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Cute retelling! Nutcracker of Crystalfall by Kay L. Moody is a prequel novella set in the world of Fae and Crystal Thorns and a loose retelling of E.T.A. Hoffman’s [b:The Nutcracker and the Mouse King|19012900|The Nutcracker and the Mouse King|E.T.A. Hoffmann|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385609575l/19012900._SX50_.jpg|2221897]. Hoffman’s story is one of my all-time favorites so it should come as no surprise that I read any and all retellings
If made-for-TV Disney movies of the 90s were made into a book, this would be it! Blame It on the Mistletoe by Beth Garrod is a YA contemporary set during the Christmas season about two very different girls swapping lives to spice up their holiday season. Elle is a social media star trying to build her channel, and Holly is a Christmas-loving girl in small town UK. When Elle joins a challenge with several other influencers, she has to do something drastic to get the followers she needs or risk losing her account and starting over. That’s when she decides to swap lives with one of her followers, and the story begins.
I liked Holly. Holly is what every teen girl is at one point in their life. I love her enthusiasm for Christmas, her love of lists, and how dedicated a friend she is to her two best mates. However, Holly like a lot of people lives with blinders on. What she sees on social media she believes as truth. The perfection of her favorite content creator’s life leaves Holly wanting more for her own. When her mom announces that they are moving in with her boyfriend and selling her childhood home, her sister won’t be home in time for Christmas, and her ex-boyfriend has seemingly moved on, Holly needs an escape. So she does the most un-Holly-like thing she can think of: messages @oneelleofatime and offers to swap places with her.
Elle is a little harder to like, at least she was for me. She is a content creator who has spent the last year rebuilding her brand on a new account after internet bullying caused her to close her previous one. She is so focused on what she puts on this account that her real life suffers. No one knows the real Elle, not even Elle herself. She posts what she thinks her followers will like instead of what she likes. When one of the most popular girls at her school invites her to a social media competition, Elle reluctantly agrees. The winner of the competition will get to keep their account and become a member of @whatthepeakgirlsdo, run by a couple of girls in the area. It’s what Elle thinks she wants, but with her real life feeling so far out of reach she doesn’t know anymore. So she takes Holly up on her offer.
I really enjoyed the swap aspect of the story though as a 30-something woman I had a hard time buying that a parent would let their teen fly solo to another country, even if they were switching places and staying with a childhood friend. After I suspended my own belief a bit, I found the story really enjoyable. The writing style is what drew me in more than anything. It’s conversational, like Elle or Holly is speaking directly to the reader pulling you into the story and keeping you engaged and invested in their adventure. There are many laugh out loud moments and moments that will make you remember what it is like to be a teen in love
I liked Holly. Holly is what every teen girl is at one point in their life. I love her enthusiasm for Christmas, her love of lists, and how dedicated a friend she is to her two best mates. However, Holly like a lot of people lives with blinders on. What she sees on social media she believes as truth. The perfection of her favorite content creator’s life leaves Holly wanting more for her own. When her mom announces that they are moving in with her boyfriend and selling her childhood home, her sister won’t be home in time for Christmas, and her ex-boyfriend has seemingly moved on, Holly needs an escape. So she does the most un-Holly-like thing she can think of: messages @oneelleofatime and offers to swap places with her.
Elle is a little harder to like, at least she was for me. She is a content creator who has spent the last year rebuilding her brand on a new account after internet bullying caused her to close her previous one. She is so focused on what she puts on this account that her real life suffers. No one knows the real Elle, not even Elle herself. She posts what she thinks her followers will like instead of what she likes. When one of the most popular girls at her school invites her to a social media competition, Elle reluctantly agrees. The winner of the competition will get to keep their account and become a member of @whatthepeakgirlsdo, run by a couple of girls in the area. It’s what Elle thinks she wants, but with her real life feeling so far out of reach she doesn’t know anymore. So she takes Holly up on her offer.
I really enjoyed the swap aspect of the story though as a 30-something woman I had a hard time buying that a parent would let their teen fly solo to another country, even if they were switching places and staying with a childhood friend. After I suspended my own belief a bit, I found the story really enjoyable. The writing style is what drew me in more than anything. It’s conversational, like Elle or Holly is speaking directly to the reader pulling you into the story and keeping you engaged and invested in their adventure. There are many laugh out loud moments and moments that will make you remember what it is like to be a teen in love
Wow! This novella is nothing that I expected it to be! In fact, it took reading it twice for me to comprehend what exactly was going on. And then I was like WTH!!!!
Dreams of a Nobody (Part 1) by Sean Thompson starts with a young boy counting the stars. And while he counts he contemplates the life that's been handed to him. He is being trained as an assassin for the King. He doesn't like killing, and he wants to change his fate. He calls himself Nobody because in reality he is nobody. He isn't allowed to choose his destiny or the people he kills or saves. As Nobody recounts his story to us the readers, he says
Heartbreaking!!!
So where does that leave Nobody? Well as the story progresses we get a sense of what his life as an assassin is like. And I really like what the author has done here. The character despite the evil he does is still inherently good and very relatable. Nobody has an encounter with a dove or flock of doves. But of course I had to ask myself and read it twice to figure out what's up with the dove! He's not your average overrated pigeon. He poops roses (did I really just write that? Yep, I did and yes he does!)
