Review: Unholy Magic

Unholy Magic

By:  Stacia Kane

Publisher:  Del Rey Books

Publish Date:  July 6, 2010

Genre:  Fantasy

Format:  Paperback, 343 pgs - pocket book size

Series:  2nd book in Downside Ghosts, review of 1st book ~ Unholy Ghosts

Recommendation:  YES!! Dark magic mixed with lovable, gritty characters and suspenseful magical cases.

Book Synopsis:
ENEMIES DON’T NEED TO BE ALIVE TO BE DEADLY.

For Chess Putnam, finding herself near-fatally poisoned by a con psychic and then stopping a murderous ghost is just another day on the job. As an agent of the Church of Real Truth, Chess must expose those looking to profit from the world’s unpleasant little poltergeist problem—humans filing false claims of hauntings—all while staving off any undead who really are looking for a kill. But Chess has been extra busy these days, coping with a new “celebrity” assignment while trying on her own time to help some desperate prostitutes.

Someone’s taking out the hookers of Downside in the most gruesome way, and Chess is sure the rumors that it’s the work of a ghost are way off base. But proving herself right means walking in the path of a maniac, not to mention standing between the two men in her life just as they—along with their ruthless employers—are moving closer to a catastrophic showdown. Someone is dealing in murder, sex, and the supernatural, and once again Chess finds herself right in the crossfire. 
 
First Sentence:
Ghosts were stronger undergrounds; no witch willingly went below the surface of the earth, not without a Church edict or a death wish.
 
My Review and Synopsis:
Three months after the banishing of the Dreamthief in Unholy Ghosts Chess is helping the Black Squad to build a case.  She's starting to be viewed differently by her peers at work, considered that she just might be good at her job.  Chess decides to stop out for a drink and see a band at the local bar with her one friend, Terrible.  Chess ends up going with Terrible to look into a murder of a hooker.  Terrible wants Chess to verify the killer is not a ghost.  But knowing Bump, if it is a ghost, he would have her take care of it instead of the Church directly.  The murder was close to the edge of Bump's and Lex's territories.  Chess finds herself in the grasps of Bumps manipulation with drugs and his knowledge of her, again.  So of course, Chess agrees to help both Bump, and Lex without the other knowing, but at what cost to her...

This book is a wonderful number two to the series.  Stacia Kane, once again does not disappoint here.  I got drawn into Chess's cases and life.  This book was just as intense or more so than Unholy Ghosts.  The cases, both of them, hit close to home once again to Chess - actually closer than she would like.  Chess is stuck between the feud of her close friends boss and her local drug dealer, and the man who has been giving her free drugs and who she shares a night with once in a while.  I watched as Chess's life which seems to work so well for her, comes apart at the seams.  Then Chess realizes what she wants and tries to fix everything to get it.

The characters are a great love in this book.  The way we get to see more dynamics from them - history, reactions, and intimacy with each other.  We got more insight on our lovable bouncer, Terrible.  We get to see a softer side and the more dangerous side (that many others in the book see) of Terrible.

The story line... just keeps going.  The pacing is quick and keeps you turning the pages.  The different cases Chess works on kept me going to see what would happen and where the cases would lead.  And the trauma in Chess's life just adds the flare to the story.  All full of action, suspense, and even a caring between the characters.

These are definite reads.  I am looking forward to book three, City of Ghosts, on July 27, 2010.



I purchased this book for my pleasure

This book qualifies for my Speculated Fiction Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.

Looking Forward To... (11)

So many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.  For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get,  you can also look at the list of Desired Reads on my right Sidebar - just scroll down.  Of course there are tons of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet).  But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date the Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

I am STILL working on releases for July 27th!  (this day is going to break me.)

The Next Book Is...

A Wild Light

By Marjorie M. Liu

Due out July 27, 2010

This book is the third in the Hunter Kiss series.  I have loved reading this series of Maxine Kiss and her "boys" (the tattoo demons).  They put a new meaning to working together and fighting.  There is her lovely boyfriend too.  I have enjoyed this series so far and look forward to more of Maxine.

If you would like to read my reviews of both previous books here are the titles with the links in them:

The Iron Hunt

Darkness Calls

There is also a short story of Maxine with her Grandmother in the Anthology - Inked

Marjorie had posted an excerpt of Chapter 1 on her blog back in may.  If you would like to visit and read it, click here.


The Synopsis from Goodreads:

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.

Book Review: The Crowded Shadows

The Crowded Shadows

By:  Celine Kiernan

Publisher:  Orbit Books

Publish Date:  July 1, 2010

Genre:  Fantasy

Format:  Paperback, 474 pgs - 5 1/2" x 8"

Series:  2nd in The Moorehawke Trilogy, review of 1st book ~ Poison Throne here.

Recommendation:  YES!!  If you love wonderful characters and writing that will just absorb you into their world, start with the first book Poison Throne then dive right into this one.  This is a fantastic fantasy journey to take!

