The final book in the Otherworld series by Yasmine Galenorn. Rather than continuing the usual narrator pattern which would have this be Menolly's book, the narrator bounces between the three sisters as they each prepare for and deal with this final battle and the aftermath in their own ways. It's been 4 years in universe time (and 10 years here in the real world) and Shadowing is not accepting the defeats he has been dealt gracefully. Instead, he is now consuming all the lifeforce he can get from his followers in an attempt to be strong enough to accomplish the destruction of the worlds. The Kerrastar Knights are finally fully formed and bonded and learning how to work together under Camille. Delilah has grown into her powers as a Death Maiden. Menolly has learned to accept who she is and her place in the Vampire Nation and how to help her people navigate through this new world where they can be out of the shadows. Now it's time to take everything they've learned, all the allies and friends that they have made, and have the big showdown.
There were books in this series that were plodding and didn't feel like they really moved the story along. The last couple have almost felt rushed through the main point of them. This one was definitely short and a lot more time was spent in the preparation and then the aftermath of the battle than on the battle itself but since this has been building for so many books, that felt right to me. The lives of the sisters have gone through huge changes and I wanted to know more about how they were going to deal with things than have a lot of time spent on the battle. In all, I felt it was good ending to the series, giving fans the payoff after so many years.
Page count: 244p/5,556p ytd/316,761p lifetime
Showing posts with label Otherworld. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Otherworld. Show all posts
Sunday, April 21, 2019
Friday, June 15, 2018
29:100 Harvest Song by Yasmine Galenorn
The 20th book in the Otherworld series by Yasmine Galenorn, told from Delilah's POV. Delilah's wedding is fast approaching as is her time for bearing the child of the Autumn Lord but there is still the war with Shadow Wing and while they have dealt him many serious blows and the Kerrastar Knights are now together and united under Camille, he is not down and out yet. In his desperation, he has sent Yerghan the Blade to Camille's house on the night of their wedding shower and Shade has been injured with a soul blade that has sent his soul to another realm. Delilah must find it and bring him home if he is to survive and then she and her sisters must make sure that Yerghan can never do this to anyone else ever again.
The characters are what really make these books. The plots are usually pretty predictable without much in the way of twists and turns and all the major characters are going to make it out alive (secondary characters, not so much but that's what they are there for and it doesn't mean it won't sting when they don't). But really, watching the sisters grow and mature, find and accept their paths, is what these books are really about and this book really showed just how much of that there has been. Delilah was always the innocent and while that changed a while ago, you can see her mourning that in this book as well as get hit with it occasionally as things are changing at a breakneck speed now. It was nice for the book to end with the wedding and then the three sisters together for a quiet break.
Page count: 292p/6,256p ytd/298,277p lifetime
The characters are what really make these books. The plots are usually pretty predictable without much in the way of twists and turns and all the major characters are going to make it out alive (secondary characters, not so much but that's what they are there for and it doesn't mean it won't sting when they don't). But really, watching the sisters grow and mature, find and accept their paths, is what these books are really about and this book really showed just how much of that there has been. Delilah was always the innocent and while that changed a while ago, you can see her mourning that in this book as well as get hit with it occasionally as things are changing at a breakneck speed now. It was nice for the book to end with the wedding and then the three sisters together for a quiet break.
Page count: 292p/6,256p ytd/298,277p lifetime
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
17:100 Knight Magic by Yasmine Galenorn
This story takes place between Moon Shimmers and Harvest Song.
Camille has been told that it's time for her to gather the Kerrastar Knights into the whole that will help defeat Shadow Wing yet she is still missing the last night but the scrolls have finally been translated and state that the final Knight will be revealed during the ritual that binds them altogether. To complete this ritual, Camille, her Knights, Myrddin, and some family and guards must travel to Otherworld but of course, it can't be that simply. Myrddin tells Camille that there is a Fae Lord in hibernation near the site where the ritual must be performed, put there in order to stop it from happening centuries ago. To have any chance of completing the ritual, they must find him before they start and take him out.
I'm glad this was a short story as it definitely is part of the tale that needs to be told to wrap it all up but didn't fit well into Camille's last book. While I'm happy that we are getting to the conclusion of this story arc, I'll definitely be sad when it's done and can only hope that there will continue to be at least short stories letting us know what is going on in the lives of the sisters afterward.
Page count: 59p/2,591p ytd/294,612p lifetime
Camille has been told that it's time for her to gather the Kerrastar Knights into the whole that will help defeat Shadow Wing yet she is still missing the last night but the scrolls have finally been translated and state that the final Knight will be revealed during the ritual that binds them altogether. To complete this ritual, Camille, her Knights, Myrddin, and some family and guards must travel to Otherworld but of course, it can't be that simply. Myrddin tells Camille that there is a Fae Lord in hibernation near the site where the ritual must be performed, put there in order to stop it from happening centuries ago. To have any chance of completing the ritual, they must find him before they start and take him out.
I'm glad this was a short story as it definitely is part of the tale that needs to be told to wrap it all up but didn't fit well into Camille's last book. While I'm happy that we are getting to the conclusion of this story arc, I'll definitely be sad when it's done and can only hope that there will continue to be at least short stories letting us know what is going on in the lives of the sisters afterward.
