Monday, June 30, 2014

Book Review ~ The Falconer

The Falconer (The Falconer #1)

by Elizabeth May
published by Chronicle Books
genre: YA, Historical Fantasy, Steampunk

Summary (Goodreads): Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. A new generation of heroines has arrived.

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother.

Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.

But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?

My Thoughts: I so wanted to like this book. I loved the cover, the summary sounded like it had a lot of promise, and everyone was raving about it. The last one should have tipped me off. For some reason whenever there is a lot of hype about a book I don't fall in line with the rest.
The world building was well done, incorporating small steampunk details without hitting you over the head with them. For me I didn't feel like I was reading a book set in Scotland, it felt more British, until the author reminded you they were in Scotland. This did not take away from the story at all just something I noticed.
The characters. This is where I had the most problems with the book. Aileana starts off as a broken young girl who has recently lost her mother and just wants revenge against the Fae that killed her. Not only does she want to kill the specific one but she is out to get everyone she can find. If the author had stuck with this and kept her as a strong female character, even making the hard choices, I would not have disliked this book as much as I did. Enter Kiaran, the cliche YA boy (I can't even call him the bad boy, he didn't have enough personality for that). Everything you just learned about Aileana and liked about her goes out the window. Instead of being the strong female she is reduced to the simpering schoolgirl who can focus on nothing but his lips and how he makes her feel. This would have almost been fine if he wasn't the very thing that we are told she hates with all her being.
Needless to say the story went downhill from there. We also have a Gavin, who is just trying to do the right thing, saves Aileana's life and ruins his own in the process. I've mentioned before how much I dislike love triangles and this is no exception.
The ending. I'm not sure how I felt about the cliffhanger (ish) ending. I will say it showed that the author could write great characters in a short time. Sorcha and her brother were two of the most interesting in the book. Their personalities were solid (even if they were evil) and more there than Kiaran's who we had been reading about since the beginning of the book. The seal, Kiaran's sister, the reason that Sorcha can't be killed, these may be reasons to read the next book but I'm just not sure. I'll have to wait and read some reviews from bloggers I trust before I decide.

Rating: 3.5

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Some Thursday Randomness

Thursday Randomness



 Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery - New York City
Just because my son loves sharks
Shark Metal Art Bookends
by Knob Creek Metal Arts.
Color Art Book
by Tauba Auerbach. 
Sugar Skull Day of the Dead
by StayGoldMedia

