The single most impressive aspect of Sarah Monette’s writing is her strong sense of voice. The stories are told in first-person with the perspective alternating between Felix and Mildmay throughout the chapters.
Book Reviews
Review: “Bitten” by K. L. Nappier
I am not familiar with Nappier’s previous work, so the Beast mythos was new to me. And I found myself reading on so that I could understand the rules involved in her take on the werewolf legends. Hunters David and Max had managed, within the first chapter, to bring an “incarnation” of the Beast. Usually, one stops once the werewolf is dead. But not in this universe.
Review: “The Summoner” by Gail Z. Martin
Although a bit clunky at times, this book is fairly well written. Even though it is over 600 pages, this book feels more like an appetizer than a stand-alone book within a series. I am interested enough in the adventure to read the next installments when they become available, but I wish I had the whole series at once.
Review: “The Devil You Know” by Mike Carey
This is a great read. It starts as a slow meandering walk but eventually becomes a frantic run towards the finish line. The twists and turns kept me guessing, I had some of the pieces of the puzzle but there were a lot that didn’t fall into place until the last few chapters. I loved how even the smaller characters had a depth to them.
Review: “Horizons” by Mary Rosenblum
This story, at its roots, is about change. Politics, humankind’s place in space and how people who inhabit space are changing. The orbitals want autonomy, the government of Earth wants to maintain control and some want the destruction of both. I recommend picking this book up and enjoying the story contained.
Review: “Chance Fortune and the Outlaws” by Shane Berryhill
Chance Fortune and the Outlaws is a fun story that pays homage to classic comic books and throws in young people having to deal with more than just learning to use their powers. If you enjoy a good read along the lines of Mr. Potter and his friends, comic book superheroes or just want something different to entice younger readers I would recommend this book.
Review: “Succubus Blues” by Richelle Mead
When I pulled this book out of the stack to read, I thought that if I had to read one more female first person narrated paranormal that I may poke out my eyes and never read again. Then I began to read and remembered why I had read so many female first person narrated paranormals in the first place. When the lead is charming and unaffected and the alternate reality is richly drawn, it is easy to escape into the author’s world.
Review: “Magic Bites” by Ilona Andrews
This is a world where tech and magic are competing for control. When the tech wave rises, magic subsides and vice versa. The fantasy construct is detailed and original. It’s a bit Renaissance society meets futuristic.
Review: “The Name of the Wind” by Patrick Rothfuss
Have you ever picked up a book and thought that there was NO WAY it could be as good as the press blurbs on the cover? Have you every believed those blurbs only to be told a complete lie or at the very least, a partial truth?
This is a book that actually lives up to it’s positive buzz and blurbs. Believe EVERYTHING good you hear about it because it’s true.
Review: “Hydrogen Steel” by K. A. Bedford
Hydrogen Steel could have been (cue the cheesy SciFi Echo) “Detectives In Space” but, thankfully, it’s not. The story meanders between a mystery and an espionage tale, nimbly dances on the edge of hard Science Fiction and throws in a heavy philosophical element for good measure.
Review: “Night Rising” by Chris Marie Green
The story is fast paced and filled with enough gory fight scenes to please the hard core urban fantasy reader but with a surprisingly emotional layer that may appeal to the female reader. It fails to deliver a complete world building construct and this coupled with the tendency to leave more plot threads open than resolved left this reader dissatisfied.
Review: “Demon Angel” by Meljean Brook
If there was ever a time a fantasy reader wanted to dip their toes into the romance waters, it would be this book by debut author Meljean Brook. Don’t let the cover put you off because behind the clinch embrace is a detailed urban fantasy with a good bit of action.
Review: “Blood Bound” by Patricia Briggs
Patricia Briggs has the unique gift of being able to make the reader believe, for the space of 300 some pages, of her truths. That vampires, fae, werewolves, and magic makers live in tentative harmony with humankind. Her world is just like ours, only a bit more dangerous and a bit more sexy.
Review: “The Sky People” by S.M. Stirling
The Sky People is a fun read that harkens back to another time in science fiction writing. It has some minor quibbles but nothing that would get in the way of enjoying this rousing tale. So fire up the rockets and head to your local bookstore and pick up this gem.
Review: “No Dominion” by Charlie Huston
The book is marvelously written and very heavy on dialogue and vivid, yet dark, descriptions. Twists and turns abound, unfolding the story at a steady pace. It is also written as a first-person, present tense story, a style that I usually find jarring and unbelievable.
