Review: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, #1)
by Rick Riordan
Published by Puffin
Paperback (purchased)
YA, fantasy, mythology, adventure

OLD ENEMIES AWAKEN AS CAMP HALF-BLOOD'S NEW ARRIVALS PREPARE FOR WAR 

When Jason, Piper and Leo crash land at Camp Half-Blood, they have no idea what to expect. Apparently this is the only safe place for children of the Greek Gods - despite the monsters roaming the woods and demigods practising archery with flaming arrows and explosives. But rumours of a terrible curse - and a missing hero - are flying around camp. It seems Jason, Piper and Leo are the chosen ones to embark on a terrifying new quest, which they must complete by the winter solstice. In just four days time. Can the trio succeed on this deadly mission - and what must they sacrifice in order to survive?

It took me years to pick this up. I absolutely love Percy Jackson and the Olympians and have done so since I read it when I was a teenager. When The Lost Hero was first published, I didn't pick it up because it didn't have Percy and I was hesitant about the Roman gods aspect since I've always been more into Greek mythology. I'm not sure what changed, but eventually I decided to give this one a shot when I heard that the old gang would be main characters in later books in this series. All of my hesitations ended up being for nothing, because true Riordan style, The Lost Hero was compelling and totally a page turner!

It was nice to meet some of the characters from previous series at the Camp Half-Blood, as well as the gods. I loved most of the new characters too, especially Jason and Leo. Leo's hilarious and adorable and just so precious. Jason's the traditional hero type but he was also interesting and really likable. Piper was the only one I didn't really warm up for, mostly because she was a little bit whiny.

I really liked the change to third person (compared to the first person in Percy Jackson series) and the multiple point of views (Jason, Leo and Piper). Although, with the multiple pov's there was sometimes moments when I preferred one to other, and it all comes down to characters preferences. Anyway, The Lost Hero was a page turner and full of adventure. It was a really good series opener because it left so many questions, and the ending, if that's not a cliffhanger then nothing is. Definitely made me want to pick up the rest of the series right away!

I highly recommend for the fans of Percy Jackson, and I definitely recommend to read that series first because this one does include spoilers.

4 of 5 stars

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COYER Weekly Wrap Up #3

Third week of the COYER reading challenge is almost over so it's time do a little wrap up. Third week wasn't any productive than the previous ones as I only finished one book. I haven't been reading much because I've been binge watching House MD. However, I have every intention to read more next week, especially since I have to finish one review copy and I have four books I want to read before YALC at the end of month so I want to read at least one of them during next week. Anyway;

Here's what I read and reviewed;

Tied to Trouble (3 stars)

(Here's my sign up post for COYER challenge)

Review: Tied to Trouble by Megan Erickson

Tied to Trouble (Gamers, #3)
by Megan Erickson
Published by Entangled Brazen
ebook (purchased)
Adult, LGTB, contemporary romance

Between love and hate, there's a whole lot of trouble…

Chad Lake only showed up at his sister's party for the free food, but when he spots an uptight nerd at the edge of the crowd, he can't resist trying to ruffle the guy's perfect bow tie and impeccable hair. The hottie's ready for him, though, and in the end, it's Chad who's left wide-eyed, his ears still ringing with the filthy things Bow Tie whispered in his ear. No one gets the upper hand on Chad. Ever.

Owen Hawkins has heard all about the cocky Adonis from Chad's sister—the same sister who holds Owen's career advancement in her hands. He has every intention of steering clear of the other man…until Chad's sexy taunts push him too far. There's something intriguing about Chad, and even though Owen knows that getting tangled up with the infuriating man is trouble, he can't seem to stay away…

**This is part of an M/F series but can be read as standalone**

Tied to Trouble surely had great banter and snarky comments between the main characters Chad and Owen. I'm a huge fan of banter, so it's no surprise I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. Chad was also charming and funny, even if he was the type of person who had refused to grow up of society's terms by the time he was thirty. Owen was Chad's opposite in a way that he's mature and responsible in every possible way. It shouldn't work, but they had sizzling chemistry, which was a page turner. And somehow, Erickson managed to make bow ties sexy and irresistible, and it's one of the highlights of Tied to Trouble. Chad, and the budding relationship between him and Owen were the best thing and if it had been just that, I would have rated the book higher than three stars. However, there was this thing that made me a bit annoyed about the story.

