The Ursulina (Shelby Lake, #2) by Brian Freeman

The Ursulina by Brian Freeman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated once again by January LaVoy (loved The Deep Deep Snow); Rebecca Colder is a detective in a town that seems to be VERY backward and hates most of the women ---men want the jobs in the mine and hate the women who take those jobs from them. The same happens with Rebecca, as the only woman on the police force but I did not like her allowing the officers to annoy her, grope her, and demean her (she had people who would believe her). Also, as the story unfolded with Rebecca's marriage to Ricky torpedoing--how could everyone see what a loser he was and Rebecca did not? I am not a fan of UNRELIABLE NARRATORS and I was becoming convinced Rebecca was unreliable in almost every facet of her life. Why would she not tell Brian who was an Ursulina hunter that she saw it when she was 10 yrs old? Why would she take Ricky's awful abuse and not let the law/Daryl put him in jail. Why would she not admit while questioning with Daryl she was in full blown labor?!? Don't get me wrong I loved the book; just not a fan of Rebecca and now I am back to listening to The Deep Deep Cold AGAIN and love Shelby's POV!

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Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee

Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide and Rick Riordan Presents for the advance reader copy, Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee in exchange for an honest review. This is my 3rd Rick Riordan Presents book and I just keep wanting to read more and more of these middle grade fantasies about different cultures. I fell in love with the Hmong folklore, spirits, food, and Asian mythology in this debut by Lori M. Lee. There were so many memorable characters with my two favorites being Pahua (and her best friend cat, Miv – that no one can see) and her friend/enemy Zhong (a shaman in training on a quest). Both these girls are Hmong, lonely, and on a mission- Pahua to rescue her brother Matt’s spirit which has been stolen by a horrid bridge spirit and Zhong, a warrior shaman who must complete a trial or fail. As Pahua and Zhong work together they have many, many adventures (funny and serious), racing against time and mythological characters and spirits to save her little brother; these 2 fearless and unforgettable characters will use magic, strength, nature-based spirits and fantastical folklore to conquer a soul stealer like no other. Highly recommended for middle grade fantasy lovers!

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Apex (Hunter, #3) by Mercedes Lackey

Apex by Mercedes Lackey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This final book in the series, awesomely narrated by Amy Landon, had me reeling. I really enjoyed Joy's hounds and in this book they shine with all they can do to help their handlers---because Drift and an evil Folk Mage are out to end the Hunters and take over. Joy also is approached by Josh to help him, Drift wants to recruit him and Josh knows what it means--- he will die like the others...As Joy hides him in the Drift (it was amazing how she accomplished this---her hound turns into a human impersonating Josh, and he is spirited away. But as the fighting with more and more creatures becomes deadly to the Hunters, Joy turns to her Folk Mage for help and this results in an epic cover-up by Drift and her team. Hold on, this last book moves quickly! I wish there was going to be another book in this series because there are still unanswered questions and more drama in Apex!

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Elite (Hunter, #2) by Mercedes Lackey

Elite by Mercedes Lackey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow this audiobook read by Amy Landon has me hooked! Now the Joy knows Ace (and others) is out to get her, she decides to become Elite where she will no longer have to care about ratings; she will be hunting with an Elite crew all the time---I really liked her new friends like Hammer, Steel and her romance with Josh hits bumps because the head of Psicore, Drift is doing some very unorthodox stuff to her teams and when they begin to turn up Joy is the one finding them! There is also a Folk Mage who seems to want to help her, what will Joy do? I can't wait for the 3rd book, Apex in this series!

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Hunter (Hunter, #1) by Mercedes Lackey

Hunter by Mercedes Lackey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Amy Landon this first in the series has Joya, a Hunter, telling the reader about her life as a hunter in her beloved mountains but then she is promoted to Apex, the bustling capital to keep track of the cits (citizens) and boy is life there different. I loved the many mythological creatures the hunters battle and it is apparent Joya is VERY good at her job. So good she garners enemies. Her uncle is the prefect and through a series of taps on her shoulder as she is introduced, Joya realizes all is not well in/at Apex and there are those who are out to get her and through her, her uncle. She meets and likes his assistant psimon Josh, and they begin to date. It was unnerving how Joya's mind never shuts off always looking for threats but she is right to do that as someone is trying to hurt her, could it be Ace the top Hunter? I loved her pack animals and the magic she and the animals wielded. I am already listening to the 2nd book in the series, Elite!

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