Week 53 Review: The Turn

From Goodreads:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison returns to her beloved Hollows series with The Turn, the official prequel to the series that will introduce fans and readers to a whole new side of Rachel Morgan's world as they've never seen it before!

Can science save us when all else fails?

Trisk and her hated rival, Kalamack, have the same goal: save their species from extinction.

Death comes in the guise of hope when a genetically modified tomato created to feed the world combines with the government's new tactical virus, giving it an unexpected host and a mode of transport. Plague takes the world, giving the paranormal species an uncomfortable choice to stay hidden and allow humanity to die, or to show themselves in a bid to save them.

Under accusations of scientific misconduct, Trisk and Kal flee across a plague torn United States to convince leaders of the major paranormal species to save their supposedly weaker kin, but not everyone thinks humanity should be saved.

Kal surreptitiously works against her as Trisk fights the prejudices of two societies to prove that not only does humanity have something to offer, but that long-accepted beliefs against women, dark magic, and humanity itself can turn to understanding; that when people are at their worst that the best show their true strength, and that love can hold the world together as a new balance is found.

My Review:
It was really fantastic to read this book! I almost wish that there could've been a different ending to this all, not in the whole virus/plague thing, but in how the characters end up! Though I wouldn't mind another prequel because I think this solves some mysteries, but not all, and I don't want things to end here! Also, I hope I don't spoil!

The great thing about this book, was the characters who are in the rest of the series-Quen, Al, Kataka, Piscary. Because this is the same series, it's just 40 or so years earlier with old-fashioned ideas about women, and the long-lived characters were alive during both! Loved it!

Trent's dad was an asshole. Like, a huge one. I thought that he would grow up, but no, he continued to do the wrong thing. I almost wanted him to be killed, and someone pretend to be him. Because that honestly would've given Trent a better father! Because yeah, most of the bad things in this book can be laid at his feet! The only good things from him were Trent, the Inderlanders coming out, and the drug to be used for vampires. Yeah. Nothing else!

It was strange in a way, to read this book, because both Trisk and Kal were dead in Dead Witch Walking. And the world is completely different, because a) the T4 angel tomato, created by Trisk, hadn't been infected by the virus, the human population hadn't been decimated, and the Inderlanders weren't out. But it was really interesting seeing the roles that Trent's parents played in the whole thing, even if his dad's was a horrible one!

Loved reading this book, it was so fantastic, and I would love another prequel!

Author: Kim Harrison
Series: The Hollows #0.1
Read: December 28th, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Love her books, and it's a Historical Fiction 2016 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2016 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Gallery Books
Expected Publication: February 7th 2017

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 51 Review: Revenge and the Wild

From Goodreads:
The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it's perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler.

Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She's determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there's nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.

But Westie's search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel's latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There's only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie's kin. With the help of Nigel's handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she's not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.

This thrilling novel is a remarkable tale of danger and discovery, from debut author Michelle Modesto.

My Review:
This book was really, really awesome! It was in a world like our own, but with some differences. Like magical creatures, magic, and air-creations. So yeah, that was pretty darned awesome! And there was the fact that there was finding the proof that this family were the ones that killed her family. Yeah.

Loved reading about Westie. She wasn't a girly girl, she didn't like dressing up all fancy-though she appreciated gifts from Nigel, though he mostly gave her weapons, which was great! What with having her family killed by cannibals, well, yeah, had her arm chopped off by one. Bot fun!

There was a bit of a romance, but the main focus was the investigation. To see if this family were the ones that killed her family. And yeah, it wasn't easy. The house were it happened, well, it was lived in, and it's been 7 years since it happened. And there was more going on then what appeared!

There were a lot of ups and downs! There was the hope that the plan, the new information, would help, and then there were the downs when the plan didn't work. And that really sucked. But everything worked out, even with those unexpected twists!

Absolutely loved this book, and I can't wait to read what Michelle Modesto writes next!

