Close Remembrance by Anna Zaires (The Krinar Chronicles #3)

Genres: Adult, Sci-fi, Romance
Publication Date: September 2nd 2013
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 9 out of 10
My Rating: 4 out of 5

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The stunning conclusion to the critically acclaimed series that has won thousands of fans!

When a ruthless enemy finally strikes, Mia and Korum will face the biggest test of their relationship yet. But it’s Korum’s own secrets that may ultimately tear them apart.

From the beaches of Costa Rica to a planet in a distant galaxy, theirs is a love story that may change the world...

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This book was so great and a perfect ending to Korum and Mia's story. I was amazed by the Korum POV content. I was surprised by all his inner workings. He is really an extraordinary man and I love him so much. I loved him before but mostly because of how mysterious and deliciously intimidating he was. But now that I know what is inside of him I just melt. His world revolves around Mia. He would and has done almost anything for her. Her wish is his command. I love how it was said that the greatest force for peace between the Ks and humanity is Korum's love for Mia. Wow! That's some Homer sh!* right there.

"Her huge blue eyes ... made him want to slay dragons..."

Korum and Mia's relationship is amazing and tumultuous and I loved seeing it come all this way. It was the HEA to end all HEAs. Not only were they happy and in love and going to live HEA, but then they [discover a way to restore Mia's memories]. And as if that weren't enough, Korum's gotta [go and propose! And then they have the biggest wedding in the history of Earth and Krinar]! Then they find out [that they can have children!?] Then the cherry on top is [the Elders granting Mia's family immortality]. The good news just did not stop rolling!

This book had some tension at the beginning with the mysterious K who I won't reveal to you, but after that it was pretty smooth sailing. I was sort of missing the tension that I loved so much about the first two books, but I am happy that Korum and Mia are have such a bright future ahead of them. And I cannot wait for what else the K and Anna Zaires have in store for me in The Krinar Captive!

"I enjoy you, Mia--you enhance every moment of my existence. Your smile, your laugh--even your stubbornness--make me happier than I've ever been before."

The Rainbow Maker's Tale by Melanie Cusick-Jones (The Ambrosia Sequence #2)

Genres: Young Adult, Sci-fi, Dystopian, Romance
Publication Date: November 2nd 2013
POV: Male - First-person, Past tense
My Rating: 4 out of 5

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“I wasted no time looking around the bland plastic space I had lived in all my life. There were no real memories here for me, no cherished moments or things to reminisce over: all that had stopped when I was eight years old and learned that life on the SS Hope was built on lies.”

Outwardly, Balik is an obedient member of society on the Space Station Hope: he follows The Council's systems, excels at school and seems happy to follow in his parents footsteps...

Balik's real life is filled with secrets he can share with no one. As he follows his suspicions about the space station into ever more dangerous territory it seems like his whole world will unravel around him. But, he doesn't understand everything: things are wrong, he is sure of that, he just doesn't know why.

When Cassie unexpectedly comes into his life, Balik struggles to find his balance. For years he's investigated the oddities of the world he lives in, but Cassie makes him question things in a different way... Can he believe in this girl who seems so much a part of the system he distrusts? Would she put a stop to his plans to break out if she knew what he was really up to? Balik can't be sure of anything - except the fact that he can't leave her alone.

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I dont know if this book wasnt as good as book 1, or if I have just changed a lot since it was released. I suspect the latter. It has been 1.5 years and 245 books since I read Hope's Daughter. I have changed a lot as a reader. But regardless, I really enjoyed this book. There were just a few things that I didn't notice in book 1.

There seemed to be a lot of internal monologue. I love internal monologues, it really reveals a character's inner workings, but Balik was constantly thinking. There would be one or two lines of dialogue per page

while the rest was Balik analyzing everything Cassie said, every slight expression of her face, every shift of her eyes. It didn't necessarily bother me. I didn't even notice it by the end. But there were times that I became somewhat impatient to get on with things and find out what would happen next.

Also, this book cant really be read as the beginning of the series, even though books 1 and 2 happen simultaneously. Not that I can think of any reason why a person would want to do that, but if someone wanted to read The Rainbow Maker's Tale and then move right on to Outlanders without reading Hope's Daughter, there would be some gaps in the story that would probably cause confusion. Some of the things that Balik and Cassie discovered about her powers were referred to without being explained, assuming we already knew from book 1. Also, in the end, the reason for the red marks and why "the beings" wanted them all to fall in love was never explained. I don't know if that is because at this point Balik himself does not even know, or because it is assumed that we know from Hope's Daughter. I think it would have been better if the book could stand more independently from Hope's Daughter.

And lastly, Cassie seemed different in this book. Without insight into her mind, she seemed a bit irritable. I know from reading Hope's Daughter that she loves Balik, but it was hard to tell from her behaviour in this one. They never actually told each other that they loved each other, but I know they did because of their marks. And of course because of what they went through for each other. But the way Cassie acted around Balik most of the time seemed a bit off. She seemed shifty, I guess, without the insight into her motives.

But none of that is a problem if you read this series in order, and I still really enjoyed this book. I love all the

same things about it that I did in Hope's Daughter. I love the mystery and the danger of what Balik and Cassie were doing. And although I knew the ending this time around, I still enjoyed the tension of finding out Hope's secrets. And of course I love Balik. I love him even more this time around. He isn't as strong and sure of himself as I had thought, but he is still strong for Cassie. I love how much he needed her. I always love a hero who cannot live without his heroine, like Vincent from Die for Me, Chase from Tomorrow Land, or Sam from Masquerade. They are in awe of their woman and its just the sweetest thing ever.

I still cant wait for Outlanders. I have no idea what will happened next. I have no idea what sort of state Earth is in or where Balik and Cassie will be taken next.

"Without having to say anything more, I just knew now--maybe I always had--Cassie was the answer."

Lust by Charlotte Featherstone (The Sins and The Virtues #1)

Genres: Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance
Publication Date: January 18th 2011
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 7 out of 10
My Rating: 4 out of 5

 

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Of old, humans and Faeries have dwelt side by side in parallel realms. Only the canniest mortals recognize the alluring creatures that often walk--and lie--among them.

The Fae of the Seelie Court cherish an ancient quarrel with their Dark counterparts: a curse born of anger and deceit. The Unseelie Court will perish unless one of its princes can win a woman's love--honestly, without coercion...and love her wholly in return.

To halt the demise of his people, Prince Thane, the embodiment of Lust, infiltrates the Georgian court to seduce his mortal inverse. Noblewoman Chastity Lennox is purity incarnate--a prize worth winning. But Thane's quest is more challenging than he dreamed.

No one has ever been able to resist his erotic charms. Chastity's resolve is maddening...and intriguing. It makes him want her all the more. But how to seduce one who seems above temptation? Discover her greatest weakness and become the essence of her deepest, most forbidden desires...

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I really enjoyed the concept behind this, but some parts were a bit sloppy so I would give it 3.5/5. Chastity seemed to be constantly confused about who Thane was. Half the time it seemed that she knew he was a fey and that he was the stranger in the maze, but other times she didn't. And when he fully revealed his identity to her she seemed shocked while I would have sworn she already knew. It was pretty confusing.

"...fate drove me to you.”

 
I also didn't really enjoy how vulgar it was at times. I don't mind erotica, but this was not always portrayed as elegantly as it could have been. I agree with another reviewer, that the cover image of Thane is not hot enough, and they posted a picture of what they imagined him to look like. But I didn't really agree with their image any more than the cover. So here is mine.

But I totally love the concept of the seven cardinal sins being embodied by seven Unseelie fey princes who need to find the mortal woman who embodies their opposing virtue in order to break their curse. Its fascinating and incredibly original. I loved the other princes that we met and I cannot wait to read their stories, especially Kian and Niall. I really hope Charlotte Featherstone gets around to writing them. Since she is taking a break from writing I don't know when, if ever, the rest of the series will be released.

He felt and heard that voice tremble inside her, replaced the rational voice she allowed to go unchecked. 'He could break me, hurt me, dominate me'. 

