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Merissa (12804 KP) rated Reborn (The Awakening Series #1) in Books
Apr 11, 2023
This is the story of Selene, a high school girl who has inner strength and wisdom but is trying to keep her head down and be as invisible as she can be until high school is over. This is mainly because her dad works at the local factory that is owned by the father of the bane of her life, Sandra. Sandra is a bully and is content to pick on Selene. This appears as nothing more than a spoilt little rich girl to start with but, as is typical in Dean's stories, nothing is quite as it seems.
These characters are all multi-dimensional with very real fears, laughs and loves. There is no insta-love in this story (thank goodness) although there is a reconnection that is made. The back story is given to you in a drip-feed fashion so that it doesn't overpower the current story but you are still getting the information needed for a deep understanding of what is happening.
This is a gripping story that will draw you in but one warning, it does come with a cliffhanger ending that will sucker-punch you and leave you gasping. If you like paranormal romance that comes complete with intense emotion then I can highly recommend this one. Another fantastic series by Dean Murray starts with a bang!
* 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!
August 28, 2016
These characters are all multi-dimensional with very real fears, laughs and loves. There is no insta-love in this story (thank goodness) although there is a reconnection that is made. The back story is given to you in a drip-feed fashion so that it doesn't overpower the current story but you are still getting the information needed for a deep understanding of what is happening.
This is a gripping story that will draw you in but one warning, it does come with a cliffhanger ending that will sucker-punch you and leave you gasping. If you like paranormal romance that comes complete with intense emotion then I can highly recommend this one. Another fantastic series by Dean Murray starts with a bang!
* 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!
August 28, 2016
Surface Scratch (Neon Scars #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
20-year-old Caleb Walsh hasn’t had an easy life. After a life-altering car accident left him...
Dark Paranormal Romance MM Vampires
Merissa (12804 KP) rated Outlaw Witch (Enchanted Bargains #1) in Books
Nov 14, 2023
OUTLAW WITCH is the first book in the Enchanted Bargains series and it's a slow-burn, action-packed urban fantasy why choose story.
The FMC, Silver, is living on the outskirts of town, where no one really wants to be, with her found family. She has a terrible sense of direction which is how she meets Zeph, the first of the MMCs. Roscoe, the second MMC, "rescues" her from a fire. They both want her to help their friend, Fabian, who is under a blood curse and the third MMC. Throw in someone who knows who she was and it's non-stop.
I loved the set-up of this book, showing the different groups, as well as the different personalities. I would have preferred to know more about Zeph and Roscoe, as well as Rook, Ember, etc. but I guess you can't have everything in one book. I also want to see more of Silver's magic. It didn't feel as though she actually used much of it here. Hopefully, there will be more in the next book.
The ending is a doozy. Cliffhanger Alert!!! It will definitely leave you wanting more. A great start to a new series, and one I look forward to continuing. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Nov 14, 2023
The FMC, Silver, is living on the outskirts of town, where no one really wants to be, with her found family. She has a terrible sense of direction which is how she meets Zeph, the first of the MMCs. Roscoe, the second MMC, "rescues" her from a fire. They both want her to help their friend, Fabian, who is under a blood curse and the third MMC. Throw in someone who knows who she was and it's non-stop.
I loved the set-up of this book, showing the different groups, as well as the different personalities. I would have preferred to know more about Zeph and Roscoe, as well as Rook, Ember, etc. but I guess you can't have everything in one book. I also want to see more of Silver's magic. It didn't feel as though she actually used much of it here. Hopefully, there will be more in the next book.
The ending is a doozy. Cliffhanger Alert!!! It will definitely leave you wanting more. A great start to a new series, and one I look forward to continuing. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Nov 14, 2023
Merissa (12804 KP) rated All's Fair in Pucks and War (A Rush Hockey Trilogy #2) in Books
Jun 6, 2023
ALL'S FAIR IN PUCKS AND WAR is the second book in Rosie and Joel's story. You really do need to have read book one to understand even the first page, so I highly recommend you read it! As for this one...
My head is still whirling from everything that has happened! Maybe the town is classed as quiet, but Rosie and Joel's lives certainly aren't. Not only are they trying to forge a relationship but they have so much extra cr&p thrown at them, it's a wonder they even know what day it is.
There are epiphanies in here - on both sides - that make it so realistic. I loved them. Willow though? Sob story or not, I still don't like her and can't wait to see just how deeply she is involved. As for the rest of it... I can't comment! No, seriously, I just can't. Not without giving something away and I refuse to do that. Let's just say the ending is a complete cliffhanger (again) but this one didn't come as a surprise. I'm just left on tenterhooks wanting to see how it all ties in.
So much going on and yet so much still left unanswered! Can't wait for book 3.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Jun 6, 2023
My head is still whirling from everything that has happened! Maybe the town is classed as quiet, but Rosie and Joel's lives certainly aren't. Not only are they trying to forge a relationship but they have so much extra cr&p thrown at them, it's a wonder they even know what day it is.
There are epiphanies in here - on both sides - that make it so realistic. I loved them. Willow though? Sob story or not, I still don't like her and can't wait to see just how deeply she is involved. As for the rest of it... I can't comment! No, seriously, I just can't. Not without giving something away and I refuse to do that. Let's just say the ending is a complete cliffhanger (again) but this one didn't come as a surprise. I'm just left on tenterhooks wanting to see how it all ties in.
So much going on and yet so much still left unanswered! Can't wait for book 3.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Jun 6, 2023
Merissa (12804 KP) rated Synergy (The Synergy Series #1) in Books
Jun 8, 2023
I found the start of this book quite hard to get into as you read chapters from many different points of view, as well as locations. To constantly change viewpoints in such a manner made it a bit 'flighty'. However, the story does settle down and is usually told from the perspectives of Kanai and Syn. Syn is completely new to the world of the Supernaturals and has no idea what is going on, why or even how? Kanai is set to become the new head of IPA so he knows more than most. Even he is stumped, to begin with, on just what is happening.
This book is full of adventure and murder, but you will need to stick with it until you find out more. I should also add that it comes with a major cliffhanger warning! The relationship between Kanai and Synergy is hot, although it does just seem to 'happen'. One minute they are snarking at each other, the next they are in bed! They do make a good pair though and I am looking forward to seeing where S. Reynolds takes it.
Well-written, with some grammatical errors but nothing that disrupts the story, this is a fast-moving supernatural adventure romance to keep you on your toes.
* 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!
May 12, 2016
This book is full of adventure and murder, but you will need to stick with it until you find out more. I should also add that it comes with a major cliffhanger warning! The relationship between Kanai and Synergy is hot, although it does just seem to 'happen'. One minute they are snarking at each other, the next they are in bed! They do make a good pair though and I am looking forward to seeing where S. Reynolds takes it.
Well-written, with some grammatical errors but nothing that disrupts the story, this is a fast-moving supernatural adventure romance to keep you on your toes.
* 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!
May 12, 2016
Merissa (12804 KP) rated The Nexus Games (Nexus Games #1) in Books
May 10, 2022 (Updated Jun 20, 2023)
THE NEXUS GAMES is the first book in a new series of the same name that takes you into a game world where kindness is seen as a disadvantage.
Kellen is taken to this world, along with the woman he met that night, Mavis. He is told they have to play the game to get back home. Think of it as a cross between The Hunger Games and Wizard of Oz! It turns out, there is more to the world than Kellen or Mavis ever thought, with other dimensions and different versions of themselves in every dimension.
The team Kellen is playing with is full of secrets -- and you don't get the answers, not in this book! So prepare yourself because you will finish the book with questions unanswered. Also, it ends on a HUGE cliffhanger, so consider yourself warned.
As with all books by this author, the world-building is second to none. You find out what you need to know, when you need to know it. You learn about the magic of this world as Kellen does.
This is a long story so plenty to get your teeth into. It is definitely recommended by me and I can't wait to see where it goes next.
Just one question though, where can I get an albino wyvern?
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
May 9, 2022
Kellen is taken to this world, along with the woman he met that night, Mavis. He is told they have to play the game to get back home. Think of it as a cross between The Hunger Games and Wizard of Oz! It turns out, there is more to the world than Kellen or Mavis ever thought, with other dimensions and different versions of themselves in every dimension.
The team Kellen is playing with is full of secrets -- and you don't get the answers, not in this book! So prepare yourself because you will finish the book with questions unanswered. Also, it ends on a HUGE cliffhanger, so consider yourself warned.
