Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie

… Reading Joe Abercrombie is always bittersweet for me — I know I’m going to get an amazing story with unique characters told in Abercrombie’s special way. But the wonderful writing comes with a price: you change a little. His books have altered my perception of fantasy literature. Read the rest.

The Silver Skull by Mark Chadbourn

There are times when you read a book that’s so amazing to you that you feel the author had you personally in mind when they wrote it, that’s exactly how I feel about Mark Chadbourn’s The Silver Skull… I admit I was caught by surprise at how much I liked this book. I knew by page 100 that I had something really special in my hands. I recommend Mark Chadbourn’s The Silver Skull to anyone who has a head. This is a must-read, and is my favorite book so far this year. Read the rest.

Dragonfly Falling by Adrian Tchaikovsky

…Empire in Black and Gold introduced you to the players, and set the overall stage… Dragonfly Falling is truly when the dung beetle hits the fan… I am so glad Pyr has decided to release the Shadows of the Apt series in the US, as so far it has been incredibly well written and unique. Dragonfly Falling raises the stakes in every way possible, and I’m excited to see how everything progresses in book 3, Blood of the Mantis. Dragonfly Falling does everything right, and I really can’t find many faults. Tchaikovsky’s writing is top notch and seems to be getting even better. In a genre where a lot of ho-hum stuff gets over-hyped, do not let Shadows of the Apt fly under your radar… Read the rest.

Blood Rites by Jim Butcher

… There are so many great moments in Blood Rites, from demon monkeys throwing flaming poo, battle meetings held in an IHOP, to the endless humorous banter between Thomas and Harry. The events that take place in Blood Rites have a lasting impact that still lingers six books later. Several wonderful characters are introduced, and many existing ones are fleshed out… I cannot recommend Blood Rites highly enough, and I’m excited that Roc is re-releasing it in hardcover. The middle books of the DRESDEN FILES certainly deserve this sort of attention, as they are some of the best books in the urban fantasy genre… Read the rest.

The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed by Patrick Rothfuss

The Princess and her teddy bear, Mr.Whiffle, live in a marzipan castle and spend their days in various childhood adventures such as fighting pirates, squashing stuffed toy rebellions, and hiding from monsters under the bed. Patrick Rothfuss’s simple and cheery writing style and Nate Taylor’s beautifully comic artwork, full of clean lines and lots of little details, add to the childish atmosphere. But The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed is not a children’s book… Read the rest.

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

I’m not quite sure where to begin talking about N.K. Jemisin’s The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. I guess I should start with my pre-reading impressions. This book came recommended to me from a few here at Fanlit, and from many authors and blogs, but I resisted reading it for quite some time. There was nothing in the descriptions that really caught my fancy. It sounded like a typical high or epic fantasy, and even the title, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, seemed to confirm my initial thoughts. I kept thinking, a whole hundred thousand? Will there be a hundred thousand royal family members with a hundred thousand titles? How about a hundred thousand political squabbles? I’m not a big fan of the type of fantasy with long lists of families and loads of political intrigue, and I was so sure that The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms was going to be just like that. I was an idiot… Read the rest.

The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

… When I read The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms I was taken completely by surprise. It was one of those rare moments where I read a book I was confident I wouldn’t like, only to be left speechless at my misjudgment when I was done. I had tremendous expectations for The Broken Kingdoms right from the start. I would even admit to saying my expectations were unreasonable, since there would be no way to repeat the feeling of surprise I had during the first book. Keep that in mind when I say that The Broken Kingdoms is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve ever read… I was horrified, excited, and heartbroken many times over the course of the story. It’s been awhile since I read a book that took me on such a rollercoaster… I listened to this story on Audio CD by Brilliance Audio. They retained Casaundra Freeman from the first book, which I was glad to hear. Oree has a subtle fearlessness that Freeman’s voice portrays very well. Freeman gives life to Jemisin’s characters in a way I think very few could. The Broken Kingdoms is a wonderful story, and is on my shortlist for book of the year. Read the rest.

The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie

I often struggle when someone asks me what my favorite fantasy book is. I’ve read so many great books that it’s very difficult to pick one above all the others. I don’t have that problem anymore. My answer now is easily Joe Abercrombie’s The Heroes. I cannot think of a book I have enjoyed so much on so many levels than The Heroes… If you are familiar with Abercrombie’s work then it will come as no surprise to you that there are no “Heroes” in this story… this book is violent, vulgar, and often absolutely hilarious… I listened to The Heroes on MP3 by Tantor Audio, narrated by Michael Page. Mr. Page does an excellent job with the voice characterizations… I was very pleased with the production and would not hesitate to listen to more from Tantor or Michael Page. Read the rest.

Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer

… Robert J. Sawyer is a master at taking an interesting thought experiment and turning it into a full-length novel. What would a Neanderthal world be like? What would a modern Neanderthal do if he were dropped into our world? It’s fascinating to think about. Sawyer answers those questions in a thoughtful, heavily researched, and entertaining manner. Ponter Boddit is one of the most dynamic and interesting characters I have ever read. He is thoughtful, intelligent, and quick-witted. He is the key to making Hominids an amazing work of fiction, and is a big part of the reason it won a Hugo Award… I listened to this on Brilliance Audio CD, narrated by Jonathan Davis. Davis is smooth as butter, and provides so much life to the characters he reads. I highly recommend getting the audio version of Hominids if you can. Read the rest.

The First Lord’s Fury by Jim Butcher

Grab your helms, shields and swords, fantasy fans. In The First Lord’s Fury, Jim Butcher is taking you to war! In the 6th and final book in the Codex Alera series, Butcher not only takes you to war, but makes you laugh and cry along the way. The First Lord’s Fury is a very suitable ending to what I found to be a most enjoyable fantasy series. Read the rest.

Changes by Jim Butcher

… Be prepared to have quite a bit of the old familiar rearranged in this book. The funny one-liners and humorous situations are still here, but the tone and plot are darker and more dramatic… Changes does just what the title suggests. Fans of the series will look back on this book and remember it as a pivotal moment in the story of Harry Dresden — these events will have a lasting impact. Changes contains some of the most powerful scenes Butcher has ever written. I dare not ruin it by sharing them here, but you will laugh, cry, and often scream at this newest Dresden Files book. I cannot recommend The Dresden Files enough, and if you have not started them yet… you need to get busy! Read the rest.

WWW: Wake (audio) by Robert J. Sawyer

Caitlin is a 15 year old math genius who was born blind. She’s the perfect candidate for an experimental implant that helps her brain interpret the signal her eyes receive. The only problem is that the device does not exactly work as it should: instead of seeing the world around her, she is able to visualize the internet. However, it’s not just the web she sees: there is something else lurking in the background, something alive and growing smarter… Wake has no villains, no action sequences, no nail biting moments; it’s just a heart-warming story about an amazing girl who discovers something unbelievable… The ins and outs of human perception, and the idea of who we are and what our purpose on this earth is, are just some of the big ideas at play in this novel… Read the rest.

The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington

… The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart is not a book I would recommend to many people. I would be too afraid that whoever I asked to read it may no longer want to associate with me. Jesse Bullington has worked very hard to be highly offensive in almost every way imaginable, and I loved every minute of it…  If you are a religious person, I highly recommend you burn this book upon it entering your household. If you don’t want to burn things then just give it to someone you wish to have spend an eternity in hell. The mere possession of this book will quite likely taint your soul… I would quite possibly give everything I own to see this listed on Oprah’s Book Club… Read the rest.

Hellforged by Nancy Holzner

… Deadtown was good, but Hellforged is even better. A superficial glance would suggest that this series is typical leather-clad bad-girl urban fantasy, but that conclusion would be a mistake. Dr. Holzner surprised me in Deadtown with her writing ability, and her original twists on some classic urban fantasy tropes, and Hellforged surprised me by taking everything I liked about the first book a few steps further. The writing is airtight; her characters have been honed to an edge. There is comedy, drama, romance, and a whole lot of ass kicking. Hellforged is the total package, and a superb example of why I still love urban fantasy… If you love urban fantasy, then buy Nancy Holzner’s books right this minute. If you are not sure whether you like urban fantasy, then pick these up the next time you’re in the mood for a change a pace. I think you’ll like them. Read the rest.

