Rise of Heroes (Artifact Hunters #3) by S.M. Reine

With his secrets exposed and his partner-in-crime gone, renowned thief Shatter Cage has only one target in mind: Silverclaw, the fallen Hero responsible for destroying Cage’s life. He’s teamed up with his sometimes-enemy-current-fiancee Brigid Byrne to destroy Silverclaw’s organization piece by piece, no matter how long it takes.
The Oracle who canonized Silverclaw wants a more absolute type of revenge. Like, Silverclaw’s head on the end of a legendary sword. She’s willing to pay for the job done right. And if Cage will kill Silverclaw, she’ll make Cage into a Hero.
Becoming Hero is all Cage ever wanted, but he’s never murdered before. He can have his dreams at the price of blood on his hands. And hey, why not? There’s no reason an old were-squirrel can’t learn new tricks…

Shatter Cage has come a long way since readers first met him in Race of Thieves. He’s found love and suffered loss and he’s learned a lot along the way. I have to admit that I was kind of curious about how an alpha squirrel shifter was going to fit into the Descentverse but Cage lived up to the challenge. What he lacked in size, he more than made up for in determination, loyalty and heart.

On the surface, Brigid and Cage were a very unlikely couple. Their love/hate relationship worked for them though – and it was so much fun to watch.

There were a lot of familiar “faces” in Rise of Heroes. As always, it was interesting spending time with them outside of their own personal story lines. That’s one of the things I love about the Descentverse – it’s all so intertwined. It gives readers a whole new perspective – especially because you’re “seeing” them through another character’s eyes.

Rise of Heroes brought Cage and Brigid’s story to a satisfying end, but I hope that we get to see them again in future stories. It wasn’t the outcome I (or Cage) expected, but in a lot of ways it was so much better. I even almost forgave the #evilauthor for what she put readers through in Reign of Monsters. Almost. Oh, and the ironic twist that was thrown at Brigid and Cage at the end was priceless. ❤

Dire Blood (Descent #5) by S.M. Reine – Narrated by Kate Udall

Elise Kavanagh died while killing the mother of all demons, and her fight should be over. But nothing is ever that easy where the Godslayer is concerned. Elise has been resurrected–and she came back as a demon.
Now the most powerful witch in the world, James Faulkner, has been dragged to Hell and accused of violating an ancient treaty. The punishment is eternity in Hellfire. Elise is the only one who can save him. But it means following him into Hell to face inhuman urges, the secrets in her past, and the horror in her future.
The Godslayer’s fight isn’t over yet. It’s only just beginning…

It’s been almost exactly 5 years since I read Dire Blood the first time as an ebook and I forgot how intense it was. I think listening to it this time instead of reading it upped that intensity…

Even given the length of time that’s passed since I last read Dire Blood, I was still kind of surprised about how much I forgot. I honestly shouldn’t have surprised me that much though because a LOT happens in this book. There’s also a lot of back story, which I really loved. It gave readers a glimpse of where Elise and James came from and how they got to where they were.

Dire Blood is a book of loyalty and betrayal. It’s also about love and family and how the two don’t always go hand in hand. There’s also not a lot of down time. Elise, James and everyone around them spends most the book literally fighting for their lives.

If you haven’t read Dire Blood yet, brace yourself for one heck of a cliff hanger. This book was kind of a turning point in the Descent series for me. It made me admire one character even more than I did before and it was the beginning of my extreme dislike of another. That character eventually won me over – but it took a couple more series in the Descentverse for that to happen.

