Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 17.5: Where Winter Finds You by J.R. Ward

Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 17.5

#1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward is heating things up this winter with a holiday novel featuring some of her most iconic Black Dagger Brothers.

When Trez lost his beloved to a tragic death (The Shadows, Black Dagger Brotherhood #13), his soul was crushed and his destiny seemed relegated to suffering. But when he meets a mysterious female, he becomes convinced his true love has been reincarnated. Is he right? Or has his grief created a disastrous delusion?

Therese has come to Caldwell to escape a rift with her bloodline. The revelation that she was adopted and not born into her family shakes the foundations of her identity, and she is determined to make it on her own. Her attraction to Trez is not what she’s looking for, except the sexy Shadow proves to be undeniable.

Has fate provided a grieving widower with a second chance...or is Trez too blinded by the past to see the present for what it really is? In this sensual, arresting book full of the themes of redemption and self-discovery, two lost souls find themselves at a crossroads where the heart is the only compass that can be trusted...but that may require a courage that neither of them possesses.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45032683-where-winter-finds-you

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

When I first read The Shadows, book 13 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, I cried hysterically. Tears were streaming down my face a majority of the book and I kept thinking there has to be a happily ever after, there is always a happily ever after. But not everyone got their happily ever after. Trez and Selena certainly did not. And like I said, cue the endless tears. Their story was heartbreaking. Truly. And now here we are. Where Winter Finds You finally gives us, gives Trez and Selena, their happily ever after. But not in the way either expected. Reincarnation. Yep. As readers we see it, but will our beloved characters get to? Let's just say it is complicated. But this is the story we deserve. Trez and Selena, well now Therese, get their happily ever after. We get a deeper look at how Trez has been coping and how is brother iAm has been (also his news in this story was great!!!). We meet Therese who has some remnants of Selena, but can't piece it together as well as the readers can. And of course we got some behind the scenes action from our favorite angel Lassiter. And let me tell you, without spoiling, is the end where he finally makes an appearance and speaks. He is just the best and he was hilarious and his speech was amazing, but then of course he has to keep "balance". So while we groan that our beloved characters have to be in the dark about Lass's interference, for a few short pages it was quite a joy to read his delivery of some excellent news. But as a whole, this story makes up for the pain The Shadows caused. And of course shows some of our favorite characters. A perfect story before The Sinner because we all know the showdown that is about to go down. And what exactly will happen there is still up in the air. Loved this book. As always an excellent addition to this world Ward created. 

Debutantes Book 2: Deadly Little Scandals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Debutantes Book 2

"Think of the White Gloves like the Junior League-by way of Skull and Bones?"

Reluctant debutante Sawyer Taft joined Southern high society for one reason and one reason alone: to identify and locate her biological father. But the answers Sawyer found during her debutante year only left her with more questions and one potentially life-ruining secret. When her cousin Lily ropes her into pledging a mysterious, elite, and all-female secret society called the White Gloves, Sawyer soon discovers that someone in the group's ranks may have the answers she's looking for. Things are looking up... until Sawyer and the White Gloves make a disturbing discover near the family's summer home--and uncover a twisted secret, decades in the making.

No one is quite who they seem to be.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43661348-deadly-little-scandals

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

When I read the first book I had said that it was one that once you start you just can't put down. Well the same could be said for book two. I picked it up this morning and finished before I went to sleep. It was fantastic. Jennifer Lynn Barnes is just that good at writing mysteries and drawing her reader in. With all the clues sprinkled throughout you just have to know what happens. You need to know the big reveal. We are back with Sawyer and crew, and when it comes to scandals and cover ups, they find one that is impossibly bigger. Plot twists on plot twists. And I tried to guess throughout the story the answer to the big questions, but you truly don't see the whole picture to the end. Which is exactly what I like in a mystery. The stakes are higher and the scandal even bigger than the first one. You may think you know everything going into this one, but you do not. Not at all. Really loved this book. And like I said I couldn't put it down. A great sequel and I look forward to more books by Barnes. 

The Folk of the Air Series Book 3: The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

The Folk of the Air Series Book 3

After being pronounced Queen of Faerie and then abruptly exiled by the Wicked King Cardan, Jude finds herself unmoored, the queen of nothing. She spends her time with Vivi and Oak, watches her fair share of reality television, and does the odd job or two, including trying to convince a cannibalistic faerie from hunting her own in the mortal world.

When her twin sister Taryn shows up asking of a favor, Jude jumps at the chance to return to the Faerie world, even if it means facing Cardan, who she loves despite his betrayal.

When a dark curse is unveiled, Jude must become the first mortal Queen of Faerie and uncover how to break the curse, or risk upsetting the balance of the whole Faerie world.

The finale to the New York Times bestselling Folk of Air trilogy, that started with The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King, from award-winning author Holly Black.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44428899-the-queen-of-nothing

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Was so freaking excited for this book, especially after I had finished The Wicked King. And it did not disappoint!!! Absolutely loved this conclusion to the Folk of Air trilogy. It was just that good. With the way The Wicked King ended, the need for The Queen of Nothing was a must. I wanted Jude to get her butt back to Faerie. I wanted to see her and Cardan's reunion. And I wanted them to finally defeat Madoc. And every bit of this book, beginning to end, was just what I wanted. I don't want to spoil, but if you loved the previous books you will definitely love this last one. Lots of questions are answered and it gives such a sweet ending to the story. One thing I love about these books are the Faerie riddles. You try to solve it and no matter how much you think you understand, you truly don't until the end, which is great. It's not predictable. And this book and series was definitely not predictable. I was super satisfied with this book and this series. I'm so sad to see that it is over. I really hope Holly Black will dive back into this world she created. 

The Iskari Trilogy Book 3: The Sky Weaver by Kristen Ciccarelli

The Iskari Trilogy Book 3

At the end of one world, there always lies another.

Safire, a soldier, knows her role in this world is to serve the King of Firgaard—helping to maintain the peace in her oft-troubled nation.

Eris, a deadly pirate, has no such conviction. Known as the Death Dancer for her ability to evade even the most determined of pursuers, she possesses a superhuman power to move between worlds.

When one can roam from dimension to dimension, can one ever be home? Can love and loyalty truly exist?

Now Safire and Eris—sworn enemies—find themselves on a common mission: to find Asha, the last Namsara. From the port city of Darmoor to the fabled faraway Star Isles, their search and their stories become woven ever more tightly together as they discover the uncertain fate they’re hurtling towards may just be a shared one. In this world—and the next.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35843942-the-sky-weaver

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

I have to say that this was probably my favorite in terms of the myths woven in to the story. The story of The Sky Weaver and the Crow was so fantastic. And the way it was told and the way it connected to the current story of Safire and Eris was just great. Third book in and we finally get a story for Asha and Dax's cousin Safire, who has been a constant in the previous books. Safire is determined to protect those she loves even if it is from the Death Dancer. Who both infuriates her and intrigues her. Eris has no choice when it comes to being a pirate and thief. She will do what she has to do to stay alive. With no one in the world who cares for her, someone has to look at for herself. But when these two are thrown together it is a story of adventure, lies, love, and gods. I really loved this story. It captured me immediately and I just zoomed right through it. Like I said the myths told in this story was just really good and intriguing. A great end to this series and world. 

The Dreamer Trilogy Book 1: Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

The Dream Trilogy Book 1

The dreamers walk among us . . . and so do the dreamed. Those who dream cannot stop dreaming – they can only try to control it. Those who are dreamed cannot have their own lives – they will sleep forever if their dreamers die.

And then there are those who are drawn to the dreamers. To use them. To trap them. To kill them before their dreams destroy us all.

Ronan Lynch is a dreamer. He can pull both curiosities and catastrophes out of his dreams and into his compromised reality.

Jordan Hennessy is a thief. The closer she comes to the dream object she is after, the more inextricably she becomes tied to it.

Carmen Farooq-Lane is a hunter. Her brother was a dreamer . . . and a killer. She has seen what dreaming can do to a person. And she has seen the damage that dreamers can do. But that is nothing compared to the destruction that is about to be unleashed. . . . 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31373184-call-down-the-hawk

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Been looking forward to this book. And let's be real the main reason is: Ronan and Adam. Cause how can you not love those two after The Raven Cycle series? And a book that follows up with Ronan, Adam, Ronan's brothers, and other dreamers just adds to the excitement. We learn more about the dreamers and their world and it is even bigger than we imagined. Like the previous series, Maggie Stiefvater tends to have many different running parts in her books. And for me, it takes a bit to figure out all the pieces, but by the end it usually makes a bit more sense...until she leaves you with some cliffhangers that leave you asking even more questions. I'll admit to getting a bit lost along the way (maybe because I just wanted to read Ronan's point of view and when he would see Adam next), but getting lost isn't so bad because like I said things tend to start making sense later on. And it's also because we have several points of view in the story. But for those who loved The Raven Cycle, you will love this book as well. I'm looking forward to the next two books. I'm looking forward to what is next for Ronan, Declan, Jordan, Hennessy, Matthew, and what they will do against those hunting them. 

Renegades Series Book 3: Supernova by Marissa Meyer

Renegades Series Book 3

All's fair in love and anarchy...

The epic conclusion to Marissa Meyer's thrilling Renegades Trilogy finds Nova and Adrian struggling to keep their secret identities concealed while the battle rages on between their alter egos, their allies, and their greatest fears come to life. Secrets, lies, and betrayals are revealed as anarchy once again threatens to reclaim Gatlon City.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42771754-supernova

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

An epic conclusion to a fantastic trilogy. So not gonna lie, I was terrified going into this third book. With the lies built up between Adrian and Nova, I had no clue how the truth would come out and how the damage would be anything but permanent. How could their relationship recover from such secrets? Is a future possivble? And it was touch and go for quite a while there. So much packed in this final book. And the plot twists were insane. There were some things that I was like, "Yes! Finally! They figured it out!" and other things where I was like, "Wait. Stop. Shut up. That can't be real." Uhm, spoiler, yeah it happened. Seriously insane. This book kept me on my toes the entire time. Over 500 pages of just awesome super powered people. The constant battle between heroes and villains, but really who are the real heroes and villains of the story? Everyone makes mistakes and both sides were equally right and wrong. I loved how Marissa Meyer approached this series. It was not a simple good verse bad story. It was in that gray area the entire time. And as for that ending? Well there is a reason the book is called Supernova. And don't get me started on the epilogue. The biggest reveal and a cliffhanger ending that I think we all deserve a follow up story. There is a lot of stories yet to tell in the world Meyer created and I for one would love to revisit Gatlon City. Great, great book! So sad it is over, but like I said I would love some follow up series.

House of Night Other World Series Book 3: Forgotten by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

House of Night Other World Book 3

Before he was freed by Neferet, Kalona was imprisoned within the earth for centuries because of the Darkness in his heart. But what happened to the Other World's Kalona? It's as though he's been forgotten, or maybe he never existed at all

In the present, Other Neferet may have left her House of Night, but she has far from given up her goal of immortality and world domination. As she operates in secret to gain access to Old Magick, the new High Priestess, Anastasia Langford, works toward peace and acceptance for the vampyres of the Other World. But just as Other Kevin's broken heart will take time to heal, peace in that world will also take time and work--and not all of the Other World vampyres want peace. After all, why should they return to being shunned by humans, especially when they've had a taste of how it feels to be in power?

Meanwhile, Zoey is desperate to help rid the Other World of Neferet once and for all, and not knowing what's going on over there is eating away at her. But, as the Nerd Herd warns, it's far too dangerous to call on Old Magick time and again. As a distraction, she throws herself into her work and attempts to bring the humans and vampyres of Tulsa closer together with the first human-vampyre swim meet in history! It's too bad that something always seems to go wrong whenever the stakes are high.

What happens when worlds clash and powers that should be left alone are awakened? Can Other Kevin and his world heal from the wounds Neferet continues to inflict? Can Old Magick ever truly be harnessed and used for good? Or will Darkness extinguish Light and leave our heroes broken, hopeless, and as forgotten as Kalona of the Silver Wings? Don't miss this second to last volume in the House of Night Other World saga!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43704439-forgotten

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My Review: 3/5 Stars

So for what is apparently the last book in these series, it sure didn't feel like it. Not with the cliffhanger ending that was so open ended, how could there be nothing else coming? I will say I was a bit disappointed with this book because it felt like a transition book. It started off slow, but it was still interesting. A promise that something was coming but then we didn't see the results. It was broken up I would say in two parts. The first part was about Kalona, Nyx, and Erebus and how their story began and was different in the Other World. Then in the next part it jumped to the Other World with Other Neferet and a few new characters along with Other Kevin. And then we did get a glimpse of Zoey and all our favorite characters. It was a build up of what Other Neferet plans to do and how Other Kevin and his friends figuring out to heal after the war and track down Neferet. Like I said earlier, it was just more of a build up story. Get the information you need and see what is planned because the next book things are about to go down. But that's not the case. The Q&A in the back of the book did mention the possibility of more which honestly I hope happens because this wasn't as satisfying as previous books in the series. This book felt like a promise for more interesting things and stories left to be told yet we are told it's the last. Like I said, I hope that changes. If you love the series, of course read it, but be prepared for some questions and cliffhangers.