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

New Releases ~ week of 6/23/2014

*links go to Goodreads

A Sword Upon the Rose by Brenda Joyce (#2 Scottish Medieval)
Angelica's Smile by Andrea Camilleri (#17 Inspector Montalbano)
Back to School, Weird Kids Rule! by Dan Gutman (#3 My Weird School Special)
'Basil Instinct by Shelley Costa (#2 Italian Restaurant Mysteries)
Beautiful Distraction by Jess Michaels (#4 The Pleasure Wars)
Crimson Heart by Heather McCollum (#3 Highland Hearts)
Darkness Bound by J. T. Geissinger (#5 Night Prowler)
Death in Perspective by Larissa Reinhart (#4 Cherry Tucker Mysteries)
Drowned by Nichola Reilly (#1 Drowned)
Fire and Ice by Shannon Hale (#4 Spirit Animals)
Five Ways to Fall by K. A. Tucker (#4 Ten Tiny Breaths)
Hellsbane Hereafter by Paige Cuccaro (#4 Hellsbane)
Highlander Avenged by Laurin Wittig (#2 Guardians of the Targe)
In the End by Demitria Lunetta (#2 In the After)
License to Spill by Lisi Harrison (#2 Pretenders)
Little Knife by Leigh Bardugo (#2.6 Grisha Trilogy)
Love's A Witch by Roxy Mews (#2 Hart Clan Hybrids)
Miss Klute Is a Hoot! by Dan Gutman (#11 My Weirder School)
Murder on the Mediterranean by Alexander Campion (#5 Capucine Culinary Mystery)
Nine Lives to Die by Rita Mae Brown (#22 Mrs Murphy)
No River Too Wide by Emilie Richards (#3 Goddesses Anonymous)
Of Sorcery and Snow by Shelby Bach (#3 The Ever Afters)
Queen of Wands by Katee Robert (#3 Sanctify)
Rain by Amanda Sun (#3 The Paper Gods)
Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton (#2 Cocktail)
Scandalize Me by Caitlin Crews (#2 Fifth Avenue Trilogy)
Shaman Rises by C E Murphy (#12 Walker Papers)
Shattered by Caris Roane (#3 Savage Chains)
Stay With Me by Alison Gaylin (#3 Brenna Spector)
Talking After Midnight by Dakota Cassidy (#3 Plum Orchard)
The Beekeeper's Ball by Susan Wiggs (#2 Bella Vista Chronicles)
The Hangman's Revolution by Eoin Colfer (#2 W.A.R.P.)
The Last Heir by Chuck Greaves (#3 Jack MacTaggart)
The Last Taxi Ride by A. X. Ahmad (#2 The Caretaker Trilogy)
The Odd Squad, King Karl  by Michael Fry #3 in The Odd Squad
The Promise by Robyn Carr (#5 Thunder Point)
The Saint by Tiffany Reisz (#5 The Original Sinners)
The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane by Sheila Roberts (#5 Life in Icicle Falls)
Thicker Than Water by Bruce Hale (#2 SCHOOL FOR S.P.I.E.S.)
Thirty-Two and a Half Complications by Denise Grover Swank (#5 Rose Gardner Mysteries)
Thorn Jack by Katherine Harbour (#1 Night and Nothing)
To Marry a Scottish Laird by Lynsay Sands (#2 English Bride in Scotland)
Ultimate Attack by Michael Spradlin (#4 Killer Species)
Unmasked: Volume 2 by Cassia Leo (#2 Unmasked)
Until We Touch by Susan Mallery (#15 Fools Gold)
Vixen in Velvet by Loretta Chase (#3 The Dressmakers)
When Day Breaks by Maya Banks (#9 The Kelly Series)
Wild Iris Ridge by RaeAnne Thayne (#7 Hope's Crossing)

Monday, June 23, 2014

Book Review ~ Treachery in Death

Treachery in Death (In Death #32)

by J.D. Robb
published by Putnam
genre: Adult, futuristic crime drama, Mystery

Summary (Goodreads): Detective Eve Dallas and her partner, Peabody, are following up on a senseless crime—an elderly grocery owner killed by three stoned punks for nothing more than kicks and snacks. This is Peabody's first case as primary detective—good thing she learned from the master.

But Peabody soon stumbles upon a trickier situation. After a hard workout, she's all alone in the locker room when the gym door clatters open; and-while hiding inside a shower stall trying not to make a sound—she overhears two fellow officers, Garnet and Oberman, arguing. It doesn't take long to realize they're both crooked—guilty not just of corruption but of murder. Now Peabody, Eve, and Eve's husband, Roarke, are trying to get the hard evidence they need to bring the dirty cops down—knowing all the while that the two are willing to kill to keep their secret.

My Thoughts: I'm always amazed by how much I still enjoy this series. Once I start reading I cannot put it down until I find out all the answers. This book fell right into that same line, started reading and couldn't go to bed until it was finished.
I've always liked Peabody and this story just bumped it up a notch. I liked seeing her come into her own. Taking lead on her first murder case. Seeing her bounce ideas off Eve and figure out how best to move forward and eventually solve the case. Then the real story starts.
Watching Eve go toe to toe with another seemingly strong female character was great to read. The contrasts between not only the two characters (Eve and Renee Oberman) but also they're squads was glaringly obvious. I had never thought how Eve's small office was a point of pride to her and her squad until this book. Also, the way that Oberman was trying to get to the top seat but Eve was the one that knew how to play the politics of that seat.
Overall, this was one of my favorite story lines.  I liked Peabody getting more face time and more responsibility to go along with her title. I also liked how Eve had her working to get a fallen cops name cleared in order to help her move on from the shower room experience. I know eventually this series will end but I'll keep reading until that time.

Rating: 4

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews to share your weekly book haul. It can be what you bought, received, borrowed, or were gifted. For more info you can go here.

Bought 

Thankless in Death by J D Robb (Goodreads) (I've almost got this whole series now)
Afterlight by Elle Jasper (Goodreads)

Won
I won a few books during Armchair BEA. The last 2 are for my son.
City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett (Goodreads) from Broadway Books and Meaghan @ A Cinaste's Collection
Guys Read: True Stories edited by Jon Scieszka (Goodreads) from Walden Pond Press
Double Reverse by Fred Bowen (Goodreads) from Peachtree Publishers

Library
The Falconer by Elizabeth May (Goodreads)
The Thousand Names by Django Wexler (Goodreads)
The Sandman Vol 1: Preludes &Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads)
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (Goodreads)
The Very Best of Tad Williams (Goodreads)




Thursday, June 19, 2014

Some Thursday Randomness

Thursday Randomness


This week I'm going to just talk about some things that I've run into around the web this week. The first is art work by Amy Brown. They posted about their Coffee and Tea figurines. I don't drink coffee or hot tea but I loved the Hot Cocoa figurine. She also has some great fairy and other fantasy style art pieces available on her website here.
Hot Cocoa Faery
Mr Crankypants Refuses to Take his Nap
Now for some true randomness. Book Quotes that I've found on Pinterest.



Tuesday, June 17, 2014

New Releases ~ week of 6/16/2014

*All links go to Goodreads

A Better World by Marcus Sakey (#2 BrillianceSaga)
A Major Seduction by Marie Harte (#2 Good to Go)
Better When He's Bad by Jay Crownover (#1 Welcome to the Point)
Breaking Free by Cathryn Fox (#4 Invitation to Eden)
Carrying the Sheikh's Heir by Lynn Raye Harris (#2 Heirs to the Throne of Kyr)
Chasers of the Wind by Alexey Pehov (#1 Cycle of Wind and Sparks)
Cibola Burn by James S A Corey (#4 Expanse)
Cowboy Take Me Away by Lorelei James (#16 Rough Riders)
Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore (#1 Dark Metropolis)
Explosive Engagement by Lisa Childs (#2 Shotgun Weddings)
Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau (#3 Testing)
No Dawn Without Darkness by Dayna Lorentz (#3 No Safety In Numbers)
Relinquish by Amy Thompson (#2 Lost Souls)
Riding Hard by Vicki Lewis Thompson (#17 Sons of Chance)
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo (#3 Grisha Trilogy)
Shattered by Kevin Hearne (#7 Iron Druid Chronicles)
Socialite's Gamble by Michelle Conder (#3 Chatsfield)
Still Life by Jacqueline West (#5 Books of Elsewhere)
Terminal City by Linda Fairstein (#16 Alex Cooper)
The Blind Date by Melody Carlson (#2 Dating Games)
The Body in the Woods by April Henry (#1 Point Last Seen)
The Bookshop On The Corner by Rebecca Raisin (#3 Gingerbread Cafe)
The Five Faces by Frank Tuttle (#8 Markhat)
The Late Scholar by Jill Paton Walsh (#4 Lord Peter Wimsey & Harriet Vane)
The Long Mars by Terry Pratchett (#3 Long Earth)
The Lost Mission by Allen Zadoff (#2 Boy Nobody)
The Old Blue Line by J A Jance (#15.5 Joanna Brady)
The Red Room by Ridley Pearson (#3 Risk Agent)
The Summer Wind by Mary Alice Monroe (#2 Low Country Summer Trilogy)
Top Secret Twenty-one by Janet Evanovich (#21 The Stephanie Plum Series)
Vanished by Kendra Elliot (#5 Bone Secrets)



Monday, June 16, 2014

Review ~ Fables: The Good Prince

Fables: The Good Prince; Volume 10

by Bill Willingham
illustrated by Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, Aaron Alexovich, Andrew Pepoy
genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Fary-Tales, Fantasy

Summary (Goodreads): With war looming between the forces of the Adversary and the free Fables living in the mundane world, everything now depends on a humble janitor known as Flycatcher. Released from centuries of trauma-induced amnesia, Prince Ambrose (as he was known in happier times) faces a long and difficult road—one that will take him through the lands of the dead and into the heart of the enemy’s realm. Once there, this unassuming and unlikely hero will face his greatest and most arduous test—and the future of both Fabletown and the Homelands will turn on the outcome.

Collects issues #60-69 in Bill Willingham’s Eisner Award-winning Vertigo series.

My Thoughts: Took a bit for me to get into this volume. Then when I was finally engrossed in the story there was a break from Fly's story to insert a story about Snow, Bigby and family. I get how the contents of this was/will be important but the change in illustrations was off for me. I spent more time trying to figure out who Rose was (even though it couldn't have been anyone else) that enjoying what was in front of me.
Once it got back to Ambrose (Fly) and his journey I could not put it down. There were a lot of things that happened that I could see having consequences in future volumes. I'm most curious about the villains and also who decides to leave The Farm.
Overall, The main part of this worked. I liked the story and the illustrations. Finding out who the old knight was and getting redemption for some characters that truly deserved it, including Ambrose. Still a long ways to go before I catch up on this series but as long as I'm enjoying them I'll keep reading.

Rating: 4

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Some Thursday Randomness

Thursday Randomness

So we finally got around to watching Frozen this past weekend. With a 9 yr old son, it wasn't high on our priority list.

I went into this expecting to be blown away. There was so much hype and talk about how this was the greatest thing ever. Needless to say it fell short on all the claims (for me). It was a really good Disney movie and it will get watched again but it is not even close to my favorite ever. 
There were great moments/animation that were visually stunning, like the ice castle being created (this was probably my favorite part of the whole movie). I'm okay with the song, my son not so much. He covered his ears when it came on because he is so tired of it from girls singing it constantly at school. I get why it won awards, it's a great song. 
I also liked that the act of true love was between sisters and the (partial) villain was the prince.  I liked the reindeer and my son loves the snowman.
My favorite musically is still Aladdin, especially when the genie shows up. Visually, it's either Brave or Beauty and the Beast. My favorite princess has been Aurora. Sleeping Beauty has been my favorite fairy-tale since I was very little. Plus, a special shout out to Up and The Incredibles two that we will watch even when son is not around.
Thinks I'll go watch some dragons now. Looking forward to the sequel coming out this week. Hope it's as good as they are saying.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

