Showing posts with label Bantam Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bantam Books. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

BOOK REVIEW - SHADOW HEIR by RICHELLE MEAD - DARK SWAN # 4 - BANTAM BOOKS - 4.5 STARS!

By: Richelle Mead
Published By: Bantam, Random House
Released: Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 390 Pages

RATING: 4.5 UNPREDICTABLE ENDING STARS!

Blurb : Goodreads

#1 New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead returns to the Otherworld, a mystic land inextricably linked to our own--and balanced precariously on one woman's desperate courage...

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld...

The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't--or won't--reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon--and risk the ultimate sacrifice...


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle :

I have wrapped up yet another Richelle Mead series. Woot!

I must say I have mixed feelings about how Richelle ended this series. I understand Eugenie and her fears, but gahhhhhh!! It almost leaves an opening for a rather explosive book # 5. 

Now that, I would read!

I know this is the end of the series..... but, if you read this series and get to the end of Shadow Heir you will understand what I mean.

I would never take points off my review for the ending as I think it was deliberately written to shock. I like that! Richelle gave readers something to talk about and no doubt complain about, lol!!

Fear will make people do things they may regret later. Bottom line, Eugenie has a great fear for her children’s lives and it is currently out weighing maybe the logic of what is right.

I thought this was a great wrap up to a series. I think I would have liked Kiyo being a bit more lethal as he seemed almost too mellow when he entered the storyline...considering.

Oh, the couple twists thrown in were brilliant! I also think somebody needs a bit of a stinky dead fish slap for .... well, I can’t say.

What I can say is Richelle gave me a dangerous quest, a villain who appeared a bit over the edge with the plan that really wasn’t going to succeed, not with Dorian fighting alongside Eugenie, they really do make a good pair and twists that will shock.

I do love Dorian. Richelle allowed that man to evolve. He became very loveable. He has such a quirk to his character one moment, an almost laid back approach in another and then he is the hero in another moment. It was a case of what ‘Dorian’ am I going to have now. I do so love his banter. It is very much owned by him. I also love when I can see a glimpse of him letting down his walls around Eugenie and showing that caring side, minus the banter.That uber smexi side that came out in the early books.

Yowzer!

“I don’t know. Tell me the essentials. What are they like? What are their names? Are they really in good health after being born so early?”

“Their names are Isaac and Ivy,” I began.

“Isaac?” he repeated.

“It’s a nice name. A human name.”

“I’m aware. But it’s not the name I’d give to a conqueror of worlds,” explained Dorian. He considered. “I would’ve gone with Thundro or Ragnor. I might just call him Thundro anyway.”




“But tell me, how are you handling all of it?”



“Why, hello,” he said cheerfully. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything. I was just passing by and thought I’d see if your charming hovel needed any patching. My magic’s quite good at summoning dirt and rocks for convenient household usage.”



Dorian scoffed. “Little Thundro? A terror? hardly, unless perhaps we’re discussing diapers.”



“But it’s very reasonable,” he teased. “I have skills no-one else can teach your children. And it’s be a shame not to pass on my legendary charm and charisma on to the next generation. A tragedy, even.”

“Legendary, huh? That might be an exaggeration.”

“It’s truth, my dear. And I’m willing to put it all at your disposal --- I’m willing to put anything at your disposal --- if it’ll help you and yours. As I keep saying: What wouldn’t I do for you?”



Candace and Charles I adore these two. Candace is quite the character. 

Before I could even muster an answer, she turned and yelled, “Charles, wake up! Just like we practiced!”

And to my astonishment, it appeared they really had been practicing this. I was glad someone had because I certainly hadn’t.



Evan is an addition that has the reader wondering.

I so love Roland. He is just a stand up guy. Always there with a plan and a helping hand.

Volusian, he almost appeared helpful. I really liked his character throughout this series. I wouldn’t trust him, but at the same time, he seemed obliging in this book. 

“Yes, mistress,” he agreed. “And were it up to me, I assure you, I would stay out of your presence for as long as possible, unless I was coming to end your life and rip you limb from limb.”


