Review: Wild Country - Anne Bishop

In this powerful and exciting fantasy set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Others series, humans and the shape-shifting Others will see whether they can live side by side...without destroying one another.

There are ghost towns in the world—places where the humans were annihilated in retaliation for the slaughter of the shape-shifting Others.

One of those places is Bennett, a town at the northern end of the Elder Hills—a town surrounded by the wild country. Now efforts are being made to resettle Bennett as a community where humans and Others live and work together. A young female police officer has been hired as the deputy to a Wolfgard sheriff. A deadly type of Other wants to run a human-style saloon. And a couple with four foster children—one of whom is a blood prophet—hope to find acceptance.

But as they reopen the stores and the professional offices and start to make lives for themselves, the town of Bennett attracts the attention of other humans looking for profit. And the arrival of the outlaw Blackstone Clan will either unite Others and humans...or bury them all.

The Others Series:
Written in Red
Murder of Crows
Vision in Silver
Marked in Flesh
Etched in Bone
Lake Silence (World of the Others book 1)
Wild Country (World of the Others book 2)

Visit Anne Bishop's website for more information

Review:
Wild Country is the book I was expecting when I first picked up Lake Silence so I was really excited that we were being given the chance to catch up with familiar faces from Prairie Gold and Bennett. Bennett's human population was wiped out in the war started by the Humans First and Last group, only the Intuit settlement at Prairie Gold survived but they're pretty cut off now that Bennett is a ghost town. Thanks to their connection to people at the Lakeside Courtyard the Elders have decided to allow Bennett to be resettled, but only as a terra indigene run town. Humans who can live in peace will be tolerated but anyone who crosses the line will be punished severely.

Timeline wise the first half of this book runs alongside events in Etched in Bone, we get to see the applicants accepted at the job fair arrive in Bennett and start work on creating a new community and we also get to see how the terra indigene living there react to the news of Meg's abduction. I still miss Meg and Simon as main characters but I loved getting the chance to catch up with familiar faces like Jesse, her son Tobias and the sanguinati town leader Tolya. I also really enjoyed getting to know Barbara Ellen (Michael's sister who went to Bennett to be the town vet) and the new human deputy Jana who arrived to work alongside the existing wolfgard Sheriff Virgil & deputy Kane.

It's been fun getting to see more of this world and how Others in different areas react to the humans they are now far more wary of thanks to the HFL. We also get to see how the blood prophets are settling in and continuing to learn about their own abilities which was something I was very happy about. I think my main issue with this book was that the humans were still able to cause so much trouble. The Others were on high alert thanks to some worrying prophecies, the Elders were watching and had clearly marked the boundaries where humans were allowed and where they weren't and yet we still had a group of humans able to sneak in and cause so much devastation.

I could have understood the Others laying a trap, letting the humans think their plan was working but I found it impossible to believe that the Elders didn't spot these encroachers on their territory and do something about them. The battle scenes could have been epic if it had been revealed that the Elders and the rest of the terra indigene had been working together to lay a huge trap but instead they were caught off guard and once again paid the price when many lives were lost. It was heartbreaking to read about and just didn't feel realistic to me considering everything that had gone before.

That battle came pretty close to ruining this story for me but I enjoyed the rest so much that I can't rate the book less than 4 stars. The truth is that I devoured all 7 books in about 9 days because I was so addicted to this series that I couldn't stop reading! That should give you an idea of how invested I became in this world and how skilful Ann Bishop is as a writer. It's been a long time since I last devoured a series like that and I know I'll be rereading the books regularly in the future. I'm not sure if Anne Bishop is done with this world but I really hope that she'll give us at least a few more books because I'm still not ready to say goodbye.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Lake Silence - Anne Bishop

In this thrilling and suspenseful fantasy set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Others series, an inn owner and her shape-shifting lodger find themselves enmeshed in danger and dark secrets.

Human laws do not apply in the territory controlled by the Others--vampires, shape-shifters, and even deadlier paranormal beings. And this is a fact that humans should never, ever forget....

After her divorce, Vicki DeVine took over a rustic resort near Lake Silence, in a human town that is not human controlled. Towns such as Vicki's don't have any distance from the Others, the dominant predators who rule most of the land and all of the water throughout the world. And when a place has no boundaries, you never really know what is out there watching you.

Vicki was hoping to find a new career and a new life. But when her lodger, Aggie Crowe--one of the shape-shifting Others--discovers a murdered man, Vicki finds trouble instead. The detectives want to pin the death on her, despite the evidence that nothing human could have killed the victim. As Vicki and her friends search for answers, ancient forces are roused by the disturbance in their domain. They have rules that must not be broken--and all the destructive powers of nature at their command.

The Others Series:
Written in Red
Murder of Crows
Vision in Silver
Marked in Flesh
Etched in Bone
Lake Silence (World of the Others book 1)
Wild Country (World of the Others book 2)

Visit Anne Bishop's website for more information

Review:
I have to admit when I found out this book wasn't set at the Lakeside Courtyard I assumed it would be at one of the settlements we've already seen in previous books. There are lots of groups I'd be interested in seeing more of so I was really surprised that this was about a completely new set of characters that haven't been mentioned before. I love this world though so it didn't take me long to fall into this story and it was actually really refreshing to have so many new faces to get to know.

Vicki is a human who has recently got out of an abusive relationship, her ex-husband gave her a run down resort near Lake Silence as part of the divorce settlement and she's slowly settling into her new home and carrying out much needed renovations to turn The Jumble into a going concern. Vicki knows the town is run by the terra indigene rather than humans but she didn't realise that the Others paid so much attention to her home until she walks into the kitchen one day to find her only lodger about to eat an eyeball. Thats the first time Vicki realises that Aggie is one of the Crowgard but Vicki's biggest problem is that the eyeball Aggie thinks would make a tasty lunch comes from a man who has been murdered on her property. When corrupt detectives try to pin the murder on Vicki some of the Others start paying a lot more attention to what is happening at The Jumble, and they're really not happy about the people who are trying to force Vicki out of her home.

