Sunday, December 28, 2008

Dead Until Dark


Title: Dead Until Dark
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Sookie Stackhouse /Southern Vampire Series (Book 1)
Genre: Paranormal Romance



Jumping back on the Paranormal Romance wagon, I picked up Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. It is part of the Sookie Stackhouse story and the Southern Vampires Series. Interestingly enough, the books also inspired the HBO TV show entitled True Blood.

Dead Until Dark introduces us to Sookie, a waitress in a small town in Louisianna who can hear other people's thoughts. Because of this "disability" she doesn't have much of a social life and definitely doesn't date. In this time of the world, Vampires are now a legally recognized group of people. They are said to be suffering from a disease, but we later find out that's just what they want people to believe. They are able to be around everyone because there is a new synthetic blood made that they can live on.

Sookie is very excited when her town has it's first Vampire visitor/soon to be local. He comes into her workplace and she knows right away, due to his glow. She eventually learns through listening to others thoughts that a couple plans on draining him of his blood and leaving him to die. Vampire blood has lots of uses including: increased sexual stamina/response, healing properties and other things that we learn about later. Sookie saves him and learns that she cannot hear his thoughts. This of course leads into a relationship between the two.

Around the same time there are several women who are dying in town. They all have old bites left from vampires, which leads the town to dislike Bill (Sookie's Vampire). Sookie's brother Jason is also high up on the suspect list. These two suspects lead to Sookie investigating to find out who the murderer is, and unfortunately she finds out in a rough way.

This was an interesting read and I'm anxiously awaiting the next book, which I have on hold at the library. The legalization of Vampires leads to a whole new level of life that appears well thought out and interesting. There are fun new terms such as Fang Banger (my personal favorite).

One thing that just irked me, and I was ready to put down the book then and there was when Bill bit Sookie. I was angry for some reason. Perhaps it stemmed off the "no biting" attitude left over from Twilight.

I've started watching the True Blood series online (http://www.free-tv-video-online.info/internet/true_blood/). I can definitely see why it is on HBO - very graphic and highly sexual.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Tribute


Title: Tribute
Author: Nora Roberts
Series: None
Genre: Romance



I am a Nora Roberts fan, I believe I've written all (romance novels) that she has written. I usually love them all, but this one, was disappointing.

Tribute follows Cilla, a washed up child star, as she moves into her grandmother's (who was a very popular movie star back in the day) abandoned home in a rural area. It is an accepted fact that the grandmother committed suicide but when Cilla finds love letters in the attic from that time, she's not so sure anymore. Cilla meets her neighbor Ford who lives across the street and his so ugly he's cute dog Spock. The two weather through the mystery of who the unsigned letters are from, and finally what really happened to Cilla's Grandmother. And of course, being a romance novel they are engaged by the end.

I don't know what it was about the story, it just didn't grip me and pull me in like she usually does. Perhaps it was less developed because it's a stand alone book instead of a trilogy. But either way, reading this was a straight and boring line, little excitement and it took me a while to read it because I just didn't care.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Extras


Title: Extras
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Series: Uglies (Book 4)
Genre: Young Adult



I was skeptical about the fourth book in the Uglies series when I realized it did not revolve around Tally but a new character Aya.

Extras follows Aya in her quest for a high face rank. Everyone has a feed - a "channel" where they can broadcast whatever they want. If you have a high rank you get things for free because you are entertaining (much like a celebrity). If you have a low rank you need to do things to earn merits (almost like money). You get a higher face rank by people watching your feed and/or saying your name. Aya starts off low in the 450,000's. But she moves up whens she breaks a big story. Which, surprise, brings Tally in. I liked the story just fine until Tally showed up. Then I felt it went downhill. I was confused in the descriptions of the Extras' stuff and home.

One thing that it made me think of was Facebook and MySpace. You post things on them, people look at them and in some degree, through your friends and following you have a "rank". I've no idea if that was something he thought about when writing the story, but it's what came to mind for me.

One thing I did love was the dedication page said, "For all the people who wrote to tell me the true meaning of triology" or something along those lines. It made me smile :)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Pretties & Specials


Title: Pretties
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Series: Uglies (Book 2)
Genre: Young Adult


I finally finished the next two books in the Uglies trilogy - Pretties and Specials.

