Book Review: Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has been a fantastic series, that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading.

I'm slightly saddened by how long it took me to read this, but unfortunately life gets in the way of things. I have loved how this world and the characters in it have developed over the course of the three books. It has been really interesting to see the character's understanding of their world change and to see them come to terms with this 'new truth'.

I also like that the relationship between Tris and Four hasn't been the standard sunshine and rainbows relationship that you get in most YA. I like that they have their ups and downs, arguments and falling outs, it make it feel more believable. It has made for a very gripping read to see them develop and grow as characters. This goes for all the characters. Roth's writing is so good you get completely drawing into caring about all of these characters. The world building is also really well done. I love the contrast between the desolate areas of total destruction, and the high tech lab settings; they are at total odds with each other and yet Roth has created a world where it makes sense to have the two incorporated.

I was not expecting that ending, and again it broke away from the standard YA style HEA. I would definitely read more of Veronica Roth's work. Great writing style and great characters.

I have loved this series and recommend it.

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Book Review: Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book.

I loved how Roth has continued to develop this world and build on the events of Divergent. I found it interesting how the relationship dynamic between the characters shifted slightly once they found out about the Divergent, and how they had to get over their thoughts on the matter and work together to achieve their goals.

I like the way that the characters continued to develop. It was interesting to see Tris deal with her grief and come to terms with choices that she has made, as well as choices that she will have to make in the future. I think that this showed a slightly different side to her character. I rather liked that fact the relationship between Tris and Four is a bit rocky, as more often than not, the relationships in YA tend to be a bit to perfect.

I can't wait to continue reading this series to discover exactly what comes next for them. especially now that we know what the purpose of the Divergent is.

This is great book and well worth reading.

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Book Review: Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this book. Now I have to confess that I watched the film first; then nearly immediately when and bought the boxed set of the books. This has been the first YA book that I have read in a long time, and as much as I loved the film, I wasn't sure that I would love going back to reading YA.

Roth's writing style totally draws you in, and immerses you in her fictional world. I like the way that description is used in the world building, in the way that you have run down areas, as well as parts of the city with tall glass buildings, and how these different dynamics are also shown between the factions. I thought it was interesting to see how different personality types were used with the characters. Ordinarily I wouldn't have thought it a good thing to reuse the same personality with more than one character, but here it's incorporated into the story, with those different personalities identifying a character's faction. That being said all the characters maintained some individuality.

I loved how Tris's character was written, and the way we get to see her thought process. I found it interesting to see her argue/reason with herself and justify her actions and logic to her own mind. I like that through her character we get to explore the idea that, we are all different, and don't think and act like everyone else, and yet the majority of people do their best to change and fit someone else's ideas of right and normal. (This is starting to get a bit deep... Let's get back to book stuff) I like the way that her relationship unfolded with Four. I also liked that there were many sides to his character.

I'm really looking forward to getting my teeth into (not literally, that would be weird) the next book in the series.

Totally recommend this. (Also think that the film is pretty accurate to the book.)

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Book Review: The Surprise by Alice Ward

The Surprise by Alice Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was surprisingly (no pun intended) a very good book. I won't lie, when I first downloaded this I was apprehensive and totally expected this to have terrible writing, with shallow characters, and cheesy dialogue. Dear God was I wrong.

Alice Ward has a fantastic writing style, that has a natural flow to it, and that is also very engaging. I found this so hard to put down. The characters were also incredibly well written, and I liked the fact that our Alpha male billionaire character, Langston, didn't stick to the cliches. I liked that he didn't want people to know he came from money. I also liked Scarlett's character and her personality and think that their individual characters work really well together.

I thought that this was a well paced story, and at no point did it feel cheesy. I was a little surprised when the story ended at 29%, but still feel that the story I read was a decent length. (factor in that the other 71% is two bonus stories, and I don't feel that I should complain to much).

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, and would recommend this author to romance readers looking for a HEA.

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Book Review: A Touch of Blood by Carly Fall

A Touch of Blood by Carly Fall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think I find myself a little bit disappointed with this book. While it was a good book and overall very well written, I feel as though more could have been done with it; fleshed out more I suppose is what I am saying.

When I read the description for this book, I thought this was going to be a really awesome book, and unfortunately, it was just fairly good as suppose to awesome. Maybe I just expected more than what I got. In my opinion, the build up of meeting Connor and him joining up with Operation Underworld, seemed to take up the majority of the book and the actual part of Connor going on his mission and meeting/getting to know Sami, felt like it wasn't the main focus of things, even though it was. This isn't me saying the begin part is to long, more like the rest isn't long enough. To me, the beginning part where we meet Connor and he joins the Operation, is quite well paced, and in comparison, the rest of the book almost feels rushed. I think that you could easily add another 200+ pages to this book just by adding to and dragging out everything that happens to Connor once he reaches LA and meets Sammi. I would have liked the relationship between the two of them to develop a little more slowly, and also for the case that they end up working on play more of a part, as this also seemed to easily solved.

I know this seems quite negative, but on the flip side of this, I liked the authors writing style. It has a good flow to it, that makes for easy reading. She has really good character and world building. I also liked how the characters were written. Everyone had very clear and distinct personalities, that make for a bit of a motley crew.

Overall this is a good book, I just wish it were longer. If I saw the next one cheap or as a freebie (like I think this one was) I would probably get it, but not my most favourite.



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Book Review: Restored and The Spire (The Walshes #5 & #6) by Kate Canterbary

Restored by Kate Canterbary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another amazing installment to this series.

I liked how we revisited the relationship between Sam and Tiel in this book as I always felt that there was so much more to be said about them together. I liked that this book had the same approach to the time line as in Shannon and Will's book.

It was interesting to see Tiel put the history she has with her family to rest and finally start to move forward with Sam, slowly start to embrace his family as her own. I also like how Riley, in his own way, has a place in their relationship also, as well as the extra dynamic it adds.

This was a really great way to continue the series, and is totally worth reading.

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The Spire by Kate Canterbary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think that his book was different from the others in the series as it showed two long running characters coming together, in a way that I personally found, quite unexpected.

I really liked the story between Nick and Erin. I was surprised that despite the hurried nature of them meeting and getting married, that the rest of the story didn't feel rushed and was actually very well paced out. I loved the fact that we finally got to see more of these characters and really understand them. I really liked the way that the email and texting format was used throughout the book to show them doing the whole long distance relationship thing, I think that this worked well.

I can't wait to see more of them as a couple in future books and also to see the relationship between Erin and Shannon develop and grow.

Loved this. If you have been reading the series so far then I totally recommend continuing with this one.

