Urban Fantasy

Urban Shaman – Walker Papers #1 by C.E. Murphy

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Title: Urban Shaman

Author: C.E. Murphy

Series: The Walker Papers

Sexual Content: None

Objectional Content: Violence

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Joanne Walker has three days to learn to use her shamanic powers and save the world from the unleashed Wild Hunt.

No worries. No pressure. Never mind the lack of sleep, the perplexing new talent for healing from fatal wounds, or the cryptic, talking coyote who appears in her dreams.

And if all that’s not bad enough, in the three years Joanne’s been a cop, she’s never seen a dead body — but she’s just come across her second in three days.

It’s been a bitch of a week. And it isn’t over yet.

My Review

Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy is a reread for me from several years ago. When I first picked up this book, the series wasn’t complete. Recently, I got the last books in the series that I was missing so now it’s time to binge it!

Joanne Walker isn’t having the best day. On her way home to Seattle from Ireland, she sees a woman being chased and a man waiting for her with a knife. Having seen this from an airplane, no one believes her. Making a new friend in the cab driver her helps her find the woman, Joanne suddenly finds herself thrust into a world she never believed existed.

Joanne is of Irish and Cherokee descent, and both cultures make an appearance here in Urban Shaman. She’s being chased by the Wild Hunt, led by an ancient Celtic god. But, she’s also a Shaman with healing powers and a spirit guide in the form of a coyote.

I love that Urban Shaman mixes Celtic and Native American lore. I’ve noticed that Celtic lore is often used in fantasy, but not a lot of Native American lore. I think that is a shame as it’s very interesting! This book doesn’t dive too deeply into it but I’m looking forward to what is to come in the following books.

Joanne is a great character. All her life she has always been rational, thinking that any kind of supernatural stuff was all made up and ridiculous. But after nearly dying by being stabbed by a Celtic god, her beliefs change completely. I actually love that her practicality makes her accept things quickly instead of trying to resist it.

This book starts out hot and doesn’t cool down! There’s little to no down time as Joanne and her friends try to figure out what is going on, why the Wild Hunt is here and why Shamans are being murdered. I think this is an excellent start to a series.

My rating for Urban Shaman is 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy books with Celtic and Native American folklore.

Thanks for reading!

Fantasy Book Review – These Gossamer Strings – The Last Gift #3 by Allegra Pescatore

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Synopsis (From Goodreads):

A God is Dead. A Queen is Missing. Secrets are Unraveling.

On trial for the murder of the King, Elenor and Gabriel must become allies if they want to survive. His magic is spiraling out of control, awakening a mystery hidden in the very walls of the palace. She has one month to pass her Water Rite and find a way out of the marriage her parents set up. But things are about to get much more complicated.

Between sadistic family members intent on taking Elenor’s throne, Tirit Mindel breathing down Gabriel’s neck, and a Golden Dragon appearing in the sky above the Mondaer Desert with an ominous warning, more than the Kingdom of Lirin is at stake.

If that weren’t bad enough, time is ticking down for Fedrik and Fay as well. With the desert turning against them and Daemon as a questionable new ally, figuring out how to control Fedrik’s Gift has become a matter of life and death.

Picking up in the fallout of Where Shadows Lie, In Silence Abiding is the long-awaited and non-stop second instalment of The Last Gift. Dive back into the world of Dracona and hold onto your hats. Things are about to get… salty.

Allegra Pescatore is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Her writing is amazing from beginning to end and this novel is no exception.

The author has created an amazing world in The Last Gift series. It is rich and detailed, filled with magic and political intrigue. There’s always something happening. Even when you think “ok, these people have been through enough, give them a break” no! They are thrown into more impossible or dire situations. Every time I think these characters can’t possibly handle any more, some new horrible situation arises for them to deal with. Honestly, if I were any of these characters I’m pretty sure I would have had a mental breakdown in the first book.

I love how each chapter begins with a snippet from a letter or journal entry, giving a glimpse into the past, which adds understanding into some situations and relationships. These snippets add depth in a way flashbacks never could.

Several plot point were wrapped up in this novel, but several others are still hanging loosely, fluttering in the wind, taunting me until the next book comes out. Not sure how I will wait that long. There was one thing I predicted would happen in the first book that has finally come to pass (I don’t want to spoil what that is) but other than that one thing, this series is the last thing from predictable. I never knew what was going to happen next. My attention was constantly engaged and rarely wandered. I truly can’t wait what is in store for this world and it’s characters next.

There were a couple sex scenes in this novel, normally something I’m not a fan of, but somehow, I felt like the scenes added to the relationship between the characters instead of just being a sex scene.

I think I might have a bit of a crush on Gabriel. He’s just such a good person, truly caring and understanding of others, fiercely loyal and protective of the people he cares about. Best of all, he knows when people just need a hug and is willing to give one, no strings attached.

I really want to gush how amazing this novel is as well as the series itself, but instead, I’m just going to tell you to read it yourself. If you are a fan of any kind of fantasy, I think you will enjoy this novel. I’m rating it 5 out of 5 stars and hope more people will come to pick up this series and enjoy it as much as I have.

Have you read this book or any of the books in the series? I’d really love to know what you think if you have.

Thanks for reading 🙂

Check out my reviews of the previous books in this series: Whispers of Stone and Where Shadows Lie

Book Review – The Horsemen – The Watchers #2

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Synopsis (From Amazon):

With the First Seal broken, The Watchers will stop at nothing to ensure the remaining Six Seals fall.

Beth May and John Gideon have a tougher task at hand this time around. However, with a couple of friends joining the team to ensure the safety of humanity, they will do all they can to stop The Watchers from succeeding.

As sickness ravages nations and war rages in the streets, will our team be able to step up to the task and prevent the apocalypse?

Ok, so I devoured this book in about 3 hours. Now, this isn’t a particularly long novel, but I had no intention of reading the whole thing at once and really, that’s not something I normally do. I didn’t know exactly what time it was, but I could tell from the fading light outside the window that it was getting later in the evening. I knew I probably should go to bed, as it was a work night, but at one point I was just like “screw it, sleep is overrated.” I’m really glad I didn’t stop reading.

The characters in this series are great! I especially love Beth and Neala. These are two kick ass women who don’t need help from anyone but aren’t afraid to accept it when offered. They are strong, confident and intelligent. They both have a lot of mystery about them, especially Beth, who has lived a long life and has a lot of history that has yet to be revealed. I want to know so much more about Beth!

I enjoyed so many elements of this book. It’s fast paced, it’s funny, and emotional. The characters are great and you feel a real sense of the danger they are in. The author also has a great way of creating an atmosphere. Especially around Azazel.

There were a few things I didn’t love. The point of view bounces around in first person between the characters. Yes, the name of the character is at the beginning of the chapter to indicate who is speaking but I would often forget who’s head I was supposed to be in. I would think it was one person, realize it was another and then have to rearrange how I was picturing the whole scene. Then there’s the mysterious third person narrator. Who is this? Are they watching the team from somewhere unseen?

Then there’s the last few chapters. I don’t want to spoil anything, but holy freakin crap, what just happened? Ok, I seriously need the next book! Like now, please.

Huge thanks to the author, Carl Novakovich, and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My rating for The Horsemen is 4 out of 5 stars and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a fast paced, exciting read. Oh and don’t forget to read the first book in the series, The Tomb.

As always, thanks for reading!

Magic Bleeds – Kate Daniels #4 – Urban Fantasy Book Review

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Synopsis: Kate Daniels works for the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, officially as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle—especially if they involve Atlanta’s shapeshifting community.

When she’s called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar midway between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers there’s a new player in town. One who’s been around for thousands of years—and rode to war at the side of Kate’s father.

This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family… 

This book didn’t begin the quite the way I would have expected. It started with a bit of an emotional hit on our poor heroine.

This book was pretty action packed, and a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. I felt bad for Kate many times. Her life isn’t easy and trouble has a way of finding her.

There was a part of me that really wanted Kate to walk away from everything. I wanted her to pack a bag, grab her new attack poodle and just disappear somewhere beyond all the politics and random messes that surround her. I thought it would be an interesting way to go but of course, Kate isn’t that kind of person. She will never abandon people who need her.

My opinion of Curran fluctuated a great deal in the book. I went from mildly disliking him to outright hating him to actually liking him. Will I continue to like him? Maybe. We’ll see.

A great deal happens in this book. Quite a few things change for Kate. The eventual confrontation with her biological father is looming on the horizon. 7 more books to go. What will happen next?

