Sci Fi Jungle

Martha Wells new "The Siren Depths" third in The Cloud Road series.

I just saw that the third book in The Cloud Road series by Martha Wells is out.  This is the story of the Rakusa, shape shifting people who turn into flying creatures.  The protagonist is Moon, an orphan who learns he is to play a special role in the group known as the Indigo Cloud Court.

I am dissapointd that the book is not yet out for Kindle.  I am reading just about everything on Kindle these days so I will wait til its out in ebook form before I will buy it.

Tap tap tap on the microphone - I am reading everything on Kindle these days so please publishers make your books available in ebook form.

 

Wool Omnibus

I've been spending my extra time this week reading the 5 Wool books by Hugh Howey.  Howey manages to create an entire world underground, inside a Silo, populated by rich characters and hinting of a large mystery. Buying the Omnibus edition saves you some money from buying each individually if you haven't already read them.  

 

 

The Twelve by Justin Cronin

Justin Cronin's writing is like a dense piece of Black Forest cake - rich, thick, layered, and delicious.  I don't normally like zombie apacalypse and horror but Cronin's books are different.  He layers the gore and fright of the story with fantastically detailed portraits of people's lives and inner dialogue.  From the patently evil, to the heroes of the story, each major character seems to get their own novel.  I got sucked into "The Passage" last year and eagerly awaited the next in the trilogy "The Twelve."

Even the virals each have their own horror story of their original crimes and how their origin as death row inmates influences how their hunger comes over to their viral minions.   Not just horrifying creatures who come out at night.   And we learn even more about Carter, who has found a psychologically interesting way to handle his infection.

This story of how humans survive the unsurvivable, is in turns a story of military, government, and religion.  With elements of a ghost story, a history, a religious text, sometimes its seems like even the author doesn't know where he is going.  The plot is sprawling, the characters all over the darn place.

But I, like so many other readers, am along for the ride.   I even feel like donning some threaded studs and joining in the fight.

Free Sci Fi Book - Bakkian Chronicles Book 1 The Prophecy

This freebie is actiually quite readable.  Don't get me wrong, it is in dire need of a great editor, but there is a lot of potential.

Steve and Sarah Miller are characters you can relate to.  When Steve inherits a house, some interesting things happen to them.  All of a sudden they are in another world, one populated by Griffins, and Dragons, and where all people have some magic abilities. Armed only with their clothes and the contents of Sarah's purse, they have to navigate the strange world they are in and try to find their way home.  Dressed in their strange clothes (they could probably use something like kerrits equestrian apparel) and withe their strange accents, the people of Lentari don't quite know what to make of the strangers.

I like the relationship between the two main characters.  They are just plain sweet, regular people.  The conflict in the story comes from their situation, but their love for each other remains a strong thread through the story.  I think it was great of author Jeffrey M. Poole to write a fantasy story with "everyman and everywoman" as the protangonists.  Where most married couples would snipe and snark at each other when presented with difficulties, Steve and Sarah try their best to be strong for each other. Nice role models.

 

 

 

Crimes Against Magic by Steve McHugh Review

This week I am reading an author new to  me.  His name is Steve McHugh and the book is called "Crimes Against Magic."  The hero is Nathan Garrett, who is a sorcerer.  He woke up 10 years ago with no memory and has made a career for himself as a thief.  He's a bit of a ladies man, with massive magical skills.  As he gets embroiled in a series of problem he realizes that his missing past is the key to what is happening today. 

At the same time that the book follows Nathan's adventures in modern day London, other chapters tell a story that happened to him in 14oo's France.

The book has a lot of violence and sex, and occasionally I shake my head at Nathan's improbably and rather dumb behaviour, but the writing is decent and the story has me hooked.  It's the first in the "Helliquin Chronicles."  No, not exactly the same as the musicians friend tc helicon but actually I haven't het figured out what the Hellequin part means. 

 

Next in My TBR Pile is Kitty Steals the Show

In case you aren't in the know on these fancy internet abberviations TBR means "To Be Read." I don't usually have a TBR pile because I am a voracious ready and usually am desperately looking for something new to read.  I go through books like a locust goes through wheat.

Right now though, I really do have a TBR - well not a pile, just one book.  Kitty Steals the Show by Carrie Vaughn.  As soon as I finish the freebie To Kill a Warlock I will dive into some Kitty the Werewolf.  Carrie Vaughn's books are always good so I know this is going to be a fun read.  I wonder if werewolves would have dog garden statues?  LOL.

 

Free Urban Fantasy from H.P. Mallory

H.P. Mallory has two paranormal freebies right now.  I started with "To Kill A Warlock ."   I am about a third of the way in - and surprisingly (considering the cartoon cover pic) it's actually quite good. It is a light, funny story with just enough mystery and gore to add that spice of life.  It's not kooky (which I hate - thus worrying about the cartoon cover.)  It just seems that a lot of times the cartoon cover means one of two things (and possibly both) - kooky madcap comedy or a really cheap budget.  While I don't mind a cheap budget it sometimes seems like the cheap budget also hit the editing department.  I can handle one or two typos but bad writing is just GACK.

Also please keep the kooky madcap witches away.  I also worry about the fae who it seems are usually just having a lot of non ethical sex and court politics.  Snore.

This one does feature a fairy but she seems pretty normal for a paranormal!  LOL.  Anyway - give it a try its free and pretty good so far.

New Ben Aaronovitch Peter Grant Novel is Out

I've had this on pre-order, but for some reason it didn't automatically send to my Kindle and I forgot about it until my mom reminded me.  Right now I am in the middle of Cursed by Benedict Jacka but when I am done - BOOM right into another setting of Magical London. 

I love Ben Aaronovich, who really can write.  These are not just light paranormal fluffs, but actually have literary value.  I can't wait to see what he weaves into this story, whether it be Jazz, Architecture, History, or a Fender Jaguar.  The main character is the son of a Jass musician, and his multicultural background adds a fun flair to the series.  So between talking to ghosts, learning to be a wizard's apprentice, and being a police detective, Peter Grant is bound to be up to something interesting.

 

 

 

Recommendation - Fated by Benedict Jacka

I just finished Fated by Benedict Jacka.  Another "Guys Urban Fantasy" these stories feature  Alex Verus, a Mage who can see into the near future, allowing him to see all the permutations of events that could happen.  This skill, while had on the nerves, can be quite useful.

Rocky Patel

Set in London, there is a affinity to Jim Butcher's Dresden Files books but there is enough unique style to set Alex Verus apart.  I like the character, I like the writing style, the only complaint I have is that sometimes for someone who can see events before they happen, Alex can be very naive and has a couple of moments of what they call in the Romance fan world of "Too Stupid to Live."  But I guess the plot needs a little dramatic irony or else Verus would solve everything before we get to read about it.

 

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

 I just finished Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman.  What a great book!  It was funny, suspenseful, clever, and well paced.  Just perfect.

I had previously read "American Gods" which I liked, but was too dark for me.  Anansi Boys is a lighter book, with a touch of Terry Pratchett to it.  It is the story of Fat Charlie Nancy, who has been trying to live a quiet life and get beyond the embarrasment of his father.

Well, it turns out his father is not just any guy, but the trickster god of West Africa and the Carribean. Of course it's pretty embarrassing having a Dad who loves to paly practical jokes of everyone, including you!  What could be worse, well, I don't want to spoil the story but suffice to say we have a Romance or two, a crime story, and some really really strange old ladies.

I am not sure how Neil conjures the inflections of his characters, but it's fantastic.  I totally recommend this book.  And, the Kindle version is on sale right now for $3.99. Cheaper than oil free lotions, and lots better entertainment.