Short Review: The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter

The Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld #1)
by Gena Showalter

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member -- a man trapped in a hell of his own.

Neither can resist the instant hunger than calms their torments... and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction -- and a soul-shattering test of love...

Though they carry an eternal curse, the Lords of the Underworld are irresistibly seductive -- and unimaginably powerful...

Genre: Adult, Paranormal

Publication Date: May 3rd 2008

Publisher: HQN

Format: Mass Market Paperback, 380 pages 

Series: yes

Source: my own copy

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My Review

Yes, I must be the last person on Earth to have read this book, blah-blah-blah. I know and it doesn't matter. What matter is that I totally fell for Death and Pestilence and I want need them NOW. And, yes, I know how that sounds.

I mean, I liked Ashlyn and Maddox (LOVE that name! *runs and steals it for maybe-who-knows-firstborn-to-be*) just fine, but what really kept me going were the 'minor' appearances of the other characters. I was like 'just tell all them stories already, I gots to know' (not sure why I thought that particular phrase with a sort-of-gangsta-accent, but aaanyway). Moving on...

That cover... pure wow. So Hawt. Me want some. Hum... I should say something about the plot, right? Erm... yeah! I felt so sorry for Ash and all her hardships, but nothing compared to having to die and then burn in hell every night, right, Violence? It was very touching to see how Ash broke this particular curse. I'm very curious to read the second book and find out more about the owner of the 'mysterious voice' that gave her the wondrous idea (all while checking Death's cute butt). 

Oh, I also found it to be so funny that each of the Lords (Death, Violence, Pestilence, Promiscuity and Wrath) had their own chores to do around the mansion. *giggles* (pictures hot, muscled, sweaty men cleaning toilets and doing dishes = real fantasy stuff). You broke it, Violence will fix it. You bled there, Wrath will mop it up. Need money, ask Pestilence.... and so on. Oh, yeah, need a blow-up doll?, Promiscuity got tons of those. XD

I had forgotten how amusing and creative Showalter could be! It's been years since the last book I read by her. No wonder she's such close friends with Kresley Cole, they are both so funny and such amazing authors! *-* 

But enough with the gushing, I have to go and get me some more of the Lords!!!

Review: Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

Before I Go To Sleep
by S.J. Watson


Published June 14th 2011 by Harper

'As I sleep, my mind will erase everything I did today. I will wake up tomorrow as I did this morning. Thinking I'm still a child. Thinking I have a whole lifetime of choice ahead of me ...' Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love - all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story. Welcome to Christine's life.

Genre: Adult, Mystery

Publication Date: July 1st 2011

Publisher: Random House

Format: Pocket book, 428 pages 

Series: no

Source: bought

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My Review

Christine wakes up every single day not knowing where she is nor who the man lying beside her is. Neither does she know why she is much older than she remembers being.

Everyday her husband needs to introduce himself and explain to her that she is 47 years old, that she's had an accident many years ago, an accident that causes daily memory losses. She can maintain new memories for only 24 hours. As soon as she sleeps, it all becomes lost to her. And Christine has to take his word, this stranger man who calls himself her husband, for it. 

She's impossibly confused, so when a man calls her saying he is her doctor and that they have been meeting for weeks concerning a new treatment for her memory loss, and that she needs to trust him and not tell her husband about it, she's not sure she should trust him. But this man knows to tell her to look into a shoe box hidden inside her closet to find a diary. A diary, he says, she herself has been keeping. A diary that tells very different things from what her husband and, sometimes, even said doctor, tells her.

Now Christine has to decide who to believe in. The mysterious doctor? The loving, but confusing husband? Or the woman who writes in her diary everyday? Can she believe in all she has been writing? Who can you trust in when you can't even trust yourself?

I was so caught up in reading this book that my whole afternoon just flew by. It was like I blinked and the 384 pages were over. 

Christine was felt scared, confused, mad, distrustful, aroused, guilty, anxious, in pain... and I felt all those things right along with her.

I can't very well explain how... how... SATISFIED and GLAD and FURIOUS and INDIGNANT I was when it finally hit me. (I can't say what it is that 'hit me', otherwise the mystery will no longer be a mystery. But I CAN say it was awesome).

It's not that the ending was especially creative or unexpected or anything (and can anything even really be 100% creative nowadays?). It was just very well-thought-of. And simply splendidly delivered. (I'm all adjective and adverb-y today. Must be Dash's fault. ;P).

The whole book was super intense and intriguing. Staggering. Startling. And... okay, enough with the adjective attack. If you didn't get it by now... then don't even bother reading. No,  no. Read it anyway. It's that good. 

And there you have it. It's the (almost) perfect love crime. Go read it. Right now.

Review: A Breath of Magic by Teresa Medeiros

Breath of Magic (Lennox Family Magic #1)

by Teresa Medeiros

Published February 1st 1996 by Bantam

Precocious Puritan and aspiring witch Arian Whitewood spends her lonely nights dreaming of magic and excitement. She gets more excitement than she bargains for when she crash lands straight out of a witch hunt into the 20th century and the arms of Tristan Lennox, a reclusive billionaire. Arian blows through Tristan's climate-controlled existence like a breath of magic, only to discover that the spell he weaves around her heart is more compelling than any enchantment.

Genre: Adult, Romance

Publication Date: Feb 1st 1996

Publisher: Bantam

Format: Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages 

Series: sort of, but not really

Source: My own copy

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My Review

It's been forever since the last Teresa Medeiros book I've read. I forgot how much I enjoyed her storytelling and her characters. :)

A Breath of Magic felt more like a breath of FRESH AIR after so many 'bad' or simply 'ok' adult books I tried this week... I laughed SO hard with it! Really, I can't stress how much fun I had reading it. :) It really came at the best possible moment for me.

Arian is the French daughter of an unmarried woman in the 17th century and never met her father. She's sent to live with a stepfather in the middle of a bunch of Puritans.... which would be okay, if not for the small fact that, uhm, she's a witch. A WHITE witch, sure, but a witch nonetheless. And all is evil in the eyes of the Puritans. Arian finds herself in the middle of an Inquisition, just about to drown when she utters a last-minute spell to try and make time stop, but that actually sends her 300 years in the future, in her flying broom.

Tristan doesn't believe in magic, but, ironically still has some inner hope to find it in the world. Which is part of the reason why he promises a million dollars to whoever proves to him that there is such a thing as real magic out there. Tristan is getting fed up with all the charlatans when, out of freaking nowhere, a girl dressed as a nun appears flying/crashing a broom up in the sky. When she falls/lands right into the middle of the contest. He saves her, and sends her broom for examination, certain that it must had some gadget that made it fly. But while his team of researchers find themselves busy trying to prove it was NOT just a broom, Tristan is about to find himself believing in magic again... and also in love.

Tristan could be very bossy and demanding and rude sometimes, but he constantly made up for it, so all was well. He wore his past wounds as an armor around his heart, but it was very satisfying to see Arian slowly melt it away.

Speaking of Arian, she had everything that could have made me dislike her as heroine, but, surprisingly, did not. I actually LIKED her. And you guys must know by now how bitchy I can be. :P She was smart, but kind and pure in a way that was BELIEVABLE and fitting, not coming out as stupid or over-the-head as they usually do in romance books these days. She was genuinely good and naive. But still strong-willed and determined. Authors, take note of this. Your characters don't need to be total losers/pushovers in order to be good/kind-hearted. 

Their romance was also pure and so, so adorable. There were very few sex scenes, only a couple, as a matter of fact, but they were so... gentle and nonexplicit and just, well, romantic. (I'm very eloquent today). They were heart-warming in their simplicity and candor, and very much perfect in their context. This was a real love story. I liked it immensely. And I'm most certainly NOT a romantic. Yes, I am slightly astonished myself. O.o

I was also charmed by the lovely secondary characters! Copperfield, Tristan's (only) best friend and Indian lawyer. Sven, the poor bodyguard, former manicurist/hairdresser, turned goat. Hilarious! I wish they had books of their own. XD

Miss Medeiros, you managed to write a real gem! One that still remains modern, even after sixteen years!!! I congratulate and thank you for such a feat/treat. :) It will come out a bit cheesy, but it was simply... magical. Really, just enchanting.

Quickie Review: Losing It by Cora Carmack

Losing It
by Cora Carmack

Published October 12th 2012

Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

Genre: New Adult, Adult, Contemporary

Publication Date: Oct 12th 2012

Publisher: the author

Format: ebook, 204 pages 

Series: no

Source: My Kindle

________________________________

My Review

With a title and cover like these, how could I possibly stay away from this book? Day-am. I got it as quickly as I could and, ignoring my pile of TBR books waiting in line to be read this year, set up to read it. Because I just couldn't wait.

Losing It was a lovely read. *-*

And, strangely enough, I don't know what much else to say about it. Wait, yes I can. It all comes down to this:

Garrick.

Tall, yummy, sexy, youngish, deliciously built, kind-hearted, blue-eyed, British-accented Garrick. 

I loved that guy. And so did the main character, Bliss, aka, the sacrificing Virgin.

My main issue with this book was that, after the first couple of chapters, things just became sort of unbelievable to me.

They met at the bar, had a lovely discussion about Shakespeare (be still my heart), and we could instantly see that they clicked, that the chemistry was there and was more than right, that they had so much in common, that things were starting to fall into place, that here was no love at first sight, but that it was obviously right around the corner, and that if only they gave it a try... but BAM. Bliss puts a stop to things right before she gives up her V-card to the perfect guy, Garrick. Even after promising she would give it up as soon as possible, regardless of the taker. 

I could not get past that. How could she not go through with it? She was comfortable in her skin, with what they were doing, she was comfortable with HIM and he was a perfect gentleman. What else could she want? So, okay, he was, technically, still a stranger. I just feel that a lot of trouble and unnecessary drama could have been avoided... but then again, if she had gone through with it, there would have been no book. :P

Bliss was sweet, but felt very immature and whiny to me, especially for someone just about to graduate from college. I liked her name, though. It wasn't overly common, nor was it too cheesy nor weird. Her friends were all very interesting characters, but the rest of the story could not hold my interest. I found myself flipping the pages on my Kindle to see what would happen after, and did not stop very often on my way to the ending, to be honest.

Well, what else can I say about this book that I read in fastforward mode? The hot scenes were pretty hot, I have nothing to complain about those AT ALL. There were some stereotypes from YA in the book that pissed me off, even if this is what people are now calling new Adult (I guess it's just a sort of grown-up, sexualized YA). The couple spent most of their time avoiding each other, then getting stuck in misunderstandings and hurting each other, then getting together again... that was annoying. Oh, and they didn't talk much, ergo, the misunderstandings. Also, the ending was almost too perfect, I think.

All in all, it was worth it for the steamy parts, but the rest really didn't work for me. But if you're looking for something fresh and light, this might be perfect for you.

Review: Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn

Everything and the Moon
by Julia Quinn

Published March 1st 1997 by Avon Books

Seven years ago she broke his heart...

When Robert Kemble stumbles across Victoria Lyndon in hedgerow maze, he can't believe his eyes. The girl who'd torn him in two, who let him plan on elopement and then left him standing by the side of the road, was suddenly within arm's reach, and even though his fury still knew no bounds, she was impossible to resist...

Seven years ago he left her all but ruined...

Victoria's father had told her an earl would never marry a vicar's daughter, and he was right. Robert had promised her marriage, then danced off to London while she suffered the shame of a foiled elopement. But even though Victoria doesn't particularly enjoy her new life as a governess, when Robert offers her a job of a different sort—his mistress—she refuses, unable to sacrifice her honor, even for him.

But Robert won't take no for an answer, and he vows to make her his, through any means possible. Can these star-crossed lovers learn to trust again? And is love really sweeter the second time around?

Genre: Adult, Historical

Publication Date: March 1st 1997

Publisher: Avon Books

Format: Pocket book, 384 pages 

Series: yes

Source: Bought

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My Review

The minute Robert Kemble, Earl of Macclesfield, set eyes on the raven-haired beaty that was Victoria Lyndon, it was love at first sight.

