Urban Books

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)

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.

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.

Dead as a Doornail (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5)

Charlaine Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 147 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Entertaining 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I became hooked on the Southern Vampire series the moment I picked up the first book. This book was good. I would go so far as to say it was great, but it was not fabulous. I've come to expect fabulous from this author. Not enough appearances by our favorite vampires. I felt as though I had missed reading a book in the series.

Dead as a Doornail 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I laughed my head off. This is great entertainment. Charlaine Harris is a hoot and I am looking forward to more. thank you.

I love Sookie! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I listened to the audio version of this book and I have to say that Johanna Parker (the reader) adds a lot! She has created a Sookie with the soft southern accent we might expect and with just the right amount of sassiness to truly bring her (and her friends) to life. The books and the plots are superficially pretty lightweight. But I just adore the character of Sookie. She is so real and she makes me laugh and cry. There's some profound wisdom in there, too. The author doesn't hit you over the head with it, but it sneaks in repeatedly - often as Sookie is thinking through things like discrimination and friendship. I owe a big thanks to another reviewer who, like me, did not appreciate "Undead and Unwed" but suggested Sookie Stackhouse as an alternative. Charlaine Harris and Johanna Parker are an awesome team and I'm taking 2 more of these on vacation with me!

Editorial Review:

When Sookie's brother Jason's eyes start to change, she knows he's about to turn into a were-panther for the first time. But her concern becomes cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local changeling population-and Jason's new panther brethren suspect he may be the shooter. Now, Sookie has until the next full moon to find out who's behind the attacks, unless the killer decides to find her first.

Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, Book 3)

Patricia Briggs

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 151 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Awesome =D 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Terribly awesome books. CAN'T wait till Bone Crossed comes out in FEBUARY!! The suspense is horrible. There's a sneak peak though at the end of Patricia's Cry Wolf (which was amazing). =D

I love the Mercy series 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

A little shocking towards the end, but I love how strong she is. I can't wait until the next book.

I love this series, it is great. 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Mercy is a shape shifter, but she shifts into a coyoto. She it also torn between two men, Sam who she grew up with and Adam her neighbor. Adam is the leader of the werewolf pack. The book is the third in the series and her former mentorMercy is a shape shifter, but she shifts into a coyote. She it also torn between two men, Sam who she grew up with and Adam her neighbor. Adam is the leader of the werewolf pack. The book is the third in the series and her former mentor is accused of murder and left to rot behind robs for a murder that Mercy knows know he didn't commit, she sets out to prove his innocent. Along the way, she runs into some serious trouble, toward the end of the book, the situation, becomes violent toward mercy, will she survive? Can she be she healed? I looked forward to reading the next book in the series? Do yourself a favor and read this series, you won't be disappointed. Mercy is a shape shifter, but she shifts into a coyote. She it also torn between two men, Sam who she grew up with and Adam her neighbor. Adam is the leader of the werewolf pack. The book is the third in the series and her former mentor is accused of murder and left to rot behind robs for a murder that Mercy knows know he didn't commit, she sets out to prove his innocent. Along the way, she runs into some serious trouble, toward the end of the book, the situation, becomes violent toward mercy, will she survive? Can she be she healed? I looked forward to reading the next book in the series? Do yourself a favor and read this series, you won't be disappointed. is accused of murder and left to rot behind robs for a murder that Mercy knows know he didn't commit, she sets out to prove his innocent. Along the way, she runs into some serious trouble, toward the end of the book, the situtation, becomes viloent toward mercy, will she survive? Can she be she healed? I look forward to reading the next book in the series? Do youself a favor and read this series, you won't be disappointed.

Editorial Review:

When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to shapeshifting car mechanic Mercy Thompson to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not. And she'll have to choose between the two werewolves in her life-whether she wants to or not.

Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6)

Charlaine Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 140 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Definitely Dead 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I love all of Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire books and eagerly await the next one. Sookie is a very likable character and a complete original. Charlaine's vampires and other supernaturals all have depth and are well thought out.

If you haven't read Charlaine's other books, they are wonderful reads too.

