DIVINE BY BLOOD

THE GODDESS OF PARTHOLON SERIES #2 : DIVINE BY BLOOD

Conceived in a lie and trapped in a tree throughout her gestation, Morrigan's birth was truly magical. After that start, she spent the next eighteen years raised as a normal girl in Oklahoma. Upon discovering the truth of her heritage, her rage and grief take on a power of their own, carrying her back to the world of Partholon. Yet, instead of being respected as the daughter of the goddess Incarnate, Morrigan feels like a shunned outsider.

In her desperation to belong in Partholon, she confronts forces she doesn't fully understand or control. And soon a strange darkness draws closer....

REVIEW:
I gave this book 4,5 roses.
This book was (as are all pc casts books) a really great read.
It was just that in this book she told the story of morrigan, while I love shannon and would have really loved a less tragic story about her and myrna and clanfintan.
Shannon didn't appear as much in this book as I would have liked. But that doesn't make it a bad book, as I neared the end I was satisfied at how she ended the trilogy. It was a beautiful and happy ending, which I love. And looking at the book afterwards I really wouldn't have want to miss it.

TORMENT

THE FALLEN SERIES #2 : TORMENT

Hell on earth.

That's what it's like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel.

It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts - immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn't told her everything. He's hiding something - something dangerous.

What if Daniel's version of the past isn't actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?

The second novel in the addictive FALLEN series...where love never dies.

REVIEW:

I liked the Fallen series very much. But I have to say that torment really was a little of a torment for me (yes, the pun was intended). I don't like waiting and this book was a book that introduced you and let you learn about the angel and nephilim world, so you had to wait for the action to begin and get to know what Luce and Daniel's relationship is all about. But this book really needed to be there in the series. 

I liked the way torment went into al the details of the world you had only glimpsed in Fallen.

Miles and Shelby are wonderfully introduced and I loved the fact that the story of Luce and Daniel is a legend/ mythe amongst the shoreline kids.

My first thought was, when I was guided through the shoreline school, was that it was a fancy, rich kid school. But I actually really liked the school and the kids that go there weren't the snobs I expected.

So my oppinion is that you really have to get through this book to really understand the angel world.

And it really isn't as bad and slow as I momentarily thought.

So I gave this book 4 roses.

SOME GIRLS BITE

CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES #1 : SOME GIRLS BITE

First in a brand new series about a Chicago graduate student's introduction into a society of vampires.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was Merit's. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker-and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she's traded sweating over her 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 her gratitude- and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan's attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone's still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war-and there will be blood.

REVIEW :

I was really looking forward to start this series. I had heard so much about the chicagoland vampires, that  they are a must read for people who are into the supernatural genre etc etc.

But honestly, I was quite dissapointed, I had hoped that it would be something like the Mercy Thompson series from Patricia Briggs, which I really love, but it wasn't. 

This book was funny and interesting to read though. It was the second book that really made me decide to take a break from this series.

Okay, so in general this book was fun to read and interesting, as it is another different take on the vampire genre, and the main character, Merit, didn't want to become a vampire. That made for an interesting twist. Because it is the first in the series they explain alot and you get to know the characters, which in this case I really liked and made me want to read the second book. On the background there is a plot that makes the puzzle complete, and makes for an overall good and enjoyable read.

You are instantly pulled into the plot and intrigue. Merit and Mallory are fun ( a little like Scout and Lilly, from Chloe Neills dark elite series). Ethan is a strange and unpredictable man (who I still have to figure out)And Catcher is a great, typical and interesting guy, and I think we will get to see a lot more of him throughout the series. Merit and Ethans relationship got really really irritating sometimes ( I hope that will change soon, but I'm not getting my hopes up).

So my 'veto' is that you should try this book and then pick up the second book, if you like the second book you will probably LOVE this series. Otherwise I think you will share my oppinion.

So I gave this book 3,5 roses.

PS; sorry if this review is a little bit messy, maybe I will rewrite this review sometime.

FALLEN

THE FALLEN SERIES #1 : FALLEN

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce – he goes out of his way to make that very clear. But she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Luce has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret...even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, FALLEN is a page-turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

REVIEW :

This was the first book I read about fallen angels, angels in general. And I liked it.

When I first heard about this book I wanted to know if I would like it, so I read a lot of reviews about the fallen series. But most reviews on goodreads about this book were very negative, and some people compared it to Twilight (which I totally diagree with, because it is nothing like twilight. I hate it when people start comparing books with twilight, because mostly they are wrong.)

I really LOVED this book. It's very well written and from the very first moment I loved the characters. Luce is a character that is easy to love. For most of the book it's a fairly normal book, but you know there is more to it. And at the end when every piece of the puzzle falls together you understand why. And you want more!!!

So if you are trying to decide if you want to read this book, don't let the bad reviews deceive you, because, to be honest, everyone should at least give it a try, and believe me, you will love it. It's about "fallen angels" and "true love" for christ's sake, do I have to say more. ;)

So I gave this book 5 roses. Again, this was my first angel book and I really liked it (I also really liked passion and rapture, especially raptue, in this series)

And look at the bottom of the cover, PC Cast liked it and recomments this book ;)

FRIDAY NIGHT BITES

CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES #2 : FRIDAY NIGHT BITES

The story of a young heiress's initiation into the dark society of the Chicagoland Vampires continues:

Ten months after vampires revealed their existence to the mortals of Chicago, they're enjoying a celebrity status usually reserved for the Hollywood elite. But should people learn about the Raves--mass feeding parties where vampires round up humans like cattle--the citizens will start sharpening their stakes.

So now it's up to the new vampire Merit to reconnect with her upper class family and act as liaison between humans and bloodsuckers, and keep the more unsavory aspects of the vampire lifestyle out of the media. But someone doesn't want peace between them--someone with an ancient grudge.

REVIEW : 

Once past the first few chapters, the story was easy enough reading but never managed to get to the higher level of “gripping” or “compulsive” reading. The mystery element of the plot was suitably obscure, and it’s not hard to guess who causes  Merit’s troubles , the path to the big reveal has enough twists and turns to keep readers entertained.

I shall probably be in the minority of opinion with this review but Friday Night Bites seemed a disappointing sequel to Some Girls Bite. To me the main problem with this story was Ethan, and Merit’s relationship with him. Ethan’s character blows hot and cold, one minute he is full of desire for Merit, the next he’s cold, aloof and acting like he despises her.

I'm probably going to read the next book in the series, but not very soon. I have a lot of other great series that I can't wait to dive in to.

I gave this book 3 roses, because it was quite a dissapointing book (I'm crossing my fingers and fervently hoping that the other books in this series are better)

GODDESS OF THE ROSE

GODDESS SUMMONING #4 : GODDESS OF THE ROSE

It's not green fingers that have kept the Empousai family's roses blooming for centuries - it's the drops of blood that their women secretly sacrifice for their gardens. But Mikki would rather forget this family quirk and lead a normal life. Until the day she unwittingly performs a ritual and ends up in the strangely familiar Realm of the Rose. As its goddess, Hecate, reveals to her, Mikki has the blood of a high priestess running through her veins. And the realm has been waiting for her ...In a long ago flash of temper, Hecate cursed her Guardian beast with a slumber that only her priestess can undo - and Hecate is counting on Mikki to set things right. At first the beast terrifies Mikki - but soon he intrigues her more than any man ever has. But the only way he and the realm can be saved is for Mikki to sacrifice her life-giving blood - and herself ...

REVIEW :
I just keep loving these books. I love them, I devoured them. 
This story is an adult and way more interesting version of "beauty and the beast".
Mikki is a strong person, and Asterius is such a special character. Asterius is the beast in the story, he is troubled and distrusting because he was betrayed by the previous empousa (the bitch ;) ). He is fascinating and so sad, and that's why I love the ending and the way that the love between Mikki and Asterius grows and developes.
The goddess Hecate seems a little harsh, but I think that under that harsh layer is a loving and forgiving goddess. Which I find a lovely aspect of a goddess.

