Archive for the ‘5 Star’ Category

Title: Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, book 4)
Author: Ilona Andrews
Release: May 25th, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | No Kindle Version Yet
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 5 Stars

I am going to do my very best to keep this review spoiler free…. I didn’t want to be spoiled and I know you don’t either (well with the exception of KC that is, she is a bad girl).

Magic Bleeds has Kate still working for the order in her own way. When a big bad evil doer comes to town and starts driving shapeshifters wild and infecting people with contagious diseases it is up to Kate to take care of business in the best way she knows how. Things get even more dangerous for Kate and those she loves as her identity gets harder to hide and her family ups the stakes.

If I were a super kick ass heroine, I would totally be Kate. She is funny, sarcastic, courageous, and loyal… but she will also kick your ass if she needs to. She takes the shit life gives her and keeps on going no matter the cost, all the while somehow managing to avoid becoming bitter and spiteful (one of my pet peeves with UF heroines). All of this and more is true of Kate in book 4 of the series. She is the Kate we know and love, but she is growing increasingly vulnerable and wiser.

The Kate Daniels series started off with a strong, yet lonely heroine who had only one purpose in her life. Magic Bleeds gives the reader a battle hardened but love softened version of that same heroine. The family Kate has unintentionally found and her feelings towards Curran make her vulnerable and soften the hard edges of her personality. Voron’s words of warning constantly play in the back of her mind causing her to doubt whether she can have the things that make her truly happy.

Curran is the ultimate Beast Lord and delivers like you would expect one to in Magic Bleeds. He is pissy, temperamental, sarcastic, dangerous, standoffish, and growly. Very Growly. Very. He will also make your toes tingle and your heart swell in ways I didn’t expect. A relationship between Kate and Curran will never be easy, but book 4 asks the question…. do both of them have the strength to try? And if so, will the big bad evil doers even give them the chance?

Ilona Andrews once again delivers a novel that meshes sizzling romantic tension with nail biting urban fantasy action perfectly. The plot and action sequences always manage to stay center stage, never feeling lackluster in comparison with the “will they or won’t they” subplot. Magic Bleeds reads like a game changer…tying up some long running plot lines while expanding and revealing new ones. I for one can’t wait to see what is coming up next for Kate and how she manages to stay alive, again.

FTC Disclaimer: Book was given to me by the author

Title: Changes
Author: Jim Butcher
Release: April 6, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | No Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 5 Stars

Let’s get down to business *rubbing hands together*. First note… if you have not read The Dresden Files series yet…. do not read past this first paragraph of this review. In fact, get your bum off the computer and go read book 1, Storm Front. Urban Fantasy lovers have no excuse to not read this series and you should be ashamed of yourself. Harry Dresden is a professional wizard…. a smart ass, witty, smirking, sexy as hell professional wizard. And he has a staff. I’m just saying. Changes is book 12 in the series and may be the best one yet. I have no idea how Jim Butcher has managed to keep such a long running series so freaking fantastic, but I am beginning to suspect magic or a deal with a demon. I am going to need Butcher to send me copies of all works in progress so I can work out how he is doing it, k, thanks.

Now, all you Dresden virgins move along…. tho you can read the quotes below if you want. Those are probably safe. Dresden fans, have no fear, I think I have kept it relatively spoiler free.

To say that this book has been anticipated is like saying I like twitter… gross understatement. When the blurb first came out I stuttered and was left speechless for almost an entire minute. Harry has a secret baby?? Susan is coming back and there is a child?? Whaaaa???? My speechlessness was immediately followed by cursing and vile names being thrown at Susan, who I just don’t like (if you say I’m jealous – you could be right, but be warned I will glare at you).

Changes starts out with a life changing phone call between Harry and former lover, current half vampire *cough*bitch*cough* Susan. Turns out that super hot kitchen sex scene almost 10 years ago did more than just make me pant, Susan and Harry have a daughter. As if that isn’t shocking enough for poor Harry, his daughter Maggie has been abducted by the Red Court Vampires. Harry has to call in all the friends he can find and make new ones in order to save the life of a little girl he has never met, a little girl who has been raised without knowing he exists.

Butcher brings back the familiar gang of do-gooders for Changes. Molly is still apprenticing under Harry and is showing signs of growth and maturity in her character. Murphy is Murphy, she is there for Harry no matter what – even if it means all she has worked for and cares about will be turned upside down. Thomas, Sanya, Mac, Bob, and Butters all make appearances and contribute to the cause and the story with their quips and sayings. Mouse reveals himself to be the coolest pet ever. Some of my favorite quotes (I couldn’t choose just one!):

“Your weapons, grasshopper,” I said in my Yoda voice. “You will not need them.”
She [Molly] frowned at me in annoyance and said, “You know, I believe it is possible to reference something other than Star Wars, boss.”
I narrowed my eyes in Muppetly wisdom. “That is why you fail.”

