The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is—a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

In The Calling, the sizzling second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong pumps up the romance, danger, and suspense that left readers of The Gathering clamoring for more.


Review
I've been a huge Kelley Armstrong fan ever since I first discovered Bitten in 2008. And I've been very pleased with her transition into YA since then. While I always have the lingering feeling that I would have enjoyed her YA more while I was a younger teen, this is at no fault of the author. Her YA books are always well-written and consistent, if slightly subdued.

The Calling is a strong sequel and perhaps an altogether stronger book than it's predecessor. One thing that truly impressed me is that I'm not recognizing her characters from other series. With time, certain authors become bland because while their characters change in appearance and background, they essentially remain the same in personality. This is not a problem with Kelley Armstrong. Her characters are truly different. I don't automatically recognize the romantic interest as a poorly veiled repeat from a previous novel. The romantic interest isn't always the handsome guy, the nice guy, the misunderstood guy, or even the dangerous guy. Every character is a stranger at first. And it's always a pleasure to make their acquaintance.

My only complaint with this novel is that its setting is limited in scope. Her Women of the Otherworld series (originally, at least) is very much rooted in Jeremy's house, but we also get a nice sense of Elena's world away from the Pack. We feel the contrast between civilization with all its technology- and the Pack with its natural wilds. In the Darkest Powers series, the portrayal of the Lyle House is creepily excellent.

The Darkness Rising series has a lot of movement and nature to comprise its setting, but very little depth and sense of direction. I understand that this is partially due to the nature of the kids' escape, but I felt the setting was handled much better in Darkest Powers where kids were also on the run.

The Calling is another success for Armstrong. I'd recommend (re)reading The Summoning before reading The Calling as I found that I often needed to refresh my memory.

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Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey

Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey

Summary
Talia, a young runaway, is made a herald at the royal court after she rescues one of the legendary Companions. When she uncovers a plot to seize the throne, Talia must use her empathic powers to save the queen.


Review
Mercedes Lackey is a well-known name in the fantasy genre, and after reading Arrows of the Queen, I am beginning to understand why. This book has some rough edges and could use a bit more polish and development, but it has the bones of a truly excellent fantasy novel. And, from what I am given to understand, Lackey has honed her craft since the publishing of this first novel (Arrows of the Queen).

Lackey's world-building is excellent. I'm hoping to see a bit more development, but I suspect that this may be filled out in the sequels in this series. Her main character, Talia, is likable if slightly distant. Some of her supporting characters blend together- and it's a pity since all of them have potential as round characters. On the other hand, there were a few characters who were truly stand out. Jadus and Skif are subtle stars in this novel, each characterizing underrepresented relationships in the publishing industry.

In my own life, I have often bonded with older people. It was refreshing to see Talia and Jadus create such a relationship. Skif is a charming character in and of himself--however, his thwarted romance turned friendship is highly relatable and lovely to see in a novel. Books are too often filled with instant passion and eternal love. Skif provides a realistic comfort.

Overall, Lackey was an absolute pleasure to read. It is no wonder that her work has inspired devotion in so many readers throughout the decades.

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Deceived by the Others by Jess Haines

Summary
They're here, and they're real. . .werewolves, vampires, mages, and other creatures of the night. For New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest, taking care of Others business started out as a way to stay solvent. But now business is getting very, very complicated. . . 

Shiarra's relationship with sexy werewolf Chaz may be somewhat unconventional. Still, after a few bumps, Shia is finally ready to get serious. That means meeting family—or in this case, bringing Chaz's entire werewolf pack along for a rollicking full-moon weekend in the Catskills. 

Soon after they arrive, threatening notes appear, warning Chaz to go home. Then their cabin is ransacked. Shia starts digging to find out whether it's the work of upstart teenaged werewolves or something more sinister. Yet as rumors about her vampire connections arouse the pack's hostility, Shia has to contend with other dangers. Not just from an adversary about to make his fatal intentions known, but from a threat that's even closer than she knows. . .


Review
I suppose the first thing I can say is that I picked up the first book of Jess Haines' series yesterday. And right now I'm freaking out because the fourth book doesn't come out until July. I'm having a total spazz meltdown. And I think that sentence proves it.

Because I am incapable of writing a review without a little context, I want to mention that I really enjoyed Jess Haines' first book in this series, Hunted by the Others. It stood apart from all the urban fantasy I've read recently. Lately, I've enjoyed a number of urban fantasy series, but they all seemed a little off. One descended into romantic drivel in book 3. Another lagged in book 2. Some felt rushed. Others had dialogue issues. 

So while I really enjoyed Haines' book 1, I had some reservations about book 2. But book 2 was a strong sequel where my only complaint was some character discontinuity. As in I felt that a character didn't stay true to the author's original portrayal. 

Well. Book 3 put everything into perspective and made Haines a contender for my favorite authors list. Absolutely incredible! I had some doubts at times, I will admit. The earlier 'villains' in book 3 are non-traditional to say in the least. But the way Haines used them to weave two plots together was absolute genius. 

I really can't say much more without a generous helping of spoilery, so I'm going to wrap up this review. 

Deceived by Others is a brilliant show stopper in a solid urban fantasy series brimming with endless potential. I look forward to seeing what Haines does with this series in the future.

Upcoming Release: Sacrificial Magic by Stacia Kane

Sacrificial Magic is fourth in Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series. This series is one of my all-time favorites, and I really cannot recommend it enough. Since Sacrificial Magic will be released this coming Tuesday, I've decided to share the book description with you here. Get excited! You have just enough time to catch up with the series before publication day.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
When Chess Putnam is ordered by an infamous crime boss—who also happens to be her drug dealer—to use her powers as a witch to solve a grisly murder involving dark magic, she knows she must rise to the challenge. Adding to the intensity: Chess’s boyfriend, Terrible, doesn’t trust her, and Lex, the son of a rival crime lord, is trying to reignite the sparks between him and Chess. 

Plus there’s the little matter of Chess’s real job as a ghost hunter for the Church of Real Truth, investigating reports of a haunting at a school in the heart of Downside. Someone seems to be taking a crash course in summoning the dead—and if Chess doesn’t watch her back, she may soon be joining their ranks. 

As Chess is drawn into a shadowy world of twisted secrets and dark violence, it soon becomes clear that she’s not going to emerge from its depths without making the ultimate sacrifice.