REVIEW My Salvation (Bewitched and Bewildered #14) by Alanea Alder

My Salvation (Bewitched and Bewildered #14) by Alanea Alder
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: August 29, 2023
Format: eBook (Personal Library)
Publisher: Sacred Forest Publishing

“Bad times go away likenight facing the dawn. You just have to hold out.”

Alanea Alder’s fourteenth book in her Bewitched and Bewildered series, My Salvation, was another romance packed and humorous read. Focusing on one of the final unit members in Eire Danu, Priest Vi’Aerdan as he finds his mate in Cassandra Vi’Iliya, the unit warriors are still facing the mounting feral problem and doing their best to discover why the lights of Eire Danu are dimming. 

Meryn and her merry band of misfits have been one of my favorite parts of the series, and Cass and Meryn have such fun interactions in the book that I was giggling as I read. One of the things I love about this series is that each of the females have their own strengths, which compliment that of their mates so well. Priest struggles to make peace with his bird half after being ostracized by his biological family, and Cass has been isolated from her people for a very long time after the death of her parents. They make their own little family together, and I’m so excited to see how their relationship progresses in the future. It’s a very sweet love story, complete with themes of found/chosen family. Getting to see the hints of the relationships of other couples from previous books is always a treat too - I’d personally love to see a prequel of sorts detailing how the Queen and Brennus initially met. 

The worldbuilding of this series has been excellent. The gang started in Lycaonia (seat of the shifters), then moved to Noctem Falls (home of the vampires), and has now been stationed in Eire Danu for the last couple of books. Given that each city gets about five books, we’re about ready to move to the final city (Storm Keep) and I’m so excited to see Meryn wreak havoc and chaos on the witches (especially considering how much shady stuff they’ve been up to). 

Overall, this was another fantastic read. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, My Eternal Light, which should focus on Kincaid. He’s such a unique character whose full of power (and completely clueless on how to use it), so I’m hopeful the super witches can help him focus as he finds his own happily ever after. 

REVIEW The Vanquishers (The Vanquishers #1) by Kalynn Bayron

The Vanquishers (The Vanquishers #1) 

by Kalynn Bayron
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: September 20, 2022
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books 

I first discovered Kalynn Bayron through her young adult debut novel Cinderella is Dead, and it was exciting to also be able to read her middle-grade debut The Vanquishers (which is set to be part of a series). The book makes it clear that she excels at fairytale and mythology retellings, and I enjoyed the humorous, lighthearted, and playful story that had dashes of horror and fantasy thrown in. 

Malika ‘Boog’ Wilson and her friends have grown up in a world where vampires are real, and a group of vampire hunters known as ‘The Vanquishers’ are celebrated for having rid the world of the menace twenty years ago in an event called the Reaping. Despite the rest of the world having accepted that as being the end of the problem, Boog’s parents still insist on following all the necessary precautions (much to her dismay). After a new friend from school goes missing, Boog and friends are determined to save him but they realize the vampires might not have been as ‘vanquished’ as they thought.

There’s been a plethora of vampire mythology and lore produced throughout the years, and Ms. Bayron put a unique spin on the source material to craft her world. The synopsis from the publisher mentions influences and inspiration being taken from The Watchmen and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I can definitely see those threads woven throughout the story. I thought it was cool to see how the Vanquishers are essentially this world's version of superheroes, and just in general how the world looks different with the knowledge that there are (or were) things that go bump in the night. 

Another highlight of the book is the characters. Boog and her friends captured my attention from the start of the story, and I found myself invested in the action quickly. I’m quite impressed with how well the author captured the pre-teen spirit, which can be quite hard nowadays (many characters are either too immature or too adult-like to appeal to a middle-grade audience). The adults were entertaining too, and I appreciated the full circle moment that happened at the end of the book. I also want to note how diverse the cast of characters is - most are BIPOC, and some of the characters are queer. It’s encouraging to see how casually inclusive the book is - the fact that Cedric has two dads or that Jules uses gender-non-specific pronouns are just everyday parts of life for Boog and the others.