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Book Review: Necessary Restorations and The Cornerstone (The Walshes #3 and #4) by Kate Canterbary

Necessary Restorations by Kate Canterbary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book.

I would go as far as to say that this has been my favourite so far in the series. I liked that it looked at some deeper issues with Sam’s character and liked how this played into the development of his relationship with Tiel. This was totally not what I expected of Sam. These initial impression you get of him in previous books is very different to what we see in this book. In previous books he comes across as very socially awkward, almost to the point of seeming that he only fits in with his family members, so I really liked that we got to see another unexpected dimension of his character.

I liked the contrast between Sam and Tiel’s characters: Her boho/hippie style and Sam’s OCD/preppie refinedness. I also like that fact the Tiel didn’t immediately hit it off with Lauren, Andy and Shannon. I think that if she did, things would have seemed too predictable.

This was a really great book and I’m looking forward to reading more of their relationship and characters.

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The Cornerstone by Kate Canterbary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As usual this book was fantastic.

I really loved reading Shannon's story, and was interested to see how the relationship would play out between her and Will especially since he would be away a lot.

I liked how the timeline of this story was laid out, with it recapping Shannon's weekends that were referenced in Sam's book. I enjoyed seeing more of Shannon's character and getting to know her better. I also really liked seeing her paired with Will as they are both very stubborn, and they play off each other well.

This one was really fun to read and a great addition to the series.

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Book Review: Underneath It All and The Space Between (The Walshes #1 and #2) by Kate Canterbary

Underneath It All by Kate Canterbary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is not something that I would usually read, but I actually really enjoyed this.

This book is a light read and a contemporary romance. The characters are very likeable and there is a good chemistry and dynamic between them all, especially between the Walsh siblings. Even thought the romance between Lauren and Matthew was a bit of a whirlwind, I liked the way that their relationship developed and the way that that they interact with each other.

This book was just really easy reading. The author has a great writing style that flows well and is very engaging.

I would completely recommend this to romance readers that want sorting really lightweight to read.

I look forward to reading more with these characters.

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The Space Between by Kate Canterbary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another fantastic read about the Walsh siblings.

Kate Canterbary has a great writing style that just has this really great flow to it, and it makes for really easy reading. The normal run of the mill romance stories are not usually my kind of thing, I tend to like them to have a paranormal element to take away and distract from the mushy romance; but these books are not mushy at all.

I love that the characters are really dynamic and that they all interact well with each other. I love their different personalities and quirks. I like that these book also have a sense of humour to them. I really like the relationship between Andy and Patrick, and look forward to seeing how it will continue to develop in the background of future stories.

This is a great read that I would certainly recommend.

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Book Review: Venom (Vampires of Hollywood #2) by Madisyn Ashmore

Venom by Madisyn Ashmore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

** I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review **

The chance to read an Arc for this book really couldn't have come at a better time, as I was just about to finish with Viper (book #1). I found myself quite enjoying book one, enough for me to want ot read more and Venom certainly didn't disappoint.

It was interesting to see how Abby developed as a character in this book after being changed by Caleb, as well as the way it affected her relationship with both Caleb and Natalie. I liked that we got to find out a bit more about Caleb's past and get more of an understanding about his relationship with Reina. It was interesting to see how Abby and Caleb dealt with their trust issues over each other's past and the way that it affects their choices.

This books is a really gripping, page turner of a quick read. It's lightweight, and is perfect for anyone that has an afternoon to kill, and likes to read vampire romances with plenty of sex thrown in.

I would definitely read more of this series. But with an ending like that how could I not?!

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Book Review: Viper (Vampires Of Hollywood #1) by Madisyn Ashmore

Viper by Madisyn Monroe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think I found this book to be okay....."I think", being the key part of that sentence.

I downloaded this as free ebook (not sure where from) and I won't lie, I had incredibly low expectations for this book, in terms of quality when it came to the writing, and description. This is a really quick read. If you want something that is very plot driven with very deep layered characters, then this is not for you. However if you want something light weight, fairly entertaining, with sex and vampires in various states of undress, then this may just be what you are looking for.

I wasn't expecting this to be a piece of literary genius and a future classic, and it's not; so no complaints from me on this point. I expected vampires, check got those. I expected said vampires to described as "the hottest guy you had ever seen", double check. The book is set in Hollywood, so I expected a shallow actor/actress character, we can check that off the list too. I also wasn't surprised to find sex scenes thrown in at every available opportunity. The one thing that I didn't expect this book to be was well written, and I was surprised to find that it was. I know some people thought that there was too much in the way of description, and personally I didn't find the amount of description an issue; I think that if there was less description in this book then people would complain that there wasn't enough, so I guess it's just personal preference. I thought that the descriptions were well written and allowed you to build a clear image in your head of the setting; as well as the overall writing style having a good flow to it and being fairly gripping. I can't deny that this was quite the page turner, and very easy to get caught up in. I think the only minor issues I have with this book is that Abby seems to have mood swings that could give you whiplash at times.

So, I gave this book 4 stars because I got exactly what I expected from it and wasn't disappointed, and therefore I think I found it to be okay. If you want something quick with sexy vampires, then look no further.

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Book Review: Dying For Her (Jesse Sullivan #3) by Kory M. Shrum

Dying for Her by Kory M. Shrum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked this book a lot.

It was interesting to see things from Brinkley's perspective and to understand a bit more of his backstory. I liked that this book offered up more explanation about Caldwell. As much as it does not continue on from book two, I think that it is a necessary read as sets up future books with us, the reader, knowing what Brinkley knew and put in the notebook that was given to Jesse.

It was nice to see how all of the characters in books one and two came to know each other. I'm looking forward to seeing how Gideon fits into the team in future books and how Jesse reacts to him, as I think that this will be an interesting change in Dynamic. I think it will also be interesting to see how things change if Jeremiah and Nikki start to play a larger role and how that is going to affect the relationships between the individual characters.

I really liked this and think that reading it as book three in the series is the right place for it.

I totally recommend.

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Book Review: Dying By The Hour (Jesse Sullivan #2) by Kory M. Shrum

Dying by the Hour by Kory M. Shrum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book just did not let up!

I'm really enjoying this series; I didn't expect to like it as much as I do, but the writing just has such a good flow to it, you can't not get caught up in the story. There is so much going on in this book and yet it never feels overwhelming. It's paced well with things gradually being revealed, with the relationships between the characters being developed at the same time. I think that these two elements of the story are well balanced. There is the right amount of each, so it never feels like the relationship aspect is taking over from the plot, and equally, there is never too much plot development that the relationships feel forgotten. It all works really seamlessly together, and makes for some very believable characters.

