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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Audio Book Review: Storm Forged by Lindsay Buroker

Storm Forged by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Val comes face to face with more of Zav's family problems. Politics mostly. Dragons are all about politics among the Dragon Court for power. And Val is just a tiny mongrel in the mix.

Val is moved into her new home with her new roommates... Dimitri, Freysha, and the vampire in the basement, Zoltan. As she feared, the house is full of mold. And Val's lungs aren't dealing well with the mold. She doesn't want anyone to know she has a weakness as Zav and others are seeing her as a warrior. And if Zav knew....would he still want her at his side?

At their first "family" dinner, where Val's ex-husband and daughter come along with others, things go sideways when a gnome rushes into the back yard and collapses.

Darn. Val really didn't want the supernatural world to know where she lived...

The trolls and dragons find her shortly after.

And a Dragon that's sent to mate with Zav. By his mother.
Val's potential love life might be over before it even gets started. If this mate can help Zav and his family with their standing on the Dragon Court...it might be for the best for his family. And he's an honorable guy like that. Right?

This book felt slightly slower for me. We learn more about Zav's family and their history, Val's father when here, and a few other details on gnomes and Nin's grandfather. Lots of great information about everything, and we need it.

I do love that Lindsay is blending details and people from previous books into this book. Nothing is forgotten and is helpful along the way.

I'm breezing right through these audio books and I'm ready to dive into the next.

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