Overall, this was a great book and I’m excited to read the future installments of the series. Ecstasia Sanders did an excellent job bringing Boog’s story to life with her performance in the audiobook narration. If you like humorous and spooky adventure reads with a lot of heart, The Vanquishers would be a great choice for your next read.

About the Book

In the world of the Vanquishers, vampires were history . . . until now.

Malika “Boog” Wilson and her best friends have grown up idolizing The Vanquishers, a group of heroic vampire hunters who wiped out the last horde of the undead decades ago. Nowadays, most people don't take even the most basic vampire precautions--the days of garlic wreaths and early curfews long gone--but Boog's parents still follow the old rules, much to her embarrassment.

When a friend goes missing, Boog isn't sure what to think. Could it be the school counselor, Mr. Rupert, who definitely seems to be hiding something? Or could it be something more dangerous? Boog is determined to save her friend, but is she ready to admit vampires might not be vanquished after all?

No one ever expected the Vanquishers to return, but if their town needs protection from the undead, Boog knows who to call.

Inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Watchmen, this adventure launches readers into an exciting new series.

About the Author

Kalynn Bayron is the bestselling author of the award-winning YA fantasy CINDERELLA IS DEAD. She is a classically trained vocalist and when she’s not writing you can find her listening to Ella Fitzgerald on loop, attending the theater, watching scary movies, and spending time with her kids. She currently lives in San Antonio, Texas with her family.

Website: https://www.kalynnbayron.com/

Instagram: @KalynnBayron

Twitter: @KalynnBayron

REVIEW Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods #1) by Melissa de la Cruz

Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods #1) by Melissa de la Cruz
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Release Date: May 1, 2006
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Young Children

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Melissa de la Cruz’s Blue Bloods is the opening installment to a universe that now spans more than 10 books and multiple series. Some of the series have even been made into live-action adaptations, like the Witches of East End tv series on Lifetime. I was very curious going into this read, as I’ve heard many different opinions on the book (and the series as a whole). Unfortunately, the book didn’t quite live up to expectations and I was left disappointed as a result. 

The premise was cool. The idea of fallen angels coming to Earth and living as vampires was so unique; that aspect was largely what convinced me to read the book in the first place. I was also quite intrigued by the different “blood colors” - blue bloods are vampires and red bloods are your average run-of-the-mill human. I really enjoyed the diary entries from Plymouth that were periodically featured - I wish the author had spent more time on that and less time in New York prattling on about various brand names and designers. To me, it made the characters seem shallow and took away some of the nuance the author tried to weave into the story (this could just be a case of the book not aging well or me not being the type to care about that thing, I’m not sure). 

The romance in this book was odd. I’ve never been a fan of the “insta-love” trope, and the budding feelings between Schuyler and Jack are definitely that. Instead of “insta-love”, I feel like the author could have just as easily gone with something along the lines of “fated mates”. Another aspect of the romance I was very weirded out by was how possessive and territorial Mimi was of her twin (and no, it wasn’t just a case of “no one’s good enough for my brother”). I understand that there was a special type of ‘angelic’ bond involved, but it was just too weird for my tastes and ended up negatively impacting my enjoyment of the read. 

The point of views were also a bit weird in this book. It rotates between three of the female main characters in the book; Schuyler, Mimi, and Bliss. The three characters couldn’t be more different on paper - one’s an orphan, one’s old money and a longtime member of the popular crowd at school, and the final one’s a new student at school who’s also old money. Despite the differences, I had trouble keeping track of who was narrating at any given time while listening to the audiobook, and this ended up negatively impacting my enjoyment of the read as well. 

Overall, Blue Bloods was a mildly entertaining book with some major issues that affected my overall enjoyment of the read. Kudos to narrator Christina Moore for her great performance in the audiobook! I don’t necessarily regret taking the time to read it, but this is a case where I’m very happy I chose to borrow it from the library instead of buying it directly. I am curious to read about what happens next, but I’m also hesitant to commit to continuing the series with the number of books and the risk of subsequent installments having the same problems. If you’re a fan of fantasy and you love stories in the style of Gossip Girl or Twilight, then I think this book might be worth giving a chance. If Twilight was not your cup of tea (but you’re still a fan of young adult vampire romances), I recommend looking elsewhere for your next read. 

About Melissa:

Melissa de la Cruz is the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling Descendants series, as well as many other best-selling novels, including Alex & Eliza and all the books in the Blue Bloods series: Blue Bloods, Masquerade, Revelations, After Life, The Van Alen Legacy, Keys to the Repository, Misguided Angel, Bloody Valentine, Lost in Time, and Gates of Paradise. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and daughter.

 

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REVIEW Soul Taken (Mercy Thompson #13) by Patricia Briggs

Soul Taken (Mercy Thompson #13) by Patricia Briggs
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Format: Audiobook (Personal Library)
Publisher: Ace

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Patricia Briggs’ latest book in the Mercy Thompson series, Soul Taken, is another dynamic tale of our fearless heroine, coyote shapeshifter Mercy and the rest of the Columbia Basin pack. The semi-stable powerhouse vampire Wulfe has gone missing, bodies are dropping all over the Tri-Cities area, and the pack must once again figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.

Mercy, is, of course, once again smack dab in the middle of everything happening in the Tri-Cities. Thankfully, she has Adam and the rest of the pack to back her up whenever necessary - and it’s very frequent she needs the backup since she’s such a magnet for trouble. Personally, I’ve loved seeing Adam and Mercy’s relationship develop over the course of the series. They balance each other well, and they are a great team. The pack bonds were also a highlight for me - the scene at the beginning of the book was fun, and I love any scene where they get to tease Mercy and Adam about their sex life. Happy Alpha wolves translate to strong healthy packs!

One of the strengths of this series has always been how well-developed the ensemble cast is, and that trend doesn’t stop with Soul Taken. Readers get to discover more about some of the major players in Mercy’s life - specifically, Zee, Wulfe, and Sherwood Post. Some stories get dropped about Zee and Sherwood Post’s past (there is a major development in discovering who Sherwood was before the witches took his memory). The major reveals, though, are all about Wulfe. Those who have read previous installments to the series will know that Wulfe has never exactly been stable in the time Mercy has known him. Soul Taken dives into his past, gives perspective on how he came to be as we know him today, and also gives a hint about how he earned his title of ‘The Wizard’. 

Wulfe’s background plays a big part in the story, but readers are also treated to more world-building with more info on how pack bonds work and clashes between different paranormal groups in the Tri-Cities area. First of all, there’s some more shifting in the ranks of Adam’s pack, specifically the order of dominance. Warren and Daryl clash a bit, and Sherwood’s dominance level comes into question. I was also intrigued by the power plays between the pack, the goblins, the fae (specifically Underhill), and the vampires. I can’t wait to see what happens as a result of the choices Mercy and Adam made in this book - it seems like the ramifications of their decisions may cross over to the Alpha and Omega series as well. 

Soul Taken is a fantastic book and an awesome addition to the series and larger Mercy Thompson + Alpha and Omega universe. I’m amazed at how this series continues to get better with every new release. Lorelei King once again did a great job with the audiobook narration. Urban fantasy and paranormal readers who are looking for great worldbuilding, a well-developed set of main characters and ensemble cast, and a witty, headstrong heroine should definitely pick up the Mercy Thompson series ASAP. 

About the Book

Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, must face her greatest fears in this chilling entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

The vampire Wulfe is missing. Since he’s deadly, possibly insane, and his current idea of “fun” is stalking me, some may see it as no great loss. But, warned that his disappearance might bring down the carefully constructed alliances that keep our pack safe, my mate and I must find Wulfe—and hope he’s still alive. As alive as a vampire can be, anyway.

But Wulfe isn’t the only one who has disappeared. And now there are bodies, too. Has the Harvester returned to the Tri-Cities, reaping souls with his cursed sickle? Or is he just a character from a B horror movie and our enemy is someone else?

The farther I follow Wulfe’s trail, the more twisted—and darker—the path becomes. I need to figure out what’s going on before the next body on the ground is mine.

