Touch of Frost

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Gwen Frost is not having a good year. A month after her mother's death her grandmother enrolls her in the exclusive Mythos Academy. Where she will earn reading, writing, ancient myths and how to fight like an ancient warrior. Its not your average school but Gwen is not your average student. She has a special gift, she can see a persons past just by touching them or an object they touched.

But when a student is killed in the Library of Antiquities and The Bowl of Tears is stolen, Gwen is determined to solve the mystery. In the processes she makes a few new friends, discovers the schools secret, and her destiny.

This book is not going to be an award winning book but it is a series that captures your attention. If only for a minute. Gwen is a good female character that has doubts, insecurities and determined to do the right thing no matter how dangerous.

I would not let a younger teenager read this book to much sex drugs and murder but 15 and older it might be okay. While the other characters are drinking and having sex Gwen isn't and doesn't seem to get while everyone else is behaving this way. She is killing a few people but then what is a hero to do when faced with an enemy.

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First Frost

First Frost by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Gwen Frost is your average teenage girl going to high school. Accept she has a gift hand down from a gypsy ancestor, psychometry. She can see a persons memories by touching them or objects they have touched. She is not the only one with the gift both her mom and grandmother have versions of the same gift.

One day after gym class, Gwen touches her friend Paige's hair brush and is horrified by the images she sees of Paige suffering from horrible abuse. After telling her mom, a police officer, Paige is save but Gwen's mother is killed in a car accident while driving home after working late. Now Gwen's grandmother has enrolled her in the exclusive and strange Mythos Academy.

This is a short story that begins before Gwen is sent to Mythos Academy. Its sets us up for the first book Touch of Frost. It gives a clear understanding of Gwen and her gift so you understand her better when we meet up with her next.

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Black Dawn

Black Dawn by Rachel Caine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Now that the draug have infected Morganville no place is safe for Claire, Shane, Michael and Eve. Hiding in Founders square with a few remaining humans and vampires they fight for their survival against an enemy that travels by water. If things weren't bad enough Queen Vampire Amelia has been bitten by Master draug Magnus and is dying, Oliver is posed to take over as leader of Morganville, and Claire's is in danger because she is the only person that can Magnus.

As usual Rachel Caine as created another page turning novel full of twists and turns that were unexpected. What I like best about the Morganville Vampires series is that I am can never tell you whats going to happen next. Yes there is always danger, yes Clair and friends are always in the middle of danger, yes someone (usually a vampire) will betray Claire and friends causing more danger and yes Claire and friends will help once again save everyone but all the details are different and exciting.


I really enjoy this series and cant wait to get my hands on the next book.


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Hard Bitten

Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Merit is finally settling in as Sentinel of Cadogen house. Of course nothing is ever quite in Chicago but she has settled into a routine. Until Mayor Tate threats to lock Ethan in jail if they don't put a stop to the blood raves.

The blood raves have taking a sinister turn and people may be dying. Soon Merit learns that a new drug is making vampires lose control and while she is trying to shut down the operation she discovers Celina may be involved with the disruption and the GP is sending a representative to Chicago back in order.

I am going to reveal a big spoiler. so if you haven't read the book stop reading the review now.

ETHAN IS DEAD.

Thats right they kill Ethan. ETHAN. I know that Merit is the main character and the romance between Ethan and Merit is more of a side story in the books but its obvious they are meant to be together and now Ethan is dead.

It was all very dramatic; Ethan steps in front of Merit to save her life from Celina and then Merit kills Celina. Yes there is a shocking twist and the introduction of a new enemy but Ethan's death is the only thing I can remember.


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Shadow of Night

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After the events in A Discovery of Witches Mathew and Diana make a dangerous decision to travel back in time to 1590 England. They hope to stay hidden, find the missing Ashmole 782 book, and a witch to teach Diana about her powers. But things do not go as planned.

Finding am obscure manuscript is harder than they thought and with the country side embarking on a witch hunt its not so easy to find anyone to help. And now there lives are in danger once again as Mathews past comes knocking on the door, literally.

From the English countryside to France to London to Prague and back to London, Matthew and Diana will test the boundaries of history and their love. Surrounded by secrets and plots they strive to save their future together.

This book started out a little slow for me. Immediately the reader is introduced to a host of new characters, many of them famous like Christopher Marlowe and Sir Walter Raleigh, I felt a bit overwhelmed and longed for a return to modern times and characters I knew. But soon I was wrapped up in the all the secrets that were coming unraveled.

This book almost straddles to genres: paranormal and historical fiction. Full of historical events and figures not only in England but also in Prague this book keep me hooked long past my bed time. With one plot twist that I left me gasping and happy at the same time.

The only bad thing about this book is in the end it may have answered a few questions but created more that were left unanswered...like what has been happening in the present while Mathew and Diana were gone and when the hell is the next book coming out?


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City of Bones

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clary Fray is like any other teenager in New York with a slightly over protective mom until one night when she sees 3 teenagers kill a demon. Life as Clary knows it will never be the same. Now she can see things that others can not see, then her mom is kidnapped and now Clary is hiding from all the things that go bump in the night.  With the help of the Shadowhunters Clary is trying to unravel the secrets her mom keep hidden and find the key that will save them all.

I have read this book twice now.

The first time I loved and was determined to read the whole series. The second time I loved and I am still determined to read the whole series but now I own all the books and will start working my way through them.

What I like about the characters is that they are not your stereotypical teen story. These teens are smart strong and very strong headed. Clary her self is a strong independent girl who is not going to go along with anything just because some boy named Jace tells her whats what. She pushes back and is determined to fight right along her new companions to save herself.

The plot goes along a bit predictable and then a twist and then another twist and then a "did I read that correctly" twist. Then you stay up late to finish everything just to see what happens....I did this twice.

This is a great YA book. It has shades of Harry Potter, Rachel Morgan and just for fun Luke Skywalker all in one character.


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The Golden Lily

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Its not easy being Sydney Sage, an alchemist forced to live among Moroi. She has to help hide Moroi princess Jill among humans not always an easy task. Especially when she is suppose to dislike the race of people she is helping.

But her loyalties may be shifting. After everything she has seen she starts to question her alchemist teachings and beliefs. Living among them daily isn't helping her stay on the short and narrow path she was raised to belief. As her affection for Adrian grows and she finds her self more and more enmeshed in Moroi life she places herself in a dangerous position. How does she remain an Alchemist when she is questioning their beliefs.

And now there is a new threat to Sydney and her modge podge band of Moroi....Vampire Hunters are real and living in Palm Springs. In the end Sydney will risk her own life and freedom by not only risking her own life but by using some of the magic she

This is the second book in the Bloodlines series. Which is also a spin off of the 6 book Vampire Academy series (which is fabulous if you haven't read it). I don't always enjoy spin offs but this is the exception to the rule.

Richelle Mead has once again delivered a book that will have you staying up way past your bed time. Page by page she weaves a tale of intrigue and drama. Sydney is a character with a lot of depths and inner demons that you cant help but admire her always looking for the right path to follow even when it conflicts with her upbringing.

Full of a few twist that I didn't expect and a few I did. I was once again caught up in the world Mead created at when the book ended I was upset that I had to move on to another book. I wanted lots and lots more...I can hardly wait for The Indigo Spell that is set to be released February 12, 2013.


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Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am not an expert on Abraham Lincoln's life. I know he was the 16th President. That his election as President along with a few other events lead to the South seceding from the Union and the start of the Civil War. He emancipated the slaves, wrote the Gettysburg address and was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in the Ford Theater. I may know a fact or two more if I thinking about it. You may also think you know a lot about life but after reading this controversial biography you may be thinking how did they keep the exists of Vampires a secret all these years and how did we not know that Lincoln was a vampire hunter.

We discover that in addition to Lincolns disgust with slavery he begins to understand (with the help of another vampire) that the bigger threat slavery imposes is the easy access vampires have to a food supply and how this helps them gain a strangling foot hold in our young nation.

Focusing more on his earlier life rather than the years of his Presidency the book explores how Mr. Lincoln discovered that vampires exists and how the death of his mother at the hands of a vampire lead him on the journey that ended up with him being elected President.

Okay all joking aside....I truly enjoyed this book. Full of historical facts (with footnotes and historical pictures) about Lincoln you will find yourself questioning, “Was Lincoln really a vampire hunter and is that the reason behind the Civil War?” It just seems to make sense even if you don't believe in vampires. Which I don't. But recently when watching a documentary on the Civil War I keep saying to my boyfriend they are wrong Lincoln did that because of the vampires.

This book, written like a biography, is a quick easy read. And despite the title is surprisingly with out  gore. Yes vampires die by losing heads and in other gruesome ways it is all told rather matter fact with out to much detail to the blood and guts.


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Deadlocked

Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The more things change in Bon Temps the more things stay the same in Sookie's life. It seems that everyone is moving forward and making changes except Sookie. Her best friend is about to give birth to twins, Her brother Jason is engaged, love is blooming all over Merlotts.