The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

I finally got to read Patrick Rothfuss’ The Wise Man’s Fear. Brilliance Audio sent me the audiobook and I was able to squeeze it in on my commute to work. Like many fans of The Name of the Wind, I was anxious to see how the story of Kvothe would progress. I was also anxious to see if Mr. Rothfuss could “call down lightning” twice. To say the least, I was not disappointed… I listened to The Wise Man’s Fear on Brilliance Audio CD. It clocks in at a massive 43 hours stretched over 36 discs. It is huge. The story is narrated by Nick Podehl, and he does a wonderful job. He can be a bit dry at times, but overall his tone is perfect for the somewhat aloof Kvothe. If you usually hesitate to purchase audiobooks due to the price, I strongly suggest you pick this up because 43 hours of an amazing story is well worth the $30 you’ll spend on it. Let me repeat that in case you didn’t catch it….43…FORTY THREE…hours…long. That’s over an entire work week or almost two entire days of fantasy storytelling. Read the rest.

Ghost Story by Jim Butcher

Writing this review is going to be impossible without spoiling some of the series for those who have not read through Changes, just a little warning. The title of this book, Ghost Story, does a pretty good job of revealing the entire premise of the story… in Ghost Story we fall back into the structure of the pseudo detective noir novel that we are used to. That’s a good feeling. Changes was amazing, and it certainly shook things up. However, I was surprised at how much I missed that familiar Dresden feel. Ghost Story tries to bring the Dresden universe back to some state of normalcy... it continues in the trend of mixing suspense, mystery, drama and humor… I’ve reviewed a lot of the Dresden books and I’m finding it more and more difficult to find different ways to say how awesome these books are. They changed the way I read fantasy… You must read these books. You have to read The Dresden Files. That is all. Read the rest.

Southern Gods by John Hornor Jacobs

… John Hornor Jacobs sets a furious pace in Southern Gods. It doesn’t let up till you hit the epilogue. I was sent an audio copy of this from Brilliance Audio, and I was so desperate to keep reading the story that I actually purchased the Kindle version to read on my phone when I was not able to listen to the audio. While reading this book I ran a gamut of emotions. I was excited, amused, scared, and also totally disturbed. I’ve read some messed-up stuff, and Southern Gods was the first to give me serious nightmares… I recommend Southern Gods to fans of both horror and dark fantasy. At 300 pages it is a bit short. With some more space I believe Jacobs would have made the story flow even more smoothly. I would also recommend the audiobook version. The story is read by Eric Dove, and he is amazing. A voice actor can make or break a story, and Eric made this book a thrill to listen to… Read the rest.

Agents of Light and Darkness by Simon R. Green

… Agents of Light and Darkness is a short book (as are most of the Nightside books) and a very enjoyable read. The pacing is much like the first — fast and fun. There are a ton of cool and colorful characters such as Suzie Shooter, Razor Eddie, The Collector, and many more. I look forward to seeing how these characters develop through the series. If you enjoy a fast-paced urban fantasy, try the Nightside series. Read the rest.

Bleak History by John Shirley

…Bleak History delivers on many levels in a way that reminds me of Jim Butcher’s Storm Front. John Shirley’s got something special here, with loads of promise. I think these characters have more stories to tell, so I’d love to read more books set in this world… I highly recommend John Shirley’s Bleak History to any urban fantasy fan who enjoys a straight forward plot, interesting characters, and a fast pace. Read the rest.

Nightingale’s Lament by Simon R. Green

The Nightside stories are so hard boiled that it’s hard to put in perspective, but I’m going to try anyway: If you took Dashiell Hammett’s corpse, rolled it in batter, then deep fried it till black, you would have a pretty good approximation of what Simon R. Green is going for.  Read the rest.

Deadtown by Nancy Holzner

When FanLit interviewed Nancy Holzner last month, I thought she sounded so nice, and her debut, Deadtown, sounded awesome. While shopping that night at my local Wal-Mart, I noticed Deadtown on the shelf, so, naturally, into my cart it went, and I started reading as soon as I got home…. Deadtown holds up quite well against the best in the genre. It’s really an exceptional start of a new series. I’ll be eagerly waiting for the sequel. Read the rest.

Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky

I’ll be honest; I struggled with the beginning of this book. I even tried to pass it off to other reviewers. I felt that I wasn’t jiving with the whole premise. I kept reading because I recognized quality writing and hoped that in itself would endear me to the story. Well, it did. I was so glad I didn’t set this one down. Adrian Tchaikovsky’s characters and world grew on me and I finished the last ¾ of the book in half the time it took me to read the first ¼… If you are growing a little tired of the medieval sword-and-sorcery style fantasy world, you should certainly give Empire in Black and Gold a read. It’s a unique piece… Read the rest.

