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Doing Wright (Teach Me #1)
Doing Wright (Teach Me #1)
Raven Dark | 2015 | Erotica, Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
166 of 250
Kindle
Doing Wright ( Teach Me book 1)
By Raven Dark

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Nineteen year old Jacy is a college girl with a wild and wicked streak. She's always had a penchant for older men, so it's no surprise she'd fantasize about being taken by her professor in every possible way. Then again, her imagination has always gotten her into trouble.

When the sinfully gorgeous Mr. Wright shows up at her door one night, she's sure she can tempt the brooding alpha male into taking control and claiming what he needs, but at what price?

Whether it's on her knees or bent over a bed, he'll give her a night she'll never forget, but she's been to this party before with disastrous results. Will their tryst be the best night of her life, or the worst mistake she's ever made?


It’s exactly as described! A short novel with well written hot sex! Not much else to say!
  
Fear The Silence
Fear The Silence
Robert Bryndza | 2023 | Crime, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I absolutely love Mr Bryndza's Kate Marshall series but this is his first standalone crime thriller and what an absolute triumph it is.

From the very first lines, I was absolutely hooked right to the very end. The author certainly knows how to grab you by the short and curlies and not let go!

With excellent characters, a great setting which added to the atmosphere, a riveting plot that pulled me in and all written at a perfect pace, this book had me on the edge of my seat ... I loved it.

I have no hesitation recommending this to lovers of psychological thrillers. In fact, I have no hesitation in recommending Robert Bryndza's work as everything I have read by him has been to notch and he is one of my go-to author's where I don't even need to read the blurb to pick it up and know I will enjoy the ride.

Many thanks to the author, Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Fear The Silence.
  
C(
Cruel ( Savannah Heirs 1)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
14 of 220
Kindle
Cruel ( Savannah Heirs 1)
By Raven Kennedy & Coralee June
⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve got a secret.

Savannah, Georgia is full of debutantes and greed. The Heirs own this town. They own me, too.

I don’t know what I did to ruin what we had. But their kindness turned cruel almost a year ago. I was prepared to leave it all behind and start over at a new school. But Rogue Kelly, the king of the Heirs, ruined that.

He doesn’t want me anymore but doesn’t want anyone else to have me either. I know too much to be set free, but not enough to stay.

The Heirs aren’t through with me yet. And I crave their cruelty too much to give up now.


When I first started reading this I honestly thought it would be a DNF but I was pleasantly surprised I actually liked it. I liked the story it had some bite reminded me a little of Penelope Douglas books. Not a bad read.
  
Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle, #3)
Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle, #3)
Maggie Stiefvater | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.3 (13 Ratings)
Book Rating
This series keeps getting better as is goes on (something I think every series should do, in my opinion). It's not just about the characters getting to the destination of the entire plot, but more about their own relationships with one another on the journey itself.

One of my favorite things about this series is the writing style. It is dreamlike in a way that everything is able to be fantastical but sill grounded in the truth of what the story is about. It does not get convoluted in its dream state, which is really nice. I love how, even though many of the characters narrate the story, we are able to tell which one is speaking at any given time through their diction and the tone of what they are saying instead of just focusing on who is there in the scene. I think this is very well done and I appreciate it a lot. I know it is not easy to do.

I love these characters so much. Ronan and Gansey will always be my favorites no matter what. I just want everyone to be happy in the next book, for them to find Glendower and get their wishes and live happily ever after, forever and ever, the end. I am a huge fan of the Gansey/Blue and Ronan/Adam relationships. I think they are adorable together and it needs to happen. I love how each character is not only growing as an individual and finding out new things about themselves, but also how they are growing as a group of people and learning more about their friends as well. It's just all so lovely!!

The new characters were very interesting as well. Some, we didn't get to know for long, but they were super cool and I hope some of them return in the next book!!

****ATTENTION MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD****

I am so excited for the characters to find Glendower, you have no idea.

One thing I cannot wait for is to find out more about the three sleepers. That whole idea is really intriguing to me and I just want to know more about the other two, since one is obviously going to be Glendower. I have so many questions!!!

