Review: Night of the Dragon - Julie Kagawa

Evil and hope clash and burn in the epic and shocking conclusion to the Shadow of the Fox trilogy.

All is lost.

Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has given up the final piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, in order to save everyone she loves from imminent death. Now she and her ragtag band of companions must journey to the wild sea cliffs of Iwagoto in a desperate last-chance effort to stop the Master of Demons from calling upon the Great Kami dragon and making the wish that will plunge the empire into destruction and darkness.

But even with their combined skills and powers, this most unlikely team of heroes knows the forces of Evil may be impossible to overcome. And there is another player in the battle for the scroll, a player who has been watching, waiting for the right moment to pull strings that no one even realised existed...until now.

Shadow of the Fox series:
Shadow of the Fox
Soul of the Sword
Night of the Dragon

Visit Julie Kagawa's website for more information.

Review:
I've been a fan of Julie Kagawa's writing for years but I honestly think that the Shadow of the Fox series is her best one yet. I've been caught up in this world from the beginning and I'm really sad that it's now time to say goodbye.

It's so hard to review the final book in a trilogy because I want to encourage everyone who hasn't started this series yet to dive straight in but I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to give away spoilers. What I've loved most about these books has been the fantastic Japanese mythology and all of the wonderful yokai & kami creatures that Julie Kagawa has introduced us to along the way. Our band of characters has been through so much since the first book but it all comes to a head in Night of the Dragon and they're facing more danger than ever before.

I'm not going to lie and tell you this is an easy end to their journey, this book prefers to grab you by the throat while it slowly rips your heart out, but what I will say is that I loved every minute of it. There are definitely heartbreaking moments in this book but there are also really sweet and heartwarming ones to balance that out and it was definitely a fitting end to a much loved series.

Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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

Paperback / Kindle

Review: Of Flame and Fury - Cecy Robson

Taran Wird, the loudmouth mistress of flame and lightning, didn’t want to attend the formal gathering of the supernatural elite. She did so only to help to unite the supreme beings in attendance in one common goal: protecting Taran’s sister, Celia.

Celia is pregnant with alpha werewolf Aric Connor’s child, the same child prophesized to save the world from uprising evil. Evil wants this child dead before he is born and, more importantly, before he can grow strong enough to stop it.

Taran and her werewolf lover, Gemini, put plans in place to protect Celia. Master Vampire Misha Aleksandr and his clan also swear their allegiance to Celia and vow to keep her from harm. The witches even cast protection spells around the manor to curse anyone with malintent who enters. Nothing was supposed to go wrong, except everything did.

Creatures that shouldn’t exist stalk the grounds and invade the premises, and every curse meant to shield the guests turns against them. No one counted on the powerful being who arrived uninvited. But he’s here, manipulating the magic enclosing the estate to work in his favor.

As body counts rise and allies become enemies, chances are Celia won’t survive the night. But evil never counted on how hard Taran Wird would fight, even at the expense of her life.

Weird Girls Series:
Gone Hunting
A Curse Awakened (Novella)
The Weird Girls (Novella)
Sealed with a Curse
A Cursed Embrace
A Cursed Moon (Novella)
Cursed by Destiny
A Cursed Bloodline
A Curse Unbroken
Of Flame and Promise
Of Flame and Light
Of Flame and Fate
Of Flame and Fury

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
With Celia heavily pregnant with the child that is supposed to save the world the whole supernatural community, from the Pack to the vampires and even the witches, have come together to keep her safe. Their enemies are converging though and they are equally determined to kill Celia before the child is born. This battle will be the fiercest one yet and Taran will do anything to protect her sister, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.

Of Flame and Fury is the final book of the Weird Girls series told from Taryn's point of view but I don't believe it will be the last book in the series. I'm not sure which sister will be up next but I'm already looking forward to continuing the adventures! This book was pretty much non stop action from beginning to end, their enemies are out in force and its going to take everyone working together if they want to save Celia. Taran has to make some difficult decisions but alongside Gemini, Aric, Shayna and Emme they will never give up.

