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Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Godhunter in Books

Nov 30, 2020  
Godhunter
Godhunter
Tim Lees | 2014
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
First off, let me say what a real treat this was to read! With the "urban fantasy" genre flooding the market as the flavor of the moment, it's rare for a book like this to come along and force me to reconsider dipping into that genre now and again!

'The God Hunter' feels like the most perfect rollercoaster: the beginning starts out smooth, with a bit of fun, a relaxed feel to the style. Then, it begins to pick up a bit, as more of the bigger picture unfolds, then it heads in the scream-a-rific thrill ride as the coaster dives into the finale.

The one thing that really stuck in my mind while reading this: "Dang! This would make one hell of a great movie!" Seriously, Mr. Lees has a great sense of characterization and pacing that seem to be lacking in so many movies these days!

So, in conclusion, I'd just like to say that in a genre such as "urban fantasy", Tim Lees brings something fresh and fun, with just the right amount of white-knuckled adrenaline rush, to the table!
  
Light of Kaska
Light of Kaska
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I liked this.

It's my second story by the author, the other being The Huntress which I loved.

I'm not entirely a fan of sci-fi stories but Michelle has this way of weaving a tale that is heavy on the romance while still being very sci-fi/fantasy, and since I read books for the romance aspect most of the time they are right up my street.

I came to like Chase Stryker from early on and Sukeza grew on me the more she protested against his capture. Reading about their evolving relationship was great and I was urging them to stop being stubborn and just get together.

The relationship between Harle and Chase was fun to read about too. I'm used to reading about the relationship between female friends but the friendship between those two had me chuckling at times.

The synopsis didn't give much away with how this story would play out but I really enjoyed the journey over the three main places mentioned in the book and could picture them in my head.

I look forward to reading more books by the author.
  
TV
The Void ( Witching Savannah book 3)
J.D. Horn | 2022
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
20 of 230
Kindle
The Void ( Witching Savannah book 3)
By J.D. Horn
⭐️⭐️⭐️



An otherworldly energy runs through the city of Savannah, betraying its sleepy, moss-cradled charm. The old, beguiling streets look welcoming to most - but certain families know what lurks under their genteel surfaces. Families like Mercy Taylor's, which has the most powerful lineage of witches in the South, know this all too well.

Mercy and her husband, Peter, are happily preparing to welcome baby Colin into their lives. But their excitement quickly becomes overshadowed by a gruesome discovery: someone has scattered severed limbs throughout the city. After a troubling visit from an old foe, Mercy learns dark magic is at play, and someone - or something - wants her and her unborn child out of the picture. To uncover the shocking reason why, the amateur witch must face a force beyond her power - or risk losing everything.


This wasn’t my favourite of the series it seemed a bit fragmented and rushed. Although the ending was good an I enjoyed seeing things reversed ect it just felt strange. Despite this I did enjoy a most of it.
  
The Body on Scafell Pike (Lake District Murder Mysteries #1)
The Body on Scafell Pike (Lake District Murder Mysteries #1)
S J Brooke | 2023 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'm a sucker for books that are set in my neck of the woods so when I heard of a new series set in the beautiful Lake District, I wasn't going to pass up the chance and I'm pleased I didn't because this is a great start to a new series and one I am looking forward to getting my teeth into.

There is plenty of atmosphere in this book and the excellent descriptions of the Lakes countryside only add to this. I really liked the characters and am keen to find out more about DI Chambers' back story and watching the developing friendship between her and Margot and between Chambers and her small team.

The mystery of who the killer was kept me guessing and there were enough twists to keep me returning. I liked the different points of view which helped to give a rounded picture from Chambers', Margot's and the killers point of view.

Overall, a really successful start to a series and one I am looking forward to reading the next.

Thanks go to the author, Headline, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Body on Scafell Pike.
  
Shantallow
Shantallow
Cara Martin | 2019 | Horror, Young Adult (YA)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Supernatural horror is one of my favorite genres. Through the blogging universe, I came across Shantallow by Cara Martin. After reading the synopsis, I was hooked. When the opportunity arose to review Shantallow, I couldn't turn it down. Luckily, I enjoyed it!

I felt like the plot of Shantallow was a little confused to begin with. It started out as a teen love story between to high school kids gone wrong thanks to jealousy. However, after about thirty percent through the book, it quickly became a supernatural horror story about an evil haunted house. I thought this would focus on the nightmare that the main character, Misha, has about Tanvi. The nightmare, to me, only seems brushed upon. This didn't take away my enjoyment from the story though. I will admit that the whole love story in the beginning was a bit slow, and I did find myself wondering if I should continue. I'm really glad I persevered because after the love story, this book really takes off. It was as if Shantallow sank it's teeth into my attention span and didn't let go. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next in the evil house known as Shantallow. The creepy factor was definitely there throughout!

The ending of Shantallow felt a little as if the author didn't know how to end the book. It seemed rushed and too quick to end without being explained. Although Shantallow didn't end in any cliffhangers, I was still left with unanswered questions. Perhaps Shantallow will end up being a series, and my questions about the house will be answered.

