The Bearskin Rug
Jennifer Stevenson
Ballantine, Jul 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780345500243
Chicago Department of Consumer Service detective Jewel Heiss and her partner former con artist Clay Dawes are going undercover. Joining them is the Randy the sex demon she freed from THE BRASS BED. Her assignment is to look into first hand erotic weirdness at a film studio.
Jewel assumes that a studio making porn would have hinky kinky erotica, but it is Randy who becomes an actor and Clay who becomes an avatar to a sex goddess who get the roles. Concerned over how easily her two male companions have been sexually entranced, Jewel goes deep undercover to end the siren enchantment of sexual harassment that leaves pathetic men like Clay and Randy thinking with their lower heads and women stars of the grope.
The third Jewel lighthearted urban fantasy continues the adventures of the heroine in a somewhat magical Chicago; although almost everyone is in denial that magic exists. The story line is fast-paced as the trio assaults the studio with differing results. The triangle seems to have been resolved, but the audience should read the previous two tales (see THE VELVET CHAIR) to better understand how Jewel ended up with two males in her life.
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Ill Met In The Arena-Dave Duncan
Ill Met In The Arena
Dave Duncan
Tor, Aug 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 9780765316875
On Aureity, the female aristocracy breeds men for their brawn including teleportation and women for their brains including mind reading and psychic control. As a side consequence of all this extrasensory breeding, murder and rape are extremely rare.
Thus when Mandragora was killed by unknown adversary, her loyal male gladiator Mudar took the affront personalyl as he should have kept her safe. Humiliated by his failure Mudar vows to avenge her death; by exposing the Enemy once he learns who he is. However, clues lead the amateur sleuth to his father, Piese, who murdered Mandragora to silence her as she named him a rapist. Meanwhile Mudar’s half-brother Humate, who is successful in the arena, refuses to believe their sire is a rapist killer; instead he plans to wed Mudar's beloved Tendence once he defeats the ancient unknown upstart Quirt in the arena; but he will be stunned by his opponent's identity.
The feminist preeminence makes for an intriguing world in which an aging antihero looks out at the testosterone warrior segment of the culture with disdain though he is a product of it. The culture comes across as a rigid caste system (India meets Rome), which is why Mudar is in a form of exile unless he can find the culprit and bring the person to justice. One must wonder who sweeps up the messes left behind by the aristocracy. Although the climax seems obvious, fans will appreciate this engaging investigative fantasy as Dave Duncan proves quite a world-builder
Harriet Klausner
Dave Duncan
Tor, Aug 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 9780765316875
On Aureity, the female aristocracy breeds men for their brawn including teleportation and women for their brains including mind reading and psychic control. As a side consequence of all this extrasensory breeding, murder and rape are extremely rare.
Thus when Mandragora was killed by unknown adversary, her loyal male gladiator Mudar took the affront personalyl as he should have kept her safe. Humiliated by his failure Mudar vows to avenge her death; by exposing the Enemy once he learns who he is. However, clues lead the amateur sleuth to his father, Piese, who murdered Mandragora to silence her as she named him a rapist. Meanwhile Mudar’s half-brother Humate, who is successful in the arena, refuses to believe their sire is a rapist killer; instead he plans to wed Mudar's beloved Tendence once he defeats the ancient unknown upstart Quirt in the arena; but he will be stunned by his opponent's identity.
The feminist preeminence makes for an intriguing world in which an aging antihero looks out at the testosterone warrior segment of the culture with disdain though he is a product of it. The culture comes across as a rigid caste system (India meets Rome), which is why Mudar is in a form of exile unless he can find the culprit and bring the person to justice. One must wonder who sweeps up the messes left behind by the aristocracy. Although the climax seems obvious, fans will appreciate this engaging investigative fantasy as Dave Duncan proves quite a world-builder
Harriet Klausner
The Age Of The Conglomerates-Thomas Nevins
The Age Of The Conglomerates
Thomas Nevins
Ballantine, Aug 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780375503917
In 2048, the Conglomerates political party led by the mythical "Chairman" runs the country based on one commandment: strict enforcement of economic law using force. The country has been divided into zones of sorts; the octogenarian "Coots" live in Cootsland enforced retirement camps in the southwest out of sight and not draining society while out of control young runaway "Dyscards" live in the New York City subways.
