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Dark Pleasures (Pure/Dark Ones #4)
Dark Pleasures (Pure/Dark Ones #4)
Aja James | 2018 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dark Pleasures (Pure/ Dark Ones #4) by Aja James
Dark Pleasures is the fourth book in the Pure/Dark Ones, and we reunite with Sophia as she starts off the story. I have to admit to loving her little synopses, and can't wait for her story to be told in its entirety.

Back to this one, we have Devlin - our gentlemanly hero from a time gone by, plus Grace, who is on the Asperger's Spectrum. You wouldn't think these two would mesh very well, but be prepared to be surprised. Devlin is very smooth, courteous, chivalrous, whilst Grace is brash, almost harsh, in her lack of emotions. Whilst it can be jarring (for Devlin as well as the reader), it makes for excellent reading.

This story was well-written, with a smooth pacing, and plenty of action and intrigue to keep you turning the pages. There is also plenty of information given for the overall story arc, plus other characters who haven't had their turn yet. The world-building is excellent, and I can't wait to read more. Absolutely recommended by me.

* 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!
  
Dark Return (Leine Basso #6)
Dark Return (Leine Basso #6)
D.V. Berkom | 2018 | Crime, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Once again, D V Berkom writes a brilliant, fast-paced, thrilling read with a very strong female lead character in Leine Basso but she is not the star of the book in my humble opinion ... that would be Jinn, the little streetwise girl Leine saves from being murdered. What a star she is and I was as much enthralled by her story as I was with Leine's.

This book has it all ... action, murder, double-crossing, human trafficking, terrorism, espionage, intrigue, surprises, tension ... you name it, it's got it and all wrapped up in a well-written, fast-paced story that is not beyond the realms of possibility.

This is part of a series but, I feel, holds up extremely well as a stand-alone. There are recurring characters but the author has the ability to provide just enough information so you don't get lost but not so much that it detracts from the current story.

I received a copy of this book direct from the author which in no way influenced my review in any way shape or form and I would happily recommend this and any of D V Berkom's books especially if you are fed up with the usual male lead characters that most books of this genre seem to have ... you won't be disappointed.
  
Deep Down (Jack Reacher, #16.5)
Deep Down (Jack Reacher, #16.5)
Lee Child | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
5
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Unfulfilling quick Reacher fix
I’m not sure why I keep listening to these Jack Reacher short stories, I think it’s because they are just a quick fix handy to have while doing other jobs.

Set back in the mid 80s we get a glimpse of Reacher’s military career where he is tasked with working out who is leaking information from Capitol Hill. The suspects are four fast-track women; Army political liaison officers. How in the mid 80s likely that all four of these positions would be taken up by women raises an eyebrow but it’s needed to fit the strategy of Reacher trying to get them each alone for a drink (eye-roll.) It doesn't quite work out like that but Reacher quickly gets stuff figured out, has a fight and lets us all go home glad for it to all be over. All standard Reacher just a lot less fleshed out and lacking some intrigue.

There's an odd decision to keep cutting to bits about an unnamed jogger, we find out who this is later but it really adds very little to the story and for a short one it seems a waste.

Like having something sweet when you are starving; it’s a quick yet ultimately unfulfilling experience. It’s not like it’s even a great chocolate bar….
  
The City of Brass: Daevabad Trilogy
The City of Brass: Daevabad Trilogy
S.A. Chakraborty | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.6 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Interesting start to the series
This was a really colourful and deep entrance to a new fantasy series by a debut author. I read this in a combination of paperback and audio, both were enjoyable. The cast of characters are many with three main contenders that each had me completely interested.

This is a fairly long and complex tale, with the occasional confusing moment that had me switching off audio to refer to the book and names of characters/magic/tribes. The index of these definitions of words was hugely helpful.

The story is full of intrigue, battles, magic, faiths, warring factions, desire and family. Nahri, a lowly girl with special abilities finds herself transported to a city of six dijinn tribes by a very powerful dijinn. Friendships, allegiances and wariness are formed as Nahri finds herself to be special and revered if she can only prove herself. The friendships are strong and central, whilst the budding romances on multiple fronts are subtle. So much happens and life is totally turned upside down by the end. The story is told from multiple POV.

I will definitely by reading the rest of the series, but I suspect the complexity will mean a re-read so that I can pick up book two. I highly recommend the audio, with superb narration.
  
The Future King
The Future King
James Riley | 2020 | Children, Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Can Fort Stop the Future King?
This book picks up almost immediately after the previous book ended. Fort has just rescued his father, but the man is in a coma. Oh, and half of England is under a dome. No one knows what is happening inside the dome, but a video has been released demanding that Fort and his friends Rachel and Jia be sent to the dome or the people inside won’t be released. While no one in charge intends to send the trio, they still find themselves there. Will they be able to stop what is coming?

If you haven’t read this series yet, don’t start with this book. It assumes you’ve read the first two, and there isn’t much background given to help explain the world that has been created. This book starts out a little slowly with too many teases about what might happen in the future, but once the main quest really gets going, the book picks up, and there are twists and surprises that kept me engaged. The characters are good, and Fort does more growing here. I’m not a fan of the post-apocalyptic setting, especially right now, but I am intrigue enough that I have to know what is going to happen next, so I will be back for more.