You can probably sense a theme happening.... Obviously, I'm not off of my Anita kick. I am greatly anticipating June 1st, when I can finally get a hold of the next Anita novel, so I revisited yet another Anita Blake novel(#14).
This time, Anita thinks she's pregnant, but who's the daddy? Also, Marmie Noir (the mother of all vamps) is all up in Anita's Kool-Aid trying to possess her so she can have a body and be free again. And all the while there are loads of visiting vamps in town for the all new, all vamp traveling ballet troupe and to bring offerings to Anita for her new pomme de sange position(basically a blood whore). The triumvirate with Jean-Claude and Richard is getting stronger and making the vamp world sit up and take notice. And now that Anita has her very own triumvirate with vampy hunk, Damian, and pretty kitty, Nathanial, she is becoming a force all unto herself.
This one is full of metaphysical fun, and while it's a little too heavy in the steam department for my liking, it's still a good adventure read.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, Book 5) by Richelle Mead
Man oh man, was this book worth the wait! Mead did not let me down. There were a few times where I was exasperated by Rose, as usual, but I can look past it.
In this book, Rose and Lissa graduate from St. Vlad's and move into the Moroi Court, where vampire royalty live. Rose is continuing to receive letters from evil Strigoi Dimitri that scare and devastate her. After learning about the possibility of healing Strigoi with Spirit power, Rose and Lissa head out on a crazy adventure to learn all the details of turning one back from the "dark side" of vampirism. After all, she wants Dimitri back to his old self if it's possible, much to the chagrin of her honey Adrian. Rose is her typical reckless self, but you're able to see her maturing and realizing her wrong. Lissa is growing in Spirit ability and in maturity. Adrian is proving to be quite a catch. And Dimitri surprises us all!
There are a lot of twists and the surprises get thicker the further you venture into the book. The ending is a complete cliffhanger. And October, when book 6 is to be released, will not get here soon enough! If you haven't read this series, go and start it now!
In this book, Rose and Lissa graduate from St. Vlad's and move into the Moroi Court, where vampire royalty live. Rose is continuing to receive letters from evil Strigoi Dimitri that scare and devastate her. After learning about the possibility of healing Strigoi with Spirit power, Rose and Lissa head out on a crazy adventure to learn all the details of turning one back from the "dark side" of vampirism. After all, she wants Dimitri back to his old self if it's possible, much to the chagrin of her honey Adrian. Rose is her typical reckless self, but you're able to see her maturing and realizing her wrong. Lissa is growing in Spirit ability and in maturity. Adrian is proving to be quite a catch. And Dimitri surprises us all!
There are a lot of twists and the surprises get thicker the further you venture into the book. The ending is a complete cliffhanger. And October, when book 6 is to be released, will not get here soon enough! If you haven't read this series, go and start it now!
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
This book was really good. It really didn't feel like a fiction book at all. Grahame-Smith just worked with what history gives us and added in the vamp angle, and he did it flawlessly. Even using quotes from speeches and looking at what we know of Lincoln, he made it seem as if he really were dealing with vamps.
Basically Lincoln's mom is killed by a vamp when he is a boy. Once Abe learns about the cause of death, he sets his heart on avenging his mother by ridding the world of the scourge of vamp kind. He makes unlikely friends and spends his young life killing vampires and grows into manhood as a respected vamp hunter.
Grahame-Smith really did a stellar job placing this vamp fiction seamlessly into our history. It's very interesting and very entertaining. Read it.
Basically Lincoln's mom is killed by a vamp when he is a boy. Once Abe learns about the cause of death, he sets his heart on avenging his mother by ridding the world of the scourge of vamp kind. He makes unlikely friends and spends his young life killing vampires and grows into manhood as a respected vamp hunter.
Grahame-Smith really did a stellar job placing this vamp fiction seamlessly into our history. It's very interesting and very entertaining. Read it.
Skin Trade by Laurell K Hamilton
Once again, I revisited an Anita novel. This is #17 in the series, and is possibly my favorite of the entire series.
Anita receives a package containing the head of a Las Vegas vamp executioner from a serial killing vamp and learns of the crazy murder spree he's been on out there. So Anita goes off to investigate the murders and get wrapped up in Las Vegas SWAT and with the vampy Master of the City, Max, and his wife, Bibiana, whom happens to be Chang of the were-tigers and is seeking to get Anita away from Jean-Claude and into her clan. We get to see Edward, whom I love, as well as Bernardo and Olaf(met them in Obsidian Butterfly). We meet lots of new characters, human and weres. And we get to spend a little more time with Requiem, Wicked, and Truth, vamps that I love.
It's very exciting and not overly sexual like some of the past series. An overall very good action/mystery book.
Anita receives a package containing the head of a Las Vegas vamp executioner from a serial killing vamp and learns of the crazy murder spree he's been on out there. So Anita goes off to investigate the murders and get wrapped up in Las Vegas SWAT and with the vampy Master of the City, Max, and his wife, Bibiana, whom happens to be Chang of the were-tigers and is seeking to get Anita away from Jean-Claude and into her clan. We get to see Edward, whom I love, as well as Bernardo and Olaf(met them in Obsidian Butterfly). We meet lots of new characters, human and weres. And we get to spend a little more time with Requiem, Wicked, and Truth, vamps that I love.
It's very exciting and not overly sexual like some of the past series. An overall very good action/mystery book.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
Dead in the Family is book 10 in the Sookie Stackhouse, Southern Vampire series. Compared to book 9, this one is a sure winner. But in comparison to other books in the series, it's lacking.
So in this "episode", we find Sookie recouping from the torture she endured at the hands of evil faeries in the short, but deadly Fae war that took place in book 9. She's pissed and scared. Her only comfort is her vampire hunky-honey-bunny Eric Northman, who is the "sheriff" of area 5 and owner of the vamp bar, Fangtasia. But even that is tainted with Eric having to smooth out the rough edges left over from the hostile take-over of Louisiana by Nevada vamps in book 8. And more danger for Eric comes in the form of Eric's creator/vamp daddy coming into town to try and get his aid curing his "brother" from the crazies. *Note, never turn a violently attempted-murder victim into a vamp... it won't turn out well!* Also, the drama of the "two-natured" reveal from book 9 is at a fever pitch, with the government trying to impose a national registry for all shifters. Claude, Sookie's faerie cousin, wants to move in with her since his sister died in the Fae war protecting Sook. He's in need of some Fae blood company. And the discovery of more faeries(that aren't Claude) wondering around Sookie's property is making Sook all kinds of nervous since the Fae world was sealed off after the war. Oh and Bill is still sick from the silver poisoning he got in book 9 saving Sook, and is in need of "family" blood to get better. (That was an under the radar story line to me, but ended interestingly enough.)
This book is busy and chock full o' story lines, making it interesting and entertaining. At times, it's a bit dull and leaves you wondering "what's the point?", when dealing with the vamp politics. It wasn't the best Sookie book, but it wasn't the worst either, so I guess it counts more in the "like" category for me.
So in this "episode", we find Sookie recouping from the torture she endured at the hands of evil faeries in the short, but deadly Fae war that took place in book 9. She's pissed and scared. Her only comfort is her vampire hunky-honey-bunny Eric Northman, who is the "sheriff" of area 5 and owner of the vamp bar, Fangtasia. But even that is tainted with Eric having to smooth out the rough edges left over from the hostile take-over of Louisiana by Nevada vamps in book 8. And more danger for Eric comes in the form of Eric's creator/vamp daddy coming into town to try and get his aid curing his "brother" from the crazies. *Note, never turn a violently attempted-murder victim into a vamp... it won't turn out well!* Also, the drama of the "two-natured" reveal from book 9 is at a fever pitch, with the government trying to impose a national registry for all shifters. Claude, Sookie's faerie cousin, wants to move in with her since his sister died in the Fae war protecting Sook. He's in need of some Fae blood company. And the discovery of more faeries(that aren't Claude) wondering around Sookie's property is making Sook all kinds of nervous since the Fae world was sealed off after the war. Oh and Bill is still sick from the silver poisoning he got in book 9 saving Sook, and is in need of "family" blood to get better. (That was an under the radar story line to me, but ended interestingly enough.)
