Stray Moon by Kelly Meding (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Para-Marshal Shiloh Harrison has always been a great number two for the East Coast unit. But after her boss is found dead (having betrayed the paranormals he was sworn to protect), she’s suddenly thrust into a leadership role she isn’t prepared for. And it doesn’t help that she traded away memories of one of her most important team members to save another’s life during her last mission.

Too, she’s in charge of a unit that is mired in bureaucratic red tape, meaning she’s essentially under house arrest. But a West Coast Para-Marshal has astral-projected a warning: werewolves are going missing, and she needs Shiloh’s help. Last time it was vampires. This time it’s werewolves. Half-djinn herself, she knows she can’t just sit around and do nothing while paranormals are getting snatched. Her old boss may have broken his oath, but Shiloh will do anything to serve and protect."

My Thoughts:

I am well and truly hooked on this series now thanks to this latest book!  Urban fantasy has always held a special place in my readerly heart.  There just isn't enough new series coming out lately in my opinion which is a shame.  Happily enough I found this series right at the beginning with the first book Stray Magic.  Without sharing any spoilers, that first book left me very eager to get my hands on this newest book so I jumped at the chance to read it.  It was just as good as I had hoped that it would be I'm happy to report.  I picked this book up and jumped right back into where I had left off in book one it felt like.  Let me start off by saying though that I really do think that you need to read this series in order so start with book one.  It's not that the author didn't do a good job of catching the reader up on the action from that first book (she actually does a really great job of it) but there is just so much that carries over from that first book that I really do recommend reading them in order.  For me, the details she gave from that previous book were enough to help jog my memory so that I didn't feel lost when starting on this one which sometimes can happen when waiting to read books in series for periods of time.  I absolutely adore the characters in this series!  Shiloh is everything that I could want as a main character.  She is kick-ass when she needs to be but also both vulnerable and caring.  Her team and job as a para-marshal are two of the most important things to her and it shows throughout the book.  I love how this author has taken different types of paranormal characters and featured them as main characters rather than just your typical vampires and shifters.  Sure, this book has them too but it isn't often that you see a half genie as your main character!  This book was just as fast paced as the first book so I breezed through the pages of it.  I actually finished the last half of the book all in one chunk after work one evening because I just couldn't stop reading.  I'm so curious to see where this author is going to take us next after the way this book ended!  It is going to be a very long wait until book three - that's for sure!

Overall, I enjoyed this book and am so excited to have found this series!  I NEED more urban fantasy series like this in my life!  Books like this are just so fun to read.  I love how action packed this was, all of the different types of characters, and there is even a little bit of mystery behind who could be involved in it all.  All of this combines into a book that I just couldn't set down!  I would recommend this series to fans of urban fantasy and paranormal.  I stand by my recommendation of reading them in order.  There are only two books so far so it's not like there are ten books to catch up on (although at this rate I would still say they were worth taking the time to read).  Easily recommended!

Bottom Line:  A great addition to this series that has me wishing I had book three in my hands already!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss.  Thoughts are my own.

It's A Charmed Life (The Grimm Chronicles) by Selene Charles (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Welcome to a world of fantasy, fairy tales, and murder most foul... 

My name's Elle. Princess Arielle, for those who know about my past. Cursed by my own father, now I'm banished to Grimm. I'm a siren, killer, and one of the best damned cold-case detectives in all of the bloody realms. I don't stop until I discover the truth, no matter where that truth leads.

My next case sends me to Wonderland, a harrowing place of madness and dark secrets. I'd rather be landlocked than step foot on that tainted soil, but I don't have a choice after discovering Alice's bloodstained ribbon and a bandicoot's claw covered in blood beside two stiff's at the Charming's sprawling castle. My insatiable thirst for truth leads to a conspiracy that will not only rock the Grimm world but also my own.

No one ever walks away from Wonderland unscathed... No one."

My Thoughts:

I am so, so excited to have found this series and to have read this book!  I picked this one up thanks to reading another blogger that I trust's thoughts on the second book (I believe), and was just so intrigued by the sound of it.  I instantly downloaded a copy to my kindle and didn't look back.  This was such a fun read but it's going to be kind of hard for me to describe.  Take all of the fairy tale characters (and even worlds) that you know and love, then twist them into something different, darker, and edgier.  That's basically the best way that I can describe this book.  Let me just tell you that I loved every minute of it!  Our main character is Elle - or Arielle from the Little Mermaid (kinda sorta) if you are keeping track - but in this book she is basically a badass detective who has been banished from her kingdom for unknown reasons.  She has to go Wonderland during her current investigation which is a dark and dangerous place.  There's even the Mad Hatter and the Hare except the Hatter is a handsome investigator for Wonderland who has visions of the future and past.  I could keep going but I'm sure you get the point by now.  Nothing is as you expect it might be, and one of the best things about this book was just seeing what this author did with all of the fairy tale characters.  She created her own world with some of these well known but albeit very different characters.  And I just could not get enough of it!!  I plowed through the pages of this book and enjoyed every minute of it!  I just had to see how everything was going to turn out!  There is quite the chemistry between Elle and Hatter which I'm looking forward to seeing continued on in future books (I hope!).  I don't know what else to say besides read this one!  It's SO good!

Overall, I obviously enjoyed myself immensely while reading this book.  I've actually already started reading the second book in the series because I just needed more time with these characters and this world.  The only downside is that I'm going to have to wait for book three (please say there is going to be a book three).  Luckily, it does look like this author has other series that I can check out to tide me over.  Fair warning that the author ties up the ending of this book perfectly....but....she gives you a hook that makes you instantly want to jump into the next book.  Which I obviously did!  I would recommend this book to fans of the paranormal, urban fantasy, and fairy tales in general.  Half of the fun is just seeing the different characters and aspects that she incorporates into the story!  Highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  This was honestly such a great beginning to this new series that I couldn't get enough!

Disclosure:  I read my copy of this book thanks to my Kindle Unlimited membership.  Thoughts are my own!

