Audio Book Review: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think this is my favorite book so far.

So much happens and it all comes together. Celaena, or now known as Aelin, has lived a full life as an assassin. She has seen and lived many things in her life. And it all shows now. She takes all the things she's seen and learned and information about people and puts it all into play here.

I really liked that there's mysterious actions earlier in the book, then we get the answer as to what she was doing or where at. And then why. To see all that Aelin plans out. WOW! That girl has a creative mind and I love it.

I love that she surprises people with her plans too. She has a young personality and a mind full of information. She really does deserve a happy life.

I'm surprised at the arrival and play of one character in the story. Didn't expect to see that character do what they do. And I'm curious to see how things go with that character in the future and the plan for the wyrd keys... with that person and with Aelin.

I loved what we learned about the main characters in play. Oh, and then there's all our friends. So much happens! And they all come into play.

Such a great story with lots of movement and action. And we get results.

I'm sorry if this sounds vague. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. So if you've read this book and want to talk details, I'm here for you!

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Audio Book Review: Throne of the Ancients by Carrie Summers

Throne of the Ancients by Carrie Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Devon continues on with Stonehaven...knowing Demons are camped and barely held off by Owen's magic.

Devon is a gamer and her job is playing in the gaming world. The NPC's and the world have come alive for me as much as they have for Devon. They do seem like real friends at times. And Devon is determined to take care of them all.

Devon has to find a way to keep the players and NPC's safe when the pattern changes and the demons attack. What Devon doesn't know is there's another enemy on it's way as well.

Devon is forced to take the town people and players into Ishildar for protection. And she needs to figure out how to activate the protections of the ancient city. The game has seen it fit that Devon should marry... A potential prince arrives... Fabio. lol. So funny. How will Devon react to that?

A few other things come to light for Devon. Her friend Haley has a...situation and some struggles that she wants to talk to Devon about. We know what it is from the last book. Emerson is hot on Haley's trail knowing something isn't right. What will happen when people find out?

I love this series. There's no denying that there's a real world and a gamer world. Devon has her first dates in the real world and things are awkward. It makes me smile hearing how the dates go. lol.

Even though the gaming world is definitely a game, it's fun and the consequences feel real for them other than the players respawn at their star born point. Devon really does care for her town and she has to make tough decisions for it. There are others that are starting to get the feel that the NPC's are more in this game than they usually are in other games.

There's a big event at the end of this book and it leaves me curious as to how it'll be fixed. I'm looking forward to listening to more of this series.

The narrators are great. Annie does most of the voices as the main narrator. Jeff joins as the voice of the male characters. They do give all the characters their own voices. Always great listening to them.

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Book Review: Valkyrie's Call by Michelle Manus

Valkyrie's Call by Michelle Manus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Michelle is great at viewing reactions and sharing how the other party sees those reactions. And how many times they are misunderstood. Our personal doubts can cloud our interpretation of actions or expressions. And that is something that happens in this book.

I love Random. I love Valkyrie.
These characters and the story are perfect for me.

Michelle moves the story forward with Valkyrie with Elijah being missing. Valkyrie needs to find him, and it's not why many think she wants to find him. She wants her few friends and family to be safe and if he's alive, they won't be. There's so much more to this story than anyone expected. Also looking for other kids who were taken by Danvers for experiments as well. I almost had this one figured out.

We do see both views in this book, of Valkyrie and Random.

Oh Valkyrie. She's been holding so so so much in and hiding more than we ever could have known. I figured some of it, but not all of it. Random. I love getting to learn more of Random's Aspect and his history as well. I love how everything mentioned or thought by the characters comes up and we see both sides of the moment.

I couldn't put this book down. I didn't want to put this book down.

The ending...*sigh* We get to see all the events to the end with the mission Valkyrie has herself on, and it's a much needed ending. I love how after all the emotional hurt that happened through this book needed time to heal, and it's given respectfully.

This does have steamy scenes that follows the story and the characters. I don't think they are the reason for the book which is nice. They are there but the story has it's own plot that is important.

Goodness do I love Michelle's writing style and plots and more.

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Audio Book Review: North Queen by Nicola Tyche

North Queen by Nicola Tyche
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I listened to this book on Kobo. Right at the beginning I picked up the words were poetic in describing her waking and forest and the moment. The narrator, Katherine's, voice is perfect with the peace of the moment. Beautiful flow of speaking with the words.

The book did a good job of showing not all characters are down right evil or good. That people have both sides to them as all these characters where one way with certain people and another with others. And sometimes to extremes, which made me think which is the proper version at times.

