Review: Kresley Cole - MacRieve

Immortals After Dark Series:
 
Book 13:
 
MacRieve: Uilleam MacRieve and Chloe Todd
 
 
 
Purchase on Amazon:Kresley Cole - MacRieve (Immortals After Dark)
 
Summary:
From Goodreads.com
 
A Beast In Torment
 
Uilleam MacRieve believed he’d laid to rest the ghosts of his boyhood. But when a brutal torture revives those ancient agonies and destroys his Lykae instinct, the proud Scot craves the oblivion of death. Until he finds her—a young human so full of spirit and courage that she pulls him back from the brink.
 
A Beauty In Chains
 
Seized for the auction block, Chloe Todd is forced to enter a terrifying new world of monsters and lore as a bound slave. When offered up to creatures of the dark, she fears she won’t last the night. Until she’s claimed by him—a tormented immortal with heartbreaking eyes, whose touch sets her blood on fire.
 
A Full Moon On The Rise
 
With enemies circling, MacRieve spirits Chloe away to the isolated Highland keep of his youth. But once he takes her to his bed, his sensual mate becomes something more than human, evoking his savage past and testing his sanity. On the cusp of the full moon, can he conquer his worst nightmare to save Chloe . . . from himself?
 
Review:
Kresley Cole has long since earned her place on my auto-buy list as well as the top spot as my favorite author. Every time I pick up a Kresley Cole book it starts this spiral of need to go back and read the rest of the series all over again. I swear I do a re-read of IAD at least once a year. I know without a doubt that if I pick up a Kresley Cole book it will be a minimum of four stars EVERY time. MacRieve is absolutely no exception to this rule. This was not my favorite book of the series but I’d still say Ms. Cole has a winner on her hands. I DEVOURED it, staying up all night to finish and dragging my ass into work with almost no sleep but not caring. PS. I really wish release day was on a Friday or something so this wouldn’t keep happening to me with my favorite authors. LOL
 
As with Lothaire I gotta say MacRieve was kinda a douche in the middle of the book. He showed promise early on but events triggering childhood trauma and massive guilt changed that fairly quickly. I am glad to say that he did see error of his ways and did endeavor to change his attitude but it was some rough going there for a while. MacRieve totally earned his nickname of “Head Case” and I absolutely LOVED that nickname for him; it was so fitting and cracked me up every time someone used it and they called him it right to his face and he couldn’t even get mad since it was true. Lol Coming into this book, I had no idea just how traumatized MacRieve was, in reality we didn’t know much about the twins other then they are Hot and Hotter or is it Hotter and Hot?? A childhood event when he was nine lasting until it came to a head at thirteen shaped the rest of his life and then when he was picked up by the Order that just made everything worse. His torture was extensive as the pet of Dr. Nixon and then after the escape he barely dodged another bullet which dredged up the childhood memories. I couldn’t help but repeatedly say “pobrecito” (poor guy) throughout a lot of the book. He may have been a douche but it was kind of understandable and I couldn’t hate him for it. He even brought tears to my eyes a few times and I don’t think I have ever cried in a Kresley Cole book, because usually I’m too busy laughing.
 
Even though there were a few tears worry not my friends you’ll still laugh in this book because Chloe is quite the smart ass and I adore smart ass characters. Probably one of the reason I love Kresley Cole so much, most of her characters tend to be on the smart ass side and I can’t get enough of it. Chloe is also a pretty tough chica. In the beginning she is just a human professional woman’s soccer player with dreams of the Olympics but soon she realizes that something is happening to her. When her father disappears after handing her the living book of the Lore it is merely weeks when she is kidnapped to be sold to the highest bidder. It seems her father is enemy numero uno amongst the Lore. It is on the auction block when MacRieve finds her and “rescues” her. It is just when she is starting to buy into MacRieve’s matehood when he does a complete 180 after her transition. Chloe is not one to really put up with much shit so she gives back as much as she gets from MacRieve wanting nothing to do with him, but the nature of the beast rears its ugly head and circumstances what they are they have to stick together. What I really liked about Chloe is that she didn’t really freak out about the Lore and her transition. She had a “rub some dirt” mentality and tried to make the best of the situation. She remained her smart ass self and won everyone over including MacRieve. Although, I do wish that she would have been able to compete in the Olympics, it seems a bit sad that she had to give up that dream, but she took it in stride.
 