I think that all the characters work well together, and I like their different personalities. I think that the dynamic between Jesse, Ally and Lane is an interesting one, and I am curious to see how the relationships between them develop. I also can't wait to find out more about Jeremiah, especially given what is revealed about him at the end of this book.

This is a fun series, that has plenty of substance as well as style, that I would highly recommend reading.

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Book Review: Dying For A Living (Jesse Sullivan #1) by Kory M. Shrum

Dying for a Living by Kory M. Shrum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I downloaded this the other day as a freebie and didn't really know what to expect from it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was actually a really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I was intrigued by the idea of being able to get someone to die for you. I think that the author has put a really unique spin on the raising the dead/zombie/necromancer concept. I liked the story line and plot of this book and the way that it developed. The writing style is great; it flows really well and is engaging. The characters are brilliant, also well written and have substance. They have a good chemistry and individual personalities that play off each other creating a good dialogue. I loved the wit and humour that is weaved in throughout; there are some real laugh out loud moments that just add the right amount of light-hearted-ness and stop things from getting to dark.

I can't wait to see what happens next for these characters. The ending was totally unexpected and provided a great set up for what can be an amazing series. I completely recommend reading this for something supernatural with a sense of humour.

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Book Review: Wings Of Hope and Beyond The Veil (The Veil #0.5 and #1) by Pippa DaCosta

Wings of Hope by Pippa DaCosta
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm fairly certain that I got this from an Instafreebie Newsletter. I had never heard of this series before and so didn't really know what to expect. This novella seemed like a good place to start and get a taste for the authors writing style.

Having read this and just finished book #1 in the series, I actually feel that I may have bee better off reading this after book #1. It was definitely a good introduction to the main character Muse, and by the end I was drawn in enough to want to know more about the characters, and the world that this is set in. I think that there could have bee a little more explanation about the Hierarchy and ownership thing works, as it was a little confusing at times since I was reading this with no previous knowledge of this world. This is really just a minor thing.

I like this novella a lot, and found it intriguing enough to want to read more. I would recommend it.

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Beyond the Veil by Pippa DaCosta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not sure if I got this from Instafreebie or the Author's newsletter.... Point is I got free from somewhere, and feel that it is only fair that I review it in return. So I also have the #0.5 novella Wings of Hope, and by the time I reach the end of that, I found myself wanting to know more about Muse. (So I guess it was a good thing that this was also in my Kindle library!)

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced with a lot of action, that really captured my attention and made it hard to put down. I liked the author's writing style. It was engaging and had a good flow to it, as well as having enough description seamlessly incorporated for you to be able to build up a really clear image in your head, of what is going on and what this world looks like. I also liked the characters. They were well written and believable, with individual personalities, and good chemistry.

I think the only slightly negative thing I have to say about this book is the way that Stefan's employment status seems to yo-yo. It just seemed a little too repetitive with the coming clean, no wait, he lied again. Once or twice would have worked well in the story, so for me there was a little over kill on this element of the book.

But that aside, I really did enjoy this book and would certainly get the next one. I recommend giving this a go.


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Book Review: Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger

Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really I would rate this book more 3.5 to 3.75 stars, but since I can't do partial stars I have rounded up. This was one of those time where I try to mix up what I'm reading. Sometimes it pays off and I find something that I like, and sometimes it doesn't. This was one of the times where it didn't pay off.

Now I wouldn't say that I disliked this book, but I wouldn't go as far to say that I liked it either. I was really intrigued by the books description, and I think I expected to get something different to what I actually got. I thought this book would play out more along the lines of a a crime novel, discovering the facts of the case/finding new facts, that would reveal more of the story as you went along, with the Psychological and supernatural element on top. I personally feel that there was very little progression throughout this book. It was as though I had gotten three quarters of the way through and yet didn't really know anymore about what was going on than I did at the start. In my opinion this book just kept adding to the list of questions without really answering them.

I think that the individual characters were quite well written, with there being subtle changes in the writing to reflect the personality of the different characters. The way that that the author incorporated the character's memories into the main body of writing was interesting, and 9 times out of 10 worked well and wasn't confusing. There were a couple of times were it wasn't immediately obvious that they were remembering something, but could quickly catch up. The overall writing style was good and had a good flow to it, and the characters were believable. There was plenty of description that made it easy to build a clear image in your mind of what the Hollows look like and to get a real feel for this fictional place.

I think that this book had a really interesting concept, but the way it was executed didn't work for me. I personally would have liked a bit more of a progressive plot and maybe even have the relationships between the characters build on a bit more as I feel this was an element that felt a little neglected. I think that this type of story line/plot would have worked better it there was more going on with the characters.

Overall this wasn't a bad book, I just don't think that it was the book for me.


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Book Review: White Hot (Hidden Legacy #2) by Ilona Andrews

White Hot by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I find it so hard to review Ilona Andrews's books and be constructive, because all I really want to do is gush, and tell you that you need to buy it, and read it, for no other reason than her name is on the cover, and it's therefore a given that it is going to be awesome.

This had a fantastic plot that I couldn't put down. I liked that even though it continued the story arc from the last book, it was still new and fresh with Nevada working a new case. I really like that we saw her character develop in this book, and see her powers develop. I also liked that we got to find out more about her family members and what it is that they can do. I'm looking forward to seeing Leon's character develop and for him to come into his powers, (something tells me that will be highly entertaining!). I think that we also got to see a different side to Rogan in this book, as well as find out a bit more about his past. I like how the relationship has developed between Nevada and Rogan, and am interested to see how this will continue to develop in the next book, especially with the revelations and the choices that had to be made at the end of this.

I loved the bit with the ferrets. That was hilarious. As was Leon's commentary of the fight out side.

I can't wait for the next in this series, and am glad that it's on pre-order at Amazon. You have to read this, your life will be incomplete if you don't.

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Book Review: Burn For Me (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this new Ilona Andrews!, (but then again I love all her Books) Can't wait for the next one!!

*A better review after a reread*

So since I finally got my hand on White Hot (book #2), I decided that it would be a good idea to reread Burn For Me (not that I ever really need an excuse to reread anything by Ilona Andrews!).

As with any of Andrew's books, it doesn't matter how may times that I read them, they never get boring. Burn For Me was no exception. I really love the writing style of the book, because even though the story line, setting and plot are very different form that of the Kate Daniels series, it still has that same feel and vibe to it, that just draws you in and doesn't let you go until you have reached the back cover of the book. Everything always feels very organic with a smooth flow; you never get to a bit of description for some backstory of what is happening, and feel like it's out of place. This carries through into the world building and the relationships between the characters. Andrews is great at creating fantastic family dynamics, without them being stereotypical. Her characters are always highly entertaining, and the kind of people that you would want out hang out with.

