Monday's Beginnings (15)

This is the beginning of a new week!

So, I am wondering:

How are you fareing in reading your books or are you starting a new book for the new week? The beginning of the week always seems to be a great time to start anew. To me it seems to be the way Monday goes is a sign of how the week will follow. Have you been able to get much reading time in today? Or are you going to be rushed all week to get everything into the short 24 hour day?

I am still adding numerous books to my reading list. This week I have picked up three books. I know three is not that many and of these three I found two because of the series I have started. I keep reminding my husband that I would love to get books for Christmas. I will see what I will get. Even gift cards would work if he is afraid of getting the wrong books. So thank you all! This is still a wonderous thing! You are all helping to keep me out of trouble and these wonderful authors in work. I am kind of trying to make notes of books to read but the must, must reads are on the top of the list (that is what list these books are on).

With the holiday and all the running we do to see everyone I didn't get much reading done this week. I did however manage to get one book read and a review up, Darkness Calls by Marjorie M. Liu. Last night I started into just a few pages of my next read, The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington. This read is for a discussion over at Barnes and Nobles, so I will be taking my notes with my stickies. lol. Now with the holiday past I have to get a routine again. And try to find time to do my shopping along with wrapping. I think the next month is going to be a little crazy...

As for today, I did get a little reading done at lunch hour and dinner time. I am going to set an hour aside this evening before bed to get more reading in as well. So, I am hoping this will be a good beginning to the week.

Now... this leaves us with one question left... How does it look for your reading progress to fare this week?

Book Review: Darkness Calls

Darkness Calls

By: Marjorie M. Liu

Publisher: Ace Books

Publish Date: July 2009

Format: Paperback (4"x 6 3/4"), pgs 303

Genre: Fiction, Paranormal

Series: 2nd bookof Hunter Kiss Series (If you would like to read the 1st books review click here.)

Recommendation: Yes! If you read the first book you have to read this one!

First Sentence:

Zombies had a bad habit of shooting me in the head.

Book Synopsis:

They are the obsidian shadows of my flesh-tattos 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 the ability to manipulate energy, he can 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...

My Review and Summary:

Once again the synopsis the book gives is very well done. It hits on all the major topics in the book.

As I noted above, if you have read the first book you need to read this one.

The beginning of the book gives a lot of review with the new happenings to catch you up with the time from reading book one and the release of book two. There is a lot here to get you back up to speed in that break time frame, however for me it was a little slow since I had just finished the first book with all the happenings fresh in my mind. But, when the book picks up on its own path and goes... It goes!

You do get your share of action with Maxine along with the love her and Grant share. But most of all you start to get the story behind Jack and a few other key characters (you have to read to see who and what it is - it is worth it!). The history with Jack and many of the characters, including Maxines' heritage, is amazing and really opens the world up to so much more possibilities. I love the style Marjorie has used to tell the stories through-out the book. You start to see that through the labyrinth their is a large world and lots of great mystery behind the different creatures you are introduced to. You even get to see the connection between all the creatures that is intreging. Then there is an interesting take on where humans came from in accordance to the ancient beings.

I have loved the world and mystery in the Labyrinth. I would love to learn more of the Labyrinth and the magics it holds. After reading this book with the great character building we are still waiting for the veil to fail, and there are a few other troubles that could come Maxines way for the next few books to come.

I am going to be on the watch for book three to be coming out. I have found that Marjorie has a story of Maxine in an anthology of four authors called Wild Things. And there is a new anthology of 4 authors to be out in January 2010 that includes another story of Maxine called Inked. I will be looking into these two books after the new year.

It's Tuesday...Where are you? (5)

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An_Adventure_In_Reading

This week I am only reading one book and in one world.

Maxine and I just dropped Grant off at the airport. He is heading to Shanghi to help an old friend. Maxine and I have a bad feeling, we just know it is a trap. I am not sure what supernatural creature is going to be waiting but there will be something; zombies, avatar, some sort of demon. The boys on Maxines skin are sleeping now but they have been very agitated this morning. With the visit of a stranger and Mary's premonition of Grant dieing, oh yeah and Maxine getting shot in the head. *shiver* Just not a good morning. Maxine has a way figured out that she will be able to get to Grant over in Shanghi without all the paperwork of visas and such.

Darkness Calls

By Marjorie M. Liu

The Turkey Chase Is On...

Turkey day on the run...

We will be chasing the turkey all day and more... I don't know about most of you, but I get to make three stops on Thanksgiving and another stop on Saturday. I get breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desert. And then I get dinner and desert two days later, from my large loving family.