Once again, if you haven’t read any books by this author, there’s pretty much something for everyone. If you’ve been here before, you probably already know that I started with the Seasons of the Moon series and have read pretty much everything in the Descentverse and beyond. Next up in the Descent series is Defying Fate, which I picked up again. If you want to see what else S.M. Reine has to offer readers, she has a complete printable list and reading order on her website. You’re welcome! 😉

The Beautiful Ashes (Broken Destiny #1) Jeaniene Frost

Sometimes, falling in love really is the end of the world… 
Ivy has always seen things that she cannot explain. Strange things. Otherworldly things. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is imprisoned in a realm beyond Ivy’s reach. The one person who can help her is the dangerously attractive rebel who’s bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.
The fate Adrian has fought to escape is here – but he never expected the burning need he feels for Ivy. With destiny on one side and desire on the other, Adrian must help Ivy search for the powerful relic that can save her sister. Yet he knows what Ivy doesn’t: the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could destroy the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side, Adrian on the other, and nothing but ashes in between…

A while back I decided to make a real concentrated effort to pick up books from my physical book shelf on a regular basis. It’s taken a while, but I’ve gotten back into the “habit” of switching between my ebooks and my physical books. I had no idea how many of my physical books I had neglected over the years. Which brings us to The Beautiful Ashes. Not only has it taken me a while to pick this one up, I’ve pretty much had it in my possession since its 2014-15 release. *sigh* ( FYI- If you look at my Goodreads account, please ignore the length of time it took me to read The Beautiful Ashes. It doesn’t reflect how much I enjoyed this book at all. I tend to read mostly at night with my Kindle and don’t always find time to snuggle into a cozy corner with a “real” book. I’m working on it though, so no judging. 😉 )

The Beautiful Ashes begins with Ivy knowing nothing about where she came from, other than she was adopted. She spent most of her life thinking she was crazy, turns out that all the strange things that she saw were wrapped up in her destiny. Learning about who she was didn’t make anything any easier. All she wanted to use her new found powers for were to rescue her sister and then go back to her normal life. “Destiny” had other plans for her though and they were all wrapped up with someone she found hard to resist, even though he wanted to have nothing to do with her. Trust was also an issue that neither her or Adrian gave easily.

There was a lot to love about The Beautiful Ashes. Witty characters, a forbidden romance, mystery and danger around pretty much every corner… and dimension. Even though it took me a while to read, before I knew it, their story was over – for now. The Sweetest Burn is next and given the fact that Adrian and Ivy left readers in a fairly tense cliff hanger, I can’t wait to continue the Broken Destiny series.

On another note – I love it when authors leave readers “Easter Eggs” from other books/series in their current books. There was a rather comical nod to The Night Huntress Universe that made me giggle…

“You want to save your sister?” he asked evenly. “You’ll need something strong enough to kill demons.”
This was too much too fast. “Like holy water? Or crosses?” I asked numbly.
His look became pointed. “Those are for vampires, and they don’t exist…””

Cat, Bones and company may have a few things to say about that… 😉

Blood Vow (Black Dagger Legacy #2) by J.R. Ward

The Black Dagger Brotherhood continues to train the best of the best to join them in the deadly battle against the Lessening Society. Among the new recruits, Axe proves to be a cunning and vicious fighter—and also a loner isolated because of personal tragedy. When an aristocratic female needs a bodyguard, Axe takes the job, though he’s unprepared for the animal attraction that flares between him and the one he is sworn to protect.
For Elise, who lost her first cousin to a grisly murder, Axe’s dangerous appeal is enticing—and possibly a distraction from her grief. But as they delve deeper into her cousin’s death, and their physical connection grows into so much more, Axe fears that the secrets he keeps and his tortured conscience will tear them apart.
Rhage, the Brother with the biggest heart, knows all about self-punishing, and he wants to help Axe reach his full potential. But when an unexpected arrival threatens Rhage and Mary’s new family, he finds himself back in the trenches again, fighting against a destiny that will destroy all he holds most dear.
As Axe’s past becomes known, and fate seems to be turning against Rhage, both males must reach deep—and pray that love, rather than anger, will be their lantern in the darkness.

So, I guess I’m playing catch up, or maybe backtracking? I purchased Blood Kiss a while ago and although I knew that Black Dagger Legacy was a spin-off of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, I didn’t realize how connected it was until I was already two books ahead in the original series. So, in an effort to keep that happening to any other clueless reader – here’s the link to the Reading Order of both series courtesy of J.R. Ward’s website. You’re welcome 😉

Axe was the “bad boy” of the group of trainees. Or at least that’s the side of himself that he let everyone see. Once Elise and Axe are forced to spend more time together, Elise sees that side that not even Axe truly sees in himself. It’s almost as if he’s a different person when he’s around Elise.

Although I liked the story between Elise and Axe, it was Rhage, Mary and Bitty (along with a certain fallen angel) that really drew me in. Their part of the story just about broke my heart and made me love their little family even more. But the real pull was the love and support that they gained from their extended family was amazing. And yeah, Lassiter kind of stole the show.

Next up for the Black Dagger Legacy is Blood Fury, which means I’ll finally be caught up and can continue with The Thief from the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The Masque of the Red Cat (The Psychic Cat Mysteries #3) by S.M. Reine

There’s no mystery a sharp mind like Mr. Poe’s can’t solve. He’s saved the soul of a dead warlock and taken down a murderous, knitting vampire. When he begins having visions of devastation around Haven, he’s prepared for the fight.
Unfortunately, Mr. Poe’s family still thinks he’s an ordinary black house cat, and they’ve become intent on ensuring he’s an indoor cat. Thanks to a magical collar, he can no longer leave the house.
When his visions of disaster strike, Mr. Poe must use his brilliant mind to solve the mystery—without ever leaving his favorite sunbeam.

I adore Mr. Poe… almost as much as he adores himself. My only qualm is that he’s so hard on one of my other favorite Decentverse characters, Cèsar. However, I think that The Masque of the Red Cat may mark the turning point for Cèsar and Mr. Poe.

A couple of secrets are revealed in The Masque of the Red Cat, but not Mr. Poe’s. It was close though and I’m sure that there will come a time when Mr. Poe will have to let his mommies in on everything he’s capable of. In the mean time, I’m sure he will use his unparalleled skills to help keep the Haven free from the unexpected danger that he’s best at stopping before it starts.

The next book in the series is Fall of the House of Cat. FYI – I love the play on the titles from one of my other favorite authors – very appropriate given who Mr. Poe is named after. ❤ I also love the lightness of these books that isn’t always found in the rest of the Descentverse series.

Burning Dawn (Angels of the Dark #3, Lords of the Underworld #10.5) by Gena Showalter

A tormented past has left Thane with an insatiable need for violence, making him the most dangerous assassin in the skies.
He lives by a single code: no mercy. And as he unleashes his fury on his most recent captor, he learns no battle could have prepared him for the slave he rescues from his enemy’s clutches—a beauty who stokes the fires of his darkest desires.
Elin Vale has her own deep-rooted scars, and her attraction to the exquisite warrior who freed her challenges her every boundary.
But Thane’s unwavering determination to protect her means she must face her greatest fears—and enter a world in which passion is power, and victory means breathtaking surrender.

I’ve neglected this world way too long, but I’m slowly making up for it. 😉

Both Thane and Elin are more than just a little bit broken. It’s pretty safe to say that normal beings would have been crushed by just a fraction of what each of these characters had been through. Through strength and more than a little stubbornness, they’ve survived but the cost was high. So high that it was hard for them to trust and left them with a few emotional and physical scars.

They were an unlikely pair for a lot of reasons. They both had their secrets and some of those secrets made them an even more unlikely pair. Things aren’t always what they seem though and some prejudices – regardless of how personal they are – are worth letting go of…

One of my favorite parts of an ongoing series are the supporting characters and Burning Dawn was no exception. Since I’m way behind, I know that I’m not going to get more from a few characters that I really want, at least not for now, but there’s still hope. Since I’m reading these in order and Burning Dawn seems to be the last of the Angels of the Dark series available, next up is The Darkest Touch, Torin’s book in the Lords of the Underworld series.

Beauty Awakened (Angels of the Dark #2 & Lords of the Underworld #9.5) by Gena Showalter

His name is Koldo. He is scarred, powerful, his control legendary-and he lives only for vengeance, determined to punish the angel who viciously removed his wings. But if he yields to the forces of hatred, he will be kicked from the heavens, eternally damned.
She is his last hope. Nicola Lane was born with a defective heart, yet this fragile human shows surprising strength as demons stalk her every move, determined to end her. She is the key to Koldo’s deliverance…and his downfall. Though he fights duty, destiny and his first addictive taste of desire, his toughest battle will be the one for Nicola’s life-even if he has to sacrifice his own…

It’s been a while since I stepped into this world. Technically, Beauty Awakened is a spinoff series of the Lords of the Underworld, but since they are part of the same world and the events take place during the same time frame, I figured I might as well read them in order. Now that I’m back, I can’t wait to continue – with both series. 😉

I’m not sure which one of these characters was the most broken. Both Nicola and Koldo’s backgrounds were full of heart break. Nicola and her twin’s childhood was filled with issues centered around their health issues. Because of that and overly protective parents, they missed out on a lot of the “normal” things kids experience. Koldo’s childhood was brutal and what made it worse was that that brutality came from people who he should have been able to trust. These were two people who needed to find each other, regardless of how much they fought it.

The supporting characters were strong and some of them were going through their own drama, which I’m sure is going to continue in both series. (Which BTW is what I love most about series books.) Both Koldo and Nicola found allies that they didn’t expect. They also realized that they had family that they could depend on in ways that they never even allowed themselves to hope for.

It took them a while, but they eventually reached their HEA, but I’m sure that we haven’t seen the last of them. The next book chronologically is The Darkest Craving from the LOTU series and it features Kane. Stay tuned because it won’t be long before this one ends up on my reading list. 😉

 

Reign of Monsters (Artifact Hunters #2) by S.M. Reine

Shatter Cage has everything he wants. He’s convinced his billionaire boss that he’s a phoenix shifter—not a were-squirrel—and he’s working his dream job as a professional thief. But just when everything is going to plan, his home falls apart. Literally. The barriers protecting his lower-class neighborhood from toxic fog have fallen.
Luckily, his new boss is powerful. Less luckily, his new boss doesn’t care to help.
Cage can help his hometown if he doesn’t mind stealing from his boss, risking his dream job…and if he can survive the resentful ex-girlfriend on his heels, hellbent on murdering him.

My first response when I finished Reign of Monsters was – REALLY?!? Was that absolutely necessary?!? There were tears readers! Honest to Gods tears! THAT I was not expecting from Shatter Cage. Let’s just say that SM Reine’s #EvilAuthor status is in good standing. *Glares at said author*

Well, now that you know how I really feel… There were a lot of surprises in this one – well, except for the bad guy. It was blatantly obvious to everyone EXCEPT for Cage who the real bad guy was, but that’s part of his charm. He is passionate about everything, which gets him into more than one tight spot and exasperates those who love him, but it’s also what keeps him surrounded, supported and protected by those same people.

As for the rest of the surprises? My feelings about a few key characters changed in Reign of Monsters. I thought I had Brigid figured out in Race of Thieves and my feelings weren’t flattering. She really started growing on me in this book, which was mainly because of her true feelings about Cage trying to sneak through. The other character that took me by surprise was Marion – my feelings toward her fluctuate depending on the book or series she shows up in the Descentverse. I actually kind of almost liked her in Reign of Monsters. 😉

One of the hardest parts about reviewing any book in this world is not giving anything away. Trust me, Reign of Monsters is no exception. I kept hoping that things would end differently, but… *sigh* I haven’t given up hope though, because there is definitely more to come and I can’t wait.

Unforgotten (The Fallen Guardians #2) by Cassie Laelyn

Fate offers no mercy. Especially not to those who betray her.
Lethal Guardian Aric’s loyalty never falters. Not even when Fate exiled him and his brothers from the Heavens, separating Aric from his soulmate. He’ll do anything to reunite with her. But when Willow suddenly appears in the mortal realm, Aric’s greatest fear comes true—she’s no longer the angel he left behind.
Since Aric abandoned her, the Heavens have become Willow’s personal Hell. Centuries of bitterness and hurt is a toxic combination. It even affects her angelic powers. When a Fallen offers Willow a chance to escape, she accepts. But shunning her connection to the Heavens comes at a cost.
In a twisted battle of loyalty, trust and hope, what price will two soulmates pay for a second chance at love?

I knew from the moment I finished Unforsaken that The Fallen Guardians was going to become a new favorite. If possible, I think I may have liked Unforgotten even more, and not just because of Willow and Aric.

Of course if you’ve read Unforsaken, (which you totally should before you pick up Unforgotten) you’re already met Aric. I only thought that he broke my heart in the first book. Having him know that Willow was in the mortal realm and he still couldn’t be near her was pure torture. There were things about their time apart that neither one of them knew. Willow thought that she was abandoned and Aric thought he was keeping her safe. It seemed like repairing the damage between them was impossible. And Blaine wasn’t helping any…

Speaking of Blaine, readers were treated to a lot more time with him and the more I got to know him the more curious I became. There’s a lot more to him and his “fall” than anyone knows. There’s also a lot more to him and what drives him than meets the eye. He’s one of those characters that kind of grows on you whether you want him to or not. Hmm…

I loved spending time with these characters and I can’t wait to see what happens next. 😉

The Spellslinger (A Fistful of Daggers #4) by S.M. Reine

Lincoln Marshall has failed. The Godslayer is trapped in her worst nightmares. His only chance of repairing the timeline is dead. He’s stuck a decade in the past with Sophie Keyes, and the world is falling apart.
Held captive by the Union, Lincoln and Sophie must fight to repair a timeline rapidly unraveling.
James Faulkner has survived, but he’s not whole. He’s divided into angel and demon–his ambition and obsession severed from his power and passion. His angel side wants to rescue Elise. His demon side wants to rescue the world, at any cost–even if it means letting Elise die. Between their brilliant minds, they’ve conceived a plan that can repair the timeline. The only price is their lives.

My initial reaction when I finished Spellslinger? “OMG or gods? Doesn’t really matter in the long run I suppose. The old adage, “be careful what you ask for” still applies. I need the next book sooner rather than later…” I also promised that I would soon be writing my usual rambling, incoherent review, so here it goes…

That “be careful what you ask for” comment? Yeah, that’s real – fans were given a choice in a poll a while ago. The choices included a list of characters that readers would be interested in reading more about in their own series. Lincoln was one of those characters and he was my choice. To be fair, it wasn’t because he was one of my favorite characters, it’s just that he was featured in at least two other series and his character peaked my curiosity. If you know anything at all about S.M. Reine’s Decentverse, you know that her characters go through a lot AND their development from series to series sometimes takes a strange turn. Lincoln was one of those characters. A major transformation had obviously taken place and I wanted to know what happened to turn him into the character he had become in Dana McIntyre Must Die.

So much happened in Spellslinger… so much! There were a lot of characters pulling strings, a lot to love and just as much to hate. There were also a lot of twists and turns. Fair warning, it’s not an easy book to put down and it’s also one that demands your full attention. Although all of the books in the Fistful of Daggers series have been intense, I’ve got to say that Spellslinger has been the most emotionally intense one so far. I was not expecting tears and they fell more than once. I think who those tears were shed for at times was what shocked me most.

Spellslinger also proved to me that time travel is not for the faint of heart. Things that happened in the past escalated and shifted and the things that happened because of those shifts were devastating. Many things need to be “fixed”, many, many things. Beyond that craziness, Lincoln has a little farther to go before he gets to where he needs to be in the future and I can’t wait to see how he gets there.

If you haven’t started the Descentverse, you really need to. You can start with the Fistful of Daggers series, but since there is so much character and world building that takes place before this series starts, I wouldn’t recommend it. You can find the order of series and books on S.M. Reine’s website. A lot of the early books in the Descentverse are free, so there’s really no excuse to not start from the beginning 😉