The one thing that made me pretty disinterest and almost had me skipping pages, was the subplot about Chad's sister Marley being proposed by her boyfriend Austin. I haven't read their previous story, and I was unable to connect with either of them because Austin was controlling and didn't show redeeming qualities and Marley was a bit too overbearing and bossy. Their subplot took about a quarter of the story line, which I felt could have been used to deepen Chad and Owen's relationship or they as individual characters. Especially since there was this quite cliche (and bit annoying) dramatic moment that changed their relationship and led to a bad argument that just caused drama.

If you're looking for a light read that's relatively low on angst but full of steamy scenes and hot nerds, then Tied to Trouble might be good choice for you. However, I have to say that other M/M books from Erickson are way better especially plot wise (I recommend the Cyberlove and In Focus series).

3 of 5 stars

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ARC Review: Oversight by Santino Hassell

Oversight (The Community, #2)
by Santino Hassell
Published by Riptide Publishing
eARC
LGBT, romantic suspense, paranormal

Spoiler Alert! The following blurb contains spoilers for Insight, book one of The Community.

Holden Payne has it all . . . or so he thinks. As heir to the founder of the Community—an organization that finds, protects, and manages psychics—he’s rich, powerful, and treated like royalty. But after a series of disappearances and murders rock the Community, he’s branded the fall guy for the scandal and saddled with a babysitter.

Sixtus Rossi is a broad-shouldered, tattooed lumbersexual with a man-bun and a steely gaze. He’s also an Invulnerable—supposedly impervious to both psychic abilities and Holden’s charms. It’s a claim Holden takes as a challenge. Especially if sleeping with Six may help him learn whether the Community had more to do with the disappearances than they claimed.

As Holden uncovers the truth, he also finds himself getting in deep with the man sent to watch him. His plan to seduce Six for information leads to a connection so intense that some of Six’s shields come crashing down. And with that comes a frightening realization: Holden has to either stand by the Community that has given him everything, or abandon his old life to protect the people he loves.

Oversight was a good follow up for Insight as it let us get into Holden's head, introduced Six, and delved deeper into the Community and its secrets. What's even perfect was that I got my wish when Nate and Trent made an appearance and oh boy, did I love it!

I liked Holden in previous book and now I fell in love. He's idealistic and he believes to all the good in the Community and he genuinely wants to help his fellow psychics. Basically, he's adorable and his biggest fault was to be a bit naive. Besides the old characters from previous book, Oversight introduced Six, who was a mystery in so many ways that figuring him out was intriguing and fun. The chemistry and steamy romance between Holden and Six was definitely classic Santino Hassell, and I really loved it. It was full of suspense and doubt, but also magnetic bull and secrets that changed everything.

The only negative thing I have to say about Oversight is that there were a few moments when it felt a little bit rushed off. I felt like some scenes needed a little bit more page time (and honestly, I wouldn't have minded if I'd get fifty more pages of Holden and Six). Otherwise the book was perfect mix of suspense, romance and paranormal.

I just can't get enough of this world! Paranormal is not my go-to genre but this series is addicting and definitely a very good paranormal. I do recommend this for anyone who likes paranormal, suspense, romance and mysteries - or even if you're not biggest fan of paranormal, this would still be a really good read. Although, in order to read this, Insight has to be read first to avoid spoilers and to know what's going on.

5 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

COYER Weekly Wrap Up #2

Second week of the COYER reading challenge is almost over so it's time do a little wrap up. Despite my intentions, the week was quite busy and I only had time to finish one book. I travelled back to Scotland and did some volunteering work, all of which took more time than I imagined. Hopefully the third week of COYER is more productive for me!

Here's what I read and reviewed;

I haven't reviewed House of Cards yet, so it'll appear on later wrap ups.

(Here's my sign up post for COYER challenge)

Wrapping the Month: June

What's greater way to start new month than taking a look at previous one?

What it comes for writing reviews, June was a bad month. Even blogging was a bit sluggish at times. I got really caught up going back to Finland for midsummer fest as I was missing my family and friends, and I had awesome time there - and I didn't read or blog much during that time. Still, there were a lot of book tours and release days in June that I was happy to participate in, so the month wasn't all that bad!

I only got two physical copies, both of which were highly anticipated and I really want to read Our Dark Duet in July! I also got plenty of ebooks, both on sale and eARCs which is really nice.

June's reviews:

Broke Deep (2 stars)

A Gathering of Shadows (4 stars)

Summer Stock (4 stars)

June was a steady reading month for me, especially since I went to Finland for midsummer and didn't really read during that week. I still managed to finish five books and start few that I'll finish in July. And overall the books I read were highly starred so it was a nice month.

  

 

I'm almost giving up on making plans for months since it never really goes as well as I want. I'll still try to blog more on July, although at the end of the month I'll be travelling to London for YALC, which means less time to blog and read. But it'll be amazing to spend a weekend with fellow booknerds, see authors and attend panels!

Hugs,

Henna

Stacking the Shelves (61)

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and is all about sharing the book you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Purchased

  

For Review

  

Book Tour: Abroad by Liz Jacobs

Abroad (Abroad duology, #1)
by Liz Jabobs
Published by Brain Mill Press
Released June 27, 2017
New Adult, LGBT

Nick Melnikov doesn’t know where he belongs. He was just a kid when his Russian-Jewish family immigrated to Michigan. Now he’s in London for university, overwhelmed by unexpected memories. Socially anxious, intensely private, and closeted, Nick doesn’t expect to fall in so quickly with a tight-knit group of students from his college, and it’s both exhilarating and scary. Hanging out with them is a roller coaster of serious awkward and incredible longing, especially when the most intimidating of the group, Dex, looks his way.

Dex Cartwell knows exactly who he is: a black queer guy who doesn’t give a toss what anybody thinks of him. He is absolutely, one-hundred-percent, totally in control of his life. Apart, maybe, from the stress of his family’s abrupt move to an affluent, largely white town. And worrying about his younger brother feeling increasingly isolated as a result. And the persistent broken heart he’s been nursing for a while . . .

When Nick and Dex meet, both find themselves intrigued. Countless late-night conversations only sharpen their attraction. But the last thing Nick wants is to face his deepest secret, and the last thing Dex needs is another heartache. Dex has had to fight too hard for his right to be where he is. Nick isn’t even sure where he’s from. So how can either of them tell where this is going?

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Amazon

Publisher

Excerpt

Nick didn't feel better in the morning. At three am, his anxiety had been a shapeless thing, with weight and texture but part of dreams, too. A sort of terrifying unreality he had to breathe through.

       At eight am, as his alarm shrieked at him to wake the fuck up, the shapeless, textured thing coalesced into something more terrifying than the nightly ghosts. If, at ten years old, he'd been aware that being unable to answer the kids on the bus who asked him why his teeth looked the way they did would someday end, at twenty, he knew better.

       He wanted men. He hadn't really wanted Lena, in all the years they'd been together. He hadn't really wanted Ashley during sophomore year when they'd kissed in the art classroom, her hair tickling his palms where his hands had trembled on her shoulders, and later humped fruitlessly in her sunroom, sweaty and shaky and half-hard.

       He wanted Dex. Of all people, of all the people he had met, he wanted him so much, his hands ached with it. Nick was past denying anything. All he knew now was the whine in his chest that told him truth frightened more than denial. 

Author bio

Liz Jacobs came over with her family from Russia at the age of 11, as a Jewish refugee.  All in all, her life has gotten steadily better since that moment. They settled in an ultra-liberal haven in the middle of New York State, which sort of helped her with the whole “grappling with her sexuality” business.

She has spent a lot of her time flitting from passion project to passion project, but writing remains her constant. She has flown planes, drawn, made jewelry, had an improbable internet encounter before it was cool, and successfully wooed the love of her life in a military-style campaign. She has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize for her essay on her family’s experience with immigration.

