Review: On the Edge

On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I have to say that I was a little apprehensive about this book during the first 30 or so pages--as I learned about the worlds of the Weird, the Edge and the Broken. The characters seemed most strange in an Alice in Wonderland kind of way. On the second page, there is an irrational lunatic, bloody from head to toe running around the yard exclaiming that he wants to go to the pub for a pint. Then we find out that this means he wants to catch and kill a dog and eat its' brains...huh? Then we learn that the main character, Rose has 2 brothers--one of which was born a cat and the other is a necromancer. This is only the tip of the ice berg in the lands of Weird, Edge and Broken--but you can see how I felt as if I had dropped down the rabbit hole...right?

If you can stay focused through the first 30 pages without feeling completely lost, the twists and turns of mystery and romance are well worth the confusion.

The story revolves around Rose, an "Edger"--the Edge is the land between the Weird and the Broken--who has grown up poor and disadvantaged. She was often ridiculed as a child. She has exceptional magical power--which she worked very hard to practice and perfect. Once this power was discovered, every male blueblood aristocrat in the lands basically hunt her to wither marry her or sell her on the black market. So, as you can imagine she is not very trusting of strangers--especially men. So, when Declan makes his grand entrance around page 40, she greets him with a gun and a whole lot of attitude. From there, the story unfolds and what a great story it is.

I love Rose's character, she is everything a strong female protagonist should be--strong, feisty and likable among others. Declan is full of all that arrogance and lion-hearted chivalry we come to love in a knight in shining armor-- and let's not forget, he is in a well-built masculine package. You will love these two as well as the zaney entourage of characters in this book. I am looking forward to the next in the series.





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Review: Alpha (Shifters #6)

Alpha by Rachel Vincent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I am so sad that this series is over. This was really a great end to a wonderful series. Although I wasn't mad about who she ended up with, I wasn't totally thrilled about it either--but I always knew that's how it would be...

There were so many loose ends to tie up that I wasn't sure how they would all get addressed, but they did. I am really keeping my fingers crossed that there might be a spinoff series with Jace as Alpha of his mother's pride--there is sure to be tons of drama with that family. There is also Kaci and Manx that could spawn yet another storyline--I think she left a good door open if she wants to go there again.





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Review: Shift (Shifters #5)

Shift by Rachel Vincent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Faythe ROCKS!!! I just don't know how I am going to be able to wait for the next book, Alpha--It sounds like it is the final book in this series--anyone know?

When I first started reading about the Thunderbirds, I was kinda like--uh-oh, where is she taking this one? What was I thinking? Of-course it was awesome! It looks like the Thunderbirds will prove to be a handy-dandy little ally for the Sanders Pride--thank goodness, because they need some powerful ammo on their side. Oh, and I am so glad that jackass, Calvin is finally being exposed for the conniving little snake he is--argh! he gets my blood boiling!

I am Team Jace all the way. Don't get me wrong, I like Marc too, I just like Jace better and I am so pumped that he is finally displaying his potential. I am curious to see how Greg feels about Faythe's dilemma between Jace and Marc--I really think he is going to support her in whomever she chooses. I think she has proven to her Alpha father that she is worthy of the position she is destined to hold in the future--so far from that spoiled little rebel we met in book #1.

Oh the anticipation...



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Review: Prey (Shifters #4)

Prey by Rachel Vincent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



There was so much action-mystery-tension-adventure in this book...I was on edge roughly every other page. When I started this series, I was so torn between Jace and Marc. In the beginning, I was totally loving Jace as Faythe's potential mate. I loved his fun loving personality and the picture I have of him in my mind is totally yummy. Then, I liked Marc too--total Alpha material and I knew that for the future of the Pride, Faythe would have to choose a strong mate and that mate would be Marc over Jace based solely on dominance. Although my love for Jace never faded, I just didn't think he had it in him to stand up to and beside Faythe, therefore, I couldn't see love in their future. She needs a very strong male as her mate. As soon as Ethan died, I knew that would be the turning point for Jace and that he would become a frontrunner for Faythe's heart. I think he is showing more Alpha-like qualities and she is seeing that too. Having Marc back at the ranch will throw a monkey wrench in their budding romance, but will make things very interesting for sure. I am so torn between the two, but right now, I am rooting for Jace.