About the Author

Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana, to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her husband, children, and six horses and writes full time, much to the delight of her fans.

REVIEW King of Battle and Blood (Adrian x Isolde #1) by Scarlett St. Clair

King of Battle and Blood (Adrian x Isolde #1) 

by Scarlett St. Clair
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Release Date: November 30, 2021
Format: eBook (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Bloom Books 

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Isolde is the princess of Lara and a warrior maiden in her own right. Her country has been defending against the invasion of the Blood King and his vampires for far too long, and it’s a losing battle. By contrast, Adrian ‘The Blood King’ Vasiliev is a ruthless vampire warlord, known for sweeping through kingdoms with his army in the name of conquest. To save their people, her father offers the Blood King his surrender. However, Adrian demands Isolde’s hand in marriage to promise the safety of their people. Isolde accepts, considering it a death sentence and hoping to take Adrian with her, but their union ends up being far more than Isolde could have imagined (especially with their instant chemistry upon meeting). Now that she’s a queen, Isolde must navigate the vampire court and learn the truth of why Adrian claimed her as his consort before she loses her heart in the process. 

Like any other Scarlett St. Clair book, the chemistry between the main characters is hot, and the sex is steamy. The romance between Adrian and Isolde is enemies to lovers and the complete opposite of a slow burn. You dive into the storyline and their relationship relatively early on in the book, and that made it hard to stop reading. The other major trope in the book relates to how Adrian and Isolde’s marriage is somewhere between an arranged marriage and a forced marriage. Admittedly, because of the tropes and my familiarity with many of Scarlett St. Clair’s books, I feel like 90% of the plot was predictable. There was one major plot twist at the end I wasn’t expecting, and going back it was fun to see all the little easter eggs the author had included leading up to that reveal. 

Isolde is a badass Queen. I like that she was trained to be a warrior and that she never came off as a damsel in distress. No matter who she’s interacting with, she never changes who she is to fit into the perception of what others think she should be. I also appreciated how she and Adrian balanced strength and softness - Isolde killed a villager who tried to sell his child to achieve his own ambitions. Instead of berating her, Adrian simply nodded approvingly, cleaned the dagger she used, and returned it to her after. 

The mythology that Scarlett St. Clair used to craft this world was cool. If you read the author’s note at the end of the book, you’ll learn that she pulled from many different sources. For example, some of the references were from Theresa Bane’s Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. There are also elements pulled from Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the story of Vlad the Impaler.

Overall, this was another entertaining read from Scarlett St. Clair. Audiobook narrators Lilly Drake and Curt Bonnem did a great job with their performance (Lilly was responsible for most of the book, while Curt Bonnem performed a bonus chapter from Adrian’s point of view). I’m excited to find out what’s next in Adrian and Isolde’s story when Queen of Myth and Monsters hits shelves in late 2022. If you enjoy romance books that blend fantasy and paranormal elements, then I think you would enjoy King of Battle and Blood. I do want to note that due to the explicit sex on-page in this book, I would recommend this to mature adult readers only. 

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Death/Violence, Sex (Graphic, including LGBTQ scenes), Assault, Toxic Masculinity, Murder, Death of a Parent, Poisoning

About the Book

An instant USA Today bestseller! From fan-favorite Scarlett St. Clair, the bestselling author of the Hades & Persephone series, comes a new fantasy filled with danger, darkness, and insatiable romance.

Their union is his revenge.

Isolde de Lara considers her wedding day to be her death day. To end a years-long war, she is to marry vampire king Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev, and kill him.

But her assassination attempt is thwarted, and Adrian threatens that if Isolde tries to kill him again, he will raise her as the undead. Faced with the possibility of becoming the thing she hates most, Isolde seeks other ways to defy him and survive the brutal vampire court.

Except it isn't the court she fears most-it's Adrian. Despite their undeniable chemistry, she wonders why the king-fierce, savage, merciless-chose her as consort.

The answer will shatter her world.

About the Author

International and USA Today Best Selling author Scarlett St. Clair is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and the author of the HADES X PERSEPHONE SAGA, the HADES SAGA, KING OF BATTLE & BLOOD, and WHEN STARS COME OUT.

