Harper

Review of Last Wish by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
It’s not easy pretending to be dead – especially when it feels as if you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Between an unfulfilled prophecy, the demon-occupied Lowlands, the continuing power of murderous Aifric Moncrieffe – not to mention her constant yearnings for Byron – Integrity Adair has a lot to worry about.

Still, how hard can it really be to save Scotland, maintain her morals, get the guy and keep her sense of humour?

Review:
Finishing out the book series I originally read in 2017…

This book was awesome. Integrity grew and learned so much about her powers, about trust, about her true family and why people cared about her. I loved the mention of Hercule Poirot, and always the hot pink. I absolutely adored that we finally got to see Byron and Integrity have some spice. I also adore how love is described as accepting each other as you truly are and knowing that people aren’t an idealistic fantasy- there will be things you hope they change or are working on. In the end, this book had a great ending with a few extra twists that I still didn’t see coming (a la May). I would recommend this series to people who like modern fantasy featuring sidhe.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

Review of Veiled Threat by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
Integrity Taylor has regained possession of her ancestral lands – and inherited a whole host of new problems. The spectre of what really happened to her parents is casting a shadow over everything while Fomori demons are being sighted up and down the Highlands. It doesn’t help that Aifric Moncrieffe still seems determined to see her dead and emerald eyed Byron remains stubbornly blind to his father’s true nature.

Integrity is determined to stay in control of her own destiny, however, even if it means confronting the darkness across the Veil yet again. And at least she’s still got a sense of humour…

Review:
Once again, I am rereading this book series so if this seems familiar… well, I’m sure I’m highlighting different parts than last time.

This book was deep. There were a lot of problems that had to be waded through and it was awesome to see how Integrity’s friends always had her back and supported her- like the found family they are. While Integrity might have been raised clanless (or not even raised before she met Taylor) it was awesome to see just what happens when someone is raised with kindness and the belief that everyone deserves respect. It’s admirable that while there is a heavy romantic something between Byron and Integrity that isn’t the plot; it’s a subplot. Their affection towards each other doesn’t diminish or change the overall plot of what’s going on/being worked for. I wish Byron could have been brought into the fold without the drastic measures of the ending, but I am so glad for everyone else’s fealty and involvement.

There was one line that really ripped me away from the story and that was, “The heady scent of his masculinity made it difficult for me to think though.” (Chapter 7) Just… no. Describe the woods, describe his aftershave, but otherwise, what are you describing? Sweat? No one finds that attractive.

The banter between everyone was still perfect, and I loved the quip Bob made about feeling like he was talking to Skeletor. I absolutely adore how in with current trends, tv shows, pop culture Bob is. There is an absolutely perfect blend of magic and modernity, especially with only having certain characters experience such.

Now that this book is done, I will eagerly start book 4!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

Review of Honour Bound by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
Integrity Taylor should have been a Clan princess. Instead she’s lived a life on the very periphery of society. Now that she’s learnt more about her heritage, however, and the magic that she’s capable of wielding, she’s not going to hide in the shadows any longer. The once-in-a-generation Sidhe Games are going to provide the perfect opportunity for her to win back her birthright – and the fact that she’ll be going head to head, toe to toe and mouth to mouth with golden haired Byron Moncrieffe might just be the icing on the cake.

Review:
Same disclaimer as previously stated- read this book series a number of years ago and am rereading now. It’s so interesting the differences in what grips you with age.

