Intriguing, sultry, and imaginative!
344775
What an amazing new Author! The story line is extremely  original and will take you to a new world that is truly unique. I wish that it was edited better. When a sentence isn't worded correctly it pulls the reader out of the story and trust me this story is so beautifully built that you don't want out!
894701
This is a really fun read. The setting is vividly described, and very imaginative . Without wishing to give too much away, look out for the coffee scene! I loved it. There are incredibly evocative moments, and the richness and the detail of the setting means I really felt like I was there, in the sweaty, grimy, but rather wonderful city of Damsport.

But the real strength of the book is in its characters. Longinus and Rory leapt off the page for me. They were both complex, fully developed characters, each with very distinct personalities. They felt both real and endearing, but at the same time following them around Damsport was a lot of fun, and at times just plain funny. And Longinus is just brilliant!

In fact, all the characters in this book are interesting. Even some of the smaller, side characters have intriguing personalities, quirks, so that the whole book is populated with a cast of characters you want to spend more time with.

For all that, a very compelling mystery runs throughout the story. There are pockets of humour throughout the novel, but the plot remains well developed and engaging throughout, so that you just want to keep turning those pages. There were a few moments that I really didn't see coming -- which is of course always a lot of fun!

All in all I really enjoyed this book. The Viper and the Urchin is a fun caper, served with big dollops of mystery and humour.
601402
I have always been fascinated with the studies of mythology, Greek being the top of my favorites! I find it so compelling and so exciting to discover books such as this; living fictionally and vicariously in the eyes of a modern day girl who experiences every geek-girls dream and is given reality of her most wished desire!

I have to start off by saying, Rosanna Leo certainly is charming, and it shines through her writing radiantly! Her characters are full of SO much life, and the dialogue between characters will have you in giggling fits. And I know I am not the first to say, but I undoubtedly identified with Maia, (our lead character) and that bond/connection is one of the best affairs for a reader to experience. She's pretty awkward, but she's deeply passionate about the things and people she keeps close, has her own sense of style of clothing choice and not a care what people think of it, and just so much more, I adore her!

Maia works as a conservator and expert in the Ancient Greek department of a Museum she grew up in as her father had worked there. Ever since she was five years old, she had a strange infatuation for a particular statue, her favorite piece which began her peculiar crush on the mythical Greek God of love, Eryx. She even swore it would wink at her at times and found herself speaking to the statue as if it were an actual person. Maia grows up to be an intelligent and devoted woman, a true expert on everything Greek. The story takes an interesting turn for Maia when the new Museum director, Lord Eric, arrives and has a striking semblance to the man of her dreams. (Literally)

She thinks she must be going crazy, it couldn't possibly be him. He's only myth...right? As soon as he arrives, the department is being turned upside down, and layoffs are happening left and right. Maia fears she may be next, but Lord Eric begins to act strange around her. Almost as if this insanely gorgeous man... was attracted to her? Maia feels like she really must be going insane. She's so clouded by her insecurities she can't comprehend the fantasy becoming reality, and as we find out Lord Eric can't even explain why he's so drawn to her. He proves to her his identity and romance buds right before our eyes, but when we the reader least expect it, the plot really thickens.

A sick and deranged Goddess has it out for Eryx, beholding an ancient grudge. She will do whatever it takes to separate the lovers to leave Eryx's heart in shambles forever. The thrill is edge-of-your-seat intense, leaving you rooting and praying for everything to turn out alright between the star-crossed lovers.

As a lover of mythology and romantic affairs, Leo did not disappoint. It's everything I imagined for a modern day woman who lives with her head in the clouds, who ever had a wish for something she so desired to come true. Oh, if only we could all have our own Greek God.