How To Save an Undead Life by Hailey Edwards (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Grier Woolworth spends her nights weaving spooky tales of lost souls and tragedies for tourists on the streets of downtown Savannah. Hoop skirt and parasol aside, it’s not a bad gig. The pay is crap, but the tips keep the lights on in her personal haunted mansion and her pantry stocked with ramen. 

Life is about as normal as it gets for an ex-necromancer hiding among humans. Until the society that excommunicated Grier offers her a second chance at being more than ordinary. Too bad no one warned her the trouble with being extraordinary is it can get you killed. 

Warning: This book contains one ex-con/ex-heiress with a pet zombie parakeet who lives next door to her ex-army/ex-crush. Brace yourself, we’re talking more exes than a pirate treasure map here."

My Thoughts:

Let me just start off by saying how Kindle Unlimited has filled a hole in my reading life that I didn't even realize that I had!  I'm absolutely adoring the new paranormal/urban fantasy series that I'm finding thanks to it!  This is one of those gems and I'm just thrilled about it!  I've actually seen a lot of readers talking about this author's books but hadn't had the chance to give her a try myself until now.  How To Save an Undead Life is everything that I enjoy in an urban fantasy read.  It had a main character that I couldn't get enough of as well as all of the paranormal elements that I love to read about!  Grier was previously an assistant necromancer until things went very wrong, and she was thrown into a type of "paranormal prison" is the best way I can describe it.  She's out now but is still trying to deal with everything she went through during that time.  Her life is about to get a bit more complicated though as she is being pursued by vampires and doesn't know the reasoning behind it.  And the book basically just goes from there!  I flew through the pages of this book (well swiped through the pages I guess you could say as fast I could).  It was fast paced and suspenseful which kept me reading nonstop.  The author does a good job explaining this new world that she is creating without overwhelming you with the details.  Plus, there are great secondary characters that I couldn't get enough of.  What else could you possibly want in a book like this?? Maybe a haunted house with an actual personality of its' own?  Check that one off your list because this book has that as well!  I'm telling you I just enjoyed this book so much for all of these reasons!  

Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book immensely!  It has been really great to dive in and find some new paranormal series like this!  Although the author ties this book up quite nicely at the end, you know there is more to come.  I'm really looking forward to it!  I cannot wait to see what kind of trouble and adventures Grier finds herself caught up in next!  I'm actually itching to get my hands on that second book so I don't think that I will be waiting long before continuing on with this series.  The added bonus is that there looks like she has other series out there that I can check out as well!  My kindle is going to be overflowing but I'm loving every minute of it!  I would recommend this book to fans of paranormal and urban fantasy!  And I can easily recommend it!

Bottom Line:  A fast paced and fun beginning to this series that has me craving more books just like it!

Disclosure:  I read this book thanks to my Kindle Unlimited membership.  Thoughts are my own!

If you are a Kindle Unlimited reader (I'm a newbie) what other books and series do you recommend that I check out?  It doesn't have to be paranormal but I'll take all of the recommendations that I can get!

Stray Magic by Kelly Meding (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Shiloh Harrison was hoping for a few days off to recover from a particularly nasty assignment, preferably with the help of the talented hands (and, well, the rest of his body too) of her sexy boyfriend, Vincent. But when a group of vampires takes an entire trailer park hostage, there’s nothing to do but make her apologies and get to the scene.

Such is the life of a Federal Marshal in the Paranormal Investigators Unit.

Yet this isn’t like her typical track-and-nab case: something is going on that has vampires scared, and it takes all her strength not to imagine what could frighten such powerful creatures. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have that option. Her boss is MIA, someone is snatching vampires, and there’s a ticking clock that can only end one way: a bloodbath.

Unless she can stop it."

My Thoughts:

As soon as I saw that cover and read the above summary I just knew that I wanted to read this book!  There is not nearly enough new urban fantasy series coming out for my liking so I couldn't help but jump all over this one!  I may be a huge mystery/thriller fan but urban fantasy is a genre that holds a special place in my heart.  I've got to say that this was a really great beginning to this series and I just cannot wait for more!  One of my favorite things about this book was just how easily I was pulled into this world that the author has created.  I found myself reading late into the night because I was just so compelled by this book.  I couldn't stop reading as I had to see what was going to happen next.  I also really liked the cast of characters that Shiloh works with.  They were all characters that I enjoyed reading about and am looking forward to learning more about in future books!  The action was non-stop and one of the reasons that I just couldn't set this book down.  I also enjoyed the unique qualities of this book that made it stand out from others in this genre.  I don't want to give too many specifics as they could be considered spoilers but let me just say that the ending of this book had me crushed and needing more.  I need book two in my life as soon as possible!  But besides the ending - just Shiloh's unique heritage really made this book stand out for me.  I just found that this book really stood out for me in comparison to other books/series I've read in this genre.  I am seriously left so excited about this series and just wishing/pining for more books just like this!

Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book immensely and cannot wait for more!  Books like this are exactly why I can't get enough of urban fantasy.  It was such a fast paced and wild ride but I loved every minute of it!  I'm not going to lie - I ignored as much as my housework as I possibly could get away with while reading this book.  Ha!  Trying not to think about what that says about me - other than I sure do love my books!  It was a really great beginning to this series and I'm so excited about the characters as well as what may happen next.  The author did a really great job of tying everything up in this book while leaving me absolutely pining for the next book.  I would highly recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy and paranormal.  You certainly won't be disappointed in my opinion!  

Bottom Line:  A book and series that I'm so excited about now!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher. 

Winter Halo by Keri Arthur (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:
When the bombs that stopped the species war tore holes in the veil between worlds, they allowed entry to the Others. Now, a hundred years later, humans and shifters alike live in artificially lit cities designed to keep the darkness at bay....

The humanoid supersoldiers known as the déchet were almost eradicated by the war. Ever since, Tiger has tried to live her life in peace in hiding. But in the wake of her discovery that Central City’s children are being kidnapped and experimented on, Tiger’s conscience won’t let her look the other way.

The key to saving them lies within the walls of a pharmaceutical company called Winter Halo. But as she learns more about the facility, Tiger’s mission is derailed by a complication: Winter Halo’s female security guards are being systematically attacked by an unknown force.

