Review: Warlock’s Menace: Magical Usage Council Misadventures Book 1 by MJ May

Rating: 4.5🌈

MJ May is one of those authors whose books and enlarging universe get keeps getting better and more intriguing with every new addition.

First, May introduces us to the fabulous world of the Perfect Pixies, which wasn’t frankly all that wonderful but full of past trauma and a series plot of enormous horror and unimaginable violence. One that carries over subtly into the next series. We meet incredible characters and their moving stories.

Then it’s the next series.Necromancer Tales, where a character we’ve met, Erasmus Holland, the son of a human woman and one of the world’s most powerful warlock, Nikodemus Holland, gets his story told. It’s a fantastic tale of family, magical creatures, deathly powers and an unexpected path to a great loving relationship with a police detective.

And many of the fantastic characters will cross over into this series, because of the intense storylines, the interconnected plots that the author continues to weave together throughout this universe, and how each of them are part of each other’s lives now.

Warlock’s Menace starts with Nikodemus returning home from Erasmus and Franklin’s wedding. That’s his necromancer son from the series and his detective SIL. And the warlock has picked up an unexpected surprise from the wedding.

Well, not unexpected for anyone who read that last book. Because we’ve been waiting for this.

The Kitsune, Hikaru, who is a tragic character, has taken a very serious interest in Nikodemus. Why is a great element of the story and magical world.

The magic that surrounds the warlock and the usage is revealed and seen from Hikaru’s perspective, which makes him even stronger a character.

The plot, or plots are again tied to various events and other aspects of the world, this is simply one angle that will be explored by May. Its suspense filled, emotional and so well written.

I absolutely adore the way the characters were allowed to build their relationship. And bring in other characters too that Nikodemus usually isn’t well acquainted with.

It’s just another fantastic story and great start into expanding on this outstanding universe. Can’t wait to see more.

Cover design by cheriefox.

Connected Series starting with the first:

Perfect Pixie Series (5 book series)

Necromancer Tales (4 book series)

Magical Usage Council Misadventures:

Warlock’s Menace #1 -Nikodemus Holland and Hikaru

Buy link

Book 1 of 1: Magical Usage Council Misadventures

Blurb

Warlock Nikodemus Holland is a master of his craft. Arrogant, powerful, and reserved, Nikodemus is the epitome of a warlock in every way save one—his love and commitment to his necromancer son, Erasmus Boone.

Hikaru is a seven-tailed kitsune still mourning the loss of his eighth tail and the betrayal that took it from him. Crafty, mischievous, and easily bored, Hikaru needs a distraction, and he needs it now. Lucky for him, he’s found the perfect candidate in a handsome and stuffy warlock. Hikaru just knows he’ll be oh-so-good for his Niki.

Returning from his son’s wedding, Nikodemus has acquired an unwanted tagalong kitsune that he just can’t shake. Walking through his front door, Nikodemus discovers Hikaru is the least of his worries when he finds a letter from the Warlock Council informing him that they’re investigating damning allegations and threatening to bind Nikodemus’s powers if he’s found guilty.

Someone’s been tampering with Nikodemus’s charms, turning them deadly. Nikodemus has no idea what the Warlock Council’s endgame is or what it has to do with the struggling Magical Usage Council. What he does know is that he’ll be damned if he sits back and allows himself to be framed, or worse, his loved ones threatened. Oddly enough, that category has expanded to include an ornery kitsune.

If pressed too far, the Warlock Council won’t just have a livid warlock to contend with, but the unleashed fury of a smitten kitsune. Nikodemus’s enemies are about to learn the word menace isn’t always an endearing sentiment but can be a vicious threat.

Warlock’s Menace is a mm supernatural fantasy/mystery. Expect to find arrogant warlocks (some with redeeming qualities and some sadly lacking), a mischievously ornery kitsune who is confident he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Warlock Nikodemus Holland, an off the morality rails Warlock Council, seven fox tails that don’t know the meaning of personal space, misbehaving charms, the satisfaction proper payback brings, and HEA’s.

