The Coveted // Laura Thalassa

The Coveted (★★★★☆)
By: Laura Thalassa
Series: The Unearthly (2)
Genres: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 312
Format: Paperback
Features: Vampires, Witches, Fairies, Seers, Shifters

As required:
I received this book through one of the Goodreads giveaways.

Now, for the good stuff.

I haven’t read the first one. Haven’t even LOOKED at the first one. But after reading this, I want to. It’s next on my “to buy” list.

When the “vampire” aspect was brought in, I admit I rolled my eyes – I’m not a big vampire book fan. However, Laura Thalassa definitely put a spin on the whole world that made it an enjoyable read. Seers and Witches and Fairies and… shifters? Point being, it included different types of “supernaturals” or “mythologicals” than just the requisite vampires and shifters and other “baddies” you often find. I mean hey, if you’re going to go creative on one aspect of the supernatural, why not just assume they all exist as well and have as much fun as possible?

Now, while it’s apparent that the heroine could be considered a young adult, this doesn’t necessarily read like a YA novel, which was a VERY pleasant surprise. I find her closest friends to be a good balance for her and actually bring something to the story.

There’s not a lot I can criticize about this book. I wasn’t hopeful at first, but as I read I found myself engaged and unwilling to put the book down. I was worried about the relationship between Gab and Andre, but was pleasantly surprised with their interaction. For the situations they were in, the situation I picked up on them leaving just a few months ago, and for Gab’s headspace, it had just the right amount of tension without going overboard and shattering that element.

I am interested in following this story futher. I want to know why the Devil is after her – and I definitely want to know about this whole “vampire/siren” thing. And what’s up with the fates involvement? There are questions left unanswered that intrigue me, and I definitely want to find out more.

The Omen Machine // Terry Goodkind

The Omen Machine (★★★☆☆)
By: Terry Goodkind
Series: The Sword of Truth (12)/Richard and Kahlan (1)
Genres: Epic Fantasy
Pages: 514
Format: eBook

Unfortunately, Terry Goodkind started to loose me with this one.

I loved the last 3 books of the Sword of Truth. They were philosophical, really dug deep into Richard, both his character and AS a character. He’s a free will kind of person and by god it showed.

The Omen Machine does not detract from this – however, it starts veering from a philosophical slant (taking place after the war detailed in the last books of the SoT) into a more theological. Prophecy practically becomes religion.

However, he once again engages the reader using a variety of unusual and intriguing plot twists and manipulates the story and its characters masterfully, as always. I’m intrigued as to what the “Omen Machine” will turn out to be – but I was not so engaged as to have to immediately run out and purchase the next book. I could easily see this turning into another epic saga, and after completing SoT, reading all of the books written in the Terre d’Ange world by Jaqueline Carey, and STILL not managing to complete the WoT books yet, I don’t think I have it in me to become emotionally involved in yet another massive epic – especially if it’s going the direction this book indicates.

Hardcore fans of Terry Goodkind will, of course, love it – and what’s not to love? You have your old, cranky/cheeky wizard, the dark, brooding and (sometimes overly) powerful sorceress of questionable morality, the noble, charismatic and steadfast protagonist and his ever-lasting love of pure beauty and goodness, countered by antagonists that make you grit your teeth and, despite their being purely fictional, have it in them to inspire hatred in even the most grounded of readers.

However, digging past the surface of what makes Terry Goodkind such an engaging writer, there is definitely something lacking in The Omen Machine that was present in the preceding books – I just can’t put my finger on what it is.

The Legacy of Shatara // Nick Marsden

The Legacy of Shatara (★★★☆☆)
By: Nick Marsden
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 258
Format: Paperback

First, as necessary:
I got this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads giveaways.

Wow. What a read.

Unfortunately, "wow" doesn't always have the most positive connotations. The book was well-written, from an English Language standpoint, and Marsden obviously has a very fertile imagination. However, I simply do not think that this book had enough time to really develop.

A few points to consider.

There are consistently a high number of characters "on stage" at the same time. At one point I believe there was 5-7 active "players" at once, and in some cases I'd spent so little time with them earlier in the book I had no clue who they really were or what their importance to Covan or the story was. Either that, or they were being called something different than what they had originally been referenced as (which I believe may have been the case in one instance, ASIDE from the intentional change pointed out in the book).

