Girls’ Day Out is a fun little romp into a Men in Black type world, though instead of aliens we get demons and underworld creatures. The world-building is exceptionally detailed for such a short story. We get to see a nice variety of creatures and learn about the Balance and the Beauru which is essential to keeping everything in order and normal for the humans. T and J are set on taking a day off from keeping the world as it should be, and T decides on a spa day. Unfortunately not everything goes as planned and we get a humorous and action-y adventure to hunt down who is responsible for the attack. I really enjoyed the main characters, they are complete opposites and it adds to the humor. T is bubbly, happy and hyper where as J is extremely calm and a bit moody. They both have really cool powers and they both kick some serious butt. My main issue with this is the fact that we have to refer to them as T and J…and it’s really confusing at times. I had to re-read sections to figure out who was speaking and who was being attacked. I do wish this had been a longer story because it really does feel like there is more to the story. There is so much I want to know about who attacked them and why!
Girls’ Day Out is a fun little romp into a Men in Black type world, though instead of aliens we get demons and underworld creatures. The world-building is exceptionally detailed for such a short story. We get to see a nice variety of creatures and learn about the Balance and the Beauru which is essential to keeping everything in order and normal for the humans. T and J are set on taking a day off from keeping the world as it should be, and T decides on a spa day. Unfortunately not everything goes as planned and we get a humorous and action-y adventure to hunt down who is responsible for the attack. I really enjoyed the main characters, they are complete opposites and it adds to the humor. T is bubbly, happy and hyper where as J is extremely calm and a bit moody. They both have really cool powers and they both kick some serious butt. My main issue with this is the fact that we have to refer to them as T and J…and it’s really confusing at times. I had to re-read sections to figure out who was speaking and who was being attacked. I do wish this had been a longer story because it really does feel like there is more to the story. There is so much I want to know about who attacked them and why!
May not be suitable for those under 18 years of age includes: sexual content.Holy smokes I love me a highlander…In Unspoken we follow a English barmaid who has taken refuge in Scotland during a time of clan war. She’s quiet and thanks to her ability to see the future she keeps herself at a distance. That all changes when the silent Berserker named Roderick enters the bar and the war. He becomes her protector and they both find themselves wanting more. There isn’t a ton of depth to this but I loved the unique nature of their relationship and how sweet it is. I’m always a fan of highland themed novels and I particularly liked the berserker aspect because it isn’t something I’ve run into very often. I’m definitely going to be reading the next book in this series which deals with Roderick’s brother, where I hope to learn a bit more about Eve and Roderick as well.
 - Kerrigan Byrne)
Have you ever wondered what the Greek gods would be like if they had to deal with the modern world and how they might act? If you have then Deer in Headlights is definitely one to check out. It’s a fun and quick story with an interesting twist on some really old gods.The gods of Olympus get bored and they enjoy competition, so when it’s Aphrodite’s turn to put up a challenge Apollo jumps at the chance. They have a really deep feud and I really enjoyed getting to see the flashbacks of just how the rift came to be. I loved the way Hart went about giving each god a personality and life stemming from the myths we already know. One of the best things about the Greek gods is how human they were capable of being and I think Hart really capitalized on that feeling, giving them a new more modern life in Olympus. She fleshed out the relationships we only get glimpses at in myths, like Persephone and Hades, and we get to see just how everyone interacts under such close quarters. It’s a great blend of new and old.The story between Lex and Dean is pretty good too and there is plenty of tension as they circle around each other. While it’s not the strongest romance out there it was really enjoyable to see them deal with their attraction and to see how the gods chose to influence their choices.As someone who adores mythology I appreciated all of the work she put into it and I think even those who have little knowledge about Greek mythology can easily settle into this one. It’s quirky and fun, and I think it’s perfect for anyone looking for a lighter paranormal romance.
