Hidden by Jade (Razor’s Edge Chronicles, #5) by Celine Jeanjean – Review

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5 stars, Adventure, Book Review, Celine Jeanjean, magic, paranormal, series, talking cats, urban fantasy

About Hidden by Jade by Celine Jeanjean

I’ve never been one to stand idly by when a friend’s in trouble. Yes, I know that to go looking into why Ilmu is missing is dangerous. Yue’s still out there, and more to the point she’s not happy with how little progress I’ve made on our deal regarding Sarroch.

Which means a significant decrease in the value of my life.

Staying home is therefore the smart thing to do. But all the same, a friend in trouble is a friend in trouble, and no one but me seems to care what’s going on with Ilmu.

With my limited magic there’s only so much I can do, but I manage to get my hands on magical incense that will allow me to see her.

That is until another supernatural creature appears in the smoke and drags me into whatever space Ilmu is trapped in.

And just like that, my problems with Yue look pretty insignificant.

Perspective, huh?

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Review of Hidden by Jade

You gotta love a heroine who will put herself in danger to help a friend out.   In Hidden by Jade, Apiya does just that.  But in doing so, she will bring even more trouble to herself.  And if you have been reading the series, you know that her friends will try to help her, but in the end, Apiya is the one that does all the heavy lifting.  Still, friends are good. 

Unless that friend is Sarroch.  That particular relationship is getting quite complicated.  Sarroch’s wife hates Apiya, but has struck a bargain with her (agreeing not to kill Apiya).  Sarroch knows nothing of the bargain.  And it is beginning to look like Apiya will not be able to fulfill her side of the bargain.  Our heroine’s Mayak friends seem to cause nothing but trouble. 

By the end of Hidden by Jade, the reader comes to realize that Apiya has come a long way from being a mere barber to the magical beings of Panong.  And she still has a long way to go.  The story will continue

Honestly, the Razor’s Edge Chronicles is my favorite series of the year.  It has several things going for it.  First, rapid release.  5 books so far in 2021.  Short books yes, but 5 books.  There is an engaging, quirky heroine who never met cat, dog, turtle, etc. she didn’t like.  She lives in a fascinating city.  There is a cat – a talking cat – with so much attitude and ego he is impossible not to love.  Plus the usually non-stop action, magic, danger and hope. 

Many thanks to the author who provided a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.

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Catapult (Cat Ship, #2) by Jody Wallace – Review

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5 stars, Book Review, cats, humor, Jody Wallace, pets, romance, scifi romance, series, talking cats

About Catapult by Jody Wallace

Lincoln doesn’t want trouble. Briar is trouble personified.

Lincoln Caster owes everything he has to the Trash Planet recycling plant that hired him, allowing him to lead an uneventful life for a change. When he’s asked to plan a heist from a less than savory rival factory, he wonders if his checkered past is the only reason he got the job. That is, until he realizes the priceless item he’s been asked to steal will save a top-secret generation ship full of cryopreserved humans…and freakishly intelligent cats.

But first Lincoln has to seduce—or at least fool—the rival factory’s sales agent, cool, competent Briar Pandora, who may or may not be leading a double life as a corporate mole. He’ll have to trust her with the truth…unless her own agenda results in them becoming targets of a vicious intergalactic corporation that will stop at nothing in its quest to hijack generation ships and sell off their parts—and their passengers, be they human or feline.

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Review of Catapult

The combination of scifi, romance and cats is irresistible. And if the cats are, as the book blurb says, “freakishly intelligent”…..well, it is impossible not to open this book.

Lincoln Caster knows the generation ship Catamaran is in dire need of maintenance. Parts needed to keep the ship’s cryo-sleeping human and feline inhabitants alive are nearly impossible to find. So when fortune puts the needed part within reach (well, more of a very long and dangerous stretch), Lincoln will do what he can for the good of the ship. When an attempt to purchase the part fails, Lincoln will have to turn to illegal means.

Lincoln likes to live by the rules (Yay for Lincoln!). To him, the thought of stealing causes discomfort. However, he is joined by the talking cat Mighty Mighty and Briar, the former saleswoman from whom he tried to buy the part. They think stealing is the only way. There is a plan you see. Every time I read that some one (human or feline) had a plan, I braced my self. Further fiascos, running, danger and humor always ensued.

The company that has the needed part has a board member (Briar’s arch-enemy) who is trying to sell the very part under the table. So add treachery to desperation and you get one mess after another.

And while all this is going on, Lincoln and Briar are – guess what? Yep, falling for each other. Opposites attract. Lincoln is reserved and straight-laced. Briar is bold and outrageous. They complement each other perfectly.

Mighty Mighty (or just one Mighty for short) is ever entertaining. Full of ‘good’ ideas that are naturally superior to any human ideas, Mighty takes charge. Sort of. Granted, Mighty can read and influence human minds,and spontaneously teleport. But truly, there is only so much a 5-kilogram (in case you are wondering, that’s about 11 pounds) 4-legged creature with no opposable thumbs can do. Since most of the galaxy is unaware of the existence of sentient cats (and it is best to keep it that way), Mighty needs his human friends to succeed. There is one particular hilarious scene where Mighty accidentally ‘inhales’ and forgets that he is supposed to remain unseen. Oops!

Catapult stands alone, but if you have read Catalyst, you will be familiar with some of the characters. This is the perfect book for cat-loving, sci-fi romance readers who appreciate a good laugh!

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Marked by Azurite (Razor’s Edge Chronicles, #4) by Celine Jeanjean – Review

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5 stars, Adventure, Book Review, Celine Jeanjean, dogs, fantasy, magic, series, talking cats, urban fantasy

About Marked by Azurite by Celine Jeanjean

You know that sickly feeling in the pit of your stomach when things have not just gone wrong, but very, very wrong?

Yeah, that feeling.

Like when you find yourself alone, facing off against an angry pontianak, a type of Asian vampire, who on top of being powerful, magical, and deadly, hates your guts.

At the time the risk seemed worth it to find out more about my magic.

Now? I wish I’d just stuck to barbering the supernatural. Given my weak magic, I’m going to have to find a way to talk myself out of this. Fast.

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Review of Marked by Azurite

The 4th book in the Razor’s Edge Chronicles dives deeper into Apiya’s unknown past while putting her uncomfortably up close and personal with her mortal enemy.

Marked by Azurite continues to explore the contentious relationship between the Mayak (magical beings) and humans, while people like Apiya – the Touched (slightly magical humans) – are caught in the cross-fire. It all takes place on the island nation of Panong. I am fascinated with this colorful location, both the land and the people.

Apiya will travel to visit the Akha tribe based on a lead that possibly they might know something about who/what she is. I should mention, that in order make this trip, Apiya will have to leave the safety of her home after having been attacked by Yue, an angry pontianak. Chai tries to talk her out of it, but in the end, as the friend I know him to be, Chai will always accompany Apiya on her crazy, dangerous quest. Chai is the best friend everybody needs.

Apiya’s other best friend is her dog Hunter. After her near death experience Apiya says “Just cuddle your dog…” Dog people will love Hunter.

Cat people will get a kick out of Tim (the talking cat). Even Apiya is warming up to Tim, although neither Apiya or Tim will be admitting liking the other anytime soon. Their relationship is a constant source of humor.

Marked by Azurite provides more juicy background on the Mayaks – Sarroch and Mr. Sangong. And my view of them continues to evolve. Sarroch, as the helpful ally and impossible love interest for Apiya, has become the unreliable associate (you will have to read to find out why). And Mr. Sangong, who is Apiya’s unreliable mentor, is becoming more dependable.

I am absolutely crazy about these books! Each one is a short novel and should be read in order. My recommendation is that you grab them all and binge the entire series.

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

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