I really rather not spoil the greatness of this book, so the cryptic last paragraph will just have to do for you till you read it! Believe me when I tell you, fellow mythology nerds, if you love romance with spice and lore, this charismatic book is something you do NOT want to miss. What are you waiting for, buy it!
1836269
I was hooked from the very beginning, even though at times, the action seemed a little slow to develop and I wondered where this was leading.  Now to worry!  The writing was so lyrical, so engaging, it lured me on - deeper and deeper into the life of a young man who left the safety of home to find adventure - and found way more than he bargained for.  The human characters are so real and so endearing, each adding new dimension as this tale evolves drawing you into a vortex of love, loyalty, patriotism, hope, fear, horror, despair and every other human emotion imaginable.  The other characters, so imaginatively grotesque and other-worldly, leap out to terrify and repulse you - as all good fantasy villains should. Of course, in the end, good wins over evil - but then, is it really the end?  It's a trilogy - remember!?  Someone should definitely be looking at movie rights!  Loved this!
4317176
Gorgeous, adventurous, and lush with exquisite settings that transported me to a dark, moody Italy of old, I found this story truly enchanting. The tale holds an amazing amount of depth and vision for a book of this length. I found it well-paced and tremendously satisfying and immediately rushed to see what else this new-to-me author had written. But on to what I loved about this story

The blurb captures the premise perfectly, but what really captivated me was the authors ability to sweep me fully into another time. A time where war, poverty, wealth, and cruelty touched the lives of nobles and serfs alike; a time of thieves and plague, where beauty and peace could morph to greed and violence at the turn of a misspoken phrase. From the opening page I was surrounded by the stink and clogging dankness of the underbelly of 18th century Italy, and I loved it! Honestly, I felt like I had stepped into any one of Caravaggios provocative and moody paintings. And the lead characters only enhanced that sentiment.

To my eye, Count Masello held a touch of wild gypsy in his bearing, which played wonderfully against his emotional angst and lent him the air of an Italian Bryon. And young Amadeos spontaneous spirit and fiery temper are well-balanced by his quick intelligence, melancholic regret, and his yearning to be a better man. I enjoyed inhabiting both of these smoking hot Italians. Their delightful Chip and Dale approach to love was charming and very entertaining and played out wonderfully against the vivid darker tale of blackmail and thievery. I highly recommend this romantic and spirited adventure of two courageous men finding a second chance at happiness amidst the splendor of old Italy.

Thank you, Heloise West, for sharing this captivating romance short Lovely!

Atmospheric, Lush, Enthralling!
398813
This is a really fun book to read! I loved the characters, they were so charismatic and vivid! There are so many elements at play, including time travel, werewolves, vampires, etc., I really felt that they were excellently woven without being overbearing. The concept of this book is new and interesting, and has potential to be a truly gripping series! The world that April White has created leaves us excited for more to come! I will be watching eagerly for the next book in the series!
3847456
From the very first chapter of Elizabeth Varadan's The Fourth Wish, you'll be hooked. At no time does she resort solely to intrigue and magic to carry the plot. Dialogue and character development are equally appealing. Each character is unique, and the internal plots are as tender as the external ones are exciting. The Fourth Wish manages to awaken the possibility of magic even in adult readers, and my teenage children were begging to know what the wishes entailed and resulted in as I swept through the story.

And then, there is Mrs. Seraphina. A veritable Mary Poppins, Mrs. Seraphina is unique, mysterious, and, of course, quite magical. Varadan's story will leave you peeking around store corners and wishing that a Mrs. Seraphina of your very own would appear, even in the face of mischief that invariably follows her.

This was a delightful read reminiscent of Edward Eager's Half-Magic :)
741934
Soulfire is a passionate, exciting book which twists and turns. The characters are vivid, the story well plotted and the premise clever. There are loads of stories out there about twinned souls falling in love and saving the world, but this is the first time I've read something that brings some new ideas to the sub-genre. I wouldn't call it a romance, there is far too much adventure and fighting for that, but the central themes are about overcoming destiny and striving for a new world. The author has given these characters some wonderful language to play with and there are great ideas to come in following books I'm sure, that much is clear. I really enjoyed this and it's another author to follow who doesn't get bogged down in their own mythology!
3087965
In the world of Incarnate, everyone's been reincarnated hundreds of times while keeping their memories from every generation. It's always been this way...until Ana was born. After a girl named Ciana disappeared and was never reincarnated, a mysterious "nosoul" was born instead. Soul Tellers had never come across her soul before because she was living her first and only life. If you love the concept of reincarnation, this beautiful and mysterious story will pull you in immediately. I know I'm desperate for more!

Leaving home on her 18th birthday to find out about her existence, Ana finds herself lost in the forest with her faulty compass and under attack by a group of Sylphs. A boy named Sam rescues her from the freezing depths of a lake and the two fall for each other from that moment on. While Ana is disbelieving and suspicious of his generosity, the two bond and you see their love develop every step of the way. After she realises he isn't out to hurt her, they share a familiar closeness and their attraction is undeniable, no matter how hard they try to fight it. Sam has a heart of gold and he's a talented musician who writes Ana songs...need I say more? You will most definitely fall in love with him just as Ana and I did! Unlike everyone else, Sam believes she's a newsoul, rather than a nosoul, and convinces her that she has just as much right to love as anyone else. Are we melting yet?

Range is a place filled with supernatural creatures; centaurs, sylphs, trolls, griffins, dragons and more! When Sam brings Ana to the safety of Heart, she's only allowed entrance if she agrees to study and undergo testing to "become useful". Even then, people are wary and unfriendly because they worry she won't be the first of her kind. When will the next nosoul arrive? Which of their own will disappear forever again? As the novel progresses and we come to the climax, this becomes one of the big themes. Many are determined to eliminate Ana so she's constantly looking over her shoulder and narrowly escaping attackers, even with the protection of Sam. The mythology is deeply explored, as well as the history, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this world!

Overall, Incarnate is a breath of fresh air, with a new concept and a cast of interesting characters. While at times the story is simple, you'll love exploring the adventures of Sam and Ana as they navigate the obstacles in Heart and try to quell the levels of tension surrounding them. Although the entire storyline about souls is fascinating, there's no getting over the lure of the romance. It's completely endearing and will leave you in a very delicate state. With twists and other unexpected shocks, Incarnate is entertaining from beginning to end! I want more!
2003560
What I love most is how the author leaves room for the imagination from one chapter to the next!  You can easily become engulfed with the elusive and seductive journey between Benjamin and Blake.

