"Vision in Silver (The Others #3)" by Anne Bishop

This review features a book that is the third in The Others series, and may have spoilers for those who have not read Written in Red and Murder of Crows. My review of the first book can be found here.

During the last book, I felt that all of the action was very anti-climactic- I knew Meg and Simon would be safe, so it wasn't a very interesting read for me. With this book, that certainty of safety was whisked away, and in its place doubts began to grow. Ultimately, this was a much better book for me due to the presence of those doubts.

I've been waiting (and waiting, and waiting) to get this book at a decent price so I could read it- and it doesn't disappoint. Usually I build my expectations up so much during the anticipation of waiting for it (and salivating as I stroke the cover with my cursor while watching someone else read it on Goodreads), that the book can't ever reach the heights I've predicted. This one took me by surprise on several occasions- maybe because I've forgotten some of the plot points of the previous books (though I never forget the Wolf puppies), or maybe because the characters are becoming more dynamic in their roles.

The Plot (As Seen on Goodreads):
'The Others freed the cassandra sangue to protect the blood prophets from exploitation, not realizing their actions would have dire consequences. Now the fragile seers are in greater danger than ever before—both from their own weaknesses and from those who seek to control their divinations for wicked purposes. In desperate need of answers, Simon Wolfgard, a shape-shifter leader among the Others, has no choice but to enlist blood prophet Meg Corbyn’s help, regardless of the risks she faces by aiding him.
'Meg is still deep in the throes of her addiction to the euphoria she feels when she cuts and speaks prophecy. She knows each slice of her blade tempts death. But Others and humans alike need answers, and her visions may be Simon’s only hope of ending the conflict.
'For the shadows of war are deepening across the Atlantik, and the prejudice of a fanatic faction is threatening to bring the battle right to Meg and Simon’s doorstep…'

The cassandra sangue have been freed, but they haven't been freed from their addiction. Where things seem to come much easier for Meg, they struggle- and so it becomes Meg's job to be their role model, and help find ways to help them cope. Meg as a character doesn't feel like leader material- over the past few books, she's evolved to be stronger, but by no means is she completely well-adjusted. I think that's why she's such a remarkable heroine- where many authors choose to make their protagonists invulnerable, Meg isn't that type of woman. It's easy for me to see pieces of my younger (and much less confident) self in her.

Beyond the characters, this book has the continuing darker undertones of the series. It's difficult to describe without spoiling, but things are even worse than they seemed in the previous book. Sometimes you get fooled into a false sense of security with authors' foreshadowing and perspective changes, and I feel that may be what is happening with this book.... but then again, I've been played a fool by authors' conniving plot twists before.

Vision in Silver is much better than Murder of Crows, but it doesn't quite hit the heights of the first book for me (still not enough Wolf puppies). I enjoyed the evolving relationship of Meg and Simon, but let's be honest: in which book haven't I enjoyed that??? Anne Bishop has done a spectacular job with a slow-building relationship, which contributes to a large part of my love of this series. All I know is, I can't wait to read the next book, Marked in the Flesh.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars for a third book that exceeds the sequel!

Content: Ages 16+ for violence, cutting, and inhumanity.

Page Count: 493 pages in my mass market paperback edition.

"Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8)" by Ilona Andrews

This review features a book that is the eighth in the Kate Daniels series, and may have spoilers for those who have not read the first seven books of the series. My review of the first book can be found here.

I spoiled myself and bought Magic Shifts on its release day, since I haven't bought any fresh-off-the-presses books this year. It actually took me by surprise that it was available because I hadn't quite left my 'it's July' state of mind.

First off, I was trying to make this last, because the next Kate Daniels book is roughly a year away, but my book appetite had other ideas. I gobbled it up in two days, not even trying to stop after each chapter and read another book. Obviously this means it's as well paced as previous books, which also didn't stay me very long. It's difficult to pace yourself when the lives of the characters you love are at stake.

The Plot (As Seen on Goodreads):
'After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate—former Beast Lord Curran Lennart—are adjusting to a very different pace. While they’re thrilled to escape all the infighting, Curran misses the constant challenges of leading the shapeshifters.
'So when the Pack offers him its stake in the Mercenary Guild, Curran seizes the opportunity—too bad the Guild wants nothing to do with him and Kate. Luckily, as a veteran merc, Kate can take over any of the Guild’s unfinished jobs in order to bring in money and build their reputation. But what Kate and Curran don’t realize is that the odd jobs they’ve been working are all connected.
'An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it—before it takes their city apart piece by piece…'

We get to see a little more of one of my favorite characters, Saiman, in this book but his scenes are shorter than I wanted. The Pack is also now behind the scenes- since Kate and Curran left the throne (as it were) in the previous book. This changes a lot of the elements in the series- previously all their actions had to be approved by the Pack before they could actually act. Now they can do whatever they want- but still reap the consequences for themselves.

