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Dru Jasper #2
A Kiss Before Doomsday
When sorcerers disappear off the streets of Denver, the only person to notice a pattern is Dru, proprietor of The Crystal Connection and newly-minted sorceress. Monstrous creatures are attacking and dragging off anyone with magical powers. Signs point to forbidden necromancy in the hands of someone trying to fulfill the prophecy of the apocalypse scroll.
With the dead rising from the grave, Dru fears someone is picking up where the Harbingers left off half a century ago. Now more than ever, Dru needs half-demon Greyson and his infernal car, Hellbringer. Though Greyson is missing and presumed dead, Dru believes he’s alive—and trapped at the center of this evil.
Dru will need her friends—and her enemies—trusting in Rane’s strength, Opal’s wisdom, and her own crystal magic to infiltrate the mountainous fortress of a powerful sorcerer intent on bringing about doomsday.
Because the moment the prophecy is fulfilled, legions of undead will rise to consume the souls of everyone on Earth…
With the dead rising from the grave, Dru fears someone is picking up where the Harbingers left off half a century ago. Now more than ever, Dru needs half-demon Greyson and his infernal car, Hellbringer. Though Greyson is missing and presumed dead, Dru believes he’s alive—and trapped at the center of this evil.
Dru will need her friends—and her enemies—trusting in Rane’s strength, Opal’s wisdom, and her own crystal magic to infiltrate the mountainous fortress of a powerful sorcerer intent on bringing about doomsday.
Because the moment the prophecy is fulfilled, legions of undead will rise to consume the souls of everyone on Earth…
290 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2017
About the author
L. MacNaughton
16 books138 followersL. MacNaughton is an award-winning urban fantasy author whose books have been praised by Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews.
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July 8, 2017
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2017/07/06/...
A Kiss Before Doomsday is the second novel in an urban fantasy series starring Dru Jasper, a bookish sorceress whose power allows her to unleash the magical properties of precious stones and crystals. Pretty cool, right? Now Dru and the whole gang are back in another madcap adventure to prevent the end of the world, and once again the results are as entertaining and fun as you would expect.
Since the story begins in the immediate aftermath of the first book, I would highly recommend reading It Happened One Doomsday before tackling this one if you haven’t yet. I won’t spoil any of the details, but suffice it to say that our protagonist did not exactly come out of the previous ordeal unscathed. Dru’s store The Crystal Connection has been left completely destroyed, and her new boyfriend Greyson is missing after he and his demonic muscle car Hellbringer were blown up in the Netherworld. Dru doesn’t know what’s worse: the idea that Greyson is dead, or that he is still alive but still afflicted by the curse that transformed him into one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
In the meantime though, the city of Denver is facing other problems. Despite our characters’ efforts in the previous book, the world is still heading towards Doomsday, with signs that someone is still trying to fulfill the prophecy of the apocalypse scroll. The latest disaster is a plague of undead, and for some reason, they seem to be targeting all of the area’s magic users, including Dru and her friends.
If you’ve read my review of It Happened One Doomsday, then you’re probably aware already that I’m all over this fantastic series. With a flood of new urban fantasy titles coming out every year, it’s always refreshing to come across something that immediately leaps out at me, even if it’s because of seemingly minor things like a twist in the usual story formula or a really cool magic system. Little details like that are just as likely to catch my attention, and that’s exactly what happened when I read the first book last year and fell in love with the idea of crystal magic. Laurence MacNaughton did a great job taking off with the concept, allowing Dru to harness a crystal’s power depending on its properties (and there’s just something so charming about the idea of our main character running around with an arsenal of different crystals stuffed in her purse, so that she’ll be ready for any situation). The best part is, now that Dru’s magic is even stronger in this sequel, we get to see even more of her in action.
Then there are the characters. I love them all so much! Rane, my favorite Amazonian metal woman from the first book is back, and this time around she even has a mini-side plot involving her and a former flame, a jerkwad sorcerer named Salem. Opal also returns with a bigger role in this novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the three friends working together to figure out why the dead are rising from the grave to attack sorcerers.
On the other hand, there was not as much of Greyson. This also meant less of Hellbringer, which was a shame since I am a big fan of that demon car. Still, Greyson and his hot rod taking a step back also meant the story got to really focus on our three ladies and their mission to kick some ass and rescue the guy for a change, so this was definitely a silver lining. That said, a part of me still wishes we could have seen more development into Dru’s relationship with Greyson, because while theirs was a whirlwind romance from the start, I wasn’t quite convinced that our protagonist would be the kind of girl to turn into a weeping mess over someone she’s only known for a couple weeks.
Apart from those minor quibbles though, I really have no complaints. With this solidly written sequel, Laurence MacNaughton really seems to be hitting his stride, giving readers more of his quirky characters and their action-packed adventures. Indeed, if the series continues in this exciting and lighthearted vein, it is sure to become smashing hit and be warmly welcomed by myself and other urban fantasy fans. A Kiss Before Doomsday was another excellent, fun-filled read, and I can’t wait for more.
A Kiss Before Doomsday is the second novel in an urban fantasy series starring Dru Jasper, a bookish sorceress whose power allows her to unleash the magical properties of precious stones and crystals. Pretty cool, right? Now Dru and the whole gang are back in another madcap adventure to prevent the end of the world, and once again the results are as entertaining and fun as you would expect.
Since the story begins in the immediate aftermath of the first book, I would highly recommend reading It Happened One Doomsday before tackling this one if you haven’t yet. I won’t spoil any of the details, but suffice it to say that our protagonist did not exactly come out of the previous ordeal unscathed. Dru’s store The Crystal Connection has been left completely destroyed, and her new boyfriend Greyson is missing after he and his demonic muscle car Hellbringer were blown up in the Netherworld. Dru doesn’t know what’s worse: the idea that Greyson is dead, or that he is still alive but still afflicted by the curse that transformed him into one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
In the meantime though, the city of Denver is facing other problems. Despite our characters’ efforts in the previous book, the world is still heading towards Doomsday, with signs that someone is still trying to fulfill the prophecy of the apocalypse scroll. The latest disaster is a plague of undead, and for some reason, they seem to be targeting all of the area’s magic users, including Dru and her friends.
If you’ve read my review of It Happened One Doomsday, then you’re probably aware already that I’m all over this fantastic series. With a flood of new urban fantasy titles coming out every year, it’s always refreshing to come across something that immediately leaps out at me, even if it’s because of seemingly minor things like a twist in the usual story formula or a really cool magic system. Little details like that are just as likely to catch my attention, and that’s exactly what happened when I read the first book last year and fell in love with the idea of crystal magic. Laurence MacNaughton did a great job taking off with the concept, allowing Dru to harness a crystal’s power depending on its properties (and there’s just something so charming about the idea of our main character running around with an arsenal of different crystals stuffed in her purse, so that she’ll be ready for any situation). The best part is, now that Dru’s magic is even stronger in this sequel, we get to see even more of her in action.
Then there are the characters. I love them all so much! Rane, my favorite Amazonian metal woman from the first book is back, and this time around she even has a mini-side plot involving her and a former flame, a jerkwad sorcerer named Salem. Opal also returns with a bigger role in this novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the three friends working together to figure out why the dead are rising from the grave to attack sorcerers.
On the other hand, there was not as much of Greyson. This also meant less of Hellbringer, which was a shame since I am a big fan of that demon car. Still, Greyson and his hot rod taking a step back also meant the story got to really focus on our three ladies and their mission to kick some ass and rescue the guy for a change, so this was definitely a silver lining. That said, a part of me still wishes we could have seen more development into Dru’s relationship with Greyson, because while theirs was a whirlwind romance from the start, I wasn’t quite convinced that our protagonist would be the kind of girl to turn into a weeping mess over someone she’s only known for a couple weeks.
Apart from those minor quibbles though, I really have no complaints. With this solidly written sequel, Laurence MacNaughton really seems to be hitting his stride, giving readers more of his quirky characters and their action-packed adventures. Indeed, if the series continues in this exciting and lighthearted vein, it is sure to become smashing hit and be warmly welcomed by myself and other urban fantasy fans. A Kiss Before Doomsday was another excellent, fun-filled read, and I can’t wait for more.
