My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars
This short story in the Dan Shamble, Zombie PI series was light and entertaining. I've always been a sucker for anything to do with the circus, especially a dark, freakish circus like this.
In this tale, Zombie PI Dan Chambeaux and his ghost girlfriend Sheyenne visit the circus to investigate the disappearance of a deck of magic cards, presumed stolen. Upon their arrival, they learn that several other things have gone missing in the last several weeks as well, generally small, insignificant items, though not necessarily unimportant to the owner.
The circus staff consists of a most unusual set of characters such as a transvestite fortune teller, a zombie clown, and a vampire trapeze artist. But whom amongst them is the thief? Though he and Sheyenne take in the show, Dan refuses to be deterred from his sleuthing, and finding the rustler among all these carnies makes for a very humorous tale.
Friday, August 08, 2014
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REVIEW: Death Warmed Over (Dan Shamble, Zombie PI #1) by Kevin J. Anderson
My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars
Over a decade ago, the Big Uneasy unleashed vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and all manner of undead unto the world. Dan Chambeaux--called Shamble by many of his friends--is a Private Investigator, and since rising from the dead as a zombie, has seen no need to change his occupation. After all, he enjoys his work and these cases don't solve themselves!
In this first book of the Dan Shamble, Zombie PI series, Dan, along with his human lawyer business partner Robin, and his ghost girlfriend/office assistant Sheyenne tackle a number of interesting and unusual cases, like a resurrected mummy who's suing the museum that put him on display, witch sisters who fall victim to a spell gone horribly wrong. Not to mention he's got his own murder to solve.
This was a funny and fast-paced read, and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this fairly new series.
Buy @ AmazonOver a decade ago, the Big Uneasy unleashed vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and all manner of undead unto the world. Dan Chambeaux--called Shamble by many of his friends--is a Private Investigator, and since rising from the dead as a zombie, has seen no need to change his occupation. After all, he enjoys his work and these cases don't solve themselves!
In this first book of the Dan Shamble, Zombie PI series, Dan, along with his human lawyer business partner Robin, and his ghost girlfriend/office assistant Sheyenne tackle a number of interesting and unusual cases, like a resurrected mummy who's suing the museum that put him on display, witch sisters who fall victim to a spell gone horribly wrong. Not to mention he's got his own murder to solve.
This was a funny and fast-paced read, and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this fairly new series.
Saturday, August 02, 2014
REVIEW: The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg
My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars
Ceony Twill had wanted to be a Smelter. While most graduates of the Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined were able to choose which material they dedicated their craft to, headmaster Magician Aviosky had assigned Ceony to Paper. "There simply aren't enough Folders left in the world", she had said. And thus Ceony was grudgingly begins her apprenticeship as a Folder under the tutelage of Magician Emery Thane. What follows is a fast-paced, perilous romp through the chambers and chasms of Mg. Thane's heart... literally!
I read this book on my Kindle, and at only 226 pages, I finished it in less than a day, so engrossed I was in the story that I didn't want to put it aside. (Fortunately, I had to paint my nails and toes today so I was able to sneak in the extra reading time.) The story was the perfect tempo and I immediately fell in love with Ceony, her astute mind and quick thinking.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Buy @ AmazonCeony Twill had wanted to be a Smelter. While most graduates of the Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined were able to choose which material they dedicated their craft to, headmaster Magician Aviosky had assigned Ceony to Paper. "There simply aren't enough Folders left in the world", she had said. And thus Ceony was grudgingly begins her apprenticeship as a Folder under the tutelage of Magician Emery Thane. What follows is a fast-paced, perilous romp through the chambers and chasms of Mg. Thane's heart... literally!
I read this book on my Kindle, and at only 226 pages, I finished it in less than a day, so engrossed I was in the story that I didn't want to put it aside. (Fortunately, I had to paint my nails and toes today so I was able to sneak in the extra reading time.) The story was the perfect tempo and I immediately fell in love with Ceony, her astute mind and quick thinking.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
REVIEW: Ripped by Shelly Dickson Carr
My Rating: 7 out of 10 stars
Katie Lennox makes a wish on the famed London Stone to go back in time, to have her family back, and find the true identity of Jack the Ripper, who murdered her distant relative. Unfortunately, she ends up getting a lot more than she wished for when she travels back to Victorian London 1888, and is thrown into the midst of the Ripper's murdering frenzy.
The story was well written, though a couple parts of it did feel a bit forced or contrived at times, as if manipulated to fit the outcome the author was hoping to achieve. The part leading up to the ending was one of those forced parts; I was jarred out of the scene playing out before me by the way parts of it played out.
But despite those few instances, I enjoyed the rest of the story and the characters themselves. It was well thought out and the author has a good sense of time that truly transports you back to Victorian London. Overall, I feel this is a very solid first novel from Ms. Carr and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
Buy @ AmazonKatie Lennox makes a wish on the famed London Stone to go back in time, to have her family back, and find the true identity of Jack the Ripper, who murdered her distant relative. Unfortunately, she ends up getting a lot more than she wished for when she travels back to Victorian London 1888, and is thrown into the midst of the Ripper's murdering frenzy.
The story was well written, though a couple parts of it did feel a bit forced or contrived at times, as if manipulated to fit the outcome the author was hoping to achieve. The part leading up to the ending was one of those forced parts; I was jarred out of the scene playing out before me by the way parts of it played out.
But despite those few instances, I enjoyed the rest of the story and the characters themselves. It was well thought out and the author has a good sense of time that truly transports you back to Victorian London. Overall, I feel this is a very solid first novel from Ms. Carr and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
Friday, April 18, 2014
REVIEW: Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 10) by Charlaine Harris
My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars
In this 10th installment of the Sookie Stackhouse series, Sookie has begun to recover from the injuries she sustained in the recent Fae war, and her relationship with Eric seems to be getting more serious all the time. But as is often the case with Sookie, someone is still out to get her. And even though her great-grandfather Niall supposedly sealed off the land of Faery from the human world, there is still one who would wish to do her harm.
This was another excellent book in the series, and I have been trying to spread out these last few books out because I will be so disappointed when it all ends after book 13. Boo hoo! As with all her other works, this is another fast, action-packed read, impossible to put down. I've literally walked into walls, chairs, you name it, while carrying my book around the house. LOL
Buy @ AmazonIn this 10th installment of the Sookie Stackhouse series, Sookie has begun to recover from the injuries she sustained in the recent Fae war, and her relationship with Eric seems to be getting more serious all the time. But as is often the case with Sookie, someone is still out to get her. And even though her great-grandfather Niall supposedly sealed off the land of Faery from the human world, there is still one who would wish to do her harm.
This was another excellent book in the series, and I have been trying to spread out these last few books out because I will be so disappointed when it all ends after book 13. Boo hoo! As with all her other works, this is another fast, action-packed read, impossible to put down. I've literally walked into walls, chairs, you name it, while carrying my book around the house. LOL
Thursday, April 17, 2014
REVIEW: Allegiant (Divergent, Book 3) by Veronica Roth
My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars
Growing up in alternate reality Chicago, Tris and Four never knew anything of the world outside their walls--a world ruled by factions, where each group has it's place in society: the brave, the intelligent, the selfless, the peaceful, and the honest--until now. With the help of their friends, the two are ready to escape the city and discover the truth about what lies beyond. But what awaits them outside the city's walls? And will they be able to find their place in the world out there?
Allegiant brings to a close the final book in the riveting Divergent trilogy, and new author Veronica Roth has done a fantastic job of putting together an alternate reality universe that has become a fast favorite with fans of the The Hunger Games and other young adult dystopian fiction. The first book in the series, Divergent has already been made into a movie and I look forward to seeing if it's as good as the book.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, the quick-paced writing style and fast action, I wasn't all that happy with the way it all ended. Then again, some of the best stories often leave you a bit uncomfortable at the end. If you felt the similarly, take the time to seek out the alternate ending online, written by fan fiction writer Stephanie Ziel. Maybe it'll make you feel better. :)
Buy @ AmazonGrowing up in alternate reality Chicago, Tris and Four never knew anything of the world outside their walls--a world ruled by factions, where each group has it's place in society: the brave, the intelligent, the selfless, the peaceful, and the honest--until now. With the help of their friends, the two are ready to escape the city and discover the truth about what lies beyond. But what awaits them outside the city's walls? And will they be able to find their place in the world out there?
