April was kind of a slow month for me. Sure, the new Robin Hobb came out, and that’s awesome in its own right, but there wasn’t much else that I was just dying to read. May, on the other hand is packed with books that I’ve been eager to get my hands on. Any of them on your reading list?
Book Review: Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
Title: Frost Burned
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #7
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 5/5 stars!
The Overview: Mercy Thompson’s life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman—the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack—has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy’s life. But on the edges of humanity, what passes for a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more . After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can’t reach Adam—or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They’ve all been abducted. Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam’s disappearance may be related—and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.
The Review:
I never have anything bad to say about Patricia Briggs! I have loved every book in the Mercy series so far, putting them at the top of my all-time favorites list. Already owning the paperbacks, I decided to invest in the hardcovers because I like them that much. Not only are they fun to read, but they also have excellent characters, story, and humor.
With each new book so far, Briggs has introduced a new element of supernatural expanding the otherworldliness of her series. Now were at the point where there is so much back history and development with each creature and character that the storyline for this book was almost a culmination of everything we have read so far. Frankly, the characters could be doing practically anything at this point and I would still enjoy reading about it.
Conflicts that happen in past books play a big role in this one, so it didn’t take long to get into the action of the story. I love how Briggs paces her novels, there is usually barely enough time to catch your breath before she launches from one action scene to the other. Mix that with fantastic, lovable characters and a great deal of humor, and you have yourself one fantastic series! I am bummed that it’s going to be at least a year before I get to read another one… It kind of makes me wish I had read it slower. Oh, well. I guess I’ll just have to go back and do a series reread!
As a side note, I chose to read the Alpha and Omega series because there are rather important things in those books that played a major role in Frost Burned. In fact, if I hadn’t read them I would’ve been a little confused with the feeling of, “Wow, I don’t remember that in the last Mercy book… What other stuff that I forget?” (this usually only happens if I read books in a series too far apart). Anyway, the first A&O book, Cry Wolf, I didn’t really care for. However, the other two, Hunting Ground and Fair Game, were every bit as good as the Mercy series, adding a lot of back-history to the werewolf culture.
Recommendations: These books don’t have near as much language and sex as many other urban fantasies on the market, which is why (aside from their obvious awesomeness) I recommend them the most often. Along with Butcher’s Dresden Files, these books are excellent starter sets for the genre and must-reads for any hard-core fans!
Other books you might like:
-
- Fair Game by Patricia Briggs
-
- Storm Front by Jim Butcher
-
- Dancing with the Devil by Keri Arthur (7/30)
-
- Stray by Rachel Vincent
-
- Storm Born by Richelle Mead
Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten Words/Topics That Instantly Make Me Buy/Pick Up A Book! (4/30/2013)
This is a feature posted by The Broke and The Bookish that allows book bloggers to talk about the books they loved – or hated – and provides a platform for us to get to know each other. This week’s topic is:
Top Ten Words/Topics That Instantly Make Me Buy/Pick Up A Book
I want to disclaim that these subjects will almost always make me give the book a second glance, but I have a much more thorough selection process before they actually wind up on my shelf at home (I’ve gotten really picky lately). There is a broad spectrum of books in the categories I’m about to name. For the sake of geeking out about books I love, I have chosen to provide pictures of the covers that best represent each category.
#1 dragons:
Dragon Avenger by E.E. Knight
Because I am a slave to my obsessions. I try everything I can get my hands on, Seriously though, if publishers were marketing specifically to me all they would have to do is put a pretty dragon on the cover and I would pick the book up – regardless if there is an actual dragon anywhere in it.
#2 animals:
Wild Born by Brandon Mull
Yep this is pretty much the only subject that will get me to read nonfiction. However, any genre novel that manages to incorporate animals will grab my attention right away.
#3 magic/wizards:
Magician Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist
It seems like all of my favorite books have at least some element of magic. When you love dragons and fantasy as much as I do, magic sort of goes hand in hand with those topics. Unique magic systems, like the ones found in the Mistborn trilogy, can be highly memorable and sometimes the best parts of a story.
#4 dystopian:
I am up to the point where I will actually read anything set in a dystopian story as long as the basic concept sounds good. I am so glad I have, because it has allowed me to enjoy some of the best books I’ve read in years!
#5 vampire/werewolf:
I went through all of my teen years saying with conviction that I hate paranormal creatures. And then along came an unsuspecting paranormal romance by Lori Handeland…One thing led to another, and now I simply can’t get enough. Who knew these stories also had some of the best characterization and romance for any genre – with robust, complex storylines to boot!
#6 Richelle Mead:
Yep, put this name on any cover and I guarantee you I will pick it up. Vampire Academy was great, but my favorite was her Succubus series. And I really liked Gameboard of the Gods coming out in June.
#7 swords/adventure:
Most of the fantasy books I’ve and loved offered a great deal of battle scenes and adventure. To have a cool adventure, you usually have to be in a cool setting; therefore, most of my favorite world building stories also had a major elements of adventure and exploration.
#8 teen:
Teen is my weak spot, my guilty pleasure. Anything that can be categorized as fantasy or paranormal gets at least a basic look through, and I usually spend most of my browsing time in this section. I also am quite fond of books with girls in pretty dresses… And they’re everywhere.
#9 love:
I’m a romantic at heart, and I usually don’t pick up a book unless it has at least a chance for a love story. PS. This cover in particular is one of the most intriguing covers/titles out there… I’m going to read it.
#10 nonhuman races:
Whether it be elves or aliens the opportunity to read about someone’s take on the development of a new species (or a spin of a well-known one) grabs my attention every time. On a side note, I will also pick up ANYTHING with cover art done by Luis Royo…And you know what? He hasn’t led me astray yet!
What are your book-trigger words? Leave a blog address in the comments area so I can visit your TTT. :)
Your Pick for Nik! – May’s Selection!
Thank you all for your votes!
This month’s winner is… Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken!
It was a really close one this month, but Darkest Minds edged out ahead. I am really excited for this selection! Seeing as the book came in second two months in a row, I imagine a number of you are excited too. Great choice this month, people!
A thorough review and discussion for this book will take place on May 28th, so there’s plenty of time to pick it up if you want to participate. For more information on the Your Pick for Nik! book club, click here.
Here’s what the book’s about:
When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.
5/28 Coming Soon: Antiagon Fire
Title: Antiagon Fire
Author: L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Series: Imager’s Portfolio #7
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: May 28, 2013
The Overview: The hard-won battles fought in Imager’s Battalion have earned Quaeryt a promotion to commander, as well as an assignment to convince the Pharsi High Council in the nation of Khel to submit to Lord Bhayar’s rule, which is key to Bhayar’s ambition to unite all of Solidar. Joined by his pregnant wife Vaelora, who is also Bhayar’s sister, Quaeryt leads an army and a handful of imagers deeper into the hostile lands once held by the tyrannical Rex Kharst, facing stiff-necked High Holders, attacks by land and sea—including airborne fire launched by hostile imagers from the land of Antiago—and a mysterious order of powerful women who seem to recognize the great destiny that awaits Quareyt and Vaelora, as well as the cost of achieving it.
Nik’s Notes:
I’ve heard that this author has a tendency to be a bit dry, and actually experienced it firsthand in his Soprano Sorceress series. I have also heard from those same people that his Corean Chronicles and Imager Portfolio series are just as slow, but definitely worth reading. The premise for this particular series sounds amazing, and within the hundreds of books on my TBR list, this one has made its way up to the top 20. As for those of you eagerly anticipating this book, you only have one more month to go! His next installment Rex Regis, comes out in January 2014. Other than that, I couldn’t find any information regarding how long the series is supposed to be. If his Recluse series is anything to go by, it’s going to be a long one.
Coming Soon: Affliction
Title: Affliction
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Series: Anita Blake #22
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Horror
Release Date: July 2, 2013
The Overview: Micah is called back home by his estranged family, because his father, a county sheriff, has been attacked and is terribly injured. Anita and Nathaniel are going with him for moral support and to meet his family under very trying circumstances.
Micah has been estranged from his family for a decade, deliberately turning his back on them to protect them from the sadistic killer who once led his leopard pack. But now Micah’s father lies dying, rotting away inside from some strange ailment that has his doctors whispering about “zombie disease.” Anita—who understands zombies better than anyone—knows there’s more to it than that. While zombies have unlovable traits, being one doesn’t cause human beings to rot in agony. She needs to solve that mystery—but now a more immediate issue is pressing: Micah’s father may have only five days to live.
Nik’s Notes:
I am way behind in this series. Although I enjoy reading about Anita Blake and all the side characters, I feel as though the series as a whole took a major left turn after about book 6 or 7. They started out as vampire/werewolf horror stories then morphed into raunchy, sex-filled kill-people-in-horrible-ways-just-for-shock-value books. Even with that odd flip, I still enjoy the characters enough to keep reading, but I think they lost a little about what made them special. That said, I know an awful lot of people who didn’t mind the shift and devour her new books as soon as they hit the shelf. With that in mind, if you have yet to read the series, proceed at your own risk. :)
On a totally bizarre side note, I only just now noticed the piercing blue eye under HAMILTON on the cover. Now I’m a little creeped out (she’s staring at me).
The Obsessive Bookseller 