She was everything he never knew he had always wanted. And she would be his.

As soon as he let her know, that is.

Victoria couldn't be more suprised when the owner of the lands and the pond she was swimming in suddenly accosted her. That is, until he started to shamelessly flirt and kiss her. And promise her everything she could ever want. AND the moon.

Robert proposed and Victoria wants nothing more than to marry this wonderful, charming man she is rapidly falling for... but their fathers think differently on the matter. And thanks to them, a most horrid misunderstanding takes place, pushing the loving couple apart.

Seven years later, they meet again. Now they need to learn to forgive each other, and start accepting the old feelings that are now resurfacing. If only Robert can convince Victoria that this time he will, indeed, give her everything and the moon.

I just love Julia Quinn. It's very rare for me not to like the things she write... but when I read her introductory letter for this book, I somehow knew this would be one of those rare occasions.

How can an author expect us to believe in something she doesn't believe herself?

I've never been one for love-at-first-sight stories, but thinking this one would be like the others Quinn had so perfectly penned, I gave it a try. I don't know. Maybe if I hadn't read her letter saying she was writing about something she didn't believe, I would have enjoyed the story more. Maybe I still wouldn't have enjoyed it.  My point is: I couldn't finish it.

Yup, that's right. I abandoned this book. The beginning was super cute, I'll admit it. And there were some great (and awfully characteristic of Quinn's works) amusing moments... but I just stopped caring for the characters around the middle of the book. I didn't even care enough to jump to the ending. I simply gave it up. They were juvenile. Plain silly. And not believable.

However, I am enjoying the second book in the series immensely. But Brighter Than The Sun is very much in line with my other Quinn's favorites. :P I still love Quinn, we just had a bad moment.

If you do like love-at-first-sight stories in a historical setting, then this will most likely be a hit for you. I hope you enjoy it!

Review: Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid #1) by Richelle Mead

Succubus Blues 
(Georgina Kincaid #1)

by Richelle Mead

Succubus (n.) An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. Pathetic (adj.) A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid. 

When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical? 

But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid's life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven't stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess getup complete with whip and wings. And she can't have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life. At least there's her day job at a local bookstore--free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can't. 

But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle's demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won't help because Georgina's about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny...

Genre: Adult, Paranormal

Publication Date: March 1st 2007

Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation

Format: Paperback, 347 pages 

Series: yes

Source: bought


____________________________________

My Review

For some reason I thought I would dislike this book immensely, and so it took me forever to finally start it. But, just as these things go, it was love from the first page. LOL.

Georgina Kincaid is a manager at a local bookstore, she has a thing for white chocolate mochas, she absolutely adores the ground the author Seth Mortensen walks on and, last, but not least, she is a Succubus. She has to take sexual energy from human males to survive. Oh, and she can shapeshift into whatever and/or whoever she wants, as long as she has enough energy to do it. Her immortal friends are all either vampires, imps, demons and angels.

Georgina, filled to the brim with energy from a virgin who sold his soul for sex, is very excited to meet her favorite author at the signing her bookstore will be holding...but discovers she already had met him, confusing him with another fan, and told him some very embarrassing things, such as complaining about how long he takes to write the books she loves so much and how she would be willing to become his sex slave in exchange for advance copies of the next volumes. She is mortified and can barely look at him, but somehow she's the one who's chosen to take him out on a tour of the city. Turns out that the author who can write such witty and bright dialogues can barely keep a coversation in real life. But, weirdly enough, his silence doesn't bother her much. His e-mails crack her up, his thoughtfulness enchants her and his books are her drug of choice... too bad she can't date.

But this other guy, Roman, sure is trying to get her to go out with him. Roman is the total opposite from Seth. He's charming, daring, almost insolent in his self-confidance. And Georgina is hopelessly attracted to him, which is a very bad thing for her decision never to date good guys again. But is Roman really that good?