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

… Silver Borne, the fifth book in the series, continues the story of Were-Coyote and VW mechanic Mercy Thompson. With each installment Mercy has found herself in deeper trouble, and Silver Borne carries on that tradition with enthusiasm… Patricia Briggs’ books are fast-paced, and Silver Borne reads as one of the fastest. The mystery begins almost immediately and leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat till the climactic conclusion… Fans of the series will not be disappointed in Silver Borne, and new readers should start Mercy Thompson now before they get too far behind… Read the rest.

Way of the Wolf by E.E. Knight

Post-apocalyptic science fiction is one of my favorite sub-genres. Finding a good fantasy equivalent can sometimes be difficult, as it usually gets classified as science fiction. E.E. Knight’s Way of the Wolf has vampires and magic, and clearly falls into the category of fantasy. It also is about a post-nuclear United States with aliens, and scattered communities of humanity fighting for survival. It’s a strange mix, but it all works out well… I loved the book and its audio adaptation. Those of you who straddle the line between fantasy and sci-fi will find a nice home in Way of the Wolf. It’s an action-filled, somewhat male-centric perspective of life under alien vampire overlords. Christian Rummel was a perfect fit to read the audio version, and I look forward to listening to/reading the rest of them. I have yet again been hooked into another great series! Read the rest.

Neverland by Douglas Clegg

… Neverland is an intense read. Douglas Clegg does a masterful job of capturing the feel of a hot Georgia summer… The characters were also colorful and engaging… I found Neverland, which would be marketed as dark fantasy or horror, to be a nice diversion from what I typically read…  But it’s not the scare factor that makes Neverland special — it’s how the story is told. Clegg’s masterful weaving of reality and imagination through the mind of a child leaves you unsure of what’s the product of an overactive imagination or actually something evil… I highly recommend you give Neverland a try. Its unique voice is something to be experienced and it will appeal to horror and fantasy fans both… Read the rest.

Putting this one up again: We forgot the link the first time! Sorry!

Choice of the Cat (audio) by E.E. Knight

… Valentine is placed in one tight situation after another, and usually cracks a few heads to get his way out. It’s fun, a tad bawdy, and exactly what you want from this type of book. There are books that enlighten you, make you cry, or try to change you for the better. Then there are the books that just kick ass and chew bubble gum, and are all out of bubble gum (thank you Duke Nukem). Choice of the Cat is that second type of book. There are no elves, no fairies, and no magical glades of wonder. Guns, explosions, punches to the face, and just a touch of the human spirit are what you get in the VAMPIRE EARTH series… a fun book and a very nice addition to Brilliance Audio’s library of titles. Highly recommended to those who like action-adventure type SF&F… Read the rest.

Dead Beat by Jim Butcher

… Jim Butcher’s Dead Beat is another one of the “middle” Dresden books that I love so much. Just about the time when most series start getting stale, The Dresden Files gets better. Dead Beat continues the tradition of one-upping the action from the previous novel. Harry seriously gets to unload on the bad guys, and the battles take place around some of the most iconic Chicago landmarks. While I was at a Jim Butcher book signing, someone asked Jim which of the books he would like to see turned into a motion picture. His answer was Dead Beat. The story is still early enough in the Dresden universe to begin a movie with, and the effects and action would be amazing… Read the rest.

WWW: Watch (audio) by Robert J. Sawyer

…The feeling Wake left you with would be impossible to recreate in a sequel, and I’m glad Sawyer didn’t try. He instead gives the reader different feelings, and a different message… Watch does feel a little preachy at times. There are whole sections of dialog that feel a little forced in their message. It felt like Sawyer had these sweet ideas, but had a hard time finding a good place to put them. So, did I like Watch? Yes, a great deal. Did I like it more than Wake? No… I listened to this book in the CD audio version released by Brilliance Audio…  Kudos goes to the actors for delivering some rather difficult dialog. I’m looking forward to listening to Wonder, which will feature the same cast… Read the rest.

Discord’s Apple by Carrie Vaughn

… Discord’s Apple is a straightforward tale featuring the classic themes of love, friendship and sacrifice, played out by classic characters drawn from sources ranging from the Greek mythos to Arthurian legend. When I first read the back cover I was expecting to find worn-out clichés within. I figured there would be timeless true love, sacrificing heroics, and predictability of the kind one might expect of a story that contains several legendary heroes. I was sort of right — I did indeed get everything I expected — but the classic tropes were employed in a refreshing and unexpected way… I enjoyed listening to this a great deal, and highly recommend the audio version. Read the rest.

World’s End by Mark Chadbourn

…World’s End is quintessential contemporary dark fantasy. The story setting is a mix of modern day society and various elements from mythology. It’s quite obvious Chadbourn has done his homework, given how well he links all these mythological pieces in with modern theological and philosophical concepts. Chadbourn creates a unique, believable, and complex tapestry of myth and folklore for this world. He pulls this off extremely well and authors-to-be should take note, because it’s this kind of detail in world building that writers often miss in their stories… I’m amazed that Mr. Chadbourn’s books don’t get as much attention as they should. I see vampire/zombie trash all the time cluttering up shelves. The Age of Misrule series blows away a large portion of bestselling fantasy available today. I look forward to reading the next installment, and only regret I didn’t read it sooner. Read the rest.

Beyond Exile by J.L. Bourne

Welcome back to the zombie apocalypse!… J.L. Bourne steps up his game in Beyond Exile and really weaves a great story. Bourne backs off a little from the “dear diary” premise of Day by Day Armageddon, and the story is no longer solely delivered through the journal entries. There are extended dialog and action sequences, neither of which is as prevalent in the first novel. Relaxing the rules of his first person narrative has allowed Bourne to tell his story in an exciting way. Bourne doesn’t hesitate to write dialog or give details that would not be normally be transcribed in someone’s journal. While I was pretty ho-hum about the first book, I found myself enjoying Beyond Exile a great deal. This is quality writing, and Bourne has taken the Zombie Apocalypse premise and has made a little niche of his own… Beyond Exile makes for a great listen, and audio may be the best way to experience the zombie apocalypse. Read the rest.

Valentine’s Rising by E.E. Knight

Valentine’s Rising takes place immediately following the disastrous end of the previous novel, Tale of the Thunderbolt. The disaster was widespread and has changed Southern Command forever, and David Valentine and his remaining men must find ways to survive the situation. Valentine’s Rising is a tale of espionage, sacrifices, and all-out war. E.E. Knight sticks with the same format he’s always used in the Vampire Earth novels: plenty of action, hard choices, and cool characters… E.E. Knight’s no-nonsense writing style is solid and makes for a fun and quick read… Christian Rummel is the permanent voice of the Vampire Earth characters in my head… Read the rest.

Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey

I’m not sure what’s wrong with me lately. I keep finding myself reading some gloriously blasphemous works of fantasy literature. I reviewed Jesse Bullington’s The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart and accepted that it could very well show up as a stain on my soul’s credit report. Now, having just finished Richard Kadrey’s Sandman Slim, I might as well file eternal bankruptcy… James Stark grew on me, and by the end of the story I ranked him among my favorite characters in fantasy literature… Sandman Slim hit the bull’s-eye for me. It contained humor, a gritty style, and a fast pace — everything I love about urban fantasy. Read the rest.

Side Jobs by Jim Butcher

Side Jobs is a collection of short stories from The Dresden Files… Since it’s for fans, one of the most enjoyable parts of this collection is the opening comments by Butcher prior to each story. He provides some personal insight into the making of the story and The Dresden Files as a whole. Side Jobs opens with the first story ever written about Harry Dresden (which Mr. Butcher wrote as a writing assignment for a class at a local university) and progresses chronologically in the Dresden Universe. Along the way you get treated to some real gems… Most of the stories are meant to be as Butcher said: “simple, straightforward fun,” and mostly it’s the novellas that take a more serious tone. I listened to Side Jobs on MP3 audio from Penguin Audio (downloadable now). James Marsters returns as the voice of Harry Dresden and he’s fantastic, as always… Read the rest.

Valentine’s Resolve by E.E. Knight

… Valentine’s Resolve is a typical Vampire Earth novel, which is a good thing. At this point in a series it’s always great when the story is still fresh. E.E. Knight adds enough twists to keep the pages turning, and just enough drama to squeeze your heart a little. Great characters and good storytelling make this another solid edition to the tale of David Valentine. I’ve read six of these books now and all have been a positive experience…. These stories are like a favorite TV show that I anxiously await for each installment. You become so attached to the characters that you cringe with every bump they take. You definitely should pick up a Vampire Earth novel if you are looking for a fun and gritty read… I listened to Valentine’s Resolve on Audio CD from Brilliance Audio. It is read by Christian Rummel, who is manly man voice incarnate. Nobody in the business can go from sweet southern belle to battle-hardened drill sergeant like Mr. Rummel can. Congratulations to Rummel and the production team on another job well done. Read the rest.

