106) Led Astray by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

Two brand new tales anchor this wide-ranging collection from one of urban fantasy's most successful authors. Here is the first time that best-selling fantasy, YA, and crime author Kelley Armstrong has had her stories collected from Otherworld and beyond. With her signature twists and turns, Armstrong gives a fresh spin on city-dwelling vampires, werewolves, and zombies, while also traveling further afield, to a post-apocalyptic fortress, a superstitious village, a supernatural brothel, and even to feudal Japan.

My Thoughts :

I should really take the time to read the blurb before pouncing on books by my favourite authors.  I see their name, see a release date that is quickly approaching and just grab a copy.  However within seconds of starting the book I realised I had made a mistake.  This wasn't 'new' and this wasn't at all what I was expecting.

Led Astray is an anthology.  The best of Kelley Armstrong.  Now this may seem like a great idea.  All of Kelley's short stories in one book.  However I have already read the majority of them.  So I ended up speed reading at least two thirds of the book.  The other stories, two new, weren't anything extremely special to write home about.  Although on saying that, I do tend to get a little negative about anthologies.  I'm just not a fan and rarely find one worth praising.

Now if you are a hardcore fan you will have read most of the stories already.  Over the years we have all craved just a little bit more of Armstrong in between books and have grabbed the occasional novella.  So this won't be a top priority for you unless you really want to make sure your collection is complete.  Yes there are two new short stories in here but weigh up the pro's and con's first.  You are buying a whole book full of stories you have already read just to get two new short stories. Think about it and don't blame anyone else for your decision.

If you enjoy Kelley's books but haven't had the chance to read any or many of her short stories then you will want to get a hold of this one.  There are some really nice ones in here and the stories are set in all of her various 'worlds'.  So there is something for everyone.  However if you haven't read many or any of Kelley's books you may want to leave this one for a later date.  There aren't really huge spoilers in here but there are some.  It would certainly annoy me and most likely confuse me if I wasn't that far along with the books in any of the series.

Lots of the stories are standalone but quite a few fit into a certain series somewhere.  One of the original stories (and one of the longest of the collection) is from the Cainsville series where as the other is a standalone.  Actually my favourite of the bunch was the original standalone called 'The Door' but it was a quick read.

In all honesty I nearly didn't finish this book.  After about 20% I had to put the book down and have a break.  My head hurt and I felt like the book should be over already.  The first 20% felt like a whole novel.  If it wasn't for the fact that I was stuck at the doctors for two hours with only my trusty Kindle to keep me occupied I may not have finished this book.

All in all this is a nice collection and also a wonderful idea.  I don't think I would have bought this one but definitely would have borrowed it from the library or a friend.  Kelley is an experienced and special author with some amazing books behind her and hopefully more in her future.  She has the gift of writing a great short story so Led Astray isn't full unworthy reads.  Just full of novellas you may have read before.

88) Deceptions by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

TRUST NO ONE

Olivia Jones is desperate for the truth. The daughter of convicted serial killers, she has begun to suspect that her parents are innocent of their crimes. But who can she trust, in a world where betrayal and deception hide in every shadow?

RISK EVERYTHING

Liv does have one secret weapon: a mysterious sixth sense that helps her to anticipate danger. The trouble is, this rare power comes with its own risks. There are dark forces that want to exploit Liv's talents - and will stop at nothing to win her to their side.

FACE THE TRUTH

Now Liv must decide, before it's too late. Who does she love? Who is really on her side? And can she save herself without burning down everything that matters most?

My Thoughts :

I really loved the first book in this series.  It felt like Kelley and was so unique and mysterious. Book two was interesting, still captivating despite making some strange twists and turns.  However this third book felt different and slightly disappointing.

Deceptions could have done with a 'previously in Cainsville' prologue.  If there is only one book per year there should be some helpful introduction to remind the reader what happened.  The series was good and I love Kelley's work but a lot has happened since the last book and I needed some reminders.  As things progressed I did start to remember little pieces but I think this is a series that would be best read with as little time between books as possible.

What really stood out in Deceptions was the love triangle.  It was hinted at in books one and two but took over this third book completely.  By the end I was confused and annoyed at Olivia for going the route she did and wondering why she didn't pick the other guy.  On the other hand I was also happy she picked him and didn't go for the other.  There was so many conflicting emotions for the whole triangle and it really did take over the whole story.

