A Girl Named Digit

Title: A Girl Named Digit

Author: Annabel Monaghan

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Series: Digit, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780547668529

Pages: 187

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I first saw this through the library's "Wowbrary" feature (which allows you to see the new items the library is acquiring).  It looked and sounded interesting, so I put it on hold.  Yesterday, after work I picked it up and since I was in the mood for something lighter after reading Prince of Thorns this seemed the perfect fit.  I certainly got what I was looking for.  The story was in turns amusing and interesting.  Enough that I stayed up much longer than I should have to finish it.  But above all, it was light.  At several points I found myself thinking, "Mmhm. Yeah. Right."  But ignore reality and you're left with fun.  Anyway, other points of note include: Each chapter is headed by a bumper sticker quote (this is relative to Digit's great fascination for bumper stickers).  Also, at points Digit will break out actual equations for the book.  Because I totally plan to start calculating things like "7n1 + 3n2 + 9n3 + 7n4 + 3n5 + 9n6 + 7n7 + 3n8 + 9n9" in the middle of reading a book.

Anyway, suspend reality and you have a (I can't believe I'm going to say this) great "beach" read.

Prince of Thorns

Title: Prince of Thorns

Author: Mark Lawrence

Publisher: ACE

Series: Broken Empire, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781101543290

Pages: 298

Obtained: Library ebook copy

Comments:

I saw a pic of this book on The Bookish Outsider's "It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" post and was instantly drawn in by the title and cover.  Reading a brief blurb about it decided me.  I checked out the an ebook version from my library and that was that.

Prince of Thorns is horrible.  In a good way.  I think.  Within the first chapter, the main character (then a 13 year old boy) is encouraging and participating in murder and rape.  And to make it worse (yes, worse), it's in first person so you can feel the lack of caring, compassion, love.  Yes, I tend to like books with assassins, but this was even different from that.  Men, women, children.  The innocent and harmless.  He and his fellows murdered them all.  IRL I'm pro-life, which includes being anti-capital punishment.  Which means even legal execution of criminals is abhorrent to me.  And this was full-on murder.  And rape.  Just the word rape makes my stomach turn.  So you may be wondering, if it was so horrible, why did I keep reading?

The writing was just that good.  I was captured by the story.  Despite how incredibly dark both the overall story and Jorg are, I wanted to know more.  I hesitate to say much more, lest I give too much away.

But the second book, King of Thorns, is due out this August (less than a month!) and I definitely plan on reading it.  Hopefully it will capture me like the first did.

The Thirteenth Chime

Title: The Thirteenth Chime

Author: Emma Michaels

Publisher: Bokheim Publishing

Series: Sense of Truth, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781453715062

Pages: 238

Obtained: ILL library copy


Trailers:

Comments:

SincerelyEmmaM is one of my followers on GFC, and after checking out her blog I thought I'd give the first in her series a try.  I requested it from the library, had it sent via ILL, and voila.  So my thoughts and impressions are as follows...

I love the cover.  The eye with the clock in it is great, especially when you see it up close.  What little I had seen about the story prior to reading it.... mostly just the cover, title, and series title... caught my attention and intrigued me.  But when I actually read it, well, the writing itself feels a little awkward.  There's a mystery to be solved... who hurt Destiny's friend and her friend's mom?  Why? How?  And what does the clock that didn't work but then chimed 13 times have to do with it all?  All seem to make for an interesting story.  But I felt adrift through the majority of the book.  I couldn't get a hold on what was happening. And I had NO IDEA what the answer to any of those questions could possibly be.  Added to that is Destiny's relationship with David.  He's her ex- but the details are left a mystery to the reader for the bulk of the book.  And she can't seem to let him go entirely, which complicates things.

Anyway, I don't regret reading it, but I don't know that I'll continue with the series.  The second book, Anasazi, involves David and a girl named Megan.  There's also a third book, Firstling, due out this August and a 4th planned for next year.  Emma does have a new series coming out, though.  I am tempted to give the first of this new series, Owlet (due out this October), a try.

