Tag Archives: urban fantasy

Mar 26 2013
Image

Top Ten Tuesday! (3/26/2013)

a111

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature that helps book lovers like myself connect with other bloggers as we list the books we love. This week’s topic:

Top Ten Books I Recommend The Most!

This is a great topic for me, as I spend most of my day recommending books both online and at the bookstore (I usually end up catering my suggestions to each person’s needs, often giving them a book I think they’ll like the most, not necessarily the one that I liked most). The books I’ve chosen for the list are my personal favorites spanning multiple genres and starting points for every conversation beginning with “So, what’s a good book?” to which I reply “Have you read this yet?”

#1 Fablehaven: Let’s face it, everybody who was going to read Harry Potter has already done so at this point, so recommending that is redundant. I’ve discovered that not everybody has read the Fablehaven series, however. I always start with this one in the children’s department because it’s my favorite. If the person has read it and liked it, I know we’re going to get along.

#2 Partials: This is a fun one to recommend because it hasn’t had a chance to catch on quite like Divergent or Matched yet. As this was my favorite book published last year, I can always sell it with confidence (but only to people who respond “yes” to “did you like the hunger games?). Read full review

#3 Survival: This author is by far my favorite science fiction writer. Her books are witty and creative, and I always come away feeling like I want to reread them right away. The only reason I picked them up initially is because my favorite artist painted the covers (Luis Royo). I figured any writer who was good enough to convince the publisher to splurge for Royo cover art was worth my time!

#4 Graceling: My favorite teen love story, I just adore this book. It’s a sweet read and not too much for people new to the fantasy genre to handle. If the customer doesn’t like dystopian or paranormal novels (thereby limiting my recommending power in half these days), I hand them this book. Read full review

#5 Moon Called: One of the best urban fantasies out there, Briggs is not quite my favorite, but she’s close. She does happen to be the author that I think a lot of people will like, which is why she passed up Keri Arthur and Kim Harrison in my recommending repertoire. She has great characters, great adventure/paranormal encounters, and an excellent love story without being too gushy.

#6 Magician Apprentice: I’ve mentioned before that when I take someone to the fantasy section, I always ask the question: “have you read Feist?” He’s been my go-to for so many years, but I’m starting to find that most people have already read him. For those who haven’t I find it a hard sell. Not because of story, or anything related to the content. Nope, the reason I have a hard time with this one now is the colossally boring cover. The one featured here is actually the first edition cover, and I dont’ know about you, but it made ME want to pick it up. Covers are a lot more important than people think when selecting a book, so I sincerely hope the next edition is more compelling. Read full review

#7 Joust: One of my favorite dragon books, and one that I throw in with any recommendation spiel to see if it sticks. My all-time favorite dragon book is Dragon Weather by Lawrence Watt-Evans, but I recommend these first because they are my second favorites and more accessible to the average reader. They’re a lot like Eragon but I enjoyed them so much more.

#8 Succubus Blues: I geek out whenever I find a customer open to the more, say, risky side of urban fantasy. These are by no means clean books, so I have to be careful to preface that when talking to customers. They are, however, some of the best books I’ve read, and part of the reason why Mead is my favorite author. The story, the humor, the romance –  they have everything I expect out of a good book.

#9 The Name of the Wind: This book is another one I read last year that I’m raving about. It has everything I hope to find in a book adventure, humor, characters development, education (I love it when characters learn things) and a love story. To top it all off, it’s written beautifully. I will be rereading this for years to come! Read full review

#10 Assassin’s Apprentice: Hobb is my go-to author for when I just need a guaranteed good read. I can devour 50 pages in a sitting, then not pick it up again for weeks but can still get right back into the story as if no time elapsed. The’s aren’t the quickest of reads, but they are powerful. The end of Fool’s Fate (which is book 9, chronologically) is partially responsible for inspiring this blog. It was amazing. Read full review

Mar 22 2013
Image

Book Review: Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead

a1Title: Shadow Heir

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: Dark Swan #4

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 3/5 stars

The Overview: Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land’s prophecy-haunted queen, there’s no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld. . .

The spell-driven source of the blight isn’t the only challenge to Eugenie’s instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can’t trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can’t—or won’t—reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon—and risk the ultimate sacrifice. . .

The Review:

Mead is my favorite author, and I loved the adventure aspects of this book (great change of settings and all), but I felt like this particular book was missing something. Mead usually has a way of creating a giant snowball effect as a series comes to an end that has you glued to the pages, downright anxious to see what happens. As Shadow Heir is most assuredly the last novel in this series, I was left feeling like there should have been more. In fact, had I not known this was the last book, I definitely would not have been able to tell from the plot.

It did not help matters that I did not care for either of the potential love interest for personality and behavioral purposes, and that’s enough to take the wind out of any romantic’s sails. I’m certain others would find them appealing, I just couldn’t bring myself to root for either one. Come to think about it, that is probably why I didn’t find the end to be super climatic because I wasn’t emotionally invested in one of the main arcs of the story. You have to understand, her leading men in two other series are by-far my favorites of any genre (hello – Dimitri Belikov and Seth Mortensen) so to not have a love story I could personally get behind left me wanting.

Not that there was any problem with the characters themselves, I’m just picky when it comes to men (as it should be). Mead is a master of creating great characters. I love that between all the stories I’ve read, her leading ladies all have distinct and unique personalities (and they all can kick some serious butt). It would be easy for Mead to take the same cookie-cutter model for a heroine and transfer it into each series. The fact that she doesn’t speaks to her strength of an author and gives us readers something new to look forward to each time.

Overall, the book was worth reading and it does provide some sense of closure; however, if you’re never read a Richelle Mead book, start with either Vampire Academy or Succubus Blues. A warning to the wary: these books contain a great deal of sensuality, language, and violence.

Other books you might like:

(I realize I did the classic “if you like Richelle Mead… read Richelle Mead! But since I made such a big deal about her other series, I couldn’t help myself)

by Niki Hawkes

Mar 20 2013
Image

Book Review: Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison

a1Title: Black Magic Sanction

Author: Kim Harrison

Series: Rachel Morgan #8

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Overview: Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter—and lived to tell the tale. But she’s never faced off against her own kind . . . until now.

Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment—her worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom. But trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and a lowlife ex-boyfriend-turned-thief.

The Review:

Arguably the best one yet, Black Magic Sanction was heart-wrenching, funny, and dynamic. I was absorbed from the first page and at the edge of my seat the entire time! I am so glad I pushed through the first novel because this is the sort of series that builds momentum and interest with each book that eventually makes it more than the sum of its parts. I always take forever to read these books because they’re my go-tos set aside for when nothing else it working for me (the only other author I do that with is Robin Hobb).

Her character development is superb, there are so many great storylines going on between Rachel and the other characters, and I can only imagine how the series is going to wrap up. Particularly with the elves and demons, each of them has a well-rounded and dynamic interactions with the main character, and I love that I’m never totally sure who’s on her side (kind of like with Jarlaxle in the Legends of Drizzt saga). Let’s take a moment to discuss the sidekicks: they’re the best I’ve read about in any genre! They really are what make the series unique and special, and I find scenes where they’re involved to be my all-time favorites.

Anyway, that’s all I feel I can talk about without giving anything away. These truly are wonderful books, and I encourage those of you who gave up at the first book to keep reading… it gets epic! A warning for the wary: these books are rather sensual and sometimes violent, so use your own discretion.

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Mar 19 2013
Image

Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy…But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread! (3/19/2013)

a111

Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy…But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread

(aka, story of my life)

You’ll notice that a lot of these titles were on last week’s Top Ten Tuesday (Books at the Top of my Spring 2013 Reading List). This is no accident because, dang it, I’m tired of not picking up the books I’m the most excited about. Often, I stall because a part of me wants to wait because the longer I hold off, the less wait I’ll have before the next one comes out. This makes no sense, as I’d probably do the same thing to the next release. #firstworldproblems

#1 Bard’s Oath: I blame the author for this one. I finished the first two books in 2002 (and loved them), then spent the next ten years thinking Bertin had fallen off the planet. I am so stoked she decided to finish the series, but now I have to go back and reread the first two because I don’t remember a single detail about them.

#2 Frost Burned: Best urban fantasy ever! The only reason I haven’t picked this one up yet is because I feel the need to finish the Alpha and Omega series first.

#3 Sword-Bound: I really enjoyed this series, and I honestly thought it was over. As soon as I found out about this release I was tickled. It’s one of those stories that I don’t think I’d ever mind reading more of.

#4 Eve & Adam: Co-written by K.A. Applegate and her husband, I simply had to own this to show support to the woman who inspired my love of reading (the Animorphs series, 1996, Scholastics book ordering form = my life has never been the same).

#5 Elfhome: Conclusion (I hope) to Tinker and Wolf Who Rules, this is a series long overdue for another book. Left with a cliffhanger, I was terrified she’d never finish. As with Bard’s Oath, this is another one I have to reread because it’s been so long. The cover art is a bit frightening this time around, though. lol

#6 Reached: I bought this the day it came out, and I haven’t even read the second one yet. Don’t worry, it’s on my list….

#7 Indigo Spell: Richelle Mead is my favorite author. I am shamed that I didn’t drop everything and devour this book the moment it came out. I lose like a thousand “loyal fan” points.

#8 Dragon Fate: There’s starting to be a pattern here. This is yet another title that stalled well over two years before releasing. As the last in the series, I definitely want to read it. I just can’t remember enough of the small details to make it worthwhile. Here comes another reread! (grumble..)

#9 Omen Machine: I loved this series, thought it ended well, and felt completely satisfied with where things left off. I really want to know what happens next, but it feels like a shame to stir the pot.

#10 Fragments: Partials was my favorite read book published last year. I raved about it in the review, and geeked out when we finally got it in (it was late). I will be picking this one up soon, I’m sure of it! ;)

There you have it – my shameful list! I should make a pact or something that April will be all about enjoying these titles. Hmmm…. 

What books are on your list? :)

Mar 18 2013

Your Pick for Nik! – April’s Nominations!

To cast your vote, just leave a comment indicating your chosen titles (up to 3) – and may the best book win!

It’s that time again for us to pick our next book!

Voting starts today (March 18, 2013) and you’ll have all the way until Sunday the 24th to choose your favorites (Remember: YOU CAN VOTE FOR MORE THAN 1).

For those of you new to the book club, Your Pick for Nik! is a monthly feature where I turn over control of my reading list to you!

Here’s how it works: I will nominate titles from my TBR list and YOU will choose which one gets featured. It can be one you’ve already read and want to discuss, one you want to read but wish to see my feedback on first, or – and this is my favorite part – you can read it along with me!

Depicted below are my 10 nominees for March. Simply vote for your favorite, and let the best book win! At 10:00 am (MST) on Monday the 25th I will announce the winner. Come the end of April, I will post a thorough review of the chosen title – and hopefully find out what you thought of it as well!

This month, I included a few popular selections from last month as well as two titles that I want to reread. 

March’s Nominations: 

2222Title: Dualed

Author: Elsie Chapman

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Overview: The Hunger Games meets Matched in this thrilling high-concept YA where citizens must prove their worth by defeating the other version of themselves—their twin.

Two of you exist. Only one will survive. The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

a1Title: You Suck

Author: Christopher Moore

Genre: Fiction

Overview: Being undead sucks. Literally.

Just ask C. Thomas Flood. Waking up after a fantastic night unlike anything he’s ever experienced, he discovers that his girlfriend, Jody, is a vampire. And surprise! Now he’s one, too. For some couples, the whole biting-and-blood thing would have been a deal breaker. But Tommy and Jody are in love, and they vow to work through their issues.

But word has it that the vampire who initially nibbled on Jody wasn’t supposed to be recruiting. Even worse, Tommy’s erstwhile turkey-bowling pals are out to get him, at the urging of a blue-dyed Las Vegas call girl named (duh) Blue.

And that really sucks.

a12Title: The Dragon’s Path

Author: Daniel Abraham

Series: The Dagger and the Coin #1

Genre: Fantasy

Overview: All paths lead to war…

Marcus’ hero days are behind him. He knows too well that even the smallest war still means somebody’s death. When his men are impressed into a doomed army, staying out of a battle he wants no part of requires some unorthodox steps.

Cithrin is an orphan, ward of a banking house. Her job is to smuggle a nation’s wealth across a war zone, hiding the gold from both sides. She knows the secret life of commerce like a second language, but the strategies of trade will not defend her from swords.

Geder, sole scion of a noble house, has more interest in philosophy than in swordplay. A poor excuse for a soldier, he is a pawn in these games. No one can predict what he will become.

Falling pebbles can start a landslide. A spat between the Free Cities and the Severed Throne is spiraling out of control. A new player rises from the depths of history, fanning the flames that will sweep the entire region onto The Dragon’s Path-the path to war.

1Title: Beyonders: A World Without Heroes

Author: Brandon Mull

Series: Beyonders #1

Genre: Young Reader

Overview: Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable—until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he’s ever seen. In the past, the people of Lyrian welcomed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The brave resistors who opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.

In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

b4Title: The Darkest Minds

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Series: Darkest Minds #1

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Overview: 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.

b1Title: Geist

Author: Philippa Ballantine

Series: Book of the Order #1

Genre: Fantasy

Overview: Sorcha, powerful protector of the Empire against malevolent hauntings, is called to a small settlement. But more is occurring there than “geist” activity. It’s a conspiracy of evil that reaches back to her own Abbey. Even if she survives, what hell would she be returning to?

.

a4Title: Mila 2.0

Author: Debra Driza

Series: Mila #1

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Overview: Mila was living with her mother in a small Minnesota town when she discovered she was also living a lie.

She was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was never supposed to remember the past—that she was built in a computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much, and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology.

Evading her enemies won’t help Mila escape the cruel reality of what she is and cope with everything she has had to leave behind. However, what she’s becoming is beyond anyone’s imagination, including her own, and that just might save her life.

Feb 26Title: Fragments

Author: Dan Wells

Series: Partials #2

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Overview: Kira Walker has found the cure for RM, but the battle for the survival of humans and Partials is just beginning. Kira has left East Meadow in a desperate search for clues to who she is. That the Partials themselves hold the cure for RM in their blood cannot be a coincidence—it must be part of a larger plan, a plan that involves Kira, a plan that could save both races. Her companions are Afa Demoux, an unhinged drifter and former employee of ParaGen, and Samm and Heron, the Partials who betrayed her and saved her life, the only ones who know her secret. But can she trust them?

Meanwhile, back on Long Island, what’s left of humanity is gearing up for war with the Partials, and Marcus knows his only hope is to delay them until Kira returns. But Kira’s journey will take her deep into the overgrown wasteland of postapocalyptic America, and Kira and Marcus both will discover that their greatest enemy may be one they didn’t even know existed.

The second installment in the pulse-pounding Partials saga is the story of the eleventh hour of humanity’s time on Earth, a journey deep into places unknown to discover the means—and even more important, a reason—for our survival.

a5Title: Matched

Author: Ally Condie

Series: Matched #1

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Overview: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander’s face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham’s face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it’s a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she’s destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can’t stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society’s infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

a6Title: The Last Dragonlord

Author: Joanne Bertin

Series: Dragonlords #1

Genre: Fantasy

Overview: Dragonlord Linden Rathan, last-born of a race of immortal weredragons, has spent six hundred years alone, searching for his soultwin while his fellow Dragonlords watch over humanity’s Five Kingdoms. When the Queen of Cassori dies mysteriously, Linden and the other Dragonlords are called upon to prevent civil war as two human claimants vie for the regency.

As the battle for Cassori rule escalates, Linden becomes the target of the Fellowship, a secret society of true-humans who could actually destroy his immortal life. Then he meets a beautiful young ship captain named Maurynna who may be the only one who can help Linden bring Cassori back from the brink of chaos.

Mar 14 2013

Out This Month! (Noteworthy Releases March 12th – 31st)

Here’s a look at what’s coming out between now and the end of the month! I meant to post this at the beginning of the month. In any case, there are some really good books on the horizon! 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.