One Howl 2013 - Challenge Reviewed

 With 2014 just around the corner, a review of the Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance books I read all year, is much needed!

This year, I participated in Book Chick City's Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge for 2013.

My initial plan was to achieve Three Howls by reading 36 books of that kind. Sadly, I did not achieve this goal, as I read less. But, I did manage to achieve One Howl, reading from start to end 12 books, plus one more!

Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Books I read during 2013:

 1. A Cajun Werewolf Christmas (Stormy Weather #6) by Selena Blake
2. The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead
3. Witches 101: A Witches of East end Primer (The Beauchamp Family) by Melissa de la Cruz
4. Storm Born (Dark Swan #1) by Richelle Mead
5. Kidnapping the Laird by Terri Brisbin
6. Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson #3) by Patricia Briggs
7. Rogue (Shifters #2) by Rachel Vincent
8. The Gauntlet (Cassandra Palmer #0.5) by Karen Chance
9. The Queen's Witch (Cassandra Palmer #0.6) by Karen Chance
10. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
11. Matched (Matched, #1) by Ally Condie
12.The Hot Girl's Friend by Lisa Scott

- One Howl 2013, achieved

13. Dirty Little Secrets (J.J. Graves Mystery #1) by Liliana Hart

Review: Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson #3) by Patricia Briggs

I always have the same problem with all of the books of this series! For the first few chapters I read the book and few interesting things occur. It doesn't capture my attention so much as it happens after some chapters. But by then, I just can't put the book down. And, this happens with every book featuring Merecedes Thompson.

Anyway, I shall start with the actual review. I loved this book! Because of Mercy, and Adam! And, finally everything became more clear. In many aspects.

To everyone that has done some essential research of the reviews of that book, a spoiler is known. Something terrible happens to Mercy. That specific event, for some is unacceptable, but as for me, it is not. The person that made her suffer is dealed with from Mercy herself, showing us once more what a strong character she is, an aspect of her personality I greatly love. What happened to her was hard, but she was able to overcome it with the help of her friends. And, more specifically, I loved the way the author delivered the events. It should have been very difficult. Authors don't always choose to write about such difficult subjects, but Patricia Briggs proved once more that she's very talented in delivering both happy and sad events.

The book, in overall, is amazing, and I can't wait to get my hands to the next installment of the series.

Storm Born (Dark Swan #1) by Richelle Mead

So, I finally finished that book, after almost a year. I have to admit that I bought more because it was written by Richelle Mead, rather than having been interested in the actual story. And, well, I have to admit I got a little disappointed. I could not recognize Mead's way of writing, that I had loved while reading her Vampire Academy books. It didn't have her character. But, this didn't stop me from continuing reading the story. I didn't particularly enjoy it, and I must admit that things started being more exciting after I was done with half of the book. The heroine wasn't bad, but I didn't approve of something she did. But then again, it wasn't like I got all disapproving. I just didn't care about this story enough to be upset or anything. I decided I'm not going to read the rest of the series. At least for now.

The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead

So, I finally, finally finished the third book in the Bloodlines series. I can't really believe it took me so long! I guess life caught up with me! I just couldn't focus, or didn't even have the time to read it long enough to make a significant progress. But, less hours of sleep did the trick, and here I am, writing my review.

This will be short, more of reciting my opinions of the book.
Richelle Mead did it once again. Although, in the beginning, I have to admit, I had this feeling that everything was progressing too fast. Or, it could be just me. I don't know anymore. But, I enjoyed that book very much. It provided some very intense moments, mysterioys, erotic, romantic. It managed to keep the reader on edge at some points. And, of course, once again, Mead didn't give us a romance on a plate. As soon as the things finally started to look up, the end of the book provided new obstacles for Sydney. Obstacles not only in the romantic plane, though.

All in all, a great read, I would totally recommend to fans of the series, and people that like witchcraft and vampires mixed together.

Witches 101: A Witches of East End Primer by Melissa de la Cruz

Although I've wanted to read Blue Bloods for quite sme time now, I've never actually read anything written by Melissa de la Cruz before. And, I must say I was not let down. This short story was a prequel to her new series and a nice, enjoyable read that provided some useful information about the main characters. It has caught my attention and I'm planning to proceed reading the actual series quite soon!

Also, my first thoughts about the characters? I think I like Joanna, the mother, the most. Next is Ingrid, which it quite tight, but serious and kind. And, finally Freya. She has a beautiful name, but her character is not exactly my type. But, we'll see how that goes once their story begins for real.

I would like to make a comment about the way this short story was written. At first, everything was a little hazy, especially for me, since I hadn't read the blurb of the story. But, after some time everything started to become more and more clear. Melissa de la Cruz's writing had me captivated and made me interested in reading more of her works.

BCC's Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge 2013!

BOOK CHICK CITY’S

Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance
Reading Challenge 2013!

I enjoy reading Urban Fantasy and, especially, Paranormal Romance Books very much, so this challenge will be a very fun experience for me! If this is true for you, too, do not hesitate to clock on the banner above!

SIGN-UP DETAILS

To sign up you MUST make a post on your blog about participating in the challenge. Please feel free to use the banner above in your post or on your sidebar, however, a link back to this post via the image, so others can join the challenge if they wish, would be much appreciated.

CHALLENGE DETAILS

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2013 – 31 Dec 2013
• Rules: There are FOUR (4) LEVELS to choose from

1.         One Howl: Read 12 UF/PNR books in 2013
2.         Two Howls: Read 24 UF/PNR books in 2013
3.         Three Howls: Read 36 UF/PNR books in 2013
4.         Four Howls: Read 48 UF/PNR books in 2013

• You don’t have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
• You can join at anytime. All books read in 2013 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.
• At the beginning of Jan 2013, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews.
• Audiobooks are accepted.
• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.
• You DO NOT have to write reviews of the books you read, but if you decide to then there will be a place each month for you to link up your reviews.
• You don’t have to have a blog to join in – for those without a blog but who use Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing etc, you can add the URL to where you track your books.

I am personally counting on reading approximately 36 UF/PNR books this year, so I opt for Three Howls, which is the third level of this Challenge!