Review - Fatal Circle by Linda Robertson

Fatal Circle
Persephone Alcmedi, Book 3
Linda Robertson
Juno Books/Pocket Books
ISBN# 9781439156803
Release Date: June 29, 2010
Excerpt: Chapter One

About the Book:
Destiny sucks...

There was a time when Persephone Alcmedi thought her life was hard to manage, what with wondering how to make sure she took adequate care of both her grandmother and her foster daughter, Beverley, whether she'd end up in the unwanted position of high priestess of a coven, and whether her waerewolf lover, Johnny, would resist the groupies who hang around his band Lycanthropia. But that was before the fairies started demanding that Seph's frightening, unpredictable ally--the ancient vampire Menessos--be destroyed... or the world will suffer. Seph and Menessos are magically bonded, but that's a secret she dares not reveal to her fellow witches lest they be forced to reject her and forbid her use of magic. And, despite the strain this casts on her relationship with Johnny, as a showdown with the fairies nears, she and Menessos badly need the waerewolves as allies.

Life, death, and love are all on the line, but when destiny is calling, it doesn't help to turn away. With the individual threads of their fates twisted inextricably together, can Seph, Johnny, and Menessos keep the world safe from fairy vengeance?

My Thoughts:
Fatal Circle is the third book in the Persephone Alcmedi universe, and moves forward in solidifying the roles of the main characters. Ms. Robertson balances a delicious love triangle with all of the conflict and action that fans expect in this heroine's life. Fatal Circle is well written, fast moving, and fueled by a mix of romance and paranormal influence. A must read in the Persephone Alcmedi series!

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Dreamdark: Blackbringer by Laini Taylor

A new review has been posted on the website for Dreamdark:Blackbringer by Laini Taylor. This is the first installment in the Dreamdark series.

http://darquereviews.com/12612/162512.html

You can also visit the author's page:
http://darquereviews.com/14912/162701.html

Please feel free to share any comments on this book here on the blog post. :)

Kimberly Swan, DarqueReviews.com

Review - Faeries Gone Wild - anthology

A new review has been posted on the website for Faeries Gone Wild. This is an anthology with stories from MaryJanice Davidson, Lois Greiman, Michele Hauf and Leandra Logan.
http://darquereviews.com/12612/152633.html
Please feel free to share any comments on this book here on the blog post. :)

Review - Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

Red-Headed Stepchild
Sabina Kane, Book 1
Jaye Wells
Orbit
March 31, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-316-03776-1

Book Blurb:
In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her---until now.

This time, it's personal.

My thoughts:
Sabina Kane was born the mixed-blood daughter of a vampire and a mage. It was a forbidden pairing, and one that Sabina has paid for since the day she was born.

Raised by her vampire grandmother, the alpha of the Dominae, and forced to suppress any mage power she might possess, Sabina has been delegated to the position of assassin. The night she carries out the order to kill her longtime friend David, her life begins to change.

Clovis Trakiya, born a mix of vampire and demon, has gathered followers whose intention is on bringing the supernatural world together. At the top of their list are the mages and the vampires. Sent to infiltrate the group, Sabina is about to have an eye-opening experience that will have her questioning further the way that she was raised. Life as she knew it can never be the same.

This is the first book in the Sabina Kane trilogy. Ms. Wells takes readers on a young woman’s journey with deceit, betrayal and obstacles to overcome at every turn. Well-written with easy to visualize detail, Read-Headed Stepchild is a fantastic opening to this trilogy and should be at the top of every urban fantasy reader’s wish list.

To learn more about Red-Headed Stepchild, please visit Ms. Wells’ website: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Casual Hex by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Casual Hex
Big Knob, Book 3
Vicki Lewis Thompson
Onyx
March 3, 2009
ISBN# 978-0-451-41268-3

Book Blurb:
Gwen Dubois lives in Indiana, but her heart is in France with Marc Chevalier, a man she met online. Now he’s come to Big Knob to show Gwen the meaning of amour and spirit her back to Paris. But stiff competition is coming from another part of the world—if not exactly this world. Prince Leo of the Atwood fairy kingdom has his own plans for Gwen, creating a romantic mishap that only Big Knob’s resident witch and wizard can untangle.

My thoughts:
Gwen Dubois runs the local floral shop in Big Knob, Beaucoup Bouquets, and lives a quiet life. She has little experience in relationships, but when she meets a botanist from France online she thinks he could be exactly the kind of man she’s looking for. There’s just one problem. Gwen has a sexy dream man who’s not inclined to leave her alone.