As far as the plethora of other scenarios that continue to unfold...I am hooked! So many questions left unanswered. I can't wait until March for the next book.

Oh and I have to say Daniel Painter--what a total disappointment. I was really rooting for the guy. Argh!! and Calvin Malone... What. A. Bastard. I really hate the guy. Then, the declawing of Manx was a complete shocker. Finally, I am super pumped that Angela is preggo--what a great thing that the Sanders will have a little living piece of Ethan. What a great ending to a great book!



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Review: Pride (Shifters #3)

Pride by Rachel Vincent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is my favorite so far in the series--I might say the same about the next book too...So much happened in this installment--what a page turner. There was tons of action and a whole lot of "shake-up" regarding relationships among Prides nationally within the Territorial Council. I totally hate Calvin Malone--what a bastard, I hope he gets what's coming to him. So many story lines feathering off throughout this series--as in the previous book, they have discovered a new tabby and she has several secrets and mysteries they have to uncover. Not to mention Faythes many troubles with the Council.

Trouble seems to find Faythe wherever she goes--and I do mean everywhere. She's like a magnet for everything dangerous and menacing. I love how her relationship has grown with her father. They seem to share a mutual respect more so now than ever and they both are doing a better job at showing their feelings.

Ahhhhh!!! Marc! I know he loves Faythe, but I wish he would just put his foot down to save himself some anguish. I guess if he wasnt getting in trouble with the Alphas, he would be in trouble with Faythe and I am not sure which is worse. :-) Looking forward to the next one--loving this series.



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Review: Rogue (Shifters #2)

Rogue by Rachel Vincent

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I have been more than pleased with this series--although I am only
2 books into it. I like the fact that Faythe seems to be embracing her
roots & her status as possible future leader of the Pride. I have enjoyed
watching her transformation from the whiny brat-like twenty something
who is in serious need of a reality check to the more mature leader
who is learning when to hold and when to fold...she hasn't perfected
the art of diplomacy, but she is working on it.

I thought the plot of this book was great. The back story of the
kidnapped tabbies had some resolution by the end of book 1, but
there were still some pieces of the puzzle missing--they were mostly
answered in this, book 2.

Although I thought the book was solid--I gave it 4 stars and shelved it
as a "favorite", I thought there were a few holes that just didn't add up in
my mind.

*****SPOILER****SPOILER**** SPOILER***

So, as I said, I loved the way Faythe is maturing & seems to be embracing
her life and future in the Pride. Her independent & rebellious attitude is
starting to wear thin on my nerves. She wants to have her cake & eat it
too...the best of both worlds..among other over used cliches (that is
redundant huh?). Then again, what fun would the book be if the main
character was perfect & did everything you hoped they would do--would
probably make for a pretty boring book, right?

In book 1 she wanted Marc's & Jace's attention--never-minding what
havoc followed. She then realized that she had to choose, & she did...
correction, Marc chose for her by pretty much tearing Jace apart. She
realized that Jace would probably end up dead if she didn't start playing
it straight in her love life.

Now, in book 2 she is playing a similar game, but this time it is strictly
with Marc's emotions. He wants her commitment & a promise of a future
together & she can't give it to him. She wants all the heat & passion that
comes with the love they share, but she is scared to commit to anything
long term. Essentially, he wants her to wear a promise ring--not an
engagement ring, a silver, promise ring & she can't even give him that--
what is wrong with her? I think she is afraid she will become a "kept"
woman like she perceives her June-Cleverish, pearl-wearing, brownie
baking mother to be. In the final pages of this book, she & her mother
share a terrifying, but special moment--it seems that this experience
may be just the thing that they needed in order to bond like a mother &
daughter should. I think Faythe might be beginning to realize
that she & her mother are really not that different after all--her mother
just hides behind a very good disguise. I think Faythe could stand to
take a few pointers from her mother.


