Robots and Vamps

Our friends at Tor sent us this novel by the late Kage Baker.  The conclusion to The House of the Stag and The Anvil of the World. For an excerpt, just click on the cover.

Dust Jacket Summary: In this new story set in the world of The Anvil of the World and The House of the Stag, two teenagers join the crew of a huge river barge after their addict mother is drowned. The girl and her half-breed younger brother try to make the barge their new home. As the great boat proceeds up the long river, we see a panorama of cities and cultures, and begin to perceive patterns in the pirate attacks that happen so frequently in the river cities. Eliss, the girl, becomes a sharp-eyed spotter of obstacles in the river for the barge, and more than that, one who perceives deeply.

A young boy her age, Krelan, trained as a professional assassin, has come aboard, seeking the head of a dead nobleman, so that there might be a proper burial. But the head proves as elusive as the real explanation behind the looting of cities, so he needs Eliss’s help. And then there is the massive Captain of the barge, who can perform supernatural tricks, but prefers to stay in his cabin and drink.

About the Author:

Born June 10, 1952, in Hollywood, California, and grew up there and in Pismo Beach, present home. Spent 12 years in assorted navy blue uniforms obtaining a good parochial school education and numerous emotional scars. Rapier wit developed as defense mechanism to deflect rage of larger and more powerful children who took offense at abrasive, condescending and arrogant personality in a sickly eight-year-old. Family: 2 parents, 6 siblings, 4 nieces, 2 nephews. Husbands: 0. Children: 0.

Prior occupations: graphic artist and mural painter, several lower clerical positions which could in no way be construed as a career, and (over a period of years for the Living History Centre) playwright, bit player, director, teacher of Elizabethan English for the stage, stage manager and educational program assistant coordinator. Presently reengaged in the above-listed capacities for the LHC’s triumphant reincarnation, AS YOU LIKE IT PRODUCTIONS.

20 years of total immersion research in Elizabethan as well as other historical periods has paid off handsomely in a working knowledge of period speech and details.

In spare time (ha) reads: any old sea stories by Marryat, the Aubrey-Maturin novels by Patrick O’Brien, the Hornblower books, ANYTHING by Robert Louis Stevenson, Raymond Chandler, Thorne Smith, Herman Melville (except Pierre, or the Ambiguities, which stinks) Somerset Maugham, George MacDonald Frasier.

Now happily settled in beautiful Pismo Beach, Clam Capital of the World, in charming seaside flat which is unfortunately not haunted by ghost of dashing sea captain. Avid gardener, birdwatcher, spinster aunt and Jethro Tull fan.

In January 2010, it was reported that Baker was seriously ill with cancer. She died from uterine cancer at approximately 1:00 a.m. on January 31, 2010 in Pismo Beach, California. – Wikipedia.

Reviewed by Christel

This audio book was purchased by the reviewer.

Audio Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins

Dust Jacket Summary: Things have turned black at the House of Night. Zoey Redbird’s soul has shattered. With everything she’s ever stood for falling apart, and a broken heart making her want to stay in the Otherworld forever, Zoey’s fading fast. It’s seeming more and more doubtful that she will be able pull herself back together in time to rejoin her friends and set the world to rights. As the only living person who can reach her, Stark must find a way to get to her. But how? He will have to die to do so, the Vampire High Council stipulates. And then Zoey will give up for sure. There are only 7 days left…

Enter BFF Stevie Rae. She wants to help Z but she has massive problems of her own. The rogue Red Fledglings are acting up, and this time not even Stevie Rae can protect them from the consequences. Her kinda boyfriend, Dallas, is sweet but too nosy for his own good. The truth is, Stevie Rae’s hiding a secret that might be the key to getting Zoey home but also threatens to explode her whole world.

In the middle of the whole mess is Aphrodite: ex-Fledgling, trust-fund baby, total hag from Hell (and proud of it). She’s always been blessed (if you could call it that) with visions that can reveal the future, but now it seems Nyx has decided to speak through her with the goddess’s own voice, whether she wants it or not. Aphrodite’s loyalty can swing a lot of different ways, but right now Zoey’s fate hangs in the balance.

Three girls… playing with fire… if they don’t watch out, everyone will get Burned.

Thoughts & analysis: In the past I have berated this series. Citing its immature plot paired with mature language and situations. It’s obvious attempt to insert hip language and shameless and dated pop-culture references. To be honest, I haven’t been very positive at all.

This particular series makes me ponder; what exactly does YA mean? What age group comprises YA? Perhaps the authors were genius’ appealing to both teens and twenty some-things. Or perhaps they are writing plot lines that fall below the maturity level of their target readers. Either way, I decided to choose a different format. Reading these novels just wasn’t doing it for me but I have invested so much time that I hate to give them up now. So I chose the audio version.

Much to my surprise, I rather enjoyed the audio version of the new house of night novel, Burned. Caitlin Davies’ tone was spot on. She didn’t have that annoying pitch as narrators of previous books did. She really sold the characters and managed to make me look past the slang and shameless True Blood plugs. The whole thing was quite entertaining.

The story had a darker, more supernatural tone. The kids are faced with major life threatening decisions and they are introduced to the most ancient forces of good and evil. I liked the fact that the story seemed to be plunging forward and seriously affecting the characters. So, a big thumbs up for P.C. and Kristin Cast for stepping out of their comfort zone a bit and making this story about more than a silly girl with an ever growing ego and way too many boyfriends.  This is my favorite book in this series and it is a shame it took until book 7 for me to find one that I liked.

My suggestion for you readers who are less than enamored with this series is, give the audio version a try. You just might find that you like it better than the book itself.

Based on the cult comic from Dark Horse Entertainment, created by Eric Powell in 1999, the comic follows the adventures of a muscle-bound brawler who claims to be the primary enforcer for a feared mobster. The stories have a paranormal and comedic edge to them and concern ghosts, zombies, mad scientists and “skunk apes.”

A warrior priest (Paul Bettany) disobeys Church law by teaming with a young sheriff (Cam Gigandet) and a beautiful priestess (Maggie Q). The three band together to track down a band of renegade vampires who have kidnapped the priest’s niece before they turn her into one of them.

Release date is March 4, 2011.

From Tor, we received a copy of The Girls With Games of Blood by Alex Bledsoe.  Matt read Blood Groove, so I know he is looking forward to this one.

Dust Jacket Summary: Listen to what I tell you, son, every word is true

The sisters haunt the night, and might fight over you

Nothing can steal your soul and stamp it in the mud

Like being the new play-pretty for the girls with the games of blood . . .

The old song warns of the beautiful Bolade sisters, Patience and Prudence, whose undying rivalry was said to stretch even beyond the grave. But Count Rudolfo Vladimir Zginski has never heard the song. A suave Continental vampire, staked to death more than sixty years ago, he has risen to stalk the Southern nights of Memphis, Tennessee, circa 1975. Although new to the modern world, he has quickly developed a taste for its hot blood, willing women, and high-speed automobiles.

Yet the seventies are not without their perils, even for so cunning and ruthless a predator. Zginski’s insistent pursuit of a cherry 1973 Mach 1 Ford Mustang soon brings him into conflict with a legendary redneck sheriff with a short temper and a big baseball bat. His dangerous fascination with an enticing undead chanteuse and her equally seductive sister, threatens not only his own ageless existence, but that of the small group of modern-day vampires he has grudgingly taken under his wing. Zginski has already escaped limbo once, but can he free himself from the tangled web of the girls who play games of blood?

Alex Bledsoe, author of Blood Groove, returns to he world of the undead with a tale of fast cars and vengeance that never dies. . . .

About the Author:

I grew up in west Tennessee an hour north of Graceland and twenty minutes from Nutbush. I’ve been a reporter, editor, photographer and door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman. I now live in a Wisconsin town famous for trolls and mustard, write before six in the morning and try to teach my two sons to act like they’ve been to town before.

Author’s website: The World’s of Alex Bledsoe

CG adventure follows a chameleon with an identity crisis.

Release date is March 4, 2011

Reviewed By Matt

Disclosure: This novel was purchased by the reviewer’s own hard earned cash.

It is not a well guarded secret that K.E. Mills is actually the pen name for Karen Miller. Ms. Miller is absolutely one of favorite authors and I have read most her novels enjoying each and every one. I am beginning to realize that her strengths are dialogue and characters, with plotting somewhat lagging. The second book in the Rogue Agent series, Witches Incorporated, highlights these strengths and underlines her weaknesses but it is such entertaining novel that in the end is was just a total blast.

Witches Incorporated takes place shortly after the events of the first book, The Accidental Sorcerer. Gerald has become a rookie janitor and is assigned a mission to help in obtaining information about a saboteur. Melissande, Reg and Bibbie have joined together to form Witches Incorporated who specialize in solving magical problems.

The first half of the story it is pretty light and breezy in that does not really involve the main plot. Basically it is to reintroduce the characters, establish new ones and set up the dynamics among the group of friends. Even though not much happens during the first part I really enjoyed the interplay between the characters with several laugh out loud moments.

The second half picks up at a crazy pace as both Gerald’s mission and the Witches Inc.’s paid assignment converge together into a desperate situation that will dire consequences if they can’t work together. As much as I liked the first the second half is even better. The only criticism I would have is that the mystery had a Scooby Doo feeling to it. I keep expecting the bad guy to quip, “And I would have gotten away with it too if it wasn’t for you meddling kids”.

Witches Incorporated is a solid sequel to The Accidental Sorcerer that is less dire but a lot more fun. Ms. Millers’ characterization and dialogue shine through in spades and if this is your cup of tea then you will love this novel as much as I did. I am highly looking forward to the third book, Wizard Squared.

As a tradition, almost every Friday night Matt & Christel having been taking their daughter out to dinner and then a trip to a local bookstore. Sometimes it is a chain store, a used book store or a locally owned shop. We are trying to instill a love of books in our daughter, plus we need to find something to read for the week. These are the books that we spend our hard earned cash on. Anyway, below is our haul for the week. If you have any recommendations please let us know.

Christel

Unholy Ghosts (Downside Ghosts Series #1) by Stacia Kane

Dust Jacket Summary: THE DEPARTED HAVE ARRIVED.

The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen, and the living are under attack. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully tattooed witch and freewheeling ghost hunter. She’s got a real talent for banishing the wicked dead. But Chess is keeping a dark secret: She owes a lot of money to a murderous drug lord named Bump, who wants immediate payback in the form of a dangerous job that involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in lust for a rival gang leader and a dangerous attraction to Bump’s ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah.

Dark Flame (Immortals Series #4) by Alyson Noel

Dust Jacket Summary: In Alyson Noel’s most darkly seductive Immortals novel yet, Ever fights for control of her body, her soul – and the timeless true love she’s been chasing for centuries.

Ever is trying to help Haven transition into life as an immortal. But with Haven drunk on her new powers and acting recklessly, she poses the ultimate threat – exposing their secret world to the outside. As Ever struggles to keep the Immortals hidden, it only propels Haven closer to the enemy – Roman and his evil companions

At the same time, Ever delves deeper into dark magick to free Damen from Roman’s power. But when her spell backfires, it binds her to the one guy who’s hell-bent on her destruction. Now there’s a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, and no matter what she does, she can’t stop thinking about Roman – and longing for his touch. As she struggles to resist the fiery attraction threatening to consume her, Roman is more than willing to take advantage of her weakened state?and Ever edges closer and closer to surrender.

Frantic to break the spell before its too late, Ever turns to Jude for help, risking everything she knows and loves to save herself – and her future with Damen. . .

This time around – Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their pesky cousin Eustace Scrubb – find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to a fantastic Narnian ship headed for the very edges of the world. Joining forces once again with their royal friend Prince Caspian and the warrior mouse Reepicheep, they are whisked away on a mysterious mission to the Lone Islands, and beyond. On this bewitching voyage that will test their hearts and spirits, the trio will face magical Dufflepuds, sinister slave traders, roaring dragons and enchanted merfolk. Only an entirely uncharted journey to Aslan’s Country – a voyage of destiny and transformation for each of those aboard the Dawn Treader – can save Narnia, and all the astonishing creatures in it, from an unfathomable fate.

Release date is December 10, 2010

In the RaV mailbox this week, we found that Scholastic had sent us a copy of Forbidden Sea by Sheila A. Nielson.   The haunting cover and the summary makes me want to jump right in, well maybe not literally!  Mermaids have been know to drown people after all!

Dust Jacket Summary: When Adrianne comes face-to-face with the mermaid of Windwaithe Island, of whom she has heard terrible stories all her life, she is convinced the mermaid means to take her younger sister. Adrianne, fierce-willed and courageous, is determined to protect her sister from the mermaid, and her family from starvation. However, the mermaid continues to haunt Adrianne in her dreams and with her song.

Yet, when the islanders find out about Adrianne’s encounters with the mermaid she is scorned, for this small and superstitious community believes the mermaid will bring devastation to the island if Adrianne does not give herself to the sea.

A powerful and lyrical story of one girl who must choose between having everything and having those she loves.

About the Author:

I was born in San Jose, California in September 1972. I miss the gorgeous weather and the beaches–a lot. I lived there until I attended college. It was while attending Brigham Young University in Utah, I got my BFA in children’s illustration. While I was in school there, I got my dream job being a children’s librarian and ended up staying in the state. I’ve been a librarian for twelve and a half years but have been writing books since I was in sixth grade so I guess that means I’ve been an author longer than I’ve been a librarian. Of course, I’ve been drawing since I was in preschool so I’ve been an illustrator even longer than I’ve been a writer. I guess that makes me officially an illustrator/author/children’s librarian. Take your pick or all of the above.

I started making up stories long before I started writing them down. I used to be afraid of the dark when I was little. I’d make up stories in my mind to keep myself from thinking about the monsters I was sure were hiding under my bed at night. All that creative energy eventually turned me into an author.

I’m a hobbyaholic with hobbies so diverse and numerous I can not possibly list them all here. If it is not too expensive or life threatening, I’ll try just about any hobby at least once. (Except for that bungie jump my sister tried to talk me into a few years ago. No way, no how!) Among my top five interests are doll collecting, art, reading, writing, and horsebackriding. I also collect mermaids–but ONLY those wearing fantastic mermaid outfits. Which is near impossible to find, believe me. But that is what makes collecting them so much more fun than the regular kind. : )

Author’s Blog: Forbidden Sea