Book Review: Requiem for a Dream

Requiem for a Dream

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Publish Date:  July 13, 2014

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Format:  ebook, 116 pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  2nd of season 3 Bastion of Magic series; 1st book ~ Sound and Fury
continuation of Rise of the Unseelie, Champion of the Sidhe, and Touch series, along with Into Magic trilogy.

Synopsis:
The third and final butt-kicking season of The Sidhe continues with Requiem for a Dream.

The battle for the realm is coming.
With Donovan missing and the Unseelie scattered, the Seelie prepare for the ultimate battle of magic that may shattered the fragile new fey realm.

First Sentence:
"War? With the Unseelie?" London, his druidess, questioned him with the high pitch hock coloring her voice.

Purchase At:
Amazon

***I beta read this story for the author.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Lugh has declared war against the Unseelie and has plans for who he thinks should be at the heart f the New Realm, and it's not Donovan. Others are learning of the New Realm and trouble is finding it's way here. A Changeling is here, killing and marking territory.

We start eleven minutes after New Realm's creation with London and Lugh, and follow through with others as well in this story. We get POV's from Lugh, Trip, Kieran, London, Malcolm, Deacon, and Donovan. Yes, if you are following the story you'll be surprised to see Donovan in that list. But you'll be thrilled. It's a small part, but he's here - still. It may seem like a lot of head jumping, but it's not. We've read all these characters before in separate stories, now they are all in one with the troubles that are stirring in paradise.

Lugh is making promises to Manannan and to Rhiannon. Lugh seems to have a plan all of his own. Trip is learning the language of the sluagh from an experienced dark elf. Cormac is also trying to talk her into giving in to her dark side and become the darkness, yet she's worried she'll become lost to it. Manannan has set Lugh with a new mission - to close all the portals from other magic worlds. I still do NOT trust Manannan and I struggle with Lugh trusting his king after all he's learned. But Manannan had done something to Lugh some time ago, yet there is a small hope in me that Lugh knows and has his own plans up his sleeves - especially after the end of this story. Oh Malcolm... He's got issues. Serious issues. Malcolm's actions are drawing attention from the fey and sidhe more exactly.

This story is longer than the others before it. In part it's that we get several views of the world as all are in different places and learning important things that, unknowingly, fit together for us to figure out what is happening. The thing I like seeing is their paths crossing by minutes of each other.

We learn something new in this book, the portals. They might have been mentioned in previous books but not as detailed as they are now.

Oh how the past creeps up on us all. And it does here too. But the past is referred to in a way that you are refreshed to what happened.

I'm curious to see what comes of Manannan's plans and Lugh's too.

Book Review: Sound and Fury

Sound and Fury

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Publish Date:  May 28, 2014

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Format:  ebook, 81 pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st of season 3 Bastion of Magic series
continuation of Rise of the Unseelie, Champion of the Sidhe, and Touch series, along with Into Magic trilogy.

Synopsis:
Since Donovan vanished after the creation of the new fey realm Kieran has done his best to watch out for Malcolm. The bloodhound's never been all that stable, and the fey fear what he'll do without Donovan's strong guidance.

They were right to be afraid.

First Sentence:
The tormenting ache twisting in his muscles awake Kieran.

Purchase At:
Amazon

***I read for my honest thoughts on the story, from the author.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Kieran needs more Touch from his fellow fey and Sidhe to cope through the day. Even in the new realm with all the fey present, he swoops out those that stay with him as they tire quickly. Malcolm is grief stricken with Donovan's missing that he goes in search for him. Kieran is determined to find and calm his friend Malcolm. Both find themselves where they didn't expect to be again, but seem to find it's where they need to be and feel as they are accomplishing something bigger.

Kieran and Malcolm are struggling with their inner turmoils. Both seem to be on a path where they will cross each others paths as time goes. I didn't realize Kieran felt out of place until this read, but it makes sense with what's happened in the past. This is where we learn a good bit more about him. Malcolm is still depressed since the creation of the new realm with the loss of his only trusted friend and mentor. Kieran is a true friend and is determined to help Malcolm through his hard times.

Malcolm doesn't realize it, but he needs the help that is there for him. I fear Malcolm is on a downward spiral. Which we had seen before but without Donovan's strong presence to guide Malcolm and be a rock for him Malcolm is on his own mission and it may not bade well for him, or others. Malcolm's thinking is reasonable to himself, but not logical in the world. This is going to get even uglier that it has here.

The story with Kieran is of the more sensual side. I hold out hope that there is a new relationship forming for Malcolm that could help and reel him back in. Is there someone for him? A place for him to belong? There is a glimmer of hope for both Kieran and Malcolm, their places may not be where they think they would have been. And there are obstacles in each's path that will need to be overcome.

