Category Archives: paranormal romance

Mini Review: Legacy Lost (Of Poseidon #0.5) by Anna Banks

3 Replies

Legacy Lost by Anna Banks
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Release date: May 22, 2012
Source: Purchased
Series: Of Poseidon #0.5

He is a mer-prince, she is the mermaid princess that his family orders him to marry so that their kingdoms unite. Grom dreads this arrangement, until he meets Nalia — both beautiful and smart, she’s everything he ever wanted. But just when their connection grows deeper, tragedy strikes. Legacy Lost is a prequel story to Anna Banks’ debut novel, OF POSEIDON.

SPOILERISH REVIEW. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT YOU HAVE READ BOTH OF POSEIDON AND LEGACY LOST BEFORE READING THIS REVIEW.

This is just a short quickie review. I’ve never actually been a huge fan of short stories/novellas, and don’t ask me why because I do not know. I’m slowly being won over to them though because they are a great way to give you information that doesn’t necessarily fit into the original story.
Throughout the entire time almost of reading Of Poseidon I’d wished for a little more information about the relationship between Grom and Nalia, what had happened before the explosion, and the aftermath. Not necessarily every single detail of course, but information than we’re given in the parent story. Legacy Lost did not disappoint me. I loved watching the dislike between them grow to like and respect.
Now what I want to know though is what reasons Nalia had for leaving after that explosion, and making everyone think she was dead. There’s one obvious reason that anyone who’s read this or Of Poseidon can think of, but I’d like to think there’s more to it than that. With the way Of Poseidon ended though, I know my questions will be answered in book two, Of Triton. Too bad we have to wait a year to read it.

Review: Of Poseidon (Of Poseidon #1) by Anna Banks

10 Replies

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release date: May 22, 2012
Source: Library
Series: Of Poseidon #1
Rating: FOUR STARS

I hadn’t really heard much about this book before I read it, nor had I sought out any reviews. I don’t think I’d even read the flap until I was a few chapters in, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect with this book. I was pleasantly surprised, and I definitely enjoyed Of Poseidon.
I love mermaid stories, and I absolutely love it when I find one that does things a bit different than what you’re expecting. These mermaids can change into human form on their own, though they aren’t supposed to since contact with humans is forbidden. They can all sense each other to some degree, though there are a select few that can sense better than others. They’re divided into two kingdoms, one descended from Poseidon, and one from Triton. We all know who Poseidon is, but my knowledge of Triton is confined to Disney’s The Little Mermaid. I’ll be googling him here pretty soon just so I can a somewhat better grasp on the mythology of this book.
I loved all the characters in Of Poseidon, even Galen’s snarky sister Rayna. It takes a little while to warm up to Rayna though, but once you do you’ll love her. Toraf, Galen’s best friend and Rayna’s boyfriend/mate, was a fun character to follow. Everyone felt distinctly different from everyone else, their own personalities clearly developed. I felt like I was with these people, not just reading about them. I wasn’t really impressed by Galen’s older brother Grom though. I felt like he should’ve sided with Galen in the end because of them being family, but there were things unsaid on Galen’s side that did make it hard. I was hoping for more information on the Grom and Nalia storyline, but it wasn’t a focus in Of Poseidon. Their story is briefly covered in the short story prequel Legacy Lost.
I got this book from the library, but I will definitely be acquiring my own copy so that I can reread this while waiting for the next book. And let me warn you guys, there’s something big revealed at the end, and it’s a huge cliffhanger. When I got to that last chapter and I realized what was happening I was like “OH MY GOD YOU CANNOT END THIS BOOK HERE. NO NO NO NO NO!” Needless to say this a series I’ll be continuing. If you love mermaid stories, read it. Even if you don’t, give it a try. It’s definitely one of the best I’ve read.

Review: Arise (Hereafter #2) By Tara Hudson

Leave a reply

Arise by Tara Hudson
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release date: June 5, 2012
Source: Purchased
Series: Hereafter #2

I absolutely adored Hereafter. I totally meant to reread it before reading Arise, but lately with blogging I’ve felt the pressure to read quickly and not focus on rereading things. But honestly, I need to let that go. Especially since rereading books in series as a new one comes out helps keep things fresh and makes the newest book more enjoyable. I honestly think Arise suffered from me not rereading Hereafter.
I love Amelia and Josh as much as I did after finishing Hereafter, but this book just wasn’t keeping me hooked and I don’t honestly know why. Tara’s writing was as beautiful as ever and great at describing things in such a way that I still felt a part of the story and not like I was being told about it. I did enjoy the setting being moved to New Orleans and the addition of voodoo. That definitely makes things more interesting, especially with what happens to Amelia because of it. It may have just been the pacing I guess. Some parts seemed slow while others I was tearing through pages. I actually felt ambivalent about most of the new additions in terms of characters, just because I didn’t really feel like they were being developed. Just placed in there to move the story along.
All in all, still a great sequel to Hereafter and I’m most definitely looking forward to the next book. But I definitely suggest rereading Hereafter if it’s been a while.

Review: Grave Witch (Alex Craft #1) by Kalayna Price

Leave a reply

Grave Witch by Kalayna Price
Publisher: RoC
Release date: October 5, 2010
Source: Purchased
Series: Alex Craft #1
Rating: Four stars!

I haven’t been reading books like this since I started blogging, mainly because they take me a little more time to finish than young adult books do. But I’ve decided I’m going to go back to reading these as well, because I’ve always enjoyed them, and Grave Witch was a breath of fresh air for me. I loved this book.

I was reading vampire books right before the publishing industry exploded with them. Once the shelves were over saturated with vampire novels, I got burnt out on the entire adult paranormal spectrum for a few years. Grave Witch was my reintroduction to Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance books, and I must say I’m now itching for more. Alex is a kick ass main character, strong and yet vulnerable. She’s quirky too, with her cute little dog, and a great sense of humor. Loyal as hell to those close to her.

The story itself is not groundbreaking at all, but each author brings their own ideas to the table and present it slightly different. I enjoyed the story very much despite it not being a fresh idea, because of how Kalayna Price writes it and makes it her own. And it never hurts when there’s not one sexy guy, but two involved. Though I know who I’m leaning towards. Though I don’t see how that relationship can work, but this fiction so that’s all right. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where Alex is taken in the next book, especially after one of the guys drops the L word at a crucial time.

I’m definitely looking forward to digging into the next book. I recommend this to anyone who just wants something fun to read.