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Posted by Grete, on March 10th, 2010  With a few notable exceptions, I haven’t read much fantasy for a while. I was actually starting to wonder if I had lost my love for the genre as nothing seemed to peak my interest in the way it used to. Simon and Schuster UK kindly sent me an advance review copy of a book they strongly believed in and aside from the fact it was originally written in russian and translated into english, it looked like just the kind of formulaic fantasy that had me so out of sorts.
Shadow Harold, master thief and appropriator of coveted items is happy to let the world go on around him. The world however has different ideas. The Nameless One is stirring after centuries of peace, calling an immense army of dreadful creatures to his side. His goal is to strike at the heart of Siala, the great city of Avendoom. Harold’s unique talents are needed to gain access to the one thing that can save Siala and while it’s a mission of great urgency and danger, once commissioned, Harold is oath bound to see it through. Even at the cost of his own life.
Having just finished Shadow Prowler, I am quite astonished. It reminded me of the old favourites that I still have and re-read, of a few authors I love that are a cut above the rest and most importantly, why I fell in love with fantasy in the first place.
Right from the first few pages, I liked the main character Harold. He’s an intelligent and witty reluctant hero, with a knack for getting out of a tight spot. Getting used to a new author’s ‘voice’ can be tough and Harold is what made it a smooth transition and kept me reading until I was caught up in the story.
The world Pehov has built for this series is rich in detail and character and I love the way he has turned around what I would say are usually standard facets of a fantasy book and used them to his own end.
As the story progressed and new characters were introduced, I found them just as well rounded and interesting as Harold, even those that that were only present for a brief time. A few even tugged at my heart though their time in the book was short.
The pace was really good, no sudden stop/starts or breakneck rush but a smooth movement through the excellent storyline firing up with some great action scenes and then returning to that flow when it was time.
Magic is present, used in daily life and there are different forms of it, used by different races. I found that interesting and thought it also showed just how much enthusiasm and work Alexey Pehov put into the world he created.
I have to touch on the translation from Russian by Andrew Bromfield. I think it has been so skillfully done that I wouldn’t have been able to tell that it wasn’t first written in English. I would love to know how the two versions compare and have to wonder if it was even more enjoyable in its native tongue.
I enjoyed this book a huge amount and can’t wait to read the second in the series to find out how Harold and his companions are faring!
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Posted by Grete, on March 3rd, 2010  Jack Winters is a direct descendant of Nicholas Winters, infamous obsession driven Alchemist. Believing himself to be the recipient of the Winters family curse, Jack needs to find his ancestor’s lamp and a woman who is a strong enough Dreamlight reader. Those two things could be the only way to save him from insanity and death. Chloe Harper tries to stay under the radar of the Arcane Society, like most in her large and diverse family but finds herself caught up when she is hired by Jack for two things. To find the Burning Lamp and with her dreamlight talent, help save him from the curse. Soon on the trail, she finds that they are trying to evade the Nightshade organisation as well as the Arcane Society and will have to make a choice who to trust.
Fired Up technically follows on from Running Hot but focusses on two new characters. I do like it when authors do this, it makes their world seem so much bigger. I thought it was a very nice touch that Grace and Luther were mentioned in passing so I got to see that they were doing well.
The story in Fired Up was just as engaging as Running Hot and I loved the new characters of Jack and Chloe. They worked really well together and the tension between them was built right from the start as a small spark of possibility. I also liked that both of them were competent and confident, no ’struggling weak heroine needs rescuing by big strong man’ and more than a match for each other. It felt like there was a slightly larger cast of minor characters but they didn’t feel minor when they appeared, they were just as compelling and well rounded as the main cast.
The character who I should have mentioned before that links these two books together, is Fallon Jones. He’s the head of the J&J detective agency that works for the Arcane Society, and at first I thought the story was going to be leading in a different direction for him but I am glad it didn’t turn out to be so, as he’s a great character. His little event at the end made me laugh and want to applaud, and I do hope that story will be told soon.
Coming into the series late hasn’t been much of a hindrance and other than missing references to brief mentions of history, these books can easily be read out of sequence. I also didn’t realise that Jayne Ann Krentz has used the Arcane Society in stories from historical fiction, to modern and then to futuristic under different pen names. She writes as Amanda Quick for the historicals, Jayne Castle as the futuristic ones and of course as Jayne Ann Krentz for these excellent modern stories. I definitely need to catch up on those!
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Posted by Grete, on February 26th, 2010  With a hidden history and a talent with a twist, Grace Renquist tries to keep her head down and act like a good librarian for the Arcane Society’s Geneology department. When she is sent on a mission to read the aura of someone suspected of being in Nightshade, an underground and sinister organisation she is paired with the enigmatic Luther Malone as her bodyguard. When Grace gets a look at the target, she realises more is going on than meets the eye and it’s linked to the past she has tried hard to escape. Can she trust Malone with the truth and not turn her in and can he protect her against the unstable assassin with a lethal singing ability, that decides they are a threat to her mission.
I’d not come across Jayne Ann Krentz before and went to start reading Running Hot then realised this is actually the fifth book in the series. It can be hard picking up the ‘lore’ or the way the author’s world works when you don’t start at the beginning, but actually I had no trouble figuring things out which was really nice. I’ve said in reviews before that I’m a sucker for secret societies, struggling to keep the world safe and sane against their darker counterparts and since the series is called the Arcane Society, that pushed the right buttons for me to get started. I like the world Krentz has built, the Arcane Society made up of remarkeable people with remarkeable abilities. Everyone registered has measurable and quantifiable abilities that fall under different categories. Strats who can spot patterns in chaos, Aura readers who can tell what a person is feeling or if they’ve experienced trauma or Aura manipulators who can tinker with someone’s emotions. The main characters of Grace and Luther were well written and engaging. Grace is an Aura reader with a twist and Luther uses his Aura calming talent as a bodyguard and bartender. They make a great couple and the romance intertwined with the plot is very sweet. I have to touch on how the bad guys were written. In some books I’ve read of this genre, the antagonists come across as a bit incompetent or not really all that bad. I was impressed that Krentz chose to make hers have quite a lot of impact. The plot wasn’t overly complicated and while mostly predictable, it didn’t make it any less of a good read. The pace was good and the story kept you turning the pages hoping that it would work out between Grace and Luther. I enjoyed it enough to want to find the previous books in the series.
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Posted by Grete, on February 26th, 2010  With thanks to Piatkus, I have seven copies of Black and White by Jackie Kessler & Caitlin Kittredge to give away!
You can read my review of this great Superhero book here.
All you have to do to be in with a chance to recieve a copy is post a comment telling me what you would want your superhero power to be!
Winners will be put into a hat and drawn randomly and closing date for this give-away will be 31st March.
I’m afraid due to posting costs, I have to restrict this to UK residents only.
Good luck and hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Posted by Grete, on February 13th, 2010  I first read this book quite a few years ago. Having bought the two latest books and wanting to re-read them all from the beginning, I decided the early ones deserved reviews too.
Kitty and the Midnight Hour is the first book in the series and introduces us to Kitty and her coming out of the werewolf closet. She’s a graveyard shift DJ for a Denver radio station until she fills in for someone on the midnight hour request show. Instead of music, it turns into an advice/talk show for and about the supernatural and becomes her regular gig. Eventually though, problems within her pack, her Alphas not liking the success she is finding and the enigmatic Cormac, supernatural bounty hunter, paid to kill her live on air, Kitty wonders if she has bitten off more than she can chew?
This book really is about a young woman who through no fault of her own was turned werewolf and tries to find her way in an ordinary world when she herself is anything but. She still wants the life she would have had, and works hard to try and make that happen in spite of the people who would rather she be a good wolf and sit, stay. I have nothing but admiration for her and I absolutely love the character of Kitty. She starts off being as submissive in nature as her wolf side, but as she matures and grows in success and confidence, you start seeing glimpses of the sassy, sarcastic, stubborn and kick ass woman she will become. The talk show segments of the book are really good and the advice Kitty gives often make me laugh out loud, as do the questions.
I thought the pace of the book was good, even the radio segments, and when the action does kick in, it goes with a bang. I like that she isn’t a fighting expert but relies on her wits, intelligence and her wolf instincts to survive. That and the ability to talk the hind legs off a donkey!
It’s a great story, and the first read through left me hungry for the next book, and that didn’t change at all on this re-read.
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Posted by Grete, on February 13th, 2010 Marian Keyes is one of those writers that can capture ordinary moments in life and turn them into something special. Funny, witty, sarcastic yet also sombre and poignant, she is not afraid to draw on her own darker personal history to give her books that something extra.
So what do you do when you have read everything she’s written and looking for more? Along with Marian, here are some of my favourite reigning queens of ‘chicklit’.
Jill Mansell
A funny, amazing storyteller who reminds me that while life can be difficult and painful, there are always moments of hilarity and joy that can make the day seem so much brighter. Lighter of heart than Marian Keyes but just as good.
Jenny Colgan
I find Jenny Colgan’s books the lightest in mood from all the authors on this list, but she shares Marian Keyes’ knack for writing and capturing characters that feel so real and funny or sad. She combines that with stories that keep you engaged and reading right until the end.
Katie Fforde
It’s a pleasure reading Katie Fforde’s work, it’s full of life, love and those moments where you just have to stop and take a good long hard laugh at yourself. Light in tone but gets you in the heart when you least expect it. Highly recommended.
Fiona Walker
Another excellent author who can look at life and take both the good and the bad and turn them into funny, powerful and heart-warming stories. A great match for everyone in this post.
If you have any other authors or books you feel would be enjoyed by people who loved Marian Keyes, feel free to comment on this article with your recommendations.
Posted by Grete, on February 12th, 2010 Sherrilyn Kenyon is one of the pioneers of supernatural romance. I’ve loved her work right from the first book I read and she remains one of my absolute favourite authors. Her characterisations and stories are amazing and I have no idea how she keeps the plotline running through 19+ books but she does and and the results are outstanding.
So what do you do when you have devoured everything she has written? Here are some recommendations for other authors in the same genre or with a similar style who I also love, and hopefully you might too!
J. R. Ward
Another author with a long running series, who has an amazing ability to bring her characters to life and into your hearts. Features vampires, hot men and sassy women, who could ask for more?
The following authors also write supernatural romance/urban fantasy but they are not quite as epic in scope as Sherrilyn Kenyon or J. R. Ward.
Keri Arthur
Keri Arthur’s ‘Riley Jensen’ Series are a great addition to the genre, with a gutsy, sexy heroine who is half-werewolf, half-vampire. The ‘Nikki and Michael’ vampire series has action as well as romance and the ‘Damask Circle Trilogy’ are definitely recommended reading too.
Patricia Briggs
For some werewolf love, Patricia Briggs brings the ‘Mercy Thompson’ Series to life and is an excellent, engaging, action packed read. Recently she has started on the ‘Alpha and Omega’ series from the same world, with two great characters who started out in a short story and are proving just as engaging. Lighter on the romance side than Kenyon but the story makes up for it.
Karen Chance
The ‘Cassie Palmer’ clairvoyant series has a bit of mystery going on, even with the numerous supernatural elements and makes for an exciting, sometimes heated mix. In addition to the main series, Karen Chance has recently begun a spin off series featuring the daughter of one of the main cast, which is shaping up to be a good read.
Kelley Armstrong
The ‘Otherworld’ series is going from strength to strength and Kelley Armstrong has a great way of telling stories through different character’s viewpoints. It starts with werewolves in Bitten and goes through several great characters who are witches, demons, sorcerors and necromancers. I love how she crosses their paths with other characters and often sets up the scene for following books as minor plots in the current one.
Rachel Caine
Two excellent series so far – ‘The Weather Wardens’ and their abilities to control the elements along with the enigmatic Djinn and her Young Adult series ‘The Morganville Vampires’. Both are excellent reads and highly recommended.
Kim Harrison
Witches, vampires, pixies oh my! The ‘Rachel Morgan’ series is a good solid read, inspired titles, humerous at times yet has its extremely poignant moments. Fast paced, full of action and definitely one to read.
Karen MacInerney
‘Tales of an Urban Werewolf’ are an easy, interesting and fun series to read. Doesn’t take itself too seriously but packs a punch when it needs to.
Carrie Vaughn
The brilliant ‘Kitty’ series (a misnomer since it’s about werewolves) just keeps getting better and Carrie Vaughn brings kick ass Kitty to life with style and panache.
If you have any other authors or books you feel would be enjoyed by people who loved Sherrilyn Kenyon, feel free to comment on this article with your recommendations.
Posted by tony, on February 10th, 2010 David Gemmell was pretty unique as an author, and it’s not easy to find good quality books that are similar to his. However, there are authors which write good quality stuff which share some aspects of David’s books, so if you enjoyed Gemmell you might well enjoy the following authors / books.
James Barclay
James’ Raven series share their action packed nature with Gemmell’s work. They’re quick paced with plenty of combat played out by interesting characters. James can be found here, and you can read plenty of information about the Raven books by starting here (and scrolling up!)
Conn Iggulden
If you liked the historical fantasy side of David’s work, you should check out Conn’s historical fantasy books. At the time of writing they are his Emperor Series and Conqueror Series. You can check out information about the books on Conn’s website (and specifically the first Emperor and first Conqueror books).
Stan Nicholls
Stan’s has written one series and is working on a second series of books about a fighting band of Orcs. While they have a more obvious fantasy slant than David Gemmell’s work, they are also gritty, fast paced and action packed, with plenty of humour to break up the combat. You would do well to take a look at them. You can find Stan’s site here.
If you have any other authors or books you feel would be enjoyed by people who loved David Gemmell, feel free to comment on this article with your recommendations.
Posted by Grete, on February 5th, 2010  Being accused of murdering your new boss isn’t the best way to get ahead in business. Innocent but unable to prove it, Robyn Peltier has no idea what to do. When it seems the murderer thinks she knows something and is after her too, she calls on best friend Hope Adams for help. Along with Hope comes her boyfriend Karl, who Robyn finds a little creepy. When it starts looking like the murder was supernatural in origin, Hope tries to help but keep Robyn unaware of the other side of her life. Unfortunately, with Hope’s demon side revelling in all the chaos, a detective that can talk to ghosts, and Karl being a werewolf, Robyn quickly finds herself embroiled in a world she never knew existed. She can fall apart or come out fighting and with the murderer on her heels everywhere she goes, falling apart is not an option.
I find Hope Adams an intriguing character. Being a half-demon of chaos, she lives with her two natures, trying to keep both halves satisfied and controlled, but struggles to find a balance. I’ve seen her grow through two previous books from a scared young woman afraid of her demon half to a bold, confident reporter and it’s been a good journey. I liked that the mundane and supernatural world meet with the characters of Robyn and Finn, who I liked a great deal and both were great additions to the cast.
The book itself was a good, smooth read with enough tension and twists to keep you turning the pages. This is something I’ve come to expect from Kelley Armstrong and her easy to read style of writing. Happily, she delivers once again. I also love the cameo appearances of characters from different Otherworld books, something that happens across the series and I hope that continues!
I found Living with the Dead quite poignant, the relationship between Hope and Karl was bittersweet and while I found the end quite sad, I also realise the necessity. I look forward to Hope’s next book to see how she matures even further.
A great addition to the Otherworld series and a treat to read.
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Posted by Grete, on January 28th, 2010  Mira Hoskins believed her whole life that her parents were killed in a car crash when she was a child. When a tall, handsome stranger rescues her from being attacked in her home, he tells her she is actually a powerful Air Witch which she finds a little hard to believe. Her powers were kept secret from her to keep her safe from the evil organisation who really murdered them, their powers drained so demons could be summoned. Fire Witch Jack McAlister has been sent by The Coven, the ruling body for Witches, to keep her safe and escort her to the Coven before she can be taken and used for the same deed. One slight problem is that Air and Fire have a natural overwhelming attraction and Jack is forbidden to give in to the fire raging within him. Mira struggles equally with the power that threatens to consume her and rather than the balancing of their elements that time together should have brought, the fire burns ever brighter.
Apparently I have a soft spot for secret societies of people with special powers living within our mundane world and fighting the good fight against their evil counterparts. Add in hot men and gutsy women and I’m hooked.
Witch Fire piqued my interest by hitting all those spots and ramped it up with a good story, passionate scenes and well rounded characters. I loved Mira and Jack, they worked really well together and were believable as a couple, even as Mira learns the truth about who she really is. The love scenes were pretty steamy and exciting but not excessively written and it did amuse me that most of the book took place in just three locations. I actually also found that quite impressive. The plot itself is quite simple but I don’t think that’s a bad thing as I feel the story is mainly about the main players. I liked the elemental ‘magic system’, it was intuitive and creative, and along with the wiccan ideals and practices made a sturdy base to build it all from.
I did feel the premise lacked originality, which only left the characters and their interactions to help the book stand out from the crowd. Saying that however, Witch Fire did have a lot of heart. I felt Anya Bast wanted the readers to love her characters as much as she did, in that she succeeded.
Looking forward to reading more in this series!
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Very young children eat their books, literally devouring their contents. This is one reason for the scarcity of first editions of Alice in Wonderland and other favorites of the nursery.
Rosenbach, A. S. W.
About BookThing! BookThing! is a website where Grete can indulge her passion for books. There are reviews covering a range of genres (paranormal romance, crime, fantasy, romantic comedy), bibliographies for selected authors, features and sometimes the odd free book giveaway!
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