Probably my favorite scene in the book is during the last chapter and Nobody's confrontation with himself (remember the book is called Dreams of a Nobody, so is this a dream?), the evil part of himself. Think of Nobody as the angel on one shoulder and Amos (who is also Nobody) as the devil on the other. One wants to save the world, one wants to follow orders and enjoys killing. Amos is there to kill Nobody.......
Say what?!?!
Towards the end, Nobody makes this comment and it really struck home with me.
Again I really enjoyed this story! The imagery is bold, and the author paints a picture of what Nobody is seeing and doing as he dreams (or is he awake? is he more than one person? Haven't figured that out yet, if you have let me know!) The plot is suspenseful and haunting as more and more of Nobody's life is revealed. For a first story, the author nailed it! Can't wait for part two.
Dreams of a Nobody (Part 1) by Sean Thompson starts with a young boy counting the stars. And while he counts he contemplates the life that's been handed to him. He is being trained as an assassin for the King. He doesn't like killing, and he wants to change his fate. He calls himself Nobody because in reality he is nobody. He isn't allowed to choose his destiny or the people he kills or saves. As Nobody recounts his story to us the readers, he says
You might not like me once you know what I know, now that you know what I have to do, and that's all right. I don't like me much, either.
Heartbreaking!!!
So where does that leave Nobody? Well as the story progresses we get a sense of what his life as an assassin is like. And I really like what the author has done here. The character despite the evil he does is still inherently good and very relatable. Nobody has an encounter with a dove or flock of doves. But of course I had to ask myself and read it twice to figure out what's up with the dove! He's not your average overrated pigeon. He poops roses (did I really just write that? Yep, I did and yes he does!)
Probably my favorite scene in the book is during the last chapter and Nobody's confrontation with himself (remember the book is called Dreams of a Nobody, so is this a dream?), the evil part of himself. Think of Nobody as the angel on one shoulder and Amos (who is also Nobody) as the devil on the other. One wants to save the world, one wants to follow orders and enjoys killing. Amos is there to kill Nobody.......
Say what?!?!
Towards the end, Nobody makes this comment and it really struck home with me.
There are some people we have to meet; there are situations we have to be put in, but it's the choices we make when we meet those people and face those situations that determine the path life ultimately takes.Doesn't that apply to all of us?
Again I really enjoyed this story! The imagery is bold, and the author paints a picture of what Nobody is seeing and doing as he dreams (or is he awake? is he more than one person? Haven't figured that out yet, if you have let me know!) The plot is suspenseful and haunting as more and more of Nobody's life is revealed. For a first story, the author nailed it! Can't wait for part two.
A Beautiful Family by [a:Marilyn Cohen de Villiers|8295216|Marilyn Cohen de Villiers|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1404458541p2/8295216.jpg] tells the story of the Silverman family and spans over forty years. The story begins with the death of Brenda Silverman and the speculation from journalist Tracy Jacobs that it wasn't a suicide. Told from multiple points of view, the story tells the romance of Alan and Brenda and how sometimes love takes a dark turn. FYI: This story is not for the faint of heart as it deals with domestic violence and sexual abuse.
The characters in this book are so well written that they come to life on the pages. Alan Silverman is the patriarch of the Silverman family, has an impeccable reputation as a Jewish businessman in Johannesburg, and is a former exile for his refusal to fight for his country during the anti-Apartheid movement, but that is his public persona. Brenda Silverman is the perfect example of an orthodox Jewish wife, a former dancer she meets Alan while he is in exile in Israel and it is love at first sight. Annette Davies is a former college friend of Alan's and she helps the couple get refugee status in London, however for her it is because she loves Alan. I kind of feel sorry for Annette but at the same time I don't. She's a hateful character, wanting a man she cannot have and feigning love for a man she can have. No sympathy for her from me! Ben Shapiro is a business owner in London who meets Alan and Brenda and basically adopts them as his children. I love this character! He's like a grandpa, loving and protective of his family. Other POVs that you get in the book come from Tracy Jacobs, the journalist covering the death of Brenda Silverman and the inquest that follows, Yair and Aviva Silverman, the twins and firstborn of the Silverman family.
This story revolves around the lives of Alan and Brenda and what leads to her death in the story. The plot jumps from present to past and back as the story unfolds during the inquest of Brenda's death. Just when you think you have the story figured out, the author throws a surprise twist in that changes your thoughts and proves them wrong! Though parts were predictable, many aspects were not. Alan's treatment of his family and the man that he transforms into as you read the story is shocking and heart-breaking. I wept for Brenda as she realizes that the man she loves is not who she thinks he is, especially as the author reveals his past. I can't say more without spoiling the story for you, so just go read it for yourself ;)
Overall, the story is suspenseful, fast-paced, and truly will tear at your emotions. As already mentioned, it is not for anyone that is sensitive to domestic violence or sexual abuse and I highly recommend that it be read by mature audiences only due to its sexual content and strong language. If you enjoy realistics stories that deal with social issues, than I highly recommend this debut novel. The author has woven together a truly rich story full of characters that could be real and experiences that people can relate to.