August 3, 2017
*Source* Edelweiss*
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
A Kiss Before Doomsday, by author Laurence MacNaughton, is the second installment in the authors Dru Jasper series. For those new to this series, I eagerly recommend that you start by reading It Happened One Doomsday. Why you ask? Because AKBD begins right where IHOD left off. Dru is struggling to regain her mojo after her job was destroyed in the last installment. She is also wondering whether or not Greyson survived their trip to the Netherworld where they (Dru, Rane, & Greyson) temporarily put a hold on the Apocalypse
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
A Kiss Before Doomsday, by author Laurence MacNaughton, is the second installment in the authors Dru Jasper series. For those new to this series, I eagerly recommend that you start by reading It Happened One Doomsday. Why you ask? Because AKBD begins right where IHOD left off. Dru is struggling to regain her mojo after her job was destroyed in the last installment. She is also wondering whether or not Greyson survived their trip to the Netherworld where they (Dru, Rane, & Greyson) temporarily put a hold on the Apocalypse
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
March 24, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
The story actually picks up exactly from where we left off with it happened one doomsday; Dru and Raine make it back to the normal world after succeeding in trapping the horsemen in the netherworld and maybe slowing the apocalypse down for awhile. They think that Greyson is now dead and that all they need to know is to find the apocalypse scroll so they can stop the end of the world once and for all. But things really worsen quickly when some undead creatures starts attacking sorcerers left and right which means that the fifth seal has been broken and the apocalypse is nearer that ever. To make matters worse, Salem knows a lot of things and he’s not telling anyone and someone from Dru’s past make a sudden appearance that will change things for her.
Since I finished It Happened One Doomsday two weeks ago, I’ve been dying to get my hands on the second book because I wanted to know the fate of one particular character and how the story is going to evolve from the ending of the first one. So when the opportunity presented itself, I did not think twice and started the second book of the series. Now, did I enjoy this one the same way I did the first? The answer is an absolute NO but this book is not a bad sequel either. It just lacks some of the things that made the first book such a fun enjoyable read from start to finish. And I still liked this one, it is just that I expected more from this sequel and I was left a little bit disappointed by a lot of things.
So let’s start with the things that disappointed me with the story:
1) Greyson is absent 90% of the book and while I understand that choice not include him that much in the events of the book, his absence kind of affected the story in a negative light. It caused a lot of angst for Dru and it was getting rather annoying after a while. The world is ending and everything is at stake and our main character can’t control her bloody feelings and focus on the mission. I really think she’s more invested Greyson than saving the world. And I don’t understand how the hell she fell in love with him this strongly after a couple days knowing him. I just don’t understand the magnitude of her feelings for him.
2) The story lacked the excitement of the first one and it was rather boring at times. Even though the stakes were higher than ever, this one felt tame in comparison and I kept waiting for the moment when everything will get more intense and action packed but every time I felt like the story is getting better, it will lose the momentum it gained and I’ll be left with this bitter taste in my tongue. This book was a tease like that, it will tease me with some pages filled with action and suspense and then it will pull the plug on me leaving me confused of what the hell happened.
3) The female characters were a disappointment for me in this book (except Raine of course) : in my review of the first book I mentioned how much I loved the characters and the relationships between them and I still love them here but I feel like they were inconstant in some way and they did not behave like the doomsday is happening. They were focusing on the wrong things and they did not take everything seriously. I also did not like the dynamic between Raine and Opal. I felt like deep down they did not like each other that much and Opal was rather annoying in this one.
4) The ending felt abrupt for me, I don’t know but I wanted more out of it and it could’ve been better if the book was longer. But I guess the story was only about one particular thing and once it was resolved there was nothing else to tell. I don’t know if there’s other book n the future but I feel like I did not get any closure with the ending as it is.
So those are the reasons that kept me from enjoying the book the way I expected but like I said this is not a bad book and it has some redeeming qualities which I’m going to mention now:
1) Salem, the most Badass sorcerer in the whole book was heavily featured in this sequel and his involvement was really important for the plot of the book. I did not Salem at all in the first book but now I love him with all my heart. he still is a jerk but it was not the only aspect of his character. He is actually quite complex. He is rough around the edges, hard to get a read on and has some trust issues but deep down all that is coming from good intentions and he has the heart of a romantic. Sometimes he’s vulnerable and hurt and other times he’s snarky and harsh. Not to mention that he has the best insults ever.
2) The romance between Raine and Salem: I ship those two more that I can handle right now. The thing about these two is that they have history together and there are a lot of things that’s left unsaid between them. they love each other even when they hate each other guts and they’re both stubborn so they refuse to open up to each other. There is a lot of hurt and anger and betrayal brimming under the surface, add to that the chemistry and the intensity of their feelings and you have a recipe for one spicy love/hate relationship. I love them together, I love apart and I love them when they’re trying to hide the love they feel for each other.
3) Those final chapters saved the story for me and made me regain my hope for the series. All those things that were never exploited in the rest of the book were present in those final chapters. They were intense; action packed and kept me rooted in my place till the final moments. I was really worried about the fate of the characters and I kept holding my breath because I did not trust the author not to break my heart. I did not want to lose any of the characters and they were in great danger and nothing was guaranteed. So yeah, those final chapters were a rollercoaster for me and I was pleased by how the things turned out for the gang.
4) The writing style was as delightful as ever. The dialogue was great and it was hilarious at times. I always enjoy the interactions between all the characters because the words that come out of their mouths are pure gold and they keep me entertained. I think the fun nature of the dialogue and the lighthearted writing style helped to keep me reading even when I was frustrated by the plot or the choices the characters made.
To conclude, I’d like to say that this book was not on the same level of the first one but I’m still in love with the characters and I’m definitely going to read any future book in the series because I definitely want to know how it’s going to play out.
Now, there are seven of us. Seven angels or seven demons? Neither. Seven Harbingers. Seven creators of the new world, because today the world is too sick to survive. The day has come to wipe the slate clean. Do it over, and do it right
The story actually picks up exactly from where we left off with it happened one doomsday; Dru and Raine make it back to the normal world after succeeding in trapping the horsemen in the netherworld and maybe slowing the apocalypse down for awhile. They think that Greyson is now dead and that all they need to know is to find the apocalypse scroll so they can stop the end of the world once and for all. But things really worsen quickly when some undead creatures starts attacking sorcerers left and right which means that the fifth seal has been broken and the apocalypse is nearer that ever. To make matters worse, Salem knows a lot of things and he’s not telling anyone and someone from Dru’s past make a sudden appearance that will change things for her.
Since I finished It Happened One Doomsday two weeks ago, I’ve been dying to get my hands on the second book because I wanted to know the fate of one particular character and how the story is going to evolve from the ending of the first one. So when the opportunity presented itself, I did not think twice and started the second book of the series. Now, did I enjoy this one the same way I did the first? The answer is an absolute NO but this book is not a bad sequel either. It just lacks some of the things that made the first book such a fun enjoyable read from start to finish. And I still liked this one, it is just that I expected more from this sequel and I was left a little bit disappointed by a lot of things.
So let’s start with the things that disappointed me with the story:
1) Greyson is absent 90% of the book and while I understand that choice not include him that much in the events of the book, his absence kind of affected the story in a negative light. It caused a lot of angst for Dru and it was getting rather annoying after a while. The world is ending and everything is at stake and our main character can’t control her bloody feelings and focus on the mission. I really think she’s more invested Greyson than saving the world. And I don’t understand how the hell she fell in love with him this strongly after a couple days knowing him. I just don’t understand the magnitude of her feelings for him.
Every ounce of him needed to open that door. But he didn’t dare. The truth was he didn’t trust himself anymore. He didn’t trust the demon blood inside him. It had almost destroyed the world once.
