Review: Devils & Thieves by Jennifer Rush

Devils & Thieves by Jennifer Rush

Devils & Thieves #1

Power corrupts. Magic kills.

Eighteen-year-old Jemmie Carmichael is surrounded by magic in the quiet town of Hawthorne, New York. In her world, magic users are called “kindled,” and Jemmie would count herself among them if only she could cast a simple spell without completely falling apart. It doesn't help that she was also recently snubbed by Crowe—the dangerous and enigmatic leader of Hawthorne’s kindled motorcycle gang, the Devils’ League.

When the entire kindled community rolls into Hawthorne for an annual festival, a rumor spreads that someone is practicing forbidden magic. Then people start to go missing. With threats closing in from every side, no one can be trusted. Jemmie and Crowe will have to put aside their tumultuous history to find their loved ones, and the only thing that might save them is the very flaw that keeps Jemmie from fully harnessing her magic. For all her years of feeling useless, Jemmie may just be the most powerful kindled of all.

Wow was this a fresh and unique take on magic, blending some of my favorite magical aspects into one awesome book! It felt like Harry Potter meets motorcycle gangs meets Ilona Andrew's Hidden Legacy series. Harry Potter came in with the magic being secret and not allowed to be used in front of norms, as well as a villainous plot reminiscent of Voldemort. The motorcycle gang part is pretty self explanatory and all the more fun for it. And then Hidden Legacy comes in with the use of different magical bloodlines. The overall package made for an incredibly enjoyable and fascinating read. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, and I'm so glad this is going to be a series.

That being said, as much as I wanted to rate this book a resounding five star read, the heroine's character held me back. She's so standoffish and weak. Mad at the world, and unnessesarily hiding so much. Especially when it's obvious to the reader from page one that things she's hiding are an asset rather than a detriment. It just made it rather hard to connect with her at times, and despite the incredible world and nail biting plot, I just couldn't completely immerse myself as deep as I would have liked to. HOWEVER, by the end she started to change and grow a bit and I actually feel like this path will be an asset to the series in the end. She has so much potential now to grow, and I can't wait to see it.

All in all this was a fascinating read that truly stands out in the sometimes saturated paranormal YA genre. I'm so glad I got a chance to read this one, and I can't wait to see what's next!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     The Eater of Books
     Carol's Random Life
     Angelic Book Reviews

Review: The Hunt by Chloe Neill

The Hunt by Chloe Neill

Devil's Isle #3

When bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered that Claire Connolly was a Sensitive and infected with magic, he should have turned her in to be locked up in the prison district known as Devil's Isle. Instead, he helped her learn to control her power and introduced her to an underground group of Paranormals and humans who know the truth about the war and those who fought it.

Now the weight of Liam's own secrets has forced him into hiding. When a government agent is killed and Claire discovers that Liam is the prime suspect, she races to find him before the government can. But she'll discover proving his innocence is no simple matter. Their enemies are drawing closer, and time is running out....

I have to admit the first three quarters of this book frustrated me quite a bit. There was this continual pattern of someone asking Claire how she was going to handle Liam's leaving. Or telling her how she should proceed. Rinse repeat. I had hoped that once they were pushed back into proximity with one another it would lessen, but nope, not even a little. Each new person would tell her she needs to make him grovel, or that yes he does love her, just look at the way he looks at you. Etc etc etc. Then even more would call him an idiot in front of her and tell him direct he should grovel, he made a mistake. And on and on. I just felt like I was being hit over the head with the point again and again, and frankly it made this feel more like a YA book instead of an adult. Despite them trying to clear Liam's name the issue of his leaving was really the focus on all sides. And since there was no actual progress in dealing with those actions while they dealt with the romance drama, I was more than a little exasperated. I can't express how many times I wanted to roll my eyes and just say enough already! It's a shame but it really lessened my enjoyment of this book.

However, moving on, the plot itself was very interesting and twisty and there were some pretty big reveals in THE HUNT. I was really impressed with how everything continued to build and the ending. Who-boy, is it a doozy. It definitely feels like one heck of a crossroads and I can't wait to see how the showdown between every side turns out. Remember the enemy of my enemy is sometimes my friend, and it's a hard lesson some will have to learn going forward.

