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Ayala Storme #2
Any Port in a Storm
After months of training a budding army of human/demon hybrids, Ayala and Carrick have worked out most of their differences.
Who gets to use the bathroom first in the morning. Who’ll feed the bunny before they go out to make mayhem. Who gets to keep the jeeling claw they found in Forest Hills. You know, the important stuff.
But when Gregor sends them out with their battalion of shades and the mission quickly lands on the wrong side of Ayala’s “don’t kill norms” moral line, she quickly discovers that maybe morality wasn’t the motivator behind Gregor’s pet project — or at least not when money’s involved.
And when a trio of shades starts murdering the populace in Nashville again and targeting places and people significant to Ayala, her desire to help her own comrade shades stay on the good side of the Mediators will place her at their mercy again.
With the Summit fracturing and demons closing in on the city, saving the shades and herself may cost Ayala everything.
Who gets to use the bathroom first in the morning. Who’ll feed the bunny before they go out to make mayhem. Who gets to keep the jeeling claw they found in Forest Hills. You know, the important stuff.
But when Gregor sends them out with their battalion of shades and the mission quickly lands on the wrong side of Ayala’s “don’t kill norms” moral line, she quickly discovers that maybe morality wasn’t the motivator behind Gregor’s pet project — or at least not when money’s involved.
And when a trio of shades starts murdering the populace in Nashville again and targeting places and people significant to Ayala, her desire to help her own comrade shades stay on the good side of the Mediators will place her at their mercy again.
With the Summit fracturing and demons closing in on the city, saving the shades and herself may cost Ayala everything.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2015
17 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Emmie Mears
21 books154 followersEmmie Mears writes the books they always needed to read about characters they wish they could be. Emmie is multilingual, autistic, agender, and a bad pescetarian.
Emmie makes their home with two cats in Glasgow, Scotland and hopes to keep it that way.
Emmie is represented by Sara Megibow of kt literary.
Emmie makes their home with two cats in Glasgow, Scotland and hopes to keep it that way.
Emmie is represented by Sara Megibow of kt literary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 1, 2018
Ayala Storme is one of the most fun protagonists I've yet to read. She's a kickass demon slayer, strongly pragmatic, pessimistic, dry humored, and usually a loner but she has a strong moral compass and is exceedingly easy to like. Plus, her snarks are out matched.
This is the second book in the series. I wouldn't exactly call this a standalone but one could probably get by without reading the first book. Who'd want to, though? The first book gives us an introduction to the demon world and mediators who keep them at bay. The good vs evil line is blurred when a new type of demon enters the world that, like humans, has free will and can go either way of doing good vs bad.
In this second book, those demons are still a controversy but Ayala still has their back and brought other mediators over to her way of thinking. A large set of those demons are, uh, human like things Ayala now considers friends. The trouble is, a rogue set of these demons is going around killing innocents and that isn't helping their image one bit. It also doesn't help that the mediator leadership is coming apart at the seams over them, either. It's a mess and, in the words of Ayala, "a shitstorm’s a-brewin’". And how.
The author does a great job of writing action and intrigue in addition to humor. We also get a lot more characters to root for or openly hate. The plot line is strong and the story definitely ends with a hook for the third book but also wraps itself up in a satisfying way.
In terms of romance or love interests well, this book doesn't have it. In the first book there's a non-explicit m/f thing for Ayala but I'm hoping she ends up falling for my other favorite female character in the series but we're not there yet.
I also really dug the heartfelt message the author gave her readers after the books' end.
I think I actually liked "Any Port in a Storm" even more than the first book and am excited to continue the series. If you want a strong female lead smack dab in the middle of an interesting plot, a ton of action, and dry humor pick this up.
5 stars
This is the second book in the series. I wouldn't exactly call this a standalone but one could probably get by without reading the first book. Who'd want to, though? The first book gives us an introduction to the demon world and mediators who keep them at bay. The good vs evil line is blurred when a new type of demon enters the world that, like humans, has free will and can go either way of doing good vs bad.
In this second book, those demons are still a controversy but Ayala still has their back and brought other mediators over to her way of thinking. A large set of those demons are, uh, human like things Ayala now considers friends. The trouble is, a rogue set of these demons is going around killing innocents and that isn't helping their image one bit. It also doesn't help that the mediator leadership is coming apart at the seams over them, either. It's a mess and, in the words of Ayala, "a shitstorm’s a-brewin’". And how.
The author does a great job of writing action and intrigue in addition to humor. We also get a lot more characters to root for or openly hate. The plot line is strong and the story definitely ends with a hook for the third book but also wraps itself up in a satisfying way.
In terms of romance or love interests well, this book doesn't have it. In the first book there's a non-explicit m/f thing for Ayala but I'm hoping she ends up falling for my other favorite female character in the series but we're not there yet.
I also really dug the heartfelt message the author gave her readers after the books' end.
I think I actually liked "Any Port in a Storm" even more than the first book and am excited to continue the series. If you want a strong female lead smack dab in the middle of an interesting plot, a ton of action, and dry humor pick this up.
5 stars
June 16, 2015
(RabidReads.com)If I had any thought that my five star rating of Storm in a Teacup was just a fluke, the second book put that theory to rest really quickly. Sometimes a follow up book disappoints, but this one didn’t for one second-with one minor exception. More about that later. Just a heads up, there will be spoilers from the first book in this review.
