Fair Game Review

Fair Game (Alpha and Omega 3)

-       Patricia Briggs

Publisher: UK – Orbit

They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind. Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can't afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father's dirty work is taking a toll on Charles.
Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights...

Reading a Patricia Briggs books is a little like going to your favourite restaurant and ordering your favourite pizza. You know what you’re going to get but at the same time it’s different on each occasion - the ambiance, the pizza sauce, where you sit in the restaurant, who you’re with can change the experience so much! Patricia Briggs writes Urban Fantasy with such deft confidence and assuredly, you never have to worry about anything but enjoying the ride!

This book follows Anna and Charles as they assist the FBI in a decade long serial killer case in Boston, while Charles struggles to deal with the demons that his role as his father’s enforcers brings and how that impacts his relationship with his wife. I just adore the relationship between Anna and Charles – they are true equals and partners in the truth. While their relationship is under strain, it is not love or trust that is in doubt. Overall, the relationship feels warm and very sweet – I would love to find a Charles of my very own!

The investigation of the serial killer is intriguing and does introduce a number of new characters to the world. I especially liked Leslie, the FBI agent on the case and would love to see her gain a story of her own at some point. While there are some intense fight scenes most of the action here are personality clashes and wolf dominance battles (mostly growling and eye contact) which helps develop the wolf world. I pretty much devoured the whole book and struggled to put it down enjoying the whole thing. Then at the end something happens which is a major game changer for this world which will have serious consequences for Anna and Charles as well as the Mercy Thompson series...things won’t be the same again!

Recommended for fans of Rachel Vincent and Carrie Vaughn. 9 out of 10

Hellforged Review

Hellforged (Deadtown 2)

-       Nancy Holzner

Publisher: Ace Fantasy

A demon is stalking Vicky's dreams-just as several of Deadtown's zombies are viciously attacked and become really dead. And when Vicky realizes she is the only connection between the victims, she suspects that the demon is somehow working through her dreams to become Deadtown's living nightmare

Occasionally you come across a book that reminds you of all you love about your favourite genre. And for me the Deadtown books just bring the joy and fun of Urban Fantasy back. Vicky is in trouble again when zombies in Deadtown are being killed and the police are told not to investigate. Added to which the demon who killed her father is back and haunting her dreams.

I love Vicky as a character – she is independent but not cold, sure of who she is and can kick serious demon butt! As a shapeshifter she has the power to change into any animal she wants and I love that it’s not just the predators she changes into – she uses all sorts of different animals to protect those she loves. This time round Vicky spends a lot of time with her aunt, who has more secrets and it was interesting to see Vicky as the student to her aunt’s Yoda as it brought a different perspective to her character.

Vicky’s friends and love interests are varied and help make this world fully fleshed out. I actually liked her on-off boyfriend, Kane a lot more this time around but missed the connection she had with fully human detective Daniel. There is plenty of action with Vicky fighting demons – both real and her own. Not everything is wrapped up neatly and there are some very intriguing hints of what else is going on in the world. For a completely fun, fast-paced and joyous Urban Fantasy, this is one series that is very hard to beat.

Recommended for fans of Rachel Vincent and Kelley Armstrong. 9 out of 10.

Deadtown Review

Deadtown (Deadtown 1)

-       Nancy Holzner

Publisher: Ace Fantasy

They call it Deadtown: the city's quarantined section for its inhuman and undead residents. Most humans stay far from its borders - but Victory Vaughn, Boston's only professional demon slayer, isn't exactly human.

Sometimes when you pick up a book and read the first few pages you just know you are going to love the characters, the style of writing and the adventure ahead. I knew after I had finished the first paragraph that I was going to have a blast with Victory ‘Vicki’. Vicki is the only active shapeshifter in Boston – a town filled with previously deceased and paranormal Americans (or zombies, vampires and werewolves to most of us). And now a demon from her past as returned to destroy the city - and Vicki is the only demon slayer in town.

So many people had recommended this series to me and I now confess this is one of the best Urban Fantasy books I’ve read this year. Vicki is courageous, smart and already has a wide association of paranormal friends: teenaged zombie apprentice, werewolf lawyer boyfriend (sort-of), vampire roommate and non-identified non-human bartender. Each one felt like a developed character – even given limited page time. Kane, her sort-of boyfriend is a paranormal American right activist which adds some nice tension to their relationship – more so than the fact he is a werewolf! Vicki’s sister and her children add a layer of humanity to the proceedings – and some very sweet moments.

The action is fast paced, furious and exciting. The Hellion terrorising Boston has a personal history with Vicki which makes it a personal mission. I gobbled up the pages and read the whole thing in two days – even staying up to 1am to finish it last night: something I haven’t done in a long time! The writing just draws you in and immerses you in the world. The world was so well thought out I felt like I was reading a middle book in a series, rather than the first one.

If you like fast paced adventure, some romantic tension, smart heroine, unusual take on zombies and having fun while reading, this is definitely the book to read! One of my favourite reads of the year without a doubt and a great reminder why I adore this genre. J

Recommended for fans of Ilona Andrews and Karen Chance. 9 out of 10