The Shadows by J.R Ward

Trez “Latimer” doesn’t really exist. And not just because the identity was created so that a Shadow could function in the underbelly of the human world. Sold by his parents to the Queen of the S’Hsibe as a child, Trez escaped the Territory and has been a pimp and an enforcer in Caldwell, NY for years- all the while on the run from a destiny of sexual servitude. He’s never had anyone he could totally rely on... except for his brother, iAm.

iAm’s sole goal has always been to keep his brother from self-destructing- and he knows he’s failed. It’s not until the Chosen Serena enters Trez’s life that the male begins to turn things around... but by then it’s too late. The pledge to mate the Queen’s daughter comes due and there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and no negotiating.

Trapped between his heart and a fate he never volunteered for, Trez must decide whether to endanger himself and others- or forever leave behind the female he’s in love with. But then an unimaginable tragedy strikes and changes everything. Staring out over an emotional abyss, Trez must find a reason to go on or risk losing himself and his soul forever. And iAm, in the name of brotherly love, is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice... GOODREADS

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It's been a long time since I've actually been engrossed in a book. A very long time. I'm happy to say that The Shadows was such a good read, so good it reminded me of not only why I so much adore the Black Dagger Brotherhood series but also reading. I was drawn in by the very first chapters, with the simplistic and enjoyably gangsta writing of the Warden. The references to pop culture, the brothers!, especially Rhage. The set up for Ward's upcoming spin-off series, Legacy, centring around the training of new recruits and more of the brothers, as we knew them from the earlier books. 

I was excited that there was a new book coming out because it was a BDB book and not so much because of iAm and Trez. I liked these characters before, but I didn't like the set up in The King (DNF). However, I was very surprised by The Shadows. I loved how there wasn't too much of a spotlight on the back-story, it was done in even portions spread throughout the book. Trez and Selena's story was already set up in The King ( I think), so things pick up very fast and progressed nicely. Although, if this was solely a Trez-Selena love story the book wouldn't have been as enjoyable. It would have been your cliche lover-dying-of-deathly-sickness-story. There was a lot going on in the background with the other characters and, iAm, which made this so amazing.

There were less Lesser-centered conflicts. I like the Lessers as the main villains in the BDB universe, but I found them to have had a too much of a big role in previous books. I'd rather focus on the Brothers than have to be in the minds of dumb evil Lessers because clearly, they're less fun. The Shadows has successfully used the Lessers as a villain without having to give them too much attention.

We also see a mutiny take place in the Band of Bastards (BoB). A failed mutiny, Throe tries to undermine and take over the BoB by arguing that their leader, Xcor has become weak. I.e. Xcor has become whipped because he has become infatuated with a Chosen (Layla). Xcor is very impressive when he tells his men they can choose between him and Dumbass Throe, which to his surprise they all choose to stay with Xcor. This was a nice scene because maybe it means the BoB are turning into good guys ( anti-heroes?). Seeing as Xcor now recognizes Wrath as a democratically chosen leader and no longer wants to take over the throne.  Throe, on the other hand, defecting means we have a new villain (which I highly think is a possibility, the dude is up to no good).

Hollywoooooodddd yeah! Any self-respecting BDB fan loves Rhage. Dude can turn into a dragon and I bet since Lover Eternal, you haven't looked at a tootsie roll the same way. Rhage is experiencing panic attacks and what I think could be PTSD ( then again I'm pretty sure they all have PTSD). What made this all the more interesting was that Trez and Selena's situation resembled his and Mary's. and V and Jane's situation, but could end up like Tohr's and Wellsie. Rhage is having difficulties dealing with all of this and feeling guilty. Feeling bad that this is happening to people he cares about, wishing they can also have a miracle happened to them as it did for him and Mary. But relieved it's not him, which makes him feel guilty. This is great! horrible, yeah for Rhage, but great. I felt like the other similar stories were addressed because as a reader I felt like Trez and Selena's story had already been done. However, I didn't expect the ending to their story.

In the end, it seemed more like iAm's story, even though the bulk was focused on Trez and Selena's romance.  It was a sad ending, I didn't cry but I was moved.....a tiny bit.

Note, Lassiter !! I luv him! He's amazing and the banter between Lassy and the brothers delivers as always.

What are you doing ? Go read this one now!

Waiting on Wednesday # 4

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

I'm sorry but.....I'm still waiting on Dark Skye 

It's almost out! 57 days till Dark Skye is out. 

Eternal Obsession 

As a boy, Thronos, Lord of Skye Hall, loved Lanthe, a mischievous Sorceri girl who made him question everything about his Vrekener clan. But when the two got caught in the middle of their families’ war, tragedy struck, leaving Thronos and Lanthe bitter enemies. Though centuries have passed, nothing can cool his seething need for the beautiful enchantress who scarred his body - and left an even deeper impression on his soul.

Endless Yearning 

Lanthe, a once-formidable sorceress struggling to reclaim her gifts, searches for love and acceptance with all the wrong immortal suitors. But she’s never forgotten Thronos, the magnificent silver-eyed boy who protected her until she was ripped from the shelter of his arms. One harrowing night changed everything between them. Now he’s a notorious warlord with a blood vendetta against Lanthe, hunting her relentlessly.

Can the heat of desire burn brighter than vengeance? 

With their families locked in conflict and battles raging all around them, will Thronos and Lanthe succumb to the brutal chaos that threatens everything they cherish? Or will the fragile bond they formed so long ago spark a passion strong enough to withstand even the darkest doubts? GOODREADS

Expected publication: August 5th 2014 by Gallery Books

Read an excerpt here -> click me to find out what happened after they fell into the cave

What are you waiting on?

Moon Called ( Mercy Thompson #1 ) by Patricia Briggs

Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.

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This has been on my TBR list for a  while now and turned out to be exactly what I had expected. A fun , fascinating and engaging world of shapeshifters and other supernatural beings.

Mercy is a great character . I love her personality and the way she handles things. She's intelligent, practical and has some good instincts. She's also very kind but not a push over.And independent. I love the fact that she's a mechanic and there are also some other female characters with interesting jobs . They're  two other female pack members. One of which is a fire fighter and the other a teacher.

The book is set in a society that knows that there are supernatural creatures and later in the book the werewolves make themselves known to the society. Mercy is a skin walker and can change into a coyote but she was raised by werewolves, this makes for an interesting dynamic between her and the weres. All the females hate her, because she's not a were and she's beneath them. Wolves trump coyotes I guess. It's also fascinating to read about the dominance issue. Female pack members have to be submissive to the male members (because they're the dominant ones). Mercy has a good understanding about the chain of command in a pack and plays along.

The plot was engaging: Mercy's neighbour is a werewolf (alpha to the local pack) and has a daughter. She's close with them. They get attacked and the girl gets kidnapped. Mercy takes Adam to Bran (the alpha to the pack that raised her). Then there's speculation about motive to the attack and kidnapping of Jesse. I like a bit of mystery to a book, because I'm also speculating and guessing along .  But I was all confused and nothing made sense so I had to take back seat and be Watson while Mercy plays the role of Sherlock .

Mercy's eclectic circle of friends was pretty attractive. She's friends with werewolves, a gay werewolf (Warren) , a gremlin,vampires and a cop . Her circle is only going to grow in future books.

This is also suppose to be a romance book, but here wasn't much of that going on. At least not in my opinion. We are introduced to her background in this book, friends ,family. ex-lover and by the end she's dating or goes on a date with Adam.

There is a sub-plot ( a small) one where Mercy tells Kyle (warren's boyfriend ) that Warren's a werewolf and that's why he's sometimes distant.

I'm happy I finally got around to reading this book and it was fulfilling. I'd recommend it to anybody who enjoys all the drama in True Blood . There isn't any sex in this book ( in case you're one of those) but then again this is only book one in the series. It just kinda reminds me of True Blood only I prefer this series to a blond crazy person.

Also that cover is awesome!

Grade:

Envy (The Fallen Angels #3) by J R Ward

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls to save. And a man and a woman treading the lines of danger, desire and deliverance ...As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas DelVecchio Jr grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father. Hired to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in Veck is both professional and arousingly personal. But Veck and Sophia have a common interest. He's Jim Herron, a mysterious stranger enlisted to save the soul of a killer's latest victim, one precariously hovering between heaven and hell. Before Herron's job is done, Veck and Sophia will be inexorably drawn into a battle of good against evil, where the risk is nothing less than total damnation.


Alright here we go. Do you know this serie? then you're probably familiar with the characters Eddy Blackhawk and Adrian Vogel and of course Jim Heron and their little competition with Devina, le biaatch. 


This time their target is detective Veck Delvecchio, who's father is a serial killer. Veck's been having to deal with his dad's infamy all his life and always having to worry if he has some of his dad's evil in him. I like this characters struggle with his good and bad side. He has an interestingly troubled psychy. Are people born evil? are they their parents to blame? or do you define YOU. I also liked his honesty and that he's a big handsome brute, but not as handsome as Adrian.


The story has a lot of action, drama and steamy scenes. Reilly and Veck are attracted to each other from the get go,and not long after that they get it on.  I hated that Reilly was so easily convinced that Veck was the murderer (which he was being framed for). Althoug it's understandable with the information geven and Veck's parantage to believe that. She makes it right in the end by following up on things. They have a happily ever after.  

Now for the drama. Adrian and Eddy think Jim's too concerned with Sissy and want him to concentrate more on the war. This becomes an issue with the three. They have a big fight and separate. Ad and Ed get drunk and get attacked by a harpy. and fucking shit!! Eddy dies!!! he dies!! why?!! I like Adrian more but come on?!! Devina's plan was to destabilize Jim's team. On the contrary Jim and Adrian just stuck together and it worked in their favour because they won this battle. Jim used Devina's crush on him against her.  Clearly a sexual and disgusting crush .


This book is called Envy because 1. I suppose because it's one of the seven sins 2. because Devina envy's Veck and Reilly's realtionship and love. Yeah, she's a bitter and jealous biaatch aswell.


