Advance Review: Healer's Choice by Jory Strong

Book: HEALER'S CHOICE
Author: JORY STRONG
Genre: URBAN FANTASY/PARANORMAL ROMANCE


I received this ARC from the author, Jory Strong
Picture courtesy of Good Reads


Review
Rebekka is born into violence, where outcast Weres, who have only a mixed human-animal form, are used for depraved and torturous purposes. Human herself, she can move among the two worlds, as a healer. Her talent allowing for even more atrocities to be perpetrated, she is used to keep the outcast in line for their masters. But, a prophesy looms over Rebekka, and now her own life in in danger.

She must enter the world of the Jaguar weres. Those who have dangerous views on the outcasts, and whose leader has a dangerous need for Rebekka. She will have to face the dead ancestors that have power over the living and the dead. She will have to reconcile her feelings for Aryck, the next leader of the Jaguars. But, most of all, she will have to stop a plague that threatens the lives of all Weres, and is masterminded by one of the most evil humans to walk in her world.

HEALER'S CHOICE is the third installment in Jory Strong's GHOSTLAND WORLD series. Though, the world is the same throughout the novels, each one focuses on a different aspect, and has different main characters that take the helm. HEALER'S CHOICE focuses on Rebekka and Aryck. There is a chance to see both of them in their own native environment, before their paths end up joining. And, I think it helped me to get inside the heads of both characters and understand their motivations more, instead of only seeing them as part of a couple or a team.

I was blown away by how involved I got in the story line, while I was reading. Even when bringing to the forefront the really brutal realities of living in Rebekka's world, I never wanted to put the book down. Strong took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. In just the first few chapters, my heart beat faster with anxiety for the outcasts that were trying to escape their horrific lives, the outrage at how Weres were treated, and the pride at how Rebekka risks her own life to help them.

The changing point of view between Rebekka, Aryck, and even the villians of the novel ratcheted up the suspense and sense of danger really well, and kept me turning the pages until the very last page. HEALER'S CHOICE can be read as a stand-alone novel, but when I finished, I wanted to immediately go out and find the two previous installments, GHOSTLAND and SPIDER-TOUCHED. Strong delivers a tense novel that is sure to be a hit with fans of darker fantasy or urban fantasy.

5/5 for plot
4.5/5 for characters
4.5/5 for language

My Rating: 14/15 Must Read
Bonus Cover Points: 3.5/5 (finished cover)

Book Review: Heart's Desire by Jessie Colter

Book: HEART'S DESIRE
Author: JESSIE COLTER
Genre: YA PARANORMAL ROMANCE


I received this book from Heeter Promotions, via the author for review (ebook format)
Picture courtesy of Good Reads

Review
It seems as if Morgan and Skye are soulmates. After meeting him the day that he transfers to her high school (and he saves Skye from an uncomfortable situation with her ex-boyfriend), the two seem inseperable. Only, Morgan's idea of mate is vastly different than Skye's.

While Morgan is driven to protect her from any harm, his secret might drive Skye away. And, it's not a matter of if she finds out about his other hidden side, it's when. During the full moon, the animal will come out to play...

I enjoyed reading HEART'S DESIRE. The characters of Skye and Morgan were easy to understand, and relate to. Jessie Colter tells their story in third person, but lets the primary point-of-view alternate between the two main characters. In paranormal YA (especially involving shapeshifters), the male character or love interest tends to be an overwhelmingly alpha person. But, Morgan was much more emotionally fleshed out. I actually felt like I was in his head more than Skye's.

There were situations where Morgan became very alpha, but they were well placed, and important to the plot. His behavior was consistent, as an emotionally balanced person. I find that I have read too many shapesifter characters that are largely stoic, and show very few emotions aside from rage or lust. It was refreshing to read characters that seemed like they belonged in high school.


I haven't even mentioned some of the other themes that appear, such as domestic abuse, and Skye's mother, who is definitely an enabler. I've mentioned in other reviews, the perception that parents have to be bad or absent in YA books, just to allow the main characters to find their way into the trouble that might occur, as part of the plot. Without going on too long, I will just say that Jessie Colter explores this in HEART'S DESIRE, and portrays a very important theme that teens probably will encounter at some point. And, she does a good job writing it with emotion.

I don't buy that teens always have think and speak as if they are the same age as their parents. In fact, there are time that I have finished a YA book, thinking that the character's age was the only thing that made it feel YA. The bottom line is that I want to read a YA novel, and it feel like it is a YA novel. Of course, I want something well-written. I want something with good characterization, good prose, and good dialog. But, I'd like to put the book down thinking, 'Yes! I do remember those exact feelings. Maybe, just minus the boyfriend that changes into a panther on the full moon', instead of thinking that I had the same experience last week at the wine bar.

4/5 for plot
3.5/5 for characters
3.5/5 for language

My Rating: 11/15 Recommend
Bonus Cover Points: 3/5

Book Review: Serpent Moon by C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp

Book: SERPENT MOON
Author: C.T. ADAMS AND CATHY CLAMP
Genre: PARANORMAL ROMANCE/FANTASY

I purchased this book
Picture courtesy of Good Reads

Review
SERPENT MOON takes place in the world of the Sazi, a world that C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp have created, where shapeshifters have magic, and good and evil exist within them. This book is the eighth in the series, and introduces Eric Thompson and Holly Sanchez.

Eric is a wolf, with a powerful Sazi howl; one that is too dangerous in the human world. Holly lived most of her life as a human family member of the Sazi, being mistreated and ignored. Then, she is attacked and turned. But, being 'one of them', alienates her from the humans that were her friends.

When the two meet, Holly has found herself (and her extraordinary healing powers) the target of the evil Nasil. He is the Sazi that has helped to bring forth the destructive Marduc. Eric and Holly must figure out his plan, help in a Sazi vs. Sazi war, and hopefully find themselves on the winning side.

Oh, yes. And also fall in love. Because Eric wants Holly as his mate. However Holly only wished to be human again. She will have to choose one or the other. Amidst the war in the human world, and the war within Holly, SERPENT MOON brings together and ties off many of the story lines that had been created in previous Sazi novels.

C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp have written an excellent addition to the TALES OF THE SAZI series. Holly Sanchez had been previously introduced, and I admit that I was one of the readers that wanted more. More of her story, and more about her situation. I was not disappointed.

While there were multiple plots involved, I was able to follow along, and the different strands were brought together and seamlessly fused to make one great ending to the ascension of Marduc. The only drawback is that SERPENT MOON is not a stand-alone novel. Readers will not be able to pick up this book, if the others in the series haven't been read first.

Read my review on Good Reads for more about my rating. There will be slight spoilers.

My Rating: 12/15 Highly Recommend
Bonus Cover Points: 3/5