Also, Persephone, I will always miss you, you strange creature.

MAKE WAY FOR THE RAVEN KING!!!!

I am most likely going to start reading The Raven King today. (2 July 2016)
  
Death Awakening (Society #7)
Death Awakening (Society #7)
Mason Sabre | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
185 of 250
Kindle
Death Awakening ( Society book 7)
By Mason Sabre

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

They call it Moon-Night. The night when the moon rises high in the sky, fully visible for all to see, is the time Humans venture outside in hopes of catching a glimpse of Others for their personal entertainment—shifters transformed, strange dark creatures, all answering the call of the moon. Yvette is a vampire who works in a bar owned by a panther shifter called Raven. It is one of the few bars in their community in which Others and Humans can mingle. Restless shifters, blood lusting vampires, supercilious Humans … the night is filled with them. But what happens when the doors close tonight? What long-buried evil awaits Yvette? A dark force will awaken—one that will change her life, and those of the people around her. Forever.


This was one of the best novellas yet! It was fast paced and interesting we finally have some decent vampire action! But wtf was that ending 🙈 I now need to hunt down the next book set!
  
Chronicles of Crime: 2400
Chronicles of Crime: 2400
2021 | Adventure, Deduction, Murder & Mystery, Science Fiction
I have reviewed and previewed the base Chronicles of Crime, and each of the entries in the Millennium Series (1400, 1900, and now 2400). I have the Noir expansion coming in my next order from an online retailer once another title gets off the pre-order list, and will most likely be ordering Welcome to Redvale soon as well. To say I am a fan of the series is a massive understatement. The system is just so unique and I love exploring the games inside. Now, I definitely prefer 1400 to 1900, but where does this newest entry fall in the pecking order? I bet you’re… dying… to find out!

Chronicles of Crime: 2400 (which I shall shorten to 2400 for the duration of this preview) is an app-assisted campaign, murder-infested, cooperative storytelling game for one to four players. If you are familiar with the original Chronicles of Crime, you already mostly know how to play 2400 (there are a few new mechanics here). However, should ye be of the uninitiated, allow me to set the stage for this incredible gaming experience.

DISCLAIMER: We were provided an advance retail copy of this game for the purposes of this preview. These are retail copy components, so they should be exactly what you would receive in your copy. Also, it is not my intention to detail every rule in the game, as there are just too many. You are invited to download the rulebook, purchase directly from the publisher, or through any retailers stocking it after fulfillment. -T


To setup, place the Evidence Board in the middle of the table and the Home Location Board near. Keep all the decks of cards nearby (shuffled or unshuffled, whatever is your liking) as well as the alphabetically-labeled, double-sided Location Boards. Place out the Implant Board and the Raven card within reach (new to 2400). Fire up the Chronicles of Crime app, choose “2400,” and then choose the case you would like to play. The app will walk players through the additional setup steps for the case being played. For this solo preview the photos represent happenings in the Tutorial scenario. Also, to be completely upfront I got a perfect 100/100 for a final score… for the introductory Tutorial. Autographs can be purchased at the end of the preview.
Each of the cases will involve players traveling to different Location Boards and meeting Characters at these locations. Many cases will be involving several Special Items and, new for the 2400 version, augments to the main character, Kalia Lavel, and her cybernetically-enhanced pet Raven. The Raven (unnamed in the game) acts as a portable computer, able to access information across the web and provide insight into certain aspects of the case being solved.

By using the app and scanning the QR codes on the boards and cards players will be learning about the case, viewing the scene of the crime(s), inspecting items, chatting up locals for information, and also new for 2400: visiting new Cyberspace Locations (a la The Oasis in Ready Player One)! With so many new additions to the CoC series here in the 2400 chapter, seasoned vets will find something for which they can be excited.


Play will continue not so much in “rounds” but until the players have enough evidence and a good handle on the situation enough to return Home to recharge, or visiting HQ to divulge case information by scanning answers to their questions about the case. The app then assesses the accuracy of the answers and outputs a score. For reference, though I did receive 100/100 on my first play of 2400 I did only receive a 70/100 on my first runthrough of the original Chronicles of Crime, so playing this style of game several times seems to improve how one plays.
Components. As most items in the box of the game are card or cardboard-based, and all really great quality, I will speak on other component items. Firstly, the art and art style throughout the game is simply stunning. I mean look at those Location cards and character art! This art really speaks to me and it says, “I’m gorgeous.” As a side note, I think I will be contacting Lucky Duck Games to get my hands on the font used on the Evidence Category cards. It’s just a perfect choice in this setting.

The app. I have only great things to say about the app. It’s the same app that you would use for all Chronicles of Crime games, and operates the exact same way. For me it has been flawless to use and just a joy to bring technology into the gaming world, especially for a game set in the year 2400. I am obviously no purist game enthusiast, as I enjoy these hybrid model games. Once you play with the app you will see how ingenious a system it really is. The app coupled with the nondescript cards and other components in the game make for infinite storytelling possibilities that can only be limited by creativity and time constraints. I love the components in the box AND the marvelous app.

Gameplay for me is also just glorious. I love being able to sit down, setup the game, and let the app tell me what’s going on. So what should I do first? Oh, let’s mosey on down here to this Location Board and drum up some information. Ooh I found an Item! I should have the Raven scan it for any historical information. Hmm, it registers as being hot? Okay, time to go back to that location and speak with the other person who was in there. OH CRAP, I wasted too much (in game) time and now that other person is gone?! Uh oh, I better stop messing around here…

It’s just amazing, and I love this family of games. I am so stoked to delve more into 2400 and discover more shenanigans happening in futuristic Paris. My implants (no jokes here please), Raven, and I are out to solve all the cases and beg for more. If you are looking for a game that uses a hybrid board game/app model, are a fan of this setting, or just want to have a really great experience playing a game, I urge you to consider Chronicles of Crime: 2400. It has everything I love in a unique game and I just can’t get enough! Oh, and for me, this is the best one of the bunch. I don’t know what it is exactly that I love so much, but it adds the right amount of extra stuff to CoC that I just feel like playing these scenarios endlessly. That is, until I have run out of scenarios and have to cry to LDG or fans to create more and more. If only I were more creative.
  
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
Entertainment, Games
Meeting Characters (2 more)
Lessons like Charms, Transfigurations, and Potions
Working with Madam Pomfrey, Hagrid, and other characters
Waiting for energy (1 more)
Not as much dedication to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
Okay, the game is pretty good, even if it does resemble old PS2 graphics. But your character will need energy to do EVERYTHING! Literally, you need energy to look, to sit, to take breaks, even to rest! So it becomes a waiting game or a game that you are constantly having to pay real money to play. And the classes are major energy sucks that are set on time limits. So you may run out of energy and fail a class because your energy didn't restore before the class was finished.

Also, a less critical but still annoying fact is that the developers focused on Gryffindor and Slytherin, and messed up details on Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. I am a Ravenclaw, and noticed the crest in the game is not the real one (it's the cheesy movie Raven, not the awesome bronze eagle). They could include Peeves, but they couldn't get our symbol right? And the common room looks different. While I'm not Hufflepuff, I did notice that the developers put the Hufflepuff common room in the basement, where it is not supposed to be! Instead, Hufflepuffs are on the first floor, the wing closest to the Greenhouses.
  
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LucyB (47 KP) rated The Raven Boys in Books

Jul 23, 2017  
The Raven Boys
The Raven Boys
Maggie Stiefvater | 2012 | Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
7.8 (36 Ratings)
Book Rating
Very entertaining, rich, interesting characters (0 more)
A well-plotted, fresh take on the whole magical realism genre - very entertaining!
To be honest, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. I presumed, judging by the front cover, that it'd be some sort of high fantasy (which isn't normally my thing) and was very pleasantly surprised.

The story focuses on two main characters - Blue, a 16 year old who lives with her witchy mother and who seems to be surrounded by equally spooky aunts, and Gansey, a rich 'Raven boy' from the local public school, who is obsessed with finding the mythical Welsh king Glendower.

