Today Blog-Tour: The Flame Never Dies by Rachel Vincent

Today it is my absolute pleasure to host the tour for The Flame Never Dies by Rachel Vincent. She just happens to one of my favourite urban fantasy authors, which means it is double the pleasure.

Author bio:

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent loves good chocolate, comfortable jeans, and serial commas. Rachel is the author of the SOUL SCREAMERS series and can be found online at www.rachelvincent.com.
You can connect with @RachelKVincent and @HQYoungAdult on Twitter. Keep an eye open for #TheFlameNeverDies

About the book

Nina Kane was born to be an exorcist. And since uncovering the horrifying truth—that the war against demons is far from over—seventeen-year-old Nina and her pregnant younger sister, Mellie, have been on the run, incinerating the remains of the demon horde as they go.

In the badlands, Nina, Mellie, and Finn, the fugitive and rogue exorcist who saved her life, find allies in a group of freedom fighters. They also face a new threat: Pandemonia, a city full of demons. But this fresh new hell is the least of Nina’s worries. The well of souls ran dry more than a century ago, drained by the demons secretly living among humans, and without a donor soul, Mellie’s child will die within hours of its birth. Nina isn’t about to let that happen . . . even if it means she has to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Review

Rachel Vincent doesn't really get the recognition she deserves when it comes to her writing. Her Shifter series is one of the best urban fantasy series I have read. The Flame Never Dies is the sequel to The Stars Never Rise, a riveting YA fantasy. It is an interesting combination of a post-apocalyptic scenario and urban fantasy.

Nina Kane and her merry band of exorcists are fighting for survival in the badland wilderness of a world destroyed by a hoard of demons. All humans have become a potential body source to the creatures from hell.

They have tricked humans into thinking they are trying to save them from the imminent threat of the soul devouring entities. Only a small minority of humans can see through the charade. Nina and her fellow crusaders are blessed with the gift of exorcism, and being able to see the demons for what they are.

One of the best bits, as far as I am concerned was the whole demon vs Nina and her sister scenario towards the end. Pure comedy gold, in a post-apocalyptic supernatural surreal kind of way of course.

All that seems and sounds pretty simple, on a purely demonic level of course, but Vincent manages to incorporate a few intricate sub-plots. Including the dilemma of an empty well of souls. She tends to be able to pull her readers in quite quickly with her strong characters and innovative world-building.
I think the only negative is the fact this is supposedly only a two book enterprise. What a shame, it has such potential to be a longer series.

It's a fast-paced YA read with memorable and well-developed characters, and it's a jolly good read.

Buy The Flame Never Dies at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

The Secret language of Stones by M.J. Rose

This is the second part of The Daughters of La Lune series by M.J. Rose. In this book World War 1 and the Russian revolution are interwoven with the talents of the latest La Lune daughter.

On a side note, the author has a fascinating personal history and lets some of the elements of her background and family history seep into her stories.

I love the thought of Opaline being able to create an item that gives loved ones the feeling they can connect with the sons, husbands and lovers they have lost at war. The First World War was so brutal it managed to wipe out entire generations of the male population in more than one country.

Until I read it in this book I never really thought about how some people would have seen all those grieving loved ones as the perfect business opportunity. Mediums, psychics and countless frauds abusing such deep grief just to make a quick buck.

Opaline finds herself on both sides of the fence. She has lost someone, and she can connect to those that have past with her special gift.

My favourite part is the chapter about the eggs and the secrets they contain, perhaps because I find the story of the Faberge creations so fascinating.

Although the fate of the tsar and his family is a huge part of the story I am glad Rose didn't find it necessary to add any of the conspiracy theories about Anastasia. They are all dead and accounted for, despite how many frauds appeared and the misinformation that was spread by the Bolsheviks.

I like the way the author mixes historical fact with her supernatural elements.

Buy The Secret Language of Stones at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Read The Witch of Painted Sorrows (The Daughters of La Lune #1).

The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan

Excellent.

I have read an abundance of Urban Fantasy werewolf stories but this is Wolf done a la literary fiction and done very well indeed. The plot is simple and doesn’t suffer from the usual story killers such as a too many characters, a hundred sub-plots, cheesy B-film dramatics or awkward dialogue.

Instead the simplicity is also what makes the story so powerful. It is driven by just one character and his inner beast.The author had both man and his relation to his inner animal down to a fine art.

So much so, that if I didn’t know any different I would be taking a close look at Mr Duncan during specific lunar phases. It is really so in-sync with the thoughts, emotions and actions of Jake and later on with Talullah, it was quite impressive.

The reader gets a real sense of the hunger, the need and the utter helplessness when it comes to the inevitable change. The feeling of despair that invades his mind at the thought of being completely alone without a kindred spirit and no possibility of a mate, all whilst battling for control with the beast within him.

It was a compelling read with an unexpected ending and most certainly a series I will be following.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.

Depths (Southern Watch 2) by Robert J. Crane

This is the second in the Southern Watch series, a whole new ball game for high fantasy and urban fantasy author Crane.

It is darker, more risqué and offers scenarios that can push the boundaries. It just depends on what those boundaries are for each reader.

On a side note Crane seems to have it going on in the whole erotic scene creation. He has got the soul-eating, sorry soul-sucking by Gideon down to a fine art. Demon ejaculation 101 that’s all I’m saying.

However that also seems to be whole point of his existence and thereby is his storyline, which means his scenes ultimately always end in self-gratification. Gideon isn’t just your standard garden variety demon. He happens to be a the serial killing, rapist type of demon with sadistic tendencies.

Plays on Shakespeare’s Shylock not withstanding, in this second book the characters are well-developed and the series is beginning to show a lot of potential.

I liked the way the demon hunting team led by fellow demons Lerner and Duncan gave Hendricks a wee lesson in good guy/bad guy criteria. The scenes with that particular trio were quite witty. I can actually see Lerner, Duncan and Hendricks being a great spin-off series.The triumvirate of demon hunters with a penchant for philosophical debates, discussions on the validity of religion, faith in conjunction with the religious theme of hell and relationship advice of the self-help guru kind.

Then there is the unknown factor called Starling. Dibs on her being some sort of demon of the ancient variety, perhaps something like The Source.
Seems as if something wicked this way comes is the theme for the third book. Not sure if the greater worry is Starling or the complete surprise reveal at the end of the book.

One more thing: less jizz and more jazz.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author.

Destiny: The Girl in the Box #9 by Robert J. Crane

Once again Crane has managed to create a fantastic read. Gripping and surprising until the very last moment.

Characters are dropping like flies as we come to the end of the series. Just one more book to go. The author shows no mercy when it comes to the necessity of culling. Chop, chop, chop many heads on the block.

The relationship between Sienna and her mother has changed, the imbalance has shifted in Sienna’s favour. The daughter becomes the mother and the mother becomes the person asking for guidance.

There is a scene between them towards the end that has been a long time in coming. Sierra finally comprehends her role in her daughters development and the fact she hasn’t been able to change the past, present or the future. What will be, will be.

As for Scott, well I think Sienna needs to slap him round the fish with a wet kipper. I mean come on, now all of a sudden golden boy gets balls of jelly. Not sure he is acceptable bed material if he is unable to accept each aspect of Sienna. The good, the bad and murderous sides.

In the last few pages Sienna is back where we started nine books ago, except for one tiny detail. What was against her and trying to dispose of her in the beginning has just opened the door to a new collaboration.

Book 10 promises to be an epic conclusion to the story of Sienna. A battle for power over humanity and the Meta’s. The question is whether Sienna will lose her last bit of humanity in an attempt to win the battle and save everyone.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author.

The Feral Child by Che Golden

It is reminiscent of the Iron Fey by Kagawa. Young girl sets off on a rescue mission and has to deal with an evil Fae queen.

Although suitable for younger readers there are some creatures and scenes that may be a little too vicious. Then again these are the Fae of myth and folklore and not the dust sprinkling kind.

Maddy is the perfect vessel for future faerie assaults and possible friction between the real world and the Fae world. Her inner anger and desire to be with her parents consumes her from the inside, and it is those emotions, which make her such a vulnerable target.

Not that Maddy seems vulnerable, far from it. She has a stuff it and stuff you attitude, which isn’t going down well with her relatives. She seems to be a hard-nosed troublemaker and does her hardest to keep that particular image alive. In reality she is a scared, lonely and hurt little girl.

On one of her many disgruntled ‘I will do as I like, where I like’ walks she accidentally awakens the ire of an otherworldly being and ends up being drawn into the murky world of the Fae.

The relationship between the children changes during the journey. They start to trust each other and the first layers of friendship begin to grow between them.

This promises to be an entertaining series with spirited characters and dangerous adventures.
I received a copy of this book via Edelweiss.

Shiver of Light by Laurell K. Hamilton

At long last the Merry Gentry book with the big baby reveal is here. I will try to avoid any major spoilers, which will be terribly difficult. What I will say is they are

There is a strong layer of maternal emotion throughout the story. Yes, I know Merry has given birth, ergo it is only natural for that aspect to be part of the story.

I am talking about the way Hamilton has managed to instill that particular emotion with a strength and abandonment I found quite impressive. Exactly the right amount to extract a coo, a sigh and perhaps even an imaginary whiff of baby.

Regardless whether it was by intention or due to the medical necessity of the storyline, I was relieved by the lack of or minimum use of sexual activity.

Hamilton's books are often drenched or rather soaked with so much sexual interaction that it bogs down the story, and is often to the detriment of said story.

Hamilton is a talented scribe with the ability to weave the fantastical with a taste of modern to captivate her audience. Unfortunately that talent is often kicked to the side by the stronger tendency to have her characters romp, ravish and fornicate.

Luckily this time it wasn't the case, well at least not as much as usual.

Merry transfers or awakens powers with skin to skin touch, sexual intimacy and sex in general. She also makes those she interacts with on those levels much stronger. That per se, aside from how often, isn't a problem. What I found questionable is Merry doing it with individuals she doesn't like, doesn't trust and only doing it to awaken their power. Indeed there seems to a waiting list to 'visit' with Merry for a special awakening.

Although this part of the popular series is filled with joy there is also a shock and heartbreak in store for Merry and her small bus load of men.

I think Hamilton could use this deep breath and break she has taken from Gentry to take the series in an entirely new direction. The children offer the opportunity of a fresh start. There could be a spin-off featuring the Gentry offspring, whether as a YA or a new urban fantasy series.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.