Book Review: "Springs Arcana" by Lilith Saintcrow

 

American Gods vs. Baba Yaga in this Russian-inspired contemporary fantasy Spring's Arcana, by New York Times bestseller Lilith Saintcrow.

Nat Drozdova is desperate to save a life. Doctors can do little for her cancer-ridden mother, who insists there is only one cure—and that Nat must visit a skyscraper in Manhattan to get it.

Amid a snow-locked city, inside a sleek glass-walled office, Nat makes her plea and is whisked into a terrifying new world. For the skyscraper holds a hungry winter goddess who has the power to cure her mother…if Nat finds a stolen object of great power.

Now Nat must travel with a razor-wielding assassin across an American continent brimming with terror, wonder, and hungry divinities with every reason to consume a young woman. For her ailing mother is indeed suffering no ordinary illness, and Nat Drozdova is no ordinary girl. Blood calls to blood, magic to magic, and a daughter may indeed save what she loves...

…if it doesn’t consume her first.

This is the way to the Dead God’s Heart. - from Netgalley.com

This ARC was given at no cost from Netgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased opinion.

I have read Saintcrow's work before (Dante Valentine series) and have enjoyed her writing style. I was happy to see her coming out with a new series. As it states above, this does feel like American Gods vs Baba Yaga, who is in fact a major character in the story. But it mostly centers around Nat, who appears to be the offspring of the 'Spring' persona of the Baba Yaga myth/lore. Of course, she has no ideas of what power she has, or will have, or how things go in the "magic realm" that she has never been exposed to until now. Add in the death-sick mother (whom the MC loves) that sends her on a mission to recover something stolen.... Yeah. Gets pretty interesting.

Definitely a good start for a new series, with a different accounting of the Baba Yaga legend in a modern day setting. I don't foresee any romance happening in the series, but who really knows aside from the author. I have a few ideas of what may happen in the next book, and will anxiously await the next in this series.

Book Review: "Red Cloaked Huntress" by Erika Harken

 

A wolf, a destiny, and no turning back…

A mysterious black wolf haunts the forest of Crimlas, stripping the woodland of its beauty and preventing the people of Rothum from harvesting the Mirimae flower—a rare and powerful medicinal plant they have relied on for centuries.

Despite all efforts to kill or rid of the Black Wolf, its decade-long reign persists, as those who set out to hunt it never return home…

Eighteen-year-old Loraline has lived in the devastation of the wolf’s presence since childhood, watching the sick and wounded die needlessly without the Mirimae flower. A month before her wedding, her own grandmother falls gravely ill, and Loraline knows she cannot withstand the plague of the Black Wolf any longer.

Donning her blood-red cloak, the brave young woman sets out in the heart of winter to discover the Black Wolf’s origin, as well as the weakness that will bring its destruction once and for all. - from Booksirens.com

This ARC was provided through Booksirens.com at no cost and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is a novella from this author, that caught my eye due to the cover art. Add to it the plot description and that it is a fairytale re-telling piqued my interest. It is rather shorter than I would have liked, but is well-written. Obvuiously, there is a 'red riding hood' and a big, black wolf, but from there, this re-telling just has the right kind of twists in the story that surprised me. I was a bit disappointed that there was not more "filling" of the story, but it is a novella. I would very much like to see similar retellings of other tales by this author.

Book Review: "Pearl Sky" by Elizabeth Hunter

 

It was a friendly visit until a priceless artifact was stolen. Now Ben and Tenzin are up to their necks in secrets that can kill.

It’s not just any holiday season in the immortal world. Elder Zhang’s oldest servant is reaching the century mark and Ben and Tenzin are ready to celebrate, but no sooner do they land on Penglai Island than a mystery falls in their path. A valuable seal has gone missing, and the artifact was a gift from an ancient vampire who just happens to be heading to Penglai for a long-overdue formal visit.

The Elders of Penglai may have asked Ben and Tenzin’s assistance to find the lost treasure, but that doesn’t mean that eight ancient vampires, their immortal children, and all the humans who serve them will suddenly become open books. Penglai Island is secret for a reason, and the heart of that reason may just reveal the motive behind the theft.

PEARL SKY is a brand new Elemental Legacy story by Elizabeth Hunter, ten-time USA Today bestselling author of the Elemental Mysteries, the Irin Chronicles, and other works of fiction. - from Netgalley.com 

This ARC was provided to me by Netgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is the eighth book in the Elemental Legacy series by this author, who also has other series that are related to the same world as set in this novel. In this particular part of the series, it find Ben and Tenzin returning to their 'creator' 's island for a celebration, only to be asked to help solve the theft of a valuable (and possibly political) seal. As recoverers of lost/stolen artifacts, this is, of course, right in the skill set of these two characters.

