Review: Edge of Forever - Pippa DaCosta

The End is here...

Apophis has risen. New York is on its knees. Nothing stands in the way of the gods.

Or so it would seem.

But there is no light without darkness and no truth without lies. The Soul Eater has one last chance to save the world, if he can resist the temptation to destroy it.

Soul Eater Series:
Hidden Blade
Witches' Bane
Chase the Dark (Short story in the Full Metal Magic anthology)
See No Evil
Scorpion Trap
Serpent's Game
Edge of Forever

Visit Pippa DaCosta's website for more information

Review:
I honestly don't have a clue how to write a review for this book. I mean how can I possibly sum up the amount of awesome packed into this series in just a few paragraphs? It's impossible I tell you, totally impossible! So if you want to skip the fangirl rambling that is sure to follow and just get the short version here it is: THIS IS AN EPIC END TO AN INCREDIBLE SERIES.

That's pretty much all you need to know really! If you've already read the first 5 books then you'll know exactly how twisty this series is, you'll know all about our favourite anti hero Ace and his kickass sidekicks Shu and Cat, you'll know exactly how evil ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses can be and you'll be prepared to have your heart ripped into teeny, tiny pieces that you'll never quite be able to put back together in the same way as before. And if you haven't already read this series then I've just told you what to expect so you won't be going in blind!

Pippa DaCosta is a fantastic writer, I devour anything she publishes like it's the highest quality chocolate and then I go straight back for seconds and thirds. No matter how much I love all of her other characters though I think Ace and Shu are my favourites, I love how devious they can both be, I love the fact that two people who were enemies for centuries have actually become reluctant friends and I love the way they play off each other's strengths and weaknesses. They make a fantastic team and I really love that there is no pesky romance between them to muddy the waters. This series was everything I never knew I wanted, who knew Egyptian gods roaming around in modern day New York could be so fascinating? Who knew That Isis and Osiris were quite so psychotic or that they might not be the worst ancient Egypt had to offer?

Reading this book was like watching a high action movie and I refuse to believe that we've seen the last of these characters. I know Pippa has said this is the end (and to be fair she has tied up all the loose ends and answered all our questions) but I'm not ready to say goodbye to the world or the characters so I really hope she changes her mind one day. I guess in the meantime the great thing about books is that they're always there for rereading and I'm already looking forward to going back to Hidden Blade and starting the journey all over again. Thank you Pippa for another fabulous adventure and I can't wait to see what you come up with next!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Serpent's Game - Pippa DaCosta

More than darkness...

Reeling from the revelations discovered in Egypt, Ace Dante is on a knife-edge, but the gods aren’t going to wait for him to come to terms with the truth.

Ancient and deadly beasts straight out of the underworld are targeting Nick “Cujo” Jones and his daughter. There doesn’t seem to be a connection to Ace, until a mysterious and familiar box turns up. A box marked with the snake-headed jackal. And it’s open.

This time, the gods crossed a line. Ace is done with their puppet-mastery. He’s fighting back.

But as hidden secrets come to light and Ace’s friendships crumble around him, will he have the strength to fight for what’s right, or will he allow the darkness inside to consume him?

After all, what is one man’s hope against the will of evil incarnate?

Soul Eater Series:
Hidden Blade
Witches' Bane
Chase the Dark (Short story in the Full Metal Magic anthology)
See No Evil
Scorpion Trap
Serpent's Game
Edge of Forever

Visit Pippa DaCosta's website for more information

Review:
Every time I think this series can't possibly get any better Pippa DaCosta proves me wrong and takes things to a whole new level. Serpent's Game was everything I love about the Soul Eater series and then some - the stakes are higher, the plot is even more twisted, the characters I love are all on top form and absolutely nothing is what it first appears. Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster because this book totally wrecked me - in the best possible way of course!

There were major revelations about Ace in the previous book, I'm not going to go into detail here but oh wow do those revelations have a major knock on effect in this book. Ace is remembering more and more about his past, his darkest side is very close to the surface and all that remains to be seen is how much of his humanity he has managed to keep hold of. Ace has always done everything he could to keep his best friend Cujo out of sight of the gods who enjoy toying with his life but now that ancient beasts are targeting Cujo and his daughter Ace realises that the secret is out. Someone is using them to get to Ace and he needs to put a stop to it before he loses his friend forever.

