Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this awesome 2nd audiobook (excellently narrated by Nancy Wu) in the duology series Flame in the Mist for my empowering female twitter chat with #yearofya to be held on 9/6 at 8PM EST, please join us as we talk titles that feature females in the lead, girls supporting each other or overcoming the many challenges young women face and oh was this audiobook perfect with Hattori Mariko the strong female but also with lesser female characters who behind the scenes are intelligent, aware, and forthright in their agendas. Mariko is such a strong female character (within and to all who know her) and she also emboldens other females in the court and the Black Clan to be true to themselves and care for others. There is so much violence in this story, especially Emperor Roko's torture of prisoners that I gave this a horror classification as well. I loved the romance between Mariko and Okami and with Okami's reticence, Mariko stood firm, resolute, and almost embarrassed Okami to the become leader everyone saw. Thankfully when he finally escapes his torturous prison and finds gifts and letters hidden in his destroyed parents' home for his eyes only, Okami realizes what his true mission is and becomes the perfect strong leader needed in a time of battles and betrayals in court and the kingdoms bringing change to a feudal Japan wracked by evil within. Loved this book, could not stop listening!!!


View all my reviews

The Diabolic by SJ Kincaid

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a great book! I loved the cover of the book, the plot, the characters, everything! I could not put this delicious book down! A diabolic has one purpose in life, to protect the only person they are bonded to and Nemesis is bonded to Sindonia von Impyrean. As she leaves her pen and merciless treatment, Nemesis is a killing machine who will share with the reader her hopes, fears, and life with the senator's daughter. When Sindonia's father openly speaks against the Emperor, Sindonia is called to the Court as a hostage (it is her mother who decides to send Nemesis posing as Sindonia) and the scheming, heartlessness of the Emperor, his ruthless mother, and the mad nephew who is next in line to rule, all plunge Nemesis into a world where she must BE convincingly HUMAN. I can't wait for the next book, DARN - not until Fall of 2017 and the 3rd not until Fall 2018.

View all my reviews