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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