Cronin's Key by N.R. Walker (Cronin's Key #1)

Original Title: Cronin's Key

Year Published: 2015

Published by: Self-published

Number of Pages: 263

First Sentence: "Detective Alec MacAidan ran through the dark, wet back streets of New York City."

Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Plot:

NYPD Detective Alec MacAidan has always been good with weird. After all, his life has been a string of the unexplainable. But when an injured man gives him cryptic clues, then turns to dust in front of him, Alec's view on weird is changed forever. 

Cronin, a vampire Elder, has spent the last thousand years waiting for Alec. He'd been told his fated one would be a man wielding a shield, but he didn't expect him to be human, and he certainly didn't expect that shield to be a police badge. 

Both men, strong-willed and stubborn, are still learning how to cope with the push and pull of being fated, when fate throws them another curveball. 

Rumors have spread quickly of turmoil in Egypt. Covens are fleeing with news of a vampire who has a talent like no other, hell-bent on unleashing the wrath of Death. 

Alec and Cronin are thrown into a world of weird Alec cannot imagine. What he learned in school of ancient pharaohs and Egyptian gods was far from the truth. Instead, he finds out firsthand that history isn't always what it seems.

My thoughts:

I bought this book only because the cover caught my eye. Then the plot summary didn't seem too shabby so I figured "why not?". And I have not regretted that. It's actually the first book I have read with the main character being gay, and sometimes during the book it felt like the romance was a little bit forced. It might be because the author is a woman and put a heterosexual filter over the characters behaviour. Don't know, and it doesn't really matter. 

The plot itself was really good. Vampires can be difficult to write since there are so many different versions, but Walker has done a good job. The way vampire society is portrayed in this book was really interesting, and the idea that the ancient Egyptian gods actually were vampires and not gods was a new take on vampire lore for me. One that I really liked. 

There is a mix of great characters, but to me they seem to be a little flat at times. There is no real character development and the little there was seemed rushed. Despite this, the characters were likable and interesting to read about. 

Do I recommend it? 

Yes. It is a good book and well worth reading. 

Bound to Remember by Lola James (Book 1 of the Spellbound Series)

Original Title: Bound to Remember, A Paranormal Romance

Year Published: 2011

Published by: Self-published

Number of Pages: 116

First Sentence: "Another meeting, I thought as I sat down in the conference room of the ER."

Goodreads rating: 1/5

Plot:

Vampires and Witches and Myths, oh my!

Toni is a young doctor with a past she can't remember and a deadly reason for forgetting it. 

Ben is a nurse who has his own tragic past and transfers hospitals after an act of heroism forces his secluded life public. 

Ben can’t believe his eyes when he meets Toni, she has an uncanny resemblance to an old friend of his, and Toni can’t help but find Ben irresistible. 

Enter Kevin, Toni’s sexy but arrogant Ex. Kevin’s jealousy of Ben blinds him from his main objective, Toni. 

A dangerous secret is revealed and a magic spell seems to be a quick remedy, but the witch that helps has a little more than magic up her sleeve…

My thoughts:

This book was horrible! I liked the basic idea of it and reading the summary made it seem somewhat interesting. I was so wrong. This book is just one cliche after another. 

Toni is supposed to be an ER doctor but behaves like a 14-year-old girl. I'm not saying that a doctor can't let loose and have fun, but any adult behaving like a child is just embarrassing. The fact that she also "falls in love" and wouldn't be against actually marrying a guy after only knowing him for two days is just so awkward and people who actually behave like this in real life should be locked up (no I do believe in love at first sight, but this isn't it). 

The plot is another disaster. I've read fanfics that are a thousand times better. In fact, think of the worst fanfiction you've ever read. This will be worse. Trust me. I'm not even going to say anything more.

Do I recommend it?

NO!

Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett (Discworld #23)

Original Title: Carpe Jugulum
Year Published: 1998
Published by: Transworld Publishers Ltd
Number of Pages: 378
First Sentence: "Through the shredded black clouds a fire moved like a dying star, falling back to earth - "
Goodreads Rating: 5/5

Plot (taken from Goodreads):
In a fit of enlightenment democracy and ebullient goodwill, King Verence invites Uberwald's undead, the Magpyrs, into Lancre to celebrate the birth of his daughter. But once ensconced within the castle, these wine-drinking, garlic-eatin, sun-loving modern vampires have no intention of leaving. Ever.

Only an uneasy alliance between a nervous young priest and the argumentative local witches can save the country from being taken over by people with a cultivated bloodlust and bad taste in silk waistcoats. For them, there's only one way to fight.

Go for the throat, or as the campyres themselves say ... Carpe Jugulum.

My thoughts: 
I absolutely adore Terry Pratchett. He is my number 1 favourite author. If I was forced to choose one author to read for the rest of my life it would be Terry Pratchett. Within the Discworld world the witches are probably my favourites. This is book nr 6 in the Witches series and it does not dissappoint. It's a great book with many amazing characters.

The witches are in number of three: Granny Weahterwax, Nanny Ogg and Agnes. In this installment they have to deal with something that Lancre has not dealt with in well ... forever. Vampires. The dialouge is hilarious as per usual with Pratchett and all the different subplots are extremely entertaining and do not distract from the main plot. He ties together all the loose ends perfectly in the end and manages to surprise you even though you thought you had it all figured out.


Do I recommend it?
YES! Especially if you love satire. It's a book filled with humour, colorful characters and manages to teach many lessons in a refreshing way. I do recommend Terry Pratchett (the name of the book is not that important, they are all great) to anyone.

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill (Nr 1 in the Chicagoland Vampires Series)

Original title: Some Girls Bite
Year Published: 2009
Published by: Orion Publishing Group
Number of Pages: 341
First Sentence: "At first, I wondered if it was karmic punishment."
Goodreads rating: 4/5

Plot:
They killed me. They healed me. They changed me.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was mine. I was doing fine until Chicago's vampires announced their existence to the world - and then a rouge vampire attacked me. He only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker... one who decided the best way to save my life was to take it.

Turns out my saviour was the master of Cadogan House. Now I've traded sweating over my thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan 'Lord o`the Manor' Sullivan. Of course as a tall, green-eyed, four hundred year old vampire, he has centuries' worth of charm, but unfortunately he also seems to expect my eternal gratitute - and servitude. Right...

But my burgeoning powers (all of a sudden, I'm surprisingly handy with some serious weaponry), an inconvenient sunlight allergy, and Ethan's attitude are the least of my worries. Someone's out to get me. Is it the rouge vampire who bit me? A vamp from a rival House? An angry mob bearing torches?

My initation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a way - and there's going to be blood...

My thoughts:
I loved this book, and the rest of the series. Merit as the main character is funny, quirky and takes no shit (sorry). She did not ask to be turned into a vampire which she has to keep telling the very handsome Ethan every time he demands gratitude. However, it turns out she's meant to be great at it. Her first steps into the world of vampires is not that gracious. She makes many hilarious mistakes admist all the brilliance she also showcases. It makes it easy to like her. If Chloe Neill had decided to make her brilliant from the start it would have just been annoying. Instead she stumbles and makes mistakes, learning to live a completely whole new life.

Ethan is a douchey douche who is still extremely loveable. Handsome and dreamy, he is the vampire version of Mr Darcy. He is the head of Cadogan House and demands loyalty from all his vamps. Although he is a douche, his vamps love him and would follow him into death (for a second time that is).

Merit's best friend Mallory is awesome. Witty and sarcastic just like Merit, the make up duo that nobody would want to mess with. There is however something about Mallory that is only discovered after Merit is initiated into the world of the Supes.

The book is a mix of fantastic characters and it's impossible to pick a favourite, They all compliment each other and the book is never boring. The plot is interesting and makes you want more.

Do I recommend it?
Yes I do.