Page count: 59p/2,591p ytd/294,612p lifetime
Saturday, May 13, 2017
35:120 Moon Shimmers by Yasmine Galenorn
Otherworld book 19 told by Camille. Times they are changing. The summer solstice is almost upon them and that is when Camille will be leaving the home she has shared with her sisters since they came Earthside to become the Faerie Queen of Dusk and Twilight but before she can do that, she must find the Keraastar Diamond and fulfill her destiny to take control of the Keraastar Knights who will guard the Seals. However, the Diamond is well hidden and guarded in Otherworld so she will need her friends and loved ones to help her on this great task. Having them with her means more than ever this time as she struggles internally against her fate knowing that she will do it but dreading the massive changes about to take place.
So there are only two more books left in the series at this point according to the author and it's easy to see that things are on the fast track to wrapping up now. Whereas earlier books would spend the entire book on one minor plot point that sometimes didn't even really figure much into the larger story arc, this one had several wrapping up in the space of less than 400 pages. It was super fast paced although compared to earlier battles and adventures, these almost seemed over too quickly and super easy for the characters to get through which doesn't make a lot of sense if we are seeing end-game coming. I like the fast pace and I love the world building but it just seemed at odds with previous books and so stuck out to me. I'm thankful that the world of self-publishing is allowing Ms. Galenorn to complete the series since the publisher decided not to. It would have been a horrendous shame not to see this massive undertaking through to the end. I'm now saddened that I have to wait another year for the next installment since she has a few other series she is kicking off right now but oh well, I guess I'll just have to check out all those series. :)
Page count: 342p/6,891p ytd/281,366p lifetime
So there are only two more books left in the series at this point according to the author and it's easy to see that things are on the fast track to wrapping up now. Whereas earlier books would spend the entire book on one minor plot point that sometimes didn't even really figure much into the larger story arc, this one had several wrapping up in the space of less than 400 pages. It was super fast paced although compared to earlier battles and adventures, these almost seemed over too quickly and super easy for the characters to get through which doesn't make a lot of sense if we are seeing end-game coming. I like the fast pace and I love the world building but it just seemed at odds with previous books and so stuck out to me. I'm thankful that the world of self-publishing is allowing Ms. Galenorn to complete the series since the publisher decided not to. It would have been a horrendous shame not to see this massive undertaking through to the end. I'm now saddened that I have to wait another year for the next installment since she has a few other series she is kicking off right now but oh well, I guess I'll just have to check out all those series. :)
Page count: 342p/6,891p ytd/281,366p lifetime
Thursday, June 23, 2016
53:120 Earthbound by Yasmine Galenorn
A prequel to the Otherworld series that tells of the sisters reason for being basically exiled to Earth and the start of their acclimation to life here. They are greeted by Chase and Iris is there to give them some basics and help Camille with the bookstore. It was lovely seeing Henry again and see Camille's reaction to her first espresso drink. Very nice seeing them back when they were still a bit innocent and naive of what was coming for them.
Page count: 84p/14,595p ytd/264,555p lifetime
Page count: 84p/14,595p ytd/264,555p lifetime
Saturday, June 11, 2016
50:120 Moon Swept: Otherworld Tales of First Love by Yasmine Galenorn
Three short stories detailing the first loves of Camille, Delilah, and Menolly. We've seen that before Trillian, there was Camille's cousin Shamus but now we see why it really didn't work out and it wasn't just their family's disapproval. Next we get to read more about the start of Delilah and Chase's relationship since that happened during one of Camille's turns at narration. Lastly, we get a glimpse of what Menolly's life could have been like before she was turned into a vampire as she becomes friendly with the neighboring farmer.
It was nice to see what their relationships were before we saw them with their current, lasting partners.
Page count: 51p/13,175p ytd/263,135p lifetime
It was nice to see what their relationships were before we saw them with their current, lasting partners.
Page count: 51p/13,175p ytd/263,135p lifetime
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
New Release I'm Looking Forward To: 2nd Quarter 2016
My usual disclaimer:
Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow. I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading). Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.
So far this year has been going ok although not stellar in the reading department. Heavy classics for English 12 plus all the other school reading has definitely been slowing down my personal reading time but I feel like I'm basically keeping up with it. This quarter isn't too heavy on new releases which is good because it's super crazy with family stuff which is definitely going to be cutting into my reading time.
First up is Waylaid by Kim Harrison. This is a kindle only book but is the first crossover between Ms. Harrison's wildly popular Hollows series heroine, Rachel Morgan, and her new Drafter, Peri Reed. It looks promising.
Release date: April 4
The very next day sees two new books out. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire which looks to be a stand alone where children slip through shadows into magical lands that only sometimes spit them out again. Nancy was one but now she has found her way back and the darkness is not far behind.
Release date: April 5
So a new one from Seanan McGuire and then the newest installment in the Jane Yellowrock series, Shadow Rites by Faith Hunter. Jane is working hard to keep the precarious peace between the city's vampires and witches but then her house is magically attacked and finding the culprits leads to something that could tip everything over.
Release date: April 5
Then there is a nice long break before Earthbound by Yasmine Galenorn comes out. This is a novella in her Otherworld series that tells of when the sisters first came Earthside. No pre-order link currently up but this came from her blog.
Release date: May 24
The next one is also by Yasmine Galenorn and is the start of a new self-published series that she plans to put out in ebook and limited trade paperback called Fury Rising. It follows Kaeleen Donovon who is a bounty hunter for the Furies and oath bound to help balance things when called for.
Release date: June 14
The quarter ends with Rise by Mira Grant, a collection of all 8 previously published short stories and novellas in the Newsflesh universe along with 2 never before published works. Seriously?! I can't wait!