If you are looking for a special and romantic story, you should really read this book.
The goddess summoning books are pretty predictable, but that's NOT a bad thing. The set-up and plot are pretty basic, its the turns, twists, worlds, love and characters that Ms Cast creates that are the reason that this series has a special place in my (book) heart.
I just keep screaming and crying (mentally) near the end of the book, when there is a special turn where you think "noooo, why". But there is always a little voice in the back of my head that says "Ms Cast would never leave you with that feeling at the end of her books", and trust me she never does, she leaves you with a "happy sigh feeling" (I hope you know what I mean by that), and that's a comforting thought (to me).

I give this book 5 roses (I know, it seems like I'm giving all these books 5 roses, except goddess of light.)

THE DARK ELITE

THE DARK ELITE #1 & #2
(THE FIRST TWO NOVELS, FIRESPELL AND HEXBOUND)

= 

The first two novels of the Dark Elite series--Firespell andHexbound.

As the new girl at St. Sophia's boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she'll have to face. In Firespelland Hexbound, she'll find out just how wrong she is, as she falls in with a group of rebel teens defending Chicago from vampires, demons, and the corrupted magic users known as reapers.

Review:

An easy but very entertaining and amuzing read. I really love Lily, she's fun , and of course Scout, she is a great character, she's tough but also has a heart of gold. Micheal and Jason (and Jason keeps a secret, which we can already guess, but in the book it's a nice element to have) are the perfect good guys and Sebastian the perfect bad guy, who, in my oppinion , isn't really a total bad guy and is to harshly judged by everyone except Lily. I really really liked the gilmore girls reference in firespell (I am a gilmore girls addict ;) ). Scout and Lily can certainly be compared to Rory and Lorelai, they have wit (I hope that's the correct word :$) are fun to read about, and some of their conversations really are a lot like those of the gilmore girls.

I have to say that the book cover is beautiful and (for me, for now) is one that I haven't seen before. You can have covers that look alot alike ( here's a good youtube clip to show my point http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxSwr130ptw )

I gave this book 4,5 roses, I liked it and it was an easy read. But because it was an easy read it was also quite predictable and tame. 

GODDESS OF LIGHT

GODDESS SUMMONING #3 : GODDESS OF LIGHT

Tired of dating egomaniacs, interior designer Pamela Gray has nearly given up on men. She wants to be treated like a goddess - preferably by a god. As she whispers her wish, she unwittingly invokes the goddess Artemis, who has some tricks up her celestial sleeve...Twins Artemis and Apollo have been sent to the Kingdom of Las Vegas to test their mantle. Their first assignment: make Pamela's wish come true. So Artemis volunteers her golden brother. After all, who better than the handsome God of Light to bring love to this lonely woman? It might be a first but here in Sin City, where life is a gamble, both god and mortal are about to bet on a high-stakes game of love.

Review:   (SPOILER ALLERT, also don't read this review if you haven't read Rapture from Lauren Kate)
The beginning was quite slow but when it finally got up to speed it's really worth the wait. 
Pamela is a fun character, the way she discribes the architecture and design is quite funny.
Eddie is great as a character on the side, he has his own kind of wisdom, and his advise is remarkable accurate most of the time. Artemis is in the beginning a real bitch, but as she meets Eddie and falls in love with him she softenes quite a bit.
What I love about this book is that Lina and Hades (from goddess of spring) frequently come back in this book because of their friendship, Apollo kind of needs their advise.
The ending is beautiful and I would have never expected it to end like that but honestly I didn't like it very much, I like the happy endings in the goddess summoning books and with this ending I wasn't completely sattisfied. (When I read Rapture from the Fallen series from Lauren Kate I got a little deja vu, Daniel and Luce's ending was almost the same, but in that book I did like the ending like that) 
I strongly recommend reading goddess of spring first before starting goddess of light, because of the reappearance of Hades & Lina.

I give this book 4,5 roses because of the ending, over all it was a nice read that I really enjoyed.

