The Lost Book of the Grail by Charlie Lovett

Lovett has the wonderful ability to write stories about characters who have an affinity for books and the stories they tell outside of their pages. Reading one of his novels is what it must be like to walk the Chartres Cathedral Maze; a journey into inner reflection on life and it's personal meaning, told to you by characters that are flawed and yet worthy of the reader's affection because of it. If you have ever been enthralled by tales of King Arthur and his Knights, the legend of the Holy Grail, or just sat enraptured by the history that can be found around you, you're going to enjoy this novel. Like in The Bookman's Tale, Lovett's previous novel, there runs the glittering thread of obsession in these pages, tying together a historical mystery that unfolds before your eyes with as much grace as adventure.

This is a story of a little boy who sees a tragedy unfold unaware of its importance. In time another little boy will come along who promises to keep a secret, the magnitude of which has filtered down the distant past to him from many others who guarded it. As he grows into a man dedicated to solving the mystery handed to him by his grandfather, he becomes entrapped by this all consuming search. Unknowingly withdrawn from others he is caught unprepared when a young woman barges into his most cherished sanctum to complete a project that could destroy every thing he's worked so hard for and challenges him to realize that sometimes choices made can be as restrictive as they are freeing.

Based in the city of Barchester, England which was originally invented by Anthony Trollope, Lovett introduces us to the amalgamated history of the creation of its most important heritage, Barchester Cathedral and its amazing library of ancient manuscripts. The Cathedral's history will take us on a hunt for one of the most important religious discoveries of all time. As you turn the pages you will reveal the various threads of obsession and love that Lovett spins into a tale of learning to love and let go. History and fiction meet to create a story that I'm sure Trollope himself would have approved of. Recommend for anyone interested in English historical fiction, religious stories, or just a good read. Add it to your TBR pile and save some time to wallow in the glory of ancient Barchester with Lovett and Trollope.

Library Is A Dirty Word

As a bookseller I am sometimes in the unfortunate position of telling someone that the book they are interested in is not available. Whenever that happens, I always make sure they understand that it may be available on the internet or at their local library for free. Most people will hear free and rush home others will hear library and that's where the fun really starts.

Growing up, my local library was only a couple of blocks away. Having to walk there and back was a ritual I gladly endured as it equated in my mind to being able to return with as many books as I could hold and once I started bringing my " library bag ", that was a lot of books. When I later moved to a new neighborhood, I was disappointed to find that the local library was quite a hike away but my mother assured me that though the distance was greater we could still walk there and back within a few hours. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make. The next time we moved, it was only reachable by several buses or an occasional car trip. This was not a problem however as I determined to endear myself to the librarian who eventually broke the limit on the number of books I could read as I could never deem it possible to only borrow 20 at a time as I never knew when the next chance would be. This was silly of course as the books would need to be returned by a certain date but I was terrified I'd read through the pile way before then. So as I grew up books were always available to me. When eventually as a teenager I discovered bookstores the world virtually bloomed with reading possibilities but I always kept the library as my first resource.

So nowadays when I tell people to check their local library the various reactions I get puzzle me as they can vary from wonder to outright hostility. I have dealt with customers who never even thought to check out their local libraries and have no understanding of how to interact with them. There are others who have looked confused and asked what made us different from a library; I have gently reminded them that the word store is included in our name. People have gasped and stared at me as though I was the great Sphinx come to life with the answer to an age old riddle. And I have had people who have, with great dignity let me know that they DO NOT go to the public library! But the ones I can understand best are the ones that simply inform me they've tried but the book was also unavailable there. In each instance they have unwittingly given me information about their reading styles. As an avid reader knows, you will do whatever you can to get your hands on a coveted title. So, in each case, each one of these customers has given me a glimpse into their inner thoughts and sometimes I wish they hadn't.

Dealing with this as a bookseller is frustrating because the reason I became a bookseller was to share my love of books and reading. Being able to tell someone who is unaware that books are available from many different vendors, libraries, garage sales, and publishers is always a kick as the light of excitement sparks in their eyes. Introducing children who have not had a library card introduced to them as part of their elementary school adventures  is one of the best feelings I get to have over and over, and although I cherish those moments they also make me sad to realize that somewhere along the line, the idea of the library has somewhat fallen between the cracks and in such the love of reading has been malnourished for many and their ability to learn and grow stunted. So, though the word library may garnish me moments of frustration, sadness, or quiet pleasure, I continue to use this seven letter word with impunity. I think the book gods will forgive me in the end. As I remind the children at the end of my story times, the reason that books are so important is that the human soul needs these stories to grow and bring us together. They let us see the world in ways we never could have imagined. They let us dream of endless possibilities and new horizons. They tie us to the stories told on the caves of our ancestors, the fire side stories told by memory of great deeds and ancient heroes. They are the connection to our past and future and they are housed in great temples called Libraries just waiting for the siren call to seduce you into picking them up. So teach yourself and your children to say the word with the reverence and joy it deserves. Visit your local libraries and see them for the treasure troves they are. Bookstores and libraries will never stop being important unless we let it happen. I for one refuse to stop a life long love affair with either.

Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge by Paul Krueger

Chicago is a hell of a town, the Sears Tower, bartenders that make killer drinks, and I do mean KILLER drinks. You see Chicago boasts a rare breed of bartender, mixologists who create drinks that help them fight off more than a patron's blues, they literally help keep the demons at bay. In this Chicago any place you find yourself five sheets to the wind you'll find yourself being trailed by tremens who would like nothing else but a drink themselves; your animus steeped in the drink of your choice. After all, even demons need to let loose.

In this unique novel you'll meet Bailey who is just out of college and ready to become the successful business woman who lunches, has pedicures, and runs the world, all at the same time. She's back home and ready to launch her career but in the meantime she needs to make money by being a bar back at her best friend's family bar while she plans her ascent. What she doesn't know is that she is about to become part of the main resistance to an influx of tremens that is building up to inflict itself on unsuspecting Chicago just in time for Halloween. Bailey's life is about to take a swing for a much different path than she thought and along the way she will meet mixologists who call themselves the Alechemists who are trying to attain the ultimate cocktail, a Long Island Iced Tea. This is not your parent's drink but one that will give the one who drinks it ultimate power and could be the only thing to save Chicago.

This book is a fun read, perfect for those just out of school, ready or not to face their futures. The uncertainties, the pressure, and the bumps in the road are all here waiting for you to commiserate over and if you feel like you might need a drink to help you along, let The Devil's Water Dictionary, which the author graciously includes, show the exact recipes the mixologists use to mix up some of the strongest cocktails around. Full of humor this is a great read for anyone. Would fit nicely onto the bookshelf by your Harry Dresden books.

The Forbidden Wish (The Forbidden Wish, #1) by Jessica Khoury

This is a retelling of the classic Aladdin tale that really lived up to the challenge. Khoury's tale brings Aladdin and his Genie into a whole new level of story telling. In this version Aladdin is not just a cheeky street rat but a young man who's failure to be the follow up to his father the people want him to be drives him into reckless thievery. Zahra, the geni is not just waiting patiently in the lamp for her next master but has been cast into the lamp as punishment for an act of betrayal that set off historical ramifications across her world. Her story starts even before when a decision made was shown to be a foolish choice within itself. When Aladdin frees her, her only thought is how to manipulate him to gain her freedom. Anything else is out of the question. And Princess Caspida is so much more than just the daughter to an ailing king. She is the last line of defense between her people and the cruel intents of her Uncle Sulifer and his son Darian. She is the personification of her people's last embers of hope.

This is a truly classic tale of love, desire, greed, and forgiveness. Well worth reading and adding to your shelf. Khoury has used her love of stories and understanding of people's relationships to bring you a tale of folklore to treasure.

The Black Witch (The Black Witch Chronicles #1) by Laurie Forest

Elloren is grand daughter of one of the most powerful Gardnerian mages to ever live and by all rights she should become the new Black Witch, powerful and capable of becoming the champion of her people. But little do others realize that Elloren may look exactly like her grand mother but she is nothing like her at all. Elloren is incapable of magic in a society that deems it a disgrace to be so. As she is sent to follow her dream of becoming an apothecary at Verpax University where all manner of people are allowed, Elloren comes to realize that her legacy will cast judgement upon her not only by her fellow Gardnerians but also by those who the Black Witch cast down. As she struggles to establish herself without the power of magic she must try to come to grips with the treachery surrounding her and find out for herself who she truly is and who her real friends and who her true enemies are. The world is about to change again and Elloren could be the pivotal point on which it rotates.

This book reflects many real world issues such as racism, addiction, anti feminists views, the struggles of being oneself in a society that judges upon shallow values. It is also an interesting universe with Verpax University at the top of my to visit list after Hogwarts. The main characters are also well crafted. My overall comment is that this story is worth following but I have to admit to having some issues with the pace of the book which lends it to being 601 pages. There were several points in the book where I couldn't stop myself from wishing it had been pruned more, tightened up a bit. However, still worth the read guys, and yes, there will be a second book to look forward too. Elloren is setting up to be a character that could really rock our reading worlds so here's hoping.

