I finally finished Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton. It seems like I’ve been reading it for months. Perhaps because I have been? While not really a lengthy book, I was having a hard time making myself finish it - mostly because I am over the character and the crazy storylines. While I understand that a reader should expect gore and graphic scenes in a series whose main character hunts vampires and raises zombies for a living, I think that in this novel the author went a bit too far. Namely the scene in the hospital nursery.
So, this is the last book I plan to read in the Anita Blake vampire hunter series. I might try Hamilton’s other series…but not for a while!
The other book I finished reading on Monday was The Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs. This was an impulse buy. Recently, Borders had their educator appreciation week. As a public library employee, I can also use the 25% discount. Awesome! I think the hubby and I spent about $85 on books the weekend he was home!
So, I saw this book as I was walking towards the front of the store. It looked funny and intriguing. I started reading it about 15 minutes after I bought it (while I was out eating dinner), and was instantly sucked in.
The book is a memoir (of sorts). The author decided that he might be missing something in his life by not raising his son with religion. So, he decides to do some major research…and to live life for one year by the rules of the Bible. The literal rules. You know them…thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not lie, thou shalt not wear linen and wool in one garment, thou shalt not cut your beard…
The spiritual quest is documented throughout the book. Jacobs has a crew of religious advisors, ranging from Orthodox rabbis to a “Pastor out to Pasture”. He visits a Creationist Museum in Kentucky, stays at an Amish Bed and Breakfast in Pennsylvania, and meets his infamous ex-uncle Gil in Israel.
I thought this book was excellent, and am looking forward to reading his other book, Know it All.
Current reads: Right now I’m listening to Drums of Autumn – I’m about a third of the way through…I think. Maybe just a fourth. It’s a long audiobook!! I’m reading The Shadow in the North by Phillip Pullman. I want to finish it this weekend so I can watch – and return – the BBC movie based on the book.
I have a growing stack of books in my office, and am unsure which I’ll start reading next. There are so many to choose from!
Showing posts with label Anita Blake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anita Blake. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Hungry for a good book?
Sitting beside me is a stack of materials I need to review. Three are print books, one is an audiobook, and the last item is a DVD. We won’t discuss how long some of these items have been sitting on my desk. Let’s just say it’s been less than a month…I think.
So, without further ado…
Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton
As usual, Anita gets mixed up in some sort of trouble. This time it happens when her ex-fiancé, Richard, winds up sitting in a small town jail cell in Tennessee. Falsely accused of attempted rape, Richard refuses a lawyer. This would be problem enough, but it’s just days before a blue moon – the second full moon of the month, and Richard needs to keep his werewolf tendencies hidden.
After a call from Richard’s brother, Anita – and an entourage from her boyfriend, Master Vampire/Master of the City, Jean-Claude – travel to Tennessee to make sure Richard gets out of jail in time for the full moon.
The Master of the City in that part of Tennessee is none too pleased at their arrival. That’s just one of the foes Anita and company encounter while spending time in the hills of Tennessee.
I almost didn’t finish this book. It just wasn’t up to snuff compared to the previous books in the series – especially compared to the first few. I contemplated just quitting the series after this one, as well, but did start reading the next in the series – Obsidian Butterfly. Maybe the series will recapture the magic of the first few books. I’m not going to hold my breath, though.
While I like books that are, well, a bit on the freaky side, the turn this series has taken just doesn’t ring logical and true.
This is an adult book.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is reality TV like you’ve never seen it. It’s Survivor like you’ve never imagined it. For Katniss and the other 23 tributes (a boy and a girl from each of the country’s twelve districts), it is a matter of life and death…and everyone in the nation will be watching.
Every year two teens are chosen as their districts representatives. Only one will survive and return home with fame and riches. When sixteen-year-old Katniss’ younger sister is chosen, she volunteers to go instead. Katniss has skills that may keep her alive.
Let the 74th annual Hunger Games begin.
This book has been on my “to be read” list for ages, but I hadn’t gotten around to it until last week. It was a quick read…but that might also because it is such an engrossing tale. Full of action and intrigue, I did not want to put the book down. The sequel comes out this fall. I cannot wait!
I've heard nothing but great reviews of this book. It's definitely on my recommended reading list!
This is a teen book.
Here’s the website for the series:
http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/index.htm
Boy Toy by Barry Lyga
A lot can happen in five years. Teens become adults. Middle school students become high school seniors. Baseball averages get better. The teacher who had an affair with you when you were twelve gets out on parole.
For Josh, a lot has changed…but a lot has stayed the same. Convinced that everyone knows his secret - that he seduced his seventh grade history teacher, Josh has kept mostly to himself over the last five years. He continues to get straight As, to excel in baseball, hang out with his best friend and to see his therapist on a regular basis, and occasionally takes his anger out on others, but the events of five years ago continue to eat away at him.
Then Eve is released from prison after serving less than half of her sentence. And Rachel – the girl who inadvertently uncovered the scandal – finally gets Josh to talk to her. With six weeks left until graduation, can Josh come to terms with what happened and get on with his life?
This book was crazy. Crazy because the sex scenes are mostly between a twelve-year-old boy and his 24-year-old teacher. It felt wrong to read those parts.
But that’s not my biggest beef with the story. Josh has issues. Understandable. Who wouldn’t after such a thing! My problem with the book is that the end is wrapped up all nice and neat. Too neat. And I think that takes a lot away from the story.
I’m not such a big fan of baseball that I follow stats. Josh is. That’s great. I know people who would love that. I’ll admit I kind of skimmed those parts.
This is a teen book.
The other to items will have to wait until later. Duty calls!
So, without further ado…
Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton
As usual, Anita gets mixed up in some sort of trouble. This time it happens when her ex-fiancé, Richard, winds up sitting in a small town jail cell in Tennessee. Falsely accused of attempted rape, Richard refuses a lawyer. This would be problem enough, but it’s just days before a blue moon – the second full moon of the month, and Richard needs to keep his werewolf tendencies hidden.
After a call from Richard’s brother, Anita – and an entourage from her boyfriend, Master Vampire/Master of the City, Jean-Claude – travel to Tennessee to make sure Richard gets out of jail in time for the full moon.
The Master of the City in that part of Tennessee is none too pleased at their arrival. That’s just one of the foes Anita and company encounter while spending time in the hills of Tennessee.
I almost didn’t finish this book. It just wasn’t up to snuff compared to the previous books in the series – especially compared to the first few. I contemplated just quitting the series after this one, as well, but did start reading the next in the series – Obsidian Butterfly. Maybe the series will recapture the magic of the first few books. I’m not going to hold my breath, though.
While I like books that are, well, a bit on the freaky side, the turn this series has taken just doesn’t ring logical and true.
This is an adult book.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is reality TV like you’ve never seen it. It’s Survivor like you’ve never imagined it. For Katniss and the other 23 tributes (a boy and a girl from each of the country’s twelve districts), it is a matter of life and death…and everyone in the nation will be watching.
Every year two teens are chosen as their districts representatives. Only one will survive and return home with fame and riches. When sixteen-year-old Katniss’ younger sister is chosen, she volunteers to go instead. Katniss has skills that may keep her alive.
Let the 74th annual Hunger Games begin.
This book has been on my “to be read” list for ages, but I hadn’t gotten around to it until last week. It was a quick read…but that might also because it is such an engrossing tale. Full of action and intrigue, I did not want to put the book down. The sequel comes out this fall. I cannot wait!
I've heard nothing but great reviews of this book. It's definitely on my recommended reading list!
This is a teen book.
Here’s the website for the series:
http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/index.htm
Boy Toy by Barry Lyga
A lot can happen in five years. Teens become adults. Middle school students become high school seniors. Baseball averages get better. The teacher who had an affair with you when you were twelve gets out on parole.
For Josh, a lot has changed…but a lot has stayed the same. Convinced that everyone knows his secret - that he seduced his seventh grade history teacher, Josh has kept mostly to himself over the last five years. He continues to get straight As, to excel in baseball, hang out with his best friend and to see his therapist on a regular basis, and occasionally takes his anger out on others, but the events of five years ago continue to eat away at him.
Then Eve is released from prison after serving less than half of her sentence. And Rachel – the girl who inadvertently uncovered the scandal – finally gets Josh to talk to her. With six weeks left until graduation, can Josh come to terms with what happened and get on with his life?
This book was crazy. Crazy because the sex scenes are mostly between a twelve-year-old boy and his 24-year-old teacher. It felt wrong to read those parts.
But that’s not my biggest beef with the story. Josh has issues. Understandable. Who wouldn’t after such a thing! My problem with the book is that the end is wrapped up all nice and neat. Too neat. And I think that takes a lot away from the story.
I’m not such a big fan of baseball that I follow stats. Josh is. That’s great. I know people who would love that. I’ll admit I kind of skimmed those parts.
This is a teen book.
The other to items will have to wait until later. Duty calls!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Come along on a fantastic voyage...
I’m nearly finished with Voyager! While I am immensely enjoying the series, I am going to take a break for a book or two. The books are wonderful…but LONG. Voyager is 36 CDs!
So, once I finish it (hoping that it will be tonight), I am going to start The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (and also narrated by him). I’ve read the book, and enjoyed it. The audiobook is the 2009 Odyssey Award winner.
I think my next audiobook will be Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy; narrated by Rupert Degas. This is another book that I’ve already read and enjoyed. It was a 2008 Odyssey Award honor.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon; narrated by Davina Porter
In the third installment of the Outlander series, Claire prepares to return to the 1700s – and to Jamie. Upon making the trip through the stone circle once again, she makes her way to Edinburgh, where she believes Jamie to be living. She does reunite with Jamie and with his family.
When their nephew Young Ian is kidnapped, the couple head for the West Indies in hopes of finding the teen.
I enjoy this story as much as I have the previous tales. The only reason I’m taking a break from the series is that the books are long – and each takes well over a month to complete.
I’m reading several books, including Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (a teen book). I just started Hunger Games, so I don’t have much to say about it yet.
Blue Moon is the eighth book in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. It’s OK. At this point, I’m continuing the books just because they are decent enough vampire fluff, and I’m still in the mood for that type of book. I’m about halfway through this one, so I’ll wait to write more about it.
So, once I finish it (hoping that it will be tonight), I am going to start The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (and also narrated by him). I’ve read the book, and enjoyed it. The audiobook is the 2009 Odyssey Award winner.
I think my next audiobook will be Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy; narrated by Rupert Degas. This is another book that I’ve already read and enjoyed. It was a 2008 Odyssey Award honor.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon; narrated by Davina Porter
In the third installment of the Outlander series, Claire prepares to return to the 1700s – and to Jamie. Upon making the trip through the stone circle once again, she makes her way to Edinburgh, where she believes Jamie to be living. She does reunite with Jamie and with his family.
When their nephew Young Ian is kidnapped, the couple head for the West Indies in hopes of finding the teen.
I enjoy this story as much as I have the previous tales. The only reason I’m taking a break from the series is that the books are long – and each takes well over a month to complete.
I’m reading several books, including Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (a teen book). I just started Hunger Games, so I don’t have much to say about it yet.
Blue Moon is the eighth book in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. It’s OK. At this point, I’m continuing the books just because they are decent enough vampire fluff, and I’m still in the mood for that type of book. I’m about halfway through this one, so I’ll wait to write more about it.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
While I was out of town, I read a few more of the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter books. As my library didn’t own copies of either The Lunatic Café or Bloody Bones, I purchased them both in paperback (and will donate them to the library). I had planned to read them during the Denver trip. Thankfully I packed the next two books (checked out from the library)! I finished The Lunatic Café before I even arrived at the Detroit airport, and completed Bloody Bones a few days later. While in Denver I also completed The Killing Dance, and started reading Burnt Offerings.
The Lunatic Café
It’s December in St. Louis, and Anita’s “night job” has slowed. Seems that people are a bit superstitious about raising the dead so close to Christmas. A few off the wall cases have been thrown Anita’s way – like one dealing with eight missing lycanthropes. Anita’s relationship with her boyfriend Richard – who just happens to also be a werewolf – is tested, as both of them have a hard time accepting his “inner beast”.
Anita is challenged by Gretchen, a vampire who is obsessively in love with Jean-Claude (who is quite jealous of Anita’s furry boyfriend).
Marcus – the alpha of the werewolf pack – requests Anita’s aid in the disappearances of eight lycanthropes. It is this case that puts Anita in grave danger yet again, as she is pushed deeper than before into the world of shapeshifters.
Bloody Bones
Bert – owner of Animators, Inc., and Anita’s boss, will do nearly anything to make more money…include promise that Anita can raise many 300-year-old zombies from a field of bones. As usual, Anita is irked with Bert promising this without talking to her first. But, she and Larry – her apprentice – pack up and head to Branson, Missouri to check out the destroyed family graveyard and hopefully end the land dispute.
As usual, life cannot be easy for Anita. While in Branson, kids are being murdered by what appears to be a sword wielding vampire…something that is very unusual. Anita tries her best to work the case, but is up against local law enforcement officers who are displeased by the headliner’s help.
This one has some new elements added in with the usual vampires and lycanthropes.
The Killing Dance
Who is trying to kill Anita? And why? Whoever it is has put a hefty price on her head. They want her dead – and want it done now.
Anita lucks out that the hit was offered to Edward – a friend (of sorts) – who, despite his lack of morals, decides to not take the money and instead to be a bodyguard. As Anita and company try to figure out who wants her dead and can afford that type of payment, she is delving deeper into the wild world of werewolves (while remaining human). Will Anita survive for another date with Richard (and with Jean-Claude, as she is now dating both)?
I also read a couple of picture books today that I want to mention, but will leave it for another post – one more suited to children’s materials!
The Lunatic Café
It’s December in St. Louis, and Anita’s “night job” has slowed. Seems that people are a bit superstitious about raising the dead so close to Christmas. A few off the wall cases have been thrown Anita’s way – like one dealing with eight missing lycanthropes. Anita’s relationship with her boyfriend Richard – who just happens to also be a werewolf – is tested, as both of them have a hard time accepting his “inner beast”.
Anita is challenged by Gretchen, a vampire who is obsessively in love with Jean-Claude (who is quite jealous of Anita’s furry boyfriend).
Marcus – the alpha of the werewolf pack – requests Anita’s aid in the disappearances of eight lycanthropes. It is this case that puts Anita in grave danger yet again, as she is pushed deeper than before into the world of shapeshifters.
Bloody Bones
Bert – owner of Animators, Inc., and Anita’s boss, will do nearly anything to make more money…include promise that Anita can raise many 300-year-old zombies from a field of bones. As usual, Anita is irked with Bert promising this without talking to her first. But, she and Larry – her apprentice – pack up and head to Branson, Missouri to check out the destroyed family graveyard and hopefully end the land dispute.
As usual, life cannot be easy for Anita. While in Branson, kids are being murdered by what appears to be a sword wielding vampire…something that is very unusual. Anita tries her best to work the case, but is up against local law enforcement officers who are displeased by the headliner’s help.
This one has some new elements added in with the usual vampires and lycanthropes.
The Killing Dance
Who is trying to kill Anita? And why? Whoever it is has put a hefty price on her head. They want her dead – and want it done now.
Anita lucks out that the hit was offered to Edward – a friend (of sorts) – who, despite his lack of morals, decides to not take the money and instead to be a bodyguard. As Anita and company try to figure out who wants her dead and can afford that type of payment, she is delving deeper into the wild world of werewolves (while remaining human). Will Anita survive for another date with Richard (and with Jean-Claude, as she is now dating both)?
I also read a couple of picture books today that I want to mention, but will leave it for another post – one more suited to children’s materials!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
One of these things is unlike the other…
I finished two books on Monday. Two very different books. Both are for adults.
The first one I finished was book 3 of the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. Circus of the Damned starts about two months after the previous book ends.
It’s October and Anita has healed from the injuries suffered at the end of The Laughing Corpse. As usual, she has a lot on her plate. A vampire gang is murdering people (something that’s unusual, as vamps usually hunt alone); as Halloween nears, she’s raising 5 zombies a night; and then there is the fact the Master of the City wants to do more than suck her blood.
More fluff, but I’m enjoying it! I broke down and bought the next two books in paperback. Partly because I hate taking library materials on trips and partly because they are the only two not available in our system, so by the time they get to my work, I’ll be in Denver. I don’t want to wait that long!
By the way…the author’s website is: http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/. Personally, I think she needs a major update. The info may be current, but the site looks like something done in the mid-90s.
The second book I finished was The Duggars : 20 and counting! : raising one of America's largest families--how they do it by Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar. As previously mentioned, I’m a little obsessed with this mega-family. Ma and Pa Duggar have gone beyond the TV specials and written a book all about raising their clan of J named children.
I was skeptical. I didn’t think that I would actually get much out of the book besides fulfilling my curiousity about a group of people outside the norm of today’s American society. But, the book did give me a few things to think about, and some advice that can be taken.
However, I didn’t like the style of the book. All of the photos are in black and white. It was confusing and a little annoying to have two authors writing in the 1st person. They tried to combat that issue with doing things like “When I (Michelle)” or “Sometimes I (Jim Bob)”.
I know and accept that religion plays a big part in their lives, so wasn’t annoyed by all the God talk. I expected it.
I’ve actually suggested the book to one person already, and know that I will suggest it to a few others – and not because of the novelty of the authors and their family!
The first one I finished was book 3 of the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. Circus of the Damned starts about two months after the previous book ends.
It’s October and Anita has healed from the injuries suffered at the end of The Laughing Corpse. As usual, she has a lot on her plate. A vampire gang is murdering people (something that’s unusual, as vamps usually hunt alone); as Halloween nears, she’s raising 5 zombies a night; and then there is the fact the Master of the City wants to do more than suck her blood.
More fluff, but I’m enjoying it! I broke down and bought the next two books in paperback. Partly because I hate taking library materials on trips and partly because they are the only two not available in our system, so by the time they get to my work, I’ll be in Denver. I don’t want to wait that long!
By the way…the author’s website is: http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/. Personally, I think she needs a major update. The info may be current, but the site looks like something done in the mid-90s.
The second book I finished was The Duggars : 20 and counting! : raising one of America's largest families--how they do it by Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar. As previously mentioned, I’m a little obsessed with this mega-family. Ma and Pa Duggar have gone beyond the TV specials and written a book all about raising their clan of J named children.
I was skeptical. I didn’t think that I would actually get much out of the book besides fulfilling my curiousity about a group of people outside the norm of today’s American society. But, the book did give me a few things to think about, and some advice that can be taken.
However, I didn’t like the style of the book. All of the photos are in black and white. It was confusing and a little annoying to have two authors writing in the 1st person. They tried to combat that issue with doing things like “When I (Michelle)” or “Sometimes I (Jim Bob)”.
I know and accept that religion plays a big part in their lives, so wasn’t annoyed by all the God talk. I expected it.
I’ve actually suggested the book to one person already, and know that I will suggest it to a few others – and not because of the novelty of the authors and their family!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Happy Book Day!
Several books came in for me on my day off. Yay! So, my latest reads are:
The Duggars : 20 and counting! : raising one of America's largest families--how they do it by Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar
Why am I reading this book? Because I’m slightly obsessed with this family. Ma and Pa Duggar and their brood live in Arkansas. Ma has birthed 18 children – only two sets of twins – and would love to have more. Oh…and all the kids have names that begin with a J.
Umkay…
The family has had several TLC/Discovery specials over the past several years, and now even has their won television show. Unfortunately for me, I don’t have cable/satellite, so I can rarely watch the madness on TV.
Circus of the Damned by Laurell K. Hamilton. This is book 3 of the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. I am excited to read it, and have already placed the next few books on hold. Yay!
The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp. This is a book club pick for February. I started reading it yesterday, and haven’t read enough yet to write about it.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (audiobook) – still listening to this series. I’m nearly finished with disc 18 of 30+. It’s getting really good. Clare is back from the future and has just found out that Jamie married the bitch who tried to get Clare burned as a witch!
Speaking of the Outlander series…
A friend and I were discussing the books last night. I’ve decided that Kevin McKidd should play Jamie in the Outlander movie, rumored to be released in 2011. If you watch Grey’s Anatomy, you would know him as Major Hottie. Not only is he a cutie with reddish hair, but he’s also Scottish.
In other news…
I’m hoping to get quite a bit of Voyager completed over the next two weeks. I’ve a drive to – and from – Michigan, and a flight to – and from – Denver. Plus the time hanging around airports, hotels, etc. So, I am going to borrow the husband’s MP3 player and download some books on CD to it and my laptop. Additionally, as I am going to a library conference, I’m sure I’ll pick up a book – or 20 – while in Denver.
The Duggars : 20 and counting! : raising one of America's largest families--how they do it by Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar
Why am I reading this book? Because I’m slightly obsessed with this family. Ma and Pa Duggar and their brood live in Arkansas. Ma has birthed 18 children – only two sets of twins – and would love to have more. Oh…and all the kids have names that begin with a J.
Umkay…
The family has had several TLC/Discovery specials over the past several years, and now even has their won television show. Unfortunately for me, I don’t have cable/satellite, so I can rarely watch the madness on TV.
Circus of the Damned by Laurell K. Hamilton. This is book 3 of the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. I am excited to read it, and have already placed the next few books on hold. Yay!
The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp. This is a book club pick for February. I started reading it yesterday, and haven’t read enough yet to write about it.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (audiobook) – still listening to this series. I’m nearly finished with disc 18 of 30+. It’s getting really good. Clare is back from the future and has just found out that Jamie married the bitch who tried to get Clare burned as a witch!
Speaking of the Outlander series…
A friend and I were discussing the books last night. I’ve decided that Kevin McKidd should play Jamie in the Outlander movie, rumored to be released in 2011. If you watch Grey’s Anatomy, you would know him as Major Hottie. Not only is he a cutie with reddish hair, but he’s also Scottish.
In other news…
I’m hoping to get quite a bit of Voyager completed over the next two weeks. I’ve a drive to – and from – Michigan, and a flight to – and from – Denver. Plus the time hanging around airports, hotels, etc. So, I am going to borrow the husband’s MP3 player and download some books on CD to it and my laptop. Additionally, as I am going to a library conference, I’m sure I’ll pick up a book – or 20 – while in Denver.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
I vant to suck your blood....
Not really, but it fits the books I'm posting about.
Thanks to an inability to sleep, I finished two books last night. Thanks to vampire characters in both books, I’m surprised I didn’t dream of blood suckers once I finally fell asleep.
The skeleton detective returns in the second book of Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant series: Playing with Fire. This series is written for tweens and teens.
Skulduggery and Valkyrie are doing their best to save the world – and stay alive. Under the tutelage of Skulduggery, twelve-year-old Valkyrie – known by her family as Stephanie – is learning the tricks of the trade and developing her magic skills. When Baron Vengeous – a baddie from The War – wants to resurrect the Faceless ones, he must complete a few tasks first…such as finding and awakening the nasty Grotesquery. He enlists some other bad guys - including Dusk (a vampire) and his new "friends". Skulduggery and Valkyrie, along with some familiar faces, must do what they can to stop the Baron’s evil plans.