New Releases ~ week of 06/09/2014

*All links go to Goodreads

A Deadly Business by Lis Wiehl (#2 Mia Quinn Mystery)
All Day and a Night by Alafair Burke (#5 Ellie Hatcher)
Allegiance by Susannah Sandlin (#4 Penton Legacy)
Azagoth by Larissa Ione (#10.5 Demonica #6 1001 Dark Nights)
Blackwood: A Hexed Story by Michelle Krys (#0.5 The Witch Hunter)
Born of Deception by Teri Brown (#2 Born of Illusion)
Burned by Tara Sivec
California Bones by Greg Van Eekhout (#1 California Bones)
Earth Awakens by Aaron Johnston (#3 First Formic War)
Frozen Treats by Helen Perelman (#13 Candy Fairies)
Glory by Maureen McGowan (#3 Dust Chronicles)
Hexed by Michelle Krys (#1 The Witch Hunter)
Hunger for You by A C Arthur (#3 Shadow Shifters: Damaged Hearts)
Let's Rock! by Sheryl Berk (#3 Dance Divas)
Makeover Magic by Jill Santopolo (#3 Sparkle Spa)
Never Look Back by Clare Donoghue (#1 Mike Lockyer)
No Stone Unturned by James W. Ziskin (#2 Ellie Stone Mystery)
Push by Eve Silver (#2 Game)
Robogenesis by Daniel H Wilson (#2 Robo)
Scarred by Caris Roane (#2 Savage Chains)
Sea Monster! by Jordan Quinn (#3 Kingdom of Wrenly)
Stormy Persuasion by Johanna Lindsey (#11 Malory Family)
The Baklava Club by Jason Goodwin (#5 Yashim the Eunuch)
The Bourne Ascendancy by Eric Van Lustbader (#12 Jason Bourne)
The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings (#1 Murder Complex)
The Strange Maid by Tessa Gratton (#2 United States of Asgard)
Wicked Games by Sean Olin (#1 Wicked Games)
Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon (#8 Outlander)

Monday, June 9, 2014

Book Review ~ The Forbidden Library

The Forbidden Library

by Django Wexler
published by Kathy Dawson Books
genre: MG, Fantasy,

Summary (Goodreads): Alice always thought fairy tales had happy endings. That--along with everything else--changed the day she met her first fairy

When Alice's father goes down in a shipwreck, she is sent to live with her uncle Geryon--an uncle she's never heard of and knows nothing about. He lives in an enormous manor with a massive library that is off-limits to Alice. But then she meets a talking cat. And even for a rule-follower, when a talking cat sneaks you into a forbidden library and introduces you to an arrogant boy who dares you to open a book, it's hard to resist. Especially if you're a reader to begin with. Soon Alice finds herself INSIDE the book, and the only way out is to defeat the creature imprisoned within.

It seems her uncle is more than he says he is. But then so is Alice.

My Thoughts: This is an interesting twist on the magic of falling into the books that you read. I almost liked the setting and premise of this story more than the story itself. It did turn itself around and by the end I was sucked into the whole thing.
Alice at the moment seems like the only good character. She is more of a hard worker and determined to see things through type of character rather than your typical strong female lead. At times she was naive, but somehow still managed to do what needed to be done and mostly keep her morals in place.
Other than Alice, and possibly Ashes, there was not another character that I really liked. I wished there had been more exploration into characters like Emma. We are told briefly that the reason she is the way she is, is because she possibly was a reader and her mind was wiped. This was used to scare Alice and then promptly forgotten, we never really find out if this is true. Also, how Mr Black and Mother (Ending) came to be in Geryon's control. They don't seem to be the same as the ones defeated by Alice in her books, a thread tied to her mind, that she can pull on when needed.
Overall, it was a good start to a new series. I'm interested in the world of readers that the author has created. The other old school readers who all seem evil and their apprentices that don't seem any better. There are a lot of questions surrounding Alice and I will give the second book a chance to find out more.

Rating: 3.5

Friday, June 6, 2014

Book Review ~ Night Broken

Night Broken (Mercy Thompson #8)

by Patricia Briggs
published by Ace
genre: Adult, UF, PNR

Summary (Goodreads): An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

My Thoughts:  While there may have been some things I did not like, overall this was a great read for me. I had to keep reading until the end and when it was finished I wanted more.
I'll start with Christy. Can't say I liked her (I know I'm not supposed to). I could understand how/why some in the pack could have felt close to her because she was married to their alpha. What I could not understand was how they would still feel that way after what she did to Adam and Jesse. It just felt off to me. I'm also not sure how I feel about her staying in town.
The twist with the stalker was interesting and delved into areas/cultures that I am not familiar with. I liked how Mercy's circle is expanding and her heritage is being used more and more. She seems more willing to learn from the things that Coyote does than her half brother is. It may seem off at the time but it usually leads to something that helps.
We also had some old regulars return. Waiting for to see how Tad's help comes back to haunt him in future books (it's already started to). Also, the link between Mercy and Stefan. How does a walking stick become one of the best side characters, or at least one of my favorites.
Overall, this was a favorite read for me so far this year. It kept me entertained and reading right until the end. Is it time for the next book yet?

