by: Rachel Caine

Number of pages: 320

Unknown (Outcast Season Book Two)
I love this book and love the series. My only “complaint” is the non-stop pace. I simply can’t catch my breath as I read these books.

A continuation or offshoot from the Weather Wardens series, the “un” books star ex-djinn, Cassiel, who was stripped of her almost god-like djinn powers to be a mere mortal. Well, that’s not completely correct. She has some powers, but they are dependent on the life energy gifted to her by a warden.

Not all wardens would be so gracious to give her power, but Luis Rocha does.

He also is helping her track down his missing niece, and uncovering the mysterious abductions of several children. All of these children are linked by one or both parents being a Weather Warden. The special powers they have from their parents’ is being used against the djinn, the humans, and the planet.

Non-stop mayhem, a slowly evolving mystery, a really complicated baddie, and potential romance makes this book a must read for weather warden-lovers.

Overall book rating: 8.75

by: Angie Fox
Number of pages: 308

The wild and wacky life of Lizzie the Demon Slayer wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Las Vegas to keep her Fairy God Uncle from marrying a succubus.

Intrigued? You should be. This paranormal universe is unlike any other on the market. The character is more Kindergarten teacher (her former profession) than Vampire Slayer, and the loony trail of Biker Witches that help her are unlike any other leather-clad sidekick. But the true side-kick award goes to little Pirate, who’s plucky-dog-sense gets him a bit of demon pant leg and a whole lotta trouble.

But before you despair completely, there is a shiny-bad-boy griffin (he looks like a greek yum yum model so it’s bonus time!) who rides along side Lizzie, giving her the support and lovin’ every Demon Slayer needs.

Overall book rating: 8

by: Angela Knight, Diane Whiteside, Emma Holly, and Lora Leigh

Billed as “Four stories of limitless desire…” Beyond the Dark promises near-erotic romance with a bite of paranormal exoticy.

By far, Holly’s story was the most unique. Instead of being rooted to this world and the limitations of standard paranormal fare, the mix throws in aliens, ancient Egypt, erotic god powers and a steamy story line.

Leigh’s installment of the breed series ties up a few loose ends and opens the door to better heroes. Instead of being entirely ruled by the mating heat, the leading man allows his captive intended a choice.

Dragon Dance by Angela Knight was amazing and had great potential as a jumping off point or introduction to a promising series.

Whiteside’s story would appeal to Regency lovers who desire a bit of magic.

Overall book rating: 7.5625

by Joy Nash

Huh. Dante Allegretti might roll in his grave at this modern interpretation of the circles of hell, then again it was very well thought out even if the leading characters had things just a bit too convenient. I’m not saying their journey was easy, just convenient. Hum… mixed reactions to this installment, but it was better than some of the others in this series.

Writing: can’t fault the writer too much because it was an enjoyable read. 7.4; characters: cardboard? 6.1; Plot: 8.4 the hell analogy was very good, but misguided. conclusion: convenient. contrived? 6.5 Total Score: 7.1

Mary Janice Davidson, Susan Grant, Gena Showalter, and PC Cast

Paranormal meets Desperate Housewives, with strange behavior as the norm.

Disdaining Trouble : good story, drew you into the atmosphere. Was the best one of the book even if it did stretch believability. 7.8

The nanny from Hell: not as good as the first story but sweet enough to give you satisfaction: sub-character arcs not developed. 7.1

A Tawdry Affair: too much going on. The story opens with so much backstory unwritten it is very hard to follow.5.2

It’s in his kiss: cute, but not noteworthy. Romeo and Juliet and contrivance. 6.4

by Lori Handeland

Elizabeth Phoenix used to be a police officer, but left because her “gift” of seeing things through touch caused the death of her partner. Now she is drawn into more intrigue as her foster mother is brutally murdered. And the main suspect is her ex-boyfriend and enigma, Jimmy Sanducci.

Drawn into an underworld of paranormal war, she must choose to follow her destiny and avenge her foster-mother’s death and pick up the mantle of leadership she left behind.

Grade: writing: 8.6

by Steven Brust

I was disappointed by the latest Vlad Taltos novel. While the writing hasn’t deteriorated, the whimsical Joie de vivre is gone. Vlad is simply a tired criminal on the lam and spends too much time whining over his failed marriage. The intrigue of former novels isn’t as easy to pick out and the wrap up at the end, although expertly contrived, leaves much room for reader enjoyment.

Jhegaala is set in Draghera, but in the non-Empire portions of the East where “Easterners” dwell. Convenient, isn’t that? Vlad, a professional assassin and former leader of his very own Jhereg syndicate, has fled the Empire so he can hide from assassins like himself who have been hired by the Jhereg to kill him. He finds that the east is much like the west and he is forced to defend himself from his own kind.

This is not a “stand alone” novel. If you have read the series, it falls somewhere after Phoenix, of course. Vlad has recently fled Adrilanka following a complicated assassination that threw him into a mess he could not fix.

BUT, there are references in this book(to a Teckla boy) that make me wonder if it is supposed to fall after Orca. All in all, it was confusing so I Googled for the proper reading order, here it is:
Taltos, Yendi, Dragon, Jhereg, Teckla, Phoenix, Jhegaala, Athyra, Orca, Issola, Dzur

Not his best novel: 7.1

by Robin T. Popp

The one book I missed in the series. Featuring recluse immortal Darius who just wants to get some…and wolf girl with bite, Lexi. I’ll grant that it is one of the better books in the series with a plot twist (concerning lost brother Tain) and some well-executed tension between the leads. So it redeems a bit of the horrendous plot contrivances of this book in the series. (see link)

Overall: 7

by Rachel Caine

The weather warden series never fails to raise my eyebrows. Just when I think that finally (finally) Joanne the weather warden/not weather warden/warden again might have a moment of breathing room it gets gobbled up by the big bad.

This book’s big bad isn’t creepy teens with mother problems, or demon-possessed bosses, or even genie buying cartels. No. It sneaks up on you like a summer storm and relentlessly wears away at the reader until I had to go, “how much more?”

Don’t get me wrong, I love the series. I love the problems. But just one time I’d like to see a real happy ending. But…I love these books.

Overall: 8.75 The plot twists and deep characterizations make up for first person issues.

by Meljean Brook

Huh. I’m flabbergasted by the world building, awed by the machinations in the background and amazed at the complexity of this novel. At times it was almost too much and I had to re-read whole paragraphs so I wouldn’t be lost. Was that a good thing? I’m not sure. It wasn’t verbally meaty like Christopher Moore or other authors with distinct word play aptitude, but it was certainly a step above average romance fare. So….it rates a breakdown:

Writing: World building and style warrant at least a 10, but there were confusing passages where the information seemingly dumped on top of you with no real foreshadowing. Also, the literary voice was middle of the road. Final score in this category, 8.7

Characters: Extraordinarily complex characters. On one hand we have almost saint-like knight/guardian Hugh and on the other hand we have demon temptress Lilith. Wow! what opposites and what a long romantic ride to fruition. Amazingly well done. 10

Plot: Complex but almost cliche. Luckily the freshness of the setting creates a good vehicle for this paranormal world. There simply wasn’t enough room for the backstory and subplots. But then again, the entire book covered over 800 years so…? 7.8 (lost points for trying to cover too much)

Ending: Shines. I don’t really know what else to say. It doesn’t go beyond the “rules” of credibility and satisfies many of the “but…” questions you could have had with this book. AND it didn’t rely on any Deux en machina to “fix” things. Well, maybe not… There’s one little quibble I had with weapons and blood transfusions and cellular markings that could be a bit contrived… 9

Overall rating: 8.9, recommended read!