The diversity of characters in Shantallow was done fantastically. I also enjoyed each of the characters once this book got going. Tanvi was an interesting character throughout the book. Although I could picture all the characters in my mind, Tanvi was the easiest one to bring alive in my head. She felt so realistic and like she could be someone I know. Misha comes across as really selfish, jealous, and controlling to being with. However, he redeems himself during his time in the Shantallow house with how protective he is over everyone. Lauren was my favorite character. I loved scenes that she was in. She seemed like such a sweet innocent kid.

Trigger warnings for Shantallow include violence, jealousy, murder, death, attempted murder, profanity, sex between teens (although not graphic), evil spirits, and underage drinking.

Despite the hurried ending, Shantallow really is a good read. It's got a very spooky plot and great characters once you get past the love story. I would recommend Shantallow by Cara Martin to older teens and adults aged 17+. If you love scary stories that will keep you up late at night reading with the lights on, Shantallow is the book for you! It definitely made my nights scarier (but I enjoy being scared)!
--
(A special thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an eBook of Shantallow by Cara Martin in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
  
Ravens and Ruin (Brodyr Alarch #5)
Ravens and Ruin (Brodyr Alarch #5)
Morgan Sheppard | 2025 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Best one so far!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 5 in the Brodyr Alarch series. It's not necessary to read the previous books, nor the prequel, but I think it will give you a much better picture about these people and the world they live in.

Ewan is the youngest brother cursed, he serves as Harri's general. Crossing paths with Lowri, a healer of the old ways, sets off a chain of events that neither saw coming.

As I was reading this, I could see, really SEE the things Ms Sheppard writes about. Descriptions of people and places, that sort of thing. The skill has been great in other books I gave books 1-3 5 stars but slipped to 4 for book 4) but in THIS book?? The skill shines, bright and hot and throughout the whole book.

Ewan and Lowri are perfect for each other. Ewan can see Lowri's skill as a warrior as well as a healer. She is head strong and is not afraid to question Ewan.

Lowri can see what's beneath Ewan's outer prickly shell. She lets him have his brooding moments, and his time talking to the stones, but she stands beside him, quietly giving him her strength.

There is a line in the book I highlighted. I never highlight anything! It captures Ewan and Lowri's relationship perfectly.

The fire between them never burned high, but it never died.

I found this one a bit darker in places, but not sure why, I just felt, much like Ewan and Lowri felt, the land was off. Not a bad thing, at all! You know me, and my book brain, it needs to get feelings out when it can actually voice them, and it feels this was darker.

Still, totally clean. I will stand by what I said in each of the others, I'm loving that they are. It's not about that in these books. It's about two people, facing the things that are thrown at them, in each and every way, together.

And the things that are thrown at Ewan and Lowri are less physical things and more emotional and testing their faith in the old gods.

Branwen, who is Lowri's god and Arianrhod, who looks over all the brothers, are the gods here.

There is just one brother left, Gerallt. He was the brother who kept a swan wing instead of an arm when their curse was lifted. I've been waiting for his story for so long, and I will wait patiently (or maybe not so patiently!) for his story. I am keen to get into his mind about why he kept it.

As with all these books, they are loosely based around The Brothers Grimm tales, and given a Welsh twist. This one is The White Snake. I don't know that story, so I cannot say how true or how far apart these tales are, but Ms Sheppard absolutely NAILED the telling of this story!

Best one so far!

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Deadly Curiosities
Deadly Curiosities
Gail Z. Martin | 2014 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. This in no way has influenced my opinion of the book.

***may contain spoilers***

This book by Martin is the first in a new series that centers around Cassidy, the owner of an antique shop called Trifles and Folly. At least, that is what she does on the surface. Her true purpose is much less mundane. She, along with her "silent partner" Sorren -- an ancient vampire -- and her employee and friend Teag, work for a group called the Alliance.

The Alliance has been around for centuries, and they do many things. However, one of the most important things they do is to rid the world of powerful and dangerous paranormal artifacts. Cassidy, a powerful psychometric -- someone who "reads" an item's energy and history -- uses her antique shop to help the Alliance with their endeavor. When people bring items into her shop, she holds them and sees the history that happened around those objects. If something in the object's history gives off warning signals that Cassidy thinks might make the item dangerous and/or susceptible to hauntings, possessions, etc., she buys the item and presents it to Sorren to take to the Alliance, where they dispose of it safely. (At least that is what they are SUPPOSEDLY DOING... since this is the beginning of a series, I'm wondering if eventually Cassidy will find out that the Alliance's motives aren't as pure as they claim them to be... but that is simply my speculation and neither here nor there concerning this book. :-p)

The fun in THIS book really begins when a lady brings in a pair of antique opera glasses to sell to Cassidy. Shortly after, Cassidy receives a phone call from a buyer saying that items she purchased from Cassidy's shop are causing a lot of ghostly-type problems. Cassidy and Teag realize that several items which should not have been causing negative effects are, in fact, creating all kinds of havoc. They decide to investigate the phenomena, and this investigation leads to all kinds of craziness, including voudon practitioners, dark sorcerers who should have been dead centuries before, a nasty demon, and a man who surrounds himself with hundreds of clocks everywhere he goes... And this is just a taste of what a reader finds in the pages of Martin's new book.

