Book Shelf: The Supervillain and Me (Morriston Superheroes #1) by Danielle Banas

As witty as it is heartpounding, this fresh take on the beloved superhero genre is all about finding your own way to shine even when it seems everyone else around you is, well... super.
 
Never trust a guy in spandex.
 
In Abby Hamilton’s world, superheroes do more than just stop crime and save cats stuck in trees—they also drink milk straight from the carton and hog the television remote. Abby’s older brother moonlights as the famous Red Comet, but without powers of her own, following in his footsteps has never crossed her mind.

That is, until the city’s newest vigilante comes bursting into her life.

After saving Abby from an attempted mugging, Morriston’s fledgling supervillain Iron Phantom convinces her that he’s not as evil as everyone says, and that their city is under a vicious new threat. As Abby follows him deeper into their city’s darkest secrets, she comes to learn that heroes can’t always be trusted, and sometimes it’s the good guys who wear black.

Chosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads, The Supervillain and Me is a hilarious, sweet, and action-packed novel by debut author Danielle Banas that proves no one is perfect, not even superheroes.

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

The Supervillain and Me by Danielle Banas is a fun, romantic and downright adorable superhero story that will appeal to readers looking for a novel in the vein of Brandon Sanderson’s Reckoners series. 

Abby Hamilton is no stranger to superheroes. Not only does she live in a world where superheroes fight crime and save society…..she’s also the sister to her home town of Morriston’s most famous superhero, Red Comet. Only Abby knows him as her Math failing, dorky older brother Connor who still swigs milk from the carton and burps the national anthem. With no superpowers of her own, Abby is content to leave the saving up to Connor. Until the city’s latest super vigilante comes flying into her life. After saving her life, Iron Phantom manages to convince Abby he’s not the villain Morriston believes him to be and there’s a new threat facing the town. Delving into the city’s secrets alongside Iron Phantom, Abby soon discovers that not everyone is who they seem and heroes aren’t always the only ones who can make a difference.

If there’s ever a fitting word to describe The Supervillain and Me, it’s this; fun. This novel is lively and entertaining and just downright fun. Danielle Banas creates an imaginative and entertaining world of superheroes within The Supervillain and Me and packs it with humour, romance, action and adventure. Solid and relaxing reading; you will find it hard to put this novel down—I know I sure did.

Told through the eyes of everyday teenager Abby, The Supervillain and Me features some adorable characters who, while they may not be anything you haven’t seen before, are still perfect within the story. Off course, the best part of the story for me was the romance. The chemistry between Abby and Iron Phantom was just brilliant. The fun, witty banter and dialogue between them made for some highly entertaining moments throughout the novel and I thought they were sweet. Iron Phantom was sexy in a laid back, approachable kind of way and I liked that.

Danielle Banas gives Abby a sweet bunch of family and friends in this novel. Seeing how the story ended, I’m keen to see if she writes a sequel perhaps featuring someone else—possibly Hunter and Sarah. It would be fun to learn more about Fish Boy and of course maybe see Abby and Iron Phantom even just in passing.

Sweet and enjoyable, The Supervillain and Me was a quaint and entertaining YA read by Danielle Banas perfect for anyone who loves themselves some superheroes!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Xpresso Book Tours and the author (Thank you ladies!)
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: July 10th 2018
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks
Final Thoughts: This was a super sweet and fun novel and I'll definitely read more in the series as they come!

Waiting on Wednesday #330

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....  

The Queen’s Resistance (The Queen’s Rising #2) by Rebecca Ross

Releases on: May 5th 2019
Add on Goodreads!

 

At long last, Brienna is a mistress of knowledge and is beginning to settle into her role as the daughter of Davin MacQuinn, a disgraced lord who returned to Maevana to reclaim his house. Though she’d just survived a revolution, one that will finally return a queen to the throne, she faces yet another challenge: proving herself trustworthy to the MacQuinns. But as Queen Isolde Kavanagh’s closest confidant, she’ll have to balance serving her father’s house as well as her country. And then there’s Cartier, a wholly separate but desirable factor in her new life.

Aodhan Morgane, formerly known as Cartier Évariste, is adjusting to the stark contrast between his pre-rebellion life in Valenia as a master of knowledge and his current one as the lord of a fallen house. During the castle’s restoration, he discovers a young boy named Tomas, whose past and parentage are a complete mystery. So when Cartier’s former pupil Brienna is as taken with Tomas as he is, he lets his mind wander — what if he doesn’t have to raise him or his house alone?

