I SO WANT TO READ THIS: GHOST STORY

Ghost Story by Jim Butcher
Book 14 of the Dresden Files series

Publication Date: 28 July 2011

About Ghost Story:

Meet Harry Dresden, Chicago’s first (and only) Wizard PI. Turns out the ‘everyday’ world is full of strange and magical things – and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. But he’s forgotten his own golden rule: magic – it can get a guy killed. Which didn’t help when he clashed with unknown assailants with his murder in mind. And though Harry’s continued existence is now in some doubt, this doesn’t mean he can rest in peace.

Trapped in a realm that’s not quite here, yet not quite anywhere else, Harry learns that three of his loved ones are in danger. Only by discovering his assailant’s identity can he save his friends, bring criminal elements to justice, and move on himself. It would just be easier if he knew who was at risk. And had a (working) crystal ball. And access to magic. Instead, he is unable to interact with the physical world – invisible to all but a select magical few. He’s also not the only silent presence roaming Chicago’s alleys. Hell, he put some there himself. Now, they’re looking for payback.

Source: Info in the About Ghost Story was taken from the publisher's website at http://www.orbitbooks.net/orbit-uk-2011/#ghost on 18/06/2011.

Review: TEMPEST RISING

Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
Book 1 of the Jane True series

Genre: UF, adult fantasy, paranormal romance

About Tempest Rising:

In the tiny village of Rockabill, Maine, Jane True—26-year-old bookstore clerk and secret night swimmer—has no idea that her absent mother’s legacy is entry into a world populated by the origins of human myths and legends. It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: vampires are not quite what we think; dogs sometimes surprise us; and whatever you do, never—ever—rub the genie’s lamp. For Jane, everything kicks off when she comes across a murder victim during her nightly clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean. This grisly discovery leads to the revelation of why she has such freakish abilities in the water: her mother was a Selkie and Jane is only half human. With this knowledge, Jane soon finds herself mingling with supernatural creatures alternately terrifying, beautiful, and deadly—all adjectives that quite handily describe her new friend Ryu. When Ryu is sent to Rockabill to investigate the murder, he and Jane fall hard for each other even as they plummet into a world of intrigue threatening to engulf both supernatural and human societies. For someone is killing half-humans like Jane. The question is, are the murders the work of one rogue individual or part of a greater plot to purge the world of Halflings.

Source: Info in the About Tempest Rising was taken from the author's website at http://www.nicolepeeler.com/the-jane-true-series/tempest-rising on 02/11/09.

Review:
The cover art is suggestive of YA, but this book is not for children. It is meant to be read by 18s or older. This is an adult book.

I had to read this book in spurts. The author's voice didn't sound so bad but the story telling quality did not hold my attention for very long. I find myself getting bored and my eyes wandering over to my TBR shelves for a better read. So I'd put this book down and pick up another. After sometime, say the following week or so, I'd pick this book up again and read where I left off. This went on until I finally finished this book. That was why it took so long to review it... so pace-wise I would say this book was not very fast for me at all. I like the character development though. I can connect with the main female protagonist. She sound so ordinary modern woman. Along with making decisions and behaving in, not the wisest course of action :) The story ended with a bang and a happily-ever-after which gives this book a lot of kudos! Below is my quantitative breakdown of this book:

Story telling quality = 3.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 3
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = 2

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 cherries


I would like to thank Orbit for the review copy of Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler received.

IN THE MAIL: CRESCENDO, TEMPEST RISING & A WILD LIGHT

My loot for the last week:

I would like to thank Simon & Schuster for the review copy of Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick received.

About Crescendo:

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy, Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The further Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim bloodline has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

Source: Info in the About Crescendo was taken from the author's website at http://www.beccafitzpatrick.com/whitehotstory.html on 22/09/2010.

I would like to thank Orbit for the review copy of Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler and A Wild Light by Marjorie Liu received.

About Tempest Rising:

In the tiny village of Rockabill, Maine, Jane True—26-year-old bookstore clerk and secret night swimmer—has no idea that her absent mother’s legacy is entry into a world populated by the origins of human myths and legends. It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: vampires are not quite what we think; dogs sometimes surprise us; and whatever you do, never—ever—rub the genie’s lamp. For Jane, everything kicks off when she comes across a murder victim during her nightly clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean. This grisly discovery leads to the revelation of why she has such freakish abilities in the water: her mother was a Selkie and Jane is only half human. With this knowledge, Jane soon finds herself mingling with supernatural creatures alternately terrifying, beautiful, and deadly—all adjectives that quite handily describe her new friend Ryu. When Ryu is sent to Rockabill to investigate the murder, he and Jane fall hard for each other even as they plummet into a world of intrigue threatening to engulf both supernatural and human societies. For someone is killing half-humans like Jane. The question is, are the murders the work of one rogue individual or part of a greater plot to purge the world of Halflings.