Seeing the relationship between Ben and Tenzin grow in the stories has been satisfying. It isn't like instant and true love at first sight. With Ben being a new creature of the night, and matched to Tenzin's hundreds (thousands?) of years as one, makes this relationship very interesting. Add in the mental quirks and old habits, it helps provide a good side distraction to the actual story line - though I guess this would be part of that as well. I have enjoyed this series from book one, and have been trying to get up to date on the side stories of the other series, many of which have interesting information on the side characters of this series line.

Hunter is a wonderful writer, and the ease of reading her novels are one of the many things I enjoy. The 'sexual' sections of stories are not written in the style of a letter to a porn magazine, and I feel the story is realistic (as far as vampires anyways). I would recommend to any adult reader.

Book Review: "The Dead Dragon Job" by Anne Lyle

 

Twenty years ago a dragon stole their loot - now they're stealing it back!

When Lord Jesper Winterglass rides into town with a dead dragon in tow, he instantly becomes the hero of the hour. The fact that no dragon has been seen near the city in centuries, or that the gold and jewels in the creature’s hoard must presumably have belonged to someone else once upon a time, doesn’t seem to bother Ravensby’s citizens. Most of them, anyway.

Detective Inspector Freya Gitasdottir has built her career on finding missing persons and lost valuables, and her investigations into the hoard’s original owners soon lead her to alleged jewel thief Lucian Thorne. But is he really a hardened criminal, or simply another victim of the arrogant, decadent Gentry who rule the kingdom of Alfheim?

Freya’s loyalties—and her magical talents—are stretched to the limit as she tries to find a middle way between the letter of the law and the dictates of her conscience. Because if she fails, the dragon isn’t the only one who’ll end up dead. - from Booksirens.com

This ARC was provided to me through Booksirens.com and I am leaving an unbiased review.

This is book one of a new series titled 'Winterglass & Thorne' and I admit, the only reason I looked at this one, was because the cover are attracted my eye. Once I read the plot synopsis, it intrigued me enough to request a copy for review. Sadly I was a bit let down.

In all truth, I did not finish this book. I made it around halfway through when I just could not stay in attention mode to complete anymore, though I did try again after several days. I liked the world design, with the intermixing of mythologies, even the ones I didn't understand, but was increasingly frustrated with the mount of racism between racial classes, and only the long-lived (elf-type) were the rich ones (though that makes perfect sense). There was just too much of it. Add in the prejudicial thoughts/sayings of many against the main character, a female law officer, and even her colleagues... It all was just too much. I am sure that it is part of the story to help make her breaks in the case appear as bigger events. 

I do enjoy a good story with a strong female lead, and this has the workings for it. I just felt that the attitudes of the masses against the character was way overboard. Some of the side characters did not seem to act/think as someone in their position would, or with the intelligence they should have. I think if those could be "banked down" this could be a good story.

Book Review: "The Cabinet of Dr Leng" by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

 The tremendous new thriller in Preston & Child’s #1 bestselling series features FBI Special Agent Pendergast and Constance Greene in their most extraordinary circumstances yet.

AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

Astoundingly, Constance has found a way back to the place of her origins, New York City in the late 1800s, leaping at the chance, although it means leaving the present forever.

A DESPERATE OPPORTUNITY

Constance sets off on a quest to prevent the events that lead to the deaths of her sister and brother. But along the road to redemption, Manhattan’s most infamous serial killer, Dr. Enoch Leng, lies in wait, ready to strike at the slightest provocation.

UNIMAGINABLE ODDS

Meanwhile, in contemporary New York, Pendergast feverishly searches for a way to reunite with Constance—but will he discover a way back to her before it’s too late? - from Netgalley.com

This ARC was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost and I am providing an unbiased review.

From my sources, this is the 21st book in the Agent Pendergast series, and if you have not read any of them before, you should start them. I believe it is best to read them in chronological order, but to each their own. I am not going on to describe briefly the plot of this particular story, because it is a bit of a continuation from the last book. I will mention (again) you may want to start this series with book one, "The Relic" (which was made into a movie years ago). You won't regret it.

That being said, it was great to return to the Pendergast world, plus the return of some new and old characters. As I stated above, this story continues from the previous book, and answers some, yet not all, of the questions I had at the end of the last book. You may not like me admitting this, but this part of the story raises yet even more questions for me. I am expecting another follow-up story, and that wait will have to be burdened (at least a year, if not more).

Preston & Childs' writing style has always been a good read for me. I have not only read all of the Pendergast series, but some of their individual spin-offs and other stand-alone novels. The Pendergast stories just flow well, considering there are two different people writing them. Once again I give them the applause they deserve.

This where some spoilers may come in...

Thoughts on this story? I don't recall Pendergast ever being so ... distraught? in distress? ... as he was at the start of this novel. What truly are his concerns/feelings for Constance? It was good to see a newer character, Coldmoon, have to return to his 'normal' FBI career, yet cross paths in NY with D'Augustino our earlier FBI agent of several novels.  Their connection to Pendergast will become clearer I think in future writing. And the final question, now the Dr Leng knows what he knows, what will happen? I have my thoughts, but it will be a long wait to find out....

Book Review: "Devastation Road" by Joanna Baker

 

The clues were in front of them the whole time. Matt and Chess should have been able to see who killed Debbie.

A road near Yackandandah, Victoria. It used to be called Station Road, but eight years ago things started catching fire. Then a girl was killed, and someone got smart with the name.

Now it’s happening again. There’s a fire, and Matt Tingle and Chess Febey find another girl, drowned in a pond. Chess isn’t Matt’s friend. She’s one of those people you get stuck with – well meaning, total virus. But she knows how to answer questions, and there are plenty of those: Why are Tara and Wando afraid? What is the meaning of that lump of amber? How can a car be blue and white at the same time?To find out who killed their friend, Matt and Chess have to put themselves in danger, they have to look deep into themselves, and they have to reveal things about the past… other people’s secrets…

And the truth about what happened on Devastation Road. - from Booksirens.com

I was provided an ARC through Booksirens.com and am providing an unbiased review.

When I came across this book whilst browsing, the cover caught my eye enough that I had to read the blurb. Interesting ... mystery .... hmmmm. And so I requested (and received) a copy. Once I started reading it though, my interest waned fairly rapidly. The story itself is well-thought out, and written in a style that was easy to understand, even not having lived in the country where it takes place. 

I started to lose interest from close to the start. The main character just seemed too dopey for me to feel involved. His 'partner' is the smart one, and I felt like the MC was only around to ask the dumb questions so the partner could ask the smart ones. It just didn't sit well with me. I admit I did skip some pages here and there around the middle of the book so may have missed some details of the story, but either way I did make it to the finsh, and the ending turned out decent.

Book Review: "Burner" by Mark Greaney

 

Court Gentry is caught between the Russian mafia and the CIA in this latest electrifying thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling Gray Man series.

When you kick over a rock, you never know what's going to crawl out. 
 
Alex Velesky is about to discover that the hard way. He's stolen records from the Swiss bank that employs him, thinking that he'll uncover a criminal conspiracy. But he soon finds that he's tapped into the mother lode of corruption. Before he knows it, he's being hunted by everyone from the Russian mafia to the CIA. 
 
Court Gentry and his erstwhile lover, Zoya Zakharova, find themselves on opposites poles when it comes to Velesky. They both want him but for different reasons. 
 
That's a problem for tomorrow. Today they need to keep him and themselves alive. Right now, it's not looking good. - from Netgalley.com

This ARC was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is about book twelve in the series about 'The Gray Man' by this author. In fact, I beleive there is a movie out called that, based on the main character. Anyways, I was happy to delve back into this action series and see what Court has been up to. It wasn't much. Our action-oriented main character was basically sinking some expensive yachts/cruisers of money-hungry Russians, until he is asked to help on a case from his old handler, Brewer. Needless to say, when one of the groups from governmental ABC organizations get involved, things get messed up. They send him after a target to bring in alive, with the information he allegedly possesses. Little known at the time, his previous lover, Zoya, has been hired by a different foreign orginization to do the same thing.

There has been a time difference since the previous novel, and the two lovers have been apart for some time. The splitting wasn't easy, and each has handled it their own way: Court doing stoic, Zoya drowning in the bottle. The author has brought the story more into modern times, as the Ukrainian War with Russia has been going on, and Zoya feels guilt about it - as she is Russian, even though she has played no part in the war. 

So there isn't a lot of time to get all mushy when they run into each other, and Zoya has the target. They decide to work together, and find out that no government agency should have this info, and work to get it released to the world. Well, yes, there is quite a bit of action in the midst of them doing this, and even a nice ending. I don't know if we will see Gray Man come around again or not. It may be time he retired and settled down.