Recent reviews
Posted : 1 month, 1 week ago on 25 May 2009 09:07
(A review of Death's Daughter: A Calliope Reaper-Jones Novel)
I find myself having mixed feelings about this novel. I was put off by some of the content in the beginning, but the story grew on me towards the end.
I believe that within the first fifty pages of the novel alone, there are several references to weight... and they continue sporadically throughout the story. It's obvious the character doesn't like the idea of being overweight or others being fat. That really turned me off as I wanted to be entertained, not bear the brunt of someone else's weight obsessions. It wasn't preachy, but it was in your face and I just didn't think it was necessary to anything, except making the lead seem shallow.
I also found that the lead was consistently name-dropping at the beginning. There were so many product placements and designers mentioned I had to double-check the cover; I wanted to make sure I hadn't accidentally grabbed The Devil Wears Prada. This is one of those things that I intensely dislike about chick-lit so this didn't endear me to the writing either.
Part of what leaves me mixed about it all is that the story was quite good. It's a captivating read and the universe is fantastic.
While Calliope is rather whiny, with a defeatist attitude, I find it hard to earnestly criticize that. I mean, if I were thrust into hell and given seemingly impossible tasks, wouldn't I react the same way? It seems the headstrong and determined females would in fact be the minority, not the majority as urban fantasy would have us believe. But still, I hear whining and whinging in daily life, so I'd rather have my fantasy life be one filled with strong and empowered women. I also keep trying to justify that maybe this was an essential plot point; that we go from "Eww, my life sucks" to "I am stronger and better for this." I wasn't quite convinced though, and it didn't exactly come across as if Calliope had matured very much.
But again, the tasks Calliope is given are interesting and lead her through many dimensions and many characters. I loved the concept of Death being a person with a family... or a job that must be filled, either by lineage or corporate controversy. There's plenty of twists and turns, too, which keep you guessing (and reading).
So, again, I'm rather ambivalent. I won't rush out to get the next if this turns into a series, but if it lands in my lap, I won't ignore it.
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Posted : 2 months ago on 4 May 2009 07:33
(A review of Pride (Werecats, Book 3))
Tons of action in this third novel of the serie... there's also quite a bit of violence and gore, so if you're not into that, consider this a warning.
The story moves along superbly here and I found myself unable to put it down. There's plenty of drama between Marc and Faythe, so one need not fear considering the break-up with which we left off the last novel. It's all incredibly bitter sweet, though, and will leave you despising the Council.
If you ask me, though, this is great motivation for Faythe to follow in her father's footsteps. With Marc, her trial, and the new tabby, Kaci, I think Faythe now has enough motivation to try and change things. Here's to hoping she'll be doing that from the inside and finally deciding to prove her father right.
Kaci, as a new charcter, will prove to be an interesting one. It looks like shes breaking some pre-conceptions the werecats have about themselves and their lineage, so that's definitely going to shake things up. I'm a little curious as to how all these new tabbies will play into the future of this story, though. It's talked about so much in the beginning that there are very few female cats, and suddenly there's now to new cats in the mix with Manx from the previous novel. I don't want it to get all fluffed under the table, so hopefully all these elements (and cats) will be intertwined later on. It's a tough group of females and that also might shake things up within the packs.
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Posted : 2 months, 3 weeks ago on 13 April 2009 04:42
(A review of Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid, Book 3))
Oh my lord... What a great third book in this series. So much going on here and I will try to muse without giving naything major away.
First of all... get ready to shed a few tears as there's definitely some drama going on with Seth. Regardless of the outcome, I do have to say that Mead wrote that so well. I just loved the way it all flowed and played out. It's really one of those moments where you know that's how all this was going to occur somehow, but it doesn't make it any less of a page-turner. I think it was handled with great class.
Georgina's dream and the reference to her contract are going to prove to be some juicy tidbits in the future. There's definitely something brewing there and I'm looking forward to seeing what that is. The dream is a touching one, but because we know Georgina's story, we can see how it would create both pain and hope.
I loved the Tawny character if only because she injected some laughs. One wouldn't think you'd need training to be a succubus (after all, sex sells itself), but poor Georgie is put through the ringer.
And speaking of new characters... Dante. The name is far too appropriate. I'm not quite sure how I feel about him, so I'm reserving judgement. I certainly don't dislike him, but I'm not sure that's a pairing I'm willing to handle yet. (The wounds are so fresh!) I think his inner turmoil and pain will make an interesting match for Georgie's guilt, though.
I honestly think so far this is my favourite in the series so it pain me to have to wait until the next one.
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Posted : 2 months, 3 weeks ago on 10 April 2009 07:58
(A review of City of Glass (Mortal Instruments))
What a great and action-packed ending to this trilogy. Be warned that you'll find yourself sorry that it's all over.
I just love the way everything came together here in the end. All our questions are answered and everything that was hinted at or all those puzzle pieces were finally put together. I'm happy to discover that some of my suspicions were true and that everyone finds their own happiness in the end.
I loved that there was so much action in this last book. It would have been very easy for the author to just systematically tie up the loose ends and have a novel that feels more like an epilogue. That didn't happen here at all and everything was woven together nicely. There was enough going on all the time that the story never lost momentum but you also didn't feel rushed or as if it was going too quickly.
It's difficult to say much more without actually revealing plot points... but I loved this trilogy and it will definitely remain one of my favourites. I'm also kind of hoping there might actually be more as there seemed to be some evidence to that in the last couple of chapters. We'll wait and see.
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Posted : 2 months, 3 weeks ago on 10 April 2009 01:09
(A review of Kitty Raises Hell)
A wee peak at Cormac in this story practically had me squeeing like a school girl. It wasn't substantial but I'm hoping it was a hint of things to come. I would be so disappointed if it was just a plot device to work him in and allow us to see how he was doing but never touched on again.
We also got to see some of the pack dynamics now that Kitty and Ben are in charge. This is really important to their universe, so I'm glad Vaughn worked that in rather than just saying "Well, they're in charge now and everything is great."
As a bonus, I also loved the Paranormal PI bit. It reminded me of Sam and Dean from Supernatural pairing up with Ghostfacers. A lot less goofy in this book, but still blending the reality with reality TV. Fun and I hope we actually get to see those characters again.
Great all around and I'm glad I never get bored of reading this series.
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Posted : 2 months, 4 weeks ago on 5 April 2009 07:18
(A review of Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand (Kitty Norville, Book 5))
Sometimes it's really hard to wait between novels for authors you really enjoy. I've always found Carrie Vaughn to be one of those and so I was thrilled that her two most recent novels came out so quickly back to back.
This one takes us to Las Vegas where Kitty and Ben are finally tying the knot. I have to say a little part of me is still twinging at the thought that she's not with Cormac. I know, I know, after all this time I need ot get over it and stop whinging. I just find it difficult to reconcile meeting him in that first novel, the chemsitry he shared with Kitty, and the fact that he's now just out of the picture... for good?
But, I will give it all this, Ben and Kitty work together. Though there was a really interesting story here and plenty of drama that's going to follow these two back to Colorado, their relationship was one of the more important elements of this story. I think it was almost as if Vaughn was attempting to convince me (as a non-believer in the Kitty/Ben ship) why these two are so compatible. There's this level of understanding and support between the two that sort of makes you long for something similar in your own life. It's sweet and I think one of those things that Kitty has needed, considering her past.
I have the next book in the series sitting right next to me and I'm thrilled to be diving in without having to wait months for it!
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Posted : 3 months ago on 4 April 2009 08:30
(A review of PEEPS)
A surprisingly interesting novel. I was sort of expecting a wishywashy cliche ya novel, but instead got something fairly more complex with a well-developed plot.
There were some moments in the book I also found quite reminiscent of Chuck Palahniuk. He always includes incredibly odd trivia and bits of information that make you want to keep google handy while reading. Westerfeld used a quite similar style, providing information about different kinds of (nausea-inducing) parasites and bugs. It was so informative it might actually make you a litle scared to go on vacation, or eat, or pet animals!
What I really loved about this book was the take on vampires. I love that there was almost nothing of the old myths and legens, but instead turned it in to this plausible "disease" that one might simply catch like a cold. It sort of adds a whole new dimension to the genre.
It will also get you hooked for more. While reading, I had the impression that this would one of those YA-ish novels. We're thrust into Cal's world where it's now business as usual to hunt down stray peeps (parasite infected individuals), and sudenly he meets this girl who will make things much harder for him. It's certainly difficult to have a relationship when kissing a girl could mean turning her into a cannibal! I was sure that would be the gist of it all, but instead it turns out there's much more to the story. It turns out that peeps aren't exactly what we think they are and that there's a much bigger fight going on out there.
I really reccomend this one if you're looking for something off the crosses-mirrors-and-fangs path.
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Posted : 3 months, 1 week ago on 28 March 2009 08:35
(A review of Night Rising (Vampire Babylon, Book 1))
Despite loving progressive or "modern" heroines, there was little in this novel that kept me reading. I kept waiing for that hook, or that one moment that would have me saying, "OK, for this I'll check out the other books, get a better sense of the characters or author."
The biggest issue I have was mostly the story itself. I felt as if there was such little actual content, that the novel might have better served as a short story or summed up in a prologue to a continuing novel. So much time was spent on the "erotic" scenes with the disembodied voice, that an actual plot kept taking a backseat. Or rather, it was stretched out to accomodate the sensuous play. For some this might be enticing, but I always prefer an actual story to go along with it. I need something more to keep reading.
There was also tons of build up and mystery, but no satisfaction. We're given so many hints about what might be, and how suspicious everyone is... but none of those worries are assauged or come to life. Again, this lends itself to my whole "prologue" theory or at the very least an less-than-clever sales pitch.
I also didn't find myself too crazy about any of the characters, with the exception of maybe Kiko. He's the only one who actually seemed natural or to have any personality whatsoever. Everyone else just comes off as egotistical or arrogant.
All in all, I wasn't a fan and it's not something I'm going to continue reading.
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Posted : 4 months, 2 weeks ago on 16 February 2009 09:02
(A review of Wondrous Strange)
Just wonderful! Those who are fans of Melissa Marr's "Wicked Lovely" series will find an instant home in Lesley Livingston's new "Wondrous Strange."
We always think of fairies as being sparkly and magical creatures, and I think Livingston's writing spins that beautifully. You can almost picture it all in your mind and sigh a little at the beauty. Just well done all around.
I have to say that I really loved the tie-in with Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Nights Dream." It's safe to say that most modern fairy tales were probably more than inspired by that work, so it's nice to see the author giving it the nod. The quotes are worked in nicely and they sort of add just that extra touch of romance to the story.
I loved the characters! Sonny and Kelley are adorable and you'll just be dying for the two of them to make it work with each other. I really looked forward to everything else Livingston writes and hopefully she'll bring these two back for more.
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Posted : 4 months, 3 weeks ago on 12 February 2009 01:42
(A review of One More Bite (Jaz Parks))
If in the previous novel I was excited about seeing more David, I can definitely say that in this one I was thrilled to see more Albert. And the very first few pages of the novel were a reminder of exactly why that was.
There's a great wit and back-and-forth action between Jaz and her father. Despite the occasional pain there is for Jaz, Rardin's written all those moments in such a way that you find yourself giggling at the antics and the frustration. Naturally, not all is at it seems with her father, and it was nice to see him get a chance to know and view a part of Jaz's life he previously was unaware of (even if that also brings back bad memories for the both of them.)
I also said previously I was sorry they teased about Albert's situation and accident but didn't go into detail. We find out more about that in this story, though I do believe Rardin's saving the bulk of it for its own book. I think that's prefect because I was jsut as surprised to read who was involved as Jaz was... When it all comes to a head, we may get the chance to see Jaz heal some old festering wounds.
What I've also really loved about the story to date is the continuity. While Samos is technically dead, we all know that in a supernatural novel it's very easy to bring the deceased back to life! His story has spanned several novels and he's been the big bad for the most part, but this story opens the door to the next big challenge they'll all face. It's done in such a great way and interwoven over several books that when Rardin finally does switch up the big bads, we won't feel like it's too sudden a jump. At the same time, I'm happy that she didn't waste time with a "bridge" book, trying to stick something inbetween to make the two pieces fit.
I will say that I miss the rest of the gang. No Cassandra or Bergman in this story, but still fabulous. Let's hope Rardin brings them all back together again soon!!
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I'll have to check out The Southern Vampire Series. I have Guilty Pleasures on my bookshelf but haven't gotten to it yet.
When I was younger, I remember reading a series of vampire books based on two vampire brothers - I think one was named Damian. Can't remember the name of them though.
Hope you're having a good one.
Have a good one.