BLB Blog Tour Review - Spiral X by J.J Westendarp

Book 1 in the Eternal War Series
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 417 KB
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B004A14QAA
Lending: Enabled
Amazon


JJ Westendarp Links
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter


Book Courtesy of JJ Westendarp and Book Lovin' Bitches Tour

Goodreads Summary:
Cheryl Erikson is a Vampire Hunter with a problem. A dangerous new drug named Plast has found its way onto the streets of Dallas. She would prefer to let the DEA and local law enforcement handle everything, but since the dealers also happen to be vampires, she has no choice but to step in and put a stop to it.

With the help of her best friend Virgil and a fellow Hunter named Tank, Cheryl must work to eradicate Plast from the streets of Dallas. It's a task that becomes more difficult as she comes under the gun, quite literally, from a contract out on her head. Coupled with a nosy police detective looking to peg her for a triple homicide, and a sudden interest in her activities from a powerful vampire recently arrived in the area, it's enough to force her to accept help from the least likely of sources, a mysterious Hunter named Rev. Through him, everything she thinks she knows, and everything she stands for, is challenged in ways she never imagined.


Review:
For those who know me by know I love my vampire's and so when I had the chance to read this one I eagerly accepted. What I found though was not the typical Vamp story I am used too. For one I admit I haven't read too many female vampire hunters, yes I watched Buffy but haven't read too many not yet anyway.

I found I really liked Cheryl,tough and badass while hunting but still has compassion for the humans that find themselves enthralled by the vampires. I also like the fact she began to question herself and why she was hunting in the first place.

As for the vampires, I really liked the way this author took the myth and made it his own. I hadn't thought there could be any more ways they could be 'born' from. I was wrong.

This was only my second urban fantasy I have read and though I miss the 'romance' of vampires,I can't help it I am sucker for it(pun intended)and seeing them as evil was a bit hard for me to get used too.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, the characters were well written and I just adored Virgil by the way. The plot ran smooth even after a bit of a slow start but it didn't hinder me, to want to stop reading it.

So would I recommend? Yes if you are the type that loves their vampires as the bad guys while the good guys(girl)are Vampire hunters. Please give this one a read. Good Debut for JJ Westendarp.



My Rating 4 out of 5 stars


J.J. Westendarp's books
Split short story

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html

B.L.B. Blog Tour Review- Gabriel's Mate by Tina Folsom

Gabriel's Mate (Scanguards Vampires #3)
by Tina Folsom

Kindle Edition
Published December 13th 2010 (first published December 2nd 2010)
ASINB004EPZ250
primary language English
original title Gabriel's Mate (Scanguards Vampires, #3)
seriesScanguards Vampires #3

Paperback: 278 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (December 13, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1456435299
ISBN-13: 978-1456435295
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches

Amazon

Tina's Links:

Tina Folsom's Website

Tina's Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Book courtesy of Tina Folsom and Book Lovin' Bitches Blog Tour.
For more information on the Book Lovin' Bitches Blog Tour click HERE

Goodreads Summary:

After Maya is turned into a vampire against her will, vampire and Scanguards bodyguard Gabriel is charged with protecting her and finding her attacker.

Gabriel has never guarded a body as perfect as Maya’s. But while the sexual tension between them rises and the rogue vampire closes in on them, Gabriel can’t allow himself to give into the desire he feels for Maya. He fears to fully show himself to her despite the intimacies they share - afraid she will react like all other women when she discovers the horror he hides.

Will she run from him when she discovers his secret, calling him a monster, a freak, a creature not worthy of her love?

Caution: graphic and explicit sex scenes - not for the faint of heart.


Review:

Ok I have been sitting here trying to figure out just exactly how to review this book for one I knew going in I was going to love it or at least I hoped I would, after reading one of Tina's other works in another series I became a fan almost immediately. Let me say this one didn't disappoint and even though I hadn't read the first two books in this series, I didn't feel lost at all.

Let me just start by saying I adore Gabriel. I could be wrong but this is the first I have read a vampire with insecurities and still be her knight in shining armor so to speak and that was a refreshing change for me. Don't get me wrong I love my broody vampires but I think I almost love the vulnerable vampire more.

I know you wondering what I thought about the issues he had, to say I was totally floored would be an understatement. My mind was racing the whole time I read this trying to figure out what they were and what could be that bad to make him feel like he was a monster to women and you don't wanna know what I had been thinking it might have been(I was at one point tempted to skim ahead to find out but I didn't). I felt like a detective trying to figure out what was up with Gabriel and Maya who had her own issues that no one could figure out either and I loved every minute of it.

