Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of mThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I don’t know what is going on…recently it seems like I’ve found a few more books that have angel/demon dynamics in them. I won’t say that Celestial Academy: Essence the first book in the Afterworld series has large religious intonations, because it definitely does not. It is more like various teams playing on the court. You have team Angels, they appear to be the upper crust of society now and make many of the rules in the human world. Then there is team demons who tend to run some of the shadier happenings in this world. There are also some fey, vampires, shifters, goblins and other supernaturals hanging out too. Then there is the bottom of the food chain so to speak, the humans. Most are sold into slavery to Angels, demons or others. They have been since the world was lost in the magical war twenty-ish years ago. This is the story of one of those Humans, Wen.
Wen, well what can I say I loved her from the beginning. She has sass, an unusual talent, a really high threshold to pain, a mouth that runs away with her when it should just shut up and a propensity to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Owned by a demon she is doing everything to get out of his clutches along with her best friend and roommate Sarah. Wen will do whatever it takes, even if that means selling Angel Essence (something only she seems able to collect) to earn the money needed to buy their freedom. After she is busted by Godrick one of the Nephilim, whom she dubs Angelhole (see sassy), she is swept away to the Celestial school to be trained by none other than the sexy half angel she just can’t help antagonizing. As Godrick tries to whip her into shape, Wen just tries to stay alive in this magical school that seems to want her dead.
There are fights and challenges to move to the next level. Wen, will have a shot to learn what she is capable of and possibly a little bit into the question of who/what she really is. With her bff Sarah also at the school, at least she has one ally.
I hear this is like Zodiac Academy (ZA), but I haven’t read that series yet and so cannot comment on the similarities. Still that said now I want to jump into ZA as well. I always enjoy the magical school set up. Wen is roommate with four other women of various background and the five of them make up one team. They are supposed to learn how to work together to pass the tests coming at them. A little had to do with a demoness, a fey, a paltry human, a Nephilim and whatever Wen is. It was also nice that all the characters are around twenty so them lusting a little here and there felt slightly more mature and less icky. The romance aspect of the story is a really slow burn. The forced proximity wore Godrick down as Wen is likeable overall and her needling of him turned from aggravating to flirtatious. It is a fun relationship to watch.
Come back to me - always
I’m really excited to see what is in story for the characters of this story in the next book. The ending wasn’t a cliff hanger, but the author definitively gave us a tease and dropped a little bomb to get the reader really excited to see where the next story is going to go.
"The world humans knew did end, if not in the way we thought it would. It’s now a whole new world – Afterworld – because of one tiny difference. We now have Hell – and Heaven – on Earth.”
Narration: I have listened to a few other books that Amanda Leigh Cobb has narrated. I think she is a good pick for this series as it is through Wen's PoV and Amanda delivers Wen's humor and snark really well. She brings out both the tough and the vulnerable sides of the main character while not diminishing the performances of the other characters. I enjoyed her performance of the novel and believe it added to my overall enjoyment of the book. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the conThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Dragon in Winter is the final book in the Kagen the Damnedseries. Like the endings to most epic grimdark fantasies we don't wrap everything in tidy little bows and happy endings. But we do get an ending and I will say overall it is a satisfying conclusion to this journey.
“We’re all pretending to be heroes, dear heart,” she observed. “Everyone is looking to us now, so we had better play the parts assigned to us.”
Mayberry did a great job of moving the story and keeping a lot of tension happening throughout. A lot of the chapters are really short, pivoting the reader between multiple PoVs quickly to keep the momentum of the story going until the last battle fought at the end. We, the reader, get to view this story through a lot of different character's eyes and it really helped with the pacing and the overall knowledge the reader is privy to, even when other characters are not. Even so, there were still a few surprises to be had along the way as scripts were flipped and various revelations made.
The veils between the worlds are blurring and Kagen is one that can see between them sometimes. Loved by a faery, he has some protections that help to carry him through the story. Maralina, will do what she can to help the mortal man who chained her heart to him. They are doomed and we know it, but I really longed to see Kagen and Maralina reunited sometime in this story.
There is so much going on though out the story. Kagen's brothers are traveling to the North looking for a lost brother and the last dragon in this world, Fabeldyr. The dragon brought magic to this world and her death will also be the death of all magic, she must be saved. The Witch King is gathering his strength and followers for a ceremony and transformation into a demigod. Kagen will need to defeat him before the ritual or all is lost. Alliances are made and the kingdoms will choose sides for the war of all wars.
“By the cast-iron balls of the god of blacksmiths,” growled Tuke. “That was a flag of truce. He came over to parlay”
“I know,” said Kagen, his voice as cold as winter ice. “But I came here to start a war.”
So many of the characters had parts to play in the bigger story. The Widow finally starts to show what she has become and how she will contribute to the war. Tuke and Filia are really the best friends Kagen could possibly have. I like how they keep him human and Tuke's various references to different gods balls were some of my favorite lines in the book. Jheklan and Faulker had one of the arcs that was the most interesting to me as I was really excited to get to the ice caves and see the dragon.
The Witch King is a fantastic bad guy. He was so easy to hate for so many reasons. The twist with him was both surprising and not surprising when it came. I had suspected for most of the book what the twist would be. The cost of magic was high and that was never sugar coated in our scenes with him. The Witch King was smart, ruthless and so cruel. But we the reader spend time in his head and so while I wanted him dead for so many reasons, I felt like he was one of he more intricate characters of the story and his chapters were fascinating.
At the end, while most things were wrapped up and this is definitely a concluded story I couldn't help but be disappointed it was over. I want to see where some of my favorite characters were years in the future and new stories made with some of the characters I'd grown to love. I could see Mayberry possibly creating another story in this word, although it is unclear if it will be something he will undertake later.
If you enjoy grimdark epic fantasy, I think this could be a good overall series for you. I enjoyed each book a little more than the last with the building of the characters, the world and the journey....more
3.5 I love you and hate you all at the same time stars
I'm really torn on this series. On the one hand it is really readable. On the other hand the rea3.5 I love you and hate you all at the same time stars
I'm really torn on this series. On the one hand it is really readable. On the other hand the reader is sometimes asked to accept stuff, just cuz, and Violet the MC occasionally is just remarkably dumb. So much so that I almost didn't make it past the first 100 pages because I was irritated with her.