When someone starts to murder people with whom she just had fights with, she's suddenly the prime suspect... until she, too, is attacked. But who is doing this? Who is attacking the lesser immortals, and why can't the victims not feel the attacker's presence? The only ones who can mask it are the most powerful immortals, like demons and angels... So, is the murderer an angel? Could it be Carter, the local angel? Georgina, against her boss's orders, starts an investigation that leads her to one of the immortals' greatest secrets...

I thought the story of how she became a succubus was so sad! And the ending was so ironic! Not to mention surprising! I only discovered who the bad guy was a few pages before he was, indeed, revealed, which is a first for me. Usually it's so obvious it's annoying, but not this time. :)

I'm not sure who I want her to end up with, if with her favorite lovely author, with a certain angel who kept saving and comforting her or this other 'angel', who, I think, can still make up for his mistakes.

I loved, loved , LOVED thsi book, and am about to start the second volume.

If you like good writing, creative settings, complex and lovable characters, nice, vulgarity-free sexy scenes and a very smart heroine, this is your book!

Mini-Review: Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Twenties Girl 
by Sophie Kinsella

Published July 21st 2009 by The Dial Press

Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don’t get visited by ghosts. Or do they?

When the spirit of Lara’s great-aunt Sadie—a feisty, demanding girl with firm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance—mysteriously appears, she has one request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie’s possession for more than seventy-five years, because Sadie cannot rest without it.

Lara and Sadie make a hilarious sparring duo, and at first it seems as though they have nothing in common. But as the mission to find Sadie’s necklace leads to intrigue and a new romance for Lara, these very different “twenties” girls learn some surprising truths from and about each other. Written with all the irrepressible charm and humor that have made Sophie Kinsella’s books beloved by millions, Twenties Girl is also a deeply moving testament to the transcendent bonds of friendship and family.

Genre: Adult, Paranormal

Publication Date: July 21st 2009

Publisher: Dial

Format: Pocket paperback, 480 pages 

Series: no

Source: My own shelf

____________________________

My Review

Favorite Quote: "Oh, my God, you smiled! Mr. American Frown actually smiled!"

"Must have been a mistake. I'll speak to someone about it. Won't happen again."

"Well, good. Because you could do your face an injury, just smiling like that."

Let me start by saying that I almost gave this book up. Really, it happened more times than I can remember... I forgot how annoying Kinsella can be, and how neurotic and exaggerated her main characters can get. But I have this thing for ghost stories, so I persevered. Even if that creepy obssession over that stupid Josh guy almost did it for me.

What I mean is: Good thing I got over those issues and kept reading. 

It was such a lovely trip to the twenties! And, as I happened to read it on the one day of every month in which I actually develop feelings (can you speel PMS?), I sorta cried a bit. Yep. Big deal. All the injustice over the ghost's life was just too much. It broke my heart. But moving on...

After the annoying start, the story takes on a very nice, very pleasant flow and it becomes increasingly enjoyable. Really, almost freaking magical. (that's what happens when you write a review with a soft heart. I should have edited it a bit. LOL). The romance in the book was very sweet and I totally fell for the romantic interest... but then again, maybe it was just the hormones talking. I'm not sure. :P

I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending, expecting a super special goodbye or something between Sadie and Lara, but it was nice nonetheless. (And now that I'm typing this with the return of my black heart, I realize that I wish the evil uncle was humiliated a bit further. It really wasn't enough. *evil laugh*).

Have you read Twenties Girl? What did you think about it?

Review: The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf (Naked Werewolf #2) by Molly Harper

The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf (Naked Werewolf #2)

by Molly Harper

Baring It All

Generations of werewolves have been secretly residing in a secluded valley a stone’s throw from Grundy, Alaska. So when a snooping Outsider comes to Grundy to investigate rumors of lycanthropic shenanigans in the area, the valley’s pack alpha, Maggie Graham, resolves to chase him away, even if doing so takes a quick bite on the butt. What a pity that researcher Nick Thatcher turns out to be so drool-worthy, and that his kisses make Maggie want to sit up and beg. Maggie just can’t seem to convince Nick to leave . . . and even worse, she can’t convince herself to stay away from him. Cross-species dating is problem enough for a harried alpha female, but on top of that, a rival group of werewolves is trying to move into the valley. With interpack war threatening, Maggie can’t afford to be distracted. Combining romance and a career can be tough for anyone; for a werewolf in love with a human, it may be disastrous. . . .