I personally think Richelle tied up most of her ends.....well there is that ending that is rather..errrr....let’s just say Richelle will pull at your heart strings with that ending.

It wasn’t predictable and I give the thumbs up for that!

Michelle

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

BOOK REVIEW - SUCCUBUS REVEALED by RICHELLE MEAD - GEORGINA KINCAID # 6

By: Richelle Mead
Published By: Bantam Books
Released : Available Now
Details: Paperback from library, 277 Pages

RATING : 4 CARTER STARS!!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Georgina Kincaid has had an eternity to figure out the opposite sex, but sometimes they still surprise her. Take Seth Mortensen. The man has risked his soul to become Georgina's boyfriend. Still, with Lucifer for a boss, Georgina can't just hang up her killer heels and settle down to domestic bliss. In fact, she's being forced to transfer operations… to Las Vegas.  

The City of Sin is a dream gig for a succubus, but Georgina's allies are suspicious. Why are the powers-that-be so eager to get her away from Seattle—and from Seth? Georgina is one of Hell's most valuable assets, but if there's any way out of the succubus business she plans to take it—no matter how much roadkill she leaves behind. She just hopes the casualties won't include the one man she's risking everything for…

BOOK REVIEW:



Succubus Revealed, the final book in the Georgina Kincaid series was a quieter book. Richelle had fun with her quirkiness of putting Georgina in a foil Santa’s helper outfit and the looming bowling tournament between Nanette’s peeps and Jerome’s normal crew, Cody, Peter, Georgina and Hugh.


Hell, why not....ha?


I love Carter and I kind of want a Carter spinoff, even though Angels aren’t allowed to find that somebody because if they do the chances are they are going to wind up at Hell’s door for breaking the rules.


Roman, I noticed that Richelle did something either just normal for a final book or to make us think that possibly we will hear more from Roman. I am intrigued.....


Peter is hilarious with his mannerisms, Cody was just sweet. I never really thought of them as vampires, Richelle never really brought that into play. No bloodlust or vampire excitement or even much if any fang showing. This was a succubus series.


I did figure out a bit of where Richelle was heading with a couple bits on the plot as there really wasn’t anywhere else it could be heading. The one thing I did notice was Georgina didn’t get her funky on with any poor unsuspecting person and drain their energy in this book.


I enjoyed this book but it wasn’t its normal fast moving pace like others in the series. I do love Seth and we always knew he was going to get the gal, so no surprises there.


All in all I really have enjoyed this series. It was a very clever series with all the emotions and just living the life of a succubus and trying to be a good person when you work for hell and trying to be happy.


I loved all Richelle’s characters and I think I will miss them.






Michelle

Thursday, November 3, 2011

BOOK REVIEW - SUCCUBUS SHADOWS by RICHELLE MEAD - GEORGINA KINCAID # 5

By: Richelle Mead
Published By : Bantam Books
Released : Available Now
Details: Paperback from library , 281 Pages

RATING : 4.5 Hell Hath No Fury Like Jerome Scorned Stars!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Georgina Kincaid has formidable powers. Immortality, seduction, shape-shifting into any human form she desires, walking in heels that would cripple mere mortals child's play to a succubus like her.

Helping to plan her ex-boyfriend s wedding is a different story. Georgina isn't sure which is worse that he's marrying another woman or that she's having to run around trying on bridesmaid dresses. Still, there are distractions. Thanks to her roommate, her apartment's crackling with sexual tension plus there's Simone, the new succubus in town who seems intent on corrupting Georgina's soon-to-be-wed ex.


But the real danger lies in the mysterious force that's taken to visiting Georgina's thoughts. It s trying to draw her into a dark, frightening, otherworldly realm and there's going to come a point when she won't be able to resist. And when that happens, she's going to discover who she can trust, who she can't and that there are far worse places than Hell in which to spend eternity...
 
BOOK REVIEW:



Oh, the torment that Richelle puts Seth and Georgina through. Richelle has the writing capacity to make you forget that Georgina bats for Hell. You just want Seth, who has really manned up in the smexi department, but is hiding behind Maddie, to get that happy ending he so craves but knows is just out of his grasp.


