Audio Book Review: Outcast by Lindsey Sparks

Outcast by Lindsey Sparks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is Kat in hiding yet drawing attention from the Senate to find her. She learns about a disease that's been released on the humans by the kids that were in the lab she and her clan destroyed. Can she find a cure for those that are sick?

This book had more to it that felt like the story continues. There feels to be one direction with the story, not much in side stories to fill things out. We do have Kat finding "love" and happy for a moment. This is tied to the overall events and in the end felt convenient to me. Or maybe it's leading to a love triangle... That feel is potential as well.

The fight scenes felt a little better in this one as we get to see more in fights.

I felt there was something that happened that was a convenience for the characters.... Like how did one character get sick and another that is sick can be around people then... Again, I have to go listen to these sections again (if I can find them) to get answers. It's kind of vague whether one character touched anything or not to get sick.

I wanted so much to enjoy this series, but it just doesn't feel like it's for me. I'm sure others are loving it though.

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Audio Book Review: Ink Witch by Lindsey Fairleigh (Sparks)

Ink Witch by Lindsey Sparks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm going to try the next book too. The book is good. The main character, Kat Dubois, is in essence my kind of main character. She's a loner and has a past that....well, could land her in jail if she was human and people knew.

Kat's a Nejeret, which is a demi-god(dess). She has done work for the Shadow Senate that she's trained for and used as a weapon. Her and her kind are long lived and don't age. With that, she's going to be around for a long time remembering her past.

So why is the book just good?
I felt like Kat came to a couple quick realizations that didn't seem to be lead up to in the events that happened. They were talked about, but didn't feel like the events in her life really made her see what someone else was telling her. Just like she was taking that persons word as her a-ha moment.

I'm one who enjoys a good fight scene. I felt like the fight scenes weren't detailed out enough or last like they should for someone who's to have her experience. I'm hoping more will come and this first book, being short, is the beginning to lead us into what's to come.

I did learn this is a series spin off from another. I'll have to go pick up that other series and see if it helps place some things that Kat was talking about in her past in this book. Though, I'm afraid that series is more a romance urban fantasy.... We'll see in the future.

This book does start the series arc for what's happening to her clan people and children. This is going to lead to so much more.

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Short Story: Gifts by Lindsay Buroker

Gifts by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a Bonus Story at the end of Secrets of the Sword 3 audiobook. About 45 minutes of the total is this story.

This was fun seeing how everyone finds their way to Val's door. Each is different. Seeing them together at Christmas time is fun. They are an odd group of friends that fit together so well.

Zav has really come around to be a great partner and fiancé for Val. He's a little off the mark in how he does things, which make it funny, but he's got the right idea and his heart's in the right place.

Val's daughter... I find the way she's written is on the selfish side. I know she's a teen. I know Val's not been there. I know Thad has done the same thing as he doesn't know what to do. All she wants is money, and lots of money, for doing things. It's meant to be fun in the series as how Val responds too. But, ugh. She's gotten a bit better as the series goes.

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Audio Book Review: Secrets of the Sword III by Lindsay Buroker

Secrets of the Sword III by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Everything comes together... And everyone.

I started this series because I loved Val's determination and snark. And she still has that in the end. She's turned her life around in some ways, like how she handles the job she does. Sure, she's still an assassin, but not everyone she goes after needs to be exterminated. They can be handled other ways, as she's learned from Zav. And some of her adventures are due to Zav's enemies or target.

Val gets the training with her sword while seeing so many foes and relations from the past creep in to see her. It was fun seeing people from her past make an appearance in this book. And they fit in!

Val has people that are after her, because Ruin Bringer name and her past, while she's dealing with lots of family elves visiting. Along with her father, the King, and the dragons coming, including the Queen. All for her wedding.

I wanted to see how the wedding would turn out. Because, in Val's line of work, there's only one way this could go down. And I loved it! Fun for everyone! lol.

I enjoyed Lindsay's writing in this series and will come around to her other series' in the future. They are fun and snarky like I like.

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Audio Book Review: Secrets of the Sword 2 by Lindsay Buroker

Secrets of the Sword II by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dimitri's art is causing trouble? A detective (human) is investigating one of his door knockers....that breath a burst of fire. Val is trying to track down a half dwarf thief that's stealing magical artifacts. And to find a dwarf that can help her learn more of Chopper, her dragon slaying sword. All while planning a wedding, which Zav has great plans for his dragon family (if they agree to come) and everyone he meets is invited.

Val has her plate full!

In visiting the Dwarf world, Zav and Val learn that all the dwarves have gone to ground, and haven't surfaced. While there, Val learns that there's more going on here than they knew. There's a lich, dragon? That doesn't seem possible...

Val finds her half dwarf thief, to learn that she may be the one heir of Chopper. What will Val do if she really is of the family that made the sword... will she give it back?

I like seeing Val and Zav together. Their relationship is fun. They trust each other in battle and fight on. That's the best part for me. Yes, Zav wants his mate safe, and knows that fighting dragons is dangerous for half humans, but he's proud of her abilities. And she fights! Val doesn't back down. I love this with Urban Fantasy. There's adventure and battles.

They may be in a relationship, but it doesn't distract from what's really happening in the world. We get the events as Val does work. I do enjoy that their relationship if fun with their quick clips. Val still teases Zav with things he's starting to learn. Also, Zav starts to tease Val back.

Dimitri and Nin have their own case to see about learning more. That would be a fun novella to see them, or Nin, out to learn more on what happened with one of Dimitri's customers and a deadly door knocker. This does get resolved in this book.

Val comes face to face with someone that's similar to her. She gets to thinking on being a half human and another magical heritage.

Things conclude with the arc of this book, but we have one more book to listen to. And the wedding of the century to see. :)

Can't wait.

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Book Review: Guardian of Defiance by Michelle Manus

Guardian of Defiance: A Nyx Fortuna Novel by Michelle Manus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Where are my TRUE Urban Fantasy fans?
The ones looking for gritty fantasy in a modern setting. Not the ones looking for romance (that may happen as a side but NOT the focus of the story).

Yes, you. I'm talking to you.

I've read so many Urban Fantasy books where the evil badie pulls their punches. So much potential and promises that do NOT follow through, weakening their standing in the world.

Well, I'm thrilled to say, Michelle has earned my respect with this book and events that come to pass. Michelle doesn't pull her punches to win hearts. She plays it straight as her characters are, leaning full into their personalities as authors should do. Michelle does the tough and gritty, as expected in fantasy. Her bad guys do what they say they'll do, even though I don't want it to happen. They can kill, have killed, and will kill.

We learn more about the Harvester. Oh so neat. I have a feeling this is going to come in handy! There's more to the Stations creation and I need to know all the things about it. The promise Nyx has with the Station is important, so I'm looking forward to seeing how this will come to pass. I have a feeling it's going to be a big arc with a few other things, and can't wait to see how it all works and comes together.

I'm convinced the printing press blurred the last pages of this book on purpose. (I'm not crying, you are!) Yes, my heart is hurting. But the writing of all of this, just wow how the author works it all. To make me feel such emotions is powerful, and Michelle did it. She made me love, care, and want and to see what happens...there's going to be a lot to work out. And I know Michelle will do it. Every word Michelle uses is powerful.

Nyx has a new relationship budding. No. It's not romantic. Remember, I'm not looking for romance, because there ARE other types of relationships that mean the world to us.

It's great to see Nyx with Jevryn. The clashing yet similarities. And I want to learn more of what Jevryn knows - so, so much knowledge there! And his ability!

Nyx has a lot to work through personally after this book. I'm looking forward to how this will happen and work out. And, I may be a little interested in how the bad guy is taken care of. Because I totally want him taken care of. lol

So much to see and learn. I can't wait for more Nyx and carrying out her promises.

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Audio Book Review: Secrets of the Sword 1 by Lindsay Buroker

Secrets of the Sword I by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Val's not one to be...gentle about how she handles things. Especially a strange artifact that's poisoning wildlife at a farm. The magic from the artifact turns Chopper into a beacon for any and all magical beings in this world and others to come take it.

Val is great at fighting, and crowing stronger with her magic usage but there's only so many attacks at one time a person can defend against. Zav will help. Either scare them off or fight them off.

Seeing Zav and Val together, fighting and interacting, is fun. Their relationship is growing and their banter is fun as Zav is still learning sayings and things in the human world. However, there are still men that hit on his mate. Zav doesn't like it. He can't figure out why humans don't see the magical mark he's put on Val.

Willard points out that there's a way to show men that Val's taken. Put a ring on her finger...Marriage is the human way. Now, Zav is determined to find the perfect ring for Val. One with magic. However, Val doesn't think she's ready for marriage. Not yet...

Val has someone after her in all of this!

I like seeing how Val is starting to control her Elven magic and use it. She's gaining the ability to defend and even starting to learn something that could be offensive too. We also see that Val is growing in her personal relationships! We see her with her daughter and those who have become close friends. She still has moments where people are in danger because of their connection to Val, but it doesn't feel to be as personal as when the series started. These people know the risks and accept them. Heck, they even dive in to the risks to help Val.

It's so fun that people think she's weird. Val has her own way about things, and she's found the perfect person, erm dragon, that fits her. What she likes to do and say, they fit as a pair.

In spending all this time together, and then what Zav does for her, Val will start to see what she truly feels of their relationship... will she be ready to get married?

Val also starts to see Chopper, her dragon slaying sword, in a new light. Finding out more about this sword would be a great idea...

I'm loving these books. I'll be on to the next soon!

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