Venom in the Veins

Title: Venom in the Veins

Author: Jennifer Estep

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 17

Publisher: self-published

ISBN: 9780986188565

Length: 342 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I'm a fan of this series.  I tend to be a fan of Jennifer Estep's work in general (though I had trouble getting into the Bigtime series).  So I did enjoy this book.  Just not as much as some past books in the series.

Gin has been trying to get information on The Circle and her parents.  In the meantime, a friend's life is threatened and she is going to get to the bottom of it.  In the meantime, someone from her past comes out of the woodwork and she finds herself in a sticky situation, with memories that haunt her reappearing in her dreams.  There is a hook at the end, so while the main storyline for this book is wrapped up, the overall arc story is hanging in suspense.

I look forward to the next book and more of Gin and her friends/family.

A Hard Day's Knight

Title: A Hard Day's Knight

Author: Simon R. Green

Series: Nightside, Bk 11

Publisher: Penguin

ISBN: 9781101475232

Length: 304 pages

Obtained: Library OverDrive ebook copy

Comments:

The Nightside and Arthur, Camelot, and the Knights of the Round Table - or in this case, the London Knights.

The series is coming to a close and you can feel it in this book.  Threads that have been lingering are being tied up, and the Nightside is in a strange place between staying the same and changing, complete with the beginning stages of a major war.  Of course, that isn't unusual for the Nightside.  John has already been through two other wars recently.

I only read one book prior to this one recently to remind me of what is going on, so you probably could just jump in.  However, I would definitely recommend starting from the beginning of the series so you can both watch John's growth and get a good feel for the Nightside and all its characters.  I'm both excited and dreading the next, and final, book of this series - The Bride Wore Black Leather.

The Lost Books: The Scroll of Kings

Title: The Lost Books: The Scroll of Kings

Author: Sarah Prineas

Publisher: Harper

Series: ? It's hard to say if this is a series or standalone.

ISBN: 9780062665584

Length: 295 pages

Obtained: Library hardcover copy

Comments:

I haven't read anything by Sarah Prineas previously, so I don't know how this story compares, but I love finding books with book and/or librarian related themes, and this has both.

Among my first impressions is that Alex may be a "librarian" and love books, but he certainly isn't an archivist, genealogist, or historian, as he seemingly found no interest or use of documents that I know would have been useful for such purposes. 

But I'm getting off track.  Alex has run from home after arguing with his family.  He is certain, after having read all the books in his father's locked up library, that he is a librarian, not a warrior s trained.  This is in a world/time when all libraries have been locked up - Alex believes because books are dangerous - and all librarians are old.  This last part is quite troublesome for Alex who is looking to be trained, but cannot find any librarians willing to share their secrets.

He has managed, by chance and some trickery, to talk his way into the Royal Library, where he must figure out what is happening with the books, save them (the books) and himself, and convince the young queen of his task because he cannot do this alone.

I enjoyed the story.  If this is a series, I would be happy to read more.  If it is a standalone, it ended well enough.  I hope to read more of this author's work (particularly the thief series I've heard about) at some point in the future.

Tricks for Free

Title: Tricks for Free

Author: Seanan McGuire

Publisher: DAW

Series: InCryptid, Bk 7

ISBN: 9780756410407

Length: 346 + "The Recitation of the Most Holy and Harrowing Pilgrimage of Mindy and Also Mork" + "Price family Field Guide to the Cryptids of North America Updated and Expanded Edition"

Obtained: Library paperback copy

Comments: I do like this series.  I know it isn't for everyone, but I enjoy it.  Of the siblings, Verity remains my favorite, but they have all grown on me including Antimony.  She is on the run in this book, which means no Aeslin mice, so I was glad to have the short story at the end from the perspective of Mindy (and Sam, Antimony's... potential boyfriend).

Anyway, Antimony finds a hiding place from the Covenant (evil or misinformed or both group of "Van Helsing" types, who hunt all "monsters", not vampires) while also keeping away from her family (in order to protect them from unwanted discovery and attention).  She has secured a position at a theme park that is apparently runner up to Disney in both Florida and California - in this case Florida.  Coming from her recent Carnie type experiences, this seems an ideal fit.  But she is having issues with a burgeoning magical side.  Plus, she's seen an uptick in strange and unlucky events that may draw the Covenant's attention no matter how cautious she is - not to mention people are dying.

This series is really one that should be read in order, even though the books switch perspectives between siblings (this is the second Antimony book); they tend to build on each other, especiall these last few.  I look forward to the next book, That Ain’t Witchcraft, which will be another Antimony book.

The Door to the Lost

Title: The Door to the Lost

Author: Jaleigh Johnson

Publisher: Delacorte

ISBN: 9781101933169

Length: 289 pages

Obtained: Library print copy

Comments:

This was a quick and interesting middle grade fantasy.  A large number of children from another world with magic came through this world at the same time magic failed.  However, these children still have magic, and are looked at as the bringers of misfortune in a world that is not their own.  In other words, they are immigrants without parents or adults to help them navigate the prejudices and, for the most part, hatred and fear of the people (or at least the adults) in their new home.  They do not remember anything of their old world and so do not even have memories of better or happier times to turn to.

Rook has the ability to open doors to anywhere... except the country she came from.  Now she and her friends have been pulled into a dangerous scheme initiated by adults they cannot even trust.  Can they save their new land before it is destroyed?  Can they find a home in this world?  will they ever discover the secrets and mystery of their pasts?

After last week's Monday post, I immediately started this book (rather than sleep) and read straight through until I had finished it - work that Monday was harsh.  I enjoyed the break in pace and the kickstart to picking me up out of a potential reading slump.

The Boneless Mercies

Title: The Boneless Mercies

Author: April Genevieve Tucholke

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan)

ISBN: 9780374307066

Length: 352 pages

Obtained: Download from Edelweiss+

Comments:

I just signed up for Edelweiss and was whitelisted for all Macmillan titles.  I was picking my first book and wanted to make sure it would be one I would definitely read... the right one.  When I saw this one includes girls in "the death trade" and was a standalone, I just had to read it.  My interest in assassin-type books is apparently never ending.

The Boneless Mercies are girls and women trained in the art of the "mercy killing."  For those who are frail and dying, they can seek a quick death by inviting these girls, marked by their cloaks, to finish their lives - for a price.  Ever since the Mercy that trained them passed, Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa have been growing weary of their work in the death trade.  But they've recently heard of a beast that remains undefeated despite many warriors fighting to stop it.  This is their chance to change their futures.  Meeting with cruel men, Sea Witches, and others along the way, they will fight for what might be.

I liked Frey and her fellow traveling companions.  Each of the girls and Trigve, the young man they had added to their group along the way, reveal their different characters and (mostly tragic) backgrounds as the story progresses. 

I also appreciated the bits about Norse culture and mythology that was interspersed throughout the story, including their attitudes toward death and strong oral history.  The Boneless Mercies are quiet and not mentioned in the tales, but Frey wants to make an impression that will be passed down like the other sagas and chronicles that the Norse share.

While not necessarily what I might have expected, I enjoyed the story and finished it quickly.

The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny

Title: The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny

Author: Simon R. Green

Series: Nightside, Bk 10

ISBN: 9781101171455

Obtained: Library ebook copy

Comments:

I decided it is about time I finish this series.  Unfortunately, I forgot that I had already read this one.  All worked out, though, because while scenes were vaguely familiar as I read them, I remembered nothing in advance.  I do have a post from the first time I read this, but I will not be reading it until after I've written this one so I can provide fresh impressions.

I felt like I had already been through the bulk of the story, and then saw that I had just finished chapter 2.  The majority of this book was like that.  Loosely linked together with some connected threads, but told in what seemed more like short stories or episodes.  I do still enjoy this series, but I can tell I've forgotten a lot.  In that sense, the way this is written allowed me to be reintroduced to a number of characters that I recognize from throughout the series, but didn't distinctly remember.

And now I am ready to read book 11, A Hard Day's Knight.

I've gone back and re-read my first post, and I thinking I may need to re-read the other books in this series as well.  Apparently, I last read this in 2010.  What was I thinking to let such time pass by!

The King of Bones and Ashes

Title: The King of Bones and Ashes

Author: J. D. Horn

Series: Witches of New Orleans, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781542047104

Length: 342 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I haven't quite decided if I enjoyed this book.  I'm leaning toward no.  And yet, I plan on reading book 2, The Book of the Unwinding.  There are quite a few characters to get to know, and perspective alternates among a few of the most prominent. 

Alice has experienced a rough childhood, including being institutionalized.  But now her grandfather has passed, and her uncle has fetched her from the asylum.  Magic is weakening (or is it?) and Alice's family and coven are mourning (or are they?) and Babau Jean, the horror and bogeyman of Alice's childhood has returned (or has he?).  

The story is dark, depressing, conflicting, ... hence, I couldn't quite grab onto any one part that I could really enjoy or connect with.  The story, the characters, ... perhaps the setting, to some small extent? But no, not that either.

Hopefully the second book connects more.

Ghost Talkers

Title: Ghost Talkers

Author: Mary Robinette Kowal

ISBN: 9780765378255

Length: 299 + "Acknowledgements" and "Historical Note"

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I recently (a month or so ago) finished Mary Robinette Kowal's Glamourist Histories.  I needed to read more of her work so I requested Ghost Talkers.

Mediums talk to all of Britain's forces as they pass and before they move on as a means of gathering intelligence.  This has the added benefit of  allowing the soldiers to take care of unfinished business and pass on final words to loved ones.

The fantasy aspect was great. The mystery aspect was intriguing.  The romance aspect is rather sad.  The altered historical aspect is interesting.

The Hills Have Spies

Title: The Hills Have Spies

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Series: Family Spies, Bk 1 (but actually a novel of Valdemar and a spin off of both the Collegium and Herald Spy series)

ISBN: 9780756413170

Length: 360 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I read through this one relatively quickly (I didn't want to leave it to go to work).  I was relieved because the Herald Spy books dragged a bit for me.  I don't know if this is the series itself - The Hills Have Spies features Mags and his eldest son Perry (Peregrine), or if the difference is that I read the Herald Spy series as ebooks while I read the print format for this book.  Whatever the case - reading this went much smoother for me.

Perry has Animal Mindspeech and has been taught much of his father's spycraft.  Now it is time for him to leave Haven and put his skills and Gift to the test in the real world - where innocents are disappearing.

I look forward to more of this series.  Perhaps with one of Perry's siblings next time.

Snared

Title: Snared

Author: Jennifer Estep [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Pocket Books Urban Fantasy

Series: Elemental Assassin, Bk 16

ISBN: 9781501142277

Length: 371

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Love the series and author.

Comments:

I enjoyed this book as usual, but there were a couple things that struck me as obvious that Gin doesn't realize until MUCH later on, causing her unnecessary trouble.  That is not to say I expected all of what happened.  And as usual Gin is involved in some really close calls with death, only to be picked up by friends and not always expected allies.  Of course I'll be continuing to read the series and learn more about Gin's struggles to track down the Circle (the new group of powerful and extremely covert bad guys)... with the help of her friends and family.

Garrett for Hire: Deadly Quicksilver Lies, Petty Pewter Gods, Faded Steel Heat

Title: Garrett for Hire: Deadly Quicksilver Lies, Petty Pewter Gods, Faded Steel Heat

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

Publisher: ROC

Series: Garrett, P.I., Bks 7-9

ISBN: 9780451464958

Length: 870 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've been reading the series.

Comments:

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

Deadly Quicksilver Lies

Garrett is told someone is coming to hire him, and come she does.  But everything else he's been warned about is different, and the strangeness just keeps piling up from there.  Garrett is thrown into an insane asylum - apparently to get him out of the way - and meets some interesting new characters.  He's been paid to do a job, but his client is no longer around.  Every hint, clue, and discovery seems to be lie on top of lie...and all these lies are adding up to a very dangerous case for Garrett.

Petty Pewter Gods

Garrett has encountered all sorts of creatures and monsters in the previous 7 books, but now he's been dragged into a case by the "gods" themselves.  Some have called them "petty pewter gods" and boy does the name fit.  Being in the middle of a squabble between simplistic and self-serving gods is the most dangerous case Garrett has been on to date, not just for Garrett, but for all of TunFaire and the world.

Faded Steel Heat

Garrett just wants some peace, but the political landscape is heading up, prejudice is rampant causing great tension and threatening to cause war right there in TunFaire.  Now that the war to the Cantard has been won and all TunFaire's human males are coming home, they've found that many nonhumans have filled in doing all the many jobs that needed doing while they were away.  Garrett doesn't want any part of this bigotry, but he seems to fit the profile of the desired member and could potentially worm his way in a sort of "undercover" role.

In the meantime, the one job he held on retainer has also heated up with the local brewing family being threatened.  And to top it all off there is something going on with shapeshifters - a creature unlike one Garrett has dealt with before.

I definitely intend to read more of the series, but I'll need to have a block of time set aside for these.

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.

The Librarians and the Lost Lamp

Title: The Librarians and the Lost Lamp

Author: Greg Cox [Website][Facebook]

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

Series: Librarians, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780765384072

Length: 286 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Love the Librarian movies, and the spin off TV show, and couldn't miss reading the book(s).

Comments:

I don't read media tie-ins often (though I have occasionally).  It is strange to read the words, actions, and characterizations of the characters that I've only seen before, but it is also fun.  The book flashed between 2006 and 2016, with Flynn Carson in the Librarian role in 2006 (plus, briefly, Judson) and the others - Jake Stone, Cassandra Cillian, Ezekiel Jones and Guardian Eve Baird and Library annex caretaker Jenkins - in 2016.  The 2006 scenes reminded me strongly of the movies, complete with Flynn on a dashing and dangerous mission for Aladdin's lamp, a different woman (this time a museum curator), and of course, a gang of bad guys.  The 2016 scenes are more in the line of the current TV show with an emphasis on teamwork, using differences and individuality to the most potential, friendship and support...

The only critique would be the time jumps.  They start off switching between 2006 and 2016 with shorter intervals, then there is a long period of just 2006.  The book finally switches back to 2016 for a heftier portion of the book after the 2006 time is pretty much resolved.  This description may be jumbled and confusing, so I'll summarize with the time jumps were uneven and made the flow of the story seem a bit awkward.

Overall I really enjoyed the book.  I look forward to reading The Librarians and the Mother Goose Chase.

(Book was read and post written in 2015) 

The Ferryman Institute

Title: The Ferryman Institute

Author: Colin Gigl [Website][Simon & Schuster][Twitter][Facebook]

Publisher: Gallery Books

ISBN: 9781501125324

Length: 422 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?: Sounded interesting so I requested it.

Comments:

Charlie Dawson is a Ferryman - a thankless job making sure the departed move on rather than lingering as ghosts.  But after doing this job with a perfect record for hundreds of years, Charlie is burned out.  Problem is, this isn't the kind of job you can just quit, and every request charlie has made to transfer out has been denied.  So when Charlie is finally offered the option to save a life rather than watching it needlessly die, he takes it.  And that is how he meets Alice.  Complications arise sending Charlie (and Alice) on the run.

This is yet another strange read.  I seem to be selecting more and more of these books that have this foggy mystic feel, but which require analysis and thought through the fog.  For this book, these were thoughts about life, death, and afterlife, stress, priorities, etc.

I read some of this, and then set it down for awhile (a few weeks) before finishing it.  It's one of those books that you need to be in the right frame of mind for.

(Book was read and post written in 2015)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay

Title: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay

Author: J. K. Rowling [Website] aka Joanne Rowling aka Robert Galbraith [Website] ; Illustrated by MinaLima [Website] aka Miraphora Mina [IMDb] and Eduardo Lima [IMDb]

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Series: Fantastic Beasts, Bk 1 (spinoff of the Harry Potter series)

ISBN: 9781338109061

Length: 284 pages + "Glossary of Film Terms" + Cast & Crew"

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Of course I had to read this.

Comments:

I really enjoyed the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie.  At the time of watching it, I had a hold on the screen play but was still waiting for my place in the queue.

When I finally started reading, I was astounded.  I've always read books then watched movies, and there were always differences.  But as the screenplay this is the exact dialogue in the exact order and with all the descriptions.  I had vivid images of what had been portrayed on screen popping up as I read.  My imagination just isn't that good.  And I was able to see names I had missed while watching or understand a couple parts that I may have missed the significance of while watching.  I was also able to catch the parts I had missed with restroom breaks for myself and the kiddos.

The only drawback is, I REALLY wish I could see it again now.  I don't know.  Maybe I will.

Anyway, I gather the movie is part of a series, so I'm hoping for the same in regards to published screenplays.

Hammers on Bone

Title: Hammers on Bone

Author: Cassandra Khaw [Website][Twitter]

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

ISBN: 9780765392718

Length: 103 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I saw something of a blurb, and the private eye who is something extra appealed to me.  I enjoy other fantasy-type books like this, so I placed a request for it.

Comments:

This is a short and therefore brief read.  It was the only reading I managed while sick and cloudy-minded.  It's a strange story.

The PI, John Persons, is some sort of monster - we discover this quickly - and I gather he's actually some sort of parasite - and alien that is wearing a human body - through less like The Host by Stephanie Meyer or the slug things in Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan, and more like the alien in Men In Black.  I guess?  Or this is what I'm picturing.

He's been hired by a child to stop (potentially kill) another monster/human doing something similar.  But it turns out there is a much larger - and worse - issue/infection/invasion going on.

And I got all of that, but then the strange part really begins.  First there is an interlude, and by the end I had to back up and see if I missed something.  From there the strangeness continues through the end, which I also had to back up and re-read to try and understand.

Perhaps some of my confusion and the overall strangeness was due to my cloudiness.  I suspect, though, that the bulk is due to this being - as I read in a quip on the back after having finished - a "Lovecraftian PI mystery".  I've encountered other "Lovecraftian" books before (such as The Ballad of Black Tom) that also threw me for a loop.  What is it about these that apparently draw me in when they are so difficult for me to wrap my head around?

But there is another message that I most definitely did understand, and that is one of abuse.  Domestic violence, child abuse, and hints of sexual abuse.  And I can understand that as I "watched" in horror, John Persons doesn't grasp the humans of the story sticking around for this abuse and misuse.  He's asking how is it that this woman stays for this treatment, especially at the risk of her own children?  And I'm left asking how can anyone?  Even this fictional PI who has been asked to help by the children.

Anyway... this slim book packs a bit of a wallop.

City of Ashes

Title: City of Ashes

Author: Cassandra Clare [Author Website][Shadowhunters Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Series: Mortal Instruments, Bk 2

ISBN: 9781416972242

Length: 453 pages

Obtained: Personal copy. I don't remember where or how.

Why this book?:

I had just finished the first book in the series, City of Bones, and I was curious, plus this was extra shelf space once I've read it.

Comments:

I don't know if it is because City of Bones was a debut book, or if I just wasn't clicking with the world-building, but I felt like this book was an improvement on the first.  I could relate more with the characters and actually ended up reading City of Ashes in one 3-4 hour sitting.

In book 1 Clary is scrambling to figure out what on earth is happening and recover her kidnapped mother.  In this book Clary is focused on stopping some ritual serial killings while figuring out her scrambled emotions.  I do have to be honest, the scrambled emotions part was so much better that bk 1.  There was a line by Jace that I found especially amusing and made all those scrambled emotions a little easier to swallow.

“I don't want to be a man," said Jace. "I want to be an angst-ridden teenager who can't confront his own inner demons and takes it out verbally on other people instead."

Anyway, I'm sure I'll be reading book 3, City of Glass, soon.  I made the mistake of reading the sneak peak for it and I own it.

City of Bones

Title: City of Bones

Author: Cassandra Clare [Author Website][Shadowhunters Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Series: Mortal Instruments, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781416955078

Length: 485 pages

Obtained: Personal copy.  I don't remember how I got it, though I'm sure it was used.

Why this book?:

As usual lately, I was looking to clear shelf space by reading something that has been in my TBR forever.  As the first in a series for which I have 3 (rather hefty) books, this seemed like a reasonable option.

Comments:

I have heard positive feedback from those who love this series.  And I've heard negative feedback from those who disliked it.  So I didn't know what to expect going in.  It wasn't hard to get into, which was a concern prior to starting it.  But I did think quite often throughout, "This book is LONG.  When is it going to end?"

I liked Clary well enough, but didn't really care about pretty much any the other characters.  I suspect this is part of what made it difficult.  She was having all this confusion about these characters that I didn't like or trust and rather thought she'd be better off avoiding.  On the other hand I understood she had a quest that she couldn't really do on her own.

Anyway, it must have hooked me more than I thought, because I went into reading the second book that same evening.