by Kay | Jul 8, 2010 | Reviews |
Rogue by Rachel Vincent
Series: Shifters #2
Published by MIRA
Pages: 394
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased myself
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Rating:
Also in this series: Stray, PrideOkay, so cats don't always land on their feet.
I know that better than most. Since rejoining the Pride, I ve made big decisions and even bigger mistakes: the kind paid for with innocent lives. As the first and only female enforcer, I have plenty to prove to my father, the Pride, and myself. And with murdered toms turning up in our territory, I m working harder than ever, though I always find the energy for a little after-hours recreation with Marc, my partner both on- and off-duty.
But not all of my mistakes are behind me. We re beginning to suspect that the dead are connected to a rash of missing human women and that they can all be laid at my feet--two or four, take your pick. And one horrible indiscretion may yet cost me more than I can bear...
Thoughts: It’s been over a year since I read the first of Rachel Vincent’s werecat series, but I remember the book as clear as day. The werecats series is probably one of the most inventive UF verses out there – packed with catty violence and some rather terrifying villains. But that’s not why I remember it with such detail – mostly, I just remember hating the hell out of the main character Faythe.
Well, character-wise, Rogue is certainly a huge improvement. Faythe thinks out her actions a bit more than she used to. And although she still manages to grate on my nerves, her gradual transition from a five-year-old into a mature adult is realistic and in character. So, YAY! At this rate, I might actually like her by book five.
But on the other hand, Rogue was a let-down from Stray. One of the reasons I decided to stick with this series was because of the amazing action. Stray is packed with bloody, terrifying scenes described with more finesse than anything I’ve ever read. Rogue, however, was a series of conversations. Sure, important character-driven conversations – but still. Even though a lot was revealed, not all that much happened.
Bottom line? A solid sequel to Stray. If you are looking for kick-ass UF, Vincent’s werecat series has it in spades. But don’t expect to actually like anyone.
by Kay | Jul 2, 2010 | Reviews |
Seven Sorcerers by Caro King
Series: Seven Sorcerers #1
Published by Simon and Schuster on 2012-05-01
Pages: 352
Genres: Middle Grade
Source: Purchased myself
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Rating: The Bogeyman is all too real in this fantasy Publishers Weekly calls “energetic and absorbing.”Nin Redstone wakes up to discover that her brother has vanished—and she’s the only one who remembers him. But when Bogeyman Skerridge comes for her, too, Nin realizes the true danger her brother, Toby, is in. To save him, she and her new friend Jonas must travel to a mysterious and magical land called the Drift. Located just next to our world, the Drift is being slowly destroyed by a terrible plague. The Seven Sorcerers who ruled there might have been able to prevent the devastation, but even they have succumbed. In a race to rescue Toby and get home before the plague makes it impossible, can Nin and Jonas avoid the tombfolk, mud men, and various creatures who want to stop them? And what is the secret of the Seven Sorcerers?
Thoughts: I loved this book. Truly, madly, deeply – I really loved this book.
Seven Sorcerers is that first real Middle-Grade novel I have read since, well, I was in middle grade. And I am so glad I got such an amazing reintroduction to the MG section of the bookstore! Seven Sorcerers is filled with rollicking adventure, humorous villains, entertaining sidekicks and some epic I’m-doing-this-out-of-love sacrifice. It kept me entertained for hours – and I was genuinely sad when it ended.
Seven Sorcerers takes a new spin on the magical and mystical. There are bogeymen and vampires, and all sorts of other nasties. Our little heroine, Nim, is spunky and full of character – even as her entire life is stolen from her, she still plucks up the courage to try to do something about it. OK, maybe she’s not your average 12-year-old, but with King? I totally bought it.
When I think about Seven Sorcerers, the only comparison I can come up with is Harry Potter. Now, I am a big HP fan – so a book has to be pretty brilliant for me to compare it to JK Rowling’s works! But both King and Rowling write first-and-foremost about a universe, and then the characters inside it. And like Rowling, I get the feeling that King knows every last inch of her verse.
I can’t wait to get started on the sequel Shadow Spell! Also, I wanted to give a shout-out to the artist for the novel. There are some gorgeous illustrations at the start of the book that really set the tone of the novel. Beautiful work!
Bottom line? This Middle Grade book is one for all ages. If you are looking for an adventurous novel you can’t put down, look no further!
by Kay | Jun 30, 2010 | Reviews |
Blood Soup by Kelly A. Harmon
Amazon / EternalPress / Goodreads
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Pages: 69
Received for review from the author
Summary: A tale of murder, betrayal and comeuppance.
King Theodicar of Borgund needed an heir. When his wife, Queen Piacenza, became pregnant, he’d hoped for a boy. His wife, along with her nurse, Salvagia, had other plans. With each cast of the runes, Salvagia’s trusted divination tools yielded the same message: “A girl child must rule or the kingdom will fall to ruin.” As such, the women were convinced that the child would be a girl.
When the queen finally gives birth, the nurse and the king are equally surprised. The king is faced with a terrible choice, and his decision will determine the fate of his kingdom. Will he choose wisely, or will he doom Borgund to ruin?
Thoughts: Blood Soup is an absorbing novella of sinister high fantasy.
Writing a good novella is no easy task. Authors have to establish characters, location and develop a plot in a very short peroid of time – and to top it all off, they have to make you care. It’s no easy feat! Honestly, some authors just can’t pull it off. But Kelly Harmon? She can.
Blood Soup starts out bloody and brutal – pretty much framing the tone of the morbidly magical kingdom. I loved the setting, plot and the social commentary. I was also seriously impressed by Harmon’s ability to create full 3D characters in the span of only a few sentences. Blood Soup spans decades and half a dozen POVs, but didn’t feel rushed. All the joy of a full-length novel in under an hour.
I only wish Blood Soup had been written as a full-length novel! A few of the characters – Fabrizia in particular – I would have loved to have read more about. I will certainly get my hands on whatever work Harmon comes out with next.
by Kay | Jun 24, 2010 | Reviews |
Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires, #1) by Chloe Neill
Bookdepository / Amazon UK / Amazon US
Librarything / Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 368
Rating: 4/5 stars
Summary: Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker—and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.
Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she’s traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan “Lord o’ the Manor” Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries’ worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude—and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan’s attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone’s still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war—and there will be blood.
Thoughts: Some Girls Bite was so much fun!
I had high expectations from Chloe Neill after reading Firespell and she certainly lived up to them. But before I start gushing, I’ll admit that Some Girls Bite is not the perfect book. The pacing is a bit off, and the villain’s not all that scary. But so many other things in this novel make up for that.
I loved the narrator Merit. In terms of character, she is probably my favourite heroine… ever. I just fell for her immediately, without having analyse why I liked her. I just agreed and trusted all of her decisions. I understood her love of academia, completely identified with her crazy daddy issues, and found her love interest, Ethan, just as frustrating she did.
While we’re on the topic, let’s talk about said “leading vamp” Ethan Sullivan. 340-years old, head of the Cadogan vampire fraternity house – and a complete douche.
Because it deserves repeating: Ethan is a serious douche. He’s demanding, exploitative, ruthlessly political, and distrusts anyone with the nerve to stand up to him. In the words of Merit’s BFF, he’s “Darth Sullivan”. Even Merit had to remind him, “It isn’t 1815!” I don’t care how gorgeous he is, he really needs to step up before he gets anywhere near a girl with self-respect.
But despite being a douche, Ethan is awesome. Because him being a somewhat-misogynistic dictator? It actually makes sense. C’mon, people. The guy was born 350 years ago and is used to people crawling at his feet in respect – of course, he expects the same from Merit! Just because they have some sort of chemistry doesn’t mean he will change.
That’s not to say I don’t want him to. I really do hope Ethan steps up… at some point. Merit is fierce, and totally deserving of a guy that appreciates her awesomeness. And I hope that it’s Ethan. But until then, it is so refreshing to read about an ancient vampire who doesn’t go: “Oh, you feisty 21st Century girls! I’ve never met a woman with self-respect before – I must fall in love!” Puh-leaze.
I’ve also discovered that Chloe Neill writes the best BFFs ever. I loved the bond between Scout and Lily in Firespell, but Mallory and Merit might just beat them out in the BFF department. Their conversations are the kind of funny that you can only have with someone who knows you well – they have that mix of comforting and hysterical. And while they are both forced into this crazy new supernatural world, they are always there for each other – usually with a sarcastic quip, a pint of Chunky Monkey and a hug. Awesome.
Bottom line? I loved this book! It’s fun and funny with a touch of gratuitous violence. I’ve already got Friday Night Bites on my TBR pile!
by Kay | Jun 10, 2010 | Reviews |
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Bookdepository / Amazon UK / Amazon US
Librarything / Goodreads
Rating: 4.5 stars
Pages: 352
Genre: High Fantasy (although it has been promoted as YA – I really don’t think it is…)
Summary: Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight — she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme, and in her case horrifying, skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace — or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away… a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.
Thoughts: Graceling reminded me of Poison Study – only with better writing. And considering how much I loved Snyder’s book, I’d say that’s a pretty big compliment. The novel was so well crafted and, honestly, I am astounded that it is Cashore’s first book.
Katsa is a complicated character. She’s a rather tortured heroine – her killing Grace made her emotionally isolated, and was exploited by her none-to-kind uncle. On the other hand, her romantic lead Po, had his head screwed on the right way. Sure, he had some emotional baggage, but he was stable. Strong. Secure.
And for some reason, I still found him swoon-worthy. That takes serious literary mojo.
But let’s not forget: this is high fantasy. While the romance is important – the universe takes centre stage. As in all good fantasy novels, the world of Graceling is as familiar as it is magical. The kingdoms are corrupt, their leaders cruel, and the gracelings (those with magical powers) exploited. But, of course, there is good in every world.
Despite my love of the novel, it did fall short in a few respects. I felt like the main villian wasn’t at all developed – we got a lot of answers to the “what?” but none to the “why?”. But besides that minor complaint, Graceling was perfect in every way.
And by the way, Kristin Cashore? I have yet to forgive you for making me cry on the tube.
Bottom line? Brilliant, beautiful book that you will fall right into. If you are a fan of Maria V. Snyder, this is a definite must – hell, it’s a must for any reader!
(BTW, if you are looking for a book that is not a first-in-the-series, here it is! Although there is a companion novel, everything gets wrapped up in this book.)
by Kay | Jun 6, 2010 | Reviews |
The Line by Teri Hall
Series: The Line #1
Published by Dial
Pages: 220
Genres: Dystopian YA, Young Adult
Source: Purchased myself
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Rating: An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.
Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.
Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?
Thoughts: The Line is an odd book. It has a universe with real potential, filled with political, social and (perhaps) magical intrigue. There’s no zombie apocalypse, but something peculiar sure is going on.
But The Line also has some rather significant problems.
For starters, the writing just wasn’t that great. I had to reread chunks of text just to work out what was supposed to be going on. As for the story, it featured a lot of telling and little showing. The characters were little more than plot devices – albeit a very interesting plot. Without exception, I found them extremely one-dimensional and often outright illogical. View Spoiler »There was a scene where Rachel starts screaming at her mother – calling her a coward – because she didn’t try to help some woman being arrested by the police. There was nothing her mother could have done, and even trying to help would have gotten them both thrown into workhouses. Rachel knew this. Still, Mum’s a coward. Bizarre? I think so. « Hide Spoiler
But despite my rather take-it-or-leave-it opinion of the characters, I enjoyed the politics enough to continue reading. Luckily, Hall dials up the tension for the last 1/4 of the novel. The action started rolling, whole new mysteries were presented, and the characters started seeming less like plot devices – I actually wanted to find out what happened next!
And then it was over, and I went back to being rather blasé about the whole thing.
Bottom line? Not the best book, but it is set in a fascinating universe. Hall’s writing is less than stellar, but I genuinely believe it will improve with her next novel.
Cover Note: This book is gorgeous and has a relevant cover. Honest! That beautiful greenhouse on the cover? It actually exists in the novel. Hell, if you need reason to get this book after reading my review: Get it for the cover!
