DEATHWISH

WISHLIST:
Deathwish by Rob Thurman
Book 4 of the Cal Leandros series

About Deathwish:
How I felt the mental stirrings of a bloodthirsty heritage when I passed through the gray light wasn’t my favorite topic…. The Auphe nature wasn’t mine. I wouldn’t let it be. And if I said that to myself over and over and sprinkled around enough frigging fairy dust, maybe it would be true.

Half-human Cal Leandros and his brother, Niko, are barely getting by with their preternatural detective agency when the vampire Seamus hires them. He’s being followed, and he wants to know by whom. But the Leandros brothers have to do more than they had planned when Seamus turns up dead (or un-undead). Worse still is the return of Cal’s nightmarish family’ the Auphe.

The last time Cal faced them, the Auphe were almost wiped out. Now they want revenge. Cal knows that before the Auphe get to him, they will try to destroy everything and everyone he holds dear. Because for the Auphe, Cal’s pain is a pleasure.

And they’re feeling good.
Source: Info in the About was taken from the author's website at on 18/08/2010.

Cherry Mischievous: Book Releases TODAY

Cherry Mischievous: Book Releases TODAY: "Today we have 12 books coming out that I know of and almost all of them urban fantasy. Of course, being an urban fantasy reader, I am all bu..."

I SO WANT TO READ THIS: BOND WITH ME

WISHLIST:
Bond With MeBond With Me by Anne Marsh

About Bond With Me:
They rule Moscow’s seedy underworld, promising untold pleasure to the females who dare to mate them. That promise – and Brends Duranov’s own raw sexual power – has hopefuls mobbing the velvet rope outside his elite club G2’s.

But Mischka Baran has no intention of hooking up with one of the Fallen. Not even after Brends gives her an unforgettable taste of the sin and seduction he can deliver with those wicked lips. She’s after information, not a stint as some Goblin’s toy of the month. What she doesn’t know is that with a sadistic killer carving up his brethren, Brends is playing for keeps, hunting the one woman whose bloodline can end the mayhem, whose bond can restore his lost wings.
Source: Info in the About Bond With Me was taken from the publisher's press release flyer.

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WISHLIST: SINS OF THE SOUL

Sins Of The Soul by Eve Silver
Book 2 of the Otherkin trilogy

About Sins Of The Soul:
Alastor Krayl’s world shattered when he learned that his father was the Underworld god of chaos and evil. All that saved him from self-destruction were his newfound brothers and the bond they shared as soul reapers. So when one of his brothers is murdered, vengeance becomes Alastor’s obsession. And the enigmatic NaphrĂ© Kurata, a witness—or is she the killer?—has the answers he seeks.

A reluctant Underworld enforcer, Naphré trusts no one, especially not a seductive soul reaper who makes her burn with lust. Torn between duty and desire, she fights to keep her secrets safe from Alastor, even as she longs to surrender.
Source: Info in the About Sins Of The Soul was taken from the author's website at http://www.evesilver.net/books/contemporary-paranormals/ on 18/08/2010.

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*Reviews:
Bitten By Books

*Amended/added on 03/09/2010.

Rebel Moon

Click the cover to grab your copy of REBEL MOON! Includes a supernatural short story by L.J. Boldyrev!

Paperback 220 pages
ISBN 13: 978-0-9565035
ISBN 10: 0956503519

REBEL MOON
(An Anthology of supernatural tales)
by Various Authors
Have you ever wondered what Death would look like if he approached you at a bus stop? Or what would happen if a vampire’s chosen victim turned out to be more than they had bargained for?

Rebel Moon is a collection of stories that will whisk you into worlds of vampires, werewolves and witchcraft so prepare yourself for a bumpy ride as sometimes the dead have more of a life than the living and if this book teaches you anything it is to always expect the unexpected!

From the teen witches you wouldn’t want to cross in One Witch Down to the dark comedy of Evil 101, this is a book you won’t want to put down.

