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Dark and Shallow Lies is the debut novel of Ginny Myers Sain, and guys – I am officially adding her to my auto-read list, as I was so blown away by this book. Now, this is exactly the sort of novel that I need in my life! A paranormal young adult thriller with lots of suspense and drama? Yes, please! Seriously, I was blown away by Dark and Shallow Lies and was so sad when it ended. Again, not because it was an upsetting end (the ending was quite perfect if you ask me) – but because it was over. I didn't want to say goodbye to this world. Not even for a second. Realistically, I know that this is a standalone novel, but I would not say no to this being the beginning of a series. A town full of psychics is so ripe for tales, don't you think? To be clear, Dark and Shallow Lies is not what I would call light reading. It covers child death, abuse, and missing persons. It does not shy away from these elements, as they are a huge part of what makes the town so messed up. But those layers and layers of secrets are part of what makes Dark and Shallow Lies such a thrilling novel to read. It's impossible to guess who is behind what or even the reason behind their lies. It's twisted and fascinating, in all the best ways. I want more like this, please!

Once again Marie Lu is creating a new fantasy world worth diving into, Skyhunter. The first title of the series also happens to have the same name, and it comes alongside one of the most striking covers I've seen to date. Wow. Skyhunter is one of those rare whirlwinds of a read books. It's intense and fast-paced, and is going to demand all of your attention. From the moment you start it, right up until the very end. It's a captivating yet dark world. What caught my attention right from the start had to be the Strikers – a force that works out on the edge, in the most dangerous circumstances. From there, I found myself enthralled in Talin's voice, in all of the struggles she's faced, and all the troubles waiting down the road.

Picture Black Widow meets Jason Bourne, and you'll have found The Nemesis Manifesto. Crated by Eric Van Lustbader, this is the start of a whole new series revolving around a highly competent spy and agent. The Nemesis Manifesto is a spy thriller through and through – with a few fun twists along the way. As I was reading, I couldn't help but feel like I was reading some sort of blend of Black Widow (one of my favorites) and Jason Bourne. It made for an interesting read. There is no time wasted in the introduction here, you're quite literally thrown into the thick of things, with almost a sink or swim feeling. There are plenty of characters to keep up with, made all the more complicated by their varied motives.

I've been obsessed with getting my hands on Deal with the Devil from the moment I heard 'mercenary librarians.' So having finished the book, I have to ask myself; was it worth the mad hunt to read this book? Yes, it certainly was. Though the librarian elements were slightly different than I expected, but not in a bad way. Picture all of the additional things that librarians do (that they frequently don't get credit for), and you'll have a solid understanding of what Nina does for her community in this book.

The Sin in the Steel is a brilliant and fast-paced read, one that you're not going to want to put down. At least, I know I didn't! I loved all of the themes that went into this book, but especially the combination of pirate vibes and Sherlockian logic. It made for something fun and different. Buc is the highlight of the novel, without a doubt. She's a brilliant mind, one that sometimes has too much processing all at once. I felt like this aspect was portrayed very nicely. That she grew up on the streets isn't forgotten, though it does make her love of reading all the more impressive.

The Kinder Poison is every bit the thrilling adventure that I hoped it would be. It was fast-paced and intense, and completely unafraid to be exactly what it is. Zahru's tale has only just begun, and I can already see how she's going to change the world. The kingdom of Orkena is a fascinating one – one that I sincerely cannot wait to see more of in future novels. Actually, the whole world that Mae has created here is brilliant and interesting, with lots of hints of more to come. The characters are bold and bright, and not afraid to sass when needed, which is always fantastic if you ask me. Zahru is a shining light in both the novel and the world, and I cannot wait to see what future adventures she'll find herself in.

The Kingdom of Liars is one of those slow-burning fantasies. While it starts off on the slower side, by the end it is a world full of dramatic and intense moments. It easily became a world I couldn't look away from, and I am already anxiously looking forward to the next in the series. Politics and magic. One of my favorite combinations in a novel. I knew from the moment I saw those keywords in the description, that I would love reading The Kingdom of Liars. I wasn't wrong. This novel delivered on all of the promises it made, while throwing in a few surprising twists along the way.

The Deep was a powerful and beautiful story. It was so full of emotion and conflicting needs. In many ways, that brought this entire underwater world to life, because life is full of these conflicts. This tale has simply pulled them to extremes. I was honestly pretty blown away with The Deep. The amount of emotions that they were able to infuse into a relatively small novel...it's impressive. It was powerful and deep (no pun intended), and dark and beautiful. In short, it was perfect.

