From the shelf: Love Irresistibly (FBI / US Attorney #4)

Title: Love Irresistibly (FBI / US Attorney #4)
Author: Julie James
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick-Lit
Date read: June 17-19, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★ (3/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

HE’S USED TO GETTING WHAT HE WANTS… A former football star and one of Chicago’s top prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cade Morgan will do anything to nail a corrupt state senator, which means he needs Brooke Parker’s help. As general counsel for a restaurant company, she can get a bug to the senator’s table at one of her five-star restaurants so the FBI can eavesdrop on him. All Cade has to do is convince Brooke to cooperate—and he’s not afraid to use a little charm, or the power of his office, to do just that.

AND WHAT HE WANTS IS HER. A savvy businesswoman, Brooke knows she needs to play ball with the U.S. Attorney’s office—even if it means working with Cade. No doubt there’s a sizzling attraction beneath all their sarcastic quips, but Brooke is determined to keep things casual. Cade agrees—until a surprising turn of events throws his life into turmoil, and he realizes that he wants more than just a good time from the one woman with whom he could fall terrifyingly, irresistibly in love . . .

My Review: (also in goodreads)

The 4th book of the FBI / Attorney series (Something About You, A Lot Like Love, About That Night). Cade Morgan is a senior AUSA under Cameron Lynde who started the 'blown out of proportion' fiasco involving the twitter terrorist under Cameron's predecessor's instructions. He meets Brooke Parker, general counsel for Sterling restaurants for a potential undercover operation and that's where the friction starts. 

The 4th book also has the elements in creating a Julie James novel (I noticed that they have the same flow). My most favorite part though is the Zack-Noah-Cade scenes, they are heart--wrenching and I even teared-up a little. Is there going to be a next book in the series??

Till the next read...

From the shelf: About That Night (FBI / US Attorney #3)

Title: About That Night (FBI / US Attorney #3)
Author: Julie James
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick-Lit
Date read: June 15-17, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★☆ (3.5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

He's Playing Games Though Rylann Pierce tried to fight the sparks she felt for billionaire heir Kyle Rhodes the night they met, their sizzling chemistry was undeniable. But after being stood up on their first date, Rylann never expected to see him again. So when she finds herself face-to-face with Kyle in a courthouse nine years later, she's stunned. More troubling to the beautiful assistant U.S. attorney is that she's still wildly attracted to him.

But She's Making The Rules Just released from prison, Kyle Rhodes isn't thrilled to be the star witness in a high-profile criminal case—but when Rylann comes knocking at his door, he finds she may be the one lawyer he can't say no to. Still as gorgeous and sharp-tongued as ever, she lays down the law: she doesn't mix business with pleasure. But Kyle won't give up on something he wants—and what he wants is the one woman he's never forgotten.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

Thus, the 3rd book of Julie James' FBI / Attorney series (Something About You, A Lot Like Love). In this story, we dig deeper into the life of Kyle Rhodes, the infamous twitter terrorist (which is also Jordan's twin brother, the 2nd book's protagonist) and the aftermath of it all. The story starts as he is anticipating his freedom which will be triggered by the US Attorney's office upholding the end of the bargain that his twin worked hard for. In comes Rylann Pierce, the attoney who will handle the decision to Kyle's fate which was coincidentally a significant person in Kyle's past 9 years ago.

The third book reeled me in. And by this time I could see the author's concoction to her stories. It was an easy read and I'll definitely read the next one.

Till the next read...

From the shelf: A Lot Like Love (FBI / US Attorney #2)

Title: A Lot Like Love (FBI / US Attorney #2)
Author: Julie James
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick-Lit
Date read: June 13-15, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★ (4/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

The FBI wants her cooperation.

As the daughter of a billionaire and the owner of the city's top wine store, Jordan Rhodes is invited to the most exclusive parties in Chicago. But there's only one party the FBI wants to crash: the charity fundraiser of a famous restaurateur, who also happens to launder money for the mob. In exchange for her brother's release from prison, Jordan is going to be there—with a date supplied by the Bureau.

Agent McCall just wants her.

As the top undercover agent in Chicago, Nick McCall has one rule: never get personal. This "date" with Jordan Rhodes is merely an assignment— one they're both determined to pull off even if they can't be together for five minutes before the sarcasm and sparks begin to fly. But when Nick's investigation is compromised, he and Jordan have no choice but to pretend they're a couple, and what starts out as a simple assignment begins to feel a lot like something more.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

So this is the 2nd book of the FBI / Attorney series after Something About You. Though it would be lovely that I would revisit Jack Pallas and Cameron Lynde, it was time for the story of the main protagonists, Nick McCall and Jordan Rhodes, to shine. Nick is a special agent who is suddenly assigned to work with a newbie (Agent Huxley) in an undercover  operation and help him on the case involving Martino (as introduced in book 1). They are tasked to ask the help of millionaire's daughter Jordan in return, they will work on the freedom of her twin brother Kyle. But due to unforeseen events, the two are stuck together in the assignment as a fake couple and it begins. 

I love that Julie James' books thread in the same universe. At one instance, Scott Casey was mentioned (another character from Just the Sexiest Man Alive) and that Jack and Nick were rivals in a trash-talking friendly way. I love how the characters are connected and that my suspicions are correct, the series..actually her books are situated in the same environment. I recommend this book and I suggest readers to start from Just the Sexiest Man Alive. Guess, I'll read the third book. ^^

Till the next read...

From the shelf: Something About You (FBI / US Attorney #1)

Title: Something About You (FBI / US Attorney #1)
Author: Julie James
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick-Lit
Date read: June 11-12, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

Fate has thrown two sworn enemies...
Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends with a death. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and for nearly ruining his career.

Into each other's arms...
Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it's no joke; the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension

My Review: (also in goodreads)

So this kicks off the FBI / US Attorney romance series by Julie James. Cameron Lynde is an assistant US attorney and Jack Pallas is one of the best agents..apparently he was transferred to Nebraska and due to the protagonists long and complicated past relationship they are determined to hate each other (at least with Pallas). And as Jack Pallas redeems his post in Chicago he didn't want to cross paths with her. Unfortunately, a high profile case will bring them back together and they must work professionally...that's where the conflict begins.

I find this book quite interesting. I already read 2 of her other books: Just the Sexiest Man Alive and Practice Makes Perfect and I must say that the author writes well. I obviously love the lawyer parts and the cop lines, the banter and the witty retorts. And since this is the first book in the series, I'm anticipating the second one. I suspect it to be the same people in the environment with different romance-focused protagonists but former protagonists will be mentioned once in a while...let's see~

Till the next read...

From the shelf: Practice Makes Perfect

Title: Practice Makes Perfect
Author: Julie James
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick-Lit
Date read: June 9-11, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★☆ (3.5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

Behind closed doors, they're laying down the law.

When it comes to the laws of attraction...
Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face-to-face, they're perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they have kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as coworkers for one reason: to make partner at the firm

There are no rules...
But all bets are off when they're asked to join forces on a major case. Though apprehensive at first, they begin to appreciate each other's dedication to the law—and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection does not last long when they discover that only one of them will be named partner. Now it's an all-out war. And the battle between the sexes is bound to make these lawyers hot under the collar.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

This is one of those stories where the protagonists retort and kind of banter all the time and that kind of scenario reels me in...especially if the words being thrown are witty and hilarious.

Payton Kendall and J.D Jameson are both lawyers in the running to be a partner in their firm. So...all hell breaks loose when the firm decided that they would only take in one partner this year and since the company's policy is "up or leave", one of them is destined to resign. Add in a bit of sexual tension and you have the hilarious competition between the protagonists. Though the ending is predictable (where they both had feelings for each other all this time and they've been hiding it perfectly + THE first misunderstanding...duh! so obvious) I did enjoy the story and I guess I'll try reading other books written by this author.

Till the next read...

From the shelf: Just the Sexiest Man Alive

Title: Just the Sexiest Man Alive
Author: Julie James
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick-Lit
Date read: June 7-9, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★ (4/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

No woman could resist him—except the one he wanted most...

Cool, Calm, Collected...
Nothing fazes Taylor Donovan. In the courtroom she never lets the opposition see her sweat. In her personal life, she never lets any man rattle her—not even her cheating ex-fiancé. So when she's assigned to coach People's "Sexiest Man Alive" for his role in his next big legal thriller, she refuses to fall for the Hollywood heartthrob's charms. Even if he is the Jason Andrews.

Confident, Famous, Irresistible...
Jason Andrews is used to having women fall at his feet. When Taylor Donovan gives him the cold shoulder, he's thrown for a loop. She's unlike any other woman he's ever met: uninterested in the limelight, seemingly immune to his advances, and shockingly capable of saying no to him. She's the perfect challenge. And the more she rejects him, the more he begins to realize she may just be his perfect match.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

This is another cat-mouse chase story wherein the plot is how the protagonists resist each other and eventually give in...in the end. Taylor Donovan is a headstrong lawyer from Chicago who moves to LA because of a case and there she meets Jason Andrews, a womanizing, popular actor who makes the girls swoon. They are brought together by a new movie where he needs legal counsel thus the banter and exchange of sarcasm begins. The story had amusing and embarrassing moments that you could read this in just one sitting. One thing tough, I always wondered whatever happened to Scott Casey. It looked like the cut to his character was abrupt. All in all, the lines were witty and there is enough humor in it. This even reminded me of those Harlequin / Mills and Boon pocketbooks that I used to read way back in high school.

"You had me at shit happens"

Till the next read...

From the shelf: This is What Happy Looks Like

Title: This is What Happy Looks Like
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Life, Chick-Lit
Date read: June 6-7, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★ (3/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds. 

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs? 

My Review: (also in goodreads)

This the second book I read from Jennifer Smith. The first being The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. I was curious at this book because it was being compared to "You've got Mail" my fave Meg Ryan-Tom Hanks movie. I wanted to know what the hype was all about. It had the email exchange, yes...but the story is far from the movie. Maybe because plots with emails exchanged between strangers is always associated with the movie.

Anyway, the story is about a small town girl Ellie O Niell coincidentally exchanging emails (sort of like penpals) not knowing that the stranger at the other side of the world is no other than the superstar Graham Larkin. Their worlds collide as Graham decides to use the small town as the location for the shoot of his next movie while trying to meet his new friend.

The book is a breeze to read...it had a feel-good vibe to it. When I read further into the story I realize that its kinda hard to be in a relationship with someone famous and I'm happy to be normal. I was kind of disappointed though in the ending, literally exclaiming "That's it??". The ending was sort of a cliffhanger. There were several points that makes the reader left hanging: her father's reaction about seeing the articles and the future of their relationship. All in all, this is a good read to pass the time.

Till the next read...

From the shelf: The Sun Dwellers

Title: The Sun Dwellers

Author: David Estes
Genre: Dystopian, Romance
Date read: June 5, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

With those she's closest to dying around her, Adele embarks on a secret mission to the Sun Realm to assassinate the President. Along the way she'll uncover secrets about her relationship with Tristan that she might not be ready to face. 

Tristan has a secret, too, one that's been eating him up inside ever since he met Adele. Will he reveal all, and risk the loss of friendship and love at a time when he needs it the most?

At the same time, Adele's mother, General Rose, must lead her soldiers into battle to face the sun dweller army in the hopes of holding them off until Adele can complete her mission. Can she outlast the strength of President Nailin's elite fighting force?

There's only one truth in their world: someone must die.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

I just read The Moon Dwellers and The Star Dwellers at a read for review event in GoodReads last year. Now months after, I finally read the third book in the series. This book didn't fail me. The prologue seemed not like the prologue and it made my heart race even at the start of the story. This time around, after the events in the second book, Adele must carry out a bigger and more impossible plan than before: killing the man who is the root of all suffering, President Nailin. Fueled by revenge on her father's death, she must travel to the sun realm and complete the mission which is possibly suicidal to restore balance and justice in the Tri-realms. With her is Tristan, coincidentally the son of the person she should kill but also her boyfriend; Tawni and Roc, their bestfriends and new found friends Trevor and Ram. 

The story is fast-paced and just when I thought Star Dwellers made me grip my seat, through this third book I'm in for a treat. The usual one-liner jokes were there in the form of Roc but doubled because of Trevor. There were more cheesy moments between Tristan and Adele that were both nauseating and amusing at the same time. There were a lot of socking events and sadness. I know that I shouldn't spoil but there would be death. As to who's going to die, the readers should find out. I was about to accept the fact that this was a trilogy and that I'm saying goodbye to the dwellers saga; when I found out that there was a fourth book and possibly the conclusion and crossover to the series, my heart swelled with joy but flattened with the reality that it isn't till September or November (?) that I'll read the book. So in the meantime, I'm going to read the Country trilogy. 

After reading the 3 dweller books in e-book form, yep~ I'm going to get greedy and buy the paperback version...and have it shipped all the way to the Philippines because it is worth it.

Till the next read...

From the Shelf: The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book 6)

Title: The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book 6)

Author: Michael Scott

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Magic, Mythology

Date read: June 4-5, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

San Francisco:

Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel have one day left to live, and one job left to do. They must defend San Francisco. The monsters gathered on Alcatraz Island have been released and are heading toward the city. If they are not stopped, they will destroy everyone and everything in their path.

But even with the help of two of the greatest warriors from history and myth, will the Sorceress and the legendary Alchemyst be able to defend the city? Or is it the beginning of the end of the human race?

Danu Talis:
Sophie and Josh Newman traveled ten thousand years into the past to Danu Talis when they followed Dr. John Dee and Virginia Dare. And it’s on this legendary island that the battle for the world begins and ends.

Scathach, Prometheus, Palamedes, Shakespeare, Saint-Germain, and Joan of Arc are also on the island. And no one is sure what—or who—the twins will be fighting for.

Today the battle for Danu Talis will be won or lost.

But will the twins of legend stand together?

Or will they stand apart—one to save the world and one to destroy it?

My Review: (also in goodreads)

Finally the conclusion to the Alchemyst series (The Alchemyst, The Magician, The Sorceress, The Necromancer, The Warlock). This is the story that will end and clear all conflicts introduced in the first 5 books. It takes place in two time streams, the past and the present. There would be change of loyalties, revelations and most of all great sacrifices. I was saddened by the amount of deaths of those people who were significant in the series but I guess to make the war more realistic, it had to be done; but I was still heartbroken by the turn of events like the past 5 books, The Enchantress pertains to a significant character and I'm guessing that it is Sophie Newman. I loved (though its sort of cliche) how the author explained the series of events that have transpired and how it circles back to the beginning. All in all, this would be a worthy conclusion to the series and I am mostly satisfied with it. There were some that left me hanging (minor details) but otherwise it was satisfying for me. 

Would I recommend this series? Yes, I would. I know that I often compare this to a series that also uses mythology as basis for story plot but this series has its own flavor, so yes~ I'm recommending it.

Till the next read...

From the Shelf: The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book 5)

Title: The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book 5)

Author: Michael Scott

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Magic, Mythology

Date read: June 2-3, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★ (4/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

In the fifth installment of this bestselling series, the twins of prophesy have been divided, and the end is finally beginning.

With Scatty, Joan of Arc, Saint Germain, Palamedes, and Shakespeare all in Danu Talis, Sophie is on her own with the ever-weakening Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel. She must depend on Niten to help her find an immortal to teach her Earth Magic. The surprise is that she will find her teacher in the most ordinary of places.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

This would be the 2nd to the last book in the alchemyst series (The Alchemyst, The Magician, The Sorceress, The Necromancer). Again, the story line was put together like pieces in a puzzle since the characters were scattered in different places (as for Scatty and the others, in a different era). It also includes the consequences to Josh's decision. What didn't surprise me is that their Aunt Agnes had a significant role in their lives. Aparently, her character is connected to Abraham the Mage (I won't spoil it). In this book, old foes reunite to take care of a common cause and that's defeating John Dee and preventing the dark elders to rise again. I really hate Josh's reasoning here although at the same time I sympathize with him because he too, like his sister, are being pawns of the game. The only difference is that Sophie could see a little bit clearly. 

Compared to the last four books, I can't even guess who the warlock was not until he finally arrived, maybe because my definition of warlock is different to what is being classified in this book. Meanwhile, Scatty and the others are fighting their own battle in the past at Danu Talis where they met Abraham the Mage. Also, I have a new found liking to Machiavelli and Billy the kid. But the greatest shock of them all is the ending part. That's what made me grip my seat and suddenly gave me flashbacks from the last four books. I would've given the book 5 stars but there were filler chapters which I got bored with. But I am definitely anticipating the conclusion to the series.

Till the next read...

From the Shelf: The Necromancer (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book 4)

Title: The Necromancer (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book 4)

Author: Michael Scott

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Magic, Mythology

Date read: June 2, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★ (4/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

San Francisco:
Josh and Sophie Newman are finally home. And they're both more confused than ever about their future. Neither of them has mastered the magics they'll need to protect themselves, they've lost Scatty, and they're still being pursued by Dr. John Dee. Most disturbing of all, however, is that now they must ask themselves, can they trust Nicholas Flamel? Can they trust anyone?

Alcatraz:
Dr. Dee underestimated Perenelle Flamel's power. Alcatraz could not hold her, Nereus was no match for her, and she was able to align herself with the most unlikely of allies. But she wasn't the only one being held on the island. Behind the prison's bars and protective sigils were a menagerie of monsters, and now Machiavelli has come to Alcatraz to loose them on San Francisco.

Perenelle might be powerful, but each day she weakens, and even with Nicholas back at her side, a battle of this size could be too much for her. Nicholas and Perenelle must fight to protect the city, but the effort will probably kill them both.

London:
Having been unable to regain the two final pages of the Codex, Dee has failed his Elder and is now an outlaw.

But the Magician has a plan. With the Codex and the creatures on Alcatraz, he can control the world. All he needs is the help of the Archons. But for his plan to work, he must raise the Mother of the Gods from the dead. For that, he'll have to train a necromancer.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

Here comes the 4th book of the seies (The Alchemyst, The Magician, The Sorceress) hours after the event wherein the trio (Nicholas, Josh and Sophie) came back to San Francisco through the leygate of the Stonehenge in London...as well as the reunion of Perenelle and Nicholas. Everyone temporarily went back to their lives but was forced to go back and face the magic when new characters Aoife (Scatty's twin) and Niten went looking for the shadow warrior. Finally, Josh learns the magic of the elemental fire straight from Prometheus. But as long as the Flamels keep a part of the bigger picture from the twins and leave them in the dark, the antagonists could use that against them and it could be the start of their downfall. What's interesting is that whoever was awakened is now connected for life to the elder that awakened them...and that the elders who awakened the twins were once married (that's a shocker). And obviously, the necromancer being pertained is John Dee. 

This book is far more interesting for me compared to the other books. Although the characters aren't together, the flow of the story line wasn't compromised and scattered. There was a hint of the right cliffhanger as the scenes shift to another set of characters (or chapter). More doubts are entertained; and honestly I didn't know if anyone says the truth anymore and for some reason I'm having these thoughts that maybe Josh and Sophie's parents are also involved in the magical world. oh, well...let's see. New characters are being introduced and loyalties are being tested. What I'm really curious at the moment is the identity of the hook-handed man; it seems like he anticipated what was happening and that everything and everyone were pawns to his game. He always had a mark in everyone's past. I don't know where the story goes, I just hope that it clears every cliffhanger and question introduced in the series.

Till the next read...

From the Shelf: The Sorceress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book 3)

Title: The Sorceress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book 3)

Author: Michael Scott

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Magic, Mythology

Date read: June 1, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★ (4/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

Book Three in the New York Times bestselling series.

Nicholas Flamel's heart almost broke as he watched his beloved Paris crumble before him. The city was destroyed by Dee and Machiavelli, but Flamel played his own role in the destruction. Sophie and Josh Newman show every sign of being the twins of prophecy, and Flamel had to protect them and the pages from the Dark Elders.

But Nicholas grows weaker with each passing day. Perenelle is still trapped in Alcatraz, and now that Scatty has gone missing, the group is without protection. Except for Clarent—the twin sword to Excalibur. But Clarent’s power is unthinkable, its evil making it nearly impossible to use without its darkness seeping into the soul of whoever wields it.

If he hopes to defeat Dee, Nicholas must find an Elder who can teach Josh and Sophie the third elemental magic—Water Magic. The problem? The only one who can do that is Gilgamesh, and he is quite, quite insane.

Nicholas Flamel's heart almost broke as he watched his beloved Paris crumble before him. The city was destroyed by Dee and Machiavelli, but Flamel played his own role in the destruction. Sophie and Josh Newman show every sign of being the twins of prophecy, and Flamel had to protect them and the pages from the Dark Elders.

But Nicholas grows weaker with each passing day. Perenelle is still trapped in Alcatraz, and now that Scatty has gone missing, the group is without protection. Except for Clarent—the twin sword to Excalibur. But Clarent’s power is unthinkable, its evil making it nearly impossible to use without its darkness seeping into the soul of whoever wields it.

If he hopes to defeat Dee, Nicholas must find an Elder who can teach Josh and Sophie the third elemental magic—Water Magic. The problem? The only one who can do that is Gilgamesh, and he is quite, quite insane.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

After The Alchemyst and The Magician, comes the third book in the series, The Sorceress, which is obviously more about Perenelle Flamel. I may be biased but I loved her adventures while she is trapped in Alcatraz. And I'm disliking Nicholas more...he has so many secrets (thus, the title of the series) and so many things to lie about that like Sophie, you now sympathize with Josh. Now the trio: Nicholas, Josh and Sophie (minus Scatty who was left in Paris with Joan and Saint-Germain), are in the city where Nicholas' greatest foe is most powerful: London. On the other hand, Machiavelli ad Dee's relationship here may be temporarily allies but it was obvious they are still waiting for the other to slip up. There are lots of revelations in this book and for me the most shocking of all is Mars and the witch of Endor's real relationship and the reason behind the curse. The secret of the twin swords Excalibur and Clarent is slightly revealed. More adventures and the goose-chase come about as they deal with more ancient elders, old foes, new found allies, revelations, Scatty and Joan's situation and the aftermath of Josh's awakening. For me, I think the series is getting better (just don't read the prophecy to me...I'm good) and I'm off to the 4th book: The Necromancer.

Till the next read...