Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop
February 28th to March 7th
Co-hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Jinky is Reading
It's finally time for another giveaway guys!! As usual I'm offering a book of choice worth up to £10 from the Book Depository so the giveaway is international as long as the Book Depository ships to you. If you want to check, you can find the list of countries here.
All you have to do to enter is fill in the rafflecopter form below.
Title: Magic Rises
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #6
Publisher: Ace
Publication date: 30 Jul 2013
Format: Paperback | 368 pages
Genre: Adult | Urban Fantasy
Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.
Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…
My thoughts:
I have no idea what to think about what just happened. I've just been taken on one hell of an emotional roller coaster. This is most likely going to be a really short review just so I can stop myself from fangirling all over the place.
I didn't think this series could get any better but this book blew every book before out of the water completely. There was so much action - and amazing action at that - I couldn't take it all in at once and ended up reading over the best fights over and over just to take in the sheer awesomeness that just happened. I'm hardly making any sense right now in all the excitement.
Magic Rises makes a huge step forward in terms of plot development. Everything pretty much changes in this book and I have a feeling it will carry on changing throughout the rest of the series. The cat is definitely out of the bag.
Overall I seriously enjoyed every moment of this read and I can't fault it for the life of me. I loved Curran and Kate's every moment together, all the action, the new characters and all the emotions this book has made me feel. Please, please, please read this series - you won't regret it.
My rating: 10/10
Ilona Andrews:
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Kate Daniels:
Title: Til Death
Author: Kate Evangelista
Series: Fractured Souls #1
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication date: March 4th 2014
Format: ebook | 320 pages
Genre: YA | Paranormal
Sixteen-year old Selena Fallon is a dreamer. Not a day-dreamer, but an I-see-the-future kind of dreamer. Normally this is not a problem as she has gotten pretty good at keeping her weird card hidden from everyone in her small town. Except from her best friend Kyle and her grandparents, of course. But when Selena dreams of her own rather bloody death, things get a little too freaky even for her.
Enter Dillan Sloan. Selena has seen the new guy in a different dream, and he is even more drool worthy in person. Beyond the piercing blue eyes and tousled dark hair, there is something else that draws her to him. Something…electric. Unfortunately, Dillan makes it more than clear that he does not feel the same. They just met, so why would he act like he hates her?
When Dillan and Selena are forced together one weekend to work on a school project, Selena prepares to be ignored as usual. But when she stumbles across a few undead in the backyard, Dillan comes to her rescue and reveals a whole lot more. Not only is he part of a society that hunts otherworldly creatures…she is too. And she is being targeted by a force bigger and darker than anything she ever imagined. Despite her death dream, Selena is not going to give up easy, especially when she discovers that Dillan might not actually hate her after all.
My thoughts:
Selena Fallon has visions. And not particularly nice ones at that. Seems like a lot of pressure to keep that big of a secret right? It gets even worse when Dillan Sloan gets transferred to Selena's school. Til Death follows Selena's battle to not only get the answers to the questions that have been plaguing her mind and the meanings behind her terrifying dreams, but to find out what on earth Dillan's problem is...
I don't know about Dillan but my problem right now is that I'm having a hard time getting my thoughts about this book out of my head and down into a review. I pretty much found this book to be an okay read. It had its moments, but that was it. One of the better parts of this read that come to mind is at the beginning of the book where Dillan is pretty much unbearable. I liked the way he interacted with Selena when he was confused or frustrated with the on and off feelings of guilt and the like.
To be honest, that's where it ended for me. I was actually only a few chapters into the book when I realised I wouldn't get on with it. Mostly for one reason which was predictability. I'm not exaggerating when I say I saw every single thing coming. I guessed which characters were the villain-type and what would happen at the end. I only found myself finishing the book just to find out if I could possibly be right.
If you're into original stories then I definitely wouldn't recommend this one. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a particularly bad read, I just have all the problems I had with it roaming around in my mind for me to be able to focus on what was some of its good points. It weighed far too much on the 'bad' side of the scale for me.
My rating: 5/10
Kate Evangelista:
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Fractured Souls:
Title: The Fall
Author: Robert Muchamore
Series: Cherub #7
Publisher: Hodder
Publication date: 15 Mar 2007
Format: Paperback | 352 pages
Genre: YA
When an MI5 operation goes disastrously wrong, James Adams needs all of his skills to get out of Russia alive.
Meanwhile, his sister Lauren is on her first solo mission, trying to uncover a brutal human-trafficking operation.
And when James does get home, he finds that his nightmare is just beginning…
My thoughts:
I don't really have much to say about this read apart from 'I loved it'.
