Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch

Synopsis

Gryphons flying past Skyscrapers? Wizards battling it out in coffeehouses? Women riding motorcycles with large swords strapped to their backs? All normal sights since the Great Collision happened twenty-six years ago.

Well, not normal for everyone. Larissa Miller may have been born after the Great Collision, but as a history teacher who lives in the human-only city, she has never come into contact with any other race or species. That is, until one day she walks out of her apartment only to be attacked by a mob of Zombies, but then is saved by a Gargoyle.

Leader of the Gargoyles, Terak has been watching over the human woman for months because of a cryptic prophecy. Gargoyles trust no one outside their Clan, but something about this woman stirs every protective instinct within him. When he realizes the danger to her is real, he refuses to allow her to explore this new world without him at her side.

In the course of their investigation Terak becomes entranced by his little human. But when he discovers why Necromancers want her and the great reward that awaits him if he betrays her, he must choose between the welfare of his Clan and not only Larissa’s life, but the fate of this new Realm as well.

Review

This is the first book that I have come across that is about gargolyes and I was really interested to see Ms. Monsch view of their world.

This book touches on social predjudice and has Larissa learning she was right in wanting to learn more about the world she lives in along with all the different species regardless of her father’s wishes. She listens to her inner voice that many of us tend to ignore.

Terak maybe be hundreds of years old, he is not stuck in old ways and traditions. He knows he needs to lead his clan into a new way of life, living among and with other species in peace.

There are trials that both Larissa and Terak must face in order to survive. Even though they are of differing species they are inexplicably drawn together and make an engaging team working together.

I was pleasantly pleased with this book and look forward to reading further publications from Ms. Monsch.

Her website is:

http://www.daniellemonsch.com/dani/

GOODREADS

AMAZON

Kim Harrison, Ever After, book review

It seemed like an eternity to get this book in my hands. Kim Harrison is one of my favorite authors as she combines the lives and stories of witches, demons, fairys, elves, gargoyles and vampires. The story of Rachel Morgan has come a long way and she is the main focus in this story. Rosewood babies are being stolen, the ever after is shrinking and of course Rachel is the one being framed.

Our usual cohorts, Ivy and Jenks are little involved this time. There is a lot of demon and elf involvement in this book. There was also a point that left me in shock and tears, my heart crushed as I read the loss.

In this story some of the characters we get to see are: the cute elf babies Ray and Lucy; we find out how bad a mofo Ku’Sox really is; more of the elves Quen, Trenton, Ellasbeth Withon and Ceri; more demons Al, Newt, Dali; of course the pixies and fairy: Jax, Jenks, Belle; the human, Nick; the vampires: Ivy, Ryan Cormel, Felix, and Nina; and Bis the gargoyle.

My only real disappointment was the devastating loss in the book, and the lack of details surrounding it. Other wise, this book enthralling, I seriously couldn’t put it down. As usual I can’t wait for the next installment.

Kim Harrison website