Author: Michelle Modesto
Read: December 11th, 2016
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded really great! And it's a a DAC Book, Historical Fiction 2016 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: February 2nd 2016

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 46 Review: Daughters of Ruin

From Goodreads:
Game of Thrones meets Graceling in a thrilling debut that follows the four fierce princesses of enemy kingdoms as their worlds collide in the throes of war.

Rhea, Cadis, Suki, and Iren have lived together since they were children. They are called sisters. They are not. They are called equals. They are not. They are princesses…and they are enemies.

Not long ago, a brutal war ravaged their kingdoms, and Rhea's father was the victor. As a gesture of peace, King Declan brought the daughters of his rivals to live under his protection—and his ever-watchful eye. For ten years the girls have trained together as diplomats and warriors, raised to accept their thrones and unite their kingdoms in peace.

But there is rarely peace among sisters. Sheltered Rhea was raised to rule everyone—including her "sisters"—but she's cracking under pressure. The charismatic Cadis is desperately trying to redeem her people from their actions during the war. Suki guards deep family secrets that isolate her, and quiet Iren's meekness is not what it seems.

All plans for peace are shattered when the palace is attacked. As their intended futures lie in ashes, Rhea, Cadis, Suki, and Iren must decide where their loyalties lie: to their nations, or to each other. 

My Review:
This book was really awesome! I really enjoyed reading about these characters in this interesting world! Some things were strange, like training the girls in warrior ways even though they are hostages. Yeah.

These girls were very different-Rhea was self-conscious and had a slightly skewed view of the world. Cadis was naive and wanted the best for everyone. Iren was quite and devious, and Suki was a brat, basically. I didn't like Rhea the most at the beginning, mostly because she had a huge chapter in the beginning, but by the end, by least favourite of the girls was Suki for what she did!

All of these girls go on journeys. Not just physical ones, but of Cadis becoming a bit more aware of the world, Iren trying to get out of her spy/shy shell, Rhea becoming a bit harder, and Suki just going crazy. She was the youngest, and her sister had supposedly died at the king who is holding them captive. Yeah.

There was a fairly big twist near the end! And there were hints that things were coming, that the previous king's son was still alive, but who it turned out to be, yeah, that was a big thing! And yeah, I want a sequel, because things can't end there!

This book was really fantastic, and yeah, I would really like more, because it was a fantastic book!

Author: K.D. Castner
Read: October 7th, 2016
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded utterly great, and it's a DAC Book, Historical Fiction 2016 Book, SAC 2016 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published: April 5th 2016

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

4.5/5 Stars

Week 45 Review: A Study in Scarlet Women

From Goodreads:
USA Today bestselling author Sherry Thomas turns the story of the renowned Sherlock Holmes upside down…

With her inquisitive mind, Charlotte Holmes has never felt comfortable with the demureness expected of the fairer sex in upper class society. But even she never thought that she would become a social pariah, an outcast fending for herself on the mean streets of London. 

When the city is struck by a trio of unexpected deaths and suspicion falls on her sister and her father, Charlotte is desperate to find the true culprits and clear the family name. She'll have help from friends new and old—a kind-hearted widow, a police inspector, and a man who has long loved her.

But in the end, it will be up to Charlotte, under the assumed name Sherlock Holmes, to challenge society's expectations and match wits against an unseen mastermind.

My Review:
This book was just so fantastic! There's been a lot of takes on Sherlock Holmes since Arthur Conan Doyle created the character and the world, but this is a new one! I absolutely loved reading it, and seeing the mind in a woman, who had to pretend to be a man to actually use it? Yeah, that was awesome!

I loved these characters! Charlotte and her sister were really awesome, and they dealt with their father's affairs, and of their older sister's illness. And they both had their talents! And I just really enjoyed reading about them!

The mysteries were just so fantastic! There was the big one of the three deaths. And the cases that Charlotte took on. And what was going on with that last one and how it was connected to everything! And how her husband was Moriarty!

We got a lot of POV's. Of the inspector, of Charlotte, and of others. And this cast of characters, along with the mystery and the fantastic writing that just made this book spectacular! They just worked so well together! Loved it so much! I need more!

I loved this book and I'm thoroughly anticipating the sequels!

Author: Sherry Thomas
Series: Lady Sherlock #1
Read: November 3rd, 2016
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Love her books, and it's a Historical Fiction 2016 Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2016 Book!
Publisher: Berkley
Published: October 18th 2016

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 44 Reviews: Dreamer's Pool, Tower of Thorns, Den of Wolves

From Goodreads:
Award-winning author Juliet Marillier "weaves magic, mythology, and folklore into every sentence on the page" (The Book Smugglers). Now she begins an all-new and enchanting series that will transport readers to a magical vision of ancient Ireland...

In exchange for help escaping her long and wrongful imprisonment, embittered magical healer Blackthorn has vowed to set aside her bid for vengeance against the man who destroyed all that she once held dear. Followed by a former prison mate, a silent hulk of a man named Grim, she travels north to Dalriada. There she'll live on the fringe of a mysterious forest, duty bound for seven years to assist anyone who asks for her help. 

Oran, crown prince of Dalriada, has waited anxiously for the arrival of his future bride, Lady Flidais. He knows her only from a portrait and sweetly poetic correspondence that have convinced him Flidais is his destined true love. But Oran discovers letters can lie. For although his intended exactly resembles her portrait, her brutality upon arrival proves she is nothing like the sensitive woman of the letters.

With the strategic marriage imminent, Oran sees no way out of his dilemma. Word has spread that Blackthorn possesses a remarkable gift for solving knotty problems, so the prince asks her for help. To save Oran from his treacherous nuptials, Blackthorn and Grim will need all their resources: courage, ingenuity, leaps of deduction, and more than a little magic.

From Goodreads:
Award-winning author Juliet Marillier's "lavishly detailed"* Blackthorn & Grim series continues as a mysterious creature holds an enchanted and imperiled ancient Ireland in thrall.

Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn's bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim.

Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada's help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land—one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim.


As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it's apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle—a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides.

From Goodreads:
The "powerful and emotionally-charged" fantasy series from the author of the Sevenwaters novels continues, as Blackthorn and Grim face haunting secrets and old adversaries...

Feather bright and feather fine, None shall harm this child of mine...

Healer Blackthorn knows all too well the rules of her bond to the fey: seek no vengeance, help any who ask, do only good. But after the recent ordeal she and her companion, Grim, have suffered, she knows she cannot let go of her quest to bring justice to the man who ruined her life.

Despite her personal struggles, Blackthorn agrees to help the princess of Dalriada in taking care of a troubled young girl who has recently been brought to court, while Grim is sent to the girl's home at Wolf Glen to aid her wealthy father with a strange task—repairing a broken-down house deep in the woods. It doesn't take Grim long to realize that everything in Wolf Glen is not as it seems—the place is full of perilous secrets and deadly lies...


Back at Winterfalls, the evil touch of Blackthorn's sworn enemy reopens old wounds and fuels her long-simmering passion for justice. With danger on two fronts, Blackthorn and Grim are faced with a heartbreaking choice—to stand once again by each other's side or to fight their battles alone... 

My Review:
These books were just so fantastic to read! I loved the mix of mystery, daily life in a historical, magical Ireland, with bits and pieces of paranormal! They came together so well, and they were just so well written! I loved reading them!

Blackthorn and Grim start out in a pretty nasty place-a unkempt prison of a nasty chieftan. And things get better, but at a cost. And honestly, that was good, because otherwise, it wouldn't have mattered, Blackthorn would've gone for her vengeance, and probably would've died. The seven years gives her time to grieve, to make connections, and make plans. And to heal from the wounds that were the reason for her vengeance. So go, Conmael!

We got bits and pieces of Blackthorn's past, the bare bones, covered in emotional blood, which was pretty awful. Not all of it, but we got almost nothing of Grim's at first. We got one big part of his story in Tower of Thorns, about the monks, St. Erc, and an old name of his, Brother Conall! Though there's still some unknowns!

Finding out why Conmael made the deal with Blackthorn, that was a really fantastic discovery! We were given hints from the beginning, but in Den of Wolves, it's fully fleshed out, and that was just so awesome! Den of Wolves was a pretty big book in terms of events that happened, from this, the trial, and the developments in relationships!

I really enjoyed how these books were told! We got Blackthorn and Grim's POV, and then we got the POV of an important character to the mystery! The first, Prince Oram. The second, Lady Geiléis. The third, Bardan and Cara. If there are more books in this series (and I hope there are) I can't wait to see this pattern repeat, and wonder who might narrate!

Loved reading these books, they were just so fantastic!

Author: Juliet Marillier
Series: Blackthorn and Grim #1, 2, 3
Read: October 23rd, 24th, 25th, 2016
Source: Ebook.bike, NetGalley
Reason Why: Love her books, and and they're Historical Fiction 2016 Books and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2016 Books!
Publisher: Roc
Published: October 4th 2014, November 3rd 2015
Expected Publication: November 1st 2016

Dreamer's Pool:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Tower of Thorns:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Den of Wolves:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 42 Reviews: Midsummer Night, Dark Road to Darjeeling, The Dark Enquiry, Silent Night, Twelfth Night, Bonfire Night

From Goodreads:
Readers everywhere have fallen for New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn's intrepid amateur sleuth and socialite, Lady Julia Grey. Not to mention her devastatingly handsome partner in crime, Nicholas Brisbane. Midsummer Night is the long awaited novella of their wedding, a dashing—and potentially deadly—affair not to be missed…

Midsummer in Victorian England—an auspicious time for a wedding. Brisbane has taken charge of the music. Julia has, perhaps mistakenly, allowed her sisters to choose the dress. And Belmont Abbey is overflowing with guests awaiting the blessed day. What could go wrong?

Combine the close-knit chaos of village life, pagan traditions bursting through staid Victorian conventions, and the congenial madness that tends to swirl around Lady Julia's family and you get an unforgettable wedding. But add in a dangerous past nemesis who has come to wish them not-so-well, and their day to remember just might take a fatal turn...


From Goodreads:
After eight idyllic months in the Mediterranean, Lady Julia Grey and her detective husband are ready to put their investigative talents to work once more. At the urging of Julia's eccentric family, they hurry to India to aid an old friend, the newly widowed Jane Cavendish. Living on the Cavendish tea plantation with the remnants of her husband's family, Jane is consumed with the impending birth of her child--and with discovering the truth about her husband's death. Was he murdered for his estate? And if he was, could Jane and her unborn child be next?

Amid the lush foothills of the Himalayas, dark deeds are buried and malicious thoughts flourish. The Brisbanes uncover secrets and scandal, illicit affairs and twisted legacies. In this remote and exotic place, exploration is perilous and discovery, deadly. The danger is palpable and, if they are not careful, Julia and Nicholas will not live to celebrate their first anniversary.

From Goodreads:
Partners now in marriage and in trade, Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane have finally returned from abroad to set up housekeeping in London. But merging their respective collections of gadgets, pets and servants leaves little room for the harried newlyweds themselves, let alone Brisbane's private enquiry business.

Among the more unlikely clients: Julia's very proper brother, Lord Bellmont, who swears Brisbane to secrecy about his case. Not about to be left out of anything concerning her beloved—if eccentric—family, spirited Julia soon picks up the trail of the investigation.

It leads to the exclusive Ghost Club, where the alluring Madame Séraphine holds evening séances-…and not a few powerful gentlemen in thrall. From this eerie enclave unfolds a lurid tangle of dark deeds, whose tendrils crush reputations and throttle trust.

Shocked to find their investigation spun into salacious newspaper headlines, bristling at the tension it causes between them, the Brisbanes find they must unite or fall. For Bellmont's sake- and more-they'll face myriad dangers born of dark secrets, the kind men kill to keep….

From Goodreads:
'Tis the season for an investigation! Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane return for a Christmas caper at Bellmont Abbey—.

After a year of marriage—and numerous adventures—Lady Julia and Brisbane hope for a quiet, intimate Christmas together—until they find themselves at her father's ancestral estate, Bellmont Abbey, with her eccentric family and a menagerie of animals.

Nevertheless, Julia looks forward to a lively family gathering—but amongst the celebrations, a mystery stirs. There are missing jewels, new faces at the Abbey, and a prowling ghost that brings back unwelcome memories from a previous holiday—one that turned deadly. Is a new culprit recreating crimes of the past? And will Brisbane let Julia investigate—?

From Goodreads:
New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn returns with a brand-new novella, starring her beloved heroine, the intrepid Lady Julia Grey

To mark the passing of another decade, the esteemed—and eccentric—March family have assembled at Bellmont Abbey to perform the Twelfth Night Revels for their sleepy English village. But before Lady Julia and her handsome, sleuthing husband, Nicolas Brisbane, can take to the stage, a ruckus in the stable yard demands their attention. An abandoned infant is found nestled in the steel helm of St. George. What's more, their only lead is the local legend of a haunted cottage and its ghastly inhabitant—who seems to have returned.

Once again, Lady Julia and Nicholas take up the challenge to investigate, and when the source of the mystery is revealed, they'll be faced with an impossible choice—one that will alter the course of their lives…forever.

From Goodreads:
Amateur sleuth Lady Julia Grey and her detective husband, Nicholas Brisbane, face their latest adventure in this novella by New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn.

It's the autumn of 1890, and almost a year has passed since—much to their surprise—Lady Julia and Nicholas became parents. Just as the couple begins to adapt, a solicitor arrives with a strange bequest. Nicholas, it seems, has inherited a country house—but only if he and his family are in residence from All Hallows' Eve through Bonfire Night.


Neither Lady Julia nor Nicholas is likely to be put off by local legends of ghosts and witches, and the eerie noises and strange lights that flit from room to room simply intrigue them. Until a new lady's maid disappears, igniting a caper that will have explosive results…

My first review of Dark Road to Darjeeling, The Dark Enquiry
My Review:
I just loved reading this series again! Well, I didn't read the first 3 books again, but I've read them multiple times, and could go without. I wanted to read the novellas, since I never had, and yeah, I was so glad that I did!

It's funny, but I only noticed that the holiday novellas all had "Night" in their title when I was creating this post. I guess I just didn't connect the dots! But now I have, and it was a nice little discovery for me! Even if it's one because of my lack of attention!

I had read Silent night previously, though I hadn't marked it as such. So it was great to watch their first Christmas as a married couple with her family, since the one, they weren't married, and the first one, they were on their honeymoon. So yeah, that was great! I had remembered that the cat was the thief, so I was happy!

I just loved spending time with these characters! And the whole plot of Lucy and Black Jack was brought round with Twelfth Night and Bonfire Night, though I wish we'd gotten a few more details. Or even, another book! Oh, well!

Loved reading these, they were just so fantastic, loved the mysteries, and everything about these stories!

Author: Deanna Raybourn
Series: A Lady Julia Mystery #3.5, 4, 5, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7
First Read: February 18th, 2013, February 25th, 2013
Read: October 8th, 9th, 10th, 10th, 10th, 10th, 2016
Source: NetGalley, Own
Reason Why: Rereading! And they're Historical Fiction 2016 Books and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2016 Books! And Bonfire Night is a End of Series 2016 Book!
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Published: November 1st 2013, January 1st 2010, June 21st 2010, November 1st 2013, June 1st 2014, November 1st, 2014

Midsummer Night:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Dark Road to Darjeeling:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

The Dark Enquiry:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Silent Night:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Twelfth Night:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Bonfire Night:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars