Book Review: "Peace Talks" by Jim Butcher

 

HARRY DRESDEN IS BACK AND READY FOR ACTION, in the new entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files.

When the Supernatural nations of the world meet up to negotiate an end to ongoing hostilities, Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, joins the White Council's security team to make sure the talks stay civil. But can he succeed, when dark political manipulations threaten the very existence of Chicago--and all he holds dear? - from Goodreads.com

This is book sixteen in the Dresden Files series. I'm not sure if I have previously written a review for any of the other books, so this is going to be a little different.

The book can be read as a stand-alone story, but obviously there has been so much going on through the previous books, it is best read in order. There isn't a lot of bringing facts and 'how that came to be's written in, which I'm happy about. I hate the waste of space and story when authors do that sort of thing in every book after the first one. I'm not going to say much about the story, because come on, if you are in this at book sixteen, you are pretty much a die hard fan of the series anyways.

As usual, Butcher's writing style is just what I like - pretty fast and somewhat of the cuff. Basic on his character and world building, the usual elements of sarcasm, irony, and bull-headedness run pretty rampant. Our MC follows the modeling that was written, including the changes made due to events in previous installments. I enjoy the way Butcher has been able to build a world and characters from multiple backgrounds (ie. all the different types of paranormals, etc) and make them fit together to make the story. Definitely waiting for the next book to be released!

Book Review: "Knights Magica" by B.R. Kingsolver

 

If the Knights Magica want a war, I'm willing to give them one.

I damned my soul long ago. What I do from this point forward is about redemption. If I burn in Hell because of fighting for others, for shouldering their sins, so be it.

The Knights are powerful, and they have taken control of the Universal Church. All across the world, the Knights find themselves in conflict with other paranormals and supernaturals. Human governments scramble to cope with the new reality of magic. Cities become battlegrounds.

And in Westport, Rosie O'Grady's Bar and Grill becomes a center for organizing the Resistance.

Then the Fae decide it’s time to act.  - from Goodreads.com

This is book give of the Rosie O'Grady paranormal bar and grill series.

No spoilers here. In fact, I'll admit right here I did not even finish the book. On earlier reviews you will see that I started off enjoying this series up through pretty much book three. From there things just went downhill. By the time I got about halfway through this one, I had to put it down. I just felt like the story was not going anywhere except in circles. I was really disappointed, hoping for a nice conclusion to this series, but it was not to be.

Book Review: "Well of Magic" by B.R. Kingsolver

 

I never expected to see a mage battle on national TV.

When the ley lines—the orderly rivers of magical energy that circle the globe—went wild, chaos ensued.

Magic hid in the shadows for hundreds of years, but then a secret order took control of one of the world's largest religions. Their goal is to rule the world, and the first step is to control the ley lines and magic users.

I didn’t escape the Illuminati just to become a slave to the Knights Magica. If they want me, they’re going to have a fight on their hands. - from Goodreads.com

May contain spoilers. This is the fourth book in the Rosie O'Grady paranormal bar and grill series.

First off, having pretty much enjoyed the first three books in this series, where it seemed the third book finished up the ongoing story line, to find there is another book, I was happy. Before I even read the basic description I was thinking about where the author was going to go, what new/existing situation would occur, and maybe there would be more background on everyone. I was a tad bit disappointed.

Erin and friends have seemingly ended the majority of remaining Hunters, as well as seemingly, leaders of the Illuminati. This book starts off with her buying a car (she never had one before) and basically starting a relationship with the half-fae she buys it from. Of course the car is magically modified/engineered, though there is not much about in what ways. Of course when a large power group is decimated, another steps in to take its place, and here is where the Knights Magica enter the world.

The KM side with the Universalist Church around the world, and began knocking off major politicians and papal leaders to gain control. They have the means of disrupting ley lines, which makes anyone magical feel sick and dizzy for extended amounts of time. They have control of an item that created the ley lines called the Heart of the World, and with small pieces of it, or made from it, carried on their persons, they are excepted from the disorientation of the ley line disturbances, allowing them to attack mages, etc, while they are incapacitated.

Another Hunter relocates to Westport looking for Erin, saying he wanted to leave the Illuminati, becomes an ally. The magical community unites under the new council, and fights back against the KM. There are several battles in Westport, as well as around the world from other councils. At one point Erin and the dhampir Michaela are kidnapped by the KM, helpd and tortured for around a month, before the dhampir escapes, and mounts a rescue party for Erin that was successful. Some Fae are helping the group in Westport (including her new beau) and at the end of the book, it is decided they must find and retrieve the Heart to keep it from not only those in the world, but the Unseelie Fae, who have intentions to basically enslave the human race.

