Magic Binds - Ilona Andrews

Mercenary Kate Daniels knows all too well that magic in post-Shift Atlanta is a dangerous business. But nothing she’s faced could have prepared her for this...

Kate and the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart are finally making their relationship official. But there are some steep obstacles standing in the way of their walk to the altar.

Kate’s father, Roland, has kidnapped the demigod Saiman and is slowly bleeding him dry in a never-ending bid for power. A Witch Oracle has predicted that if Kate marries the man she loves, Atlanta will burn and she will lose him forever. And the only person Kate can ask for help is long dead.

The odds are impossible. The future is grim. But Kate Daniels has never been one to play by the rules… 

My thoughts:

What can I say, it's book 9 after all. We all know Kate is totally kick-ass, and I do like her darker side. It shows more now. Her father's legacy is hanging like a sword over her. The power of magic is influencing her. And she did claim Atlanta, not an easy thing to live with. But I like all that, she is struggling without even realising it all times.

This book is sort of a filler and sort of not. The peace between her and Roland is not an easy one. And now he has kidnapped Saiman (oh and there is thing happening and I am so curious about how that will impact things, but hey I can not say a word.)

And of course the wedding date of her and Curran is coming closer, but then there is that whole Atlanta will burn and you will all die thing if that happens.

Conclusion:
I enjoyed the ride. I liked her dealing with her legacy. I even grew to like Julie (we have had our ups and downs). I liked to learn more about her family. But...I also wished more had happened. I want a big showdown soon.

Cover
Curran looks very serene there

Mass Market Paperback, 342 pages
Published May 4th 2017 by Ace (first published September 20th 2016)
Kate Daniels #9
Urban fantasy
Own

Audio Review: Highland Vixen - Mary Wine

Marcus MacPherson is every inch the fearsome Highlander. He's used to men averting their eyes and women cowering before him. He thinks he'll eventually settle down with a nice, obedient bride. Instead, he gets Helen Grant . . . Stubborn as the day is long, fearless, and dedicated to raising as much hell as possible, Helen is definitely going to challenge Marcus. And challenge him some more. And then some. It's anyone's guess who'll win this battle of the heart . . .

Narrator: Antony Ferguson

My thoughts:
This is book 2, and sure it works as a stand alone. But the couple from book 1 is still around since it's his brother and wife. And we met Helen and Marcus in book 1 and got a bit of their story.

Marcus stole her to teach her family to behave. And she is pissed at him. She wants to go home and he, oh he totally fancies her but is too man to admit it. Silly man!

I am not saying what happens, but these two end up married. And it will not be an easy marriage. Not by any means at all.

But first. Brenda! Poor Brenda. Through the entire book I wondered what would happen to Brenda. She would so deserve a book of her own! If you wonder who that is, well she belongs to the same clan as Helen and they will do some travelling together ;)

We also meet a girl named Catherine and I am looking forward to her book for sure.

But this is about Helen and Marcus dancing around each other. They both want each other. But she is a nobody, he is the war chief. Then there is that bloody Earl of Morton making plans and being evil.

Conclusion:
It was amusing listening to this. I could not wait for them to end up together and when they finally did they still had a long way to travel, and with drama, some good drama and suspense too.


Narration:
This is the second book I am listening to by Ferguson and I am used to his voice now. And his voice fits these books. He does the highlanders well.

Cover
Ok

Audio CD, 8h

Expected publication: May 9th 2017 by Tantor Audio (first published February 7th 2017)

Highland Weddings #2

Within the sanctuary of Wings - Marie Brennan

After nearly five decades (and, indeed, the same number of volumes), one might think they were well-acquainted with the Lady Isabella Trent--dragon naturalist, scandalous explorer, and perhaps as infamous for her company and feats of daring as she is famous for her discoveries and additions to the scientific field.

And yet--after her initial adventure in the mountains of Vystrana, and her exploits in the depths of war-torn Eriga, to the high seas aboard The Basilisk, and then to the inhospitable deserts of Akhia--the Lady Trent has captivated hearts along with fierce minds. This concluding volume will finally reveal the truths behind her most notorious adventure--scaling the tallest peak in the world, buried behind the territory of Scirland's enemies--and what she discovered there, within the Sanctuary of Wings. 

My thoughts:

The end.

I am sad to see this series end but as Isabella herself says in her memoirs, the truly interesting parts has already happened. And I will take her word for it.

In this one she braves the highest mountains in the world in search of new dragons. And...oh I can't say but there are secrets, revelations and things I did not see coming! Exciting stuff.

I like Isabella, she so wants to explore and learn new things and here she feels she needs to get out in the field again. Her husband is trying to decipher the Draconian language and is all for a trip too. Aww he is so nice.

I wish I could say more about the journey but trust me, it's a good one. And as always I love the way it is written. It feels so real you know, like this really is a memoir from back in the day.

Conclusion:
This is a great series. It is written as a memoir of an inspiring woman who studies dragons. The world is rich and interesting. And as it now has ended, I do recommend it to all and read them in order so you get all her adventures.

Oh and as always, I love the drawings!

Paperback, 365 pages
Published April 25th 2017 by Titan Books
The Memoirs of Lady Trent #5
Fantasy
For review

Tell me something Tuesday: Blog commenting: do you comment altruistically or are their strings attached?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

This week's conversation starter: 

May 9th: Blog commenting: do you comment altruistically or are there strings attached?

An interesting question. Sure when I comment on my favorite blogs I want them to visit me back. When I head out and try new blogs I do not expect this because you do not know how they roll.

It would be kind of boring if you spent ages commenting on a blog, but they never even once visited your blog. I get that people do not always have the time, but that also makes me wonder. Do they ever visit other blogs? That is the fun part with blogging! Reading other reviews, finding out which new books are out, drooling over books to come etc etc. Connecting with your fellow readers :D

I guess there are strings attached then. I mean, if you do not care what I say on my blog, then why would you care what I say on your blog?

I am a spaceball though. I was sure I was commenting on this one blog, and then suddenly my feed was flooded with posts, and I was all, whaaat? These are all new, but old! Uhoh. So I asked and she said I had not been there for months. Which shocked me, cos I was sure I had been! Too many blogs for my brain, lol.

Luci in February