AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Jennifer L. Armentrout's HALF-BLOOD

Title: HALF-BLOOD
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Book 1 in the Covenant series
Narrator: Justine Eyre
Price: $15.00
Length: 9 hrs 17 min 
Format: MP3 - CD
Release Date: 3/11/2014
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Download from Audible.com



My Ratings

Plot:  5/5 
Setting:  4.5/5 
Writing:  5/5 
Originality of Plot:  3/5 
Characters Development:  5/5 
Ending:  5/5
Narration:  5/5
Cover Art:  4.5/5 
Likelihood to Recommend:  5/5 

Overall:  42/45 = 93%

Synopsis

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi—pure-bloods—have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals—well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.

Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:

Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.

Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem—staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Review

After her mother's murder, seventeen-year-old Alex could only do one thing...run!  Daimons were hot on her trail, but thankfully so were the Sentinels.  She is rescued and taken back to the Covenant.  She knows that this path only has two ending: continue her training as a Sentinel or become a drugged servant for the Hematoi.  The dean is unsure whether or not she can catch up on the time she missed, while keeping her attitude in check.  Coming back to the Covenant has one major hunky, pure-blood perk, Aiden St. Delphi.  He was supposed to protect her, and help her catch up on the training that she missed.  It's just to bad pures and Half-bloods are forbidden to be date.  

I'm going to start off by saying, I love this new take on Mythology! When it comes to popular paranormal YA, this concept absolutely stands out.  The world is building, storytelling, and characters in this series are wonderful. All that being said, I did find several similarities between this story and Richelle Mead's Vampire Diaries. Tough, snarky female lead. Sexy, slightly older, role model/teacher. The leaders of their group won't allow them to be together.  Shakespeare said that there are only 7 types of stories.  I'm actually not bothered by the similarities. There were just a few.  By mid-point in the book I had almost completely forgot about it, because I was enjoying the series so much.

This story has fantastic characters.  I just love smart, strong, snarky female leads.  So I couldn't help, but adore Alex.  And I really enjoyed how Aiden started as this gruff, emotionless, badass Sentinel.  This story allows the reader to peal away bit of his hard exterior and see the amazing guy inside. Alex is also surrounded by funny, smart secondary characters that help bring the story along.  Heck, I even enjoyed the "bad guys" of this story.  Then there is Seth.  I know that I shouldn't like him, but I'm drawn to his character.  He is that bad boy, that you let talk you into doing things you wouldn't do on your own.

Justine Eyre's narration of this series is spot on! She really brings the story to life. It's like listening to several different actors act out a script.  That is a rare gift, when it comes to audiobook narrators.  I will pick up just about anything narrated by Justine, and she's the main reason that I picked up this series.   

Amazing storytelling and deep characters make HALF-BLOOD a must read for all paranormal YA readers.  I can't seem to put this audiobook down.  As soon as I finished, I immediately downloaded PURE book 2 in the Covenant series.  I'm really excited to see what Jennifer L. Armentrout has in store for us!

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Molly Harper's BETTER HOMES AND HAUNTINGS

Title: BETTER HOMES AND HAUNTINGS
Author: Molly Harper
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
Price: $13.95
Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins 
Format: Unabridged
Release Date: 06-24-14
Publisher: Audible Studios
Format: Audible Download
Download from Audible.com



My Ratings

Plot:  4/5 
Setting:  5/5 
Writing:  4/5 
Originality of Plot:  4.5/5 
Characters Development:  4/5 
Ending:  5/5
Narration:  5/5
Cover Art:  5/5 
Likelihood to Recommend:  4/5 

Overall:  40.5/45 = 90%

Synopsis

Author of the beloved Half Moon Hollow series of vampire romances (Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs), Molly Harper has created a standalone paranormal romance in which a dilapidated haunted house could bring star-crossed lovers together - if it doesn't kill them first!

When Nina Linden is hired to landscape a private island off the New England coast, she sees it as her chance to rebuild her failing business after being cheated by her unscrupulous ex. She never expects that her new client, software mogul Deacon Whitney, would see more in her than just a talented gardener. Deacon has paid top dollar to the crews he's hired to renovate the desolate Whitney estate - he had to, because the bumps, thumps, and unexplained sightings of ghostly figures in 19th-century dress are driving workers away faster than he can say "Boo".