Release date: June 21
So during a very chaotic time in the school year there won't be too many new books coming out to tempt me away from what I should be doing which means maybe I can make some headway in the to-read pile before it grows again.
Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow. I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading). Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.
So far this year has been going ok although not stellar in the reading department. Heavy classics for English 12 plus all the other school reading has definitely been slowing down my personal reading time but I feel like I'm basically keeping up with it. This quarter isn't too heavy on new releases which is good because it's super crazy with family stuff which is definitely going to be cutting into my reading time.
First up is Waylaid by Kim Harrison. This is a kindle only book but is the first crossover between Ms. Harrison's wildly popular Hollows series heroine, Rachel Morgan, and her new Drafter, Peri Reed. It looks promising.
Release date: April 4
The very next day sees two new books out. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire which looks to be a stand alone where children slip through shadows into magical lands that only sometimes spit them out again. Nancy was one but now she has found her way back and the darkness is not far behind.
Release date: April 5
So a new one from Seanan McGuire and then the newest installment in the Jane Yellowrock series, Shadow Rites by Faith Hunter. Jane is working hard to keep the precarious peace between the city's vampires and witches but then her house is magically attacked and finding the culprits leads to something that could tip everything over.
Release date: April 5
Then there is a nice long break before Earthbound by Yasmine Galenorn comes out. This is a novella in her Otherworld series that tells of when the sisters first came Earthside. No pre-order link currently up but this came from her blog.
Release date: May 24
The next one is also by Yasmine Galenorn and is the start of a new self-published series that she plans to put out in ebook and limited trade paperback called Fury Rising. It follows Kaeleen Donovon who is a bounty hunter for the Furies and oath bound to help balance things when called for.
Release date: June 14
The quarter ends with Rise by Mira Grant, a collection of all 8 previously published short stories and novellas in the Newsflesh universe along with 2 never before published works. Seriously?! I can't wait!
Release date: June 21
So during a very chaotic time in the school year there won't be too many new books coming out to tempt me away from what I should be doing which means maybe I can make some headway in the to-read pile before it grows again.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
12:120 Darkness Raging by Yasmine Galenorn
Otherworld book #18, told by Menolly. Things are changing and changing fast for the sisters and their friends. Camille has been told that she must take her place with the faerie queens soon and Delilah is moving up her wedding with Chase. Now Blood Wyne has decided that it is needed for Menolly to become more than just the official consort of her son Roman, she and Nerissa are to become his wives. And that is just the personal side of things.
On the war front, things are heating up. Camille has called in her favor with the dragons to help against Telazhar in Otherworld and his reign of terror is finally at an end. Unfortunately, Shadow Wing is still out there and taking advantage of the portals popping up everywhere to send his allies over to wreck havoc here on Earth. After taking out Telazhar, the sisters are now in his sights so he does what any self-respecting villain does and snatches Nerissa and will exchange her for the 4 spirit seals that the sisters have found so far. That would give him 8 with only one still to be found before the separation of the worlds can be undone. Menolly knows she can't risk everyone and everything to save her wife but there is no way she can just sit by either...
After a big lull in the major plot of the series, things are coming to a head rapidly. This book moved super fast and I found it almost crazy how much was dealt with. It was good and I enjoyed it but it was almost too much, too fast. It left me with a sense of reader's whiplash. LOL
Page count: 306p/3,747p ytd/254,042p lifetime
On the war front, things are heating up. Camille has called in her favor with the dragons to help against Telazhar in Otherworld and his reign of terror is finally at an end. Unfortunately, Shadow Wing is still out there and taking advantage of the portals popping up everywhere to send his allies over to wreck havoc here on Earth. After taking out Telazhar, the sisters are now in his sights so he does what any self-respecting villain does and snatches Nerissa and will exchange her for the 4 spirit seals that the sisters have found so far. That would give him 8 with only one still to be found before the separation of the worlds can be undone. Menolly knows she can't risk everyone and everything to save her wife but there is no way she can just sit by either...
After a big lull in the major plot of the series, things are coming to a head rapidly. This book moved super fast and I found it almost crazy how much was dealt with. It was good and I enjoyed it but it was almost too much, too fast. It left me with a sense of reader's whiplash. LOL
Page count: 306p/3,747p ytd/254,042p lifetime
Friday, December 18, 2015
New Releases I'm Looking Forward To: 1st Quarter 2016
My usual disclaimer:
Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow. I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading). Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.
Still running behind in a few series but less than earlier this year. Two in high school English this year is definitely cramping my reading time. Next semester gets even more fun by adding in American Government. *breathe* I can do this! Honestly, I'm looking forward to the three weeks of Winter Break as a time to finish Don Quixote for English 12 and then do some reading of my own. The extra time between new releases I want for myself has helped but this next quarter ramps things back up again. Time to get reading!
I get a few weeks into the new year before releases start coming out but then it's fast and furious starting with Otherworld Secrets by Kelley Armstong. I'm a total sucker for her Otherworld works and can't wait for this one. We get new stories about Cassandra, Savannah, and Adam plus a new novella (please be about Clay and Elena!). This is the second of three books of short stories and novellas that will come out for the Otherworld fans.
Release Date: Jan 26
Just a few days later, Driven by Kelley Armstrong is due out from Subterranean Press. Davis Cain is part of a pack of mutts that are being hunted down and killed but when he comes to the Pack for help, Elena can't turn him away. Besides, she has Malcolm Danvers in the Pack now so she might as well make some use of him. Really hoping that decision doesn't come back to bite her in the butt.
