Book Review: Bruja

Bruja
Author: Aileen Erin
Series: Alpha Girl #4
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 12th May 2015
Publisher: Ink Monster LLC
Source: Review Copy - Ink Monster LLC
Rating:

Claudia de Santos has always looked out for every witch but herself. She fought from the shadows as her coven turned dark, and with a little help from her half-witch/half-Alpha werewolf cousin, Teresa McCaide, Claudia is doing everything she can to keeper friends and family in the light.

Now the coven has splintered into two factions: Luciana’s army of witches wielding dark magic, and Claudia’s few stragglers who fight with the wolves. War is coming, and it won’t be much of a battle if Claudia can’t find the spells to counteract Luciana’s demonic power. But Luciana strikes before they’re prepared, and Claudia’s twin brother pays the price.

Suddenly, going to Peru in search of ancient Incan magic doesn’t seem so crazy. Fighting evil will require a pure spirit, but her quest is full of temptations, including a handsome Peruvian guide with secrets of his own. Finding love is the last thing on Claudia’s ever-growing to-do list, but sometimes what you need has a way of seeking you out.

The following review may contain spoilers concerning earlier books in the series.
If you have not read the previous installments, please proceed with caution.

Anybody that has been following for any length of time will know that the Alpha Girl series is a series that forever proceeds to steal my heart, ruin me for any other paranormal series, and makes me really really really want my own wolf in my life, (alas, I shall stick to wanting my own cat-sized fluff-ball instead.) Tessa and Dastien's story has always hit a soft spot in my heart, as has the entire plot and collection of characters throughout the series, but Claudia has always been a character I've wanted to explore more, and I could not be happier than Erin not only explored her story, but made Claudia shine.

Book Review - Cipher

Cipher
Author: Aileen Erin
Series: The Shadow Ravens #1
Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopian | Young Adult
Release Date: 14th October 2014
Publishers: Ink Monster LLC
No. Pages: 210
Source: Review Copy - Ink Monster LLC
Rating: 
Buy From: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Waterstones

In the not-too-distant future, the color of your helix tattoo shows exactly how your DNA was modified - green for super-smart scientists, black for pumped-up warriors, white for the immortal Seligo - but Cipher’s red helix is a death sentence. It’s a sign of unstable DNA, which is probably the reason she can manipulate electricity.

When she was eight years old, Cipher made the mistake of showing her uncle the tattoo. In return, he killed her parents and tried to kidnap her. She’s been on the run ever since, and twelve long years later, Cipher is tired of hiding. Survival isn't enough anymore. She wants her life back.

Hacking into the Citadel mainframe is a huge risk, but it pays off when she finds a database on red helixes. Before she can copy it, she loses control of her power, charring her last processor, and the only person in the Arizona Voids that can get her back online is her oldest friend, Knightly. She hasn't seen him in person since she started running, and Knightly 2.0 is fully upgraded with a six-pack and knee-melting smile.
For a girl like Cipher, trust doesn't come easily, but Knightly makes her yearn for a life she knows she can’t have, especially when every secret she reveals endangers them both.

Book Review - Alpha Divided

Alpha Divided
Author: Aileen Erin
Series: Alpha Girl #3
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 14th October 2014
Publisher: Ink Monster LLC
Pages: 200
Source: Review Copy - Ink Monster LLC
Rating: 
Buy From: Amazon

Life has been crazy since Tessa McCaide moved to Texas. She's gone from being a normal-ish girl with visions to a super-powered werewolf. She's fought off vampires and broken a nearly unbreakable curse. And she's got a hot mate, Dastien Laurent, to keep her busy.

Things are looking up until the full moon ceremony rolls around. Before Tessa can strengthen her bond with Dastien, the local coven crashes the gates, demanding that Tessa - their heir apparent - be returned. If the pack wants to avoid a war with the witches, handing Tessa over is the only option.

Tessa doesn't want to cause an all-out fight, but joining a dark-magic coven isn't on her to-do list, especially if embracing her magic side means parting with Dastien. When the coven leader tries to control Tessa with dark-magic, Tessa realizes she has to dismantle the coven or prepare the pack for war. Either choice will change her life - and her world - forever.

Book Review - Avoiding Alpha

Avoiding Alpha
Author: Aileen Erin
Series: Alpha Girl #2
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 14th May 2014
Publishers: Ink Monster LLC
No. Pages: 290
Source: Review Copy - Ink Monster LLC
Rating: 
Buy From: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Waterstones

Seventeen-year-old Tessa McCaide has come a long way since her abrupt entrance into the world of werewolves, but she still has a way to go before she’s comfortable with going full-wolf. So, she’s avoiding thinking about it any way she can. Thankfully her hot mate, Dastien Larent, is proving to be quite the distraction.

But when she finds her suitemate getting sick in their bathroom, she knows something’s majorly wrong. The curse on Meredith that suppresses her wolf is slowly killing her, and Tessa can't sit idly by while her best friend wastes away. Going against her pack Alpha, Mr. Dawson, by playing with magic she doesn't fully understand might not be her smartest move, but Tessa has never been one to follow the rules. She'll break every one if it’ll give her a chance at saving Meredith. But can she save her friend without losing more of herself?

Book Review - Becoming Alpha

Becoming Alpha
Author: Aileen Erin
Series: Alpha Girl #1
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 17th December 2013
Publishers: Ink Monster LLC
No. Pages: 267
Source: Review Copy - Ink Monster LLC
Rating: 
Buy From: Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes and Noble | Waterstones

Tessa McCaide has a unique talent for getting into trouble. Then again, it isn't easy for a girl with visions to ignore what she sees. Luckily Tessa and her family are leaving California and moving halfway across the country, giving her the perfect opportunity to leave her reputation as “Freaky Tessa” behind.

But Tessa doesn't realize that kissing the wrong guy in her new Texas town could land her in far more trouble than she ever imagined. Like being forced to attend St. Ailbe’s Academy, a secret boarding school for werewolves. Even if the wrong guy did accidentally turn her into one of "them" and doom her to attending the weirdest high school ever, Tessa can’t help her growing attraction to the mysterious Dastien Laurent. When vampires attack St. Alibe's and her visions pinpoint an enemy in their midst, Tessa realizes that boy drama and her newfound canine tendencies might just be the least of her problems.