Must-read romances: 'Mortal Gods,' 'Demon's Fury,' 'The Invisible'
Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake
What it's about (Courtesy of Tor Teen):
Ares, God of War, is leading the other dying gods into battle. Which is just fine with Athena. She's ready to wage a war of her own, and she's never liked him anyway. If Athena is lucky, the winning gods will have their immortality restored. If not, at least she'll have killed the bloody lot of them, and she and Hermes can die in peace.
Cassandra Weaver is a weapon of fate. The girl who kills gods. But all she wants is for the god she loved and lost to return to life. If she can't have that, then the other gods will burn, starting with his murderer, Aphrodite.
The alliance between Cassandra and Athena is fragile. Cassandra suspects Athena lacks the will to truly kill her own family. And Athena fears that Cassandra's hate will get them ALL killed.
The war takes them across the globe, searching for lost gods, old enemies, and Achilles, the greatest warrior the world has ever seen. As the struggle escalates, Athena and Cassandra must find a way to work together. Because if they can't, fates far worse than death await.
Why you should read it: Kendare is a new author to watch out for. I loved the Anna Dressed in Blood series, and Antigoddess was just fantastic. Mortal Gods picks up right where we left off, and the mythology is just as interesting and unique. Cassandra is fantastic, though my favorite is still Athena. The violence and action scenes are juicy, and I have to say every secondary character is developed and done well, even those who died. And the ending???? All I can say is that I can't wait for Ungodly. I want it … now… I did just put Antigoddess in my audio shopping cart. I can't wait to listen.
What Kendare Blake has to say …
What is your favorite god or goddess?
Kendare: ... Maybe that cat goddess from Egypt. Bast? Or Bastet? I don't know much about her, but she seems cool, and easily plied with a bowl of cream.
What would you be goddess of?
Kendare: I would be goddess of being able to change my godhood. Today I would be goddess of chocolate cake. Tomorrow I would perhaps be goddess of misplaced keys and slow Internet connections.
What are you currently working on?
Kendare: I am working on edits, actually, for the third book in the Goddess War trilogy: Ungodly.
Epic one-liner from Mortal Gods?
Kendare: I don't know how epic this is, but I've always liked Athena's line: "The gods of war are about to bleed."
Demon's Fury by Jocelynn Drake
What it's about (Courtesy of Harper voyager Impulse)
Powerful warlock and tattoo artist Gage has managed to escape the magical Ivory Towers who terrorize the rest of humans and monsters – but at a price. Now he must join forces with his nemesis Gideon to stop an unknown entity who is using old magic to commit gruesome murders. And if that's not keeping him busy enough, an investigator recruits Gage to help her track a killer … who might be targeting tattoo artists.
Why you should read it: Who doesn't like an awesomely fierce tattoo artist? This series is fun to read, and each can be read as a stand-alone, though I do recommend reading them all. The whole world is very well and fully written, and I like the entire secondary cast, even the baddies. Like Dresden, I like Gage because he isn't the typical perfect hero. He's got rough edges and a bad past that keeps catching up with him. Readers (and Gage) also get a little bit of romance, and I like how book three of the Asylum Tales is broken up into three parts. The next is Demon's Vow, which comes out Oct. 21. Also, the audio version is excellent — I like how Michael Urie portrays Gage.
What Jocelynn Drake has to say …
What is the sexiest tattoo you've ever seen?
Jocelynn: I once saw a tattoo done in traditional Japanese art style of a pink cherry blossom tree on a dark mountain with the pink blossoms blowing across the sky. It was sexy and elegant.
What tattoo would be your heart's desire?
Jocelynn: I've got several new tattoos planned, but haven't had the chance to get them yet. One is the "A" symbol from the Assassin's Creed video game series. I'm also planning to get a large phoenix rising out of flames on my back as soon as I find a tattoo artist.
What are you working on next?
Jocelynn: I have a lot of projects that I'm finishing up at the moment. I've got a super sexy contemporary romance set in Italy that I'm completing the rough draft on, a spin-off from the Dark Days series is nearly done, and I'm laying the ground work for a new fantasy series. Busy. Always keeping busy.
Epic one-liner from Demon's Fury?
Jocelynn: Sorry, I couldn't think of a favorite one-liner. But I am a fan of this short exchange:
"Don't worry, Santa. I've got your sack to carry," I said.
Bronx hooked his thumbs on the wide black belt wrapped around his pillow-padded stomach. "I don't think you're man enough to handle my sack," he drawled, his wide grin partially hidden behind a large white beard.
"Oh, funny," I said.
"Ho! Ho! Ho!" Bronx said in his best Santa imitation, which was pretty damn impressive.
The Invisible by Amelia Kahaney
What it's about (Courtesy of Harper Teen):
Taking up where The Brokenhearted ended, the sequel finds Anthem Fleet attempting to return to a normal life after an experimental surgery that left her with a bionic hummingbird heart and a terrifying new strength. But she can't shake her suspicions about her father's connection to the Syndicate and she can't ignore the cries of help in the crime-ridden city of Bedlam. She finds new promise in her relationship with Ford, but after his lifesaving surgery, the Ford Anthem knew slips away.
When a mysterious new group called "The Invisible" starts attacking the privileged North Siders, Anthem has to step up and be the New Hope that Bedlam needs, or Bedlam will fall…once and for all.
Why you should read it: The premise behind this series is interesting, and I enjoyed reading The Brokenhearted and The Invisible. Granted, the heroine does really dumb things often (don't leave video evidence or a trail behind you!) and doesn't get a disguise (classic Superhero 101), but the story is fun. I like Anthem a lot better in this book than the first. She is a little more hesitant when it comes to Ford (thank you!) and a little bit smarter. You'll either love this book or not. If you suspend disbelief, you can have fun with Anthem. The villains are obvious, but I enjoyed the break from reality.
What Amelia Kahaney has to say …
What would your superpower be?
Amelia: I would use the power of mind control to make large groups of people break out into choreographed dance routines. Applied strategically, these spontaneous dance numbers would promote understanding and compassion, thereby ending war as we know it.
What would your villain look like/be/power?
Amelia: My personal villain is a faceless, howling void dressed in a stained bathrobe who calls himself Dr. Despair. His power is the ability to dampen enthusiasm and erase joy with an all-enveloping sucking sound.
What are you currently working on?
Amelia: I'm in the early stages of a thriller about three former best friends and a murder in the California desert.
Epic one-liner from The Invisible?
Amelia: "We are the invisible, and we are everywhere."
Jessie Potts, also known as Book Taster, adores books in all forms. She also does reviews for RT Book Reviews magazine and works in the submissions department at Dreamspinner Press. You can follow her on Twitter (@BookTaster).