I received a copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book was reviewed for the blog www.momwithareadingproblem.com and includes an interview with the author.
The characters in this book are so well written that they come to life on the pages. Alan Silverman is the patriarch of the Silverman family, has an impeccable reputation as a Jewish businessman in Johannesburg, and is a former exile for his refusal to fight for his country during the anti-Apartheid movement, but that is his public persona. Brenda Silverman is the perfect example of an orthodox Jewish wife, a former dancer she meets Alan while he is in exile in Israel and it is love at first sight. Annette Davies is a former college friend of Alan's and she helps the couple get refugee status in London, however for her it is because she loves Alan. I kind of feel sorry for Annette but at the same time I don't. She's a hateful character, wanting a man she cannot have and feigning love for a man she can have. No sympathy for her from me! Ben Shapiro is a business owner in London who meets Alan and Brenda and basically adopts them as his children. I love this character! He's like a grandpa, loving and protective of his family. Other POVs that you get in the book come from Tracy Jacobs, the journalist covering the death of Brenda Silverman and the inquest that follows, Yair and Aviva Silverman, the twins and firstborn of the Silverman family.
This story revolves around the lives of Alan and Brenda and what leads to her death in the story. The plot jumps from present to past and back as the story unfolds during the inquest of Brenda's death. Just when you think you have the story figured out, the author throws a surprise twist in that changes your thoughts and proves them wrong! Though parts were predictable, many aspects were not. Alan's treatment of his family and the man that he transforms into as you read the story is shocking and heart-breaking. I wept for Brenda as she realizes that the man she loves is not who she thinks he is, especially as the author reveals his past. I can't say more without spoiling the story for you, so just go read it for yourself ;)
Overall, the story is suspenseful, fast-paced, and truly will tear at your emotions. As already mentioned, it is not for anyone that is sensitive to domestic violence or sexual abuse and I highly recommend that it be read by mature audiences only due to its sexual content and strong language. If you enjoy realistics stories that deal with social issues, than I highly recommend this debut novel. The author has woven together a truly rich story full of characters that could be real and experiences that people can relate to.
I received a copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book was reviewed for the blog www.momwithareadingproblem.com and includes an interview with the author.
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Futureless by [a:K.J. Draeghan|8304019|K.J. Draeghan|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-3498e835d024c789dd934a5c5fb5bdbc.png] is an epic fantasy dystopian set on the world of Ilreya and follows a band of unlikely heroes as they attempt to stop a world war before it begins. The story really puts me in the mind of Lord of the Rings and Narnia as the author describes the characters and detail of the world they live in. At roughly 175k words, this epic tale held my attention from the very first word!
The Characters
So this book has a multitude of characters, but really only six main ones or is it seven? Maybe eight? Anyways you get the picture :)
Kalilatorix is the first character introduced and to me probably the most interesting. If I had to pick a main character for this book, it would be her as the plot revolves around her. Kalilatorix is a Corukan, a human basically, and she has a very interesting, almost split personality. You see, her and her twin live in the same body.
That's right! They share a body. So when Kalila, the healer and more passive aggressive twin, goes to sleep at night, Torix wakes up. Torix is a fighter, has a sense of humor and tends to say whatever is on her mind. The two balance each other out very well. Also they have a pet, Fang who happens to be a zykanine meaning he is huge and could eat me in one bite.
Rhysin is the second introduced and possibly the quietest character. He is very introspective. Having escaped an abusive father, he is trained by a mystery man to take over mystery business. Like I said very quiet character and I can't say much without spoilers! Possibly he is my favorite character as he is the most human of the group.
After Rhysin, we meet Tarakiva Wulfrin who was sold by her parents at a young age to a dance club. She is described as beautiful with the voice of an angel. She is also Corukan (in fact all the characters I mention are originally introduced as Corukan so I won't say it again :) ) She learns to fight and eventually escapes her master only to join the band of unlikely heroes. She is outwardly aggressive but only because she's scared to go back to her life as a slave.
Xoran is a large man, a blacksmith and someone who never fit in. He was beaten up a lot as a child for his red hair and glasses. Now he wants to prove himself. He comes off as the jock of the group, you know big and dumb, but I think it's more that he doesn't know how to express himself.
Rhana is the princess of Coruka and after the king attempts to force himself on her, she runs away. She's the smart one of the group and hides who she really is from them. She's fascinated with the world around her and it's from this character that I learned the most about Ilreya.
The World
Ilreya is unlike anything I've ever read. If I had to compare it, I would say that it's layout and the way that it's described is similar to Middle Earth from Lord of the Rings however it is entirely unique. For a majority of the book, the characters are only in two lands from this world, Coruka which is their home and Payne. Coruka as described puts me in mind of the rolling hills of Ireland or the country of England, a lot of green and very human. Payne is a jungle and it's also the home of the werecats. A large wall is erected between the two as they do not trust each other. There are also werewolves, weredragons, and Kuljians. Kuljians are unique to this author and scary as hell!!!! Skin the color of cobalt and strong as granite, pointy teeth, they are the dead, a mix between vampires and zombies. Like I said scary as hell but probably one of my favorite characters in the book!