Release Date: Jan 31
February kicks off with three releases on the same day in series that I'm very excited about. First is Blood in Her Veins by Faith Hunter. Jane Yellowrock is always an amazing read. This is a collection of 19 stories in Jane's universe, some previously published and some brand-new just for this anthology.
Release Date: Feb 2
Next is Darkness Raging by Yasmine Galenorn. The next book in her Otherworld series, this one told from Menolly's pov. It sounds like the war with demons is really heating up and we are finally getting back to dealing with that. On the eve of war, Menolly's wife Nerrisa is captured by the demons who are demanding the spirit seals in exchange for her life. Menolly will do anything to keep Nerissa safe and I have a feeling a pissed off Menolly is not what the demons are going to want to see coming.
Release Date: Feb 2
It also looks like Grave Visions by Kalayna Price will be coming out at long last. The last installment in this series was back in 2012 and fans have been chomping on the bit for this one. Alex is a grave witch and now that she has been outed as part Fae, she must choose a side in Faerie to come in on. Now she has to try and figure out how to make the best of this situation.
Release Date: Feb 2
A few weeks break and then Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep comes out. A long lost relative of Finn's has come into town and Finn turns from Gin's steady right-hand man to a starry-eyed doe. Gin doesn't trust the interloper (big surprise) but Finn will hear none of it. All she can do is stand-by and be ready to end this in a deadly fashion if anyone tries to hurt her brother.
Release Date: Feb 23
The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home by Catherynne Valente is the 5th book in the series and I'm ashamed to say I haven't gotten past the first book yet. The first one was amazing and I'm looking forward to them but just trying to find the time to read them has been difficult. Hopefully this coming year!
Release Date: Mar 1
The quarter's new releases ends for me with Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs, the new Mercy Thompson book. Mercy and Adam have been tasked to go deal with a troll but they also find a fire-touched human boy stolen by the fae many years ago. They are determined to protect him but doing so means defying everyone.
Release Date: Mar 8
So some really good reads by many of my favorite authors coming out to start my new year off right in terms of things to read. Now to find more time to read!
Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow. I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading). Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.
Still running behind in a few series but less than earlier this year. Two in high school English this year is definitely cramping my reading time. Next semester gets even more fun by adding in American Government. *breathe* I can do this! Honestly, I'm looking forward to the three weeks of Winter Break as a time to finish Don Quixote for English 12 and then do some reading of my own. The extra time between new releases I want for myself has helped but this next quarter ramps things back up again. Time to get reading!
I get a few weeks into the new year before releases start coming out but then it's fast and furious starting with Otherworld Secrets by Kelley Armstong. I'm a total sucker for her Otherworld works and can't wait for this one. We get new stories about Cassandra, Savannah, and Adam plus a new novella (please be about Clay and Elena!). This is the second of three books of short stories and novellas that will come out for the Otherworld fans.
Release Date: Jan 26
Just a few days later, Driven by Kelley Armstrong is due out from Subterranean Press. Davis Cain is part of a pack of mutts that are being hunted down and killed but when he comes to the Pack for help, Elena can't turn him away. Besides, she has Malcolm Danvers in the Pack now so she might as well make some use of him. Really hoping that decision doesn't come back to bite her in the butt.
Release Date: Jan 31
February kicks off with three releases on the same day in series that I'm very excited about. First is Blood in Her Veins by Faith Hunter. Jane Yellowrock is always an amazing read. This is a collection of 19 stories in Jane's universe, some previously published and some brand-new just for this anthology.
Release Date: Feb 2
Next is Darkness Raging by Yasmine Galenorn. The next book in her Otherworld series, this one told from Menolly's pov. It sounds like the war with demons is really heating up and we are finally getting back to dealing with that. On the eve of war, Menolly's wife Nerrisa is captured by the demons who are demanding the spirit seals in exchange for her life. Menolly will do anything to keep Nerissa safe and I have a feeling a pissed off Menolly is not what the demons are going to want to see coming.
Release Date: Feb 2
It also looks like Grave Visions by Kalayna Price will be coming out at long last. The last installment in this series was back in 2012 and fans have been chomping on the bit for this one. Alex is a grave witch and now that she has been outed as part Fae, she must choose a side in Faerie to come in on. Now she has to try and figure out how to make the best of this situation.
Release Date: Feb 2
A few weeks break and then Bitter Bite by Jennifer Estep comes out. A long lost relative of Finn's has come into town and Finn turns from Gin's steady right-hand man to a starry-eyed doe. Gin doesn't trust the interloper (big surprise) but Finn will hear none of it. All she can do is stand-by and be ready to end this in a deadly fashion if anyone tries to hurt her brother.
Release Date: Feb 23
The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home by Catherynne Valente is the 5th book in the series and I'm ashamed to say I haven't gotten past the first book yet. The first one was amazing and I'm looking forward to them but just trying to find the time to read them has been difficult. Hopefully this coming year!
Release Date: Mar 1
The quarter's new releases ends for me with Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs, the new Mercy Thompson book. Mercy and Adam have been tasked to go deal with a troll but they also find a fire-touched human boy stolen by the fae many years ago. They are determined to protect him but doing so means defying everyone.
Release Date: Mar 8
So some really good reads by many of my favorite authors coming out to start my new year off right in terms of things to read. Now to find more time to read!
Friday, June 12, 2015
72:120 Inked by Chance, Liu, Galenorn, & Wilkes
A collection of urban fantasy novellas with tattoos figuring heavily into the story.