As with all books by this author, the world-building is second to none. You find out what you need to know, when you need to know it. You learn about the magic of this world as Kellen does.
This is a long story so plenty to get your teeth into. It is definitely recommended by me and I can't wait to see where it goes next.
Just one question though, where can I get an albino wyvern?
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
May 9, 2022
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Claiming Hope ( Hope 2) in Books
May 4, 2024
83 of 220
Kindle
Claiming Hope ( Hope 2)
By Elizabeth Knight
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
So you guys remember the naked man in the alley?
Now he’s my mate along with one of his friends. I might also have my eyes on the other two as well because why not? Oh yeah forgot to mention, turns out I’m a werewolf, hence the mating thing. Not only that but I’m the only Alpha Female in existence, which makes sense why that asshole of a fake fiance wanted to keep me for himself.
*Girl you suck at explaining what's going on.*
Shut up I’ve got this handled. Managed to do it last time without you.
Anyway…
Thanks to the four men who came crashing into my life, I was rescued and kept safe. Now I’m on a plane to who the hell knows where while the guys keep alluding to the fact that I have an important role to play in their world. Am I ready to step into whatever they have waiting for me? I’ve only been a werewolf for two weeks and still have so much to learn.
That was so much better than book 1! Hopes wolf is just brilliant I loved it the first time round but this was better. The story had an interesting take I loved her different mates and the pack she now leads. The ending was a cliffhanger but a really good one. Definitely moving on to book 3!
Kindle
Claiming Hope ( Hope 2)
By Elizabeth Knight
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
So you guys remember the naked man in the alley?
Now he’s my mate along with one of his friends. I might also have my eyes on the other two as well because why not? Oh yeah forgot to mention, turns out I’m a werewolf, hence the mating thing. Not only that but I’m the only Alpha Female in existence, which makes sense why that asshole of a fake fiance wanted to keep me for himself.
*Girl you suck at explaining what's going on.*
Shut up I’ve got this handled. Managed to do it last time without you.
Anyway…
Thanks to the four men who came crashing into my life, I was rescued and kept safe. Now I’m on a plane to who the hell knows where while the guys keep alluding to the fact that I have an important role to play in their world. Am I ready to step into whatever they have waiting for me? I’ve only been a werewolf for two weeks and still have so much to learn.
That was so much better than book 1! Hopes wolf is just brilliant I loved it the first time round but this was better. The story had an interesting take I loved her different mates and the pack she now leads. The ending was a cliffhanger but a really good one. Definitely moving on to book 3!
Calvin (Almstead Island: Newcomer's Club #2)
10.0
Rate It
Book
What could go right with a Daddy who doesn’t know how to be one, and a boy who’s scared to let...
Contemporary MM Romance Daddy kink Content Warnings: Daddy/boy parental death
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Bright Smoke, Cold Fire in Books
Apr 15, 2018
Fantastic Shakespeare retelling (3 more)
Excellent characters
Interesting worldbuilding
Romeo & Juliet + Zombies!
I read the description of this book somewhere and immediately requested it from the library - a re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet in a dying world with necromancers? SIGN ME UP. And it did not disappoint!
Hodge has written a few other books - Cruel Beauty, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and Crimson Bound, a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. (She also has a novella that spins Cinderella.) You all know how much I like my redone Fairy Tales! Bright Smoke, Cold Fire, is a little different in that it's a Shakespeare play, instead of a fairy tale. I recently read and reviewed Miranda and Caliban, another Shakespeare reskin, but this, I think, is much better.
The Capulets have become the Catresou, and the Montagues the Mahyanai in this dark fantasy. The Ruining has killed every human outside the city of Viyara/Verona - only stopped by the mystical walls put up by a long-dead priestess and maintained by a mysterious cult of nuns.
My favorite characters in this book - and arguably the main characters - are Runajo (Rosaline) and Paris, rather than Romeo and the Juliet. (It's a title, not a name - her name was stripped from her as an infant when the magic was worked to make her "the Juliet.") The original play doesn't give either of them much time, and they are both fascinating characters in this novel - Runajo a little more than Paris, in my opinion. Runajo is a member of the Sisters of Thorns - the cult of nuns keeping the walls of Viyara up against The Ruining. When she accidentally brings the Juliet back from death, she becomes - or at least thinks she becomes - that which she and the city fear the most. A necromancer. Runajo and the Juliet both believe they will (and should) die for this crime, but still use the time they have left to try and save the city from the necromancers operating within.
Meanwhile, Paris and Romeo have found themselves bound by the magic that should have bound Romeo and Juliet, had it not gone terribly wrong. They can feel each other's emotions, see each other's memories, hear each other's thoughts. This is understandably awkward for Paris as he feels Romeo's grief for the Juliet's supposed death, and occasionally catches flashes of more intimate moments between the two. They decide to take on the city's necromancers in memory of the Juliet.
I liked how, similar to the play, Romeo and Juliet both operate for the entirety of the book under the assumption that the other one is dead. They both take risks and agree to things they would not have done if they didn't each welcome death in their own way.
I also very much enjoyed a side, non-binary character who I really want to see more of!
The book ended on an upsetting cliffhanger, which is really my only problem with it. The sequel is due out this summer (Endless Water, Starless Sky) and I will definitely be picking it up.
Great book, but you may want to wait a few months so you can immediately follow it with the sequel!
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Hodge has written a few other books - Cruel Beauty, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and Crimson Bound, a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. (She also has a novella that spins Cinderella.) You all know how much I like my redone Fairy Tales! Bright Smoke, Cold Fire, is a little different in that it's a Shakespeare play, instead of a fairy tale. I recently read and reviewed Miranda and Caliban, another Shakespeare reskin, but this, I think, is much better.
The Capulets have become the Catresou, and the Montagues the Mahyanai in this dark fantasy. The Ruining has killed every human outside the city of Viyara/Verona - only stopped by the mystical walls put up by a long-dead priestess and maintained by a mysterious cult of nuns.
My favorite characters in this book - and arguably the main characters - are Runajo (Rosaline) and Paris, rather than Romeo and the Juliet. (It's a title, not a name - her name was stripped from her as an infant when the magic was worked to make her "the Juliet.") The original play doesn't give either of them much time, and they are both fascinating characters in this novel - Runajo a little more than Paris, in my opinion. Runajo is a member of the Sisters of Thorns - the cult of nuns keeping the walls of Viyara up against The Ruining. When she accidentally brings the Juliet back from death, she becomes - or at least thinks she becomes - that which she and the city fear the most. A necromancer. Runajo and the Juliet both believe they will (and should) die for this crime, but still use the time they have left to try and save the city from the necromancers operating within.
Meanwhile, Paris and Romeo have found themselves bound by the magic that should have bound Romeo and Juliet, had it not gone terribly wrong. They can feel each other's emotions, see each other's memories, hear each other's thoughts. This is understandably awkward for Paris as he feels Romeo's grief for the Juliet's supposed death, and occasionally catches flashes of more intimate moments between the two. They decide to take on the city's necromancers in memory of the Juliet.
I liked how, similar to the play, Romeo and Juliet both operate for the entirety of the book under the assumption that the other one is dead. They both take risks and agree to things they would not have done if they didn't each welcome death in their own way.
I also very much enjoyed a side, non-binary character who I really want to see more of!
The book ended on an upsetting cliffhanger, which is really my only problem with it. The sequel is due out this summer (Endless Water, Starless Sky) and I will definitely be picking it up.
Great book, but you may want to wait a few months so you can immediately follow it with the sequel!
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated The Second Siege (The Tapestry, #2) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
Original Review posted on <a title="The Second Siege by Henry H. Neff" href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2013/05/review-the-second-siege-by-henry-h-neff.html">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Original Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Owls
Note: Formatting is lost due to copy and paste
In the second book to The Tapestry series, Astaroth has already been released from his confinement and is causing trouble in the outside world with his allies. Max McDaniels and his roommate David Menlo are traveling to different worlds on a quest to acquire the dangerous Book of Thoth before Astaroth gets to it first.
I'm sorry if I can't help but compare the series to Harry Potter (actually, I can't help but compare a lot of books to another book/series...). Both series are just so... similar in so many ways. It may sound ironic, but in my humble opinion, Astaroth isn't that... villainy. I mean, sure, he's cunning and evil when necessary, but I'm pretty sure that if Voldy and Astaroth had a face off, Voldy would probably crush him. Big time. Even if he's noseless. Basically because Voldy is evil 24/7.