Wereworld: Rise of the Wolf by Curtis Jobling

…It has been awhile since I’ve read something in the young adult category. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy the simple way these stories are told. The drawback of its simplicity is that the plot is quite transparent — I knew what was ultimately going to happen by the end of the second or third chapter. Even so, it was still a very enjoyable journey. Despite my initial reservations about the simple plot, I found myself excited to come home from work and buzz through a few chapters before bed… If I had stumbled across Rise of the Wolf at an earlier age, it might very well be listed as one my favorite books… Read the rest.

Shadowmarch by Tad Williams

… Shadowmarch is essentially one ginormous prologue. It is in this book that you become intimately familiar with all the major players in the Shadowmarch series. It is a very entertaining read despite the fact that its main purpose is to set you up for the remaining books…  Don’t run away just yet, it’s not as bad as it sounds! Tad Williams is amazingly adept at weaving complex stories in a digestible manner. I ran away from huge epic fantasies because I was growing weary of books filled with overly complex family lineages and violently tragic storylines. Shadowmarch has been my antidote, and has renewed an excitement for long epic fantasy… I listened to Shadowmarch on audio CD by Brilliance Audio. Shadowmarch is narrated by Dick Hill, and he is nothing short of brilliant. Mr. Hill is one of those voice actors who act their parts rather than simply read them. I was enthralled with his performance. I actually own the print version and have never read it, but when Brilliance sent me the audio version I could no longer ignore it. I will continue to choose the audio version over the print version for Shadowmarch. Read the rest.

Shadowplay by Tad Williams

Shadowplay is the second book in Tad Williams‘ massive epic fantasy series, Shadowmarch. The plot was just starting to get really interesting when the first book ended, so I was eager to start Shadowplay. Things have gone awry in the March Kingdoms… I’m not normally a reader of classic epic fantasy, since I often find things like family lineage, court politics and over-dramatic heroic battles boring. This series has all of this, but this time it seems to work for me. I’m being entertained despite the fact that this is territory I’ve visited many times before… There is a simple purity to Tad Williams’ writing that’s difficult to put my finger on, but the characters are what really make Shadowplay great… I listened to this on audiobook by Brilliance Audio. It was narrated by Dick Hill, who makes it a fun and exciting listen… Read the rest.

Zoo City by Lauren Beukes

The main character of Lauren Beukes’s Zoo City is a former freelance journalist named Zinzi December. Zinzi is cool, intelligent and carries some big mental baggage. Despite her flaws, you will love her almost immediately… The South African setting is unique, and I was completely immersed in the world. Beukes paints a hip and gritty view of Johannesburg that is totally captivating. Her writing is sharp with detail, but never overburdened with description… My experience with Zoo City was one to be remembered… Beukes is a gifted writer. Her abilities with description and dialog alone put her in a special category. Zoo City is a clever and unique piece of fiction, and a fantastic addition to the Angry Robot library. I listened to Zoo City on CD from Brilliance Audio. The narration is done by Justine Eyre. Justine does a wonderful job giving life to the characters, and I highly recommend the audio version of this book. Read the rest.

Something From the Nightside by Simon R. Green

I picked up Something From the Nightside on Jim Butcher‘s recommendation and I enjoyed it for what it was: not high literature, but a fast fun read. John Taylor is a private detective with a gift for finding things. He takes a case about a missing girl that forces him to confront his past and enter the Nightside. John Taylor has a serious reputation in the Nightside and he thought he had left that world behind years ago. Now it seems he has to return, and he uses his old contacts and his dubious reputation to crack the case. Read the rest.

The Morganville Vampires (Glass Houses & The Dead Girl’s Dance)

… The Morganville Vampires books are definitely intended for teenage girls. I suffered through several detailed descriptions of hunky dudes with windblown hair, various shoe selections, and lots of kissy-face action. But I knew what I was getting into and, to be honest, none of the girly stuff was overdone. I felt that Rachael Caine wrote the extremely smart 16-year-old perspective rather well. I enjoyed The Morganville Vampires books, even though I’m way outside the intended demographic. Read the rest.