So far, so intriguing! And it really was. I found myself propelled through this book, eager to know what was going to happen next, which is the highest praise I can give a book really, I do love a good page-turner. I especially loved that the author so deftly avoided the boring stereotypes. The aunts are all psychic, but are they at all spooky / ethereal? Absolutely not. They're all very practical, down-to-earth, and fairly acerbic to boot. Are public school boys all over-privileged toffs? No! The characters were all impressively well defined, and I LOVED the character of Noah - I saw the twist coming, but wasn't sure how the author would pull it off. She did so, very effectively indeed.

A highly enjoyable read, and I'll be looking out for the next ones in the series.
  
Sanctum (Saving Setora #2)
Sanctum (Saving Setora #2)
Raven Dark, Petra J Knox | 2021 | Dystopia, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
167 of 250
Kindle
Sanctum (saving Setora book 2)
By Raven Dark and Petra J.Knox

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

 
Once again, I find myself in a dangerous predicament.

Kidnapped by enemies of the Dark Legion, barbarians far more dangerous than my road warrior masters, escape remains out of reach. Even if I did get away, how would I survive, alone in the desert with Damien's men still searching for me?

With the barbarian crew preparing to take me to a distant icy land I know nothing about, I can't help but think of the masters I left behind - the road warrior pirates in leather cuts I shouldn't want. I know I'll never see them again. And even if they were to free me, what then? Would I want them as my masters?

Then at the last moment, I'm presented with something no slave has ever been given - a choice. A choice that could change my entire destiny and those of everyone around me or bring me headlong into a life I should never have trusted. I have a feeling everything is about to change, but will I survive long enough to see it?


I’m still so on the fence with this series! Yes it has hot men! Hot females! Hot sex scenes! BUT I’m not onboard with the female slaves and the demeaning manor in some of the scenes! Maybe setora can turn this place around?
  
Imagine (Black Raven #4)
Imagine (Black Raven #4)
Stella Barcelona | 2018 | Crime, Romance, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
too much action but still good.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

 After THAT kiss on Halloween, Leo and Ace have been avoiding the issue.Or rather, Leo has, and it's all Ace has on his mind. Sent together with a team of Black Raven agents undercover on a gambling cruise liner's maiden voyage, they are thrown into the thick of things, with so much left unsaid.

This is book 4 in the Black Raven series, but you don't need to have read the other three for this to make sense, they can all be read as stand alone novels. Books one and three are five star reads from me, though.

But this one?? Not so much and I've no idea why! And ya'll know how much that pains me so! maybe it will come as I write this up.

Leo is emotionally stunted after the death of her father on 9/11. She doesn't wanna talk to Ace about what happened on Halloween but she has been thinking about it. Ace is her best friend, has been since they started working together. That kiss, though, changes everything for them both. Ace wants to move the relationship on, but they have a job to do first. Feelings for your partner cannot get in the way of a job. But they have a way of worming in, and Leo can see those feelings in Ace's eyes, even if he doesn't want her to see.

Told mostly from Leo and Ace's point of view, we also get some of the bad guy in a couple of places, and in the other two books I've read in this series, I loved that. Those bad guys are deeply twisted, and were difficult to read, but it's more of less why I gave those two books 5 stars: the connection I had to the minds of those bad guys. But something didn't quite work here, for me. While clearly insanely greedy (cos it's all about the money) and a lot screwed in the head (cos a LOT of people will die) I didn't feel any connection to the bad guy at all. That makes ME sound a lot twisted in my head, but I think you know what I mean. There seemed to be no background as to WHY (other than the money) the bad guy was doing this, what made them want to blow up a brand spanking new ship, and kill all those people? I needed some background and I didn't get it.

This book is HEAVY on the agents work. A little bit too much for me, I think. I got lost when they were running around the ship cos I have no idea what half of those ship terms meant!

AND!! It's only the first part of Leo and Ace's story. They are Happy For Now, and I do hope they get their Happy Ever After in the next book. Ain't gonna be plain sailing for them I know that much!

So, because on the lack of connection to the bad guy, and because of the heavy action (which gives me the WHY I didn't enjoy this one quite so much) . . .

4 stars, still a really good read, just not on a par with books one and three.

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**