Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong

This is the second book in the Age of Legends Trilogy.

     Like the first book in this series, it doesn't take too long for story to take off. Even when there are "quiet " times in the story, things keep you engrossed in the characters and their adventure and by the end, there are few twists that I never saw coming.
     Not disappointed at all. Leaves one wondering how the story will end.

The Bone Labyrinth by James Rollins

This is part of The Sigma Series and is best read in order. The first book is Sandstorm.

     Again, Rollins does his magic. A wonderfully balanced blend of historical and science fact blended into the fictional world of Sigma. A perfect ride of adventure and action, flowing wonderfully with the characters old and new in this tale.
     The paper back edition has the bonus first chapter of the next book on the series, The Seventh Plague and the bonus short story, The Midnight watch.
     A hard to put down read, tends to garb the reader and not let go.

Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews

This is a book from the Kate Daniels series which needs to be read in order. The first book is Magic Bites.

     This is one of those pivotal books in a series, where there is a major twist that can and could change everything.

     All Kate wants is a life with her made family, as normal is for them. But when a friend from the pack goes missing, and as usual Kate’s life gets turned upside down when she and Curran step in to find Eduardo.

     As usual, Ilona Andrews does a wonderful job of balancing action, drama, and character growth. Again, one enters Kate’s world, and has a wonderful ride through out. And this installment hooks you and never lets go.

     There is one thing I really found as an intriguing with this book. Every author has their own twists when it comes to supernatural and Para-natural creatures. Some stay closer to the original. Some blend the classic with the new, and others just take a creature and bam, create something completely out there. I won’t spoil it, but I would have never come up with the idea in this book, loved the unexpected twist.

Goldilocks Dilemma (Original Poem)

Do not steal this work without given proper credit. I don't care if you share it, as long as credit is given. Copyrighted on October 3, 2016.

     Am I so hideous to behold, a Frankenstein or Quasimodo, that causes men to flee in fear and disgust?
     Am I too young or too old to share my life, my whole self. Body, emotions, and thoughts with someone.
     Too dumb? Too smart?
     Too fat? Too thin?
     Too bookish? Too shy?
     Too Brash?
     Not fashionable enough?
     Not friendly enough?
     Wrong eye color? Or hair color?
     Over educated? Under educated?
     What is wrong with me that I can't find someone just right for me?

Brazen by Kelley Armstrong

Sorry this is posted so late.

This is a quick read novella from Kelley Armstrong’s The Otherworld Series. The first book in the series is Bitten. It’s a better read if you've read the series.

     Nick Sorrentino’s life has changed. He now has two surrogate sons, which have changed his life for the better. But now there is a part of him that wants to take a bigger role in Pack life, and when the opportunity presents itself, he steps up to the plate, even when it involves an old, too familiar enemy.

     Even for a fast read the story was well developed and interesting. Another wonderful peek into the supernatural Otherworld, and even leaves the opportunity for more adventure with Nick and Vanessa.

     It even has some well done illustrations. 

Cibola Burn by James S.A. Corey

Sorry, this is so late in posting.

Cibola Burn is a book from the Expanse series and needs to be read in order. The first book is Leviathan Wakes.

     Since man had discovered a way to travel at least from Earth to Pluto, the human race has prospered and colonized as far as it could reach. But now, the game has once again changed, the gates left by an unknown alien race, has given the opportunity for humans to inhabit numerous new Goldilock planets.

     A small group of humans break the rules, take a ship and unlawfully inhabit a planet that was designated for a group of scientists to explore before any settlement. Well, in steps the crew of The Roci, to keep the peace between the between the two parties, and as usual, the crew ends up knee deep in trouble.

     I love the way this series shrinks the universe once again as several other characters, from previous books become prominent players in this installment. Again, I am not disappointed, another great ride, perfectly woven tale, of science fiction. Didn’t disappoint, not that any of the books of these series have, science fiction done well.

     There is a series that started last year on SyFy based on this series, The Expanse. It was how I found out about this series, and it does respectfully to the spirit of the series. To me , it’s worth checking out if you enjoy the books.

     A little side note: Science Fiction has become science fact. A boy recently was born with DNA of two females and one male. The extra DNA was used to replace the DNA that could carry a genetic and deadly disease, one step closer to James Holden on reality.

    

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (audiobook) by George R.R. Martin

This book wasn't disappointing but it felt like it could have had been more to the story. It kind of had a feeling like a short story. I wanted more. It was still a good story, but I wanted more character development. The two main characters were great, but I felt like I missed out on how they really started to mesh with each other and why hint of going to a place and then jump passed that adventure, and then take a decent leap into the future.

     To be honest I expected a bit more, even one of the novella’s I read in Dangerous Women had a bit better balance to the characters, I’m not saying they have to have in depth development, just the right balance of past and present revelations and growth to the characters. It just seemed like a bit was missing between Egg and Dunc.

     I do like these characters and hope to read of their further adventures. It was good audio book listen. Narrator was good, but nobody seems to beat Royce Daltrice when narrating a Martin book.

     If you haven’t read The Song of Ice and Fire series, aka Game of Thrones. Then this book is a decent introduction to that world, though it’s a century before the series takes place.

     The first book in The Song of Ice and Fire is Game of Thrones. The series, Game of Thrones is also a really good watch, though it respectfully veers from the series from time to time. What I mean is, any changes are things I could see the author doing, if he went a different direction.

     Worth checking out.