Things I think could have used more development are the explanations of how Rajal developed as a land, people and culture (the tidbits given prove it would be a fascinating story in and of itself, I believe), the Gazzin (plot device, perhaps?), and the relationship between Kayla and Minnah. ESPECIALLY the relationship (the REAL one) between Covan and Kayla.

It was also another slow read. For as long as it took me to finish reading, I expected a lot more action, and a lot more emotional connection with the characters. There wasn't a whole lot I could empathize with, because while the stories were there to gain sympathy, they didn't actually reflect in the characters themselves.

Despite all of this, I give the book a solid 3 stars, and here's why.

The implementation of the elemental powers was seamlessly done, in my opinion. In a lot of cases, the "magic" or "sorcery" element of a book like this is simply another plot device meant to move the story forward or give it an extra dimension and nothing more. However, the Mystics of The Legacy of Shatara were very human, and their abilities (particularly those in Spirit) had true potentially dire consequences. It didn't make them invincible, all-powerful, or superior in any way. They were simply people that had one extra layer to their being.

The overall manipulation of the characters involved was fascinating. Even when I thought I had it all figured out, I was still in for another surprise. This may be why a lot of the back story for Rajal was missing, as it might have tipped it off in the end.

The revelation of Thabath... I won't spoil that for anybody, but I was giggling like a mad woman when THAT occurred...

Overall, it definitely has its good points and it's bad. It was slow reading yet the story felt rushed somehow, something just a little bit out of balance that would have brought everything together and grown the book from another title on the shelf to a true Epic.

He's a Magic Man // Susan Squires

He’s a Magic Man (★★★☆☆)
By: Suzan Squires
Series: Children of Merlin (2)
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 258
Format: Paperback
Features: mythology, magic

I got this as a Goodreads Firstreads win, so I’m going to summarize a few points here while the book is still fresh in my mind since I don’t have time for a fully involved review:

1. Felt like it took too long to read.
Why? I’m a fast reader. I can get through the early books of the Wheel of Time in 3-5 days. This one, at (less than) half that, took me to the far end of that scale. The first half of the book kept my interest nice and fast, but the more I read, the less I caried about what happened to the people, or in general.

2. Been there, done that.
The descendants of Merlin, and people who get their power from Morgan La Fey. Athurian-era artifacts. Anybody remember Stargate SG-1/Atlantis?

3. The raging alcoholic.
Okay, score for throwing this in as a twist, and giving Drew the balls to do what she did. However… we’re talking, what, a week? Alcoholism doesn’t just go away in a week, no matter how thoroughly detoxed. Sure, throw the magic in and everything’s hunky-dory, but there is such a thing as relying TOO MUCH on the magic.

4. Drew’s got a pair.
This is one ballsy woman. After what we see her face early on in the book, she seems to have this bottomless pit of determination, while still maintaining a healthy dose of “what if”? (Not like she lets that stop her. Like I said, she’s got a pair.) I was cheering her on through the entire detox. That gave a REAL nice balance to the whiny high schooler she became any time her gift/power was involved (No, I’m not putting that bit down – considering her familial status and everything else, it almost makes more sense than just about anything else in the book).

All in all, it felt like the first half of the book is where Squires really took her time and thought out what she was writing. Maybe even first 2/3 – then its almost as if a reminder popped up on the calender and it became, “Oh, crap! Deadline!”

I do plan on reading other books in this series, so I can get a better feel for Squires as an author.

Timebound // Rysa Walker

Timebound (★★★★★)
By: Rysa Walker
Series: Timebound (1)
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 258
Format: eBook
Features: time travel

I got this book as a Kindle First pick.

Now, that being said, after my first Kindle First Pick, I wasn’t expecting much. Plus, I see a LOT of repeat in fiction being written these days.

The subject matter alone made me sit up and pay attention. Rysa Walker has managed to create a unique and memorable experience with this book that I haven’t encountered in a very long time.

I won’t say much more other than I could praise this book all day no matter how crazy it made me sound. I really just wish everybody who encounters this will give it a try. It’s not your typical romance, as it deals with a protagonist that’s still in high school.

One bad thing. Since I got this through the first reads program… I have to wait even LONGER for the second book!

Endless // Matt Bone

Endless (★★★☆☆)
By: Matt Bone
Series: Crescent (1)
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 329
Format: eBook
Features: Post-apocalypse

I’ll admit, I enjoyed the book. It had its moments of interest, and the premise was unique. However, I can’t bring myself to look into the next book, or go back and read again.