Book Synopsis:
Every tyrant who ever threatened the Kingdom is gathering to Alberon's table, and the forest is alive with spies, wolves and bandits. Within these crowded shadows, Protector Lady Wynter Moorehawke travels alone and unprotected, determined that she shall find the rebel prince and heal the rift that has come between the King and his legitimate heir. But who is an ally and who is a foe? In this, the second of The Moorehawke Trilogy, old friends and even older enemies ensure that Wynter is never certain of who she can trust.

First Sentence:
Wynter sank closer to Ozkar's neck and slowly dipped her head so that the dark brim of her hat hid her eyes.

My Review and Synopsis:
We start off right where Poison Throne left off.  Wynter is traveling alone in the dense forests to find the adored and disowned Rebel Prince Alberon.  Wynter has many worries and trials while traveling through the crowded forest.  She never imagined the woods in this direction to be so full of people... people who just may not be welcome in the Kingdoms lands.  There is much more going on in the woods of the Kingdom than anyone ever expected.  In the shadows of the Kingdom Forests there are many new worries and Wynter, Razi, and Christopher find themselves in the middle.

This book is of the tribulations and trials the characters undergo while traveling alone in the dangerous forests of the Kingdom.  You see that word has traveled far and wide that there is chaos in the Kingdoms lands and in other parts of the world as well.  But this book focuses on our main characters.  This is the middle child, being a second book, but this is the next section of the story in getting to the end results - getting to the Rebel Prince Alberon and seeing chaos has erupted in the kingdom.  This book has a wonderful story to tell and add to the trilogy.  As we don't hear much of the Bloody Machine or meet the Rebel Prince Alberon yet, we do see that Alberon is bringing many different cultures; ally and enemy alike to his table.  What is this young man up to?

Celine pulls the punches from the start.  Right into the troubles and worries of Wynter's along with all the new ones in the crowded woods she's traveling in.

I just have to say off the start here, I loved this book, and for many reasons.  Now I will try to not to gosh my love to much after stating this here. :)

I was so drawn into this book that my whole house could have burnt down around me, and I would not have known.  Celine's writing style flowed very nicely for me, very fluint and absorbing.  I could easily visualize everthing in my mind through Celine's writing.  I love when I can easily see what is going on, it makes the story flow faster for me.  I found myself going back and rereading sections of the book; NOT because I was lost but because I loved them fore how they where worded, the meaning in them, or from the shock of the happening.

The characters are amazing and I really started to see much more going on in the woods of the kingdom.  I learned more of the characters and really feel in love with them - all old and new.  The story built on the suspense of the dark forest and had me worried for the characters, not knowing why I was worried but feeling is through the writing.  But then in the end I got all my explainations and answers for the worries.  The building of the cultures and world was amazing.  Through learning more of the Merron people, and Christopher, I also learned of the cultures of the others by the way they reacted and compared the Merron religion to.

This story had a quick pace for me, even though it was 474 pages.  And there was lots happening to keep me wanting more.  The momentum kept going and I just couldn't put the book down.  Then there were a few unexpected twists to the story as well, which made me love it even more.


This book qualifies for my Speculated Fiction Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.

Teaser Tuesday (35)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

List the book and author so other participants can get their hand on it if they choose to read it as well.

This Week:

He reached for the stereo knob. She caught his arm before he could reach it, and he slammed on the brakes.

Unholy Magic

By Stacia Kane

page 155

Monday's Beginnings (46)

So, here we are again... Another Monday.

How are you faring in reading at the beginning of this week?  Are you starting a new book or finishing one up?

I got a little bit of reading done today, but of course not as much as I was wanting.  I am going to try to get more done this evening though.  As for the books... I did get The Crowded Shadows by Celine Kiernan done.  I truly loved this book, and now can't wait until October for the third and final book of the trilogy, Rebel Prince.  I plan to have the review for The Crowded Shadows up in a day or two.  I find at times I have a harder time reviewing books I enjoyed this much.  I am currently working on Unholy Magic by Stacia Kane.  Which I just bought last week.  I was hoping to get more time on this over the weekend, but got caught up with all sorts of running with the family.  Oh well, I am hoping to devour this book too.

I did get a few reviews up last week:
     The Left Hand of God By Paul Hoffman, here
     Waking the Witch By Kelley Armstrong, here

As for my Wishlist... I have added seven more books.  Thank you all for these great additions to the list.  I am trying to keep this list on a smaller side here for just a little while.  I have so many books to series I am currently reading coming out soon that I want to get to all these.  But the authors should all be thrilled that you are all introducing me to their books because I just can't pass them up. :)

Books received last week:

Purchased:

Unholy Magic (Downside Ghosts #2) By Stacia Kane

Synopsis from Good Reads:

ENEMIES DON’T NEED TO BE ALIVE TO BE DEADLY.
 