Kate, Curran, Julie, and Roland all naturally steal the show in this book. Kate has a natural distrust of her father due to all his actions have put her through, though he acts every bit the kindly old man in his appearance. To be honest, he gives me the creeps, but he still brings a lot of fun moments to this book. Curran is surprisingly the same, even without his title to back him, but he's more invested in Kate than he's ever been before. And Julie- you see more of her than Saiman or my other favorites, but she's growing on me. I love that she still plays a role in the series- a lot of authors discard the helpless orphans on someone else, noting that their hero/heroine is too 'dangerous' to have a kid. Yeah, well things happen, authors. And sometimes you can't just conveniently pass them off to Aunt Suzie.

One of my favorite quotes:

"Okay," Juke said. "Your horse is a donkey, your poodle is a giant wolf breed, and your boyfriend is whatever the hell he is. You have problems."

               ~Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews, 48% Kindle edition

Magic Shifts was an exceptional addition to the series- but it didn't hit me quite as hard as Magic Rises or Magic Breaks, despite lots of drama still going on. Yes, I still love the characters (perhaps even more) and the action was well-packed, but I always need an emotional punch in the gut to tip it up to five stars, and this one just didn't quite do it. I obviously still recommend it, although you may want to pace yourself on this one better than I was able to, as I have a long wait ahead of me.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars for an exceptional book that didn't quite hit me as hard as the previous two.

Content: Ages 18+ for the usual suspects in the Kate Daniels series.

Page Count: 342 pages

"Once Burned (Night Prince #1)" by Jeaniene Frost

Vlad the Impaler is... too sexy for his shirt.



*Sorry, not sorry*

Ahem.
I readily admit when I first dipped my toes into Jeaniene Frost's work, I was expecting a bit more than I got from Halfway to the Grave. Yes, it was fast-paced, the romance was steamy, and although I was lukewarm about that hero who everyone loves, Bones, I did love Cat. There was something missing. I didn't know what it was, but I think I found it in the spin-off series, the Night Prince.

Speaking of Vlad's shirt, it's weird he's on the cover without it. Most of the book is about Leila trying to keep the dang thing on, or Vlad keeping it on expressly to annoy her. The shirt should be on with this particular cover, but since I'm not your average paranormal romance reader (half of the genre I loathe or am lukewarm about), I suppose my two cents don't really count. Other than that, I feel the cover is a decent likeness of Vlad, who I met before in one of the Night Huntress books (a series which I haven't yet finished). Although it was somewhat beneficial to me to have 'met' him before, I don't believe you have to read the Night Huntress series beforehand, unless you hate spoilers for that series and actually plan on reading it.

The Plot (As Seen on Goodreads):
'She's a mortal with dark powers...
'After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person's darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude...until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world's most infamous vampire...
'He's the Prince of Night...
'Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all—but whatever you do, don't call him Dracula. Vlad's ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him—a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.'

In this book, I wasn't 100% on Vlad's side. I'm notoriously picky about alpha males, having grown up with a control freak male figure in my life who could be compared with both certain dictators and beloved romance heroes, and Vlad was everything you'd anticipate in a medieval male. This greatly concerned me, but I have to admit, his savagery is what later makes me appreciate his character. I'd loathe it if an author took a beloved historical figure like Vlad Tepesh and make him into some sort of wheatgrass-guzzling, well-adjusted modern male with a degree in political correctness.

The character who made me stand up and cheer was obviously Leila. It's pretty obvious why- she grew up different, having to keep other people at arm's length (or actually longer) due to her powers. As a teen, I struggled with doing the same thing because of my incessant medical issues, which made being social a bit of a choreographed dance. With Vlad, none of her objections to being close with a person apply, leading to a bout of instalust. But really, who would pass up the only person in the world who can stand your touch? Leila does her best to.

I warmed to Once Burned much more quickly than I have to any of Jeaniene Frost's previous works. I hadn't expected that, despite snapping up all of the series as a Kindle Daily Deal, but some part of me wanted to fall in love with some of her work just to hang out with the cool kids (hi there, cool kids!). If you liked the Night Huntress series, I can't imagine this being a disappointing read for you, but I also recommend this if you're obsessed with Dracula. This from someone who knows.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars for a great start to a series I've enjoyed immensely so far!

Content: Ages 18+ for the expected violence/vileness (he's Vlad the Impaler), and the obvious paranormal romance scenes.

Page Count: 346 pages

"Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7)" by Ilona Andrews

This review features a book that is the seventh in the Kate Daniels series, and has inevitable spoilers for those who have not read the first six books of the series. My review of the first book can be found here.

As a now-frequent reader of urban fantasy, I've become acclimated to expecting less of certain authors and more of others. I expected a lot from Ilona Andrews's seventh Kate Daniels book, not only because I spent an unorthodox amount on the ebook price, but also because Magic Rises had been the best of the bunch. With great surprise, at the end of Magic Breaks, I felt it was even better than Magic Rises- a feat which boggled my poor brain. This book is borderline perfection, in part because I hadn't expected the plot to progress so far.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
'No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…
'As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.
'As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…'

What is most amazing about this book is the sheer amount of action stuffed into 348 pages. Some books I've read have had less than ten percent of the plot progress and still felt 'action-packed'. Magic Breaks has all the action, but it doesn't feel rushed- it feels more urgent than anything else. The Kate Daniels series has been escalating for quite some time, but with these last few books, the sense of urgency and tension springs from the page.

The characters, as always, are incredible. It isn't often in a series that you could talk about any one of the characters, even minor ones, and not bore me, but with the Kate Daniels series, it's very true. In each character's background there are decisions and allegiances which make them who they are, and none of them are painted black or white. There are a million shades of grey in this book, which well exceeds the 50 that are so popular right now.

Magic Breaks is one mega-action-quadrupled book. It is so action dense, I have to make up words and phrases to describe it- it is no wonder I was able to finish off this series in the last month of 2014 because it's paced so frenetically. I could expound on the virtues of this book indefinitely, but then we'd have dastardly spoilers and you'd be asleep at the monitor. But, believe me when I say this series is well worth reading- especially if you like high octane reads that keep you up at night.

In other words, read it.

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars for a surprisingly extraordinary seventh book in the series!

Content: Ages 18+ for the usual Kate Daniels warning assortment, with added daddy drama.

Page Count: 348 pages

"Murder of Crows (The Others #2)" by Anne Bishop

This review features a book that is the second in The Others series, and may have minor spoilers for those who have not read Written in Red. My review of the first book can be found here.

Second books in a series are very 'hit-and-miss' with me. I open with this statement because at the start of reading this book, I was ready to pre-deem this a four star or above read. I was ready to be transported back to the Courtyard in the middle of a brewing war, full of action scenes and tension. Predetermining the ratings of books I've read has never been my strong suit.

With Urban Fantasy, I admit I've become a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I want my heroes and heroines put in the thick of danger, surviving only by their will to live and hopefully getting bloodied along the way (I realize I'm a bit bloodthirsty-sounding there). In this book, there is a lack of fear on my behalf for the characters. Usually I have to peek three paragraphs ahead and make sure, "He/She shuddered his last breath", is not in the text. With this book, I wasn't on edge. I wasn't afraid. Unfortunately, the suspense I was expecting wasn't there.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)

'After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

'The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murders of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard—Lakeside's shape-shifting leader—wonders whether their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or of a future threat.

'As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet—and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.'

Even though I wasn't afraid, the series has clearly taken a darker turn. Some of the things mentioned in the book made me more than a little nauseous, even though they weren't graphically depicted. I love when an author knows how much would be too much for the reader to handle, and Anne Bishop clearly has expertise in that area, because just when things got unpleasant the scene would end. And yes, in this case, I approve of cut-away-from-the-scene, because otherwise I would have needed a garbage can beside me as I read.

There were plenty of lighter scenes in this book, but not as many laugh-out-loud-in-the-middle-of-a-silent-waiting-room moments as Written in Red provided. Nonetheless, it was funny, just not as funny as I predicted. Meg is still adjusting to life in general and the terra indigene continue to adapt to humans they are no longer allowed to dispose of easily, which almost always results in situations that bring a grin to my face

The most egregious flaw of all, though, is in the Wolf puppy department. I can count the Wolf puppy scenes on one hand! One hand! And there were also no cutesy pawprints on the cover. Egregious, indeed.

