Wolfsong by TJ Klune | Green Creek 1

Author: T.J. Klune
Title: Wolfsong
Series: Green Creek 1
Genre: LGBT, Paranormal
Pages: 400
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

I’ve wanted something new, fresh, and preferably with werewolves in it. My search brought me to “Wolfsong” by T.J. Klune, and… It felt like reading mediocre Teen Wolf fan-fic, if I’m honest. Not a bad book per say, but not my cup of tea for sure.

About: Joe Benet was kidnapped and tortured as a child by one of the most infamous, notorious werewolves known, who wished for the Benet Family Alpha power. Upon his return to the family, Joe was so broken he was mute, and even as time went by in the safety of his home – he just couldn’t speak. Up until that faithful day when he met a boy on the road, Ox. He gave Ox his Wolf, his Heart, and ever since – wouldn’t shut up about him. Thus, at least in the Green Creek, in the territory of the Benet Family, everyone knew Ox will be a great part of the werewolf world, even as a human. But darkness was never truly beaten, and it seems it decided to return and see what more can be broken in attempt to take the Alpha Power from the Benet family. A human, a human whom the young heir seems to love so very much, seems a very appropriate target…

Mine: You know that moment in Twilight where Edward leaves Bella, and we get to see her spend seasons in her room, not going anywhere, not doing anything? Well, when Joe left to hunt down the evil werewolf, Ox was left to wait. And wait he did. The plot became so narrow it felt claustrophobic. No matter what was happening, we got to watch it from the Benet family territory, the Benet house, Ox’s head, via prism of “why you left, why aren’t you in touch with me?“, and all that. That, and the fact that lore really felt a lot like Teen Wolf if not the same, are the biggest damn flaws in the book. But if you like romance like the one in Twilight, and if you did enjoy Teen Wolf, I am sure you will love this book too, for otherwise it was pretty good. Mind you, graphic sex, so even if I compare it with Teen Wolf, this is not for the Young people.

The book really had its moments, but you really have to work through a lot of muddy waters to get to them. So I can’t give it more than 3 out of 5 here.

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White Trash Zombie Apocalypse by Diana Rowland | White Trash Zombie 3

Author: Diana Rowland
Title: White Trash Zombie Apocalypse
Series: White Trash Zombie 3
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Zombies
Pages: 320
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

I have a bad feeling that I gotten myself into another chore of “let’s just get through this” book series. Third book in Diana Rowland‘s series White Trash Zombie, the “White Trash Zombie Apocalypse” is below mediocre.

About: There’s a zombie movie getting filmed in Angel’s neighborhood, and she joked a time or two with those aware of her condition, that it’d be fun to see if she could mix in among the fake ones after a couple days of starving. But someone beat her to it, and it wasn’t even funny! You see, the project Zoldier (like Soldier but Zombie) is still on, someone still experiments with the undead, with zombies. One of them lost his mind during a performance, and jumped to find himself a new one. Like Angel didn’t have enough on her plate, what with the flooding that threatens to destroy her home where she lives with her father, and the arguments she has with her boyfriend, and her ever re-appearing baby-zombie, the man she turned into one. Not to mention the creepy lady who keeps snapping pictures of her for some reason.

Mine: There’s so many moments of “who are you working for?!” that even Batman would be proud (points if you know what I’m referring to). Everyone’s a double agent too, it only seems they work for who they seem to be working for, what. I still think that Zoldiers was a dumb idea to start with, even if they, say, had basis to think there’s means to make fake brains, and keep off hunger, you still have soldiers who need buckets of food just to do the standard soldier stuff. I mean, there’s a great reason we have pig farms, not zebra, for instance. The parasite that makes zombie a zombie doesn’t give a damn about your goals, it just cares to keep you fixed and steady. The best part of the book was flooding. And that should tell you everything.

Angel really is the only thing that keeps me going with these series. I cannot give this book more than 3 out of 5 right now.

Davidson King “Snow Falling” | Haven Hart Universe 1

Author: Davidson King
Title: Snow Falling
Series: Haven Hart Universe 1
Genre: Romance; LGBT+
Pages: 166p
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

I really did know that crime books don’t work as romance books. One genre will almost always mess up the other one. So either romance part will be lame, or gangsters will be ridiculous. But here I am, not listening to my own advice, just because I saw a pretty cover, and got promised some mob bosses. As you may guess, “Snow Falling” by Davidson King wasn’t a good book for me.

