The Bane Chronicles & A Piratey Giveaway!

                Hello happy readers!  Today I have a short review for you with my thoughts on The Bane Chronicles, the bind-up of novellas featuring Magnus Bane from the Shadowhunter universe.  He is my favorite character in the world so of course I loved more with him as the main focus.  However, I also have another goodie to share today: A new GIVEAWAY!  I had meant to post this with a review of the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie but my schedule isn't looking like it will give me a chance to see it anytime in the next couple of weeks and I wanted to do this so changes have been made.  Full details will be at the bottom of the post.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Magnus is my favorite so of course it got a five star rating from me.  Some of the stories were better than others for me but each one gave me more Magnus and thus more insight into him as a character.  I think I adored the later stories, the ones that have Alec in them a bit more though that may simply be because I totally adore them and to see their first interactions from a new perspective was so dang cute.  Seriously the first date one….probably my favorite. 

                Still we see more depth into Magnus as a person and where he came from.  We know he has more depth to him than we sometimes see, more than extreme fashion and sparkle but to see him in different times going through different circumstances.  To really see his immortality in such a way was nice.  Seeing how connected he is to this world we know and love, really connected and not just through our different sets of Shadowhunters we see as the main focus in The Infernal Devices, The Mortal Instruments, and now The Dark Artifices, because these groups of kids are loveable but to the whole world.  Magnus is a warlock and such a personality so it makes sense that he has interacted with everyone in his time and to really see it was very nice. 

                Plus it was lots of fun because Magnus may be powerful but even he can fall pray to some bad choices.  Seeing the fun and playful side of him and more so the side that really deeply cares for all life really made me love him all the more.  I also enjoyed seeing more of his friends and such, getting some past encounters to them and giving them more depth.  You don't have to read these to enjoy or understand the main series but much like the Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy it would give more meaning and understanding to some things.   Plus more Magnus so of course I highly recommend!  I also highly recommend the audiobook because the different narrators give something special to the different times and mischief in his life.

                 Including him becoming a pirate.  See I totally made the pirate theme work to my advantage here.  So about my giveaway.  A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of going to an event for the talented and sweet Nicole Castroman for her new release Blacksouls (Blackhearts #2) which I had previously reviewed here.  She had been gracious enough to give me an early copy at ApollyCon but when I saw her schedule for events I knew I wanted to go support her and pick up a copy to do a giveaway with!  It was great fun as always and I even won a game/challenge and got my own mini pirate chest!  Score!  This giveaway is open to US only at this time.  Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blacksouls (Blackhearts #2)

                Hello happy readers!  So this Saturday my latest giveaway closed and before I start todays review I’d like to congratulate, Maria V, for winning!  I’m super excited and will be heading to the post office later today I hope you enjoy the book!  Now still exciting my review for today, Blacksouls (Blackhearts #2) by Nicole Castroman.  I loved and reviewed Blachhearts here when it came out and I have been eagerly awaiting more since finishing it so when I got an early copy at ApollyCon I was so excited!  Due to an untimely sinus infection I didn’t get to go to the launch party (I seriously cried a little at missing it) but I’m still thrilled to share my thoughts on a fabulous sequel.

Rating:  5 Stars

                So if you know from my review of Blackhearts I went in thinking it was a stand-alone but then as it ended KNEW I couldn’t handle that I needed more.  So when I then went to the end and found out there was more to the story I was thrilled and have been waiting ever since for Blacksouls.  I am so beyond happy this story was more than a stand-alone because there is so much story left to work with.  We left Teach and Anne separated.  Anne was put on a ship to Nassau, not even the ship she was supposed to be sent on, and she knows things are not sunshine and rainbows.  Teach, knows Anne was sent away and is on his way to go after her, even bribing his way onto his father’s own ship as first mate willing to do anything to find his Anne.  Things are never easy for these two and finding one another might be the easiest part of the journey. 

               

                First I have to say I love that we are at sea.  This is a story of how Teach became Blackbeard and while we were landlocked in the previous story the majority of this one takes place on the sea.  There are so many things that start to fall into place and you know they are not going to be easy to overcome but as a reader you are so invested in the characters you can’t help but think of ways for it to work out.  I was glued to the pages and finding out what would happen next.  I seriously think I read the first part without stopping to even have a sip of my water. 

                 Teach is such an amazing character.  He's got a different past than his crew but he is still one of them and never treats anyone as below him and given how he was raised and the time this is a wonderful trait.  He's also dedicated fully to Anne and his mission to find her and have a life with her.  The way he loves her so completely is beautiful and makes your heart flutter.  He also has a strong connection to his men and making sure they are all safe because he's a stand up guy, even as he starts to act like a pirate.  Anne is amazing and strong in this story.  It's great to see her as she breaks free of the life that she had and start working for one she wants and even more learning to take care of and defend herself.  She knows what she wants and she isn't shy about it as much as before because she knows how dangerous the world is and how close she came to losing it. 

                The story is a journey between our two loves but it's also full of pirating goodness with corrupt officials and a dangerous pirate.  New friends and enemies in different shapes and sizes and lots of juicy story points that just make you fly through the book.  I highly recommend this series.  Blacksouls left off in a way that it is clear there is more story to be had and I for one can't wait to read what Teach and Anne do next! 

                Until next time…

Waiting on Wednesday: Blacksouls

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Blacksouls (Blackhearts #2) by Nicole Castroman

Out: 4/11

From Goodreads:

                Nicole Castroman brings the dangerous pirate ports of the Caribbean to life in this vibrant sequel to Blackhearts—the reimagined origin story of history’s most infamous pirate, Blackbeard.

                Edward “Teach” Drummond is setting sail to the Caribbean as first mate on the most celebrated merchant ship in the British fleet—until he rebels against his captain.  Mutiny is a capital offense and Teach knows it could cost him his life, but he believes it worth the risk in order to save his crew from the attacking Spanish ships.

Sailing on the same blue waters, Anne barely avoids the Spanish attack, making it safely to Nassau.  But lawless criminals, corrupt politics, and dangerous intentions fill the crowded streets of this Caribbean port.  Soon, Anne discovers that the man entrusted to keep the peach is quite possibly the most treacherous of them all—and he just happens to hold Teach’s fate in his terrifying hands.

                Life and death hand in the balance when Teach and Anne are given a dangerous mission.  It’s a mission that will test their love, loyalty, and devotion, forcing them down a path neither one could have ever imagined.

               

Why I’m Waiting:

                Clearly I was behind and missing things because I had no idea the summary and cover dropped for this one!  OMG I loved the first book Blackhearts (review) it was so so good and I just needed more.  I want to know more about Teach and Anne and if they reunite.  I mean with the ending…Plus this cover is awesome!

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.