Juliet Vane

FROM AMAZON: A girl in love with a ghost. A ghost in love with a girl. Neither of them believes in happily ever after.

Eighteen-year-old Winter doesn't believe in happily-ever-after, even though she helps support her family by weaving stories about them. While some people visit Lago Caverns to experience the absolute darkness and ghostly atmosphere deep below the ground, most visitors come to hear Winter's stories.

When a teacher goes missing amidst some ghastly rumors, Winter is the only person who believes something more nefarious is at play…especially when the teacher's absence spells trouble for Lago Caverns. Armed with the friendship of a ghost, her own fearlessness, and her ability to craft stories that leave listeners spellbound, Winter will get to the bottom of this mystery and save her land.… (mere)

The Scorpion's Lullaby by Juliet Vane was a fast-paced and engaging heroine's journey. Joella is a member of a group called the Scorpion Raiders, who ride massive scorpions through the jungles of their land, raiding caravans and pillaging villages. Joella's mum encouraged her to train from a young age so she could join the Raiders, and find safety in life.

After Joella shows mercy during a village raid by returning necessary medicine to the village healer, her Monsieur (read tribal leader) tasks her with scouting a caravan to see if it has valuables. It carries a heavily guarded strongbox. The ensuing raid goes poorly when deadly mists creep through the area. All tribes have the same mist rule- run fast, run far. If the mist touches a living creature it sickens them, turning them mindless and violent. Joella finds herself far from home, with Marc, the strongbox's main guard. The contents turn out to be an ancient book of legends. Can Joella reach her tribe again? After being exposed to Marc, and to various other tribes, does she really want to?

Joella started out as a warrior who had mostly forsaken the ways of her people in honouring the goddess Beline. She was convinced she was destined to be chosen by Lucien, her Monsieur, to be his Madame and lead the tribe with him. After she's separated from them, she slowly begins to change, first subtly, then more noticeably. She loses her masculine anonymity and begins to embrace her feminine side once more. As she and Marc travel, they read the stories from the book, and learn the truth behind the legends the tribes know. They come into contact with some much rougher tribes too. The Lesprit try to coerce them to stay, or plot to kill them if not. The O'Sacree enslave them after they discover horrible truths about the tribe, truths that could free the lands of the mists forever. Through it all, Joella's values begin to change, and she finds a family and tribe of her own.

I loved Joella's inner journey. Marc shows her that brute strength isn't the only kind. She begins to see that the death of her family by the mists after she left to join the Scorpion Raiders as not her fault, nor the goddess Beline's fault. She realises the way of the Raiders is a shallow one and she no longer wants to lead them alongside Lucien. I enjoyed the outer journey as well. This is a world and set of cultures that I just fell into. Giant (possibly fire-breathing) scorpions? I'm sold. The use of French words was an interesting combination with the hot jungle setting and inclusion of insects as staple food items. I particularly enjoyed that touch. They are considered a great source of protein after all. (No, I've not had insects, but I'd be willing to try). Overall a very enjoyable read. Recommended!

***Many thanks to the publisher and author for providing an ecopy for a fair and honest review. Reviewed via Silver Dagger Tours.… (mere)

STORY-LINE:

Lissa Anderson, a party girl, has a chance to redeem herself. Receiving a scholarship to the Rose Bud Academy, she is determined to change and succeed. But the academy is not all it seems. Privileged students, ghosts, thefts, a missing student, and developing feelings of attraction, will make her summer challenging, scary, and exciting. My mystery romance book reviews of June's Blood follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

Author Juliet Vane created a storyline perfect for young and mature adults alike who enjoy a clean mystery romance. This tale is suitable for anyone who loves a good scary well-plotted mystery. With multiple plot lines, which include an academy with a dubious background, mysterious happenings, ghosts, and thefts, I was entertained from start to finish. Slowly revealing the tragedy in Lissa's past kept me quickly turning the pages on my E-reader; many young adults will relate to Lissa, her past, and the guilt she carries.

I found Vane's characters realistic, believable, and well-developed. The storyline progresses at a steady, smooth pace and the scenes transitioned well. With multiple suspects, I did not guess correctly the who, what, or why behind the mysteries. Juliet Vane held the answers to my questions close to her chest, leaving a cliffhanger which is intriguing.

MY OPINION:

I found June's Blood entertaining and plan to read the prequel as well the later books in this series. I could relate to the characters, loved the mystery, as well as, the clean romance and angst. Vane skillfully portrayed the confusing emotions for maturing young adults.

Guessing first one when another as the culprit, in the finale I found I was totally wrong. Do not read the ending first, as it will spoil the storyline for you. I would not hesitate to buy this tale for myself or anyone who enjoys a skillfully crafted mystery. The scary scenes are not of nightmare quality. Instead, they are perfect for the tone of the storyline which is suitable for young adults and up.

JUNE'S BLOOD RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4

ALSO, PLEASE NOTE:

Additionally, I purchased this edition, and I chose to review the book with honest romance book reviews voluntarily. Lastly, reviews of any novel are dependent on the author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews online and under my name, are my opinions.… (mere)

I received this book free of charge, and am voluntarily reviewing it.

I enjoyed the premise and setting of June's Blood, but don't feel that I got to know any of the characters well enough to feel one way or the other about them. The main character, Lissa, comes across as flaky and whiny, but, as this is the first in a trilogy, I'm assuming she's going to show some growth in later installments. The climax came across as contrived, and the villain's motive was weak, at best. I will read the sequel, because I'm hoping for the characters to be more fleshed out and some loose ends to be tied up.… (mere)