Review: Hazbin Hotel

Jay and I watched a video about Hazbin Hotel years ago on YouTube, and had been meaning to watch the full Amazon release for some time now. But when he asked me out of the blue if I was ready to do that, it definitely took me by surprise. But of course I agreed. I've wanted to watch this for years. And I'd done a good job at avoiding spoilers, too. 

I've always been a fan of stories where those our society would perceive as the villains suddenly get a chance to be the hero. The idea that it is one's own perception of good and evil that set the definition of those things for us as an interesting concept, in my opinion. And Hazbin Hotel is definitely not afraid to play with that concept in some fun and interesting ways.

But ultimately, did Hazbin Hotel rise to the occasion and potential of its premise, or did it plummet to earth like a smoldering pile of trash? Read on and find out. 

The Plot

(Summary from IMDB)

In an attempt to find a non-violent alternative for reducing Hell's overpopulation, the daughter of Lucifer opens a rehabilitation hotel that offers a group of misfit demons a chance at redemption.

My Thoughts:

 Even the most evil of men has a dog who loves him. For the vast majority of my time as a writer, this has been my philosophy when writing villains or antagonists. And that is the core theme that I walked away with when I watched the first season of Hazbin Hotel. 

The first thing you have to keep in mind if you are going to watch this series in good faith is that we are watching it from the perspective of the denizens of Hell. And the reality of heaven and hell, as presented in this narrative, is not really faithful to a strictly biblical interpretation. Meaning: the people of heaven are often portrayed as dickheads here. And the people of hell are being held to a series of rules they had no role in constructing. Further, and most important, the leadership in heaven is actively participating in a genocide of the citizens of Hell, with the point obviously being that these heavenly citizens are not actually pious, just, or pure. They're just in power.

I'm laying this all out here because I hear a lot of whining and moaning about how this story is an attack on Christianity, which is a total load of crap. By having heaven be obviously portrayed in the most cartoonishly villainous way possible, I feel the series makes it clear that this is not supposed to be a real interpretation of anything. Rather, it uses concepts many people know, twisting them to examine the flaws that can immerge when the ideas of purity and righteousness--especially when applied to people who had no skin in the game--happens. 

The characters we meet in Hell are legitimately fucked up, and they do not apologize about that. However, as the series goes on and characters have time to shift and grow, we see them develop bonds of friendship and loyalty, consider what it means to offer and accept forgiveness, learn to trust others, and more. By having every character be off the wall in one way or another, Hazbin Hotel uses its larger than life personalities to actually do soime legitimately well written examination at core elements of the human experience. 

Another thing I found really cool about this show is that it is actually an eight episode musical, and the songs actually move the plot along while being fun and catchy. Given Charlie's--our main character--personality this fits perfectly and adds an additional layer of warmth and emotion to what is happening in each episode. 

Personally, my favorite character is Alastor, the Radio Demon. Of all the characters present he is the one who intrigues me the most, especially given what happened in the last couple episodes. He seems to have a backstory full of treachery and brutality, while currently working with Charlie and Vaggie to get the hotel off the ground. I am curious to see how his characterization will progress as the series continues, because of everyone presented, he's the character that I feel could pose the greatest threat. Though it does seem he has issues of his own and something he, too, is trying to overcome. 

Worth a Watch?

Hazbin Hotel is a masterclass in the art of contrast. It takes the darkness and depravity one would expect of hell, and balances it against Disney Princess type musical numbers, a bubbly and kind hearted protagonist and a cast that shows, through their actions, that anyone can undergo true change and redemption while not losing the core of who hey are in the process. It had me feeling everything from joy, to tears, to moments where I just couldn't stop laughing. If you haven't watched it yet, run to Amazon Prime and change that. You won't regret it.

My Rating

💜💜💜💜💜

Review: Hell's Paradise

I started my initial attempt at an anime channel in spring of the year when the first season of Hell's Paradise released. And I watched and enjoyed several episodes of it before concluding that my method of trying to make videos was, largely, not working. So when I started to set up my new blog and cover all my interests together, and I found out that season two of this show would have a January 2026 release, I decided to catch up on season one so I could watch that as it came out.

Did Hell's Paradise entrance me like its characters Ninjitsu, or did it make me want to lop off someone's head? Read on and find out.

The Plot

(Summary from My Anime List)

Sentenced to death, ninja Gabimaru the Hollow finds himself apathetic. After leading a blood-soaked life, Gabimaru believes he deserves to die. However, every attempt to execute him inexplicably fails. Finally, Sagiri Yamada Asaemon, a fledgling member of a famed executioner clan, is asked to take Gabimaru's life; yet Sagiri makes no move to kill him as requested.

Insisting that Gabimaru will not die because of his love for his wife, Sagiri instead offers him the chance to obtain a full pardon for his crimes. If he can travel to the island of Shinsekyo and obtain the Elixir of Life—which supposedly grants immortality—and bring it back for the shogun, then his freedom will be assured.

But of the many who have traveled to Shinsekyo in search of the mythical Elixir, not a single person has returned sound of mind, if at all. Though unaware of the numerous dangers ahead, Gabimaru decides to accept the offer—alongside ten other death row convicts—in hope that he and his wife may finally live in peace.

My Thoughts

Gabimaru loves his wife. It's a simple sentence. Some would even call it niave, foolish, or even laughable in our present day. Yet in Hell's Paradise, this simple idea is the show's heart and soul. For Gabimaru, it's important because it goes against the idea of him being 'The Hollow'. For Sagiri, the other main character here, it's important because it adds a level of context to Gabimaru which makes her want him to live, despite the fact that he has killed many people and she is his assigned executioner. 

Hell's Paradise takes place in a brutal ancient Japanese world where everything is basically kill or be killed. Our two main characters are the lethal ninja Gabimaru, whose fearsome reputation proceeds him everywhere he goes, and Sagiri, a member of the Yamada clan--a group who specialize in executions and doing research on the dead for warfare and medication. Gabimaru was raised from birth to be a souless killing machine, but ends up finding solace and acceptance in his wife, Yui. Sagiri has grown up in a world where she is surrounded by death and bloodshed that make others abhor her, yet as she tries to make peace with her reality, she gains the ire of her clan by stepping outside of the role she is expected to play as a woman.

There is an ongoing question about the positions of nature and nurture at play throughout the show's narrative, and by in large she show does a great job of exploring this conmcept through its cast of unique and interesting characters. While Gabimaru and Sagiri are at the heart of this, we get snippets from the lives of other supporting cast the way one might have during something like Lost, which allows the show to delve into a wide range of different backgrounds and situations without losing control of its central story.

Hell's Paradise is counted among the 'Dark Triad' along with Jujitsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, which is to save that this is an anime Game of Thrones experience in its darkness and themes. Characters are not safe here and some of the things that happen to them, in the present or in their past, can be jarringly brutal. This is not an experience for the faint of heart. I would also mention that of the three, this is the most sexualized; but I'd add to that the fact that this is generally done tastefully, artistically, and with purpose. 

The theme of finding balance between strength and weakness, or the masculine and feminine, runs deep here and there are some discussions and situations that might make someone want to wall toss their remote or mouse on occasion. But these issues tend to get explored well and tie into he major things happening in the show, rather than being some kind of clumsy cudgel for any one political or ideaological stance. Finding a 'middle way' to work with others who do not think the same as you is a key element to the story, and survival on the island. This is a concept explored both in and out of battle.

Worth a Watch?

Hell's Paradise is every bit as fabulous as I remember, and I am thrilled that I decided to go back and complete the first season. I will warn you that season one ends with quite a twist and I am really looking forward to seeing how that will be handled as season two gets underway. If you like a show with action, smart characters, something to think about, and gorgeous visuals Hell's Paradise is a show not to be missed. 

My Rating

💜💜💜💜💜

Review: The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Suzanne Valenti

 Zodiac Academy is a series that seems to be on everyone's mind. Even though I was not actively blogging, it still kept popping up in my feed. And as someone who loves a school setting and loves supernatural creatures, I couldn't deny that I was intrigued.

When I was setting up what I wanted to read for 2026 I wanted to put the book Never Deep down, but after doing some research I found out that it would be a better read if I read the books these authors had released previously. There are a lot of them, but I do like being thoroughly read in whatever series I'm checking out. So The Awakening has a lot of pressure to live up to. Mind you, it's been the first book since the beginning of all these series started, so I suppose this is nothing new for it.

So, did this have me howling at the moon, or did it just plain bite? Read on and find out. 

The Plot

(Summary from GoodReads)

You have been selected to attend Zodiac Academy, where your star sign defines your destiny.

If you're one of the Fae, elemental magic is in your blood. And apparently it's in ours. As twins born in the month of Gemini, we're a rare breed even in this academy of supernatural a-holes.

Changelings were outlawed hundreds of years ago but I guess our birth parents didn't get the memo. Which means we're totally unprepared for the ruthless world of Fae.

Air. Fire. Water. Earth.

No one has ever harnessed all four of them, until we arrived. And it hasn't made us any friends so far.

As the rarest Elementals ever known, we're already a threat to the four celestial heirs; the popular, vindictive bullies who happen to be some of the hottest guys we've ever seen. It doesn't help that they're the most dangerous beasts in the Academy. And probably on earth too.

Our fates are intertwined, but they want us gone. They've only got until the lunar eclipse to force us out and they'll stop at nothing to succeed.

We never knew we had a birthright to live up to but now that we do, we intend to claim our throne.

We can't expect any help from the faculty when it comes to defending ourselves. So if the dragon shifters want some target practice, the werewolves want someone to hunt or the vampires fancy a snack then we have to be ready. But we've been looking after each other for a long time and fighting back is in our blood.

Today's horoscope: totally screwed.

