Darkness Unchained by McKenzie Hunter

Synopsis

Just try to survive. That had been Skylar’s goal since she discovered that she had died at birth and become a host to a very powerful spirit shade. She was a werewolf with the ability to manipulate magic, and that made Skylar an enigma that most viewed as either an asset or a danger. Being an anomaly in the otherworld was a hazard, and last year she had barely survived. After declining membership in the Midwest Pack, Skylar naively thought she could return to a normal life and fade into obscurity. She was wrong.  

After saving the life of a pack member who was brutally attacked, Skylar finds herself pulled back into the otherworld to help the Northern Seethe and Midwest Pack find the person responsible for the recent attacks on their people. The situation is further complicated when the Seethe hires Chris, a hunter and the pack’s Beta’s ex. With her connections and extensive knowledge of the otherworld she should have been a welcomed asset; but her turbulent history with the pack, complicated relationship with the Master of the Northern Seethe, and the lingering feelings between her and the Beta create conflict between the enemies-turned-allies. 

Once again, Skylar must negotiate the lies, secrets and strange politics that govern the otherworld while struggling not to draw attention to her abilities. It falls apart when she inadvertently changes a peculiar vampire and Chris discovers the link between Skylar and the culprit responsible for the attacks on the vampires and were-animals. 

Now Skylar wonders if she will be able to survive the otherworld this time. 

Review

I was lucky enough to receive a copy from McKenzie Hunter in exchange for a honest review.

If you haven’t  read “Moon Tortured,” stop now.  “Darkness Unchained” is the SECOND in the Sky Brooks Series.  Trust me you will want to read “Moon Tortured”.

Welcome  back to the world of  Skylar Brooks.  We join sky not long after the events of "Moon Tortured ” she is slowly  settling into life on her own.Though she may have not choose to join the pack, she has tried to keep in contact. But some members  of the pack have a issue  with that.

When something  threatens  to kill off the pack they are left with no choose to form a unlikely  truce and work together before they are all killed.

Now like most sequels there is always  that worry  that the book will fall flat and not live up to your expectations. “Darkness Unchained” lived up to my expectations  and more.

Sky is no longer the naive victim of the paranormal world, that  we meet in “Moon Tortured”.  She is now developing  into a strong confident  character who is learning to expect who she really is.
 
This book brings a whole new level of intrigue to this series. I enjoyed the new elements that were brought into this story. From the introduction  of new characters  to gaining a greater understanding and knowlage of the characters we meet in "Moon Tortured ”.

I loved this book and can not wait to read the next book in the series.

Rating ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Website http:// www.mckenziehunter.com

Moon Tortured (Sky Brooks #1)by McKenzie Hunter

Synopsis 

Skylar’s death came not at the end, after a long fulfilling existence, not in the middle, as a result of an untimely tragic event—but at the beginning, with her birth. 

As a final effort to save her dying unborn child, Skylar’s pregnant mother, a witch, sacrificed herself by invoking a powerful spirit shade to inhabit Skylar’s body, imbuing her with life. For twenty-three years, Skylar lived a life of oblivion, content with her simple job, loving adoptive mother and the monthly inconvenience of a full moon hangover after being sedated and caged when she changed into a wolf. It wasn’t exciting but it was her life until one night, she woke up in a strange room in the middle of rural Illinois—bruised and with jumbled memories of her mother’s death from a vampire attack. The Midwest pack comes to her rescue. Known for being more ruthless than altruistic she doesn’t know if she can trust them. 

But after an assassination attempt by a necromancer, an abduction attempt by a mercenary, and more aggressive and violent attacks by the vampires, she has no other choice but to accept their help. The Midwest pack quickly discover that Skylar is the host to a spirit shade, who gives her magical abilities, that make her as much of a danger as an asset and that she is the key to the vampires’ plan to perform a ritual that will give them unrestricted power. Tension rises as the pack become divided between those who think her life is worth protecting as a potential ally and those who believe she is too dangerous to live. In the end, Skylar finds herself fighting for her life—a life that may be tragically taken too soon.

Review

Let me start by saying that I was lucky enough to receive a copy from McKenzie Hunter in exchange for a honest review.

