Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
The Sisters Mederos Patrice Sarath Published: April 3, 2018 (Angry Robot) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Beth Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars Yvienne Mederos is the eldest sister, Tesara the youngest of the pair, daughters of a successful merchant and his wife. When they are forced into poverty and sent to a... 
Worlds of Ink and Shadow Lena Coakley Published: Jan. 5, 2016 (Amulet Books) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars Arguably one of literature’s most famous families get a paranormal twist in Worlds of Ink and Shadow. Lena Coakley takes the siblings’ actual writings from when they were... 
Grave Phantoms (Roaring Twenties #3) Jenn Bennett Published: May 5, 2015 (Berkley) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Jo Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free it may include references from previous books in the series. If you haven’t started yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1,... 
The Rest Falls Away (The Gardella Vampire Hunters #1) Colleen Gleason Published: Jan. 2, 2007 (Signet) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: purchased Reviewed by: Jill Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Victoria is equally nervous and excited about her upcoming debut into society in Victorian London. Unfortunately, her eccentric aunt has just revealed that her family has a long history of hunting... 
Arcana Jessica Leake Published November 11, 2014 (Skyhorse) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: Provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amanda Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars It’s 1905 and Katherine Sinclair’s been forced by her father into the London Season. Upset he’s broken his promise to allow her to wait until she’s 19 to make her debut, she heads for... 
The Witch Finder (Witch Finder #1) Ruth Warburton Published: Jan. 2, 2014 (Hodder Children’s Books) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Mary Rating (out of 5): 5 stars The Witch Finder opens in 19th century London as Luke is being initiated into the Malleus Brotherhood, a group of men sworn to rid the world of witches... 
Bitter Spirits (Roaring Twenties #1) Jenn Bennett Publisher: Jan. 7, 2013 (Berkley) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Jo Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Set amid the bootleggers and speakeasies of 1920s San Francisco, Bitter Spirits delves straight into the action. Spiritual medium Aida Palmer is summoned to the aid of... 
Winterblaze (Darkest London #3) Kristen Callihan Published: Feb. 26, 2013 (Grand Central Publishing) Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon Reviewed by: Jo Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Note: This review will be spoiler-free, but it does refer to events in previous books. If you haven’t read them yet, check out our reviews for Firelight and Moonglow, books 1 and 2 in this series. I didn’t think I could... 
My Lord Vampire (Immortal Rogues #1) Alexandra Ivy Published: 2003 (Zebra), re-released in Feb. 2012 (Zebra) Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon Reviewed by: Candace Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars “I would ask you to believe that there are mysteries in the world that are not easily explained. Mysteries that defy logic.” “Mysteries such as you?” she charged. “Yes.” My first thought before beginning... 
[From VBC: Today we turn things over to Zoe Archer. She’s going to try an convince you 18th century men’s style was super sexy. There are photos. Oh, and we’re giving away one copy of her historical paranormal romance Devil’s Kiss at the end of the post. Hint hint.] I’m not going to lie. One of the reasons why I set my new paranormal historical romance series, The Hellraisers, in the 18th century is the... 
