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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