Series Review: The Succubus Diaries by Jill Myles

Titles: Gentlemen Prefer Succubi, Succubo Like It Hot, My Fair Sucubi

Author: Jill Myles

Genre: Paranormal Romance

You´re wondering what I´ve been up to in the last three days? Well, here´s your answer! Once I started reading Gentlemen Prefer Succubi, I simply counldn´t stop myself. I HAD to read the entire series so far. Lucky me that I treated myself to all of the books for Christmas (hehe).

Now I not only have a new favorite series but also a new crush: Zane. *swoon*. I can´t believe it took me so long to finally read this series, as it has everything I want in a good book: great, enjoyable characters, an entertaining plot and well, just look at the covers. *grins*

Jackie is really kind of prude for being a succubus, but that makes her so unique (obviously not only in my eyes). I loved how she is still embarrased about some of the more… sticky aspects of her new existence. Jill Myles had a wonderfully genius idea when she created the character of a reluctant succubu who tries her hardest to stay decent. With two hot guys. (Poor thing.)

The very opposite of our dear Jackie is her best freind, Remy. Frivolous, shameless Remy, who just happens to be a porn star. Reading how the unusual freindship between the two sucks developed throughout the books was pure pleasure.

Noah and Zane, the two guys in book are a whole new league of hotness. I guess everyone should guess from the tiltles and the premise of the book, there are quite a few deliciously hot scenes in the books, involving either of the men. But besides all the steamy action, you also get the feeling that they both really care about Jackie, each one in his very own way. Noah, Jackie´s “rock” with his gentle, caring personality and Zane with being Zane. I don´t know what it was about him that made my heart break for him, but he had me after the first few pages! The end of book two made me incredibly sad and reading about Zane´s fate in My Fair Succubi made me cringe.

In each book, Jill Myles adds another great chracter to the band of Immortals: the evil vampire queen in book one, Luc the mysterious stalker in book two and of course Ethan in book three. I especially enjoyed Ethan and his scenes with Remy: the two of them make an awesome pair!

Each book has great storyline that keeps you entertained on every single page.

Jackie and her friends have stolen my heart over the last three days and I can´t wait to read more about them, as well as other books by the fabulous author!

The entire series gets 5 stars!

Review: “Magic at the Gate”

Title: Magic at the Gate

Author: Devon Monk

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: November 2nd 2010 by Roc

Pages:346

Blurb: Allie Beckstrom's lover, Zayvion Jones, is a Guardian of the Gate, imbued with both light and dark magic and responsible for ensuring that those energies don't mix. But Zayvion lies in a coma, his soul trapped in death's realm. And when Allie discovers that the only way to save Zayvion is to sacrifice her very own magical essence, she makes a decision that may have grave consequences for the entire world.

Review:

Devon Monk has been on my auto-buy list for quite a while nw and I really love this series. So I was pretty sad that it took me so long to finally read Magic at the Gate. Good thing that I chose to start reading on the weekend, because I wouldn´t have been able to out it away otherwise.

Magic at the Gate kind of reminded me of the TV show LOST. No, seriously. When I read the first hundred pages, I was constantly thinking WHT?, but in a good way. A very good way.

Devon Monk takes her story to places I couldn´t have dreamed of. Each twist and turn was completly surprising for me. Magic at the Gate truly stands out among the mass of (sadly) often very similar books.

I can´t write about how awesome the story was, because I don´t want to spoil ot for anyone, so you just have to believe me! Devon Monk´s worldbuilding is one of the finest, richest and most detailed you can find.

The spells, the magic and all the creatures she comes up with along with the very consistent history of her alternative world and Portland amaze me every time I read one of her books.

I guess I already said somewhere that I love Allie. her sense of humor, her sense of loyalty and the way she deals with her life (and her undead father possesing her) just speak to me. I feel like she has come a long way since the first book. She´s become far more responsible, and less passive, even though she has a lot to deal with.

I was a little bit sad that we didn´t get to see her and Zayvion together in this book a lot, but Shame and Terric totally made up for that. The two of them almost stole the show from Allie sometimes. And of course there is Stone, my most favorite sidekick ever. Anyone else wants a gargoyle like him?

The more we lear about the Authority, the more I doubt any of them. Again, this is just like LOST! (Just kidding). Everyone seems to have his or her own agenda, everyone in the highest ranks seems untrustworthy. I really can´t wait to see how the story unfolds in the next book.

Oh man. I really would want to talk to someone about this book right now…

My Verdict:

5 Stars! I just have to say this: Devon Monk, I love your writing!

Review: “To Kill a Warlock” by HP Mallory

Title: To Kill A Warlock

Author: H.P. Mallory

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: July 2010, smashwords

The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch.

 

I have already read To Kill a Warlock, but somehow I totally forgot reviewing it. When I saw that the release of Toil and Trouble is drawing near, I Remenbered this book and decided to re-read it.

It´s just as much fun the second time around! :)

Dulcie O´Neil is a fairy and regulator for Association of Netherworld Creatures (ANC), who keep an eye on all paranormal creatures living amongst humans. Luckily. Dulcie is not one of the slightly overused, kick ass chicks who are incredibly powerful. She´s a fairy and her magic is based on fairy dust, but that´s it. I really enjoxed Dulcie´s down-to-earth character. She´s a girl like you and me who watches Bridget Jones movies and writes romance novels (about her boss as fierce pirate captain), who is full of self doubts due to a relationship gone really bad and who thinks about ear enhancement for her pointy fairy ears.

When a Warlock who was know for selling illegal potions is killed and partially eaten, she and her team start to investigate As more bodies turn up dead, a stanger called Knight is sent from the Netherworld to help with the investigation. Investigation that lead Dulcie to a vampire called Bram, who insists that Bram Storker was named after him, a demon informant that runs a sex club and some really nasty potions.

On her side are hobgoblin Trey who seems to annoy everone, her boss Quillian (said inspiration for the romance novel) and sexy but cocky Knight. When the creature starts to gun for Dulcie and her love life starts to spin out of control, it might just be too much for Dulcie to handle.

If you read a book by H.P. Mallory, you´re in for a funny and thoroughly entertaining story that will make you forget the word around you. There´s one great scene after another and leaves you wishing you could read faster!

I can only recommend this book to every Urban Fantasy fan who like books with a great plot, whit and sexy guys.

5 out of 5 for “To Kill A Warlock”

Review "Wait for Dusk"

Title: Wait for Dusk
Author: Jocelynn Drake
Published: July 27th 2010 by Eos
Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy

There is no sanctuary in the night…

Feared even by her own kind for her mastery of fire, the Nightwalker Mira is summoned by the Coven to take her rightful place as Elder. But with this honor comes grave responsibility—a commitment to the annihilation of the unleashed naturi. For now the foul creatures walk the earth—and neither vampire nor human will survive their horrific onslaught.

A tide of blood is sweeping relentlessly across the European continent, as Mira is dispatched to Budapest for the most devastating test yet of her astonishing powers—and falls into a well-laid trap. With the dark secrets that haunt her growing darker by the hour, she must confront the terrible truth of her past and protect her fragile sanity in the face of unanticipated treachery—a betrayal by her ally, her enemy, her lover…the vampire slayer, Danaus.


*This review might contain spoilers regarding the previous book in the series!*

After the huge cliffhanger of the last book (Pray for Dawn) I was very curious about it. Unlike the previous book, Wait for Dusk is again told from Mira´s POV and picks up right where the cliffhanger left us.

Yet again, the story is fast and kept me biting my nails. This time, Danaus and Mira´s journey takes them to Budapest, where trouble is brewing. Once again, Jocelynn Drake´s story easily sucks you into the dark, violent and intrigant world of the nightwalkers. Not only does Mira have to face the constant and ever growing threat of the Naturi, after claiming (rather bloody) her seat in the coven, Mira also has to put up with the scheming and mack-stabbing Macaire and his fledgelings.
Amongst high octane action and political powerplay, Jocelynn Drake once more capitivates her readers with Mira´s and Danaus´s complex relationship. There are tender, playful but also angry and wary moments between our nightwalker and the hunter. The romantic tension in the last books has almost killed me and sometimes I was thinking something like "Come on, do it already...", but in this book, their seemingly doomed relationship takes an important step. Plus, we finally get our way. Brace yourself for some passionate and somewhat anrgy sex. :)
However, especially because of Danaus´s and Mira´s very special if rocky relationship, Danaus´s betrayal in this book was all the more shocking. I found it hard to conciliate after the glimpse of his thoughts and feelings we got after Pray for Dawn.
Valerio and Stephan are very interesting and charismatic sidekicks (even though that does them no justice) and I´m looking forward to read even more about those two in future books. Mira´s archenemy Rowe also makes his appearance in this book, ending with a very surprising and unexpected twist.
Odelia, Veyron and especially Clarion complete this book´s great cast of characters perfectly.
Toss in another mysterious, mighty and very creepy power player who is highly interested in Mira´s special powers and the usual machinations among the pwoerful nightwalker of the coven, "Wait for Dusk" is another excellent addition to the Dark Days series.