Murder of Crows is clearly lacking in the Wolf puppy department not as exciting for me as the first book was. Ultimately, my high as heaven expectations may have contributed to the disappointment I felt in this book, but there was also a lack of my fear for the characters' fates. Although it would probably be a four star read had I not read Written in Red and been completely taken with it, I really expected more of a series that started out so beautifully for me. Murder of Crows is a great read, but not nearly the one I expected it to be.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars for a slightly disappointing second book.

Content: Ages 18+ for an escalation in violence, sexual content (including rape), and an increase in reader nausea picturing things going on.

Page Count: 369 pages

"Written in Red (The Others #1)" by Anne Bishop

I have a few things I must express my opinion on before I can carry on with this review:

1. This book should have had a Wolf puppy in a harness on the cover- there is absolutely no reason to not have a wolf puppy on the cover, as I would have bought this book when it was first published, had it had an adorable Wolf puppy in a harness on the cover. Like so:








2. The subtitle should include that it does, in fact, feature a harnessed Wolf puppy- just in case the harnessed wolf puppy on the cover was mistaken for a miniature schipperke kelpie cross spotting a mouse while on her walk or mini direwolf à la A Song of Ice and Fire series.

3. Cutesy pawprints are entirely optional- but strongly suggested. Just in case someone took this book cover mockup too seriously.

I don't always reassign published books cover art, but when I do, it means I liked the book enough to take time to make my fan art. And in the case of this book, I really liked it.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
'As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others.
'Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.'

What the author knocked out of the park: the worldbuilding, the characters, and the quotability. It isn't often you start a book where there is a section to tell you the name of certain days of the week (instead of Monday, Tuesday, etc.), along with a brief history of the world itself. The characters made you want to hunt down real life people to match with their personalities, so you could have your own mini-Courtyard/fantasy world. The quotability? Well, I highlighted the hell out of my ereader. My touchscreen is still recovering from me spouting curses as I tried to nab those difficult, between-two-page-flips quotes.

Believe it or not, I've had similar conversations before:

""Your first dog?" The clerk sounded delighted. "What breed is it?"
""He's a Wolf.""

         ~Written in Red by Anne Bishop, page 206 Kindle version.

Although Meg breaks the urban fantasy heroine mold by being not-so-brave (she squeaks and whines under pressure), she grew on me, to the point she satisfied the requirements of being a heroine I love. I was very worried about this book because it features the heroine cutting (due to her being a blood prophet)- a self-harm behavior I'd hate to see encouraged, even in a fantasy book. But the other characters don't approve of Meg's cutting, and she only cuts on purpose maybe twice in the course of the book, which the Others chew her out for (or should I say Simon?).

Written in Red is a book about a harnessed wolf puppy urban fantasy that stands out because of its exceptional world and characters. From the cover, I had expected something a little bit darker, which it kind of was, but not to the extent I restrained myself from laughing out loud in a quiet waiting room. If you're looking for an urban fantasy that only hints the faintest whiff of paranormal romance (despite having a female main character), I recommend Written in Red for you.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars for a urban fantasy that surprised me with its humor.

Content: Ages 16+ for cutting, violence, and angry Wolves.

Page Count: 433 pages

But really, which one would you pick: adorable harnessed Wolf puppy or Meg and menacing wolf?

Don't tell me- I don't want the cover artist to feel bad. :P

"Timeless (Parasol Protectorate #5)" by Gail Carriger

This review features a book that is the fifth (and final book) in the Parasol Protectorate series, and has (inevitable) spoilers for those who have not read the first four books in the series. My review of the first book can be found here.

This series has a lot of interesting subject matter going on- often in steampunk (and urban fantasy) the characters are either: single, in a relationship (usually monogamous), and in both cases they have relatively little responsibility (and absolutely no children that would play a part in the book's plot). Timeless proceeds in an entirely different direction by including Prudence, Alexia and Maccon's daughter, who also happens to be a problem child due to her bloodline. Although Prudence is technically Lord Akeldama's daughter via adoption, Alexia couldn't give up her rights entirely, and ended up living in one of Akeldama's closets, along with Maccon, to remain Prudence's mother. This arrangement comes to an abrupt pause when Prudence is summoned to meet Queen Matakara, who presides over a hive in Alexandria, Egypt. All of this is anathema to the usual adult paranormal book practices: where only the main character is exceedingly special.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
'Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a dampener on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.
'Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?'

As much as this series focuses on Alexia and Maccon, we get to know Ivy a little better in this book due to her traveling with them to Egypt. Ivy, known mostly for her obscure taste in hats, has children of her own to think of now, but doesn't back down from any adventure, especially one where her patroness requests her presence. She has changed little from the girl we first met in Soulless, but with her new responsibilities, will she be able to keep up with Alexia's scheming?

Some of the plot was easy to figure out, but I was nonetheless kept guessing as to how this book would end. Would there be any sudden character departures? What was up with Alexia's father? All those and more were answered, but not so summarily as to discourage spin-off series: the lastest, which features a grown up Prudence, is expected to be published March 17th, 2015.

A slightly cryptic spoiler that made me smile wider while reading this (Highlight to view):
As any good mystery fan knows, the butler did it.

Timeless is the ending I expected of this series, but was excellent all the same. There is something to be said of a series that keeps me reaching for the next book with a grin on my face, even if it doesn't breach the 4.5 Stars club. The Parasol Protectorate was a great way to start out my new year's reading, and I don't regret a moment of time I spent amongst the characters that populated its world.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars for a most excellent ending for the Parasol Protectorate series!

Content: Ages 18+ for the usual Parasol Protectorate shenanigans.

Page Count: 341 pages

"Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4)" by Gail Carriger

This review features a book that is the fourth in the Parasol Protectorate series, and has (inevitable) spoilers for those who have not read the first three books in the series. My review of the first book can be found here.

After their reunion in Blameless, you would expect everything would go smoothly for Alexia and Conall when they arrived back in England. Not so- it appears Alexia's pregnancy continues to make her a target, and something simply must be done about it. Beyond that, Alexia's sister appears to have had a rapid turn around personality-wise: she is now the alter ego of herself with her choice of shawls and company. What does this all add up to? Another excellent Parasol Protectorate series addition.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
'Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.
'Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?'

It isn't very often that you have a very pregnant heroine star in an action/adventure themed steampunk novel, but Alexia manages to pull the role off, with a minimum amount of embarrassment. Given her state, her husband tries to limit her stress and stymie her adventures, but his success is limited. Alexia simply won't have her 'infant-inconvenience' inconvenience her.

A quote that well-describes Alexia's predicament:

"Months of training had seen the entire werewolf household running attendance on an increasingly grumpy Alexia and learning, to a man, that if food was not provided promptly, fur might fly, or worse, Lady Maccon would start to weep. As a result, several of the pack now crinkled as they moved, having desperately stashed snacks all about their personage."

The overall plotline of this book is not hard to guess, but it didn't interfere with my enjoyment of it. Alexia and the gang are more than entertaining, as usual, and their antics are more than enough to spur the reader on despite the obviousness of the plot itself. I would advise anyone who doesn't like the characters from the first book to not read the series- I think the best part of my enjoyment of the Parasol Protectorate relies heavily on the characters.

Heartless is not completely without heart. Though there are tough decisions for Alexia and Conall to make and even tougher compromises, they must work together to ensure the queen is saved. This book was more than a tad predictable, but was saved by its fantastic characterization and humor. I encourage anyone who has enjoyed the first three books in the series to continue their adventures with Heartless.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars for a fun fourth book to the Parasol Protectorate series!

Content: Ages 18+ for the 'expected' themes of the Parasol Protectorate.

Page Count: 374 pages

"Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5)" by Ilona Andrews

This review features a book that is the fifth in the Kate Daniels series, and has inevitable spoilers for those who have not read the first four books of the series. My review of the first book can be found here.

This book continues Kate's (and also now Curran's) adventures in grand style- building up to my favorite two books of the series: Magic Rises and Magic Breaks. This series has become a major favorite of mine because of all the virtues I've listed before in previous reviews: snarkiness, banter, and books that all seem relevant to the series itself- as if the series itself has more of a cohesive purpose than most urban fantasy series I've read.

Oftentimes there are a few books in a series that could've been cut- either the book was more for character or world-building than actual plot, or the author just didn't have a clear vision for the series itself at that stage. The Kate Daniels series remains the exception to the rule: I can't really see cutting any of the books in this series- and that's a rare thing for me to note.

