There are very few books that I will drop everything to read. This is one of those bookThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
There are very few books that I will drop everything to read. This is one of those books. I downloaded this book as soon as it became available and spent as much time reading it as possible. I seem to be reading slower these days so I downloaded the audiobook when it was released a week later even though I had reached the 80% mark in the book simply because I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. I was a fantastic reading experience from beginning to end.
The characters in this series come alive on the page. I think that Sarah Lyons Fleming does an amazing job of creating characters that you can’t help but love, making it very easy to become invested in the story’s outcome. This series is told from 4 unique points of view. Rose loves to take care of everyone, especially her father and 2 young adult children. She tends to worry simply because she cares so much. Tom is Rose’s boyfriend and Clara’s father. He is incredibly competent and tends to be a steady presence in the story. Clara is Tom’s daughter and the girlfriend of Rose’s oldest child. We get to see a bit more about how the young adults in the story deal with a world turned upside down. Craig is Rose’s childhood friend. He has stepped up as a leader in the group and is someone that Rose and everyone else can count on. These four characters tell the story but it is easy to fall in love with the whole group and I worried about them with each challenge they faced.
The group seems to be in a bit of a better start than they were in the past. They have a solid group working together, plenty of supplies, and a location that meets their needs. Unfortunately, this is a world full of danger. They must constantly work to keep their food supply up and stay on guard against the zombies that now roam the world. On top of that, they know that the threat of wildfire is a real one. And this is a world without a team of firefighters ready to act. This story took my heart and broke it at times. I have to wonder just how much these characters can face.
I listened to a portion of this book and thought the narrators did a great job with the story. Each point of view was voiced by a different narrator which made it very easy for the listener to know when the perspective changed. I thought that their voices were very pleasant and complimented each other’s nicely. They added just the right amount of emotion to their reading which added to my enjoyment of the story. I plan to tackle the full audiobook when I pick this book up again for an eventual re-read.
I would highly recommend this series to others. This is the fourth book in a series that really should be read in order so I wouldn’t start with this book. The first book World Departed would be a much better place to start. I can’t wait to read the next (and possibly final) book in this much-loved series....more
My Thoughts I have had this book on my virtual shelves for years! I am kicking myself for waiting so long to finally get around to reading it. I love KMy Thoughts I have had this book on my virtual shelves for years! I am kicking myself for waiting so long to finally get around to reading it. I love Kelley Armstrong's writing so I had a great feeling about this one and it did not disappoint. I loved getting to know Elena and the rest of her pack. There was plenty of excitement throughout the story. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a fantastic job with this book.
I thought that this was a fun story! It has been a little more than a year since I listThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I thought that this was a fun story! It has been a little more than a year since I listened to the previous book in this series and I really enjoyed getting back to it. Verity has her work cut out for her once again with a new mystery and a frustrating ghostly sidekick. I had such a good time with this one that I was able to listen to the entire book in less than a day.
Verity receives a call for help from a historic home, now a museum, but when the police arrive there is nobody there. Her ghostly sidekick, Frankie, is busy turning her home into a gambling paradise for all the neighborhood ghosts. To top it off, a society group wants her to join their ranks and her boyfriend’s mother is out to cause trouble. When a dead body shows up, Verity thinks it is more than just an accident and wants to get to the bottom of things but she may find out the answers to a few other mysteries before she is done. I really liked all of the characters in this book and especially enjoyed what we learned and some of the developments involving some of the ghosts.
Tavia Gilbert does a fantastic job with the narration of this series. The voices that she uses for the various characters are all very distinctive and help to bring the characters to life. I thought that she added a lot of excitement and some humor to her reading which helped to make this a very pleasant listening experience.
I would definitely recommend this series to others. This is the fifth book in the series which could work as a stand-alone if necessary but the series is best when read in order if at all possible. I really enjoyed trying to figure out this mystery with Verity and was pleased to find a few surprises along the way. I look forward to reading more of this series very soon.
This was great! I have been a huge fan of this series from the beginning and I was eageThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was great! I have been a huge fan of this series from the beginning and I was eager to read this final installment. I thought that this was a fitting end to the series and I am satisfied with how things turned out. This wasn’t a happy ending but it felt very real.
Tomas goes through a lot in this book and he will stop at nothing to get the vengeance he feels that he is owed. The politics kept me guessing and I was never quite sure who could be trusted. This book had all of the bloody action and excitement that I have come to expect from the series which kept me glued to the pages. I loved the fact that there were some pretty big surprises worked into this story. Tomas paid a huge price to get what he felt he needed and I felt a little sad for him in the end.
