Molten Dusk (The Norse Chronicles #3)

While recovering from a devastating betrayal, Solina becomes increasingly drawn to Thorin as he helps her hunt down Skoll, the mythical wolf who vowed to kill her. If she can find and destroy the beast, she’ll bring a swift and brutal end to her enemies’ schemes. But nothing ever goes as planned in Solina’s strange new world.

During her search for Skoll, Solina uncovers a plot to unleash a battalion of legendary soldiers and launch an apocalyptic war. Before she and her allies can locate the fabled army, several ghosts from her past return to haunt her. Solina must fight for life and the fate of the world, or her hopes for love and a peaceful future will go up in flames.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Molten Dusk by Karissa Laurel has arrived and it does not disappoint fans of The Norse Chronicles series. All of our favorite characters are back and ready for the showdown between the evil Helen Locke and Skoll who want to recreate Ragnarok and Solina, Thorin, and Baldur who want the world as we know it to continue. 

Solina, the incarnation of the Norse sun goddess, is even more stubborn in this installment and her personality adds both humor and lightness to an otherwise dark storyline. As Solina and the son of Thor prepare for the final battle, they must overcome various obstacles that threaten to give Helen the upper hand. But the stakes from the previous books are raised as Thorin and Solina move closer emotionally, and physically, as many readers undoubtedly wanted and expected. With that much more to lose, they are both extremely motivated to defeat Helen and her army of stone golems. It's entertaining and interesting to see how the tough and sharp-tongued Solina begins to let her feelings for Thorin show as the danger threatening her life accumulates. 

As this is probably the final book in The Norse Chronicles, not that I would mind another one, the character development is a little static. For the most part, all of the main characters have reached their peak and are prepared and fully represented. The main thing that is different is that Solina really seems to embrace her powers in this book. It's obvious that she understands them more and she doesn't hesitate to use them. As for the supporting characters, there is more about Skyla's heritage that gets revealed, further expanding a side plot introduced in book two. Also, since readers learned that loveable Val was actually out for revenge in book two, readers get even more closure with that facet of the story... and it's a little sad. 

Another interesting part of the book involves betrayal from the Valkyries. Solina and Thorin have thought that there was a traitor in the midst of the women warriors for a while, and they turn out to be right. This brings Solina's vision from earlier in the series to fruition. My favorite part of the book also included Solina's vision as she finds a woman who can help her make sense of them. Laurel really dives into this ability and it's fascinating, creative, and adds to the fantasy of the book. 

Throughout the series, the main story line involves Helen Locke wanting the wolf, Skoll, to kill Solina so that Ragnorak can be repeated on Earth. Readers obviously don't want this to happen as we've grown to connect with Solina, Thorin, and Baldur over the course of the series. Yet, it's nice that the hunting is coming to a close. Though there are still a few traps that Solina falls into, the final battle is here with Molten Dusk and as I'm pretty picky about climactic endings... I think readers will feel satisfied at the balance Laurel strikes in the final chapters. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Read the reviews of books one and two:

     

American Gods

A storm is coming...

Locked behind bars for three years, Shadow did his time, quietly waiting for the magic day when he could return to Eagle Point, Indiana. A man no longer scared of what tomorrow might bring, all he wanted was to be with Laura, the wife he deeply loved, and start a new life.

But just days before his release, Laura and Shadow’s best friend are killed in an accident. With his life in pieces and nothing to keep him tethered, Shadow accepts a job from a beguiling stranger he meets on the way home, an enigmatic man who calls himself Mr. Wednesday. A trickster and rogue, Wednesday seems to know more about Shadow than Shadow does himself.

Life as Wednesday’s bodyguard, driver, and errand boy is far more interesting and dangerous than Shadow ever imagined—it is a job that takes him on a dark and strange road trip and introduces him to a host of eccentric characters whose fates are mysteriously intertwined with his own. Along the way Shadow will learn that the past never dies; that everyone, including his beloved Laura, harbors secrets; and that dreams, totems, legends, and myths are more real than we know. Ultimately, he will discover that beneath the placid surface of everyday life a storm is brewing—an epic war for the very soul of America—and that he is standing squarely in its path.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Neil Gaiman's magical realism combines with stories of global gods in his novel, American Gods, in which gods from different lands find themselves in the United States, brought along by the memories of immigrants. Yet, new gods have now materialized as Americans worship new forms of technology. Presently, these gods are in a battle as less and less people believe in the old gods while nearly everyone believes in the new. But the old gods have a plan, at least one of them anyway, and it will culminate in war. 

Shadow, the main character, is a waif of a man. He wasn't always like this, but prison and losing his wife changed him. As an ex-con, he doesn't exactly care about the direction in which his life is going. So when a random (really not so random) man shows up and offers him a job, Shadow refuses until he can't anymore. Then he starts working for Mr. Wednesday, an old god. Shadow is a man carried by the wind of other people's decisions. Yet, he is dedicated, loyal, and has an air of something more about him. He's seemingly fearless with a 'take-it-as-it-comes' attitude. The most interesting thing about Shadow is that all the interactions with other gods, old and new, make readers see him as more important than he initially seems. I think this intrigue is one of the main factors that drive the story and helps build a connection between Shadow and readers. Shadow isn't a bad person, but he kind of lacks any personable qualities. Though as the story progresses, he seems to gain traits one at a time. As his deceased wife tells him, he's more dead than alive. And the story seemingly works backward from his death to his birth, creating an intricate emotional attachment to his character. 

My favorite sections of the book turned out to be the interludes, or the 'Coming to America' stories. These intermediate chapters are sprinkled throughout the novel, sharing stories of how the old gods were carried to America, with insight into how they stay alive. At first, I thought these sections would feel like interruptions, but they turned out to be more of an offering to the reader. A background that the reader could consume that would help them understand why the old gods are struggling to stay relevant in a technologically advanced world. 

The plot of this novel follows Shadow's release from prison leading him to work for Mr. Wednesday in the hope that Shadow can help Mr. Wednesday to rally the old gods in a fight against the new. Though there are many side-stories like a disappearing girl, Shadow's dead wife coming back to a sort of zombie state, and the interludes, the novel tracks Shadow and Mr. Wednesday road-tripping back and forth across America in hopes to create an army of old gods, some named and some nameless. The novel becomes an intricate map of crisscrossed information and ever-changing situations and people. One of my favorite aspects of this novel is, of course, Neil Gaiman's writing style. The words are willowy and the characters are constantly changing, as if no one could ever really grasp these things called gods. And yet, the whole thing is a con and a simple story of the immigration of beliefs and the lengths one would go to to keep those beliefs alive. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Chaos Unbound (The Metis Files #2)

Framed for the murder of a high ranking member of the Unseelie Court of Fae, Steve Dore–also known as Diomedes, Guardian and protector of mankind–goes on the run. He’s determined to uncover the real culprit and clear his name.

But the assassination may be the beginning of a more sinister plot that involves not just the Fae and Humankind, but all the races of the world. And what if the real assassin is a boogeyman even the Fae don't believe is real?

*May Contain Spoilers*

Chaos Unbound, by Brian S. Leon, is a militaristic novel of mythology and fantasy. Though I've read many fantasy novels, I've never read one quite like this. Leon gives the faery world a combative twist that takes the story to a level of epic proportions. 

Diomedes, a human avatar for Athena, is the main character of this novel and the entire book is told from his point of view. Thousands of years old, Diomedes, or Steve, has witnessed countless wars and battles, and has participated in many of them. His main job is to protect humanity not from each other, but from supernatural forces that choose to interfere in human conflict. He's trained in multiple military forces and even has SEAL experience. This resume gives the story a military feel as fighting techniques, military combat knowledge, and weaponry are all described in intricate detail while Diomedes tries to find out who framed him for the death of an important member of the Unseelie court. 

Diomedes is intelligent, brave to the point of nearing recklessness, determined, and dedicated. Readers will respect him for his commitment to humanity while fearing for his life as he goes up against a boogeyman with substantial power. It's interesting to witness a godlike being so down to earth, focused, trusting, and even forgiving. The level of understanding that Diomedes has for others knows no bounds. His job often puts him in a position to kill in order to protect, and he doesn't take that lightly, even after thousands of years doing his job. 

The story begins right at the start of all the action, or rather all the chaos. Diomedes has been framed for a murder he did not commit and he's forced to go on the run to clear his name and save his own life. He's soon caught by the Unseelie court and is put in a position that evokes sympathy and fear from readers. When he escapes, with the help of someone who believes his innocence, the race is on to find the real murderer and uncover the reason behind a string of high profile deaths. The mystery behind this boogeyman is intriguing while the story is packed full of action and adventure. The setting constantly changes as Diomedes and his friend, Duma, travel through pathways that connect the entire world while trying to track down the boogeyman, which in this case turns out to be a Hanner Brid, or a half-breed. 

Readers who enjoy fantasy novels will definitely enjoy this book. However, I think that readers will also need an interest in military combat (or the like) to really get into it. There is a lot of discussion about weapons, political unrest, and very detailed passages about fighting techniques and mission planning. While this really pulls readers into the action, it could also alienate those readers who felt it would be more focused on the fae. I did not expect the book to be so heavily laced with combat, as I thought it would be more focused on uncovering who framed Diomedes and why, like a crime thriller or a mystery. Though, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to understand the military information with Leon's writing style. Lastly, I hadn't read the first book in this series before diving into this one and found that it didn't make a big difference. I think it's easy for readers to connect with Diomedes as he is instantly and unjustly cast as the underdog and villain. As he fights for his honor and the truth, that connection is strengthened and solidified creating an interesting adventure/fantasy novel filled with action and mythology that will surely please readers of the genre. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

They Call Me Superman

Marcus Evans is a new kind of super hero. Born with superhuman strength, he is compelled to join the Army Rangers, where his abilities create an unique assassin against the war on terror. After his stint with the Rangers, he joins forces with reclusive billionaire Robert Sinclair, who has been his mentor and father-figure since the age of sixteen. A whirlwind of action-packed adventures leads Marcus to the discovery of an alien spaceship that unlocks secrets about his life, which will shock him to his very core, secrets that Robert has been hiding from Marcus his entire life.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Michael Goffinet writes an action packed story about a group of extraterrestrials who come to Earth in 500BC to observe the human race in his novel, They Call Me Superman. The aliens insert themselves into society and one not only gets married, but fathers a child. Now, in present day, a two-thousand year old spaceship is about to be discovered that will unlock secrets for the main character. 

Marcus Evans has always been incredibly gifted when it comes to strength and strategy. After a stint with the United States Army as a Ranger, Marcus now works for Robert Sinclair to protect the world from megalomaniacs and the like. Marcus plays the role of hero in this thriller. He is incredibly brave and courageous when it comes to doing the right thing. Readers will definitely like Marcus, but the story line will keep them hooked. As a man who is descended from gods, he's a little hard to relate to without a military background.

The plot line of the novel follows Marcus and his partner, Charlie, trying to stop the murder of other team members. A villain, cleverly named after the author himself, is attempting to take over the society of do-gooders that Marcus works with in order to exploit their humanitarian efforts for money. In the meantime, a Middle-Eastern group is looking for revenge when it comes to Marcus. Inadvertently, their revenge leads Marcus to a nuclear weapon plot and the spaceship that holds the key to understanding himself. They Call Me Superman is a roller coaster of secret missions that will exhilarate readers who enjoy an action-adventure novel laced with fantasy and mythology. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Alone: The Girl in the Box

Sienna Nealon was a 17 year-old girl who had been held prisoner in her own house by her mother for twelve years. Then one day her mother vanished, and Sienna woke up to find two strange men in her home. On the run, unsure of who to turn to and discovering she possesses mysterious powers, Sienna finds herself pursued by a shadowy agency known as the Directorate and hunted by a vicious, bloodthirsty psychopath named Wolfe, each of which is determined to capture her for their own purposes...

*May Contain Spoilers*

Robert J. Crane brings mythology back to life with the first novel in a series, Alone: The Girl in the Box. Crane puts "meta-humans" up against each other with the world hanging in the balance. The only difficult part to figure out, why they all want Sienna on their side so badly? 

"Meta-humans" are people with supernatural powers and Sienna turns out to be one of them, only she doesn't know why or what kind of meta-human she is. All she knows is that various groups are out searching for her. For a seventeen year old girl, Sienna is rather strong, incredibly intelligent, and unbelievably fast. Her other powers are manifesting and it seems that she can communicate through dreams. 

As the main character, Sienna is a typical angst-ridden teenager, with a craving for drama, and the tendency to back-talk. I'd say this book is perfect for young adults, but the gore-described-decor puts it closer to the adult age range. Regardless, as the beginning of a series, Crane sets the readers up to slowly form a bond with Sienna. 

The foundation is Sienna's family (or lack thereof) and the emotional feeling of being separated from life. 

The bond strengthens when Sienna finds a romantic interest and the desire to love appears. It strengthens further when Sienna offers herself as a sacrifice to save others. 

I have no doubt that readers will thoroughly connect with Sienna by the end of the novel and that the bond will grow with each book following. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Alone: The Girl in the Box, Book 1

Could love be the Answer?

She is the chosen one. The one who will unite her people and end the feud that has raged for over five thousand years. 

In the final novel of "The Nine Lives of Chloe King" series, Chloe must do the unimaginable. She must find a way to end the blood thirsty war between the Mai and the Tenth Blades. Not to mention, keep those who she cares for safe including her best friend-fashionista Amy, comic book-loving Paul, Mai-trainer Alyec, and kitty hat-loving Brian. 

When Chloe finds Brian left for dead in an alley way, having been badly beaten, she knows that this war must stop. On his deathbed, Brian knows that there's only one thing he hasn't let himself do. Kiss Chloe, the girl he is in love with. Legend has it, as soon as a human and a Mai kiss, the human dies. 

But he doesn't have anything left to lose. In a feeble attempt to control the last moments of his life, Brian lifts his head and meets Chloe's lips with passion simmering beneath his skin. 

And he lives. 

Could love be the answer to the question of peace between the races? Will Chloe fight for her people by ridding their lives of the constant worry that a Tenth Blade will try to kill them? Does she have what it takes to sacrifice her life as a way to better her pride? 

As a three book series that I read in two days, I highly recommend this novel. You will not regret picking this up, nor will you be able to put it down. Check the link below to get all 3 at once! :D

The Fallen, The Stolen, and The Chosen (all in one) on Amazon