Awaken the Darkness by Dianne Duvall

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Awaken the Darkness is the latest in the Immortal Guardian books by Diane Duvall. When Susan rescues Stanislav, he has lost all memory of his past. As they begin to realize Stan has preternatural gifts they are desperate to find his memories and someone they can trust. Reading Awaken the Darkness as a stand-alone is entirely possible. The reader has the opportunity to discover his background as Stanislav remembers. But as a series reader, I always recommend starting from the beginning.

Stan and Susan are fantastic together. Their relationship evolves quickly, but I feel it is a reasonable occurrence. You perceive their emotional connection right away. Susan was cautious but compassionate. Stanislav was respectful and protective of Susan, but he was not obnoxious about it. They found instant chemistry with one another and are a likable couple.

The plot unfolds in a tight pocket of time, and the pacing is quite fast. I felt an immense amount of tension when the situation called for it. Once Stan was on the correct path to finding his Immortal family, I got especially anxious. The poor man had all the answers in front of him. But if you can't remember your past, it is incredibly hard to trust. Then the ending snuck up on me. Not a lot happens in regards to the overall series arc, but I did not mind this at all.

When I first experienced The Immortal Guardians series by Dianne Duvall, I fell instantly in love with the series. She brings an appropriate balance between drama, comedy,  suspense, and romance. This is a captivating urban fantasy/paranormal romance series, one that I wait not so patiently for the next installment. I always suggest that all readers come to their own conclusions.

Stygian Preview Review by Sherrilyn Kenyon

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Updated review will appear in a separate post sometime after 08/28/2018.

I was recently able to read an excerpt of Stygian by Sherrilyn Kenyon as given to me by Netgalley and Macmillian Tor/Forge Publishing. This excerpt contained about 200 pages of the novel. I am already invested in what is happening. I love the Dark-Hunter series because of the intricate plots within plots. Solving the mystery of these has become a bit of an obsession of mine. I don't mind the depths these plots contain, or the attention I pay to minute things, or the rereads I feel are necessary.

In Stygian, there is background information contained when necessary. I would not have felt anything missing if Stygian was my first Dark-Hunter book. The entire series, however, breaks into subsets. For example, Stygian is the Lords of Avalon #7, Dark-Hunter Dragons Rising Trilogy #3, Were-Hunters #12, Dark-Hunter #29. I am a big series reader, and this is one series worth experiencing in its entirety.

To be honest, the Lords of Avalon and Dragon Rising books are among my favorites. I am fond of the dragons (and mandrakes). As with the other Dragon Rising books, even Styxx and Acheron, I anticipate sections of this book will cross into plotlines already addressed. That doesn't bother me. As previously mentioned, I reread the Dark-Hunter books anyway. In Stygian, the drakomai Xyn is a principal character. The prospect of her story joining with Urian's is intriguing. Wherever Stygian goes, I am impatient for it, especially now.

Although enthusiastic for Urian's tale, I admit being leery of it. Both Acheron and Styxx were arduous for me. Their books rip your heart out, shove it back and start all over again. Tissues are a must. Don't get me wrong, I loved experiencing Acheron and Styxx's journey, but it was a hard ride.  Formatted the same in that we begin with Urian's birth in ancient times, I worried Urian would have an upbringing filled with isolation. Urian does have it rough, but so far, it was not as tumultuous as I anticipated. It could be much of that comes later, I am sure some of it will, but I feel better knowing that Urian felt love and friendship to a degree. Where does that leave me? Counting down the days until I get Stygian in its entirety. I have full faith Urian's journey will be worth the wait and do him justice. All opinions are my own, and I encourage readers to reach their own conclusions.

Lies That Blind: SpiritBeasts Book 1 by Diane Rose Wilson

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Lies That Blind by Diane Rose Wilson is book one of the Spirit Beast series. Frankie travels from New York to California to attend her Aunt’s funeral. When Frankie inherits all of her Aunt’s assets, everything about her world changes. Meeting Christopher helps her integrate into an existence she never dared believe possible.

Starting this story was difficult. Right out of the gate is an introduction I feared would lead into a love triangle. Then there is a wake with many people to keep track of and decide how to interpret. Admittedly I got a little lost. I now feel this was a brilliant way to inject the reader into the uncertainty Frankie must feel. She doesn’t know these people, who they are or what they mean to each other. Feeling awkward about the exchanges going on, feeling unsure about their interaction with her and between each other. It gives a sense of where she had to be at mentally in that scenario. It was a bit jarring, but I get it. And the love triangle is addressed but is not as bad as I anticipated.

The story roots in an urban fantasy world.  There are hints of it when Lies That Blind begins but, the mystery unwraps as Frankie becomes aware of it. Frankie meets Christopher, and the story starts to come together. First, I admit that I have a dislike for most love at first sight situations. When handled well, it works for me, and here it was. I would call Frankie and Christopher soul mates or something of the like, and it felt genuine. Qualities exist that are unique to this world, making it a nice change from the usual paranormal romances out there. And the author’s way of connecting the reader to the story was very engaging. It was emotionally connecting and fast-paced, an urgent feeling at times when there was conflict building. My tell when things get tense is clenching my fists while reading, with this story I did that. Worth mentioning, it was a carnal tale, and it worked for these characters. The passion between them was raw and visceral, almost palpable. It was appropriate for Frankie and Christopher.

Oh, how I hate novellas. That’s not true I don’t. I have various reason why I prefer a full-length novel, but in this case, I wanted more, so much more. My favorite stories in this genre are those that could stand without the romance built into the plot. Although it would change it some, with this beginning, I would wager Lies That Blind: SpiritBeast book 1 is one of those stories. Highly recommended. I was given the opportunity to read this through NetGalley for my honest opinion. I encourage all readers to reach their own conclusions.

Dark Alpha's Hunger by Donna Grant

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I read an ARC copy of Dark Alpha’s Hunger from NetGalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest opinion. Dark Alpha’s Hunger by Donna Grant is book six in the Reaper series. The Reapers are a unique group among the Fae. Both the Dark and the Light Fae make up the Reapers. They align primarily with Death and each other. Reapers are responsible for the execution of the Fae so deplorable they can no longer exist among their people. This story focuses on the Reaper Eoghan and the Half Fae Thea.  When the couple finds each other, Thea discovers she belongs in a world of magic she never knew existed.   

One can read this book as a stand-alone, more so than the rest of the series. The storyline diverts a bit with this installment.  It moves away from the main Reaper group and introduces multiple new characters. I always suggest in a setting such as the Dark World, that reading all previous installments take place. Hostilities in a realm that includes the Reapers and the Dragon Kings in the immediate, and going as far back as the Dark Sword series, are now in full swing. Several characters that share time here have deep-seated pasts. To omit confusion background information is given when relevant, but the full dramatic effect will not occur if that past is not familiar to the reader.

As always, the characters are engaging.  And who doesn’t enjoy a sexy Fae with an Irish brogue? Eoghan has the respect of his fellow companions due to his integrity. Thea overcomes a dark past to find happiness in a new world. The attraction between the two is fast and fierce. I am not typically in support of an insta-love scenario, but overlook it when the payoff is worth it. In the Dark World, the thematic developments deeply integrate into their world and are tremendously compelling. I like the buildup of various subplots, and again, sexy Fae.

For those who are aware of the Dark World and its complexity. ** Beware of minor spoilers.** Usail, the Light Queen, has gone way beyond what I feel is redeemable. Or rather, any delusions regarding Usail’s true nature can no longer be contested after her actions and admissions in Dark Alpha’s Hunger. If one considered Usail’s words carefully, there is a slight hint about Rhi and her Dragon King. Perhaps one that gives it away. But, maybe not. This secret, as for many others readers, is one I am invariably trying to uncover.

What I find best about these books is the world building. The Dark World is a fun and intriguing urban fantasy setting, everything interconnects. The males are dominant but possess decency and honor. The women rise above their fear and become better for it. The romantic interludes are always sensual. I plan for the release dates, so I don’t have to wait to experience them. My opinions may not match others, and I encourage everyone to find their own.

Murdered by James Schannep

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Murdered by James Schannep is a Click Your Poison book. By design, the reader places one’s self in the story-line and dictates the narrative. The premise of Murdered is the reader is on vacation in Brazil for the annual celebration of Carnaval. After separating from friends, you find a murdered woman and the possible killer who flees the scene. At this point, the reader becomes the primary navigator of the plot.

A common problem I find in mysteries is the foreshadowing that reveals the endgame before it is time. This issue was not a problem for me while reading Murdered. Every pathway my choices revealed enough clues to keep me eager for more. My addiction to this book occurred from the beginning. The short chapters spurred the action forward and did not reveal so much it was easy to achieve resolution. I found the way to a fulfilling ending but never became bored on the journey.

It is likely the first read through will not reveal the whole story, I would suggest multiple tries. I made my way through the full story three times before I found all the details of what happened. I had to backtrack more times then I can count after going down a wrong path, or when I died, which I did, a lot. I never did feel like I was wasting my efforts revisiting where I had already gone, I always found a better path. Resolving what worked with each character to get to the truth, or how to defeat them when necessary, was gratifying and entertaining.

It might help to suspend one's disbelief during a reading. How likely would it be for the Brazil police, or the Diplomatic Secret Service, to bring a random American tourist in on a murder investigation? Not to mention give said tourist a weapon, or depend on them in a firefight? These were however minor things. Once engaging in the action of the story it did not concern me much, I just went with it.

I would highly recommend this book to mystery fans. Just remember it is a unique format. I remember reading choose your own adventure stories when I was younger. This book is reminiscent of those novels. Murdered does have a more adult audience in mind than the young adult books I read in junior high, but the essence is the same. I loved them then and find I have just as much fun with them now.