1. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs.
This book follows immediately after the short "Alpha and Omega" in the On The Prowl anthology that I read last month. It is the continuing story of werewolves Charles and Anna when they return from Chicago where Charles saved Anna from the Chicago pack that was using and abusing her and other werewolves. Thankfully the alpha of that pack and his mate have been killed and the pack will hopefully heal and be guided to function correctly. So in Cry Wolf Anna accompanies Charles, who is the executioner (and son) of the nation's alpha called the Marrock (who is Bran Cornick) into the wild to capture a rogue wolf that is killing people. Anna continues to heal from her ordeal, and she and Charles are trying to figure out how to make their mating work. Their wolves have accepted each other, but their human parts are taking a little bit longer. We learn more about the wolves and their mating bonds and we are introduced to the powers capable of witches. Very action packed, and a wonderful start to a fascinating spin off series in the Mercy Thompson world. I can't wait for more of Charles and Anna. I love their characters and love that they are together. Really good stuff.
Grade: A-
The minus is there only because I wanted to feel the same emotional intensity that I felt in "Alpha and Omega" between Anna and Charles--not that it won't be coming in future books... I just expected more of it in this full length novel. Maybe that's my fault.
2. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer.
Definitely not my favorite in the series as it was rather drawn out, less emotionally captivating and overall lacking in momentum. Not to mention a few bizarre events that felt out of context in this series with both the characters and the tone of the series. What I did love about this series was that Bella and Edward got their happily ever after and everything about Jacob. I have loved Jacob's voice throughout all the books and he has indeed turned out to be the most consistent and most adoring character of all.
I love that wolf.
GRADE: C. Or C+. I'm still deciding. The plus would be because of Jacob's character.
Edited to Add: I gave Breaking Dawn a C+. You can read the IM chat review I did with my daughter on my other blog here.
3. Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn
Tales of the Otori, Book One.
I read this fantasy novel for a Dare Review that I was invited to do by Ana and Thea on TheBookSmugglers blog. Beautifully written, the story follows a young man through one year as he becomes orphaned and adopted by a Lord and plans to assassin the cruel overlord who destroyed his family and his entire village. The young boy discovers that he was born to the Kikuta Tribe and possesses mystical powers of stealth, power, invisibility and acute hearing. The novel deals with power, war, politics, social class, revenge, duty, and of course love. My review should be posted today on The BookSmugglers blog here.
GRADE: A-
The minus is for the love at first sight between the protagonist and his love. While it was acutally executed quite beautifully and it is a fantasy novel, I am forgiving. However, I want to be convinced of the emotional depth of their love in the next novels in the series.
4. Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Dark Hunter series, Book 12
The highly anticipated story of the leader of the Dark Hunters, Acheron. Like many readers of Kenyon's Dark Hunter series, I was worried how Kenyon could possibly give this man the story he deserved after building on his character for over twelve novels, but Kenyon did it. She actually wrote Ash's story from his birth over 10,000 years ago through to present day. I was so afraid of disappointment, but Kenyon delivered. The first part of the novel was Ash's story from his 'human' birth to the birth of his Godhood and his role as the leader of the Dark Hunters. This segment was heart wrenching and painful as Ash was intensely neglected, abused, and tortured both emotionally and phsyically. At times it felt that this part would never end, but it seems that everything had purpose in justifying the character Ash is today. The second part of the novel is the love story of Ash and his mate. I couldn't be any more satisfied in this part of Ash's story. Their relationship was realistic and their path to their happily ever after was at times amusing, tender, and passionate. Truly the HEA a man... er... god... like Ash deserved.
GRADE: A
2 comments:
I left off at 'Dark Side of the Moon' in the Dark-Hunter series. And I can't read a series out of order so I have a few books to read to get caught up before 'Archeron'. Sadly I just haven't been movitated...
You should definitely catch up in this series if for no other reason than to read Acheron. His book offers some nice closure to the 'Dark Hunters.' I mean, I know the series is continuing, and in fact, I'm looking forward to Fang's story and even Nick's upcoming series ... but if one was going to break away from this saga, my recommendation is to do it after Ash's book.
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