The Vanishing Deep was a truly enchanting read. It was intense and emotional, with Tempe’s pain and determination dominating the pages. The events that unfolded were impossible to look away from, and I found myself reading this entire book in one sitting. I fell in love with Scholte’s writing from the moment I picked up Four Dead Queens. So I knew that I was going to enjoy The Vanishing Deep. But I don’t think I was quite prepared for what was in store for me here.

Nannerl’s story was a compelling one. Her story was breathtaking, while also being overwhelming at times. It was the perfect balance, as she journeyed through both a magical world and a world that refused to accept her for who and what she was. The Kingdom of Back was an amazing novel. One that I wish I could go back in time and read as if new all over again. It was beautiful in ways I could never have imagined, and utterly unforgettable.

Woven in Moonlight was such a fascinating and brilliantly intense novel. Isabel Ibanez's use of fantasy to tell the story of Bolivian politics and culture was exceedingly clever, and made for an interesting point of view. Isabel Ibanez has a beautiful writing style. Her words made the world and characters come to life. This fact makes me smile, given what Ximena's ability is (hint: it involves bringing life with her artwork). There's something very precious in that parallel. I went into this novel expecting it to be a very heavy and serious read. And it was, there's no doubt about it. But I was impressed by how approachable Ibanez was able to make the whole subject. Though don't doubt that there's a lot of violence in this novel.

The Queen's Assassin is the first novel in a brand new series from the one and only Melissa de la Cruz. This time around, her latest novel is being compared to Red Queen, and that's what really caught my attention. So it took me a little bit of time before I sat down to write this review, if I'm being completely honest. There were some solid elements in this story, and then there were parts that were more disappointing. I needed some time to work through all of that, before I could be honest with how I felt. What it comes down to is this: The Queen's Assassin had SO much potential. And there were parts of this story where I genuinely enjoyed reading it. It started off really strong, with an independent young woman who knew what she wanted in life.

Have you ever felt like there’s a disconnect, when you’re sitting down and having a conversation with somebody? Almost like the other person isn’t listening to you – just waiting for you to finish talking so they can have their moment to talk? That’s a concept that Kate Murphy addresses here in You’re Not Listening. Murphy strongly believes that society as a whole has lost the ability to listen to one another. And in the process, that means we’ve lost the ability to connect. Murphy uses examples set in all situations in order to add context to her (very well thought out) argument. Here she lays out all of the evidence for us losing the connection – and what we can do to fix it. It’s a powerful read, and one that people are rightly saying could change your perspective.

A River of Royal Blood is the astounding debut novel of Amanda Joy. This is a novel perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone, and is as chilling as it is entertaining. Set in a magical world, the country is ruled by a magickal queen. Myre is a country of magick, violence, and multiple species. This is the world that Eva was born into – and the world she might someday rule. That is, if she can beat her sister in a battle to become queen. But doing so would require Eva to embrace her magick – the magick of blood and bone. Eva's world is forever changed weeks before her seventeenth birthday when an assassin makes an attempt on her life. That was the night when she realized she had more magick than she had dared to believe. And she doesn't know how she feels about that. “The smell of salty blood, orange blossoms, and incense filled the air – the scent of the singer's magick. It pulsed through the air, pushing every movement farther.”

War Girls is the latest novel by Tochi Onyebuchi, and is the first novel in a new series (of the same name). It's the tale of two sisters thrown together by the means of war, and their different journies on the path to survival. Set in 2172, the world has gone through climate change, has survived a nuclear war, and yet those lessons weren't enough for humanity. With large chunks of the earth unlivable, war still is a fact of life for many. Nigeria is one such land torn apart by war. This is due partially to the lack of resources, but also the many cultural differences between the opposing sides. And this is the world that Onyii and Ify were born into. Onyii is a warrior. She lives to fight. She chose war, but mainly as a way of controlling her life. She adopted Ify, and became the Demon of her people – fighting, destroying, and seeking revenge everywhere possible. Ify was an orphan of the war, and Onyii took her in. They may not be sisters by blood, but they are sisters regardless. Ify loves her accent, a type of tech that she has to keep hidden. Until one day everything changes and she no longer has to hide the tech she loves. But at what cost? Enyemaka is an android, one who was abandoned but then repurposed by the two sisters. It's her job to take care of Ify. To teach her and make sure she's safe. It's a job she took to heart. And a job that she'll do to her last.

