The Fairy mercenaries may be back in their own realm, but the Witches still want Xandra dead. Fearing an ancient prophecy, the Witches are determined to keep Xandra from destroying the world. Still new to her magical powers, she must learn to use her Witch magic in order to protect herself and those she loves. Now, if only she can get her magic to cooperate. Once again, Xandra is tasked with determining who is friend and who is foe as she faces this new threat. Not to mention digging around in the family skeleton closet to find out what else she's never been told. In the end, will she be powerful enough to take on the eight most powerful Witches in the world?
2. My children. (Please don’t tell my kids I listed fans before them. You may cause a riot in my home. They’re pretty feisty kids.)
3. My cats and dogs when they’re not making me sniffle, sneeze, rub my eyes or irritating my asthma. (Scratch that, they always do and I love them anyway.)
4. Writing. (I would have listed this first, but it would have looked bad. Worse than putting fans before my kids.)
5. Good friends. (Fortunately, I have several.)
6. Quiet evenings at home in front of the fireplace reading a good book. (Please, like that’s going to happen with five kids in the house - but I can dream can’t I?)
7. I got stuck here so I asked a couple of friends to tell me their fondest memory of me. This is what I got:
Deb: It was when you used to babysit Michael and rode the horse in Meijer so he could ride with you. Also......my first trip to TX for a wedding. You were at my house and said you would put my clothes in the dryer when they were done. Needless to say, the next morning I had to pack wet clothes in my suitcase. The airline lost my luggage for 4 days so when I finally got it back, my clothes were all mildewed. (Okay, in my defense – I was twelve at the time. The sad thing is, I still forget to put clothes in the dryer.)
Michele: I have too many…but one of the first that popped in my head was how you drove all the way to Chicago to look at my apartment for me because I was too hung over, and then gave me all the details so I could pretend I was there. You are a good friend... (It was only a seven hour round trip. What are friends for?)
Joe: A particular Domino’s pizza delivery and you invited the delivery guy inside…(I’m going to stop there because my ex-husband thinks he’s funny.)
For obvious reasons, I didn’t ask anyone else.
Hates:
1. Puppies, kittens, babies, sunshine, peace on earth, goodwill, recycling, education, gifts, and sweets of any kind. (Really, I do.)
2. Being facetious. (I would never dream of it!)
3. People who don’t read my books. (Well, maybe not all of them. But, most of them.)
4. People who always manage to stop by the house when I look terrible. (You know who you are…)
5. Lumberjacks. (Don’t know why, just do.)
Now that you know everything about me, you should drop by my Facebook page to tell me all about you.
Re-read Oct 4, 2024 I am enjoying being back here. Guilty pleasures and all that nomenclature.
REVIEW
A fun, entertaining adventure, where the life of the FMC is in danger, yet again!
This series is one of those where you have to keep your mind free of judgement, because you never were and never will be that person—therefore the decisions that the characters made or make (emotional or otherwise) are out of reader's mind's realm of possibility.
Hence, just go with it!
Genre: Fantasy Romance (YA)
✅️ Different realms ✅️ Different Species: Human, Witch, Fairy ✅️ Royalty ✅️ Killers and Assasins ✅️ Shapeshifting ❌️ Cover
Loved it! Love this series, I was SO sad it ended! I wanted more, would love to see a 3rd book come out of this series. Love Xandra, her sarcasm is great. Love Kallen, he just seems huggable, he is so patient with her and her fumblings. Just great, so glad I picked up this jewel of a book/series. Now I'm left wanting more!!!
As a quote I remember says, the test of a great book is dreading the last chapter. (or in my case with my Nook seeing page 140 out of 144) ... Which I completely dreaded to say 'good-bye for now' to this wonderful series.
Another YA Contemporary Fantasy sequel that I liked better than its predecessor.
BOOK DETAILS: Blood Prophecy by Bonnie Lamer, read by Emily Durante, published 2014 / Length: 6 hrs 4 min
SERIES INFO: This is Book #2 is the (very long) "Witch Fairy" series. So far, the first 4 are available on audio, and there are indications that more are coming.
**This review contains spoilers for the previous book.**
SUMMARY: I liked this one more than the first. There is more going one & more people involved. Plus the initial antagonism between the original characters is mostly resolved.
CHARACTERS: Xandra: We know from the start that she's a special snowflake with a prophecy about her. I like that her unique heritage continues to cause as many problems (magic/power wise) as it solves. (Although I do think that things are sometimes resolved a bit too easily, and that the others should be allowed to participate more.) She continues to be more than a bit of a smart-alec.
Kallen: There are novellas that tell each story from his POV. I quite liked the one for Book #1, which is the only one I've read so far; and which actually improved my rating of the original book. The problem (for me) is that they aren't available on audio. So I personally wish the material was simply integrated into the main books.
Without the information in that book, he is a very typical YA hero - tall, gorgeous, powerful, adoring. With it, he is much more interesting. I like that he takes her emotional temperature, and defends her father.
Xandra & Kallen: They really still barely know each other (and come from very different backgrounds), so they naturally have misunderstandings of various magnitude throughout the book. I like that, typical teenage response aside, they always get around to talking about it.
It is interesting to watch Xandra & her parents try to find a new dynamic. She is still only 17, but has become very powerful. And their foolish choice to keep her in the dark about her heritage still stands between them somewhat. I really like her (human, ghost) Dad.
WORLDBUILDING: Like the first book, this takes place almost entirely on the mountain where Xandra was raised. The first one introduced witches & fairies, this book eventually adds a third group (I won't say who, to avoid spoilers).
We learn quite a bit more about the witches government here. And also more about their kinds of magic. Note: I was thinking that the poetry of the witch spells was kind of lame, when Xandra called out that very thing.
PLOT: This book beginning the next morning after the previous one ended. The beginning did a good job of getting you up to speed (Xandra even says, "long story short")
The ending resolves the current problem completely, but then throws in a new element.
HIGHLIGHTS / CAUTIONS: --Kallen is safe from one of her spells (and the reason). --Zack (her little brother). I wish he was in it more. --Xandra fit the punishment to the crime (and recognized that there's a legitimate need for some of her opponents).
I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: I still seriously question the wisdom of sleeping together when you don't intend to have sex. (This is especially true when a lapse in control would mean you were automatically married, and you aren't ready for that. Note: Xandra specially expresses that she thinks the whole sex = marriage thing is out dated.)
OTHER CAUTIONS(?): There is some heavy making out.
NARRATION: Character voices differentiated = Yes / Opposite sex voices acceptable = Yes. The grandfather sounds gruff and very grandpa-ish to me / Accents = She does a good "bad British accent" / Phrasing, Pacing & Pronunciation = Good / Emoting = Good / Speed = Good. My usual 1.25 speed is a bit fast
First of all, I have to say that I was so addicted to this book it was read in 1 day. I believe this author has a real talent for paranormal romance. I didn't feel like I had read this before, which happens a lot these days! It was original. I also think that the protagonist kicks butt. Seriously, can anything kill this girl?!?! I have to say it is really awesome having a main female character that it strong and doesn't NEED others. This girl doesn't have a weakness. It rocks!
This book was awesome for snarky, snippy and sarcastic comments all the way through. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. So far as the second installment in the series, it's the best book. I love how everything is progressing and the emotional ups and down are well written. Worth the read!
A good book but it finished way too soon, lots of action and finding out more about Kallen and Xandra was delightful. Another good book by Bonnie Lamer, lots of twists to keep you guessing.
I think Xandra might be a Mary Sue. She is special (the only fae/witch offspring), more powerful than anyone, has a hot fae boyfriend (basically the first boy she's seen since she became a teen) and now found out . She is also a very whiney teenager. Why do I have to learn blah-blah-blah. OMG, my hot fae boyfriend is being a jerk, oh wait, he loves me... I also know now I am too old for this book.
Most of this book is Xandra, Kallen and her parents preparing for an attack by the Witan (witches) lead by her grandfather. They are trying to teach Xandra what she needs to know to survive and she doesn't seem to take it seriously, but why should she when she seems to be about 100x more powerful than anyone else.
The best thing I can say is if you are doing A-Z challenges this is great for character names. You have Xandra and her brother Zac. Her mom was originally named Quillian (and is called that a few times).
Oh my god.... just awful. So awful infact i'm writing my first ever book review to explain how awful it is. I really gave it a chance i read the first book and it sucked but i thought the series could still be redeemed. How wrong i was.
Firstly i understand this is young adult fiction but it feels like rather then being aimed at teenagers (who i'd like to believe can tell the difference between a decent novel and fluff) it feels like it was written by a teenager. A teenager with a huge ego who wants the best of everything.
The main character is such a special little snowflake. For someone who refuses to believe what anyone else is telling her most of the time in regards to magic she is so cocky in regards to her own abilities despite frequently hurting the people around her who she is supposed to care about. She never listens to what anyone says constantly interrupting and being sarcastic at innapropriate times.
Her relationship with kallen is built on absoloutly nothing. One chapter she is saying she likes him but doesn't really know what her feelings are the next chapter she is saying she is in love with him. They have known each other for a week. 1 week!
Xandra just seems inccredibly immature and honestly the whole plot to this book seems really immature like a girl wrote down her wishlist and just disregarded reality. "Oh i want to be a fairy and a witch, oh but i really like angels too... and of course the hunkiest boy on earth would only have eyes for me and of course i'm going to be a natural beauty too. Lets not forget to make both sides of my family royalty. Also i shoud have limitless power with no repercussions, coz why not!"
The other thing is for someone who can't even manage basic spells when is taught them she sure manages to pull off anything she wants if she wants to without anyone teaching her. One minute she can't create a simple protection barrier and next thing you know she can smack down multiple witches with years worth of experience under their belt. She just knows how to do everything for some reason even though she still can't bring herself to believe in alot of things about magic.
The fact anyone has rated this book higher then 2 stars just makes me cry inside that maybe this is the standard for alot of people. Please leave the young adult romances and read some decent fantasy/paranormal/science fiction books so that you have something to compare it to before you write a review because otherwise some poor sucker like me is going to come along see the good reviews give it a chance and then realise they have wasted a couple of hours of life for no reason at all.
Wow! What a WONDERFUL follow-up to "True Of Blood"! I Loved it! The author has done it again with the 2nd book in the "Witch Fairy" Series! There was plenty of magic action, plotting, mystery, with a touch of romance. Truly an enjoyable 2nd book!
Well Xandra may have defeated the Fairy's and sent them back to the realm where they belong. But there's still people that want her dead. And this time it's Xandra Grandfather, King of the Witches. She getting real tired of her family trying to take her out! But this time instead of two Fairy's trying to kill her, it's 8 of the most powerful Witches known in the world. With Xalndra still coming into her powers she has her work cut out for her!
So will Xandra be able to take on the most 8 powerful Witches or will they finally be able to take her out??? Will Xandra finally get to live a happy free life or will this only be the beginning??? Well if you want those answers your going to have to read on in the series and find out. Trust me you won't be disappointed, I wasn't!
This review is for books till Book #8. Recommendation? Stop reading at Book#7.5
I've a different review posted for Book#8. But from 1-7, this series is just awesome.
Xandra is coming of age and learns a whole new world and about herself. She deals with many challenges and comes off as any teenager - a bit confused, a bit arrogant, chastened by elders and at times rebellious.
Kallen is the character that shines in this series. He is powerful but his power is easily overshadowed by the more powerful Xandra. Yet he never lets that affect his ego or his relationship with Xandra. He manages to come off as the more mature, in-charge person. The intimate scenes between the duo are at the same time passionate and tender.
There is a lot of "wow-gorgeous" falling-for-looks-mainly thing happening but the way the characters are depicted takes away the sting of it.
Overall - the series till Book 7.5, has a natural easy flow of stories without awkward pauses or WTF moments. Totally recommend!
Once again magical beings want Xandra dead, no surprise there. Oh, and yeah, ANOTHER member of her own family is the ring leader; dysfunctional much. What's a witch-fairy to do? Xandra much figure out a way to protect her own life and the lives of those she loves, with the massive amounts of magic that she has within that, oh yeah, she's only sorta had a handle on since finding out about it a week ago. No pressure. With all the non-patience and sarcasm that a 17 year-old who has been, and continues to be, left in the dark about things affecting her own life has, not to mention navigating a relationship with her first boyfriend, and two ghost parents who never really get that whole privacy thing. This book had me worrying, laughing, and generally not able to put it down until it was completed. And now I have to read the whole thing from, her boyfriend, Kallen's perspective! I'm addicted, what else can I say!
I was debating on if whether or not Xandra was a Mary Sue, as I read through this book I was still unsure, that is until the part were Xandra sprouted wings. That's were the book lost me. I could deal with Xandra's slightly annoying yammering, I could deal with her cockiness and arrogance, I could also deal with the fact that this book didn't really have a plot. But as for Xandra, on top of being a Witch-Fairy, being part Angel to is were I draw the line. She is just to much of a Mary Sue for me. The author tried to amend Xandra's powers. Xandra still hasn't learned to fully control them yet, not that this makes her any less of a Mary Sue. There are 8 books left in the series, so if I think she is a Mary Sue now...How much of one will she be by book 10.
Be that as it may, I'm going to give this series another shot. Lets see how I feel after book 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ok, I debated on whether or not to write this review so quickly after finishing both book 1 and book 2 in a day, but, "Yeah!" I have been pulled in by the cute story line, the refreshing dialogue, the sweet romance, and the characters. Witches, Fae, ghosts, and angels...my kind of story. This series seems to have everything I love wrapped into one neat little package and I'm looking forward to reading book #3.
Thank you Ms. Lamer for creating a world that his kept me glued to my reading app and has kept me turning the pages!
I thought this was a bit too short for my taste! I wanted to learn more about Xandra... I think that the author added new and fun twists to this second book, really brought it together. I do think however, that Xandra has come into her power waaaay too quickly now, and that it would be nice if she used more help from the more experienced characters, instead of doing it all on her own. I liked it though, it's a fun, quick read. I guess I'll buy the next one! lol :)
Great book....so much going on that it keeps you interested and provides an easy read...one minute your starting the book, next your on the last chapter
Great character reveals.....evil, good, romance, fae, witch, angel
I think this will be an enjoyable series :) Although I must say that really long series tend to get old after awhile, I hope this doesn't happen with this one....as long as each book has such a great storyline and compelling characters this series will be great
This particular book had action from the first page. There were witches, ghosts, fae,angels, humans, and even some characters that really didn't fit into a category. The author, I must say, tied all these different aspects and characters into a perfectly logical and coherent piece of work. The characters, and story, picked up exactly where it left off in the first book, but instead of being just a rehash, this story had a life of its own.
Never in a life time would anyone predict the ending of the book. This book is a book that you simply can't put down. If anyone is looking for a romance suspense novel then chose this book.
wow Xandra was totally kick-ass.I like her smart mouth.Kallen is getting more sweet.I was pleased to meet all the blood relatives and the angeeels.If u love a smart girl with lots of paranormal drama and a hot guy thi is it.I already got my hands on the next one tooodles.