Tag Archives: Best series

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

April 15, 2018

Posted under

Reviews

Comments

Leave a comment

Top favorite fantasy series!

Court of mist and fury

Fantastic fantasy!

 

Feyre died under the mountain, at the hands of Amarantha. Now, reborn as Feyre curse-breaker, she returns to the Spring court to take her place at the side of the man she loves. But she cannot forget the things she was forced to do to save Tamlin’s people anymore than he can forget watching her die. Then there is the matter of her debt to Rhysand, High-Lord of the night court, who arrives at the most inopportune moment to collect on Feyre’s promise while the threat of war looms.

Epic, fantastic, thrilling and romantic are just some of the words I would use to describe this installment of the series. Rhysand has quickly become one of my favorite characters of all time and definitely book-boyfriend worthy! The chemistry and often gentle tenderness he has with Feyre makes for a gripping page-turner.

Feyre’s personal development is a beautiful, perfect arc. From broken human girl to fierce warrior, she makes the change with a wonderful cast of strong supporting characters by her side, each with his or her own, richly woven back-story.

The fantasy world of Prythian is richer, lighter and full of hope in this novel. The detail with which Maas spins this emotional, imaginative and descriptive tale is breath-taking. This is definitely one of my favorite series!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 14, 2016

Posted under

Reviews

Comments

2 Comments

First series I’ve ever re-read (It’s that good!)

One foot in the grave

Scorching romance

Vampire hunter Cat left the man she loved behind years ago to ensure his safety. Now she’s working for the secret homeland security division as their secret weapon, using the skills her undead lover, Bones, taught her to protect the human world from unscrupulous vampires. But there are rumors flying around in the underworld and more than one contract has been put out for the capture, dead or alive, of the vampire killer known as the ‘Red reaper’. Only one man can help Cat now. Can she overcome the feelings she still has for him and keep it professional?

Cat and Bones are by far two of my favorite fiction characters ever. I first read this series four years ago, and decided to re-read (or listen with Audible to be exact because narrator Tavia Gilbert is amazing!) the series because I haven’t been able to forget the memorable characters Frost created. Arguably, the second ‘read’ is even better than the first! Frost has written into life such a rich world of fantasy, populated by vampires, ghosts and ghouls. Just when you think she can’t possibly come up with something more imaginative, she stretches the limits by introducing yet another plot twist or complex character. The romance in this story is both sweet and scorching, with this being the hottest novel in the series. One of my favorite things about this series is the witty humor. Frost has a definite talent for sassy, quick and dirty humor, and this makes Bones, in particular, a character that will creep under your skin and stay there for years after reading the Night Huntress series.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 14, 2016

Posted under

Reviews

Comments

Leave a comment

One of the best adult paranormal romance series of all time!

Halfway to the grave

Character-driven perfect plot

Catherine knows that she’s a constant, bad reminder to her mother of the vampire who raped her. She spends her days trying to convince her mother that she’s more human than other and her nights trying to atone for the sins of her father by killing his kind. Then she meets Bones. The powerful Master vampire captures the young hunter, but instead of death, he offers her a deal: partner with him as a vampire bounty hunter… or die. Cat chooses survival but soon finds that working with the arrogant, sexy undead bounty hunter is far different from what she’d imagined.

This is the second time I’ve read this novel and that, in itself, speaks volumes. In fact, this is the first book I’ve ever re-read in my entire life from cover to cover. Frost’s characters are rich and sassy. Their lives are full of adventure and dangerous from one unexpected plot twist to the next. At first glance, Bones, with his English accent and ruthless strength is a bit of a bastard, but as Frost unravels the story, his character takes on new depths. He is arrogant, fierce, protective, incredibly funny, sexy and romantic. Cat is an equally fascinating character. She’s fiercely independent, prejudiced and talented. Throw them together, and you have a perfect example of character-driven plot, riddled with sexy conflict and adventure. This is hands down one of the best adult paranormal series ever written!

 

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 6, 2016

Posted under

Reviews

Comments

Leave a comment

Possibly one of the best books ever written

The raven King

Best books ever

Gansey and his court of friends are nearing the end of the search for the fabled Raven King. They are excited and yet fearful for the end of the search may mean death, and along the way, new friendships will be forged, secrets unravelled and dreams unmade.

