Cradled (Beholder #4.5)

                Hello happy readers.  I hope you are having a good Monday.  My weekend was not as productive as I would have hoped but the new season of Orange is the New Black dropped Friday so could I have done anything other than marathon it?   I think not.  That said I am happy to have a quick review of an epilogue novella.  Yes the Beholder series by Christina Bauer that I have enjoyed comes out with a quick novella, Cradled (Beholder #4.5).  It comes out tomorrow and I am excited to have gotten a chance to read it early before my pre-order as I was provided an ARC in exchange for my honest review.  I reviewed the previous Beholder books here:  Cursed, Concealed, Cherished, and Crowned.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Elea and Rowan have been through a lot and still have lots more to do in complete unity between their peoples.  But given the family drama on both sides children were something they were going to forgo…..But sometimes fate has other options.

                So I went in not knowing much.  I hadn't even read the summary just that it was more Elea and Rowan and that was good enough for me.  The title kind of gave me some hint but yeah that was it.  I thought it'd be a quick little tale dealing with pregnancy or something but what I got was so much more.  There is an attack, kidnapping, crossovers, battle, redemption, and so much jam packed into this novella!  Seriously there is so much happening I loved it.  There was even a cross over with some other characters I just adore so having them all in one spot kind of made my day!

                There is a little of everything and again all of her books fly by for me but this was a novella that easily felt like a full on book with such an interesting story.  I highly recommend it to fans of the series it's a sweet treat!

                Until next time…

Cherished (Beholder #3)

                Hello happy readers!  So today I'm pleased to be reviewing a new Ink Monster release, the latest in the Beholder series by Christina Bauer, Cherished (Beholder #3).  I have reviewed the previous books Cursed and Concealed and of course have loved them so I was eagerly looking forward to this one.  I always look forward to new books by the author.  Cherished is out Tuesday May 30th so make sure to check out your copy!  I received an early ARC from NetGalley and the publishers for an honest review.  Spoilers for the first two books, duh.

Rating: 5 Loaded Totem Rings

                When we left off in Concealed I was a bit heartbroken.  I didn't see how it was possible that Rowan had betrayed Elea like that.  That he could be so sweet and amazing to her but really be engaged to her friend Amelia.  Our Elea already has trust issues given what her former best friend, Tristan did to her.  Still they defeated the Tsar and the Vicomte and she is back home on her farm where she wanted to be.  Running Braddock Farm is supposed to be her life but after the past few years it's a bit less than she's used to, even with her flirty friend Philippe there to keep her company.  So when someone comes calling trying to kill her it gives her a bit of the excitement she has grown used to.  Shujaa is a Changed One who has hybrid magic and promises he will ruin her and kill Rowan.  While seeing him is the last thing she wants to do, if hybrid magic is involved she knows he is her best chance of defeating this new evil.  That's all, not that she still has feelings for him or anything.

                I admit when the last one ended, while I loved the book and series I was a bit heartbroken and didn't understand how Rowan could have done what he did.  I had no idea how things could be fixed, how he would be able to redeem himself in my eyes after that.  I was well and truly worried I wouldn’t be able to enjoy Rowan again.  I clearly didn't have enough faith in the author because the way this story plays out I totally love Rowan still.  So yes Elea and Rowan, I still ship them and love them so hard.  Elea is still strong as ever and no matter how much her training tells her to not show emotions or be ruled by hear heart she isn't very good at that.  I love that she is one to think with her head but she also lets her emotions show unlike a good little Necromancer.  She has an entire army she brought back from the dead that want to follow her and she wants nothing to do with that.  She isn't power hungry like so many other leaders she just wants to find her own slice of happiness.  While Rowan is the leader of his people who are fickle to say the least and still even when they doubt him and cheer for another to rule he is strong and continues to fight for his people. 

                The chemistry is there from the start.  Even before they see one another again you can feel it in the air and while you hate that he is engaged to Amelia I kept hoping he was right and there was an explanation that would make it better.  I just love the magic these two create and not just the hybrid magic.  One thing I love about them together is that they are equals, they may want to protect one another but they are equals.  I really enjoy a romance that has each on equal footing and where the man accepts his partner is kick butt and doesn't need to sit the fighting out.

                We also get to see more into Caster life.  Some of the traditions and prophecies they live by.  It becomes clear that some things have different meanings and rules.  We also get to meet more of the Casters including Rowans brothers and even his mother.  Some we clearly like more than others.  For instance I just adore little Jicho.  Zoriah not so much.  Anywho this is all because of Viktor, yes even banishing him for a second time hasn't stopped his destruction as he left behind totems to continue his work.  This man is seriously one bad dude. 

                There is plenty of character moments for sure as Elea fights to figure out what life she really wants but this is a battle story and there is lots of action and fighting happening.  These characters we love so much never get a break because they are always needed to face some big bad.  I love this story so much and while there is still so much that has me concerned from the ending I can't wait to see what happens.  I also have a few questions left unanswered.  So I'm ready for book four, Crowned. 

                Until next time…

Concealed (Beholder #2) by Christina Bauer

                Hello happy readers.  I am working my way back up to being caught up in reading and real life.  I’m still a bit behind but I’m getting much closer and wanted to dive back in.  Though for the current time I think I will adjust my posting schedule leaving off Friday posts until I’m caught back up.  If you’re wondering still in the chaos of trying to purchase said house but it’s out of my hands for the moment.  So back into the real reason we do this, books!

                Today I wanted to discuss Concealed, the second book in the Beholder series by Christina Bauer.  I reviewed the first book Cursed here. She is also the author of another series I adore Angelbound, but now her books have a new home at Monster House Books.  I’m excited for the new Angelbound book as well but right now I want to discuss my thoughts on Concealed.  I was lucky enough to get an ARC from the publisher/author.  You know the drill: sequel = spoilers from book one. 

Rating: 5 Totem Rings

                Elea, Grand Mistress Necromancer, and her Caster ally Rowan banished the Tsar in the last book but the Vicomte was able to escape and take many of her necromancer sisters with him.  Now Elea is on a quest to find her sisters and put an end to this evil man, who may be even more vicious and dangerous than the Tsar.  It’s a rescue mission that could turn deadly easily and while she may have Rowan’s help that may cause its own set of dangers as they are opposites.  Plus it’s always dangerous to have your heart on the line.

                First I read this in one sitting.  I flew through it and couldn’t put it down.  It’s so easy to fall back into the story and into the magic of it all.  Things are not looking good.  Elea is confident in her strength but not so much in her feelings, after being trained to never show emotion and to stem all her feelings, a lesson he was never good with, after becoming close to Rowan in the last book it’s hard to block him out.  Especially when he keeps popping up to offer his help.  On her own Elea is a force to be reckoned with and I adore her dedication to finding her sisters no matter the cost.  It’s not just about saving her people, her race, but also finding her friend and little Ada which only warms you up to her that much more!  She isn’t cold and heartless, she actually has a much bigger heart than most. 

                Rowan.  Okay so I was totally in love with him in the first book.  I adore him in this as well, minus the secrets for his people, while I understand but don’t like.  He is the same sexy and sweet Castor we got to know in the first book.  He wants to protect Elea and tries to convince her to go home but he also respects that she isn’t the type to sit on the side lines and instead offers her whatever help he can.  He treats her as an equal which is a huge positive!  Plus the interaction between them is electric!

                We also get to know a couple new characters, Amelia and Philippe.  I enjoyed getting to know these different characters as they brought a sense of levity to some rather darker type of mood.  This is especially true of Philippe.  He was rather charming in his own way, such a scandalous flirt in a very outrageous and fun way only some can pull off.  Amelia on the other hand brings a different level to the story with her upbringing and with her skill in mechanics.  She isn’t just about magic but machines and the way the two types can combine is rather inventive.  

               The story really keeps you going and guessing from page one until the end.  I have lots of questions and some serious need to hear more after some revelations that we uncovered.  Seriously I am so not okay with certain things they made my eyes get all watery and I need them fixed ASAP!  Plus there is a whole new kind of magic happening that is just aching to be explored further and I can’t wait to see how it plays into the next story.  I already have the next book three Cherished on pre-order!  So I highly recommend getting caught up in this story that is fast paced and filled to the brim with all the good things you want in a story from interesting and unique characters and plot to magic battles, romance, and world building including a masked ball! Yes I love masked balls!  

                Until next time…