I love how the characters all have very individual personalities and depth. I really love Grandma Frida and Nevada's Mother; the way that they seem to have some kind of role reversal going on. I like how Nevada's younger sibling and cousins help keep things grounded. As much as they help her with the investigation, they also act as a reminder that this is a family unit and help make things relatable, with the normal everyday kind of arguments and antics that comes with family life. I really like Nevada's character, and think that there is more to her than even she herself knows, and I'm interested to see how her character develops and grows. I think that a similar thing can be said about Mad Rogan. I think that we only got to see what lies on the surface of his character in this book and I want to know more. I also loved how the relationship between Nevada and Rogan developed and the way that they play off each other, and I can't wait to see how this continues to develop and grow.

I am totally in love with this and would highly recommend this to just about anyone with the ability to read. If you can't read get the audio book so that you don't miss out on the awesomeness that is this book.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to start on the next one!

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Book Review: The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood #15) by J.R. Ward

The Chosen by J.R. Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this new installment of the series, but in all honesty it was not my favourite, and I had a feeling that it wouldn't be before I even read it. I loved The Beast, probably because Rhage is one of my favourites, so for me it was a given that Layla and Xcor were not going to be able to top what had come before them. If I had to compare this to previous books, I would put this one on par with The Shadows.

In my opinion this was one of those books where it seems to be a bit slow in places but still has a lot going on. To me this books purpose is to bridge any small gaps in the larger story and set the stage for the next "relationship to unfold". I think that this, as a book, will read better in a couple of years time when there are installments that follow it; for the simple reason that when you binge read an entire series, the individual elements all blend into one very long story, so what for some people are shortcomings with this book eventually won't matter when we all decide to go back and binge read it all over again, it won't be the book that may seem a little slow in places, it'll just be a continuation of what comes before and after it.

I think that this story was very different to what a lot of people were expecting, with the Xcor/Layla element not being quite so central to the story and having all these other smaller elements being brought in to set up for what comes next. I personally think that this book told their story in the best way as I don't feel that there was enough left to be told about to fill an entire book up. We have already seen so much of their relationship unfold in previous books, so I wasn't surprised that they weren't the sole focus here. In all honesty I was a little bit glad. Layla has never been a favourite of mine. For the same reasons that I'm not overly fond of Cormia, Marissa and the other Chosen. There is just that overly innocent/naive vibe about them (admittedly Marissa is growing on me). And as much as I no longer see Xcor as "The Bad Guy", I didn't fall in love with his character either; I'm just ambivalent when it comes to him.

I'm interested to see how this thing with Trez and Therese plays out, and what it means in the grander scheme of things. It's hard to say anything about this without giving away spoilers. I did find it a bit odd though, how we had gone back to looking at how Trez is doing and it becoming almost a secondary story line, and yet there was no kind of follow up, even briefly, on the Rhage-Mary-Bitty situation; not even passing them in the hall or at meal times. For me this was certainly something that felt a bit missing. But then again maybe I'm biased being Team Rhage and all.

A couple of other little side thoughts:

Mrs Ward, what is it going to cost me for everything to work out right with Vishous? Seriously, name your price and it's yours.

The new Scribe Virgin. OH MY GOD! My first thought when I read who got the job was that the Brothers are going to hit the roof. I would never have guessed this. Things are most definitely going to get interesting.

I think if you have followed the series then this is a must read for you. I can't wait to read Assail's book, as I find his character quite intriguing. I'm looking forward to seeing everything plays out and discovering what comes next for these characters. I'm totally loving this series!



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Book Review: Alphas: Origins (Alphas #0.5) by Ilona Andrews

Short review for a short story.


Origins by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So basically you need to read this, for no other reason than that it has been written by the literary genius that is Ilona Andrews.

If for some bazaar reason, that isn't enough for you to just go and read it with out question, then I shall tell you more. I loved the concept behind this short story as well as how it all played out. As per usual with Ilona Andrews writing, this had fantastic, diverse characters, each with their own personalities. The writing it self is amazing. The world that has been built in this short short has so much potential for development into an awesome series. I would love to see more of these characters and this world.

Your life will be incomplete without this to add to your collection.

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Book Review: Corrigan Fire (Corrigan #1) by Helen Harper

Corrigan Fire by Helen Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this straight after finishing the Blood Destiny series and wasn't as taken with it as I was with the original series. I don't feel like it told the story as fully as in Blood Fire (Blood Destiny #1) and therefore feel that you should read the Blood Destiny series first.

It was interesting to see the events in Blood Fire from Corrigan's perspective as well as what was going on away from Mack. You definitely saw a different side to his character in this book; but I guess that is because you were seeing him for who is is rather than how Mack sees him. He comes across as a very different person in this book compared to in the other series, and I found it hard to reconcile the two different impressions of the character as one in the same. Personally I think I liked his character more when presented from Mack's point of view.

This was still a good book, but I don't feel that it met the same standard as the Blood Destiny series. If the next one of Corrigan's books was really cheap I might get it, as the writing is pretty good and it's a quick and enjoyable read.

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Book Review: Bloodlust (Blood Destiny #5) by Helen Harper

Bloodlust by Helen Harper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have really enjoyed this series. I got this box set from an Instafreebie email and really didn't know what to expect from it; so it has been a pleasant surprise to find that this series was a gripping read.

I like how this book really wrapped everything up, and involved all of the characters. I loved the fact that we got o see Mack really embrace what she is in this book, and stop hiding it from, not just everyone else, but herself.

I liked the ending, even though it was kind of bittersweet. The fact that they all go back to Cornwall for Tom and Betsy's wedding, brings things full circle back to where everything started, and it also signals a new start for Mack and Corrigan.

This is a great series that is well worth reading.

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Book Review: Blood Politics (Blood Destiny #4) by Helen Harper

Blood Politics by Helen Harper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm really enjoying this series. I like that it's a bit of a slow burner, allowing things to unfold over time and for the characters to develop, without the overall plot line being lost to the character development.

We saw Mack take on more of a leadership position in this book. I think that this really showed some of her more vulnerable side; having to keep her temper in check while trying to get the representatives from each Otherworld group, that have been following her to be useful, and stop arguing with one another long enough to stop that latest Big Bad. This book also involved some revelations for Mack, in terms of her feeling for Corrigan. I really hope that they can make this work for them (regardless of what happens at the end of this book!)