2) The story lacked the excitement of the first one and it was rather boring at times. Even though the stakes were higher than ever, this one felt tame in comparison and I kept waiting for the moment when everything will get more intense and action packed but every time I felt like the story is getting better, it will lose the momentum it gained and I’ll be left with this bitter taste in my tongue. This book was a tease like that, it will tease me with some pages filled with action and suspense and then it will pull the plug on me leaving me confused of what the hell happened.
3) The female characters were a disappointment for me in this book (except Raine of course) : in my review of the first book I mentioned how much I loved the characters and the relationships between them and I still love them here but I feel like they were inconstant in some way and they did not behave like the doomsday is happening. They were focusing on the wrong things and they did not take everything seriously. I also did not like the dynamic between Raine and Opal. I felt like deep down they did not like each other that much and Opal was rather annoying in this one.
4) The ending felt abrupt for me, I don’t know but I wanted more out of it and it could’ve been better if the book was longer. But I guess the story was only about one particular thing and once it was resolved there was nothing else to tell. I don’t know if there’s other book n the future but I feel like I did not get any closure with the ending as it is.
So those are the reasons that kept me from enjoying the book the way I expected but like I said this is not a bad book and it has some redeeming qualities which I’m going to mention now:
1) Salem, the most Badass sorcerer in the whole book was heavily featured in this sequel and his involvement was really important for the plot of the book. I did not Salem at all in the first book but now I love him with all my heart. he still is a jerk but it was not the only aspect of his character. He is actually quite complex. He is rough around the edges, hard to get a read on and has some trust issues but deep down all that is coming from good intentions and he has the heart of a romantic. Sometimes he’s vulnerable and hurt and other times he’s snarky and harsh. Not to mention that he has the best insults ever.
As much as Dru wanted to leave, she didn’t interrupt Rane. This was a side of her that Dru so rarely saw, and strangely enough, it felt precious and delicate. For once, the woman stood stock-still, deep in memory, and it would have seemed like a crime to intrude.
2) The romance between Raine and Salem: I ship those two more that I can handle right now. The thing about these two is that they have history together and there are a lot of things that’s left unsaid between them. they love each other even when they hate each other guts and they’re both stubborn so they refuse to open up to each other. There is a lot of hurt and anger and betrayal brimming under the surface, add to that the chemistry and the intensity of their feelings and you have a recipe for one spicy love/hate relationship. I love them together, I love apart and I love them when they’re trying to hide the love they feel for each other.
3) Those final chapters saved the story for me and made me regain my hope for the series. All those things that were never exploited in the rest of the book were present in those final chapters. They were intense; action packed and kept me rooted in my place till the final moments. I was really worried about the fate of the characters and I kept holding my breath because I did not trust the author not to break my heart. I did not want to lose any of the characters and they were in great danger and nothing was guaranteed. So yeah, those final chapters were a rollercoaster for me and I was pleased by how the things turned out for the gang.
4) The writing style was as delightful as ever. The dialogue was great and it was hilarious at times. I always enjoy the interactions between all the characters because the words that come out of their mouths are pure gold and they keep me entertained. I think the fun nature of the dialogue and the lighthearted writing style helped to keep me reading even when I was frustrated by the plot or the choices the characters made.
To conclude, I’d like to say that this book was not on the same level of the first one but I’m still in love with the characters and I’m definitely going to read any future book in the series because I definitely want to know how it’s going to play out.
July 17, 2017
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
With A KISS BEFORE DOOMSDAY, the Dru Jasper series has quickly become one of the series I'm adding to my must-buy list. With its down-to-Earth heroine and the creative situations she finds herself in, A KISS BEFORE DOOMSDAY is super enjoyable and I can't wait to read the next in the series.
Dru is, without a doubt, a heroine who most of us could probably relate to. She's got powers, sure, but she's not crazy super powerful, and throughout the book, there's always the faint impression that she'd rather be reading than dealing with the end of the world. A woman after my own heart, that one. And not only is Dru an interesting, relatable character, but the rest of the characters aren't two-dimensional either. They've got multiple facets to them and really round out the story.
A KISS BEFORE DOOMSDAY doesn't have the inklings of romance that IT HAPPENED ONE DOOMSDAY did, but that's totally fine in this instance. Dru, with some help from Rane, gets to kick some butt and she gets to do some magic, and while there's some questionable decision making, the story moves along at a pretty fast clip.
For a short book (under 300 pages), A KISS BEFORE DOOMSDAY really has it all. Great characters, captivating plot, and interesting world building. I do recommend reading IT HAPPENED ONE DOOMSDAY first, because while it's not totally necessary, it is nice to have the backstory about how Dru ended up where she did. All in all, I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment in the Dru Jasper series!
Sexual content: None
With A KISS BEFORE DOOMSDAY, the Dru Jasper series has quickly become one of the series I'm adding to my must-buy list. With its down-to-Earth heroine and the creative situations she finds herself in, A KISS BEFORE DOOMSDAY is super enjoyable and I can't wait to read the next in the series.
Dru is, without a doubt, a heroine who most of us could probably relate to. She's got powers, sure, but she's not crazy super powerful, and throughout the book, there's always the faint impression that she'd rather be reading than dealing with the end of the world. A woman after my own heart, that one. And not only is Dru an interesting, relatable character, but the rest of the characters aren't two-dimensional either. They've got multiple facets to them and really round out the story.
A KISS BEFORE DOOMSDAY doesn't have the inklings of romance that IT HAPPENED ONE DOOMSDAY did, but that's totally fine in this instance. Dru, with some help from Rane, gets to kick some butt and she gets to do some magic, and while there's some questionable decision making, the story moves along at a pretty fast clip.
For a short book (under 300 pages), A KISS BEFORE DOOMSDAY really has it all. Great characters, captivating plot, and interesting world building. I do recommend reading IT HAPPENED ONE DOOMSDAY first, because while it's not totally necessary, it is nice to have the backstory about how Dru ended up where she did. All in all, I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment in the Dru Jasper series!
Sexual content: None
April 19, 2017
Really early review
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This is UF, but it does feel different. I guess it's the intensity, kick-assness and love brooding that you can not find here that changes it. And sure, it is still intense at times, Dru is still cool and can save herself and there is a guy she likes. But it is very different.
In the last book they saved the world from doomsday...for a while. There are still seals that might be broken and a doomsday coming closer.
I like Dru, she is just, normal you know. She enjoys working in her store and doing the little sorcery she can. She has two good friends and all is well. Except that she misses Greyson that went missing in the last book, or did he? Is he stuck in the netherworld? Is he back? Still a demon? But this is her book, any man can wait in the sidelines.
She is cool and does not let a thing like impending doom stop her. Now, she will stop it. She likes to investigate things too much ;)
I enjoyed it. It was fast, short and kicked a punch.
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This is UF, but it does feel different. I guess it's the intensity, kick-assness and love brooding that you can not find here that changes it. And sure, it is still intense at times, Dru is still cool and can save herself and there is a guy she likes. But it is very different.
In the last book they saved the world from doomsday...for a while. There are still seals that might be broken and a doomsday coming closer.
I like Dru, she is just, normal you know. She enjoys working in her store and doing the little sorcery she can. She has two good friends and all is well. Except that she misses Greyson that went missing in the last book, or did he? Is he stuck in the netherworld? Is he back? Still a demon? But this is her book, any man can wait in the sidelines.
She is cool and does not let a thing like impending doom stop her. Now, she will stop it. She likes to investigate things too much ;)
I enjoyed it. It was fast, short and kicked a punch.
June 16, 2017
So nice I read it twice.
I am not sure I can do justice to an explanation of why I like Laurence MacNaughton's writing, but I am going to give it a try.
He manages to have his characters be funny and the book be fun while something as serious as doomsday is approaching.
That really takes one heck of an imagination and he pulls it off.
I was very entertained by book one and impatiently waited for book two to come out. I was so determined to get my hands on book
two that I even signed up for the author's blog. Now you don't know me, but believe me, signing up for anyone's blog is completely
out of character for me.
I love a good fantasy tale and especially one with humor. That is what converted me to a Laurence MacNaughton fan with book one.
Prior to that I had never heard of the dude.
But believe me, he can write one heck of an entertaining fantasy novel (plus humor!)
I am not sure I can do justice to an explanation of why I like Laurence MacNaughton's writing, but I am going to give it a try.
He manages to have his characters be funny and the book be fun while something as serious as doomsday is approaching.
That really takes one heck of an imagination and he pulls it off.
I was very entertained by book one and impatiently waited for book two to come out. I was so determined to get my hands on book
two that I even signed up for the author's blog. Now you don't know me, but believe me, signing up for anyone's blog is completely
out of character for me.
I love a good fantasy tale and especially one with humor. That is what converted me to a Laurence MacNaughton fan with book one.
Prior to that I had never heard of the dude.
But believe me, he can write one heck of an entertaining fantasy novel (plus humor!)
January 27, 2018
Even better than the first one. Which is always a relief.
Lots going on. Dru's determined to find Greyson. Rane is having a spat with her stubborn ex, Opal is...still Opal.
Oh. And the world is still ending. Yeah. Can't forget that.
The gang's all here for another romp to delay freaking Ragnarok, so come join the insane, hilarious, hijinks and just try not to laugh. I dare you.
And I swear to God, if Ruiz isn't modeled after Luis from Ant Man, I'll eat my shirt. LOVE that.
Lots going on. Dru's determined to find Greyson. Rane is having a spat with her stubborn ex, Opal is...still Opal.
Oh. And the world is still ending. Yeah. Can't forget that.
The gang's all here for another romp to delay freaking Ragnarok, so come join the insane, hilarious, hijinks and just try not to laugh. I dare you.
And I swear to God, if Ruiz isn't modeled after Luis from Ant Man, I'll eat my shirt. LOVE that.
July 24, 2017
https://lynns-books.com/2017/07/10/a-...
A Kiss Before Doomsday is the second instalment in Laurence MacNaughton’s Dru Jasper series and is a thoroughly enjoyable addition to the series. Be aware that there may be spoilers for It Happened One Doomsday lurking in the review below.
AKBD picks up immediately from where book one concluded. Grayson and his possessed car are missing and Dru is left with very little as her shop was also a casualty. Don’t despair though. It soon becomes apparent that Grayson is alive and kicking and his first thoughts are to seek Dru out, however, in a bout of gentlemanly like behaviour, upon realising he is still demon possessed, he concludes that the best thing for Dru is for him to stay away. Unfortunately for Grayson he seems to have some reanimated skeletons on his tail and his attempts to shake them off his tail go badly wrong .
Back at the remains of the crystal shop Dru is taking care of her own emergency as Salem (the sorcerer from book 1) seems to be infected with The Scourge and Dru needs all her attention to save him. It seems that Doomsday has been merely temporarily postponed rather than completely averted and the world is still in danger.
Dru is convinced that Grayson is alive and, roping in the assistance of Rane and Opal, is determined to find him. Their search will lead them on a breadcrumb trail that coincides with an unusual gathering inside a bunker hidden up on top of a mountain.
I really enjoyed AKBD. It’s a story with a dire threat told with a lot of humour. The writing is really good and all the characters from the first book are included. This instalment is slightly different because it focuses much more on the girls who find themselves ganging together, a la Charlie’s Angels style, to form a really great team. They make for some very entertaining reading while they rush into trouble dressed to kill. Grayson remains out of the picture for a good deal of the story which is a little disappointing in some ways (i.e. this means his car Hellbringer is also MIA) but I really loved that the girls are the ones racing around trying to rescue the demon in distress. A refreshing and welcome change.
In terms of the characters. Opal and Rane share a little more of the limelight this time. Rane is definitely my favourite. She has this almost cartoon, x-men type feel to her combined with a ridiculous lack of caution that sees her rushing at trouble without any care and yet at the same time she has an endearing vulnerability and fierce loyalty that just make you want to root for her. We discover a little more about Dru when a character from her past reappears and her ability with crystals seems to be going from strength to strength.
Each of the books are self contained stories so can probably be read as standalones although why deny yourself the pleasure of reading both when they make for such entertaining and quick reads?
A really solid addition to a series that I look forward to returning to (hopefully soon).
I received a copy courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
A Kiss Before Doomsday is the second instalment in Laurence MacNaughton’s Dru Jasper series and is a thoroughly enjoyable addition to the series. Be aware that there may be spoilers for It Happened One Doomsday lurking in the review below.
AKBD picks up immediately from where book one concluded. Grayson and his possessed car are missing and Dru is left with very little as her shop was also a casualty. Don’t despair though. It soon becomes apparent that Grayson is alive and kicking and his first thoughts are to seek Dru out, however, in a bout of gentlemanly like behaviour, upon realising he is still demon possessed, he concludes that the best thing for Dru is for him to stay away. Unfortunately for Grayson he seems to have some reanimated skeletons on his tail and his attempts to shake them off his tail go badly wrong .
Back at the remains of the crystal shop Dru is taking care of her own emergency as Salem (the sorcerer from book 1) seems to be infected with The Scourge and Dru needs all her attention to save him. It seems that Doomsday has been merely temporarily postponed rather than completely averted and the world is still in danger.
Dru is convinced that Grayson is alive and, roping in the assistance of Rane and Opal, is determined to find him. Their search will lead them on a breadcrumb trail that coincides with an unusual gathering inside a bunker hidden up on top of a mountain.
I really enjoyed AKBD. It’s a story with a dire threat told with a lot of humour. The writing is really good and all the characters from the first book are included. This instalment is slightly different because it focuses much more on the girls who find themselves ganging together, a la Charlie’s Angels style, to form a really great team. They make for some very entertaining reading while they rush into trouble dressed to kill. Grayson remains out of the picture for a good deal of the story which is a little disappointing in some ways (i.e. this means his car Hellbringer is also MIA) but I really loved that the girls are the ones racing around trying to rescue the demon in distress. A refreshing and welcome change.
In terms of the characters. Opal and Rane share a little more of the limelight this time. Rane is definitely my favourite. She has this almost cartoon, x-men type feel to her combined with a ridiculous lack of caution that sees her rushing at trouble without any care and yet at the same time she has an endearing vulnerability and fierce loyalty that just make you want to root for her. We discover a little more about Dru when a character from her past reappears and her ability with crystals seems to be going from strength to strength.
Each of the books are self contained stories so can probably be read as standalones although why deny yourself the pleasure of reading both when they make for such entertaining and quick reads?
A really solid addition to a series that I look forward to returning to (hopefully soon).
I received a copy courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
October 22, 2017
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and I'm so glad I did. This is a good fun read. I really liked the characters and the story. Doesn't take itself too seriously. Looking forward to reading the first book in the series. Hope there are many more.
December 15, 2017
A Kiss Before Doomsday is the same fun, campy energy that we found in the first book, It Happened One Doomsday. The world that MacNaughton built in the first book, takes off now that we know the rules. He takes his characters and runs with them, building on the story of the first book (definitely read these in order) and creating something bigger.
I love that main character Dru continues to be genuine. She really does want to help people, especially those she loves, and although she’s a crystal sorceress and hangs out with some very unusual people, she’s somehow entirely relatable. For as frail as she sometimes seems, especially in comparison to other characters, MacNaughton did a very good job of making her both vulnerable and strong—she both saves and gets rescued. She and love interest Greyson balance each other well. I appreciated that making him strong did not require Dru to be weak nor did making Dru shine require that Greyson be less masculine.
Although Dru and Greyson are clearly in love, the only romantic action in this read is a kiss at the end. MacNaughton inserts a surprising, if unnecessary, scene that will at least make female readers chuckle. It was entertaining in the same way watching Carrie Bradshaw pack up her closet was on Sex in the City. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo3vH...
There is a sarcasm that I enjoyed, comedic in the same way Pirates of the Caribbean walks the line between conceivable and hokey, staying this side of believable. Gore Verbinski should direct the movie. It’s a world where lines make sense like, “She already ate half the box [of donuts]. Then she went out for smoothies. Said she’d burned too many calories in the cannonball fight.”
Chapters are short and keep the action moving which makes for a relatively fast read despite the plot depth which is still present. I have to knock a few points down for one or two parts that may come off as predictable to regular sci/fi readers. It makes the mental movie easy to visualize. There are no real secondary plots which keeps the focus tight. Good read and I’m looking forward to the next one.
My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
Read this full review and more at That's What I'm Talking About: http://twimom227.com/2017/07/review-a...
I love that main character Dru continues to be genuine. She really does want to help people, especially those she loves, and although she’s a crystal sorceress and hangs out with some very unusual people, she’s somehow entirely relatable. For as frail as she sometimes seems, especially in comparison to other characters, MacNaughton did a very good job of making her both vulnerable and strong—she both saves and gets rescued. She and love interest Greyson balance each other well. I appreciated that making him strong did not require Dru to be weak nor did making Dru shine require that Greyson be less masculine.
Although Dru and Greyson are clearly in love, the only romantic action in this read is a kiss at the end. MacNaughton inserts a surprising, if unnecessary, scene that will at least make female readers chuckle. It was entertaining in the same way watching Carrie Bradshaw pack up her closet was on Sex in the City. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo3vH...
There is a sarcasm that I enjoyed, comedic in the same way Pirates of the Caribbean walks the line between conceivable and hokey, staying this side of believable. Gore Verbinski should direct the movie. It’s a world where lines make sense like, “She already ate half the box [of donuts]. Then she went out for smoothies. Said she’d burned too many calories in the cannonball fight.”
Chapters are short and keep the action moving which makes for a relatively fast read despite the plot depth which is still present. I have to knock a few points down for one or two parts that may come off as predictable to regular sci/fi readers. It makes the mental movie easy to visualize. There are no real secondary plots which keeps the focus tight. Good read and I’m looking forward to the next one.
My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
Read this full review and more at That's What I'm Talking About: http://twimom227.com/2017/07/review-a...
August 27, 2017
Yes. A book that actually lives up to the promise of being funny. It was not long into the story before I found myself laughing. Mainly, due to the three women...Dru and her friends, Opal and Rane. Team Rane. Yeah, this series may be centered around Dru but Rane had me from the first moment she appeared. She is brass but her intentions are always kind hearted. She reminded my of the late wrestler, Chyna. Although, as I mentioned previously, Dru and Opal were great as well. Opal is more of the level headed one in the group. Which she finds herself in more sticky situations with Dru then she might like.
As I have not read the first book in this series, I didn't really experience Rane and Salem's past relationship history. Yet, I had a pretty good idea of what happened. Every time that they saw each other, it was not friendly. However, you could feel that they still had feelings for each other. The non friendly banter was like flirting for them or at least Rane. Salem may not have wanted to admit it as much as Rane. Rane and Salem are not the only ones that share a connection. I can't forget about Dru and her boyfriend Greyson. While, they did not spend a lot of time together in this book, I could tell that they shared strong feelings for one another. It was amazing that Dru and her friends did not get themselves killed fighting the undead. Some times it seemed pure luck that they were victorious. I give the women credit as they didn't seem to back down when things got bad. I am going back and reading the first book. This book provided me with many laughs filled with awesome characters!
As I have not read the first book in this series, I didn't really experience Rane and Salem's past relationship history. Yet, I had a pretty good idea of what happened. Every time that they saw each other, it was not friendly. However, you could feel that they still had feelings for each other. The non friendly banter was like flirting for them or at least Rane. Salem may not have wanted to admit it as much as Rane. Rane and Salem are not the only ones that share a connection. I can't forget about Dru and her boyfriend Greyson. While, they did not spend a lot of time together in this book, I could tell that they shared strong feelings for one another. It was amazing that Dru and her friends did not get themselves killed fighting the undead. Some times it seemed pure luck that they were victorious. I give the women credit as they didn't seem to back down when things got bad. I am going back and reading the first book. This book provided me with many laughs filled with awesome characters!
August 16, 2017
This is such a fun series! Dru is a sorceress who channels her powers through crystals. Her boyfriend is possessed by one of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse and drives a demon possessed hotrod. Together they are trying to stop Armageddon. She battles undead bikers, evil sorcerers and ancient prophecies. It's funny and full of action. I love that it takes place in Colorado (where I live). I can actually picture where the scenes of the book take place. I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out.
January 18, 2018
Loved this second installment with Dru. Great world building and a fun ride.
June 30, 2017
This book, like the first in the series was a fun & entertaining ride. If you like books like Stacy Justice Mystery, White Trash Zombie & Miss Fortune Mystery Series I think you will enjoy this series as well. The first book 'It Happened One Doomsday' introduces the main characters that also happen to be in this book. I didn't realize it until reading this second book, that Greyson is my favorite character. I realized it, because he doesn't have as strong a role as he did in the first book & I really missed his character. Ironically, the main character, Dru is probably my least favorite, but even so, I have really enjoyed this series so far.
These are short books, so you really do want to start with the first book. Thankfully, even though this is a series each book has had a proper ending. As the reader you know that there is more to come, but the current situation the characters were dealing with throughout the novel is at least concluded.
I loath spoiler reviews, so all I can really say is if you are looking for a supernatural light read, with sorcerers, zombies, demons, demon cars, a 6' tall blond who loves to say "Dude!", & a whole lot more, you are sure to enjoy the ride as much as I have.
These are short books, so you really do want to start with the first book. Thankfully, even though this is a series each book has had a proper ending. As the reader you know that there is more to come, but the current situation the characters were dealing with throughout the novel is at least concluded.
I loath spoiler reviews, so all I can really say is if you are looking for a supernatural light read, with sorcerers, zombies, demons, demon cars, a 6' tall blond who loves to say "Dude!", & a whole lot more, you are sure to enjoy the ride as much as I have.
August 3, 2018
See this review and more on Books and Ladders!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.
Ugh my heart. So much of this was so good and I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series! Thankfully I have the next book prepped and ready to go!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.
Ugh my heart. So much of this was so good and I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series! Thankfully I have the next book prepped and ready to go!
October 29, 2017
I adored this book! I didn't think I'd like this one more than the first. I couldn't put it down
May 31, 2017
A very good read and enjoyable. a cross between magic, comedy and fantasy horror. At times is was comical and an easy read which just flowed, with very interesting characters. I would recommend you try it and you will probably enjoy it.
April 25, 2017
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Review forthcoming! Definitely worth a read, however. I'm obsessed with this series!
Review forthcoming! Definitely worth a read, however. I'm obsessed with this series!
October 16, 2017
I reviewed the first one where I didn't know what to expect and found myself having some fun with it. I knew I'd probably feel the same way with this book, but things got in the way so I didn't get to this story until now. I'm so glad I did read it.
It has the same fun as the last one and I think surpasses it. I knew what to expect and the characters really grew on me this time. They all matured a bit but not too much (which is a good thing). Plus, with the awful cliffie of the last book, this one gives you all the answers and only an open ending for the next book. No real cliffies in this one! YaY! My only complaint is that Hellbringer, the car with an attitude, really didn't get a part in this one. He was there, he saved their collective behinds but it wasn't quite the same as the first. I missed that and it was my favorite part of the first book. Still, he is there and will be in the next one. So, I'm good. :)
I give this fun short book 4 stars. I recommend this series now since you get the answers you didn't get from the first book. Plus with these being very short (but not short on action) you could easily read them back to back. I do suggest reading these in order. I think those who like a fun PNR will enjoy this series.
It has the same fun as the last one and I think surpasses it. I knew what to expect and the characters really grew on me this time. They all matured a bit but not too much (which is a good thing). Plus, with the awful cliffie of the last book, this one gives you all the answers and only an open ending for the next book. No real cliffies in this one! YaY! My only complaint is that Hellbringer, the car with an attitude, really didn't get a part in this one. He was there, he saved their collective behinds but it wasn't quite the same as the first. I missed that and it was my favorite part of the first book. Still, he is there and will be in the next one. So, I'm good. :)
I give this fun short book 4 stars. I recommend this series now since you get the answers you didn't get from the first book. Plus with these being very short (but not short on action) you could easily read them back to back. I do suggest reading these in order. I think those who like a fun PNR will enjoy this series.
November 6, 2017
I didn't read the first book, but I would love to read it becuses this book was
I think I love the Character Salem I Think he is my favorite I don't know why there is something about how he is written. I think I should say that I have never read anything from Laurence, and I could say I would love to read more from him.
And wow Hellsbringer wow love that car would be interesting to have that car right now.
I couldn't put it down
I think I love the Character Salem I Think he is my favorite I don't know why there is something about how he is written. I think I should say that I have never read anything from Laurence, and I could say I would love to read more from him.
And wow Hellsbringer wow love that car would be interesting to have that car right now.
I couldn't put it down
December 7, 2019
Dru and the gang are back! There is more adventure and even more danger to be had!
The story picks up right where the first one ended. Facing a whole new set of enemies, Dru along with Rane and Opal, must find out how to put a stop to the impending Doomsday. Never a dull moment in this series! The story kept me engaged from beginning to end. A definite page turner! These characters are great as well. I love Rane. I wasn’t sure about her in the first book but now I loooove her! I can’t wait to dig into the next one. This adventure just keeps getting better and better! This has fast become one of my favorite series. I give this 5 stars.
The story picks up right where the first one ended. Facing a whole new set of enemies, Dru along with Rane and Opal, must find out how to put a stop to the impending Doomsday. Never a dull moment in this series! The story kept me engaged from beginning to end. A definite page turner! These characters are great as well. I love Rane. I wasn’t sure about her in the first book but now I loooove her! I can’t wait to dig into the next one. This adventure just keeps getting better and better! This has fast become one of my favorite series. I give this 5 stars.
July 31, 2017
A Kiss Before Doomsday is book two in the Dru Jasper series by Laurence MacNaughton. We begin right where we left off in It Happened One Doomsday.
Dru believes Greyson to be dead until a crystal she knows she gave to him is dropped through her store's mail slot. Now she knows he must have survived. In her search to find him, some really freaky monsters are coming to town. These creatures from the grave are multiplying fast, and they are pretty hard to kill.
In the midst of Dru's search for Greyson, an old acquaintance shows up at the store. He has undergone a miraculous change and is no longer the boy Dru tried to help when they were younger. It was pretty obvious he is interested in Dru. When he was introduced I was scared we were going to go to love triangle trope, but we didn't go there. Dru's main focus is Greyson.
Dru, Rane and Opal don't have much time before the seal is broken and all the dead come to life. Dru pulls together her magic to do some tracking spells to try and find him. She was worried they wouldn't work as she found that she was more powerful when drawing strength from Greyson. Luckily this spell puts them on the path to finding him and possibly keep the fifth seal from being broken.
A Kiss Before Doomsday gave you some fun side characters and quite the adventure. Dru finds some of her new strengths while Opal and Rane are along to keep Dru out of trouble. The outcome of the book is serious, but I never felt the adrenaline when the girls find themselves in bad situations. It wasn't until the end, really, where everything fell into place and the race was on. That was where I finally got sucked in. Their plan runs a little off track and Dru finds herself caught. It's the typical bad guy who goes on and on about what he's doing and why.
A Kiss Before Doomsday started out a bit slow for me, but gained steam at the end which kept me reading later than I probably should have been. I really adored the ending as we got more than one HEA. The characters and their personalities brought some humor to the story. This started out slow for me, but in the end left me satisfied and I closed the book with a smile.This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
Dru believes Greyson to be dead until a crystal she knows she gave to him is dropped through her store's mail slot. Now she knows he must have survived. In her search to find him, some really freaky monsters are coming to town. These creatures from the grave are multiplying fast, and they are pretty hard to kill.
In the midst of Dru's search for Greyson, an old acquaintance shows up at the store. He has undergone a miraculous change and is no longer the boy Dru tried to help when they were younger. It was pretty obvious he is interested in Dru. When he was introduced I was scared we were going to go to love triangle trope, but we didn't go there. Dru's main focus is Greyson.
Dru, Rane and Opal don't have much time before the seal is broken and all the dead come to life. Dru pulls together her magic to do some tracking spells to try and find him. She was worried they wouldn't work as she found that she was more powerful when drawing strength from Greyson. Luckily this spell puts them on the path to finding him and possibly keep the fifth seal from being broken.
A Kiss Before Doomsday gave you some fun side characters and quite the adventure. Dru finds some of her new strengths while Opal and Rane are along to keep Dru out of trouble. The outcome of the book is serious, but I never felt the adrenaline when the girls find themselves in bad situations. It wasn't until the end, really, where everything fell into place and the race was on. That was where I finally got sucked in. Their plan runs a little off track and Dru finds herself caught. It's the typical bad guy who goes on and on about what he's doing and why.
A Kiss Before Doomsday started out a bit slow for me, but gained steam at the end which kept me reading later than I probably should have been. I really adored the ending as we got more than one HEA. The characters and their personalities brought some humor to the story. This started out slow for me, but in the end left me satisfied and I closed the book with a smile.This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
December 3, 2020
I love urban fantasy, and the Doomsday series does not disappoint. In this installment, doomsday is heralded by the appearance of scourge and zombies, as well as of a formerly weak sorcerer grown strong.
Dru and her friends, searching for her love, Greyson, who happens to be a Harbinger of doom, end up at a sorcerer tournament held in an old nuclear warhead bunker. With lakes of scourge under them and a pile of zombies closing in, they must save the world from doomsday.
Dru and her friends, searching for her love, Greyson, who happens to be a Harbinger of doom, end up at a sorcerer tournament held in an old nuclear warhead bunker. With lakes of scourge under them and a pile of zombies closing in, they must save the world from doomsday.
August 5, 2017
These like crystals and kisses, scrape like Dru Jasper, due to liver cancer, faced another struggle when Greyson raises Dru's magical powers to dizzying heights, with that same illness and died. Now, her youngest and only surviving son Rane was disguised like for a sorceress whose power allows her to unleash the magical properties of precious stones and crystals. Pretty cool, right? Now Dru and the whole gang are back in another madcap adventure to prevent the end of the world, and once again the results are as entertaining and fun as you would expect.
Since the story begins in the immediate aftermath of the first book, I would highly recommend reading It Happened One Doomsday before tackling this one if you haven’t yet. I won’t spoil any of the details, but suffice it to say that our protagonist did not exactly come out of the previous ordeal unscathed. Dru’s store The Crystal Connection has been left completely destroyed, and her new boyfriend Greyson is missing after he and his demonic muscle car Hellbringer were blown up in the Netherworld. Dru doesn’t know what’s worse: the idea that Greyson is dead, or that he is still alive but still afflicted by the curse that transformed him into one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
In the meantime though, the city of Denver is facing other problems. Despite our characters’ efforts in the previous book, the world is still heading towards Doomsday, with signs that someone is still trying to fulfill the prophecy of the apocalypse scroll. The latest disaster is a plague of undead, and for some reason, they seem to be targeting all of the area’s magic users, including Dru and her friends.
Something to come across something that immediately leaps out at me, even if it’s because of seemingly minor things like a twist in the usual story formula or a really cool magic system. Little details like that are just as likely to catch my attention, and that’s exactly what happened when I fell in love with the idea of crystal magic. The cursed before doomsday with a great job taking off with the concept, allowing Dru to harness a crystal’s power depending on its properties (and there’s just something so charming about the idea of our main character running around with an arsenal of different crystals stuffed in her purse, so that she’ll be ready for any situation). The best part is, now that Dru’s magic is even stronger in this sequel, we get to see even more of her in action.
Then there are the characters. I love them all so much! Rane, my favorite Amazonian metal woman from the first book is back, and this time around she even has a mini-side plot involving her and a former flame, a jerkwad sorcerer named Salem. Opal also returns with a bigger role in this novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the three friends working together to figure out why the dead are rising from the grave to attack sorcerers.
On the other hand, there was not as much of Greyson. This also meant less of Hellbringer, which was a shame since I am a big fan of that demon car. Still, Greyson and his hot rod taking a step back also meant the story got to really focus on our three ladies and their mission to kick some ass and rescue the guy for a change, so this was definitely a silver lining. That said, a part of me still wishes we could have seen more development into Dru’s relationship with Greyson, because while theirs was a whirlwind romance from the start, I wasn’t quite convinced that our protagonist would be the kind of girl to turn into a weeping mess over someone she’s only known for a couple weeks.
Since the story begins in the immediate aftermath of the first book, I would highly recommend reading It Happened One Doomsday before tackling this one if you haven’t yet. I won’t spoil any of the details, but suffice it to say that our protagonist did not exactly come out of the previous ordeal unscathed. Dru’s store The Crystal Connection has been left completely destroyed, and her new boyfriend Greyson is missing after he and his demonic muscle car Hellbringer were blown up in the Netherworld. Dru doesn’t know what’s worse: the idea that Greyson is dead, or that he is still alive but still afflicted by the curse that transformed him into one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
In the meantime though, the city of Denver is facing other problems. Despite our characters’ efforts in the previous book, the world is still heading towards Doomsday, with signs that someone is still trying to fulfill the prophecy of the apocalypse scroll. The latest disaster is a plague of undead, and for some reason, they seem to be targeting all of the area’s magic users, including Dru and her friends.
Something to come across something that immediately leaps out at me, even if it’s because of seemingly minor things like a twist in the usual story formula or a really cool magic system. Little details like that are just as likely to catch my attention, and that’s exactly what happened when I fell in love with the idea of crystal magic. The cursed before doomsday with a great job taking off with the concept, allowing Dru to harness a crystal’s power depending on its properties (and there’s just something so charming about the idea of our main character running around with an arsenal of different crystals stuffed in her purse, so that she’ll be ready for any situation). The best part is, now that Dru’s magic is even stronger in this sequel, we get to see even more of her in action.
Then there are the characters. I love them all so much! Rane, my favorite Amazonian metal woman from the first book is back, and this time around she even has a mini-side plot involving her and a former flame, a jerkwad sorcerer named Salem. Opal also returns with a bigger role in this novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the three friends working together to figure out why the dead are rising from the grave to attack sorcerers.
On the other hand, there was not as much of Greyson. This also meant less of Hellbringer, which was a shame since I am a big fan of that demon car. Still, Greyson and his hot rod taking a step back also meant the story got to really focus on our three ladies and their mission to kick some ass and rescue the guy for a change, so this was definitely a silver lining. That said, a part of me still wishes we could have seen more development into Dru’s relationship with Greyson, because while theirs was a whirlwind romance from the start, I wasn’t quite convinced that our protagonist would be the kind of girl to turn into a weeping mess over someone she’s only known for a couple weeks.
October 20, 2019
Another really fun and exciting read. This novel gets my recommendation for any readers of urban fantasy or humorous apocalyptic stories.
The second book in the Dru Jasper series finds Dru shortly after the events of the first novel, wherein she met Greyson, who turned out to be possessed by one of the demonic Four Horsemen released when the first four of the seven seals of the Apocalypse Scroll were broken. Greyson is seemingly lost in the netherworld at the end of the first novel, and Dru is mourning him, until someone shoves a distinctive crystal she had give Greyson through her shop's mailslot. Dru then does what she can to find Greyson, along the way determining that the fifth seal of the Scroll might have been broken, causing the dead to rise. In her search for Greyson, she enlists the familiar faces of Opal, her non-magical employee at the crystal shop, and Rane, her friend and fellow sorceress with the ability to transform her body into any substance she touches. Minor characters from the first novel have a larger role in this one, and a character from Dru's history before the events of the first novel appears as a major participant in the plot.
The story is exciting and funny and entertaining, as MacNaughton has a flair for well-laid-out plots, is adept at Whedon-esque witty banter in dialogue, and knows how to convey tension or emotion in the proper moments (the last 50 or so pages are exciting enough that the reader won't want to put the book down). It's also VERY readable, with chapters that are long enough that the story moves along at the right pace, but short enough that the reader can easily be seduced into saying "I'll read just one more chapter" enough times that suddenly 50 pages have flown by. The main character is a goodhearted, kind, wallflower-ish sort of woman, but she's also strong and smart and brave and resourceful, and the book does not take her goodheartedness and turn it into something so light in tone as to talk down to the reader -- even the instances of "oh, fudge buckets" or "Holy Shatner" have a tiny touch of corniness to them without making Dru seem like a total rube.
The edit was good enough that the few examples of grammar or syntax errors I found were not at all distracting, and that's honestly refreshing in this era of authors embracing an increased level of linguistic anarchy. MacNaughton's writing is not what I would call "literary," as it's modern and colloquial and full of contemporary speech patterns in both dialogue and narrative, but it's not ungrammatical or awkward or otherwise wrong to the point of being a speedbump or roadblock for the reader. It's good, modern writing, and I enjoyed the read quite a lot.
I'm excited to keep the story going in the third book in the series. This second entry definitely gets my full recommendation.
Thanks to Pyr (and my Book Fairy) for providing me with a copy of this book.
The second book in the Dru Jasper series finds Dru shortly after the events of the first novel, wherein she met Greyson, who turned out to be possessed by one of the demonic Four Horsemen released when the first four of the seven seals of the Apocalypse Scroll were broken. Greyson is seemingly lost in the netherworld at the end of the first novel, and Dru is mourning him, until someone shoves a distinctive crystal she had give Greyson through her shop's mailslot. Dru then does what she can to find Greyson, along the way determining that the fifth seal of the Scroll might have been broken, causing the dead to rise. In her search for Greyson, she enlists the familiar faces of Opal, her non-magical employee at the crystal shop, and Rane, her friend and fellow sorceress with the ability to transform her body into any substance she touches. Minor characters from the first novel have a larger role in this one, and a character from Dru's history before the events of the first novel appears as a major participant in the plot.
The story is exciting and funny and entertaining, as MacNaughton has a flair for well-laid-out plots, is adept at Whedon-esque witty banter in dialogue, and knows how to convey tension or emotion in the proper moments (the last 50 or so pages are exciting enough that the reader won't want to put the book down). It's also VERY readable, with chapters that are long enough that the story moves along at the right pace, but short enough that the reader can easily be seduced into saying "I'll read just one more chapter" enough times that suddenly 50 pages have flown by. The main character is a goodhearted, kind, wallflower-ish sort of woman, but she's also strong and smart and brave and resourceful, and the book does not take her goodheartedness and turn it into something so light in tone as to talk down to the reader -- even the instances of "oh, fudge buckets" or "Holy Shatner" have a tiny touch of corniness to them without making Dru seem like a total rube.
The edit was good enough that the few examples of grammar or syntax errors I found were not at all distracting, and that's honestly refreshing in this era of authors embracing an increased level of linguistic anarchy. MacNaughton's writing is not what I would call "literary," as it's modern and colloquial and full of contemporary speech patterns in both dialogue and narrative, but it's not ungrammatical or awkward or otherwise wrong to the point of being a speedbump or roadblock for the reader. It's good, modern writing, and I enjoyed the read quite a lot.
I'm excited to keep the story going in the third book in the series. This second entry definitely gets my full recommendation.
Thanks to Pyr (and my Book Fairy) for providing me with a copy of this book.
January 5, 2020
This is book 2 in the series and you should really read book 1 so that you understand everything that is happening in this book. You could start here and be ok, BUT I wouldn't...the characters are recurring in the series. This book essentially picks up where book 1 ends and keeps the reader moving.
This one centers on Dru and her friends as they try to solve the mystery of if there is a necromancer out there...Dru also wants to find her "boyfriend" Greyson who everyone thinks is dead...is he? Can Dru, Rane, Opal and Salem stop the necromancers?
This is a fast paced tale that leaves the reader wanting more! The reader can't find a good topping point at all in the book and the reader alternates between wanting the story to never end and with needing to know what is going to happen next. The reader is not able to predict what is going to happen next and continues to try to predict as they zoom through the pages of the book.
A great addition to the series and one that leaves the reader needing more! A must read and a must read now! Don't hesitate to add this book to your TBR list and move it straight to the top of the list!
** Review done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our fan site at http://www.facebook.com **
This one centers on Dru and her friends as they try to solve the mystery of if there is a necromancer out there...Dru also wants to find her "boyfriend" Greyson who everyone thinks is dead...is he? Can Dru, Rane, Opal and Salem stop the necromancers?
This is a fast paced tale that leaves the reader wanting more! The reader can't find a good topping point at all in the book and the reader alternates between wanting the story to never end and with needing to know what is going to happen next. The reader is not able to predict what is going to happen next and continues to try to predict as they zoom through the pages of the book.
A great addition to the series and one that leaves the reader needing more! A must read and a must read now! Don't hesitate to add this book to your TBR list and move it straight to the top of the list!
** Review done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our fan site at http://www.facebook.com **
June 6, 2017
This is the second book in the Dru Jasper series. I did not read the first book, "It Happened One Doomsday," and it is possible I would have enjoyed this book more if I had.
I thought this book was okay but it didn't really grab me. There are two different approaches to the paranormal/urban fantasy romance -- you can either treat it seriously or in a more light hearted comedic style. This book goes down the light hearted route, but it isn't as fun as I had hoped it would be. Dru has a couple of friends who are sort of comic sidekicks but they never felt fully dimensional and they rarely made me laugh. Greyson and his car were more like Knightrider and Kit than a half demon and his demon car.
There was nothing especially wrong with this book, it just didn't get me excited about it. I wanted to care about the characters and laugh a little while doing it and that didn't happen. I didn't get invested enough in the characters to want to go back and read the first book or plan to read the next book. I wanted more from this book and was more than a little disappointed.
I received a free ARC of this book from the Amazon Vine program to write a review.
I thought this book was okay but it didn't really grab me. There are two different approaches to the paranormal/urban fantasy romance -- you can either treat it seriously or in a more light hearted comedic style. This book goes down the light hearted route, but it isn't as fun as I had hoped it would be. Dru has a couple of friends who are sort of comic sidekicks but they never felt fully dimensional and they rarely made me laugh. Greyson and his car were more like Knightrider and Kit than a half demon and his demon car.
There was nothing especially wrong with this book, it just didn't get me excited about it. I wanted to care about the characters and laugh a little while doing it and that didn't happen. I didn't get invested enough in the characters to want to go back and read the first book or plan to read the next book. I wanted more from this book and was more than a little disappointed.
I received a free ARC of this book from the Amazon Vine program to write a review.
February 6, 2020
Another good book! I may be biased as Denver is featured, and I live in Colorado, but I really enjoy Dru. I think having crystal magic is beyond unique and a really cool idea for a character.
In this book, she's currently a new sorceress and she struggled to find her place in that world. But, it doesn't mean she's going to do nothing. Along with Rane and Opal, Dru is investigating another mystery and won't stop until she uncovers it all.
Since Greyson is missing, Dru also needs to figure out where he is, as she needs his help. So on top of the dead coming back, she's gotta locate her half-demon friend.
I like this series, it keeps bringing something unique to the twist to the genre, and I will continue reading it because it both keeps me entertained and makes me laugh, and I like the lightness of the book. It goes well with the sometimes heavy scenes!
In this book, she's currently a new sorceress and she struggled to find her place in that world. But, it doesn't mean she's going to do nothing. Along with Rane and Opal, Dru is investigating another mystery and won't stop until she uncovers it all.
Since Greyson is missing, Dru also needs to figure out where he is, as she needs his help. So on top of the dead coming back, she's gotta locate her half-demon friend.
I like this series, it keeps bringing something unique to the twist to the genre, and I will continue reading it because it both keeps me entertained and makes me laugh, and I like the lightness of the book. It goes well with the sometimes heavy scenes!
November 19, 2018
Review originally published at https://midnightbluebookreview.com/20...
The Dru Jasper books are always so much fun to read. Even though this one involves undead creatures, running around through dark tunnels under mountains, obsessive lunatics and well, doomsday, it made me chuckle on more than one occassion. This is the second book of the trilogy and starts practically immediately where the first book ended. Because it’s not a great epic, it doesn’t need to prove that this second book is more than an inbetween book building up to the climax. Although the stories of the books are definitely intertwined, this one easily holds its own.
The story is mainly character-driven and they are magnificently written. I love reading about every single one of them with their own unique quirks and struggles. Even though they have to deal with the plights of the sorcerer’s world and the impending doomsday, they constantly get wrapped up in everyday life struggles. This makes the books weirdly realistic. Undead motor cycle gangs aside, I can relate to these characters on so many levels. It’s always a plus when you read a book and you can see yourself in the character’s shoes because they strike a chord in you.
The Doomsday storyline doesn’t progress much, other than confirming that another seal has been broken and the undead now roam the Earth. Luckily the book is entertaining enough to let that one slide. There’s enough going on to keep you interested and to keep you reading. Romance plays a certain part in this book for all of the characters, but luckily it’s not sugary sweet romance that makes me cringe. It’s realistic and down-to-earth, something I miss in a lot of other books that have a romantic angle.
Don’t get me wrong, the romance is definitely not the major focus in A Kiss Before Doomsday. There’s almost constant exhilirating action. Dru and her little gang of badass women (and Salem) go from saving someones life, to figuring out Dru’s almost-boyfriend might be still alive, to undead creatures hunting them, to an old friend returning and inviting Dru to a strange party. There’s always something around the corner to keep you at the edge of your seat.
A Kiss Before Doomsday is just like the previous book a rollercoaster ride you just have to let happen. It is quite different from any other books I’ve read and it is excitingly refreshing. I could easily see this as a succesful binge-worthy tv series. I can’t wait to dive into No Sleep Till Doomsday to see how this all ends and if they are able to stop Doomsday before it’s too late!
The Dru Jasper books are always so much fun to read. Even though this one involves undead creatures, running around through dark tunnels under mountains, obsessive lunatics and well, doomsday, it made me chuckle on more than one occassion. This is the second book of the trilogy and starts practically immediately where the first book ended. Because it’s not a great epic, it doesn’t need to prove that this second book is more than an inbetween book building up to the climax. Although the stories of the books are definitely intertwined, this one easily holds its own.
The story is mainly character-driven and they are magnificently written. I love reading about every single one of them with their own unique quirks and struggles. Even though they have to deal with the plights of the sorcerer’s world and the impending doomsday, they constantly get wrapped up in everyday life struggles. This makes the books weirdly realistic. Undead motor cycle gangs aside, I can relate to these characters on so many levels. It’s always a plus when you read a book and you can see yourself in the character’s shoes because they strike a chord in you.
The Doomsday storyline doesn’t progress much, other than confirming that another seal has been broken and the undead now roam the Earth. Luckily the book is entertaining enough to let that one slide. There’s enough going on to keep you interested and to keep you reading. Romance plays a certain part in this book for all of the characters, but luckily it’s not sugary sweet romance that makes me cringe. It’s realistic and down-to-earth, something I miss in a lot of other books that have a romantic angle.
Don’t get me wrong, the romance is definitely not the major focus in A Kiss Before Doomsday. There’s almost constant exhilirating action. Dru and her little gang of badass women (and Salem) go from saving someones life, to figuring out Dru’s almost-boyfriend might be still alive, to undead creatures hunting them, to an old friend returning and inviting Dru to a strange party. There’s always something around the corner to keep you at the edge of your seat.
A Kiss Before Doomsday is just like the previous book a rollercoaster ride you just have to let happen. It is quite different from any other books I’ve read and it is excitingly refreshing. I could easily see this as a succesful binge-worthy tv series. I can’t wait to dive into No Sleep Till Doomsday to see how this all ends and if they are able to stop Doomsday before it’s too late!
October 1, 2018
This title definitely improved upon the first all the way until the final pages when an element of the first was reintroduced (no spoilers) and the air was taken out of MacNaughton's descriptive characterization. I grew to like several characters more than I had in the first and understood the world LM is building even better. That said, if it were an option, I'd give this a 3.5 instead of a 4.
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