Now Tiger must summon all her gifts to stop those responsible for both atrocities—no matter the cost to herself...

My Thoughts:

I am loving this series so much! I read the first book in this series, City of Light, earlier this year and just adored it. I've been pining for this book every since I finished and was so excited to finally get the chance to read this one. I'm happy to say that I enjoyed this book just as much as I did the first book. What a mark of a great series (and author)! One of the things that I love most about this series is how original and unique it feels. Tiger is a déchet which is both a very rare and dangerous thing to be in this new world. Tiger was created in a laboratory and created for a specific purpose which gives her many special skills and abilities. The entire world that Arthur has created with shifters, vampires, wraiths, and all kinds of other supernatural creatures just feels so fresh to me. I can't seem to get enough of it! Then you add in a fast paced storyline where Tiger constantly gets herself into trouble and I found myself flying through this book as fast as I could.

This might be slightly spoiler-ly (there is your warning) but I really liked that with this book we got to see more of Tiger's relationship with Jonas. I like that the characters are starting to trust Tiger more and find that I'm anxious for more of that in the third book. My one and only complaint with this book was that it definitely had a build up to the next book feel. There was resolution at the end so don't get me wrong but there was also a lot of set up for book three. It didn't bother me too much though as now I'm absolutely chomping at the bit to get my hands on that next book. The wait is going to be the hardest part!! I'm going to have to move on to one of Arthur's other series while I wait for this next book to be released. The ending of this book was completely intense! I got to a point where I just couldn't see how it was all going to end and the author had me on the edge of my seat. It was completely worth the ride and I am left eager for more.

Overall, this is by far one of my favorite new series that I have found in 2016. It is pretty rare that I'm caught up with a series but when the books are this good...well, how could I not be? I think that fans of science fiction and urban fantasy would both enjoy these books. I do think that you should start with book one first just so that you get the full back story as this second book continues on after events from the first. You don't have to as the author does a pretty great job of refreshing the reader on everything that happened but I just think the reading experience would be better reading in order. I would highly recommend this book and the series. I can't say enough good things about it!

Bottom Line: Such a great follow-up to book one! I need more!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher courtesy of NetGalley.

My thoughts on City of Lights are here if you are interested.

The Drafter by Kim Harrison (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Detroit 2030. Double-crossed by the person she loved and betrayed by the covert government organization that trained her to use her body as a weapon, Peri Reed is a renegade on the run.

Don’t forgive and never forget has always been Peri’s creed. But her day job makes it difficult: she is a drafter, possessed of a rare, invaluable skill for altering time, yet destined to forget both the history she changed and the history she rewrote.

When Peri discovers her name on a list of corrupt operatives, she realizes that her own life has been manipulated by the agency. She joins forces with a mysterious rogue soldier in a deadly race to piece together the truth about her final task, unable to trust even herself."

My Thoughts:

The Drafter is one of the most original  science fiction/urban fantasy series that I've read in a long time.  I loved the world that Harrison created with this book and am very eager for more.  I always talk about those books that you can just sink down into and that is exactly what I found myself doing with this book.  It wasn't one of those books that I could set down so instead I found myself reading and saying "one more chapter" for long stretches at a time.  I really liked the fact that this book is so completely different from any other book that I've read.  The idea of being able to alter time but then to just forget what they have altered while also losing stretches of time was so unique to any other books that I've read.  The author used this to add such a thrilling layer of intensity to the book and it was just one of the reasons that I couldn't set this book down.

I'm trying very hard not to give too much away here but warning now for a slight spoiler.  One of the things that I loved most about this book is that the author wasn't afraid to make difficult choices in regards to her characters and the overall plot.  There were times that I was so frustrated but just made me want to keep reading even more.  It felt like a must to see how this would all play out and end.  Would Peri be able to figure everything out in time?  That was the question and it is what kept me reading late into the night.  I loved both her character and also Silas' character as well.  I liked that there is a hint of something more there and am hoping that we get to see more of it in future books.  I really don't think that we have learned fully all about Peri's abilities and that is also something that I'm hoping the author will explore more.  Excellent secondary characters also helped to make this book stand out for me.  The ending of this book left me unready to see it end.  I am absolutely pining for the second book at this point.  I'm also kicking myself a bit for waiting so long to read this one.  I loved the way the author ended this book and won't say more than that (other than it fit perfectly with the book in my opinion).

Final thoughts can be summed up as "Read it!"  A page turning read would be the perfect way to describe this book as well.  Obviously I don't have anything but good things to say about it.  I would love to find more books like this so I'm thinking that I need to stick my toes more in the science fiction genre.  I'm also planning on reading this author's Rachel Morgan series while I wait for book two to release in this one.  It is another series that I've always meant to read and put off but no longer.  If that series is half as good as this book was, then I'm in for a real treat!

Bottom Line:  A thrilling and great beginning to this new series!  I need more!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book for the publisher.

The Becoming by Jeanne Stein (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"My name is Anna Strong. I am a vampire. How I became one is the reason for this story. I tell it all the way it happened. It may not be what you expect.

She's a bounty hunter--tough, beautiful, and trained for the unexpected. Until the night she's attacked and left closer to death than she can imagine. She awakens to an indoctrination into a dark new world where vampires walk among us. But this time, a tight grip on a .38 won't stop what she's hunting for.

Existing between the worlds of the living and the dead, Anna is torn by her love for two very different men. Max, a DEA agent, all too human, and vulnerable. And Avery, a Night Watcher who's joined Anna in pursuit of the rogue vampire who changed her life that terrifying night. Now, as her two worlds collide, fate plunges Anna into the ultimate battle between good and evil where survival is not just for the living..."