Ayala Storme is a mediator in a world where demons have overrun whole parts of the world-literally. In this world, Alabama and Mississippi are just cesspools of demons and unfit for humans to live there. Ayala lives in Nashville, and works for the Summit, an agency that is tasked with ridding the world of demons. The Opry has already fallen victim to the demons, and it’s up to Ayala and others like her to make sure nothing else does. There’s a new sort of demon in the world now, and they are known as Shades. Shades are born of demons and human hosts-and born fully grown- so you know what happens to the hosts, and it’s not pretty. Ayala is part of a project to integrate the Shades into human life-not an easy feat since they are born ready to kill anything in their path. Gregor-her mentor- has signed off on the project and has helped implement it. To make things more interesting, Gregor has made her let one of them, Carrick, live in her home. Life gets even more complicated when a group of mediators decide they want the Shades to all die, and also want Alamea, the director of the Summit, to be assassinated.
If you love strong, kick ass heroines, Ayala is your girl. She is determined, smart, fit, and lives to kill demons. As in literally lives-people like her have been taken at birth and trained for the job. Mediators are born with violet eyes so they can never be anything else, nor can they leave a specific area surrounding where they are born. It’s all part of the fascinating world building of this series. Alamea (the director of the Summit), has a much bigger part this time around. She is supposed to be the strongest of all the mediators, but as in any large organization, there is always people wanting to usurp her power. She’s pretty unflappable, intelligent and can kick butt with four inch heels on-and never break a sweat. Ayala’s friend and fellow mediator, Mira is smack in the middle of everything with Ayala this time as well. Lots of strong women are featured, always a good thing. Of course there is still the enigmatic Gregor, and also Carrick who is a mystery to Ayala even though they live together. Lots more side characters only add more to this story-some good, some bad.
Describe this book in one word? ACTION. And plenty of it. This is definitely an urban fantasy and this time around romance takes a big leap to the back burner and pretty much stays there. And that’s the one exception that disappointed. A certain love interest was such a big part of the first book that I really missed him in this book. Hopefully he will be back in the next installment.
I think this is my favorite new series, and that’s taking nothing away from my old favorites. It was less than a day’s read for me because I pretty much read non-stop. Great main character, fascinating world building, action, thriller aspects, and a mystery, just added up to a five star read for me. Top that off with great secondary characters, snark and wonderful writing, and if I could give it more stars I would. Highly recommended to all adult urban fantasy readers!
And one more thing, if you don’t come away wanting to adopt a bunny, I would be very surprised!
Ayala Storme is a mediator in a world where demons have overrun whole parts of the world-literally. In this world, Alabama and Mississippi are just cesspools of demons and unfit for humans to live there. Ayala lives in Nashville, and works for the Summit, an agency that is tasked with ridding the world of demons. The Opry has already fallen victim to the demons, and it’s up to Ayala and others like her to make sure nothing else does. There’s a new sort of demon in the world now, and they are known as Shades. Shades are born of demons and human hosts-and born fully grown- so you know what happens to the hosts, and it’s not pretty. Ayala is part of a project to integrate the Shades into human life-not an easy feat since they are born ready to kill anything in their path. Gregor-her mentor- has signed off on the project and has helped implement it. To make things more interesting, Gregor has made her let one of them, Carrick, live in her home. Life gets even more complicated when a group of mediators decide they want the Shades to all die, and also want Alamea, the director of the Summit, to be assassinated.
If you love strong, kick ass heroines, Ayala is your girl. She is determined, smart, fit, and lives to kill demons. As in literally lives-people like her have been taken at birth and trained for the job. Mediators are born with violet eyes so they can never be anything else, nor can they leave a specific area surrounding where they are born. It’s all part of the fascinating world building of this series. Alamea (the director of the Summit), has a much bigger part this time around. She is supposed to be the strongest of all the mediators, but as in any large organization, there is always people wanting to usurp her power. She’s pretty unflappable, intelligent and can kick butt with four inch heels on-and never break a sweat. Ayala’s friend and fellow mediator, Mira is smack in the middle of everything with Ayala this time as well. Lots of strong women are featured, always a good thing. Of course there is still the enigmatic Gregor, and also Carrick who is a mystery to Ayala even though they live together. Lots more side characters only add more to this story-some good, some bad.
Describe this book in one word? ACTION. And plenty of it. This is definitely an urban fantasy and this time around romance takes a big leap to the back burner and pretty much stays there. And that’s the one exception that disappointed. A certain love interest was such a big part of the first book that I really missed him in this book. Hopefully he will be back in the next installment.
I think this is my favorite new series, and that’s taking nothing away from my old favorites. It was less than a day’s read for me because I pretty much read non-stop. Great main character, fascinating world building, action, thriller aspects, and a mystery, just added up to a five star read for me. Top that off with great secondary characters, snark and wonderful writing, and if I could give it more stars I would. Highly recommended to all adult urban fantasy readers!
And one more thing, if you don’t come away wanting to adopt a bunny, I would be very surprised!
February 4, 2016
Storme Doesn't Quit - A Teriffic Series!
“It's hard to tell who has your back, from who has it long enough just to stab you in it....” ― Nicole Richie“Your perspective on life comes from the cage you were held captive in.” ― Shannon L. AlderThere are monsters in Ayala Storme’s world. Real, live, honest-to-goddess monsters from the six and a half hells, crawling out into the night to eat your cats, your dogs. Your children. You. And it is Ayala’s, and the other Mediator’s, job to stop that from happening. Oh, they can’t actually stop the demons from crawling through holes in the veils between worlds, but up until recently they have done a pretty good job of keeping the balance between dark and light. But then? Well, let’s just say, everything went to the six and a half hells in a handbasket. For Ayala, Ben and Ripper watched the birthing of a new kind of demon. A demon who ripped into the world in true Ellen Ripley “Alien” fashion, out of the body of the young girl they were trying to track down and save. But the thing is, you see, that the “demons” born in this fashion aren’t really demons at all, not all of them at least. For they remember. They remember the hopes and dreams of the women (and men) who bore them, and died to bring them into the world. Ayala and the Mediators slaughtered many of them. Then, something happened. One of them saved Ayala’s life. And now, her whole understanding of her life, and her place in the world, has changed. Pain. Confusion. Guilt. It would send a lesser woman mad. But Ayala, for all it hurts, has the strength to get past that. To reach for something better. To stand up for what is right and good, and do what she can to protect those under her care. Even if they are a bit “different” from the norms.“Any Port in a Storm” picks up a couple of months after “Storm in a Teacup” left off. And for all the issues in the Summit, the Mediator headquarters, that were brewing then, now things balance on a razor’s edge. Ayala has no idea who she can trust. And even those she has trusted the most from the time she was tiny, from the time when her first sword was thrust into her tiny fist at age three . . . can even they be trusted any longer? And then, outside of the political machinations, something Wicked definitely comes slouching into the world from the demon hells. For, instead of single demons minding their own business, staying away from groups of norms and picking off the outliers, they are grouping together. Snorbits and Rakaths, Slummoths and Harkast and Jeelings (Oh, My!) are working together. And when one looks at Ayala – looks at Ayala and smiles – well, let’s just say the hell-hole they are pouring out of, and the fact that Ayala was set-up to face a whole horde of them alone, dumps her right down a savage Alice’s twisted rabbit hole. And while there be monsters there . . . well, these monsters are human. And if she is going to save herself, the Shades under her protection, and possibly the whole of Tennessee from the same fate suffered by Mississippi, Alabama, and huge chunks of Louisiana and Arkansas, i.e., becoming uninhabitable hell swamps where no human survived, she is going to need friends. And she is going to need answers to the unanswerable. Fast.SiaT is just as good as APiaS, and Ayala is just as strong and fragile, smart and caring, broken and focused as she was in the last book. She isn’t perfect, but she doesn’t pretend to be. Her goal is, and has always been, to protect those under her care. And when betrayal of the worst kind drapes her in unyielding misery, well, she just keeps right on swinging her sword, doing the right thing no matter the cost, trying to save the world. Or, at least her little part of it. She may be a prisoner, in a way, of her birthright. She may not like it. But she won’t turn her back on what is right. And for that? Well, for that I added Emmie Mears to my “gotta read, and read right now” list.Downloading the next, “Taken By Storm” in a few. The one after, “Eye of the Storm” comes out this year (not sure when) but I will be downloading that one right away as well. I truly admire Ayala. She is strong without being a “Wonder Woman” character, mentally, physically and emotionally. She questions herself, but never allows her questioning to stop her from doing what she knows is right. A rare thing, and worth encouraging.
“It's hard to tell who has your back, from who has it long enough just to stab you in it....” ― Nicole Richie“Your perspective on life comes from the cage you were held captive in.” ― Shannon L. AlderThere are monsters in Ayala Storme’s world. Real, live, honest-to-goddess monsters from the six and a half hells, crawling out into the night to eat your cats, your dogs. Your children. You. And it is Ayala’s, and the other Mediator’s, job to stop that from happening. Oh, they can’t actually stop the demons from crawling through holes in the veils between worlds, but up until recently they have done a pretty good job of keeping the balance between dark and light. But then? Well, let’s just say, everything went to the six and a half hells in a handbasket. For Ayala, Ben and Ripper watched the birthing of a new kind of demon. A demon who ripped into the world in true Ellen Ripley “Alien” fashion, out of the body of the young girl they were trying to track down and save. But the thing is, you see, that the “demons” born in this fashion aren’t really demons at all, not all of them at least. For they remember. They remember the hopes and dreams of the women (and men) who bore them, and died to bring them into the world. Ayala and the Mediators slaughtered many of them. Then, something happened. One of them saved Ayala’s life. And now, her whole understanding of her life, and her place in the world, has changed. Pain. Confusion. Guilt. It would send a lesser woman mad. But Ayala, for all it hurts, has the strength to get past that. To reach for something better. To stand up for what is right and good, and do what she can to protect those under her care. Even if they are a bit “different” from the norms.“Any Port in a Storm” picks up a couple of months after “Storm in a Teacup” left off. And for all the issues in the Summit, the Mediator headquarters, that were brewing then, now things balance on a razor’s edge. Ayala has no idea who she can trust. And even those she has trusted the most from the time she was tiny, from the time when her first sword was thrust into her tiny fist at age three . . . can even they be trusted any longer? And then, outside of the political machinations, something Wicked definitely comes slouching into the world from the demon hells. For, instead of single demons minding their own business, staying away from groups of norms and picking off the outliers, they are grouping together. Snorbits and Rakaths, Slummoths and Harkast and Jeelings (Oh, My!) are working together. And when one looks at Ayala – looks at Ayala and smiles – well, let’s just say the hell-hole they are pouring out of, and the fact that Ayala was set-up to face a whole horde of them alone, dumps her right down a savage Alice’s twisted rabbit hole. And while there be monsters there . . . well, these monsters are human. And if she is going to save herself, the Shades under her protection, and possibly the whole of Tennessee from the same fate suffered by Mississippi, Alabama, and huge chunks of Louisiana and Arkansas, i.e., becoming uninhabitable hell swamps where no human survived, she is going to need friends. And she is going to need answers to the unanswerable. Fast.SiaT is just as good as APiaS, and Ayala is just as strong and fragile, smart and caring, broken and focused as she was in the last book. She isn’t perfect, but she doesn’t pretend to be. Her goal is, and has always been, to protect those under her care. And when betrayal of the worst kind drapes her in unyielding misery, well, she just keeps right on swinging her sword, doing the right thing no matter the cost, trying to save the world. Or, at least her little part of it. She may be a prisoner, in a way, of her birthright. She may not like it. But she won’t turn her back on what is right. And for that? Well, for that I added Emmie Mears to my “gotta read, and read right now” list.Downloading the next, “Taken By Storm” in a few. The one after, “Eye of the Storm” comes out this year (not sure when) but I will be downloading that one right away as well. I truly admire Ayala. She is strong without being a “Wonder Woman” character, mentally, physically and emotionally. She questions herself, but never allows her questioning to stop her from doing what she knows is right. A rare thing, and worth encouraging.
April 24, 2016
Review coming.
*Cliterary Genius A to Z book challenge, letter P.
*Cliterary Genius A to Z book challenge, letter P.
February 21, 2016
This book was amazing. I have a hard time with ebooks simply because my eyes can't take staring at screens for long periods of time. That said, my eyes hurt after reading this because I was so enthralled and couldn't stop reading.
One of the things I liked most about this book is that it was not very predictable. This is part of the reason I couldn't put it down. Things happen in a more or less natural way. It doesn't follow any real formula that many books in this genre tend to do. And that's a good thing.
Like Storm in a Teacup, this book is nearly all non-stop action. Like its prequel it's all the badass female lead that the world needs more of. All the awkwardness and real human interaction.
It's not pretty, though. In fact, it's pretty grim and dark. There are some gruesome bits. There are tears and blood and some other bodily fluids.
But it's awesome. Fans of Buffy and Supernatural and vampires and zombies and really whatever else, should give this series a try.
One of the things I liked most about this book is that it was not very predictable. This is part of the reason I couldn't put it down. Things happen in a more or less natural way. It doesn't follow any real formula that many books in this genre tend to do. And that's a good thing.
Like Storm in a Teacup, this book is nearly all non-stop action. Like its prequel it's all the badass female lead that the world needs more of. All the awkwardness and real human interaction.
It's not pretty, though. In fact, it's pretty grim and dark. There are some gruesome bits. There are tears and blood and some other bodily fluids.
But it's awesome. Fans of Buffy and Supernatural and vampires and zombies and really whatever else, should give this series a try.
September 14, 2015
3.5 stars.
Another fun, action packed installment, though not without a few inconsistencies (for example saying someone was sent to Mumbai to recover from traumatic experiences then later claiming it was Tibet). Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but they did give me a "wait a minute..." moment when they cropped up.
It misses out on 4 stars from me because the worldbuilding is still practically non-existent by the end of this second novel. Here we have a world that functions mostly like our own, but with outed supernaturals (witches, morphs (shifters), and mediators), magic used in ways similar to technology (magic powered cars and lights for example), and a ravening demonic horde that has already overrun several US states and would be happy to overrun a few more. There's a supposedly world-spanning organisation of demon hunters (Mediators), but we know nothing about them outside the Nashville branch even though the main character is one of them. We don't know why human society is so tolerant of witches and morphs (who could be quite dangerous in their own right) to the point that they're just your Average Joe, but are so wary and even outright antagonistic to Mediators despite them being the only ones out there stopping demons from ripping people apart night after night. This society also seems to take absolutely no precautions in regards to potential demon attacks (say a nightly curfew and bars on windows) even though several people a month get eaten, nor attempt to help the Mediators in any capacity (they could at least help on clean-up duties or in admin roles even if not on active demon patrols). Perhaps these details aren't entirely necessary for the story, but it'd be nice to feel like there was a complex, living world beyond the confines of what the main character experiences directly.
I'm a little sad that being such a voracious reader meant that the plot didn't overly surprise me at any point either, but that's not a failing of the story or the author as much as it is a consequence of me reading hundreds of similar novels over the years. Even then trying to anticipate the twists was enjoyable and some of them even managed to sneak past me . It also helps that I like Ayala, a competent, dutiful individual who constantly strives to do her best in a thankless, dangerous life/ job and isn't prone to hysterics or gushing sentimentality (thank you, author).
I do wish some of the others characters would get a bit more attention/ detail lavished on them, but I think that slight stand-offishness may possibly be deliberate since it's only towards the end of this novel that Ayala begins to feel that she's not alone and she has real friends who have her back. A parallel to how Ayala never got to know the receptionists at her PR job because she always expected them to get scared off after a month or two.
I think things will be changing quite a bit in the next in the series due to how things were left in this one. I'm really looking forward to reading it and seeing how things continue to evolve.
Another fun, action packed installment, though not without a few inconsistencies (for example saying someone was sent to Mumbai to recover from traumatic experiences then later claiming it was Tibet). Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but they did give me a "wait a minute..." moment when they cropped up.
It misses out on 4 stars from me because the worldbuilding is still practically non-existent by the end of this second novel. Here we have a world that functions mostly like our own, but with outed supernaturals (witches, morphs (shifters), and mediators), magic used in ways similar to technology (magic powered cars and lights for example), and a ravening demonic horde that has already overrun several US states and would be happy to overrun a few more. There's a supposedly world-spanning organisation of demon hunters (Mediators), but we know nothing about them outside the Nashville branch even though the main character is one of them. We don't know why human society is so tolerant of witches and morphs (who could be quite dangerous in their own right) to the point that they're just your Average Joe, but are so wary and even outright antagonistic to Mediators despite them being the only ones out there stopping demons from ripping people apart night after night. This society also seems to take absolutely no precautions in regards to potential demon attacks (say a nightly curfew and bars on windows) even though several people a month get eaten, nor attempt to help the Mediators in any capacity (they could at least help on clean-up duties or in admin roles even if not on active demon patrols). Perhaps these details aren't entirely necessary for the story, but it'd be nice to feel like there was a complex, living world beyond the confines of what the main character experiences directly.
I'm a little sad that being such a voracious reader meant that the plot didn't overly surprise me at any point either, but that's not a failing of the story or the author as much as it is a consequence of me reading hundreds of similar novels over the years. Even then trying to anticipate the twists was enjoyable and some of them even managed to sneak past me . It also helps that I like Ayala, a competent, dutiful individual who constantly strives to do her best in a thankless, dangerous life/ job and isn't prone to hysterics or gushing sentimentality (thank you, author).
I do wish some of the others characters would get a bit more attention/ detail lavished on them, but I think that slight stand-offishness may possibly be deliberate since it's only towards the end of this novel that Ayala begins to feel that she's not alone and she has real friends who have her back. A parallel to how Ayala never got to know the receptionists at her PR job because she always expected them to get scared off after a month or two.
I think things will be changing quite a bit in the next in the series due to how things were left in this one. I'm really looking forward to reading it and seeing how things continue to evolve.
May 27, 2015
*** I was given an ARC in return for an honest review ***
I am so happy to have Ayala Storme back in my life! Everything I loved about STORM IN A TEACUP (the kick-ass heroine, the witty humor, fast-paced action sequences, and, of course, adorable bunnies) were all here in the second book. The shades are back at it in all their nekkidness, leaving butt prints all over Ayala's apartment, filling her bookshelves with romance novels, and there's that pesky trio of them that seems to be killing people in places attached to Ayala's life. And let's not forget the hell-holes opening in places around Nashville and pouring out hordes of demons at a time. But, as we learned in the first book, Ayala is a tough woman and is determined to fight through anything to figure out who is behind it all. And she does it with super awesome style and humor, with a few cuss words thrown in for good measure (cause who wouldn't cuss when faced with an entire group of ugly-ass demons?)
I couldn't put this book down. It grabbed me from page one, and kept me hooked till the end and beyond (uh....when is the next one coming out? Cause I need it now). Blurring the lines of good versus evil, this book will keep you wondering who you can trust and where you would draw the line. And it will probably make you laugh while doing it.
Oh, and did I mention the bunny adorableness? That, alone, is worth an extra star.
I am so happy to have Ayala Storme back in my life! Everything I loved about STORM IN A TEACUP (the kick-ass heroine, the witty humor, fast-paced action sequences, and, of course, adorable bunnies) were all here in the second book. The shades are back at it in all their nekkidness, leaving butt prints all over Ayala's apartment, filling her bookshelves with romance novels, and there's that pesky trio of them that seems to be killing people in places attached to Ayala's life. And let's not forget the hell-holes opening in places around Nashville and pouring out hordes of demons at a time. But, as we learned in the first book, Ayala is a tough woman and is determined to fight through anything to figure out who is behind it all. And she does it with super awesome style and humor, with a few cuss words thrown in for good measure (cause who wouldn't cuss when faced with an entire group of ugly-ass demons?)
I couldn't put this book down. It grabbed me from page one, and kept me hooked till the end and beyond (uh....when is the next one coming out? Cause I need it now). Blurring the lines of good versus evil, this book will keep you wondering who you can trust and where you would draw the line. And it will probably make you laugh while doing it.
Oh, and did I mention the bunny adorableness? That, alone, is worth an extra star.
June 19, 2015
Exquisitely Kickin'
Loved the first and love this one! Hell -holes are quickly becoming too common an occurrence, spewing hellkins at an alarming rate. They appear to be working together and that means territory and lives lost. Something isn't right with the Summit and traitorous acts abound, while Ayala is fighting for the lives of norms, she's being stalked and if droves of hellion aren't enough, her new shade friends are suspiciously disappearing and death is imminent. Action packed, more twists than a swizzle stick, betrayals, suspicions and heartbreak abound. Fantastic story line and characters that crawl under your skin and imagination. A great read that possesses your thoughts well after reading. This series deserves more than five stars.
Loved the first and love this one! Hell -holes are quickly becoming too common an occurrence, spewing hellkins at an alarming rate. They appear to be working together and that means territory and lives lost. Something isn't right with the Summit and traitorous acts abound, while Ayala is fighting for the lives of norms, she's being stalked and if droves of hellion aren't enough, her new shade friends are suspiciously disappearing and death is imminent. Action packed, more twists than a swizzle stick, betrayals, suspicions and heartbreak abound. Fantastic story line and characters that crawl under your skin and imagination. A great read that possesses your thoughts well after reading. This series deserves more than five stars.
July 18, 2015
Mears is a very solid 2-for-2 in her Ayala Storme series. Any Port in a Storm doesn't have quite the same nonstop driving pace that Storm in a Teacup did, but that's not a criticism -- virtually any second book is going to have to have a bit more politics and buildup as you dive into the world the author has created, and here it works very well and makes the world even fuller and richer.
And it's a pretty great world. The alternate-reality Nashville Mears has put together over these two books is highly (darkly) vivid and an easy one to get lost in. It feels real and complete, and it's easy to see Ayala and her compatriots turning up in a film or television series. The first was great fun, but you can really see the second building toward something big, and I can't wait for the third.
And it's a pretty great world. The alternate-reality Nashville Mears has put together over these two books is highly (darkly) vivid and an easy one to get lost in. It feels real and complete, and it's easy to see Ayala and her compatriots turning up in a film or television series. The first was great fun, but you can really see the second building toward something big, and I can't wait for the third.
June 12, 2015
I binge read this and Storm in a Teacup, within a day. Ms. Mears has a prolific writing style that just sucks you in and allows you to relate, even amongst the sci-fi/fantasy she brings a realism you can't discredit. She brings her characters to life and makes them relatable, if not necessarily likeable. There are so many wonderful metaphors and parallels to real life, you can't help but keep reading (even at 2:00am). I love that there is story resolution, but it still leaves you asking questions and gunning for the one that got away unscathed. I very much look forward to the next installment of this series.
May 25, 2015
Ayala is back kicking ass and I couldn't be happier! I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this novel and let me tell you I WASN'T disappointed. Once again Emmie Mears' writing sucked me in right away and I found myself falling down the rabbit hole that is Ayala's life. I couldn't put this book and I'm actually sad that I finished it in two days. Now I have to wait for book three. I hate waiting! Creative, hold-your-breathe excitement and a healthy dose of bad-ass. Everything I could ask for in a novel!
April 2, 2016
I'm a bit at a loss as to why these get such high ratings. It feels like the same action over and over (and same dialog over and over that makes me feel like I'm in the 6 hells lol). I have developed no emotional connection with any of the characters to make me want to get the next one.
I got these first two darn cheap; if #3 was super cheap, I might listen to it. Narrator was not nearly as frustrating as on the first book, but still not great narration...
I got these first two darn cheap; if #3 was super cheap, I might listen to it. Narrator was not nearly as frustrating as on the first book, but still not great narration...
June 8, 2015
Great
I picked up this book because I needed something to read and purchased the first one. I had to refresh myself with book 1 before I could start this one. What I enjoyed was the books blend of action and story. The hardship of a mediators life and the sacrifices they make the story that much better. The ending was satisfying and left me wanting more.
I picked up this book because I needed something to read and purchased the first one. I had to refresh myself with book 1 before I could start this one. What I enjoyed was the books blend of action and story. The hardship of a mediators life and the sacrifices they make the story that much better. The ending was satisfying and left me wanting more.
June 3, 2015
Waiting for book three
I started this book with high hopes. I really enjoyed the first book and was not disappointed. I read it straight through. My only complaint is waiting on the next book to come out.
I started this book with high hopes. I really enjoyed the first book and was not disappointed. I read it straight through. My only complaint is waiting on the next book to come out.
July 6, 2015
I finished this book a while ago, but I have been in denial that it was over. I really loved it and cannot wait to read this author's next book!
June 8, 2015
Solid world building and the clever voice of author Emmie Mears - this sequel adds interesting depth and complexity to this universe. Plus - lots of monster fights!
July 3, 2015
This book is great, with a strong heroine. Unfortunately now I have to wait to read the next one, hopefully Ms Mears will have one out soon.
December 29, 2015
The romance is over. There is nothing but betrayal, blood and people being ripped apart.
June 16, 2017
Ayala Storm has taken it upon herself to see the Shades trained. To see them humanized. It isn't a popular decision. Many of her own people believe the Shades should be put down like the demons that spawn them, but Ayala sees their human side. She believes they can be more.
And then they begin running away. Killing innocent humans. And there are more demons than ever.
This is book two, which I wasn't aware of when I started it. That might have made a difference in the beginning, as the book doesn't explain a lot. I didn't really feel like I had grasp on what was happening until around chapter eight or so. The pace is terribly slow, and for a book that spends a lot of time in battles with creatures from other planes of existence, that's saying something.
It isn't until the end of the book that you (and Ayala) find out her brother, a Shade, is one of the Shades running around killing people because he's been lied to. Told that Ayala hates him. There's so much wrong with this. First, Shades don't come out of their 'mothers' fully humanized, so yes, he's been told by a traitor that Ayala hates him, but on an emotional level, why would he care? She's just another demon hunter, as they'd never met. Secondly, Ayala tells him he's been lied to and just like that, he no longer wants to kill her. Literally, like a page at the most, and then the book is done.
And then there was this weird thing where Shades come out all male and don't wear clothes. I think I was supposed to find that funny or quirky, but it was just stupid. I think there's a series. Passing.
And then they begin running away. Killing innocent humans. And there are more demons than ever.
This is book two, which I wasn't aware of when I started it. That might have made a difference in the beginning, as the book doesn't explain a lot. I didn't really feel like I had grasp on what was happening until around chapter eight or so. The pace is terribly slow, and for a book that spends a lot of time in battles with creatures from other planes of existence, that's saying something.
It isn't until the end of the book that you (and Ayala) find out her brother, a Shade, is one of the Shades running around killing people because he's been lied to. Told that Ayala hates him. There's so much wrong with this. First, Shades don't come out of their 'mothers' fully humanized, so yes, he's been told by a traitor that Ayala hates him, but on an emotional level, why would he care? She's just another demon hunter, as they'd never met. Secondly, Ayala tells him he's been lied to and just like that, he no longer wants to kill her. Literally, like a page at the most, and then the book is done.
And then there was this weird thing where Shades come out all male and don't wear clothes. I think I was supposed to find that funny or quirky, but it was just stupid. I think there's a series. Passing.
Read
July 21, 2023Dnf - I hard really loved the first one but after a long time lost connection wit characters and not interested in plot.
June 11, 2016
This is the sequel to Storm in a Teacup, one of my new favourite urban fantasy series. It’s fun, past-paced and clever, and Emmie Mears’s voice again doesn’t disappoint. The main character, Ayala, could sass for her country!
Sadly for her, she’s instead stuck killing demons, and trying to avoid getting sucked into the sort of intrigue that inevitably pops up when you have a large group of people working together – even if those people are Mediators, people destined from birth to be unpaid monster-hunters. And political intrigue isn’t the only thing she could be sucked into: the demon-infested swamp that is encroaching on Nashville (where the books are set) and the maws of the demons themselves are also ongoing concerns.
Any Port in a Storm doesn’t stand alone, so if you haven’t read the first book, you’ll be very lost with this one. (Go read the first book. We’ll wait.) It continues some of the plot threads from the first book, introduces some new ones, and continues the meta-plot that is the looming threat of the demons’ overall plan – whatever that turns out to be. There is a conclusion of a sort, but as with the first book some threads are left untied to continue in the next one. (Think of it like a season of Buffy: the monster of the week is more or less dealt with, but the season's Big Bad soldiers on.)
Any Port in a Storm contains some swearing, but there’s no sex or even kissing. The relationships revolve around friendships and family, which I found a refreshing change; urban fantasy, unlike paranormal romance, isn’t all about the love interest. And although I didn’t mind Mason in the first book, I didn’t ship him and Ayala, so him being gone didn’t bother me so much.
I enjoyed this book enough that I one-clicked the third book in the series, Taken by Storm, and can't wait to get my teeth stuck into it. If you loved Buffy, you should definitely check out Ayala!
4.5 stars
Sadly for her, she’s instead stuck killing demons, and trying to avoid getting sucked into the sort of intrigue that inevitably pops up when you have a large group of people working together – even if those people are Mediators, people destined from birth to be unpaid monster-hunters. And political intrigue isn’t the only thing she could be sucked into: the demon-infested swamp that is encroaching on Nashville (where the books are set) and the maws of the demons themselves are also ongoing concerns.
Any Port in a Storm doesn’t stand alone, so if you haven’t read the first book, you’ll be very lost with this one. (Go read the first book. We’ll wait.) It continues some of the plot threads from the first book, introduces some new ones, and continues the meta-plot that is the looming threat of the demons’ overall plan – whatever that turns out to be. There is a conclusion of a sort, but as with the first book some threads are left untied to continue in the next one. (Think of it like a season of Buffy: the monster of the week is more or less dealt with, but the season's Big Bad soldiers on.)
Any Port in a Storm contains some swearing, but there’s no sex or even kissing. The relationships revolve around friendships and family, which I found a refreshing change; urban fantasy, unlike paranormal romance, isn’t all about the love interest. And although I didn’t mind Mason in the first book, I didn’t ship him and Ayala, so him being gone didn’t bother me so much.
I enjoyed this book enough that I one-clicked the third book in the series, Taken by Storm, and can't wait to get my teeth stuck into it. If you loved Buffy, you should definitely check out Ayala!
4.5 stars
June 22, 2015
When you read anything by Emmie Mears, it’s a given that you’ll get a fun, exciting story with a tightly knit plot and action scenes that make you grip your e-reader so hard the screen threatens to crack (the midpoint in APIAS is just, wow--one of the best ass-kicking action scenes I’ve ever read). APIAS delivers on all those counts, and then some.
One of the other wonderful thing about Mears is that no matter what I think I’ve got pegged in the story (“mwahaha I’m so smart,” I always think) she always surprises me in the end--and usually more than once. APIAS is no different, with twists and surprises that make complete sense once they’re revealed, and yet I never saw them coming.
APIAS also has an impressively large cast, and I found the variety of female relationships in the book to be incredibly refreshing. From friends and family to coworkers and bosses, APIAS really highlights how infrequently we get to see these relationships play out in novels and on screen. It shouldn’t be revolutionary, but it is, and it adds so much depth to the story.
And of course, Ayala is a wonderful character. She might be crushing demons around every corner, but at the heart of it she’s someone I can relate to, who deals with loneliness and isolation, wonders who to trust, and feels vulnerable a lot more than she’d like to admit.
I find it difficult to review books I love this much, but this series is an absolute favorite.
One of the other wonderful thing about Mears is that no matter what I think I’ve got pegged in the story (“mwahaha I’m so smart,” I always think) she always surprises me in the end--and usually more than once. APIAS is no different, with twists and surprises that make complete sense once they’re revealed, and yet I never saw them coming.
APIAS also has an impressively large cast, and I found the variety of female relationships in the book to be incredibly refreshing. From friends and family to coworkers and bosses, APIAS really highlights how infrequently we get to see these relationships play out in novels and on screen. It shouldn’t be revolutionary, but it is, and it adds so much depth to the story.
And of course, Ayala is a wonderful character. She might be crushing demons around every corner, but at the heart of it she’s someone I can relate to, who deals with loneliness and isolation, wonders who to trust, and feels vulnerable a lot more than she’d like to admit.
I find it difficult to review books I love this much, but this series is an absolute favorite.
February 4, 2016
I’m surprised at the depth this audio gave me. The first book in the series I had to get “used” to, but this second book really moved the marker up a few notches.
Ayala’s world is somewhat complicated. She is still snarky and swears a lot, but I’d do that too if I had had to deal with hordes of demons. Besides the Hellkin that are flooding the place, someone in the Summit is just wrong. She needs to protect the Shades and the Shades are learning humanity as quickly as they can (reading romances for goodness sake!), but they are also disappearing. Ayala doesn’t know who she can trust to cover her back and while she’s fighting the good fight, she still has the mystery of who is betraying her to figure out.
Ayala’s world is somewhat complicated. She is still snarky and swears a lot, but I’d do that too if I had had to deal with hordes of demons. Besides the Hellkin that are flooding the place, someone in the Summit is just wrong. She needs to protect the Shades and the Shades are learning humanity as quickly as they can (reading romances for goodness sake!), but they are also disappearing. Ayala doesn’t know who she can trust to cover her back and while she’s fighting the good fight, she still has the mystery of who is betraying her to figure out.
May 17, 2016
Ayala is left feeling a bit lost after Mason, her first "shade" friend, leaves to explore the world. In his place, her mentor, Gregor, leaves Carrick. Carrick and Ayala are tasked with training shades (human demon hybrids) to fight evil and protect Norms.
Ayala, a Mediator genetically programmed with the skills to fight demons, must help train shades to work alongside Mediators. This is made more difficult by distrustful colleagues and a rash of human murders caused by shades who are not willing to fight their demonic tendencies.
Although I miss Ayala and Mason's developing friendship, the second book is equally riveting. A fighter at heart, Ayala must learn to navigate the murky waters of politics to save her new friends. Well written with good character development.
Ayala, a Mediator genetically programmed with the skills to fight demons, must help train shades to work alongside Mediators. This is made more difficult by distrustful colleagues and a rash of human murders caused by shades who are not willing to fight their demonic tendencies.
Although I miss Ayala and Mason's developing friendship, the second book is equally riveting. A fighter at heart, Ayala must learn to navigate the murky waters of politics to save her new friends. Well written with good character development.
June 17, 2015
I am so glad that I stumbled upon this series and gave it a try. This book was just as great as the first but you definitely need to read "Storm in a Teacup" first. The Summit (and Nashville) is in a state of pending upheaval and Ayala is caught in the middle trying to save both. As with the first book, this one is more gruesome than I think is necessary (though probably a touch less than before), but don't let that stop you from reading this series. This world and the characters are very engrossing and there is a sociological, psychological and moral depth you don't see in many books of this type. I look forward to the next one in the series.
May 10, 2016
I'm rather hooked on this series. It does exactly what I like urban fantasy to do: With each book, raise the stakes on a big, global picture and on the personal side, while having that cost the MC. Each victory, of sorts, comes with a loss.
Devoured in a day. Again. Uhm. I think I've read more books in the last month than I had in this year so far. I blame the dayjob finally slowing down a bit and giving me bits of downtime.
Devoured in a day. Again. Uhm. I think I've read more books in the last month than I had in this year so far. I blame the dayjob finally slowing down a bit and giving me bits of downtime.
December 9, 2015
Just as good as the first! The ending leaves you wanting the next. Thankfully, I already have it waiting in the wings.
Read
December 22, 2015Just as good as the 1st book. The main character is continuing her journey to find the truth and do the right thing. Again, who to trust is a big issue.
July 1, 2016
Book 2 is even better
Loved this. Story develops brilliantly. More action, more demons, more excitement. Highly recommended to you. Now off to download book 3
Loved this. Story develops brilliantly. More action, more demons, more excitement. Highly recommended to you. Now off to download book 3
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