Genre: Adult

Publication Date: March 2011

Publisher: Pocket Books

Format: paperback, 336 pages 

Series: yes

Acquisition: bought

_____________________________________

Maggie Graham lives with her family in a very isolated and peculiar comunity in Alaska. What's so special about them? They are werewolves. 


She became the pack leader when her brother turned down the job. She's very good at it, being strong, fierce. She takes her duty as Alpha (pack leader) very seriously and always makes sure everyone is OK and everything is running smoothly. Her relationship with her family and friends is one of trust, animosity and closeness. She's never been a "girly" kind of girl and usually makes fun of her mother and sister-in-law for trying to tame her. Maggie is being pressured into marrying a were to try and keep the genes of her family going, but all of her suitors are really not worth it. They are either too weak or just want to become alpha and take over her. None of them like her for real. 


Everything changes when Dr. Nick, PhDs (yup, he has two), a very hot foklore professor, comes to town convinced that werewolves exist and he will be the one to prove it to the world.

Maggie gets imediately attracted to him, but when she finds out who he is, she tries to make sure everybody knows how much she automaticaly hates him. No matter how hard she tries, Maggie just keeps getting more and more into Nick until they have a truck accident and she realizes how dangerous it is to be around him, not for her safety, but because she can barely control her primal instincts when he's around..  

Even though Nick eventually finds out that they are real werewolves, he's willing to keep it to himselp so he can win Maggie over, now that he's fallen in love with her. But, since Nick's only human, she needs to think about the pack and how much they need to find other werewolves to mate, otherwise the pack will become smaller and smaller and eventually die out. Of course, she could just have a little bit of fun with him, but unfortunatelly, werewolves mate for life, so she had to be very careful of who she'd choose to have babies with, since Nick wouldn't be able to make her bear werechildren.

Decided to get over Nick, Maggie starts going out with Clay, a werewolf from another pack, who came to town with his sister Alice and her two young children to take care of their grandmother Billie, who's got dementia. Maggie had blamed herself for the accident on the old truck, but as she has her office burned down and was then attacked by another werewolf on the mountains (only to be saved by Nick), she realizes that someone has been trying very hard to either to kill or frighten her. 

The book ends with a (not very) surprising revelation about who's behind those attacks, and Clay and Alice's true identities. And, of course, Maggie finally admits she can't live without Nick and agrees to marry him in the most traditional way, despite all her previous efforts against it.

The book was a very light, since the author writes in a easy and captivating way. You imediately feel sympathy for the main character, Maggie, who's funny and unconventional. The way the author describes the community gives you such a homey feeling that makes you wish it were real and that you could meet them. Also, the way Maggie describes to feel when she's in wolf form makes it sound SO fun and liberating! The whole book is filled with great quotes, that surprise you with how clever and fun they are. Nick was so cute! *-* I wanted a viking look-alike like him for myself. ;) Samson, Maggie's cousin sounded really great, too!

This book is a sequel of "How to flirt with a naked werewolf", which I loved! (Mo and Cooper made for such a nice story) and hopefully there'll be a third one, because Molly's writing and imaginative storytelling sure makes us wanting more!

Reviewed by:

Amebugi and Kah_cherub

Review: Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig

Blackbirds 

(Miriam Black #1)

by Chuck Wendig 

Published April 24th 2012 by Angry Robot

Miriam Black knows when you will die. She’s foreseen hundreds of car crashes, heart attacks, strokes, and suicides.

But when Miriam hitches a ride with Louis Darling and shakes his hand, she sees that in thirty days Louis will be murdered while he calls her name. Louis will die because he met her, and she will be the next victim.

No matter what she does she can’t save Louis. But if she wants to stay alive, she’ll have to try.

