This is a powerfully written political rant literally in wolf's clothing. Well, werewolf's (more correctly: lupine) clothing. This may sound ridiculouThis is a powerfully written political rant literally in wolf's clothing. Well, werewolf's (more correctly: lupine) clothing. This may sound ridiculous, but this is a very serious book about culture, racism, violence, war, protest and pretty much everything political. Plus medical advances and experimentation, the role of drugs in a community, and layers upon layers of deceptions and machinations. It's bloody, terrifying, full of action and it will keep you up at night trying to figure where the story will go next. In short, this book is really kind of brilliant and very, very much worth the read. It's a treasure chest of poignant observations offered in a fictionalized, blood drenched way. I'm deeply impressed with Benjamin Percy, and I am eager to see more from him in the future....more
Two of my favorite writers, Gillian Flynn and S.J. Watson, blurbed this book, and I took that as good omen because these folks know what it takes to cTwo of my favorite writers, Gillian Flynn and S.J. Watson, blurbed this book, and I took that as good omen because these folks know what it takes to create a tale that will keep a reader up late and glued to the pages. And Maclean's declared it "a fast paced Exorcist-meets-DaVinci Code", which sounded hilarious in a way, but, after reading it, I have to agree.
This is a story of a man, his daughter and something very demonic, and unnamed. The main character, Professor David Ullman, is an expert on Milton's Paradise Lost, and has a somewhat tongue-in-cheek reputation as a demonologist because of it. His marriage has just dissolved, and he's left with his young and very withdrawn daughter. So it seems fortuitous when a visitor comes to his office and asks him to travel to Venice to "witness a phenomenon"--bringing his daughter was fine and the money offered staggering. But the phenomenon turned out to be beyond hellish, and was now attached to him and his daughter. The professor is pushed into more and more terrifying situations in order to get them free, all the while appearing a madman to everyone else around him. This book is creepy, breath-stealing and pretty much impossible to put down. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you are up to it, it's a riveting read....more
I am a vampire fan, and generally take a look at any books about them. Most are not so great. But this one, which I sincerely thought was a YA book (iI am a vampire fan, and generally take a look at any books about them. Most are not so great. But this one, which I sincerely thought was a YA book (it's not), caught me by surprise. I started reading it on the bus on my way to work--and missed my stop because I was enthralled from about page two onward. This book is the beginning of a series, and it's going to be a good one. This isn't your usual romance (also, now what I thought when I first looked at it)--there's tons of tense action and not a minor amount of gore. It's set in a new and interesting world that lies parallel to this one, split into several dimensions. It's also interesting to me that the author began writing this when she was 15, and sold it to HaprerCollins for six figures when she was 18. They are calling her "the new Stephanie Meyer", but I really think, after reading this book, that she is much more creative and nuanced in her writing. It will be interesting to follow her career over these next few years, certainly....more
This is a book about dualities. Man and Woman. Tradition and Modernity. Belief and Secularism. Rich and Poor. Educated and Uneducated. Magic and RealiThis is a book about dualities. Man and Woman. Tradition and Modernity. Belief and Secularism. Rich and Poor. Educated and Uneducated. Magic and Reality. Government and Citizens. Seen and Unseen. Right and Wrong. Truth and Lies. All of these come into play in this tale of a young computer hacker who lives in an unnamed Middle Eastern security state and some of his loves and friends, before and after he accidentally creates a societal changing computer program that makes him a wanted man. His modern problems become entangled with those of the ancient world of the Jinn, a sort of genie and demon race of magical and powerful beings that most cannot see, but surround everyone all the time. This book is as much a techno-adventure as it is a love story, a political commentary and a glimpse of ancient histories and legends, as secular as it is religious. It is beautifully written with a keen sense of tempo, with the story moving along at such a pace the reader's heart will pound, yet with a keen way of creating the physical places of that adventure that it is very nearly like watching a movie. This is an amazing debut novel, and one I will be happily recommending to anyone and everyone....more
This is the third book in the President's Vampire series. Cade has been oath-bound to the American President, whoever it happens to be, for 140 years.This is the third book in the President's Vampire series. Cade has been oath-bound to the American President, whoever it happens to be, for 140 years. He doesn't sparkle, he kicks bad-guy butt in a very violent way. He is the ultimate secret weapon. This time around, there is a plot against the president with a teaming up of villains that primordial nightmares are made from. The action is constant, the plot twisting, and the conclusion howl worthy (you'll see what I mean when you read it). The book is lightened up by the not so subtle jabs at election year behavior and political strategy that turns this book into a "stay up all night to finish it" kind of guilty pleasure....more
Amanda Hocking is one of those publishing prodigies--she sold over a million copies of her self-published books and has a huge on-line following. AfteAmanda Hocking is one of those publishing prodigies--she sold over a million copies of her self-published books and has a huge on-line following. After reading "Switched", now being published by St. Martin's Griffin, I understand why. This is great stuff. She has created the world of the Trylle, the modern day, PC, not your Grimm character trolls, who secretly trade their own babies for human babies, then collect them again once they've grown up and have begun to manifest powers. Trylles have all sorts of possible powers, many related to the natural world, but mixed breeding and young Trylles refusing to remain in the isolated Trylle communities are threatening Trylles everywhere, and the present queen is not going to allow that. "Switched" concerns Wendy, a 17 year old who suddenly finds herself in mysterious danger and is whisked away by a Trylle tracker only to find out that she is, in fact, the Princess, and there are many, many expectations placed upon her because of that. And, it seems, she is one of the most powerful Trylles of all. Thank heavens Book 2, "Torn", is coming out in February, and Book 3, "Ascend", is coming out in April, so we all can find out what happens to the reluctant Princess and her people--human and Trylle. ...more
This is a fantastic book, but difficult to review because a lot of it's power is in the discoveries that happen as you read through it. To tell you anThis is a fantastic book, but difficult to review because a lot of it's power is in the discoveries that happen as you read through it. To tell you any of them would be taking away from the book, and I don't want to do that. I can just give you the premise--the world is dying; the animals are gone, food is scarce, and survivors have been rounded up into rag-tag communities organized by The Reestablishment. 17 year old Juliette has been imprisoned in an asylum that might be for the insane or it might be for the simply unwanted. She's a convicted murderer, but not an intentional one. Juliette was born with an unusual power--she can kill with her touch. No one knows why, and everyone is terrified her. When the book begins, she hasn't touched, or spoken, to anyone, in 264 days. Not long after we meet her, she learns of the fate The Reestablishment has for her, and her fight begins. If you like the "X-Men", "Hunger Games" and heavy adventure of any kind with some romance thrown in, this will catch you up in its web. Fortunately, this is a planned series because by the time you get to the end of the book, you are going to be ravenous for what comes next....more
This is a spy story of sorts, set in 1952 England, with some very impressive teenagers as the heroes. It is fast paced and magical and reminds me veryThis is a spy story of sorts, set in 1952 England, with some very impressive teenagers as the heroes. It is fast paced and magical and reminds me very much of the Harry Potter's books without whisking you away to a whole other world, but with the threat of atom bombs looming large every day.
Janie is an American teen forced to move to England with her parents to get away from the blackballing of the "Red Scare" in Hollywood (they are script writers). She meets Benjamin, who is not afraid to state his mind to anyone about anything, at her new school. He is the son of the local apothecary, but is refusing to learn what in his eyes is the boring family business. That is until his father is kidnapped by the Russians, and the teens find an ancient book of his that contains spells that will help them find and save his father (and much, much more).
Though meant for middle grades and teens, once you pick up this book you won't want to put it down, no matter what your age. It moves quickly with all sorts of surprises along the race to the very satisfying conclusion that makes the way for this to be a series. I, for one, very much hope so!...more
Conor's being haunted by two monsters--one that is the blackest truth he knows, and another seeking that horrible truth. Neither will give him a momenConor's being haunted by two monsters--one that is the blackest truth he knows, and another seeking that horrible truth. Neither will give him a moment's rest, both are pushing him further than he ever imagined he could go. All of this is happening in the backdrop of his mother's illness, his struggles with his disapproving grandmother, the appearance of his absentee father and some rather violent bullying at school. This books is not nearly as scary as it is heart wrenching--I certainly teared up over the last several pages. And the illustrations, done by the brilliant Jim Kay, are not to be missed--they set the dark nightmare feel of the book to perfection.
This is a very impressive book based on an idea of the late children's author Siobhan Dowd, who Ness honors greatly with his wonderful telling. ...more
This book is deeply creepy, and I only made it more so by reading it on a weekend as the moon was coming full. And the moon definitely plays a role in This book is deeply creepy, and I only made it more so by reading it on a weekend as the moon was coming full. And the moon definitely plays a role in this story, set in the rural south in 1936. Frank and Eudora, posing as man and wife though they hadn't quite made it official yet, have come to live in the house bequeathed to him by his aunt. It came with a curse, interestingly enough, and a dire warning from his aunt to just sell the house and not come to see it ever. It seemed to stem from a great grandfather who had been a cruel slave master who refused to free his slaves after the State's War, so they ended up rising and killing him. The lawyers shuffled this off as an old lady's dying hysteria, though no one could deny that nasty piece of history. But the couple really needed a fresh start, having scandalized the northern world of academia by their relationship (she had been a prominent professor's wife at the same institution that Frank had been teaching).
At first things were fine. The neighbors seemed decent, the town was sleepy but interesting, and the couple began to settle down. For the first month, until the social, and the pigs.
Every month there was a ceremonial offering of a boar and a sow, taken over my ferry to the woods on the other side of the river--an covenant that had been kept for many years. But times were very hard, and the town decides to stop giving up the pigs. And the killing started. There was evil across the river and it was coming for the town, and Frank and Dora found themselves bound to it's center with no way out.
This is a brilliantly written first novel that paints a vivid and literate picture of the people, the town, and the horror. There are graphic parts, but they are a deeply woven part of the plot, not gratuitous. This novel is extremely well crafted, and scary as all hell. Read it under a bright light in a warm and well secured house....more
It's been awhile since I took the time to read some paranormal romance, but this was a nice juicy one to jump back into the genre. This is a tale of aIt's been awhile since I took the time to read some paranormal romance, but this was a nice juicy one to jump back into the genre. This is a tale of angels and demons in part and complete. It's about honor, passion, and doing what is right even when it seems you are going to lose the fight. There is enough harrowing action and simmering sexuality to keep the pages turning themselves. All in all, this is a fine first novel for a brand new author. Hopefully there will be many more....more
This is the third book in best selling Harrison's Madison Avery YA series. Madison was a normal teenager until she died on prom night. Now she's a DarThis is the third book in best selling Harrison's Madison Avery YA series. Madison was a normal teenager until she died on prom night. Now she's a Dark Timekeeper who works for Heaven--she tells the Dark Reapers when to go and get a soul. However, she's not crazy about the policies around this, and she's actually fighting with the Seraphim for the ability to help more humans before their souls are reaped. It's not as religion oriented as it sounds--it's very action packed and has not small amount of Harrison's cheeky humor (and very little of her trademark sexiness--she saves that for The Hallows series for adults). There is a strong current of morality, responsibility, initiative and being true to yourself throughout this whole series that is uplifting as well as entertaining. I highly recommend the entire series....more
The President's Vampire is the second book in a very entertaining series of the same name. There premise: the Office of the President has had a secretThe President's Vampire is the second book in a very entertaining series of the same name. There premise: the Office of the President has had a secret weapon for the past 140ish years--there is a vampire, named Nathanial Cade, who has been sworn (in a voodoo sort of unbreakable way) to obey any and all orders by the President. Farnsworth has a sly humor and a vivid, cinematic imagination that makes these books tons of fun to read. His exhaustive research on conspiracy theories and X-file sorts of stories comes to play over and over again--there is never a dull moment on any page. My particular favorite this time around is the story of how Bin Laden "actually" died (Farnsworth's got amazing timing to his story telling too!). This time around Cade is dealing with mad scientists manipulating DNA in an attempt to wipe out humankind and create a new being that is better adapted to the upcoming changes facing our planet. There's plenty of action with Somali pirates and the military--it's more than a bit graphic in places, but has no shortage of laughs either. And no, the last thing Cade would EVER do is sparkle--he's NOT your teenager's vampire at all....more
This is a sophisticated, philosophical, sexy, violent and completely entrancing book. The story is told by Jake Marlowe, a 201 year old werewolf who iThis is a sophisticated, philosophical, sexy, violent and completely entrancing book. The story is told by Jake Marlowe, a 201 year old werewolf who is just tired of living, though he really has another 200 years in him. When he finds out that he is, indeed, the last werewolf in existence, he decides he'll make it easy for the hunters who have been chasing him all of his life. The first half of the book involve the deep thoughts of a man at the end of his life, his joys, his regrets, etc. It would be dull if Glen Duncan wasn't an amazingly talented writer with the ability to make sentences into masterpieces--this is seriously some of the best writing I've ever encountered. But the second half--it's non-stop action, violence and intrigue that will keep any reader at the edge of their seat late into the night (with the doors locked and the shades pulled--there's a lot to fear in the dark of Duncan's world). This is a bloody novel, and it is not for the faint of heart. But for those of us who love smart horror with a philosophical twist, it's darn near perfect....more
I'm a sucker for a new twist on the paranormal fiction front, and this book really delivers it. This takes place in the near future, in a very differeI'm a sucker for a new twist on the paranormal fiction front, and this book really delivers it. This takes place in the near future, in a very different version of New Orleans--now called New 2. It has become it's own separate entity, bought from the U.S. by nine old families of the area who are collectively called The Novem.
Ari, a 17 year old foster child and a working bounty hunter, is searching for her past--for why her mother abandoned her at the age of 4, for who her father is, for any sign of a family of her own. Her search leads her to New 2 and into the strangeness that lives and breathes in the city. It's rumored to be the haven of paranormals of all sorts, but the exotic nature of the place is far greater than anything Ari had ever imagined. Something has been waiting for her to return to New 2, her birthplace, and Ari finds herself hunted by mysterious and powerful warriors, and protected (or used?) by the mysterious Novem. All manor of paranormals come out to make the their stand, for or against, this strange teenager with her silver hair and her teal eyes whose as yet unknown power could save, or damn, them all.