The actual plot seemed to drown under the Gabriel and Ricky business.  While it fit into the fantasy angle of the books it took the spotlight away from the elements I enjoyed so much in the previous books.  Cainsville itself was only visited for brief scenes and I missed the location that was built up so much in the previous books.

It is really hard for me to actually say I hated this book because I didn't.  I did have trouble reading it as fast as I usually would of and I had a hard time finishing it.  The ending seemed rushed and not complete and this also left me confused.  I read these books always thinking they were a trilogy and this was the last book.  However it turns out that there are at least two more books to come.

All in all this is a Kelley Armstrong book and she is always a pre-order and must read author for me.  So i will definitely be reading the next installment even if it is only to see where she is going to take this next.  While Deceptions seemed to bring everything to an end there must be something I missed.

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139) Gifted by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

Gabriel’s Gargoyles (Cainsville short story, Gabriel Walsh as 10 year old narrator.) :

Cainsville was where a boy could walk the streets safely at any time, day or night. Where everyone was genuinely glad to see you, and didn’t think you were odd if you wanted to keep to yourself. Because Cainsville was odd, too. For one thing, there are the gargoyles. Unlike the others, Gabriel doesn’t believe the carven creatures came to life to protect the town. It’s up to a boy to protect himself. Now he’s determined to find the last hidden gargoyle by winter Solstice. He’s also determined to get the perfect gift for his great-aunt Rose. And when Gabriel Walsh sets goals, he achieves them…one way or another.

The Puppy Plan (Otherworld novella, 9 year old Logan Danvers as narrator.) :

When Logan finds an puppy abandoned by the roadside a few days before Christmas, he knows it’s a sign. His sister Kate wants a dog more than anything. Their parents aren’t completely opposed to the idea. It’s just a bad time. A really bad time. Maybe next year. But now there’s this puppy in need of a home and a girl in need of a pet… So how does a boy who always plays by the rules give his sister what she wants most?

My Thoughts :

The Otherworld series came to an end but Kelley Armstrong still delights her readers with these amazing short stories!  The Puppy Plan is another story about Elena and Clay's twins who are now already 9 years old.  It is another great story in the series and a must read for any fans.  The Christmas theme to the story means that this is the perfect time of year to read this one and it would also make a perfect gift to anyone who loves this author.

The Cainsville series is Kelley's newest adventure and it is turning out to be just as amazing as all her other books.  I am enjoying the series a lot and this short story was a lovely gift from the author.  It was great to get to know Gabriel as a boy and really see how things were for him growing up.  The whole story was interesting to read and it would also make a great quick look into the series if you haven't already started.

Both stories were, as always, top notch.  Definite must reads for fans of the author and if you can manage it you really need to check these out before the holidays are over.  There is nothing like reading a Christmas story at the wrong time of year!

Thank you Kelley for the amazing gifts!  I hope you have a great Christmas! ;)

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91) Visions by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

Omens, the first installment in Kelley Armstrong’s exciting new series, introduced Olivia Taylor-Jones, daughter of notorious serial killers, and Gabriel Walsh, the self-serving, morally ambiguous lawyer who became her unlikely ally. Together, they chased down a devious killer and partially cleared her parents of their horrifying crimes.

Their success, however, is short-lived. While Olivia takes refuge in the old, secluded town of Cainsville, Gabriel’s past mistakes have come to light, creating a rift between the pair just when she needs his help the most.

Olivia finds a dead woman in her car, dressed to look like her, but the body vanishes before anyone else sees it. Olivia’s convinced it’s another omen, a sign of impending danger. But then she learns that a troubled young woman went missing just days ago—the same woman Olivia found dead in her car. Someone has gone to great lengths to kill and leave this young woman as a warning. But why? And what role has her new home played in this disturbing murder?

Olivia’s effort to uncover the truth places her in the crosshairs of old and powerful forces, forces that have their own agenda, and closely guarded secrets they don’t want revealed.

My Thoughts :

Omens blew my mind last year and it was definitely in the top three of my favourite reads of 2013.  I have been eagerly awaiting the release of the second part, Visions, and even had a sniff of an ARC copy but little old me in Europe couldn't have one!  So I patiently waited and as soon as the pre-order arrived on my Kindle I started reading and had to stop myself from devouring the book in one go.

I could have easily read Visions in one sitting but I wanted to savour it.  I wanted to take it all in and be sure I was following the twists and turns this story is taking.   I took my time with the book so I could understand everything that was going on and to process the events that mean so much to the story of Olivia, Gabriel and Rick.  Sure there are other characters involved but these main three are the ones that you need to pay attention to as events unfold.

The plot this time around was as interesting and exciting as in Omens. The originality and wow factor from that first book continues in Visions and I couldn't believe how good this second installment was.  There are some huge changes in this book and there are also some amazing events. It was hard to stop reading and take a break because the whole concept is so unusual and addictive.

One of the aspects of this series I am really enjoying is the Welsh folklore that is Incorporated into the story.  I am Welsh and love it when my homeland, language and history is weaved into stories and especially when it is done so well.  I am in awe of the research the author has done and her ability to make it all come together so nicely.  I am more than eager to find out how things continue.

While Visions does offer some really important information regarding what has been going on in Cainsville, there are still so many questions that need to be answered and the town definitely has more secrets to tell.  Everything must be connected but is everything really connected?  A good conspiracy theorist would have a field day with the story Kelley Armstrong is weaving in this series and I am sure all her readers have there own ideas about how this will all play out.  I have to say that the story is so compelling that I don't care how it all ends.  All I care about is reading the next installment because this is turning out to be such a terrific read!

Five stars, a must read and another best read as far as this year goes.  If you like Kelley's previous work then you really need to visit Cainsville and if you haven't read her work before but want to give something good a go, well all her work is worth five stars but this series should actually get a bonus star for being even bettert than the rest.  My only moan is the wait till book three arrives!  Another year of waiting lies ahead!  Boohoo!

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115) Omens by Kelley Armstrong

The Blurb :

Twenty-four-year-old Olivia Taylor Jones has the perfect life. The only daughter of a wealthy, prominent Chicago family, she has an Ivy League education, pursues volunteerism and philanthropy, and is engaged to a handsome young tech firm CEO with political ambitions.

But Olivia’s world is shattered when she learns that she’s adopted. Her real parents? Todd and Pamela Larsen, notorious serial killers serving a life sentence. When the news brings a maelstrom of unwanted publicity to her adopted family and fiancé, Olivia decides to find out the truth about the Larsens.

Olivia ends up in the small town of Cainsville, Illinois, an old and cloistered community that takes a particular interest in both Olivia and her efforts to uncover her birth parents’ past.

Aided by her mother’s former lawyer, Gabriel Walsh, Olivia focuses on the Larsens’ last crime, the one her birth mother swears will prove their innocence. But as she and Gabriel start investigating the case, Olivia finds herself drawing on abilities that have remained hidden since her childhood, gifts that make her both a valuable addition to Cainsville and deeply vulnerable to unknown enemies. Because there are darker secrets behind her new home and powers lurking in the shadows that have their own plans for her.

My Thoughts :

I didn't read the blurb for this one.  I just pre-ordered it when it appeared on Amazon and waited.  Kelley Armstrong is one of my all time favourite authors and I just couldn't wait to see what delights she had in store for her fans this time.  After the end of the Women of the Otherworld I wondered if anything new could fill the void.  If a new character/concept could make me happy.  Omens made me very happy.

Within in a few pages of starting Omens I was hooked.  I felt excited and overjoyed that this new branch in Kelley's writing career was full of such amazing things.  At first, I admit, I was slightly skeptical but as the story unfolded I couldn't help but be dragged into the mystery and suspense it offered.

I am sure the majority of the fans out there want to know about the paranromal element.  Well it is subtle this time around but it still makes a huge impact.  I am sure there is still a lot to be learnt in the next two books of this trilogy and I am sure it will be worth waiting for.

The main character is strong and feisty.  Olivia really makes an impact straight away and as she unravels the mystery and discovers the secrets you can relate with her and understand her decisions and feelings.  Gabriel is the other main character and somehow he is the biggest mystery of them all.  I am sure there is more to come from him and I am not one hundred percent convinced that he is to be trusted but he definitely offers a great angle to the story.

All in all, without giving too much away, this is a very amazing first book in a new series/trilogy.  I had some high expectations for this one and they were met and then some.  It wasn't as obviously paranromal as I had hoped but I made my peace with that pretty quickly because the story, concept and mystery was so good.  I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.  To find out what Cainsville is really all about, to see if Gabe really is trustworthy and if Olivia finds out more about the serial killers.

If you are a Kelley Armstrong fan you really need to read this as soon as possible.  If Omens is anything to go by then this is the start of something very good and extremely wonderful!

     

    

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