Showing posts with label Series - Sisters of the Moon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Series - Sisters of the Moon. Show all posts

Book: Courting Darkness




Yasmine Galenorn
Paranormal Romance
Jove / 2011
Mass Market / 286 Pages
Series Sisters of the Moon #10

We're the D'Artigo sisters: sexy, savvy ex-operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But being half-human, half-Fae means our powers go haywire at all the wrong times. My sister Delilah is a Death Maiden and werecat who belongs to the Autumn Lord. My sister Menolly is a vampire who's dating a gorgeous werepuma, and the godfather of the undead-set. And me? I'm Camille, Priestess of the Moon Mother, married to a dragon, a youkai, and a Svartan. But my dragon father-in-law has decided that he doesn't like having me for a member of the family...

It's Winter Solstice, and Aeval welcomes me into her Court of Darkness. With Morio still dangerously weak from his injuries and Vanzir alive only thanks to my silence, the thought of training under Morgaine doesn't seem as daunting as it did. But then, Hyto returns to shatter my life. Captured and swept off to the Dragon Reaches, can I manage to stay alive long enough to escape, even as Smoky's father intends to break my spirit, then my body?


I picked this book up because Series

What I liked the Most? The characters are so bold and alive

What I liked the Least? WTF ~ Chase again? This could have been dropped with no problem

Review:It seems that Camille’s books are always based in and around sex. Not that that is a bad thing, it just gets a little old.

There were issues (above and beyond the rape scene) in this book, the whole Chase subplot seemed to be bad addition (oops I need 5 more pages to make it a good book), Menolly is mostly missing except when she’s staring longingly at Mario or him her (I get it that bond is there, but really?), and while I get the whole she’s so sexy & voluptuous – she is not a goddess and no one can compare to Marilyn Monroe feminine mystique (especially when you are currently logging more meat than a deli). All in all I was disappointed in this one, but then again I usually am when Camille is the lead.

And I get that you feel certain music lends itself to the story, but this playlist is outrageously long!!!

Recommended to: Fans of the series only

Best Quote: There it was-waiting for us. Home, with smoke drifting from the chimney, and clear sparkling lights surrounding the porch. From the driveway, the three story Victorian shimmered like a beacon, both on the physical and on the astral. Flares of energy shot up like sun spots. I leaned back in the car, smiling. Our home, our haven against the demons.
(it’s the opening of the book & I thought it was beautifully written)

Book: Hexed




Ilona Andrews, Yasmine Galenorn, Allyson James, Jeanne C. Stein Young Adult
Berkley / 2011
Mass Market / 326 Pages
Series Kate Daniels #4.5, Sisters of the Moon #7.5

Four of the bestselling names in romance and fantasy come together in this collection of thrilling novellas featuring powerful women who know how to handle a hex or two...
New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews spins "Magic Dreams." Shapeshifting tigress Dali Harimau finds herself in deep waters when she must challenge a dark being to a battle of wits or risk losing the man for whom she secretly longs.
In "Ice Shards," New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn returns to the Otherworld as Iris Kuusi, a Finnish house sprite, journeys to the frozen Northlands to confront the crazed shadow of her former lover and break the curse that is keeping her from marrying the man she loves.
National bestselling author Allyson James takes you to Magellan, Arizona, where Stormwalker Janet Begay and her friends are trapped by a powerful curse. It will take every bit of magic simmering beneath her skin for the Stormwalker to survive being "Double Hexed."
From national bestselling author Jeanne C. Stein comes "Blood Debt," in which bounty-hunter-turned-vampire Anna Strong is visited by three witches who ask her to right an old magical wrong. Anna will have to live up to her last name to make it through alive.


I picked this book up because Yasmine Galenorn’s story

What I liked the Most? Iris’ story – the depth of the cold

What I liked the Least? Allyson James & Jeanne Stein just simply could not get into them – perhaps if I started with book 1 in both series

Review: Ilona Andrews "Magic Dreams." I would have to say that while the other books in this series kinda bored me – this had me rolling on the floor laughing Jim gets hit with the sleepies, Dali is a spellcasting vegan white tiger, Asian mommies loosing their accent & magic snails make for a very interesting & entertaining read.
Yasmine Galenorn "Ice Shards" YAY!! Iris is ready to take back her power and she is up for the task with the assistance of the Elemental Lord Howl, his family and of course a few of her friends (Camille, Smokey, & Rox). She needs to return home & face what occurred all those years ago – did or didn’t she kill her Priest & lover.
Allyson James "Double Hexed." Did not finish – I was not impressed with the scattered focus and snobby undertones that were used in the opening gambits of the story.
Jeanne C. Stein "Blood Debt," Did not finish – Once again I was not impressed, this short story depends on you having read the series so you know what’s going on.

