Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Tricked; Dianne's Take

kevinhearne.com
I know you've read Del's take on Tricked earlier. I have been dragging my feet about posting this update. I don't know why exactly. But life has just been getting in the way lately.

Don't take my procrastination as a slight against the series, or this particular book. This installment continued to hammer on home what I've been saying all along about Kevin Hearne. He is a masterful world builder. The amount of lore he weaves into his world, is a key indicator of his exceptional writing style.

He effortlessly went from his last installment which landed Atticus heavy with the Norse, to this story which had him Ass-Deep into trouble with the Dine (Navajo) Gods.

As in the previous three books, Oberon is mega charming and one of the most shining beacons in the story. If this story doesn't make you 1. want to buy an Irish Wolfhound or 2. fall in love with a fictional hound dog, you have no soul.
Coyote is one of my favorite characters in IDC world. He's neither a good or bad character. He's just Coyote. Which If you've read any Native American stories about Coyote, you'll understand that Trickster gods are always to be watched out for and never to be trusted.

The Norse is still a problem and Atticus is coming to realize that for all his 2,000 years in this world, he doesn't always make the best decisions. There is also a resolution of sorts with the local resident vampire.

I was very happy with this book. I felt like he wrapped up a few loose ends and opened the book up for the fifth installment. Again, I always recommend this series. It's smartly written, it's fun and it's worth the read.

I give it an A++

I am super excited y'all. If all goes right we will be heading to Nashville to meet Mr. Kevin Hearne on June 9th at his book signing at Parnassus Books. Let's cross our fingers and hope that nothing happens to throw a wrench in those plans.

Bear meets Girl

Bear meets Girl is the seventh installment of Pride series.  This series is written by Shelly Laurenston. If you ever need a good laugh, this is a serious you should definitely consider picking up and adding to your library. The world is getting pretty intricate, but you still get to see most of your favorite characters from previous books. I must say I loved this side of Novikov (the previous book in the series' main character)

I really do love her world building. Maybe it's her slow talking southern wolves that hooked me long ago. I can't go on enough about the fun factor this series brings. You will find yourself laughing out loud every few pages or so.

From Laurenston's website:
"Lou Crushek is a reasonable, mellow, easygoing kind of guy—especially for a shapeshifting bear. But once someone starts killing the scumbags he works so hard to bust, that really gets under his fur. Especially when that someone is a curvy she -- tiger who's bringing his passion out of hibernation...
Marcella Malone is a member of an elite feline protection unit, and Crush is proving one major pain in her gorgeous tail. The only reason she's joined forces with him is to track down the wealthy human who's got her entire species in his ruthless sights. But there's no denying that beneath that big, burly exterior is a man who knows how to rub her in all the right ways..."

If you want a fun, light summer read; this is the book/series for you.  I have turned several of my friends into major Laurenston fans. Maybe you'll pick up her books as well. I love hearing from new converts. This book has lots of laughs, a good dose of smex and even more layering/world building into the Pride universe.

If you'd like to pick it up, or some of the others in the series check out your local books store of Amazon.com.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

My long overdue post about Tricked

I waited and waited for months on the 4th Iron Druid book from Kevin Hearne and I was at the bookstore to pick up my held copy as soon as they opened on release day.  Of course I read right through that day, but I have been in such a run around with work and life and all that stuff that I'm just now getting around to sharing my thoughts...Sorry!

I loved the book, no surprise there. I love the entire universe that Hearne has created. His portrayal of all the different theologies is so appealing to me and the research that he must do to create all these stories must be painstaking.
With Tricked, he brings in more Native American mythology and its all interesting and makes a great tale.  This book like his others are chock full of great humor, especially in the form of zingers from Oberon. 
There's a lot going on in this book, but it only progresses the continuing story a bit. So, I'm really looking forward to seeing what is going to happen next, I'm just glad that I don't have to wait a year.

Overall, I loved the book, the story is fun, full of interesting details, extremely humorous and at time wildly and delightfully violent. I definitely mark it a must read. 
 

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I review for BookSneeze®

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Fate's Edge- Ilona Andrews
Tricked- Kevin Hearne (IDC 4)
The Doors of Stone (King Killer Chronicles) Patrick Rothfuss
Whatever Jim Butcher writes in 2012
Bear meets Girl- Shelly Laurenston
Biting Cold- Chloe Neill
Sacrificial Magic- Stacia Kane
Molly Harper- Jane Madison Nice Girls don't Bite Their Neighbors
Patricia Briggs- Omega #3
more, but that's a good start for now.