The main blunder in the story for me came at the end. I think it is
very unlikely that Luiz would be able to infiltrate Faythe's Pride's
compound completely undetected. So, this is what I am supposed to
believe: Marc & the gang were easily able to sniff out the jungle cat's
scent in the woods due to their super sensitive feline olfactory senses.
Faythe & the gang, also have super sniffers & were able to track Andrew
by the scent he left after only touching a crosswalk signal. But,
they couldn't catch Luiz's foreign scent in their own house? Riiiiiiight?
Of-course, this made for a very entertaining ending to a great book, but
highly unlikely.

I am looking forward to book 3--I know things will work out for Faythe
& her trial, but I am nervous about the journey. I am also interested to
see how things pan out between Faythe & Marc. Hoping that sweet Jace
doesn't get hurt along the way...




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Review: Stray (Shifters #1)

Stray by Rachel Vincent

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I really liked this book. I was a little nervous about reading it because it is so long and I have seen such mixed reviews about the series. Well, let me put it to you this way--it is 600+ pages and I read it in 2 nights.

Faythe is the daughter of an Alpha who is also the lead Alpha for all the US werecat territories. She is also one of only 8 unmated tabbies or females in the US. Of course, she is very valuable as there are probably hundreds of unmated males to their one. Faythe has 2 potential love interests, Jace and Marc--I am torn between the 2 they are both so likable. Based on the Alpha's opinion, I am pretty sure I know which one she will end up with in the end. Then again, she isn't really one to follow...

She is very independent--in fact, she has been away from the pride for 5 years attending college like any normal 20 something. Single tabbies are being kidnapped and her father forces her to come home for her safety. Being the feisty little wildcat that is her nature, she is determined to make her own decisions and run away. Wouldn't you know it! There is a little hitch in her plan and as the story unfolds, it is almost impossible to put it down.

I am looking forward to the next in the series. I thought this book had a great mix of action and pretty good amount of romance. As with most strong female protags, she can be a major pain in the arse because she is so intent on being "independent" (as her father pays her tuition, living expenses and phantom-like bodyguards 24-7) . It is like it is Faythe against the world even when she know in her mind it is not the best thing for her well being.

All in all a great read.



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Review: Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras by Lacey Alexander

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Y-U-M-M-Y! If you have read [b:French Quarter|287494|French Quarter (Hot in the City, #1)|Lacey Alexander|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1300409382s/287494.jpg|278926], then you have already gotten a little taste of the main event, Ty. (and if you haven't read it, then you need to ;-)

This was originally part of an anthology, so it is a short read as a stand alone. Mia is the little sister of a good friend of Ty's. She is also his secretary and totally lusting after Ty on a daily basis, so when she get an opportunity to secretly seduce him and make is fantasies a reality, she jumps at the chance. It was kinda nice to see the tables turned...this time it was Ty that was all tied up.

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Review: Key West

Key West by Lacey Alexander

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Good and Trashy! That's what I'm talkin' about...of course its written in typical Lacey fashion. Although her books tend to lack the element of surprise, I'm willing to make concessions based on the steam factor. What its not lacking is lots of dirty hot kinky sex. Get it. Read it.

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Review: The Bikini Diaries

The Bikini Diaries by Lacey Alexander

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Holy cow! I thought I had read an erotic novel before, but boy was I wrong! This was hot! hot! hot!

The story begins with a woman named Wendy who is on a business trip-sitting at the pool doing her paperwork when she spots this hot babe sporting a teeny weeny white string bikini and she feels a stab of jealously at the imagined life this woman must have. As a results she decides that she has nothing to lose by reinventing herself--even if only temporarily, because what happens at the resort, stays at the resort...right?

After purchasing a sexy new wardrobe, her confidence is booming, so she decides to test out her new look at a local club. She decides to totally abandon all the boundaries of her comfort zone--which she does and meets a hot little freak named Brandon who proceeds to turn her life as she knew it inside out and upside down.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a very descriptive, erotic read about freaks in the sheets and losing all inhibitions.

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