Reading Diary #12: WebGenii's Reads

This is WebGenii, with an installment from my Reading Diary.  So what have I been reading lately?

First up, "The Drowning Girl", by Caitlin R. Kiernan, published by ROC. I was looking forward to this book, which was pitched as a horror mystery. Featuring a schizophrenic heroine, we can't tell whether her memories are of the supernatural or caused by her illness. I loved the writing in this book, but for me the pacing of the plot was too slow. This took the book out of the horror realm and just made it unbearably sad.  Or maybe this was the author's intent. Either way, I stopped reading before I finished the book. I'm not giving up on this author, but clearly this wasn't a book for me. I'm putting it in the "mileage may vary" pile.

"House of Shadows" by Rachel Neumeier, published by Orbit. Orbit was kind enough to send me a review copy of  "House of Shadows". Rachel Neumeier is a new author to me, though not a new author and I'm so glad to have found her. The book follows two sisters who are sold as indentured servants by their suddenly orphaned siblings. One winds up in a glamourous geisha house. The other is placed with a Mage. As an aside, I really enjoyed Ms. Neumeier's descriptions of seeing the world of magic. This is a quiet fantasy as befits its title, but it has moments of tension as well. It reminds me of Sharon Shinn and although it was presented as a YA fantasy I think it will satisfy adult readers. I'm hoping that this is the start of a series as well, since I found the characters in the novel appealing. Recommended.

Next I read "A Perfect Blood" by Kim Harrison, published by Harper Voyager. "A Perfect Blood" was one of my holiday reading books and it hit the spot squarely.  This is the 10th outing for Kim Harrison's character of Rachel Morgan. Rachel is a witch who lives and works as a detective in post-turn Cincinnati.  The "Turn" of course was the plague that decimated most of the world's human population and revealed the existence of witches, vampires, werewolves etc. to humankind. If you haven't read any of these books I recommend them highly. Unlike many of the urban fantasy heroines Rachel has been growing as a person with each book. She may shoot off her mouth, but she's also learned to shut up and make compromises. One of the real pleasures of this series is how Ms. Harrison has gradually revealed the backstory of her world and Rachel.  It has made for a narrative arc which has spanned the entire series in a most fascinating way, and has made me eager to return to her world with each outing.  If you're a fan of the Hollows, then the fact I'm recommending this is a no-brainer.  Otherwise, please start at the beginning for maximum enjoyment. I envy you.

I also returned to the world of Widdershins in "False Covenant" by Ari Marmell, published by PYR.  PYR was kind enough to send me "False Covenant", the sequel to "Thief's Covenant" a book I mentioned in a previous Reader's Diary. Once again, this Young Adult story focuses on the thief Widdershins. Once again, it is her relationship with her small god that rescues her from a new menace. Recommended.

And look what came in through the mail today:

"Cuttlefish" by Dave Freer, published by PYR. This is a YA Steampunk adventure; set in submarines and the waters of Australia.  I can hardly wait to dive in.  Hehe.

Also, "The Chocolatier's Wife" by Cindy Lynn Speer, published by Dragonwell Publishing.  This looks like a romantic fantasy.

I also treated myself to "Shades of Milk and Honey" by Mary Robinette Kowal, published by TOR. I've been meaning to read this since it first came out.  After all, Jane Austen and fantasy is right up my alley.

Next, "Gunmetal Magic" by Ilona Andrews, published by Ace.  Anything by Ilona Andrews is automatically on my to-buy list. This is the latest book, set in the world of Kate Daniels.

Finally, NetGalley provided me with a review copy of "The Girl in The Clockwork Collar", by Kady Cross, published by Harlequin Teen.  This is the sequel to "The Girl in the Steel Corset", a book I enjoyed and mentioned in Reading Diary #7

Just to recap, the books that I mentioned today were:

• "The Drowning Girl", by Caitlin R. Kiernan, published by ROC.
• "House of Shadows" by Rachel Neumeier, published by Orbit.
• "A Perfect Blood" by Kim Harrison, published by Harper Voyager.
• "False Covenant" and "Thief's Covenant" by Ari Marmell, published by PYR.
• "Cuttlefish" by Dave Freer, published by PYR.
• "The Chocolatier's Wife" by Cindy Lynn Speer, published by Dragonwell Publishing.
• "Shades of Milk and Honey" by Mary Robinette Kowal, published by TOR.
• "Gunmetal Magic" by Ilona Andrews, published by Ace.
• "The Girl in The Clockwork Collar" and  "The Girl in the Steel Corset" by Kady Cross, published by Harlequin Teen.

This has been WebGenii letting you know what is on my reading list.

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