Blood Cross
Faith Hunter
Roc, Jan 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451463074
Skinwalker Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind; a Cherokee shapeshifter who shares her body with the Beast of a mountain lion as she hunts down rogue vampires. Currently she resides in New Orleans. Her best friend powerful earth witch Molly and her BFF’s two young kids Angie and Evan are staying in her place while Molly’s spouse Big Evan is in Brazil with Hurricane Ada hitting the city, but at level 2 is no Katrina or Rita; still they wait out the storm together.
Jane has a contract with the New Orleans Vampire Council to kill rogue master vampires who break the laws of the undead. However, the head of the council grieving Leo Pellistier hates Jane blaming her for the death of his son when she killed the walker who took over the body decades ago. He almost burns down her home with the two children inside shocking his four young vampire allies. Meanwhile Jane hunts a rogue as assigned to her by the Council as one of their own has broken the law; unaware her efforts might lead to civil war amongst the vampire factions and cross species war between the witches and the vampires.
The second Yellowrock urban fantasy noir stars a unique kick butt heroine whose tough edges are softened by Molly and her children. The story line is fast-paced and the Faith Hunter version New Orleans is vivid and genuine even with vamps running amok. Fans will appreciate the continued saga of the last known Skinwalker who prowls the mean streets alone.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Keepers of Sulbreth-Susan Gourley
The Keepers of Sulbreth
Susan Gourley
Medallion, Jan 2010, $7.95
ISBN 9781605420653
The island Kingdom of Futhark is impossible to reach or leave as it soars high above the sea. Magic employed by the Keepers keeps the land safe, but within Marshals enforce law and order. The Otten dynasty has ruled from the capital Sulbrth protected by loyal Keepers.
When Prince Jonard becomes the ruler, he learns of the break in the protective seal that could lead to an invasion by monsters. They send the rare female practitioner sorceress Savelline Shelton accompanied by elven half-breed Marshall Cage Stone to close the tear before the souless enter causing havoc and destruction to the masses. They are destined together to save the nation if they truly are the Chosen One and his Keeper named in an ancient prophesy; if not they will die horrrbly.
The first Futhark Chronicles is an enjoyable quest fantasy that raises intriguing philosophical questions about whether someone ignorant to critical facts can make real choices. The lead couple is a dynamic pairing of two outsiders; he being illegitimate halfbreed and her being a woman. Although the plot starts off slow as Susan Gourley introduces the audience to her realm, once established, the plot accelerates into a dleightful fast-paced save the island thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Susan Gourley
Medallion, Jan 2010, $7.95
ISBN 9781605420653
The island Kingdom of Futhark is impossible to reach or leave as it soars high above the sea. Magic employed by the Keepers keeps the land safe, but within Marshals enforce law and order. The Otten dynasty has ruled from the capital Sulbrth protected by loyal Keepers.
When Prince Jonard becomes the ruler, he learns of the break in the protective seal that could lead to an invasion by monsters. They send the rare female practitioner sorceress Savelline Shelton accompanied by elven half-breed Marshall Cage Stone to close the tear before the souless enter causing havoc and destruction to the masses. They are destined together to save the nation if they truly are the Chosen One and his Keeper named in an ancient prophesy; if not they will die horrrbly.
The first Futhark Chronicles is an enjoyable quest fantasy that raises intriguing philosophical questions about whether someone ignorant to critical facts can make real choices. The lead couple is a dynamic pairing of two outsiders; he being illegitimate halfbreed and her being a woman. Although the plot starts off slow as Susan Gourley introduces the audience to her realm, once established, the plot accelerates into a dleightful fast-paced save the island thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Wild Hunt-Margaret Ronald
Wild Hunt
Margaret Ronald
Harper, Jan 12 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061662423
Know for her incredible olfactory sense that enables her to find missing persons and things, Evie “Hound” Scelan helped her former lover Frank McDermott escape from under the dictatorial control of the Fiana a cabal who controlled magic use in Boston (see Spiral Hunt). However Evie who is still upset with what the Fiana did to prevent the Sox from winning a World Series was so successful she left the city with no one in charge of magical practitioners although most users expected Evie would take over.
Chinese-American Yuen asks Evie for the favor of witnessing his death and to insure his father’s spirit residing in a jar that he gives her is gone when he is gone; she owes him so she pays him back by being there for him. He dies a few minutes later; Evie checks the jar, which she tells his daughter Elizabeth is empty. However, Elizabeth fails to heed her father’s directions, a major haunting mistake. Meanwhile Abigail Huston asks Evie to find out what her great-great-grandmother stole and who owns this item. Evie agrees to take her on as a client; not understanding what she has accepted as soon the trail leads to her own “messenger”-ancestor and the undercurrent Hounds.