Grave Memory

Title: Grave Memory

Author: Kalayna Price [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: ROC Fantasy

Series: Alex Craft, Bk 3

ISBN: 9780451464590

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I can't even begin to tell you how I anxiously I was waiting to read this book.  Thankfully, it did not disappoint.  I was immediately wrapped up in Alex's life...trying to promote a still-growing business, sort out an VERY complicated love-life, maintain various friendships, and investigate a series of murders that aren't being recognized as murders.  Not to mention trying to stay alive.

A major point for this series is the great characters. Besides Alex herself, there's the love interests Falin and Death (While I don't tend to be especially fond of love triangles, if there is going to be one, this is the best.  I actually like both of them.  And while I do have a preference, both work for the story) and the ghost Roy (he adds so much fun to these stories).  Even three books in I find the way magic works in this world interesting.  The various rules and dynamics make it something you can continue to learn about as you get further into each story.

Anyway, because of the very last page, I'm already eagerly awaiting book 4.  (Well that's not the ONLY reason.)  It seems Kalayna has signed on for at least 3 more (!!!), but I don't know anything more than that.

I still need to read Kalayna Price's Haven series as well.  I've heard great things, but haven't tried them yet.

Reserved for the Cat / Unnatural Issue / Home from the Sea

Reserved for the Cat (Elemental Masters, Bk 6) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy) -

This book was another angle into the world of magic in Lackey's Elemental series.  I liked the characters and found the story interesting.  I gather from other reviews that it's a loose twist on Puss in Boots, but I'm not as familiar with that fairy tale, so I can't really compare.

Unnatural Issue (Elemental Masters, Bk 7) by Mercedes Lackey (library copy) -

With this book you go back to the beginnings of WWI.  I really liked Susanne and I was really glad to see more of Peter (the Peter from The Serpent's Shadow's "twin" friend).  According to reviews this is based on the fairy tale Donkeyskin.  I've never even heard of it and know NOTHING about it so can't compare.  Anyway, something I forgot to mention with Phoenix and Ashes, but which is true for both it and this book, is how seeing the movie War Horse made the war aspect come more alive to me.  While I learned about the war in my history classes, it wasn't so real untill I visually "saw" it.  No-mans land, the trenches, etc.

Home from the Sea (Elemental Masters, Bk 8) by Mercedes Lackey (library copy) -

So this book brought back Nan and Sarah of The Wizard of London.  (Though apparently Nan and Sarah were originally introduced in the short story 'Grey's Ghost' found in the 1999 anthology Werehunter.)  But the main focus was Mari and the Selch.  I enjoyed both the Selch lore and the Welsh setting for this one. What I did NOT enjoy was the pages (yes, multiple pages) basically copy/pasted out of  The Wizard of London.  I think maybe I'd have been better off if I hadn't been reading these back to back.  Nevertheless it was an enjoyable enough story - if a bit on the lighter than usual.  Supposed to be based on East of the Sun and West of the Moon, Tam Lin, and The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry.

It looks like there is an anthology due out at the end of this year.  I've never read any of the Valdemar anthologies, and I don't know that I'd want to read this one.  They're usually compiled of short stories by other authors in the world Lackey's written... and she edits.  Not my cup of tea.

Elemental Masters... The Fire Rose; The Serpent's Shadow; The Gates of Sleep; Phoenix and Ashes; The Wizard of London

The Fire Rose (Elemental Masters, Bk 1) by Mercedes Lackey (library copy) -

This is the first in this series, but I hadn't read it before.  I really liked Rosalind, and while Jason isn't very likeable at first, that changes.  Like the Beauty and the Beast story this parallels, Rosalind find the kindness of Jason under his outer appearances.  Beyond this, the the world of Elemental Masters is being introduced, including how the elements fire, earth, air, and water relate to the rules of magic.  In addition, the book is set around the time of the 1906 San Fransisco quake.  So the time adds an extra element to the story.

The Serpent's Shadow (Elemental Masters, Bk 2) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I've actually read this multiple times, but of course I had to read it again as I work my way through this series.  Maya and Peter are both great characters.  Maya is a female doctor in London during a time when that's hardly heard of...women still don't even have a vote.  But not only is she female, she's also of mixed blood.  Her father was English, her mother was Indian.  This "half-breed" status is another huge point of prejudice.  Peter Scott is a water master, but not of the usual aristocratic blood accepted by the circle of Masters in London.  So when it comes to trying to face the darkness recently come to England, Maya's aunt who practices a foreign and dark magic, Maya and Peter struggle to get any help.  This one has some parallels with Snow White.

The Gates of Sleep (Elemental Masters, Bk 3) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I'd only read this one once before.  Probably because I have trouble with stories where characters are essentially trapped, which Marina certainly is through part of the book.  Anyway, it has a Sleeping Beauty twist to it.  Something I noted upon my most recent reading of it... The phrase "the thought was parent to the deed" was repeated about 5 times give or take once.  I do like Lackey's books, but this isn't a favorite.

Phoenix and Ashes (Elemental Masters, Bk 4) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I've read this before, but I didn't remember it at all.  I didn't even recognize the story as I re-read it.  Speaking of the story, this one is a twist on Cinderella.  Eleanor's father comes home one day with a new wife and two step-daughters.  Not long after her father goes off to fight in the war (World War I) and promptly dies, leaving Eleanor at the mercy of her stepmother and stepsisters.  Big twist?  Eleanor is magically held captive in the house.  (Well, there's a little more to it than that, but I don't want to retell the story.)  Despite the captive thing (uh- I'm seeing a theme here), I liked this one better than The Gates of Sleep.

The Wizard of London (Elemental Masters, Bk 5) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

This was a new-to-me read.  It's a bit different from the previous books in the series.  Instead of focusing on an Elemental Master (though the Wizard of London is one), it focuses on Talents.  That is people with things like clairvoyance, mediums, etc.  These talents include a husband and wife that run a school to help children like this, and two young children recently come to the school.  This story, I believe, takes place prior to the other books in the series.  It may come fifth in publishing order, but chronologically I believe it would be first.  It is apparently based on The Snow Queen, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

 *********************************************************************************

Anyway, on to an overall impression while reading this series...

I've noticed (and if you read my post on Intrigues and Changes, this is the point I couldn't remember) that Mercedes Lackey's characters including (or maybe especially) the children are much wiser than I would ever be.  The teachers always ask questions intended for the the students to come to some deep revelation.  The student then proceeds to do so.  The teacher responds with pride and praise.  This is done over and over through series after series.  There are other similar characteristics as well.  I guess it's part of her "voice."

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

Title: Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

Author: Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski; Forward by: Chris Tomlin

Publisher: Oasis Audio (Print by David C. Cook)

ISBN: 9781598593969

Obtained: Library audio copy


Comments:

My cousin recommended this to me.  He isn't a reader, but he spent a good hour talking about it and showing me quotes from it on his smart phone.  So I had to read it.

I related to parts of it more than others.  The first two discs detailed just how great and powerful , etc God is and how "Christians" can be so lukewarm that they are less pleasing to God than those who don't worship at all.  I related to those more than the last two discs which seemed to be more about money and taking dramatic action.  Anyway, one thing I did find a little frustrating in the first disc that I was listening in my car to and from work and being told to watch clips online.  I did watch them, but he could have as easily just put them in the book itself - even the audio version.  He being the author, btw, as he was also the narrator.

