Slayer's Kiss by Cassi Carver

 Links for Book Descriptions: Goodreads & Library Things

 

 I won this book in a First Reads Giveaway on Goodreads.

This book was okay, in my opinion. I personally wouldn't be interested in reading the sequel.

There is more emphasis on smut rather than plot or character development (which is not a bad thing if what you are looking for is smut - I admit sometimes that I read stuff just for the smut). However, the plot just seems kinda thrown together (if this wasn't the case and if there was a nice balance between smut and plot I would have rated this higher).

Kara is a kick-ass character and I enjoyed reading about her night job with Abbey but I just couldn't relate to Kara on any level. I really disliked Julian, particularly his attitude towards Kara. Also, I thought his possessiveness was too overbearing. Gavin was meh, I didn't have any opinion on him either way.

I did not feel the romantic feelings between Kara and Julian and I thought it was too soon for them to be throwing around the "love" word when they hardly knew each other and were just hooking up.

My Verdict: Three stars out of Five

Heart of the Demon by Cynthia Garner

**Nota Bene: Possible spoilers may or may not be present in this review.
Read at your own risk**

Links for Book Descriptions: Goodreads & Library Things

I won this book in a First Reads giveaway on Goodreads.

 

I enjoyed this book a lot, reading it all within one day, and I would be interested in reading other books by this author. The plot was entertaining and the characters were well done. Though, I kinda wished for more information about Finn's mother as I was wondering who she was and about her relationship with Lucifer.

 

The amount of variety of demons and preternaturals were fantastic and interesting. I giggled at Lucifer having such a sweet tooth and being quite possessive of cheesecake. It made me laugh so hard.

My Verdict: Four stars out of Five

Absent by Katie Williams

**Nota Bene: Possible spoilers may or may not be present in this review.
Read at your own risk**

Links for Book Descriptions: Goodreads & Library Things

I won an advance reader's copy in a First Reads Giveaway on Goodreads.

 

I loved this book. It was a fast read but it kept my attention hooked the entire time and the first person perspective was executed well. I could really feel Paige's pain at Usha being convinced she jumped from the roof and refusing to paint the mural despite being her friend.

 

It has an interesting take on the afterlife - Paige and the two other ghosts are trapped on the school property and when they try to leave they are respawned to the spot where they died. I liked the air of mystery behind Evan's and Paige's death, not finding out until the book nears the end.

 

I was extremely shocked when I found out that Brooke was responsible for Paige's death as I thought Lucas would have been directly involved with Paige's death (technically, he indirectly caused it but still, I thought he had a much more active role in it).

 

The ending felt like a bit of a cliffhanger for me but it leaves it up to the reader's imagination what happened to Paige, Evan, and Brooke once they step through the mural (ie. did they cross over or what?).

 

The characters are thought out well and interesting. Poor Harriet, the only person that could see them and winds up in a coma so Brooke doesn't want Paige to discover the truth. I liked how Wes was more than just a "stoner", he was actually a really nice guy.

 

In all, I would definitely recommend this book to other readers.

My Verdict: Four stars out of Five.

Unlikely by Frances Pauli

**Nota Bene: Possible spoilers may or may not be present in this review.
Read at your own risk**

Links for Book Descriptions: Goodreads & Library Things

I read this across the span of three lunches, somewhere less than three hours in total, as it is a fairly quick read.

 

The protagonists are well developed and I enjoyed the snarky remarks that Hadja would make at times (I love sassy old ladies). However, the villain, Vane, was rather flat in terms of character. I liked him but he could have been so much more. I wanted him to have a motive or cause for his actions beyond simple greed.

 

I liked how the romance between Marten and Satina was slow, they didn't fall instantly in love, and their relationship built up over time.

 

The story is nice and interesting, leaving me anxious in turning to the next page, but the book could have provided some more background information for the Final War that is constantly mentioned and having explanations for terms like Granter, Starlight, Shade, and etc appear earlier so the reader is not as confused. I figured the terms out later but I wish I had a clue from the start.

 

Also, I was shocked by Maera's betrayal of telling Satina's plans to Vane. I didn't expect that one coming.

My Verdict: Four stars out of Five.