The Plot
As I already mentioned the story follows our six characters as they try to prevent another Blood War before it starts. A mystery man sends each of them a letter promising something they want to lure them to a warehouse. Once they all arrive and realize they've been duped by this man, they aren't happy. Then he tells them why they are there. He believes they can save Ilreya from Blaise, a weredragon and the new ruler of them. Blaise is ruthless and wants to rule all of Ilreya, but he has ulterior motives. As a villain this dude tops them all in my opinion. Anyways after a lot of convincing, the six decide to help, knowing the mystery man will deliver on his promises after they've defeated Blaise.
My Conclusions
The plot moves quickly and before I knew it I had read all ~500 pages. It's suspenseful, has a lot of action, some great plot twists and is what a fantasy epic should be. The author does a wonderful job of world-building. It's believable and things are repeated so subtlety that despite the vast world I was able to remember what I needed to. This book ends neatly answering a majority of the questions that are brought up during their journey across Ilreya, and though it ends leaving you wanting more, it's not a cliffhanger. Overall, if you enjoy fantasy, especially epic fantasies, than I highly recommend you check this one out. You will not be disappointed! My only regret, I have to wait for book two!!!
I received a copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review
The Characters
So this book has a multitude of characters, but really only six main ones or is it seven? Maybe eight? Anyways you get the picture :)
Kalilatorix is the first character introduced and to me probably the most interesting. If I had to pick a main character for this book, it would be her as the plot revolves around her. Kalilatorix is a Corukan, a human basically, and she has a very interesting, almost split personality. You see, her and her twin live in the same body.
That's right! They share a body. So when Kalila, the healer and more passive aggressive twin, goes to sleep at night, Torix wakes up. Torix is a fighter, has a sense of humor and tends to say whatever is on her mind. The two balance each other out very well. Also they have a pet, Fang who happens to be a zykanine meaning he is huge and could eat me in one bite.
Rhysin is the second introduced and possibly the quietest character. He is very introspective. Having escaped an abusive father, he is trained by a mystery man to take over mystery business. Like I said very quiet character and I can't say much without spoilers! Possibly he is my favorite character as he is the most human of the group.
After Rhysin, we meet Tarakiva Wulfrin who was sold by her parents at a young age to a dance club. She is described as beautiful with the voice of an angel. She is also Corukan (in fact all the characters I mention are originally introduced as Corukan so I won't say it again :) ) She learns to fight and eventually escapes her master only to join the band of unlikely heroes. She is outwardly aggressive but only because she's scared to go back to her life as a slave.
Xoran is a large man, a blacksmith and someone who never fit in. He was beaten up a lot as a child for his red hair and glasses. Now he wants to prove himself. He comes off as the jock of the group, you know big and dumb, but I think it's more that he doesn't know how to express himself.
Rhana is the princess of Coruka and after the king attempts to force himself on her, she runs away. She's the smart one of the group and hides who she really is from them. She's fascinated with the world around her and it's from this character that I learned the most about Ilreya.
The World
Ilreya is unlike anything I've ever read. If I had to compare it, I would say that it's layout and the way that it's described is similar to Middle Earth from Lord of the Rings however it is entirely unique. For a majority of the book, the characters are only in two lands from this world, Coruka which is their home and Payne. Coruka as described puts me in mind of the rolling hills of Ireland or the country of England, a lot of green and very human. Payne is a jungle and it's also the home of the werecats. A large wall is erected between the two as they do not trust each other. There are also werewolves, weredragons, and Kuljians. Kuljians are unique to this author and scary as hell!!!! Skin the color of cobalt and strong as granite, pointy teeth, they are the dead, a mix between vampires and zombies. Like I said scary as hell but probably one of my favorite characters in the book!
The Plot
As I already mentioned the story follows our six characters as they try to prevent another Blood War before it starts. A mystery man sends each of them a letter promising something they want to lure them to a warehouse. Once they all arrive and realize they've been duped by this man, they aren't happy. Then he tells them why they are there. He believes they can save Ilreya from Blaise, a weredragon and the new ruler of them. Blaise is ruthless and wants to rule all of Ilreya, but he has ulterior motives. As a villain this dude tops them all in my opinion. Anyways after a lot of convincing, the six decide to help, knowing the mystery man will deliver on his promises after they've defeated Blaise.
My Conclusions
The plot moves quickly and before I knew it I had read all ~500 pages. It's suspenseful, has a lot of action, some great plot twists and is what a fantasy epic should be. The author does a wonderful job of world-building. It's believable and things are repeated so subtlety that despite the vast world I was able to remember what I needed to. This book ends neatly answering a majority of the questions that are brought up during their journey across Ilreya, and though it ends leaving you wanting more, it's not a cliffhanger. Overall, if you enjoy fantasy, especially epic fantasies, than I highly recommend you check this one out. You will not be disappointed! My only regret, I have to wait for book two!!!