But Nina shows no signs of being scared away, even as she experiences some unnerving apparitions herself. And as the two of them work closely together to restore the mansion's faded glory, Deacon realizes that he's found someone who doesn't seem to like his fortune more than himself - while Nina may have finally found the one man she can trust with her bruised and battered heart.

But something on the island doesn't believe in true love...and if Nina and Deacon can't figure out how to put these angry spirits to rest, their own love doesn't stand a ghost of a chance 

Review

Nina Linden thought that got the opportunity of a lifetime.  She was hired to design the landscaping fir a software mogul's private island and ancestral home off the coast off New England.  This high profile and high paying job is just what Nina needed to get her new business really up and running.  So what, if she's required to basically live on the island. So what, if he crazy ex-boyfriend is determined to destroy her business.  So what, if the place is haunted by the her bosses murdered ancestor .....wait.....what?  

This book has the humor, heart, and mystery that you can expect from a Molly Harper book.  I like how her books don't take themselves so seriously.  She doesn't write standard formulaic romance novels.  She takes all those rules and throws them out the window.  The readers is left with a very fresh take on the genre.  I also love how the actual story isn't lost to the romantic storyline. Though I did feel that this book didn't dive as deep into the story as most of Molly's books do. This onion just seem to be missing a bit of it's layers.    

This book's heart is it's characters.  I like how no one is who they first seem.  Each of them come in wearing a mask that gets chipped away. This is mostly because the characters are forced to become close due to their isolation on the island.  The book would be nothing with out their friendships and relationships!  There is nothing like being almost terrified by ghosts that makes people fast friends. 

As always, Amanda Ronconi is beyond fantastic!  She has an amazing voice and puts her own unique spin on each character.  Her wonderful narration style really brings this story life.   I also find myself forgetting that this series is narrated by a female narrator alone, because she does a wonderful job voicing each male so flawlessly.  She might just be my favorite part of this audiobook.  She is Molly Harper's audiobooks, so much so that I can almost her her reading these books in my head.

BETTER HOMES AND HAUNTINGS was funny, sweet, and spooky.  I just wished that this was a Molly Harper series book. I adored these characters and ideas behind this book, but I just found myself wanting more.  I guess this is why I'm not a massive fan of stand alone books. This would be a great book for a first time Molly Harper listener/reader. 

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Jennifer L. Armentrout's DAIMON (Covenant: Prequel)

Title: DAIMON
Series: Covenant  (Prequel)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Narrators: Justine Eyre 
Price: $10.00 MP3-CD
Length: 1 hour 50 minutes
Publisher: Tantor Media; Unabridged,Unabridged CD edition
Release Date: March 4, 2014
ISBN-10: 145261976X
ISBN-13: 978-1452619767




My Ratings

Plot:  5/5
Setting:  4.5/5
Writing:  5/5
Originality of Plot:  4.5/5
Characters Development:  5/5
Ending:  4.5/5  
Narration:  5/5
Cover Art:  4.5/5
Likelihood to Recommend:  5/5

Overall:  43/45 = 95%

Synopsis

"Love in my world usually ended up with someone hearing 'I smite thee!' as she was cursed to be some lame flower for the rest of her life."

For three years, Alexandria has lived among mortals—pretending to be like them and trying to forget the duty she'd been trained to fulfill as a child of a mortal and a demigod. At seventeen, she's pretty much accepted that she's a freak by mortal standards . . . and that she'll never be prepared for that duty.

According to her mother, that's a good thing.

But as every descendant of the gods knows, Fate has a way of rearing her ugly head. A horrifying attack forces Alex to flee Miami and try to find her way back to the very place her mother had warned her she should never return—the Covenant. Every step that brings her closer to safety is one more step toward death . . . because she's being hunted by the very creatures she'd once trained to kill.

The daimons have found her.

Review

Seventeen year old Alex has been has been on the run with her mother for three years.  She's a half-human trying her best to fit in the human world.  I mean it's hard enough to fit in during high school, when you are normal!  Heck, she did really fit in back in the Covenant either.  Her mother ran away with her, before her training was complete.  To bad, seeing as they are attacked by the very thing she would  have been trained to kill.

