Courtesy of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy blog:
Dragon Moon by Rebecca York
Shauna's Review: Psychic Kenna is sent to Earth by her master from a parallel world. Yet she eventually finds the secrets that she is keeping from her earthly friend Talon are no greater or graver then the ones that he holds himself. One an other world slave, one a werewolf, they are both powerfully drawn to the mysterious other and must learn to trust one another to quench their desire and to combat all threats from beyond.
More than anything else I enjoyed the vivid characterization throughout this novel. From dueling dragons to shape shifting demons to portal traveling lovers, the characters were crisp, colourful and engaging, the mood atmospheric. My favourite character was Vandar, the shape shifting demon from another dimension , though the enigmatic Randall was interesting as well. Yet the romantic tension that underscored the relationship between Talon and Kenna made these supernatural figures seem all too human and recognizable, authentic to their angst filled cores.
With lots of dramatic tension and a fast moving story line, the reader’s interest was easily piqued and held. Yet it’s also York’s writing style that makes the novel so enjoyable. Simple yet elegant and haunting prose make it both accessible and enjoyable for the reader. A strong blend of romance, fantasy and science fiction, the story is muted and can be enjoyed on a variety of levels, transcending genre for naked plot it seems.
The latest in her Moon series, the eleventh installment, Dragon Moon is somewhat of a departure from the other selections that drew heavily on crime, mystery, serial killers and the like. More paranormal in nature, yet as compelling as any other of her works, it is a must read for all fans of York and fantasy fans in general.
For those wishing to check out York's Moon series, here are the titles in order:
* Killing Moon
* Edge of the Moon
* Witching Moon
* Burning Moon in anthology titled Cravings
* Crimson Moon
* Shadow of the Moon
* New Moon
* Huntress Moon in anthology titled Elemental Magic
* Ghost Moon
* Eternal Moon
What happens when a guy reads paranormal romance?
The people at The Book Smugglers asked this question, and got a guy to review the book The Battle Sylph by L. J. McDonald. Sounds like a pretty exciting read...
Click here to read his review.
Taken by Sin by Jaci Burton
Summary: It’s a mission that could cost him his career and his life. But the woman he just rescued—his lover for one unforgettable night—has something Dalton desperately needs. That’s why the fearless demon hunter is risking everything to spirit Isabelle to a secret hideaway in the Louisiana bayou. Saving her is one thing. Banishing the demon inside her is another. Especially when this gorgeous seductress brings out the devil in him. Isabelle can see the passion roaring inside Dalton—and it both frightens and arouses her. Is Dalton her enemy or her savior?
Sucker for Love by Kimberly Kaye
Summary: Divalicious darling of the undead Lil Marchette is this close to finding her own happily-ever-after with hunky live-in bounty hunter Ty Bonner. Unfortunately, reality is biting back in a big way. Lil’s got mounting bills to pay and clients to keep happily hooked up courtesy of Dead End Dating, the ultimate meet-and-greet for New York’s fanged, furry, and fabulous. But leave it to a drop-dead gorgeous eight-hundred-year-old warlock with a big-girl fetish to take the biggest chomp out of Lil’s happiness by kidnapping Esther Crutch, one of Lil’s plus-size clients, now stamped as Grade-A Ritual Meat. Will Lil remain calm and save Esther–or will her client bite the dust?
Faeries Gone Wild by MaryJanice Davidson, Lois Greiman, Michele Hauf and Leandra Logan.
Summary: An anthology featuring what else? Faeries of course! Stories feature a six foot, four inch tall faery following royal orders in Minnesota; an environmental-loving faery battling a cutthroat land developer; a librarian by day and tooth faery by night meeting her Mr. Right; and a young appealing faery striking it hot with a firefighter in Manhattan.
I was surprised to see that there aren't that many holds on Mary Janice Davidson's newest title. This one is a book of three short stories featuring Betsy the vampire queen from the Undead and Unwed series, a mermaid tale, and a werewolf story with one of the best titles I've heard yet: "Speed Dating, Werewolf Style -- or, Ow, I Think You Broke the Bone." Davidson's writing is quite funny, and this collection is sure to be hilarious.
Nora Roberts' newest title in the Sign of Seven Trilogy isn't out yet, but you can get in line by putting a hold on it in the library catalogue. The Hollow is set to come out in early May of 2008.
You can stay up to date with with Roberts' newest titles by visiting her website at www.noraroberts.com, and looking under "Booklists."
I have to admit that I am a big chicken when it comes to anything horror related. My childhood is filled with memories of being freaked out over ghoulies, Freddy Krueger and zombies. So, I probably should have been prepared to be frightened when I read Nora Robert's Blood Brothers, the first in the Sign of Seven Trilogy. The book is about three best friends who sneak out into the woods on their shared tenth birthday and awaken some sort of evil. Every seven years, the evil returns and infects the townspeople, causing mass hysteria and random acts of violence, rape and murder. Oh, and lots of the action happens in the woods, which we all know is a classic scary setting.
This isn't Roberts' first foray into the paranormal, but it definitely has more of a fear factor than her past paranormal romance titles like The Three Sisters Island Trilogy. Instead of concentrating on the relationships of the central characters, most of the book is devoted to demonic visions and the tense atmosphere of the town as the weeks countdown to the next visitation. Overall, it was a good read, but I warn you, if you scare easily like me, don't go into it expecting a classic feel-good Nora Roberts romance.