"Not break. Not hurt." he murmured as he raised a hand to her cheek and smoothed his fingers down its softness, "But dominate you? Yes. Master you? yes. Make you yield to what you want, make you surrender to who you truly are? Yes.”

Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend by Cassie Mae (writing as Becca Ann)

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Humour, Romance
Publication Date: January 7th 2013
POV: Male - First-person, Present tense.
My Rating: 5 out of 5

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It’s stupid to fall for your brother’s ex. It’s even worse to enlist another’s help to win the ex over. But Brody is desperate and Hayley, his partner in American Sign Language, is more than willing to lend him a few tips.

She’s the school’s matchmaker,’ and with her bizarre and positive personality, Brody finds her easy to talk to, even about the most awkward situations. Hayley’s tips seem to be working, but as Brody learns more about his matchmaker, he starts finding reasons to spend time with her, and not the girl he thought he was in love with.

But Hayley isn’t ready to fall for anyone. Labeled the “Funny Fat Friend” within her group, her self image makes it impossible for Brody to share his feelings without Hayley shrugging it off as a joke.

Convincing her Brody can, and did, fall for the “Funny Fat Friend” turns out to be harder than simply falling in love.

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I have had some fairly good luck with contemps lately. This and Losing It getting 5 stars from me within a month? Thats monumental! I think maybe the trick is for me to stick to the funny contemps.

Reason 1: You know how to sign the word 'balls'
Reason 2: You walk with a book on your head
Reason 3: You know how to make awkward less awkward
Reason 4: Its easy with you
Reason 5. You know how to make a guy feel pretty good about himself
Reason 6: You give the best hugs
Reason 7: I think about you before I think about her
Reason 8: You slaughter me at Ghost Recon
Reason 9: You turned me into a psycho

The title says 'Funny Fat Friend', and they were right about the funny part. Hayley is hilarious, amazing, and totally "awesomesauce". :P And when she told Brody he had to make a list of reasons why he chose her over a skinny girl, he actually found it extremely easy, and was daily adding new things to the list as he discovered more and more reasons to love her.

Reason 10: You are the FHF--Freaking Hot Friend
Reason 11: You are perceptive
Reason 12: You don't let my jackass jerk brother get to you
Reason 13: I'd beat the crap out of my own flesh and blood for you
Reason 14: I need crave you
Reason 15: You rock some sexy ink
Reason 16: You make me feel all that gooey shit crap I'm supposed to feel
Reason 17: You're a cute little cheater
Reason 18: You make me nervous, but not nervous

Brody was a great guy. He felt totally genuine and realistic and just the right amount of sappy. He fell for Hayley fast and hard. When it started, I thought the book would be about the process of him falling for her, but he was almost instantly in awe of her, from the first chapter. The rest of the book was mostly him trying to prove it to her. Making her realize she deserved it.

Reason 19: Pictures of bleeding people don't make you want to puke
Reason 20: If eyes can be hot, yours are smoking
Reason 21: You can put boob marks in all my shirts and I wont care
Reason 22: You smile when you kiss
Reason 23: You're as horny as I am
Reason 24: I cant lie to you
Reason 25: When you're pissed at me, I turn into a depressed slob who cant stop listening to pop crap

This book was totally sweet and heartwarming, and fun, and just the right amount of drama to not piss me off. Lovable characters, a YA-appropriate touch of hot, and an HEA. What else could you ask for? :) This is definitely one that I'll be re-reading in the future.

Reason 26: I want to shout it to the world that I'm in love with you
Reason 27: You are THE girl

Lick by Kylie Scott (Stage Dive #1)

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: July 1st 2013
POV: Female - First-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 7 out of 10
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas’s plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure as hell never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is for certain, being married to rock and roll’s favourite son is sure to be a wild ride.

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I should really have learned my lesson with contemporary romances by now, but I loved Kylie Scott's Flesh series so I figured I had to read this. But it is contemporary, so it doesn't matter who wrote it, my chances of loving it were still low.

This book was really absolutely nothing special to me. Same old, same old that I have read in almost every contemporary romance. I mean, sure, David is hot and he loves her, but really, I need more than that. And I feel like the lost memory of a night in Vegas was used as a gimmick to draw us in, but then the story ended up actually not being about that at all. By the end of the book, I totally forget that that is how they met or that Evelyn doesn't remember marrying him.