Readers will enjoy the latest adventures of Evie who most of the Red Sox Nation expects her to take over from the cabal she toppled as successful coups always do. However, all she wants is to ride her bike, decide on how she feels about Nate Hunter who has his own paranormal problems, and take on clients needing her wonderful nose. Traders will enjoy her escapades in the urban fantasy noir landscape as Evie is a unique protagonist unlike most people who communicate through sight or hearing, her prime sense is smell.
Harriet Klausner
Margaret Ronald
Harper, Jan 12 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061662423
Know for her incredible olfactory sense that enables her to find missing persons and things, Evie “Hound” Scelan helped her former lover Frank McDermott escape from under the dictatorial control of the Fiana a cabal who controlled magic use in Boston (see Spiral Hunt). However Evie who is still upset with what the Fiana did to prevent the Sox from winning a World Series was so successful she left the city with no one in charge of magical practitioners although most users expected Evie would take over.
Chinese-American Yuen asks Evie for the favor of witnessing his death and to insure his father’s spirit residing in a jar that he gives her is gone when he is gone; she owes him so she pays him back by being there for him. He dies a few minutes later; Evie checks the jar, which she tells his daughter Elizabeth is empty. However, Elizabeth fails to heed her father’s directions, a major haunting mistake. Meanwhile Abigail Huston asks Evie to find out what her great-great-grandmother stole and who owns this item. Evie agrees to take her on as a client; not understanding what she has accepted as soon the trail leads to her own “messenger”-ancestor and the undercurrent Hounds.
Readers will enjoy the latest adventures of Evie who most of the Red Sox Nation expects her to take over from the cabal she toppled as successful coups always do. However, all she wants is to ride her bike, decide on how she feels about Nate Hunter who has his own paranormal problems, and take on clients needing her wonderful nose. Traders will enjoy her escapades in the urban fantasy noir landscape as Evie is a unique protagonist unlike most people who communicate through sight or hearing, her prime sense is smell.
Harriet Klausner
Skinner: Howling Legion-Marcus Pelegrimas
Skinner: Howling Legion
Marcus Pelegrimas
Eos, Nov 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061463068
Cole was a video games designer at the top of his profession when he realized that creatures of myth and legend are real. There is a secret society that has fought the evil denizen of the dark especially vampires, who go by the nomenclature of Shifters. They fight Nymars (vampires) as well as were shapeshifters who prey on humans and don’t stay in their own territory. Cole joins the group and his mentor Paige places him under an intense training regimen physically and using magical weapons to restrain these creatures. He has become a Skinner enforcing the rules (see Full Blood).
A Full Blood werewolf who can change at will creates many half-breeds, who can only exist in wolf form, to take over Kansas City, Missouri. The Full Blood Liam knows that the Nymarr are unorganized so they cause him no concern and another Full Blood is harassing the Skinners. When he liberates his offspring to attack the city Paige and Cole lure them into a deserted area where they kill most of them. That fails to solve the problem because the Full Blood can make more hybrids; they know they must destroy Liam before he can create more Half Breeds, but he alos knows of the two Skinners are in his city so he plans to show them how a Full Blood deals with adversaries.
Part horror and part urban fantasy, Skinner: Howling Legion contains a fantastic world filled with a werewolf species that seems genuine as Marcus Pelegrimas provides his original take on the shapeshifting mythos living up to the motto of the “Show Me” state. Cole and Paige are resolute dedicated warriors who gave up their comfortable middle class lifestyles to risk their lives fighting malevolence. Exciting and thrilling from start to finish, the audience will enjoy a walk on the wild side of Kansas City. Karen Koehler fans will love this book.
Harriet Klausner
Marcus Pelegrimas
Eos, Nov 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061463068
Cole was a video games designer at the top of his profession when he realized that creatures of myth and legend are real. There is a secret society that has fought the evil denizen of the dark especially vampires, who go by the nomenclature of Shifters. They fight Nymars (vampires) as well as were shapeshifters who prey on humans and don’t stay in their own territory. Cole joins the group and his mentor Paige places him under an intense training regimen physically and using magical weapons to restrain these creatures. He has become a Skinner enforcing the rules (see Full Blood).
A Full Blood werewolf who can change at will creates many half-breeds, who can only exist in wolf form, to take over Kansas City, Missouri. The Full Blood Liam knows that the Nymarr are unorganized so they cause him no concern and another Full Blood is harassing the Skinners. When he liberates his offspring to attack the city Paige and Cole lure them into a deserted area where they kill most of them. That fails to solve the problem because the Full Blood can make more hybrids; they know they must destroy Liam before he can create more Half Breeds, but he alos knows of the two Skinners are in his city so he plans to show them how a Full Blood deals with adversaries.
Part horror and part urban fantasy, Skinner: Howling Legion contains a fantastic world filled with a werewolf species that seems genuine as Marcus Pelegrimas provides his original take on the shapeshifting mythos living up to the motto of the “Show Me” state. Cole and Paige are resolute dedicated warriors who gave up their comfortable middle class lifestyles to risk their lives fighting malevolence. Exciting and thrilling from start to finish, the audience will enjoy a walk on the wild side of Kansas City. Karen Koehler fans will love this book.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Divine Misdemeanors-Laurel K. Hamilton
Divine Misdemeanors
Laurel K. Hamilton
Ballantine, Dec 8 2009, $26.00
ISBN: 9780345495969
They were crowned queen and king of the Unseelie Court by Faerie and the Goddess, but Princess Merry and her bodyguard lover Doyle choose to return to California and set up her own court. Now they live in Los Angeles where they stay together based on love and trust instead of pain and intrigue. They earn a living at sleuths at the Grey Detective Agency.
Their latest case is horrible. Twenty demi-elves (small Barbie like creatures with wings who look like angels but are anything but the sort) were killed and posed as if they were in a children’s book. The only living witness, a survivor of the massacre of the serial killing of her kind, obviously saw something but flees before the detectives can question her. A few days later, a brownie and her human husband are killed in their home once again posed from another children’s story. The two sleuths learn there are two killers, one with wings, bur many creatures have wings in Faerie. Merry and her retinue know only one way to prevent more ritual murders; she is served up as bait.
Laurell K. Hamilton shows her talent to make alternate worlds filled with mythological creatures living side by side with humans seem real. Merry is a heroine who avoids the Seelie and Unseelie Courts as she detests the intrigue that flows everywhere like light waves do on earth. The Goddess still favors her and creates a new faerie mound in aptly named Los Angeles in an apropos apartment building. The investigation is entertaining as Merry cannot help her people by offering herself as a potential sacrifice to catch serial killers. Even with that as the prime theme, Ms. Hamilton is at her provocative sensual best in Divine Misdemeanors.
Harriet Klausner
Laurel K. Hamilton
Ballantine, Dec 8 2009, $26.00
ISBN: 9780345495969
They were crowned queen and king of the Unseelie Court by Faerie and the Goddess, but Princess Merry and her bodyguard lover Doyle choose to return to California and set up her own court. Now they live in Los Angeles where they stay together based on love and trust instead of pain and intrigue. They earn a living at sleuths at the Grey Detective Agency.
Their latest case is horrible. Twenty demi-elves (small Barbie like creatures with wings who look like angels but are anything but the sort) were killed and posed as if they were in a children’s book. The only living witness, a survivor of the massacre of the serial killing of her kind, obviously saw something but flees before the detectives can question her. A few days later, a brownie and her human husband are killed in their home once again posed from another children’s story. The two sleuths learn there are two killers, one with wings, bur many creatures have wings in Faerie. Merry and her retinue know only one way to prevent more ritual murders; she is served up as bait.
Laurell K. Hamilton shows her talent to make alternate worlds filled with mythological creatures living side by side with humans seem real. Merry is a heroine who avoids the Seelie and Unseelie Courts as she detests the intrigue that flows everywhere like light waves do on earth. The Goddess still favors her and creates a new faerie mound in aptly named Los Angeles in an apropos apartment building. The investigation is entertaining as Merry cannot help her people by offering herself as a potential sacrifice to catch serial killers. Even with that as the prime theme, Ms. Hamilton is at her provocative sensual best in Divine Misdemeanors.
Harriet Klausner
Heart Of The Witch-Alicia Dean
Heart Of The Witch
Alicia Dean
Love Spell, Dec 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780505528261
In Okalahoma City, the Tin Man serial killer abducts witch Rayvn Skyler planning to rape her before he kills her. Irate, she breaks the prime rule of her coven by setting his crotch ablaze before escaping. He survives her counter assault, but is outraged that his chosen prey harmed him and escaped before he could inscribe on her corpse in blood his moniker The Tin Man, irate he vows vengeance.
Meanwhile mortal former homicide detective Nick Lassiter knows he finally has the bait to run down the Tin Man whom he obsesses over ending the psychopath’s terror. He plans to use Rayvn who wonders about this Nick who seems to be nearby every time she blinks. At the same time her former lover Kayne has become apparently insane as his soul is filled with ambitious evil plans for world domination. Between Kayne and the Tin Man ruining her life and anyone close to her like her sister and mom, Rayvn fears most for not so mundane Nick.
This is a fast-paced fun to read serial killer romantic urban fantasy, but has too many major subplots that lead to abrupt transitions. The readers and Rayvn know the bad guys from almost the beginning, but that enhances those two thriller threads as the audience anticipates confrontations. With a deep look inside the politics of a coven on top of the non-stop action, sub-genre readers will agree with Nick that the Heart of the Witch is captivating and bewitching.
