Shifters #2

Continuing with my re-read of the Shifters series here is book 2...

Title: Rogue

Author: Rachel Vincent

Series: SHIFTERS, #2

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 400 Pages

Rating: 5/5

Okay, so cats don t always land on their feet. I know that better than most. Since rejoining the Pride, I ve made big decisions and even bigger mistakes: the kind paid for with innocent lives. As the first and only female enforcer, I have plenty to prove to my father, the Pride, and myself. And with murdered toms turning up in our territory, I m working harder than ever, though I always find the energy for a little after-hours recreation with Marc, my partner both on- and off-duty. But not all of my mistakes are behind me. We re beginning to suspect that the dead are connected to a rash of missing human women and that they can all be laid at my feet--two or four, take your pick. And one horrible indiscretion may yet cost me more than I can bear...

My Review:

My thoughts from the first time around: "Strays are dying, strippers are disappearing and Faythe is training...Really great read. Faythe is still too stubborn for me to really relate to her but I enjoyed this story and was glad Marc finally let her have it." Which I still agree with the second time reading it.

Faythe Sanders is now the first female werecat enforcer, working for her father's pride as part of a deal she made for her freedom. She and Marc are investigating the murder of toms in their territory when they stumble upon a chain of missing human strippers as well. Faythe has to use all of her skills to track down the attackers and figure out what is connecting it all.

There was lots of action in this one and I liked seeing Marc and Faythe working together. There isn't much growth in her yet but she's on her way. This book brings in new mysteries as well as tying up some loose ends from SHIFT.

Another exciting book in the series, but I must say I liked this one much better the second time through now that I know where all of Faythe's stumblings are going to lead her. That said I remember loving the not-knowing just as much :)

My Rating: 5/5

Other books in this series:

#1 Stray, #3 Pride, #4 Prey, #5 Shift, #6 Alpha

You'll like this series if you liked:

The Soul Screamers Series by Rachel Vincent, Riley Jensen Series by Keri Arthur, or Bitten by Kelley Armstrong.

Shifters #1

Title: Stray

Author: Rachel Vincent

Series: SHIFTERS, book 1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Page Count: 624 Pages
Rating: 5/5

There are only eight breeding female werecats left . . . And I'm one of them. I look like an all-American grad student, but I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds. Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself...Until the night a Stray attacked.

I'd been warned about Strays -- werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.

This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back . . . for my own protection. ..Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever -- and whoever -- I have to in order to find my friends.  Watch out, Strays -- 'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them . . .

My Review:
I find it hard to channel my earlier thoughts of this book after having read the next four. I checked my Shelfari from the first time around and all I had in there was "I wasn't expecting such a thrilling read. Couldn't put it down." Which was true enough even the second time through!

Katherine 'Faythe' Sanders is a female werecat who is trying to live a "normal" life, which is next to impossible with a community of male werecats hell-bent on protecting her. Faythe may hate the pressure being put on her by her family as one of the few tabbies in North America to keep the race alive, but she is forced to accept their help when her fellow tabbies start to disappear - along with her freedom.

I loved to hate Faythe, she's stubborn but secretly wants approval, clever but surprisingly blind to her surroundings, and tries to act as if she has it all together when really she's lost and confused. I enjoyed watching her step outside of herself and start her journey toward understanding her place in the world instead of running from it.

The were-cat world was well developed and I loved delving into their messed-up politics and hierarchies. The way the women are treated, with the intention of being cherished and protected - but realistically being controlled and over-lorded - was equal parts understandable and infuriating to me. Rachel did a great job of letting the reader work through the issues with Faythe - I didn't feel like I had it all figured out and was waiting for her to catch up.

The drama of Faythe and Marc's relationship was a bit confusing but I liked it, I think that the reader is kept in the same place that Faythe is, and she is confused too. The element of Jace the third boy in the love triangle was only touched on, but just the few glimpses of him were enough for me to want more.

I don't want to be spoilery but I will say that once the crisis hits it gets pretty graphic. I didn't find any of it to be over-the-top, it was needed to show the seriousness and depravity of the situation.

A great start to one of my favourite series!

*side note: I have seen a lot of reviews nagging on the similarities between Stray and Bitten (by Kelley Armstrong). I personally have read both - and liked them both - and didn't find much overlap besides the obvious (girl shifter). I liked what one reviewer said: "Yes, I see some parallels to Bitten by Kelley Armstrong, no I am not bothered. When you read a book about Vampires, you can't call it a copy of Anne Rice...Similar is not the same." S.P. (click here for her full 5 star review)

My Rating: 5/5

Other books in this series:
#2 Rogue, #3 Pride, #4 Prey, #5 Shift, #6 Alpha

You'll like this series if you liked:
The Soul Screamers Series by Rachel Vincent, Riley Jensen Series by Keri Arthur, and ironically: Bitten by Kelley Armstrong.

Top 5 Sunday

Larissa over at Larissa's Bookish Life hosts Top 5 Sundays here
The theme for today is:

Best Fiction Hotties I Want Under My Tree!

Here are my picks (in no particular order):

1. Jace Hammond from Shifters series by Rachel Vincent (As far as I know the only dream cast for Jace was from fans and Jensen Ackles is the most popular choice).

2. Eric Northman from Southern Vampire Mysteries (TrueBlood) by Charlaine Harris.

3. Damon Salvator from The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith.

4. Edward Cullen from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.

5. The Brothers from The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J. R. Ward.

I couldn't pick just one of them :)

Iron Queen - A Quick Review

Title: The Iron Queen
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Page Count: 384 Pages
Release Date: 01/25/2011
Rating: 5/5

*Spoiler Alert*

If you haven't read the first two books in the Iron Fey series this review may contain spoilers.

In less than twenty-four hours I’ll be seventeen.

Although, technically, I won’t actually be turning seventeen. I’ve been in the Nevernever too long. When you’re in Faery, you don’t age. So while a year has passed in the real world, agewise I’m probably only a few days older than when I went in.

In real life, I’ve changed so much I don’t even recognize myself.

MY NAME IS MEGHAN CHASE.
I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.
THIS TIME,
THERE WILL BE NO TURNING BACK.

*ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

My Review:

I just finished The Iron Queen so I wanted to write my review while the emotions from the book still coursed through my veins. If you have read and enjoyed the first two books (The Iron King and The Iron Daughter) then you will definitely like The Iron Queen. My heart is still racing from the last few chapters, Julie really grabbed me by the heartstrings and pulled me right into Meghan's story. I was blown away again by the beautifully crafted world of the fey and the depth of the characters.

In this chapter of Meghan's story she is exiled but still hunted and left trying to figure out how to go on living a normal life with her winter prince. That is until she is pulled in once again to the war in faery. She has to put everything on the line to save the ones she loves, but can she come out of that alive?

Meghan is not the same nieve and scared girl who first entered faery searching for her brother, her growth throughout the series comes to fruition in the battle against the false king. The plot took a lot of unexpected and exciting turns that had me glued to the page. There were unsung heros and new allies and enemies. A great and thrilling read. I cried real tears and laughed out loud! I am very excited that there is going to be another book (The Iron Knight) as I was left wanting more at the end - which is of course a good thing.

Thank you Julie for another great book!

My Rating: 5/5

You'll like this series if you liked:

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, Need by Carrie Jones, Lament by Maggie Stiefvater, Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

NaNoWriMo Winner!

I did it! I passed the 50,000 word count today and won NaNoWriMo 2010! It was my very first year and as a NaNo virgin I must say it was a lot more work than I thought it would be - but I figured out a method that worked for me, and I am now hooked. I am going away for an extended weekend (going to a Steelers game @ Buffalo yay!) but when I return it will be back to writing for me, just not so all-consuming and obsessive :)

My Soul to Steal - 5 Stars!

Title: My Soul to Steal

Author: Rachel Vincent

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Page Count: 352 Pages

Rating: 5/5

*Spoiler Alert*

There are no spoilers for My Soul to Steal but if you haven't read the previous books in the Soul Screamers series this review may contain spoilers, so beware...and go and pick up the first book because this series is fantastic.

*ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

YOU WANT MY SOUL AND MY BOYFRIEND?
Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can’t just pretend nothing happened. But “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.
See, Sabine isn’t just an ordinary girl. She’s a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people’s fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.
And Sabine isn’t above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever— and whoever—she wants.
I DON’T THINK SO.

My Review:

I honestly can't get enough of Rachel Vincent's writing. There hasn't been a book of hers yet that I haven't devoured. My Soul to Steal is another I can add to that list, and I can't wait until it sits on my bookshelf next to the others.

My Soul to Steal is the forth Soul Screamers novel (along with a fifth prequel novella) following Kaylee Cavanaugh - a teenage bean sidhe (banshee).

Kaylee's battle in this chapter of her story is not only against the dark powers of the Netherworld, but also with Nash's ex-girlfriend - Sabine. Kaylee hasn't even really had time to decide if she wants him back before she has to fight to keep him, while fighting a Hellion to save her own life.

I found the emotional roller-coaster very compelling. I was just as confused as Kaylee was, but I felt for Sabine also. I love it when I get so caught up in a book that I am arguing along with the characters, and that was certainly the case here.

As always I am a huge fan of literary wrenches being thrown in, and wasn't disappointed. I found the plot twists to be believable but not predictable - my favorite kind.

The mystery of the deaths overlapping with the drama of Kaylee and Nash's love triangle made for a gripping and exciting read. I can't wait to read the last book in the series (If I Die) to see how ends, although the title kind of scares me :)

My Rating: 5/5

You'll like this series if you liked:

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, or The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong.

A Quick Review -Tyger Tyger

Title: Tyger Tyger
Author: Kersten Hamilton
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Action & Adventure
Page Count: 320 Pages
Rating: 5/5

*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures-goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty-are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

My Review:

Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. The characters were fantastic and the storyline had perfect rise and fall, keeping me hooked to the last word.

Tea's character was very likable and I fell in love with her little brother Aiden right away. The goblins were depicted disturbingly well - I loved them in all their creepiness. Finn was just the right amount of Irish heart-throb to steam up the page.

The setting in both worlds was written beautifully. The story had a nice balance of emotion and action. Add to that a few twists to surprise me and it's not hard to tell why I can't wait for the next book in this series.My Rating: 5/5

You'll like this series if you liked:

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, or Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick