Vision in Silver
Series: The Others #3
Narrator: Alexandra Harris
Unabridged
16 hrs.
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Published: March 3, 2015
Source: Library
Speed Listened: 1.5

Series: Menagerie #2
432 p.
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Published: 5/30/17
Source: From NetGalley and Publisher for review.

In this riveting sequel to New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent's acclaimed novel Menagerie, Delilah Marlow will discover that there is no crueler cage than the confines of the human mind… 

When their coup of Metzger's Menagerie is discovered, Delilah and her fellow cryptids find their newly won freedom brutally stripped away as they are sold into The Savage Spectacle, a private collection of "exotic wildlife." Specializing in ruthless cryptid cage matches, safari-style creature hunts and living party favors, the Spectacle's owner, Willem Vandekamp, caters to the forbidden fetishes of the wealthy and powerful. At the Spectacle, any wish can be granted—for the right price.

But Vandekamp's closely guarded client list isn't the only secret being kept at the Spectacle. Beneath the beauty and brutality of life in the collection lie much darker truths, and no one is more determined than Delilah to strip the masks from the human monsters and drag all dark things into the light.

My thoughts:

I loved the first book which honestly caught me by surprise. I had high hopes for this one and I was not disappointed. Those worrying about sophomore syndrome need not worry. While our intrepid cryptids find themselves in similar but in some ways more dangerous circumstances, one which none is expected to survive, we find ourselves once again captured (in a good way) by the story and how it all plays out. There is no cliffhanger but there is a huge open ending which will make you salivate for more of the tale. I, for one, cannot wait to read the next book in this series, *grabby hands*, even though it may not be written yet. Yes, you can safely say I really loved this book.

My only niggle would be with Delilah herself. While I feel that she has placed the bulk of the responsibilities on keeping the other cryptids alive, I also feel that she should share in that responsibility. They have as much or more at stake and it is also a bit of an insult to think that they are not capable of the task of at least helping her out as an equal. That is where I felt she sort of resembled her captors, but I do think she made strides in that area a tiny bit. Still, it is a minor niggle.

I do not want to tell too much or I'll spoil the book (or even the one that came before) but I will say this: I feel you need to pay attention to the prologue in the book. I have a feeling it will play an important role in the coming books and not just this story.

In conclusion, I feel that this series needs to be read in order. It makes sense and this one builds on the first book. You get fully introduced to Delilah who is our protagonist and why she is important to the menagerie. I give this book 4 1/2 stars. I highly recommend this series to those that love a good fantasy.

Series: The Others #2
Narrator: Alexandra Harris
14 hrs. 13 min.
Unabridged
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Published: 3/4/14
Source: Library

After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard - Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader - wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet - and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

My thoughts:

Series: Mercy Thompson #5
342 p.
Publisher: Ace Books
Published: 3/30/10
Source: TBR pile

Mercy is smart enough to realize that when it comes to the magical fae, the less you know, the better. But you can't always get what you want. When she attempts to return a powerful fae she previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down. 

It seems the book contains secrets - and the fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side - leaving Mercy to cover for him lest his own father declare Samuel's life forfeit. 

All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she may not have many more...

My thoughts:

First, let me say something about that cover. I do like pretty much all Dan Dos Santos covers, but I hear that not everyone does and the biggest complaint is about her tats. Let me give you a hint about those tats.... they tell the story in the book. If you go back and examine them with the story in the book, you will see that they have imagery about the tale. This one, I admit, is harder to decipher, but the others seem to be more telling. When I figured that part out, I tend to pay more attention to her tats on these covers. I'm sad to see that there are alternative covers for these books.

 It had been a while since I read the last book and I've been wanting to catch up with this series. I finally took this book off my shelf and dove in. I was glad I did. Mercy still attracts danger without trying but she always seems to be up to whatever life throws at her, even if it is overwhelming. She doesn't hesitate to come to the aid of anyone she deems friend or family and the romance between her and Adam continues. We also get more about Samuel and what is going on with him. His problems become critical and Snowball (*grin*) takes charge. I found that with everything happening to Mercy, that part filled with me the most apprehension.

I give this book 4 stars. It is a great continuation of this series but I wouldn't start with this book if you are just getting into the series. This one I would suggest reading in order because you get a feel of who everyone is and what importance they have in Mercy's life. This is important because the characters take precedence over all the paranormal happenings and it is their relationship to each other that pulls you through the story. I recommend the series to anyone who enjoys UF.

Series: Kate Daniels #6
Narrator: Reneé Raudman
Unabridged
15 hrs. 6 min.
Publisher: Recorded Books
Published: July 30, 13
Source: Library

Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost. 

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta. 

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

My thoughts:

First in series
352 p.
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: 8/2/16
Source: NetGalley and publisher for review

Jane Eyre meets Beauty and the Beast.

When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the Scottish border. Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is brash and inhospitable, and does not take kindly to visitors—even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man—beast and all?

My thoughts:

Hm... Jane Eyre meets Beauty and the Beast? Um... you know I was so going to get this book for review. And while this is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, it actually seemed more than that. At first I was reminded of Dracula and The Secret Garden. Later I became more aware of the influence of Jane Eyre and Beauty and the Beast. I actually would say it is more influenced by Jane Eyre, however. Yea, you can safely say this one felt like an homage to the classics with a bit of steampunk thrown in.

Too much? Actually it worked. I enjoyed sussing out what the influence was and at the same time I was enraptured by Lucy who was no shrinking violet. I even loved that when she was overtaken by fear, she didn't let it stop her. She even was Miles's equal... and dare I say may have surpassed him in fortitude. The mystery is also what moved the story along with Lucy who is the one determined to get to the bottom of things. It is through her and a particular ghost with the same attitude as Lucy that we learn everything that we need to figure out what had happened.

The steampunk in this book is light but does have all the necessary gadgets to get us through the book. I would have liked to know a bit more about a couple of the gadgets but that is really more about curiosity on my part and may have slowed down the pace too much for me to learn those things. So, I do not count that as a niggle in my reading.

I give this steampunk murder mystery thriller paranormal retelling *breath* 4 stars. It is fun, twisty and has some great characters to love. I really recommend it to those that enjoy fantasy and steampunk in particular. It reads as a standalone but I also understand that this is the first in a series and I cannot wait to read the next book.

Standalone
384 p.
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: 2/2/16
Source: Edelweiss and Publisher for review

The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it’s perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler. 

Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She’s determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there’s nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways. 

But Westie’s search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel’s latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There’s only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie’s kin. With the help of Nigel’s handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she’s not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.

My thoughts:

I had fun with this mash up of western, magic, paranormal, and steampunk. It seems like a lot to thrown in together but here it works. In this one we follow Westie who is a wild girl that lost her family to cannibals. She has a new home now with wildly different kind of people and a mechanical arm. She also has a mouth on her so you know I liked this character. She does cause a lot of problems because she is impulsive, but at least she does try to take responsibility for what damage she wrought.

The mystery was interesting but I didn't like how her new family reacted to some revelations on her part. I don't want to go into what they were because it would be too spoilerish but it just didn't quite jive with me in how otherwise supportive her family was about everything else. I did like the romance between Westie and Alistair. I loved Alley and how he helped Westie and how he loved her. There was a aw moment for them in there for romance lovers. ;) The ending was not as surprising as I think it meant to be but was still enjoyable. I didn't love how it ended but I didn't hate it either. There were also small things that I thought were important which were left out. Like who was spying on Westie and Alistair? I only mention this one specifically since it really doesn't give anything away. This was mentioned as if it was important but yet just didn't give us any clues or answers to what was going on. There was also another incident which I cannot go into but had the same problems. Nothing big but it bothered me a bit. I'm guessing it was the same person, but no answers for those small niggles.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I did enjoy it and I liked Westie. I think this could have been developed into a series and I think it would have been even better as such. I think then not having small questions go unanswered (not the ones I mentioned, but a few others... small but possibly important) wouldn't have bothered me as much. I do recommend it to those that love mash ups of genres with a good dose of fun.

Series: Finishing School #4
Last book in series
326 p.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 11/3/15
Source: Library

If one must flirt…flirt with danger. 

Lessons in the art of espionage aboard Mademoiselle Geraldine’s floating dirigible have become tedious without Sophronia’s sweet sootie Soap nearby. She would much rather be using her skills to thwart the dastardly Picklemen, yet her concerns about their wicked intentions are ignored, and now she’s not sure whom to trust. What does the brusque werewolf dewan know? On whose side is the ever-stylish vampire Lord Akeldama? Only one thing is certain: a large-scale plot is under way, and when it comes to fruition, Sophronia must be ready to save her friends, her school, and all of London from disaster—in decidedly dramatic fashion, of course. 

What will become of our proper young heroine when she puts her years of training to the test? Find out in this highly anticipated and thrilling conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Finishing School series!

My thoughts:
I was so sad that I couldn't get this one for review but I requested it at my library first chance I got! So, this became one of my library reads. I was not disappointed and I couldn't wait to see how everything ends.

The mystery and espionage were as good as the other books. I quickly fell into this world and couldn't wait to find out what happened to my favorite characters. I do think things were well rounded up and it all made complete sense. So why was I a bit disappointed? I can only figure that it is because it is the ending book as to why I was left bereft when the last page appeared.

The issue between Soap and Felix is resolved and it makes sense! I couldn't see how that one would come about. I also love the new Soap. :) There are also minor issues that become resolved within the book. I think the resolutions are so complete it made me a bit disillusioned. No more guesses as to how things will work out. No more guesses at the impossible. No more Sophronia's adventures. I was also upset by Bumbersnoot's resolution. Although I have to say I couldn't have thought of anything more perfect (other than him coming through the book to land on my lap) in how his adventure was resolved. I can only say that I'm truly disappointed that this is the last book.

I give this book 4  1/2 stars. It is a perfect resolution to all the lose ends we encountered throughout the series. I would not skip around in the series but read them in order. This series is the perfect steampunk adventure for YA and adult crowds but it almost ends too perfect for me. That was it's only real problem in the book (what a funny problem to have!). I couldn't have thought of anything better but it also means we have to leave this world and go onto other stories. I highly recommend this series to everyone.

Series: Kitty Norville #14
318 p.
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 8/4/15
Source: From publisher for review

The final novel in the New York Times bestselling series 

It’s all come down to this, following the discoveries made by Cormac in Low Midnight, Kitty and her allies are ready to strike. But, when their assassination attempt on the evil vampire Dux Bellorum fails, Kitty finds herself running out of time. The elusive vampire lord has begun his apocalyptic end game, and Kitty still doesn’t know where he will strike. 

Meanwhile, pressure mounts in Denver as Kitty and her pack begin to experience the true reach of Dux Bellorum’s cult. Outnumbered and outgunned at every turn, the stakes have never been higher for Kitty. She will have to call on allies both old and new in order to save not just her family and friends, but the rest of the world as well.

My thoughts:

The last book! NOooooOOOO! I love this series. This is one series where you can actually see that the main character grows into someone who is strong and capable. Considering where she started, looking back it was a great ride. This is one of those series who may not love Kitty in the beginning but will LOVE her quickly and want to be her bff in the end. This book also has great secondary characters (off-shoot series??? *hopes*) so I can see Carrie Vaughn possibly heading in that direction if she has more to tell in this world. I will be a happy reader if that happens. However, I do understand that an author wants to leave a series on a up note rather than let it flounder before it ends.

In this book we finally get what we have been building toward for several books. The arc has been frustrating as you want it to end, but didn't want it to come too soon. I think this was the perfect balance and what an ending. I'm not always a fan of the ending series book, but this one had me from the beginning to the end. In fact I didn't want to read it too fast since I knew it was the last Kitty book.

I give this book 5 stars. I loved that this one had an epilogue and it was a perfect end to a fun series. The ending brought us back a bit but kept us moving forward to a future which is hopefully bright for the characters we leave for (possibly?) good. This is a series you want to start at the beginning and read all the way through to the end.

Series: Silver in the Blood #1
358 p.
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Published: 7/7/15
Source: NetGalley and publisher for review

Society girls from New York City circa 1890, Dacia and Lou never desired to know more about their lineage, instead preferring to gossip about the mysterious Romanian family that they barely knew. But upon turning seventeen, the girls must return to their homeland to meet their relatives, find proper husbands, and—most terrifyingly—learn the deep family secrets of The Claw, The Wing, and The Smoke. The Florescus, after all, are shape-shifters, and it is time for Dacia and Lou to fulfill the prophecy that demands their acceptance of this fate . . . or fight against this cruel inheritance with all their might. 

With a gorgeous Romanian setting, stunning Parisian gowns, and dark brooding young men, readers will be swept up by this epic adventure of two girls in a battle for their lives.

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed the setting in this book. It is mostly set in Romania and there is a mystery to be solved. One that was maddenly present in the beginning since you knew that the knowledge was forthcoming, but very slowly. When you finally find out what the secret was the girls would be tangled with, it wasn't a surprise but it did lend another layer to the story that was needed.