Harriet Klausner
Alicia Dean
Love Spell, Dec 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780505528261
In Okalahoma City, the Tin Man serial killer abducts witch Rayvn Skyler planning to rape her before he kills her. Irate, she breaks the prime rule of her coven by setting his crotch ablaze before escaping. He survives her counter assault, but is outraged that his chosen prey harmed him and escaped before he could inscribe on her corpse in blood his moniker The Tin Man, irate he vows vengeance.
Meanwhile mortal former homicide detective Nick Lassiter knows he finally has the bait to run down the Tin Man whom he obsesses over ending the psychopath’s terror. He plans to use Rayvn who wonders about this Nick who seems to be nearby every time she blinks. At the same time her former lover Kayne has become apparently insane as his soul is filled with ambitious evil plans for world domination. Between Kayne and the Tin Man ruining her life and anyone close to her like her sister and mom, Rayvn fears most for not so mundane Nick.
This is a fast-paced fun to read serial killer romantic urban fantasy, but has too many major subplots that lead to abrupt transitions. The readers and Rayvn know the bad guys from almost the beginning, but that enhances those two thriller threads as the audience anticipates confrontations. With a deep look inside the politics of a coven on top of the non-stop action, sub-genre readers will agree with Nick that the Heart of the Witch is captivating and bewitching.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Catalyst-Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
Catalyst
Anne McCaffrey & Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
Del Rey, Jan 1 2010, $26.00
ISBN: 9780345513762
The Barque Cats are extremely valuable because they keep vermin off space ships and are adept at finding oxygen leaks or other hazardous gases as well as just keeping people on board the vessel safe. Thomas’s Duchess, known as Chessie and her human companion Janina, whose title on the ship is Cat Person, dock on Head Station, where a pregnant Chessie goes for a check-up. Janina and Dr. Jared Vlest fly down to the planet Sherwood to look at the animals that need care.
A con artist Carlton Pontius aka Ponty steals Chessie and brings her to his farm on Sherwood as she is worth a fortune especially with a coming litter of Barque kittens. He gives Chessie to his son Jubal who takes care of her and her litter. Chessie loves all of her offspring, but the kitten Chester bonds with Jubal. Chessie needs to reunite with her Cat Person Janina. Unfortunately, they cannot, as a “supposed” plague has arrived leading to the impounding of all animals and those exposed (even the Barque cats). They will be executed. Janina and her allies try to free their companions, but an alien feline Pshaw-Ra with psionic power wants to take the cats to his planet so they can begin the universal domination of the known universe.
This is the first tale of a duology that contains the usual strong outer space world building, a trademark of the authors who make a whole galaxy seem real. The Sparkles plague is caused by a harmless beetle but the GG scientists refused to accept a simple explanation. The point of view is told mostly by various feline characters, but it comes across as believable and as important not simplistic cute as the cats understand their troubles. The humans are for the most part empathetic especially Janina and cranky Ponty who has his own pet cat. Although the audience will need to wait for the second entry to see whether Chessie and Chester have more than one life each, fans will enjoy the opening Barque Cat caper.
Harriet Klausner
Anne McCaffrey & Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
Del Rey, Jan 1 2010, $26.00
ISBN: 9780345513762
The Barque Cats are extremely valuable because they keep vermin off space ships and are adept at finding oxygen leaks or other hazardous gases as well as just keeping people on board the vessel safe. Thomas’s Duchess, known as Chessie and her human companion Janina, whose title on the ship is Cat Person, dock on Head Station, where a pregnant Chessie goes for a check-up. Janina and Dr. Jared Vlest fly down to the planet Sherwood to look at the animals that need care.
A con artist Carlton Pontius aka Ponty steals Chessie and brings her to his farm on Sherwood as she is worth a fortune especially with a coming litter of Barque kittens. He gives Chessie to his son Jubal who takes care of her and her litter. Chessie loves all of her offspring, but the kitten Chester bonds with Jubal. Chessie needs to reunite with her Cat Person Janina. Unfortunately, they cannot, as a “supposed” plague has arrived leading to the impounding of all animals and those exposed (even the Barque cats). They will be executed. Janina and her allies try to free their companions, but an alien feline Pshaw-Ra with psionic power wants to take the cats to his planet so they can begin the universal domination of the known universe.
This is the first tale of a duology that contains the usual strong outer space world building, a trademark of the authors who make a whole galaxy seem real. The Sparkles plague is caused by a harmless beetle but the GG scientists refused to accept a simple explanation. The point of view is told mostly by various feline characters, but it comes across as believable and as important not simplistic cute as the cats understand their troubles. The humans are for the most part empathetic especially Janina and cranky Ponty who has his own pet cat. Although the audience will need to wait for the second entry to see whether Chessie and Chester have more than one life each, fans will enjoy the opening Barque Cat caper.
Harriet Klausner
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