Dragonsworn by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Dark-Hunter, #26
Paranormal Romance
August 1, 2018

Medea’s beloved parents and deamons have fallen ill from a plague unleashed by Apollo. The only thing that can save them is a dragonstone. However, the holder of such a stone hates everyone. Angry over centuries of betrayal, Falcyn just wants to be left alone and lives for the day the world finally destroys itself. That is until a God’s need for revenge pulls Falcyn back into the game. Now he has to decide if trusting Medea will be his saving grace or the final nail in his coffin.

The 26th installment of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunters series prepares us for the next book-Stygian-as it starts off yet another adventure that furthers Kenyon’s dragon storyline with a generous helping of Camelot canon. Kenyon hints at her Lords of Avalon into this ever-increasing universe which honestly made me faceplant. Humor, mayhem, and romance remain Kenyon’s base as Medea-the Princess of the Daemons- meets and falls in love with the former God of War-Veles (Falcyn). Unfortunately, the familiarity and comfort derived from it may not be enough anymore. After 30 some odd books, the repetition is just too much to ignore. Kenyon’s journey towards the finale has her writing different POVs of the same scene. While I can certainly appreciate the recaps, since Acheron, it’s become nonstop.

Grade: C

An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris
Gunnie Rose, #1
Alternate Historical Fiction
October 1, 2018

When Franklin D. Roosevelt was assassinated, the US government fell apart and the country was divided up by various countries. When a young gunslinger, Lizabeth Rose, finds herself injured and crewless after a job gone bad, she agrees to protect a duo of Russian wizards looking for someone to help them save their tzar. As Gunnie Rose transports her charges across the country, she discovers that some don’t want the tzar saved and will do whatever it takes to stop Gunnie and the wizards. But Gunnie Rose isn’t feared for her looks and will do whatever it takes to complete the job…even if it means dying.

Charlaine Harris invites her fans on a new journey with the release of her alternative historical fantasy series that pits a young gunslinger against a team of Russian wizards. Part dystopian and supernatural, Harris creates no-nonsense heroine whose skill with a gun keeps her safe in these turbulent time. While Harris does a fine job of giving us background on the world and the heroine, I couldn’t help but feel I was missing something. It was all very dry and emotionless at times. Though I normally have no issues with first-person narrative, this time it did not sit well on me. The heroine is calm, cool and collected-a little too collected. Lots of action and intrigue surrounds the main conflict though I was shocked at the amount of killing. The last 25% is where I really connected with the story. Our heroine draws on her emotional font and we finally meet the real woman. The ending wraps up quickly and Harris leaves us on an ambiguous tone; leaving room for the next book and the possible beginning of a romance.

Grade: C

Death Doesn’t Bargain by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Deadman Crossing, #2
Paranormal Romance
May 8, 2018

Death Doesn’t Bargain is the second book in Kenyon’s historical fantasy trilogy set in the same world as the Dark Hunters. Kenyon uses a plethora of mythologies, along with various religions, reincarnation, magic, revenge, and romance to bring to life pirates, monsters, and high sea hijinks. Fans of Pirates of the Caribbean and Black Sails will enjoy this antisocial sea captain and his deadly crew who are charged with saving the world in return for redemption. Picking up where book one left off, Kenyon continues this epic adventure, bringing in old and new characters while using the historical base to address some issues in the present. Lots of fun, Kenyon’s Deadman Crossing series reminds me of her earlier works-wildly entertaining and brimming with the good, the bad, and the hilarious.

Hellchaser Cameron Jack and her brother were saved from the vicious Vane’s clutches only to learn that another has been kidnapped to take their place. Kalder Dupress has never known a moment of peace until he met Cameron Jack. When he has the chance to save her, he takes it, sacrificing his own life for her. But fates, those fickle bitches, have other ideas Cameron Jack isn’t letting anyone take the fall for her. If Vane wants a war, she’s going to get it. Because nothing gets in a Hellchaser’s way and lives to tell about it.

Grade: B