Garrett Takes the Case: Old Tin Sorrows, Dread Brass Shadows, Red Iron Nights

Title: Garrett Takes the Case: Old Tin Sorrows, Dread Brass Shadows, Red Iron Nights

Author: Glen Cook [Macmillan][isfdb][Goodreads]

Publisher: ROC

Series: Garrett, P.I., Bks 4-6

ISBN: 9780451464361

Length: 680 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I read the first three in the series, and I was interested in reading more.

Comments:

Garrett's world continues on it's grim path, with more magic and evil, mystery and intrigue along the way.

Individually...

Old Tin Sorrows

This is a ghost story.  Garrett has gone to a creepy mansion with secrets (of course) and danger (of course), and has been hired to keep the General from being assassinated.  But Garrett's developing more questions than answers (as usual).  In the meantime he keep seeing a mysterious woman.  (One thing about these books is Garrett's relationship with women.  I generally feel like I should be offended.  Mostly I just find myself shaking my head and muttering, "Again?!"  Anyway, Garrett has woman things going on amidst the rest, because apparently he is irresistible and can't help himself.).

Dread Brass Shadows

I'm coming at this months after reading and having trouble remembering enough to write impressions.  I've re-read a blurb, and I recall various events, but my thoughts and feelings of the time?  They escape me.

Red Iron Nights

Garrett is working with the police as they rebuild and try to catch a serial killer in this one.  I'm going to leave it at that since now these stories are beginning to blend together for me.

Introducing Garrett, P.I.: Sweet Silver Blues, Bitter Gold Hearts, Cold Copper Tears

Title: Introducing Garrett, P.I.: Sweet Silver Blues, Bitter Gold Hearts, Cold Copper Tears

Author: Glen Cook [Macmillan][isfdb][Goodreads]

Publisher: ROC

Series: Garrett, P.I., Bks 1-3

ISBN: 9780451463975

Length: 694 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I saw it recommended in comparison with another author (I can't remember where).

Comments:

As a whole these stories fall right within my interests.  Magic, PI or Detective, grim, etc. Individually...

Sweet Silver Blues

This first story in the series introduces Garrett and his world.  A world where war is constant, magical beings like centaurs, unicorns, vampires, elves, trolls, and witches all exist and aren't cute and friendly, mixed peoples called "breeds" are common but looked upon poorly, and life is hard.  Garrett is hired to find and bring back the recipient of his war buddy's estate - or if she isn't interested in coming back, he's to bring back the proper documentation that she has released her claim.  But this isn't an easy task on any level.  She lives in the midst of the war zone, she's Garrett's former flame, and did I mention the not-so-nice magical creatures?

Bitter Gold Hearts

Garrett's been tasked with looking into a kidnapping... sorta.  More like his reputation has been hired to put a little scare into the kidnappers before the son of a local wealthy and very powerful woman returns from her current task in the ongoing war.  But all is not as it seems and Garrett runs into lie, after deceit, after secret as he tries to get to the bottom of it all - whether anyone wants him to or not.

Cold Copper Tears

Garrett once again again encounters plenty of secrets and lies.  Even refusing the jobs that come his way isn't enough to prevent trouble from finding him.  This time we have fanatic cults, even more dangerous, destructive and deadly magical creatures, and enemies.  Now Garrett's in this for the sake of his life and peace.

I definitely intend to read more of the series.  I've requested another three-volume omnibus through ILL.

Web of Lies

Title: Web of Lies

Author: Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Copyright Date: 2010

Print Date: May 2010

ISBN: 9781439147993

Pages: 400

Series: 2nd in the Elemental Assassin series

Book Description (from back cover):

CURIOSITY IS DEFINITELY GOING TO GET ME DEAD ONE OF THESE DAYS. PROBABLY REAL SOON.

I'M GIN BLANCO. You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I'm retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren't aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox. Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coal-mining tycoon. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I'm a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn't made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man ... dead or alive.

Comments:

I can't afford to buy new books, and the library didn't have this. So I put in a purchase suggestion (pointing out that they already had the 3rd book, Venom), and voila. I could finally move on with the series. And move on I did. Like Spider's Bite, I really enjoyed Web of Lies. The characters are great, Gin included. The storyline is interesting. And I'm always hoping Gin gets through.

The only thing I didn't care for as much was Detective Donovan Caine. I kinda wished Gin would just get over him, open her eyes, and look around. Because there was a much better guy in the background. The moment he (the other guy... don't want to say too much) was introduced I thought he was perfect for her.

But the story is moving on. I already checked out Venom and read it as well (post to come).

Spider's Bite

Title: Spider's Bite

Author: Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Copyright Date: 2010

Print Date: February 2010

ISBN: 9781439147979

Pages: 395

Series: 1st in Elemental Assassin series

Book Description (from back cover):

My name is Gin, and I kill people.

They call me the Spider. I’m the most feared assassin in the South — when I’m not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don’t use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I’m out for revenge. And I’ll exterminate anyone who gets in my way — good or bad. I may look hot, but I’m still one of the bad guys. Which is why I’m in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I’m battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction… especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.

Comments:

I've heard great things about this book for the past year ... good writing, good story, good characters. And best of all? The theme is just my kind of thing. An assassin (urban) fantasy! So why did it take me so long to actually read it? I don't know. I can only be thankful that there was a copy available when I checked out the sales at the local Borders that just closed down, and that I remembered that Spider's Bite was a book I wanted to read.

