Paranormal Paranoia

The Last Werewolf, by Glen Duncan:  Jake is over 200 years old and the last werewolf.  In recent years the werewolf strain has stopped infecting, which means that no new werewolves are created.  At the same time, a group committed to wiping out the werewolves has killed  them all – except Jake.  Lonely and depressed, all Jake lives for is sex, alcohol and cigarettes.  All this changes with the cryptic phone message, a meeting with vampires and a chance encounter.
Duncan’s werewolf take was fun, fresh and sexy.  He has his own werewolf rules and mythology that suit the novel perfectly.  The Last Werewolf is smartly written and well paced. Occasionally Jake’s musings and thoughts meandered a little too far off course and it took a little work to refocus.  However, when the writing is tight and the tension is high Duncan takes you through unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end.
Overall Assessment: For paranormal fans looking for a good writing, this is a great pick.  It does get graphic, so it’s probably not for sensitive/squeamish readers.
Will I Read the Sequel: Probably not.  I like this as a stand-alone.
My Labels: Paranormal, Fantasy, Horror, Adult Fiction, Popular fiction

A Clockwork Princess, by Cassandra Clare:  In book three of the Infernal Devices Clare ties everything together as well as sprinkling in a few more threads that are seen in The Mortal Instruments.  Tessa is engaged to a dying Jem, and Will is still the handsome, brooding, bad boy.  Mortmain is still a threat and the Consul is ignoring any leads that Charlotte gives him, even when Tessa is abducted.  The addition of Cecily, Will’s sister, and the Lightwood brothers, Gabriel and Gideon, to the Institute offer a few more Shadowhunters who are willing to help save Tessa, with or without the Clave’s help.
This was probably my favorite of all Clare’s novels.  The writing and pacing were fantastic.  The story never felt forced and it never veered too near to the semi-cheesy line that I think The Mortal Instruments toes at times.  Also, most important for a series – the ending was fantastic.  I was so happy with how Clare worked things for all the characters, in a plausible manner.  The skeptical grown-up me was happy, but so was the 13 year old girl in me.  I listened to this, and found the reader to be fantastic.  He caught the different accents wonderfully.
Overall Assessment: Loved it.  You definitely need to start with the first in this series (Clockwork Angel), but you don’t have to go through The Mortal Instruments too.
My Labels: Steampunk, YA, paranormal romance, series

Star Cursed, Jessica Spotswood:  The second novel in a series, when following an outstanding first book, usually confirms the first to either be a fluke or the start of something really good.  Luckily for me and other readers, Star Cursed is the latter.  It picks up with Cate in New London, now a Sister being trained in her skills.  She is still assumed to be the prophesied witch, despite her lack of visions.  For the safety of Maura and Tess, Cate reluctantly agrees to have them brought into the Sisterhood to have them develop their powers, and in case one of them is actually the witch in the prophecy.  Finn, now in the Brotherhood as also come to New London as the Brothers are tightening their hold and passing even greater restrictions.  Cate is now navigating the politics of the Sisterhood, the Brotherhood and her own sisters to find the best way to keep herself and her family safe while trying to do what’s best for the greater good.
Spotswood has created a brilliant alternative New England (and world!) of witches, visions, and creepy societies.  Cate is one of my favorite heroines because she is smart and capable and actually thinks before she does things without coming off as weak or indecisive.  She genuinely wants to do what’s best, and fully understands and weighs the consequences of acting and not acting, which is something you don’t see often.  The characters are all real, vivid and flawed and create a web of trust, deceit and secrets that add great tension.  The writing in engaging and Spotswood effectively plays with the tension as she pulls you through twists and turns.  My only complaint is that I don’t know when the next one comes out!
Overall Assessment:  Do I need to gush more?  Okay, I will: Awesome follow-up.  Second books can often be so disappointing–cheers to Spotswood for making a sequel that, is perhaps better than the already fantastic first book!  Huzzah!

Will I Read the Sequel?  Duh.
My Labels: YA, paranormal, series

Ghosties, Steampunk, Vampires and Mysteries – oh my!

Behind again because I’ve been loving what I’ve been reading.  84 books done for the year so far….

Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls, by Anton DiSclafani: This is a beautiful, engrossing novel about a young girl sent away by her family to a riding camp in the mountains of North Carolina.  Thea, a strong willed 15 year old young woman is set to the Yonahlossee Riding Camp as punishment for her sins as well as her family’s.  Thea grew up only knowing her immediate family and her cousin’s family in a dreamlike childhood of riding and exploring with her twin brother.  The novel explores Thea’s new life at camp while weaving in the events of her past that led to her exile.
This is one of my favorite adult books of the year so far.  The dreamy writing style compliments the beauty of her childhood and makes the events of her exile seem that much harsher.  At times if feels like you are caught in a haze with Thea as everything turns upside down as she moves away from her old life and reacts to her new one .  The inner workings of this all girls school strongly juxtaposes her Florida childhood, adding to the mystery of why she was sent away.  The characters are vivid and flawed, which makes them hard to hate, but hard to like.
Overall Assessment: This is a must read–perfect for one sitting, or, if you’re like me, one you want to drag out finishing because you don’t want it to end.
My Label: adult historical fiction, coming of age fiction

American Vampire Vol. 5, by Scott Snyder: The series picks up in the 1950’s.  We meet up again with Felicia Book, now retired from the VMS but is brought back into the fold to help hunt down a powerful vampire who has been released.  (Hint: his name rhymes with Chocula, but, alas, he does not offer chocolatey goodness).  Pearl is also brought in by the VMS to help hunt down a pack of vampires who have attacked Henry.  Her partner is none other than good ol’ frenemy Skinner Sweet.
At five volumes in, the series continues to pack a great punch.  The action, stories, tension and cliffhangers are well done and drawn out.  The artwork is beautifully drawn and colored. The only negative?  They are taking a short hiatus before commencing on the rest of the series.  I have to wait!  Noooooooooo!
Will I read the Sequel (or next in series)? If I don’t go crazy from waiting.
Confession: I really love Skinner Sweet.
My Label: Graphic novel, vampires, series

Scrivener’s Moon, by Philip Reeve: I finally got my paws on an audio version (started series in audio, must complete in audio!) of Scrivener’s Moon, the conclusion to the Fever Crumb trilogy.  I struggled a bit with placing everyone and everything since it’s been a while since I read the last two.  Scrivener’s Moon did a nice job of tying all the loose ends together from the first and second book.  Fever has returned home to Wavey and Dr. Crumb who are starting work on making London mobile.  Wavey and Fever travel to the north in search of old tech.  The find themselves captured by peoples who do not wish to see London move, based upon the visions of Cluny Morvish.  We also meet up again with Charley Shallow, who has become an apprentice engineer and is scheming to climb higher in the ranks.
Charley and his schemes play a large role in propelling the plot and keeping things moving.  He makes for an interesting character to follow because he still has a smidge of conscious left, but pushes it aside in favor of self preservation.  Fever, still heartbroken from Arlo, tries to loose herself in reason to but has come too far from it in her past adventures to be able to fully follow it.  She falls for Cluny (who has the most wonderful accent in the audio!), which I was initially a little surprised by and didn’t anticipate (mainly because I was hoping Arlo would come back!).  But Fever has always been an androgynous character, so in hindsight it’s not that surprising.  I loved the evolution of their relationship and how perfectly they compliment each other.  Lingering questions about the beginnings of the Scriven race and the downfall of the tech world, aptly named the Screen Age, are answered.  The tension and plot are tight and tie together well.
Ending Note: A satisfying end, that nicely sets up the Mortal Engine series.
Bonus Factor: LGBTQ points!  Fever’s relationship with Cluny is so sweet and they balance one another so well.  I loved how Fever just appreciated everything about Cluny and never stopped to worry about the fact that Cluny was a girl and no one else did either.
My Label: YA, Steampunk, Strong chicks, series

The Madness Underneath, by Maureen Johnson: This was a typical middle novel.  Lots of threads and mystery added, but little resolution.  Rory is recovering from her stabbing in Bristol, where she discovers she has new abilities.  After her therapist encourages her to go back at Wexford, she becomes curious about a recent murder, and begins uncovering more after effects of the Ripper’s death.  She also begins seeing, Jane, a therapist who offers to help her for free.  Let me restate that: On a recommendation (of someone who isn’t really a friend) Rory goes to a stranger’s house, and accepts that this woman provides therapy for free.  SMH.

Whaaaat?

Anyway, Rory’s idiocy aside, there are a lot of after affects that are still being worked out from the first book.  Stephen, Callum and Boo are without a terminus, which puts their jobs in jeopardy.  Having missed school for three weeks leaves Rory way behind in her school work and in no place to take exams.  Which means her position at Wexford is in jeopardy.  Basically, the Madness Underneath is lots of buildup and increasing tension, and then, it ends.  Sigh.
Will I read the sequel? It was all fun and games until it ended, so dammit I have to read the sequel.  Although I do feel a little gypped.  I thought our relationship meant more than leaving me hanging like that.
My Label: ghosts, Ya, series

Mojo, by Tim Tharp: I kept reading early favorable reviews on some of my favorite blogs, and, since I’m not a big mystery person, I thought I’d give it a shot.  Success!
Here’s the Deal: Dylan needs some mojo.  Like Rodney Dangerfield he get’s no respect (wow, I just made that reference).  After finding a dead body in a dumpster, he’s worse off than before after being pushed around by the police and earning the nickname “Body Bag.”  His solution?  Find the missing rich girl, and earn the $100,000 prize money.
Characters: Dylan is assisted in his search by his geeky and weakly mustached friend Randy and his kick-ass BFF Audrey.  Most of the rich kids Dylan meets are a tad cliche, but it still works within the novel.
Vibe:  The vibe of the book was part of what made it so enjoyable.  It has a classic mystery feel and structure with red herrings in all the right places, the pretty girl distraction, the too nice of a guy, threats from a couple sides, etc.  But Tharp makes it work and makes it original.  Dylan is funny and real and anyone can relate to his desire for mojo.
Overall Assessment: Fun mystery pick.
Bonus Factor: LGBTQ points for portraying a lesbian relationship in a non-gimmicky stereotypical way.  Audrey is an open lesbian and begins her first real relationship through the course of the book.  Dylan has to deal with his best friend dating and spending less time with him AND initially having a crush on Audrey’s GF.
My Label: YA, mystery, guy friendly

Coming up next: Rebel Heart, by Moira Young – The Testing, by Joelle Charbonneau – The Dark Monk, by Oliver Pötzsch….