Intrigues and Changes

Title: Intrigues

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Publisher: DAW Books

Series: Collegium Chronicles, Bk 2 ; Valdemar book

ISBN: 9780756406394

Pages: 328

Obtained: Library copy

Title: Changes

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Publisher: DAW Books

Series: Collegium Chronicles, Bk 3 ; Valdemar book

ISBN: 9780756406929

Pages: 326

Obtained: Library copy

Comments: 

I am really enjoying this series and look forward to more.  I had notes about these books and managed to displace them.  So this is going to be briefer than intended.

I think when I was reading Intrigues I started wondering if the job Mags is training for might be the job that, by Alberich's time is traditionally done by the weapons-master.  But that's the type of detail you probably don't care about if you haven't read much of Lackey's Valdemar series.

I know I had at least one other thing I thought worth mentioning, but it has escaped me.  So I guess that's it.  I eagerly await my opportunity to read the 4th book, Redoubt.  In the meantime I'm reading some of Lackey's Elemental Masters series.

Foundation

Title: Foundation

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Publisher: DAW

Series: Collegium Chronicles, Bk 1 ; a Valdemar book

ISBN: 9780756405243

Pages: 340

Obtained: personal copy - paperbackswap.com

Comments:

I can't imagine what took me so long to read this - I really can't.  I was worried because I was at a later point of time in Valdemar's history and didn't really care to be jumping back.  But timeline-wise this comes after the Last Herald-Mage Trilogy I just skimmed through.  Perhaps that made the difference.  Whatever the case, I found Mags a very likeable character.  I was pleased for him whenever he made new friends and showed his growth.

This felt more like a YA to me than Mercedes Lackey's books usually do, even when featuring children around 12 or 13 years old.  Perhaps that's because she's also been writing an actual marketed-as-YA series.  Perhaps there was some influence.  Either way, that certainly didn't make the story less enjoyable.

If I was looking for something I wasn't as pleased about, it's that there wasn't as big a conflict for Mags to overcome.  I mean, he comes from poor circumstances, and he has some other bumps along the way.  But I'm fairly certain the "big" conflict is something that will cross throughout the series and become more prominent as time goes on.

Since I did take so long to read this book I have some catching up to do.  I've requested books 2 through 4 (Intrigues, Changes, and Redoubt) at the library and should be able to read 2 and 3 soon (Redoubt is still on order).  I'll also obtain personal copies eventually, but can afford to be patient as long as I can read them soon.

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf

Title: How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf

Author: Molly Harper aka Molly Harper White

Publisher: Pocket Book Paranormal Romance

Series: Naked Werewolf, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781439195864

Pages: 371

Obtained: personal copy - through some PBS swap (I can't remember which exactly)

Comments:

I've enjoyed Molly Harper's books in the past.  And I tend to enjoy books (or at least romances) set in Alaska.  I'd love to visit there; if I thought I could realistically handle it, I think living there would be great.  Of course reality and the way I picture things going in my head can be so vastly different. 

Anyway, the book started with those advantages.  Beyond that, Mo's background is just so different and strange, it would be hard not to be interested.  I love the way she manages to insert herself into the community.  And then you get to the paranormal werewolf thing.  I really enjoyed Mo and Cooper's relationship.

Overall, it was a really fun read.  I was definitely interested in reading more, too.  Unfortunately, the second book in the Naked Werewolf series, The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf, is about Cooper's sister Maggie, who I didn't care for.  So I'm hesitant, but I'm sure it'll be one of those books that makes me wonder what took me so long once I actually do read it.

Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors

Title: Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors

Author: Molly Harper

Publisher: Pocket Books Paranormal Romance

Series: Jane Jameson aka Nice Girls, Bk 4

ISBN: 9781451641813

Obtained: Library copy


Comments:

It's been awhile since I've read any of this series, so I didn't remember all the characters or past events.  I managed to get into it quickly enough, and found myself asking what took me so long?  I really do enjoy Molly Harper's writing and I especially enjoy the characters.  In particular, teenage newbie vampire Jamie was a fun addition to the story (this is different for me, because I'm not usually a fan of teenagers in stories unless its a YA book).

As for the story itself, Jane is getting married.  She's running her bookshop.  She's taking care of Jamie, she's trying to exorcise her grandmother, she's trying to find out who's been making attempts on her fiancees life... Sounds a little busy and chaotic, no?  All part of the fun that comes with Jane Jameson's life.  And of course it makes for fun reading.

Anyway, apparently this is the end of Jane Jameson's story.  It seems the stand alone The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires features a character that appears in this book as well as the same small town, Half Moon Hollow.  I'll be reading that, but I still think I'll be a little sad to leave Jane and her crowd behind.

50% Off Murder

Title: 50% Off Murder

Author: Josie Belle aka Jenn McKinlay aka Jennifer McKinlay Orf

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Good Buy Girls Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780425247020

Pages: 273 + "The Good Buy Girls' Top Ten Thrifty Tips"

Obtained: Library copy

My Comments:

I enjoyed this (as expected since I like Jenn McKinlay's mysteries).  The characters were interesting.  I liked Maggie the other Good Buy Girls.  I really appreciated the idea of the group and having such a circle of friends.  The overall idea had my mind flashing to that Extreme Couponing show.  and I enjoyed the Thrifty Tips at the end.  They can be both useful and give some additional insight into the characters.

The mystery was nice, especially since the suspect the amateur sleuths work to prove innocent is the head librarian.  Solving of the murder was wrapped up perhaps a tad more abruptly than I would have liked, and the killer was someone I suspected much earlier on in the story.

Overall, I thought this was a nice start to a new series. I look forward to reading A Deal to Die For, due out Dec. 2012.

The Pregnancy Project

Title: The Pregnancy Project: A Memoir

Author: Gaby Rodriguez with Jenna Glatzer

Publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR

ISBN: 9781442446229

Pages: 216

Obtained: Library copy



My Comments:

When I saw this on Wowbrary, I was intrigued.  I place a hold on it, checked it out, returned it, and repeated about 2 or 3 times before I finally broke the cycle and actually read it.  (Other people had holds on it so I couldn't renew it.)  Once I started it I was hooked.  I lost a lot of sleep reading it, but staying up late (2 - 3 am) and getting up early around 6-7am.  By 9:30am I had finished it.

I thought Gaby was a very brave and intelligent girl.  And mature too.  I certainly wouldn't have put so much thought into a project like that so early on.

The topic itself - stereotypes, especially regarding teen pregnancy, is interesting.  I don't watch the TV shows revolving the subject, but I've had teen moms in my extended family.  What I liked best, perhaps, about the way Gaby addresses the subject, though, is that she spoke out of experience (even if it was secondhand).  She had family with teen pregnancy, alcoholism, etc.  And of course there's the positive message.  While she addresses the statistics and current issues surrounding the topic of stereotyping, she also looks at what can be done to create change, both for herself and others.

Overall, I'm glad I took the time to read this.

More cozies. And some more magic.

Hearse and Buggy (Amish Mystery, Bk 1) by Laura Bradford aka Elizabeth Lynn Casey (library copy ... I purchased a copy at LitFest, but figured why not read the library copy since it was here?) -

Claire has moved to Heavenly, Pennsylvania where the "English" and Amish worlds meet.  The setting was interesting (I've done the tourist thing in a place like that, though more Midwest).  The detective had a particularly interesting backstory.   I wasn't so drawn to Benjamin as Claire seemed to be, though.  While he seemed like a nice guy, I kept thinking, "What's she thinking?  It's an impossible - or at least incredibly difficult - scenario."  Regarding the mystery, it was interesting.  I guessed the murderer, but some surrounding mysterious going ons."  Anyway, I enjoyed the introduction to Claire and gang and look forward to getting to know them better in book 2, Assaulted Pretzel (due out March 2013).

Corpse in the Crystal Ball (Fortune Teller Mystery, Bk 2) by Kari Lee Townsend (library copy) -

The first book in this series, Tempest in the Tea Leaves, left a good impression on me due to lack of preaching (and apparently despite some other things that I didn't remember until re-reading my comments just now), so I was pretty eager to read this addition to the series.  Sunny jumped to a couple conclusions that I wouldn't have been so quick about, but otherwise the story went well.  I guessed the murderer but nothing to do with motivation or surrounding events.  Regarding characters, I'm still fairly hesitant about the detective.  Sunny's parents are still annoying, though scarce.  And Sunny's Granny is a fun addition to the story.  We'll see what happens next in Trouble in the Tarot, also due out March 2013.

Brownies and Broomsticks (Magical Bakery Mystery, Bk 1) by Bailey Cates aka Cricket McRae (library copy) - 

First, I have to say the cover is great.  Despite being über pink-and-purple I'm drawn to it every time I see it. Anyway... on to the actual contents of the book.  I liked the story.  While I liked Katie she seemed a bit more, um, meek than I might have expected.  I'm sure that's not entirely true since she wasn't meek about seeking answers regarding the murder.  Maybe it was a nick in her self-confidence that I was sensing.  Whatever the case, I did find the setting and characters interesting.  Regarding the love interest triangle (because there almost always is anymore.  Both the above books also have one), I got the feeling she was more into Declan over Steve.  Just thought I'd mention is was the opposite for me.  Guess I'll have to read the next book, Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti (due out December 2012), to learn more.

The BIG Kitty

Title: The Big Kitty

Author: Claire Donally

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Sunny & Shadow Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780425248027

Pages: 293

Obtained: Library copy

My Thoughts: 

I requested the local library purchase this because it was a new cozy mystery.  It looked okay, but didn't especially draw me to it.  Until I saw a couple reviews on some other blogs.  First I saw mention of it here on Alison's Cozy Crimes blog.  It was an overall positive feedback with some small exception for Sunny's character.  Then I saw Ariel's review on her blog, Mysteries and My Musings.  It's another positive review, but she especially liked Sunny's character.  Now I had a library copy on hand, two positive reviews, and a difference of opinion to look into.  The Big Kitty was considerably bumped up on my mental reading priority list.  So when I needed reading material for the trip to the LitFest (more on that later), this is the book I scooped up.

Happily, I enjoyed it.  I especially (and this came as a shock to me) enjoyed when the story turned to Shadow's perspective.  After reading the cats and curios books I'd never have guessed I'd enjoy the animals perspective, but there you go.  Regarding Sunny, I fell somewhere between the two aforementioned opinions.  I mostly liked her.  She was fleshed out enough for me to feel like I knew her, but she didn't stand out as special among cozy characters for me either. I also enjoyed some of the other characters such as Constable Will Price and Mrs. Martinson.  I did guess the murderer pretty early on, but that's never deterred me from enjoying a story.  Or at least it's never the only factor.  Anyway, I don't yet know anything about the next book in the series.

I'll have a little magic with that murder...

Let Them Eat Stake (Vampire Chef Mystery, Bk 2) by Sarah Zettel aka CL Anderson aka Marissa Day (library copy) -

I hate gaps between books in series as I always forget so much detail.  Despite that I still enjoyed this 2nd in the vampire chef mystery series.  I enjoy seeing Charlotte cope with all the challenges that come in her unique position and still do the sleuthing thing.  I don't know anything about a book 3, but I assume there will be one around April next year.

Copycat Killing (Magical Cats Mystery, Bk 3) by Sofie Kelly aka Darlene Ryan (library copy) -

I enjoyed this third installment in the magical cats mystery series.  Two mysteries that took place at two different times are being puzzled over and solved.  Kathleen is oh-so-slowly getting closer to Marcus.  And of course the cats, Hercules and Owen, are as charming as ever.  I'll see how things develop with the fourth book, Cat Trick, due out Feb. 2013.