Books 5-7
5. Sarah Ash - Prisoner of the Iron Tower, Book 2 of The Tears of Artamon series. Fantasy. 3 stars
Series note: this series still has strong flaws with overall characterization. While the main character has fleshed out a little, and some of the others are interesting, the "villain" is a Jekyll/Hyde style character whom I often feel is just flipped to whichever personality the author needs for that scene. I'm hoping there's some sort of resolution or explanation for this in book 3.
6. Kim Harrison - Fistful of Charms, Book 5 of the Rachel Morgan series. Modern fantasy/horror. 5 stars.
As always, Harrison's books make me laugh and I can't wait until the end. I love the very human failings of the lead character, and that all the other Interlander characters aren't perfect or infalliable to their stereotype. As long as Rachel's particular "special skill" doesn't end up making her superwoman (and it doesn't seem that Harrison is going to do that), this series remains one of my all-time favorites.
7. Keri Arthur - Full Moon Rising, Book 1 of the Riley Jenson Guardian series. Modern fantasy/horror. 4 stars.
I was a little wary of a romance novelist turned paranormal/horror writer, but I did enjoy this one. I loved the atypical vampire issues, and while maybe there's sometimes more sex than story in some of the scenes, it's there from the beginning and a reader can't say they weren't warned that it was erotica. I'll be reading a few more... it's fun brain candy.
Didn't Finish: Kelley Armstrong - Stolen, Book 2 of the Women of the Otherworld series. Modern fantasy/horror. From the 12 or so chapters I did read, I'd have to give this book 1 star. I'd forgotten in the lapse between reading Bitten (about a year ago) and reading this one that I really didn't care for Elena as a narrating character. I may try some of the other books to see if a change in narrator voice helps or if I'm just not a fan of Armstrong's style in general.
Currently Reading: Tanya Huff - Long, Hot Summoning. Modern Fantasy. Up Next: Sarah Ash - Children of the Serpent Gate. Fantasy.
Reading recommendations are always welcomed. X-posted to 50bookchallenge and readthealphabet LJ communities.