Review: Unknown by Rachel Caine

Unknown

Book #2 of the Outcast Season Series

by Rachel Caine

Publisher: ROC (February 2010)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 305 (paperback)
Source: Personal Library (Purchased)
Purchase at: Amazon / Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)

Summary
Living among mortals, the djinn Cassiel has developed a reluctant affection for them-especially for Warden Luis Rocha. As the mystery deepens around the kidnapping of innocent Warden children, Cassiel and Luis are the only ones who can investigate both the human and djinn realms. But the trail will lead them to a traitor who may be more powerful than they can handle...

The Good
'It' Factor...
Sometimes I just can't figure out how Caine does it. She writes in such rich detail and description that you would think it would bore the reader, but no. She has so much action and fighting going on in Unknown you would think it would be too much, but no. She writes about such complex characters you would think they'd be hard to understand, but no. I think Caine has that 'it' factor, whatever the hell it means, doesn't matter, she's got it in spades. Sometimes I think it's not even the stories she writes that fascinate me so much, it's HOW she writes these stories that gets me every time.

Ch-Ch-Changes...
Cassiel is faced with a world-changing predicament. Give into Ashan, the Djinn conduit, and destroy all of humanity to ensure Djinn survival and her return as a Djinn, or fight with the humans (and remain one in the process) and hope that she can destroy Pearl, a one-time Djinn who has gained unspeakable power. The choice is not so easy anymore since Cassiel has turned human. Now her emotions control her actions and her growing attraction to Warden Luis Rocha has only solidified her determination to save the world. But with Luis's niece and many other kidnapped children in the hands of the monster Pearl, Cassiel doesn't know if she can win. Can she fight an army of well trained Warden children, even if they are trying to kill her and her friends, when her human side says never to hurt a child?

Up Sh!t Creek Without a Paddle...
Unknown starts off where Undone ends. It was revealed that Cassiel was cast out of the Djinn race for her refusal to destroy mankind. But even Cassiel has to admit that killing off every last human on Earth might be the only way to stop Pearl from destroying not only the world but all the Djinn as well. Soooo, yeah, Cassiel is pretty much up sh!t creek. Hey, but at least Luis will be at her side during the journey. Dying is so much more fun when you have a hunk at your side. Okay, maybe not, but a hottie at your side does make most things better.

Ms. Don't Call Me Cass, My Name's Cassiel...
I love Cassiel. I am literally obsessed with her character. I have this odd interest in characters without emotions. Characters that don't follow the status quo of what 'good' characters should be like. Experiencing the world through her eyes is almost hypnotic. She doesn't understand all the stupid crap humans do or put up with. She likes saying what she wants and doing what feels right, not worrying what society expects of her. Though turning human has taught her some things: weighing options before acting, how emotions make life worth living, how the physicality of the human body makes your time on the earth more precious because it's finite. But what's better than watching Cass learn her new world, is seeing what she was like as a Djinn. She pretty much was horrible, which is why I like her even more. I love flawed characters, ones who have not always been the heroes.

The Menfolk...
Sure, I like Luis, but he still hasn't sparked too much interest in me. He is the kind of guy that I like when he is around Cassiel and they are arguing and saving each other's lives, but I have a feeling that if I had to read a page with him as the main character, I would skip it. Now, I don't think he deserves to be in the bad section of my review because he is still an overall cool character, he just hasn't done it for me yet. Maybe in a few more books I will be under his spell. We shall see.

Now to the good part. The one, the only...Rashid. He's a new Djinn, unlike Cassiel who was once an old Djinn (born Djinn). The old Djinn think very little of the new Djinn, who were once humans. But with Cassiel being humanfied and fragile, Rashid has started taking an interest in her. But we don't know for sure what his true agenda is. Watching Cassiel fear a Djinn she would have once sneered for even existing is quite entertaining. Rashin thinks so, too. He is playing some kind of game with Cassiel, and I wish I knew what his goal is. But whatever it is, I can guarantee you it does not bode well for Cass.

When the Men are Scared of You, Then You Might have Gone Too Far...
I can't tell you how exciting Unknown was to read. Some scenes literally made my jaw drop in horror and fascination. The lengths Cassiel will go are just amazing. All I can say is she does something so shocking that she has to let her human consciousness hide while the Djinn part of her takes over and gets the job done. And when she did this thing, the men around her witnessing this act didn't even know what to do with themselves. They just sat their and stared at her in horror and fear. If I remember correctly, one person even threw-up from what he witnessed. So, yeah, good times.

I hate to say it but Cassiel might be even more interesting than Joanne (the main character in Caine's connected series, Weather Wardens). And I LOVED Joanne. But there is something about Cassiel that just hits every trait I love about main characters.

