Hunted (Marine Raiders Alpha #1) by Allyson Charles

Tags

Adult, Allyson Charles, Contemporary, Fiction, Hunted, Marine Raiders Alpha, Military Romance, thriller

This one wasn’t half-bad. A quick, fun read, full of suspence – even if a bit predictable.

Caroline is a rule-follower, all uptight and cautious – unti lshe decides to do something crazy and let loose for once. It doesn’t end well – as most things of this nature don’t – and she becomes a witness in a cartel murder. Now, she’s being hunted by a drug lord’s son. Enter Jake Skinner – the man who is more than willing to protect her and make her life a lot easier. But it’s hard to become dependent on someone when you’ve lived on your own for so long. Will they find a middle ground to survive and defeat Caroline’s pursuer?

I had so much fun with this one! Though it was full of cliches, and it was easy to predict what was going to happen next, it was fast paced and the steamy scenes delivered perfection. The rest of the cast was something memorable, too, and I can’t wait to read their stories (can we please get Sam with Chris next? their tension was off the charts, the ship was practically sailing all by itself!).

The only downside was Jake’s pushiness at some points. It was understandable, given the danger of the situation, but there were certain cases in which he was being a bit too demanding and hard-headed.

Still, it didn’t take too much from the book’s enjoyment, and it was a considerably small detail. All in all, a 4/5 for me on this one, and a definite recommendation, because we all like a mature man who knows what he wants and where he stands on the matter of romance!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

RATING:

Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8), Ilona Andrews

Tags

action, Adult, dystopian, fantasy, Fiction, Ilona Andrews, KATE DANIELS, magic, Magic Shifts, paranormal, romance, shapeshifters, supernatural, suspense, urban, vampires

We’re almost to the finale, and things are escalating. But not too fast.

Now that Kate and Curran have left the Pack behind, they’re adjusting to their new lives, but danger always finds them. This time in the form of a djinn, which kidnaps Eduardo. The Pack doesn’t seem eager to help, so they’ll have to take matters into their own hands.

Honestly, getting a bit sidetracked by a foe that is not Kate’s father, or has nothing to do with him, wasn’t so bad. We need a break from Roland – though he does make his presence quite known in this book. Have you ever met a father who wants his daughter dead and his future son-in-law enslaved to him, but still insists they get married and stop living in sin? No? Here, have a Roland, aka Nimrod, the Builder of Towers and oldest sorcerer in the world. He fits the bill perfectly!

As for the book itself, it has the usual amount of action and drama and suspence that any Kate Daniels regular book has, so I enjoyed it – as expected. And from now on, we’ll be seeing more Barabas and Christopher and Derek (MY BOYYYYY), so no complaints from yours truly~
(I just hope Mahon finally decides to pull his head outta his ass, I had started liking the guy and he got back to step zero!)

But Roland never stays docile for too long – he’s bound to make a move soon. Bring it on, man, Atlanta is ready this time around!

RATING:

The Spell of a Story by Mariajo Ilustrajo

Tags

book about books, fantasy, Fiction, kids lit, Mariajo Ilustrajo, picture book, The Spell of a Story, TOP

I loved this book from start to finish. It was such a nice little read, full of quirky pictures that reminded me of Roald Dahl’s work – aaaaahhh, there you are, signs of a blessed childhood.

It’s perfect for kids who haven’t found their “it” book yet, but also for parents or preschool teachers who want to read it to their kids. Funny, cute, short, and full of action and adventures in just a few pages, it shows exactly what we as readers know: there’s not a person alive that hates reading, or is just not into it. It’s just that they haven’t found the book that will enchant them enough to get started on such a magnificent journey, and introduce them to what is honestly the best hobby there is.

Books are like soulmates – there’s one for everyone, that perfect story that will bewitch you and turn you into a reader. No matter the genre. No matter the story. That’s how their magic works.