She currently lives with her wife in Massachusetts, splitting her time between her day job, writing, and watching a veritable boatload of British murder mysteries.

Connect with Liz: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Book Tour: Oversight by Santino Hassell

Oversight (The Community, #2)
by Santino Hassell
Published by Riptide Publishing
Release day 26th June, 2017
LGBT, romantic suspense, paranormal

Spoiler Alert! The following blurb contains spoilers for Insight, book one of The Community.

Holden Payne has it all . . . or so he thinks. As heir to the founder of the Community—an organization that finds, protects, and manages psychics—he’s rich, powerful, and treated like royalty. But after a series of disappearances and murders rock the Community, he’s branded the fall guy for the scandal and saddled with a babysitter.

Sixtus Rossi is a broad-shouldered, tattooed lumbersexual with a man-bun and a steely gaze. He’s also an Invulnerable—supposedly impervious to both psychic abilities and Holden’s charms. It’s a claim Holden takes as a challenge. Especially if sleeping with Six may help him learn whether the Community had more to do with the disappearances than they claimed.

As Holden uncovers the truth, he also finds himself getting in deep with the man sent to watch him. His plan to seduce Six for information leads to a connection so intense that some of Six’s shields come crashing down. And with that comes a frightening realization: Holden has to either stand by the Community that has given him everything, or abandon his old life to protect the people he loves.

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Amazon UK

Amazon US

Barnes & Noble

Publisher

"Six just stared at him. This beautiful personification of blankness but with burning black eyes."

Excerpt

The man who walked into the office did not remotely resemble the teen boy who'd just strolled through his memories. Adult Sixtus was Holden’s height but corded with about thirty more pounds of muscle. His biceps were nearly bursting from the sleeves and his pecs were clearly visible beneath the tight black polo he wore, making the typically conservative style— look like the prequel to a stripping routine in Magic Mike. He also wore khaki pants so tight his thighs looked like they were being strangled. He'd paired the two articles of clothing with scuffed motorcycle boots with steel toes.

Holden didn't make an attempt to hide his slow ogle, and dragged his eyes from boot to crotch to clavicle before taking in Six's face. His fathomless black eyes were the only familiar feature in that olive complexed face. He had a full beard and mustache, thick black hair tied up in a bun, and wide lips that Holden wanted to suck on. Why did his sociopathic handler have to be a disgustingly sexy lumberjack hipster?

"Huh," Holden said. "He's filled out."

Richard went back to pursing his lips but Sixtus didn't even blink. He didn't scan Holden or react to the intense eyefuck he'd just received. There seemed to be nothing behind those dark eyes. The effect was more disturbing when Holden, by default, reached out with his gift to get an impression. He'd expected a hint of impatience or irritation even if it was muted by the mental shield that was apparently always in place.

"He was drawn in by the strength of Six, and when that bubble wrapped around him again, it felt almost safe enough for him to break."

Author bio

Santino Hassell was raised by a conservative family, but he was anything but traditional. He grew up to be a smart-mouthed, school cutting grunge kid, then a transient twenty-something, and eventually transformed into an unlikely romance author.

Santino writes queer romance that is heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, his belief that human relationships are complex and flawed, and his own life experiences.

Connect with Santino: Website | Twitter | Instagram | FB Group | FB | GR | Tumblr

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I've Read In 2017 So Far

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week participating bloggers can create lists of topic given by the host, and share them with others!
I've read 33 books this far in 2017, and here's ten of the best so far!

The Love Interest was absolutely amazing; A Gathering of Shadows was really solid sequel; and Anyta Sunday seems to write a good standalone after good standalone.

Cyberlove books manages to stun me with their brilliance every single time, and the third and fourth book in the series are among this year's favourites.

 

Heels Over Head and Insight were both ARCs for which I didn't have a plenty of expectations but both managed to amaze me beyond anything.

Riordan certainly never ceases to amaze, and I really loved the thrill of The Blood of Olympus, and the beginning of Apollo series.