All in all romance drama aside, the characters and the plotline were very enjoyable in this installment, and I'm still a huge fan of this series. Claire and company are fiercely strong characters and this world is truly fantastic. With all of the new possibilities opened up with that killer ending, I can't wait to see what happens next.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     The Nocturnal Library
     Between Dreams and Reality
     a GREAT read

Previous Books:
     1. The Veil
     2. The Sight

Review: Immortally Yours by Lynsay Sands

Immortally Yours by Lynsay Sands

Argeneau #26

Irresistible chemistry and thrilling suspense combine in this electrifying new installment in New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands’ Argeneau series

One hundred and twenty-five years is a long time to nurse a crush. That’s how long it’s been since Beth Argenis first met Cullen “Scotty” MacDonald and he instantly became the star of her most X-rated dreams. Back then, he was rescuing her from a Rogue Immortal. Now Beth’s a Rogue Hunter—a damn good one. She doesn’t need saving anymore, despite what Scotty thinks. What she does need is the fierce, wild desire that finally erupts between them.

Scotty has hesitated to claim Beth as his own. But one explosive kiss confirms what he’s long suspected: She’s his life mate. But Beth is tough, fearless, beautiful…and in immortal danger. Unless he wants to lose her forever, he’ll have to rethink everything he once believed about love and destiny as well as confront an enemy who’s terrifyingly close.

Typically it's the romances that are the show stopper in the Argeneau books, but this time around it was the plot. Boy oh boy did this one have a whole lot going on, and the danger left me guessing at every turn. I'll admit that most of the time I'm THAT PERSON who figures out 'whodunit right away. But this time I had no clue, even right up until the very end. Very impressive!

Now onto why the romance was just not quite as strong as other Argeneau books. I have to admit I was not a fan of Scotty at first, or even most of the book. His reasons for not claiming Beth as his mate, well let's just say they more than a little ticked me off. His judgement was so far unfair and snobbish, it didn't sit well with me considering how awesome Beth was and how much of a survivor she is. His only saving grace that left me holding out hope was that he didn't really realize it was HIS hold ups, not hers. So everything he did to try and protect her but stay away from her came from good intentions but for the very very wrong reasons. It's a romance novel so I don't feel like it's a spoiler to say he realized his mistake by the end and got his head out his behind. All I can say is thank goodness! Because Beth deserved someone better than the Scotty we met on page one, and I'm happy with the one we found on the last page. But don't worry, in true Argeneau style, she gives him a run for his money throughout and he doesn't have an easy path. *g*

All in all I enjoyed this latest installment in the very long running Argengeau series and I can't wait to read more!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     All Things Urban Fantasy
     Fangs, Wands, & Fairy Dust
     Tome Tender

Previous Books:
     1. A Quick Bite
     2. Love Bites
     3. Single White Vampire
     4. Tall, Dark, & Hungry
     5. A Bite to Remember
     6. Bite Me If You Can
     7. The Accidental Vampire
     8. Vampires Are Forever
     9. Vampire, Interrupted
    10. The Rouge Hunter
    11. The Immortal Hunter
    12. The Renegade Hunter
    13. Born to Bite
    14. Hungry for You
    15. The Reluctant Vampire
    16. Under a Vampire Moon
    17. The Lady is a Vamp
    18. Immortal Ever After
    19. One Lucky Vampire
    20. Vampire Most Wanted
    21. The Immortal Who Loved Me
    22. About a Vampire
    23. Runaway Vampire
    24. Immortal Nights
    25. Immortal Unchained

Review: Wickedly Spirited by Deborah Blake

Wickedly Spirited by Deborah Blake

Baba Yaga #3.5

Jazz, the powerfully magical teen first introduced in Wickedly Powerful, is now being trained as a Baba Yaga—and she’s determined to free the Broken Riders herself.

Jazz had a rough life before meeting her guardian, and she knows she’s lucky that Bella is training her to be a Baba Yaga. But the gifted young witch is frustrated by the slow pace of her lessons. Jazz knows she’s capable of even greater magic, and she wants nothing more than to find a spell that will give the Riders back the immortality they lost.

With the reluctant assistance of Bella’s dragon-turned-cat Koshka, Jazz travels to the Otherworld to get the necessary ingredients to perform the spell. A willful young witch, dangerous magic, and one powerful wish—what could possibly go wrong?

WICKEDLY SPIRITED was a very short, but super fun novella that I really enjoyed. If you are a fan of both the Baba and the Riders series, this novella feels like a fun little bridge between the two series. Jazz is front in center this one as well as Koshka, and while their intentions are honorable the two probably shouldn't have been left unsupervised together due to the shenanigans they get up to. It was a really enjoyable read and I won't spoil things but the outcome felt very much of a set up for Jazz taking a MUCH bigger role in things, and I can't wait to see how it turns out. 

All in all if you are a fan of these two series, this novella is a great edition that you won't want to miss. 

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     Harlequin Junkie
     Delighted Reader
     Tome Tender

Previous Books:
     1. Wickedly Dangerous
     2. Wickedly Wonderful
     1.5. Wickedly Ever After
     3. Wickedly Powerful