Book Shelf: The Darkest Secret (Lords of the Underworld, #7)

Keeper of the demon of Secrets, Amun can manipulate the darkest thoughts of anyone nearby. But when new demons possess him, the immortal warrior must be chained and isolated to protect those he loves. Death is his only hope of release—until he meets Haidee, a fellow prisoner whose beauty and hidden vulnerability draw him into a reckless test of his loyalty…

Haidee is an infamous demon assassin, raised to despise Amun’s kind. Yet how can she hate the man whose touch sets her aflame? But to save him, she must give herself body and soul…and face the wrath of a powerful adversary sworn to destroy her.

Blurb from Goodreads.....


Review: (WARNING: Heavy Spoilers)

This book was easily as good as the others. I admit I wasn’t sure what we’d get going into this book. I was a tad surprised when I learned a while back that Haidee would be Amun’s love interest. That’s not to say I wasn’t extremely excited and intrigued, but I did wonder how they would come to fall for one another considering their history and that she’d played such a large role in killing his good friend and brother Baden. And yet Gena Showalter not only pulled it off, but she created a fantastic tale! She took two people, seemingly enemies and found a way to have them to fall in love gradually over time, in a way I found realistic and sweet.

I liked the storyline and I loved getting a glimpse into Amun and his world. He goes through so much and yet he’s still so kind and noble. When the last book, The Darkest Lie, ended, I honestly thought that Haidee may have gone on to be Strider’s true love, so throwing her in with Amun was excellent. I felt like the way the story was written, it wasn’t as though they were enemies who the author had to have fall for one another and spend time together for no reason—there was a real purpose to their feelings and a reason for why they were drawn together and why they needed one another the way they did.

I liked Amun. I admit he’s still not one of my top Lords (those spots are reserved for Torin, Stridey, Sabin and Gideon) but I honestly felt like I got to know him a lot more in this book and he forged himself a special place in my heart. He was so much more complex than I thought, and a lot tougher than he’s come across in previous books. Having always been the silent one, I wasn’t expecting the fierce nature he housed and the bravery he had, not to mention he strong love and loyalty he had for his brothers. He loves them more than his own life and it was so nice to see.

I was actually surprise how much I loved Haidee. I didn't think I'd like her seeing as she was a hunter and wanted to kill the Lords. I was shocked by the character she was. She was so much more real, and vulnerable than she came across....at least with Amun. With Strider especially and everyone else, she continued to be fierce and fearless, willing to fight until the end and yet with Amun, he somehow managed to breach all those defences she had and worm his way into her heart. I thought it was really great that she honestly began to see things differently and that he opinions in general changed. Haidee allowed Amun to show her that there was more to demons than she’d believed. She was sympathetic too. She sympathised with Amun and everything he’d been through, not blaming him for his past actions, like you would sometimes expect a person too. I felt she was honourable, and decent; a nice heroine, more than the Lords even thought she was and a nice match for Amun.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t shocked that Strider is going to end up with Kaia. Until the premise for The Darkest Surrender was announced, I never saw that coming. Strider and Kaia hadn’t interacted all too much, and considering that she’s slept with Paris, I didn’t think she’d be the one for Strider. And yet, I like her. I’ve liked her ever since Aeron’s book when she stood up for Olivia staying and gave her the make-over. She seems like a tough gal, and real challenge for Strider and I can’t help but think that the two of them would be one hell of a deadly combination.

It’s going to KILL me to wait until October for the next book. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to do it. I loved the parts between the two of them in this book and I think that theirs is going to be very interesting. With the little warning Kaia gave Amun at the end of this book, it’s clear that her feelings for Strider are already starting to take shape (or already have). We know Strider is attracted to her and yet he doesn’t want to go there, however Kaia strikes me as the kind of girl who gets what she wants....and I’m pretty sure what she wants is Strider.

Bring it on!!!

Rating: **** stars
Recommend: Yes!
Did I Buy, Borrow or is it an ARC: Bought!
Recommend Buy or Borrow: Buy
Ebook or Actual Book: Actual
Cover: Yummy =)
Read sequel/continue with series: Lords, yes! (Pun totally intended!)

Free Ebook

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Jazz can't decide whether to scorch him with a fireball or jump into bed with him.

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The sizzling love affair between Jazz and Nick has been off-again, on-again-for about 300 years. Mostly off, lately. But now Nick needs Jazz's help, and while Jazz and Nick try to figure out their own hearts and resist their ever-increasing attraction, they must steer clear of a maniacal killer with super-supernatural powers. They are surrounded by a hilarious cast of oddball paranormal characters, including Irma, the chain-smoking ghost who haunts Jazz's sports car, Dweezil, her ghoul of a boss, and Fluff and Puff, a pair of bunny slippers with sharp teeth and short tempers (watch your ankles)!

Blurb from Goodreads......

Get it here: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/50-Ways-Hex-Your-Lover/book-cgXqIr_7oE60ZBnX0Fg75w/page1.html

~Rachel

xoxo

In My Mailbox #2

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi over at http://www.thestorysiren.com/.

Alright, so I've actually been quite sick this week and I've spent most of the week in the house. Which means I haven't had the option to go shopping and buy more books, which I usually do. My bank account my thank me, but my bookshelf doesn't.

I won:

I was lucky enough to win Seduce The Darkness by Gena Showalter, from Jodie over at http://www.booksforcompany.com/ during the Lucky Leprechaun Hop and it arrived in the mail today.

That's all for me this week.....

What did you get in your mailbox?

Books I'm Dying For: In April

There are alot of fabulous books out this month, but there are a few that stand out in my eyes. The ones I'll be racing out to buy the moment they are realeased. The ones that will take over every fibre of my life for a day or two once I get there preciousness in my hands.
And here they are.......


1. City Of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare (Book #4 in The Mortal Instruments series) Ahhhhhhh! OMG! OMG! It comes out this month! It comes out this month! Phew. *Takes breath* Now that I've got that out of the way.... This is first and foremost the book I'm most looking forward to this year. TMI is my fave series ever. It was once Richelle Mead's VA but this took over the coveted spot. And I have one word to say---Jace! That one word, one syllable says it all people! Bring it on!!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6752378-city-of-fallen-angels





2. Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Book #4 in The League series)
What can I say--I love Sherrilyn Kenyon! She writes the most amazing books and I love every single one of her's I've ever read. This series is awesome, and I can't wait for this to come out. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8172315-born-of-shadows





3. Defiance by Lilith Saintcrow (Book #4 in the Strange Angels series) Alright, so you may have noticed this in my Book's I'm Dying For: In March post....well, it seem I may have been a tad excited. I got the months mixed up, and it is actually released this month. Yay. Still excited! http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8608512-defiance



4. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong (Book #1 in the Darkest Rising series)
I adored Kelley's Darkest Powers Trilogy and I'm so estatic about this book. It's technically a spin off and is set in the same world, plus I've heard whispers down the grape vine that we may get to see some of the fabulous characters from Darkest Powers somewhere along the line in this series at one point. I can't wait for this book! http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7896345-the-gathering


So that's it for April. These are the books I'm MOST looking forward too, although there are a few others. I can't wait until they're released.......

~Rachel
xoxo

Try Me (Demon Underground #2) by Parker Blue

This part-demon teen vampire fighter and her faithful terrier hellhound are once again patrolling the dark city streets of San Antonio, Texas. Val's hunky human partner, Detective Dan Sullivan, is giving her the cold shoulder since she beheaded his vampire ex-fiancée. Vamp leader Alejandro is struggling to keep the peace between vamps, demons and humans. The mucho powerful Encyclopedia Magicka has been stolen, someone in the Demon Underground is poisoning vamps, and Val's inner lust demon, Lola, is getting very restless since Val's now partnered with sexy Shade, the shadow demon with the blond good looks of an angel.

Blurb taken from Goodreads.....

Review:

This book was just as easily as good as the first one. I’ll admit that I was a tad shocked that I actually seem to love this series as much as I do. The writing itself isn’t perfect and sometimes there are errors, but I still find the story fun and engaging. It’s still fast paced and a great easy read, you can sit back and read without having to over think things.

This book picks up more or less right where the last one left off, but considering only a short amount of time has passed a lot has changed. I like seeing the Movement continue to grow and that we’re learning more about the demon underground. I like the new characters that we’re meeting and the storyline continues to be interesting. Val of course continues to be brilliant, although she’s learning more about herself and discovering things that she hadn’t known before. I like that she’s growing and get continues to be fierce while being a very normal teenager too. I like that she is the “Slayer” and yet she still has normal teenage worries and insecurities. I must say, I was kind disappointed with Dan in this book. I do like the bloke, but his constant personality changes and opinions are giving me whiplash. One moment he’s okay with what Val is and the next he’s confused, angry and mad at her. I hate that he treats her the way he does, and I want him to come to his senses. It’s annoying because in the first book I really thought they had potential and while I still feel that way, I don’t know what the authors going to do with them.