My Thoughts: 

Books like this are why I still love paranormal and urban fantasy so much!  On a side note:  I am dubbing myself queen of starting books in a series.  I've given up even attempting to track how many series I am currently reading and I don't feel bad about it in the slightest.  But back to this book which languished on my shelves for a ridiculous amount of time.  I bought a copy of this book and then it sat unread which was definitely a mistake.  I am so glad that I finally picked it up because it was really so good!  This book was such an engrossing read and I found myself flying through the pages.  In fact I found myself wishing I could read faster at times because I just wanted to see what was going to happen next.  This book was exactly what I have come to expect with good urban fantasy series: lots of fast paced action scenes that mean I can't stop reading.  Also, add in a great main character who can kick some serious ass and you have a book that I just know that I will enjoy.

In this book we see Anna become a vampire (no that isn't a spoiler as it is in the summary from above).  It was really interesting to see how Anna reacted to having her entire life turned upside down.  The author added enough unique twists to her vampire lore and abilities that I didn't feel like this was the same old vampire book that has been done before.  Anna didn't ask to be turned and now she has to really adjust her life in order to deal with this hand that she has been dealt.  I loved watching how she handled everything and it made for a really great beginning to this new series.  There was some mystery that was hinted at in parts of the book that I am hoping to learn more about in future books in this series.  I feel like Anna will start to grow into her new abilities and only get stronger as the books go on.  I cannot wait to see if I am right!  I liked the way this book ended and found it to be quite intense.  I'm super excited that I already have book two loaded on my Kindle and won't be waiting long to read it!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  My one complaint was that I was able to figure out the "bad guy" relatively early on so I really expected Anna to do the same.  Other than that though, I really can't say enough good things about this book and feel like it is a great beginning to this new to me series.  I'm excited to continue on with it and am very hopeful that each book will get better and better.  I loved Anna's character and am eager to dive back into her world so I won't be waiting long to make that happen.  Fans of urban fantasy series should definitely check this book out.  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  A great beginning to this urban fantasy series! 

Disclosure:  I purchased a copy of this book from Borders ( I believe) before they closed.  Definitely worth it!

Mercury Retrograde by Laura Bickle (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Something venomous has come to Temperance …

It's been two months since Petra Dee and her coyote sidekick Sig faced off against Temperance's resident alchemist, but things are far from quiet. When an Internet video of a massive snake in the backcountry of Yellowstone goes viral, a chase for the mythical basilisk is on. Monster hunters swarm into the area, and never one to pass up the promise of discovery, Petra joins in the search.

Among the newcomers is a snake cult on wheels―the biker gang Sisters of Serpens. Unlike some, the Sisters don't want to kill the basilisk―they want to worship it. But things get complicated when the basilisk develops a taste for human flesh that rivals the Sisters' own murderous skills.

Meanwhile, the alchemical tree of life is dying, and the undead Hanged Men of Temperance who depend on it know the basilisk may be their last chance for survival.

With time running out for everyone around her, Petra will be forced to decide who survives and who she must leave behind in this action-packed sequel to Dark Alchemy."

My Thoughts:

I was absolutely thrilled when I heard that this book was coming out!  I had previously enjoyed Dark Alchemy (the first book in this series) so much and had my fingers crossed that the author would be writing a sequel.  So you can imagine my surprise and excitement when I got wind of this book.  This series is so completely original and is just different from everything out there!  I find it a treat to read and this has been my experience with both books in this series.  I should say that you need to start off by reading the first book in this series because events in this book are a continuation from book one.  Not all of it which means new readers could start with this book if they wanted but I just feel like they would be missing out a bit.  And personally I feel like that this is such a great series and shouldn't be missed!  I love how the author takes the impossible and makes it possible with these books.  I just cannot emphasize enough how fresh and unique these books are.  It is a mish mash of genres in the best possible way:  a mystery mixed in with fantasy along with some steampunk elements and a western feel all rolled into one.  I love it so much for all of these different reasons (and these are the same things that I loved about book one)!

In this book Petra once again finds herself caught up in a heap of trouble as she attempts to help investigate the mysterious deaths of a family that have died for no apparent reason.  She is looking at the geological features of the area trying to determine if a hot gas spot is the reason behind these deaths or could it be the mysterious snake that was sighted in the area.  Almost instantly things start to go wrong and Petra is forced to search for answers while trying to keep herself out of danger.  I found myself immersed in this book immediately after starting it....it was just that easy to fall back into the world that Bickle had created in Dark Alchemy.  I loved that we had the chance to meet up again with all of my favorite characters from the previous book.  I especially loved that this book delved more into the mysterious hanged men and their fate after the way that things had ended in book one (trying not to spoil anything here so sorry if I'm being too vague).  This book was just as fast paced as the first book and just as hard to set down.  Basically I just loved this book as much as I did the first and am now a huge fan of this series!  And the ending- what an ending!  I loved that we got some answers but I also really loved the set up for the next book.  There is going to be a next book!!!  I cannot wait!

Overall, I just cannot say enough good things about this series or about this book!  I hope that other readers are reading and loving this series as much as I have.  Trust this author to take you on a wild ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time.  Now I'm just going to have to patiently wait and wish for the next book in this series.  Highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  Such a great follow-up to the first book in this series!  I cannot recommend it enough!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss.

City of Light by Keri Arthur (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"When the bombs that stopped the species war tore holes in the veil between this world and the next, they allowed entry to the Others—demons, wraiths, and death spirits who turned the shadows into their hunting grounds. Now, a hundred years later, humans and shifters alike live in artificially lit cities designed to keep the darkness at bay....

As a déchet—a breed of humanoid super-soldiers almost eradicated by the war—Tiger has spent her life in hiding. But when she risks her life to save a little girl on the outskirts of Central City, she discovers that the child is one of many abducted in broad daylight by a wraith-like being—an impossibility with dangerous implications for everyone on earth.

Because if the light is no longer enough to protect them, nowhere is safe..."

My Thoughts:

I really loved book a lot so I feel like that should be a warning:  do not read review if you aren't open to lots of gushing about this series, book, etc.  Ha!  In all seriousness though, there is a very good chance that this book could make my top reads list for 2016 and the year has only just begun.  It was just that good for me and I basically loved everything about this book!  I loved how fresh this book felt with this unique world that Arthur has created that is unlike anything I've ever read.  This book felt like a mix between urban fantasy and science fiction which turned into a really great combination.  The book itself was action packed while still detailed enough that the author was able to really bring this new world to life.  