Recommended to:I would have to say that Magic Dreams could be for anyone but the other 3 are better left to fans of the series

Best Quote: "Minutes passed by. A little blue butterfly landed on my nose. I blinked at it and it fluttered to my ear. A big yellow butterfly gently floated over and landed on my paw. Soon a whole swarm of them floated up and down around me, like a swirl of multicolored petals. It happened in my backyard, too, if the magic was strong enough. Butterflies were small and light, and very magic sensitive. For some reason I made them feel safe and they gravitated to me like iron shavings to a magnet. They ruined my ferocious badass image, but you’d have to be a complete beast to swat butterflies. If a baby deer frolicked out from between the buildings trying to cuddle up, I would roar. I wouldn’t bite it, but I would roar. I had my limits."

Book:Demon Mistress





Yasmine Galenorn
Paranormal Romance
Penguin Group June 2009
Mass Market/285 pages
Sisters of the Moon Series, #6



We're the D'Artigo Sisters: Half-human, half-Faerie, we're savvy--and sexy--operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But our mixed-blood heritage short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times. My sister Camille is a wicked-good witch whose magic is as unpredictable as the weather. My sister Delilah transforms into a tabby cat at the worst possible times. And me? I'm Menolly, acrobat-extraordinaire-turned-vampire. And if the nerds from hell don't get their act together, I'm going to turn their toga party into a bloodbath...

Life's getting stranger by the minute. First, Iris and I unearth a diary from one of the bartenders at the Wayfarer who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. And when I discover a ghoul in the woods near our home, we know there has to be a necromancer nearby--another sign that something's wrong. But the blood really hits the fang when we discover a secret society bent on winning Shadow Wing's favor. Now it's up to us to stop the chaos they've unleashed on the city, and to prevent the demon they summoned from devouring Delilah's soul...


I picked this book up because it is part of a series that I am reading.

What I liked the Most? Menolly is really coming back to herself.

What I liked the Least? Confusion

Review: During spring cleaning at the bar, Menolly finds some fascinating items in a room upstairs - a diary kept in a secret language & a locket - left behind by an elf bartender who possibly returned to Otherworld. While Menolly considers what to do, a new radically different demonic assault begins to absorb the life force out of the fae. There appears no counterattack to prevent this threat from succeeding and evidence mounts that a human group is now aiding the demon Lord Shadow Wing.

Recommended to: Fans of the series - confusion for non readers of the series.

Best Quote "Camille's not making anymore bargins" - Smokey.

Challenges Para 999, 100+

Book:Night Huntress



Yasmine Galenorn
Paranormal Romance
Penguin Group January 2009
Mass Market/320 pages
Sisters of the Moon Series, #5



We're the D'Artigo sisters: sexy, savvy operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But being half-human, half-Fae means our supernatural talents always go haywire at the wrong time. My sister Camille is a wicked good witch who attracts men like honey attracts flies. Menolly's a vampire who's still getting the hang of being undead. And me? I'm Delilah, a werecat who's been marked by the Autumn Lord as one of his Death Maidens. And wouldn't you know it, Karvanak--the demon general who stole the third Spirit Seal--is back. And this time, he's out for blood...

The Hags of Fate enjoy seeing me squirm. First, my boyfriend, Chase, mutters another woman's name in his sleep. Then I discover the Autumn Lord has a very special plan for me. But things go from bad to deadly when Karvanak--the Rāksasa--returns. In order to get his greedy hands on both the fourth Spirit Seal and his former associate, Vanzir, he kidnaps Chase. Now, we have to find a way to rescue the man I love without risking the safety of both Otherworld and Earth...


I picked this book up because it is part of a series that I am reading.
What I liked the Most? This book, Delilah is growing up and getting her claws.

What I liked the Least? The lies - that was just WRONG.

Review:This book centers on Delilah, the werecat/panther/Death Maiden - and that is just the beginning. Not a good standalone. There is a continuous plot running throughout all the books, but honestly it is getting really muddled, and from one book to the next I don't feel the flow is creating any sense of escalating tension.

The combat felt like a D&D session to me - role, do damage, your turn. Even though the characters acknowledge early on in one major raid on a demon-infested house that their opponents probably have preternatural hearing AND already know they're there, they stand around in the hallway debating and planning strategy endlessly. It's not even remotely realistic.