And So...
The storyline may not be the most unique but it still makes me want to read more. The action was fast-paced and abundant and the character development was superb. The pace was perfect, never a dull moment. I felt all the emotions: fear, excitement, joy, and shock. And with how this book ended, I need the next book STAT.

The Bad
Though I had as much fun reading this book as I did the first book of the series, I couldn't help but knock off a half a star for the dragged out plot. This book pretty much gained no momentum from the continued storyline of Undone. We just get a bunch of awesome actions scenes and crazy adventures then, pretty much, nothing is resolved once again. Come on, Caine, this is book two, you can't drag this same storyline on for this many books. Don't get me wrong, I love the concept, but having the characters running around trying to save the day two books in a row without any resolution is a little annoying.

The Snuggly
We get an almost sex scene which really annoyed me. Not that it wasn't well written or interesting. No, my problem is a little more scandalous. I wanted to scream in frustration when Cassiel and Luis got interrupted because I actually wanted them to have SEX. I think Luis is kind of a chicken when it comes to admitting his feelings for Cassiel, so I know he is going to overthink it and probably say it's not a good idea that they hook-up next time. Luis, you wuss, grow a pair and dive in because Cassiel is a cool chick who deserves to have her moment of fun. I can't believe I am fighting over imaginary sex. *bangs head on desk*

Overall
If not for the lack of an ending to the storyline that has lasted two books, I would say this book is perfect. I read it in two days and was sad to put it down. Cassiel has easily become my second favorite heroine in urban fantasy history, and I can't wait to see what Caine has in store for her next.

Excerpts
They (bikers) surrounded my Victory in a ring of metal and bodies.

I straddled the motorcycle, tossed the empty bottle effortlessly in the trash twenty feet away, and said, simply, "Move."

They laughed.

"That's a whole lot of bike for you, lady," one of them said. "You sure you can handle it?" That woke suggestions from several about what else I could handle, or might want to.

For answer, I gave the speaker a brilliant, false smile. "Your bike is also nice," I said. "Is it a ten speed?"

~

"I wanted to hate you," he continued softly, "but I couldn't. You're just...baffling."

"Baffling," I repeated. I rather enjoyed that description. "How so? I try to speak my mind."

"No shit." He pulled in a breath as I circled my hips on his. "Holy crap, don't do that."

"Is it because I wish to touch you? To remove your clothes and touch you everywhere, to know you completely?" I was not certain of human protocols in these matters, but Luis didn't seem offended. I leaned closer, slowly, and settled my arms around his neck. His skin felt hot and firm. "Because I wish to feel your body on mine? Your needs pounding through your veins?"

My Reviews of the Outcast Season Series:
Undone - Book #1

Author Interview: Robin P. Waldrop

Today, I am pleased to introduce Robin P. Waldrop, the author of the YA Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy novel, Ties to the Blood Moon (click for my review). Her book was a fun and exciting read that was hard to put down. I now anxiously await the second book of her series because I simply have to know what is going to happen next. And the sneak peek Waldrop sent me has only upped my anticipation to nail-biting levels.

For a chance to win Ties to the Blood Moon just click here.

Jennifer: I have to say that your YA paranormal romance/urban fantasy book, Ties to the Blood Moon, was a very fun read. It had adventure, mystery, and romance. But for those who have yet to read it, can you tell us a little more about your book?

Robin: First let me say thank you for having me on your blog, and also for writing such a great review. It was detailed and just all around lovely.

Ties To The Blood Moon is about Genevieve, a seventeen year old girl who’s just had her world ripped apart with the loss of her only living parent … her mom who was killed in a house fire. Genevieve is whisked away to her aunt’s house in Haven, Alaska to finish out high school, or so she thinks. Little does she know her life will never be her own again.

A very old Native Alaskan tribe—one with certain secrets— has been waiting for the return of their princess who will bring peace after many years of war. Not just any war, but an ongoing battle between blood drinkers and shape-shifters.

Jennifer: Aww, thank you. It was a great book which made writing a review that much easier. So how did you come up with the concept for Ties to the Blood Moon?

Robin: I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but the original idea came to me in a dream, or actually a nightmare. I woke up about one o’clock in the morning and shot out of bed. Of course, I laughed when I realized I had been dreaming, but it seemed so real I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

With pen and paper in hand I sat up the rest of the night fleshing out the story and early the next morning Ties To The Blood Moon was born.

Jennifer: I love when stories come from a dream. It's like it was meant to be, like this is the book you were always destined to write. :) So can you tell us about your writing routine? When, where, how often, and if you have any special quirks or rituals?

Robin: Do you want the truth? Because I can promise a lie would sound much more glamorous.  Seriously though, I live in a house full of folks, which makes it hard sometimes to get in any writing. I don’t have an office yet so I am forced to write at the bar next to the kitchen. Sometimes I need it to be quiet when I write and other times I enjoy listening to music. 

