The Devil You Know (Mercenary Librarians, #2) by Kit Rocha – Review

Tags

5 stars, Atlanta, Book Review, Kit Rocha, librarian, Post Apocalyptic, scifi, scifi romance, series, supersoldiers

About The Devil You Know by Kit Rocha

Maya has had a price on her head from the day she escaped the TechCorps. Genetically engineered for genius and trained for revolution, there’s only one thing she can’t do―forget.

Gray has finally broken free of the Protectorate, but he can’t escape the time bomb in his head. His body is rejecting his modifications, and his months are numbered.

When Maya’s team uncovers an operation trading in genetically enhanced children, she’ll do anything to stop them. Even risk falling back into the hands of the TechCorps.

And Gray has found a purpose for his final days: keeping Maya safe.

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Review of The Devil You Know

In The Devil You Know, the Mercenary Librarians continue with their mission in a post-apocalyptic Atlanta.  A mission to make the world a better place for everyone, not just the elite in power.   Working in secret and against a powerful force, they will come up against one of the most powerful villains they can face. 

This story centers on Maya and Gray.  Maya is the one among the gang that does not have any enhanced physical abilities.  But what she does have is an eidetic memory.  Which can be a superpower.   It can also be a source of sensory overload.  Her former job as a data courier put her in a very dangerous and in demand position. 

Gray’s sniper background is not filled in as well as Maya, but he is one of the more interesting characters.  His extremely cool façade and nerves of steel may lead some to think he is sociopathic.  But Maya gets to know him and finds he is a quiet loner and much more.  His impending death due to the failure of his super soldier implant adds an emotional charge to the relationship.

Each chapter begins with a memo, log entry or part of a memoir.  They can be difficult to decipher since subjects are coded and names are left out.  I could do without them.

The ensemble is increased with the addition of outsider rebels who are going to stir things up.  Also, children who have been genetically-manipulated.  It is always hard for me not to adore cute kids, especially those that have had a tough time.

I thought book 2 was even better than the first book.  The first book was mostly action while the second book had a little more focus on character development.  The result is a story equally balanced between exciting missions, compelling characters and passionate romance.  There are also hints at things to come in a series that must be continued.  The Devil You Know can be read as a standalone but is part of a great series.

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The Cornish Princess (The Goldenchild Prophecy, #1) by Tanya Anne Crosby

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5 stars, Book Review, British Isles, Cornwall, fae, fantasy, historical, magic, romance, series, Tanya Anne Crosby

About The Cornish Princess by Tanya Anne Crosby

Said to be a changeling child left to the King and Queen of Cornwall, Gwendolyn is “blessed” at her cradle by three Fae gifts: a prophecy for her future, a gift of “Reflection,” and a golden mane—quite literally, every lock of her hair will turn to gold, only provided it is cut by her one true love.

Yet no one understands more than Gwendolyn that her blessings are actually curses. Any man who gazes upon her will see his own heart reflected in her countenance, and depending upon his virtue, she is the loveliest woman in all the land… or the most hideous. It’s a cruel jest of the capricious Fae, for unless a man’s heart be true, Gwendolyn is destined to be coveted for her crown, but despised for her face.

To make matters worse, Gwendolyn’s ailing father is desperate for an alliance with King Brutus of Loegria. “The Romans are coming!” and according to the Goldenchild Prophecy, only by uniting their dragon banners can they stem the Red Tide. Offered to Brutus’s ambitious son, Prince Locrinus, Gwendolyn’s heart is tempted by a mysterious, maddening half-blood Fae who she can never wed if she is to fulfill her crib side prophecy.

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Review of The Cornish Princess

The Cornish Princess starts with the story of Gwendolyn’s birth and her fae ‘gifts’.  The gifts foretell the girl’s challenging future.  But isn’t that why we are reading this book?

Move forward in time to age seventeen and the story illustrates just how very young heroine the heroine is.  Young, immature, even foolish.  So, with hints of a YA novel.  This includes her treatment Malik, the Sidhe who is put in charge of her safety.  He does his job, but Gwendolyn makes it very difficult. 

However, Gwendolyn is quickly thrust into a very mature situation along with Malik.  While some of her reactions still reflect her age, she learns quickly that she is no longer a child.  This takes the YA edge away and allows adults to enjoy the story.

The fae gifts are fascinating.  Especially the one where Gwendolyn’s appearance reflects the viewers true nature.  Since the story is from Gwendolyn’s view, you never really know what those who look at her think, but you can guess based on their actions.

The adventures are harrowing and heartbreaking.  Considering Gwendolyn’s upbringing and training to become a leader, this might have been expected.  She will have to use all of the skills she has learned over the years.  In addition to the overall arc that is not completed in this book, Gwendolyn will solve a mystery. 

The Cornish Princess is part of a bigger story.  Do not expect a grand finale or a happy ending.  Do expect the author’s exquisite attention to details that bring that little known era of history alive.  Expect the author’s storytelling to feel as magical as the fae in the story.  And plan to look forward to the next book in The Goldenchild Prophecy – even if it is months and months away.

Thanks to the author who provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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The Warrior Poet (The Faery Rehistory, #3) by Sharon Lynn Fisher – Review

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5 stars, elves, fae, fairy, fantasy, historical, Ireland, magic, Morrigan, myth, Portland, romance, series, Sharon Lynn Fisher

About The Warrior Poet by Sharon Lynn Fisher

They searched for each other in dreams. Then they traveled through time to save Ireland.

Portland book artist Neve Kelly is having weird visions—vivid daydreams of lovers on a battlefield that yank her out of reality. A couple weeks before Halloween, a confused, strangely dressed man appears in her living room. He drops a slip of paper that describes a dream much like her own before disappearing without a trace.

Will Yeats has had enough of heroics. With the peace between Ireland and its enemies restored, he plans to spend the next decade quietly writing his Irish fairy history. But suddenly he’s time traveling again. He briefly visits the home of an intriguing stranger, who appears to be American. The next time he’s drawn there, he finds her being sucked through a ghastly hole in her ceiling.

Will saves Neve by carrying her back to 1888 Ireland, where he learns that not only is she from more than a century in the future but from a parallel world where fairies and Tuatha De Danaan heroes are no more than myth. Their dreams of ancient lovers have brought them together … but why? Dark portents surround them — portents bearing the mark of the Morrigan’s meddling — and they soon discover it’s all part of a sinister scheme to seize the throne of Ireland. And the love story from their dreams has begun to manifest in the present moment.

Will’s friends — Irish Queen Isolde and her allies — are depending on Will and Neve to connect with the past in order to save Ireland. But can anything save them from the violent end that their dreams have foreshadowed?

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Review of The Warrior Poet

Every time I read a Sharon Lynn Fisher book, I appreciate the authors effort to create a unique story.  Even the third book in a series is nothing like the first two.  Characters overlap, as does the historical background.  But the imaginative tale is fresh and exciting! 

The Warrior Poet features the hero based on the real Irish poet William Butler Yeats.  The heroine, Neve Kelly, is a modern-day Portland resident who meets Will both in daydreams and by travelling through time.  The peace-loving duo gets caught up in their own destiny to ensure the safety of the humans and the fae co-inhabiting Ireland.   That’s the short version.  The actual story is a long and winding road marked by time travel, adventure, danger, romance and a bit of poetry.

The Warrior Poet is Irish history as told by vibrant characters and painted with Irish folklore and literary culture.  You can enjoy this book as a standalone. Will you have a richer experience if you read the series in order. Absolutely!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book.  My review is my honest opinion.

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As of 10/27, all e-books in this series are just $.99 at Amazon.

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