Slimy Underbelly-Kevin J. Anderson

Slimy Underbelly

Kevin J. Anderson

Kensington, Aug 26 2014, $15.00

ISBN: 9781617731143

In the Unnatural Quarter the weather wizards (Alastair Cumulus III and Thunder Dick) compete for the bragging rights of top weathermancer; which leads to chaotic conditions from blistering heat to a whiteout blizzard in an hour.  Private investigator Dan Shamble of Chambeaux and Deyer gets to the office where his girlfriend (and office assistant) Sheyenne the ghost lectures him for being out in a snowstorm.  Shamble’s partner Robin Deyer the human lawyer completes the Recompose Spa case for Mr. Lurmm the frog demon.

Supervillain in training and junior mad scientist, twelve year old Jody Caligari, Jr. needs their help but says his payment will make them feel good for doing it pro bono.  The lad explains his slumlord evicted him from his sewage lab and kept his experiments based on his being a child. Irked Robin says that is age discrimination and accepts the case over Shamble’s objection; he has doubts about a client who only reads graphic novels.  Meanwhile something underground has caused deaths, bad plumbing and horrific smells above ground.  With his neighborhood turning into a cesspool, Dan’s inquiry leads to Ah'Chulhu.

The latest Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. paranormal investigation (see Hair Raising, Unnatural Acts and Death Warmed Over) is as always a terrific timely satirical thriller as Kevin J. Anderson amusingly lampoons values in which feuds are the weird norm.  Whereas Jody is a great client, the usual suspects help the hero work the inquiries.  Included is a short story (previously published as an e-book) in which the sleuth conducts a Stakeout at the Vampire Circus where performers do their final act.

Harriet Klausner

Keepers Of Runes And The Tower Of Shadows-Andrew D. Cratsley

Keepers Of Runes And The Tower Of Shadows

Andrew D. Cratsley

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, May 1 2014, $15.98

ISBN: 9781494365530

Though his student is over a century old, Tessius the master worries that newly promoted to Knight Corinth is too egotistical and overconfident in his magic and sword-fighting skills.  Thus Tessius sends Corinth away from Enzlintine supposedly to end the trouble caused by Khalid but mostly for the pupil to learn more of the vast complex world out there. 

On Corinth’s trek, Aventis the swordsman and Nadine the siren join the knight.  With other allies, they consistently succeed and triumph; adding to the knight’s belief he can beat anyone.  When Mortiscet the elven necromancer captures the trio, Corinth mentally struggles with his first setback.  Mortiscet forces the trio to abet his daughter Rieka regain a magical book.  However, Rieka has a different agenda as she wants freedom from her despicable father; so she persuades her companions to rebel against the evil necromancer.

Keepers Of Runes And The Tower Of Shadows is a fabulous Tolkien epic fantasy due to the vivid Cratsley world filled with fully developed species.  Although nothing new is provided, subgenre fans will take immense delight in this enchanting opening act as the “young invincible” and his cohorts taste “   the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat...” (ABC's Wide World of Sports).

Harriet Klausner

The Vampire’s Curse-Mandy Rosko

The Vampire’s Curse

Mandy Rosko

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, Apr 23 2013, $9.99

ISBN: 9781489521125

In Griffon City, with her mom ill, Jackie Moore the witch does a double shift at her mother’s business Patty’s Potions N’ More.  After closing the shop, Jackie walks home in a snowstorm when a male body lands at her feet next to a prone female; several vampires lay unconscious while others stand nearby.  When Jackie goes to help the man on the snow near her, he apologetically tries to bite her; but instead she kisses him and flees.

Kyle McCane is stunned with the results of that kiss.  Somehow the female turned him back to human.  However, the next night the curse returns as he reverts back to vampire.  Thus he seeks the witch who temporarily cured him.  As they kiss every night, the pair searches for a more permanent cure though each likes the lips-locking; at the same time they investigate who or what is killing feral vampires.

The first Things In The Night paranormal investigative romance (see book two The Legend of the Werewolf and book three The Shepard's Agony) is an amusing lighthearted fantasy starring two fascinating protagonists.  Whereas she is The Worst Witch (not the star of the 1980s children movie) except for her healing lips; he is the reluctant part-time vampiric outsider (mindful of the adult leads in Ladyhawke) who no longer belongs in New York City as his family fears that one night soon he will bite them.

Harriet Klausner

Islands Of Rage And Hope-John Ringo

Islands Of Rage And Hope

John Ringo

Baen, Aug 12 2014, $25.00

ISBN: 9781476736624

US Navy Atlantic Commander Steven John Smith leads his Wolf Squadron fleet to Guantanamo where the mission is to clean the area of the infected so that a safe lab can begin vaccine production with a long term vision of taking back North America from the insane diseased.  The squadron mounts a successful beach deployment that includes rescuing civilian survivors.

Commander Smith’s teenage commissioned officer daughters (Sophia Lynn and Faith Marie) lead a rescue mission of others trapped on Caribbean islands especially seeking research scientists and medical practitioners, but with the Marine mantra of no one left behind.  The Squadron also sends a team to free royal Harry from the Tower of London.

