Book Reviews

Published by Tor Books, New York, 2009
I bought this book because I love to read a fantasy crime novel from time to time. And it started all right, a teenage princess run away, and the murder of a king's infant son, and Eddy LaCrosse, a veteran soldier with a dark past who works as a private investigator, starts his search.
The world-building was solid, the characters interesting, the story fast-paced. About half the book passed very enjoyably, I was about to give praise to the author and his writing.
Then he introduced a goddess. Which spoiled everything, at least to me. A goddess involved in crime? How is a mere human to compete? Predictably the goddess influenced the crime as well as the investigation and was also able to see and influence parts of the future, which robbed the story of suspense. There was no other possible outcome, she had to win.

Had the author stuck to his first idea and this goddess never existed, I would have loved the book. So it's a so-so read. Makes just two stars out of five this time.

Published by Ace Books, New York, 2010
One of my favorite authors. So yes, I'll praise this book. These novels of the edge sprout magic, very detailed world-building, a lot of action and a believable love-story, a combination which makes for a very entertaining read (urban fantasy). The heroine has a very quirky family, and her lover is a werewolf. Ad to that a a desperate struggle for survival, some monsters and some magicians, and politics in between, and you get much, much action. A pity Ilona Andrews can't write faster, I could read one of her books ervery week.
So it gets five stars out of five. Thumbs up for this lovely read!

Published by Millenium Books, London, 1996
Yes, I know. Not a newly published book. But hey, I'm a starving author. Need to save money, so I often buy books second-hand.
And- I equally know- this isn't erotic fiction. I hate to disappoint you, dear reader, but sometimes I like good old-fashioned action and romance. This book has both. A very sweet love-story, a fair mix of action and good world-building. Extinct races, war, religious fanaticism, the conflict of cultures, of personal freedom against governmental regulations, a coming-of-age story of a music loving girl, the pain of her father when he has to accept that his daughter is growing up, and not only that, but that she is in love as well. In love to a fugitive musician, and in love with music itself.
Enough for more than one story, you should think. Well, the story-telling ist good enough for an interesting read, but not stellar. I always had the feeling: you did read this elsewhere, you can predict what will happen, the characters are missing something. I do think that this book could have been really good with about 50 pages more and an author who would have dared to cross some lines.
It's good, but it had the potential to be much better.
So I give this book three and a half stars out of five.
Still, I enjoyed the read.

Published 2010 by Bantam/Dell Books NY, paperback

I had a hard time putting this book down, so fascinating was the dark paranormal world of the Fae in modern Dublin. Fae who are not just dangerous, but lethal to all humankind. The heroine has to fight them at all costs. Costs which do already include the life of her elder sister. A love-interest also pops up, but stays in the initial stages. Erotic is also between these pages, and definitely a bit more than just initial. You want to know more? Go and read the book. An absolute must-have. Lucky me- there are two more of this series already!

Gets five out of five stars.

Did I tell you already that I love this book? Did I?

Published 2011 by the author, free ebook
A paranormal kid, abducted and forced to work for the killer of her whole family. What will she do when she's a grown woman and recognises a chance for retaliation?
This is a nice little story, well written, good book cover, and the best of all: you can get it for free. Just visit the author's website: http://kaitnolan.com/my-fiction/blindsight-mirus-short-freebie/

That said, there is one huge drawback to this ebook: it reads like the first chapter of a book, not like a short story which stands alone. Well, as I understand the author, she's giving away this ebook for free to give people a test of her work and her worldbuilding abilities. And that is exactly what it does, and this it does well. Just that I would never call this a book.

Therefore I give it four out of five stars, even if the writing merits more.

Published 2009, Berkley, New York

Definitely a good read. That´s the kind of vampires I love: dangerous, good looking hunks with manners. And some elfs who aren't nice and sweet and all sugar, but deathly predators. And some werewolves and werepanthers. Plus witches. With all these people and a fast moving plot I got a nice one-night read without missing a totaly convincing heroine too much.

Yeah, the woman could have had a tiny little bit more flesh and character, but she still had enough to keep me page-turning. Plus some nice vanilla sex.

I'll give it four of five stars.

Published 2009 by Orbit, London

Nice. Not my favorite read, but nice.

Take a young princess of a fantastic world, add parents who don't seem to understand her, teachers who don't seem to understand her either, friends who don't behave as she expects, friends who are no friends at all, a magic library, some magicians, demons, a dragon and a very innocent love-affair, and you have all the ingredients of a good coming-of-age Young Adult novel. No more, no less.

Besides, the author is very good at world-building.

Gets three Stars out of five.

The last book I finished before I started this blog. Kim Harrison always makes for an entertaining read. Fast action, kick-ass heroine, sharp dialogs. These are things I love.
The heroine Rachel Morgan is caught between authorities, vampires, demons, boy-friends and family trouble. Not to forget that she's a witch. Supposedly a white witch. Well, a white witch who pacts with demons. Not so white at all?
The book is part of a series which I recommend wholeheartedly. Won´t tell you more, you don´t want so start this with a spoiler. If you didn´t read this Series already, start with "Dead Witch Walking".

Rating: Five of five points.