How to Flirt With a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

Title: How to Flirt With a Naked Werewolf
Author: Molly Harper
Published: February 22, 2011
Publisher: Pocket Books
ISBN: 978-1439195864
Genre: Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Northern Exposure

Even in Grundy, Alaska, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, recent southern transplant Mo Wenstein has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham—who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska—has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble. 

For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question. 

If a wolf cries wolf, it makes sense to listen, yet Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit. Except if he’s not responsible, then who is? And when a werewolf falls head over haunches in love with you, what are you supposed to do anyway? The rules of dating just got a whole lot more complicated. . . .

Rating: ★★★★★

OMG you guys, this was so much fun.

I did not expect this book to be as well written as it actually is. Which, is kind of an asshole thing for me to think, but it surprised the hell out of me.

I absolutely loved this book.

I loved Mo! Which is, like, woah!

Because, I don't like female MCs. They piss me off. I normally want to gouge their eyes out. Well, not Mo. I want to be this chick's best friend. She cooks awesome deserts, is utterly hilarious, and has a lingerie obsession. What's not to like? And, I can totally relate to her:

“Well, that cinched it. He was an asshole. I was definitely going to end up sleeping with him.”

I love the dynamic between her and Cooper. It gives me the good tinglies. Also, again, they're utterly hilarious:

“Well, pardon me for not knowing about the thermal-only panty rule,” I said, smirking as he dipped his head to nuzzle one of the silky bra cups. “I’ll rush right out and buy some long johns.”

Pausing to look up with perfect sincerity, he promised, “If you do, I will weep. Like a little girl. In public.”

Mostly, I love that I can imagine that they'd be real people. Like I could rock up to Grundy, Alaska and there would be the Blue Glacier Saloon with Evie and Buzz behind the bar and Mo in the kitchen and Cooper sat at the bar, growling at people. I suppose that's what really helped me like this book, just how easy it is to imagine that these characters are people you could come across in your own town. It lends a nice authenticity to the story. As much as a story about a hot werewolf can be considered authentic anyway ...

The story was engaging and really well paced. I loved the fact that they didn't jump straight into bed with each other and you can't beat a good dose of antagonistic lust-filled banter whilst they come to terms with their attraction for each other. The supporting cast was just right and it was so refreshing to see the unrequited love interest not turn out to be an asshole.

Overall, an awesome, fun read that I will definitely be going back to.  

End of Days by Susan Ee

Title: End of Days (Penryn & The End of Days #3)
Author: Susan Ee
Published: May 12, 2015
Publisher: Skyscape
ISBN: 978-1477829707
Genre: Sci-Fi and Fantasy

End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy.

After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

Rating: ★★★★★

In my honest opinion, this was the perfect conclusion to an incredible series.

Considering that I came out of the first book feeling pretty 'meh' about Penryn, it has come as a massive surprise to suddenly find myself completely fangirling over her. Her character development throughout the three books was superb and at the end of this book she really, truly deserved her title of 'Kick-ass female'.

Raffe? Do I really need to say anything about him? What a fucking dream-boat. And at the end? Jesus!



The development of their relationship was lovely. I've seen a lot of reviews that said they felt like the chemistry had failed and that their romance felt 'flat'. I wholeheartedly disagree. I think, given their respective situations, it was realistic, hopeful and, well, hot!(view spoiler)



This book definitely makes up for the lack of Raffe in the second book- and, in fact, we don't see much of anyone else. Paige and the Mother seem to take a step back, but I can't honestly say the book is any worse off for that fact because Penryn and Raffe just have such an amazing dynamic.

I think, perhaps, the stories for the supporting cast could have been wrapped up a bit better. We're left with no idea of what happens to anyone barring Raffe, Penryn, Paige and the Mother. I think it would have been nice to know what happened to Dee and Dum and the Watchers.

Especially Dee and Dum. But I think my attachment to these two has a lot to do with their similarity to these two:



The Watchers - NEW FAVOURITE CHARACTERS!! They were awesome, and I love that Beliel wasn't just an a-typical bad-guy. I like that Ee gave him a tragic backstory that helped us to understand his character outside of being the big bad. He has reasons - he wasn't just a two dimensional disney villain and that was a refreshing change. I like my villains complex and tragic.



There was a fair amount of questions left unanswered, but nothing important and nothing relative to the plot. And, lets be honest, sometimes we don't want all the questions answered - sometimes we like to use our own imagination. Or, well, I know I do.

Overall, one of the better conclusions to a series that I've read. I absolutely loved these books and would encourage everyone to read them.

Sacrificed: The Last Oracle by Emily Wibberley

Title: Sacrificed: The Last Oracle
Author: Emily Wibberley
Published: February 13, 2015
Publisher: Create Space Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 978-1505896787
Genre: Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Knowing the future can save her city – but not her heart. 

Born to serve the merciless Oracle, Clio wants nothing more than to break free. But when her entire family is murdered by Mannix, the king's adviser, Clio inherits the Oracle’s power, a power she never wanted and doesn't understand. 

Hunted by Mannix, Clio is forced to flee her home in Sheehan and seek refuge in a foreign city where oracles are forbidden. If she's found out, she will be sacrificed atop its great pyramid.  

Clio has no choice but to win the trust of Riece, an enemy warrior. Despite the undeniable attraction between them, Clio knows that if he finds out who she really is, he won't hesitate to execute her. 

Clio tries to hide her budding powers, but the Visions she keeps having of Mannix and his barbarian army slaughtering her people torture her conscience. She alone has the strength and foresight to stop him, but only if she can embrace her destiny and sacrifice everything.

Rating: ★★★★★


This book blew my mind.

I put this on my TBR list back in January because it looked like it was going to be a good read and then it was promptly buried under the sheer overwhelming force that is my TBR list. Then I came across it on NetGalley and, quite literally, jumped at the chance.

Clio is the youngest, and fourth, daughter of the Oracle of Sheehan. Clio has never been close to her Mother and one by one, the same is happening with her sisters as they all enter into the servitude of the Oracle. When, finally, Clio loses her sister Ali to their Mother and the Deities, she vows never to allow her mother to change her the way she has her sisters and runs away. That night, Clio's Mother and two older sisters are brutally murdered and her sister Ali is taken by the King's (very creepy) adviser, Mannix. As a result, Clio is forced to shoulder the burden that was once her Mother's: she becomes the Oracle.

Desperate to rescue her sister, and best friend, Clio sets out for Morak, a city in which being an Oracle is punishable by death, in hopes that she can get there before it's too late, but she makes it to the City just in time to witness her sister's execution. It is there, in the cells under the Pyramid of Morak that she meets Oracle-hating Commander Riece, whom she must learn to trust, and convince him to trust her, in order to survive and save Sheehan from the ambitions of Mannix.

I loved this book from the moment I started reading it, and once I had, I didn't want to put it down. I've already said that I spent the day at work with my Kindle hidden behind my computer screens just so I could keep reading it without my boss seeing me. There wasn't a dull moment in this book. Emily Wibberley seems to have mastered the art of weeding out unnecessary scenes which add nothing to the story and can often become boring. Every scene was carefully crafted and contributed to the overall plot and kept the story flowing wonderfully.

Clio's character is delightful to read, and she does't change so much as grows and matures through-out the book which is wonderful to watch. She grows from a cynical girl who sees her mother's calling as a bit of a sham into a powerful young woman who holds her own, saves the day and can fully accept her calling in life.

Derik and Riece, our respective love interests actually manage to step outside of the mold and to have a personality of their own and a role to play besides being in love with the main character. It's refreshing to see. In fact, a few of the minor characters are just as memorable: Riece's younger sister is a great motivator for his character but also provides great comic relief and a nice break from the action of the rest of the book.

The world building is great. We don't get to see much of the world in general, admittedly, as the story centers around Morak and Sheehan, but Wibberley throws out the names of a few places that I'm hoping we get to see in the next books. Besides that, she keeps it fairly simple which makes it much easier for you to immerse yourself in the world; it's easier to connect with a story when you don't spend half a book trying to get your head around the world, it's population and it's politics. The untouched were a wonderfully scary addition.

In the end, you're left wanting more. I know I certainly was and I cannot wait for the second book.

That ending, though! Talk about emotional overload!!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  

The Darkest Minds By Alexandra Bracken

Title: The Darkest Minds
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Published: October 22, 2013
Publisher: Hyperion Books
ISBN: 978-1423159322
Genre: Dystopian/Sci Fi

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control. 

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. 

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. 

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

Rating: ★★★★☆

How to write a typical Dystopian adventure, and get it completely, 100% right.

I really enjoyed this book. I had such high hopes going in and it did not disappoint me at all.

Really interesting premise and awesome characters, and oh mY GOD A FEMALE CHARACTER THAT I ACTUALLY LIKE!!!1! 

The world building is superb. The way that Bracken only gives you enough information to understand what is going on, but little enough to keep you intrigued is terribly clever. There are a lot of authors who try too hard at this end up failing miserably. Not so in this book; the balance is just right.

The characters, whilst certainly nothing I haven't seen before, are infinitely likeable - even her villains. They are complicated, diverse, well-fleshed out and human. It's so easy to make your character into a caricature of what a human being is supposed to be, but Bracken doesn't take it too far here. She captures all of the good and bad parts of humanity in all of the best ways.

And, ultimately, that's what this books is about. Humanity and how we fight to keep it in the worst of conditions.

Maybe a little predictable at times, but there's so many dystopian stories out there now that they're obviously all going to be following the same recipe. This one is no different, but it doesn't take away from your enjoyment at all.

That ending, though. Welcome to heartbreak hotel. 

I can't wait for book 2 to arrive.

You said it, Liam.