Search
L.A. Noire
7.8
Rate It
Video Game Watch
Amid the post-war boom of Hollywood's Golden Age, Cole Phelps, an LAPD detective is thrown headfirst...
Action Adventure
David McK (3425 KP) rated Skin Game (The Dresden Files, #15) in Books
Mar 6, 2022
Hells Bells!
<2022 update>
I should perhaps mention that Michael Carpenter and his family don't actually turn up until a fair ways into the story ...
<original 2015 review>
"Last year I died, but I got better"
It's probably been over a year since I read the last Harry Dresden book, as I'd been waiting (and waiting, and waiting ...) for this one to come out in paperback. Was it worth the wait?
Absolutely yes.
I know it's still only March (nearly April), but this is a strong contender for my choice for book of the year - definitely the best I've read so far this year, with the bar set VERY high for any others later this year to match.
As this starts, Harry is still on Demonreach island, still recovering from previous events in Cold Days. It's not long, however, before Mab - the Winter Queen - has Harry (as her Winter Knight) paying off on of her debts, forcing him to work with Nicodemus Archleone and the Knights of the Blackened Denarius. Harry has to help Nicodemus to rob a vault belonging to the Lord of the Underworld Hades himself, while somehow staying alive and a step ahead of the inevitable betrayal.
As the Knights of the Denarius are involved, this also means that the Knights of the Cross - or, more specifically, Michael Carpenter - are back in the novel, as counter-points to the fallen angels. So, too, are Waldo Butters, Molly Carpenter, Bob the skull and Karrin Murphy with Thomas, however, conspicuous by his absence.
I should perhaps mention that Michael Carpenter and his family don't actually turn up until a fair ways into the story ...
<original 2015 review>
"Last year I died, but I got better"
It's probably been over a year since I read the last Harry Dresden book, as I'd been waiting (and waiting, and waiting ...) for this one to come out in paperback. Was it worth the wait?
Absolutely yes.
I know it's still only March (nearly April), but this is a strong contender for my choice for book of the year - definitely the best I've read so far this year, with the bar set VERY high for any others later this year to match.
As this starts, Harry is still on Demonreach island, still recovering from previous events in Cold Days. It's not long, however, before Mab - the Winter Queen - has Harry (as her Winter Knight) paying off on of her debts, forcing him to work with Nicodemus Archleone and the Knights of the Blackened Denarius. Harry has to help Nicodemus to rob a vault belonging to the Lord of the Underworld Hades himself, while somehow staying alive and a step ahead of the inevitable betrayal.
As the Knights of the Denarius are involved, this also means that the Knights of the Cross - or, more specifically, Michael Carpenter - are back in the novel, as counter-points to the fallen angels. So, too, are Waldo Butters, Molly Carpenter, Bob the skull and Karrin Murphy with Thomas, however, conspicuous by his absence.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Deadly Desire (Riley Jensen #7) in Books
Mar 17, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
Seduction that kills. Pleasure to die for. She just can’t resist…
Guardian Riley Jenson always seems to face the worst villains. And this time’s no different. For it’s no ordinary sorceress who can raise the dead to do her killing. But that’s exactly what Riley expects to find at the end of a trail of female corpses used—and discarded—in a bizarre ritual of evil. With pressure mounting to catch one fiend, another series of brutal slayings shocks the vampire world of her lover, Quinn. So the last thing Riley needs is the heat of the upcoming full moon bringing her werewolf hormones to a boil—or the reappearance of a sexy bounty hunter, the rogue wolf Kye Murphy.
Riley has threatened Murphy with arrest if he doesn’t back off the investigation, but it’s Riley who feels handcuffed by Kye’s lupine charm. Torn between her vamp and wolf natures, between her love for Quinn and her hots for Kye, Riley knows she’s courting danger and indulging the deadliest desires. For her hunt through the supernatural underworld will bring her face-to-face with what lurks in a darkness where even monsters fear to tread.
Keri Arthur is such a brilliant writer and this is one of my favourite series I just love Riley Jensen. This book did not disappoint it was full of suspense , action and sex!! I love the characters in this series and the way the books just flow. So Riley finally finds her soul mate in this one and I totally agree Kye is not suitable but I'm looking forward to seeing it all unravel! Poor Quinn 😢
Guardian Riley Jenson always seems to face the worst villains. And this time’s no different. For it’s no ordinary sorceress who can raise the dead to do her killing. But that’s exactly what Riley expects to find at the end of a trail of female corpses used—and discarded—in a bizarre ritual of evil. With pressure mounting to catch one fiend, another series of brutal slayings shocks the vampire world of her lover, Quinn. So the last thing Riley needs is the heat of the upcoming full moon bringing her werewolf hormones to a boil—or the reappearance of a sexy bounty hunter, the rogue wolf Kye Murphy.
Riley has threatened Murphy with arrest if he doesn’t back off the investigation, but it’s Riley who feels handcuffed by Kye’s lupine charm. Torn between her vamp and wolf natures, between her love for Quinn and her hots for Kye, Riley knows she’s courting danger and indulging the deadliest desires. For her hunt through the supernatural underworld will bring her face-to-face with what lurks in a darkness where even monsters fear to tread.
Keri Arthur is such a brilliant writer and this is one of my favourite series I just love Riley Jensen. This book did not disappoint it was full of suspense , action and sex!! I love the characters in this series and the way the books just flow. So Riley finally finds her soul mate in this one and I totally agree Kye is not suitable but I'm looking forward to seeing it all unravel! Poor Quinn 😢
My Uncle Charlie
Book
If you lived on the notorious Canterbury Estate in the '40s and '50s, then you knew there was one...