The book was written simply and was a very quick read. It felt as it needed more depth to the main characters, Lou and Dacia and I had a hard time with how the POV shifted. Not so much to take me out of the story but enough to make me stop from time to time. Some of the shifts from the present to the recent past (as we get the information from another POV) didn't feel smooth and sometimes things just felt out of place. I think this is why it was simply written. If it was otherwise, the shifting elements would have become confusing. It just didn't feel smooth.

I give this book 3 stars. I really enjoyed the setting and not everything is resolved in this book. We are still left with questions which I do think that the forthcoming books will provide us with needed answers. I recommend this book to those that enjoy PNR YA and who want a different tale on the Dracula stories.

Series: Crown & Key #1
320 p.
Publisher: Del Ray
Published: 6/2/15
Source: From publisher and NetGalley for review

"They are the realm’s last, best defense against supernatural evil. But they’re going to need a lot more silver." 

As fog descends, obscuring the gas lamps of Victorian London, werewolves prowl the shadows of back alleys. But they have infiltrated the inner circles of upper-crust society as well. Only a handful of specially gifted practitioners are equipped to battle the beasts. Among them are the roguish Simon Archer, who conceals his powers as a spell-casting scribe behind the smooth veneer of a dashing playboy; his layabout mentor, Nick Barker, who prefers a good pub to thrilling heroics; and the self-possessed alchemist Kate Anstruther, who is equally at home in a ballroom as she is on a battlefield. 

After a lycanthrope targets Kate’s vulnerable younger sister, the three join forces with fierce Scottish monster-hunter Malcolm MacFarlane—but quickly discover they’re dealing with a threat far greater than anything they ever imagined.

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this team's last steampunk so I was excited to give this one a try. This one started off sort of like a Holmes-ian type of mystery with steampunk magic. Simon and Nick have a relationship not unlike Holmes and Watson in the Robert Downey Jr. version. It was an interesting way to introduce the characters but it also seemed to keep me at a distance from them. I didn't become involved with Simon until he really gets involved with Kate further into the book. There is also a backstory we are not privy to in the book. This also slows things down and frustrates the reader wanting to know more. I do believe that all things will be revealed in good time within the series.

However, the book only seems a bit slow in the beginning but does pick up quite quickly and is almost at break neck speed toward the end. Also, what I thought it lacked in some connection, it made up for in strong women characters. Aside from Imogene (although she proves herself in the end even if it is out of character) we also have a capable Kate, a young but brave werewolf, and even a hard to kill evil who is also female but also capable. I have to say if you are looking for good female characters do check out this book!

I give this book 4 stars. Although it did start out a bit slow for me in the beginning it made up for that lack in the end. I recommend this book to those that enjoy steampunk, mystery and strong women.

Series: Magic Ex Libris #3
340 p.
Publisher: DAW
Published: 1/6/15
Source: TBR pile

For five hundred years, the Porters have concealed the existence of magic from the world. Now, old enemies have revealed the Porters’ secrets, and an even greater threat lurks in the shadows. The would-be queen Meridiana, banished for a thousand years, has returned in the body of a girl named Jeneta Aboderin. She seeks an artifact created by Pope Sylvester II, a bronze prison that would grant her the power to command an army of the dead. 

Michigan librarian Isaac Vainio is powerless to stop her, having been stripped of his power and his place among the Porters by Johannes Gutenberg himself. But Isaac is determined to regain his magic and to rescue his former student Jeneta. With no magic of his own, Isaac’s must delve into the darker side of black-market magic, where he will confront beings better left undisturbed, including the sorcerer Juan Ponce de Leon. 

With his loyal fire-spider Smudge, dryad warrior Lena Greenwood, and psychiatrist Nidhi Shah, Isaac races to unravel a mystery more than a thousand years old as competing magical powers battle to shape the future of the world. He will be hunted by enemies and former allies alike, and it will take all his knowledge and resourcefulness to survive as magical war threatens to spread across the globe. 

Isaac’s choices will determine the fate of his friends, the Porters, the students of Bi Sheng, and the world. Only one thing is certain: even if he finds a way to restore his magic, he can’t save them all…

My thoughts:
I think that this one was the most harrowing and the darkest book of the 3 that I've read. This is also a series I think should be read in order. If for no other reason than to be fully introduced to the characters. You really should read the second book to prepare yourself for this one.

I think that this one also feels more complete. Not just with the storyline, but with the characters as well. They fully feel family-like and are learning exactly who they can count on. You also will get some unexpected violence in this book and no character is completely safe. Isaac is both headstrong, impulsive and intelligent as he is in the other books. Smudge is still a loyal and cute pet (still can't get over how much I like that spider). Lena and Nidhi both are much intertwined with Isaac and they make a great family unit (if not odd). You also get some other great secondary characters in ones you both know and are introduced into this book. Yes, those that like good character building should really enjoy this book.

The ending of this book is quite complete. I wasn't sure if it was a trilogy or if it was just part of the series. In fact, it is part of a series with Revisionary (book 4) set to be published in Feb. 2016. Yes, I will read it. Just because the story has a good ending doesn't mean it actually ends... or that the questions end. I have several I'd like to see if they get answered in the next book. You know I'll be reading it. :)

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. It completes the story arc as well as solidifies the characters. I recommend it to those that enjoy fantasy and adventure as well as reading! :)

Series: Magic Ex Libris #2
326 p.
Publisher: DAW
Published: 8/6/13
Source: Library

Isaac Vainio’s life was almost perfect. He should have known it couldn’t last. 

Living and working as a part-time librarian in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Isaac had finally earned the magical research position he dreamed of with Die Zwelf Portenære, better known as the Porters. He was seeing a smart, fun, gorgeous dryad named Lena Greenwood. He had been cleared by Johannes Gutenberg to do libriomancy once again, to reach into books and create whatever he chose from their pages. Best of all, it had been more than two months since anything tried to kill him. 

And then Isaac, Lena, and Porter psychiatrist Nidhi Shah are called to the small mining town of Tamarack, Michigan, where a pair of septuagenarian werewolves have discovered the brutally murdered body of a wendigo. 

What begins as a simple monster-slaying leads to deeper mysteries and the discovery of an organization thought to have been wiped out more than five centuries ago by Gutenberg himself. Their magic rips through Isaac’s with ease, and their next target is Lena Greenwood. 

They know Lena’s history, her strengths and her weaknesses. Born decades ago from the pages of a pulp fantasy novel, she was created to be the ultimate fantasy woman, shaped by the needs and desires of her companions. Her powers are unique, and Gutenberg’s enemies mean to use her to destroy everything he and the Porters have built. But their plan could unleash a far darker power, an army of entropy and chaos, bent on devouring all it touches. 

The Upper Peninsula is about to become ground zero in a magical war like nothing the world has seen in more than five hundred years. But the more Isaac learns about Gutenberg and the Porters, the more he questions whether he’s fighting for the right cause. 

One way or another, Isaac must find a way to stop a power he doesn’t fully understand. And even if he succeeds, the outcome will forever change him, the Porters, and the whole world.

My thoughts:
I'm not sure I could add more than the blurb above, but I have to say that I enjoyed this book a bit more than the first. I think it is because the main characters are established and even though we are still exploring this world, the worldbuilding is also established. What I really enjoyed about this one is that we get a look at Lena at the beginning of every chapter. We follow her from when she was first "born" to the present. We really get to know this secondary character.

I'm still astounded that Charlotte's Web is no longer the only story that has allowed me to love a spider character. I didn't mind Aragog in the Harry Potter books but s/he was not exactly lovable. This flaming spider (quite literally) has become a favorite character of mine in the story and I'm glad that the rest of the characters seem to be just as attached.

I give this book 4 stars. I really had fun with this one and while there is so much more for me to know the book felt complete. The bad guys are bad and there are a few that you aren't really sure where they fit on that spectrum of badness. I can't wait to find out more. I recommend this series to those that enjoy reading (all of us?) and those that like a fun UF adventure.

Series: Chicagoland Vampires #2
Narrator: Cynthia Holloway
11 hrs. 44 min.
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Published: 1/7/11
Source: Hoopla/Library

Vampires in Chicago! 

You'd think headlines like that would have provoked the fine citizens of the Windy City to take up arms against us bloodsucking fiends. Instead, ten months later, we're enjoying a celebrity status reserved for the Hollywood elite—fending off paparazzi only slightly less dangerous than cross- and stake-wielding slayers. Don't get me wrong. Joe Public isn't exactly thrilled to be living side-by-side with the undead, but at least they haven't stormed the castle...yet. 

All that will change once they learn about the Raves—mass feeding parties where vampires round up humans like cattle and drink themselves silly. Most civilized vampires frown on this behavior—but that doesn't make good copy for a first-time reporter looking to impress his high-society family. 

So now my "master"—the centuries-old yet gorgeously well-preserved Ethan Sullivan—wants me to reconnect with my own upper-class family and act as liaison between humans and vampires...and keep the more unsavory aspects of our existence out of the media. But someone doesn't want people and vamps to play nicey-nice—someone with an ancient grudge.

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this one more than the first and it held my interest much better. I still enjoyed Merit, the heroine, in the story as well as the secondary characters. I have yet to get the warm fuzzies for Ethan but I will say that toward the end of the book I am now willing to admit I may give him a chance. There is still something mysterious with his involvement in Merit's turning (I'm guessing).

I didn't like how the situation was handled with Mallory, her bestie, but it also makes sense. Still, I do hope things aren't dropped and work out. I really like that girl. I'm also happy to say that there is somewhat of a resolution on the triangle and Morgan is not high on my list of likable vamps. Yea, I'm getting close to saying too much so I'll stop now.

I give this audio 4 stars. I'm enjoying Cynthia Holloway's narration and I recommend it on audio if you can get it. Ignore the covers, I'm not loving those and it doesn't look like anything Merit would wear.

Narrator: Cynthia Holloway
Unabridged
11 hrs. 11 min.
Published: 12/21/10
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Source: Hoopla/Library

They killed me. They healed me. They changed me. Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was mine. I was doing fine until Chicago's vampires announced their existence to the world---and then a rogue vampire attacked me. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker...and this one decided that the best way to save my life was to make me the walking undead. Turns out my savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now I've traded sweating over my thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan "Lord o' the Manor" Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred-year-old vampire, he has centuries' worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects my gratitude---and servitude. Right. But my burgeoning powers (all of a sudden, I'm surprisingly handy with some serious weaponry), an inconvenient sunlight allergy, and Ethan's attitude are the least of my concerns. Someone's still out to get me. Is it the rogue vampire who bit me? A vamp from a rival House? An angry mob bearing torches? My initiation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war---and there will be blood.

My thoughts:
This is a series I've been wanting to get into for a while now. Many, many people have recommended this series and I finally decided since my library had several of these I would put them in the rotation. I was glad that I did.

We see the world through Merit a girl who did not have the best childhood, but thanks to her grandpa she was able to carve out some happiness and supplemented her family with good friends. Speaking of the new found family I have to say that I really loved all the secondary characters. They really made the world easy to embrace.

While I loved Merit and the secondary characters the plot seemed a bit uneven but not enough to pull me out of the story. I feel this has more to do with establishing the world. I also did not warm to any possible love interests for Merit, but then neither did she (even though she is frustratingly interested in one particular vampire...). I'm curious where the plot will take us next. This does not mean it had a cliffie, but it did leave a story arc open. One that will probably take us through a few books.

I give this book 4 stars. It is a good start to a UF series I know I will enjoy.

Series: The Originals #2
336 p.
Publisher: HQN books
Published: 3/31/15
Source: From publisher for review

Family is power. The Original vampire family swore it to each other a thousand years ago. They pledged to remain together always and forever. But even when you're immortal, promises are hard to keep.

After a hurricane destroyed their city, Klaus, Elijah and Rebekah Mikaelson have rebuilt New Orleans to even greater glory. The year is 1766. The witches live on the fringes in the bayou. The werewolves have fled. But still, Klaus isn't satisfied. He wants more. He wants power.

But when Klaus finally finds a witch who will perform a spell to give him what he desires most, she secretly uses Klaus to unleash a curse one that brings back hundreds of her ancestors and begins a war to reclaim New Orleans. As the siblings fight off the attack, only one thing's for certain the result will be a bloodbath.

My thoughts:
This is a continuation of the previous book taking place about 40 years later. Old grudges surface and this becomes the crux of their problems... along with Klaus, of course. In the last book I thought that Klaus was a bit too optimistic for his character. However, in this book, the optimism has turned into something more selfish and narcissistic. Yep, the Klaus we know is in full form.

My only complaint is slight. This time it feels as if Elijah is more like Klaus in this book. He has always been the one to be able to think of others even if his blinders are huge for the family. He seemed a bit more self centered in this one. Not too badly but just not his sweet vampire self who can rip out your throat for looking at his family wrong. Okay, bad example, but fans of the show may know what I'm talking about. It was a minor thing however.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed myself a bit more with this book and found myself easily seeing this as a flashback episode of the Originals. I recommend it to those who are fans of the show.

Series: Mercy Thompson #3
287 p.
Publisher: Ace
Published: 1/2/08
Source: tbr pile

"I could smell her fear, and it satisfied something deep inside me that had been writhing under her cool, superior gaze. I curled my upper lip so she could get a good look at my sharp teeth. I might only weigh thirty or so pounds in my coyote shape, but I was a predator..." 

Mechanic Mercy Thompson can shift her shape - but not her loyalty. When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to Mercy to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not. 

Mercy's loyalty is under pressure from other directions, too. Werewolves are not known for their patience, and if Mercy can't decide between the two she cares for, Sam and Adam may make the choice for her...

My thoughts:
Finally! Yes, I finally decided I needed to catch up with this series. I was so glad I picked up this book. It held me captive until I finished it. I also am SO happy that the love triangle is solved. I figured it would go the way that it did, but not how it did. Hm... can I volunteer for the one that wasn't picked? LOL

There is also a incident that I wasn't sure if I would like the way it was handled or not. However, I stuck with the story and ended up feeling that it was handled very well. I LOVED how Adam learned what she was going through. It really kicked Adam up a huge notch for me in the way he responded. While the ending didn't feel completely right, knowing Briggs she won't let it go. I can't wait to pick up the next book

I give this book 4 stars. I really enjoyed this installment and I can't wait to dive into the next book in the series.

Series: Kitty Norville #13
320 p.
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 12/30/14
Source: ARC from publisher for review

Low Midnight spins out of the series on the wave of popularity surrounding Kitty's most popular supporting character, Cormac Bennett, a two-minded assassin of the paranormal who specializes in killing lycanthropes.

In his first solo adventure, Cormac, struggling with a foreign consciousness trapped inside him, investigates a century-old crime in a Colorado mining town which could be the key to translating a mysterious coded diary… a tome with secrets that could shatter Kitty's world and all who inhabit it.

With a framing sequence that features Kitty Norville herself, Low Midnight not only pushes the Kitty saga forward, but also illuminates Cormac's past and lays the groundwork for Kitty's future.

My thoughts:
If you have been reading this series you know about the enigmatic and taciturn character Cormac. This is his book and his adventure. You get to see what a bit of his world is like as we follow him into solving two mysteries. One, a murder mystery over a 100 years old.

While trying not to spoil things for those that have not caught up to #13, I will say that this is a good addition and important to the over all arc in the story running through this series. I have a feeling some things here could be key into unraveling the long game.

I also enjoyed getting to know Cormac a bit more. Those that may want to know everything about Cormac will be disappointed as he will still retain some of his mystery. However, you feel as if you have gotten to know him a bit better and see how loyal and true he is to his family, Kitty and Ben. You also get to find out that he regrets something I can't reveal because it would be a spoiler for someone reading the early books. :D

I give this installment 4 stars. It is a good addition to the series and I recommend it to those that enjoy UF werewolf stories with a lot of magic and mystery thrown in.

Series: Finishing School #3
304 p.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 11/4/14
Source: NetGalley and Publisher for review

Class is back in session...Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style--with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspected what--or who--they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all.
Gather your poison, steel tipped quill, and the rest of your school supplies and join Mademoiselle Geraldine's proper young killing machines in the third rousing installment in the New York Times bestselling Finishing School Series by steampunk author, Gail Carriger.

My thoughts:
Another great installment to this series. Although the bulk of the mystery happened at the last part of the book, the action was throughout as well as the tongue in cheek world in which Sophronia resides. There is a romantic triangle that has built even more within this series. In this one you might root for one more than the other but you should have no idea who she ends up with in the end. There is this world to consider and not just what the heart wants. Plus, we don't know a lot about both suiters and what might be best for either one in the end as well. I hope we get to know both even more as the series progresses.

In this book I think the characters outshine the mystery and that may not be good for a mystery, but it is good for the series. This is a series where I not only love the main character, but the secondary characters. If you love great secondary characters, you need to read this one. They even have a mechanical dog with a great personality!

I give this latest installment 4 stars. I recommend it to those that love tongue in cheek worldbuilding as well as those that love great characters. YA mystery and steampunk lovers should really pick up this series.