Book Review - Rogue Descendant

Rogue Descendant
A Nikki Glass Novel, Book 3
Jenna Black

Released: May, 2013

Pocket Books, Mass Market Paperback, 370 p.
ISBN: 978-1-4767-0008-3

Nikki Glass, descendant of Artemis the Huntress, is all for justice, but she draws the line at cold-blooded murder.  Too bad she works for Anderson Kane, a god in disguise who just happens to be the son of a Fury.  He wants Konstantin, the deposed leader of the Olympians, dead, and he needs Nikki's help to hunt his nemesis down.  Saying no to a god might be bod for her health, bu Nikki is no pushover ... until Konstantin claims responsibility for a fire that destroys her parents' home.

Nikki would do anything to protect her family, and now she sets off on the deadliest of hunts, knowing that a single false step could trigger a war between Anderson and the Olympians - a war Anderson cannot hope to win.  But is it possible she has another enemy?  Maybe even one in her own house?  As the mysteries deepen and the suspects mount, Nikki must try to put the pieces together and catch the real culprit before innocent people get caught in the cross fire.

Wow!  I love this series, so when I saw a new title was available, I jumped at the chance.

The world Jenna Black has created for Nikki Glass and Co. is brimming with fabulous imagery, and mythological themes - but it doesn't hurt that she's surrounded by hunky Immortals either.  In this sequel, we're dealing with the fallout from what happened in Deadly Descendant.  Nikki is still coming to terms with her altered destiny, now that she is nearly immortal and all, and the role that she will play in the house.  Her sister still frustrates her no end, and the destruction of her parents house - as well as other nasty surprises - mean that Nikki is stuck between a rock and a hard place.  Say no to Anderson, and let Konstantin off the hook - or hunt him down like the dog he is, but at what cost?

Although the events of this book are set over only a matter of days, it does get bogged down a little at times with all the drama surrounding Nikki and one of her other cranky Immortals - you know who I mean ;-D.  The pacing of this book, and a scene or two that I thought was a bit long winded, were the only cons to this installment in the series.

In Rogue Descendant, Ms. Black has really upped the ante for not only Nikki, but Anderson as well.  The unexpected twist at the end certainly means I'll be eagerly awaiting book four.  If you enjoy reading Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh, or urban fantasy in general, then you will not be disappointed with Nikki Glass.  I'd recommend you start at the beginning with Dark Descendant - otherwise you'll just get lost.

Hounded

Hounded
The Iron Druid Chronicles Book 1
Kevin Hearne

Back cover...

Atticus O'Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona running an occult bookshop and shapeshifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound.  His neighbours and customers think this handsome, tattooed Irishman is about twenty-one years old when, actually, it's twenty-one centuries.  Atticus draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants the sword, and he's been after Atticus for centuries.  Now the determined deity has trackef him down and Atticus will need all his powers -  plus a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of lawyers, a sexy bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good, old fashioned Irishluck - to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.

Its a few days since I finished reading Hounded.  I wanted to give myself time to soak it in.  Now, as I start to write my review I'm reminded of how much I loved this book.  I just want to get my hands on the next book, but unfortunately my local library doesn't hold any of them.  So it's off to my family's place to raid the library over there.

As I have said in earlier blogs, I usually don't enjoy books written by men.  Don't ask me why, I don't really know?  But Atticus was so much fun.  He's a hip old Druid who has managed to make a living doing what comes naturally.  His lawyers are supernaturals (werewolf and vampire respectively), he's being harassed by a local coven, some faerie dudes tried to kill him, a Celtic God wants his sword, and his best bud is a throwback Irish Wolfhound who has a thing for poodles.  What more could a girl ask for?... I had a ball!

Hearne's world building is a joy.  I lost myself completely in the pages.  Our hero has to deal with all manner of difficulties, and he does it with grace and style.  And while the popping in and out of Celtic/Norse and other Gods and Goddess' could have been a stumbling block, it just seemed totally natural - like every guy has a hot Norse Goddess popping in for a bit of nookie.  It was so well written that I didn't even balk, I just took that as an everyday occurrence and kept on reading.  

For those of you concerned with graphic sexual content, rest easy.  While there is a bit of horizontal mambo, it's not graphic {nothing like LKH} so I feel confident in recommending it to all.  There is a little bit of violence at the end, and some characters don't make it in one piece - literally - but there is no real gore or horror to it.

After finishing the book, I tracked down and listened to the audio book sample online - SO GOOD! - and have placed it in my wishlist to order at a later date.  There is just something about Atticus that will keep me coming back for more.