Pretties follows Tally after she has become a Pretty. She is living in Pretty town with Peris, Shay and her new friends the Crims. They party, they drink and life is great. That is until Tally gets a surprise visit from one of the old Smokies. He sends her and her new friend Zane (who I love, especially in the next book) on a wild chase to find a letter that Tally wrote to herself and two pills for the cure. She and Zane split the cure, each taking one pill. Of course they eventually get into trouble and try to run from the city to New Smoke.

Now, I enjoyed this book about Tally's pretty days, although I almost wish we would have learned more about PrettyTown before she took the cure. I suppose, that would have been less interesting then the excitement of running from the city.


Title: Specials
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Series: Uglies (Book 2)
Genre: Young Adult


Next up was Specials, which I must say, I liked the least of the three books. Tally has become an all power force as a special part of Special Circumstances. She bows down to Shay's rule, who is nothing like the Shay from book one or even book 2. I felt that this story really showed their heartless side (which is what they were suppose to be, so good job on that) but I just didn't feel as invested in their story. That did eventually change near the end of the book. I do feel that this was a good "ending" to the trilogy though, to me it just fit.

As I was searching the net I came across a website that has the last chapter of Specials with the authors commentary. http://www.behindthepulse.com/uglies/specialschapterfinalB.pdf I thought that there were a few interesting thoughts in it. One thing I didn't notice was the last word in the book Uglies was pretty, in Pretties was special and in Specials was ugly.

One thing that did weird me out about this book was that when I opened it, the Tally on the cover's (I assume it's her) left eye looked at me from behind the pages. Since the pages didn't totally cover her eye, she was always watching me. I don't know if that was done on purpose or not, but once I noticed it I couldn't not notice.

I'm currently working on reading the fourth book - which isn't about Tally at all (This I am sad about), but does take place in the same city a few years later.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Cutting Loose


Title: Cutting Loose
Author: Susan Andersen
Series: Sisterhood Diaries (Book 1)
Genre: Contemporary Romance


I picked this book up because it was in the "New Books" section at the library. It's by Susan Andersen. This was a contemporary romance book and takes place in current times. I felt that the story was okay, but overall the book was simply mediocre. I probably would have stopped reading it, but it was the only book I had with me at work, so I continued to read it.

The story is of Jane and her two friends Ava and Poppy (who I'm sure will have books later). The girls had very different up bringings and backgrounds but are the best of friends. When their childhood friend, an older wealthy lady, dies she leaves them all of her belongings and her mansion. They decided to have it updated and hire in a family owned company to do exactly that. This is where Devlin - Dev, comes in. He and Jane are just immediately attracted on one another and decide to try the no strings attached thing, but being a romance novel obviously that doesn't work.

My biggest issue with the story is Jane and Devlin have very little interaction until two thirds through the book when they hop into bed together out of the blue. In addition to that, they have a fight later on in the book that again, seems forced and fake.

The next book is indeed Poppy's story entitled, Bending the Rules, and comes out this summer.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Seduce Me At Sunrise


Title: Seduce Me at Sunrise
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Series: Hathaway Series (Book 2)
Genre: Romance



I'd been on the waiting list at my library for this book for so long, I forgot why I wanted it in the first place. I knew it was by Lisa Kleypas, who I really enjoy, but was worried because it was book 2 in a series where I hadn't read book one.

Boy was I mistaken. I started reading the story and thought hmm... these names sound familiar. Then I stumbled upon the thought that I had indeed read the first book, Mine till Midnight. Not only had I read it, but I had highly enjoyed it and immediately requested the next book. This all was a pleasant surprise when I was starting to read it. Although I enjoy reading new books, it is always nice to read a book where you already know some of the characters and the world behind it.

Seduce Me at Sunrise followed in the footsteps of it's predecesor, I highly enjoyed it. It follows Winn - the younger sister of Amelia (First Book) as she goes away to France to become well. She has been extremely ill since she had scarlet fever as a child. She has also been in love with a Gypsy that her family took in as a child, Merripen. This is their story as Merripen overcomes his demons from childhood and can finally have the life with Winn that she wants.

Since there are several Hathaway sisters left, and a brother - I am assuming there will be at least 3 books more. I also predict book #3 will be about Leo and of course, the Governess. We shall see - I can find no mention of the title or release date, must be to far in the future.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Multiple Blessings


Title: Multiple Blessings
Author: Jon & Kate Gosselin
Series: None
Genre: Non-Fiction



I love Jon & Kate plus Eight. I watch it every Monday. When I heard they wrote a book I decided I was going to read it. I was a little leery because I knew they are religious and the book talked about that.

The story tells of how Jon & Kate met, got married mere months later, had the girls and the babies as well as the hardships they faced. I definitely learned new things about the family and when I watched it this Monday I felt like I was making extra connections and saw them in a new light. A lot of it was old info, but it was still interesting to read. It told a lot about the time between the babies being born and the time they turned one. I enjoyed learning where some of Kate's friends came from and hearing more about the family that we never see.

If you like the show, I thought it was a good read. It did deal with religious aspect of things, but I thought that it was fine. It wasn't like you were beat over the head with it, it just explained what they thought and felt at the time. I only skipped over the numbered list with 6 things relating to God. I tried to read that and it wasn't for me. There was also additional pics of the family that I hadn't seen before.

It was the perfect book to read over Thanksgiving, because it talked a lot about that.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Uglies


Title: Uglies
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Series: Uglies (Book 1)
Genre: Young Adult




What an interesting concept for a book. I'm always intrigued when I read a story that is suppose to take place in the future and seems to make some sort of statement about the way we live now and how it will impact the future.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, is the first book of a trilogy (that current has four books, figure that one out). It is about a future society where at the age of 16 everyone undergoes major plastic surgery to become a Pretty. They pretty much all look the same. It has said to stem from hate crimes and other problems such as discrimination based on looks in the past. Uglies and Pretties do not live together or basically ever interact. It is a highly interesting society that is full of technology.

But, not all people want to become Pretty, go figure, there are always noncomformists. There is a runaway town called Smoke, where people go to stay the same. The powers that be in the cities (where the Uglies and Pretties live) have been on a look out for this place for a long time. It is not acceptable that everyone does not want to conform.

This story follows Tally. She makes a new friend (after her old one turned Pretty) and eventually learns that the new friend, Shay, does not want to become a Pretty and is running away. Tally wants more than anything to become a Pretty, so she stays behind. Tally eventually gets blackmailed by basically the government to lead them to Smoke following the cryptic directions that Shay left her. Otherwise, she can not become a Pretty.

It's interesting to see how they refer to what is life now, calling us Rusties. The ending left me wanting to go out and grab the next book, and I am going to do just that.

I am also not 100% sure where I think the story will go after the second book, it should be interesting.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Annie's Song


Title: Annie's Song
Author: Catherine Anderson
Series: None
Genre: Romance



Wow, I think I just finished what has now become one of my all time favorite books. I took out Annie's Song by Catherine Anderson from the library because I had read about it on another book blog.

The beginning of the story is a bit sad, but it turns out wonderful. Annie is basically the town idiot. She's made fun of, acts like a 6 year old, isn't allowed to talk or make any sounds, can't make her own decisions, can't go to church or out on the town, ect. In the first chapter of the book she is raped.

When Alex, the older brother of the man who did this, finds out, he is appalled. He vows to do whatever needs to be done to right the situation, but Annie's parents (total assholes for most of it) don't want to press charges because it might hurt the father's political career. Four months down the road, they learn she is pregnant. Alex steps up to the plate and marries her.

It is then that Annie begins the long journey to blossoming. Alex finds out that she is not stupid, but instead is deaf. No one ever thought that. She has some pretty amusing misconceptions (like she's going to lay an egg much like birds) but is overall very sweet.

The slow win for Annie's affection and trust is just beautiful. This truly was one of those make you feel good stories. I didn't want it to end.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Into the Flame


Title: Into the Flame
Author: Christina Dodd
Series: Darkness Chosen (Book 4)
Genre: Paranormal Romance



Today I finished the Darkness Chosen series by Christina Dodd. I must say that this was my favorite book of the four. I discussed the other three here.

Into the Flame is the final book in the four part series. I can't really say much about it, because there is a shocking twist right in the beginning that is dealt with throughout the story.

I can say, however, that all hell breaks loose as over a hundred Varinskis come to the Wilder's valley home to exterminate them. I think all this action is what made the story such a good read. I must admit, I am sad to be leaving the Wilder family after these four stories.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Walking in Circles Before Lying Down


Title: Walking in Circles Before Lying Down
Author: Merrill Markoe
Series: None
Genre: Chick Lit


What a welcomed change in my reading line up. I walked past this book at Target and was immediately drawn to it. Walking in Circles Before Lying Down by Merrill Markoe was a joyful read that had me laughing.

