Oracle of Philadelphia - By Elizabeth Corrigan *Review* #COYER

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Carrie works at a diner in South Philadelphia, dispensing advice to humans and angels wise enough to seek her counsel. But there are some problems that even the best advice can’t solve.
Her latest supplicant, Sebastian, is unique among those who have sought her aid. He sold his soul to a demon in exchange for his sister’s life, but his heart remains pure.
Carrie has lived for millennia with the knowledge that her immortality is due to the suffering of others, and she cannot bear to see another good man damned when it is within her power to prevent it.
In order to renegotiate his contract, Carrie must travel into the depths of hell and parley with the demons that control its pathways. As the cost of her journey rises, Carrie must determine how much she is willing to sacrifice to save one good soul.

Loved it! At first I was worried it was going to get all Biblical preachy on me but thank goodness it didn't. Corrigan uses Christian old testament just like Greek, Roman and Egyptian mythology and uses it well! I loved the new spin on oracle powers, demons and angels. I was drawn in from page one and could not put "Oracle of Philadelphia" down. My only issue was I couldn't quite believe how vested Carrie was in the soul of Sebastian. I understand wanting to save him but the suffering and risks she endured was above and beyond the call of duty. I mean she didn't even know the guy! Carrie talked to him once and met him twice before deciding she was willing to do what she had to do to save him. Obviously he was a nice guy and pure of heart but she wasn't emotionally vested in him and he was quite resigned to his fate so...

Aside from that I truly enjoyed how Corrigan wove together strands of various different myths, legends and stories to create Carrie's history. I admired Carrie's strength and determination even while doubting her motivation. The storyline was perfectly closed off though my interest in Gabriel and Cassie was piqued. There is a sequel from Bedlam's point of view which I am going to have a look at but probably not until I've depleted a significant portion of my to-read list. "Oracle" is a great urban fantasy novel and the beginning of what looks to be a fantastic series.

Elizabeth Corrigan has degrees in English and psychology and has spent several years working as a data analyst in various branches of the healthcare industry. When she’s not hard at work on her next novel, Elizabeth enjoys singing, reading teen vampire novels, and making Sims of her characters.

She drinks more Diet Coke than is probably optimal for the human body and is pathologically afraid of bees. She lives in Maryland with two cats and a purple Smart Car.

The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers - By Angie Fox *Review* #COYER

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Demon slaying powers should come with an instruction book ...

Seriously. Why does a new hair dryer have a twelve-page how-to manual, but when it comes to ancient demon-fighting hocus-pocus, my biker witch granny gives me just half a dozen switch stars and a rah-rah speech? Oh, and a talking terrier, but that's another story. It's not like my job as a preschool teacher prepared me for this kind of thing.

So I've decided to write my own manual, The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers, because no one tells me anything. Dimitri, my "protector," may be one stud of a shape-shifting griffin, but he always thinks he can handle everything by himself. Only he's no match for the soul-stealing succubi taking over Las Vegas. If I can't figure out how to save him - and Sin City - there'll be hell to pay.

The premise for this book is promising but it doesn't quite deliver. It has all the parts for a great book yet the slapstick humour doesn't resound. Fox writes similarly to Janet Evanovich which is a positive but maybe I've grown sick of it. Lizzie is a well meaning character but to me she came across as disorganised and self centered. Demtri seems like a great guy for the few moments he appears but otherwise is significantly absent. I admit I've just started the series but what I've read hasn't drawn me in for more.

I didn't find the jokes particularly funny and the storyline was slightly dull. I ended up skipping a few pages to get to the end which didn't amount to much because everything still made sense. It's not a horrible book but it doesn't have much pizzazz or spark for me. I won't be picking up the next book in the series but others have had good things to say about it so it may appeal to you. Give it a go if you love Stephanie Plum and wouldn't mind a paranormal twist or Grandma Mazur in a motorcycle gang.

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Angie Fox is the New York Times bestselling author of several books about vampires, werewolves

and things that go bump in the night. She is best known for her Accidental Demon Slayer urban fantasy series. She is also writing a series about a group of paranormal MASH surgeons. 