Maya was easy to connect to as well, I liked the fact though she was scared she did so without being whiny. The twist Tina took regarding her turning surprised me and I won't go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil it for who hasn't read it yet.

Now on to the good stuff, we all know we love these scenes admit it! I want so badly to be able to mention one my favorite scenes but I can't, lets just say I wish I had a man who would do what he did just because it needed done. The build up was almost as hot as the actual acts.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, I say run don't walk and get this book. This is the third in the Scanguard series but it can be read as a stand alone with no problems though after you do read it , I can almost guarantee you will want the first two, I know I do.


My Rating for this book is a 5 out of 5 stars




Reading Order of the Scanguards Vampire Series:
Samson's Lovely Mortal (Scanguards Vampires #1)
Amaury's Hellion (Scanguards Vampires #2)
Gabriel's Mate(Scanguards Vampire #3)




Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html

Review Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione

Kindle Edition
Published January 20th 2011
ASINB004K6MMCY
series Demonica
characters Kaden, Andrea
Amazon
Larissa Ione's Blog


Goodreads Summary:
Desire...

Demon slayer Andrea Cole has always taken down the demons and vampires she hunts without mercy. But when a fellow slayer is captured and turned into a vampire by a sadistic monster, she must choose between loyalty to her family and the man she loves.

Versus Instinct...

Kaden Quinn has dedicated his life to slaying vampires, so when he is turned into one, his greatest nightmare comes to life. And when the woman he loves is thrown into a dungeon with him - as food - he must battle new instincts and old desires, and choose between his life, and hers.

NOTE: This is a short novella that originally appeared in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 and the anthology Vampires in Love. It has been expanded for its stand-alone digital release. In the Demonica timeline, it falls between book 3, Passion Unleashed, and book 4, Ecstasy Unveiled, though it can easily be read without having read the Demonica novels.


Review:

I believe it was last night I saw this short story was being released and for the fact I hadn't read this short story in its original form in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance, I squealed with excitement and today I immediately bought it for my Kindle on PC.

What can I say about this other than I loved it! Larissa didn't disappoint me(like she could ever but still).

Andrea is torn between her love for Kaden and her duty as a Demon Slayer.

Kaden who spent the majority of his life slaying the very thing he became and as badly as he wants and needs Andrea, can they still be together?

This was one wild ride, from the moment I bought it to the very last page and it was also great to see a couple characters from previous books.

What did I like :
Everything!  if I tried to write everything down , you would have the whole book before you and I don't want to spoil it. But I can say its a very fast read and you will devour it in no time.

What didn't like:
That it ended, I crave more of the Demonica's series , I still have to read Sin Undone yet, I know your asking why I haven't - I think because I know thats the last book and I don't want it too end yet.

Would I recommend:
Hell Yes!(pardon my cursing) but I absolutely adore Larissa and if you haven't read her Demonica Series you should and if you have but not read this one - read it, you won't be disappointed.

Oh yea in all my excitement I almost forgot to post my rating 5 out of 5 (very very high 5)

And don't forget she has a new series coming out ! They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The first book, Eternal Rider is scheduled for release in April 2011.

B.L.B. Blog Tour Review- Immortyl Kisses by B.K. Walker

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 337 KB
Publisher: Lulu; First edition (December 24, 2010)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B004HB1AQG
Lending: Enabled

Amazon

B.K. Walker's Links
Book Website
B.K. Walker's Website
B.K.'s Blog
Facebook Page

Book Courtesy of B.K. Walker and Book Lovin' Bitches Blog Tour:
Book Lovin' Bitches Blog Tour Blog


Goodreads Summary:
Raine was an average girl with an average teenage life. Always loving anything to do with vampires, she never expected they would be real. When a Rogue vampire hunts her, she not only learns that vampires are real, but that the two boys that her heart is caught between are in fact a vampire and a werewolf.

As both boys vow to keep her safe, Raine learns of her true destiny...she is a Shijin Warrior born to win the war against an evil Warlock named Fala. Fala is creating half vampire half shape shifting creatures to take out all of immortal kind.

Will Raine be able to fulfill her destiny and save immortals, or will her hearts desires make her lose everything in the end?


Review:
Raine is just a 'misfit' trying to fit in , she doesn't like what all the other kids like , she loves the goth type look and vampires. Lonely she hopes to find love someday and in walks in the mysterious Tristan and from that moment on her world is turned upside down.


As excited as I was to read this book because after all I am such a vampire, lore fanatic. This book left me disappointed. I didn't feel the connection with the characters like I felt I should have.

What I did like:
I loved the premise-love triangle, fight bad guy. The fighting scenes and training was well done those I could visualize and root for the good guy so to speak and lastly it was a fairly fast read.

What I didn't like:
As I mentioned above and this is a biggy for me I just couldn't feel the emotions of the characters it felt flat. I wanted to but I just couldn't. But the downside for it being fast read is that I was left confused as we kept jumping along in the story- nothing really felt wrapped up.

That being said would I recommend this book, well I think I will leave that up to you to decide. While it might not have been my cup of tea, it just might be yours.



My ratiing is a 2 stars out of 5

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html

On My Wishlist #7

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too.

These two series I have heard good things about and hope to get to them this year.

First up is The Gardella Vampire Series by Colleen Gleason
Colleen Gleason's Website



The Rest Falls Away (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #1)
Amazon

Goodread's Summary:
Beneath the glitter of dazzling 19th-century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil...

In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy of hunting vampires, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake.



Amazon
Rises The Night (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #2)


In Italy, a powerful vampire is amassing the power to control the souls of the dead. Lady Victoria Gardella de Lacy--a vampire slayer for just over a year--races across Europe to stop what could be the most deadly army the Gardellas have ever faced. She is accompanied by Sebastian Vioget, a man as tempting as he is untrustworthy.



But when Victoria discovers that she has been betrayed by one of her most trusted allies, the truth will challenge all her powers as a Venator-and as a woman.





Amazon
The Bleeding Dusk (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #3)
by Colleen Gleason

Goodread's Summary:
To gain access to the secrets of a legendary alchemist, Rome's vampires have allied themselves with creatures as evil and bloodthirsty as they are. The new leader of the city's vampire hunters--Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacy--reluctantly turns to the enigmatic Sebastian Vioget for help, just as Maximilian Pesaro arrives to aid his fellow slayers, no matter what the sacrifice. Desire puts her at the mercy of Sebastian, while loyalty binds her to Max, but she does not know if she can trust either. Especially when a seductive vampire begins luring her into the shadows..




Amazon
When Twilight Burns (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #4)
by Colleen Gleason

Goodreads Summary:
After narrowly escaping Rome with her mortality, vampire hunter Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacey returns to London—where not even sunrise can stop a vampire's carnage. Not only is Victoria unable to detect the vampire with her heightened senses, but she's being framed as the prime suspect behind the killings.

Meanwhile, the legacy of a vampire's touch has left his blood boiling in her veins and forces her to fight evil on two fronts—against the new breed of undead threatening London and the darkness within herself..



Amazon
As Shadows Fade (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #5)
by Colleen Gleason

Goodreads Summary:
Directly descended from the very first vampire hunter in the Gardella family, Victoria knows she must continue the lineage so humanity will have protectors against the undead. While Sebastian Vioget appears to be both the perfect warrior and lover to ensure the Gardella Legacy, Victoria cannot forget Max Pesaro - the former slayer still haunted by the vampire queen Lilith's obsession with him. But it is Lilith's obsession that may save all of humanity. Demons, enemies of both mortals and the undead, have found their way to earth. To defeat them, vampires and slayers must fight side by side. But Lilith wants Max in return for her cooperation; a small price for the world, but too high a price for Victoria.


The Next series is by the same author , its a brand new series by her called The Regency Dracula Series.



Amazon
The Vampire Voss (Regency Draculia #1)
by Colleen Gleason

Goodreads Summary:
Regency London - a dizzying whirl of balls and young ladies pursued by charming men. But the Woodmore sisters are hunted by a more sinister breed: Lucifer's own. Voss, also known as Viscount Dewhurst, relishes the sensual pleasures immortality affords. A member of the Dracule - a cabal of powerful, secretive noblemen marked with a talisman that reveals their bartered souls - the mercenary Voss has remained carefully neutral...until Angelica. Angelica Woodmore possesses the Sight, an ability invaluable to both sides of a looming war among the Dracule. Her very scent envelops Voss in a scarlet fog of hunger - for her body and blood. But he is utterly unprepared for the new desire that overcomes him - to protect her.



Amazon
The Vampire Dimitri (Regency Draculia #2)
by Colleen Gleason

Goodreads Summary:
Regency London loves a Society wedding –
Even if there are vampires on the guest list.

Dimitri, the Earl of Corvindale, should be delighted that the headstrong Maia Woodmore is getting married. His mortal ward and houseguest has annoyed – and bewitched – the Dracule nobleman too long, and denying his animal cravings grows more excruciating by the day.

Miss Woodmore's family has a rather...complicated history with the immortals and she herself possesses a keen sensibility far beyond mere women's intuition. Marriage will give her safety, respectability, and everything else a proper young lady could wish for. Everything, that is, except for passion.

In the looming battle between Dracule factions, all pretenses will shatter as Maia and Dimitir come together in an unholy union of danger, desperation, and fiercest desire.



Amazon
The Vampire Narcise (Regency Draculia #3)
by Colleen Gleason

Summary from Author's Website:
Regency England stands defiant against Napoleon.

But battles among men mean little to those who live forever – especially when the Dracule are waging their own war.

Skilled in the seduction of men, both mortal and immortal, Narcise Moldavi is the greatest weapon in her twisted brother's war among the Dracule. Until she falls for Giordan Cale.

Her first searing encounter with Giordan brands them with a passionate love. But Giordan's vow to help Narcise escape her brother's rule is followed by a betrayal more agonizing than sunlight.

Wounded but determined, Narcise ensnares vampire hunter Chas Woodmore in her quest for revenge and to reclaim her life. He wants her, worships her, will kill for her. And the Dracule never forget a wrong – nor do they forgive.

Review Devoured By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity Book 7) by Alexandra Ivy

Paperback, 368 pages
Published December 1st 2010 by Zebra (first published 2010)
ISBN 1420111353 (ISBN13: 9781420111354)
primary language English
series Guardians of Eternity #7
characters Laylah, Tane
Source: My own copy-bought
Amazon

Alexandra Ivy's Website

Goodreads Summary:
They are the Guardians of Eternity, strong, skilled, seductive vampires chosen to protect—and to destroy. And they will risk anything to fulfill their duty, and satisfy their desires...

Tane is a Charon, sworn to hunt and kill rogue vampires. His new assignment seems like a waste of his talents—until he catches up with the jinn he's been sent to capture. Half human, half demon, Laylah has a vulnerable streak that strikes right through to Tane's cold heart. He should be furious when she uses her powers to bind them together, preventing him from dragging her before the Commission. Instead he welcomes any reason to stay close enough to touch, to taste, to seduce...

Laylah doesn't know why she was chosen to protect a child who may be the catalyst in a war between good and evil. But the mysteries of her past pale compared to the dangers approaching. Tane is devastatingly strong, breathtakingly sensual. And Laylah will have to trust in every ounce of that strength, because her enemies are drawing near, eager to destroy them both...

Review:
Devoured of Darkness picks up where we left of Tane- a vampire assassin chasing Laylah, a jinn mongrel wanted by the Commission.

Little did Tane realize just what he is in for when he does catch up with Laylah. For as long as he could remember his job was to hunt down vampires-his brothers and take them out when they became addicted and fall into bloodlust.

Laylah spent most of her life in hiding from all sorts of demons threatening to turn her into the Commission plus she was hiding a secret- a baby who she didn't know why for the first she felt connected to someone until Tane entered her life.

After waiting anxiously for this book, I finally got my hands on it and though it set one my shelf for a few days when I finally dove into it and read it pretty quickly the last couple days. One thing I love about series books is that I feel like I am visiting family in each book. That being said I was so happy to see some of the other characters in it not many but my faves- I won't name them(don't want to give a spoiler) other than Levet. How could you not love Levet. No wonder the guardians all find him a pain in the behind - I think its jealousy because all the mates absolutely love this gargoyle.

While I did like Tane and Laylah's story as I suspected I would, there was just something missing. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe at the end was a bit confusing trying to introduce the new characters for the subsequent book.

Would I recommend this book? Yes because overall I love the series and I believe just because this one didn't grab me like the others. The Guardians of Eternity remains at one of the top favorite series for me and they are must buys for me.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Other Books in the Guardians of Eternity Series:
When Darkness Comes (Guardians of Eternity, #1)
Embrace The Darkness (Guardians of Eternity, #2)
Darkness Everlasting (Guardians of Eternity, #3)
Darkness Revealed (Guardians of Eternity, #4)
Darkness Unleashed (Guardians of Eternity, #5)
Beyond The Darkness (Guardians of Eternity, #6)
Bound By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity, #8) due to be released in November, 2011

Review The Willow The Magical Sword Book One by Stacey Kennedy

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Stacey Kennedy (July 8, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0986593109
ISBN-13: 978-0986593109
Product Dimensions: 5 x 8 x 0.6 inches
Source- From the Author
Amazon

Stacey's Links
Stacey Kennedy's Website
Twitter
Facebook


Goodreads Summary:
In Carson City, Nevada a tragic car accident has claimed the lives of Nexi Jones' adoptive parents. Now, without them, her reason to live has vanished and she is determined to end her pain.

The problem with that, it's not heaven she wakes up to, it's the Otherworld. Nexi must reconcile the truth about her past, and her heritage as part guardian/part witch, while she begins to train to join the Council's guard. But it's not the combat training that has her worried, its attempting to keep her cool around the luscious guardian, Kyden that's her biggest concern.

Before long, Nexi's skills are put to the test as she begins to fight against the supernatural who have taken a human life. But nothing can prepare her for the journey ahead. Soon, she will find herself lost in a mystery and fighting to keep all she's gained, as Lazarus, a vampire, threatens to take it all away.


Review:

How do I begin to explain just how much I enjoyed this book, could it be when I started reading the prologue. I have read tons of books and as far as I can recall I haven't had a book start out the way this one did. While there might be some readers that might be turned off, I wasn't in fact I was able to connect with Nexi's pain from the beginning.

I also connected with her roller coaster ride of emotions of when she was introduced to her Father and his world and laughed out loud each time she joked around because she was scared.

How many of us have done that in real life, joke to make ourselves feel better?

Now lets talk about the sexual tension between Kyden and Nexi , whoa mama I was thinking my computer was going to combust if these two hadn't gotten together soon.

Finally what can I say about the ending without giving anything away- Well I was glad I stayed up til 5am to finish this put it that way.

It had the perfect mixture of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal as well as hot sexy teases. So if that sounds like your kind of book I highly recommend you read this book. I also suggest make sure you block out a block of time because you won't be able to put this book down. Meanwhile I can't wait to move onto the next book in the series, The Wicked.

I rate this 5 out of 5 stars.

Other Books In The Series:
The Wicked(Magical Sword Book 2)
The Devil's Kiss(Magical Sword Book 3)

Waiting On Wednesday #4

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine That spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.


Here is mine though, and though there is no cover yet (I will post it as soon as its available) I love this series so much and can't wait for Sundown's book. I also love her covers so I also can't wait to see what this one might look like. Redemption is scheduled to be released August 2, 2011.




Redemption (Dark-Hunter/Were-Hunter #20)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Mass Market Paperback
Expected publication: August 2nd 2011 by St. Martins Paperbacks
primary language English
url http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com
series Dark-Hunter/Were-Hunter #20
characters Abigail Yager, William Jessup "Sundown" Brady


Goodreads summary:

Harm no human...

A hired gunslinger, William Jessup Brady lived his life with one foot in the grave. He believed that every life had a price. Until the day when he finally found a reason to live. In one single act of brutal betrayal, he lost everything, including his life. Brought back by a Greek goddess to be one of her Dark-Hunters, he gave his immortal soul for vengeance and swore he’d spend eternity protecting the humans he’d once considered prey.

Orphaned as a toddler, Abigail Yager was taken in by a family of vampires and raised on one belief- Dark-Hunters are the evil who prey on both their people and mankind, and they must all be destroyed. While protecting her adoptive race, she has spent her life eliminating the Dark-Hunters and training for the day when she meets the man who killed her family: Jess Brady.

A gun in the hand is worth two in the holster...

Jess has been charged with finding and terminating the creature who’s assassinating Dark-Hunters. The last thing he expects to find is a human face behind the killings, but when that face bears a striking resemblance to the one who murdered him centuries ago, he knows something evil is going on. He also knows he’s not the one who killed her parents. But Abigail refuses to believe the truth and is determined to see him dead once and for all.

Brought together by an angry god and chased by ancient enemies out to kill them both, they must find a way to overcome their mutual hatred or watch as one of the darkest of powers rises and kills both the races they’ve sworn to protect.

