Wednesday, February 22, 2006

#12 Casket for Sale (Only Used Once) by Jeff Strand

Casket for Sale (Only Used Once) by Jeff Strand

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

This was my first book by this author, the previous 2 in the series getting lost or stalled before making their way to me. Though this story reads well without having read those first, there are plenty of references to past events that happened in other books so I think reading those first would’ve enhanced this one even more with regards to knowing the characters better, and understanding more about past events.

In this book, Andrew has decided to become responsible. No more of the wacky capers that have gotten him into so much trouble in past books. Unfortunately, while heading out for a vacation with family and friends, trying to do just that, the group is accosted by a strange gang of freaks. And their methods are anything but normal. It’s a fast-paced story and the wit and humour of Andrew reminded me very much of Hitch from the Hitchcock Sewell series.

See the Bookcrossing journal page for this book for more reviews and information. See more progress on read 100 books in 2006.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

#11 G is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

I enjoyed this one. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve put these books aside for a few months or because the author is growing into Kinsey’s character, but I’m beginning to see Kinsey as more of a person now. Sure, she’s still a harda$$, but she’s no longer so one-dimensional and is now showing us her softer, more vulnerable side too.

It’s Cinqo-de-Mayo, and Kinsey’s 33rd birthday. Her converted garage apartment has just been finished, after months of living with her landlord, her friends throw her a surprise party down at Rosie’s place, and to top it all off, she’s just been told that someone’s been hired to kill her! Now she’s got a hunk of a bodyguard guarding her body. ;) Of course, she’s also trying to solve a puzzling case for a client while being pursued by this hitman who, believe it or not, sees nothing wrong with bringing his young son on hits with him! I found this one hard to put down.

See the BookCrossing journal page for this book for more reviews and information.See more progress on: read 100 books in 2006.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

#10 My Favorite Witch by Annette Blair

My Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

Just finished this one this morning. I liked it a lot better than The Kitchen Witch. As a character, Kira is a lot more interesting than Melody, and Kira’s counterpart Jason, more interesting than Melody’s Logan.

Like the previous book, there was a lot of back and forth with the main characters trying to deny their feelings for each other, but unlike in the first, the reasons for Kira and Jason’s denial of their feelings was more believable, and even understandable, than Melody and Logan’s were. And they were both a lot less uptight too, which I appreciated.

So My Favorite Witch left me with less of a “Gimme a break!” attitude than The Kitchen Witch did. Overall, I found it an amusing story, which had me chuckling at times and held my interest. Despite the fact that it was still purely a romance, and despite the title, didn’t really contain any supernatural element, Kira’s Witchy ways were more a part of the story this time around than Melody’s were in the previous book.

See the BookCrossing journal page for this book for more reviews and information. See more progress on: read 100 books in 2006.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

#9 Dark Sister by Graham Joyce

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

This was a great book, with just the right amount of suspense. The concepts of the wise woman, herbalist, and Witch were well portrayed, as was the dark side, Hecate, and death. From a Witch’s standpoint, I was glad to see all the details pertaining to the Craft were well researched and accurate. And though the concepts of a dark path, which really do exist, may tend to show the Craft in a bit of a negative light, at least the portrayal was accurate.

See the BookCrossing journal page for this book for more reviews and information.

Monday, February 06, 2006

#8 Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore

A funny story. I liked learning more about Tucker Case and the flying fruit bat, Roberto, both of whom appear in one of Moore’s later books, The Stupidest Angel. I wouldn’t say this was quite up there with Lust Lizard, Practical Demonkeeping, and Bloodsucking Fiends which were my 3 favorite of his books, but it was funny as usual nonethess, and still a very enjoyable read.

See the BookCrossing journal page for this book for more links, reviews, and information.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

#7 The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars
An excellent read! I was a bit daunted at first, picking up a 720 page book by an author I’d never read before… I mean, if I want to check out a new (to me) author, I’d usually start off with something smaller. But this book did not disappoint. And I hear Marillier’s Sevenwaters Trilogy is even better? Wow! I’m going to have to add all those to my wish list now too. :)

The relationship between Bridei and Tuala was bittersweet. I was hoping that Marillier wouldn’t leave us hanging with regards to this, waiting for the next book, and fortunately she didn’t. However, that’s not to say that both Bridei and Tuala don’t have their work cut out for them going forward. I’m already eagerly anticipating the next book in this series, Blade of Fortriu, which themarina has already offered up as another ring. You rock chickie!! :D

See the BookCrossing journal page for this book for more reviews and information. See more progress on: read 100 books in 2006.