She has a Master's degree in Library Science and Information Studies and a Bachelors in English Writing. She is obsessed with Greek Mythology, murder mysteries, and the afterlife.

If you are obsessed with these things, then you'll like her books. 

REVIEW Court (Crave #4) by Tracy Wolff

Court (Crave #4) by Tracy Wolff
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: February 1, 2022
Format: eBook (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Read my review of the first book in the series, Crave

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Holy hell - Tracy Wolff’s Court is by far the best book in the Crave series so far, and it was well worth the extra months of waiting. In an intense final ride, Grace and her friends are racing to save the other students of Katmere Academy and finally confront the evil vampire king Cyrus. So many thoughts and feelings to go over, I don’t think I’ll be able to cover them all in this review (but I’ll sure as heck try to cover as many spoiler-free ones as possible). 

One thing I’ve really enjoyed about the series is that each book picks up fairly quickly after the last one left off. Grace, Hudson and the rest of their friends get thrown into so many seemingly impossible situations over the course of the series, and in this book in particular. It’s almost reminiscent of a chosen one trope, except it’s a rag-tag crew of teenagers (or those who are seemingly teenagers in the vampire’s case) that are responsible for saving the world. I felt everyone’s frustration, as it seemed like it was one thing after another that they had to tackle. I also felt their heartbreak, because like many of the other books in the Crave series Ms. Wolff does not spare some of the characters we’ve come to know and love from injury and death (do with that information what you will). 

The found family aspect of the book is *chef’s kiss* beautiful. Grace has a habit of trying to take everything onto her shoulders, but her friends are always there to remind her that she’s not alone. One of my favorite quotes that touches on this is, “...And I’ve never been more in awe of the people I was lucky enough to have come into my life. My found family.” As Grace says, “Family isn’t always about blood.” Court definitely takes that idea and runs with it - this book will undoubtedly be one of my favorite found family reads of 2022 as a result! 

There are so many plot twists and revelations in this book that I couldn’t even count them all. My eBook copy of Court has an insane amount of highlights and notes as a result. I want to scream and shout about them, but I also don’t want to risk spoiling them for potential readers (they are undoubtedly something everyone should experience for themselves as they read). I had multiple “lightbulb” moments as things just started to click in my head. Some of these revelations had been building over the course of the series, so it was exciting to see everything fall into place. I do admit that Ms. Wolff wove quite a web of entangled plot lines (which could be off-putting to some readers), but somehow everything made sense and worked well together. 

Grace and Hudson’s romance has been so much fun to bear witness to over the course of the books, and I loved seeing things work out for them at the end of this book. Hudson is the most sarcastic vampire I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about, but he also has a heart of gold and is willing to do anything for the people he cares about (even at extreme cost to himself). In some ways, you might look at Grace and Hudson’s relationship and think it's a case of “opposites attract”. I look at it and think about how they balance each other out. Grace is strong in areas Hudson is not (i.e. giving rousing pep talks pre-fight), and vice versa. Now, if only readers could see Jaxon get his happily ever after too...

Altogether, Court is a fantastic book and a fantastic close to the main storyline of the series. At 941 pages in the eBook and a 24-hour commitment for the audiobook, this is the biggest installment in the series but it’s well worth the time invested in reading.  Heather Costa and Tim Paige did a great job with their performances in the audiobook narration. I highly recommend the series to those who enjoy young adult fantasy and paranormal romance books. If you like books like Twilight, pick up the Crave series today (it's even better than Stephenie Meyer’s books in my opinion). After finishing Court, I’m extremely excited to find out what happened between Grace and Hudson during those four months they were frozen and read Remy’s book. Charm and Cherish, here we come!

About the Book

No one survived the last battle unscathed. Flint is angry at the world, Jaxon is turning into something I don’t recognize, and Hudson has put up a wall I’m not sure I’ll ever break through.

Now war is coming, and we’re not ready. We’re going to need an army to have any hope of winning. But first, there are questions about my ancestors that need answers. Answers that might just reveal who the real monster is among us.

