#OctobeRecFest Review #5 ~ Impulse ~ Dannika Dark #ShelfLove #TravelingtotheTerminus

Impulse by Dannika Dark
Mageri Series #3
Release Date: March 20, 2013
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Source: Puchased paperback
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #OctobeRecFest, #ShelfLove
Recommended by: Lexxie @unConventional Bookviews and Lorna @RabidReads among others
Goodreads
 Synopsis
Almost one year ago, a Mage attacked Silver and changed the course of her destiny.
Immortals exist, and now she is one of them.

Within the dark and supernatural city of Cognito, Silver is living under the watchful eye of her Ghuardian and dating her mortal enemy. Neither man can protect her from a dark secret, one buried within the contents of a box. As rival factions struggle to gain control, she finds herself in the middle of a centuries-old feud that threatens to drive a wedge between her and Logan Cross, the man who intends to seduce her.

In an explosive turn of events, one life is saved and another is forever altered. Can Silver trust those around her, or are they hiding a dark secret of their own?

Impulse was an exciting read. The world Ms. Dark has created around her characters is complex with the different Breed and the politics surrounding them. I intend to finish this series by year's end.

Highlights

• Characters
  Ms. Dark is adept at developing strong characters and even though the story revolves around Silver, the entire cast is heavily involved and I feel like I know them and am invested in them equally. In Impulse, I got more of Justus' history and it was illuminating. More was also revealed about Silver - her history, childhood, etc., and it went towards explaining much about her personality. I liked getting this deeper look into her psyche and I'm keen to see where Ms. Dark is going to take some of the information. There were also some revelations about Logan and Simon which I appreciated...especially Logan because he's.... *sigh*
• Politics among Breed
  I find it extremely interesting that politics/tensions among Breed so closely parallel those in our own society. This is an element in Ms. Dark's writing I enjoy and admire because it's so thought-provoking. In Impulse, more was revealed about the intrigue surrounding the Mageri and I'm beginning to see where some things might be going. I also got to see the social structure within the Chitah, thanks to Logan and his brothers, and that was fascinating as well.

Overall, Impulse was kinda like unwrapping a present. There was something exciting or stunning every time I peeled back a layer. I learned so much about the characters and the world right alongside Silver. And I'm so curious to see where everyone goes from here. Ms. Dark really knows how to deliver complex characters, great plot, and a strong secondary cast which, when combined, makes for some fantastic reading.

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #68 ~ Impulse ~ Dannika Dark

This week's snippet is from Impulse by Dannika Dark. Honestly, it stuck out to me for two reasons: 1) the importance and emotion of Logan feeding, or in this case providing a beverage to, Silver, and 2) my very fond childhood memories of this particular beverage thanks to my grandma. *grins* The rest of the snippet, between Simon, Silver, and Logan, just made me giggle, so I had to share. *winks* 

***

"Why only one nipple ring?"
Simon glanced down and grumbled. "Hurt like a bugger; told the blighter I changed my mind." He flicked it with his pinky finger. "I'm too bleeding irritated about the whole affair to take it out." 
"You faced a firing squad, and yet you weep like a baby over a needle? I'm revoking your man card." 
"Let's pierce your nipples and see how much you warm up to the idea."
"I'll agree to that, " Logan said, setting a glass of chocolate milk in front of me. He swept my hair back and lowered his voice. "I'll be happy to assist with any healing you'll need."

#TravelingtoTerminus Review ~ Twist ~ Dannika Dark

Twist by Dannika Dark
Mageri #2
Release Date: February 26, 2012
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased paperback
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Months after moving to the mysterious city of Cognito, Silver is developing her gifts as a Marge and learning how to live under new laws. She is forced to give up her old life and live in secret among the humans. There is finally hope of leading an ordinary life...

Until Logan Cross walks into it.

Their chance meeting leads her close to discovering the identity of the nameless Mage who once stole her light and discovered the unique power she possesses. That knowledge poses an unimaginable threat to Silver, fueling the search to find out who he is before he finds her.

Lives are at stake. Truths are revealed. And an unexpected passion ignites.

"An outspoken woman makes the world a livable place. You have fire in you, and I would never put that out."

Oh, Ms. Dark! How I love your stories! Twist is such an amazing blend of action, suspense, an introduction to different Breed, and *sigh* romance, that I had to force myself to put the book down and do things that needed doing. ;)

Silver's life has settled down a bit now that the threat Samil posed has been neutralized. But Justus and Simon are still on the trail of 'the benefactor', and when Silver decides to help, things don't stay calm for long. Then there is the appearance of Logan Cross and he really heats things up.

Ms. Dark did a phenomenal job at weaving in new characters, new plot threads, and a whole lot of action into the overarching plot. It was exciting learning more about Breed and the Breed world - their customs and laws. And I like that Ms. Dark seems to be making a social statement about acceptance and tolerance - something I'm eager to see developed further as the series progresses.

Ms. Dark also deftly creates rich and complex characters. Silver is a kickass heroine whom I adore. She's flawed but has a heart of gold and a sassy mouth. Justus is the perfect mentor for Silver and I know he'd do anything for her. I do hope we get more insight into his aversion to any kindness shown to him from those he cares for. Simon keeps me in stitches but I know there's deeper layers to him as well and although he's not a central character, I hope to dig a little deeper with him as well. Adam will always hold a special place in my heart for having taken dare of Silver when she was most vulnerable. He irritated me at times but I understood the intentions behind his actions...usually. I'm grateful that he's still in Silver's life. And that brings me to Logan... Although the circumstances of their meeting were dubious, I agree with Silver in that he's a man of worth. I'd never have guessed I was such a sucker for chivalry but Logan proved just that. He stood by, behind, and in front of Silver when warranted, and he won me over. 

The action in Twist put Silver and company closer to capturing 'the benefactor' but there were setbacks. It all involved some white-knuckling and I was happy that everyone survived. I'm eager to see 'the benefactor' get his due but appreciated Justus' advice to Silver not to let vengeance rule your life. That's a good lesson.

I'm anxious to continue with Silver as she learns more life lessons in her new world as a Mage. I feel a binge coming on...

That's What HE Said #48 ~ Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #27

That's What He Said is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely ladies @Chapter Break. Here's the deal: every Thursday, post a line from your book boyfriend to his heroine. Keep in mind, these are direct quotes from dialog in the books. The quote doesn't have to be romantic - just something our hunky hero said to his lucky lady. Be sure to link up over at Chapter Break as well.

My pick this week for That's What He Said is from:

Twist by Dannika Dark

***

"I am announcing my intent to court Silver."

...

"Obviously, I don't have your blessing, nor do I seek it. I'm not asking your permission, so there is no need for the drama. I't smy right to court whomever I wish. If there are other suitors, they can challenge me for the right of free competition; I will accept that challenge whenever it is given."

Logan doesn't say this specifically to Silver, as he's declaring himself in front of her Ghuardian, Justus, and two other would-be suitors. But I love how he made a statement about her and his intentions toward her.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Why can't you hand me the donut?"
 "To you it may seem insignificant, but to the Chitah, it's a sign of trust. There's a lot you don't know about my kind, Silver. We have different customs, and what may seem like a simple gesture to you, holds meaning to us. I want you to trust me. I want you to see me as something more than I am. I want you to eat from my hand."
I know what he meant, but behind all those words the only thing I heard him say was, "I want you."
Logan's eyes widened when I let him feed me--sugar coating my lips.