I actually received the ARC of Uninvited by Sophie Jordan last year and set it aside for review closer to the release date. Then in October I reviewed a wonderful NA contemporary romance called Foreplay by new to me author Sophie Jordan who also writes historical romances for Avon, HarperCollins. When I realized they were the same author I was both nervous and excited. I knew she could write breathtakingly beautiful contemporary romances but could she wow this lover of dystopians? The answer, my friends, is yes! She gave me an intense, bone-chillingly realistic future world with interesting characters. Mini-review: Thought-provoking, eerily plausible and exciting beginning to this duology.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Red Rising is a brilliant dystopian and the first in the Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown. From the depths below Mar’s surface to the hills of Olympus; Brown melded science-fiction, complex characters and outstanding world-building in this tale that left me spent and begging for more. Mini review: Epic world-building, brutal, and enthralling with whiffs of a darker Hunger Games.
Mayhem by Sarah Pinborough
Mayhem by Sarah Pinborough takes us to the streets of London’s East end during the period of Jack the Ripper and exposes a darker killer known as the “torso killer” Steeped in horror with a paranormal twist this was a riveting tale. Mini review: dark, scary and captivating.
Dangerous Refuge by Elizabeth Lowell
Dangerous Refuge was my first read by author Elizabeth Lowell. One of my favorite genres is romantic suspense, and while the romance developed a little too quickly it was a captivating mystery. Mini review: Suspenseful, strong characters and an interesting murder mystery.
Desperate and Deceptive by Jayne Castle
Desperate and Deceptive: The Guinevere Jones Collection Volume 1 by Jayne Castle brings us the first two books in the Guinevere Jones series previously published as a four book series. As a fan of Castle, I was delighted to see these books republished since they have been out of print for some time, and my library didn’t have them. I have come to love Castle’s futuristic books but loved these straight romantic suspense stories. Mini review: Gritty PI stories with a dynamic duo that made me laugh and stole my heart.