Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle #1) Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman Published: May 7, 2019 (Knopf Books for Young Readers) Purchase at: Amazon or Book Depository Review Source: Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Trying to work off some pre-draft jitters, star cadet Tyler Jones decides to take a little flight. Well, that little flight turns... 
LIFEL1K3 (Lifelike #1) Jay Kristoff Published: May 29, 2018 (Knopf Books for Young Readers) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Beth Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Once upon a time, there was a family: a father, a mother, three sisters, and a brother. But once upon a time only leads to happily ever after in fairy... 
Godsgrave (Nevernight Chronicles #2) Jay Kristoff Published: Sept. 5, 2017 (Thomas Dunne Books) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: purchased Reviewed by: Beth Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Note: while this review will be spoiler free, it will make reference to the previous book. If you haven’t started this series yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Nevernight. Mia is back—and more fierce... 
Gemina (Illuminae Files #2) Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Published: Oct. 25, 2016 (Knopf) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Jo Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will make reference to the previous book. If you haven’t started this series yet, check out VBC’s review of book... 
Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle #1) Jay Kristoff Published: Aug. 9, 2016 (Thomas Dunne Books) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: purchased Reviewed by: Beth Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Imagine a place like Venice—only it has three suns and only has full darkness every two years. It also has magic and creatures from the worst nightmares. In that place lives a teenage girl who watched... 
Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Published: Oct. 20, 2015 (Alfred A. Knopf) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: purchased Reviewed by: Amanda Rating (out of 5): 5 stars This is going to be a difficult review to write, because all the words I have are either a) of the four letter variety or b) unintelligible. Just picture me sitting on the couch, book clutched... 
I was late to the party on Jay Kristoff’s Lotus War books. I started reading the first novel Stormdancer earlier this month, in fact. And seriously y’all should shame me for not reading these books sooner. So. Freaking. Good. The books are full of lyrical prose that weaves a stunning tapestry of worldbuilding mythology and engaging characters. I sank into these books and became utterly enamored. The...
