Witches Incorporated: K. E. Mills

Witches,Incorporated is a surprise for me. Usually I shy away from historicals and alternate histories (or things that just feel like them) . But I got pulled into the series by the first book The Accidental Sorcerer and I have not been able to pull away yet. I love the characters and setting. There is just something about it that keeps me hooked. I think I’ll be reading books in this series as long as the author publishes them.

Publisher: Orbit
Publication Date: June 2009

Format: Paper

Author Web Site:  http://www.karenmiller.net/

Series: Yes – Rogue Agent

Rating: Recommend, Series Read Continue

Description (Amazon)

It’s a case of espionage, skullduggery and serious unpleasantness
And it’s also Gerald’s first official government assignment. He’s hunting down a deadly saboteur, and time is quickly running out. Old enemies and new combine forces to thwart him. Once again, innocent lives are on the line. He needs his friends. He can’t do this alone.
But Princess Melissande and Reg have troubles of their own. With the help of Monk Markham’s brilliant, beautiful sister, they’ve opened a one-stop-shop witching locum agency, where magical problems are solved for a price. Problem is, the girls are struggling to keep the business afloat. Things are looking grim for Witches Incorporated – and that’s before they accidentally cross paths with Gerald’s saboteur.
Suddenly everybody’s lives are on the line and Gerald realizes, too late, that there’s a reason government agents aren’t supposed to have friends …

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Doomsday Can Wait: Lori Handeland

This is a good series for fans of UF, Fantasy, and Romance. It’s a fast paced ride with several creep crawlies. The heroine is likable and has some vulnerabilities that the reader can appreciate.

Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks

Publication Date: April 28 2009

Format: Paper (Library)

Description (Amazon)

It took the near annihilation of humanity for Liz Phoenix to understand the true meaning of her premonitions. Liz is one of the sacred few on earth who has the psychic powers to fight the malevolent forces that have tried to wipe out the human race since the beginning of time. She battled these beings once, thwarting Doomsday but losing most of her soldiers in the massacre. Now she must replenish her troops quickly—because the supernatural war isn’t over yet.

As the new leader of the federation, Liz is marked for death by a Navajo witch with a link to her past. To survive, she must rely on her few remaining allies—her mentor, a shaman with too many secrets, as well as ex-lover, Jimmy Sanducci. Bringing Jimmy into the mix is a dangerous move, for Liz’s darkest desires are razor-sharp—and her longing for Jimmy is at a fever pitch. But can Liz afford to give into the cravings that burn inside her, with the next shot at Doomsday just around the corner? This time, if evil wins, chaos will reign—and the world as we know it will be lost forever…

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Rating: Recommend, Series Read Continue

The Mage: Jean Johnson

The Mage is the last book in Jean’s Johnson’s Son’s of Destiny series. I picked it up yesterdayy and I just turned the last page about 10 minutes ago. I think that this book may be my favorite of the series. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with Morg and I truly enjoyed reading his story.

Have some fun, go out and read The Mage.

Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: April 2009
Format: Print

Author Web Site: http://www.jeanjohnson.net

Rating: Recommend, Series read finale

Description (Author Website)

Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day–they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy.  Though no longer trapped in exile, their growing family faces new problems.  The worst of those troubles now falls upon the last of the Sons of Destiny.

Hope, Morganen’s foretold bride, has finally arrived on the island.  She hasn’t been telling the full truth about herself, and the consequences will stretch further than even she anticipates.  Just as Morg gets used to Hope’s revelation, new enemies arrive on the Isle, seeking to steal away the brothers’ chances at creating a new nation.  During the attack, an old foe resurfaces and strikes amid the confusion, kidnapping the final bride-to-be.

Either Morg will rescue Hope and help his faimly complete the Prophecies of the Seer Draganna and the last Duchess of Nightfall, carving a new kingdom in the process…or their enemies will be free to slaughter them all….

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Santa Olivia: Jacqueline Carey

I picked this up from the Library yesterday around 4pm and I finished it by 8pm. I really enjoyed the story of Loup Garron. She is a wonderful character and it was a pleasure to read her story. I don’t think that I would like another Loup book. Loup’s story felt complete to me, but I would like another tale about the genetically modified solders in this universe.  There seems to be a lot to explore in that world

While I was reading this, I kept thinking about the movie Million Dollar Baby… the boxing was the key. Not sure why I didn’t bring in Girl Fight, but it did remind me of women’s boxing. Thankfully I was far more pleased with the ending of Santa Olivia than I was with Million Dollar Baby.

Fans of Jacqueline Carey’s other work will enjoy Santa Olivia.

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: May 2009
Format: Print

Author Web Site: http://www.jacquelinecarey.com/

Rating: Recommend

Description (Amazon)
Loup Garron was born and raised in Santa Olivia, an isolated, disenfranchised town next to a US military base inside a DMZ buffer zone between Texas and Mexico. A fugitive "Wolf-Man" who had a love affair with a local woman, Loup’s father was one of a group of men genetically-manipulated and used by the US government as a weapon. The "Wolf-Men" were engineered to have superhuman strength, speed, sensory capability, stamina, and a total lack of fear, and Loup, named for and sharing her father’s wolf-like qualities, is marked as an outsider.

After her mother dies, Loup goes to live among the misfit orphans at the parish church, where they seethe from the injustices visited upon the locals by the soldiers. Eventually, the orphans find an outlet for their frustrations: They form a vigilante group to support Loup Garron who, costumed as their patron saint, Santa Olivia, uses her special abilities to avenge the town.

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Fall of Light: Nina Kiriki Hoffman

First off, I have to say that I love Nina Kiriki Hoffman’s writing. I have read several of her works and I am not disappointed with Fall of Light. The world that she has created is unique and interesting for the reader. It’s not your standard cookie cutter magic user universe, there are facets that are beautiful and awful. The reader’s exploration of these facets is the enjoyable part of the experience.

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: Ace Hardcover (May 5, 2009)

Web site: http://ofearna.us/books/hoffman.html

Series: This is a standalone book in an existing world. The main character is the sister of the main character from A Fistful of Sky.

Description
Opal LaZelle is a special effects make-up artist, transforming actors into fantastical and grotesque creatures. Unknown to the casts and crews of the films she works on, Opal is gifted in the art of magic—and she applies more than make-up when altering an actor’s features.
Her latest job requires turning Corvus Weather into a dark god of the forest. But when Corvus’s performance becomes too convincing—on set and off—Opal realizes he’s not acting. Something has taken possession of Corvus. Something sinister tied to the town’s past, with the ability to absorb the very essence of life. Something Opal doesn’t have enough power to confront, much less drive from the man she has fallen in love with.

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Strom Glass: Maria V. Snyder

This is a great addition to the Poison Study world/series. I really enjoyed reading Opal’s story. Although I will say that if you have not read any of the other books in the series, you may want to check them out. Having read the others the reader gets a solid history going into this novel.

Description (Amazon)
As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it’s time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan’s glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal’s unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap in to a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn’t known she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she’s ever known.

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Bloodhound: Tamora Pierce

I thought that the story was an entertaining glimpse into the character’s life. The characters are enjoyable and the story does not follow a predictable path.

If you enjoyed the first book or the author’s other work, you will enjoy this series.

Things I enjoyed: I enjoyed that the main character went on a mission in a new environment.

Things I didn’t enjoy: It took me a while to get used to the diary format of the book.

Reason for reading: I loved the first in the series.