I really liked this little town and most of it's inhabitants. You have a mix of humans, intuits and various terra indigene from the sanguinati and elementals to crows, bears and cats who are all trying to learn how to live amongst each other. The Jumble is a perfect place for the different groups to get together in a safe environment and mingle, that's what the Others had always planned the place to be used for and they're happy that Vicki seems to be taking her responsibilities as custodian of the land seriously. Someone wants her out though and that is a threat that concerns everyone, especially when the Elders are currently paying so much attention to the remaining human settlements and the threat of war isn't that far away. As much as I'm still hoping to see characters like Meg and Simon again I'm enjoying this new group and looking forward to spending more time with them in the next book.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Etched in Bone - Anne Bishop

Anne Bishop returns to her world of the Others, as humans struggle to survive in the shadow of shapeshifters and vampires far more powerful than themselves...

After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders—a primitive and lethal form of the Others—the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man’s-land beyond their borders—and the darkness...

As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.

With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end—with her standing beside a grave...

The Others Series:
Written in Red
Murder of Crows
Vision in Silver
Marked in Flesh
Etched in Bone
Lake Silence (World of the Others book 1)
Wild Country (World of the Others book 2)

Visit Anne Bishop's website for more information

Review:
As humans are struggling to comprehend the new world order since the Elders unleashed their fury on members of the HFL movement Simon and the rest of the members of the Lakeside Courtyard know this could just be the beginning. The Elders have seen first hand how much trouble humans can cause as a group, many cities and towns didn't survive the punishment they doled out after the attacks on the Wolfgard and the places that remain are under intense scrutiny. In the past the Elders kept to the wild country and left the rest of the terra indigene to monitor the humans but now they're paying attention and it wouldn't take much for them to decide extinction is the best course of action after all.

The community around Lakeside is trying to pick up the pieces and Simon is having to deal with finding extra supplies for the ever increasing members of the human pack at the Courtyard. Things are going quite well until Lieutenant Montgomery's estranged brother turns up expecting a free ride. When Jimmy realises that his mother and brother aren't just going to keep giving him the handouts he thinks he's entitled to he puts plans in motion that could end up destroying what's left of humanity.

I've loved every minute of this series so I was really sad to find out that this is the last book focusing on Meg, Simon and the Lakeside Courtyard. I still don't feel ready to say goodbye to this group so I'm glad there are more books in the world and I really hope we'll see more than minor cameo appearances from the people we already know and love. I've been rooting for a Meg and Simon romance from the beginning, it's been blindingly obvious to everyone but the two of them that they've been falling in love since they first met and I've been waiting for them to realise it for such a long time. I hate to say it but I was a bit disappointed that we didn't see more of their romance in this final book, yes they finally start to admit their feelings and the way things ended left me very hopeful about their future, but I wanted more. I wanted to see them take the next step in their relationship, wanted to see them try to figure out how to make things work, was looking forward to seeing how everyone around them would react to them as a couple and to seeing how many funny misunderstandings they would have because they both see the world so differently. There was just so much potential there that it seems like a wasted opportunity to end things where they did.

Having said that there was still a lot I enjoyed about this book, including what we did see of Meg and Simon starting to admit their feelings, in fact if there was going to be another book staring the two of them then I'd have been over the moon with what we did get to see of them in Etched in Silence. I also really enjoyed seeing how the Others coped with having more humans around the Courtyard, there were some funny misunderstandings because they all see things in different ways, I'm particularly thinking of Kowalski on his bicycle here! Every single one of these books have had moments that made me laugh out loud so even though the series is quite dark in places there has been plenty of fun along the way too. The storyline with Monty's brother was extremely frustrating (mainly because I wanted Simon to just eat Jimmy and be done with it!) but it was interesting to see how much attention the Elders were paying to the courtyard and to Meg in particular.

I'm sad our time in the courtyard is over but I'm glad we're not completely done with this world yet. I'm assuming the next book will be set in one of the smaller communities we've already seen glimpses of and there are lots of characters I'd like to know more about so it's going to be fun to see who we're spending time with next. I really hope we'll get to see Meg and Simon making cameo appearances though.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Marked in Flesh - Anne Bishop

In the fourth novel in Anne Bishop's New York Times bestselling series, the Others will need to decide how much humanity they're willing to tolerate - both within themselves and their community...

Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the dynamic between humans and Others has changed. Some, such as Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn see the closer companionship as beneficial.

But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don't realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land - and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to safeguard what is theirs...

The Others Series:
Written in Red
Murder of Crows
Vision in Silver
Marked in Flesh
Etched in Bone
Lake Silence (World of the Others book 1)
Wild Country (World of the Others book 2)

Visit Anne Bishop's website for more information

Review:
As a species humans really are pretty stupid. The Others may call us "clever meat" but really a large majority of us are so stupid you could almost call us suicidal. Rather than learn from the lessons the terra indigene tried to teach them in the previous book the members of HFL decide they're going to continue the attacks, this time with devastating consequences for both the Others and for humanity. Now the humans have the attention of the terra indigene Elders and they're throwing around words like "total extinction". All that remains to be seen is how many, or how few, people will survive when the Elders come calling.

I've been so hooked on this series that I devoured the first four books (about 2000 pages!) in five days, I made every excuse I could come up with to spend as much time as possible reading and I think I've actually given myself eye strain because today I'm having too much trouble focusing to dive into book five. Anyway, that's my really long winded way of telling you that I absolutely LOVE this series. Everything about this world is fascinating to me, I love that humans are at the bottom of the food chain, I've really enjoyed getting to know all the different characters who live in the Lakeside Courtyard and I was desperate to know what would happen when the Elders came calling.

Unfortunately we have to witness some pretty terrible attacks on the Others first though. Is it weird I was more upset when the werewolves were attacked than I was when humans were facing possible extinction? I honestly don't care if that's weird because very few humans in this world actually deserve to survive so I'd be quite happy to see most of them wiped off the face of the planet. Obviously I'm not talking about Meg, her human pack or even the Others friendly police officers but anyone who had a membership card for the HFL would make a very tasty Elder snack in my opinion!

Anyway, we finally get some pay off in terms of the Others fighting back, the Elders have watched, they've listened and they've learned and now they're ready to treat humans the way they deserve to be treated. My one slight complaint was that I wanted to see certain people suffer a bit more, I'm not normally one for graphic violence but I would actually have enjoyed more here! I also really wanted more Meg and Simon, of course we do see a lot of them but what I'm desperately waiting for is some payoff in the romance department. Can someone just smash their heads together and MAKE THEM KISS! Please, for the love of God lets bring this romance to the boil because the slow build that I was enjoying so much in the beginning is starting to kill me!

Yes, I am possibly a little too invested in this but I've spent more time in the book world than I have in the real one this week so the lines between fantasy and reality are starting to blur. Surely that's a sign on Anne Bishop's fantastic writing though? I can't recommend this series highly enough!

Source: Purchased

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Review: Vision in Silver - Anne Bishop

New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop transports readers to a "stunningly original" world of magic and political unrest - where the only chance at peace requires a deadly price....

The Others freed the blood prophets to protect them from exploitation, but their actions had dire consequences. Now the fragile seers are in greater danger than ever before. In desperate need of answers, Simon Wolfgard, a shape-shifter leader among the Others, has no choice but to enlist blood prophet Meg Corbyn's help, regardless of the risks she faces by aiding him.

Meg knows each slice of her blade tempts death. But Others and humans alike need answers, and her visions might be Simon's only hope of ending the conflict.

For the shadows of war are deepening across the Atlantik, and the battle is threatening to break out right on Meg and Simon's doorstep....

The Others Series:
Written in Red
Murder of Crows
Vision in Silver
Marked in Flesh
Etched in Bone
Lake Silence (World of the Others book 1)
Wild Country (World of the Others book 2)

Visit Anne Bishop's website for more information

Review:
The terra indigene may have saved the blood prophets and destroyed the compounds where they had been held captive and exploited but it turns out that was the easy part. The hard part is going to be finding a way to help the girls survive life on the outside, away from their strictly regimented routines and experienced handlers. The Others and the intuits are doing their best to make them comfortable in their new homes but they're finding so many changes hard to cope with and the only person who has a chance of helping them survive is Meg.

Meanwhile the animosity between humans and the Others is increasing thanks to the HFL (Humans First and Last) movement. Nicholas Scratch is the perfect spokesperson for the group, full of charm and playing on people's fears and prejudices to stir up hatred and bigotry. Not all humans agree with the HFL but unless Simon can figure out a way to reduce tensions between the two groups all humans will pay the price. They have no idea what kind of trouble they are stirring but they're about to get a few reminders.

I'm still totally hooked on this series and haven't really come up for air since I started Written in Red a few days ago. I'm fascinated by this world that Anne Bishop has created and I love so many of these characters. It's been really interesting to see the changes that have come over the Lakeside Courtyard since Meg walked into their lives, the small human pack they've accepted for her is gradually growing and the Others who live there are starting to see how interesting life can be with cooperative humans around. Of course the more trouble that HFL stir up around the whole of Thaisia the greater the danger is but Simon is still trying to find a way forward that allows both groups to live side by side.

I've loved seeing Meg start to make friends and build a life for herself but now she's facing her biggest challenge yet and struggling to find answers that could help the rest of the blood prophets. She has friends around her now though and I really like the camaraderie between the human pack but also the Others who have taken her under their wings. One of my favourite things is the friendship between Meg and Simon though, it's so easy for everyone else to see that they're falling in love but Meg has no experience and doesn't understand while Simon isn't willing to admit his feelings because Others mating with humans just isn't the done thing. I really want to see some payoff between these two soon but so far I'm enjoying the slowburn. We're starting to see more of police officers like Monty and Burke and how the way they act is having a huge impact on relationships between humans and the Others too. Monty has a lot going on in this book and honestly it was something I was really hoping would happen so I did cheer a little when a certain new character showed up.

I finished this book at 6am this morning so that should give you an idea of how much I was enjoying it, especially if I add that I managed to grab three hours of sleep before I was awake again and making a start on Marked in Flesh. I honestly can't remember the last time a series grabbed me this hard but right now I'm loving every minute of it.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Murder of Crows - Anne Bishop

Return to New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop's world of the Others--where supernatural entities and humans struggle to co-exist, and one woman has begun to change all the rules...

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

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

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

The Others Series:
Written in Red
Murder of Crows
Vision in Silver
Marked in Flesh
Etched in Bone
Lake Silence (World of the Others book 1)
Wild Country (World of the Others book 2)

Visit Anne Bishop's website for more information

Review:
With two new drugs on the market that seem specially designed to cause trouble between the humans and the terra indigene Meg's prophecies are coming more frequently than ever, the problem is figuring out how to interpret them in time to prevent the tragedies she's seeing. She's setting into life in the Lakeside Courtyard, finding new friends and slowly coming to grips with life outside of captivity but that doesn't stop her worrying about the girls who were left behind, she wants them to get a chance at the freedom she has found but worries about how they would cope on the outside. The Controller is still determined to capture his escaped "property" but Simon and the rest of the courtyard residents will do whatever it takes to protect Meg, they're confused by her human ways but find her extremely amusing and are surprised by how much they enjoy having her around. As tensions between the humans and the terra indigene become increasingly fraught the only chance they have of diffusing the situation is figuring out where the drug is coming from and stopping it's distribution but even that may not be enough to stop the HFL organisation from starting a war they have no hope of winning.

I'm totally hooked on this series and I'm actually having trouble stopping reading for long enough to write proper reviews so I'm going to keep this short and sweet. These books are fantastic, if you like dark urban fantasy then this series is a must read that I can't recommend highly enough. I'm kicking myself for not discovering it years ago but I'm also celebrating that I can continue to binge through another 5 books before I have to start waiting a year for each new instalment.

I love everything about the Lakeside Courtyard, there are so many wonderful characters living there and it's been so much fun getting to know them all. These aren't your usual shapeshifters, vampires and supernatural creatures, Anne Bishop has put her own spin on all of them and created a world that is totally captivating. The humans are at the bottom of this food chain and they're not happy about it but they really wouldn't stand a chance against the terra indigene so it's a good job at least some of them are sensible enough to see that. I have a feeling tensions are only going to get higher though so it remains to be seen if all out war can be avoided.

As I write this review I'm already nearly halfway through the third book in the series and I have a feeling I'm not going to come up for air until I've binged the lot. It's the first time in a long time that I've devoured a series so quickly and I have absolutely zero regrets!

Source: Purchased

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Review: Written in Red - Anne Bishop

Enter the world of the Others in the first novel in New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop's thrilling fantasy series: a place where unearthly entities--vampires and shape-shifters among them--rule the Earth and prey on the human race.

As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut--a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg's Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard--a business district operated by the Others.

Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she's keeping a secret, and second, she doesn't smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she's wanted by the government, he'll have to decide if she's worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.

The Others Series:
Written in Red
Murder of Crows
Vision in Silver
Marked in Flesh
Etched in Bone
Lake Silence (World of the Others book 1)
Wild Country (World of the Others book 2)

Visit Anne Bishop's website for more information

Review:
Let me introduce you to a world where humans aren't the dominant species. In fact humanity's very existence relies on the tolerance of The Others, all the different supernatural creatures that came before us and still own the land we live on, the food we eat and even the water we drink. The Others, also known as terra indigene, come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, some have animal forms (wolves, bears, coyotes, crows & many more), others are vampires (but not quite the vampires we're used to), there are also elementals and all kinds of different creatures. They all tend to have a human form but they don't think or act like humans do and they're definitely dangerous.

The Others don't have a very high opinion of humans, most of them think of us as a potential food source and they don't think twice about eating anyone who crosses them so be very careful not to step foot in their territory uninvited. Humans are allowed to live in certain areas and for the most part if they leave the Others alone then they're free to live their daily lives in whatever way they choose, cross them though and your lives are forfeit. There are very few places that the two groups cross paths and one of those is at the Lakeside Courtyard, home to a group of Others and mostly kept behind closed walls they do have a few outward facing businesses that humans are allowed to enter.

Enter Meg, she's a human but a rather rare and special one, she's a cassandra sangue or blood prophet, someone who gets glimpses of the future but only through blood and pain. The cassandra sangue are rare and in high demand because of how valuable their prophecies are, they are also unprotected by human laws and considered property that other people can own. Meg grew up in captivity, all her experience of the world comes from lessons and the prophecies she has seen rather than real experience and a lot of things are extremely confusing to her because of that. She managed to escape from her "Controller" and when she came across Lakeside Courtyard, a place where human laws do not apply, she sought sanctuary by applying for a job as their human liaison.

I'm not going to say much more about what happens in the book, it's fairly easy to guess that the people Meg escaped from want her back and will go to great lengths to make that happen but once the Others have accepted her into the very small group of people they trust they will do whatever it takes to protect her. Even if that means full out war with humanity.

This book had me captivated from the very first page, I'm already a fan of Anne Bishop's Black Jewels series so I had high hopes when I started reading Written in Red but even then I was surprised by how much I loved it. The world building is phenomenal and totally different to anything else I've come across even though I'm a huge urban fantasy fan and have read a lot of books in this genre. The characters are all unique and interesting, I loved the way the various shifters still act more like their animal counterparts even when in their human shape, Winter and the elementals were great and I can't wait to find out more about Tess, a mysterious species of terra indigene that all of the others are slightly afraid of. There was darkness (many humans end up getting eaten, but only ones who deserve it and Meg can only see prophecies by cutting herself) but also humour, great friendships, strong family bonds, adorable baby werewolves, hilarious crows who like building things and refuse to give people their change if the coins are shiny, grumpy werewolves, magical ponies, trickster coyotes, vampires who can drink your blood with just a touch, human police who are trying to prevent a war and one blood prophet who is just trying to find her way in a world that is completely alien to her.

I loved everything about this book and I can't wait to read the next one so I'm diving straight into Murder of Crows now and I have a feeling I'm going to be binging this whole series over the next couple of weeks.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Deadlines and Dryads - Rebecca Chastain

Getting the scoop might cost Kylie and her gargoyle their lives...

Dryads are a reclusive, passive species—or they used to be. Overnight, the peaceful woodland creatures have turned violent, attacking travelers with crude weapons and whipping the trees of their grove into a ferocious frenzy.

When rumors of the dryads’ bizarre behavior reaches journalist Kylie Grayson, she pounces on the story, determined to unearth the reason behind the dryads’ hostile transformation. Accompanied by the young gargoyle Quinn, Kylie plunges into the heart of the malevolent grove. But nothing she’s learned prepares her for the terrifying conflict she uncovers...

USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Chastain returns to the beloved world of the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles for a brand-new spellbinding adventure of elemental magic and courageous gargoyles. If you love action-packed stories filled with mythical creatures, brave heroines, and adorable sidekicks, you’ll love Deadlines & Dryads. Pick up your copy today to start the magical adventure!

Deadlines & Dryads is a standalone novel and does not require you to read the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles trilogy first...but it will make you want to read it when you finish.

The Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles:
Magic of the Gargoyles
Curse of the Gargoyles
Secret of the Gargoyles
Lured (Free novella)

Terra Haven Chronicles:
(Set in the same world as the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles but featuring side character Kylie)
Deadlines and Dryads (Novella)

Visit Rebecca Chastain's website for more information

Review:
Deadlines and Dryads is the first story in a new series set in the same world as Rebecca Chastain's Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles. You don't have to read the original series first (although I'd highly recommend it because it's one of my favourites!) but if you are familiar with the previous stories then you'll recognise a few of the characters in this spin off. Reporter Kylie was one of my favourite side characters in the other books so I was really excited when I found out she was getting her own series, she's such a fun character and this story really gives her a chance to shine.

A once in a lifetime event is about to happen and the Terra Haven newspaper has given all of it's reporters 48 hours to come up with the most impressive story they can find. The winner will be sent on the trip of a lifetime and given the chance to report exclusively on an event that occurs only once every few hundred years. Kylie may be a junior reporter but she is absolutely determined to win, she even has her eye on what could be the perfect scoop. Well it was until her sneaky coworker started following her around so he could write the prize winning story on the back of her hard work. The only chance Kylie has is to make sure she gets her story written faster than Nathan can but she's going to need all the help she can get to achieve that goal.