GODDESS OF SPRING

GODDESS SUMMONING #2 : GODDESS OF SPRING

Lina's trendy bakery in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is proving to be less than lucrative and she must come up with a plan to save it. When she stumbles upon an Italian Goddess cookbook, she can't help but think she's found the answer to her problem - even if it means invoking a goddess to save her business. Soon enough, Lina finds herself face-to-face with Demeter, who has a plan of her own. She proposes that Lina exchange souls with Persephone, the Goddess of Spring, who will breathe new life into the bakery. In return, Lina must set order to the Underworld. Before all this, Lina's problems mostly involved dough and second dates. Now that she embodies the enchantingly beautiful Persephone, Lina has weightier things on her mind - like the formidable task of bringing Spring to a world of spirits. But when the handsome, brooding Hades kindles a spark in her heart, Lina wonders if this Lord of the Underworld might be the man of her dreams...

Review: 
Goddess of spring was my personal favorite in the goddess summoning series. I can't say one bad thing about this book.
Who knew that Hell could be so much fun and so beautiful.
Before I started reading this book I had heard about the Mythe of Hades and Persephone.
"Hades spots a beautiful young girl while she is pikking flowers and he abducts her to the underworld, bla bla bla."
Hades is the bad guy in the mythe but this book made me see him from a different perspective.
He wasn't the horrible god of the underworld, he was a brooding, handsome guy who is the misfit among the gods and has lost faith in love (although he loves soulmates).
When Lina comes in the body of Persephone (which she had to from Demeter, the mother of Persephone) she changes his world, and it becomes a sweet and very interesting lovestory.
Lina is a great strong, motherly kind of character who takes Eurydice (she is the little spirit who accompanys Lina to the underworld) under her wing. 
The ending is just the ultimate happily ever after, which left me with a big goofy smile and a happy sigh at the end.
All by all it was a really great book that I certainly recommend to anyone who loves mythology an a good lovestory.

I give this book 5 roses with a ribbon ;), I think it's obvious why.

GODDESS OF THE SEA

So, here it goes, my first, ever, book review (or talk, or something ;) )

GODDESS SUMMONING #1: GODDESS OF THE SEA

On the night of her twenty-fifth birthday, alone in her apartment, Air Force Sergeant Christine Canady wished for one thing: a little magic in her life. After drinking way too much champagne, she performed, of all crazy things, a goddess-summoning ritual, hoping that it would somehow make her life a little less ordinary...but she never believed the spell would actually work.

When her military plane crashes into the ocean, CC's mission overseas takes an unexpected turn. She awakens to find herself in a legendary time and place where magic rules the land—occupying the body of the mythic mermaid Undine. But there is danger in the waters and the goddess Gaea turns this modern, military gal into a beautiful damsel so that she can seek shelter on land.

CC is soon rescued (literally) by a knight in shining armor. She should he falling in love with this dream-come-true, but instead she aches for the sea and Dylan, the sexy merman who has stolen her heart.

Review:
This is not your typical mermaid story, okey there is the call of the sea and the beauty of underwater life, but that's not the main thing in this book.
This book was a rollercoaster of feelings (which I have to say is with all the goddess summoning books). One moment I was totally annoyed at Andras and Abbot William (and Sarpedon), and the next I was totally drooling over Dylan (who is just so swoonworthy) and loving Gaea and CC bonding
CC is a great character, she has her flaws but everyone has those and without them it would become a boring story.
The book begins slow, but when it gets up to speed you don't want to put  it down. This is a book that I didn't want to put down and wanted to read so badly that it was the first thing I did when I got home, woke up or had a spare moment.
These goddess summoing story's are an enchanting mix of mythology, magic, love and strong women.

I give this book 5 Roses, because it has all the elements I love in a story (I'm a little prejudiced with Cast's books, but what the hell, it's really really a great read ;))

P.C & Kristin Cast in Cologne

First of all I want to say that I'm a total P.C Cast fan. I love her books, the way she writes , the characters and worlds she creates, the romance in her books. Most of the time, while I'm reading one of her books, I'm laughing out loud from the funny dialogues. Sometimes I like to quote her too ;)

I went to her (and Kristin's) book signing in Cologne November 30th, and they were just sooo nice.
They were doing a tour through France and Germany to advertise (is that the right word?) Hidden (book #10 in their House of Night series).
I got some of my books signed (Hidden, Marked, Divine by Mistake and Goddess of Spring) which was just awesomesauce ;)

Here are a few pictures from the sigining (I'm standing on the left on the second picture, this is a rare thing because I really really hate being photographed);