For Chess Putnam, finding herself near-fatally poisoned by a con psychic and then stopping a murderous ghost is just another day on the job. As an agent of the Church of Real Truth, Chess must expose those looking to profit from the world’s unpleasant little poltergeist problem—humans filing false claims of hauntings—all while staving off any undead who really are looking for a kill. But Chess has been extra busy these days, coping with a new “celebrity” assignment while trying on her own time to help some desperate prostitutes.

Someone’s taking out the hookers of Downside in the most gruesome way, and Chess is sure the rumors that it’s the work of a ghost are way off base. But proving herself right means walking in the path of a maniac, not to mention standing between the two men in her life just as they—along with their ruthless employers—are moving closer to a catastrophic showdown. Someone is dealing in murder, sex, and the supernatural, and once again Chess finds herself right in the crossfire.

Won:
All three of these books I won from Book Chick City through her monthly Speculated Fiction Challenge.  You should stop by and sign up to do.  It is fun to share the reviews and enter to win for doing what we enjoy doing here.  Visit Book Chick City here.

King Maker (The Knights of Breton Court #1) By Maurice Broaddus

Synopsis from Good Reads:

From the drug gangs of downtown Indianapolis, the one true king will arise. The King Arthur myth gets dramatically retold through the eyes of street hustler King, as he tries to unite the crack dealers, gangbangers and the monsters lurking within them to do the right thing. Broaddus' debut is a stunning, edgy work, genuinely unlike anything you've ever read.

Nekropolis (Nekropolis #1) By Tim Waggoner

Synopsis from Good Reads:

Meet Matt Richter. Private eye. Zombie. 

His mean streets are the city of the dead, the shadowy realm known as Nekropolis. And in this first case, Richter must help a delectable half-vampire named Devona recover a legendary artifact known as the Dawnstone, before it’s used to destroy Nekropolis itself. That is, if he can survive the myriad horrors that infest the city itself.

Dead Streets (Nekropolis #2) By Tim Waggoner

Synopsis from Good Reads:

Meet Matt Richter. Private Eye. Zombie. His mean streets are the city of the dead, the shadowy realm known as Nekropolis. Book two of the Nekropolis series sends Matt Richter out on another deathly adventure. More pulp than Pulp Fiction, more butt-kicking than Buffy, Dead Streets is the second in this deathly new series.









So, how are you faring this week?  Does it look like a good reading week this week?


Here's to hoping you have a great week in words and pages.

Giveaway Winner: Tracking the Tempest

Well, the week to enter to win this Tracking the Tempest from Nicole Peeler in the interview is over...

Today is the day to pick the winner of this amazing and fun book.


I would like to thank all the people who entered and wishing you all the best of luck.  And hoping when you purchase this book you love it as much as I did.

I pulled out the calculator to help me on this one. Given the total entries earned I gave you the block of number that big. For example the first entry was for 10 entries, so they got all the numbers 1-10 and so on to the next person. Then I used Random.org to pick the winning number. The winning number is 40! That person is...

Robsad79

Okay, Robsad79 you have 48 hours to email me your mailing address so I can pass it on the Nicole to send you the book.
Thank you all for entering and I hope you all enjoy the read when you get it. :)

Looking Forward To...(10)

So many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out. For books yet to be released I am looking to get you can also look at the list of Desired Reads on the Right Sidebar - just scroll down. Of course there are tons other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have started or for on reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

( mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

I am still working on the releases for July 27, 2010.

The Next Book Is...

Waking the Witch

By Kelley Armstrong

Due out July 27, 2010

This book is the 11th one in the series.  BUT, let me interject here, you don't have to read the whole series to appreciate this book.  This would be a great place to start if you have not read the other books in the series. Must be some amazing series, right!?!  Well, as you have seen I did read and review this book already.  But I just had to mention it as it was a wonderful read.  Thanks to this book I am going to pick up with the series and read from the beginning as well.  If you would like to read my arc review, click here.

At twenty-one, Savannah Levine—orphaned daughter of a notorious dark witch and an equally notorious cutthroat sorcerer—considers herself a full-fledged member of the supernatural race that rules the Otherworld. The once rebellious teen has grown into a six-foot-tall, motorcycle-riding jaw-dropper with a full arsenal of spells that she’s not afraid to use when she gets caught in a bind. There’s only one small problem—her adoptive parents, Paige and Lucas, don’t always trust her. Of course, she’s given them plenty of reasons . . . but those are in the past. People can change, right?

When Paige and Lucas take off on a romantic vacation alone, leaving her in charge of their detective agency, Savannah is presented with a case that she can’t turn down, and one she can finally call her own. Recruited by another supernatural detective, she travels to Columbus, Washington, a small, almost shell of a town. Two troubled young women have been found in an abandoned warehouse, murdered. Now a third woman is dead, and darker forces seem to be at play.

Savannah feels certain she can handle the case, but with supernatural activity appearing at every turn, things quickly become more serious—and far more dangerous—than she realizes. Caught up in a web of lust, false identities, and lies, Savannah must summon strength from her depths, and fight like she’s never fought before.