If you've read my reviews of the other books in the series, you'll realise I'm mostly just repeating myself most of the time now. I'm a big fan of this series so far, and part of the reason why is that this author has managed to keep the same great characters, amazing action and some hilarious moments running throughout all of the books in the series. The one and only thing that changes every time is the plot.
This plot was a lot more focused on James and Lauren rather than other characters. There wasn't anything at all on what missions the others were on so it was a great book for getting to know more about James and Lauren both individually, and their relationship as siblings. I thought the plot was a whole lot more intense than past books have ever been. There was an element of suspense where James is fearful of being kicked out of Cherub and Lauren is fighting to free girls from a trafficking operation.
Overall this is a great read and as usual, it only makes me look forward to the next book more, especially with what James did towards the end the little idiot.
My rating: 8/10
Robert Muchamore:
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Cherub:
Title: Divine Madness
Author: Robert Muchamore
Series: Cherub #5
Publisher: Hodder
Publication date: 06 Apr 2006
Format: Paperback | 384 pages
Genre: YA
When CHERUB uncovers a link between eco-terrorist group Help Earth and a wealthy religious cult known as The Survivors, James Adams is sent to Australia on an infiltration mission.
It's his toughest job so far. The Survivors' outback headquarters are completely isolated, and the cult's brainwashing techniques mean James is under massive pressure to conform.
This time he's not just fighting terrorists. He's got to battle to keep control of his own mind.
My thoughts:
I'm a big fan of this series so far and this book was no exception. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book and find out where James was going next. I loved that it went back to Help Earth as well since that was part of James' very first mission.
Like the past books, Divine Madness was full of action the whole way through with tons of suspense, especially towards the end. These books have always turned out to be incredibly fast reads so far, if only because I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happens. This plot had somewhat of an added intensity since more of the Cherub characters were involved in this one mission, including Dana and James' sister Lauren. Each character played a slightly different part in the mission.
As usual, I loved James and Lauren's personalities and ways of interacting with each other. Their relationship as siblings is totally believable and it makes for some great moments in the story. Most of all though, I loved Rat's introduction to the Cherub world. I found him to be such a loveable character, flaws and all, and I seriously can't wait to find out what he gets up to in the coming books. He really made me laugh.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this one. It was a great addition to this series so far and I can't wait to pick up the next book to find out where it goes from here.
My rating: 7/10
Robert Muchamore:
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Cherub:
Title: Gunmetal Magic
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #5.5
Publisher: Ace
Publication date: 31 Jul 2012
Format: Paperback | 448 pages
Genre: Adult | Urban Fantasy
Some people have everything figured out—Andrea Nash is not one of those people. After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea's whole existence is in shambles. All she can do is try to put herself back together, something made easier by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend, Kate Daniels.
When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano—the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, as well as Andrea's former lover—die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate…and must work with Raphael. As her search for the killer leads her into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta, Andrea knows that dealing with her feelings for Raphael might have to take a back seat to saving the world…
My thoughts:
I was pleasantly surprised by this read because I initially thought it would be another novella type deal and not a full blown novel. I soon noticed the number of pages it contained on goodreads though and immediately got excited - anything more of Ilona Andrews is a good thing in my book.
So…Andrea. I never thought I could like her any more than I already did from her appearances in Kate's life, but reading this book from her perspective was a breath of fresh of air. I loved getting to know her better and I have to say, she seems like a completely new character now - I definitely won't see her in the same light in the next Kate Daniels book. Andrea used to be so much meeker in the past books, partly because of the Order she was a part of, but also because she was so unsure of herself: her identity and who she wanted to become. Everything changes in this book though and her story is not an easy one.
But of course, I still have to mention my favourites, Kate and Curran. I adored seeing their relationship through Andrea's eyes. It was beyond adorable. I also feel a need to mention Raphael - is it just me, or did anybody else start to really dislike him at the beginning of this book? He did redeem himself towards the end, but I find myself unable to really forget what he did and said - he went a little too far in my eyes.
As usual for a Kate Daniels novel, the plot was a perfect mix of humour, romance and amazing action that has you biting your nails in anticipation. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
My rating: 9/10
Ilona Andrews:
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Title: Magic Slays
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #5
Publisher: Ace
Publication date: 31 May 2011
Format: Paperback | 320 ages
Genre: Adult | Urban Fantasy
Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, but she's still knee deep in in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be - now that the Order is disparaging her good name. Plus, many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate's mate.
