I've mentioned Kevin Hearne several times in this blog. His Iron Druid Chronicles series, is awesome. Super entertaining, smart, and all around enjoyable. I can't even express how excited I was to find out that he is coming to Nashville in June 2012. You see, Nashville is just a couple hours away, and I know I am so going to be there. It's funny, as soon as he posted his summer travel schedule, the brother and I both were like "THERE!".
Needless to say, you should all go to his website and check out his tour schedule. Also, if you haven't you should check out his books.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Drink Deep: Chloe Neill Chicagoland Vampires
If you've never picked up the Chicagoland Vampire, series you really should. This is book five in the series. Ms. Neill was just contracted out for five more books, I believe. So lots of fun to be had. You follow the lead character in the book, Merit, from her transition from an Academic to a unwilling vampire soldier. She's smart, she's funny and can kick ass. One thing I really love about this series, is the pace. It has a lot of banter and is loaded with edgy quips. It keeps you on your toes.
Let me tell you a little about Merit's world. She has an awesome best friend (blue hair and all), an adorably loving grandfather, her relationship with her parents is strained (Chicago nouveau riche) and of course a hunky male lead. I'm not here to review the other books, because that would take forever. I'll just give you the short run of it, I loved them. I'd give them between and B+ and an A.
Ahoy, Avast (other pirate speak) There be Spoilers Ahead.....
Book 4 in this series left me distraught. I was in tears and quite upset at where she left the series. Killing a main character (not Merit). How could you? If it had been a paperback book I was reading and not a nook, that book would have been tossed across the room. No Lie. I was iffy about this book. What if my heart was still broken months later and she has done nothing to heal those wounds for me?
It was like going somewhere that you knew you run into an ex. You have to go to that place, but you would rather not. That was the type of hesitancy I had before diving into this book. OK maybe not that much, since I did read it at 1am (as soon as the book was downloadable). But for dramatics, think I was having some existential crisis over it. Okay?
Well Merit is on the mend. She's doing her thing, she's.... well she's hanging out with Jonah, another vamp a lot. She's avoiding some other vamps and just existing. That was the book for me, she was just there. The pace was not what I was used to from Ms. Neill. I'd like harangue her and bitch about that... But I can't. I understand the purpose of this book. This book is what happens after closing a big arc. she had to give Merit time to heal a bit, get her bearings and start in a new direction.
Which is exactly what this book has done. We are introduced some new issues, resolved some old and given a new big bad. I wasn't surprised with the big bad, she's been foreshadowing it for a while.
that is on thing I'm sort of "eh" about. Her foreshadowing. She does it too much. Give the reader some credit. There's a difference between leading someone to water and ya know, water boarding them. Just sayin'.
Back on topic, the heart break is resolved. When I first read the book, for that right there I was willing to give her all the accolades in the world. You brought back my favorite male lead (yes over Vampire Eric) from the dead. I was content. But giving a starving person a single oreo, isn't the same as buying them groceries for a whole month. The momentary joy/elation I had from that revelation (that was foreshadowed to hell btw) was fleeting. It doesn't really change my "meh" about the rest of the book.
While I did have one emotional "Yippee", that was about it. I get it, this book was needed. We have different villains, hunky Ethan back, the house starting back to some normalcy, and Merit is on a new mission, with Ethan (squee) by her side.
I give this book a B-.
Let me tell you a little about Merit's world. She has an awesome best friend (blue hair and all), an adorably loving grandfather, her relationship with her parents is strained (Chicago nouveau riche) and of course a hunky male lead. I'm not here to review the other books, because that would take forever. I'll just give you the short run of it, I loved them. I'd give them between and B+ and an A.
Ahoy, Avast (other pirate speak) There be Spoilers Ahead.....
Book 4 in this series left me distraught. I was in tears and quite upset at where she left the series. Killing a main character (not Merit). How could you? If it had been a paperback book I was reading and not a nook, that book would have been tossed across the room. No Lie. I was iffy about this book. What if my heart was still broken months later and she has done nothing to heal those wounds for me?
It was like going somewhere that you knew you run into an ex. You have to go to that place, but you would rather not. That was the type of hesitancy I had before diving into this book. OK maybe not that much, since I did read it at 1am (as soon as the book was downloadable). But for dramatics, think I was having some existential crisis over it. Okay?
Well Merit is on the mend. She's doing her thing, she's.... well she's hanging out with Jonah, another vamp a lot. She's avoiding some other vamps and just existing. That was the book for me, she was just there. The pace was not what I was used to from Ms. Neill. I'd like harangue her and bitch about that... But I can't. I understand the purpose of this book. This book is what happens after closing a big arc. she had to give Merit time to heal a bit, get her bearings and start in a new direction.
Which is exactly what this book has done. We are introduced some new issues, resolved some old and given a new big bad. I wasn't surprised with the big bad, she's been foreshadowing it for a while.
that is on thing I'm sort of "eh" about. Her foreshadowing. She does it too much. Give the reader some credit. There's a difference between leading someone to water and ya know, water boarding them. Just sayin'.
Back on topic, the heart break is resolved. When I first read the book, for that right there I was willing to give her all the accolades in the world. You brought back my favorite male lead (yes over Vampire Eric) from the dead. I was content. But giving a starving person a single oreo, isn't the same as buying them groceries for a whole month. The momentary joy/elation I had from that revelation (that was foreshadowed to hell btw) was fleeting. It doesn't really change my "meh" about the rest of the book.
While I did have one emotional "Yippee", that was about it. I get it, this book was needed. We have different villains, hunky Ethan back, the house starting back to some normalcy, and Merit is on a new mission, with Ethan (squee) by her side.
I give this book a B-.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Oh wait! It's not quite over yet....
We all hate to see one of our favorite series come to an end. But we all know that it's better to go out when it makes sense, rather than limp a story line along past its expiration date. At the moment I can think of several series that probably would have been better served had they wrapped up 2 or 3 books ago. But occasionally some authors end a series with such care that you don't really fell sad about the conclusion. Ends were tied up, not everyone had a happy ending, but you don't feel robbed by that fact. They just came to the end of the natural progression of the story line.
but what happens when they come back?
The Sword of Truth series is one of my all time favorite sets. It is written by reclusive author, Terry Goodkind. This 12 book set could be described best as epic novels. Very long (most over 800pgs), each story tying into another story. These books are intense, and you truly find yourself wrapped up in the story line. He did a magnificent job crafting each story. He did an even better job wrapping it up. Yeah he did that in 2008. Initially I was sad to see Kahlan and Richard's story wrap up, but I was satisfied with their conclusion.
However, he brought them back this past May in a new arc. I have not had the opportunity to read the book. My brother has, so he can weigh in on them in separate post. But I find myself hesitant to pick it back up. I'm afraid I'll hate this new story line and feel like he has stayed past his welcome. I hate the idea of disliking my favorite series of all time.
He's the author and it's ultimately up to him. Perhaps he was shacked up in his cabin (seriously guys, he's a recluse) and his muse smacked him across the face and demanded another story. The series has everything you could want. Magic, battles, feminism, capitalism, communism, political uprisings and falls. They're epic. What if this new story doesn't live up to the pedestal I've built and put this story on?
Eventually I will break down and read the new book. It's like a Christmas present sitting there still wrapped on the 26th. It would be maddening to not rip it open and find out what prize lay beneath. But I'm holding out as long as I can. Fearful that I'll find that its stayed past its expiration. Let's hope not.
but what happens when they come back?
The Sword of Truth series is one of my all time favorite sets. It is written by reclusive author, Terry Goodkind. This 12 book set could be described best as epic novels. Very long (most over 800pgs), each story tying into another story. These books are intense, and you truly find yourself wrapped up in the story line. He did a magnificent job crafting each story. He did an even better job wrapping it up. Yeah he did that in 2008. Initially I was sad to see Kahlan and Richard's story wrap up, but I was satisfied with their conclusion.
However, he brought them back this past May in a new arc. I have not had the opportunity to read the book. My brother has, so he can weigh in on them in separate post. But I find myself hesitant to pick it back up. I'm afraid I'll hate this new story line and feel like he has stayed past his welcome. I hate the idea of disliking my favorite series of all time.
He's the author and it's ultimately up to him. Perhaps he was shacked up in his cabin (seriously guys, he's a recluse) and his muse smacked him across the face and demanded another story. The series has everything you could want. Magic, battles, feminism, capitalism, communism, political uprisings and falls. They're epic. What if this new story doesn't live up to the pedestal I've built and put this story on?
Eventually I will break down and read the new book. It's like a Christmas present sitting there still wrapped on the 26th. It would be maddening to not rip it open and find out what prize lay beneath. But I'm holding out as long as I can. Fearful that I'll find that its stayed past its expiration. Let's hope not.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
My 2cents on Kevin Hearne
Like the sister said in her last update, we both read the Iron Druid books by Kevin Hearne. The books were very entertaining works of urban fantasy. In my opinion, Mr. Hearne did and excellent job of keeping a good pace of writing that makes sure the reader doesn't get bored, but still conveys the details and background needed to understand the back stories related to different characters. So far, there are 3 books released in the Iron Druid Chronicles series, with at least 3 more on the way. The 4th installment is due to hit the shelves next spring. I can honestly say that it has been a long time since I have enjoyed a story this much.
The main character of the story is an extremely old, yet young looking Druid, who is trying to deal with enemies of the long past and some newly made, trying to protect those around him and trying to live his life as he desires. The "hero" has a sturdy moral compass, but Hearne doesn't sicken us with writing him as too perfect or as a self-righteous beacon of morality. Pretty much he's an "everyman" to which many people can relate. Well, withstanding his super cool Druid abilities and the way he can use the Earth to some really neat stuff.
The books are written with an amazing mixture of differing mythologies and religious beliefs. Hearne pulls in all kinds of characters ranging from Norse mythology all the way to Psycho Cabalist. And he even tosses in some vamps and wolfs. No one should feel disappointed or neglected on that aspect.
He also writes in some great wit and comic relief. A great deal of this comic relief comes in the form of the hero's companion, a great big Irish wolfhound that he can communicate with via some cool mind mojo.
Lastly, for me, the main attraction to Kevin Hearnes works is Kevin Hearne himself. I greatly enjoyed his first book and had already decided that I would invest the time to read any future installments, but when I did a search to find out more about the author himself, I was truly impressed. Not only did this guy have a very informative website and make use of social media, he also personally interacts with his fans. Mr. Hearne frequently updates his website and facebook page. But, the really impressive aspect is that his facebook page isn't just a place where he, or his rep post advertisements and updates. When a fan posts something to his page, or a conversation breaks out, he actually responds, gets involved and communicates. He's very accessible to his followers and never gives the impression that he's too busy or too good to acknowledge everyone. This goes a long way in my opinion. There are many authors who refuse to interact with their fans. I know of one in particular, and I really love his set of books, that only does 1 book signing per release, never releases more than 1 book a year, sometimes even longer, his main job is writing his books and he never interacts with his followers. There is only a couple of people he deems worthy of his attention and those people are responsible for passing on what little they know to his fandom. But Mr. Hearn on the other hand, is a very busy person, has a job, has a life and makes time for his fans and makes us feel appreciated.
And for that Mr. Hearne, I applaud you. For his creativity, wit, writing style and fan interaction, I rate Him a very strong B+. I look forward to reading more Hearne in the future.
The main character of the story is an extremely old, yet young looking Druid, who is trying to deal with enemies of the long past and some newly made, trying to protect those around him and trying to live his life as he desires. The "hero" has a sturdy moral compass, but Hearne doesn't sicken us with writing him as too perfect or as a self-righteous beacon of morality. Pretty much he's an "everyman" to which many people can relate. Well, withstanding his super cool Druid abilities and the way he can use the Earth to some really neat stuff.
The books are written with an amazing mixture of differing mythologies and religious beliefs. Hearne pulls in all kinds of characters ranging from Norse mythology all the way to Psycho Cabalist. And he even tosses in some vamps and wolfs. No one should feel disappointed or neglected on that aspect.
He also writes in some great wit and comic relief. A great deal of this comic relief comes in the form of the hero's companion, a great big Irish wolfhound that he can communicate with via some cool mind mojo.
Lastly, for me, the main attraction to Kevin Hearnes works is Kevin Hearne himself. I greatly enjoyed his first book and had already decided that I would invest the time to read any future installments, but when I did a search to find out more about the author himself, I was truly impressed. Not only did this guy have a very informative website and make use of social media, he also personally interacts with his fans. Mr. Hearne frequently updates his website and facebook page. But, the really impressive aspect is that his facebook page isn't just a place where he, or his rep post advertisements and updates. When a fan posts something to his page, or a conversation breaks out, he actually responds, gets involved and communicates. He's very accessible to his followers and never gives the impression that he's too busy or too good to acknowledge everyone. This goes a long way in my opinion. There are many authors who refuse to interact with their fans. I know of one in particular, and I really love his set of books, that only does 1 book signing per release, never releases more than 1 book a year, sometimes even longer, his main job is writing his books and he never interacts with his followers. There is only a couple of people he deems worthy of his attention and those people are responsible for passing on what little they know to his fandom. But Mr. Hearn on the other hand, is a very busy person, has a job, has a life and makes time for his fans and makes us feel appreciated.
And for that Mr. Hearne, I applaud you. For his creativity, wit, writing style and fan interaction, I rate Him a very strong B+. I look forward to reading more Hearne in the future.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
upcoming book reviews
Patrick Rothfuss- King Killer Chronicles
Kevin Hearne- Iron Druid Chronicles
Jim Butcher- Harry Dresden Files
Over the summer the brother and I read both of the King Killer Chronicles, all three IDC, and all thirteen Harry Dresden Books. To be truthful, the Kevin Hearne books led us to the other two writers and I was pleasantly surprised to find myself deeply enthralled by all of them.
One thing I can say about Kevin Hearne, is that he is the nicest author out there in my opinion. He's really active on his facebook page, replies to most of your comments and holds giveaways all the time (I won an audiobook). Something about an author who really tries to connect to his fan base, truly impresses me.
Kevin Hearne- Iron Druid Chronicles
Jim Butcher- Harry Dresden Files
Over the summer the brother and I read both of the King Killer Chronicles, all three IDC, and all thirteen Harry Dresden Books. To be truthful, the Kevin Hearne books led us to the other two writers and I was pleasantly surprised to find myself deeply enthralled by all of them.
One thing I can say about Kevin Hearne, is that he is the nicest author out there in my opinion. He's really active on his facebook page, replies to most of your comments and holds giveaways all the time (I won an audiobook). Something about an author who really tries to connect to his fan base, truly impresses me.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Reinforcements have arrived
I was very excited when my dear sister, (pretty much the most awesome sister ever), asked me if I would like to join her in reviewing books here. I don't know of anyone else who shares the same tastes in books as me, as strongly as I do. But, like Dianne said, we do sometimes venture down differently literary paths. Also, we will often share different opinions of what we have both read, and sometimes, even if we both love a book, we will come at it from very different angles. So, you never know if a friendly debate will occur. That being said, I am looking forward to sharing my opinions on the written word and the people who write it with everyone here.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
lots of new things coming
I created this blog and sort of went MIA. That sort of sucked, but I'm back baby! I am bringing in reinforcements too... The only person I know that reads as much as I do, is my dear brother. I invited him to share his opinions on the various books he reads. We have similar tastes in books, but we do vary on opinions and sometimes genres. If you would like to have either one of us read/review your books feel free to contact us.
You can look forward to several new updates in the weeks to come. I have been on a war path reading different genres lately and I have fallen completely in love with a few new writers. Keep your eyes peeled for new reading suggestions and just all around awesome reviews. You won't be sorry!
You can look forward to several new updates in the weeks to come. I have been on a war path reading different genres lately and I have fallen completely in love with a few new writers. Keep your eyes peeled for new reading suggestions and just all around awesome reviews. You won't be sorry!
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