New York Medical Center, director of genetic contouring Dr. Christine Salter feels strongly that she and her team provide an important public service when they assist people in trouble by recreating them or their children using genetic manipulation. However, her perfectly balanced world collapses starting with her top aide Gabriel Cruz vanishing after being accused of seditious crimes against the state. Her grandparents turning eighty are deported from the mainland to "Cootsland," and her sister runs away becoming a Dyscard. All this makes Christine reexamine what she does at the same time she begins to uncover a nefarious disturbing conspiracy to tighten the Conglomerates control of society starting with “youthenizing” the Chairman.
Combining the premises of 1984, Logan’s Run and Soylent Green, Thomas Nevins provides a grim future of a genetic contoured world. The story line is fast-paced, but owned by Christine who had always thought her work as valuable to people until recent societal events shake her to her core. Although the Conglomerates comes across sort of like an extremely evil Maoist Communist Party, readers will enjoy this fine thriller starring a reformed David-ette battling Goliath.
Harriet Klausner
Thomas Nevins
Ballantine, Aug 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780375503917
In 2048, the Conglomerates political party led by the mythical "Chairman" runs the country based on one commandment: strict enforcement of economic law using force. The country has been divided into zones of sorts; the octogenarian "Coots" live in Cootsland enforced retirement camps in the southwest out of sight and not draining society while out of control young runaway "Dyscards" live in the New York City subways.
New York Medical Center, director of genetic contouring Dr. Christine Salter feels strongly that she and her team provide an important public service when they assist people in trouble by recreating them or their children using genetic manipulation. However, her perfectly balanced world collapses starting with her top aide Gabriel Cruz vanishing after being accused of seditious crimes against the state. Her grandparents turning eighty are deported from the mainland to "Cootsland," and her sister runs away becoming a Dyscard. All this makes Christine reexamine what she does at the same time she begins to uncover a nefarious disturbing conspiracy to tighten the Conglomerates control of society starting with “youthenizing” the Chairman.
Combining the premises of 1984, Logan’s Run and Soylent Green, Thomas Nevins provides a grim future of a genetic contoured world. The story line is fast-paced, but owned by Christine who had always thought her work as valuable to people until recent societal events shake her to her core. Although the Conglomerates comes across sort of like an extremely evil Maoist Communist Party, readers will enjoy this fine thriller starring a reformed David-ette battling Goliath.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, June 6, 2008
Ghost Walk-Brian Keene
Ghost Walk
Brian Keene
Leisure, Aug2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9780843956450
He Who Must Not Be Named begins a plan to return from the other side to destroy the world. In LeHorn’s Hollow, Pennsylvania widower Adam Senft knows first hand how deadly and evil a supernatural beast can be. When Adam caught his wife in bed with a satyr, he killed his spouse; other women were also frolicking with this malevolent creature (see DARK HOLLOW).
Standing along side with Adam in what is expected to be a deadly last stand is mage Levi Stoltzfus, who the Amish excommunicated for his dabbling with dark forbidden forces; and reporter Maria Nasr, who was seeking a good story, but never considered becoming a real modern day Kolchek. Levi says with Halloween approaching the veil will be at its thinnest and most vulnerable for Nodens, the real name of He Who Must Not Be Named, to cross to the mortal realm. Inadvertently enabling the chances of this wickedness achieving his objective to cross over and obliterate the planet is promoter Ken Ripple’s holiday attraction set in a place known for its evil legends.
The return to eerie LeHorn's Hollow is an entertaining horror thriller starring a nasty malevolence and the overwhelmed mortal opposition. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action and plenty of gloom and doom atmosphere. However, partially because the victims of DARK HOLLOW were loved ones of the hero, the plot is not quite as frightening. Still no one provides as scary a tale as Brian Keene does when he showcases how isolated small town rural America remains even in the information age.
Harriet Klausner
Brian Keene
Leisure, Aug2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9780843956450
He Who Must Not Be Named begins a plan to return from the other side to destroy the world. In LeHorn’s Hollow, Pennsylvania widower Adam Senft knows first hand how deadly and evil a supernatural beast can be. When Adam caught his wife in bed with a satyr, he killed his spouse; other women were also frolicking with this malevolent creature (see DARK HOLLOW).
Standing along side with Adam in what is expected to be a deadly last stand is mage Levi Stoltzfus, who the Amish excommunicated for his dabbling with dark forbidden forces; and reporter Maria Nasr, who was seeking a good story, but never considered becoming a real modern day Kolchek. Levi says with Halloween approaching the veil will be at its thinnest and most vulnerable for Nodens, the real name of He Who Must Not Be Named, to cross to the mortal realm. Inadvertently enabling the chances of this wickedness achieving his objective to cross over and obliterate the planet is promoter Ken Ripple’s holiday attraction set in a place known for its evil legends.