I will say that, while the relationship with Shade and Val didn’t catch me by surprise--come on, you could see that coming a mile away, it just doesn’t feel completely right to me. I do like Shade and he and Val could be good together, but it seems to me like their relationship is a bit rushed and forced. They seem to be moving really quickly, and I honestly don’t like that. I still think Shade is a good guy and all, but I just don’t know if I’m happy with them as a couple. Perhaps it’s because I’m still holding out for Dan. However, I do like that Shade has a doggie for Fang, even though she is a bit of a bitch, pun intended.

Now I’m on to the next book....

Rating: **** stars

Recommend: Yes

Did I Buy, Borrow or is it an ARC: ARC

Recommend Buy or Borrow: Buy

Ebook or Actual Book: Ebook

Cover: Doesn't do anything for me

Read sequel/continue with series: Yes

Fool’s For Books Giveaway Hop

It’s hop time again, and this time it’s the Fool’s For Books Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.

More than 200 blogs are taking part and it’s just about to get under way. This time the hop goes for 2 days, 1st-2nd, with winners announced sometime after that, depending on each individual blog. There are many prizes up for grabs, from signed books to gift cards.

So go on....enter. You know you wanna. I for one do. I was lucky enough to win some goodies in last month Lucky Leprechaun hop.

Head on over to http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/gratitude-giveaways.html for a full list of those blogs participating and links to the contests.

Good luck everyone!

~Rachel

xoxo

Book Shelf: Bite Me (Demon Underground #1) by Parker Blue

An edgy book for teens that spans the gap between YA and adult fiction. Life after high school is tough enough without having to go 15 rounds with your inner demon. Val Shapiro is just your ordinary, part-demon, teenaged vampire hunter with a Texas drawl. And a pet hellhound named Fang. Soon enough she finds herself deep in the underbelly of the city, discovering the secrets of the Demon Underground and fighting to save those she loves. Whether they love her back or not.

Blurb taken from Goodreads....



Review:

Going into this book I have to admit that I didn’t have many expectations. I expected it to be another not so great, not very well known book and instead--I loved it! I honestly thought it was brilliant! The author has done a fabulous job bridging the gap of YA and Urban fantasy. The idea isn’t too unique, but this take on vampires is fun and edgy. The plot is fast paced and I was caught from the very first chapter. The moment I begun reading I didn’t want to stop and before I knew it the book was almost finished.

I thought the characters in this book were wonderful. I loved Val! From the very opening chapter I knew she was going to be an awesome heroine, but as the story continued she just seemed to get better and better in my eyes. I thought it was funny how she thought of her demon part as “Lola”. It was cute. She was tough, snarky and kick-ass and yet there was no denying that she also houses a vulnerable side, a side that is simply a teenage girl who has been betrayed by the ones she loves. While I could see why her parent’s felt the way out, I couldn’t comprehend how someone could do that to their own daughter, that they could kick her out so easily and I applaud Val for standing up and approaching things the way she did. My heart continued to break for her all throughout the story as she tried to right by her mum and her family and they just continued to knock her down and treat her badly. It was so sad to watch, but I loved the parts where Dan and Fang stood up for her. It was so great to watch her take charge and fight the good fight.

I liked Dan. He was your typical, mucho man cop, but he was a good guy. Granted I wanted to hit him when he was being a jerk after learning the truth about Val and Lola, but I was glad to see him begin to see the truth and stand up for her against her mother. It was a very honourable thing to do. Dan and Val worked very well together and there’s no denying that they’re a great team. They have chemistry too and I do wonder what could become of them in future books. They do feel something for one another and I’d love to see how they build on that.

I thought Fang was fabulous! He was such a wonderful addition to the story. He was sarcastic and a perfect pal for Val--I mean, come on, who doesn’t love a taking dog, er, ah....hellhound? He was so normal and yet such a fierce little doggie at the same time. I loved how he and Val interacted and how close they became. It’s as though she has a pet and another partner all at the same time. Towards the end of this book, this got really exciting. I had no clue as to who as behind everything and I was really shocked that it was actually Lily. It didn’t seem like we’d seen enough about her in the story and with all clues pointing to Alejandro, learning that she was behind everything was a surprise.

Honestly this book reminds me a lot of Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy. Val and Rose are very similar and there’s no denying that Val’s relationship with her older partner Dan, can be compared to Rose and Dimitri. That being said there are a lot of things that distinguish between the two and I CANNOT WAIT to read the rest of these books!

Rating: **** stars
Recommend: Yes!
Did I Buy, Borrow or is it an ARC: ARC (although technically not)
Recommend Buy or Borrow: Buy
Ebook or Actual Book: Ebook

Cover: Nothing special
Read sequel/continue with series: Yes!