So, with all this running we are doing I will definitely have my book in my purse. This book will help pass the time in traveling between places and any blah moments (you know these after everyone has eaten turkey and are getting sleepy) at each house. I will have my current book on hand just for these moments. I will be carrying Darkness Calls by Marjorie M. Liu. Now, just in case I get done with this book I will be carrying, as well, The Sad Tale of Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington. I just hope I don't get caught. *giggle* My families seem to get a little upset at times when we are to be doing family time and I have my nose in another book.

Just curious, will you have your book on hand? Are you doing dinner at you home so... will you be reading in the kitchen with the turkey cooking? What book will you be sneaking in your purse or back pocket?

I hope you have a WONDERFUL TURKEY DAY!!!! Enjoy yourself with your friends and families.

Monday's Beginnings (14)

This is the beginning of a new week!

So, I am wondering:

Where you are in your books or are you starting a new book for the new week? The beginning of the week always seems to be a great time to start anew. To me it seems to be the way Monday goes is a sign of how the week will follow. Have you been able to get much reading time in today? Or are you going to be rushed all week to get everything into the short 24 hour day?

I am still adding numerous books to my reading list. This week I have picked up five books. Well, I do have to say I have told my husband that much of my Christmas list this year consists of books, which you all have contributed to. So thank you all! This is still a wonderous thing! You are all helping to keep me out of trouble and these wonderful authors in work. I am kind of trying to make notes of books to read but the must, must reads are on the top of the list (that is what list these books are on).

I am a little surprised with myself in I have finished two books this past week. They are up and reviewed here as well, but they were Bauchelain and Korbal Broach by Steven Erikson and The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu. Bauchelain and Korbal Broach was more detailed for me with the characters and the world so it took me a little longer. The Iron Hunt was a very straight forward paranormal read and I just couldn't put it down. Tonight I am starting the next book to The Iron Hunt ~ Darkness Calls. With this week being Thanksgiving I may not get done with it with all our running to see our parents and grandparents all weekend along with Black Friday and a class reunion coming up.

I think I am starting to fall back into my pattern in the evenings again. I have tried to get back into my exercising on the Wii Fit for at least an hour 3 times a week, blogging, reading, and commenting on a book club forum.

As for today, I tried to get an hour of reading done this evening already and will try for another hour later. I do hope in our travels I can read while on our way, and yes I will have my book tucked in my purse so if I start to go through withdrawal I can pull it out. The only thing is the families get a little upset at times, so I will try my hardest not to read but the book may win out.

Now... this leaves us with one question left... Where are you?

Book Review

The Iron Hunt

By: Marjorie M. Liu

Publisher: Ace Books

Publish Date: July 2008

Genre: Fiction, Paranormal

Series: 1st book of Hunter Kiss series

Recommendation: YES!!!

First Sentence:

When I was eight, my mother lost me to zombies in a one-card draw.

Book Synopsis:

Silver smoke winds around my torso, peeling away from my ribs and back, stealing the dark mist covering my hands and lower extremities... tattoos dissolving into demon flesh, coalescing into small dark bodies. My boys. The only friends I have in this world. Demons.

I am a demon hunter. I am a demon. I am Hunter Kiss.

By day, her tattoos are her armor. By night, they unwind from her body to take on forms of their own - demons of the flesh, turned into flesh. This is the only family demon hunter Maxine Kiss has ever known. It's the only way to live, and the very way she'll die. For one day her demons will abandon her for her daughter to assure their own survival 0 leaving Maxine helpless against her enemies.

But such is the way of Earth's last protector - the only one standing between humanity and the demons breaking out from behind the prison veil. It is a life lacking in love, reveling in death, until one moment - and one man - changes everything...

My Review and Summary:

I am not going to say to much on what happens in the book. I think the book synopsis does a very good job of that. So, I am going to try and stick to my thoughts on this review.

This book is a great beginning to a unique series idea. This book introduces you to all the characters and given what you need to love them, along with the fast pacing to keep you going. The book is VERY well written to make me love and hate the characters with Maxine as we go through the story. I loved how there are many different demons and creatures. By the end of the book, I felt I knew the characters well, but had many curiosities of them. My curiosities were not from a lack in the story, but more of my thinking on the characters afterward. Where they are from and what they could truely be capable of.

There are things here that Marjorie lays out for you to foresee in the story, but there are so many unpredictable happenings, and appearances as well. You get pieces of the plot to puzzle together as the story goes and it keeps you wanting more. I didn't want to put the book down. Another great book where I tried to make stopping points but just could NOT find one, I had to keep reading to find out what happens and what creature am I going to meet next.