“I married you, Evelyn, because you made sense to me. We make sense. We're a whole lot better together than apart.”

Plus there is the inevitable drama. That is always the #1 thing I mention when reviewing a contemporary. I can't stand the drama! When Ev busted in on David and Martha it was absolutely obvious that she misunderstood the situation. It was absolutely obvious that walking away was the worst thing that could happen to him, but she did it anyway. And then he never really explained anything else that she accused him of besides the kiss. Why keep the house? Her earring? Her job? After their rules about being honest and everything, they still really screwed things up and I don't think he should have been forgiven so easily. Its so frustrating. I prefer it when the only things a couple have to fight is zombies or aliens, instead of each other. I need a break from contemporaries.

“Love isn't always smooth or straightforward. It can be messy and painful… Doesn't mean it isn't still the most incredible thing that can ever happen to you.”

On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: September 4th 2011
POV: Alternating - First-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 5 out of 10
My Rating: 3 out of 5

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When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.

T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments -- instead of his friends.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter.

Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

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This book would have been a solid 4-stars if I was judging by the first half alone. I really enjoyed the first half of the book. I loved the survival element. It was really interesting seeing them try to catch fish with earrings, building a little house, day-to-day life of trying to live on a deserted island. I have never read a book like this before and it was great. Not that I want to go and read survival books now. Romance always makes me care about characters more so I wouldn't have been so interested in their lives if it weren't for the romance.

I didn't realize how much time they would be on the island, although I guess maybe I suspected, considering TJ was only 16 when they crashed. I love how the romance developed so slowly. At first, Anna didn't really see TJ as a man. Its not like she was waiting for him to grow up before having a relationship with him. It didn't even cross her mind until he was already grown up. It felt really natural for her to just see him differently one day. I think he was already 18 by the time she thought about it, and he was about a month away from his 19th birthday before anything happened between them.

Nothing really happened in the story and that is part of the reason why I loved it so much. I love low drama in my contemporaries, and the first half of the book was just life on the island and I can't think of it as anything but a pleasant read, despite fighting sharks and dengue fever. But I did not expect the second half of the book. I would have been much happier if the book had ended when they were rescued and then skipped to the epilogue. So much unnecessary drama and "you deserve better" bullshit. The second half of the book drove me crazy and I did not enjoy a moment of it. This is split into two extremes and I have a hard time distinguishing my feelings about it.

I definitely enjoyed The Education of Sebastian more. Not because of the smut, but because of the dynamics of a relationship with such a large age gap, and there was zero unnecessary drama. The gap in The Education of Sebastian is actually 2 years smaller, but Caroline didn't wait until Sebastian was of age and I guess I should maybe hold that against her. But maybe the day that Sebastian became a man was sooner than the law thought. Anna had a moment when she suddenly looked at TJ differently and she was lucky he was 18, and maybe Caroline just could not control when that happened. Although Sebastian and Caroline still had all their ridiculous drama in book 2. I can see why this book was so well loved though, because I know most people are not as bothered by drama in contemporaries as am, which would leave them feeling as wonderful as I felt after finishing the first half.

“I don't fit in your world." 

"Neither do I," he said, his expression tender yet resolute. "So let's make our own. We've done it before.”

Lord of Danger by Anne Stuart

Genres: Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance
Publication Date: July 1st 1997
POV: Alternating - Third-Person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 7 out of 10
My Rating: 4 out of 5

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Half-sister to Richard the Fair, Alys has been schooled in the sheltered ways of the convent, far from the treachery and intrigue of castle life. Until she is taken from the cloister and brought to a place filled with secrets. Here she is to meet her future husband, a man some call a monster. His name is Simon of Navarre, a powerful and mysterious lord practiced in the black arts. This sensual stranger both terrifies her and fascinates her...and sets her heart burning with an unfamiliar fire.

