HAVEN

Haven by Karen Lynch
Book 5 of the Relentless series
Read by Caitlin Greer and Zachary Webber
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Haven:

Things are going well for Roland Greene. High school is behind him, he has a sweet new ride, a good job, and he’s making plans for his future. At eighteen, he’s one of the strongest werewolves in his pack, and he already has more vampire kills than most wolves have in a lifetime. Life is good. Almost.

It’s time for the annual pack gathering. Wolves from all over Maine come to take care of pack business and socialize — and to find mates. Everywhere Roland turns there are unmated females, and as the Alpha’s nephew, he’s prime mate material. The last thing he wants right now is a mate, and he’ll do all he can to stay a free wolf.

Until he meets her.

Source: Info in the About Haven was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33547031-haven on 09/08/2019.

Buy Link(s):

My Thoughts:

I've listened to audiobooks with multiple narrators before but these two complimented each other in the book so well, they're like a mated pair! Kudos to the narrators!

This series' books has two cover arts. The old ones are mostly faces of the characters and the new ones are more of an abstract art. The new cover art for this book has some sort of chocolate-kisses egg-like things in it... Got nothing to do with the story what-so-f****ng-ever! Like the publisher just randomly picked urban fantasy cover arts that looked good heedless whether or not it is appropriate for the book... what is that all about??! The old cover art though, nailed it! The faces fits the characters like a glove!

Despite the convenience of the audiobook, this is still not a very fast read/listen. I find myself needing breaks from the book and stop listening to it from time to time. No, not a very fast read at all.

This book has no plot at all. It's all about boy meets girl, and full of young love angst, the end. Still this book was an enjoyable read... hopefully the next book is better...

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 3
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 4
Cover art = 3
Pace = 3
Plot = 2
Narration = 4.5

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries

Meet The Author

About Karen Lynch:

Karen Lynch is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author.

She grew up in Newfoundland, Canada - a place rich in colorful people and folklore to which she attributes her love of the supernatural and her vivid imagination. She moved to Charlotte, North Carolina years ago and was immediately charmed by the southern people but she says she will always be a newfie.

Though she loves supernatural fiction, she has a soft spot for Charlotte Brontë and Jane Austin. She is a fan of classic rock, country and classical music but her favorite music is the sound of a good thunderstorm or a howling blizzard. Two of her favorite past times are baking artisan breads for her friends and spending quality time with her two German Shepherds.

www.karenlynchnl.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | amazon | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook copies of the book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.

THE 12 DRAGONS OF ALBION

The 12 Dragons Of Albion by Mark Hayden
Book 2 in The King's Watch series
Narrated by Ciaran Saward
Genre: urban fantasy crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobook

About The 12 Dragons Of Albion:

My name is Conrad Clarke and I claim my reward…

You’d think that staying alive and saving the girl would be enough for now.

After proving himself in a desperate magickal battle, Conrad is admitted to the King’s Watch.

And what does the world of magick do? It laughs in his face.

At least Conrad now has a partner with some serious magickal firepower.

Vicky Robson joins him on a mission to investigate rumours of a Dragon’s egg, and to get him through his entry test for the Invisible College.

But the Invisible College won’t play ball, and that Dragon’s egg is all too real.

Conrad grits his teeth and reminds the magickal world that he who laughs loudest laughs last…

Source: Info in the About The 12 Dragons Of Albion was taken from Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36533404-the-12-dragons-of-albion on 31/05/2022.

Buy Link(s):

 

Welshfire

My Thoughts:

I've been looking forward to this book because, hey... dragons!

In book 1, The 13th Witch, there was a mention of the Invisible College. In this book, we are taken inside Hogwarts. But, the Dean is a highfalutin Oracle. Definitely not Dumbledore. At all!

Here also I can see the distinct British culture of delineating people between a naff and somebody posh. I wonder if the author is racist?... I don't mean that in a bad way. Some people are just brought up in certain ways. I am not going to take that against them. It's what they decide to do about it that makes the difference.

I'm not white, just in case you are wondering.

So, in this story we encounter one egg. The title, as well as the narrative along the way, indicated more eggs, i.e., 11 more dragon eggs. So, the question is, where are they?? Would we see more dragons in this series?

I like Ciaran Saward's attempts at Welsh accents! Especially at the start of Harry Evans' first few lines. It almost sound authentic! I don't speak Welsh, but I live in Wales.

Empirical Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (13 hours and 28 minutes listening time)
Plot = 3
Narration = 4.5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries

Books In The King's Watch Series:

Meet The Author

About Mark Hayden:

Mark Hayden is the nom de guerre of Adrian Attwood. He lives in Westmorland with his wife, Anne.

Adrian has had a varied career working for a brewery, teaching English and being the Town Clerk in Carnforth. He is now a part-time writer and part-time assistant in Anne's craft projects.

He is also proud to be the Mad Unky to his Great Nieces & Great Nephew.

His current writing project is the King’s Watch series of urban fantasy novels, from 13th Witch all the way down to Zero Hour. If he can keep it up.

pawpress.co.uk | twitter | facebook | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Ciaran Saward:

I’m a London-based voiceover artist who loves discovering new things.

From small businesses and indie video games, to big publishers like William Collins and big authors like Wilbur Smith, I’ve worked with a range of clients to get their stories heard.

If you need a flexible & enthusiastic voice to bring your project to life, you’ve come to the right place.

Please have a listen to my voicereels, read some testimonials and see how I could help you!

www.ciaransawardvo.com | twitter | linkedin | instagram | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

FURY FOCUSED

Fury Focused by Melissa Haag
Book 2 of the Of Fates and Furies series
Genre: urban fantasy / paranormal romance
Format: ebook

About Fury Focused:

Life in Uttira isn't easy for Megan. Knowing what she is hasn't helped her control her temper, an unfortunate personality trait that might just keep her from graduating. Her mood swings don't bother her as much as the weird side effects that come with them. When things start to go up in flames around her, she knows she needs help controlling her abilities. But, the only person with the answers abandoned Megan in Uttira months ago.

Megan knows she must find her mother in the real world. However, the only way out of the magical barrier surrounding Uttira is with the mark of Mantirum. A mark she will only receive if she can manage to graduate from Girderon Academy. In order to start her search, Megan needs to learn to control her temper… or die trying.

Source: Info in the About Fury Focused was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38347863-fury-focused on 17/08/2019.

My Thoughts:

Book one is all about introducing this world of the Furies, This book is a paranormal romance. And it does not really explain how Megan managed to control her powers. It all seems like a lucky accident. All her efforts seems to be on a a wrong course. That does not make the story endearing to me at all! Plot-wise, there isn't much of a one. Having said that, this book seems to have closed the series already. However, there is still book 3, so that must be the crescendo of this trilogy. After all that whinging, it still has the compelling story telling quality which made this book a very enjoyable read indeed!

This series seems to have multiple cover arts. sometimes they get it right, sometimes it is awesomely horrible! This book hit the middle line. Not too bad.

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 4
Pace = 4
Plot = 2

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Of Fates and Furies Series:

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Meet The Author

About Melissa Haag:

I love to write! Sharing the worlds I've created is beyond amazing . Want to read a book for free? Check out my website at:
http://melissahaag.com/free-ebook

Connect with me on:
https://twitter.com/MelissaHaag
https://www.facebook.com/author.MelissaHaag

I also write adult books under the pen name M.J. Haag. Happy reading!

melissahaag.com | twitter | facebook | amazon | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
This book was purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.