Review: Fated - Alyson Noel

Strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear from nowhere. Worried that Daire's having a breakdown, her mother sends her to stay with the grandmother she's never met, who lives on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico. There Daire crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes.

Her grandmother recognises Daire's episodes for what they are - a call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, a person who can navigate between the living and the dead. Guided by her grandmother, Daire must be quick to learn how to harness her powers, because Dace's brother is an evil shape-shifter out to steal them.

Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and discover whether Dace is the guy she's meant to be with . . . or if he's allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

The Soul-Seekers Series:
Fated
Echo (November 2012)
Mystic (2013)
Horizon (2013)

Visit Alyson Noel's website for more information

Review:
Daire has spent her life travelling the world with her mother who works as a make-up artist on various movie sets. She has never had somewhere to call home and has to start all over again every time they head off to a new destination. As she approaches her sixteenth birthday she starts suffering with strange visions and worries that she is losing her mind. When the doctors want to institutionalise her Daire's mother sends her to live with Paloma, the grandmother she has never met, as a last resort. Paloma may not have been in Daire's life as she was growing up but she claims to know why she is having these visions and promises to help her control them.

I have to confess that I've only read the first book in Alyson Noel's Immortals series, it is a series I want to continue but I just haven't had time to finish it yet. I couldn't resist Fated though - it sounded completely different to anything else I've been reading recently and I was intrigued by the idea of finding out more about Native American culture, shamans and spirit animals. I wasn't disappointed and Fated is a great start to this new series and it is one I'm looking forward to continuing.

When we are introduced to Daire she is living the high life in Morocco out on a date with the popular young heart throb from the movie her mother is working on. She seems just like any other sixteen year old until the terrifying visions start and she becomes hysterical. She has no explanation for the things that are happening to her which just makes it all the more frightening and she genuinely fears she is losing her mind. She never met her father's family, he died before she was born and her grandmother disappeared shortly after his death and hadn't been heard from since. When Paloma contacts her mother out of the blue Daire is horrified at the idea of going to live with a complete stranger in some small town in the middle of the desert. She resents her mother for sending her there but deep down she knows there is no other alternative unless she wants to be admitted to hospital.

As Daire gradually gets to know Paloma she finally realises what it is like to have a place that she can consider her home. She even starts to make some friends and gets to attend a proper school for the first time which is something she only ever dreamed of before. At first her grandmother's talk of spirit guides, magic and Soul Seekers just makes Daire raise her eyebrows and wonder if crazy runs in the family but she soon starts to realise that there is truth to what Paloma is saying. Daire starts to learn to control her abilities and as a reader you are taken on a fascinating journey with her into the spirit realm.

Fated moves at a good pace, the story is full of magic and mythology and there is the beginning of a promising romance that I'm looking forward to seeing more of. This is definitely a series I'm keen to continue and one I'd recommend to anyone looking for something a bit different in the YA paranormal genre. I can't wait to see what happens to Daire next!

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

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Review: Shadow Heir - Richelle Mead

The Otherworld, a mystic land inextricably linked to our own - and balanced precariously on one woman's desperate courage . . .

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld . . .

The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape-shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't - or won't - reveal. And as a formidable force rises to threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon - and risk the ultimate sacrifice . . .

Dark Swan Series:
Storm Born
Thorn Queen
Iron Crowned
Shadow Heir

Visit Richelle Mead's website for more information

Review:
Shadow Heir is the fourth and final book in the Dark Swan series so this review will contain spoilers for the previous three books - if you haven't started the series yet you probably want to stop reading now! I'm a massive fan of Richelle Mead, I love her Georgina Kincaid series and her Vampire Academy books make up one of my favourite YA series. I really liked the first couple of books in the Dark Swan series but felt disappointed with Eugenie in the last book, Iron Crowned, I was irritated by her refusal to accept her duties to the Thorn land and the way she let her people suffer because of that. I was also extremely annoyed with the way she kept running back and forth between Dorian and Kiyo! So I'll admit that I was nervous before I picked up Shadow Heir, particularly after reading the blurb and seeing a mention of a truce between her and Kiyo - he tried to kill her and their unborn children in the last book so I couldn't see how there could possibly be any kind of truce between them!

Shadow Heir picks up the story a few months after Iron Crowned ends, Eugenie is five months pregnant, Kiyo and Maiwenn are still determined that her son needs to die before he can fulfil the prophecy about him and Dorian is protecting her as he promised to do but Eugenie is unsure if she can completely trust him after his previous betrayal. I can't really go into any more detail than that without giving spoilers so I'll just say that I was surprised at a couple of places where Richelle Mead took the story.

