Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
The Unwilling Kelly BraffetPublished: Feb. 11, 2020 (Mira)Purchase at: Amazon Review Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 3 stars On the night the heir to Highfall, Gavin, was born, a newborn foundling, Judah, was brought into the walls of the city, specifically into the castle and is raised alongside the heir. As Judah and Gavin... 
Malfunction (Dark Desires Origins #1)Nina CroftPublished: Jan. 20, 2020 (Entangled)Purchase: AmazonReview source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Margaret Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars Logan is a military investigator. His new partner Katia is a cat shifter. Her boss is a vampire. And they’re all investigating a series of suspicious deaths. Sounds like a typical... 
A Heart of Blood and Ashes (A Gathering of Dragons #1)Milla VanePublished: Feb. 4, 2020 (Berkley)Purchase at: AmazonReview Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 5 stars After the Destroyer came and decimated the Western realms, its people had no choice but to form a tentative alliance against him. Now, decades later and growing a bit... 
The Will and the WildsCharlie N. HolmbergPublished: Jan. 21, 2020 (47North)Purchase at: AmazonReview Source: Purchased Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 2.5 stars After Enna’s mother was killed by a mysting near the wildwoods of their home, Enna has understood to fear them. Their presence in the wildwood increases. When one attacks Enna in the home she shares with her father, she knows only one way to... 
Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children #5)Seanan McGuirePublished: Jan. 7, 2020 (Tor)Purchase at: AmazonReview Source: Purchased Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will reference previous events in the series. If you haven’t yet started, check out VBC’s review of Every Heart a Doorway. Jack and Jill went up a hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack... 
The Wayward Star (Wilde Justice #5)Jenn StarkPublished: Dec. 30, 2019 (Elewyn Publishing)Purchase at: AmazonReview Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Note: This review will be spoiler free, however it will reference events from the previous Immortal Vegas series, if you haven’t started that one yet, check out VBC’s review... 
The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising #1)Kiersten WhitePublished: Nov. 5, 2019 (Delcaorte Press)Purchase at: AmazonReview Source: Purchased Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4 stars After Arthur’s defeat of The Dark Queen magic in all forms was banished from Camelot. Meaning Merlin was banished from Camelot. However, this does not solve all problems as the wizard has foreseen the rise of evil once... 
Wicked Hour (Heirs of Chicagoland #2)Chloe NeillPublished: Dec. 3, 2019 (Berkley)Purchase: AmazonReview source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Margaret Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Note: While review will be spoiler free, it does make reference to previous books in the series. If you haven’t started yet, check out VBC’s review of Wild Hunger. Connor Keene and Elisa... 
Realm of Ash (The Books of Ambha #2)Tasha SuriPublished: Nov. 12, 2019 (Orbit) Purchase: AmazonReview Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Beth Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Arwa has survived a massacre with the aid of those she refuses to acknowledge. Her husband is dead, killed in the same massacre by a nightmare that shouldn’t exist. She refuses to go home,... 
Demon Ensnared (Demon Enforcers #4)Jenn StarkPublished: Nov. 12, 2019 (Elewyn Publishing)Purchase at: AmazonReview Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for and honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars Note: While this book will be spoiler free, it will reference events from its prequel series, if you haven’t yet started check out VBC’s review of Getting Wilde. Before the... 