As the Lannon trial swiftly approaches, Brienna and Cartier must put their love aside and stay focused on the most vital task at hand — forging alliances, executing justice and ensuring that no man, woman or child halts the queen’s coronation. But resistance is rumbling in the old regime’s supporters, who are desperate to find a weakness in the rebels’ forces. And what makes one more vulnerable than deep-seated love? 

Thoughts:

The Queen’s Rising was an unexpected favourite of mine so far in 2018 and I'm sooooooo excited about the sequel. Especially considering the cover is just to die for! I can't wait to join Brienna and Cartier once again and considering The Queen’s Resistance is told in both POV's I'm excited about the possibilities of being able to get into Carier's head as well!

Have you read The Queen’s Rising?

And what are YOU waiting on this week?

Book Shelf: Hunted by Meagan Spooner

Beauty knows the Beast’s forest in her bones—and in her blood. Though she grew up with the city’s highest aristocrats, far from her father’s old lodge, she knows that the forest holds secrets and that her father is the only hunter who’s ever come close to discovering them.

So when her father loses his fortune and moves Yeva and her sisters back to the outskirts of town, Yeva is secretly relieved. Out in the wilderness, there’s no pressure to make idle chatter with vapid baronessas…or to submit to marrying a wealthy gentleman. But Yeva’s father’s misfortune may have cost him his mind, and when he goes missing in the woods, Yeva sets her sights on one prey: the creature he’d been obsessively tracking just before his disappearance.

Deaf to her sisters’ protests, Yeva hunts this strange Beast back into his own territory—a cursed valley, a ruined castle, and a world of creatures that Yeva’s only heard about in fairy tales. A world that can bring her ruin or salvation. Who will survive: the Beauty, or the Beast? 

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Hunted by Meagan Spooner is a lavish and elegant Beauty and the Beast retelling, offering to readers a story of yearning and magic set within a winter wonderland and woven together with Russian folklore and mythology.

The youngest of three daughters, Yeva is more at home in the forest than amongst the aristocrats of the city where she and her family live. Taught by her merchant father the art of hunting and tracking, Yeva is secretly relieved when her father loses his fortune and has no choice but to move Yeva and her sisters into the cabin in the woods. No longer having to suffer idle small talk with wealthy lords and ladies, Yeva happily throws herself into daily life at the cabin until her father goes missing in the woods and Yeva ventures out in search of him. Despite her sisters misgivings, Yeva is determined to hunt her fathers hunter and in her effort comes upon a Beast unlike anything she has ever seen. Attacked herself, Yeva soon finds herself prisoner in a strange castle and discovering creatures she thought only existed in fairytales. The Beast may be more monster than man, but as he urges Yeva to help him hunt creatures of legend, who will win? Beauty or the Beast?

Having read and adored Meagan Spooner's Skylark and Starbound series in the past, I was very excited to read Hunted. Beauty and the Beast re-tellings are always some of my favorites but although Hunted featured some absolutely beautiful prose and a stunning atmosphere, I didn't love it like I thought I would. I still thought it was an enjoyable novel, it just failed to blow me away as anticipated it would.

Though Hunted leaves me with somewhat mixed feelings, there's no doubt in my mind that the world within Hunted was very well depicted and thought out. Meagan Spooner fills this world of mystery and magic with beauty and elegance, detailed descriptions of a wild wilderness and a gothic castle in disrepair.

Yeva is a strong willed and capable heroine who knows who she is. She makes no apologies and knows she doesn't fit in with the normal society of her time. Yeva yearns for something she cannot name and it is this that sees her venture out, searching for something elusive. I did like her, and many of the minor characters including her sister, but I felt somewhat disconnected from her at times too.

The relationship between Yeva and the Beast felt lacking to me also. I did not feel any real romance or connection between them given that the relationship between Beauty and Beast is so pivotal in the original tale. This does not seem to be as explored in Hunted as I wished to would have been, nor does the Beast seem to encompass the character and personality he has in other re-tellings and versions I have read or watched.

Yet, even with it's faults in my eyes, Hunted is still a wonderfully depicted novel. I have no doubt that it will be a favourite amongst many readers and definitely do not regret reading it for there was something within it's pages I found haunting and compelling too.

Rating:
Source: Purchased by me
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 14th 2017
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: Nowhere near what I expected, but still beautiful in it's own right

Release Blitz: Knuckle Down by Chantal Fernando

Welcome to the the Release Blitz for Knuckle Down by Chantal Fernando thanks to Give Me Books Promotions! Chantal Fernando is one of my favourite MC writers and offers readers another great romance with the second novel in her Cursed Ravens MC series!

