Lots of action but wasn't enough to make me love this one as much as I did the previous two. Also hardly any Murphy who I missed, which is weird as shLots of action but wasn't enough to make me love this one as much as I did the previous two. Also hardly any Murphy who I missed, which is weird as she irritates me no end, but I love the interaction between her and Harry. Although I didn't enjoy this one as much, the narration by James Marsters was still fantastic. Onto book four....more
I read this back in 2008 and originally gave it 4 stars. Upon rereading it, or listening to it, as this time I chose the audiobook, I didn't 3.5 Stars
I read this back in 2008 and originally gave it 4 stars. Upon rereading it, or listening to it, as this time I chose the audiobook, I didn't feel the story was as good as I remembered. It's fun, the character of Harry Dresden is good if a little dry witted, but I think I just have to get used to his humour and get to know him as a character before I can really settle into the series. Dresden didn't jump out to me as an amazing character, but I'm hoping he will grow on me over the course of the series. I think the book also suffered from first in series syndrome.
I really enjoyed listening to the narration by James Marsters (Spike <3), he was really good, and it's mainly because of him that I will continue the series on audiobook....more
I haven't read anything by Erica Hayes before, but after reading a few reviews for Scorched, and seeing that it was on NetGalley for review,
4.5 stars
I haven't read anything by Erica Hayes before, but after reading a few reviews for Scorched, and seeing that it was on NetGalley for review, I decided to give it a go. And I'm so pleased I did. After the first chapter I realised that this was going to be my kind of book. The author pulls no punches; the writing is gritty, witty and dark - just the way I like it.
The heroine, Verity Fortune, aka The Seeker, is complex and slightly damaged, but completely badass. She's a superhero among a family of superheroes. People at large know that they exist but only because they wear costumes and masks, without them their true identities are unknown and so the superheroes (and villains) can go on with their 'normal' daily lives without recognition. Verity's family also owns FortuneCorp, one of the biggest corporations in Sapphire City, and are well respected.
The book begins with Verity being tortured, held captive by an unknown source, although she thinks it's Razorfire, the biggest, baddest Villain of them all. Her superpowers are being held in check by an augmentium helmet, made from a specific material that prevents her using her telekinetic powers. Fortunately, there is a moment when Verity takes a chance and manages to break free. Her only thought is to get back to her family, and to plan her vengeance on Razorfire, for her lost months, for the unrelenting torture, for her scarred face, and for the people of Sapphire City. Slowly throughout the novel the story of her life unravels, her lost memories slowly return after the months and months of torture, and many of the unresolved questions are answered. But things are not always as they seem.
What I loved about Scorched was the fact that reader doesn't know any more than Verity. When she's confused so are we, when she asks questions we do to, and when she finds out the answers to those questions, we are right along side her. This made for a very exciting read. There are a lot of mistakes made along the way as she tries to figure out who is behind her kidnapping, and the murder of her father, Thomas Fortune, aka Blackstrike, the city's best loved crime-fighter, but eventually we do get some answers and they are HUGE, leaving Verity reeling and wanting to seek revenge. How Verity will recover I don't know, but it will definitely make for a very interesting second book.
Although I found out the majority of answers at the same time as Verity, I did have my suspicions about the identity of Razorfire, and I was proven right when his identity was revealed, in the most AWESOME way. But that was the only aspect I had an inkling about, everything else came as a surprise, which I loved. It really kept me on my toes. The flashbacks she has tell us the story regarding her father, her brother (Adonis) and sister (Equity) and Razorfire. As the story moves forward, and as Verity uncovers more and more about her kidnappers, we realise that her memory is not always accurate and can be deceiving.
The relationships Verity has with other characters are interesting and I really enjoyed her relationship with Glimmer, another superhero who decides to help her in her quest, as well as for his own reasons, and with Razorfire. I liked that she was pulled between good and evil. It was interesting to find out why she felt so divided and conflicted all the time. Glimmer would call her back to the good side and remind her what it is to be a superhero, but then she would take a different route and walk a dark path, which she would instantly regret. There's not really any romance in Scorched, but there is possibly a hint to one, but this book didn't need it, even if I wanted it (I do love a bit of romance).
I haven't read such a good book in a long time. I loved the world building, the characters, the story; practically everything about it was just spot-on. There are so many twists and turns, and I loved finding things out along with Verity rather than be given the answers by the author.