Get 50% off on an ebook on Book Lovers when you use my promos code JEANA50.

Urban Fantasy Book Review – Magic Bites – Kate Daniels # 1 by Ilona Andrews

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Magic Bites

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren’t for the magic…

When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.
Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles.

The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings—and the death of Kate’s guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way out of her league—but she wouldn’t have it any other way…

Buy Now: Amazon

Reread: August 31, 2020

I just finished rereading this book in anticipation of reading the rest of the series. I’m glad i did.  In the 3 years it’s been since I read it, I seem to have forgotten almost all of it.

On my second time around, I loved it just as much as the first time, and my original review (below) stands. There’s little else I can say about this book that I haven’t said below.

Other than that, I am pumped to keep on with the series.

Original Review: June 14, 2017

Many Urban Fantasy novels begin with a main character who is seemingly ordinary, a college student or waitress or private investigator, etc. Suddenly, this ordinary person is thrown into a situation that changes their whole world, everything they ever believed to be true and they discover they are somehow special and possibly needed to save the world.

This novel isn’t like that.

Kate, our lovely protagonist, has known about magic her entire life. She grew up being taught about magic and the different types of magical creatures that exist. In the world of this novel, magic isn’t a secret. Some might think that the world building in this novel is flawed, that it doesn’t explain how the world works properly. Personally, I liked the way things were presented. The novel is narrated from Kate’s point of view so she already knows how the world works. It would seem out of place if she were suddenly to start explaining things to the reader. Read between the lines (as the saying goes) and the workings of this world aren’t difficult to figure out.

The plot may seem a bit generic at first. Kate’s Guardian and mentor (the last person she considers family) has been murdered and she volunteers to investigate for her own personal sense of justice. Murder and revenge is a common story, but this plot doesn’t unravel the way you might think. During her investigation, she gets tangled up with Necromancers and Shapechangers while also being pursued by a human doctor. Despite the short length of the book, nothing feels rushed and there’s more than enough action to keep a reader satisfied.

Kate is a strong, independent, kick-ass female character. She knows exactly what she’s capable of and, more importantly, what she’s not. Though, that’s not going to stop her from trying. She may not be able to defeat 8 shapechangers at once but that doesn’t she won’t take down as many of them with her as she can. She will kick ass and shoot her mouth off at the same time.

As evidenced by the fact that the series is still ongoing, there is still a lot to learn about Kate and the world she lives in.

Overall, I give Magic Bites 4.5 stars out of 5. I would have given it 5 but some of the overbearing alpha male characters were a little stereotypical.

Have you read Magic Burns? What did you think?

Pride – Shifters #3 – Rachel Vincent Review

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PrideSynopsis (from Goodreads): I’m on trial for my life. Falsely accused of infecting my human ex-boyfriend–and killing him to cover up the crime. Infecting a human is one of three capital offenses recognized by the Pride–along with murder and disclosure of our existence to a human.I’m two for three. A goner.

Now we’ve discovered a rogue stray terrorizing the mountainside, hunting a wild teenage tabbycat. It’s up to us to find and stop him before a human discovers us. With my lover Marc’s help, I “think” I can protect the vulnerable girl from both the ambitious rogue and the scheming of the territorial council.

“If” I survive my own trial…

Buy Now: Amazon

This book was both awesome and frustrating. Going in, I was really anxious to discover what would happen to Faythe regarding her trial. Naturally, the author wasn’t just going to put the reader of their collect misery and tell us. Nope, she drew it out as long as possible, making it really hard to put the book down.

As other events surround them, mainly the discovery of strays in the neighboring woods and missing hikers, we get a new perspective on werecat society, mainly the politics of their society. Unfortunately, their ways, especially regarding women, are archaic, to say the least. To the majority, the women are seen merely as a vessel for the next generation of werecats. Something to be protected and kept sheltered at all costs. They are not meant to have an opinion and certainly not to voice it. they should pick a tomcat and start having babies as soon as possible.

Faythe can’t possibly fill that role. She has too much fire in her. She’s a leader and a fighter. She’s willing to put herself in danger to get the job done, to the horror of every male around her.

Funny though, often Faythe is “left behind” where she will be “safe” while all the men go out to face the big bad threat. Then, it turns out the threat is coming for Faythe while all the men are gone. And guess what? She kicks ass well before any back up shows up. A weak baby maker she is not.

Despite her flaws, mainly her out of control temper, Faythe is beginning to grow on me as a character. She’s learning from her past mistakes (of which there are many) and growing up little by little. The men need to wake up and realize that she doesn’t need to do be coddled all the time or locked up for her own protection.

I rate this book 4/5 stars because, while I couldn’t put it down, I was also very frustrated with how it went.

Have you read Pride? What did you think?

 

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Rogue – Shifters #2 – Rachel Vincent – Review

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RogueSynopsis (from Goodreads): Okay, so cats don’t always land on their feet.

I know that better than most. Since rejoining the Pride, I’ve made big decisions and even bigger mistakes: the kind paid for with innocent lives. As the first and only female enforcer, I have plenty to prove to my father, the Pride, and myself. And with murdered toms turning up in our territory, I’m working harder than ever, though I always find the energy for a little after-hours recreation with Marc, my partner both on- and off-duty.

But not all of my mistakes are behind me. We’re beginning to suspect that the dead are connected to a rash of missing human women and that they can all be laid at my feet–two or four, take your pick. And one horrible indiscretion may yet cost me more than I can bear…

Buy Now: Amazon

Three months after the events in Stray, Faythe is settling into her life as enforcer working for her father. All seems well until dead strays start turning up in their territory. An innocent mistake comes back to haunt her and threaten to destroy everything.

This book has the feel of a good old fashioned murder mystery. While I dislike the cops-chasing-the-bad-guy kind of murder mystery, I love the kind that involves anything supernatural. It’s a weird distinction and I can’t really explain it.

Faythe has done a bit of growing up in the past three years. She’s even learned to keep her mouth shut – sometimes. She’s a smart girl who never gives up. She will fight until she can’t possibly fight anymore. However, as we find out a little bit more of the events in Faythe and Marc’s past, I still can’t help feeling that she’s a selfish person. She does know when she’s made a mistake and will apologize for it, but she also seems to think she’s somehow above certain things.

The one thing I really disliked about this book was the sex scene. I don’t particularly like sex scenes to begin with, especially if they dominate the book. This didn’t dominate the book but the circumstances around it were….uncomfortable. I don’t want to say too much as it will probably be a spoiler, but the whole scene was not how I think that situation would really go. I’m not sure if Marc is really in love with Faythe or if it’s just some kind of cat possession thing he’s got going.

Other than that, i really like this book. There’s a some good fight scenes and the few female characters that exist in this world can kick ass just as well as the men.

I rate this book 4/5 stars, and as it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, I’m eager to start book 3, Pride.

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Stray – Shifters #1 – Rachel Vincent

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StraySynopsis (from Goodreads): There are only eight breeding female werecats left…

And I’m one of them.

I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.

Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.

I’d been warned about Strays — werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.

This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back… for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I’m no meek kitty. I’ll take on whatever — and whoever — I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays — ’cause I got claws, and I’m not afraid to use them…

Buy Now: Amazon

I really liked this book. The dynamic of the family and the Pride was interesting. More often, werewolves are the subject of Urban Fantasy, so it was nice to have a switch to werecats.

However, I really did not like Faythe. She’s not a character I can relate to or even sympathize with. I found her to be immature and often childish. If she wants to be taken seriously, she should maybe start with not calling her father “daddy” because that just makes her sound like a little girl. She often goes on about wanting freedom and independence but I think, given what she is, she can never really have that. At least, not the way she wants it. With her family and Pride she at least has the  freedom to not have to hide a huge part of who she is.

As the story progresses, Faythe does get better. She is a fighter, and at a time when most people would give up or wallow in self pity, she is determined to fight and to win. Near the end, she is a much more likable character. I hope her development continues in the next book.

Other than my dislike for Faythe, I don’t think there’s much else I didn’t like. As I said before, I really liked the dynamic of the Pride and that the Pride is family. I hope the next book will expand more on the cultural aspect of werecats.

Oh, and there are some questions I want answered, but I won’t say what they are because that would be a spoiler.

Overall, I rate this book 4/5 stars.