Violet has just found out (spoiler for Fourth Wing) (view spoiler)[Xaden is part of the resistance and didn't tell Violet the secret of the resistance. Including but not limited to the fact her brother is still alive (hide spoiler)], and she throws this big fit over it. To her it is just a huge betrayal that she wasn't trusted with the secrets. Which I found utterly ridiculous since one, they weren't just Xaden's secrets and two Violet's mother is the General so why would you give her information like that.
“Stop bringing logic into an emotional argument.”
But it seems there needed to be some extra drama or tension between the love interest so we had to deal with this manufactured drama...ugh. But once we got over that eye rolling nonsense there was some really cool fighting and war stuff going on. Xaden and Violet have to deal with being separated at times to since Xaden has graduated and is part of the war while Violet is just in her second year.
“The first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity.”
I think what really sells the series for me so far is wanting to know more about the Dragons and the Empyrean. I love how the bonding works and I'm usually a fan of the fated mates tropes so a lot of that is working for me. Tairn is a fantastic character and I enjoy his viciousness in the protection of Violet and Andarna. Andarna's transformation from a feather tail into the color she will be as an adult and her "teenage" years are pretty funny at times and eye rolling at other times. There really was no in between.
A few items to put in the plus column for this book is the expansion of the world building. We get a clear view of who the enemy is and what they are capable of. Character development, when Violet isn't being completely stupid over some stupid secrets, she becomes a bad ass in some other ways. Introduction of the infantry and their roles in the war along with the Griffin's and some of their riders. I liked learning more about the greater world outside of the school for dragon riders. Development of the General and Violet's relationship as well gave the reader some deeper insight to the actions of the general and a very touching moment at one point in the book. I enjoyed learning more about the scribes lives as well and the true reasons why the general sent Violet to threshing.
The stakes are higher and the rebellion/revolution is on. Violet is put through some incredibly difficult situations and targeted not just because of who her mother is but also because she and Xaden are an item. Delving into Xaden's origin story and the burden placed on him to protect all of the children from the rebellion what a huge addition to the overall story.
A few of the items in the minus column are Violets "I need to know all the secrets" mentality. It was really tiresome. The continued schooling that killed off rider after rider. So many deaths that felt hollow. The length of the book. It is almost 40% longer than the first book. I think there were some things that could have been streamlined. It almost felt like 2 separate books.
The ending had a very nice twist that I should have seen coming but didn't. It will be interesting to see what comes of it in the next book. While I saw most of the twists coming the one involving Xaden at the end I did not, so well done there Ms. Yaros.
Overall, I can see why so many people seem to like this series. I will continue on but hope that some of the manufactured tension is more believable and that we get a look at the dragon culture and how the Empyrean really works. Dragon politics, I want more.
Narration:
Well this is a full cast and that just adds to ever enjoyment factor for this series. Sometimes the special effects in the background can get a little overpowering. Especially in the middle of battles. But overall having different actors for all the main voices adds so much to the overall impact of the narration. Graphic Audio always does a great job with all of their adaptations and this one is no different....more
“One generation to change the text. One generation chooses to teach that text. The next g
3.5 Fluffy Dragon Stars
review for entire book + audio
“One generation to change the text. One generation chooses to teach that text. The next grows, and the lie becomes history.”
What kind of reader are you? Are you like me and you read ~200 books a year, most of them fantasy of some kind, some of them epic tombs that are more squares than rectangles? Or are you a slightly less seasoned reader that is really just in it for the ride more than the world? I think how much you enjoy this story will depend on the answers to those questions.
I see why this is so popular. I didn't jump on the twilight or 50 shades train when it was going by either. So for me over all this is just an okay read. I like the overall story, although it has some silliness surrounding Violet and Xaden's feelings and breathless anticipation. But an exclusive program that Violet never planned on going to and the opportunity to bond with a dragon? Yes! I totally see the appeal of that story.
Violet's mother was key in driving down the resistance years ago. All the leaders of that rebellion were executed but the children were saved only to be conscripted into the Empyrean forces were they will either make it through the program with a dragon or die trying. Violet had planned to be a scribe and spent her entire life leaning towards that, except she was forced by her mother to join the Riders Quadrant. She was considered frail her entire life and has a slight disability. Not to mention that being in the quadrant with the children of the people her mother killed has branded her as a target she isn't sure if she'll be able to stay alive. But hey, she's done some other impossible things so why not.
“Hope is a fickle, dangerous thing. It steals your focus and aims it toward the possibilities instead of keeping it where it belongs—on the probabilities.”
I will say that I enjoy the school type format of the story. I always love a good competition for your life and add in Dragons there is a lot to like. But my dang fantasy brain wanted more. Violet eventually bonds with a Dragon and we get a peak into the bond between rider and Dragon. But it seems the Dragons have hierarches and politics of their own that I really wanted to get a better understanding of.
Besides Violet and Xaden every other character is really flat and thankfully the love triangle that is kind of happening doesn't really look like one of the guys has a chance so there isn't a extra drama llama there.
The romance is sorta a slow burn. It is supposed to be enemies to lovers and while Xaden should have Violet because of who her mother is, he never came across super hateful and you always felt like there was more there.
Violet I sorta had a love/hate thing with too. She is really smart and needed to have some accommodations made due to some of her physical fragility but most of the time she gives a snarky quip and just moves along with out wallowing. Still when it comes to Xaden she is a bit silly. There is some drama after they get together that seemed like Violet over reacted especially after the big battle at the end of the book. I just thought it didn't really need to be so blown up.
Deaths...there were so many deaths. Every time I turned around another cadet was being killed by a dragon, a fight, the obstacle course, etc. There was really only one death that was impactful in the entire story because all the others were just throw away. Seemed like they didn't really need to be there.
So overall. I get why with the format of this book and the way it reads it would be such a big draw for so many casual readers. There is still a lot to really enjoy in the overall book and sometimes I can just let some of the silliness go and really fall into the story. But it is like candy and I completely gobbled it up but then 30 minutes later your hungry because you forgot you ate anything. But don't get me wrong I still enjoyed eating the candy that was this story.