Genre: Adult, Supernatural

Publication Date: April 24th 2012

Publisher: Angry Robot

Format: eARC, 416 pages 

Series: yes

Source: Netgalley

__________________________________________

My Review:

First line: Car lights strobe through busted motel blinds.

Last line: "It is what it is."

Favorite quote: "Why, Paul, what do you think of me? I am the very model of chastity." He isn't buying it. She lights the cigarette and waves him off. "Dude, I discarded the key to my virginity belt long ago – just up and tossed it into a river, I did. That being said – no, Paul, I did not bang your uncle."

Once in a while I like to do this thing. That is, I see a book, fall in love with the cover and force myself to read it, regardless of the content. Sometimes, I do the opposite. I go for the blurb, without really caring for the cover. But this particular review is a case of the former.

This time, obviously, it was cover love at first sight.

Blackbirds was one of the most intense, most intriguing and, yeah, sort of the most disgustingly graphic book I've read in a while. And there was absolutely nothing wrong with that. It was exciting. It was surprising. It was crass and to-the-point and felt like a slap of reality to the face. It was glorious. And I couldn't put it down.

Sure, I enjoy my journeys to fantasy worlds, along with romantic escapades, almost-perfect heroes and even more perfect endings as much as the next girl... but once in a while, crude reality does it for me.

Miriam is damaged goods. She had a traumatic childhood and youth... and she can tell how and and when you'll die as soon as her skin brushes yours. She keeps a notebook with info of some of the people she's touched and have dies, and keeps notes on when others will die. Why? Because a girl needs to eat and dead people don't need their money anymore.

One night, after grabbing a few bucks from a woman beater who died from an epileptic attack after giving her a pretty shiner, she's out in the highway, looking for a ride. A ride to anywhere, as long as it's far away from where she is.

After a brief encounter with a couple of idiot frat boys (who really regretted messing with her, I must add), she jumps in Louis' truck. The interior of his truck is so clean and shiny, and he's so nice that Miriam quickly assumes that this Frankenstein, I mean, Louis is a rapist/murderer/ and/or psycho. Surprisingly enough, he isn't. However, what is even more surprising is what she sees when she touches him. He will die, like we all will. But not from old age or an accident or even suicide. No. He will be murdered. And he'll call her name right before he dies. 

Miriam freaks out and can't jump off his truck fats enough, not accepting his pity and offer of monetary help, but she does listen to him when he tells her there's a bar and motel just a few minutes ahead. Really could use a drink. Or ten. In the bar, she meets pretty boy Ashley, with his feminine name and big smile. But in no time she'll regret ever meeting him.

She knows that it's useless to try and change the future. She's tried before. Countless times. To no avail. And, once again, fate is laughing at her. The more she tries to run from Louis and try to avoid his death, the closer she gets to him. And the date of his death. Which will be her fault. Can she make it in time? Can she stop it? Can she, for once in her life, do something good and useful?

Oh, man. Miriam talks. A lot. Most of it nonsense and usually at the wrong time. And hell if I didn't love her for that. That girl just loved to hear herself talking. She was also a heavy smoker and constant liar. She ate like a lumberjack. And she drank like the world was going to end in the blink of an eye. But she had a hard life (and that's putting it mildly), and those actions fit her perfectly. She was a broken girl with no hope for life or her future, and I loved her. I just wanted her to find some kind of happiness somehow. There was so much wrongness within her, and still I cheered for her.

The entire book was roller coaster ride. That's the only way I can describe it. It kept me on edge the whole time. 'What's going to happen next?', 'Show me more of her past!', 'How is he/she going to die?', 'Will she make it?'. Just... wow. The only thing that still bugs me a bit is that it wasn't very clear how she got that ability. Maybe after that very traumatic episode with the red shovel? Not sure... but I still loved the characters and the story. Sad and bittersweet, as it was. We'll probably find out more about all that in the next book. I'm really looking forward to reading the sequel, Mockingbird. :)

If you like intense books that ensnare you, leaving you unblinking and attentive until the ride is over, and then stick with you even after you're done with it, then run and grab yourself a copy of this crazy good tale.

* I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*