Apr 13 2013

Book Reviews by Niki Hawkes is Now on Facebook!

Book Reviews by Niki Hawkes is now on Facebook!

It’s an easier way to stay updated, but it’s also a place where I can let my hair down a bit as you get all the quirky posts and updates that aren’t big enough to sustain a blog post. Get access to:

Book reviews and recommendations
Release dates for forthcoming books
Important updates from popular authors
Fun quotes and memes – book related, of course
Links to other excellent book bloggers
Writing tips tips and links

And anything else I think my fellow book lovers will enjoy!

So stop on by at https://www.facebook.com/BookReviewsByNikiHawkes and “Like” the page to become part of this fabulous book-loving community! :)

Apr 7 2013

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Coming Soon: Hunted

Title: Hunted

Author: Kevin Hearne

Series: Iron Druid Chronicles #6

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: June 25, 2013

The Overview: For a two-thousand-year-old Druid, Atticus O’Sullivan is a pretty fast runner. Good thing, because he’s being chased by not one but two goddesses of the hunt—Artemis and Diana—for messing with one of their own. Dodging their slings and arrows, Atticus, Granuaile, and his wolfhound Oberon are making a mad dash across modern-day Europe to seek help from a friend of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His usual magical option of shifting planes is blocked, so instead of playing hide-and-seek, the game plan is . . . run like hell.

Crashing the pantheon marathon is the Norse god Loki. Killing Atticus is the only loose end he needs to tie up before unleashing Ragnarok—AKA the Apocalypse. Atticus and Granuaile have to outfox the Olympians and contain the god of mischief if they want to go on living—and still have a world to live in.

Nik’s Notes: I was extremely excited to have the first in this series (Hounded) featured in March’s Your Pick for Nik! book club. I loved the main character and his wolfhound sidekick, I loved the magic system, and I loved the story. All-in-all, I think it is well worth your time if you like urban fantasy. I’m hoping to be all caught up in the series by the time this one comes out in June!

Apr 6 2013

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Coming Soon: Guardian

Title: Guardian

Author: Jack Campbell

Series: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier #2

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: May 7, 2013

The Overview: Admiral Geary’s First Fleet of the Alliance has survived the journey deep into unexplored interstellar space, a voyage that led to the discovery of new alien species, including a new enemy and a possible ally. Now Geary’s mission is to ensure the safety of the Midway Star System, which has revolted against the Syndicate Worlds empire—an empire that is on the brink of collapse. To complicate matters further, Geary also needs to return safely to Alliance space not only with representatives of the Dancers, an alien species, but also with Invincible, a captured warship that could possibly be the most valuable object in human history. Despite the peace treaty that Geary must adhere to at all costs, the Syndicate Worlds regime threatens to make the fleet’s journey back grueling and perilous. And even if Geary escorts Invincible and the Dancers’ representatives safely unharmed, the Syndics’ attempts to spread dissent and political unrest may have already sown the seeds of the Alliance’s destruction…

Nik’s Notes: I haven’t had the pleasure to read this series yet, but my husband just started it so I thought I’d grill him a little. Apparently, the best thing the books have going for them are fantastic large-scale battles and great characterization (He mentioned that the whole thing sort of reminded him of Battlestar Galactica). It also has a great story and subplots. The drawbacks have to do with repitition – Campbell evidently thinks his readers suffer from short-term memory loss (I know I do) and feels compelled to mention things far too often. Well, there you have it. As for those of you who have already read the series and have drawn your own conclusions – the next book is only a month away!

Apr 1 2013

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Out This Month! (Noteworthy Releases April 2013)

There are a couple really good release this month, my favorite of which being the new Robin Hobb book. Sadly, most of these are next books for series still in my TBR pile. Just more good books to read, I guess… can’t complain at that. :)

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Mar 31 2013

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Coming Soon: Darkness Unmasked

Title: Darkness Unmasked

Author: Keri Arthur

Series: Dark Angels #5

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: June 4, 2013

The Overview: Shortly after her fight on the astral plane, Risa receives a phone call from Madeline Hunter, the leader of the vampire council, ordering her to investigate the death of Hunter’s close friend and lover – Wolfgang Schmidt. His body has been discovered wrapped in a web-like substance and has been completely drained. As the body count continues to grow, Risa must summon her gifts to find the dark spirit before it strikes again.

Meanwhile, as the search for the keys that keep the gate to Hell closed grows more intense, Risa begins to unravel mysteries that will have startling consequences for her.

Nik’s Notes: For the longest time, Arthur was my favorite urban fantasy rider for her “Riley Jensen” series. I love the supernatural elements, the characters, and most notably the romance. The Dark Angels novels are spinoffs, and I like them almost as much as the parent series. Riza is an excellent protagonist and one of my favorite “mysteries” from Rilesy’ story. While you dont’ technically have to read the Riely booksf rist, Arthur references them so much that I can’t imagine the reading expirience beign quite as good without the back history on everything. Proceed with caughtion, though, becuase these books are steamy!

Mar 30 2013

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Coming Soon: Fall of Night

Title: Fall of Night

Author: Rachel Caine

Series: Morganville Vampire #14

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Release Date: May 7, 2013

The Overview: Thanks to its unique combination of human and vampire residents, Morganville, Texas, is a small college town with big time problems. When student Claire Danvers gets the chance to experience life on the outside, she takes it. But Morganville isn’t the only town with vampire trouble

Claire never thought she’d get to leave Morganville, but she can’t pass up the chance to finally attend her dream school, MIT. After all, getting to invent anti-vamp devices with Professor Anderson—a Morganville exile herself—sounds like a dream come trueuntil Claire realizes that there are sinister forces in play, and she’s not the only one with a vampire-related agenda. Without her friends Shane, Eve and Michael, surviving a killer schedule may be hardbut with them, it might turn out to be impossible.

Nik's Notes: I can't read these as fast as she writes them - which is excellent for all of you who can (including my best friend, Charlotte, who absolutely loves this series). According to the whims of the internet, this series is currently contracted for 15 books. As I am only on book #4, I've certainly got some work to do before it wraps up (which will likely be around November 2013). So far I really like this author's style. She has a tiny bit of an edge to her which makes the story a little less "fluffy" than its competition. For the record, I also am enjoying her Weather Warden books.