Warlock’s Menace is the first in the Magical Usage Council Misadventures series and is meant for adult readers. Each book will concentrate on a different couple. This is a spin off of the Necromancer series. While characters from this series are mentioned and/or make occasional appearances, one does not have to have read the Necromancer series to enjoy Warlock’s Menace.

March 19, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

331 pages

Book 1 of 1

Magical Usage Council Misadventures

Review: The Vacuum of Space (Space Janitor #1 ) by Julia Huni

Rating: 2.5⭐️

This is the first of Julia Huni’s Space Janitor novels and introduces both the universe of Space Janitor (and its many series) and its main character of Triana, a space janitor, bot maintenance operator.

The rating is really more for the book’s storyline’s potential than the author’s actual execution of the plot. I love the idea of a story and series based around a space station janitor. That’s such a great point for a character to see how a space station functions, the various cultures and societies that make up the station as well as how it physically functions.

And it seems to start off this way. Triana is monitoring the bots as they clear various paths, she eats junk food, and is clearly a “sub level” employee who enjoys her world and odd work.

Then she finds a body. Or her bot does.

And the author abandons her , imo, clever approach, and does an entire storyline/series twist that shakes this character and her own ingenuity upside down. She’s not who we’ve come to expect at all.

Instead, Huni turns Triana into a person who is the complete opposite of the character we meet at the beginning of the story. And this one, is self pitying, whiny, and more than a bit irresponsible. That’s a huge leap and a loss.

Then there’s her instant boyfriend, Ty, a law enforcement agent, whose credibility is largely missing, and a friend who doesn’t seem very reliable. No relationships between her and the other characters feel like they had any believable connection or emotional depth. The closest the author came was with her mother’s old servant/assistant. That’s not enough.

The Vacuum of Space (Space Janitor #1 ) by Julia Huni is also listed as humorous science fiction but I find it with almost no resemblance to comedic fiction. It’s not funny, imo. And worse, there’s no satisfaction with the ending. So I was left wondering why I finished it.

I’m not going further into this series or universe. But the potential for a really interesting story was here. And that’s a shame.

Previously published as Murder is Messy, 2018

Cover designed by German Creative

Space Janitor Series:

The Vacuum of Space

The Dust of Kaku

The Trouble with Tinsel

Orbital Operations

Glitter in the Stars

Sweeping S’Ride

Triana Moore, Space Janitor (the complete series)

Tales of a Former Space Janitor

The Rings of Grissom

Planetary Spin Cycle

Waxing the Moon of Lewei

Tales of a Former Space Janitor (books 1-3)

Changing the Speed of Light Bulbs Sun Spot Remover Warp, Rinse, Repeat (late 2025)

Friends of a Former Space Janitor Dark Quasar Rising

Dark Quasar Ignites

Dark Quasar Reckoning (Fall 2025)

Buy link

Book 1 of 4: Space Janitor

Blurb

It’s a dirty galaxy and someone has to clean it.
Avoiding the wealthy inhabitants on the upper levels of Station Kelly Kornienko is bot-programmer Triana’s number one rule. Well, number two, right after “eat all the chocolate.”

But when one of her cleaning bots finds a dead body, all the rules go out the airlock. A highly connected security agent interrupts her routine with stories of missing bodies, and Triana can’t ignore him; it’s cooperate or find a new job. A girl has to pay the rent, even on a crappy studio compartment.

Working with a shiny detective beats a shuttle dirt-side, so Triana lends her programming skills to Agent O’Neill’s investigation. Together, they find more victims and evidence of a major cover-up.

It will take all Triana’s technical talents, most of O’Neill’s connections, and some really excellent croissants to stop the murders, save her job, and ultimately, her life.

The Vacuum of Space is the first book in a completed series.

This book was previously published as Murder is Messy

IPH Media

Publication date

August 1, 2019

Language

‎English

Print length

231 pages

Book 1 of 4

Space Janitor

Review: Smite the Soil: A Retired Paladin’s Guide to Magical Agriculture (A Cozy LitRPG Adventure) (The Green Sanctuary Book 1) by Beatrix Penrose

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Smite the Soil, the first book in The Green Sanctuary fantasy series by Beatrix Penrose, is a heartwarming, well written novella. It’s a story that beautifully lays out the characters, unique universe and is a perfect introduction to any reader unfamiliar with LitRPG storytelling.

The tale of Sir Alaric Thorne, of the many celestial titles is wonderfully detailed and heartfelt. Al, as he decides to be known, doesn’t want to Ascend and become a minor deity after defeating all the quests. He’s tired. Wants to put down his sword.

So he decides to find a different path. The Green Hearth. And starts a new journey.

As a farmer and level 1 Celestial Husbandman. That comes with a rundown farm, land that doesn’t grow anything and a decidedly ornery goat named Goliath.

There’s also a community full of good people nearby that’s in dire straits.

Step by step, Al and the village of Oakhaven come together as a community. It’s leveling up by means of heartfelt support and encouragement by goat, small children and a variety of other otherworldly friends.

It is a quick read and sets the story for the next book and events to follow.

A terrific read and recommendation!

Love the cover and wish I knew more about the artist.

The Green Sanctuary (8 book series)

Smite the Soil #1

The Amber Hops #2

The Wandering Grove #3

The Winter of the Void #4

Smite the Soil: The Seed of Generations #5

Smite the Soil: The Roots of Rebellion #6

Smite the Soil: The Ashen Harvest #7

Smite the Soil: The Sky-High Vineyard #8

Buy link

Book 1 of 8: The Green Sanctuary

Blurb

He was the Shield of the Empire. Now, he’s just trying to grow a decent tomato.

Sir Alaric Thorne is tired. After twenty years of smiting demons and saving the world, his back hurts, his armor is heavy, and he’s forgotten the smell of fresh air that isn’t tainted by sulfur. So, when the System offers him a “Hidden Path” to retirement, he takes it.

He trades his Holy Avenger sword for a rusty hoe.

But Oakhaven Farm isn’t the paradise he imagined. The soil is cursed, the local village is starving, and his only companion is a Level 3 Chaos Goat named Goliath who has a taste for legal documents.

To save his new home, Alaric must level up his [Husbandman] class, navigate a “System” that rewards [Caprine Diplomacy] over [Combat Prowess], and protect a World-Tree sapling from an Empire that wants its taxes in blood.

In Oakhaven, the weeds are the real monsters, and the greatest quest of all is finding the perfect fertilizer.

What to expect:

No Harem/No Stress: A wholesome, “warm blanket” of a story.
Crunchy Stats: Watch the numbers go up in Soil Quality, Crop Resilience, and Animal Kinship.
Zero-to-Hero (Again): A powerful protagonist learning that growing a life is harder than taking one.
Stardew Valley Vibes: Farming, crafting, and building a community from the ground up.

January 30, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

102 pages

Book 1 of 8

The Green Sanctuary

Review: Magical Midlife Madness (Leveling Up #1) by K. F. Breene

Rating: 4.5⭐️

“A woman starting over. A new house with an unexpected twist. A cape wearing butler acting as the world’s worst life coach.”

I found this urban fantasy tale totally charming, with its laugh-out loud moments, endearing characters, and wonderfully mysterious plot.

Breene’s series about a divorced woman who takes a chance on a new life by accepting a job in a place she vaguely remembers from her childhood is a brashly funny, often revealing tale of a woman remaking her life, even as her own world view of what’s real is turned inside out.

Jessie is a marvelous character, believable, relatable in her emotions as she navigates the challenges she faces after her divorce from a cheating husband, with no real plans for her life or a place to go. And the job she finds herself doing places her back in a small town where she visited as a child, one with fuzzy fond memories and dreams of strange things.

How I love everything about her, the other characters and the many strange situations Jessie finds herself in. Ivy House, the magical weird structure that’s revealing its secrets reluctantly, is richly detailed and mysterious. As is its inhabitants, Mr Tom, or intriguing members of the community like the alpha Arden, who’s constantly being told to reevaluate his position on women by Jessie, each one has staying power both within the narrative and with the reader.

Jessie and all the others demonstrate personal growth and self development as she discovers what the town and Ivy House is about, as her potential role, if she decides to accept it.

A fantastic story, great characters, and a journey I’m happy to follow.

A winner!

Leveling Up (13 book series):

Magical Midlife Madness #1

Magical Midlife Dating #2

Magical Midlife Invasion #3

Magical Midlife Love #4

Magical Midlife Meeting #5

Magical Midlife Challenge #6

Magical Midlife Alliance #7

Magical Midlife Flowers #8

Magical Midlife Battle #9

Magical Midlife Awakening #10

Magical Midlife Rescue #11

Magical Midlife Rogue #12

Magical Midlife Conclave #13 – Nov 12,2026

Buy link

Book 1 of 13: Leveling Up

Blurb

A woman starting over. A new house with an unexpected twist. A cape wearing butler acting as the world’s worst life coach.

“Happily Ever After” wasn’t supposed to come with a do-over option. But when my husband of twenty years packs up and heads for greener pastures and my son leaves for college, that’s exactly what my life becomes.

Do-over.

This time, though, I plan to do things differently. Age is just a number, after all, and at forty I’m ready to carve my own path.

Eager for a fresh start, I make a somewhat unorthodox decision and move to a tiny town in the Sierra foothills. I’ll be taking care of a centuries old house that called to me when I was a kid. It’s just temporary, I tell myself. It’ll just be for a while.

That is, until I learn what the house really is, something I never could’ve imagined.

Thankfully forty isn’t too old to start an adventure, because that’s exactly what I do. A very dangerous adventure that will change my life forever. I have a chance to start again, and this time, I make the rules.

February 16, 2020

Language

‎English

Print length

316 pages

Book 1 of 13

Leveling Up

Review: This Guy (Wood Hollow Book 1) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Lane Hayes has written narrative gold with her Vermont based Four Forest town’s universe, and I’m not talking maple syrup, although I won’t be surprised if this factors in eventually.

First off, there was the 6 book fabulous series, The Elmwood Stories, which was written about NHL hockey players who found themselves in the small town of Elmwood, where they found love, happiness and established a hockey base for kids and players for the summer. It built slowly but surely over 6 novels and we started meeting people outside of town, including those from Wood Hollow, and the mill.

Well, it’s Wood Hollow’s time! The town has begun its own restoration and become a great charming place to live, with the mill’s prosperity being a huge part of this.

Silas, a veteran NFL player who has come to the end of his career, is facing a difficult time in his life. Divorced, a career that has ended, and no idea how to go forward, the pressure sends him to his friend’s rental property in Wood Hollow, Vermont, for a break.

His next door neighbor is Cooper, who is a bisexual divorced father of two children, and the manager of the Wood Hollow lumber mill. Cooper is a hometown man, who loves his community and his family. And isn’t prepared for the handsome football player he rescues from a snowstorm.

This Guy is an excellent romance and start into a new series in this universe. The men are relatable, their struggles are written in a way that makes them feel real and understandable. The pressures each of them are facing, whether it’s Silas from his ex-wife’s new publicity with her own relationship or, perhaps even more realistic, Cooper’s personal struggles with his dynamics with his ex-wife and the way they both feel about their separation from their children.

Here’s what I find so well written by Hayes. There’s no demonizing of anyone’s ex’s here. Any potential for a traumatic event? It’s handled by communication, like adults, without involving the children. Thank you. Same goes for Silas and his ex wife. They remain friends and understand why they didn’t work out as marriage partners.

I know I shouldn’t have to point this out, but honestly, it’s rare enough that I see it in my stories that I point it out when I see it.

The children are beautifully animated and feel true to their ages. Adore them.

That dramatic moment? Fabulous! Heartwarming and perfect for the couple and as a family we have come to love.

I can’t wait for the next story to come out. I love this entire world that Hayes is creating!

Highly recommended!

Cover Design by Sleepy Fox Studio

Four Forest towns of Vermont Universe – see note below

The Elmwood Stories (6 book series)- I love this series ❤️ it mentions the lumber mill and introduces the Four Forest towns. It’s hockey meets Vermont small town ❤️.