I love how determined Kylie is and the way she is able to keep fighting for what she wants no matter how many knocks she gets along the way. Nathan is despicable but I think pretty much all of us will have come across someone like him at some point in time, the kind of person who isn't willing to put the effort in but will cut any corner he can to make sure it looks like he did. It would have been so easy for Kylie to give up and let Nathan get the better of her but she's stronger than that and I couldn't have been more happy every time she outmanoeuvred him!

Luckily Kylie has a few allies in her corner to help, starting with adorable gargoyle and reporter in training Quinn. You might remember Quinn as one of the gargoyles rescued my Mika in the original series but he's become rather attached to Kylie and the two of them make a great team. He is ridiculously cute but also a steadfast and powerful companion and I loved seeing how curious he was about everything Kylie was doing. Her less reluctant ally is Grant, member of the FPD (Federal Pentagon Defence) who also appeared in the previous books. Grant is the leader of his FPD unit but he's investigating his current job alone while the rest of his team are tied up with another case. He would rather keep Kylie out of harm's way and well away from the action but once he realises how determined she is to see things through he realises they might as well work together and ends up accepting her help.

This is a brilliant start to Kylie's series, the story is fun and fast paced and I found it an incredibly quick read. It's also full of interesting supernatural creatures that you don't come across very often in young adult urban fantasy. While the story works as a complete stand alone you get a few hints about where the series is going and I'm definitely very interested to see what happens on Kylie's next assignment.

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

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Paperback / Kindle (currently only available in the Elementals anthology):

Review: Lured - Rebecca Chastain

If something threatens a gargoyle, Mika’s confident she can handle it. But can she save the day when it’s Marcus who needs to be rescued?

Receive the novelette Lured for free!

If you’d like to see Mika, Marcus, and Oliver in another adventure, join the newsletter! You’ll receive an email with a link to download Lured so you can start reading today.

If you’re already a newsletter subscriber, you can find the link in the latest email.

READER NOTE: Lured follows Secret of the Gargoyles. To avoid spoilers, finish the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles before you read this story.

The Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles:
Magic of the Gargoyles
Curse of the Gargoyles
Secret of the Gargoyles
Lured (Free novella)

Terra Haven Chronicles:
(Set in the same world as the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles but featuring side character Kylie)
Deadlines and Dryads (Novella)

Visit Rebecca Chastain's website for more information

Review:
I love Rebecca Chastain's Gargoyle Guardian's Chronicles and I love it when authors give a little something extra to their fans so Lured appealed to me on several levels. This is a fairly short novella that can be downloaded completely free by fans who sign up to the author's newsletter.

Please be aware that this story is set after the three main books in the series so if you're not up to date then you will get spoilers. I don't think this is a great place to start reading the series because it gives far too much away about events that happen during the book so thats definitely something you should be aware of before picking it up.

Having said that fans of the series are going to love this! It's set not long after the end of Secret of the Gargoyles, in fact it starts with Mika, Marcus and Oliver beginning the journey home after their latest adventure, but they get waylaid by something that has it's sights set on Marcus. It's up to Mika and Oliver to come up with a way to rescue him and it's going to take everything she's got to win the day.

This was a really quick but very fun read, I loved spending more time with these characters and I'm really hoping that this isn't the last we'll see of Mika and her friends. Fingers crossed for more books in the future!

Source: Free story received by signing up to the author's newsletter

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.

Review: Secret of the Gargoyles - Rebecca Chastain

I place the lives of all gargoyles into your hands with what I am about to tell you…

In her brief career as a gargoyle healer, Mika Stillwater has faced some daunting challenges, but none have stumped her—until now. A strange sickness infects a handful of gargoyles in Terra Haven, rendering them comatose and paralyzed. Worse, the cure she seeks is shrouded in the gargoyles’ mysterious culture and the secret they guard with their lives.

Gaining the gargoyles’ trust is only the first step. To save the sick gargoyles, Mika must embark on a perilous mission into the heart of deadly wild magic to a place no human has ever survived...

The captivating conclusion to the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles trilogy, Secret of the Gargoyles will charm readers of all ages, especially those who love extraordinary magic and endearing gargoyles.

The Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles:
Magic of the Gargoyles
Curse of the Gargoyles
Secret of the Gargoyles
Lured (Free novella)

Terra Haven Chronicles:
(Set in the same world as the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles but featuring side character Kylie)
Deadlines and Dryads (Novella)

Visit Rebecca Chastain's website for more information

Review:
Mika has a very rare ability that makes her a perfect gargoyle healer and she has dedicated all her time to helping gargoyles in need ever since she discovered it. Unfortunately there is one problem she has so far been unable to resolve and that's healing the gargoyles who are lying dormant around the city. Mika knows there is something very wrong with them but none of the research she has carried out has helped her find answers. It's taken a long time but now she has finally gained the trust of an older gargoyle who knows what is causing the problem but it isn't something that she can solve on her own and she is forced to turn to the FPD for help. Since most of the squad is currently unavailable it is up to Marcus to help Mika and Oliver on their dangerous quest, the only question that remains is will they be fast enough to save the gargoyles currently in Mika's care?

Secret of the Gargoyle is a fantastic finale to the Gargoyle Guardian trilogy that's full of action, danger and magic. Rebecca Chastain has created such a bright and vivid world and it's one I love spending time in. The way she describes magic use is wonderful and it just got even better in this book as Mika manages to tap into a power that humans aren't even supposed to know exists. The gargoyle characters are brilliant, I've loved Oliver from the beginning and it's been wonderful watching him grow from the tiny hatchling Mika rescued in Curse of the Gargoyles to the courageous companion he has become. Oliver loves Mika beyond all reason and thinks nothing of putting himself in harm's way to protect her but that is something that definitely goes both ways and Mika would do anything to look after him and any other gargoyles that cross her path.

Mika is brilliant, she's smart, brave and incredibly caring. As the only known gargoyle healer she sees it as her responsibility to look after all of the gargoyles and she thinks nothing of putting herself at risk to save them. I admire how focused she is on her goal but I loved that Marcus calls her out when she gets in over her head. She doesn't always see the dangers to herself until it's almost too late and she needs someone to help her take a step back and look at the bigger picture sometimes. Marcus obviously cares deeply about her and I really enjoyed the slow build romance that has developed between them. There were hints of an attraction between them in the previous stories but this is the book that really moves things forward since they spend so much time working together. I think they make a great couple, their personalities fit well together and they both bring something different to the relationship.

