Book Review: The Outcast Prince by Shona Husk

Title: The Outcast Prince (Court of Annwyn #1)
Author: Shona Husk
Release Date: July 2nd 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley
Caspian Mort can feel the history in anything he touches, a gift he inherited from his father, the Crown Prince of Annwyn. Devastated over his ex-wife's infidelity, Caspian has withdrawn from human contact except when working as an antiques dealer.

While assessing the contents of the historic Callaway House he encounters the beautiful Lydia Callaway and senses that her home is haunted by a banished fairy. But what does the dangerous exile want? Unbeknownst to Lydia, she's the owner of the last remaining portal to Annwyn—a mirror hidden somewhere in the house. To keep Lydia safe, Caspian will have to divulge the secrets of his heritage, and risk losing his heart again.

My Thoughts

Many YA books of late have made this subject extremely popular so I was expecting a great deal more from this grown up version of a fairy tale.

The Outcast Prince has an interesting storyline, it's very well written and easy to read but I wasn’t overwhelmed with feelings for the main characters. I didn’t feel that they had a whole lot of depth. Sadly I just didn’t care for them as much as I probably should, especially Lydia; I found her to be boring and disingenuous.
I did enjoy Caspian’s strange gift of psychometrics, and the love hate relationship he had with it; especially when touching the antique beds; but beyond that, he also fell flat for me.

Overall I enjoyed the mystery aspect, liked the romance and found the fairy characters interesting, but I wasn’t moved beyond that to fall in love with this book.
To be honest, I really was hoping for a little more sizzle from this book; both beneath the sheets and otherwise.

An enjoyable and slightly more adult take on the world of fairy, The Outcast Prince gets 3.5 stars :]

Book Review: Charming Blue by Kristine Grayson

Title: Charming Blue (Fates #8)

Author: Kristine Grayson
Release Date: September 1st 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

Once upon a time...he was the most handsome of princes. But now he's a lonely legend, hobbled by dark history. With too many dead in his wake, Bluebeard escapes through the evil spell of alcohol. But it's a far different kind of spell that's been ruining his life for centuries. Jodi Walters is a fixer, someone who can put magic back in order. But Blue has a problem she's never encountered. And worse, she finds herself perilously attracted to him.

   

My Thoughts

Although this is book #8 in a series, it is the first book I have read by this author.

Its a modern day world in which this story is set, with 'fairytale' characters happily living amongst us trying to fit in. But not everything is all rosy because they have 'fixers' like Jodi to run to for help.

I'm sorry but I found the characters weak and unlikeable.
Jodi is a boring, ageless, up-her-self châtelaine who I didn't connect with, I just did not like her - at all. She moaned and groaned her way through the entire book. I wanted to tell her to make a run for it - if you're so damn unhappy, leave, but for crying out loud stop complaining!
And Blue wasn't much better. He is a weak-kneed, down trodden, wet dish cloth - definitely not a hero to lust after.

There really wasn't any depth to the story, and other than their initial attraction there isn't any romance to speak off.
The blurb reads "she finds herself perilously attracted to him"
Perilously implies danger, what danger?...oh you mean when see looked in his eyes and thought "Oh he's so charming, he's charming me with his eyes, I mustn't look, Oh my" or did you mean he was dangerous because he's the killer Bluebeard?
There were no overly heated looks, touches, thoughts...in fact; there wasn't anything hot or dangerous about either of them to speak off at all. And the ending to the mystery was so unsatisfying and so underwhelming, so what? who? when? it just didn't make a whole lot of sense.
The whole book was just too full of holes and plot letdowns, and to top it all off; it suddenly ended with Jodi being madly in love with Blue and they live HEA - yep, okay, whatever.

Kristine Grayson has a writing style that flows well and is easy to read, however I found the world building weak, the story was down right boring, and the character development shallow at best.

(an overly generous) 2 Star read :|