Narration
Graphic Audio is something I enjoy. Sure sometimes that sound effects can be a little to much and roll over the story a little but I've learned to drown some of that out when needed. For a story like this I appreciate the full cast of characters for the voices and the sound effects make it seem so epic. This is a story I really prefer in this kind of a format.
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the conThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
The entire Red Winter trilogy all in one great audiobook. This trilogy is steeped in Japanese culture and lore. It follows a young girl, Emi who has always known she would be a vessel for a goddess Amaterasu on earth one day and the sneaky fox she saved who has tricks up his sleeve and secrets in his body and soul. This is a solid Romantasy with a mystery to be unraveled and a forbidden love that just cannot be.
For those of us who are not very familiar with Japanese mythology and lore, this is a great introduction for readers to learn about various types of characters in the mythos and their roles in the supernatural world. From Kami and Yoki to the gods that inhabit vessels on the mortal plain. But most of all the Kitsune, who found a little Miko in the forest and protected her, kicking off the wildest of adventures and eventual love stories.
“Actions change our course, influence our futures, but intentions define us, empower us. Without intent, we are nothing.”
Emi, only has until the solstice before one of the gods ascends and takes her body. She has been sheltered her entire life living with monks and others who keep her safe until that ascension. Meeting Shiro was unexpected and when she asks him for a boon it kicks off an adventure Emi will never be the same after. As they travel to help Emi discover what becomes of her after the ascension of Amaterasu, they pick up probably the crankiest crow Tengu, Lord of Crow and Prince of Shadows to assist with the journey. Shiro has a mystery of his own to solve. Bound by some kind of magic, he has no memories of his previously life. Each layer that Emi is able to remove reveals his past and the creature he was before the curse.
Emi will transform throughout this story from the sheltered girl who is just a vessel for someone else, into a strong fighter and protector tasked with finding and saving the Earthly Gods that have all disappeared. She will need so many new friends from the supernatural world to help in this endeavor and Shiro might play the biggest role or be the key to being able to free them. Both will transform as we learn all the secrets of the kitsune, clever and patient that may just steal Emi's heart and a god's vessel along the way.
There are incredible fights and action. Betrayals and twists. And so many other things that happen throughout this story. Sacrifices and transformations will be made and a woman will lead an army to stop a deity from breaking the world.
This story is for anyone who loves a good longing romance and a great epic journey to save the world. It is a really soft and thorough introduction to Japanese lore for those of us that are newer to the mythos. I was able to understand the fantasy world created and all the players in it. I would say that anyone who is interested into expanding their knowledge base of this culture and the lore of it would find a good read in this story.
“I would have kept you forever, little miko." His words were soft, almost soundless. "I would have taken you with me wherever the tides of time carried us, and I would have loved you until the very end.”
Narration: Emily Woo Zeller is a narrator I have listened to numerous times. She brings a great performance to every narration I have listened to and you can tell she is seasoned in the art of narration. All the voices are clear, I appreciated her diction on words that are not common in the English language and I think it made the story overall easier for me to understand. Especially when Emi cast spells in Japanese. Really a great choice to help carry the story. I was able to listen to this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Son of the Poison Rose is the second book in the Grimdark series, Kagen the DamnedThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Son of the Poison Rose is the second book in the Grimdark series, Kagen the Damned. Our story picks up soon after the events of the first book and the thwarted coronation of the Witch King. Kagen, Tuke and Filia are on the run and enemy number ones of the new Yellow Empire. They alone have cast some doubts into the hearts of rulers of the other lands and may be the only reason the Witch King finds himself on the verge of war.
I am going to be one of the few who liked this book more than the first and that is probably because it felt like there was more world and character building moments than in the first book. In Kagen the Damned, I struggled a little because the start of the book was one big battle and then there was Kagen's depression after failing the seedlings and becoming damned. In Son of the Poison Rose, Kagen is still Damned and has a cause to save the two children he saw at the Witch King's palace, two of the seedlings that did survive and the Witch King is pawning them off as his own children. To even hope to win this fight, he will need some new allies and to build an entire army.
With the help of Tuke, Filia and Mother Frey he has a path that might just work, but it means traveling into the treacherous jungles where a race of cannibals live to search for some mystic tombs that may hold the key to the Witch Kings undoing. There will me many trials along the way and some great moments as Kagen becomes 'the hero' of this story. His gods may have turned their back on him but there is something brewing within him and I could see how he was changing from a guy trained to kill and protect, to an actual hero who might be the lynch pin to saving an entire world from the Witch King and his tender mercies.
The Witch King is a cruel master and he proves it ever more in this book. He has called forth beings long asleep to his cause and as they start showing up to the court they bring with them both wonders and horrors. In an attempt to consolidate his power, he will unleash an unspeakable plague on the people to further his ambitions. Using his underlings the Witch King will do horrific things.
Kestral was one of his most prized advisors and underlings. The Witch King has given her a task that is almost impossible and will probably kill her. She is to find Kagen's blood in the hall and create a deadly razor night to hunt him. As she works to her task, we see how it changes a few of the Witch King's other trusted underlings and might sow some distrust as to the safety of their positions too. The arrival of the Prince of Games to court adds all new kinds of trouble as he bring chaos with him where ever he goes.
There are some other small side stories happening. The largest is with Ryssa, grieving the loss of her lover and new initiate into the faith of the Dreaming God. She is becoming something. Named the Widow, she will have a larger part to play in the overall story it seems.
The pacing in Son of the Poison Rose worked better for me since it was a little more steady overall. With the PoV shifts and the format of the chapters, I felt like the book moved along at a good pace while opening up the work even more to the reader and building on the original story. Jonathan Maberry also did a great job of reminding the reader what happened in the first book without doing an official recap. It had been a little over a year and a half since I read it and I was able to be reminded of the most important parts of the first book while staying engrossed in this one.
The cast of characters is large, but each PoV is important to the overall story. I specifically liked the chapters with the Twins in them. Held at the palace, told by the Witch King, he is their father and forced to be other children, I liked their small rebellions and how they are fighting back in their own ways. As the reader seeing all the PoVs helped build all of the characters even more as they are not all good or all bad but just working most of their own agenda's. Lady Kestral, for instance, won my appreciation and her twist was very interesting to the overall scope of the book.
This is going to work well for people who are fans of Grim Dark and complex fantasy novels. There are a lot of moving parts, morally gray characters and interesting plot lines. I'm so excited to actually see the Dragon in the next book and find how our tale will conclude.
Narration: Ray Porter is a fantastic narrator with a huge collection of titles in his catalog. For me he is always a win with a rich voice, fantastic diction and pacing of words along with enough variation on voices to carry a story with this many characters. I've never had a bad experience with any book he has narrated and I think he brings a lot of depth to this role. I'm sure that listening to his performance of the second book added to my enjoyment of the overall story.
Wise Men of Gotham picks up not long after the events of The Hungry Dreaming. Seelie is staying with T4 a Deconstruction of Alice in Wonderland Stars
Wise Men of Gotham picks up not long after the events of The Hungry Dreaming. Seelie is staying with Tyler who has basically adopted her. Nell and Tyler still work together but the paper has been bought out and they want fluff pieces no hard hitting journalism anymore. All three are pulled into a new mystery when one of the daughters of Hekate is gunned down. Was it for her job because she was a cop, or was it because she was a witch? The team is going to have to figure that out.
"Never punish a student because they don't know what you didn't teach them in the first place."
This takes us on another adventure through New York as Seelie explores the different powers she has and finds out maybe she isn't the only dreamer in the city. Tyler and Nell will be pushed out of their comfort zone too, not only investigating the crime but looking long and hard at their feelings when Tyler is offered a job on another coast doing is comic drawings.
In true Schaefer style the story will take us on some odd twists and turns through the underbelly of New York. There are dirty cops, interesting artist types, a father with questionable morals, a roaming hit team taking out ghouls, spiders being a bit helpful and just because it wasn't all wierd enough, to top it all off a Jaberwalkie possible tied to all the people who are going to sleep and never waking up. Our trio will be neck deep in it all to get the scoop and save the day.
The story is really engaging. There are a lot of moving pieces and so it always felt like something big was happening. Nell is put in a pretty big bind, but Tyler and Seelie would never leave her side through it and they all make a great makeshift family.
"Remind her that witchcraft and ingenuity go hand in hand. Her imagination will point the way."
Seelie learning more about her witch powers with a little help from Nell and a very dead Alyce gave both some cool history to the story and an idea of how strong the coven was back in Alyce's day. Also an interesting idea of what a dream witch could really accomplish once trained.
Who knew I was going to like the Ghouls so much but Princess Dergwyn and not only some menace to the story but also an interesting side plot. Someone is hunting Ghouls and draining their blood. Seelie owes the princess a favor so it is her job to find the hunter and the ghouls will take it from there. I did like the dynamic between Tyler and Seelie through this scenario, as Tyler attempts to be a supporting parent and Seelie tries to remember she isn't on her own anymore and can build bridges and quit lying to the people in her life.
Overall the plot was strange and intricate with all the different lines blending together. Looks like with that ending there will be at least one more story in this world with a very interesting semi-villain of sorts. I'd also like to see where Tyler and Nell end up in their I love you, but maybe I'm not ready relationship. So I'll be looking for where this series leads next.
Narration:
Susannah Jones is a fantastic narrator. I've probably listened to around 30 books she has narrated and I'm never disappointed in her performance. She does UF and PNR so well and her voice brings the magic practically to life. All the characters are distinguishable and feel unique. She always adds to my overall enjoyment of a story with her capture of both the serious and the silly in a story....more
Team Weird is usually a fun time for me and I do really enjoy all the shenanigans that seem to happen at the time police. And while St. Mary's is a diTeam Weird is usually a fun time for me and I do really enjoy all the shenanigans that seem to happen at the time police. And while St. Mary's is a different kind of crazy there is still a lot of fun to be had with Team 236 as they muddle their way through different time catastrophes
[image]
We start off with a quandary of will the team chose to stay together or fall apart. But before we get to find out there is an emergency that puts Jane, Matthew and Luke on the way to search for some kids that time traveled to the past to sightsee a train. Seems the train is slated to disappear and become a ghost train travelling though time. As always when you put team weird on the trail something is bound to blow up in their faces and this time is no exception.
“Hansen, pull up what you can on the Ukraine sightings and we’ll put together a plan. Everyone else take a break. We’re chasing a runaway train through Time and space – this could take a while.”
Jane and Luke end up on the train. Matthew and Mikey use some unusual methods to try and help the team working to find them in time and get them off. And Grint, well he isn't going to stop until they find Jane.
Lets just say that in the beginning of this series I kinda wanted Jane and Luke to hook up. But I'm totally loving Grint and Jane and how rubbish both are at being in a relationship. They are completely perfect for each other and adorable in the awkwardness.
There were a few other things going on like relics from Easter Island on the black market and a silly string incident that took out a lot of time police for part of the story. Shenanigans abound in this and while the beginning took a minute get going, after we introduce the ghost train (which is a character all unto itself) the story really picks up pace.
I always enjoy Taylor's writing and Killing Time is no exception to that.
Narration:
Zara Ramm has done all of the books in the Chronicles of St Mary's and Time Police series. I think she really adds to my overall enjoyment of the series as her performance of the British humor really shines through. Her narration is always fun and I believe adds to my overall enjoyment of the entire series....more
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Bespelled is the second book in the Bewitched series. This is the second chance love story (mostly) of Selene Bowers, a pretty powerful witch and Memnon, the man she cursed to sleep for two thousand years in her last life. They are soulmates, bound to each other through space and time, but that doesn't mean it is going to be smooth sailing for them. Especially since Memnon is pissed he was placed in stasis for two millennia and can't wait to get his revenge, even if that revenge is on his soulmate.
When we left our characters at the end of Bewitched, Selene has tapped into the memories of her past life and she now knows what happened and why she put Memnon to sleep. He is dangerous and brutal and a conqueror from a different time. But he is learning all of the rules of this new metal jungle and he is starting to make some plays to put himself back in power. He loves Selene, but it is complicated by the betrayal he believes she perpetrated on him in her past life. But, what if there were good reasons, what if he made a mistake? How will he earn back the trust of the woman he is bound to through the ages so they might build a life together.