Ninth City Burning by J. Patrick Black

What will the future bring? For the denizens of Earth and cities like Ninth it brings a constant threat of alien invasion. War with the Valentines, so called because that was the day they originally attacked Earth is an ongoing effort, held in realms that are spread out beyond Earth itself. Each city is responsible to help hold off incursions with massive guns but it is the people in this new found resistance that are important. There are those who are able to use thelemity, a universal magic, to provide the final protection for those who have no such abilities and they are the ones the aliens need to destroy in order to take over the world.

As we follow Black's story we are introduced to several young people who are engaged in this fight to the death, not all capable of thelemity themselves but bringing forth the fight straight to Valentine as they face the ultimate battle with an enemy who has suddenly changed tactics which will reveal that this war is coming to an ultimate conclusion. The Valentines are tired of war and have amassed for complete decimation of Earth. Mankind's last stand will be seen through the eyes of these few who will determine if we triumph against massive odds.

At first I found this a little grueling to get through but I have to say that by the end of the book you're really invested in these characters who much like you are struggling to live in a hostile world that they care for. Lives are lost and honor bestowed as each of them realizes that to evacuate Earth is not a choice if it means not everyone gets out alive. They will fight for those who cannot or die knowing they tried. Valiant and courageous, they help to overlook any small flaw that trips you up. And did I mention there's semi sentient suits of magical armor? Knights of the future still make great story telling too. Looking forward to the continuation.

House of Shadows by Nicola Cornick

This was provided as an ARC by Graydon House and set to be released on October 17 of this year.

With one phone call in the middle of the night Holly Ansell's life changes forever. Her brother has vanished from his country home without a trace, as though he simply stepped outside for a breathe of air. With her own personal life in shambles, Holly moves into his house to find out what she can to find him. However as she begins to unfold his last moments, Holly begins to realize that the man she thinks her brother was was only a mirage. He had started the search for an ancient jewel tied to the Winter Queen herself and in doing so created repercussions that are still rippling out even as Holly fights to find the answers she needs. When Holly begins to realize there is more happening than she can explain she begins to doubt her own sanity as time and place begin to collude to expose a story centuries in the making of a great evil power, of a last chance at love, and of a quest finally nearing completion. Will the answers Holly uncovers help her to find forgiveness and healing or will the ancient power the jewel claims bring another black end to those involved.

Written by Cornick, who is a guide at Ashdown House, the story is based on the idea that William, First Earl of Craven had the house built for Elizabeth Stuart, The Winter Queen as a token of his love. Cornick has done a remarkable job of joining historical fact with possibility in this story and it was a pleasure to read. A recommend for anyone interested in English monarchy or historical fiction. Could be the next pick for a reading group as there is plenty of non fiction to follow up on in this story as well.

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1) by Laini Taylor

 

Right from the start I fell for this book. Taylor has written the beginning to a story that is crafted for a reader who loves the magic of reading. A young hero who starts as an orphan brought up by monks who have no idea who he is or where he came from. Called Strange as all orphans are, he grows up loving the stories of a fabled land lost to the mists of time. When he is sent on an errand and sees the great library he knows he is where he belongs and so begins the first steps towards what will be Strange's ultimate story. Not yet fully written but page by page his destiny is being intertwined with the very essence of the one story that has enchanted him since he was a small child. The story of Weep, lost to the world for hundreds of years is still being written and Strange will bear witness to its resurgence or its final moments. Along with him will be a coterie of individuals who will be tasked with the impossible job of rescuing Weep from its nemesis, for in the skies of Weep lingers a haunting memory of its worst nightmares and within that nightmare lies the soul of someone who may bring about its salvation. A story of wrongs done, lives shattered, regrets, recriminations, and the shreds of hope that refuse to die. A story about a love that is pure and true and the wrath of revenge that threatens all.

You will not put this book down without the feeling that you have just entered into the beginning of an epic saga. You have just met a new hero the likes of which have not been seen since the times of the ancient Greeks and that thought alone is a reader's dream.

Notes on a Banana: A Memoir of Food, Love, and Manic Depression by David Leite

David Leite's touching autobiography takes a look at himself from a small boy growing up to his present life as the creator of the James Beard Award winning website Leite's Culinaria. Leite introduces us to the happy memories and tribulations that have assailed him. His genuine and candid look at what he would later come to realize as a maelstrom of mental illness and the confusion of sexual identity that began to afflict him from a very young age.