Jaded by war, no longer able to believe in human goodness, Simon has turned toward the realm of darkness. But the master magician finds himself bewitched by the innocent Alys, who fears his very touch could damn her forever. Yet even as Simon begins to work his seductive magic, Alys senses the wounded soul beneath the cooly elegant facade. Now, as the two become pawns in Richard's treacherous scheme to become England's king, only one power can save them: the unstoppable force of love.

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I enjoyed this more than Reckless, and would have enjoyed it more than Ruthless if it weren't for the imprisonment business. I was completely pulled in by the story in this one, and by Simon and Alys. They were amazing and Simon is by far my favourite Anne Stuart hero so far. He was absolutely wicked and irresistible. I was told this was one of her best books, and I can see why someone would think so.

But it is just my personal preference that I didn't like how Alys was imprisoned. After finally admitting their feelings and have some beautiful moments in the rain, they were torn apart, leaving Alys doubting Simon. I really did not enjoy that. I wanted to see more of them enjoying each other. Plus, at the end, Alys didn't even leave a note so her sister would know she was ok. Likely everyone would worry about her. It wasn't an entirely happy ending when you think about the people they left behind.

And that brings me to another issue. I could not stand Claire! OMG what a spoiled brat. Even after everything I still could not stand her. She drove me crazy to the end and I think Thomas deserved better. This book had another secondary romance, like the previous two Anne Stuart books I have read. It must be standard for her. Another standard must be that the villain is a relative. Next time I read one of her books I wont trust anyone's family.

Although I seemed to have a lot of issues with this, Simon and Alys made this book and I want to love it more because of them. Especially Simon. Gosh I love him! Alys was awesome too. Definitely better than Charlotte. Maybe not Elinor though. Elinor kicked some ass.

“She tilted her head to one side, considering him. "Do you love me?" 

"Love is a trick and a sham. A foolish plague and a lie and a torment." 

"Do you love me?" she repeated, quite calmly. Knowing the answer. 

"Yes, may it curse my soul."

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau (The Testing #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Sci-fi, Dystopian, Romance
Publication Date: June 4th 2013
POV: Female - First-person, Present tense
My Rating: 3 out of 5

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Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

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I enjoyed this story for the most part. The first 3 stages of the testing in the first half of the book reminded me a lot of the fierce competing in Divergent. But the final stage of testing, and the second half of the book, was without a doubt similar to The Hunger Games. Although YA dystopians abound these days, I enjoyed the world and thought it was well done.

But I found the character development seriously lacking. Cia is a decent heroine, but she's not amazing. She was determined and brave but not in any way that makes her stand out among the plethora of brave YA heroines. She was smart in a way that made her impossible to relate to and her loyalty was blind.

I wanted to love Tomas because Cia does, but he just wasn't anything special either, and I found myself wishing for a love-triangle with Michal instead. That would probably spice up the character development a bit. And I find that tiny twist about Tomas at the end to be unbelievable and unfair. I am angry at the author for spending the whole book trying to convince us Tomas is a certain kind of person, only to tell us differently in the end with no proof and no idea what to do with the information she has given us, except hold it in the palm of our hands until Independent Study.

This did not have what I would call a cliffhanger and it does not make me more invested in his character. It felt incomplete and took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. But I am curious enough about their world and whether or not Cia can take it down from the inside to keep reading eventually.

“Leaders are forced to kill all the time. Then they have to learn to live with the decisions they make. Just like I'm going to learn to live with mine.”

Ruthless by Anne Stuart (The House of Rohan #1)

Genres: Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance
Publication Date: July 20th 2010
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 7 out of 10
My Rating: 5 out of 5

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Few outsiders will ever witness the dark misdeeds of the Heavenly Host. And among this secret society, where exiled Georgian aristocrats gather to indulge their carnal desires, fewer still can match the insatiable appetite of their chief provocateur, the mysterious Viscount Rohan.

Pursuit of physical pleasure is both his preferred pastime and his most pressing urge, until he encounters the fascination of a woman who won't be swayed. And while his dark seduction appalls the pure and impoverished Elinor Harriman, she finds herself intrigued...and secretly drawn to the man behind the desire.

