Showing posts with label Urban Fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Urban Fantasy. Show all posts
Friday, 10 May 2013
Ashley Parker Novels
The Ashley Parker Novels chronicle the adventures of... you guessed it, Ashley Parker. Ashley is a 29 year old liberal arts major at the university. Zombies attack her and her boyfriend on a picnic, when she discovers she is a wild card, immune to zombie bites and stronger than a normal human. She and the other wild cards have to fight the zombies to save humanity. A series by Dana Fredsti, it currently has 3 books in it:
Plague Town (1)
Plague Nation (2)
Plague World (3)
Happy zombie-filled reading,
Astarte
Monday, 22 April 2013
Plague Town
Hello everyone.
An Ashley Parker novel, Plague Town is the story of (who would have guessed?) Ashley Parker, a twenty-nine year old university student. Dana Fredsti's book is the equiavlent of a shoot-'em-up movie, with zombies thrown in.
There is a whole lot of 'I'm a normal person' that ends up in a government military position because, once again, who would have guessed, Ashley is immune to the zombie bites. In another totally-unseen plot twist, the hot jerk she met at the beginning of the book ends up being her boyfriend by the end since her previous boyfriend inconviently got eaten by zombies. Furthermore, the great big revelation at the end of the book -how the zombies started this time- could be worked out in the first three chapters. The second great big revelation comes about two thirds of the way through the book, and that you could have figured out by chapter 5. I was kind of hoping for a more mature character, considering her age, but Ashley reacts, sadly, like your average lame 'heroine' (read, I'm the main female character, but there are always men coming to save me) in current YA reads. Her only redeeming action as a character came with the cats (if you read the book, you'll understand)
A terrible plot, and it's never going to win literature awards, but it's ok as a quick entertaining read, much like a made-for-TV shoot-'em-up movie.
2 stars
Astarte
There is a whole lot of 'I'm a normal person' that ends up in a government military position because, once again, who would have guessed, Ashley is immune to the zombie bites. In another totally-unseen plot twist, the hot jerk she met at the beginning of the book ends up being her boyfriend by the end since her previous boyfriend inconviently got eaten by zombies. Furthermore, the great big revelation at the end of the book -how the zombies started this time- could be worked out in the first three chapters. The second great big revelation comes about two thirds of the way through the book, and that you could have figured out by chapter 5. I was kind of hoping for a more mature character, considering her age, but Ashley reacts, sadly, like your average lame 'heroine' (read, I'm the main female character, but there are always men coming to save me) in current YA reads. Her only redeeming action as a character came with the cats (if you read the book, you'll understand)
A terrible plot, and it's never going to win literature awards, but it's ok as a quick entertaining read, much like a made-for-TV shoot-'em-up movie.
2 stars
Astarte
Saturday, 9 March 2013
Charmfall
Hello, fellow book-devourers!
Book 3 in Chloe Neill's series the Dark Elite finally managed to get off my to-read shelf and into my currently reading one (I love Goodreads).
Lily Parker, an Adept with firespell is all psyched up to go to the school dance with her werewolf boyfriend. There hasn't been a lot of activity lately from the Reapers, so the only thing on her mind is her dress. Then, when an attack happens at the school, Lily's powers are gone. Who's taken all the powers of the Chicago Dark Elite, and why? And can Sebastian be trusted to help?
This book was engrossing enough to pull me away from the daily worries, but not so much that I had to finish it before I did anything else. The relationships here are done really well, much better than the first two books (in my opinion) There's the tension between Lily and Jason when the Sebastian issue is brought into the open is really good, and seems true to the characters. I also like what happens with Veronica. Either she subconsciously knows that she owes Lily, or Nicu is just a good influence (I know, we're all laughing) but she seems a whole lot nicer in this book. As a character, I think she's got a whole lot of potential, particualrily when we learn why Nicu is drawn to her.
According to Chloe Neill's website, there are 'no current plans for a fourth book.' I think the series still had a way to go, but maybe she'll come back to it later :)
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Lily Parker, an Adept with firespell is all psyched up to go to the school dance with her werewolf boyfriend. There hasn't been a lot of activity lately from the Reapers, so the only thing on her mind is her dress. Then, when an attack happens at the school, Lily's powers are gone. Who's taken all the powers of the Chicago Dark Elite, and why? And can Sebastian be trusted to help?
This book was engrossing enough to pull me away from the daily worries, but not so much that I had to finish it before I did anything else. The relationships here are done really well, much better than the first two books (in my opinion) There's the tension between Lily and Jason when the Sebastian issue is brought into the open is really good, and seems true to the characters. I also like what happens with Veronica. Either she subconsciously knows that she owes Lily, or Nicu is just a good influence (I know, we're all laughing) but she seems a whole lot nicer in this book. As a character, I think she's got a whole lot of potential, particualrily when we learn why Nicu is drawn to her.
According to Chloe Neill's website, there are 'no current plans for a fourth book.' I think the series still had a way to go, but maybe she'll come back to it later :)
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Rachel Vincent
Hello, fellow book-devourers!
Rachel Vincent is the author of the Soul Screamers series, Shifters series and the Unbound series. My favourite part so far from looking her up to write this post is something on her website, which you find here, which is she 'remains convinced that for every day she spend writing, one day will be added to her lifespan' I like the originality of that.
Unbound Series:
Blood Bound (1)
Shadow Bound (2)
Oath Bound (3)
Soul Screamer Series:
My Soul to Lose (0.5)
My Soul to Take (1)
My Soul to Save (2)
My Soul to Keep (3)
Reaper (3.5)
My Soul to Steal (4)
A Day in the Afterlife of Tod (4.1)
If I Die (5)
Never to Sleep (5.5)
Before I Wake (6)
With All My Soul (7)
Shifters Series:
Stray (1)
Rogue (2)
Pride (3)
Prey (4)
Shift (5)
Alpha (6)
On top of all these, she's also got stuff in a bunch of anthologies.
Rachel Vincent website: http://www.rachelvincent.com/
An older blog, last updated July 2012: http://rkvincent.wordpress.com/
Her new blog: http://www.rachelvincent.com/blog/
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Rachel Vincent is the author of the Soul Screamers series, Shifters series and the Unbound series. My favourite part so far from looking her up to write this post is something on her website, which you find here, which is she 'remains convinced that for every day she spend writing, one day will be added to her lifespan' I like the originality of that.
Unbound Series:
Blood Bound (1)
Shadow Bound (2)
Oath Bound (3)
Soul Screamer Series:
My Soul to Lose (0.5)
My Soul to Take (1)
My Soul to Save (2)
My Soul to Keep (3)
Reaper (3.5)
My Soul to Steal (4)
A Day in the Afterlife of Tod (4.1)
If I Die (5)
Never to Sleep (5.5)
Before I Wake (6)
With All My Soul (7)
Shifters Series:
Stray (1)
Rogue (2)
Pride (3)
Prey (4)
Shift (5)
Alpha (6)
On top of all these, she's also got stuff in a bunch of anthologies.
Rachel Vincent website: http://www.rachelvincent.com/
An older blog, last updated July 2012: http://rkvincent.wordpress.com/
Her new blog: http://www.rachelvincent.com/blog/
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
The Water Witch
Hello, fellow book-devourers!
The Water Witch, book 2 in the Fairwick Chronicles penned by Juliet Dark, has Callie caught between promises she made to various people. These promises threaten to tear her her friends away from her. Whilst fighting for the people she's grown to care about, their is her own strange powers to be dealt with, and handsome strangers are popping up all over the place more than happy to help. When all's said and done, which way will Callie's heart turn?
Loved it. A brilliant sequel to The Demon Lover, it has Callie making up with Liam again, which was great. It also expands on Fairwick and some of its unique problems and history, which builds upon the setting and makes it seem more real. The relationships here are exquisite, with the right amount of tension and sweet moments to make them perfect.
4.9 stars
Now just waiting for The Hallowed Door (book 3) which won't be out until Septemeber.
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
The Water Witch, book 2 in the Fairwick Chronicles penned by Juliet Dark, has Callie caught between promises she made to various people. These promises threaten to tear her her friends away from her. Whilst fighting for the people she's grown to care about, their is her own strange powers to be dealt with, and handsome strangers are popping up all over the place more than happy to help. When all's said and done, which way will Callie's heart turn?
Loved it. A brilliant sequel to The Demon Lover, it has Callie making up with Liam again, which was great. It also expands on Fairwick and some of its unique problems and history, which builds upon the setting and makes it seem more real. The relationships here are exquisite, with the right amount of tension and sweet moments to make them perfect.
4.9 stars
Now just waiting for The Hallowed Door (book 3) which won't be out until Septemeber.
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Monday, 4 February 2013
The Demon Lover
Greetings, fellow book-devourers!
The Demon Lover, book one in the Fairwick Chronicles by Juliet Dark, tells of Cailleach (pronounced Kay-lex) McFay who accepts a teaching job at a university in the middle of nowhere. Soon after arriving in Fairwick, Callie starts having erotic dreams. The local witches (who happen to consist of her dean, a colleague and the inn-keeper) intervene and banish the incubus who had possessed her. So why does Callie think something's up with the new professor?
I really liked this book. I ended up stopping everything and just reading it, with the old 'I'll just finish this chapter.' Yeah... I finished the book first :) I like how there is an obvious good guy and bad guy in the beginning, but by the end it starts to get greyer as Callie experiences more. I'm so glad I have the second book, The Water Witch, as I'm really excited to see where this goes.
4.8 stars
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
The Demon Lover, book one in the Fairwick Chronicles by Juliet Dark, tells of Cailleach (pronounced Kay-lex) McFay who accepts a teaching job at a university in the middle of nowhere. Soon after arriving in Fairwick, Callie starts having erotic dreams. The local witches (who happen to consist of her dean, a colleague and the inn-keeper) intervene and banish the incubus who had possessed her. So why does Callie think something's up with the new professor?I really liked this book. I ended up stopping everything and just reading it, with the old 'I'll just finish this chapter.' Yeah... I finished the book first :) I like how there is an obvious good guy and bad guy in the beginning, but by the end it starts to get greyer as Callie experiences more. I'm so glad I have the second book, The Water Witch, as I'm really excited to see where this goes.
4.8 stars
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Monday, 28 January 2013
Black Wings Series
Written by Christina Henry, these books follow Madeline Black, an Agent of Death who must battle for her freedom and those she loves
Black Wings (1)
Black Night (2)
Black Howl (3)
Black Lament (4)
Black City (5)
May this series leave you no longer bored for books!
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Black Wings (1)
Black Night (2)
Black Howl (3)
Black Lament (4)
Black City (5)
May this series leave you no longer bored for books!
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Urban Fantasy
Black Lament
The Water Witch
The Demon Lover
Hopefully these will whet your appetite for Urban Fantasy, and bust that bored for books feeling!
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
The Water Witch
The Demon Lover
Hopefully these will whet your appetite for Urban Fantasy, and bust that bored for books feeling!
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Christina Henry
Black Wings Series
Black Wings (1)
Black Night (2)
Black Howl (3)
Black Lament (4)
Black City (5)
Christina Henry's website: http://www.christinahenry.net/
Get your fix of Christina Henry, guaranteed to cure any bored for books symtoms!
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Black Wings (1)
Black Night (2)
Black Howl (3)
Black Lament (4)
Black City (5)
Christina Henry's website: http://www.christinahenry.net/
Get your fix of Christina Henry, guaranteed to cure any bored for books symtoms!
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Black Lament
Hello, fellow book-devourers!
Just gobbled up Black Lament by Christina Henry. This is the fourth book in the Black Wings series starring Madeline Black.
Gabriel, her husband, has just been murdered in front of her and Maddy's grief stricken. Her strength to carry on is mostly because Lucifer (yes, THAT Lucifer) her many-times-over-grandfather reveals that she is pregnant. Never-the-less, there's a blood price on her head that the fairy courts are more than happy to try to claim, her father, Azazel, to extract vengeance upon, Agents to rescue, old enemies to reconcile with and her Agency gig to keep track of through space-time portals, all whilst trying to figure out how she'll raise her child.
In short, Maddy's a pretty kick-arse heroine.
I cried at the end of the last book in this series, Black Howl, and was hoping for more of that emotive writing in this one. I didn't get it though. Maddy's emotions are mostly pushed to the side in order to survive all the battles that she faces. What emotion is in there is rather poorly written, being rather obvios such as complaining of hormones, stating that she is sobbing, and many, many comments on how confused she is about Nathaniel.
This isn't to say that the book was bad. There was still lots of wit that left me howling with laughter, and plenty of action. I just would have liked a bit more grief over Gabriel.
The characters stayed true to the most part. Maddy has changed a lot since Black Wings, but you couldn't expect anything less. Nathaniel had some character depth building scenes, which will be quite interesting to see where that goes.
Overall, 4.5 stars
Book 5, Black City, will be released on the 26th of February, 2013. Until then, there are new books being put up, so you won't be bored for books!
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
Just gobbled up Black Lament by Christina Henry. This is the fourth book in the Black Wings series starring Madeline Black.Gabriel, her husband, has just been murdered in front of her and Maddy's grief stricken. Her strength to carry on is mostly because Lucifer (yes, THAT Lucifer) her many-times-over-grandfather reveals that she is pregnant. Never-the-less, there's a blood price on her head that the fairy courts are more than happy to try to claim, her father, Azazel, to extract vengeance upon, Agents to rescue, old enemies to reconcile with and her Agency gig to keep track of through space-time portals, all whilst trying to figure out how she'll raise her child.
In short, Maddy's a pretty kick-arse heroine.
I cried at the end of the last book in this series, Black Howl, and was hoping for more of that emotive writing in this one. I didn't get it though. Maddy's emotions are mostly pushed to the side in order to survive all the battles that she faces. What emotion is in there is rather poorly written, being rather obvios such as complaining of hormones, stating that she is sobbing, and many, many comments on how confused she is about Nathaniel.
This isn't to say that the book was bad. There was still lots of wit that left me howling with laughter, and plenty of action. I just would have liked a bit more grief over Gabriel.
The characters stayed true to the most part. Maddy has changed a lot since Black Wings, but you couldn't expect anything less. Nathaniel had some character depth building scenes, which will be quite interesting to see where that goes.
Overall, 4.5 stars
Book 5, Black City, will be released on the 26th of February, 2013. Until then, there are new books being put up, so you won't be bored for books!
Many witty ripostes,
Astarte
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