About: When Julian’s mother died, his father, an officer, has drowned himself in a bottle. He got indebted to the mob, and has fallen as a human being. Thus, once mob knocked on his door, offering an exchange of debts for his talented son, he didn’t blink an eye before handing his child over. On that day Julian as has died. Due to his pale complexion, the criminals claimed he blended in with the snow. That’s what he continues to call himself today, relatively free, on the street: Snow. But that relative freedom didn’t stop him from interfering with Russian Mafia’s Father’s son. The scum was trying to kidnap a luxuriously dressed child, alone on the street, for some reason. Snow interfered, offering an exchange of his own. But if he thought his problems had a limit then, he was very wrong. The kid he saved, a boy too scared to even tell Snow his name, turned out to be a nephew of a far bigger and badder boss.

Mine: All the action in the book revolves around people kidnapping from crime families. You kidnap from us, we kidnap from you, and repeat. Gangsters here are like vampires in Chicagoland Vampires: food obsessed humans who happen to kill other humans sometimes, and some even lose sleep over it. All the side characters were road-signs: they were there to say the right thing on the right time, so the hero could continue saying something clever, high and mighty, and look even more epic, morally superior to others. The story was pretty damn weak too. Between the kidnapping Snow would dance to Lady Gaga songs, preparing for a Drag Show in talent show, with the Boss’s nephew, and get real shy whenever someone walked in on him dancing in such a mighty private place as a the main house kitchen where everyone comes for food.

Alright, so I didn’t like it, and it’s my own fault for taking it before I knew more of what this book will be. The best I can give it is 3 out of 5, for I definitely read worse, and this, at least, was a solid book with no holes in the slim plot.

Chloe Neill “Wild Things” | Chicagoland Vampires 9

Author: Chloe Neill
Title: Wild Things
Series: Chicagoland Vampires 9
Genre: Paranormal, Vampires
Pages: 350
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

I forgot how weak the bad guy plot line always is in Chicagoland Vampires books. But we’re almost done, bear with me! Wild things is 9th book out of, yes, you guessed it, 13!

About: Things made of magic are attacking groups and gatherings of supernaturals. Things that don’t exist. People disappear right after those attacks with no traces, no bodies, no witnesses. And while this happened during shifter gathering, in the house of one prominent pack master, who accepted to shelter Sullivan until his case with GP is solved, Merit has no choice but to try and solve this.  Otherwise, vampires and witches will be the first suspects in line.

Mine: “Oh, but the bad guy who is now dead had a daughter no one knew about” is a nasty little trope that I really don’t like. Almost as much as I don’t like the magical impossible birth tropes. Or supernaturals becoming humans trope. Sullivan was my happy place here, his drive for political power reminded me of mr Northman from Sookie’s books. As for the story itself, it was mediocre. Readable, but meh.

These are good for a quick and very light read, and while not good, still better than a lot of other vampire series I’ve read in the past. I can only give it a 3 out of 5 again.

Joseph Fink “Welcome to Night Veil”

Author: Joseph Fink
Title: Welcome to Night Veil
Series: Welcome to Night Veil 1
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Pages: 401
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

I knew about this phenomena of a podcast, but I am not into podcasts, so I never listened. Instead, I figured, I’ll read a book. Yes. I jumped the damn wagon with “Welcome to Night Veil“, and I think it was a mistake. It’s not my cup of tea. Listening to the podcast a little would’ve most likely told me that. And those who enjoyed the said podcast probably enjoyed the book too…

About: Town of Night Veil is where all the odd, magical, cursed, and weird things are. Time works strange there. And so do memories. But people are strange too, so I guess it really works. One of those people is a boy named Josh. he can be anything. And he goes missing after a few failed attempts to question his mother of who his father was. It’s a hard task to find a boy who can be whatever he wants to be. But, luckily, his mother has a lead, and a strong feeling about it: there’s a strange man in a tan jacket that keeps appearing in Night Veil. He gives people a slip of paper that says “King City”, and goes missing. People tend to forget all about him, but the paper stays, and you can’t get rid of it. This King City is her biggest clue, and she’d like to start her investigation there, right after she’ll brave the most dangerous place in Night Veil: The Library, full of deadly Librarians. For no map in Night Veil show any road that leads to King City…

Mine: King meets Gaiman. This is not my cup of tea in the worst way. There’s really lots and lots of interesting things in this book, and the characters are very well built. And there were some really brilliant thoughts expressed and put to words that I loved. But it kept driving me mad. I hate that kind of story telling, where it takes very long for the narrator to tell you why this is as it is, and thus there is no need to explain, because hey, it is as it is, always have been.

It’s mostly a good book, it just wasn’t for me. The fantasy was very Gaiman + King, with nothing explained, but lots of words are strung together explaining that “it just is”. 3 out of 5 from me. I should’ve really tried the podcast first, and seen my way from there… But I don’t regret reading it!

Chloe Neill “Biting Bad” | Chicagoland Vampires 8

Title: Biting Bad
Author: Chloe Neill
Series: Chicagoland Vampires 8
Genre: Vampires, Paranormal
Pages: 350p
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

Are you at all surprised that I am back on vampires? I’m pretty sure this could be called binging. As always, easy to read and preferably with vampires is what I wanted. Even if I keep dreading the ever ominous miracle baby prophecy.

About: Anti-vampire riots, attacks on houses and individuals. They don’t gain much traction, but cause a lot of damage. Thus making it all seem mighty suspicious of riots being merely a cover up for something else, something more sinister. And Merit feels like she found a lead once vampires starving to death start popping up. They’re vampires alright, but… Somehow humanized. Out there someone is experimenting on vampires, trying to reverse the process of turning. And if seems a little horrible, well, not to those who dream of sunshine and children, so there’s no shortage of volunteers who do their best to cover up who is doing this.

Mine: Riots and their incentive, as often with main plot of action that serves no real purpose than give a boost and cover up for a detective plotline – had no substance in them. It felt like a red balloon with too little air – ya, you might try to give me an idea of Pennywise being around, but seeing that sorry floppy thing is not getting the effect through. On top of it, Merit’s sudden obsession with having a baby is icky. I don’t like children, I can’t help it. And if Sullivan turns human, I quit these books.

It was a meh. Not a good book, but hey, not a bad one either. I knew what I was getting into, and I know I read more of convenience than of actual love for the story. Also, I have learned that I am very capable of ignoring all romance. This is a romance book, and other than who is banging who in the main character shelf – I couldn’t tell you who is in love with who. You know what’s helping though? Their food obsession. 3 out of 5 this time.

Chloe Neill “Biting Cold” | Chicagoland Vampires 6

Author: Chloe Neill
Title: Biting Cold
Series: Chicagoland Vampires 6
Genre: Paranormal, Vampires
Pages: 352p
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

You know, sometimes you just need vampires, no matter in what form they come. So I continue with Chloe Neill, Chicagoland Vampires series. I kinda got used to it, you know? It’s not Sookie’s novels, but serves the same purpose to me.

About: A fallen angel is unleashed upon the world, serving justice as he sees it fit. All due to an ancient artifact that was stolen and broken with a spell. Meaning there’s an even greater cause now to take magic under control, and possibly punish the ones responsible for the new mayhem. On top of this trouble, the Fae Queen seems to have a liking to this creature and harbors him. Any attack upon the Dark One will result in Faeries turning against vampires, against Merit. And if that’s not enough, GP wants Sullivan’s throne, and so House Cadogan is forced to choose: become the enemy or suck it up. The world as Merit knows it seems to be at an end.

Mine: This is one of those rare books where politics were better than the action side of the plot. It made me start to like Sullivan, he has a head on him, and morals to back it up. But some of the other characters are turning into all gender Mary Sues. And the whole angel/demon thing? Never works for me. Never ever, no matter how great you tell that myth, the moment you call some winged bastard an angel – we’re done. I don’t know why, I’ve nothing against the myth or the creature per se, or at least not that I know of.

These aren’t masterpieces. They’re tacky and shallow. But they’re exactly what I need right now: easy, simple, no brainer. It’s a book for a lazy reader. 3 out of 5 from me.

John Burdett “Vulture Peak” | Sonchai Jitpleecheep 5

Author: John Burdett
Title: Vulture Peak
Series: Sonchai Jitpleecheep 5
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Pages: 285p.
Rate: 3-5 | Goodreads

Ah well. I’ve decided, that since I got this far, I might as well finish the series. “Vulture Peak” is second to last John Burdett series Sonchai Jitpleecheep book, out of which only the first three are translated into Lithuanian. Which isn’t a big loss, since first three books form a pretty good trilogy and could really end there.

About: Sonchai’s boss, driven by very selfish motives, is up to finally rid Bangkok of the Organ Trafficking, market and all. For that, of course, he uses Sonchai, since he’s the only non-corrupt cop around, and seems to care about this whole justice thing or whatever. So, Sonchai, with a secret identity, and a cool box full of eyeballs that give him nightmares soon after he discovers what’s inside, travels off from home. And very soon meets two nasty big players in the game. Chinese twins, as crazy as they come, their insanity a danger to them, and those around them. People for them are no more than walking allowance, and they’re very able to attract the right kind of people. Thus, it comes to no surprise that the monster rapist that is rampaging Bangkok is also related to their work and them. Sonchai and now his wife too, are in grave danger as the game starts slipping out of his hands.

My Opinion: The Twins reminded me of Voerman sisters from Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines. The legends, secrets, and their origin story was very similar. That was a pleasant take, to be honest. For the rest of the story wasn’t so good, and made a bit worse by Sonchai’s karmic better than thou attitude. I get it, he’s beautiful and everyone loves him from the moment they lay eyes on him. I just don’t understand why. The best story here was that of the monster I mentioned before, but it was used as a filler, to add volume, or at least it felt that way.

So then. I’ll soon start the final book. I wanted to read them for forever now, in the times when I rarely ever used to buy e-books to begin with. So I’ll be able to strike out a lot of things from the TBR, even if it won’t be quality reads. For the time being, 3 out of 5.

John Burdett “The Godfather of Kathmandu” | Sonchai Jitpleecheep 4

Author: John Burdett
Title: The Godfather of Kathmandu
Series: Sonchai Jitpleecheep 4
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Rating: 3-5 | Goodreads

Have you ever read a book twice, because by the end of it – you already couldn’t tell what it was about? That was the case for me with John Burdett book “The Godfather of Kathmandu”, the fourth book in Sonchai Jitpleecheep series. It wasn’t a bad book per se, but oh, brother, the lines to follow…

Sonchai has made a grave mistake. He got the Godfather movies for his boss, which then triggered a chain reaction of real ill trash luck. His boss kindly worked up Sonchai’s family with deals of good raise, and little to no change to Sonchai’s work, in attempts to make Sonchai his consilieri, like an adviser. Which then directly took a hit to Sonchai’s karma. That son, reincarnation of his beloved friend and partner, whom he wanted to put in a good school on his wife’s advice, with the new money he’ll be getting? Decided the world is too corrupt, and suicided. Wife? Guilt ridden ran away to a monastery to become a monk. FBI agent, his friend and former partner in USA? She felt disappointed in his new line of work, and due to broken arm – won’t rush to help him with the new case. As for the new case, Sonchai is determined to give this chance of promotion to his colleague, who hates his guts. Hates him for being the first choice for the boss. Hates him for being a better detective. And now also hates him for being morally superior about this promotion too, for showing this kindness and giving him the damn promotion. The only consolation Sonchai right now has is also not a spotless piece of sunshine. It is a a highest ranking monk who promised to teach him to reach the peace of mind. It’s just that this same monk has 14 mil worth of drugs he wants to sell to his boss.

As for the murder, now that’s something to get distracted by, no matter how unpleasant. A movie director was found dead, skull open, brain eaten. He was well loved in Bangkok by the bar girls, who describe him as kind, caring, loving, but a sex addict. He wasn’t visiting them for a while before his death, so they assumed he finally found that “something wilder” he was after. Did that wilder thing kill him too? And to top it all off, he left clues directly for Sonchai. Yes. Of course he did.

This was a strange book, with quite a few lines to follow, and Sonchai’s wasn’t the best. The murder was the most dull one though, so I had to remind myself this isn’t really a detective story to begin with a lot. But there were great points, like that monk, or such a shift in Karma. So all in all another 3/5, I guess.

Chloe Neill “Hard Bitten” | Chicagoland Vampires 4

I get used to series. Then I read them, even if I don’t particularly like them. Same happened to me with Chloe Neill series Chicagoland Vampires. Lucky for me, though, “Hard Bitten” (Chicagoland Vampires 4; ISBN 04512333328; 350p. Goodreads) ended up with a very interesting note.

Tension is ever rising in House Cardogan. Protesters outside the windows demand day and night for these dangerous bloodsucking creatures to go back where they came from – hell. Some people go missing after especially brutal raves take place. New drug is rumored to be on the market, messing things up. And, seemingly, all of these strings lead to House Cardogan. Its master, Sullivan is under pressure from two different ramparts: the mayor of the city, and the vampire authorities from across the pond. Pressure itself wouldn’t be hard to handle, of course. It’s their orders that put him between an anvil and a hammer. One side wants him to take care of this, because Cardogan looks involved. Other side wants him to stop meddling in what the head of Cardogan is not supposed to meddle. So, clan reputation or his own skin?

Merit, on the other hand, seems to have found a way around all this mess. After all, the orders were to her liege, not her directly. And what her liege doesn’t know, her liege cannot be blamed for, right? Thus she picks up her contacts in dark deep places, and sets off after those who survived the raves. Sadly, the deeper she digs, the less she likes the secrets. Some of them are about to flip her whole world upside down. Like the one about her getting turned into a vampire…

The ending was a very interesting choice author made, and it got me real curious of how will this develop then. Still, I really won’t be recommending these to anyone who didn’t get this far to begin with. 3 out of 5 from me. Will read the next one though.