Rating: 5

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

New Releases ~ week of 06/02/2014


A Barricade in Hell by Jaime Lee Moyer (#2 Delia Martin)
A Dark and Twisted Tide by S. J. Bolton (#4 DC Lacey Flint)
A Moment in Time by Tracie Peterson (#2 Lone Star Brides)
A Shiver of Light by Laurell K. Hamilton (#9 Meredith Gentry)
Baby for Keeps by Janice Maynard (#44 Billionaires and Babies)
Becoming the Prince's Wife by Rebecca Winters (#2 Princes of Europe)
Blood Red by Mercedes Lackey (#11 Elemental Masters)
Branded by Laura Wright (#1 The Cavanaugh Brothers)
Catwoman, Vol. 4: Gotham Underground by Ann Nocenti (#4 Catwoman - The New 52)
Circles in the Snow by Patrick McManus (#6 Sheriff Bo Tully Mystery)
Dead Heat by Allison Brennan (#8 Lucy Kincaid)
Deadly Decor by Karen Rose Smith (#2 Caprice De Luca Mystery)
Death's Redemption by Marie Hall (#2 Eternal Lovers)
Deeper Than Need by Shiloh Walker (#1 Secrets & Shadows)
Devil's Game by Joanna Wylde (#3 Reapers MC)
Expecting the CEO's Child by Yvonne Lindsay (#4 Dynasties the Lassiters)
Fall from India Place by Samantha Young (#4 On Dublin Street)
Fire Rising by Donna Grant (#2 Dark Kings)
Gasp by Lisa McMann (#3 Visions)
Gimme Some Sugar by Kimberly Kincaid (#2 Pine Mountain)
Grim Shadows by Jenn Bennett (#2 Roaring Twenties)
Heart of a Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney (#3 Highland Warrior)
Heated by J. Kenner (#2 Most Wanted)
Her Cowboy Hero by Tanya Michaels (#3 Colorado Cades)
Hot Fudge Frame-Up by Christine DeSmet (#2 Fudge Shop Mysteries)
How to School Your Scoundrel by Juliana Gray (#3 Princess In Hiding)
Huckleberry Summer by Jennifer Beckstrand (#2 Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill)
Hunter by Night by Elisabeth Staab (#3 Chronicles of Yavn)
I Want To Hold Your Hand by Marie Force (#2 Green Mountain)
Jaguar Hunt by Terry Spear (#3 Heart of the Jaguar)
Keep Me Closer by Rhyannon Byrd (#2 Dangerous Tides)
Mended by Kim Karr (#4 Connections)
Mr. Monk is Open for Business by Hy Conrad (#18 Monk)
Murder, Simply Stitched by Isabella Alan (#2 Amish Quilt Shop Mystery)
Nauti Enchantress by Lora Leigh (#2 Nauti Girls)
Night of the Living Thread by Janet Bolin (#4 Threadville Mystery)
Perfect Kind of Trouble by Chelsea Fine (#2 Finding Fate)
Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence (#1 Red Queen's War)
Property of a Lady Faire by Simon R Green (#8 Secret Histories)
Razing the Dead by Sheila Connolly (#5 Museum Mysteries)
Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh (#13 Psy-Changelings)
Shockwave by Andrew Vachss (#2 Aftershock)
Since Last Summer by Joanna Philbin (#2 Rules of Summer)
Sky Pirates by Liesel Schwarz (#3 Chronicles of Light and Shadow)
Social Order by Melissa de la Cruz (#2 The Ashleys )
Stuck Together by Mary Connealy (#3 Trouble in Texas)
Tempest in a Teapot by Amanda Cooper (#1 Teapot Collector Mystery)
The Abduction by Jonathan Holt (#2 Carnivia Trilogy)
The Accidental Duchess by Madeline Hunter (#4 Fairbourne Quartet)
The Ashley Project by Melissa de la Cruz (#1 Ashleys )
The Baron Next Door by Erin Knightley (#1 Prelude to a Kiss)
The Book Stops Here by Kate Carlisle (#8 Bibliophile Mystery)
The Dark Between the Stars by Kevin J. Anderson (#1 Saga of Shadows)
The Devil May Care by David Housewright (#11 Mac McKenzie)
The Diva Wraps It Up by Krista Davis (#8 Domestic Diva)
The Endless Lake by Erin Hunter (#5 Survivors)
The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank (#9 Lowcountry Tales)
The Merchant Emperor by Elizabeth Haydon (#7 Symphony of Ages)
The Source by J. D. Horn (#2 Witching Savannah)
The Troublemaker Next Door by Marie Harte (#1 McCauley Brothers)
The Virgin's Guide to Misbehaving by Jessica Clare (#4 Bluebonnet)
There's Wild, Then There's You by M Leighton (#3 The Wild Ones)
Toxic by Sara Shepard (#15 Pretty Little Liars)
Tristan: Finding Hope by Jessica Sorensen (#3.5 Nova)
Twisted Together by Pepper Winters (#3 Tears of Tess)
Veil of the Deserters by Jeff Salyards (#2 Bloodsounder's Arc)
Vertigo 42 by Martha Grimes (#23 Richard Jury)
What a Woman Needs by Judi Fennell (#2 Manley Maids)
Wicked Temptation by Zoe Archer (#3 Nemesis Unlimited)
Yarn Over Murder by Maggie Sefton (#12 Knitting Mystery)

Monday, June 2, 2014

Review ~ Fables: Wolves; Sons of Empire

Fables: Wolves; Sons of Empire (Volume 8 & 9)

by Bill Willingham
illustrated by Mark Buckingham, Steve Leiahola, Andrew Pepoy, Shawn McManus
published by Vertigo
genre: Adult, graphic novel, Fantasy, Fairy-Tales, Re-Tellings

Wolves Summary (Goodreads): Collecting issues #48-51 of writer and creator Bill Willingham's award-winning Vertigo series, WOLVES also includes newly-created maps of Fabletown and the Homelands illustrated by Willingham and, as a special bonus, Willingham's complete script to the double-sized issue #50.
Sons of  Empire Summary (Goodreads): Collecting FABLES #52-59! Pinocchio suffers seriously divided loyalties between his father, the evil Adversary, and his fellow Fable refugees in New York. Plus, Bigby Wolf reluctantly decides it's finally time to square accounts with his long-estranged father, the North Wind, and makes a journey with Snow White and their kids to find him.

My Thoughts: Wolves: This was another solid overall volume. I liked Mowgli's trek across every remote place trying to track Bigby. His interactions with the wolf packs was a different insight than the one normally gotten from Bigby's POV.
Bigby's mission and reward for carrying it out was a nice way to bring Snow, Bigby, and cubs together as a family. The wedding was another story line that helped round out Bigby's story.

Sons of Empire: The meeting with The Adversary and all his main people was glimpse into the other side. The weapons they have at their disposal along with the smarts to use Pinocchio's knowledge of the mundy world against him showed why they are where they are. By the end of the volume I felt bad for Pinocchio. He obviously just wants to make his father happy and may be realizing that's not possible.
My favorite from this volume was the ride to North's castle as well as everything that happened there. The story from Ambrose POV was more telling than if it had just been from Bigby's. Already aware of how he felt about his father, I was surprised that there was no let up at all given how great the relationship is between grandfather and children. Interested to see what happens with his brothers.

Rating: 4 for both