Romancing the Dark Side

Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett 
Series: Arcadia Bell #4 
Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Published by: Pocket Books on May 27, 2014 
Format: eARC 
Pages: 384 
Source: NetGalley 
Purchase: Amazon • Barnes & Noble • 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A bittersweet, but satisfying ending to one of my favorite series!

Warning: My biggest feat while writing this review is trying to make it spoiler free, I’ll try my best to contain my excitement and give you just enough without revealing too much…

BANISHING THE DARK is the highly anticipated conclusion to Jenn Bennett’s Arcadia Bell series and I must say she pulled out all the stops on this one! After coming close to death at the end of BINDING THE SHADOWS, Cady is busy recovering and preparing for her biggest battle yet with her powerful mother Enola who wants her dead. To have a shot at a “normal” life, Cady is willing to put it all on the line to ensure a HEA with her new family. The final outcome seems uncertain, but with Lon and Jupe by her side Cady feels this is one fight she’ll win!

I’ve been a fan of Jenn Bennett and Team Cady Bell from the start, so it was heartbreaking for me to learn the series was just ending after four installments (and a short story in between). This is one of the ones I’d read forever but I was also excited to see what the endgame for Cady, Lon and Jupe would be, you just never know with Ms. Bennett! The final installment delivered the same page-turning, on the edge of your seat heart-dropping moments that made me fall in love with Bennett’s writing as the story came full circle. It was hard not to devour this book in one sitting, I tried to take my time with it to savor every page but it didn’t work out so well for me. A good author will make you connect with her characters, but a great one will make you feel those characters are your friends so that you feel a personal stake while reading their stories…that’s what Jenn Bennett does with her phenomenal writing.

Jupe’s role in this book is an integral part of the story and I really enjoyed his POV in a few chapters. I’m not usually a fan of teenager characters in adult books but Jupe’s character development is so extensive and well executed that he practically steals every scene he’s in throughout the series. I adore his bond with Cady and that he’d do anything to protect her, their relationship is so organic that I sometimes forget she’s not his biological mom. We even get a glimpse of a budding romance for Jupe in this book which was the cherry on top! He easily became one of my favorite supporting characters in this series with his larger than life personality and loyalty to his family. I wouldn’t mind a future novella updating me on Jupiter Butler! *wink wink Jenn*

The romance between Lon and Cady does not take precedence to the non-stop action, but is a special element to the overall plot. The ongoing theme of family is constantly being tested and it’s what keeps me coming back for more of these characters, their strength in the face of adversity just tugs at my heartstrings every time. The Arcadia Bell series is not as dark as some other series in this genre, but it more than makes up for it with the intense magical world building, ongoing tension, relatable protagonists and unpredictability. Just when you think you know where the story is headed Ms. Bennett has another card up her sleeve to play! Cady really held her own in BANISHING THE DARK, she’s resilient and has grown from the inexperienced young woman she was into a confident and kick ass heroine. I’m not sure I’ve ever said this in any of my other reviews, but it’s been really refreshing to read a heroine who isn’t twenty (not that I mind younger heroines) and is in a mature relationship, that was another selling point for me.

All good things must come to an end and I suppose it’s better to end on a high note as is the case with BANISHING THE DARK. After all is said and done, Cady finally gets the answers she’s been searching for and the HEA she never imagined. I enjoyed every moment of her journey, even when I thought I wouldn’t recover from some of it. It’s so hard to say goodbye to a beloved series but I could not ask for more than the beautifully written epilogue, it truly made every heart-wrenching moment worthwhile. It was the perfect conclusion to Cady’s story with a glimmer of hope for a future installment if the need presents itself (fingers crossed). There, I think I’ve said as much as I could without oversharing. I’d like to end my review by thanking Jenn Bennett for introducing me to an unforgettable series and its charming characters I will cherish for years to come! <3

 

See You in Hell by Demelza Carlton 
Series: Mel Goes to Hell #2 
Genre: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance 
Published by: Lost Plot Press on April 30, 2014 
Format: eARC 
Pages: 226 
Source: Author 

Purchase: Amazon • Barnes & Noble 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

A humorous tale of an angel who gets a less than heavenly assignment and unexpectedly finds romance with the Lord of Hell!

SEE YOU IN HELL is a light and fun read that’s two parts office satire and one part paranormal romance. Set in a corporate environment, it’s a unique premise to the usual angel vs. demons with tons of sexual innuendos and plenty of wit. Anyone who’s ever worked in an office can identify with Carlton’s parody of HELL!

Heaven has gained information that Lucifer is once again attempting to take over the world, this time with the corporate world…not so surprising right?! To put an end to his plans, Archangel Raphael enlists Melody, one of his trusted angels to spy on the Lord of Hell. Working as a temp for HELL Corporation is no paradise, but the more she gets to know her co-workers the more Mel realizes demons are not all cut by the same cloth, especially when it comes to her boss, the sexy CEO of HELL Corporation Luce Iblis. Luce has set his eyes on Mel and he always gets what he wants, but this time he’ll get way more than he bargained for with this feisty angel. Can their romance survive Heaven and Hell?

When I first met Mel in WELCOME TO HELL (prequel-book one in the series) I instantly liked her. She’s confident, sweet, takes her job as an angel very seriously and has a great sense of humor. I expected her character to be a bit more developed in this full length novel, but unfortunately I was left wanting. Her charming qualities were present but at times she seemed a little boring to me. I’ll have to chalk that up to her being undercover and not being able to “be herself” in front of an office of demons. She spent a good portion of the book sharing details about the day to day activities of the office and coffee (which I love) but could have lived without in every chapter.

Once she was around Luce aka Lucifer Mel’s personality shined and she opened up some more. Yeah, nothing like the Devil to bring out your smexy side! Luce is not what I envisioned as the Lord of Hell. He’s outgoing, salacious but has a sensitive side that was surprising. Luce lacked all the qualities that would make him dangerous and feared by all, it was hard to take him seriously as Lucifer from Mel’s POV. I was waiting for his dark side to make an appearance throughout the book but he was just as friendly as the rest of the demons working in HELL Corp. I really feel his character would have been stronger had he been a mix of both light and dark. I guess I’ve been watching too much Supernatural which has a flair for lovable villains!

SEE YOU IN HELL starts off with a slow pace but picks up halfway through the book. Mel’s view of the corporate culture in HELL is absolutely hilarious because it’s so over the top. From caffeine addicted demons to possible alien invasions and inappropriate holiday parties, Carlton’s HELL Corporation is the perfect stage for the Underworld. The element of a forbidden romance adds a touch of suspense and keeps you engaged. This is not my typical go-to read, but I found myself entertained by the colorful characters and their shenanigans. If you’re looking for a change of pace in your reading with a little tongue-in-cheek humor and a flirty romance you’ll want to pick up SEE YOU IN HELL! And on that note…it’s time for some coffee. :)

*Note: This book can be read as a stand-alone. The first book, WELCOME TO HELL is a short story that acts as a prequel to the series.

ABOUT DEMELZA CARLTON

Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish.

She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.

Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.

The Ocean's Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by her suspense thriller Nightmares trilogy. She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn't leave her alone.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

Giveaway provided by author

House of the Rising Sun by Kristen Painter 
Series: Crescent City #1 
Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Published by: Orbit on May 13, 2014 
Format: eARC 
Pages: 448 
Source: NetGalley 
Purchase: Amazon • Barnes & Noble 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A fascinating new paranormal world set in the perfect setting, New Orleans!

When I first picked this book up I wasn’t aware it’s a spin-off of Kristen Painter’s House of Comarre series (which I haven’t read yet). My reading OCD took over for a minute but I decided to continue reading anyway. In no way did I feel I was missing out on any story line from past events in this book and while the main character Augustine appeared in the HoC series as a supporting character, this story is his own. These two series take place in the same world but easily stand alone.

HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN is a stellar series debut by Kristen Painter. Her fabulous storytelling grips you from the first page till the very last. I love the variety of supernatural creatures in this world. The mix of humans, fae, vampires, and witches intermingling in such a historic and magical city like New Orleans really sets the suspenseful tone of the story. The world building is extraordinary and her multi-faceted characters are quite intriguing (some more than others I might add). The various factions of Fae in this world is an element I found really intriguing, each group has abilities which are unique to their kind but some can possess more than one ability when cross breeding occurs.

When the story begins Augustine has no worries in his life. He resides in a beautiful mansion owned by Olivia Goodwin, a legendary actress who has taken him in as her own and spends his nights in the company of a variety of female companions. Life in the Haven couldn’t be better for Augustine, until an act of violence by a group of vampires claims the life of Olivia and changes the course of his life forever. Seeking vengeance for the murder of the woman he considered a mother figure, Augustine gives up his cozy life to become the city’s Guardian and get justice for his dear friend Olivia.

Judging by the book’s cover, I initially thought HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN’S protagonist to be Harlow, Olivia’s daughter. Shortly after reading I realized Augustine is the main character and Harlow is more of a supporting character in this installment. I love a male POV so this was a pleasant surprise for me.

I instantly fell in love with Augustine. He’s the perfect mix of dark and light, a swoon-worthy hero and gentleman, yeah…I’d say he’s the total package. As part Shadeux and Smokesinger Fae he has a dark side but tends to lead with his heart, there’s a beautiful contradiction to his character..as if he’s in a battle to save his soul. He’s also a bit of a rebel which I love, Augustine’s definitely a reluctant hero but quickly grows into his role as Guardian. In my opinion his only flaw was putting up with Harlow’s attitude! I couldn’t see how such a charismatic man could be attracted to her haughty personality. I guess Augustine sees something I don’t in Harlow, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that.

Confession: I don’t usually have a problem connecting with heroines/leading ladies. Sometimes it takes a little longer with some but I can usually find a redeeming quality to change my mind. Sadly, that wasn’t the case with Harlow Goodwin. My initial impression of her was of a smart, independent young woman who has crazy hacking skills and extrasensory abilities which cause her to avoid physical contact with others. She reminded me a little of Rogue from X-Men (yes, I’m a geek-girl). Not too bad, right? Wrong. The more I got to know her, the more I wanted to smack her.

Harlow is said to be in her twenties but her immaturity had me questioning her age on more than one occasion. I found her to be condescending and selfish, every move she made was based on saving herself. Her reasons for “disowning” her mom stem from wanting to know who her father is which I found a petty excuse. Once reunited, Harlow makes no attempt to make amends with Olivia and is just there for the money she needs to pay off her fine.

I thought she would have a change of heart after Olivia’s death but that didn’t happen. Her mom just died and she’s thinking about selling her house and her inheritance…WTF?! I was really disgusted and couldn’t sympathize with her. I was also dumbfounded by her negative attitude towards the Fae, being Fae herself. The one time I saw some personality shine through was when she got a little tipsy and started flirting with Augustine, she was funny and let her hair down for about ten minutes. I would have liked to have seen more of that side of Harlow. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that her character grows as the series progresses, especially if there is a romance with Augustine in the cards, it will make or break the series for me. This is a rare instance where I was 100% invested in the hero and overlooked the heroine, mostly due to her actions.

Secondary characters are sometimes underdeveloped when the world building is so rich, but Kristen Painter did not drop the ball when it came to Lally, Dulcinea, and Fenton. They were just as important to the story as Augustine and Harlow in my opinion. Each has their charm and I look forward to seeing more of them and their importance to the story in future books. Every good story needs an equally good villain and boy did we get one you’ll love to hate!

Painter’s Crescent City series is off to a bright start with HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN. This supernatural world is filled with secrets, action, power struggles and two characters who are trying to find their place in the midst of it all. While I couldn’t fully connect with Harlow, I’m smitten with the book’s hero Augustine and will be revisiting this world when CITY OF ETERNAL NIGHT is released. Augustine, it’s official…you’re my new book boyfriend! <3