In this book we meet Dawn. The first few chapters are really back views on her life. We learn about her first dog, her first marriage as well as other things. Then her dog dies, she gets a new puppy and is dumped by her boyfriend. Then it gets interesting.

In her grief she talks to her dog and is shocked to hear him talk back, "Couldn't you smell her on his pants?" He asks. From that point on Dawn can not only hear and have conversations with her dog, but all of the dogs.

Life from the point of view of a dog had me laughing. The dogs like to swear, and have the most interesting comments to make. I loved the conversation she has with the dogs when they follow her into that bathroom. She wonders why they do it and they have an answer for her. I know my dog always wants to follow me into the bathroom (cat too!) so I definitely felt where she was coming from.

There are also some other points of plot such as the All Holiday Tree and her sister who is a Life Coach. I understand they are part of the story, but I could have cared less. It was, however a comical and quick read.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Darkness Chosen

So a while back I read two books in the Darkness Chosen series by Christina Dodd. I liked them and then forgot about the series until one day I looked and learned not only had one new book came out - but two! Hurray!

The basic idea behind the series is a family called the Varinskis. The head of the family (father) made a pact with the devil. Now the Varinskis only have sons, never marry and the can change into wild animals. Well, each person can change into just their animal. The only way to break this pact is by finding 4 pieces of a Madonna and joining them. There is one part of the family that doesn't like the Varinskis ways so he moves away to the US. He gets married *gasp* and has 3 sons and a daughter *gasp*

Scent of Darkness is the first book. It follows Jasha - he can turn into a wolf. His secretary really has the hots for him and decides to surprise him while he is away at one of his houses. Unfortunately they meet at the house when he is in Wolf form and she is scared away. She runs through the forest, he finds her. They are eventually hunted by the Varinski and must run away. Jasha helps Ann while they are running in the wilderness. The first icon is found in this story.

Touch of Darkness follows the son Rurik. He works on ruins. The photographer in the story who captures whats in the ruins is Tasya. They have had a relationship previous to the story beginning. They too get hunted by those horrible Varinskis and had to run away. Surprise - the second icon is found in this story.

Into the Shadow is Adrik's and Karen's story. Karen is a site manager over a hotel that is being built in the worst of places. Strange things happen - one being her phantom lover that comes to her each night. Eventually there is a disaster and Adrik (phantom lover) saves her. He captures her and doesn't want to let her go. Eventually due to some circumstances, he does let her go and she hopes to never see him again. Of course that's not true, and again the Varinski's pose a threat. Karen also finds the third icon.

Next up is Into the Flame - which tells the sister - Firebird's story.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Untamed


Title: Untamed
Author: P.C. & Kristin Cast
Series: House of Night (Book 4)
Genre: Young Adult



So I finally got the newest House of Night novel in from the library - Untamed. I previously talked about the other books in the series here.

As I returned to Zoey Redbird where I last left her, her friends had deserted her and she was *gasp* boyfriendless. Things weren't too great for her, and had been hard almost the entire time she'd been at the House of Night. There was also something not right about her mentor.

Well to put it mildly - in this book all hell breaks loose, quite literally. The happy fact is Zoey gets her friends back, starts to like a new boy, has something interesting interactions with Ex-Eric and has a revelation in regards to religion. On the negative side, more people die, all hell breaks loose (did I mention that?), and Neferet turns real bad.

The way this book ended reminded me a lot of the way Faefever ended. So needless to say, I'm left waiting again for the next book to come out. It is entitiled Hunted and isn't released untill March 2009. Looks like I have a lot more waiting to do.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Bitten


Title:Bitten
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld (Book 1)
Genre: Paranormal Romance


Wow - a week between posts, I'm embarrassed.

So yesterday I read Bitten by Kelley Armstrong. It's the first of another series, the Women of the Otherworld.

The story tells of Elena, who was bitten by her fiance (a werewolf) and became the only female werewolf ever in existence. She is part of the Pack (an all powerful group, almost like royalty in my mind) She's not really fond of being a part of the Pack (or so she thinks) and chooses to run away and try for a "normal" human life. She thinks it's going great, with her wonderful live in boyfriend when she gets called back by the Alpha. Elena's reluctant - but she goes.

Someone is threatening the Pack and killing them off while Elena is there. She and the rest of the Pack must show them whose boss no matter the cost.