Whew. Instead of being a book four, it could be the start of a new trilogy, continuing from the first one. New enemy, no new background information, some MC building as she learns to be assertive and how to start having a relationship. A bad experience to toughen her resolve and train harder to face the new threat. Friends always there backing her up, and the MC always impressing everyone new she meets with her skills and insight from her Illuminati training. It's starting to get a bit repetitive, but I still want to see where the story goes.

I wasn't as impressed with this new threat to the MC, and the typical solution is her in the forefront using her skills to defeat the biggest, baddest bad guy, as well as many others in the smaller skirmishes. I did forget to mention MC does find out she is supposedly part Fae, and explains more about her having a relationship with a half-Fae. I don't know. I just didn't feel there was more development of characters and world background. Hoping book five will be better, but not holding my breath.

Book Review: "Dark Dancer" by B.R. Kingsolver

 

One Master survived the inferno that destroyed the Order of the Illuminati. He may know that I survived, but does he suspect that I betrayed the Order?

Rudolf Heine has sent Hunters flooding into Westport, wreaking carnage on vampires, shifters, and mages. Normal humans are taking notice, and the shadow world teeters on the verge of being revealed.

The Hunters also may be hunting me. Do I stay and fight for my new life and my friends, or run again? - from Goodreads.com

This is book three from the Rosie O'Grady Paranormal Bar and Grill series. This review may have spoilers.

Here we are for the third installment in this series, and we find our favorite bartender, Erin, again having to deal with issues from the Illuminati group she ran from (after believing them destroyed). In theory, this is the last of the Masters, and supposedly the one that hated her the most, as wells as the most dangerous. As mentioned above, he has sent some Hunters to the small town of Westport, but it is unclear if it is because they have heard she is alive, or if it is because the city lays on the crossing of some major ley lines. Either way, Erin has to decide to stay or run, and as expected (it is somewhat predictable) stays to fight. A few Hunters are rounded up, and they believe the worst of it is over, and the big, bad Master won't be coming.

Small surprise (that is sarcasm folks) but the Master does show up, though somewhat unexpectedly. The fight, if you can call it that, is short, and of course our heroine wins, with help from her friends. Then let's round out the "feel-good" part of the story by the supernaturals/paranormals decide to create a council, and feel they owe it all to Erin. In "compensation" they pay for her to go to college at a higher learning institution than community college.

Again, knowing that I picked this series because it had multiple books in it, and the description sounded fairly interesting for each book, I was a bit let down with this third one. The book really felt like it was meant to be a finish to a trilogy, than just being a book in a series. The story revolving around the Illuminati and its Hunters feels like it has come to an end. Main character gets something she really wanted but couldn't have/afford. New council to govern the paranormals and help prevent the normal world from knowing about them. How would you continue from there? I guess we will find out in book four.....

There was little character development in this installment. not much I felt was learned about the back story on our MC. A couple new characters were introduced, one of which was a lesbian vampire that tongue-kissed the MC, leaving the MC somewhat confused. Considering the other books dealt with the MC having hetero relationships, this was a surprise, and I wonder if the author did it for "shock and awe" or if this is some ploy to make future books more "sellable" to certain groups. Personally, it is no big deal, just found it odd it took three books and all of a sudden there is this that happens - and that's it.

Book Review: "Night Stalker" by B.R. Kingsolver

 All I want is to pay the rent and find a boyfriend. But an insane vampire thinks I hold the key to his takeover of the city, and I have a new stalker.

At least for now, I’ve dodged the Illuminati’s Hunters, but life is still a little too challenging. Rival vampire lords want to use me against each other, and the mysterious members of the Columbia Club are offering bounties for vampires and werewolves.

I'm lucky that the gang at Rosie's has my back, because I'm going to need them. - from Goodreads.com

This is the second novel in the Rosie O'Grady's Paranormal Bar and Grill series.

Erin is the main character, main bartender, "retired" Hunter from the Illuminati, and all-around bad-ass. Again she finds herself being the Police of the paranormal problems in and around Westport, where she is learning to call home after running from the Illuminati. Most of that is covered in the first book, though there is a little more background revealed in snippets in this one. Either way, there is a new Vampire in town that is forcing Erin to bring the current vampires in to him, so he can become the Master Vampire. Needless to say, the blackmail he uses against her seems viable.

This second book came across as being written better. I felt the character depth improved, including providing some better background story, and a little more insight as to their emotional/thought process. There is still some vagueries that may be cleared up in future installments, as if the author wants the reader to feel "empty" like the main character is naive about general things in life. Story line progresses well with the main character adding in more depth to friendships/relationships. Not much world building, as most of it still takes place in the seemingly small town.