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Some Girls Bite – Chicagoland Vampires #1 by Chloe Neill

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Some Girl BiteSummary (from Goodreads) :

They killed me. They healed me. They changed me.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but I was doing fine until Chicago’s vampires announced their existence to the world. When a rogue vampire attacked me, I was lucky he only got a sip. Another bloodsucker scared him off and decided the best way to save my life was to make me the walking undead.

Now I’ve traded sweating over my thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan “Lord o’ the Manor” Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed,
four-hundred-year-old vampire, he has centuries’ worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects my gratitude—and servitude. Right…

But someone’s out to get me. Is it the rogue vampire who bit me? A vamp from a rival House? An angry mob bearing torches?

My initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war—and there will be blood.

Buy now: Amazon

For a few weeks, I’ve had issues finding something that I really wanted to read. I’d pick up a book, read 50 pages or so, put it down and not pick it up again the next. So, I ended up with several books on the go at once (something I don’t normally do). Then, someone in one of my groups on Goodreads recommended Some Girls Bite. I decided to give it a shot and was instantly drawn in! This was what I was in the mood for! Having established that, I happily tucked in and continued reading.

Now, I’m not going to gush that this was the best book I’ve ever read just because it’s what I was in the mood for, however, this book is very good (in my opinion) and an excellent start to what has become a fairly long series.

Let’s start with what I liked. Merit is a great character. She is strong and independent but not so stone-hearted that she can’t cry or want to be loved. She has her vulnerable moments, her bitchy moments and her outright stupid moments too, where she causes trouble without meaning to.

The relationship between Merit and her best friend Mallory is amazing. They remind me of my own best friend and I. They’re comfortable with one another, have their own inside jokes and can tell each other like it is without getting into a big fight.

Now for what I didn’t like: Insta-lust. Merit and her new Master, Ethan, are instantly and intensely attracted to one another, but they don’t actually like each other. Ethan even offers to make Merit his consort despite the fact that he disapproves of so much of who she is and would use her to his own advantage at the drop of a hat.

Mallory is instantly attracted to Catcher, who feels the same for her and soon they can’t keep their hands off one another. Plus, other men are attracted to Merit and would have no problem with getting into her pants.

Now this is starting to border on PNR instead of Urban Fantasy. I could handle that except the book is found in the Fantasy section of the bookstore, not the Romance section. Well, thankfully, it isn’t too descriptive and I can take it in stride.

The plot wraps up nicely for the book, while also having the undercurrent plot that is present in many long series. While you could read this book by itself and be perfectly happy with a good read, I’m certain there is much more vampire fun to come as the series progresses.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, to those who enjoy vampire Urban Fantasy with strong female characters, I would definitely recommend giving Some Girls Bite a try.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars and will be continuing on with the series.

Embers – Anya Kalinczyk #1 – Review

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EmbersSummary (from Goodreads): Truth burns.

Unemployment, despair, anger—visible and invisible unrest feed the undercurrent of Detroit’s unease. A city increasingly invaded by phantoms now faces a malevolent force that further stokes fear and chaos throughout the city.

Anya Kalinczyk spends her days as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and her nights pursuing malicious spirits with a team of eccentric ghost hunters. Anya—who is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern—suspects a supernatural arsonist is setting blazes to summon a fiery ancient entity that will leave the city in cinders. By Devil’s Night, the spell will be complete, unless Anya—with the help of her salamander familiar and the paranormal investigating team—can stop it.

Anya’s accustomed to danger and believes herself inured to loneliness and loss. But this time she’s risking everything: her city, her soul, and a man who sees and accepts her for everything she is. Keeping all three safe will be the biggest challenge she’s ever faced.

Buy Now:Amazon

What can I say about this book? Well, for starters, I really enjoyed it. I’m not going to gush and rave that this is an amazing book and everyone should read it because everyone is different and not everyone may like it.

Unlike most Urban Fantasy novels, there are no vampires werewolves or fey in this book. There are ghosts, however, elemental spirits and witches. Anya is a Lantern, which means that, not only can she see and interact with ghosts, she can devour them as well with a sort of fire in her chest. She also has an unusual familiar: a fire elemental named Sparky that often behaves similar to a dog. He likes electronics and sleeps curled up in Anya’s bed with her. Any is a great character. Very real and enjoyable to read about.

The plot could be considered some what formulaic, but formulas exist for a reason: they work. I wouldn’t exactly call it predictable though. It was a fun read and exactly what I was in the mood for at the time.

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