A good book - I know the second book Stolen is about Elena too, however after that it seems to stray to a different main character I have yet to meet. I wonder at the connection.

Perhaps our mysterious main character will make an appearance in Stolen.

Monday, November 3, 2008

The Host


Title: The Host
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Series: None
Genre: Science Fiction



Reading the Twilight books and enjoying them immensely, I was excited to learn that Stephenie Meyer had written another book for adults, The Host. Apparently I wasn't the only excited, and I have spent the last three months on the waiting list at my local library.

It's a long book - at about 625 pages I knew I needed to set aside some time and read it. That happened to be the last two days. I read the story of "Wanda" and Mel and their lives in an earth that has been taken over by parasites that infiltrate your body and mind and live your life while you waste away.

Now when I was younger I enjoyed the Animorphs series. This series includes aliens, Yerks that crawl into your ear and do exactly what these aliens in The Host do.

I must say, although I enjoyed the story, I was hoping for more. The Twilight series (for the most part) reminds me of teenage sexual frustration. I thought - she wrote a book marketed for adults, maybe there is a reason it is written for adults. As far as I can tell - I don't see a reason. There is probably less physical togetherness in this book then in the Twilight books. Now I wasn't looking for a romance novel...but I was hoping for an adult novel.

That said, I enjoyed the struggle between Wanda, Mel, Ian and Jared, as well as the overall love and joy that came from Jamie. I definitely cried a few times in this book.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Wednesday Night Witches


Title: Wednesday Night Witches
Author: Lee Nichols
Series: None
Genre: Paranormal


In the spirit of Halloween I choose a new book to read, Wednesday Night Witches by Lee Nichols. Now I know one could arguably say that this really is no different then what I've been reading, supernatural stories, since this one had nothing more to do with Halloween then all the others did. Well, I found it in the fiction section and there were no steamy scenes.

It's about a woman who has 2 different friends (but who are not friends with each other) The three of them end up living on the same island and they are not happy with their lives. They get together on Tuesday nights to play trivia and drink - their team name is the Wednesday Night Witches because at Midnight it is Wednesday. Sometimes they go out and drink on Wednesdays too.

It is one such Wednesday when they drink to their wishes and dreams and accidentally let out a demon, who starts to make these things happen. Near the last few pages, they finally figure it out when things start to go slightly downhill, and need to banish the demon.

It was cute - it was a quick read and bordered on that chick lit that I once was so heavily into. One with Halloween (tomorrow)!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Georgina Kincaid Series

What an interesting twist of fate. Most of the books I'm currently waiting to read are on hold at my local library. So when I went this past week, I decided to just walk the aisles and pick up the books that look interesting to me without doing prior research. The hard part about this, is I've done it several times before and I'm always drawn to the same books that I've already taken out and read.

So I walk around and come across these 2 books on the shelf that obviously go together (YES! a series!) I pull them down. Read them and decided to see what else Richelle Mead (the author) wrote. Vampire Academy - yes...the book I put down the other day. What a coincidence. I really enjoyed this series too, maybe the author's not so bad after all :)

First thought out of my mind when I picked up this book - what is a Succubus, I'm going to have to look it up. Then I flip the back over and its says:

Succubus (n.)
An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasure mortal men.

Apparently according to Wikipedia this is a real word.
Wow - how could I not want to read this book? Georgina Kincaid is an immortal demon who sucks the life out of men. This gives her major energy and the ability to shape shift and basically live - too bad it has cost her soul. The men feel drained, sleep for days and loose years off their lives. What a life.

She works in a bookstore - meets and falls for a famous author and has a sort of supernatural puzzle to figure out. Someone is picking of the immortals - who is it? What can she do to help?

Unfortunately I found the story to be a bit easy to foreshadow, but I still highly enjoyed it.

Book 2 in the series has a lot of focus on Georgina and her now author boyfriend. Big problem when you're an adult and you can't even kiss your man. Talk about sexual struggles.

There is also another paranormal mystery to figure out. Something weird is going on with her coworkers and we meet an incubus (the male version of a succubus). This one definitely had a lot of "aww cute!" moments.

Now I found these books in the Fiction section - they are not considered romance. This leads me to wonder what is it that makes the choice to what the books are considered? In my opinion these books deserve the Romance label a lot more than say the Fever series. Can't figure that one out.