I loved how the author used light as a sign of safety.  In this world it is the shadows and dark that are the most dangerous as that is where all of the dangerous creatures lay in wait.  Entire cities are constantly in light at all times to keep these creatures at bay.  Tiger is a déchet which in this world is both a unique (due to the fact that the rest of her kind were killed off) and bad thing to be.  She lives alone in an empty bunker with only the ghosts of other déchet's to keep her company.  But then she is pulled into this mystery involving disappearing children and her life will never be the same.  Everything about Tiger's character intrigued me from the very beginning!  I loved that we don't know all of her experiences from the war but we do know very early on how dangerous it is for her to be a déchet.  When she is drawn into the investigation for the missing children, she is forced to lie and pretend to be something that she is not.  This hidden secret plays such an important part of this story because those people that she is working with would look at her as lesser if they truly knew what she was.  This book was filled with both twists and turns that kept me reading late into the night.  I just couldn't read fast enough!  And I cannot emphasize enough how unique this world that Arthur has created felt!  The ending of this book just about killed me and left me seriously pining for the second book.  Which doesn't release until later this year!  Gah!  What am I going to do until then??

Overall, this was one of the freshest and best beginnings to an urban fantasy/science fiction series that I have read in a very long time.  It was filled with both intrigue and action....and I just couldn't get enough!  I need more books like this in my life.  I will definitely be continuing on with this series (Winter Halo is the name of book two if you are wondering) and just pining away for book two until it releases.  This was one of those books that left me with a bookish hangover that I just didn't want to get over.  Highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  An amazing beginning to this new series!  Second book please?

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

Demon's Vengeance by Jocelynn Drake (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Jocelynn Drake continues her successful urban fantasy series, Asylum Tales, with Demon’s Fury, set in a world where elves, faeries, trolls, werewolves, and vampires walk free among humanity.

Powerful warlock and tattoo artist Gage has managed to escape the magical Ivory Towers who terrorize the rest of humans and monsters – but at a price. Now he must join forces with his nemesis Gideon to stop an unknown entity who is using old magic to commit gruesome murders. And if that’s not keeping him busy enough, an investigator recruits Gage to help her track a killer … who might be targeting tattoo artists."

My Thoughts:

I'm starting with my overall thoughts on this series as a whole because I read them back to back.  I absolutely loved this unique urban fantasy series and am sad to see it end.  It was a completely engrossing reading experience filled with twists, turns, and everything else that left me wanting more.  Really.  I want more.  More Gage and his world filled with dark wizards and witches.  More of the other supernatural creatures that inhabit his world and make it one of the most unique worlds that I've read about in urban fantasy.  I'm a bit sad to not have more books to look forward to but it was overall an amazing reading experience and I would read these again in a heartbeat!

For me this was a really great way to tie up many of the different threads that the author created within the first two books.  Gage is caught up yet again in way too many things and actually the summary I shared is meant just for the first part of this book.  The book is broken into three separate sections but they all tie together so nicely that really it felt like just one book to me.  I love how the author isn't afraid to really put Gage in situations that almost seem hopeless for anyone else.  The reader is really given the chance to see what he is made of and I loved that we were shown different sides of the situation as Gage struggled to find the answers.  There was a darker side to Gage in this book then we have seen but I really understood it after all that he has been through.  He was ready and willing to fight for what he wanted and that really sums up his personality brilliantly.

Books like this are why I read and love urban fantasy so much!  I flew through the pages of this one on my kindle and didn't want to put it down.  In fact, I was avoiding putting it down as much as possible just so I could read one more page.  The ending of this book was done really well in my opinion although I still think the author could write one more.  Pretty please one more?  I would love to see Gage's adventures continued myself.  It was wrapped up pretty well but left open enough for the reader to decide on how a few things must have ended.  I liked that even when I wanted more.  Really that is what a book is supposed to in my opinion!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the series overall!  I have lots more to say as I haven't yet shared my thoughts on the first two books but I will be doing that very soon.  I just ran out of time on posting the reviews before this one.  This is a series that is not to be missed for urban fantasy fans and I really, really recommend reading them back to back like I did.  It really allowed for me to fully immerse myself in this dark and magical world that Drake has created.  I just am sad that I won't be going back any time soon.  Oh well, that is what rereads are for, right?  Recommended but with the addition that you should really read this series in order.  So start with Angel's Ink!

Bottom Line:  A great and satisfying conclusion to this urban fantasy series.  I'm sad to see it end!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher as part of a Pump Up Your Blog book tour through Edelweiss.  Thoughts are my own!

The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Unbeknownst to most of humankind, a powerful network of witches thrives within the shadows of society, using their magic to keep the world in balance. But they are being eliminated—and we will all pay if their power falls…

When Lyse MacAllister’s great-aunt Eleanora, the woman who raised her, becomes deathly ill, Lyse puts her comfortable life in Georgia on hold to rush back to Los Angeles. And once she returns to Echo Park, Lyse discovers her great-aunt has been keeping secrets—extraordinary secrets—from her.

Not only is Lyse heir to Eleanora’s Victorian estate; she is also expected to take her great-aunt’s place in the Echo Park coven of witches. But to accept her destiny means to place herself in deadly peril—for the world of magic is under siege, and the battle the witches now fight may be their last…"

My Thoughts:

I'm a sucker for a book featuring witches so I knew as soon as I heard about this one that I wanted to read it.  I'm glad that I took the time to read this one as I found this book to be a refreshing change of pace from all of the mysteries and thrillers that I have been reading as of late.  It was an easy book to find myself immersed in and really a pretty good read.  I had a few qualms with it but overall I liked it a lot!  One of my favorite things about this book were all of the different characters.  The book focused on the various characters at different times individually which allowed for me as the reader to get to know them all a bit better than I usually would and especially with the secondary characters.  I liked this as the focus was of the story was more on the friendship between these women rather than on the mystery of what was coming.  Really as I sit here and think about it more, there is so much more that I want to learn about all of these women and their pasts.  That is a good sign in my opinion! 