I usually try to get up around four a.m. and write about an hour before the rest of the crew starts to stir. After that it’s whenever I can get time to myself. Whether it be midday or midnight, I try to write everyday. If not my mind gets too flooded.

One of my grandsons stays with me a lot. He’s only four and he demands my attention. So, when I have him I divide my day between writing and playing transformers, army men, and—my personal favorite—Batman and Robin.

Jennifer: Aww, that's just too dang adorable. So between writing and spending time with your family, do you ever get the time to read? If so, what kind of books do you like to read and which authors are your favorite?

Robin: Oh yes! I always make time to read. I’ve talked with many different authors about various things and have gotten a slew of different opinions about certain things, but when it comes to reading they all have said the same thing: In order to be a great author you have to make time to read. So, that’s what I do. I sneak a little me time when I can and curl up someplace quiet with a cup of coffee and one of my favorite authors like Catherine Coulter, John Grisham, and Nicholas Sparks. I have too many favorites to list them all now, so these are just the ones I am currently reading.

Jennifer: I have to say, you have some great taste in authors. You mentioned that you have talked with many authors over the years. Is there any writing wisdom/tips you have learned from them or along your writing journey that you can share with us first-time writers?

Robin: Well, there are way too many to speak of all of them, but a few of the ones that have stuck with me the most or that I’ve put to use the most are:

Aaron P. Lazar who is a wonderful mystery author and a great friend and mentor once told me “Write like the wind, edit like an architect.” He told me this because I have this big problem with trying to edit while I write. And any good author will tell you if you try to write that way you will never finish anything, because no matter how many times you look at it you will always find something to change or tweak.

Catherine Coulter who writes both FBI suspense/thrillers and historical romances told me to “Never give up no matter what!” When I wrote my very first novel, which is an FBI suspense/thriller, I queried about fifty agents. Long story short—they all ended with rejections. I felt so defeated I wrote to her and thanked her for all of her advice and told her I was hanging up my writing hat. Needless to say, she had a fit. She told me no matter what anyone says, if you believe in what you’re doing, if it makes you happy, never give up. Keep going and eventually you will get wherever it is you’re trying to go—and I am getting there … slowly but surely.

John Marion Francis is not a big name author, but he is a great friend and inspiration to me. He said, “Never stop writing.” When you finish writing a book, short story, or novella, it’s okay to celebrate, but then you have to write something else, then something else, then something else. So far, I’ve written two novels, three short stories, and one novella.

There is one other important piece of advice I have been told from every author I’ve ever asked for advice. Read. Read. Read. Definitely read, and read more than you write.

Jennifer: Wow, what great advice. I love what Lazar said "Write like the wind, edit like an architect.” I have the same problem with editing while I write. And thank goodness for Coulter because I think you have a very successful future ahead of you if you keep writing the way you do. Okay, time for the odd question. Which one of your characters would you most like to sit down and have dinner with? What would the two of you talk about and eat?

Robin: Well, I would have to say William. He was my idea of the perfect guy when I was younger. He is alluring and mysterious. He also has a bit of the ‘bad boy’ syndrome. Even though he’s sexy as #@%$, he has a dark side that the reader won’t see until book 2. Does that mean he’s a bad guy? Certainly not. However, he does have some dangerous qualities. I can’t really describe what or that would spoil it for folks.

As far as eating, vampires don’t eat, so I think I would have some wine while William had some of my blood. Gen describes it as the most intense, most wonderful, knock your socks off feeling when someone drinks your blood. I would just have to try it once and see for myself. As far as talking, well … I guess you know there wouldn’t be much talking, now would there?

Jennifer: Sounds like a perfect date to me, lol. I love your honesty. And I can't wait to see William's dark side in book 2. Now that I think about it, how do you come up with your character's personalities and traits? Do you base any of them off yourself or people you know or are they purely from scratch?

Robin: Honestly, both. Some of their traits come from my children. I have five children and five grandchildren so I have many different personalities to choose from. And sometimes I base them solely on my idea of how I think that particular character should be. Now, I look at the Ties characters as if I have known them forever.

Jennifer: OMG. With such a big family I don't know how you find the time to write. But at least they help you develop your character's personalities. So before I let you go, can you share with us what was the best and worst part of writing Ties to the Blood Moon?

Robin: I guess the best part AND the worst part would be the time spent away from the commotion of a large family. I wrote TIES in just over two months so I was alone a great deal of that time, which meant peace and quiet. But on the other hand, I missed out on a lot of things by not being available for them. Believe me, they definitely like me better when I’m in between books.

Jennifer: I can't thank you enough for taking the time to answer a few of my questions. I hope you had as much fun as I did. Is there anything else you would like to mention to my readers before we part ways?

