Fire and Ash

When I get to the end of a great series it is always with mixed emotions. This is no different. The final book in Jonathan Mayberry's FANTASTIC Rot and Ruin series was complete satisfaction. Benny and his friends must find a way to defeat the evil Saint John and his band of merry reapers as they try and end humanity. Oh and also find the lost Dr. who may or may not have a cure for the zombie plague. Oh and find a way to cure Chong who is locked in a cage trying to eat Benny. Oh and bring Lilah back from the brink of insanity after losing her 'town boy'. No biggie. After all Benny is at the ripe old age of fifteen. And he just lost his brother- one of my favorite all time characters- Tom Imura. The kids must find a way to be 'warrior smart' and be willing to become the monsters they are fighting when their hometown of Mountainside is threatened by the Reapers. I can't say how much this series means to me. It shows that in times of war, humans can be the biggest monsters of all. And on the flip side, what humans will do to protect and defend each other and humanity. So, while this is a book about the zombie apocalypse, it so isn't  a book of the zombie apocalypse. It's about people and where they stand when the chips are down. And how friends can become family. And how courage can move mountains. And how love can save the day. That being said, I will miss the world of Benny Imura, but I know that he is out in Tomsland with his red haired wild girl protecting the world from the humans who would do it harm. Tom Imura would be proud. Well done Mr. Maberry. Well done. Happy reading my friends!

Finale

It was with trepidation that I finally picked up this final book in the Becca Fitzpatrick series about Nora and Patch. The last book had me so annoyed at Nora I wasn't sure I was going to be able to finish the series. Am I glad I did. Nora is back to her fighting self and Patch is as brooding and wonderful as ever. Nora has taken over as leader of the Nephilim and must figure out how to stay in power or she will die. Literally. They are in a battle with the fallen angels over fealty. Nora is surrounded by people she can't trust, even people she has to rely on to survive. But the bright side is Patch. He is her stalwart boyfriend. He will move heaven and earth to keep her safe. Literally. As they realize that the betrayal they are facing runs deep, they have to find a way to save Nora and the Nephilim, even if it means putting Patch in mortal danger. We lose some great characters in this book and I bid them a fond farewell, there are always casualties in a battle between heaven and earth. Trust me, I've read enough angel books to know. But the love story of Patch and Nora doesn't disappoint. I hope that doesn't give anything away, but anything less than a happily ever after just wouldn't do. Patch remains my favorite angel and top ten fictional boy. Nora is back on the no damsels in distress list. I am sad the saga is over, but glad that I can put these characters on the "they will live forever together" list. (which I can't do with Will and Tessa because I had to watch Will die of old age, dang it. It still makes me sad.) Sorry, I digress. I have a new load of books arriving tomorrow, and look forward to some sequels to some great books, if I can fight Rylee for them. Happy reading my friends!

Unspoken

If you could read my mind, you would understand how much I enjoyed this book! Kami lives in a small town in England called Sorry-in-the-Vale. She is half Japanese. She has two brothers. She is an intrepid reporter always on the lookout for a good story. When the famed Lynburns return home, everything changes. See, Kami has an imaginary friend she has been speaking to in her head her whole life. His name is Jared. They are there for each other in the bleakest times. Funny thing is, one of the Lynburn boys' names is Jared. What are the chances that her imaginary friend is real? And that he is a Lynburn? Kami and Jared must figure out how to be with each other now that they know they are real people. Emotions get tangled, feelings get hurt, a love triangle forms- sort of. When murders start to occur, Jared is blamed and only Kami believes he is innocent. But who will believe her? As Kami unravels the mystery of their connection, her world is turned upside down. Can she live without Jared in her head in order to be with him in real life? And how will Jared feel if the only friend he has deserts him? Kami is such a hilarious character. She is determined, smart and loyal. She speaks her mind. She is fearless. Jared is troubled, rebellious and dependent on Kami. They have a complicated relationship, only made more so by the Lynburn family secrets. This first book in the Lynburn Legacy series delivers so many things I love in a book. Mystery, romance, loyal friends, sassy main characters and a bit of a supernatural gothic twist. I hope you enjoy Kami as much as I have. Happy reading my friends!