I would recommend this series to others. This is a darker fantasy that I have found to be incredibly entertaining and well-written. This is a series that should be read in order since each book builds on the events of the previous installment. I look forward to reading more of this author’s books in the future.
This was wonderful! This is the fourth and apparently final book in the series. This isThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was wonderful! This is the fourth and apparently final book in the series. This is a series that really needs to be read n order since each book picks up right where the previous one left off. I expected this book to be exciting and it absolutely was. Owl has to somehow juggle saving her boyfriend, keeping her dragon boss happy, and staying alive. I was hooked by the story from the beginning and couldn’t wait to see how things would work out.
Owl’s boyfriend, Rynn, was taken by the Electric Samurai armor in the previous book. She knows that it could have been her in the armor so she is determined to save Rynn and stop the armor from becoming more powerful. I was kind of surprised when Artemis showed up to help her out but I thought that they made an interesting team, even when I wasn’t sure if he should be trusted. The stakes are high and things are incredibly dangerous. There were a few instances where Owl only had her cat, Captain, there to help her out. He is a special cat, but he is still a cat. I was entertained throughout this story.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Christy Romano did a wonderful job with the narration. She has a pleasant voice that was easy to listen to for extended periods of time. I thought that she did a great job with the various character voices and really brought the story to life. There were a few times during the audiobook that I heard a bit of an echo which was somewhat distracting but it was otherwise a great performance.
I would recommend this series to others. My only complaint is that there are quite a few things left unresolved in this book and additional installments do not appear to be coming anytime soon. I feel like Owl has more left to do and hope that we will see more books in the future but I’m not holding my breath.
Initial Thoughts I enjoyed this one. The story was exciting as expected. Owl is hoping to save her boyfriend, Rynn, from the Electric Samurai armor that took him in the previous book. Owl is teamed up with Artemis for much of the book which added an interesting dynamic to the story. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a great job with the story but there were times that the sound quality had a bit of an echo which was distracting. I am a little sad that there are no more books available in the series currently and it has been a few years since this book was published. I feel like there are a lot of things left for Owl to do and hope to see more books in the series in the future.
This was really good! After reading the first two books in this series, I decided that This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was really good! After reading the first two books in this series, I decided that I needed more of Owl’s adventures. I grabbed a copy of the audiobook and jumped into this third installment in the series. I would definitely recommend reading this series in order since the character relationships have grown and changed during this series. I thought that this book was really exciting and I loved watching Owl face impossible situations.
Owl has no shortage of things to do in this book. Her employer, a dragon, wants her to find the Electric Samurai armor. The IAA is also demanding that she locate the men behind the World Quest game. Of course, there are others who want to stop her from succeeding trying to get in her way. In this installment, Owl works with her incubus boyfriend, Rynn, and I think that they make a great pair. This book was exciting and full of action. I love that Owl is an archaeologist and knows her stuff but since she is a thief, she’ll take it if she needs to.
I believe that this was the first time that I have listened to Christy Romano’s narration and I thought that she did a great job. It did take me some time to get used to the character voices but only because I had created my own voices for those characters as I read the first two books in the series. Once I adjusted, I flew through this audiobook. I thought that she added just the right amount of excitement to the story while handling the humor with ease. I plan to pick up the audiobook for the next book soon.
I would recommend this series to others. This has been a great urban fantasy with fantastic characters, quite a bit of humor, and a unique focus on archaeology. I cannot wait to read more of this author’s work!
I. Loved. This. Book. Loved it! There are very few authors that I will drop everything This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I. Loved. This. Book. Loved it! There are very few authors that I will drop everything that I am doing just to start reading their newest book. Sarah Lyons Fleming is at the top of that list. I have looked for this book several times this year just hoping that it might have become available. So yes, I have eagerly been anticipating the release of this book and I am happy to say that it did not disappoint. It didn’t take long before I was completely hooked by this story. I even considered calling in sick to work just so I could keep reading. I didn’t because I am a responsible adult but I did think about it. I really enjoyed the entire reading experience.
Sarah Lyons Fleming writes the best characters. The absolute best. I have talked to some people who aren’t sure if they should try her books because they “don’t read zombie books”. These books are character-driven stories that just happen to be set in the zombie apocalypse. Yes, there are zombies and some pretty intense scenes but there are also long stretches of the book without any zombie action. I do love the zombies but I am here for the characters.
This book is told from four different points of view: Rose, Craig, Tom, and Clara. The book picks up shortly after the events of the first book and I do feel that this is a series that really does need to be read in order. The characters, along with their friends, are getting by inside the safe zone. The man in charge is not a nice guy but they are dealing with it. I loved the descriptions of their living conditions and I could imagine the challenges of living in a large group setting. Relationships within the group are changing. Some are stressed while others are growing stronger. Danger is just outside the gates and they must face it anytime they need to leave to help get supplies or any other essential activity.
This book had plenty of excitement. There were a few times that I was holding my breath just hoping things would work out for the group. I also really enjoyed seeing how some of the relationships between the characters changed and there were a couple of romances that kept things very interesting. I could totally imagine hanging out with this group and just having a good time but without the zombie apocalypse. Their interactions and the way that they depend on each other just felt completely authentic.
I highly recommend this series. Readers should start at the beginning of the series with World Departed but this is a series that should not be missed. This is a book that I am sure that I will be reading again in the not too distant future as I patiently wait for the next installment in the series.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I bought this book years ago and never got around to rThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I bought this book years ago and never got around to reading it for one reason or another until now. I really shouldn’t have put it off because it really was a good time. I have read a lot of urban fantasy in my life but this is the first time that I remember reading one that included an archeology angle and I must say that I liked it.
Owl was once a promising archeology student but she found something that she should have and was pushed out of the program. Now she earns a living getting antiques to private buyers, often through theft. The vampires are out to get her from a previous incident and now a dragon wants her to find an artifact for him. Her journey will take her from Vegas to Japan then Bali and she will encounter one bad situation after another.
I found this book to be really exciting. There was a lot of action and the story kept me guessing until the very end. Owl was great and I loved the way that she gave her tasks everything she had. Her vampire attacking cat, Captain, added a lot to the story and I really liked the friends that worked to help Owl with her mission. There was even a bit of romance to keep things really interesting.
I would recommend this book to others. I found it to be a really well-done introduction to a very promising series. I cannot wait to read about Owl’s next adventure.
This was another great installment in the series. I have had a lot of fun tagging alongThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was another great installment in the series. I have had a lot of fun tagging along with Verity and Frankie as they set things right in the world. In this installment, Verity gets the chance to actually get paid for the things that she has been doing ever since Frankie came into her life. The only catch is that she has to help find whatever treasure might be hiding inside a house that has more than its share of ghosts, and some of them are not happy.
I really had a great time with this book. I really liked the fact that Verity isn’t hiding her skills any longer. There were some unexpected twists in this book which added to the overall appeal. There was a time or two that I was really worried about Verity. I liked seeing how the relationship between Verity and Ellis is developing and I think that his character adds a lot to the story. Frankie added some lighter moments and I love how his personality offsets Verity’s almost perfectly.
Tavia Gilbert did a fantastic job with the narration of this series once again. I love how she is able to add so much life to each of the characters that play a role in the story. Over the years she has become one of my favorite narrators and I know that her narration added to my enjoyment of this story. I would highly recommend this series to others. It is such a fun cozy series with a perfectly balanced paranormal element. I cannot wait to listen to more of this series.
This was so good! I went into this book with high expectations since it was one of my mThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was so good! I went into this book with high expectations since it was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I am happy to report that this book maintained the level of excellence that I have come to expect from this series. I honestly cannot understand how this series isn’t more popular than it currently is. I really think that all fans of dark fantasy need to give this book a try because it has the perfect combination of action, great characters, political maneuvering, and bloody violence to keep things very, very interesting.
This book picks up shortly after the events of the previous installment so I would definitely recommend that this series be read in order. Tomas Piety has been serving as Governor of Ellinburg. He has handed the reins of his gang, the Pious Men, to his second in command, Bloody Anne, while he serves his role as a member of the Queen’s Men. A note from Dannsburg telling him that the Queen is dead and he is needed. He gathers his closest men and starts his journey. He is not ready for everything he is about to encounter when he arrives at the House of Law.
This book is told from Tomas’s point of view and I love the way that he is able to navigate even the most difficult situations. He is a tough man but he has his limits and lines that he will not cross. This is a brutal story and not for the faint of heart. It was eye opening to realize just how deeply the corruption in this realm extends and to learn just who really holds the power. This was a book that I found almost impossible to set aside and couldn’t wait to see how Tomas and his crew would be able to navigate the difficult situation that they found themselves in.
I would highly recommend this series to others. I found this to be a fantastic read that kept me hooked from the start. This is definitely a darker story with plenty of bloody action and a whole crew of wonderful characters. I will definitely be reading more of Peter McLean’s work in the future.
Initial Thoughts This was fabulous! This was one book that I couldn't wait to get my hands on and I am so happy that it delivered. There were a lot of political maneuvers in this book but it was as brutal as the previous installments in the series. At times, it seemed that Tomas was in over his head but he always seems to find a way to make things work out. The story was quite violent and sometimes gory so it may not appeal to all readers but I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a darker read.
I had a great time with this book and thought it was a fantastic addition to the seriesThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I had a great time with this book and thought it was a fantastic addition to the series. I have been eager to continue with this series and am so glad that I finally worked this book into my reading schedule. This is the second book in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery series which I would recommend reading in order if possible but it could work as a stand-alone if necessary.
Verity stumbles upon a dead body while helping her sister prepare for a big event. Nobody knows who killed Darla or what their motive was so Verity decides to see what she can learn with the help of her ghostly sidekick Frankie and Ellis, a local officer and potential love interest. Throw in the efforts to win her back coming from her ex-fiance and the demands of Frankie, and Verity has her hands full in this installment.
I thought that this book was very entertaining. I had no idea who was responsible for all of the things going on around Verity. It was great to get the chance to know the characters we met in the first book a little better and I enjoyed meeting a few new ones as well. I was very happy with the development that we saw in Verity’s romantic life. The book was very well written and I felt like the pacing of the story was spot on.
Tavia Gilbert did a wonderful job with the narration. She is able to use a distinctive voice for each character that appears in the story which really helps bring this to life. I thought that she was able to add a lot of emotion and excitement to the story as well. I think that her narration added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this book to others! This is such a fun paranormal cozy mystery that kept me guessing until the end. I cannot wait to listen to the next book in this entertaining series.
Initial Thoughts This was such a fun addition to the series and it was exactly what I was in the mood for! Tavia Gilbert did a fantastic job with the narration. I just had a great time listening to this cozy mystery.
I liked this audiobook but I didn't love it. I downloaded this book as a Kindle First RThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I liked this audiobook but I didn't love it. I downloaded this book as a Kindle First Reads pick and decided to add the audio on for just a couple of bucks. The book sounded rather promising and it seemed to everywhere online so I thought it would be a safe bet. I found it to be a rather quick listen and the story did hold my attention quite well.
Joan is a reporter hoping to advance her career. She is expecting a child with her boyfriend, Deck. After she is mugged in the city, they decide to move to Deck's hometown of Lilydale. When they arrive, she learns that Deck has told everyone that they are married. This story is set in the 1960s but the residents of Lilydale are more opinionated and controlling than you would expect in any era. Things start getting creepy quite quickly and Joan feels like she is constantly being watched by everyone living in the town. A boy that disappeared from the town 20 years earlier and it appears that he might be back. Joan has just started writing for the local newspaper and is thrilled to get the story. As she looks into the events in the town, she quickly realized that the issues in town might be bigger than she ever imagined.
I can't say that I really liked many of the characters in this book. Joan did some things, especially at the beginning of the book, that made her very difficult to fully embrace. The story is told from Joan's point of view but I wasn't sure if I should completely believe everything we learned from her. The only character that I completely liked and trusted didn't show up until later in the book and played a rather small role. I think that the story would have been much more powerful if I liked Joan enough to actually care what happened to her.
Whitney Dykhouse did a fabulous job with the narration. I thought that her voice worked perfectly for this story. She did a great job with all of the character voices and I liked the fact that she was able to add emotion into the reading. I thought that her voice was very pleasant and easy to listen to for hours at a time. I believe that her narration added to my enjoyment of the story.
I think that a lot of readers might enjoy this one more than I did. I liked the story even though I did have a few issues with it. I wouldn't hesitate to try other books by Jess Lourey in the future.
Initial Thoughts This was good and there were some pretty big surprises in the story. I wasn't sure who should be trusted at any point in the book. The narration was very well done and added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I had a good time with this book! After my re-read of the first book in the Night PrincThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I had a good time with this book! After my re-read of the first book in the Night Prince series, Once Burned, I have been very eager to read this book. It turns out that like the first book, I didn't remember this story despite the fact that I have already read it. That is bad for my memory but good for the experience of reading this book since it was like reading this book for the first time. I really enjoyed my time with this book.
Leila and Vlad survived the events of the last book but things seem a bit different. Leila has lost her abilities and Vlad seems distant. There is a bit of a misunderstanding that becomes the breaking point and Leila leaves. I have to admit that I really like Leila and Vlad together so the time that they were apart in this book wasn't quite as enjoyable for me. Things are still pretty exciting while Leila is away and it seems that danger must be following her. Of course, Vlad happens to be a pretty good problem solver.
I really enjoyed watching the relationship between Vlad and Leila develop over the course of this book. They learn a lot about each other in this installment and there are a lot of pretty big developments. I really liked seeing the ups and downs between them and thought that it made their relationship seem a lot more realistic. I really do think that they are good together and love how they seem to understand each other.
Tavia Gilbert does a fantastic job with the narration. I love the voices that she uses for all of the characters and how she is able to put a lot of emotion into her reading. The story really comes to life with her narration and I found myself listening to this book for hours at a time. I believe that her narration added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this series to others. I do believe that this series should be read in order since the events of this book build off the previous installment. It would be ideal to be up to date with all the books in the Night Huntress universe but not absolutely necessary. I look forward to reading the next book in the series very soon!...more
I loved this book! This was a re-read for me but I remembered much less about the book This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I loved this book! This was a re-read for me but I remembered much less about the book than I would have expected. Usually, once I start a reread, the story comes back to me but that wasn't the case this time. I probably read the book so quickly the first time that it just didn't stay in my memory. Or I am going senile. It could really go either way. The good news is that I really got to experience this book for the first time all over again. And what an experience it was!
Vlad has been a favorite character for me throughout the Night Huntress series so I was really excited to read this book where he takes a leading role. It was really nice to see another side of this sometimes brutal but usually fair character. Leila was great. She is human but has some extra abilities due to a near-death experience with lightning. As a result, she has become a target for a group of vampires who wish to harm Vlad.
I really liked Vlad and Leila. They are both great characters and they are great together. Leila does push Vlad further than he has ever allowed but I think that this push-pull behavior helps to bring them closer together. The chemistry between them was off the charts and I liked the way that they were able to work together to achieve a goal. Vlad was very protective of Leila and I loved seeing just how far he would go to keep her safe.
Tavia Gilbert nailed the narration once again. I love the voices she uses for all of the characters in the books set in this world and the fact that she is very consistent. Vlad's voice just suits his character and I love the way she brought him and the other characters to life. I thought that she added a lot of emotion and excitement to the story, which added to my overall enjoyment of the book.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. Readers who have not read the Night Huntress series could probably jump in here but I do recommend reading this one after the other books set in this world if at all possible just to have the background on all of the characters. I cannot wait to continue with my re-read of this delightful series!
Initial Thoughts I remember a lot less about this book than I would have thought. Usually, when I do a re-read, the story comes back to me at least in part. Since my memory has apparently failed me, I had the pleasure of experiencing this book all over again. I loved Layla and Vlad has been a favorite of mine for a very long time. It was fun exploring their powers and I couldn't wait to see how things would work out. The narration was fantastic and added to my overall enjoyment of the book.
Well, I loved this! I have been a huge fan of Charlaine Harris's work but I haven't picThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
Well, I loved this! I have been a huge fan of Charlaine Harris's work but I haven't picked up any of her new books since the Sookie Stackhouse series ended. I have re-read a couple of the early Sookie Stackhouse books but I guess I was more than a little upset by how that series ended so I took a break from her work. I decided that it was time to give her books another chance and I must say that I am very happy that I picked up this book. It was an incredibly enjoyable read from beginning to end.
This book's setting is an alternate America in the 1930s. America has been broken up into several different countries and some areas are rather wild. Lizbeth Rose works as a gunnie, or hired gun. She takes her job seriously and will do whatever it takes to complete her mission. She finds herself without a crew and decides to take on a job offered to her by two Russian wizards.
This story was really exciting and there is a ton of action to go around. Gunnie Rose seems to be able to protect her charges very well even when they are not cooperating. I loved Gunnie Rose. She is a little rough around the edges but she is incredibly smart and knows when to keep her mouth shut. She never stops trying no matter how the odds are stacked against her. Eli and Paulina were also wonderful characters. Paulina and Gunnie didn't always see eye to eye which made for some rather interesting scenes.
I would highly recommend this book to others. I loved the Old West setting along with the alternate world that is very different than what is in the history books. This book was filled with action, wonderful characters, a bit of romance, and an interesting mystery. I cannot wait to read more of this exciting series.
Initial Thoughts Well, I loved this. I have to admit that I am still a little mad about how the Sookie Stackhouse series ended and while I have re-read some of the early books in that series in recent years, I haven't picked up any of Charlaine Harris's new work. Until now. I didn't want to put this book down. I loved the characters, the world the book was set in, and the fact that there was plenty of action to keep things moving. I am going with 4 stars for now but may end up bumping it to 5 after I have some time to think about it. I can't wait to get started with the next book.
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