My Thoughts

I am a pretty big fan of enemies to lovers, but I'm also someone who does not tolerate bullies lightly. So while the blending of the zodiac, fae, and a host of mythical creatures at an academy sounded interesting, I still approached this book with caution. It's not that I can't take characters being dickheads to other characters. Novels are fueled by conflict. Rather, it's that my willingness to suspend disbelief can fluctuate based on whether I think the main character has good reason to stay and take the bullshit.

For me, the jury is still out on whether it made sense here or not. When Orion told the girls they had an inheritance to claim, he did not explain the risks. A choice made without knowing its cost is not a real choice. And if the people of the Fae realm were already majority content with the four houses running things, Orion should have likely left the twins where they were as the changelings they had become.

But then we wouldn't have a story. So... Yeah.

I actually quite like the twins. I appreciate that they are very distinct from each other, giving each a unique voice and set of personal strengths and weaknesses. Of the two, I think I relate more to Darcy. Here more vulnerable personality, and the way she has learned to guard herself, resonated with me. 

Tory is more outgoing, a bit of a bad girl, and more directly confrontational. She's the more typical type of personality that I expect to see in a story like this. I do like the fact that she and Darcy always seem to have each other's backs despite how different their personalities are. And I like how their distinct characters are leading them down different paths socially and romantically.

Which leads us into the romance in this book and... folks, it's deader than a door mouse. Do I get that this is on purpose? Yes. Do I feel ethically obligated to let other readers know? Yes. The Awakening is something called a Bully Romance. Which means that while there may be romance later in the series, right now we're just dealing with a bunch of magically gifted asshats. 

With the four heirs, my ranking goes Caleb, Seth, Darius, and Max.

While Caleb is a pushing asshole vampire, the main thing he does is feed on Tory. That's par for the course in their culture in this story world, and for the most part he does not go out of his way to seriously harm her. But when she is in true danger, he does nothing about it and plays into the status quo. His moral compass has all the rigidity of a limp noodle.

Seth is an emotionally manipulative asshole who is two faced, too touchy feely, and too full of himself. What he does to Darcy isn't as bad as what Max and Darius do to Tory, but he's still on my shit list. The level of betrayed trust on display here was really nasty. 

I'll give Darius this, he has the coolest transformation out of the four. And its typing makes his resistance to what the twins represent--whether they want to claim what they are or not--the most believable of the bunch. But the diry, underheaded tactic he uses against Tory, which sounded way or female high school bully than it did fierce Fae prediter, was...lame?

And finally we have Max, the Siren, who feeds off of fear. It sounds like a fantastic premise--and it can be! I've written a character like this before--but I did not like how it was handled here. Max likes to get hold of people's secrets and use them to create public humiliation rituals. There was just something extra scummy about the way that he did this, and I'm gonna be REALLY surprised if I ever like this guy.

The one guy I did like was Orion. While I did criticize him for bringing the twins into this world, his character stayed consistently interesting throughout the novel and he and Darcy were the main thing that kept me turning the pages. Since Darcy is 18, I don't give a crap about the fact that she's his student. I'll be interested if the story world throws consequences at them, but I won't. I was okay with this in Losing It by Cora Carmack back on my old blog, and that still holds here. They had the best chemistry in the novel hands down. 

Purchase or Pass

Zodiac Academy is a huge series, but I see no harm in someone checking The Awakening out to see whether it is for them. This was a pretty good intro, though I see some big, messy love triangles and a bunch more bullying bullshit on the horizon. The Awakening isn't the best thing I read this year, but it did have me eagerly tapping my kindle to see what would happen next. Plus, it's available on Kindle Unlimited, so if you want to give it a go there's very little risk in doing so. 

My Rating

💜💜💜

DNF Files: Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is not something that would normally be in my wheelhouse. I picked it up because of the type of creature one of the love interests is. A basilisk love interest? That's pretty original. I wrote a book where a girl falls in love with a naga years ago, so this concept in general is pretty close to my heart.

That would come to bite me on the ass later, but we'll get to that.

I read the first ten percent of this book as a sample on my Kindle. And then, after years of not doing so, I activated my 30 days free of Kindle Unlimited to keep going. Rather than buying it. I’m that cautious, because this is a really unusual choice for me. 

So, why did did Kiss of the Basilisk fail to tick all my boxes, and threaten to turn my kindle to stone? Read on and find out.

The Plot

(Summary from GoodReads)

THIS BOOK IS NOT SAFE TO READ AT WORK. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

Twenty year old Temperance Verus has never been kissed. But that's what the basilisk is for.

Along with thirteen other contestants, Tem must train with a basilisk to learn the power of seduction and win the prince's hand in marriage. When Tem is matched with Caspen, the Serpent King, she realizes she might actually stand a chance. But with tensions rising between the basilisks and the humans, Tem is suddenly torn in two directions. As her bond with Caspen deepens, so does her connection with the prince. And when she uncovers a terrible secret about the royal family, Tem finds herself caught between two neither of which she can survive without.

Guaranteed to make you blush (and then some), Split or Swallow is like if fanfic Draco Malfoy went on the Bachelor and had to compete with a snake. Sounds fun, doesn't it? That's because it is!!

