Lanoree Brock is a Je’daii Ranger who has avoided going home because of bad memories involving her brother's death. But now is being recalled to Tython for a mission that requires her skills - but mostly Lanoree, because her brother is alive and his actions could lead their system into chaos. He has always looked to the stars. To the mysteries of the past. Who brought them all to Tython - and why?

So begins my epic read through of my vast Expanded Universe (aka Legends canon) collection. The first chronological, novel-length story in the EU isn't fantastic by any means, but I did like Lanoree and I did enjoy exploring the galaxy as she knows it. However, the ending was quite underwhelming, spoiling the fun. The flashbacks also didn't help, hindering the flow of the book and just generally being unimportant. This isn't a terrible entry, just meh (with some redeeming qualities).

Justus de Wynter became a rogue vampire after he lost his love, but now he knows where she is - an asylum, where she has been locked up for 8 years, for claiming that her suitor was a vampire. Bethany Mead is happy to escape with Justus, but it's a case of frying pan to fire - rogue vampires are killed on sight and Justus needs permission to Change her. Can they possibly make a life together?

This might actually be my favourite book of the series, though it was entirely different from the usual blueprint and shouldn't have worked. But it did! Justus is such a great character - not only is he a reformed rake, but he's a reformed villain as well. I admittedly found him more interesting than the hero in the previous entry. I adored this Regency/vampire/road trip (lol) romance.

Lenore Graves owes the Lord Vampire of Rochester a favour and now he's decided it's time to collect. Gavin Drake, Baron of Darkwood, needs a wife to fend off overzealous mortal mothers and he desires a vampire who is loyal and won't cause him too much trouble for the fifty years of their marital arrangement. Lenore wants a marriage in name only. But Gavin may just change her mind...

I was pleased to see that the author decided to change things up a bit with this book (i.e. not another vampire/mortal romance) and I had actually hoped to see more of Lenore, since I became quite attached to her in the previous entry. Still an excellent romance, but a tad wobbly in some areas (including editing). Presumably a side effect of the shift into indie publishing.

Cassandra Burton, widowed countess and would-be doctor, has been excluded from obtaining a medical education due to her sex and must resort to grave robbing. But this lands her in the the path of Don Rafe Villar, who reveals himself as a vampire. She soon finds herself his prisoner - which gives her a fantastic opportunity to study his kind and hone her skills. And perhaps...indulge a little.

An immensely satisfying Regency/vampire romance, as with the others in the series. But this one contained a significant amount of action and excitement, which made me enjoy it all the more. Who'd have thought that I would ever find myself enjoying vampire politics? Ann has created a wonderful world of paranormal alt-history and I'm probably going to devour all the titles in the series.  

Ian Ashton, Duke of Burnrath, is not enjoying the sudden obsession with vampires that an author has sparked. Because the close scrutiny may reveal the truth of his "skin condition". The perfect solution may very well have presented itself: Angelica Winthrop, who broke into his house because she needed writing inspiration. She wants to be ruined...but he has other plans for her.

I am loving this series so far. A Regency/vampire romance mashup? Yes, please! What I really enjoyed about this book was the use of historical figures and how seamlessly they fit into the narrative. And of course, the romance itself was delicious (ha!). Angelica is a great heroine and is given the opportunity to truly shine. Looking forward to sinking my teeth into the next one (#3, because I've read #2 already).

There are two types of people - those whom magic seeks and those who seek magic. Merida is definitely the former. After a curious knock on the door on Christmas Eve, she encounters the god of ruin and realises that DunBroch is in danger of falling to his powers. Luckily, Merida is granted some time - a year - to prove that her family can change. But if she fails...all will be lost.

Okay, I did not expect this to be one of my favourite reads of the year. I was sure I would have to force myself through some lacklustre Disney release, but this was really quite special. Very well written, the triplets are given separate identities, Merida continues to grow, the world is expanded but retains the magic and feel of the film...I think I actually prefer the book to its progenitor. Gasp! This is mostly because the trailers of the day promised adventure and the movie did not deliver, which left me feeling very disappointed in the cinema.

At last, I've had a true adventure with Merida. I loved every minute of it.