Love Charlaine Harris & Sookie Stackhouse 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

If you haven't picked up the Sookie Stackhouse series - do it now! :) These books are great - entertaining and smart, and they flow very easily from one to the next, leaving you wanting more.

If you like these, you will love the Harper Connelly series, and I recently started the Aurora Teagarden and Lily Bard sets, and am enjoying those as well. I can't believe I just "found" Charlaine Harris this year! :)

Editorial Review:

Sixth in the Anthony Award-winning Southern Vampire series.

Spiked with a frothy fusion of romance, mystery, and fantasy, this bestselling series sends the supernaturally gifted cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse to New Orleans, where she has to deal with the legacy of one of her own family and a host of potentially dangerous characters.

Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 2)

Patricia Briggs

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 143 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Vampires and Werewolves and Demons....Oh My! 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

"Like most people that own their own businesses, I work long hours that start early in the morning. So when someone calls me in the middle of the night, they'd better by dying. "Hello, Mercy," said Stefan's amicable voice in my ear, "I wonder if you could do me a favor." Stefan had done his dying a long time ago, so I saw no reason to be nice."

Stefan is Mercy's vampire friend. If you could possibly call a vampire a friend, that is. And yes, she owes him a favor. He had gone to bat for her with his seethe when she had some werewolf trouble, and now he is calling in that favor. Stefan has been asked to investigate the appearance of a new vampire in town. One that didn't ask permission from the seethe, which is a big no-no in the vampire community. And Stefan wants Mercy to come along as a witness, in case something happens. He needs her for 2 reasons. Because she is a Walker, she is virtually immune to the powers of a vampire. And she can shapeshift into a coyote and no one will know who she is.

So Mercy goes along on the meeting. But when they meet up with this vampire, she knows that trouble has come to the Tri-Cities. Not only is he a vampire, but a sorcerer.....that has let a demon inside. He actually had the ability to control Stefan, and he's about the most powerful vampire around. And now this new vampire's bloodlust is causing a rather large body-count. Which for a group of vampires that don't want the human world to know their existence is big trouble.

What can I say? This is one fantastic series!! Mercy is tough as nails, funny, and exceedingly humble. I just love her! Strong female characters are always good for me, and Mercy is definitely one of the best. The main storyline is fascinating, as we learn a lot more about the vampire community. And Mercy's lovelife is only getting weirder. Not only is she caught in the middle between 2 dominant werewolves, now there is a little something with Stefan the vampire! Blood Bound is ever bit as good as the first book, Moon Called. Maybe better. I can't wait to see where Mercy goes next!!

Editorial Review:

Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places-and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.

But this new vampire is hardly ordinary-and neither is the demon inside of him.

Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Book 2)

Ilona Andrews

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 52 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The magic sizzles! The future is bright for Ilona Andrews! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Futuristic Atlanta: magic wreaks havoc in the city and citizens, human and supernatural alike, prepare for the dreaded phenomena when magic and technology refuse to co-exist and continually fight for dominance. It is a world where you wake up each day not knowing if you'll be able to start your car due to the magic fluctuation or, for those who possess magical powers, your spells will fail when the technology is up and running. It's all part of the citizens' daily life except every seven years, the magical waves intensify and all the complexities associated with it culminates into a build-up called a flare. As all hell breaks loose in Atlanta, greater forces like gods and goddesses battle it out for supremacy. And death to anyone who stands in their way...

Once again, our Kate Daniels is knee deep in supernatural drama as she finds herself helping the local Pack retrieve some stolen maps. As Kate goes map-hunting, she comes face to face with the impertinent culprit who takes delight in confounding her and the local Alpha, Curran. More obstacles are thrown her way when she unexpectedly becomes a babysitter to a young girl whose missing mother may be the key to unravelling the chaos surrounding her. And with two powerful gods vying for the chance to step into the human realm, Kate may be out of her depth. Tough as this mercenary is, she knows that she needs all the help she can get even if that means going to the very man who gives her the chills... in a good and (mostly) bad way.