The return to eerie LeHorn's Hollow is an entertaining horror thriller starring a nasty malevolence and the overwhelmed mortal opposition. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action and plenty of gloom and doom atmosphere. However, partially because the victims of DARK HOLLOW were loved ones of the hero, the plot is not quite as frightening. Still no one provides as scary a tale as Brian Keene does when he showcases how isolated small town rural America remains even in the information age.
Harriet Klausner
The Last Vampire-Patricia Rosemoor & Marc Paoletti
The Last Vampire
Patricia Rosemoor & Marc Paoletti
Del Rey, Jul 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9780345501042
They found the five century old mummy buried deep in a Texas cave and they learned that the mummy’s ancient flesh somehow bestowed super powers on humans. When the former was discovered, the Feds did not care; when the latter occurred the military took over and turned the mummy into a top secret weapon.
However the egotistical generals and their even more pompous know it all civilian leaders ignore the science as the facts get in the way. They do not comprehend that the mummy is dormant, but alive; held in stasis by an insane priest’s incantations. They soon learn it’s alive when a voodoo priestess purposely and Leah Maguire accidentally awakened it.
In New Mexico Special Ops Captain super soldier (from the mummy’s touch) Scott Boulder and Team Ultra are assigned to stop the amoral last vampire; as now everyone knows the mummy is a blood sucking shark. Leah joins his team.
THE LAST VAMPIRE is a dark somewhat gory supernatural thriller. The vampire is humanized by his life over five hundred years ago although in the present he is an amoral feeding machine who hungers for blood and is not per say an evil creature; thus he is even more dangerous to humanity. The key to the tale is the romantic subplot between Scott and Leah provides a flicker of hope in a gloomy situation, but the authors cleverly keep that low keyed and muted as the war against THE LAST VAMPIRE takes precedence.
Harriet Klausner
Patricia Rosemoor & Marc Paoletti
Del Rey, Jul 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9780345501042
They found the five century old mummy buried deep in a Texas cave and they learned that the mummy’s ancient flesh somehow bestowed super powers on humans. When the former was discovered, the Feds did not care; when the latter occurred the military took over and turned the mummy into a top secret weapon.
However the egotistical generals and their even more pompous know it all civilian leaders ignore the science as the facts get in the way. They do not comprehend that the mummy is dormant, but alive; held in stasis by an insane priest’s incantations. They soon learn it’s alive when a voodoo priestess purposely and Leah Maguire accidentally awakened it.
In New Mexico Special Ops Captain super soldier (from the mummy’s touch) Scott Boulder and Team Ultra are assigned to stop the amoral last vampire; as now everyone knows the mummy is a blood sucking shark. Leah joins his team.
THE LAST VAMPIRE is a dark somewhat gory supernatural thriller. The vampire is humanized by his life over five hundred years ago although in the present he is an amoral feeding machine who hungers for blood and is not per say an evil creature; thus he is even more dangerous to humanity. The key to the tale is the romantic subplot between Scott and Leah provides a flicker of hope in a gloomy situation, but the authors cleverly keep that low keyed and muted as the war against THE LAST VAMPIRE takes precedence.
Harriet Klausner
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Lord Tophet-Gregory Frost
Lord Tophet
Gregory Frost
Del Rey, Jul 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 0345497597
Renowned puppeteer Leodora knows women regardless of talent are shunned for performing so she masquerades as a male using the name Jax. However, the adept performer is taken by the gods from Colemaigne to an afterlife realm Edgeworld though she is not sure why.
By the time they take her back, the soul eater Lord Tophet has caused havoc on her town. Her return causes a renaissance as Colemaigne returns to its pre-Tophet cursed enlightenment. Outraged that the affliction he caused was superseded by a puppeteer of all things, Tophet vows to destroy Leodora and then bring back his brand of Chaos. He sends his killers to destroy the legendary puppeteer Jax who brought joy back to the city when “he” returned.
The sequel to SHADOWBRIDGE is a strong tale due to the solid cast whether they are mortal or immortal. Leodora as herself and as Jax is a terrific lead character while the title antagonist is as wicked as they come. The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never slows down as LORD TOPHET sends his minion after Jax unaware the city savior is a girl. Fantasy readers will appreciate this strong character driven entry as evil comes after innocence.