The storyline is interesting and unique. The characters are very likeable. The setting is lovely and perfect. The writing style is solid. And the action is well-paced, after the first thirty or so pages, which are a bit slow.

The only complaint I have with this novel is that at times it is a bit repetitive. For instance, one line might mention something about the blood-caked clothes she's wearing, and the next line will say the same thing, only with differently arranged words.

I wish I had marked an actual specific example of what I was talking about, but I didn't, so I can't provide an example, but I will give my own made up example to illustrate my point.

*Note: This is NOT a line from the actual book. Just something I made up to, again, illustrate the point.*

"She stepped into the room and shivered as the feeling of something watching her from the darkness crept over her. It seemed as though there was something she couldn't see in the darkness, but it could see her, and it was watching her. The thought made her shiver as it crept down her spine."

This didn't happen VERY often in the book, but it did happen enough times that I mentally made a note of it, and it irritated me. I'm a smart girl. You only have to tell me once, and I usually get the picture. Ha.

But overall, I really did enjoy the book, and I look forward to reading the next one when it comes out.
  
Fearless (Somerton Security #3)
Fearless (Somerton Security #3)
Elizabeth Dyer | 2018 | Romance, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
far darker than the others, but equally brilliant!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book direct from the author, and I thank Ms Dyer for that!

This is book three in the Somerton Security series and I would strongly recommend that you read books one, Defenseless and book two, Relentless before you read this one. There is some of an on-going story arc, and I don't think you'll get the full benefit of THIS book, if you don't. And,I mean, both are five star reads too!

We haven't met Will or Cooper before, but we know of Will. He is Georgia's brother and we thought him long dead. Cooper is a sniper, and they have talked before, Will and Coop, long intimate conversations, but never got round to meeting. When Coop's life is threatened by her actions on orders, she needs Will to find the answers and clear her name. She just needs to free Will from his captivity.

I loved this one, too!

It's far darker than the other two, because some of Will's torture is described, in detail, as it happens and as memories surfacing, but it's needed. You NEED to know what happened to Will, while he was held all that time, because it has some baring on what happens later in the book. Quite graphic, but absolutely necessary.

Will and Coop's history is all phone calls and texts, but I loved that the full picture isn't immediately clear. You're left guessing at the clues and I love being kept on my toes.

I loved that Coop could SEE Will, you know, under all that dirt and grime and all those scars. She could see the man he was, will be again, even if Will couldn't. Loved that Will knew he had to let Coop go, if he was going to keep her and LOVED how he pulled her back!! I was like, way to go man!!

Parker and Georgia, and Ethan and Natalia all pop up, if only towards the end but it was nice that they did.

There is a character here who has piqued my interest, particularly after what he says to Coop and Will when the sh*t hits the fan, and more importantly, it was the WAY he said it. Makes me think that HIS story could be next, and he isn't quite the bad guy he portrays here. Maybe he is, but I think there is a teeny tiny soft spot in his heart for a certain doctor who is missing.

Please keep these coming!!

5 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
The Museum of Broken Promises
The Museum of Broken Promises
Elizabeth Buchan | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am so excited to be part of the Book Buzz for The Museum of Broken Promises by Elizabeth Buchan. This lovely book is out on 02nd April, so don’t forget to grab your copy!

This book is quite emotional and heart-breaking from the very beginning until the very end. Based in Europe, in two timelines between now and 1985, we are witnesses to cold war, politics, fight for freedom and an extraordinary love story.

Today, Laure is living in Paris and she owns The Museum of Broken Promises - a place of wonder and sadness. Every object in the museum has been donated and each represents a moment of grief or terrible betrayal. Laure also has hidden objects of her own in there, from her own youth.

Back in 1985, Laure is in Prague, running away after her dad suddenly passes away. But her life here is very confusing. She is struggling to comprehend the dark politics that are taking over the city. But then she meets a young musician. And her love for him is forbidden and causes trouble and terrible consequences.

It is only years after having created the museum that Laure can finally come to terms with her past and celebrate the love she is feeling!

My Thoughts:
This is a very emotional book and I have learned that I need to be in a certain mood in order to be able to fully appreciate it. This is one of those books that leaves a tiny mark in your heart that you will always carry with you.

The story is amazing, we are witnessing a great life full of memories and stories of love, fight for freedom, betrayals, fears, ups and downs. It is so realistic that will make you shiver at times.

I have to admit, I found myself slightly confused at the beginning, trying to figure out which timeline I am currently in, but after a few chapters, I am able to make a difference and get a clearer picture of the story.

I loved the idea of this Museum of Broken Promises. It made me think of what object I could maybe leave there to represent my grief.

I have to admit, I didn’t truly connect with Laure as a main character. She seemed too closed in her own world and her sharing her story in the way that she did was very contradicting to me.

I loved Tomas though. He was my absolute favourite, the hero of this book.