I've loved every minute of this series so I'm incredibly sad that it's come to an end but I'm still kind of hoping that Rebecca Chastain will choose to revisit this world again in the future. I'd be very happy to read more books from Mika's point of view but there is also definitely story potential for Mika's friend Kylie and a certain Captain. No matter what she's writing about this author is on my auto-buy list though and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

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

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Kindle:

Review: Curse of the Gargoyles - Rebecca Chastain

Mika was trying to save a gargoyle, not doom the world...

Mika Stillwater isn’t known for her skills with combat magic. As a gargoyle healer, she spends her days mending broken appendages and curing illnesses in the living-quartz bodies of Terra Haven’s gargoyles. But when a squad of the city’s elite Federal Pentagon Defense warriors requests her assistance in freeing a gargoyle ensnared in a vicious invention, Mika jumps into the fray.

No one could have predicted that her involvement would ignite a chain reaction set to destroy the city, the world, and magic itself.

Brimming with epic magic and loveable gargoyles, Curse of the Gargoyles is the second story in the mesmerizing Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles trilogy. Fantasy fans young and old will delight in this highly original world and exciting, action-packed adventure.

Don’t miss the riveting adventure that starts it all: Magic of the Gargoyles!

The Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles:
Magic of the Gargoyles
Curse of the Gargoyles
Secret of the Gargoyles
Lured (Free novella)

Terra Haven Chronicles:
(Set in the same world as the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles but featuring side character Kylie)
Deadlines and Dryads (Novella)

Visit Rebecca Chastain's website for more information

Review:
Now that Mika has discovered her special skills as a gargoyle healer she has been putting them to good use helping to ensure the city's gargoyles are fit and healthy. She still isn't the strongest magical user in general and only has a low level of ability for anything but her earth element but when it comes to her quartz speciality she is second to none. She has managed to keep out of the limelight since rescuing a clutch of baby gargoyles and doesn't really want to get involved in defensive magic again but when a squad of Federal Pentagon Defence warriors request her help to protect a severely abused gargoyle she knows she has to do whatever she can. Unfortunately the gargoyle in question has been linked into a spell that has become highly destructive and unstable so if Mika and the FPD squad aren't able to find a way to break it the whole city could be destroyed in the fallout.

If you enjoyed Magic of the Gargoyles then Curse of the Gargoyles will blow you away! I was excited to get my hands on this story and read about Mika's next adventure but I don't think I even have the words to describe how much I loved this book. Everything I enjoyed in the first story is back here but bigger and better than ever. Mika has so much courage that even though she's relatively inexperienced compared to the squad she is working with she manages to hold her own, she also has an instinctive way about her when it comes to using the quartz element and that is what really makes her so outstanding when it comes to helping gargoyles in need. I just have to say how much I love Rebecca Chastain's descriptions of the elemental magic that Mika and the others use, she creates such vibrant images in my head while I'm reading that it's almost like watching a movie.

We still have the wonderful friendship between Mika and Kylie, they have such a brilliant connection and I enjoy seeing the way they always watch out for each other, it was also great catching up with the FPD squad we were introduced to in the first story and I liked that there are hints of a bit of romance in the air for both Mika and Kylie. As per the first book it was Oliver and his gargoyle siblings who stole the show though, they were adorable babies before but now they're growing bigger and have become much more independant. They all love Mika but she has a very special bond with Oliver and he is always by her side when she needs a magical boost. It wasn't just Mika showing her bravery in this story, Oliver and the others also put themselves in harm's way to protect the city and every other gargoyle in it, they do it because they trust in Mika to keep them safe and I loved that they had so much faith in her even when she's doubting her own abilities.

I can't think of a single negative thing to say about this story apart from that I wanted it to be longer, not because it wasn't completely satisfying in it's own right but because I would have been very happy to spend a lot more time in this world! The brilliant news is that the third story, Secret of the Gargoyles, is due to be published in June so we don't have too much longer to wait and I'll be at the front of the queue to start reading it on release day. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the series will end up being a lot longer than a trilogy though, one more story definitely won't be enough!

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

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Kindle:

Review: Magic of the Gargoyles - Rebecca Chastain

Updated Cover

Grab your copy of this fast-paced, imaginative fantasy adventure today!

Someone has kidnapped a nest of helpless baby gargoyles and is using them as pentagram focuses, devouring their magic—and their lives—for a horrific, illegal power boost. Swept into the dangerous underworld of black magic, earth elemental Mika Stillwater must cobble together her limited resources and skills to have a chance at being the hero the baby gargoyles desperately need. If she fails, the city will be at the mercy of the gargoyles’ murderers and their overwhelming destructive magic.

But pitting herself against powerful black-magic villains is proving just as deadly for Mika as for the gargoyles.

The Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles:
Magic of the Gargoyles
Curse of the Gargoyles
Secret of the Gargoyles
Lured (Free novella)

Terra Haven Chronicles:
(Set in the same world as the Gargoyle Guardian Chronicles but featuring side character Kylie)
Deadlines and Dryads (Novella)

Visit Rebecca Chastain's website for more information

Review:
All earth elemental Mika has ever dreamed of is opening her own store where she can sell her magical creations, she has been saving for months and almost has enough to put down a deposit on a shop in an ideal location, all she needs to do is complete her latest order in time and her dreams will finally come true. Everything changes when a young gargoyle hatchling turns up at Mika's apartment begging for help. The gargoyle's siblings have all been kidnapped and their lives are in great danger as an unscrupulous magician is siphoning off their life forces to increase his magical abilities. Mika knows that she can't leave the gargoyles to be ruthlessly tortured by a monster but going up against such a powerful enemy will put a target on her back and could end up costing her everything.

Most novellas I read tend to be part of a larger ongoing series where I'm already familiar with the world and the characters so I'm instantly invested in the story and it's very easy to dive into them. I wasn't too sure how Rebecca Chastain was going to manage to create a whole new world, introduce an entirely new set of characters and create an engaging story in less than 100 pages but after loving all of her other novels I knew I had to give Magic of the Gargoyles a try. Consider me incredibly impressed because she did a fantastic job of all of those things and I enjoyed every minute of this story.