Marc Chevalier is a Botany Professor in France, but a Chicago conference is bringing him close enough to Big Knob to spend a few days seeing what could be a rare find in plants and getting to know Gwen in person. His arrival stirs excitement in the small Indiana town, but Marc’s main focus is on Gwen. When strange goings on around town catches his attention, Dorcas and Ambrose Lowell step in to help, but getting rid of the threat to Gwen and Marc’s happiness could prove to be more than they bargained for.

This is the third book in the Big Knob series, and the Lowells are spreading the love once again by playing cupid. Ms. Thompson weaves a romantic tale that’s sprinkled with magic and reinforced by love. Casual Hex is a fast-paced read, and a great addition to the enchanting world of Big Knob. Readers will be looking forward to seeing who falls under the spell of the town’s magical match-making duo next.

To learn more about Casual Hex, please visit Ms. Thompson’s website: HERE

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton

Swallowing Darkness
Meredith Gentry, Book 7
Laurell K. Hamilton
Ballantine Books
November 4, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-345-49593-8

Book Blurb:
I am Meredith, princess of faerie, wielder of the hands of Flesh and Blood, and at long last, I am with child–twins, fathered by my royal guard. Though my uncle, Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, claims that he is the true father since he abducted me from my home, betrayed, and defiled me. And now he has branded my guards as a threat to my unborn children.

Bearing an heir has placed me halfway to my aunt’s throne, that much closer to my reign over the Unseelie Court–and well ahead of her son, my cousin Cel, in this race. Now I must stay alive to see my children born and claim my place as queen.

But not all in faerie are pleased with the news, and conspirators from every court in the realm plot against me and mine. They seek to strip my guards, my lovers, from me by poisoned word or cold steel. But I still have supporters, and even friends, among the goblins and the sluagh, who will stand by me.

I am Meredith Nic Essus, and those who would defy and destroy me are destined to pay a terrible price–for I am truly my father’s daughter. To protect what is mine, I will sacrifice anything–even if it means waging a great battle against my darkest enemies and making the most momentous decision ever made as princess of faerie.

My thoughts:
Having finally achieved her goal and gotten pregnant, Merry and her men should be celebrating the future with their unborn children. Instead, they’re left to mourn the loss of one of their own and set out to ensure that anyone bold enough to cross them as Taranis has will pay for their crimes.

As attacks on Merry and those she holds dear continue to escalate, the Wild Hunt is called upon to deliver swift justice. Its appearance is a surprise to everyone in faerie, but further proof that what was once lost to them now returns. While the prospect of Merry becoming a queen dwindles with each passing hour, her new goal is to remove her nearest and dearest from immediate danger. It’s a plan that may be much more difficult than she ever would have predicted.

This is the seventh book in the Meredith Gentry series and answers many of the questions formed in previous releases. Ms. Hamilton takes readers on a hard-hitting and dangerous adventure as the heroine and her heroes fight to conquer their enemies and live to see another day. Swallowing Darkness brings Merry’s family to the forefront and provides many long-awaited answers. Fans will be thrilled with the magical surprises shared by faerie, and stunned by the shocking end to this installment. I’m looking forward to seeing where Merry’s life will go from here.

To learn more about the Meredith Gentry series, please visit Ms. Hamilton’s site: Here

Kimberly Swan, Dark Reviews

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Ink Exchange
The World of Wicked Lovely, Book 2
Melissa Marr
Harper – Teen
April 29, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-06-121468-4

Leslie is leading a less than pleasant life. With her mother gone and her father living in a bottle, this 17 year old is left to fend for herself against her brother and the drug dealing friends he uses her to appease. This is a side of Leslie that she tries to keep hidden, even from her best friend Aislinn.

Deciding to do something for herself, Leslie saves the pay and tips from her job as a waitress to get a tattoo. The ink that draws her in is an elaborate design that with bind her to a darkness that Leslie knows nothing about.

While she briefly gains the confidence and strength she seeks, Leslie’s new ink will draw her further into a world where the forbidden attention of Niall, a man sworn to the Summer King, may be the only chance she has to escape. In the end it will be more than escape she needs to see her through; it’s her sense of survival that will give her the strength to do something that no mortal before her has ever accomplished.

Ink Exchange is the second installment in The World of Wicked Lovely. Leslie has no knowledge of the world that her best friend has become a part of, and that act of protection on Aislinn’s part may leave Leslie at risk to lose her mortal life. Ms. Marr takes readers to the darker side of the faeries and shows how blurred the line that separates the dark and light really is. This is a well-detailed escape into a fantasy where worlds overlap, survival is the greatest of strengths and things aren’t nearly as clear as they appear to be. Dark, dangerous and wonderfully wicked, Ink Exchange thoroughly entertains and teases readers with a taste of unlikely heroes that will leave them wanting more of the same. Leslie’s story is an enchanting edition to The World of Wicked Lovely and will appeal to teens and adults alike.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews