Tag Archives: urban fantasy

Apr 18 2013
Image

Coming Soon: Dancing with the Devil

July 30Title: Dancing with the Devil

Author: Keri Arthur

Series: Nikki and Michael #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: July 30, 2013

The Overview: Private Investigator Nikki James grew up on the tough streets of Lyndhurst and believes there’s nothing left to surprise her. All that changes the night she follows teenager Monica Trevgard into the shadows-and becomes a pawn caught in a war between two very different men. One fills her mind with his madness, the other pushes his way into her life-and her heart. Nikki knows how dangerous love can be, but if she wants to survive, she must place her trust in a man who could easily destroy her.

Nik’s Notes: If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you probably know I have a weakness for anything by Keri Arthur. I will forever have a soft spot for her Riley Jensen series as its the one that first sparked my love for urban fantasy.

While Dancing with the Devil is not exactly a new series, it is new to the U.S. (unless you ordered an overpriced “print on demand” copy of questionable quality ten years ago, like I did). In any case, I am glad the publishers chose to re-market this one locally so I can get my hands on a good copy.
.
Not only do I have a physical copy of this book in my TBR pile, but I also have been lucky enough to get an digital ARC from Net Galley. I am excited to finally start reading it, as the prospects look good for the release of the whole series (at reasonable costs). Be on the lookout for a review within the next month or so. :)
Apr 7 2013
Image

Coming Soon: Hunted

june 25Title: 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 3 2013
Image

Book Review: Fair Games by Patrica Briggs

s3Title: Fair Game

Author: Patricia Briggs

Series: Alpha & Omega #3

Genre: Urban Fantasy / Mystery

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Overview: It is said that opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son—and enforcer—of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant Alpha. While Anna, an Omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

When the FBI requests the pack’s help on a local serial-killer case, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston to join the investigation. It soon becomes clear that someone is targeting the preternatural. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer’s sights…

The Review:

While Cry Wolf read like a paranormal romance and Hunting Ground read like an urban fantasy, Fair Game was strongly tugging at the mystery category. It’s almost like Briggs is playing with different story structures to branch out from her comfort zone. And you know what? I’m 100% willing to go on that ride with her. It’s not easy to write in a different genre, but I love that she’s introducing it within urban fantasy parameters.

Fair Game was easily the most gruesome story to date (at least as far as I was concerned – but I sort of let my imagination run wild with this one). It raised the stakes, kept me at the edge of my seat, and made me really hate the bad guys. My favorite part of this novel was the layered plot; it slowly revealed one clue after another, building an excellent momentum for the end.

I mentioned in my review of book #2 that Anna and Charles’ relationship is one of my favorites in the genre. To be honest, I wasn’t  even certain if I liked either of the characters up front, but I still loved how well their personalities played off of each other. The visuals of a five-foot mousey woman scolding a behemoth of a werewolf without fear makes me smile every time. Briggs gets an A+ for character development and perhaps another + for story.

Recommendations: I am sure lovers of Mercy have already picked these books up, but I have to say the back history here makes the whole saga rich and vibrant. If you like Briggs but haven’t read this one yet, put it one your list! A warning to the wary: this series does contain a good deal of language and sexual content but not nearly as graphic as Laurell K. Hamilton or Keri Arthur.

by Niki Hawkes

Other books you might like:

Apr 2 2013
Image

Top Ten Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character!

a111

Hosted by the Broke and the Bookish, this is a fun weekly feature where bloggers like myself get to geek out about our favorite books. This week’s category is:

Top Ten Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character!

I had a blast putting this one together and I’m especially looking forward to seeing what kind’s of heart-throbs make everyone else’s lists.

1: My best friend and I have actually had full-blown conversations were we try to decide who is the “hottest” guy in fiction. My answer is always Dimitri – I’m certain of it. How can I tell without ever actually having seen him? Beats me. All I know is everything about him, from the way he thinks to how he treats Rose, Dimitri Belikov is my top pick!

2: I really like Adam. I think he’s charming, funny, and sexy in a way that is very low-key. He almost reads like the guy who is okay by society standards but to you is the most gorgeous person on the planet.

3: The winner is clear for me, but I feel like the other contender would get a ton of votes from other women. They are both crush-worthy, but I always find myself drawn to Jean Claude.

4: Okay, okay, I haven’t actually read this series. It’s all about Ian Somerhalder on the show. I don’t care how the book tells it, I’m team Damon all the way!

5: Seth is not a “sexy” character compared to some of the others but he’s on my list because he has all the qualities of someone I would actually consider dating. An intelligent, attractive, book-loving writer who cares for the girl with all his heart? My kind of guy exactly! In fact, I’m pretty sure I married one just like him… ;)

6: I find Logan incredibly crush-worthy even though I would never date him. Although physically my type, I’ve never been okay with the guy being a “man-whore”. In Logan’s case, I think I liked him so much because of those moments when he dropped the act and treated Gwen like she was the most precious thing in the world.

7: This book provided yet another love-triangle, and I’m pretty sure I picked the guy I think would be best for the main character as well as myself. Jace was just fiercely loyal and compassionate, though part of his appeal might have been because he was off-limits.

8: Okay, I’m probably referencing the movie more than the book with this one, but for me Aragorn’s appeals are the choices he makes and his excellent character. Even if I were going based on movie alone, I would still probably pick him, but Orlando Bloom would put up a great fight.

9: This is one of the few books that doesn’t have a triangle. Jocelyn is a dream-guy, and I can’t even pinpoint exactly what it is I like about him. The fact that he’s so perfect for Phedre is oddly part of his appeal, but I think it comes down to how well Carey described him physically and how he treats his true love.

10: Team Edward (Woot!) but let it be clear that I’m on his side for the book only. As far as the movies are concerned, Jacob wins hands-down.

Apr 1 2013
Image

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. :)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Mar 31 2013
Image

Coming Soon: Darkness Unmasked

june 4Title: 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!