As if that wasn't enough to deal with Ace is also stuck in the middle of an argument between Isis and Osiris, Cat is back on the scene and still searching for what happened to Bast and he's starting to wonder if he might possibly have misjudged Shu. Ace has a lot of balls in the air and if he's not very, very careful something is going to drop and the damage could be catastrophic. Get ready for secrets and betrayals, for characters you love to behave in shocking and disturbing ways, for high stakes drama and exciting new characters. The game is afoot as the series ramps up for the final instalment and I can't wait to see how it all comes together in Edge of Forever. This is one urban fantasy series that you really don't want to miss!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Scorpion Trap - Pippa DaCosta

Given a choice, I’d prefer never to return to Egypt. Isis doesn’t do choices.

The old world is dead. Legend tells us the gods are myths. But some remain, like a noose around Ace Dante’s neck. And none are more dangerous than Isis. She demands the Soul Eater return to the land time forgot, break into a newly discovered tomb, and retrieve the skull from the sarcophagus inside. If Ace does this one thing, Isis will reveal the secrets he desperately seeks. Ace knows there’s a catch, there always is, but the truth is far worse than even he can imagine.

As Isis’s true intentions unravel, so does Ace’s past, leaving him no choice at all.

History is wrong. The past is a lie.

And for the Soul Eater, the truth found in Egypt is far more terrifying than any god.

Soul Eater Series:
Hidden Blade
Witches' Bane
Chase the Dark (Short story in the Full Metal Magic anthology)
See No Evil
Scorpion Trap
Serpent's Game
Edge of Forever

Visit Pippa DaCosta's website for more information

Review:
If you haven't started this series yet you're really missing out, just imagine sociopathic Egyptian gods roaming modern day New York (and now Egypt) and multiply however awesome that sounds by at least 10 and you'll have an idea what you're getting here. I'd highly recommend reading the series in order though so go away and read my review of Hidden Blade and then BUY YOURSELF A COPY IMMEDIATELY!

Well if you thought their last trip to the Hamptons got complicated you've not seen anything yet. Isis wants Ace and Shu to travel to Egypt and steal a skull from a recently discovered tomb - what could possibly go wrong? Well when the Goddess of Light insists on going with them an awful lot actually and don't even think about what will happen when Osiris finds out his wife has taken Ace on a romantic getaway!

This series just keeps on getting better and Pippa DaCosta keeps blowing my mind with the shocking revelations she makes about poor Ace's past. I thought I knew where his story was going and now I have absolutely no idea but whatever happens it's bound to get worse before it gets better so I feel pretty sorry for him right now. He's such a brilliant character though, one with dark secrets and a delicious bad side. You never know what kind of move he'll pull next and he's just about done with being manipulated by crazy gods so things are getting extremely interesting. Shu is awesome too, totally badass and more than capable of standing up to Ace when he's being an idiot but equally capable of having his back when he's facing off against an army of enemies.

I loved the Egyptian setting here too, the author has captured the desolate feel of the desert and the majesty of the tombs and temples perfectly so it's like you're right there alongside Ace and Shu as they dig through tombs searching for what Isis needs. We get to meet some interesting locals, see Ace and Shu in action and uncover so much more of their past lives. I absolutely can't wait to see the results of certain revelations in Serpent's Game so I'm really relieved I've only got to wait until August to get my hands on a copy! That gives you plenty of time to catch up with the series though so make a start now and make sure you're ready.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: See No Evil - Pippa DaCosta

“Wanted dead or alive sounds like a lot more fun when it’s not my head on the block.”

Word is out, the soul eater has gone rogue and not even the might of Osiris can stop him. Or so everyone believes. That would suit Ace just fine, but after he narrowly escapes an assassination attempt, he knows it’s just a matter of time before those around him end up in the crosshairs of the gods.

