Review: No Mercy - Sherrilyn Kenyon

Shapeshifter Dev Peltier thought he knew it all. But one night when a Dark-Hunter, who is also an official member of the Dogs of War, sashays into his bar, he realises that he might have met his match.

Samia, aka Sam, was one of the fiercest Amazon warriors in her tribe. But an act of brutal betrayal made her a Dark-Hunter and she's been angry ever since. Live fast, fight hard and enjoy the night. That's her credo. But as old enemies and new move into New Orleans, she realises that Dev might just be the only hope she and mankind have to save the world.

The Dark-Hunters Series:
The Beginning (Short Story)
Fantasy Lover
Dragonswan (Novella) (Were-Hunter 0.5)
Night Pleasures
Night Embrace
Dance with the Devil
Kiss of the Night
Night Play (Were-Hunter 1)
Seize the Night
Sins of the Night
Unleash the Night (Were-Hunter 2)
Dark Side of the Moon (Were-Hunter 3)
The Dream-Hunter (Dream-Hunter 1)
Fear the Darkness (Short Story)
Devil May Cry
Upon the Midnight Clear (Dream-Hunter 2)
Dream Chaser (Dream-Hunter 3)
Acheron
One Silent Night
Dream Warrior (Dream-Hunter 4)
Bad Moon Rising (Hellchaser 1, Were-Hunter 4)
Dark-Hunter: An Insider's Guide (Hellchaser 2)
No Mercy (Were-Hunter 5)
Retribution
The Guardian (Dream-Hunter 5, Were-Hunter 6, Hellchaser 3)
Time Untime (Were-Hunter 7, Hellchaser 4)
Styxx
Dark Bites (Short Story Anthology)
Son of No One (Were-Hunter 8, Hellchaser 5)
Dragonbane (Were-Hunter 9, Hellchaser 6)
Dragonmark (2016)

Chronicles of Nick Series:
(This is a YA spin off from Sherrilyn Kenyon's adult Dark-Hunters series)
Infinity
Invincible
Infamous
Inferno
Illusion
Instinct
Invasion
Intensity

Visit Sherrilyn Kenyon's website for more information

Review:
Samia was an amazon warrior before she sold her soul to Artemis for an act of revenge and became a Dark-Hunter. Now she uses her fighting skills to protect humans from daimons and trying to keep the world in balance. She has been called to New Orleans by Acheron to help protect Nick and it's there that she meets shapeshifter Dev Peltier. Dev is the first person who is unaffected by Samia's magic which means he's the first person she's been able to touch without being inundated by his thoughts and feelings but the last thing she really needs in her life at the moment is romance, especially with a possessive bear who wants to claim her as his own.

My favourite Dark Hunter stories tend to be the ones set in New Orleans where we get to see all our favourite characters like Ash, Savitar and Nick so I had high hopes for No Mercy. I did really enjoy the romance between Sam and Dev and I live for the appearances from Ash but I'm starting to get really bored of the daimons and in my opinion this book spent far too much time with the likes of Stryker and Zephyra. Normally my hard and fast PNR rule is don't mess with the happily ever after of previous couples but I really can't stand those two and I hate having to spend time with them. They didn't manage to redeem themselves in their own book and to be honest their actions just get worse and worse every time we see them so I keep hoping that one of the Dark-Hunters is going to just put me out of my misery and kill them both. The daimons got a really hard deal thanks to Apollyon and I'd love to see them find a way to remove the curse BUT Stryker is so horrible that he's starting to make me lose any sympathy for the lot of them.

This book wasn't awful by any means but it definitely wasn't my favourite in the series. I'd have liked more focus on the main couple and less on the bad guys. I just hope that the Stryker storyline gets resolved soon because I don't want it to continue playing a part in every book in the series.

Source: Received from Piatkus in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Muse of Nightmares - Laini Taylor

Sarai has lived and breathed nightmares since she was six years old.
She believed she knew every horror, and was beyond surprise.
She was wrong.

