of questions that were answered from book 1 but I now have more from book 2 that are still unanswered. I'm waiting for book 3 very impatiently!

Recommended for all Fantasy lovers out there.
 
* 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!
September 3, 2016
  
Charmed & Dangerous
Charmed & Dangerous
Collected Authors | 2015 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
First off, I think this is the first anthology I've ever given a 5-star rating for! Normally it's a 4-star as some stories are better than others but going for the average, it's a 4-star. I did the same with this collection - some I liked more than others - but the average rating is still 5 stars. There are new authors here (for me at least) and now I'm very happy as I can go searching for more of their books.

There is a little bit of everything for everyone here - the common thread being MM romance. Some are new relationships, and some are already established, but each story is individual and very well-written. Some (but not all) of my favourites were 'A Queer Trade', 'The Thirteenth Hex' and 'The Soldati Prince'. All different, all brilliant, all thoroughly enjoyable.

I could mention each and every one but you'd become bored so all I will say is that if you know at least one of these authors and like their work, then I can highly recommend this collection. If you don't know any of these authors but like M/M Romance, then I can highly recommend this collection. If you like a variety of M/M stories including shapeshifters, witches, a vaguely steampunk-type story, alternate realities etc, then I can highly recommend this collection. I'm sure you're getting the idea by now so there you go. I highly recommend this collection and loved it!

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

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 25, 2015
  
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Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated The Baby in Books

Jun 24, 2019  
The Baby
The Baby
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Read the original review: https://bookmarkedreading.wordpress.com/2015/10/11/book-review-the-baby/

I seriously had no idea what this book was even about. I saw it displayed in my library and just thought "Heck, why not?"

As the cover suggests, five friends have their lives change on the night of Olivia's 17th birthday party. Yep, you guessed it; There in Olivia's very own bathroom is her friend Nicola, and out pops a new addition to the gang.

I read this book quickly (which I know is not unusual for me) and didn't struggle doing so. It was an easy read, with a section following each character individually. The writing style and language is adapted slightly to suit each character, to allow full submersion of the reader into the book.

There are surprising elements in the story which, after being read, will seem strangely obvious. I love this sense of foreshadowing in a book. And despite the title, this book isn't really focused on "the baby" alone. Instead it tells each character's solo story, including all their troubles - baby- or not-baby-related.

As I said before, The Baby is a nice, easy read, with a somewhat carefree sense about it. I can't say I relate to it in the sense of having a new baby around, but there are aspects that I can say I have experienced. So I'm going to give it 4 stars, more than I originally suspected it would earn.
  
Gone Without a Trace
Gone Without a Trace
Mary Torjussen | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Thriller
6
7.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
When Hannah returns home one day to find all traces of her boyfriend, Matt, have vanished, she is determined to figure out what has happened. While I was at times just as invested in figuring things out as Hannah was, at other times I felt frustrated with her for making what seemed to be foolish choices. Never having been in such a situation though, I can’t say how I would react, so I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt and stuck with it even when I wanted to shout at her. I’m glad I did – the resolution was just as unexpected as I had hoped it would be.

Once it gets going, the story moves along at a good pace with very little downtime, and I read it in just a couple of sittings. Hannah may not be my favorite protagonist in the recent spate of thrillers with a “twist”, but the story is an enjoyable one, and I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book from Mary Torjussen.
  
Can you say The Cowboys Holiday Bride three times fast? Well, I tried and failed. But I so enjoyed this rendition of A Christmas Carol themed story! Cathy McDavid has always been a favorite author from the Harlequin publishers as she has consistently good and relaxing stories.