I adore Alex. While she's a bit of a high school loaner, she's actually a kick-butt, snarky, take charge kind of girl! I love the back story between her and her mother.  Running isn't always the best option, but it was what she thought was best for her daughter.

I'm usually not a fan of prequels, but after starting Half-Blood (Bk 1 of the Covenant Series) you'd miss so much back story without it.  The beginning of the story is packed with world building info.  I love the mythology that this story is based in.  It's a very fresh, smart take on the stories of Gods and Goddesses.

Justine Eyre did a phenomenal job narrating this book! I questioned whether or not she could pull off voicing a teenager, but I was wrong.  She's able to put the perfect voices to everyone, from the most vein teenager to the upper-crust members of the Covenant.  Her voice is so versatile!

This story really sets the tone for the next book.  I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for Alex.  It's a great book to pick up, if you're interested a smart, unique new YA series!  I would ABSOLUTELY recommend picking up DAIMON, before starting the Covenant Series.  You'll be lost without it!   

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: K. Bromberg's FUELED

Title: FUELED
Series: The Driven Trilogy (Bk 2)
Author: K. Bromberg
Narrators: Tatiana Sokolov, Sean Crisden
Price: $22.04 
Listening Length: 14 hours and 25 minute
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Audible.com Release Date: March 18, 2014
ASIN: B00IU0VGIC
Purchase from Audible.com or Tantor.com 




My Ratings

Plot:  4/5 
Setting:  5/5 
Writing:  4/5 
Originality of Plot:  4/5 
Characters Development:  5/5 
Ending:  4.5/5
Heat Level: 5/5
Narration:  4/5
Cover Art:  5/5 
Likelihood to Recommend:  4/5 

Overall:  44.5/50 = 89%

Synopsis

What happens when the one person you never expected suddenly happens to be the one you’ll fight the hardest to keep?

Colton stole my heart. He wasn't supposed to, and I sure as hell didn't want him to, but he crashed into my life, ignited feelings within me that I thought had died forever, and fueled a passion that I never knew could exist.

Rylee fell out of that damn storage closet and into my life. Now I don't think I'll ever be the same. She's seen glimpses of the darkness within me, and yet she's still here. Still fighting for me. She is without a doubt the saint, and I am most definitely the sinner.

How is it the one thing neither of us wanted—neither of us anticipated that fateful night—has us fighting so hard to keep?

He steals my breath, stops my heart, and brings me back to life again all in a split second of time. But how can I love a man who won't let me in? Who continually pushes me away to prevent me from seeing the damaged secrets in his past? My heart has fallen, but patience and forgiveness can only go so far.

How can I desire a woman who unnerves me, defies me, and forces me to see that in the deep, black abyss of my soul there's someone worthy of her love? A place and person I swore I'd never be again. Her selfless heart and sexy body deserve so much more than I'll ever be capable of giving her. I know I can't be what she needs, so why can't I just let her go?

We are driven by need and fueled with desire, but is that enough for us to crash into love?

Review 

FUELED takes readers on roller coaster of emotions.  Colton and Rylee have so many hurdles to jump over. Both are damaged emotionally, and have a hard time making this relationship work.  One pushes away, while the other pulls them back.  It's a battle they have against each other and within themselves.  It's heartbreaking to watch these two get SO close to love, only to have something or someone get in the way.    

I really love jumping into these two character's lives.  Damaged characters always make for the meatest reads! I felt that the change to dual POV helps the listener get deeper under Colton's skin.  I think he is misunderstood in the first book.  I know that it helped me understand a little bit more about why he did what he did.  It's like DRIVEN was Rylee's story and FUELED was Colton's.  Rylee got to move past her major relationship obstacles, and this is Colton's change to struggle through his.

The only part of the book that bothered me, was when Colton had his big childhood flashback.  I understand the storyline's place in the book.  The things that happened to him as a child, made him into who he is today.  I was honestly disturbed by listening to that part, and the details that was given.  I felt that the author got shock value, rather then furthering the backstory. This may or may not have been her intent. 

I was torn on the ending.  I have worked in motorsports in the past, and I have a lot of experience in the industry.  I pretty much saw this ending coming.  I'm just not sure if the average listener or reader would did as well, so I'm going to give the author the benefit of the doubt here.  This being said, the ending still kept me on the edge of my seat! The moments leading up to ending touched my heart. There is a sweetness that you rarely see in this book. When I put the audiobook down, I just couldn't believe that was it.  I had to know what happens next in their story! 

I was hesitant to pick up this audiobook for only one main reason, it's switch to dual narrators.  I have an issue listening to these kinds of audiobook, because I find it distracting each time they switch narrators.  For example, the female narrator makes the male voice sound one way, and the male narrator makes it sound like another.  I have also loved Tatiana Sokolov's narration in book 1.  All that being said, I surprisingly enjoyed this audiobook's narration.  I was very happy that I gave it a chance. Listening to Sean Crisden read Colton's POV, did bring a certain something to the audiobook.  It gave Colton an even more of a rough, sexy, edgy tone that is needed when Colton is in his own head.  He's Colton Donovan!  Titiana, as always, knocked this one out of the park.  Her voice just draws you into the story, and make you believe in it.  She's able to convey this stories highs and lows.  

I think FUELED really brought major heat, that some felt that DRIVEN was lacking. It has a great balance of heart, heat, snark, and action. I "race you" K. Bromberg, and I cannot wait to see what CRASHED has in store for us! 

NEW RELEASE: Laurell K. Hamilton's A SHIVER OF LIGHT

Title: A SHIVER OF LIGHT
Series: Merry Gentry (Book 9)
Author: $20.93
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover
Release Date: June 3, 2014
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425255662
ISBN-13: 978-0425255667



Synopsis

I am Princess Meredith NicEssus. Legal name Meredith Gentry, because “Princess” looks so pretentious on a driver’s license. I was the first faerie princess born on American soil, but I wouldn’t be the only one for much longer...

Merry Gentry, ex–private detective, now full-time princess, knew she was descended from fertility goddesses, but when she learned she was about to have triplets, she began to understand what that might mean. Infertility has plagued the high ranks of faerie for centuries. Now nobles of both courts of faerie are coming to court Merry and her men, at their home in exile in the Western Lands of Los Angeles, because they will do anything to have babies of their own.

Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, is a more dangerous problem. He tried to seduce Merry and, failing that, raped her. He’s using the human courts to sue for visitation rights, claiming that one of the babies is his. And though Merry knows she was already pregnant when he took her, she can’t prove it.

To save herself and her babies from Taranis she will use the most dangerous powers in all of faerie: a god of death, a warrior known as the Darkness, the Killing Frost, and a king of nightmares. They are her lovers, and her dearest loves, and they will face down the might of the high courts of faerie—while trying to keep the war from spreading to innocent humans in Los Angeles, who are in danger of becoming collateral damage.

Purchase - A SHIVER OF LIGHT

Audiobook - Audible.com

eBook - Amazon.com

Hardcover - Amazon.com

NEW RELEASE: Richelle Mead's THE IMMORTAL CROWN

Title: THE IMMORTAL CROWN
Series: Age of X (Book 2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Price: $19.05
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Dutton Adult
Release Date:  May 29, 2014
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0525953698
ISBN-13: 978-0525953692




Synopsis

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Vampire Academy and Bloodline series returns with the second installment in her acclaimed Age of X series.

Gameboard of the Gods introduced religious investigator Justin March and Mae Koskinen, the beautiful supersoldier assigned to protect him. Together they have been charged with investigating reports of the supernatural and the return of the gods, both inside the Republic of United North America and out. With this highly classified knowledge comes a shocking revelation: Not only are the gods vying for human control, but the elect—special humans marked by the divine—are turning against one another in bloody fashion.

Their mission takes a new twist when they are assigned to a diplomatic delegation headed by Lucian Darling, Justin’s old friend and rival, going into Arcadia, the RUNA’s dangerous neighboring country.

Here, in a society where women are commodities and religion is intertwined with government, Justin discovers powerful forces at work, even as he struggles to come to terms with his own reluctantly acquired deity.

Meanwhile, Mae—grudgingly posing as Justin’s concubine—has a secret mission of her own: finding the illegitimate niece her family smuggled away years ago. But with Justin and Mae resisting the resurgence of the gods in Arcadia, a reporter’s connection with someone close to Justin back home threatens to expose their mission—and with it the divine forces the government is determined to keep secret.

What I'm Most Looking Forward To

As much as I love Richelle Mead's YA books, I think that her really gift is in her adult novels.  Her's Succubus book are some of my all time favorite.  GAME BOARD OF THE GODS set up very unique for the reads.  I can't wait to immerse myself deeper in Mae Koskinen's world of the RUNA.

Purchase THE IMMORTAL CROWN

Audiobook - Audible.com

eBook - Amazon.com

Hardcover - Amazon.com

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Maya Cross LOCKED (The Alpha Group Trilogy #1)

Title: LOCKED
Series: The Alpha Group Trilogy #1
Author: Maya Cross
Narrator: Carmen Rose
Listening Length: 3 hours & 37 minutes
Price: $11.95
Version: Unabridged Audiobook
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Release Date: 02/04/14
Download LOCKED from Tantor.com



 My Ratings

Plot:  4.5/5 
Setting:  4/5 
Writing:  4/5 
Originality of Plot:  4/5 
Characters Development:  3/5 
Ending:  4/5
Heat Level: 5/5
Narration:  5/5
Cover Art:  5/5 
Likelihood to Recommend:  3/5 

Overall:  41.5/50 = 83%




Synopsis

The bar Sophia Pearce is in doesn't look like much. The wine is bad and the decor worse. But when a sudden attack of curiosity leads her to sneak past security and into the back room, she discovers something unimaginable. The most lavish party she's ever laid eyes on, in the most unlikely of places.

But that's nothing compared to what comes next, to the man she meets back there. Sebastian Lock. Gorgeous, commanding, and radiating charm, he is exactly the sort of silver-tongued rake Sophia has sworn to avoid. Unfortunately, he doesn't care much for her promises.

Every instinct tells her to run, but the chemistry between them is as inescapable as gravity. Soon, he's opening her eyes to a whole new world of pleasures, pleasures she never thought she'd enjoy.

There's just one problem. Sebastian is more than he seems. Between the famous company he keeps and the almost paranoid secrecy of his employers, he's a puzzle Sophia can't quite solve, and his insistence on keeping things casual forces her to confront the demons of her past.

Can she learn to trust again? Or will Sebastian's privacy tear them apart? 

Review  

When Sophia Pearce went bar hopping with her best friends, I really doubt she knew what she was getting herself into.  You know that curiosity killed the cat? Sophia bite off a little more then she bargained for when, she followed a sexy actor behind the velvet ropes.  This club isn't your standard Cristal popping, paparazzi snapping affair.  Forbidden secrets hide behind every locked door.  The biggest secret is, who is Sebastian and what does he want with Sophia?

Sophia is a fantastic characters.  Unlike most of the current erotic heroines, she's a strong, independent women.  I constantly want to cheer for her.  She stands up for herself, and doesn't let people walk all over her.  Sebastian, on the other hand, is just this constant unknown.  He keeps you guessing constantly.  He's dark, sexy, and mysterious. But I think we've only begun to see who he is, and what lies beneath.  

  

I wanna say I have a sort of love, hate relationship with this book.  I absolutely love characters and the story line.  My issues is with the length of the story.  This novella only allows the listener to briefly glimpse into what could have been an amazing series.  I wasn't able to really dive into this story and wrap it around me like a blanket.  Just as soon as I started really getting into the storyline, it just ended.  It think that this series should have been one full book, or a full length triliogy.

Possibly my favorite part of LOCKED was it amazing narrator, Carmen Rose.  From this day forward, I now believe that all erotic novels should be read with and Australian accents.  She really made this story catch fire for me.  The story came to life through her voice!  Her array of voices were totally on point. She was able to convey all of the emotions this book has to offer.  I'm always grateful to find a new narrator to fall absolutely in love with.

This series is promising.  It has the structure of a great series.  I just wished that the author had taken it just a bit further or dug a little deeper.  I really want to hang on for the long hall, when it comes to this trilogy.  I wanna jump right into LOCKED OUT, and see where these characters go from here.