Yes, the premise was interesting – but so far, at the end of the first book, was nothing but a plot device. The “hero” ended up not really being the hero after all, and seemed more to just go along for the ride than anything else. I get that it might change later in the series, but when you get introduced to one and only one character so early on and then there ends up being nothing special about him throughout the entire thing, that’s a HUGE letdown.

That fact, and the unique premise are really the only things that I remember from reading this book. There are others I read earlier in the year than this one that I remember with much more clarity and were much more engaging.

I rather enjoy post-apocalyptic plot lines, when they’re done well. This one just… fell short.

Close Liasons // Anna Zaires

Close Liaisons (★★☆☆☆)
By: Anna Zaires
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Erotica, Paranormal
Pages: 258
Format: Paperback
Features: aliens, sex
** spoiler alert **

Mia is a college student living in New York. When we meet her, the only concern she has is a Sociology paper she’s supposed to be writing. That all changes quickly, however, when she catches the eye of a Krinar – a member of an alien race that appeared a number of years ago to “co-exist” with humans on earth.

Enter sexual tension. The Krinar (Korum) is domineering, and seems to take an almost unhealthy interest in the younger (read: a few thousand years younger), human woman. As far as he is concerned, she puts up a token amount of resistance before it turns into a matter of “I really have no choice.”

Move on to the subplot… where she also, apparently, “has no choice.” With her roommate being afraid of what’s happening to Mia’s life, she manages to get Mia involved the “resistance” against the aliens. They want to use her as a spy, as she is intimately involved with Korum (though to hear her rail against it in her head it is completely out of her control and she hates him but oh my god what an orgasm).

So now Mia has both her body supposedly working against her, as well as feeling a need to do something to protect her race against the invading alien race dead set on harvesting women as sex slaves and taking over completely.

I swear, I feel like I’m summarizing the plot to a D-rated 80’s porno sci-fi flick.

A number of events repeat themselves in annoying frequency.

1. The number of times Mia gives in and has sex with Korum no matter how mad, disgusted, pissed off, or otherwise absolutely SURE she won’t ever sleep with him again she is. Give him five seconds in her presence and she’s a goner.

2. While there are a number of sexual encounters insinuated but not detailed, the ones that are inevitably end with Mia berating herself, her self-control, willpower, etc. and reminding herself she’s only doing this because she has no control, has to pretend everything’s okay, yada, yada, yada.

3. How often can Mia puzzle over how completely up-side-down her life has turned? Granted, she’s a naïve junior at a university in New York. Yet we discover she’s got an internship lined up for the summer prior to her senior year, she’s going for a degree in Psychology and knows exactly what she wants to do with it. This is a woman of conviction and strength, yet you barely get to see it. You’d think, with a focus like that, she’d have better things to think about than sit around wondering how everything got so out of control. She’s a walking contradiction.

And then we get to the end. Korum knew all along Mia was betraying him, and did nothing about it. The whole time, Mia was afraid of Korum, afraid that he would kill her once he found out what she had been doing. Yet, for all of that fear, when everything hits the fan… he simply takes her hand, offers to take her to see her parents, and whisks her away to one of the Krinar compounds, steady as you please.

As a whole, the book left me completely unsatisfied. The intimate scenes were lacking, the emotion between Korum and Mia was barely thought out (at best), and every time there was a discussion with or about the resistance, I found myself rolling my eyes, skipping it, and realizing in the end – I didn’t miss a darn thing. I got this book off of Amazon for free, but I can’t convince myself spending the money on the next book to see if it gets any better will be worth it.

Rated two stars purely for the potential of the story, if the author just puts a smidge more thought into the story rather than the sex.

Hexed // Kevin Hearne

Hexed (☆☆☆☆☆)
By: Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles (2)
Genres: Fantasy ~ Urban
Pages: 258
Format: eBook
Features: mythology

I tried. I really did. I was willing to give the series a chance after I was on the fence after reading the first book. However, my views on what fiction writing should and shouldn’t be prevented me from finishing the book.

I had personal issue with the first book due to the picture Hearne painted witches in, but I let that go as a product of creative license. However, I couldn’t continue to do that with this one. I like to think I have a pretty open mind when it comes to gods and goddesses, especially in regards to how they’re depicted in fiction, but again, I have certain views on what fiction writing should be, and having the writer’s personal bias shoved in your face is not something I consider acceptable.

I don’t think I was even a quarter of the way through the book when I had enough, and returned it to Amazon for a refund. A person can only see so much “the entire world hates Thor” or other such comments about other people or groups before one starts to wonder if the boundary of creative license has been crossed – and it was, for me. I will not be reading any more of these books, and likely nothing else from Mr. Hearne.

No Place for a Dame // Connie Brockway

No Place for a Dame (★★☆☆☆)
By: Connie Brockway
Series: Royal Agents (3)
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 291
Format: eBook

I got this book as a Kindle First pick. I love historical romances, and the synopsis provided made me hopeful that this book would have something that other historical romances didn’t.

It DID have a unique element (which is the ONLY reason it’s getting 2 stars instead of 1) – but that’s about all I can say it has going for it. It read just like any other historical romance with a “spy” sub plot to it that I’ve ever read, with the same characters.

A sharp, intelligent man masquerading as a dandy falling in love with someone he thinks he’s not worthy of or isn’t worthy of him or whatever self-pitying excuse they come up with. Which is his only fault.

A witty, intelligent female in love with a man she believes is either out of her league socially, or is too much of a rake. Which is HER only fault.

Truly, the most enjoyable parts of the book are when the heroine gets thrown into some situations that I believe any sheltered, non-society female at the time would find to be VERY awkward. And had absolutely nothing to do with the “romance” OR the sub plot of the book. I would have been quite content to read it without the romance, as it added absolutely nothing to the story.

Phantom // Terry Goodkind

Phantom (★★★★☆)
By: Terry Goodkind
Series: The Sword of Truth (10)
Genres: Epic Fantasy
Pages: 692
Format: eBook
** spoiler alert **

If you’re looking for something along the lines of Mages vs. Sorcerors, some big battles and lots of action… look elsewhere.

I’ve heard a lot of things said about Terry Goodkind since I first began reading the Sword of Truth novels back in high school, both bad and good. Because of where my interests lay in fantasy, I kept on, because there was definitely something ELSE in Terry Goodkind’s works that I couldn’t find in other fantasy books that I’d read.

The world he developed is extensive and astounding, filled with rich detail. It gives your imagination plenty of room to play whether provided with stereotypical battle action, or more subtle, thought-out, philosophical action.

Phantom is chalk full of the latter. Richard is a thinker. If you’ve paid attention at all throughout the series, you would know this. Battle doesn’t become him, and the actions he chooses in Phantom only enforce this. The last 3 books of the Sword of Truth are the epitome of Khalan’s and Richard’s personalities. Neither of them enjoy the fight – the do it only when they have to, when they feel there truly is no other option. It’s a tactical measure to be used only when it has some real benefit.

It’s been a long while since I read Chainfire, but I remember the general premise – which is what’s important here. The Chainfire spell is the central motivating aspect behind everything that takes place in the last 3 books. Without it, this becomes little more than a typical, unimaginative high-action epic fantasy, to pull from the books themselves… “steel vs. steel, magic against magic.”

Chainfire gives it something DIFFERENT.

I enjoy the almost philosophical twists and turns Goodkind uses to move the story forward. You may read through parts or introductions to people thinking, “Oh, another inconsequential brute” or “why does this even matter?” but Goodkind has thought ahead. He does not introduce events, people, or things without there being a Very. Good. Reason.

I’m going to reiterate here, because this is probably the most important part about whether or not you’ll enjoy Phantom or not. If you’re looking for a lot of in your face action, the last 3 books in the Sword of Truth are not for you. If you’re into the subtleties, the actual MAGIC, and don’t mind a plot being moved forward by getting an insight into characters minds, thoughts and deeds, then you’ll thoroughly enjoy the Chainfire trilogy.

Witchy, Witchy // Penelope King

Witchy, Witchy (★★★☆☆)
By: Penelope King
Series: Spellbound (1)
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal
Pages: 329
Format: eBook
Features: Witches

I’ve heard a lot of fuss about these books, and I have to wonder why. Then again, I also have to wonder if I read too much or watch too many fantasy-type series on TV, because most of what I read these days reminds me of some other book or show or author. This one… just more of the same.

I had a number of moments where I flashed back to The Craft and The Secret Circle. Only difference is here (so far at least) there’s only 3 witches, but they’re still all teenage girls.

One thing I do like about Witchy, Witchy (though at the same time makes it too YA for my tastes) is these girls deal with normal, every day, teenage girl problems. Not all of their problems are magical, and they don’t try to use their magic to solve those problems, either. What a relief!

I think Penelope King has taken a much more realistic approach to the world of witchcraft in fiction than I’ve seen to date. Real people mean real problems, whereas magic has its own set of problems, and, occasionally, the two will overlap and, well, that’s when crap hits the fan.

I may continue to read on just because there are obviously a number of years ahead of these girls and I hope to see the books grow with them

Micah // Laurel K. Hamilton

Micah (★☆☆☆☆)
By: Laurell K. Hamilton
Series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter (13)
Genres: Fantasy ~ Urban, Romance ~ Paranormal
Pages: 285
Format: eBook
Features: vampires, shifters

On one hand, I don’t remember what happens through most of the book. On the other hand, that says something about how utterly pointless this book was, given the way my imagination has been running away with the Anita Blake series so far. It was written almost as if Hamilton needed to put out SOMETHING, rather than a book actually relevant to the series.

I had considered every book by Hamilton I’d read up until this one (Merry Gentry included) to be, if not up to my usual “epic fantasy” standards, at least intriguing enough to get me to the end of the book.

The only thing that got me to the end of this book? It was short. Absolutely NOTHING about this book stood out to me. Not the interactions between Blake and Micah, none of the action, none of the metaphysical brouhaha did it for me. It was one of the dullest reads I’ve muddled through in a long while.

Hounded // Kevin Hearne

Hounded (★★★☆☆)
By: Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles (1)
Genres: Fantasy ~ Urban
Pages: 303
Format: eBook
Features: Mythology, Witches

I’m used to reading things of the caliber of Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind and Jacqueline Carey for my fantasy fix. While after reading Hounded I would never put Kevin Hearne in this category, I have to give credit where credit is due. He took a pantheon/mythological race that’s been done before and put a interesting, if not wholly pleasing spin on it.

I had to tell myself within the first 20 pages something I often tell myself when confronted with arguments about how the ancient gods and goddesses are portrayed in pop culture – they are what they are, and we are not, thus simply by being human we have to put them in a “box” of sorts. This is where the interesting spin came from, as Hearne managed a fictional take that I would consider almost believable. There simply is no such thing as a perfect god or goddess.

I do have an issue with how he portrays the witches. Hearne demonstrated enough knowledge of witchcraft, of both the Wiccan and less “traditional” variety that it made me wonder if it was simple creative license or a personal… delusion that caused him to paint them as little more than monsters in human skins.

As to the overall story itself, taking the book as a whole, I simply can’t say it was remarkably good or bad. It had its moments of both. I can say that I will pick up the next book in this series and continue reading, but I will give it only one more book to win me over.

Divergent (★★★☆☆)
By: Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent (1)
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopian Society
Pages: 501
Format: eBook

Look, just being honest, this one struck me as a very mediocre book. The synopsis was engaging, had me intrigued and I debated a long time before finally purchasing because I’m not typically a fan of YA fiction (which this strikes me as).

With that out of the way, I do have to applaud Roth on her imagination. It’s something I’m seeing a lot these days – authors with a lot of imagination, a lot of great ideas, but lacking either the technical skill or the time to really do them justice. Roth, unfortunately, falls into this category for me.

The idea of factions is reminiscent of old-school India (and I only say that because I’m not as familiar with the cultural arrangements of modern India as I am with the historical). A few of the classes in the book escape me, but the correlations that stand out to me the most are Brahmin/Abnegation (responsible for the “morality” of the people), Kshatriya/Dauntless (the warriors), and the Untouchables/Factionless (the ones who live separate from society and have the really crappy jobs).

Implementing this kind of a system into a modern setting, very possibly in the US itself, is… sobering. The thought that a society would become so self-destructive that they would turn to a caste-like system in order to save themselves, where there is a LARGE gap between factions (socially speaking, at least) and families can be torn apart just by where interests lay… it’s a bleak picture of the world in deed, and Roth does a great job of illustrating it.

With an engaging premise and a solid world to build on, I was genuinely hopeful I wouldn’t be disappointed by the characters… but I was. (To be fair, this is where I am usually let down the most in a book). This is also usually why I stay away from YA reads, as due to both the age of the main characters and the age of the intended reader, things are not nearly as developed as I prefer.

For a YA read, this would more than likely be one of the more superior reads available these days. From a book fiend who has read everything from Jane Eyre at age 12 to Harry Potter at age 25, it just doesn’t measure up.