Title:  Eidolon

Author: Grace Draven

Publisher:  G. D.

Series:  Wraith Kings, Book 2

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Eidolon" by Grace Draven

My Synopsis....

I really liked this sequel that continued on featuring Brishen, Ildiko, Anhuset and a some more characters [Wraith Kings] with their own personalities that will keep you turning the pages  with this author giving the reader a well developed written tale about the world of the Kai. The story did indeed keep me enthralled as the reader will see what Brishen does in order to try to save his people that could possibly cost him his life.  Be ready for a story that will have a little bit of it all which features a "world ending struggle, ongoing tale of romance, emotional rollercoaster, magic, fantasy, loyalty, sacrifice, friendship and honor. along with suspense, political intrigue and the impossible mission to save the world."  I will say you really should read the first 'Wraith Kings, book 1 in Radiance" to truly enjoy this fabulous second book 2 "Eidolon" that will give the reader a captivating read at its fullest in tragedy and triumph.

In the end the reader gets one awesome  fantastic read filled with romance, action and intrigue that will leave you wanting more of the 'Wraith Kings Series.'

Title: Hungry Moon: Quicksilver
Author: Claudy Conn
Publisher: C.C.
Series: Hungry Moon #1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Hungry Moon: Quicksilver" by Claudy Conn

My Thoughts...

What a beautiful magical world that this author gives us with some amazing characters [Ravina, Quinn, Arthur] that will keep you attention to the end. The two main characters will take you on one wild ride where there will be 'lots of action along with passion and romance. Be ready for a ride with 'werewolves, fae, druids, demons, prophecies, wizards,dark magic, shape-shifters and lykens.' I loved the HEA ending as the reader will see there will be other series. So, if you re into a paranormal reads with lots of action with lots of twist and turns you have come to the right place for a good read
that I would recommend to you.

I received a copy via Insta-Freebie for an honest review.

I received a copy from Netgalley. 

This is a bit of a difficult one for me to review. I love this series. I love the mix of historical romance and fairytale retellings. This particular instalment in the series was missing something for me. And its annoying because I'm not even sure what it IS. Book 3 in the Cursed Prince series is a Sleeping Beauty retelling set in 1913 New York. That alone should automatically made me love it.

It had all the tropes of what made the other books in the stories so good, a dark mysterious yet evocative and handsome hero with a mysterious past, and a confident likeable heroine. The connection between the two was intense and the sex was hot. The romantic build between the two leads was very good and I liked how the author weaved in illusionist magic and magicians along with the familiar Sleeping Beauty story. 

But for some reason I just didn't love this book as much as the other two. I'm not sure why, I don't think I felt that much of a connection to the characters, even though they were both well written, the story was weaved together very well. 

I liked the way it wrapped up and ended. 

But...eh. I'm not sure. I liked it and already have the next novella in the series to read. Its a series I love and highly recommend to anyone who likes fairytale retellings with a difference even though this one didn't work for me. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for approving my request to view the title.

I received a copy from Netgalley.

An enjoyable fun paranormal romance. Psychologist Olivia is sent to paranormal prison Purgatory to learn what makers killer vampires and werewolves tick. Unfortunately something goes hideously wrong and all hell breaks loose. And there's a really hot vampire there who's one of the good guys. A good, twisty turny plot full of vampires vs werewolves and Dr Olivia has a mysterious power of her own that everyone wants to identify. All the while she's having a hot romance with a hot vampire.

I didn't really buy the chemistry that was supposed to make her and the vampire totally mad for each other, but the sex scenes were hot, and the story was well written and the plot twisty and unpredictable. The plot did get a little silly towards the end, so many people with hidden secrets and agendas. Though I did like the turn out of Olivia's special powers. Not something I've seen before.

It was a good novel and a fun read for any lover of paranormal romance.

I enjoyed it.

Thank you Netgalley and Season Press for approving my request to view the title.

I received a copy from Netgalley.

I went through many different reactions when reading this book from OMG so awesome! to this is like a cartoon for grownups to this is so so bad...actually no its so bad its good to WTF was that plot twist?

In the end while my views changed I did really enjoy the novel. It was a great plot with a fantastic range of characters from good to bad. Particularly well done in the fact that the main character was completely flawed and not a perfect superhero. She had so many complexes it was impossible to know what was going on with her. And the plot twisted so many times. I really liked her. 

I did think a lot of the time some of the dialogue, particularly from the villains was a bit clichéd and cartoony along the lines of "we're so bad, we're so evil, humanity is rotten, we're going to kick your asses and rule!" type thing. It did induce a lot of eye rolling.

That being said the word building was complex and densely layered and so so clear and easy to picture. Its urban fantasy with superheroes. Code names, costumes, superpowers, good guys vs bad guys, billionaire companies with secret identities, political candidates who aren't what they seem. Nothing particularly original plot wise for a superhero story. But oh so much fun as it was done so well and completely unpredictable plot wise. 

The narrative was well written and engaging and could twist unexpectedly with a punch to the gut. So many twists and turns.

I did really enjoy reading this book. So a huge thanks to Netgalley and HarperImpulse for granting my request to view the title. 

Also crosses off a square for my Summer Bingo reading challenge - Starts with S U M E R in title. This book started with a 'S'