Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 4

Today's manga post is on Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 4 by Gyeoeul Gwon and SUOL (Artist). It is 272 pages long and is published by Ize Press. The cover has Penelope and Callisto on it heading into a forest. As it is the fourth volume in the series, you need to have read the first three volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes mysteries and determined female leads. There is mild foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this volume. The story is told from third person close mostly following Penelope. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- "When I'm with you, there's truly never a dull moment."
The Hunt is on! Penelope heads off to the small-game area in hopes of finding a present for Eckles... only to run into a hostile bear! Armed with desperation and a crossbow, Penelope holds it off, until Callisto unexpectedly comes to her rescue. Despite his heroism, Penelope wants nothing but to get away from the seemingly obsessed, definitely dangerous crown prince. Fate has other plans, though- someone has sent assassins after Callisto, and Penelope is not caught in the cross fire, tasked by the game system to protect him. Still, this might just be a chance to raise his affection... if they can make it out with their lives, that is!

Review- So much happens in this volume, from Penelope learning about Callisto's life to learning more about the ancient wizards and the cult of the Laila. By the end of the volume she has much to consider and she still has to save her own life. But Penelope is not the one who learns in this volume, Callisto learns about her and it changes his opinion of her. He is beginning to see that Penelope is so much more than the rumors about her. The plot of this series is so strong and interesting plus add in how great the characters are, this series just has it all. If you are looking for romance, this story is not it.  There is a love story but this is a survival story with romance in the background. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next volume. 

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

A Conjuring of Light

 

Today's post is on A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab. The cover is white with a red throne and a black figure sitting on the throne. It is 624 pages long and is published by Tor. As it is the third novel in her A Darker Shade of Magic trilogy, you need to have read the first two novels to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes fantasy novels, unique magic systems, and interesting characters.  There is mild foul language, mild sex, and violence in this novel. The story is told from third person close of the characters, moving as the story needs. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Witness the fate of beloved heroes- and enemies.
The balance of power has finally tipped...
The precarious equilibrium among the four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise.
Who will crumble?
Kell- once assumed to be the last surviving Antari- begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. And in the wake of tragedy, can Arnes survive?
Who will rise?
Lila Bard, once a commonplace- but never common- thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trails. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting to race against time to acquire the impossible.
Who will take control?
And an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown while a fallen hero tries to save a world in decay.

Review- A wonderful conclusion to a great series. All the threads come together in this novel and it is a beautiful picture and a great adventure. All the character come together to stop Osaron, a piece of corrupt magic, from destroying Red London, just like he did Black London once. Getting them to work together is hard with Lila wanting to kill Holland for being Osaron into Red London and Kell just trying to stay alive for Rhy. We learn more about Holland and what his life was like as an Antari in White London and all the blood his has spilled, his own and others. We get to see more of the world outside of Red London and how life is outside of the capital city. The last battle is good and quick, which I liked because there was just no need to draw it out. The ending was satisfying and I like where the story left the characters. I highly recommend this series. 

I give this novel a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money. 

The Cruel Prince

Today’s review is on The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. It is 370 pages long and is published by Little, Brown, and Company. The cover is white with a golden branch with a crown and a green beetle on it. The intended reader is someone who likes dark YA novels, faerie stories, and great writing. There in mild foul language, implied sex and sexuality, and voilence in this novel. The story is told from third person close of the main character Jude. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

Review- Holly Black is a master of dark fairy tales and she returns to the form with Cruel Prince. We start with Jude’s earliest memory which is her mother and father being murdered by her older sister's father, who happens to be a fairy known as a redcap. We then fast forward to about 10 years later and Jude is wholly devoted to stepfather and wants to become a knight in one of the fairy courts. But then a very surprising betrayal happens in Jude is forced to reconsider what she is willing to do to make a place for herself in her adopted home. The writing as always the strong point with Black, she is a master of craft, and understands traditional Fearie tales better than most modern writers. None of the plot twists with the exception of the big one were surprising to me, but don't let that put you off, the overall story itself is absolutely fantastic. I will say that Jude is as dense as a bag of rocks, but that's because she is taking things at face value, because most of the time when dealing with a Fae she can. I'm curious about where she is going to go now that she has made the cruel Prince the King, even though he certainly did not bargain for that. If you were looking for a more traditional style of Faerie tale I highly recommend this and everything else written by Holly Black. 

I give this novel a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this novel from my local library.

Sorcerous Stabber Orphen Vol. 2

Today’s post is on Sorcerous Stabber Orphen Vol. 2: Heed My Call, Beast! Part 2 by Yoshinobu Akita and Muraji.  It is 180 pages long and is published by Seven Seas. The cover has Orphen, Azalie and Childman on it. As it is the second volume of the series you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who has read the first volume, likes high fantasy and action manga. There is no foul language, no sex, and fantasy violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of Orphen. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- BLOODY REUNION
It’s been five years since Orphen last saw his dear friend Azalie–and now he finds her, twisted into a deadly monster. The sorcerous Tower of Fangs is sending out an extermination squad to claim her head, and its leader wields the very sword that transformed Azalie in the first place. No matter the risks, Orphen’s not about to give up on the woman he loves. He joins the monster hunters, secretly waiting for his chance to break the curse! 

Review- An excellent conclusion to this short series. Orphen gets his answers about what happened and he saves Azalie but it does not look like what he expected it to. There is not much else in this volume other than plot wrapping up and more magic in this world. There are so many different kinds of magic that I would have liked to get more into it but as it is only two volumes long something had to be sacrificed. But all plot threads are tied off and Orphen and friends ride off into the sunset to have more adventures that I would love to see. If you are looking for a fun short series then you should give Sorcerous Stabber Orphen a try.

I give this manga a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Sorcerous Stabber Orphen Vol. 1: Heed My Call, Beast! Part 1

Today's post is on Sorcerous Stabber Orphen Vol. 1: Heed My Call, Beast! Part 1 by Yoshinobu Akita, Muraji (Illustrations). It is 180 pages long and is published by Seven Seas Published. The cover has Orphen in the canter looking cool and dramatic. The intended reader is someone who likes fantasy and adventure manga. There is mild foul language, no sex, and action violence in this series. The story is told from the third person close of Orphen. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- He calls himself Orphen: a rogue sorcerer who turned his back on the Tower of Fangs, the powerful academy that trained him. In those hallowed halls, a terrible curse fell upon his best friend Azalie, twisting her into a monstrous beast…and the teachers decided to simply cover it up. Forsaking his studies and even his own name, Orphen now wanders the land searching for Azalie, and a cure for what she has become. It won’t be easy–a quest brimming with adventure, spells, and swords awaits!

Review- This is a great first volume. We get everything we need for a series start, the hero, the quest, some mildly funny/annoying sidekicks, and a girl with more strength than brains and it is a good start! Orphen is a classic manga that is having new life breathed into it and I am very pleased with the results so far. Lots of action in this volume to off set the very dark story about magic gone wrong. Lots of world building, character introductions, and plot threads going on in this volume so we should get going really fast from here now. I am looking forward to the next volume.

I give this four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Covenant's End

Today's post is on Covenant's End by Ari Marmell. It is 274 pages long and is published by Pyr. It is the fourth in the Widdershin's Adventures and as such you need to have read the first three books to understand the story. The cover is white with Widdershins sitting in the center of a golden circle. The intended reader is someone who has read the first three books, likes urban historical fantasy, and unusual stories. The story is told from third person close of mostly Widdreshins but some of the other characters get their thoughts put in too. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The thief Widdershins and her own "personal god," Olgun, return to their home city of Davillon after almost a year away. While Shins expects only to face the difficulty of making up with her friends, what she actually finds is far, far worse. Her nemesis, Lisette, has returned, and she is not alone. Lisette has made a dark pact with supernatural powers that have granted her abilities far greater than anything Widdershins and Olgun can match.
Together, Widdershins and Olgun will face enemies on both sides of the law, for Lisette's schemes have given her power in both Davillon's government and its underworld. For even a slim chance, Shins must call on both old friends--some of whom haven't yet forgiven her--and new allies.
Even with their help, Widdershins may be required to make the hardest sacrifice of her life, if she is to rid Davillon--and herself--of Lisette once and for all. 

Review- I was excited and sad to read the final volume of Widdershins and Olgun's adventures. I enjoyed the first three volumes so much that I was more than a little nervous about this book. I knew that everything was going to change because of the lengths the villain is willing to go. I was so afraid that Olgun was going to die to save Widdershins' life. But I was pleased with how the book ended. Everything turned okay, not great but the ending was probably the best that we, the readers, could have hoped for. I do think that Marmell can come back to Widdershins and that is okay with me. I would like him to return to this world because it is very interesting and we see so little of it but Marmell never comes back that it okay too.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Claymore volume 11: Kindred of Paradise

Today's post is on Claymore volume 11: Kindred of Paradise by Norihiro Yagi. It is the eleventh the long running Claymore series, you need to have read the first ten volumes to understand the story. It is 189 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump Advanced. The cover has Clare and Rigalo on it facing off. The intended reader is someone who likes dark plots, high action, and strong female characters. There is mild foul language, no sexuality, and lots of violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- In the northern town of Pieta, Clare and a force of Claymores battle a troupe of Awakened Ones to prevent them from advancing south. Their orders are to hold off the evil horde at all costs, while the Organization prepares a secret weapon. Clare and her comrades realize that theirs is a suicide mission. As their friends fall one by one, the warriors band together to make their last stand.

Review- We pick up right where we left with Rigalo trying to kill the leaders of the Claymore band. Lots of fighting in this volume but then we have moments with Raki and the Awakened Beings who are caring for him. Raki has no idea about who they are but he does know that there is something odd about Priscilla. The fight with Rigalo almost drives Clare past her limits but Jean brings her back at a high cost. The volume ends in a cliffhanger with Isley sais that all the lights, the Claymores, have gone out. But the Organization planned for that and have made a very powerful Claymore that is only to kill Awakened Beings and she does. This is a very good volume and I am very curious about where the story is going to go now.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Nimona

Today's post is on Nimona by Noelle Steveson. It is 256 pages long and is published by HarperTeen. The cover has the three main characters on it. The intended reader is young adult but adults who like comics will like this comic too. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and violence in this comic. The story is told from the third person god perspective with the epilogue told from Ballister's perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism!
Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.
But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

Review- A cute story about friendship and being different. Nimona believes that she is a villain for story reasons so she seeks out the biggest named villain in the world Sir Ballister Blackheart to become his sidekick. Sir Ballister has been painted as a villain by the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics for reasons that he does not know but his once best friend Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin is now his sworn nemeses. Lots of character development so it is a little light on plot but the characters more than make up for that. There are questions about what is real villainy and how do you know what real heroes are and all that good stuff. I really had a good time with this comic and I look forward to what Stevenson writes next.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library. 

A Criminal Magic

 

Today's post is on A Criminal Magic by Lee Kelly. It is 422 pages long and is published by Saga Books. The cover is black with lightening going in a cocktail glass. This is a stand alone novel. The intended reader is older young adult and adults, someone who likes unusual settings, and good plots. There is some mild language, implied sex, and violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of the two main characters Joan and Alex. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Magic is powerful, dangerous and addictive - and after passage of the 18th Amendment, it is finally illegal.
It's 1926 in Washington, DC, and while Anti-Sorcery activists have achieved the Prohibition of sorcery, the city's magic underworld is booming. Sorcerers cast illusions to aid mobsters' crime sprees. Smugglers funnel magic contraband in from overseas. Gangs have established secret performance venues where patrons can lose themselves in magic, and take a mind-bending, intoxicating elixir known as the sorcerer's shine.
Joan Kendrick, a young sorcerer from Norfolk County, Virginia accepts an offer to work for DC's most notorious crime syndicate, the Shaw Gang, when her family's home is repossessed. Alex Danfrey, a first-year Federal Prohibition Unit trainee with a complicated past and talents of his own, becomes tapped to go undercover and infiltrate the Shaws.
Through different paths, Joan and Alex tread deep into the violent, dangerous world of criminal magic - and when their paths cross at the Shaws' performance venue, despite their orders, and despite themselves, Joan and Alex become enchanted with one another. But when gang alliances begin to shift, the two sorcerers are forced to question their ultimate allegiances and motivations. And soon, Joan and Alex find themselves pitted against each other in a treacherous, heady game of cat-and-mouse.
A CRIMINAL MAGIC casts a spell of magic, high stakes and intrigue against the backdrop of a very different Roaring Twenties.

Review- A fantastic story about roaring twenties with incredible magic. The magic and the sorcerers are just so much fun in this book. On one hand this is a very dark story about drugs and the mob and cops coming to get people but on the other it is a wonderful story about two characters trying to survive this dark world. Both characters want to fix the past but they cannot so they are floating in the present, unsure of where they are going or why they are still going on. Joan says she has to protect her sister and cousin but over the course of the story she has to deal with feeling her lack of place in this world. Alex wants make his mother proud but he is in over his head. They both want more than just what they have. It is very tragic but I really enjoyed this book.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

The Paradox

Today's post is on The Paradox by Charlie Fletcher. It is the second in his The Oversight trilogy. As such you need to have read the first one to understand the story. The cover is blue with a hand holding a candle in the center. It is 386 pages long and is published by Orbit. The intended reader is someone who likes Victorian urban fantasy, lots of mythology, and good writing. There is some mild language, no sex, and violence in this book. The story is told in third person close moving from one character, including villains, chapter by chapter. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- When you look in the mirror- sometimes it looks back,
Those who belong to the secret society called the Oversight know may things. They know cold iron with hold back the evil it in the darkness. The know it is dangerous to stand between two mirrors.
And they know that , despite their dwindling numbers, it remains their duty to protect humanity from the supernatural. And vice versa.
The black waters rise. The candle is guttering. But the light still remains. For now...

Review- A wonderful second book from a favorite book of 2014.The story picks up where the first book ends with the discovery of Templebanes' body. The real twist to me was the unknowing time jump that Sara and Sharp have. The world building is expanded nicely with the inclusion of more of the mirror world. The story is fast paced and interesting.We get to see more of the villains in this volume and they add a layer of menace as we got to know them. Not only do we get more of the villains in this volume but we get some grey characters. I do not know what role one in particular is going to play in the end but I think is she going to be the one to change the tides. Sarah and Jack Sharp are off in the world of mirrors and everyone else just has to make it until they get back. I cannot wait to read the last volume and see where everything is going fall in the end.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Empire of Night

Today's post is on Empire of Night by Kelly Armstrong. It is the second in her Age of Legends trilogy. It is 424 pages long and is published by Harper. The cover is dark with a monster on it. The intended reader is someone who likes fantasy mixed with horror, good female characters, and politics. There is some language, no sex, and violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of the two main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- SISTERS MORIA AND ASHYN ARE THE KEEPER AND SEEKER OF EDGEWOOD.
OR AT LEAST, THEY WERE.
Their village is gone. Their friends have betrayed them. And now, they are all but prisoners in court, forced to watch and wait while the Emperor decides whether to help the children of Edgewood, who remain hostages of the treacherous Alvar Kitsune.
But when the emperor finally sends the girls on a mission to rescue the children - accompanied by Prince Tyrus and a small band of men - the journey proves more perilous than any of them could have imagined. With lies and unrest mounting in the empire, Moria and Ashyn will have to draw on every bit of influence and power they possess to unite their people and avert an all-out war.

Review- I loved the first book in this trilogy and this one lives up to it. It picks up right the last novel stopped with everything still in motion. The children are still missing, the empire is on the brink of war, and no one knows what Kitsune wants. Although the story takes place over about two months, you do not feel the time. Everything happens so quickly from one to next. That said you can follow everything that happens, nothing is confusing. We get some new characters and some light romance. I want Moria to choose the prince, I like him better. In the end we get to see more of the evil things that Kitsune has summoned back from the darkness.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Magic Burns

Today's post is on Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews. It is the second in her Kate Daniels series. It is 260 pages long and is published by Ace Fantasy. The cover has Kate and Curran on it with a magic flare in the background. As it the second in a series you need to have read the first one to understand the story. The intended reader is read the first one, likes urban fantasy, and salty heroines. There is language, no sex, and lots of violence in this book. The story is told from Kate's first person perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Down in Atlanta, tempers – and temperatures – are about to flare…
As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.
When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…

Review- I really enjoyed this novel. The story was interesting, I like Kate, and the world is great. I like Kate Daniels and I know that many other readers do not feel the same way. She is an interesting character. Maybe I just trust the authors but I think that she is believable. The plot was very interesting and so much world building was done in this novel. We get to see more of the way things work and more of different kinds of magic. Kate's magic is different but I really felt that I got that more at the end of this novel than from the first one. Witches and shamans are more explored in this novel but whatever Kate's new ward is not explained. Curran was a little funny in this one but he did not mean to be. I like the way that Kate handles him. Yes it could get her killed but she is not going to be afraid of him. I am looking forward to reading the next one.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.

The Golden Princess

Today's post is on The Golden Princess by S. M. Stirling. It is the eleventh in his Emberverse series. It is 420 pages long and is published by Roc. The cover has the two main characters on it in a desert landscape. The intended reader has read the previous volumes, likes odd dystopian, and very long exposition. There is some mild language, no sex, and violence in this book. The story is told from the main character moving from one to the next per chapter. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket-A new generation faces its own challenges in the world the Change has made.
Princess Órlaith, heir to Rudi Mackenzie, Artos the First, High King of Montival, now wields the Sword of the Lady—and faces a new enemy. Fortunately, she also has a new ally in Reiko, Empress of Japan, who has been pursued to America by a conquering army from Asia.
To combat their mutual foe, Órlaith and Reiko embark on a quest to find the fabled Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, the Grass-Cutting Sword, one of the three great treasures of the Japanese Imperial House. But dreams have revealed that the road to Kusanagi lies through the meganecropolis of the City of Angels, the greatest and most perilous of the dead cities...and beyond it, to a castle in the fearful Valley of Death. And their relentless enemy will stop at nothing to prevent them from succeeding.
For across the Pacific, the great arc of land that stretches from the dark kingdom of Korea to the realm of Capricornia in Australia is threatened by war. Now all the survivors of the Change must choose sides....

Review-  I wanted to like this book but it was so boring. Now I will admit that I have not read any other books in this series and I have the next one sitting my TBR shelf given to me to review. But I am not going to go back and read the first series. This was just so boring that I am now dreading reading the next one. The characters, the setting, and the plot could have been interesting but the exposition that happened for page after page just killed it. So much of this book was just paragraph after paragraph explaining the same things over and over. I just wanted something to happen but nothing did. There are two fight scenes in this book but they both are ruined by the exposition. I was so glad when I finished this book but now I have to read the next one.

I give this book a Two out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library. 

Magic Bites

Today's post is on Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews. It is 260 pages long and is published by Ace Fantasy. It is the first in the Kate Daniels series. The intended reader is someone who likes urban fantasy with a twist, high action, and witty main characters. The cover has the two main characters on it. There is language, talk of sex and rape, and lots of violence in this book. The story is told from the first person perspective of the main character Kate. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren’t for magic…
One moment magic dominates, and cars stall and guns fail. The next, technology takes over and the defensive spells no longer protect your house from monsters. Here skyscrapers topple under onslaught of magic; werebears and werehyenas prowl through the ruined streets; and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst of knowledge and wealth, pilot blood-crazed vampires with their minds.
In this world lives Kate Daniels. Kate likes her sword a little too much and has a hard time controlling her mouth. The magic in her blood makes her a target, and she spent most of her life hiding in plain sight.
But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, she must choose to do nothing and remain safe or to pursue his preternatural killer. Hiding is easy, but the right choice is rarely easy…

Review- An interesting and intense urban fantasy that moves really fast. As a fan of urban fantasy this one is very interesting and different from the rest. Someone made magic real, either again or for the first time, and now the world going between magic working or tech working. It makes some the world building very interesting. I like Kate and I can see why she would make some people uncomfortable but if she was a man there would little to no problem. I like the fact that she acts like a person, not a woman, but a human being in a very stressful time. I think that she is a good main character and I look forward to reading more about her.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.  

Working for The Devil

Today's post is on Working for The Devil by Lilith Saintcrow. It is the first in her Dante Valentine series. It is 255 pages long and is published by Orbit. I bought this in an omnibus edition so the cover is black with Danny in the center looking cool. The intended reader is someone who likes gritty urban fantasy, interesting magic systems, and good writing. Because of the subject matter adults only for the best. There is lots of language, sex, and lots of violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From Amazon.com- When the Devil needs a rogue demon killed, who does he call?
The Player: Necromance-for-hire Dante Valentine is choosy about her jobs. Hot tempered and with nerves of steel, she can raise the dead like nobody's business. But one rainy Monday morning, everything goes straight to hell.
The Score: The Devil hires Dante to eliminate a rogue demon: Vardimal Santino. In return, he will let her live. It's an offer she can't refuse.
The Catch: How do you kill something that can't die?
 

Review- A very interesting and excellent read. The magic system, the characters, the dialog, the world in general; everything is just about perfect. I like Saintcrow. I started of reading her new steampunk series and decided that I needed to read some of her older stuff. I was right. Dante is a great heroine. She is interesting, she knows who she is, and she handles most of the bad stuff in this novel with grace. The magic system is something that I really loved. This world is like ours but it is an alternate reality with all the fun stuff that we all wish were real. Dante is a necromance but she does not raise the dead, just their spirits mostly for lawyers but she is the most powerful one on the planet at the moment. Her love interest I liked. He was not annoying. In fact other than Dante ex-lover I liked all the character's, including the Devil. I look forward to reading the next book.
 

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.

The House of the Four Winds

Today's post is on The House of the Four Winds by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory. It is the first in their One Dozen Daughters series. It is 300 pages long and is published by TOR. The cover is light blue with the main character wearing tricorn hat and smirking at the reader. The intended reader is a fan of either author, fun historical fantasy, and good writing. There is some mild language, no sex, and some violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- The tiny nation of Swansgaard is a lovely place with abundant natural resources, including the royal family, which has been blessed with twelve daughters and a son. As this boisterous baker's dozen approaches adulthood, the king and queen lovingly tell their daughters, “You must make your own fortune, for we cannot enrich you without impoverishing out people or leaving our lands defenseless, and that we will not do.”

Happily, the princesses of Swansgaard are eager to meet this challenge, for they yearn for adventures both near and far from home.
Clarice, an expert swordwoman, is the first to depart. Disguising herself as Clarence, she signs on for a voyage to the New World. The captain is vile and black-hearted, and the crew soon mutinies. Clarice becomes the first mate- and finds her heart captured by the new captain, Dominick, who is, to own surprise, increasingly attracted to Clarence.
Now outlaws, Dominick and his crew turn to piracy- though their hearts are not entirely in it. They soon run afoul the Pirate Council, who orders them to retrieve the Heart of Light. All who have searched for this great treasure have vanished, with neither ships nor crew ever seen again and no sign of their fates ever discovered.
But none before have carried with the sorceress Shamal, who stakes a claim of her own on Dominick's heart.

Review- This was a fun start to a new series. With two good authors that I have read and loved for many years I expected nothing less. The characters are interesting, the dialog sharp, and the plot twists are good. Having read both Lackey and Mallory before I have a general idea about what to expect from this novel. I was and was not wrong. Some of the plot twists I did not see coming. Like how the villain is defeated. The world building is good, this world is like ours but just a little off. It is really alternate historical fantasy, which I found to be fun. Lackey and Mallory do not reinvent the genre but the book is good. It was a very quick and enjoyable read. So if you are a fan of either writer, I can strongly say that you will enjoy this book.
 

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 26

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 26 by Akimine Kamijyo. It the 26^th in the series and so you need to have read the first 25 to understand the story. It is published by Tokyopop. The cover has Yukimura on it looking cool. The intended reader is someone who loves samurai manga, lots of character’s and unexpected romance. There is implied nudity, language, and lots of violence, older teens and adults only for the best. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- In order to put a stop to Haira of the Twelve God Shogun, Bontenmaru must resort to his ‘Beast’ mode if he wants to come out victorious- and alive. Next, Yukimura defends his men against the unstoppable Shindara, which results in a heart-touching revelation. And at last… the identity of the Former Crimson King is revealed!

Review- Kyo is not much in this volume but Bon is funny. He has to fight and it gets nasty. But he wins and the story gets to the real meat of this volume. All about Yukimura and real Crimson King. The King is something both funny and very scary. I really want to see some interactions between him and Kyo. We get to see why he is still in power in spite of the Five Stars being so powerful.  Then Yukimura takes the stage. We get what happened between him and Shindara and bonus we get to meet more of Yukimura’s ninja’s. There is some foretelling with Yuya but I cannot wait to see it come to fruition. Lots of plots development and fighting and stuff. Great manga.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

The Queen of the Tearling

Today’s post is on The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen. It is the first in a trilogy. It is 448 pages long and is published by HarperCollins. The cover is very dark with a castle at the top with reddish lightening behind it. The intended reader is someone who likes fantasy. The story is told from third person god point of view so that the reader can get into the heads of the characters as the story moves. There is strong language, talk of sex and rape, and lots of violence in this book; older teens and adult only for the best. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. A girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced, Kelsea is not defenseless: around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus.
Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, and an act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic.
But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun- a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that could make her a legend… if she can survive.

Review-This was an interesting read. As I was reading I could tell what the author Johansen has read. I could be wrong but I think that she has read The Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy and The Darkangel Trilogy by some of the themes in the story. This fantasy is not pure fantasy but some kind of mix with science fiction. Humans were bought to this world by a visionary leader who wanted to save mankind from destruction; like in The Girl of Fire and Thorns but it is not God in this novel. There is high fantasy and science so advanced it is magic; like in The Darkangel. The world building is slow but I liked that. I felt that I was getting to know the greater world as Kelsea was. Kelsea is a young woman who has been protected from too much knowledge about her mother and her world in hopes of her finding the current world too horrible to live with and thus change it. At least that is my opinion about why Kelsea was not told so much by her care-takers. There are traitors, useless nobles, slaves, and a dark power behind the Red Queen. I am very curious about where Johansen is going with this plot. If you are looking for something a little different flavor than so much out today then give this book a try.

I give this book a Four of out Five stars. I was given this book by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 17

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 17. It is written by Akimine Kamijyo and is published by Tokyopop. As it is the 17^th in the series you need to have read the previous volumes to understand the story. The cover is special for this volume as it pulls out into a beautiful artwork; it has Akira, Yuya, Bontenmaru and Kyo on it. The intended reader is someone likes fighting manga, good characters, and interesting plot. This volume has some strong language, nudity, and lots of violence; older teen and adults only. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- At the second gate, the battle between Akira and Saisei begins. As the blind genius Akira falls before the might of the beautiful and mysterious Saisei, she reveals her true identity to him. Is there any way that Akira can survive this confrontation with another timeless samurai mater?

Review- I have a love hate relationship with blurbs in general but the blurbs for this series are not good enough. This blurb would make you think that 1. Akira thought he was going to lose, and 2. That Saisei’s true identity has anything to do with the main story. It does not; it is just a minor plot point during the fight. That is it. Two pages to ‘discover’ and talk about it then they move on. The important plot things that are happening in this volume is we get to Akira truly fight. He does not hold back on Saisei and he proves that there is a reason that Kyo kept him around. Akira is no push-over. He has so many cool moments in this volume. I like to think of this as Akira’s cool volume because he just so awesome. Everyone and everything else takes a back seat to this fight and Akira’s awesome ice mastery. And for bonus we to see Arika lose his cool for the second fight of this volume. I highly recommend this series.

I give this manga a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 16.

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 16. It is written by Akimine Kamijyo and is published by Tokyopop. As it is the 16^th in the series you need to have read the others in the series to get the story. The cover has Kyo and Hotaru fighting one looking cool; per normal. The intended reader is someone who likes fighting, interesting characters, and surprising romance and should be older teen or adult. There is language, no sex, and lots of violence in this series and book. The story is told from the third person point of view with character’s thoughts added in for plot and character development. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book-Kyo and Hotaru begin to a fight to the death at the first of the Five Shining Gates. The two collide in a sizzling-hot flame that burns up both their bodies- and makes the ground tremble! Then Kyo’s ultimate technique, Suzaku, rises up into the sky…
The action-packed samurai epic continues!

Review- So Kyo and Hotaru are being mules about life and things in general. Their interactions are funny and I am not sure that they should be. I think that maybe just me and my twisted sense of humor. But I think that the reader needs to have a little twist in their humor to truly love this series. The fighting is very serious and all then Kyo goes and is himself. But that I mean an ass. He fights a battle he could have lost then he is an ass to Hotaru after he loses. I guess Hotaru was not surprised but it was so sudden that I had to just laugh and remember who is the main character of this series- an ass. Yuya still has the water dragon in her heart and they are running out of time. It end with our heroes at the second gate and things are going to get real. Akira will be fighting in this next volume and I love him!

I give this series a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.