Claimed by the Wolf
Charlene Teglia
St. Martin’s Griffin, Dec 8 2009, $13.99
ISBN: 9780312537425
Millenia ago long before the Sumerians existed, werewolves, dragons, vampires, witches, a rebellions demon tribe and the Sidhe fought against the demon and were evenly matched until the witches betrayed their cause by changing sides and allying with the demons. All the supernatural species in the battle died except the leaders of each species who pledged their lives and allegiance to the warrior and sexual goddess Inanna. They became her mark, giving them powers and become known as the Shadow Guardians who guard the portals so the demons don’t enter this world and those that do are forcibly thrown back to their own realm.
The apprentice witch Sybil brought a Book of Shadows at a sale only to find out it contained demonic magic that entered her body. The Shadow Guardian Kenrick the alpha werewolf explains what happened especially since she asked for help of Inanna to get the demon magic out of her. Her plea makes her a Shadow Guardian as she now wears the mark of Inanna Part of the ritual is sex with each of the five Guardians who test her trust worthiness; she passes the exam, but Kenrick is the one she desires and he wants her as his mate. However, the betrayal though so many millennia ago still lingers in his bone marrow and he distrusts her.
This heated paranormal romantic suspense starring five alpha males and one female who has sex with each of them and in all sorts of combinations . Obviously sex rules the story line as Sybil bewitches four of her teammates while the one she loves who claims her as his expects her to deceive them. Although the libido to the nth power makes the supernatural seem real while dominating the somewhat thin story line, fans who relish the heat will want to read this romantic urban fantasy.
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Demon Forged-Meljean Brook
Demon Forged
Meljean Brook
Berkley, Oct 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425230411
Four centuries ago, Guardians Irena and Alejandro began to fall in love. However, when she made a deal with a demon, he rejected her. Irena has regretted has regretted her action ever since while Alejandro despondently muses over what never happened between them.
They went their separate ways, but recently a request for help brings the two guardians together for the first times since she sadly left him. She wants a second chance and will do whatever e demands to achieve it. He wants to give her a second chance, but kismet enhanced by a betrayal appears to leave this couple apart for eternity.
The latest Guardians thriller is a well written dark romantic fantasy. This is a second chance at love battling to survive betrayals as the audience will wonder if the odds are better on the Detroit Lions meeting the Oakland Raiders in the next Superbowl. Fans of the saga will relish this terrific DEMON FORGED entry while newcomers will struggle a bit adapting to the Brook demonic mythos, but soon will join the growing legion of Meljean Brook readers.
Harriet Klausner
Meljean Brook
Berkley, Oct 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425230411
Four centuries ago, Guardians Irena and Alejandro began to fall in love. However, when she made a deal with a demon, he rejected her. Irena has regretted has regretted her action ever since while Alejandro despondently muses over what never happened between them.
They went their separate ways, but recently a request for help brings the two guardians together for the first times since she sadly left him. She wants a second chance and will do whatever e demands to achieve it. He wants to give her a second chance, but kismet enhanced by a betrayal appears to leave this couple apart for eternity.
The latest Guardians thriller is a well written dark romantic fantasy. This is a second chance at love battling to survive betrayals as the audience will wonder if the odds are better on the Detroit Lions meeting the Oakland Raiders in the next Superbowl. Fans of the saga will relish this terrific DEMON FORGED entry while newcomers will struggle a bit adapting to the Brook demonic mythos, but soon will join the growing legion of Meljean Brook readers.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Dragon Book-Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois (Editors)
The Dragon Book
Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois (Editors)
Ace, Nov 2009, $24.95
ISBN: 9780441017645
With nineteen entries by a virtual who’s who of fantasy, fans will enjoy this themed collection that look deep into the eyes of Dragons; as the editors explain in the preface: “by far the most potent and widespread of all mythological beasts". The entries are widespread in terms of time and place so various background brings freshness to the anthology. Especially strong contributions are “Vici” by Naomi Novak in the time of Caesar, the mother and son team of Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple who write of “The Tsar’s Dragons, the “Oakland Dragon Blues by Peter S Beagle with no Raiders involved only a traffic problem, and “A Stark and Wormy Knight” by Tad Williams. None of the compilation are bummers as each of the writers soar with this version of the mighty dragon who kick military butts (Garth Nix’s “Stop”) or freeze you with their eyes (“The Dragon’s Tale” by Tamora Pierce) or their heartbeat (“The War that Winter Is” by Tanith Lee). The key to this strong thematic short story collection is the wide diverse range of the authors as each makes flying with Dragons a fun fantasy collection.
Harriet Klausner
Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois (Editors)
Ace, Nov 2009, $24.95
ISBN: 9780441017645
With nineteen entries by a virtual who’s who of fantasy, fans will enjoy this themed collection that look deep into the eyes of Dragons; as the editors explain in the preface: “by far the most potent and widespread of all mythological beasts". The entries are widespread in terms of time and place so various background brings freshness to the anthology. Especially strong contributions are “Vici” by Naomi Novak in the time of Caesar, the mother and son team of Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple who write of “The Tsar’s Dragons, the “Oakland Dragon Blues by Peter S Beagle with no Raiders involved only a traffic problem, and “A Stark and Wormy Knight” by Tad Williams. None of the compilation are bummers as each of the writers soar with this version of the mighty dragon who kick military butts (Garth Nix’s “Stop”) or freeze you with their eyes (“The Dragon’s Tale” by Tamora Pierce) or their heartbeat (“The War that Winter Is” by Tanith Lee). The key to this strong thematic short story collection is the wide diverse range of the authors as each makes flying with Dragons a fun fantasy collection.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, October 2, 2009
Crimson-Jordan Summers
Crimson
Jordan Summers
Tor, Nov 3 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780765359162
Former International Police Tactical agent Gina “Red” Santiago and ex sheriff alpha Morgan Hunter are on the run from the law for crimes they did not commit. They need hard core evidence to prove they are innocent but law enforcement is not willing to give them the time.
Thus Red and Morgan venture inside the No Man’s wasteland where the Others and even more dangerous nomads roam freely to kill. A place where the lethal barbaric residents kill first and the two newcomers are perfect targets. To keep her beloved Morgan safe, Red must release her animalistic werewolf side, but somehow she also must control the beast from taking over her human essence. A schizoid Red fears either option will harm her mate, but Rourke is coming for them and he leaves her with no choice.
The third strong post apocalyptic science fiction thriller (see RED and SCARLET) CRIMSON continues the deadly trek in the world of Jordon Summers; this time the journey is into the dead zone of a depleted planet earth. The lead couple is terrific as survival depends in the short run of kill or be killed while in the long run they need to find proof of their innocence before the evil villainous Rourke finds them. Although it helps to read the previous two novels to better understand how devastated the planet is by 2160 due to the pandemic environmental disaster of the early previous century and what has happened to America now divided into independent republics, it is not necessary as CRIMSON stands alone although it also adds to the overall theme of a super saga.
Harriet Klausner
Jordan Summers
Tor, Nov 3 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780765359162
Former International Police Tactical agent Gina “Red” Santiago and ex sheriff alpha Morgan Hunter are on the run from the law for crimes they did not commit. They need hard core evidence to prove they are innocent but law enforcement is not willing to give them the time.
Thus Red and Morgan venture inside the No Man’s wasteland where the Others and even more dangerous nomads roam freely to kill. A place where the lethal barbaric residents kill first and the two newcomers are perfect targets. To keep her beloved Morgan safe, Red must release her animalistic werewolf side, but somehow she also must control the beast from taking over her human essence. A schizoid Red fears either option will harm her mate, but Rourke is coming for them and he leaves her with no choice.
The third strong post apocalyptic science fiction thriller (see RED and SCARLET) CRIMSON continues the deadly trek in the world of Jordon Summers; this time the journey is into the dead zone of a depleted planet earth. The lead couple is terrific as survival depends in the short run of kill or be killed while in the long run they need to find proof of their innocence before the evil villainous Rourke finds them. Although it helps to read the previous two novels to better understand how devastated the planet is by 2160 due to the pandemic environmental disaster of the early previous century and what has happened to America now divided into independent republics, it is not necessary as CRIMSON stands alone although it also adds to the overall theme of a super saga.
Harriet Klausner
Flashforward-Robert J. Sawyer
Flashforward
Robert J. Sawyer
Tor, Sep 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780765324139
In 2009 some of the world’s leading research physicists gather at the CERN research facility to conduct an experiment using the Hardon Collider to “capture” the Higgs Boson subatomic particle. The lead scientists Lloyd Simcoe and Theo Procopides anticipate success and a subsequent Nobel Prize. However something occurs around the globe at the moment the atom smashing experiment begins. Every human on earth who survives sees a two minute visionary clip of themselves in 2030.
However, millions died when the collective sub-consciousness led to all types of accidents and disasters during the 120 seconds. Simcoe is stunned more so with what he saw rather than the deadly fiasco the experiment caused. He is engaged to marry one woman, but saw his wife of the future was another female. Theo had no vision so he assumes he will be dead before 2030; he believes he will be a murder victim. They try to replicate their experiment, but fail until they realize timing is everything as they go for a third try when a neutrino shower occurs as both want more information about the future regardless of cost.
This is an engaging cautionary science fiction thriller that uses the Frankenstein concept of scientists having no ethical boundaries experimenting, even encouraged by the second and third times they replicated the experiment. The story line is fast-paced and exciting, but chooses the thriller aspects over the emotional elements beyond a personal need to know. The two scientists know their experiment killed more people in two minutes than some of the monsters of history did during brutal reigns yet they don’t seem to care on a personal level. Still this is an exhilarating thriller as the world sees a flash forward moment and each reacts accordingly to what they prefer to see.
Harriet Klausner
Robert J. Sawyer
Tor, Sep 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780765324139
In 2009 some of the world’s leading research physicists gather at the CERN research facility to conduct an experiment using the Hardon Collider to “capture” the Higgs Boson subatomic particle. The lead scientists Lloyd Simcoe and Theo Procopides anticipate success and a subsequent Nobel Prize. However something occurs around the globe at the moment the atom smashing experiment begins. Every human on earth who survives sees a two minute visionary clip of themselves in 2030.
However, millions died when the collective sub-consciousness led to all types of accidents and disasters during the 120 seconds. Simcoe is stunned more so with what he saw rather than the deadly fiasco the experiment caused. He is engaged to marry one woman, but saw his wife of the future was another female. Theo had no vision so he assumes he will be dead before 2030; he believes he will be a murder victim. They try to replicate their experiment, but fail until they realize timing is everything as they go for a third try when a neutrino shower occurs as both want more information about the future regardless of cost.
This is an engaging cautionary science fiction thriller that uses the Frankenstein concept of scientists having no ethical boundaries experimenting, even encouraged by the second and third times they replicated the experiment. The story line is fast-paced and exciting, but chooses the thriller aspects over the emotional elements beyond a personal need to know. The two scientists know their experiment killed more people in two minutes than some of the monsters of history did during brutal reigns yet they don’t seem to care on a personal level. Still this is an exhilarating thriller as the world sees a flash forward moment and each reacts accordingly to what they prefer to see.
Harriet Klausner
My Dead Body-Charlie Huston
My Dead Body
Charlie Huston
Del Rey, Oct 13 2009, $14.99
ISBN: 9780345495891
The vampyres of Manhattan are outraged with private eye Joe Pitt; they want to drain him slowly dry for exposing EVERY LAST DROP of their blood supply. Having lived in the sewers where he feasted on the lost, Joe figures he will return to his underground abode waiting for one the vampyre clans from Manhattan or the other boroughs to find him.
As civil war between the clans seems coming, his friend, skin flick producer Chubby, persuades Joe to help a pregnant woman who insists a vampyre is her unborn’s sire. Knowing what she means if her baby is born healthy though he still wants to reject the protection case, his former girlfriend persuades Joe to return above ground subject to his usual beatings from his enemies. At the same he uses diabolical tactics to maneuver the various fighting groups to insure the supernatural civil war is between his enemies.
The Fifth Pitt Casebook (see Every Last Drop) is a great private investigator NYC fantasy (I say NYC not just Manhattan as he did spend a stint insuring the flow of Half The Blood In Brooklyn). Joe is a hardboiled vampiric detective who even has a favorite East River body dumping ground. This time he alienates more than just the Coalition as seemingly every sect in Manhattan want to drink EVERY LAST DROP of his blood and abduct the pregnant female who will make that group the most powerful. Although not easy to just enter Joe’s caseload with MY DEAD BODY as so much has happened to send him scurrying in and out of the sewers more frequently than Ed Norton ever did, fans of the saga will enjoy his latest bloody caper all because of a baby.