You want that dream so badly to come true for Georgina. Carter is holding out on her , cause , he has to be neutral...blaa...blaa.... I love Carter, but I so want him to be a dibby dobber on Hell when it comes to Georgina finding that loop hole she so desperately needs.


Cody is in love. I was waiting for Richelle to give Georgina’s buddy’s a bit more character freedom. They are always there for Georgina when she needs them, but they are just the cheer squad on the side lines. Hugh always seems like he has a story that needs to be told.


Poor Georgina has some bad Jedi Mind tricks played on her in this book, and surprisingly, or not so surprisingly, Jerome does pull out all the stops. I was impressed by Jerome showing us a little bit more how he does care , if that’s the right word , for Georgina. I love it when he calls her Georgie, it shows the reader a sneak peek of a different Jerome.....only a slither.


I am really liking Roman now. I almost feel sorry for him. He is trying so hard, but no cigar. I’m interested to see what Richelle does with him in Succubus Revealed.


Richelle gave us that Bam ! ending we had been waiting for, but we all know that can’t be the norm, not the way the playing cards stand.


I highly recommend this series. I think they get better and better as the books delve deeper and deeper into Seth and Georgina’s relationship.


All I do know is , Hell have no fury like Jerome scorned.






Michelle

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

BOOK REVIEW - SUCCUBUS HEAT by RICHELLE MEAD - GEORGINA KINCAID # 4

By : Richelle Mead
Published By : Bantam Books
Released : Available Now
Details : Paperback from library, 491 Pages

RATING : 4.5 WHEN YOUR WISH IS GRANTED STARS!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Georgina Kincaid has been a bad, bad succubus.which should be a good thing. But lately, thanks to her foul mood over breaking up with bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, she's been so wicked that Seattle's uber-demon Jerome, decides to 'outsource' Georgina to a rival - and have her spy for him in the process. Being exiled to the frozen north - okay, Vancouver - and leaving Seth in the cosy clutches of his new girlfriend is unpleasant enough. Then Jerome is kidnapped, and all immortals under his control mysteriously lose their powers. One bright spot: with her life-sucking ability gone, there's nothing to keep Georgina from getting down and dirty with Seth - nothing apart from his girlfriend that is. Now, as the supernatural population starts turning on itself, a newly mortal Georgina must rescue her boss and figure out who's been playing them - or all hell will break loose.

BOOK REVIEW:



Poor Georgina is down in the dumps after being dumped and Jerome is having none of it.


Maddie, bless her character, she can be a tad annoying by being so goodie and perky. Can’t she see how much Georgina is hurting? Well obviously not.


Georgina is out of Seattle and into Canada to check out the ‘Army of Darkness’, who are more of a thorn in Georgina’s side. That whole side story leads to almost a wish of Georgina’s being granted.


Richelle really made me feel Georgina’s emotional pain in this book.


Seth really stepped it up as the guy that became quite an animal when he wanted to .


Oh the guilt and denial, uber smexi writing * fans oneself*, the betrayal, realisation, hurt, lust, love, heartache, another round of lust, followed by the inevitable heartache for Georgina.


I was ready to rip into Succubus Shadows after this one, and I did!


Richelle doesn’t disappoint, she has me watching my calendar for Succubus Revealed.






Michelle

Sunday, October 23, 2011

BOOK REVIEW - IRON CROWNED by RICHELLE MEAD - DARK SWAN # 3

By; Richelle Mead
Published By : Bantam Press
Released : Available Now
Details : Paperback from library, 378 Pages

RATING : 4 KINKY DORIAN & KIYO ( who needs a stinky dead fish slap from me) STARS!!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land’s queen, she’s fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear…


Who Eugenie can trust is the hardest part. Fairy king Dorian has his own agenda for aiding her search. And Kiyo, her shape-shifter ex-boyfriend, has every reason to betray her along the way. To control the Crown’s ever-consuming powers, Eugenie will have to confront an unimaginable temptation--one that will put her soul and the fate of two worlds in mortal peril…

BOOK REVIEW:



Talk about playing Dorian and Kiyo tennis. I am the ball bouncing between the two of them, King Kinky Dorian and Dibby Dobber Kiyo.