This book is busy and chock full o' story lines, making it interesting and entertaining. At times, it's a bit dull and leaves you wondering "what's the point?", when dealing with the vamp politics. It wasn't the best Sookie book, but it wasn't the worst either, so I guess it counts more in the "like" category for me.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
I read this book because a dear friend asked me to. It was good. Definitely not the usual teen fantasy novel, as this one deals in zombies and not shifters or vamps. I liked it because it was different. I'm easily disturbed by zombie stuff and post-apocalyptic things as well, and while it didn't bother me until the end... bother me it did! I'm a wee bit phobic about a zombie outbreak folks.
So the run down. The main character, Mary, lives in a small village fenced off from the rest of the world because the world is now overrun by zombies, AKA the Unconsecrated. The kids have never known anything other then this village. Things like the ocean and skyscrapers and the such are foreign and mystical concepts to these youngsters. They are taught by the Sisterhood and protected by the Guardians. Once they reach baby making age, they are paired and married and encouraged to procreate to keep the human race alive. If you don't get paired off by the marrying age, then you're either put into the Sisterhood or the Guardians. Mary loses both her parents to the Unconsecrated, her older brother rejects her, and no one selects her for the marriage ceremony. So at a crappy time in her life, she is forced into the Sisterhood where she discovers that there are plenty of things that the villagers have not been told and that life outside the fence might exists.
Full of action and romance and mystery, it's an entertaining read. I think a younger audience would definitely enjoy it, but most adults might be able to dig into it as well. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, and I would never re-read it, but it was entertaining.
So the run down. The main character, Mary, lives in a small village fenced off from the rest of the world because the world is now overrun by zombies, AKA the Unconsecrated. The kids have never known anything other then this village. Things like the ocean and skyscrapers and the such are foreign and mystical concepts to these youngsters. They are taught by the Sisterhood and protected by the Guardians. Once they reach baby making age, they are paired and married and encouraged to procreate to keep the human race alive. If you don't get paired off by the marrying age, then you're either put into the Sisterhood or the Guardians. Mary loses both her parents to the Unconsecrated, her older brother rejects her, and no one selects her for the marriage ceremony. So at a crappy time in her life, she is forced into the Sisterhood where she discovers that there are plenty of things that the villagers have not been told and that life outside the fence might exists.
Full of action and romance and mystery, it's an entertaining read. I think a younger audience would definitely enjoy it, but most adults might be able to dig into it as well. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, and I would never re-read it, but it was entertaining.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Blue Moon by Laurell K Hamilton
And since I was still craving more Anita after I finished Killing Dance, I picked up again another favorite of the series, Blue Moon(book 8). This one focuses heavily on the shifters. It's practically Richards book. I can't really tell you much and have it make any sense, there's way too much back story. But the general gist is that Anita has to run to Richards rescue out in Tennessee(they're from St. Louise) and bail him out of jail for a crime that in noway did he or would he ever commit. (By the way, Anita and Richard are pretty much estranged at this point in the series, so there's plenty of angsty and awkward moments.) There is a lot of drama and mystery around what's happening in this little town and why Richard is at the heart of it. You meet a lot of new vamps and weres in this book. Anita learn more about the triumvirate marks and about her own powers as a necromancer. And just in case you were wondering, yes there is a very steamy scene in this one. This book is pretty violent and twisted though, so be weary if you're weak to that kind of stuff.
Killing Dance by Laurell K Hamilton
So I've been missing Anita and decided I was going to revisit a favorite. Killing Dance is book 6 in the huge Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. This is when the series gets it's first taste of Hamilton's ability at writing incredibly steamy scenes. Before the amount of steam becomes too thick, as in later novels. I love this book. Anita is so addicting. Hamilton's characters are amazing. You get attached easily to a few, if not all, involved in the stories.
The basic run down of this book is that Anita finds herself hot for 2 guys. The ever impressive, sexy vampire and Master of the City, Jean-Claude. And the extremely powerful and hot Richard. The mild mannered junior high school teacher, who also happens to be a werewolf. The competition is steep. Anita's morals and inner turmoil cause many issues along the way as well. She's a monster slayer, not a monster dater, for example. And while that in itself is very entertaining and lovely, Hamilton makes her story even better by making Anita have a hit on her life. Her wonderful pal, Edward (AKA Death by all the "monsters") is approached to take the hit on Anita. Of course, he saves her instead of killing her. So throughout the book, not only is Anita dealing with her dating drama, but her life is on the line. There is even more to it then what I'm telling you, but you just have to read it to see how layered this story is. You meet new characters as well in this book. (One in particular remains one of my faves throughout the series)
If you like supernatural, fantastical, mysteries, that are exciting and steamy, then give this series a try. It is by no means a stand alone novel. You have to start at the begining(Guilty Pleasures. Which is what this whole series is by the way!) and work your way through.
The basic run down of this book is that Anita finds herself hot for 2 guys. The ever impressive, sexy vampire and Master of the City, Jean-Claude. And the extremely powerful and hot Richard. The mild mannered junior high school teacher, who also happens to be a werewolf. The competition is steep. Anita's morals and inner turmoil cause many issues along the way as well. She's a monster slayer, not a monster dater, for example. And while that in itself is very entertaining and lovely, Hamilton makes her story even better by making Anita have a hit on her life. Her wonderful pal, Edward (AKA Death by all the "monsters") is approached to take the hit on Anita. Of course, he saves her instead of killing her. So throughout the book, not only is Anita dealing with her dating drama, but her life is on the line. There is even more to it then what I'm telling you, but you just have to read it to see how layered this story is. You meet new characters as well in this book. (One in particular remains one of my faves throughout the series)
If you like supernatural, fantastical, mysteries, that are exciting and steamy, then give this series a try. It is by no means a stand alone novel. You have to start at the begining(Guilty Pleasures. Which is what this whole series is by the way!) and work your way through.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
This book is a teeny-bopper love story involving werewolves. And I loved it. It was simple, it was cheesy, and at times just plain weird. But the story, the characters, and the writing, were all really well done. I mean, with lines like, "she tasted like oranges and desire", what's not to love and laugh hysterically about? And just so you know, these aren't your "Twilight" werewolves, these aren't even "Wolfman" weres. These are people who turn into wolves. The wild, find them in the forests, no human thought, wolves. They are turned by the seasons. Cold months equal wolf-iness, hot months equal human. Which is different from the lycanthropes I'm used to and I actually liked it.
It begins one winter day, with an 11 year old Grace being dragged from her backyard by the wolves that live in the woods behind her house. One of the wolves, however, instead of trying to eat her, actually saves her from the hungry brood. Thus marking Grace's weird obsession with the wolves, especially the one with the beautiful yellow eyes that rescued her. Fast-forward 6 years. The 17 year old Grace is a bit of an introvert. Her parents aren't much up to their job title. School and friends are very important to her. And nothing is better then watching her wolves. A boy Grace goes to school with is mauled to death by the wolves(or so it's believed), and the town is in an uproar. The town folk decide to eliminate the wolves and Grace isn't happy. Her yellow eyed wolf is shot and Grace finds him on her back porch bleeding to death. Except he's no wolf, he's a hot boy. So she thrusts him into her car for a hospital detour and he thrusts her into the crazy world of werewolves. Then the love blossoms and the drama ensues, of course.
It's pretty predictable, but it's the kind of predictable you don't mind. At least, I don't. The 2nd part of the story comes out this summer and I am really looking forward to it. If your looking for a good, easy, lycanthropic love story, give this one a try.
It begins one winter day, with an 11 year old Grace being dragged from her backyard by the wolves that live in the woods behind her house. One of the wolves, however, instead of trying to eat her, actually saves her from the hungry brood. Thus marking Grace's weird obsession with the wolves, especially the one with the beautiful yellow eyes that rescued her. Fast-forward 6 years. The 17 year old Grace is a bit of an introvert. Her parents aren't much up to their job title. School and friends are very important to her. And nothing is better then watching her wolves. A boy Grace goes to school with is mauled to death by the wolves(or so it's believed), and the town is in an uproar. The town folk decide to eliminate the wolves and Grace isn't happy. Her yellow eyed wolf is shot and Grace finds him on her back porch bleeding to death. Except he's no wolf, he's a hot boy. So she thrusts him into her car for a hospital detour and he thrusts her into the crazy world of werewolves. Then the love blossoms and the drama ensues, of course.
It's pretty predictable, but it's the kind of predictable you don't mind. At least, I don't. The 2nd part of the story comes out this summer and I am really looking forward to it. If your looking for a good, easy, lycanthropic love story, give this one a try.
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