This continues the same stories found in Gen #1 and they seem to remain fairly consistent in quality.Wolf is now focused purely on Haoto and his up coming fight with his father. We do get to see the source of all the anger and animosity, as well as why his father left. I am a bit confused about Shaoto’s story and if it will be continuing or if it was just a means to an end. I rather liked the goofy character so I’m hoping he shows back up at some point. The story remains pretty decent though as does the art style.Vs. Aliens is getting even more weird. The alien plot around Sakuma is really amping up as truths are revealed and enemies are being defined. I am really curious as to why the aliens are after Sakuma and her mother, and I really look forward to seeing these three on the run in Volume 3.Kamen is finally becoming more defined as a world and it’s fairly interesting one. It’s set in a sort of fuedal era and there is definitely some political battles going on between the fuedal lords and their families. We get to know more about Lord Simba, who is a very strong and enigmatic woman that I’m very curious about. We also get a tiny bit more info on the mask, but not a ton.Souls is still hard to follow unfortunately. We get to see the main character, the soul reaper of sort, teach Okuni about the soul of her daughter and just what caused it to become so angry. We get a really good look at the past of Okuni and her daughter. However I still don’t understand if this is a story about this one family or the soul reaper.I’m also still having trouble getting use to the unique art.Overall it’s still a decent manga and a pretty quick read for those who are looking for something interesting and cheap to fill up some free time.
If you have not read the first season or previous episodes of In Darkness We Must Abide then this review may contain spoilers.Rhiannon is the master of drawing you in, giving you what your hoping for, and then finding a way to crush you. As the danger approaches and the event we’ve been waiting for draws closer I’ve been all over the place. I want Vanora’s happiness…but at the same time if she had that then the story wouldn’t be nearly as good. So with everything that happens to her I find myself cringing and immediately looking for more.I’m really anxious to see just how everything comes together and how everyone is going to deal with the oncoming darkness. Armando is as yummy as ever and with his loyalty to Vanora is has a lot of work cut out for him, more than normal. Carlotta makes me nervous with her lively and selfish personality, but I’m more than a little curious to see how she deals with everything coming up. We also get to see some friendly faces that we haven’t seen since Vanora left her home like adorable Miss Robins and Angel.By the time I was done devouring all of this I was kind of aching for Vanora, that ending!! I’ll anxiously be waiting for the next episode even if it kills me.
If you have not read the first season or previous episodes of In Darkness We Must Abide then this review may contain spoilers.Rhiannon is the master of drawing you in, giving you what your hoping for, and then finding a way to crush you. As the danger approaches and the event we’ve been waiting for draws closer I’ve been all over the place. I want Vanora’s happiness…but at the same time if she had that then the story wouldn’t be nearly as good. So with everything that happens to her I find myself cringing and immediately looking for more.I’m really anxious to see just how everything comes together and how everyone is going to deal with the oncoming darkness. Armando is as yummy as ever and with his loyalty to Vanora is has a lot of work cut out for him, more than normal. Carlotta makes me nervous with her lively and selfish personality, but I’m more than a little curious to see how she deals with everything coming up. We also get to see some friendly faces that we haven’t seen since Vanora left her home like adorable Miss Robins and Angel.By the time I was done devouring all of this I was kind of aching for Vanora, that ending!! I’ll anxiously be waiting for the next episode even if it kills me.
Gen is a type of manga I’ve never read before, indie and an anthology. This particular manga series has four stories that each have its own art style and vibe. It’s a good mix of stories and while it’s a bit hit or miss I still enjoy them enough that I will continue reading the series.Wolf by Shige Nakamura is story focused on Naoto, a young man with a really large chip on his shoulder. His father abandoned his family and he wants revenge. Overall it’s a decent story and engaging enough, however if this story had been on its own I probably would not have bothered with it as it’s not really my type of manga.The art style reminds me of the older anime styles, where more realism is involved.VS Aliens is an odd little gem of story. I really like the quirky nature it has and so far it’s a kind of upbeat story, so it balances out the first story’s seriousness. What would you do if someone came up to you and asked for help because one of your classmates is an alien? Laugh? Yeah, good answer but this actually turns out to be more than a cooky joke even though it’s incredibly fun to read.Kamen by Gunya Mihara is a fantasy type story with a lot of mystery. A man wakes up in a place he doesn’t know with a mask attached to his face…a mask that warns him not to take it off. For those who have watch anime shows it feels a bit like a fuedal era Bleach so far, but seeing as the story doesn’t have a ton of time to truly devlop that could definitely change. I like concept for this one and I’m super curious about the characters and the mask.And finally Souls by Arisa Karino…which is my least favorite of the four. The art style is very jarring and a bit odd as I’ve never encounter a style like it before. I also had a tough time keeping up with what exactly was happening in the story, due partially to the fact that two of the characters looked similar to me and it took me a few re-reads to realize who was talking to whom. I’m not really invested in this overall storyline but it is an interesting concept centered around putting souls to rest.Overall it’s a decent manga and added with the fact that it was a freebie I do plan on continuing this one. Manga is not cheap so it’s nice to find one in my current price range (yes, free is my price range right now). For those who just want a causal manga I recommend this.
