REVIEW: Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff

*Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Dunne Books for an ARC in exchange for a fair review!*

Godsgrave marks the second in the Nevernight Chronicle by Kristoff. Check out my review for Nevernight, probably by favorite book of 2016 and a stellar re-read for 2017 prior to this release in September.

Assassin Mia Corvere has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church ministry think she’s far from earned it. Plying her bloody trade in a backwater of the Republic, she’s no closer to ending Consul Scaeva and Cardinal Duomo, or avenging her familia. And after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia begins to suspect the motives of the Red Church itself.

When it’s announced that Scaeva and Duomo will be making a rare public appearance at the conclusion of the grand games in Godsgrave, Mia defies the Church and sells herself to a gladiatorial collegium for a chance to finally end them. Upon the sands of the arena, Mia finds new allies, bitter rivals, and more questions about her strange affinity for the shadows. But as conspiracies unfold within the collegium walls, and the body count rises, Mia will be forced to choose between loyalty and revenge, and uncover a secret that could change the very face of her world.

I adored this book.  It is well written and edgy with fantastic structure, pacing and characterization. The characters and narrative are complex and highly entertaining. I love the dark humor and sense of unease. Mr. Kindly's banter with Eclipse is truly epic. I love Mia. I was on the edge of my seat with some surprise revelations and a fantastic cliffhangers for the next book.  Readers are in for a bloody good treat full of sarcasm, betrayal, sex and violence.

Final rating:  5 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Firestorm by Nancy Holzner

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC*

When Vicky allowed an ancient goddess to possess her, she had no regrets—it was the only way to protect the people she loved. But now Ceridwen, locked in a power struggle with the Hellion that long ago claimed Vicky with its mark, refuses to leave. Both beings believe controlling Vicky is the key to winning the coming war for the human realm.

Despite the forces pulling her apart, Vicky needs all her wits about her. The demons of Hell are growing bold and she can barely keep up with the attacks plaguing the city: sirens in the Mystic River, goblins snarling traffic on Storrow Drive, imps tearing the gold from the State House dome. As the signs of war multiply and Hell threatens to overrun its boundaries, Vicky finds herself torn between her duty to save the world and her desire to save something of herself.

The series ends with a strong finish. Vicky faces her literal and figurative demons to not only save herself, but those she love and pretty much the whole world. She does it with her expected humor and some assistance from her allies. The ending is appropriate and satisfying if a bit bittersweet since I always feel this way at the end of a series.

I commend Holzner for her writing and determination to publish this book despite personal tragedy that threatened to keep her from ever writing this final installment in the first place. I think her husband would be proud of her accomplishment.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Dogs of War by Jonathan Maberry

*Thanks to Netgalley & St. Martin's Griffin for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Robots are no longer science fiction. Autonomous, programmed to react like animals: fast, relentless, deadly. From microscopic nanobots to massive self-guided aircraft. This technology is here, it’s accessible, and it’s dangerous. What’s even scarier is that almost anyone can get their hands on it.

A freelance terrorist uses the latest generation of robot dogs to deliver WMDs into cities across America. Sophisticated military weapons systems turn on their human masters. A technological apocalypse is coming and we may be too late to stop it.

Joe Ledger and a newly rebuilt Department of Military Sciences square off against this new and terrible threat.

Dogs of War is another pulse pounding, action packed bio-terrorism thriller in the Joe Ledger series. What is not to love:

NANOBOTS!

RABIES TURNED BIO-WEAPON!

EXPLOSIONS!

FIGHT SCENES!

DARK, SARCASTIC HUMOR!

CREEPY VILLAINS!

I loved everything about the book, both in print and in audio (seriously Ray Porter is a narrative genius!). Predator One and Kill  Switch were heavy and the fallout for the characters is still very real. None of them are on their game when this new threat comes into play.

Maberry is a fantastic action writer and excels at pacing, character building, dark humor and just general great storytelling. His villains are legendary as are his heroes. My only problem now is that I've gobbled up this new release and have to wait for another!

Final rating: ALL THE STARS!!!

REVIEW: Unraveled by Jennifer Estep

*Thanks to Netgalley and Pocket Books for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Expected publication: August 30, 2016

Reader favorite Gin Blanco is back for this 15th installment of the Elemental Assassin series.  Following the end of Bitter Bite, Gin learns that there is still a greater power, The Circle, calling the shots in Ashland and that prior to her death, Gin's mother was a member. 

Determined to learn the truth, The Spider in on the hunt for answers. Conveniently, her foster brother Finnegan Lane finds himself the new owner of Bullet Pointe, an Old West theme park willed to him by his murderous witch of a mother, Deidre Shaw. 

What starts as a weekend getaway and some cheesy fun, soon turns dangerous with far too many shady coincidences plus appearances by a known Circle member and a few wily assassins. It is a good thing our favorite Spider knows to bring plenty of knives to a gunfight.

Unraveled is another exciting romp in the series.  Fans are in store for an intriguing plot, much beloved characters, humor, great villains and plenty of adventure.  Gin remains one of my favorite urban fantasy heroines --the assassin with a heart of gold (well, mostly --lol). I love her skill, humor, and humanity when it counts but also her ruthlessness when those she loves are threatened. One true gem in this story is her attire during the one epic showdown.  I don't think anything could beat the Spider being all stealthy dressed as a corseted saloon girl. PRICELESS!

I wish there'd been a bit more Owen, but overall this was a great read.  I can't wait for the next revelations in Snared as Gin prepared to face another foe--especially one who ordered the murder of her family.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @Jennifer_Estep

#elementalassassin #Unraveled #urbanfantasy #stabstabstab #darkhumor #assassins #mystery #netgalley

REVIEW: Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

*Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Dunne Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Expected publication: August 9, 2016

The story: Imagine a land where three suns almost never set.  A young girl joins a school of assassins, determined to seek vengeance against those who decimated her family.

Mia Corvere is the daughter of an executed traitor.  Now orphaned, she is barely able to escape her father's failed rebellion with her own life. Utterly alone, she struggles to survive in an ancient city build upon the bones of a dead god. Hunted, her affinity to call shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer.

Never flinch. Never fear. Never, ever forget.

Years later, Mia is ready to seek out her vengeance.  Apprenticed to the Red Church, deadly assassins and enemies to the Republic, she must best the other acolytes in contests of steel, poisons, thievery and the subtle arts if she is to be named a Blade to the Lady of Blessed Murder. Nothing is as it seems when a killer is on the loose within the Church's walls and Mia's past continues to haunt her future.

This is one of those reviews that I find so difficult to write. No amount of thoughts and words will ever do Nevernight justice.  I loved each and every word from start to finish.  Fans of Kristoff are in for a treat.  You'll discover plenty of:

• Bad-assery - Mia is a force to be reckoned with - she's beautiful, smart and deadly.  Not only can she wield weapons but she's adept at poisons and can manipulate shadows to her advantage. DO NOT MAKE HER ANGRY.
• Humor - Notable for Kristoff's writing, characters throughout demonstrate biting wit and acid tongues.  Reader's will love the dialogue and how it sets the tone for the narrative.
• Ill fated romance and sexy time - No happy romances here so beware. Sexy time and attachment leads to heartache.
• Action, Violence & Gore - These sequences are breathtaking in their violence. So much so that any cinematographer would be squealing in glee to recreate these images for the screen.  I won't add spoilers but seriously these are awesome!!!!
• Mr. Kindly - Mia's shadow not-cat. Oh, the attitude! Love him!!!  If you were a fan of Stormdancer and enjoyed the dynamic between Yukiko and Buruu then you'll love Mia and Mr. Kindly's relationship and banter. 
• Shock & Awe - So many great plot twists and turns!  Rule #1 of the Red Church: Trust no one!
• Tears - Kristoff doesn't believe in happy endings; he'll tell you so himself. So, prepare for it - the prologue/epilogue reminds you but don't let yourself be lulled into a false sense of security. It probably won't end well.

A friend asked me to describe the book and the best I could come up with is that Nevernight is like Hogwarts for Assassins meets V for Vendetta meets Assassin's Creed thrown together with a little Buffy and a whole bunch of other cool stuff. It's highly unique and entertaining :)

So, what's my rating for Nevernight?  Pretty much all the stars EVER!  For me, it was pretty much perfect from the beautifully orchestrated symphony of the first chapter to the final note of the last page.  Let me tell you from a writing standpoint what Kristoff does at the beginning with the perspective and language is genius! 

I can't wait for an audiobook release while I pine for the next book.

Final rating: All the Stars!

Follow the author on Twitter: @misterkristoff

#Nevernight #assassins #vengeance #fantasy #stabstabstab