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Giveaway! "Labyrinth" by Kat Richardson

Contest does not have any geographical restrictions and ends on Aug 5.

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A Most Improper Magick!



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Review: WINTERCRAFT by Jenna Burtenshaw

Wintercraft by Jenna Burtenshaw

Genre: fantasy, YA

About Wintercraft:
Ten years ago Kate Winters' parents were taken by the High Council's wardens to help with the country's war effort. Now the wardens are back...and prisoners, including Kate's uncle Artemis, are taken south on the terrifying Night Train. Kate and her friend Edgar are hunted by a far more dangerous enemy. Silas Dane – the High Council's most feared man – recognises Kate as one of the Skilled; a rare group of people able to see through the veil between the living and the dead. His spirit was damaged by the High Council's experiments into the veil, and he's convinced that Kate can undo the damage and allow him to find peace. The knowledge Kate needs lies within Wintercraft – a book thought to be hidden deep beneath the graveyard city of Fume. But the Night of Souls, when the veil between life and death is at its thinnest, is just days away and the High Council have their own sinister plans for Kate and Wintercraft...
Source: Info in the About Wintercraft was taken from the book's official website at http://www.wintercraft.co.uk/ on 17/04/2010.

Wilma's Review:
The story telling quality was compelling enough but just short of a masterpiece. The world building was good and I could clearly see in my mind's eye the streets of Albion. The character development is very, very good. Silas felt like a person to me instead of just a character from the pages, whom I can sympathize with. This is a fast-paced read which left me wanting more. I hope Ms. Burtenshaw would write the second book quickly :) Fans of Harry Potter would love this book! I would definitely recommend this book to fantasy readers!

Story telling quality = 4
Character building = 4
World building = 4
The story itself = 4
Pace = fast
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries


Book Link(s):
http://www.wintercraft.co.uk/

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We would like to thank Headline Publishing for the review copy of Wintercraft by Jenna Burtenshaw received.

Poisoned Kisses

Werewolf Sanctuary by Eva Gordon

Werewolf Sanctuary by Eva Gordon

Since ancient times, the Lupercal Council has kept their people’s werewolf identity a well-guarded secret from man. They refer to their kind as lycans. The lycan shifts into a bear-sized wolf, bearing unique markings reminiscent of Maori or Celtic tattoos. The pack shifts during the full moon and are under the control of their alpha male leader. The alpha male and alpha female are not bound by the full moon and can shift at will. Lycans can only breed with their kind. The exception are the alpha males, which can only mate with human women known as wolf maidens. These human women bear the five-toed paw print or mark of the wolf on their left hip. Female alphas are sterile but are the leading lycans governing the Lupercal Council.

The Lupercal society is in peril due to an unknown disease infecting their young offspring. The children that survive the pestilence shift too early into wolf cubs, lose their distinct markings, and end up becoming normal wolves unaware of their human consciousness. Normally immune to most known diseases, the Lupercal has few of their own doctors and must seek the help of a human outsider to find the cure.

Wyatt Weylin, the alpha male of the Montana pack and leader of a team of mercenary lycans, flies to a World Wolf Conference in San Francisco, where he hopes to convince leading authority on wolf diseases, veterinarian Dr. Madeline Styles to come to his wolf sanctuary and find a cure. The minute he sees her he feels drawn to her striking good looks. The sensory chemistry is instant. He tries to suppress the feeling knowing that he is forbidden to fall for a human. Life gets complicated when Wyatt discovers that the vegetarian animal doctor has the mark of the wolf and is his life mate.


Review: The Five Greatest Warriors

The 5 Greatest Warriors by Matthew Reilly
Book 3 of the Jack West Jr series

About The 5 Greatest Warriors by Matthew Reilly:
Synopsis:
It Began With Six Stones

Jack West Jr and his loyal team are in desperate disarray: they've been separated, their mission is in tatters, and Jack was last seen plummeting down a fathomless abyss.

