Tabitha Tomala

The world is divided by what color your blood is. If you bleed red then you are a commoner by birth, forced into the lower class world without an ability to call your own. If you bleed silver then you are a high-class citizen with unique powers. Mare Barrow was born into the red. She lives with her family, struggling to survive. She picks pockets to keep them afloat until she is caught by a sympathetic silver. Surprised by the show of kindness from a silver stranger, Mare is baffled when she is summoned to the high court to become a servant. There she will learn that she too possesses power, and the silvers will do anything to hide a red with silver powers. Mare finds herself in a treacherous world and she must decide who she can trust with her deadly secret.

I picked this up because of the number of reviews I have seen. The concept seemed interesting and I wondered how well it would be executed. I found the world building lacking. There wasn't enough time spent in the red world before Mare was pulled into the silver. While I understood the reds were treated poorly, the emotion behind it never reached me. I never felt sorry for Mare. Then again I also couldn't stand Mare.

Mare is one of those female characters who is always a damsel in distress. No matter what she always seems to end up the victim. She feels sorry for everyone and is always berating herself for not doing anything when bad things happen. She is gullible and desperate to trust people. Given how she was raised, I found it unbelievable how she came to trust the silvers. How in the world did she survive in the red world like this? It seems the only thing that she's good at is thieving and throwing her power around in pure luck.

There was also very little action in the first sixty percent of the book. I almost stopped reading it. If it weren't an audiobook I probably would have. But I plodded on and the plot finally picked up speed near the end of the novel. The first book in a series can be hard to write. Given how this ended, I'm going to give the author the benefit of the doubt and hope the next one is better. We shall see.

Madison Avery died on her prom night. Targeted by a dark reaper, she died at the bottom of a ravine when her car flipped into it. But Madison's soul stole it's amulet before the reaper could take her. Now she's living with the appearance of a body thanks to her stolen amulet. She's able to carry on her normal life...sort of. But the dark reapers are after her. They want the amulet back and her soul.

Kim Harrison has a tendency to information dump in her first book of a series. It's just her particular style of world building, to throw it all out front for people to see. While this is a huge pet peeve of mine, The Hollows series taught me that Kim has a lot more to offer in books that continue the series. But this time I have to take a star away for it. Madison is given the world building information early on in the story. Ok fine, I expected it. But then Madison repeats this same information, almost word for word with another character later on. This is a waste of page space and my time.

Madison is a repetitive and whiney character. She plunges headfirst into situations even when she knows the results are going to end up a disaster. I wouldn't mind such tendencies if there was a decent storyline to follow. This is targeted towards the younger side of YA, with the fact Madison is more concerned with catching a cute guy than keeping her head above water.

And talk about annoying characters...Grace is horrible. Madison is assigned a guardian angel to try and hide her from the dark reapers. It talks in limericks and acts like an immature child. I think Grace was supposed to be the comic relief, pulling pranks to keep Madison from getting into trouble, but every time I saw her dialogue pop up, I wanted to just skip the lines. Again, I am not the targeted audience and I won't be too harsh on my rating because of it. I will not be continuing the series.

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Arena

Virtual reality has advanced into full immersion gaming. Kali Ling battles to the death in the Arena for the enjoyment of her fans and to fill the pockets of her sponsors. The thrill of the battle sings in her veins as she defeats her foes. And in the professional gaming leagues, death isn't painless. Each time she dies, Kali experiences a virtual death as real as one in real life. But when you can wake up from death, over and over again, what does it matter if you die? Until the lines begin to blur between the virtual world and the real one.

Like most gamers in Arena, Kali indulges in alcohol and drugs, chasing the high she feels when in the game. Her life is a whirlwind of training, publicity, and fame, but she can leave all of it behind when she is immersed in the virtual world. The game itself becomes an addiction for her. When she loses a teammate to an overdose, her need to escape reality increases. She begins to spiral out of control. Watching Kali struggle to balance her life and reclaim her place in the real world made the pages fly by. Amidst the clamor of battle and gaming, Holly Jennings makes it clear that being a celebrity comes with a price.

The character development was spot on in this novel. I didn't notice Kali's slow decline into addiction at first. I realize now that this is how it starts. Small things that no one really notices until something major happens, then all the pieces begin to line up. The description of this book might talk about how Kali is the first woman to lead a team in the RAGE tournaments, but the true story is how she learns how to deal with the pressure and responsibility of that role.

Watching Kali struggle in both the real and virtual worlds kept my attention the entire time. There is never a dull moment and I couldn't wait to have a free moment to dive back into this book. I can't wait to start the next one!

The Great Library controls all knowledge. They believe in the hands of the public, knowledge can be dangerous. People found in possession of original books will be put to death. Jess Brightwell's family is in the business of smuggling books to the highest bidder. As a runner for the family business, Jess risks his life to deliver books throughout London. When a chance to become a student at the library arises, Jess's father is quick to have him apply. Having a smuggler on the inside can turn quite the profit. But Jess will learn that the library will do anything to keep its authority.

The pretense of this book sounded interesting. I'm also a fan of Rachel Caine, so I decided to give it a go. Big mistake, this book was horrible. I could not connect with Jess. He was the most uninteresting character to focus on. Sure his family ran a smuggling business, but outside of the prologue we barely see any of it! It's a forgotten detail that doesn't do anything for the story. I would have much rather seen Morgan be the main character. She at least had something going for her and a back story that I would have loved to read about.

To make matters worse, I couldn't emerge myself in the world. I could care less if people ate books. Because yes, there are people called Ink Lickers who eat books. It is described as a perversion and any character that mentions them is horrified. Seriously? Ok go eat a book, I don't care. I understand how it should matter, but it fell flat.

I struggled to make it through this book. I wanted to put it down, but I kept going, hoping that the writing would be better. It felt like a chore to finish this book.

This review is also featured at Behind the Pages: Dead Witch Walking

In Cincinnati, the Inderlander Security polices all supernatural creatures of the city. Rachel Morgan is a runner for the I.S. and she hates every minute of it. Any job she does for the I.S. is either cursed with bad luck, or intern level work. She's a damn good runner, but her boss refuses to acknowledge it. It's time for something to change. When her latest job is to catch a leprechaun for tax evasion she calls it quits. Glad to see her go, her boss never suspects that his best runner, Ivy Tamwood will quit alongside Rachel. Furious, he puts a price on Rachel's head. With the help of Ivy and a four foot tall pixie named Jenks, Rachel has to dodge the I.S. assassins. The only way to make them stop is to buy out the contract she broke by quitting. While Ivy might have the cash to quit, Rachel is penniless. Rachel sets her sights on Trent Kalamack, a millionaire in the public eye who runs the Brimstone drug trade on the side. But no one has been able to prove his hands are dirty. If Rachel can pin him down, she'll be home free.

Rachel, Ivy, and Jenks have been a dynamic set of characters since I first read The Hollows series years ago. Returning to The Hollows to start the series from the beginning is just as fun as it was the first time around. The three just work well together. Ivy, the one who needs a set plan of action and multiple fail-safes in place. Rachel, the one who rushes into things with a half ass plan, and wings it. And Jenks, the wiseass companion who makes sure to never let them live down said mistakes. Sure they may bungle through some jobs, and mess up plenty of times, but you can't say it isn't entertaining to experience it with them.

Kim Harrison has created a vivid urban fantasy world that is only scratching the surface of the Hollows in this first novel. Even though I already know what happens, I found myself immersed in her world and chuckling at the antics of the three characters. This time around I did notice there is a lot of world building stuffed into the first novel. This might slow some people down, but it lays the groundwork for future novels to take off right from the start. Trust me, wading through the information dumps is worth it.

I can't wait to start the next!

The ice is closing in on all sides. The focus can no longer hold it back and the nations are at war as the land continues to shrink. The convent has been called to fight for their emperor. Nona and her sisters must use all their training to survive, but they are outnumbered and betrayed. The shiphearts may be their only hope. Tasked with the protection of a shipheart, Nona must face her demons and fight to save whoever she can. Pulled in different directions, she must choose who lives and who dies.

Nona has built a name for herself throughout the series. We have watched her grow from a hated peasant child into a respected and feared warrior. She's learned what it means to be betrayed by those close to you, but still believes there is good in people. While she can kill when necessary, she hates every minute of it. In this novel, she will have to the worst parts of herself as the shipheart drags them to the surface.

A lot of long time questions will be answered in Holy Sister. Readers will finally learn more about Zole and how she came to be The Chosen One. We'll also learn what exactly creates the black ice and how the focus can either destroy the world or heal it. But the path to these answers is dark, gritty and filled with emotion. Characters you've come to know and love will be lost. The Ancestor Trilogy has reached a satisfying end. I only wish there were more. I'm not ready to leave this world behind.

When Curran leaves Kate in charge of the pack, it leaves her wide open for trouble. A shapeshifter has killed one of the People, and they are out for more than just blood. It's time for Kate to face her greatest fear. Roland is determined to test her limits, and Kate is severely outnumbered. War is brewing on the horizon. Kate is given twenty four hours to hunt down the shapeshifter and give them over to the People, or else Atlanta will be reduced to a blood smear.

I will admit it took me a while to write this review. I struggled with what to say for the first time in a while. The Kate Daniel's series has been a wild ride from book one. Kate was built into a tough as nails character with a personality as sharp as her sword. But with this book, for the first time, I felt derailed.

As we journey through the People's territory to find clues to the murder, Kate wasn't able to be the flashy merc we've grown to love. I was excited to see a new side to her as she worked in stealth with members of the pack. Unfortunately, her pining for Curran throughout the process angered me. Since when does she doubt herself because of him? If this had been the only section of the book that happened, I could have let it pass.

When Kate is faced with one of the many desperate situations she has been in, she becomes so obsessed with Curran that he is her only hope. Instead of fighting for her life, she barely tries to escape and sits and waits. She waits! When has Kate ever waited for someone to rescue her? When has she ever been a damsel in distress? I could have believed this route if she had tried harder to begin with.

I would rather rate this book a 3.5, but we aren't allowed half star ratings. I gave it the benefit of a doubt and went with 4 instead of 3 stars. I want to believe this lapse in writing will not continue into the next novel. But unfortunately, I will be taking a break from the Kate Daniels series for at least a book or two.

Panacea, the only medicine able to prevent a shapeshifter from turning into a loup. It also happens to be one of the hardest to find. The amount of magic it takes to create panacea is a closely guarded secret of the European shapeshifters. When two more children of the pack go loup, Kate watches as her ward Julie falls apart knowing her best friend has to be killed. Until Curran announces that the pack has been contacted for a job with the European packs, and panacea is the payment. It's an obvious trap, but as Kate sees the torment in the children's faces, she knows the future rest in attaining the panacea. No more children should have to die.

This time readers are taken across the seas where the pack will have to protect a pregnant werewolf by the name of Desandra. Caught in a political struggle, not only does her father want to kill her, but there are two packs near war over her unborn children. Being the only human among shapeshifters, Kate will have to once again prove that she isn't just another weak human. Curran will also have to keep a close lid on his temper, or else start a war between his pack and three others.

Ilona Andrews isn't afraid to introduce new elements into the world of Kate Daniels. Because of this, there is never a dull moment in the series. Kate and the pack will have to face off against a new host of enemies and this time the cost is high. There will be no punches pulled and Kate's past is never far behind her. No one she loves is safe anymore.

If you are in a large amount of debt and unable to survive, this book may be for you. However, use caution when following these guidelines. The author himself was millions of dollars in debt when he created this method of clearing it. This is not a guaranteed strategy and will take years to even possibly work.

To see the full review please visit: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=122286

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Last Wish

Once a human, Geralt has undergone a series of rituals to become a witcher. A hunter of monsters. In this novel, readers will experience a collection of short stories that show snippets of Geralt's life. But while he hunts monsters for money, he also lives by a code. Geralt understands that not all monsters are killers.

The novel is structured around Geralt recovering from a monster attack. As he stays at a temple to heal, the short stories of his life are woven in between his interactions with the priestesses. Geralt is encouraged to seek a vision of his future as the past is strung out before the reader's eyes. Readers will learn that Geralt is not someone who can be swayed when he puts his foot down and outright refuses to see his future. And why might you ask? He seems to already know. But how he attained this information I have no idea.

A common theme throughout the novel is that Sapkowski prefers his readers to put the pieces together themselves. Readers are thrown into the world of witchers with next to no explanation. Those who have played the video games will be able to grasp the concepts quicker than readers who have not. I fall into the latter category and I was left grasping at straws. The first few short stories were confusing and not well translated. The number of adverbs used to describe just about everything wanted to make me scream. I did notice as the novel continued, the use of language improved and I was able to immerse myself in the story.

I did happen to notice that each short story is based around a fairy tale. It seems an odd mix of worlds, but Sapkowski does a good job of blending the two. I did, however, find that the short stories never connected. While they all featured the witcher, they seemed to be a random progression of his life. I was left confused and wondering what in the world the point of all the stories was. I can say I am interested in continuing the story of Geralt because he is a worthy character, but I hesitate because of the number of unanswered questions left behind.

Kate Daniels is on her own. Opening up her own agency sounded like a good idea until the lack of clients makes her think otherwise. When a familiar face from the past shows up asking for help, Kate has no choice but to accept the case. A man by the name of Adam Kamen has engineered a magical device and gone missing. What does the device do? No one will tell Kate, but from the looks of it, things might just explode. As Kate dives into the investigation, she finds that magic is disappearing. Vampires begin to run wild as the People lose their hold on them, wards vanish and age old enchantments are suddenly lifted. And in the midst of it all, Julie has decided she no longer wants to be away at school and runs away back to the city. Chaos at its finest and in the middle of it all Kate Daniels. Could we really have it any other way?

Kate has her hands full this time around. Between trying to balance pack politics, running her first solo investigation and dealing with Julie wandering the streets of Atlanta, there is never a dull moment. Then again, the Kate Daniels series always keeps you on your toes. Ilona Andrews has built a series where each character becomes endeared to you. And Andrews takes plenty of liberties with those bonds as she decides to slice through the heartstrings with this novel, just as precisely as Kate would behead a vampire with Slayer.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Online Book Club.

This is definitely a book you want to read with an open mind. You would find this in the humor section of any bookstore. Morris Rollins puts his own spin on how men should date in the modern world. While I didn't find it hilarious, I also understood I was not the target audience and could respect that.

To see my full review please visit: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=114&t=116946&p=1270387#p1270387

Science fiction and fantasy combine as Ilona Andrews sets the stage for an Innkeeper who provides lodgings for otherworldly and supernatural visitors. Armed with a magical broom that can transform at her whim and a sentient house, Dina’s goal is to protect her visitors and ensure they enjoy their stay. When a creature stalks the town and threatens the comfort of her inn, it’s up to Dina, the local werewolf, and a cosmic vampire to put an end to it.

Clean Sweep was such a unique experience. Reading about Dina’s magical abilities and use of the Inn combined with the presence of other worlds and space vampires took a little adjustment. There was plenty of backstory and world-building to lay down a foundation for how it all works, but it needs a bit more refinement. Being that this is the first book in the series, there is plenty of room to grow.

There was also a healthy dose of filtration and alpha male posturing for those looking into the budding romance side of stories. And Dina is not the type of woman to back down from a challenge. Being matched up against a domineering personality would certainly have sparks flying.

Dina is an enjoyable character to read about. Her past is tragic and carries a hint of mystery. She is new to owning her inn but is still steadfast in her beliefs to uphold the rules of innkeepers, yet she isn’t afraid to find a few loopholes to protect more than just her guests. She also has a delightful dog named Beast who is small but carries big dog energy and humor into the story.

Clean Sweep is for those looking to explore fantasy with a sci-fi twist and light hints of romance. This is an easy to read enjoyable journey.

Kate Daniels' past has caught up to her, and anyone associated with her is in danger. Kate was raised to be a loner, an outsider. Her instincts scream at her to run and hide. But now that she has built a life for herself, she will not go down without a fight to the death protecting all she loves. And this time it really might be the death of her. An ancient being has awakened and is terrorizing Atlanta with disease and death. Killing the leaders of the organized orders that hold Atlanta together one by one.

Fighting against an evil that is centuries older than her will not let Kate walk away without sacrifices. No matter what she does, her life is going to take a drastic turn. The Kate Daniels series never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat. Each of these books is full of action, magic, and destruction and I love every minute of them

Shapeshifters are being murdered, their bodies left on display for the pack to find. When Kate stumbles on Jim cleaning up one of the bodies, she offers to enlist her help and is denied. Until the next body found is her friend Derek, and he's barely clinging to life. Kate plunges headfirst into the investigation, regardless of the consequences. Her path will lead both herself and Curran to The Midnight Games. An underground fighting ring where humans and creatures battle to the death. Place your bets, because once Kate Daniels gets involved, all hell will break loose.

Another fast paced, action packed installment to the Kate Daniels series. This time we are allowed to see the underground of Atlanta and witness the brutality that encompasses the Midnight Games. Ilona Andrews ramps up the tension by throwing our favorite characters into an all out death brawl and no punches are pulled. Kate will have to make sacrifices to save her friends, and endanger the life she has spent years building.

Throughout the series, we've been given pieces of Kate's past, strung along like breadcrumbs. This book is by far one of the most revealing in the series and will start connecting the dots. Readers will learn how Kate developed her skills, and the harsh realities she had to face as a child. By the time you finish this novel, there will no longer be any doubt in your mind how she became such a battle hardened woman.

This series is hard to put down. I'm am so hooked on it that I no longer want to read anything else. On to the next book!

The magic is rising and falling at a rapidly increasing rate. There is only one thing the fluctuating magic can mean, a massive magical flare is about to be released on Atlanta. And who best but Kate Daniels to be in the middle of it? What starts as an investigation into a simple stolen magical artifact, turns into a literal witch hunt as Kate is dragged into a coven's misguided magic. With the flare drawing ever closer, Kate is in a race against time as an ancient evil threatens to reduce what remains of Atlanta to nothing more than rubble.

Kate is a kickass heroine. Raised to be a weapon, her tongue is as sharp as her sword. But this time she has a street kid named Julie tagging along, and we get to see another side to Kate. Now I won't say she has a soft side, but she certainly shows how protective she can be over an innocent. Helping Julie find her lost mom becomes Kate's goal as they search the streets of Atlanta for clues. It so happens the witch coven Julie's mother belonged to began messing with magic that should have been left alone. During a large flare of magic, just about anything can come into reality if there is enough belief behind it. Even Gods.

The world building in this series is astounding. Each book brings to light the twisted nature of the war between tech and magic. This time, Kate has to search through what used to be a trailer park. It has now been deemed the Honeycomb and not everyone who goes in comes back out. The trailers have warped and expanded, sometimes enveloping their once former inhabitants and banishing them to another realm. Those new to the area are advised to carry a ball of string with them, so if the trailer park swallows you there is at least a chance of finding you before you disappear forever. Then again even if you are found, chances are you will never be the same again.

Readers will also have a chance to see Curran and the pack once more, as they're dragged into the magical mess. It seems a certain thief keeps stealing their maps of the city, a thief with a vested interest in the missing witches. And if you're familiar with the Pack, then you know how furious Beast Lord Curran becomes when something is taken from him. Of course, it doesn't help with Kate constantly at war with him when it comes to snarky comebacks and attitude. Although at this point I think Kate amuses Curran with her ways, the same way a cat is amused by a mouse before it pounces.

Another great installment. Can't wait for the next!

When Jude's mother was pregnant, she ran from faerie to hide in the human world. Ten years later, her husband took his revenge and stole not only his fey child, but the human twins as well. Taken from her murder parents, Jude and her sisters learn to survive in the treacherous world of faerie without being held under enchantment. Every day Jude must endure the cruelty of the fey and constantly be reminded of her human mortality. All she wants is a place in court and the comfort of safety. But to gain that protection, she will have to dive deeper into the danger to earn her keep.

Jude just didn't cut it for me as a main character. I was surprised how little character building there was to her. Her past is literally glossed over in bullet points for a chapter. Seriously? I hate to say it... lazy writing. Something I didn't think I would see from Holly Black.

Not a series I will continue. The plot dragged on and I could care less about the sub plots.

Darrow has infiltrated the Gold ranks. But the Sons of Ares have failed to contact him. Now he must fight to stay on top, as he tries to continue his mission of breaking the chains alone. He is forever being cut down by Augustus' advisors. Golds who are envious of his skills. Darrow has to keep his wits as sharp as his razor if he is going to survive the politics of this world. As he fights to stay distant from the Golds he calls friends, the double life will begin to wear him down. Mistakes will be made and as Darrow sparks a war among the Golds, he will learn that friends can quickly become enemies.

After being amazed by the first book, this one was disappointing. It was a build up book. The entire book was a giant war and the same things happened throughout the entire thing. Golds switched alliances to whoever looked more powerful, ships blew up, councils debated tactics and loads of people died. But really...the entire book? I honestly started skim reading because the dialogue was so wordy and philosophical it bored me. I just wanted to make sure I kept a record of who died so I wouldn't be confused.

Before the war and the last chapter of the book were the only parts that actually hooked me. I struggled through hoping the same spark the first book had could be found. I understand the point of showing the politics of the world, but there was barely any balance in this book. Everything was politics, war and things going wrong. I like a lot of conflict in my books, but this was too much.

Maybe the next one will be better. I can only hope this build up book wasn't a waste of my time.

Welcome back to the Grishaverse, but it will not quite be what you remember. While The Language of Thorns mentions familiar places and powers, this is a whole new look at the world. You'll learn about the fables that your favorite characters grew up with and the cautionary tales told before bedtime. Leigh Bardugo has spun her take on fairy tales and fit them into the Grishaverse.

This novel was marketed as a prequel of sorts, but it doesn't ever really connect with the books she has already written. The only thing that makes this part of the same world are the interwoven cities, races and abilities. The final tale did hint at a possible Darkling tie in, but to me, the pieces didn't quite line up enough.

This was an entertaining read, but it lacked the thrill of the other books in this world. Retelling fairytales doesn't allow for sudden cliffhangers or deft defying feats. It was a good book, but not something necessary to read if you enjoy her other series. If you want a light read to tie you over until her next book release, then, by all means, pick this one up, but don't expect the same level of excitement.

I was excited for The Art of Racing in the Rain because it is written from the dog Enzo's point of view. However, this is in no way what I expected. Yes there are scenes that scream dog, but most of the book is too human.

What I expected was something similar to Watership Down. A world translated into what Enzo believed it should be based on his experiences. Instead there is a supposed dog who knows way too much about racing and can spout philosophy. And the best part? TV taught him everything.

And the racing....the entire first half was about race cars. I suppose if you are a fan of the subject like the author seems to be then it would probably be great. I don't care about racing and the analogies on life it teaches.

By the time tragedy strikes the family I could care less. I didn't know anything about the family. I never had a chance to bond with the characters, let alone grieve with them.

How was this a bestseller? How?

Nick has been diagnosed with cancer. At the age of 15, he must come to terms with the fact he may never live to be an adult. Nick spends his weekends playing D & D with his best friends, trying to escape the harsh reality his life has become. Until one day he meets a man who is oddly familiar. One who promises that if he helps him, Nick may just live to see adulthood.

Mark Lawrence has been one of my favorite authors since Prince of Thorns. Now, this is no brutal and dark fantasy like Thorns, but it was still entertaining. Being the geek I am, I loved reading about the D & D adventures that paralleled what the kids were going through. I do have to admit the whole concept of quantum physics went over my head though. The entire explanation about paradoxes and branching timelines through me for a loop. Not my cup of tea.

Time travel. Yes, the appropriate cracks were made about Back to the Future. In fact, it takes place during the same year the movie came out. But even with the concept of multiple timelines and the fear of messing up the one timeline they needed to follow, this one also seemed a bit slower in pace. There was a lot less conflict than the typical books I read, but given it is the first in a new series I can let it slide.

I didn't feel as connected to Nick as I have with the rest of Lawrence's characters, but it may be due to the fact he wasn't an anti-hero. I still look forward to the next book, as it seems there is going to be some issues with the timeline. I'd like to see how far into the realms of impossible this series will go.

Kate Daniels is a mercenary with a mouth as sharp as her sword. She lives in a world where magic and technology cannot co-exist. When magic is running rampant, almost all technology shuts down until it draws back. The city of Atlanta is falling apart. Buildings have collapsed from the constant struggle between magic and technology. And something is stalking the streets killing shapechangers and vampires, bringing the city close to an all-out war between the two groups of supernatural creatures. That same something killed Kate's guardian, and now she is on the hunt for whoever, or whatever killed him.

Kate might be small, but don't mistake her for being weak. She will challenge anyone who gets in her way to finding the truth. Of course, she doesn't always think before she speaks, and it can put her in some precarious situations. Especially with Curran, Lord of the shapeshifters. Being the alpha means no challenge can go without being met, and Kate doesn't hesitate to mouth off to him.

While Kate tries to navigate pack politics, she'll have to also deal with The People. Necromancers who pilot vampires. In this series, vampires are not walking around talking and charming the pants off unsuspecting mortals. They are nothing more than blood-sucking shells that must be controlled by a necromancer, or else be reduced to a blood-lusting rage. I enjoyed the creep factor brought in by the vampires, almost the polar opposite to any other urban fantasy series.

I read this series when it first came out, and never got around to finishing it. This time, I'm committed to the end. I can't wait to see how the series develops and what else this world holds.

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Survival of Molly Southbourne

The world of Molly Southbourne has been torn apart. The farmhouse has burned to the ground and she is trying to start over. But her mind cannot handle reality anymore and imaginary mollies are following her every step. But the mollies aren't her only problem this time. The agency that once kept her safe is now trying to kill her and a woman named Tamara has taken an interest in Molly. Tamara swears she only wants to help Molly, but how much does she know? Can she be trusted? Molly must use everything she has learned to stay alive and try to piece together what is real and what is fantasy.

The novella had a strong start. Molly's memories and insecurities wage a war in her mind causing a psychotic break. The first book was the perfect build up to the explosion Molly must deal with in part two. Dealing with the years of guilt and constant anxiety takes its toll on Molly and she now has imaginary mollies to worry about on top of everything else.

Things start to go astray as Tamara is introduced. Molly ends up getting involved with a group of people who, to some degree, understand what makes her different. But instead of holding onto the macabre that made the first book so brilliant, it becomes more of a typical fantasy novel with big action scenes and fewer mind games. The story strays away from focusing on Molly and tries to do more of a big picture look at people who have the same ability. There just wasn't enough page time for this to affect.

By the end of this book, there was no closure on major events. It felt like the book suddenly stopped, leaving too much behind without an explanation. I think this one was a bit too overreaching and had too many subplots for the page count.

This review is also featured at Behind the Pages: No Rest for the Wicked

Thank you to Black Rose Writing for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review!

Viola is quite the con woman. She's moved cross country to California with the wealth she earned from her last deception. All she wants is to live her life with a great glass of alcohol in hand, away from the ghosts of her past. As a clairvoyant, she can see and commune with the dead. An ability she has repressed and tried to leave behind for good. And for a while it works, until a ghost by the name of Tobias tracks her down to demand help. Tobias claims a friend from the past sent him to Vi's doorstep, but who? As Vi grudgingly helps Tobias with his unfinished business, she will be pulled back into the world of ghosts and forced to face the consequences of her last con. And this time her power will refuse to remain repressed.

No Rest for the Wicked was a light fun read. It was a pretty straight forward story. Nothing lurking in dark corners to surprise the reader. Vi was quite the character to read, as she tried to avoid her responsibilities as a clairvoyant. She is a strong female character to follow. Watching her use her wit to talk herself out of situations and pull fast ones over her opposition reinforced the fact she was a great con woman.

Bonnie, however, was a bit unbelievable. She seemed to latch on to Vi rather quickly. Granted, I can see how she would be grateful to Viola. Touching Vi allows other people to see spirits, and Bonnie was allowed to speak with her husband. But she attached herself to Vi and just refused to not follow her. The woman would do just about anything for Vi within a matter of days meeting her. Watching Bonnie go through a bit more of the grieving process with Vi's help would have round out the friendship better.

Phoebe Darqueling does a great job putting the characters into historic California during the gold rush. At one point you'll find yourself caught up in a good old saloon brawl caused by rivals over a game of poker. Vi is quite comical as her establishment is ruined and she runs away with the money from the poker game. Darqueling doesn't shy away from the political aspects of the time either. You'll witness the harsh reality of prejudice as Vi's little friend George is looked down upon and insulted by certain members of society due to the color of his skin. If you're a fan of historical fiction you might just enjoy this one even with the supernatural elements added in.

Unfortunately, there were a lot of errors in this book. I think the most common word missing from a sentence was “to”. It was a bit jarring to be reading and stumble over the writing due to a lack of words. There were a few misspellings as well. But, even with typos, I would be willing to read the next in the series.

This review is also featured at Behind the Pages: Five Feet Apart

Stella was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was six years old. Saint Grace's hospital has become a second home for her through the years as she continues to battle the terminal disease. In order to feel in control of her life, she makes to do lists to follow and has a meticulously organized med cart. She's also developed an app to alert people with strict medication regiments when to take their medication. Her carefully ordered world is about to turn inside out as a new CFer arrives at Saint Grace's.

Will is cynical, sarcastic and tired of battling CF. He's contracted B. cepacia, an antibiotic resistant bacteria that has taken him off the lung transplant list. He's toured the world from the seat of a hospital bed as his mother has dragged him from place to place to undergo new treatments. Nothing has been able to rid his body of the B. cepacia and he wants to just live his life to the fullest before he dies. The strict regimen of medication he must take to breath is annoying and he can't be bothered to finish his treatments. Until he meets Stella and learns what it means to want to live.

I will admit I had never heard of this book before the movie announcement. Do not approach this book thinking it is going to be another Fault in our Stars. Stella and Will are vastly different characters than what you experience in Fault. While they are teenagers, Rachel Lippincott was able to show how coming to terms with a disease like CF makes them mature in ways other teenagers have not. Grappling with how their family will handle death and the amount of responsibility an individual can feel when they can't control the disease was heartbreaking. It brings to light the amount of weight someone can feel when they are simply trying to stay alive.

People with Cystic Fibrosis cannot touch one another. The safe distance to stay apart is six feet as long as no one coughs or sneezes. The germs one person with CF carries can kill the other. Someone with B. cepacia is especially dangerous because there is no treatment for it. Once you contract B. cepacia you are off the transplant list and your already short life expectancy is reduced. The relationship between Stella and Will is without touch, it has to be for their own safety. I enjoyed the ways the two characters developed a relationship without relying on touch to facilitate it.

While this can certainly be a hard book to read due to the emotional weight, it is beautifully written and I highly recommend it. I hope to see more novels by Rachel Lippincott in the future.