Book Review — Dead Heat

Title:  Dead Heat
Author:  Patricia Briggs
Genre:  Urban Fantasy
Pages:  Paperback, 305
Publisher:  ACE Fantasy
ISBN:  978-0-425-25628-2
Opening Lines:  "The fae lord stalked back and forth in his cell of gray stone.Three steps, turn, four steps, turn, three steps."

Rating

"For once, werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles's role as his father's enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal. Or at least their visit starts out that way . . .

"Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The fae have started a cold war with humanity that's about to heat up—and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire."

~ Jacket copy

I got it in my head to finally read further into the Alpha and Omega series.  The first two books floored me, and I loved them.  Sadly, when I grabbed one of the newer ones, I couldn't fully remember what came before.  This started on a quest to read through the first books and finally catch up.  So, there you have it, that's why I picked this one up: it was the next in the series and I had to get my hands on it!

Anna has been plodding along on a gelding that she was given when she first moved to Montana.  While the worse is a good, solid animal, Charles feels that it doesn't fit her.  After receiving a call from an old friend, he decides her "need" is a good excuse to visit Arizona on the pretext of buying her an Arabian.  That, however, causes them to stumble upon a sick fae who could be threatening the Arizona pack.

This book was on par with the others.  I found myself tearing through it and enjoying it just as much.  Briggs did a wonderful job showing that Charles and Anna are finally getting to a point of being comfortable in their relationship.  In addition, it was nice to see that Charles had a life outside of being Bran's enforcer and pack treasurer.    Even though the book was as engrossing as the others, something felt a little off and forced about it.  I loved the concept of the fae Briggs created and the inherent tension after the events of the last book.  However, Briggs' love of horses seemed to overpower the actual plot.  Joseph's character and everything surrounding the Arabian ranch wasn't a vehicle that was used well.  In some respects, it felt forced and almost as though it was a side thing.  The other books felt completely seamless and all the elements blended together smoothly.  For me, this was one did not.  The characters were great, the felt fairly well developed, but . . .  My reservations aside, it was a good book and a fun read!  It helped continue to story and gave good introduction into the new issues with the fae.  It will be quite interesting to see how that turns out in later books.  It makes me wonder whether the new focus will be the publicity of the werewolves, or whether that will be completely glossed over by everything else!  

Book Review — Moon Called

Title:  Moon Called
Author:  Patricia Briggs
Genre:  Urban fantasy
Pages:  Paperback, 288
Publisher:  Ace, January 31, 2006
ISBN:  0-441-01381-3
Opening Lines:  "I didn't realize he was a werewolf at first."

Rating

"Mercy Thompson's sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf.

"She's tinkering with a VW bus at her mechanic shop that happens to belong to a vampire.

"But then, Mercy Thompson is not exactly normal herself . . . and her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble."

~ Jacket copy

My SIL gave me this book as a Christmas present, and I've been hooked since that point.  My work schedule is rather crazy, so it is rather hard to find time to just sit and relax with a book.  Wanting to finally catch up with the series, I decided to pick this book up again.  I loved it the first time and thought it would be nice to rediscover it.

After receiving a degree in History, Mercy Thompson finds herself owning her own garage and working as a mechanic.  It really was not what her mother had planned, but it pays the bills and keeps Mercy happy.  However, trouble is brewing on the horizon and shows up on her doorstep in the form of Mac, a lost werewolf.  Growing up with a Montana werewolf pack, Mercy is fully aware of the ramifications of taking Mac under her wing, but she cannot turn him down.  Unfortunately, when he is discovered, she is forced to bring Adam, the local Alpha, into the mix.  What Mercy doesn't realize is that she just stepped into large political upheaval spurned by the struggle between wolf and man.

I loved this book the first time I read it, and it still held the same appeal.  To me, it is an interesting story to have a walker raised by werewolves and completely caught up in the life and political matters of the pack while still managing to be outside of it.  It is obvious that the author has put a lot of thought into this series, as well as research.  Honestly, it's pretty nifty seeing a woman as a mechanic :)

Even though I love this book, there are points that kind of drag, and it feels a little rushed at the end.  Seeing the Marrock and pack in Montana allowed the audience to see a piece of Mercy's past and introduced them to Samuel; however, it felt as though the author could have spent less time there.  The ending, while it made sense, felt way too rushed, and I wished the author gave the audience a little more time to adjust to it.

Adam's friend will be an interesting addition, especially considering his role in revealing the werewolves to the public.  However, after being a lone wolf for so long, it seemed rather strange that he so easily accepted a pack.

There are some questions I have while re-reading it, but it was still a good read.  And, considering the fact that I don't really have time to focus fully on a book, it was wonderful to just kind of zone out into it.

I'm curious to see if the other books are just as enjoyable as the first time :)

Current Pages: 10144
Current Progress:

35/50 books

Book Review -- Summer Knight

Title: Summer Knight
Author: Jim Butcher
Genre: Urban fantasy
Pages: Paperback, 371
Published: 2002
Opening Lines: "It rained toads the day the White Council came to town."

"Ever since his girlfriend left town to deal with her newly acquired taste for blood, Harry Dresden has been down and out in Chicago. He can't even recall the last time he took a shower.

"The only professional wizard in the phone book has become a desperate man.

"And just when it seems things can't get any worse, in saunters the Winter Queen of Faerie. She has an offer Harry can't refuse if he wants to free himself of the supernatural hold his faerie godmother has over him -- and hopefully end his run of bad luck. All he has to do is find out who murdered the Summer Queen's right-hand man, the Summer Knight, and clear the Winter Queen's name.

"It seems simple enough, but Harry knows better than to get caught in the middle of faerie politics. Until he finds out that the fate of the entire world rests in his solving this case. No pressure or anything . . ."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: After the initial two books of the series, the Dresden Files have gotten better and better. But I find myself sitting in front of my computer at a complete loss for words *^_^*

Okay, what I didn't like: The fact that Harry can somehow thwart these superhuman things that even he comments are impossible. And his ability to take beatings that are insanely ridiculous and never get seriously injured.

The Good: The characters are always well thought out and engaging. For the most part, it never really feels like Butcher throws a new character into the books without giving them time to be fleshed out. He also puts a lot of thought into Harry's surroundings. I felt as though I could actually see Chicago-Over-Chicago.

The White Council are bitches. Morgan needs his ass handed to him. I miss Susan.

The book was fun and hard to put down. Since I'm reading a requested review at the same time, I need to devote more time to that, but I found myself picking up the Dresden book whenever I could justify it! Even though I enjoyed it, the ending was insane! The wizard sitting down with a pack of werewolves to role play was like a geek's wet dream. Okay, we all know we're geeks when we're reading the Dresden Files, but that was geeking in out too far for me!

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: The Taba Convention by Stephen Ayers and One Grave At a Times by Jeaniene Frost
Current Pages: 19506
Current Progress:

54/50 books

Book Review -- Kitty and the Silver Bullet

Title: Kitty and the Silver Bullet
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Genre: Urban fantasy
Pages: Paperback, 326
Published: 2008
Opening Lines: "I hated the smell of this place: concrete and institutional. Antiseptic."

"Kitty's radio show is as popular as ever and she has a boyfriend who actually seems to understand her. Can she finally settle down to a normal life? Not if this is just the calm before the storm. When her mother falls ill, Kitty rushes back to Denver -- and right back to the abusive pack of werewolves she escaped a year ago. To make matters worse, a war is brewing between the city's two oldest vampires, threatening the whole supernatural community. Though she wants to stay neutral, Kitty is again drawn into a world of politics and violence. To protect her family, her lover, and herself, she'll have to choose sides. And maybe become what she hates -- a killer."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: I don't know why this book sat on my shelf for so long! Since the first book, I have loved this series!

After refusing to help Rick get rid of Arturo, which would also require facing Carl and Meg, Kitty is forced to go back to Denver when her mother goes in for a lumpectomy. Bound and determined to stay under the radar, Kitty is approached by the agent of a famous Broadway leading lady. Seems as though she wants to "come out of the closet" about being a vampire on Kitty's show! Unfortunately, that means admitting that she is, in fact, back in town. It doesn't seem to cause too many issues, until an abused, blond werewolf shows up at KNOB. After facing abuse from Carl for a long time, Kitty feels a strong kinship to this young girl and wants to help her. And, that, is the beginning of the end.

In Kitty Takes a Holiday, I seriously wondered about Kitty being with Ben. They seemed to work, but . . . . Well, I wanted her with Cormac! I felt that this book was able to address the issues surrounding Ben and Kitty and manage to sort them out. With Cormac in prison, Ben was able to slid into that role while still being true to himself. The audience could definitely tell that the cousins spent a lot of time hunting together; however, it was obvious that Ben was not a cold blooded killer. However, he has some serious balls when the need rises!

I liked that Vaughn added in Jenny. Honestly, there was no way to make Kitty stand up to Carl and Meg. Even though she no longer wanted to be a part of that pack, she would rather run away and not face them. Meeting Jenny and trying to save her was the only thing that could have pushed Kitty to that point. And, at some level, it was inevitable if she wanted to stay and help her family.

I was a little disappointed with the final confrontation between Rick and Arturo. I completely understand why it happened the way it did, but I was hoping for more of a vampire knock-down-drag-out.

Carl finally showed his true colours. A bully is nothing but a coward when actually confronted and cornered. He wanted nothing more than to save his own skin, and I'm not surprised. Even though I would have liked Kitty to kick his ass, the way it ended was fitting.

It was nice to see that she decided to follow in Ahmed's footsteps with New Moon ^_^

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Not sure
Current Pages: 17948
Current Progress:

49/50 books