Some of the expectations of story details are skewed. Westport is described as small, but I guess that is relative to where one was raised. It reads more like a large town, though not a metropolis. So when the story reads about distances traveled, and how quick it is to get to the forests, I get irritated. It is not the first story I have read that combines multiple races of paranormal all living in comfort (seemingly) with each other as neighbors. Considering most of the first two books are delaing with a vampire/werewolf problem, I expect the Fae to have major issues in one of the upcoming to read books. Also a reveal about what our main character really is, as she supposedly has some powers that "surprise" others.

Book Review: "Shadow Hunter" by B.R. Kingsolver

 

When my magic manifested at puberty, my parents sold me to the Illuminati. They trained me as an assassin, spy, and thief. But when they sent me to steal a magical artifact that reveals Truth in all things, I discovered that I was working for the Dark and not the Light. The Illuminati trained me well, and paid the ultimate price for their deception.

Thousands of miles away, I landed a job in a quirky little bar. But the scattered remnants of the Order still strive for world domination, and no one leaves the Illuminati alive. - from Goodreads.com

This is the first book in the Rosie O'Grady's Paranormal Bar and Grill series.

Erin is the main character in this tale, and like the brief story description above, the book was about that much illuminating. Basic story is she "leaves" the Illuminati, runs across the country, lands a job in a paranormal bar as a bartender. Then all the problems of the paranormal world drop in her lap and she is the hero at the end of the story. Well, it reads that way, and pans out that way, but the read to get there is pretty mediocre.

I actually started this series, knowing that there are at least five books to the story. I happened to come across it looking for some small series to read, and read descriptions on 2-3 of the books, to try to see a story line length. It sounded good enough to start, and though this first book is lacking a bit on depth of character background (which does pick up) it conveys an interesting story, with an origination line that is fantastical, but believable in a paranormal story.

Book Two does help expand a little more on character depth, and brings in more secondary characters.

Book Review: "Darkness Haunts" by Susan Ilene

Melena Sanders faced her fair share of danger with insurgents and terrorists when she served in the U.S. Army, but now she is about to go up against a new threat. Her best friend, Aniya, has disappeared while on a trip to Fairbanks, Alaska—a supernatural haven. Most humans have no idea darker races lurk amongst them. Mel knows better. If she wants to get her friend back, she’s going to have to go in alone—but not unarmed.

Melena has a few special skills the Army didn’t provide, but the odds are still against her. She’s got to come up with a plan fast that doesn’t involve her, or her friend, dying. But danger likes to play it rough. A war for power is about to rise in Fairbanks and if she wants to get Aniya back, she’s going to have to step right into the middle of it. - taken from Goodreads.com

Genre: Fantasy (Urban)
Author: Susan ILLene
Book: Darkness Haunts (The Sensor #1)
My Star Rating: 4 
Will I read I read it again? No

The story description does quite a bit to draw my attention. I'm thinking a soldier-type female main character, that evidently knows something about the supernatural (Supes) race(s) living among humans. She gets drawn into a search for a friend who has "gone missing" in Alaska - a supposed haven for these Supes. And supposedly she has some 'special skills'......

This is the kind of story I like in a good urban fantasy. I admit, it sounds like the same basic plot that so many of them have, but it is the story-telling of the plot with the details that draw me in. I was so looking forward to getting to this one, that I let it skip a few others I had in my pile before it. honestly, I was a little let down.

Our main character, Melena, is an orphan, raised by a foster family, which were killed/died/whatever, and she ended up with a "distant family member" to raise her. Around HS graduation age, she joined the Army, and supposedly served in Airborne, though it was as an interrogator. So, not to spoil it, she does have some "supernatural" power, but I'm not saying as it will spoil it for you. The rest of the book description pretty much covers it.

That all being said, there was no depth to the story, or its characters. Everyone is sexy/hunky for the most part. Every male loves/lusts/wants to be with the main character (and no one else it seems). Thankfully the most "sex scenes" were internal monologues that were very short (thank goodness) made by the main character about musculature features of said males. The story had a few small goodies I liked, and overall completed itself enough to be a stand alone story. 

Cons:
- MC tried to be a "big girl" and was saved by a hunky male way too many times, and way too obviously coming in the story
- no depth of character, or story world - this being mostly in Alaska - Fairbanks area - we are kind of left to our imagination 

Pros:
- Story idea was good, and I liked how it overall came together
- No cliff-hanger - even knowing there are like six books in the series
- MC superpower is one (or similar to) I have read about from other authors, and yet has it's own unique 'extra' to it

Middle of the Road: 
- The lack of description for the story world. I have no clue what the area around the location truly looks like, though I am sure it varies greatly from what I've seen on documentaries of polar bears. But I like that we could sort of form our own impressions of the "layout" from city to cabin to forests, etc. I thought it weird they could be in "downtown" Fairbanks, then five minutes later be at a cabin 200 yards off the main road, that has working plumbing.