Kelly Armstrong: Men of the Otherworld

Men of the Otherworld
Kelly Armstrong
Published January 27, 2009 by Spectra
ISBN: 0553807099
369 Pages

Synopsis
A six year old boy came across a werewolf and asked to be bitten, deciding it would be better than his current situation. Clayton didn't count on becoming a wild child, barely able to survive in the woods on his new wolf instincts.  Years later, someone came along and took an interest in the strange wolf-child. Jeremy tamed the little beast and initiated him into a pack of 'civilized' werewolves. Throughout time, trials, and tests of everyone's patience, eventually Clayton earned his place as one of the most loyal and fearsome members of the Pack.



Musings
Out of all of Kelly Armstrong's Otherworld characters, the wolves are my absolute favorite. This book is a compilation of short stories surrounding the Wolf Pack's men. The best part, we find out about Clayton's childhood. How he became a werewolf, how he met Jeremy, and where and why that undying sense of loyalty was developed. 

I particularly enjoyed these stories because you get to better understand the way Clayton thinks. He is a wolf, inside and out. His choices and actions are driven by instinct, but human sentimentality and empathy are not in his emotional toolkit--and that's okay.

After reading about Clayton's childhood in Infusion, Savage, and Ascension - we get to find out more about Jeremy's special abilities in Kitsunegari. In Clayton's case, we got to find out when he was bitten, but in Jeremy's we found out about how he was conceived, and where his strange powers of perception come from.

I would recommend this series of short stories to anyone already familiar with Kelly Armstrong's Wolf Pack. Overall a great read adding depth and value to the full length novels.

-Rita

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Lynsay Sands: The Reluctant Vampire

The Reluctant Vampire
Lynsay Sands
Published May 31st, 2011 by Avon
ISBN: 978006189459
365 Pages

Synopsis
This is the 15th installment in the Argeneau vampire series, and this time, the two intended are both vampires, and both have a lot of history (not with each other). Drina is a rouge hunter from a distant side of the family, and is stuck playing babysitter to a teenage vampire(Stephanie). But through this gig she gets to meet Harper, her fellow babysitter - and he just may turn out to be her lifemate.  Harper is reluctant just having lost a lifemate, but the sassy teen vamp is going to help the couple get a chance at happiness, while bringing Drina into the 21st century, exposing her to friendship, and battling a rouge along the way.
Musings
When I started this book, I felt like I missed something, and actually had to go back and see if I missed a book in the series. I didn't, there is just a bit of back story to tell. I think it could be picked up as a stand alone, but there is a lot to be said for reading the series in order.

All said, Drina is pretty awesome. Her long life history reads like it's own novel: Egyptian perfume maker, gladiator, pirate, madam... She is sassy and smart, and you really invest in her character. Her love interest, Harper, is a bit one-dimensional, but lovable. Stephanie, a ensemble character becomes one of the stars of the novel through her wit and spunk. There are a lot of cute moments in this book, which keep it light hearted, and if I may say it 'real.'  Sands doesn't depend too much on the concept of fated mates, and allows the reader to see the relationship grow - even though you can guess exactly where it is headed.

The story is fun, romantic, and a quick read. I would totally recommend it! 3.5 stars.

-Rita

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Anne Bishop: Sebastian

Sebastian (Ephemera #1)
Anne Bishop
Published March 6, 2007 by Roc
ISBN: 0451460960
464 Pages


Synopsis
This story was about Sebastian, a succubus who stumbled into a dark landscape where he felt more at peace and at home than anywhere else. He dreams of a woman who calls to his soul, and begins a journey with his friends and family to defeat a darkness unlike any he has ever known, and maybe find love along the way.






Musings
So.. Wow and dang.
The first book was very good. It had the promise to be just as juicy and immersible a world as the Black Jewels realm, but by the time I got half way through, it felt like Bishop had gotten tired of the story and just wanted to wrap it up.

Ephemera has so much potential. A world of Bridges and Landscapers, who's emotions and heart wishes literally shape the world around them. Their environment can only be as bleak or as dark as the deepest part of their hearts. The big evil still needs some hope or light to survive, and a life without the light AND the dark is no life at all. Both exist equally and balance each other out.

Landscapers are the female dreamers who shape their landscapes and align the pieces of a shattered world. If they feel grass should grow or a desert should prevail, then the world changes at their whim. If they get angry, stone and rock is produced - but, it is not as simple as "I want that" - no, it is based on the true emotions and desires of the heart. A Landscaper must learn to control her emotions, lest a spat with a sibling turn into a yard full of pebbles.

Bridges are the male counterparts who string the landscapes together. They create stationary bridges between pieces of the world so that a person can cross a bridge in one place, and take a single step into a faraway land. The catch, the landscapes must resonate with each other. They must be in harmony.  Bridges can also create resonating bridges, which transport the passenger to the place their heart chooses. If they want to go to point A in their brains, but feel point B in their hearts, they are much more likely to end up at point B, or even point C.

This is a fantastic story, but if you have invested in some of Bishop's other works, it feels a little wattered down.

The next installment is due for release in March 2012. Read more on Anne Bishop's website.

See Also:

<-- to be released March 2012.



I would recommend it only to those NOT familiar with Anne Bishops other works. These don't have her full heart, but as standalone reads, they are good.

-Rita

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