Shadow Prowler by Alexey Pehov

Shadow Prowler is classic epic high fantasy which uses common fantasy characters – elfin princesses, cantankerous dwarves, burly warriors, and even a selection of enigmatic wizards. This fact alone will be enough to turn off some readers. Add in the fact that they are on a quest for a unique magical item in order to stop a faceless evil wizard and his army, and that just might be all you need to know to give Shadow Prowler a pass (see Stefan’s review). I, however, enjoyed how Pehov turned these classic themes into an enjoyable story with its own unique personality… Read the rest.

Brooklyn Knight by C.J. Henderson

CJ Henderson‘s Brooklyn Knight proves to be a very entertaining read… Brooklyn Knight is essentially an action/mystery, with fantasy elements thrown in. I enjoy this style of urban fantasy more than any other. I like the adventure, mystery, humor, pseudo-historical aspects, and the limited magic — they combine to make a really fun story! Read the rest.

Blood of the Mantis by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Things begin to slow down some in Blood of the Mantis… feels a little wanting after the first two books’ onslaught of awesomeness. Blood of the Mantis is not a bad book by any stretch of the imagination; it’s just not as good as the first two. It had some seriously high standards to meet after Dragonfly Falling… Tchaikovsky has set himself up with a beautiful and amazing world to play in… Blood of the Mantis may be a bit of a stumble in the series, but it’s a very small stumble. I’m very excited for book 4, and I get the feeling my reservations about Blood of the Mantis will be quickly forgotten… Read the rest.

Tale of the Thunderbolt by E.E. Knight

… Those who enjoyed the earlier books in the VAMPIRE EARTH series will enjoy this one, too. My only complaint was Valentine’s slight attitude change, but ultimately it’s a very minor complaint. The story is still exciting and action-packed. There is a bit more descriptive sex in this one than there was in the previous two, but it’s not overdone. E. E. Knight’s ability to tell an action-filled story remains consistent, and he adds a few more interesting characters to his ever-growing stable… Since the story ends on a cliff hanger, I am looking forward to the next installment in the VAMPIRE EARTH series. I want to keep listening to it on CD, but it won’t be released until next month (7/15/2010)… Read the rest.

Kill the Dead by Richard Kadrey (audio)

Richard Kadrey’s Kill the Dead is the sequel to Sandman Slim, and James Stark has been keeping himself busy working for various entities in order to pay the rent. The Devil is one of the entities that makes use of Stark’s services, and he wants Stark to serve as his bodyguard while he’s in town on business. Stark is forced to juggle the obligations of both Heaven and Hell, and manages to place himself in the middle of a conflict that started at the dawn of time… Kadrey continues the gritty shit-kicking approach to writing that made the first novel so great… The plot of Kill the Dead is fun and exciting. Kadrey uses a few Urban Fantasy staples, but does so in creative ways… to create a truly unique universe… The audiobook is voiced by MacLeod Andrews who sounds abrasive with a sarcastic edge, the perfect voice to portray Stark… Kadrey has an awesome writing formula and has solidified Sandman Slim as one of my favorite fantasy characters… Read the rest.

The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes edited by John Joseph Adams

In this collection of stories, compiled by John Joseph Adams, a variety of authors invent cases that Sherlock Holmes might encounter if our world were just a bit different. These are cases in which the “improbable” occurs. Most of the stories involve some sort of fantastical situation in which Holmes is required to go outside of his normal logic-based abilities and enter the realm of fantasy… I had a lot of fun listening to this anthology, and the production quality was flawless. My hour-long commute to work went by much more quickly, and for that I’m grateful… Read the rest.

Day by Day Armageddon by J.L. Bourne

…J.L. Bourne has not brought anything new to the table as far as zombie lore goes. He sticks to the fundamentals laid out by George A. Romero’s films. These zombies are slow, stupid, and they bite. They also moan and shuffle around. Many zombie fans see this as a purist’s approach to zombie fiction; I see it as unoriginal. However, despite the lack of an original premise, I was able to enjoy the story quite a bit…  Zombie fans will adore Day by Day Armageddon… Personally, I’ve never been all that frightened by zombie stories… Of all the possible Armageddons, a zombie apocalypse is at the bottom of my anxiety list. Shuffling moaners that cannot turn a doorknob are nothing more than target practice. However, a robot army apocalypse is another matter entirely, or even worse… sentient squirrels. Read the rest.

Valentine’s Exile by E.E. Knight

…Valentine’s Exile is a standard addition to the Vampire Earth series. Like the rest of the series, it is a violent romp through a post-apocalyptic war zone of gooey vampires and enemy agents. The Vampire Earth series does many things extremely well. The cast is colorful and unique, and they almost always return for another adventure. The stories are just shallow enough to leave you wanting to read the next installment. However, there are some things they do very poorly, and Valentine’s Exile just happens to be one of the clearest examples of some things I don’t like about Vampire Earth. Characters have a tendency to act out of character in order to move the plot along in a certain directions. E.E. Knight also likes to use courtroom drama to make major plot shifts in the overall story… Despite a few “what the hell?” moments, I did enjoy Vampire’s Exile. Once again I listened to Knight’s story on Brilliance Audio CD. Christian Rummel is the voice talent, and he is, as always, superb… Read the rest.

Blood Trinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love

… I have never read anything by Sherrilyn Kenyon or Dianna Love, so I came into this series with a clean slate. I’m a pretty big fan of urban fantasy and the back cover blurb convinced me this would be a book I liked. The book has a strong heroine, a modern setting, various monsters, and lots of action. All the ingredients that make for a good standard UF novel are here, but that is also its limitation. Blood Trinity doesn’t offer anything that really sets it apart from the field. If you are a fan of the authors or really into urban fantasy, however, then this series opener should be a solid read for you… if you want to read Blood Trinity, I highly recommend the audio version. Read the rest.

Pilgrimage to Hell by Jack Adrian

Pilgrimage to Hell is the first book in the long running Deathlands series… Life as we know it was obliterated in a nuclear apocalypse in 2001. Pilgrimage to Hell takes place several generations after the nukes destroyed civilization… I enjoy a good literary art piece as much as the next book nerd, but sometimes the old gray matter needs a break… well here it is. I’ve been looking for a good action Mad Max-like post-apocalyptic book for quite awhile. A literary masterpiece this most certainly isn’t. Instead, Pilgrimage to Hell is exactly what you would expect it to be. There is lots of bloody action and over-the-top characters, with some bawdy and macabre humor tossed in. If there were a template to be made for “Books for Dudes” this would be the mold to start with… Pilgrimage to Hell is awesome for the very same reasons that Chuck Norris, Rambo, and demolition derbies are awesome. Read the rest.

Master of None by Sonya Bateman

… I loved the concept of the book. I’ve not yet come across an urban fantasy that involves genies. There are plenty of things to like in Master of None: unique concept, humor, and interesting characters. Sonya Bateman does a nice job of making her characters believable with their own personalities. The genies themselves are very cool characters — not like any genie you’d expect. Their powers are limited and are not at all “wish” based. I would have liked to explore more of the Djinn world (we only get a small taste of it), but I’m guessing this will be explored in later books… “Wow sounds great Justin!, but why only 2.5 stars?” Funny you should ask, because I’m about to tell you… Read the rest.

The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

… Paolo Bacigalupi is an extraordinarily talented writer, and he certainly did his research. I have read very few authors who understand the idiosyncrasies of Thai culture. Having spent a lot of time in Thailand and around Thai people (my wife is Thai), I was very pleased to see that Bacigalupi has taken great care in incorporating this research into the story, but in the end it wasn’t enough to keep me interested. I need to identify with at least one central character in order to stay focused on the story. That may be a fault in my tastes, but it proved to be the downfall in my ability to enjoy The Windup Girl. I had a difficult time writing this review. I gave it a DNF (Did Not Finish) not because it was bad, but because it simply wasn’t the book for me at the time I read it… Read the rest.

The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff

… Tanya Huff has a lot of fans, and is obviously a talented author. The Enchantment Emporium is regularly given 4 and 5 star reviews. Our very own Ruth gave it 4.5 stars. I am quite confident the problem with the book is actually a problem with me. I can see no other explanation. I feel like I just tried to read the greatest book ever written and it’s in a language that everyone understands but me. I will probably lose sleep thinking about this book and wonder how I failed it… Tell me Tanya Huff fans, why isn’t this book as terrible as the opening chapter makes it out to be? I took away at least one positive from my experience, and that was Teri Clark Linden. Teri is the voice actor of the Brilliance Audio version of the book. Teri captures the individual personalities of the many characters very well. She uses a Canadian accent for the Aunties that is both amusing and charming. The bickering amongst the Aunties around the kitchen is how I imagine the Palin household might sound like around Thanksgiving,  “Dontchya know.” Read the rest.