The Head of Medusa (Elementals #3) Review & Blog Tour!

                Filled with magic, thrilling adventure, and sweet romance, Elementals 3: The Head of Medusa is the latest installment in Michelle Madow’s exciting Elementals series. Follow Nicole and her fellow Elementals as they journey to the end of the world, unsure of who to trust, and facing choices that will put their lives and the entire world at risk. Will they all survive the mission? And if they don’t, will the ones who do be able to find the strength to continue?

               Hello happy readers it's another Friday.  After I post my review today I'm off to finish working on a cake for a baby shower…..I'm excited and it's Harry Potter themed so even better.  Anywho today I am taking part in The Head ofMedusa (Elementals #3) blog tour.  Now if you don't remember this is book three of the series and I reviewed The Prophecy of Shadows (review) and The Blood of Hydra (review) previously and was looking forward to continuing on.  So here are my thoughts and feels on the latest in the series by Michelle Madow.  There will be spoilers for the first two books.

Rating:  4 Stars

                So we left off our group had just completed their mission to gather the ingredients that would stop the monsters they kill from being able to come right back out of the portal.  Along the way they made a few new friends and lost one, angered a god, and so much more.  Now Nicole and her friends are trying to keep the monsters at bay while working on a plan to close the portal and keep the Titans from coming out to end the world while still enjoy her newfound relationship with Blake.  Now they must focus on Typhon, one of the worst in history and only one thing can destroy him, Medusa.  However getting Medusa's head is far from simple and will require many decisions, many of which are life changing.

                This book is like the others for me in the same way that you can sit down and fly right through the book.  Head of Medusa is no exception it was a quick read and it was so fast paced you didn't want to put it down.  Madow has a way of making sure to keep the characters moving and hustling and the action up.  That said this one also has much more for me in the romance department.  It has been in there nudging it's head in for a while but it was more prevalent in this one.  I enjoyed that and I didn't even notice until I finished it just felt so naturally where the story was going.  

                There are twists and turns with new quests and missions and even new monsters to face.  We get to explore some different locations that keep it interesting from the South Pole to LA.  Oh and with new monsters comes more  mythology to enjoy, the one part of history I enjoyed!  New and old characters are in this one and it's not only a fight against the monsters but with their own choices and I liked that play.  They were changed after losing someone on the last mission, they couldn't take for granted that Nicole could simply bring them back so the stakes are amped up.  Nicole is also struggling with not being able to save someone, her main part is to save and she couldn't.   Overall another great addition to the story and OMG that ending I admit to suspecting some things from the start but yes I am so ready for the next book because….feels!

                 That's all without saying to much these are so much fun to read and I wouldn’t want to give away to much.  I'd love to hear your thoughts below in the comments.  Which mythical monster has been the most interesting so far?  Where do you think they will go next?  Share below and we can discuss. 

Rafflecopter for Release Tour Giveaway:

Michelle is offering up a fabulous prize during her Elementals 3: The Head of Medusa Virtual Tour event. One (1) lucky winner will receive a signed paperback copy of Elementals 1: The Prophecy of Shadows! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blood of Hydra (Elementals #2)

                Hello happy readers. Some pretty awesome reading is being done and I’m trying to maximize my reading time.  Today I’m reviewing Blood of Hydra (Elementals #2) by Michelle Madow.  I reviewed the first book, The Prophecy of Shadows, in this series earlier in the year here.  So being a sequel there will be some spoilers for the first book.  This is a fast turnaround for a new series.  This book was provided by NetGalley and the publisher and is available next week on April 18th. 

Rating:  4 Stars

                Blood of Hydra picks up where we left off with our group of chosen witches and a demigod who have been gifted these elemental powers and a job to stop the Titans from escaping.  Gifted these powers they are set on training and trying to be ready for the next monster or threat they face after having such a close call with the harpy.  The harpy Nicole killed by using black magic which is against the law.  No one knows what she did and as much as she wants to trust everyone this is too big.  As monsters arise they must journey to Greece to locate the ingredients needed to help in their tasks.  The harder of the ingredients is the blood of a slain hydra.  Not an easy task. 

                So this one is much like the first as it was fast paced and a quick read, finishing it in one day.  We have our Greek mythology playing a big part as in the first part.  The cast grew more dynamic as we got to learn more about our core group, one of which showed much more depth than the previous book.  The interaction between Nicole and Blake still had the undeniable tension and while he is no longer with Danielle, Nicole still wants to deny what they could have to keep their group focused on their goal.  I could commend her on that decision.  Wanting to upset the group dynamic when their task is so important despite your personal desires.  Nicole is also struggling with her newfound power, the one she is afraid and ashamed to tell anyone about, and watching her struggle as the book went on helped her develop for me.  Blake understands her point but he is also determined to try and make her see they could be good together.  Got to love a man with determination.  Also side note surprise God visit was really fun though I won’t say who.

                The action scenes were well written and lots of fun.  Even at times when the tension was extremely high but there wasn’t action per say in that specific part it was amped up.  The start of the first task for instance, intense but kind of calm before all hell breaks loose!  The book also infuses plenty of laughs in at the right moments that flow naturally.  Though it doesn’t shy away from some darker choices and tasks, epic quests to save the world generally aren’t easy and without risk after all.  Neither are their tasks, all of which were well thought out and interesting from the act of completing them to simply managing plans when no matter what nothing ever goes according to plans.  The scenery described throughout the journey in Greece only makes me want to visit so much more.  Okay maybe not some of the spots but still, Greece seems so beautiful.

                I enjoyed this sequel and am again looking forward to know what our group is left to face next.  Looks like it won’t be too much of a wait so cheers to that.  Blood of Hydra was a fun continuation to the Elementals series.  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. 

                Until next time…

Threats of Sky and Sea

                Hello happy readers!  Happy April Fool’s Day!  I don’t have any pranks to pull but instead a review to offer up.  This book came onto my radar after I was contacted by the author and since then I have seen this book pop up in a few places and I can see why having now read it myself.  The book is Threats of Sky and Sea (Threats of Sky and Sea #1) by Jennifer Ellision and is the first book in the series that already has book two, Riot of Storm and Smoke, out.  I was provided a copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                Threats of Sky and Sea is a strong fantasy story.  I was told others compared the story to Throne of Glass so I was already hooked because I LOVE that series and I see the comparison.  We follow sixteen year old Breena “Bree”, small town barmaid working to keep the inn running with her Da.  Everything is going pretty good until the past comes knocking.  Her father’s past to be specific.  See anyone with Elemental gifts, control over fire, air, earth, or water are required to serve the king and her father ran away from his service sixteen years prior with some secrets.  Taken to the king Bree is desperate to escape before the somewhat mad and vicious king is able to use them further.  Time is short and lives are on the line as the past must be unraveled and more.

                One of my favorite parts of this book was the main character.  She’s sassy, strong, compassionate, and also uses her brain and common sense more often than not.  Wanting to help others in need even if instinct may say run and hide, but still knowing you can’t rush into everything.  It’s a balance and I liked it in Bree.  She is trying to play along and gain information to use in the end rather than making rash decisions.  She’s multi-dimensional and sassy.  There is this picture that shows up on my Facebook all the time that makes me think of her and it makes me relate to her all the more. 

                Ellision also developed some interesting relationships.  First between Bree and her Da which I think anyone can root for and adore.  They are so at ease with one another and even when she is confronted with the truth and knows he’s lied to her for so long, she still instinctively believes and loves him and still hears his voice in her head when she is doing things.  Then you as she moves through the story making both allies and enemies.  From Tregle a Torcher whom I kind of liked a lot though he wasn’t seen as much to the very bitchy and aloof Princess Aleta that kind of grows on you as you read.  Lady Kat and the King whom you love you hate, seriously both were pretty evil but Lady Kat…wow she just popped off the page for me as a psycho.  Let’s not forget Caden, our Prince and heir to the thrown so conflicted and caught between his roles.  He doesn’t agree with his father’s politics he had been a good father making it hard to think of him fully as an enemy. 

                We also see the always, for me anyways, amusing side of someone of common/humble begins brought into the proper society and struggling to play by the new rules.  As someone who is clumsy as can be and horrid at proper etiquette in anything I always understand the struggle.  There are some aspects that seem familiar and I did see some things coming, but I enjoyed getting there.  Funny enough I saw one thing coming but only as I started to type my review did I process one scene and its significance.  I had it based off my awesome deductive powers and small hints here and there but nope the bigger signs went over my head.  Still the world was unique and the control of the elements and the rules of magic were different and added their own flare to things.

                There wasn’t a ton in the way of romance happening.  There were the start of some feels rolling in slowly, building up.  I can appreciate it.  I was hoping to see more of one part of it but in a way it fit for who the specific character had been developed (yes I’m being vague on purpose).  Another aspect went from slow thought to something more quickly but again circumstances being what they are it gives a sense of urgency.  Still I hope to see more being built up in the next book, which again it already out so I don’t have to wait accept for on my schedule. 

