Book Review — Storm Born

Title:  Storm Born
Author:  Richelle Mead
Genre:  Urban fantasy/paranormal romance
Pages:  Paperback, 361
Published:  August 2008
Publisher:  Zebra
ISBN:  0-4201-2579-6
Rating:

" Eugenie Markham is a powerful shaman who does a brisk trade banishing spirits and fey who cross into the mortal world. Mercenary, yes, but a girl's got to eat. Her most recent case, however, is enough to ruin her appetite. Hired to find a teenager who has been taken to the Otherworld, Eugenie comes face to face with a startling prophecy—one that uncovers dark secrets about her past and claims that Eugenie's first-born will threaten the future of the world as she knows it.

"Now Eugenie is a hot target for every ambitious demon and Otherworldy ne'er-do-well, and the ones who don't want to knock her up want her dead. Eugenie handles a Glock as smoothly as she wields a wand, but she needs some formidable allies for a job like this. She finds them in Dorian, a seductive fairy king with a taste for bondage, and Kiyo, a gorgeous shape-shifter who redefines animal attraction. But with enemies growing bolder and time running out, Eugenie realizes that the greatest danger is yet to come, and it lies in the dark powers that are stirring to life within her . . ."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts:  I've wanted to read the Georgia Kincaid series for awhile; however, this book ended up in my hands first.  Having no experience with Mead before this, I cannot compare Storm Born to the other series.  A lot of reviews online say that something was lost between the Kincaid series and this one.  Unfortunately, I cannot address that.  That being said, I did enjoy this book.

Even though the plot was an old tried-and-true storyline, I felt that Mead was able to give it her own voice.  The land of the Otherworld being a living thing and choosing the ruler reminded me of older myths.  Calling on that gave the story a little more authority.  Further, it was an interesting idea to have the gentry/fairies have their own unique powers and not just the ambiguous magic.  Even though Dorian was strong, he could only control things related to earth.  The same went for Aeson and the other gentry Eugenie dealt with.

To me, little character quirks really flesh out a character.  Eugenie's obsession with puzzles made her more real and down to earth.  It made her not too big and too bad.  It reminded me of Anita Blake's her love for penguins and crazy coffee mugs.

The character development felt a little uneven.  Mead did a good job with Eugenie and an excellent job with Dorian.  However, she didn't spend anytime with Kiyo.  For a guy who was Eugenie's final choice, it would have made sense for Mead to spend a lot of time on him.  Further, if Kiyo loved her as much as he professed, why did he never spend time wooing her?  Dorian, while well within his rights to refuse her requests, moved heaven and earth (literally earth) for her.  Yet, through all of that, she still decided to distrust him.  In the end, Kiyo ended up getting on my nerves and pissing me off.

I loved how Mead wrote Dorian.  In his behavior and moods, he seemed to really exemplify the playful and mischievous nature of the sidhe in Celtic myth.  I am very curious to see him in later books.   

The whole rape storyline pissed me off.  Even though Mead explained the reason behind it, I felt it was weak.  In addition, it felt as though she should be honored that she was so desired for her bloodline and her womb.  At what point should a woman feel honored because people want to rape her?  That is ludicrous! 

Eugenie (despite the awful name) is a powerful heroine; however, I am afraid that her connection with Kiyo will just weaken her.  It will be interesting to see how the following books show her progression in magic and her new role.    

Current Pages: 1455
Current Progress:

5/50 books

Book Review -- One Grave at a Time

Title: One Grave at a Time
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: Paperback, 358
Published: 2011
Opening Lines: "Donald Batholomew Williams, get your ass back here now!"

"Having narrowly averted an (under)World War, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans's voodoo queen just keeps on giving -- leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit.

"Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk al to send him back to the other side of eternity -- forever. But one wrong step and they'll be digging their own graves."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: It is no understatement when I say that I love this series! I could hardly wait for this book to finally hit the shelves! So it is hard for me to admit that I felt this book to be a little lacking :(

I have to preface this, it is nice to see Cat and Bones finally not facing perilous, life and death, undead world ending situations, etc. However, it did kind of make the book slow and not as thrilling. I felt that the villains weren't up to par with the previous books. Kramer was a cool idea, but I felt he kind of fell flat. The constant badgering felt as though Frost didn't know what to do with him. Also, while I didn't necessarily like the introduction of Madigan along with Kramer, he just kind of disappeared off the map after the cave adventure. Wtf? I figure that she is going to throw him into future books, but the way we were left hanging with the whole Don issue and Madigan just felt disappointing and a bad plot maneuver.

Bones and Cat didn't have all the funny and playful banter I loved in the previous books. The lack almost made it wonder if it was their response to extreme danger and death, instead of something they shared. Also, the steam wasn't there! Okay, there were some really good build ups that got interrupted, and it really pissed me off. When things finally got heated between the two, it was a real let down. I'm sorry, but the idea of flying and fucking just seemed stupid and campy.

I did enjoy the book, but not nearly as much as previous ones. I'm hoping that they pick up; however, she might be spending her energy on the next series featuring Vlad. Even though I adore Cat and Bones -- mostly Bones >:) -- I am curious to see how the new series turns out! In the previous books, Vlad was pretty damn sexy himself!

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Married with Zombies by Jesse Petersen
Current Pages: 19864
Current Progress:

55/50 books

Book Review -- Shadowfever

Title: Shadowfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Genre: Paranormal romance, urban fantasy
Pages: Hardback 594
Published: 2011
Opening Lines: "You wish to know me?"

"Evil is a completely different creature, Mac. Evil is bad that believes it's good."

"MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina, were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever.

"Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister's murder. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals who have lived concealed among us for thousands of years.

"What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh -- a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King, containing the power to create and destroy worlds.

"In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turns on Mac and begins a deadly path through those she loves.

"Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman haunting her dreams? More important, who is Mac and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card?"

~Jacket copy

Thoughts: After stopping myself from throwing the fourth book across the room and screaming in frustration, I informed my hubby that I was taking the car and shelling out $26 for the next book. Once I hit the end of the book, I was not disappointed. However, there were a few hitches for me in the process of getting there.

In the beginning of the book, I hated Mac. Considering what had happened, I completely understood, but I still felt that she was devolving into her old immature self. Granted, it was a changed and darker Mac, but, to me, she was essentially the same. She constantly convinced herself of the "rightness" of her actions by cocooning herself in Barrons' advice; however, it was obvious to me that she never truly listened or understood what he was trying to tell her. Yes, how we survive is important, but ultimately sacrificing who you are, denying part of yourself, killing part of yourself, isn't worth it. And, honestly, while he was honoured by her devotion, I don't think Barrons would have wanted to see her do that to herself.

However, after Darroc is no longer in the picture, I start to like Mac a lot better. When she finally starts facing who she truly is, she finally starts growing up again. I can see, in some ways, how Moning could make the argument that Mac needed to go through a hell to become refined and tempered.

A lot of the reviews I have read are mad that Moning didn't really tell the audience who/what Barrons is. To me, I don't feel as though I missed something. I don't feel that she chickened out and couldn't deliver. In fact, I feel that it was an important part of the story. In some ways, it would ruin the mystique of Barrons character to know everything. The problems I had were with Christian and not knowing what truly happened to him. Okay, you can make a damn good educated guess, but I want to know why.

The twist in the cave in the final moments with the Sinsar Dubh, V'Lane, the Dreamy-Eyed Boy, etc., was masterful! From the time he showed up calling Mac "Beautiful Girl," I knew DEB had a part to play. However, even though I guessed, I didn't fully see it coming until the audience was hit with the whammy.

In the end, she left some things open. The big one is that Dani and Mac never confront the issue between them. However, I didn't feel cheated by this. Something about the ending and Mac's understanding of what really happened left me knowing that things would be alright in the end. At the end, things were not perfect, but it definitely was a fairy tale (no pun intended ^_~).

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix
Current Pages: 16868
Current Progress:

46/50 books

Book Review -- Dreamfever

Title: Dreamfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Genre: Paranormal romance, urban fantasy
Pages: paperback, 453
Published: 2009
Opening Lines: "Death. Pestilence. Famine."

They may have stolen my past, but I'll never let them take my future.

"When the walls between Man and Fae come crashing down, freeing the insatiable, immortal Unseelie from their icy prison, MacKayla Lane is caught in a deadly trap. Captured by the Fae Lord Master, she is left with no memory of who or what she is: the only sidhe-seer alive who can track the Sinsar Dubh, a book of arcane black magic that holds the key to controlling both worlds.

"Clawing her way back from oblivion is only the first step Mac must take down a perilous path, from the battle-filled streets of Dublin to the treacherous politics of an ancient, secret sect, through the tangled lies of men who claim to be her allies into the illusory world of the Fae themselves, where nothing is as it seems -- and Mac is forced to face a soul-shattering truth.