Sookie has stalled out with her relationship with Eric and a has been ordered to attended a party for the Vampire King of Louisiana, Nevada and Arkansas and despite warnings to stay away Sookie attends the party and it unleashes a series of events that changes things for Sookie....and things aren't going to be the same.

If you didnt know that Charlaine Harris was only writing one more Sookie Stackhouse book you would after this book. She does a great job of tying up some loose ends for a number of minor characters. And by the end of the book she moved Sookie is a direction that might include a future that doesn't include vampires.

i cant wait to see how she ends this series.


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Last Breath

Last Breath by Rachel Caine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Welcome to Morganville, where if you are not on your guard 24/7 you may end up dead.

Things are never quite in Morganville but they do start to take on a routine that starts to make everyone relax...a little. But nothing stays that way for long. Morganville is a powder keg waiting to ignite over Michael and Eve's upcoming wedding and to make matters worse vampires are going missing.

There is a new entity in Morganville not quite sure if he is a vampire or something else Claire and friends must discover what he is up to before Morganville is truly lost for good.

What I liked about this book besides that its a Morganville Vampire book...I liked that we got to see the story from multiple points of view. In the past these books have all been from Claire's point of view. In this book we see it from Amelia, Michael Eve, Shane's point of view. Now we know what is going on behind the scenes and how those actions relate back to Glass House.

Definitively one of my favorites in the series so far.

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All Together Dead

All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The vampire summit is finally occurring and Sookie is going as part of the Queen of Louisiana party, despite the warnings not to get involved with Vampire politics. The queen is not in a good position, her husband is dead and Hurricane Katrina has weakened the Queens vast holdings as well as killing a number of her "subjects".  With vampires being killed, bombs planted outside the Queens room and staff of the hotel avoiding Sookie and fellow telepath Bob, this is not your ordinary summit.

This is a reread for me and it is one of my favorite Sookie books. I think Sookie is at her best piecing together the puzzle. It must be all those mystery books she reads. It was a good booking for ending one part of Sookie's life (Bill) and starting another (Erik).

A great series.

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A Perfect Blood

A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Life has not been easy for Rachel Morgan since she acknowledge that she is a demon. No one will hire her and she can't even get her drivers licence. But now that mutilated bodies are popping up all over Cincinnati both the FIB and IS need Rachel's help. Or someone to blame. Rachel along with Ivy and Jenks are hot on the trail of the killers but they keep getting away. Someone on the inside is tipping them off. To keep everyone save Rachel will have to trust Trent and truly embrace the demon part of her.

I love Rachel Morgan has a character this time around Rachel is struggling with the fact that Ivy and Jenks are moving on in their lives. She is happy for them but also sad that she is stuck and unable to take that step herself. Especially now that her mom has moved away and she has cut herself off from the ley line magic. Not to mention that whole demon thing ostracizing her from the world.

Do you ever get the feeling when you are reading a book in a series and that series will soon end? That's how I felt reading this book. Jenks and Ivy moving on, Glenn leaving and Rachel coming to terms with her witch born demon life. All these things plus the weird relationship developing between Trent and Rachel give me the feeling that soon their will be no more Rachel Morgan books. I cant decide if Kim Harrison is taking us down a new path or if she will soon be ending the series. I hope its the latter.

I did miss Al in this book. I hope he is in the next one more.

I really enjoy this series.

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By a Thread

By a Thread by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After the fall out from killing Mab Monroe, Gin Blanco decides a vacation is in order. So she sets off to enjoy a weekend away with her sister Bria. But when you are the famous assassin The Spider, trouble follows you where ever you go. Bria's childhood friend is in trouble and when no one else is able to help her Gin decides that her vacation is over. But things are more complicated than she expects especially after her former love interest Detective Donovan Caine shows up engaged to the very person Gin is helping. Gin will have to put aside her personal feelings if she is going to survive.

Its rare that while I am reading a book I actually have to put it down because I am so stressed over what is going to happen next. I don't want to spoil what happens but at one point Gin is in a lot of trouble and you know what is going to happen next...and its not good. I was so stressed and wondering how Gin was going to get herself out of trouble that I had to put the book down and walk away for a few minutes. I had to do this even though I know there is a new book in the series coming out later this year.

This is a great series to read.

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Definitely Dead

Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sookie Stackhouse does not want to become involved with Vampire politics but it seems it is unavoidable.  When Sookie travels to New Orleans to settle her cousins Hadley's estate she gets drawn into the Vampire Queen of Louisiana’s court. With her new boyfriend weretiger Quinn at her side Sookie tries to navigate court intrigue while someone is once again trying to kill her.

I don't know what it is about this series but you get sucked in and never what to leave.

