Spellbound by JoAnne Keltner

Pagan Light

Possessed * Spellbound

Publish Date: July 28th, 2019
Format: ebook
Series: Pagan Light
Author: JoAnne Keltner
Author’s Goodreads
My Review on Goodreads

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Introduction

Psychic and healer, Jackie is coming to terms with her unique abilities and is thinking of her future. She has also begun a relationship with David, the seminarian. However, before David can become a priest, he must marry or forever be without a wife. Time is ticking for David, and Jackie has to decide if she wants to be with him forever, despite not knowing him for long. When the opportunity to go with him to Russia arises, she goes to spend more time with him, plus she can learn about her great-grandmother's mysterious past as well. Unfortunately for Jackie, something wicked is afoot, and she is going to have to deal with it. 

Love

This book definitely subverted my expectations about the Jackie/David relationship, and that was well-played. It ran through my mind a lot, and I felt like Jackie's mom (OMG you're going to RUSSIA with someone you barely know?!). It all comes together in the end though, and I'm stoked to read about what happens to David in the next book. Ultimately, I really like David as a person.

I still dislike Jason, though. Yes, he came through in this book. Nope, still don't like him.   

Final Verdict

I enjoyed this book even more than the first! Going to rural Russia and interacting with the family and unearthing Babu's secrets was awesome. Once the truth comes out, it was quite the ride. It ended abruptly, but that just means that I'm going to have to read the next one when it comes out. I highly recommend this if you like YA/New YA and paranormal books. 

*~*Below is a spoiler, so don't read it if you don't want the big twist to be ruined!*~*

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Side note, this is also reminiscent of the film Hot Fuzz. Here, have a gif: 

  

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke & Bone Series

Daughter of Smoke & Bone * Days of Blood & Starlight * Night of Cake & Puppets *
Dreams of Gods & Monsters

Publish Date: September 27th, 2011
Publisher: Hachette Audio, Audible Audio | Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Format: Audiobook
Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Author: Laini Taylor

Narrated By: Khristine Hvam
Author’s Goodreads

Author's Website

My Review on Goodreads

Introduction

If you knew Karou, you'd know she's raised by what she calls monsters, and she loves them dearly. She fills her sketchbooks with them, human-animal hybrids, and after art school and hanging out with friends, she goes to her father's shop. Her father, Brimstone, the goat-ox hybrid, is a wish monger who trades impossible wishes for teeth. And Karou runs his errands, collecting teeth from those willing to part with them, until everything is interrupted by old foes, old war, and old lovers.

Setting - Prague

I really enjoyed that it was set in a place I am unfamiliar with. Not that there's anything bad with writing what you know, but I've had enough of Canada and the US. I was lost for a bit with all the different names/terms, but I grew to love the unfamiliarity of it. Taylor uses enough local sights, food, etc, so you can look stuff up if you want to, but she gives enough context that you can understand what she's talking about.

Fantasy Elements

I think the best part of this book is the fantastical elements. The chimaeras, the human-animal hybrids, are imaginative in their character designs and have robust personalities, my favourite being Brimstone. Then there are the otherworldly elements of the space Karou and her family live in, what wishes are and what they can do, and everything about Karou's existence.

Writing

This seems to be what throws people off of Taylor's writing. The author uses a lot of smilies and metaphors, and flowery writing, which I quite like, but I get that the preference lately is to have less flourish. I did find it to be a bit long, though. It took me a few months to finish it, and that only happened because I moved out of the city so my commute to work doubled. A little too much description bogged down the flow. (Alas, I am conflicted, because I also loved hearing about the new locales and people...)

Love

Eh. I didn't love the love here. Dude is trying to kill her, then he...pines for her. Then they meet up again and she...lets him hang around?

But.

I love what happens after.

Final Verdict

I enjoyed that this book didn't plunk you in as an outsider that needs everything explained right away. It kept the mystery going and in the meantime, we got to see Karou go about her life, which includes school, exes, then running her family's errands. I could devour books based just on her life before it falls apart. I still feel like the first part of the book is vastly different from the second. I enjoyed both parts, but you could keep me in the day-to-day life of Karou forever and I'd be happy. Ultimately, I highly recommend this book if you like longer fantasy, paranormal, or urban fantasy stories. If you don't like these genres, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it because it is a lot to take in. But if this sounds intriguing to you, I highly recommend it. BTW, the narrator for this audiobook (Khristine Hvam) is FANTASTIC.