There is something darkly magical about this series that marks it as one of my all time favorites. Reading a Maggie Stiefvater novel is an experience unlike any other. There is nothing straight forward about Stiefvater’s writing. She doesn’t tell. She doesn’t even show. She feels and makes you feel along with her. So much of this story is not woven into the plot or even into the characters, but rather, Stiefvater delves deeper into the very heart of the reader. She teases and tempts with her descriptions but never quite fully explains, preferring rather to stretch the imagination of the reader to impossible heights. She thrills, excites and terrorizes with her magical, lyrical prose and leaves you wanting more of something more…

Amazing, fantastic, frightening, dreamy…one of the best books ever written.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

April 22, 2016

Posted under

Reviews

Comments

Leave a comment

Earning a spot on my best series ever list…

Refuge

Best series list material

With a Master Vampire searching for her, Sara knows she’s a danger to everyone she loves. In a bid to keep her family and friends safe, she gives up her entire life and goes with the warrior Nikolas to live in a Mohiri compound. There, she will train with others like her, form friendships, make new enemies, and discover the truth about the man who saved her.

It’s been a long time since I got so immersed in a series, but this is one of those rare books that make you forget the real world exists. Nikolas’ absence from the first part of the story was not what I expected. I was a little disappointed at first because I wanted to see how their relationship would progress, but it ended up being just perfect for this story. His absence paved the way for a focussed journey of self discovery for Sara. I absolutely love the fantasy aspects of this series, and Sara’s training and her honing of skills broadens the fantasy elements. Lynch introduces even more unbelievable magical creatures and once again, she manages effortlessly to make them believable!

The relationship between Nikolas and Sara is taken to a whole new level, and yet their interaction does not detract from Sara’s own journey or her character’s independence. I love the intensity between them. This is pure, innocent and yet passionate romance, artfully inserted to compliment the main storyline.

So the real world can just wait because I’ve already started ‘Rogue’ and I won’t put it down until I know what happens to Nikolas and Sara!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

March 13, 2016

Posted under

Reviews

Comments

Leave a comment

5 of 5 stars to ‘Darken the stars’ by Amy Bartol (And a spot on my best series list!)

Darken the stars

What an epic epilogue!

Kricket Hollowell is a pawn. She’s the piece that catapulted the planet Ethar into war and she’s the piece that will end it. The very people she has trusted with her life have handed her over to the enemy. Now, she belongs to Kyon Ensin, the power hungry Alameedan who is determined to make Kricket his in every way. But Kricket refuses to be owned, nor will be allow her destiny to be determined by those who claim to be her family, friends or enemies.

This book had me quite torn by its ending. The story itself was powerful, with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I absolutely loved the shifting dynamics between Kyon and Kricket and found myself falling in love with the abrasive, arrogant, and yet decidedly passionate enemy. When the book ended, I was unsatisfied. I felt there was no resolution.

And then came the epilogue…

In those last few words, Bartol changed my entire perspective on this series. She opened up new storylines and raised questions I hadn’t even considered. What was once a cute, sci-fi love story became so much more. This novel is about the indomitable human (or not so human!) spirit. It’s about the ability to love, more than once, the goodness in every once of us and the darkness too. It breaks down the fictional rule that ‘true love is worth any sacrifice’ and promotes the importance of being true to oneself instead. It tackles the sad truth that in a world of self-serving, power-hungry individuals, it’s each man for himself, sometimes even when it comes to those we love and trust most. But it also leaves us with the hope that love can change even the darkest heart.

This epilogue is amongst the most ‘epic’ I’ve read. Wow! What a series. This one makes my top series list.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

March 6, 2016

Posted under

Reviews

Comments

Leave a comment

Sea of stars

Action-packed fantasy!

Kricket Hollowell is not just in the middle of an Etharian war, she is the reason for it. As the most sought after commodity, she is hunted by all sides who believe that she will be the ultimate winning tool. But Kricket is determined that she will never belong to anyone – except the man she has given her heart to, who will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Kyon, however, has other ideas.

As time frames go, this second installment covers a very short time span following on from the first novel. But what an action packed nail-biting time that is! I absolutely loved this book! The fantasy world created by Bartol in the first book follows through beautifully from the weapons and surveillance equipment to the transport and wild-life that populate this planet amongst a sea of stars. The action is non-stop from the first sentence to the very end. It’s an emotional roller-coaster.

Character wise, there’s a lot to fall in love with. Trey and his team are loyal, funny and bad ass. The interaction between Kricket and Trey, and the development of their relationship is romantic, hot and tender at once.

But there’s one character who surprised me quite a bit in this installment. At the end of book one, I was completely convinced that Kyon was evil incarnate. Now, I’m not so sure. There’s something very wrong about the way he obsesses over owning Kricket, but his complete dedication and tenderness toward her is kind of sexy too!

I’m completely in love with this series!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

December 23, 2015

Posted under

Reviews

Comments

Leave a comment

4 of 5 stars to “Every last breath” by Jennifer Armentrout

Every last breath

Double knots – but great series

Seventeen year old Layla has a tough choice to make between the Warden she has been crushing on her whole life and the sexy Demon who recently swept into her life. Then there is also the matter of the Lilan, the evil step-brother intent on bringing about Armageddon. And Layla is the only one who can stop him.

Action-packed and steaming, the third installment of The Dark Elements series lives up to the high expectations set by the first two books. The story resolves the relationship issues and turns to more internal struggles as Layla faces her fears and discovers her inner strengths. Further questions are raised surrounding the true nature of ‘evil’, and Layla’s moral mettle is tested to the fullest extent, bringing her character development to a mature and sweeping end.

I do feel that the novel would have been a 5 star and not a 4 star if it had ended slightly earlier than it did. I’m a reader who likes to know that the conflict has been resolved, but still wants a little room for dreaming up my own ending. Armentrout really tied double knots on this ending though, and it ventured a little too far into the soppy soap for my tastes.

But, I still loved this book and adored the series!

 

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

December 8, 2015

Posted under

Reviews

Comments

Leave a comment

5 of 5 stars to ‘Stone cold touch’ by Jennifer Armentrout

Stone cold touch

Feeling flustered

Roth is gone, relegated to the deepest recesses of hell, but no matter how Layla tries to, she cannot forget about the demon who sacrificed himself for her. Each day is a struggle to come to terms with her loss. Then, out of the blue, Roth returns. But he’s not the demon she remembers. The new Roth is cold and cruel, and brings with him bad news straight from hell. Now, Wardens and Demons must work together to protect humanity against one of the biggest threats they have ever faced. But things are more complicated than ever for Layla. On the one hand is the Demon Prince’s who confuses, rejects and yet thrills her. Then there is Zayne, the Warden she has always wanted but thought she could never have…

This series is fast becoming one of my favorites. It’s one of those that have you itching to shirk your duties just to find out what happens next. The action is fast-paced and will keep you at the edge of your seat. But it is the dynamic within the love triangle that really makes this series stand out. Armentrout has mastered the art of anticipation when it comes to the physical aspects of Layla’s interactions with both Roth and Zayne. There is only one word to describe this installment, and that is HOT! Thumbs up to this author who can make any reader flustered without resorting to an 18 + PG rating. I’m officially in love with a demon (and a Warden)! If Layla can find place in her heart for both of them, I certainly can!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

September 22, 2015

Posted under

Reviews

Comments

Leave a comment

5 of 5 stars to ‘Written in my own heart’s blood’ by Diana Gabaldon

WIMOHB

So invested

James Fraser has come back, presumably from the dead, to find that his wife has married his best friend. William has discovered that he is really the illegitimate son of General James Fraser. Oh, and did I forget to mention that they’re in the middle of the American revolution? But at least they know their only daughter is safe, back in the twentieth century…or is she?

If there was ever a cliffhanger in the Outlander series, ‘An echo in the bone’ was it. I’ve been dying to find out what happens to Jamie and Claire. The story picks up right in the thick of the action, and the blunders, misunderstandings and consequences make for entertaining reading. Once again, I found the war and camp scenes tedious at times, but that really just made it more authentic.

The storyline with Roger was fun, but I’m not sure it really added much to the story. The plot with Brianna was understated. I was a little surprised by this, as Gabaldon is not one to shy away from what could have been a seriously thrilling encounter. It was a little too vague for my liking.

I enjoyed seeing a more ‘human’ side to Claire in this installment. She’s been through so much and always appears so strong and put together. Sometimes she can come across as hard because of her efficiency, so this softer side was endearing.

I’ve never before stuck with a series for so long. Usually by book four, I find the story begins to repeat and the characters start to annoy me, but I can honestly say that I’ve never been more invested in a set of characters as I have been – and continue to be – with the Frasers. Another pearl from Gabaldon!