While for the most part I really enjoyed this book there were a few things that detracted from my reading experience.  For one, the ending felt incomplete to me and I think that is because this book is really setting up for the rest of the series and what is to come.  I think that the author has lots more to tell with this storyline in future books which has me excited but I was left wanting with this one.  It is hard not to get into spoilers and specifics but what it came down to is that for me this book only tied down one small loose end when I thought there would be more.  This is could just be me as the reader and my personal preferences.  It wasn't a cliff hanger ending which I was grateful for but I just ended the book wishing for more.  That's the best way to put it.  Not the worst of complaints but really for me it took away from the book a bit.  I'm actually kinda curious to see how others felt about it and if I am in the minority (which is entirely possible). 

All in all I enjoyed this one for the most part and will definitely be continuing on with this series.  I was left with lots of questions and anticipation so I'm hoping that we get some of those answers in the next book. Plus, I would love to continue to get to know all of these characters some more!  If you are looking for an urban fantasy series focused on a unique group of women then this is a book not to be missed.  Recommended.

Bottom Line:  A solid read although I really wanted more at the end.

Disclosure:  Checked out from my local library.  Thoughts are my own!

Dark Alchemy by Laura Bickle (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Geologist Petra Dee arrives in Wyoming looking for clues to her father's disappearance years before. What she finds instead is Temperance, a dying Western town with a gold rush past and a meth-infested present. But under the town's dust and quiet, an old power is shifting. When bodies start turning up - desiccated and twisted skeletons that Petra can't scientifically explain - her investigations land her in the middle of a covert war between the town's most powerful interests. Petra's father wasn't the only one searching for the alchemical secrets of Temperance, and those still looking are now ready to kill. Armed with nothing but shaky alliances, a pair of antique guns, and a relic she doesn't understand, the only thing Petra knows for sure is that she and her coyote sidekick are going to have to move fast, or die next."

My Thoughts:

I am on such a great reading kick lately and this book just added to that streak!  From page one I knew that I was in for a treat with this book and that feeling continued on until the very last page.  The author has created such an original setting to this book where the wild west meets magic and this combines into one of the most unconventional books that I have ever read.  I loved the fact that I never quite knew what to expect with this book.  Petra is the main character in the book and she is a completely grounded individual who doesn't believe in anything out of the ordinary.  She comes to Temperance in search of her missing father and encounters the unbelievable at every turn.  A coyote that seems to understand her and want to protect her?  Check!  Calcified skeletons that have died for no apparent reason?  Yup!  A drunk that gives out hints of the future and makes predictions while under the influence?  Double yep!  This book had it all and it was all of these different elements that really combined to make this book a very dark read.  It was a nail biter for me as I needed to know what was going to happen next.  Plus, very early on I realized that Petra was basically a magnet for trouble so reading as fast as I could to see what kind of trouble she would find herself in was a must!

I haven't even touched on the uniqueness that was Gabe and the other hanged men.  It was both awful and intriguing to read about and learn their secrets.  I'm telling you that this book blew me away with the entire storyline.  It is just so completely different from other books out there.  I couldn't get enough!  The ending of this book was very intense and left me wondering if this will be a part of a series.  Tell me that it is going to be part of a series because I need more!  The twists and turns kept me reading this book late into the night until I finally finished.  This is literally how I spent my Friday evening.  It was a good ending but I want more!  Because there were definitely a few questions that I had left unanswered so my fingers are crossed that there will eventually be a second book to look forward to!  Until then I'm planning on reading this author's other books to keep me happy!  

Overall, I just cannot say enough good things about this book!  It was unique enough that it is very hard to categorize it other than maybe a mix of urban fantasy, a few steampunk elements, and a western thrown all together?  I don't even honestly know that I can really classify it as urban fantasy when I think about it.  That's the best I can do but it is definitely worth the read!  The author has created a dark mix where magic plays a very deadly role at times.  It was a book with a very strong main character along with great secondary ones.  It was just an overall great read!  Highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  A book where I never knew what to expect and I loved every minute of it!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher as part of a Bewitched Blog Tour.  Thoughts are my own!
 

Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Curiosity is definitely going to get me dead one of these days. Probably real soon.

I'm Gin Blanco.

You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I’m retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren’t aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox. Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coalmining tycoon, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a real hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I’m a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn’t made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man . . . dead or alive."

My Thoughts:

Second books can either make or break my love of a series.  This one easily cemented my love for this series and ensured the fact that I will be reading the rest of the books (hopefully sooner rather than later).  One of the reasons that I am now such a huge fan of this series is thanks to the main character Gin Blanco.  She is so unapologetic about the things that she has done and I find it completely refreshing.  Gin is a take charge kind of character with her own idea of what is right and wrong.  Those personal morals lead her to get involved in this case where she is trying to help a family being terrorized for the property that they own.  It was fun to see characters from the previous book all make an appearance in this story although I will admit that I do not understand Gin's attraction to Donovan Caine.  He is too wishy-washy, doesn't see any shades of grey, and is definitely not good enough for Gin in my opinion.  I have no idea why she seems to be so hung up on him.  That being said, I was very excited that there were also some new characters introduced in this book that I would like to see more of.  

One of things about this series that has me the most intrigued is Gin's history.  Without sharing too many possible spoilers, we know now that Gin doesn't know why her family was killed or who was behind it all.  This mystery has played a part in both books in this series so far, and after the things we learned at the end of this book I think it will play a very important role in the next one.  I'm excited about that!  I've loved all of the questions and the way that author has slowly been giving us tidbits here and there.  It has me very eager to read the next book and see what will happen next.  Especially since I think that Gin is just really learning some new things about her elemental powers.  She has lots of untapped potential and I have a feeling that these powers are going to continue to grow.  This is all speculation on my part but I'll be finding out hopefully soon when I pick up Venom (the 3rd book).  