Meanwhile, witches and other magic welding creatures are dying in brutal ways and Selene wants to get to the bottom of it. Not just to protect herself but to also save some of her new found friends in the coven. Memnon will use all of his influence and newfound power to help the woman he loves and earn back some of the trust broken between them. God help any who harm or go after his mate, he will make them all pay. The stakes are high and no one is to be trusted.
“Call me a monster, call me a devil, but you and I both know I will fucking shatter the rules for you .” He stares at me fervently. “Always for you.”
I liked this story better than Bewitched, we get to see some of Selene's past life that really added credence to her power. She is growing into the sorceresses she is meant to be, even if she is unsure about the man she is fated to be with. I adore Memnon's character. He is not a nice guy; he is dangerous but unfailing loyal to those he calls family. He is also so tricky; it was fun to watch how he slowly lulls Selene back into his bed and finds ways to get into her heart as well. He is a predator and will be patient until it is the right moment to pounce and win his prey. He remembers the fierce warrior Selene used to be in her last life and knows she is going to need to find that woman warrior if they are going to survive against their enemies.
There were so many danger filled and tense moments in Bespelled, I was on the edge of seat though all of them. The danger always felt right around the corner. There are plenty of sexy times though to enjoy between the bouts of certain death. The jump to Memnon and Selene's previous life added a lot of context the story and fleshed out our characters well. I sometimes got a little frustrated with Selene's refusal of their soulmate bond, but it did help to build some of the sexual tension between them.
Memnon, I'm sure, still has plenty of secrets and even though they have tracked down some of the bad doers, there are more out there to be found and an enemy from their past to thwart still. I'm very interested to see what Laura Thalassa brings to the series next. She has written "bad men" very well in the past and I'm so excited to see what our unapologetic warlord is going to do in the modern world to take the power he craves.
“Is this where you stab me and free yourself once and for all?” he says in Sarmatian.
“Because,” he continues slowly, his eyes smoldering , “I promise you, if you don’t, I will work to tie you so fucking tight to me you won’t eventually know where you end and I begin.”
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Beastly Beauty is the first book I've read by Jennifer Donnelly. She did a very interesting reimagining of Beauty and the Beast that is also a gender swap. The beauty is a young man trying to get back to his sickly brother who happens to end up in an enchanted castle. The Beast, a woman stuck in time with a deadline to find love or sentence all in her castle to death.
My story isn’t for the heroes out there, for the shining knights and perfect princesses. My story is for the screwups. For those of us who never seem to get it right. The ones who say too much, or not enough.
Arabella is stuck and has lost almost all hope. She tried over the years to find love and failed each time. She was resigned to her fate, that is until Beau showed up and with him the glimmer of hope that perhaps, just perhaps this thief might be able to steal her heart and break the curse that is just days from killing everyone in the castle. As the story unfolds the reader gets to see not only through Arabella's but also through Beau's eyes the story of the past and an inkling of how Beau might be able to save the future.
I really enjoyed this re-imagining of one of my favorite fairytales. It was interesting how Arabella was the Beast and who all of her ladies in waiting were. Beau is just as broken in so many ways. He has traded on his looks to survive and while he hates the life he is in an wants an escape he is stuck with some feelings of worthlessness that are hard to overcome. Arabella and Beau understand each other in their feelings of inadequacy, how they have let down the people they love and how they aren't sure how to break the chains that bind them.
“Do not speak for love, Lady Espidra,” she said, her eyes blazing. “Do not hold that word in your mouth when you do not hold it in your heart.” She swept her finger in front of her, pointing at all the ladies in turn. “Not one of you knows anything of love. Love does not run. It does not turn tail. Love never, ever gives up.”
This is a story of redemption and breaking all of the odds against you. It had enough going on that I was always engaged and really loved the idea of the magic of the curse that was on the castle and how Arabella was supposed to break it. There is some great imagery and tender moments to awe over without going too overboard. Really a great read for those who enjoy Beauty and the Beast retellings.
“You must do one thing and one thing only— become the person you were meant to be. No matter how daunting that task may be. Otherwise, your life is not a life; it is merely a long, protracted death.”
I have enjoyed Leigh Bardugo over the years and this is a little different than anything in the Grishaverse but still full of the same humor, danger aI have enjoyed Leigh Bardugo over the years and this is a little different than anything in the Grishaverse but still full of the same humor, danger and magic. In The Familiar we are in the time of the Spanish Inquisition and the King of Spain is looking for a champion to help with the war with England.
Luzia is not a character that I bonded with immediately. In the beginning I really thought she was a bit TSTL as she revealed her magic to her employer and some of the elite of Spain. It was something that I didn't really buy into with her Jewish heritage no matter how much she wanted to be more than a servant in a house. She is the star and has had little magics her entire life that help to mend things and multiply the food in her basket. But to have any magic in this time could be considered works of the devil and so she had been careful most of her life until she wasn't.
"Aboltar kazal, aboltar mazal." A change of scene, a change of fortune. She sang them very softly. They were not quite Spanish, just as Luzia was not quite Spanish. But Dona Valentina would never have her in her house, enen in the dark, hot, windowless kitchen, if she detected a whiff of Jew.
We start off a bit slow but the story builds. I became extremely invested when Lucia is identified to be training by Santángel for his master. That is when the story really starts to pick up and become more. That is when I started to warm to Luzia and her desperation to have more out of her life. She is being trained for three trials. The king will pick his champion from the trails, people who can perform miracles and lead Spain to victory against the English. But it is a dangerous road.
"There is a fine line between a saint and a witch, and I wonder if you are prepared to walk it."
I won't talk too much about the rest since that will really spoil the fun of the book. I will say that Bardugo has a way of turning someone you didn't really care for into a character you absolutely love through the course of her writing. That happened for me and a few of the characters of this story.
There is a small romance in the story that doesn't take the center stage but adds something rather special to the story. I really loved Santángel's backstory and how it played into the overall book.
The only thing I wish was done a little differently was the ending. It felt really rushed and there are some great nuggets but I really wanted to have them fleshed out a little better. It was left for the reader to fill in some of the blanks, which is okay and I had fun doing it but sometimes it is nice to be lazy and have the author just tell you.
Overall a really interesting book covering a dark time when some where tortured for being different. The Inquisition was no joke and those caught in it's grip were not treated kindly. That was not glossed over during this story.
Narration
Lauren Fortgang has narrated most of Leigh Bardugo's books and so hers was a voice I was used to. I like her for all the accents and foreign language used in the audio for the telling of the story. It made it more real in my head as I'm horrible at reading in accents and it adds to the overall story for me. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the conThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Demon Throne is the first book in the Demons of Morningstarseries. This is for all you readers that love a good reverse harem situation. There are four different potentials at play and I'm pretty sure our girl Nyx is going to sleep with all of them by the time the series is done and maybe add a few more to her bed post along the way, only time will tell.
Besides all the sexual tension Nyx is feeling with almost all of the hot guys in her life The Demon Throne also has a really interesting story happening. Nyx thought she was just a human demon hunter and she has trained and honed all of her skills to take down nasties. Seems that she is also a spawn of Satan, who knew, and now she is up against some of the other Spawns of Satan to take the Demon Throne in hell.
Nyx is going to need a lot of help if she is going to stay alive. Some of her half siblings seem a bit murderous and all of them want to win the throne. She will need to find a sponsor and get some protection if she is ever going to make it to the actual trial as Satan Spawn seem to be dropping off left and right. Good thing she has her trusted hound Chase, a Nightmare and a few other big players who are intrigued by Nyx to lead her through these treacherous times.
The Demon Throne was a good time. I was intrigued by the world and all the political machinations in it. Getting to the official contest was only half the battle and now Nyx and the siblings she have left are going to have to fight it out to see who gets to sit on the all powerful throne and rule the underworld. I didn't think about it too much and just enjoyed myself in the story. I haven't read any of the other book series Nyx may have been in but this seemed like a good place to jump in and even though I'm sure there is some history I'm missing it didn't seem to impact my enjoyment of this story. Nyx was fun and I liked getting to know some of the Demon Spawn. There are also a few pretty hot scenes to kick back and enjoy as well...steamy.
To be able to really enjoy this book I think you are going to have to be on board with the reverse harem aspect of it and not be bothered that Nyx is attracted to four different men and 'enjoys' two of them in this story alone. If that is not something you are comfortable with I think it will hinder everything else.
Narration:
Avie Paige narrates the majority of the story as Nyx's PoV. I liked her fun take on Nyx's passionate yet carefree ways and how she made the story fun. Connor Brown did get a little ear time as the few Male PoVs. The timbre of his voice was seductive and I enjoyed listening to his portion of the book. Both are new to me narrators that I'm sure I'll enjoy listening to in the next books of the series.
Anne Bishop has created some wonderful and some brutal worlds. In this anthology we get a little bit of everything all in one place. For those who havAnne Bishop has created some wonderful and some brutal worlds. In this anthology we get a little bit of everything all in one place. For those who have loved the Others series or the Black Jewels there are a few stories from those books to enjoy plus some new tales and musing Anne has had through the years.
The hard thing with anthologies is that it is difficult to rate the overall book since some stories are great and others possibly so so. Plus is you haven't read the series that some of these go to your connection to the story isn't going to be as deep as a series reader.
The Others series has two stories set in that world. One with Meg and Simon for Christmas, which was so cute and the other named The Dark Ship was a new tale with all new characters. It follows some intuit children sold into slavery only to be saved by a brave girl and a ship full of Others. I really enjoyed seeing some of the sea faring Others and how they sale the seas a little like pirates and a lot like policers of the sea. Really a great new story set in the world of the Others.
I will give a trigger warning for The Match Girl. It is a great retelling but Anne Bishop does not shy away from some of the horrors of rape and human trafficking in this story. So it is not going to be for everyone. It is a really harsh tale but overall I thought the story was really well thought out and I loved the ending.
Repunzel also gets a retelling that was very different from the original tale. It was a very interesting take on the story and I liked the twist Bishop added to it. Nothing like a girl saving herself instead of waiting for a prince to come along and do it for her.
There is one story that reminded me a lot of Utopia from the Landscapes of Ephemera, which is a series I have not read but now am very interested in. The Voice features a small village where one orphan is chosen to bare the weight of everyone else's unhappiness. She has no voice and suffers in silence. On girl will be brave and try to free not only herself but a few of her friends from this place of given away unhappiness and the cost of that on one person.
Most of the stories follow the fairytale vibe accept for a few. The Weapon was more of a military type setting in a strange world where historical battles are 'recreated' and the young are just fodder for the machine. It was a bit twisted and I didn't see that ending coming. It was very different than all the other stories in the anthology.
Then there was Friends and Corpses, a murder mystery in a town where the water might just have the strange effect of you walking around as a corpse for a bit before you finally kill over. Kinda fun and funny in spots. Enjoyable who-dun-it type story.
One of my favorite stories of the entire book was the last story, A strand in the Web. It follows a character on a ship. Their entire job is to learn how to bring balance to an ecosystem to restore a world. As the ship begins to fail, one girl will find if she has a talent to build a new world and keep it healthy. I enjoyed how this story went and the ending to it as someone discovers everything they were meant to become.
Some of the stories are really short and quick and others bring you into and entire new world for a short time.
Overall I would say this is a 3.5 star read but I rounded up to 4 since there are some real gems in this anthology.
Narration
Alexandra Harris and Gary Littman take turns depending on the gender of the PoV and really do give a stunning performance overall. I had such a good time listening to their performances. Each did every story well whether it was a short short or a novella in length. I appreciated all the diction and the different voices for all the characters throughout. Wonderful way to enjoy the book. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed....more
Empire of the Damned is the second book in the Empire of the Vampire and no holds are barred and many emotions are had. Personally, I was over vampire books but then Jay Kristoff drags me back in with a dark and horrible tail. This is not the romantic heroes, or sparkly vampires of other books. This is dark, brutal, full of despairing moments in a world being taken over by vampires where humans are food or servants. Gabriel saved the living grail from her fate, but in so doing did he damn the world? Only time will tell.
There is something about Jay Kristoff's writing that draws the reader in. He does grimdark so well and Empire of the Damned has so many great moments of triumph and despair that ye gentle reader is never truly safe. Reunited with his sister Gabriel will journey to find answers to Doir's true powers and how she may possibly save this Damned empire.
“I mean it," I told her, searching her eyes. "By the Blood, I vow it. I know not where this road will lead us, girl. But I'll walk it with you, to whatever fate awaits. And if God Himself should tear us asunder, if all the Endless Legion stood in my path, I would find my way back from the shores of the abyss to fight at your side. I'll not leave you, Dior." Reaching down, I squeezed her hands tight as I dared. ''I will never leave you.”
In Empire of the Damned we get more relationship building. Between Dior and Gabe, Gabe and his sister and some of the other cast that helps along the way. They are bastards all and the relationships they have are both complicated, giving and selfish depending on the moment. Dior is but a seventeen year old girl and Gabriel is akin to the father she has never known along with teacher, mentor, protector. Depending on the situation it gets complicated as Gabe battles with the role of needing to protect Dior and teaching her to become the savior of the realms, whatever that is going to cost.
The story is opened up even more as Celene, Gabe long lost Vampire sister and one of the Esani Vampire's with abilities over manipulating their blood gets a PoV. Having the dueling narrators helps make the characters even more dynamic and three dimensional as each narrator gives their PoV of the other and Dior. Celene has her own agenda and it doesn't necessarily line up with Gabriel's., but she will play nice while she has to since Gabriel has Dior's trust and she will not leave his side willingly. Celene will bide her time, she believes the girl will bring an end to days death that lets the vampires rule this world, she believes in the balance the grail will bring. But they will have to travel far to get all of the knowledge needed from the different reaches of the empire to make it happen. Hopefully they can do it before Gabriel goes even more mad than he currently is as the bloodlust creeps up on him.
'I tell you, the scream my brother let out was like no sound I have ever heard. It was not fury. It was not fear. It was… heartbreak. Perfect and awful and complete. It was the scream of a man who had dragged himself back from the very edge of despair, now plummeting into darkness. It was the scream of a man who had wagered everything - his heart, his soul, his sanity- on never failing someone who had loved him again. It was the scream of the damned.’
This book is full of great prose and one liners that will make you giggle. This does help offset the dark emotions and darker imagery we see throughout the story as we watch more and more of the humans slaughtered and enslaved to become food. There are so many moments that the group tries and fails, tries and fails again but never gives up and keeps moving forward. I will say I was more emotionally invested in this story and our journey for answers after the betrayals of the prior book. I liked the switch-up to have a different PoV from Celene and her take on the childhood shared with Gabriel along with how she viewed Dior. There is a lot of worldbuilding in this book and opening up the history of the vampire factions and infighting between them.
I will be on pins and needles waiting for the conclusion to this series. There is so much to unpack in this story and I can't wait to see what Jay Kristoff comes up with for what is sure to be a bloody and heart wrenching conclusion....more
Haven's Rock is a continuation of a the Rockton / Casey Duncon series. But in case you don't want to commit to the seven prior books this is a great Haven's Rock is a continuation of a the Rockton / Casey Duncon series. But in case you don't want to commit to the seven prior books this is a great entry point as it is a continuation of the characters from that series set up in a new location.
Casey and her husband are in the middle of building a new town. One that would have the best parts of Rockton without the worst parts of the politics of Rockton. One problem the remote crew that is building their perfect new town has a few team members missing and Casey and Eric need to go in early to help see if they can find the missing people.
This is a great who-dun-it. There are clues and some lead you to the correct assumptions and some do not. I enjoyed treking through the Yukon with Casey and Eric as they discover that they do have a few neighbors they will have to deal with and something just isn't adding up in their case. For one the first dead body they find isn't even one of the people they were looking for.
I liked the twists and turns of the case and how Kelley kinda fooled me into suspecting someone that turned out not to be the real suspect.
I like the idea of this new town that will be a Haven to those needing to disappear from the world, whether that is temporary for a year of two or forever. This is supposed to be a place to rescue people who have accidently landed on the wrong side of someone or something and need to be gone. Casey and Eric are great and I could see myself after this story going back to the original series to see how two people so different found their way to each other.
The story was engaging, loved the scenery and descriptions of the Yukon and a simple life there. I also enjoyed the plot and that little nugget at the end that lets the reader know that Haven's Rock has more neighbors than it would like and they might start to cause a little trouble down the road.
Dance with the Dragon Duke is book 5 of the Fae Trickster's series. While it can be read as a stand alone, I think reading at least the first two bookDance with the Dragon Duke is book 5 of the Fae Trickster's series. While it can be read as a stand alone, I think reading at least the first two books of the series would help with some of the side characters you will meet in the story.
Two lost souls hiding out in a brothel find solace in each other. Dark, a Dragon Duke is hiding out and licking his wounds from all the death and destruction of his past. Tomorrow is hiding from the family trying to kill her before she can claim her inheritance. Both need each other but for very different reasons. Tomorrow needs a protector and a husband to claim her inheritance and keep her alive long enough to get revenge on her murderous cousin. Dark needs desperately to save someone and find a purpose in his life again. Tomorrow could be that promise to him.
I always enjoy the trope of a marriage of strangers, it is one of my favorites and this was done really well. I rooted for Tomorrow right away as she hides out in the brothel known to be protected by the Bloody Queen of Night, scared her cousin would get to kill her and steal the inheritance left by her father. Dark might be hiding in the same brothel but he is there for very different reasons and right away you can see that these two need each other. Dark needs the vulnerability Tomorrow shows to him and he really needs to protect someone. The fact the mating instinct has risen in him is just a bonus.
The world building using a blend of Fae and Regency tropes is a nice twist and backdrop for this story. I had so much fun learning about Dragon's and how they move in the world and their hoards of course. Tomorrow has some big obstacles to overcome and will need the help of her Fiancé to keep her safe.
There romance build is done well. There are just enough sexy times to keep the story really interesting and some interesting tail play added in because if you have one why use it. I enjoyed both Dark and Tomorrow's characters and rooted for them the entire time of the story. So happy they found each other.
Fun romance with some Fae, Fantasy and magic roots. ...more
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the conThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 Best Friends and Second Chances Stars
It has been a few years since I've read a Rainbow Rowell book and man I have missed her. There is something about her characters and stories that just pulls me in. I read all the time and I caught myself sneak reading at work and staying up until 2am to finish this book, which is almost unheard of for me now. Her characters always feel like real people, full of imperfections and quirks that make them all the more interesting for them.
Cary and Shiloh almost happened in high school, sorta happened in college at least for a weekend but then it all fell apart. Cary was in the Navy while Shiloh was finishing school. Now it is over a decade later and they might have another shot at figuring this thing that is between them out. Shiloh is a divorced mom of two, living with her mom. Her life is messy and Cary is still in the Navy, only in town for a wedding, but there is something between them that has lasted through the years. All they need to do if figure out how to be the friends they once were and move into the lovers they should have been.
She’d spent more years missing Cary than knowing him. All those years burnishing his memory with nostalgia.
I pulled so hard for this couple. I was beyond invested in how they were going to work out the hurts of the past and fall in love all over again. The story unfolded letting us see the Shiloh and Cary of the past while we got to also know them in the present. It is all teased out how Cary, Mikey and Shiloh were like the three musketeers in high school. But everyone assumes Cary and Shiloh were or would be together. How they didn't figure themselves out at nineteen and now at thirty three, maybe just maybe they will find a way.
"We were friends."
"No." He motioned between them with his fire stick. "we were friends. You and Cary were caught up in some sexually charged will-they, won't-they fuckery."
I adored that Shiloh and Cary are not prefect and absolutely pretty people. They are real with blemishes, freckles and moles. Shiloh is a little on the spectrum (in my opinion) and struggles a bit with intimacy. Cary likes to be in control and in charge. He is a natural at it but when his mom's health takes a dive he needs to lean on Shiloh to help while he is away for the Navy. I enjoyed the struggles they overcame as they hashed out some of the past and figured out their now and their future. I thought that the parts with the kids were written by someone who definitely has kids and knows what it is like to try to date while also being a mom. The parts with how the kids reacted to a new person in their moms life seemed very true.
I'm not sure what it is about Rainbow Rowell's writing but it just works for me. I get so drawn into all of the stories I've read by her and absolutely adore the characters that feel like real people. After getting to the end I was almost ready to start the journey all over again just to hang out with these characters a little longer. If you have enjoyed Rainbow before, this should fit right into the catalog. If you are new to Rainbow then this will be a good tester if you will enjoy that magic of her writing like I do.
“It’s just embarrassing. I kind of hate to tell you all this. I’d rather you remember me the way I was when we were young.”
“Manic and relentless?”
Shiloh kicked him in the ankle. She wasn’t wearing shoes. “Shiny and full of potential!”
After the first book in the series I was eager to jump into the next as the main character was in a precari3.5 Getting to the Happily Ever After Stars
After the first book in the series I was eager to jump into the next as the main character was in a precarious position and what looked like certain death. I mean it looked like it but since the second book wasn't 20 pages we all know it wasn't going to happen. But still it left me longing to know what happened next.
This is a fitting conclusion to the love story started in the prior book. Rain will find out the past she left behind and Night will have to deal with who she really is, along with the rest of his court. Rain and Bernard's relationship is one of my favorites in the book as he is so much fun. When he finds out where babies come from it was really priceless.
“My very soul is exposed to you now. That’s worth some trepidation, I think.” He tried to smile to take the edge out of his words, but it didn’t hold. It’s a lovely soul. But I refuse to be content with just your soul. Night’s chest tightened. “Greedy,” he teased. Night, when you’re finally ready to give me your heart, I promise you I’m going to take very good care of it.”
There are some great twists in the story and I did like how Night finally overcomes his declarations that he will never love Rain. Silly, man there is no denying your fated mate your heart. There are way more sexy times in this conclusion to Rain and Night's story and honestly I could have done without a few of the scenes to get to the fighting for the Realm and Night's claiming of his throne. But other than that a fun story.
I did like that there was no dishonesty between the two. When Rain discovered her past, she told him as soon as possible even through there was some fallout from it. I also loved how she had decided that no matter what he was hers, even if that meant she kidnapped him later. Turnabout is fair play after all.
I will look forward to continuing with some of the other stories in the series.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the conThis review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I read the Greatcoats series a few years back. It was a little the Three Musketeers with Gods, Saints and Magic. Crucible of Chaos is a prequel to the Court of Shadows series, the next series set in the same world years after the Greatcoatsseries. This reminded me a little on Don Quixote as Estevar Borros and his faithful mule Imperious ride into a magical den of wolves so to speak to solve why the Monks on the isle of Isola Sombra have fractured into factions and possibly gone mad. He is there to perform an investigation and trial, however he might also witness the birth of a new god as well.
First of all, this can be read as a standalone. You will not have had to read the Greatcoatsseries to understand what is going on, however it does help to have some backstory and foundation of the characters of legend. The author does a really good job of setting up the history though, so it isn't needed to understand. Greatcoats are the law of the land, empowered by the King; they travel to be impartial judge, jury and executioner to disputes. Estevar has been called to an Island where the original gods, now dead, were rumored to be born. Something strange is afoot and to serve his King he must get to the bottom of it. Helped along by his mule in some unusual ways and a girl interested in becoming a Greatcoat herself, he will investigate all the weird happenings at the Island and why the monks have split into three factions. There is also a murder to be solved and a dead body that doesn't seem to want to stay in the ground to deal with.
This was an interesting tale full of political intrigue, betrayal and some magical shenanigans. Estevar will need to use all of his vast investigative tricks, subterfuge and a new ally to make it out of this situation alive. This is not a direct continuation of the Greatcoatsseries. It is set some years after the events of the series when all of those escapades have fallen into legend. New heroes will be needed. This didn't have quite as much humor as I'm used to from Sebastien de Castell and it will fall into the Grimdark category for me. But there are still great insults to be swung around, duels of both words and swords and Sherlock Holmes styles of investigation afoot to get to the bottom of the mystery. Also who knew I was going to love a stubborn mule so much but he is a great sidekick to the intrepid Cantor on this quest. The magic and mystery was interesting and complex, so you will need to put on your thinking hat.
Overall an interesting read if you appreciate a good political mystery and like to root for the unkempt detective in a story.
”Rest assured, I will pay a reasonable fee for its loan, especially if I decide to stain this blade by carving your worthless hide, you pitiful, prancing popinjay, you crust of defecation stuck to the heel of better men's boots, so lacking in substance that you cannot even stink with distinction.”
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