The third Black Tide Rising apocalypse thriller (see Under a Graveyard Sky) is filled with plenty of island hopping action; engaging and at times satirical survivor rescues; profound mental health issues as the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders seems obsolete; and an overabundance of strategic planning.  Although there is a déjà vu similarity with book two (see To Sail A Darkling Sea), this is an entertaining zombie war entry.

Harriet Klausner

The Secrets of the Greaser Hotel-J. Scott Fuqua

The Secrets of the Greaser Hotel

J. Scott Fuqua

Bancroft Press, Aug 15 2014, $25.00

ISBN: 9781610881302

At one time Baltimore’s Greaser Hotel was considered one of the most luxurious places for a city visitor to stay.  Now surrounded by downtown urban blight, the Greaser Hotel is a rundown dump with few occupants; though those residing there recognize this is a special place where magic thrives and the secrets kept sacred.

When Allie “the Rat” Argos was six, her parents went to prison for twenty years after a failed kidnapping of a Gristle.  Greaser Hotel caretaker Mrs. Friendly became her foster parent bringing the child to the Greasy Blight where for the next nine years she slaved alongside other inmates (former homemaking diva Midge Darlington, elderly ex billionaire Arnold Armstrong, and tweener Rena Duchamp).  Jerome the cat worries about naive Allie after she suffers an apparent concussion, and no supper.   Marvin Greaser III and Herman Gristle come to stay at the hotel.  Gristle inspects the teenage Rat to insure she poses no threat to him in the near future; but his arrival opens up the past to her.

The Secrets of the Greaser Hotel is a gripping modern day gothic fantasy enhanced by powerful B&W illustrations.  The good vs. bad contemporary Dickensian satirical storyline looks deeply at the negative impact of the under-regulated free market on the exploited with no protection; as young adult readers (and us seniors) want the heroine and her friends to kick the ugly butts of the mean crew.  No one sees Baltimore quite the same way as J. Scott Fuqua does (see Calvert the Raven in the Battle of Baltimore).

Harriet Klausner

The Wandering Dragon-Irene Radford

The Wandering Dragon

Irene Radford

Daw, Aug 5 2014, $17.00

ISBN: 9780756409142

Coronnan begins the slow healing from the magically-generated super storm that devastated much of the kingdom.  Among those who sacrificed their lives in the quest to end the raging mage Samlan’s magically created tsunami are mates Brevelan the witchwoman and Jaylor the Chancellor of the University of Magicians (see The Broken Dragon).  Their four children have different destinies.  Lila continues her efforts to help people survive and recover from the cataclysm while her beloved Skeller the bard returns home to Amazonia as King Lokeen’s heir.  Her twin sister Val continues to help healed Lady Ariiell who rejects Lokeen’s proposal.  Their half-brother Glenndon’s father King Darville recognizes him as Coronnan’s heir.  Finally their brother Lukan agrees to accompany Skeller on his trek home in order to find his missing mage mentor Master Robb. 

None of the siblings are aware of the diabolical plotting of a beautiful witch who just escaped from a fifteen year incarceration.  She plans to forge a coven loyal to her that includes Lukan and a scheme to become mad Lokeen’s royal bride.  Neither Skeller nor Lukan realize that the Krakatriv monsters who recently destroyed much of Coronnan during the storm run rampart in Amazonia, a land filled with chronic fear.

The third Children of the Dragon Nimbus (see The Silent Dragon) completes the latest trilogy with the prime focus on Lukan and Skeller.  Though there is a déjà vu feel to the entertaining storyline, the bard-prince, the new master mage, the insane ruler and the beguiling evil witch make for an exciting quest fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

Broken Souls-Stephen Blackmoore

Broken Souls

Stephen Blackmoore

Daw, Aug 5 2014, $7.99

ISBN: 9780756409425

Necromancer Eric Carter fled Los Angeles years ago vowing to never return to the “Mad City” where too many wanted him dead.  His pledge ended with the tortured shredding death of his sister Lucy in her home; that he interpreted correctly as a personalized message to him from a psychopathic essence (see Dead Things).

Things only have gotten worse with the death of his buddy Alex and the grinning grim reminders of his “wife” Death, Santa Muerte; whom Eric foolishly agreed to wed in exchange for paranormal power.  He can’t do anything for Alex, but Eric decides he needs to annul his vow before Death claims him.  Desperate, he turns to a mage for help; unaware what lurks beneath the skin of his advisor.  Eric also finds brutal assistance from Bruja and an essence that seems to be Alex yet can’t be his best friend; meanwhile a predator who “steals” bodies targets the necromancer and his allies.

The latest Eric Carter urban fantasy noir is a superb paranormal thriller that grips readers throughout.  The beleaguered protagonist finds his quest change from voiding his deal with “Lady Death” (not the Chaos comic book heroine) to uncovering a deadly maniac stalking him.  Bruja adds depth with kick butt pulling no punches verbal shots that rip Eric’s skin.  Readers will enjoy the adventures of the necromancer as he walks the dangerous streets of the City of the Lost.

Harriet Klausner