Nightmare Academy: Monster Revenge by Dean Lorey

The Blurb On The Back:

Nightmare Academy.

You know the drill: when things go bump in the night, the Nightmare Academy bump back.

But now the monsters of the night are angry. Angry enough to plot their revenge ...

... and that’s bad.

Really, really bad.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Much more original than Nightmare Academy: Charlie's Monsters, this is a fast-paced read although the characterisation at times feels too two-dimensional. The set-up for the next book promises a lot and hopefully Lorey will deliver on it.

The Stormcaller by Tom Lloyd

The Blurb On The Back:

Isak is a white-eye, born bigger, more charismatic and more powerful than normal men ... but with that power comes an unpredictable temper and an inner rage. Feared and despised by those around him, he dreams of a place in the army and a chance to live his own life, but the Gods have other plans for the intemperate teenager. Isak has been Chosen as heir-elect to the brooding Lord Bahl, the white-eye Lord of the Farlan.

The white-eyes were created to bring order out of chaos, for their magnetic charm and formidable strength makes them natural leaders of men. Lord Bahl is typical of the breed: he inspires and oppresses those around him in equal measure. He’s a difficult mentor for a boy every bit as volatile as he is.

This is a time for revenge, and for the forging of empires. With mounting envy and malice, the men who would themselves be kings watch Isak as he is shaped and moulded to fulfil the prophecies that circle him like scavenger birds. The Gods are once again beginning to meddle in the affairs of men.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Although this is an ambitious and imaginative novel, the writing really lets it down and more focus is required for it to become a great read.

Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge

The Blurb On The Back:

The first book in a thrilling, addictive new series by a talented new voice in dark fantasy. Welcome to Nocturne City, where werewolves, black magicians, and witches prowl the streets at night ...

Among them is Luna Wilder, a tough-as-nails police officer whose job is to keep the peace. As an Insoli werewolf, Luna travels without a pack and must rely on instinct alone. And she’s just been assigned to find ruthless killer behind a string of ritualistic murders – a killer with ties to an escaped demon found only in legend ... until now.

But when she investigates prime suspect Dimitri Sandovsky, she can’t resist his wolfish charms. Pack leader of a dangerous clan of Redbacks, Dimitri sends her animal instincts into overdrive and threatens her fiercely guarded independence. But Luna and Dimitri will need to rely on each other as they’re plunged into an ancient demon underworld and pitted against an expert black magician with the power to enslave them for eternity ...

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Although I found Luna Wilder to be an unsympathetic and sometimes irritating character, the inventive mythology and clear thought that’s been put into this world is enough to make me want to read more.