Deadly Descendant (Nikki Glass #2) by Jenna Black

As a living descendant of Artemis the Huntress, private investigator Nikki Glass knows how to track someone down. But when an Oracle shows up, warning the descendants about wild dog attacks in Washington D.C., Nikki is afraid it might be a trap. The Olympians believe the “dogs” are jackals, controlled by a blood-crazed descendant of the Egyptian death-god Anubis. Whatever. . . . If Nikki hopes to muzzle Dogboy, she’s got to catch him in the act. But when she stakes out a local cemetery, she ends up face-to-snout with a snarling pack of shadow-jackals whose bite is worse than their bark. These hellhounds are deadly—even for an immortal like Nikki. “Dog” spelled backwards may be “god,” but that won’t stop Nikki from teaching these old gods some new tricks. Like playing dead.

You don't know how thrilled I was when I found this in my mailbox for review. I enjoyed the first book, Dark Descendant and couldn't wait until this book which has come to us a year later.

I admit I had a bit of trouble getting into this book. I think it was because I had to go back and remember what happened. Once I did, the book took off for me. I also think this is an indicator that you should read these in order even though the book does give you hints of what happened before. I think it will just make the story flow better for you.

You have the same great action that you had in the first book and we are back with Nikki still dealing with the outcome of the first book. In fact we find ourselves not long after the end of the first book. There is a new threat and it comes in a crazy descendent of Anubis. Death gods... hard to deal with and this one is deadly to even the Liberati who normally can only be killed by a human descendant. There is also a mystery as to what and why he has started to attack and even what to do with him when he is caught.

Ah but is there any romance? We got a hint that it may possibly come as the series progresses. I won't say what happens, but I will say this: *shakes fist at Jenna Black* NOoooOOOoo! How could you? It's not good enough... I want more!! Ms. Black will understand my ranting. ;)

I give this book 4 stars. It is a fun UF and those that enjoy UF will enjoy this series. I just want that next book... like NOW! ;)

I received this book from Pocket books and no compensation for my review was given.

Revived by Cat Patrick

As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life. 

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency's true goals, she realizes she's at the center of something much larger — and more sinister — than she ever imagined.

This book deals with a girl who has died several times and has been revived by a secret agent drug tested on a select number of kids. We follow one of these kids in Daisy. The fact that she has defied death has made her unafraid of dying even though there still could be a chance that the drug may just stop working one day.

The premise of this drug is not without it's drawbacks. We understand that it will not cure someone suffering from a debilitating illness. However, Daisy has died more than once by asphyxiation. That made me question how that drug will work because if her brain was deprived of oxygen shouldn't there have been some damage? Especially if it was more than once? However, it wasn't hard to suspend belief and we just assume that they got to her in scant seconds, always at the ready. Even though I had this question, I admit it didn't bother me that much. It's fiction and I can suspend my belief for the sake of the story.

I enjoyed the characterization of Daisy and also enjoyed her new friend Audrey. Matt her love interest was suitably swoon worthy even if you wanted to kick him in the arse at least once. He did have a good reason for being a bit of a jerk (and no, I'm not telling why...). Although I must say that I did question his motive for liking Daisy more than once. He does get me to forgive him in the end. :)

I also enjoyed the other subjects this book presents. One is what is often called invisible chronic illnesses. Daisy has a severe allergy to bee stings. She carries an epi-pen. Her friend has cancer but you can't tell physically. The way people draw away from the person with the illness and the adjustments to life were also dealt with briefly. I thought that was pretty well done. You hardly ever see that in YA. In fact you hardly see this at all.

I give this book 3 stars. It was an enjoyable mystery. It did have it's slow moments, but it didn't last long. I think this book will also appeal to those that like contemporary YA but want that little extra "strange" element within the story.
I was given this book by the publisher, Little Brown and no compensation for my review was given.

Winner!

The winner of:

is..

Erin F.!

(confirmed)

Congraties!!

Happy Weekend everyone!

Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors (Jane Jameson #4) by Molly Harper

Just as Jane Jameson’s unlife seems to be stabilizing, fate sinks its fangs firmly into her butt. Despite her near-phobia of all things marital, her no-frills nighttime nuptials to her sexy boyfriend Gabriel are coming along smoothly. But the road to wedded bliss gets bumpy when a teenage acquaintance is fatally wounded in front of Jane’s shop and she turns him to save his life. The Council pronounces Jane responsible for the newborn vamp until he can control his thirst.

Jane’s kitchen at River Oaks barely holds enough Faux Type O to satiate the cute teen’s appetite and maintain Gabriel’s jealous streak at a slow simmer. As if keeping her hyperactive childe from sucking the blood out of the entire neighborhood isn’t enough to deal with, the persnickety ghost of Jane’s newly deceased Grandma Ruthie has declared a war on the fanged residents of River Oaks. Suddenly,
choosing monogrammed cocktail napkins and a cake that she can’t eat seems downright relaxing in comparison.

Tensions inside the house are growing…and outside, a sinister force is aiming a stake straight for the center of Gabriel’s heart. Most brides just have to worry about choosing the right dress, but Jane fears that at this rate, she’ll never make it down the aisle for the wedding all nice girls dream of…

Yep, look at me! I read all 4 of these... in order! I'm so proud of myself! *puffs out chest* Guess I should be careful about doing that... I could poke out an eye. ;) I will say this to those that might find themselves with a book or two out of order... it is more fun to read these as I did, but you don't have to do so. You can go ahead and pick up any of these books and have fun reading it.

Oh and this book! I have to say this was my fave of all 4! I liked it because the characters had grown. You know those books where the characters have to make the same mistakes ad nauseum? Smart people but never learn? Well, it seems that all the characters, wonderfully flawed, actually learned from previous mistakes. Very much acknowledging what they did wrong and what they want to do differently to affect the outcome. Of course the one thing that hasn't changed is the humor and I want to thank Molly Harper for that!

In this book we also get introduced to a new character, Jamie. Wait, that's not quite right... we were quickly introduced to this hot male jail bait in the last book, but we get to know him better. He becomes Jane's childe. And while I admit I did cringe when it happend because I was expecting the same tired ol' bad teen clichés, I didn't get that. Oh there were teen probs, but at least the kid wasn't annoying. In fact, I really enjoyed his character.

I so recommend this book and give it 4 1/2 stars. If you ever wanted to laugh at wedding preparations, near death experiences... or even full on death ones, mothering, ghosts and family, pick up this book. Your funny bone with thank you!

I received this book from the publisher, Pocket Books and no compensation for my review was given.

Nice Girls Don't Live Forever (Jane Jameson #3) by Molly Harper

Nothing sucks the romance out of world travel like a boyfriend who may or may not have broken up with you in a hotel room in Brussels. Jane Jameson’s sexy sire, Gabriel, has always been unpredictable. But the seductive, anonymous notes that await him at each stop of their international vacation, coupled with his evasive behavior over the past few months, finally push Jane onto the next flight home to Half Moon Hollow — alone, upset, and unsure whether Gabriel just ended their relationship without actually telling her. 

Now the children’s-librarian-turned-vampire is reviving with plenty of Faux Type O, some TLC from her colorful friends and family, and her plans for a Brave New Jane. Step One: Get her newly-renovated occult bookstore off the ground. Step Two: Support her best friend, Zeb, and his werewolf bride as they prepare for the impending birth of their baby . . . or litter. Step Three: Figure out who’s been sending her threatening letters, and how her hostile pen pal is tied to Gabriel. Because for this nice girl, surviving a broken heart is becoming a matter of life and undeath...

Well, I loved the first 2 books and I was thrilled to read this book as well. This book can be read as a stand-a-lone, but really... if I can read these in order... so can you. Plus you really don't want to miss out on the snark that is Jane. I just love her character. We would SO be friends. :)

In this book Gabriel is a... well... snot (to put it nicely). I really wanted to give him a swift kick. Jane shows him the curb and I was happy that she finally stood up for herself. She also gave voice to what was going on in her heart and let Gabe know exactly what he did wrong. Now the every day adventures and romantic troubles were interesting enough, but you should know Jane by now. She has another stalker/killer after her and this one is Gabriel's fault. Now you get why I wanted to swift kick him. :)

The book wraps up nicely and it could be the end of the series. I'm so glad it isn't because I have really come to enjoy Jane and all her family and friends. Especially Dick Chaney. Oh in this one he has come into his own and is a great friend and romantic partner (uh, not for Jane..).

I give this book 4 stars. Oh if you love snark and enjoy a good LOL, pick up this series. You will love this take on vampirism.

I received this book from the publisher, Pocket Books, and no compensation for my review was given.