Nocturnal Book Reviews

Vika's Early Dystopian Sci-Fi Review: Prototype by M.D. Waters

Wednesday, July 23, 2014 | Posted by Victoria S

Prototype (Archetype #2) by M.D. Waters

Ecopy thanks to Edelweiss

Synopsis from Goodreads

The stunning debut that began with Archetype— and has readers buzzing—concludes in Prototype, when a woman’s dual pasts lock onto a collision course, threatening her present and future.

Emma looks forward to the day when she can let go of her past—both of them. After more than a year on the run, with clues to her parents’ whereabouts within her grasp, she may finally find a place to settle down. Start a new life. Maybe even create new memories with a new family.

But the past rises to haunt her and to make sure there’s nowhere on the planet she can hide. Declan Burke wants his wife back, and with a little manipulation and a lot of reward money, he’s got the entire world on his side. Except for the one man she dreads confronting the most: Noah Tucker.

Emma returns to face what she’s done but finds that the past isn’t the problem. It’s the present—and the future it represents. Noah has moved on and another woman is raising their daughter.

In the shocking conclusion to M.D. Waters’s spectacular debut, Emma battles for her life and her freedom, tearing down walls and ripping off masks to reveal the truth. She’s decided to play their game and prove she isn’t the woman they thought she was. Even if it means she winds up dead. Or worse, reborn.

Release date: July 24th 2014.
Amazon US/UK | The Book Depository | Fishpond

9.5/10

* * *

Stunning! Having just finished the novel and still riding the sweet high of this exhilarating read the only thing I can say is that it is a must read for any sci-fi/dystopian/romance fans. The writing is great, the story – exciting, and the characters are complex and interesting.

Tags: 9.5/10, dystopia, m.d. waters, sci-fi, дистопия, научная фантастика

Time Travel/Historical Fiction Review: Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon

Monday, July 21, 2014 | Posted by kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews

Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #8)

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD is the eighth novel in the world-famous OUTLANDER series.

In June of 1778, the world turns upside-down. The British army withdraws from Philadelphia, George Washington prepares to move from Valley Forge in pursuit, and Jamie Fraser comes back from the dead to discover that his best friend has married Jamie’s wife. The ninth Earl of Ellesmere discovers to his horror that he is in fact the illegitimate son of the newly-resurrected Jamie Fraser (a rebel _and_ a Scottish criminal!) and Jamie’s nephew Ian Murray discovers that his new-found cousin has an eye for Ian’s Quaker betrothed.

Meanwhile, Claire Fraser deals with an asthmatic duke, Benedict Arnold, and the fear that one of her husbands may have murdered the other. And in the 20th century, Jamie and Claire’s daughter Brianna is thinking that things are probably easier in the 18th century: her son has been kidnapped, her husband has disappeared into the past, and she’s facing a vicious criminal with nothing but a stapler in her hand. Fortunately, her daughter has a miniature cricket bat and her mother’s pragmatism.

The best of historical fiction with a Moebius twist, WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD weaves the fibers of a family’s life through the tapestry of historical drama.
Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | Audible | The Book Depository | Fishpond

8.5/10

* * *

I started reading this on my kindle, but then remembered that Vika always listens to it on audio, and switched to it not being able to resist to Davina Porter's voice which sounds so like Dame Maggie Smith it's uncanny!

Tags: 8.5/10, diana gabaldon, historical fiction, romance, time travel, исторический роман, путешествие во времени

The Postman Knock #88

Sunday, July 20, 2014 | Posted by kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews

Hello, my dears!

We had a very eventful week, and I pretty much read bugger all. :)

My Russian cousin came to visit and we've been showing her around places like this one...

She just left today, so hopefully I'll get into reading and blogging more soon because I've pretty much run out of the pre-scheduled reviews.

READ:

Yes, I was binging on Annabel Joseph and I had to stop for now and go do other stuff as it's all blurring together. On one hand I love that she writes about artsy people, on the other hand sometimes she dips too much into dark romance for my comfort, so I'm on the fence about her.

NETGALLEY:

I got approved for this one, but the Adobe Digital copy is so badly formatted, unless Abrams kindly provides a copy on kindle (which wasn't available) I won't be able to read it.

BOUGHT:

So excited about both Rachel Aaron and Milan! Already started Courtney Milan, and she is exquisite as usual :)

This is it for me, lovelies. Have a fab weekend,

Tchau!

Tags: bookshelf, new books, the postman knock, книжная полка, новые книги

Friday Mini Reviews #26: Susan Illene, Tiffany Reisz & Heather Brewer

Friday, July 18, 2014 | Posted by kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews

Playing with Darkness by Susan Illene (The Sensor #3.5)

Ecopy thanks to the author

Synopsis from Goodreads

THIS NOVELLA IS INTENDED TO BE READ AFTER BOOK 3 OF THE SENSOR SERIES.

There’s no avoiding it. Melena must keep her promise to return the fae device that opens the portal to Purgatory. Except there’s one problem—Kerbasi. How can she go when she has one of heaven’s minions practically attached to her hip? One who will strike fear in the hearts of the fae the moment they realize who he is.

When her shape-shifter cat suddenly gets sick, she can’t delay the trip any longer. Only the fae can help get Sable healthy again. And if Kerbasi tries to cause any trouble while they are there, she’ll just have to find creative ways to keep him in line.

Amazon kindle US/UK

7.5/10

Cute and fun, this is a lightning fast read, that showcasts the ongoing changes in Melena, and how the balance of power in her relationship with Lucas is at last shifting. Lucas was even *gasp*flirty at times! And I loved the amount of snark in this installment. Kerbasi's involvement was a good call which added a very much needed hilarity to the series overall. Recommended.

* * *

Миленькая малютка-новелла от Сюзан Иллен, которая добавляет шуточный тон к в общем-то мрачноватой серии городского фэнтези. Мы не только начинаем видеть перемены физические и моральные в состоянии Мелены, но даже Люкас наконец-то немного расслабляется и даже немного флиртует! Кербаси так и остаётся хитом, и я надеюсь, что он сыграет большую роль в следующей полноценной книге серии. Рекомендую.

The Last Good Knight by Tiffany Reisz (#1 - 5)

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads

The 8th Circle - Three years before The Siren. When Mistress Nora, newly separated from her lover Søren, encounters a sexy newcomer at the 8th Circle it is lust at first sight. But when their session is cut short by Kingsley Edge, Nora vows to seduce the gorgeous submissive, even if it goes against all of Kingsley's orders.

The Last Good Knight is an Original Sinners novella told in five parts.

Amazon kindle US/UK

8/10

This was a very interesting short serial about Nora as a Domme way before we met her in The Siren for the first time. Her relationship with Lance was unexpectedly sweet and rang true, and her sass was just as formidable and sparkly as we remember. Also get ready for a judge with a foot fetish *smirks* Worth reading if you are craving more Nora between books, I really enjoyed it!

* * *

Интересный сериальный романчик о Норе 3 года до того, как мы впервые встретили её в Сирене. Он показывает её доминантом и рассказывает об её отношениях с Лансом. История получилась милой и горько-сладкой, и Нора даже в новеллах не потеряла свои дерзкое, острое чувство юмора и проницательность, за которые мы так её любим. Если вы по ней скучаете, очень эти новеллы советую.

Soulbound by Heather Brewer (Legacy of Tril #1)

gifted

Synopsis from Goodreads

Tril is a world where Barrons and Healers are Bound to each other: Barrons fight and Healers cure their Barrons' wounds in the ongoing war with the evil Graplar King. Seventeen-year-old Kaya was born a Healer, but she wants to fight. In Tril, and at Shadow Academy, where she is sent to learn to heal, it is against Protocol for Healers to fight. So Kaya must learn in secret. Enter two young men: One charming, rule-following Barron who becomes Bound to Kaya and whose life she must protect at all costs. And one with a mysterious past who seems bent on making Kaya's life as difficult as possible. Kaya asks both to train her, but only one will, and the consequences will change their lives forever.

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository | Fishpond

3/10

So much potential wasted with this YA fantasy, ladies and gents! It's my first contact with Heather Brewer and I am glad this book was gifted, otherwise I'd be pissed off spending all this money on the hardback with so little to show between the pages. Great ideas, reminded me a bit of Leigh Bardugo, intriguing characters, but the execution is haphazard and so full of plot holes that I ended up being mostly annoyed instead of entertained.

* * *

Твою налево, такой хороший потенциал автор просто убила в этом подростковом фэнтези! Интересная концепция, интригующие персонажи, но в сюжете было так много совершенно непростительных дыр, что я по большей части была раздражена вместо того, чтобы получить от этой книги хоть какое-то удовольствие. Не советую.

Tags: 3/10, 7.5/10, 8/10, friday mini reviews, heather brewer, susan illene, tiffany reisz