Book Review: "To Walk the Night" by E. S. Moore

Even a vampire has to face her inner demons. . .

Kat Redding is the very thing she hunts: a vampire, thirsting for blood, capable of killing any creature unlucky enough to get in her path. The difference is, Kat kills her own kind in order to protect human Purebloods. She's good at what she does. Good enough to earn the nickname Lady Death--and the enmity of every bloodthirsty being around. But now a vampire Count is intent on merging his House with a werewolf cult to create a force of terrifying power.

Kat can't allow that to happen. Even if it means taking on a den of weres and a vampire more ruthless than any she's encountered before. She has the weapons, the skill, and a few allies. But that may not be enough to eliminate the Count before her own dark nature rises to the surface--and costs her whatever is left of her humanity. . . - from Amazon.com

This is the first novel in the series of Kat Redding, a vampire bent on revenge on her own kind to protect humans. With the help of a human (Ethan) that helps keep her supplied in silver weapons, plus other things (guns, motorcycles, home security) she takes on the courts of other Vampires, who control Purebloods (humans) and Werewolves in a modern-day society.

In this first installment, Kat is approached by a conclave of werewolf devotees (the Luna Clan), led by a sorcerer of unknown ability/power. He has asked her to join with them in order to rescue their leader from a court of vampires that has recently risen to be considered a Minor Court. There are quite a few twists in the story as Kat proceeds to not only defend herself and her home from an unknown adversary, but also being approached by a traitor to the Luna Clan, who has ulterior motives. Kat has to decide who she will help, why she will help them, and which way will get the collapse of yet another court of vampires.

I had a hard time setting this one aside as I was reading it, so it seemed to read through pretty fast. Moore has a great way of telling an action story, with, at least at this time, no major romantic side-story. I look forward to the next book, revealing a new 'enemy', and possibly more back story on the whole Kat & Ethan angle.

Book Review: "The Book of the Crowman" by Joseph D'Lacey

The world has been condemned. Only Gordon Black and The Crowman can redeem it.The search for the shadowy figure known only as the Crowman continues, as the Green Men prepare to rise up against the forces of the Ward.It is the Bright Day, a time long generations hence, when a peace has descended across the world.It is the Black Dawn, a time of environmental apocalypse, the earth wracked and dying. - from Amazon.com

I received an ebook copy from the author/publisher through NetGalley.com in exchange for a review.

This is the second and final (I think) book of THE BLACK DAWN. The first novel, BLACK FEATHERS I reviewed in a previous post. Since I was given the chance to read this one for free, I had to start from the beginning, so I would know what is going on. I may repeat some details from my review of the first novel, then again, I may just add stuff. 

This is the continuation of the early years of Gordon Black. He lives in a seemingly equal time frame of our current times, that has been struck by a sort of technological destruction. Two factions come out of this change: The Green Men, and The Ward. Gordon is searching for the Crowman, a symbolic, mythological person that is centered on man returning to nature. The Green Men support nature, The Ward are more for domination and technology. The typical Good vs Bad.

Megan is a girl seemingly about the same age as Gordon, who is in a future time of main story, learning to walk the "black feathered path", or in short, the way of the Crowman. Her duty is to chronicle the life of Gordon Black as shown to her via 'visions' from the Crowman. 

Most of this novel is of the climaxing and growth of Gordon Black, as he discovers the Crowman. It also brings the final confrontation of the Ward and the Green Men in a big battle. D'Lacey has written an interesting post-apocalyptic story, bringing in religious tones, as well as folk-lore, and of two young people coming of age. I felt it was a different version of a dystopian future compared to what other novels I have read. There were a few things I felt weren't cleared up completely, or at least, I felt I would have liked to known more of what happened, though they probably were not important to the main story line.  Overall, I felt it was well written, and worded so that even younger readers would be able to enjoy.

Book Review: "Black Feathers" by Joseph D'Lacey

Black Feathers is a modern fantasy set in two epochs: the Black Dawn, a time of environmental apocalypse, and generations into the future in its aftermath, the Bright Day.

In each era, a child undertakes a perilous journey to find a dark messiah known as The Crowman. In their hands lies the fate of the planet as they attempt to discover whether The Crowman is our saviour… or the final incarnation of evil. - from Amazon.com

This is the first book in a series (of two, at the time of this review) and I received a free copy through Netgalley.com of the second book. In order to be fair, I had to read the first one. Besides, I hate jumping in on a series in the middle.

The description doesn't share much, so possible spoilers may appear in my rambling. This is the start of an apocalyptic story that takes place in two different times. The more future side brings us to the way of the Keepers, their job being to bring the people to share in the Earth, and other environmental idealisms, as well as protect/share the knowledge of the Crowman, who happens to be basically the messiah of the times. In being a Keeper, they are to train the next one, in this case a female, seeming the first. In becoming one with the essence of the Crowman, this girl is charged with writing His story, which takes us back to a period of time similar to 50 years prior to our current time (a guess from what I recall reading).

The majority of the tale is of Gordon Black, a young man that was born into the world with seemingly bad omens. At a young age, the world has had some sort of major change, and a group called the Ward, have basically taken over the world, not being more in-tune with nature, and seemingly Nazi-like in how they run things. Gordon's family is taken, he luckily is able to elude capture, and in order to save his family, he seeks out the Crowman.

Interspersed in the telling of his story, there are bits of Megan (the female Keeper in training) and how she is coming in the ways of the Keepers, and revealing that there may be more to her than what any expected.

That all being said, as void of detail as I could, the book started off slow, but pulled me by making me want to know what is going to happen to both these main characters, and those around them. As soon as I finished, I started in on the second book, and have not been able to put it down in the small bit of spare time I have to read. It is more than just a "coming of age" story, but holds many similarities of self-growth, but also has some strong environmental idealism. Great read!

Book Review: "The Darkening Dream" by Andy Gavin

The Darkening Dream is the chilling new dark fantasy novel by Andy Gavin, creator of Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter.

Even as the modern world pushes the supernatural aside in favor of science and steel, the old ways remain. God, demon, monster, and sorcerer alike plot to regain what was theirs.

1913, Salem, Massachusetts - Sarah Engelmann's life is full of friends, books, and avoiding the pressure to choose a husband, until an ominous vision and the haunting call of an otherworldly trumpet shake her. When she stumbles across a gruesome corpse, she fears that her vision was more of a premonition. And when she sees the murdered boy moving through the crowd at an amusement park, Sarah is thrust into a dark battle she does not understand.
With the help of Alex, a Greek immigrant who knows a startling amount about the undead, Sarah sets out to uncover the truth. Their quest takes them to the factory mills of Salem, on a midnight boat ride to spy on an eerie coastal lair, and back, unexpectedly, to their own homes. What can Alex's elderly, vampire-hunting grandfather and Sarah's own rabbi father tell them? And what do Sarah's continuing visions reveal?
No less than Gabriel's Trumpet, the tool that will announce the End of Days, is at stake, and the forces that have banded to recover it include a 900 year-old vampire, a trio of disgruntled Egyptian gods, and a demon-loving Puritan minister. At the center of this swirling cast is Sarah, who must fight a millennia-old battle against unspeakable forces, knowing the ultimate prize might be herself. - from Amazon.com

I find it hard to sit here and think of what I need to say about this story. I originally picked it up on a whim based on the story synopsis, and that the cover actually looked interesting, and not some quick, generic-picture photoshop the author did to put it out on the market. It sat on my "to read" list for quite some time, until I started seeing that a few other people I know had started reading it, and I had to jump on the band wagon so we could share/swap ideas about the story.

I was a bit put off at first, as it takes place in the early 1900's, and I am not one for historical fiction. But aside from the time era it takes place, and the location (Salem, Mass. of famed witch trials) that is about as "historical" as it gets. Bring in the religions, myths of vampires, throw in some Egyptian gods of old, and a bit of scare, then you'll find yourself drawn into the story, as I was. 

When I reached the end, I felt a bit upset. To me, there seemed to be something that just left me feeling like a was hanging in the wind. Maybe it was intentional from the author, to leave an opening for a continuation story...? Either way, I felt a tad angry at that feeling as the final page appeared (unexpectedly I might add). It has been quite some time that I have felt this much at the end of a story. Otherwise, was truly well-written in combining many forms of belief in the fight of Good versus Evil. Would love to see a possible continuation, but haven't seen any additional information of such at this time.

Book Review: "Stealer of Flesh (Kormak)" by William King

WHO IS KORMAK?

To the world at large, he is a mercenary and assassin, a brutal killer with a deadly blade. In reality Kormak is a Guardian, one of an ancient order sworn to protect humanity from the servants of the gathering darkness.

Kormak is a sword and sorcery hero in the tradition of Conan, Solomon Kane and Druss the Legend, a driven man with a mission to hunt down the ancient demons who slaughtered his family. His fast-paced, action-packed adventures take him from one end of his richly detailed fantasy world to the other.

STEALER OF FLESH

The Ghul are the Stealers of Flesh, an ancient race of demons who possess the bodies of humans to work great evil. Now one of them has been freed from its ancient prison using Kormak's own dwarf-forged sword and the Guardian must pursue it to a haunted city on the edge of the world to end its reign of terror.

Stealer of Flesh contains four-linked novelettes that tell the epic tale of Kormak's hunt for a prince of demons. In it he encounters a conspiracy of demented mages, an army of werewolves, Orcish blademasters and a beautiful alchemist and her insane poet brother.

Not a bad start to a series that looks like it has about three books to it. At first I thought it was going to be about vampires, but it was much better! I enjoyed reading about how Kormak has to hunt down a demon that can travel from body to body; a demon that was released by his own sword. Look forward to reading other books in this series.

Book Review: "The Good, The Bad and the Infernal" by Guy Adams

One day every hundred years, a town appears, its location and character different every time. It is home to the greatest miracle a man could imagine: a doorway to Heaven itself. The town’s name is Wormwood, and it is due to appear on the 21st September 1889, somewhere in the American Midwest.
There are many who hope to be there: travelling preacher Obeisance Hicks and his simple messiah, Soldier Joe; Henry and Harmonium Jones and their freak show pack of outlaws; the Brothers of the Order of Ruth and their sponsor Lord Forset (inventor of the Forset Thunderpack and other incendiary modes of personal transport); and finally, an aging gunslinger with a dark history.
They will face dangers both strange and terrible: monstrous animals, predatory towns, armies of mechanical natives, and other things besides. Wormwood defends its secrets, and only the brave and resourceful will survive... - from Amazon.com


I had received the sequel to this novel from NetGalley.com and the publisher for free to review. however, not having read this first book, I picked it up as well. 

The story description I read piqued my interest, so at the start I was a bit intrigued to see where it would take me. About a third of the way through, I was finding my attention being lost. The story had split into three groups, all heading to the same goal, but I could not find a likable, or one that I could relate to, or cheer for. My interest waned. I set it aside for a few days, thinking maybe I just needed to come back with a clear head. After several days, I was disinterested after just a few pages. I am not much into the steam-punk sort of western this appears to be, and Guy Adams definitely introduced some pretty weird characters. Though I have enjoyed a coupe of other books by this author, this one was just not for me.

Book Review: "The Prodigal's Foole" by R. B. Wood

A man can run from his past ... but not his future. 

Symon Bryson lives in self-imposed exile until Monsignor DuBarry goes missing and not even the most adept of the magic practitioners can determine the reason for the abduction. The clues lie buried in the past amidst epic battles and horrific losses but reliving that failed mission uncovers fresh challenges and fearsome threats that reunite his old team. Symon must deal with his own hidden demons and confront the menace that threatens the delicate balance of power. When the darkest of all evils lures Symon into springing a long-planned trap, an unsuspecting world will confront the unthinkable. 

When all that stands between Heaven and Hell is magic, more than faith will be tested. - from Amazon.com

I picked this one up from Amazon.com back when it was listed as free, and finally got the time to read it. From the start I had a hard time putting it down! From the opening sequence, of a dead lady talking to Symon on a plane, to the end of this novel, I was displaced from my settings and pulled into the story. 

I enjoyed how the author was able to combine magic into the regular world, plus add the Good versus Evil fight of God and Lucifer. Some of the traits of the characters were a bit hard for me to just accept. One example is of Symon, who is mouthy and sarcastic to all in any given situation. Maybe I just have not known people like that. Also, he seems pretty apathetic about anything that doesn't affect him personally. How they find out they have magic is unclear - whether it is a born trait, or some special natural talent (I am guessing it is this one). Each character has a different magical skill set, but the extent of their usage, or how many 'spells' is not covered. Perhaps this will be more explained in future stories, as well as more background on characters.

Overall it was enjoyable and I will be watching for other books by this author.

Book Review: "Known Devil" by Justin Gustainis

“My name’s Markowski. I carry a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets.

“A new supernatural gang is intent on invading Scranton and it looks like I’m going to have to work with the current mob to prevent a demonic gang war.

“If there’s one thing I hate more than living with supernatural scumbags, it’s working with them! But you know that they say, better the devil you know…” - from Goodreads.com

I received an ebook copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review.

That being said, this was a great continuation as the third novel in the Occult Crimes Unit series by J. Gustainis, and I find myself wanting more. The world he has created filled with supernaturals of many types, and how it runs seemingly parallel to ours is amazing. I always picture Det. Markowski as a 'Sam Spade' type, with so much dry wit and sarcasm, I find myself chuckling quite a bit throughout the story. If you like urban fantasy and crime stories, you will love this series! I hope to see more in the future!!