Review: Grave Witch by Kalayna Price (Alex Craft #1)

Publisher - Berkley UK
Publication Date - 8th December
Paperback - 352 pages
Genre - Urban Fantasy

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it!

Book Info - Just because Grave Witch Alex Craft can speak to the dead, doesn't mean she has to like what they say...

As a private investigator and consultant for the police, Alex has seen a lot of dark magic. But even though she's on good terms with Death himself, nothing has prepared her for her latest case. Alex is investigating a high-profile murder when she's attacked by the ghost she is raising - which should be impossible. To top off her day, someone makes a serious attempt on her life. Luckily, Death steps in to save her - guess that means he likes having her around?

To solve this case, Alex will have to team up with tough homicide detective Falin Andrews, Andrews seems to be hiding something, although it's certainly not his dislike of Alex. Despite all that, Alex is going to need his help to navigate the tangled webs of real-world and paranormal politics, and to track down a killer wielding a magic so malevolent it may cost Alex not just her life, but also her soul...

My Thoughts - I've had my eye on this book for a while now and I was not at all disappointed by it once I started reading.

I really liked Alex as a main character. She is just completely believable - from her financial problems to her men troubles - and I found it so easy to understand her motives and to come to like her. The author's descriptions of Alex's use of magic were well-written and, while I have found other books based on magic to be difficult to understand at first, I just fell head first into Alex's magical world from page one.

There are two men in Alex's life and although I find some love triangles a bit tiresome I thought this one was integrated into the story well and it did work for me. The first man has been in her life for a while and although they are just friends it is obvious he wants more from Alex - although I'm not all that sure about how that would work seeing as the man is Death himself. The second man, Falin, is an arrogant detective who Alex is working with on her current case and he is a big mystery. I must admit to not liking Falin all that much but I'm not sure if that's just because I want to see where things might head between Alex and Death - that has got me very intrigued!

The storyline had me hooked from the first page. The mystery element is well-written with some good twists and an ending I didn't see coming. Plus, I fell in love with the world that the author has created through her descriptions of people and places - I wanted to be right there beside Alex!

Summary - An amazing start to the series and I am very excited to find out what kind of trouble Alex might get herself into in the next book.

Other books in the series:
1. Grave Witch
2. Grave Dance
3. Grave Memory

Other reviews of this book:
Dark Faerie Tales / Love Vampires / Smexy Books

It's Monday! What are you Reading? (19th December 2011)

This is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey that gives us all a chance to list the books that we read last week and what we hope to read this week.

Last week was pretty quiet on the reading/blogging side of things as my husband finally came home from hospital after a 3.5 month stay (you can read more about that here)! And just in time for his birthday on Thursday. So, as you can imagine, last week was pretty much dedicated to some quality family time with my husband and our two young boys :)

Books Completed:
Grave Witch by Kalayna Price (Alex Craft #1)

Books Reviewed:
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs (Alpha and Omega #1)

Books I'm Currently Reading:
Hellsbane by Paige Cuccaro (Hellsbane #1)

Books Up Next:
Night Magic by Jennifer Lyon (Wing Slayer #3)

A Perfect Ten with Audris from YA Bookmark!

It's time for my new feature A Perfect Ten, where bloggers talk about their top ten favourite series of all time! Today I am being joined by Audris from YA Bookmark who has picked some great series for you all to salivate over. So without further ado I will hand you over to Audris.

So I’m going to be telling you guys what some of my favorite series are. There’s everything from zombies to witches to just good old mystery! :)

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Need I say anything at all? Well, if I must. Katniss is one kickass main character. Peeta is one swoon worthy guy. Gale is the loyal best friend. Twenty-six teens thrown into an arena to fight to the death and only one comes out victorious. This series just truly blows my mind. Oh, and in case you hadn’t heard, there is a movie coming out so read the books asap so you can go watch the movie :)

Touch Series by Laurie Faria Stolarz

This series is a great mystery mixed with some paranormal. ____ stands up for herself and doesn’t let anyone intimidate her. If she wants information she goes after it. I love the mystery in each book and the guys…oh the guys *swoon*. If you haven’t picked up this series it’s a great time to do it because the fourth book just came out last week.

 

Gallagher Girls Series by Ally Carter

This series is epic for so many reasons. One, it takes place in a boarding school. Two, it’s an all-girls boarding school with awesome characters. Three, the school is actually a school for spies. Four, these girls can kill you in so many different ways. Five, the guys in this series are to die for.

 

The Talisman Series by Brenda Pandos

I was hesitant when I picked up the first book but I was pleasantly surprised. I am not into vampire books but this series sucked me in from the beginning (no pun intended :P). There was action from the very first page. I highly recommend this series. It’s just a refresher from your normal vampires.

If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman

These are two touching contemporary novels. Music plays a huge role in these books and I love that. If I Stay leads you on a heart wrenching story of a girl who has just lost her family. It captures you from the first page. Where She Went is just as amazing, definitely not a letdown.

