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Winter Solstice #2
Containment
Something stirs in the murk of the Volga River, something big, emerging at night to sow mayhem and death along the banks. Since Solstice Winters is already stranded at ground zero, she agrees to help, even though coping with giant lizards is far from her skill set as an intrepid reporter for a paranormal tabloid.
Yay for being the only elf in the world.
After narrowly escaping the Ordo Sanguinem Aeternam, she winds up sharing a flat halfway across the world from home with the enigmatic Cristiano, an agent of the secretive organization she may have obligated herself to join. He seems to know his way around the city, and he's not bad on the eyes either.
Solstice soon realizes she’s tracking a beast the likes of which none of her father’s books have mentioned, a creature unique to Russia that her magic lacks the strength to kill. To make matters worse, the Federal Security Bureau sticks their noses into the mix.
While hunting the dangerous creature, she awakens a forgotten power in the depths of the river that has the potential to alter the course of human history ― and not for the better.
Yay for being the only elf in the world.
After narrowly escaping the Ordo Sanguinem Aeternam, she winds up sharing a flat halfway across the world from home with the enigmatic Cristiano, an agent of the secretive organization she may have obligated herself to join. He seems to know his way around the city, and he's not bad on the eyes either.
Solstice soon realizes she’s tracking a beast the likes of which none of her father’s books have mentioned, a creature unique to Russia that her magic lacks the strength to kill. To make matters worse, the Federal Security Bureau sticks their noses into the mix.
While hunting the dangerous creature, she awakens a forgotten power in the depths of the river that has the potential to alter the course of human history ― and not for the better.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2017
412 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Rain
693 books1,728 followersJ.R. Rain is the author of 110 novels and counting. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where he's hard at work on his next novel... and fighting off sparkly vampires.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 23, 2019
Awesome elf and magic!
Containment is book 2 in the Winter Solstice series by Matthew Cox and J.R. Rain. Solstice is an albino elf with pink eyes, very short, and magical! She was kidnapped in book one but in this book she has to help rescue kidnapped people, fight off river monsters, not get re-kidnapped or killed, learn new spells, care for her talking cat familiar, and more! All while in a foreign country!
This is not only a fun to read Book but it is filled with great characters, twists, witty and clever dialogue, humor and great action. My favorite character is Mr. Moody the cat! Read the series in order!
Containment is book 2 in the Winter Solstice series by Matthew Cox and J.R. Rain. Solstice is an albino elf with pink eyes, very short, and magical! She was kidnapped in book one but in this book she has to help rescue kidnapped people, fight off river monsters, not get re-kidnapped or killed, learn new spells, care for her talking cat familiar, and more! All while in a foreign country!
This is not only a fun to read Book but it is filled with great characters, twists, witty and clever dialogue, humor and great action. My favorite character is Mr. Moody the cat! Read the series in order!
December 25, 2017
I absolutely loved how Containment started. You didn't have the regular recap you'd expect in a second installment. Instead you get your MC giving you a short, yet pretty funny recap of the events that occurred previously.
Then Mr. Moody popped back in! I'm ashamed to admit I completely forgot about this awesome cat. Sorry, Mr. Moody! He seriously is so funny, punny and amazing. Honestly, I think he makes this novel even more awesome than it already is.
As for the writing, it's simply what I expected of J.R. Rain and Matthew S. Cox. It's fluent, everything happens in a fast pace - you simply don't get time to get bored at at all.
And I'm going to give them a huge applause because I remember I had a little problem with the first installment - Convergence -, being the ending was way too abrupt for my liking. Maybe I simply expected it to happen again, maybe it actually is better. All I know is that the ending of Containment really didn't feel that out of the blue as with the first book.
It isn't necessarily a bad thing, more a personal thing: it took me a while to get into the story. Pretty sure it was just me and my head being all over the place though! And I also think my brain just needs a bit of time to get used to their direct writing every time I read one of their books, haha.
4,5 / 5!
Kathy
I received an eCopy of this book through one of the authors. This didn't have any influence on my opinion. I'm not being compensated in any way.
Then Mr. Moody popped back in! I'm ashamed to admit I completely forgot about this awesome cat. Sorry, Mr. Moody! He seriously is so funny, punny and amazing. Honestly, I think he makes this novel even more awesome than it already is.
As for the writing, it's simply what I expected of J.R. Rain and Matthew S. Cox. It's fluent, everything happens in a fast pace - you simply don't get time to get bored at at all.
And I'm going to give them a huge applause because I remember I had a little problem with the first installment - Convergence -, being the ending was way too abrupt for my liking. Maybe I simply expected it to happen again, maybe it actually is better. All I know is that the ending of Containment really didn't feel that out of the blue as with the first book.
Pain is better than feeling nothing ever again.
It isn't necessarily a bad thing, more a personal thing: it took me a while to get into the story. Pretty sure it was just me and my head being all over the place though! And I also think my brain just needs a bit of time to get used to their direct writing every time I read one of their books, haha.
Oh, this guy's a happy little cupcake.
4,5 / 5!
Kathy
I received an eCopy of this book through one of the authors. This didn't have any influence on my opinion. I'm not being compensated in any way.
November 15, 2017
I would read a shopping list written by this pair of amazing authors, they are that good, I thoroughly enjoyed their newest heroine, Solstice Winters when I first met her in Convergence. Now in Containment, the second book of the Winter Solstice series, she finds herself in Russia, tasked with ridding the city of Volgograd of a terrifying creature who has been summoned by the Ordo Sanguinem Aeternum. In the course of her quest, she is plunged more deeply into the world of The Echo, the dimension from which magic comes. Deeper and darker magic is awakened and Solstice and her familiar, Mr. Moody, will face their greatest challenge ever.
What a great world inhabited by spunky, snarky and delicious characters who endear themselves to the reader. It’s a great journey of adventure and discovery as Solstice comes more and more into the power that was always hers. Throw in the enigmatic and hunky Cristiano, her non-magical partner and friend with benefits, and you have a story you can’t put down. A great addition to Messrs. Rain and Cox’s growing body of work. Not to be missed.
I voluntarily reviewed this work after having received an advanced copy.
What a great world inhabited by spunky, snarky and delicious characters who endear themselves to the reader. It’s a great journey of adventure and discovery as Solstice comes more and more into the power that was always hers. Throw in the enigmatic and hunky Cristiano, her non-magical partner and friend with benefits, and you have a story you can’t put down. A great addition to Messrs. Rain and Cox’s growing body of work. Not to be missed.
I voluntarily reviewed this work after having received an advanced copy.
December 21, 2017
Great book.
The only thing wrong with this book is that there isn't more books with these characters. I thought I would have a difficult time with all of the different Russian names of these types of monsters. But the author a good job with it.
The only thing wrong with this book is that there isn't more books with these characters. I thought I would have a difficult time with all of the different Russian names of these types of monsters. But the author a good job with it.
December 28, 2017
Completely scary and awesomely written paranormal adventure.
December 26, 2017
The Trouble With Portals
•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded, or faint of heart!•••
This series must be read in order. The first book is Convergence. This is the second book. I can't wait to read the next one!
Finding out she is in Russia is not the biggest shock Solstice gets when she escapes the OSA. That there is a while organization dedicated to keeping magic and Numina under wraps is one of the bigger ones though. Her boss, Fenton, is one of the key members of this group, and they want her to join as well. Is her job at the tabloid even real? It has to be right? She has been writing real articles for a real paper all these years. Will they be able to get her safely out of Russia and back home even though she never *officially* arrived in the country? How dangerous is this *job* they want her help on? Will the FSB detain her like the American MIB did? Or will they just accept her help and let her go on her merry way? What is Cristiano's story? Is he as trustworthy as he seems? Will she forever be doomed to comparing all men to that day Diego? Or will she finally get over his betrayal and move on with her life? Will she ever find out how she ended up in this world instead of the Echo? The only certainty in her life is Mr. Moody and her desire to get back home to her family and friends. Will she ever adjust to her new reality and her real self? What more could possibly go wrong?
With Solstice starting to find her feet, This book is even better than the last! It feels almost like you are discovering the truth about the world right along with her. Her whole world has been shattered and turned upside down, but instead of bemoaning her fate and the lies told to keep her safe, she embraces her new reality with an almost childlike sense of wonder and abandon. This series is both uplifting and entertaining and I can't wait for more!
•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded, or faint of heart!•••
This series must be read in order. The first book is Convergence. This is the second book. I can't wait to read the next one!
Finding out she is in Russia is not the biggest shock Solstice gets when she escapes the OSA. That there is a while organization dedicated to keeping magic and Numina under wraps is one of the bigger ones though. Her boss, Fenton, is one of the key members of this group, and they want her to join as well. Is her job at the tabloid even real? It has to be right? She has been writing real articles for a real paper all these years. Will they be able to get her safely out of Russia and back home even though she never *officially* arrived in the country? How dangerous is this *job* they want her help on? Will the FSB detain her like the American MIB did? Or will they just accept her help and let her go on her merry way? What is Cristiano's story? Is he as trustworthy as he seems? Will she forever be doomed to comparing all men to that day Diego? Or will she finally get over his betrayal and move on with her life? Will she ever find out how she ended up in this world instead of the Echo? The only certainty in her life is Mr. Moody and her desire to get back home to her family and friends. Will she ever adjust to her new reality and her real self? What more could possibly go wrong?
With Solstice starting to find her feet, This book is even better than the last! It feels almost like you are discovering the truth about the world right along with her. Her whole world has been shattered and turned upside down, but instead of bemoaning her fate and the lies told to keep her safe, she embraces her new reality with an almost childlike sense of wonder and abandon. This series is both uplifting and entertaining and I can't wait for more!
August 7, 2019
A Modern Fantasy Book
Solstice Winters was a quirky photojournalist, working for a tabloid, using her talents to track down what her paper called numina, the unusual paranormal-like creatures that, for most, seemed purely mythical beings being mistaken for the truly bizarre creatures they truly were. Then in Book 1, something happens that changes the whole world, and odd sightings start sprouting up, seemingly everywhere. Solstice begins an adventure of discovery that continues in Book 2, which transports her from New York to Russia. By Book 2, she has already had the realization that her whole life is just a lie, and she is not just a quirky, unusual girl, but a numina herself, a short, thin, flat-chested Elf with pointy ears, now in the employ of an agency, whose cover is the Spiritualist magazine, which tracks down and contains these creatures that have leaked through to our physical realm, and as a magical Elf herself, she discovers many magical powers that help her to contain these pesky creatures. When she finds herself transported through a portal opened up by a secret, magical group, she finds herself challenged by more than just magical creatures, but now this magical order that seeks to control the world, suppressing the normals into a subservient race. J.R. Rain has a concise, quirky manner of writing that keeps one entertained and interested, wanting to keep turning the pages, as the reader grows close to the main character and her adventures, rooting for her, the good guys, and even ordinary humans, who require her unique set of skills to rescue and protect them from malicious forces seeking to overrun our reality. If you like magical creatures, mythical characters, like Elves, and magic all combined in one quick-paced story, you will enjoy this modern fantasy trio by J. R. Rain.
Solstice Winters was a quirky photojournalist, working for a tabloid, using her talents to track down what her paper called numina, the unusual paranormal-like creatures that, for most, seemed purely mythical beings being mistaken for the truly bizarre creatures they truly were. Then in Book 1, something happens that changes the whole world, and odd sightings start sprouting up, seemingly everywhere. Solstice begins an adventure of discovery that continues in Book 2, which transports her from New York to Russia. By Book 2, she has already had the realization that her whole life is just a lie, and she is not just a quirky, unusual girl, but a numina herself, a short, thin, flat-chested Elf with pointy ears, now in the employ of an agency, whose cover is the Spiritualist magazine, which tracks down and contains these creatures that have leaked through to our physical realm, and as a magical Elf herself, she discovers many magical powers that help her to contain these pesky creatures. When she finds herself transported through a portal opened up by a secret, magical group, she finds herself challenged by more than just magical creatures, but now this magical order that seeks to control the world, suppressing the normals into a subservient race. J.R. Rain has a concise, quirky manner of writing that keeps one entertained and interested, wanting to keep turning the pages, as the reader grows close to the main character and her adventures, rooting for her, the good guys, and even ordinary humans, who require her unique set of skills to rescue and protect them from malicious forces seeking to overrun our reality. If you like magical creatures, mythical characters, like Elves, and magic all combined in one quick-paced story, you will enjoy this modern fantasy trio by J. R. Rain.
December 29, 2017
Rating: 3.5
While I found the story enjoyable, I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one. Mr. Moody is still an awesome character, and more helpful in this story than the first one. He was funny, and down for almost anything. He kept Solstice steady, calm, and on track. Cristiano was fantastic. I was in love with him. I hope there is more of him in this series. I was hoping he would be fleshed out a bit more, and hopefully, if he's still in the series, there will be more information on him. This book does answer a lot of the questions you will have, but it will also produce more questions! I enjoyed the writing and the storytelling. It was extremely well done. If there is a book 3, I can't wait to read it.
While I found the story enjoyable, I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one. Mr. Moody is still an awesome character, and more helpful in this story than the first one. He was funny, and down for almost anything. He kept Solstice steady, calm, and on track. Cristiano was fantastic. I was in love with him. I hope there is more of him in this series. I was hoping he would be fleshed out a bit more, and hopefully, if he's still in the series, there will be more information on him. This book does answer a lot of the questions you will have, but it will also produce more questions! I enjoyed the writing and the storytelling. It was extremely well done. If there is a book 3, I can't wait to read it.
December 9, 2018
I enjoyed this story so much that I read all three of the series (so far) back-to-back on Kindle Unlimited. It's about a magical reawakening of the Earth (which was hurried along ahead of the normal every thousand-years-or-so schedule by technology.) The magic revealed that the heroine (Winter) is actually an elf, and the first book has a lot of other creatures that have crossed over from other dimensions. The characters are all likeable, there's a sprinkle of light-hearted humor, and enough mystery and action to keep the reader on her toes. I highly recommend this series.