Allegiant brings to a close the final book in the riveting Divergent trilogy, and new author Veronica Roth has done a fantastic job of putting together an alternate reality universe that has become a fast favorite with fans of the The Hunger Games and other young adult dystopian fiction. The first book in the series, Divergent has already been made into a movie and I look forward to seeing if it's as good as the book.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, the quick-paced writing style and fast action, I wasn't all that happy with the way it all ended. Then again, some of the best stories often leave you a bit uncomfortable at the end. If you felt the similarly, take the time to seek out the alternate ending online, written by fan fiction writer Stephanie Ziel. Maybe it'll make you feel better. :)
Saturday, April 05, 2014
REVIEW: A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison
My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars
Wow! I can't believe how much I've missed Rachel, Jenks, and Ivy. I have done a lot less reading over the last couple years, and this series got put to the side while I tried to catch up with books I owe to others, or reviews I owe to publishers, and things like that. But I'm glad that I'm finally making some time again to get back to my favorite series!
In this fourth installment of The Hollows series, Rachel and Jenks set out on an expedition to rescue Nick (Rachel's ex-boyfriend) and Jax (Jenks's son). Their run is anything but routine. And when they meet up with a pack of militant werewolves from Michigan, things only get worse from there!
Rachel has begun to discover some very unusual things about herself, and the magic she is capable of, stuff that no ordinary witch can usually handle. And Jenks... well Jenks is just as loveable as ever, and in this installment, there's even more of him to love... literally!
Harrison delivers yet another engaging well-rounded story that will keep you up reading way past your bedtime. Bosses beware! LOL
BookCrossing journal page for this book
Buy @ AmazonWow! I can't believe how much I've missed Rachel, Jenks, and Ivy. I have done a lot less reading over the last couple years, and this series got put to the side while I tried to catch up with books I owe to others, or reviews I owe to publishers, and things like that. But I'm glad that I'm finally making some time again to get back to my favorite series!
In this fourth installment of The Hollows series, Rachel and Jenks set out on an expedition to rescue Nick (Rachel's ex-boyfriend) and Jax (Jenks's son). Their run is anything but routine. And when they meet up with a pack of militant werewolves from Michigan, things only get worse from there!
Rachel has begun to discover some very unusual things about herself, and the magic she is capable of, stuff that no ordinary witch can usually handle. And Jenks... well Jenks is just as loveable as ever, and in this installment, there's even more of him to love... literally!
Harrison delivers yet another engaging well-rounded story that will keep you up reading way past your bedtime. Bosses beware! LOL
BookCrossing journal page for this book
Monday, April 29, 2013
REVIEW: Black Feathers by Joseph D'Lacey
My Rating: 10 out of 10 stars
read April 10-28, 2013
Black Feathers was a very thought-provoking dark fantasy that I had a hard time putting down. Part dystopian, part fantasy, 100% engrossing.
I had so much going on in my life at the time I finished this book that I didn't have time to sit down and write a proper review for it, but suffice to say, it's the kind of story that stuck with me long after I finished reading it, and I found myself going back to it in my mind again and again, reflecting on many of its twists and turns.
It's one I'd definitely like to read again and perhaps the second time around, I can write a more detailed review while all the characters and events are still fresh in my mind. It was really just that good!
Buy @ Amazonread April 10-28, 2013
Black Feathers was a very thought-provoking dark fantasy that I had a hard time putting down. Part dystopian, part fantasy, 100% engrossing.
I had so much going on in my life at the time I finished this book that I didn't have time to sit down and write a proper review for it, but suffice to say, it's the kind of story that stuck with me long after I finished reading it, and I found myself going back to it in my mind again and again, reflecting on many of its twists and turns.
It's one I'd definitely like to read again and perhaps the second time around, I can write a more detailed review while all the characters and events are still fresh in my mind. It was really just that good!
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