Robin: Yes, Jennifer. First, I would like to thank you. It’s been fun and you are the perfect blog hostess. I also want to thank you for taking a chance and reading an unknown author. So many people still think that self published means you aren’t good enough to get picked up by a publishing company. I’m sure it’s true for some, but there are so many more good authors who go through all the same steps as any traditionally published author, except one—we take charge of our own publishing and marketing. Thanks to all the readers/reviewers who do believe in us.

Book 2 in the series will be out in late March. I will be revealing the title and book cover soon. TIES, as you know is available on all digital sites. It will be released in print in about two weeks, and also in audio in about two months.

Jennifer, I also would like to invite your audience to stop by my blog and say hi. Or visit me on twitter and facebook.

http://www.robinpwaldrop.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/robinsauthorpage

@Robinpwaldrop

Teaser Tuesday #10: Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield

Hosted by Should Be Reading

Here are the rules:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a page

3. Pick out 2 lines that are SPOILER FREE (I usually go over 2 lines, can't help myself)

4. Name the title, author, etc.

 

I was contacted to be a part of the Hunted Blog Tour. Hunted is a YA Dystopian/Paranormal Fantasy written by Cheryl Rainfield. Here is the summary:

Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where having any Paranormal power is illegal. Caitlyn is on the run from government troopers, who can enslave, torture, or even kill her, or make her hunt other Paranormals. When Caitlyn settles down in a city, she falls for Alex, a Normal (someone without Paranormal powers), which is dangerous because he can turn her in. And she discovers renegade Paranormals who want to destroy all Normals. Caitlyn must decide whether she's going to stay in hiding to protect herself, or take a stand to save the world.

I actually put off reading this book because even though I like dystopian novels, I always get nervous to read them because they tend to be a little depressing and sad. But once I started Hunted, I couldn't put it down. The characters are interesting, and the story is heart-wrenching but very entertaining. I can't even begin to tell you how much I am enjoying read this book.

Title: Hunted
Author: Cheryl Rainfield
Teaser:
I press my fingers to my temples. My scalp is hot, itchy with sweat, the pain so bad it feels like my head will explode.

Terror nips at the edges of my mind.

I shove it away, but it comes back stronger. It's not Daniel; I am sure of it. He's not this afraid.

I let down my shield. Screams rush in, and a burst of heat engulfs me. There's a crackling, roaring sound as the heat licks at me.

Fire! Someone's trapped in a fire!
pg 228

So, what do you think? Are you intrigued? Leave me a link to your Teaser so I can take a look.

Blogspiration #6: Guilty Pleasures

Blogspiration is a Brand Spankin' New weekly meme hosted by both GrowingUp YA and Saz101. The meme was created to help spark inspiration among bloggers, readers and writers alike. An inspirational quote/picture/video is posted weekly, on the day of the author's choosing, so that it may inspire creativity, conversation and just a little SOMETHING.

This week's Blogspiration comes with a question: What book inspires you?

This question's a hard one because I have a lot of books that inspire me in different ways. So I have to narrow it down to the one that inspired me to become a writer.

About two years ago I read Guilty Pleasures, the first book of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. And once I was half way through, I was already changed forever. I don't know if I can say exactly what inspired me so much but all I knew was that after turning the last page, I inspired to create my own story. My novel is set in a somewhat similar world that Hamilton has created in her novels. Though our stories are completely different, it was Guilty Pleasures that helped me open my eyes and envision limitless possibilities.

First of all, the book was written beautifully. It had great pacing, one-of-a-kind characters, and a strong female protagonist who knows how to use a gun. I loved that Guilty Pleasures discreetly promoted female empowerment. I didn't read a lot of Urban Fantasy back then, so this was one of the first times that I saw a woman save the day. Anita Blake has been trained to kill the bad guys, and she's damn good at it. I also couldn't get over how well the plot was interwoven throughout the whole novel. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and was genuinely surprised by many of the twists and turns. I walked away from this book knowing I wanted to write a story about a kick-ass heroine who could take care of herself.

Hamilton did such a flawless job of mixing the paranormal with reality that I read this whole book without ever questioning the existence of supernatural creatures. I was sorely disappointed when I finished it and realized I still lived in the real world. Stupid reality, always ruining things.

Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Book 1) by Laurell K. Hamilton.

Summary:
“My name is Anita Blake. Vampires call me “The Executioner”. What I call them isn’t repeatable.

Ever since the Supreme Court granted the undead equal rights, most people think vampires are just ordinary folks with fangs. I know better. I’ve seen their victims. I carry the scars…

But now a serial killer is murdering vampires—and the most powerful bloodsucker in town wants me to find the killer… “

“In a world where vampires, zombies and werewolves have been declared legal citizens of the United States, Anita Blake is an “animator” – a profession that involves raising the dead for mourning relatives. But Anita is also known as a fearsome hunter of criminal vampires, and she’s often employed to investigate cases that are far too much for conventional police. But as Anita gains the attention of the vampire masters of her hometown of St Louis, she also risks revealing an intriguing secret about herself – the source of her unusual strength and power.”