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A single father struggles to change for his daughters and the woman he loves in this second book in the Cursed Ravens Motorcycle Club series from New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando.

As a single father of two girls and the sergeant at arms for the Cursed Ravens Motorcycle Club, Jack “Knuckles” Chester doesn’t have much free time. And having earned his road name from his reputation as a fighter, Knuckles isn’t one to back away from a challenge.

But what he'll never admit out loud is that his two daughters have changed him irrevocably, softened him even. And these two girls are the only women who will ever hold his heart forever. That is, until he meets the cousin of another biker’s old lady.

Celina is nothing like the women Knuckles used to date. She’s a journalist for the local newspaper, dresses well, and basically just has her life together. And the last thing she wants is to be involved with a Cursed Raven. But when the ripped, badass biker worms his way into her heart, she has trouble remembering all the reasons they would never work.

But when a scandal at her newspaper breaks the thin trust she has with Knuckles, will she walk away for good? Or will Knuckles fight to keep Celina in his life? 

Add on Goodreads or check out my review!

Purchase:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play

Check out the first novel in the series:

 Goodreads | My Review

New York Times, Amazon & USA Today Bestselling Author Chantal Fernando is twenty seven years old and lives in Western Australia.

Lover of all things romance, Chantal is the author of the best selling books Dragon's Lair, Maybe This Time and many more.

When not reading, writing or daydreaming she can be found enjoying life with her three sons and family.

Visit Chantal:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter   Facebook
 

 

An absolutely brilliant series--I highly recommend you check out this series is you haven't already!

 

Book Shelf: Knuckle Down (The Cursed Ravens MC #2) by Chantal Fernando

A single father struggles to change for his daughters and the woman he loves in this second book in the Cursed Ravens Motorcycle Club series from New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando.

As a single father of two girls and the sergeant at arms for the Cursed Ravens Motorcycle Club, Jack “Knuckles” Chester doesn’t have much free time. And having earned his road name from his reputation as a fighter, Knuckles isn’t one to back away from a challenge.

But what he'll never admit out loud is that his two daughters have changed him irrevocably, softened him even. And these two girls are the only women who will ever hold his heart forever. That is, until he meets the cousin of another biker’s old lady.

Celina is nothing like the women Knuckles used to date. She’s a journalist for the local newspaper, dresses well, and basically just has her life together. And the last thing she wants is to be involved with a Cursed Raven. But when the ripped, badass biker worms his way into her heart, she has trouble remembering all the reasons they would never work.

But when a scandal at her newspaper breaks the thin trust she has with Knuckles, will she walk away for good? Or will Knuckles fight to keep Celina in his life?

More info on Goodreads.....


Review: 

Chantal Fernando is back with another deeply passionate and satisfying romance, Knuckle Down, the second novel in her Cursed Raven MC series and once again draws readers into this close band of brothers and the women they fall for.

As a journalist for a local paper and a woman used to looking after herself, Celina Hutton prides herself on her direct attitude and her ability to play with the big boys. She never expected to find herself caught up in a motorcycle club however….which is exactly what happens when she joins her younger cousin Erin for birthday celebrations at the clubhouse where Erin’s father reigns and finds herself unexpectedly attracted to the Cursed Raven’s member Knuckles. Bearded, tattooed Knuckles isn’t the kind of male Celina would normally be attracted to with his shaved head and cocky attitude, but there’s something about him that calls to her. Despite her best efforts, Celina soon finds herself falling for Knuckles but as someone who has been hurt before, Celina is used to keeping her guard up. Will Knuckles be able to crack through Celina’s wall? Or will their relationship only bring more pain into her life?

Knuckle Down is yet another deeply enjoyable MC romance rich in passion, sensuality, humour and family. Continuing to explore the Cursed Raven's MC, Chantal Fernando this time brings to life the story of Celina, cousin to previous main character Erin, and Knuckles who we had the pleasure of meeting in the first book. Knuckle Down is another fast paced novel with a romance that heats up and flairs to life quite quickly. The part of me who hates her characters coming on too strong bristled at this, but for the most part I felt their romance was written really well. 

Celina is a strong and independent woman, something she prides herself on. She's also very guarded, the result of being hurt by past relationships. Knuckles is in for a fight winning her affections, but as you would expect from the hardheaded and strong-willed biker, he is determined to convince Celina to give a relationship with him a go. It was entertaining seeing Knuckles refuse to back down or let Celina withdraw while also respecting her need to set the pace.

