Contemporary Books

Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1)

Patricia Briggs

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 61 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Did we forget something? 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I enjoyed this book and thought it was well written except for one thing. I knew the background story because I read it in an anthology. But if I had not done so, the first couple of chapters would have been confusing and I probably wouldn't have finished it. The author either needed a summary or make the book longer and include the previous story. If she didn't want to bore those who had already read it, then she could have included a note at the beginning and told these readers to start on page whatever.
The concept of the omega was interesting and a good addition to her world. How she handled her main character's background trauma was well done. I liked the fact this was actually addressed and not just "it all went away because she met the right man" stuff I've read in other books.

Editorial Review:

Now Briggs begins an extraordinary new series set in Mercy Thompson’s world—but with rules of its own.

INTRODUCING THE ALPHA AND OMEGA NOVELS...

Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack…and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member—and as his mate.

Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 1)

Charlaine Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 299 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A HIT, and A MISS! 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I'm generally drawn to darker, more brooding PNR's e.g., J.R.Ward, Kresley Cole and Larissa Ione. But, after continually reading rave reviews about the Southern Vampire Series, I had to give it a try.

Initially, I was sold, because it was refreshing to meet Sookie and the small town characters, interspersed with laugh-out-loud humor. It just looked like it would be a lot of fun and a nice change.

The concept of Vampires that were trying to integrate into society had its appeal, as well, and it even touched on some relevant social issues such as prejudice and intolerance. However, the more that I visited with these characters, the more implausible the situations became.

At first, I loved Sookie (the thought reader), but I kept feeling like I was reading about a teenager who wanted to grow up, too, soon. As naive as she was depicted initially, I simply could not see her wielding chains and placing her own life in harm's way to save the first Vampire she had ever met, no matter how fascinated she was by him. Then to handle the escalating violence with a rather nonchalant attitude. No way! I would have liked to see her develop a little more slowly into her role of Vampire advocate.

About halfway through the book, what she finds on her kitchen floor is enough to make a hardened Detective have PTSD, yet she did not appear to have any real depth to her grieving. Again, her behaviors appeared self focused and immature.

Bill, the Vampire, is interesting, but somewhat of a wimp for a Vampire. In some respects, Sookie is more gutsy. I just couldn't see what she saw in him. The secondary characters don't have a lot of meat to them and one that did, for me (no I won't give it away), was sorely missed when murdered.

Toward the end of the book I was shaking my head in disbelief. I almost threw the book across the room, when 'Elvis' arrived on the scene. Yes, friends...Elvis. I'm quite sure it was intended to be humorous, but for me it wasn't. There had been too much blood and guts spilled by that time to appreciate this diversion. I won't say why, but the appearance of the Collie dog provoked the same negative response---like, what silliness is next.

Now I've piqued your interest, huh. You probably can't wait to read about Sookie, the thought reading, sophomoric chick, who is infatuated with Bill, the Vampire, with Elvis thrown in and a Collie dog with a secret. Who could blame you :-).

All said, I thought it was rather fun, but just not my taste. Actually, if the sex scenes were toned down, I think it would make a great read for adolescents. I think this is the primary problem with this novel. It really can't decide what demographic it is trying to appeal to. It is heavy on intimate details, blood and gore and other adult themes, but then so very humorous and juvenile in other regards. Think Buffy! It is basically in-congruent.

I'm glad I read it, but I will move on to other PNR's and don't intend to finish this series, but I can see the appeal that it might have for some.

Editorial Review:

Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out....

Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea.

A fun, fast, funny, and wonderfully intriguing blend of vampire and mystery that's hard to put down, and should not be missed. (Susan Sizemore)

Praise for Charlaine Harris:

Harris writes neatly and with assurance. (New York Times Book Review)

An author of rare talents. (Publishers Weekly)

Living Dead in Dallas (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 2)

Charlaine Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 131 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

I'd like my time (and money) back, please. 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

After hearing much praise being heaped on the author and this series, and being a fan of the earlier Anita Blake novels, I decided to give this book a try. Bad mistake on my part.

I'm not sure what other reviewers have seen in this book, but I found it poorly written, utterly unimpressive and Charlaine's prose a little ... odd. (Perhaps a too-charitable word for dialogue like ... "I don't have enough experience with the different characteristics of the many strains of Asians to tell you where he came from originally." Like, wow. Strains of viruses, sure. But Asians?)

Maenads and Vampires and Fanatics, oh my! 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Okay, not as good as the first book in the series, I admit. Still, a pretty good story. Plenty of action, and the romance was toned down a bit, so it didn't so much distract from the main storyline. I know, I know, plenty of people like those bits, but I like my supernatural stories to be just that, I suppose. Some tension, maybe (I do like the interaction between Sookie and Sam!) but not the nitty-gritty details in all their glory. There are other genres of books for that!

My main problem with this book is that there seemed to be far too much going on for so short a story. There were two main storylines, and the Bon Temps murder took a back-seat to the Dallas Fellowship storyline, plus there was the whole Maenad bit tossed in, as well. This would have been fine if the book was long enough to fully develop all of them, but while the Fellowship story arc was given enough time to properly develop and 'mature', as it were, I though the Bon Temps murder was rushed and hurried, and wrapped up far too quickly, and the Maenad bit seemed, in the end, to be just a convenient plot device. The classic two-minute sitcom ending where everything just comes together. In reality, there was enough material to fill two books of this size. Okay, at least one and a half, depending on how many twists and turns you wanted to put into the murder.

Still, the characters (especially the development of Eric as a character) and the dialogue nudge the rating up to four, since I'd give them a five but the storyline a three. It's enough to keep me eagerly reading the series, so that's about the best an author can hope for! I'd recommend this series to any vampire aficionado, as long as they can tolerate the rather liberal application of romance.

Editorial Review:

When a vampire asks Sookie Stackhouse to use her telepathic skills to find another missing vampire, she agrees under one condition: the bloodsuckers must promise to let the humans go unharmed.

Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 3)

Charlaine Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 135 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Cinful 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Best book yet in the Southern Vampire series. Although I am dissapointed in Bill the vamire, you can not help but admire Sookie's strength and mental fortitude. Poor kid...it's amazing she's survived thorugh book III and hasn't let Eric or Bill bring her over. Already started Dead to the World and ordered all the books, I CAN'T wait to finish the series (although I will really miss these characters when I am done). Remember to keep checking HBO for the new series "True Blood" which will air this fall (hopefully) and is based on the Southern Vampire series.

What, again? 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

How many times can an author recycle a love-plot that is only tepid from the start? Harris seems determined to find out.

Editorial Review:

Sookie's boyfriend has been very distant-in another state, distant. Now she's off to Mississippi to mingle with the underworld at Club Dead-a little haunt where the vampire elite go to chill out. But when she finally finds Bill-caught in an act of betrayal-she's not sure whether to save him...or sharpen some stakes.

From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 8)

Charlaine Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 160 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Mixed Feelings. 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book gave me some hope for the Sookie/Eric eventual happily ever after. These two belong together, and I really hope it happens. I'm glad to see some things about their storyline partially resolved in this book, and I'm thrilled about the guy she dumped. He was hot and all, but something about him was just too white bread for me. He had kind of a "Riley" feel (Buffy reference) that was highly icky for me.

One thing that does puzzle me about this book, and I'm not quite sure how to take it. There is no climax. There's just a lot of stuff that happens. At various points in the story new problems are introduced in the various situations Sookie finds herself involved in. And as the story goes on, those situations get resolved one by one.

The story hangs together, it's cohesive, and all the threads get resolved, it's just, there is no one scene that is the top scene. There is just a string of mini-climaxes, and then an ending. And the ending, though cool and intriguing, doesn't have much to do with the rest of the book.

So I'm not really sure how to deal with that. I'm left with this bizarre feeling that I'm not sure if we've missed something, or if it should have been bigger somewhere. Or if I feel the ending is satisfying or not. I'm not sure because there was no definite point at which I felt like "we won." Or whatever you're supposed to feel when the heroine's journey has come to an end in a particular novel.

I am happy about the developments in the Sookie/Eric situation. And I hate Bill slightly less, though I swear if that vampire tries to come between Eric and Sookie I'll stop reading.

I'm in it for the Sookie/Eric pairing and that's where my loyalties end. As soon as the books stop delivering at least a hopeful Eric/Sookie relationship, I'm out. Though from reading other reviews on this issue, I know there is a pretty big fan contingent that agrees with me.

Editorial Review:

New in the “addicting” New York Times bestselling series featuring Sookie Stackhouse.

After the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina and the manmade explosion at the vampire summit, everyone—human and otherwise—is stressed, including Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse, who is trying to cope with the fact that her boyfriend Quinn has gone missing.

It’s clear that things are changing—whether the weres and vamps of her corner of Louisiana like it or not. And Sookie—Friend to the Pack and blood-bonded to Eric Northman, leader of the local vampire community—is caught up in the changes.

In the ensuing battles, Sookie faces danger, death, and once more, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood finished flowing, her world will be forever altered.

Dead to the World (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 4)

Charlaine Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 125 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

From Emma Bull's War for the Oaks to Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, from The X-Files to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, creators are mixing old European myths and legends with modern American pop culture. Incorporating influences ranging from blaxploitation movies and erotic novels to tabloid staples like UFOs and Elvis, authors and directors are creating a new mythology for the strip-mall, tract-house, cell-phone America of the new millennium.

One of the best-known and best writers of the new American mythology is Charlaine Harris. Dead to the World is the fourth novel in her Anthony Award-winning Southern Vampire series. It continues the story of psychic waitress Sookie Stackhouse, who has fallen out with her undead lover, Bill. Bill has no sooner departed for Peru, than Sookie finds the head vampire, Eric, running naked and terrified through the rural night. She helps Eric, and discovers his memory has been destroyed by a coven of unscrupulous, astonishingly powerful witches, newly arrived in her small Louisiana town, and offering a huge reward for Eric. Sookie tries to hide Eric, but her brother sees him--and immediately disappears. And Sookie finds herself caught in a war among witches, vampires, and werewolves. --Cynthia Ward

Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1)

Ilona Andrews

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 115 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The book's cover doesn't do the story justice 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book sat on a shelf for a long long time...I detested the book cover..it made it seem like it was going to be a really average book.
However, I was pleasantly surprised..though it took a retry to actually get into the story because the beginning was a little slow..
It's a great story! Loved the main character, a chick who seems to be in constant never ending cycle of having one bad day follow another, sort of all on her own, tracking down (or trying to) a killer.. And the Lord of the Beasts was a very frisky guy..though some sexual tension between the two, there was no sex.
Really splendid world building too..different twist on vampires...and shape shifters.. Entertaining dialogue as well.

Now this is magic! 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Imagine. Living in a time where magic surrounds a whole city, where paranormal activities are common part of life. Electric bulbs explode, phones don't work and fluorescent feylamps have been invented to cope with the hard fluctuation caused by magic. Imagine a time when a horse is a more reliable form of transportation as cars refuse to start due to... yes, magic. Welcome to futuristic Atlanta. And welcome to Kate Daniels' world.

Kate is a mercenary who gets dragged into a dangerous game of cat and mouse when her guardian is savagely murdered, thus severing the last link she has with her family. Now completely orphaned, she vows to fight the scum that killed him. However in order to do so, she must seek the help of the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, in which her guardian was a divine knight. As if going back to the society that Kate once turned her back on weren't bad enough, she finds herself involved with the Pack dealing with the Master of the Beast when her investigation leads her to the possibility that the killer is a shapeshifter. The plot thickens as more of these otherworldly creatures are introduced. I believe that this is where the strength of the story shines. The characters are well thought of, fleshed out and provide a whole new dimension to this labyrinth of magic, gore and mayhem. They are not cardboard-like, seemingly miscast with no purpose.

Kate is a strong character who has her shares of vulnerabilities. One of them is her secret longing to be part of a family. But fear not as we don't see her wallowing in self-pity. She knows she has a job to do and does everything in her power to fight the monsters even if it means ruffling some feathers... or fur in the case of the Pack leader. Her interaction with Curran, the Master of the Beast, hints at a possible romance. Let us hope that the author doesn't take the same path that Hamilton did with Anita Blake.

Another fantastic aspect of the book is the concrete world-building. Ilona Andrews creates a believable futuristic Atlanta. She takes the reader in an adventurous, bumpy and terrifying ride as we see vampires and other monsters fight for supremacy in this magic-enfolded city, where people like Kate and the lycanthropes come together and battle it out with said monsters.

What a way for this author to start the series! The plot is well structured and filled with tension. The characters are well thought of and serve their purpose, adding to the magic and mystery which this book is brimming with. Magic leaps off every page and the reader actually feels transported to a whole new realm as you are sucked into this fantasy world of vampires, lycanthropes, witches and other fantastic creatures.

In summary, this was an impressive debut by Ilona Andrews and a real magical treat for dark urban fantasy readers albeit the slow start.

Editorial Review:

Mercenary Kate Daniels cleans up urban problems of a paranormal kind. But her latest prey, a pack of undead warriors, presents her greatest challenge.

Swallowing Darkness (Meredith Gentry, Book 7)

Laurell K. Hamilton

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All Together Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 7)

Charlaine Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 165 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Where's the Action? 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I love this series, but this installment is just disappointing. There's no romance to speak of, no sexual tension, no witty banter, and all those great guys Sookie's introduced us to over the years barely rate a mention. Plus, the plot is pretty thin, and Harris devotes long passages to pretty mundane things like shopping. The plot of this book is mainly boring political intrigue, with Sookie sounding more like an embittered and inflexible Lily Bard (from Harris's Shakespeare series) than herself. I sure hope the next installment is better.

Editorial Review:

Betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse must now not only deal with a possible new man in her life-the oh-so-handsome shapeshifter Quinn-but also contend with a long-planned vampire summit. With her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orleans, the local vampire queen is vulnerable to those hungry for a takeover. Soon, Sookie must decide what side she'll stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe.

Moon Called (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 1)

Patricia Briggs

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 252 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Mercy Thompson's no Mary Sue 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I saw this book when it first came out, but resisted buying it for a long time because I was afraid it was going to be yet another "Mary Sue fights the forces of darkness!" However, I had read Patricia Briggs before and found her to be an excellent author, so I was on the fence about this for a long time.

After reading it, I'm sad that I waited so long. The character of Mercy Thompson is smart and capable, without being contrived or super powerful. Sure, she has her own special abilities that allow her to get along in this world full of werewolves, vampires, and fae. She is a skinwalker, which means she can change easily from human to coyote form. However, this ability doesn't come with the super-strength, super-speed, and super-agressiveness that comes with being a werewolf.

I found Mercy to be likable and wanted to find out what happened to her next. She is confident and independent, without being completely stupid. She knows her limitations, whether or not she likes them, and yeah, sometimes she has to let the "big boys" go play while she sulks.

The romantic triangle that's beginning to take shape between Mercy, Samuel (her old flame), and Adam (her "sexy" next door neighbor.) is very well done because she's so straightforward about her feelings.

Overall, this was an excellent book with excellent characterization. The only problem I had with the novel is that sometimes the action wasn't as intense as it could be. The only time I was genuinely afraid for any of the characters was in the vampire den. I never felt a sense of heart-stopping action, though it was interesting enough to keep me reading.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in dark fantasy, and especially those who want a heroine who isn't just another, perfect "Mary Sue."

Editorial Review:

Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.