Here are some awesome quotes from Guilty Pleasures for your enjoyment:

“I spend most of my waking hours confronting and destroying things that I fear. A thousand-year-old master vampire was a tall order, but a girl's got to have a goal.”

“Pity is an emotion that can get you killed. The only thing more dangerous is blind hate, and maybe love.”  

“Violence has to become a part of your thinking. It makes you cautious, suspicious as hell, and lengthens your life expectancy.”    
“That kiss was really nice you know before you...bit me, but it was still nice.”   

“You smell of other people's blood, ma petite."
I smiled sweetly at him. "It was no one you knew.”  

In My Mailbox #3: Vampire Memorabilia

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It's an opportunity to share the books we've bought or received in the last week!

So I am still trying to catch up a little bit by sharing what I have received this past month and a half. Last week was only for what I won. And since I haven't bought any book in a little while, I will share what I received for review. Plus, I did win a little more stuff since last week.

I want to thank Laura Kaye for hosting such an awesome giveaway. I have never won so much stuff in one shot before. I love all my vampire memorabilia. The book on vampire history is just plain amazing.

I also won:
from I Smell Sheep, from Stuck in Books 
I totally can't remember who I won this from. Sorry. The author sent it to me directly and the blog with giveaway was not mentioned.


What I got for review:

I got these books from NetGalley...
 and  and  and  


Authors provided for review...
 and  and  and  and

All books are linked to Amazon if you would like to learn more about them. Some of these books are in print form and others are ebooks. Now I am all caught up. Yay. I plan on buying a whole bunch of books in a week or so. Especially a lot of YA books that have been suggested to me (like Vampire Academy). I can't wait!!!

Follow Friday #17 / TGIF #11

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

This Week's Question: Activity!!! Take a picture or describe where you love to read the most…

Answer: I always sit on my comfy La-Z-Boy rocking recliner. I usually have my shawl with me because I get ridiculously cold very easily. This is the most comfortable chair I have ever sat in. Plus it rocks, like a rocking chair. I like rocking while I read. Yeah, I know. It's kind of weird, but I don't like to sit still for too long so it's a way to keep my body moving (well, kind of moving, but you get what I mean). I also have a reading light right next to me, it's super bright so it's perfect for a reading area. The chair is actually in the family room of my house. I like to be with the rest of my family when I read. I don't know why.

TGIF at GReads is a Friday Feature hosted by Ginger at GReadsBooks.com! The point of TGIF is to re-cap on this week’s posts and answer the question of the week!

My Blog Posts for this Week:
Follow Friday #16 / TGIF #10
Author Interview: S. Ravynheart (Aftershock Blog Tour)
This Blog Won the One Lovely Blog Award
In My Mailbox #2: I'm a Winner
Review: Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione
Review: By a Thread by Jennifer Estep

This Week's Question: Required Reading - Which book from your school days do you remember reading & enjoying? Is there a book published now that you'd like to see in today's curriculum for kids?

Answer: I don't remember which grade I was in but I do remember reading Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls and bawling my eyes out. Though it is super sad, I still enjoyed it. It was the first book that I couldn't put down. I didn't even care that it was required reading. It was a well told story that really made my emotions run wild and drew me in from page one. I felt like I walked away a little wiser and a little more grown-up after reading this book.

Summary: Billy, Old Dan and Little Ann -- a Boy and His Two Dogs...

A loving threesome, they ranged the dark hills and river bottoms of Cherokee country. Old Dan had the brawn, Little Ann had the brains -- and Billy had the will to train them to be the finest hunting team in the valley. Glory and victory were coming to them, but sadness waited too. And close by was the strange and wonderful power that's only found...

An exciting tale of love and adventure you'll never forget.


When I was volunteering for my old elementary school, the librarian suggested a book for me to read. It was called Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Even as an adult, I loved reading this middle-school book. It has great characters and an interesting storyline. It also teaches important real life lessons for young kids. I don't know if this book is already in today's curriculum, but if not, it should be.

Summary: Jess Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side and outruns everyone.

That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits.


Thanks for stopping by. Leave a link to your Blog Hop post so I can return the favor. If you follow me, I will follow back.

Review: By a Thread by Jennifer Estep

By a Thread

Book #6 of the Elemental Assassin Series

by Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Pocket Books (February 28, 2012)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 384 (eBook)
Source: Author supplied me the ARC
Purchase at: Amazon / Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)

Summary
When killing people is your job, there’s no such thing as a vacation.

Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. And since I destroyed my nemesis Mab Monroe a few weeks ago, all of Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning to make a name for themselves by taking out the lethal Spider—me, Gin Blanco. So I’m leaving behind my beloved barbecue joint and heading south with my baby sister, Bria, to cool my heels in a swanky beach town. Call it a weekend of fun in the sun.

But when a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic threatens an old friend of Bria’s, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all. Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Detective Donovan Caine, my old lover. But Donovan is the least of my problems. Because this time, the danger is hot on my trail, and not even my elemental Ice and Stone magic may be enough to save me from getting buried in the sand—permanently.

The Good
My Happy Place...
I am so giddy right now I just want to punch someone in the face. Okay, yeah, my happy place is a little violent but that's okay because I can blame it on Gin. She just brings out my feisty side. I can't even begin to tell you how much I LOVED By a Thread. It had everything: fighting, violence, suspense, horrible villains, kickass heroes, and a little side of romance. It's no secret that Gin is one of my favorite protagonists ever. And she's only getting better book by book.

Trouble with a Capital 'T'...
So Gin takes a vacation. What? Oh yeah, you heard right. Our lovable assassin (please don't tell her I called her that, I 'd like to keep all my appendages attached to my body) has finally decided to take a break. It's the only logical decision since everyone wants a piece of her after she came out of the assassin closet. But don't worry, we are talking about Gin here. Where Gin goes, trouble follows. This trouble happens to be a very powerful vampire (Dekes) who wants to obtain Callie's (Bria's best friend) restaurant by any means possible. Callie has no interest in selling her restaurant but as Dekes' goons like to say, "Accidents can be arranged." In steps Gin to save the day. But Gin might have bitten off more than she can chew because this vampire knows way more than he should. And we all know the saying, knowledge is power.

'D' is for Drama...and Donovan
I can't stress enough that this book had EVERYTHING. We get what we always expect from Estep: descriptive writing, dynamic characters, action galore, and drama, drama, drama. And when I say drama, I mean Donovan Freaking Caine. I actually hate Donovan more than I hate the villains. Why? Because we know the villains are bad guys, we expect it. Even they know that they are bad. They don't try to hide it. Gin knows the bad guys are going to come after her, hurt her, and she prepares herself for it. But Donovan is a whole nother story. He is the good guy, the detective who we should all trust. And he has hurt Gin more than anyone else ever has. His hatred for what Gin is is so strong that even our cold-hearted assassin breaks just a little under the scrutiny. Assassin's have feelings too, people. Donovan's conviction has uglied him in my eyes, and there is no coming back from what he did to Gin in the past. So when Estep brought him back for this book, my heart sank, but in a good way. I think it was time for Gin to finally confront him. I have to admit, I was stressed out over what would happen between Owen and Gin when Donovan came back into the picture. And that's all I am going to say about that because I don't want to spoil what happens.

Slices and Dices...
Gin was her old kickass self. She still slices and dices when the need arises, she still has her family to support her, even if Bria and Gin's relationship is a little strained, and she's still the ultimate survivor. I literally had to put the book down three times because I got so flustered and became a nervous wreck when she got into some hairy situations. I, one hundred percent, didn't have a clue how she was going to get out of this one situation. It seemed impossible. But Estep amazed me once again with her plausible and creative twists. Her writing actually pulled me into the story so much that someone was calling my name for five minutes and I never heard them until they shook me out of my reading coma. True story.

I am so happy Estep finally brought this certain concept up for a plot. I am not going to tell you what it is because that would ruin the surprise, but I have been thinking of this certain connection with vampires from book one, Spider's Bite. So to finally have it addressed and fully explained was very exciting.

The Crew's All Here...
Owen, Finn, and Bria were all there and awesome as ever. Bria still carries resentment towards Gin for being an assassin, which broke my heart because it's really starting to get to Gin. But how Estep addressed this issue was perfect. It all tied in very nicely. Owen is still the sweetest boyfriend ever. I don't think anyone could have written a better partner for Gin than Estep did. He is everything Gin needs: someone who loves her for who she is, not despite it, has the same need to take care of his family no matter the means, and who sees her strength and determination as something to admire, not belittle for. He is a male lead to revere and drool over. *Owen, will you marry me? Woah, Gin, I was just kidding. Put the knife down.*

When I turned the last page, I actually let out a breath of satisfaction. By a Thread addressed a lot of problems that have been weighing on Gin for a long time. Her life may not be perfect, but it's getting damned close. Which kind of makes me suspicious, like something bad is going to happen soon. But I will take my happy ending and sleep well for now.

The Bad
I truly can't think of anything I didn't like about this book. I use to complain that Estep wrote too much backstory and recap, but I didn't feel this way about this book at all. I am starting to think that the recap bothered me only because I read the first five books in a row. This book had the appropriate amount of recap that helped the reader get back into the story very easily.

The Snuggly
We get our token sex scene that is oh so naughty but not too risque. It's just enough to show us how much love Owen and Gin have for one another. How they crave each other no matter each other's pasts. Owen is the perfect man for Gin, and I can only hope that they stay together. Even Gin, with her coldness, has warmed up because of Owen and his unconditional love.

Overall
If you don't want to read this book or series, then something is wrong with you. lol. Just kidding. But come on, people, this is a fascinating series and book. It shouldn't be passed over. This is a true urban fantasy story that hits all the levels of perfection. I read By a Thread in a day and my nails were all but bitten off because the heart-pounding suspense on almost every page. A highly recommended read.

Excerpt

“Yeah, yeah,” I said. “I know exactly what you’re going to say. I’m a bitch, this isn’t over, and I’ll be seeing you again real soon. If I had a dollar for every time I’d heard that, I’d be even richer than I already am.”

Pete kept glaring at me, so I leaned forward so that my face was level with his.

“Trust me, dude,” I said, letting him see the cold violence that always lurked just below the surface of my wintry eyes. “You do not know who you are messing with, and you do not want to find out. Do yourself a favor. When your boss Dekes springs you from the pokey, tell him that Callie Reyes is off-limits and to find somewhere else to build his fancy resort—or he will be sorry that he didn’t. You got that?”

The Elemental Assassin Series:
Spider's Bite, Book 1
Web of Lies, Book 2
Venom, Book 3
Tangled Threads, Book 4
Spider's Revenge, Book 5

Review: Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

Immortal Rider

Book #2 of the Lords of Deliverance

by Larissa Ione

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (December 2011)
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 326 (eBook)
Source: NetGalley
Purchase at: Amazon / Book Depository
Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5 stars)

Summary
Sexy, powerful, and immortal, Limos is on a crash course with destiny. She’s been marked as Satan’s bride and her jealous fiancé wants her all to himself. The only way this Horseman can keep herself—and everyone else—safe is to keep her distance. But not even Limos can save herself from the secrets she’s kept . . . or resist the seductive allure of one very brave human.

Arik Wagner knows the saying “love hurts” better than most, yet he never thought stealing a kiss from Limos would land him in Hell. Literally. It takes all his military training to survive the demon torture, but once he’s topside, Arik realizes that the agony has just begun. With the Apocalypse looming and Satan demanding his bride, will Arik and Limos surrender to the desire smoldering between them? Or will giving in to their passion unleash hell on earth?

The Good
A Slap and a Tickle...
Since I did not read the first book in this series, it took me some time to get use to the characters and learn the lingo. Once I did, I quite enjoyed reading Immortal Rider. If you're looking for action, torture, and sex, this book is for you. LOL. Sorry, I just read that last sentence back and it's a bit rough. But, to be truthful, this book is rough. Ione is not the kind to shy away from any area when she writes. She creates in-your-face characters with gory and sexy storylines that leave an impact. She's my kind of gal. A good gritty read is fun sometimes. Immortal Rider is like a refreshing slap in the face, but with a silk glove.

The Devil is in the Details...
The Horsemen of the Apocalypse aren't really that bad. They don't turn truly evil until their Seal breaks (don't ask me what a Seal is because I am still trying to figure that out myself). When a Horseman's Seal breaks before a prophecized time, he or she can't help but turn evil and rain down hell on earth. But surprisingly, the whole Horsemen and Apocalypse thing is just a side story, for now. Limos, the only female Horseman, has bigger fish to fry. Like her fiance, Satan. Oh yeah, you heard right, Satan. Limos is starting to regret this 'deal' she struck with him so long ago. An eternity in Satan's bed can get a girl a little queasy, especially when that girl starts to have feelings for a human named Arik.

Arik, on the other hand, has more love-hate feelings for Limos. Sure, she's cute as hell and her strength cannot be compared, but when you spend a month being tortured in hell for just kissing her, well, a man can get a little skittish. They may both have ugly pasts, but if they could just trust one another, then maybe they can both overcome their personal nightmares.

A Horseman and a Gentleman...
I loved Limos from page one. She is feisty, strong willed, and can kickass like nobody's business. I found it interesting that she was the slightly more devious Horseman compared to her brothers. Her secret past was so shocking that I didn't know how anyone could ever forgive her. And that made her so much more fascinating. She was not always on the good side, which made her unpredictable and exciting to read about.

Then we have Arik. I wince even thinking about what he went through in hell. I don't care what anyone says, a little lip action is not worth torture in hell. But as you can guess, Arik isn't the most logical of people. Who falls in love with a woman who is the reason for their torture, a woman who can bring down Armageddon to all of Earth, a woman who has lied to the very people she loves to save her own butt? Yup, Arik does. But you got to give him credit, he is one strong son of a sea biscuit. He takes it, and dishes it right back. He is fearless, caring, and sexy. He pretty much takes Limos' past in stride and loves her despite her downfalls. I can't help but admire him, even if he is a fictional character.