I thought it was very adorable on Fernando's part to include Knuckles daughters in the story, Westley and Willow. Being a father gives Knuckles more substance than just being your typical biker. Obviously being a biker doesn't mean a person can't be a family man, but in this novel having daughters especially seemed to bring out a softer side to the male hero of the story that really worked in my eyes. 

So much fun to read and quick to devour, Knuckle Down was another great MC novel from Chantal Fernando. Fernando is my go-to gal for MC novels and continues to retain this title with another great novel. Can't wait to read the next one featuring Rogue!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review thanks to Give Me Books and the author (Thank you ladies!)
Publisher: Pocket Star
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley
Release Date: July 9th 2018
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play
Final Thoughts: Another great read--I can't wait to read the next!

Blog Tour: Monstrum by Kat Ross- Excerpt & Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Monstrum by Kat Ross presented by Xpresso Book Tours! I absolutely adore Kat Ross's novels and am throughly enjoying this series!

___________________________

In the third volume of the Fourth Talisman series, the hunt is on for the three daevas whose powers saved the world once before….

On the wave-tossed White Sea, realm of smashers and sea monsters, a ship is carrying Nazafareen and Darius to the Isles of the Marakai, where the wise woman Sakhet-ra-katme has guarded the secret of the talismans for centuries. But another is searching too, a man born in the brutal prison of the Kiln, who plans to use the talismans to free the Vatras and their mad king. Between them stands a young Marakai girl, ignorant of her own powers. From the moonlit treasure vaults of the Isles to the emperor’s lavish palace in Tjanjin, Nazafareen and Darius face their deadliest and most cunning foe yet.

In the mountain fastness of Val Moraine, the Pythia’s minions are on the scent of another talisman, this one from the Danai clan. Trapped behind a thick wall of ice, everyone’s going slightly mad—the perfect cauldron of suspicion and betrayal for Thena, who sees a chance to redeem her failure and bring the talisman back to Delphi. Then she’ll be free to indulge her twisted obsession with Darius—and make him pay.

And in Samarqand, Javid is drawn into the treacherous currents of a royal succession. When the old king dies and his son takes the throne, the depths of the prince’s depravity become clear. A journey north reveals the source of the spell dust he’s addicted to—and leaves Javid with an impossible choice.

Add it on Goodreads or check our my review!

 Purchase:

The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

From Monstrum...

In the bright moonlight coming through the porthole, Nazafareen studied the gold cuff circling the stump of her right wrist. It was engraved with a snarling griffin—a winged lion—and had a lock with a small keyhole. The magus who first bonded them had kept the key, though it must be long gone now. Nazafareen tucked her arm under the pillow again, snuggling against Darius’s warm body.

His left arm appeared smooth and unblemished now, but it would wither again if they entered Solis. Darius had explained how the bond took a piece of him and trapped it in the cuff, and that—plus the element of fire—was what made the bond work. Every daēva suffered a different infirmity. Some lost tongues or eyes. Others had crooked backs and twisted legs. Nazafareen scowled. It all seemed utterly barbaric.

But their bond was gone in the darklands, and so was her negatory magic. Nazafareen felt naked without it, vulnerable and exposed. Darius said it drew on the power of the void, but where did that come from? Not the Nexus. Breaking magic was an inborn trait and one so rare Nazafareen didn’t know of anyone else who had it—or what ultimately became of them.

She pondered these things as she lay in the bunk, listening to the wind in the rigging. It had blown steady for days from the south, but now she heard intermittent stronger gusts that made the sails flap madly, as if the breeze couldn’t decide which way to go. Nazafareen touched Darius’s shoulder and his blue eyes flew open, wary and tense. He unconsciously reached for his elemental power, as he always did upon waking, as if to reassure himself it was still there.

His gaze softened when he saw her. She cupped his chin and ran a thumb across the dark stubble. It had been rough when it first grew in, chafing when he kissed her, but now it felt soft and silky.

“I like you with a beard,” she said. “You look distinguished, like Herodotus.”

He frowned. “It itches. But I’m not sure I want to try shaving on the Austral Ocean. You might not like me so much with one ear.”

“I’d like you with no ears at all,” she said seriously. “But listen, Darius. I think the weather is changing.”

He sat up and looked out the porthole, studying the sea and sky.

“Storm coming,” he said softly. “A bad one, I’d reckon.”