IT FINISHES HERE
After surviving his deadly fall, Jack must now race against his many enemies to locate and set in place the remaining pieces of The Machine before the coming Armageddon.

WHO ARE THE FIVE WARRIORS?
As the world teeters on the brink of destruction, he will learn of the Five Warriors, the individuals who throughout history have been most intimately connected to his quest.

OCEANS WILL RISE, CITIES WILL FALL
Scores will be settled, fathers will fight sons, brothers will battle brothers, and Jack and his friends will soon find out exactly what the end of the world looks like...
Source: Synopsis in the About The 5 Greatest Warriors by Matthew Reilly was taken from the author's website at http://matthewreilly.com/latest.html on 09/01/10.

I would like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a review copy of The 5 Greatest Warriors by Matthew Reilly.
Also received in the same package are: Seven Deadly Wonders and The Six Sacred Stones.

Genre: action adventure

My Take On This Book:
Action-packed militaristic adventure. Modern fantasy. The story-telling quality is 4 out 5. Not a dull reading moment! This is the final book of the Jack West Jr. series and ends the saga very nicely. I would give the story climax a 4.5 out of 5. This book tied in all 3 Jack West books to a nice close. The ending is satisfying and does not disappoint despite the high expectations I had. Overall, I would give this book an entertainment value of 5 out of 5.

Imagine my surprise when I flipped through the Seven Deadly Wonders and realized that I've already read the book! Maybe because I've read it as Seven Ancient Wonders!?! Apparently they gave it slightly different titles in different countries *duh*. Why? Haven't got a clue! Why don't you ask the publishers, Simon & Schuster... See my review of the Seven Ancient Wonders (Book 1) and The Six Sacred Stones (Book 2) by Matthew Reilly.

Cherry’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries


Jack West Jr. series reading order:


The Five Greatest Warriors
Book 3
ISBN: 9781405039338
Release Date: 20-10-2009
Pages: 480


The Six Sacred Stones
Book2

My review is here.

ISBN: 9781405038164
Release Date: 01-10-2007
Pages: 528

Seven Ancient Wonders
Book 1

My review is here.

ISBN: 9781405036924
Release Date: 01-10-2005
Pages: 480





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Book Promotion: Brought To Life

Brought To Life by Dara England

Genre: paranormal romance

About This Book:
Megan Hurst's life has taken some unexpected turns: First she loses her heart to the dashing hero of a novel. And then she meets an amnesia victim who seems just like him.

The mysterious stranger needs her help to piece his past together, and the closer the two become, the more questions arise about his resemblance to a "fictional" character.

Megan's romantic feelings and her bizarre suspicions bring her to an impossible question... Has she dreamed the Duke to life?

Source: Info in the About This Book was taken from the author's website at http://daraenglandauthor.com/books.html on 09/03/10.


Buy Link:
Buy this book from Lyrical Press.

The Lure of the Dragon

RE-post from http://tinyurl.com/ykk9wre. Original post by Nyki Blatchley.


Considering I've been writing fantasy pretty much my whole life, I really haven't messed with dragons all that much - I can only recall one very short piece that's featured a dragon. However, with my new novella, Kaydana and the Dragon Prince - well, the title rather gives it away, doesn't it?

Why are dragons so fascinating? Well, the name dragon has been given to a wide range of creatures. In China, for instance, they're flightless creatures of great wisdom, whereas European dragons are fierce, winged predators with an obsession for treasure - perhaps the best known is the dragon Fafnir, killed by Sigurd/Siegfried. In modern fantasy, they range from Tolkien's Smaug to LeGuin's wise but dangerous dragons in the Earthsea books, to McCaffery's extraterrestrial creatures of Pern, to the noble Draco in the film Dragonheart, and even a bad-tempered Hungarian Horntail. To name but a few.

Perhaps the fascination is their alienness. Even the strangest and most dangerous mammal has a familiarity about it, but there's something unnerving about a reptile's cold-blooded body and impersonal stare. It's not surprising that snakes are one of the most common subjects of phobias, and the name dragon derives from the Greek and Latin words for a snake (drakon and draco respectively).

There's a strange link, though, between what we fear and what fascinates us, and what's more terrifying than a vast reptile that can attack from the skies? Not to mention that they breathe fire. They're the ultimate predator - and predators are sexy. It's probably not a coincidence that they have a particular taste for carrying off beautiful maidens. Fantasy is the perfect medium for dealing with unacceptable desires that you'd never want to actually experience, but still... Perhaps abduction by a dragon is the ultimate sub fantasy.

The modern tendency is to make dragons wise and misunderstood figures, as with that other great fantasy predator, the vampire. Maybe that comes from a fundamental difference between traditional and modern societies, that we try to understand the alien, rather than vilifying it. Quite apart from the horrors of twentieth century intolerance, we're now used to the idea, at least, that we might share the universe with many strange creatures, and that we could even meet them. It's natural if we prefer to think that we'll be visited by ET, rather Martians with their death-rays.

There's nothing wrong with this, and it's a fertile way to explore an ancient symbol in a different way. I hope, though, we don't entirely lose sight of the magnificent predator soaring the sky, ready to swoop down with his breath of fire to wreak destruction and carry off the most beautiful maidens.

Review: Storm Born

Storm Born by Richelle Mead

Genre: urban fantasy, chicklit

Caption At The Back Cover:
Just typical. No love life to speak of for months, then all at once, every horny creature in the Otherworld wants to get in your pants.

Eugenie Markham is a powerful shaman who does a brisk trade banishing spirits and fey who cross into the mortal world. Mercenary, yes, but a girl’s got to eat. Her most recent case, however, is enough to ruin her appetite. Hired to find a teenager who has been taken to the Otherworld, Eugenie comes face to face with a startling prophecy – one that uncovers dark secrets about her past and claims that Eugenie’s first-born will threaten the future of the world as she knows it.

Now Eugenie is a hot target for every ambitious demon and Otherworldly ne’er-do-well, and the ones who don’t want to knock her up want her dead. Eugenie handles a Glock as smoothly as she wields a wand, but she needs some formidable allies for a job like this. She finds them in Dorian, a seductive fairy king with a taste for bondage, and Kiyo, a gorgeous shape-shifter who redefines animal attraction. But with enemies growing bolder and time running out, Eugenie realizes that the greatest danger is yet to come, and it lies in the dark powers that are stirring to life within her...

My Take On This Book:
This book was recommended to me by a fellow shelf browser at Waterstones bookstore when I went on a retail therapy a few weeks back. It came very highly recommended so I bought it. Talk about gullible!

The story itself is not very original. If I have to give it a score, it’ll be a 1 out of 5. It smacks too much like a female Harry Dresden by Jim Butcher. Or, the same tattooed protagonist in Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs. Or Kate Daniels in the Magic series by Ilona Andrews, ring any bells? Cassandra Palmer? I could go on and on. So… originality? Hardly. But what makes me buy Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews again and again even if they are not very original either? It’s the masterpiece story-telling quality! However this book’s story-telling quality is only about a 2 out of 5. Not very compelling at all. Plus the protagonist is just a shade this side of stupid.

About one third into the book and I just know who our protagonist’s father is. And guess what, I was right. It sort of deflates the suspense effect when one finds out one is right about the story.

The cover art is not bad. I would give it a 4 out of 5. The lightning and the wand appeals to the fantasy buff in me.

So, what have we got? A not very compelling story-telling quality, a story which is not very original at all and predictable to boot but good cover. Overall, I would give this book an entertainment value of 2 out of 5. Would I read another Richelle Mead? I would like to say no, but I already have a few of her books. But if ever I would read a Richelle Mead which I don't already own at this point in time, I’d borrow from the library than buy it.
Cherry’s Rating: 2 out of 5 cherries


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Waiting for Magic Bleed by Ilona Andrews :(

 

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