Book Review: Inked

Inked

By:  As many of you have heard or seen the book around it is an anthology of 4 stories by 4 authors.  I will try to do a quick review of each story below.

Publisher:  Berkley

Publish Date:  January 2010

Format:  Paperback (pocket size)

Genre:  Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Series:  There are short stories of their own and ones that are part of a series already out there.

Recommendation:  Yes! This is a great way to get a feel for the authors and if you already have read the authors then this is a great addition to their books.  Just the right size of a story to give you a fix for your favorite authors while waiting for the next book to be released.

Book Synopsis:
Four Tales of paranormal romance and urban fantasy explore body art that is more than it seems-in a world of magic and mayhem that always leaves its mark...

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Story 1:
Skin Deep    By Karen Chance

Synopsis:
New York Times bestselling author Karen Chance's "Skin Deep" tells the tale of a war mage in Las Vegas who stumbles across an ominous magical ward that appears as a dragon on her skin-and has a mind of its own...

My Review and Summary:
I really enjoyed the adventure of the mystery in following Lia in finding her boyfriend Cyrus.  There is a connection between Lia and Cyrus she is not aware of until it appears for her.  Lia, being a mage on light duty, has to find Cyrus - hiding in Tartarus the shifting underground Vegas - to see if he has a clue or... is he in trouble... since there are weres being killed at the very moment of changing - for their skins.  Who ever is doing this has to be good, fore the change is instantaneous. 

There is some romance in this story as well.
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Story 2:
Armor of Roses      By Marjorie M. Liu

Synopsis:
When New York Times bestselling author Marjorie M. Liu's demon hunter Maxine Kiss investigates a grisly murder, she finds herself involved in a conspiracy dating back to World Was II - and a secret mission that her grandmother may have carried out for the U.S. government, one that involves the mysterious "Armor of Roses."

My Review and Summary:
This is the story in which I purchased the book for, as I have been following the series and figured this would be a great addition to it.  I do feel, if you have not read the series you will be caught up with the major highlights of Maxine and other major characters along with getting into a new story in ten pages.

I felt I got a new respect for Maxine as she is a hardass, but with a soft heart.  Maxine gets to spend time with a younger version of her Grandmother, whom she never met except on special jumps through time, trying to get information from her Grandmother during the World War in Japan.  I felt so drawn into this story that I could smell the many scents of the city - food, drink, and filth from garbage and feces.
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Story 3:
Etched in Silver     By Yasmine Galenorn

Synopsis:
In New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn's "Etched in Silver," a supernatural agent is on the trail of a sadistic serial killer when an unexpected-and dangerously seductive-ally comes to her aid, setting in motion a magical ritual that may end up binding them together, body and soul.

My Review and Summary:
This story for some reason was the only one I had a little bit of work to get into.  At first I thought it may be Camille the main character, but then I grew to like her by the end of the story.  Camille seemed to be a little annoying to me.  I am not sure how to really explain it.

Camille and her two sisters live in the Underworld with their father.  They are half witches with powers that seem to be a little on the uncontrolable side.  They work for an agency that sends them on missions no one else wants or missions expecting the sisters to fail to hold it over them.  Camille is on a mission to find an ex-agent who is on a raping, killing spree.  Camille comes across a dark stranger who helps her out with more than just her mission.

I really enjoyed the world Karen created in this story.  If only for that reason I have added Karens books to my list to read.  I love the atmosphere here and the magic present.  The sisters being not perfect are an added touch to the story.

There is some steamy tension and sex included in this story.
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Story 4:
Human Nature     By Eileen Wilks

Synopsis:
When the magically tattooed body of a man is found in a Northern California town, FBI Agent Lily Yu is drawn into the case.  Trouble is, the victim wasn't human - and the killer isn't finished in USA Today bestselling author Eileen Wilks's "Human Nature."

My Review and Summary:
I have to admit this was my second favorite story in this book.  I really enjoyed reading Eileens story of Lily and Rule.  Rule, being a were, receives a call that an old friend of his had died.  Well, was murdered, with a tattoo around his neck then his throat cut.  Rule being the were he is, is learning how to share with Lily his feelings - yet he wants his FBI Agent girlfriend to head up the investigation.  Lily has to find that magic was used in the murder in order to be able to take over the investigation.

I like how the details are given for the explanation of what and why things are happening.  There is also different possibilities that could be followed.  I really enjoy the mystery with the urban fantasy mix.


This book qualifies for my challenge - Speculative Fiction at Book Chick City.