Janet Begay is a stormwalker: she can utilize the power of a storm, bending and controlling it to meet her desires. But this magic comes at a price -...moreJanet Begay is a stormwalker: she can utilize the power of a storm, bending and controlling it to meet her desires. But this magic comes at a price - it leaves her physically drained and sick. Only her mysterious ex-boyfriend, Mick, can absorb the excess magic and help Janet stay sane. But Mick isn’t always around and Janet has learned to stand on her own. So when Mick rides into town wanting to pick up where their relationship left off 5 years ago, Janet doesn’t know what to do. She misses him. She wants him. But he broke her heart.
Janet is sexy and a strong heroine-just the kind I like. She’s tough - renovating a hotel in a town full of folks that don’t necessarily accept her. Oh, and she is willing to stay in town to face off against the dark forces from Beneath, controlled by her evil goddess of a mother. She takes hit after hit, but doesn’t give up. Yet Janet is also vulnerable - she wants to run away with Mick, but knows she can’t. She wants to take the easy road, but won’t. It is these two sides of Janet that make her such a compelling character. She is a super hero and a normal gal all rolled into one.
Janet isn’t the only great character in Stormwalker. Mick, her on-again, off-again lover/boyfriend is an enigma. He’s sexy, and his love for Janet is sweet. Even though he is a valiant protecter and seems to know everything, there are somethings he just doesn’t understand when it comes to Janet. Or he may get it, but chooses to remain aloof and a mystery. I can understand why Janet is so torn - attracted and frustrated all at once.
There is also Sheriff Nash Jones who is an Unbeliever, and really doesn’t care for Janet. Yet he seems to possess something that makes him a bit different than the average human. His actions are frustrating at times, but he adds a powerful dimension to the story. And I have to mention the Mirror - a bisexual magic mirror that injects humor into the story. There are also several other minor characters that together make this book special.
Stormwalker is a fabulous book. It is one of the most creative and engrossing stories that I have read this year. Containing an ideal mix of world building/mythology, action, mystery, romance and smex, this book was enjoyable from cover to cover!
My Rating:
4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)(less)
Read "Magic Dreams" by Ilona Andrews and "Double Hexed" by Allyson James.
Magic Dreams: A hilarious and touching story featuring two feline shifters f...moreRead "Magic Dreams" by Ilona Andrews and "Double Hexed" by Allyson James.
Magic Dreams: A hilarious and touching story featuring two feline shifters from the Kate Daniels Series. The story is told from the POV of the magical White Tiger shifter, Dali. She's a bit timid, wears glasses, is a vegetarian and when she tells her side of things, she's pretty darn hilarious! She has it bad for Feline Alpha, Jim, and doesn't think he would ever like a girl like her. When Jim stumbles into a magical spell gone bad, Dali makes it her purpose to save him. The two are cute and the story keeps tempo with other Kate books. It's a bit more light-hearted being told from Dali's POV. This story is not part of the overall Kate story arc and contains no spoilers for the main books. So, if you've been thinking to give the Kate series a try, this is a good introduction. Kate fans will enjoy it. My Rating: 4 Stars.
Double Hexed: This is a short novella that takes place at or about the same time as the third Stormwalker series book, Shadow Walker. Although it does not pertain directly to the stories, people that have read the books will understand a bit more about what is going on and who the players are than those that have not read them. If you are someone that does not like any spoilers in books, then definitely read the first two Stormwalker books before this novella (key character developments are revealed in the first two books that would be spoiled by reading this first). The novella is action-packed and even has a few moments of sexiness in the midst of danger. It is a great story and Janet-Mick fans will adore. The gang is trapped inside Janet's motel by a hex that resident witch Cassandra believes is meant to kill her. The hex brings out the worst in everyone magical-bringing forward the personality traits that they most desperately like to control. It's a great short story. My Rating: 4 Stars.(less)
Nightwalker is the fourth installment of Allyson James’ excellent Stormwalker urban fantasy series centering around Native American Janet Begay, born from half evil goddess and half storm magic. This series is one of my absolute favorites, and while you could start with Nightwalker, I highly recommend you start at the beginning. The overarching plot development and detailed character growth over the first three stories is phenomenal, making each story richer than the previous.
Nightwalker, like each book before it, had me hooked from the very start. First, the overall mystery is engrossing. Janet and her fiancé Mick work together to figure out if Ansel did kill his girlfriend, or if not him, who is hiding the truth. Along the way they uncover a web of secret magic and a battle to control ultimate power.
In conclusion, it's a bit difficult to write a review for the fourth excellent book in one of my favorite series. I feel like I've said it all before, but it's worth repeating. Overall, Nightwalker is full of heart-stopping action, superb storytelling and marvelous characters. Each book builds upon revelations from the previous book, but you could get away with reading Nightwalker as a stand alone novel. But seriously, they are each so good, you wouldn't want to! The story line keeps strong throughout each book, and although each contains similar components, every story is unique and exciting. (less)
Firewalker is the second book in Ms. James’ Stormwalker series, and it starts a short time after the end of the first book. Janet Begay, a Native Amer...moreFirewalker is the second book in Ms. James’ Stormwalker series, and it starts a short time after the end of the first book. Janet Begay, a Native American stormwalker, with the power of Beneath magic from her goddess mother, has settled down in Megellan and opened up the hotel she was renovating throughout all of book one. She’s hired a witch, Cassandra, to manager her place and business is good. Mick’s been missing for three weeks, and although he has been more open with Janet since she found out he is a dragon, it still isn’t completely odd for him to be gone without notice. But when a shifter comes into the hotel demanding to speak with her, Janet realizes that Mick is in trouble.
Once again, Ms. James weaves together an amazing Paranormal Romance/Mystery-Suspense story. At the core of her work is a complex “whodunit,” full of twists and turns, that keeps the reader engaged until the conclusion. But what makes the book truly superb is the cast of characters that inhabit this marvelous world.
Tragedy and trouble follow Janet everywhere she goes. She wants to “just be normal,” yet time and time again, she picks the difficult path. When faced with death if she continues to use her “evil” Beneath magic, she doesn’t let her own mortality stop her from making the “right” (and difficult) decisions. One of the most special and poignant parts of the story occurs when Janet is faced with the decision to keep her Beneath half or let it go completely. It is heart-wrenching and emotionally draining to witness her as she contemplates what is truly important in her life. I love that Janet may give in here and there but NEVER gives up the fight and always has a snarky comment or two for those that rub her the wrong way.
Firewalker is another amazing book in the Stormwalker series! I highly recommend reading both books because the stories are fabulous, the action is intense, the world-building is phenomenal and both are emotionally satisfying tales.
My Rating: 4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
AH! I cannot stop talking about how much I adore this wonderful (still fairly new) series by Allyson James! For those not familiar, the series followe...moreAH! I cannot stop talking about how much I adore this wonderful (still fairly new) series by Allyson James! For those not familiar, the series followers half-Navajo Janet Begay, a Stormwalker who can bend the power of storms to her will. Oh, and she also is the daughter of an evil goddess who has passed on dangerous Beneath magic to Janet. She lives in a small Arizona town, owns a quaint hotel, has a ridiculously hot and sweet boyfriend, Mick, and trouble seems to follow Janet where ever she goes.
The third story picks up shortly after the end of the second book and opens with Janet finding herself in danger once again when she plummets to the bottom of a sinkhole while being tailed by Sheriff Nash Jones for speeding. Janet finds herself under attack from dozens of mysterious petroglyphs and once again, she finds herself at the center of another dangerous mystery.
One thing I love about this story is that Janet has matured. She has always been a mighty kick-ass heroine, but by now she has gone through many trials, including saving the world, and she is embracing all of her magic - even the dark Beneath magic. The overall plot of the third book is another fantastic mystery. This time, Janet needs to find out why an evil witch, a Shadow Walker, wants to claim Janet’s hotel, how her evil “sister” (same goddess mom) is involved, and how to save Mick from potential enslavement, all while entertaining 2 dragon shifters who would rather kill Mick than allow others to be enslaved, and her grandmother who is keeping secrets with the cook while sending Janet’s one big ally, the trickster god, Coyote on errands. Janet has her hands full, but she never gives up. I love that she gets frustrated and mad, and she may fall and fail. But in the end, her beliefs and inner-strength, along with the support of her friends, keep Janet going.
Finally, I have to reiterate how important the supporting cast of characters is in the function and enjoyment of the book(s). There are several, but each is written so organically that every one has his/her place and is an important cog in the machinery of this series. No matter what I write in this review, I cannot give justice to this story or series. Ms. James has created an amazing world with such intricate details and comprehensive characters.
Jen (That's What I'm Talking About)
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stormwalker-series
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