Urban Fantasy Investigations

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

New Releases: 10/30-11/5

Tue. Nov. 1st

After Atlas (Planetfall) by Emma Newman

A Million Worlds with You (Firebird #3) by Claudia Gray

An Import of Intrigue (The Maradaine Constabulary #2) by Marshall Ryan Maresca

Archangel's Heart (Guild Hunter #9) by Nalini Singh

Bad Blood (The Naturals #4) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Burning Light by Bradley P. Beaulieu, Rob Ziegler

Congress of Secrets by Stephanie Burgis

Curse on the Land (Soulwood #2) by Faith Hunter

The Dark Lord (Charming Tales #4) by Jack Heckel

Den of Wolves (Blackthorn & Grim #3) by Juliet Marillier

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid

The Facefaker's Game by Chandler J. Birch

Illicit (Luna Lake #2) by Cathy Clamp

Infinity (The Infinity Division #1) by Jus Accardo

Lodestar (Keeper of the Lost Cities #5) by Shannon Messenger

Ruled (Outlaws #3) by Elle Kennedy

The Shattered Vigil (The Darkwater Saga #2) by Patrick W. Carr

Shadow of Victory (Honor Harrington #14) by David Weber

Unquiet Land (Elemental Blessings #4) by Sharon Shinn

Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy #1) by Shannon Mayer

Happy Reading!

Monday, October 31, 2016

Review: The Surrendered by Case Maynard

The Surrendered

Author: Case Maynard

Release Date: September 20, 2016

Publisher: Blaze Publishing

ISBN: 0997010460

ISBN13: 9780997010466

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Review Copy Source: NetGalley

After a financial collapse devastates the United States, the new government imposes a tax on the nation’s most valuable resource—the children.

Surrendered at age ten—after her parents could no longer afford her exorbitant fees—Vee Delancourt has spent six hard years at the Mills, alongside her twin, Oliver. With just a year to freedom, they do what they can to stay off the Master’s radar. But when Vee discovers unspeakable things happening to the younger girls in service, she has no choice but to take a stand—a decision that lands her on the run and outside the fence for the first time since the System robbed her of her liberty.

Vee knows the Master will stop at nothing to prove he holds ultimate authority over the Surrendered. But when he makes a threat that goes beyond what even she considers possible, she accepts the aid of an unlikely group of allies. Problem is, with opposing factions gunning for the one thing that might save them all, Vee must find a way to turn oppression and desperation into hope and determination—or risk failing all the children and the brother she left behind.

The cover for THE SURRENDERED didn't really drab me in, but I read the blurb and thought, "Wow, what a crazy premise for a story". I was definitely intrigued and decided to give it a shot.

The characters were well developed, the storyline had a great flow and the world was unique and filled with drama, danger and situations that make you think that this could really happen. Everything about THE SURRENDERED kept me reading.

The main character, Vee, was very well thought out and put together. She is very strong-willed, bold, and will fight tooth and nail for what is right, even if it puts her life in danger. She was very easy to look and root for. I honestly had no issue with any of the characters that we were supposed to like. There is a bit of romance in THE SURRENDERED. Not IN YOUR FACE romance, but light and in the background romance. I would have loved to see it explored more.

The world was very realistic. I pictured everything that was talked about and nothing was so out there that I couldn't imagine it. The story unfolded at a nice pace with plenty of action and details. It really feels like THE SURRENDERED is just the start of a bigger story. It in no way feels finished and even ends on a note that leaves you thinking there will be more. I will keep an eye out to see if there will be a follow-up book.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Week in Review: 10/23-10/29

Books Received for Review

Wake of Vultures by Lila Bowen

Books I've Read

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
The Bound by K.A. Linde

Reviews Posted

Of Flame and Light by Cecy Robson
Shadow Marked by Jasmine Walt and Rebecca Hamilton
Quanta Reset by Lola Dodge

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* New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?

* Monday- Guest Blog + Giveaway for Black and Blue by JC Andrijeski

* Wednesday- Promo + Giveaway for Of Flame and Light by Cecy Robson

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Friday, October 28, 2016

Review: Quanta Reset by Lola Dodge

Quanta Reset

Author: Lola Dodge

Release Date: September 27, 2016

Publisher: Ink Monster

The Shadow Ravens Book #3

ASIN: B015GI4B46

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Publisher

Quanta has escaped her laboratory prison, but that’s where the good news ends.

Life at the Shadow Ravens’ compound is a disaster. She’s drowning in visions of the dark pasts and darker futures of her fellow Ravens and is plagued by her own panic-inducing memories, but Lady Eva still expects her to “train” and “participate in missions.” Plus, the food tastes like burnt plastic.

The only bright spot is her genetic pairing to the brilliant Altair Orpheus. As their relationship grows, she’s positive that chemicals aren’t the only things drawing them together—although chemistry is definitely involved.

While they test the limits of her game-changing new ability to reset time, word arrives from Eva’s agents: Doctor Nagi is still experimenting with her DNA. If he succeeds in duplicating her power…

Forget the Shadow Ravens. The whole world is toast.

I had enjoyed both of the books so far in The Shadow Ravens series so when I saw that it was continuing with QUANTA RESET, I didn't hesitate to grab a review copy.

QUANTA RESET continues the series with a great quick pace and easy flow. The characters continue to develop and learn what they can do on their own and as a team. Quanta is having a hard time being so close to so many people, but Altair continues to be a great support to her. Although I liked the story and didn't have any issues getting through it, there wasn't much suspense and there wasn't a whole lot happening like in the previous two books. It was more of a filler book.

QUANTA RESET ends pretty suddenly, which does makes you want to read more. It looks like book four, QUANTA REWIND, will once again feature Quanta's story. I do miss Cipher being the main gal though so I hope we might have more of her in the next book.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

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

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Early Review: Shadow Marked by Jasmine Walt and Rebecca Hamilton

Shadow Marked

Author: Jasmine Walt , Rebecca Hamilton

Release Date: October 28, 2016

Publisher: Blue Bolt Publishing

Shadows of Salem Book #2

ASIN: B01JGU0V8A

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Author

In the Shadows of Salem, there are no good guys...

For years, Detective Brooke Chandler has been deliberately shielded from the supernatural world. But now that the supernaturals know about her, there's no line they won't cross to harness her powers for their own wicked needs.

To stay alive, Brooke needs to learn what it means to be a Shadow. Unfortunately, the one person willing to help her may be just as guilty of using her unique skills for his own gain as the people she is trying to escape.

Her training comes at a price: helping a fae lord find several dangerous artifacts and shadowing them from his enemies. But the more she uses her abilities, the deeper she becomes embroiled in the cutthroat societies closing in on her. Soon, Brooke finds herself hemmed into a corner, condemned to make an impossible choice that might destroy the human world as she knows it.

It was easy to get back into the Shadows of Salem world with SHADOW MARKED.

If you read my review of book one, SHADOW BORN, you know I felt the closure part of the murdered fiance storyline was lacking. Going into SHADOW MARKED, I was hoping that that part of the story wouldn't be as dominant to the storyline and I am happy to report that it wasn't. There is mention—it would be weird if there wasn't—, but there is a whole new storyline to follow and fall into. YAY!

There is a ton of action in SHADOW MARKED. There's also trouble at every turn. We find out a little bit more about Brooke's parents, but we definitely need more answers. The "relationship" between Brooke and Maddock is SO frustrating. There is so much attraction and sexual tension between the two that I just want to grab them and shove them together. Uggh, so frustrating.

The ending is WOW. I was not expecting that and I am dying to see what happens. Book three needs to get here NOW.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Review + Promo + Giveaway: Of Flame and Light by Cecy Robson

Of Flame and Light

Author: Cecy Robson

Release Date: October 18, 2016

Publisher: Self-Published

Weird Girls Book #7

ASIN: B01J0SCGEK

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Amazon | iBooks | Barnes Noble | Kobo

Taran Wird holds the unique ability to conjure fire and lightning. She is mated to Gemini, Second in Command to the Squaw Valley Pack of the Lake Tahoe Region, and the sole werewolf to possess the ability to split into two wolves. And although they are mates, Taran's insecurities have driven them apart.

