Brittanie

This book took me a long time to read because I just couldn't connect to the characters (namely Enne) and I felt like it was such a slog to continue. Luckily, once things start to kick off and we find a little more about Lourdes and Enne's past and get some action sequences, it was a bit easier to get through. I still didn't feel anything for any of the characters and don't think I'll continue with the series. If they focused more on the gangs and Levi's world, it would have been more compelling. Every time a gang is mentioned or something happens with them, it felt like just a tease - the writer introduces too many characters and doesn't have the skill to develop them in the allotted text. Enne, the main character, was just so boring and basic with no real redeeming qualities that I would rush through her chapters just to get back to Levi's POV with a little more meat to it. And while I understand this is a YA book, the romance will-they-won't-they teasing was frustrating and added nothing to the story. If you're not going to have them actually follow through on any sort of intimacy, leave it out of the book entirely.

DNF at page 120. This is definitely written like a cheap romance novel without the payoff. It's mostly mediocre dialogue with a lot of frustrating back-and-forth between characters. People who love British period dramas like Pride and Prejudice will probably enjoy this book but I find it boring. In my opinion, the title and cover are very misleading because, besides the fact that Teach later becomes Blackbeard, I wanted some actual pirate action and halfway through the book, we've hardly even stepped on a ship. It's almost all about Anne's daily chores and her stealing or eavesdropping on the upper class. 2 stars because it's exactly not horrible, but definitely not for me or what I expected.

Refreshing to read a book that uses gender, race, and sexual identity ‘talking points' without being preachy, especially when it's a well-written supernatural western.

This is such a cute, wholesome short story about finding what you need at the right time. I feel like an entire story was told here even with such few pages and that's a mark of a good writer. Each character felt developed and realistic and the writing transports you to the Welsh countryside so fluidly. I look forward to the rest of the series and future stories from the author.

This book features a pretty well developed mystery with fun, interesting characters which is really all you want in a book. Add in some romance and steamy scenes and it's right up my alley. The writing wasn't the most interesting or well-developed of the genre I've read lately which means, unfortunately, I can't see myself devouring all (currently) 11 books unless some twist in the next book really catches my interest, but I will definitely try.

I continue to really enjoy John Grey and his adventures solving mysteries, this time in his own family's past. The world Gabaldon has created is full of historical tidbits that makes this a treat for those interested in the history of London and the English soldier's life but the characters really bring it to life and can immerse the reader in the world itself.

However, I grew a little tired of Percy and wanted Stephan von Namtzen to have a much larger role. Also, as much as I love Jamie in the Outlander main series, he seemed like a forced addition here and was rather unnecessary, as if added simply for fanservice.

Overall, a great second novel and I can't wait to read the rest of his series.

Lucifer Box is always a fun read. While not the best of three, still has a lot of hilarious moments and is a great ending to the trilogy. I hope Gatiss writes more from Box's younger years (though I won't hold my breath).

Holly Black is one of my favorite YA authors and I've enjoyed every single one of her faerie lore books. She is very good with characterisations and building a world around those characters in a way that is easy to visualize and thus immerse yourself in as the reader - this book is no exception. If you've liked any of Holly's previous Faerie novels then you're sure to love this one. I cannot wait for the sequel!

Not nearly as good as the first one. This still was a fun read if a bit disappointing.

If you're reading mm romance for the sex scenes, this book is for you. The plot and character development is basically non-existent, the tension/drama that seemed intended fell short, and it's pretty short but has two pretty long, graphic sex scenes. They're well written enough and the book overall is entertaining but it definitely seemed just like a means to an end rather than a complete story. I was definitely left wanting to know more about the characters. I would continue with the series but it seems abandoned by the author.

2.5/5 It's amazing to me that an 18 year old boy could be even more whiney and, one of Kagawa's favourite words, brooding than a 16/17 year old girl. Ethan's self-deprecation got on my nerves early on, but I'm enjoying the world and side characters of the series so much that I persevered. And love interest Kenzie wasn't much better. The cancer plot device was unnecessary but predictable.
I wanted more background on the Guro as he was just added as a plot device but was more interesting and realistic than either of the leads.
Kagawa should also write male characters in third person rather than first since she has a hard time portraying realistic male POV's (especially when trying to convey the thought processes of an ancient fae).
If Ash doesn't get that the Forgotten are here because of his little love quest last series, then what's the point of this entire series?

Some spoilers within, though nothing that would give away the “plot”.

This one was a little more eye roll inducing than the first one. Henrietta expresses little to no character development and is very much a product of the era the book is set (late 1800s London) even though it's a fully fictional world full of magic and faeries and giant otherworld monsters. Some of her decisions and inner thoughts/turmoil were overly dramatic and I found Maria and other characters much more realistic and interesting. I enjoy Cluess' writing overall and it was a book I looked forward to reading based on the first of the series, but the writer could have done a little more work on her main character to make them progress instead of stagnate. I was actually hoping they would die at the end I was so fed up with them. There is also virtually no ending to the story, fully written to accommodate a third book, which is one of my biggest pet peeves. They don't even enter Blackwood's mansion at Sorrow-Fell which would then lead to them meeting R'hlem and possible destroying him, with Magnus riding off for no other reason than to be killed. But we don't know because they're just sitting on the front lawn staring at the house when the book ends. If you can't finish the arc in a single book, don't bother with it.

I really enjoyed the world built by Cluess and her writing was easy to read and follow. However, some of the archaic misogyny - while presented in and for the purposes of historical accuracy - was a little jarring and unnerving. I found a lot of Henrietta's ideals and thought processes made me wish she was a little more developed as a modern character and not like something out of a British historical melodrama. There are also some racist and classist ideas represented in the writing that, while again historically accurate for the time this was inspired by, brought me out of the story with shock. I still overall really enjoy the book and plan on moving on to the sequel just released but felt that these things could have been edited out in a way that kept the historical aspects still there.

The third and final installment had a bit of a different feel, taking place outside of the Sidhe, and focusing on the Slough - the magic-less residents cast out of the fae courts into the Wyld when they split centuries before. Kieran is a human brought into the sidhe by Lugh, the youngest son of Mab. He's also the bearer of a magic belt gifted by Mab that turns him into a raging bear, called a berserker in the book. The book takes a lot from Nordic lore and Kieran himself is alluded to be of Viking blood.
I felt that the characters maybe weren't as developed or as interesting as the previous books. Kieran and Lugh have been the main parts of The Hunt of fae lore for centuries before this book takes place so it doesn't have the same strangers-to-lovers plot the first took books have so doesn't have the same tension. We don't really know why they two haven't admitted their love, though Kieran seems to have some apprehension because of Lugh being a prince. Nothing a single conversation couldn't fix.
It was interesting to learn more about the Slough people and the events that were occurring concurrently with the second book, but I felt overall that it just didn't have the same quality of development.

I read this after I had already finished The Marked Prince so it didn't really have the same impact. While it doesn't affect the plots of the other books, definitely read this right after finishing Prince of Air and Darkness as it shows him becoming The Knight as well as the marriage ceremony this is briefly mentioned in the second book by Sebastian.
It was only about 10-12 pages (dependant on format) and available for free on the author's website.

My favourite of the three. Gasps, tears, laughs.

This book was so much better than the first. The characters were infinitely more likeable and the plot made a lot more sense with better execution. I'm glad I kept reading despite not caring for the first book of the series. The author seems to have this world more sussed out and dropped almost all of the outside world/human nonsense that cluttered [b:Claiming Marcus 53168746 Claiming Marcus (Lords of Discord, #1) Jocelynn Drake https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1571936989l/53168746.SX50_SY75.jpg 73640295]. Rafe and Philippe are a pretty organic couple and, while they fall into bed a little too quickly, there is still some tension there that makes it feel plausible and not unexpected. I would have liked to “meet” or at least learn more about the Arsenault household before their end, but the book was focused more on Rafe so it's understandable they all ended up as plot fodder. I'm also interested in more of Philippe's past - it's hinted that he's French and had a sadistic maker but it doesn't give much more information than that.I was also surprised that a witch character was added, and half expected the wolves described to be were but that didn't happen. Rafe mentioned multiple times that they didn't seem like normal wolves but they just leave after the big fight so that was kind of a waste of time. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and hope the any subsequent books don't disappoint. I'm very interested in both Winter and Bel's stories.

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first because it got too busy and seemed less focused or a bit rushed but overall a pretty satisfying read.

I loved this. Well paced, action filled, and great characterization. Anyone interested in Viking culture will enjoy this glimpse, with an bonus added dose of magic. As Feli mentions in the afterword, this was a labour of love and it shows in the detail put into the descriptions of everything. I didn't feel it was too much or long-winded. There's absolutely no romance in this book so I felt it's a bit miscategorized but I didn't feel the book was lacking for it.
It's a big recommend for anyone into Northern European cultures and looking for a quick, fun fantasy read.

While I liked the first book, I found this one immensely more enjoyable and overall better quality. The setting is entirely in the Sidhe which makes it like the traditional fae stories that I enjoy, akin to my favourite author Holly Black, and the characters Sebastian and Duine/Sl??ine are more memorable and engaging than I found Roark or Phineas. You can really get a sense that the author had a better grasp on the characters and the world she was creating. While Sebastian appeared as a character in [b:Prince of Air and Darkness 41550787 Prince of Air and Darkness (The Darkest Court, #1) M.A. Grant https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1543531041l/41550787.SY75.jpg 64825586] as one of the roommates, I didn't remember him that much and he wasn't a major or developed character. Grant gave him a much richer backstory than was unexpected with good effect. I can't wait to read the next and final book, to learn about the third and youngest son of Mab.

This book was disappointing. I'm really interested in vampire stories, especially in the mm genre, but the writing here leaves a lot to be desired. It had a strong start but the characteristics of the two mains was lackluster and there was very little actual chemistry between them. It also makes little sense that someone who was so engrossed in revenge against vampires for most of his life would do a complete 180 just because this vampire didn't immediately rip his throat out. The writer was maybe a little too ambitious with the plot as it sounds very interesting but the execution was bad. However, I do want to read the next installment to see what happens to Rafe so if a book's point is getting you to keep reading, I guess mission accomplished.

I could basically copy and paste my review of the second book here. Henrietta continues to be a Damsel in Distress even though there's no one left to save her. The books are entertaining enough and easy to read, with enough action and unique mythology to keep it interesting, but lord... I would rather read this entire thing from Maria or Magnus' point of view and have had Henrietta throw herself into the sea from the last book. She's such a damp towel but Now With Less Virginity!

I loved Holly Black's faerie books when I read them a few years ago so, after reading the synopsis of this series, I had high expectations. While I listened to this on “tape”, read by Zombieland's Jesse Eisenberg (whose voice is definitely not made for reading out loud and was probably only chosen for “star power”) which undoubtedly effected my reception of the book, how this story was told was still weird and boring and I couldn't care about any of the characters or the world they live in. It started out alright but about 60% in, I was just like ughhhhh get on with it and stop with the dream sequences. They have neat names though.

A very action packed ending to the trilogy. We finally see Ken and Jin outsmart who they thought was the smartest person they knew, or the world even, while defeating one of the most dangerous. I like that Ken and Jin's story ended with a HEA and was pretty much tied up in a bow, but I would love to see more about the other characters. What Jen does after under Jackson's guidance is a big open-ended question, especially without the KGA, and we definitely still know next to nothing about Kel who didn't get the attention he deserved in the series.
The entire thing was entirely too short but only because I liked the series and characters so much I want more. Very well written, relatable characters with bonus mutant abilities doing well written, relatable things until it all comes to a head and they save their world. It's almost a shame this is lumped into the mm romance category because it deserves to be much more well known and read and some people might shy away from that genre.

Of the three books out in this series, this one is the middling one in terms of quality. I think the M/M/M dynamic really kept me from getting too into the story as well as the two werewolf characters being a little too flat and meek in comparison to the two werewolf series' I read right before this book. It's a bit of a disappointment because I really liked Bel in the past books and it felt kind of out of character to go from being presumably asexual and a 200 year old virgin to suddenly being in a m??nage ?? trois with werewolves he's known for less than a month. In the past books, I was hoping Drake would keep the asexual aspect and go with it, making a really cute romance between Bel and whoever that didn't need to rely on sex but they went the opposite way with it.
I'm a little worried about what Winter's story will be since he seems really interesting and I hope it doesn't shatter my expectations.