To me This Girl has put added faith in Colleen Hoover’s story-telling skills. I don’t like reading books that relay on nothing but a POV change, because usually they are the same story and then I’m stuck slogging my way through something I’ve read before. However while This Girl is essentially Slammed from Will’s point of view it still managed to pull me in.This Girl is meant to shed light on how Will dealt with everything Slammed, and we do get to see just how much he was invested in Layken and her family. It’s set up so that it is Will sharing a few moments with Layken during their honeymoon, so it’s not all a rehash of Slammed. In fact we get some new moments. I can’t say that it pulled me in the same way that Slammed did and it definitely had to do with knowing what happens, but it also had to do with Layken. In Slammed I didn’t really mind her, but my love for her waned in Point of Retreat and This Girl didn’t do her any favors. She’s by no means a perfect girl but her selfish attitude is almost unbearable at times. There were a few moments where I just had to sit there and fume over how much of a brat she’s capable of being. Will is still fantastic and I really enjoyed seeing the reasoning behind his reactions and just how much contact he had with Julia over the course of that first. The ending is what really got me though. It’s incredibly sweet and I loved seeing how everyone’s lives turned out.I will say that this book doesn’t feel ‘necessary’ to the story of Layken and Will, and those who have read the previous two books might feel a bit disenchanted by this point. However if you truly loved the books then definitely go for it, especially if you love Will’s character.
Crux by Moira Rogers
Source: Purchased
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Series: Southern Arcana #1
Edition: Ebook, 256 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Purchase: Amazon
*I receive a small monetary kickback from Amazon purchases
Rating: 3/5
Crux is a quick read that takes us to New Orleans and also directly into a world that most don’t even know exists, the paranormal. We follow Mackenzie as she learns the truth about the world, herself, and those who are after her.
Crux is a combo of paranormal romance and urban fantasy and has the best of both genres; the mystery, the supernatural, and the steamy romance. The underground supernatural community has a cool little twist, while there are magic users and shifters no one believes in vampires! I find that to be rather cool, and one can’t help but wonder if they are actually out there or if they simply don’t exist. Either way I enjoyed the change of pace. The ‘bad guy’ in this is a pretty cold and calculated guy, byt I personally would have loved to see more about him or have a bit more build up.
Mackenzie is a pretty good herione with a rough life. She’s on the run from what she thinks are some rather insane men and after her whole ordeal she finds herself to be a jumpy, meek and skiddish woman. Mac’s growth from the first page to the last is enormous, and while I liked seeing her become more confident in herself it did feel a tad quick. Jackson is a yummy southern gentlemen, with a great sense of humor and a protective streak. Also he can cook! *fans self* I loved the two together but I wanted more of the relationship development to be seen instead of mentioned, it would have adds some needed depth and given the romance a good boost. I’m really interested in seeing Nick and Derek’s stories because while we get a taste of who they are, we don’t get a whole lot of Derek in this one.
Overall I think this was a pretty quick and if you can get past the slow start it’ll make for a great summer sun kind of read. It only took me about 3 hours to polish this one off and I’m hoping to see more in the second book.
Avatar The Last Airbender – The Search Part Two
Source: Purchased
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Series: The Search #2
Edition: Paperback, 80 pages
Genre: Tv/Cartoon Graphic Novel
Purchase: Amazon
*I receive a small monetary kickback from Amazon purchases
Rating: 5/5
Every time I sit down to read one of these for the first time I end up smiling and squeeing like a freaking lunatic. It’s honestly hard not to. The show left off with most of the questions answered but there was one question that burned a hole in everyone’s minds, where is Zuko’s mother? Part one started us on a journey to find her and answer some questions about Zuko’s family, and now Part two is getting us a bit closer.
