Bloodrealms by Aurora Whittet

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Werewolf princess Ashling Boru’s eighteenth birthday is only a year away, which means that she only has twelve months before she is claimed and fulfills her prophecy to unite the packs and lead her people. Her father decrees that her four suitors must fight in the Bloodrealms, the werewolves’ ancient underground fighting world, and the winner…

Bloodmark by Aurora Whittet

Bloodmark by Aurora Whittet

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So, I have a problem. I read this book and then read the second installment and will read the third when it becomes available, but and this is a big BUT, I really had a difficult time with the writing style. There were over 500 buts. I felt if I had to read the word but one more time, I would scream. Also, the instant love connection that left…

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The Prophecy of Shadows by Michelle Madow

The Prophecy of Shadows by Michelle Madow

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I must begin this with a howdy do to this cover art! Isn’t it gorgeous? It sets the stage for a fantasy-filled adventure from the very beginning.
Nicole Cassidy has moved from Georgia to New England after her father receives a promotion as an anchorman at the local news station. Mom is ok with moving as she can sell her paintings…

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Bloodrealms by Aurora Whittet

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Werewolf princess Ashling Boru’s eighteenth birthday is only a year away, which means that she only has twelve months before she is claimed and fulfills her prophecy to unite the packs and lead her people. Her father decrees that her four suitors must fight in the Bloodrealms, the werewolves’ ancient underground fighting world, and the winner will have King Boru’s choice to win Ashling’s hand. The wolf laws are rigid and barbaric, and Ashling’s illicit love for Grey, if discovered, will mean his death. But when Ashling and Grey get trapped in the blood-soaked depths of the Bloodrealms, they find ancient horrors far greater than Ashling’s father’s rule.

With betrayal around every corner and old nemeses set to destroy Ashling, she is more divided than ever between the destiny she didn’t choose and the love that she did. To make matters worse, her decision will not only set the course of her future, but the future of her entire race.

Bloodrealms is the second novel in Whittet’s Bloodmark saga.

As with the review of Bloodmark, I must state my dislike of the writing style and the use of the word but. If I could take this word from Ms. Whittet’s vocabulary, the book would have been more enjoyable.
I also wasn’t fond of the fact that by the first 15% of the book, I could tell what was going to happen and who would come out the winner and who the evil characters were.
I did like that Ashling tried to attempt to give Brychan, who was my choice from the beginning to win her hand, a fighting chance.
I also liked the addition of the character Shikobah and what she stood for and what she was. I was glad to see a little more personalization of King Porr, though the relationship description with her mother, was exaggerated and annoying. I believe a mother-daughter relationship is a sacred thing, but Ashling and her mother’s relationship was beyond normal.
I am looking forward to seeing how this ends and hope there will be a few surprises though I’m not optimistic.
Thank you, NetGalley, Aurora, and Wise Ink Creative Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Bloodmark by Aurora Whittet

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sixteen-year-old werewolf princess Ashling Boru is different from other wolves–she was able to shift to a wolf at birth. Rather than bringing pride to her family, it brings fear, and she is sent to live in Ireland’s secluded countryside. Ashling’s reputation is further blackened when she refuses her betrothed, defying the ancient laws. When her pack’s oldest rivals begin to hunt her, she finds herself in the small town of York Harbor, Maine, far from everything she’s known.

When she crosses paths with dark and rebellious Grey Donavan, something ignites within her soul. There’s just one problem: Grey is human. Their instant connection turns into a passionate romance, and Ashling begins to believe she can create her own life outside of wolf laws. When she uncovers long-buried pack secrets that threaten to destroy all she holds dear, Ashling’s courage and tenacity are tested. Will she choose her deep and enduring love for Grey or will she follow Old Mother’s path to her destiny?

Bloodmark is the first installment in the Bloodmark Saga.

So, I have a problem. I read this book and then read the second installment and will read the third when it becomes available, but and this is a big BUT, I really had a difficult time with the writing style. There were over 500 buts. I felt if I had to read the word but one more time, I would scream. Also, the instant love connection that left nothing to the imagination between Ashling and Grey was a bit much. I wish there was some actual character development before falling into a deep never-ending obsessive love plot.

The reason I continued reading the second book was because I did like the idea behind the story. I loved the idea of werewolves and royalty and rebellion. I liked the fact that Ashling had major obstacles to overcome, and that she did it with gusto. I loved getting to know all of the characters and seeing the roles they would play throughout the series. I think Baran was my favorite character in the book because of his ability to love unconditionally and his fiercely protective personality.

Thank you, NetGalley, Aurora, and Wise Ink Creative Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.

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The Prophecy of Shadows by Michelle Madow

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I must begin this with a howdy do to this cover art! Isn’t it gorgeous? It sets the stage for a fantasy-filled adventure from the very beginning.
Nicole Cassidy has moved from Georgia to New England after her father receives a promotion as an anchorman at the local news station. Mom is ok with moving as she can sell her paintings anywhere and her younger sister, Becca, doesn’t mind because she is a material girl that loves to shop.
Nicole starts out confused by her schedule at school because, all of the sudden, she is enrolled in honors classes. This is the beginning of her journey as she discovers her new homeroom class is actually full of witches that are learning how to use their elemental powers. Nicole has a difficult time believing this is real because, come on, witches and magic? Really?
Not only does she start out in disbelief but she finds herself undeniably attracted to the one boy that should be off limits and should have radar alarms screaming at her to stay away…far away! Especially since he is Kinsley High’s own mean girl, Danielle Emerson’s, boyfriend. Danielle should come with a hex sign of her own. She will resort to whatever methods deemed necessary to stay ahead or keep what belongs to her close, including the use of the forbidden dark magic.
As if this wasn’t enough, Nicole seems to excel at being a witch. She even becomes a leader of her ragtag group after they are infused with power after viewing the Olympian Comet at her teacher’s house during a group assignment. Chris, Blake, Nicole, Danielle, and Kate become intertwined in a race to save humanity from secrets that were loosened during the shift caused by the comet.
I must say, I love Nicole. She is a strong female lead character and she will be a grand champion for her group. Blake is, of course, swoon worthy and because of this, Nicole can be forgiven for letting her morals slip a little. (Just kidding, maybe.)
I think it will be interesting to see who will be added to future installments as potential love interests because odd numbers tend to cause rifts and as there are only five teenagers in this group, someone’s feelings are going to get hurt. In a group of powerful witches, I wouldn’t like to be the odd man or woman out.

Thank you, NetGalley, Michelle, and Barclay Publicity for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.

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