I love Kiyo, but, man KIYYYOOOOOO!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!! Kiyo officially needs the stinky dead fish slap from me. Dude, you are beautiful and powerful but can I trust you?


Dorian, Dorian, Dorian......you have me back on your side of the court and then you blow it. Can I trust you?


Eugenie has 2 for the price of one to sort out and she is still on her P plates with this kingdom Queenie thing. I feel really sorry for Eugenie. Roland doesn’t want to know her, but family is family. You may fight , but, at the end of the day, they are there for you. They may not agree with you, but you are family.


Kiyo, you should know better, your behaviour is ...grrrrrrrrrrrr!! I still love you but, dude!!!


Dorian, bigger picture is always on your mind, I think now there is some serious bigger picture analysing that needs to be done.


Oh the pickle this triangle has got themselves into.......


These two badly behaving guys love Eugenie, but GUYS!!! seriously, she has feelings and is under immense pressure and blaa..blaa..blaa.. ( I don’t want to spoil).


Richelle, basically I would Rugby tackle the crowd out the road to get to ‘Shadow Heir’ book #4 , the way you left Iron Crowned ...aaaggghhh!!! I am having trouble being patient....* grins* ....... well done!!






Michelle



Tuesday, October 18, 2011

THORN QUEEN by RICHELLE MEAD - DARK SWAN # 2

By: Richelle Mead
Published By : Bantam Books
Released : Available Now
Details : Paperback from library , 480 Pages

RATING : 4 DECIDING ON DORIAN STARS!!!!

Eugenie Markham is a shaman for hire, paid to bind and banish creatures from the Otherworld. But after her last battle, she's also become queen of the Thorn Land. It's hardly an envious life, not with her kingdom in tatters, her love life in chaos, and Eugenie eager to avoid the prophecy about her firstborn destroying mankind. And now young girls are disappearing from the Otherworld, and no one--except Eugenie--seems willing to find out why.


Eugenie has spilled plenty of fey blood in her time, but this enemy is shrewd, subtle, and nursing a very personal grudge. And the men in her life aren't making things any easier. Her boyfriend Kiyo is preoccupied with his pregnant ex, and sexy fey king Dorian always poses a dangerous distraction. With or without their help, Eugenie must venture deep into the Otherworld and trust in an unpredictable power she can barely control. Reluctant queen or not, Eugenie has sworn to do her duty--even if it means facing the darkest--and deadliest--side of her nature...
 
BOOK REVIEW:
 
I enjoyed this second installment in the Dark Swan series but I was left confused over my boys. Dorian or Kiyo? Richelle has got me flipping sides, I think.
 
Kiyo is doing the right thing by Maiwenn, holding down a job , but his romantic side is a bit wham bam, slam....literally. I know he is part animal, but something is going awry here for me.
 
Dorian has decided to be there , getting down and dirty with the earth and helping the Thorn Land people. Something I didn't think I would see. He is still his uber smexi, restrained self, when it comes to Eugenie, letting her come to him, realise what she wants from their relationship. I get worried about his motives.
 
Then I have Kiyo who wants peace and appears like he is looking out for Eugenie's best interests by wanting her to stay away from her magic, be peaceful, no war. But is he standing up for her? Does he have her back no matter what, does he understand she is truly between worlds? This whole Queenie thing is new and overwhelming.
 
Dorian on the other hand , wastes no time in showing how he feels. It is very black and white as far as he is concerned, but will that bring Eugenie closer to the Storm Kings fearsome personality? Can she turn off that power or even control it?  Dorian was all for the Storm Kings wanting to take over the worlds. This has got me worried. He is encouraging her power. Roland was keeping her away from it.
 
Kiyo , peaceful, but wham, bam , slam...in one hand and the other I have Dorian who will fight for Eugenie, he likes playtime and he is teaching her what she truly is capable of. But why? Dorian is very hard to read what is going on power wise in his mind. Sure he will protect Eugenie without a second thought, but is there more to his love for her.
 
Power over kingdoms is an addictive thing. Eugenie at Dorian's side with her power....oh dear...where is all this going?
 