This book felt odd and stilted. I mean - I understand that the series is growning & changing & usually I don't have issue with is, but wow - why stay with the liar? Why put yourself out there for the BS? This book was off from the very beginning. Here's to hoping the next is better.

Recommended to: Fans of the series - not a good stand alone

Best Quote "Mayb we'll get lucky, and they'll just be a bunch of Caspers," - Delilah.

Challenges Para 999, 100+

Book:Dragon Wytch


Yasmine Galenorn
Paranormal Romance
Penguin Group July 2008
Mass Market/304 pages
Sisters of the Moon Series, #4



We're the D'Artigo sisters: savvy--and sexy--operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But being half-human, half-Fae short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times. My sister Delilah shapeshifts into a tabby cat whenever she's stressed. Menolly's a vampire who's still getting the hang of being undead. And me? I'm Camille, a wicked-good witch, trying to juggle faulty magic, gorgeous men, and the demonic war in which we're embroiled. Sometimes, it's hard to know just who we can trust...

"The Equinox is coming, and mayhem rules. A crown-prince unicorn offers us a legendary gift, but it vanishes. Goblins and trolls swarm the streets of Seattle. And now Smoky, the sexiest dragon alive, decides to stake his claim--on me. Overshadowing it all, the third spirit seal surfaces and Shadow Wing's after it. But I've discovered a secret that could change everything. A new power is rising--a dangerous force from the past--one that intends to restore balance to the worlds...whether we like it or not."

I picked this book up because it is part of a series that I am reading.
What I liked the Most? For the series - it has to be the rotating primary character. For this book, Smokey's getting hot!
What I liked the Least? How the book is peppered with even more new characters. It gets annoying after awhile trying to keep every one straight.

Review:Dragon Wytch returns the series to Camille's narration.

From the start of the series it's been all about defending home (Earthside & OtherWorld) from the demon forces of Shadow Wing. And this story is no exception - as every one races for the third spirit seal. Along the way, more characters & of course trouble.

*Portals popping up all over and spewing out Goddess knows what.
*Add Benjamin, a human who sees visions - his family thinks he's nuts, but Morio's not so sure.
*A tool to be used - but only if you can stand up for yourself.
*But don't forget to include demons, dragons, goblins, trolls, vampires, shapeshifters, and also all other types of magical creatures from just about any culture.

There is of course lots of fighting, a sprinkle of sisterly antics and a healthy does of Camille and her men - which makes for a very interesting read. If you've been following the series there are some MIAs but you learn to deal.

Recommended to: Other fantasy, urban fantasy, or paranormal fans who appreciate detailed worlds and interesting lore - this is a series you should be looking into, but it is very shy on the romance side. (Sex does not equal romance. Relationship development does.)

Best Quote "You cannot have light without dark, clarity without shadow." - Morgaine.

Challenges Para 999, 100+

Book: Darkling



Yasmine Galenorn
Paranormal Romance
Penguin Group / January 2008
Mass Market / 304 pages
Sisters of the Moon #3


We’re the D’Artigo sisters: Half-human, half-Faerie, we’re savvy – and sexy – operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But our mixed-blood heritage short circuits our talents at all the wrong times. My sister Camille is a wicked-good witch whose magic is as unpredictable as the weather. My sister Delilah transforms into a tabby cat when she’s under stress. And Me? I’m Menolly, acrobat-extraordinaire-turned-vampire. And I’d give my right fang to make my sire pay for killing me. That is, if he doesn’t find me first…

All over Seattle, humans have been going missing, only to turn up as newborn vampires - the sure sign of a rogue vamp on the loose. It looks like Dredge is to blame. The same sadistic Dredge who gave me my scars, and who may well be in cahoots with the demon Shadow Wing. If so, Otherworld and Earth are screwed. The only way we can hope to defeat Dredge is for me to travel home to Otherworld, where I must face my own demons. Because unless I sever the ties that bind me to Dredge, all hell is going to break loose....

I picked this book up because
What I liked the Most?
What I liked the Least?

Review:Darkling is the third book in the series, and is from Menolly's point of view.

Menolly is the baby of the group chronologically but her life has definitely been the hardest. While on a spy mission for the OIA Menolly was captured by a rogue vampire - he tortured and raped her, killed her and turned her into a vampire and then released her with the orders to return home and prey on her family. For the past twelve earthside years she has been stuck in the past, reliving her memories of that night, never managing to get over the attack that not only killed her but changed her for eternity.

The story this time focused on the escalation of the battle between the sisters and the Earth invasion of the Elwing Blood Clan. Headed by Menolly's sire, the clan proceeds to nab unsuspecting humans, creating a human/Fae crisis as people start to disappear. The "stakes" are raised when a close friend is taken. With the help of previous characters, like Morio the fox demon and Chase Johnson, plus the addition of the incubus demon, Roz, the sisters must scour the city and beyond for new, blood-crazed vampires.

Recommended to:Darkling has references and appearances ranging Merlin, Morgan LeFay, Grandmother Coyote (one of the Hags of Fate), to Demonkin, and so much much more. Darkling makes for an entertaining, fast paced read that should satisfy most urban fantasy fans. This book IS NOT a paranormal romance – no matter what it says on the spine of the book - if you are a fantasy fan who enjoys reading exciting fantasy adventure novels with strong female protagonists, then this is a series you would like.

Oops - and because I recommended this series with out fair warning - There is a Girl on Girl mini sex scene - it's not terribly graphic, but it is there. Considering the next person warned AuntieSocial.

Best Quote:

Challenges: Para 999, 100+

Changling - Yasmine Galenorn

(Publisher Bits)

We’re the D’Artigo sisters: Half-human, half-Faerie, we’re savvy – and sexy – operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But our mixed-blood heritage short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times. My sister Camille is a wicked–good witch whose magic is as unpredictable as the weather. My sister Menolly is a vampire trying to get the hang of being undead.

And me? I’m Delilah. When I’m under stress, I transform into a tabby cat – and a series of violent murders is really getting me bent out of shape. Someone's been slaughtering the Weres of the Rainier Puma Pride, and my sisters and I have been enlisted to investigate by Zachary Lyonnesse, golden boy of the werepumas.

Right away we smelled demon trouble, and we tracked it directly into the snare of the Hunters Moon Clan, sworn enemies of Puma Pride. But there's more than Were rivalry at work. It's that old demon Shadow Wing who is setting a deadly snare for the pumas. We have to find out why, which means a visit one to of the Immortals. Unfortunately, for my sisters and me, our half-human blood is just enough to put us in mortal danger.
(My Turn)
This books main focus is the middle sister, Delilah, and the story starts off by introducing us to the entertaining world of being a long haired tabby cat.

You are introduce to her world, at least this small part of it, from the very beginning of the story. Instead of having scary magical powers or the ability to morph into an impressive large beast Delilah is content in what she was given at birth, the often times unstable ability to were naturally into a small and flippant housecat. But, Delilah's life is about to get alot more complicated.

Add in scary yucky poisonous were Spiders, a returning shaman with powers untold, The Autumn Lord marking someone, Smokey hitting on Camille, feeling left out and misunderstood, and you have the makings of a really good story.

Witchling - Yasmine Galenorn

(Publisher)
We’re the D’Artigo sisters: Half-human, half-Faerie, we’re savvy – and sexy – operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But our mixed-blood heritage short-circuits our talents at all the wrong times. My sister Delilah shapeshifts into a tabby cat whenever she’d stressed. Menolly’s a vampire who still trying to get the hang of being undead. And me? I’m Camille – a wicked-good witch. Except my magic’s as unpredictable as the weather, which my enemies are about to find out the hard way…

At the Wayfarer Inn, a portal to Otherworld and the local hangout for humans and beasties alike, a fellow operative, Jocko, has been murdered. Every clue points to Shadow Wing, the soul-munching, bad-ass leader of the Subterranean Realms. He's made it clear that he aims to raze humankind to the ground, turning both Earth and Otherworld into his private playground.

Our assignment: keep Shadow Wing and his minions from creeping into Earth via the Wayfarer. The demons figure they're in like Flynn. After all, with only my bumbling sisters and me standing in the way, how can they miss? But we've got a secret for them: Faulty wiring or not, nobody kicks ass like the D'Artigo girls…
(My Turn)

First up - this book suffers from massive genre confusion. Witchling is most definitely urban fantasy even though it has been marketed as a paranormal romance. However, 2 so-so sex scenes and a mention or 3 of romantic interludes does not a romance make so the action plot ends up being the driving force of the story. Meaning that no matter what it says on the spine of the book this novel is definitely not romance.

The story itself wraps in and around the three half fairy sisters (Dad is Sidhe & Mom was Human) - Camille the witch (as told from her perspective), Delilah the tabby cat shapeshifter and Menolly the newbie vampire - and their relationships, both with each other and with the entities that they encounter. You also have a roster full of every supernatural beastie you could imagine – either as friends and foes and frenemies.

In reality - the story was a little hard to get into at the beginning, an extremely predictable read, but in the end a good book. I'm looking forward to picking up the next in the series to see if Ms Galenorn develops in this genre.