In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo nor Sarai are who they were before. One a god, the other a ghost, they struggle to grasp the new boundaries of their selves as dark-minded Minya holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep.

Lazlo faces an unthinkable choice - save the woman he loves, or everyone else? - while Sarai feels more helpless than ever. But is she? Sometimes, only the direst need can teach us our own depths, and Sarai, the muse of nightmares, has not yet discovered what she's capable of.

As humans and godspawn reel in the aftermath of the citadel's near fall, a new foe shatters their fragile hopes, and the mysteries of the Mesarthim are resurrected: Where did the gods come from, and why? What was done with the thousands of children born in the citadel nursery? And most important of all, as forgotten doors are opened and new worlds revealed: must heroes always slay monsters, or is it possible to save them instead?

Love and hate, revenge and redemption, destruction and salvation all clash in this gorgeous sequel to the New York Times bestseller, Strange the Dreamer.

Strange the Dreamer Series:
Strange the Dreamer
The Muse of Nightmares

Visit Laini Taylor's website for more information

Review:
Strange the Dreamer was one of my favourite books of 2017 so it's no surprise that Muse of Nightmares has been at the top of my wish list ever since then. Sometimes having such high expectations of a story makes me nervous to actually start reading it but I never get that feeling of fear when I pick up a Laini Taylor novel because she has never disappointed me.

It's so hard to go into much detail about this book because really I think you're best going in blind and letting the story unfold as you read it. What I will say is that it took a completely different turn from the one I expected and yet somehow that still felt like exactly the right way for things to play out. This world is complex and the characters are so compelling that I really could have read it in one sitting if I wasn't so busy in the real world.

Strange the Dreamer was a book about good people who had done bad things, it was a story of regrets, hatred, the need for revenge and about two young people who were desperate to find a way forward that wouldn't end in all out war. Muse of Nightmares is about all of those things but also about hope, redemption and trying to right the wrongs you've done. It's about admitting your mistakes and understanding you could have done better but having to learn to find a way forward in spite of the pain you've both suffered and caused other people. You have to learn to forgive yourself and the enemies that can no longer hurt you if you want to build a future that isn't full of the same fear and destruction.

Honestly it's so hard to write reviews for books that are as special as this one. I don't have the words to adequately express how much I love this series or how happy this book made me. Laini Taylor's writing is nothing short of magical, I can't think of any other author who writes quite as beautifully as she does and her world building always blows my mind. But most of all it's her characters that I love, they're so multilayered and compelling that they feel like real people and even the ones you hate have redeeming qualities that make you want to see them turn their lives around.

Muse of Nightmares was the perfect follow up to Strange the Dreamer and this is now my all time favourite duology. Everything about it is perfect, I love the world, the action had me on the edge of my seat and the romance melted my heart. There were even a couple of Easter eggs for fans of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series and although you don't need to read those books to enjoy this one I would definitely recommend them all. I can't wait to see what Laini Taylor comes up with next, her books will always be auto-buys for me & my only wish is that she doesn't keep us waiting too long for the next adventure!

Source: Received from Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Courted by her Cougar - Felicity Heaton

Madness is sweeping through Cougar Creek, and Flint wants no part of it. The fever has two of his brothers in love already, and Flint is damned if he’s giving up the bachelor life to tie himself to one female, but when a perimeter sweep has him running into an exotic and enthralling beauty who rouses his instincts as a cougar shifter and a male, the hunt is on.

All Yasmin is interested in is making sure her friend, Ivy, is safe, but the alluring black-haired man with a wicked smile she meets on the path to the creek has her thinking about other things. When an incident at Cougar Creek leads to her revealing a secret, and Flint’s persistence pushes her to a rash decision, her entire world is in danger of being turned upside down.

With the gathering in full swing, and males determined to prove their worth to Yasmin, Flint discovers he’s not immune to the madness sweeping through the creek, because he’ll do whatever it takes to claim victory and win Yasmin’s heart… no matter how dangerous it is.

Cougar Creek Mates Series:
(Set in the same world as Vampire Erotic Theatre & Eternal Mates series but can be read completely separately)
Claimed by her Cougar
Captured by her Cougar
Courted by her Cougar
Craved by her Cougar

Vampire Erotic Theatre Series:
Covet
Crave
Seduce
Enslave
Bewitch
Unleash

Eternal Mates Series:
(This series is set in the same world as the Vampire Erotic Theatre series but can be read completely separately)
Kissed by a Dark Prince
Claimed by a Demon King
Tempted by a Rogue Prince
Hunted by a Jaguar
Craved by an Alpha
Bitten by a Hellcat
Taken by a Dragon
Marked by an Assassin
Possessed by a Dark Warrior
Awakened by a Demoness
Haunted by the King of Death
Tuned by a Tiger
Tamed by a Tiger
Treasured by a Tiger
Unchained by a Forbidden Love
Avenged by an Angel
Seduced by a Demon King

Black Ridge Bears Series:

(Set in the same world as Vampire Erotic Theatre, Eternal Mates & Cougar Creek Mates series but can be read completely separately)

Stolen by Her Bear

Visit Felicity Heaton's website for more information

Review:
Flint is the youngest of the cougar brothers and he's haunted by the fact that he was too young to fight when their pride was attacked and his parents were killed. He blames himself for not being able to help protect them so he throws his energy into protecting the pride during their gatherings with his brothers. He is bemused by the mating frenzy that seems to have taken over his brothers and determined not to get caught with a mate himself because he has no intention of settling down enough to risk his heart.

Yasmine has come to Cougar Creek searching for her best friend Ivy, she's very protective of her friend and wants to make sure she is happy and safe. The last thing Flint needs is another human around the place but Yasmine isn't as easy to get rid of as he expected and it turns out her medical knowledge could be helpful if she is willing to teach Ivy and the brothers more skills to look after their people. Of course keeping the fact that they are immortal cougar shifters hidden from another human isn't going to be easy but it turns out Yasmine has a few secrets of her own that she doesn't want exposed too.

Courted by her Cougar is the third book in this series but I think the stories all standalone if you're not up to date. I'm enjoying getting to know each of the brothers and I really liked both Flint and Yasmine but I have to confess I'm not a huge fan of the cougar culture that we saw in this book. Some of the males can be pretty brutal to each other when they're trying to prove themselves and claim a mate and I found that a bit off-putting even though it wasn't Flint or any of the main characters who were actually causing trouble. I loved that Yasmine wasn't what she seemed and that she stood up for what she believed in and wasn't going to let anyone tell her how to live her life. She seemed to understand Flint really well and I think they'll be good together.

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

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Review: Bad Moon Rising - Sherrilyn Kenyon

Fang Kattalakis isn't just a wolf. He is the brother of two of the most powerful members of the Omegrion: the ruling council that enforces the laws of the Were-Hunters. And when war erupts among the the lycanthropes, sides must be chosen. Enemies are forced into shaky alliances.

When Aimee, the woman Fang loves, is accused of betraying her people, her only hope is that Fang believes in her. Yet in order to save her, Fang must break the law of his people and the faith of his brothers. That breach could very well spell the end of both their races and change their world forever.

The war is on and time is running out . . .

The Dark-Hunters Series:
The Beginning (Short Story)
Fantasy Lover
Dragonswan (Novella) (Were-Hunter 0.5)
Night Pleasures
Night Embrace
Dance with the Devil
Kiss of the Night
Night Play (Were-Hunter 1)
Seize the Night
Sins of the Night
Unleash the Night (Were-Hunter 2)
Dark Side of the Moon (Were-Hunter 3)
The Dream-Hunter (Dream-Hunter 1)
Fear the Darkness (Short Story)
Devil May Cry
Upon the Midnight Clear (Dream-Hunter 2)
Dream Chaser (Dream-Hunter 3)
Acheron
One Silent Night
Dream Warrior (Dream-Hunter 4)
Bad Moon Rising (Hellchaser 1, Were-Hunter 4)
Dark-Hunter: An Insider's Guide (Hellchaser 2)
No Mercy (Were-Hunter 5)
Retribution
The Guardian (Dream-Hunter 5, Were-Hunter 6, Hellchaser 3)
Time Untime (Were-Hunter 7, Hellchaser 4)
Styxx
Dark Bites (Short Story Anthology)
Son of No One (Were-Hunter 8, Hellchaser 5)
Dragonbane (Were-Hunter 9, Hellchaser 6)
Dragonmark (2016)

Chronicles of Nick Series:
(This is a YA spin off from Sherrilyn Kenyon's adult Dark-Hunters series)
Infinity
Invincible
Infamous
Inferno
Illusion
Instinct
Invasion
Intensity

Visit Sherrilyn Kenyon's website for more information

Review:
I really enjoyed getting back to the roots of the Dark Hunters series with Fang and Aimee's story. We've seen a lot of both of them in previous books, and in fact, their story shows us some past events from their perspectives, so it was fun to be reminded of how things began. These two have been pining for each other for a long time now but their romance is totally forbidden because she's a bear and he's a wolf. Aimee's family (her mother in particular) is all about protecting their bloodlines and she would never accept having a wolf for a son-in-law.

It was heartbreaking for poor Aimee to have to put her desires on hold because she knew she'd never get her mother's approval, she was torn between loyalty to her family and her love for Fang. I'd actually forgotten how dislikable her mother can be and I found myself really angry at her here but I did enjoy the love between Aimee and her brothers and how protective they all are of each other.

Fang has a very complicated relationship with his brothers Vane and Fury and we get to see that change throughout this story. He's had a pretty hard life so it was nice to see him finally gain acceptance and find his place in their family all while finding love with Aimee too. We also get to see a whole bunch of other familiar faces which is one of my favourite things about this series. The cast is so huge now that it can be hard to remember who everyone is but I think Sherrilyn Kenyon does a pretty good job of reminding us about important details without bogging down the story.

Fang and Aimee make a very sweet couple and I really enjoyed their romance. As always with this series there are plenty of other plots going on at the same time but their relationship never suffered and it was spread out over such a long period of time that it definitely wasn't rushed. It was fun to be reminded of events from some of the early books but it made me realise how much I've already forgotten so I guess a reread will be in order at some point. First I need to catch up with the new releases though and happily I've got a long way to go before that happens!

Source: Received from Piatkus in exchange for an honest review

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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: Strange the Dreamer - Laini Taylor

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around - and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he's been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance to lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries - including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo's dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

Welcome to Weep

In this sweeping and breathtaking new novel by National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor, author of the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, the shadow of the past is as real as the ghosts who haunt the citadel of murdered gods. Fall into a mythical world of dread and wonder, moths and nightmares, love and carnage.

Strange the Dreamer Series:
Strange the Dreamer
The Muse of Nightmares

Visit Laini Taylor's website for more information

Review:
It's been a long wait for something new from Laini Taylor, I absolutely adored her writing in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series but if anything she's honed her skills even more and Strange the Dreamer was even more beautifully written. She always manages to completely captivate me with the worlds she creates and when I fall into one of her books I never want to come back out again.

Strange the Dreamer is the story of Lazlo, a young man who was orphaned as a baby and raised by monks before he discovered the magic of the great library and trained to become a librarian. Lazlo is in part a little like every book worm you'll ever meet, he's obsessed with stories and spends so much time with his head stuck in a book that real life often happens around him without him even noticing. Lazlo's biggest obsession is the mystery of Weep and he has dedicated his life to reading everything he can about the city that disappeared so long ago. It's been years since anyone was able to find Weep and nobody can even remember the city's real name but Lazlo longs for it to be discovered again and he would give anything to visit the place he has spent so long dreaming about. Lazlo is a dreamer but he's also smart, funny and very caring. He always tries to help people but never expects thanks for his hard work and is so grateful for every opportunity he is offered that he never takes anything for granted.

This is also the story of Sarai, a young woman who has been trapped in her home for years with only her siblings for company. I don't want to get into too much detail about where Sarai is or how she ended up trapped there but her path crosses Lazlo's in the most unusual manner and I absolutely loved spending time with them both and watching the beginnings of their romance. Sarai and her siblings have been through something horrific but thanks to her unique talent she is the one best placed to understand both sides of the story and she longs for peace and freedom. She's such a compassionate girl, one who has seen the worst people have to offer but who also has great capacity for forgiveness and who tries really hard to look at the good in people.

Once again Laini Taylor has created a world that you just want to dive into, there are so many beautiful and amazing things to discover but there are also dark secrets lurking underneath that will leave you reeling. Her characters are people you want to be friends with and even her villains are so complex that you can understand their actions even if you don't particularly agree with them. There is so much pain and fear between the two different groups in the story that it's going to take a miracle to pull them together but I have complete faith that if anyone can pull it off Lazlo Strange and the Muse of Nightmares can. Working together I think they can achieve anything.

Strange the Dreamer is definitely one of my favourite books of the year and there is no doubt in my mind that it is going to be appearing on a lot of "best of 2017" lists. The Muse of Nightmares is right at the top of my 2018 wish list but I know I'll be rereading this book while I wait for it to be released.

I just have to add that I think the UK cover is so gorgeous and after a little arm doodling I think it would make a pretty gorgeous tattoo too!

Source: Received from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Dream Warrior - Sherrilyn Kenyon

Cratus, the son of Warcraft and Hate, spent eternity battling for the ancient gods who birthed him. He was death to any who crossed him. Until the day he laid down his arms and walked into self-imposed exile. Now an ancient enemy has been unleashed and our dreams are his chosen battlefield. And the only hope we have is the one god who swears he will never fight again.

As a Dream-Hunter, Delphine has spent eternity protecting mankind from the predators who prey on our unconscious state. But now that her allies have been turned, she knows, in order to survive, the Dream-Hunters need another leader. Someone who can train them to fight their new enemies. Cratus is her only hope. But she is a bitter reminder of why he chose to lay down his arms. Time is running out and if she can't win him to her cause, mankind will be slaughtered and the world we know will soon cease to exist.

The Dark-Hunters Series:
The Beginning (Short Story)
Fantasy Lover
Dragonswan (Novella) (Were-Hunter 0.5)
Night Pleasures
Night Embrace
Dance with the Devil
Kiss of the Night
Night Play (Were-Hunter 1)
Seize the Night
Sins of the Night
Unleash the Night (Were-Hunter 2)
Dark Side of the Moon (Were-Hunter 3)
The Dream-Hunter (Dream-Hunter 1)
Fear the Darkness (Short Story)
Devil May Cry
Upon the Midnight Clear (Dream-Hunter 2)
Dream Chaser (Dream-Hunter 3)
Acheron
One Silent Night
Dream Warrior (Dream-Hunter 4)
Bad Moon Rising (Hellchaser 1, Were-Hunter 4)
Dark-Hunter: An Insider's Guide (Hellchaser 2)
No Mercy (Were-Hunter 5)
Retribution
The Guardian (Dream-Hunter 5, Were-Hunter 6, Hellchaser 3)
Time Untime (Were-Hunter 7, Hellchaser 4)
Styxx
Dark Bites (Short Story Anthology)
Son of No One (Were-Hunter 8, Hellchaser 5)
Dragonbane (Were-Hunter 9, Hellchaser 6)
Dragonmark (2016)

Chronicles of Nick Series:
(This is a YA spin off from Sherrilyn Kenyon's adult Dark-Hunters series)
Infinity
Invincible
Infamous
Inferno
Illusion
Instinct
Invasion
Intensity

Visit Sherrilyn Kenyon's website for more information

Review:
After being disappointed by One Silent Night it's taken a while before I felt the urge to pick up another book in the Dark-Hunters series and as much as I've loved some of the earlier books (and Acheron's story in particular!) I have to say I didn't have particularly high expectations for Dream Warrior since it's about characters I don't remember seeing before and therefore didn't feel invested in. I should have known better though because Sherrilyn Kenyon rarely steers me wrong and this book was everything I could have hoped for.

As the son of the gods of Warcraft and Hate Cratus never had an easy life. He spent centuries following Zeus's orders and carrying out punishments on his behalf but when he was asked to kill an innocent child he couldn't bring himself to go through with it. As punishment for refusing to commit murder Cratus was stripped of his godhood and sent into exile on the human realm. For hundreds of years Cratus has lived amongst the humans being tortured nightly by the Dolophoni, he has been kept in isolation and has spent all his time stewing in hatred and wishing for revenge. Now Zeus realises he needs Cratus's help against a mutual enemy who wishes to destroy the world so he sends Dream-Hunter Delphine to try and convince Cratus to put his hatred to one side and ally himself with the gods once more.

I don't want to talk more about the plot so I'll just say that Dream Warrior was a really fun and very easy read. I liked both of the main characters and although they fell in love quite quickly that didn't bother me in the slightest so I found it very easy to cheer them on towards their HEA. There was plenty of humour and action, we're introduced to some new evil characters who will potentially take the series in a new direction and we get cameo appearances from some of our favourite characters from previous books. This was a nice set up for a new story arc and I'm very interested to see where the series goes from here so it definitely won't take me as long to pick up the next book as it did to get to this one.

Source: Received from Piatkus 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

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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

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Review: Ecstasy Claimed - Setta Jay

Gregoire has spent centuries with his brother Guardians fighting for the safety and security of the Realms. Endless decades of battling mixed with bouts of mindless sex to sate his needs. Needs that haven’t truly been fulfilled since she was born. The one destined to be his bonded mate. For the last twenty five years Gregoire has kept his distance giving her time to grow into a female who is capable of handling his intense dominance.

Alyssa has done everything that was expected of her, until the day she finds out she has a mate who has left her unclaimed. Unheard of when mates are rare and coveted. Even worse is the fact that he is the most powerful of her race and a Guardian of the Realms. Furious at the rejection she decides she is now in charge of her life. No more will she allow others to rule her.

Against the backdrop of evil forces that are conspiring to topple the Realms, can Gregoire find his wayward mate before she is taken by corrupt Immortals? Can Alyssa forgive him and learn to exert her own female power while surrendering to his savage passion? And will the two of them be able to forge a mate bond that cannot be severed... or will they be forever cursed with an Ecstasy Unclaimed?

Warning: Dirty talking, possessive alpha male; scenes of sexual exhibition; an instance of f/f; spankings and more.

Guardians of the Realms:
Hidden Ecstasy (Short Story)
Ecstasy Unbound
Ecstasy Claimed
Denying Ecstasy
Tempting Ecstasy
Piercing Ecstasy
Blinding Ecstasy
Divine Ecstasy

Visit Setta Jay's website for more information

Review:
After really enjoying Hidden Ecstasy and Ecstasy Unbound I was excited to read Gregoire's story and had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately I didn't love it as much as I expected to, this series is all about the sexy alpha heroes which is normally a huge bonus for me but there is a BIG difference between a sexy alpha guy and an alpha asshat and I'm afraid Gregoire swung too far into the second territory for me to ever fall for him. He has known Alyssa is his mate since he first saw her as a baby (he's friends with her father) which is I have to admit is not something that I'm a particular fan of but I can deal with it because he waits until she is 25 years old before making a move on her because he wants to allow her to mature as a woman without his influence in her life. I still felt the age gap between them was just too huge though, we see huge gaps in paranormal romance all the time but Alyssa is just very young, naive and innocent compared to Gregoire and I found it difficult to believe that they would ever be on the same page emotionally.

I was never completely sold on them as a couple and there were moments I really wanted to slap Gregoire. What is it with guys who are happy to sleep around with thousands of women while they wait for their mate to come along but if she has even looked at another guy before they met they'll threaten to murder him? Seriously, that's just asshat behaviour and it's NOT sexy. It's also not sexy when a guy starts badmouthing the women he's slept with in the past, so it's okay for him to sleep around but the women he went to bed with were just trashy? Look in the mirror Gregoire, look in the mirror. I think you'll find there is only one asshat in that equation and let me give you a hint, it isn't a woman!! Want to know something else that isn't sexy? When a guy is so ridiculously possessive that he gets jealous when his girl talks to other women or even pets the dog (or in this case Hellhound!). FFS what is wrong with him? Yes, I get it's the whole "mating bond" turning him crazy but I don't care - I DON'T LIKE IT.

As much as I didn't love the main couple I could have dealt with their "romance" a little better if it hadn't been for the side story going on between Sam and Eric. Both of those characters were introduced in the previous book so I don't consider it a spoiler to mention the way we watched Sam get raped and tortured by multiple guys before the others were able to rescue her. Now I have to admit I mentioned in my review of Ecstasy Unbound that I was incredibly nervous about how their relationship would be handled, especially since Eric's mating bond had been triggered when he met her but Sam is trying to deal with the aftermath of such a horrific experience. I was hoping that Setta Jay would be able to handle things with sensitivity but no, this book actually had some of the most rage inducing scenes I've EVER had the displeasure of reading.

This time it isn't the hero that annoyed me, in fact Eric was incredibly caring and protective towards Sam and he went to great lengths to ensure he didn't frighten her or cause her any more trauma. What made me want to throw my kindle across the room was the way his family and the other guardians spoke to her. Sam was freed less than a week ago and after everything she has been through she would still be recovering physically let alone mentally, those kinds of memories aren't going to be cured overnight for sure. Yet people are constantly putting pressure on her to complete the bond with Eric because the "mating frenzy" is causing him pain and distress. Let's just get facts straight, whatever Eric is going through is NOTHING compared to what Sam has already suffered and he has no interest in completing the bond with her while she's still emotionally fragile. So much so that they have to sneak up on him and chain him to the bed to get him to go through with it! But poor Sam has people nagging at her constantly until she gives in and agrees to sleep with him, then we're inside her head listening to how dirty she feels and watching her cry while she does it and I'm supposed to find that sexy? Honestly those scenes made me want to vomit and I've never suffered a sexual trauma but I dread to think what this would be like for anyone who has been through anything similar to Sam.

I could rant on for hours about how much I hated that scene and the fact the way Sam and Eric's relationship was handled, especially since they're both such nice characters. Their relationship had so much potential to be a wonderful thing and I feel cheated that the author rushed their storyline and tried to brush all of Sam's trauma under the carpet. If their relationship had developed slowly over several books (or even a full book of their own) I could honestly have totally fallen in love with this couple but all that happened is I ended up hating most of the other characters for the way they treated the pair of them. The way this was handled, coupled with Gregoire's asshat behaviour, has just ruined the series for me and I'm not sure I'll ever want to continue reading it. I normally reserve my 1 star ratings for books that are so bad I couldn't even finish reading them but this one made me rage so much that I can't even bring myself to even give it 2 stars. It's such an incredible disappointment for a series that has so much potential to be destroyed so utterly by such careless handling of a rape victim.

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

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Review: One Silent Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon

It is the Christmas season and all hell's breaking loose. Literally. While humans are busy shopping, an angry demon lord is plotting an all-out onslaught against his enemies, which - unfortunately for us - includes the human race. But as Stryker gathers his forces, he discovers a grown daughter he never knew existed and an angry ex, Zephyra, who's as determined to end his existence as he is to end ours.

The ultimate predator is about to meet his match as new battle lines are drawn and the Dark-Hunters are rallied for a blood bath on Christmas Eve. The only question is this: can Stryker survive his oldest enemy to fight the ones he really wants to kill - or will Zephyra finally have her shot at the husband who abandoned her?

The Dark-Hunters Series:
The Beginning (Short Story)
Fantasy Lover
Dragonswan (Novella) (Were-Hunter 0.5)
Night Pleasures
Night Embrace
Dance with the Devil
Kiss of the Night
Night Play (Were-Hunter 1)
Seize the Night
Sins of the Night
Unleash the Night (Were-Hunter 2)
Dark Side of the Moon (Were-Hunter 3)
The Dream-Hunter (Dream-Hunter 1)
Fear the Darkness (Short Story)
Devil May Cry
Upon the Midnight Clear (Dream-Hunter 2)
Dream Chaser (Dream-Hunter 3)
Acheron
One Silent Night
Dream Warrior (Dream-Hunter 4)
Bad Moon Rising (Hellchaser 1, Were-Hunter 4)
Dark-Hunter: An Insider's Guide (Hellchaser 2)
No Mercy (Were-Hunter 5)
Retribution
The Guardian (Dream-Hunter 5, Were-Hunter 6, Hellchaser 3)
Time Untime (Were-Hunter 7, Hellchaser 4)
Styxx
Dark Bites (Short Story Anthology)
Son of No One (Were-Hunter 8, Hellchaser 5)
Dragonbane (Were-Hunter 9, Hellchaser 6)
Dragonmark (2016)

Chronicles of Nick Series:
(This is a YA spin off from Sherrilyn Kenyon's adult Dark-Hunters series)
Infinity
Invincible
Infamous
Inferno
Illusion
Instinct
Invasion (2016)
Intensity (2017)

Visit Sherrilyn Kenyon's website for more information

Review:
Let's face it Acheron is a hard act to follow so any hero that came next was going to have his work cut out. I wasn't convinced that Stryker was the best choice, considering all the horrible things we've seen him do throughout the series he was always going to be hard to sell as a hero for me, but I trust Sherrilyn Kenyon and I do adore a great redemption story so I was willing to give One Silent Night the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, no matter how much I wanted to love this story, it just completely failed to win me around.

Stryker in no way managed to redeem himself and he didn't even attempt to make amends for his previous actions. He doesn't seem to think he's done anything wrong and he's STILL plotting against Acheron and the other Dark-Hunters. Zephyra is just as bad and the two of them are determined to destroy all of humanity because of the actions of a few humans centuries ago. I get that the daimons have had a rubbish hand dealt to them but they're not the only people who have had their lives messed up by the gods. They aren't the only ones suffering from curses and we've all just read in great detail about how much crap Acheron has put up with over the centuries but you don't see him plotting mass genocide!

I just don't understand how I'm supposed to feel any sympathy for either of these characters, in fact the best thing I have to say about them is that they deserve each other. At least this way nobody else has to put up with either of them! These two just don't deserve to be happy, I'd rather see them locked up together in a dungeon somewhere to live a miserable eternity of constant fighting until one of them finally murders the other and puts us all out of our misery.

The only thing that makes this book worth reading are the scenes with Acheron or Nick, those two characters steal the show every time they step onto the page and there are some really interesting developments there that I'm glad I found out before continuing the series. That's the only thing stopping me from telling other fans to just skip this story entirely, I would suggest borrowing it from the library rather than paying good money for it though. There is absolutely NOTHING likeable about Stryker or Zephyra, I wasn't at all interested in seeing these two characters get a happy ending and I honestly won't care if they end up dying in later books which is something I never expected to say about any couple in this series. If I had to describe One Silent Night in just one word it would be disappointing and I feel terrible saying that because I normally adore Sherrilyn Kenyon's writing. I guess everyone is allowed a dud at some point though and considering how many books of hers I have absolutely loved I'm not going to let this put me off continuing with the series. I just hope we don't have the misfortune of spending any more time with these two characters in the future!

Source: Purchased

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