Ravenously Read
Much to Carl’s dismay at times, I go through phases of voracious reading. Lately my literary appetite has craved mostly paranormal lit (specifically urban fantasy, vampires and werewolves, oh my!). Here are a few short thoughts on the various books and series. Please remember: these aren’t literary masterpieces—they’re mostly entertaining, and some are well written, but when it comes down to it, they are, frankly, nothing but modern pulp fiction.
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
I had a bit of time and hadn’t been reading much lately, so I decided to take this newest Twilight world novella for a spin. I should have chosen something else. It wasn’t particularly bad, but it wasn’t anything special. The main gripe I had is that the focus is on these street kids that are being turned into vamps, and so—for the most part—the dialogue is as you’d expect, but then Meyers has them drop some vocab of the day word. It’s jarring. That, and I’m kind of tired of the whole Twilight world. … Continue reading
Dead in the Family
I’m rather disappointed with this newest Sookie book. There wasn’t appreciable amount of character development for any of the existing characters (except when Sookie tells us that their disposition has changed) and many of the newer characters seem like one-off appearances that won’t be integral to the future storyline (and will need far more development if they return). There was a noticeable lack of action compared to the others and the entire story just seemed like fluff for the series. The full storyline of the book seemed better suited to a shorter novella. Here’s to hoping the series doesn’t continue going downhill. … Continue reading
Sabina Kane Sates My Hunger for Urban Fantasy
With two books published so far in the Sabina Kane series, author Jaye Wells has introduced a promising new world to urban fantasy readers. While a strong-willed female protagonist is pretty much de rigueur for the genre, leading-lady Sabina is neither trite nor untouchable. Wells adds in an uncommon take on the origin of the vampire race with a healthy dose of Abrahamic mythology (especially Judaic) and struggling relations between the non-human races, making for an interesting book-world that is statisfyingly dissimilar to any other series I’ve read to date. Combined with easy-reading prose and a healthy dose of taboo, interracial romantic intrigue, the series is well worth starting—so long as you don’t mind waiting until 2011 for the third installment. … Continue reading
Read The Struggle for FREE Online
Before most of the hot new YA vampire series were even a glimmer of thought in their authors’ imaginations, L.J. Smith was captivating readers with the Vampire Diaries series. The four books, all released in the early 1990s, very much shaped the modern YA vamp genre. Now, with the success of the new CW show based on the books (aptly named Vampire Diaries), the series is making a comeback. Smith has even begun a sequel series—Vampire Diaries: The Return. HarperTeen has posted the full text of the second book, The Struggle, online for the time being. … Continue reading
Posted in Ravenously Read
Tagged FREE Books, L.J. Smith, Online Reading, Suggested Series
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An Infatuation with Parasols
Although it is only two books in, the Parasol Protectorate
series by Gail Carriger may be one of my favorite series yet. I want to say
series by Gail Carriger may be one of my favorite series yet. I want to say I recommend the series unreservedly,because I really am that enamored, but it pains me to recognize that while I think the absurd Victorian propriety with a little Steampunk thrown in is really the most amazing thing ever, I am sure there are many readers out there—perhaps even you—that are calling me absolutely batty at the moment. It’s ok. I’m used to it. But read on to see why you might like the series too. … Continue reading
Free Download: My Soul to Lose
Hot off the heels of my reading My Soul to Save I found a link to a Web-published prequel to the series available for download. Check it out, especially if you haven't started the series yet; it’s a great teaser. … Continue reading
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Tagged FREE Books, Online Reading, Rachel Vincent, Suggested Series, Young Adult
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My Soul to Save
In book one, Kaylee learns that she’s a bean sidhe (banshee), not just a slightly-psychotic teenage human. This time around, she learns her soul song can’t save every soul, but that won’t stop her from trying. This is a good follow up to My Soul to Take; Vincent’s writing works well for YA. … Continue reading
Demon Bound
A little slow to start, but once it got going it had plenty of steam. Still having a bit of trouble wrapping my head around Pete and Jack, but Kittredge writes the two characters well. Looking forward to book three. … Continue reading
Sad about Steamed: A Steampunk Romance
At one point last year, I went on a Katie MacAlister binge and read most of her books about Dark Ones, Dragons, and the Goth Books (YA, penned as Katie Maxwell). They were enjoyable enough to keep me reading. Then, I tried reading her latest Silver Dragons book, Me and My Shadow, last Nov. but couldn’t get far enough in to bother telling y’all I disliked it (or mention its existence on here). Something about her writing in it was just off. But, I thought I’d give her another try with Steamed: A Steampunk Romance,
because, I mean, it’s Steampunk! and a new subject for her. Good sign: I made it all the way through it… … Continue reading
because, I mean, it’s Steampunk! and a new subject for her. Good sign: I made it all the way through it… … Continue reading Support Octobriana
Breaking from the paranormal fiction for a minute: a good friend of mine, Steve Orlando, is a published graphic novelist. His latest work, drawn by Chaz Truog, is a re-imaging of Octobriana and is currently up on Kickstarter, trying to raise funds to publish the trade paperback of the series. Head over to the Octobriana project Kickstarter page to learn more about this project (and while you’re there, back it!). The fund raising ends on May 24, 2010—so check it out soon. … Continue reading