This book takes place in Russia, and has some very entertaining magic in it.
This book takes place in Russia, and has some very entertaining magic in it.
July 18, 2019
Mr Moody is my hero!
The switch to Russian folklore and language was a bit abrupt. But it completely fit with the storyline. I wish my Kindle could have translated the dialogue... then again I am spoiled and want to understand every word on the page
Solstice is cool. I keep waiting for the Keepers to set her up with a psychiatrist. So many reality shifts back to back has got to be a little destabilizing. The onset of PTSD at a bare minimum after multiple kidnappings and attempted murder.
The switch to Russian folklore and language was a bit abrupt. But it completely fit with the storyline. I wish my Kindle could have translated the dialogue... then again I am spoiled and want to understand every word on the page
Solstice is cool. I keep waiting for the Keepers to set her up with a psychiatrist. So many reality shifts back to back has got to be a little destabilizing. The onset of PTSD at a bare minimum after multiple kidnappings and attempted murder.
September 23, 2022
I like the setting of this series at the cusp of the discovery of magic by humans.
The acknowledgment of the futility of hiding something so widespread and impactful is refreshing.
Very, very few books actually manage to pull off the hidden magical society thing in an even slightly believable way.
The way the MC gets roped into the book plot in this one is more than a bit contrived and I am quite annoyed that this sect of insane/stupid people is still a major plot point. I kind of hoped there would just be a small side plot rooting them out for good.
I don't think they make for a good adversary. I never found religious fanatics without much brain appealing as the bad guys.
The acknowledgment of the futility of hiding something so widespread and impactful is refreshing.
Very, very few books actually manage to pull off the hidden magical society thing in an even slightly believable way.
The way the MC gets roped into the book plot in this one is more than a bit contrived and I am quite annoyed that this sect of insane/stupid people is still a major plot point. I kind of hoped there would just be a small side plot rooting them out for good.
I don't think they make for a good adversary. I never found religious fanatics without much brain appealing as the bad guys.
January 14, 2020
Elf majik and a talking cat. Don't miss it!
What a humorous, imaginative and slightly sexy elf novel! Woman elf tracks giant lizard and Russian governor sometimes under water...with a "gill" spell. A beneficent Rasputin appears and a friend who is a huge green eagle. Fun. Light. And a resourceful, quirky female lead character, Solstice, the elf. And A talking cat familiar! Read this book!
What a humorous, imaginative and slightly sexy elf novel! Woman elf tracks giant lizard and Russian governor sometimes under water...with a "gill" spell. A beneficent Rasputin appears and a friend who is a huge green eagle. Fun. Light. And a resourceful, quirky female lead character, Solstice, the elf. And A talking cat familiar! Read this book!
April 14, 2021
Better than the first one
I am not a huge fan of the speed and writing style of this series but I love the ideas in the books. It is something different the usual supernatural books.
This book was better than the first because there was not as much world building and a main focus, getting her home from Russia.
I am not a huge fan of the speed and writing style of this series but I love the ideas in the books. It is something different the usual supernatural books.
This book was better than the first because there was not as much world building and a main focus, getting her home from Russia.
September 14, 2018
Terrific read!
I can't wait to read more about Solstice so you guys better get busy!! I love how you've brought fantasy into the adult world and made it so realistic; you have a complete fan for sure.
I can't wait to read more about Solstice so you guys better get busy!! I love how you've brought fantasy into the adult world and made it so realistic; you have a complete fan for sure.
August 25, 2021
Purrfectly Entertaining!
Fun tail... Uh, tale. A spunky, smart main character and a talking cat... What's not to love? I can't wait for more. In fact, I'm downloading the next book right now!
Fun tail... Uh, tale. A spunky, smart main character and a talking cat... What's not to love? I can't wait for more. In fact, I'm downloading the next book right now!
December 20, 2017
3.5? Review to come (hopefully) ...
September 8, 2018
Quite the adventure!
I had to read this second book in the series. It had interesting characters, beasts, and humor. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I had to read this second book in the series. It had interesting characters, beasts, and humor. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
August 5, 2019
Onto to book 3! Sooo enjoying this series. Magic and an elf..other creatures, magic..what’s not to love!?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2021
Good one!
I liked the continuation of Book #1. It dragged a bit in the middle. Great characters. Looking forward to #3.
I liked the continuation of Book #1. It dragged a bit in the middle. Great characters. Looking forward to #3.
May 2, 2024
Great series lots of action with an elf and a cat. very humorous
June 12, 2025
I am really enjoying this series. It's nice to see Slavic mythological creatures included in this book. On to the next!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews