It is two weeks since I last wrote one of these Reading Roundups and so I think that I will break up the long list of books into two posts, with the second one tomorrow.

Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts

My first book was Nora Roberts’ Of Blood and Bone, #02 in her Chronicles of The One trilogy. This is the blurb:

They look like an everyday family living an ordinary life. But beyond the edges of this peaceful farm, unimaginable forces of light and dark have been unleashed.

Fallon Swift, approaching her thirteenth birthday, barely knows the world that existed before—the city where her parents lived, now in ruins and reclaimed by nature since the Doom sickened and killed billions. Traveling anywhere is a danger, as vicious gangs of Raiders and fanatics called Purity Warriors search for their next victim. Those like Fallon, in possession of gifts, are hunted—and the time is coming when her true nature, her identity as The One, can no longer be hidden.

In a mysterious shelter in the forest, her training is about to begin under the guidance of Mallick, whose skills have been honed over centuries. She will learn the old ways of healing; study and spar; encounter faeries and elves and shifters; and find powers within herself she never imagined. And when the time is right, she will take up the sword, and fight. For until she grows into the woman she was born to be, the world outside will never be whole again.

I read the the first book in the series quite recently and wrote about it on here with a pretty positive review. I gave this book three stars and wrote this review on Goodreads:

I can’t really give this book four stars. Whilst I did enjoy reading it, Nora Roberts’ writing is very readable, and I did like finding out what happened to characters from the first book in the series, Year One, there are a few things that grated. All of this worship and anticipation of “The One”. A teen girl who is the ultimate saviour. The long drawn out training of “The One”. The Ancient British gods and goddesses. I have never liked the idea that humans should wait for a special leader who will take them out of misery, that way lies lots of danger.

I almost certainly will read the final book in the series to see how it all pans out, but won’t feel as if I am missing out if I don’t.

Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh

My second book was a complete change: Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh, Eddie Flynn #04. First of all the blurb:

THE SERIAL KILLER ISN’T ON TRIAL.

HE’S ON THE JURY…

They were Hollywood’s hottest power couple. They had the world at their feet. Now one of them is dead and Hollywood star Robert Solomon is charged with the brutal murder of his beautiful wife.

This is the celebrity murder trial of the century and the defence want one man on their team: con artist turned lawyer Eddie Flynn.

All the evidence points to Robert’s guilt, but as the trial begins a series of sinister incidents in the court room start to raise doubts in Eddie’s mind.

What if there’s more than one actor in the courtroom?

What if the killer isn’t on trial? What if the killer is on the jury?

This book definitely deserved at least four stars. Here is my review:

This was an amazing book and I read it in one go (apart from the first few pages). The central idea was very clever and the number of plot twists must be a record! The author also managed to squeeze more cliff hangers into one book than I have ever seen before. It is just about impossible to write much in a review of this book because of possible spoilers.

I am now going to look through our library’s online catalogue, hoping that they have all of Cavanagh’s other books so that I can reserve them all straight away! Highly recommended.

Sorry, no, I could not write a more detailed review as it would be impossible to do so without giving away too much of the plot!

The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly

Finally, I will tell you about a third book and save two more for tomorrow’s post: The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly, #05 in his Mickey Haller series. The blurb:

Mickey Haller gets the text, “Call me ASAP – 187,” and the California penal code for murder immediately gets his attention. Murder cases have the highest stakes and the biggest paydays, and they always mean Haller has to be at the top of his game.

When Mickey learns that the victim was his own former client, a prostitute he thought he had rescued and put on the straight and narrow path, he knows he is on the hook for this one. He soon finds out that she was back in LA and back in the life. Far from saving her, Mickey may have been the one who put her in danger.

Haunted by the ghosts of his past, Mickey must work tirelessly and bring all his skill to bear on a case that could mean his ultimate redemption or proof of his ultimate guilt.

And here is my review of the book, which I awarded four stars:

I always enjoy reading Connelly’s books and wish that my local library had more of them. Halley is an interesting main character and the rest of his “crew” are nicely worked around him. The courtroom scenes in this book were really well done, with lots of surprises on all sides. I must read more…

Definitely recommended.

As well as this series, Connelly is also famous for his Bosch books, which have also been made into a great TV series, which I love watching via Amazon Prime.

Tomorrow, I will tell you about the final two books of the fortnight, all being well.

Best wishes,

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