I honestly think that this series could be the next big thing! As I read it I could see the potential for a movie or TV series.

Lets start at the beginning. Skylar is the anything but your typical leading lady. If anything is is a combination  of your favorite leading ladies.  Like anyone with a gift they don't really want or understand, all she has ever wanted was to be a normal but fate had other plans. 

We are introduced  to Skylar  in the first line of the book. "This isn't the first time I awoke in a strange place, naked and bloodstained." Which pulls you straight  into her world.

Skylar has a semi-normal life with her adoptive mother until a horrendous vampire attack leaves her alone. When Skylar  wakes up, she finds herself in the hands of the Midwest Pack, who are determined to  protect her.

The Midwest pack seem to be very likeable and protective characters.   The pack consists of many were animals but  we are only really introduce  to a few key members. Sebastian the Alpha, Ethan the Beta, Josh a Warlock, Steven a Coyote, Winter a Snake and a guest Beta from another pack, Joan a panther. 

I am a sucker for books containing vampires and werewolves but McKenzie  intertwine them in a way that the book feels both familiar and brand new at the same time.

If you are a fan of the  paranormal  fiction then this is a book you need to get your hands on.

Rating ☆☆☆☆☆
Website http://www.mckenziehunter.com/

༺❃༻ NEW RELEASE ༺❃༻
Zed By Jason McIntyre is LIVE!
#DovetailCove #JasonMcIntyre #Horror #Suspense #thriller #paranormal #booktrope

It’s the waning dog days of August, 1975 and Tom Mason’s in Dovetail Cove for the last few weeks of his summer job at the group home. His boss and the home’s owner is Karen Banatyne, one of the wealthiest folks in town. It seems like she’s got it in for Tom; she's the only one standing in his way as he scrimps for a new camera.

But Karen has her own problems. A regulatory agency might cut off her funding, plus her hubby hasn’t been seen in a few weeks, and she’s not saying why. Most ominous of all, it seems as though something’s hiding in the hot spring north of the main beach and one of Karen’s ‘houseguests’ is about to come face to face with evil. Tom is too.

Amazon
US: http://amzn.com/B012PB6W44
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012PB6W44
AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B012PB6W44
CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B012PB6W44

Barnes & Noble
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Itunes
http://tinyurl.com/pvmbsry

Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine

Synopsis 
In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn

Review 
Ink and Bone is set in an alternate universe that takes a twist on the fate of the Great Library of Alexandria. Set in 2025  not only did the library survives through the course of history but it has become an authoritarian presence to  all the world.

This story opens on the streets of London, where we are introduced  to our main character  Jess. Jess grew up in the shadow of his dead brother, with a cunning twin brother and controlling  father, who taught him the business of book smuggling. He is forced to steal books so his father can resell them on the black market.

In this world books are the most precious thing. They are upheld as the highest of items, and at times they appear to be held and even  value them over human lives. This makes a lot of people angry and causes them to revolt against the library.

Ink and Bone was filled to the brim with adventure and alchemical. It will perhaps even make you appreciate books a little more.
In terms of the other  characters in Ink & Bone, there is the harsh instructor  scholar Wolfe. 
When we are first introduce to Wolfe, his goals seems to be to make the students’ lives a living nightmare. However as the story progress, we soon learn that he has had a few harsh experiences of his own and his intentions are noble.  

Then there is Khalila Seif, who comes into the Library training as the student who made a perfect score on the entrance tests. Thomas is the first person the befriends Jess. From the beginning you can see that not only is he hard working, but he is a dreamer. He wants to improve and change  the world but their are those who do not want the world to change.

Morgan Hault is a mystery girl who joins Scholar Wolfe’s class, after it has started. Claiming  that the escalating  fighting  coursed her to be delayed, however this is not really the truth. She is there to accomplish a specific mission, but when that doesn’t work out, she faces a future that she would rather die then be apart of.

I really enjoyed this story. There are so many things going on with magic, evilness, goodness, the fight for change, and people that actually seem evil that turn out to be not so bad. This is one of the most unique story concepts  I have ever read, and I really look forward to seeing how it will continue.

☆☆☆1/2☆