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one, and hope that the next one is published soon! I love the humor and wit of the characters. This goes on my recommended series list.
In case I didn’t share it before, here is the link to the series website: http://www.skulduggerypleasant.com
The other book I finished last night was also book #2 in a series, though this one is written for adults. The Laughing Corpse by Laurell K. Hamilton is the second of many Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter books. It starts off shortly after when the first book ends.
Anita is having one hell of a week. A monster is brutally slaughtering families. She’s ticked off the most powerful voodoo priestess in the US. A multimillionaire wants her to raise a 200-year-old zombie and won’t take no for an answer. Oh, and the new (vampire) Master of the City wants her to be his human servant – and also won’t take no for an answer. And to top it all off, a zombie attack in her home ruined some of her collection of stuffed penguins.
Can Anita survive the week, and help to solve the brutal murders?
I’ve already put the next book on hold, and should have it by the weekend. I am enjoying this series! While some of the descriptions are a bit too graphic for my personal tastes, the author does a great job of putting you there. Anita’s quirky sense of humor appeals to me. Plus, I like reading stories where the vampires don’t sparkle in the daylight.
Speaking of this series, I also looked through the graphic novel version of the first book (Guilty Pleasures). I didn’t read it cover to cover, mostly because I had just finished the book about 12 hours before the graphic novel came in. Even with a semi-through viewing…I’ll just stick to the regular version of the novels. The graphic version just doesn’t appeal to me.
Thanks to an inability to sleep, I finished two books last night. Thanks to vampire characters in both books, I’m surprised I didn’t dream of blood suckers once I finally fell asleep.
The skeleton detective returns in the second book of Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant series: Playing with Fire. This series is written for tweens and teens.
Skulduggery and Valkyrie are doing their best to save the world – and stay alive. Under the tutelage of Skulduggery, twelve-year-old Valkyrie – known by her family as Stephanie – is learning the tricks of the trade and developing her magic skills. When Baron Vengeous – a baddie from The War – wants to resurrect the Faceless ones, he must complete a few tasks first…such as finding and awakening the nasty Grotesquery. He enlists some other bad guys - including Dusk (a vampire) and his new "friends". Skulduggery and Valkyrie, along with some familiar faces, must do what they can to stop the Baron’s evil plans.
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one, and hope that the next one is published soon! I love the humor and wit of the characters. This goes on my recommended series list.
In case I didn’t share it before, here is the link to the series website: http://www.skulduggerypleasant.com
The other book I finished last night was also book #2 in a series, though this one is written for adults. The Laughing Corpse by Laurell K. Hamilton is the second of many Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter books. It starts off shortly after when the first book ends.
Anita is having one hell of a week. A monster is brutally slaughtering families. She’s ticked off the most powerful voodoo priestess in the US. A multimillionaire wants her to raise a 200-year-old zombie and won’t take no for an answer. Oh, and the new (vampire) Master of the City wants her to be his human servant – and also won’t take no for an answer. And to top it all off, a zombie attack in her home ruined some of her collection of stuffed penguins.
Can Anita survive the week, and help to solve the brutal murders?
I’ve already put the next book on hold, and should have it by the weekend. I am enjoying this series! While some of the descriptions are a bit too graphic for my personal tastes, the author does a great job of putting you there. Anita’s quirky sense of humor appeals to me. Plus, I like reading stories where the vampires don’t sparkle in the daylight.
Speaking of this series, I also looked through the graphic novel version of the first book (Guilty Pleasures). I didn’t read it cover to cover, mostly because I had just finished the book about 12 hours before the graphic novel came in. Even with a semi-through viewing…I’ll just stick to the regular version of the novels. The graphic version just doesn’t appeal to me.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
update
I’m about halfway through The Faerie Path…and I don’t think I’m going to finish it. I’m bored with the story, and the thought of finishing the book feels like a chore. There are several books in this teen series.
I finished Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton and am now reading the second book in the series: The Laughing Corpse. I’m enjoying the story. It is action packed and keeps me interested in what’s going to happen next.
I finished Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton and am now reading the second book in the series: The Laughing Corpse. I’m enjoying the story. It is action packed and keeps me interested in what’s going to happen next.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Vampires, wererats, and zombies! Oh, my!
Last night I finished reading Guilty Pleasures: an Anita Blake, vampire hunter novel by Laurell K. Hamilton. It was such a great read. Not intellectually stimulating, but still great. I had already put the 2nd book in the series on hold already, and it came in today, so I’ll be reading it soon!
Anita Blake doesn’t like vampires…and they don’t like her much either. But when the animator (i.e. reanimated the dead) is made an offer that she can’t really refuse, Anita finds herself working for city’s supremely nasty leader of the undead.
Vampires are being murdered – but there are few clues as to who is committing the crimes. Though usually on the other side of the stake, Anita is working to find out just who is killing the undead, while trying to stay alive.
This is an adult book.
Anita Blake doesn’t like vampires…and they don’t like her much either. But when the animator (i.e. reanimated the dead) is made an offer that she can’t really refuse, Anita finds herself working for city’s supremely nasty leader of the undead.
Vampires are being murdered – but there are few clues as to who is committing the crimes. Though usually on the other side of the stake, Anita is working to find out just who is killing the undead, while trying to stay alive.
This is an adult book.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
currently being enjoyed....
I’m currently reading four books.
The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones – this is my new “dinner” book. I started it last night. It’s a quick read…and not just because I must have read a bit before. Anita is about to turn 16 and her life is turned upside down. She really isn’t the teenage mortal girl she believed herself to be, but rather the long lost daughter of the ruler of Faerie. There are at least two more books in this series. This is a teen book.
Guilty Pleasures: an Anita Blake, vampire hunter novel by Laurell K. Hamilton – also started this one last night, and another quick read. I finished about half of the book in just a short amount of time. I am really enjoying the humor. Anita Blake doesn’t like vampires…and they don’t like her much either. But when the animator (i.e. reanimated the dead) is made an offer that she can’t really refuse, Anita finds herself working for city’s leader of the undead. This is an adult book.
Playing with Fire by Derek Landy – this is the sequel to Skullduggery Pleasant. A nasty bad guy escapes from his prison and is wreaking all sorts of havoc for Valkarie and Skullduggery. This is one of those children's/tween/teen books.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (audiobook) – Another installment of the epic Outlander story. This is book three. As you may imagine, I’m loving it. Same narrator as the previous, so that’s an added bonus. We find out what happened to Jaime after the Culloden disaster…and if he and Claire are ever to be reunited. This is an adult book.
The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones – this is my new “dinner” book. I started it last night. It’s a quick read…and not just because I must have read a bit before. Anita is about to turn 16 and her life is turned upside down. She really isn’t the teenage mortal girl she believed herself to be, but rather the long lost daughter of the ruler of Faerie. There are at least two more books in this series. This is a teen book.
Guilty Pleasures: an Anita Blake, vampire hunter novel by Laurell K. Hamilton – also started this one last night, and another quick read. I finished about half of the book in just a short amount of time. I am really enjoying the humor. Anita Blake doesn’t like vampires…and they don’t like her much either. But when the animator (i.e. reanimated the dead) is made an offer that she can’t really refuse, Anita finds herself working for city’s leader of the undead. This is an adult book.
Playing with Fire by Derek Landy – this is the sequel to Skullduggery Pleasant. A nasty bad guy escapes from his prison and is wreaking all sorts of havoc for Valkarie and Skullduggery. This is one of those children's/tween/teen books.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (audiobook) – Another installment of the epic Outlander story. This is book three. As you may imagine, I’m loving it. Same narrator as the previous, so that’s an added bonus. We find out what happened to Jaime after the Culloden disaster…and if he and Claire are ever to be reunited. This is an adult book.
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