Marina's 5 Loveys Review: Shield of Winter (Psy-Changeling #13) by Nalini Singh

Shield of Winter  (Psy-Changeling #13)  by Nalini Singh

 Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch—if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life. 

For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake…

Having rebuilt her life after medical “treatment” that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness.

• Release Date:  June 3rd 2014        
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover               
• Author's web site

* No Spoilers!

 To say I loved this book will be an understatement!!!!!!

“”To be and Arrow is to be an island, devoid of attachments that create vulnerability.””

 First code of Arrows

I am a huge fan of Vasic as a character, even though we only got bits and pieces of him throughout the series I was very intrigued to find the story behind the man and in Shield of Winter I really got what I was looking for.

In Shield of Winter we are facing a lot of problems, the terrible disease that spreads in the Net and it’s destroying hundreds of people at a time, the fall of Silence and the uncertainty that has created and the complete absence of the Council to rule the Psys. The opportunity has arose for the Arrows to play a huge part in the preservation and the stability of their people.

My main interest in this book isn't the romance (I’m telling the truth!!!). I was SO interested in Vasic, I wanted to know his story so much that his lady was doomed to be the second character but….in the end I really liked Ivy! I found her refreshing and original. Although she was hurt in the past, although she was emotionally fragile she had a steel backbone, she found the strength to open her heart to a man that came from hell and not only him but she embraced all his brothers and sisters.

The treasure I found in this book is the hidden relationship Vasic had with the Grandfather; Zie Zen gives us the history before silence, he explains why so many people were lost and he gives us a way out when the time was almost over for Vasic and his beautiful love story with his Sunny was heartbreaking.

But most of all I loved the bond Vasic shares with Aden, I knew they were close, I knew they were part of the same team but the story behind in blew my mind. I loved the memories they shared and I loved the unyielding trust. 

“To Vasic, Aden had helped him stay sane. To Aden, Vasic had helped him stay upright when he would've fallen. One lost boy helping another.” 

Overall I loved Shield of Winter very, very much. The story was so strong, the characters so engaging that I got lost in the pages and traveled with them.

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Marina's Review: Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews

Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews




Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap.

• Release Date:  July 30th 2013 by 
• Publisher: Ace
• Author's web site

*Mild Spoilers


When it comes to Kate Daniels I can’t be objective I loved her from page one on Magic Bites and I still love her all through her journey in magic Atlanta, all through her six books of adventure, drama, passion and disappointment.


Magic Rises is the sixth book of Kate Daniels and Co adventures and in this book she comes face to face with her great fears both physical and emotional.


In the far away land of Georgia in the banks of the Black Sea three packs are fighting over a pregnant woman and Curran and his pack are invited to play the peace maker and will be rewarded with panacea. What they don’t know is that the biggest player of them all is Hugh D’Ambray the master of the castle, their host, the preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Roland’s commander. 


I was quite socked by Hugh, I expected that the man Kate fears most (besides Roland) would be…scary! Well he is, but he is also an intriguing character, a master of manipulation, a passionate man and a fierce negotiator; Hugh uses EVERY weapon in his disposal to isolate Kate from the pack and Curran and the only reason for failing is Kate’s sheer stubbornness. Their chemistry is Wicked Good!!!! The memories they share are unique and I loved the way their history unfolded itself, the similarities they share due to their upbringing and of course their differences and their fighting scenes are breathtaking!!!

““There are thousands of shapeshifters. Kill a hundred and there are always more. But there hasn’t been another one like you for five thousand years. I would slaughter everyone in that room below for a shot at a single conversation with you.””


In this book Kate realizes that although she has Currans’ love, her friends’ devotions and the Packs’ loyalty she will always be different. Despite the fact that she was raised to BE on her own the time she shared with Curran and the Pack has forever altered her and in this book she realizes the fear of losing everything, of being alone. 


A lot of favorite characters impressed me in this book, first of all Mahon and Aunt B!!!!!!! But I will always love Derek! His character will never cease to amaze me. I want to see him grow, I want to see him dream and I want to see him find a new purpose in his life. He is the brother I dream of having and the boyfriend I will never have (why? Oh, why?).


Getting to know Jim’s sister was brilliant, Dessandra is a perfect addition to the pack and Christopher… I really want to know what more we could see from him.


On the final note I want to add that I’ve read a lot of UF books, there are few authors who could put their characters to test the way the Andrews did with Kate and Curran and come whole on the other side, plus there are even less that could introduce a hobbit and not have the whole book community LOLing on their account.

“”I’d managed to find a hobbit in the Caucasus Mountains. I wondered what he would do if I asked him about second breakfast.””


Overall I love Kate Daniels! If you still haven’t read the books what are you waiting for????


P.S Magic Rises comes with a bonus. “An Ill-Advised Rescue," is a short story which centers on the kidnapping and rescue of Saiman by Kate and Derek.

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Marina's Review: The Jade Temptress (The Pingkang Li Mysteries #2) by Jeannie Lin

The Jade Temptress (The Pingkang Li Mysteries #2) by Jeannie Lin 


Welcome to the infamous Pingkang Li—home of the celebrated Lotus Palace courtesans, and a place of beauty and treachery...

Charming and seductive, Mingyu is the most sought-after hostess in the pleasure quarter. She has all men wrapped around her finger—except Constable Wu Kaifeng, the one man she can't resist, the only man to have placed her in chains.

Wu Kaifeng's outwardly intimidating demeanor hides a reluctant, fierce attraction to beautiful Mingyu. But the passionate temptation she presents threatens to destroy them both when a powerful official is murdered and they find themselves on a deadly trail. Amid the chaos, a forbidden affair could change Mingyu's fate forever, for following her heart is bound to have consequences..

• Release Date:  February 18th 2014
• Publisher: Harlequin HQN
• Author's web site

* Minor Spoilers

While reading The Jade Temptress two things became apparent this book was a part of a series and that I was going to invest more time (and money) to the rest of this series.


Having said that I must add I didn’t find any difficulties reading this second book of the Pingkang Li Mysteries and Jeannie Lin  has managed to create an engaging, lyrical and so very different historical romance / mystery world in the mist of all the English regency books; so no more petticoats and English tone and yes to courtesans and teahouses.


Lady Mingyu is a popular courtesan, an asset to her house because she has a generous patron General Deng. But when the General is found dead in his own home and all of his guards missing Mingyu is seeking the help of Constable Wu Kaifeng!!!! Constable Wu is a mysterious man, balancing his dark past and the stability of his present Wu is aware just how precious Lady Mingyu and how precarious is her situation. Despite their differences Mingyu and Wu are an exceptional couple and the mystery that surrounds them is surprisingly intriguing.


Overall The Jade Temptress is a fresh and unique book, with interesting interactions and a beautiful world and I’m really looking forward to the next of the series!!!!!

*Arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.

                                                      

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Marina's Review: Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. 
In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 
Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 
When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

• Release Date:  February 4th 2014 
• Publisher: Feiwel and Friends 
• Author's web site

* Minor Spoilers

In the third installment of the Lunar Chronicles the world for our heroes live in is at a turmoil.

We’ve met little Crescent Moon in the previous books while she tries to warn Cinder for the future of Emperor Kai, up in her satellite observing from afar everything that is happening in Earth Cress finds that her loyalties are changing and she tries to help the fugitives Cinder, Thorn, Wolf and Scarlet.

In her book Cress is thrown into action from page 1, with her handsome protector Captain Thorn they try to survive at the desert while Scarlet is a prisoner in Luna, Cinder, Wolf, Iko and an unexpected ally find themselves in a friendly environment with Dr. Erland. Emperor Kai is facing the great trouble of preparing for his marriage with the Lunar Queen Levana while inside him it just feels like screaming. 

Our heroes in this book evolve and mature but they remain fresh and vivid, Cress is a typical damsel in distress (as she calls herself) but hides a heart of steal and a clever mind that she isn't afraid to use, I especially loved the way she saw earth and every little thing that filled her with wonder.

“An animal?" Thorne said, and she realized he'd been waiting for her to further explain what she was seeing.
"It has long legs and horns and...and it's beautiful."
"Oh, good, we're back to this, then.” 

My absolutely favorite couple broke my heart to pieces, loosing Scarlet was a turn of events that I didn't see coming and Wolf fells empty and broken and has no way to tunnel his frustration, for a mutated creature he shows great depth of emotions and I just love him…….

My only complaint in this book is that we didn't spent the proper time with our heroes; although I love Cinder and Kai and Scarlet and Wolf I felt that they took up the amount of time that was meant for Cress and Thorne so I lost the opportunity to really get to know them, in addition to that Thorn’s character felt less developed and matured and sincerely hope that we see much more of that in the following book.

Overall Cress is a perfect addition to the series both characters are completely lovable and the couples from the previous books evolve and shine even more.

P.S Even if she is an android Iko is one of my favorite characters in this series and Jacin I find him very intriguing.

“See? Injustice. Here we are, risking our lives to rescue Kai and this whole planet, and Adri and Pearl get to go to the royal wedding. I’m disgusted. I hope they spill soy sauce on their fancy dresses.”

Jacin’s concern turned fast to annoyance. “Your ship has some messed-up priorities, you know that?”

“Iko. My name is Iko. If you don’t stop calling me the ‘ship,’ I am going to make sure you never have hot water during your showers again, do you understand me?”

“Yeah, hold that thought while I go disable the speaker system.”


“What? You can’t mute me. Cinder!” 

                                                   

    
                                                   

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Marina's 5 Loveys Review: Scarlet {Lunar Chronicles #2} by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer 

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

• Release Date:  February 5th 2013
• Publisher: Feiwel and Friends 
• Author's web site

* Minor Spoilers

In “Scarlet” the second book of the Lunar Chronicles we find yet another fairy tale princess in another controversy role. 

Scarlet is a girl living in a farm in France with her grandmother who just disappeared and Scarlet will use every means possible to retrieve her which includes a street fighter with extremely luminous eyes named Wolf (!!!), while a thousand miles away in New Beijing Cinder is escaping the high security prison Emperor Kai put her for high treason with the help of charming Captain Thorn (!!!).

What I found fascinating in this book is the complexity and diversity of the main Characters; Scarlet and Cinder are unique yet  so very different, Cinder is still young and naive while Scarlet is down to earth and determined; they both fight with passion and are completely loyal to their friends.

But most of all I loved Wolf and Thorn, discovering those two guys was my absolute reward for reading these books, a gift from the author all for me. Wolf was born in Luna, was mutated and had his head violated over and over again in order to be an assassin by the devious Queen Levana, Thorn is a beautiful thief full of himself and with an extremely witty tongue. 

I loved the open-heartiness of Thorn: 

“A relieved grin filled up Thorne’s face. “We’re having another moment, aren’t we?”

“If by a moment, you mean me not wanting to strangle you for the first time since we met, then I guess we are.” 

The inner turmoil of Wolf:

 “I knew they would kill me when they found out, but…” He struggled for words, releasing a sharp breath. “I think I realized that I would rather die because I betrayed them, than live because I betrayed you.” 

The stories of the two girls intertwine and while the one runs for her life and the other runs for her grandmother ultimately their paths are meant to cross.

                                                   

    
                                                   

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Marina's 5 Loveys Review: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer 

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

• Release Date:  January 2012
• Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
• Author's web site

* Minor Spoilers

After the end of WWIV the world is a bit different than we know it. In Eastern Commonwealth the streets of New Beijing are filled with humans and androids but they hide terror and desperation too.

Around the world a plague is ravaging the population a plague that no one has managed to find the cure.

Our heroine Cinder has spent all her life hiding her true identity from everyone, she hides her hands with gloves and her leg with cargo pants but she can't hide her differences from herself. 

Young Prince Kai is terrified of his father’s death, he isn’t ready to face being an emperor but most of all he isn’t ready to face Queen Levana, the Lunar Queen who is trying to find excuses to invade Earth and destroy Earthens forever.

This remake of the classic tale of Cinderella is a truly unique book, the world-building is fresh, the characters are matured from the misfortunes and hardened by the war, and the twists are so beautifully woven that you almost forget what if follows a certain pattern.

All the side characters are amazing, wicked Stepmother and Sisters are strategically positioned, the android Iko with the dry sense of humor and the girl’s insecurities, and I especially loved Dr. Erland as a fairy-god-mother.

The romance between the main MC is going to trouble us in the following books and I am comforted by the thought that is a slow build instead of love-at-first-site especially since Cinder is very young.

I really enjoyed this book while reading it took my mind from reality and introduced me to a new fairy tale world.

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