Night Pleasures (Dark Hunter #1)

Night Pleasures Summary:
Dear Reader,

Have you ever wanted to know what it's like to be immortal? To journey through the night stalking the evil that preys on humans? To have unlimited wealth, unlimited power? That is my existence, and it is dark and dangerous. I play hero to thousands, but am known to none. And I love every minutes of it.

Or so I thought until one night when I woke up handcuffed to my worst nightmare: a conservative woman in a button-down shirt. Or in Amanda's case, one buttoned all the way up to her chin. She's smart, sexy, witty, and wants nothing to do with the paranormal--in other words, me.

My attraction to Amanda Devereaux goes against everything I stand for. Not to mention the last time I fell in love it cost me not only my human life, but also my very soul. Yet every time I look at her, I find myself wanting to try again. Wanting to believe that love and loyalty do exist.

Even more disturbing, I find myself wondering if there's any way a woman like Amanda can love a man whose battle scars run deep, and whose heart was damaged by a betrayal so savage that he's not sure it will ever beat again.

Kyrian of Thrace

Night Pleasures Review:
I was waiting to read this book for so long, but it's an adult so I didn't want to read it. This books was much better than I thought it would be. I loved how the author turned the normal vampire into such a complex network of beings, mixing it with were-animals and gods from a variety of cultures, it was simply mind-blowing.

This series is after or before the Chronicles of Nick. Since there are a variety of timelines I'm not sure if this is before or after. Nick is 28 and it was funny to see how he was now. Kyrian hasn't changed much but it was nice to get into his head a lot more. We also get to see Amanda, who in Chronicles of Nick was a student where Nick was going as well. That I thought was nice but weird at the same time because she still is pretty young and only a little older than Nick. Ash is in this book as well, and we see a bit of how he runs the Dark-hunters, but it was odd seeing him with Artemis.

Kyrian's past was heartbreaking and you learn why he doesn't like love. In this book you see a much more vulnerable side to him that I liked in him as well, and his relationships with other around him. He is actually pretty close to Talon who was also in Chronicles of Nick. I was happy when him and Julian were finally reunited and we got to see what happened with Julian and Grace's family and Amanda's relationship with them as well. There were a lot more action than in the Chronicles of Nick, and through the whole book, I was waiting for Kyrian to die, since he is always so close to it. This book was really amazing and I was hoping it would be longer.

Mary Hades (Mary Hades #1)

Mary Hades Summary:
Not many seventeen year old girls have a best friend who’s a ghost, but then Mary Hades isn’t your average teenager. Scarred physically and mentally from a fire, her parents decide a holiday to an idyllic village in North Yorkshire will help her recover. Nestled in the middle of five moors, Mary expects to have a boring week stuck in a caravan with her parents. Little does she know, evil lurks in the campsite… Seth Lockwood—a local fairground worker with a dark secret—might be the key to uncovering the murky history that has blighted Nettleby. But Mary is drawn to him in a way that has her questioning her judgement. Helped by her dead best friend and a quirky gay Goth couple, Mary must stop the unusual deaths occurring in Nettleby. But can she prevent her heart from being broken?

Mary Hades Review:
I did not read My Daylight Monsters before reading Mary Hades, so I was a little lost, because the characters were built up before this book. But you don't have to read the novella, because the book is quite self explanatory.

I am an avid horror movie fan, but sadly movie's aren't scary anymore, and it seems neither are books. I still love horror books but the scare factor isn't there anymore. I was going into this book thinking it wouldn't be something special. It seemed a very basic ghost story, that was just trying to be a thriller. What I felt after reading was the opposite. I loved reading the book and within a few hours had finished the book. The characters were relatable, the story was intriguing and the whole book was very interesting. Actually, I did get freaked out at one point, which was the Ferris Wheel scene. Being afraid of heights, that just freaked me out trying to imagine it.

The ghosts were a little different than I expected. It focuses on the idea that souls don't just get extinguished, they stay on the human plane after death. But unlike others they can play a significant role in the lives of living, forcing them to kill themselves. And from this the ghosts can become even more powerful. With the main protagonist being able to see these ghost and save them, she is considered a freak. Following the normal idea of going into a mental asylum, this was one of the reasons I thought it would be the average book, but the author made Mary very captivating and owned the plot. I was also happy that romance didn't play a heavy role in the book. It was mostly mystery and I commend her for not only making the mystery interesting but also, not flat out predictable. Furthermore, the mystery helped to notch up the creepiness factor and making the book a lot more darker. The book was filled with action, but I was a little disappointed in the end because it was going to for a very climactic conclusion but it never reached that peak.