This book isn’t as action packed as some of the others as MacRieve is still pretty traumatized from being tortured so I think this was a good move, plus we still had plenty of drama with MacRieve and Chloe in their own personal battle between each other and MacRieves’ past. This is probably the steamiest book of the series, almost from the get go. As with all the other books in this series the side characters cannot be dismissed. I adore every single one of them in particular I loved the orphaned brothers. They cracked me up, especially the younger one. I’m drawing a blank on his name right now. We spend more time with Monroe then we ever have before and I like him, it’s looking like his book may be next in the series. He’s little to serious so I hope his mate drives him nuts! Kresley Cole is setting us up for something BIG so I can’t wait to see where we go in this series!
 
Well Done Kresley Cole, Well Done!

Rating:








This review can also be seen on http://romancenovelreview.wordpress.com/ .

ARC Review: Kristen Callihan - Firelight

Darkest London Series:

Book 1:

Firelight:  Lord Benjamin Archer and Miranda Ellis

*Release Date February 1st, 2012
Summary:

Publisher synopsis:

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 Summary:

I’m sitting here trying to think of a way to do a quick summary without giving anything away. This is one of those books where it is important to not give away the details, because the fun is discovering them for yourself as you read.

In a chance meeting in a back alley 3 years ago two people who should never have met come across each other in dire circumstances; one with her back up against the wall, being threatened by common street thugs; the other a masked man with murder on his mind.  When Archer first see Miranda he thinks her a young lad and he admires “his” spirit and determination but when he finds “he” is actually a “she” that same spirit beckons to him like nothing else ever has. Miranda is surprised that this unknown man was willing to put his life on the line for an unknown woman, it is this chivalry that keeps the unknown man who gave her a gold coin on her mind for the next three years.

Due to a lost fortune, Miranda’s dad decides to sell her off to a wealthy husband, the notorious Lord Benjamin Archer, the man in the mask.  Where ever Lord Archer goes stares and gossip follows and now Miranda is to be tied to this mysterious possibly dangerous murderous man for the rest of her life.  It’s a good thing she has the means of protecting herself.  When murders start happening and all signs point to Archer, it becomes clear Miranda’s life is on the line. The question is who is the murderer?

Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; I’d have to say it is one of the best new release books that I have read this year. Granted it’s not technically out until next year (Feb 2012), but I read it in 2011 lol. I immediately got caught up in the story and the characters, from the first couple of pages, I was all in.  The story itself was refreshing, not quite like anything else I have read in a long time. I think the closest comparison would be Jayne Anne Krentz Arcane Society novels, but still not quite. It is unique in its own right. The writing is detailed and pulls you in, Kristen Callihan, knows just how to divvy up details to keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. She has a few twists and turns up her sleeve to keep you coming back for more.  I was reading this book when Spirit Bound by Christine Feehan came out (I had been waiting for it for months) I do love my Russian Spys and I started reading that one while in still in the middle of Firelight, but Firelight called to me even as I was reading Spirit Bound so I abandoned Spirit Bound to go back to Firelight. That’s how much I was into this story it pulled me away from Russian spies.  I do have to admit there were some gaps in the story, but as soon as I noticed the thought was gone, I was too engaged to really care.