David's family is the perfect example of an immigrants that came to America to begin a better life and were successful. Many would say he had the perfect childhood but that is the whole point of David's story. He was dealing with an illness that he could not even imagine never mind ask for help with and at the same time he began to realize that he felt differently than was considered normal about other boys. The confusion of realizing he was gay in a time when that was considered a moral flaw was hard for him considering he had a mother who he dubbed a bloodhound for Jesus. So even surrounded as he was by loving support from his family, his mental illness and secrets caught him in an undertow of anguish that would follow him for most of his life until being correctly diagnosed helped him fight his inner demons and finding the right person to love helped him conquer his fears.

David Leite is not saying he's perfect or cured. What you will find in here is the story of a young man who was vulnerable and weak and searched for answers, stumbling from one idea to another until he found it at last. This book is a look at the depths that some have to struggle out of and a hope for those who are lost on their own paths. David is a guiding light to learn to accept who you are and not be afraid to ask for help. This is a book about growing into your own identity no matter what. It is at the very end a book about hope and we could all learn a little something from that.

A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3) by V.E. Schwab

I actually finished this book quite a few weeks ago but I had to take the time between that and writing this review to deal with the trauma of this series actually being finished. Like any great read, the moment you realize it's ended is when you're filled with a mix of satisfaction and a sadness at having to say goodbye to a world of characters that hooked you right from the start. Luckily for us you can flip to the first page and start again, and that is really how you know you've found a great book. Schwab is no stranger to writing books that pull you in, placing you right there side by side with characters that are nuanced and full fledged. Your blood races as you tear down back alleys, face sentient magic intent on recreating worlds, or just good old fashioned assassins. Shades of Magic as a series fulfilled that yearning we all have for a grand life adventure not because it was over the top but because you could immerse yourself in the story and become another participant in it. The world created in the series feels like you could sail off the edge of the map and find it waiting for you. Bring me that horizon has never been more apt than when you read the last page of A Conjuring of Light and realize the story's chronicles may stop here but the story itself is far from over.

If you still haven't read this series, get onto it now. Life is short and adventure awaits the daring. A definite recommend from a fantasy lover and bookseller who says pick up this series and rediscover the awe and fascination a good story can bring. Also, make room on your bookshelves, these are keepers.

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3) by Sarah J. Maas

If you are reading this and have not read the first two titles in this trilogy, STOP. Go and immerse yourself in a world of characters that hit so many YES! buttons, you'll swear that they were created from magic themselves. These have been a pleasure to read without question, any little niggling details forgiven when you're on the last page, as you realize you've finished what are probably some of Maas's best books. I won't even try to do a review justice as there are many others who have done an admirable job of pointing out just why this series is so good. The only thing I can tell you is that I have added these titles to my permanent collection and can't wait another year for the next title to suck me back into one of the best fantasy series out there.

Go now and pick up the first book and start reading, if you've read them all as avidly as I have, don't quibble, start re reading them again and look forward to the continuation of this world next year as Maas continues to weave her stories with new adventures.

The Savage Garden by Mark Mills

A young scholar from Cambridge is sent to Tuscany where he will spend the summer preparing a monograph on the famous Docci garden. His professor is convinced Adam will be able to find the truth hidden in the creation of this fifteenth century garden. The current Docci family is welcoming and Adam is set to spend some time enjoying the sun and getting over his broken relationship, but as he delves into the mysterious layout of the garden he begins to realize there is something out of sync with the current history at Villa Docci. World War II has left scars all across Europe and the Doccis are no exception as the sealed off third floor is testament to. A horrible murder took place there and since the day of its happening, it has left a pall lingering over the family.

Adam starts to piece together the secrets of the garden and finds that there are more than just ghosts hidden in it, there is a curse that follows this family and the deeper he digs the closer he comes to the truth of what happened that fateful day on the third floor. Will he be able to bring closure to both mysteries or has he unwittingly stepped into a deadly game of chess as an unknowing pawn? The shadows that linger at Villa Docci mask the tapestry of betrayal that has been years in the making and not everyone wants the truth brought to light.

Although an intriguing mystery and well written, I found it stagnating several times. I I felt as though the story was being told to me by someone who had had to tell it so many times before, they did so now by rote. The overall effect for me was a let down, but as always, check it our for yourself and decide if the Docci mystery is an intrigue worthy of your bookshelf.

Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Illustrated Stories for Children) by Washington Irving, Arthur Rackham

With disturbingly eerie illustrations by Arthur Rackham, this is a great introduction to the classic legend based on the original story by Irving of the small town of Sleepy Hollow in New York. Take a step back and see a bounty of fields and Dutch heritage, a glimpse into a time left behind when the streets we now know so well weren't yet laid down and the swaying grass could hide witches, goblins, and other creatures conjured from superstitions brought over from Europe and twisted to flesh out new worries found in a new land. See the changes of old tradition merging into a new culture blooming forth. Whether you know the legend and just want to revisit it again or you're on your first foray into this story, this is a great version to read before maybe taking the chance and visiting the actual village of Sleepy Hollow. Will you be able to follow Ichabod's ride for his life? You'd be amazed at how much is still there if you know where to look.

The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson

This classical children's story is absolutely lovely. Simply written about a Parisian hobo who is quite happy to live a carefree life under the bridges of Paris among fellow homeless who scrape a living out of the detritus of the City of Light with no ties until the day he meets three children, who along with their mother are trying desperately to survive the winter. Unable to resist the urge to help this family Armand's fate as a drifter is put in jeopardy when he begins to follow his heart and make it his goal to make this Christmas magical.

This is a must read for any child on the rewards of generosity and love given unselfishly. A look at the truth that bad things can happen to good people and that a helping hand is always welcome. Written with care and thoughtfulness, it is a wonderful book to add to any child's library. Illustrated with lively views of Paris and the characters we meet, this really is a little treasure box of hope that can never grow old.

Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West

A fellow reader asked me to read this book along with her, I agreed although quite frankly I was pretty sure that reading about a feminist was not going to be my cup of tea. I came to be pleasantly surprised though to find that I was able to relate quite easily to Lindy's story. Shrill isn't so much a manifesto of feminism as a look at her life growing up and how she has become the outspoken fighter for equality she is now. She relates events from her child hood to the present day with humor and even when she has endured some of the cruelest of oppositions and attacks from haters, trolls, even herself, she has refused to back away from what society has leniently chosen to accept as being acceptable attitudes towards women and others who don't fit the norm of society's expectations. In this book you will come to understand the point of view of someone who has largely suffered being one of the " freaks " of a society who chooses to marginalize those who don't fit the standards of beauty. How being overweight, a woman, or even questioning why things stand as they are, has been a challenge that has created a backlash which at times has become quite personal, even threatening. More importantly though, her story reminds us that we are all worthy of being here and that for every obstacle that we overcome we only prove how true that really is. It is only through the actions of people like Lindy that these issues can be rectified to the benefit of all society.

The Book Thieves: The Nazi Looting of Europe's Libraries and the Race to Return a Literary Inheritance by Anders Rydell, Henning Koch

I picked up this book because I am a self proclaimed bibliophile and wanted to learn about the great libraries that had been plundered during World War II by the Nazis and their allies. What I got instead was a look at the way that bit by bit Germany tried too and almost succeeded in, erasing the very existence of millions of their enemies from the history records completely. What this book does is not only take you along as we try to discover what happened to large, well established libraries but also personal libraries and those of every day people who might just have had a few books they treasured laying around the house. This is a look at the grip that books have had on every civilization on Earth since the beginning, how even when all was being destroyed that didn't fit into the skewed view of the world the Nazis held as their ideology, they still understood how important the written word could be and were determined to build their new world not only on the bones of their victims but on schools and libraries built from the very books that had so lovingly been crafted by those they so loathed.

This book will bring home how whole villages were simply erased off the face of the earth. How books were so much more than just written pages to people who had lost everything and placed so much more on the line to try and save what they could. The stories in here don't just revolve around the books but around the PEOPLE who were lost. This is a heart breaking look at how West and East Europe were treated as different and yet were just as violated by the Nazis and after when the war was won were once again delivered crippling blows by the loss of life and millions of books which simply disappeared forever taking with them wisdom and knowledge that can never be replaced.

Today, well established libraries around the world hold in their collections books that once held hope and promise for readers just like you and me. They don't look any different from the others on the shelf except maybe for a label on the outside that for those who know, carries the truth in plain sight that once upon a time this book belonged to an individual who was destroyed to make room for the vainglory of a nationalistic point of view. They are the sole reminders, tucked away without fanfare of lives lost and we are the poorer for it. For the few determined individuals you will meet in this book who strive to make these stories speak out and be heard this is a never ending struggle, for you as the reader it is a reminder of why we must always be vigilant. The next time you walk into a second hand shop or find a book with a ex libris or written inscription, take a moment to wonder about the former owner because after reading this book you will never be able not too.

