Calico Reaction

Today I was informed that this blog is a finalist in the BBAW Awards, which is kind of cool. There's all kinds of categories, and you'll notice me under "Most Concise." What's that mean? Not too sure, but I imagine it means that whatever I'm doing, I'm doing it rather clearly. :)

If you're interested in the categories and nominees, just click here. It covers all genres, so if you're a book fiend like I am, it's worth checking out just to discover new book blogs, and there's a lot of them.

And, if you're so inclined after that, feel free to vote! The poll is here. Don't feel like you have to vote for me or anything (check out the other blogs in my category), this is all in good fun, and again, a great chance to discover some new book blogs.

Cheers!

Cry Wolf
Writer: Patricia Briggs
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 294

When I heard about this book, I put off getting it. I'd only read one of Briggs's books, Moon Called, and while I really enjoyed it, I wasn't keen on picking up the start of a new series, a spin-off one at that, before reading the rest of the Mercy Thompson books to make sure I'd still like Briggs when it was all said and done.

But as usual, curiosity won over caution, and I picked it up. I did wait until I finished Blood Bound and Iron Kissed before picking up On the Prowl, which sets up Cry Wolf. I'm nothing if not a completionist.

The premise: picking up RIGHT WHERE the novella "Alpha and Omega" left off, Anna returns to Montana with Charles in an effort to start a new life away from her abusive pack in Chicago and to explore what it means to be Charles's mate. Her wolf accepts him, but her human half has been so traumatized that she second-guesses everything, even her importance as an Omega werewolf. But there's bigger problems at large: a rogue werewolf has been killing near the Marrok's territory, and it's up to Charles to take care of it. Only, Charles is still recovering from his own ordeal in Chicago, which means he has to rely on Anna for help. What they discover is something they never thought was possible, and something that, if left loose, could destroy threaten the entire pack.

Yes, there will be spoilers. :)

( Cry Wolf )

My Rating

Worth the Cash: but do yourself a favor and read "Alpha and Omega" first. I don't care how you do it, but do it. People say you don't need to, but I think you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't. The book's enjoyable, but in my mind, it was more enjoyable because I was already familiar with the world and characters. No, the voice isn't as strong as the Mercy Thompson books, as it's written in multiple-third, but it's still enjoyable, and again, I really liked learning more about Briggs's werewolves.

A side note: there's an excerpt from the upcoming Mercy Thompson book, Bone Crossed, and I'll go ahead and say this: it picks up IMMEDIATELY (as in, it overlaps) with the final chapter of Iron Kissed, and what you think happens at the end of that IK turns out is not what actually happens in the beginning of BC. Not that I'll get much more besides that first chapter, since the darn book's gonna be in hardback instead of paper, but at least I have a rather interesting resolution to the end of book three. :)

Next up:

Book: Passage by Connie Willis

Graphic Novel: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

On the Prowl
Writer: Patricia Briggs, Eileen Wilks, Karen Chance, Sunny
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 341

For all the urban fantasy that I read, I've never been one for these compilations/anthologies that are published. I've got a variety of half-assed reasons for this, but the point is, I wasn't going to get this one. In fact, I fought it. Yes, I wanted to read Patricia Briggs's novella that introduces the main character in her latest book, Cry Wolf, but I haven't read the other three authors, and I wasn't interested in reading them either.

But I broke, because I've seen enough reviews of Cry Wolf to make me realize I'll probably like that book much better if I have the novella under my belt. Plus, there is the added bonus of sampling authors I've never read before in order to get a better idea of whether or not I'll want to pursue their work.

But the truth is this: writing short stories or novellas is a bitch anyway, and it's even HARDER when said story takes place in a world you've created for your novel. You'd think it'd be easy, because all the world-building's done, but what's actually EASY is to keep the story self-contained as well as coherent. Yes, your readers might be familiar with your world and the on-going story, but readers of an anthology such as this may not be, and you want to do justice to both, particular the reader not in the know. After all, you want to attract more readers, right?

So reviewing this book is a little tricky. 3/4 stories take place in existing, established UF universes. And more to the point, this book is more paranormal romance than urban fantasy. I wondered why Border's had this book shelved in romance instead of SF/F where I'd seen it in Barnes & Noble, and now I know why. 3/4 stories have some seriously sexy scenes.

That's not a bad thing, necessarily. Just want to let you know what you're getting into. :)

( Patricia Briggs: Alpha and Omega )

( Eileen Wilks: Inhuman )

( Karen Chance: Buying Trouble )

( Sunny: Mona Lisa Betwining )

My Rating

Give It Away: I only bought this book for one story, and of the four stories, I only really liked two. And if I were completely honest and unbiased, the only story that's really SOLID and good is Karen Chance's, but that's me. I understand why Borders shelved this book in the Romance section (but it's paranormal romance--don't let the spine saying "dark fantasy" fool you), and interestingly enough, the two stories I didn't like at all came from authors I suspect are highly marketed to Romance readers rather than SF/F readers. Go figure. But I got what I wanted out of the book, so I'm happy enough.

Next up:

Review: Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

Book: Passage by Connie Willis

Graphic Novel: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

Wanderlust
Writer: Ann Aguirre
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 312

Given how much I loved Grimspace, it's a no-brainer that I snatched up this sequel as soon as it was available. Though, I did have a little trouble, since for some reason, Border's didn't want to put the book ON THE SHELVES after the release date, and I had to send an employee to go hunting of it (the three copies were found in the back). Whatever. I got my copy, and couldn't wait to settle in to read.

The premise: Wanderlust picks up right where Grimspace left off: Jax and her crew are going through hearings after the fall-out of the Corp, and she's offered a job: an ambassador to the Ithiss-Tor to convince them to join the government Conglomerate. Jax doesn't understand the importance of the job, no one does, save for Vel, our trusty bounty hunter who just happens to their cultural liason. And for all their best-laid plans, nothing is easy, and Jax is learning that her ability to navigate through the grimspace is taking a bigger toll on her body than anyone realized...

Spoilers ahead.

( Wanderlust )

My Rating

Must Have: for fans of Grimspace. Though I will point out that for those readers who liked Grimspace but weren't fond on the romantic elements, that's toned down quite a bit in this book, and this book has a different focus. For new readers, be warned, Wanderlust not a stand-alone book by any means. I've read and adored the first, and I still had trouble remembering certain details and character names. I strongly recommend this series to those readers who like that urban fantasy voice in a space opera setting, just start with Grimspace first. It's comfortable and familiar, and enjoyable to read. The only reason I nit-picked this sequel so much is because I'm so involved in the world and the characters, and I can't wait to see where the story is going.

Next up:

Book: On the Prowl by Patricia Briggs, Eileen Wilks, Karen Chance, and Sunny

Graphic Novel: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

Gifts
Writer: Ursula K. Le Guin
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Pages: 274

I happened upon this title while browsing through the YA section at Hastings. Turns out, I didn't know this was part of a trilogy, but as luck would have it, I picked up the first book. You all know I'll read anything by Le Guin, so this was no exception. Also, the pretty cover caught my eye.

The premise: The families of the Uplands are poor, but carry very powerful gifts in their lineage. Orrec's family's gift is that of unmaking, and when Orrec's gift finally reveals itself, it's wild, uncontrollable. He fears what he might do to those he loves, so he chooses to blindfold himself. But times are changing in the Uplands, with warring families trying to steal each other's land and livestock, and Orrec may not have the time he needs to get his gift under control.

Spoilers ahead.

( Gifts )

My Rating

Worth the Cash: if you're a fan of Le Guin, particularly her Earthsea stories, I recommend this book. It's a personal story, what it means to have magic and to be responsible for it. It's quiet, but not without conflict, and the human element is sharp and poignant. I'm not entirely convinced this book is something a typical YA reader would eat up, but what do I know? I'm no longer YA, and I don't know any YA readers personally. So I can only recommend this book to fans of Le Guin, or at least those readers who like quiet fantasies with a personal touch. I'll be interested to see what the other two books in this trilogy do, but I'm in no hurry to read them.

On a random note, I really wish Le Guin would write some more SF.

Next up:

Book: Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre

Graphic Novel: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

Life As We Knew It
Writer: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Genre: YA/Science Fiction
Pages: 337

It was a total accident that I discovered this book. In fact, if not for Pfeffer's sequel, The Dead and the Gone, I don't think I would've EVER found this sucker. I'm always on the look-out for YA SF (yes, I know about Scott Westerfeld, and no, I haven't read him yet), and when I saw this fit the bill AND it was a woman writer, well, I just had to have it.

The premise: a meteor hits the moon and knocks its orbit closer to Earth. This makes everything go to hell: tidal waves, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes. It feels like the world is ending, and it just might be. Miranda and her family do whatever it takes to survive the coming days. The book's almost The Road for teen readers, only this book isn't about a journey through nuclear winter, it's about the struggle to stay home, the struggle to take care of the people you love.

Spoilers ahead.

( Life As We Knew It )

My Rating

Must Have: all and all, I loved this book. It's optimistic while realistic, and it doesn't have to get completely depressing in order to gain that realism. I did question whether or not the level of violence seen/heard about was realistic in this situation (we saw very little, and there's always something to be said about men with guns, as Cormac McCarthy's The Road taught us), but overall, I appreciated Pfeffer's view. Yes, there's great tragedy and yes, everything grinds to a halt, but life itself goes on. The book's about doing whatever is necessary to make it so. It's poignant and haunting, and absolutely worth the read whether you're a YA reader or not. And yes, I'll be reading the sequel.

Next up:

Book: Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin

Graphic Novel: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

Dragonforge
Writer: James Maxey
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 541

I enjoyed Bitterwood, so it was a no-brainer to go ahead and read the sequel as soon as I got my hands on it. Also, PRETTY COVER.

The premise: there are those who want the age of the dragons to end and become a time of peace and equality between dragons and humans. However, there's those who want the age of the dragons to keep on as it has been, while there's others who believe it's time for humans to overthrow dragon oppression and take their rightful place as masters of the Earth.

Amongst all these goals, Maxey continues the adventures of Bitterwood, Jandra, Pet and Zeeky. He deepens their stories while weaving new ones in the mix, and the new characters add even more depth and interest to the world. Characters change: Bitterwood has to make a decision whether to continue to let hate guide his hand or to let compassion for others do so instead. Jandra is becoming her own woman, still torn between what it means to be a human raised as the daughter of dragons. Pet finally grows a pair, and Zeeky's seemingly magical ability to talk to and understand animals turns out not to be so magical after all.

One thing I admire is Maxey's determination to keep things as plausible as possible. Yes, this is science fantasy at its purest, but for every magical detail, Maxey as a "scientific" explanation guiding the events of the story and the characters. Sometimes I found my believability to be stretched a wee bit thin, but given the constraints and revelations that Maxey already established in Bitterwood, I was able to take that leap of faith.

I think too that Maxey handles his world-building much better in this novel. Now that the reader knows the truth of the world, humans, and dragons, there's very little for the author to hide, though he does have a few surprises up his sleeve in this book, though I will say, nothing I hadn't already guessed by time we got there.

I loved the adorable love story between the sky dragons. The valkyries were also a really, really cool touch. Hex has become one of my favorite characters, and Burke's background and history really make my ears perk up. Despite some occasional cheese in the writing, the book was fun, a fast read, with an obvious set-up for a sequel. I don't know how many books Maxey plans on writing in this series, but so far, I'm entertained.

My Rating

Worth the Cash: those who enjoy the writing style of Joe Abercrombie will also probably enjoy Maxey's style as well. Granted, the stories and plots are completely different, but if you enjoy that particular voice, Maxey is right up your alley. I would strongly recommend reading Bitterwood before tackling Dragonforge, but it's hard to say for sure if that's truly necessary. I read the books too closely together to be allowed to forget important details from the first, but since I always like to read things in order, I don't mind giving out that advice.

Review: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Book: Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin

Graphic Novel: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

The Yiddish Policeman's Union
Writer: Michael Chabon
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 411

With all of the hype this book got, it's no wonder that I decided to give it a go. I'd heard loads about it long before it started racking up all the major SF/Fantasy awards, so I don't feel TOO trendy for reading it. Granted, I didn't purchase it until after the nominees for the Hugo were announced, but then again, I had been waiting on the trade paperback (and wouldn't you know, I get the hardcover anyway, because Greg was with me and happened upon a first printing at Borders. Go figure).

The premise: Jewish refugees and their descendants have made the Federal District of Sitka their home, but they all long for the promised land. Alaska's not exactly a welcoming place, and after sixty years, another Reversion is on its way, promising to kick out the Jews and return the land to the natives. But Detective Meyer Landsman has problems of his own: a tenet in the hotel he's staying at is found murdered, and Landsman just can't let the case go, even though he's told by the higher-ups (like his ex-wife), that he should. His investigation leads into a bigger story than he could've imagined: a plot to take back the Holy Land, and to welcome the coming Messiah.

I'm not going to bother with a cut, because really, I have very little to say. I was thirty pages from the end when I went to bed last night, and Greg asked me, "Is it good?" and my response is, "It's interesting."

And it is. The world Chabon's detailed is just as alien to me as any made up world your typical SF/F writer has to offer. I know next to NOTHING about the Jewish religion and customs, which made this book rather slow reading, but again, interesting reading. The characters are three-dimensional and human to a fault, and the setting is fascinating (sue me, I've become a sucker for those ice-cold northern climates).

But to me, it's more of a mystery than an SF, and truly, the only thing that makes it SF is the fact that it's alternate history, which is just fine. Besides, most SF stories rely on the element of mystery to propel the plot forward, so the two genres get along just fine together. I liked seeing all the elements of this mystery fall into place, even though oftentimes I had no idea what I was looking at due to my total lack of knowledge about the Jewish religion and its beliefs. I also liked seeing the arc and growth of the characters, how they change, and how they hold on to what little they have.

It's a good book. But had I been voting, I probably would've been one of those voters who would've voted for Scalzi, and that's because as good as the Chabon is (finely written, you gotta give him credit for that, as there are beautiful descriptions and turns of phrase here), I had no emotional response or pull to the story, but I did the Scalzi. But that's me. :)

My Rating

Buy the Paperback: it's good and it's worth reading, and while it's not my favorite alternate history (that honor goes to Kathleen Ann Goonan's In War Times, which totally deserved to be nominated for the Hugo), it's a must for your alternate history collection, especially if that sub-genre floats your boat. Again, the writing is beautiful, the story complex, but I didn't have to pay the cash for the hardcover. That's just me. As far as Hugo winners go, this is definitely one of the finer crafted novels I've read.

Book: Dragonforge: A Novel of the Dragon Age by James Maxey

Graphic Novel: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

Mr. Punch : The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Dave McKean
Genre: Comics/Graphic Novel
Publisher: Vertigo

There used to be a time when I could hear the name "Neil Gaiman" and not roll my eyes. I'd never heard of the man until I met Greg, and thanks to Greg, I know that Neil Gaiman is one of the finest comic book writers who ever lived (thank you, Sandman). And because of Greg, I read American Gods back in 2003 and really, really liked it. I thought, hey, I get why everyone loves Gaiman so much! I do too, right?

Well, I did. I think. Until I made the mistake of reading Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions, and suddenly, I saw through all the smoke and mirrors. Pardon the oh-so-very-bad pun.

It's not that Gaiman's a bad writer. Far from it. His prose is excellent, his ideas are intoxicating. I have the utmost respect and awe for the Sandman series, even though I've yet to complete it, and I still count American Gods to be one of my favorite books.

But Gaiman and I, when it comes to short stories, DO NOT GET ALONG.

Hence my cringing, eye-rolling reaction whenever someone praises the ground Gaiman walks on (sorry dear readers). Like I said, it's not that he's bad, but when it comes to short stories, I feel the prose is excellent, the ideas intoxicating, but in the end, there's something lacking substance, movement, direction.

I found myself having a similar reaction after finishing his Mr. Punch : The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy, a graphic novel he wrote that Dave McKean illustrated. The art is just amazing. Despite the very short length of this book, you really have to take your time and absorb all the little details of the art. Mr. Punch? COMPLETELY CREEPY. I shuddered every time he appeared on the panel.

And what about the premise? Essentially, we've got a man remembering a certain summer spent with his grandparents, but what he remembers is something very dark, eerie, and ripe with death and madness. Take the Mr. Punch and Judy puppet show, the thread that holds this story together and really, really demands a second read. Then take the narrator's grandfather, an old man who's still a romancer and romances his mermaids and, well, let's just say what becomes of that is the whole point of the book.

I think.

Again, this book invites a re-read. There's much to absorb and intuit, and for all my ranting about Gaiman, this is NOT BAD by any means. But what we have, and frankly, in this medium of graphic novel that's perfectly FINE, is a snapshot of memory of a single narrator. No real inciting incident as to why we're getting this summer of memories at this time, and no real conclusion or resolution at the end. Just a story told, a memory explored that the narrator really doesn't fully understand but the reader does. It's haunting and creepy, and I won't say it lacks substance, because it doesn't. It reads like one of Gaiman's BETTER (and of those short stories I've read, I can count the better ones on one hand) short stories, only this sucker's illustrated, and beautifully illustrated at that.

My Rating

Worth the Cash: but if you're a die-hard Neil Gaiman fan, or for that matter, a die-hard Dave McKean fan, this is a must-have. It really depends on what side of the fence you're on. I'm no die-hard Neil Gaiman fan and I doubt I ever will be, but at least that means when I sit down to read something of his, I definitely won't be biased. ;) And saying that, I enjoyed this, even if I wish it was something more than a memory. Which it is, but not in the way I mean.

Book: The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon

Graphic Novel: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

Iron Kissed
Writer: Patricia Briggs
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 287

After reading Blood Bound, it only made perfect sense to keep reading what I had of Briggs's Mercy Thompson series and read Iron Kissed. Not that I'm trying to play catch-up or anything: the fourth book will be released early next year, and I would get it, if not for the fact the publishers have decided to release it in hardcover, which means I'll be waiting six months to a year for the mass-market.

I don't begrudge the author or the publisher for having a successful enough series to warrant a hardcover. I really don't. But I do begrudge the publisher for MAKING ME WAIT to read the book because I refuse to frak up the aesthetic look of my collection. /grumble

Iron Kissed was a book many fans warned me about when I reviewed Moon Called. People had heard spoilers and therefore refused to read the book because they don't like what happens, and I told everyone who told me that to keep the spoilers to themselves. :) I liked the series, and didn't want any spoilers detracting from my enjoyment of the book.

But that didn't stop me from glancing at the end when I was ready to read, nor from glancing at the Amazon.com reviews to get a clue as to what happens. I'm going to discuss what happens in DETAIL behind the cut, so if you don't want to be spoiled, then for god's sake don't read behind the cut.

The premise: Mercy's got supernatural friends in high places, and it seems she's always owing them favors. Her mentor and former boss, the fae Zee, calls in his, asking her to put her coyote enhanced nose to a string of murders on the fae reservation. Mercy targets the killer and thinks it's all over, until Zee himself is arrested and left there to rot by his own kind. Mercy refuses to let him take the fall for something he didn't do, which gets her into all kinds of trouble.

Oh yeah, and she has to choose between Samuel and Adam too, before the two werewolves tear out each other's throats.

MAJOR SPOILERS BEHIND THE CUT.

( Iron Kissed )

My Rating

Worth the Cash: it's actually the best of the Mercy Thompson books, because characters make tough choices and they go through hell. The plot's stronger here than Blood Bound and the readers learn more about how the supernatural creatures of the world are co-existing with humanity at large. There's bigger issues involved than the two spoilers I detail behind the cut, and I think those issues are going to become more important as the series goes on, which I'm looking forward to reading (once the mass market is released).

Though, there is one thing I don't like about these books: the covers. For starters, the only tattoo that's EVER described on Mercy is the coyote print on her abdomen. All the others the artist is depicting? I have NO CLUE where they're coming from. Also, and maybe my memory is faulty, but never once does Briggs describe Mercy as the kind of girl who goes around where her shirts so that her rather well-endowed, bra-covered chest is exposed. I mean, SERIOUSLY. Look at these covers: Moon Called, Blood Bound, Iron Kissed, and Bone Crossed. Mercy's a mechanic, not posing in a car magazine, and every time it talks about her wearing clothes in the garage, I swear she's putting on a cover-all. But then again, maybe I'm just forgetting something. Either way, considering the books are marketed to women, the art drives me crazy. It's just like Cosmopolitan Magazine showing the same poses and clothing on their covers. It's eye-candy for men, damn it, not for women. Well, not for MOST women, anyway.

That pisses me off more than the particular spoiler I discussed behind the cut.

ANYWAY.

Next up:

Book: The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon

Graphic Novel: Mr. Punch : The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy by Neil Gaiman

Blood Bound
Writer: Patricia Briggs
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 292

I've been on a mass-market paperback kick this week (they fit easily in my purse), and the second book of Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson series felt like a good pick, especially since Moon Called was so addictive.

The premise: Mercy's vampire friend Stefan calls in a favor and asks her to accompany him on some vampire business, only she has to stay in her coyote form. Mercy doesn't understand what the big deal is, until they get there and realize there's more to this new, trouble-making vampire than meets the eye: he's also a sorcerer, and he's possessed by a demon. And unfortunately for Mercy, after this one encounter, the demon is stealing away all the people she cares about. It's up to her to stop him, but she doesn't know how.

Spoilers ahead.

( Blood Bound )

My Rating

Worth the Cash: if you enjoyed Moon Called, you'll enjoy this one. Whereas Moon Called focused more on werewolf culture, Blood Bound focuses on vampire culture, and tightens Mercy's relationships to the fangs, fur, and fey communities. Hell, even her buddy Tony the undercover cop gets involved with this one a bit, so it's neat to see the supernatural elements and the human elements working together in one world. Not in harmony or anything, but together.

And what about romance? Still not much. There's the conflict between Samuel and Adam, but Mercy is determined to stay her own person and resents anything that could take that away from her. The end of this book doesn't really give the reader any clue how the love triangle's going to turn out, and that's a good thing: it's not what the book's about.

Next up:

Review: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

Book: The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon

Graphic Novel: Mr. Punch : The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy by Neil Gaiman

Bitterwood
Writer: James Maxey
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 482

So for all my talk about being TIRED of dragons, I have a few books on my shelf that features them. This one by James Maxey I would've never given a second glance at if not for the fact that James Maxey is an Odyssey Alum, so give it a second glance I did. I even bought it, but it's taken me a while to feel like reading it, because you know, it's got dragons. And I'm SO TIRED OF DRAGONS.

But from what I've read and heard about, this isn't your usual dragon book. In Bitterwood, dragons are the ruling class on Earth, and humans are essentially, well, the oppressed. Better still, the main hero and the main villain both have the exact same motivation for wanting to wipe the other race out: their counterparts killed their children. Wait, that doesn't sound right: Bitterwood killed King Albekizan's son, and King Albekizan's responsible for the death of Bitterwood's children. There. That's better.

Which makes for a rather interesting conflict, when you think about it. Neither side is right, but neither side's wrong either, which makes for interesting reading.

Spoilers ahead.

( Bitterwood )

My Rating

Worth the Cash: Who knew I'd enjoy this as much as I did? I went ahead and picked up the sequel today, Dragonforge, and I hope to get to that relatively soon. It's a fun, fast read with memorable characters and a rather interesting setting, so if you're a fan of dragons, you should check this out.

Next up:

Book: The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon AND Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

Graphic Novel: Mr. Punch : The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy by Neil Gaiman

Warrior and Witch***
Writer: Marie Brennan
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 420

I bought this book shortly after finishing Doppelganger, but I never got around to reading it right away. I think it was timing: holidays, grad school, and all that jazz. So the book sat on my shelf, sadly forgotten, until Brennan released a new title (completely unrelated to this particular universe), and I thought it unfair to read the NEW book when I hadn't bothered with this one yet, even though their only relation is the author.

It's funny: I just refreshed my memory of Doppelganger by reading my original review, and I have to say, the flaws of that book are pretty much non-existent in this one, which is a good thing, and reinforces my suspicion that these two books deserve to be read back-to-back.

The premise: when a witch is born, a doppelganger is created. In order for that witch to achieve her full powers, the doppelganger MUST be killed, or the witch's magic will spin out of control and kill them both. Only Mirei has found a way out of this bloody tradition, and not everyone is so accepting of the change of rules. The witching community has divided, one side determined to embrace Mirei and her new magic, and the other side determined to destroy not only Mirei, but all the other doppelgangers as well. Mirei must protect these girls while trying to help mend the rift between the two camps, and stay alive in the process. Because her new magic is killing her.

Spoilers ahead.

( Warrior and Witch )

My Rating

Worth the Cash: I have to say, this duology is satisfying on the whole. Solid world-building with an interesting twist to magic that kept my attention through out. The language bordered on more of a casual, modern tone, but that was fine, and where as I had trouble with that in Doppelganger, I didn't with Warrior and Witch. The tension and conflict in this book was solid, and the overall premise (when a witch is born, a doppelganger is created, and the witch must kill the doppelganger in order to achieve her powers) is simply awesome. Well worth the read, provided you don't mind the casual language. And I will add that I feel these books are best read back-to-back. Doppelganger stands on its own, but really, these two books make up a whole, and it's important to read them in order to get the whole story.

*** = For whatever reason, the publishing company has re-released this dulogy (which strikes me as silly since you can STILL BUY the original editions online and in stores). Doppelganger is now titled Warrior and Warrior and Witch is now simply titled Witch. Confused? Yeah, I was too. But know there's only TWO BOOKS, not four, so don't let the new titles and covers confuse you.

Next Up:

Book: The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon AND Bitterwood by James Maxey

Graphic Novel: Mr. Punch : The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy by Neil Gaiman

Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil
Writer: Mike Mignola, Script by John Byrne
Illustrator: Mike Mignola
Genre: Comics/Graphic Novel
Issues: 9
Publisher: Dark Horse

I've seen both Hellboy movies. Saw the first one against my will, actually, but ended up really enjoying it. Greg's been trying to get me to READ Hellboy for a while now, especially since I enjoy the movies. He promised the books were much different: darker, more or less horror than humor, which the movies have a lot of.

So I didn't mind giving Volume 1 of the Library Collection a whirl. It collects two graphic novels (Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil) into one hardcover. And Greg was right about the tone and atmosphere of the graphic novel. Yes, Hellboy's characteristic humor is there, but it's not as prominent as it is in the movies. And more interesting, these two books clearly inspired the plot line for the first movie, and from what I can tell, more books inspired it as well.

Because Hellboy, in these two books, doesn't know his purpose on Earth. He's told he's meant to bring about the end of the world, but he doesn't know how, whereas in the movie, all of that's tied up. So it'll be interesting to see how this story develops across the various graphic novels, as well as whether or not other movie elements apply. Same characters, but so far, quite a few different subplots.

And it's interesting to see Mignola's influences on the page. I never gave much thought to the pulp influence while watching the movies, but reading the graphic novels, the influence is more than obvious. This particular edition also discusses the impact Mignola's work has had on the industry, and all of that's good stuff, especially if you're a comic fan. In fact, my only complaint about this edition is that the black pages are far too quick to absorb oils from your hands, which makes reading and turning the pages a rather tricky business, especially in Seed of Destruction.

My Rating

Worth the Cash: it's probably a "Must Have," but let's face it, I'm too familiar with the material and I'm no real comic book fan nor expert, especially as far as art is concerned. But for the casual reader, especially those who enjoyed the Hellboy movies, have at it. It's fun stuff. I'm looking forward to Volume Two in this collection, which I think comes out in October.

Next Up:

Review: Warrior and Witch by Marie Brennan

Book: The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon

Graphic Novel: Mr. Punch : The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy by Neil Gaiman

The Last Colony
Writer: John Scalzi
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 320

There was no question whether or not I'd read John Scalzi's The Last Colony. I was just waiting for the mass-market. I was in the bookstore the week it came out, and I would've read it sooner, but I really haven't felt like reading much SF lately, and it's only the Hugos that've inspired me to get some more under my belt. Scalzi's one of my favorite authors, so it didn't hurt to have this book to look forward to.

The premise: after the events of Old Man's War and The Ghost Brigades, John Perry and his family have retired to one of humanity's many colonies. But the seed colony named Roanoke needs leadership, and John and Jane are begged to take the job. What starts out as a major media event (first colony colonized with peoples from planets OTHER than Earth) is nothing at all what it seems, and the colonists of the planet Roanoke may find themselves to be the last colony humanity's got left.

Spoilers ahead.

( The Last Colony )

My Rating

Must Have: it's a no-brainer, and after reading this, I can see why it came in second place in the Hugos. It's deeper than it appears to be, and it makes the reader question what loyalty really means, as well as the nature of peace and war. I wouldn't recommend reading this without the sequels of Old Man's War and The Ghost Brigades, but I have no trouble recommending these titles to those who love space opera. Scalzi has done great work with this series, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does next. I still need to read The Android's Dream though, so at least I have something to tide me over while I'm waiting for the mass-market of Zoe's Tale and the trade of Agent to the Stars.

Book: The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon

Graphic Novel: Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil by Mike Mignola

Halting State
Writer: Charles Stross
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 324

So I've read Charles Stross before. His work left me...I'm not sure what the word is for it. Suspicious? Cautious? It's not that I didn't recognize the talent he has, because I did, but I didn't believe that what I was reading was the pinnacle of SF. The ideas were really awesome and really cool, but the stories I read never gelled as actual stories, if that makes a lick of sense. I learned a lot from Accelerando, but I also learned that ultimately, I wasn't Stross's target audience.

Why bother with Halting State? Do you really have to ask? I mean, LOOK AT THAT COVER!!!! The moment I saw it I was drooling. I'd gaze at the hardcover longingly in bookstores, but never spent the cash. I knew I wasn't the target audience, and all the reviews reminded me, over and over, that I should let this one go.

But then I saw the mass-market paperback. And it got nominated for the Hugos. And the funny thing about the Hugo nominations this year was that I'd already read one of the nominees (Ian McDonald's Brasyl), I was already planning to purchase ANOTHER nominee (John Scalzi's The Last Colony) and the other titles looked interesting enough that I thought why not make the list a project and read each nominee this year?

So that's what I'm doing. It also works out that this title is mine and digitalclone's August challenge read (we had to take a couple of months off due to scheduling). But I'll be honest: as much as I loved this cover, I thoroughly expected my reading experience to be the equivalent of wading through sludge. The only perk was that I knew it was written in multiple second-person POV, and that's just too delicious for words.

Turns out, this was a surprisingly entertaining and enjoyable read.

The premise: a bank in the virtual reality land of Avalon Four has been robbed. Only, robbery is SUPPOSED to be impossible, and if word gets out, the company and the virtual economies are going to crash hard. Three characters are brought on for investigation: Sue, a cop; Elaine, a forensic auditor, and Jack, a gamer. The investigation leads to something much larger, something a little more sinister, than anyone expected, and it doesn't take long for human lives to be on the line.

There's no point in a cut here: the multiple second-person POV worked wonderfully, provided you paid attention to the headers, which provided the name of the character who was the "you" in that chapter. And fortunately, Stross falls into a predictable rotation, always going from Sue to Elaine to Jack in that order. So there's a sense of expectation and continuity that keeps the pages turning, because you know that once the pattern's been established, he's not going to throw you for a complete and total loop.

And I'll be honest: I don't think I would've been NEARLY as invested in this book had it not been for the awesome, stroke-of-genius POV. It delighted me to no end, and it amazes me to think that there was once a time when I shuddered at the thought of second person POV. Downright HATED it in fact. I've sense learned the error of my ways, and Stross has just delivered a healthy reminder that when done well, the impact is amazing.

The story itself takes a wee bit longer to piece together, but as you gather puzzle pieces, it starts to make sense. Here's where I don't trust my own judgment: I feel like I'm still missing out on quite a lot, not understanding EVERYTHING, but for the most part I was able to keep up and actually understand what was happening and what's at stake. I don't know if my experiences have changed me as a reader or if this book is simply more coherent than I found Accelerando to be, or a little bit of both. It's probably a little bit of both. But I followed what was necessary, enjoyed the characters, and enjoyed the snappy, up-beat style of the prose. Even the gaming elements of the story didn't turn my brain to mush, though I did have to slow down in those sections. I suspect that readers more educated in that field will probably grasp more than I did, but hey, that just comes with the territory.

I did struggle a little: Sue's dialect about killed me until I reminded myself that I'd seen this stuff before in print and could handle it. And references to current, modern trends like iPods and Desperate Housewives threw me out of the book, because I wondered just how I was supposed to read them. They're currently popular NOW in 2008, but in ten years? The iPod might have a new name (or might not exist, given the iPhone's rise and the likelihood of the consolidation of the two products), and I can't see Desperate Housewives being a current hit in ten years.

But one thing I did appreciate was the futuristic feel of this 2018 Edinburgh, which threw around a lot of terminology I wasn't familiar with but kept me mostly grounded the whole time. This is smart SF in that it doesn't really coddle the reader. Yes, you get appropriate info-dumps when necessary (Stross works those in well), but he doesn't stop to explain EVERY foreign term or EVERY single freaking abbreviation. You're thrown in the SF world: it's time to sink or swim.

My Rating

Worth the Cash: drawing close to a "must-have." It's a fun read, but not for the SF-impaired, or those new to the genre. I think for my part, reading some William Gibson and Vernor Vinge has helped me relate to what's going on in this book better than had I not, but really, it was the POV that had me hooked. It's a fun read, once you resign yourself to playing by Stross's rules. I'm definitely more inclined to read more of his work in the future, but I'll go ahead and say unless the cover to the mass-market copy of Saturn's Children is VASTLY different than the hardcover copy, you can sure as HELL bet I won't read that one!

Book: The Last Colony by John Scalzi

Graphic Novel: Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil by Mike Mignola

Lord Tophet
Writer: Gregory Frost
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 222

I wasn't kidding about needing to read the sequel to Shadowbridge right away. Save for laundry and a phone call, reading the sequel/conclusion is pretty much all I've done, but I'm quite the happy devil for it.

It's interesting to review these books back to back. Reviewing Shadowbridge by itself was next to impossible, because I truly only had HALF the story. Now that I've read the conclusion, gone is the complete and total awe and wonderment, leaving me free to analyze the book at will. Not that that's a bad thing. These two books invite re-reading, and trust me, one of these days, I'll do just that. Now that I've got the whole story, I can't wait to see how Frost REALLY puts the whole thing together.

The premise: picking up where Shadowbridge left off, Leodora finds herself blessed by the gods with a seemingly innocent gift: a pendent in the shape of a lion's head, brazen in gold. This gift turns out to be the key to what she needs the most: to learn the truth of her life, of her passion, and her history, and her parents' history before that. Because the capricious god, Lord Tophet, made it his mission to destroy her parents and their trope, and if Leodora isn't careful, the very same thing will happen to her as well.

Spoilers ahead.

( Lord Tophet )

My Rating

Must Have: Lord Tophet is NOT meant to be read without Shadowbridge, and now that it's an option, I highly recommend you read the books back to back. I'm convinced, despite everything, these books should've been one whole volume, but it's well worth the cash, and remains one of the better, more original fantasies that I've read in a long time.

Book: Halting State by Charles Stross

Graphic Novel: Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil by Mike Mignola

Shadowbridge
Writer: Gregory Frost
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 255

I remember when this book came out. The cover caught my eye, but the plot, not so much. Then I saw the book in stores, glanced at it, but still paid no attention. Then sff_sandcastle reviewed it. She absolutely loved the book, and since I know her personally, I decided her review was good enough for me. But by then, I couldn't find the book in stores, so I waited and waited, and finally broke down and ordered it on Amazon. And then I STILL waited to read it.

Until now. Part of what sparked my interest was that the sequel has just been released, so I figured in order to decide if I wanted the sequel, I should get started on the first. So I did. And I wasn't even halfway through the book before I trotted up to Barnes & Noble and bought the sequel.

The premise: Shadowbridge is a world of spans linked together over a world of ocean. Some say the very gods themselves created the spans, others say the very first man dreamed them into being. It's a world of stories, and Leodora makes it her mission to collect them. This brilliant shadow-puppeteer collect tales and stories from every span and entwines them together in her performances, only she's known as the enigma of Jax. Leodora herself is on the run, and so are her companions. She doesn't know how important it is to stay ahead of her past, and the one person who does know won't tell her why.

Spoilers ahead.

( Shadowbridge )

My Rating

Must Have: it's truly one of the more unique, original fantasies I've ever read. It's got a fast pace, and the world-building will leave you in awe. Fair warning though: when you start this book and realize you like it, go out and buy the sequel, Lord Tophet, immediately. Shadowbridge ends as a cliffhanger. It's a good one, but trust me, you're going to want to keep reading until the end, and fortunately, it's only a two book series.

Or maybe that's UNFORTUNATELY. From the first book alone, I can see how Frost might create more books focusing on more characters set in this world, and I have to say, I won't be disappointed if he does.

Next up:

Book: Lord Tophet by Gregory Frost

Graphic Novel: Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil by Mike Mignola

The Punisher: Welcome Back, Frank
Writer: Garth Ennis
Illustrator: Steve Dillon and Jimmy Palmiotti
Genre: Comics/Graphic Novel
Issues: 12
Publisher: Marvel Knights

The premise: Frank Castle is back (don't ask where's he's been, just know he's been gone/lying low/etc) and is kicking criminal ass. He's after Ma Gnucci and her boys, and she isn't happy about it. The Punisher's violent and bloody sprees are gathering more and more attention on the news, and now there's others who are picking up his mantle, and taking the law into their own hands.

I've pretty much told Greg to give me whatever he wants in terms of graphic novels. Unfortunately, he handed me this one. Now, to be fair, I've seen The Punisher movie (one of the rare movies where the TRAILER was better than the actual FILM), and I'm no stranger to Garth Ennis's work. After all, I have read Preacher and enjoyed it immensely. I'm also reading Ennis's on-going series, The Boys and am enjoying that as well. Ennis takes no prisoners when it comes to anything sacred, and his humor is horrible. And I mean that in a wonderfully, sadistic way.

So Greg thought I would enjoy this particular graphic novel. And I'll be honest, it's not BAD. It's got the Ennis touch of humor that I enjoy (loved how The Russian was killed--I laughed out loud!), and the story was quick, fast, easy, and to the point. And, as Ennis as a way of doing, there is some depth to what's going on. Rather, I should say commentary. Frank Castle might be a bad-ass, serial-killing vigilante, but even he's got standards, and if you read this book, you'll know what I mean.

But for my buck, the character just doesn't interest me, and therefore, neither does the level of violence. So I can't say I enjoyed this particular book, though it's done well and has some serious historical impact in terms of the character of The Punisher himself. I'm just not interested. I warned Greg this would be the case, but of course, he didn't listen to me. Silly boy.

Though I will say it's a CRIME that the movie took so much damn material from this particular mini-series without giving Ennis an ounce of credit. FOR SHAME!! Trust me, if you've seen the movie, read the book and you'll be surprised at how much they borrowed (and at how much BETTER Ennis does it).

My Rating

Worth the Cash: just because it's not up MY alley doesn't mean others won't enjoy it. It's a good book, and anyone who calls him/herself a Punisher fan is sorely lacking if they don't have this mini-series. Plus, if you enjoy Ennis's humor, you probably won't go wrong with this book.

Next up:

Book: Shadowbridge by Gregory Frost

Graphic Novel: Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil by Mike Mignola

The Thief
Writer: Megan Whalen Turner
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Pages: 280

I think I first heard about Megan Whalen Turner last year. I want to say it was during the Hugo nomination debacle, and bloggers were throwing out the names of women writers and their books, asking other bloggers who agreed (or partially agreed) with said Hugo noms if they honestly thought the nominations were better than these books written by women.

Or something. My brain's rather fuzzy about the whole thing now. but I do know Turner's name came up quite often, and I kept hearing how good her Attolia books were. Then I found out it was a trilogy, that The Thief was the first book, and oh yeah, they were YA.

At that time, I think I was still stubborn about shopping and reading the YA section. I put the book on my wishlist anyway, and by time I got over my YA-reading-block, I never could find it in stores.

Turns out, I just didn't know where to look. I found this one in Barnes & Noble when I finally ventured into the CHILDREN'S section. I'd been looking in YA, which--at least, in the stores I shop at--is OUTSIDE the official CHILDREN'S section.

Whatever that means. The point is, I finally found the book, and made a point to read it as soon as I could.

The premise: Gen is a thief who boasts he can steal anything, which lands him in the King's prison. He's stuck there until the King's magus has use of Gen's skills--to steal something that might not even exist, a stone blessed by the gods with the gift of immortality, and the right to rule a kingdom. To his captors, Gen's only a tool, but he's got plans of his own.

Spoilers ahead.

( The Thief )

My Rating

Worth the Cash: those who enjoyed the childhood version of Locke Lamora in Scott Lynch's book should enjoy this. Gen's voice is solid, his attitude and arrogance fun, which really drives the book along when you consider how he interacts with those around him. It's a good read, and I'm looking forward to the other two books, though I don't know when I'll get a chance to get them. I'm looking forward to seeing what Turner does with Gen's character, as well as her setting, a fantasy-world based on ancient Greece. Very fun stuff, and it reads fast.

Next up:

Book: Shadowbridge by Gregory Frost

Graphic Novel: The Punisher: Welcome Back, Frank by Garth Ennis