My Thoughts

For the majority of time I spent with this, it was a really interesting read. Yeah, there’s a lot of smut going on. But it’s not dull, wasteful, repetitive smut that makes me want to throw my Kindle. It is—somehow—intelligent smut that actually functions within the plot and characterization, rather than pulling me away from those. You see, I don’t hate sex. I hate when sex pulls me away from a story. It feels like watching TV when the commercials come on. But I’m not feeling that way here. 

Equally interesting is the fact that we have two love interests and I’m not annoyed yet. Maybe this is because Tem already seems like she’s made her mind up, and I’m only 20 percent of the way through the book. Which means it’s way too early for that. What is Leo’s deal? So far he’s just as blah to me as he’s been to Tem. I’m 100 percent team Caspen right now. Will something happen to make that change?

The world building here is pretty neat. This is a medieval-esque society that is running on modern sexual norms. Tem is devastated, at this point in the book, that she is still a virgin. It is just as normalized within this world for young women to be taken and trained sexually as it was, in ancient times, for them to guard their virginity to the point that they were made to wear chastity belts. As someone who grew up in the mid 90s, I recall how this mentality seemed to shift over the course of about five years when I was in my teens and early 20s. Obviously, that shift started much earlier with the sexual revolution, but I’d argue that we millennials kicked it up a notch. 

What hasn’t changed, despite other shifts in social norms, is the way that people in power look down on those who lack it. Whether it be the Basilisks because they lost the war, or Tem because she’s ‘just a farm girl’. We’re starting to get glimpses that something darker may be going on under the surface. There is also the issue that Tem can hear Caspen in her head but can’t respond, and has now started hearing other voices, too. Lindsay Straube is doing a good job at balancing interesting world building and concepts with the central focus on sexy times that her story’s premise blatantly promises. 

Another thing I want to point out is that sex is everywhere in this story and world, and that it is extremely normalized. Being sexually active is normal in this world that way chastity would be normalized in the middle ages or with people like the Amish. Also, this book wastes no time in letting you know what it’s all about. The book opens with another girl telling Tem about her latest sexcapades. It in so way tries to hide what it is or what it is examining, yet at the same time manages to examine this idea smartly and with interesting characters. I’m throughly impressed. 

Sexuality, in general, is not usually one of my comfort zones. I have disabilities that make the concept honestly more of a bother than it’s worth. Which has always made writing it a bit awkward, and reading it honestly kinda detached and boring. (Cerebral palsy makes it difficult; arthritis makes it actively uncomfortable. And yes, I’m repaying this book the courtesy of being equally as blunt as it is in saying that.)

But one of the cool things about this book, given Tem’s innocence and growth as the story progresses, is that I feel like I am sharing that experience with her. Because the intimacy that she and Caspen are engaged in, and the reality that she is technically being configured for Leo’s use, brings up so many interesting questions about sex and sexuality. And shows a great deal of thoughts that can go through someone’s mind when they are unsure of themself within the concept of sex on the whole. 

At 22% now and oh my God, girlfriend has taken on some serious too stupid to live vibes. What’s the big danger of a Basilisk? If they look at you they can turn you to stone. And for some reason, Caspen has lost control and is reverting to his natural form, where this is a danger. He tells Tem to go. Does she listen? No. Does she keep her eyes shut? No. Now, we are only 22 percent of the way through the book, so I’m pretty sure she’s not about to become a life sized tabletop miniature. But still… DUDE. How dumb can you be?!

Oh, holy shit dude. I feel a big freaking DNF coming on. And it’s not the sex, which I find hilarious. Because I initially started reading this to mock my own perceptions of sexuality. Nah, what’s happening here is just… No. And while some will argue the way I went about this is ‘wrong’, sorry, but I don’t have the time or patience to waste on 500-1000 pages of something to get an ending that’s going to make me want to snap my Kindle.

WARNING: huge freaking spoilers for book 2!

Decided to see if there’s a book two because of how much I was enjoying this. Found out there was, and (as someone who actually appreciates spoilers) checked that out. Oh. My. God. I am not continuing this. I can roll my eyes at the cum fountain and the homage to the Human Centipede. But the fact that Tem marries Caspen, betrays him, causes Caspen’s death, then marries Leo, and everything seems like it’s peachy keen? Nah. Fuck that. What the fuck is the point in writing a book about a supernatural species if you’re going to pair the leading lady up with a human for her happy ever after? 

Purchase or Pass

The selling point of this story, for me, is the idea of a human and a Basilisk getting together and dealing with the insanity that would bring. I was cool with the idea of tapping into the seductive nature of snakes in general. Which is not necessarily a Basilisk feature, but worked for the kind of book Lindsay Straube was trying to write here. But there is a concept known as an authorial promise, and ultimately, for me, Straube broke it. And that is the most unforgettable crime that can be committed in literature. When an author, rather than a character, breaks a core promise to the reader.

So no, no, and triple no. I am done. Into the DNF Files you go, baby. This book, connected to its sequel, is the kind of story telling faux pas that I would not wish on my worst enemy. Check out the first one to see how something really smutty can be done in an interesting way. But highlight my spoiler and save yourself some devastation—unless you’re one of those girlies who eat that stuff up—before you let yourself get truly committed. Because if you got interested in this for the reason I did, what’s in there is a literary four iron to the teeth.

As for me? I’m outta here. And I still can’t believe it’s this overarching plot bullshit, and not the sex, that put the book in this situation. Because this is a book that I…

Did Not Finish
💔😭😡

Review: Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning

Spice:  🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I still don't totally know what compelled me--practically dragged my kindle and I kicking and screaming to Amazon--to buy this book. I usually don't read heavily erotic romance, and for me this was definitely five little flames, regardless of the number of hearts I assign at the end of my review.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Backstage Pass was totally smokin' hot in the sex department. I really, really liked this book. BUT if I was going to tell you the book my sex-conscious readers should most avoid that I've reviewed, this is it. You have been fairly and thoroughly warned. If you're not into *extremely* sexy stuff, turn back now!

That said, the book had a lot more then hot sex on offer. An interesting plot, a romance I enjoyed seeing unfold and a great cast of characters allowed Backstage Pass to be an absolute page turner. For my full review, keep reading.

The Plot

(Summary from GoodReads)

Five stunning guys, one hot woman, and a feverish romance...

For him, life is all music and no play...

When Brian Sinclair, lead songwriter and guitarist of the hottest metal band on the scene, loses his creative spark, it will take nights of downright sinful passion to release his pent-up genius...

She's the one to call the tune...

When sexy psychologist Myrna Evans goes on tour with the Sinners, every boy in the band tries to seduce her. But Brian is the only one she wants to get her hands on...

Then the two lovers' wildly shocking behavior sparks the whole band to new heights of glory... and sin...

My Thoughts

So, let me address what *I* was thinking as I clicked buy on Amazon first. "Okay, this sounds like it's gonna be hot. But the real question will be... does it actually have a plot?"

Yes, it does. And while I've certainly read richer and deeper concepts, the plot here was solid and when the romance and characters are factored in I was totally hooked. 

I really liked the structure of the novel. It takes place over a few weeks / months (I read this in December, so I'm not 100% on that.) The point, of course, is that they didn't end up "in love" in the course of a weekend. It takes a LOT for me to buy that in contemporary romance, regardless of any sub-genre, but it was a non-issue here. 

As a total music nut, regardless of the type, I loved getting to "live" with the Sinners and be immersed in their world. The balance between progressing things (on all levels) with Myrna and Brian, when mixed with interaction with the rest of the band, made the book balance out well and remain interesting from start to finish. 

The biggest complaint I had about the plot was in relation to the plotline with Myrna's abusive ex. I found the way that it concluded, and what happened there, kinda silly and predictable. I feel that the abuse aspect of the plot (and her character) could have been taken to much greater depths. But I also realize this was never meant to be an "issues" book, and can understand why the author didn't do this.

I found Myrna's personality to be endearing on the whole, although I will openly admit she ticked me off with her constant mental abuse of herself. I can understand why: emotional abuse is one of the most horrendous things a person can endure, and despite my complaint about the plotline, Olivia nailed this aspect of Myrna's character brilliantly. I wanted Myrna to get a happy ending, even when it was her making it difficult for this to happen. The constant struggle / need to both hug and shake the heroine made me feel very engaged as a reader and kept me very focused on the story. 

What made me want to keep throwing my kindle... and then preventing me from chucking it? Sweet, charming, sexy Brian Sinclair. Damn I loved this guy! Sure, he's a totally epic guitar genius in a successful band. But he's also very caring and compassionate, a "romantic" according to his bandmates (and this is backed up and proven as the book goes on) and just an all around great guy. I love the fact that it was Brian chasing Myrna romantically, rather then her needing him. So often it's the other way around, and to see the shoe on the other foot was fun. 

As for the rest of the cast--or at least, the rest of the band members? Swoon! I'm so glad these guys are all getting their own books, because I want to read about every one of them! It's taking all my will not to race to Amazon--NOW!--and get the other books that are out and read them immediately. I realize I'm not saying a lot about them here, but that's mostly since I want to focus on them when I get to their reviews. But trust me... once you meet them you'll want to get to know them too. 

The one character that I felt was a little too weak was Jeremy, Myrna's ex. I realize that this type of book probably isn't the place to really flesh him out. She wasn't going for a love triangle, he has a history of being an abusive jerk and so that's what we get from him. I guess this must be a personal thing. I don't mind a dastardly villain or a ruthless antagonist, but I'm generally a little (or a lot--it depends on the book) disappointed if they lack depth.

Okay. I know what at least half of you are waiting for. Let's get the obvious outta the way, and talk about the sex. First: OMG this book was hot! 

If you are uncomfortable with vividly descriptive sex scenes, M/M/F stuff, bondage, stuff going on in public / semi-public places, etc. this may not be your cup of tea. 

If we've established you're okay with this, we can move to the next question: was it any good? Yes. I thought so. However, reading this was rather an experiment for me. This type of content is NOT my norm. I'm basing my reaction and opinion of its quality on the fact that I felt comfortable reading it and although there was lots of it, I didn't feel bored at any point, which is saying something considering I've been known to skip or skim sex scenes. 

Now onto the even more important question: how was the actual Romance? Because I don't care how well written the sex was (or wasn't)... If the romance is messed up, the book's gonna tank, at least on my blog. 

The romance was a lot of fun, and I loved watching this couple get together. There was a great danger that sex would be the only thing that defined these two, but thanks to Myrna's characterization making this danger be a conflict and Brian's determination to have more then that with her, it didn't go that route. I loved the way that he cared about her, his willingness to be patient with her and their obvious enjoyment of being together--with or without clothes. (If the only time they worked was without, this would really fail!) 

The sexuality of these characters played a huge role in their overall story, but I feel that made sense considering who they were professionally, emotionally, etc. Overall, I'd say the romance between Brian and Myrna was good. It's not my favorite love story ever, but I did have a great time and it left me with a smile and a bounce in my step, which is what I look for from romance.

Purchase or Pass?

I was hoping for a fun and entertaining read when I downloaded Backstage Pass. I wasn't sure how this book was going to turn out for me, personally. I just knew that I was intrigued by the idea and that I enjoyed the sample I downloaded to my kindle. I'm really glad that I read this, as I always am when I try a new author or genre and find out that I like it. 

Backstage Pass was a total page turner that I could not put down. I'll definitely be reading more of Olivia Cunning's books in the future if they are as equally fabulous as this. If you are looking for something hot with great characters and an interesting plot, I would gladly steer you in this direction. 

My Rating

💜💜💜💜

Note: This was originally published on I Write, I Read, I Review.

Review: A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole

When Darkfallen & Greta from Paranormal Wastelands came to I Write, I Read, I Review as guests for Saturday Spotlight one of the books that they talked about was Kresley Cole's A Hunger Lke No Other. I went to their blog and looked at their review for it while putting the post together. I laughed. A lot.

I've been interested in checking the book out since. That was back in November, though. Why did I wait until February? Well, some of you might know that my birthday was on Thursday and I turned 30. It's been a while since I sat down with an adult paranormal and considering that I was feeling a little glum about starting a new decade I figured perhaps it would be a good idea to read something that was about characters a little further along in life then what I normally do.

But enough babbling about how I found the book and me questioning whether turning 30 and reading YA makes me feel a little "old" -- (I don't think it's a serious issue; I think I simply wanted a change in pace) -- that's not why you're here. Did I enjoy A Hunger Like No Other? Read on and find out.

The Plot

(Summary from GoodReads)

A fierce werewolf and a bewitching vampire become unlikely soul mates whose passion will test the boundaries of life and death.

After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he’s waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one. Emmaline Troy is a small, ethereal half Valkyrie/half vampire, who somehow begins to soothe the fury burning within him.

Sheltered Emmaline finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents—until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle. There, her fear of the Lykae—and their notorious dark desires—ebbs as he begins a slow, wicked seduction to sate her own dark cravings.

Yet when an ancient evil from her past resurfaces, will their desire deepen into a love that can bring a proud warrior to his knees and turn a gentle beauty into the fighter she was born to be?

My Thoughts:

The first thing that I immediately recognized as I started turning the pages here is that this book gives a much larger focus to the romance then the majority of the stuff that I read now. Even books that do tend to have romance in a starring role in YA tend to rely heavily on other plotlines and issues to balance things out. It's not that there was nothing else to A Hunger Like No Other. But there was no denying why the reader was here and the book wasted no time in getting things set up straight out the door. 

I liked this and found it refreshing. 

Don't let it fool you into thinking that's all there is here, though. Kresley Cole does a fantastic job of blending various supernatural beings together into one overall collective called the Lore, creating her own mythos and rules for each so that they take on a fresh new light and creating issues that will allow them to interact in interesting ways, both with regard to romance and with regard to dealing with each other. Mistrust to outright hatred of other species is one of the things that has been carefully etched into the world building, is a huge theme within this book, and is something that I would wager is going to rear its ugly head time and again as the series continues. 

Another thing that I really liked about A Hunger Like No Other is the contrast between ancient traditions, rules and ideals and trying to survive in the modern world. Watching Lachlain learn to adapt to the times after being imprisoned for 150 years was pretty amusing and allowed for some very interesting situations. And Emma's need and enjoyment of modern things made her relatable to me. I especially liked her reliance on her iPod to escape situations that she found aggravating. (Modern Kat popping in: man I miss iPods.)

I liked the contrast between Lachlain and Emma. I feel strongly that the book would not have been nearly as good without it. 

Emma is a 70 year old vampire / valkyrie "half breed". She has been raised by her Valkyrie aunts her entire life, since her mother died when she was very young and she never knew her father (or even who he was). She's seeking that when we find her. I've read some reviews where people have complained that Emma is too weak. But honestly, that is the point. Emma's growth in A Hunger Like No Other is to go from being someone who is naturally timid and kind and gentle to finding a way to gain strength and achieve respect without losing the good parts of her initial characterization. Plus she cries pink tears. How neat is that? I'm not one to enjoy a character's misery, but I'll give credit for originality where it's due. I've heard of blood tears before, but pink tears? Really? 

Lachlain has spent the last 150 years being tortured by vampires. He cuts off his own leg in order to escape when he scents Emma, only to discover that she, the one his instinct is claiming is his mate, is a vampire. Needless to say, Lachlain is not thrilled. If Emma's growth is to become strong, Lachlain's is to learn tolerance, to make some semblance of peace with his past and to realize that people are individuals -- one's species does not instantly or immediately decide how a person will behave, what they think or feel. I think Kresley Cole did a fantastic job here, especially as the fact that Emma is a vampire (rather then realizing she is half vampire) is all that he sees at first. With his history and the things he has endured, it is a miracle that he does not kill her. 

I loved and hated Emma's aunts. As individual characters whom I hope get their own stories I thought each was unique and interesting enough to warrant it. As a collective force trying to control Emma's life, they annoyed me -- quite possibly because I see my own family there so strongly. Like Lachlain they had their own prejudices and ideas that made them less then ideal. This was good because it showed the reader that this is not an isolated trait that is "his" but rather a way in which the world these characters live in works. If anything Emma is the unique one in this regard. Anyway, I also loved the irony that in many ways it is their actions that were responsible for Emma's "weakness", the very weakness they were trying to get rid of. This all seems to have been very well thought out.

Okay! Let's talk romance. But, first up? Here there be sex. Lots of extremely hot, makes you want your own Lykae to show up and claim you as his mate, extremely well written and plot / character developing sex. Yes. You read that last part properly. The intimacy, as a whole, was in no way wasted in A Hunger Like No Other. (Note: I recognize that 'sex' and 'intimacy' are not the same thing -- to make it clear, this book succeeds on both levels.) 

I've read reviews of people who feel that books like these encourage sexual abuse. *shakes head* This, to me, takes the core of the story out of context. Humans do not view the whole mating thing, nor behave in the same way regarding it, that the Lykae do. It's really that simple. It's a question of suspension of disbelief, and if you tell me you couldn't do that I've got no qualms with ya. But saying an author is advocating abuse here? I'm going to have to disagree with you there.

We know how Lachlain is feeling, just as well as what Emma is, throughout the entire story. Are there times he does stuff that is totally out of line? Absolutely! At first I would wager that while one half of his brain is going "Hey genius, here's your mate!" the other half looks at her and all it can think of is excruciating burning agony because it was vampires that tortured him, and initially when he sees Emma that is *all* he sees. Kresley does a great job at showing this, because for the first chunk of the book he does not actually *think* of her as Emma, but rather as vampire. 

Emma is terrified of him in the beginning. And who can blame her? I'd be freaking out too if someone kidnapped me and told me I was going to drive them to Scotland! (Especially since I can't drive, but that's beside the point...) The first section of the book is pretty rough. But c'mon, that's pretty much what you're signing up for with a plot like this. It's moot, a given. The real question as far as whether the romance is good ends up being "Can the author convince me that these two WANT to be together by the end?" For me, the answer here was...

Yes! For me this is the makes it or breaks it aspect of a romance novel and this is an area where I feel A Hunger Like No Other excelled. All while we are watching Emma become stronger and more independent, we are also watching Lachlain struggle with the situation fate has put him in. And as he accepts that it is really happening, as he realizes what he has done to his mate, the man's remorse coats the pages. Yes, he *needs* her. But as the book moves along simple possession is not going to be good enough. He wants to love and be loved in return. He becomes focused on trying to make Emma happy. 

And sometimes Emma pretty much wants to tell him to shove it. And I thought this was good. Because if she had given in too easily after all that had happened, if she pulled a complete 180 on me, I wouldn't have been able to buy it. Is there a fairly clear turning point? Yes. It ties in with the mythology Kresley created very well and within the context of the story it makes total sense. But even after this point, both characters must take action in order to ensure what they could have is what they will have. Sorry if I am confusing you! Just trust me, the flow of the romance is completely dead on and this will definitely be a book I'll be looking at as a writer while trying to work on my own stories because (at least to me) it made this aspect of romance writing -- which I feel is absolutely crucial -- finally make sense to me.

I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful new obsession. You have no idea how tempted I am to click three buttons and get the next book on my kindle. (My brain is currently screaming: Now!) But I know better then that. I read as I go, and this book / it's review isn't going to be for everyone, so that wouldn't be fair. What I will say is that it has made a strong case for the idea that "Man cannot live on (insert item here) alone." I loved and enjoyed paranormal romance long before I got into YA and there's no logical reason I shouldn't be reading both.

Even comparing a YA paranormal to an adult paranormal, they both cover different concepts and themes that I'm interested in exploring, both as a reader and a writer. (And for the record, this goes beyond being about sexuality. Sex, all by itself and with no reason, is boring to me. That's actually how I lost interest in adult paranormal in the first place. It has to be enhancing something -- plot issues that have already been started, character development or growth, a theme of the book, etc.)

Purchase or Pass?

So, do I think A Hunger Like No Other is worth your time? Absolutely! I really loved this book and I thought that it was very interesting, well thought out and well written. If you were curious about it before my review (or became curious from reading my review) and still want to check it out now? Run, don't walk, and grab a copy of this. It's absolutely brilliant and I'm honestly shocked it took me this long to read it. 

My Rating

💜💜💜💜💜

This was originally published on I Write, I Read, I Review.

Review: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

I wasn't sure what I was going to think of the whole romantasy craze when I started hearing about it online. In part, that was likely because a lot of what I was hearing was people complaining about it. But I've loved fantasy, romance, and fantasy romance for decades. So as I listened to the complaints about this new genre, it seemed to me that the biggest issue is that it's been muscling out male fantasy novels, rather than being housed in the erotica section where it probably belongs.

But to really get to the bottom of this, the only thing to do is find and read something within the genre. Doing my best to meet it where it was, I did some research and sought out a book that would have grabbed my intention organically, even if it didn't have romantasy attached to its DNA. A military academy where people learn to ride dragons, paired with an enemies-to-lovers romance? Sign me up.

But does Fourth Wing soar to new heights, or fall to its death from the parapet? Read on and find out. 

The Plot

(Summary from GoodReads)

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders...

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die

My Thoughts

This was part of my return to reading when I bought a new Kindle in August of 2024, and I can still vividly remember how this book hit the ground running and did not stop. I am a big fan of school settings--whether schools for kids and teens, or a college like we see here--and Basgiath War College had all the fun or interesting things I associate with a school... and dragons. Absurdly funny, at times ruthless, always badass, and totally majestic dragons. 

Seriously, I would 100% risk becoming barbecue for a chance to ride Tairn. He's my favorite character in the book! (And we'll get to that, but...)

Violet is a fun and interesting main character to follow. She did not ask for the situation she finds herself in. And I appreciate that we see her struggle to find her way through the many challenges that she has to face. Far too often we see female characters aceing their way through stories with nothing in the road, and that crap is boring.

Violet has stuff coming at her from all angles, though. Some people hate her because of her mom. Some people just see her as a roadblock to their own success. Some people underestimate her. And then there are the very real consequences of her illness and what she is being pushed to do in spite of its dangers and limitations. Violet has brittle bones. When she gets injured the consequences are dire, and the book does not shy away from this.

And then there is her love interest / potential enemy, Xaden. I absolutely adored him. Rebecca Yarros has done a fine job in creating a character who is likeable but dangerous and capable. He has reasons for pretty much everything he does, and those reasons are not always given to the reader right away... But when they are, the reaction tends to be, "Oh!". He also has a tendency to be a character where anything bad that can happen in this world has either already happened, is happening, or will happen to him. You have been warned. 

Then of course we have to talk about potentially the most amazing dragon I've ever seen in fiction: Tairn. He can be ruthless, he can be rambly, he can be protective, and he can be surprisingly understanding. As someone who has disabilities, I think one of the most moving parts of the book is Tairn encouraging Violet to use a special saddle so she can stay mounted. Instead of weakness, he views her use of this as ingenuity and adaptability. I'm 43, and had to start walking with a cane at 32. I know a thing or two about how it feels to rely on outside sources for part of my independence. There is always something special when part of a story reaches out and becomes personal. Through the bond forged between Violet and Tairn, Fourth Wing did that for me.

One of the things that romantasy books get shit on for is just being 'porn' for women. First up: porn is a video format that requires the participation--willingly or not--of living people. The correct term would be erotica. And even then, for the content found in Fourth Wing that's an overstretch and I would technically qualify this as having erotic romance. A lot of guys are pissed this stuff is taking up space in the wrong section of the bookstore, and some of them are either Christian conservatives who shouldn't be looking at a book like this to begin with, or incels who blame books like this for their inability to get a date. 

In truth, I found the erotic / sex content in Fourth Wing boring. Take this with a massive grain of salt if you felt differently. I'm generally not a big fan of sexy times in books and often skip that content not out of some prudish disgust, but rather because I get bored and it's not what I picked a book up for. The book is good in spite of the sex, for me. The sex is not what makes the book good. 

Purchase or Pass?

If you are at all intrigued by Fourth Wing's premise, run--don't walk--and pick up a copy now. This was an incredibly fun read with a cast I enjoyed reading about, a school with some fabulous challenges and political intrigue which kept me turning pages, a romance that kept me on my toes and had me rooting for the main duo at the same time, and possibly the best portrayal of a dragon that I've ever encountered. I'll repeat what I said at the beginning: I would risk being barbecued by dragon fire for a chance to ride Tairn.

My Rating

💜💜💜💜💜