So when Atlanta's premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. But it turns out that this is not an isolated incident. Kate needs to get to the bottom of it - and fast, or the city and everyone dear to her may pay the ultimate price…
My thoughts:
Even with my high expectations, this book still managed to impress me. It was another brilliant addition to the Kate Daniels series.
What I enjoyed most about this read was the fact that I knew where Curran and Kate stood from the beginning of the book. The time of the two characters playing games with each other for affection is over for the most part - they still have their moments, but this book is more focused on how well they work together as a team now that they're sharing all aspects of their lives with each other. It brought something completely new to the table and kept the series interesting. I loved seeing how the couple started to develop their relationship and eventually trust each other completely to the point that one would allow the other to risk their life for someone they both love.
The new characters introduced were both hilarious and endearing. I love Ascanio and I can see myself having a real soft spot for him, especially with how he played a part in this plot. He reminded me of Julie in a way, like a lost child in need of a helping hand. I also really liked the witch and volhv family involved - they really made me laugh and I can see them playing a big part in the future Kate Daniels books. Most of all though, I loved Kate's development as a character - she learns even more about her family in this book, some of which is pretty painful, so I loved how she dealt with it. There's a huge, noticeable difference between how she deals with family secrets in this book compared the first couple in the series - Kate has grown a huge amount.
As for the plot, it was a typical Kate Daniels novel in terms of action, humour and romance. There was loads of action to keep things thrilling with a bucketload of suspense thrown in towards the end where someone's life is in the balance. Just like the past books, I adored every single Kate and Curran moment and there were plenty in this read - about three quarters of the way in, Curran gives a heartfelt confession which almost had me burst into tears. I didn't think I could love Curran any more than I did already but I digress.
Overall I thought this book was pretty much perfect. It had everything I could ask for in a book and then some. If you haven't checked out this series yet, please do.
My rating: 10/10
Ilona Andrews:
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Kate Daniels:
Title: The Riddle
Author: Alison Croggon
Series: The Books of Pellinor #2
Publisher: Walker Books
Publication date: May 2nd 2005
Format: Paperback | 512 pages
Genre: YA | Fantasy
Maerad is a girl with a tragic and bitter past, but her powers grow stronger by the day. Pursued by both the Light and the Dark, she and her mentor, Cadvan of Lirigon, seek the Riddle of the Treesong - the key to restoring peace to their ravaged kingdom. As she travels from terrifying seas to vast stretches of glacial wilderness. Maerad is drawn ever closer to her enemy the Winterking, the auther of her sorrows and the strongest ally of the Nameless One - the greatest tyrant of all.
My thoughts:
The Riddle is the second book in The Books of Pellinor series - I've been a big fan of this series for quite a long time now so reading this book again was pretty nostalgic for me. It reminded me of a lot of things, mostly of how it felt to read this book for the first time, but also of what I was doing at the time. I was still in high school back then and I remember being bombarded with so much work that I had to catch bits of a chapter here and there - I was so desperate to finish this book to find out what happened to the characters. I would put off my friends at lunch just so I could stick my nose in this book until the bell rang for another lesson.
What I love most about this read is most definitely the characters. Without question, these characters really stuck with me from the very beginning. I loved how Maerad became more sure of herself in this book - after being freed from a life of slavery, she became more and more at ease with her freedom and right to voice her opinions. Don't get me wrong, she has some pretty stupid ideas about herself and those around her in this read, but this time, she has no problems voicing them. It gives her the chance to learn more about herself and those around her when people question her opinions - she's made all the better for it.
I didn't enjoy the plot as much as the first book in the series, The Gift, just because in the beginning of the series, everything was so new to Maerad. I loved how everything became a challenge to her - from talking to new people, to being able to have a hot bath. There was a certain charm to her that this book didn't have so much. Aside from that, I enjoyed the new characters introduced and how they played a part in the story, especially the Winterking, he was interesting to say the least.
Overall I love this book for more reasons than I can put down into words. I really recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of this genre and characters that will keep a place in your heart for a good while.
My rating: 8/10
Alison Croggon:
The Books of Pellinor:
Title: The Killing
Author: Robert Muchamore
Series: Cherub #4
Publisher: Hodder
Publication date: 13 Oct 2005
Format: Paperback | 336 pages
Genre: YA
Leon is a small-time crook who's ridden his luck for three decades. When he starts splashing big money around, the cops are desperate to know where it came from.
They call in CHERUB, a secret organisation with one essential advantage: even experienced criminals never suspect that children are spying on them.
James' latest mission looks routine: make friends with Leon's kids, infiltrate his home, dig up some leads.
