Magic Slays - a 'killer' addition to the series
580982
There is really just no way to do justice to a review of Magic Slays justice without being spoilerish because, while the writing, the plot and the characters make the story really good, it is all of the little things that make it great. So instead, without giving too much away, here are a just few of the things that made Magic Slays the newest addition to my very small keeper shelf ...

I loved the humor, especially Kate's banter with several of her cohorts and 'his furriness' - I had forgotten how snarkily funny this series is.

I loved seeing Kate and Curran together, their relationship will never be a smooth one with such dominant personalities but that is exactly what has the potential for keeping their relationship as interesting in the future as it is now - and there was one spot in the story in particular that was so surprisingly sweet that it had my inner romance reader sighing.

I loved the emotional roller coaster of the story and the gamut of emotions for Kate and me both -  including some very nervous moments along the way since there are no guaranteed happy endings or ever afters in urban fantasy.

But most of all I loved Kate, through the series she has been great and here it was so is very satisfying to have a heroine who is both powerful and smart - so not only did she rock in the action department, but she managed to hold her own - and actually kick butt - using her smarts instead of her sword in a confrontation of a different kind with the pack as well.

So a big gushing fan girl thumbs up for Magic Slays. I am always afraid that books I anticipate as much as this one will let me down, but no disappointment here on any front - I know it sounds cliche, but since Kate Daniel's world keeps on getting richer and the character and relationship continue to develop, this series really does keep getting better with every book.  And the last few lines of the ending to Magic Slays - Wow, game on - have me totally amped up for the next trip to Kate's magical Altanta.
4111271
You need this fun, action packed, paranormal series in your library!
723188
The short version: I loved it! I received the book this morning and finished it this afternoon.  This is the fourth in the series (Fated, Cursed, and Taken are the first three) and this installment fits right in. The author, Benedict Jacka, has created a tight, fully fleshed magical world, and a complex and nuanced protagonist in the Alex Verus series. Alex Verus grapples with his enemies and his issues without being maudlin or self-absorbed, and Mr. Jacka does this while maintaining continuity and without the dreaded Deus Ex Machina. Anyone who enjoys Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series or Kevin Hearn's Iron Druid Chronicles is certain to enjoy this series as well.

For the uninitiated, Alex Verus, the title character, is a mage in a world of mages, apprentices, adepts, and oblivious normals, as well as a host of other magical beings.  His magical power, divining or seeing into the multiple futures that lie ahead, although not flashy or powerful in itself, gives him many strengths. He can find people and things by mentally walking through the many future paths until he finds what he's looking for, or in the case of traps - what he's not looking for. In a similar way he can be invisible to a degree: he can choose to walk by just as you turn your head or glance at your phone. He can outfight most people by blocking a punch or dodging a bullet or spell before it's fired.  The story really examines the power of knowledge and how intelligence can overcome greater physical power. Never-the-less, Alex has little in the way of direct power, making his gift better for avoiding trouble than overpowering it.

The world he lives, and frequently almost dies in, is a bit simplistic, with a Council ruling over the self-concerned Light Mages, while Dark Mages, who are totally immoral sociopaths, are a law unto themselves. The two factions are at odds, but not at war, because the Light Mages are concerned only with keeping the uneasy peace rather than fighting for what is morally right. This conflict serves as a major driver in the series since Dark Mages can and do kill their apprentices or use them (and any adepts they catch) as cannon fodder while the Council does nothing. This is really my only problem with the series, as anyone can see that this, combined with the limited number of apprentice positions available for future Light Mages, would push many potential apprentices into the arms of the Dark. This is in fact what happened to Alex as a young apprentice, and only a dangerous choice allowed him to escape a future as a Dark Mage. Because of his history as an apprentice to a Dark Mage, Alex is shunned by Light Mages and the Council. Alex matures throughout the series, and his growth is told well, through tight, crisp writing.  As the series progresses Alex slowly matures, gaining friends and even an apprentice.

Caution: spoilers ahead.

In this book, Alex, who was coerced by his master, a Dark Mage, into committing some morally questionable acts during his apprenticeship, comes face to face with his past. A group of young adepts (an adept is a  kind of one-trick pony of the magical world) is bent on freeing adepts from persecution in the magical world by killing Dark Mages. The group, lead by the younger brother, Will, of a woman who was killed by Alex's former Master, have chosen Alex as the next on their hit list.

Alex, for whom this woman's death was a turning point, is understandably unwilling to kill this young man, but his reticence almost gets him killed. Only after almost dying, and endangering his friends, does he stop running and take a stand. That he chooses to do this without his friends creates a large part of the conflict, and makes for a story with a lot of depth and also - action.  I think the books, and especially this book, would translate well into a movie, with lots of well-described action and an opportunity for a director to order up some killer special-effects.
4303852
Excellent new spin off series for fans of Faith's Jane Yellowrock books! Some great paranormal action as always in her books but more importantly excellent character development. No spoilers but we really get an intimate view of the new main character, Nell, work through some difficult issues from her past in uncovering hard truths and weeding out lies that had kept her isolated from her family.

We're still not exactly sure what we're dealing with as far as Nell goes, but that's okay because she's still figuring it out herself and we're along for the ride. And yes some familiar faces from some of the Jane Yellowrock books make crossover appearances including Rick LaFleur who plays a pivotal role in the new series.

If you enjoy the Yellowrock series or gritty, well-written urban fantasy with strong women and great characters with a magical twist, I highly recommend this book and new series by Faith Hunter! Fortunately we only have to wait until November for Book 2 in the Soulwood series, Curse On the Land, and more Nell Ingram! I can't wait!
3648864
SO GOOD!  This was a great book-Ichabod & Abbie are in a race against time and a witchy coven to find Crosses awarded by the Second Continental Congress.  The coven will use them to resurrect the very nasty witch Serilda.  Ichabods wife Katrina; a kind of not nasty but maybe not all good witch shows up to drop cryptic hints as the bodies pile up in weird bloody ways!  There is some great continuity with the TV series via references to previous events and characters like Sheriff Corbin from Abbie's sister Jenny who is also on board this fun ride.  There is lots of magic and creepy violence-just what you would expect and very well written.  Fans of the show will fall right into this book and newbies will have a very short learning curve to figure out who is who.  DeCandido is a wonderful writer and brings not just the characters but the settings to vivid life. I was given a copy of the book, the review is my own opinion.
2941885
Another great book in the series by A. Evermore, must admit it took me awhile to start enjoying this book as i was not finding it as gripping in the beginning as the first two books of the series where but it sure made up for adventure and nail biting as the end drew near and Issa is contacted by the wizards circle and asked to enter storm holt!! issa cannot refuse a challenge it seems and is up for anything so she accepts, also she was told that those who enter storm holt get to know themselves better but wow the experience drove her to her limits and the brink of sanity!! so much is demanded of our heroine and she comes back to us even stronger!! but now she has met Baelthrom and has formed a link with the shadow demons through maggott, will these let her down? can they be trusted to work with her to close the link and keep the higher demons out of maioria, they are demons after all? Dying to read the 4th book in the series so have just purchased this and hope to start reading it today!! A really good thrilling series full of magic, demons and other magical creatures alongside the humans of course!!
653361
Book 2 in the Spirited Legacy saga takes place right after the traumatic experience that Lizzie has gone through. Suddenly full of seeping uncontrollable magic and the mate to a werewolf Alpha, Lizzies  life has gone from your average run of the mill normal to downright  unbelievable.  With the politics of her new mates pack Lizzie has no idea what she has gotten herself into and soon before she can even figure it out she gets the opportunity of her new life. A chance to intern with one of the best Spellcasters in Europe and unlimited access once again to the Kovar Library; infamous for its collection of magic books. Without hesitation Lizzie is on a plane to learn all she can to control and use her magic, with a worrisome and ridiculous hot Alpha wolf right behind her. As she gets closer to figuring out the power she holds inside, she faces more dangers, and unlocks more of mysteries that surround the evil just waiting to consume her.

Kate Baray once again takes us on this journey that is Lizzies development, in this book we see Lizzie gain even more strength and self-confidence. We see her relationship with John become that of an equal and the limit of her power stretch beyond what we thought was even possible. I love how Baray adds more lore and legend to this book. We meet a new cast of magical characters and are introduced to familiar legends with a new dark twist. Nothing is what it seems in the Lost Library. What you thought you knew about the supernatural and mythical will take on new form in this book and leave you with a whole new perspective. I love how the characters in this series interact with each other.  I immediately fell in love with Harry, a new healer added to this mixed group of magical fighters.  His wit and sarcasm kept me on my toes and I enjoyed every minute of it.

This series so far gets better with each book, I love the combination of old and new supernatural creatures; the combination of players that make up this team of magical awesomeness and how there are several storylines taking place within the series all woven together in a neat package for the reader to enjoy without being confused. I love Lizzie and how she is not remotely portrayed as a helpless damsel who needs saving. She is equal in every way to her counterparts and can hold her own the same or sometimes better.  Im looking forward to seeing more in this series and I hope Baray continues to write about the trials and adventures of Lizzie, John and the rest of the Spirited Legacy cast.
351748
This is the third book in the Mythos Academy series by Estep.  This book was an excellent addition to this series; thing really build in this novel....there is a ton of action right from the get-go.  There is just so much that happens.  The fourth book in this series,&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Crimson-Frost/dp/0758281463/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Crimson Frost</a>, is scheduled for a Jan 2013 release.  Right now there are six books on contract for this series.

Gwen and friends are at a museum finishing up their homework before winter break is over.  Things are pretty normal, that is until the Reapers unleash a devastating attack on the museum killing a number of students.  Gwen runs into Loki's Champion during the attack and finds out that the Reapers are searching for the Helmheim Dagger.  Now Gwen has to figure out where the Helmheim Dagger is hidden before Loki's followers, the Reapers, do.

This book is action packed right from the get-go.  Seriously the opening scene has our beloved group of characters fighting for their lives against a mass of Reapers.  This was a great book, a lot of huge momentous events happening and a number of changes in the characters we love so much.

This being a YA paranormal book there is some teen angst here.  Luckily it never overwhelms the story; there is some angst between Gwen and Logan because they want to be together but Logan doesn't want Gwen to know his secret and with her psychometry she will know it if she touches him.  There is also a little bit of mean girl cattiness between Gwen and Logan's ex-girlfriend.

A lot of the characters grow in major and interesting ways.  Daphne learns what her Valkyrie power is, Gwen learns how to use her psychometry as a weapon, Logan tries to make peace with his past, and we finally learn the history behind why that librarian hates Gwen so much.

Most of the story is an investigation of sorts.  Gwen is trying to hunt down the Helmheim dagger using the clues provided.  She also takes on a side job trying to hunt down a girl's ring; the mysteries end up tying together nicely.

There is one really great new character in this book and that is the Fenrir (giant wolf) that Gwen saved in the last book.  Her name is Nott and she plays a major role in the story.  As with previous books the Goddess Nike makes an appearance as well.

I continue to love the mythology throughout the story.  I am also really enjoying the magic system and how Gwen is learning to use her psychometry in new and interesting ways.  The story never gets too heavy because Gwen is wonderfully snarky and sarcastic.  This is a tough book for our characters though, many of them suffer loses, and the situation is more dire than ever before.

Overall just an absolutely wonderful addition to this series.  This is my favorite book in the series so far.  So many huge things happen and there is so much great character development.  Things just keep get more interesting.  I really enjoy the balance of action, excellent characters, a wonderful world, an intriguing magic system, and a little bit of romance.  This is highly recommended for urban fantasy fans; both adult and YA.  If you are an adult I also strongly recommend Estep's Elemental Assassin series.
3256744
The Magic & Mixology series was the first Gina LaManna series I read, and still my favorite.  And the 4th entry in the series was the best so far.  The series should be read in sequence to maximize understanding of the characters and plot, but enough background is given that it could be enjoyed as a stand-alone.  The story combines the elements of the "cozy mystery" genre with a twist of magic.  As with the first 3 books, Long Isle Iced Tea has a self-contained story introducing a new aspect of MAGIC, Inc., while advancing the plot of the overall series arc.  The characters continue to grow and evolve, both as individuals and in their relationships with each other, while still maintaining their individual quirks.  The reader is left wishing they could step into the magical world of The Isle, and discover their own Uniqueness.
2250088
Review Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

DEAD MAN'S DEAL continues to expand the excellent dark and gritty world of The Asylum Tales series with even more magic and mayhem. While there were moments that slogged due to necessary exposition the revelations about the world building and dangerous action kept me invested in the story.