Angie claims that researching her stories can be just as much fun as writing them. In the name of fact-finding, Angie has ridden with Harley biker gangs, explored the tunnels underneath Hoover Dam and found an interesting recipe for Mamma Coalpot’s Southern Skunk Surprise (she’s still trying to get her courage up to try it).

Angie earned a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. She worked in television news and then in advertising before beginning her career as an author. 

Visit Angie at www.angiefox.com.

Magic Academy - By Jillian Keep *Review*

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Out of a young woman’s ambition comes a love triangle that could destroy more than her heart.

Firia has always wanted to be a witch, but even though she’s a natural in magic, there’s a problem: She’s human.

Considered by the elven elite to be inferior, Firia needs an edge to be accepted into the Magic Academy. Out of sheer desperation, she summons the demon Varuj, a terrifyingly gorgeous spirit who helps her win the entrance competition. But at what price?

As the commanding demon does everything he can to penetrate every aspect of her innocent life, Firia still finds herself drawn to her study partner, Mae’lin. Not only is the sweet elf completely different from the powerful Varuj, but their relationship is forbidden.

How is she supposed to choose between the demon she owes her life to and the innocent elf who makes her a better person?

This book truly befuddled me. At first it seemed like I was reading typical YA fantasy and I was totally okay with that. But the further the story got the more it changed until suddenly I felt like I was reading a demon fetish erotica. I was startled by how different the beginning was to the end. Firia is apparently set on becoming the most powerful sorceress despite her human origins. We meet her summoning Varuj, an extremely powerful demon who sports an exceptional "endowment" which is emphasized many times. I admit to laughing at a few of the excessive descriptions. Firia is focussed and with the help of the demon gets into a Magic Academy. Once there she gets into the swing of things only to get hooked on sex and suddenly her determination and focus go bye bye.

Varuj is a oddity. I thought he was simply a misunderstood demon who truly has a heart of gold but then he goes all crazy with possessive rage and spouts mine mine mine. At that point I was convinced he was solidly a "bad guy." He manipulates Firia, stole her father's soul, rapes her best friend, physically and mentally, and then encourages a plot to kill Firia and Mae'lin. Firia never catches on which is unfortunate but whatever right? She gets her demon lover. By the end of the book I still wasn't sure what Varuj's motivations were because I couldn't quite believe he loved her and being with Firia for power went out the window when she lost focus.

The poor third wheel Mae'lin is the sweetest elf man. He's good, kind, honorable and pretty much Prince fucking Charming but he doesn't measure up to forceful demon lover Varuj so he gets dumped. No joke. He's the best guy ever and Firia leaves him because of monster equipment Varuj has well, monster equipment. At the end I didn't even know if Mae'lin was alive, what happened to him - that's how little consideration his character got!

The ending was not satisfying and left more questions than answers. It reads like YA fantasy had a car accident with demon porn and the only thing I was certain of was that I didn't like any character but Mae'lin. I thought maybe it was part of a series but it's not so... yeah. Confusion is the prevailing thought here - utter confusion.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jillian Keep and Fido Publishing for the copy in exchange for a honest review.

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Thirteen - By Kelley Armstrong

** spoiler alert ** Savannah gets to be with Adam which was what I was hanging out for. I mean we all knew it was a forgone conclusion but it was nice to have it in writing. The Cabals try to charge Savannah with killing someone important or something which leads to the death of some old guy who is related to them. Angels keep flitting in and out as do the demons. To be honest I lost track of this series a little after Paige got together with Lucas. Once I pick the books up I remember why I was hooked but they haven't been books that have stuck in my mind. The ending was satisfactory and the battles were definitely gory, actually more so than necessary. Everyone is still alive and happy at the end of it so it's a job well done.




It definitely isn't the best book in the series and I wish we had gotten more Clay and Elena overall. A solid series that does require a bit of mental maneuvering to keep them all together. I recommend the series to any fans of urban fiction, Devon Monk, Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs and Faith Hunter.




3/5




xxx

George