Wilder Girls is the debut novel of Rory Power, and man did she come out swinging! There’s a good chance that you’ve already heard about this book – I’ve been seeing nearly nonstop talk about it since about two months before the official release. And having read it, I can understand why. Wilder Girls is an intense read. It blends science fiction with horror and thriller elements. The end result is something dark and emotional and absolutely fascinating. Honestly, there needs to be more books like this. The novel is set on Raxter island. A unique location known for its strange crabs and flowers. But that was before. Now the all girls’ school on the island is in forced isolation. And the girls and staff are all getting sick. Or dying. Though perhaps sick isn’t the best word to describe what is happening to them… One thing is for sure, I can’t wait to see what Rory Power writes next. I’m sure it’s going to be brilliant. On that note, fun fact! There’s another novel listed on her Goodreads profile, though it is currently untitled. Can’t wait for more revelations about that one!

The Dirty Dozen is the latest adventure about our lovely Jane Tennison. It's the fifth novel in a series written by Lynda La Plante, however, like other novels in the series, you can really pick up at any point and follow along as you please. Jane Tennison is a female detective during the 1980s, and it is not an easy road for our leading lady. Not only does she have to face additional struggles from the public, but she must fight against those on the inside as well. Yet she keeps shouldering on. I should probably remind people; this isn't the Jane Tennison you're used to seeing in her original series. This is a younger, less experience Jane. It's been a blast seeing her before she became the character many of us are so used to reading about. Seeing where and how she gained the skills she did. This novel sees Jane trying to make a go at joining the Flying Squad – those in charge of investigating robberies and the like. She's certainly got the skills for the job, but how will the rest of the team handle this change? If her history is any indication, not well. This was another great read from the mind of Lynda La Plante. I can't wait to see what will be next in store for Jane, because I can't even begin to imagine her journey concluding anytime soon (and if I'm wrong, please don't tell me so).

Have you ever looked at the tale of Robin Hood and just wished there was more to it? More depth, more history, more everything? That’s what Nathan Makaryk did, and the end result was Nottingham. Nottingham blends historical facts and the tale of Robin Hood and turns it into something so much bigger. It’s still the tale we know and love – but it’s been changed into something much, much bigger. It’s almost not even recognizable, thanks to the new depth. Nottingham is the story I’ve always wanted from Robin Hood. It has all of the elements I know and love – but there’s so much more to it. I honestly can’t emphasize that fact enough. Makaryk added all of the missing elements, as far as I’m concerned. Though I will say that the added historical elements did flesh out this novel in a way I’ve never seen before. It made the reading so much more…rich. To be honest, I usually tend to read my books in as few sittings as possible. But for Nottingham, I took about a month (give or take) to fully read it through. There were just so many little tidbits to soak up and think about. It just felt natural to put the book down every now and then and just think about it. All in all, Nottingham was a perfect and brilliant read. I know that some people are going to pick it up and read it exactly like I did – a little bit at a time. And I know others are going to binge right through the whole thing. And I think both types of readers will enjoy this one. I know I did.

This is one of those rare times when you can judge a book by its cover. Dragonslayer is everything you would expect, upon seeing an angry looking dragon on a dramatic book cover. It’s a perfect example of an epic fantasy, with the journey just beginning. Dragonslayer is the first novel in a new series of the same name by Duncan M. Hamilton. As you can guess, from both the cover and the title, this book is about hunting a great dragon. But there’s more to it than that, naturally. The real highlights of this novel are the characters. This series follows Guillot dal Villevauvais, aka Gill, as well as several others, on their quest to deal with the big bad dragon of the world. Gill is a classic fantasy character. He’s been through his fair share of hardships, but he’ll always step up and do the right thing when he’s needed. Dragonslayer is perhaps the best example of epic fantasy to come out in 2019. It’s everything I’ve grown up expecting and hoping for, when it comes to dragon hunting series. It’s tense and dark, with brooding lead characters, and a strong set of supporting characters. Admittedly, I don’t always go for the novels where it’s clear that dragon hunting will be done. I usually tend to lean in the opposite direction, with my dragon preference. However, every now and then I’ll indulge. And I’m so glad I picked Dragonslayer to be that exception for me. This novel was one that slowly built up. It never rushed, and it didn’t really need to. We had plenty of time to get to know the world, the characters, and even the antagonist (the dragon) himself. And there was more than one plan or type of thinking when it came to the humans. The added politics here was very much appreciated. I’ll admit I was both interested and surprised to see some of the tale told from the dragon’s eyes. I hadn’t expected that. But it was a nice twist. Antagonists are almost always better when you can understand their motivations. It did take me a little while to start liking the main hero of this tale; Gill. Though it was actually kind of fascinating to have a hero introduced in such a non-heroic way. I suppose it made his actions seem all the more impressive; that he stepped up to deal with this threat, despite his downward spiral. There are plenty of other characters in this novel as well. Two are more important than the rest, but their development is so integral to the plot, I’m almost tempted to leave it there and say no more about them. I will say that I did have a favorite, and that she appears much later in the novel. I’m honestly curious to see where the next part of this trilogy is going to go. I have a few ideas, but obviously nothing concrete. Once Duncan Hamilton releases a title, we’ll probably have a better idea of what we’re in for. But I’m looking forward to finding out.

Kingdom of Exiles is the first novel in a new series called the Beast Charmer by Maxym M. Martineau. I’m not going to lie to you – it was originally the cover art that caught my attention. That being said, this novel exceeded all of my expectations, and so much more. It’s described as Fantastic Beasts meets Assassin’s Creed, and it delivers on that promise. Leena is a beast charmer, even if she is an exiled and disgraced one. Framed for committing a crime she had nothing to do with, Leena is forced to commit one of the biggest sins to beast charmers. She has to sell her beasts to make a living. Through this way of living, Leena finds herself in an even more dangerous situation, one full of treachery and assassins. The description of this novel had me sold, and with good reason I think. That being said, having read it. I feel like the description doesn’t do the novel justice. Because I absolutely loved this book. I’m so sad that it’s over, though the fact that it’s a first in the series has helped keep my spirits up. Warnings: Kingdom of Exiles has animal (beast) death inside, as well as kidnapping and torture. They all fit in well with the plot at hand, and more often than not you can see these moments coming ahead of time. So you can prepare yourself if needed. Kingdom of Exiles was such a thrilling read. I loved nearly every moment, and I happily read the entire thing in one sitting. I just couldn’t put it down. The world described in these pages was lush, and I found myself wanting to know more and more about it. I knew I wanted to read Kingdom of Exiles from the moment it was compared to Fantastic Beasts. And I’m not ashamed to admit that. That being said, this novel exceeded my hopes, throwing in a bit of a Pokemon vibe along the way. In that respect, this novel was a ton of fun. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of the beast charming elements, but I’m sure it’ll come up in later novels. That being said, I went into this novel with certain expectations. I sort of expected that I wouldn’t like Leena, because of the whole selling beasts bit. So I was shocked when I found myself enjoying her character, and sympathizing with her situation. It was all very well done. Noc’s character was likewise interesting, and admittedly I think I grew to like him even faster than I did Leena. I have so many questions about his past – questions that the novel did a good job of dancing around. I’m hoping we learn more about him in the next novel. I found this novel to be very fast-paced, but in a good way. All of the beautiful creatures, and the beast charming in general, were fascinating. I would have loved to see more, of course. But I really enjoyed what I did see; Leena trying to match the beasts with the best person for them, and so on. The treachery in Leena’s past…it was dark, and made for a brilliant driving force in Leena’s life, as well as in Kingdom of Exile. I’ll be curious to see how Maxym M. Martineau follows it up in later novels in the series. Which unfortunately I have to wait for. Even though I’m really looking forward to learning more about the two main characters, especially now.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a brilliant and sometimes heartbreaking read. It probably had so much more impact due to the fact that it’s based on a true story, well, sort of. It’s inspired by real people, and a real career (the book women – librarians who would deliver books to locations too far and small for their own library). Set in 1936, the book follows Cussy Carter, but she’s better known as Bluet. She’s a book woman – meaning that she delivers books to her far neighbors so they can have the opportunity to read (or learn to read, in some cases). She’s also blue. This novel deals with a lot of heavy and emotional subjects. It discusses the need for people to have access to books, the consequences of censorship, and the pain of racism and segregation. All of this while telling a beautiful and ultimately uplifting tale. Warnings: There are a few really rough moments in this novel, along with the overall heavier tones to be told. In the beginning of the novel there’s a scene that questions consent, and it comes alongside abuse. There are other abusive moments during the novel, but most of them are verbal. There are mentions of what can happen to a blue person if they acted out though, and it’s rough. This novel also covers racism and segregation. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek was an absolutely beautiful novel. The overall message of Bluet – her determination to get books to those that have been so overlooked by life is inspiring. Her need to help others, no matter the cost to herself, was touching, as were many other moments and sentiments in this novel. Unfortunately there were a lot of heavy tones in this novel as well. For example, not everyone was as open to the idea of learning to read as others. And even those that were meant to help increase the exposure to reading weren’t above censorship. This novel will start a conversation: the concept of racism and segregation, and the surprise of seeing Bluet included in that treatment. It’s not something I would have ever considered – though it makes a heartbreaking amount of sense when you think about it. I’m so glad to have had it pointed out to me, and in such a well-written manner. There were moments in this novel where my heart absolutely broke for Bluet, her family, and her friends. But there were other moments where she inspired me. And moments that were truly uplifting. The balance was perfect, and did a wonderful job of carrying the overall message

This is How You Lose the Time War wins my award for best novella for 2019. Seriously, this novella was absolutely amazing. Beautifully written, whimsical, witty, everything. I had high hopes for this one, but they sincerely exceeded them. It’s not every day you see a novella written by two authors, so this one obviously caught my attention. It helps that I’m a fan of both Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone as well. This collaboration was so much more than I could have ever hoped for…day I say that I hope we see more from these two authors working together in the future? Because I think that needs to happen. This is How You Lose the Time War is the tale of two rival agents. Red and Blue. They’re both fighting in the same war. But at some point, the war changed for them. Something changed. They changed. I absolutely loved reading every page of this novella. It was beautiful and intricate, and oh so human in ways that I could only begin to explain. I can’t recommend it highly enough. This is How You Love the Time War is without a doubt one of the most beautifully written novellas of the year. It’s eloquent and emotional, and tells the story of the threads that tie us all together. This novella wasn’t at all what I expected. It was better. I knew it would be the tale of two agents, and based on the description, I knew that their rivalry would change into something different through the course of time. But that description doesn’t do it justice. Part of the reason this telling worked so well was because of the storytelling techniques used. The novella switched between two perspectives, Red and Blue. But it also told the story through a series of letters and notes they exchanged. This was not only beautiful, but it helped resolve a lot of the show/tell issues. Considering what this story turned into, I’m so happy that the element of letters was included. It took so many things that could have been considered a trope, and forged it into something new. And of course, it gave plenty of opportunity to playful banter between the two, while keeping their actual contact to a minimum. There was a lot to love in this novella. The rivalry turned love story was there, of course. And it was powerful. But the time travel elements were fun as well. They showed a strong understanding of both time and alternate dimensions – and showed an interesting combination of the two. What I especially loved was the comparison and contrast between the two sides. Red versus Blue. Technology versus nature. Traveling through time versus rooting through time. It was both intricate and intuitive. In many ways, it felt like I had been reading of this battle for years. I was truly sad when this novella concluded. Not because the ending itself was sad – I actually loved how they finished it – but because I didn’t want to see it end. This was an absolutely brilliant read. Nothing like anything else I’ve read. Yet I find myself craving more like it.

Reap the Wind is the seventh novel in the Cassandra Palmer series. And as if she didn't have enough to deal with, her plate seems to be getting fuller and fuller. Now she's got her court to deal with – and protect – along with trying to win or prevent a war, save a friend, and so much more. I love the energy and adventures that follow Cassie. She's a chaotic force, and very talented at getting herself into trouble. But that just makes her and her series all the more interesting. It's one of the reasons I love her series so much. Reap the Wind lives up to it's name; it's a whirlwind of an adventure, never stopping to give Cassie a break. She may not appreciate that, but it leaves for a fast-paced and entertaining read for all of her fans! I love how many new elements were added into this novel. Specifically I adored the introduction (or rather, the inclusion) of her court. We really got a chance to know some of them this time around, and it made them feel more real. While the added responsibility probably didn't help her stress level, the fact remains that they were a grounding force for her. Among other things. There was a lot of tension in this novel. Cassie was trying to right a wrong. She knew how to, in theory. But getting there has proven harder than she expected. And then there was the emotional side of things...because the times they are a changing. Once again Cassie's desperation was palpable, but perhaps slightly less than in the previous novel. Which is certainly better for her emotional state. There was still plenty of emotion to be found though, I promise you that. The politics really amp up in this novel. Everybody wants something from Cassie, and nobody seems to be treating her with the respect her title deserves. Or really, the people with the power to make the change are too used to having all the power, and not used enough to sharing it. So they won't. I knew that things were going to hit a head with that. The mages and the vampires aren't treating Cassie as Pythia. They're treating her like a weapon. But her realization really brought that whole mess home, it was amazing. It was emotional. It was powerful. And it was so well done. Maybe it's because I never shipped them, but there were a few moments in this novel where I thought to myself 'man, if somebody treated me that way, I'd walk' but I suppose Cassie is more determined than I am. Though she knows Mircea better than I do, and thus understands the intent better. On the whole I loved every minute of Reap the Wind. But Cassie's journey isn't over. She still has quite a long way to go, and I imagine us fans are more than okay with that.

