Malicious Intent

Oct 202011
 

Malicious Intent is a novel set in Australia and focuses on Forensic Physician Dr. Anya Crichton.  I found her interesting and she was easily the most well rounded and likeable character in the story.  Her own struggles throughout her life made her seem more believable.

The subject matter she has to deal with, especially when she is called to assess and collect evidence of rape victims is quite traumatic and I couldn’t quite engage with it.  Perhaps because Fox had to write Anya as detached from what she was doing, while still being sympathetic, it also left me unable to invest emotionally in the story, feeling as if it was mainly analytical.

I also didn’t connect with Kate the cop at all, I thought she was brash and the explanation that she rubbed everyone up the wrong way didn’t quite cut it.  Her decision to betray Anya’s confidence was, in my opinion, reckless and stupid and more importantly didn’t enhance the story for me.

The pace was very slow and it seemed to take a long time to get to important pieces of plot, and the gaps were sometimes filled with technical and procedural descriptions that didn’t really add much to the story.  When it was focussed on Anya’s life, it became a lot more interesting, and I wonder if Fox got lost in the technical detail.

The plot itself was quite clever and the need to find out what on earth was going on, combined with liking Anya as a character, were the two things that kept me reading.  The way Kathryn Fox sent her characters through identifying and then eventually finding how the victims connected to each other was really well done and I didn’t spot the bad guy at all; it was a complete shock and surprise.

The psychological research must have been extensive, and it was well incorporated into the story allowing Fox to give us a truly disturbed and disturbing killer.  As the author is a GP with an interest in Forensic Medicine, the medical side of things was pretty spot on but again I couldn’t quite engage with it, that same feeling of detachment.

A sign for me that I wasn’t totally engrossed is that I kept putting it down to do other things.  I did want to finish it though so kept reading and in the end my impression was that Malicious Intent isn’t an amazing book but is a decent enough read with a very interesting, if disturbing plot.

Rating: ★★½☆☆ 

Working for the Devil

Oct 182011
 

I’d heard of Lilith Saintcrow but not had the opportunity to read any of her work until now.  Having just finished the first book in the Dante Valentine series I wish I had started much earlier!  Saintcrow has created a wonderful character in Danny (Dante), a woman who stands out from the crowd with plenty of layers to her personality.  She is both powerful and kick ass but also tempered by vulnerability on a fundamental level.  The hints of trauma in her past are well created, and I found her easy to believe in.

Japhrimel on the other hand is an interesting enigma; his inability to understand human nature made him seem almost naive at times and yet powerful at others.  As his interactions and emotions evolved where Danny was concerned he became much more likeable, but still retained his sense of ‘otherness’.

Having Dante as a Necromancer for hire isn’t a unique premise in the market these days, but the slant that Lilith injects into to the story is.  Of course, the devil turning up on Dante’s doorstep to hire her is a bit of an eye opener!

The magic system the author created is incredibly intricate but easy to understand.  It is based in mythology, history and current practices and beliefs, then woven together to form different branches of skills.  The Necromance ability of Dante’s is fascinating and I really enjoyed this aspect of the overall read.

I also liked the futuristic setting that was used, I thought it was unique and a good way of explaining a lot of things that had happened in the world without having to play with current events.  I honestly thought it would be a paranormal romance and was pleasantly surprised that sex and romance were not at the forefront at all, and what there was of it was very well written, leaving it to the reader’s imagination rather than spelling it out blatantly.  I’m not sure if it should be classed as Sci-fi, Urban Fantasy or a hybrid of both.  Either way, it’s good!

I thought the pace was really well judged, with action scenes which were exciting and tense.  I was so caught up in the story and the characters, the ending just about broke my heart!  I don’t know how this book can be topped by the next but I can’t wait to find out!

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

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Why no reviews?

Oct 172011
 

It’s been a while since a review was posted and I felt an explanation was in order for those that follow me and also have sent me review copies.  I suffer from a mental health condition called Dysthymia which in a nutshell, is a long term depressive condition.  It’s mostly controlled by medication but every now and again I have an unusually low period.  It sucks but as anyone who has experienced or lives with depression knows, most of your daily interests go out of the window and it’s very hard to break through that until it starts to lift.

I’m used to it in a lot of ways since I’ve had it for a long time but it doesn’t make it any easier when the low periods hit and the struggle to maintain day to day activities becomes much harder.

So, the point of this blog message is to say I am feeling better and reading again and therefore reviews should be following too :)

Thanks everyone who sent me *hugs* and get better messages, they really helped!

In Her Name: Empire

Oct 032011
 

I read In Her Name: Empire in literally one sitting.  I couldn’t put it down and was so engaged I didn’t even want to stop for food!

There are almost two parts to this book.  First, an invasion of colonised space by an alien species, and humanity fighting back with enormous losses.  This is followed by a more fantasy-like setting with a gladiatorial feel which fills the rest of the book.  The two styles didn’t lessen the impact of the story at all, and if anything they made it more intriguing.

I loved how Michael Hicks showed us Reza’s life from a very young boy through to a man, and he is my favourite type of hero.  He never tries to be heroic, he just does what he can to survive, but without compromising his ideals.  Reza’s initial survival was enabled by ultimate sacrifice and incredible courage and from then on, I was hooked.  His decisions were wonderfully reasoned and played out, and even after I’d finished the book I kept thinking about it, and what would I have done in his situation.

The Kreelan race provided a puzzle for me, and I think it’s down to Hicks’ clever writing that while you know they are the enemy, you slowly come to realise they are also a deeply connected and spiritual people, with their own strict way of life that is completely alien. Their history and their mystical way of life was brilliantly envisioned and made it really easy to empathise with them, despite their role.

It wasn’t until the end of the book I was reminded that they are in fact, the enemy.  And I cried.

The plot was really well laid out, driving us through a series of events that forge Reza into a survivor, from young boy to man, with amazing strength of character and very likeable.

The character of one of the Kreelan warriors was really well conceived.  Again, it’s down to excellent writing by Michael R. Hicks that I hated the character at first, but as Reza grew and his perceptions changed, so did mine and I ended up loving her (no names, to avoid spoiling it)!

The Kreelan are a warlike people who are bound together by soul and so deeply steeped in honour, tradition and ceremony that it is stagnating their culture.  I thought it was interesting that on the Kreelan planet, there is no evidence of technology nor that the people could be capable of space flight, but it’s a given that they are since they are waging war on humanity. I suspect that will feature more in the next books of this trilogy.

The pace is tricky as it covers a long period of time but I thought Hicks handled the jumps forward well, and I enjoyed the book all the more because I got to see Reza at so many points in his life, and eventually learning who he is now.

The ending didn’t really come as a surprise, you knew the eventual outcome was always a possibility but that didn’t detract at all from its power.  Reza’s honour, belief and loyalty made him stand out amongst heroes and it moved me to tears.

In Her Name: Empire is a book that has heart, emotion, sacrifice, and courage and I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Rating: ★★★★★ 

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© 2011 Grete Evans A blog of myths, romance, fantasy and thrills. Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha