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REVIEW NOTES: Those Who Hunt the Night, Anna and the French Kiss, Making a Living Without a Job

Posted by Anastasia on January 4, 2012 3 Responses »

Jan 042012

I want to finish up on 2011′s reviews so I can start 2012! So, very quickly: review notes of three books!

167. Those Who Hunt the Night by Barbara Hambly
Publication: Open Road (March 29, 2011), ebook, 350pp / ISBN 0345361326
Genre: Historical Fantasy/Paranormal, Mystery

Read: December 11-17, 2011
Source: eBookFling borrow

Review Notes

- Vampires! Yay. I’ve actually started to like vampires again…sort of.
- Vampires who do vampire-y things like eat people and be inhuman and stuff! Double yay.
- Interesting detective character– one of those amateur detectives who get in over their head, but not in a cozy mystery sort of way. I like his wife, too, who’s one of those modern-ish women in a historical fiction sort of people. But in a non-annoying way.
- It did feel a bit like “let me describe this fantasy world to you so you know how interesting/different it is compared to your world” whenever the vampires said something.
- Didn’t expect the solution! That’s good, right? I think it is.

Rating

Overall, I LOVED this book. The mystery was good, the characters were interesting, and although I didn’t like how much explaining re:vampires and their awesome vampire world was in there I still liked the writing.

Buy

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168. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Publication: Speak (August 4, 2011), ebook, 386pp / ISBN 0142419400
Genre: YA Romance

Read: December 21-23, 2011
Source: Freebie

Review Notes

- So cute!
- THIS BOOK CUTE BEYOND BELIEF
- Tell Your Girlfriend is totally the theme song.
- Maybe too much emphasis on how hot St. Clair is compared to everything else about him, but the romance builds in a way that I love. Plus St. Clair/Anna DO like more about each other than just how hot the other person is.
- Plus yay changing each other for the better!

Rating

ALL THE POSITIVE HYPE WAS TRUE.

Buy

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169. Making a Living Without a Job by Barbara J. Winter
Publication: Bantam (July 1, 1993), Paperback, 272pp / ISBN 0553371657
Genre: Non-fiction, Self-help

Read: December 24-31, 2011
Source: Gift

Review Notes

- Outdated a bit, but still v. good. Talks about mailing lists and using computers to do finances or something– recommends finding books via an offline searching service! There IS a newer version out now, though, which is good.
- Inspiring! And it helped me figure out what sort of things I’m good at already, things that I could apply towards making money (either in a “real” business or otherwise).
- Could maybe use a section on how to actually create business beyond having an idea. Doesn’t talk about anything re:how to find that info, either.

Rating

Should have read the updated version, but I still liked it. Best part was the bit that tells you how to increase your self-confidence. I needed that!

Buy

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MINI-REVIEWS: The Warded Man, iDrakula, A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains

Posted by Anastasia on September 26, 2011 4 Responses »

Sep 262011

Click on the book cover to go to its Amazon page.

92. The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett
Publication: Del Rey (March 10, 2009), ebook, 432pp / ISBN 0345503805
Genre: Dystopian Fantasy

Read: August 1-2, 2011
Source: Bought

Mini-Review

I don’t think I’ve read a proper dystopian fantasy before, though I’ve read a few magical realism-type ones. This one was interesting because there were demons, there was magic, and while it was still obviously a dystopian society it was one that was on the verge of getting back on its feet, so to speak. The majority of the book was a really good read, with lots of action and some great characters, including female ones that weren’t, y’know, useless. The last third of the book, however, took a dive downward. Continue reading »

MINI-REVIEWS: Jane-Emily, Mechanique, Hounded

Posted by Anastasia on September 5, 2011 7 Responses »

Sep 052011

As always, click on a book’s cover to go to its Amazon page.

83. Jane-Emily by Patricia Clapp
Publication: Harper Paperbacks (August 7, 2007), originally published 1969, Paperback, ~130pp / ISBN 0061245011
Genre: Children’s Horror

Read: July 26, 2011
Source: Bought

Review

Things that scare me: evil children, ghosts, haunted houses, evil child ghosts haunting houses, evil child ghosts haunting houses and trying to kill people. Jane-Emily has all that and more! It’s a short book, but I got so freaked out during the course of reading it that I was sure a ghost was hovering right behind me waiting to pounce.

For all that it’s a ghost story, it’s more psychological horror than anything else. If you like that sort of thing then you’d no doubt enjoy Jane-Emily. I think it’d make a great book for RIP VI, too!

Rating

I nearly couldn’t sleep after reading this book. It’s great!

89. Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti by Genevieve Valentine
Publication: Prime Books (April 23, 2011), ebook, 320pp / ISBN 1607012537
Genre: Sci-fi

Read: July 30, 2011
Source: Gift

Review

This was a surprise gift from someone. Thank you, someone! I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while, as I’m familiar with the author’s blog (which I love) and I adore stories set in a circus environment. Mechanique was great because not only did it have a circus, but it’s got steampunk/futuristic/apocalyptic elements as well, all tied together with some rather lovely poetic writing.

I really enjoyed Mechanique. It’s kind of a weird book, but it’s weird in a way I can appreciate. It’s kind of spooky, it’s kind of quirky and cool, and it’s also kind of tragic in a way. It’s not really a fast-paced, exciting plot, but it’s enthralling nevertheless and I think partly that’s because of the setting and the characters. Anyway, if you like circus stories with tragic characters and a bit of a steampunk/dystopia thing going on, you’d like Mechanique.

Rating

Well who wouldn’t enjoy a steampunk circus dystopian tragedy?

91. Hounded by Kevin Hearne
Publication: Del Rey (May 3, 2011), ebook, 320pp / ISBN 0345522478
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Read: July 31, 2011
Source: Bought

Review

I’ve been hearing really good things about Hounded for a while now, and so I finally decided to just go ahead and get it so I so find out if those good things are true. (I think it was on sale a while ago? Anyway–) Those good things are totally true, and I think Hounded is basically my new Dresden Files.

I guess I just have a soft spot for stories about snarky, heroic geeks and their supernatural friends. I also appreciate a bit of action, a bit of drama, some mystery and some romance (sort of). I also liked the emphasis on Celtic mythology, as that’s a bit different from what other urban fantasy books are doing. Unlike the Dresden Files series, there’s no noir-ness to Hounded, and I think there’s less emphasis on the mystery in favor of the characters (which could be either a good or a bad thing, depending on your story preference). It is, however, still a lot of fun, and I’m for sure going to continue reading the series.

Rating

Now that I’ve reviewed this I can finally read the second book. Huzzah!

REVIEW: Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis

Posted by Anastasia on August 29, 2011 6 Responses »

Aug 292011

82. Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis
Publication: Angry Robot (July 7, 2011), ebook, 400pp / ISBN 0857661159
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery

Read: July 18-25, 2011
Source: Author (thank you!)

Summary from Amazon:

Stan Markowski is a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton PD’s Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit.

Like the rest of America, Scranton’s got an uneasy ‘live and let unlive’ relationship with the supernatural. But when a vamp puts the bite on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, that’s when they call Markowski. He carries a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets.

Review

I don’t know why, but I basically compare every urban fantasy mystery with The Dresden Files, which can be detrimental to how much I like a book when it’s really not like The Dresden Files at all. Hard Spell is sort of like TDF in that it’s got urban fantasy stuff and a dude who walks around wearing a trench coat, but TDF is fantasy noir and Hard Spell is more like a police procedural (with vampires). TDF has snarky, pun-y humor; Hard Spell has bantering police officers and really dark humor. TDF has more twisty, interconnecting plots; Hard Spell is more straightforward.

Okay, so: did I enjoy Hard Spell? Yes, even though I kept wondering why it wasn’t The Dresden Files. Continue reading »

MINI-REVIEWS: Jack’s New Power, Villain School, Decline & Fall

Posted by Anastasia on August 2, 2011 4 Responses »

Aug 022011

Click on a book’s cover to go to its page on Amazon.

50. Jack’s New Power by Jack Gantos
Publication: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (September 30, 1997), Paperback, 214pp / ISBN 0374437157
Genre: MG Fiction

Read: May 30-31, 2011
Source: Library Book sale

Review

This is less like a novel and more like a short story collection of vaguely related events, and unfortunately it’s kind of boring. After the greatness that was Dead End in Norvelt I wanted to really like this one, too, but for the most part I was, well…bored. Oh, it’s got some funny bits in it, and some sad bits and some “oh that was clever” bits, but on the whole, when I think back on it, I remember a sort of bland gray color. I wouldn’t recommend starting with this book if you’ve never read a Jack Gantos book before, although you might like it if you like JG’s other books.

Rating

Just okay.

58. Villain School: Good Curses Evil by Stephanie S. Saunders
Publication: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (August 30, 2011), ARC Paperback, ? pp / ISBN 1599908484
Genre: Children’s/MG Fantasy, Adventure

Read: June ?-25, 2011
Source: BEA 2011

This title will be released on August 30, 2011.

Review

I think if I was younger I’d like this book more. It’s got a magical school where vampires and werewolves and monsters from Scooby-doo movies learn about being “villains,” and there’s a quest and a princess (who is actually pretty wonderful) and it’s kind of funny, but in a way that comes off as trying too hard. It’s not a bad book, it’s just one that severely tests my powers of ignoring things that don’t make sense (why must vampires/werewolves/etc. be villains? Because they just are, apparently). I’m sure if I was younger– more in the range of readers it’s targeted for– I wouldn’t have a problem just going along for the ride. But as an adult reader, I was disappointed.

Rating

It’s not bad for what it is, but I wanted it to be something more.

61. Decline & Fall by Evelyn Waugh
Publication: Dell (1972), originally published 1928, Paperback, ~270pp
Genre: Fiction, Satire

Read: July 1, 2011
Source: Free book box

Review

The bad thing about reading so many books in one month is that one tends to forget things about the books you read at the beginning. Decline & Fall was the first book I finished during my July book-a-day plan, and I’ve almost forgotten everything about it. That’s not a good thing! I can’t remember anyone’s name, I barely remember the plot, and all that’s left is a vague impression that I enjoyed reading it. I had to read the summary on its Wikipedia page to refresh my memory, and even then I was like “oh, did that really happen?” I feel really bad about this, as I do like Waugh’s books and considering that I rated this one 4.5 birds I must have really liked this one. Unfortunately I keep getting bits of it mixed up with A Handful of Dust; I guess it’s a good thing this is a mini-review instead of a full one.

Anyway, despite my memory problems, I did really like Decline & Fall. It’s got that same sort of hard-edged satire that AHOD has, only without the downer ending (although I did like AHOD’s ending). It’s also kind of more surreal than AHOD, which was a lot of fun, and though I don’t think I laughed out loud I did smile widely for a large portion of it. After reading three of Waugh’s books I think I’m getting a feel for his type of humor, which is good, and I think also I’m starting to see a pattern with the characters, which is less good. I prefer it when authors mix up their tropes and whatnot, and Waugh doesn’t seem to be doing that. Then again, I’ve only read three of his books– maybe the fourth one will have more variety.

Rating

An excellent book, despite my having almost entirely forgotten it.

REVIEW: Bloodshot by Cherie Priest

Posted by Anastasia on March 29, 2011 2 Responses »

Mar 292011

26. Bloodshot by Cherie Priest
Publication: Spectra (January 25, 2011), Paperback, 385pp / ISBN 0345520602
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Action

Rating: Borrow it
Read: March 5-15, 2011

Source: Contest win

Summary from Amazon:

Raylene Pendle (AKA Cheshire Red), a vampire and world-renowned thief, doesn’t usually hang with her own kind. She’s too busy stealing priceless art and rare jewels. But when the infuriatingly charming Ian Stott asks for help, Raylene finds him impossible to resist—even though Ian doesn’t want precious artifacts. He wants her to retrieve missing government files—documents that deal with the secret biological experiments that left Ian blind. What Raylene doesn’t bargain for is a case that takes her from the wilds of Minneapolis to the mean streets of Atlanta. And with a psychotic, power-hungry scientist on her trail, a kick-ass drag queen on her side, and Men in Black popping up at the most inconvenient moments, the case proves to be one hell of a ride.

Review

Man, thinking about having to write this review has given me (hypothetical) hives, because I adore Cherie Priest and I absolutely love her steampunk books and I know she’ll find this review somehow and I don’t want her to hate me. I put off writing a review for a while because of the (hypothetical) hives, because, you see…I’m just not enthusiastic about Bloodshot.

I was SO excited about it when she was posting updates re:plot/wordcount/etc on her blog. It sounded so cool! Drag queens and snarky vampires and secret government programs. Good stuff! Exciting stuff! And since I know Cherie Priest is an awesome writer I just knew I’d love Bloodshot. Right?

Wrong.

It’s not that I hate Bloodshot. It’s definitely way better than most of the other urban fantasies-with-vampires books I’ve read. It’s got an interesting lead– a paranoid ex-flapper vampire suffering from some sort of nervous condition who can nevertheless still a bunch of hard-to-steal stuff– and and interesting plot, and there’s very little romance so I didn’t feel like puking for once, and all in all it sort of reminds me of an Angel/X-Files combo TV series. It’s not a BAD book. It’s just…not as good as I was hoping it would be.

I think I’m disappointed mainly because of two things:
1. the ending is like what happens when a soufflé collapses just as you’re about to put it down on the dinner table.
2. Raylene was not as good a protagonist as the ladies in CP’s other books.

The first point speaks for itself, I think. The second point needs more expanding, so: Raylene. She’s an interesting lead, as I’ve said. I like that she wasn’t shy about killing people (so rare for a vampire nowadays), and I like that she was a bit of a lecher. I like that she has issues with privacy and safety and that despite her panic attacks she can still kick ass. But what I didn’t like was that she was only a vampire thief prone to panic attacks. She wasn’t anything else.

With Cherie Priest’s other female protagonists, you know they’re more than just what they seem on the outside. In Boneshaker, for instance, Briar is more than just a worried mom. In Dreadnought, Mercy was more than just a nurse with a dead husband. They had other things going for them, they had painful histories and hopeful futures. And in their stories they both grew in some way, they both changed from how they were at the beginning of the book.

But with Raylene? I didn’t see that. She stayed exactly the same as she was in the beginning and though there are hints to her past life (both pre-vampire and pre-book), it nevertheless felt like her life only began at the first page. For an urban fantasy vampire she’s got some depth, but for a Cherie Priest protagonist I think she fell a bit short.

Normally I think in this instance the secondary characters could pick up the slack of the protagonist, but even they were more boring than CP’s secondary characters usually are. The most interesting one only showed up for one phone conversation!

Anyway, I know Bloodshot is the start of a series and I’m still going to read the second book, if only to find out more about the government program. But I’ll be way more happy when the next Clockwork Century book comes out.

And

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Other reviews: Love Vampires | io9.com | Ruled By Books | King of the Nerds

Thursday Tea (Mar. 24): More Than Mortal

Posted by Anastasia on March 24, 2011 2 Responses »

Mar 242011

The book: I’ve just started the third book in the Victor Renquist series by Mick Farren. I really like these books, although sometimes the descriptions of what vampires do to their victims make me so uncomfortable I have to skim. It’s still better than having to slog through another urban fantasy book where the vampires are all cuddly and not evil and barely even act like “proper” vampires at all. After reading so many books with cuddly vampires, it’s nice to read one where the vampires would sooner rip my throat out than join me for a tea party.

The Victor Renquist books are interesting not only because the vampires act like monsters in them, but also because Mick Farren still somehow makes you care about them. Yes, they eat people and cause a lot of havoc and they’re basically evil, but nevertheless I still somehow care about whether or not they get staked.

Partly I think this is because Victor himself is the most “human” of the vampires– he still acts like a “proper” vampire, but he has these little bits of humanity in him that make him an actual anti-hero instead of just a villain. For instance, he only eats people that want to die anyway. And he has existential crises! He tends to not be as violent and crude as the other vampires, and he gives great “here is why you should do as I say” speeches. He’s still definitely not a cuddly bunny, but there is a somewhat-maybe-possibly-cuddly side to him. (The balance between villain and hero is really good, is what I think I’m trying to say.)

I’m kind of sad I’ve only got one more book to go in the series before it’s over. Does anyone know of more books with non-cuddly vampires in them? I don’t need it to be a bloodfest or torture porn or anything like that. I just want a proper anti-hero vampire like Victor Renquist. Bloodshot could count, I guess. Any others?

The tea: I seriously just woke up an hour ago, okay. I’m drinking coffee.

Do they go together? As blood gives vampires energy to face the day (or night), so too does coffee give me energy? How’s that?