The Scorpion's Nest by Nate Granzow: Review by Anachronist

Mini review: The Scorpion’s Nest by Nate Granzow

 

· Format: Kindle Edition
· File Size: 385 KB
· Print Length: 185 pages
· Publisher: Publish Green (August 25, 2011)

Synopsis:

Some secrets are worth dying over. Or at least some people will always claim so.

During the abhorrent and sadistic human testing conducted Nazis pseudo scientists discover a terrible virus with the potential to ravage the human body. Recognizing its promising lethality, they send a special comando of Germans on a clandestine mission— the so-called Operation Scorpion's Nest— into the American southwest to unleash it upon the population of the United States and disincline American people to join the World War II. Their plans fail through but not because of the lack of trying.

One near miss and 70 years later, Scott Kretschmer, an unemployed aircraft mechanic, witnesses a violent bank robbery. Uninterested in money, the thieves only took one thing: the last remaining logbook from that secret Nazi operation. Scott suddenly finds himself plunged into a race against time as a corrupt pharmaceutical company with a Nazi past works to replicate the virus, with plans to release it upon the world as the only provider of the antidote.

What I liked:

The main hero was flawed and the author made him suffer. I like tormented heroes so it suited me perfectly. Even the fact that he was made to rescue single-handedly the USA and the rest of the world didn’t disturbed me so much.
The narration was interesting, the plot – packed from cover to cover and all flashes from the past - logically tied to the present day.
Nazis were portrayed in a great way (horrible monsters all of them) but the author avoided oversimplification which is no mean feat.
I truly enjoyed the description of social mechanisms which lead to producing your own, personal, home-made terrorists.

What I didn’t like:

Mr. Alejo was, in my humble opinion, a great character but he was introduced too late and dispatched too soon. Pity – he had a great potential, with his allegedly genial brain and gambling addiction. I do like my baddies well-rounded and fleshed out.
The female lead, Melanie…she seemed a bit bland.
I noticed some typos in the text. Fortunately not many of them.
Some descriptions seemed too lengthy and overall the style could have been given more edge.

Final verdict:

For a first book it was a quite nice debut although it is clear the author should improve his craftsmanship. I really enjoyed that one and I would definitely recommend this novel if you are planning a long journey - it is a breeze to read and the twists and turns of the story will keep you entertained.

The Gift of Illusion by Richard Brown: Review by Anachronist

Mini review: The Gift of Illusion by Richard Brown

This book was provided by Melissa who got it from the author in return for my honest review. Honest it will be. First the short summary, though.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

An ancient evil has returned to continue the study it began over a century ago, and it's looking for volunteers. Isaac Winters is the perfect test subject. He's a detective with a damaged past, and something to prove.

On the night of his wife's murder sixteen years ago, which left him a single father, Isaac thought he had seen the worst mankind had to offer.

Until now.

It moves like a virus from person to person, carefully selecting its next host, and leaving a trail of incinerated bodies in its wake. There are no witnesses and no evidence except for a small statue of some unknown figure. Accompanied by a partner short on experience, Isaac must uncover and defeat this faceless villain before it takes from him the greatest reminder of his dead wife.Their daughter.

What I liked:

It is a paranormal thriller along the likes of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I admit the author has a gift for description and the opening scenes are a good example of that - the apparent murder of a young girl by fire, and the subsequent death of her mother and her father send Detective Isaac Winters and his reluctant partner Daniel Simmons into a world of confusion and doubt. The whole premise makes me wonder how twisted of a mind the writer that wrote this book must have. I know, I know, not my problem. I did like the way the climax of the story broke out of the pattern I'd been expecting.

What I didn’t like:

I had a lot of trouble getting into this book. While I found the idea interesting it was basically another case of a good novel ruined by poor editing. There is more to telling a good story than having a good idea. The book is definitely copy edited only - free from typos, misspelled words and grammar mistakes, but with some major issues outside of that.

For example the main character, although presented as an experienced investigator, makes assumptions without evidence and then shares those with a witness; he also pockets evidence from a crime scene as a kind of souvenir, and repeatedly puts his completely bare hands all over a crime scene before they've been investigated by the forensics team. I guess in a normal world he would be sacked instantly for messing up the crime scene and hindering the investigation. Any cop would say you that much. Apart from that I must say I didn't like Isaac. This is a bigger deal for me than it sounds; I'm a very character-driven reader, and a main character I really like will get me over a lot of other difficulties. Isaac was simply not the right guy.


What’s more…there are a few instances of foul language which made me squirm but nothing too extreme or very annoying. The largest issue of this novel, in my very humble opinion, is the use of the narrative voice. In the first two chapters there are at least three different points of view used. It hardly makes the reading easy; usually a writer would pick one style and stick with it for the clarity’s sake. I suppose the book would have worked best in a close third person narrative.

The main villain of the story left me wanting more. I do like well-fleshed baddies and it is clear Richard Brown created just a rough sketch of a really evil psychopath with potential. I really could have done more with the bigger picture, adding some more explanations, back story and depth instead of gory detail. Also the ending was a little rushed for me – it was definitely too abrupt and open-ended.