All in all, this was a really great read for me and I had a hard time setting it down.  I am so glad that I finally took it down off of my shelves and read it because it left me eager for more.  If you are looking for a fast paced urban fantasy series then you should definitely give these books a try.  Just make sure you start with Spider's Bite as this is a series best read in order.  Highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  I need the next book ASAP!  That is all :)

Disclosure:  This was off of my own shelves paid for by me.  Used bookstore find, maybe?  I can't really remember but yay for finally reading it!

Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world."

My Thoughts:

 I absolutely loved everything about this book from the first page to the last.  Burn For Me was such a refreshingly great beginning to a new paranormal romance series and really left me excited about this series in general!  The characters, world that this author has created, and even all of the secondary characters are so original compared to other books out there in this genre.  Nevada's grandma works on armored vehicles for instance....how great is that??  I just couldn't get enough and didn't want to see this book end.  Nevada and Rogan are both such great main characters.  Rogan is dark, dangerous, and filled with all of this powerful magic inside of him.  Nevada is young, much lighter personality wise, and filled with all of this untapped potential.  They are just such a perfect match in my opinion!  The world that Andrews has created is filled with magic users with different abilities and levels of magic.  It is a dark, gritty world where powerful magical families rule, and I loved everything about it!

Sometimes I find that the books I love the most are the hardest to share my thoughts on.  All I want to say are things like "READ IT NOW!!!" and "No seriously, I really loved it!!!!" which works but only to a certain extent.  Why did I love it so much?  Because it was so different from many of the other paranormal books that I have read.  Because it has two amazingly great main characters who have this great romantic tension thing going on between them.  Because it was fast paced, hard to put down, and left me wanting the second book instantly upon finishing.  These are just a few of the reasons why I loved this book so much!

Obviously I loved this one and can't say enough good things about it.  I'm anxiously awaiting the second book (heck even the cover will be exciting at this point) and will be picking it as soon as it is available.  As this if officially one of my favorite authors I cannot recommend this book enough.  Don't be put off by the paranormal romance label if that isn't quite your thing.  Really to me this one reads much more like an urban fantasy and I think fans of both genres will enjoy.  Highly, highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  A top ten read for 2014.  Enough said :)

Disclosure:  I checked out a copy of this book from my local library.  Thoughts are my own.

Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells (thoughts)

Dirty Magic was one of those books that I wanted to read purely because I have adored this author's books before.  New urban fantasy series?  Sign me up!  It also didn't hurt that this book has a gorgeous cover which made me want to read it even more.  Happily enough, this was a great beginning to a gritty new urban fantasy series and I want more!

In this book, magic isn't always a good thing and potions brewed are very similar to drugs.  Kate is a cop trying to rid the streets of these dirty potions when she gets pulled into a case that is bigger than she expects.  Now she has a new team to work with and a chance to really make a difference.  Everything seems to be working in her favor until the investigation she is working on shows her that you can never really leave the past behind you.  It will be up to Kate to try and figure out who is behind this newest dirty potion before it hurts those that she loves most.

I will fully admit that I went into this book with high expectations.  I love, love, love her Sabina Kane series so I expected this book to be good.  What I didn't expect was how different this book would be from her other series.  I loved it!  This book had a dark, intense feel to it that I couldn't get enough of.  I'm watching Breaking Bad right now and I couldn't help but compare the two.  Dirty Magic is similar to the show but with potions/magic instead of drugs.  They both have similar vibes where you aren't sure that everything is going to end well.  I found that this feeling really made the intensity level of the story go up a notch.  This isn't a pretty world that Wells has created but it is one that I couldn't get enough of.  I found myself swept away in Kate's world watching as she tried to balance her two lives.  The life of a cop committed to taking down the bad guys who were creating and distributing these potions, and the life of a caregiver as she tries to take care of her brother and make a better life for him.  These two different paths pulled at her constantly in different directions but the author managed to connect the storylines in a way that knocked me off my feet.  By that time I wasn't putting the book down for anything!  I should have known that there were some surprises in store.  I loved that there was a really solid ending to this book even though it is the beginning to a series.  There are questions left unanswered but the author left them open just enough to make me want to read the second book sooner rather than later.  In other words, no cliff hanger ending that makes me want to scream.  I was happy about that!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book just as I hoped that I would.  This author has a knack for creating worlds that I can't get enough of.  I'm super excited that the second book will be releasing soon as I don't want to have to wait long to see what happens to Kate next.  The dark atmosphere of this book kept me reading long after I should have gone to bed.  It all comes down to this: this is exactly how I like my urban fantasy-  gritty, compelling, and unique!  Books like this are what keep me coming back for more.  Highly recommended but especially to other urban fantasy fans!

Bottom Line:  A fascinating beginning to this new series....I can't wait for more!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book for review thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.  Thoughts are my own.

Summoning the Night by Jenn Bennett (thoughts)

Give a brief summary of the book (minor spoilers from book one):

In this book Arcadia Bell is just starting to settle down after all of the craziness that happened in Kindling the Moon.  She is spending lots of time with her boyfriend Lon and his son Jude.  And she is learning to start to deal with her new "moon child" powers that she has just recently discovered.  Unfortunately, Cady finds herself caught in the search for a mysterious kidnapper who is kidnapping children.  The missing kids are all children of member's of the Hellfire Club.  The kidnappings are reminiscent of a past set of kidnappings that happened more than thirty years ago.  It will be up to Lon and Cady to figure out what is going on before the next child disappears forever.

Likes?

Summoning the Night was a really solid follow up to Kindling the Moon, and I have to say that I adored it even more than the first book.  There is just something about this series that I can't get enough of.  I find myself instantly drawn into the books and that is exactly what happened as I read this one.  One of the reasons that I like this series so much is that I really enjoy all of the characters.  Arcadia isn't your typical heroine as she just seems so down to earth.  I love the growing relationship that she is developing with Lon and his son Jude.  It all just seems so normal and not exactly what I've come to expect with urban fantasy series.  I mean a series where one of the main characters has a kid?  And the kid actually plays a pretty important role?  I love it!  This book continued to show more of Cady's powers as they begin to grow and she learns a bit more about them.  I like that she really doesn't know anything about what it means for her to be the "moon child", and  I think that we will learn more in future books.  It gives me a sense of anticipation, and I will admit that I am anxious to read the next book!  This book was just as action packed as the first one.  I had a really hard time setting it down, and flew thru the pages.  Overall this book was just really, really good! 