Upon further investigation (plus the little plug at the end of the book) I learn that there is a third book that came out this month! Yay!

Unfortunately - my library doesn't have this one, nor does it have the book on order yet (that I can see on their website). I could buy it, I really like this series, but I need to stop buying new books that are in the middle of a series. Then I feel the need to buy the rest of the books in the series and let's be honest - I have lots of books and I don't necessarily need that many more.

Either way - I am highly looking forward to this one, especially since currently the amazon rating is 5 stars!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Vampire Academy


Title: Vampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy (Book 1)
Genre: Young Adult


Wow - I put a book down. I didn't finish it. That is a rare occasion for me. I keep thinking it will get better - it will get better...and then I'm done, I realize it didn't and I think wow, I wasted that time.

Yesterday I put down Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. It got such great ratings on Amazon too - four and a half stars! I just...I don't know. It was the wrong book at the wrong time. It is even a series - and it's suppose to be good. I think some day I might try it again, I read probably the first 125 pages or so (out of 332) and it just wasn't doing anything for me. Maybe it was too many Young Adult books about Vampires in a row.

Hopefully on to bigger (and better) things.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Immortals: The Calling


Title: The Calling
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Series: Immortals (Book 1)
Genre: Paranormal Romance



Between my extra time yesterday and a bit this morning I read Immortals: The Calling by Jennifer Ashley.

In The Calling we meet Adrian who is an Immortal, a demi-god. His purpose is to keep the balance of life-magic (think good magic) and death-magic (bad magic) in equal balance. He's been around for hundreds upon hundreds of years. Then 700 years ago his brother goes missing - lured away by a demon. Adrian has made it his life quest to find out what happened to his brother and save him.

While looking for his brother he meets Amber - a witch who is looking for revenge for her dead sister. Together they find his brother, although I'll leave it at that.

There are some things that I thought were interesting in this story that it had in common with other things I've read. They talked about the Celtic Unseelie (the Fever Series), a Book of Shadows (Charmed) , calling a circle based on four elements (House of Night Series) and some other things that I just can't remember at the moment.

I know some of the other books that are out now (which I do intend to pick up in the near future after I'm done with a few others I already have waiting) are each in turn about one of Adrian's brothers but starting with Book 5 the cover changes from having the purpley overlay on the covers to a red one - wonder if it is from a death-magic point of view? There are currently six out, with a seventh to be released November 2008 and an eighth March 2009.

One thing that I am NOT excited about regarding this series - each of the books is written not by Jennifer Ashely, but by one of three different authors. As I haven't read the other ones yet, I can't put say if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but I'm going in worried.

I was put off by the cover of this book (and all the following ones) and I haven't decided if I LOVE it - but I enjoyed it enough to follow through with the rest of the series. Now I must say that after reading Young Adult Literature for the past couple of series this book was a shocker. It was chock full of long descriptive steamy scenes.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

House of Night Series

Continuing in Vampire (or Vampyre in this case) land - I found the House of Night novels by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast in the Young Adult section. I do enjoy a good young adult book - they are just as good reads as adult fiction (and sometimes better!)

I've finished the first three books:









These are about a world (about current time) where Vampyres not only exist, but are known by humans to exist and although are treat a little biased against - are more or less part of society and not some scary kill you suck your blood type ideal.

These stories follow Zoey Redbird as she is marked (chosen by Nyx the goddess to become a vampyre) and then goes to the House of Night (Basically Vampyre high school - where they learn to become a vampyre) She quickly makes a group of friends and they find together that they have a special affinity for the elements are are able to use them to help themselves and "talk" to the goddess.

Zoey has to deal with boy issues (of which I had a hard time in book 3 - she made some VERY poor choices and at one point I wanted to chuck the book across the room), as well as friend issues and teacher issues. Yep - sounds like young adult literature. But the story is intriguing and I enjoy the thoughts that there is another world the explore.

Interestingly enough there is what is called "People of Faith" and they are the religious fanatics. I don't know if it is the way I am reading them but I enjoy that it comes across to me that they are a bit of a crazy cult (because sometimes I feel that way about religon...sorry)

I am anxiously awaiting book 4:

I feel that it seems that I find series and start to read them when new books come out in that series (which is how I hear about them) I find that it seems that when I read all of the books that are already out there appears to be no cliffhangers - but when I get to the last book that is out (or their is a long list at the library for the next) That is when there is a real cliffhanger.

I think that Chosen had an interesting ending and I am looking forward to getting Untamed from the Library.

On a side note - I think that the website for this series is really great. There are pictures of the characters and you can see their marks (I was extra excited to see Zoey's) as well as being able to see the symbols for the different formers. I thought it was helpful to my mind's eye.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Psy-Changeling Series

Wow - I have been doing some reading (of course) and just finished a series that is currently 5 books long - the Psy/Changling series by Nalini Singh.

Jumping back into paranormal romance - these books are about mainly 2 groups of people in the future - Psy, who have been conditioned by Silence to not have any emotions, they make for an interesting race and Changlings, who are able to shift into an animal form and live in Packs. There are also regular humans in these books, but they aren't predominentally featured (except for one particular human) The Psy do not interact with either of the other races too much, although Changelings and humans are known to on a more common basis.

Aside from the obvious romance aspect of these books, there is also a struggle between the two races (three) that continues throughout the series. Thy Psy are starting to break Silence (It's a BIG deal) and the Changeli
ngs who are trying to bring down the Council (the group of Psy who rule the Psy network - have I mentioned they have mental powers and are all connected on a psycic plane?)

Sounds like a lot to take in, but it was easy to accept and even easier to follow. I adore the pet names that were used throughout the entire series.

We meet Lucas, the Alpha of the leopard pack DarkRiver. He is working on a housing project for Changelings in collaboration with the Psy (This is NOT common) when he meets Sascha who is a Psy who thinks she is broken. She feels emotion and the only solution to that is rehabilitation which leaves the Psy basically a vegetable. Insert a serial killer into the mix and it makes an interesting read.

Enter Vaughn - a sentinel of DarkRiver who is part of the close knit group that watches over the alpha (Lucas) and his mate. He meets Faith - a Psy who is known for her ability to see and tell the future. She is plagued by dreams of death (not common for Psy, they predict monetary futures) and there is only one person who can help her through them - you guessed it Vaughn!

Time to mix it up this time around. Instead of a male Changeling, we meet Judd - a male Psy who is about as deadly as they come. He has some pretty amazing powers. That means the female is a Changeling - Brenna who is part of DarkRivers blood alliance Snowdancer (Wolf Changelings) who has been abducted by one of those pesky sociopaths we learned about in Book 1 and were plagued by in Book 2. She has some things she needs to work through.

This one I managed to read in one sitting (I think it had to do with the fact that I was on vacation)

Mixing it up again - we have Clay who is a half changeling, half human member of Darkriver. He didn't grow up within the pact but was raised by his human single mother and eventually through social services. When
he was in foster homes he had a best friend - Talin (Tally) who he believed died when he was 8.

Surprise! She's not, and she (pretty much just a human) shows up for his help with missing charges (she now helps kids in the system).


I really enjoyed this installment of the series - it made me cry.

This time we follow Dorian (whos another member of Darkriver that we've seen before this). He is "broken." He is a leopard changeling without the ablitiy to change. He can feel the leopard inside of him and has many of it's traits, but is unable to make the change.

We meet Ashaya, she is a Psy who has the ablitiy to see DNA (call my geek side happy!) and is working for the Council on creating an implant for brains that will create a hive mind. But she is transported into the middle of Darkriver territory and the leopards don't react kindly to intruders on their land.

Haven't read this one yet - it was just released this past week. It is a book with 4 stories in it, each by a different author. Nalini Singh makes her contribution and it is a Psy-Changeling book, Stroke of Enticment. Not entirely sure where it falls in the series yet - I think maybe as a Book 4.5

The story is about Zach (Darkriver Changeling) and Annie (Human). I think I recall reading
something about them in Book 5, which leads me to believe it comes before that. From what I understand, it is also an easy read as a stand alone book. Needless to say, I'm waiting for the book to make it's way to the local library (it seems pricey at $15.00 for a paperback when I really want that one short story in particular)

Haven't read this one yet either - it appears simliar to The Magical Christmas Cat as in it is a book full of short stories by different authors. Beat of Temptations being Nalini Singh's contribution.

I'm excited to read this one - it revolves around Nate and Tammy - two changelings who are a big part of each of the other regular installations of the series. They are some of my favorite characters and I would love to get a better look at their coming together. I would consider it a prequel to the other stories.

Branded by Fire
isn't released until July 2009 (right around my birthday - yay!) It is the story of another female changeling from Darkriver who is also a sentinel, Mercy. She is best friends with Dorian and upset that she is the last powerful sentinel left that hasn't mated.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Lords of the Underworld

This series I loved so much that after borrowing them from the library - I went out and bought all three at Barnes & Noble. I anxiously await the next ones. They fall again into that paranormal romance section :)

The basic idea behind Lords of the Underworld Series by Gena Showalter is that there is a group of Immortals who screwed up in the past. They decided that it wasn't fair that Pandora watched over the box, because she was a chick and com
e on, why her instead of a bunch of men? So this group of "men" decided to play a trick on the gods, open the box and show them how worthy they are by capturing the demons inside and putting them in the box. Problem - they lost the box. So these men must each house a demon inside of them. Each book is about a different one of the demon housing men. Their overall goal is to break the curse by finding certain items, this is followed throughout the series.

Before Darkest Night there was an online novel The Darkest Fire. I do not own one of those nifty portable digital book holder things (can never remember what they are called) nor am I a fan of reading a book (even if it is a shortened one) on my computer screen. Therefore I haven't read it. She has discussed releasing it as a book eventually - but until then, I'm fine not reading it. It is about Geryon the Guardian of Hell that's about all I know.

There are currently three books out:

This installment is about Maddox - keeper of Violence. He is forced the die every night the same way that the men killed Pandora. His friends must stab him to death in the gut and he spends the night in hell. Wakes up the next morning good as new. He also wants to inflict lots of violence due to the demon inside of him. He meets Ashlyn who comes searching to the gods because she hears voices and thinks she must be crazy. Really she hears voices from the past. She goes somewhere and hears everything that was ever said there. Imagine the craziness of that. Needless to say Ashlyn is kidnapped by a group of people that are against the Lords. A chase ensues...


Lucien is introduced in this book - keeper of death. Kind of like the Angel of Death he has to go and collect souls and bring them to heaven or hell. Such as his friend Maddox who he brings to hell each night. He meets Anya Goddess of Anarchy. She is a flirtatious goddess who I imagine to be like a sassy rebellious teenager. The other Gods don't really recognize her and she just likes to cause mischief. Lucien is ordered by a ruling God to kill Anya or die himself. Unfortunately...he can't bring himself to do it. This makes a problem.


Meet Reyes keeper of Pain. The only way he feels pleasure is through pain. He often cuts himself as well as other extremes such as jumping off the top of the Lords home so that he has broken bones. Their home has dark colored seats and carpet to hide the blood stains from his constant mutilation. His soon to be lady - Danika - has been ordered to death by the gods. They like to order deaths. Her and her entire family must be killed and it has made Aeron (Keeper of Wrath) a bit crazy with blood lust. So much so that he is chained in the basement. Reyes feels the need to choose between Danika, the woman he is drawn to, and his friend for centuries.

The next book will be The Darkest Whisper.
Going to be about Sabin - Keeper of Doubt. He is able to insert doubtful thoughts and feelings into anyone's mind. Said to be coming out May 2009.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Fever Series

Ever since reading the Twilight Series I have been on a paranormal romance kick. I went searching for books that fell into that category but were not to "weird." I found a plethora. I recently finished reading the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning - well finished in the sense that I've finished what's out there and I'm waiting for more.

The series to date has three books to it:










The series is about MacKayla Lane - a young woman from rural Georgia with a twin sister. Her twin sister moves to Ireland and is murdered at the beginning of the first book. Mac has her sister's dying message on her cell phone and decides to go to Ireland to find the murderer (since the cops are no help.)

Once there Mac learns about another part of her world. The Fae part. Mac is a Sidhe-Seer, the magic from the Fae does not work on her, boy does that piss them off :). There are Dark Fae and Light Fae, but in reality none of them are what you would call "Good."

The Books follow Mac as she meets new people who are also involved in this world and learns more about her sister, who never told her about any of this. There is a book of the dead that everyone wants, sex crazed fae, and a mysterious employer/housemate. Mac learns to be afraid of the dark/shadows and to pretend not to see the many things she does.

When the third book leaves us, the walls between Fae and the rest of the word have come down leaving everything in mass chaos and it is up to Mac to save the world.

There are two more books to the series: Dreamfever and Shadowfever... I have yet to find a date of release for them.

Oh yes - these are marketed as Romance, although there is no typical ending with the two characters together in any of the books.