jbronderbookreviews

Cazadora (Dakota del Toro – 1) by Julia DeBarrioz

Bounty hunter Dakota del Toro always gets her werewolf. When she’s almost fired from the Preternatural Control Team for bringing in a mark who tests to be human she knows something is rotten in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her 1965 Beetle is stolen, and a werewolf ransacks her house looking for drugs she doesn’t have. Determined to get to the bottom of it, Dakota enlists the help of Diego de Gama, all-too-handsome gallery owner and vampire revolutionary.

Somehow, the disappearance of a teenage mafia princess seems to tie in to it all. Hot on the trail, Dakota is led into the mysterious world of Changelings, a counterculture who likes to pretend they are were-creatures. It’s all fun and games, until someone loses their heart—pulled still beating from their chest. It all leads to a Halloween masquerade at Kama Luna, a nightclub for the things that go bump in the night. Ready to face a wicked witch of the Amazon and her whip-wielding consort, Dakota ties on her mask and straps on her guns. She’ll show these beasties how she earned the name Cazadora, or die trying.

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Author’s Bio

Julia DeBarrioz lives in the countryside near Saint Louis with her beloved husband and an ever growing zoo of winged and furred wards, including two conures, a large flock of fancy chickens, and a pair of giant French Lop bunnies.

She holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Art. When she’s not writing she loves to draw, paint, and sling clay. When applying for university most of her portfolio consisted of portraits of her book characters. The universe of Dakota del Toro has been long in the making, and she is very excited to finally share this part of her imagination with the public.

Julia has traveled the world extensively, and her wander lust has taken her to Europe, Asia, Latin America, and all over the United States. For all her travels, Santa Fe, New Mexico retains the crown as her favorite dot on the map.

My Review

5 stars

Dakota del Toro is a bounty hunter with the Preternatural Control Team and likes nothing more than hunting down werewolves and is trying to find a cure for them. Dakota seems to be a preternatural magnet and no matter what she is doing, she finds herself in the middle of a war between vampires and werewolves and between the vampires themselves. She decides to work with Diego de Gama, a 400 year old vampire to try to bring peace to the two races. Sadly they are not the only preternatural creatures out there. But they are not as dangerous as the attraction between Dakota and Diego.

This is an amazing first novel from Julia DeBarrioz. It has a great story that sucks you in from the first page and Dakota tranquilizing a werewolf to the end. This world is beautifully described and I love all the other paranormal creatures we find besides the vampires and werewolves. But I especially love Dakota, she is a kick-ass heroine. And if trying to cure the lycanthrope disease is not enough, how about teaming up with a secret army of vampires to try and overthrow the current Don? I loved reading about both her and Deigo dancing around each other’s feelings yet trying to keep a distance between them.

This is a fresh twist on the vampire vs. werewolf war but it is one that you HAVE to read. I can’t wait to read the second book in this series, The Fiercest Star.

I received Cazadora from Candid Book Reviews for free. This has in my way influenced my opinion of this book.

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Savages (Chronicles of Warshard – 2) by Katherine Bogle

Daughter of Chief Ruin, Breen is one of the most fearsome warriors in the Southern Delica Tribe, but nothing can stop the Emperor from reaping the Savage Lands for soldiers.

When her village is attacked, Breen is taken from her home and her family to the Seaburn Academy, where southern savages are broken and chained into a life of service to the Empire. Through the beatings and torture, Drakkone, one of the few Seaburn-born soldiers, brings solace to her days and gives her hope for the future.

Once freed of the Academy dungeons, Breen is sentenced to daily training between her plots for escape. But one night of unexpected passion turns into a problem bigger than either of them could have imagined.

Breen and Drakkone must risk capture and flee the city or death might be a blessing compared to eternal imprisonment.

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Author’s Bio

Katherine Bogle’s debut young adult novel, Haven, came second in the World’s Best Story contest 2015. She currently resides in Saint John, New Brunswick with her partner in crime, and plethora of cats.

Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

My Review

5 stars

Breen is a warrior and teacher of the Southern Delica Tribe. She loves training and being the best fighter her people have. But then their village is raided and she is kidnapped by the Seaburn soldiers. The soldiers have been kidnapping savages and torturing them into becoming fighters for them. But Breen is strong and refuses to break even after a horrible torture that leads her to be taken to the infirmary where she meets Drakkone. Drakkone tries to protect Breen and gets her out of the dungeon and into training where Breen excels faster than she would have imagined. But one night of intimacy has Breen and Drakkone in trouble and on the run for their lives.

Breen is a strong woman and not about to submit to the torture she is put through. I love a great, strong, warrior woman in a story and Breen is the idea warrior. And although I’m not a fan of insta-love I do like how she finds herself falling for Drakkone even though he is the enemy. I did like Drakkone, he was so sweet and clearly cared for Breen.

I loved both Haven and Fyre and couldn’t wait to see what would happen in Savages. This is a great series that could be read as a stand-alone but I think reading them in order helps with understanding some parts of the story. If you like an action filled fantasy story you need to read this book. I can’t wait to read Katherine Bogle’s next book

I received Savages for free from the author. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

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