Monday, June 4, 2012

Review: Chaos Burning by Lauren Dane

Chaos Burning (Bound by Magick #2) by Lauren Dane
Synopsis (Goodreads):
The life of Lark Jaansen, hunter in Clan Gennessee, has been shaped by violence and unrest—and it defines her future. Well-trained and resilient, she’s met her militaristic match in Simon Leviathan, a warrior not of this world. Locked in mutual admiration, and a desire so hot it burns, Lark and Simon have something else in common: they love the dark, and as a shadow is cast over their world, they’re each coming into their own.

A mysterious war has been waged among the Others. As witches and humans turn against each other, as faes retreat in fear, and as vampires rise, Lark and Simon discover that an unseen force is behind it. A single, hungry entity older than recorded history has returned to gorge on the magick of his victims. It is the Magister, nothing less than the end of time. Finding it is Lark and Simon’s first hope. Surviving it is their last.
My Thoughts: Good gravy! I liked book 1 in this series but I absolutely loved this one. It takes all those delicious things that I adore and rolled it up in a fast-paced storyline with high stakes and scary bad guys. Let's see - a strong willed heroine who doesn't let anyone walk over her? Check! Lark is just that! An uber-hot Alpha male who respects his lady love enough to not smother her? Check! Simon has the Alpha male thing down in spades! A fantastic supporting cast who are well developed enough that any one of them could have their own story written? Check! Check check check!

One of the things I adore about Lauren Dane's writing is how quirky her characters are. Lark has blue hair and dresses like a rainbow disaster and she owns that look. At one point she tells Simon that she knows she's not beautiful but she works with what she has. I like that. I like that she's funky and powerful and confident. I also liked that Simon's bone deep attraction to Lark started out as friendship. He liked being around her. He liked that she fit him in so many ways before he saw her as a potential mate. His reaction felt very real to me. She got under his skin as a friend and suddenly he found that he couldn't shake her. More to the point, he didn't want to shake her.

The battles are bloody, the bad guy is downright terrifying and the good guys don't always get away without casualties - in short, this is a gritty, wonderfully drawn world that's full of surprises. Lark and Simon are sexy as all get and the glimpse we get at life on the other side of the Veil is pretty cool.

Books in this series
1. Heart of Darkness
2. Chaos Burning - Paperback | Kindle

Links
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Chaos Burning was provided for review.

9 comments:

  1. This sounds like a series I would like. Also: blue hair ROCKS.

    PS. I went to look at your review for the first book in this series to see what my comment was, and I'm just going to copy paste that here, because it still applies:

    Why must you continually post reviews for books/series that I need to read? Stop. My TBR list can't handle this!

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    1. I'm flirting with the idea of dying my hair blue or some other fun color. *taps chin* I'd look good in green. It would really bring out the Hulk-i-ness of my eyes.

      PS: You're welcome! *evil laugh*

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  2. Thinking I might have to try this series. Love fiercely mated kick ass characters.

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  3. I have yet to read anything by this author but I have heard good things about many of her books. I always thought a lot of her different books were connected so I never really found out where to start but if this series isn't connected with the other books that I know are part of series by her then I might just have to jump in with these two books because this storyline sounds perfect! I love when characters are just friends first before they get together in a relationship. Of course I might just have a soft spot for that type of romance since that is what I have with my boyfriend.

    Thanks for the great review, sorry for rambling.

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    1. The first book wasn't a friends to lovers storyline but it lays out the world and introduces you to the characters and the overriding arc, so you MUST read that one first.

      And, yes, Lauren Dane is a pretty fantastic storyteller. I *really* like her books.

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  4. I am think I need this series because the story sounds like it rocks! Do you know what you are doing to my Operation TBR willpower?

    Fiercely mated! Yep Yep--it will be mine!

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    1. My goal in life is to tempt you with wonderful bookish goodies. *insert evil laugh*

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    2. Are you also going to find me a book buying sugar daddy? LOL :)

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    3. If I need to, I will! One book buying sugar daddy coming right up!

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