Favourite scenes:
As previously mentioned, Mira´s scene with Rowe in Veyron´s house was very surprising. I also enjoyed the more intimate moments between Mira and Danaus- as usual. It´s so great to watch both their characters evolve and grow with each book.

All in all:

Wait for Dusk exceeds once again my expectations is, alongside with Pray for Dawn my most favourite in the Dark Days series. It´s intoxicating, thrilling, fast-paced. Jocelynn Drake´s nightwalkers and their world are definetly one of my all-time favorites! I highly recommend it to all lovers of darker Urban Fantasy and vampires!

5 points from me!

The next book in the series which is still untitled is supposed to be released July 15th 2011. Seems like such a long wait...

Review "Unholy Magic"

Title: Unholy Magic (Downside Ghosts, #2)
Author: Stacia Kane
Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy
Published: June 22nd 2010 by Del Rey

ENEMIES DON’T NEED TO BE ALIVE TO BE DEADLY.

For Chess Putnam, finding herself near-fatally poisoned by a con psychic and then stopping a murderous ghost is just another day on the job. As an agent of the Church of Real Truth, Chess must expose those looking to profit from the world’s unpleasant little poltergeist problem—humans filing false claims of hauntings—all while staving off any undead who really are looking for a kill. But Chess has been extra busy these days, coping with a new “celebrity” assignment while trying on her own time to help some desperate prostitutes.

Someone’s taking out the hookers of Downside in the most gruesome way, and Chess is sure the rumors that it’s the work of a ghost are way off base. But proving herself right means walking in the path of a maniac, not to mention standing between the two men in her life just as they—along with their ruthless employers—are moving closer to a catastrophic showdown. Someone is dealing in murder, sex, and the supernatural, and once again Chess finds herself right in the crossfire.


"Something told her this was not going to end well. But then, things so rarely did."


*This is the second book in an ongoing series, This review might contain possible spoilers referring to the first book!*

Unholy Magic is dark, brilliant, intoxicating, sexy, saddening and shocking. Did I mention brilliant?

I´ve read and loved the first in series, Unholy Ghosts and was eagerly waiting for the second book. I practically dropped everything when I finally received it, started reading and couldn´t stop. I condemn addiction to illegal substances, but books aren´t illegal and an addtiction to it isn´t bad, right?

The quote mentioned above is from the very first page, but somehow it seems fitting for the whole book. The story picks up a short while after the events of the firat book. Soon, Chess gets a new job from the church and finds herself just as quickly entangled once again in Bump´s, Lex´s and Terrible´s affairs as dead hooker turn up all around the City. And it´s only getting worse from there on.
Even though the story is very fast paced, Stacia Kane takes the time to share more background info about the world and the characters. More shocking and unsettling bits about Chess´s childhood cast a new light on her character and make her actions plausible and engage sympathy for her.
There were more than just a few scenes that were very unsettling and emotional instense for me for different reasons. The scene where Chess stays over night at the Pyle´s, Terrible collecting debts from a guy called Nestor, Chess´s and Terrible´s litte road trip, the scene on the rooftop (this one left me speechless) and finally, the events at the graveyard... Okay, everyone includes Terrible. In real life, meeting him would probalby scare me to death, still seing him do all the things he does in his book only makes me like him even more. Maybe besides the debt collecting scene. This just made me cringe. I love how Terrible and Chess share all these emotional and powerful moments. No need to mention that my love for Lex hasn´t grown in this book either. It´s not easy to make a "good" character likeable, but to create a character who is from a rational point of view basically a criminal, yet you still can´t help yourself but to like him really shows what an incredibly skilled and amazing author Stacia Kane is.

In my review of "Unholy Ghosts", I´ve already said how well-written the characters are, how gripping the worldbuilding is and how the book as a total is nearly perfection. The same stands so very true for "Unholy Magic".

When I finally finished it sometime around 2 a.m. this night, I was upset. The story will do that to you, it stays with you even after you´ve finished reading it. And that´s what makes a great book for me. The wait for "City of Ghosts", the next book in the series will kill me. I know it.

Unholy Magic is one of the most impressive books I´ve ever read. it´s dark and desperate but has also its tender moments. It sucks you right into its cruel, disenchanted world and makes you root for characters who are broken but somehow, underneath it all still have a heart.

I would give 6 points to Unholy Magic, if I could, but unfortunatly, 5 is the highest I can.

Go and check out Stacia´s homepage where you can read deleted scens from her other books and other fun stuff!

And don´t forget that the release of "City of Ghosts" is on July 27th!