This one is definitely getting into my TOP ’24 READS LIST!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

RATING:

Ο Φύλακας της Δικαιοσύνης της Ευσταθίας Σορώκου

Tags

action, fantasy, Fiction, Ευσταθία Σορώκου, Ο Φύλακας της Δικαιοσύνης, post apocalyptic, romance, scifi, suspense

“Η αλήθεια θα σε απελευθερώσει, αλλά πρώτα θα σε τσαντίσει.”

Σε συνέχεια του προηγούμενου βιβλίου, το δεύτερο της διλογίας ξεκινάει… όχι τόσο δυναμικά όσο θα περίμενε κανείς. Υπάρχει ένα recap του πρώτου, για να θυμηθεί ο αναγνώστης τα βασικά, και μπαίνουμε σιγά σιγά στα παλιά λημέρια της καχυποψίας που επικρατεί ακόμα στον Ίγκνις – πλέον διάσπαρτη όχι μόνο σε κατασκόπους και πολιτικούς, αλλά και αρκετά μέλη του ίδιου του λαού. Ένας παρ’ολίγον πόλεμος, άλλωστε, δεν κρύβεται έτσι απλά και από όλους.

Και μετά όλα πάνε κατά διαόλου!

Παρά το παραπλανητικό άνοιγμα αυτού του review, δε με χάλασε καθόλου η επανάληψη των γεγονότων στην αρχή του βιβλίου. Αν και το έπιασα αμέσως μόλις τέλειωσα το πρώτο, η όλη κατάσταση ήταν σχεδόν σινεματική και ενίσχυσε την αίσθηση ότι έβλεπα το επόμενο επεισόδιο από μια αγαπημένη μου σειρά. Εξάλλου, ήταν όμορφα να θυμάμαι τις περιπέτειες που πέρασαν οι Φύλακες στο πρώτο βιβλίο – που δεν έπιαναν μία μπροστά σε αυτά που διαδραματίστηκαν στο δεύτερο!

Δολοπλοκίες παντού, ακόμα κι από άτομα που δεν το περίμενες. Εχθροί και βασικοί κακοί/ανταγωνιστές σε κοινή θέα. Κίνδυνος σε κάθε βήμα, και να μην ξέρεις ποιον να εμπιστευτείς – φίλο, συγγενή, συνεργάτη! Ούτε κι οι Φύλακες ήταν ασφαλείς από όλο αυτό, με τις εντάσεις να κορυφώνονται μεταξύ τους και τα στοιχεία μέσα τους να τους δυσκολεύουν ακόμα περισσότερο στο να σκεφτούν λογικά.

Από ένα σημείο κι έπειτα απλά σταμάτησα να ελπίζω ότι θα μπορούσα να μαντέψω σωστά τα κίνητρα του καθενός και το τι θα έκανε. Ποιον να πρωτοπιάσω; Τον Φρεντ; Τη Νήρσιλα; Τον Κόνεϊ και τα τσιράκια του; Τον Λέναρντ; Τον Ράιαν (που λίγο την πίεση μου την ανέβασε σε αυτό το βιβλίο, να πω την αλήθεια – είπαμε ρε αγόρι, έρωτες και συναισθήματα, αλλά το παραπήγες σε στιλάκι “ζηλιάρα μαθήτρια λυκείου”, grow up!); Τον Λάινους; Τον – OK, το παράκανα, δε σχολιάζω άλλο!

Δεν πρόκειται να δώσω spoilers, παρά μόνο αυτό: αν νομίζατε ότι η ιστορία δεν είναι character-centric στο πρώτο βιβλίο, εδώ ήταν και με το παραπάνω. Και ίσως αυτό να χρειαζόμασταν, εν τέλει. Να έχουμε μια πλήρη εικόνα του κόσμου και των προβλημάτων, πριν προχωρήσουμε στους χαρακτήρες και στο τι κάνουν, τουλάχιστον αρκετά ώστε πλέον να μας νοιάζει η κάθε απόφασή τους, η ασφάλεια κι η ευτυχία τους.

