Nickie

Clae Sinclair is the Head Sweeper of Amicae. Clae and his apprentice Laura take care of any infestations in their city. Amulets hold various magic. They can be used for everyday household things like cooking, or in jobs for speed, pretty much everything. But when an amulet gets broken, it becomes the possible host to an infestation. An infestation will destroy everything around it until it's stopped. That's where the sweepers come in. They make sure broken amulets are taken care of properly, and they fight any infestations that arise.

Somebody has it out for Clae. Would they really unleash multiple infestations on the city just to get back at one man? It looks that way.

This story was good, but not great. I thought the magic system sounded interesting, and I liked the characters. I doubt I will continue the series though. It just wasn't that memorable.

I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed some of these stories, some not so much. I still love all things Mercy, I'm just not that into anthologies.

I have to admit that this was pretty much a cover buy. It's gorgeous! And, it's about the fae which I love.
I've heard this compared to Sarah J. Maas, but I have not read her books so I don't know if that is true or not.

This story follows Serena. She has always been different. Most people avoid her. Her mother is dead, her father got remarried and her step-mother is horrible. Her life can't get much worse. Can it?

Apparently it can. She is taken by the fae. She is to be trained as a warrior for Morgan. What can a weak human do in a fae war you ask? Read this to find out.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, the world, the magic. I really liked the writing style as well. I am very excited for the next one.

I was very excited to read this after reading the blurb for it. I thought it was beautifully written. I enjoyed this world and it's magical storms, and I liked the characters as well.

This story follows Mehr, part Amrithi, part Ambhan noble. She is an outcast. The Amrithi are hunted by the emperor and often killed because of the magic they possess. Mehr hides her Amrithi heritage because she lives with her father, a governor for the emperor.

When a storm comes, Mehr dances the rite. Her magic is exposed and she draws the attention of the emperor's feared mystics. The Maha is the most powerful and feared of all. He wants Mehr to marry one of his mystics. He wants her power.

It is against Mehr's Amrithi heritage to do this, but, if she doesn't, her family could lose everything, including their lives.

I really enjoyed this book and am eager for the next one. I received a copy from Net Galley.

All I have to say is that this remains one of my all time favorite series!

I really enjoyed this book. It was somewhat predictable at times, but I still thought it was great.

Everleigh is part of the royal family. But, since she's seventeenth in line for the throne, she might as well be a servant. She gets the same amount of respect as a servant most of the time.
She attends whatever functions the Queen sends her to, and tries to attract as little attention as possible.

When the Queen decides it's time to marry off her hateful daughter Vasilia, everyone must be there for the announcement. Vasilia has other ideas. Not only does she refuse the marriage, she kills her would-be fiance, , everyone in her family, and all those in attendance. Well, almost everyone. Everleigh manages to escape and goes into hiding until she can figure out a way to avenge the Queen.

I'm excited for the next book. I loved these characters.

This is the story of Odysseus. It starts when he is a young prince getting ready to go before the oracle at Pytho. He wants nothing more than to rule Ithaca one day just like his father. His life will be turned upside down after hearing the oracle. He will be marked for death. He will be hunted.

I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read any Greek mythology in a while, so this was a nice change of pace. I loved some of the characters, and absolutely hated some others. Reading about how the women were treated then never fails to piss me off! This was my first time reading anything by David Hair and I will definitely read more.

I received a copy of this book from Net Gallery. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a great book to get you in the mood for Halloween.

Because of a scandal, Lydia, her two sisters, and her parents have to leave their city lives behind and move to the country.

The house is nice, the area is beautiful, but something just isn't right. Lydia starts hearing voices, seeing people that aren't there, and has a feeling of unease.

Maybe there's a reason it was empty for so long before they moved here.

I enjoyed this book. It had the creepy vibe that I look for this time of year.
I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I've heard people rave about this book, and now I know why. It was fantastic!! It took me a little bit to figure out the magic system because it's pretty complex, but once I caught on, I was blown away.

Gavin Guile is The Prism. He is the only person able to draft all of the colors. Drafters are able to see certain colors and manipulate them into what they want. Most drafters can draft one or two colors. Since Gavin can draft them all, he is the most powerful man alive.
Gavin lives at the Chromeria, where drafters are trained. One day he received a message that he has a 15-year old son named Kip. Gavin must go get him and bring him back before he can be used against him.
Meanwhile, a rebellion is brewing. There are those who think the Chromeria uses drafters and then casts them aside when they are of no use. Led by self-proclaimed King Garadul, they seek to destroy the Chromeria and everything it stands for.

As if that's not enough, Gavin has a huge secret. If it gets out, it will destroy him.

I loved this book! It's character driven, plot driven, and just plain exciting the whole way through. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that reads fantasy books.

This book was ok for me. I thought it was a cute story. I highly doubt I will continue the series.

Cassandra Reed is getting ready to start school at Miss Castwell's Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies. As you can tell by the name, it's a school for girls with magical abilities. The thing is, Cassandra shouldn't have magical abilities. She's actually Sarah Smith, and she's a snipe. Snipes are non-magical people that serve the Guardian families that do have magic.
Sarah didn't know she had magic until she was under stress, and she used magic in front of her employer Mrs Winter. Knowing that she could be killed for being a snipe with magic, she's terrified. But, Mrs. Winter knows that if people found out about Sarah's magic, the scandal would ruin her family. So instead of turning her in, she creates Cassandra Reed.
Now Sarah will have to forget who she really is so no one will find out her secret.

I really liked this book. It was funny, I loved Sarah, Ivy, and all the girls. Even the mean ones. This is a quick, light read. I look forward to more.

I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book sounded interesting to me, but I had no idea that I would love it sooo much!

This story follows Languoreth from child to forgotten Queen. Languoreth and her twin Lailoken were raised according to the Old Way. They knew from a young age that one of them would be Chosen as a Wisdom Keeper, and the other would rule their lands. Languoreth wanted so badly to be Chosen. Not only would she be following in her mother's footsteps, she also wouldn't be forced to marry someone for the good of her people.

Her wish did not come true. Lailoken was Chosen. Now she must prepare herself to be married off to whoever her father decides is the best match. With a new religion overtaking the Old Way, Languoreth knows it is all political. This new religion is home to a few fanatics that believe it is the only way and are willing to start a war to prove it.

Between Christanity, the Picts, and the Angles, Languoreth is surrounded by war. All she can do is try to make decisions that will keep those she loves safe.

I absolutely loved this book! I fell in love with the characters, I could picture the world, and the story itself kept me hooked through the whole book. I cannot wait for the next one!!

I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I love pretty much everything Charlaine Harris writes, and I'm sad to be done with this series. Hopefully she will change her mind and write more of these. I love the characters and the town.

Toby is becoming more and more reckless. Ever since the Saltmist kidnappings, and everything she lost during that time, Toby is out of control. The worst part is, everyone can see it but her. Until Tybalt shows up again and many things become clear to her. She will have to pull herself together because she has another child to find.

When Luna, Rayseline, and Toby were missing, Etienne had to take on a lot more responsibility. When everything became too much for him, he had a secret relationship with a human. He just recently found out that he has a daughter and that she's missing. Chelsea can teleport like her father, but she is much more powerful. She is opening portals to places closed by Oberon himself. She must be found before she destroys Faerie.

These books keep getting better. I loved it!!

This book was amazing!! I was happy, sad, mad. I think I went through every emotion while reading this book. I loved it!!

Things are going great for Toby. She's spending a lot of time with Connor, training with Sylvester, and just hanging out at home or at Goldengreen. Things can't continue to go well, this is October Daye we're talking about.
The sons of the Duchess of Saltmist have been kidnapped. Toby has a couple of days to find them and bring them home or Undersea will declare war . Toby knows there is no way they can defeat all of Undersea. They don't have the numbers or the training. It would be a slaughter.
Toby must get over her fear of the water and find the kidnapper and stop this war. She can't bear to lose anyone else.

It's been awhile since I've read one of these books. I don't know why I take a break in between, because they are soooo good! This remains one of my all time favorite series of all time.

Rhia is a noblewoman. It is not acceptable for a woman to run her own household. Many of the merchants won't deal with a woman. She is a scientist. She just wants to study the environment and be left alone. With a marriage proposal on the table, Rhia must go on a journey to find her brother, otherwise she may have to accept the proposal.
Rhia is also shadowkin. Shadowkin live in the shadowlands. There are also skykin. They live in the skylands. Skylands are dangerous for shadowkin. They can't be out during the day because the sun will kill them. During the night, there are other unfamiliar dangers to worry about. Rhia must pass through the skylands on her journey to Zekt to find her brother. It's a dangerous journey, but the scientist in Rhia is also excited. She has always wanted to know more about the skykin. This could be her chance to have all of her questions answered. But, her main goal is to find her brother and bring him home. What she doesn't know is that there are others looking for her brother as well.

This book was very interesting. The world is very unusual and fascinating. I loved Rhia's character. She is such a strong and smart woman. I'm interested in reading more from this author.

I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A mysterious disease is killing children. Ruby has watched as her class has gotten smaller and smaller. On her tenth birthday she feels weird. She's not quite sure what's different. Whatever it is makes her parents call the police and have her taken away. She is sent to camp Thurmond. It's a horrible place filled with other children. Apparently the children that survived the disease have developed some scary and dangerous abilities and the government wants them contained.

I've had this book on my radar since it came out. I just never got around to it. When I saw the movie trailer, I decided I should read it before I watch the movie. I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters. I'm excited to read the rest of the series and to see the movie.

It's been four years since Blackwing Captain Ryhalt Galharrow and crew saved Valengrad from the Deep Kings. Things have been going well for him. His business is running smoothly, Nenn and Tnota are still alive. Everything is business as usual until someone breaks into Crowfoot's vault.

Of course Crowfoot expects Galharrow to find out who broke in and what they took. Who has enough power to get past Crowfoot's wards? No one but a Deep King or maybe another Nameless. As he investigates, clues quickly point to a new power. One that Ryhalt is familiar with. One that he hates.

Meanwhile, a ghost in the form of a woman is appearing in the light. She is called the Bright Lady. Ryhalt is afraid to believe the stories about her. If they are true, he will never stop until he saves her from the light.

When it becomes clear that all of these things are connected, Ryhalt knows he will only find his answers in the Misery. Hopefully he can make it back and save Valengrad again.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series. I think I loved this one even more!! As with Blackwing, I loved the characters, the magic, and the world. I felt like this one was way more intense and I was on the edge of my seat. I just love this series! This one did hurt me more though. It was gut wrenching in a couple of spots. Everyone must read this!!

I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The city of Tevanne is divided into Merchant Houses. They hold the cities magic, wealth, and power. If you don't belong to one of these Houses, chances are you are probably poor.
The magic is called scriving. Scriving is using codes to make an object sentient. Only the Houses are allowed scrived objects. If the poor have these objects, they probably stole them, or made them illegally.
Sancia is a thief. She has taken a very dangerous job, but the money is worth it. At least she thinks it is. She is sent to steal an artifact from a safe on the waterfront. She has no idea what she's stealing or what she's gotten herself into until numerous parties try to kill her. She has a lot of questions, but the first one is who hired her. If she can figure that one out, that will be a good starting point to figuring out what the hell is going on.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved Sancia and Clef. I thought it was a very unique and fun read.
I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Long ago, Mytica was all one kingdom. After elementia (powerful magic) left the land, Mytica split into three kingdoms, Limeros, Auranos, and Paelsia. Each kingdom is very different from the others. Of them all, Paelsia is the only one starving and extremely poor.

While vastly different, these kingdoms have one thing in common. Greedy rulers. They all want more. One event will set the three against each other.

Meanwhile, a prophecy may be coming true. Elementia may be returning. Someone wielding magic could just tip the scales if a war breaks out.

I really enjoyed this book. Some parts were very predictable, otherwise my rating would be higher. I will continue on with the series soon.

This is a story about what happens after a war. How people cope, how they try to get back to normal, and how they move on.
The Kinslayer and his armies of Yorughan killed everything. Anything in their path was crushed or corrupted. He made magical abominations and released them on the world. He did unspeakable things.
And then he was killed.
Celestaine and her two Yorughan companions are three of the heroes that had a hand in his death. Now, she wants to right one of the many wrongs committed by the Kinslayer. He chained the Aethani and forced them into his mines. But not before he cut their wings off. Now, Celestaine and company are searching for magical artifacts that could help them get their wings back.
Along the way, she sees what a toll the war took on the world and wonders if anything will ever be the same again.
This book was pretty good. I thought it was slow in spots though. The way it was written kind of made me feel like I was missing something, like a first book. Other than that I thought it was pretty good. I will definitely check out more from this author.
I received a copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book follows Merit, a college student turned vampire.

Merit was walking across campus at night and was attacked by a vampire. He only had time to tear her neck open before he was scared away. Scared away by another vampire. Her “savior” saved her life by turning her into a vampire.

She wasn't turned by just any vampire, she was turned by Ethan, the master of Cadogan House.

As if being turned, and kicked out of school isn't enough, now she has to decide if she will give up her independence and swear loyalty to Cadogan House, or be an outcast.

This book started pretty slow for me. It picked up in the middle though. I guessed the outcome, so because of the predictability, I gave it only 3 stars. The characters were likable enough that I will probably continue on in the series.

I loved this book! What a fun read!!

I'm a huge fan of the Kate Daniels series and the Innkeeper books, so I was really happy to see this.

Hugh d'Ambray has been shunned by his master. Obeying Roland is all he's ever known. As the Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Hugh has fought and killed at Roland's command. Since he was cast out, Hugh has nothing. Nothing but the desire to drink himself to death. He knows he needs to pull himself together. His Dogs need him. Now that he is no longer in Roland's good graces, he knows that Landon Nez will come for them.

Elara Harper (aka The White Lady) needs protection. She must protect her people from any threats. Someone wants her land and will stop at nothing to get it.

Hugh and his Dogs are starving badasses. Elara has plenty of food and needs protection. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Or hell.

I really liked this book. I love the characters and the magic is great. My only complaint is that I wish I would've finished all of the Kate books first. I will still read them, but now I know more than I should going into the rest of the series.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited when I first heard about this book because I haven't read very much Asian-inspired/military fantasy. I am soooo glad I picked it up. This book is amazing!!

This story follows Rin, a war orphan living in Rooster Province. Her adopted parents are opium dealers. Now that Rin is old enough, they plan to marry her off for a dowry. Rin has no intention of getting married, so she spends all of her spare time studying for the Keju. The Keju is a test to find the most talented children in the empire to attend the Academies. Rin has her sights set on Sinegard, the most elite of the Academies.

Nobody thinks she will pass. Nobody but her.

Not only does she pass, she does well enough to get into Sinegard. No more being a servant, and no getting married. Rin is starting to believe she's finally made it. Until she gets to Sinegard. Certain classmates won't let her forget that she's a mere peasant from Rooster Province while they are the sons and daughters of Warlords. She will have to fight to keep her place there. And, even though the Nikara Empire is at peace right now, the first two Poppy Wars have taught them all that peace doesn't always last.

I absolutely loved this book. Rin is a great character. I loved the character growth. I loved the world, the different cultures. I hate the Federation. I hope there will be more soon!!

R.F. Kuang has been added to my list of auto-buy authors! Definitely one of the best books I've read this year.