Skin Deep by Karen Chance ~ A story that takes place in the world of Cassie Palmer. Lia is a war mage who has been sidelined due to injury but now she has a magical ward that has taken up residence on her skin which she has no idea how to remove or what it does. She can't be bothered with that when she finds out that her boyfriend, the werewolf Cyrus, has been kidnapped by someone who is skinning and killing werewolves of no importance. She is his only chance to find and rescue him so all the other worries will have to wait.
I've enjoyed the Cassie Palmer series but I just couldn't get into this one. After doing some digging, apparently this is one in a series of novellas about these characters which might explain why I kept feeling very lost, like there was a lot of backstory that I didn't know and should.
Armor of Roses by Marjorie M. Liu ~ Maxine has just found a dying man near her car who was looking for her with a letter from her grandmother. He is part of a band of children that her grandmother rescued from a very bad woman during WWII but when Maxine starts looking into things, she finds that traveling back in time to work with her grandmother is the only way to try and set things right in her time.
This was my first introduction to this series and while I did feel like there was backstory that I wasn't privy to, I didn't feel like I was missing anything necessary to understanding the basic motivations of the characters or their abilities. It was definitely interesting enough that I am glad I have some of the books on my shelf to read, probably sooner rather than later.
Etched in Silver by Yasmine Galenorn ~ Camille D'Artigo is on a crap assignment for the YIA to find and take down a rapist and murderer. However, because her boss wants her to fail she is being given bad intel so when she stumbles upon a dark elf who knows where her suspect is and is willing to help her take him down, she immediately jumps upon the opportunity. The fact that there are almost immediate sparks whenever they touch doesn't hurt but neither are prepared for just what those sparks really mean.
I love Ms. Galenorn's Otherworld series and have read this story before but wasn't upset to read it again. Camille and Trillian are a fabulous couple.
Human Nature by Eileen Wilks~ FBI Agent Lily Yu would not normally get called out for the murder of a werewolf in CA except that she is there to support her mate, Cyrus, who has asked her to see if there is anything suspicious about the death. She pulls a few strings and finds that there was a new tattoo on the victim's throat, right where it was slit, that hadn't been there just a few hours before. Certainly seems like something to investigate further, especially with a Humans First leader living in town.
This was also my first venture into this world and while there was definitely a lot of backstory and other characters were mentioned as not being present for some reason which wasn't really explained, the basics of the world and the main characters of this story were which is really what matters. I'm not rushing out to buy her books based on this one novella but I could see them ending up on my shelf at some point.
Page count: 437p/17,470p ytd/232,404p lifetime
Skin Deep by Karen Chance ~ A story that takes place in the world of Cassie Palmer. Lia is a war mage who has been sidelined due to injury but now she has a magical ward that has taken up residence on her skin which she has no idea how to remove or what it does. She can't be bothered with that when she finds out that her boyfriend, the werewolf Cyrus, has been kidnapped by someone who is skinning and killing werewolves of no importance. She is his only chance to find and rescue him so all the other worries will have to wait.
I've enjoyed the Cassie Palmer series but I just couldn't get into this one. After doing some digging, apparently this is one in a series of novellas about these characters which might explain why I kept feeling very lost, like there was a lot of backstory that I didn't know and should.
Armor of Roses by Marjorie M. Liu ~ Maxine has just found a dying man near her car who was looking for her with a letter from her grandmother. He is part of a band of children that her grandmother rescued from a very bad woman during WWII but when Maxine starts looking into things, she finds that traveling back in time to work with her grandmother is the only way to try and set things right in her time.
This was my first introduction to this series and while I did feel like there was backstory that I wasn't privy to, I didn't feel like I was missing anything necessary to understanding the basic motivations of the characters or their abilities. It was definitely interesting enough that I am glad I have some of the books on my shelf to read, probably sooner rather than later.
Etched in Silver by Yasmine Galenorn ~ Camille D'Artigo is on a crap assignment for the YIA to find and take down a rapist and murderer. However, because her boss wants her to fail she is being given bad intel so when she stumbles upon a dark elf who knows where her suspect is and is willing to help her take him down, she immediately jumps upon the opportunity. The fact that there are almost immediate sparks whenever they touch doesn't hurt but neither are prepared for just what those sparks really mean.
I love Ms. Galenorn's Otherworld series and have read this story before but wasn't upset to read it again. Camille and Trillian are a fabulous couple.
Human Nature by Eileen Wilks~ FBI Agent Lily Yu would not normally get called out for the murder of a werewolf in CA except that she is there to support her mate, Cyrus, who has asked her to see if there is anything suspicious about the death. She pulls a few strings and finds that there was a new tattoo on the victim's throat, right where it was slit, that hadn't been there just a few hours before. Certainly seems like something to investigate further, especially with a Humans First leader living in town.
This was also my first venture into this world and while there was definitely a lot of backstory and other characters were mentioned as not being present for some reason which wasn't really explained, the basics of the world and the main characters of this story were which is really what matters. I'm not rushing out to buy her books based on this one novella but I could see them ending up on my shelf at some point.
Page count: 437p/17,470p ytd/232,404p lifetime
Friday, May 29, 2015
60:120 Men of the Otherworld: Collection 2 by Yasmine Galenorn
Short stories from Yasmine Galenorn's Otherworld series that are either background tales or simply don't fit in well within the novels themselves.
Fae-ted to Love ~ In Panther Prowling, Delilah stumbles upon a secret tryst between Vanzir and Aveal, one of the Fae Queens. In this story, Vanzir has been called out to her realm and we see more of their relationship with a bit of how it happened and an even bigger look into where it may be going.
Smoke and Mirrors ~ We get a glimpse at Smokey when he was young and see his first experience with a human woman.
Luck Be a Leprechaun ~ Bruce is sent to a meet of the Leprechaun high families out in the middle of nowhere. It's really our first good glimpse at Bruce outside of just being Iris's husband as we see him get lost in the woods and then get captured by hillbillies.
Family Ties ~ Morio has been lying to Camille since they met about his family's acceptance of their marriage. Like Trillian, his family has strict ideas of honor and what constitutes an acceptable match and Camille definitely does not fit into their plans for their family. Morio's cousin has come to their house to set things straight and the lies are all coming out now...
It was nice a collection of stories and I hope we get more of them, especially some stuff about Bruce and his background. I'm curious about leprechauns of her mythology but so far very little has been said. I have a feeling we will see more about Vanzir and Aveal in future books and that should be interesting.
Page count: 71p/15,728p ytd/230,662p lifetime
Fae-ted to Love ~ In Panther Prowling, Delilah stumbles upon a secret tryst between Vanzir and Aveal, one of the Fae Queens. In this story, Vanzir has been called out to her realm and we see more of their relationship with a bit of how it happened and an even bigger look into where it may be going.
Smoke and Mirrors ~ We get a glimpse at Smokey when he was young and see his first experience with a human woman.
Luck Be a Leprechaun ~ Bruce is sent to a meet of the Leprechaun high families out in the middle of nowhere. It's really our first good glimpse at Bruce outside of just being Iris's husband as we see him get lost in the woods and then get captured by hillbillies.
Family Ties ~ Morio has been lying to Camille since they met about his family's acceptance of their marriage. Like Trillian, his family has strict ideas of honor and what constitutes an acceptable match and Camille definitely does not fit into their plans for their family. Morio's cousin has come to their house to set things straight and the lies are all coming out now...
It was nice a collection of stories and I hope we get more of them, especially some stuff about Bruce and his background. I'm curious about leprechauns of her mythology but so far very little has been said. I have a feeling we will see more about Vanzir and Aveal in future books and that should be interesting.
Page count: 71p/15,728p ytd/230,662p lifetime
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
35:120 Men of the Otherworld: Collection 1 by Yasmine Galernorn
Short stories about Roz, Roman, Shade, Trillian, and Chase that fill in gaps in their lives but that don't fit into the novels.
The Hunger - Roz and Fraale are living their idyllic life until the day that Zeus shows up and decides he has the hots for Fraale. In the midst of her refusal and Roz's trying to decide how they can get away from the lecherous god, Hera shows up and is furious about Zeus's eye wondering yet again. This is the story that tells their story and how their lives were shattered by jealousy.
Blood Ties - Roman's brother has come to town and courtesy requires more of Roman than he truly wants to give and will prompt his brother to try and take more than is allowed. Menolly and Nerissa will be entangled in this but what about Blood Wine?
Ink Bonds - Trillian has taken a job to bring a message to his least favorite person in the world, Camille's father, on the hopes of finding a way to talk to her and try to repair their off-again relationship. Seraph takes great delight in informing him that she has been assigned Earth-side so now he must decide if he will pursue her across worlds or not.
Chasing Sharah - Chase has finally worked up the courage to ask Sharah out on a date but awkward does not even begin to describe it starting from his first step on the porch. It's a relief when work calls with an emergency.
The Purr-fect Weekend - Shade has been looking forward to a weekend alone with Delilah for ages but now that it has arrived, it is not quite going the way he envisioned. First she is subject to one of Camille's spell disasters and can't shift back from her cat form. Next, well, dealing with her in cat form is always, um, interesting.
A fun collection with a lot of fill-in stories that were nice. The second collection just came out and features the rest of the guys each getting their own tale.
Page count: 65p/7,277p ytd/222,211p lifetime
The Hunger - Roz and Fraale are living their idyllic life until the day that Zeus shows up and decides he has the hots for Fraale. In the midst of her refusal and Roz's trying to decide how they can get away from the lecherous god, Hera shows up and is furious about Zeus's eye wondering yet again. This is the story that tells their story and how their lives were shattered by jealousy.
Blood Ties - Roman's brother has come to town and courtesy requires more of Roman than he truly wants to give and will prompt his brother to try and take more than is allowed. Menolly and Nerissa will be entangled in this but what about Blood Wine?
Ink Bonds - Trillian has taken a job to bring a message to his least favorite person in the world, Camille's father, on the hopes of finding a way to talk to her and try to repair their off-again relationship. Seraph takes great delight in informing him that she has been assigned Earth-side so now he must decide if he will pursue her across worlds or not.
Chasing Sharah - Chase has finally worked up the courage to ask Sharah out on a date but awkward does not even begin to describe it starting from his first step on the porch. It's a relief when work calls with an emergency.
The Purr-fect Weekend - Shade has been looking forward to a weekend alone with Delilah for ages but now that it has arrived, it is not quite going the way he envisioned. First she is subject to one of Camille's spell disasters and can't shift back from her cat form. Next, well, dealing with her in cat form is always, um, interesting.
A fun collection with a lot of fill-in stories that were nice. The second collection just came out and features the rest of the guys each getting their own tale.
