Review - The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff

The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff
Released: 2009
Rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 368
Sexual Content: Minimal, mostly off screen.
Source: Purchased

GoodReads Summary:

The Gale family can change the world with the charms they cast, and they like to keep this in the family. Alysha Gale is tired of having all her aunts try to run her life, both personally and magically. So when the letter from her Gran arrives willing her a "junk" shop in Calgary, Alysha jumps at the chance. It isn't until she gets there that she realizes her customers are fey. And no one told her there's trouble brewing in Calgary-trouble so big that even calling in the family may not save the day...

My Thoughts:

If you've ever read anything by Tanya Huff, you'll be familar with her style. It's very unique and I have not read another author that comes close. You're very much thrown right into the action pretty much with little explination. It's like watching Star Wars for the first time, but you didn't get the words explaining whats going on floating through space first. You eventually catch on and figure out whats going on with this book, but I always finish reading them feeling like I've missed something. Don't get me wrong though I'm a big Huff fan, but I feel like I've got to be in the right mood before I pick one of her books up.

The Enchanted Emporium is no different, you're kind of thrown into the Gale family life, for a while I had trouble figuring out their family dynamic. There are like 50 aunts, maybe more..they are all loosly related, but the title Aunt is more about your level of power than having a sister or brother that has kids. Those in the Gale family that are called Aunts have the most power. Alysha is not an Aunt yet, but she has plenty of power and when her Gran dies she is sent to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to investagate. (I do so love that most of Huff's books take place in Canada). She runs her Grans store that was willed to her, which is mostly a junk shop, but also carries unique magically items as well as clientel. With the help of some unusal characters they begin to unravel the mystery and what's going on in Calgary.

I do so love all the female character's in Huff's book. They are always strong females that don't let any man walk all over them, Alysha is no different, she can diffently hold her own. Overall I enjoyed this book and I will be picking up the next in the series.

Gale Women Series

Book #1 - The Enchanted Emporium
Book #2 - The Wild Ways

Review - Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Released: Jan 2011

Rating: 3 out of 5

Genre: YA PNR

Pages: 435

Sexual Content: Some Kissing

Source: Amazon

GoodReads Summary:

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

My Thoughts:

Clara's part angel, all angel-bloods have a purpose. Clara's purpose is sent to her in the form of a vision. Starting slowly at first then giving more details the closer it comes to when the purpose should be fullfilled. Clara gets the vision many times in the book and it's kind of played on repeat. It didn't annoy me until I read the end which kind of made the purpose moot.

Clara's visions take her family to Jackon Hole where the vision is supposed to occur, she soon meets the boy, Christian, she sees in her vision at her new school, she spends time trying to get close to him so she can figure out what her purpose is. She's making progress when Christian leaves for the summer. Clara then falls in love when another boy, Tucker, at her school. I liked Tucker, he was sweet and funny. There romance was by far my favorite part of the story, them falling in love.

Clara's vision is to save Christian from a forest fire, when it comes time to it, she hears that Tucker is also trapped in the fire and Clara has to choose.

Now I would have been fine if that was it to the story, but its seems to me these days that having a girl who's an angel with a divine purpose plus a love triangle isn't enough..they have to go in and add Black Wings. "Evil" angels that want to kill the White Wings, the "good" angels. I find this whole part of the story superfluous. It didn't do anything for me as far as story went and I think the book would have been completely enjoyable without it. I'm assuming there will be more about this in the next one, but I don't think I was drawn in enought to want to pick it up.

I thought overall this was a cute light read, the writing was good, the characters were fine, but I had a few issues with the story line. There was nothing really wrong with this book, it just wasn't for me but I think many out there will enjoy it, especially those fans of the Fallen series

Unearthly Series

Book #1 Unearthly

Book #2 Hallowed

Book #3 TBA (2013)

Mini Reviews - Love In The Afternoon and Until You

Just thought I'd post a mini sort of review on a book that I'd finished but didn't find overly entertaining and one I couldn't finish.

Love In The Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas

A cute historical romance read, nothing really grabbed me about this one. I did like the fact that the herionie loved animals and she had the patience to help those in need even if they didn't want it. The hero was your typical historical romance hero, falls in love with the girl but there is something that the herionie must help him over come before they can be completely happy together. I'd give this a 3 out of 5.




Until You by Judith McNaught

I did not finish this, so I don't want to say too much because I can't really give an overall opinion. It just didn't grab me. I'm pretty particular when it comes to historical romance and this just wasn't one for me.

Daughter Of Smoke and Bone Sequel Title Reveal!

As some of you may know Daughter Of Smoke & Bone is an absolutely fabulous book and anyone who has read it is waiting on baited breath for the sequel! And YeaH! today Laini Taylor announced what the title to the sequel will be..insert fan girl scream here! So there it is Days of Blood & Starlight!

Also there is a little teaser she posted so make sure you check that out here

Just Something To Think On

"Whose book is it anyway? The hardest thing a writer has to learn is that once you publish a book, it's no longer truly yours – even though it's got your name on the front and it lives inside you. It belongs to the readers now. All you can do is steel yourself as you push it out into the world, stay gracious, and get busy with the next one.

And if you can't stand the heat of the blogosphere – don't Google yourself." - Julie Bertagna

Review - The Renfield Syndrome by J.A. Saare

The Renfield Syndrome (Rhiannon's Law #2) by J.A. Saare
Released: Aug 2011
Rating: 5 out of 5
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 212
Sexual Content: Some sex scenes
Source: Purchased from bookdepository.com

*Don't Read the following if you haven't read the first one, spoilers*

GoodReads Summary:

Vampires, and werewolves, and demons, oh my. Rhiannon thought facing off against a deranged child vampire was the most dangerous task she would ever have to undertake, but she's about to discover making a deal with a demon is far, far worse. Sent forward into another reality, one in which vampires are now dominating nearly extinct humans, she realizes the sooner she returns to her vampire lover, Disco, the better.pUnfortunately, time changes a lot of things, including those most trusted around her. When she's faced with a loss and betrayal unlike any she has ever known, her focus shifts from severing the debt between the demon that wants to kill her, to exacting a revenge that will bring forth consequences she never could have fathomed. By reaching out to the darkness lingering within her, she'll find the strength to push forward despite the circumstances that would see her dead and buried.pAfter all, when it's all said and done, all that she has left to lose is her soul


My Thoughts:

Fantastic! I love this series and I cannot wait for the next one!

+ Story:

Love the story line, being sent into the future I did not see that coming. Disco is dead in this future and only Paine remains. I'm so so glad that Rhiannon and Paine have this time to figure things out about each other. I was so hoping for this ever since the first one! Don't get me wrong I love Disco, but I thought Paine deserved some happiness.

+ Lore:

Great vampire lore as always, then there are some werewolves through in as well..wonder if we'll see some of those same wolves again? We'll see I guess!

+ Romance:

Talk about complicated, Rhiannon barely has time to accept the fact that she's in the future and Disco is long since dead, even though to her it feels like she'd only seen him a few days before. I felt like Paine kind of pushed her into getting together to quickly and he used her grief to his advantage. Then again he'd been waiting to see her again for 100 years so I guess his patience must have been waring thin. Either way I can't wait to see what happens with this love triangle. Usually I'm not a fan of the love triangle but this one is so good!

+ Side Characters:

Goose and his daughter were my favs of the side characters. Don't have much to say about them.

+ World/Setting:

The future looks grimm in this book. Thought it was well thought out and complete. It must be complicated to write a time travel book but I have to hand it to this author it comes out leaving us wanting tons more!

Nit Picks:

Disco's anger at Rhiannon when she returns to the present day.. I understand it, but I personally didn't like it.

Favorite Part:

All of Rhiannon's kick ass moments!

Rhiannon's Law Series

Book #1 - Dead, Undead, Or Somewhere In Between
Book #2 - The Renfield Syndrome
Book #3 - The Ripple Effect (Fall 2012)

Review - Black Wings by Christina Henry

Black Wings by Christina Henry
Released: Feb 2011
Rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 304 Pages
Sexual Content: I can't quite remember, but I don't think there was much
Source: Purchased from bookdepository.com

GoodReads Summary:

As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.

Maddy's position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with.

Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.

Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell...


My Thoughts:

I've been really slacking in the reviews lately, and I have a couple books that I've read an enjoyed but since it's been a while I don't remember some of the details so my next few reviews will be brief. Overall this was a good UF read, I will be purchasing more in the series.

+ Story:

Fun and interesting take on angels. I'm getting close to being bored with all the new angel stories coming out but this had a fresh take on the myth and was quite interesting.

+ Lore:

As mentioned above, a fresh take on angels and the lore surrounding them.

+ Romance:

I loved the romance in this, Gabriel is sent to protect Maddy and he absolutely cannot have a relationship with her, it could mean his death since he is a slave to her father's court and is pretty much dirt to them. Maddy of couse doesn't know any of this and when she finds out she doesn't really care since she wasn't raised in a fallen angel's court. I can't wait to see how they'll come together in the next one.

-/+ Side Characters:

Beezle was great, but other than that none of the other side characters really stuck with me.

-/+ World/Setting:

Nothing about the setting in this really stands out for me.


Nit Picks:

I did not like that Maddy's boss ended up having a thing for her.


Favorite Part:

Since it was awhile ago I read this, I can't quite remember, but I do remembering enjoying a few touching scenes with Maddy and Gabe together.

Madeline Black Series

Book #1 - Black Wings
Book #2 - Black Night
Book #3 - Black Howl (Feb 28 2012)