Since the last book I haven't been Eugenie's biggest fan, I've found her actions to be selfish and I think she has made some incredibly stupid decisions. I'm sad to say that this continued to be the trend in this book. Although I could understand why she made some of the choices she did because she was trying to protect her children I felt that she didn't think things through properly. She could have saved herself a lot of trouble if she had just trusted Dorian but then again he has done some pretty horrible things in the past so I was never particularly his biggest fan either. He did grow on me a lot in this book though and I think he is now my favourite character in the series. I don't think Eugenie deserves him though, especially after her actions at the end of the book (I can't say more because I don't want to give spoilers but I'm sure anyone who has read the book will know what I mean).

I spent most of the book wanting to punch Kiyo and was really surprised that Eugenie didn't take more of a stand against him and Maiwenn. His actions were despicable in the last book and he made no attempt to apologise in this one. I'm annoyed that he never really got what he deserved and I couldn't understand why he continued to support Maiwenn even after the things he admitted near the end of the book. The plot was quite slow moving during the first half of the book during the final months of Eugenie's pregnancy. I did enjoy reading about her reactions to the babies when they were born but that just made her actions after that point even harder to understand. There were two major twists that should have shocked the heck out of me but unfortunately I'd figured them both out in advance so they didn't have the expected wow factor.

Overall I find myself extremely disappointed with the way this series ended, if this hadn't been the last book or if we knew a spin off series was planned then I think I'd have felt more forgiving but we are left with so many questions and I just didn't find Eugenie's actions even slightly believable. I still love Richelle Mead as an author and will look forward to trying her next adult series but in all honesty I don't think I could recommend this series when it ended on such a low note. I would happily recommend her Georgina Kincaid series though or her Vampire Academy books for YA fans.

Source: Library

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Review: Iron Crowned - Richelle Mead

An embattled realm mystically entwined with her own, the Otherworld is at the mercy of one woman . . .

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm.  But as the Thorn Land's queen, she's fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom.  Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful fear . . .

But who can she trust to help her?  Fairy king Dorian has his own agenda.  And Kiyo, her shape-shifter ex-boyfriend, has every reason to betray her.  To control the Crown's all-consuming powers, Eugenie must confront an unimaginable temptation - one which puts her soul and the fate of two worlds in mortal danger . . .

Dark Swan Series:
Storm Born
Thorn Queen
Iron Crowned
Shadow Heir

Visit Richelle Mead's website for more information

Review:
I really enjoyed the first two installments of the Dark Swan series but I found myself getting really frustrated as I was reading Iron Crowned.  Eugenie makes some seriously bad decisions and there were times I was about ready to strangle her!  I'm getting really annoyed that she refuses to accept her role as queen of the Thorn Land, her people are suffering because she won't step up to her responsibilities and it's about time she grew up and did the right thing.

I've also had enough of the love triangle and starting to wonder just how many times Eugenie will jump back and forth between Dorian and Kiyo.  Dorian behaves badly in Iron Crowned and while I don't blame her for being angry I didn't like the fact that she goes running straight back to Kiyo before even talking to him to get his side of the story.  I've gone from really loving Kiyo in the first book to completely despising him now, his actions in Iron Crowned made me want to punch him!  I don't think Dorian is much better though so at the moment I'm not routing for either one of them.  I'd rather see Eugenie on her own and learning to become a decent queen.

I am curious to see if Eugenie can redeem herself in the next installment though and although I saw the twist at the end coming it should make things interesting as the series progresses.  Unfortunately this wasn't my favourite book in the series but I'm hoping things will improve again from here onwards.

Source: Library

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Review: Silent Storm - Vivian Arend

In the months they’ve traveled together, Laurin Marshall and Matt Jentry’s attraction has grown beyond spectacular sexual passion to into a deeper emotional connection. Still, Laurin wrestles with one last question: how a water shifter and an air shifter can possibly find permanent common ground.

Matt is content to wait patiently for Laurin to realize he has no desire to change her sky-borne nature. Until a giant golden eagle touches down on the Stormchild and tips the delicate balance of more than just the boat.

Laurin’s obvious affection for the newcomer comes as a shock. And so does the flash of jealousy that interferes with his shamanic ability to heal the man’s malady. While Matt struggles to balance his conflicted responsibilities, Laurin attempts to reconcile her undeniable feelings for one of her kind with her desire for Matt.

