'Magic Bites' by Ilona Andrews

RRP: £6.99 Pages: 260 Fantasy Fiction Paperback

This is the first time that I have read an Ilona Andrews novel, but it won't be the last! She has captured the essence of fantasy fiction this edgy, dark story. Yet, with the right amount of humour injected too. I ended this book wanting to read the sequel which, thankfully for me, is already out in the shops (Magic Bites)! It was fast-paced and easy to read with entertaining plot twists and also just the right mixtures of humour/romance/action/gore!

When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercernary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta's magic circles.

The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings - and the death of Kate's guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realises she's way out of her league - but she wouldn't have it any other way!

Rating - 10 out of 10! The new sequel is finding its way to me now!

'Poison' by Chris Wooding

RRP: £6.99 Pages: 269 Fantasy Fiction Paperback

What a fantastic read! I really enjoyed this quick, but entertaining and captivating story! It was short and definately sweet! This book is definately aimed at the younger category of readrs - say, teenagers - but, will also appeal to those fans of fantasy fiction as it encompasses goblins, faeries, huge spiders, different Realms etc!

Poison has always been a wilful, contrary girl, prone to being argumentative and stubborn. So when she discovers that her younger sister has been snatched by the phaeries, she decides to seek out the Phaerie Lord herself to get her back.

But finding him is not easy, and he's a little preoccupied when she does. Poison has stepped into a murderous world of intrigue, where the Lords of the Realms, a sinister pantheon of demi-gods, conspire and plot to overthrow the Hierophant - the most powerful lord of all. For the Hierophant is writing again, and his pen will decide all their fates...

With only her wits and her friends to aid her, Poison must survive the lethal attentions of the Phaerie Lord, rescue her sister and thwart a plot that could mean the end of her people. What awaits her is beyond anything she can imagine ...

Rating - definately 10 out of 10 for this fun and entertaining read!

'The Summoning' by Kelley Armstrong

RRP: £6.99 Pages: 390 Modern Fantasy Fiction

My frequent reviewers will know that Kelley Armstrong is one of my favourie authors, and this new series is going to be the start of another fantastic set!

'The Summoning' is once again written in the first person, but as all of Armstrong's books are, I came to expect that. The story just flows from page to page and just keeps you hooked until the end. The only thing that disappoints me is that it was so short! But only because I really want to know what happens next - this book ends on a real cliff hanger!

All Chloe Saunders wants is a life like any normal teenager - the chance to get through school, make friends, and maybe meet a boy. But when she starts seeing ghosts, she knows that life will never be normal again.

Soon the ghosts are everywhere, demanding her attention. When Chloe finally breaks down, she's admitted to a group home for disturbed kids. At first Lyle House seems oaky, but as she gets to know the other patients - charming SImon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek; obnoxious Tori; and Rae, who has a 'thing' for fire - Chloe begins to realise that something strange and sinister binds them all together, and it isn't your usual 'problem kid' behaviour.

And they're about to discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home, either ...

Rating - 10 out of 10 - another great read!