Finally the book is written to an adult reader but I would want to warn you that this novel is not something for people with a weak stomach. There are scenes so graphic and gruesome inside I had to skim the text because I really thought I might be as sick as a dog. These include macabre descriptions of carving human bodies and even some scenes of necrophilia (I did manage to avoid reading them in full after glimpsing the idea). Brown has created a villain so depraved that it literally churns the stomach. The question is whether you want to know about him at all.

Final verdict:

I wasn't blown away by this one, although it had some good moments. I never quite understood exactly what "The Gift" really was about. Even the ending left me feeling flat if not slightly disgusted. Perhaps I lack imagination for such things.

The Cambridge List by Rober Clear: Review by Anachronist

Mini review: The Cambridge List by Robert Clear

Synopsis:

James Connor, a young English teacher in one of many Cambridge language schools for foreigners, is being seriously depressed. Not only his job is tedious to the extreme and not exactly well-paid but he also can’t find anything better. He desperately wants a change. Flanoxiride, a new anti-depressant developed by one of his flatmates, a PhD biotech student, still not tested on humans due to lack of funds, seems to be his chance to turn over a new leaf. He has nothing to lose, doesn’t he?

Soon enough he is able to hear a beautiful tune in his head, sung by a woman. He knows that probably something is not entirely right with him but the tune is so enticing he doesn’t want to interfere – it’s better to hear that than his students’ poor English, right? The woman sang about existence itself – of stars and galaxies, atomic and subatomic life. Who wouldn’t want to listen to it? After a while James has a whole Greek pantheon in his head – Hera, Athena, the Muse (like in Homer’s Iliad), all of them. They have a plan concerning James – they want him to kill five people who defy Greek deities the most and whose names are on an appropriate list. James will be the human agent or “wessel” of Olympians’ wrath. Call it a promotion.

Very conveniently, the first victim, Harriet Mason, happens to be James’s previous academic mentor, a monstrously fat woman and a lecturer in Ancient Greek who hates men (or so people think). That way we find out more about James’s classic studies at Midsummer College and the hidden plot which prevented him from obtaining a hard-earned degree and starting a very promising scholar career at the Faculty. Small wonder gods themselves had to intervene. ;) As the story unravels it seems that the Cambridge University’s Classics Study Division hides more unpleasant secrets than any decent mafia…or Greek tragedies. Small wonder- after all, believe it or not, classics is the study of death and sex…

Will James carry out that grim task? Will a young reporter, Wendy, help him? Will gods be finally appeased?

What I liked:

The premise was perhaps not the most original one (Greek gods have been featuring a lot in different nowadays) but it certainly was presented in a refreshing way. Hera, Aphrodithe and the Muse (a.k.a Muesli, the teenage single mother of four) were fun to read and had a lot of character.

All other deities were presented in a very human manner – they quarrel and fight, they swear and plot, all in poor James’s brain. If you think it is a bit too homey you should read the Greek myths themselves in which gods were exactly like these presented here: true, they used another language but, by and large, they remained a mirror reflection of their worshippers, not above stealing, raping, murdering and killing, even women and children. It’s obvious Mr. Clear understands Greek mythology rather well.

What I didn’t like:

Two-dimensional characters. If James was supposed to grow up and shoulder any responsibility he didn’t let it be seen (sly dog).

Sometimes the sense of humour, which was supposed to be dark, became too close to those lavatory jokes, dealing with any secretions a human body can excrete. Not my kind of fun (but undoubtedly appealing to some dumb teenage boys), I prefer something a tad more intelligently dark. Giving you a hint I do not recommend eating anything, even the best dark Lindt chocolate with cherry filling and a dash of chili, while reading some parts of this book – your gag reflex might still surprise you rather nastily. When I come to think about it you might actually think twice before visiting the lovely and ancient town of Cambridge, England. I am not sure the reputation the author gave that place in his novel was fair but it was certainly horrible. And a bit funny too.

Finally there was a lot of swearing in this one. If it was supposed to make the atmosphere even more hilarious for me (imagine Hera saying to Dionysos something like: “I could f*****g well wring you clean”) it failed. It made the dialogues between gods merely ludicrous.

Final verdict:

A book with some good scenes and ideas but also one that overall failed to impress me. Not my type of humour, not my kind of fun. Pity, because I do like mythological variations and thrillers.

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews: Review by Anachronist

My review of previous parts (not all, mind you) you can find here and here.

Genre: paranormal adventure/ romance
Target audience: adults

Synopsis:

Kate Daniels, previously a mercenary cooperating with the Order of Merciful Aid, is now on her own. Not entirely of course – as the Consort of Curran, the Beast Lord, she enjoys the protection of the Pack as she tries to kick-start her own business. Independence is rarely easy, especially when your former employers keep badmouthing you publicly, the bills keep coming and the clients are not exactly swarming near your office door. When, after a month of empty run, a serious order is placed Kate must accept it willy-nilly although it might prove to be a tad too dangerous. She joined forces with her best friend Andrea, now a retired (and heartbroken) Knight of the Order but still....when Atlanta's premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, it is never a laughing matter.

Things get complicated a bit and then another client arrives - Kate is asked to find a certain genius inventor who constructed a very dangerous device – something that might kill as efficiently as an atomic bomb but is aimed mainly at the magical community. It is also definitely far less conspicuous than any other weapon of mass destruction. Different factions would like to control the device and poufff!!! All of a sudden the inventor and the prototype is missing. Are these two incidents somehow connected? Will Kate figure out who kidnapped him in time to save Atlanta? Will she find her missing adoptive daughter, Julie, who chose to run away from school for the fourth time? What else she will be able to find about her past?

What I liked:

Finally I’ve encountered a series which authors are not afraid of tackling very dangerous and mostly uncharted waters of marriage. Yes, Kate Daniels is now officially married to his Furriness the Beast Lord and her adventures remain as interesting (if not more) as they used to be in the previous installments! Kudos for courage (well, the series is, after all, written by a husband-and-wife team) and kudos for performance! To all of the authors who say the series is over once you let the relationship actually form – get a big old raspberry! Or listen twenty times without a break to the Cher's song 'Do you believe in life after love?' and learn the lyrics by heart along with the dance routine! Now perform it in front of your readers! Serves you right!

This part of the series is also, in my humble opinion, the best so far when it comes to psychology. The main heroine, surprise, surprise, matures a lot. She learns some new facts about her mother and her former guardian, Voron, and is able to analyze them from a new perspective. She also takes some practical lessons in responsibility and the ability of compromise. Meanwhile we are given plenty of very acute and accurate observations concerning the sources of mass murder and extremism. Overall I was really pleased by that aspect of this book.

Once again this series’ big highlight were the elements of Slavic mythology entwined cleverly into the plot and used in an original way. I love its take on vampires. What's more? The pacing of the narration was a bit too frantic but what could you expect? It made the novel as unputdownable as ever.

What I didn’t like (with spoilers, sorry):

Ok, now I think I will ruin my reputation a bit. Who cares. Yes, I wanted to see one character dead. A kid. She didn't die and I resent it.

Don’t get me wrong – I have nothing against that kid, she is cute and funny. The problem is that in this book she gets attacked and is infected with the Lyc-V virus. As a result, according to dr. Dolittle, she is inevitably turning into a loup. As always our wonder woman Kate manages to find a way to save her reminding herself about an obscure cabbalist called Eliah the Unbeliever.

Well, in previous books we were repeatedly told by different characters that it is virtually impossible to cure or save anybody who was turning or turned loup - any shifter, be it a child or an adult, who loses his/her sanity must be put down instantly as loupism is highly virulent, dangerous for the whole community etc, etc. Well, I do understand that the authors wanted to save the kid who provided constant comic relief; the readers might have reacted angrily if Julie had died as she was bound to do but letting her die would be, in my humble opinion, a far more consistent and logical move. Fairy tales are a domain of miraculous ‘cures’ of supposedly incurable ailments, not fantasy novels. This book was in some parts so good that such a solution and an instant HEA which followed it I found garishly out of place. On the other hand, when you think about it Curran managed to overcome a similarly dangerous predicament in a similarly outlandish way in the previous part so I suppose it is simply how the author deal with improbable problems. Pity. Without such silly, unreal scenes this series would be far more intelligent and excitable, at least to me.

Ok enough about poor Julie. I don't like the cover too.

One more thing – the unresolved situation between Andrea and a certain bouda left me displeased but maybe it will be amended in the next part (I certainly hope for a HEA here).

Final verdict:

I really enjoyed that one and I will continue to read the series but please, let it be less miracles more logic in the next installments!

Last Bus Out by Beck McDowell: Review by Anachronist

Mini review: Last Bus Out by Beck McDowell

Synopsis:
The book presents a true story of a black teenager, Courtney Miles, a boy from one the projects of New Orleans, a place called Algiers. He was one of those deceptively common people who in the times of troubles, instead of creating havoc, decided to do something not only for themselves but also for the whole community. Although he didn’t have any driving license at that time he still managed to save over 300 people in Algiers during the disastrous Hurricane Katrina (August 2005) driving a school bus along with his friends, Jabbar Gibson and Nas. As it often is the case Jabbar got a lot of media attention whereas Courtney kept quiet about the role he played and was omitted. This book tries to present his side of the story and also reminding about these sad events.


What I liked:
The main hero, young Courtney, was presented in a very moving way, with his full, sad background and inner turmoil.
The novel is richly illustrated with photos and links which certainly add to the credibility of the account.
It was a very uplifting read; the struggle of Courtney to get a better life and not copy the mistakes of his family and friends I found really heroic. Sometimes more than his private rescue operation.


What I didn’t like:
The jargon boys are using while talking among themselves might be a problem for non- Americans. If you listen to hip-hop you will be ok, though.

It seemed to me that the author couldn’t decide whether or not to present the narration more like a document or more like a novel. As a result the book was, in my opinion, a bit too long, with simply too many photos of documents, rats, politicians, hurricanes, different links etc. They distracted my attention from the main hero.


Final verdict:
A truly gripping, real-life story but it could have been told better…a good editor would know what to do. I still wish Courtney all the best!

My Book Boyfriend: Anachronist Style

You know, I was finally granted that platinium card I'd been applying for so long (yes I hear your envious groans, do groan some more!). Melissa was driving really hard bargain but she is not totally merciless and with so many guys around it's good to have a female support from time to time. Anyhow in exchange I had to contribute to OUR harem. As I am called Anachronist not without a reason I chose historical fiction book - A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss.

