Anna Dressed In Blood
Kendare Blake
Tor Teen, Aug 30 2011, $17.99
ISBN: 9780765328656
A chip off the old paternal block, seventeen-year-old Theseus Cassio Lowood uses his late dad’s athame knife to hunt down and “kill” ghosts who have harmed humans. Cas and his mom the witch are wanderers never staying in any town for long as mean spirits abound everywhere, which means the teen has no friends.
Currently, Cas is asked to dispatch sixteen years old Anna who was murdered in 1958 in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Over the years since she died Anna has killed many people who entered her home. Cas realizes Anna will prove a much more difficult ghost to move off this plane; yet she never tried to kill him. He obtains allies including Thomas the psychic and Carmel a local teen as they start to learn more about Anna’s curse. Meanwhile Cas asks Anna to help him find the spirit who devoured his father.
This enjoyable teen ghost tale stars an intriguing Ghostbuster, his mom, his two new friends and title character still dressed on blood after all these years. The story line is fast-paced and deftly merges humorous asides with tense paranormal combat. Readers will enjoy Cas and crew as they face malevolence in a fabulous haunted house thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Firestorm: Destroyermen-Taylor Anderson
Firestorm: Destroyermen
Taylor Anderson
Roc, Oct 4 2011, $25.95
ISBN: 9780451464170
In 1942 three combat vessels fell from this world into another realm. The two American destroyers and their enemy Japanese battle cruiser found an odd world. The dinosaur-like Grik are ethnically cleaning the feline-like Lemurians. The Japanese join the Grik side while USS Walker Commander Matthew Reddy unites his crew, those of the American frigate the USS Donaghey, the Lemurians and the human Empire of the New Britain Isles.
However, another human empire, the Holy Dominion has a different plan to eradicate the two sentient non human species and the otherworldly humans while subjecting their rival Empire of the New Britain Isles. Matthew, leading the ally military forces against the Grik-Japanese alliance, worries that his side faces a two front war while more Japanese ships come through the Squall from earth with ruthlessness as the only rule of engagement because they believe in victory at all costs.
The Destroyermen series (see Distant Thunders and Rising Tides) always provides non-stop military action with the latest entry not only living up to its predecessors but complicating the playing field. The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never slows down as Matthew uses all types of battle tactics to compensate for the Japanese superior ships and amoral disdain for collateral damage. Part of his plan is to take the fight to the Spanish conquistador Old Dominion on land and at sea but must also deal with the Japanese and the diabolically clever Grik. Although only Matthew stands out in a cast that would make Cecil B DeMille proud, fans will enjoy World War II.
Harriet Klausner
Taylor Anderson
Roc, Oct 4 2011, $25.95
ISBN: 9780451464170
In 1942 three combat vessels fell from this world into another realm. The two American destroyers and their enemy Japanese battle cruiser found an odd world. The dinosaur-like Grik are ethnically cleaning the feline-like Lemurians. The Japanese join the Grik side while USS Walker Commander Matthew Reddy unites his crew, those of the American frigate the USS Donaghey, the Lemurians and the human Empire of the New Britain Isles.
However, another human empire, the Holy Dominion has a different plan to eradicate the two sentient non human species and the otherworldly humans while subjecting their rival Empire of the New Britain Isles. Matthew, leading the ally military forces against the Grik-Japanese alliance, worries that his side faces a two front war while more Japanese ships come through the Squall from earth with ruthlessness as the only rule of engagement because they believe in victory at all costs.
The Destroyermen series (see Distant Thunders and Rising Tides) always provides non-stop military action with the latest entry not only living up to its predecessors but complicating the playing field. The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never slows down as Matthew uses all types of battle tactics to compensate for the Japanese superior ships and amoral disdain for collateral damage. Part of his plan is to take the fight to the Spanish conquistador Old Dominion on land and at sea but must also deal with the Japanese and the diabolically clever Grik. Although only Matthew stands out in a cast that would make Cecil B DeMille proud, fans will enjoy World War II.
Harriet Klausner
The Omen Machine-Terry Goodkind
The Omen Machine
Terry Goodkind
Tor, Aug 16 2011, $29.99
ISBN: 9780765327727
Richard Rahl learns that many people are using false prophecies as decision making tools. He feels the morons are being taken for an inane ride while believing individuals should ignore self-fulfilling prophecy and do what they think is right based in hard information and a few hunches.
However, he is taken aback when individuals with no skills begin to have visions. Worse he and Khalan Amnell notice something off kilter at the Peoples Palace so they make inquiries. They and Zedd soon find two wordbook tomes (End Times and Regula) in the library managed by Berdine. Disturbed with what is going on, they investigate further but apparently a Hedge Maid hunts Richard who hides in the Garden of Life. There he finds The Omen Machine that apparently is responsible for the sudden pandemic growth in prophecy; while in Da'Hara a prophet demands total leadership through prophecy.
The return to the Sword of Truth fantasy world of Richard and Khalan with the start of a new arc is a fun treat for fans of the series. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Richard and Khalan begin to realize something is afoot in the empire and never slows until the confrontation. Although the villain’s powerful paranormal skills go counter-intuitive to what has happened in previous entries, readers who let that ride will enjoy Terry Goodkind’s latest adventures of R & K.
Harriet Klausner
Terry Goodkind
Tor, Aug 16 2011, $29.99
ISBN: 9780765327727
Richard Rahl learns that many people are using false prophecies as decision making tools. He feels the morons are being taken for an inane ride while believing individuals should ignore self-fulfilling prophecy and do what they think is right based in hard information and a few hunches.
However, he is taken aback when individuals with no skills begin to have visions. Worse he and Khalan Amnell notice something off kilter at the Peoples Palace so they make inquiries. They and Zedd soon find two wordbook tomes (End Times and Regula) in the library managed by Berdine. Disturbed with what is going on, they investigate further but apparently a Hedge Maid hunts Richard who hides in the Garden of Life. There he finds The Omen Machine that apparently is responsible for the sudden pandemic growth in prophecy; while in Da'Hara a prophet demands total leadership through prophecy.
The return to the Sword of Truth fantasy world of Richard and Khalan with the start of a new arc is a fun treat for fans of the series. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Richard and Khalan begin to realize something is afoot in the empire and never slows until the confrontation. Although the villain’s powerful paranormal skills go counter-intuitive to what has happened in previous entries, readers who let that ride will enjoy Terry Goodkind’s latest adventures of R & K.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, September 2, 2011
Secret of the Dragon's Scales-Derek Hart
Secret of the Dragon's Scales
Derek Hart
iUniverse, Jun 10 2011, $16.95
ISBN: 9781462026654
By the Fall of 1943, the Allies are winning the war against the Nazis. Still the Germans are clever and devious with paranormal abilities as the three fifteen years old friends Gavin Kane, Emily Scott, and Bunty Digby know first hand. Guided by their mentor Sir Thaddeus Osbert the wise ancient dragon, the trio has prevented some insidious schemes in their hometown of Crackeston Haven in North Cornwall (see Secrets of the Dragon’s Claw, Secrets of the Dragon’s Breath and Secrets of the Dragon’s Eye). When he is not pretending to be a fireplace, Sir Thaddeus assists Churchill in exchange for his first love sweets.
Meanwhile Himmler has become desperate as he recognizes the war has turned against the Axis to the point that renovation at critical Welwelsburg Castle stopped. He must send the monsters gathered from the rift in space his wizard Adicus Shinagle made though Himmler recognizes they may not have full binding control of the beasts from beyond. Shinagle understands he must eliminate the meddling Cornwall teens to win the latest Battle of Britain.
What makes this entry and the historical fantasy series superb is the sense that young adult readers (and other fans) are in coastal England (and part of Germany) during WWII as the audience obtains a taste of life in Cornwall and the impact of the Russian front on the Germans. With several twists involving the lead trio enhancing the fast-paced story line. the audience anticipates the confrontation between the three teens and their dragon vs. the evil that the dark wizard and his Nazi superior will deploy against England. This exhilarating historical military urban fantasy is the teens’ finest hour.
Harriet Klausner
Derek Hart
iUniverse, Jun 10 2011, $16.95
ISBN: 9781462026654
By the Fall of 1943, the Allies are winning the war against the Nazis. Still the Germans are clever and devious with paranormal abilities as the three fifteen years old friends Gavin Kane, Emily Scott, and Bunty Digby know first hand. Guided by their mentor Sir Thaddeus Osbert the wise ancient dragon, the trio has prevented some insidious schemes in their hometown of Crackeston Haven in North Cornwall (see Secrets of the Dragon’s Claw, Secrets of the Dragon’s Breath and Secrets of the Dragon’s Eye). When he is not pretending to be a fireplace, Sir Thaddeus assists Churchill in exchange for his first love sweets.
Meanwhile Himmler has become desperate as he recognizes the war has turned against the Axis to the point that renovation at critical Welwelsburg Castle stopped. He must send the monsters gathered from the rift in space his wizard Adicus Shinagle made though Himmler recognizes they may not have full binding control of the beasts from beyond. Shinagle understands he must eliminate the meddling Cornwall teens to win the latest Battle of Britain.
What makes this entry and the historical fantasy series superb is the sense that young adult readers (and other fans) are in coastal England (and part of Germany) during WWII as the audience obtains a taste of life in Cornwall and the impact of the Russian front on the Germans. With several twists involving the lead trio enhancing the fast-paced story line. the audience anticipates the confrontation between the three teens and their dragon vs. the evil that the dark wizard and his Nazi superior will deploy against England. This exhilarating historical military urban fantasy is the teens’ finest hour.
Harriet Klausner
Wolf at the Door-MaryJanice Davidson
Wolf at the Door
MaryJanice Davidson
Berkley, Oct 4 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9780425243114
Just prior to the beginning of the tax season plague, Wyndham Pack leader Michael Wyndham informs his cousin Rachel Velvela the accountant she needs to relocate from the Cape to St. Paul to keep an eye on the vampires that have recently surfaced in Minnesota. Michael shakes his head that the Undead pack leader is a shoe designer moronic addict, but he takes no chances in case Queen Betsy Taylor uses her fetish as a front. He also needs his reluctant cousin to keep a close eye for any werewolf trying to ignite a paranormal species war. Rachael adores her relative but believes he asks too much of her; still she follows orders and relocates.
Edward Batley the Human read Taylor’s monthly vamp newsletter that he assumes his a joke though he knows vamps are real. He travels to the state capital to investigate whether Queen Betsy is telling the truth. If affirmed that vampires reside in the Twin Cities, Edward will ask his vampire-slayer buddies Boo and Greg to join him in cleaning out the nest. At a time when someone executes vamps and weres, Rachael and Edward meet with each aware of the mutual attraction but ignorant of the mutual interest in Queen Betsy.
Like a Venn Diagram, the start of a new connecting urban fantasy series is an amusing zany tale starring a CPA who kills with the dangerous modern day weapon of werewolf choice: an audit. The fast-paced jocular story line is fun to read but very thin. Still MaryJanice Davidson’s fans will enjoy the offspring of the Wyndham Werewolves and the Palmer Vampires.
Harriet Klaussner
MaryJanice Davidson
Berkley, Oct 4 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9780425243114
Just prior to the beginning of the tax season plague, Wyndham Pack leader Michael Wyndham informs his cousin Rachel Velvela the accountant she needs to relocate from the Cape to St. Paul to keep an eye on the vampires that have recently surfaced in Minnesota. Michael shakes his head that the Undead pack leader is a shoe designer moronic addict, but he takes no chances in case Queen Betsy Taylor uses her fetish as a front. He also needs his reluctant cousin to keep a close eye for any werewolf trying to ignite a paranormal species war. Rachael adores her relative but believes he asks too much of her; still she follows orders and relocates.
Edward Batley the Human read Taylor’s monthly vamp newsletter that he assumes his a joke though he knows vamps are real. He travels to the state capital to investigate whether Queen Betsy is telling the truth. If affirmed that vampires reside in the Twin Cities, Edward will ask his vampire-slayer buddies Boo and Greg to join him in cleaning out the nest. At a time when someone executes vamps and weres, Rachael and Edward meet with each aware of the mutual attraction but ignorant of the mutual interest in Queen Betsy.
Like a Venn Diagram, the start of a new connecting urban fantasy series is an amusing zany tale starring a CPA who kills with the dangerous modern day weapon of werewolf choice: an audit. The fast-paced jocular story line is fun to read but very thin. Still MaryJanice Davidson’s fans will enjoy the offspring of the Wyndham Werewolves and the Palmer Vampires.
Harriet Klaussner
The Shattered Vine-Laura Anne Gilman
The Shattered Vine
Laura Anne Gilman
Gallery/Pocket, Oct 18 2011, $26.00
ISBN: 9781439101483
In the Lands Vin, the Vinarts create and shape the magic into wine to sell the spells to those who want it. They are isolated remaining on their lands and cannot interfere with the political structure. The land-lords protect humanity and the vinelands because they want to benefit from the magical spells. The Washers have the power to insure everyone adheres to the god Sim-Wander’s laws. Those who fail to do so become apostate.
After an enemy of the Lands Vin killed his mentor, Jerzy the former apprentice became the newest Vineart. He believes Ximan who is the Exiles’ leader is responsible for the subtle dark magic permeating the land, which has led to land-lords fighting one another with a widening schism between the Washers. Though he accepts the evil practitioner tainting the Lands Vins with foulness is more powerful than he will ever be, Jerzy begins a quest to find the source of the taint and neutralize him. Helping Jerzy are Ao the trader, Mahault the intelligent self-exile and Kainam the former heir to an island that is on the brink of magical induced lunacy.
The third Vineart War fantasy (see Flesh And Fire and Weight of Stone) continues the spellbinding magical saga with its unique system as two types of magic battle for supremacy in an exciting good vs. evil scenario. The reluctant hero prefers not to deal with the dark arts but he has no choice as his nation appears heading to destruction if he and his teammates fail. Readers will toast Laura Anne Gilman for her refreshing magic of the vines.
Harriet Klausner
Laura Anne Gilman
Gallery/Pocket, Oct 18 2011, $26.00
ISBN: 9781439101483
In the Lands Vin, the Vinarts create and shape the magic into wine to sell the spells to those who want it. They are isolated remaining on their lands and cannot interfere with the political structure. The land-lords protect humanity and the vinelands because they want to benefit from the magical spells. The Washers have the power to insure everyone adheres to the god Sim-Wander’s laws. Those who fail to do so become apostate.
After an enemy of the Lands Vin killed his mentor, Jerzy the former apprentice became the newest Vineart. He believes Ximan who is the Exiles’ leader is responsible for the subtle dark magic permeating the land, which has led to land-lords fighting one another with a widening schism between the Washers. Though he accepts the evil practitioner tainting the Lands Vins with foulness is more powerful than he will ever be, Jerzy begins a quest to find the source of the taint and neutralize him. Helping Jerzy are Ao the trader, Mahault the intelligent self-exile and Kainam the former heir to an island that is on the brink of magical induced lunacy.
The third Vineart War fantasy (see Flesh And Fire and Weight of Stone) continues the spellbinding magical saga with its unique system as two types of magic battle for supremacy in an exciting good vs. evil scenario. The reluctant hero prefers not to deal with the dark arts but he has no choice as his nation appears heading to destruction if he and his teammates fail. Readers will toast Laura Anne Gilman for her refreshing magic of the vines.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Sexiest Vampire Alive-Kerrelyn Sparks
Sexiest Vampire Alive
Kerrelyn Sparks
Avon, Sep 27 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061958052
Romatech Industries Marketing Vice President Gregori Holstein is in Brooklyn watching the filming of an ad at the Vampire Digital Network when Robby McKay and Rajiv the were-tiger arrive to escort Gregori back to Manhattan headquarters as CEO Roman and security chief Angus want to see him. The coven masters discuss the You Tube viral of Malcontent leader Casimir having his head cut off. Roman and Angus interrogate Gregori over whether he drank human blood. He says he uses the bottled product. Recently converted CIA operative Sean Whelan will escort Gregori to meet President Tucker. Gregori thinks his instructions are too weak as he opposes begging for protection from POTUS. Plan B is to become allies. He creates Plan C to offer humans protection from Malcontents.
Gregori learns First lady Belinda is very ill while the First Daughter Madison hosts White House events. He is shocked to realize there is another daughter Abigail the scientist. At the meeting, Gregori realizes no one trusts him. Still the President says for Gregori to take his daughters out in New York. If Abigail accepts him, he will take her on a special trip to China to obtain three precious plants she hopes will save her mom’s life.
The latest Love At Stake romantic urban fantasy (see Vampire Mine) is a nice pairing of a vampire with a human First Daughter while the strong support cast enhances the vampires forced out into the open. Little things means a lot like the hero’s stress balls and the first date though the latter is too long. Although the plausibility of a First daughter going on an illegal dangerous quest to China seems like zero, fans will relish this entertaining entry.
Harriet Klausner
Kerrelyn Sparks
Avon, Sep 27 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061958052
Romatech Industries Marketing Vice President Gregori Holstein is in Brooklyn watching the filming of an ad at the Vampire Digital Network when Robby McKay and Rajiv the were-tiger arrive to escort Gregori back to Manhattan headquarters as CEO Roman and security chief Angus want to see him. The coven masters discuss the You Tube viral of Malcontent leader Casimir having his head cut off. Roman and Angus interrogate Gregori over whether he drank human blood. He says he uses the bottled product. Recently converted CIA operative Sean Whelan will escort Gregori to meet President Tucker. Gregori thinks his instructions are too weak as he opposes begging for protection from POTUS. Plan B is to become allies. He creates Plan C to offer humans protection from Malcontents.
Gregori learns First lady Belinda is very ill while the First Daughter Madison hosts White House events. He is shocked to realize there is another daughter Abigail the scientist. At the meeting, Gregori realizes no one trusts him. Still the President says for Gregori to take his daughters out in New York. If Abigail accepts him, he will take her on a special trip to China to obtain three precious plants she hopes will save her mom’s life.
The latest Love At Stake romantic urban fantasy (see Vampire Mine) is a nice pairing of a vampire with a human First Daughter while the strong support cast enhances the vampires forced out into the open. Little things means a lot like the hero’s stress balls and the first date though the latter is too long. Although the plausibility of a First daughter going on an illegal dangerous quest to China seems like zero, fans will relish this entertaining entry.
Harriet Klausner
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