Apr 6 2013

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Coming Soon: Guardian

Title: Guardian

Author: Jack Campbell

Series: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier #2

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: May 7, 2013

The Overview: Admiral Geary’s First Fleet of the Alliance has survived the journey deep into unexplored interstellar space, a voyage that led to the discovery of new alien species, including a new enemy and a possible ally. Now Geary’s mission is to ensure the safety of the Midway Star System, which has revolted against the Syndicate Worlds empire—an empire that is on the brink of collapse. To complicate matters further, Geary also needs to return safely to Alliance space not only with representatives of the Dancers, an alien species, but also with Invincible, a captured warship that could possibly be the most valuable object in human history. Despite the peace treaty that Geary must adhere to at all costs, the Syndicate Worlds regime threatens to make the fleet’s journey back grueling and perilous. And even if Geary escorts Invincible and the Dancers’ representatives safely unharmed, the Syndics’ attempts to spread dissent and political unrest may have already sown the seeds of the Alliance’s destruction…

Nik’s Notes: I haven’t had the pleasure to read this series yet, but my husband just started it so I thought I’d grill him a little. Apparently, the best thing the books have going for them are fantastic large-scale battles and great characterization (He mentioned that the whole thing sort of reminded him of Battlestar Galactica). It also has a great story and subplots. The drawbacks have to do with repitition – Campbell evidently thinks his readers suffer from short-term memory loss (I know I do) and feels compelled to mention things far too often. Well, there you have it. As for those of you who have already read the series and have drawn your own conclusions – the next book is only a month away!

Apr 1 2013

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Out This Month! (Noteworthy Releases April 2013)

There are a couple really good release this month, my favorite of which being the new Robin Hobb book. Sadly, most of these are next books for series still in my TBR pile. Just more good books to read, I guess… can’t complain at that. :)

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Mar 31 2013

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Coming Soon: Darkness Unmasked

Title: Darkness Unmasked

Author: Keri Arthur

Series: Dark Angels #5

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: June 4, 2013

The Overview: Shortly after her fight on the astral plane, Risa receives a phone call from Madeline Hunter, the leader of the vampire council, ordering her to investigate the death of Hunter’s close friend and lover – Wolfgang Schmidt. His body has been discovered wrapped in a web-like substance and has been completely drained. As the body count continues to grow, Risa must summon her gifts to find the dark spirit before it strikes again.

Meanwhile, as the search for the keys that keep the gate to Hell closed grows more intense, Risa begins to unravel mysteries that will have startling consequences for her.

Nik’s Notes: For the longest time, Arthur was my favorite urban fantasy rider for her “Riley Jensen” series. I love the supernatural elements, the characters, and most notably the romance. The Dark Angels novels are spinoffs, and I like them almost as much as the parent series. Riza is an excellent protagonist and one of my favorite “mysteries” from Rilesy’ story. While you dont’ technically have to read the Riely booksf rist, Arthur references them so much that I can’t imagine the reading expirience beign quite as good without the back history on everything. Proceed with caughtion, though, becuase these books are steamy!

Mar 30 2013

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Coming Soon: Fall of Night

Title: Fall of Night

Author: Rachel Caine

Series: Morganville Vampire #14

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Release Date: May 7, 2013

The Overview: Thanks to its unique combination of human and vampire residents, Morganville, Texas, is a small college town with big time problems. When student Claire Danvers gets the chance to experience life on the outside, she takes it. But Morganville isn’t the only town with vampire trouble

Claire never thought she’d get to leave Morganville, but she can’t pass up the chance to finally attend her dream school, MIT. After all, getting to invent anti-vamp devices with Professor Anderson—a Morganville exile herself—sounds like a dream come trueuntil Claire realizes that there are sinister forces in play, and she’s not the only one with a vampire-related agenda. Without her friends Shane, Eve and Michael, surviving a killer schedule may be hardbut with them, it might turn out to be impossible.

Nik's Notes: I can't read these as fast as she writes them - which is excellent for all of you who can (including my best friend, Charlotte, who absolutely loves this series). According to the whims of the internet, this series is currently contracted for 15 books. As I am only on book #4, I've certainly got some work to do before it wraps up (which will likely be around November 2013). So far I really like this author's style. She has a tiny bit of an edge to her which makes the story a little less "fluffy" than its competition. For the record, I also am enjoying her Weather Warden books.

Mar 23 2013

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Coming Soon: Allegiant

Title: ~~Convergent (I think)~~ Allegiant

Author: Veronica Roth

Series: Divergent #3

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: October 22, 2013

The Overview: What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

Nik’s Notes: Who else is as excited as I am for this release? I’ll admit the first book took about 100 pages to get going, but once it did, I couldn’t put it down for anything! The characters, specifically their relationships with each other, was my favorite element. The overall creativity of the world-building and structuring was also a strong point, and I’m looking forward to solving all the mysteries in the final book. I earnestly hope this book doesn’t end up on next year’s “Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy…But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread” list.

New to this series? Check out my reviews of #1 & #2 – perhaps these are the perfect books for you!

Book Review: Divergent (book #1)

Book Review: Insurgent (book #2)

Mar 17 2013

Coming Soon: Protector

Title: Protector

Author: C.J. Cherryh

Series: Foreigner #14

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: April 2, 2013

The Overview: It’s coming up on Cajeiri’s birthday. The boy has been promised he can have the young human children he knew from his voyage sent down from the space station for a two week stay. But there’s far a darker business going on in the background—a major split compromising the Assassins’ Guild, which furnishes security and law enforcement to the whole continent. Tabini’s consort’s own father has been barred from court, and may be involved in a new conspiracy against him.

For safety reasons, Tabini wants Bren and Ilisidi to take charge of Cajeiri, and protect him and his young guests. They themselves are very likely targets of whatever’s going on, no question of it. So is Cajeiri. But having the targets separated and contained is an advantage. It’s Bren’s responsibility to entertain the guests, keep the security problem secret…and let a lonely eight-year-old prince reestablish his controversial relationship with the only other children he’s ever met…inside the best security they can manage.

Niki’s Notes: I really want to read this series. I’ve had the first book, Foreigner on the top of my TBR pile for ages now. I had no idea there were fourteen novels in the series, though. When I do start it, I’d better be ready for the long haul! The storyline reminds me of my favorite scifi author, Julie E. Czerneda, which is why I’ve been wanting to give it a try. It also seems to have the potential for some epic world-building and great characters!