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The Ostin Heir (Isle of Ostin #1)
The Ostin Heir (Isle of Ostin #1)
Michelle Dare | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE OSTIN HEIR is the first book in the Isle of Ostin series, and it took me to a world where vampires are known about, and humanity seems to even more divided between those who have and those who don't.

Pax falls into the second camp and is alone in the world. So when he is told to get in a boat by a man who disappears in front of him, he figures he has nothing to lose. Theo is understandably shocked when someone other than Leven returns to the castle. And, yes, he's a dick about it, although he does see the error of his ways and tries to make up for the ignominious beginning.

Both of these characters are broken, with trauma and stress they are still dealing with. Their steps together to a brighter future are great to see. I loved how Pax refused to let Theo browbeat him, but instead, faced him with caring and compassion.

This was a great start to a new series and I can't wait to read more. There is still so much for me to figure out about this world. 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!
Aug 3, 2023
  
A Raven's Touch
A Raven's Touch
Linda Bloodworth | 2016 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This story starts with Justice waking up from a dream, outside her home in her nightwear. Not only that, but she appears to have two 'muffins' growing out of her shoulder blades. She has no idea of what is going on, is afraid to tell her parents, and on top of that, needs to get ready to go back to the hell that is called high school.

A Raven's Touch includes some shocking (violent) scenes in the high school that are necessary to the storyline. So much happens in such a small amount of time, but it is well-written and paced so it doesn't feel rushed when you are reading it. There is a reference made in the beginning to Matt Smith's Doctor Who - or at least, I like to think so. This made me smile as I read through the beginning.

This is a story of friendships, hardships, love and hate. With vampires, witches, elves and angels who speak to "Him" on a daily basis, this is the start of a series that I am looking forward to continuing. Personally, I can't wait to read more about Darien and Justice, although Moira and Tom make me smile too. Definitely recommended.

* 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!
Feb 19, 2016
  
The Turning Point (The ELI Chronicles, #3)
The Turning Point (The ELI Chronicles, #3)
Julia Ash | 2020
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
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The Turning Point by Julia Ash is the third book in the ELI Chronicles. Thank you to Julia, for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Read my reviews of the first two books in the series: 

<b>The ELI Chronicles Series</b>
#1 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2387441859">The One and Only</a> - ★★★★
#2 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2803361466">The Tether</a> - ★★★★
#3 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3377612307">The Turning Point</a> - ★★★★

<img src="https://diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Book-Review-Banner-77.png"/>;

The Turning Point continues where the previous book left off. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, I would recommend reading my review on the first book - The One and Only, as this review contains spoilers from the other two previous books. Now that you have been warned, I can safely continue. :) 

<b><i>Ruby Spencer has continuously saved the world.</i></b>

First, it was the zombie infection. Then, she was turned into a vampire against her will. In the first book we found out her blood was special, and in the second book - we find out why. Her blood was a result of a donor from another planet, which she ended up saving in the second book. And this time - the planet needs help again. But also this time - Ruby might not be the one that can save it. 

Because the animals have their own language, and Ruby cannot understand it. If she could understand them, she would know that they are tired of being puppets to the humans and the vampires. And wolves are more than happy to lead this rebelion. 

Without an alpha that can fight for their rights and lead their uprising, the animals will destroy everything in front of them. Ruby is the only one who can connect the animals with their rightful king - is she could only find him.

I have to admit, I struggled a bit at the beginning, when at one point we were introduced to all the different creatures and abilities (zombies, vampires, sculpting, werewolves, multiple planets, search for the true king). While the first and second book were more focused on one part of the story, in this book we had all of the different aspects colliding into one. And despite my struggles at the beginning, it all worked out in the end.

<b><i>I really loved this book, and it was a perfect last book to conclude this series.
</i></b>
The ending was beautiful and I enjoyed the final few twists, where you couldn’t trust anyone. I loved the love this family had for each other, and how kind and generous they always are. They care so much for each other, it's really nice to read it. It was such an adventurous ride, and I was eager to know how it ended. I am also glad they gave Zagan another chance to prove he changed, and that he deserves another chance at life.

If you have read my previous reviews - you will know me and Clay don’t really get along. But this book changed my opinion a bit, and I actually ended up liking his character and his story in this book. (surprise, surprise). 

The ELI Chronicles, as a whole, is a series not only about zombie apocalypse, vampires, werewolves, rightful kings and special abilities, but also a story about the true power of one family, and their love for each other. Julia Ash managed to combine these two things into the books so well, and make this journey not only adventurous, but also heartwarming.

<b><i>And I have to say - I am glad that I am part of it by reading this series.</i></b>

I am glad I have experienced this book, and grown together with it. Thinking of where I was on my journey when I started the first book, and where I am now, I can understand and appreciate this story way more and connect better with it. Definitely a must-read for all fans of sci-fi, adventure and thrillers.
  
Queen of the Damned (2002)
Queen of the Damned (2002)
2002 | Horror
10
6.7 (15 Ratings)
Movie Rating
sound track (5 more)
Old style vampire
Lestat
pretty good picture quality
good back story
Costumes
ended too soon (0 more)
i seen this 30 times when it came out and i was only 7
i will forever love Queen of the damned, is it bad i know every word? hell to the no its not!
" we are your main desire" --- oh god are you ever, since seeing this movie my fascination with vampires was born. You could say i'm a little obsessed with them.. but in all truth, i'm more than obsessed with them, when all the girls wanted to be something special when they were older i told everyone i wanted to be a vampire, running around with my fake paper teeth, my long cape, screaming when the light hit my skin and running after people to suck their blood. Yeah i was a weird child.
This movie in my opinion is a master piece to anne rice work. If you havent seen it i would suggest that you do
Many people hate this movie, but for me it's a walk down memory lane, every year on my birthday i play this movie and recite it word for word, singing the songs, and dancing to the music. this movie is a big thing for me, it started my love for the violin. When lestat plays with the gypsy. I ran to my mother and told her i wanted a violin. I used to lay in bed and imagine him playing for me.



photo creds to google
  
Midnight Alley (The Morganville Vampires #3)
Midnight Alley (The Morganville Vampires #3)
Rachel Caine | 2009 | Horror
8
8.6 (14 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is my favorite book in the series so far because the plot FINALLY focuses on Claire's schooling. When her schedule got replaced with harder classes, I went just a bit green with envy - I'm a nerd at heart, even though I haven't been to school in years. I also love that we get more background information about the town of Morganville, such as its purpose and an explanation of the more mystical aspects of the town. Myrnin was quite a fascinating character, and I would not have minded if the text spent more time on Claire's studies with him, as well as her advanced class studies. (And yes, my favorite parts of the Harry Potter series was the classroom stuff.)
I didn't like that this book did not have Eve's journal entries at the end like previous books have done. Those previously gave me clues into her mind and her relationship with Michael, as well as a taste of what happens in the next book, so I was rather disappointed when I realized it was missing.
I'm hoping that future books go into more detail about what the journals cover as well as what exactly the red crystals are and how they affected Claire. I'm hoping that the drama with Eve's brother Jason gets resolved quickly as I find him just plain annoying and obnoxious. The ending had me exclaiming out loud, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires, Book 4).
  
What could have been interesting, wasn't. What could have been unique, failed. What showed promise, wasn't there. Too bad.

Seeing as this is classified as paranormal romance (instead of what I originally thought was urban fantasy), it might be nice if the main two characters were at least a little likable. Nope, sorry to say, this ain't the case. Ayla is boring, unsympathetic, uninteresting, vapid, gullible, weak-willed, slow on the uptake, need I go on? Malachi is also boring, uninteresting, and slow, but he has the addition of sounding like a robot. Sounds like a winning match, eh? Clearly, these two wooden creatures are made for each other. The secondary characters served their purpose: Mabb, your typical baddie; Garret, Mabb's brother and hopeful usurper, he was almost interesting, but he suffered from the same thing his sister did, cliche; and Keller, who was the only character (or anything really) in the whole book that showed a spark of life.

The pace of the book was plodding. I lost interest every other page if I was lucky. The descriptions are seriously lacking and almost everything is boring, boring, boring. I never quite saw what the purpose of vampires and werewolves served in the book. Maybe they play a bigger role in the next two books, otherwise they're pointless and don't make sense in this world. Speaking of the universe, what the author created, while not altogether original, could have been awesome instead of vague and confusing. A real missed opportunity.

My advice: skip it. Read at your own risk of falling asleep.
  
LO
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Lord of Rage is based on the tale of Goldilocks and is the tale of Nicolai's younger sister Breena. Raised as a princess Breena always knew it would be her duty to marry a man chosen by her father to make an alliance between kingdoms. Everything changes when Elden comes under attack and her parents are killed by the blood sorcerer. On their death beds the king and queen used the last of their magic to send their 4 children to safety. Breena finds herself alone in the forest - lost, terrified and grieving for her family she is tired and hungry when she stumbles across the isolated cottage that Osborn shares with his brothers Bernt and Torben. Osborn is the last of the Ursan beserkers, his village was destroyed in a vampire attack that only his 2 young brothers survived. After years working as a mercenary to provide for them all Osborn wants now is a quiet life and to eventually get revenge on the vampires that took everything from them. The last thing he needs is a beautiful stranger invading his space, particularly one who has been invading his dreams to share passionate kisses. Breena is determined to trace her brothers and discover what happened to their kingdom and she will do whatever it takes to get Osborn to help her achieve her goals.

Overall I enjoyed this more than the first book in the series and I will read on to find out what happened to Breena's other brothers and to see if Nicolai can manage to regain his kingdom.