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…

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Cherished (Beholder #3)

                So I skipped yesterday Top Ten Tuesday as I was just hitting a blank and couldn't come up with anything I had to many ideas for topics and then couldn't settle.  Sigh.  But do not fret my “Waiting On” Wednesday is on schedule.  As always it's 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:

Cherished (Beholder #3) by Christina Bauer

Out: 5/30

From Goodreads:

                For Elea, there’s never been a better time to turn away from witch life.  The Tsar is in exile.  The Vicomte is dead.  And Rowan?  Falling for him only broke her heart.  Instead of casting spells, Elea spends her days running Braddock Farm and enjoying the flirtations of the very handsome and non-magical Philippe.  Everything is going perfectly, except for one problem.

                Someone’s trying to kill her.

                Shujaa is a Changed One, a Creation Caster mage whose mutated form makes him invincible in battle.  Now that the Tsar and Vicomte are gone, Shujaa wants to rise and rule.  To do so, he must eliminate all those powerful enough to oppose him, and Elea is top on his list.  Anyone who offers her aid quickly ends up dead.

                In the end, there’s only one person who can keep Elea safe while helping her defeat Shujaa:  Rowan.  Like it or not, Elea must team up with her old love.  With Philippe along for the ride, Elea plans to team with Rowan without losing her heart this time.  But that’s when all her plans fall apart…          

               

Why I’m Waiting:

                OMG so yeah I love this author and her series so I’m ready for more always.  But this one….Book 2 had me going through a rollercoaster of emotions and I’m unsure how I even feel about Rowan at the moment.  I want to root for him but I’m also completely pissed off at him but I flip flop so much it’s impossible to keep track lol.  That said I can’t wait to see what Elea is up to now. Previous reviews: Cursed / Concealed 

                 

                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.