Mini Review: Succubus On Top by Richelle Mead

Succubus on Top (Georgina Kincaid #2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: January 1, 2008
Publisher: Kensington
Format: ebook
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

Georgina Kincaid's job sucks. Literally.

Love hurts, and no one knows it better than Georgina Kincaid. If she so much as kisses her new boyfriend, she’ll drain his life force. Georgina is a succubus—a demon who draws her power from other men’s pleasure. Admittedly, the shapeshifting and immortality perks are terrific, and yes, Georgina did choose to join the ranks of hell centuries ago. But it seems completely unfair that a she-demon whose purpose is seduction can’t get hot and heavy with the one mortal who knows and accepts her for who she is.

It’s not just her personal life that’s in chaos. Doug, Georgina’s co-worker at a local bookstore, has been exhibiting bizarre behavior, and Georgina suspects that something far more demonic than double espressos is at work. She could use help finding out, but Bastien, an irresistibly charming incubus and her best immortal friend, is preoccupied in the suburbs with corrupting an ultra-conservative talk radio star—and giving Georgina some highly distracting come-hither vibes. Georgina is going to have to work solo on this one—and fast because soon, Doug’s life won’t be the only one on the line…

3 stars out of 5 stars

• I liked Succubus on Top but not as much as Succubus Blues. It felt a little long and drawn out. I wouldn't have minded if certain parts were cut. 
• I found the way Georgina and Seth tried to create intimacy so sweet and perfect for them. Seth is just the sweetest with the way he tries to make up for the lack of sex easier on Georgina. Which is why when she does something that betrays him, I was upset at her and how she just kind got away with it. Seth is much too good for her, sometimes. 
• All the moments with her friends and the Mortensens are my favorite. I love Georgina's relationship and interactions with everyone.
• I wasn't really in love with this book so I'm not rushing to pick up the next book. However, I do love the way Richelle's writes so I will continue with the series, eventually.

Second Chance Read: Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: December 7, 2010
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Format: Audiobook
Source: Overdrive/Library
Review by: Jenn

Read by Emily Shaffer

Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate betrayal. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa first in line for the Royal Crown, nothing will ever be the same between them.

4 stars out of 5 stars

Reading Last Sacrifice in audiobook version reminded me how much I love this series. The narrator captivated me with the way she told Richelle's story and made it come alive in a different medium. Her Russian accent to portray Dimitri Belikov (my love!) was a little funny at times but certainly made the story all the more authentic. I certainly want to go back and listen to all the books but unfortunately, my library doesn't have the audiobooks on their collections.

If you haven't picked up this series, I really implore you to do so. It's so good! And if the rest of the audiobooks are as good as this one, you won't regret it.

Mini Review: Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid #1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: February 27, 2007
Publisher: Kensington Books
Format: ebooks
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

Succubus (n) - An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men.

Pathetic (adj.) - A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid.

When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants. The wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?

But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid’s life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven’t stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess get-up complete with whip and wings. And she can’t have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy’s life. At least there’s her day job at a local bookstore—free books, all the white chocolate mochas she can drink, and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can’t.

But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle’s demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won’t help because Georgina’s about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny…

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

1- As my first adult book from Richelle Mead, I really enjoyed Succubus Blues. There were some definite LOL moments.

2- I love the fact the Georgina is a fellow book nerd. It was hilarious reading Georgina's first conversation with Seth, AKA her favorite author.

3- I like the fantasy aspects of the books. All the different kind of species and how they all interact with each other. I haven't read anything like it so I was a bit hesitant about it but since it Richelle, I knew I could give it a shot.

4- I did feel like the book was a little long. It felt there was some unnecessary information. I did enjoy the book, though. I can't wait to continue with the series.

Mini Review: The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

The Ruby Circle
(Bloodlines #6)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: February 10, 2015
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: E-book
Source: Personal copy
Review by: Nahomi

Their forbidden romance exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s bestselling Bloodlines series.

When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, she and Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world and alter their lives forever.

4 stars out of 5 stars

        It’s bittersweet getting to the end of The Ruby Circle. I’m going to miss the characters, and all of their shenanigans. There is so much happening in this last installment of the Bloodline series; it made my head spin.

       I was glad to see Sydney recovering nicely after the all the trauma from in Silver Shadows. The pacing is a little slow in the beginning although it speeds fairly quickly. I have mixed feelings about everything that happened in this book. I was totally thrown for a loop with who ended up being the villain. I had many theories but I was way off.

      One of my favorite parts is that Sydney finally gets to kick ass. I am happy with her and Adrian’s ending. Although, I’m iffy about certain things that happened at the end, but I don’t want to give any spoilers. I will say though that I ship Eddie and Jill! I wish there was a story about these two! I’d read it in a heartbeat.

     After all was said and done The Ruby Circle was an enjoyable read. It was action packed and quick paced. Richelle Mead did a great job with this series.

Stacking the Shelves (#30)

Stacking the Shelves, which is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This mean you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks.

In the month of March, these are the books we've added to our shelves.

For review:

LADY RENEGADES by Rachel Hawkins

DARKNESS by Karen Robards

CROSSING THE LINE by Meghan Rogers

Bought/Borrowed:

SUCCUBUS BLUES by Richelle Mead

SUCCUBUS ON TOP by Richelle Mead

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi

OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L. Armentrout

ONYX by Jennifer L. Armentrout

THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT by Veronica Rossi

MATERNITY LEAVE by Julie Halpern

NOVEMBER 9 by Colleen Hoover

THE ALCHEMIST by Paolo Coelho

What did you add to your shelves?

Review: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Silver Shadows
(Bloodlines #5)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: July 24, 2014
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.
In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.
Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.
For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .
Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

4 stars out of 5 stars

Holy crap, this book you guys. I remember starting this book and quickly reading the beginning chapters so I can find out what happened after the ending of The Fiery Heart. We were left in a crazy cliffhanger and so I anxiously read this book hoping for some answers and resolution. And I got them, just not as quickly as I was hoping.

Silver Shadows take us on a crazy ride of emotions. Both Sydney and Adrian are dealing with the repercussion of being together and the people they fear the most learning about them. Sydney manages to retain some strength and hope, even though it was almost extinguished, in getting out of her situation. Adrian, on the other hand, he really disappointed me. He fell back to some of his old ways and I really did not understand it. I thought he was above it yet with Sydney gone, he is unable to remain strong for her in battling his demons.

Silver Shadows made me nervous at times because time and secrecy is important and precious so I was a nervous wrecked throughout most of the book. I was worried about Sydney, then I was worried how Adrian was going to help her, and how they were going to get themselves to safety. Richelle Mead played with my emotions with this book, especially in the end. I knew something was going to happen so I was prepared for the other shoe to drop but it didn't make it any easier knowing. I can't wait to see how Richelle wraps up the Bloodlines series and how she gives Sydney and Adrian their much needed happy ending.

Quotes (#143)

Source

Morning Lovelies,

My lazy weekend went by much too quickly and now I'm regretting not doing any of the stuff I originally planned. I guess I should rethink my being a bum schedule. Anyways, I did finished two books this weekend so not all was lost. I finished the audiobook of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins and The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead. So today's quotes will be on those two great books!

“The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.” - Stephanie Perkins, Anna and the French Kiss

“I mean, really. Who sends their kid to boarding school? It's so Hogwarts. Only mine doesn't have cute boy wizards or magic candy or flying lessons.” - Stephanie Perkins, Anna and the French Kiss

“So what do I wish for? Something I'm not sure I want? Someone I'm not sure I need? Or someone I know I can't have?” - Stephanie Perkins, Anna and the French Kiss

“For the two of us, home isn't a place. It is a person. And we are finally home.” - Stephanie Perkins, Anna and the French Kiss

“Being with you is the best thing that's ever happened to me, the one perfect decision I've made in a lifetime of fumbling and poor judgment. I'd go through it all again to be by your side. Never doubt that. Never doubt how I feel about you.” - Richelle Mead, The Ruby Circle

“I told you before, we’re the center,” she said. “And the center will hold.” - Richelle Mead, The Ruby Circle

“That creature's staying?' It figured. Her daughter-in-law transforming into an animal? No problem. Having to take care of a cat? Crisis. ” - Richelle Mead, The Ruby Circle

I hope you all have a great week!

Mini Review: The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

The Fiery Heart
(Bloodlines #4)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal copy
Review by: Jenn

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the wolds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.
In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her...
But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure — and re-education — looms larger than ever.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars 

Oh my god. This book is my favorite from the Bloodlines series thus far. It had the wonderful surprise of Adrian's POV! I mentioned how I struggled with Sydney in the previous books and I was slowly learning to like her but with Adrian's POV thrown in the mix, this made The Fiery Heart all the better.

The ending for this book just about killed me. I knew something was happening on the Alchemist side, especially since they involved Sydney's sister. Sydney was busy juggling many responsibilities, tasks and Adrian and was unable to see the threat that came in the end. I am terrified at what will in the next book because Sydney showed us some pretty grim and scary stuff before involving the Alchemist. But knowing Sydney and the gang, I'm sure they'll make up some crazy and elaborate plan and get things done.

Richelle Mead has definitely upped her game with this book. I wish it happened sooner though and I didn't have to wait four books to fully get invested in the story and the characters. Silver Shadows, you're next!