Dislikes?

There is only one complaint I have and that is there was one small storyline that was left unfinished.  I would have liked to see it resolved but maybe it will be in future books.  I won't say more because I don't want to spoil it for anyone.  Honestly, there really isn't anything negative to say about this book.  This is such a great series!

Additional Thoughts?

This is a must read series for fans of urban fantasy in my opinion!  This book had everything I look for including great characters, lots of twists and turns, and a mystery that kept me guessing until the last page.  I'm eager to see what this author comes up with next!  And what kind of trouble Arcadia finds herself in next of course!  This series has really kick-started my current urban fantasy addiction once again.  There needs to be more characters like Cady out there in the book world.  I would definitely recommend this one but start with the first book Kindling the Moon.

Bottom Line: A series that isn't to be missed!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher.  Thoughts are my own!

Here are my thoughts on Kindling the Moon if you are interested.

Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennett (thoughts)

In Kindling the Moon we meet Arcadia Bell, a bartender in hiding, thanks to her famous parents who are on the run for murder.  Because her parents are wanted by the occult community, Arcadia has to keep her identity secret from everyone around her.  Everything changes though when her parents are spotted for the first time in years.  Now the occult community is demanding justice: either her parents or Arcadia herself are what they want and they want retribution.  It is up to Arcadia to figure out what really happened all those years ago and to find the demon that was present during the murders.  Can she find the truth before time runs out?

This was one of the best beginnings to an urban fantasy series that I have read in a long time!  Arcadia's one of those characters that you just can't help but like.  I found myself instantly drawn into the story.  In fact, one of the best things about this book in my opinion is that I was never overwhelmed by the world building even though this is the first in a series.  Very often an author can give almost too many details as they set up a new series, but Bennett managed to set up this new world without overdoing it.  I also appreciated the fact that she managed to leave questions unanswered especially in regards to Cady (as Arcadia is known) and her abilities.  In fact, I feel like we just skimmed the surface a bit when it comes to all of the characters and what we know about them.  But in the best possible way!  We were given a taste and I'm thinking that future books will really allow for us to learn more about all of the main characters.  I'm hoping that means we continue to see lots more of Len as I loved the relationship that was beginning to develop between him and Cady.  He isn't your typical hero as he is part demon, older, and has a child of his own that he raises.  I thought he was great!  And I really want to see more of him!

This book was very fast paced and hard to put down.  I found myself eager to keep reading even when I should have been doing other things.  Like laundry.  I was very, very close to instantly picking up the second book as soon as I finished this one.  As it is, I'm more than ready to pick up Summoning the Night right now!  The ending of this book didn't take me by surprise as halfway through I kind of guessed the direction that this book was going.  It didn't matter though as I still found myself reading with breathless anticipation.  Very satisfying conclusion but bring on book two!

All in all, this was a great beginning to this series, and I'm kicking myself for not starting it sooner.  I am super excited to have found such a great series though so that is a positive!  I finished this one in a matter of days and was left feeling completely satisfied.  Such a great read!  This book is one that I would easily recommend to fans of both urban fantasy and paranormal romance.  Highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  A fresh and original beginning to this urban fantasy series!  Oh so good!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher for review.  Thoughts are my own! 

Magic Bites and Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta's magic circles."

Likes?

This part is easy: I liked absolutely everything about this book.  I first read this book a few years back and for whatever reason never continued on with the series.  But of course I kept hearing such great things about these books so I decided to reread this one, and then make it a personal goal to catch up with the rest of the series.  I'm so glad that I did because I had forgotten how good this book really was!  Kate is such an awesome main character and I love reading about her adventures.  I also find it very interesting that there is obviously more to her than what meets the eye.  I think that it will be intriguing to see how this all plays out in future books especially the things that she keeps secret like her words of power.  I'm glad that I took the time to reread this one before moving on in the series because there was definitely a lot that I had forgotten about!

Dislikes?

None.  I seriously can't think of a single thing that I didn't like about this book and especially reading it the second time around.  For the life of me I cannot figure out how I didn't continue on with this series before now.  Just goes to show you how true the phrase "So many books, too little time" is!

Final Thoughts:

An awesome beginning to this urban fantasy series!  Andrews has created a fantasy world that is like no other series out there, and I couldn't get enough of it.  I'm super excited to see what other kinds of trouble that Kate will find herself in.  And I also want to know more about her so hopefully some of her secrets will start to come to light.  I would highly, highly recommend this book!

Summary from Goodreads:

"As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…"

Likes?

Curran and Kate.  Curran and Kate.  Oh my goodness, how I love the almost reluctant friendship that is developing between these two!  I'm hoping that future books in this series give us more of them working together because it is such fun to see them butt heads with one another.  And there is definitely some good chemistry there!  This book was just as intense as the first book and just as strong of a read!  I couldn't put it down!  I'm definitely hooked on this series now and cannot wait to get my hands on the third book.  I also really liked that we got to see so many of the characters from the first book again.  Andrews does an amazing job of writing these books in a way that makes you not want to stop reading.  I just had to know what was going to happen next!  I ended up flying through this book and wanted more when it ended.  Andrews is definitely going on my authors that I will read anything by list.

Dislikes? 

That the book wasn't longer?  Seriously, I wanted more!  I could read about Kate's adventures any day, and I am just so excited now about this series!  Other than that, I had absolutely no complaints.  This book was everything that I hoped it would be and more!

Final Thoughts:

This is a must read urban fantasy series for me!  I'm kicking myself for taking so long to really get to it because I'm just loving it!  I could keep on gushing, but really you should try reading these books for yourself and see if you aren't as hooked as I am.  I am certainly pleased that I have decided to focus on this series because I have some good reading ahead of me!  Highly, highly recommended!

Bottom Line for both of these books:  READ THEM!  Urban fantasy at its' best!

Disclosure:  I checked out both of these books from my local library.  I will definitely be buying my own copies for my keeper shelf at some point.