 

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

This series is one of my favorites for many reasons. There’s action and romance but the romance is not your typical teen romance. Mary is a great character. She doesn’t let people stop her imagination and she is just one amazing heroine. Plus, there are ZOMBIES!!! The second book is a companion to the first and follows other people but it is just as great :) I haven’t read the last book, Dark and Hollow Places, but I am really looking forward to it.

These next four books are books I've read more recently that I haven't read the second book to but I'm eagerly awaiting it :)

Hex Hall Series by Rachel Hawkins

I just read the first book to this series last week. I don’t know why I was putting it off but it was amazing. I love that it takes place in a boarding school. You get to go on this awesome adventure with Sophie. The second book is on my shelf staring me down. I am definitely picking it up soon.

Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

I also just finished this book. It was great, a fun mystery that leaves you wanting more. At almost every page I found myself bursting into laughter. There was definitely not a dull moment, whether it was because of the mystery or the laughter. I can’t wait for the second in the series.

Mer Tales Series by Brenda Pandos

This is the first mermaid book I ever read and I loved it. Brenda creates this world that makes you want to get sucked into it. The descriptions are amazing. I can’t say good enough things about this series. I love the use of color in this book and the characters are awesome. Ash is so sweet and caring. Also, the cover is amazinngggg :D The second book, Evergreen, comes out next year

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

This book. I read this years and years ago when I think I was just starting high school, I am now in my third year of college. Yea, it came out that long ago. This book captured me. The concept of being taken apart piece by piece so that your parts could go to other people was so disturbing that I could not stop reading. I thought it would be a single book and I would just be left wanting more. I was wrong. Last year I found out that the second book would be coming out in September 2012. That’s not all, it will be a trilogy. Now I leave you guys with this while I go eagerly sit on my hands and wait for the second book :)

Thanks Audris! The Hunger Games and Hex Hall were on my top ten too! And The Gallagher Girls has been a very popular pick too.

 

How about you? Have you read any of these series? Will you be adding any to your TBR list? Let Audris and I know what you think!

If you are an author/blogger who would like to take part in this feature then please email me at onceuponaseries [at] live.co.uk.

A Happy Announcement!

For those of you who read the title of this post who thinks this may be about the pitter patter of tiny feet, I just want to stop you in your tracks right now! This is not at all baby related ;)

But I just wanted to let you know that I may not be as active on the blog for a little while because my husband has FINALLY come home from hospital this week.

For those of you who don't know, my husband was rushed to hospital with a bowel obstruction 3.5 months ago and then he developed a lot of other health problems and he ended up having to stay for a long time. After two bowel operations, two periods of time sedated and attached to a machine that had to breath for him and several very scary, very heartbreaking moments I am just so happy to have him home with me. So the next couple of weeks will be dedicated to some quality family time with him and our two boys.

I will still be posting reviews, although perhaps not quite so many, but I may not have as much time to visit and comment on other blogs. I do promise to have a big catch up though when things have settled into more of a routine here so please don't forget about me ;)

Review: Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs (Alpha and Omega #1)

Publisher - Orbit
Publication Date - 6th August 2009
Paperback - 320 pages
Genre - Urban Fantasy

Source - Purchased

Rating - 4 out of 5: Really liked it!

Book Info - Charles Cornick is his pack's enforcer and lives a harsh life, doing jobs other wolves can't - or won't. And his most recent task was rescuing Anna Latham from a life of brutality. This leaves him shot and wounded, but he's happy to pay the price. Charles is strongly drawn to Anna, and her growing 'Omega' powers will see his people through dangerous times.

Anna desperately needs her new mountainous home to be safer than the life she's left behind. But when a rogue werewolf starts murdering hikers, Charles and Anna are sent into the winter forests to investigate. Charles is still weak and will need Anna's strength as they discover a web of witchcraft that could drag down the whole pack. Including its leader Bran, Charles's father, head of a vast network of wolves. And if Bran weakens, dark madness could run like a fever through half a continent.

My Thoughts - I thought that both Anna and Charles were interesting characters and that they were written really well. Anna is a strong Omega but she has been beaten down by her previous experiences and it takes Charles’ patience and love to help her to recover from her past traumas. Charles is Bran’s assassin and I really liked the way that he was portrayed. Although he kills for a living and most people in the area are obviously very scared of him, when he is with Anna he is shown to be kind and loving. He is also shown to have compassion and understanding rather than just being a ruthless assassin.

I also really enjoyed reading about the relationship between Charles and Anna. Their wolves have picked them out to be mates and they both feel like they are meant to be together even though they do not know each other. Charles feels very protective of Anna, especially given the events of her past, but can sometimes come across as being possessive. Anna, meanwhile, is slowly learning to trust Charles as they get to know each other and she overcomes her fear of him.

Summary -  I loved this book. It was easy to read and full of great descriptions that really pulled me into the story. I loved the characters and the setting and I will definitely be trying to get my hands on a copy of the second book in the series: Hunting Ground.

Other books in the series:
0. Alpha and Omega (Novella)
1. Cry Wolf
2. Hunting Ground

Other reviews of this book:
Blog Critics / Love Vampires / Story Wings
(If you would like your review of Cry Wolf included here, please leave a link to your review in the comments and I will be sure to add it)