"Who do you trust when you can't even trust yourself?"

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: *screams* WTF?! Waking up this morning, I was excited to have about 20 more pages left to the book. *sigh* I counted wrong . . . I had 5. When I finished, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to throw the book or the author across the room. Holy cow, talk about a horrible way to end the book! I'm glad I only have to wait until this afternoon to get the last installment from the bookstore. Granted, I don't want to drop $26 with our mortgage payment coming due, but sheesh!!! Who the hell ends a book like that?!

After ending with Mac in the custody of the Unseelie princes and the Lord Master and being Pri-ya, I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I knew that Barrons would end up coming in and saving the day, but I didn't see the spunky Dani being the savior! The more the book progresses, the more I adore that girl! I was pleasantly surprised that the first few chapters follow her. However, she is a little hard to follow ^_~

Honestly, the time spent between Barrons and Mac, in the beginning, was my favorite. The image of Barrons dancing naked to Tubthumping by The Offpsring was enough to make me laugh and feel a deep welling of emotion for the man.

"You're leaving me, Rainbow Girl." (56)

If it's possible, through those few chapters, I think I fell in love with Jericho Barrons. His actions towards Mac were simply and utterly a pure demonstration of love. It was beautiful.

I don't like what Mac went through, but in some ways I really am glad she has grown up even more. Some of her strategy with Rowena are childish, as well as some of the examples she sets for Dani. However, after talking with Kat and working with Dani, she seems to start growing up on a different level. Also, the fact that her ordeal has started to awaken something even more powerful in her is interesting. I honestly wish she had chosen to plunge the depths of her sidhe-seer place and see what was waiting for her.

All in all, this series has gotten progressively better. With each book, my opinion has been raised! I started out the series hating Jericho -- yes, he is still an ass, but with a heart -- and Mac, now I think they are starting to turn into well-rounded, deep characters. With the opening of the walls, Moning has expanded her writing style to encompass a rich landscape for the books, and I feel she has definitely risen to the challenge. From Darkfever to this book, it is obvious to me that her writing style has definitely matured. Good job, Karen!

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
Current Pages: 16274
Current Progress:

45/50 books

Book Review -- Faefever

Title: Faefever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Genre: Paranormal romance, urban fantasy
Pages: Paperback, 370
Published: 2008
Opening lines: "I'd die for him.
"No, wait a minute . . . that's not where this is supposed to begin."

He calls me his queen of the night. I'd die for him. I'd kill or him, too

"When MacKayla Lane receives a page torn from her dead sister's journal, she is stunned by Alina's desperate words. And now MacKayla knows that her sister's killer is close. But evil is closer. And suddenly the sidhe-seer is on the hunter: For answers. For revenge. And for an ancient book of dark magic so evil that it corrupts anyone who touches it.

"Mac's quest for the Sinsar Dubh takes her into the mean, shapeshifting streets of Dublin, with a suspicious cop on her tail. Forced into a dangerous triangle of alliance with V'Lane, a lethal Fae prince, and Jericho Barrons, a man of deadly secrets, Mac is soon locked in a battle for her body, mind, and soul."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: After the way the previous book ended, I'm glad we didn't make it to the library in time to pick up my current hold! Now I only wish I didn't have it sitting on my coffee table waiting for me to read! Dreamfever is currently sitting next to it, begging me to pick it up instead of the classic. Dammit! Arg!

It's hard to say too much about these books without giving everything away. The transitions between books feels pretty seamless. I don't feel as if I've lost any time; however, I have read the last two books in succession During the course of the series, Mac has progressively grownup. It is nice to see character growth and not have some static annoyance. I also like the evolution of her relationship with V'Lane and his attempts to woo her. At this point, however, my favorite character is Dani, and I cannot wait to see how she will grow and progress in the last two books.

The deeper Moning goes into the books' history of the Fae makes it more and more interesting. I'm not very well versed in some of the background, so I am by far not an authority as far as the accuracy to myth, but the creation of the Unseelie was quite unique and interesting. To me, it added more depth to the courts and made it far more imperative to find the Book.

"Liminal" is a fascinating word. Times can be liminal: Twilight is the transition from day to night; midnight is the crack between one day and the next; equinoxes and solstices and New Year's Day are all thresholds.

Liminal can also be a state of consciousness: for example, those moments between waking and sleeping, also known as threshold consciousness, or hypnagogia, a state during which a person might think herself fully alert, but is actually actively engaged in dreaming. This is the time that a lot of people report a convulsive jerk, or a feeling of physically falling.

Places can be liminal: airports with people constantly coming and going, but never staying. People, too, can be liminal: Teens, like Dani, are temporarily stuck between child and adult. Fictional characters are often Liminal Beings, archetypes that straddle two worlds, marking or guarding thresholds or are physically divided by two states of existence.

Between-ness is a defining characteristic of liminal. Limbo is another. Liminal is neither here nor there but exists between one moment and the next, poised in that pause where what's passing hasn't yet become what's becoming. Liminal is a magical time, a dangerous time, fraught with possibility . . . and peril. (326, 327)

That is the perfect summation of the entire book, without giving anything away. I cannot wait to dive into the next book. With the ending of Faefever, I cannot even begin to imagine what will happen! But, alas, my library hold came in . . .

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Current Pages: 15656
Current Progress:

43/50 books

Book Review -- Bloodfever

Title: Bloodfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: Paperback, 337
Published: 2007
Opening lines: "All of us have our little problems ans insecurities. I'm no different."

"MacKayla Lane's ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland's shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets.

"In her flight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh -- a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both the worlds of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V'Lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious.

"For centuries the shadow realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them . . ."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: After really detesting the first book, I was surprised that this one was a lot better. However, according to a lot of negative reviews I read, the series does get better. With that in mind, I was willing to give it a chance.

This book picks up after the adventures of the last book. Mac is still working with Barron trying to find the Sinsar Dubh. However, after a few run-ins with a seemingly crazy old woman, Mac learns that she is no alone in the world. There is actually an organization of sidhe-seers, and they want her to join. Holding an abbey worth of ancient information and a network of sisterhood over her head, Mac is forced to decide whose loyalties to follow.

After the first book, Mac has grown up a lot. I suppose a near-death experience was enough to rattle her cage. Unwilling to stay in the dark, she spends her time trying to learn as much as she can about the world she has been trust into. However, she still has a lot to learn. She is learning that she is stronger than her had originally thought. She is also coming to terms with the fact that she was adopted.

I admit, I still don't like Jericho Barrons. However, by the end of the book, he has started to grow on me. I understand that he wants to keep Mac safe, but the way he treats her upsets me. It was good to see that she is finally starting to grow a little backbone when it comes to him. Even though he is an asshole, I found myself hoping they would tumble into the sake by the end of the book *sheepish grin*

And Christian! Doesn't it make Mac stop and wonder why a HUMAN has GOLD/AMBER eyes? Doesn't that seem rather strange?

The deeper the book delves into the Fae realm and lore really kept the book going for me. I liked the concept that before Faeries become mad, they drink from The Cauldron to restart their life anew. Also the eating of the Unseelie.

Needless to say, after reading this book, I am actually pretty curious about the next book.

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Don't know
Current Pages: 15286
Current Progress:

42/50 books

Book Review -- Darkfever

Title: Darkfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Genre: Paranormal romance, urban fantasy
Pages: Hardback, 304
Published: 2006
Opening Lines: "My philosophy is pretty simple -- any day nobody's trying to kill me is a good day in my book."

"McKayla Lane's life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she's your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman.

"Or so she thinks . . . until something extraordinary happens.

"When she sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death -- a cryptic message on Mac's cell phone -- mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister's killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed -- a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: A friend of mind suggested this series to me quite some time ago. To be honest, I picked up the book several times, but never really did much more. However, last week, my father informed me that he had just finished the wholes series and loved it. I was intrigued (Honestly, I'm still wondering why he enjoyed it . . . *scratches head*). Luckily, being poor and out of work, the library had it! Score!

I felt that Moning did a good job researching faery lore. Seriously considering getting advanced degrees in Medieval Studies, I have taken some heavy-duty mythology courses, Arthurian legends, etc., so I am extremely familiar with this subject matter. It was refreshing to see that she actually put the time into her book. I also appreciated that she checked the pronunciation sidhe. I admit, I am a stickler with a stick up my ass *^_^* Anyways, I also appreciated that she was careful not to label the Seelie court as "good". However, the concept of the Fae being aliens was rather strange and a bit different.