Will there be an heir?
 
Will Kiyo and Maiwenn end up flung back together as a couple against Dorian and possibly Eugenie? I'm looking forward to cracking open Iron Crowned # 3.
 
FAVE QUOTE:
 
Amusement lit his face, contrasting with the dark desire in his eyes. "Since I'm presuming you don't mean you finally bought him a leash, let me say simply that there is a big difference between allowing an animal to ravage you and allowing yourself to be ravaged. One is common. The other is art. It is planned. Crafted, even. Only capable of being done by a master."
 
 
Michelle
 
 
 

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

BOOK REVIEW - SUCCUBUS DREAMS by RICHELLE MEAD - GEORGINA KINCAID # 3 - 5 HEARTBROKEN STARS!!

By : Richelle Mead
Published By : Bantam Books
Released : Available Now
Details : Paperback from library, 431 Pages

RATING: 5 HEARTBROKEN STARS!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Some days, a girl just can't catch a break ... especially when the girl in question is Georgina Kincaid, a shape-shifting succubus who gets her energy from seducing men. First there's her relationship with gorgeous bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, which is unsatisfying on a number of levels. It's not just that they can't have sex in case Georgina inadvertently kills him (generally a turn-off for most guys). Lately, even spending time together is a challenge. Seth's obsessed with finishing his latest novel, and Georgina's under demonic orders to mentor the new (and surprisingly inept) succubus on the block.  


Then there are the dreams. Someone, or something, is preying on Georgina at night, draining her energy, and supplying eerie visions of her future. Georgina seeks answers from Dante, a dream interpreter with ties to the underworld, but his flirtatious charm only leaves her more confused-especially as the situation with Seth reaches crisis point. Now Georgina faces a double challenge-rein in her out-of-control love life, and go toe-to-toe with an enemy capable of wreaking serious havoc among mankind. Otherwise, Georgina, and the entire mortal world, may never sleep easy again.

BOOK REVIEW:



I actually love this book the best so far. I have seen mixed reviews, but people, this is a succubus, she is centuries old, she has to do what she does to survive, she signed her soul over to the dark side. Do not confuse her with a mere mortal. At times she can behave like one, she isn’t !!


Seth and her relationship have done well , considering. Georgina is not on Carter’s side, we must remember that. I love Georgina , but I understand that Richelle has to keep writing her the way she does, because she is a succubus, it’s what sets her apart. She is flawed and she does do a lot wrong if she were human, mortal, on the good side of the track, but she isn’t. We care about her because she tries to make the best of her situation. She does a half ass job because she doesn’t enjoy what she has to do...well...sometimes...but that’s the Hell side of her personality. She makes bad judgement calls , but she is bad. No matter how much we want her to be good, her soul isn’t.


Richelle really wrote some ‘fan oneself’ worthy moments in this book.


Georgina is trying desperately to understand how her relationship as a succubus can work with Seth. She loves him, he loves her...but it is not that easy.


Being a mentor to Tawny , who apparently couldn’t score if it fell over in front of her ready for action and having Niphon the imp that she lost her soul to, being in her face, tormenting her , if that isn't enough for her to handle, then there is contending with somebody/thing draining her life energy and a bunch of angels hanging about who aren’t talking to somebody who bats for the other Team.


Richelle broke my heart in this book. She wrote it so well. I kind of felt as bad as Georgina did...oh it was very sad. I kind of felt like it was happening to me.


I can’t help thinking the more I read this series , the more Carter is going to play a role in helping Georgina for the greater good.... eventually. I just like the way he pops up every now and then. He just seems to be there for when she needs somebody the most, or words of comfort. He hints at not being able to say something....I can see where it is going.....oh say something Carter, butt in....well maybe not , I’ve seen what can happen to an angel when they butt in.


Succubus Dreams, is a real page turner with lust, uber smexi moments, betrayal, heartfelt moments, desperate moments, bad judgement, hopeful dreams, memories of long ago and a pause where your heart will break and you will feel as lost as Georgina. I’m looking forward to Succubus Heat.......I need to know......

FAVE QUOTE:

"What about the man in the dream?" he finally asked.
"There is no man in the dream."



Michelle







Monday, September 19, 2011

BOOK REVIEW - SUCCUBUS BLUES by RICHELLE MEAD - GEORGINA KINCAID # 1

By: Succubus Blues
Published By : Bantam Books
Released : Available Now
Details : Paperback from library , 478 Pages

RATING : 4.5 SMEXI STARS!!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Succubus (n.) An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. Pathetic (adj.) A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid.  


When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?


But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid's life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven't stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess getup complete with whip and wings. And she can't have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life. At least there's her day job at a local bookstore--free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can't.


But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle's demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won't help because Georgina's about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny...
 

BOOK REVIEW:



If you want a sexy , steamy , humorous read then pick this series up. Georgina Kincaid is a succubus. Just this alone will tell you this is not a YA series.


Georgina is a shape-shifting demon who must seduce and pleasure men to survive. Centuries ago she signed her soul over to Hell in order to right a wrong she did.


I found myself forgetting what Georgina was, a demon, a baddie, who works for Hell. She is just a great character. Intelligent, loyal, very sexy when she is after her prey, the soul she needs, the life force energy she must absorb to survive. When she shape-shifts to a new identity and works her mojo, all us other ladies don’t have a hope to be in the same room as her.


On her down time, her day job, she works for ‘Emerald City Books & Cafe’ as an assistant manager. Her boss Warren and store owner, is her sometimes source of energy, not that he knows it. Her work colleagues are oblivious to her ‘other’ life.


Doug is the cute Japanese guy she works with, they have a fun working rapport, he is a pretty cool dude.


Her closest friends are vampires and an imp. Her other boss, Jerome (could almost be John Cusak’s twin) , Lord and Master Archdemon of Greater Seattle and his drinking buddy, Carter, who happens to be an angel , are trying to find out who killed Duane the pain in the ass vampire that was harassing Georgina and who is attacking immortals in their backyard.


Georgina is a huge fan of Seth Mortensen, author of the Cady & O’Neill series. She of course makes a total mash of meeting him and there begins the start of an awkward friendship.


Georgina has had centuries to hone her dancing skills and together with Cody , her vampire friend , teach swing dance after hours at the book store. Not how you would think a succubus spends her down time.


I really like Carter, he has such an odd relationship/friendship, not sure what you call it, with Jerome , they work well together problem solving. The thing with this series is you can easily forget that Hell is involved, that Georgina is working for Hell. She is immortal but behaves like a mortal , working at the book store, going to see Doug and the band practice, teaching dance, reading. It’s only when she must work her succubus mojo that you are reminded she is more.


And oh how you are reminded!!


Richelle writes this series very well, when she has Georgina working her succubus mojo...ooo weee....


Succubus Blues is a warm up to the aptly named Succubus on Top.


Richelle has the ability to make all her series’ so different, yet contain such great , strong, intelligent female leads and gorgeous men who make for difficult relationships with a side order of great supporting characters that more than not, make you laugh. I’ll be seeing this series out to the end.

Michelle

Saturday, September 17, 2011

BOOK REVIEW - STORM BORN by RICHELLE MEAD - DARK SWAN # 1 4.5 KIYO STARS!!

By : Richelle Mead
Published By : Bantam Books
Released : Available Now
Details : Paperback from library , 493 Pages

RATING : 4.5 UBER SMEXI KIYO STARS WITH A SIDE ORDER OF DORIAN!

Just typical. No love life to speak of for months, then all at once, every horny creature in the Otherworld wants to get in your pants...
Eugenie Markham is a powerful shaman who does a brisk trade banishing spirits and fey who cross into the mortal world. Mercenary, yes, but a girl's got to eat. Her most recent case, however, is enough to ruin her appetite. Hired to find a teenager who has been taken to the Otherworld, Eugenie comes face to face with a startling prophecy--one that uncovers dark secrets about her past and claims that Eugenie's first-born will threaten the future of the world as she knows it.