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This book blew me away! I was not prepared for this. I asked for recommendations in a romance group for books with really dark heroes, and Anne Stuart was recommended to me. I was told that the Rohan series was not her best, but it was one of two available at my library so I picked it up immediately. They downplayed it a bit and I wasn't prepared to love it so much.

I loved the battle of wits, for there was one, as much as Rohan thought he always had the upper hand. His and Elinor's back and forth was the center of the story and it was immensely entertaining. I also found it interesting how it all took place in front of a sexual backdrop. There was only one actual sex scene, at about 80% into the book, but the whole book was surrounded by it, and every move Rohan made was motivated by it. As it says on the back of the book, "Pursuit of physical pleasure is both his preferred pastime and his most pressing urge."

It was all so very enticing, while never really crossing the line until the end. The entire book was foreplay. As was Rohan's forceful behaviour. I was in the mood for a dark hero and I definitely got one. Rohan had practically no conscience. He never forced Elinor, but he played horrible games, blackmailed her, locked her in his house, used any means necessary for her to bend to his will. And it worked. On me as well. He was utterly delicious.

There was also a secondary romance that was more light and innocent and was perhaps used to balance the dark of the book. It was extremely sweet and I enjoyed it as well. I have been warned that some of the later books in the series are even darker and that I may not enjoy them with my standards. But I am still really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

“You know as well as I do, damn you. Like it or not I seem to have grown a heart. I have absolutely no use for the damned thing, but there it sits, demanding Elinor. I can't live without her.”

Born of Ice by Sherrilyn Kenyon (The League #3)

Genres: Adult, Sci-fi, Romance
Publication Date: December 1st 2009
POV: Alternating - Third-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 5 out of 10
My Rating: 5 out of 5

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In the Ichidian Universe where The League is law, most live in fear. We fight back. Welcome to a world where corrupt assassination politics dominate everyone. It’s kill or be killed. Welcome back to the future…and meet hell's new breed of heroes.

Devyn Kell spent his life in service to the League until he learned of the double dealing and backstabbing that was costing innocent people their lives. Refusing to play those politics, he became a Runner—someone who makes sure planets get the weapons, medicine and supplies they need to survive. May the gods have mercy on any who get in his way, because he definitely won’t.Alix Garran is a woman on the run from a past she can’t escape. Signing on to work for Devyn as a System’s Engineer, she finds a cause she can fight for—and a man she can respect. But as Alix’s past catches up to her, and Devyn’s old enemies turn lethal, they have to fight together…or fall alone, in Born of Ice, the third bestselling League novel from Sherrilyn Kenyon.

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Another amazing addition to The League series. This one changed things up a bit, and I really enjoyed it, but book #1 and Nykyrian are still my favourite.

A long time has passed since Born of Fire, and this book features Syn and Sharaha's son, Devyn. This had just as much adventure, danger, and action as the previous two installments, but a little less personal drama, which is much appreciated. Devyn and Alix never had a big falling out. I really loved the family that Devyn had, especially Omari. And I was so happy to see Paden reconcile with Syn. That was like the best thing ever!

This was more 'feel-good' compared the the first two books. It was also different because, unlike the first two, the hero was not the one who needed to be convinced he deserved love, it was the heroine. Alix was a slave that was extremely mistreated her whole life and thought that she was trash and worthless. Devyn promptly taught her otherwise. Devyn was pretty sweet and bad-ass, but not as brooding and tortured as his father. I still prefer his father...and his son. Is that weird?

I was a bit confused at times about the timeline though. Its weird to skip so many years and meet the children of couples that we don't see get together until later in the series. It seems they are not numbered in chronological order. I suppose it may help to read this immediately after reading about Devyn's parents meeting. But then the series goes back to focusing on Nykyrian and Syn's fellow Sentella members. Not that I am complaining, because I was really looking forward to getting to know them better. But now, I really wanna see more of Omari. I will just have to continue reading and see what happens.

"I love you, Devyn Wade Kell, with everything inside me. But it’s okay if you don’t feel the same. I know I’m just a piece of trash in your world, and I don’t expect you to share my feelings." 

"Don’t you ever say that to me again. Trash is something people throw away, Alix. I intend to keep you for the rest of my life."