Just Read: Broken by Shiloh Walker, trade paperbackWhy I picked it up: In a word? Quinn. He was a secondary character (as well as the brother of one of the protagonists) in Shiloh's novel Fragile, and he stayed in my head long after I read that one.
What I liked: Quinn. The pace, the characters, the focus. Quinn. The slow unraveling of the mystery surrounding the female protag. Quinn. The clever plotting. Quinn. A huge twist, which if anyone gives away they should be flogged publicly while the author watches from a velvet settee as half-naked strapping young men feed her chocolates and rub her feet. Did I mention Quinn?
What I didn't like: The fact that the author got me with the end twist. I cursed like a PMSing witch on amphetamines when I reached that page, but then I had an entirely different ending figured out, and I hate to be wrong. Excellent twist, though.
Reading: Roadkill by Rob Thurman, mass market paperbackWhy I picked it up: Because if I don't read Rob Thurman every couple of months I turn an ugly color of blue and drop like a stone. Wait, that's if I stop breathing. Okay, almost the same thing happens when I don't read Rob Thurman.
What I like: You know how in some series authors don't let their young protags age or mature, and after three or four books they start reminding you of the creepy kid vampire in those Anne Rice books? Or Dick Clark? Not happening with Cal Leandros; he is definitely growing up. And without giving away spoilers, let's just say that it is quite, ah, seismic.
What I don't like: The antagonist, aptly named Plague of the World. In my defense, I have a repressed immune system, and this guy is the stuff of my very real nightmares. But why read dark urban fantasy if it can't scare at least a little of the bejesus out of you, right?
Will Read: What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool, trade paperback reprintWhy I picked this up: Our blogpal Vanessa Jaye gets the blame (again); she wrote about it and it sounded like something I'd enjoy.
What I expect to like: All the parts about Austen. I also expect vampires, zombies and other mashup creatures will not be showing up in the text and oozing all over Austen.
What I expect not to like: All the parts about Dickens. It's a grudge thing; I still haven't forgiven him for that ridiculous opener he wrote for A Tale of Two Cities.
So what books have you guys read, are reading or plan to read in the near future, and why? Let us know in comments.
Quinn... you liked Quinn. This will have me grinning for hours.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading Dreamveil. *G* by you. Twice now. And I loved it each time.
I'm also re-reading Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels books-since the next one is due out soon, so I'm on a kick.
A new UF series I'm loving (new to me)-the Magic books by Devon Monk-first one is Magic to the Bone, I think-cool twist on using magic-if you use it, it comes with a price, can make you sick, knock out your memory, that sort of think. I'm really liking it.
And again... *G* grinning ear to ear that you enjoyed Broken. Can't decide what I'm more tickled with. Having Dreamveil here for me to read, and re-read, or seeing Broken up on the blog. I think I'll call it a tie.
The book I finished and want again is DreamVeil (again, thank you - the timing of the draw was perfect and your note and bookmark were lovely and the only complaint I have is that the book came to an end). The one currently in my handbag is Fire by Kristin Cashore and the one following that is Celine Kiernan's The Poison Throne.
ReplyDeleteThe first two sound prety splendid, though I'll give the third a miss. Would Austin and Dickens get published if they were new authors today? I think not.
ReplyDeleteCurrently reading several Kate Atkinsons.
I'm dying to get my paws on Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs. Currently re-reading Zen in the Art of Writing by Bradbury. Recently finished Frostbitten by Kelly Armstrong, wherein Bigfoot is finally explained.
ReplyDeleteThat last book certainly looks interesting, I’ll be waiting for your review.
ReplyDeleteI've just read 'The Devil's Writing Dictionary' and think it's the best book for writers' I've seen. All of the other 'no-nonsense' books are always filled with copious amounts of optimism and cheesy ‘inspirational’ lines. It was very funny. The bits that made me laugh the most are the things that I do. I loved the definition of 'zone'.
I have read the first chapter of The Last Stormlord by Glenda Larke three times. Something always happens to make me put it down for several days, and when I pick it up again, I've lost the thread and have to start all over. Darn it, I want to finish the whole thing--the opening chapter was great.
ReplyDeleteJust started "Roadkill" this morning. I totally understand about what happens when you don't read Rob Thurman every couple months. Niko and Cal are great and I love how they are evolving through the series.
ReplyDeleteThe Austen-Dickens book is a good source of information about English society in the 19th century. For example, if you're reading a Regency novel and want to know when exactly the "season" was, this book will tell you.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Lynn, if you enjoy books about Austen, you should check out The Jane Austen Cookbook by Maggie Black and Deirdre Le Faye. It really does tell you what she would have eaten, with recipes.
Thanks, Lynn. I've been on the fence about reading Thurman, and now I can put him on my to-buy list for real.
ReplyDeleteI just finished the second book in Seanan McGuire's October Daye series - A Local Habitation. I just found her earlier this month and I'm hooked. Tough half-fairie private detective chick solving paranormal crime... Gimme more of that. =o)
Defeat the Darkness by Alexis Morgan. Another Paladin and it's HUNTER! PJ guy is what we all call him. He's one of those characters who showed up in an earlier book, a two line mention about a warrior who showed up to fight in PJs, sword in hand, and he just never left the imagination.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have that Austin/Dickens book and though I haven't read it cover to cover, it really is an invaluable source of information for Regency/Victorian ear stuff. Since I write in that era too, I've used it a lot. And you're right, not a Zombie in sight.
It's a beautiful thing :o)
Found this in the Just arrived section of our local library: How to Drive a Tank: and Other Everyday Tips for the Modern Gentleman by Frank Coles.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't resist it, it sounded absolutely bonkers. A gentlewoman might need to disappear without a trace, make things go boom or survive the wild just as surely as any gentleman, or writer, would.
I just finished (and loved) BROKEN as well. (You're right - there is much to love, and half of it is Quinn.)
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading CE Murphy's story in WINTER MOON. I got a late start on the Walker Papers, and am attempting to catch up.
Just started reading Mary Balogh (good rec!) and am now trying to snap up whatever I can find. Been on a romance kick. I have gotten so many good recommendations from you and the people who comment frequently, it gets me all giddy. Putting Rob Thurman and Shiloh Walker on the list.
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to Dreamveil and Silver Borne. And a bunch of others. Giddy!!
I liked the Austen/Dickens book as well. Highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteMy nighttime reading has resumed. That's when I come in late from the newspaper, get under the covers with the booklight and read, sort of like I never did when I was a kid. Picked up a Tom Holt book from the '80s, "Who's Afraid of Beowulf?". Holt's been compared to Douglas Adams and Monty Python, but I find him far more laid-back. Something of a disappointment. I'm looking for "Expecting Someone Taller," which my wife says is the best of his work.
In the meantime, I picked up the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde with "The Eyre Affair." I've read through them once, so now I'm enjoying them again. (And the library is holding his new book as well, so I'll be Ffording around for the next couple of months).
I've got Fragile on the tbr pile so I need to read that before getting Broken.
ReplyDeleteLove Rob Thurman and her Leandros brothers. Roadkill was another winner for me.
I'm currently reading Linnea Sinclair's Shades of Dark. It's very good so far but that's not a surprise.
Haven't read these books but they look interesting, especially the last one. :P Great mini reviews, I will be sure to take a look into them next time I visit the library or B&N! :D
ReplyDeleteCracked and bought Silver Borne. Totally loved it, and next year's installment in the Mercy series can't be published quick enough.
ReplyDeleteFinished Erica Orloff's Freudian Slip today. I needed a nice contemporary to break up all the uf/pnr.
I'm about to start The Devil's Playground by Jenna Black, but the book is already ruined for me now that Black's announced it will be the last in the Morgan series. Totally let down that everything is wrapped up so quickly.
I have been on a Highlander kick lately. Anything with a Scottish Hottie is game. I've been working on a family tree and as all my relatives, parents included, are from Scotland, it is a natural choice. A few authors I've read lately... Hannah Howell, Lynsay Sands, Melissa Mayhue, etc., etc.
ReplyDeleteFinished Reading: Shadowlight.
ReplyDeleteWhy I picked it up: Because you wrote it and you are one of my favorite authors and I always love your work. Because your characters sing to me.
What I liked: The storyline. Rowan. Oh my god, she is my favorite character so far out of all the books I have read. She was so real to me, I could imagine her easily. She reached out to me and I was sad to see her go.
What I didn't like: The fact that I had to stop reading about Rowan, the fact that I have to wait to finish her story...can you guess what my next book I'll be reading will be?
Reading: Dark Need and Twilight Fall!
Why I picked them up: Because anything by you I can't help but read. You inspire me everyday and I hope that one day I can be like you.
What I like: I love Sam. She is such a badass. I love how she puts Lucan in his place. Your characters, especially the women, are so strong. I always wish I could be like them. The plot is great too, but its the characters that makes your books unforgettable.
What I didn't/don't like: The fact that soon I'll be finished and I'll have to find something else!
Will Read: Dreamveil.
Why I will pick this up: Because its about Rowan...and I love Rowan. She was an amazing secondary character in Shadowlight. I couldn't stop thinking about her.
What I expect to like: Everything about her. She makes me laugh and cry and see the world differently. She is like a very good friend.
What I expect not to like: The fact that she didn't end up with who I wanted her to...but I'll get over it.
So, that's what I've been up to. As you can see Lynn I have been busy reading your stuff. I am not surprised that I love all of it. I wish I could write more like you!