Madeline, Masque Of The Red Death, Southern Witch Series Mini Book Reviews (4)




Watch the video for spoiler-free mini reviews on each book and look below for further details






Abandon (Abandon Trilogy #1)

Madeline by Ellen Heights
My rating: Good

Teenage lovers Lilly and Madeline are separated after a male vampire attacks and turns them, changing their lives forever. When a fight tears them apart, they go their separate ways. Twenty years later, Madeline has used her vampirism to a profit, but Lilly still cannot accept her life in the dark. Pining for the love they once had, can the two lovers rekindle the passion they once shared?

*This is a short story of approximately 4,000 words, and was featured in the Girls Who Bite anthology by Cleis Press.

This was very good. You get a lot from the short story and a strong sense of each character.

Recommended

Yes/No Checklist
Sex: Yes
Gore: No
Rape: No
Magic: Vampires
Drugs: No

Star Categories

Romance: 4 Stars
Action: N/A
Pacing: 4 Stars
Writing: 4 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Protagonist Meter

Damsel-*---------Badass
I never got the impression that this main character would do any ass kicking, even if the opportunity had arisen-- which it didn't.

Masque of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death, #1)

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
My rating: DNF

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

I'm throwing in the towel on this one. The book isn't terrible, it just isn't interesting enough for me. I'm over 50% into it and I still don't have any ambition to keep reading.

DNF

*The following ratings are based ONLY ON THE 56% THAT I READ.

Yes/No Checklist
Sex: No
Gore: No
Rape: No
Magic: No
Drugs: Alcohol & unidentified needle drugs

Star Categories
Romance: 3.5 Stars
Action: N/A
Pacing: 1.5 Stars *It just felt like nothing ever happened.
Writing: 3 Stars
Plot: 2 Stars
Overall: DNF

Protagonist Meter
Damsel*----------Badass
She's suicidal through the first half of the book, which isn't a trait often (ever?) seen in a badass.

Would-Be Witch (Southern Witch, #1)

Would-Be Witch by Kimberly Frost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The promising debut of a hot new voice in paranormal romance-and the first of the Southern Witch novels.

The family magic seems to have skipped over Tammy Jo Trask. All she gets are a few untimely visits from long-dead, smart-mouthed family ghost Edie. But when her locket-an heirloom that happens to hold Edie's soul-is stolen in the midst of a town-wide crime spree, it's time for Tammy to find her inner witch.

After a few experiences with her dysfunctional magic, Tammy turns to the only person in small-town Duval, Texas, who can help: the very rich and highly magical Bryn Lyons. He might have all the answers-and a 007 savoir faire to boot-but the locket isn't the only heirloom passed down in Tammy's family. She also inherited a warning: stay away from Lyons.

I think I would possibly make this 4.5 if I could. It was just that much fun to read. The story is go-go-go with tons of twists and turns. You expect it to be a "simple" read but by the end of it, you realize how very complex this story really was. The author did a great job of only telling you what you needed when you needed it. I would also like to point out that I think this book is mis-categorized as an Adult Romance. It is adult, but the romance is not the main theme and there is hardly any sex in it. It really should just be considered Sci-Fi/Fantasy.

*The following ratings are for Would-Be Witch. Click here if you would like to see ratings for Barely Bewitched or Halfway Hexed.

Recommended & Honorable Mention

Yes/No Checklist
Sex: Yes *But it's pretty well brushed over.
Gore: Sorta *A little blood and wounds.
Rape: No
Magic: Oh Yeah!
Drugs: Alcohol, cigarettes, and potions ;)

Star Categories
Romance: 4.5 Stars
Action: 4.5 Stars *It never stopped!
Pacing: 5 Stars *Boy, did this story move.
Writing: 4 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars *Deceptively complex story.
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Protagonist Meter
Damsel-----*-----Badass
I might as well put her in the middle. She's got the potential to be a kick ass witch, but it hasn't been realized quite yet. I'm truly hoping that we get some awesomeness from her in the future.

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