Moonlight

Hello, fellow book-devourers!

A Dark Guardian Novel, Moonlight, penned by Rachel Hawthorne, was recent;y devoured by myself. The basic storyline is that Kayla, an adopted child who's parents died in the forest that she's come to work as a guide in. She's attracted to the mysterious Lucas, who is the leader of the sherpas, as they call themselves. As they lead a research team into the middle of the national forest where they hope to find proof of werewolves, strange things start happening that jeopardises those in the party. Then there is the beautiful wolf who comes to Kayla at night. What does it all mean, and will these researchers really find werewolves in the park?

When I picked up this book, I was kind of hoping the main characters would be over 25, simply because this usually mean sit has more in the book than the main challenge that must be overcome and relationship building. Well, it's about teenagers, and there is plenty of tension between the two main characters, Kayla and Lucas, and the second half of the book is mainly about solving the problem. There is some work done to set up for the sequels, but not a whole lot, and parts that should have gotten more attention, such as the bear-wolf fight and when Lucas deals with his brother, were let down by the half-a-page descriptions.

Good ideas, but could have been written better
2 stars

Happy Reading,
Astarte

Charmfall

Hello, fellow book-devourers!

Book 3 in Chloe Neill's series the Dark Elite finally managed to get off my to-read shelf and into my currently reading one (I love Goodreads).
Lily Parker, an Adept with firespell is all psyched up to go to the school dance with her werewolf boyfriend. There hasn't been a lot of activity lately from the Reapers, so the only thing on her mind is her dress. Then, when an attack happens at the school, Lily's powers are gone. Who's taken all the powers of the Chicago Dark Elite, and why? And can Sebastian be trusted to help?

This book was engrossing enough to pull me away from the daily worries, but not so much that I had to finish it before I did anything else. The relationships here are done really well, much better than the first two books (in my opinion) There's the tension between Lily and Jason when the Sebastian issue is brought into the open is really good, and seems true to the characters. I also like what happens with Veronica. Either she subconsciously knows that she owes Lily, or Nicu is just a good influence (I know, we're all laughing) but she seems a whole lot nicer in this book. As a character, I think she's got a whole lot of potential, particualrily when we learn why Nicu is drawn to her.

According to Chloe Neill's website, there are 'no current plans for a fourth book.' I think the series still had a way to go, but maybe she'll come back to it later :)

Many witty ripostes,
Astarte

Hexbound

Hello, fellow book-devourers!

Hexbound, the second book in the Dark Elite series by Chloe Neill, has recently ended up on my to-read pile. The basic storyline is Lily Parker, a junior at a prestigious girl's boarding school in Chicago, discovers the magic underground where teenagers battle to protect the city and finds she has magic powers.

This novel had a storyline that was as tangled as Lily's emotions. Neill has Lily and Scout focusing on way to many things, and nothing is given enough weight to really make it necessary to the plot. Of course, if you got rid of all the things in here that aren't necessary, they'd be no book. Jumping from vampires, to wierd fangy creatures, to secretive parents, and budding relationships, the plot is sacttered at best.
I really hope some of the scenes from this book tie in to future books, otherwise there's no much unneeded text in here, that not only goes nowhere, but doesn't lend any weight to character developement, understanding of the setting, or subtle clues to answer the vital question that the Adepts have, which we know is there, but aren't sure just what it is.

Overall, 2.5 stars
Book three, Charmfall will soon be given a review here, with a rather belated one for Firespell, book 1

Many witty ripostes,
Astarte

Black Wings Series

Written by Christina Henry, these books follow Madeline Black, an Agent of Death who must battle for her freedom and those she loves

Black Wings (1)
Black Night (2)
Black Howl (3)
Black Lament (4)
Black City (5)
May this series leave you no longer bored for books!

Many witty ripostes,
Astarte