Fury's Kiss is the third novel in the Dorina Basarab series, but it also fits in well with the Cassie Palmer series. If you're new to both, I strongly recommend that you read both in order together, because they tend to interact a lot more than you might expect. Dory is a dhampir, and perhaps my favorite of her kind. Dhampirs are half human, and half vampire. The most famous example is probably Blade, but Dory is what usually comes to mind for me. Dory is forced to do all sorts of different things in this novel, all in an attempt to stay a war. A fact that wouldn't normally be her problem, if not for her friends and family being at risk during the war. This is one of my favorite series. I adore Dory and the absolute chaos she tends to bring with her. She's sassy, determined, and not afraid to do what is right – regardless of what it costs her. Fury's Kiss is one of my favorite novels in the Dorina series, and I'm not just saying that. I love how much happens in this novel, and trust me – a lot happens! Dory is constantly moving from one thing to another, dealing with both external and internal threats. It's as fascinating as it is fast-paced. Honestly, so much happened in this novel, that even with this being a reread, I'm not even sure where to begin. I love that Dory's abilities – and the reasons behind them – were explored further in this love. More than that, I love how they were explored. Karen Chance did an amazing job of having the revelation be as dramatic as possible. I swear the secondary characters were truly shining during this novel. Or at least, at specific moments during Fury's Kiss. It cracks me up how many house guests Dory and Claire have right now. Probably more than it otherwise would, if not for Claire clearly being a bit put out with who (or rather, what) they are. The conclusion to this novel was...epic. As were all of the fight scenes leading up to it, actually. But the conclusion was an amazing fight, fascinating politics, and personal moments all blended into one dramatic series of events. And I loved every minute of it. Reading it all again made it come to life once more. And honestly, I could have read it all again on the spot and said the same thing. It'll never get old. Not for me. I'm lucky, in a way, that this is a binge reread for me. I don't have to wait a year (or more) before picking up Shadow's Bane. So I'm probably going to go right on and read it next. Because I've never been known for my self control when it comes to books.

Tempt the Stars is the sixth book in the Cassandra Palmer series, and the series is still going strong! This novel starts off an epic journey on Cassie's part, one that is going to take some time for her to resolve. It also brings along with it plenty of twists, turns, and chaos for this heroine. I've actually read Tempt the Stars before, several times. It's one of my absolute favorites of the series, so I'm probably a little bit biased here. And I'm okay with that. Cassie Palmer's series in general is one of my favorites, and I honestly feel like it deserves more attention than it gets. The series is just so unique! Cassie is constantly putting up with threats and danger. Some of from the enemy, sure. But just as many are coming from her supposed allies. That's one of the many things that makes Tempt the Stars so fascinating. I mentioned above that Tempt the Stars is one of my favorites in this series, and that's true. Though honestly, I've loved all of the series so far, and am looking forward to more. But I think, for me, Tempt the Stars was the point where I became really and truly invested in the series. Cassie's desperation to fix what has gone wrong...it's palpable. It's hard not to feel the tangled mass of emotions that Cassie must be going through here. And it reminded us of just how very human she really is. In that sense, it brought this series to a whole new level. There were many moments that I loved in this novel. Most of them involved all the attempts Cassie had to make getting things put to right. And of course, in that process she learned a lot about herself. Perhaps more than she would have otherwise liked to. I also feel like the secondary characters were given more of a chance to shine int his volume. Marco in particular. Though maybe I always feel like that. He's kind of endearing, when you give him half a chance. There were even some moments that made me squeal with joy. Which of course were immediately thrown back in my face, because Tempt the Stars is nothing if not an emotional roller coaster. And I love that about it. I think my biggest complaint about the novel – if you could call it that – is that this novel kind of ends on a cliffhanger. It did a brilliant job of keeping me invested in the series. More than that, actually. I know the wait for Reap the Wind was pure agony, and that's putting it fairly mildly. But I made it! And now they're perfect for binge reading.

