Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

Why hello there my dear bloggy friends! Can I say how much I've missed you all? It's true. For some reason I just haven't really been feeling the 'vibe' to sit down and review any books of late but after I finished Patricia Briggs' latest Alpha & Omega novel, Fair Game, in one sitting I just knew I was gonna have to pimp it out to everyone I possibly know. Now I've been a Mercy Thompson fan for some time. I love every single tiny thing about that series. Sadly the first couple books in the Alpha & Omega spin-off series never really did much for me. I confess to picking them up in hopes of catching of glimpse of the Mercy gang or Bran(!) between books but never really investing much in the story itself. Well, I can honestly say that Ms. Briggs changed all that with Fair Game. It it truly one fantastic book and I am now fully on board with Anna and Charles.

Since the werewolves went public and thus penalties for wolves stepping out of line have become harsher, the Marrok's enforcer (who also happens to be his son), Charles, has been putting in more hours as the pack's assassin and is starting to feel the strain. Anna has watched him pull away from her for almost a year but still feels powerless, despite her abilities as an Omega, to help soothe his guilt. Knowing her husband is in trouble, Anna confronts Bran hoping that he can figure out some way to keep Charles sane. So it happens that Anna and Charles are sent to Boston to work with the FBI and Homeland Security on a serial killer case who recently added a few werewolves to his list of victims. Charles is on such a slim thread that the least provocation in this tightrope case could send him over the edge, but Anna is determined to remind her husband that he is the hero and not a villain.

I think some of my previous issues with this series was that for some reason, Anna still seemed to carry around the 'victim' vibe. Now, I know she fought off some major baddies (with the help of Charles) but I never just felt like she was truly standing up for herself. But from the very first chapter of Fair Game (at least the first one she appears in) she's laying down the law (to Bran no less) and fighting for those she loves. I don't know how to put it other than it's like Ms. Briggs finally became comfortable with her characters in Fair Game. The story flowed, the characters sparkled (I'm looking at you Anna and yes, you Leslie), and the action was pitch-perfect. Most of all I did't feel like Charles and Anna were so unbalanced as a couple -- despite facing some serious issues. They stood up for each other (Anna especially), they relied on each other. They just seemed to finally work as a believable couple. Friends, this book was just so...perfect.  I don't know how else to say it other than that. It was perfect. Go read it and have your mind changed too.

And Ms. Briggs? If you happen to read this review know that I'd pay really, really, really good money to read a book about Bran. Really good. Anybody else with me here?

series reading order:
~ "Alpha & Omega" (novella) in On the Prowl collection
~ Cry Wolf
~ Hunting Ground - my review

~ Fair Game

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:

Babbling About Books, and More review

Dear Author review

Fiction Vixen review

Smexy Books review

book source: my local library

Mug Shot

Last week I found myself with a Shutterfly coupon for a free mug so I went and made myself this pretty little number. 

Me likey.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Ahhhh. This video. 

It's simply lovely -- and very much deserving of that Oscar nomination.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo.

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Will Scarlet is a brilliant thief, has more knives than you could count (and a deadly sharp aim with said knives), a sharp temper, and numerous scars gained before and after joining up with the notorious Robin Hood.

Will Scarlet also happens to be a girl.

But no one outside of Robin, John Little and Much are privy to that secret -- something she is hoping to keep even more quiet as the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham has enlisted the aid of the single-minded Thief Taker, Guy of Gisbourne. For all her stealth and cunning, Scarlet begins once again to taste fear at the thought of crossing paths with Gisbourne. But Scarlet's loyalty lies solely with Robin in his quest to help the misused people of Nottingham so Scarlet will stay and help him fight. Even as she watches her most carefully guarded secrets slowly come to light.

My love for the story of Robin Hood is one that goes back quite a ways. And despite the many, many book and movie adaptations, there are just a couple that stand out to me ones that do it justice. So when I came across reviews for new retelling by debut author A.C. Gaughen, you can be sure I was ready to test it out. Happily, Scarlet is one of those rare breed of retellings that manages to alter the characters just so while adding surprising plot developments yet still retaining much of the original Robin Hood story. Which makes for one fresh and entertaining read you can be sure. I was drawn in by Scarlet's distinct voice from word go and enjoyed every single moment I spent in her company. I can see why Rob, John, and Much are so drawn to her. Just like myself, they see this person wrapped in contradictions. A thief who gives everything she steals, a skilled fighter yet a pretty girl, a girl with a foul temper and a tender heart -- she's too mysterious by half. A.C. Gaughen does a fantastic job at slowly revealing each new facet of Scarlet's personality.

Scarlet is a fine piece of historical fiction. Not only is Scarlet's speech rough and coarse but the author doesn't shy away from the violence that was a trademark of the Middle Ages. Death and pain were common aspects of life and Scarlet is surrounded by their harshness at every turn. Confronted by these stark realities at an early age Scarlet has naturally become a defensive person - often rude and unapologetic of her faults and for that alone I love her. Well, not that's she's rude -- but that she's not going to take the easy way out in life. Scarlet's a fighter. And sometimes she's just as deadly with her words as she is with her knives. Which is perhaps why her interactions with Rob are ultimately so satisfying as he plays the Hero to her Criminal. Even if she is something of a hero in everyone else's eyes. You can be sure I'm definitely going to add Scarlet to my oh-so short list of fantastic Robin Hood retellings.

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
The Allure of Books review
Angieville review
My Guilty Obsession review

book source: Netgalley

Meg Rosoff at Shelf Awareness

Today Meg Rosoff is over at Shelf Awareness talking about her latest book There Is No Dog. And while I wasn't over the moon about this one, I always love getting an inside look on the author's perspective. 

And if you need yet another reason to check out the interview (i'ts MEG ROSOFF, you don't need another reason!) -- there's also a picture of Eck. 

Who is even more adorably odd than I expected him to be.

Have you read There Is No Dog yet? Thoughts?

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Funny books are something I am always on the lookout for. Call it a quest of sorts. But funny books with true cleverness, real characters and an intriguing story? Well, let's just say that combination is a little harder to find. But once in a while I get lucky and stumble upon a read with all those qualifications. Actually Hold Me Closer, Necromancer has all that and more to tell you the truth. I mean with a cover quote like the one it's gotten from Sherman Alexie you just know it's gonna rock.

Samhain Corvus Lacroix -- understandably Sam for short -- is 19 years old, a college drop-out and is currently holding onto one of the more coveted careers of fry cook. And while not totally sure what he wants to do with his life, Sam is happy to go to work, hang out with his best friend Ramon and his co-workers Brooke and Frank and maybe add in a game of potato hockey now and then. However, it's the potato hockey that starts all his troubles when a flying spud damages the car of one Seriously Creepy Guy. Turns out Seriously Creepy Guy (aka Douglas) is a powerful necromancer and he doesn't take kindly to another necromancer (that would be Sam) crossing into his turf unannounced. Previous to their encounter, Sam had zero idea that he too was a necromancer but that doesn't mean squat to Douglas who has given Sam a measly week to join up with Douglas. Or else.

My friends, this is seriously one awesome book. In fact, as I was flipping through trying to decide on a tasty snippet to share with you I found myself reading through whole chapters all over again. Finally I gave up and simply re-read the whole shebang once more, it's just that good. Sam is also that darn lovable. Basically he's a nerd who considers skateboarding a fine mode of transportation and video games the height of entertainment but Lish McBride manages to take all that awkwardness and does something magical with it. He's dorky but sweet and so scared out his mind by all the crazy being thrown his way (understandably) but through it all he remains loyal and by the end has truly come into his own. Plus, the kid has some side-splitting one-liners. No joke, I laughed myself silly over this book even during the totally creepy parts. Like the time Sam watches Douglas raise a dead man for the first time:

The finished body was a man, maybe midforties, with a receding hairline. His suit looked a little dirt-stained, but all in all he looked like your average American businessman. Except he was dead. And not just soul-dead like most cublicle workers, but acutally dead.

"Go ahead," Douglas said. "Ask him a question."

"Why is a raven like a writing desk?" The zombie stared back at me blankly.

Douglas glared at me. I heard Brid stifle a giggle from inside the cage. Good to know I wasn't the only one who'd read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. How come I couldn't meet a nice, naked, well-read girl until I was kidnapped and thrown into a cage?

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer is somewhat of an odd duck (sorta like our man Sam) but it's one truly awesome book. And to help tide me over until the sequel comes out next fall (thank you publishing gods!) there's even a free novella about Sam's Harbinger Ashley on Amazon that you'll want to check out for sure. 

series reading order:
~ Hold Me Closer, Necromancer
~ Necromancing the Stone (Sept. 2012)

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy review
The Book Smugglers review
Forever Young Adult review
Good Books & Good Wine review

book source: bought

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lanini Taylor

There are certain books that call to me. It all starts with a tickle when the buzz begins to build around the blogosphere, then a few of my trusted bookish friends simply rave about the book in their reviews and I'm definitely hooked. And hey, a stunning cover doesn't hurt matters much either. Such is the case with Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. It was basically only a matter of time before I picked up this gorgeous book. Really, I am powerless in the face of such an premise:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

This book -- oh, this book is so good. It's utterly intricate and builds to a level of sophistication that made me fall in love from page one. I honestly want to sit down and reread it all over again just so I can go back and smile at all the subtle clues to Karou's unique story that Laini Taylor delicately inserts along the way. It's just that deftly woven. Karou's gorgeous depictions of her artistic life in Prague and her time spent travelling the world over as a messenger from Brimstone - the head of her own personal demon 'family' - could not have entranced me more.

Each character is something special: chimera, seraph, and human alike. Such artistic descriptions of Karou's beloved 'monsters' contrast with the fierce solider-aspect of the 'angels' she encounters. They each have their moments of kindness and brutality but Taylor is quite capable at liberally dosing them all with plenty of wit and sarcasm to keep the story from becoming too heavy.

And if you think the angel and demons trope has been done to death, well, think again. Taylor's mythology is haunting and beautiful and unlike anything else I've ever read. Due in part to her striking language usage (I was all but eating up sections of dialogue and descriptions) this is one truly expertly crafted book. I honestly don't know anyone else who writes like Laini Taylor. She is the definition of Clever. I've been meaning to track down her earlier books for ages but Daughter of Smoke and Bone makes me want to grab them like NOW. Lucky us it's planned as a trilogy. I simply cannot wait to enter Karou's world again.

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
Book Harbinger review
Chachic's Book Nook review
The Crooked Shelf review
Good Books & Good Wine review
Janicu's Book Blog review

book source: Paperback Swap

The Hour of Dust and Ashes by Kelly Gay + Giveaway

As far as urban fantasy series goes, the Charlie Madigan books deserve all kinds of love. I was first attracted this is exceptional series by their dynamic covers (I bow down to the genius of Chris McGrath) and have kept coming back for more after spending some time with Charlie and her family. Truly these books have so much going for them: a loyal and determined heroine, unique mythology, and a cast of quippy characters.

**SPOILER WARNING** You know the drill folks. We're onto the third book in this first-rate series so, you know, spoilers for the previous books contained herein and all that.

Special Forces Detective Charlie Madigan has never been one to sit back and let others handle her problems. She's more of a confront them head on and beat them until they lie shivering in a corner type of gal. Unfortunately that tactic isn't working too well for her at the moment. Charlie's currently juggling a precocious magic-wielding daughter who thinks a hellhound makes a excellent pet, a sarcastic revenant currently residing in her ex-husband's body (and in her house), some curious new DNA which is giving her wicked yet unpredictable magical abilities, and a very new and very unexplored relationship with her longtime siren partner Hank. Charlie's most immediate concern however is the safety of her younger sister Bryn whose inadvertent addiction to the off-world drug ash has left her susceptible to possession and even death after other ash addicts begin to commit suicide. As a last resort (frankly the only option she has left) in helping her sister, Charlie agrees to a plan that will most likely kill her if she doesn't play it safe. Too bad she's never been particularly good at toeing that line.

Well. Seeing as we are now onto book three, The Hour of Dust and Ashes certainly ups the ante as far as tension goes. Despite the non-stop action, most of my favorite scenes are the ones that focus more on Charlie's relationships. I simply never get tired of her interactions with the swaggering revenant Rex or her feisty daughter Emma. And as far as Hank is concerned, let's just say that Kelly Gay gets the sizzle juuusst right in that department.

Even though I spend every first 50 or so pages of Kelly Gay's books trying to remember the complicated names and belief systems of the opposing Elysian and Charybdon races, I am still all kinds of fascinated by the heaven/hell mythology she has created. Especially as Charlie visits Charybdon (yeah, that would be hell) for the first time in The Hour of Dust and Ashes. Suffice to say, it's one skeery place. Though our girl Charlie fits right in. I really don't see this series going stale any time soon as Ms. Gay still has so much to explore in terms of cultures and relationships. I for one want to be there with Charlie as she gets a better handle on it all.

And holy crap! Hank!! My lips are sealed on that front, but all I can say is Charlie really has her work cut out for her in book 4. Want. Now.

Thanks to Pocket Books, I have one copy of The Hour of Dust and Ashes to giveaway. Open to US residents only, giveaway will run through September 12, 2011. Fill out the form below to enter.


series reading order:
~ The Better Part of Darkness - my review
~ The Darkest Edge of Dawn - my review
~ The Hour of Dust and Ashes

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
Books and Things review
RT Book Review

book source: review copy from the publisher