After 500 years on earth, it’s time for Ace to go home. Little does he know, the underworld is hungry for revenge, and what awaits him in the Halls of Judgment could be far worse than any fate on Earth.

The thrilling Amazon bestselling series is back with a whole load of action, bad-assery, and psychotic gods.

Soul Eater Series:
Hidden Blade
Witches' Bane
Chase the Dark (Short story in the Full Metal Magic anthology)
See No Evil
Scorpion Trap
Serpent's Game
Edge of Forever

Visit Pippa DaCosta's website for more information

Review:
It's absolutely no surprise but Pippa DaCosta has done it again, this series is going from strength to strength and I am totally addicted! You just know that Pippa has it in for her main characters when she sends them on a holiday to the Hamptons, there is no way Ace, Shu and Cat are just going to be allowed to party at the beach for an entire book so it's no surprise that trouble follows fast on their heels leaving a trail of death and destruction behind it. A seaside holiday turns into something else entirely when Ace and Cat find themselves transported to Duat, the land of the dead that is Ace's homeland and somewhere he was exiled from 500 years ago.

What I love about this series (and all of Pippa's books) is the way she excels at world building, we've seen Ace in New York and we've had a short visit to Duat before but this is the first time we get to properly explore it and meet some of the creatures that Ace grew up surrounded by. The rules in Duat are very different to here on earth and unless they tread carefully Cat could end up losing her soul. Throw in a group of vengeful gods who want to make Ace pay (both for crimes he did commit and ones he didn't) and they're in for a bumpy ride.

See No Evil was definitely my favourite instalment of the series so far - the setting was fabulous, the action kept me on the edge of my seat and there was so much growth in the characters. Shu is totally badass with a gooey centre that only gets exposed in the exact right conditions, there's more to Cat than we originally suspected and Ace is still a loveable rogue with a scary bad side. Don't even get me started on the crazy Egyptian gods, they're all brilliant at twisting things to their own advantage and the games they play with each other just put Ace and the others in more and more danger. The stakes are definitely getting higher and I can't wait for the next instalment to see how Ace is going to deal with the latest revelations.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
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Kindle:

Review: Witches' Bane - Pippa DaCosta

“I didn’t earn the name Godkiller, but in three days I’ll own it.”

Witches are disappearing all over New York and Ace Dante couldn’t care less. Until one holds his friend at gunpoint, demanding Ace take the job.

The witch produces a girl's severed arm, bearing an unusual hieroglyph, and Ace starts to care a whole lot more. He recognizes that mark. It’s connected to Ace in ways he doesn’t yet understand. Why is it on a dead witch’s arm?

Missing witches and severed arms aren’t Ace’s only problems. With a new name around his neck—Godkiller—Ace has a promise to uphold. He has three days to kill the god, Thoth. Or risk Osiris’s wrath. The last time Ace defied Osiris, he earned a curse that crippled his life and turned him into Osiris’s puppet for eternity.

This time, Osiris won’t be as lenient. Ace must kill Thoth. An impossible task. It takes a god to kill a god, and Ace is just a washed-up mercenary. Isn’t he?

As the spells are cast and the truth is revealed, there’s only one way out. Ace must become the monster the gods fear him to be.

The Soul Eater has a new name, and now, nobody is safe.

Soul Eater Series:
Hidden Blade
Witches' Bane
Chase the Dark (Short story in the Full Metal Magic anthology)
See No Evil
Scorpion Trap
Serpent's Game
Edge of Forever

Visit Pippa DaCosta's website for more information

Review:
I loved Hidden Blade but wow, Pippa DaCosta has definitely upped the stakes in Witches' Bane. This series has quickly become one of my favourites and I absolutely can't wait to get my hands on See No Evil in a couple of months.

Ace is my favourite kind of anti hero, there is darkness inside him and he's definitely crossed plenty of lines in his time but he also tries to do the right thing and he stands up and fights for people less powerful than himself. He's walking a very fine line thanks to the curse that binds him to Osiris knowing that no matter how hard he tries to be good Osiris always has a hold over him and can force him to act against his will. Ace is compelled to kill Thoth at Osiris's command and even though he knows he doesn't stand a chance against someone that powerful he also knows that Osiris will take it out on his friends and allies if he fails. Throw in murdered witches, missing memories and meddling gods with plenty of time on their hands to play a very long game and Ace's life has hit an alltime low point.

