Everyone get excited, because I am giving away my review copies of Annie's Ghosts and Palos Verdes Blue in June!! The contest will run from today until 11:59 PM MST on June 14th. There will be two winners, and all you have to do to enter is comment. Becoming a follower (or currently following) will get you an additional entry. Unfortunately, due to ever increasing shipping costs, I am going to have to limit this giveaway to those with U.S. or Canadian mailing addresses. Please leave an email address where I can contact you.
Oh, and please specify which book you would prefer to win :)
Friday, May 29, 2009
"Palos Verdes Blue" by John Shannon
While I have heard of the Jack Liffey Mystery s, written by John Shannon, I have never read one before. I was fortunate enough to get a review copy of Palos Verdes Blue, which is the eleventh book in the series. I was a little worried that starting on book eleven would put me at a disadvantage, but luckily, that wasn't the case.
Palos Verdes is southern California city. It is also the name of an extremely endangered species of butterfly, native to only a single site on the Palos Verdes peninsula. It is actually the rarest butterfly on earth. And it is the starting point of Jack Liffey's investigation into the disappearance of a high school aged activist, Blaine "Blue" Hostetler. The daughter of his ex-wife's best friend, she has been missing for a couple days, and Jack has been enlisted to find her and bring her home.
His investigation takes him into the often ignored world of poverty that is the reality of the illegal immigrants that live and work in affluent communities of So Cal. There he meets Jaime, a young immigrant fleeing a sordid past of his own. Also, and unbeknownst to Jack, his seventeen year-old daughter Maeve (a classmate of the missing Blue), begins to investigate the disappearance as well. Although facing troubling issues of her own, Maeve soon begins to dig up significant clues, and makes some fairly insightful observations as to the possible location of the missing girl.
I really enjoyed Palos Verdes Blue, which could easily have been a stand-alone novel and not part of a series. I never felt like I was missing anything, however the characters were so richly drawn and believable, I will probably be hunting down books one thru ten simply to delve into their collective pasts, which were alluded to in this installment. In addition to multi-dimensional characters, Palos Verdes Blue was also a very relevant read, with much of its plot focusing on the subject of illegal immigration and the treatment of immigrants in this country. It was a stark reminder that many of us spend a lot of time with our blinders on, blissful in our deliberate ignorance of controversial issues.
On top of all of the rest, Palos Verdes Blue was also a great mystery, with enough red herrings and potential suspects and outcomes to keep you guessing until the end. There was also enough of a cliff hanger at the end (relating to the family drama and such, not the mystery itself) to make me anxious for the release of book twelve. Of course, between now and then I will be able to catch up on the volumes I have missed. Easily a four star read, one I would enthusiastically recommend to anyone.
Palos Verdes is southern California city. It is also the name of an extremely endangered species of butterfly, native to only a single site on the Palos Verdes peninsula. It is actually the rarest butterfly on earth. And it is the starting point of Jack Liffey's investigation into the disappearance of a high school aged activist, Blaine "Blue" Hostetler. The daughter of his ex-wife's best friend, she has been missing for a couple days, and Jack has been enlisted to find her and bring her home.
His investigation takes him into the often ignored world of poverty that is the reality of the illegal immigrants that live and work in affluent communities of So Cal. There he meets Jaime, a young immigrant fleeing a sordid past of his own. Also, and unbeknownst to Jack, his seventeen year-old daughter Maeve (a classmate of the missing Blue), begins to investigate the disappearance as well. Although facing troubling issues of her own, Maeve soon begins to dig up significant clues, and makes some fairly insightful observations as to the possible location of the missing girl.
I really enjoyed Palos Verdes Blue, which could easily have been a stand-alone novel and not part of a series. I never felt like I was missing anything, however the characters were so richly drawn and believable, I will probably be hunting down books one thru ten simply to delve into their collective pasts, which were alluded to in this installment. In addition to multi-dimensional characters, Palos Verdes Blue was also a very relevant read, with much of its plot focusing on the subject of illegal immigration and the treatment of immigrants in this country. It was a stark reminder that many of us spend a lot of time with our blinders on, blissful in our deliberate ignorance of controversial issues.
On top of all of the rest, Palos Verdes Blue was also a great mystery, with enough red herrings and potential suspects and outcomes to keep you guessing until the end. There was also enough of a cliff hanger at the end (relating to the family drama and such, not the mystery itself) to make me anxious for the release of book twelve. Of course, between now and then I will be able to catch up on the volumes I have missed. Easily a four star read, one I would enthusiastically recommend to anyone.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
"Jesse's Girl" by Gary Morgenstein
I received Jesse’s Girl by Gary Morgenstein for review yesterday. While I was intrigued, I wasn’t particularly hopeful that it was going to be much of a page-turner. Was I ever wrong. I really got into the story from the very beginning. As I come from a family that has had its own issues with addiction and chemical dependence, it is possible that I was able to better relate to the characters in this novel, thus making it more real to me.
The premise of the book centers on Teddy Mentor and his sixteen year old adopted son, Jesse. Jesse has been sent away to a wilderness program in rural Montana in a last ditch effort to put an end to the drug problems that have plagued him for years. The problems escalated after the death of his adopted mother (and Teddy’s soon to be ex wife), and had reached a point where Teddy had to admit he was incapable of controlling or protecting his child. With nowhere else to turn, he entrusts his only child to the professionals at the Mountain Wilderness Center.
Big mistake. Not two weeks later he gets a 1AM phone call. His son is missing. Risking his job, he books a flight away from Brooklyn and towards his son. After a couple days of searching, he gets the break he needs and tracks his son to a bus stop in Illinois, en route to Kentucky to meet his long-lost birth sister (whom Jesse leads Teddy to believe is his long-distance girlfriend). Jesse swears up and down that he is done with the drugs; in that convincing way all users seem to have. However, it isn’t long before Teddy notices that he is missing some of his antidepressants and that his son occasionally reeks of beer. Jesse’s lies come to a head when he OD’s on heroin in the middle of the night while sharing a hotel room with his dad.
Torn between institutionalizing Jesse for his own good and joining him on his trek to meet his ‘girlfriend’, Teddy relents and the two continue on to Kentucky. When they arrive at Theresa’s, they are introduced to her ‘brother’ Beau. Beau is actually Theresa’s abusive husband, and within a few hours he and Jesse get into a particularly brutal altercation that ends with Jesse stabbing him. This unintentional act of violence spurs a run from the law that leads Teddy and Jesse into the heart of Jesse’s birth family. It also forces the two to address the issues that have destroyed their relationship.
Jesse’s Girl was a very unexpected read. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Not only was it an emotional family drama, it was also full of action and even (a little) romance. I easily give it five stars.
The premise of the book centers on Teddy Mentor and his sixteen year old adopted son, Jesse. Jesse has been sent away to a wilderness program in rural Montana in a last ditch effort to put an end to the drug problems that have plagued him for years. The problems escalated after the death of his adopted mother (and Teddy’s soon to be ex wife), and had reached a point where Teddy had to admit he was incapable of controlling or protecting his child. With nowhere else to turn, he entrusts his only child to the professionals at the Mountain Wilderness Center.
Big mistake. Not two weeks later he gets a 1AM phone call. His son is missing. Risking his job, he books a flight away from Brooklyn and towards his son. After a couple days of searching, he gets the break he needs and tracks his son to a bus stop in Illinois, en route to Kentucky to meet his long-lost birth sister (whom Jesse leads Teddy to believe is his long-distance girlfriend). Jesse swears up and down that he is done with the drugs; in that convincing way all users seem to have. However, it isn’t long before Teddy notices that he is missing some of his antidepressants and that his son occasionally reeks of beer. Jesse’s lies come to a head when he OD’s on heroin in the middle of the night while sharing a hotel room with his dad.
Torn between institutionalizing Jesse for his own good and joining him on his trek to meet his ‘girlfriend’, Teddy relents and the two continue on to Kentucky. When they arrive at Theresa’s, they are introduced to her ‘brother’ Beau. Beau is actually Theresa’s abusive husband, and within a few hours he and Jesse get into a particularly brutal altercation that ends with Jesse stabbing him. This unintentional act of violence spurs a run from the law that leads Teddy and Jesse into the heart of Jesse’s birth family. It also forces the two to address the issues that have destroyed their relationship.
Jesse’s Girl was a very unexpected read. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Not only was it an emotional family drama, it was also full of action and even (a little) romance. I easily give it five stars.
Monday, May 25, 2009
"Annie's Ghosts" by Steven Luxenburg
Like most people, I assume that I know my parents. I assume that they stories they have told me about their past are fairly all-inclusive, and that the stuff they have left out is irrelevant at best. It is easy to forget that they were people long before they were parents, that they had their share of trials and tribulations, and that I didn’t come into the picture until most of their struggles had subsided. After reading Annie’s Ghosts, I realized that perhaps the most important parts of my parents’ pre-parental existence may very well have been the ones they chose to omit from their own personal narratives. I only know the condensed version, the PG version that was cleaned up for my child’s brain and never updated when I became an adult.
Annie’s Ghosts is the story of one family’s hidden history. A few years prior to his mother’s death, Steve Luxenberg discovers a skeleton in her closet. Beth, a self-professed ‘only child,’ had a younger sister. As the story goes, the child had been mentally ill and institutionalized when Beth was only four years old. Because of his mother’s declining health, both mental and physical, Steve and his siblings decide not to press her about the rumor. She passes away in August 1999, unaware that her children have discovered her long-buried secret, and therefore without divulging any information to them.
After his mother’s death, a strange new fact is presented. Beth’s sister, Annie, had not been institutionalized as a young child but as a young woman of almost 21 years old. And Beth had been 23. However, no one in Steven’s immediate family had known that the sister had even existed. He wonders how and why his mother perpetrated the secret, and begins to dig deeper into his family’s history.
What he uncovers is a maze of information that seems to add questions rather than answer them. (What was his mother’s REAL name? Were his grandparents first cousins? Did his father know about Annie? Why did his father end up in a military psych hospital?) In a journey through a different (though recent) generation, we follow Steve’s family through the holocaust and emigration to America, and their inability to attain the American dream. We also get a taste of the mental health care system that was in its infancy in this nation during the ‘40s, and follow its evolution through to the present day.
While many of the questions that are posed throughout the book are inevitably unanswered (a great many of the people who knew about Annie’s existence are deceased by the time Steve’s research begins), it is still a satisfying, four star read. It begs the question, “What do any of us really know about our family history?” It is also a shocking look into the way mentally and physically ill people were treated in this country as recently as 50 years ago. While we can’t change the past, shedding light on some of the dark times in our history may certainly prevent them from repeating themselves.
Annie’s Ghosts is the story of one family’s hidden history. A few years prior to his mother’s death, Steve Luxenberg discovers a skeleton in her closet. Beth, a self-professed ‘only child,’ had a younger sister. As the story goes, the child had been mentally ill and institutionalized when Beth was only four years old. Because of his mother’s declining health, both mental and physical, Steve and his siblings decide not to press her about the rumor. She passes away in August 1999, unaware that her children have discovered her long-buried secret, and therefore without divulging any information to them.
After his mother’s death, a strange new fact is presented. Beth’s sister, Annie, had not been institutionalized as a young child but as a young woman of almost 21 years old. And Beth had been 23. However, no one in Steven’s immediate family had known that the sister had even existed. He wonders how and why his mother perpetrated the secret, and begins to dig deeper into his family’s history.
What he uncovers is a maze of information that seems to add questions rather than answer them. (What was his mother’s REAL name? Were his grandparents first cousins? Did his father know about Annie? Why did his father end up in a military psych hospital?) In a journey through a different (though recent) generation, we follow Steve’s family through the holocaust and emigration to America, and their inability to attain the American dream. We also get a taste of the mental health care system that was in its infancy in this nation during the ‘40s, and follow its evolution through to the present day.
While many of the questions that are posed throughout the book are inevitably unanswered (a great many of the people who knew about Annie’s existence are deceased by the time Steve’s research begins), it is still a satisfying, four star read. It begs the question, “What do any of us really know about our family history?” It is also a shocking look into the way mentally and physically ill people were treated in this country as recently as 50 years ago. While we can’t change the past, shedding light on some of the dark times in our history may certainly prevent them from repeating themselves.
Friday, May 22, 2009
"Of Bees and Mist" by Erick Setiawan
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Of Bees and Mist through Barnes and Noble’s First Look program. I received the book yesterday (May 21st) and, quite frankly, devoured it. I finished it in less than twenty-four hours. From the first chapter I was totally drawn in, and I struggled to put it down.
In order to truly appreciate what Erick Setiawan has done, you simply have to give yourself over to the fantasy world he has created. Assume that all manners of wonder and enchantment are not only possible but likely, and allow yourself to be swept away. Once you have allowed yourself to become part of this new reality, you will find yourself drawn into the domestic drama surrounding a brave and lovely young girl, Meridia.
Of Bees and Mist chronicles Meridia’s trials and tribulations, beginning in her bizarre and neglected childhood years, and following her through her troubled adult life. Pronounced dead at birth, she is given a new lease on life as a result of her mother’s determination alone. However, following a vaguely remembered incident in the first year of Meridia’s life, her mother withdraws from reality. That, coupled with her father’s inexplicable disdain, leaves her to be raised primarily by a nurse in a cold, haunted, bizarre home that is surrounded by an ever-present mist.
During her sixteenth year, Meridia meets Daniel, the love of her life. After persuading her parents for their blessing, the two wed and move into Daniel’s family’s home. Meridia believes that her marriage will begin a new and wonderful life, removed from the strife and loneliness she has grown accustomed to. Unfortunately, her new mother-in-law, Eva, is a cold, jealous, manipulative shrew, bent on controlling the lives of all around her. At first, she sees her new daughter-in-law little more than a new servant for her household. Soon enough, however, she realizes that she has miscalculated Meridia’s strength of will, and it becomes all out war.
And what a war. In a world where magic abounds, both women have arsenals beyond anything I would ever have imagined. While Eva’s biggest strength comes in the form of her bees (grievances come to life, buzzing and swarming around her adversaries), Meridia finds that her strength comes from the family she sought to leave behind.
I was so pleasantly surprised by Of Bees and Mist that I really can’t say enough good things about it. It was everything I look for in a novel. Fantasy, richly developed characters, and old-fashioned drama. I couldn’t help but get emotionally involved from the beginning. I can give it nothing less than five enthusiastic stars.
In order to truly appreciate what Erick Setiawan has done, you simply have to give yourself over to the fantasy world he has created. Assume that all manners of wonder and enchantment are not only possible but likely, and allow yourself to be swept away. Once you have allowed yourself to become part of this new reality, you will find yourself drawn into the domestic drama surrounding a brave and lovely young girl, Meridia.
Of Bees and Mist chronicles Meridia’s trials and tribulations, beginning in her bizarre and neglected childhood years, and following her through her troubled adult life. Pronounced dead at birth, she is given a new lease on life as a result of her mother’s determination alone. However, following a vaguely remembered incident in the first year of Meridia’s life, her mother withdraws from reality. That, coupled with her father’s inexplicable disdain, leaves her to be raised primarily by a nurse in a cold, haunted, bizarre home that is surrounded by an ever-present mist.
During her sixteenth year, Meridia meets Daniel, the love of her life. After persuading her parents for their blessing, the two wed and move into Daniel’s family’s home. Meridia believes that her marriage will begin a new and wonderful life, removed from the strife and loneliness she has grown accustomed to. Unfortunately, her new mother-in-law, Eva, is a cold, jealous, manipulative shrew, bent on controlling the lives of all around her. At first, she sees her new daughter-in-law little more than a new servant for her household. Soon enough, however, she realizes that she has miscalculated Meridia’s strength of will, and it becomes all out war.
And what a war. In a world where magic abounds, both women have arsenals beyond anything I would ever have imagined. While Eva’s biggest strength comes in the form of her bees (grievances come to life, buzzing and swarming around her adversaries), Meridia finds that her strength comes from the family she sought to leave behind.
I was so pleasantly surprised by Of Bees and Mist that I really can’t say enough good things about it. It was everything I look for in a novel. Fantasy, richly developed characters, and old-fashioned drama. I couldn’t help but get emotionally involved from the beginning. I can give it nothing less than five enthusiastic stars.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
"All Souls' Night" by Jennifer Armintrout
“They didn’t have time to get out of the way, and I heard body parts hitting the undercarriage of the vehicle. It reminded me of the way dandelion heads sounded smacking against the bottom of my little red wagon as I’d pulled it through the backyard as a child.”
Anyone who has read books one thru three of the Blood Ties books by Jennifer Armintrout (I love her last name, so rememberable!!) knows that they are exceedingly well written. In a genre (paranormal romance/urban fantasy or whatever you want to call it) that is plagued by subpar examples of published writing, they are seriously above and beyond what many have come to expect. The plots are always well-paced, and the characters believable and never one-dimensional. So, when I began reading All Souls’ Night, the fourth and final book in the series, it was with high expectations.
I was not to be disappointed. The action in the book immediately picked up in an unexpected way, as the apartment Carrie and Nathan are borrowing is broken into. After a rough little tussle, they realize that their home invader is not what he seems and a new ally is found. As those who are up to date on the series know, book four is all about evading and stopping the Soul Eater, who is on his way to becoming a god and wrecking all sorts of havoc on man (and vampire) kind. Old friends reappear, including some ‘dead’ ones. This book is a shining example of how difficult it really is to kill a vampire for good…
There are surprises in almost every chapter of this book. Perhaps the biggest surprise comes at the very end (don’t worry, no spoilers). Armintrout found a very inventive and satisfying way to conclude her Blood Ties series; even the most die-hard fans should be pleased with the way everything wraps up. All in all, this was a really great book, easily four stars. However, do yourself a favor and start reading this series at the beginning. If you try to jump into it in the middle, you are going to be confused and will almost certainly get less out of it.
*****I do feel obligated, as a reviewer, to disclose that there is a very graphic sex scene involving two men towards the beginning of the book. It didn’t offend me (although I was pretty surprised at how graphic it was), but in reading other reviews, I have discovered that other readers WERE offended by it, and felt that they should have been somehow warned about it. As I am recommending this book, I thought it appropriate to include this disclaimer*****
Anyone who has read books one thru three of the Blood Ties books by Jennifer Armintrout (I love her last name, so rememberable!!) knows that they are exceedingly well written. In a genre (paranormal romance/urban fantasy or whatever you want to call it) that is plagued by subpar examples of published writing, they are seriously above and beyond what many have come to expect. The plots are always well-paced, and the characters believable and never one-dimensional. So, when I began reading All Souls’ Night, the fourth and final book in the series, it was with high expectations.
I was not to be disappointed. The action in the book immediately picked up in an unexpected way, as the apartment Carrie and Nathan are borrowing is broken into. After a rough little tussle, they realize that their home invader is not what he seems and a new ally is found. As those who are up to date on the series know, book four is all about evading and stopping the Soul Eater, who is on his way to becoming a god and wrecking all sorts of havoc on man (and vampire) kind. Old friends reappear, including some ‘dead’ ones. This book is a shining example of how difficult it really is to kill a vampire for good…
There are surprises in almost every chapter of this book. Perhaps the biggest surprise comes at the very end (don’t worry, no spoilers). Armintrout found a very inventive and satisfying way to conclude her Blood Ties series; even the most die-hard fans should be pleased with the way everything wraps up. All in all, this was a really great book, easily four stars. However, do yourself a favor and start reading this series at the beginning. If you try to jump into it in the middle, you are going to be confused and will almost certainly get less out of it.
*****I do feel obligated, as a reviewer, to disclose that there is a very graphic sex scene involving two men towards the beginning of the book. It didn’t offend me (although I was pretty surprised at how graphic it was), but in reading other reviews, I have discovered that other readers WERE offended by it, and felt that they should have been somehow warned about it. As I am recommending this book, I thought it appropriate to include this disclaimer*****
Monday, May 18, 2009
"Dangerously Innocent" by Nesrine Joseph
A methodical serial killer is plaguing suburban Sydney. Detectives Luther James and Rochelle Trevelyan have just been called to the scene where the fourth victim has been brutally murdered - decapitated in his own home - while his wife showered. The Slicer murders, as the crimes have been dubbed, seem to be random acts of violence. The only connection is that all of the victims have been men, and all have had a body part (or two) removed with surgical precision.
The first break that the police get is when they discover their seemingly happily married fourth victim was actually being unfaithful to his wife - on a nightly basis. His mistress is a beautiful med student, Marissa Martin, whose life has been littered by one personal tragedy after another. She is seemingly torn up about the sudden and barbaric death of her lover - a man she believed to be the true love of her life. She tells the detectives that the two of them had had a fight the night before the murder, centralizing around the fact that he wanted to disclose his affair to his wife. Marissa suggests that perhaps the police should be taking a closer look at the new widow, as she would have a very clear motive for the crime.
As the investigation continues, red herrings abound. Like any good mystery, pretty much every character is a suspect. And while you may solve half of the riddle, there is a high probability that the other half will keep you guessing until the end.
All in all, Dangerously Innocent was a pretty good read. It had a good plot and was very engaging. However, it was really quite short (only 147 pages), and was laid out in a manner that I found a little confusing. You jumped from different characters points of view with no preamble, and had to take a moment to figure out where you had gone. If I had been publishing the book, I would have either cleaned up the language a little and targeted a young adult audience (think Christopher Pike or R.L. Stein), or added another hundred or so pages and developed the characters a little better. However, for what it was, Dangerously Innocent was a surprisingly satisfying read that would surely be enjoyed by lovers of mystery and horror novels alike. Taking into consideration that this is Nesrine Joseph's debut novel, I feel comfortable giving it a three star rating. If you go into it expecting a short and intense read, you shouldn't be disappointed.
The first break that the police get is when they discover their seemingly happily married fourth victim was actually being unfaithful to his wife - on a nightly basis. His mistress is a beautiful med student, Marissa Martin, whose life has been littered by one personal tragedy after another. She is seemingly torn up about the sudden and barbaric death of her lover - a man she believed to be the true love of her life. She tells the detectives that the two of them had had a fight the night before the murder, centralizing around the fact that he wanted to disclose his affair to his wife. Marissa suggests that perhaps the police should be taking a closer look at the new widow, as she would have a very clear motive for the crime.
As the investigation continues, red herrings abound. Like any good mystery, pretty much every character is a suspect. And while you may solve half of the riddle, there is a high probability that the other half will keep you guessing until the end.
All in all, Dangerously Innocent was a pretty good read. It had a good plot and was very engaging. However, it was really quite short (only 147 pages), and was laid out in a manner that I found a little confusing. You jumped from different characters points of view with no preamble, and had to take a moment to figure out where you had gone. If I had been publishing the book, I would have either cleaned up the language a little and targeted a young adult audience (think Christopher Pike or R.L. Stein), or added another hundred or so pages and developed the characters a little better. However, for what it was, Dangerously Innocent was a surprisingly satisfying read that would surely be enjoyed by lovers of mystery and horror novels alike. Taking into consideration that this is Nesrine Joseph's debut novel, I feel comfortable giving it a three star rating. If you go into it expecting a short and intense read, you shouldn't be disappointed.
Friday, May 15, 2009
"All Together Dead" by Charlaine Harris
This will be my last adventure into the world of Sookie Stackhouse for a while. I promise.
I finally finished All Together Dead; book seven of the Sookie Stackhouse series, and the final volume of the boxed set that I received a little over a week ago and have been trudging through since. For those of you who have been following my reviews on Amazon (or the discussion on Book Blogs) you know that I was not impressed (or amused) by the first book in this series. Not in the slightest. I didn’t even review the book on my blog, because the things that I had to say about it were not nice at all. Better just to say nothing.
By the time I finished book four, Dead to the World, my opinion of the series had gotten better (from one star to three stars), and I grudgingly admitted that while I absolutely hated the first book, my initial impression of Sookie and Co. may have been a little off base. Having now made it this far into the series, I have to say that the little world that Charlaine Harris has created is starting to grow on me.
The plot of All Together Dead is quite a bit more complicated than its predecessors. Sookie finds herself in Michigan attending a vampire convention. She is working for the queen of Louisiana, as a telepath. Of course, all of her beaux are in attendance in one capacity or another. Bill is selling the vampire database discs he has been working on for months. Eric is there as, well, Eric. And Quinn is there running the show. In her usual style, Sookie unwittingly finds herself torn between Eric (whom she is coerced into sharing blood with for the third time), and Quinn (who she discovers has a deep, dark secret). As for Bill, he is so low on the totem pole that he is being referred to as “nameless.”
The entire convoy is staying at a vamp hotel in Michigan. Along with vamps from around the country, weres and shifters, interdimensional body guards, demons, fang-bangers, and at least one more telepath. Remember Barry the bellboy? He’s baaack.
Of course, when you get this many supes together under the same roof, you can be sure it’s going to hit the fan. Between the politics, the personal agendas, and the Fellowship of the Sun in hordes outside, there is danger around every corner. And although Sookie is good at what she does, she can only read the minds of the humans. Who, at least in this installment, are fewer and farther between than ever before.
All Together Dead ended up being my favorite book in this series so far. Some of the threads that were left hanging at the end of book six are tied up (think the death of Sophie-Anne’s King). However, there was a lot that seemed irrelevant. Like Jason’s wedding. And Tara’s. And Amelia still staying with Sookie, along with Bob, her lover-turned-cat. And the fact that Sookie still has a thing for Bill. And a thing for Eric.
Needless to say, although All Together Dead answered a few questions, it left a lot more hanging. For the Sookie faithful, I guess that’s a wonderful thing. The series is guaranteed to go on for a few more installments. Maybe it will keep getting better. One can hope. As it stands, I have to give All Together Dead three stars. It was better than the rest. But not that much better.
I finally finished All Together Dead; book seven of the Sookie Stackhouse series, and the final volume of the boxed set that I received a little over a week ago and have been trudging through since. For those of you who have been following my reviews on Amazon (or the discussion on Book Blogs) you know that I was not impressed (or amused) by the first book in this series. Not in the slightest. I didn’t even review the book on my blog, because the things that I had to say about it were not nice at all. Better just to say nothing.
By the time I finished book four, Dead to the World, my opinion of the series had gotten better (from one star to three stars), and I grudgingly admitted that while I absolutely hated the first book, my initial impression of Sookie and Co. may have been a little off base. Having now made it this far into the series, I have to say that the little world that Charlaine Harris has created is starting to grow on me.
The plot of All Together Dead is quite a bit more complicated than its predecessors. Sookie finds herself in Michigan attending a vampire convention. She is working for the queen of Louisiana, as a telepath. Of course, all of her beaux are in attendance in one capacity or another. Bill is selling the vampire database discs he has been working on for months. Eric is there as, well, Eric. And Quinn is there running the show. In her usual style, Sookie unwittingly finds herself torn between Eric (whom she is coerced into sharing blood with for the third time), and Quinn (who she discovers has a deep, dark secret). As for Bill, he is so low on the totem pole that he is being referred to as “nameless.”
The entire convoy is staying at a vamp hotel in Michigan. Along with vamps from around the country, weres and shifters, interdimensional body guards, demons, fang-bangers, and at least one more telepath. Remember Barry the bellboy? He’s baaack.
Of course, when you get this many supes together under the same roof, you can be sure it’s going to hit the fan. Between the politics, the personal agendas, and the Fellowship of the Sun in hordes outside, there is danger around every corner. And although Sookie is good at what she does, she can only read the minds of the humans. Who, at least in this installment, are fewer and farther between than ever before.
All Together Dead ended up being my favorite book in this series so far. Some of the threads that were left hanging at the end of book six are tied up (think the death of Sophie-Anne’s King). However, there was a lot that seemed irrelevant. Like Jason’s wedding. And Tara’s. And Amelia still staying with Sookie, along with Bob, her lover-turned-cat. And the fact that Sookie still has a thing for Bill. And a thing for Eric.
Needless to say, although All Together Dead answered a few questions, it left a lot more hanging. For the Sookie faithful, I guess that’s a wonderful thing. The series is guaranteed to go on for a few more installments. Maybe it will keep getting better. One can hope. As it stands, I have to give All Together Dead three stars. It was better than the rest. But not that much better.
Monday, May 11, 2009
"Dead to the World" by Charlaine Harris
I recently purchased the Sookie Stackhouse boxed set (books one thru seven of the series). I immediately read the first book, and I don't think I could have been more let down. I seriously considered setting the entire set ablaze and using it to roast marshmallows.
Now, however, I am glad that I restrained myself and read on. Because the series did get progressively better after the first book. The world and characters that initially seemed unbelievable and trite actually started to grow on me.
When book three ended, it was with something of a cliffhanger. Vampire Bill had proven to be a cheating snake, and Sookie had washed her hands of vamp society. (Of course, we knew that she would come around eventually, because the series continues on :)
Book four, Dead to the World, picked up a few weeks later. Sookie returns home to find a note from Bill asking to speak to her. While they do speak, it is only for him to try (unsuccessfully) explain his infidelity and to let Sookie know he is going to Peru. No reconciliation.
This leaves Sookie open to the advances of the much more exciting vamp, Eric. Who she finds half-naked and wandering along the road near her home. Apparently suffering from witch-induced amnesia.
There is also a kidnapping and various mysteries involving hoards of supernatural beings to be solved. And the potential of some hot vampire loving.
Frankly, this was the first book I really cared about (maybe because Bill is out of the pic; he's always been weak and boring). I can't believe I am saying this, but it left me thoroughly entertained and chomping at the bit to start book 5, Dead as a Doornail.
Now, however, I am glad that I restrained myself and read on. Because the series did get progressively better after the first book. The world and characters that initially seemed unbelievable and trite actually started to grow on me.
When book three ended, it was with something of a cliffhanger. Vampire Bill had proven to be a cheating snake, and Sookie had washed her hands of vamp society. (Of course, we knew that she would come around eventually, because the series continues on :)
Book four, Dead to the World, picked up a few weeks later. Sookie returns home to find a note from Bill asking to speak to her. While they do speak, it is only for him to try (unsuccessfully) explain his infidelity and to let Sookie know he is going to Peru. No reconciliation.
This leaves Sookie open to the advances of the much more exciting vamp, Eric. Who she finds half-naked and wandering along the road near her home. Apparently suffering from witch-induced amnesia.
There is also a kidnapping and various mysteries involving hoards of supernatural beings to be solved. And the potential of some hot vampire loving.
Frankly, this was the first book I really cared about (maybe because Bill is out of the pic; he's always been weak and boring). I can't believe I am saying this, but it left me thoroughly entertained and chomping at the bit to start book 5, Dead as a Doornail.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
"Lover Enshrined" By J.R. Ward
Continuing with my Black Dagger Brotherhood theme, I read Lover Enshrined, which is book six in the series, and Phury’s story. Phury, in my opinion, is the brother that has gone through the biggest personal transformation. He has gone from being Zsadist’s keeper and resident celibate to being a masochist and the Primale of the Chosen. (In layman’s terms, the Primale is the equivalent of a stud, responsible for ensuring the future of the vampire race. On top of the changes, he is also still struggling with his own personal demon -- crippling addiction.
In the last installment of the series, Phury went to the other side and brought back with him the Chosen Cormia. Cormia was to be his first mate, however, five months have since passed, and the two have yet to seal the deal. The reasons for this are varied but basically boil down to a lack of understanding and communication between the two of them (you have to love it when the scenarios portrayed in fiction are true to life). Unwilling to be a failure in his endeavor as Primale (but equally unwilling to sully the pure Cormia) Phury returns to the other side to choose a different first mate. Of course, by this time, Cormia realizes that she has fallen in love. She also knows that the Primale cannot be mated to a single female. Choosing solitude over watching the man she loves be with others, Cormia returns to the other side and request to become a Sequestered Scribe.
All the while, there are many and varied sub-plots clamoring for your attention. Honestly, that was my biggest complaint about this installment. While I love John Matthew (his innocence and chivalry are so endearing) and company, it almost felt as though this book had two competing (rather than complimentary) story lines. It kind of jumped around a bit, which was distracting. If you had started reading this series by picking up book five, you could have easily kept up. Not so with book six. There was just too much going on to follow had you not read all that had come before.
All in all, Lover Enshrined was a very good read. And a must read if you are planning on reading book seven, Lover Avenged. Skip this volume, and you will be sooo lost. Three and a half stars.
In the last installment of the series, Phury went to the other side and brought back with him the Chosen Cormia. Cormia was to be his first mate, however, five months have since passed, and the two have yet to seal the deal. The reasons for this are varied but basically boil down to a lack of understanding and communication between the two of them (you have to love it when the scenarios portrayed in fiction are true to life). Unwilling to be a failure in his endeavor as Primale (but equally unwilling to sully the pure Cormia) Phury returns to the other side to choose a different first mate. Of course, by this time, Cormia realizes that she has fallen in love. She also knows that the Primale cannot be mated to a single female. Choosing solitude over watching the man she loves be with others, Cormia returns to the other side and request to become a Sequestered Scribe.
All the while, there are many and varied sub-plots clamoring for your attention. Honestly, that was my biggest complaint about this installment. While I love John Matthew (his innocence and chivalry are so endearing) and company, it almost felt as though this book had two competing (rather than complimentary) story lines. It kind of jumped around a bit, which was distracting. If you had started reading this series by picking up book five, you could have easily kept up. Not so with book six. There was just too much going on to follow had you not read all that had come before.
All in all, Lover Enshrined was a very good read. And a must read if you are planning on reading book seven, Lover Avenged. Skip this volume, and you will be sooo lost. Three and a half stars.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
"Lover Unbound" J.R. Ward
As kind of an homage to The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward, I have decided to review one of my favorite books of the lot to coincide with the release of book 7. (Lover Avenged, released in HC on April 28th.) This is a must-read series for anyone who loves erotic romance, vampire action, urban fantasy, or hard-core violence. Really all encompassing.
Lover Unbound, which is book 5 in the series, is Vishous’s story. V my favorite member of The Brotherhood from book one. There is something about having the ability to see into the future that is more intriguing above and beyond all other super-powers. It’s just freaking cool. Unfortunately, V’s gift has hit a snag of late, and the visions have dried up. Could be as a result of watching his best bud (and secret love) Butch get all bonded-up. Or maybe it is as a result of something more sinister…
At the beginning of the book, a secret of V’s parentage is revealed, and it answers a lot of questions. I mean, the man has powers unusual for most vamps. Even members of The Brotherhood. Unfortunately, one revelation leads to another, and V learns that it is his destiny to become Primale of the chosen. (Pretty much a sperm donor, mating with Chosen females to preserve the Vampire race.) And he doesn’t have a choice.
Understandably, V is furious. In a rage-fueled fury, he ends up on the wrong end of a bullet. The next thing he knows, he is in a hospital being tended to by a human doctor that brings one word to his mind. Mine. So, when his brothers come to rescue him from the ICU, the Dr. Jane Whitcomb is taken along for the ride.
The conclusion of Lover Unbound actually forced me to scrape my jaw from the floor. The lengths that are gone to in order for V and Jane to have their happily ever after are beyond anything I have ever read. Since I am unwilling to publish spoilers, I can say only one thing: Read the book. It will be worth your while. Of course, I have to suggest that you read the four book that proceed it first. But even if you are willing to commit yourself to starting on a new series, I would recommend Lover Unbound. It is a shining example of love conquering all. And for that reason alone, this book gets 4 stars. Enjoy…
Lover Unbound, which is book 5 in the series, is Vishous’s story. V my favorite member of The Brotherhood from book one. There is something about having the ability to see into the future that is more intriguing above and beyond all other super-powers. It’s just freaking cool. Unfortunately, V’s gift has hit a snag of late, and the visions have dried up. Could be as a result of watching his best bud (and secret love) Butch get all bonded-up. Or maybe it is as a result of something more sinister…
At the beginning of the book, a secret of V’s parentage is revealed, and it answers a lot of questions. I mean, the man has powers unusual for most vamps. Even members of The Brotherhood. Unfortunately, one revelation leads to another, and V learns that it is his destiny to become Primale of the chosen. (Pretty much a sperm donor, mating with Chosen females to preserve the Vampire race.) And he doesn’t have a choice.
Understandably, V is furious. In a rage-fueled fury, he ends up on the wrong end of a bullet. The next thing he knows, he is in a hospital being tended to by a human doctor that brings one word to his mind. Mine. So, when his brothers come to rescue him from the ICU, the Dr. Jane Whitcomb is taken along for the ride.
The conclusion of Lover Unbound actually forced me to scrape my jaw from the floor. The lengths that are gone to in order for V and Jane to have their happily ever after are beyond anything I have ever read. Since I am unwilling to publish spoilers, I can say only one thing: Read the book. It will be worth your while. Of course, I have to suggest that you read the four book that proceed it first. But even if you are willing to commit yourself to starting on a new series, I would recommend Lover Unbound. It is a shining example of love conquering all. And for that reason alone, this book gets 4 stars. Enjoy…
Monday, May 4, 2009
"The Kult" by Shaun Jeffrey
“People are predictable. That’s what makes them so easy to kill.”
I was lucky enough to score an advance copy of The Kult by Shaun Jeffrey through a giveaway contest hosted by his publisher, Leucrota Press. Which was amazing, because I was so psyched to read this book. It is a perfect example of why choosing the right cover art is so important, because just seeing the book made me want to read it. Not even knowing what it was about. It may sound silly and is obviously superficial, but there is something about the cover of this book that screams “READ ME!!!”
The premise of the book involves a serial killer, The Oracle, and Prosper Snow, the investigator hunting him down. A simple enough scenario, it would seem. But then our protagonist goes out and does something that throws a wrench into an otherwise well oiled plot-line. He participates in a copy-cat killing at the request of one of his childhood friends. That friend, along with Prosper and several others, is a member of a group called The Kult, which is really a vigilante-esque club that was formed by the members back in their school days.
You might ask yourself why a good person, and a police detective no less, would assist in murdering anyone. The answer is simple: blackmail. Pretty much “Help us murder this guy, or we’ll reveal all of the other crimes you have committed over the years as a member of The Kult.” (Some friends this guy has, right?) Long story short, Prosper helps. And immediately afterward, he and his friends are personally targeted by The Oracle.
But why? No one outside The Kult knew about the murder.
This, of course, leads to suspicion and paranoia among the friends. The feelings are short lived among most of them, as they start to die off one-by-one.
I can’t really go any further into the story without running into spoiler territory, but I will say this: The Kult is impossible to put down. It has a great, almost impossible to solve mystery. The action starts off right away (and the violence is graphic enough to satisfy even the most jaded slasher fan). The climax was action packed, and (in my opinion) one of the most obnoxious characters in the book got what was coming to them, which is always satisfying. All in all, a really great read. Easily four stars.
I was lucky enough to score an advance copy of The Kult by Shaun Jeffrey through a giveaway contest hosted by his publisher, Leucrota Press. Which was amazing, because I was so psyched to read this book. It is a perfect example of why choosing the right cover art is so important, because just seeing the book made me want to read it. Not even knowing what it was about. It may sound silly and is obviously superficial, but there is something about the cover of this book that screams “READ ME!!!”
The premise of the book involves a serial killer, The Oracle, and Prosper Snow, the investigator hunting him down. A simple enough scenario, it would seem. But then our protagonist goes out and does something that throws a wrench into an otherwise well oiled plot-line. He participates in a copy-cat killing at the request of one of his childhood friends. That friend, along with Prosper and several others, is a member of a group called The Kult, which is really a vigilante-esque club that was formed by the members back in their school days.
You might ask yourself why a good person, and a police detective no less, would assist in murdering anyone. The answer is simple: blackmail. Pretty much “Help us murder this guy, or we’ll reveal all of the other crimes you have committed over the years as a member of The Kult.” (Some friends this guy has, right?) Long story short, Prosper helps. And immediately afterward, he and his friends are personally targeted by The Oracle.
But why? No one outside The Kult knew about the murder.
This, of course, leads to suspicion and paranoia among the friends. The feelings are short lived among most of them, as they start to die off one-by-one.
I can’t really go any further into the story without running into spoiler territory, but I will say this: The Kult is impossible to put down. It has a great, almost impossible to solve mystery. The action starts off right away (and the violence is graphic enough to satisfy even the most jaded slasher fan). The climax was action packed, and (in my opinion) one of the most obnoxious characters in the book got what was coming to them, which is always satisfying. All in all, a really great read. Easily four stars.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
"Chasing Demons" by R.L. Geerdes
Can you imagine waking up in a hospital bed and being told that the life you had lived and loved for the past two years was nothing but a figment of your comatose imagination?
That is the scenario facing Katrina, the heroine of “Chasing Demons.” Awaking in a room full of strangers, Katrina is told that she has been in a coma for the last six months; the result of a horrific car accident. However, she has memories of a magical land called Arconia, where she recalls spending the last two years living another life. Falling in love, discovering her true heritage, and cultivating magical ability. Unfortunately, the memories of her magical life are fleeting, and by the time she leaves the hospital with her fiancé (a man she thought dead as a result of the car crash that catapulted her into Arconia), she believes them nothing more than the remnants of dreams.
Back in Arconia, Katrina’s mate Castin awakes from a powerful sleeping spell to find Katrina gone. He soon learns that she was kidnapped, sent back to earth by a powerful sorceress, Fatale. Without hesitation, Castin and Katrina’s father, the powerful wizard Drestin, set off on a perilous journey to Earth to rescue her. They cannot possibly know that Katrina’s kidnapping was little more than a diversion, a way to lure two of the most powerful mages in Arconia away. Because when they are gone, there is no one left to stand in the way of Fatale and her ultimate goal to rule all of Arconia.
Of course, nothing is as it seems, and Katrina & Castin’s allies fight the good fight while Castin & Drestin struggle to bring Katrina back alive. In the colorful and creative realm that R.L. Geerdes has imagined, anything is possible, and good has the strength and tenacity to overcome evil.
I found “Chasing Demon’s” impossible to put down. I was intrigued by the premise immediately. (I mean, what is reality anyway?) I did have some issues with the ease in which most of the problems that arose were solved by the characters. And the length of the book (only about 300 pages) left little room for character development. And the book ended abruptly, leaving a lot of questions unanswered. Of course, this is book two in the Mistress of Beasts Saga, so I am sure that the answers will be found in book three. Hopefully, that installment finds its way onto bookshelves soon. All in all, I have to give “Chasing Demons” a healthy 3 ½ star rating.
That is the scenario facing Katrina, the heroine of “Chasing Demons.” Awaking in a room full of strangers, Katrina is told that she has been in a coma for the last six months; the result of a horrific car accident. However, she has memories of a magical land called Arconia, where she recalls spending the last two years living another life. Falling in love, discovering her true heritage, and cultivating magical ability. Unfortunately, the memories of her magical life are fleeting, and by the time she leaves the hospital with her fiancé (a man she thought dead as a result of the car crash that catapulted her into Arconia), she believes them nothing more than the remnants of dreams.
Back in Arconia, Katrina’s mate Castin awakes from a powerful sleeping spell to find Katrina gone. He soon learns that she was kidnapped, sent back to earth by a powerful sorceress, Fatale. Without hesitation, Castin and Katrina’s father, the powerful wizard Drestin, set off on a perilous journey to Earth to rescue her. They cannot possibly know that Katrina’s kidnapping was little more than a diversion, a way to lure two of the most powerful mages in Arconia away. Because when they are gone, there is no one left to stand in the way of Fatale and her ultimate goal to rule all of Arconia.
Of course, nothing is as it seems, and Katrina & Castin’s allies fight the good fight while Castin & Drestin struggle to bring Katrina back alive. In the colorful and creative realm that R.L. Geerdes has imagined, anything is possible, and good has the strength and tenacity to overcome evil.
I found “Chasing Demon’s” impossible to put down. I was intrigued by the premise immediately. (I mean, what is reality anyway?) I did have some issues with the ease in which most of the problems that arose were solved by the characters. And the length of the book (only about 300 pages) left little room for character development. And the book ended abruptly, leaving a lot of questions unanswered. Of course, this is book two in the Mistress of Beasts Saga, so I am sure that the answers will be found in book three. Hopefully, that installment finds its way onto bookshelves soon. All in all, I have to give “Chasing Demons” a healthy 3 ½ star rating.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Announcing ANOTHER great giveaway!!
Well, the Fangland giveaway was a success. The winner has been notified, and when I get a response I will announce who it was. For those of you who didn't win, don't despair. Because another chance to win starts today! Comment on any review on my blog between now and Friday, May 15th, and you will be entered to win my ARC of "Ghost Walk." Contest ends at 11:59 PM MST on May 15th. Be sure to leave your email so I can contact you. One entry per person. Become a follower for an additional chance. If you are already a follower, you are already entered, but be sure to comment for your second chance. Good luck all!!
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