The fey realm is starting to take a solid, larger shape. Forms of command are beginning to form. There may be places for Malcolm and Kieran with the connections between the real work and the fey realm.

As fey fall into place, there are new fey introduced.

Book Review: Into Destiny

Into Destiny

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Publish Date:  November 15 , 2013

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Format:  ebook, 89pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  3rd of Into Magic series; 1st Book - Into Darkness, 2nd ~ Into Chaos
continuation of Rise of the Unseelie, Champion of the Sidhe, and Touch series.

Synopsis:
As the final artifacts are woven into place, the magic of the ancients prepares to manifest. The enormity of the magic threatens to overwhelm Malcolm's bloodhound senses, while the chorus of ancient magic begins to consume another. Creating an isle for the fey borrowed just a sliver of magic from the new fey realm that is to come. Manipulated by treacherous enchantments, Lugh will deliver it all the Seelie king unless his druidess can find a way to remind the Champion who he really is.

First Sentence:
At the very mention of the word 'werewolves', Malcolm froze.

Purchase At:
Amazon

***I read for my honest thoughts on the story, from the author.

My Thoughts and Summary:
The world of fey comes into a whole new light as pieces are revealed and learned. The artifact puzzle and history of some characters comes into full focus. The artifact puzzle comes together and life changes happen to ALL the fey. Personalities will resurface, along with new realizations and whole new world.

This story draws all out main characters together. There is a need for them to work together. Whether they stay that way...well, there are differences of opinion. We see through Malcolm, Donovan, London, and Lugh once again.

Malcolm is shaken by the word of werewolves attacking. He's worried. They are creatures that don't feed off fey powers, but eat the fey whole. This shows how dangerous the world is to fey, once again demonstrating the strong need to create a fey realm for their safety. Donovan finds a little more in this one... he is part of something bigger and knows something will be happening.

This is what I've been waiting for! And more. I was hoping for a big finish with the puzzle and the new fey realm. And this gives it to me. Yeah! The build up to this point was worth it. What the artifacts can do and how they do it! Wow!

I think this is my favorite of the series thus far. It answers many questions regarding the artifacts, some characters, and the new realm created.

Now, another step to come in the ever warring Seelie/Unseelie life to come. I look forward to the next season with these characters.

Book Review: Into Chaos

Into Chaos

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Publish Date:  September , 2013

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Format:  ebook, 90pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  2st of Into Magic series; 1st Book ~ Into Darkness
continuation of Rise of the Unseelie, Champion of the Sidhe, and Touch series.

Synopsis:
When the Mounds Collapsed, Donovan sacrificed his life and his magic to save the fey realm.  It wasn't enough.  Now the growing magic of the artifacts, the enchantment that promises to restore the realm of fey, is calling out to him, pushing at his mind and his magic, distracting him from the plots of the Seelie king slithering into their midst.

One of the most intense and action packed episodes of The Sidhe series so far, Into Chaos picks up where Into Darkness left off, propelling the action toward the climax of Season Two of The Sidhe that is coming with Into Destiny.  Now with longer episodes, the three story lines of the Sidhe continue to sizzle in this latest installment.

First Sentence:
Even with the gauzy curtains enclosing the four post bed, the light within the room roused Lugh from the exhaustion hangover following hours of carnal exertion.

Purchase At:
Amazon

***I read for my honest thoughts on the story, from the author.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Lugh has found the one he longed to be with, yet something is off with her.  Her magic distorted.  London notices when Lugh goes to talk to the man in charge, something happens to him.  Lugh is now different, although more the sunny self but different.  Lugh is magically forced to 'see the way'.  Donovan is mesmerized at the creation Malcolm has before him.  The magic artifacts Malcolm's put together have ran out of room at the Glamour Club, and now are calling to Donovan.  The magic from the first Realm of Fey has ideas, and talk to Donovan.  A new island is formed as London's past catches up and jeopardizes the lives of hers and the fey.

This is interesting.  We get some pieces of the story here and yet we are wondering as well.  We meet 'the man in charge' that Lugh now is the Champion for.  And what Donovan does for the First Realm of Fey magic. WOW!  And that is where the cover comes from too.

Malcolm is still completely obsessed with magic and the puzzle of the artifacts.  He seems to be struggling with a new creation here too.  That the magic might be too powerful is a question.  What will it do to him?  To Donovan with the connection?  What troubles will it attract?

I will say, I don't like 'the man in charge'.  But, in his defense, I don't think we are suppose too.  He is up to something and I don't like it.  I have to take London's side on this one.  He is up to no good to the fey.  None.

We have a collision of the fey and supernatural realm here.  Whether controlled or attacking, it's not good and will lead to troubles.

Book Review: Into Darkness

Into Darkness

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Publish Date:  July 6, 2013

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Format:  ebook, 98pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st of Into Magic series;
continuation of Rise of the Unseelie, Champion of the Sidhe, and Touch series.

Recommendation:  Continuation of the series with a darker twist to them.  All combine into one blended story!

Synopsis:
One Dangerous World... The Intense Storylines... All Collide in Season Two of The Sidhe!

Poisoned with dark magic, Lugh, the former Champion of the Sidhe, is ruled by the beast within, and it has one goal... to reclaim a source of magic that will make it unstoppable.  But his allies have not forgotten his quest to restore the realm of fey that will prevent the fey from Fading.

By Lugh's side is London, a human druidess pledged into his service.  London's got Lugh's back, even if he's whacked out of his mind.  She'll need more than quick thinking and her gun to get them out of the trouble that is coming for them.

The Unseelie, led by Donovan, have brought the Sidhe back from the brink of extinction.  And now they are not going to let Lugh remake a fey realm under Seelie control.  With the young earthborn Sidhe coming into their powers, the Unseelie rise against the forces that would once more see them under Seelie tyranny.

With longer episodes, Season Two combines the three storylines from Season One, with explosive results!

First Sentence:
The sense of de ja vu brought on a wave of nausea for London almost as much as the reek of blood.

Purchase At:
Amazon

***I read for my honest thoughts on the story, from the author.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Lugh has changed, consumed by the Darkness yet holding off the eclipse - barely.  London is still his druidess and needs the Sidhe Touch to live.  She will do his bidding, no matter what.

The more pieces of the magic puzzle Malcolm finds, the easier it is to follow the threads of magic to the next piece.  And more obsessed Malcolm becomes with the mission to find all the magic and bring it together.

Lugh is on the mission for artifacts to create a new fey realm, and power.  The wood elves think they can stop the fade, or extremely delay it.  Lugh is willing to do this procedure to get to create the new realm and powers with it.

Each want to help the fey, by restoring the power so the Fade doesn't take any more.  But, each has their valid reasons for why they can't afford the 'help' of the other.  Or why the other is dangerous.  Will the Fey survive the constant battle between Seelie and Unseelie long enough?  The rift is needed, but is it needed still?  Could the Seelie and Unseelie be switching roles?  Maybe so....


What a way to start Season 2.  All characters we enjoy are here.  Even Jonathon the dragon.  This is a complete intersection of the three previous series; Champion of the Sidhe, Rise of the Unseelie, and Touch.  We get POV from London, Malcolm, Donovan, and Lugh.  All in one place!

Interesting turn of events and what we learn.  There are deep secrets to the Dark Beast in Lugh, and this makes me curious to motives behind others that are now lost.  Or are they?  I'm still curious as to that little question from season one.  And what happens to him here...Oh my.  Just when you think Lugh has it bad, it gets worse.

Malcolm.  Wow.  Just when you think he's coming around, he falls backwards.  This boy is falling for his bloodhound instincts and not even know it.  The things he does with magic, he is a key to many things.  And one that is hard to control at that.  He's damaged and becoming obsessed with magic and playing with it.  He has no idea what he's doing, but he's doing it.

Oooo, this is the one.  The ending is top notch.  Fighting and intense to hold your attention to what's going on. Then!  Then you see someone you never thought you would! LOL!  Ha!

Book Review: Uprising

Uprising

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Format:  eNovella

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Publish Date:  February 27, 2013

Series:  5th of Rise of the Unseelie series
Affiliated with Touch series and Champion of the Sidhe series

Book Synopsis:
Awakening to his bloodhound abilities, Malcolm's following dangerous instincts he doesn't understand and can't control.  As Donovan discovers the truth about who murdered Danu, war is brewing on more than one front, threatening everything the Unseelie have fought for.

First Sentence:
The music was dying.

Purchase At:

Amazon

My Thoughts and Summary:
Donovan is working with Malcom, to follow the sidhe music stolen by a witch.  To find her, the sidhe the wizards took and are draining.  Being a Bloodhound Malcolm can track magic in different ways and is doing so now with direction from Donovan.  Finding this witch left Ireland to return to the wizards home at Isle of Man, Donovan takes Tiernan as the young earthborn sidhe aren't ready to leave their protected land or tangle with wizards.  The clues to the Mounds fall the rescued sidhe brings to Donovan will be shocking!

I was a little unsure in the beginning what was happening and how it would work with the world we've already seen, but two chapters in I was drawn to know what the pieces where and how they connected to the world on land as apposed to in the Mounds.  Knowing what I've learned of the Mounds and pieces through out, this was great to see the fey and Sidhe learn to adapt.