This is a planned series, and believe me when I say I will be first in line for volume 2. I read this first book in one setting, not able to pry myself away from the pulse pounding action and the ever growing mystery of just who, or what, Ari is. Once you enter New 2, it is very, very difficult to leave....more
Calla has always known her destiny. She was born an alpha Guardian, a special kind of werewolf who work for The Keepers, a group of powerful witches. Calla has always known her destiny. She was born an alpha Guardian, a special kind of werewolf who work for The Keepers, a group of powerful witches. She knows that on her 18th birthday she will enter a union with an alpha male, Ren, and they will be the leaders of their new, combined packs. But one day, out on patrol, she finds a human being attacked by a bear, and she finds herself breaking all the rules and saving him. It turns out that Shay is not any sort of normal human--he's got powerful protection in the Keeper ranks, though he is completely unaware of it. But he's very aware of Calla and her secret, and falls very much in love with her. Calla feels the same way, but struggles to fulfill her duties. That gets ever more complicated as more and more secrets are revealed about the past and the nature of the Keepers. The Twilight crowd will love this series (this is book one, the next, Wolfbane, comes out in July of 2011). It's rougher, tougher and far sexier than Twilight, with smart teenagers and minimal teenage whining. It certainly is a page turner, with the kind of ending that makes you scream in frustration and count the days until the next book's release....more
Yes, it's true. It IS another vampire book. But with some interesting new ideas about "abstaining" vampires (they don't drink blood anymore--just eat Yes, it's true. It IS another vampire book. But with some interesting new ideas about "abstaining" vampires (they don't drink blood anymore--just eat a whole lot of rare meat) and mixing in with society that keep it fun and fresh and the pages flying by. It's a British novel, so there are some interesting quirks there, as well. The basic premise is that two abstaining vampires--one a born vampire, one converted--have become your basic suburban couple with two teenagers--two vampire teenagers who have no idea they are vampires. Their pale skin and sunlight issues have been variously explained away to them. Until one night at a party when a boy tries to attack Clara, and she ends up pretty much eating him. Then the blood really hits the fan and 17 years of secrets start coming out. I found it quite entertaining, with bits of mystery, love story, and action/horror. But NC17 I'd say--not for Twilight teeny-boppers. ...more
This book is the second in a high-tech vampire trilogy that began with "The Strain", and it picks up where the last one left off, right smack dab in tThis book is the second in a high-tech vampire trilogy that began with "The Strain", and it picks up where the last one left off, right smack dab in the middle of plenty of action. New York City is pretty much lost--the vampiric virus is spreading faster than hope can sustain. Even with the complicated help of The Ancients, things are going very, very badly for the human race. It turns out that the Rogue Master vampire who has unleashed this plague has a very specific agenda, and the literal time bombs within that plan are already ticking. The answers lie in a cursed silver plated book, but getting it isn't easy, and understanding it may take too long. It's a thrill ride on every page--dystopia at its vampiric best.
Note: You are better off reading these books in order as the plot builds upon itself. With a year between books, even I had to struggle for a bit before I got back into the story flow. ...more
This book is a modern day Frankenstein tale--literary science fiction on an epic scale. You may have heard that it is a vampire book, which is only vaThis book is a modern day Frankenstein tale--literary science fiction on an epic scale. You may have heard that it is a vampire book, which is only vaguely true. This is more of an outbreak book, that involves a virus that can mutate people into a sort of vampire like creature, most often called "Virals" or "Smokes". It began as a very convert government project using death row prisoners, high up in the Colorado mountains. Except the monsters they created were far, far smarter than their inventors could ever have dreamed of. While the Virals are the constant threat, the real story lies in how the humans try to adapt to a rapidly changing world where they are an isolated minority and prey to the creations of "science". This book is reminiscent of Stephen King's "The Stand" in it's scope, diversity of slowly intertwining story lines, and bold look at humans in crisis, as well as an overlying mystical quality to it that waxes and wanes throughout the hundreds of pages of the book. This tale grips you hard and won't let you go. I was literally exhausted when I finished reading it because I lived every moment with those people--Cronin's story telling ability is mesmerizing....more
Oh, how I loved this book. It was like honeyed manna to the dark side of my humor, hilarious in it's cultivated and sharp deviltry. For indeed, after Oh, how I loved this book. It was like honeyed manna to the dark side of my humor, hilarious in it's cultivated and sharp deviltry. For indeed, after a night of drinking and debauchery, Ignatius Perrish wakes up to find horns jutting from his forehead and many special new powers that grow stronger over time--he'd become The Devil.
A year before he had been falsely accused of killing his girlfriend. He was never convicted--there was no real evidence--but the small town that he lives in never bothered with that fact. So now, using his powers for gaining the evil truth out of people, and with no small will for revenge on a good chunk of the town, he sets out to find, and punish, the real killer.
Snarky, dark, and brutal, this book has a driving narrative that makes it difficult to put down. It's laugh out loud funny at times and grimly graphic in others. But what else would we expect from Joe, eh?...more
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