Books 43-46
43. Jim Butcher - Fool Moon, book 2 of the Dresden Files series. Paranormal (modern horror/fantasy). 5 stars.
Still a good series, with Harry being a likeable character who tends to succeed as much by sheer luck and bravado as by skill. I like the twists on the traditional werewolf mythos used in this one - much better than the standard Hollywood oriented wolf fluff.
44. Rachel Caine - Chill Factor, book 3 of the Weather Wardens series. Paranormal (modern/horror fantasy). 3.5 stars.
While the title had about zilch to do with the actual book content, it was good reading. My biggest complaint in this one was the entire plot was centered around a huge flashback on Joanne's life that was hugely traumatic and probably should have been something mentioned in her mental monologues long before book 3. Other than that, good reading, and nice that she had to stand fairly on her own in this one.
45. Simon R. Green - Something from the Nightside, book 1 of the Nightside series. Paranormal (modern/horror fantasy). 4 stars.
Interesting introduction to a very different variant (so far) on a paranormal world. It has somewhat more of a cyberpunk feel than the rest of the paranormal series out there (I believe Green is primarily a sci-fi writer), so the series will probably remain darker and less likely to go to fluff than some. I found the main character (John) to have a lot of promise, and Green left enough loose ends in John's history/personality to make book 2 worth pursuing.
46. Charlaine Harris - Definately Dead, book 6 of the Southern Vampire series. Paranormal (modern horror/fantasy). 3.5 stars.
Harris continues to delve more into the Were/shifter worlds, with just a bit of icing of vampire, mostly politics. Quinn returns from his cameo in a prior book to make an interesting character, although a bit too "perfect" for my taste. Sookie continues to make judgement calls on her male admirers, so Harris hasn't fallen to the harem bug yet. Her standing up for herself against her ex was a good point of the book, although some of the subplots spun wildly. Not sure if any of the loose threads will pick up in future books.
Currently reading: Nada. Need to get to the library to pick up a hold (Laurell K. Hamilton's The Harlequin).
Anyone have any recommendations for "lighter" sci-fi before I get stuck in a permanent paranormal rut? I'm not really wanting fantasy at the moment either, but easy reading sci-fi in the manner of Piers Anthony, James Alan Gardner, or Nick Sagan would be good. The heavier tomes (like Neil Stephenson) just take a bit too much concentration to read with a small baby around or in tidbits on my breaks at work.
Still a good series, with Harry being a likeable character who tends to succeed as much by sheer luck and bravado as by skill. I like the twists on the traditional werewolf mythos used in this one - much better than the standard Hollywood oriented wolf fluff.
44. Rachel Caine - Chill Factor, book 3 of the Weather Wardens series. Paranormal (modern/horror fantasy). 3.5 stars.
While the title had about zilch to do with the actual book content, it was good reading. My biggest complaint in this one was the entire plot was centered around a huge flashback on Joanne's life that was hugely traumatic and probably should have been something mentioned in her mental monologues long before book 3. Other than that, good reading, and nice that she had to stand fairly on her own in this one.
45. Simon R. Green - Something from the Nightside, book 1 of the Nightside series. Paranormal (modern/horror fantasy). 4 stars.
Interesting introduction to a very different variant (so far) on a paranormal world. It has somewhat more of a cyberpunk feel than the rest of the paranormal series out there (I believe Green is primarily a sci-fi writer), so the series will probably remain darker and less likely to go to fluff than some. I found the main character (John) to have a lot of promise, and Green left enough loose ends in John's history/personality to make book 2 worth pursuing.
46. Charlaine Harris - Definately Dead, book 6 of the Southern Vampire series. Paranormal (modern horror/fantasy). 3.5 stars.
Harris continues to delve more into the Were/shifter worlds, with just a bit of icing of vampire, mostly politics. Quinn returns from his cameo in a prior book to make an interesting character, although a bit too "perfect" for my taste. Sookie continues to make judgement calls on her male admirers, so Harris hasn't fallen to the harem bug yet. Her standing up for herself against her ex was a good point of the book, although some of the subplots spun wildly. Not sure if any of the loose threads will pick up in future books.
Currently reading: Nada. Need to get to the library to pick up a hold (Laurell K. Hamilton's The Harlequin).
Anyone have any recommendations for "lighter" sci-fi before I get stuck in a permanent paranormal rut? I'm not really wanting fantasy at the moment either, but easy reading sci-fi in the manner of Piers Anthony, James Alan Gardner, or Nick Sagan would be good. The heavier tomes (like Neil Stephenson) just take a bit too much concentration to read with a small baby around or in tidbits on my breaks at work.