Review: The Dragon's Mage

The Dragon's Mage by Kelly Lucille
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

A couple pages in and there's rape disguised as dragon mating and I wasn't able to keep going. I actually became a little nauseous reading that particular scene. I'm not new to a rape scene, on the contrary, but having such a blatant violation portrayed as a somewhat romantic mating...just NO. BIG NO. Specially when both dragons were forcing her and repeating how they were going to protect her. I guess they didn't realize she needed protection from them most of all. That is not romance. That is not even decent erotica.

View all my reviews

Review: Chosen

Chosen by K.F. Breene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

High Fantasy is not one of my favorite genres. There's this kind of brutality in this genre, usually focused on women, I'm not okay even reading about so I often opt to stay away. Fortunately, after reading a particularly good review, I decided to take a chance with this story. I'm not gonna say it was perfect but it was definitely worth it. The main heroine is a good blend of kick-assery and vulnerability. She knows her limitations both physically and mentally but doesn't let that stop her if she needs to make a point or achieve a goal. She also doesn't automatically bend her knees or opens her legs when there are males around and that's another plus. She does what needs to be done and doesn't expect any man to come to her rescue. No damsel in distress here. I was a little disappointed about how fast she warmed up to Cayan. I like him somewhat but his views on women are annoying as all hell and, while I appreciate his protectiveness of Shanti (even warrior women need a break), his attempts to rule her life and her decisions were not welcome at all. Either treat her like an equal or butt-out. The rest of the characters were a little harder to pin but very entertaining. I have to say my current favorites are Sanders and Lucius. I am curious about her old Chance and suspicious too. A year thinking he's dead and now he "shows" up? Hmm...I think she'll have an interesting journey in the next book and I'm more than happy to tag along.

View all my reviews

Review: Discount Armageddon

Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My only pet peeve in this book was the romance. I like a good romance anytime anywhere but I also like to take my time with it. I don't like to be rushed and this so-called romance was definitely rushed. Entertaining and humorous sure but still faster than it should've been. Fortunately the rest of it was so interesting, new and amazing I didn't bother to stay upset. The world-building was incredible to read, full of new species to find and get to know and Verity as our heroine was fun and kick-ass. Adding Dominic as a Covenant member and supposed mortal enemy of her family added depth and intrigue and I can't really fault his presence in the overall arc. I do find fault with their quick romantic entanglement. It was something I could've gone without in a first installment specially when it's obvious they'll be THE COUPLE of the series. I hate those sure couples. Where the author keeps sending obstacles their way to try and keep things interesting but it's so obvious they'll always end up together it just becomes ridiculous and boring. I prefer a slow built romance always and preferably with the non-obvious male lead. Usually the guy she hate-lusted during the whole series. Of course that's Dominic in this case so...yeah. Not a single surprise there.

View all my reviews

Review: Head Rush

Head Rush by Carolyn Crane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I still can't believe Otto was such an evil guy and had to die. But I liked this ending. It was screwed up just like the rest of the series and just perfect. I am a little disappointed I didn't get to read more about Packard and Justine in a relationship. The devil's in the details.

View all my reviews

Review: Double Cross

Double Cross by Carolyn Crane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow. That was a whole new level of manipulation. Scary as f*ck. I am enthralled.

View all my reviews

Review: Mind Games

Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really really had a big problem with how easily people manipulate one another in this book. Worse is that it happens outside this book too. So I got a little depressed while reading this book. But it was good. Scarily good. How every single main character here was its own shade of gray and all of them had a pretty good excuse for the crap they pulled. The lines were blurred all the time. Even Justine, our heroine, was not always good. I liked it. The moral confusion of it all was incredibly enjoyable to read.

View all my reviews

Review: Gabriel

Gabriel by Tina Pollick
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It's entirely possible it would have ended up being a good book. Really. Unfortunately I didn't manage to read more than 20 pages. The writing is amateurish at best. Both main characters talk and react like teenagers and the editing needs work. All in all there was nothing I actually liked here apart from the main idea.

View all my reviews

Review: In Like a Lion

In Like a Lion by Karin Shah
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked it somewhat. I didn't like how easy the chimeras seemed to lose control though. I know it was said to become better after having a mate but...I'm still not sure I can ignore that aspect if they assault just about anyone if they get angry. Also have to say I didn't much care for the girl (can't even remember her name). She was always very card-board cut. The only times she seemed to actually show a little emotion was whenever she spoke of her family and I wasn't terribly impressed then either. I did like Jake (a little) and Kyle (a lot more). The rest...readable but meh.

View all my reviews

Review: Perfect Mate

Perfect Mate by Mina Carter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Oh my god. The editing of this book...so horrible. It was a really old copy though, most likely a first edition, so I'm giving it a little break. However, it was really terrible to read. The change of points of view weren't easy to spot. I ended up confused about who was speaking a lot. There were some punctuation issues, like question marks in the end of sentences when no questions were being asked. Whole chapters with weird format. I don't know. It was a real mess. (Un)Fortunately the story was compelling enough to keep me glued to my chair 'till the very end. An end I'm not particularly happy about either. I was a little upset by how Darce was captured and Lillian's transformation was a little lacking for my tastes. I expected it to be a little more elaborate and explained. I do admit to being curious about Darce and Antonia's situation. 2.5 ★

View all my reviews

Review: Hook's Pan

Hook's Pan by Marie Hall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Definitely entertaining. I had a lot of fun reading this book because, while there seems to be some dark themes and suffering, there's also a lot of laughing and cheer. Both main characters have heavy pasts but apart from the initial refusal to be paired up, they were always very honest and happy together. I do find myself curious about the little drama with Hatter and Alice.

View all my reviews

Review: Jinni's Wish

Jinni's Wish by Marie Hall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A little too angsty for my usual tastes but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Jinni was a great guy that committed an awful act and it was heartbreaking seeing his pain, loneliness and guilt. I was glad Paz lived up to her name and really brought him the peace he craved so much. That being said, I still admit to have enjoyed the 1st story more than any other so far.

View all my reviews

Review: Gerard's Beauty

Gerard's Beauty by Marie Hall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I finished this novel and still have no idea who Gerard is or was supposed to be. My memory of Beauty and the Beast is sketchy at best and I can't even remember anyone apart from Belle and the Beast so...yeah. Most of this story went right over my head. I did like watching Gerard and Betty slowly fall in love. They were adorably cute and I had fun. I admit I did wish for a better punishment for the head fairy. Kind of disappointed that didn't pan out.

View all my reviews

Review: Semi-Charmed

Semi-Charmed by Isabel Jordan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked it. Supernaturally speaking, it wasn't all that original or great. The action scenes weren't very built upon and I was never afraid of the outcome so they kind of failed in that respect. Romantically speaking, while sometimes obnoxiously angsty, it was great. They developed feelings for each other pretty quickly but they didn't act on them immediately so it gave the idea of a slow build and I enjoyed wondering when Noah would finally cave to Harper. I am sorry for not knowing the result between Hunter and Mischa. I would've enjoyed seeing them together too.

View all my reviews

Review: Lyon's Price

Lyon's Price by Mina Carter
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Just full blown erotica disguised as sci-fi romance. Not bad but not good either. Average at best. Readable but lacks excitement. Also rushed.

View all my reviews

Review: The Barrier Between

The Barrier Between by Stacey Marie Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am not happy with the ending of this book. First of all, Amara's betrayal was a given. I don't know how they didn't see it coming because it was obvious as all hell. Secondly, I expected better from Zoey. The way she was captured at the end was really just the last drop of a long fall. I expect her to get better any time now but she just seems to reverse her progress every few pages. It's annoying. Thirdly, the lab? Strapped? Again?? I still want to read more but it's getting repetitive. Zoey gets caught. Ryker saves her. Zoey gets caught. Ryker saves her. Zoey gets caught...you get my drift. Worst of it all is that Zoey is actually more than human now and, despite years of training against fae and having more stamina and better healing abilities, she still gets her ass kicked all the time. Despite all of this though, this story is still incredibly compelling and I had a hard time putting it down. I hope the next book comes quickly. 3.5 ★

View all my reviews