Grandmother. I liked her. She's respected but not cruel. She knows the hearts involved yet the duty needed. A tough line to walk.

Mikael...he's so eager to change things for her. She thinks she can change things. But, I got to thinking not all things need to change.

I'm not 100% sold on the romance happening with Norah and Mikael. I know. It's political arrangement. But something more starts to happen. And Mikael is willing to give up so much along with doing things differently. (Some of the killing, I can agree with.) Then. I remind myself of what the seers have foretold. And realize. Mikael's a man who doesn't want to die. So what do the seers see now?

Then there's Norah. She returns with memory loss. She never gets to be a Queen as she seemed to want, in decision making and input. (I know, she didn't want to be queen.) And she's not fully in action as Salara either. But she is when she walks in on things happening. She makes a decision that Mikael agrees to, each time. I'm hoping she'll be more in the coming books. She has potential.

This book mentions the well being of Mercia. However, I didn't feel like we got any information on how things are going there or what was sent or care that the anyone was taking steps to help with. The union of the two kingdoms felt like it wasn't anything more than a marriage. I felt like there was some in depth things that could have made Norah more of a Queen that was missed here. She's just a figure head to me in this book. No one seems to want to give her any duties or share anything happening. She's just a pretty face.

I felt that Norah is always reacting to things here. When the story ends, I feel like she's ready to take action. I'm hoping she does and I'm curious to listen to the next book.

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Audio Book Review: Ring of Ruin by Keri Arthur

Ring of Ruin by Keri Arthur
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oooooh. Masterpiece. I love how this book finishes the original arc of the Claws and connects what's to come to other pieces of this storyline. Nicely done. It feels seamless.

This book is looking for the third relic of the Claws and protecting the one that Bethany has. I love how it all ties together. Who the person is behind it all. How they know where Bethany, Lugh, Cynwrig, and others are. There's a reason for what they do. And what they plan to do... Oh I love this little twist! Brilliant.

If I was Bethany, just the thought of seeing one of those horrid creatures again would stop me. I know, there's a world at stake and the bad group wouldn't stop and will make her see them.... I guess she's getting great experience fighting them and dealing with them.

We get to see Bethany has a little more to her love life too. I'm curious to see her balance that along with finding the answers to other questions as well. I can't wait to continue listening to this series!

Keri is always amazing at creating the woman and supporting characters. Love the strength and respect for them.

The narrator is a wonderful voice for these stories too. Clear audio and speaking is wonderful.


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Book Review: Ambush by Krista D. Ball

Ambush by Krista D. Ball
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a full ending to the series bringing the characters through the battles they must fight, mentally and physically.

I loved this book. We see how Bethany has grown over time with the help of her friends and loves. She's still Bethany and if there's a fight, you'll find her at the center of it even if by accident. I love Bethany for being herself. I love the friends who surround her because they love her for who she is, through and through.

There's battles to still be fought. Bethany and Arrago and the crew are there to see those through. They also need to learn about their abilities that are surfacing. Can they keep it all quiet from people? What are the people going to think if they find out.... fear, aw, worship... They don't want any of it.

Things escalate to an all time high with the battle coming in the North along with Jud coming with the Elf knights. All putting pressure on Bethany, Arrago, Kiner, Javon, and even Erem. The pressure also ignites their abilities in ways they don't want. And someone's life, or many lives, will end due to it all.

This book was a great conclusion to the adventures of Bethany. I really enjoyed how it ended. Sad to see it end, but worth reading. If you love Bethany for her snark and fighting, you'll love this too.

Thank you for taking me on this journey.

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Audio Book Review: The Mystery of Emerald Flame by Pip Ballantine

The Mystery of Emerald Flame by Pip Ballantine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Adventure with Steampunk, perfect!

Our Ministry Seven divide to deal with two different things. Verity and a few of the younger members head out on airship with her new friend from the academy to find out about the Emerald Flame. Henry and the rest of the Seven stay home, and look into the Illuminati and if they know their address.

Things are getting complicated. And the things both see... wow.
Henry looks to go undercover in the Illuminati to get the information they need. What he sees is... frightening. To see someone have that power. To do that with automatons and people... It can be allowed to keep happening.

Verity goes on a trip and the things she learns about the Sound that she can do and the Emerald Flame are amazing. Seeing Verity in action using the Sound to affect automatons is amazing. To see the ancient dig site and imagine the underground city. It sounds amazing.

I love that the steampunk stories by Pip and Tee are always full of the equipment. The world is truly what it says it is. This along with the adventurous story is what keeps me coming back to them.

Pip is the narrator of the story as well. I love her voice and accent. She does well with the voices of the kids of London along with the adults.

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