And that’s saying something in a world filled with bloodthirsty vampires, immortal gargoyles, and an ancient battle between two gods.

There’s no guarantee that anyone will be left standing when the dust settles, but if we want to save this world, I have no choice. I’ll have to embrace every part of me...even the parts I fear the most.

About the Author

Tracy Wolff is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels that run the gamut from young adult action adventures to new adult romance and from women’s fiction to erotica. A long-time lover of vampires, dragons and all things that go bump in the night, Tracy loves nothing more than combining her affection for paranormal creatures with her love of writing tortured heroes and kick-butt heroines.

When she’s not writing (which is a rare occurrence), she can be found trying out new recipes, offering make-up tips online, wandering comic book/gaming stores with her sons, and watching movies or plotting stories with her besties. A one time English professor, she now writes full-time from her home in Austin, Texas, which she shares with her family. Her most recent work, the young adult vampire novel, CRAVE, “is about to become fandom’s new favorite vampire romance obsession” (Hypable).

Photos of Tracy were taken by Mayra K Calderón.

Read my reviews of other books by Tracy Wolff

COVER REVEAL Violins and Vampires by Cee Bee

Hi friends! This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be giving away a $20 Amazon/BN GC via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Lexa Kozlov must pay off her family's massive debt to the mob... all while raising even more money to save her little sister. The result? A never-ending (and incredibly illegal) stakeout for the Bratva. Lexa barely has time to sleep, let alone find love.

Enter Caelin Vass, the handsome Scotsman who runs Empire Investments. Caelin offers Lexa a new job with dollars galore, as well as a hot bod (his own) to contemplate every workday. Even so, Lexa isn’t sure. Freaky things keep happening whenever Lexa and Caelin are alone. The energy between them is magical, sensual, and way overwhelming.

Is Lexa leaving her old prison just to enter a worse one… or is Caelin Vass all he seems and more?

***12,000 word novella, previously published on Kindle Vella as Blood Slave***

Read an Excerpt

I've never wanted anyone more than Caelin Vass.

Never hated a man so much, either.

Vass looms before me right now. He's all broad-shoulders, brown hair, and searing dark eyes. Imagine a Celtic god in a three-piece suit; that's the general idea. We stand in his office—a place that's all plush leather chairs and heavy wooden furniture.

Sadly, Vass and I aren't alone. Some chick in a kimono kneels before him. She toys with his belt buckle with ill intent. And by ill intent, I mean she's about to give my potential employer a blow job.

In his fancypants office.

Right in front of me.

Wish I could say this is the first time something like this happened. It isn't. I also wish I didn't want to punch Kimono Chick in the throat and take her place.

Yet I do.

Still, I must stay away from Vass' pants and get this gig. Why? It pays one hundred grand a month. For someone like me, that money's literally a life-saver.

Across the room, Kimono Chick smirks so hard, it's a wonder her face doesn't get stuck that way. "Join in or get out."

Meanwhile, Vass stares at me with a smoking hot look that makes my thighs clench. He knows the affect all this has on me.

Stupid Vass.

Stupid thighs.

Which leads to a big decision: do I go for the job, the belt buckle, or the door?

Tough call.

About the Author:

CEE BEE writes stories that blend epic fantasy, steamy romance, and lots of sass. If you want immersive tales that transport you to fresh worlds (and new book boyfriends) then you’ve come to the right author. To learn more about CEE BEE, please visit www.ceebeeauthor.com. Her new book, VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES, is available on Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZYVCNC3

CEE BEE also writes young adult fare under the name Christina Bauer. Check out Christina’s books at her website. There’s a literal sh*t ton of them.

Stalk CEE BEE/Christina on Social Media

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Vampires of the Daemonverse Series
1. Violins and Vampires – now on Kindle Unlimited: Amazon ONLY $0.99
2. Veils and Vampires
3. Valor and Vampires

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Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
Rating: 4 Stars

Release Date: August 4, 2020 (Original Release) + February 1, 2022 (Paperback Release)

Format: Audiobook (library)

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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Edward Cullen has always had a direct line into others’ thoughts. Now, readers get a direct line into his with Midnight Sun, which is his perspective on the events of Twilight. It’s been years since I read the books, so it was nice to come into Midnight Sun with near-fresh eyes. It never felt like I was rereading Twilight; despite the events being mostly the same, it felt like a completely new book (which I wanted to recognize because a lot of people are not big fans of re-reads).