Devastated by an injury that left her with a zombie-like limb, Taran struggles to regain command over her magic. But when her arm and her power turn against her, lashing out on those she most loves, she knows she can no longer carry this burden alone. Not that she likes the alternative.

The only way to regain control of her magic is to align and learn from the local coven of witches―the very ones who sought to banish her when she and her three unique sisters first moved to the mystical region. But although Taran is trying, the teachings don't come easy, and the tasks leave her weak and emotionally shattered.

Yet Taran must learn and learn fast. Time is running out. The fire she once mastered so easily has become her greatest adversary and is now slowly burning her alive . . .

Taran still hasn't come to terms with losing her arm and the replacement arm that she now has. On top of that the arm knows she can't stand it and goes on the offensive and causes trouble at every turn and puts her family in danger. To try and get things under control, Taran is forced to seek help from the coven and the woman that tried to banish her and her sisters—oh and spends way too much time with Taran's man!

OF FLAME AND LIGHT was a roller coaster of emotions and events. Taran is in a really dark place and it was hard not to fall into it with her. It absolutely amazed me how utterly blind Gemini was when it came to how Taran saw his relationship with Genevieve. He truly didn't understand and it totally blew my mind. I would have thought the same exact things she did and probably acted the same way. It was heartbreaking to watch and I'm glad everything worked out the way it did by the end of OF FLAME AND LIGHT.

I loved the change of scenery that we got with book seven. We get to learn quite a bit about how the witches work and I really enjoyed a few of the new characters that were introduced. Even though OF FLAME AND LIGHT was Taran's book and she has to do a lot of her soul searching and training on her own, it was still great to see the other Wird sisters, their mates and their allies from the previous books. It's great that they all continue to grow with each installment, even when the focus is on another.

I'm not sure what is scheduled to come next for the Weird Girls Series, but I can't imagine not getting more and I will be on the lookout to add book eight to my wishlist.

I gave it 4/5 stars

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

Excerpt #1:

Son of a bitch.

I groan as I roll onto my back. I’d like to say this is the first time I’ve been knocked unconscious. I’d also like to say my boobs are the same size, but hey, such is my life.

Dirt. All I sense is that and dank heaviness that accompanies a . . . cave? Through the fog taking up residency along my brain, I make out a dim glow. It takes me a moment to realize it’s coming from my light-saber arm. I push up on my hands, grimacing when my fingers sink into the soil. Yet it’s what I see when I glance up that has me scrambling to my feet.

A lonely hand scuttles by me, chasing after a rat. Oh, but it gets better. I press my back against a dirt wall as a foot hops by, chasing after the hand, that’s chasing after the rat, with a decapitated head rolling —I shit you not—merrily behind them.

It’s like some kind of fucked up nursery rhyme. I don’t want to know the next verse, especially not with the collection of zombies gathering from all sides. These are different from the ones who pulled us onto shore. Their grisly faces are more emaciated and their bodies are in a more advance stage of decomposing. As they shuffle toward me, pieces of their skin fall in small moist clumps.

I hold out my hand. “Stay back.”

They collectively moan.

And move closer.

I grit my teeth, summoning that spark from deep in my core. The dank air seems to enclose around me, giving me a chill and snuffing out my inner heat.

Shit, shit, shit.

On wobbly legs, I slide my back against the dirt wall, my hands out. The zombies gather closer, cocking their heads, their empty sockets mesmerized by the glow of my arm. At first, I think they’re simply curious. But then their short thick tongues push forward, appearing to lick what’s left of their lips.

I jump when another hand scrambles by, its pinky brushing against my foot. My back presses against the dirt wall as I slide against it. I’m not sure where to go. I only know I can’t stay here.

I bang my fists against the wall, trying to stimulate my fire. My left hand doesn’t react, tensing uselessly. But that spark I so need triggers from my right arm, igniting flames along the path of my blue veins only to putter out.

Come on, light.

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Cecy Robson is an award-winning author of magical realms, to-die-for Alpha heroes, and young adult adventure. A double RITA® 2016 finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, and published author of more than fifteen titles, you can typically find her on her laptop or stumbling blindly in search of caffeine.

Find Cecy and her books
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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