I very much enjoyed reading Spider's Bite. At first, the voice reminded me a little of Simon R. Green's Nightshade series — that weary voice of someone making their way in a corrupt world. Then it kind of took on it's own voice.

I really liked Gin, assassin or no. I liked how loyal she was to he few she loved. I liked that she had here own standards that she wouldn't compromise. Despite apparently having a different woman for every night, Flinn was also a great character. He added a great sense of humor, despite a tragic loss, throughout a mostly dark story. And as for Detective Donovan Caine, well, he was a good character as well. He actually felt a bit too uptight. But if this happened in real life? I'd be just as uptight and stiff in my morals, so I'm in no position to criticize or complain.

As for the story itself... the "world" was interesting. I enjoy stories with magic based on elements (Mercedes Lackey and Tamora Pierce come to mind), and everything seemed to fit in this place where so much is corrupt. Add to that both a tragic past for Gin and a strong emotional motivation for any current actions (if that sounds vague, it's because I don't want to give anything away)...

Then to top it all off there's a lovely surprise ending. The main drawback, for me, was when Gin was fantasizing (or more) about Donovan. But I know that isn't a detractor for most and it didn't overtake the book in any case.

I'm trying to figure out how to get my hands on the next book, Web of Lies. I can't afford to buy any more books, and the library only has the 3rd book, Venom, not Spider's Bite or Web of Lies (though I did put in a purchase request, so we'll see). My other option is to wait on PBS, and that's liable to take FOREVER.

13 Treasures

Title: 13 Treasures

Author: Michelle Harrison

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Copyright Date: 2010

Print Date: April 2010

ISBN: 9780316041485

Pages: 355

Book Description (from dust jacket):

You don't always have to see to believe.

Though her mother cannot see the evil fairies that rouse Tanya from her sleep, torturing her at the slightest mention of their existence, they are as real to the thirteen-year-old as anything she's ever known. If she could wish them away, she would, but instead, it is she who is sent away — to live at her grandmother's secluded countryside manor.

There is much to explore and even more to fear in the woods surrounding the estate. But the forst isn't the only source of dark secrets, and Tanya soon finds herself entangled in a mystery that could trap her in the fairy realm forever.

Comments:

I didn't read the blurb for this before reading the book, so I didn't realize it was a fairy book. I was drawn by the sparkly cover (you don't really see it in the pic, but it's very sparkly).

It was interesting. The fairies are creepy, as fairies tend to be in these types of stories. Tanya is likeable... I was left hoping she could find some happiness (and love — the familial kind — as it didn't seem like she had much) in her life. I guessed some things way ahead of time, as well as encountering a few surprises I hadn't guessed.

I feel like there was something else important I wanted to say, but unfortunately, I was pokey about typing this post up and don't remember what that something else was.

The Hobbit

Title: The Hobbit

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien (John Ronald Reuel Tolkien)

Publisher: Ballantine/Fantasy

Copyright Date: 1937, 1938, 1966

Print Date: May 1978

ISBN: 0345272579

Pages: 287

Series: "The Enchanting Prelude to 'The Lord of the Rings'"




Book Description (from back cover):

In this delightful and enthralling tale, J. R. R. Tolkien first created the imperishable world of fantasy called Middle-earth, and those charming, indomitable creatures, the hobbits, whose adventures are continued in "The Lord of the Rings."

Comments:

I was supposed to read this for The Lord of the Rings Readalong. I didn't finish it until early April and have yet to start LOTR.

Anyway, about the book itself. It took me awhile to get past the first couple chapters, not because they weren't interesting, but because I was only reading this in those little moments of the day when I'm waiting in a car, etc. Once I did really sit down to read it I found it quite interesting.

I guess I should first say, while I haven't read LOTR, I have watched the movies. As I read this, I tried to compare it to what I remembered from those movies. For instance, I was trying to think of what the dwarf in LOTR's connection was to the dwarves in The Hobbit.

One thing that rather impressed me was just how real Gandalf was in this book. I guess I always saw him (without much thinking about it) as a more two-dimensional character. But, despite his flaws (or, rather, because of them), he was a much fuller character in this book.

Jenny (@ Jenny's Books) mentioned in the Readalong discussion that the elves seemed more campy. I think I'd say giddy more than campy, but I definitely understood what she was talking about. I remember them as being much more solemn in the LOTR movies.

The other big thing that kept playing in my mind was the ring. I knew from the movies that Bilbo finds the ring during his adventures. I was eagerly awaiting when it would come into his possession. I wasn't disappointed as far as how it worked out, but for the entire rest of the book, I was waiting for that ring to play a part of evil. Isn't that what was supposed to have happened to Gollum? And isn't that what I saw throughout the movies? But in addition to being useful, the ring seemed harmless. Maybe that's part of its charm.

Regarding other events of the story... I was glad when Bilbo finally came into his own. I felt a bit grumbly when I realized Gandalf and the dwarves had played the same stunt on Bilbo that they did on Beorn. (And speaking of Beorn... I know that name is familiar, but I can't remember how it fits into LOTR either.) I don't even know what else to say without this becoming spoiler central.

I want to read LOTR, but the motivation (even with the prospect of flubbing the challenge) may not be enough to happen anytime soon, so...