Now Eugenie is a hot target for every ambitious demon and Otherworldy ne'er-do-well, and the ones who don't want to knock her up want her dead. Eugenie handles a Glock as smoothly as she wields a wand, but she needs some formidable allies for a job like this. She finds them in Dorian, a seductive fairy king with a taste for bondage, and Kiyo, a gorgeous shape-shifter who redefines animal attraction. But with enemies growing bolder and time running out, Eugenie realizes that the greatest danger is yet to come, and it lies in the dark powers that are stirring to life within her...


BOOK REVIEW:



When a book starts off with a possessed Nike shoe, you just want to keep turning those pages. I loved ‘Storm Born’. The title is perfect for the story.


Eugenie Markham is a Tuscan 26yr old Shaman, who loves Milky Way chocolate bars. She wears the tattoos of violets and leaves spread across her lower back. Her eyes are violet. On her right upper arm she has the tattoo of a snake, Hectate, Goddess of Magic and a crescent moon and tattooed on her left upper arm, butterfly wings wrap around and touch behind her arm, half black , half white, the Goddess Persephone. Behind her neck, connecting her back is tattooed a moon with an abstract woman’s face in it , Selene, sexual Goddess. She carry’s athames , a Glock .22 and a wand, these are her weapons for survival against the Otherworld that inhabit the human world.


Nandi and Volusian are her enslaved souls , her minions. Finn just decided to hang around one day and does what Eugenie requests.


Volusian, I really like him. He is pure evil and tells Eugenie time and time again what he will do to her when he is released, not very pleasant what he has in mind. His bark seems worse than his bite, or is it?


Nandi is a Zulu woman who is enslaved for 3 years to Eugenie, accused of witchcraft centuries ago, bound to Eugenie for her service in exchange for eventual peace.


Eugenie’s housemate Tim, is of Polish background but his genes have given him a strong Native American appearance, go figure. He looks more Indian than the locals, why not try and cash in on it and the women. He is a hoot!


Wil Delaney’s sister has been abducted by fey and he needs Eugenie’s help. Together with her minions she crosses over to the Otherworld in body, a very dangerous , foolish venture to retrieve Jasmine from Aeson.


In the Otherworld , Eugenie is led to King Dorian , who really grew on me. He discovers the Milky Way chocolate delight and enjoys croquet among other things and learns what a Brazilian wax is...* waggles eyebrows*. He is quite the character and has found a special spot in his heart for Eugenie. He also knows a lot of secrets that he lets Eugenie discover for herself, no matter how painful.


Kiyo , tall dark handsome, Japanese mother, Latino father..oooo yes he is as good as he sounds. We get a wonderful introduction to this hottie. I love the names of his cats, Death, Famine, Pestilence, War and Mr Whiskers..ha!


One minute nobody knows Eugenie’s name, the next a whole line up of horny gentry are after her, not stopping until they get her pregnant, something Eugenie is in no hurry to do.


There are some great twists in this story , I love a good twist, keeps the brain thinking. I have also started Richelle’s , Georgina Kincaid series and am having trouble deciding which one I like the best. Dark Swan or Georgina Kincaid? ....hmmm.


The Dark Swan series is proving to be a sexy, mad mouse rollercoaster ride of sharp turns, hot guys, an evil minion, horny gentry, lust, silk ties ( think mild bondage) Milky Way bars, an ex relationship that may not be so distant and a new land that needs attending. I’m looking forward to cracking open ‘Thorn Queen’.


FAVE QUOTES:


“I want to make love to you while that indecision still torments you, while you’re still not sure if I’m a god or a monster or simply a human like you. I want to be with you in that ultimate moment of vulnerability, when your desire wars with your instincts and every touch of my body triggers both fear and pleasure in you.”



“Once I beget Storm King’s heir, all gentry will pass into this world, smiting the race of humans.”

“Okay, Mr. Old Testament. I can’t honestly believe you just used ‘beget’and ‘smiting’ in the same sentence.”



I looked around at us all: me in my nightgown, Kiyo bare-chested, Dorian in his extravagant robes, and Tim in his Native getup.
 “God ,” I muttered, standing up, “we look like the Village People.”



“Oh , God. I’m trapped in the %^#&$#ing Chronicles of Narnia.”






Michelle