A Fist Full of Book Reviews
Contrary to popular belief, I have been keeping up with reading. Here are a few more selections from the scatted reading habits of One Natty. Enjoy!
Bel Canto by Anne Pattchet
Rating: A
Plot Synopsis: A Japanese business man is the guest of honor in a unnamed implied South American country where his favorite Prima Donna opera singer will be in attendance. The home country is hosting this celebration in desperate hopes that the business man will open a factor to restart their struggling economy. Everyone who is anyone is invited to attend. From the President of the country to many officials from other countries all wanting to get on the business man's good side.
What goes wrong is that terrorists decided to crash the party. They are desperately hoping that the President of the Country is in attendance as it was reported he would be. Unfortunately for them, he is not, and they are now stuck with a hundred hostages and demands that the Country will never answer.
Review: Read this damn book! You could try to guess the ending, and you would be wrong. But not in a twisting increadibly, never could happen sort of way. The book travels the stories of the characters who are stuck together for over three months. From being afraid, to starting to hope and dream together as a family, regardless of who kidnapped who. It is really engaging, from the narrative, to the way the story switches, telling a mini story of all the characters as they shift and adapt in the story. Did I meantion I was just floored at the end of this book? Awesome.
The Dance Macabre by Laurell K. Hamilton
Rating: B
Synopsis: Anita Blake is back! And things are never easy for the Vampire Executioner ,and leader of just about every werecreature in the city of St. Louis and in this tale, the shit gets piled on once again. The start of it, Jean Claude, the vampire master of St. Louis has brought together the masters of other cities in America to see where his new found power has allies and enemies. All are asked to attend a special showing of Jean-Claude's new vampirice ballet.
The Mother of All is still messing with Anita.
Obsidian Butterfly tries to play.
And then there is that pesky pregnancy scare.....
Review: Well. It wasn't the worst Anita Blake book I have read. I actually think it's very reminiscent of a time when Hamilton allowed us to have some progress on her plot of a million stories. In true Hamilton fashion, she resolves the main problem of the book half way through, (no I am not going to spoil who's the daddy..tee hee), and then leaves the rest of the book to just pile more questions on top of old questions. There is some more character progression with Richard, though I do not know if it is for the best or worse. There are times when I think he is a very big distracting force in the book and just there to give Anita someone to hate and pin after. I do not know.
However, with the turn of this book, I am rather excited for the next edition. Which is the first time in maaaaaaaaaaaaaaany books. I have not been excited for another once since Obsidian Butterfly.. and that was like three books ago. So, Anita fans, do not fret.
I am still under the opinion that a story set in the same universe but a different city with another Executioner would be fuuuuuuuuuuun. Or hell, even another supernatural race... fun. A break from the up and down drama that is Anita's life.
I have also read a few sequels. I am not going to super review them, but here you go:
California Demon by Julie Kenner Rating: A+
Bring it On by Laura Anne Gilman Rating: A-
Books to Watch Out for in the Supernatural Vein:
(If you have read these, they all have sequels out now!)
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Urban Shaman by C. E. Murphy
(Fantasy) Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara
(Fantasy) The Decoy Princess by Dawn Cook
Bel Canto by Anne Pattchet
Rating: A
Plot Synopsis: A Japanese business man is the guest of honor in a unnamed implied South American country where his favorite Prima Donna opera singer will be in attendance. The home country is hosting this celebration in desperate hopes that the business man will open a factor to restart their struggling economy. Everyone who is anyone is invited to attend. From the President of the country to many officials from other countries all wanting to get on the business man's good side.
What goes wrong is that terrorists decided to crash the party. They are desperately hoping that the President of the Country is in attendance as it was reported he would be. Unfortunately for them, he is not, and they are now stuck with a hundred hostages and demands that the Country will never answer.
Review: Read this damn book! You could try to guess the ending, and you would be wrong. But not in a twisting increadibly, never could happen sort of way. The book travels the stories of the characters who are stuck together for over three months. From being afraid, to starting to hope and dream together as a family, regardless of who kidnapped who. It is really engaging, from the narrative, to the way the story switches, telling a mini story of all the characters as they shift and adapt in the story. Did I meantion I was just floored at the end of this book? Awesome.
The Dance Macabre by Laurell K. Hamilton
Rating: B
Synopsis: Anita Blake is back! And things are never easy for the Vampire Executioner ,and leader of just about every werecreature in the city of St. Louis and in this tale, the shit gets piled on once again. The start of it, Jean Claude, the vampire master of St. Louis has brought together the masters of other cities in America to see where his new found power has allies and enemies. All are asked to attend a special showing of Jean-Claude's new vampirice ballet.
The Mother of All is still messing with Anita.
Obsidian Butterfly tries to play.
And then there is that pesky pregnancy scare.....
Review: Well. It wasn't the worst Anita Blake book I have read. I actually think it's very reminiscent of a time when Hamilton allowed us to have some progress on her plot of a million stories. In true Hamilton fashion, she resolves the main problem of the book half way through, (no I am not going to spoil who's the daddy..tee hee), and then leaves the rest of the book to just pile more questions on top of old questions. There is some more character progression with Richard, though I do not know if it is for the best or worse. There are times when I think he is a very big distracting force in the book and just there to give Anita someone to hate and pin after. I do not know.
However, with the turn of this book, I am rather excited for the next edition. Which is the first time in maaaaaaaaaaaaaaany books. I have not been excited for another once since Obsidian Butterfly.. and that was like three books ago. So, Anita fans, do not fret.
I am still under the opinion that a story set in the same universe but a different city with another Executioner would be fuuuuuuuuuuun. Or hell, even another supernatural race... fun. A break from the up and down drama that is Anita's life.
I have also read a few sequels. I am not going to super review them, but here you go:
California Demon by Julie Kenner Rating: A+
Bring it On by Laura Anne Gilman Rating: A-
Books to Watch Out for in the Supernatural Vein:
(If you have read these, they all have sequels out now!)
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Urban Shaman by C. E. Murphy
(Fantasy) Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara
(Fantasy) The Decoy Princess by Dawn Cook