While I loved the battle scenes in this book I have to admit I would have liked some more quieter moments where we just got to spend time with the characters we know and love. There was less humour in this book because there was so much danger and I missed that a little here. It was still a fab instalment though and I'm more eager than ever to get to Emme and Shayna's stories so I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next one!

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

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

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Thunderbird Book and 3D Wood Model

The magical world of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them comes to life with this exciting IncrediBuilds deluxe book and model set, featuring a collectible 3D wood model of the Thunderbird! The accompanying 32-page hardcover book is packed with information on this intriguing creature--including a ton of behind-the-scenes facts and trivia--and features unique illustrations and stunning unit photography. The wood model is easy to assemble and snaps together to form a dynamic, displayable 3D Thunderbird that fans will love showing off to their friends!

Harry Potter Series:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: 20th Anniversary House Editions
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Illustrated Edition (Illustrated by Jim Kay)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Play Script written with John Tiffany & Jack Thorne)

Pottermore Presents:
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Short Story Collection)
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists (Short Story Collection)
Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide (Short Story Collection)

Incredibuilds:
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Erumpent (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Niffler (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Swooping Evil (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Thunderbird (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Aragog (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Buckbeak (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Hedwig (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Express (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: House-Elves (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Quidditch (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Sorting Hat (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
IncrediBuilds: Harry Potter: Stag Patronus (Deluxe Book and Model Set)
Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Thestral (Deluxe Book and Model Set)

Other Harry Potter Books & Products:
Funko Pop 2019 Harry Potter Advent Calendar
Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts - Matthew Reinhart
Harry Potter - Creatures: A Paper Scene Book
Harry Potter Hedwig Owl Kit and Sticker Book (Model & Sticker Book)
Harry Potter: Magical Film Projections: Patronus Charm (Activity Book)
Harry Potter Talking Sorting Hat and Sticker Book: Which House Are You? (Model & Sticker Book)
Harry Potter: The Character Vault - Jody Revenson
Harry Potter: The Marauder's Map Guide to Hogwarts - Erinn Pascal (Activity Book)
Harry Potter: Winter at Hogwarts: A Magical Colouring Set (Colouring Book, Gift Tags & a build your own 3D Firebolt in a Keepsake Box)
J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World: Magical Film Projections: Creatures (Activity Book)
Metal Earth: Harry Potter Gringotts Dragon (3D Puzzle)
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter: The Official Guide

Visit J.K. Rowling's website or the Pottermore website for more information

Review:
Another Incredibuilds model added to my Harry Potter collection and it's another one I'm really happy with. These models don't take long to put together and as long as you're careful removing the pieces from the board and putting them together they hold in place perfectly without the use of any glue. You can add paint if you like but I'm happy enough with the wooden models as they are and think they make a great addition to my bookshelves.

All models come with a small booklet full of fun facts about the particular creature and how it was brought to life for the movies but don't expect to do much reading with these kits, they're much more about the model than anything else.

Source: Purchased

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

Review: Vendetta in Death - J.D. Robb

When a family man is tortured, killed and left in front of his home for all the world to see, Eve Dallas knows she is on the hunt for a particularly dangerous killer. But death uncovers secrets and the killer leaves a note revealing the victim to be far from the family man he appears.

As Eve works to link victim and killer, another body is found. Another man with a dark and murky past.

The race is on before the killer strikes again but Eve must wrestle with her demons and her conscience as she decides whether she really wants to protect men who may just deserve everything they get...

In Death Series:
Naked in Death
Glory in Death
Immortal in Death
Rapture in Death
Ceremony in Death
Vengeance in Death
Holiday in Death
Midnight in Death (Novella)
Conspiracy in Death
Loyalty in Death
Witness in Death
Judgement in Death
Betrayal in Death
Interlude in Death (Novella)
Seduction in Death
Reunion in Death
Purity in Death
Portrait in Death
Imitation in Death
Big Jack (Available in the Remember When Anthology or separately)
Divided in Death
Visions in Death
Survivor in Death
Origin in Death
Memory in Death
Haunted in Death (Novella)
Born in Death
Innocent in Death
Creation in Death
Eternity in Death (Novella)
Strangers in Death
Salvation in Death
Ritual in Death (Novella)
Promises in Death
Kindred in Death
Missing in Death (Novella)
Fantasy in Death
Indulgence in Death
Possession in Death (Novella)
Treachery in Death
New York to Dallas
Chaos in Death (Novella)
Celebrity in Death
Delusion in Death
Calculated in Death
Thankless in Death
Taken in Death (Novella available in the Mirror, Mirror anthology or separately)
Concealed in Death
Festive in Death
Obsession in Death
Devoted in Death
Wonderment in Death (Novella)
Brotherhood in Death
Apprentice in Death
Echoes in Death
Secrets in Death
Dark in Death
Leverage in Death
Connections in Death
Vendetta in Death
Golden in Death

Visit J.D. Robb's website for more information.

Review:
Eve's latest victim, an average family man who was tortured and left on his own doorstep, may not be quite as innocent as his family believed. In fact, the more Eve finds out about him the more she wishes she'd been able to meet him before he died so that she could have locked him up in a cage. The killer may be targeting men who have lied and cheated but the level of torture she's dishing out is quickly escalating and these men deserve prison far more than they deserve to die. Eve hates having to stand for abusers but the killer is turning them into victims and Eve will always work towards justice for those in her care.

I always find it interesting when Eve has a good idea who the killer is but isn't sure how to prove it. She has spot on instincts but that isn't enough to get warrants unless she has a very good reason for her suspicions and that is a sticking point in this case. She always has a particularly hard time of it when the victims she's standing for are themselves abusers but we really get to see how far she's come in this book because it doesn't affect her as much as it would have in the past. Yes it brings back memories but she's more open with both Roarke and Mira about these things now and is therefore able to work through them far quicker than she did earlier in the series.

This book has appearances from all our favourite characters and I particularly like the friendship that is developing between Roarke and Nadine's new rockstar boyfriend. Roarke actually had a lot of stand out moments in this book and there was a lot of humour, especially surrounding an announcement made by Mavis. It's good to see changes within the side character's lives and I really hope we're going to see more of Peabody and McNab's relationship soon, I want them to take the next step or even to just see more of them outside a work environment. I'm still loving this series though and I'm not quite sure what I'll do with myself when I finish the next book and have to start waiting for more to be published.

Source: Purchased

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

Paperback / Kindle:

Book Trailer: Aurora Rising - Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

I am a HUGE fan of both Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff and I absolutely LOVE their Illuminae Files series so I'm embarrassed to admit that I never got around to reading Aurora Rising when it published last year. Especially since I preordered the hardback and it was one of my most anticipated reads of the 2019! I actually ended up with a weird kind of reading paralysis for anticipated books last year though, I was so scared of being disappointed that I put off reading several books that I'd been super excited about.

I'm happy to say that I'm now about halfway through Aurora Rising and loving it just as much as I thought I would. What with everything going on in the world right now I'm finding it difficult to concentrate on reading so I have been buddy reading this book with a couple of friends. We're reading it very slowly (aiming for 3 chapters a day) just trying to get back into the habit of reading again and it's been working really well because this is a book I actually want to go back to each day. I hope to have a proper review of this book up soon for you but in the meantime I wanted to share the book trailer and an interview I found with the authors discussing the series.

From the New York Times and internationally bestselling authors of The Illuminae Files comes a new science fiction epic...

The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch...

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm
A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates
A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy's biggest chip on his shoulder
An alien warrior with anger management issues
A tomboy pilot who's totally not into him, in case you were wondering

And Ty's squad isn't even his biggest problem that'd be Aurora Jie-Lin O'Malley, the girl he's just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler's squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.

NOBODY PANIC.

The Aurora Cycle:
Aurora Rising
Aurora Burning (May 2020)

Visit Amie Kaufman's website or Jay Kristoff's website for more information

Official Book Trailer:



Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff discuss Aurora Rising:



Have you already read Aurora Rising? If so I'd love to know what you thought of it so please leave me a link to your reviews in the comments. The second book in the series, Aurora Burning, releases in May so if you're new to the series you still have time to catch up!

Review: Connections in Death - J.D. Robb

When recovering drug addict Lyle Pickering is found dead of an overdose, it looks like a tragic accident. But his sister Rochelle knows better, and so does Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Lyle was murdered, and the evidence points directly to his old street gang.

As Eve and husband Roarke track the killer through the city's dive bars, drug dens and strip joints, another body is discovered. With connections growing between the living and the dead, and the body count on the rise, Eve knows she needs to close this case fast, before the killer's lust for power turns the city's streets into a bloodbath.

In Death Series:
Naked in Death
Glory in Death
Immortal in Death
Rapture in Death
Ceremony in Death
Vengeance in Death
Holiday in Death
Midnight in Death (Novella)
Conspiracy in Death
Loyalty in Death
Witness in Death
Judgement in Death
Betrayal in Death
Interlude in Death (Novella)
Seduction in Death
Reunion in Death
Purity in Death
Portrait in Death
Imitation in Death
Big Jack (Available in the Remember When Anthology or separately)
Divided in Death
Visions in Death
Survivor in Death
Origin in Death
Memory in Death
Haunted in Death (Novella)
Born in Death
Innocent in Death
Creation in Death
Eternity in Death (Novella)
Strangers in Death
Salvation in Death
Ritual in Death (Novella)
Promises in Death
Kindred in Death
Missing in Death (Novella)
Fantasy in Death
Indulgence in Death
Possession in Death (Novella)
Treachery in Death
New York to Dallas
Chaos in Death (Novella)
Celebrity in Death
Delusion in Death
Calculated in Death
Thankless in Death
Taken in Death (Novella available in the Mirror, Mirror anthology or separately)
Concealed in Death
Festive in Death
Obsession in Death
Devoted in Death
Wonderment in Death (Novella)
Brotherhood in Death
Apprentice in Death
Echoes in Death
Secrets in Death
Dark in Death
Leverage in Death
Connections in Death
Vendetta in Death
Golden in Death

Visit J.D. Robb's website for more information.

Review:
When a recovering addict dies of an apparent overdose it should be simple to label it a case of accidental death and move on. But the victim's sister is convinced her brother wasn't using and from the evidence Eve is inclined to agree. As the bodies start piling up Eve soon finds herself trying to prevent an all out gang war.

The reviews for Connections in Death seem to be a bit hit and miss but I really enjoyed it. I know exactly what I'm going to get when I pick up a book in this series, there are certain things that happen in every book and I'm totally happy with that because it's become a total comfort read. I love the relationships between the all of the different characters, Roarke is a favourite book boyfriend but I also want to be friends with Eve, Peabody and Nadine and I want to have a cup of tea with Doctor Mira and listen to her words of wisdom.

J.D. Robb always keeps things fresh as far as the mystery goes so while I'll admit Eve figured things out pretty quickly in this book I still enjoyed the police procedural side of the story. I love seeing Eve and Peabody interviewing suspects too, especially when Peabody is allowed to go all out and play bad cop for a change.

Source: Purchased

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

Paperback / Kindle:

March 2020 Recap

Hi everyone, I hope you're all surviving lockdown and staying safe. The world really feels quite upside down at the moment and I know for sure it's affecting my ability to concentrate. I was already in a bit of a reading and blogging slump and it definitely hasn't got any easier over the last couple of weeks. I'm struggling to even read a book right now, let alone deal with anything else. So anyway, it may be a little quieter around here than normal but I'm doing my best to get into a routine again so we'll see what happens in April.

The most important thing is that we all look out for each other and try to keep ourselves, our families and our friends safe. If you're able to stay home please do but to all of the essential workers who are out there looking out for the rest of us, from the emergency services to the delivery drivers to the shop workers and everyone in between I want to say thank you. You are appreciated and I hope that in the coming months you are rewarded for all your hard work!

Stay safe everyone!

Books read in previous months but reviewed in March:

(Links will take you to my reviews)

1. A Heart of Blood and Ashes - Milla Vane (Read in January, review coming soon)
2. Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Aragog - Jody Revenson (Deluxe Book and Model Set) (Read in January, reviewed in March)
3. Come Tumbling Down - Seanan Mcguire (Read in January, reviewed in March)
4. Sweep with Me - Ilona Andrews (Novella) (Read in January, review coming soon)
5. Strange Love - Ann Aguirre (Read in January, review coming soon)
6. Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Sorting Hat - Jody Revenson (Deluxe Book and Model Set) (Read in January, reviewed in March)
7. Incredibuilds: Fantastic Beasts: Thunderbird - Incredibuilds (Deluxe Book and Model Set) (Read in January, review coming soon)
8. Sanctum - Lexi Blake (Novella) (Read in January, reviewed in March)
9. Stars Beyond - S.K. Dunstall (Read in February, review coming soon)
10. Incredibuilds: Harry Potter: Stag Patronus - Jody Revenson (Deluxe Book and Model Set) (Read in February, review coming soon)
11. Crooked Kingdom: Collector's Edition - Leigh Bardugo (Read in February, reviewed in March)
12. Deal with the Devil - Kit Rocha (Read in February, review coming soon)
13. Chilling Effect - Valerie Valdes (Read in February, review coming soon)
14. Snowed In - Lexi Blake (Novella) (Read in February, reviewed in March)
15. Kiss of Vengeance - S. Young (Read in February, reviewed in March)

Books read in March:

(Links will take you to my reviews)

1. Love Hard - Nalini Singh
2. Imaginary Numbers - Seanan McGuire (Review coming soon)
3. Follow the Lady - Seanan Mcguire (Short Story) (Review coming soon)
4. Of Flame and Fury - Cecy Robson (Review coming soon)
5. Dark in Death - J.D. Robb
6. Undercover Bromance - Lyssa Kay Adams (Review coming soon)
7. The Queen's Bargain - Anne Bishop (Review coming soon)
8. Baker's Coven - Nancy Warren
9. Highfire - Eoin Colfer
10. Kissing Kendall - Katee Robert
11. Gaming Grace - Piper J. Drake
12. Leverage in Death - J.D. Robb
13. Claiming Her Dragons - Lia Davis (Review coming soon)
14. A Winter Mating - Lia Davis (Review coming soon)
15. Primal Sin - Ariana Nash
16. Attracting Aubrey - Avery Flynn
17. Saga Volume 1 - Brian K Vaughan & Fiona Staples (Graphic Novel) (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
18. Connections in Death - J.D. Robb (Review coming soon)
19. Loving Liv - Stacey Kennedy

Other March Posts:

1. Cover Reveal: Vampire Warrior Kings Series - Laura Kaye
2. Blog Tour: Kiss of Vengeance - S. Young
3. Release Blitz: Baker's Coven - Nancy Warren
4. Release Blitz: Kissing Kendall - Katee Robert
5. Release Blitz: Gaming Grace - Piper J. Drake
6. Release Blitz: Attracting Aubrey - Avery Flynn
7. Release Blitz: Beguiling Benjamin - Robin Covington
8. Release Blitz: Loving Liv - Stacey Kennedy
9. Blog Tour: Of Flame and Fury - Cecy Robson

March Books of the Month:

(Choices are made from books reviewed this month and the links will take you to my reviews)

My top YA read in March:

Come Tumbling Down by Seanan Mcguire (read my review here)

My top adult reads in March:

Love Hard by Nalini Singh (read my review here)
Primal Sin by Ariana Nash (read my review here)

My Challenge Updates:

Here are the 2020 challenges I'm taking part in (some of these posts are just for me to keep track of the different types of books I'm reading):
2020 Read 100 Books in a Year Challenge - Read 45/200
2020 British Books Challenge - Read 6/20
2020 New Author Challenge - Read 5/20
2020 Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Challenge - Read 12/100
2020 Contemporary Romance Challenge - Read 17/20