Curse the Dawn is the fourth novel in the Cassandra Palmer series. Though if you want to get technical, it’s the fifth novel in the world of Cassie Palmer (counting Dory’s first novel). Like the other novels before it, this one follows Cassie and her whirlwind journey as Pythia. There’s plenty of chaos, humor, and tension to be found in this series. I know I’ve said it before, and I’m probably getting a bit repetitive by now. But I absolutely love this series. It’s so much fun and just has so much personality. Cassie is one of those characters with a special talent for getting herself into trouble. Meanwhile many of the secondary characters are exceptionally talented at expressing their frustration at the situations she finds herself in. It makes for a great read, to put it mildly. In Curse the Dawn, Cassie still finds herself on the outside looking in. She’s got the power of the Pythia, but not the respect or support of it. So things are a bit…difficult for her. To make matters worse, the war is looming closer than ever, and their side can’t afford to lose any people. Unfortunately some of those people she needs to help protect also want to kill her…so there’s a bit of a conflict of interest here. Curse the Dawn is a lot of things, chaotic, hilarious, epic, and fascinating. It’s also the turning point in the series, in a lot of ways. I think that’s the reason why this novel is so important, despite its chaotic appearance. Up until now Cassie has been struggling to gain respect from both the mage and vampire circles. She hasn’t had much success though – the few who see her side are limited in number, and have more important things to do than help turn the public opinion (like keeping her alive). But now, thanks to the many disasters that occur within this book, that is starting to change. People are starting to see Cassie for who she really is – by seeing her actions. Yes, the mage council is still fighting her tooth and nail, but some people are starting to see the light. And right now, that’s really what she needs. This is one of the faster paced novels in the series, which I feel like is saying something. Everywhere you look you’ll find Cassie running around, trying to solve a problem while hopefully keeping herself alive along the way. There are a lot of intense moments in this novel, but they’re balanced out by some of the most inane humor I’ve ever seen in a serious plot. The two balance oddly well, all things considered. And I have to confess that I don’t think many other authors could pull it off the way Karen Chance did. It’s impressive. As for the other plot in this novel (yes, there’s more than one)…yikes! I feel like that could standalone as the summary, but I won’t leave it as that. This is definitely the start of something bigger (I knew that even my first time reading through the series) than I ever expected. It all ties back to events from the first three books, but I feel like this is where the threat is truly shown. I’m so looking forward to the next novel in my read through, actually, the next two novels. Next in continuity is a book of Dory’s, Death’s Mistress. Then we’re back to Cassie in Hunt the Moon. Can’t wait!

Death’s Mistress returns to the life of Dory Basarab. Dory is a lot of things. Stubborn. Protective. Witty. Dhampir. The list goes on. In this novel Cassie finds herself in a bit of a predicament. She wants to, no has to, protect her friend at all costs, but naturally there’s a complication to that. Thankfully Dory isn’t the type to back down, and she’s got some handy contacts that she can call on for information. Death’s Mistress is the second novel in the Dorina Basarab series, and sixth in the Cassandra Palmer World. The series is absolutely worth reading in order – as events in Dory’s life can affect events in Cassie’s life, and vice versa. Having the two weave together creates a brilliant and complex world for the fans to delve into. Dory is one of my favorite characters, and I don’t just mean in this series. She’s so tough and stubborn, and all of that despite what has happened to her in her past. It’s inspiring, and of course it’s also the perfect setting for a series such as this. Death’s Mistress brings us a whole new situation and mess for which Dory will have to sort out, and quickly. Dory has this way of getting herself into the biggest messes, and I honestly think that’s one of the reasons I love her series so much. The second Dory novel in particular felt like it had a lot of room for comic relief. It was actually appreciated, considering just how much was on the line here. And no, we’re not just talking about Dory’s life. There has been so much going on as of late, our heroine has hardly had time to take it all in. This novel was a very fast-paced read, with something happening on almost every page. Usually that something was either something dramatic, or at least an earful of Dory’s sass. So no complaints here! I love how complicated this whole plot became. What was really happening was obfuscated by layers and layers of confusion and deceit. This made it a lot of fun to read along and try to figure it out. It also explains why there were so many people that were either confused or working on opposing goals simultaneously. Nobody knew the full truth of the story, and thus there was mass chaos. In short: it was a perfect Dory novel. There was a lot of tension in this novel. And it came in several different forms. One of Dory’s antagonists did a great job of making himself well known – and for making his vendetta against Dory painfully personal. Likewise the family drama hasn’t let up any, but that’s no real surprise. And then of course there’s Louise-Cesare. Need I say more on that subject? I’m so happy I took the time to read Death’s Mistress again. There were a lot of smaller elements in this novel that I had forgotten about, so it was great to see it all again. Next on my list: Hunt the Moon.

Midnight's Daughter is the first novel in the Dorina Basarab series. The whole series fits into the Cassandra Chance world, so if you're a fan of one, I strongly urge you to read the other. Both series bounce around each other in the timeline, so it's really quite fun to read them all. Dorina, better known as Dory (seriously, don't call her Dorina), is a dhampir. As in, half-human and half-vampire. She's tough, sassy, and really isn't in the mood to put up with anyone's messes. I'll confess that I don't normally like it when series use dhampirs. But there are some notable exceptions. Dory and Blade being the most notable ones. Karen Chance did an excellent job portraying dhampirs. And better yet (in my mind), she gives them consequences. They aren't just magical beings that have all the benefits of vampires, while none of their faults. It keeps them from feeling overpowered, in my opinion. And honestly it makes them more interesting as well. I love Dory's series, and not just because she provides a totally different perspective for what is happening in Cassie's events. Dory comes with baggage, both the good and the bad. But it never slows her down, if anything it inspires her to fight even harder. Because of that, her plots tend to be full of sass, determination, and amazing fight scenes. Who could ask for more? I'd suggest reading Cassie Palmer one through three before picking up this book. Actually, you should probably read everything in publishing order. As I said, the two series intertwine a lot. Some people actually consider them to really be of the same series. So timing matters. I'd also suggest reading the short story Buying Trouble before this. It isn't required, but it'll explain some of the secondary characters and what they've been doing (it is relevant, I promise). Midnight's Daughter is a really fun read, and for a lot of reasons. It's emotional, chaotic, and full of sass and fights. This is Dory's first debut, and man did she make an impression! Dory has a complicated past, and an even more complicated family. Midnight's Daughter doesn't waste any time throwing Dory (and thus, us) into the thick of things. I love both the Cassie and Dory series, but for different reasons. In Dory's case, I know I can always count on her to get into some sort of crazy (and highly entertaining) fight. And this novel really does set the standard when that is concerned.

Embrace the Night is the third novel in the Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance, and this series is not slowing down anytime soon. Being that this is one of my favorite series, I'm always relieved to realize that there are more books to come. Cassie Palmer is a brilliant series. It's got magic, a chaotic sense of timing that I adore, mages, vampires, fae, ghosts, and an ideal balance between intense moments and amusing ones. Altogether it's exactly what was needed to make a long lasting and enthralling series. The third novel in the series has Cassie up against the same troubles as before, but naturally things are getting more complicated for her. We're starting to learn that nothing is ever quite as it seems, and that there isn't always an easy solution to magical problems. Embrace the Night took the series from being a great read, to being an amazing read. It happily met all of my expectations from the previous novels and novellas, and then surpassed them. The plot was intricate and full of time traveling, pithy banter, and intense scenes. In short, it was perfect. Cassie's quest for the codex – and thus a way to free both herself and Mircea from the geis, brought along an insane amount of adventures. Though I'm sure that Cassie wouldn't classify them as such. That was the main driving force behind the plot for this novel, and it turned out so much better than I had expected or hoped for. While I loved the first two novels in the series, I feel like Embrace the Night was where I really became invested (read: obsessed) with the series. So in that sense this novel will always hold a special place in my heart.

Claimed by Shadow is the second novel in the Cassandra Palmer series, but honestly it doesn't feel like any time has passed between one and two. Cassie is still dealing with a whole mess of problems – something she seems to have a talent for attracting. And she's learning that her situation is even more complicated than she thought. Claimed By Shadow picks up pretty close to where Touch the Dark left off. Cassie is still in quite the mess, and she's got a lot of learning to do. The Cassie Palmer series is one of my favorite series, and I can't say enough positive things about the series. It's a fast-paced ride full of shenanigans, vampire and mage politics, and magic. I love every minute of it. Claimed By Shadow is just as fast-paced and chaotic as I was hoping. Cassie has a talent for keeping herself in trouble, and us readers entertained. This novel ups the ante for what Cassie is dealing with. I love Cassie. She's gone through so much already, only to have to deal with mess after mess in this series. And yet she never gives up. If I could be half as determined and driven as her, I'd be a happy girl. The secondary characters all get a moment to shine as well, though some more than others, of course.