One thing I absolutely love about this series it the play with words that the other had, in calling this Honour Bound, in having the heroine call herself Integrity. One thing I absolutely love about this book is that it shows just how much honour Bryon has, despite being the steward’s son. It was a rather quick read, and I love that we begin to see beyond people’s façade to what they may actually want in life. I absolutely love all the quips between Integrity and Bob. As soon as I finished this I immediately started book 3.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Furtive Dawn by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
It’s been almost a year since the magical apocalypse closed off the city of Manchester from the rest of the world. The vampires, werewolves and humans within the city all now live together in relative harmony … but trouble is brewing on the horizon. Supplies are starting to run out and, despite their best efforts to grow crops and create a sustainable future, everyone knows that it will be an uphill battle. Still, the magic swirling in the city air is an incredible bonus. Charley, the most magical of them all, is determined to do whatever she can to help out her new community and with Monroe by her side, she’s confident that things will turn out alright. But when someone from beyond Manchester’s walls makes contact, what happens next will be anyone’s guess.

Review:
Finally, after a year, there is hope of getting help. It turns out that not everyone is as fearful of Manchester’s magic as those within might have been led to believe. I absolutely love how this book ended, who the known “saviour” is, and just… completely bittersweet. As always, great series by Helen Harper, though isn’t as high up in my heart as some of her previous ones like Firebrand. If you love paranormal fantasy, definitely check her out!!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Shrill Dusk by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
Charley is a cleaner by day and a professional gambler by night. She might be haunted by her tragic past but she’s never thought of herself as anything or anyone special. Until, that is, things start to go terribly wrong all across the city of Manchester. Between plagues of rats, firestorms and the gleaming blue eyes of a sexy Scottish werewolf, she might just have landed herself in the middle of a magical apocalypse. She might also be the only person who has the ability to bring order to an utterly chaotic new world.

Review:
The first half of this book is very much the story we already know from Madrona in the last book of the Fractured Faery series (Skulk of Foxes) from the perspective of Charley. While Charley was blissfully unaware of all the magic that might have been around the city, she takes the new knowledge extremely well and does her best to keep sane and bring everyone together. As someone who didn’t want to be in a position of leadership, Charley does well to show that not wanting the job can often mean you’re one of the best people for it. As Charley says, in times of trouble, “We’re stronger together than we are apart. We can make something of this new world if we pull together.” (Page 262, Chapter 24)

Unfortunately this particular series of Harper’s does have quite a editing issues throughout, and while a bit annoying, it did not deter me from enjoying the series. I will note that this is not usually the case for Harper’s books.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Skulk of Foxes by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
One impending apocalypse. Several crazy faeries. A few troubling plagues of locusts and storms of fire … It’s just another day in Manchester for the Madhatter.

Madrona might still have amnesia and might yet prove to be a vicious murderess but that doesn’t mean she’s going to quit being a heroine just yet. However, while she might be prepared to go to any lengths to stop Rubus from triggering Armageddon, it’s equally possible that the world will end as a result of her actions too. Manchester is experiencing terrifying surges in magic which are causing all sorts of chaotic events to occur. With a dragon, several werewolves and a host of faeries by her side, there is still a thread of hope.

And green eyed, sexy arsed Morgan. There’s always him.

Review:
There were so many good bits of this book, and twists and turns that wouldn’t be expected from characters we’d grown to know and love. I loved the description of things fae can do in chapter 8, and all of the bits of wisdom sprinkled throughout the novel, such as personalities having the ability to change and that no one is ever the same all the time, as well as being selfish creatures who make mistakes and have to work on righting them and being better in the future. There was an excellent(ly frustrating) end to the novel, which made me wish we had just a chapter (or a few more) to learn exactly how Madrona and Morgan ended up. That being said, this series is an excellent set up for the City of Magic book series, which I have almost already devoured in whole.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Quiver of Cobras by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
One wondrous faery with stupendous magical skills and a superior mind (not to mention incredible modesty). One drop dead gorgeous, green eyed stud muffin and his evil Fey brother. And the end of the world. Maybe.

Madrona might still not remember anything about her past, and she might be more of an evil villain than a fabulous super hero, but that doesn’t mean she can’t also be a super spy. With Rubus desperately searching for the magical dragon sphere which can return the faeries back to their homeland – and cause the apocalypse in this land – she doesn’t have much choice.

Someone with wit, intelligence and strength has to step up and save the world … and if that person happens to look super sexy while doing it then that’s just an added bonus.

This is the second book in the urban fantasy series, The Fractured Faery, and ends with a nail-biting cliffhanger.

Review:
Oh. My. Gosh. Of COURSE I’m already reading book 3 because that cliffhanger is a doozy! This book is absolutely stunning, with Madrona coming into herself and learning both her personal style as well as continuing with her gigantic ego. There was definitely a part that I found very touching, albeit sad, but I quite loved the ending reveal and hadn’t figured it out exactly on my own, despite there being so many little nudges that we should have pieced it together (or that Morgan should have!) We have a bunch of awesome characters and it’s good to see Madrona trying to be her best good/bad self!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Box of Frogs by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
One corpse. Several bizarre looking attackers. Some very strange magical powers. And a severe bout of amnesia.

It’s one thing to wake up outside in the middle of the night with a decapitated man for company. It’s another to have no memory of how you got there – or who you are. She might not know her own name but she knows that several people are out to get her. It could be because she has strange magical powers seemingly at her fingertips and is some kind of fabulous hero. But then why does she appear to inspire fear in so many? And who on earth is the sexy, green-eyed barman who apparently despises her?

So many questions … and so few answers. At least one thing is for sure – the streets of Manchester have never met someone quite as mad as Madrona…

Review:
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this book when I started it, but oh my gosh do I love Maddy! The entire book centers around Madrona not really knowing who she is and trying to find herself and who she can trust along the way. I had an idea from the start that our superhero may not be as benevolent as she thought herself, and I quite enjoyed the ride from start to finish, having to immediately start book 2. While this isn’t the same feel as the other Harper novels I’ve read and loved (Slouch Witch series, Firebrand) Madrona has such a kickass personality that you cannot help but need to know what happens next, becoming very quickly addicted to the story from the very first page.

It’s urban/modern fantasy, there’s fae, there’s A HUGE CLIFFHANGER, but the next book is out so go for it and read this book!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Sparkle Witch: A Novella by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
Snow. Santa. Snuggles… Stress.

You would think December would be Ivy’s ideal time of year. After all, festivities abound and witches everywhere are encouraged to put their feet up and relax. That’s not quite the case when she has various Order members attempting to finagle her into Christmas activities and a special artefact from the top of the Christmas tree goes missing. Either someone is attempting to sabotage Winter or something very strange is afoot indeed.

This is a short holiday novella.

Review:
It has been ages since I read this book but I instantly fell right back into love with Ivy and Harper’s writing. This was a very sweet little story in which you see Ivy’s snark, her delegation, and some great and beautiful moments with some familiars. I absolutely loved how this gave a little snippet into everyone’s lives, Ivy got to interfere with people’s lives a bit and blow off the work she should have been happily doing. All in all, very on par for Ivy, and such a very sweet and lovely little novella.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Dark Whispers by Helen Harper

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Synopsis:
The Supernatural Summit is about to start at the DeVane Hotel in London. Vampires and werewolves, ghouls and gremlins, and pixies and druids have all come together to find better ways to get along with the human community and address the strict laws which govern their existence. It’s a real opportunity to change the world for the better and I’m proud to be a part of it.

But there are protestors camped outside the hotel and dangerous rumours circling about one of the delegates. When a dead body is discovered, I know it’s only a matter of time before all hell breaks loose.

I have to find the murderer. And I have to find them quickly.

Dark Whispers is the fifth book in the action-packed urban fantasy Firebrand series.

Review:
This book was just perfection. There were so many twists and turns and getting to see a supernatural summit while also seeing how Lukas and Emma work to keep things separate between their personal and private lives was perfection. I didn’t expect the level of twists involved in this particular story, but I quite loved how it ended. The level of planning that went into the murder was unexpected. One thing I think we would all agree with is wanting more Lukas and Emma beyond this series! Ah!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