Title: Evernight

Author: Kristen Callihan

Series: Darkest London, #5

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Imprint: Forever

Publication date: August 26th, 2014

My rating: 4 of 5

(Book read from September 27th to September 28th, 2014,  from an eARC received from the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review.) 

Summary:

Once the night comes . . . 

Will Thorne is living a nightmare, his sanity slowly being drained away by a force he can't control. His talents have made him the perfect assassin for hire. But as he loses his grip on reality, there is no calming him — until he finds his next target: the mysterious Holly Evernight. 

Love must cast aside the shadows . . . 

Holly cannot fathom who would put a contract on her life, yet the moment she touches Will, the connection between them is elemental, undeniable — and she's the only one who can tame his bouts of madness. But other assassins are coming for Holly. Will must transform from killer to protector and find the man who wants Holly dead . . . or his only chance for redemption will be lost.

 

 

My Thoughts on the Book:

As always, when it comes to this series, I've had mixed feelings. Some things I really liked, some I didn't, but overall, I enjoyed Evernight, and I liked a lot the main characters.

I must admit that I'm not too fond of the author's writing style & choice of words at times. But, she writes quite likable & interesting main characters, with great chemistry between them, so I pretend not to get too irritated by the few tiny details I'm not too fond of... It's a subjective thing. That being said, even though her world is interesting, it's another thing I can't say it quite works for me.

But, after the events in Shadowdance, I was really interested in reading Will & Holly's story. Evernight might not have been as great as Shadowdance, but it was still good, though mostly because the chemistry & interactions between the main characters worked. Will & Holly worked well together, the dialogues & banter between them was entertaining, the chemistry was sizzling, and I just wanted to see them happy together, especially after all they've been through...

The overall story was interesting enough, though nothing was surprising, but I liked the way Holly & Will's story ended, and I'm definitely interested in reading the following book. Also, I loved seeing Jack & Mary again (they're definitely my most fav couple in the series), and seeing Jack happy totally made my day.

If you enjoyed the previous books in the series, or you're fan of adult paranormal or historical romances, I recommend Evernight!

 

 

Challenges: 

Summer Bookish Bingo

2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

September is for Sequels Challenge

Title: Shadowdance

Author: Kristen Callihan

Series: Darkest London, #4

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Imprint: Forever

Publication date: December 17th, 2013

My rating: 4 of 5

(Book read from February 8th to February 17th, 2014,  from an eARC received from the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review.)  

 

 

Summary:

Once a heart is lost in shadow... 

Life has been anything but kind to Mary Chase. But the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals has given her purpose. Now she's been tasked with catching a vicious murderer dubbed the Bishop of Charing Cross. But someone is already on the case—and the last thing he relishes is a partner.

Only someone who lives in darkness can find it.

Jack Talent has been alone with his demons for many years. He never expected to have the willful Mary Chase assist him on the Bishop case. Their age-old rivalry reaches new heights—even as their desire for one another reaches a fever pitch. Though he aches to bring her close, Jack's dark secrets are a chasm between them. With dangerous enemies closing in, Jack must find the strength to face the past...or risk losing Mary forever.

   

 

  

My Thoughts on the Book:

First of all, I have to point out that I've had mixed feelings when it comes to the Darkest London series. I loved the first book Firelight, as well as its prequel Ember, but when it comes to the following books, some parts of them I liked, some I disliked, even hated, and to be honest, I'm not overall sold to the world. But, since they've been available to be read on NetGalley, I've kept reading them, and finally I really liked another book in the series - Shadowdance.

What I liked the most about it are the main characters & their story. I've already met them before, and after everything they've been through, I wanted to see them getting a HEA, and I wanted to see they get it together, and this time it totally worked for me, which was a change compared to the previous two books.

I won't go into details about the story, but I think that it should at least be read the previous book before reading this one, though everything is explained. It was really heartbreaking what happened to Jack before, and to be honest, even though it wasn't the best coping method, I totally cheered him on ;) I wanted him to heal, and I wanted for him to get his revenge.

And than there's Mary Chase. I actually started to quite like her, she's a great heroine, and she can be bad-ass, and she's loyal, protective, and pretty much awesome about what she did. I guess I'm all about protecting the one you love, even from themselves.

Their chemistry & interactions were quite good, and they're perfect for each other in their own way.

As for the story, there weren't really any surprises in it for me, but once again the author has expanded the world. As I said, I can't say that it actually works for me, and I can't quite point out why, I just don't like it, but she really had created an interesting world.

If you're a fan of the Darkest London series, then you wouldn't want to miss reading Shadowdance, so I recommend it. As for me, I'm actually interested now in reading the next book Evernight, which will be Holly & Will Thorne's story. Will Thorne is a character I'm quite intrigued by, especially now after what happened to him in Shadowdance, so I'm really looking forward to reading this book!

 

 

 

 Challenges:

 

 2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

Title: Moonglow

Author: Kristen Callihan

Series: Darkest London #2

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Imprint: Forever

Publication date: July 31st, 2012

ISBN: 9781455508587

(Book read from an e-copy acquired through NetGalley from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.) 

My rating: 2.5 of 5 

 

Summary:

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

 

 

My Thoughts on the Book:

Ok, so I loved Firelight the first book in the Darkest London series, as well as it's prequel Ember, but Moonglow - not so much. I know I will be in the minority here, 'cause so many people loved it. I actually can't even say that I'm disappointed. Why? Well, it started like this (and there will probably be some spoilers from here on).   

At first, it was harder for me to get into it when compared with Firelight, but as soon as I did, I loved Moonglow. I loved the interactions & dialogues between Daisy & Ian, they were so fun, and they made me like them so much, and the mystery was so good, even suspenseful, I was so intrigued. Also, I liked that the author started to introduce other supernaturals, and I thought that the idea of the GIMs was really interesting.  

But, somehow it all went downhill...  

From what point, you might ask? Well, after the point when Daisy realises she has power, too (duh), saves Ian, and I got to think: "Great, she'll be a kickass heroine, too, because her ability is kickass" :) but NO, that so didn't happen...   

After this, it was all about the romance. Everything else fell in secondary plan. I mean, yeah, this is an adult romance novel, and I read them & love them, both paranormal & historical romances, but this was just too much. And I didn't even enjoyed reading this, I even started to dislike the characters, and the story, too. So, yeah, slowly, it went downhill... 

Some things I strongly disliked (and I'll try not to rant, although there will be spoilers): in one scene, Ian sees something, and he's like "WTF?" with exactly those words. I don't mind cussing in books, but exactly those words, seriously? So, he said "WTF?" and I was thinking (I might have even said) WTF about his WTF, and yeah, this choice of words really annoyed me. I mean, it's an expression I use, too, and although an old one, not something I'd expect in a historical novel. 

Another thing, my reaction on Daisy's illness - "Seriously?". That was just so unnecessary, and yeah, I'm going there - stupid. I mean we got the story with the mystery (although who exactly the evil one behind the poor werewolf really was surprised me (although I catched up early on who the werewolf is) and I liked the last scene between that werewolf & Daisy), so when she realised that she's ill & she'd dying, I knew how it will end, but I didn't like it, it was unnecessary, and yeah, I think the whole thing was plainly stupid & unnecessary. 

So, from great book that I loved, Moonglow became a book that I disliked, with stupid ending, that was definitely the lowest point of  the story...        

So, do I recommend this book? No. Not the worse book I've read, and it wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't a good one... :( But, I know that a lot of people enjoyed it, and I definitely recommend Firelight (which I loved), and if you enjoy that one, you might give a shot to this one. Will I continue reading the series? Yes. I still want to read Poppy & Winston's story, so I'll definitely pick up Winterblaze, and hopefully it will be much better...  

Challenges:

100+ Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012

2nds Challenge 2012

Netgalley Knockout

 

Title: Firelight

Author: Kristen Callihan

Series: Darkest London #1

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Imprint: Forever

Publication date: February 1st, 2012

ISBN: 9781455508594

(Book read from an e-copy acquired through NetGalley from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.) 

My rating: 4.5 of 5 

 

Summary:

London, 1881

Once the flames are ignited . . .

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . .

Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

 

 

My Thoughts on the Book:

Firelight is a historical paranormal romance, and a book that I loved. The basic idea is based on the Beauty & the Beast fairy tale, but in a way you could never have guessed, but Firelight is a story of its own. 

First, I have to mention that I absolutely loved Kristen Callihan's writing style. I loved the way she captured the atmosphere of the setting & everything that happened in the story, and got me wrapped up in the story & the characters, and loving every second of it!

Second, I loved the story. I won't go into details, but it was so good, the reason why exactly Archer is hiding himself behind a mask was quite unexpected, although some things I guessed, some I didn't, the mystery about who's the killer & why, so good & surprising, and I absolutely loved the ending, it was so great.     

I loved both Miranda & Archer as characters, and I loved them together, so overall, quite great & surprising book, and one of my favourite reads, definitely a book I'd read again, and I highly recommend it.  

Challenges:

100+ Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012

1st in a Series Challenge 2012

 ABC Challenge 2012

 

Title: Ember

Author: Kristen Callihan

Series: Darkest London #0.5

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Imprint: Forever

Publication date: February 1st, 2012

ISBN: 9781455516551

(Novella read from an e-copy acquired through NetGalley from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.) 

My rating: 4 of 5 

 

Summary:

This ebook-exclusive short story/novella is a prequel to Firelight.

After a fire consumes the Ellis family fortune, the beautiful and resourceful Miranda finds herself faced with an impossible dilemma: enter a life of petty crime or watch her family succumb to poverty. But once her fiancé learns of her descent into danger—and of the strange, new powers she's discovered—saving her family may come at the high price of her heart.

When Lord Benjamin Archer's one chance for redemption is destroyed by corrupt London antiquarian Hector Ellis, he vows to take what Ellis values most—his daughter Miranda. Forced to hide his face behind masks, Archer travels the world hoping to escape the curse that plagues him so that he can finally claim his prize.

But once Archer returns home to London, will it be revenge he seeks? Or will the flame-haired beauty ignite new, undeniable desires?

 

 

My Thoughts on the Novella:

Yeah, this novella is a prequel to Firelight, a book that I loved. But, although when it comes to prequels like this one, I usually read the novel first, and the prequel after, this time I read the prequel first, and I wasn't wrong that I did that.

Here, we see when Archer meets Miranda for the first time, and we follow both of their stories through the years. Although I haven't read Firelight, I loved this story so much. I was intrigued by both Miranda & Archer as characters, and this prequel made me already like them before I started Firelight, and I was intrigued to read the book right away, which I did.  

Some might think that because of the some "spoilers" about Archer's past, and the way Miranda became the woman she is in Firelight, they'd recommend Ember to be read after Firelight, but I actually think that if you've already read Firelight, there isn't a reason for you to read Ember, although a nice addition, it doesn't bring anything new, but it's a good taste of what you'll get in Firelight & Callihan's writing, and it will definitely leave you wanting for more, and eager to read Archer's & Miranda's story, so still I highly recommend it.