I appreciated the insight that Edward’s perspective imparted, especially with the benefit of his telepathic gift. One of my favorite scenes was where he was listening to Billy Black’s thoughts, as it provided more depth to the feud between the wolves and the vampires than what Bella knew and/or saw. Billy Black never registered as a major player in my mind in the feud with the Cullens, since his grandfather Ephraim negotiated the original treaty and his son was the next in the family to shift. However, after hearing his thoughts it is quite clear that Billy knows exactly what the Cullens are and is not a fan of them hanging around the Swan family.

In addition to Billy, Edward’s telepathic gift provided insight into a lot of other characters. I feel like I learned more about Jasper in this book than I learned in the original four books. And the cat and mouse game between James, Victoria, and the Cullen coven was heart-pounding - Midnight Sun offered so many more details that made things clearer for me than they were in Twilight.

If you loved the original Twilight books, then you should definitely read Midnight Sun. I think it would be equally suitable for someone who hasn’t read the original series, as the author does a good job of explaining everything that’s going on. I do recommend checking out the audiobook if you have a chance. It’s definitely on the longer side at 26 hours or so, but Jake Abel does a fantastic job narrating.

About the Book

Number one bestselling author Stephenie Meyer makes a triumphant return to the world of Twilight with this highly-anticipated companion; the iconic love story of Bella and Edward told from the vampire’s point of view.

When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.

This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?

In Midnight Sun, Stephenie Meyer transports us back to a world that has captivated millions of readers and brings us an epic novel about the profound pleasures and devastating consequences of immortal love.

About the Author

Stephenie Meyer is the author of the bestselling Twilight series, The Host, and The Chemist. Twilight was one of 2005's most talked about novels and within weeks of its release the book debuted at #5 on The New York Times bestseller list. Among its many accolades, Twilight was named an "ALA Top Ten Books for Young Adults," an Amazon.com "Best Book of the Decade So Far," and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year.

Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English Literature. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three sons.

Crave (Crave #1) by Tracy Wolff

Crave (Crave #1) by Tracy Wolff
Rating: 3.5 Stars

Release Date: April 7, 2020

Format: Hardcover + Audiobook

Publisher: Entangled Teen

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I finally understand why people compare this series to Twilight so much. The covers are very similar, and they are both teenage angsty vampire romance stories. In addition to being similar to Twilight, I also feel like Crave was reminiscent of Vampire Academy.

I loved the more traditional vampires (no sparkling in the sunlight - yay!) and the inclusion of more paranormal species. Nothing felt thrown in just for the heck of it. Everything had a purpose. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Grace and Jaxon.

On the other hand, I didn't enjoy the pop culture references. It got very redundant towards the end, and I especially did not enjoy the slang/abbreviations (wtf, fml, af, and so on). It didn't really add anything to the story, and it took me out of the reading experience when they appeared.

Crave was still very entertaining and I look forward to reading Crush to see what happens next.

About the Author

Tracy Wolff is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels that run the gamut from young adult action adventures to new adult romance and from women’s fiction to erotica. A long-time lover of vampires, dragons and all things that go bump in the night, Tracy loves nothing more than combining her affection for paranormal creatures with her love of writing tortured heroes and kick-butt heroines.

When she’s not writing (which is a rare occurrence), she can be found trying out new recipes, offering make-up tips online, wandering comic book/gaming stores with her sons, and watching movies or plotting stories with her besties. A one time English professor, she now writes full-time from her home in Austin, Texas, which she shares with her family. Her most recent work, the young adult vampire novel, CRAVE, “is about to become fandom’s new favorite vampire romance obsession” (Hypable).

Photos of Tracy were taken by Mayra K Calderón.

Read my reviews of other books by Tracy Wolff