I love that we’re getting to see more of Azula post-defeat and just how hard everything is hitting her. She hasn’t necessarily ‘changed’ but she is really showing off how broken she truly is. We get a look at Zuko and Azula’s tencious past and some of the flashbacks from the show are finally shown in their entirety!
There isn’t a ton of action and while nothing is incredibly mind blowing it does give some great info on the royal Fire Nation family that we didn’t have before. I can’t recommend these novels enough so if you’re a fan of Avatar don’t hesitate to grab them!
Wow! I wish I had read this before Ink! Shadow starts while Katie is still in the US, the day of her mother’s funeral. We get to see the moments that pushed her to staying with her aunt in Japan and we get to see the beginning stages of her attempting to start her life over in a foreign country. As an added plus we get treated to chapters in Tomohiro’s point of view, where we get to see the nightmares that haunt him and his strained relationship with Myu. I loved that this gave him a chance to explain his personality more and I think that if I had read it prior to Ink I might have warmed up to him a bit quicker. I really enjoyed the added depth to the story and it’s always nice to see what happens directly before the main book starts. We get to see what drives the characters into making the decisions we get to see first hand in Ink. It’s a cheaper novella (free when I downloaded it) and so I think that if you enjoyed Ink or are curious to see if you might like it then give it a shot. Everything has the same feel too it and you get to see how the writing style is for the Japanese culture, which isn’t for everyone as it does use some Japanese words here and there.
It’s no secret that I love Avatar: The Last Airbender, so naturally I’m in love with The Legend of Korra as well. I couldn’t say no to the art book when I saw it because Korra turned out to be just as beautiful as Avatar.The book is set up according to the season’s timeline, so with each new major development a new section of art starts. If anyone is familiar with the art book for Avatar then you should find this one similar in set up and feel. It has a ton of new artwork that we as fans have never seen before, from beautiful scenery designs to character development sketches. Aside from those there are also pro-bending concepts, propaganda poster art, and a great section for ancillary art. I have a soft-spot for the landscape designs which are so detailed that it seems like it could be a real place.There are also tid-bits of information on each page related to the process, characters or inspirations that are a real treat to read. Plus if you haven’t read the graphic novels (The Promise) you can get some background info on a few things that happened between the two shows, and it’s not spoiler-y so you can still pick up the novels later without feeling like you know everything. I do wish there were more about some characters however since it’s only the first season’s art book I’m positive we’ll get to learn and see even more in the next one!I think that this is one of those must-haves for Avatar/Korra fans, and I know I’ll buy an actual copy just so I can revisit some of my favorite moments for the show.
Seraphina is a really unique epic fantasy novel with dragons! However they are not just your normal scaly fire-breathing monsters these dragons are incredibly intelligent, logical, and capable of taking a human form. If that doesn’t draw you in, Seraphina has a really interesting secret! I can’t tell you what it is but it definitely adds even more to the mix of originality.I personally love the rich writing style and the interesting world building that went into creating the Kingdom of Goredd. The city is full of political and racial (humans/dragons) tension all due to the current peace treaty. There is also a really interesting religious system with numerous saints and even a heretic, which I’m incredibly curious about. The realness of these tensions is truly one of the highlights of the book, Hartman pulls in morality issues we can all understand. Then there are the dragons who are actually separated into two groups the Saars and the Quigs, saars are your typical dragons and quigs are more of odd little dragon cousins.Seraphina is a smart, witty, and ‘prickly’ heroine with a huge secret that could get her killed. It’s something she’s learned to hide so well that she has a job as Music Mistress in the palace where her amazing music talent is most appreciated. I love that she’s resourceful and that while she has fear she’s willing to put it behind her to do what she needs to do. Then there is Prince Kiggs, who is the loyal honor-bound head of the guard and the swoony guy of the book. However I don’t entirely agree with the relationship that develops between him and Seraphina, while I loved them together it felt wrong given the circumstances. (Which obviously I can’t tell because it would spoil some of the book). The romance doesn’t take a big portion of the book though and even though I had some problems with it, it does develop nicely.Overall this is a really impressive and really strong start to a high fantasy series. The set up is executed wonderfully and the amount of tension that builds over the course of the story really sets a promising pace for the next book!