The Plot: (Because the one on Goodreads sucks)
Kate must deal with her rebellious ward Julie, appease the Pack who scrutinize her every move, all while starting her very own business... with the Pack's funds. Luckily, she has her friend Andrea to help her, but when Masters of the Dead suddenly start losing control of their vampires, will her help be enough?

Kate's ward Julie was a character I hadn't expected to stick around this long. I suppose I'm used to books were characters are disposable (*cough* A Game of Thrones *cough*), but I always have a sneaking suspicion that the fate of an orphan a hero/heroine adopts will never be an easy one. Julie herself doesn't appear much in this book, and yet she is always in the back of Kate's mind, along with her fears for her ward.

Andrea also features strongly in this book, bringing her love of guns, as well as her expertise with them. Andrea has had some struggles recently, disappearing with the attack poodle, only to return in defeat- her heritage is something that seems to follow her wherever she goes.

Magic Slays retains the awesomeness of the Kate Daniels series. Although it is not a five star read, it comes very close, leading up to my two very-late-in-the-game five star reads of 2014. I definitely continue to recommend this series for any and all who love strong heroines, action, sarcasm, with a side of romance.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars for another exceptional Kate Daniels episode!

Content: Ages 18+ for the continued themes of the series (see all my other content warnings for the series- you've been warned!).

Page Count: 308 pages

"Blameless (Parasol Protectorate #3)" by Gail Carriger

This review features a book that is the third in the Parasol Protectorate series, and has (inevitable) spoilers for those who have not read Soulless and Changeless. My review of the first book can be found here.

In this book, Alexia must learn to deal with her "infant-inconvenience", without the aid of her husband or Lord Akeldama. It appears she's been targeted for some reason, though exactly what no one is sure. What I like about this book is because Alexia is on her own, we get to see more of her independent streak and how she can manage well without help.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
'Quitting her husband's house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.
'Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London's vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.
'While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires -- and they're armed with pesto.'

One of my other favorite parts about this book is that we get to see Lord Maccon at his lowest. Although he himself caused the inexcusable rift in the relationship, he doesn't exactly act like it, leaving poor Professor Lyall to pick up the pieces. While Alexia tries to move on, Conall is clearly unable to, at least in the beginning of the book.

There is another element to this book that stood out to me- there was a lot of playful coffee-bashing going on. With the characters of this book being pseudo-nineteenth-century English citizens, I'm hardly surprised they can't stand coffee, but I personally can't drink tea (stomach issues) so coffee is my go-to caffeine high. I am here to defend coffee's honor and say I love it more than tea, but it probably tastes better now than it did back in those days due to weighty additions of sugar and cream (also: the invention of Starbucks).

My favorite quote:

'"I have died and gone to the land of bad novels," was Squire Loontwill's response.'

    ~Blameless by Gail Carriger, Chapter One

Blameless is an improvement on the series, mainly because it tidies up Changeless's messy ending, which had left me with a sour taste in my mouth. Although this book was not significantly better than the first book, it did leave me smiling and reaching for the next book (as I am a known series devourer). I recommend Blameless to anyone who has read and enjoyed the first two of the Parasol Protectorate series, because you may as well see what happens next.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars for an excellent third book in the Parasol Protectorate.

Content: Ages 18+ for violence (including mad scientists and crazier Templars), lovers' quarrels, and an infant-inconvenienced lady armed with a lethal parasol.

Page Count: 374 pages

"Changeless (Parasol Protectorate #2)" by Gail Carriger

This review features a book that is the second in the Parasol Protectorate series, and has (inevitable) spoilers for those who have not read Soulless. My review of the first book can be found here.

Today I had planned on reviewing a non-series book, but it appears this month will be mostly series books as most of my backlog of read books are from a series. The Parasol Protectorate sucked me into its web of steampunkery, and I've only glanced at a couple other books since.

The Plot (As Seen on Goodreads):
'Alexia Maccon, the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears; leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.
'But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. So even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can. She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.
'CHANGELESS is the second book of the Parasol Protectorate series: a comedy of manners set in Victorian London, full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.'

In this book, we are treated to glimpses of Alexia's relationships with people other than her now-husband, Conall Maccon, due to his early disappearance in the book. Ivy (or as I refer to her- the female Mad Hatter) continues to shine as her eccentric best-friend-in-chief, despite their discrepancies in societal standing. There is also a new addition to the motley crew- Madame Lefoux, a woman who dresses every inch the gentleman, in spite of being obviously female. Lefoux also has a way with gadgetry, leading to a new addition in Alexia's outfits.

Did I mention I have an unfair bias to this series due to its parasols? In addition to collecting music boxes, handheld fans, and vintage clothing, I also have a taste for parasols of oriental flair:

So yes, I do have an undue bias to this series and its seriously amazing parasols. If only mine had secret buttons that emitted weaponry...

I must take a moment to discuss the ending, because I was a bit shocked and disappointed by it, despite having the next book on hand (I can barely imagine reading this series if the third book hadn't been published...). It brought out an unpleasant side to one of our motley band, and all I could think was Would x person really act that way?. Despite reading the next two books after it, I'm convinced that one of our characters was out of character simply to provide a dramatic ending. For that reason, despite this book's exceeding excellence, I marked it down to a 3.5 star rating.

Changeless is definitely a change in tone for the Parasol Protectorate series. Although Alexia had troubles previously, I had hoped this book would have a happier ending now that she was independent from her Cinderella-esque family members. If you've read Soulless, expect a different feel to this book of the Parasol Protectorate.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars for a great sequel with a shocker of an ending.

Content: Ages 18+ for extreme dirigible stunts, werewolf nudity, and an out of character character.

Page Count: 388 pages

"Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1)" by Gail Carriger

Due to the bountiful nature of the book section of my Montana thrift shop, I was able to pick this up on my trip there at Christmas time for a very reasonable price. It was ironic, as I'd just set my mind on buying it (preferably for cheap) and had considered buying it for full price with my Barnes and Noble gift card. Needless to say my gift card money was spent on less easily attainable things.

Back to the book itself- Soulless attracted me with its multiple genres (mainly steampunk/paranormal) and claims of being "Wickedly funny". I did find it humorous, but perhaps not wickedly- most of the jokes were of the sly and situational comedic variety. My first impression was that this would end up on my three-star shelf, because some of the conversations irked me. However, by the end of the novel, my mind had changed- Miss Tarabotti and her parasol had grown on me.

The Plot (As Seen on Goodreads):
'Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations.
'First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.
'Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire--and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.
'With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?'

This book reminded me of a Cinderella-style story- Miss Tarabotti has some serious mama drama going on, and it's her actual mother that slights her, not a stepmother. While Alexia's sisters were born later with a much more Anglo-Saxon pedigree, Alexia's father was Italian and the very reason for her being soulless. Alexia's mother does not do right by her firstborn, and instead favors her daughters from her second marriage. This makes me sad...

From GifSoup

Fortunately for our heroine, not everyone is so mean to her. Lord Maccon, despite being furiously vexing to Alexia (and vice versa), remains a pillar of support for her and tries to defend her (even against herself). Alexia's best friend, Ivy Hisselpenny, seems to make up for the serious lack of strong familial ties in Alexia's life, in addition to giving her much needed advice. Lord Maccon's lieutenant, Professor Lyall, rounds out the unlikely bunch by being the voice of reason, as well as keeping sandwiches on his person for the improvement of Lord Maccon's mood.

Soulless is an action-packed, urban-fantasy-style steampunk read. Sure, it isn't set in an urban modern day world, but reminded me greatly of some of the other urban fantasy series I've read, namely the Kate Daniels series. Despite its similarities (or maybe because of them) I grew to love the rag-tag cast of characters and their zany adventures. I recommend this book for anyone who likes a mix of Victoriana, action-packed steampunk, and paranormal romance with their cup of tea.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars for an excellent start to a steampunk series!

Content: Ages 18+ for moderate sexual references, ghoulish violence, and exsanguination.

Page Count: 357 pages in my pre-loved paperback edition.

"Interview With The Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles #1)" by Anne Rice

Sometime during my thrift store jaunts, I started noticing a lot of old hardcover books that were languishing on the shelves. I have an interest in vintage fiction, and was shocked to find first editions in that section of both Anne Rice's Interview With The Vampire and Steven King's The Stand. I wasn't sold on either genre or author at the time, but picked them up because I've never had first editions of any book published prior to 2005.

This October I'd planned to read the Interview, but didn't finish it until early December and have been procrastinating on my review of it ever since. This book is very emotional, highly descriptive, and I often found myself staring into space while reading it. These are Anne Rice's famous vampires? They're kind of strange... maybe even stranger than me.

The (Basic) Plot:
A vampire named Louis offers to have an interview to a budding journalist, who becomes enthralled with Louis's story.

I think one of the things that threw me off the most is that the entire book is a dialogue, and sometimes the moody Louis stops and stares into space (just like me). He is pretty angsty for a vampire, which I understand (immortality would be kind of boring after a hundred years or so), but Louis isn't exactly what I expected of the vampires in this book.

But there was something about those darn vampires that unsettled me- I didn't see them as the least bit scary, despite all their antics. It's true I don't get scared about much anymore beyond the inhospitable environment of hospitals (the U.S. healthcare system is positively medieval), but I still expected to fear at least one of the vamps. Instead, I watched their petty rivalries and quests for knowledge play out with fascination, not fear.

My favorite character in this book, despite all the rest of the characters being well drawn out, was Lestat. The guy reminds me greatly of Joffrey of A Game of Thrones, in that he's an insufferable brat, but there's something very lovable about his brattiness (while nothing is lovable about Joffrey). Lestat does as he pleases: taunting, terrorizing, and manifesting crocodile tears to get exactly what he wants. When I see Lestat- I don't see Tom Cruise, I see Jack Gleeson.

I know why Interview With The Vampire is a classic: there's something in the way Rice spins the story, and her wordsmithery is evocative. But it was also easy for me to put it down and not pick it up until a week later, even in the midst of reading an action scene. The strength of this book lies heavily in its outstanding characters, and so I recommend this for anyone who likes character-driven vampire tales.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars for an excellent vampire classic!

Content: Ages 18+ for violence and sexual content.

Page Count: 310 pages in my hardcover first edition.

"The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova

Tilt your head to the right- see the face?

It's interesting that I never saw the face on the cover of this book until I was packing it away for the move to Idaho. Whenever I thought of this book I always saw the red curtains with a piece of parchment in between- perhaps it was meant to look like that? Anyway, I found this cover more intriguing when I finally saw the face- I had actually read it and never saw that.

The Historian was one of my first vampire reads, besides the ubiquitous Twilight. I had planned to reread this when I first started book blogging back in April, but never got around to it until now. Something about it struck a note with me when I read it as a teen, and I hoped to relive that by rereading it.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
'To you, perceptive reader, I bequeath my history…
'Late one night, exploring her father’s library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters addressed ominously to ‘My dear and unfortunate successor’. Her discovery plunges her into a world she never dreamed of – a labyrinth where the secrets of her father’s past and her mother’s mysterious fate connect to an evil hidden in the depths of history.'

In a way, this is almost a travel book- you get to see a lot of tourist destinations in Europe through the diplomat's daughter's eyes, something many books lack. The settings are what I think appealed most to me, as a native Montanan teenager with who took only brief excursions to neighboring states and constantly dreamed of other places. Although I liked it and still see the benefits of this as an adult, a lot of what bogs this book down is the constant travelling and descriptions that don't really play into the plot.

It should also be mentioned that the events of this book takes place during the Cold War Era, despite much of the research that Sophia and her father do covering the medieval period when Vlad the Impaler was alive and/or buried. There are certain times when it's pertinent to the story, but in the beginning we learn Sophia is looking back on these events after more than a few years. So, a lot of time plays into this book- due to the lives of various historians and their work overlapping.

I think what makes this book a four star read, for me, is the ending. It's rare for a reader to find such a satisfying one that gives you both a glimpse of the future and of the past. Although the journey is riveting once past a certain point, there are areas that could have been condensed or thrown out altogether. The destination is almost a bit better than the journey in this book's case- a rarity indeed.

The Historian is an immense historical conspiracy with an ending that supersedes its vast page count. Even though it lulls at points, it would prove an interesting read for anyone who'd like a historical fiction on Vlad the Impaler or Dracula. If you like vampires, historical fiction, and conspiracy theories, and don't mind a bulky book, The Historian may be your kind of read.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars for an excellent, if a bit long-winded, historical fiction of Dracula.

Content: Ages 16+ for violence and bloodsucking.

Page Count: 642 pages in my weighty hardcover edition

Some of the Locations in this Book:
Amsterdam
Oxford
Istanbul
Budapest
Sophia

Happy Halloween! I hope squirrels didn't eat your jack-o-lanterns, like they did my best one:

Before:
My cute Cheshire cat Jack-o-Lantern.

After:
My ugly squirrel-eaten Cheshire cat grin Jack-o-Lantern with no eyes or nose. See top Jack-o-Lantern.