Ένα αριστούργημα, πραγματικά. Με λυπεί μόνο το γεγονός ότι δεν υπάρχουν άλλα βιβλία της Σορώκου στα ράφια μου, το storytelling της είναι ένα κόσμημα.

Υ.Γ.: Έχουμε sexual tension σε αυτό το βιβλίο, παιδιά! Και μπορεί να έχω διαβάσει αρκετά πιο… βρώμικα ρομάντσα, αλλά ουφ! Τα ακροδάχτυλα και τα βλέμματα του Λέναρντ από το πάρτι γενεθλίων κι έπειτα με ισοπέδωσαν! Έβγαλα βεντάλια σαν τις κυράτσες στην εκκλησία να κάνω αέρα! Απόδειξη ότι δε χρειάζεσαι να γίνεις πρόστυχος στο χαρτί για να δείξεις ένταση και αισθησιασμό μεταξύ δύο χαρακτήρων.

RATING:

Into the Dreaming (Highlander #8) by Karen Marie Moning

Tags

Adult, Fae, Fiction, Highlander, Historical, Into The Dreaming, Karen Marie Moning, KMM, paranormal, romance, time travel

Not exactly a fan of this one, though I’m a huge KMM fan. I thought the finale of the Highlander series would be a total bang for me, but it fell a bit on the meh side…

One might think it was because it was a novella, but it wasn’t that. In fact, I’d say this was what saved the book a bit – that it was short and I didn’t have to read for much longer.

No, the problem was the female lead – she hit a bit too close to home with her Adrienne-like mannerisms. I nearly got a PTSD attack – yes, I do have an Adrienne trauma and I’m assigning her name to all the females I would rather see strangled in the books I read (have been ever since I first touched this series, years ago). The male lead was not faring any better, either. Supposedly stone-cold and broody and “don’t touch me, wench” during the day – and fully ogling her in her sleep like a creep by night. (I’m so glad he has no relation whatsoever with the Keltars, cause that bloodline is perfect in my eyes and I wouldn’t have enjoyed seeing them fall from grace with this guy….)

What I enjoyed, though, was the last few pages in the book. The ones with the plot twist. I’ve been DYING to see someone put Aoibheal in her place FOR BOOKS, and I’m so glad I got to see that. Even more so knowing it’s the Unseelie King who did it – and the part about his obsession? Mmmm, gold!

I don’t know if I’ll ever get to reading the Fever series, but even if I don’t, I’m very happy that I got to see the Highlands and their beauty through this series. Lukewarm finale and all.

RATING:

Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews

Tags

Adult, dystopian, Fiction, Ilona Andrews, KATE DANIELS, magic, Magic Breaks, paranormal, romance, shapeshifters, supernatural, urban fantasy

I’m crying, screaming, and I know it’s only downhill from here and I can’t – I don’t know what to do with my life at this point!

How can a book spend so many pages describing a single night – less than that, actually – and still be so riveting? I wasn’t even mad, only biting my nails because of the deadline. Never have I ever feared the dawn coming as much as I did with this one!

I swear, there better be a HEA for Kate, peaceful as can be, at the end of this series. Because this book broke me even more – and I wish I never get to see Hugh in any other story. The man has traumatised me enough. I had to stop, hyperventilating, every other paragraph while Kate was in that Order cell, take a step back and breathe for an hour at least. I fucking screeched a looooong rant that made no sense to my book reading friends when he dared to go for Ascanio.

And now we get more Roland scenes. Roland, who tried to kill her before she was even born, and who suddenly decided to call her Blossom – and threaten her at the same time – and ask to be involved in her life. What is the world coming to?!

RATING:

The Griffin’s Egg by Cole Poindexter

Tags

Cole Poindexter, DNF, fantasy, kids lit, middle grade, The Griffin's Egg

DNF way before I reached the halfway point – the writing was way too immature, even for a book meant for kids. I couldn’t force myself to keep reading it.

