Below are the best paranormal/urban fantasy books I read this year.
Top Ten Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
1. The Eyre Affair by JasperFforde
2. Turn Coat (Dresden Files, Book 11) by Jim Butcher
3. Just Another Judgement Day (Nightside, Book 9) by Simon Green
4. Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey
5. Succubus Heat (Georgina Kincaid, Book 4) by Richelle Mead
6. Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3) by Ilona Andrews
7. On the Edge (The Edge Chronicles, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews
8. Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey
9. Breathers by S.G. Browne
10. Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate, Book 1) by Gail Carriger
Monday, December 28, 2009
Best of 2009 - Young Adult
This was an unbelievable year for books. I read 213 (+ Dec) books this year. Most of them were pretty good ones. It is always hard to pick your favorites, so I decided I would pick my favorite books in six categories: Young Adult, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Middle Grade Fiction, Children's Books, and Graphic Novels. The young adult picks are listed below in no particular order.
Top 10 Young Adult Books
1. Paper Towns by John Green
2. Ash by Melinda Lo
3. Beastly by Alex Flinn
4. Catching Fire (Hunger Games, Book 2) by Suzanne Collins
5. Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen
6. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
7. The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Book 4) by Melissa De La Cruz
8. Genesis by Bernard Beckett
9. The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
10. Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
Top 10 Young Adult Books
1. Paper Towns by John Green
2. Ash by Melinda Lo
3. Beastly by Alex Flinn
4. Catching Fire (Hunger Games, Book 2) by Suzanne Collins
5. Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen
6. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
7. The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Book 4) by Melissa De La Cruz
8. Genesis by Bernard Beckett
9. The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
10. Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
"Black Orchid" by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean (4/5 stars)
One of the few Gaiman/McKean works that I haven't read; I was eager to read this graphic novel. It was a pretty good read. It is an unusual comic book and deals with some more serious issues than the basic good vs. evil.
This comic takes place in Gotham City and in the first few scenes we get to watch as the super-hero Black Orchid is captured and killed. The rest of the story follows her flower sisters as they deal with the fall-out from Black Orchid's action and try to find a place for themselves in the world.
It is an interesting story in that the main character for the most part is a passive flower-lady that is trying to gain back her memories and figure out how to protect her flower sisters.
There are cameo appearances by Batman, Poison Ivy, Lex Luther, and others. We get to visit Arkham Asylum and spend time with the dirty underground of Gotham.
The majority of the comic deals with the idea of violence and what happens when you make a choice either to be peaceful or take violent action. It also shows that sometimes making the right choice doesn't always mean things will turn out the right way.
An interesting graphic novel and somewhat thought provoking. I can see why they said this graphic novel helped break the way for more non-traditional graphic novels. The artwork by McKean is the usual mixture of beautiful, creepy, and slightly disturbing...it goes very well with the story.
There are only a couple things that weren't ideal. One was that the character's aren't as engaging as I am used to for Gaiman and (since this was released in the 80's) the other is that the graphics are pretty dated...there are a lot of 80's hairstyles walking through this graphic novel and at times that made me laugh.
This comic takes place in Gotham City and in the first few scenes we get to watch as the super-hero Black Orchid is captured and killed. The rest of the story follows her flower sisters as they deal with the fall-out from Black Orchid's action and try to find a place for themselves in the world.
It is an interesting story in that the main character for the most part is a passive flower-lady that is trying to gain back her memories and figure out how to protect her flower sisters.
There are cameo appearances by Batman, Poison Ivy, Lex Luther, and others. We get to visit Arkham Asylum and spend time with the dirty underground of Gotham.
The majority of the comic deals with the idea of violence and what happens when you make a choice either to be peaceful or take violent action. It also shows that sometimes making the right choice doesn't always mean things will turn out the right way.
An interesting graphic novel and somewhat thought provoking. I can see why they said this graphic novel helped break the way for more non-traditional graphic novels. The artwork by McKean is the usual mixture of beautiful, creepy, and slightly disturbing...it goes very well with the story.
There are only a couple things that weren't ideal. One was that the character's aren't as engaging as I am used to for Gaiman and (since this was released in the 80's) the other is that the graphics are pretty dated...there are a lot of 80's hairstyles walking through this graphic novel and at times that made me laugh.
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman (5/5 stars)
I was really looking forward reading Gaiman's next children's book. It was a great read and a wonderful story.
Odd is a bit different from the rest of the Norse community he lives in. One night he wanders off to his deceased father's cabin to carve some wood and runs into a bear, an eagle, and a fox...and they can talk. Ends up that they are actually the Norse gods Thor, Odin, and Loki trapped in animal shape by a Frost Giant who stole Thor's hammer (with some unintended aid from Loki). Odd, not having much else to do, decides to help them get back to Asgard and get their fortress back from the Frost Giant.
This is a great story and it is told like a fairy tale or a fable, in typical Gaiman style. At times the story is quite funny and it is an inspiring tale about a boy just being who he is to help others. I really enjoyed it. This is a great story for all ages. Kids will enjoy the Nordic gods and their sardonic sense of humor; they will enjoy Odd and how a little boy helps change the world just by being himself. The Norse mythology is interesting and the way things are resolved without violence refreshing and ironic.
I loved this story and will keep it on my shelf to re-read and read to my son when he gets a bit older (he is only 3 right now). Another great Gaiman book. Great illustrations and a quick read. Everyone should give this book a read through.
Odd is a bit different from the rest of the Norse community he lives in. One night he wanders off to his deceased father's cabin to carve some wood and runs into a bear, an eagle, and a fox...and they can talk. Ends up that they are actually the Norse gods Thor, Odin, and Loki trapped in animal shape by a Frost Giant who stole Thor's hammer (with some unintended aid from Loki). Odd, not having much else to do, decides to help them get back to Asgard and get their fortress back from the Frost Giant.
This is a great story and it is told like a fairy tale or a fable, in typical Gaiman style. At times the story is quite funny and it is an inspiring tale about a boy just being who he is to help others. I really enjoyed it. This is a great story for all ages. Kids will enjoy the Nordic gods and their sardonic sense of humor; they will enjoy Odd and how a little boy helps change the world just by being himself. The Norse mythology is interesting and the way things are resolved without violence refreshing and ironic.
I loved this story and will keep it on my shelf to re-read and read to my son when he gets a bit older (he is only 3 right now). Another great Gaiman book. Great illustrations and a quick read. Everyone should give this book a read through.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Mailbox Monday - 12/28
Mailbox Monday can be found at: The Printed Page
Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I got a lot of books this week. I am excited about them all. "Malice", "Blood Ninja" and "Numbers" were all from the Amazon Vine program. The rest were gifts for Christmas. Lots more to read and a ton of good books. See the details for them below.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and is looking forward to a Happy New Year's! Happy reading :-)
"Malice" by Chris Wooding
First Sentence: "I have to show you something."
From Amazon.com: "Three kids get trapped in the world of a deadly comic book in this middle-grade thriller from Chris Wooding."
"Blood Ninja" by Nick Lake
First Sentence: "This was not a good place to be out at night, all alone."
From Amazon.com: "In the course of a day, Taro's entire life changes: His father is murdered before his eyes, and Taro is taken by a mysterious ninja on a perilous journey toward safety. Someone wants Taro dead, but who -- and why? With his best friend, Hiro, and their ninja guide Shusaku, Taro gets caught in the crossfire of a bitter conflict between rival lords for control of imperial Japan. As Taro trains to become a ninja himself, he's less and less sure that he wants to be one. But when his real identity is revealed, it becomes impossible for Taro to turn his back on his fate."
"Odd and the Frost Giants" by Neil Gaiman
First Sentence: "There was a boy called Odd, and there was nothing strange or unusual about that, not in that time or place."
From Amazon.com: "In this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back.
In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he's had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy.
Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures with a strange story to tell.
Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined—a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it.
It's going to take a very special kind of twelve-year-old boy to outwit the Frost Giants, restore peace to the city of gods, and end the long winter.
Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever . . .
Someone just like Odd ."
"Black Orchid" by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean
First Sentence: "One thing is certain, winter is coming."
From Amazon.com: "From one of the most highly recognised and award winning comic writers on the scene today, Neil Gaiman (Sandman, Death, Violent Cases), and his sometime collaborator, innovative artist Dave McKean (Arkham Asylum, Cages, Violent Cases) comes a haunting and stylish exploration of birth, death and renewal. Both human and flower the heroine, Black Orchid, undertakes a hazardous journey to uncover her true origins, providing a moving ecological parable for our times. This work by Gaiman and Mckean is an early showcase for the talent we know today."
"Numbers" by Rachel Ward
First Sentence: "There are places where kids like me go."
From Amazon.com: "Ever since she was child, Jem has kept a secret: Whenever she meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die. Burdened with such awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. The two plan a trip to the city. But while waiting to ride the Eye ferris wheel, Jem is terrified to see that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today's number. Today's date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem's world is about to explode!"
"The Werewolf's Guide to Life" by Ritch Duncan and Bob Powers
First Sentence: "Welcome to The Werewolf's Guide to Life, the definitive manual for the recently bitten lycanthrope."
From Amazon.com: "Have you been attacked by a wolf-like creature in the last 30 days? Was it after the sun had set and under a full moon? If you answered, “yes” to both these questions, there’s a very good chance that you were bitten by a werewolf. You now have less than a month before the full moon returns and with it your first transformation into a savage, bloodthirsty beast.
Survival is an option, but first, know this:
* Werewolves are real.
* The majority of lycanthropes who do not have access to this book die during or shortly after their first transformations, generally due to heart failure, gunshot wounds, exposure, drowning or suicide.
* Hollywood horror movies are NOT to be used as guides to living as a werewolf. Their goal is not to educate, but to entertain. As a result, they are largely ignorant of the realities of the condition.
* Ignorance creates monsters; lycanthropy does not.
* You are not a monster.
The Werewolf's Guide to Life cuts through the fiction and guides you through your first transformation and beyond, offering indispensable advice on how to tell if you’re really a werewolf, post-attack etiquette, breaking the news to your spouse, avoiding government abduction, and how to not just survive, but thrive. You cannot afford to not read this book. Your very life depends on it."
"First Lord's Fury" (The Codex Alera, Book 6) by Jim Butcher
First Sentence: "The steadholt was located several miles south of the ruined wasteland that had once been Alera Imperia, and it was an old one."
From Amazon.com: "For years he has endured the endless trials and triumphs of a man whose skill and power could not be restrained. Battling ancient enemies, forging new alliances, and confronting the corruption within his own land, Gaius Octavian became a legendary man of war-and the rightful First Lord of Alera.
But now, the savage Vord are on the march, and Gaius must lead his legions to the Calderon Valley to stand against them-using all of his intelligence, ingenuity, and furycraft to save their world from eternal darkness."
"Kith" (The Good Neighbors, Book 2) by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh
First Sentence: "Once you know things, you can't unknow them."
From Amazon.com: "Rue Silver's life is not what it appears to be. Her mother is a faerie, and has been taken back to the faerie realm. As Rue goes to bring her back, she must travel deep into an inhuman world. At the same time, the faerie realm is venturing into our world too, and taking its toll on those Rue loves. When her grandfather's plans threaten Rue's city, she realizes that she's the only one who can stop him. But is Rue a human or a faerie? Where does she fit? How does she know the difference between love and enchantment?"
Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I got a lot of books this week. I am excited about them all. "Malice", "Blood Ninja" and "Numbers" were all from the Amazon Vine program. The rest were gifts for Christmas. Lots more to read and a ton of good books. See the details for them below.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and is looking forward to a Happy New Year's! Happy reading :-)
"Malice" by Chris Wooding
First Sentence: "I have to show you something."
From Amazon.com: "Three kids get trapped in the world of a deadly comic book in this middle-grade thriller from Chris Wooding."
"Blood Ninja" by Nick Lake
First Sentence: "This was not a good place to be out at night, all alone."
From Amazon.com: "In the course of a day, Taro's entire life changes: His father is murdered before his eyes, and Taro is taken by a mysterious ninja on a perilous journey toward safety. Someone wants Taro dead, but who -- and why? With his best friend, Hiro, and their ninja guide Shusaku, Taro gets caught in the crossfire of a bitter conflict between rival lords for control of imperial Japan. As Taro trains to become a ninja himself, he's less and less sure that he wants to be one. But when his real identity is revealed, it becomes impossible for Taro to turn his back on his fate."
"Odd and the Frost Giants" by Neil Gaiman
First Sentence: "There was a boy called Odd, and there was nothing strange or unusual about that, not in that time or place."
From Amazon.com: "In this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back.
In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he's had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy.
Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures with a strange story to tell.
Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined—a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it.
It's going to take a very special kind of twelve-year-old boy to outwit the Frost Giants, restore peace to the city of gods, and end the long winter.
Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever . . .
Someone just like Odd ."
"Black Orchid" by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean
First Sentence: "One thing is certain, winter is coming."
From Amazon.com: "From one of the most highly recognised and award winning comic writers on the scene today, Neil Gaiman (Sandman, Death, Violent Cases), and his sometime collaborator, innovative artist Dave McKean (Arkham Asylum, Cages, Violent Cases) comes a haunting and stylish exploration of birth, death and renewal. Both human and flower the heroine, Black Orchid, undertakes a hazardous journey to uncover her true origins, providing a moving ecological parable for our times. This work by Gaiman and Mckean is an early showcase for the talent we know today."
"Numbers" by Rachel Ward
First Sentence: "There are places where kids like me go."
From Amazon.com: "Ever since she was child, Jem has kept a secret: Whenever she meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die. Burdened with such awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. The two plan a trip to the city. But while waiting to ride the Eye ferris wheel, Jem is terrified to see that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today's number. Today's date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem's world is about to explode!"
"The Werewolf's Guide to Life" by Ritch Duncan and Bob Powers
First Sentence: "Welcome to The Werewolf's Guide to Life, the definitive manual for the recently bitten lycanthrope."
From Amazon.com: "Have you been attacked by a wolf-like creature in the last 30 days? Was it after the sun had set and under a full moon? If you answered, “yes” to both these questions, there’s a very good chance that you were bitten by a werewolf. You now have less than a month before the full moon returns and with it your first transformation into a savage, bloodthirsty beast.
Survival is an option, but first, know this:
* Werewolves are real.
* The majority of lycanthropes who do not have access to this book die during or shortly after their first transformations, generally due to heart failure, gunshot wounds, exposure, drowning or suicide.
* Hollywood horror movies are NOT to be used as guides to living as a werewolf. Their goal is not to educate, but to entertain. As a result, they are largely ignorant of the realities of the condition.
* Ignorance creates monsters; lycanthropy does not.
* You are not a monster.
The Werewolf's Guide to Life cuts through the fiction and guides you through your first transformation and beyond, offering indispensable advice on how to tell if you’re really a werewolf, post-attack etiquette, breaking the news to your spouse, avoiding government abduction, and how to not just survive, but thrive. You cannot afford to not read this book. Your very life depends on it."
"First Lord's Fury" (The Codex Alera, Book 6) by Jim Butcher
First Sentence: "The steadholt was located several miles south of the ruined wasteland that had once been Alera Imperia, and it was an old one."
From Amazon.com: "For years he has endured the endless trials and triumphs of a man whose skill and power could not be restrained. Battling ancient enemies, forging new alliances, and confronting the corruption within his own land, Gaius Octavian became a legendary man of war-and the rightful First Lord of Alera.
But now, the savage Vord are on the march, and Gaius must lead his legions to the Calderon Valley to stand against them-using all of his intelligence, ingenuity, and furycraft to save their world from eternal darkness."
"Kith" (The Good Neighbors, Book 2) by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh
First Sentence: "Once you know things, you can't unknow them."
From Amazon.com: "Rue Silver's life is not what it appears to be. Her mother is a faerie, and has been taken back to the faerie realm. As Rue goes to bring her back, she must travel deep into an inhuman world. At the same time, the faerie realm is venturing into our world too, and taking its toll on those Rue loves. When her grandfather's plans threaten Rue's city, she realizes that she's the only one who can stop him. But is Rue a human or a faerie? Where does she fit? How does she know the difference between love and enchantment?"
Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey (4.5/5 stars)
I loved Carey's Kushiel series and I also read a lot of urban fantasy, so I was excited to see that Carey had tried her hand at an urban fantasy novel. This novel wasn't at all what I expected but I liked it quite a bit all the same.
Santa Olivia is a small area that is acting as a buffer zone between plague ridden Mexico and the United States. No one knows the town exists outside of the Army. The citizens of the town struggle to make it. This story tells a tale of two half-siblings; Tom and Loup. After their mother dies, Tom goes to live at the gym and train for the boxing matches that could be his ticket out of Santa Olivia. Loup is sent to live at the church with other orphans there. Loup is not quite human because of her genetically modified father and ensues on a series of semi-vigilante actions with the other orphans of the church.
This was a great story. The characters are interesting and engaging. The story compelling because you are constantly hoping that the characters will win the boxing matches and get their ticket out of this secret, rundown town. Loup is the most intriguing character because she does not fear (because of being not quite human). Carey does an excellent job of realistically dealing with the problems that come with being fearless when it comes into blending into society. All of the characters in (and out) out of the church are very well done and have interesting pasts.
I was also impressed that Carey did a great job at making such an isolated society realistic and reasonable. She does an excellent job showing how things are kept in check.
The story wasn't what I expected though. It was just different from most urban fantasy, much less action driven and more character driven. This ended up being okay and interesting...just unexpected. I also thought that Carey's writing style was a bit odd for this type of story. The profanity used by some of the characters came off as sounding a bit odd when paired with some of the more detailed descriptions or sensual scenes. It wasn't bad, it was just different. I think people who think this is some sort of super-hero like paranormal novel may be disappointed or at least taken by surprise...this book was just different from anything out there.
Overall I really liked the story and the characters. I hope that Carey does some additional stand-alone novels. The biggest problem with this book is that it may not appeal to the fans of her epic fantasy Kushiel series and it may be too different for the paranormal crowd...but if you are into both urban fantasy and Carey's previous works I would definitely give it a read.
Santa Olivia is a small area that is acting as a buffer zone between plague ridden Mexico and the United States. No one knows the town exists outside of the Army. The citizens of the town struggle to make it. This story tells a tale of two half-siblings; Tom and Loup. After their mother dies, Tom goes to live at the gym and train for the boxing matches that could be his ticket out of Santa Olivia. Loup is sent to live at the church with other orphans there. Loup is not quite human because of her genetically modified father and ensues on a series of semi-vigilante actions with the other orphans of the church.
This was a great story. The characters are interesting and engaging. The story compelling because you are constantly hoping that the characters will win the boxing matches and get their ticket out of this secret, rundown town. Loup is the most intriguing character because she does not fear (because of being not quite human). Carey does an excellent job of realistically dealing with the problems that come with being fearless when it comes into blending into society. All of the characters in (and out) out of the church are very well done and have interesting pasts.
I was also impressed that Carey did a great job at making such an isolated society realistic and reasonable. She does an excellent job showing how things are kept in check.
The story wasn't what I expected though. It was just different from most urban fantasy, much less action driven and more character driven. This ended up being okay and interesting...just unexpected. I also thought that Carey's writing style was a bit odd for this type of story. The profanity used by some of the characters came off as sounding a bit odd when paired with some of the more detailed descriptions or sensual scenes. It wasn't bad, it was just different. I think people who think this is some sort of super-hero like paranormal novel may be disappointed or at least taken by surprise...this book was just different from anything out there.
Overall I really liked the story and the characters. I hope that Carey does some additional stand-alone novels. The biggest problem with this book is that it may not appeal to the fans of her epic fantasy Kushiel series and it may be too different for the paranormal crowd...but if you are into both urban fantasy and Carey's previous works I would definitely give it a read.
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