eBook Review: Ceaseless

Can he make her fall in love with him… again?

When Pagan Moore proved worthy of Death’s devotion, he was given the gift of getting to keep her.

But Dank was never promised that Pagan would keep him.

When a soul is created, so is its mate. In every lifetime those souls find each other. They complete the other’s destiny. It’s time for Pagan’s soul to choose if she truly wants an eternity at Death’s side or if she wants the mate created just for her.

Dank didn’t think he had to worry about her choice. He knew where her heart belonged. Until he realized that every kiss, every touch, every moment of their time together would be washed from her memories. He would have to win her heart all over again and prove to her soul that he was where she belonged.

If only her soul’s mate wasn’t right there standing in his way.

So after Existence and Predestined Dank is back to square one (the scary square).  Only he's got the slight advantage in that Pagan doesn't really forget him.  Dejavu all over the place.  What it really meant was that she wasn't giving him the benefit of the doubt so when some skank decided to make things difficult...well.  Poor Dank.

I was honestly a little iffy on this book; I doubted Glines would build up Dank and Pagan just to be like 'whoops well a bit of amnesia and she doesn't really love him after all!' so it was a false premise to begin with.  I wasn't even that keen on the journey to them becoming stronger since I really didn't like seeing Dank so depressed and sullen.  Also I hated Pagan's so called soulmate (who's name I forget and I'm thankful for that).

There's some cameos (Leif! Oddly I missed you sir), but this is pretty by the numbers overall.  The reason Dank doesn't win in the first month is pretty contrived and since Pagan never quite felt committed to ol'what's his name her soul mate it was just annoying.  Which brings me to a different point--Pagan and her soul mate were supposed to be made for each other.  Like--hey customized for your happiness made for you.  DESTINED. So not only did I get to read about Dank being sullen, Pagan being depressed but not understanding why and more time with I hope to never remember his name again, but Glines is playing glib with destiny.

::shakes fist::

I'm being harsh, but honestly I devoured this pretty quickly.  Glines has an easy to read and digest writing style that moved along at a perfect pace.  There's some mutterings that verge on the religious at times, but really its how it relates to Death and souls then religion so it wasn't an issue.  The climax is a bit of a 'oh for crying out loud', but by that point I would have accepted an author note that said 'And so they worked things out'.  I just wanted them back together.

So obviously Glines succeeded in getting me to care about her characters--which is the whole point of reading right?

eBook Review: The Princess of Dhagabad

When, on the day of her age-coming, the princess opens a mysterious bronze bottle--a gift from her grandmother--she has no idea that she is about to unleash a power older than the world itself. Worse, she is not prepared for the bearer of this power to be a handsome man whose intense gray eyes pierce her very soul. Hasan, her new slave, is immeasurably wiser and stronger than anyone she has ever heard of, and he is now hers to command--if she can handle him, that is.

Firstly, I read this book about, hmm 8 years ago originally when it came out in hardcover from Herodias (back in 2000).  This was a little updated--new pages added, some small changes to freshen the book up, but otherwise remains largely the same.  So this is more a review of how I felt 10 years (when I was 19) ago vs. how I felt on my re-read (at 29).

Interestingly I found myself less inclined to like the Princess (who's name is not revealed until the end...unless you read the synopsis for book 2 The Goddess of Dance) than when I was younger.  I think some of it had to do with the fact she is very naive and her choice in the end felt more selfish.  She didn't want to do what her father said so she made it happen so she could have what she wanted.  This was an ongoing theme throughout the novel after she awakens Hasan.

She lacked the ability to understand or foresee consequences to her actions or requests.  Hasan, who at first is mindful of such things, becomes enthralled by her boundless joy and curiosity so he allows a lot to happen that perhaps shouldn't.

This isn't a fast paced or action filled novel.  We follow the Princess as she grows from a young girl (of 12) to a young woman of 17, sometimes spending time in the past with Hasan as he remembers what drove him to become a djinn in the first place.  He sees so much of himself in the Princess that he can't help thinking of the parallels.  We see things also from the Princess' mother and briefly from the Princess' childhood companion Alamid.  Its all told in third person, but we get insights into the other characters.

As an adult I feel more keenly for the Princess' mother--a high born lady who knows that once her daughter, who's been raised as a boy moreso than as a girl, marries she will lose her.  Her husband, who's family is cursed to be unable to have sons who survive (mostly, certain circumstances must occur for it to happen and its a slim chance) has scores of concubines, which she doesn't mind, but her fear is that her daughter will be replaced and then where will she be?  The sultan favors the Princess as his heir, raised her as if she was a son, but always with the silent 'If my daughter is so great as a woman, just imagine if I had a son!'