Somewhere between the ocean depths and the mountaintops, they need to find a love strong enough to call
them both home to the Stormchild.

Warning: Familiar lovers (hot) with old rivals (hotter) and a wild curse-melting ménage (hottest yet). Get ready for one exotic paranormal that will make you look to the skies and sea with longing.

Pacific Passion Series:
Stormchild
Stormy Seduction
Silent Storm

Visit Vivian Arend's website for more information

Review:
Matt & Laurin's relationship is going from strength to strength and they both have strong feelings for each other but Laurin is holding something back.  As much as she has come to care for Matt she is worried about the differences between them and feels a responsibility towards her own people.  When an old friend turns up looking for Laurin's help they are both torn.  Matt knows as shaman it is his duty to help break the curse placed on Kellan but his jealousy threatens to get in the way.  Laurin is attracted to Kallen but feels like she is betraying Matt but how can she leave her friend to his fate?  Can they find a way to resolve things that won't put their relationship at risk.

Silent Storm is the last story in the Pacific Passion series but probably the hottest one yet.  I'll admit I've not read a lot of menage stories and I was a bit worried about the effect that it would have on Matt and Laurin's relationship but it managed to show them both how much they really loved each other.  I enjoyed the way both characters have different inner struggles going on but are able to work through their issues together and become a stronger couple because of it.  Kallen was an interesting addition to the series and I would quite like to read a spin off series telling his story.  He came to Laurin and Matt because he knew they were the only ones who could help him but he didn't want to pressure either of them and I respected him for that. 

I would recommend reading this series in order but erotic paranormal romance fans should definitely give it a try, they are short, very steamy reads that are sure to get your pulse racing!  Although the story is rounded off nicely I feel that there is definitely scope for Vivian Arend to re-visit this couple in the future and I'll be first in the queue to buy the next book if she does decide to write one.

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

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Review: Stormy Seduction - Vivian Arend

As morning-afters go, this one is looking pretty bright. Both air shifter Laurin Marshal and water shifter/shaman Matthew Jentry are aware, though, that trouble won’t be long in coming. And they’re right—before they’ve barely begun to work out the details of their mystical bond, the People of the Air find them to challenge Laurin’s right to choose Matt as her mate.

Fending off Laurin’s would-be suitors is easier than Matt anticipated, but there’s another dilemma still to face. His own people. Laurin is just beginning to trust that his heart and body are completely hers, a radical change after she’s spent the past two years alone and on the run. What will happen when his skittish, innocent partner encounters the playful, sensual—even lusty—ways of the Otter Clan?

Especially since they are arriving at the peak of the traditional summer solstice fertility rituals. And tradition demands they be the main attraction…

Incoming extreme passion yielding one otherworldly adventure. Don’t let the book length fool you—there’s enough heat in this story to challenge global warming. Four plus two equals one ceremony so explosive it may throw the earth off its axis.

Pacific Passion Series:
Stormchild
Stormy Seduction
Silent Storm

Visit Vivian Arend's website for more information

Review:
With water shifter Matt and air shifter Laurin alone on a secluded island after a nasty storm they should be looking forward to a lazy day in paradise but Laurin knows they'll have company soon.  Laurin's abilities to increase the power of her mate mean that she has been pursued by air shifters from all of the other clans for as long as she can remember.  She has been in hiding for 2 years but now her secret is out it is only a matter of time before they track her down and start making claims.  Matt is determined to prove that he can protect her and it's a good job he is ready for a fight. 

Stormy Seduction picks up the story immediately after the ending of Stormchild and I would recommend reading the stories in order or you'll miss out.  This series is a trilogy of 3 novellas but I would suggest reading them together and treating it like a full length novel as each one will leave you wanting more.  I mentioned in my review of the first novella how much I liked Matt and that hasn't changed.  It was nice to see a character who was willing to admit his feelings so quickly, is prepared to protect his partner but doesn't want to force her into anything she is uncomfortable with.  He is happy to let her accept their relationship in her own time and is willing to take things slowly if that's what Laurin wants. 

Matt and Laurin definitely have chemistry and if you're looking for a hot, erotic, paranormal read then this is definitely a series you'll want to check out.  When Laurin's next teaching assignment takes her to the otter clan Matt's skills as a shaman are also required for their summer fertility ritual.  The otter clan are highly sexed and very uninhibited so as you can imagine the fertility ritual is quite a public display.  I will warn you that the story contains a menage scene, voyeurism and exhibitionism but it is very well written and will leave you fanning yourself as you read.  Although I would have loved to have seen some of the scenes fleshed out a little more I'm still really enjoying the series and looking forward to reading the final installment.

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

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Review: Stormchild - Vivian Arend

As the new traveling doctor for the Pacific Inside Passage settlements, Matthew Jentry balances dual roles for his water-shifter people—caring for their health as a human-trained physician, and for their spiritual needs as a shaman.

Distractions of the female kind are not on his agenda, but his magical bloodline makes him a target for every marriage-minded woman within range. There’s something about the mysterious Laurin Marshall, though, that he finds far too enticing. It’s just as well that it’s time for him to move on.

Laurin thought she had perfected her guise as a mild-mannered teacher, but the sexual fireworks she and Matt touch off are threatening to blow her cover out of the water. Luckily it’s time for her to catch the boat to her next assignment.

When she discovers she’ll be sailing with Matt, she realizes there’s only one thing more dangerous than their unforgettable one-night stand—being trapped with him on a boat that gives “riding out the storm” a whole new meaning . . .

Warning: Contains strong sexual currents and powerful waves of desire that break down inhibitions. Recommended only for those able to navigate through extremely steamy situations, on land and at sea

Pacific Passion Series:
Stormchild
Stormy Seduction
Silent Storm

Visit Vivian Arend's website for more information

Review:
As a doctor and a shamen Matt travels around the various settlements of The People of the Sea offering both physical and spiritual healing where it is needed.  He is sick of having women throw themselves at him in the hope of conceiving a child with his powers and although he longs for a family he is determined to remain celebate until the right woman comes along.  Everything changes when he first sees Laurin though and he is immediately drawn to the mysterious stranger.  Laurin is a travelling teacher who has a secret that she is determined to keep at any cost and keeps herself to herself as much as possible but she can't resist Matt.  Luckily for her she knows that she is leaving the following morning and despite the passionate night they have shared she is relieved to be able to make her escape before he can find out too much about her.  Little does she know that Matt is the person who will be escorting her to her next teaching position and when their boat is caught in a storm they are in for another steamy encounter.

I love Vivian Arend's Granite Lake Wolves series so jumped at the chance of reading Stormchild and I wasn't disappointed.  As a novella the story is short but it is incredibly steamy and Matt may just have wormed his way into my heart.  I would have liked more information about the different types of shapeshifters but as this is the first story in a trilogy about Matt and Laurin I'm confident that we will find out more as the series progresses.  I'm intrigued by the different types of water shifters and am also curious to see what happens when Laurin's family discover where she has been hiding.

Stormchild is a great hot & steamy erotic short and I'll be reading the next 2 books immediately.  If you're looking for something quick that can be fitted in when you don't have much reading time this will be perfect but I'll warn you now you might want to buy the next book (Stormy Seduction) at the same time as you'll be left wanting more!  I'm looking forward to spending more time with Matt & Laurin and it will be interesting to see what happens now Laurin's secret has been revealed!

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

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Review: Demon Hunts - C.E. Murphy

Seattle police detective Joanne Walker started the year out mostly dead, and she's ending it trying not to be consumed by evil. Literally.

She's proven she can handle the gods and the walking dead. But a cannibalistic serial killer? That's more than even she bargained for. What's worse, the brutal demon leaves no tracks. So, if Joanne is to stop its campaign of terror, she'll have to hunt it where it lives: the Lower World, a shamanistic plane of magic and spirits. Trouble is, Joanne's skills are no match for the dangers she's about to face-and her on-the-job training could prove fatal to the people she's sworn to protect....


Walker Papers Series:
Urban Shaman
Thunderbird Falls
Coyote Dreams
Walking Dead
Demon Hunts
Spirit Dances (2011)

Visit C.E. Murphy's website for more information

Review:
Joanne Walker is a police officer but she is also a shaman and along with her partner Billy Holiday she investigates crimes that involve the supernatural.  Joanne isn't an expert Shaman though, she is new to her powers and is definitely having to learn on the job.  This time they are up against a serial killer who is eating part of their victims but leaving absolutely no evidence behind to give the police a clue to their identity.  Can Joanne track down the killer using her magical abilities before he claims any more victims?

Before I start this review I have a confession to make - when I started Demon Hunts I didn't realise it was book 5 in a series (which is very unlike me as I'm quite obsessive about reading series in order!) so I did find myself getting a little confused in places as I wasn't sure of the back story.  I still really enjoyed the book and am now planning on reading the other books but I have a feeling that I've probably picked up on some major spoilers for previous stories so I would strongly recommend reading this series in order.  Although this review won't include spoilers for Demon Hunts I can't guarantee it won't include spoilers for previous stories so you might want to skip reading if you're not up to date with the series.  If you're an urban fantasy fan and like an action packed story with a strong female heroine then I'd definitely recommend you give the first book Urban Shaman a try though.

I really do wish I'd read this series in the correct order, I have a feeling that Joanne has done a lot of growing to get to where she is today and I'd like to have seen that happening (I'm going to be checking that by reading the earlier books but am going to leave it a few months so that I can hopefully forget any spoilers I picked up by reading this one).  I thought she was a great main character, she is obviously still learning about her abilities and it appears that she has struggled to come to terms with the new supernatural world that she has found herself in but she is doing a great job of it.  Joanne was a very realistic character and I enjoyed listening to her voice as she tells the story.

There are also a lot of interesting side characters who I'm looking forward to getting to know more about.  Billy added a lot of comedy to the story and I enjoyed watching him & Joanne work together but it was also nice to see him with his wife and family too.  One of my favorite characters was Coyote, he seems to hold his cards quite close to his chest but I'm hoping to see more of him and find out some of his secrets in future books.  Gary and Morrison were both interesting characters and ones I'd have liked to have seen more of but I get the feeling that they've both played major roles in previous stories.  C.E. Murphy has created a detailed world but I felt like I was missing out on some important information by picking up the series so late in.  I'm looking forward to investigating the world more fully in the future and think I'm going to become a big fan of this series by the time I've caught up.

Source: Received for review from publisher via NetGalley

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Review: Stolen - Kelley Armstrong

Elena Michaels is a wanted woman.  She hasn't done anything wrong.  Well, not recently, anyway.  But ten years ago her lover turned her into a werewolf: the only female werewolf in the world, in fact.

And now, just as she's finally coming to terms with it all, a group of scientists learns of her existence.  They're hunting her down, and Elena is about to run straight into their trap.  But they haven't reckoned on Elena's adoptive family, her Pack, who will stop at nothing to get her back.  They haven't reckoned on Elena herself, either, and that's a very big mistake...

Otherworld Series:
Bitten
Stolen
Dime Store Magic
Industrial Magic
Haunted
Broken
No Humans Involved
Personal Demon
Living with the Dead
Frostbitten
Waking the Witch
Spellbound

For more information visit Kelley Armstrong's website

Review:
When Elena is sent to investigate someone who is selling information on the existence of werewolves she gets a lot more than she bargained for.  She meets Paige and her aunt Ruth who not only know more than they should about werewolves but who also claim to be witches.  Elena is sceptical to start with but when they start talking about sorcerers, demons and vampires she really knows they are crazy.  When Paige and Ruth tell Elena that the supernatural community is in danger she doesn't know what to think.  People have been disappearing and it seems they are being held prisoner but no one has been able to discover why.

When Elena becomes the next kidnapping victim she finds herself in a whole heap of trouble.  But her captors didn't take Elena's determination into account.  She will do whatever it takes to make her escape and her Pack are equally determined to help her.

In Stolen, the second book in the Otherworld series, we get to re-visit Elena, Clay and Jeremy but we are also introduced to a whole host of new characters and species which made this a really interesting read.  Although we didn't see as much of Clay and Jeremy as I'd have liked (I love both characters from the first book Bitten) this was understandable due to the circumstances.  I wasn't sure at first if I was going to like Paige but by the end of the book she had really grown on me and I'm looking forward to reading the next two books that are written from her point of view.  I also liked new character Adam and I'm hopeful that he will be making appearances in future books.

Kelley Armstrong did a fantastic job of raising the tension levels when Elena was held captive, I was completely absorbed in the story and couldn't put the book down.  There were a lot of great twists that I wasn't expecting and the action had me on the edge of my seat.  Although this book is quite different from Bitten I think overall I enjoyed it even more.  I would recommend reading them in order to get the most enjoyment from the story and I'm sure if you liked Bitten you will love Stolen.

Source: Christmas Present

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Review: Thorn Queen - Richelle Mead

Eugenie Markham is a shamen for hire.  She's paid to bind and banish creatures from the Other world...

But something happened after her last battle.  She became the queen of the Thorn Land.  That said, with her kingdom in tatters, her love life in chaos and Eugenie eager to avoid the prophecy about her firstborn destroying mankind, the job's really not all it's cracked up to be.

Now young girls are disappearing from the Otherworld and no-one seems willing to find out why.  Or put a stop to it.  Not that Eugenie's fazed by spilling fey blood, but this enemy is shrewd, subtle and dangerous - and nursing a very personal grudge.

Eugenie must venture deep into the Otherworld and trust in a power she can barely control.  She may be a reluctant queen but she's vowed to do her duty, even if that means facing the darkest - and deadliest - side of her own nature...

Dark Swan Series:
Storm Born
Thorn Queen
Iron Crowned
Shadow Heir

Visit Richelle Mead's website for more information

Review:
This is the second book in Richelle Mead's Dark Swan series & although I won't give spoilers for this book in my review it is almost impossible not to give spoilers for the first book Storm Born.  If you are new to the series I highly recommend you don't read any further with this review - instead check my review of Storm Born.

I really enjoyed Storm Born so was excited about reading this book but Thorn Queen surpassed my expectations and was even better.  Life hasn't been easy for Eugenie recently - at the end of Storm Born she became a reluctant Queen of the Otherworld kingdom Thorn Land.  The land changed to reflect Eugenie's favorite place and is now a desert kingdom that her subjects have no idea how to survive in.  Her people are starving and she feels duty bound to help them.  On top of that young girls are disappearing, possibly being taken by a group of bandits who are causing trouble in some of Eugenie's villages.

Kiyo is spending more and more time with his very pregnant ex-girlfriend which is something Eugenie finds very hard to deal with.  She loves him and is happy for him but is also jealous that he is going to have a lifetime bond with Maiwenn and their child.  In Kiyo's absense it is Dorian who is there to help her with the problems her kingdom faces and she finds it hard to fight her growing attraction for him.

I know you can always expect plenty of action from a Richelle Mead novel but this book had twists and turns galore & was full of the unexpected.  Eugenie finds herself in a very vulnerable situation which I think Richelle handled excellently.  I didn't see that coming but I think it is going to lead to an important change to Eugenie's character.  This book was a lot darker than the Storm Born but it kept me gripped & I can't wait to read the next installment.  The only disappointment is that we've got to wait until 2011 for Iron Crowned.

Source: Library

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Review: Storm Born - Richelle Mead

Just typical.  No love life to speak of for months, then all at once, every horny creature in the Otherworld wants to get into your pants...

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

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

Dark Swan Series:
Storm Born
Thorn Queen
Iron Crowned
Shadow Heir

Visit Richelle Mead's website for more information

Review:
I'm already a big fan of Richelle Mead's succubus series so I was really looking forward to reading Storm Born and I wasn't disappointed. I loved Eugenie's character and the world that Richelle has created for her. Eugenie is a shamen, she was trained by her step-father to banish creatures from the Otherworld who have crossed over to the mortal realm and is very good at her job.

Everything starts to change when she is employed to find Jasmine, a  teenaged girl who was abducted by the Gentry (this is what Eugenie calls the Fey / Fairies) and taken to the Otherworld. Jasmine was abducted over a year ago and to find her Eugenie will have to physically cross into the Otherworld, something that she hasn't really done before because it is so dangerous. Unable to leave Jasmine to her fate Eugenie calls for assistance from her spirit minions - Volusian, Nandi and Finn - to help her on the journey. She is going to need more help than they can give her though and is forced to request assistance from Dorian, a fairy king.

Then there is Kiyo, a gorgeous guy she met at a bar, who is definitely more than what he seems. She is attracted to both Kiyo and Dorian but afraid of her feelings as neither of them are fully human. It is hard for her to reconcile her attraction to them with the fact that she belives that people from the Otherworld are all evil.

As I've come to expect from books by Richelle Mead this book had a fast paced story line and very strong characters. There is also a lot of humor which I enjoyed and the supporting characters are great. The book ends well although there are still a lot of unanswered questions and I'm really looking forward to finding out what happens next.  I'd thoroughly recommend this book to fans of Richelle Mead but also to anyone who enjoys reading urban fantasy.

Source: Library

Other Reviews:
Tynga's Reviews
Escape Between The Pages
Chrissie's Corner
I'd So Rather Be Reading
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