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

RATING:

Here Be Dragons by Susannah Lloyd and Paddy Donnelly

Tags

children, fantasy, Here Be Dragons, Humor, Paddy Donnelly, picture books, Susannah Lloyd

A delightful and quick read, full of funny illustrations and packed with color. It can be read in less than 20 minutes, and yet it’s fun for all ages, even those adults that always enjoyed humor and dragons!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

RATING:

Magic Steals (Kate Daniels #7.5) by Ilona Andrews

Tags

Adult, fantasy, Fiction, Ilona Andrews, KATE DANIELS, magic, Magic Steals, novella, paranormal, romance, shapeshifters, urban

“I watch everyone, but when I watch you, all I feel is . . . that I want to be with you. You will never lie to me. And if I need help, you will be there. With you, I breathe.” – Jim Shrapshire

Oh, I’m so happy I read this one! I’m never badmouthing Jim, ever again! This book helped me understand his character on so many levels, I wanted to slap my past self for judging him so harshly!

The man has it all. He’s respectful, seducing in a hot yet full of consent way, understanding and willing to talk things RATIONALLY (unlike a certain Beast Lord), and to hear him explain why he acts the way he does had me melting and sobbing on the floor. Curran could really learn a thing or two about making women swoon from his Chief of Security. The Pack Alphas have to put up a facade, we knew that much, but Jim has it even worse, because he needs to have layers on top of layers of different personas, and that sounds exhausting. No wonder he wanted Dali so much – she made him truly calm.

Oh, and he kept calling her beautiful and smart and majestic, so really, what kind of woman would pass that up?

The story has a lot more mystery than action, but that’s fine, because I honestly was more invested in seeing where their relationship would lead. And I wasn’t disappointed. Jim was all in, no bars held, no looking, just straight leaping and with all his heart. He had talked to all his family members about Dali, had made sure they understood her dietary habits (and they fussed about it, my heart, I can’t, they were so happy for the big grumpy cat settling down, they would have built her a fucking throne if she asked, I’m sure of it!), and he kept acting like a horny teenager because he wanted everyone and their freaking mother to know he was a taken man.

And can we even talk about how much trust he puts in Dali? She stumbles around all the time, and he’s just there. Swooning. Thinking of his girlfriend as the coolest being on earth. Hearts in his eyes and raibows around his head. And he cuddles! If my heart wasn’t taken by Derek, Jim would hold it in his jaguar paws and wouldn’t let go!

As you can see, I’m clearly in awe of Jim, and this review was an excuse to rant about it. But in all honesty, go read this spinoff. In a way, it is essential for what is coming next in the main series, because that shit is big, and for what the Beast Lord and his Consort have in store for the Pack, you need to finally trust Jim and like him, otherwise it won’t be as sweet when it happens.

RATING:

Shot Across the Bow (Deep Six #5) by Julie Ann Walker

Tags

action, Adult, Contemporary, Deep Six, Fiction, Julie Ann Walker, Military, romance, Shot Across the Bow, suspense

“Okay, then. Let’s throw out our plans to stay forever single. Let’s see if two people who don’t have any idea how to make a relationship work can actually go the distance. Let’s give this…give us…a chance. Let’s be each other’s ride-or-die. What do you say?” – Spiro ‘Romeo’ Delgado

Fucking Romeo, ladies and gentlemen! The only guy from Deep Six that made me feel like an idiot for not swooning for him sooner!

Gotta love a man who can rock your world, then immediately beat the shit out of someone – while still naked after your lovemaking – and, oh, read smutty novels! Yes, my man, that’s the way to go! And he was a romantic at heart, like, screw Wolf (you know I love you, sir, but it needs to be said), Romeo was the true husband material in this whole crew!

Mia was also a delight to read. Such a sweetheart, a girly girl but not in an annoying way. She makes you wanna hug her and protect her from the world.

While the leads in this book come from very different social backgrounds, they had both grown up in crappy families. They had their parents screw them fifty ways to Sunday all their lives, and they were paying the emotional price, so it was a true boon to see them find each other and realise there was nothing wrong with them at all. Healing and supporting each other in the best way possible.

The action and the suspense were off the roof with this book, more so than in others. Mainly because, this time around, there was no way the protagonists could get help, as no one had found them yet, stranded as they were. The emotional rollercoaster was also a nice touch and worked wonders to up the stakes.

Unfortunately, I’m not going to read the next book. Like, ever. Doc started out as my personal favorite in the beginning of this series, but he proved to be a real dick in this one. The way he treated Cami, just because he was bitter for not getting his thingie to work while drunk and she refused to accomodate him was pure crap. Like, hating on her for no valid reason other than her profession? Which, let me tell you, buddy, you guys hired her to exercise, so please shut the fuck up!

It’s not even cute, like the “rivals/enemies to lovers” trope. It’s just annoying, and I have no intention of watching a capable, likable woman like Cami get thrown around like the personal punchbag for the proverbial issues of Doc. Sorry, not sorry!

“ I’m tired of running. I’m asking for your friendship and understanding. I’m asking for your love. I’m asking you to be my home, Spiro.” – Mia Ennis

RATING:

Οι Φύλακες του Φωτός, της Ευσταθίας Σορώκου

Tags

books festival haul, dystopian, φαντασίας, Ευσταθία Σορώκου, Οι Φύλακες του Φωτός, Mystery, post-apocalyptic, scifi, top reads

Τι κι αν θεωρούνταν η σημερινή κοινωνία ιδανική; Πιθανότατα πάντα θα υπάρχει κάτι ικανό να προκαλέσει ταραχές. Αναρωτιόταν αν τελικά είναι δυνατόν να ακμάσει η τέλεια κοινωνία – και αν ναι, τότε ποια είναι η συνταγή της.

Είχα αρχίσει να απογοητεύομαι από όσα βιβλία είχα βρει πέρυσι στο Φεστιβάλ Βιβλίου. Έτρεμα κυριολεκτικά να το πιάσω αυτό, καθώς η δυολογία της Σορώκου ήταν η τελευταία που μου είχε μείνει από το περσινό book haul.

Κι όμως, από την πρώτη κιόλας σελίδα, όλοι οι φόβοι εξανεμίστηκαν!

Τι. Βιβλιάρα. Ήταν. Αυτή;!

Αρνούμαι να πιστέψω ότι αυτό είναι το πρώτο της επίσημο βιβλίο. Η Ευσταθία Σορώκου δημιουργεί έναν κόσμο φουτουριστικό, dystopian κατά ένα μέρος, όπου ο άνθρωπος, όπως ήταν αναμενόμενο, τα έχει κάνει όλα μην πω πώς, και το είδος μας παραλίγο να εξαλειφθεί – γιατί μαζί με την καταστροφή του περιβάλλοντος είπαμε να ρίξουμε και έναν γερό πόλεμο, έτσι για το καλό! Πάνω που έχουμε λοιπόν ανακάμψει, έρχονται καινούργια προβλήματα με τη μορφή ενός αγνώστου πολιτισμού που επιθυμεί να ξεκινήσει νέο πόλεμο.

Κι εκεί γίνεται το σώσε.

Τέσσερις άνθρωποι, ειδικά επιλεγμένοι για να τα χρησιμοποιήσουν, καλούνται να βρουν τέσσερα υπερόπλα, σε μορφή σπαθιών, και να προστατέψουν τον πλανήτη από τους εισβολείς. Υπόψιν, όλα αυτά, ενώ ταυτόχρονα ένας από τους αρχηγούς των ανθρώπων έχει δολοφονηθεί και υπάρχει κι ένας προδότης εσωτερικός που τροφοδοτεί πληροφορίες στους εχθρούς.

