Review: All Things Wicked by Karina Cooper

Juliet Carpenter thought of the coven as family, but when she falls for a man who betrays them all, she’s left alone and desperately searching for a reason why. Caleb Leigh has spent the past year in hiding, unable to escape his demons. When Juliet finds him again, her need for vengeance clashes with the hunger still burning between them.

It’s a fight born from the embers of a half-forgotten attraction and the wounds of a past too raw to ignore. With enemies circling and secrets threatening to consume them, Caleb has no choice but to fulfill a promise made long ago—protect her, save her. Even if it costs him his blood, his body … and what’s left of his mind.

Review:

I'd like to start of by saying that I read this book in one afternoon, cramming in reading time between housework and kid events, which is saying something because lately I can barely find time to breathe, let alone read. I had the chance to read Lure of the Wicked a number of months ago, still need to review it even, really enjoyed the combination of action and romance, so I was looking forward to seeing how things played out in this one. Although I like Lure of the Wicked better, I wasn't disappointed by this installment at all.

All Things Wicked brings Juliet and Caleb front and center, and despite how they first meet, again, things get hot real fast. They have a past, a sordid connection that makes their lust even more complicated, as if being hunted by the bad guys wasn't enough. Juliet believes that Caleb has betrayed her, I won't say why, and Caleb is keeping a very difficult secret, and I won't share that either. I enjoyed the exchanges between them, even the ones that didn't involve kissing and touching, and found that they complimented each other quite nicely.

Caleb is a protective type guy that isn't afraid to kick ass, even when that means he must make the hard choices. Whatever it takes to protect the ones he loves, that's fine by him. Juliet is more delicate than that but not in a wimpy way, although it took me awhile to get that about her. At first, she seemed easily manipulated, almost like she just accepted that her role wasn't to be a warrior chick or anything, but she eventually learns that witch powers do not a woman make. She still wears her emotions more obviously than others, just not in a weak way, and she is forced to deal with some real doozies. These nuances of her character made her more real, and I was able to see why Caleb wanted to protect her. The romance isn't easy by any standards, something that adds to the action packed storyline.

My only complaint would be that at times I wanted the action to move along and let me get to the secondary plot, or secondary characters. Mission Director Parker Adams and the uber mysterious Simon Wells, for example. I wanted more of that political secret spy element, because quite honestly, I can't figure out who is betraying who, and why. The Holy Order is supposed to be the bad guys, but they have more leaks than that wiki site, and I suspect more will be revealed in that area. All Things Wicked has something for everyone, part thriller, part action, all romance.

I wouldn't call this a standalone title simply because you get a lot of information thrown at you concerning previous characters and storylines, something I enjoy in such a complex world, but that might make new readers confused. So do yourself a favor and start at the beginning.

Author's very cool website:
http://teatimeiniquity.tumblr.com/

Books in the series:
Before the Witches (prequel)
Blood of the Wicked 
Lure of the Wicked
No Rest For the Witches (novella 2.5)
All Things Wicked

Reviewed by Anna Dougherty
This book was sent via the publisher for reviewing purposes

Guest Review: Blood of the Wicked by Karina Cooper

Hey, Biters!  We've got guest reviewer Katrina Whitaker today with her review of Karina Cooper's newest, BLOOD OF THE WICKED (on sale May 31st.). It is a story about sworn enemies who must join forces as they race toward a goal that almost certainly means death for one of them, in an alternate Earth forever changed by mass catastrophes.
Not only is the story extraordinary but the author is a bit of out of this world herself.  Karina Cooper takes part in the culture of Steampunk.  Karina describes it as "What would happen if the Victorian Era merged with science-fiction." Or, in a somewhat convoluted frame, "how the future of the past could have been". Now here's Katrina's review (beginning with an overview of the story)!

Jessie Leigh has spent her whole life on the run, living life one day at a time, trying to blend in amongst the havoc and despair among the drudges in the rebuilt city.

Until- Silas Smith finds her in a New Seattle strip club. Silas is a solider of the Holy order- A missionary on a mission to destroy Jessie’s kind, she is a witch. Silas has believed his whole life, that witches must die, and that they are all bad news, him being a witch Hunter who travels society for murderous witches who threaten what is left of their world. Jessie his next target, to find Caleb a witch who murders in cold blood.

Silas is drawn to Jessie, her sexy appeal and whisky aroma- her long legs; he finds her the most sensuous woman he has ever met, but what he does not know she is his enemy. Silas has other thoughts in motion, use Jessie to get to Caleb Leigh, Jessie’s brother.

 Caleb has been stealing life’s blood, using his witchcrafts and killing innocent people. But why?

The order that Silas works for figures that Jessie is their bait, what better way to find him then through his own blood, his sister. But all is not what it seems … Is blood thicker than water or power!!!

Caleb Leigh belongs to the coven of the Unbinding, a group of witches whom follow Curio and who seek out power and payback. After a turn of events, plans don’t go as fabricated; things are certainly not what they had planned to be or what they seem to be. Silas finds out that Jessie is not who he thought she was and her life is once again in the hand of the prophecy. Will Silas, let Jessie die, or will he believe there’s good in her, or will his hate for witches lead her to her death?

 Katrina's Review:

Certainly an intriguing refreshing new storyline from Karina Cooper. Mystery and murder filled with lush, steamy sexual scenes to give it that little bit of heat, but certainly not the main factor in this story. Enough heat and romance to keep you flipping frantically, but also mystery and intrigue to keep you on the edge of your seat wandering.

Initially I found it hard to get into the first 100 pages, a little slow paced at first , but after that it was full bore ahead - steady and fluent, until the very end ,I was defiantly eager to find out the ending to this intriguing story.

  Karina created her characters, idealistically, Silas the hero we all love in a paranormal romance, definitely not indestructible but the opposite, a warrior that soldiered on like the true missionary he was. ** He was swoon ** material if you may call it that, sexy, hard exterior, but also leaving room for his soft side. He was a determined character, right till the end, kick arse and buff. I liked the way he took charge!! My kinda man.. The electricity between Jessie and Silas was sizzling, both hot to trot for each other on their first meeting.

Jessie, was timid in her own ways, forthcoming with most issues except on telling Silas her true background, but for all else she was caring and honest to herself. Believing in what she saw, and willing to do what it took to save her brother despite his hurt and betrayal towards her.

The exposition flowed fluently, all main characters relating and very idealistic. Climax was fast paced, giving us that edge of excitement and intrigue needed for that edge. End resolution of Blood of the Wicked, a relatively happy one, I’m sure the reader will be pleased, but I am sure this leaves room for more. Questions left unanswered, and still room for growth and potential in book 2. Secondary characters played their part well, important factors to the storyline, present and recognizable. Villains played their part , evil dwells, lurks and takes your breath away and I’m sure you will find these no different, they added the suspense throughout the story as well.  Overall, Blood of the Wicked was an enjoyable, romance-paranormal filled with action, suspense, murder, mystery, steamy love scenes, and an ending you could would not predict. I look forward to book two.