<img src="http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll152/Contele_Draqula/VoldemortandDeathEaters.jpg"; width="200" height="143" />
On the other hand, Astaroth's "minions" are well... completely the opposite of the Death Eaters. The Death Eaters are pretty loyal, but there's always these little loose knots here and there when it comes to loyalty. Apparently, Astaroth's minions are too loyal to the demon, that there are practically no loose ends at all. One big happy family in taking over the world? Possibly... but don't take my word for granted. I may be wrong for all I know and all of his minions will soon overthrow him as leader of Malevolency.
In a nutshell, you can say I'm sadly disappointed that Astaroth just doesn't seem like a villain at certain times. I don't know. Maybe he'll be more evil later in the series, but for now, I think I'll categorize him a bit as Mr. Nice Guy. I'll nominate him as Dr. Evil II when he has more of the muahaha added in (okay, not exactly muahaha, but closer).
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OjrbRW6e1VE/THP3sett2tI/AAAAAAAAFBw/rsQC8kBELBw/s200/Dr_Evil.jpg"; />
So, the ending. Er, not exactly. Kind of a happy-sad ending, but not exactly an ending that will make me emotional that I'll need a Kleenex in hand and hide someplace so no one sees me crying, because if I get seen crying, it'll be as embarrassing as saying something in an awkward silence.. But I'm pretty glad that Max and his father saw someone they deeply cared for at least one more time after so many years. It's also not an ending where there's this lovely cliffhanger that keeps you at the edge of the seat, eager to read the next book.
As much as I hate cliffhangers, I just feel that there needs to be some sort of cliff waiting to catch more "victims" at the end when it comes to a series (maybe I'm so used to that frame of mind...), which I find missing in The Second Siege. Though hopefully I'm just missing that cliffhanger and just need to dig deeper...
Original Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Owls
Note: Formatting is lost due to copy and paste
In the second book to The Tapestry series, Astaroth has already been released from his confinement and is causing trouble in the outside world with his allies. Max McDaniels and his roommate David Menlo are traveling to different worlds on a quest to acquire the dangerous Book of Thoth before Astaroth gets to it first.
I'm sorry if I can't help but compare the series to Harry Potter (actually, I can't help but compare a lot of books to another book/series...). Both series are just so... similar in so many ways. It may sound ironic, but in my humble opinion, Astaroth isn't that... villainy. I mean, sure, he's cunning and evil when necessary, but I'm pretty sure that if Voldy and Astaroth had a face off, Voldy would probably crush him. Big time. Even if he's noseless. Basically because Voldy is evil 24/7.
<img src="http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll152/Contele_Draqula/VoldemortandDeathEaters.jpg"; width="200" height="143" />
On the other hand, Astaroth's "minions" are well... completely the opposite of the Death Eaters. The Death Eaters are pretty loyal, but there's always these little loose knots here and there when it comes to loyalty. Apparently, Astaroth's minions are too loyal to the demon, that there are practically no loose ends at all. One big happy family in taking over the world? Possibly... but don't take my word for granted. I may be wrong for all I know and all of his minions will soon overthrow him as leader of Malevolency.
In a nutshell, you can say I'm sadly disappointed that Astaroth just doesn't seem like a villain at certain times. I don't know. Maybe he'll be more evil later in the series, but for now, I think I'll categorize him a bit as Mr. Nice Guy. I'll nominate him as Dr. Evil II when he has more of the muahaha added in (okay, not exactly muahaha, but closer).
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OjrbRW6e1VE/THP3sett2tI/AAAAAAAAFBw/rsQC8kBELBw/s200/Dr_Evil.jpg"; />
So, the ending. Er, not exactly. Kind of a happy-sad ending, but not exactly an ending that will make me emotional that I'll need a Kleenex in hand and hide someplace so no one sees me crying, because if I get seen crying, it'll be as embarrassing as saying something in an awkward silence.. But I'm pretty glad that Max and his father saw someone they deeply cared for at least one more time after so many years. It's also not an ending where there's this lovely cliffhanger that keeps you at the edge of the seat, eager to read the next book.
As much as I hate cliffhangers, I just feel that there needs to be some sort of cliff waiting to catch more "victims" at the end when it comes to a series (maybe I'm so used to that frame of mind...), which I find missing in The Second Siege. Though hopefully I'm just missing that cliffhanger and just need to dig deeper...