We see Donovan match up against a wizard.  The wizard element and danger is coming into play more as they are always looking and stealing sidhe and fey for their magic.  We see the wizards are strengthening as the fey, as a whole, are weakening.

Malcolm learns more magic in himself!  Great Malcolm growth and learning here.  He's coming to be more powerful than expected by readers, but it seems Donovan had an idea and hopes that are coming to surface with Malcolm.  Malcolm's becoming a masterpiece with his magic.  So much here he doesn't even know as he doesn't know the pieces we do of the ancient sidhe and history in the Mounds of his kind.  And the secrets!  Oh, the secrets...

The secret's we learn of the fall of the Mounds!  Who! How! Why! Hahaha!  I had a feeling and sooo wanted to know.  This one brings that out for us.  Missing pieces of the starts of all this are here.

We still have more to learn as this places the ruins Lugh is looking for into light as well.  And Malcolm seems to be a crucial piece to the puzzle, but will he hold together to do it?  This book has brought more to the world of Sidhe on the land and I look forward to learning more of the adaptations to come.



*I read this book for an honest review.

Book Review: Keeper of Secrets

Keeper of Secrets

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Format:  eNovella, 59pgs

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Publish Date:  February 14, 2013

Series:  5th in Champion of the Sidhe series
Affiliated with Touch series, and Rise of the Unseelie Series

Book Synopsis:
Poisoned with dark magic and suffering the Fade, Lugh's fighting a battle within himself.  One that endangers everyone around him.  And if he can't complete his quest for the new fey realm before the dark corruption possesses him, all hope for the fey may be lost.

First Sentence:
With each of Lugh's long strides, the footsteps that trailed him drew closer.

Purchase At:

Amazon ~ Kindle

My Thoughts and Summary:
As Lugh is walking to London's in the night he feels the darkness stirring in him and is attacked by werewolves, who love the taste of fey.  Lugh's fey magic is tested once again, bringing him closer to the Fade, or use the dark magic which doesn't bide well with the light he is.  Lugh is on a mission to find the relics to help the fey and Sidhe create a realm for themselves, he will do anything for them...if he can keep the beast rising in him at bay.

We see the darkness strengthening in Lugh as Lugh grows weaker with his magics tested.  Lugh believes the darkness in him isn't all that strong and not to be worried about.  However, Lugh's struggle against the beast inside is harder than he realizes, or wants to admit.

Fight!  We have a FEW! fight scenes in this short story.  Yes!  We start with one, one in the middle, and one in the end.  We see Lugh do what he does best as the Champion.

This story brings us many answers to the many small questions from reading London's story with Lugh, Captivated.  Now on Lugh's side we see why he did and what is going on.  I'm ready for the Unseelie story now!



**I read this book for an honest review from the authors.

Book Review: Captivated

Captivated

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Format:  eNovella

Publisher:  Rabynheart Publishing

Publish Date:  January 2013

Series:  5th in Touch series
Affiliated with Champion of the Sidhe series, and Rise of the Unseelie Series

Book Synopsis:
London's had a rough journey and made some bad choices.  She's on the Unseelie hit list and hoping that hooking up with a Seelie is the answer to all her problems.  Only now that she's beginning to get a glimpse of the bigger picture, she finds herself at ground zero of more magical trouble than she ever expected.

First Sentence:
Tall, blond, and delicious heading your way.

Purchase At:

Amazon ~ Kindle

My Thoughts and Summary:
London is woken at four in the morning by a text, Lugh is on his way.  Lugh has returned to her as he promised, but somethings off...darker.  He offers to take London as his druidess and with her profession he hires her permanently to find all the relics he needs.

London thinks she has found someone to help her with her needs but she might be the one doing the helping...he might be in more danger than she.

We see Lugh's reactions through London here.  Seeing Lugh see the Unseelie for the first time since the fall of the Mounds.  London has no idea what's happened to him, we do after reading Protector of the Light, so it's neat to see the affects from the outside looking in.  We see a lot of what is becoming of Lugh and being we are new, like London, this is a great place to see it first hand as Willem explains to us what and how 'it' affects Lugh.

This story is heavy with crossover to Lugh's story.  We go in search with Lugh to find the relics he needs, we see Jonathon and Willem, and Willem joining us on this aventure.

London is on a mission, yet taking the pledge to be Lugh's, London feels in to deep and something about Lugh is different.

I'm curious to see the Unseelie story to learn more of their side and curious of Lugh's story with being with London in this one the whole time.


*I read this story for an honest review.

Book Chat...on a Fey series

I was included in a Live Google chat with the authors S.A. Archer and S. Ravynheart in chatting about their fey series's I've been reading.  Yes plural series's.  They have three book lines that cross over in the same world.

If you are curious about the chat you can watch the video of the three of us at Fey Cast.

I tried to get a few pieces of juicy details for you, but Ravynheart put his foot down. ;D Lol.

The first book in each story line:  (note: each of these 1st books are FREE on Amazon Kindle)

These stories are all done in novella length series.


If you would like you could read the Prequel to Champion of the Sidhe series:  In Whom You Trust (goes with End of the World starting book series).  I did enjoy this one and it starts at Fey Cast and hops to a few blogs for each section.

Book Review: Compelled

Compelled

By:  S.A. Archer

Format:  eNovella

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Publish Date:  November 9, 2012

Series:  4th in Touch series
Affiliated with Champion of the Sidhe series, and Rise of the Unseelie series

Book Synopsis:
London's made mistakes.  A lot of them.  Enough so that she's been marked for elimination by a powerful Unseelie Sidhe.  As a human cursed with an addiction to the Touch of the Sidhe, her life and her future depends on finding a Sidhe who will hire her on a permanent basis.  The only way to put her reputation for causing trouble behind her is to prove herself by tracking down a powerful druid who's endangering the Sidhe.  But when old enemies resurface, can London trust the man she was sent to investigate?  Or will this finally be her fatal mistake?

First Sentence:
"You screwed the pooch on that one, babe."

My Thoughts and Summary:
Joe is back and chatting with London.  London tells him about her threatening text from the Unseelie.  We learn Joe has found himself a Sidhe to serve.  But then, Joe didn't contact London to 'catch up' and chat about her flailing reputation he'd heard of.  No, he needs her help and it just might clear her name enough to please his Sidhe boss to take her in.  It's always good to have a backup plan when your life depends on it, if she can pull it off and clear her name.

We get to see two characters from previous stories; Joe and Riley.  Great to see the characters resurface again!

Joe's to check out a man for his boss.  A man who likes to think of himself as a ladies man, and thinks London could do the trick.

London is scared after her run in with the Unseelie.  She's now stacking out her own home waiting to see if they come for her.  She's not been staying there.

This story does cross with Lugh's story in Protector of the Light.  We get to see London's view of the meeting of Lugh.  Again I was worried it would be to much repeat from Lugh, but from London's mind the brief encounter is new and interesting.

I really found this interesting with the tie-in with the other books/series here.  I've been trying to piece together from the other series and London (to me) unknowingly fulfilling a mission for a Sidhe and maybe even through exttention helping the one that wants her dead.

Sneaky.  Good.  Well played.  I love it when things are all entwined together and play out on a bigger screen.  Wonderful addition to London's story and the other series as well, always learning more about this world.


**I read this story for an honest review

Book Review: Protector of the Light

Protector of the Light

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Publish Date:  September 15, 2012

Format:  eBook, pgs

Genre:  Fantasy, Fey

Series:  4th of Champion of the Sidhe series, Prequel ~ In Whom You Trust, 1st Book ~ The End of the World, 2nd Book ~ Champion of the Fey, 3rd Book ~ Defender of Magic
Affiliate of:  Rise of the Unseelie series, and Touch series

Book Synopsis:
Since the Collapse of the Mounds, Lugh has spent every waking moment collecting the artifacts he needs to rebuild a magical realm for the fey.  But without the fey realm to replenish the magic he expends, Lugh is Fading.  Fast!  Time's running out.  Enemies are circling.  Forging dangerous alliances may well get him killed...or drive him down a dark path from which he might never be redeemed.

First Sentence:
Lugh raised his cupped hand before him, hiding the light of the magicraft in his palm.

Purchase At:

Amazon ~ Kindle

My Thoughts and Summary:
The shiny vial of swirling gold dust lead Lugh here, looking for the next artifact.  Here being...a vampire club, and not any vampire club but Selena's.  Lugh learns a secret long kept from him, before the Mounds even fell, by his Unseelie Spies.  That Unseelie Exiles are known as Earthborn Sidhe.  Lugh will have to make new allies to try to help quicken his search for artifacts in order to help save the fading fey, and maybe even himself.

I'm glad for the quick mention of the swirling dust in the vial as it reminded me quickly what it is and Lugh's goals, drawing me back to Lugh's mission.  Lugh has come across with a sensual vampire and much more transpires here.

We see more of Lugh here.  He is an experienced ladies man, knowing how to win one over.  Yet Selena is just as convincing as well, she knows the game well.  But to keep Lugh returning to her bed and most likely her hunger for Sidhe blood, she agrees to help him.

Oh goodness!  Lugh meets London!  You know the desperate London from the Touched series.  We see the view of the Touched humans on the Seelie side of the coin here through Lugh.  They are cared and loved for their loyalty.  We also have mention of past names from in the Touched series.

We learn what the Changelings were doing to the fey and their plans.  Lugh is so close to finding more Sidhe, yet that's it as many would blame the Seelie for the fall of the mounds.  But Lugh finds a group that he visits, and helps, then realizes how weak he's becoming.  But we see the Fade is affecting others as well.

With this discovery of the Fade affecting others, I'm curious to learn about why and if Lugh will find a way to save them, and himself.  Then there are the secrets London holds, will Lugh find out and shun her as well?  Lugh maybe bedding with a dangerous ally to save the Sidhe.


You can learn more about all three series; Champion of the Sidhe, Rise of the Unseelie, and Touch at The Sidhe, site of S.A. Archer and S. Ravynheart.


**I read this for an honest review.
***This review is of my personal thoughts, and feelings

Book Review: Bloodhound

Bloodhound

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Format:  eNovella

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Publish Date:  July 2012

Series:  4th of Rise of the Unseelie series
Affiliated with Touch series and Champion of the Sidhe series

Book Synopsis:
Donovan rescued the earthborns.  Protected them.  Gave them shelter from the predators who would feast on their blood and Sidhe magic.

That time is over.

Time for the earthborns to train.  To fight back.  To reclaim what is theirs.

Time to show the world what it means to be Unseelie.

First Sentence:
"You're so dead, mate!" Bryce shouted over the explosion of gunfire.

My Thoughts and Summary:
While playing a relaxing (relaxing from magic) video game with Bryce, Malcolm hears a strange whistle no other can hear.  He knows it's Kieran and when searches for his sound magic, he can't find it.  He knows Kieran is in trouble.  Donovan's not around as he's been taking fey cases, protecting fey.  Donovan returns to a panicked Malcolm as Kieran returns to the club with a human female...London.

This story overlaps in time and happenings with Enchanted, novella #3 in Touched series.  Do you need to read that novella, or series, first?  No.  I think you will be good with out doing so.  But might be one to check out as well.  This story gives us the Unseelie view of the happenings, and why they react as they do with what they learn, where Enchanted is London's side of the happenings.  We get to see the Unseelie thoughts of London as well, or at least Donovan's and Malcolm's which are the strongest.

Donovan doesn't feel the earthborn Sidhe are ready just yet to fight and protect, but are being trained.  This novella he starts to crack them into shape with an awakening of what is out there hunting them.  We find Donovan on a case where a wood elf is found dead, actually a few wood elves.  The case ends up being the first for the earthborn.  It seems the earthborn Sidhe don't worry much that there are any threats out there to them, yet Malcolm is the first to just at any threats possible.  But now with the mounds have fallen, things are different in the earthborn world, and they are starting to get a feel for that.  There is danger out there for them, more now than there was.

Malcolm is panicked but seems to be accepting the other earthborn with him, compared to last story.  Playing video games with Bryce, worrying about Kieran.  Maybe getting use to their magic?  After Donovan's talk about them needing him as much as he needs them, sounds like he's trying and becoming attached to these new 'friends.'  But still has an uncontrolled craziness about him.  We see Malcolm remember the terrible time he had with the goblins, and how it's affected him, and still does.  Malcolm then worries about his little sister, that someone could go after her like they did him.

We get to see what special skills each earthborn has as Donovan appraises them as he puts them through rough training.  He knows he needs to straighten this soft bunch into something better than the Elite he was leader of.  The earthborn need to be trained up before the threats find the Glamour Club.  They go on their first mission with Donovan, and one learns about her magic a little more and acquires a few 'pets'.  Then they have a personal goal they are given which in relation to the female cursed by the touch.


I read this novella for an honest review from the author.

Teaser Tuesday (130)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

Stepping back, Donovan watched as the elf-like construct healed the artificial wounds that he'd given it.  When the elf attacked once more, Malcolm imitated the moves Donovan had shown him with much more accuracy and control.

Bloodhound
By:  S.A. Archer and S. Ravynheart
27pg

Book Review: Enchanted

Enchanted

By:  S.A. Archer

Format:  eNovella

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Publish Date:  May 2012

Series:  3rd in Touch series
Affiliated with Champion of the Sidhe series, and Rise of the Unseelie series

Book Synopsis:
All London wants is her life back, not something easy to accomplish with her addiction to the Sidhe Touch constantly gnawing at her.  This time she's found an earthborn Sidhe who just might take the edge off her craving.  If she can keep the other predators like vampires and wizards from claiming her prey, that is.

First Sentence:
London wasn't looking for Mr. Right.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Six weeks since her last fix and London's desire for the Touch of the rare and hidden Sidhe is becoming a need to her life and sanity.  London has found there are Sidhe in a glamoured club, which she has staked out, waiting for one to leave and kidnap for his Touch.  Not sure what to do, when she's captures a Sidhe, to get his Touch and not have him vanish on her instead, she binds him with silver cuffs and calls her Vampire friend Selena to help.  Taking him to Selena's warded manor home, but there are others there that are interested in the fey as well...werewolves.  London's little mess up could start an all out war between the races.

This short story has it's action with it.  Fighting and lots of running for their lives.  Fighting of human, werewolves, vampires, and fey.  Nice to keep the story moving forward, and learning about the different races present in this series.

Rash thinking is fuzzed by the overwhelming desire for nothing but the Touch.  London comes to the realization that her desperation for the Touch has drawn her to have blinders and limited thought as to what she is told... she will believe anything even obvious lies and did things she can't change which is making life harder.  London is starting to come to some truth, and has to learn to accept it.  Finding the Touch might be harder now with the truth out, but maybe, just maybe, there might be one tiny chance of an ally in the end, if she plays her cards properly.

London is willing to fight for her fey here, but also what helps her is the nervousness of the Vampires.  We learn they are always prepared and London being a close friend to Selena has let her in on the secrets in their home.  There is always something around; weapons, secret rooms, and escape routes everywhere that can be used in the dire emergency.

Oh!  Shame on the authors.  Evil as they are!  They left me with a cliffhanger ending!  Shame, shame. lol.  I am now in need of the next story to see what troubles are heading London's way.  It should be out in just a few months.


I read this story for an honest review

Book Review: Eyes of Magic

Eyes of Magic

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Format:  eBook

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Publish Date:  April 22, 2012

Series:  3rd in Rise of the Unseelie series
Affiliated with: Touch series and Champion of the Sidhe series

Book Synopsis:
He's defective.  Damaged.  Malcolm knows he is.  How could he not be, after a year of torture in the belly of a goblins' nest?  The only magic he can do is the Touch, a perverted magic he despises and learned at the end of a whip.  Everyone else in the Glamour Club has loads of magic, but not him.  He doesn't fit it.  But if he can't find his magic, and his place among the Sidhe, then where could he go?  And what if those that enslaved him before came after him again?

First Sentence:
Kieran slammed into the fey in his way, shoving them aside in his scramble.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Malcolm has awaken from his three day unconscious state he's been in since Donovan brought him to the Club.  He is frantic and panicking only wanting to see the man who killed the vampires and brought him here, saving him; Donovan.  Donovan pairs Malcolm with Kieran to be a friend who's had to deal with some of the same, but on a smaller scale.  Malcolm is feeling more out of place, of all things, because he doesn't know what his special magic is, and appears to not have one...or does he?  Being Sidhe he should be able to do something different than the normal Touch, which disgusts him.

We get more detail in this story.  We see the magic through Malcolm's eyes, which helps it make more sense or easily categorizes the magic of each Sidhe for me.  When Malcolm talks to Donovan about magic we learn what the basic powers that all Sidhe have and that each has something different, unique as well.  We learn more of the characters; Kieran's past and using his sound magic.  Bryce with his fire, Trip and her darkness, Dawn and her healing sparks, even rock dust floating around Donovan.

We get an inside glimpse of the Glamour Club as Malcolm walks through it, who's there and what they do.  Even what the place looks like.

Poor Malcolm.  He is sooo broken and no idea what his magic is yet.  He even thinks he has nothing special.  He almost seems to be slipping further into a depressed state, but has tethered himself to Donovan as his rock.  Although, as the reader I started to wonder if he wasn't capable of something completely different than expected.  It becomes evident that he has something special and doesn't know it.

Donovan is AWESOME with Malcolm.  I just love his touch and help with the emotionally wounded kid.  He is calm and strong for Malcolm.  Malcolm needs a powerful rock to look to, and Donovan is it.

In the end we learn more about a few players in the bigger picture of the Sidhe trying to survive.  I still am very curious about why Manannan (the king) did what he did knowing the prophecy.  And Danu went along with him.  There is more here, and we are seeing little clues starting to drop through each individual story line.


I've received a copy of this story for review from the author.
**Do remember this is a review of my thoughts and opinions.

Who? What? Where (71)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

(This is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )

I'm with London searching for that special one to give her the Touch.  Yes, a Sidhe, which are hard to find.  It's been six weeks since the last fix and London can feel herself coming undone with need.  I'm not sure yet where we are in the world.  I'm curious what promises and favors London has agreed to, to find a lead to a Sidhe... one would do just about anything to live.

Enchanted
By:  S.A. Archer

The Sidhe Books Trailer

I've been reading 3 short story series that will soon intertwine.  They are set in a fey world with Sidhe, Vampires, Changelings, and more.  In case you are curious about the series, other than my reviews.  Here is a trailer for you.

The first story in London's series of Touch; Cursed is free ~ Amazon Kindle

Today is the last day that the third in London's story line is free: Enchanted ~ Amazon Kindle

All the stories are a low price of 99c.

If you are curious about my thoughts you can find them:

Champion of the Sidhe series

Rise of the Unseelie series

Touch series

Who? What? Where? (68)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

(This is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )

I'm watching Malcolm in the workout room as he is watching himself in the mirror.  He is trying to find his magic, whatever it might be.  But he sees on the wall weapons with a magical aura around them, and selects a dagger from the wall to wear.  He now looks more comfortable to have some sort of protection.

Eyes of Magic
By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Teaser Tuesday (120)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

As Donovan considered this confession with a brow raised, Tiernan Kilgrave appeared by the entrance in the cleared space set aside for teleportation.  One of the few conventions from the Mounds to persist on the surface; you arrived to the right of the door and departed on the left.

Eyes of Magic
By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart
33pg

Book Review: Defender of Magic

Defender of Magic

By:  S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Publisher:  Ravynheart Publishing

Publish Date:  March 16, 2012

Format:  eBook, 44pgs

Genre:  Fantasy, Fey

Series:  3rd of Champion of the Sidhe series, Prequel ~ In Whom You Trust, 1st Book ~ The End of the World, 2nd Book ~ Champion of the Fey
Affiliate of:  Rise of the Unseelie series, and Touch series

Book Synopsis:
Raiders have attacked Danu's temple, slaughtering its defenders.  The artifacts that are the last hope for the survival of the fey are in danger.  With Changelings out to kill him, and goblins determined to abduct him, Lugh's on a quest to find a stronghold for those treasures.  Perhaps he should have thought twice before seeking a safe haven in the territory of shape-changing, fire-breathing dragon.

First Sentence:
With fingers hesitant with longing, Lugh stroked the porcelain cheek of the Sidhe who was once worshipped as the moon goddess.

My Thoughts and Summary:
We start with Lugh having very fond memories of one Sidhe he cared for; loved and loved him, Rhiannon.  Lugh is yearning for the Touch of a fellow Sidhe, one of which like him, and he has not found another since the fall of the Mounds.  Lugh is drawing weaker as every use of magic drains him more, bringing the Fade closer.  As Lugh and Willem near to their temple of the All Mother, Lugh senses trouble.  Changelings have found and attacked their safe haven for the artifacts.  Lugh needs to take the body of Danu and artifacts to somewhere safe, but where would that be... Lugh has an idea and it involves a dragon.

We see Lugh weak here.  We learn of his strong, long past and are able to realize just how weak he is without the mounds magic or even interaction with his own kind.  Lugh is so weak, he gets trapped by the nasty little goblins.

We meet a new character here, Jonathan....a dragon-shifter!  I like meeting this new man!  He's got a little bit of a pest issue, with the next of goblins now scurrying through his territory.  Oh, Jonathan's home...I love the picture drawn of Jonathan's home!  Love the looks of this place, inside the cave.  It's not what you think it would look like.

This world keeps growing with different creatures mentioned. There is mention of wolf-kin, or werewolves as they go by now, as well.. in this ever growing world.  With the world growing in this series, it's also growing to the other two series affiliated with it.  If you are reading all three series; Champion of the Sidhe (this one), The Rise of the Unseelie, and Touch, you will take note that the goblin nest that had fallen and now pestering Jonathan are the ones from the Touched series in which Donovan, from The Rise of the Unseelie, had also squeezed out of their home.  It's really neat the way things cross this series.  It's not confusing, just neat the way I'm reading and think, "Oh, that has to be so-so from Touch, and then touched in Rise of the Unseelie too.  Just nice to connect the three series.

This series has action and fighting, but what this series holds my attention with more is the world building with the characters knowledge and history, and even what they are doing now.

It was the end that brought my attention to full focus.  Their is suspense and hopes hinted at, that there are more Fey and Sidhe for Lugh to save, but not knowing where they are hidden is the secret...along with why.


You can learn more about all three series; Champion of the Sidhe, Rise of the Unseelie, and Touch at The Sidhe, site of S.A. Archer and S. Ravynheart.


**I read this for an honest review.
***This review is of my personal thoughts, and feelings