I do have to mention the '80s references ~ on the radio and tv reruns. The references are in no way over done. I enjoyed the subtlety of them, since I too am an '80s lover.

One of my favorite characters in the book were the tattoos. I loved the WHOLE idea with/of them. The way they live, protecting Maxine both day and night in different ways. The way they help guide Maxine even when they are sleeping. This is an amazing creation that I look forward to reading more of.

The only thing with this story was I felt, in the first fifty pages or so, I had missed some information. Maybe I missed a story that preceded this book or maybe this is information that is left open to be discussed in future books. Either way it did not hinder the book in any way and keeps a little mystery in the book and future installments for me.

In the end, I loved this books' plot and the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone loving paranormal books.

Book Review

Bauchelain and Korbal Broach

By: Steven Erikson

Publisher: Tor

Publish Date: September 2009

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy

Series: Volume 1, of Short Novels of the Malazan Empire

Recommendation: Yes, if you like to read in a huge world and may want to jot down little pieces to remember.

Book Synopsis:

Set in the awe-inspiring world of the Malazan Empire. Here are three tales of the enigmatic and eccentric necromancers Bauchelain and Korbal Broach collected in one volume.

BLOOD FOLLOWS

In the port city of Lamentable Moll, a diabolical killer stalks the streets and panic grips the citizens like a fever. As Emancipor Reese's legendary ill luck would have it, his previous employer is the unknown killer's latest victim. But two strangers have come to town, and they have posted in Fishmonger's Round a note, reeking of death-warded magic, requesting the services of a manservant.

THE LEES OF LAUGHTER'S END

After their blissful souourn in Lamentable Moll, the sorcerors Bauchelain and Korbal Broach-along with their manservant, Emancipor Reese-set out on the open seas aboard the sturdy ship Suncurl. Alas, there's more baggage in the hold than meets the beady eyes of the crew, and unseemly terrors awaken. For Bauchelain, Korbal Broach, and Emancipor Reese, it is just one more night on the high seas, on a journey without end.

THE HEALTHY DEAD

The city of Quaint's zeal for goodness can be catastrophic, and no one knows this better than Bauchelain and Korbal Broach, two stalwart champions of all things bad. The homicidal necromancers-and their substance-addled manservant, Emancipor Reese-find themselves ensnared in a scheme to bring goodness into utter ruination. Sometimes you must bring down civilization...in the name of civilization.

First sentences:

1.) The bells pealed across the Lamentable City of Moll, clamouring along the crooked, narrow alleys, buffeting the dawn-risers hurriedly laying out their wares in the market rounds.

2.) West of Theft, the Tithe Strait opens out into the Wastes. A vast stretch of ocean through which naught but the adventurour and the foolhardy dared brave the treacherous, dubious sea-lanes as far as the red road of Laughter's End, and from there, onward to the islands of the Seguleh and the southern coast of Genabackis, where the lands of Lamatath offered surdid refuge for pirates, wastrels, the rare trader and the ubiquitous pilgram ships of the Fallen God.

3.) Those who die healthily are stuffed and displayed in glass-cased shrines as examples of good living. Imid Factallo, foreman of the work crew relaying the cobbles round back of the Wall, was struck unconscious by a collapsing wagon, and so became a saint.

My Review and Summary:

These stories are on the dark side and are very detailed in the world. I have really been enjoying the books with which I feel I should use sticky notes to help me remember who's who and who did what.

The first story started out with me being confused for a little while. But, once I got through it I understood what was going on. In this first story you realize just how massive a world Erikson has created. These stories are based in the same world as Erikson's epic series, of the Malazan Empire.

There seems to be a lot of mysterious magic and different creatures/beings in this colossal world. You do get introduced to a new set of characters in each story, but you are always following the trio of men; Bauchelain, Korbal Broach, and Emancipor (the manservant). This trio of men seem to not be the "bad" guy in so many words, yet... they are. They are definitely not the heros either, but they may have a touch of it in them. I like how he follows from different character point of views, then I found myself wondering what was going to happen when they crossed paths. I had many questions and thoughts of not knowing where this trio of men was going in the world and what trouble they would uncover and create.

In the second and third stories you start to see more of the Gods and old ways of the cities. There is so much happening quickly in these short stories that you have to keep going. The third story even touches on a topic that was very interesting to me, healthiness. Can it be done too much? I really enjoyed the topic and the extreme views of the characters.

I enjoy a story that is on the dark side and has a large amount of details to follow. I have not read the Malazan Empire yet, but this is my goal for 2010 - read the 10 books series.