With an Arabian Nights feel to it, this fantasy of the desert is so different an intriguing.  Religion is largely absent, though ancient Cults of worship and Goddesses are mentioned.  Perhaps because this was a re-read, so I knew where it was all going, I wasn't feeling the same need to finish this quickly.  I took a more leisurely read of the book, soaking in the atmosphere that Kashina presents, imagining the world and the people with their delicious foods and scents.

I remember desperately seeking info for the second book, which was released last year (and a third is due).  I don't feel that same desperation right now, but I did download it immediately after finishing The Princess of Dhagabad, so I know its waiting for me to call upon it just as the Princess calls upon Hasan.

Post BEA: The 15 books I can't Wait To Read

To everyone's astonishment me and Tegan decided to combine our forces to try to not get duplicates.  And we succeeded! (though our sistership may have taken a huge hit...)  Very few books did we get dupes of and the ones we did largely was because we loved the author that much.

However as with anything there are favorites.  There are my babies that I love more than anyone else, and thus we have my Top 15 List, though they're in no other order.  Some won't be surprises, others may be.  Heck some you may not have heard of.  Regardless tell me in the comments--what are you excited about?

YOUNG ADULT

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
Why?: New twist on being a vampire and being able to be mortal again
Release: September 2013
Expectation: I thoroughly enjoyed the short story, so I expect to thoroughly enjoy this longer novel that expands upon it.
Possible Hitch: Black and I have a love/hate relationship.  I enjoy her short fiction, but haven't enjoyed her longer fiction yet.

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Why? Chaol! Celaena! Silent Assassins! actually that's wishful thinking on my part :sigh:
Release: August 2013
Expectation: I frakking loved the first book (and novellas), and Celaena is pretty awesome.
Possible Hitch: I loved the first book so much I may have put this on a pedestal too high to climb.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
Why?: Its GodKing Brandon Sanderson, don't ask weird questions.
Release: September 2013
Expectation: I should enjoy it--superheroes, anti-heroes, godmod'ing characters...
Possible Hitch: Its a male POV and possibly not as complex narratively than I like my Sanderson books.

 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
Why?: McNeil has impressed me with her suspensefulness--also multiverses!
Release: September 2013
Expectation: I should be relatively happy!
Possible Hitch: While I enjoyed Possess I wasn't completely satisfied with how it all turned out . Also multiverses are the new vampire I think.

Doon by Carey Corp and Lori Langdon
Why?: BRIGADOON AS A YA NOVEL nuff said
Release: August 2013
Expectation: I have every belief I will enjoy it.
Possible Hitch: Christian Fiction Imprints and I have notoriously bad luck...

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake
Why?: Its TORTeen and its about deities--I'm there.
Release: September 2013
Expectation: Reserved for judgement because...
Possible Hitch: I sincerely did not like ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD.

The Dollhouse Asylum by Mary Gray
Why? Stepford Wives meets Survival Games...
Release: October 2013
Expectation: I should enjoy it, assuming I'm not mis-reading what its about.
Possible Hitich: I could be misunderstanding the plot.

This is W.A.R. by Lisa Roecker and Laura Roecker
Why?: Amara (of Soho Press) recommended it to me and we had a lengthy converse on it.
Release: July 2013
Expectation: It sounds like a good tense thriller!
Possible Hitch: I know almost nothing else about it.

Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young
Why?: I love the movie "Sliding Doors", and this is basically that, for teens.
Release: August 2013
Expectation: Fair to middling high.
Possible Hitch: I'm not a big fan of Suzanne Young...and never read Cat Patrick...

EVERYTHING ELSE

Shaman by Kim Stanley Robinson
Why?: Historical set during the Ice Age! Also Orbit!
Release: September 2013
Expectation: I was greatly interested in 2312 so that's a good sign.
Possible Hitch: I think there's only one character...

The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan
Why?: Its Amy Tan, who I've been reading since I was about twelve.
Release: November 2013
Expectation: This is her first fiction novel in almost a decade, so I am excited.
Possible Hitch: I haven't read fiction from Tan since I was a teen, so hopefully she holds up!

Charming by Elliot James
Why?: Well its Orbit and its about Prince(s) Charming being cursed...
Release: September 2013
Expectation: High, like very high.
Possible Hitch: Male POV and also I've read a lot of books with Prince Charming involved lately...

Parasite by Mira Grant
Why?: Its Mira Grant. 'Nuff said.
Release: October 2013
Expectation: Much higher than most, since again its Mira Grant.
Possible Hitch: I understand nothing about medical anything

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
Why?: I picked it up by accident actually.
Release: November 2013
Expectation: I have none since well I just learned about it.
Possible Hitch: Austen related fiction and I have taken a sabbatical, so hopefully I'm over it soon.

Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Why?: SUPER VILLAINS AND EVILLLL
Release: September 2013
Expectation: SUPER VILLAINS AND EVILLLL make a fine cake
Possible Hitch: I wasn't a huge fan of Schwab's YA novels, so there's that.

OSW Readalong June: Angel with the Sword by CJ Cherryh

Old School Wednesdays Book Club

The OSW Readalong:
Old School Wednesdays is a weekly feature on their blog where Ana and Thea review books at least 5 years old.  Due to the overwhelming response in March to the idea, the Readalong was created.  At the beginning of each month a poll will go live with 5 books as suggestions for the next month's book, at the end of 2 weeks they will announce the title chosen by the readers for the next month.

April's chosen book is Angel with the Sword by CJ Cherryh, the first book in what would become the shared world series of "Merovingen Nights".  Don't know what a shared world series is?  Check out this wikipedia article--basically its a bunch of creators writing in the same world, possibly with shared characters.  They were pretty big in the 80's/90's for fantasy/science fiction.  In this case Angel is part of Cherryh's larger "Alliance Union" universe.

In Merovingen, a watery canal-laced city, much like Earth's Venice, society is segregated along class lines between the lower and upper cities. Against her better judgment, Altair Jones, 17, rescues an unconscious man from a canal near her poleboat. She is fascinated by Mondragon's good looks and elegant ways and begins to fall in love with him. Even though she knows there is no future for a water rat like herself with such a man, she decides to watch over him and rescue him from his enemies; enemies who turn out to be the most powerful people in the upper city...

Linkage:
The Book Smugglers Announcement Post
C.J. Cherryh's Webpage
Merovingen Nights Wikia
CJ Cherryh's Twitter
Wave Without a Shore (blog)

The Discussion begins June 26th!

eBook Review: A Rogue's Rescue

Despite her vast wealth, Miss Ariadne Lambert, at the ripe old age of thirty-three, is a plain and aging spinster with little but a fading hope that a knight in shining armor will come to sweep her off her feet. Which makes her the perfect prey for the unscrupulous “Dapper” Dorsey, who would stop at nothing to seduce a needy and wealthy woman and then coldly fritter away her funds in the gaming halls of London. As Ariadne succumbs first to his wily charms and then to his kisses, will her need for affection rob her of her dignity—and her fortune?

Viscount Ingram, whose soiled reputation from one especially salacious incident has left him exiled to the sidelines of society, marks his time as a dark and brooding man, tolerated more for his title than his merit. But even he has his standards, and when he learns of a rival’s plot to seduce and then steal from a helpless spinster, he vows to stop him.

Ingram’s noble sentiments and uncharacteristic sincerity are in for a shock, however, as he discovers that the hopelessly gullible Ariadne is in fact a clever and shrewd woman who’s got more than a silly giggle up her sleeve. As the two team up in a devilish scheme to bring about the final undoing of Dorsey, cooperation turns to admiration and then attraction, and they discover that their last chance to repair their reputations may also be their first chance at finding true love.

This was a cute story overall  I've read Simpson for most of my romance reading life and she was one of the authors who got me into 'traditional' regency romances, so I knew that I would at least enjoy the story.  This was one of her novellas from the multitudes of anthologies that came out back in the 90's (I should know, I collected most of them), though I don't believe I've read this one before.

I admit that the heroine being 33 years old (which is a good deal older than most heroines in traditional regency romances), was partially the draw for me.  Ariadne certainly plays the part of an idiotic simpering spinster, but her normal self is very practical.  She lists her tragedies in life without any bitterness, accepted that she spent a lot of time with her Aunt and has moved on.  She wants nothing more than to be left alone and follow what pleases her.

Ingram is very similar, though we are given relatively less history for him.  All his characterization is in the present; much of what is said about his past is basic fact or rumor, there's very little to it.  I found his slow need to protect Ariadne endearing, though it did verge on the stalker since Ariadne was at first very upset with his intrusions.

This is a sweet tale that flies by quickly.  Its also quite short, so if you need something while waiting in a line this is a perfect bite-sized treat.

Morganville Vampires Daylight is Coming Re-Read

Image Credit to the Morganville Vampires Confessions Tumblr

All right guys we are T-Minus 5 months away from The Daylighters, the 15th and final book of the Morganville Vampires young adult paranormal book series dropping and you know what that means?

Massive amounts of crying that's what.

We've had our ups in the series (introduction of Myrnin!) and our downs (what the heck did you just say Shane?!) as well as our generally clusterfrak moments (I just...Bitter Blood guys...), but its safe to say that the MV books have held a special place in many YA Vampire lovers hearts.

Waaaaay back in the day (2009 in fact) I did a Rachel Caine Re-Read of the series (see the posts here) in which I read up to book 6 (Carpe Corpus) now four years and almost 9 books later I'm going to re-visit this idea.

From July 5h to November 5th there are 16 weeks (4 months), there are 14 novels and over a dozen short stories.  I propose in that 4 month time period we read every book and story, as chronologically as possible and meet once a month to discuss things.  You can of course choose to listen to the books/stories instead--I heard the audiobooks are quite good!

Who's interested?  I'll be doing it regardless, but its always nice to have others to share with right?

eBook Review: Fire and Frost

**I will review each story separately and then as a whole**

Speed Mating by Jessica Sims – Estrella may be going into heat, but she’s determined to remain in control. Just because she’s ovulating doesn’t mean she has to settle for just any man (or his beast). Her sexy alpha’s determined to find her a tiger to take care of her heat and father her child…but no one seems to look quite as good as the man in charge. Will giving in to her need for her alpha ruin her tenuous relationship with her clan or be a match made in heaven?

Part of Sims' "Midnight Liaisons" paranormal romance series, which I enjoy greatly because its such a cute and fun series, didn't quite hit the right chord with me.  Maybe because I felt like the whole debate over whether Estrella would keep the baby (or even have the baby) was repeated too many times.  Estrella went from just wanting to get laid, to figuring out what to do if she got pregnant, to making it a condition of whoever she slept that they wanted to be a daddy.  Several folk mention she should be barren yet...well. Apparently not so.

I liked Vic, thought he was pretty cool even if he wasn't exactly my type.  Estrella must be screwy to not realize how he felt--he was broadcasting loud enough that his clan members knew to not lay a finger on her.  Regardless this had a lot of humor and some surprise cameos.  This was also one of the least tension filled stories I've read in a long time since the only real enemy was Estrella's high standards for a bed mate and low opinion of herself. 

Conjuring Max by Carolyn Crane – The witches of the world ridiculed and rejected nerdy Veronica for trying to use newfangled computers to enhance old world spellcasting. Well, it’s 1984 now, and she’s perfected her spellcasting computer program. Hey, who needs friends when you can conjure virtually anything…or anybody? So when Veronica makes powerful new enemies, she conjures Max, a pitbull of a cop, to deal with the pesky hitmen who keep coming around. Maybe Veronica can finally get some peace and quiet so she can work on her computer. But tough-guy Max is in no mood to play lapdog to a gorgeous witch.

This story just did not work for me.  From what I understand its a prequel to Crane's current series (or one of them at least), but it felt...weird.  It took a while for me to realize its not set in present times (the way Veronica speaks about computers and tech made it seem like they were everyday items, which they weren't in 1984).  Then there was the kind of weird disdain Max felt for Veronica's magic, but his utter infatuation with her.

I don't think that Veronica really confronted her issues either, Max basically smashed them to pieces for her.  It felt like they were going in a good, healthy, direction yet he solution felt more contrived.  I'm interested to see the first book, which centers around Veronica's niece Alix, presumably in more modern times.  This story however just didn't jive with me.

Wrecked by Meljean Brook – Elizabeth has spent the past five years running from her father; her father’s huntsman, Caius, has spent the past five years pursuing her. But when he finally catches up to her on an airship flying above Europe’s zombie-infested cities, Elizabeth discovers that Caius isn’t the only danger she has to fear—and now that he’s found her, Caius doesn’t intend to let her go…

This was, as can probably be expected, my favorite story of them all--also the longest.  This was as long as the other two stories combined I think.  The "Iron Seas" novels and novellas have been extraordinarily good at handling the mash up of genres that Brook has thrown at them.  Victorian times, steampunk, zombies, romance, horror--seriously there's a lot in these books.  "Wrecked" is a perfect gateway as well.

By in large Brook keeps the "Iron Seas" stories fairly self-contained.  There's more crossover in the novels themselves, then in the connected novellas so that if a person were to read this without prior knowledge they wouldn't get lost in the details of the past stories.  I found "Wrecked" to be no different.  Elizabeth is a gutsy, intelligent and above all else cautious person; you wouldn't believe what a difference it makes to have your heroine actually wary if she's on the run.

Caius is immediately a draw.  Between Elizabeth's idea of him and his own description, its hard not to feel for him.  As much as Elizabeth he wants to do what's right.  Both are very conflicted individuals with one very simple wish--to be able to live in freedom.

Overall this anthology was a bit of a let down.  I loved "Wrecked" but "Conjuring Max" made me feel faintly uncomfortable with the whole romance and "Speed Mating" was hampered by the way too obvious solution smacking the leads in the face.  Still this is a great gateway drug into each of the author's writing and books and paired with "Wild & Steamy" a wonderful way to spend a weekend.