Now in My Bookbag: Blessed (The Watchers Trilogy #2) by S.J. West

I just read this book again, for about the seventh time, because I owe this great story a review.

Blessed is the continuation of the story about Lilly Rayne Nightingale and her close friends. It speaks of destiny, freewill and love. Although this is a paranormal story, the characters feel real and lovable, and the story about fallen angels feels solid and plausible.

I love the way West brings this book, and series, to life. This book is written to touch the heart, and make it race at times. The level of ‘action’ is increased and there is danger from more than one entity. There is an excitement to this story that ensnares me and propels me through the book.

The story of Lilly and Brand is very romantic. Brand is such a thoughtful, loving character, so is Malcolm (in his own way). Lilly is always willing to sacrifice to save the one’s she loves. Tara is fabulous, funny and fearless. Will is protective and lovesick. Each of the other characters in her circle of friends adds a layer of depth to the story of The Watchers.

I highly recommend this trilogy to older young adults, and anyone older than that.

Now in My Bookbag: Dawn (The Dire Wolves Chronicles Book #3 and Series Finale) by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Dawn brings the conclusion to The Dire Wolves Chronicles. It is here that we learn the fate of Gage and Mary Anne. There are also new characters, as well as the return of some ancillary characters from previous books.

While I am glad to finally learn the outcomes for Gage, Mary Anne, and Hunter, I am left with several questions regarding the outcomes for some of the other characters. I am hoping that future chronicles will include some of the answers to those questions.

I am thoroughly pleased with the storytelling by Ivy. She has a truly magical touch in the creation of paranormal creatures who exist in a ‘normal’ world. Her well written books draw you into the story and make you forget for a while that her characters are fictional.

I recommend the entire Dire Wolves trilogy, including Dawn (despite the questions invoked). 

I rate this book 4 stars. I rate the trilogy 4 1/2 stars.

Now in My Bookbag: Cursed (Book One of The Watchers Trilogy) by S.J. West

This review is long overdue. I realized yesterday that, though I have rated this book in the past, I never actually did a written review of this series. This gives me the awesome excuse to read these books again.

West does an excellent job telling the story of Lilly Rayne Nightingale and her introduction to the paranormal world of the Watchers. Lilly is a strong, compelling character with a kind heart and an abundance of love and friendship within her circle.

Characters from Lilly’s circle, (including Will, Brand and Malcolm), bring reminiscence, romance, friendship and heat. They also come with secrets. Lilly’s best friend Tara is tough, funny and loving. These characters are all lovable, and their different personalities flavor the Watchers’ stories in a very enticing way.

The story is well written and complex. With precision, West weaves together a fabric of new adulthood, new love, mysteries, thrills and an exciting new paranormal world.

This read is thoroughly enjoyable, and I highly recommend it.

Although it is listed as a Young Adult book, I would classify it more toward Coming of Age or New Adult due to some mature content. 

Now in My Bookbag: The Guardian (The Guardians 1) by Katie Klein

The Guardian is a good read for young teens. The story follows a nice, paranormal concept with young love romance as a bonus. It is written with loose structuring, and it is difficult to track the passage of time within the story. 

The book has most of the elements needed to create a tightly woven world with complex characters. However, The Guardian never reaches that potential. It remains a bare bones story that refuses to grow up.

After reading through the book twice, I am, as yet, unsure about reading the final two books of the trilogy.

With so much missed opportunity, The Guardian gets 3 stars from me.

Now in My Bookbag: Devastation (A Beastly Tale Part 3) By H.J. Haag

Devastation is a phenomenally written conclusion to the Beastly Tale Trilogy. It has intelligence, humor, frustration and acceptance.

Benella is such a wonderful character… endowed with intellect and beauty. It is a pleasure to see the way Haag continues Benella’s development through the completion of the tale. She constantly learns, grows and matures, and she is one of my favorite female characters in a long while.

Haag builds this world with the tools of her imagination. Throughout the trilogy, this world develops more and more definition until it becomes real. The characters, both lovable and unlovable, have clear identities. The settings and storytelling are perfection.

This book, and this series, are extremely well written and should be on everyone’s must-read list. 

5 stars!

Now in My Bookbag: Deceit (A Beastly Tale Part 2) by M.J. Haag

Deceit is a beautifully written, heartwarming, heart breaking read. Haag is a magnificent storyteller. The result of her skill is a magical tale and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Benella’s choices are almost always based in logic. She realizes that to free herself, she must first free The Beast. The Beast’s decisions are purely tied to his emotions. He has, after all, been cursed to live in the body of an animal for fifty years. The beauty of the story lies in the complex relationship between the two.

Deceit is intelligent, enticing and a wonderful treat for the imagination. The cliffhanger is shocking, heartbreaking and well thought out.  It is a 5 star book and a must read.

Now in My Bookbag: Renegade (Heven and Hell #4) by Cambria Hebert

Renegade is full of emotion without all the angst (which I truly appreciate). For me though, there is a little bit too much lag in places, a little too much ‘filler’ while waiting for the ‘real’ action to start. There are quite a few twists in the telling of this story. It just feels as though the story would be told just as well without the extraneous happenings, ie… green fog..

I must admit that I didn’t really see Riley’s nor Ana’s paths ending where they did. I can say that for most of the ancillary characters. What I did expect, and am so happy to see, is the strength Heven develops throughout the series. Hebert tells the story of Heven brilliantly. Hebert lovingly weaves Heven from a broken shell into the warrior with a heart that she was always meant to be.

I am torn on my rating for Renegade. There is a lot of action (necessary and unnecessary). There is a little too much filler, but the parts of the story necessary for the journey are really good. Because the rating actually falls between 31/2 and 4, I am giving this book 4 stars. I do recommend to those who have already read the rest of the series.