                I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others, especially anyone who did enjoy the Throne of Glass series or similar books like the Air Awakens series (still only finished book one but it’s great).  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.  What element would you like to control? Personally it’s a touch call but I think I would lean towards air just so I could keep cool all the time, though given my luck with getting burned maybe fire would save me some pain.  One of those for sure! 

Until next time…  

Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows

                Hello everyone!  Today I'm taking part in a release tour for a new book, Elementals:  The Prophecy of Shadows by Michelle Madow.  I previously read and reviewed her title Remembrance (here) and enjoyed it and was looking forward to trying out this new series as well.  I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.  So check out some information on this title, the author, my full review, and then at the bottom a giveaway that is being hosted by Michelle herself! 

Title: Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows

Author: Michelle Madow

Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing

Release Date: January 26, 2016

Series: Elementals #1

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Format: eBook and paperback

ISBN: 2940152448849

Filled with magic, thrilling adventure, and sweet romance, Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows is the first in a new series that fans of Percy Jackson and The Secret Circle will love!

When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches. Even more surprisingly … she’s apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers—and, to her dismay, by Blake—the school’s notorious bad-boy.

Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle’s wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance.

When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers. But the comet has another effect—it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it’s up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town … and possibly the world.

Buy Links:  Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  iBooks

Add to your TBR List:  Goodreads

About Michelle Madow:

Michelle Madow grew up in Baltimore, graduated Rollins College in Orlando, and now lives in Boca Raton, Florida. She wrote her first book in her junior year of college, and has been writing novels since. Some of her favorite things are: reading, pizza, traveling, shopping, time travel, Broadway musicals, and spending time with friends and family. Michelle has toured across America to promote her books and to encourage high school students to embrace reading and writing. Someday, she hopes to travel the world for a year on a cruise ship.

To get instant updates about Michelle's new books, subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on Amazon!

Connect with Michelle:  Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Goodreads

Review:

Rating: 4 Stars

                I didn't know a whole lot about this story going in just the summary.  I have shamefully not yet read the Percy Jackson books, though I plan to correct that in 2016, I did read The Secret Circle (or at least the original three books) and enjoyed them.  Plus I did enjoy the Percy movies and love Greek mythology, probably the only part in history class I ever paid attention to.  So I was ready to dive in.  Our MC Nicole is moved from her home she knew and loved to a completely new place where she is alone.  That sucks and from the start you feel for her, I know as a Navy brat growing up and moving all the time it always sucked going someplace new and leaving all your friends and having to make new ones.  Day one new school going into class and something crazy happens, the teacher starts to do magic and tries to convince her she's a witch.  While she thinks everyone in the class has lost it there is nothing to do but sit through it.  Until she starts to feel the magic and starts to believe them. 

                Now the class is full of the usual suspects you find in every school and most welcome her into the coven, though Danielle is a bit hostile.  Though she doesn't like anyone whom looks at her man, Blake, and has been known to break the law using dark magic to mark her turf.  Still knowing this Blake and Nicole seem to pull together despite everything.  She is a bit cray, like mean girls on crack level crazy possessive.  While a large part of the story does seem to focus on the triangle there in our group we also have Chris and Kate whom I enjoyed.  Kate was more of the level by the book gal and Chris is fun and energetic and made me laugh several times.  I did find the insta-connection to be a bit on the nose but as this is a story with magic and prophecy you can get away with some things, magic is a crazy thing after all.  I did even enjoy that Nicole didn't want to get involved or even like him based on him having a girlfriend, not that she was scared but that she didn't want to be that girl that went after a taken guy. 

                The hormones were a bit amped up and I did feel maybe a bit too much Secret Circle vibe in some parts and it does have some clichés but overall I really enjoyed the story.  Everything is fast paced and constantly moving.  You fly right through from one thing to the next and while it was predictable it was still fun and that is what I wanted.  I did really enjoy the take on witches and how they have their powers.  I'm ready to continue on with the series and know more about where our group ends up and how things progress because the end got kind of dark with lots of things.  I have hopes that the sequel which already has a title, cover, and release date will improve on a good start. 

                I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.  Don't forget to take a moment and enter the giveaway as well!  

Rafflecopter for Release Week Blitz Giveaway:

Michelle is offering up a fabulous prize during her Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows Virtual Tour event. One (1) lucky winner will receive a Kindle Fire 7”! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows

                “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:

Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows by Michelle Madow

Out:  1/26

From Goodreads:

 Filled with magic, thrilling adventure, and sweet romance, Elementals is the first in a new series that fans of Percy Jackson and The Secret Circle will love!

When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches.  Even more surprisingly…she’s apparently a witch herself.  Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers—and, to her dismay, by Blake—the school’s notorious bad-boy.

Girls who got close to Blake wind up hurt.  His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic.  But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle’s wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance.

When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers.  But the comet has another effect—it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries.  After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it’s up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town…and possibly the world.

               

Why I’m Waiting:

                So I haven’t read the Percy Jackson books just yet but I’m excited to do so as I love me some Greek mythology.  I also really enjoyed the original Secret Circle books, haven’t continued with the recent additions thus far.  So combining the things sounds like it could be interesting.  I’m curious.  I was recently gifted an ARC of this title and plan to start it this weekend if all goes well so looks like I won’t have to wait long!

                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!

Maxon- Angelbound series continues moving forward. 4th book or stand alone.

Maxon makes dragon scales and a tail
look sexy!

                The other day I happily announce the release of two books that continue two different series I am in total love with.  I discussed Bruja but today I’d like to discuss the other new release by Ink Monster, Maxon by Christina Bauer.  I received and ARC from the publisher, Ink Monster, and NetGalley for my thoughts.  Mostly just advance copies because they’ve been pre-ordered on my Amazon account since October 2014. 

                So as I mentioned Maxon is the fourth book in the Angelbound series, so there will be some spoilers from the previous books as usual. The review for the previous book, Armageddon, can be found here. It takes place several years after the previous book and can be read as a stand-alone, though I highly recommend reading the whole series because it is amazing and gives you an even deeper appreciation for some of the smaller characters in the book.

                Maxon focuses on our twenty-two year old prince who is still haunted by the past abduction as a child.  He plays it off and keeps his life focused on two main activities hunting/killing demons and seducing women.  He just wants to live his life as it.  Problem is he’s stalling out and the thrills from both are not doing it for him anymore and having part lust and wrath demon in him that’s saying something.  That is until he meets Lianna, who’s beautiful and just his type but she’s also a fighter.  She has her own dark history and she is dealing with some problems of her own with the elementals.  As our Prince Maxon helps Lianna with her problems he starts to wonder if he has found someone real.

Lianna in Thrax form!
From the Maxon blog.

                Okay that is a simplified version for sure.  There is way more happening and never a dull moment.  Something new was the dual POV.  We have chapters from Maxon and Lianna, which really flushed out the characters as well as the story each having different area of expertise.  We also get to learn about a different area.  We know about the Thrax, the quasi-demon, Purgatory and Hell but this time we learn about the elementals.  They are pretty wicked.  What was hinted at as vague knowledge comes full force with Lianna.  The opening of the world’s together. 

                Maxon is a warrior and part wrath demon like his momma and as mentioned Lianna is also a fighter so we are not lacking in the action department.  There are lots of battles and fights that use a combination of magic and straight up warrior skill.  We mostly learn about water and air elementals, but to see them play against one another was completely new and exciting to learn about.  Maxon also has the awesome ability to control lightening…yep bad ass.  Plus he has dragon scales on his arm making it like built in armor and a super nifty tail that is a huge asset in battle.  Basically it adds up to a lot of action and different fighting techniques you can easily visualize. 

                Action is a check but it would be missing so much without some romance.  Oh yes it has that as well, so double check.  Lianna and Maxon have an initial attraction as two attractive people do but as they get to know one another the dynamic changes naturally and blossoms into something so sweet it will make anyone swoon.   Maxon is our semi brooding playboy prince who has some past issues to work through who has never allowed himself to really care for a member of the opposite sex aside from family.  Lianna herself has some romance issues in her past and present to deal with and knows very well of Maxon’s reputation with the ladies.  Watching as they work together and get to know more about one another it just heats up the kindle screen.

Dragon on cover = Awesome!

                Best thing about the book?  It surprised me.  In a good way, clearly.  I normally have things figured out but I admit there were aspects I didn’t see coming at all until right there.  I always love that in a book.  I really enjoyed Maxon as the series continued and is moving along in the time line and progressing the story.  We still see glimpses of some of our favorite characters from the first couple books which makes me want to re-read them all.  Also just like the other series, because Ink Monster is awesome like that, they already have the next book in the series listed and set for October, Portia.  Isn’t the cover beautiful?  Come on it has a dragon on it…just saying easy win.  I can’t wait for more and from the description, which is a spoiler for this one fyi, we have another jump forward.  Never a boring moment in the Angelbound world.

Rating: 5 Lighting Bolts