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Midnight's Daughter (Dorina Basarab, #1)
Midnight's Daughter (Dorina Basarab, #1)
Karen Chance | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry
I enjoyed this book more than Chance's Cassie Palmer novels set in the same universe. While I think I would have twigged to some bits more quickly if I had paid more attention to the earlier trilogy, this novel does stand alone (mostly). The references you don't get aren't truly necessary to understand the characters and the plot.

I did get rather annoyed at the characters who brought pain to themselves because of making too many assumptions about people around them, but I suppose poor communication skills are very common, even in fantasy worlds.
  
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Christine A. (965 KP) rated Thin Air in Books

Jan 22, 2019 (Updated Jan 22, 2019)  
Thin Air
Thin Air
Richard K. Morgan | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Stand-alone SciFi novel from the author of "Altered Carbon"
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

I was excited to see Richard K. Morgan was coming out with a new book. I enjoyed both the book and television series of "Altered Carbon". I had a difficult time getting into the book and, if I did not have to finish it, I probably would have stopped about 100 pages in. However, right there is where I started enjoying the book so I am glad I continued.

Hakan Veil is an ex–corporate enforcer equipped with body tech that's enables him to be a killing machine. His former employers dumped him off on Mars and he wants to return to his home planet, Earth. He is given that chance in exchange for babysitting an investigator from Earth, Madison Madekwe. His killing skills and military-grade body tech come in handy as he tries to help unravel the mystery surrounding Madison's investigation.

Veil's interaction with his internal AI is amusing and a big part of why I enjoyed the novel.

Richard K. Morgan's "Thin Air" is his first Science Fiction book published, according to Goodreads, in eight years. While it is in the same universe as "Thirteen", it is a stand-alone novel and you do not need to read it first.
  
The Nearest Exit
The Nearest Exit
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I enjoyed this novel much more than its predecessor for many reasons, not the least of which is the different narrator chosen for the audiobook. I wholeheartedly believe this narrator made the plot seems more interesting, the characters more vivid and the pace of the novel better than the previous one. The recurring characters, along with the multitude of new ones, really fleshed out the story which takes off running after the events of The Tourist and, although background is always recommended, works nicely as a stand-alone. The fact that this narrator was different from the first made me give this one a try; that the next has the same narrator as this makes me want to continue the series.
  
When Dimple Met Rishi
When Dimple Met Rishi
Sandhya Menon | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
9
7.4 (18 Ratings)
Book Rating
I adored how cute this book was. The progression of Dimple and Rishi’s relationship as the got to know each other was wonderful. I especially liked how we got to see it from both points of view. This book made me giggle with glee, go all mushy at the cuteness and ultimately really root for the main characters. It’s been a while since a book had me this invested in a romance, especially a stand alone novel. As well as cute, this book was also funny. The humour was strong throughout, which really added to my overall enjoyment.
  
WI
Wanting It All (Naked Men #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
this is a good romance novel, this is the second book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. you will end up falling in love with the characters from the first page. this book is full of hot steamy scenes that will leave you hot under the collar. this story has plenty of ups and downs to keep you reading long into the night. i was totally hooked till the last page and was left wanting more. i cant wait to read more from this author in the future.

highly recommended

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BR
Blood Rites (The Dresden Files, #6)
Jim Butcher | 2005 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.4 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
Book number 6 in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series, and the quality shows no signs of letting up.

This time, Harry Dresden is hired by his vampire acquantaince Thomas Raith to investigate a series of highly unusual murders surrounding an adult movie maker, which leads to further revelations (previously hinted at in earlier books) about Harry's own mysterious past, and just why Thomas has been an occassional ally ...

While I reckon it is probably possible to read this as a 'stand-alone' novel, it's probably best to have read the previous five books first in order to understand a few of the references made during the course of this one.
  
The Merchant’s Daughter
The Merchant’s Daughter
Melanie Dickerson | 2011 | Young Adult (YA)
10
8.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Set in the Medieval Era, Annabel and Lord Ranulf will steal your heart in this unique story that mirrors the story of Beauty and the Beast. From a nasty "Gaston" to a sweet young boy, and a caring housekeeper...The heart of the story reminds us that it is not our appearance or circumstances that define us...But our heart.

If you have read some (or all) of these books, you know that each novel can stand alone. But ultimately, they all intertwine. You can see the Family Tree on Melanie's website. I highly recommend this story and hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

I purchased a print copy of The Merchant's Daughter. This review is based on the audio version which I borrowed from my local library. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
The Heatwave
The Heatwave
Katerina Diamond | 2020 | Mystery, Thriller
7
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Stand-alone novel by the author of the D.S. Imogen Grey series
‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

Katerina Diamond, the author of the D.S. Imogen Grey series, is back with a new stand-alone novel, The Heatwave. I read Truth or Die, book #5 of her series, and was looking forward to reading The Heatwave as soon as I read the description
"The heatwave is back. And so is the killer."

Felicity fled her town and her life, determined not to return. That is until sixteen years later, and a second girl went missing. She holds the answers to what happened to the first girl and is determined to find the second before it is too late.

Diamond hooked me from the beginning. The book is 400 pages, but it was such a page-turner it felt much shorter.

As with all thrillers, there are twists, turns, and surprise reveals. The Heatwave kept me guessing until the very end. I thought I had figured everything out, but I was so wrong. After going back over the story, I realized I picked up on many of them but could not piece them all together correctly.

Goodreads does not list any other upcoming books of Katerina Diamond but added her to my "authors to read" list to keep watch for them.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 6/25/20.
  
S(
Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In this stand alone novel, Scott James is trying to return to the LAPD after being shot in the line of duty, losing his partner in the process. He's joined the K-9 unit and teamed up with Maggie, a dog who has also undergone trauma. Will the two help each other heal? And will Scott track down the men who shot him? This reminds me why I need to read more Crais. I loved the book, feeling for the characters and getting caught up in the story. I'm not a dog person either, so that tells you just how great the characters are.

<a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-suspect-by-robert-crais.html">My full review at Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Only Ashes Remain (Market of Monsters #2)
Only Ashes Remain (Market of Monsters #2)
Rebecca Schaeffer | 2019 | Young Adult (YA)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.

Only Ashes Remain by Rebecca Schaeffer is the second novel in her Market of Monsters series. To give a fair review, I read the first book, Not Even Bones. I will review the first book, but this review concerns only Only Ashes Remain.

After Nita escaped and destroyed the black market, she just wants to be left alone. When a video of her abilities appears on the dark web, she knows she must go on the offensive. With the help of Kovit, Nita starts to take revenge on the person who sold her to her kidnappers. With everyone searching for her, Nita needs to do whatever it takes to stay alive and free.

Even though I enjoyed the first book, I discovered I needed a break before reading the second. Once I did begin reading this, I found I enjoyed this more than the first book. This book could be read as a stand-alone novel, but reading the first book would enhance this one.

This story is darker than the first, but it is a fun read since the writing makes you feel for all of the characters, including Kovit.

A third novel, When Villains Rise, was published in 2020.

This 200-word review will be published on Philomathinphila.com.