Θα έλεγα ότι υπάρχουν υπερβολικά πολλά πράγματα μπλεγμένα όλα μαζί – ίντριγκα, ένας ενεργός πόλεμος, το μυστήριο της δολοφονίας, τα σπαθιά – για να απολαύσεις την ιστορία, αλλά θα ήταν ψέματα! Η αλήθεια είναι ότι η συγγραφέας έχει πλέξει όλα τα νήματα τόσο εύστοχα, με μεράκι και καλά μελετημένο πλάνο, ώστε όλα να συνδέονται μεταξύ τους, τα περισσότερα plot twist να παρουσιάζονται με έναν τρόπο που δεν το περίμενες, και να μην υπάρχει στιγμή βαρεμάρας.

Οι χαρακτήρες της δεν έχουν ιδιαίτερα κεντρικό ρόλο εδώ πέρα, αλλά μικρό το κακό, γιατί το βιβλίο είναι ιστοριοκεντρικό κατά τη βάση του, και θέλει γερά κότσια και άφθονο ταλέντο για να καταφέρεις να κάνεις τον αναγνώστη να νοιάζεται για την πλοκή σου, όχι γιατί τον ενδιαφέρει ο πρωταγωνιστής, αλλά γιατί ΘΕΛΕΙ να μάθει τι γίνεται παρακάτω, αλλιώς θα σκάσει! Σε ΝΟΙΑΖΕΙ να μάθεις ποιος σκότωσε τον Λόιρ, γιατί όλο νομίζεις πως το έχεις κι όλο σου έρχονται νέα δεδομένα και το ανατρέπουν. Σε ΝΟΙΑΖΕΙ να μάθεις τι στο καλό ήταν αυτό που απειλούσε ότι θα διαδώσει στον κόσμο για τους άλλους αρχηγούς. Σε ΝΟΙΑΖΕΙ ποιος είναι ο προδότης (μικρό σπόιλερ, δε θα το μάθετε σε αυτό το βιβλίο, αλλά συνεχίστε να μαντεύετε, έχει φάση!). Σε ΝΟΙΑΖΕΙ ακόμα κι ο πόλεμος που ξεκινάει και ξεσπάει επίσημα κάμποσα κεφάλαια πριν το τέλος, γιατί όλες οι σκηνές, προσωπικές και γενικές, είναι τόσο τέλεια χορογραφημένες και σινεματικές που είναι σα να παρακολουθείς ταινία.

Για να μη μιλήσω για το world building που ήταν άψογο, με περιγραφές που δεν κουράζουν, αλλά σε κάνουν να βλέπεις όλα τα σκηνικά με τα ίδια σου τα μάτια.

Ειλικρινά, ό,τι και να πω είναι λίγο για αυτό το βιβλίο. Είχα καιρό να δω κάτι τόσο καλοδουλεμένο από πρωτάρη συγγραφέα, και είμαι ευτυχισμένη που μου έκοψε και πήρα και το δεύτερο, το οποίο εννοείται και έπιασα αμέσως – και δεν το μετανιώνω ακόμα και τώρα! ΦΕΡΤΕ ΛΕΝΑΡΝΤ ΣΤΟΝ ΛΑΟ, Η ΒΙΑΝ ΝΑ ΠΑΕΙ ΝΑ ΠΝΙΓΕΙ, ΚΑΙ ΚΑΠΟΙΟΣ ΝΑ ΔΩΣΕΙ ΜΙΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΑΓΚΑΛΙΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΑΛΙΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΞΗΣΗ ΣΤΟΝ ΛΑΜΑΡ!

Υ.Γ.: Είχα ξεκινήσει να βρίζω τον Λέναρντ στο πρώτο βιβλίο, αλλά τα παίρνω όλα πίσω τώρα που είμαι στο δεύτερο!

RATING: