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In Due Time (Time #2)
In Due Time (Time #2)
B.L. Dawn | 2022 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
IN DUE TIME is the second book in the Times series and we continue with Tatum as she tries to sort out the world and its problems! You probably could read this as a standalone but I think it is definitely worth reading book one first as it will give you smaller details that help make this story so good.

This book helps to bring further elements of the paranormal world into the story, including human shapeshifters, vampires, and witches. Leo acts like a jerk but claims ignorance (pfft, I sort of get it, but still…) Oliver also finds his true mate (which I loved) and James and Nat have rocky times (because James lost his path.) As much as Tatum sorts something out, something else comes along to cause her worry and stress. We also find out more about Tatum and her past, and her connection with Oliver's true mate, which was great! Can I just add, I loved the bit with Lexly!

A thoroughly enjoyable addition to the series and I look forward to reading Adina's story.

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!
Jun 19, 2023
  
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Merissa (12058 KP) rated Broken (Reflections, #1) in Books

Apr 4, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
Broken (Reflections, #1)
Broken (Reflections, #1)
Dean Murray | 2013 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Adri is dealing with a lot at the moment. She has lost half of her family and really her mum isn't really there either, except sporadically - VERY sporadically. They have moved to a new town which is a lot smaller than were they have come from and she knows that she will be focus of attention for a while. She is befriended by another 'new' girl, Brittany, who has only been there for a year. Somehow, she manages to draw the attention of the two hottest guys at the school and is drawn into the middle of something she doesn't understand.

There are already a lot of comments saying that this is like Twilight so I won't bother with any of that. All I will say is that although there are similarities, there are also big differences. This book actually made me shout out (much to my husband's delight and confusion) as Adri thought her mysterious benefactor was one person and I was shouting that it wasn't, it was someone else.

I really enjoyed this book and will be getting Torn which is the next book in the series. This is definitely one for me to continue reading but I definitely need to know Alec's side in this! If you like YA, Twilight, shapeshifters, then give this one a go. Recommended.
 
* Verified Purchase - February 2013 *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 10, 2016
  
TW
The Wanderers (The Wanderers, #1)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<b><i>I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
Kate Ormand takes a unique twist in <i>The Wanderers</i>, following a group of nomad shapeshifters traveling under the guise of a circus. Flo has been part of the circus ever since she was young but has always thought of what the world would be like if she were not a part of the circus. When she accidentally reveals what the circus really is to the public, shapeshifter hunters attack and take away everything she has ever known.

There aren't a lot of shapeshifter books out there – all the ones I've come across so far typically have characters that shift into wolves (<i>technically</i> werewolves are like shapeshifters. They're interchangeable). <i>The Wanderers</i>, on the other hand, don't really have wolves (I don't think there are any here). Ormand takes the concept and expands the idea of shapeshifter to include all kinds of animals – bears, seals, tigers, horses, etc. It's a breather to have all kinds of animals instead of the usual furry four-legged ones. Have I mentioned there's a shapeshifting parrot? Uber-cool.

Flo (I started imagining her as that Progressive chick) has elements of a good character – she's realistic and brave, even though she's watching her back constantly for hunters. She has a constant inner battle with a desire and curiosity to see the world outside of the circus but has no clue if she wants to take that opportunity when she's old enough to be offered a life outside. But Flo is a bit of a mystery to me, and so are most of the shifters.

<i>The Wanderers</i> feels more like a discovery book – no one aside from the "elders" know how the circus originated in the first place. Flo and the other shifters seem as though they've been there all their lives – they all have a similar past and their way to the circus are all similar. The book becomes more of a survival book after the attack and the remaining shifters work together (albeit the tolerable tension some have towards Flo) to escape the clutches of the hunters going after them. In the midst of it all, Flo discovers a disturbing plot and sets about breaking it before other shifters get hurt as well.

Ormand pulls off an ending similar to <a title="Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac" href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-killer-of-enemies-by-joseph-bruchac/"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bruchac's in <i>Killer of Enemies</i></a> – there's a solid ending, but it's very open-ended and lots of things could potentially happen. The ending to <i>The Wanderers</i> feels very fitting with the story considering the title and the concept. Even though I'm not a huge fan of this book, Ormand has certainly left a mark with just the entire idea.

<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-the-wanderers-by-kate-ormand/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
  
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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Aaliyah in Books

Nov 8, 2019  
Aaliyah
Aaliyah
Katrina Cope | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When her mother was healed by angels shortly before she was born, Aaliyah has been able to heal others, both physically and mentally. In particular she helps out her friend Duan, a unique child born of both demon and angel.

Her sheltered existence is a great concern to her mother, and so she takes her young family away from their monastery home - and Duan - in order the live a 'normal' life. But Aaliyah can't help using her power, and draws unwanted attention to the family.

This book is the start of a new series, albeit one firmly rooted in Cope's Afterlife series. However it is not necessary to have read that series, nor the Witch's Legacy book which provides some additional background.

As usual with Cope's books it is the characters that shine out, everyone from Aaliyah and Duan to the villagers who are just desperate for Aaliyah's healing touch are realised perfectly. As the stakes are raised, not least by a dreadful prophesy and dark forces who want to use her gift for their own ends, both Aaliyah and Duan must decide where they belong and who they need the most.

As the story unfolds the stakes are skillfully raised, drawing the reader along, genuinely fearing for the fates of the main characters at each step. Sometimes it was hard to turn the page, knowing that the characters you have been getting to know so well will almost definitely end up coming to harm.

In this book Cope has managed to take the elements of angels, witches and shapeshifters and combined them into an engrossing and thrilling read that will appeal to young adults of all ages.
  
The Alchemist and an Amaretto (Guild Codex: Spellbound, #5)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This starts with a paintball fight as the Crow and Hammer guild go against each other in an equal parts fun and training game. Afterwards our four main characters head back to the bar where the guild is based and discuss their plans for Christmas and it's decided they should all head to Aaron's parents house/guild/school for the holidays. Only things aren't quite as safe and secure as they seem at the school.

I do love these four people: Tori, Aaron, Kai and Ezra. They've grown into a tight-knit group over the previous books and I am really invested in their adventures - and their romances. Tori had previously dated Aaron but it didn't really last long and now she's realising her feelings for Ezra are a lot more than just friendship and she will do just about anything to save him from his inner demon. I'm very intrigued to see where that will end up going because he's always been the shy, sweet but deadly one.

As for the story of this one with the mutated shapeshifters. I kinda figured out who the bad guy was from pretty early on though I was a little surprised by just quite how deranged he ended up being.

It did surprise me by finishing at the 85% mark. I don't know what I was expecting since the story had wrapped up by that point. I think I was disappointed that I didn't have more to read of this group of friends. Since i got this from the KU library, I'm going to grab some more of the series soon.