Glass Sword (Red Queen, #2) by Victoria Aveyard

This is the second book in the Red Queen series and carries on the story of Mare Barrows and the revolution which she has found herself in the midst of. Being a leader is not what Mare had in mind when she ran for her life. She has been betrayed, seen friends die, killed, all just to survive and now she finds herself at the forefront of the fight, trying to save other red bloods like herself, each one of them on a hit list. Saving them can perhaps keep Mare from having to face the horrors awaiting her and help to defeat the Silvers and their reign of terror. As The Lightning Girl she has become both respected and feared. Mare's greatest secret is that she has become a stranger to herself. Her scars and powers have created her own cage from which she sees herself changing and becoming something that very closely resembles exactly what she is fighting against and when events lead to her worst nightmare she will have to delve deep into her true nature and decide exactly how much of herself she can let go of.

This story continues to provide a gripping, visceral look at events that will determine the future of all and the untold horrors committed by those in power against those who would dare to look forward. Political ambition, world machinations, betrayals, hopes, and schemes are threaded together into a story that continues to deliver on its promise of a spectacular read. A definite recommend.

The King Slayer (The Witch Hunter, #2) by Virginia Boecker

In the conclusion of The Witch Hunter series we find Elizabeth hiding in Harrow from Lord Blackwell, the new King of Anglia. Unfortunately out of sight is not out of mind and both the denizens of Harrow and Elizabeth are only to aware that time is running out for them. The magic that protects Harrow is being infiltrated and everyone is in danger. When an attack is aimed at Elizabeth at her hearing a new truth is revealed, there is a traitor amongst them.

Blackwell is preparing to launch a war against all those who oppose him and Elizabeth has become more important to him then ever for she possesses something that is integral to his thirst for power. What Blackwell doesn't realize is that Elizabeth is no longer the one he seeks and with the need to keep her secret safe and destroy Blackwell, she cannot let herself give in to weakness of body or mind. As she strives to overcome the distrust of those she once persecuted she comes to realize that no matter what she does it can never make up for her past and as John begins to slip away from her she is faced with the only reality she can grasp. She must be what she was trained to be, manipulative, a liar, a killer.

Elizabeth is a full fledged character whose sharp edges are blunted by the fears, hopes, and delusions that we all share. The story line is well developed and full of surprise twists that will make your breath hitch and your heart pound.Each page will entice you further until you realize that Boecker must be a witch herself to ensnare you so deeply in this story.

“I think, in time, you’ll either be my greatest mistake or my greatest victory.”

This is definitely a victory and quite frankly I find myself wishing for once that this was at least a trilogy because when you find a series this good you just don't want to let it go.

Cruel Crown (Red Queen, #0.1-#0.2) by Victoria Aveyard

If you are currently reading the Red Queen series or you've finished the third book and haven't read Cruel Crown you can skip it all together. However, reading these two prequel stories will help to flesh out the characters and give their universe a more in depth feel.

There are two stories in Cruel Crown: Queen Song and Steel Scars.

In Queen Song we come to learn how Cal's mother was chosen Queen, about her life, and her death. We meet young Elara and learn how deep her treachery really runs. And we learn how some things once set in motion are inevitable. Here we see too how deep family ties can run and how Cal is in some ways very like the mother he lost.

Steel Scars brings us to the red blooded Farley, captain in the Red Guard. As we follow Farley we begin to understand more of her background and her determination to help end the Silver Bloods rule. As she sets out to recruit others to the cause and lay down new connections throughout the reaches of the lands she will come into contact with someone unlike any other she has ever met. In turn she becomes the first to realize how important a young girl will be to the cause and the revolution.

Definitely recommend as it really does make Mare and her world much more distinctive and full fledged.

The Turn (The Hollows #0.1) by Kim Harrison

For those of us who read the final book in the Rachel Morgan story line, The Turn is a welcome return to her world that we have been looking forward to. This official prequel sets up the very machinations that lead to the near extinguishing of humanity and the re emergence of those who have hidden from them for so very long. Here are the bare bones of the future Hollows and its denizens and how it all came to be.

Being a Dark Elf and a woman is an obstacle in a world where both are considered inferior. Unfortunately for Trisk being both and having a bitter rivalry with the young Kalamack, things just couldn't be worse. Unless you take into account the decimation of their species. Both are vying to save the Elves from extinction, but there are events happening with those in power and nothing is as simple as it may seem. These two will become pawns in a game that is far beyond their understanding, and as one creates a hope for the world, the other will destroy it in his need for revenge and glory.

A human lab will create a new virus to incapacitate enemies without killing them and Trisk will create a genetically modified tomato that will help to feed the world but Kalamack will be the cause of both combining to form a plague that will take the humans of the world until they are on the precipice of extinction. As Trisk fights to stop the plague, Kalamack will deceive every step of the way to make sure she is blamed for the disaster, even if he has to kill to do so.

As their struggle plays out the Paranormal communities across the world must decide whether or not to help save humanity or stay safely in the shadows and watch it die. However as the death toll rises it becomes more apparent that without humanity it is only a matter of time before their world starts to implode in on itself. There are some who know exactly what will happen; that is just what they want.

With the first appearance of characters we've come to know along with those we meet for the first time, this is a perfect addition to the background story. It is a satisfying stand alone as well. Finally, we can truly understand the depth of fear that one single tomato on Rachel's window ledge really represents. Grab yourself a bowl of tomato salad and sit down with this satisfying addition to The Hollows.

Secondhand Souls (Grim Reaper, #2) by Christopher Moore

In this second book of the Grim Reaper series, Moore continues the story that began in A Dirty Job. After having died and been restored in a new and unexpected body, Charlie Asher and his friends are facing a new threat. Souls of dying people are not being collected by Death Merchants but where are they going instead? Is an old evil reviving? Who are the Squirrel People and why do they live under the house? Is Sophie still the supernatural dealer of death or has a new more powerful player stepped up to the bat? These questions and more are answered in hysterical hi jinks that slowly reveal the links connecting the missing souls and the actions of our heroes with the underworld and a feud as old as time. 

With gems such as " Their names are Death, Disease, War, and Sparkle-Darkle Glittertits. They're the four little ponies of the Apocalypse. ", strewn throughout the story, you are sure to find this book a laugh riot all the way to the very end. Can be read as a stand alone as well. If you've never read a Moore title before, get ready to laugh until it hurts.

The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown

This was sent to me as an ARC by the publisher but the review is my own.

In the England of the 1640s, witch hunts began to be conducted, some led by the historical Witchfinder, General Matthew Hopkins. A man who made it his mission in life to track down and destroy witches hiding among the people of rural places like Manningtree. But what if we found ourselves in possession of evidence of what led this man to such actions, what could we learn. Underdown has written a book that reveals the terrifying reasons that might have existed.

Alice Hopkins, after suffering a terrible loss has returned to her childhood home, to her brother Matthew. Her prospects lie entirely on his acceptance of her, but where once they were close now time has changed the boy she knew into a man whose superficial scars seem to run deeper than she could ever have guessed. Now a man of wealth and local influence, he has also become a persecutor of witches, keeping a book full of names of women suspected of this heinous crime. No one is immune to Matthew's need to rip out this wickedness and with powerful men behind him giving him the authority to continue his inquiries, there seems no end to his work.

This summer, my brother Matthew set himself to killing women, but without ever once breaking the law.

As Alice begins to come to grips with the depth of her brother's atrocities she begins to understand that her family's history may be the root cause of his cold actions. As she tries to guide her brother away from his line of pursuit, Alice realizes that she will have to make a choice between her inner beliefs and the safety of blending into Matthew's world. Coming to terms with the suspicions and doubts of those who believe Matthew is doing the work of God and being seen as a willing bystander to his actions by the very women standing accused, Alice must make a decision as to what she must do and what she must sacrifice.

As she unravels the stories behind her family and the women being judged, we come to see how the small vagaries of life could led to accusations that could destroy lives. How decisions made could cause the greatest harm in the name of good and how monsters lurk among us although sometimes they wear the faces of those we most love. She will come to learn that sometimes in order to set things right you must find it in yourself to be far crueler than you ever thought you could be.

As a fictional account of a historical event you will be haunted by this story long after you have finished reading it. Alice will become the reflection you are afraid to face, the dark place within yourself that you only dare to explore in the light of day. What would you have done or said? Underdown dares you to find out.

The Diabolical Miss Hyde (Electric Empire, #1) by Viola Carr

Take Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, shake it up with a bit of steam punk, and magic and you still would not get the same results Carr did. She has taken on a whole new side of the classic and crafted a tale of two sisters who are opposite sides of the same shadow. There is no tale of good and evil here but of urges repressed and desires muffled beneath the miasma of serums and lies. Truth buried to hide a lattice work of greed and crime that reaches to the top echelon of a society that could not begin to understand the machinations that are falling into place around them. The truth will not set you free but ensnare you deeper into the pits of hell from which it reaches out a hand to brush the fevered brow of one sister and throw daggers at the other. Keep the devil you know close and kill the devil who knows you before it's too late. Creatures of the night are in fear of sisters marked to be the harbingers of a new age of terror. Something wicked this way comes and it's ready to prove it's love, however it needs too.

Grab this first in the series, snuggle in and satisfy that wicked spot in your soul that cackles in glee when the shadows envelope you. It will not disappoint.

Brooklyn on Fire (Mary Handley Mystery #2) by Lawrence H. Levy

This is the second book in a series based on Mary Handley, lady detective. Based in New York City and Brooklyn before they were consolidated, it surrounds a series of events that are both politically and personally motivated. Now, normally I would go ahead and describe some of the story as I had interpreted it, etc etc etc but quite

frankly I don't want to. The author is quite capable of good writing obviously as this series has gotten good reviews from better readers than I, but I couldn't wait to put this book down forever. There are times when too much activity in a story detracts from the reader's enjoyment of it. After awhile, I felt like I was being force feed a story line that was morphing into a caricature of itself; story line not so subtly showing it's movie script skeleton. Each new addition to our cast just seemed so two dimensional that I couldn't care about them for more than a few pages before I just wanted to ask them to politely jump off the Brooklyn Bridge itself. Although there are some actually interesting facts sprinkled throughout the book, the liberty taken with some of them leaves you feeling like you are on the losing side of a bad joke.

As always, this is my opinion. Reading as many things in this world is a very personal experience. Pick this book up and give it a good perusal if it seems like something that would be interesting to you, I on the other hand will be taking a long walk off a short pier before I pick up another Mary Handley mystery.

The Witch's Vacuum Cleaner and Other Stories by Terry Pratchett

If you have ever read any Terry Pratchett and wondered where it all started, this second volume of short stories he wrote as a teenager will give you a glimpse into the ground floor of what would become one of the most celebrated writers of our times. The wit and humor that came to pervade his better known stories can be seen being crafted here, and though not as devastatingly cunning as his later works, there is no mistaking the raw talent that is underlying these stories. This would be a great collection to start a young reader on who hasn't read any of his Trucker series as one of the stories included is very similar, if not the basis for the series itself. This would also be a great gift for any Terry Pratchett fan who would love to read more that they might not have known of. The only reason this is a two star review is that quite frankly I have become spoiled; all these years of Discworld novels etc have made this book a little too bland for me but there are a few gems in here that made me chuckle and that is really all I need to make me say you should be picking it up for yourself. Young Terry Pratchett is sure to enchant just as his older self did.

Heartstone by Elle Katharine White

This was an ARC provided by the publisher but the review is my own.

Pride and Prejudice is a literary classic that has helped inspire countless writers to create their own unique spin on the story. In Elle White's vision the story is given a touch of dragon fire and fantasy to bring a whole new chapter to Jane Austen's legacy.

Aliza Bentaine lives in a world where magical creatures co exist with humanity, working along side to battle against those dark creatures who seek to extinguish all who stand in their way. After suffering a personal loss due to a gryphon attack, Aliza and her community invest everything they have into the Riders to help destroy the imminent threat facing them but when she meets Alastair Daired, dragonrider, she begins to understand that her greatest battle is against the convictions of a man and society who could never see her as his equal. As the people of Merybourne are thrust into the middle of a final confrontation with pure evil, true valor will not be found on the battlefield but in the hearts of those who must decide what is right and what must be sacrificed.

White's world feels fresh and exciting with mythical creatures such as dragons and wyverns and creatures of nightmare to keep you on the edge of your seat while her homage to Austen is the kernel around which a rich and full fledged story with characters that ring true, even the flawed ones, shines. Of course there is a happy ending but the journey there is full of surprises. A job well done indeed. Find this title available mid January.

Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer is Much Faster): Life Lessons and Other Ravings from Dave Barry by Dave Barry

This is another entertaining collection of Barry's deceptively simple style of humorous essays. Whether you've ever heard of Dave Barry or not you'll be able to follow along as he takes you by the hand down the traitorous road of life and teaches you how to handle speed bumps along the way such as why David Beckham can ruin a perfectly fine car trip or why when in Brazil, it's really Belgium you ought to hate. If these don't seem particularly interesting then travel with Dave to Russia where we find out that sometimes Mexican food is just not worth the resulting fall out and tea and chocolates await aplenty.

Barry's tongue in check humor hides the fact that though these essays may flirt, all right, French kiss silliness, they are still a fascinating look at the world through the eyes of an everyday joe with the sharpened wit of a genius. When you're reading a Dave Barry book all you want to do is sit down with him, sip a couple of brewskis, and hope that your adult diapers can handle the hilarity about to ensue. Dave Barry is the perfect antidote to a life that constantly has you questioning your sanity. It's nice to know that someone else understands.