Mika is a great main character, she isn't the strongest magic user but she has a lot of heart and she puts herself at risk to protect the gargoyles because they aren't old enough to fight for themselves. You can't fault her bravery and I loved seeing her figure out more about her own skills along the way. I always complain about the lack of female friendships in some stories so I also really enjoyed the bond between Mika and her best friend Kylie, the two support each other 100% and Kylie immediately comes to Mika's aid when she is in trouble. What made this story for me was the gargoyles though, they were utterly adorable and each of the siblings had different quirks and characteristics that made them stand out as individuals. I'd quite like a family of baby gargoyles to move into my house actually, they would make life interesting for sure!

Magic of the Gargoyles is a fantastic little novella full of action and adventure and a very well built world considering how short it is. There is plenty of room for the story to be expanded upon and I'd love to read about more of Mika's adventures so I was very excited to discover that Rebecca Chastain is already at work on another 2 stories in this world. I'll certainly be buying any new instalments on release day and I can't wait to spend more time with Mika and the gargoyles!

Source: Purchased

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Original Cover

Kindle:

Review: The Shadow Prince - Stacey O'Neale

Every sacrifice has consequences.

Sixteen-year-old Rowan has spent most of his life living among the mortals—learning to control the element of fire, impatiently awaiting the day his vengeful mother, Queen Prisma, will abdicate her throne. When he finally returns to Avalon for his coronation, his mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the court by completing a secret mission:

Kill Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king.

Willing to do anything to remove his mother from power, he agrees to sacrifice the halfling. He returns to the mortal world with his best friend, Marcus, determined to kill the princess. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?

The Mortal Enchantment Series:
The Shadow Prince (Free prequel novella)
Mortal Enchantment (May 2014)
Fragile Reign (November 2014)

Visit Stacey O'Neale's website for more information

Review:
The Shadow Prince is a prequel novella to Stacey O'Neale's new Mortal Enchantment series and it is currently available as a free ebook from Amazon (I'm not sure if that is the permanent price so download it to your ereader now just in case!) or if you prefer you can also purchase a paperback copy. While the story is fairly short it is a great introduction to the series, one that is full of action and definitely leaves the reader wanting to know more.

The story is told from the point of view of Rowan, a fire elemental who is next in line to control the fire court. Rowan has spent most of his life in the human realm but has now been summoned home by his mother Queen Prisma because she has decided to abdicate her position and hand him the crown. To say Rowan is surprised by this move is an understatement, he has never been close to his mother as she favours his older, adopted siblings, and he is very wary of her motives. He suspects she is planning something and that turns out to be true when she insists that to prove he is worthy of the throne he must complete a challenge - he must kill Kalin, the half-human daughter of the king of the air court. Although Rowan is horrified with his task he knows how important it is to get his people out from under Prisma's tyrannical rule and he feels there is no other option but to agree. Can Rowan really go through with killing an innocent girl though and if he doesn't how much will his failure cost him?

I don't want to say too much more about the plot because you should just read it for yourself. After all it's free and it's only around 70 pages long so you've got nothing to lose by giving it a try. The author has done a great job of introducing her main characters and the world she has created without overwhelming us with too much information and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

Source: This was a free read available to download from Amazon.

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Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Spirit - Brigid Kemmerer

With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…

Elemental Series:
Elemental (Short Story)
Storm
Fearless (Short Story)
Spark
Breathless (Short Story)
Spirit
Secret (2014)
Sacrifice (2014)

Visit Brigid Kemmerer's website for more information

Review:
I've been a huge fan of the Elemental series practically from the very first book so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this latest instalment. As much as I've loved the earlier books I'm afraid this one just didn't quite live up to my expectations, that doesn't mean it was a terrible book but it was definitely my least favourite of the series so far. This is still a series I'd highly recommend though, I LOVE those Merrick brothers and I'm super excited about Nick's book which is due to be published early next year.

I've never been a huge fan of Hunter so that was probably why I didn't love Spirit as much as I've loved the previous books. He actually really grew on me in the beginning, I felt so badly for everything his family put him through and my heart just broke for him when everyone had seemed to turn against him. I absolutely loved the way Michael took him under his wing and tried so hard to help him but that left me feeling frustrated by the way Hunter refused to trust the Merricks. I know he has good reasons not to trust anyone at all but the Merricks were the only ones who were trying to help him and he kept throwing it back in their faces. That would have been easier to understand and believe if he hadn't pretty much immediately accepted new girl Kate into his life. He had only just met her, he had evidence that she had lied to him and was keeping secrets and yet he trusted her more than the people who had given him a roof over his head and put food in his belly. That just didn't make sense to me and it left me feeling really frustrated and annoyed with him.

I also never found myself warming up to Kate, she kept too many secrets and I just didn't feel like I could trust her. I was never clear which side she was on and was wary that she was going to end up betraying not just Hunter but also the Merricks. I have to admit that even though I didn't love either main character I did really enjoy their text banter, it was so well written and very funny to read. There were also some fabulous action scenes that had me on the edge of my seat and some really heartfelt moments when Hunter finally started to open up to Michael and the others. I went into complete shock over the twist at the end and although I can't tell you any more because I don't want to spoil things for you it did help to explain some of the things I had problems with earlier in the story.

Although Spirit wasn't my favourite book of the series it is still a worthwhile read that I'm sure fans won't want to miss. This is a series that I would highly recommend (I've said it before but it's worth saying again - I LOVE those sexy Merrick brothers!) and this instalment does include information that is going to have an impact when it comes to later books in the series. Now I'm just waiting impatiently for Nick's story because I know that one is going to be amazing.

Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
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Paperback:

Review: Breathless - Brigid Kemmerer

Too many secrets. Not enough time.

Nick Merrick is supposed to be the level-headed one. The peacemaker. Since it’s just him and his three hotheaded brothers against the world, that’s a survival tactic.

But now he’s got problems even his brothers can’t help him survive.

His so-called girlfriend, Quinn, is going quick as mercury from daring to crazy. Meanwhile, Quinn’s dancer friend Adam is throwing Nick off balance, forcing him to recognise a truth he’d rather shove back into the dark.