CT
Cheating the Spread: Gamblers, Point Shavers, and Game Fixers in College Football and Basketball
Book
Delving into the history of gambling and corruption in intercollegiate sports, Cheating the Spread...
The Sea in the Greek Imagination
Book
The sea is omnipresent in Greek life. Visible from nearly everywhere, the sea represents the life...
Heroin, Organized Crime, and the Making of Modern Turkey
Book
Heroin, Organized Crime, and the Making of Modern Turkey explores the history of organized crime in...
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Shattered Realm of Ardor Benn in Books
Mar 12, 2021
Fantastic fantasy heist follow-up
I received an advance copy of this book from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The second Ardor Benn book is another epic tale of the ruse artist taking on the royal family. The first book saw Ard's efforts depose the current king and save the dragon race (and hence the world). Sadly, the replacement royalty is no better and the Great Chain is now scattered into different, warring islands. Ard finds himself embroiled in a plot to unearth the conspiracy that the new king's dead nephew, and the rightful heir, is not actually dead.
There is also an interesting new subplot where we see a university professor tasked with discovering new Grit types (the world's magic system, whereby different materials once digested and fired by a dragon produce different magical results). This angle, like the industrial/medical revolution is surprisingly thrilling, with additional intrigue as the results become the interests of some unsavoury characters.
Ard and Raek are once again superb and quickly put together a plot to infiltrate a secret criminal underworld and discover the whereabouts of the true king. The secrecy and plotting, and use of the world's magic makes for some excellent exciting passages.
There are the usual twists and turns along the way, as the security measures in place in the secret society make it hard for Ard to progress too quickly.
As with the first book, the true nature of this strange world is unveiled a little more over the course of the book in spectacular fashion.
A wonderful fun read.
The second Ardor Benn book is another epic tale of the ruse artist taking on the royal family. The first book saw Ard's efforts depose the current king and save the dragon race (and hence the world). Sadly, the replacement royalty is no better and the Great Chain is now scattered into different, warring islands. Ard finds himself embroiled in a plot to unearth the conspiracy that the new king's dead nephew, and the rightful heir, is not actually dead.
There is also an interesting new subplot where we see a university professor tasked with discovering new Grit types (the world's magic system, whereby different materials once digested and fired by a dragon produce different magical results). This angle, like the industrial/medical revolution is surprisingly thrilling, with additional intrigue as the results become the interests of some unsavoury characters.
Ard and Raek are once again superb and quickly put together a plot to infiltrate a secret criminal underworld and discover the whereabouts of the true king. The secrecy and plotting, and use of the world's magic makes for some excellent exciting passages.
There are the usual twists and turns along the way, as the security measures in place in the secret society make it hard for Ard to progress too quickly.
As with the first book, the true nature of this strange world is unveiled a little more over the course of the book in spectacular fashion.
A wonderful fun read.
Lorene Scafaria recommended GoodFellas (1990) in Movies (curated)
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated A Tigers Destiny (Tiger Protectors #3) in Books
Sep 4, 2020
161 of 200
Kindle
A Tigers Destiny ( Tiger Protectors book 3)
By Terry Bolryder
Kel Cunningham is the only white tiger shifter in the world. Taller, stronger, and faster than almost anyone, he's the best protection money can buy. Still, his two older brothers have found mates and Kel is ready to find a special someone of his own and settle down. And when his latest job brings him face to face with curvy Sofia, the first woman to make his tiger sit up and growl possessively, he thinks maybe she's the one. That is, if he can keep her safe and figure out why everyone in the underworld seems to be hunting her.
Sofia doesn't know what to make of the giant, model-gorgeous man hired to protect her. Kel's ice blue eyes, blond hair, and tall body stand out wherever he goes, and Sofia doesn't need to fall for a man that could get her noticed. But she soon sees that Kel is capable of handling anything that comes their way, and that beneath that muscular, sexy chest is one of the kindest hearts she has ever met. She knows she should stay distant, keep her secrets and trust no one. But Kel's warm, safe arms and searing kisses make her want to break all her rules.
So the last of the brothers is mates! Terry Bolryder has a formula and she sticks to it! This doesn’t make each book less enjoyable at all I still love them and most shifter readers will! They are quick but fun reads.
So now we continue onto the dragons and finding their dragon heart!
Kindle
A Tigers Destiny ( Tiger Protectors book 3)
By Terry Bolryder
Kel Cunningham is the only white tiger shifter in the world. Taller, stronger, and faster than almost anyone, he's the best protection money can buy. Still, his two older brothers have found mates and Kel is ready to find a special someone of his own and settle down. And when his latest job brings him face to face with curvy Sofia, the first woman to make his tiger sit up and growl possessively, he thinks maybe she's the one. That is, if he can keep her safe and figure out why everyone in the underworld seems to be hunting her.
Sofia doesn't know what to make of the giant, model-gorgeous man hired to protect her. Kel's ice blue eyes, blond hair, and tall body stand out wherever he goes, and Sofia doesn't need to fall for a man that could get her noticed. But she soon sees that Kel is capable of handling anything that comes their way, and that beneath that muscular, sexy chest is one of the kindest hearts she has ever met. She knows she should stay distant, keep her secrets and trust no one. But Kel's warm, safe arms and searing kisses make her want to break all her rules.
So the last of the brothers is mates! Terry Bolryder has a formula and she sticks to it! This doesn’t make each book less enjoyable at all I still love them and most shifter readers will! They are quick but fun reads.
So now we continue onto the dragons and finding their dragon heart!