Review: Sterling (Mageri, Book One)

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy Romance

Series: Mageri, Book One

Author: Dannika Dark Blog :: Twitter :: Facebook :: Goodreads

Publication Date: September 5, 2011

Buy: Amazon

Zoë Merrick lived an ordinary life until late one night, she was brutally attacked and left for dead.

She was found, covered in blood, and taken in by an ex-soldier named Adam. Zoë didn't just survive that night - she underwent a physical transformation and acquired unexplainable abilities. Severed from her old life, her frustration grows as she tries to comprehend what's happening to her. 

Serendipity leads her to Justus De Gradi. He's handsome, arrogant, and not entirely human. Through Justus, Zoë learns the truth about what she is and where she belongs. A young Mage is vulnerable in this dangerous world. The only way Zoë will understand her power is by putting her trust in a stranger and accepting the protection that he offers. 

When her immortal freedom is threatened by the one man who has a right to claim her, Zoë learns the price of freedom...and the value of loyalty.

Sterling is the first novel in Dannika Dark's Mageri series and boy did it start off with a bang! The blurb does a great job explaining the novel so I'm just going to jump right in with the review.

This is the first book that I've read by Dannika Dark and man did she knock me out with her characterization. Zoë and the three sexy men introduced throughout were unique and interesting, requiring some definite *fanning* over here! I loved reading from Zoë's point of view. She is someone that women can easily relate to. She is tough but not unbelievably so. Experiencing what she experienced didn't immediately become inconsequential, instead, she had to heal emotionally and physically from her past and with each new incident. Simply put, she was a real woman dealing with bizarre circumstances at every turn.

Review: Hym and Hur

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Author: Phillip Frey
Rating: 3 Stars
Blurb: Hym and Hur are a young couple who never age and have been in love for more than a century. They also possess an array of magical abilities, two of which are either to play pranks on humankind or to perform good deeds. Enacting both at the same time is now what gets them into trouble, especially since it's the unruly character of Death they must deal with to bring their plans to fruition.

The prank Hym and Hur have come up with must first be agreed upon by Death, who happens to be a rambunctious, difficult character. Once agreed upon, the prank is set in motion. Hym and Hur soon discover Death had tricked them into a contract with dire consequences for all of us.

During their attempt to break the contract, Hym and Hur try to save the relationship of an earthbound couple, knowing they are truly meant for each other. A good deed that will bring Hym and Hur even more trouble.

First of all, I would like to thank Phillip Frey for sending me this book in return for an honest review. He is one of the nicest gentlemen and even sent me some pictures of my favorite owls which definitely brightened my day! Now on to the review...

The blurb really is the only history for this story that the reader is given. The relationship between Hym and Hur seems natural and easy - like a long term relationship should be - however, this book feels like the second in a series...and I missed the first.

Review: Wuthering Frights (Dulcie O'Neil #4)

5 out of 5 Stars

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Author: H.P. Mallory
Rating: 5 Stars out of 5
Blurb:
A father she never knew existed,
An impossible decision that had to be made,
A lie she must keep to herself at all costs,
And the realization that every choice she makes has consequences.
Fairy and law enforcement agent, Dulcie O'Neil, has just discovered that her father is the Head of the Netherworld, and a double-dealing, illegal potions importer. Worse yet, she's now working for him. 
Knight Vander, Dulcie's boyfriend and Head of the Association of Netherworld Creatures, is on to her father, but, in the process, will he discover Dulcie's secret? And if he does, will it mean his life?


Ohhhh Ms. Mallory, you've done it again! So moving - exceptionally written with unique relationship growth, enriching plot development, and our favorite butt-kicking heroine doing what she does best. This may even be my favorite Dulcie book thus far...which is saying a lot because I ADORE this series and H.P. Mallory's Jolie Wilkins series as well.

Review: Destiny Kills (Myth and Magic Book 1)

Genre: Urban Fantasy; Paranormal Romance
Author: Keri Arthur
Rating: 2 Stars out of 5
Series: Myth and Magic
Blurb:
When Destiny McCree wakes up beside a dead man on an Oregon beach, she knows only this: she has to keep moving, keep searching, and keep one step ahead of the forces that have been pursuing her from the heart of Scotland to this isolated spot. Why? The death of her lover has left her alone, with little memory of her past. A glimmering serpent-shaped ring is the one clue she has—and a bargaining chip in a most dangerous game.

Enter Trae Wilson, a master thief with a sexy, knowing grin and a secret agenda of his own. Destiny and Trae both have powers far beyond the human—and both are running for their lives. Together they’re riding a tide of danger, magic, and lust…but with killers stalking their every move, they must use any means necessary, even each other, to survive—until the shocking secret of one woman’s destiny finally unravels.…


Okay, so after reading (and obsessing) over the Riley Jensen series, I basically had to get my hands on every Keri Arthur book available.

Unfortunately, this first book in the Myth and Magic series really fell short for me. The romance felt contrived, the action was "meh", the world and creatures were hardly explored, and most of all, there was a huge disconnect between the reader and characters.

Review: Moon Sworn (Riley Jensen, Guardian Book #9)

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Author: Keri Arthur
Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5
Series: Riley Jensen, Guardian
Blurb:
Shape-shifting werewolf and vampire Riley Jenson is through with death—causing it, solving it, surviving it. Her soul mate, Kye Murphy, is dead—and at Riley’s own hands. Not even the seductive embrace of her vampire lover, Quinn, can fully ease her mind, for she has begun questioning everything that makes her Riley—including her job at the Directorate.

Now, the ritualistically slain bodies of ex-cons have started turning up. Reluctantly, Riley takes the case, but something even worse is waiting in the wings. A vicious enemy from her past is determined to strip Riley of everything that gives her life any meaning: her lover, her brother—and even her own identity. Can Riley survive this ultimate assault? All she knows is, she must fight one last time to find answers, before everything goes dark forever.


Moon Sworn is the 9th and final book in the Riley Jensen series. And boy do I loooove Ms. Arthur's world! She's created one of the most addicting series I've ever read and Moon Sworn is the perfect ending to such a dynamic series. I was most impressed with the characters growth. Ms. Arthur gave them room to evolve without compromising who they've been in the past 9 books. In her heart, Riley is still Riley, straight out of Full Rising, only with more internal and external scars, that even shifting can't heal.

I did have one main issue with this book, that being the removal of Quinn, Rhoan, and Lisander from the bulk of it. I understand the necessity of them taking a back seat to Riley's journey - I mean, it is ultimately her series...however, we have grown to love and build relationships with these characters and being that this was the finale, I just wanted to immerse myself in each and every one of them. Even if Ms. Arthur was able to just add more Quinn to Riley's journey, it would've been a 5 star for me.

**Please only continue reading if you don't mind series SPOILERS**