Wood Hollow Series:

This Guy #1

Sweet Something #2 – TBR summer 2026

Four Forest area of Vermont are : Wood Hollow, Elmwood, Pinecrest, and Fallbrook. The Elmwood Stories ❤️ series is complete

Buy link

Book 1 of 1: Wood Hollow Stories

Blurb

The football star, the lumberjack, and a small-town love story…

Silas

Not to sound dramatic, but I can’t decide if I’m a hot mess, a has-been…or both.

There’s nothing quite like being in the spotlight at my lowest point. I could use a break from LA and my agent—just for a little while.

But Vermont in the middle of a blizzard? Probably not a great idea. However, the sexy lumberjack who lives next door is a sweet surprise. And so are his kids and the town.

I like this place. I could be happy here…at least till my new season begins.

Cooper

My time is split between work and fatherhood. That’s it. Boss and Dad. Maybe that’s why the football star is a breath of fresh air. Silas is funny, charismatic, and cool.

My kids love having a celebrity living next door. And me? I can’t remember the last time I felt quite so alive.

Yes, I’m well aware this isn’t going anywhere. Our worlds are just too different.

Too bad, ’cause this guy feels like the real thing.

This Guy is an MM bisexual, single dad, small-town romance featuring a football hero, a sexy lumberjack, and some neighbor-friendly shenanigans.

date

March 25, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

304 pages

Book 1 of 1

Wood Hollow Stories

Review: Practical Boots (Book 1) by C.E. Murphy

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Practical Boots is a terrific read, the first novella in C.E. Murphy’s series, The Torn. It’s short but full of interesting takes on the fae, magic, and a in-between realm, The Waste.

Because of its short length, much of the main character’s story is missing. Especially her early years spent in the Torn (that’s the Fae realm) and then the Waste where she was dumped by her father essentially to survive or die.

The magical element is something I really want to explore more because it’s so fascinating and inherently terrifying. It extracts a price but we don’t know what. That’s left for future books.

Fae are the complicated conniving, backstabbing beings who are constantly manipulating and maneuvering for power. Her father is a very powerful player here. And how he intends to use Cat Sharp, the daughter he discarded is the main plot line.

Cat Sharp herself is a fabulous character. Tough, loyal, intelligent and persistent in her goals, especially when it comes to defeating her father.

I wanted to see where the story would go after the events of the day. She so ingenious that the plans she’s set in place are ones I can’t wait to see happen. In book 2 that’s not been written unfortunately.

Murphy is an author now on my auto read list and this story is just one more example why. Another winner.

Cover Artist: Indigo Chick Design

The Torn:

Practical Boots #1

Buy link

Book 1 of 1: The Torn

Blurb

These boots are made for walking…

The disappointing daughter of a Lord of the Torn, Cat Sharp was dumped in the shapeless Waste to prove herself or die. Seven years later, she’s honed the Artificer magic that saved her in the Waste, and her courier business is booming: after all, no one else can step from one location to another almost instantaneously, as Cat can with her seven league boots.

Each passage through the Waste takes her one step closer to the only thing she’s ever wanted to find…but even the Torn-born become careless at times. When Cat’s father catches up with her again, Cat must make a choice between her own dreams and an innocent’s future…or try once more to forge her own way through two worlds, neither of which she quite belongs in….

Miz Kit Productions

Publication date

June 4, 2021

Language

‎English

Print length

108 pages

Book 1 of 1

The Torn

Review: Deadly Night (Ageless Mysteries Book 1) by Vanessa Nelson

Rating: 4.75⭐️

“Can she serve justice in an unjust world?”

Vanessa Nelson, a prolific writer, was an unknown author to me before this book. But by the time I was done, at 3:33 am this morning, after reading through nonstop, she’s now gone directly to the front of my list of TBR authors.

What an incredible story and woman character Nelson serves up in Deadly Night, the first book in her Ageless Mysteries.

It’s been described as fantasy horror, or perhaps dark fantasy mystery, and it’s all that.

From page one, the writer drops us into a magical world of swords, carriages, and a very stratified society where a group of beings, the magical, flighted Ageless, rule over the world with the same sort of perception of a god looking upon lesser creatures. Then there’s the Ageless born, who have mixed human-Ageless heritage, who live in fear of being discovered and brought to The Citadel, the Ageless city, where they will be conscripted by the Ageless Society for whatever reason they want.

Then there’s the rest of the population, the humans and the other species, considered oddities by the Ageless. Most of the people leave their lives in abject poverty or in survival conditions.

Each small village has a Town Watch , a weapon-less law enforcement branch, to help police the community. Watch Officer Thea March has been newly promoted and sent to a new location and given a murder mystery to solve. The brutal slaughter of a young woman.

Nelson is laying down all her foundation while subtly building up her the world for her series, as Thea and her group of colleagues investigate the murder and move around the countryside and surrounding towns. We travel by carriage, move by foot to the docks, as each person does solid research into each case and their investigation. And while we are throughly invested in this aspect of the story, and we are because it’s suspense filled, tension laden, and compelling, there’s so much more happening.

Tiny personal moments and deep mysteries are appearing, mostly focused on Thea, but not all. And they look like tragic scenes and traumatic moments from her family’s past. This thread is likely one that will be continued throughout the series.

There’s no romance or hint of one. At least not in this novel. Too many other storylines and elements to introduce (and extremely well) and areas to explore. Even Thea’s difficulties with her bullying boss in her new job, how she manages to handle it realistically without making her feel weak but turning it into a positive experience for her job feels believable and very true.

It was extremely hard for me not to start on the second book right after this one. Even as an adult, I had to tell myself to wait for a couple of hours of sleep. Sigh.

Yes, it’s incredible. Yes, I’m absolutely recommending this. And best of all? It’s completely finished. You know I’m already binging it. My shelves are groaning.

Ageless Mysteries (6 book series):

Deadly Night #1

False Dawn #2

Morning Trap #3

Assassin’s Noon #4

Flightless Afternoon #5

Ascension Day #6

Buy link

Book 1 of 6: Ageless Mysteries

Blurb

Can she serve justice in an unjust world?

Newly-promoted Watch Officer Thea March is assigned her very first death investigation. Someone has brutally killed a young woman and dumped her body in an empty warehouse. The only real clue left at the scene points to one of the elite – the Ageless – as being involved.

The Watch might ignore one anonymous woman’s death, but when more bodies appear, killed in the same way, the deaths attract the attention of the ruling elite, and Mage Niath is assigned to work with Thea to hunt down the killer.

Having spent most of her life trying to avoid attracting the attention of the elite, the last thing that Thea wants is a prominent mage shadowing her every move.

But they will have to depend on each other, and all the skills at their disposal, to hunt down and stop the killer.

Deadly Night is the first book in the now-complete Ageless Mysteries series by Vanessa Nelson.

If you like your fantasy full of mystery and magic, then you will love this series. Get your copy now to start Thea’s story.

May 13, 2021

Edition

2nd

Language

‎English

Print length

271 pages

Book 1 of 6

Ageless Mysteries

Review: Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock Book 1) by Faith Hunter

Rating: 4.5⭐️

It only took 2 books but Faith Hunter has become not just a autobuy but an author I have to have and binge all of her series and books. And right now. She’s made my TBR pile so much longer! As if it wasn’t already out of control.

Did I tell you that she’s prolific and writes under two different names? Yep. And I’m just exploring one at the moment.

Hunter’s Urban fantasy series about a Cherokee skinwalker, Jane Yellowstone, who’s a traveling rogue vampire hunter is fantastic. A complete series, the first book was released in 2009, however, with the exception of some references to politicians and musicians from the same period, it’s still pretty current.

Jane Yellowstone’s past and her true nature is a fragmented history that will continue to be revealed over the series. It makes for a fascinating aspect of her story and adds more mystery to her character and series.

Her latest commission brings her to New Orleans, where she has been hired by the madam of Katies’s Ladies, a powerful woman vampire herself, to hunt down a rogue vampire who is killing other vampires in the city.

But nothing is that simple. And this turns into something layered with the mythology and magic of multiple mythologies and cultures. Foremost is the Cherokee skinwalker and other skin walker legends of various native tribes because it differs from tribal cultures. And Jane’s fractured memories leaves her trying to figure out where she falls in the spiritual spectrum. Is her skinwalker side dark or light?

And her enormous cat, the Beast that’s the main animal she can become, is a separate entity. Strong and entirely that of a creature that hunts and isn’t human in any sense of the way. The history behind the two of them is also a very strong part of her story.

New Orleans is beautifully portrayed, clearly by someone who loves and knows the city. Its locations are very well written and feel real.

The other characters here, from the wonderful women in Katies’s Ladies who make an indelible impression, to the various Vampire masters and their assistants who Jane gives nicknames, yes I love Troll so much, they made this a universe to sink into.

There’s potential romantic leads, each with their own secrets and unique personalities and agendas that make them poor choices. And the top Master Leo who’s obsessed with Jane’s ability and what type of unknown supernatural being she is.

Hunter is leaving much of Jane’s true identity and past unknown so it can slowly be revealed throughout the series. And the growth and development is something I really look forward to.

Fantastic all around. And highly recommended.

Jane Yellowrock (15 book series):

Skinwalker #1

Blood Cross #2

Mercy Blade #3

Raven Cursed #4

Death’s Rival #5

Blood Trade #6

Black Arts #7

Broken Soul #8

Dark Heir 9

Shadow Rites #10

Cold Reign #11

Dark Queen #12

Shattered Bonds #13

True Dead #14

Final Heir #15

Buy link

Book 1 of 15: Jane Yellowrock

Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1) by Faith Hunter

Blurb

Meet shapeshifting skinwalker Jane Yellowrock in the first novel in the New York Times bestselling series that captures “the essence of urban fantasy” (SF Site).

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind—a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she’s been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katies’s Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vamps.

Amidst a bordello full of real “ladies of the night,” and a hot Cajun biker with a panther tattoo who stirs her carnal desire, Jane must stay focused and complete her mission—or else the next skin she’ll need to save just may be her own…

Publisher

Ace

Publication date

July 7, 2009

Edition

Original

Language

‎English

Print length

336 pages

Book 1 of 15

Jane Yellowrock

Review: Jade City (The Green Bone Saga Book 1) by Fonda Lee

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Jade City is the first book I’ve read by Fonda Lee, a book and series very well known for being so remarkable in its wonderfully detailed world building and raw, yet powerful characters of the Kaul family.

I came across it by accident, as someone who was recommending it in their all time top fantasy series. Then it looked at the types of recommendations it had received.

Remarkable for a series and book that is hard to quantify. Here it’s called a fantasy novel, but alternative reality or universe, that works as well.

This is about a solitary island, Kekon, that has fought for independence from an outside country (white) and finally won, at a high cost. Its main source of wealth is jade, which can for certain individuals increase their human strength and abilities to something incredibly inhumane and frighteningly dangerous and powerful. Those people, the Green Bones, named after the Jade which gives them power, is now divided into two warring clans who control the island.

One of them is the Kaul family, the focal points of all the books.

This is an epic story, Asia-inspired tale of two crime dynasties, the Kauls and the Ayts. Its constant political manipulation and maneuvering, as well as traumatic physical, emotional, and psychological mental battles over Jade and territory. Often leading to death.

Added to this main fight between the clan giants are the smaller groups and those who covet the power they are physically unable to have. Those now trading in a new drug that has a high that gives the user Jade like ability.

All of this threatens to destabilize the Kaul family’s base of power and business. And each sibling will have to deal with their plans and place within the clan to see if and how they can make the Kaul clan survive.

It’s bloody, realistic, political, magical with the Jade being the basic element of the system that boosts their power.

And the characters are so strong, each well defined and beautifully developed.

This is only the first one and it’s so compelling and heartbreaking.

It deserves all the accolades.

It’s a World Fantasy Award winner and has been named one of TIME’s Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time.

The Green Bone Saga

Jade City

Jade War

Jade Legacy

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Book 1 of 3: The Green Bone Saga

Blurb

In this World Fantasy Award-winning novel of magic and kungfu, four siblings battle rival clans for honor and power in an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis.

*Named one of TIME’s Top 100 Fantasy Books Of All Time*

Jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for—and for centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their magical abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion.

Now, the war is over and a new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon’s bustling capital city. They care about nothing but protecting their own, cornering the jade market, and defending the districts under their protection. Ancient tradition has little place in this rapidly changing nation.

When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone—even foreigners—wield jade, the simmering tension between the Kauls and the rival Ayt family erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones—and of Kekon itself.

Praise for Jade City:

“An epic drama reminiscent of the best classic Hong Kong gangster films but set in a fantasy metropolis so gritty and well-imagined that you’ll forget you’re reading a book.” —Ken Liu, Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award-winning author

“A beautifully realized setting, a great cast of characters, and dramatic action scenes. What a fun, gripping read!” —Ann Leckie, Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author

“An instantly absorbing tale of blood, honor, family and magic, spiced with unexpectedly tender character beats.” —NPR

The Green Bone Saga

Jade City

Review: Junkyard Cats (Junkyard Cats Book 1) by Faith Hunter

Rating: 4.5⭐️

If post-apocalyptic creatures, the disheartening yet predictable aftermath of WW III, gore and battle bots, science and geeky mechanics combined with motorcycle gangs, heinous global politics , and sentient cats aren’t your thing, go no further. No romance but very good reason for the lack of it.

I hadn’t read anything from Faith Hunter before but I throughly enjoyed Junkyard Cats, so much so that I went ahead and bought the rest of the series.

The intriguing description and great cover got me but the fast paced, almost insanely complex story kept me glue to the page right to the end.

With a fantastic female main character named Shining Smith, she’s the, presumably “dead” owner of a junkyard that she and her father had. It’s in a pretty remote desert location in West Virginia, a place so rough and hard that no one ventures into it without a very good reason. It’s Shining, her assistant who’s mostly metal, and the cats. All the cats of the junkyard.

Who Shining is or was, what’s so special about those cats, and in fact, everything about this story, including the fact that she and her father were a part of a large motorcycle gang, is a joy and a string of surprises this book is in store.

There’s a lot of talk, or perhaps, weaving in of sections about nanotechnology, bots, science, technology, ships design, and just fantastic stuff to nerd out and explore as the narrative weaves Shining’s story of her personal journey of survival and current life in as a junkyard owner. It’s action packed, fascinating, and imaginative storytelling.

It’s also a quick read. This is a novella. So if any of this sounds like something you would like, grab it up. For me, it’s a winner.

Cover design by Rebecca Frank of Bewitching Book Covers.

The Junkyard Cats Series – 5 books

JUNKYARD CATS #1

JUNKYARD BARGAIN #2

JUNKYARD WAR #3

JUNKYARD ROADHOUSE #4

JUNKYARD RIDERS #5

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Book 1 of 5: Junkyard Cats

Blurb

From the author of the best-selling Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood fantasy series comes a tough new SciFi heroine who is far more than she seems. JUNKYARD CATS is the first in the novella series.

After the Final War, after the appearance of the Bug Aliens and their enforced peace, Shining Smith is still alive, still doing business from the old junkyard bequeathed to her by her father. But Shining is no longer human, and the junkyard is no longer just a scrapyard, but a place full of secrets that she has guarded for years.

This life she has built, while empty, is predictable and safe. Until the only friend left from her previous life shows up, dead, in the back of a scrapped Tesla warplane, a note clutched in his fingers, a note warning her of a coming attack.

Someone knows who she is. Someone knows what she is guarding. Will she be able to protect the junkyard and its secrets? Will she be able to stop the coming attack without the recon satellites overhead discovering what is hidden on the barren land? Or is the life she has built for herself over? Will she have to destroy everything she loves to keep her secrets out of the wrong hands?

Publisher

Lore Seekers Press

Publication date

August 25, 2020

Accessibility

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Language

‎English

File size

3.0 MB

Screen Reader

Supported

Enhanced typesetting

Enabled

X-Ray

Enabled

Word Wise

Enabled

Print length

152 pages

ISBN-13

978-1622681556

Page Flip

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Book 1 of 5

Junkyard Cats

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