Review: Chosen by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

CHOSEN

By P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Book 3 in the House of Night Series

St. Martin’s Griffin / 175 Fifth Avenue / New York, NY 10010

First Printing: 2008

ISBN-13: 978-0-312-36030-6

ISBN-10: 0-312-36030-4

Amazon; Barnes and Noble; Goodreads

Concept: “Bloodlust and dark forces are at work at the House of Night and fledging vampire Zoey Redbird’s adventures at the school take a mysterious turn. Those who appear to be friends are turning out to be enemies. And, oddly enough, sworn enemies are also turning into friends. So begins the gripping third installment of this “highly addictive series” (Romantic Time BOOKreviews), in which Zoey’s mettle will be tested like never before. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey doesn’t have a clue how to help her, but she does know that anything she and Stevie Rae discover must be kept secret from everyone else at the House of Night where trust has become a rare commodity. Speaking of rare, Zoey finds herself in the very rare position of having three boyfriends, a situation with the potential to spell social disaster. Then vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. But as Zoey and her friends find out, things are not always what they seem….

Review: My fellow reviewers have been starting out their reviews of this book complaining about how long it took for the author to get into the story. They said that most of the book was a rerun of the first two books. I don’t want to copy their exact words but, in the words of this twit teenager Zoey, oh mah gawd! It’s like SO bad! ::eyeroll:: It really IS that bad. So we start out with Zoey feeling all sorry for herself because her birthday and Christmas fall at the same time and everyone gives her the dreaded combination gift. As an aside, she’s feeling badly because her best friend Stevie Rae is well, undead. You’d have to follow along with this series to know that there is the okay dead, the undead dead which is really dead, but another kind of dead, and then there are humans which are really undead because they are alive but not the same. You see where I’m going with this? Anyway, back to the synopsis – so Zoey finds herself running into Stevie Rae who she decides she wants to cure from being undead and ends up enlisting the help of Aphrodite, a former enemy who, in my opinion, is the most fascinating character of the series. She also has to deal with her human boyfriend Heath, her vampyre boyfriend Eric and an adult teacher at the academy. While Zoey and Aphrodite are working on finding a way to help out Stevie Rae, they end up discovering a tortured body of a teacher and an investigation is launched by the school. So who is the killer? Will Zoey and Aphrodite figure out how to help Stevie Rae? Will Zoey pick a boyfriend? Only ONE of those questions gets answered in this story.

What I liked: This is the 3rd book in the House of Night series. In keeping with what I am enjoying about these books, I have to say that it’s the story that keeps me coming back. It’s a good story, with some fun characters. This is a young adult novel so with that comes some youthful dialogue which can drive me personally up a wall, but it’s not written for me, it’s written for young adults. You have to give this book credit where credit is due.

What I disliked: *** SPOILER ALERT *** If my teen were to be acting and behaving like Zoey, I would be having some serious heart to hearts with her. Her grandmother seems to just let Zoey be Zoey without any sort of guidance which of course Zoey loves. That’s a minor problem. Now, I have to tell you, I am not a prude. In fact, I may swing a little too far in the opposite direction of prude. So when I tell you that I became uncomfortable with some issues in this book, you’ll know that they are really questionable. There’s a character that is gay. This character doesn’t just happen to be homosexual as heterosexuals just happen to be hetero. No. this poor guy is characterized as flamboyantly gay but, not because of what he does, but by the way Zoey treats him. As I said, it made me uncomfortable. The author makes Christianity out to be the bad guy in this (and some of the others) and that too makes me uncomfortable. I think the whole paranormal genre can be looked at as "fun" without having to make some sort of political statement against religion which is what I feel like the author is making. Zoey also starts to have an affair with an adult teacher. She even sleeps with him. Gives up her virginity to the man. He turns out to be evil (which could be a lesson to youth out there I suppose). While she is doing this though, she is also *going* with a human boyfriend AND a fellow classmate. Where are the morals here? On top of that, and probably the thing that got me the most, in a moment of anger, Zoey is responsible for “blowing” away some disrespectful voyeurs that bust her and Heath (another stereotype character that made me feel uncomfortable). The problem is that she “blows” them into a truck and we never find out what happens to them. They could have been killed for all we know. Our dear Zoey never cared enough to find out! It’s awful I tell you!!! Awful! It’s also awful that because I do enjoy the story and because I will forever wonder if Zoey will ever grow up and because I am curious about the characters I do enjoy, I’ll continue to read the next books in the series. I really do hope they get better.

My rating: 3 stars. 3 WEAK stars.

Kelly