MAGIC BURNS is a tautly written action thriller filled with supernatural creatures galore! The author conveys the intricacies of this alternate universe with drama and flair. Magic leaps off every page and characters come to life. I thought Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) was an excellent read, but this book totally exceeded my expectations. Ilona Andrews' world is utterly bewitching, captivating the reader right from the start. Kate's character is continuously evolving; the same goes for the secondary characters. Every individual has their place in Andrews' magical world. No secondary character is wasted, everybody is given an opportunity to react and interact and prove their purpose. Indeed, the author has given us such intriguing characters leaving you hanging on to see what she has in store for them.

A word of caution though that the violence and mayhem in this book equates to splatter horror. It is graphic and horrific and Andrews doesn't gloss over the details. If you don't mind these, then I guarantee that this is a great reading experience that packs a terrific punch.

Editorial Review:

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels knows how waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta's paramilitary clan of shape shifters, she quickly realizes much more is at stake. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug of war between two gods hoping for rebirth, and if Kate can't stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive.

The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes

Neil Gaiman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 128 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Best..............Ever. 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I think my title to this little review says it all. I've read Marvel comic works by Neil Gaiman before, and I have also read his novel "American Gods". This blows them away. It also blows all other comics that I have read out of the water as well. This may anger some people, but it's even better than Moore's "Watchmen" and any of the fine works by Miller and others. This first volume of Sandman was not just a comic to me. It was like a gift that Gaiman gave to the world. He may not have created Morpheus, but he crafted him and gave him life. The same is true with his little sister Death, who he actually may have invented, I'm not sure, and Cain and Able, the House of Mystery and the House of Secrets. I am talking really heartfelt stuff here. It's creepy, it's beautiful, it's haunting, it's lovely, it's painful, it's romantic, it's gothic, it's modern, the list could go on and on. It's just Gaiman at his best and I am really looking forward to enjoying the rest of the series. I would recommend it to anyone who likes good literature. Because that's what this is here. It's not just a comic, it's a graphic novel. A story told with words and pictures. The art is fantastic as well, but even without it, I feel that Gaiman still could have created a gem here. Five billion thumbs up.
Peace and Love,
Jake

Editorial Review:

"Wake up, sir. We're here." It's a simple enough opening line--although not many would have guessed back in 1991 that this would lead to one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comics of the second half of the century.

In Preludes and Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman weaves the story of a man interested in capturing the physical manifestation of Death but who instead captures the King of Dreams. By Gaiman's own admission there's a lot in this first collection that is awkward and ungainly--which is not to say there are not frequent moments of greatness here. The chapter "24 Hours" is worth the price of the book alone; it stands as one of the most chilling examples of horror in comics. And let's not underestimate Gaiman's achievement of personifying Death as a perky, overly cheery, cute goth girl! All in all, I greatly prefer the roguish breaking of new ground in this book to the often dull precision of the concluding volumes of the Sandman series. --Jim Pascoe

Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 1)

Jeaniene Frost

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 85 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Tremendously good beginning 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Cat is a young half human half vampire who spends evenings staking out every vampire she can set eyes on. She does this as revenge for the rape of her mother by a vampire five months before her premature birth. She also hopes of stumbling upon and killing her father. Her mother encourages her to do this, which really seemed warped to me, this human mom all out for vengence. Then Cat meets Bones. Bones gets the best of her in a match and forces her to team up with him. Only this time, she can only kill the vampires he approves of. Namely, the bad vamps. He explains to her that there are two kinds of vampires. Those that feed because the must and then leave people uninjured, and those that try to harm humans in every way possible. Under their common mission, Cat and Bones grow from a wary working relationship to genuine friendship, to possibly love. This is the story of their relationship, the relationship between Cat and her mother, and also Cat's self-awareness in who she really is. Add in tons of bad guys doing sickening things to people and some great action and what we have is a winner. I like Cat and Bones and it was easy to cheer for them. My only complaint is that the book took longer for me to read then normal and I'm not sure why. This didn't keep my reading nonstop like many of my favorites do. I don't want to discourage paranormal readers from grabbing this book up and I give it a strong four stars.

Editorial Review:

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father—the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.

In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner—are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.