I let out a short bark of geniune laughter. “I thought I was supposed to be the one with one thing on his mind.”
“Oh, when we were younger certainly,” she replied. “Now, though, our roles have reversed.”
“Meaning you want it fast and hard, too?”

“Are you kidding?” Thomas said. “I’m obviously Legolas. You’re . . .” He squinted thoughtfully at Sanya and then at Martin. “Well. He’s Boromir and you’re clearly Aragorn.”
“Martin is so dour, he is more like Gimli.” Sanya pointed at Susan. “Her sword is much more like Aragorn’s.”
“Aragorn wishes he looked that good,” countered Thomas.
“What about Karrin?” Sanya asked.
“What–for Gimli?” Thomas mused. “She is fairly –”
“Finish that sentence, Raith, and we throw down,” said Murphy in a calm, level voice.

But Changes also gives us a much darker Harry Dresden. He is still witty and quick with the self-depreciating moments … but he is also angry and on the edge. His daughter is out there, alone, waiting for someone to save her. Harry has to chose between one painful choice after another. He is tested to his limits and pushed to re-evaluate his moral core over and over again. How far will he go to save her and what will it cost him? Every move he makes, every battle he fights in this book is of dire importance and emotionally exhausting. Finishing this book left me in utter shock, looking for a support group and chatting up people at all hours of the the night.

Honestly, this book should be titled HOLY HELL I AM AN EVIL AUTHOR AND I TURNING YOUR WORLD ON IT’S SIDE. Changes is a high speed freight train of a read and just when you think you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and a smile starts to spread across your face Butcher hits you upside the head with a can of WTF JUST HAPPENED. Jim Butcher has exceeded my expectations with this installment, easily making Changes the best book of the series so far, and what will be without a doubt one of my top 10 books of 2010.

FTC Disclaimer: Book was purchased by me (hardcover even!)

Title: Catching Fire (Hunger Games, book 2)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Release: October 1, 2008
Purchase this book: Amazon
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

SPOILER FREE, I PROMISE!

You may notice, I left out the blurb above…. I was posting it but then I realized its way too spoilery for those of you who have not read book 1 yet. In fact I am really not sure how to review Catching Fire without spoiling book 1, so I am going to keep this brief.

Just as they did in Hunger Games, the characters in Catching Fire captured my heart and didn’t let go. I sobbed several times and I will even admit there were times I wanted to throw the book. The story and the situation surrounding Katniss feels so desperate, its emotionally exhausting. I kept muttering to myself how things weren’t fair and at times I questioned my sanity for becoming so emotionally connected to this story. But isn’t that what a good story is supposed to do for you? A great book binds you to its world and the people in it, it keeps you reading even when your heart is breaking.

Catching Fire easily earns a 5 star rating from me. Once again Suzanne Collins delivers on the emotion, character depth, and suspenseful plot that keeps this Vixen coming back for more. If you haven’t started this series yet, I ask… what are you waiting for? The final book, Mockingjay, comes out this summer and you won’t want to miss it.

FTC Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me.

Title: Hunger Games (Book 1)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Release: October 1, 2008
Purchase this book: Amazon | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

Hunger Games drops you into a future where the United States has been destroyed and all that remains is Panem, a dystopian civilization made up of 12 districts and a Capital city. The Capital controls everything with an iron fist and a previous attempt at rebellion by the 12 districts resulted in the creation of a disturbing event known as the The Hunger Games. Every year each of the 12 districts has to choose one girl and one boy to compete in this televised game of survivor where you either win or you die, and there can only be one winner.

Katniss is a 16 year old girl with far too much responsibility on her shoulders. She protects and provides for her mother and sister with no regard for herself. She is independent, caring, and humble. When her sister’s name gets pulled from the glass bowl as this year’s female tribute to the Hunger Games, there is no question that Katniss will take her place. I loved Katniss from page 1 of this book. She is so strong, and yet still a vulnerable 16 year old when no one is looking. I had tears in my eyes and a sob in my throat before I had even gotten to page 25 because of the lengths she went to for her family. Katniss is a character you will root for and become emotionally attached to.

The beginning of the novel started a bit slow for me, it was all necessary to the story but I was anxious to get to the games and to find out whether Katniss even had a chance at staying alive. Once I got a third of the way through, I simply could not put this book down. The story was action packed, smart, and captivating. My pulse raced and I held my breath along with Katniss every step of the way. I felt her despair and desperation. I felt her joys and her I cheered her on.

If you are looking for a smart, fascinating, unique story with noble and likable characters then Hunger Games will not disappoint you. Don’t let the Young Adult genre designation dissuade you, book lovers of all ages with enjoy this one.

FTC Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me.

Check out my guest review of Anton Strout’s third book in the Simon Canderous series, Dead Matter, over at Fantasy Dreamer’s Ramblings. Loved this book!