Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Quick Thought Reviews

Sometimes I read a book where I just don't have a lot to say about it. Hence the name quick thought reviews. These will be short and sweet.
________________________________

Black Widow
Release Date: November 25, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Books
Elemental Asassin Book #12
ISBN:   1476774544
ISBN13: 9781476774541
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: NetGalley
There’s nothing worse than a cruel, cunning enemy with time to kill—and my murder to plan.

With wicked Fire elemental Mab Monroe long gone, you’d think I could finally catch a break. But someone’s always trying to take me down, either as Gin Blanco or my assassin alter-ago. Now along comes the Spider’s new arch-nemesis, the mysteriously named M. M. Monroe, who is gleefully working overtime to trap me in a sticky web of deceit.

The thing is, I’m not the only target. I can see through the tangled threads enough to know that every bit of bad luck my friends have been having lately is no accident—and that each unfortunate “coincidence” is just one more arrow drawing ever closer to hitting the real bulls-eye. Though new to Ashland, this M. M. Monroe is no stranger to irony, trying to get me, an assassin, framed for murder. Yet, as my enemy’s master plan is slowly revealed, I have a sinking feeling that it will take more than my powerful Ice and Stone magic to stop my whole life from going up in flames.

This is one of my favorite series, so I kinda feel bad that the last couple books ave made the Quick Thought Review list. It's not for lack of loving them, it's just the fact that by book 12 I have already said it all about the characters and the world I could possibly say unless something went totally wrong. Which thankfully it hasn't.

Gin has been through a LOT in the past, but I think the events of book 12 are right up there with the top 3 deadly situation she has ever been in. We all know Gin kicks butt, but I was worried for her at many points throughout the book. If she didn't have people to live for I don't think she would have made it out of BLACK WIDOW. She so deserves a long break. I can't possibly imagine who will be thrown up against Gin next, but I don't think I have to tell you that I will be front and center for the show.

I gave it 5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
________________________________

The Stag Lord
Author: Darby Kaye
Release Date: December 2, 2014
Publisher: Spence City
ISBN:   1939392411
ISBN13: 9781939392411
Genre: Fantasy
Review Copy Source: NetGalley
On the run across America from a vengeful shape-shifter, Bannerman “Bann” Boru has only one thing on his mind: keeping himself and his young son, Cor, alive.

At any cost.

Until he meets Shay Doyle, healer and member of a secret group of immortal Celtic warriors, the Tuatha De Danaan, living in modern-day Colorado. When Cor is injured, Bannerman is forced to accept her help. He quickly realizes that the golden-haired healer is shield-maiden tough and can hold her own on the field of battle with the big boys. And Shay soon discovers that there is more to Bann than meets the eye.

Now, with the shape-shifter Cernunnos teaming up with the local pack of Fir Bolgs (Bronze Age creatures with a nasty taste for children), Bannerman, Shay, her wolf-dog, Max, and the rest of the Doyle clan must figure out how to battle one insane god.

THE STAG LORD was SO long, GOOD, but SO long. Therefore if you're looking for a quick read this book is not for you.

The world building is super thorough and I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters involved. I am thinking that future books might feel a little shorter now that we have all the back story out of the way and character development started. The father-son bond between Bann and Cor was strong and I could feel the love through the pages. The slow romance between Shay and Bann was well done and they have a strong start to their future. I enjoyed the author's take on the Tuatha De Danaan. There is a lot involved, but I was never bored. I enjoyed my introduction to the author and look forward to where she takes her characters next.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 
 ________________________________

Mind Tamer
Release Date: December 15, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Select Otherworld
Network One Book #1
ISBN:  1633751465
ISBN13: 9781633751460
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Publisher
He's different. And he's definitely trouble...
Lyssa Logan has an uncanny ability to know exactly what you're thinking, and she can solve crimes before they actually happen. Lately, however, she's been having a few issues. Brutal headaches, power fluctuations, possibly losing her grip on reality. Oh, and she appears to have stopped aging... The moment Kyros Vassalos sees Lyssa, he knows she’s one of his kind. No hocus-pocus, no voodoo. They're just very rare "extra-sentient" beings with the extraordinary ability to unlock the full potential of the mind. Now he must teach Lyssa to control her power...before it overwhelms and destroys her. Lyssa is pretty sure Kyros is trouble. Hot, leather-pants-wearing trouble. But she's running out of time. And once she steps into Kyros's world, there's no going back...

I just couldn't get into the story or the characters in MIND TAMER. I am not a huge music lover so the heavy talk of music theory didn't really do anything for me. If you are a music lover that part might interest you more. As for the world building, after reading this I still can't tell you much about the world. The information dump made it hard to hold onto the information that was given.

Thankfully I read this on my e-reader, I was feeling pretty dumb for having to look up a lot of the words used, but I probably would have given up if it wasn't an easy look-up. I finished the book but, I am not interested in continuing the series.

I gave it 2/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.