Audio Book Review: Beta's Heart by S.M. Shadow

Beta's Heart by S.M. Shadow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm going to be honest. Going into the book, I wasn't really a fan of Kiera's after the previous book. We hadn't meet her much. But I did love Gareth. So I was curious about how this novella was going to go.

In the end, I absolutely loved Kiera! And still loved Gareth.

This story is one from hints of attraction from Gareth and his wolf for Kiera. It takes things we learned of Kiera's father, who is beta in Hunter's Heart. We know he's not an honorable man, or at least suspect. And what we learn of the man here... wow, so much worse than I had expected.

And with Kiera's father, we see Kiera is a stronger person than I gave her credit for. People are working through tough things in ways they think will work.

These characters are upfront with their feelings and they respect each other for them. They also have a connection in the past that gives them something to build on. Thankfully. They once again work through their personal doubts along with struggles together. Learning what they want and how to let friends help and others in closer.

I love how S.M. Shadow takes a character I'm not sure about and has me love her in such a short story! Well written to draw me to the characters with their life circumstances.

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Audio Book Review: Hunter's Heart by S.M. Shadow

Hunter's Heart by S.M. Shadow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Six girls were exiled from Elysium when they were twelve years old, all because the Oracle said it would help with the Darkness. Separated and sent to the human realm to live. Twelve years later it's time they come home to save Elysium from the growing danger of the Darkness.

This book is the one where Luca is sent to bring Ashlynn home.

Ashlynn is a strong independent woman. She has taken the initiative to try to find the other girls, with no avail. She knows who she is and even though she doesn't fit in with the human world, she's living her life.

I love when we meet Ashlynn as she's tending bar. Perfect for her personality.

Luca is a wolf who's had a strong history with Ashlynn. They were thick as thieves, until the day she was exiled. So there's hard feelings there.

I'm a fan of story being the focus with romance that fits with the story. This book gives me exactly that.

There's more going on in Elysium with the Darkness. People are getting sick and not making it. The center hexagon star is shot through with black veins. The oracle is vague, so is it really true or just a con to protect his own skin?

Ashlynn faces the darkness along with her feelings with her family and old friend. This all fits together to tell of what is happening in Elysium. We start to see what's happening. In the end we learn a few things and have a few questions.

This is a story with a steamy romance element to it. I'm a fan of when couples have a connection that can be a base and grown. Luca and Ashlynn have that in spades. They have personal struggles to get over. I love that they are smart characters. They take the cues and even though they have self doubts, they figure things out past their person feelings. Well created and written characters.

We get to see who the next is to be brought home from the six. And who's to find her.

I was taken with what we learned of the Darkness and how it acts. I want to continue with the series to see how it comes together and what happens with the Darkness.

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Audio Book Review: The Awakening of Joel Singer: the Evolution Within by Scott McCaffrey

The Awakening of Joel Singer: The Evolution Within by Scott McCaffrey
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This story had elements I liked. It's a science fiction story with someone who's created with abilities. I like the exploration of abilities and how far they can go through the story.

The first portion of the book is done in glimpses of moments in time for Joel, Doctor Harrington, and a few others. I know this is a setup process and important moments in Joel's life in finding his ability again, but it didn't let me connect with the characters to care or be drawn into what they are doing and who they are. A consistent flowing story would have made it easier to connect with the story, but I know abilities don't surface overnight.

We do smooth out to a story. It has multiple POV's so we see all the actions and corruption and movements of the story. This keeps the story moving forward and us filled in to see how it comes together. Then we get to a part of the book that I think fans of Science Fiction military may enjoy this book with how things go in the last portion of the book.

We see Joel uses his shifting and knowledge to help people. He does have a kind heart.

Joel grows into a rather smart man and creates medicine that can help with illnesses. I'm curious as to what the connection was with his first medication and why he was so determined to create it. It didn't feel to connect to him or the story, at first. Later it does come back into play in a different way.

This is a science fiction story so there's scientific talk. It uses common things as examples to relate and explain. This could bring up things to think on and discuss. But it can be a lot. Some was interesting but I lost track and phased out after a while in one conversation because I wasn't involved in that discussion to absorb all that was talked about.

The Audio had sections that sound different, like they were rerecorded and cut in. There's no chapter separation voiced in the audiobook version. It is broken down into the parts of the books, but all the chapters in those parts are together.

The story was a slow start for me but it does smooth out and flow as a science fiction story with battles of learning self and what's good.

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Book Review: A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was one that I wanted to keep going and not go to sleep. The mystery behind Freya and her godly blood...I had a feeling about her, but wasn't sure. Will she change course? Or make sure her family is safe.

How will she bring everyone together? I really like the way the world and gods are created and laid out for us.

I love the stubbornness of Freya. She's determined and stands up to me (the crappy men, and really any man) that think they're going to boss her around. She's lived a life that's not an easy one and she fights. She wants to fight. But she wants her family safe too. (And yes, I'm not sure what I think of her family.)

I loved meeting her and Bjorn right away. There was twist to Freya that I was curious about and was hoping.... well, that turned out. And seeing these two grow closer over their battles and journeys.

I'm invested in Freya. She's a damaged character like I love. She takes a turn in her actions that aren't what she's think she'd do. And has some feelings about it when she sees it from other's view. But Bjorn is there for her. He keeps trying to help her without pushing her in a direction. I really liked this.

I'll be picking up the second book as I have it here. I really loved the creation of the world and battles along with the magic with godly blood.

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Audio Book Review: Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this read more than I expected to. This book raises questions for me in how society is here in the book. Is this process any better than the old system? It really gets one thinking of mortality and living.

I like Faraday's view on things. It sounds like he's more fair. Yet, I see he's kind of one sided in his selection process. Then we get to see Curry's view and her process. They do seem to balance each other out.

What if you were the grim reaper? Scythe is what they are called, but it's kind of what they do.

There's a group of scythes we see in action and they feel as to walk a line of the rules. Or is it Faraday is more reserved in what he does? Seems to have a little more heart and care, along with Curry.

This book feels to be a heavy subject for Young Adults. But it's put together in a classy way. The words and actions bring me to thoughts and questions, then later in the book we get the answer to the question that was not actually worded. I love this! It sets us up to think something and answer it later for us.

The beginning of the book pecked my interest as had me thinking on the systems and mortality. Then the story took off and I was drawn into the lives of Citra and Rowan. I wanted to know how it worked out for them and all. I still saw that no matter the system, there will still be corruption that grows. Some systems run their course and life changes them. Do they need revamped or replaced? Great thinking topics for this book.

I will be listening to the rest of this trilogy!

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Audio Book Review: The House of Saphir by Marissa Meyer

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Con-artist and "fake" witches, Mallory and her sister Anaise, are about to be arrested. But Count Armand Saphir knows Mallory can speak to ghosts and needs her help with his ancestor who's grown violent over the last year in Armand's home. So, in order to get away from the detectives determined to arrest the sisters, and seeing the place that the Saphir lord passed away at and the famous fountain is a bonus for Mallory.

Feels like a light, fun feel to the story even though Mallory doesn't trust others.

There wasn't much in the way of action for me. Kind of slow, with getting to know characters and putting them together as needed. I'm not really drawn to Mallory. She just doesn't seem to grow for me through most of the book and there's not really any history on her, or at least referenced.

This was fun with magical beings in the world. The ending was good as the last third kept my interest and was moving well. A light story that seems to be a standalone.

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Audiobook Review: Wrath of the Dragons by Olivia Rose Darling

Wrath of the Dragons by Olivia Rose Darling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

How can Cayden get anything done or see trouble? He's busy pining over and watching Elowen! lol.

I'm glad he isn't over protective and not let her fight battles and do things. He tries at times, but he sees her as she is and that she can handle herself.

In the end it reminded me of Carissa Broadbents Nyaxia series. We get to the war, and not everyone makes it out. We do travel and make plans with other kings and queens....or kings to be. So I'm curious how these things play out in the world.

We learn more of magic with Elowen and dragons, along with more insight to the gods too.

Also, if you like brooding, shadow guys, then Cayden may be one you'd enjoy. As we do get some of the POV from his eyes this time. Along with Elowen.

I don't want to give too much away as there's some here that will spoil the first book or even this one.

I enjoyed it. And will be looking for the next book.

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