Red by Alyxandra Harvey

Published: March 10th, 2015

Publisher: Entangled Teen

ECopy: Entangled Teen

Summary: Goodreads

Bad girls burn hot…

Red is the color of Kia Alcott's hair.
It's her temper, which blazes hot and always gets Kia into way too much trouble.
And it's the color of fire. Fires that Kia can start…just by thinking about them.

When her latest “episode” gets her kicked out of school, Kia is shipped off to her grandmother, who works for the wealthy Blackwoods. It's an estate shrouded in secrets, surrounded by rules, and presided over by a family that is far from normal…including the gorgeous and insolent Ethan Blackwood.

Ethan knows far more about the dangers of the forest surrounding the estate than Kia can ever imagine. For this forest has teeth, and Ethan is charged with protecting the outside world from its vicious mysteries.

But inside, even the most vibrant shade of red doesn't stand a chance against the dark secrets of the Blackwood family…

Curlypow's thoughts:

I am a huge Alyxandra Harvey fan.  Her Drake Chronicles are among my favourite books with their snarky humour and great characters.  So this was an absolute must read for me when I saw it and I was not disappointed at all.

What I loved about 'Red' was it's contemporary setting with its old world fairy tale type ideas.  Lots of nasty creatures not normally found in our general day to day world are mixed in with a little paranormal firestarting and some modern knights and the whole thing just works.  I could actually imagine a group of people doing exactly what Ethan's father has done, it didn't seem all that far-fetched.  Extremely unlikely no doubt, but I could imagine it happening.

Ethan and Kia were a great pair, with some regular stereotypes being thrown to the wind as we get to know the characters.  There always seemed to be something going on underneath the surface which really kept my interest.  Kia's grandmother was also a great character, with some wonderful surprises of her own.

Lots of excitement and adventure and a fast paced story line laced with humor made 'Red' a very quick and enjoyable read for me.  I don't know if 'Red' is a standalone, and it works as one, but I'm really hoping that we'll see more of these characters.

Blog Tour - A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey

 

 

 

 

Published: January 7th

Publisher: Walker Children's

Pages: 496

Copy: Publisher via Netgalley

Summay: Goodreads

In 1814, three cousins-Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope-discover their unknown family lineage of witchcraft. Beyond the familiar manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, a dangerous, alluring new underworld visible only to those with power is now open to the cousins.
But unbeknownst to them, by claiming their power, the three cousins have inadvertently opened the gates to the Underworld.
Now the dead, ghouls, hellhounds-and the most terrifying of all: the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters-are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers.
And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders...because she keeps finding the bodies.
Can the cousins unravel the clues and mystery behind their heritage and power before their gifts are stripped away ...or even worse, another witch is killed?

I am a huge fan of Alyxandra Harvey's Drake Chronicles, so when the opportunity arose to become part of this tour and do an early review of A Breath of Frost, I was positively  thrilled to bits.  A Breath of Frost is a marvellous historical fantasy with a creepy mystery and Ms. Harveys' trademark humour.  Written with strong characters and some incredible world building, it was a pleasure to read.

The three cousins, Gretchen, Emma and Penelope are all so very different in their personalities, but not one of them was afraid to be themselves.  Finding out that they are from a famous witchy family makes a huge change in their lives, but they take it in stride, each in their own way.  The challenges that Emma faces in solving the murders really stretch her, but she learns from them and is not afraid to ask for help.  I particularly loved the smouldering romantic tension between Emma and Cormac. Cormac has no magic himself, but he's a genuine knight in tarnished armor and his covert help is essential to the girls' quest.

Ms Harvey has put together  a seamless and fully realised alternate Regency London that screams authenticity. It was very easy to imagine myself within its confines.  I found myself reminiscing slightly over its parallels with Harry Potter, in that there is a witchy community side by side with the real world, that non-witches are completely unaware of.  It also reminded me a little of another of my favourite series - The Demon's Lexicon trilogy by Sarah Rees Brennan - with the introduction of the Goblin Market.  This is the dark underground where you can find potions and charms.  I just loved its mystery, and the fact that Moira was there on the rooftops looking out for everyone. She is just so resourceful! 

Add to this the fact that girls, young witches in fact, are dying, demons are causing havoc, antlers are hard to accessorise, and Emma is trying to find out why her mother chose madness instead of a regular life, and the book is almost un-put-downable.  With a title that is incredibly appropriate, A Breathe of Frost, was actually a breathe of fresh air in my reading right now   Mysterious, exciting, fantastical and romantic, I'm still trying to find something I didn't like about it, but the answer is zilch,  I loved every minute of it and I'm certain that you will too.   

Waiting on Wednesday - A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is

Summary (by Goodreads)

In 1814, three cousins-Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope-discover their unknown family lineage of witchcraft. Beyond the familiar manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, a dangerous, alluring new underworld visible only to those with power is now open to the cousins. 
But unbeknownst to them, by claiming their power, the three cousins have inadvertently opened the gates to the Underworld. 
Now the dead, ghouls, hellhounds-and the most terrifying of all: the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters-are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers. 
And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders...because she keeps finding the bodies. 
Can the cousins unravel the clues and mystery behind their heritage and power before their gifts are stripped away ...or even worse, another witch is killed?

A new series release by Alyxandra Harvey!  Witches!!  Look for A Breath of Frost to come out January 7th!

Blood Prophecy by Alyxandra Harvey

Published: January 8th, 2013

Publisher: Walker Childrens

Pages: 496

Copy: From Publisher and Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

In the thrilling conclusion of the Drake Chronicles, love and loyalties will be tested ... and proven once and for all.
Solange Drake has been officially crowned Queen of the Vampires, fulfilling the centuries old prophecy that foretold the rise to power of a daughter born to an ancient vampire line. Except Solange's thoughts and actions are no longer her own—she's been slowly being possessed by the spirit of Viola, the first daughter born into the Drake line, since her bloodchange. And instead of uniting the vampire tribes under the rule of an ancient daughter as the prophecy predicted, Viola would rather destroy them all and enslave humans in a personal vendetta for the devastation both wrought to her life centuries ago. Can Solange break her hold in time to save everyone she loves from a vampire civil war, hunter attack, and each other? Not everyone will survive the prophecy . . . perhaps not even her.

I just love Alyxandra Harvey's Drake Chronicles.  The are exciting, romantic and laugh out loud funny.  With Blood Prophecy, Ms Harvey went to a new level.  The most obvious one was the length of the book - this one is almost twice as long as the others, but it was great fun the whole way. 

Everything has come together in Blood Prophecy - Solange is fighting for her life and her love, Kieran.  Lucy - wonderful, funny, loyal Lucy - is still there trying to help everyone, and especially Nicholas, who has his own major set of problems this time around.  Quinn and Hunter trust each other and are right in the thick of things,  Connor and Cristabel are still trying to get used to Cristabel's change of status and Logan and Isabeau are up to their ears in magic and nasty creatures.

Blood Prophecy ties up every loose end, throws in several new and exciting twists and finishes everything off with a cherry on top.  I can't get into details here - if you've read the previous 5 titles (Hearts at Stake;Blood Feud; Out for Blood; Bleeding Hearts and Blood Moon) it would spoil things too much, and if you haven't read them, well it wouldn't make sense and you should get out and start reading them now.  Ms Harvey has created a complex and very believable vampire society that has many, many levels.  The human hunters are interesting and very surprising and I loved the way that she continually surprised me with the story.  Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, something would change.

Written primarily in the alternating voices of Lucy and Solange, I have a word to the wise - check out the top of each chapter and make sure you know who is narrating, because it may just be Hunter or Isabeau, who creep in occasionally.  The alternating 1st person pov's add yet another interesting dimension to an already exciting and adventurous story and keep the tension level way up high.  Add that to the romantic tension that runs through the story and you won't want to stop reading.

If you like your vampires with a funny, yet serious twist, then you will love the Drake Chronicles.  They are just so much fun.  Oh, and Ms Harvey is Canadian too, from Ontario no less - bonus :)

Check out my reviews for Blood Feud and Out for Blood  and also Stolen Away, a non Drake Chronicles book

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

Published: December 2011

Publisher: Walker Childrens

Pages: 278

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric-who may or may not betray them.

Yet another wonderfully amusing and captivating read from Alyandra Harvey.  Just a little different from her Drake Chronicles, Stolen Away is about the fae this time and not vampires.  Written in her signature alternating voices, Eloise and Jo share the perspective of their first venture into the mysteries of faerie. I say first, but it could be only, although I'm seriously hoping this turns into a series. 

With believable human characters and drop-dead gorgeous fae princes, Stolen Away was a pleasure to read.  There is a nice mystery going on here with a reveal at the end that for some reason I didn't see coming.  There is also no triangle, but there is some lovin' going on, and insta-love or no, I enjoyed it.

'He cut me off with a deep kiss.  It turned sudden and desperate, heated so quickly I had to grab hsi shirt to steady myself.  Our hair tangled together.  His lips were clever, wicked.  I was like chocolate melting in the sun' (p199)

But what makes Ms Harvey's books for me, is her humour. This first quote had me laughing so loudly I woke up my husband!

'And then it all unraveled slowly, like a silk shawl coming apart at the fringes.  Couples and threesomes drifted off into the scented shadows, all bare skin and tongues.  I didn't consider myself a prude, but there were just some things I didn't need to see. Fae bums were one of them.' (p122)

'My mother was just coming out of the kitchen when she saw me fall out of nowhere, followed by a boy dressed like King Arhur.  She made a sound like "yaaargl" and then threw her cup right into the air.  She didn't even blink when hot tea rained over her.' (140)

Great characters, great story, great laughs - and a quick read to boot.  Definitely recommended!

Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

Published: November 2010

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 292

Copy borrowed from library

Summary: Goodreads

Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends—or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

Oh, don't you just love a book that captures you so quickly you finish it in 24 hours? That's what happened with 'Out for Blood', the third installment in Alyxandra Harvey's 'Drake Chronicles'. I loved the first two in the series, and this one was no exception. One of the factors I particularly enjoy about this series is the fact that each volume is about a different couple. The old favourites keep coming back as minor characters, and at least one of the main characters has been a minor character in previous books. I've already made a guess at who the fourth book will be about and I so hope I'm right!

'Out for Blood' highlights Quinn Drake and Hunter Wild. Quinn is such a romeo. You just can't help but love him, and Hunter is a beautifully strong character, who is comfortable in her skin. You could easily read each of these books as stand-alones, but certain facts will make more sense if you read them in order.

As I was reading this time it struck me that the series strongly reminds me of the adult series 'The Black Dagger Brotherhood' - minus the explicit sex - definitely not a series for those under 18! The similarities lie in the multilayered vampire societies that have been created. With so much more going on than just blood-sucking, these stories pull you in and leave you wanting more. Each is complete on it's own with no cliff-hanger endings - just lots of potential for more good tales to come. There are seven Drake Brothers and a sister - I'm seriously hoping we get at least 8 of these wonderful volumes.

My advice, make a cup of coffee, find a comfortable seat and tune out the world for a few hours. You'll end with a smile and a feeling of having finished a great book.

Waiting on Wednesday - Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine , that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile. This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is

Summary (by Goodreads):

Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, she sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends—or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?

Blood Feud

Author: Alyxandra Harvey

Released: June 22/2010

Publisher: Walker Books for Young People

# pages: 272

Copy provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.
The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.
This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles—told from both Logan’s and Isabeau’s perspectives—has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more.

This story is the sequel to 'Hearts at Stake', which was about Solange and Kieran, and Lucy and Nicholas. While all those characters are in this book, they take a back seat to Logan and Isabeau, who were introduced briefly in Hearts at Stake.

I liked Logan, he's my kind of guy. Not afraid to be different - who else wears frock coats and carries a sword - yet still very likeable. The love element of the story happens fairly quickly, but it didn't seem forced or unbelievable. I think I fell for Logan myself, in fact. I just love the world building and the layers of society with rules and regulations, and I found it intriguing that vampires are not only made, but can be born and that they experience regular life for their first 16 years. The story is full of strong purposeful women and Isabeau is no exception, but she was nicely flawed, not too perfect. Her need for revenge on her maker almost overshadowing her duty. Although I have to admit that my favourite is still Lucy - she is a hoot.

My note to myself after finishing Hearts at Stake was 'very funny teen vampire story with a twist', and I would have to say that is exactly how I feel about Blood Feud. Lets face it, what's not to love about a story that has 7 handsome brothers who just happen to be vampires. All in all I just loved this one and I'm already looking forward to #3 'Out for Blood' which is due out on Dec 22nd, 2010