A Secret to Die For by Sierra Dean

The end of  Secret McQueen, as we know her, and I  for one am sorry to see her go. This Urban Fantasy series has to be one of the most underrated in the ocean of books. It deserves to be right up there with the big guns.

It was an unexpected ending. In a way  it was almost a let down. Not exactly the atypical Secret exit. It felt as if Secret was at ease because the end solution gives her perhaps what she wished for all along.

I find that odd and not exactly realistic when you take her friends, lovers and comrades in arms into consideration. How is she supposed to fit in and function or be respected by the supernatural after that?

Apparently Dean is planning a spin-off, so I am sure we will hear from Secret again if only in a side character capacity.

Everyone turns up for the last stand against evil. All the favourites characters and more are there to support Secret. Not everyone gets out of this spectacular meltdown alive. Dean actually swings the great author sword of the main character cull, so expect to be both surprised and perhaps even upset by the demise of one person in particular.

Unlike other reviewers I didn't feel this was a perfect ending to an admittedly very good series. I believe it was far too sugary sweet and goody two shoes to do Secret justice. However I also think Dean wrote it in a way that leaves a back-door for Secret to return. Why? Because of Aubrey and what he intends to and will do with his newly gained advantage.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley.

Without Shadows by Olivia Owens

This is second book in the Soulless series by Olivia Owens.

One of the points I made about Nick in my review for the first book Windows of the Soulless,was his constant internal battle with himself. Instead of being without a soul I believe he lives with two, which is why his behaviour is very erratic and it can often seem as if the reader is reading about two completely different people.

There is the ruthless killer, who has no conscience and acts like an animal hunting human prey. He is insensitive, rude and lacks any kind of endearing quality. Then there is the other side of Nick, the humane and caring side. The side that makes sure a young Jane Doe feels safe in an extremely difficult situation.

Although these two sides of Nick inhabit the same body I am not sure if he is aware of the almost multiple personality like quality he is exhibiting.

The conflict between the werewolves and the vampires is heating up and possibly heading towards a climax and boundary issues.
The relationships and complicated hierarchy of the vamps is strained almost to breaking point, especially when Nick finds out that the monster who ended his previous life is connected to his present in a most unfortunate way.

There was a lot going on in this book, perhaps a sort of interim leading up to the next, because it lacked a little of the plot structure the first book had. Nevertheless this is still a series with lots of potential and room for scope.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author.

Windows of the Soulless by Olivia Owens

The author portrays the main character as someone who has two distinct personalities within him and he is fighting to control both. Each of those personalities is trying to gain the upper hand at all times.

One personality represents the humanity left within him. The person who doesn't want to kill and allows himself to show mercy towwards others. The other personality is the vampire, the hunter, the killer and the one that will destroy at the mere smell of blood.

Obviously this also means that the people who surround the main character are never quite sure who they are dealing with. It also explains how he can seem to be caring in one second and then utterly without a conscience the next minute.

I didn't feel this was about loving a person he is not allowed to have. For me it was about that fight within him. Depending on whether the ruthless part of him wins also dictates the fate of those he supposedly cares for.

At this point I would also like to say kudos to the author for the twist in the plot during the hospital melee. It was completely unexpected, both how it came about and the way it was planned.

The book takes a complete U turn about halfway through into a deeper plot involving shifters. The setting of the book is Germany during WWII so the inevitable German military villain turned up.

Whether it was done on purpose or not and I would to think yes, there was a certain element to the villain Ulrich. Without revealing a spoiler I think his experimentation and enjoyment of said experiments were a subtle reference to the sadism which was a huge part of the horror that took place during that era. All in the name of science, as they liked to say.

Overall this was both an entertaining and well written story.
I received a free copy of this book for my review.