Miranda is my favorite type of heroine. Well able to take care of herself, stubborn, passionate and intelligent. She’s the type to protect herself and her man anyway possible and she has the means to do so. Not caring so much about what she should be doing as a young lady she is an expert fencer, is an excellent shoot and due to a short stint as a petty thief she can blend into a crowd.  And maybe the most important is she is exceedingly loyal to those she chooses to be loyal to, such as her beloved sisters, will Archer be able to earn her loyalty and trust with all things. Including her secrets?  Now on to Archer, oh Archer, Archer, Archer, how to describe you? Lonely, vulnerable, tortured soul, exceedingly strong in mind, body and will, just as stubborn as Miranda, protective as any good Alpha male should be, and highly intelligent. He is a man that you will not be able to help falling in love with, I know I did. There is just something about his loneliness and vulnerability that just pulls at your heart strings, but at the same time he is such a strong determined man you never feel sorry for him. He tries to make the best of his situation and never throws himself a pity party. Miranda and Archer together is combustible! The sexual tension just oozes off the pages, fireworks in all directions all while they are engaging in a battle of wills. These two are pretty much perfect for each other and one of the more memorable couples. One does not overpower the other, but are equals. There is a bit of insta-love going on here but it is in no way nauseating like insta-love can so often be. Their wills are clashing too often and too strong for that sickening lovey dovey nauseating we just met 24 hours ago but are already in love feeling that insta-lova provokes.

I think any lover of a romance novel will enjoy this book, even those who are paranornal skeptics. All in all, I have to say WELL DONE Kristen Callihan. You are a new author to watch out for.  I’m already mad that I have to wait until August for the second book to come out. Patience is not a virtue I or Miranda has.

*Provided by NetGalley for an honest review

Rating:

 

Movie Review: Immortals

Immortals:

What it is about:

Eons after the Gods won their mythic struggle against the Titans, a new evil threatens the land. Mad with power, King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) has declared war against humanity. Amassing a bloodthirsty army of soldiers disfigured by his own hand, Hyperion has scorched Greece in search of the legendary Epirus Bow, a weapon of unimaginable power forged in the heavens by Ares. Only he who possesses this bow can unleash the Titans, who have been imprisoned deep within the walls of Mount Tartaros since the dawn of time and thirst for revenge. In the king's hands, the bow would rain destruction upon mankind and annihilate the Gods. But ancient law dictates the Gods must not intervene in man's conflict. They remain powerless to stop Hyperion...until a peasant named Theseus (Henry Cavill) comes forth as their only hope. Secretly chosen by Zeus, Theseus must save his people from Hyperion and his hordes... Written by Anonymous   on www.imbd.com

What I thought about it:

Going into this flick I kind of had the expectations of Conan the Barbarian, which it would probably suck like almost every other ancient/god themes movie.  I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, there were a few groan worthy moments, but for the most part I was engrossed in the movie. Mickey Rourke as per his usual makes an exceedingly good “bad guy” he rocked the hell out of his part as King Hyperion.  The guy who played Theseus, Henry Cavill, also did a great job with his part. I don’t recognize H. Cavill from any other movie that I can remember so I assume this may be his first leading role in a big budget blockbuster film. He did a better job than I thought he would and I am sure we will be seeing more of him in the future. In this flick the gods are portrayed more as the “good guys” which through me off a bit. I am used to seeing the Gods as fickle, vain, and uncaring. I’m still not sure if I believe/like this change in the Gods image, but hey I can role with it. This movie is extremely violent and the fight scenes I have to admit are pretty bad ass.  Theseus and the Gods kick some serious arse. The graphics and explosions don’t overpower the movie as they can sometimes do, but definitely enhanced. The chemistry between the Oracle and Theseus feels forced so it’s a good thing you don’t have to suffer through it much. It’s more of an “oh by the way” we are attracted to each other rather than consuming the plot which can also tend to happen. Overall, there is a good balance between the main plot and any sub-plots. I really enjoyed this movie way more than I thought I would.  I wouldn’t say it is as good as 300, but it’s in the same league in my opinion.

Rating:

Watch in the theater! Don’t wait for DVD you’ll lose a lot in the graphics. I don’t think 3D is necessary however.

*This review is also available on my other blog www.booksshoppingrocknroll.com