Queen of Dragons - 4 Stars

Title: Queen of Dragons

Author: Shana Abé

Series: Drakon - #3

Genre: H

istorical Fiction, Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 336 Pages (MMP)

Pub. Date: Published in 2008 by Bantam Books

Rating: 4/5

They are the stuff of glittering legend, supersensual creatures able to shape-shift from human to smoke to dragon. Now they face an enemy determined to destroy their dazzling world of magic and passion.

It’s a stunning claim: the existence of a lost drákon tribe. And it comes from an intriguing source: a woman calling herself Princess Maricara of Transylvania. Alpha lord Kimber Langford, Earl of Chasen, can’t ignore the possibility. For whoever this unknown princess may be, she’s dangerous enough to know about his existence—and where to find him. And indeed, it isn’t long before Maricara breaches the defenses of Darkfrith and the walls around Kimber’s heart.

Yet the princess arrives with urgent news: a mysterious serial killer is targeting the entire drákon race. To save their kind, Kimber and Mari must ally themselves body and soul in a battle that can spell their salvation, their extinction…or both.

~My Review~

Not my favourite in the series, but still a good book. The heroin being the princess from the castle in the mountains we have been reading about in glimpses since book one was a refreshing change. She had a different feel to her than the two women from Smoke Thief and Dream Thief - I loved that she challenged everything that the Alpha and counsel threw at her.

My favourite part about Queen of Dragons was the introduction of a real enemy to the race. I won't spoil anything, but I was tired of these powerful beings living in fear from an unseen enemy, it made the story that much more riveting to finally have an opponent worth fearing.

Another great historical para-romance. The next has something to do with time travel wich I am eager to read about.

My Rating: 4/5

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger, The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook, or Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here

Add to your Shelfari: here

Add to your Goodreads: here

Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

The Dream Thief - A Quick Review

Title: The Dream Thief

Author: Shana Abé

Series: Drakon - #2

Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 368 Pages (MMP)

Pub. Date: Published in 2007 by Bantam Books

Rating: 5/5

In the remote hills of northern England lives a powerful clan with a centuries-old secret. They are the drákon, shape-shifters who possess the ability to Turn—changing from human to smoke to dragon. And from the very stones of the earth, they hear hypnotic songs of beauty and wonder. But there is one stone they fear....

Buried deep within the bowels of the Carpathian Mountains lies the legendary dreaming diamond known as Draumr, the only gem with the power to enslave the drákon. Since childhood, Lady Amalia Langford, daughter of the clan’s Alpha, has heard its haunting ballad but kept it secret, along with another rare Gift....

Lia can hear the future, much in the way she hears the call of Draumr. And in that future, she realizes that the diamond—along with the fate of the drákon—rests in the hands of a human man, one who straddles two worlds. Ruthlessly clever, Zane has risen through London’s criminal underworld to become its ruler. Once a street urchin saved by Lia’s mother, Zane is also privy to the secrets of the clan—and is the only human they trust to bring them Draumr. But he does nothing selflessly. Zane’s hunt for the gem takes him to Hungary, where he is shocked to encounter a bold, beautiful young noblewoman: Lia. She has broken every rule of the drákon to join him, driven by the urgent song of Draumr—and her visions of Zane.

In one future, he is her ally. In another, her overlord. In both, he is her lover. Now, to protect her tribe, Lia must tie her fate to Zane’s, to the one man capable of stealing her future—and destroying her heart....

~My Review~

I was a little disappointed when I first started this book, because it focuses on Rue's daughter and I wanted more of Rue's story - but I quickly forgot as I was drawn into Lia's whirlwind adventure.

She has always known her future - the one she would fall in love with, and who would ultimately destroy her. She hears him in her dreams every night. Lia is fighting fate, trying to get to Draumr before it's too late. Will falling in love with Zane seal her fate, or help to shift it?

Another great book in the series. Well written and painted in a beautifully crafted world. I am on to the next!

My Rating: 5/5

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger, The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook, or Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here

Add to your Shelfari: here

Add to your Goodreads: here

Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

Short Review: The Smoke Thief by Shana Abé

Title: The Smoke Thief

Author: Shana Abé

Series: Drakon - #1

Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 324 Pages (MMP)

Pub. Date: Published January 1st 2006 by Bantam Bks

Rating: 5/5

For centuries they’ve lived in secret among northern England’s green and misted hills. Creatures of extraordinary beauty, power, and sensuality, they possess the ability to shape-shift from human to dragon and back again. Now their secret–and their survival–is threatened by a temptation that will break every boundary....
Dubbed the Smoke Thief, a daring jewel thief is confounding the London police. His wealthy victims claim the master burglar can walk through walls and vanish into thin air. But Christoff, the charismatic Marquess of Langford, knows the truth: the thief is no ordinary human but a “runner” who’s fled Darkfrith without permission. As Alpha leader of the dra´kon, it’s Kit’s duty to capture the fugitive before the secrets of the tribe are revealed to mortals. But not even Kit suspects that the Smoke Thief could be a woman.
Clarissa Rue Hawthorne knew her dangerous exploits would attract the attention of the dra´kon. But she didn’t expect Christoff himself to come to London, dangling the tribe’s most valuable jewel–the Langford Diamond–as bait. For as long as she could remember, Rue had lived the life of a halfling–half dra´kon, half mortal–and an outcast in both worlds. She’d always loved the handsome and willful Kit from the only place it was safe: from afar. But now she was no longer the shy, timid girl she’d once been. She was the first woman capable of making the Turn in four generations. So why did she still feel the same dizzying sense of vulnerability whenever he was near?
From the moment he saw her, Kit knew that the alluring and powerful beauty was every bit his Alpha equal and destined to be his bride. And by the harsh laws of the dra´kon, Rue knew that she was the property of the marquess. But they will risk banishment and worse for a chance at something greater. For now Rue is his prisoner, the diamond has disappeared, and she’s made the kind of dangerous proposition a man like Kit cannot resist....In this bewitching novel, Shana Abé transports us into a world of exhilarating romance and magic.

~My Review~

I haven't read historical fiction in a while, so having this tale of shapeshifting dragons set in Old World London was fantastic. I got to have the corsets and hoop-skirts, swords and balls, right along side an ancient battle to keep the secret of a people who can shift into Drakon. Great read, it kept me gripped with the action of the story, and had a romantic vein throughout. I'm definitely going to read the next book in the series.

My Rating: 5/5

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger, The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook, or Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here

Add to your Shelfari: here

Add to your Goodreads: here

Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

Forever - Long Awaited, Much Anticipated, Beautiful Read

Title: Forever

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series: Wolves of Mercy Falls - Book #3

Genre: YA, Paranormal Fiction

Page Count: 400 Pages (Hardcover)

Pub. Date: Published 2011 by Scholastic Press

Rating: 5/5

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy from Maggie Stievater. In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

~My Review~

A friend of mine was reading Forever at the same time as I was, but finished it first and told me that she didn't like the ending. So I stopped half-way through, not wanting to shatter my love for the series with an unsatisfactory ending.

Fast-forward a month, and I couldn't take not knowing...and I loved it. I was quite happy with the whole book. Funny how everyone seems to react differently to it. I have been reading reviews and they seem to be all over the map.

Personally I don't think that Maggie could have ended this series any more perfectly. Maybe it's because I love Cole and there was lots of him, maybe it was because I quite enjoyed the ending, but I loved Forever. I laughed, I cried, and I hugged the book when I finished the last page.

It seems to me after reading a few other reviews and talking to that friend who wasn't happy with the ending, that maybe I am skilled at reading between the lines - at putting two and two together and getting the closure that everyone seemed to be begging for. Or maybe I am just an eternal optimist, so when things are left to my imagination, I see all sunshine and rainbows.

I liked the ending, it wasn't drawn out or over done. It left me with the sense of mystery I had throughout the series without leaving me on the edge of a cliff. Love prevailed, just desserts were served, and answers were whispered instead of shouted.

Don't get me wrong, do I wish there had been an epilogue telling me that everything turned out ok? Hell yes! Do I wish certain characters had lived? Absolutely! Do I secretly wish that Litter was more than just an April Fools joke so that I could see Sam and Grace living their happily ever after? You betcha! But I liked that the strings were left a bit untethered, so that I could weave them into my own perfect ending, full of possibilities - and sunshine and rainbows of course :)

Bravo Mrs. Stiefvater Bravo!

My Rating: 5/5

My Reviews for Shiver and Linger (Click on Title)

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

Lament by Maggie Stiefvater, Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
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Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

Summer Girl

I love the new version of Summer Girl from Maggie Stiefvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. This one is performed by Sulaiman Azimi. I made the above album art, because that's just what I do :) and I wanted a more Shiver-y look to pop up when I am playing the song. You can find the song on iTunes here, go check it out!

Here he is playing at one of the Forever events:

Aftertime - A Great and Exceptional Read

Title: Aftertime

Author: Sophie Littlefield

Series: Aftertime, Book #1

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Fiction

Page Count: 384 Pages (Hardcover)

Pub. Date: Published February 2011 by LUNA Books

Rating: 5/5

~Book's Description from Goodreads~

Someone once said that all apocalypses are experienced locally. In the case of Cass Dollar, the nightmare occurred with the violent abduction of two-year-old Ruthie, which she vividly remembers. Only later is young Cass assaulted also by the vague, twisting memories of a much wider conflagration that she herself only narrowly survived. A government experiment had turned the entire California landscape into the hunting grounds of zombie Beaters, but Cass can only think of the helpless toddler she is missing.

~My Review~

I Am Legend meets The Postman with a healthy dose of a love story - this book had me completely hooked and begging for more!

Cass was easy to read, and although she continually described her utter self-loathing, I couldn't help but form a soft spot for her. Smoke was mysterious and all sorts of tall, dark and handsome. I loved their chemistry, even if it was shrouded with doubts and mystery, they had me rooting for them.

The relationship, however, didn't overtake the plot of the book. I was riveted to the page, scared of the "Beaters" and constantly hoping that Cass would find her daughter Ruthie.

Some of the religious stuff had me worried near the end, but I think that Sophie Littlefield did a good job of portraying the fanatics without bashing Christians in general.

I loved every moment of reading this book, and was thinking of it during the day when I wasn't reading it. I would definitely recommend picking it up. The second book in the series is available now too, so you might just want to get them both (I'm starting Rebirth right after I post this review)

My Rating: 5/5

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, or The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here

Add to your Shelfari: here

Add to your Goodreads: here

Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

Hereafter Review - 5/5 Brilliant!

Title: Hereafter
Author: Tara Hudson
Series: Hereafter, Book #1
Genre: YA, Fantasy (Ghosts)
Page Count: 404 Pages (Hardcover)
Pub. Date: Published June 2011 by HarperTeen
Rating: 5/5



*ARC received from publisher through NetGalley*

~Book's Description~

For Amelia, time has all but slowed to a stop as her spirit remains stranded alone in the dark waters of a mysterious river. She knows she’s died, but with no recollection of her past life--or her actual death--she’s trapped in one long continuous nightmare, in which she cannot feel anything or interact with anyone. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a teenage boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in a moment of connection, he looks in her eyes and becomes the first person in the world to see that she still exists.
When he touches her, Joshua sparks strange and wonderful sensory feelings in Amelia--at first just momentary flashes, then pulses that become ever stronger as he leads her out of the river and into his life. As Amelia and Joshua uncover who she was and the strange circumstances of her death, new problems arise: somehow, Joshua’s grandmother seems to know exactly what is going on between them, and Eli, a ghost enforcer, is hell-bent on destroying their happiness and dragging Amelia back into the spirit world.
With every touch and the growing feelings that come with them, Amelia and Joshua begin to wonder if there’s something special not only about Joshua but also the dark river that held her captive for so long. Can there truly be love after death?

~My Review~

First off, I am so mad at myself for not reading this one earlier. I realized halfway through the first chapter that Hereafter was fast becoming a new favourite. I loved the writing style, the characters and the tone of the book, I couldn't put it down.

Tara Hudson did a fantastic job with the main characters, Amelia and Joshua. I absolutely adore the both of them and their chemistry is perfect. I found their budding relationship addictive, and couldn't wait to see what happened next.

The ebb and flow of the story was well plotted out, and even though this is the first in a series, I was left very happy at the end. It didn't just feel like the first chunk of a story, but was complete enough in and of itself, but I am so happy I will get more of Amelia and her creepy ghost-world in future books.

If you haven't read Hereafter yet, be sure to pick it up, it is definitely worth the read, and if it's already on your TBR pile, bump it up, you won't be sorry!

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC

My Rating: 5/5

~ You'll like this series if you liked ~

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong, A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb, Dead Girl Walking by Linda Joy Singleton, Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, or Fallen by Lauren Kate.

~Links 4 More~

Author Website: here
Add to your Shelfari: here
Add to your Goodreads: here
Buy it at BookDepository (free shipping): here

B.J. Kenney