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2009
Format: Print
Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy
Series:  Yes (The Legend of Beka Cooper)
Author Web Site: http://www.tamora-pierce.com/index.html

Description
Beka Cooper is finally a Dog—a full-fledged member of the Provost’s Guard, dedicated to keeping peace in Corus’s streets. But there’s unrest in Tortall’s capital. Counterfeit coins are turning up in shops all over the city, and merchants are raising prices to cover their losses. The Dogs discover that gamblers are bringing the counterfeit money from Port Caynn. In Port Caynn, Beka delves deep into the gambling world, where she meets a charming banking clerk named Dale Rowan. Beka thinks she may be falling for Rowan, but she won’t let anything—or anyone—jeopardize her mission. As she heads north to an abandoned silver mine, it won’t be enough for Beka be her usual “terrier” self. She’ll have to learn from Achoo to sniff out the criminals—to be a Bloodhound. . . .

Rating: Series Read Continue, Hardcover, Recommend, Comfort Read

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The Shadow Queen: Anne Bishop

I really enjoy the books from the Black Jewels universe. I think that this one won’t detract from my enjoyment of the series, even if I didn’t love this book. I did enjoy this book but not as much as some of the others in the series.

I hope that there will be more in the Black Jewels universe, I would like to read more about Dena Nehele and it’s restoration.

Things enjoyed: I enjoyed the story between Cassie and Gray. I really liked the idea of redeeming the people of Dena Nehele.

Things I didn’t enjoy: I felt that there was too much story with Daemon and Jaenelle. It really detracted from the story of Cassie and Gray. 

Reason for reading: I loved the Black Jewels books and I wanted to continue with this series.

Rating: Series read continue, Hardback, Recommend

Publisher: Roc
Publication Date: March 09
Format: Print
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Sort of – Ties into the Black Jewels universe
Author Web Site: http://www.annebishop.com/

Description (Amazon)
Dena Nehele is a land decimated by its past. Once it was ruled by corrupt Queens who were wiped out when the land was cleansed of tainted Blood. Now, only one hundred Warlord Princes stand—without a leader and without hope.

Theran Grayhaven is the last of his line, desperate to find the key that reveals a treasure great enough to restore Dena Nehele. But first he needs to find a Queen who remembers the Blood’s code of honor and lives by the Old Ways. The woman chosen to rule Dena Nehele, Lady Cassidy, is not beautiful and believes she is not strong. But she may be the only one able to convince bitter men to serve once again.

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Bones of Faerie: Janni Lee Simmer

Bones of Faerie is a good book, possibly an excellent book, but I think that it might not be for everyone. It wasn’t for me, but I can see that it’s a great book.

When I read a book, it’s hard for me to not make a connection with some part of the book. I may identify with a character, a feeling, or an event. It doesn’t matter what the connection is about, just that there is an emotional connection. Because of this connection, and that I am 36 years old and have not existed in a vacuum, there are some subjects that I don’t enjoy reading about. Bones of Faerie touches on a couple of them… so while I can recognize that this is a good book, I can also say that it’s not the book for me.

I think that this is a perfect book for it’s intended young adult audience. If I was 13 and didn’t have the baggage that I have, I would have loved this book. The readers follow the characters through a journey of self discovery, acceptance, and loss.

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: January 09

Format: Print

Description (Author web site)

The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so fifteen-year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Corn resists being harvested; dandelions have thorns. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Still Liza feels safe. Her father is strong and has protected their town by laying down strict rules. Among them: Any trace of magic must be destroyed, no matter where it is found.

Then Liza’s sister is born with faerie-pale hair, clear as glass, and Liza’s father leaves the baby on a hillside to die. When her mother disappears into the forest and Liza herself discovers she has the faerie ability to see –into the past, into the future–she has no choice but to flee. Liza’s quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.

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Fade: Lisa McMann

Sometimes a book can just resonate with you and there isn’t a clear reason why, other times you know exactly why you loved it. As for Lisa McMann’s series I can’t be sure exactly why I love it, with it’s the story, the characters, or the Ann Arbor references….but I love it.

Description

SOME NIGHTMARES NEVER END.

For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They’re just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck.

Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody’s talking. When Janie taps into a classmate’s violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open — but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie’s in way over her head, and Cabe’s shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability — and it’s bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what’s to come is way darker than she’d feared….

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Rating: Recommend, Series Read Continue, Hardback