Timeless by Gail Carriger

Parasol Protectorate

Soulless * Changeless * Blameless * Heartless * Timeless

Publish Date: March 1st,  2012
Publisher: Orbit
Format: Paperback
Series: Parasol Protectorate
Author: Gail Carriger
Author’s Goodreads
Wikia (has spoilers!)
My Review on Goodreads

Disclaimer

This book is not typically found in the YA section of a library as the characters are older (MC is 26). It has some sexual content. I do contend that teens can enjoy the story and world, but some people may be upset about the sexual content. Totally fair. I usually only review content that is clearly marketed to teens, and this is not. I'm reviewing this because it is in the same universe as the YA Prudence and is the pre-story to that. So...

If you don't like some steamy content, please skip this review/book!

Introduction

Alexia and her husband Conall were busy living their Happily Ever After when they are summoned by a very important vampire Queen in Egypt. Apparently, their toddler who can touch an immortal and absorb their abilities has raised some eyebrows. To Egypt! Oh, wait. Also, old secrets are unearthed and repentance is in order. LGBT romances blossom. Pastries. Mummies. Water. Coffee. The end of the 5 book series. 

Final Verdict/End of the Series

So, the loose ends get tied up. Some more than others. But Alphas, Lyall, and Floote, her father's past are done. Undoubtedly, my favourite books in the series were the first and the last. The only question remaining is...

Why Would You Take Your Daughter to a Vampire Hive? 

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Next?

This was all to get into Prudence. Seriously. 5 books. I'm going to reread skim Prudence, and continue on. The world is phenomenal. 

Prince of Never by Juno Heart

Black Blood Fae

Prince of Never * King of Always

Publish Date: December 10th, 2019
Format: ebook
Series: Black Blood Fae
Author: Juno Heart
Author’s Goodreads
My Review on Goodreads

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Introduction

A fae prince is cursed with a poison in his body that makes him cruel and will eventually kill him. To end the curse, he has to either find his fated mate and marry her, or murder her. A human girl with a talent for singing is brought to his land. When he finds her he initially believes she is a troll, but no matter, he takes her to court as his possession. Things look fairly grim for the girl, but her mother painted these lands for years, so Lara knows not to trust fae beauty and to find a way home as soon as possible.

Fairy Romance

Hi, I'm new to the fairy romance genre. I'll give you the rundown: fae/fairies aren't Tinkerbell, they are full magical creatures that live in another realm. They can do magic. Usually connected to nature (like the weather, fire, etc.). They cannot lie. They are cunning and not to be trusted, because they will take advantage of you, simple mortal.   

Also, they are smouldering hot. And they know it.

Characters/Love Interest

I think this book qualifies as an Enemies to Lovers story. The way the male protagonist, Ever, was so bloody cruel to the heroine, Lara, was pretty irredeemable. But, that's the thing about this story. We find out that the prince is cursed. Not only will this curse kill him, which is pretty depressing, but this curse basically sucks out all the joy from him. He took pleasure in hurting others because of the curse, not because he's (necessarily) a bad person.

Lara was a great person as well. Stuck in the land of faerie where she is a pawn, prisoner, and plaything, she still uses her brain to get what she wants and gets things done. I appreciated that she didn't usually go with the flow for anything, she dared to manipulate the masters of manipulation when she could. Could have done with less constant questioning, though it was realistic. 

Final Verdict

I honestly couldn't put it down; I was so into it. Thankfully it was on my phone, so I could brush my teeth, cook dinner, etc., and keep reading. Characters are a little older, so I would technically classify it as New Adult, but more mature teens would like it. It gets steamy "behind the scene" and she's keenly aware of the situation when he puts her ahead of him on his horse. The ending is HEA (Happily Ever After), even says so in the Goodreads, but it's bittersweet if you think about it. Read it and find out why. I highly recommend this book.