Harriet Klausner
Gregory Frost
Del Rey, Jul 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 0345497597
Renowned puppeteer Leodora knows women regardless of talent are shunned for performing so she masquerades as a male using the name Jax. However, the adept performer is taken by the gods from Colemaigne to an afterlife realm Edgeworld though she is not sure why.
By the time they take her back, the soul eater Lord Tophet has caused havoc on her town. Her return causes a renaissance as Colemaigne returns to its pre-Tophet cursed enlightenment. Outraged that the affliction he caused was superseded by a puppeteer of all things, Tophet vows to destroy Leodora and then bring back his brand of Chaos. He sends his killers to destroy the legendary puppeteer Jax who brought joy back to the city when “he” returned.
The sequel to SHADOWBRIDGE is a strong tale due to the solid cast whether they are mortal or immortal. Leodora as herself and as Jax is a terrific lead character while the title antagonist is as wicked as they come. The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never slows down as LORD TOPHET sends his minion after Jax unaware the city savior is a girl. Fantasy readers will appreciate this strong character driven entry as evil comes after innocence.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Wolf Tales VI-Kate Douglas
Wolf Tales VI
Kate Douglas
Kensington Aphrodisia, Jul 2008, $12.95
ISBN: 0758218710
In Tampa, Florida Eve Reynolds misses Adam Wolf whom she met in Montana at the werewolf pack led by Anton Cheval (see WOLF TALES V). However she needed to leave him to find herself though she cannot explain to him why. Adam and his friend Oliver leave Montana to bring Eve home. At a convenience store Eve notices Mei Chen who she knew from a foster home when they were children. Eve takes Mei to her motel room. Eve thinks Mei is Chanku like she is; they have sex.
Adam and Oliver arrive in Tampa. Adam and Eve go into the room for sex while Oliver and Mei go out to eat. They are attracted to each other and stop at a motel to make love with each in the other’s head. Mei thinks how she had no one for her entire life and now has made love with Eve and Oliver and looks forward to do so with Adam. Oliver telepathically tells Mei he loves her. She feels she has a family for the first time in her life.
Eve knows the only way to tell if Mei is Chanku is an orgasm. Oliver tells Mei they will have four-way sex with each in each other’s head if she is okay with that so they can tell for sure if she is one of them. They have the orgy and know she is a Chanku, but something was not quite right so they agree to go to Montana to learn the full truth.
The lead couple is a fine pairing whose strong relationship will have the audience believe in soulmate bonding while the romance between the secondary couple adds additional sexual scenarios including a foursome and incredible angst re Mei. The return of stars from the previous Wolf Tales feels like a homecoming for series fans; however although we learn a lot about the Chanku werewolves, the plot ends abruptly with no closure to the prime tension.
Harriet Klausner
Kate Douglas
Kensington Aphrodisia, Jul 2008, $12.95
ISBN: 0758218710
In Tampa, Florida Eve Reynolds misses Adam Wolf whom she met in Montana at the werewolf pack led by Anton Cheval (see WOLF TALES V). However she needed to leave him to find herself though she cannot explain to him why. Adam and his friend Oliver leave Montana to bring Eve home. At a convenience store Eve notices Mei Chen who she knew from a foster home when they were children. Eve takes Mei to her motel room. Eve thinks Mei is Chanku like she is; they have sex.
Adam and Oliver arrive in Tampa. Adam and Eve go into the room for sex while Oliver and Mei go out to eat. They are attracted to each other and stop at a motel to make love with each in the other’s head. Mei thinks how she had no one for her entire life and now has made love with Eve and Oliver and looks forward to do so with Adam. Oliver telepathically tells Mei he loves her. She feels she has a family for the first time in her life.
Eve knows the only way to tell if Mei is Chanku is an orgasm. Oliver tells Mei they will have four-way sex with each in each other’s head if she is okay with that so they can tell for sure if she is one of them. They have the orgy and know she is a Chanku, but something was not quite right so they agree to go to Montana to learn the full truth.
The lead couple is a fine pairing whose strong relationship will have the audience believe in soulmate bonding while the romance between the secondary couple adds additional sexual scenarios including a foursome and incredible angst re Mei. The return of stars from the previous Wolf Tales feels like a homecoming for series fans; however although we learn a lot about the Chanku werewolves, the plot ends abruptly with no closure to the prime tension.
Harriet Klausner
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