Ninth City Burning by J. Patrick Black

What will the future bring? For the denizens of Earth and cities like Ninth it brings a constant threat of alien invasion. War with the Valentines, so called because that was the day they originally attacked Earth is an ongoing effort, held in realms that are spread out beyond Earth itself. Each city is responsible to help hold off incursions with massive guns but it is the people in this new found resistance that are important. There are those who are able to use thelemity, a universal magic, to provide the final protection for those who have no such abilities and they are the ones the aliens need to destroy in order to take over the world.

As we follow Black's story we are introduced to several young people who are engaged in this fight to the death, not all capable of thelemity themselves but bringing forth the fight straight to Valentine as they face the ultimate battle with an enemy who has suddenly changed tactics which will reveal that this war is coming to an ultimate conclusion. The Valentines are tired of war and have amassed for complete decimation of Earth. Mankind's last stand will be seen through the eyes of these few who will determine if we triumph against massive odds.

At first I found this a little grueling to get through but I have to say that by the end of the book you're really invested in these characters who much like you are struggling to live in a hostile world that they care for. Lives are lost and honor bestowed as each of them realizes that to evacuate Earth is not a choice if it means not everyone gets out alive. They will fight for those who cannot or die knowing they tried. Valiant and courageous, they help to overlook any small flaw that trips you up. And did I mention there's semi sentient suits of magical armor? Knights of the future still make great story telling too. Looking forward to the continuation.

Heartstone by Elle Katharine White

This was an ARC provided by the publisher but the review is my own.

Pride and Prejudice is a literary classic that has helped inspire countless writers to create their own unique spin on the story. In Elle White's vision the story is given a touch of dragon fire and fantasy to bring a whole new chapter to Jane Austen's legacy.

Aliza Bentaine lives in a world where magical creatures co exist with humanity, working along side to battle against those dark creatures who seek to extinguish all who stand in their way. After suffering a personal loss due to a gryphon attack, Aliza and her community invest everything they have into the Riders to help destroy the imminent threat facing them but when she meets Alastair Daired, dragonrider, she begins to understand that her greatest battle is against the convictions of a man and society who could never see her as his equal. As the people of Merybourne are thrust into the middle of a final confrontation with pure evil, true valor will not be found on the battlefield but in the hearts of those who must decide what is right and what must be sacrificed.

White's world feels fresh and exciting with mythical creatures such as dragons and wyverns and creatures of nightmare to keep you on the edge of your seat while her homage to Austen is the kernel around which a rich and full fledged story with characters that ring true, even the flawed ones, shines. Of course there is a happy ending but the journey there is full of surprises. A job well done indeed. Find this title available mid January.

Vicious (Vicious #1) by V.E. Schwab

What happens when you recognize a piece of yourself in someone else? In the glimmer of their eyes, in their stance, you see the same dark edge that also hides in you and you feel the bond only to discover that the connection isn't a blessing but a burden and in time the seat of vengeance. 

Eli and Victor are not two sides of a coin, they are superimposed shades of each other which has brought them to the edge of the abyss and where one leads the other follows in a successful experiment where a near death experience will create a power based on their last moments. Their growing competitiveness is now a rift between them as Victor's decision not to let Eli leave him behind sets off a chain reaction that will set the now enemies on a collision course. One incapable of being wounded, the other capable of absorbing pain or releasing it. One knows that he is not completely human but still worthy of living, the other thinks he has been given a chance to exterminate others like him to protect humanity. Even if he must take lives to do so.

This is a tangled tango of two monsters who take powers onto themselves that are beyond anything we could comprehend outside of comic books. As we travel along and meet others like them, it is Eli and Victor that grip you and make you question which side you want to be on. There are no good guys here, only the demons within come out to play. The only thing you have to decide is what resides in your soul. An addictive read which will make you all ask yourselves, if I had super powers would I use them for good or evil? Would I even care? 

This is the first in a series and well written. There are a few hiccups but quite frankly you will be too invested in seeing who comes out on top to care. So pick this book up and decide which monster appeals to your inner nature. Be prepared to read into the early morning hours.

"The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains" by Neil Gaiman

This is a great collaboration, sure to be part of a collection for anyone from Gaiman fans to folklore lovers. Highly recommend. The illustrations are stark and the perfect counterpart to the story.

"A Red Sun Also Rises" by Mark Hodder

An interesting idea from an author I liked but not my cup of tea. Having said that it's still worth a read.

"The Corpse Rat-King" by Lee Battersby

This book was original and full of hysterical moments that just make you want to read and read. I don't think in all the years I've been reading sci-fi I've ever run across anything quite like it. Crossing my fingers that the author keeps writing just like this.

"Hellforged (Deadtown, #2)" by Nancy Holzner

I would recommend this for anyone who likes Celtic mythology, demons. zombies, and handsome werewolfs.

"The World House (The World House, #1)" by Guy Adams

This was an interesting tale. It takes a while for the heart pounding to start but the development is laced with interesting ideas and the characters get to be like old friends. Only bad thing I could say about it would be that I didn't find out until the very last page that it's a continuing story. Sigh. Another series I have to add to my to read list.

"A Dance of Death (Shadowdance, #3)" by David Dalgish

Glad to continue reading about Haern's adventures, pissed off to find out my trilogy has sprouted another volume. Still, can't say I don't want to read more.