Magic at the Gate by Devon Monk

Magic at the Gate by Devon Monk

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Allie Beckstrom's lover, Zayvion Jones, is a Guardian of the Gate, imbued with both light and dark magic and responsible for ensuring that those energies don't mix. But Zayvion lies in a coma, his soul trapped in death's realm. And when Allie discovers that the only way to save Zayvion is to sacrifice her very own magical essence, she makes a decision that may have grave consequences for the entire world.

It was okay. Not my favourite. I expected that by book #5 Allie would have learned a lot more magic and would start making smarter decisions. Allie gets to my nerves sometimes with her "I'll never give-in" and then two paragraphs later she does.

I hoped by now she would be stronger and would be able to stand her ground more. It's well written and all, it has a good mystery that makes me keep on reading even though I've had enough of Allie.

Review - Once Bitten Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin

Jaz Parks is an assistant assassin who works for the CIA. She and her boss, Vayl, have just received an assignment to meet, assess, and neutralize a Miami plastic surgeon with some disturbing supernatural connection. A spunky tale with real bite.

It was nothing I expected it to be. I found this book at the horror section of the bookstore. (Why wouldn’t they have a section for Urban Fantasy? I guess this is a topic for another post. ) On that section I can also find the Anita Blake series, Georgina Kincaid series and Riley Jenson series. By the cover and description I really thought I was up for some steamy romance, Urban Fantasy style. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

It’s the first book of series of seven, and it suffers from “the first of series” syndrome. After a couple of chapters I still had the impression that I had missed a major plot, which didn’t get explained until much farther into it. It’s written on that typical Urban Fantasy style that I love: first person tough heroine with some different powers. There’s a hot vampire called Vayl and you could see the romance from right the beginning. Jaz, short for Jasmine, is a CIA agent who’s terrified of losing her job, which the book didn’t really justify why. She’s assigned to work with Vayl as assassins and her job is to make sure Vayl survives the missions.

Although I think I got cheated for expecting apples and getting bananas, I still enjoyed the book (I like bananas too). Jaz has a habit of thinking up these, weird cartoon like, jokes at the worst moments that brings a big humour element to the book. The plot was typical “Alias” style: let’s dress up in disguises, use cool high-tech gadgets and save the world.

The whole book setup for a nice romance story, but for me the story just cut too short on that part. So off I go to bookstore to get the next in the series Another One Bites the Dust, maybe we get some more kissy kissy action.

Sexual Content:  none

My Rating: 3 stars

Review - Afterlight by Elle Jasper

Savannah's most unconventional tattoo artist, Riley Poe, lives on the edge. Now she's put over the edge when her younger brother is taken by a sinister cult led by vampires. Her only ally is the hot-tempered vampire Eli Dupre, attracted to Riley's beauty and rare blood type. To save her brother from certain un-death, Riley faces dangers she's never dreamed of, ruthless bloodthirsty enemies, and an evil of endless hunger that wants to devour it all...

Riley Poe (I love this name) used to be a bad girl, now she has her own business, is out of drugs, and she looks after her little brother after her mother passed away.

The first few chapters I found very repetitive: Yes, I already know she's tough. Yes, I know she's walking straight now. Yes, I already got the impression something doesn't feel right. Yes, I know she feels someone watching her cause she said it many times. But then, the book kicks off.

Vampires strigoi (does it ring a bell?) are loose in the city, and she goes in a mission to save her brother. She is assigned a "good" vampire, Eli, to bodyguard her. Unfortunately  she has a special blood that appeals to Vampires (*hint, hint*), but her step-grandfather gives her a special tea to mask it. Even so she is still a big temptation to Eli (badass, totally handsome).

After the first chapter I thought this was going to be a darker imitation of Twilight. That was a very similar line to Twilight, and you'll know what I mean when you see it.  The hero of that story is also very protective of Riley, to the point he watches her sleeping at night without her knowing.

I liked the tatoo and artistic flair of it. I liked the romance, and the world building. I was a bit bored with some of slang used in it.

It took me a while to get into it, I hope that this book has setup for a better story line on the next one, and that the similarities to other series finishes there. I have higher expectations for the next book, hopfully Elle Jasper would have sorted out the issues from this book and we can just enjoy the story.

Sexual content: Lots. Not for the little ones.

My Rating: 3 Stars.

Review - Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan

Meet Miranda Grey-music and magic are in her blood.

Overwhelmed by her uncanny ability to manipulate people's emotions through her music, Miranda Grey comes to the attention of vampire lord David Solomon. Believing he can help bring her magic under control, David discovers that Miranda's powers may affect the vampire world too...

I read this book last week  Mariya from GoodReads had recommended it some thread that I can't find any longer.

I had never heard of it before, nor of the writer. It was one of those books I could not sleep until I finished it. I absolutely loved it, and I was upset it's only the first one of the series and I have to wait another 6 months for the next one.

It's written on third person, it has PNR feel, but it has a happy for now end, instead of HEA. The style reminds me of Guild hunter series, and the story line reminds me of the Eternal Kiss of Darkness mixed with Chicagoland Vampires. It's still original (even though it's about Vampires),

Miranda goes through a traumatic event, and nearly dies. She kills her assaultants using her magic as n empath before being saved by totally handsome and badass vampire David.

David looks after Miranda while she recovers, and keeps her around while teaching her how to control her magic.

I'm a bit of geek myself so I love how David is an expert with computers. I loved that how he comes across cold (without showing any emotions) to anyone but he's not really he feels but it stays hidden except from Miranda and Faith (David's second in command).
I liked Miranda too. I liked seeing her grow, it did come across that she could be a very strong person, and she really did.

Even though, I was totally hooked on the romance, the book has a plot. It's dark, it's sexy, and it's full of action. It has that "destined to be" element, a powerful handsome hero, a heroine that grows strong, but has never been stupid or silly.

I only picked it up by pure luck, and I was glad I did.
5 Stars - Can't wait for the next one!