Page count: 65p/7,277p ytd/222,211p lifetime
Thursday, February 26, 2015
16:120 Tales From Otherworld: Volume 1 by Yasmine Galenorn
A collection of short scenes that didn't fit in the books but add a nice little touch for those who have been reading Yasmine Galenorn's Otherworld series. In them, we get to see what happens when Camille in her early stages Earthside tries an invisibility spell, what exactly happened with the dang Thanksgiving turkey, a glimpse of Maggie's mom, and several other short tales. I would not recommend it for someone who hasn't read anything in the series as it does need the background of the books to make full sense but for those who enjoy the series, I definitely recommend it.
Page count: 36p/4,023p ytd/218,957p lifetime
Page count: 36p/4,023p ytd/218,957p lifetime
Thursday, February 12, 2015
8:120 Panther Prowling by Yasmine Galenorn
The 17th book in the Otherworld series by Yasmine Galenorn being told from Delilah's POV. It's the Grand Re-Opening of the Wayfarer and Camille's birthday and the girls are giving themselves a night out to just relax after everything that has been going on lately when their cousin Daniel is thrown across the floor by the ghost of a Viking. When they get the story out of him, it turns out that he was drugged (or spelled) to steal a sword that has the soul of Einar the Bloody trapped within it. The sword is then stolen from the sisters and the chase is on to try and find the sword before whoever wants it is able to release the soul and cause who knows what kind of damage.
First, I want to say that I love this series and the characters in it and I love the writing style BUT I feel like these books have lost the main plot. It's been ages since the main plot with the spirit seals was really moved forward and it was barely mentioned in this again. Even worse was that this book spent a lot more time dealing with Camille than Delilah and when we really did get any Delilah, it seems like she has taken several steps back from the strong woman she had been turning into and was just back to being a basketcase and weaker, making bad decisions and needing people to help her put her thoughts back in order. Her voice just seemed to get lost in this one and it's a shame. I think her character has shown the most growth and this seemed to move that backwards. I really hope this series finds it's groove again and gets back to its roots. I'm not sure if the new Fly by Night series is going to help or hurt this cause. I guess we will see.
Page count: 294p/2,604p ytd/217,538p lifetime
First, I want to say that I love this series and the characters in it and I love the writing style BUT I feel like these books have lost the main plot. It's been ages since the main plot with the spirit seals was really moved forward and it was barely mentioned in this again. Even worse was that this book spent a lot more time dealing with Camille than Delilah and when we really did get any Delilah, it seems like she has taken several steps back from the strong woman she had been turning into and was just back to being a basketcase and weaker, making bad decisions and needing people to help her put her thoughts back in order. Her voice just seemed to get lost in this one and it's a shame. I think her character has shown the most growth and this seemed to move that backwards. I really hope this series finds it's groove again and gets back to its roots. I'm not sure if the new Fly by Night series is going to help or hurt this cause. I guess we will see.
Page count: 294p/2,604p ytd/217,538p lifetime
Monday, December 22, 2014
New Releases I'm Looking Forward To: 1st Quarter 2015
My usual disclaimer:
Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow. I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading). Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.
I am so far behind my reading from the last two quarters that I'm going quite crazy looking at all these beautiful books on my bookshelf but right now I'm frantically reading new authors as I managed to get behind on that and I'm soooo close to making my goal for the year in new authors that I want to get that done first. Maybe with the kids being on break, I can manage to not only do that but start getting caught up on my other reading as well. Hey, a girl can hope!
Tales from the Nightside by Simon Green kicks off the new releases for 2015. It's been a while since we got to delve into the world of John Taylor and his "friends". This is a collection of 10 short stories where we get to find out some of the backstories of the characters that he has worked with and with any luck, we'll get some John and Shotgun Suzy as well.
Release date: Jan 6
At the end of the month, we have the next installment in the Sisters of the Otherworld series told from Delilah's point of view, Panther Prowling by Yasmine Galenorn. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the main storyline with Shadow Wing is getting moved ahead in this story either and that kind of bums me out. I love the sisters but it seems like the main story has taken a backseat for the most part and it's being stretched out. I will, of course, be reading this one because I can't not read it but I hope that things will get back on track with the main plot soon.
Release date: Jan 27
With no releases in February that I'm tracking, I get two new books to choose from at the beginning of March. Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs gets back to seeing how things are going with Anna & Charles. They are taking a trip to Phoenix for personal reasons but nothing is ever so simple and while they are there, they find that the Fae are stealing human children and replacing them. Looks like a war with the Fae may be starting up and they are in the line of fire.
Relesae date: Mar 3
Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire is the other one coming out at the beginning of March and we get to hear more from Alex Price and his girlfriend, Shelby. Apparently things are not going well back in Australia according to Shelby's family so the two of them head to the Land Down Under to deal with some werewolves. I have a feeling this will prove to be an 'interesting' trip.
Release date: Mar 3
To finish off the first quarter, we get the first in a new series with Prudence by Gail Carriger. Alexia's daughter is leading off this series and I can't wait to be back in that world and in India to boot! I'm sure that any daughter of Alexia and Sir Maccon will be a serious handful and delightful to adventure with.
Release date: Mar 17
So definitely a small number of books in the first quarter but there are enough books on my shelves that I won't be lacking for anything to read.
Happy Reading!
Let me state, this is really based on authors or series that I'm already reading since those are the things I follow. I'm not paid to write this blog nor do I have any affiliations with any publishers so I don't receive free books or advance notice of things except what I glean off Facebook from people who do have those contacts or what I research on my own (which again, leads back to authors that I'm already reading). Maybe someday I'll be one of those who has the contacts and gets ARCs but it's not today.
I am so far behind my reading from the last two quarters that I'm going quite crazy looking at all these beautiful books on my bookshelf but right now I'm frantically reading new authors as I managed to get behind on that and I'm soooo close to making my goal for the year in new authors that I want to get that done first. Maybe with the kids being on break, I can manage to not only do that but start getting caught up on my other reading as well. Hey, a girl can hope!
Tales from the Nightside by Simon Green kicks off the new releases for 2015. It's been a while since we got to delve into the world of John Taylor and his "friends". This is a collection of 10 short stories where we get to find out some of the backstories of the characters that he has worked with and with any luck, we'll get some John and Shotgun Suzy as well.
Release date: Jan 6
At the end of the month, we have the next installment in the Sisters of the Otherworld series told from Delilah's point of view, Panther Prowling by Yasmine Galenorn. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the main storyline with Shadow Wing is getting moved ahead in this story either and that kind of bums me out. I love the sisters but it seems like the main story has taken a backseat for the most part and it's being stretched out. I will, of course, be reading this one because I can't not read it but I hope that things will get back on track with the main plot soon.
Release date: Jan 27
With no releases in February that I'm tracking, I get two new books to choose from at the beginning of March. Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs gets back to seeing how things are going with Anna & Charles. They are taking a trip to Phoenix for personal reasons but nothing is ever so simple and while they are there, they find that the Fae are stealing human children and replacing them. Looks like a war with the Fae may be starting up and they are in the line of fire.
Relesae date: Mar 3
Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire is the other one coming out at the beginning of March and we get to hear more from Alex Price and his girlfriend, Shelby. Apparently things are not going well back in Australia according to Shelby's family so the two of them head to the Land Down Under to deal with some werewolves. I have a feeling this will prove to be an 'interesting' trip.
Release date: Mar 3
To finish off the first quarter, we get the first in a new series with Prudence by Gail Carriger. Alexia's daughter is leading off this series and I can't wait to be back in that world and in India to boot! I'm sure that any daughter of Alexia and Sir Maccon will be a serious handful and delightful to adventure with.
Release date: Mar 17
So definitely a small number of books in the first quarter but there are enough books on my shelves that I won't be lacking for anything to read.
Happy Reading!
Thursday, November 13, 2014
108:120 Priestess Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorn
The 16th book in the Otherworld series by Yasmine Galenorn. Camille has been ordered to go on a mission to wake up The Merlin in order to ask for his help in taking down the older forces that have been sleeping for ages and for which the world is not ready to deal with. Camille has no choice but to obey her Coven Leader but when she is told she must take Morgaine and Bran, allies that she has no reason to actually trust, things get far trickier. They must be able to work together or their mission will fail and in the elemental realm they are traveling to, that could spell the death of all of them.
It was nice seeing some of the Arthurian legends work their way into this book but with their own special take. It certainly makes one look at Morgaine in a different light, at least within the context of this universe, and sort of makes me want to go back and reread them with this new information (not that I have time but still). For some reason, this book just felt short to me, probably because I couldn't put it down so read it in less than two days but I was a bit disappointed in the ending battle which just seemed rushed. In all though, a fine addition to the series.
Page count: 318p/29,961p/210,999p
It was nice seeing some of the Arthurian legends work their way into this book but with their own special take. It certainly makes one look at Morgaine in a different light, at least within the context of this universe, and sort of makes me want to go back and reread them with this new information (not that I have time but still). For some reason, this book just felt short to me, probably because I couldn't put it down so read it in less than two days but I was a bit disappointed in the ending battle which just seemed rushed. In all though, a fine addition to the series.
Page count: 318p/29,961p/210,999p
Friday, July 29, 2011
104:65 Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong
The 12th book in the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong. At the end of the last book, Savannah Levine had just come off of her first case by herself and thought to herself that she would give up all her powers if it would mean that a little girl's grandmother and entire world wouldn't go to jail. Apparently something took her up on that because now Savannah, daughter of a powerful witch and sorcerer, can't even cast a light spell. As someone used to using her magic for everything, suddenly being powerless is taking quite a bit of getting used to.
Unfortunately, no powers doesn't mean that there aren't several groups vying for her attention or at least her presence. A war looks to be coming to the supernatural world and Savannah appears to have a big role to play, with or without her powers.
I liked this one but it's not my favorite of the series. Savannah just doesn't grip me as much as a character and there is very little of any of the other characters as anything more than plot devices again. With the lack of her powers and other supernaturals in the book and all her pining for Adam, it really felt more like a YA teen angst drama than a proper Otherworld book. I know things are leading up to the grand finale of the series with the next book and that these final three are supposed to be all about Savannah but she just doesn't do it for me and I really hope that we see a bit more of the other characters in the last book.
Page count: 325p/19,617p ytd
Unfortunately, no powers doesn't mean that there aren't several groups vying for her attention or at least her presence. A war looks to be coming to the supernatural world and Savannah appears to have a big role to play, with or without her powers.
I liked this one but it's not my favorite of the series. Savannah just doesn't grip me as much as a character and there is very little of any of the other characters as anything more than plot devices again. With the lack of her powers and other supernaturals in the book and all her pining for Adam, it really felt more like a YA teen angst drama than a proper Otherworld book. I know things are leading up to the grand finale of the series with the next book and that these final three are supposed to be all about Savannah but she just doesn't do it for me and I really hope that we see a bit more of the other characters in the last book.
Page count: 325p/19,617p ytd
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