Source: Info in the About Tempest Rising was taken from the author's website at http://www.nicolepeeler.com/the-jane-true-series/tempest-rising on 02/11/09.

About A Wild Light:

For too long Maxine Kiss has felt an inexplicable darkness inside her-a force she channels into hunting the demons bent on destroying the human race. But when she finds herself covered in blood and crouched beside her grandfather’s dead body with no memory of what happened, Maxine begins to fear that the darkness has finally consumed her.

Source: Info in the About A Wild Light was taken from the author's website at http://marjoriemliu.com/index.php?/novels/details/a_wild_light/ on 20/09/2010.

Review: DARKNESS CALLS

Darkness Calls by Marjorie Liu
Book 2 of the Hunter Kiss series

Genre: urban fantasy, chick lit

About Darkness Calls:

They are the obsidian shadows of my flesh - tattoos with minds, hearts, and dreams. By day, they protect me. But when night calls to them, they leave my body, dissolving into their true form - as demons…

Nomad born and bred, demon hunter Maxine Kiss has always relied upon herself to fight the darkness that surrounds her, the predators-human, zombie, and otherwise - who threaten the earth. But one man has penetrated her lonely life: Grant, the last of his kind. With music he is able to control any living creature…including demons. And now his life is in danger.

Haunted by the past, determined to change the future, Maxine soon understands that to save Grant, she has only one choice-to lose control, and release her own powers of darkness…

Source: Info in the About Darkness Calls was taken from the author's website at http://marjoriemliu.com/index.php?/novels/details/darkness_calls/ on 20/09/2010.

Short Novella PreQuel To Iron Hunt: Companion Story - Iron Hunt

My review of book 1: The Iron Hunt is here.

Verdict: mediocre

Review:
I said in my review of book 1 that the story telling quality was good. In this book that slipped down a notch. Story telling quality is mediocre. It is not too bad but it's not that compelling either. I wouldn't have finished reading this book had I not felt obligated to review it for Orbit. Dragging at times. Annoying at times. Character development would have been good if not for the main protagonist. It seems that everybody else was very well done. Even the bad guys. The main female protagonist is just this shade of stupid. If you take her out of the equation, the character development would have garnered a 5 out of 5. As it is, I would give it a 4 out of 5. The ending was good. A happy ending. Our heroes saved the world and more bad guys are coming. A 4 out of 5. The title this time though made sense compared to book 1 where I wondered why it was titled Iron Hunt. It did not seem to relate to the story. But maybe one of you can tell me.... Overall, this book is not that bad, but it is not a masterpiece either.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 cherries


I would like to thank Orbit for the review copy of Darkness Calls received!

Review: CHANGES by JIM BUTCHER

Changes by Jim Butcher

Genre: urban fantasy

About Changes:

Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child.

Source: Info in the About Changes was taken from the author's website at http://jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/12/ on 10/04/2010.

I would like to thank Orbit for the review copy of Changes by Jim Butcher received.

My Take On This Book:
This is book 13 of the series so the character and world building was done a long time ago with a masterpiece hand. What can I say? I’m a long-time Jim Butcher fan so my opinion is biased. Reading Changes has reminded me why I love reading Jim Butcher so much! The wry humour showing through the pages… non-stop suspense action chapter after chapter. The story telling quality is 5 out of 5, as per usual. So what new thing can I say about this book that I haven’t said already in previous Jim Butcher reviews? This book is obviously a pivotal point in the series, as aptly titled Changes. New developments in the story is emerging... And the ending was specifically designed to better torment die hard fans to having to wait for a year for the next installment…

Cherry's Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries


Author link(s):
Jim Butcher

FIRST LORD'S FURY

First Lord's Fury by Jim Butcher
Book 6 and final book of the Codex Alera

About This Book:

The aging First Lord of Alera has fallen in battle. Yet his people must continue to resist an invading inhuman army. Desperate Alerans even pledge fealty to the Vord Queen to survive, turning the incredible power of Aleran furies back on their own people. And despite all efforts, the Alerans are being ground into dust and pushed to the farthest reaches of their own realm. However, Tavi has returned with vital insights from the Canim Blood Lands. He knows how to counter the Vord and, more importantly, believes human ingenuity can equal fury-born powers. Now events are rushing towards a last stand, where Tavi and the last Aleran legions must formulate a dangerous new strategy, together. For a civilization is on the brink of extinction.

Source: Info in the About This Book was taken from amazon at http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1841498513.

Genre: epic fantasy, YA

My Take On This Book:
I like the way this book answers some mysteries in the previous books. Like the way it explained the Alerans are actually not native to Alera but migrants from somewhere else. And adopted to Alera's environment, including the use of "furies". But didn't say where they came from, to begin with though...

This book also revealed the identity of the mystery man in Book 1 who witnessed the Marat pre-war orgy before the Second Calderon. I had to stop for a minute there to recall that mystery man and that I did wonder who it was but promptly forgot all about it after.

Now, why does the wild, feral wind furies attack and kill Alerans and animals on Alera while leave the Marat alone? I've always wondered about that...

It seems that the name "Marok" is a favourite alpha canine word for authors. Jim used it in this book to name the head of the Canim spiritualist. Patricia Briggs used the name Marok as the title for her head of werewolf in the Mercy Thompson series. Or am I just reading too many fantasy books?

By the way, can anyone tell me what is the difference between an earthcrafter and a Knight's Terra? Because they awfully sound the same to me but for some reason each word is applied as if there is a difference. The difference of these terms seems to be similar to the difference between an earthcrafter and a watercrafter...

I also like the way this book bring the stories of all six books in the Codex Alera series together to a close. In the book, is mentioned bits and pieces from all six books and nicely blended them together. It also answered a question I had when I reviewed The Furies of Calderon (Book 1 of the Codex Alera) which is: Why is this series called Codex Alera? As I understand it, it is because the six books is suppose to be a chronicling of Gaius Octavian's rise to power. The Codex Alera. What do you think?

The only major complaint I have about this book is that this is the final book of the Codex Alera series. That means there won't be anymore! But, I want more! *sigh*

Cherry’s Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries

PRINCEP'S FURY

Princep's Fury by Jim Butcher

Genre: epic fantasy, YA

My Take On This Book:
Jim Butcher delivers another masterpiece. Fast-paced, page-turner... Story-telling quality is 5 out of 5. The story itself is 5 out of 5. I like the US cover better than what we have here in the UK. So I'll cheat and not consider the cover art in the rating at all. Plus I noticed that the UK cover got topographical errors, instead of printing "apostrophe S" ['S], they printed "S apostrophe" [S'] in PRINCEP'S. See pic of erroneous cover on the right. I'm picky I know! But I expect publishers to have people in quality control, or some such. And just a note people, this book is now 50% off at Borders!! Brand new copy!! As you can imagine it is going out fast...

Over all, this book is a 5 out of 5. Maybe because I am a Jim Butcher long-term fan... might have something to do with it...

Ordered First Lord's Fury and can't wait for it to arrive in the mail!!! Had to order it all the way from the US because they are not releasing it here in the UK yet *bummer*!

Cherry's Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries


About This Book:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Captain's Fury and the Dresden Files novels.

Tavi of Calderon, now recognized as Princeps Gaius Octavian and heir to the crown, has achieved a fragile alliance with Alera's oldest foes, the savage Canim. But when Tavi and his legions guide the Canim safely to their lands, his worst fears are realized.

The dreaded Vord—the enemy of Aleran and Cane alike—have spent the last three years laying waste to the Canim homeland. And when the Alerans are cut off from their ships, they find themselves with no choice but to fight shoulder to shoulder if they are to survive.

For a thousand years, Alera and her furies have withstood every enemy, and survived every foe.

The thousand years are over...

Source: Info in the About This Book was taken from the author's website at http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/alera/5/ on 05/12/09.

Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank Little Brown Book Group (Orbit) for giving me the review copy of Princeps' Fury (The Codex Alera: Book5) by Jim Butcher.

CONTEST:

Right, because this book was given to me for free, I would like to pass this copy (used obviously) to another reader who is likely to enjoy this book. That means, enter this contest only if you are interested and want to read this book! And here is the catch, you have to review this book too.

Now, if you do not have a blog or website, that is fine. Post your review anywhere online, i.e., (MySpace, Facebook) any of the free social networks, and/or at amazon... as long as you can give me the URL address of where you posted your review. And it has be viewable by me. Like, if your blog's settings is set to private and can only be viewed by your friends, that means it is not viewable by me... questions? email me.

TO ENTER: Register HERE.

Contest Particulars:

• You have to be a Cherry Mischievous blog follower via Google Friend Connect to enter the contest.
• There will only be one winner. You have to review this book if you win it.
• Contest is open to international readers.
• Contest ends on the 8th of January 2010.
• If this contest is not in concordance to your local legislations, it is up to you to follow your local rules.
• Under 13? Parental permission is required.
• You must have a valid snail mail address and email address to enter this contest. We need the snail mail address to send the book(s) and/or prizes to. We need the email addy to get in touch with you.
• Questions? Ask! Shoot us an email. Please write PRINCEP'S FURY in the subject line.