Harriet Klausner
Flashforward
Charlie Huston
Del Rey, Oct 13 2009, $14.99
ISBN: 9780345495891
The vampyres of Manhattan are outraged with private eye Joe Pitt; they want to drain him slowly dry for exposing EVERY LAST DROP of their blood supply. Having lived in the sewers where he feasted on the lost, Joe figures he will return to his underground abode waiting for one the vampyre clans from Manhattan or the other boroughs to find him.
As civil war between the clans seems coming, his friend, skin flick producer Chubby, persuades Joe to help a pregnant woman who insists a vampyre is her unborn’s sire. Knowing what she means if her baby is born healthy though he still wants to reject the protection case, his former girlfriend persuades Joe to return above ground subject to his usual beatings from his enemies. At the same he uses diabolical tactics to maneuver the various fighting groups to insure the supernatural civil war is between his enemies.
The Fifth Pitt Casebook (see Every Last Drop) is a great private investigator NYC fantasy (I say NYC not just Manhattan as he did spend a stint insuring the flow of Half The Blood In Brooklyn). Joe is a hardboiled vampiric detective who even has a favorite East River body dumping ground. This time he alienates more than just the Coalition as seemingly every sect in Manhattan want to drink EVERY LAST DROP of his blood and abduct the pregnant female who will make that group the most powerful. Although not easy to just enter Joe’s caseload with MY DEAD BODY as so much has happened to send him scurrying in and out of the sewers more frequently than Ed Norton ever did, fans of the saga will enjoy his latest bloody caper all because of a baby.
Harriet Klausner
Flashforward
Bitter Night-Diana Pharaoh Francis
Bitter Night
Diana Pharaoh Francis
Pocket, Nov 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9781416598145
Three decades ago Giselle the witch converted her college roommate Max into a slave. Giselle used a series of spells to torture and break Max; succeeding into making her an obedient weapon Shadowblade.
Thirty years later Max leads thirteen other warriors enslaved to increasingly powerful Giselle; their job is to protect their witch ruler and her magical haven, Horngate. However, a witch’s coven is summoned as the more powerful Guardians of Earth coveting the planet’s magic declare war on those members of humanity that fail to pledge their allegiance to them. To save Horngate, Max has put aside her ire and become the prophesized savior who will need allies whom she distrusts; the worst being Giselle who she has loathed for thirty years ever since the odious witch conquered her will.
From the opening caller ID to the climax, the first Horngate Witches urban fantasy is a fabulous action packed tale driven by the relationship between the two former college roommates. Max seethes with frustration and rage that has built up since 1979 when Giselle used compulsion spells to turn her into her obeying slave. Although Max has too many supernatural powers at her disposal, it is her acrimony that leaves her vulnerable to paranormal attacks in spite of her strengths; she knows she needs to move on and ally with her enemies including Giselle or watch the BITTER NIGHT turn a pandemic slaughter.
Harriet Klausner
Diana Pharaoh Francis
Pocket, Nov 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9781416598145
Three decades ago Giselle the witch converted her college roommate Max into a slave. Giselle used a series of spells to torture and break Max; succeeding into making her an obedient weapon Shadowblade.
Thirty years later Max leads thirteen other warriors enslaved to increasingly powerful Giselle; their job is to protect their witch ruler and her magical haven, Horngate. However, a witch’s coven is summoned as the more powerful Guardians of Earth coveting the planet’s magic declare war on those members of humanity that fail to pledge their allegiance to them. To save Horngate, Max has put aside her ire and become the prophesized savior who will need allies whom she distrusts; the worst being Giselle who she has loathed for thirty years ever since the odious witch conquered her will.
From the opening caller ID to the climax, the first Horngate Witches urban fantasy is a fabulous action packed tale driven by the relationship between the two former college roommates. Max seethes with frustration and rage that has built up since 1979 when Giselle used compulsion spells to turn her into her obeying slave. Although Max has too many supernatural powers at her disposal, it is her acrimony that leaves her vulnerable to paranormal attacks in spite of her strengths; she knows she needs to move on and ally with her enemies including Giselle or watch the BITTER NIGHT turn a pandemic slaughter.
Harriet Klausner
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