Book Review: Must Love Hellhounds by Ilona Andrews, Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh and Meljean Brook

Another book review.... by ~S

Ri-i-i-ght, so I've been told that I might need to provide a little more introduction to my fabulous (adjective added by me) meanderings about books. While I am really a character driven reader and could-in some ways-care less about the plot (yes, we're back to my need for witty banter), I am willing to try and give the people what they want. So this week's book is Must Love Hellhounds, a compilation including novellas by Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook, and Ilona Andrews. Except for Harris' offering, these stories are all Urban Romantasy and based in the worlds already established by the authors as far as I can tell. Harris' story is fantasy and had the weakest connection to her other novels. My overall opinion is favorable, and I am not sorry I spent some of my book budget to purchase this book.

Now let's be serious. . . I bought this collection for the story by Andrews, Magic Mourns, as I love-love-love her stories. I was unsure what to expect but was very happy to have a story that came in after Magic Strikes and was about Raphael and Andrea taking care of a supernatural problem while Kate is recovering. While the story felt somewhat contrived, I enjoyed learning a bit more about both Raphael and Andrea. Was it mind blowing? Would I have cared so much if I weren't a fan of the Kate Daniels books? No. Was I far more interested in Kate's recuperative reading choices and who could dispose of Persephone's apples? Was I okay with using this as a quick fix until Magic Bleeds comes out? Oh yes and I was even grateful. It's just too bad that Andrews couldn't have written an Edge story and this story and then connected with maybe Mark Del Franco and Linnea Sinclair rather than Harris and Singh to round this compilation out. 

My second choice was Brook's Blind Spot where the leads attempt to solve a kidnapping. In the past I had avoided her books since they keep being described as erotic. I have to admit I am opposed to books considered erotic. Don't get me wrong. . . I don't prudishly care that they're on bookshelves. I just know I don't care to find the leads using the "c" word or discussing their love interest's rosebud of an asshole (authors-you know who you are). Nor do I need multiple pages of thrusting, completion, and descriptions (often fruit based) of nipples. In this case, I was pleasantly surprised. The sexual situations didn't overtake the story, the characters, or act as the major motivation for the action. Plus, in this story, I (finally) developed a deep affection for Sir Pup, the actual hellhound. I'll also point out that I enjoyed this story enough that I am considering trying one of Brook's Guardian novels - even though I am usually opposed to angel/vampire/demon stories (sorry Singh). 

Now to discuss the remaining stories... 

I wasn't too excited to read them, but hey, they were in the book, and it was on my book stack conveniently located next to my bed. I started with Harris' story, The Britlingens Go to Hell, because the description on the back cover appealed to me more than the remaining story. The good news for me was that this was not a story propelled by the success of Sookie Stackhouse (Surprise, surprise—I strongly dislike the books and the TV series although I do like Harris' Harper Connelly books). It was also nice that the story focused on the problems of traveling in hell to retrieve a stolen object. The romance was limited to learning who Clovache is "knocking helmets" with and learning Batanya connects with their supernaturally endowed client, Crick. The bad news: it was kind of boring, Lucifer wasn't exactly the Prince of Evil, and hell could have been anywhere - perhaps some bad S&M club? I was simply unmoved. 

This stayed the case as I read Singh's story, Angel's Judgment. I had never read her novels and was pretty sure I wasn't interested in a story about angels and vampires. Yeah for me, I was right. I didn't care. Now, I'm not saying it was a bad story or that the search for the mysterious killer was poorly thought out. Mostly, I just didn't like any of the characters enough to care how the story resolved. The story could have been any story about a rogue vampire and sexy hunters. The hunky hero gets together with the spunky heroine.  What a shock.

So, my overall judgment?

A 50% love of hellhounds is not half bad.

::

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425229599
ISBN-13: 978-0425229590
Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1 inches

It's raining....

I know, I know. It's not really a shocker.

- Favorites -

- Cleaning product -





This is my favorite cleaning product.

Cleaning is not my favorite thing.
.
Ok. Ok. I admit it.

I like folding the clothes but hate putting them away.

Wii have lots of fun together

The grandparents bought my kids a Wii game system for Christmas.

Genius I say.

I'm partial to the game, Wii Fit Plus.
It's fun.
It's addictive.

It's my workout.

And I get to design my Mii.

I love my teenage son's comment....
I don't want to make one if I can't have a handlebar mustache.

Book Review: The Drowning City by Amanda Downum

Another book review by ~S

Do you ever feel like an author has written their books out of order? I'm feeling that way about Amanda Downum's The Drowning City. I wanted a book with a well developed magical premise, a decadent landscape, and a strong female lead. Unfortunately, this book simply didn't deliver.

The magic is clearly stone based but it is unclear why some people have access to that and some don't or why certain stones work in certain ways. Also, the magical creatures are almost completely unexplored. Nakh are evil water spirits.  Oka-a-a-a-y, where did they come from? Were they always a problem or did the building of Symir in the delta they called home cause the problem? Why mention them if it could have been any generic evil spirit?

The places -from countries to neighborhood- were confusing and didn't have enough personality to set them apart. For example, Jadewater was different from Merrowgate or the Floating Garden how exactly?  Selfali versus Sivahra? They are supposed to be different but really felt very similar. Mostly, I have to say why not political factions in the same country?

