AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Helen Harper's BLOODMAGIC (Blood Destiny Bk2)

Title:  BLOODMAGIC
Series: Blood Destiny (Bk2)
Author: Helen Harper
Narrartor: Saskia Maarleveld
Price: $29.99
Length:  9 hour
Format: MP3-CD
Release Date: 6-10-14
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Purchase from Tantor or Audible


My Ratings

Plot:  4/5 
Setting:  4.5/5 
Writing:  4.4/5 
Originality of Plot:  4.5/5 
Characters Development:  4/5 
Ending:  5/5
Narration:  5/5
Cover Art:  4.5/5 
Likelihood to Recommend:  4/5 

Overall:  40/45 = 88%

Synopsis

After escaping the claws of Corrigan, the Lord Alpha of the Brethren, Mack is trying to lead a quiet lonely life in Inverness in rural Scotland, away from anyone who might happen to be a shapeshifter. However, when she lands a job at an old bookstore owned by a mysterious elderly woman who not only has a familiar passion for herbal lore but also seems to know more than she should, Mack ends up caught in a maelstrom between the Ministry of Mages, the Fae and the Brethren.

Now she has to decide between staying hidden and facing the music, as well as confronting her real feelings for the green eyed power of Corrigan himself. 

Review

Mack is on the run, leaving her pack and past far behind her.  She picks up odd jobs and fake names along her way.  She's trying to escape not just her past but, mostly the Brethren and their sexy Lord Alpha.  Mack ends up with a job at a dusty little book shop, owned by a strange little old lady who has a secret of her own.  Nothing could possibly go wrong there, could it?

I'm really loving this series!  It has a great mix of intriguing creatures, wit, and wonderful world building.  Poor Mack gets herself into one bit of trouble after another.  But I love her fairy spirit and personal strength.  She's not your standard damsel in distress.  She doesn't need Prince Charming, or the Lord Alpha, to rescue her.  I think that Helen Harper does a great job creating interesting secondary characters, who bring there own new spin to the story.  I do, however, wish that Mack's core group stayed more consistent.  I think that it would give the story little more depth.
 
The only thing I disliked about this book, is that she and the Lord Alpha aren't any closer to getting together.  It's making me crazy!  I just wanted a more of a tease to get me through to the next book.  The connection between these two characters, is probably my favorite part of this series. I know this isn't Paranormal Romance, but it their connection is just so intriguing . 

Once again, Saskia Maarleveld's performance in this book is spot on!  Her accent almost teleports me to Cornwall, and it's surrounding areas.  She created such distinct voices for each of her characters, both male and female.  It's such an amazing talent to pull off a credible male voice, as a female narrator.  And Saskia does it  over and over again for each of the characters.  She also is able to convey all of this stories vast range of emotions, from it's light hearted humor to it's fear and terror.  I'm pretty sure I couldn't picture this series being narrated by anyone else.

Both Helen Harper and Saskia Maarleveld, make the decision to pick up book 3 in this series very easy!  The spectacular world and fast paced action, kept me on the edge of my seat.  Book 2 sets up a very interesting storyline for book 3.  I can't wait to see what Mack and Lord Shifty have in store for us.  If you are looking for a good Urban Fantasy, this is probably one for you.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW & CONTEST: Helen Harper's BLOODFIRE (Blood Destiny Bk 1)

Title:  BLOODFIRE
Series: Blood Destiny (Bk1)
Author: Helen Harper
Narrartor: Saskia Maarleveld
Price: $29.99
Length:  9 hour 6 minutes
Format: MP3-CD
Release Date: 5-30-14
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Purchase from Tantor or Audible


My Ratings

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

Overall:  37.5/45 =  83%

 Synopsis

Mack might be, to all intents and purposes, a normal looking human, but she lives with a pack of shapeshifters in Cornwall in rural England after being dumped there by her mother when she was just a young child. She desperately wants to be accepted by her surrogate family, not least because a lot of them hate her for merely being human, but for some reason her blood just won't allow the transformation to occur.

With a terrible temper to match her fiery red hair, Mack is extraordinarily useful in a fight, and when her pack alpha is brutally and abruptly murdered, she swears vengeance. Unfortunately, his murder also draws in the Brethren - the leaders of the shapeshifter world - who will slaughter everyone in Mack's small rural pack if they discover her true identity. Unfortunately Corrigan, the green-eyed muscle-bound Lord Alpha of the Brethren, doesn't let much slip by him.

Review

Mackenzie Smith, a human child, was left by her mother with a pack of shifters in Cornwall for safe keeping.  Her alpha, and surrogate father, had shown to favor.  He made the pack pledge not to tell anyone that she is human.  When he is mysteriously murdered, the entire pack is thrown into chaos.  Mack vows to seek revenge against his killer.  The Brethren, the leaders of the shapeshifter world, decide this is the perfect time to stop in for a visit, and help pick the next alpha.  This is bad for the pack, because if they find a human living in a amongst them everyone's life is in danger. Mack jumps through all kinds of hoops to hide her true nature from the Brethren.  She doesn't do inconspicuous very well, at all!  Unfortunately, the Lord Alpha of the Brethren, Corrigan, has taken a personal interest in Mack. Will Brethren help solve her alpha's murder, or will they be the end of Mack and the Cornwall Pack?   

I always enjoy a heroine like Mack.  She's physically and mentally strong.  She's loyal to her friends and alpha.  She has a temper, that gets her in more then enough trouble.  She is snarky.  But most of all, she's willing to put herself on the line to protect her pack.  I loved the pack, as a whole.  However, I wish that I could connect more with many of them. The story glosses over most of them.  I did absolutely love the swoon-worthy, sexy Lord Alpha Corrigan.  He's the perfect balance for Mack's snarky, rebel nature.  He really knew how to get under her skin.

This book has a great, fresh storyline. I love the mixing of all of the different types of shifters and mythical creatures.  The mystery of Mack's mother and her the genetic history was a very fascinating development in the story, as well.  I did wish that the author had developed the romantic storyline between Mack and Corrigan.  We were only given a tease.  And though this book starts off a bit slow, it has lots of power towards it end.


I picked up this audiobook strictly, because I was intrigued by Saskia Maarleveld's narration.  I first listened to the sample at Audible.com.  Her voice seemed perfect for this type of setting, and I am so happy I did.  She just happens to be my favorite part of this audiobook!  Her accent is spot on for the geographical placement of this storyline.  This book has a very large and culturally diverse cast of characters.  Saskia created a specific and unique voice each.  She is what pulls this book all together! 

This was a very much like nothing that I have read before. It was a great story idea, but maybe not executed to it's fullest extent.  While I loved Mack, Cornwall, and it's pack, I wasn't able to really connect with many of the other characters.  That being all said, my enjoyment of the story overall, the amazing narration, and it's ending left me craving more.  I'm pretty sure I'll be picking up BLOOD MAGIC in the very near future.  I can't wait for Mack's next adventure, and maybe a  little more with the sexy Lord Alpha.

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