But the plot James begins to unravel isn't what anyone expected. And the only person who might know the truth is a reclusive eighteen-year-old boy.
There's just one problem.
The boy fell to his death thirteen months earlier.
My thoughts:
Although it wasn't my favourite book of the series so far, The Killing really doesn't disappoint in the level of action and suspense involved.
I loved how Lauren, James' sister, and Kerry were involved a little more than in the previous books. I liked the way they worked together with James and Dave as a team with absolute focus on the mission at times, and then at the drop of a hat they were back to being kids again having a popcorn fight in a hotel. Muchamore almost lets you forget that these missions rely on children to do the heavy stuff and then he snaps it all back into perspective with a little comment or in this case, the throwing around of popcorn.
The plot was pretty simple for a time and there seemed to be a focus more on character development and relationships up until a certain point when the goal of the mission changed a little. It meant the read wasn't as thrilling as some of the previous books, but it certainly picked up about halfway through the read. I have to say the way the mission came to an end was pretty hilarious. It reminded me of a big elaborate prank just with criminals going to prison as a consequence. It made me laugh a little at times since it seemed James was enjoying himself a little too much.
Overall though, I enjoyed this one. I really recommend this series if you haven't read it already. They're very quick reads that pretty much have everything to offer.
My rating: 7/10
Robert Muchamore:
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Cherub:
Title: Magic Bleeds
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #4
Publisher: Ace
Publication date: 25 May 2010
Format: Paperback | 384 pages
Genre: Adult | Urban Fantasy
Kate Daniels works for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, officially, as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle - especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community.
When she's called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar on the border between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers there's a new player in town. One who's been around for thousands of years - and rode to war at the side of Kate's father.
This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Beast Lord, to handle. Because this time Kate will be taking on family…
My thoughts:
Wow! This writing duo certainly kicked it up a notch with this one!
What can I say about this book other than I loved it so, so much. I'm normally a little anxious about reading on in a series - especially urban fantasy series - just because I get so disappointed when they go downhill after a great start. The first book in the Kate Daniels series was brilliant, so I couldn't imagine it getting any better. Boy was I wrong!
What got me most was the humour. There were little funny moments here and there in the past three books of this series but this one just took the biscuit. Every time Curran and Kate are in the same room together, something happens that makes me laugh, no exception. Quite a few moments in this book will make any reader realise that those two are really made for each other. It made for some really hilarious reading let me tell you.
In the past three books there has been mention of romantic interest between Curran and Kate but it never really got anywhere. In this book there was about equal focus on the paranormal problems of Atlanta Kate has to deal with, and Kate's relationship with Curran. Normally I don't like romance to take a huge chunk out of the book, but I love the two characters so much that I welcomed it. If anything, it added to the overall plot of the story since Kate had more to worry about than ever.
The new characters introduced in this book were amazing. Kate's new enemy was pretty much an overpowered creep. She really led to some thrilling action throughout the read where I got seriously worried for some of the characters involved. Plus a shapeshifter that turns into a crocodile warrior? Awesome!
Overall I thought this was the best book yet - I'm starting to think that I'll be saying that for every new Kate Daniels book I read but I don't want to let my expectations get too high.
My rating: 10/10
Ilona Andrews:
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Kate Daniels:
Title: Magic Strikes
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #3
Publisher: Gollancz
Publication date: 11 Nov 2010
Format: Paperback | 320 pages
Genre: Adult | Urban Fantasy
When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it's a job for Kate Daniels…
Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that's saying a lot.
But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she finds herself with a personal stake and a whole new level of problem. As her investigations lead her to the Midnight Games - the invitation-only, no-holds-barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament - she uncovers a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community…
My thoughts:
This series is just getting better and better in my opinion - this was my favourite so far.
I seriously love how far Kate has come already. A lot more of her past is revealed in this book and her character is tested to the limits. She was everything I love in a heroine - strong, witty and the cool sword skills are a definite bonus.
This book is the kind of read that is more or less impossible to put down. It's full of so much suspense that I couldn't bear to stop reading just so I could find out how everything was going to end. I was so worried for the characters the whole way through which is a definite testament to the great writing.
If you haven't read this series then I seriously recommend you start. So far it's what any fan of urban fantasy looks for in a series - it's hilarious, full of action with a bit of heart stopping romance thrown in and it has amazing characters that you can't help but grow to love.
My rating: 10/10
Ilona Andrews:
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Kate Daniels:
The Oscars are this weekend and I thought it was a good time to reveal my predictions for who will take home the big trophies. These are not...
