Huntress of the Night Spoiler Free Review

Huntress of the Night
by Rita Stradling

Release Date: November 21st, 2017

Synopsis:

In the arid Santa Monica Mountains, between the gnarled branches of towering oak trees, lies an entrance to the realm where the virgin goddess Artemis has hidden for the last millennia. 

With only animals and her immortal handmaidens for company, she’s never quite able to conquer her boredom. That is, until the day werewolves come hunting in her woods. 

Alpha of the Los Angeles pack, Jackson Hunter, has come to the enchanted forest desperate to find a solution for a deadly problem—his packmates are being hunted and eaten by a mysterious monster that is impossible to track. Jackson is out of luck and nearly out of hope … until he accidentally challenges the immortal goddess by saying she’s not up to the task of hunting the beast. 

Tempted from her seclusion by the mortal’s challenge, Artemis goes with the alluring werewolf into a world now entirely unfamiliar to her. But the hunt is more dangerous than she could have imagined. 

And nothing is in more danger than her heart. 

My Thoughts:

***I received an ARC from the author for an honest review***

I gave this book 4 stars. It was quick and steamy and I couldn’t get enough of it. I pretty much read this book in one sitting.

I have now read 3 books by Rita Stradling and I’ve enjoyed every single one of them a lot. She has become one of my auto-read authors because she hasn’t disappointed me yet.

One thing I’m a bit confused about is that it’s said to be the sixth book in the series, but I can’t seem to actually find the rest of the series. I’m not even sure if that was a mistake or if it’s one of those series’s where each installment is written by a different author. I’m really not sure about that. What I do know is that this book can definitely be read as a stand-alone.

I feel like the bases of the romance was a bit wishy-washy considering it was about the VIRGIN goddess, Artemis. It’s kind of her whole thing that she would never lay with a man so I feel like that may have weakened her portrayal a bit. However, I can’t be too mad because I really really enjoyed said romance and Artemis was a fantastic character.

Jackson is definitely a new book boyfriend. There are two things you should know about me: I love the name Jackson, and I love alpha male love interests. A lot of people hate cocky one interests and if this is the case for you, this probably isn’t the best book for you to read. However, I personally love it.

If you like romances and mythology, this would be a great little read for you.

The Struggle Review

The Struggle
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Spoilers

Synopsis:

A bloody path has been chosen… 

The war against the Titans continues, and they remain determined to wreak havoc on the world, but Seth has become something all gods fear. Now the most dangerous, most absolute power no longer resides in those who have been freed from their tombs. 

The Great War fought by the few is coming… 

All may doubt and fear what Seth has become. All except the one woman who might be his final chance at redemption. Josie will do anything to prove that Seth is on their side, but fate has a nasty way of changing lives, of changing people. 

In the end, the sun will fall… 

The only way they can save the future and save themselves is by facing the unknown together. It will take more than trust and faith. It will take love and the kind of strength not easily broken. No matter what, their lives will never be the same. 

For what the gods have feared has come to pass. The end of the old is here and the beginning of the new has been ushered in…

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 4.5 stars. I can never seem to dislike a book that Jennifer L. Armentrout writes. I have loved every single one without fail. They just cater so well to my own personality that I can't help but love them. 

I ordered this one off Amazon a couple of weeks ago and it actually came fairly quickly. I didn't even have a rush order on it or anything, it wasn't supposed to come for several more weeks so I was surprised to receive it in the mail. I for some reason deluded myself into thinking I could wait to read this book, but I ended up caving and I read it pretty quickly. A day, give or take two.

Leaving off at the end of the book I really don't know how they're going to resolve this. There aren't six demi gods left, Seth doesn't have any self control, and Josie has a tiny person growing inside of her. There are really so many directions this series can go in and it makes me a bit nervous considering Josie leaves off with the fact that she had a vision she would die. 

Josie's magical power that was attributed to her being the daughter of Apollo didn't really come as a surprise. When Cora revealed to have really cool powers and Josie thought about how she herself didn't have any cool powers I knew she had to have some ability she didn't know about yet. Then when Apollo was offhandedly talking about how he was the god of prophecies, it just sort of clicked and was confirmed when she too made that discovery. I think being able to see the future is a pretty awesome, if not daunting gift.

The fact that Seth has no self control really bothers me. Everyone keeps telling him, "I don't think that's a good idea", but he's just so caught up in himself that he doesn't care that it isn't a good idea. He's justified his reckless behaviour by saying he's doing it for Josie. It's a nice sentiment and all, but it's just burying him deeper and deeper.

I can't say that I was surprised by Josie's pregnancy. There were hints pretty early on in the story, plus it was a known fact that they had unprotected sex at the end of the second book. No surprises there. I feel like I should be annoyed by the amount of "surprise pregnancy" books out there, but I'm not. I find it so entertaining, usually the reader can figure these things out before the actual pregnant lady, so it becomes this game of "when will (blank) figure out that they're pregnant". It's something I don't think I'll ever get tired of. I also think Seth would be a pretty hot dad. I mean, he'd probably give his child anything it wants and spoil the shit out of it, but I don't think he would be that bad of a dad.

A personal favourite of this book is whenever they talk about Supernatural, because that is one of my favourite tv shows. It might not be as fun for people who don't watch Supernatural because they may not understand certain references, but when you do watch the show, there are some A+ references in that novel. I like how the author integrates pop culture into her characters lives. I know some author will pretend pop culture doesn't even exist when they write their books, that's okay, but I like feeling like I'm in the know. It makes me feel a lot more comfortable with the world if I know the pop culture references.

The only complaint that I have about this book is that it felt a lot like a filler book. Sure it had a whole lotta entertaining shenanigans, but when you think about it, all the events that took place in this book was just a set up for the next book. I wish it had more of it's own story arc that didn't revolve around the next book completing it.

I question I have for the next book is, what is going on with Apollo? he's being more secretive than normal and it's driving me crazy. He's also being a pretty shitty father which seems weird because he claims to really love Josie. I feel like I'm on the outside of an inside joke.

Overall, really good book. I devoured it and I don't regret a thing. If you've loved Jennifer L. Armentrout's past novels, then I would highly suggest reading this one.

Quotes:

“Zombies are all fun and games until they’re standing right in front of you.” 

“I’m not leaving you We’re in this together, Josie … If there is anything in this world, there is us.” 

“What destiny crap are you talking about?”A secretive smile curved the corners of his lips. “There is so much you do not know.”Why I hadn’t blasted the glittery fuck-face out the window yet was anyone’s guess.” 

“Just because you’re a god doesn’t mean I won’t punch you.”“Just because you’re a guest in my house doesn’t mean I won’t drown you in the ocean.” 

“But then I’d miss that look on your face.”“What look?” “Like you want to kick me and kiss me at the same time,” he answered.”