In DEAD MAN'S DEAL more of Gage's dark past as a student wizard in the Ivory Towers (which is basically Hogwarts) is revealed.  His experiences are truly horrific and demonstrate just how horrible and sadistic wizards are in this world especially with how they treat their young students. Gage's past which involves being taken from his family at a young age, being tortured, forced into hiding, and not allowed to use magic under pain of death would make many people turn into anti-social misanthropes. Gage is not one of those people. He's a survivor in the truest sense and he works with what little magic he can use to help others. Gage is also one of the most loyal characters in urban fantasy and his loyalty to his friends and family is one of his most admirable traits.

Gage's motley crew of friends grows bigger in DEAD MAN'S DEAL. We learn more about Gideon, the wizard assigned to Gage to ensure he doesn't use magic as a sort of probation set on him.  Their relationship in ANGEL'S INK was almost antagonistic and grew to a begrudging understanding. In DEAD MAN'S DEAL they undergoes a larger transformation towards friendship especially after some revelations about Gideon's situation come to light. Gage's relationship with his girlfriend, Trixie (an elf) continues to be a very sweet romance. They really fit well together and in DEAD MAN'S DEAL we are privy to not only some great banter but some steamy sex scenes in the tattoo parlor.

The Asylum Tales is a fun series with tons of quirky characters with fascinating backstories. For example, Trixie's backstory involving a love triangle of sorts with the elven king and queen would be wonderful to see from her perspective. Aside from my yearning for some Trixie POVs, DEAD MAN'S DEAL pumps up the danger for Gage and his friends making way for what should be a really fun third book which currently has no release date.
4079430
Reading a book with Imogen and Iggy only means a new magic travel with a baking murder story! Ready? ;)
This is not the first book Ive read of the Spells & Caramels series, but I think you may be a little lost with all the characters if you start the series on this one, I recommend you to start from the beginning, just for the little flame Iggy it is worth the read!
This time, our loved characters will be staying in a quite "charming" little village, where Imogen starts seeing mysterious things that no one else can notice... is she going crazy? Or our villain Horace has something to do with it? There will be murder too, but there are so many important things in this book, that the killing was not my main interest!
This time our story will be full of mysterious murders, some quite surprising discoveries and a few passionate kisses, it will not leave anyone disappointed. But it will make you want to read the next book straight away!
I liked the Imogen adventures because it's not only centered on her character but with all her friends too, Maple, Francis, Iggy, Hank... all with their own stories and adventures, making this a really enjoyable read and a quite addictive series!
Ready for a little bit of magic?
418529
Another great cozy mystery from Erin Johnson with the second book, Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts, in the Spells & Caramels series. After I read the first book last year, I downloaded the second and third to read in between other ARCs and thrillers I had set for January and February. I need to balance the light and heavy, or I get bored/frustrated with too much of the same thing. It seems this series continues to deliver on quality, imagination and humor. I recommend it for anyone interested in cozy mysteries, witches and cooking.

Imogen is new to the magic world, trying to learn how to cast spells and stay away from the prince in her new mystery land. He's engaged, she's nervous and there seems to be murders happening all the time a war goes on with the Badlands Army. In this edition, a carnival is in town, but when a seer is murdered, a rival is arrested for the crime. Imogen's certain her friend Rhonda wasn't the culprit -- and fights to prove it, all the while meeting different carnival folk and learning how to practice magic. In the end, she unearths the true killer when she makes a connection with the dead during an annual creepy ritual.