Aside from that, I really didn't like the characters. Mac was downright annoying! My mother says, "Honey, she's a Southern Bell." I think that is letting her get off easily and an insult to Southern Bells. Yes, Mac has not been out in the world, but common sense shouldn't be that hard to come by. To be honest, I really cannot stand that in characters. It makes it impossible for me to feel any connection to them.

And don't get me started on Jericho Barrons! He is the typical hero in romance: devilish good looks, closed-off, out for number one, older, wiser, teacher, mysterious back story, exotic, aloof, and a complete asshole! All he has going for him is the mysterious back story. I kept wondering when something might crop up that would give some hint as to his identity, but it never happened. Even though he seems to understand what is occurring in Mac's changing world, I don't understand why she runs to him. After the encounter where she is staying, she should have written him off. This isn't even touching how he treats her through the rest of the book.

Now the sex. Um, yeah . . . Getting masturbated by a "death-by-sex" Fae in a public museum with a pearl bracelet/necklace is a little much for me. I understand this extremely sexual turn-on these Fae possess, but it was a little too gratuitous for me. And the whole museum scene was in bad taste. (This right here is why I wonder why my dad enjoyed this series.)

The premise behind the plot was good. It has a LOT of potential, and I really like the concept. I think she could have done a lot with it, but I felt that it really flopped. It is possible I am reading this wrong. More of the story could be about Mac coming to terms with her new life, but it still felt "bleh".

All that being said, I have read several poor reviews of this book that are prefaced as saying the rest of the series is good. And, since I enjoy the concept, I am planning on finishing it. So, even though I am not impressed by the first book, I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆
Currently: Matched by Ally Condie
Pages: 9604
Horror/Urban Fantasy Challenge: 16/24
Current Progress:

28/50 books

Book Review -- Destined for an Early Grave

Title: Destined for an Early Grave
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Genre: Urban fantasy/paranormal romance
Pages: Paperback, 355
Published: 2009
Opening Line: "If he catches me, I'm dead."

"Since half-vampire cat Crawfield and her undead lover Bones met six years ago, they've fought against the rogue undead, battled a vengeful Master vampire, and pledged their devotion with a blood bond. Now it's time for a vacation. But their hopes for a perfect Paris holiday are dashed when Cat awakens one night in terror. She's having visions of a vampire named Gregor who's more powerful than Bones and has tie to her past that even Cat herself didn't know about.

"Gregor believes Cat is his and he won't stop until he has her. As the battle beings between the vamp who haunts her nightmares and the one who holds her heart, only Cat can break Gregor's hold over her. She'll need all the power she can summon in order to bring down the baddest bloodsucker she's ever faced . . . even if getting that power will result in an early grave."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts (might contain SPOILERS!): After reading a lot of the reviews on Amazon, I was a little timid when I opened this book. From the descriptions, I was in for a sob, ice cream eating, alcohol induced crying fest. While the crying part is definitely true, I have to argue that Cat drinks less in this book than the previous three.

At the beginning of the book, I really, really hated it. The concept of an unknown past is kind of interesting, but this was too much! Suddenly finding out that she spent a month in Paris with this mysterious vampire when she was 16 was a killer for me. Honestly, it felt as though Frost was doing anything and everything she could to keep the series going. And this latest adventure, was just short of disastrous! For me, this hidden past was too hard for me to believe. However, getting over that, I really enjoyed the book.

Even though the vehicle seems too campy to me, I felt that Frost did pull it off. In addition, I felt that she was able to return to the relationship Cat and Bones had while making it stronger. I must admit, I would have walked out on Bones several times throughout the book!

I found Gregor to be an interesting, well thoughout character. His special abilities really set him apart from the other vampires. Even though he shares the ability to see the future with Mencheres, I found him to be very unique. As fas as Mencheres goes, the reader really got to see his true colours. Never once would I say that Mencheres is evil, but I enjoyed the fact that Frost addressed the issue of what it means to be a thousand year-old vampire with a bloodline to protect. Upon hearing this interesting truths, I understood Cat and Bones' response; however, it really showed how young Bones truly is.

In the previous book, I was a little uncertain about her adding Vlad to the series. He his this amazing mythical and historical character, and I was afraid that she would be unable to tackle that while giving a realistic and unique prospetive. Frost leaves him just vague enough that she doesn't step on any toes. This book, while still staying vague, showed an neat side to Vlad. I feel that, while still maintaining and nodding to his past, she has made Vlad her own.

I felt that some of the problems between Cat and Bones showed a lack of age and experience on both sides. What could have been worked out by cooling down and talking turned into something horrible. Many times, I wondered why Cat didn't just walk away. I was annoyed that Frost made it out to be Cat's fault. Some of the problems Bones lists are not flaws, just admirable character traits (wanting to stop loved ones from being hurt or killed). It frustrated me all the time Cat spent apologizing to Bones. After his behavior, I felt he had more to be contrite over.

Setting aside my feelings for this sudden past, I was able to fully enjoy the novel.

Rating: 4/5
Currently: Malice by Chris Wooding
Pages: 3445
Horror/Urban Fantasy Challenge: 9/24
Current Progress:

10/50 books

Book Review -- At Grave's End

Title: At Grave's End
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Genre: Urban fantasy/paranormal romance
Pages: Paperback, 347
Published: 2009
Opening Line: "The man smiled and I let my gaze linger over his face."

"It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield's life. With her undead lover Bones at her side, she's successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat's worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover's finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.

"As if that wasn't enough, a woman from Bones's past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat's about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she's learned as a special agent won't help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself -- and Bones -- from a fate worse than the grave."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts (contains SPOILERS): It would be a lie to say that I am, at some level, a little biased about these books. Since the first in the series, I have been hooked. I feel that Frost has written some interesting characters and put them in a well thought out world. However, in this book, things are too 2 dimensional. The characters aren't as fleshed out and vivid as the previous books; the plot, while a good concept, wasn't executed; the connection with the audience wasn't as strong; etc.

The alliance with Bones and his grandsire would have allowed Frost to explore and delve more deeply into the vampire society. There were a few instances that she scratched at the surface, but I felt she did not utilize this chance. I also felt as though she introduced an excellent and interesting character in Mencheres, but that did not pan out. There was also missing chemistry between Bones and Cat. I hate to say it, but, in some ways, I missed the sex. In the first two books, Cat and Bones had this amazing connection both in and out of the bedroom. Their banter was one of the best parts of the previous books. This book, however, really lacked that. In some ways, Vlad's character seemed truer to Bones' character.

And then there's Tate. Really? When he finally accepts the existence of vampires, he is ruthless and almost more prejudiced than Cat's mother in his views/treatment of them. However, for some reason other than -- supposedly -- trying to win Cat over, he has Bones change him into a vampire. First off, this makes no sense. Not only does he loath vampires and view them as a base, non-human life form, he despises Bones. Why would he choose to become a vampire (aside from the painfully obvious reason of going after Cat, which he denies)? On top of that, why would he want Bones to be his sire? And, if this isn't enough, his actions towards Cat through the entire book is ridiculous! First of all, Cat's vampire marriage to Bones sets her out as untouchable. Having a romantic relationship outside of her marriage to Bones means that her life is now forfeit. Why would Tate risk her life in his selfish pursuit of winning her? On top of that, why would he betray his sire? Rattler is killed because he betrays Bones to Patra. Before his death, Bones makes it clear that betraying your sire is the worst sin a vampire could commit. That being the case, what is up with Tate?

Another strange character shift is seen in Ian. In the second book, he spends his time trying to force Cat into his menagerie of one-of-a-kind treasures. When Bones marries Cat to keep her from being forced into Ian's family, Ian is more than livid. If I remember correctly, they didn't necessarily leave with smoothed over feelings. However, when this book starts, Ian -- even after feeling slighted over the alliance with and gifted power from Mencheres -- he is easily willing to return to their friendship as though nothing had happened between them. Not only that, but his treatment of Cat feels very out of character from what Frost showed the audience in book two.

While I enjoyed this book, it really didn't live up to my expectations. It took me a lot longer to get through this book. It was engaging, there was a lot of action, and Frost had ZOMBIES in it. However, it just wasn't up to par.

Rating: 3.5/5
Currently: Destined For the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Pages: 3090
Horror/Urban Fantasy Challenge: 8/24
Current Progress:

9/50 books

Book Review -- One Foot in the Grave

Title: One Foot in the Grave
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Genre: Urban fantasy/paranormal romance
Pages: Paperback, 357
Published: 2008
Opening Line: "I waited outside the large, four-story home in Manhasset that was owned by Mr. Liam Flannery."

"Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help is the vampire she left behind.

"Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head -- wanted: dead or half-alive -- means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won't let her get away again."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: I don't have too much to say. I have really been enjoying this series. Unlike certain other books, this one actually has a plot!

My biggest problem was the length of time Frost skipped in the beginning of the book. To get where she was going, there needed to be time jumps. However, several one right after the other was a little overkill. Also, Cat's reaction at the wedding and to Annette seemed way over the top.

The sex in this book was ramped up to another level. The scenes were longer and very graphic. However, while there was repressed sexual angst and outrageous scenes, I felt that Frost still tried to stay true to the plot and storyline. I will say that the intense sex scene was not really needed. It didn't add anything to the story. But, as it says on the spine, it is a paranormal romance, so I expect some level of sex.

All in all, I enjoyed this book as much as the first. It tore through it in a matter of days. The other books are sitting next to my computer waiting to be devoured.

Rating: 5/5
Currently: At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost
Pages: 2734
Horror/Urban Fantasy Challenge: 7/24
Current Progress:

8/50 books

Book Review -- Halfway to the Grave

Title: Halfway to the Grave
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Genre: Urban fantasy/paranormal romance
Pages: Paperback, 358
Published: 2007
Opening Line: "I stiffened at the red and blue lights flashing behind me, because there was no way I could explain what was in the back of my truck."
Favorite Line: "Charlie whistled 'Amazing Grace' as he drove. It was all I could do to no whip my head around and snap, Are you kidding me? Couldn't be pick something more appropriate like 'Shout at the Devil' or 'Don't Fear the Reaper'? Some people had no sense of the proper music for kidnapping." (179)
Theme Song: Tears Don't Fall by Bullet for My Valentine

"Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father -- the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bone, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.

"In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't en up as his dinner -- are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat."

~ Jacket copy

Thoughts: My hubby got this book shortly after it was published. It has been sitting on our shelves collecting dust. After finishing Feast of Fool, I decided to pick this one up. What possessed me to do it, I have no idea. Since he got it, I have been avoiding in like the plague. After being horribly traumatized by Laurell K. Hamilton, I have steered clear of anything that feels as though it could have too much of a romantic element for fear that it would end up worse than a badly written porn. However, I have to admit that Frost really surprised me!

The book follows Cat Crawfield. She struggles with her nature as a half-vampire and cannot find her place in the world. Since she was 16, her mother has made it clear that half of her is evil. Hence, I feel as though Cat hates herself. She is always in conflict with this other half. As a way to purge this perceived evil and to get retribution for her mother's rape, she becomes a vampire killer.

Admittedly, at points, Cat is beyond stupid. Her adventure in the vampire bar with the roofies was pretty unbelievable. Aside from instances like that, I really enjoyed Cat as a character. Frost did a good job capturing this inner turmoil. Unlike some characters, Cat didn't feel angsty or whiny. I get really tired of main characters who are into bemoaning there life and circumstances. While Cat didn't necessarily deal with her deeply rooted issues, she went out at did something about it: Kicked ass! I can respect that.

I also really enjoyed Bones. It was neat to see a vampire who hunted his own kind. While he appeared to be a vampire bounty-hunter, his reasons behind his profession are very noble. Even though Bone is described as being a blondie, I kept picturing Matt Tuck from Bullet for My Valentine.

When Bones started to get extremely territorial over Cat, I felt that it was a little out of his character, and it made me think Frost was pushing too hard. Timmie was not a believable character to me; however, it was obvious that he was no threat to Bones, so his reaction was over the top. In addition, Cat's response to Francesca also seemed a little out of character. She never showed her territorial side at any other point in the novel, and, like Bone's response to Timmie, it was over the top. I felt her starting to spout sexual comments and accidentally grabbing Bones by the balls (literally) was just in bad taste and unbelievable. I have no issues with vampires being extremely territorial. In fact, it makes sense to me. I just wish she had dropped little tidbits about it before it was shoved in your face, especially with Francesca!

In addition, the special branch of the FBI dealing with paranormal activities was too "Laurell K. Hamilton." I liked the deal that Cat cut with them, but it was way too close to Anita's position. At some level, I accept that urban vampire fantasy might take elements from her books, but this felt a little too close for comfort. However, after starting the second book, it really doesn't upset me. With the a fore mentioned deal, I think that Frost is able to make it her own.

Aside from some of my minor issues, I really enjoyed this book! Last night, I forced my hubby to take me to Hastings, so I could grab the next book in the series. There was no way I was finishing the book last night without the other one waiting beside me :)

Rating: 5/5
Currently: One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Pages: 2019
Horror/Urban Fantasy Challenge: 6/24
Current Progress:

7/50 books