Review: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Mystic City

by Theo Lawrence

(Mystic City # 1)

I want to start this review with the reason I picked up the book.  And that would be the author.  I was sitting at NY Comic Con last Saturday at a panel called "Myth Mixology: How Urban Fantasists Create the Perfect Cocktail" and to be honest the main reason I sat at the panel to begin with was to be in that room already and get good seats for the next panel "Hocus Pocus: Magic & Monsters in Science Fiction and Fantasy".  So I knew who Allison Pang, Faith Hunter and Nicole Peeler were (panelists for Myth and Mixology) but I've never read ANY of their books.  Have them though.  But through that panel only two jumped out at me that I had to read their books right away: Theo Lawrence and Faith Hunter.  As you can see Theo has been crossed off the to-read list within a week.  Why?

First was the fact that I really thought he was a sweet person, very friendly, making jokes even when a bit intimidated being the new kid on the block, but not scared to jump right in along with the other more known authors.  But then it was how he talked about his book and I'll share with you what sold it for me.   This story is post-apocalyptic, dystopian if you will, and with paranormal elements set in New York if after global warming New York was turned into a place like Venice with canals and gondolas.  There's a corrupt government and a lot of stuff happening but throughout all that there's a love story that the author wanted to draw on from Romeo and Juliet in a way.

So, I'm sold!  That was just too interesting to pass and after finishing this book today I can say it delivered.  I got the audiobook because I know normally I do better listening to stories of teenagers than "reading" them.  The narration was excellent!  Truly brought the characters to life.

But enough of that and lets talk about the story.  Aria Rose, the daughter of one of the rulers of Mystic City, wakes up without memories.  Her family tells her she OD'd and that she is lucky to be alive.  Oh yeah, and she's engaged to marry the son of one of their political enemy.  But things don't feel right and as Aria starts exploring she finds Hunter.  Hunter is a rebel mystic with the special power of walking through walls/floors (I can't even tell you how cool that is!!!) as well as healing.  He lives underground where mystics (people with powers, and they each have different powers) hide so they are not drained of their power by the government.  And with Hunter she feels things she doesn't understand but that feel right.  But Hunter is also not what he seems, and not a simple mystic.

While uncovering what was done to her, regaining her memory, and figuring out who is right and who is wrong, Aria and Hunter will have to go through EVERYTHING to be together.  Like the author said, at the core of this book there is a love story.  And the characters have to work hard to get their HEA.  But it's so worth it in the end.

The twists and turns of the story kept me interested, the world the author created has me enthralled.  Even though this story was a bit slow to start, once things got going they kept a good pace.  The last few chapters were just explosive!  The bad guys are bad, the good guys are strong and amazing.  And others are just not what they seem.  Action packed, heart racing and satisfying!

I am anxiously awaiting the next book!!!

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Gabriel's Inferno

by Sylvain Reynard

(Gabriel's Inferno # 1)

I really had a hard time rating this book.  I was torn between liking it and NOT liking it.  I literally had to take notes of the pros and cons.  Unfortunately, there were more on the “did not like” list and I’d like to share it with you.  Please note that what I say is solely IMO and no offense is ever intended.

Let me start with the things that I liked and enjoyed about this book:
~ I liked the plot of the college student falling for the ever sexy professor. I was a college student once upon a time and I looked at my professor with longing.   So I get it, the idea is pretty damn hot.

~ Gabriel’s character. He was very sexy, smart, cultured, rich and has a good amount of alpha in him. He is most definitely a swoon worthy hero.

~ There was a great deal of conflict and I thought it was fitting to their present status, past and family dynamics. They both have fucked up pasts they have to deal with and it was great to see them work though it.

And for the things, I didn’t like:

~ Gabriel's Inferno is not quiet adult, definitely not young adult but more like "New Adult". The sexual tension was sometimes there but nothing steamy really happens until the end of the book.  Goodreads has this book under adult/erotica genre and its just not.
~ Gabriel had an issue with giving himself sexually to Julia due to a tragic past. He kept saying he did something terrible that would make Julia run the other way. Well, throughout the book, he made it seem like it was mass murder or that he was a pedophile or something extreme. When he finally revealed this “sin”, I found myself rolling my eyes. Like, that’s it? Really? It wasn’t even in his control. 
~ There was quite a bit of repetition of words/topics and some scenes dragged. I think this would’ve been prevented with a good slice and dice editing.  For example, the use of “prodigal son”, “the almost two lovers”, “breath taking”, and shocking just a few words that I read a lot of.  There is a scene where Gabriel was trying to seduce Julia and said “I can hear your breathing speed” and on the same page he says “you’re breathing accelerate”. Ummm, okay. I get it. I know this book will republish under Penguin/Berkley Publishing and I hope they cut it in half.  Just IMO.
~ Last, I think this was a big reason for my dislikes of some of the things mentioned above. The narrator has a very sexy and cool voice. However, there were times when he dragged out his words. The way he groaned was sometimes over done. When he read the narration was a bit dramatic and he made his voice deeper.  Sometimes it felt like the narrator for the twilight zone. 

I feel that I may have liked this book even more if I would’ve just read the print. So, if you decide to read this, I suggest avoiding the audio book, which I will most definitely do when I take on Gabriel’s Rapture.

Purchase Links: Amazon

Audiobook Giveaway: Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

 

 Retribution

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

(Dark Hunter # 20)

Paranormal Romance

Harm no human...

A hired gunslinger, William Jessup Brady lived his life with one foot in the grave. He believed that every life had a price. Until the day when he finally found a reason to live. In one single act of brutal betrayal, he lost everything, including his life. Brought back by a Greek goddess to be one of her Dark-Hunters, he gave his immortal soul for vengeance and swore he’d spend eternity protecting the humans he’d once considered prey.

Orphaned as a toddler, Abigail Yager was taken in by a family of vampires and raised on one belief- Dark-Hunters are the evil who prey on both their people and mankind, and they must all be destroyed. While protecting her adoptive race, she has spent her life eliminating the Dark-Hunters and training for the day when she meets the man who killed her family: Jess Brady.

A gun in the hand is worth two in the holster...

Jess has been charged with finding and terminating the creature who’s assassinating Dark-Hunters. The last thing he expects to find is a human face behind the killings, but when that face bears a striking resemblance to the one who murdered him centuries ago, he knows something evil is going on. He also knows he’s not the one who killed her parents. But Abigail refuses to believe the truth and is determined to see him dead once and for all.

Brought together by an angry god and chased by ancient enemies out to kill them both, they must find a way to overcome their mutual hatred or watch as one of the darkest of powers rises and kills both the races they’ve sworn to protect.

(Blurb from Goodreads)

View our Guest Reviewer's (Angela) 4 starred review here! 

For you Dark Hunter fans, we've got a special surprise for you! McMillian Audio is graciously giving away an audiobook of Sherrilyn Kenyon's latest release, Retribution. This contest is US ONLY and will run from September 8 to 20.

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