He can feel it—-the atmosphere is sizzling. Danger is on the way. But whatever happens next, Nick is starting to find out that sometimes nothing you do can keep the peace.

Elemental Series:
Elemental (Short Story)
Storm
Fearless (Short Story)
Spark
Breathless (Short Story)
Spirit
Secret (2014)
Sacrifice (2014

Visit Brigid Kemmerer's website for more information

Review:
I'm a huge fan of the Elemental series so when the chance came up to request Breathless on Netgalley I couldn't wait to start reading it. Nick has always been the quietest of the Merrick brothers, the one who keeps the peace but mainly hangs around in the background and the one who had made the least impression on me throughout the series so far. That's not to say I didn't like him - it's more that the others have so much presence that they kind of eclipse him. Well I can tell you now that Breathless gives Nick a chance to shine and my only disappointment was that this is just a short story, I wanted more of Nick and I can't wait to read his book!

It was so nice to get to know Nick a bit better, he tries so hard to always do what is best for everyone else - he looks out for his brothers and even for Quinn and he always puts everyone else's needs before his own. He tries to deny the way he really feels because he worries about how his brothers, and especially his twin Gabe, will react so he goes along with dating girls just because it is easier. He does genuinely care for Quinn but more like a brother than a boyfriend and the last thing he wants to do his hurt her but it reaches the point where he has to be honest with her. I absolutely loved the scenes between him and Adam and I have very high hopes for their future romance! I think Nick has a tough road ahead of him but I'm sure that is going to make the ending all the sweeter.

I did find myself feeling a little sorry for Quinn, her home life is horrific and Nick has been a lifeline for her that she desperately needs but I do think that both of their feelings towards each other are more friendship than love so I don't think she's going to get her heart broken. I do hope we'll get to see her find love at some point in the series though because she deserves to get a happy ending.

Any fan of the Elemental series won't want to miss this latest short story, it's just increased my excitement for Spirit which thankfully comes out next month so there isn't too much longer to wait. I just wish that was Nick's story rather than Hunter's, although, if I'm honest I'm sure Brigid Kemmerer will have me swooning over Hunter in no time!

Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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Kindle:

Review: Spark - Brigid Kemmerer

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.

Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

The fuse is lit…

Elemental Series:
Elemental (Short Story)
Storm
Fearless (Short Story)
Spark
Breathless (Short Story)
Spirit
Secret (2014)
Sacrifice (2014

Visit Brigid Kemmerer's website for more information

Review:
After really enjoying Storm and the short stories Elemental and Fearless I couldn't wait to start reading Spark. The Elementals series has really captured me and I'm happy to say that Spark was even better than Storm. This is a series I can't recommend highly enough but I do recommend reading the books in order though so if you haven't started it yet please bear in mind that this review will contain spoilers for the previous books.

I already liked Gabriel for his snarky humour but the more we get to know him the more we see how his bad boy attitude is a front to hide the guilt he feels over his parents deaths. Gabriel is a deeply troubled individual, he blames himself for the accident that tore his family apart, he feels inadequate when he compares himself to his perfect twin Nicolas and he is distanced from his older brother Michael who he resents for being the one to tell him what to do all the time. My heart broke for him as I watched how hard he tries to control his powers and how much he wants to do the right thing but how everyone is always quick to believe the worst of him. There are times when Gabriel is so lost and lonely that I wanted to climb into the book and comfort him! Gabriel is the kind of guy who uses his attitude to drive people away so when he is afraid that someone is getting too close his defences kick into high gear and the insults start flowing. It makes him hard to get close to but he is well worth the effort!

It's going to take a special kind of girl to break through Gabriel's tough outer shell and find the sweet and caring guy underneath but luckily Layne is up to the task. Layne has her own issues that she is dealing with and she is very wary of letting anyone get close to her but there is just something about Gabriel she finds hard to resist. Layne has had it tough with her family, her mother has to be one of the most useless and stuck up women I've ever come across and her dad has kind of fallen apart since she left them. Layne is the one who has been holding everything together for herself and her brother Simon but she is struggling to keep it all going. On a side note I just have to mention how much I adored Simon and I really admired his determination to prove everyone wrong about him, the bond that grows between him and Gabriel is so sweet and I loved seeing them spend time together. To get back to Layne and Gabriel I want to tell you how much I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop, this is no case of instant love, in fact they don't even really like each other in the beginning but as they get to know each other a real bond grows between them. There wasn't a single point where their relationship felt rushed or forced and I liked that their romance was given more page time than that of Chris and Becca's in Storm (not that I didn't enjoy Chris and Becca's story because I did but the romance was more of a sideline in the first book and in Spark it is front and centre).

One of the best things about this series has always been the relationship between the Merrick brothers and that is no exception in this story. As twins Gabriel and Nicholas have always been the closest of the four of them, they have been practically inseparable since they were small children and they tell each other everything. That starts to change in this book as Gabriel gets jealous when Nick starts doing things without him and a rift forms between them. It was hard to see them so distanced from each other but I was glad to see that they come out stronger on the other side of their argument. I think that their fall out did them good in the long run because it allowed them to find out things that they had both kept secret from each other in the past. My favourite thing was watching the way Gabriel and Michael started to understand each other better. Gabriel resents Michael for being the one in charge and hates that Michael spoils his fun by telling him what to do but he has finally started to grow up enough to see just how hard things must have been for Michael. It isn't easy for anyone to suddenly go from being a teenager who is looking at going to college to becoming the guardian of 3 younger boys who are traumatised by the deaths of their parents. Michael never really had time to grieve himself because he had to throw himself into the task of taking care of his brothers and it's about time they started to realise what he gave up in order to keep the family together.

Alongside the romance and the family drama we also get to learn a lot more about Gabriel's powers and watch some quite heroic behaviour on his part as he practices with Hunter. There is plenty of action since an arsonist is wreaking havoc and managing to successfully place the blame in Gabriel's direction but can they figure out who is behind it all before someone is seriously hurt? I think I've given you more than enough reasons to pick up a copy of Spark immediately, if you're a fan of the previous books then you're going to love this latest instalment and if you're new to the series then you really don't know what you're missing!

Source: Received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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