Posts Tagged ‘thriller-suspense challenge’

Hey look at me, I finished a challenge! Woot! Now where are my cookies? I was promised cookies.

Timeline: 01 Jan 2010 – 31 Dec 2010 Rules: To read TWELVE (12) thrillers in 2010 1. Happy Hour of the Damned 2. Beneath the Skin 3. Road Trip of the Living Dead 4. Dead to Me 5. Deader Still 6. Shift 7. Dead Matter 8. Battle of the Network Zombies 9. and FALLING, fly 10. Silver Borne 11. Changes 12. Magic Bleeds

Title: Changes
Author: Jim Butcher
Release: April 6, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | No Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 5 Stars

Let’s get down to business *rubbing hands together*. First note… if you have not read The Dresden Files series yet…. do not read past this first paragraph of this review. In fact, get your bum off the computer and go read book 1, Storm Front. Urban Fantasy lovers have no excuse to not read this series and you should be ashamed of yourself. Harry Dresden is a professional wizard…. a smart ass, witty, smirking, sexy as hell professional wizard. And he has a staff. I’m just saying. Changes is book 12 in the series and may be the best one yet. I have no idea how Jim Butcher has managed to keep such a long running series so freaking fantastic, but I am beginning to suspect magic or a deal with a demon. I am going to need Butcher to send me copies of all works in progress so I can work out how he is doing it, k, thanks.

Now, all you Dresden virgins move along…. tho you can read the quotes below if you want. Those are probably safe. Dresden fans, have no fear, I think I have kept it relatively spoiler free.

To say that this book has been anticipated is like saying I like twitter… gross understatement. When the blurb first came out I stuttered and was left speechless for almost an entire minute. Harry has a secret baby?? Susan is coming back and there is a child?? Whaaaa???? My speechlessness was immediately followed by cursing and vile names being thrown at Susan, who I just don’t like (if you say I’m jealous – you could be right, but be warned I will glare at you).

Changes starts out with a life changing phone call between Harry and former lover, current half vampire *cough*bitch*cough* Susan. Turns out that super hot kitchen sex scene almost 10 years ago did more than just make me pant, Susan and Harry have a daughter. As if that isn’t shocking enough for poor Harry, his daughter Maggie has been abducted by the Red Court Vampires. Harry has to call in all the friends he can find and make new ones in order to save the life of a little girl he has never met, a little girl who has been raised without knowing he exists.

Butcher brings back the familiar gang of do-gooders for Changes. Molly is still apprenticing under Harry and is showing signs of growth and maturity in her character. Murphy is Murphy, she is there for Harry no matter what – even if it means all she has worked for and cares about will be turned upside down. Thomas, Sanya, Mac, Bob, and Butters all make appearances and contribute to the cause and the story with their quips and sayings. Mouse reveals himself to be the coolest pet ever. Some of my favorite quotes (I couldn’t choose just one!):

“Your weapons, grasshopper,” I said in my Yoda voice. “You will not need them.”
She [Molly] frowned at me in annoyance and said, “You know, I believe it is possible to reference something other than Star Wars, boss.”
I narrowed my eyes in Muppetly wisdom. “That is why you fail.”

I let out a short bark of geniune laughter. “I thought I was supposed to be the one with one thing on his mind.”
“Oh, when we were younger certainly,” she replied. “Now, though, our roles have reversed.”
“Meaning you want it fast and hard, too?”

“Are you kidding?” Thomas said. “I’m obviously Legolas. You’re . . .” He squinted thoughtfully at Sanya and then at Martin. “Well. He’s Boromir and you’re clearly Aragorn.”
“Martin is so dour, he is more like Gimli.” Sanya pointed at Susan. “Her sword is much more like Aragorn’s.”
“Aragorn wishes he looked that good,” countered Thomas.
“What about Karrin?” Sanya asked.
“What–for Gimli?” Thomas mused. “She is fairly –”
“Finish that sentence, Raith, and we throw down,” said Murphy in a calm, level voice.

But Changes also gives us a much darker Harry Dresden. He is still witty and quick with the self-depreciating moments … but he is also angry and on the edge. His daughter is out there, alone, waiting for someone to save her. Harry has to chose between one painful choice after another. He is tested to his limits and pushed to re-evaluate his moral core over and over again. How far will he go to save her and what will it cost him? Every move he makes, every battle he fights in this book is of dire importance and emotionally exhausting. Finishing this book left me in utter shock, looking for a support group and chatting up people at all hours of the the night.

Honestly, this book should be titled HOLY HELL I AM AN EVIL AUTHOR AND I TURNING YOUR WORLD ON IT’S SIDE. Changes is a high speed freight train of a read and just when you think you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and a smile starts to spread across your face Butcher hits you upside the head with a can of WTF JUST HAPPENED. Jim Butcher has exceeded my expectations with this installment, easily making Changes the best book of the series so far, and what will be without a doubt one of my top 10 books of 2010.

FTC Disclaimer: Book was purchased by me (hardcover even!)

Title: Silver Borne
Author: Patricia Briggs
Release: March 30, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 Stars

I’ve been sitting on this review for a week or so, just unsure of what to say. Mercy Thompson is one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series, and I was expecting a lot from this one. Silver Borne doesn’t disappoint, for the most part it delivers. I gasped out loud and had to tweet friends at various interludes. Yet, it I still found myself feeling a bit off after setting the book down.

Mercy Thompson is a shapeshifting(coyote) mechanic. She is tough as nails, brave, and fiercely independent. Silver Borne has her still recovering from the traumatic events of previous books and her vulnerability was touching. She finds herself once again mixed up in the world of Fae and some of her most cared about people in danger.

In this installment we make our way through what the mating of Adam and Mercy really means, for the pack and for her. I think this is where the story stumbled for me. There were a lot of pack things explained that I did enjoy, but I often felt that Mercy joining the pack put a damper on some of her personality as well as some of the sexual tension that I love. She apologized too quickly and too easily for her character in my opinion and it nagged me a bit.

What did work for me and was far more interesting was Samuel’s story. I don’t want to spoil anything, but he is a huge part of this book and he is what kept me turning pages in the middle of the night. I loved the resolution of his situation, but do admit it felt a bit rushed or glossed over.

As a whole, the Silver Borne was a good read. Fans of the series do not want to miss this one as it marks a turning point in the series for Adam and Mercy’s relationship. There is a lot of intimacy and tenderness between Adam and Mercy and it felt great to see them happy, yet it left me missing the tension between them. The plot was done well and the cast of characters filled out the story perfectly. There are so many wonderful side characters of this series it is hard to choose a favorite but if I had to make a choice…. Warren the gay werewolf is in the lead.

FTC Disclaimer: Book was purchased by me

Title: Battle of the Network Zombies (Amanda Feral, book 3 )
Author: Mark Henry
Release: March 1st, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 4 Stars

In the third installment of the Amanda Feral series Amanda is back, dirtier than ever. Her ad agency is on a downward spiral and her expense budget is in the toilet. In order to keep her condo and pay off her debt to the Reapers Amanda says yes to an opportunity to appear on a new reality show. Yet, things are never simple with Amanda and she finds herself in the middle of her very own murder mystery.

Amanda Feral books always makes me giggle and snort like kids do when they tell fart jokes. Battle of the Network Zombies was no different, it was funny, sarcastic, and disgusting. If you like crass humor with a side of wit, this series is for you.

Amanda and Wendy make a great crime solving duo even if when they seem to be at odds with one another. Gil once again provides comic relief and I found myself looking forward to his bits the most. He is definitely my favorite character of the series. Scott and Amanda’s relationship was a pleasant surprise and I look forward to more of him in the next book (fingers crossed!).

The book started off a bit slow for me, but the plot picked up the pace once wood nymphs started dying and the crazy character parade began. Amanda even shows signs of unexpected personal growth, proving her heart isn’t rotted out after all. Battle of the Network Zombies is another snort out loud story of zombies with killer fashion sense by Mark Henry. Fingers and toes crossed that Amanda Feral’s story doesn’t end here. Oh and the best part? Battle of the Network Zombies is only FREE for your kindle at Amazon right now. Go on, get the rest of the series too, you know you want to.

Other Reviews:

WickedLilPixie – 5
SmexyBooks – 4
Enchanting Reviews – 4.5

FTC Disclaimer: Book recieved from author for review

Check out my guest review of Anton Strout’s third book in the Simon Canderous series, Dead Matter, over at Fantasy Dreamer’s Ramblings. Loved this book!