I did like the characters. Mary was a good main character. She had a very abnormal and hard life, but she is strong willed and a great friend. Death follows her everywhere, but she holds her head high and fights for what she believes. She was a little annoying at times by being a bit selfish and arrogant, but you come to expect that everyone has flaws. Lacey was a funny character at ties, and a good balance/best friend to Mary. An example, “Well, that was marginally better than our last hospital stay,” Lacey says. “Mainly because last time, I died.” She is more of a serious thinker than Mary in a tough situation, while still joking around at the right times. I was glad that the there were two female main protagonists and they weren't focused on a love story. Seth was an interesting character that provided Mary with a little happiness. I'm a little sad that they might not work out.

Overall, the book was fairly good, much better than I was expecting to. I hope to read the next book as well.

Thanks you Netgalley for letting me read this novel for an Honest Review!

Gates of Thread and Stone (Gates of Thread and Stone #1)

Gates of Thread and Stone Summary:
In the Labyrinth, we had a saying: keep silent, keep still, keep safe.

In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time. When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev on the riverbank, and her “brother” has taken care of her ever since. Kai doesn’t know where her ability comes from—or where she came from. All that matters is that she and Reev stay together, and maybe one day move out of the freight container they call home, away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth. Kai’s only friend is Avan, the shopkeeper’s son with the scandalous reputation that both frightens and intrigues her.

Then Reev disappears. When keeping silent and safe means losing him forever, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him. She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.

Gates of Thread and Stone Review:
This book was okay. There was a lot of hype about this novel and the cover is beautiful so I was expecting some great things. It sadly didn't live up. The author did her best to try to make the ideas work together and to show the the heroine was a very strong and independent character. The opposite showed. The ideas were there but they lacked the continuity that they needed and there seemed to be parts of the story that were missing. Some ideas were taken out of the story and they were brought back into the story and few scenes later. They were meant to be mind blowing but the ideas needed some more depth to make them work.

There was also a large amount of characters. They kept popping in when the story needed them but most of them lacked depth and didn't last more than a few scenes. I did enjoy Avan though. It's an original name and he was a guy filled with character. He was a little flat at first but as the story progressed you saw his true character. He was protective, a gentlemen and a very good friend. He was a person that everyone would want as a friend. Only problem was that he was a little too forgiving about Kai. She was the person that I couldn't agree with. Kai had the premise to become a very interesting character but she fell flat a lot throughout the story. She was continuously using Avan and denying her feelings for him. This wouldn't be that bad except that she blamed him for her love but would not stop talking about him. She also had the power to manipulate time but hardly ever used. It was an imaginatively creative idea yet the power hardly played a role in the novel. On the other hand, I liked how she had a relatable past. Kai had a completely unforgettable back story that was portrayed with skill. She a good story that motivated her to do what she was. Only if she could have developed more as a character. Reev I would have loved to see more of and I hope we get a lot more of him in the later books.

Another good thing was the mythology. What an interesting idea. I would have liked to see it play out more in the story but I'm hoping that it will play a much bigger part of the next novel. It was quite nice at the end of the novel that all the pieces fit together and create this story. I will gladly read the next book to see how her story continues.

Thanks you Netgalley for letting me read this novel for an Honest Review!

One Last Song

One Last Song Summary:
I was seven when I swallowed my first needle.My mom freaked out and rushed me to the emergency room.

She stayed by my side all night.

I never wanted it to end.

When you spend your whole life feeling invisible-when your parents care more about deals and deadlines than they do about you-you find ways of making people take notice. Little things at first. Then bigger. It's scary how fast it grows. Then one day something happens that makes you want to stop. To get better. To be better. And for the first time, you understand what it's like to feel whole, happy . . . loved. For the first time, you love someone back.

For me, that someone was Drew.

One Last Song Review:
One Last Song. What an amazing book! I got through it within a few hours. Five I think. It's very different from the books I read because of the genres. I usually read paranormal because of the action, horror, mystery maybe even some plain romance. But this was a little bit out of the boundaries. And I am very glad that I read this book.

Saylor Garson is a character to remember. I have never heard of anyone with her disorder and that put a very wild spin on the book. I found myself drawn into her ideas, struggles and her life. She was alone and I felt her pain, when she was with Drew I felt her love and happiness. "I was falling for this scared, lonely, broken, brave man who sang songs about secrets." I nearly cried when I read this line both from happiness and from sadness. Drew was truly a brave soul and I found it so sad to think that the wouldn't get their own happy ending (I am a romantic at heart). He was an original character that had a depth that many characters these days lack. None of the scenes or struggles were sugar coated and I was glad that the problems were faced head on. The characters themselves were eye openers to diseases and disorders that I didn't know existed. And how the human spirit can prevail. The characters had their moments of inspiration and were very realistic.

This book had a vibe kind of like The Fault In Our Stars, although I prefer this much more. Maybe because no one spoiled it or the characters were more real. I fell in love with this book from the way Saylor hurt herself, to the strength inside of Drew. The ending could have been done a bit slower and there were some very, very minor plot issues but overall the book was amazing. I really loved it, recommend this to anyone who will give this book a try and I'm so happy that I got to read this book!

Thanks you Netgalley for letting me read this novel for an honest review!

Vampire Bites (Drake Chronicles #3.5, 4.5, 0.1, 0.5)

Vampire Bites Summary:
Devour three darkly romantic adventures and sharpen your knowledge of how to catch a vampire - and perhaps a handsome Drake brother of your own - in this breathtaking bind-up, only available in eBook format.

A Killer First Date: Lucy Hamilton in mad about her best friend's brother, Nicholas Drake. Who wouldn't be? He's super sexy and deliciously dangerous. And Nicholas thinks Lucy is hot too. But what with all the life-and-death drama in their hometown of Violet Hill lately, they've not been on a first date - not officially. It's time they got away from it all. But that's easier said than done when your boyfriend was born into an ancient vampire dynasty . . .

A Field Guide to Vampires: Annotated by Lucy Hamilton: Every new recruit to the Helios-Ra Society is issued this guidebook, with secrets to the inner workings of the vampires they are hunting. But when new recruit Lucy Hamilton gets her hands on a copy, she can't help but add a few notes of her own. After all, she has first-hand knowledge of the various vampire societies that often contradicts the conventional wisdom of her new academy.

Corsets and Crossbows: It is 1816 and it's time to make room for new traditions! Rosalind Wild thinks it's time for the Helios-Ra to give full membership to the female descendants of the society. So when Rosalind interrupts a plot to assassinate the leader of the Helios-Ra, she sees an opportunity to prove her worth. But she never expected the assassin to be someone so irresistible, and off-limits. Written as a series of letters to a close confidante, this e-novella gives a glimpse of the early days of the vampire-hunting society as seen through the eyes of the feisty ancestor of Hunter Wild, Quinn Drake's girlfriend.

Lost Girls: The fight between Drakes and vampires starts here! The thrilling story of how Liam Drake met his perfect match.

Vampire Bites Review:
A short little ebook that gives you a quick and funny view on the world of the Drakes.Unfortunately, I can't find it anywhere! Still awesome though!

Alyxandra Harvey Collection (Drake Chronicles #1-3; Haunting Violet #1)

Alyxandra Harvey Collection Summary:
Alyxandra Harvey 4 Books Set includes:

The Drake Chronicles, Books #1-3
My Love Lies Bleeding (Drake Chronicles, #1)
Blood Feud (Drake Chronicles, #2)
Out for Blood (Drake Chronicles, #3)

Haunting Violet, Book #1
Haunting Violet

Alyxandra Harvey Collection Review:
This another great collection to have that gives you the openers on two of her series.

Ruling Passion (Drake Chronicles #1-3)

Ruling Passion Summary:
This book is a combination of the first three Drake Chronicles stories: Hearts at Stake, Blood Feud, and Out of Blood.

Ruling Passion Review:
If you read my previous reviews you would know I LOVED this series!! And I loved that you could get it in this convenient bundle. I highly recommend this series to anyone!

Bleeding Hearts (Drake Chronicles #4)

Bleeding Hearts Summary:
The Drakes and friends will be tested when an infestation of deadly vampires threatens Violet Hill Lucy’s cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult enough. The strict curfew that Lucy’s parents enforce is the worst part. Something really dangerous couldn’t possibly happen in this tiny town. But Christabel has noticed some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn’t understand—one that seems deadly serious. Although she won’t admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake. But when she is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Christabel must cause more and more trouble in Violet Hill, Lucy and Connor finally fill Christabel in on all the unread drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.

Bleeding Hearts Review:
This book is a love story but it is much darker than the previous three novels. It focuses on Connor, Quinn's Twin and Christabel, Lucy's cousin. Their both nerds and even though they are different types it kinda does work cause their both in stories. How could you not love them?

This book focuses on another vampire tribe, the Na-Foir who are somewhat like the Hel-Bar. With this fourth book, Alxyandra Harvey manages to get into depth on the last vampire tribe that was left a mystery. The Na-Foir are almost like the Hel-Bar but were saved before completely turning. This brings an important idea that even the damned can be saved or at least controlled. This is shown time and time again and gives into the idea to not judge a book by it's cover. The Na-Foir may look somewhat like the Hel-Bar yet there are distinctions that show their struggles and how they are fighting for equality.

We are introduced to a new character Christabel. After I read this book I realized that if she marries Connor and Lucy marries Nicholas it may be like incest considering the two families are marrying into each other twice. I know a weird thought. Anyway back to the characters. Christabel is a kick-ass heroine just like the previous girls. She can be fierce but is vulnerable on the inside because of her mother's issues. Another perfect example of the Hamiltons. On the other hand there is Connor who is more quiet, laid-back and smart. But even if he can be brought to the edge when Christabel is kidnapped and attacked. We also see a whole new side of Lucy. she is still feisty and determined but she shows some more vulnerability. She feels like she's losing part of her family and in a way she is. With these two characters and an additional POV from Lucy, this book is incredibly enticing and full of action.

Now to talk about Solange since she is just too much to talk about in a sentence. Here you REALLY see the differences from the first book and how little control she has over herself. She befriends people who put her in danger and turns on the people who are supposed to protect her. She did a 360 degrees within her character and you can't help but get irritated at her but you realize that there is something much more darker forcing her. Luckily, this is still pretty awesome cause you know something is brewing within her and once it's unleashed it's going to be amazing.

Finally, there is the Blood Moon. It is also the fifth book but it is the time when every vampire tribe comes together to form alliances. It's sure to have some interesting conflicts with Solange acting the way she does and new players hiding in the shadows.

In all honesty, this book is absolutely amazing and I HIGHLY recommend this series. The stakes are constantly rising. Characters turn on each other. New cards are put on the table. And everything is coming together to form the epic conclusion.

Out for Blood (Drake Chronicles #3)

Out for Blood Summary:
Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends—or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

Out For Blood Review:
This books follows the story of the fourth Drake brother along with an introduction into another society. We have faced the Hounds, the Hel-Bar, and the royal bloodlines. What we haven't gone into detail yet is the humans who have helped make the Drake's the ruling family. The Helios-Ra are named after sun gods which are allergic to vampires. Meaning they are the bane of the vampires. This was until now because of the new treaty. With every installment of the series we get to see more of the treaty and battles fall into place that is leading up to the epic climax.

We have Quinn's story which for sure will bring about many girls as he is the most flirty and energetic of all of the brothers. Like the last book the two love interests are complete opposites but it is because of this that they match. It was amazing to read this as we get a deep history of these humans. (If you want an even better history of the Wild family read Corsets and Crossbows which brings about some very interesting turns). Hunter is the last of one of the most prestigious families in the Helios-Ra. She is fiercely independent and loyal but is not without her moments of vulnerability. When she's paired up with the enigmatic Quinn, things take a turn for the dangerous. One a vampire and one a vampire hunter they don't always see eye to eye. This deals with more turmoil than the other two books and causes Hunter to look at herself to see who she really is. You see her develop from a follower of the organization to one who is willing to put herself at risk to save the people she loves. Even if it means turning her back on what she's known for her life. Quinn like all the Drake brothers doesn't have much of a change in character except they are adapting to the situations they are put into and their true characters are revealed. Quinn can be shown as supportive and a killer in one sweep.

On the other hand, this story wasn't just about Quinn and Hunter. We also have Solange we is getting closer to going into a blood frenzy. And it takes a turn for the worse when she grows three sets of fangs. It evens manages to get in more of the Drake family. Bringing some much needed humor with Lucy locking Nicholas in the closet this time. Something big is sure to happen when Solange is going mad, and the Helios-Ra is facing a rebellion. Out for Blood will keep you one your toes for sure waiting for the next bomb to drop. A book that has surpassed Blood Feud and Hearts at Stake.

Posts

I apologize for re-posts but there are some problems with my earlier posts so I'm rewriting them.

Blood Feud (Drake Chronicles #2)

Blood Feud Summary:
It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks. The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself — the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.

This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles—told from both Logan’s and Isabeau`s perspectives — has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more.

Blood Feud Review:
We know have the POV of the next brother in the Drake family. At this point it had everyone's hopes that each brother would get their own story. Now back to the story.

This story further delves into the vampire world. As we were introduced to the different families and clans in the past book, we know leave the royal families and focus on the Hounds. The Hounds are unwilling to be ruled but are willing to create a partnership with the ruling family. This creates much more excitement as we get to meet two new kick-ass characters while seeing the evolution the vampires.

Blood Feud was written in sections instead of just POVs. We had flashbacks of Isabeau's life that meshed perfectly with the future. This gave a much need background on the Hounds and Grayhaven. And it gives a little bit of a history lesson on the side! Through the POVs you get to see the differences in the two characters and all the little tidbits that will change how the story will turn out to be.

This sequel brings about the same amount of action and romance without one being to over-powering. We get to see the continued relationships between Lucy & Nicholas and Solange & Kieran. Lucy and Nicholas of course always bring humor along as Nicholas goes as far as too lock Lucy in a closet to protect her. Putting away all the humor. Solange's life is getting higher stakes. She is getting closer and closer to blood lust that is getting dangerous for anyone around her, though the consequences aren't shown yet.

The stakes keep getting upped as Montmartre and his army is still plotting for the throne and the only one to overthrow them is Logan and Isabeau. They are polar opposites yet are kindred spirits and can lean on each other when the going get's tough. Logan stays the same as he did from the first book but you do get too see him in some pretty awesome action scenes. One where he nearly dies. Isabeau on the other hand is more of developed character. This is because she had a hard past that she can't let go of and a hatred that has ruled her every thought. We see her cave towards Logan's charms and yet gaining her freedom from her nightmares.

With the introduction of the Hounds we see a heavy amount of magic. Something that will definitely play a very serious role in the rest of the series. And with the addition of new players in the war there is sure to be an awesome sequel. I loved this book a little bit more than the first novel just because I could understand all the different parties involved. Once again a great novel by Alyxandra Harvey.

Hearts at Stake (Drake Chronicles #1)

Hearts at Stake Summary:
On Solange`s sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that’s not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black—agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father’s killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family. Luckily she has her own secret weapon—her human best friend Lucy. Lucy is willing to defend Solange`s right to a normal life, whether she’s being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange`s eternal life—Lucy and Solange`s brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black — in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump start any romance-lover’s heart

Hearts at Stake Review:
This is one of the books that started on the path to YA. Up until here I was mainly reading Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. I practically read all the series 10 times each. So this book was a very nice change of pace.

The best was to summarize this book was that it was cute. Exceptionally cute and a great way to break into the YA genre. It's filled with just the right amount of humour, action and romance. I was first intrigued by the title because there was a pun right in the trial. And at this point I had watched the Twilight series (not proud I judged the series based on that but still...) and I didn't want another vampire series just like that. WELL I got what I wished for and found this as any amazing take on vampires. The vampires in this were actually believable! They did not glow, needed blood to survive and could get addicted to human blood.

In addition there was a new vampire history that was included. Instead of all the vampires being run-in-the-mill kind of there was monarchy here. There is a queen chosen by the person who can defeat the previous queen. Then there are the royal bloodlines that are the longest line of born vampires. The Drake's - this is Solange's family - are in exile because Solange is supposed to take the throne through a prophecy. On top of that there are three types of vampires as of right now. The Hel-Bar which are mad vampires that are the nightmares of a vampires. The Hounds who live in the caves and have two to three fangs. These vampires believe in magic and they are pretty awesome. Lastly there are the normal vampires who interact with humans. It does get a little complicated but it's only in the first novel so you just have to keep it together for now. Overall pretty cool idea that somehow seems similar to Vampire Academy.

The book was written with two POVs. Solange Drake and Lucky "Lucy" Hamilton. Solange is prophesied to the be the new queen and this really spikes up her life as everyone who isn't her family wants her dead or a tool to become queen. It brings about a lot of humour as she is constantly trying to fight her destiny and her 7 overbearing brothers! One part where Solange was being tested by the matriarch of her family really stuck with me,

“Her lips pursed. My palms went damp. Her fangs were out, as pointed and delicate as little bone daggers. "That’s disappointing, Solange."
"I was going to die because I couldn’t embroider roses on a pillow.”

While Solange is very quiet and reserved, Lucy is loud and rambunctious. She loves to have fun and even though she really isn't part of the Drake family, they love her as if she was their own. The romance between her and Nicholas was very funny and interesting. One funny quote I remember was,

“Why are you limping like that?' Nicholas demanded.
'I'm swaggering,' I informed him.
'You look like you're wearing a diaper." 

Now these weren't the only characters. There was the Drake family along the Kieran Black, the Hamilton family. There was also a number of bad guys as well (I say bad guys cause some of them were pretty weird). I really loved the Drake family and I am eagerly awaiting more tidbits from the series. They are a tight packed group and are about to go through hell. This book was AMAZING and it's on of my top favourites. And to this date it still hasn't been matched by many other books! I recommend this to people who want a much better version of vampires or want to be introduced into YA.