I received a copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review
Blood Curse by Tamara Lowery is the first book in her series Waves of Darkness and follows the story of Bloody Vik Brandee, a pirate and a vampire two of my favorite types of characters ;) Viktor Brandewyne has always been a ruthless boy and grows into an even worse man. He comes by his nickname well and he cares for no one except possible the woman he calls Old Mother. After killing a young man in a bar, a witch curses him:
"I curse you, white man. You hunger for gold? No more. What you spilled so freely, without a thought, now will become more precious than any treasure. You will pass by an entire mountain of gold for a single drop. Food will not satisfy your hunger. Wine will not quench your thirst. What you drink now is redder than any wine. You will forego a bountiful feast for just a taste of blood. You spill blood, now you live for it. You will take it from even those you do not wish to, because without it, you will die." ~Mamaan Juma
To lift the curse, Vik must find seven witches who will each give him some of their power in order to lift the curse.
Alright, let's be honest for a second. I was hesitant to read this book. But after about 15 pages and the curse that Mamaan Juma places on the main character I was hooked. This story is an interesting mix of historical fiction (as it is set in the 1700s and revolves around the life of a pirate in the Caribbean), romance, suspense, and fantasy. I truly had a hard time sitting it down and finished it in just under three days. It's a unique twist on the typical pirate adventure, adding in the fantastical elements of vampires, witches, mermaids and sirens.
Vik, the main character, is a cunning and ruthless pirate. There's times while reading I wasn't sure if I liked him or not. To be honest, I don't ever want to be on this man's bad side. He kills because he enjoys it and finds unique ways to torture those who cross him. When he becomes cursed, at first he despairs. Then he sees the advantages it gives him, like inhuman speed and strength, the ability to see at night, and heightened senses. Also it helps that when he is described he doesn't look like the grungy pirates you might think him to be. Oh no! While reading I kept picturing:
So yeah, not what I usually picture when thinking about a man who lives on a ship day in and day out, but this is exactly what I pictured.
Then there's Belladonna, a siren and his guide in finding the witches. She's a truly terrifying creature. In water, she has the fin of a shark and rows of shark teeth. On land, she's your above average beauty. She's also deceitful and full of tricks. She's a great antagonist for Vik, keeping him on guard, but she could also be a great love interest as the series progresses. I guess time and a little more reading will tell ;) The rest of Vik's crew is exactly what you'd expect of pirates. They bring a bit of comic relief to the story, and they are usually the brunt of Vik's anger and blood lust.
The plot of this story is really great and it hooked me right at the beginning. It doesn't stray from the main topic of the series which is breaking his curse. The book is devoted to finding the first witch and completing her task so that he may collect some of her power. Because it is the first book, there is a bit of learning on Vik's part as he adjusts to being a vampire and learning that not all the myths he heard are just myths but reality. His relationship with Belladonna brings quite a bit of sexual tension to the story as they both test the other's patience and temper.
Overall, I found the story of vampire pirate Vik Brandee a refreshing and terrifying tale! I really cannot wait to start in on book two and find out what will happen to the pirate and his crew as they continue their search for the witches. A plus, even though the book is a part of a series, it doesn't end in a cliffhanger. At least not one that leaves you reeling :) FYI though if you don't care for violence in books, then I caution you to think before reading. I mean it is a book about pirates and a vampire after all! Also there is some strong language and some sexual innuendos so I really recommend that this book be for adults. If you enjoy historical fiction, fantasy, and a bit of romance, I highly recommend you check this book out. It won't disappoint!
I received a copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
"I curse you, white man. You hunger for gold? No more. What you spilled so freely, without a thought, now will become more precious than any treasure. You will pass by an entire mountain of gold for a single drop. Food will not satisfy your hunger. Wine will not quench your thirst. What you drink now is redder than any wine. You will forego a bountiful feast for just a taste of blood. You spill blood, now you live for it. You will take it from even those you do not wish to, because without it, you will die." ~Mamaan Juma
To lift the curse, Vik must find seven witches who will each give him some of their power in order to lift the curse.
Alright, let's be honest for a second. I was hesitant to read this book. But after about 15 pages and the curse that Mamaan Juma places on the main character I was hooked. This story is an interesting mix of historical fiction (as it is set in the 1700s and revolves around the life of a pirate in the Caribbean), romance, suspense, and fantasy. I truly had a hard time sitting it down and finished it in just under three days. It's a unique twist on the typical pirate adventure, adding in the fantastical elements of vampires, witches, mermaids and sirens.
Vik, the main character, is a cunning and ruthless pirate. There's times while reading I wasn't sure if I liked him or not. To be honest, I don't ever want to be on this man's bad side. He kills because he enjoys it and finds unique ways to torture those who cross him. When he becomes cursed, at first he despairs. Then he sees the advantages it gives him, like inhuman speed and strength, the ability to see at night, and heightened senses. Also it helps that when he is described he doesn't look like the grungy pirates you might think him to be. Oh no! While reading I kept picturing:
So yeah, not what I usually picture when thinking about a man who lives on a ship day in and day out, but this is exactly what I pictured.
Then there's Belladonna, a siren and his guide in finding the witches. She's a truly terrifying creature. In water, she has the fin of a shark and rows of shark teeth. On land, she's your above average beauty. She's also deceitful and full of tricks. She's a great antagonist for Vik, keeping him on guard, but she could also be a great love interest as the series progresses. I guess time and a little more reading will tell ;) The rest of Vik's crew is exactly what you'd expect of pirates. They bring a bit of comic relief to the story, and they are usually the brunt of Vik's anger and blood lust.
The plot of this story is really great and it hooked me right at the beginning. It doesn't stray from the main topic of the series which is breaking his curse. The book is devoted to finding the first witch and completing her task so that he may collect some of her power. Because it is the first book, there is a bit of learning on Vik's part as he adjusts to being a vampire and learning that not all the myths he heard are just myths but reality. His relationship with Belladonna brings quite a bit of sexual tension to the story as they both test the other's patience and temper.
Overall, I found the story of vampire pirate Vik Brandee a refreshing and terrifying tale! I really cannot wait to start in on book two and find out what will happen to the pirate and his crew as they continue their search for the witches. A plus, even though the book is a part of a series, it doesn't end in a cliffhanger. At least not one that leaves you reeling :) FYI though if you don't care for violence in books, then I caution you to think before reading. I mean it is a book about pirates and a vampire after all! Also there is some strong language and some sexual innuendos so I really recommend that this book be for adults. If you enjoy historical fiction, fantasy, and a bit of romance, I highly recommend you check this book out. It won't disappoint!
I received a copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author for providing a copy for review. The following are my own thoughts and opinions of the book and they are in no way effected by the receiving of a free copy.
Demon Bayou by [a:Tamara A Lowery|4912263|Tamara A. Lowery|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] is book two of the Waves of Darkness series and picks up about a month after the end of book one, Blood Curse. Pirate Vik Brandee is on the hunt for the second sister, and Belladonna leads him to the swamp lands of New Orleans. However a demon and a skirmish with other of his kind block his way to the sister, and the black water of the swamp is poison to Bella and Vik must decide to carry on with his quest or save the siren. Carrying on with his quest will cost him Belladonna and a her visions of the sisters, saving her will mean losing this sister and the ability to break his curse.
Character Breakdown
Viktor Brandewyne is still the ruthless pirate from book one, but he is starting to get a little soft around the edges and a bit nostalgic for his first mate Jim Rigger, the now cat/raven Lazarus. Many times Vik is caught thinking about the past and his mind wonders more than once if Jim would forgive him his death. Then there's his growing feelings for Belladonna. Though he doesn't admit it, it is plainly obvious from the reader's standpoint that he loves her (no spoilers there, it was plainly obvious by the end of book one). Vik is also growing in his powers. He possesses all the skills and strengths of a vampire, but so far none of their weaknesses, making him extremely powerful and dangerous.
Belladonna is feisty as ever in this book, but the author gives a glimpse into her vulnerable side when she falls ill in the swamps. She doesn't like to be vulnerable or to feel like prey, being in the captain's presence makes her feel this way. Vik is stronger than her and she accidentally bound herself to him during the first book, leaving her at the mercy of his will.
Grimm is the new first mate after Vik rescued him during Blood Curse and really I couldn't ask for a better character to offset and balance Belladonna and Vik. Grimm is level-headed, fiercely loyal, and has a touch of magic thanks to the crazy old Uncle.
The Plot
Book two of this series deals with three plot lines, one main and two-sub. The main plot centers around the second sister, Gloribeau or Granny Glory as the locals call her, and the quest she sends Vik and his mates on. Granny Glory is possibly the strongest of the seven sisters, she is definitely the strongest Vik has faced to date. She sends him on a quest to capture and bring back to her a demon that is haunting her swamp. While Vik completes this task fairly quickly (within the first 40% of the book), it's her second request that takes a little longer.
The first sub-plot deals with Jim Rigger and a promise Vik made to him when he first met him. Vik and his crew encounter a ship smuggling emeralds captained by Brumble, a man that tortured Jim when he was a cabin boy. However he isn't the same Brumble, he his son. Throughout the story, Vik and his crew continue to run into the Brumble family and Vik does a good job of getting the father's attention. I see another story in the future with this as a main plot (or at least I hope :D )
The other sub-plot deals with the vampires of New Orleans. Vik encounters them after his first encounter with Granny Glory and well doesn't make the best impression. These vampires stalk him the rest of the book, showing up at different times, and eventually challenge him with a quest of their own.
My Conclusions
While this story is not my typical read, the characters and intricate plot sucked me. As much as I enjoyed Blood Curse, I enjoyed Demon Bayou even more. Where book one dealt with a lot of character and world-building, this one jumped straight into the plot with little backstory. I found I couldn't make the pages turn fast enough! The suspense, the action, and the old-world setting kept me guessing to the end. If you enjoy historical fiction, pirates, and a little (or a lot depending on how you look at it) paranormal, then I highly suggest you check out this series!
Demon Bayou by [a:Tamara A Lowery|4912263|Tamara A. Lowery|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png] is book two of the Waves of Darkness series and picks up about a month after the end of book one, Blood Curse. Pirate Vik Brandee is on the hunt for the second sister, and Belladonna leads him to the swamp lands of New Orleans. However a demon and a skirmish with other of his kind block his way to the sister, and the black water of the swamp is poison to Bella and Vik must decide to carry on with his quest or save the siren. Carrying on with his quest will cost him Belladonna and a her visions of the sisters, saving her will mean losing this sister and the ability to break his curse.
Character Breakdown
Viktor Brandewyne is still the ruthless pirate from book one, but he is starting to get a little soft around the edges and a bit nostalgic for his first mate Jim Rigger, the now cat/raven Lazarus. Many times Vik is caught thinking about the past and his mind wonders more than once if Jim would forgive him his death. Then there's his growing feelings for Belladonna. Though he doesn't admit it, it is plainly obvious from the reader's standpoint that he loves her (no spoilers there, it was plainly obvious by the end of book one). Vik is also growing in his powers. He possesses all the skills and strengths of a vampire, but so far none of their weaknesses, making him extremely powerful and dangerous.
Belladonna is feisty as ever in this book, but the author gives a glimpse into her vulnerable side when she falls ill in the swamps. She doesn't like to be vulnerable or to feel like prey, being in the captain's presence makes her feel this way. Vik is stronger than her and she accidentally bound herself to him during the first book, leaving her at the mercy of his will.
Grimm is the new first mate after Vik rescued him during Blood Curse and really I couldn't ask for a better character to offset and balance Belladonna and Vik. Grimm is level-headed, fiercely loyal, and has a touch of magic thanks to the crazy old Uncle.
The Plot
Book two of this series deals with three plot lines, one main and two-sub. The main plot centers around the second sister, Gloribeau or Granny Glory as the locals call her, and the quest she sends Vik and his mates on. Granny Glory is possibly the strongest of the seven sisters, she is definitely the strongest Vik has faced to date. She sends him on a quest to capture and bring back to her a demon that is haunting her swamp. While Vik completes this task fairly quickly (within the first 40% of the book), it's her second request that takes a little longer.
The first sub-plot deals with Jim Rigger and a promise Vik made to him when he first met him. Vik and his crew encounter a ship smuggling emeralds captained by Brumble, a man that tortured Jim when he was a cabin boy. However he isn't the same Brumble, he his son. Throughout the story, Vik and his crew continue to run into the Brumble family and Vik does a good job of getting the father's attention. I see another story in the future with this as a main plot (or at least I hope :D )
The other sub-plot deals with the vampires of New Orleans. Vik encounters them after his first encounter with Granny Glory and well doesn't make the best impression. These vampires stalk him the rest of the book, showing up at different times, and eventually challenge him with a quest of their own.
My Conclusions
While this story is not my typical read, the characters and intricate plot sucked me. As much as I enjoyed Blood Curse, I enjoyed Demon Bayou even more. Where book one dealt with a lot of character and world-building, this one jumped straight into the plot with little backstory. I found I couldn't make the pages turn fast enough! The suspense, the action, and the old-world setting kept me guessing to the end. If you enjoy historical fiction, pirates, and a little (or a lot depending on how you look at it) paranormal, then I highly suggest you check out this series!
I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
FYI There are some spoilers in this review from previous books. If you have not read this series, I highly suggest you read books one and two prior to reading this review!
Silent Fathoms by Tamara A. Lowery is book three of Waves of Darkness, the series that follows Bloody Vik Brandee on his quest to break the vampire curse set upon him. In this installment, we find Vik, Belle, and Grimm heading to Mexico in search of the third Sister of power. Vik has to leave Belle as she cannot make the trek across the mountains as they learned the hard way in Demon Bayou she will lose her powers if she strays to far from the ocean. As Vik seeks out the Sister and then is sent on her quest, Belle is sent on her own quest by Zeke. However this quest could cost her the trust she's gained with Vik. Lots of action, lots of suspense, and of course pirates :)
My Lovely Pirates
Bloody Vik Brandee happens to be one of my favorite characters. He's cruel, vicious, and won't hesitate to kill you if you cross him, but there is just something I love about him! He has a vulnerable side, his friends who he tends to try not to make and of course the siren. He cares for them, whether he wants to or not, and no one crosses him to get them. And I mean NO ONE! He will go all vampire on you if you hurt them.
Belle is a bit of a loose cannon. She is on her own quest to find the mermaid that Vik impregnated during Blood Curse and discovers that she has feelings, like real feelings, for Vik. It scares her because she's a predator and not supposed to have these feelings. In fact she's a girl version of Vik. She is just as ruthless and cruel as him, but if you cross those she cares about God help you! In fact, don't get in the water and don't go anywhere near her. She will skewer you and have you for breakfast...just saying ;)
Grimm is the level-headed pirate of the bunch (if there is such a thing). He knows how far Vik can be pushed, when to stop and when to keep going. He keeps Vik on course and mellows him when he needs to. Grimm also keeps an eye on the rest of the crew, watching for mutiny and telling Vik when he needs to know.
Lazarus, Jim Rigger turned cat, is an interesting character. During book two, we learn that he is still Jim when Gloribeau turns him into a human temporarily. During this book, he learns some new tricks from Zeke and I believe we will be seeing a lot more of Jim in the books to come :D
Globe-Trotting
As with the first installments of the series, this book picks up right where book two left off. Vik is heading to find the next Sister of power and avoiding his growing feelings for Belle. Conveniently he is able to tell her to stay since it will be quicker to trek across the mountains to the other coast than it would be to take the boat down through the Panama Canal or around South America. But Vik finds he misses her (awe!!) and makes the trek as quickly as possible.
Belle is sent on her own quest to find the mermaid that Vik impregnated during the first book. She is turning into a vampire and feeding on her own kind prior to having his child. Belle is to kill her and save the baby per Zeke. She's scared though. Vik gave the mermaid his word she wouldn't hurt her. Belle has to figure out a way to complete the quest without losing Vik's trust. Zeke helps by shielding her from Vik and almost breaking their bond. This angers Vik, but also worries him. Will she come back?
Then there is the quest the Sister sends Vik on. It takes him to the coast of India and into the jungles of a Tiger God. It's all very fascinating and I have to say the scenery and imagery that comes with it is superb! There's a lot of action, a tiny bit of romance, and of course a lot of pirating :D
My Conclusion
Overall I enjoyed this book immensely! The series just keeps getting better and better! The characters are well established, and the author keeps introducing new characters and new experiences into the lives of Vik and his crew. I love it! FYI there is some profanity, sexual references, and of course violence (they are pirates after all!), so I would recommend the series to mature audiences only. If you enjoy historical fiction (the series is set in the 1700s), pirates, and fantasy, then I highly recommend you check out the series!
FYI There are some spoilers in this review from previous books. If you have not read this series, I highly suggest you read books one and two prior to reading this review!
Silent Fathoms by Tamara A. Lowery is book three of Waves of Darkness, the series that follows Bloody Vik Brandee on his quest to break the vampire curse set upon him. In this installment, we find Vik, Belle, and Grimm heading to Mexico in search of the third Sister of power. Vik has to leave Belle as she cannot make the trek across the mountains as they learned the hard way in Demon Bayou she will lose her powers if she strays to far from the ocean. As Vik seeks out the Sister and then is sent on her quest, Belle is sent on her own quest by Zeke. However this quest could cost her the trust she's gained with Vik. Lots of action, lots of suspense, and of course pirates :)
My Lovely Pirates
Bloody Vik Brandee happens to be one of my favorite characters. He's cruel, vicious, and won't hesitate to kill you if you cross him, but there is just something I love about him! He has a vulnerable side, his friends who he tends to try not to make and of course the siren. He cares for them, whether he wants to or not, and no one crosses him to get them. And I mean NO ONE! He will go all vampire on you if you hurt them.
Belle is a bit of a loose cannon. She is on her own quest to find the mermaid that Vik impregnated during Blood Curse and discovers that she has feelings, like real feelings, for Vik. It scares her because she's a predator and not supposed to have these feelings. In fact she's a girl version of Vik. She is just as ruthless and cruel as him, but if you cross those she cares about God help you! In fact, don't get in the water and don't go anywhere near her. She will skewer you and have you for breakfast...just saying ;)
Grimm is the level-headed pirate of the bunch (if there is such a thing). He knows how far Vik can be pushed, when to stop and when to keep going. He keeps Vik on course and mellows him when he needs to. Grimm also keeps an eye on the rest of the crew, watching for mutiny and telling Vik when he needs to know.
Lazarus, Jim Rigger turned cat, is an interesting character. During book two, we learn that he is still Jim when Gloribeau turns him into a human temporarily. During this book, he learns some new tricks from Zeke and I believe we will be seeing a lot more of Jim in the books to come :D
Globe-Trotting
As with the first installments of the series, this book picks up right where book two left off. Vik is heading to find the next Sister of power and avoiding his growing feelings for Belle. Conveniently he is able to tell her to stay since it will be quicker to trek across the mountains to the other coast than it would be to take the boat down through the Panama Canal or around South America. But Vik finds he misses her (awe!!) and makes the trek as quickly as possible.
Belle is sent on her own quest to find the mermaid that Vik impregnated during the first book. She is turning into a vampire and feeding on her own kind prior to having his child. Belle is to kill her and save the baby per Zeke. She's scared though. Vik gave the mermaid his word she wouldn't hurt her. Belle has to figure out a way to complete the quest without losing Vik's trust. Zeke helps by shielding her from Vik and almost breaking their bond. This angers Vik, but also worries him. Will she come back?
Then there is the quest the Sister sends Vik on. It takes him to the coast of India and into the jungles of a Tiger God. It's all very fascinating and I have to say the scenery and imagery that comes with it is superb! There's a lot of action, a tiny bit of romance, and of course a lot of pirating :D
My Conclusion
Overall I enjoyed this book immensely! The series just keeps getting better and better! The characters are well established, and the author keeps introducing new characters and new experiences into the lives of Vik and his crew. I love it! FYI there is some profanity, sexual references, and of course violence (they are pirates after all!), so I would recommend the series to mature audiences only. If you enjoy historical fiction (the series is set in the 1700s), pirates, and fantasy, then I highly recommend you check out the series!