Review: Tracking the Tempest

368 Pages
Published in 2010
By Nicole Peeler

"Engulfed in fire, we barely kept it at bay with our shields. We were as yet unharmed, but fire and snapping energy were everywhere. Only then did my dazzled brain put together what had just happened.

I may have fled Boston for my own safety, but all I'd accomplished was bringing danger directly to Rockabill and the people I loved." (p.98)


SYNOPSIS:

The second installment in the Jane True series opens four months after Jane's last adventure. Jane is balancing her routine schedule with her new supernatural life, which includes magic training with the gnome, Nell.


Just as Janes grasps the basic concepts of building protective shields and creating mage lights, she becomes swept up in a new adventure that will truly test her inner and magical strength.


We also see the continuation of the love story between Jane and Ryu, the sexy investigator baobhan sith. Their relationship intensifies and Jane is forced to confront her feelings for Ryu, especially difficult when Anyan, the barghest, resurfaces.

REVIEW:

This installment functions as just that, an installment in a series. I suppose that since this series will be extending for six books in total - that it will take some time before all of our (and Jane's) questions are answered. For instance, we still do not encounter her mom, (which I am sure will occur at some point since the author has Ryu mention that it is usually the female supernatural that takes care of halfing children), nor do we really understand the reason behind the attacks on halflings from Jimmu, and we still do not know the underlying reason for Ryu and Anyan's animosity.


That said, I did enjoy this book and will be looking forward to reading the next. We are still treated to a hilarious and witty character who is brought to life by her love for cooking, her dedication to her small town and friends, and her care for her dad. 


The readers also see more of Ryu and Jane's relationship - and that it is not all about lust. Their relationship also faces realistic challenges and Ryu's character is developed further . Lastly, the attraction between Anyan and Jane are more evident, providing us with a hint of what may come.


Of course there were some things that were not so great. For one, Jane didn't seem as funny as she was in book one. Also, Ryu is shown to develop real feelings for Jane, who surprisingly is very suspicious about his motives. We see Jane struggle to remain independent, but we aren't sure at what point that had become an issue, and whether it really is one. Lastly, the entire plot just seemed to be an effort to continue the story rather than enrich it.


However, since I really do like Jane's character, I would recommend you read this book if you plan on following the series.

♥ ♥ .5 = liked it

Review: Lucinda, Darkly

304 Pages
Published in 2009
By Sunny

"I fought desperately to control the force flowing from me. It was like a living thing. A thing that wanted to bite and claw and tear into him with mental as well as physical force, devouring his mind as well as his body. Eat! it demanded. And it did not care if it was pain or pleasure that it devoured." (p.90)




SYNOPSIS:

Lucinda is the princess of Hell, a former Monere queen that has been existing as a demon for over six hundred years. Her small, womanly curves disguise her inhuman strength and her ruthlesness in tracking down rogue Monere warriors.

On one such mission, she meets Stefan, who is like no other warrior she has encountered. His warmth touches her deeply and makes her feel, which she has not experienced in a very, very long time.

While deciding if she will accept his offer of companionship, she is summoned to capture and return a new rogue warrior to his queen. Although Lucinda is at first disgusted by the warrior, she ends up saving him from his evil queen. Lucinda also rescues a different creature from the queen, a Flower of Darkness who had been kidnapped from Hell as a babe.

What follows is her struggles to control her inner beast, accept her newfound compassion for others, and protect the men she now has under her care.

REVIEW:

I was aware that this is an adult paranormal novel (which in that case I have to put out there - please do NOT read this novel if you are underage), but I did not realize the number and ...uh... imaginative sex scenes that would permeate the story. Fortunately for me, I do enjoy a change from the usual YA tension causing/teaser  character chemistry.

Secondly, I liked the concept and exploration of Hell that the author brings to life - a world that is both organized and hierarchial. The creatures from Hell also have emotional capability which is unlike how most demonic creatures are portrayed.

That said, onto the cons. I found myself very confused for most of the book about who were the Moneres and who are these living dead and what are each of their capabilities. I know that this story is an offshoot from another series, but I feel the author should have explained the background a bit more, especially since it is book  one.

Also, I felt that the author should have been more descriptive of Hell. The impression I got was that it was mainly a barren landscape, where occassionally a viscious creature would pop up, especially at night. For me, that was not enough.

Overall, I did like the book, but I probably won't be picking up any more in the series.

♥ ♥ .5 = liked it