Books I’ve read recently (mini-reviews)

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately and not much reviewing.  I know, I know, I’m slacking even more than usual.  My to-read list keeps getting longer and longer!  Some of the following books have been on my can’t-wait-to-read list for a year and some of them are starts to new series by authors I have not heard of or have heard of and simply have not read yet.  Some of them are young adult and some adult, some mystery, some urban fantasy, some light, some dark, but all worth reading.  So sit back and enjoy a beverage while I tell  you about some books you should add to your to-read list!

50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom
Entertaining read about a feisty witch with anger problems and her vampire lover.  Throw in a ghost who smokes, a client who smells so bad the  main character has to throw away her clothes and some fuzzy attack bunny slippers and you have a recipe for a a wild ride of a story.  You should probably consider having the next in the series ready to start when you finish this one.
Rating: 3 stars
Sensuality: some brief semi-graphic sex scenes



Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

This is a dark urban fantasy set in San Francisco, about a half-fae, half-human named October Daye, who tries to pass as human.  The world-building is rich, and well-done, but Toby didn’t really grab me as a heroine.  I get that the author was probably going for an everyday heroine and I whole-heartedly approve of that, it’s a nice change of pace from the super-warrior heroines usually found in urban fantasy but she just seemed too weak.  She also made some really dumb personal decisions that had me shaking my head at her.  I will probably read more in the series but they aren’t on my immediate read list.  It’s a clean book, lots of fairy politics, a good murder mystery and angst.  I loved the setting: it made me want to visit San Francisco even more than I already do!
Rating 3 stars
Sensuality: mentions a few kisses that happened in the past.  No sex.


City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Book 4 in the Mortal Instruments Series for young adults, this continues the adventures of Clary, Jace, Simon, Isabelle and Maia with brief scenes with Magnus and Alec.  I enjoyed this book, no spoilers, but I will say I was screaming in my head at the author for how she ended this book.  This was pretty heavy on teen angst and internal drama but was an enjoyable read.  If you liked the first 3 books in the series, you won’t want to miss the fourth.  Also, if you like the author’s style, you might consider reading a related series, the first of which is out now (the second will be out in December I believe), The Infernal Devices.  I can’t wait until Book 5 comes out!
Rating: 4 stars
Sensuality: a few make-out sessions

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

This book is the first in a trilogy for young adults.  The main character goes to a very exclusive (and small!) private school.  The author introduces us to Maya, her family and friends and introduces some mysterious occurrences.  The book doesn’t go much further than that and sets up the second one, which comes out who-knows-when, to be full of action and mystery with a splash of romance thrown in.  I would probably wait to read this one until  the next one comes out, but it was an enjoyable read.

Rating 4 stars
Sensuality: main character is drugged at a party and makes out with a boy but no sex

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Sookie, where do I start?  Life certainly has gotten complicated for our favorite telepath from Bon Temps!  Her cousin and uncle live with her, she has a telepath cousin that she tries to mentor a bit, work responsibilities, someone who repeatedly tries to kill her, the blood bond with Eric (mmmm Eric) and friendship with Pam and various other supernatural beings.  It will certainly keep a girl busy!

Book 11 in the series begins with a Molotov cocktail thrown into Merlotte’s and the action continues with very little downtime.  We have some surprises in store for us, some are nice some not so nice.  Ms. Harris wraps up some story lines, answers some long-standing questions and appears to be gearing up for a fantastic end to the Sookie series.  Rumor has it there are two more books to come (2 more years to know how it ends waaaaaaah).  I am eagerly awaiting book 12 which will probably be out in May 2012.

Rating: 4 stars
Sensuality: I remember one sex scene, not very long.