The next target is apparantly going to be Mathias from the previous book. Crave, Jim lost in that book and in the next book apparantly they get a next chance to save Mathias but the los from the previous book still stands.


Either way this was a wonderful and sad read.


Grade:  E

Review: Nightlife ( Cal Leandros #1) by Rob Thurman

There are monsters among us. There always have been and there always will be. I’ve known that since I can remember, just like I’ve always known I was one . . . 
. . . Well, half of one, anyway. 
Welcome to the Big Apple. There’s a troll under the Brooklyn Bridge, a boggle in Central Park, and a beautiful vampire in a penthouse on the Upper East Side – and that’s only the beginning. Of course, most humans are oblivious to the preternatural nightlife around them, but Cal Leandros is only half human. 
His father’s dark lineage is the stuff of nightmares – and he and his entire otherworldly race are after Cal. Why? Cal hasn’t exactly wanted to stick around long enough to find out. 
He and his half brother, Niko, have managed to stay a step ahead for four years, but now Cal’s dad has found them again. And Cal is about to learn why they want him, why they’ve always wanted him: He is the key to unleashing their hell on earth. The fate of the human world will be decided in the fight of Cal’s life . . .

I started reading this last year then put it aside. That in no way means the book is boring, I suppose if I had a physical copy I would have finished it way earlier. 

Cal is named after a character from the Tempest, Caliban.  Caliban(from The Tempest) is a halfbreed,born of a demon and a witch. Cal is also a halfbreed although nobody knows of what. I like this book. It was funny, action packed and full of monsters. If you're a fan of Supernatural then you'll love this book.

Cal and Niko's relationship is a lot like Sam and Dean's. Niko's the oldest and looks out for Cal.  Cal's the little brother who has issues because he's actually half something evil. He thinks he's a monster and that Niko should acknowledge that fact.  Niko refuses ,to believe that Cal could be evil, by not calling him by his full name "Caliban". 

The story is about how the auphe want to open a gate and return to a much preferred time where they ruled earth. If they succeed then the present time(world /mankind) ends. To open this gate they need a key and the key just happens to be "Cal". The first chapters are funny to read. A lot of banter between the brothers. They suspect something's wrong/going on and are getting ready to run again. In their need of a car they meet Goodfellow (THE Robin Goodfellow), who tells them a lot about the auphe and grendels and sheds light on their predicament. Goodfellow becomes their friend and informant.

The story picks up when Cal gets possessed by the Darkling. The Darkling merges with Cal's body as to open the door.The book is told from Cal's pov but there's no Cal after the merging. There's just a lot of narrative from the very very arrogant Darkling.  I'm talking my-god-shut-up-arrogant!!

After that the story picks up a nice pace. A lot of fighting and  saving the world. 

I guess the resolution is Cal accepting who he is. He's a monster but not necessarily evil.

"I watched Catcher cavort under a scarlet sky and marveled at the beauty of him. He might not be a human,but neither was he a monster. The lack of one didn't necessarily equal the other. There was something so simple about that,yet it had taken me until now to figure it out. Catcher was no monster and neither was I" ~Cailban

Grade: 

E

Review: Kiss of a demon king

This is my first real try at a book review.

'Kiss of a Demon King" is the 7th book in the Immortals After Dark series and man is it a page turner, well actually you'll burn your fingers turning the pages as you go or possibly suffer a paper cut because it's so damn steamy and hot. and umph.

This is saying A LOT because I just read the ebook .
Anyways "Kiss of a Demon King' runs parallel with the 6th book "Dark Desires After Dusk".
Rydstorm (hero) gets captured by the Queen of Illusions, Sabin. The sister of his mortal enemy Omort.
All Rydstorm wants is to defeat Omort and get his kingdom back. But then he is being held captive by this "wicked female" who torments him every night. Stoking his desire to a certain point and then leaving him dry.
He vows revenge and eventually gets it and some.

I loved Rydstorm he is just so "royally hot" and when he's pissed and loses control, did I mention the page burns?
And Sabin (heroin) was just a badass chick, she knows what she wants, no inhibitions. She has her own idea of justice and her own standard of measuring things you have to respect.
Trust was a major issue between Rydstorm and Sabin but they eventually got over that hurdle.
In the end the guy gets the girl and the kingdom. Happily ever after.

One of my favorites characters, the crazy one ,Nix the all-knowing.
I just love her. She's awesome and I'm always wondering what her shirts gonna say.
And whose bones she wants to jump next. Nix said something about "going down to Budapest" to "investigate" a group of demons who call themselves "The Lords of the Underworld".
Now seeing as I'm also a fan of Gena Showalter's "Lords of the Underworld" series. It just makes me wonder....

The next book is "Pleasure of a Dark Prince" .
Another thing besides the demons with the sensitive horns to like ,are the Lykae. I just love them . They stoke the READERS desire and leave THEM dry.

On a personal note I should probably stop reading' these books. My mind is turning to mush and my heart just depressed. Because there's no chance of it all being real. I don't mean the Lore but the love.