A Balance...
Immortal Rider encompasses a lot of other characters but my favorites were Reaver and Harvester. Both are fallen angels of sorts. I wish I knew more about their stories. They both watch over the Horsemen but in different ways. There always has to be a balance between good and evil. So once one of the Horseman's Seal's broke, Reaver was put in charge of the good Horsemen while Harvester went with the evil Horseman. And boy, is she perfect for the job because Harvester is bad to the bone. The things she does to Reaver are just atrocious. And even with his hatred for what Harvester has done to him, Reaver still saves her from a horrible fate. That's when we see Harvaster's sensitive side. I don't know what Ione has in store for these two, but I can't wait to find out.

Back to the Start...
The action was simply fantastic and the characters were brilliantly written. Each one had completely different personalities which made them believable. The grit and blood in this book is abundant, and it only makes it that much more intriguing. The humor was very well done. It wasn't too corny, it was a perfect mixture of sarcasm and good-natured ribbing. I loved the concept, too. The four Horsemen of the Apocalypse trying to prevent their fate. Falling in love and learning what it's like to actually live instead of just exist. This book makes me want to read book one for sure.

The Bad
I am going to start off by saying that even though this book can somewhat be read as a stand-alone, I wouldn't recommend it. I, unfortunately, did not read the first book of this series so it took me maybe one-half of the book to catch up and understand all the terminology. I do wish I could have read the first book of the series because I think I would have enjoyed this book more.

My main problem with this book is the same problem I have with all of Ione's books. In a paranormal romance, I like to focus on the main couple. But Ione likes to branch out and have alternating chapters about different characters and potential couples for later books. I don't mind this usually, but with Ione, she overdoes it. I would say only one-third of this book was actually about Limos and Arik. I found myself skipping pages to get back to them, then pouting as I had to go back and read the pages I skipped because they were most often vital to the plot.

Some things were left unsettled which bothered me. It was confusing to have the characters all of a sudden no longer worry about things that took up a major part of the book.

The Snuggly
If you're squeamish when it comes to reading sex scenes, then this book is not for you. Ione is known for her sexed-up books and Immortal Rider does not dissapoint in that aspect. Some of the sex is aggressive, and an almost rape or two can also be expected. Nothing overdone or super uncomfortable. It all fit with the storyline and characters. The romance was charming some of the time, and other times it was more about dislike that slowly turned into love. I found it a little exhuasting how many couples we had to read about, but that's how Ione writes so I knew what I was getting myself into.


Overall
I knew I shouldn't have read book two without having first read book one. But I couldn't help myself. I love Ione's Demonica series so much that I had to grab at my chance in getting book two of Lords of Deliverance when it came out. But I still enjoyed the story and characters very much, even if I was a little confused some of the time. I think paranormal romance fans that like lots of sexual situations and action/fighting will love this book. A recommended read.

Quotes
He looked up as Harvester appeared in the doorway, a sheer black robe draping her sleek body. In her hand was a bottle of what he thought might be read wine. "Good. You're awake."

"Good," Reaver mimicked. "You're still a bitch."

She saunteered into the room. "I think someone woke up on the wrong side of his chaines."

~

"It would be smarter to hide the body so no one will know what happened to him, and no one can tie his death to you.  There's no sense in drawing attention to yourself, Li"

"Helloooo. I am a Horseman of the Apocalypse, and I'm betrothed to the most infamous, most powerful demon in existence. I couldn't draw more attention to myself if I wore Lady Gaga's meat dress to a PETA convention."

In My Mailbox #2: I'm a Winner!

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It's an opportunity to share the books we've bought or received in the last week!

So I haven't done a IMM in a while. I guess I was lazy and I haven't bought any new books for over a month. But I have won a lot of books and other stuff, so I thought I would share those with you.

Here is what I won in the past month or so:

That is not me in the shirt, it was provided by the blog website I won the shirt from. Here is the list of all the blogs I won these books and prizes from:

http://tsktskwhattoread2.blogspot.com/
http://www.pickedbypoison.com/
http://fullmoonbites.blogspot.com/
http://www.chelseafinebooks.com/
http://synchronizedreading.blogspot.com/
http://forget8me8not.blogspot.com/
http://ttoria.blogspot.com/


So far I haven't read any of these books. I am kind of behind on my review requests at the moment. So these shall have to wait, but expect some reviews of these books in the future. And thank you bloggers for hosting such great giveaways.


What did you get in your Mailbox this week? Leave a link in my comments. :)