This book has plenty of fun and hilarious moments. This series makes for great light reading. I really like the characters and the way that they all interact. I would recommend the series.

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Book Review: Bloodmagic and Bloodrage (Blood Destiny #2 and #3) by Helen Harper

Bloodmagic by Helen Harper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked this second installment to the series as it wasn't quite what I expected it to be.

After Mack left the Cornish pack at the end of book 1 I was interested to see where she would end up and how her character would develop and adapt to being away from the only home that she has really known. I also was curious to see how the story line between Mack and Corrigan would continue and how things would work if she is one the run and he is in London.

I like how trouble seems to find Mack wherever she goes, as this provides endless entertainment. I like the use of the 'Voice' between Mack and Corrigan to develop that side of the story. I like how everything between them starts of civil, but very quickly turns into them making each other angry. I also like how Mack tries to justify her actions towards Corrigan to herself. You never quite know where the relationship between them is going although it is clear that they have feelings for each other.

I thought that the new character, Solus (a Fae) was a great new addition to this already great cast of characters. He comes across as somewhat mischievous, and I think that he and Mack play off each other really well with some funny results.

I really liked this book and would recommend the series.

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Bloodrage by Helen Harper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book pick up directly where book 2 left off with Mack arriving at the Mage Academy to study as per her agreement with the Arch-Mage.

I found it highly entertaining to see Mack have to deal with following strict rules and not being able to just be herself while at the academy. Even here, under that watchful gaze of the Mages, trouble still manages to find Mack; from a Fae book, to an old friend that is Alex the surfer dude mage, who has had an issue with one of his own assignments and needs Mack's talents to help fix it. In order to fix Alex's problem, Mack has to go on a date with Corrigan. This of course provided plenty of entertainment.

I'm really looking forward to reading what comes next in this series, especially now that Mack knows for sure what she is (ie. not a mage). I'm intrigued to see how all of this plays out and I feel that it is going to force her to get closer to Corrigan.

I'm really enjoying this series and would totally recommend it.

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Book Review: Bloodfire (Blood Destiny #1) by Helen Harper

Bloodfire by Helen Harper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I got this (along with the rest of the series in a box set) off of Instafreebie. So far with this service I have found that, it can be a bit hit and miss as to whether or not you end up with books that are actually any good. But every now and than you get one that really pulls you in and blows you away. This was one of those times.

I really enjoyed this book, from start to end. It was a change to be reading a book set in the UK, Cornwall, to be specific, rather than the USA. I love this idea that there is this keep of shapeshifters just outside of a small Cornish village, where the villagers just assume that they are some kind of cult. There were some really great characters in this book. Mack is a human living with a pack of shapeshifters, even though it is against shifter laws. After a death, the Brethren (a.k.a the shapeshifter elite form London) come to visit the pack and therefore Mack has to try to disguise the fact that she is a human from them. I really like her personality. She is feisty, sarcastic and stubborn with good sense of humour that comes across in the dialogue and attempts to come up with excuses to hide the fact that she is human when people start asking to many questions. She is really likable as a character that you can connect with easily and she carries the story well.

Corrigan is the stereotypical tall dark and handsome alpha male (in this case literally). Although it would normally be a negative thing, I like that even by the end of the book, we still hadn't really got to know him any better. I personally think that this helps to mix things up and make it different from other books and less predictable. Normally by the end of the book we would know most of his secrets and it would be obvious that there will be a relationship the main female character, if there isn't one already. As much as it is clear that Corrigan has some kind of feelings for Mack, it's not totally clear what those feelings are or how things will play out. I like that he still has that mystery about him.

The other characters really help bring the rest of the story together. They all have different personalities, and fill out the roles of friends, enemies, mentor/parental figures. I do have to say that the surfer dude mage may have been one of my favourite secondary characters.

This book has a really interesting story line that will interest anyone that loves supernatural stories. I like that there is plenty of room for that characters to develop, and I hope that we get to see some of them again. I'm really looking forward to what comes next in this series. Totally recommend giving this a go.

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Book Review: Joss Whedon: The Biography by Amy Pascale

Joss Whedon: The Biography by Amy Pascale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Now biographies are, ordinarily, so not my thing; but I'm a huge Whedon fan and could not pass up the opportunity to, dive inside the mind of the genius that is Joss Whedon.

This biography was really well written in my opinion. I think that I often shy away from them, thinking that the are going to be really slow and boring. This was actually really engaging. It's broken down into manageable chapters, that have a nice and easy flow to them. I like that way that the author used plenty of thoughts/opinions/comments from interviews with the people that have worked with Joss and know him well, as well as having a fair amount of comments from the man himself.

It certainly feels that, after reading this, that you know Joss as more than just this creative genius that has masterminded some of (in my opinion) the best TV shows ever. You really get an inside look into his life and who he is as a person outside of his work when reading this. On top of this you also find out so much more about what was going on behind the scenes in his work. It was fascinating to read about the multitude of issues and struggles that were fought in order for the work that we know him best for (Buffy, Angel, Firefly) to actually make it to our screens. As well as this I thank that it also serves as a great insight to the world that is TV and Film production. Because of this I would say that this is a must read, not just for all the Joss Whedon fans out there, but also for people looking to get into the industry, for them to really get a look at the 'politics' as it were, of the film industry.

This was a really great book that fans of the Whedonverse will absolutely love. I highly recommend this.

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Book Review: Forbidden Seduction (Lee County Wolves #2) by Teresa Gabelman

Forbidden Seduction by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. There was more going on plot wise in this book than there was in the first one.

This book focuses on Hunter and Emily (the same Emily that he was forced to take to Prom). I really loved Emily's character; she wasn't what I expected from the story that Hunter told in the Protectors books. I like that she has a feisty side that she doesn't let out very often; she seems to take herself by surprise sometimes when she lets herself speak her mind. I like how the relationship developed between them. I liked how Emily was somewhat conflicted when it came to Hunter; how part of her still had feelings for him, and the other part was telling her to move on and find someone else. It was interesting to see Hunter come to terms with his feelings for Emily and yet not quite know what the right way to go about convincing Emily that he Had feeling for her and had all along. I found it a bit entertaining to see that this was one of those situations where everyone else seems to completely understand what is going on and what to do about it, except for the character involved.

I like how this book had a bit of a cross over with the Warriors form the Protectors series in the form of Steve, Slade and Jill. I like how having these characters come over from the other series, helped ground this series in the same world. Nothing felt out of place and therefore it all felt very cohesive. I look forward to there being more cross overs in the future.

Another great quick read.

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Book Review: Forbidden Hunger (Lee County Wolves #1) by Teresa Gabelman

Forbidden Hunger by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having just finished the Protectors series by Teresa Gableman I pounced on this spin-off series (no pun intended) about the wolf pack that Hunter calls home.

Even though not very much actually happened in this book it was still a very enjoyable quick read. I think that this book focused a lot more on introducing the characters and world building, than it did on plot. I don't think that this is a bad thing. You get a really clear image of this being a very small town where everyone knows each other and is a close knit community, as well as getting to know what the dynamic is between characters. There is a very similar vibe and set up to the VC Warriors in the Protectors books, with some differences in terms of the way that the wolves like to do things. This book has that same sense of humour that you get from the Warriors, that makes you connect with the characters, as well as help carry the story and make it engaging.

I really liked see the different personalities of the Foster brothers. I loved Hunter's character in the Protectors book and that didn't change once he was home with his family. I'm intrigued by Marcus, and think that there is more too him than meets the eye, so can't wait to find out more about him. I liked Garrett's; how he was very much the alpha and one in charge, without coming across as overbearing. I also like the relationship between him and Janna and the way that it developed. I really like Janna and think that she has a great personality. I can't wait to see more of these two together. I also think that little Sam is going to provide plenty of entertainment in future books.

A great quick read, that fans of the Protectors series will love.

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Book Review: Blaze (The Protectors Series #10) by Teresa Gabelman

Blaze by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved loved loved this book!

It's seemed like there was a lot going on in this book. I was completely hooked and just could not put it down. As per usual with this series, there was some great dialogue and a fantastic sense of humour running throughout, that had me in tears with laughter.

I think that Blaze and Katrina are great together. We got to know who Blaze really is in this book. It was interesting to see what lay behind that imposing exterior, and discover why he tries to keep himself. Katrina's backstory was nothing like I expected, and it was great to see her character develop, and for her to really come out of her shell. I think that their two characters, while perhaps not an obvious pairing, actually have a lot in common and have a good chemistry.

One thing that I have really liked with this series is that, all the characters follow through into the next book; no-one gets left behind once their story has been told. Every single one of them has their part to play, no matter how small. What makes this even better is that it's done in such a way that the involvement of all these characters, from the Warriors to their mates, still feels very cohesive. Being ten books into a series, there is a fairly large cast of characters, and it never feels like the inclusion of the earlier characters detracts from the main story line or that it feels like filler, or that it's being added in to show that that particular character is still around and hasn't been forgotten about.

What I would love from this series, is a book that tells us how each of the Warriors were turned. As much as we know that they fought as Gladiators/slaves, it feels to me that there is more to their stories than that. I am really looking forward to being able to read what comes next for these guys,.

This is a really great series that is loads of fun. I highly recommend that you check them out.

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Book Review: Sloan (The Protectors Series #9) by Teresa Gabelman

Sloan by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book.

But like Adam's book, it felt a little more like filler to me, with the main focus not necessarily being on the Sloan and Becky aspect, but more on the setting up and ground work of the story between Blaze and Katrina. I think that there is so much mystery surrounding Sloan and his background but that was never really explored. I was good to get to see a little more of his character though, and have more insight into how he feels/sees his job. It was nice to see that e does have a more caring side (whether he likes it or not!) I really liked Becky's character. I like that she is a parent, as I think that it brings a slightly different dynamic to their relationship that we have not previously seen with the other couples. As much as Tessa had, essentially, been caring/raising Adam, they still very much have a Brother/Sister relationship and this carries through to Jared. We so far haven't seen any of the Warriors have to have the "I really like your mother, and I hope you are okay with that" conversation. I'm interested to see how this side of their relationship will continue in future installments of the series.

I'm really looking forward to reading Blaze's story as it is clear that he is haunted by his past (literally). I'm really interested to see what lays beneath the surface with him, and the same really goes for Katrina. I eager to see her come out of her shell, and get to know her character better.

This is a really great series that is a lot of fun. There were moments in this book that had me in tears laughing. So if you are looking for a quick read and a laugh, this series is for you.

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Book Review: Slade, The Warrior Wedding and Jax (The Protectors Series #6, #7 and #8) by Teresa Gabelman

Slade by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At last! We finally get to stop dancing around the fact that Slade and Jill have feelings for each other.

I love that everyone except Slade and Jill seems to know that these two have something. I love Jill's character, the way that she is so stubborn and yet also has these insecurities. It was interesting it finally get to understand the situation between Jill and her family. I think she was an iterating choice of partner for Slade, as they are pretty much opposites, and yet I think that they work well together. I like that we see Slade constantly fightings his feelings for Jill (I know, that sounds mean). With most, if not all of the other couples, it's more a case of the guys see the woman they want, and then do whatever they have to in order to get her. I feel that having Slade fight his feelings under rye guise of doing the right thing while Jill is still training, was good as it stops things from becoming repetitive and predictable.

This is the story that I have been waiting for, and it delivered. This is a great series that I totally recommend reading.

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A Warrior Wedding by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. This instalment in the series more or less continues the story of Slade and Jill, but the focus is spread between all of the characters, while also setting up the storyline between Jax and Caroline.

This was a real rollercoaster of a book. There was humour and everything that you would normally expect from these characters, but there were also some moments of sadness and heartbreak, that we haven't really seem in this series all that much. The half breeds are getting sick and there's no cure. This really puts the warriors, especially Slade, in the position of having this problem that they can't fix by beating something to a pulp. I think that we get to see a different side to a lot the the characters when they're stuck with nothing to fight.

I'm really looking forward to see how everything plays out with Jax and Caroline. I also want to know what the deal is with Jax's brother, and the problems it's going cause the warriors.

This is a great series that you really don't want to miss.

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Jax by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This may have been my favourite book of the series yet.

Jax is one of the newer characters in the series that was brought in to help with training the half breeds. His past is something that he avoids talking about, and this just makes me more interested in his character. I loved seeing his struggle with his feeling towards Caroline; seeing how he finds emoting and loving someone, and being loved, a totally foreign concept. I loved seeing how over the course of this story, Jax really opens up and lets go of some of his inner demons and stops holding out on Caroline, and finally lets himself make her a priority. I think Caroline's character is great. I love how she goes into teacher mode and puts all the Warriors in their place without taking any BS. I really like the way that she and Jax bounce off each other, with neither one really being prepared to back down on what they want and never being able to stay mad.

I can't wait for Blaze's story, so I'm now going to go and plow my way through Sloan's book (which I'm sure is going to be wonderful).

This is a great addition to the series and I totally recommend that you read it.

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Book Review: Adam (The Protectors Series #5) by Teresa Gabelman

Adam by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked this book; maybe not as much as I did the others so far in the series mind you, but I did like it.

To me this book felt more like filler and a way to ease the transition from Sid's book to Slade's. To me it seemed like the first third of the book continued to look at the relationship between Sid and Lana, wrapping up the story line from their book, and solidifying where they are at within their relationship. The last third very much felt like the final stages of the set up for the story between Slade and Jill that we have been dancing around for the last couple of books, with only the middle third really focusing on what is going on with Adam. Since I have been reading these back to back with no break between each of them, this doesn't make much of a difference to me as the all just blend into one really long book. However if I had to wait a period of time before being able to read this, I feel I would have been a bit disappointed that the story and relationship between Adam and Angelina wasn't more of a main focus.

I like the way that the author makes sure all of the characters are a part of each book, and when new characters are added, that we continue to see them in future installments. I think that this really helps to show the development of the plot lines and helps with the world building.

I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series, not only because we finally get to see the what happens between Slade and Jill, but also because of the new development in the story line with the war/segregation against half-breeds.

I would totally recommend this series. There's plenty of action and romance, with a good amount of humour to stop things from getting too dark.

Well worth reading.

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Book Review: Sid (The Protectors Series #4) by Teresa Gabelman

Sid by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! This was another fantastic story in the world of the VC Warriors.

This time around we were focused on Sid aka. Sidilicious (yeah, that one had me in tears of laughter) resident Playboy and wisecracker. I liked that we got to know his character better in this, and start to see him as more than just the Cook with a smart mouth. I loved Lana's character and thought she was an interesting choice to be paired with Sid. I also liked that she was a Medium; I thought that adding in the element of her being a little other than human really added another dimension to this world. I also liked her personality, and feel that her character would be a good fit with the other women and yet at the same time she comes across as a bit more head strong and more defiant, for lack of a better word, than the other girls. I think that she has a very complex character and I look forward to seeing her develop over future books.

I do feel that the ending to this book, in terms of the relationship, wasn't as clear cut as some of the other books have been. I think that this may have been a good move to avoid things predictable. There is also the whole thing between Slade and Jill. I feel that their story is going to be full of fights and plenty of humorous insults, so I can't wait for that to play out.

I'm really loving this series and would completely recommend it.

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Book Review: Jared and Duncan (The Protectors Series #2 and #3) by Teresa Gabelman

Jared by Teresa Gableman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this down. This book pretty much picks up where the last one left off.

The plot line that is running through these books is really gripping and, in my opinion, plays as much part in the story as the romance side of things does. I really love the characters in this book. I like the way that they bounce off each other and the sense of humour that comes through with the dialogue. Tessa and the half-breeds that were introduced in this book are great characters, all with very individual personalities, that I look forward to seeing developed in future books. The way that Tessa and Jared get introduced to each other is brilliant, and not something that you see/read very often.

Something else that I'm really loving so far with this series is even though you have these tough alpha male vampire warriors, they all have this really caring side, that I think makes them the kind of characters that really draw you in and capture your attention.

I would totally recommend this series, to paranormal romance lovers.

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Duncan (The Protectors Series) Book #3 by Teresa Gableman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another un-put-down-able edition to this series.

This picks up 3 months after the last book when Pam ran off, and focuses on what happens upon her return between her and Duncan. You really see a change and a development of Pam's character here. When we first met her in book 1 she was really bright and fun loving, but a lot has happened since then to change her, literally. This was really well written, and you can really sympathize and feel for Pam with the trauma that she was subjected to. I also liked that we got to know Duncan's character in this book as so far in the series, we hadn't been able to get much of a feel for what he is like, outside of being the leader of the warriors. I liked how even with the somewhat dark subject matter of Pam's abuse, there was the right amount of humour added in the right way to keep the story lighthearted and for it not to become depressing.

Also we are introduced to a new warrior/doctor character Slade. I think there is definitely a story to be told about him and Jill, so I can't wait for that, as I think he is going to be a really interesting character.

I think that these stories are wonderful because even though they have elements of the typical sexy-alpha-male-vampire-paranormal-romance that everybody knows and loves, they also seem to have this real sense of heart about them, that really keeps bringing you back for more.

I would totally recommend this series, as I am thoroughly enjoying it.

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Book Review: Damon (the Protectors Series #1) by Teresa Gabelman

Damon by Teresa Gableman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I quite enjoyed this book.

The writing style used flows well and seems to seamlessly switch perspectives, without interrupting the overall flow of the story. I was immediately drawn into the story right from the start. The characters are instantly likable and engaging. Nicole is very dedicated to her work and comes across as very passionate and caring, with a fun side. The Vampires in this are the typical alpha male, tall dark and handsome, not that I'm complaining (if it ain't broke, don't fix it right?) These guys have a great sense of humour, that really endears them to you. The one thing I will say is, they have golden eyes that go black when they are angry of hungry.....sound familiar? Wonder is they sparkle in the sunlight? Or have a cousin that goes by the name of Edward? In all honesty that is the only comparison that can be made with Twilight (again, this isn't a negative; I liked Twilight, just making an observation.)

This had a great story line, and some really entertaining characters that will have you laughing out loud. I can't wait to read more!

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Book Review: Alien Enemy Box Set by Ashley L. Hunt

Alien Enemy by Ashley L. Hunt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I got this box set of books from Instafreebie with no idea as to what to expect from them.

The first think that I would say is that would be better off being considered as a book, singular, rather than books plural, as it only tops out at 400 pages (100 pages per book approximately).

From what I can tell, this is the first thing that the author published (please do correct me if I'm wrong here), and I think it shows a bit. Now that's not to say that I didn't like and enjoy reading this, because I did. I think that the idea and concept behind the story is good and interesting, it just seemed to read more like a first draft to me. Reading this, I kept feeling like it could do with being fleshed out a little bit more. I also think that the lack of 'fleshy-i-ness' also created some pacing issues with the story; not enough for you to have no clue as to what is going on, but enough for it to take a second for you to catch up to where the characters are.

We first meet Luke's character, when he comes into the diner, where Candice is working, with the Carnival Of Lost Souls, and everything its set up in such a way that he could have been made to be very mysterious and the development of the attraction and relationship between Luke and Candice could have been a real slow burner and been amazing. I personally feel that everything between them went way too fast. From him walking into to diner, and them getting along and the relationship beginning seemed almost instantaneous. There was little to know build up, no getting to know each other stage. Now, it is entirely possible that this could be down to the pacing issues that I mentioned. I feel that there was a bit of a missed opportunity with this; you have this carnival that has come to town, where all it's members are not quite what they seem, and this could have been a really wondrous and mysterious setting, and it wasn't.

I would liked to have seen Luke perhaps have tot explain things a bit more to Candice, as she seemed to just except everything that was thrown at her, no questions asked. I would also liked to have found out some of Candice's back story, as it is implied that something happened or that she made some bad choices before coming back to Sun Valley for her Parents funeral. On the whole, I liked her character, even if she seems to accept that aliens form another galaxy exist (and that she is the key for of them in particular to be able to get back there to fight a war) a little too easily. I do have some mixed feelings about Luke's character. It's abundantly clear that he loves Candice, and yet he can be very demanding and controlling of her; it's like he's having mood swings that would give you whiplash. One minute I'd like him and the next not so much. I would like to have seen more of the other carnival members and found out more about them. I'm also not sure we ever found out why Luke was cursed in the first place, but maybe I'm just being forgetful.

For a (I think) first published works, this was pretty good. I do feel that it could be developed a little bit more in places, because this could have been absolutely fantastic. The actual concept was very original I think. As much as this did have it's flaws it's worth reading as a quick read. I do have a couple of other box sets by this author, that I am looking forward to reading. I think this author has the makings of a really awesome sci-fi writer, so I'll be watching this space.

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Book Review: The Tracker's Dilemma (Mandrake Company #6) by Ruby Lionsdrake

The Tracker's Dilemma by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book, and was glad that we got to see Lauren and Tick get their own book, as they were two of the original characters. There was plenty of action in this book, along with with some light hearted humour. Perfect for sci-fi adventure lovers.

I have always liked Tick's character, and had hoped that we would get to hear his story at some point. I like his personality and think that he was a good, albeit interesting choice to pair with Lauren. I have never quite known what to make of Lauren's character, as we never really see that much of her, and when you do, she is not very good at social interaction. I felt that we got to understand her a lot more in this book, as well as see a slightly different side to her. It was nice to see that she does actually have a personality that extends beyond the Socially Awkward Workaholic Research Scientist. In This installment we also got to meet Lauren's sister, Hailey, who is the polar opposite to Lauren. It was interesting to see the relationship between the two sisters, and how Hailey's presence, again, brought out a different side to Lauren.

I'm sad that there are no plans for this series to continue as I would liked to have seen Striker get his own book. I'm curious to know if there is more to him than the obnoxious irritant to people everywhere side. I also think that it would be highly entertaining for him to find a woman that really puts him in his place, or someone that brings out a different/better side of him.

I have really enjoyed this series and would certainly recommend it to anyone that loves science fiction with a great adventure and a touch of romance thrown in.

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Book Review: The Pirate Captain's Daughter (Mandrake Company #5.5) by Ruby Lionsdrake

The Pirate Captain's Daughter by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For a short story/novella this was a pretty decent length. More than I was expecting in fact.

I thought that this was a really good way to explain the background of a secondary (very secondary) character. Marat Azarov appeared in the previous book but you never found out how he became part of the company, so I feel that putting him in a novella was a good way of explaining this without it seeming out of place. I like his character, that he seems, for lack of a better word, more decent than some of the other mercenaries. I like the way his relationship developed with Ying. She was a great character, and I hope we get to see a bit more of her in the next book.

This was a fun short story, that is a great addition to the series. I would totally recommend reading this, especially if you have kept up with the series so far. Very enjoyable.

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Book Review: Mercenary Courage (Mandrake Company #5) by Ruby Lionsdrake

Mercenary Courage by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am really happy that we got to see more of Viktor and Anakari in this installment of the series.

This was another fast paced and action packed adventure, mainly due to Ankari's schemes and plans. I liked that we got to see more of her and Viktor together as the main characters of the story, as we have only really had glimpses and mentions of then in the books since Mercenary Instinct (book 1) when they met. I love they way that they play off each other, and the way that she brings out a softer side to him. I think that they have, as with all the characters, a really good dialogue that adds a layer of humour to the story as well as adding another dimension to the characters.

It was also nice to see some of the other original characters, such as Jamie, and to see how her character has developed since having her own story. I also look forward to perhaps find out more about the new character that is Azarov, as we only know that he is a new member of the company.

I'm really enjoying this series and would completely recommend this to any science fiction lover.

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Book Review: The Ruins of Karzelek (Mandrake Company #4) by Ruby Lionsdrake

The Ruins of Karzelek by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another fantastic installment in this wonderful series.

This had action right from the start. As per usual, well written and really gripping. I was completely drawn into the story and could not put it down. This was really fast paced, with lots of explosions and plenty of humour that carried you through the book.

This installment brought back some of the other mercenary characters, such as Tick, Striker, Val and Thatcher, but it really focused on Sedgwick Thomlin, Mandrake Company's Intelligence Officer. I really liked his character; I like that he has imperfections and quirks, as it is unusual to have the hero/male love interest be anything but the perfect stereotypical alpha male character. I like how there is a range of personality types among the mercenary characters, that all work well together and have a good chemistry. Kalish and her mother and sister were new characters that we were introduced to in this story, Kalish being the main focus. She has a personality very similar to Ankari, although I think that she is less witty than Ankari is and takes herself a little bit more seriously. I liked her character and think that she complimented Thomlin well.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend this series to science fiction lovers with a sense of adventure.

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Book Review: The Assassin's Salvation (Mandrake Company #3) by Ruby Lionsdrake

The Assassin's Salvation by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So the Mandrake Company series is my latest binge read (I'm already on book 5 by the time I'm writing this) and I'm loving it.

I like that this book has gone back to focus on one of the original characters from Mercenary Instinct (book 1). Jamie Flipkens is the engineer/pilot for Ankari's medical company. So far in the series we have only got to see her as the young and inexperienced one of the group, so it was nice that we hot to know her character better and see her develop in this installment of the series. We were also introduced to a new character as the hero and Jamie's love interest. Sergei, assassin and former crew member of the Mandrake Company. I like that his character is very different and more resigned and discreet than the personalities of the other mercenary characters. I like that he doesn't fit in the stereotypical mold of the assassin role, and that the reality is different form he initial expectation.

I love that this series has a really diverse range of different types of characters; this coupled with the great writing style and story lines really makes for a very dynamic and gripping series. You get completely drawn into the books and really care for the characters. Once you pick this up you will not want to put it down. This was another fantastic action packed sci-fi adventure, with a touch of humour thrown in.

I highly recommend this series.

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