Scorched is a fantastic start to a new series, and a really refreshing urban fantasy/superhero tale that I simply gobbled up. I can't wait for book two, which will hopefully be released sometime later this year. If you're looking for something gritty, exciting, and fresh with complex and interesting characters, then Scorched is the book for you.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Scorched by Erica Hayes Urban Fantasy / Superhero Harper Impulse (22 May 2014) Ebook: 296 pages
Having read all the preceding books in this series, I was looking forward to reading the 4th and final book. After sadly being dropped by Orbit, the aHaving read all the preceding books in this series, I was looking forward to reading the 4th and final book. After sadly being dropped by Orbit, the author decided to self-publish the ending to David and Sarah's story. I have read other reviews which stated that the series didn't really need another book, but I'd have to disagree. I'm really pleased that Petersen decided to publish a final book to what was a fun series.
I will say that The Zombie Whisperer wasn't as good as I had hoped but it did wrap up a few of the questions I was left with at the end of Eat Slay Love.
We're back with Sarah and David a couple of months from where Eat Slay Love ended. They are up high in the hills, living day to day, fighting off any zombie stragglers and generally getting by. David, with his new zombie strength and immunity to zombie bites does most of the hard work, preferring to keep Sarah out of harms way. This doesn't go down particularly well with Sarah and so they have to compromise with Sarah shooting from the top of the house.
One day a large pod of zombies descend upon them, and after dispatching all of them realise they were running from something. That something soon comes into view - a helicopter containing old friends. Sarah and Dave soon find themselves back in Seattle where it all began, along with many familiar faces, trying to find a cure to zombieism, dealing with Sarah's shocking, but potentially exciting news, and coping with Dave being poked and prodded by scientists like a lab rat.
Although they know many of the people they are now working with, Sarah has some serious trust issues, issues that are proved right, albeit by the wrong people.
I did enjoy this instalment. I jumped straight back into Sarah and Dave's story with ease, as though I hadn't had the eighteen month long wait since the last book. The Zombie Whisperer was a pretty short read, which was a shame, and because of that I did feel the ending was a tad rushed. There were also certain plot elements that really didn't need to be there. But as always there was quite a bit of snarkiness from Sarah, which I've always enjoyed, and it was nice to meet past characters again. The writing wasn't as tight as in the previous books, but I still really enjoyed Petersen's voice and really like her writing style. I find it very easy to read.
The Zombie Whisperer is a fun read and wraps up Sarah and David's story nicely. It was really good to be back with these two characters and to see them getting an end to their story was satisfying, if a little bittersweet. I will miss Sarah and Dave....more
Plague Nation is the second book in the Ashley Parker zombie series and I enjoyed it a lot. It isn't as good as book one, Plague Town, but it3.5 Stars
Plague Nation is the second book in the Ashley Parker zombie series and I enjoyed it a lot. It isn't as good as book one, Plague Town, but it is still a really fun read.
Ashley is a great heroine. I love her snark and attitude, but she's also genuine and caring. This continues to show through her actions towards her friends. Gabriel on the other hand is a strange one. In the first book I thought he was soooo sexy, but here he is a little generic. I got tired of his hard-arse attitude and wanted him to grow the hell up.
I'm also disappointed that there isn't much of a fall out from the revelation regarding Gabriel's secret. It is sort of washed over and Ashley has apparently forgiven him for lying and accepts everything, and yet Gabriel is the one with the stony-face? I really didn't like the way he treated Ashley. I know he has a lot going on with his particular condition, but he acts like a douchebag at times.
They do get back together in this instalment but it felt all wrong. Their relationship is barely touched upon and when they are together I was hoping for fireworks, but they just act as though they have been with each other for years rather than just having their first amazing sexual encounter a few days previously.
I wanted more heat, more angst... just more.
Having said that, I do love these two characters and I suppose that's why I am slightly disappointed that their relationship isn't really dealt with, considering what they went through in the previous book. I like the fact they give each other such a hard time though as it makes for a fun relationship.
To make up for the lack of relationship growth between Ashley and Gabriel, there is a lot of action and a lot of zombies, and I mean a lot. So much happens, and even one of the team dies *sniffles* But I'm not telling you who. The fall out from this is handled really well. The emotions that emulate from each of the team comes off as so real it nearly made me cry.
The ending is good, and as predicted, has me gagging for book three.
Verdict
A really good addition to the series, just not as good as book one. However, there's plenty of zombie action even if there isn't any bedroom action, if you know what I mean *wink, wink*. This is definitely a series that should be on your bookshelf if you're an urban fantasy / zombie fan. Roll on 2014 and Plague World....more
This is a short story prequel to Carlson’s full length debut novel, Full Blooded, released this coming September from Orbit. I was really looking forwThis is a short story prequel to Carlson’s full length debut novel, Full Blooded, released this coming September from Orbit. I was really looking forward to reading BLOODED as I’ve seen some excellent reviews and comments about it, and I’ve also been major excited about Full Blooded ever since I saw it in Orbit’s upcoming books catalogue.
Jessica McClain is our heroine, a nineteen year old dealing with the fact that she is the only female and human in a pack of wolves. Not only that be she cannot shift, making her a freak in the eyes of all the other pack members, combine all this with a prophecy that says she’s evil, and her life pretty much sucks.
The opening is an action packed scene with Jessica fighting a much larger pack member for hierarchy. This is my kind of urban fantasy! Bloody action, snappy writing and snarky heroine. The action scenes are very well written and I could feel every bone crunching punch and bloody split lip.
There are a few other characters we are introduced to. Jessica’s twin brother, Tyler, who’s a werewolf, and Nick, her best friend and werefox, who was adopted into the pack years ago. I’m intrigued by these characters and wonder if Nick will be a love interest in subsequent novels.
Jessica is also at loggerheads with her father, the 500 year old Alpha of the pack. She wants to leave the pack as she doesn’t feel safe there any more, but her father wants to keep her close. With the pack getting more and more hostile towards Jessica, leaving may be the only option…
I am left with a few questions though that I hope will be answered in Full Blooded. Why is Jessica the only female? And why is she the only human? And if no females are born then how do the wolves procreate? Do they use human women to bear their pups?
For such a short novella, Carlson manages to give the story depth and the characters individual personalities that are instantly likeable (or unlikeable in certain instances) and has a great writing style. I really enjoyed this snippet into Jessica’s world, and now I’ve had a taste, I can’t wait to read Full Blooded.
VERDICT:
Although short, BLOODED is a great little taster to what I hope will be a fab new urban fantasy series....more
Full Blooded is Carlson's debut urban fantasy, and I really enjoyed it. Jessica McClain is the only female born into a pack of werewolves, and with thFull Blooded is Carlson's debut urban fantasy, and I really enjoyed it. Jessica McClain is the only female born into a pack of werewolves, and with the help of the Cain Myth, which declares she is evil, Jessica is feared among her kind, even those of her Pack. But Jessica has never been full blooded, until now. One night she wakes up in agony and goes through the change unexpectedly, kicking off a chain of events that change her life and those around her forever.
Jessica is dogged by a cop to the point of obsession, attacked by a werewolf intent on killing her, has to fight hordes of werewolves, vampires, and a sorceress. Finds her mate (a complete surprise to her, and to him), then loses said mate, all the while trying to figure out what's happening to her. Poor Jessica. Life is well and truly complicated.
But, what it does show is Jessica's resilience. There's a lot more to her than just being the only female full blooded werewolf in the world. She can also do things that no other wolf can do; she's stronger, can shift half way and still fight with strength. She is an enigma, which causes a lot of fear. Her life is now at risk more than it ever was before.
Luckily her father is Alpha of the Pack, which is one of the strongest sects in the world. Her brother is also an alpha and stands by her side through everything. I really enjoyed reading the dynamics between Jessica and her family and friends. They are really close but also squabble, making their relationships easy to believe and identify with.
Jessica is a fantastic heroine. I loved her as soon as I read the first page of the short prequel novella, Blooded, and continued to love her in Full Blooded. I enjoy her personality, her feistiness. She's snarky but not overly so which is kinda refreshing, but there are many moments when I'm giggling at the things she says. She reads as naturally funny too rather than overly forced.
To be honest I can't believe that this is a debut novel. It reads as though Carlson has been writing urban fantasy for years. I just love her voice. As well as the well-rounded, three dimensional characters, the world building is good too. Not excessively complicated but still has depth, which makes you feel as though you could be there. What I also liked was there was no info dumping. Carlson manages to explain a lot of the Pack politics through dialogue or from Jessica's own thoughts, which made it less boring than it could have been.
Full Blooded is an amazing start to a new urban fantasy series. I love the author's writing style and voice, and Jessica McClain is a cool heroine. I can't wait to read more in the series and will be reading Hot Blooded soon. There is also a short novella, Blooded, which takes place seven years before this book, and it's a fab way of introducing you to Jessica and her world. But you can easily just start with Full Blooded if you'd prefer.
Full Blooded has everything you could want from an urban fantasy. Great characters, plenty of action with some fantastic fight scenes, a little bit of mystery and a dash of romance. Basically this is a great read all round. I can't wait to read the next book in the series to find out what Jessica gets up to next. A great start to a new series. ...more
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