Everything I loved about the first book was ramped up a level in this one, the story is darker, the gods are even more twisted and Ace is caught up in plots that are far more complicated and overreaching than he could ever have guessed at. Shu is totally brilliant and we meet a new (and equally badass!) sidekick that is going to help make Ace's life interesting. We're starting to dig a little deeper into the characters and I loved the glimpses we saw of Ace's history and finding out how he ended up in the situation he's in now. He's trying so hard to live up to Bast's assertion that there is good inside him but sometimes the past comes back to bite you and the stains on his soul aren't so easy to wipe clean.

If you're looking for an urban fantasy series that stands out from the crowd for it's unique mythology, brilliant world building and outstanding, three dimensional characters then you need the Soul Eaters series in your life. I love all of Pippa DaCosta's books and would happily recommend any of them but I think Ace might just be edging Caleb (from her 1000 Revolution series) out of the top spot on my favourite anti heroes list and that's very high praise indeed.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Hidden Blade - Pippa DaCosta

"They call me devil, liar, thief. In whispers, they call me Soul Eater. They’re right. I’m all those things—and more."

Kicked out of the underworld and cursed to walk this earth for all eternity, Ace Dante finds solace in helping others avoid the wrath of the gods.

But when warrior-bitch, Queen of Cats, and Ace's ex-wife, Bastet, hires him to stop whoever is slaughtering her blessed women, Ace is caught between two of the most powerful deities to have ever existed: Isis and Osiris.

The once-revered gods aren’t dead.

They’re back.

And Ace is in their way.

Welcome to a New York where the ancient gods roam.

Soul Eater Series:
Hidden Blade
Witches' Bane
Chase the Dark (Short story in the Full Metal Magic anthology)
See No Evil
Scorpion Trap
Serpent's Game
Edge of Forever

Book Trailer:


Visit Pippa DaCosta's website for more information

Review:
I don't know how she does it but Pippa DaCosta consistently comes up with exciting new ideas and Hidden Blade is a breath of fresh air for urban fantasy fans. Egyptian mythology is fascinating but it's actually very underused in UF so I couldn't be more thrilled about this series. Imagine a modern day New York that is actually run by ancient Egyptian gods who are hiding in plain sight. The mayor and his wife? You might not know to look at them but that's Osiris and his wife (and sister) Isis. They've been married for over 3,000 years so even though they're still crazy in love that's bound to put a strain on any relationship!

Our main character Ace, also known as the Nameless One, is a soul eater and, alongside his business partner Shu, he protects the streets of New York from demons and things that go bump in the night. When his ex-wife Bast (AKA Bastet, goddess of cats and protector of the innocent) asks for his help investigating the murders of a group of pregnant young girls who were living under her protection Ace finds himself caught up in something bigger than he could have imagined. Already trapped in the effects of a powerful curse Ace now ends up with an even bigger target on his back and caught between the sights of two vengeful gods.

This is such a hard book to review because I want to tell you how amazing it is but I don't want to give you spoilers. Pippa DaCosta creates such brilliantly multilayered characters and Ace is one of her best. Thanks to his soul eater abilities he's full of darkness and constantly battles between his desires to devour everyone in his path and his hope to become something more, something better. You'll discover the details of his curse for yourself when you read the book but it's certainly a harsh punishment for his crimes and you can't help but root for him even when he teeters on the edge of doing terrible things. The Egyptian gods are as crazy as they are powerful and you definitely wouldn't want them as an enemy.

Hidden Blade is full of action, the author doesn't shy away from sending her characters to hell and back and I'm not going to lie that makes for a gut wrenching read at times. This book will take you through every emotion you can think of and may turn you into an emotional wreck at times but it is so, so worth it. Brilliant world building, fascinating mythology, wonderful multilayered characters that you will either love or love to hate and a fast moving storyline that will keep you turning the pages until the end - Pippa DaCosta most certainly has another hit on her hands and I for one can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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