As for the characters, I liked them enough to finish the book but had some issues with Isyllt. She acted in ways which were deeply inconsistent with the little I figured had to be true about her. Why would Kiril send her to do this job unless she was a trained and competent political agent? After reading this book, I'm thinking it may be because she is extremely lucky. She lucked her way into a revolution. She also slept with a possible agent of the enemy because he seemed intriguing (apparently one drunken pity party was enough to resolve Isyllt's feelings for Kiril??), and she learned very little about the people she was supposed to be manipulating to her advantage. Lucky she wasn't killed . . . probably. Trained and competent . . . not so much.

Okay, so I wasn't a huge fan of the book but I am asking for book two and first no less? Well, this may be based on my hopeful reading of the blurb for book two, The Bone Palace, at the end of The Drowning City. The Bone Palace appears to take Isyllt home and lets her do her thing on home soil. This should give the reader (and more importantly ME) a better understanding of what drives Isyllt, why we should side with Kiril rather than anyone else, and possibly provide a stronger background to explain more about the way magic works. If so, I have a feeling I will like Isyllt more and care more about the overall state of her world.

In general, I guess I support saving the overthrow of government until we understand why we would want to . . . but then, I'm just silly that way.

Citrus Brighten a Gloomy Day

Ready....
Set....Can.

Wha?????

I'm talking about the Tigress' Can Jam. A group of 130+ bloggers begin a year long adventure.

January is all about citrus.

I've perused my preserving library and the internet and am ready to begin the adventure.

I've bought blood oranges. They were eaten during the night.
I've bought tangelos and meyer lemons. The tangelos didn't make it either.

Looks like it's down to the lemon lime marmalade. Mmmm.

I've got my jelly bag and I'm ready to can.

Look for my post in the next week or so with the results and recipe.

Cookbooks and Kids

I received four cookbooks in December.

Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl

The Joy of Pickling by Linda Ziedrich

The Joy of Jams, Jellies, and Other Sweet Preserves by Linda Ziedrich

I love cookbooks.

I actually received two copies of The Pioneer Woman Cooks.

One of the unexpected bonuses since then has been my kids' interest and involvement in cooking.

I proposed to my clan that they should take part in making our nightly dinner, which the majority of the time is still a sit down affair at the dining table. I suggested they use The Pioneer Woman Cooks as their guide. I figured the easy step by step process with pictures would work well.

Success!

My three kids have teamed up 3-4 times since then to make some wonderful meals.

First off, the boys made Comfort Meatballs.


(Ignore my messy kitchen. I do.)

Next up was my daughter and middle son who made Linguini with Clam Sauce. Oh...So...Good.

Then the two youngest again, with my aid, to make Simple, Perfect Enchiladas. I must say that the sauce recipe is a brilliant touch.

And finally, my middle pretty much solo'ed making the Lasagna.

I am so happy and proud and rested.

Thank you Ree!

Secret Pleasures...

Cilantro. 

Interestingly, the first time I really noticed the herb was while living and studying in Ecuador.

I remember fondly those simple Ecuadorian meals.

Locro (a potato based soup), white rice and patacones (basically, tostones or fried plantains), and the simple salad of lettuce, tomato and lime juice.

But most of all I miss the ceviche de camarones.

And Pilsner. I always giggled at the name of the only beer around.

Book Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger

by ~S

Okay, I admit it. . . I read a lot of what I'm affectionately calling Urban Roman-tasy (and what my family less affectionately calls Vampire Porn). There is a lot out there right now, and I've discovered that I'm becoming a little impervious to it. Oh, I still have authors I snap up (Ilona Andrews and Mark Del Franco for example) but there are some that are just boring me into playing DS before bed rather than reading. So, it was with hesitation that I picked up Soulless by Gail Carriger (okay, I actually got it for Christmas so I really had very little to do with the picking up part).

I wondered how bad Victorian-noir, urban fantasy could be. The answer was not bad at all. I read the darn book in three sittings, and it was a first novel (normally full of problems and pacing issues thereby causing me to read it while reading a more steadfast novel). I loved the main character Alexia Tarabotti. . . a big girl who loves food. . . how can you go wrong?? Additionally, there was my required banter, a fashion loving, gay vampire, and a prior introduction of the leads in an incident involving a hedgehog. I can hear you all thinking about walking away or going to Amazon to read more rational reviews, but don't quit reading before I gush a little about Carriger's history and inclusion of the preternatural. Not your average human and not connected to the werewolf/vampire community either but easily a necessary part of the overall dynamic. . . or so you will believe after reading Soulless. Part of me still wonders if Carriger developed the preternatural before she started the book or after she needed a fabulous way to bring the two leads to a hands-on meeting of the minds.

Now that I've pushed what I like about the book, I will admit there is a little first novel jitter obvious in the text. The author reminded me way too often that Alexia is half-Italian, has a large nose and a dusky complexion, and is a big girl. I understand those components played into Alexia's world view and social status--another large part of this novel--but I don't think I forgot that between say chapters 8 and 10 or even 8 and 12. That being said, it didn't slow down my reading or ruin my feelings about this book. I have happily added book 2, Changeless, to my list of must have books, and I am looking forward to March 2010.

New Year....New Stuff

The countdown has begun...

For a night out with friends.
For a Wii extravaganza.
For 2010

That's the New Year.
....
Here's the New Stuff.

A good friend has agreed to do a book review for the blog. (I hope she'll keep them coming.)

~S is my go-to girl for new book ideas and music trivia.

She's smart.
She's sassy.

We'll just call her...

 ~S.

Her first book review will be posted soon for Soulless by Gail Carriger.

Happy New Year!