My favorite part of this series is the imagination behind all the characters, setting and actions. It's clear the author has built an entire world before writing the books, as it takes depth and design to architect this layer of intricacy in a story. Information about Imogen's background is kept minimal, as I'm sure that will be a focus of a future book, but when you learn things, you learn them quickly! Between vampires, shifters, and swallows, there's an entire structure to the world of witches and wizards. Add in Imogen's role as an assistant to the royal baker in the palace, she's constantly in the middle of situations where she is always out of her element. It's a great break from contemporary fiction, full of quirky but lovable characters, that leaves you wanting more. I enjoy the series and will definitely keep reading it in 2018. Charming. Vivid. Comforting.
3247920
I absolutely love the Sanctuary Series by Robert Crane, it has me hooked. The best part is that the first few books were free, but that alone was enough to get me on board. I like the style of writing and how it changes from the main character to others around him. The story is set around magic users in an almost knight/castle setting. There are a bunch of loops and turns when you least expect it, which is great since I am always on the edge of my seat reading this wanting more.
1633945
Olivia (Levy to her friends) Michaels is a fresh new character who is a magic wielder Legacy. She's as quick with her twin sai (wicked daggers) as she is with her tongue. Problem? 25 years ago, some Legacies got together to try and kill off regular magic users, shape shifters, the fae, and vampires. They killed off only the weak.
The world McKenzie Hunter has so compellingly created is a far different one than ours. Now Levy, a Legacy hidden from the world, begins to have to help her world by using the magic she must hide ... if anyone found out she was alive they would quickly remedy that situation!
Excellent read, I highly recommend this book!!
3427988
The Mage Guild is corrupt to its very core, and the only way it is you t to leave Emery and Penny alone is to take the battle right to their doorstep.  Author K. F. Breene wraps up Penny's story (for now at least) by banding together all the big time magical players:  the vampires, including Darius and Vlad, the shifters, the dual mage pairs, both old and young, and wild card Reagan Somerset. This battle-ready group also includes Penny's mother (and what a marvelous character she is!).  This novel is fast paced, violent, and cheerful, a close-to-perfect combination. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good supernatural read, but it is not a stand-alone novel. Be sure to read the earlier books in this series before diving in.
3543568
Nate's friends are pushing him away, and to uncover some of the deepest secrets of his family, Nate must travel to the source of the secrets, his dead family.  Get ready to invade the afterlife with Nate, all while a war between supernatural factions is brewing with his friends smack dab in the middle of it.

This is an excellent addition to the Nate Temple series full of the usual humor and it's a great setup for what appears to be main story arc #2 for this fast paced series.  While this book has less action than the majority in this series, we do get some excellent action scenes in the book, but more importantly, we get deeper insights into many of the Temple crew as well as the setup for what appears to be the makings of the next major foe.

On top of that, the humor is top notch and many of the characters receive some pretty important lessons.  This isn't my favorite book in the series, but IT IS an excellent book and sets the foundation for what looks to be an exciting new direction for the story of Nate and his friends to take.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Urban Fantasy, Pop culture, and a bit of twisted humor.  As a Kindle Unlimited reader, this series is one of the few that I make it a point to go and buy the physical book after reading each one on Kindle, it's a must read for fans of the genre, and it will work its way to the top of your reading list quickly.
4603519
What can I say about how much I love this series?  Its magically delicious!  RENEGADE MAGIC is book 2, following KAT, INCORRIGIBLE, which will be out in paperback in April.  Its Jane Austen for the Harry Potter crowd.  Kat is the youngest of three girls.  Her father is an absent-minded vicar and her stepmother is a horror.  Shes not evil, she just desperately wants the family to be respectable and fine.  Kat is not respectable.  Her mother, you see, was a witch and the witchcraft has passed to her daughters.  Kat however, has gotten a little more than her sisters.  Their mother wasn't just a witch.  She was actually a Guardian, one of the people entrusted with special powers to defend the realm against the misuse of magic.  Kat has inherited her powers, her responsibilities, and her enemies.

Kats oldest sister, Elissa, is terribly respectable.  She would never dream of doing anything so outre as using magic.  The middle sister, Angeline, is a little too interested in magic.  In fact, in book 1 she accidentally ensnared a suitor using magic.  Now his mama has burst into Elissas wedding shouting accusations and casting aspersions on the entire family.  With Elissa gone on her honeymoon, Kat and Angeline are left to deal with Stepmama alone.  She decides that the only thing to be done is to take the girls to Bath and try to get Angeline safely married off to someone who doesnt know about the magical skeleton in the family closet.

Kat soon finds herself in a difficult position.  Her brother is dodging in and out of the house, obviously up to no good.  Her sister is taunting the most notorious rake in Bath in an attempt to drive Stepmama into apoplexy.  The entire family is staying with relations who may be under the misapprehension that Lady Fotherington, Kats greatest opponent, is actually, her godmother.  To make things worse, Lady Fotherington has had Kat banished from the hall of the Guardians.  Kat is on probation, one step out of line and her powers will be bound.  But there is more going on in Bath than family troubles.  Someone is using the ancient Roman baths to draw power and Kats idiotic older brother is caught up in it.  Soon, so is her hostesss youngest daughter.  And Kats Guardian mentor won't believe a word she says about Lady Fotherington, the buildup of wild magics in Bath, or the danger to her family.  Once again, it looks like the incorrigible Kat will have to save the day on her own.