The main character of this book, Benjamin Weaver, really caught my imagination. He is a man who can take care of himself and, being a former boxer and a highwayman, he is not afraid of a fight. He is also suprisingly well-groomed (the book is set at the beginning of the 18th century when lice and STDs were rampant) and has a great sense of humour. I was really brokenhearted when he didn't get a HEA so I decided to console him by inviting him to Melissa's and my fantastic harem (hereinafter called simply the harem but now you know who the owners are).

So, who do I see as Benjamin? John Abraham is my pick. Benjamin was of Jewish descend and his family came from Portugal... so the guy impersonating him must be dark and here you go...isn't he lovely?

And not only face of course :

How do you like him?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Psst.... It's Mel. Before many of you get upset thinking that I have caved and am now sharing my harem... let me put your fears and jealousies to rest. Anachronist was insisting on doing this meme. I mean who am I to throw away an opportunity to add to my harem? I mean.. look at that guy? I'm not passing that up. The platinum card is real, but it is the size of a wall intended to keep Anachronist on the other side of the harem. Oh, you should have seen the guys work on that wall. Sweaty, muscles bulging. *sigh* It was such a good sight to see! *rawr*

So, shhhh... don't tell her. I hold the only key to the harem! ;) Nope, I don't share! :D

A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss: Review by Anachronist

Book Info:
Form: e-book, mobi format
Genre: historical fiction/murder mystery
Target audience: adults

Synopsis:

The book, a first-person narration, is set in 1719 in London, one year before the famous stock-market crash known in the English-speaking world as the South Sea Bubble.

What happens when a big, bad corporation finds out that you know its dirty secrets and you intend to expose them? Well, it depends. You might be ‘accidentally’ run down by a hackney cab at night or you might all of a sudden display some suicidal tendencies and hang yourself in your own house. The choice is rather not entirely yours.

The main lead of this book is called Benjamin Weaver but his real surname used to be Lienzi; he comes from a family of Portuguese Jews who fled the Inquisiton. One day he is informed that the recent death of his father, who had been run down by a hackney, was most probably arranged. A William Balfour, the son of another victim (self-murder), who had been Benjamin's father’s close associate, asked him to investigate both cases. The problem is that Benjamin had been estranged from his family since he turned fourteen and now he knows very little about stock-jobbing, finances, and banking. He had never finished any school – he is an ex-pugilist and now he earns his living as a kind of private investigator, specializing in rather straightforward activity of retrieving stolen goods. Why such a person could find employment in those times? The answer is simple.

In the early 18th century there were no British police as such, only the so-called thief-takers. The London underworld was ruled by one of them, Jonathan Wild– a real person and the first real crime lord ever officially recorded. He used to profit from selling thieves he allegedly “caught” to the justice – the price for one such individual was 40 pounds – and of course he caught only those who crossed him or dared to defy his power (for comparison – a poor laborer in London could earn only 20 pounds a year and still was able to feed his family - I am quoting the author's explanations). It was not Wild's only source of profit of course. His people stole different things and then used to resell them to their legal proprietors, pretending that they “retrieved” them. Wild also controlled most of prostitution and prohibited traffic in the city. If somebody was intelligent enough to see through his practices, he would be a potential customer of such people as Benjamin Weaver (a fictional character) but usually people considered Wild a hero who fought crime day and night. Until he was hanged that is. Ok, let's return to the summary itself.

Although the conspiracy of the title seems to go way over Benjamin’s head or experience he decides he owes that much to his late father and starts the investigation. He will need all the luck and help he can get, though, as it is clear from the very beginning that he got involved in something far bigger than an occasional thievery or murder. He will have to cross his path with Wild and his henchmen more than once, he will also have to reconcile with his uncle, meeting in the process Miriam, an intelligent, beautiful woman he will fall in love with.

What I liked:

Plenty. Let me state it loud and clear – it was a delicious book and I simply devoured it.It kept me up far later than I should have been several nights in a row and for a good reason - although the book was rather long it was unputdownable.

A Conspiracy Of Paper has it all. It presents very well developed and interesting characters (particularly Benjamin Weaver - let's face it, you have to adore a man who, living in that strange era, washes his head thrice a month to avoid lice and used condoms made of sheep intestines), an exciting and mysterious plot, an ability to make early 18th century London come alive for the reader and a compelling historical perspective of the London’s stock market in its infancy, the criminal underworld and the powerful business elite. If you are not interested in the world of finances, don’t worry – our main character knows precious little about it either so there is ample explanation provided. If, however, you have studied the history of economics or particularly the trade disasters of modern day stock exchanges you will be able to identify with the excitement and confusion of the 1719 trade market even better. Believe me, the South Sea Company and dark machinations to protect their public image while earning as much as they can are a surprisingly contemporary topic. A fool and his money are soon parted after all- and nowhere so quickly as in the stock market, it would seem.

The author employs high action plot in a very good way, seducing the reader to enter the financial trading scene. I was happy to find all the accumulated implausibilities and unlikelihoods neatly wrapped up at the end – no mean task for such a long book. Additionally, Mr. Liss writes with confidence and humour. Is there anything more you can wish for?

What I didn’t like:

One really minor quibble from me (and now my romance-loving friends will gasp with surprise and clap with delight): I wanted so much a good solid HEA for Benjamin that my hands itched to slap that rebellious, stupid, overly ambitious Miriam over her lovely but stubborn head. Of course the way the author tied up the romantic plot line was very realistic and logical but still it made me sad. Well, real life is mostly sad, isn't it? Dear me, I suppose I complain because I keep bad company. ;p Or maybe because it's summer and I've been spoiled by too much chicklit?

Final verdict:

If you like detective as well as historical novels, you will be delighted with this book. I found it completely absorbing and entertaining – a very strong contestant to the title of the best book I’ve read this year. Historical fiction at its finest - I can hardly wait for the sequel!

William Hogarth's Gin Lane - I had it on my mind all the time.

"Commander and Den Assan" and "Tales of Frewyn" by Michelle Franklin Review by Anachronist

The Commander and Den Asaan Rautu (Vol 1. Book 1 in the Haanta Series) by Michelle Franklin

Synopsis:

Well, the title says it all and the story is very simple. There is the Commander, a very brave woman called Boudicca MacDaede (her first name is telling like hell, isn’t it?), perhaps not the most beautiful or the slenderest specimen of female beauty around but she’s got some sword skills, a character to match and she is mouthy. During a siege she happens to free a giant from Haanta, called Den Asaan Rautu (quite a mouthful) and after that they never part. How could they – he enjoys her figure and her country’s food immensely, she can’t stop admiring his muscles and other parts of his body as well. With predicable results – they fall in love with each other and they kind of marry. And go to bed. Meanwhile they manage to win a war here and there. End of the story.

What I liked:

The world building was a huge asset of this novel – although the names of people and places were a bit difficult to pronounce and remember, they were original. The author really went to great lengths to make the Haanta people differ from their neighbours, describing their customs and religion.

Introducing Ghelbhi, a little female Haanta mage who can defeat the whole fleet, was a good move. I don’t know whether I would finish the book without her.

I like funny, mouthy heroines so I found Boudicca definitely more appealing than an average romantic squeeze. I even liked the fact that she was…er… well endowed and with sturdy thighs. Very life-like description of a female soldier.

What I didn’t like:

As the whole novel revolves so tightly around romance it the chain of events becomes predictable very soon indeed. We know straight from the beginning that Boudicca fancies her giant and he fancies her back, they are created for each other. A hot bedroom scene becomes only a matter of time and opportunity and the author peppers our way to it with huge breadcrumbs (say: groping and kisses). I would groan if only I didn’t sing one of Cher’s songs so loudly…;) Seriously speaking I would have enjoyed definitely more background and more twists and turns of the plot.

Den Asaan is very strong and very skilled. He can defeat single-handedly a small army without breaking a sweat. Still, our cunning Boudicca manages to best him during a duel without any problems. If only it was a duel of wits, a game of chess, ok, even a round of hare and hounds, I would be more pleased. Where is logic? Where is probability? Where is fun? Major meh.

One more remark: perhaps a change of the title, which reveals too much and is too obvious, would be a good thing?

Final verdict:

The book wasn’t very bad but there’s room for improvement; I suggest giving our pair of lovebirds some breathers now and then. Let them quarrel, let some pirates kidnap Boudicca or maybe even her beloved Den Asaan for a change. Let them fight, suffer and cry. I am being so cruel, I know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tales from Frewyn (short stories from the Haanta series Vol.1) by Michelle Franklin

Synopsis:

Overall you can say that these short stories are domestic life scenes led by several Haanta giants and their spouses/mates in the country of Frewyn. They are mainly about food and sex, sometimes both of these mixed together. Food prevails. Not any kind of food, mind you – chocolate and cakes figure prominently here and occupy most of the space. Our giants, apart from being freakishly strong do have a sweet tooth. As every chapter is another story and there are many of them it would be difficult to summarize them one by one. Let me only say – they complement the novel The Commander and Den Asaan in a splendid way. I really wonder why the author didn’t decide to merge those two books, making the first less sketchy and the second – more palatable, at least to me.

What I liked:

Your chocolate craving might increase significantly while reading these stories. I love chocolate but if you are on a diet you might find it difficult to keep your dietary restrictions imagining these cakes and cookies and pancakes...so suggestively described I am already hungry.

The main characters are…sweet. There is simply no better way to describe them. Even the king is sweet up to a point. They live in peace and harmony. It was kind of endearing.

What I didn’t like:

I am not fond of short stories and this book would work way better for me if it was merged with the first one (The Commander and Den Asaan).

I was a bit confused about the target audience for these short stories. Sex scenes, quite explicit, cry adults (read the story entitled Chocolate Cake and you will know what I mean; one short excerpt to whet your interest or put you off: “The scent of the chocolate melded with the aroma of her pleasing flesh and the heat of her body melted it along her pastel skin.”); the rest could have been even YA.

Final verdict:

These short stories were sometimes charming but sometimes I simply didn’t see a point of starting something which finishes so quickly…perhaps it is only me, though. It would be also nice if the author defined her target audience with more precision.

Ebooks received by the author for review and no compensation was given.

Other reviews:

Avery's Book Nook for Den Assan Rautu

Avery's Book Nook for Tales of Frewyn

Winners! AND Meet the New Crew!

I first need to announce some winners...

Winners of...

are...

 Nic @ Irresistible Reads

and

 Mandalyn C.

both have been contacted and given their code.

Didn't win?

Get the book at Smashwords HERE for 99 ¢

Winner of...

is...

Jenny of The Supernatural Snark!

The winner of...

is...
Stella (Ex Libris)

Congraties to everyone!

Don't forget to enter current giveaways listed above this post!

Now, introducing the new crew:

Anachronist:
You have already seen a few of her reviews here and will see more. Some of you know her and some have just met. As for a bio, she prefers to slink in the shadows but I did write something quickly on the new reviewer's page. Here it is:

A cynic when it comes to romances. A very well written reviewer. I am allowed to say what I want about her since she never gave me her bio. *snicker* So, e-mail me and I'll make up some stories. ;) She also runs her own blog, Books as Portable Pieces of Thought and is often found singing to Cher. ;D

AimeeKay:

Here is her introduction in her own words:

So the other day while I was in port I found a most interesting post of a cry for "Help!". This intrigued me, so I decided to investigate and see if I could offer any assistance. Well it turned out Melissa, of Books and Things, was drowning in a sea of books, and needed some help reviewing them. I have done a review, or two, before and I while sailing the seas I've found I have the joy of free time, so I gallantly offered to help her out. Melissa for her part was kind enough to accept and asked me to introduce myself. So let me do just that.

My name is AimeeKay. I'm currently engaged as a crew member of the Rusty Dagger, under the Famous Pirate Captain Vix. In some parts known as Vicious Vix, other parts as Violent Vix ,and these parts as Vindictive Vix . We are presently hunting the elusive Narwal who has run away with her treasure, and may I say it has been a very interesting and exciting journey so far! Captain Vix is a good and dedicated captain, and as long as one follows orders and gets their jobs done, we are pretty much have a great amount of free time to use as we wish. (however while on the open sea the choices are a BIT limited) So as I said before I decided to offer some of my free time to wonderful Melissa and spend it reading and reviewing some books, and then sending them to her to publish here at Books and Things. I also will be posting my reviews on Amazon and Good Reads I'm new to GoodReads and looking for friends so feel free to stop by there and say hi. If your interested in hearing of more of the adventures of Captain Vix and the Rusty Dagger, feel free to come read about them here. If you are of the more adventurous sort you can always see if the Captain has an opening on the crew.

Now I have introduced myself, and one good turn deserves another, plus I love hearing back from people and would love to know who might be reading these reviews. So feel free to introduce yourselves down below in the comments or ask any questions I'll try to answer them. (Please don't be offended if I don't reveal a lot however, that Narwal he be a crafty one, and I wouldn't want him to use anything I say to avoid our dear Captain Vix, for while I do enjoy being a pirate, I would hate for her never to recover her treasure. Not to mention I am kinda curious as to what that treasure might be.)

Until we meet again!
AimeeKay

Zombies with Pride and a Bit of Prejudice: Review by Anachronist

I tried to resist, I really did, but the resistance was futile. I knew I had to read it and I’ve finally done it. Here is my review and beware - apart from Pride and Prejudice also zombies are coming!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahme-Smith
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Quirk Books (March 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1594743347
ISBN-13: 978-1594743344
Genre: Paranormal Parody of a Regency Romance
Target audience: YA zombie fans and some J. Austen adult fans as well.

Synopsis and what I liked:

I shortened this section in order not to bore you with repeating the story plenty of people know by heart and most of other people have heard something about. The book is a paranormal version of P and P - there’s Lizzy and her family, the Bennets, but here they are China-schooled martial art warriors (apart from Mrs. Bennet of course). Ninja or better. What can be done - the family lives in an age when they must be ever vigilant if the girls are to survive until marriage and beyond because England is swarming with zombies. Elizabeth Bennet becomes an especially talented fighter, and is renowned for the ease with which she can fend off an entire horde of Unmentionables, slicing and dicing with the best of them. Their beloved Hertfordshire is horribly infected and they do what they can to protect themselves and the rest of the population.

The zombies provide an entertaining backdrop without outshining the main story, which remains the developing relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, another magnificent warrior. What’s more? Lydia elopes with Wickham, Jane and Bingley fancy each other, Charlotte catches Mr. Collins but for slightly different reasons than in the original version. Let me only say - zombies can change a lot. The characters fight, duel and maim while still keeping perfect manners. Lizzy beheads Lydia when the girl annoys her (the head reattaches itself, don’t worry). Lizzy rejects Darcy's frist proposal kicking the hell out of him. Wickham ends up lamed for life. Vomit plays an important role in the whole book - these scenes were disgustingly funny at first. Finally “A Reader’s Discussion Guide” was smart, witty, and did repair my opinion of the grossness of the book - just a little.

Titillating factor:

None, with those horrible "dreadfuls" and all that barfing going on...

What I didn’t like:

First, in my opinion Seth allowed Jane Austen to do the bulk of the writing (85% of the text is still hers). I think he could have changed more and make the whole story quirkier and better. He could even have avoided mixing so many Asiatic culture elements – I suppose a steampunk P and P would work as well.

Second, the idea to turn Wickham into a diapered mess of a man, who must be constantly tended after wetting his bed lacked some refinement. This plot development itself tells me that Mr. Grahame-Smith rewrote the book more for teenage boys and girls than adult men and women. Personally I would put Wickham in charge of a large necropolis and let the zombies deal with him (or him deal with zombies as he was also a trained warrior after all). Satisfaction guaranteed.

Finally, after a while all that puking became irritating. Mrs. Bennet was the biggest offender but in this book at some point almost every character takes out discretely their handkerchief and empty their stomach for a reason or two. Zombies eating brains is gross, but when one has been surrounded by the Unmentionables for fifty years, it is unlikely that one will share our sense of decorum. But then came the marriage time and I didn’t complain anymore.

Final verdict:

It is still positive, despite some childish scenes aimed solely at grossing the reader out and/or make them laugh. If you found Pride and Prejudice an agreeable read and/or you are a zombie move aficionado (one somehow doesn't exclude the other), I’d encourage you to give this a try. I think Jane Austen would generally approve and she would earn a lot selling her copyrights! I don't doubt she would like to change the overtone a bit, though.

Now some quotes to give you a better idea what you could be dealing with if you decide to read the book:

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains will be in want of more brains. Never was this truth more plain than during the recent attacks at Netherfield Park, in which a household of eighteen was slaughtered and consumed by a horde of the living dead. ” 

“Elizabeth thought she detected the slightest smile on his face. She watched as Darcy drew his blade and cut down the two zombies with savage yet dignified movements. He then made quick work of beheading the slaughtered staff, upon which Mr. Bingley politely vomited into his hands. There was no denying Darcy's talents as a warrior.” 

“Your balls, Mr. Darcy?” He reached out and closed her hand around them and offered, “They belong to you Miss Bennet.” Upon this their colour changed, and they were forced to look away from one another, lest they laugh.” (of course they dealt with musket balls if anybody is asking).

Tobacco-Stained Mountain Goat by Andrez Bergen: Review by Anachronist

Mini review: Tobacco- Stained Mountain Goat by Andrez Bergen

I got that book courtesy of the author and Melissa from Books and Things – thank you both very much! It came free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis

Welcome to the claustrophobic, bleak Melbourne of the future where people called Deviants are hunted by the Seeker Branch of the Police. Hospitals no longer exist to heal or rehabilitate but to terminate your life. Real milk and real eggs are luxuries for the Rich and every woman had undertaken a lot of cosmetic enhancements.

Floyd Maquina, also addressed to as Two-Seven-Two-Seven is a freshly recruited police officer undergoing an in house training which is intended to hone his skills and develop his response times. It is also done to gauge his current psychological status which is far from rosy. He decided to join the forces in order to help his terminally ill wife, Veronica, whose hospitalization cost him a small fortune.

To let off the steam he drinks, smokes and meets with an attractive coworker, Nina Canyon a.k.a Laurel. He calls her his “femme fatale” because she dresses like some old movies’ heroines (Lauren Bacall for example). The situation deteriorates swiftly when during the training the Police make him think he killed his wife and then he is informed that she really died in Hospital. Then Laurel is relocated to the Hospital as well and nobody knows why. Finally the restaurant guests where Floyd is having dinner with his sister are attacked by a pair of deviants. Floyd defends himself and his sister becoming an instant tv celebrity. Now he is given more and more ‘assignments’ which are recorded by embedded reporters and broadcast as live entertainment. He even gets a serious business proposition he can hardly refuse as it might free Laurel from the Hospital clutches. Will he find out what is going on?


What I liked:

Many oh so many references to different good old movies – it would be impossible list them all here. I can’t remember when my cinema knowledge was so tested in a book. Apocalypse Now, The Seventh Seal, Bullit, The Third Man, That Certain Feeling, The Maltese Falcon, All About Eve, Seven Samurai, Soylent Green – you name it. Fortunately they are all listed at the end of the book.

Mixing Japanese culture with the cinema noir was definitely a good, original move. It created an atmosphere.

What I didn’t like:

It was never sufficiently explained who Deviants were and why they were hunted down. Hylax, the big bad company was never fully presented in its full ugliness.

It took me some time to get into the rhythm of the narration. The book was readable but not easily so. Maybe it was a deliberate trick.

The main hero, Floyd, was presented as strangely suppressed guy. His wife dies, then he loses his girlfriend and his defense mechanisms never kick in – he goes to work, he drinks, business as usual.

The ending left me puzzled – so it is enough to kill one baddie to have all your problems solved and the title goat was a real goat? Where did it come from?

Too many f –words. I know the main lead is seriously depressed and he lives in a harsh world but when the number of f-words exceeds 5-6 on one page I get annoyed. You can always let your readers know about the harsh situation in a more subtle way. If you don’t know how, consult old movies.

Final verdict:

The idea was great, the main hero – coherent and even honourable to some extend, despite harsh conditions, but the execution I found a bit botched, especially when it came to the world building and such. All in all I am not sold – sorry.

Want to read it for yourself? Get the pdf ebook at the publisher HERE. You may read it before you buy. Can't get a better offer!

Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill: Review by Anachronist

The second installment of my Summer Chicklit Reviews and things already are becoming a bit darker : Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires 04) by Chloe Neill is definitely not all sunshine and goodness. Well, it is never so when vampires are involved.

Book info:

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: New American Library; 1 edition (May 3, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0451233328

ISBN-13: 978-0451233325

Genre: Paranormal romance

Target audience: Adults (more or less)

Synopsis:

Caroline Merit, aka Merit the Cadogan House vampire and Sentinel, faces another crisis connected with her nemesis, Celina Desaulniers or Marie Collette Navarre. This time her house is blamed for every vampire-related disturbance in the beautiful but windy city of Chicago. It’s clear that somebody wants to create these disturbances only too often – vampires are secretly given a certain drug, white pills with a V pressed in them, and then they are invited to raves with humans. The drug makes them very volatile and aggressive- small wonder most of these raves end up in bloodshed and the help of the police is required. The problem is that more and more humans are rallying against supernaturals and especially against vampires – some of them picket the Cadogan House day and night with protest signs letting the vamps know that they are not welcome (to say the least of it).

Merit’s private life has improved but just slightly so. Ethan does what he can to make her trust him again but Merit is very wary and very bitter, unable to forget the way he backed out of a serious relationship last time (if you didn’t read the previous parts then fyi: he behaved like a total ass, showing that he cares more about politics and power than about her). Some new facts will emerge concerning Merit’s turning into a vampire without her consent and they will leave her dear Liege in even worse light. Not to mention the fact that Mayor Tate, a classic politician, practically blackmails Ethan with an arrest warrant from the CPD if he can’t keep vampires in line, knowing fully well that some vampires simply can’t be kept in line no matter what you do. As the book ends with a cliffhanger of a rather shocking kind I decided to include a spoiler for those who, like me, don’t mind being informed about such occurrences.

Spoiler section plus some of my rabid theories – highlight to read at your own risk.

The final is very dramatic, almost Shakespearean (I think here about those classic Hamlet performances with plenty of rapiers or foils swinging around): Celina all of a sudden stakes Ethan who shields Merit with his own well-muscled body, and Merit stakes Celina because now she lost any chance to reconcile with her beloved ex-lover (and she was definitely on her way to do so). With the death of Ethan the Cadogan House faces a bleak future – now it will be governed by a Receiver from the Greenwich Presidium, the body responsible for vampires around the world. I bet, though, that the new Receiver might be just the right person for some of the Cadogan vampires to make a new start. It pure speculation but I suppose Merit deserves to have a top-gun guy by her side and she can get him now, when Ethan is no longer the most serious obstacle. I never liked him but in this part he improved beyond belief – small wonder he had to die. Never believe a man when he says he will improve. ;p He is most probably lying and if he isn’t then he won’t live long.

What I liked:

The book was action-packed as I like and better paced than previous parts. The political intrigue was presented in a sensible way – neat, slick and horrible. I had absolutely no idea who was really pulling the strings. I also never saw the final showdown coming.

Merit is the main character, but unlike almost every other female protagonist in this genre, she has meaningful, strong relationships with other women. I really start to enjoy that aspect of the series. I think Merit is growing on me, maybe partially because she and Ethan were definitely behaving in a more mature way. Maybe her emotions haven’t been described very clearly but at least there was some ‘adult’ reasoning behind her actions.

Finally the cliffhanger…no matter whether you liked it or not you must admit the author was rather brave to end her fourth book the way it was ended because the move might kill the series in the long term. I never was a fan of a certain vampire and, reading so many emotional, even downright angry opinions, directed towards Ms. Neil, I was surprised a bit. Although I understand I cannot relate. Not really. Of course I can’t assess this plot device properly right now because I don’t know what will happen next but in my view it was the equivalent of killing off that old, wise, white-bearded protector of the main lead so he/she can progress and grow. A stuff which you can come across in every fantasy book and/or movie. I hope for the best and I praise the author for risking the fact that some readers, so drawn to the character in question, might not want to read the series any longer. You've got to be talented to kill off a popular hero, one of the main characters to boot, and redeem yourself as a writer in the next part. Just think about the pressure to write the next part so well to woo at some of the fans back. My best wishes Ms. Neill (but I don't envy you)!

Titillating factor:

No explicit sex scenes in this one but plenty of erotic tension which worked for me even better. Really sometimes less is more. Well done!

What I didn’t like:

The baddie, Celina…in my humble opinion she should have been presented in a different, far more exposed way. I mean she was one of the crucial characters and I found her rather underdeveloped. I like well fleshed-out baddies, with internal turmoil and all that jazz. Apart from that vampires in this series are supposed to be heavily political and tactical creatures. They're supposed to think two steps ahead, have a back up plan and be able to defeat their enemies without doing anything more than playing out their hand to its inevitable conclusion and here we don’t see any planning – we are shown a woman who just snaps at everybody or features in some blurry photos as a shadowy figure meeting with another shadowy figure– in other words we are left without one single juicier scene. Other characters have to fill in that void, discussing Celina’s motivations and aims. Lame.

What’s more…some plot lines were left hanging but hey, it’s not the ending of the series so not really a fault unless…the author forgets about them further on. We’ll see.

Finally the narration occasionally turned into a journal-like account of Merit’s most trivial actions like “I showered, I combed my long hair, I dressed, I went to visit a friend, I had an ice-cream or a deep-fry in such and such restaurant on the corner…” but it wasn’t as frequent and annoying as in the previous parts. However, I would like to read even less of it.

Final verdict:

A book definitely more emotional than a standard position of this genre - no HEA and no fluffy sense of physical well-being guaranteed. It is getting better but do you feel the same? :p I am inclined to give the author one more chance– I am very curious what will she do in the next part to atone for her sins. In other words: I will be reading book 5 but whether I read book 6 is a completely different question.