This book was sweet, a little sassy, and made me smile. I so enjoyed getting to read and learn about Cash and Phoebe. I thought that their story was well laid out, had good character arcs, and I loved (have I said I loved the interesting take on A Christmas Carol?) Cathy McDavid’s unique and fun take on this classic story. It was just what I needed in the midst of this season. I recommend it to anyone wanting a feelgood story that will make you warm and fuzzy inside.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the well-done plot, the fun characters, and for making me smile & relax.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
J(
Justice ( out for Blood book 3)
C.Y. Jones | 2022
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
140 of 230
Kindle
Justice ( Out for Blood book 3)
By C.Y. Jones
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

Choices
My brother chose to die to save me, and I chose to let him go.
My world has been thrown upside down, and the only path that’s clear is me killing O’Donnell.
My twin was my sanity, the saving thread keeping me from going off the deep end, but now he’s gone.
They say I was meant to save the world, but now all I want to do is see it burn down to the ground with O’Donnell suffocating within the ashes.
Can my mates pull me back or will I destroy them along with myself?
At first I wanted Revenge, which quickly turned to Vengeance, now I want Justice and I don’t care how I get it.

This was better than Vengeance I really enjoyed it. I didn’t see the link between this series and the Crown of Blood and frost series I really like that link and can’t wait to see if they meet again. Oh my Rowan 🥹
  
Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1)
Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1)
V.H. Luis | 2018 | Erotica, Romance
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
3 good solid stars
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

First person, present tense is the reason why I very nearly didn't finish this one. Not my favourite way for a book to be written, and I make no apologies for having dumped books before upon finding out they are written this way.

But I didn't dump this one. I kept at it, and I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this. I did not love it though.

Evelyn has secrets and has been hiding from the world, existing say to day. Getting held up in a bank, and meeting Adam Black made her start living. But those secrets are hard to share, and she doesn't know if Adam will share his secrets too.

Aside from the present tense thing, I wanted Adam to have a voice, I really did and he doesn't. And because he doesn't, Evelyn began to grate on my nerves. I've no particular idea WHY, she just did. That's what I'm left felling and ya'll know I'm all about sharing my feelings!

This is book one in the Uninhibited trilogy. This is, as far as I can see, also book one for this author. Do I want to read more of the trilogy?? I don't know yet. I'm waiting to find out if Adam gets a say. I'm not sure I can face two more long (400 odd pages) full only of Evelyn.

The book comes with a BDSM tag, but I saw no evidence of that. I've tagged it over 18, and darker/grittier, because of what Evelyn went through and is still dealing with. Some readers may find it difficult reading. I'm not saying here, because that is a HUGE spoiler, but feel free to message me if you wish to know.

BUT!!

For a first time author, something must have clicked because I got past the present tense thing and read it all. So well done for that!

3 solid GOOD stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Ransom Riggs | 2013 | Children, Young Adult (YA)
10
7.9 (128 Ratings)
Book Rating
The book is very descriptive of ever character. You can practically see them in your mind. There is a lot of mystery with answers, and a lot of suspense. (0 more)
The book was not long enough. I could have read this book 3 times as long, it was that good. (0 more)
Good book
I have not yet seen the movie, as I do not want to take away from my reading experience. This book has a lot of imagination, I would say it captivated me the way Tolkien's books captivated me. The descriptions of the characters are specific, and the atmosphere, and the villains. I wish the book was longer and it could certainly go much deeper. I think the author was not allowed to write as long of a story as would have liked, maybe for production value.
  
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ClareR (5938 KP) rated Flames in Books

Feb 12, 2019  
Flames
Flames
Robbie Arnott | 2018 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Magical realism at it's most beautiful
This book is jam packed with magical realism. The imagery is beautiful, it is constantly surprising, and I couldn't get enough.
There are women who rise from the dead, seals who forge unbreakable bonds with swimming fishermen, Gods, Goddesses, and people borne of fire.
Tasmania is imagined as a fantastical landscape, steeped in beauty and folklore - it's a place I've never been to, but this book certainly piqued my interest. I can honestly say that each chapter is a surprise. I didn't see any of the storyline coming. There's no guessing at what's going to happen - and I loved that unpredictable journey through this book.
If I could give this book more than 5/5, i most certainly would!
Many thanks to ReadersFirst and the publisher for my copy of this beautiful book.