She leaned over him and pressed her face against the thick glass. It was too dark to see much, though his daēva eyes were keener.

“How bad?” she asked.

“We ought to ask the captain,” Darius replied. “She’ll have a good sense of it.”

Nazafareen had spent hours on deck observing the Marakai sailors and was deeply impressed by their grace and agility. They seemed to anticipate every swell and gust of wind. The Chione rode the waves like a water bird, perfectly at ease. And Nazafareen found herself reveling in the salt spray cast across the bow, the rush of water beneath the hull and sense of tremendous space all around, of being a tiny speck hurtling along beneath the vast starry sky. What a wonderful life, she’d thought, to sail free on the oceans!

But now she felt the power of the coming storm and was afraid.

Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She’s the author of the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day, the Fourth Element fantasy trilogy (The Midnight Sea, Blood of the Prophet, Queen of Chaos), and a new gaslamp mystery series that opens with The Daemoniac and continues with The Thirteenth Gate. She loves myths, monsters and doomsday scenarios. For more information about Kat’s books, come visit her at katrossbooks.com

Visit Kat:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook 

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Book Shelf: Monstrum (Fourth Talisman, #3) by Kat Ross

In the third volume of the Fourth Talisman series, the hunt is on for the three daevas whose powers saved the world once before….

On the wave-tossed White Sea, realm of smashers and sea monsters, a ship is carrying Nazafareen and Darius to the Isles of the Marakai, where the wise woman Sakhet-ra-katme has guarded the secret of the talismans for centuries. But another is searching too, a man born in the brutal prison of the Kiln, who plans to use the talismans to free the Vatras and their mad king. Between them stands a young Marakai girl, ignorant of her own powers. From the moonlit treasure vaults of the Isles to the emperor’s lavish palace in Tjanjin, Nazafareen and Darius face their deadliest and most cunning foe yet.

In the mountain fastness of Val Moraine, the Pythia’s minions are on the scent of another talisman, this one from the Danai clan. Trapped behind a thick wall of ice, everyone’s going slightly mad—the perfect cauldron of suspicion and betrayal for Thena, who sees a chance to redeem her failure and bring the talisman back to Delphi. Then she’ll be free to indulge her twisted obsession with Darius—and make him pay.

And in Samarqand, Javid is drawn into the treacherous currents of a royal succession. When the old king dies and his son takes the throne, the depths of the prince’s depravity become clear. A journey north reveals the source of the spell dust he’s addicted to—and leaves Javid with an impossible choice.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Monstrum is the third instalment in Kat Ross’s riveting Fourth Talismans series and is another intricately woven and told story of adventure, magic and high stakes danger.

On a ship in the middle of the ocean, Nazafareen and Darius travel alongside the followers of Dionysius on a hunt for the three daeva’s whose abilities can save the world. Hoping a wise woman may be able to point them in the right direction, Nazafareen and Darius know they are not the only ones searching. Across the ocean, a man from a long exiled Vatras clan seeks the fourth talisman as well and he will stop at nothing to find it, even if it means bending a young girl unaware of her own powers to his will. Various forces are at work and as different individuals face cunning foes, the only way to stop untold horrors are for daeva clans to work together; if only they don’t kill each other first…..

Kat Ross is back with the third novel in her Fourth Talisman series and takes her readers on another complex, dangerous and exciting story. Personally I love having the opportunity to follow Nazafareen and Darius again—I’ve adored them since the first series—but can also see that each instalment in the Fourth Talisman series is becoming more complex and intricate as more and more characters are being introduced that we follow and join throughout the series. It’s occasionally necessary to pay close attention so not to miss anything, but I have to commend Ross for such a detailed storyline.

Nazafareen continues to remain my favourite character although Culach and Darius hold special places in my heart. I love her overall characterisation and feel like she’s easy to follow, capable and determined. Darius too is very capable and I adore the relationship they have together. Kat Ross certainly knew how to develop their connection and continue to maintain it as the novels progress without it being overbearing within the story.

Overall, Monstrum was another dashing read and I can’t wait to see what Kat Ross does next. There were both revelations and new questions raised in this novel and I have no doubt the next one will be as thrilling and sure to both answer them as well as raise others. Bring it on—I can’t wait to see what Nazafareen, Darius and their friends encounter next!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Xpresso Book Tours and the author (Thank you ladiess!)
Publisher: Acorn
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: June 15th 2018
Purchase: The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: Another great read that leaves me ready for the next one pronto!