Looking forward to the SEQUEL!  KUDOS to the author.
4339819
What a thrilling storyline! After reading the prequel, I had to get my hands on the next book in this series, and if you read it, you'd understand why. What an imagination the author has to create a world where Angels are real enough to fall in love with us mere mortals. I loved how the budding romance and raging teen hormones collided to fuel the love between key protagonists, Eloise and Nathaniel! I got goose-bumps reading this tale of forbidden love and unbridled lust. The saying, "Better the Devil you know" springs to mind and I have to say that I enjoyed reading this book so much that I simply couldn't put it down. I'm on to the next book in this series now and I don't want it to end! Come and fall in love with this series and let your imagination soar to the heavens and rest on a cloud. It is a marvellous experience.
3123447
Richelle paints a rich and imaginative story that tugs at your heartstrings and immerses you in wonder. Her mix of science fiction AND fantasy creates a real mind-blowing experience that is difficult to describe. I quickly developed an emotional tie to a number of characters. The story keeps getting bigger and more interesting. I really can't wait to get my hands on volume 2.
4160125
I was absolutely enraptured by this book with its lush, beautiful imagery, its well-constructed plot, and its outstanding prose.  There are parts in which  I was moved to tears, which does not usually happen for me with literary works.  The characters are colorfully described, and the reader is allowed into the thoughts of the characters as well as the backstory behind the character himself/herself.  There is a luscious, astonishingly metaphysical  feel to the book...descriptions are felt rather than read, and the words flow and integrate into one's mind; the reader has a sense of bring there...and yet not, because it is fiction...but it heavily leans on the strength of the human spirit, and the fact that we, as a planet, are all connected as one.  I highly recommend this book, with enthusiasm to those who enjoy exceptional prose.  This book is not to be read; it is to be savored.  I cannot wait to read the second book!!
3032869
An intriguing read, with a thought-provoking premise, well defined characters, and a story that could be prophetic. I can't wait to read more!
3588540
Enlightened has everything a good fantasy story should: Secrets and intrigue, a life on the line, a hint of romance...
Darcie is a strong character that finds herself in an unbelievable situation, living in a world with beings she never knew existed... and they think she's one of them.
I enjoyed this book immensely, as I do all Samantha Britt's books. The characters are well developed and likable (or hatable, depending on who we're talking about). The world building is imaginative and inspired. It's a whole new take on immortals that I found engaging and highly entertaining.
I like Des and, despite his repeated insistence that Darcie is NOT the reincarnation of his soul mate, I think they belong together- even though Kevin, the boy next door back home, the one she's pined over for years, is finally showing an interest. I am firmly on Team Des and I'm not above hoping something bad happens to Kevin.  :)
All in all, great book. I highly recommend!
3293872
I had to add this book to my 'Favorites' shelf -- it was enchanting!
First things first: I received this book for free from the author through my Goodreads book club, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. All thoughts and conclusions are my own.
The tale begins with Celeste, who is a soon-to-be-seventeen year old girl living with her adoptive parents. Due to her dad's job, her family has had to move a lot, and Celeste has become used to being "the new kid". Right before her 17th birthday, she and her family move to a small town in Kansas where she begins again in a new high school. She is immediately befriended by a young man called `Tink', who has a flamboyant personality and a penchant for cute boys. Tink notices something different about Celeste right away, and no matter what kind of crazy things get thrown at him he stays right by Celeste's side. Celeste becomes enamored of a hottie named Rylan, who is dark, mysterious and SOOOOO dreamy.
Leading up to her 17th birthday strange things start to happen, and Celeste knows that something BIG is getting ready to go down...and apparently Rylan knows what it is, because he is giving her cryptic answers and furtive glances. Flocks of ravens line the trees around Celeste's house, and seem to follow her wherever she goes. Strange shadow shapes show up in her bedroom, and she hears disembodied voices pleading for her to `open the door, Rua'. Is she losing her mind, or is she a part of something magical?
I can honestly say that I don't have any complaints about this story! I thought it was very well written, the characters were believable, and the adventure was nail-bitingly close. I absolutely love the character Tink - so often in YA novels you see the obligatory gay character, and they are portrayed as so over-the-top that it just seems completely unrealistic. However Tink is written as a strong male lead, and one who is unfailingly faithful to his new friend Celeste. Rylan is exciting and dark, and completely delicious. Celeste is a very dynamic female with the ordinary flaws and insecurities of any normal 17 year old girl, but one who also knows that she has an inner strength that will see her through whatever comes. I would love to read more about the world that author Miranda Kavi has created, and I hope that she continues to narrate Celeste's new journey!
2732403
Tiger Kingdom and The Book of Destiny is a portal fantasy for young readers that has a Narnia vibe, while still retaining its originality.  The book opens with a scene thats exciting and deeply intriguing:  white tigers running down the street. It seems only Suzie saw them. Did she invent them?  Were they actually there or a vision meant only for her?  And why would such a strange sight appear to a seemingly ordinary ten year old girl?  With these questions circling in my mind, I plunged forward, eager to discover what lay in the pages ahead of me.

I was not disappointed.
As the plot unfolds, more little mysteries are offered up for the reader to solve alongside Suzie and jack.  Plenty of imaginative devices entreat the senses, but many touchstones of reality are sprinkles throughout to help readers make connections.  The addition of circus themes was a good touch and provided an element of whimsy.  Elena and Liam were my favorite characters - Elena for her wistful secretiveness and Liam for his steadfastness and intelligence.  Im eager to see what the next book has in store for them.

Every time I get my hands on a work intended for younger readers, I find myself slipping into teacher mode.  Sometimes books intended for children are dumbed-down, but that is definitely not the case here. Readers are given opportunities to expand their vocabularies, draw conclusions, and make predictions while immersing themselves in world rich with beautiful imagery.  It was maybe a bit short for my tastes and could have used a little fleshing out in some areas, but the length is probably perfectly fine for the intended audience.