Another recent reread. I think I liked it more the second time then I did the first time.

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Dead as a Doornail

Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sookie has been in her share of dangerous situations but when a sniper starts killing off the local were population she is in a panic over the possibility that her brother Jason may be next.  To add to her stress there is a power struggle going on in the Shreveport werewolf pack and Sookie is dragged into the middle of it. Add if that is not enough someone is trying to kill Sookie.  Just another day in Northern Louisiana.

Another great read in the Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire series.  You just never know what is going to happen next.

I just reread this book. I really do enjoy reading Sookie's adventures.

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Dead to the World

Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While driving home one night Sookie sees a man running in the street and is suprised to se that it is the vampire Eric. Only Eric has no idea who he is. Sookie immediately takes him in like a stray kitten to protect him.  She soon finds out that there is a coven of witches trying to take over the Sherevport supernatural world.  So in a historical move vampires, werewolves and local wiccans join together to fight this new evil.  At the same time Sookie's brother Jason has gone missing and Sookie finds herself miglimg with the local werepanthers.  With this new gentler Eric will Sookie sinally given into temptation and what about Bill does she still have feelings for him?

This is a reread for me. I decided to reread it after I watched a few episodes of True Blood. I like to compare and contrast the different story lines. I enjoyed reading this book the second time around as much as the first time. Sookie is just a fun character and you can feel her pain and celebrate her triumphs with her.

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Spider's Revenge

Spider’s Revenge by Jennifer Estep

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Gin Blanco sister's Bria is in a lot of trouble. Their enemy Mab Monroe has placed a bounty on Bria's head to flush out the assassin the Spider. And every bounty hunter in 100 miles is in town to complete the job. But Gin, aka the Spider, isn't about to let anyone harm her sister and decides to finally kill Mab. But Mab is a powerful Fire Elemental and not that easy to kill. After two failed attempts Mab finally has her hands on Bria and she thinks on the Spider but Gin has friends that will do anything to help her including taking down Mab.

I love this series. Just when you are about to get tired of the feud between Gin and Mab, Gin kills Mab and your left wondering what next but you dont have to worry because Jennifer Estep tells you that trouble is not yet down with Gin and her friends.

I cant wait until the next book and luck for me it's coming out in a week.

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Undead and Unworthy

Undead and Unworthy by MaryJanice Davidson


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Vampire Queen Betsy thought life was going to be easier now that she was married to Sinclair but no such luck. Just when everything was looking good Betsy is haunted by the ghost of her dead step-mom and the Fiends are starting to mature and they are mad mad mad at Betsy. And now vampire hating cop Nick is blackmailing Betsy into helping him solve a crime.

This book is a departure from her past Betsy books. MaryJanice Davidson claims its a 3 book story arc within a story. Whatever it is I am not 100% happy with the end results. I liked the fun loving Betsy and this book was just a bit to serious with an ending I was very unhappy with. I will continue reading the series but I am going to go read something happy for the next few days.

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Dead Over Heels

Dead Over Heels by MaryJanice Davidson


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


3 short stories that follow 3 of MaryJanice Davidson's series.

Undead and Unwed: A Honeymoon Story - Vampire Queen Betsy is finally married to her Vampire King Sinclair and head to New York for their honeymoon. And they are soon (much to Betsy and Sinclair's dismay) joined by Betsy’s best friend Jessica and Jessica's vampire hating boyfriend Nick. But something sinister is lurking in the hotel, soon dead bodies with vampire bites start showing up can Betsy solve the mystery before its to late?

Speed Dating Werewolf Style - Cain is a woman on a mission with most of her werewolf clan pairing up she has decided its time she found her mate also. So she turns to the only friend she can trust to help her, Saul. Saul starts setting Cain up on dates but they are each a disaster Cain thinks Saul is sabotaging her future. Soon sparks are flying between Saul and Cain and she discovers her mate has been right in front of her the whole time.

Survivors - I didn’t read this story. I am not a fan of Davidson's Fred the Mermaid stories and decided to skip it.
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Overbite

Overbite by Meg Cabot


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Meena Harper is a woman torn. Between the man she loves, who happens to be a vampire, and her job, which is dedicated to the destruction of all vampire. How does she bridge these two parts of her life? By convincing both Lucien Antonescu and her employer that not all vampires are bad. But there is a new priest in town who has a secret all is own that is making life hard for Meena and her friends.

I did not like this book as much as I liked Insatiable in fact I am not sure I liked it all. The ending was most upsetting to me and I was left wondering is this it? I thought this was a series not 2 books. If you read Insatiable then you should read Overbite but don’t expect to much.

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