NEWS: The Falcata Times To Be Read Pile

Hail Mighty Readers,
We thought that we'd start a new feature, the Falcata Times To Be Read list (hereby refered to as the TBR List). This is where we put up the titles that we have received and you, the readers, can let us know which ones you want to know more about and we'll move them up so that they get reviewed sooner rather than later.

We'll update once a month and from there we'll do our best to help you, the readers, make the right choice on your book buying sorties. (Especially with a certain Holiday time fast approaching. Where has the year gone?)

Currently we have:
SCIENCE FICTION
ROBERTS, Adam - New Model Army
McNEILL, Graham & ABNETT, Dan: The Dark King (Audio)
MCNEILL, Graham – The Chapters Due
KYME, Nick – Fire Born (Audio)
ANDERSON, Kevin J & HERBERT, Brian – The Winds of Dune
THORPE, Gav – Path of the Warrior
STOSS, Charles – The Fuller Memorandum
WOODING, Chris – Black Lung Captain
McDONALD, Ian – The Dervish House
DEMBSKI-BOWDEN, Aaron – Throne of Lies (AUDIO)
SWALLOW, James - Nemesis (Horus Heresy)
RANKIN, Robert – The Japanese Devil Fish Girl…
RAJANISMI, Hannu – The Quantum Jump


FANTASY
CANAVAN, Trudi – The Ambassador’s Mission
CHADBOURN, Mark – The Sword of Albion
PRATCHETT, Terry – Going Postal (TV Tie in)
NEWTON, Mark Charen – City of Ruin
ANDERSON, Kevin J – The Map of all Things
PARKER, KJ - The Folded Knife
McKENNA, Juliet – The Banners in the Wind
KEYES, Greg – An Elder Scrolls Novel: The Infernal City
WRAIGHT, Chris – Warhammer Heroes: Sword of Justice
MILLER, Karen – The Reluctant Mage
LLOYD, Tom – The Ragged Man
PEVEL, Pierre – The Alchemist in the Shadows


URBAN FANTASY
DE CANDIDO, Keith – Supernatural: Heart of the Dragon
BRONTE, Charlotte & BROWNING-IRWIN, Sherri – Jane Slayre
RHODES, Natasha – Circus of Sins
RECHT, Z A – Plague of the Dead (The Morningstar Plague)
NEVILL, Adam - Apartment 16 (Horror)
ARTHUR, Keri – Moon Sworn
ENNIS, Garth & ROBERTSON, Darrick – The Boys: Vol 6
HARRIS, Charlaine – Dead in the Family
GRANT, Mira – Feed
MARIANI, Scott G – Uprising
BLACK, Holly – White Cat
DEHART, Terry - The Unit
KESSLER, Jackie and KITTREDGE, Caitlin – Shades of Night (Icarus Project 2)
DAVIDSON, Mary Janice – Undead and Unfinished
WELLINGTON, David – Cursed


YOUNG ADULT/CHILDRENS (appearing on Tattys Treasure Chest)
SMITH, LJ - Vampire Diaries 1&2: Awakening, Struggle
SMITH, LJ - Vampire Diaries 3&4: Fury, Return
KING, Caro – Shadowspell
NARAYAN, Natasha – The Maharajah’s Monkey
PRENEAS, Sarah – Magic Thief: Found
RICHARDSON, Justin & PARNELL, Peter – Christian the Hugging Lion (3+)
CHANDLER, Elizabeth – Dark Secrets 2
CURLEY, Marianne – The Named
CLARKE, Noel – 4 3 2 1
KATE, Lauren – Fallen
BRENNAN, Sarah Rees – The Demon’s Covenant
MOORE, Lynne & KEFFORD, Naomi & Ill. DAVIES, Benji - When the Dragons Came
KESSLER, Liz – Phillipa Fisher and the Stone Fairy’s Palace
KESSLER, Liz – Emily Windsnap and the Siren’s Secret
HOPGOOD, Tim – Wow! said the Owl
LIMB, Sue – Girl 16 - Five Star Fiasco
KENYON, Sherrilyn – Infinity: Chronicles of Nick 1
CHADDA, Sarwat – Dark Goddess
HOPKINS, Cathy – Million Dollar Mates (11+)
SMITH, LJ – The Forbidden Game (TEEN)
HALE, Shannon – Forest born
WESTERFELD, Scott – Secret Hour (Midnighters 1)
WEBB, Catherine – The Dream Thief
WILLIAMS, Carol Lynch – The Chosen One
SCOTT, Michael – The Necromancer
BYNG, Georgia – Molly Moon: The Morphing Mystery
WATERS, Dan – Passing Strange


HISTORICAL FICTION
BLAKE, Richard – The Terror of Constantinople
BLAKE, Richard – The Blood of Alexandria
SIDEBOTTOM, Harry – Lion of the Sun (Warrior of Rome 3)
CAMERON, Christian – Killer of Men
GREGORY, Philippa – The Red Queen
VAUGHAN-HUGHES, Pip – The Fools Crusade


MISC
HEWSON, David - The Blue Demon (THRILLER)
STRAUB, Peter – A Dark Matter (HORROR)
DEL TORO, Guillermo – The Strain (Thriller)
O’CONNOR, Niamh – If I ever See you Again (CRIME)
FOREMAN, Gayle - If I Stay (FICTION)
BYRNES, Michael – The Genesis Plague (THRILLER)
PAVELEC, Jim & SEAMAN, Chris – Ink Bloom (ART)
BAXTER, Stephen – Stone Spring (Alternate History)
MOODY, David – Dog Blood (THRILLER)
GERRITSEN, Tess – The Killing Place (CRIME)
SABERHAGEN, Fred – Sherlock Holmes: The 7th Bullet (CRIME)
THOMAS, RHYS – On the Third Day (Thriller)
BECKER, James – The Messiah Secret (THRILLER)
NEWMAN, Ruth – The Company of Shadows (CRIME)
The Medieval Murderers – The Sacred Stone (CRIME)
MAN, John – Xanadu (FACTUAL)
LAWRENCE, Alice - Daddy's Prisoner (Real Life)
SUMMERS, Julie - Stranger in the House (Real Life)


All the best,


Gareth and Diane,
Your Book Reading Servant's. LOL

SCIENCE FICTION GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: Robo-Hunter: The Droid Files V2 - John Wagner, Alan Grant, Ian Gibson

BOOK BLURB:

SAM SLADE IS BACK ON THE CASE!

Encounter a P.I. like no another in this bumper collection of Robo- Hunter stories, collecting this classic strip together from the very beginning. Sam Slade is the man with a plan when it comes to robo-crime and together with his robo-pals, Stogie and Hoagie, he will bring all metal perps to justice!

Written by John Wagner (Judge Dredd, A History of Violence) and Alan Grant (Lobo, Batman) and featuring artwork by Ian Gibson (The Ballad of Halo Jones), this collection is packed full of the very best of Sam Slade.


REVIEW:

Robo Hunter is a character that I really don’t recall to be honest. Not that he wasn’t about but he wasn’t a character that originally stood out to me. Its perhaps on the lighter side of 2000AD and whilst there will be a number of people with fond memories left me feeling a little flat.

It is well written, the characters different to what’s out there and with a touch of humour that many will just love but for me it really didn’t hit the spot or give me those Goosebumps that I’ve been longing for. A real shame but one that will appeal to a number of readers of a certain age.

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: The Noise Within - Ian Whates

BOOK BLURB:

On the brink of perfecting the long sought-after human/ AI interface, Philip Kaufman finds his world thrown into turmoil as a scandal from the past returns to haunt him and dangerous information falls into his hands. Pursued by assassins and attacked in his own home, he flees. Leyton, a government black-ops specialist, is diverted from his usual duties to hunt down the elusive pirate vessel The Noise Within, wondering all the while why this particular freebooter is considered so important. Two lives collide in this stunning and innovative space-opera!


REVIEW:

To be honest this title took me back to the Deathstalker series by Simon Green. After all we have the intelligence ship, we have a cracking principle protagonist who is more of an anti hero than the true good guy you’ve come to expect backed up with some cracking tech. It’s beautifully written, the prose as you’d already expect from Ian’s previous novel was top notch and its backed up with some great dialogue. Personally, I think his combat sequences Ballistic Combat Sequences are so so compared to his sword combat but that’s something that can be improved upon. Definitely a title that will win him a number of fans but will also allow a fair amount of growth that could take Ian quite far.

NEWS: David Gemmell Legend Award Winners Announced

Hail Mighty Readers,
The David Gemmell Legend Award has announced the winners of this years tough competition. After a lot of voting the choices came down as:

Ravensheart Award: Best Served Cold – Didier Graffet, Dave Senior and Laura Brett. For the shortlist poll there were votes from 64 different countries, with the top voters being from the USA and the UK.

Morningstar Award: The Cardinal’s Blades by Pierre Pevel. For the shortlist poll there were votes from 34 different countries, with the top voters being from the USA France and the UK.

Legend Award: Empire by Graham McNeill. For the shortlist poll there were votes from 91 different countries, with the top voters being from the USA, the UK, France and Canada.

Congratulation to the winners and of course to those who made it to the second round. These were (all book nommed links to our reviews where possible):

MORNINGSTAR
Stephen Deas- The Adamantine Palace - Gollancz
Jesse Bullington - The Sad Tales of the Brothers Grossbart - Orbit
Amanda Downum - The Drowning City - Orbit
Pierre Pevel - The Cardinal's Blades - Gollancz
Ken Scholes - Lamentation - Tor US

LEGEND
Brandon Sanderson - Warbreaker - Tor US
Pierre Pevel - The Cardinal's Blades - Gollancz
Graham McNeill - Empire - Black Library
Joe Abercrombie - Best Served Cold - Gollancz and Orbit
Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson - The Gathering Storm - Tor US


Once again congrats to everyone concerned.

WRITING ADVICE: Writing Critique Survival Guide - Becky Levine

BOOK BLURB:

The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide presents the best way to create a respectful, productive writing or critique group, discussing all the important details of finding a group, running a critique meeting, and building a group that will evolve with its members. Each chapter, whether discussing plot or character or voice, teaches the writer how to read for a critique, learn from criticism, organize and prioritise feedback, revise based on the specific feedback they receive, and more. This title is perfect for writers and creative-writing students.


REVIEW:

Whilst some would say that the sheer volume of reading that I do is to big to count, I tend to utilise it as a lot of research to learn what not only works within the writing world for me, but also to learn what I didn’t like and thus learn lessons from within. Currently I’m going to be looking into creating some basic tales to learn the background but in order to grow as a writer you have to not only submit pieces but learn how to take critism without turning into the Incredible Hulk. (A lesson that a number of established authors are still learning the hard way.)

What this book will do is help you to find the right (or perhaps write) group for you to submit pieces to, how to critique others pieces and how to take what they’ve got to say about your own. It’s a minefield out there so its always a tricky ground to walk. This book is really an invaluable guide to a newbie as well as one that will help others to learn how to improve some of their already established skills and has something for every writer within. A good title and one that will invariably have the reader flicking from time and again into its pages for a touch of inspiration or to relearn the odd lesson.

CRIME REVIEW: A Darker Shade of Blue - John Harvey

BOOK BLURB:

John Harvey has been described as the master of British crime and in A Darker Shade of Blue he has collected together some of his very best writing. From the killing fields of the East Midlands to the mean streets of London, from the jazz clubs and clip joints of Soho to the barren fenlands of East Anglia, this is a world of broken families and run-down estates, revenge killings and prostitution, drugs, guns and corruption; a world of overstretched police forces and underpaid detectives, men and women who strive nonetheless for a kind of justice; and, a world in which everything, even friendship, has a price. Featuring characters like Frank Elder, who tried to turn his back on police work and failed; Jack Kiley, ex-copper and one-time professional footballer, now a London-based PI; and, the renowned jazz loving and much-loved Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick, John Harvey's finely-crafted vignettes perfectly encapsulate life in the badlands of modern Britain.


REVIEW:

If you want some top notch crime thriller short stories then Arrow have just catered to your every wish. Within this offering is a series of tales that fit quite firmly into short journeys or for a brief five minute read that feel a bit more realistic than a lot of the titles out there.

They’re dark, gritty and above all set within our world with consequences that are just too realistic to be believed. Whilst some would say that John is concentrating on the darker part of the human mind its these tales that bring the humanity to the fore of many of the cast. Beautifully written and above all with a prose that just ingrains itself within the psyche of the reader it’s a title that will definitely embed itself within your imagination and perhaps give you the odd nightmare.

CRIME REVIEW (Debut): Where the Shadow's Lie - Michael Ridpath

BOOK BLURB:

Amid Iceland's wild, volcanic landscape, rumours swirl of an ancient manuscript containing a long-lost saga about a ring of terrible power. The manuscript, which is believed to have inspired Tolkein's Lord of the Rings, exists...but why is it worth killing for? Untangling murder from myth is Iceland-born, Boston-raised homicide detective Magnus Jonson. Seconded to the Icelandic Police Force for his own protection after he runs afoul of a drug cartel back in Boston, Magnus also has his own reasons for returning to the country of his birth for the first time in nearly two decades - to investigate the unsolved murder of his father. Binding Iceland's landscape and history, secrets and superstitions in a strikingly original plot that will span several volumes, Where the Shadows Lie is a thrilling new series from an established master.


REVIEW:

As a reader who is prepared to give most titles a go I wasn’t a hundred percent sure what to expect from this author yet as a huge fan of crime with a touch of myth then I was more than happy to give it a spin.

What unfurls within is an offering that will probably do for the Iceland what Craig Russell has done for Germany. The characters are realistic, the mythos of fantasy interwoven seamlessly with ancient saga’s and even adds a touch of the unspoilt majestic scenery to the readers imagination. Its got great dialogue, some wonderful descriptive sequences but perhaps most of all a mystery that the reader will enthuse about to others long after the final page is turned. I would seriously love to have read this tale whilst visiting the county but above all else it’s a story that will turn many a crime reader onto this author. I really can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

THRILLER REVIEW: The Dragon Factory - Jonathan Maberry

BOOK BLURB:

Having protected the world from a zombie plague in PATIENT ZERO, Joe Ledger and his crack Department of Special Sciences combat team are thrown into an even more frightening crisis. A genetic-engineering program has been used to create the ultimate fighting machine - soldiers bred for war, soldiers with greater strength, higher reaction speeds and an utter disregard for pain. Theirs and others. It's a nightmare from the pages of Doctor Moreau and soon Joe and his team are up against both the big business concerns who have billions invested in the project and, on the street, adversaries bred expressly to kill them. It's enough to make you wish you were facing zombies again . . .


REVIEW:

Having really enjoyed Jonathan’s original offering I really wanted this title to deliver more high octane thrills as the principle protagonist slaughters his way to his mission goal. I wanted more twists, I wanted more shades of grey villains and I wanted a character who could be bent by circumstance to be just as twisted as the bad guys .

This Jonathan delivers in spades and it’s an adventure that does what it says on the tin. Its well written, the story arc has plenty of twists and its almost like the old fashioned Saturday Morning Matinee’s with its cliff hangers at the end of numerous chapters. It’s ideal material for those who want that something special with great action sequences in an action thriller that should be made into a film.

FANTASY REVIEW: Warhammer Fantasy: Time of Legends: Nagash the Unbroken - Mike Lee

BOOK BLURB:

The powerful necromancer Nagash, having suffered defeat on the battlefield at the hands of the priest kings, is forced to lick his wounds in the mountains of Nehekhara. Over time he rebuilds his strength and finds new allies in the skaven, mutant ratmen that live beneath the earth. In his new lair of Cripple Peak, the necromancer discovers something dark and powerful - warpstone. Coveted by the skaven, this magical rock could make the evil Nagash unstoppable...The Time of Legends series continues with the second book in the Rise of Nagash trilogy, an epic story of power and revenge for all lovers of dark fantasy and the World of Warhammer.


REVIEW:

Having had problems with the original and its almost scrappy jumping style I really wasn’t looking forward to this title, hence why in certain respects its taken me a while to get round to it. As with the other Legend’s series from the Black Library it has some great talent behind it with the author keeping to the established facts but with his own unique embellishments that really make this title stand out. Whilst the jumpy nature is still here, it can be forgiven slightly purely for the sheer scope that is available for the principle protagonist within. If you loved the Mummy films then this is definitely the Warhammer novel to get you established although personally speaking I think that the Sigmar series alongside the Gotrek and Felix titles take a hell of a lot of beating.

FANTASY REVIEW: The War of the Dwarves - Markus Heitz

BOOK BLURB:

The dwarves have gone to battle and they have been victorious. But outside the realm, dark forces are working ...A secret army of Orcs, made immortal by the hidden powers of the Black Water, now marches towards Girdlegard, set to unleash its fury upon the kingdom. Sooner than they realise, Tungdil and his comrades will need to summon all their courage to do battle against this bloodthirsty horde. The Orcs are not the only threat. An unspeakable new power is growing and threatens the very existence of the dwarves. But both enemies have forgotten one very important truth: a dwarf is never more dangerous than when total obliteration seems inevitable ...


REVIEW:

Having read the original title and fallen for the characters within, I really did want this title as soon as it was out. However being a tad forgetful I’d missed its original release only to be reminded a few months later that I’d missed it. This incidentally led to self reflection about whether or not my first impressions from the original read were correct or whether or not the secondary offering could live up to the first.

What unfurls is the continual search for our principle protagonists heritage alongside the overall arc of defeating the evil that’s lurking almost unseen in the background. Beautifully written, this series is going to be one that’s a real guilty pleasure for a number of readers who have only just been introduced to this pretty prevalent German author. Add to the mix great character growth, some top notch dialogue and an almost Tolkienesque scope and it will soon be a series to step to the fore of a many “stunty” fans.

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: Watch (WWW 2) - Robert J Sawyer

BOOK BLURB:

Caitlen Decter could never have anticipated what was coming when she first sensed a strange presence on the internet Webmind is an emerging consciousness that has befriended blind mathematics genius Caitlin Decter and has grown eager to learn about her world. But Webmind has also come to the attention of WATCH - the secret government agency that monitors the Internet for any threat to the United States-and they're fully aware of Caitlin's involvement in its awakening. WATCH is convinced that Webmind represents a risk to national security and wants it purged from cyberspace. But Caitlin believes in Webmind's capacity for compassion-and she will do anything and everything necessary to protect her friend.


REVIEW:

Having read the original (Wake) I really did want to get on with this offering as soon as I could as I’d had a great time reading the first title in the series. I hoped that it would work beautifully in conjunction without contradicting . What unfurls is a title that not only expands beautifully to the world already developed but allows descent character growth as well as backed up with some great dialogue alongside plot outline.

Robert is definitely a name to watch (as if you’re not already) and will definitely be one to whom a great many are compared to in the future taking on the role of the standard setter from those who came before such as Arthur C Clarke.

SCIENCE FICTION DEBUT REVIEW: Veteran - Gavin Smith

BOOK BLURB:

Three hundred years in our future, in a world of alien infiltrators, religious hackers, a vast convoying nation of Nomads, city sized orbital elevators, and a cyborg pirate king who believes himself to be a mythological demon Jakob is having a bad day: "Nothing gets in the way of a hangover like being reactivated by your old C.O and told to track down an alien killing machine. The same kind of killing machine that wiped out my entire squad. And now it's in my hometown. My name is Jakob Douglas, ex-special forces. I fought Them. Just like we've all been doing for 60 bloody years. But I thought my part in that was done with. My boss has other ideas. If I didn't find the infiltrator then he'd let the Grey Lady loose on me. And believe me; even They've got nothing on her. So I took the job. It went to shit even faster than normal. And now I'm on the run with this teenage hacker who's had enough of prostitution. The only people I can rely on want to turn the internet into God. And now it turns out that They aren't quite what we'd all thought. I've been to the bottom of the sea and the top of the sky and beyond trying to get to the truth. And I still can't get far enough away from the Grey Lady. All things considered I'd rather be back at home deep in a whiskey bottle." Veteran is a fast paced, intricately plotted violent SF Thriller set in a dark future against the backdrop of a seemingly never ending war against an unknowable and implacable alien enemy.


REVIEW:

To be honest more a military title than a Sci-Fi one (although it is set in the future.) It is well written, the context pretty reasonable backed up with some solid pace alongside some descent dialogue. Add to the mix good character development and a spartanesque descriptiveness and its got some real backbone going for it. What didn’t help was my lack of caring for the principle protagonist which made this offering a struggle as without that element I really couldn’t get as involved with this title as it really does deserve which is a great shame. With luck the author will improve on this for his next title and give me something that I think the title was lacking but for a first novel, it goes to show that Gollancz is very good at talent spotting.

DVD REVIEW: American Dad Season Five

DVD BLURB:

American Dad, the animated series that follows die-hard Republican and card-carrying NRA member Stan Smith (Seth MacFarlane) and his hilariously odd family in Langley Falls, Virginia, is back to salute a fifth season of laughs.

Stan’s not-so-smart wrancine (Wendy Schaal) has an unfaltering loyalty that allows her to turn a blind eye toward Stan’s unabashed arrogance. Stan constantly butts heads with his 18-year-old daughter Hayley (Rachael MacFarlane), who knows just how to push her father’s buttons by being liberal in both her beliefs and in the amount of hippie boyfriends she chooses to date. Hayley’s 14-year-old brother is the geeky yet cocky Steve (Scott Grimes), a kid who seems to be on the constant verge of puberty but can’t quite make sense of the opposite sex.

The Smith household is rounded out by two rather unconventional members. There’s the selfish and sarcastic space alien, Roger (Seth MacFarlane), who lives in the attic and drinks like every hour is happy hour; and Klaus (Dee Bradley Baker), an attention-starved goldfish with the brain of a German guy who’s always willing to vocalise his opinions whether anyone is listening or not.

This eccentric family full of radically different personalities is just trying to find a way to love and trust each other during these increasingly unpredictable times. And with a guy like Stan in charge of our national security, it’s going to be a hilarious ride.


REVIEW:

Fans of Family Guy are probably pretty clued in on this adult animated series. Its witty, its got dry humour and the characters really do leap off to the viewers imagination, especially ones like Roger the Alien (who always gets put down by Stan.) Whilst it won’t appeal to everyones sense of humour it really does tickle my funny bone and was a real joy to view especially on those days when I needed cheering up. A great offering for a reasonable price and one that anyone can jump into without prior knowledge of the ones that have gone before.

CRIME REVIEW: Random - Craig Robertson

BOOK BLURB:

Glasgow is being terrorised by a serial killer the media have nicknamed The Cutter. The murders have left the police baffled. There seems to be neither rhyme nor reason behind the killings; no kind of pattern or motive; an entirely different method of murder each time, and nothing that connects the victims except for the fact that the little fingers of their right hands have been severed. If DS Rachel Narey could only work out the key to the seemingly random murders, how and why the killer selects his victims, she would be well on her way to catching him. But as the police, the press and a threatening figure from Glasgow's underworld begin to close in on The Cutter, his carefully-laid plans threaten to unravel - with horrifying consequences.


REVIEW:

As a huge fan of the crime genre I’m always on the look out for what the next big thing and absolutely love trying new authors in order make sure that I can get on the train before the rush hour of hype hits. What unfurls within this offering from Craig is a tale of murder, mayhem with perhaps one of the freshest serial killers to come out of Scotland in a long time. (A character within this offering, not the author.)

Add to the mix a tale that has more twists and turns than a roller-coaster, beautifully scripted dialogue and a mystery that keeps you hanging on by the fingernails and its definitely a tale that will not only entertain but will, if the right people read it, be optioned for film rights pretty quickly.

THRILLER REVIEW: 61 Hours - Lee Child

BOOK BLURB:

Get ready for the most exciting count-down of your life hour number sixty-one. Icy winter in South Dakota. A bus skids and crashes in a gathering storm. On the back seat: Jack Reacher, hitching a ride to nowhere. A life without baggage has many advantages. And disadvantages too, like facing the arctic cold without a coat. Hour number thirty-one. A small town is threatened by sinister forces. One brave woman is standing up for justice. If she's going to live to testify, she'll need help from a man like Reacher. Because there's a killer coming for her. Hour number zero. Has Reacher finally met his match? He doesn't want to put the world to rights. He just doesn't like people who put it to wrongs.


REVIEW:

With a grandfather who is addicted to Lee Child’s writing, this offering has been one that had to be read pretty quickly to prevent what some would term as reacquisition to the relevant authority. What unfurls within is a reasonable offering from Lee and one that will definitely entertain his fans the world over. However unlike the other tales in the series it leaves the reader on tenderhooks and a long wait for the next offering. Whilst this isn’t his best Jack Reacher tale it is certainly not his worst and makes this not only ideal holiday reading material but an adventure to sink your teeth into.

HORROR REVIEW: Horn's - Joe Hill

BOOK BLURB:

Ignatius Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke up the next morning with one hell of a hangover, a raging headache . . . and a pair of horns growing from his temples. Once, Ig lived the life of the blessed: born into privilege, the second son of a renowned American musician, and the younger brother of a rising late-night TV star, Ig had security and wealth and a place in his community. Ig had it all, and more - he had the love of Merrin Williams, a love founded on shared daydreams, mutual daring, and unlikely midsummer magic. Then beautiful, vivacious Merrin was gone - raped and murdered, under inexplicable circumstances - with Ig the only suspect. He was never tried for the crime, but in the court of public opinion, Ig was and always would be guilty. Now Ig is possessed with a terrible new power to go with his terrible new look, and he means to use it to find the man who killed Merrin and destroyed his life. Being good and praying for the best got him nowhere. It's time for a little revenge; it's time the devil had his due. HORNS: It's moving, sad, often funny, redemptive, and filled with hope.


REVIEW:

Joe Hill is one of those authors that is trying to take the horror genre into a slightly different tangent with his work. Not that it’s a bad thing but with his first offering (Heart Shaped Box) leaving me feeling that it was more of a novella trying to get out I did wonder if he might be biting off a bit more than he could chew. Then with his second title 20th Century Ghosts I was left wondering if he was little more than a hack who had the time to experiment with his writing due to his parentage as to be honest I only really liked one tale within its pages.

That said, whilst I wasn’t a huge fan of Stephen King’s son I am prepared to give each offering a go as his writing, whilst not always to my own personal taste is something that creeps into the readers imagination. What unfurled within this offering is a tale of love, horror, betrayal and murder and whilst its more of an emotional psychological ride than anything else does have moments of levity in typical Hill humour. Its quirky, its definitely different to a lot of offerings out there and its guaranteed to be one that will make many readers pay attention to this author. He really has improved in my estimation with this offering and delivered what felt like a proper full length novel without over egging the pudding. Great stuff.

ART BOOK REVIEW: Fantasy Genesis: A Creativity Game for Artists - Chuck Lukacs

BOOK BLURB:

Readers will get easy, fun techniques for creating extraordinary drawings from a working illustrator in the industry. Constructed around the familiar dice-rolled decision-making dynamic of role-playing games using a common set of dice available in gaming and comic shops everywhere, the reader gets an accessible group of lists from which an infinite variety of conceptual sketches can be made. By the end of the book, readers will have all the tools they need to continue playing the game on their own and with their friends, with an infinite number of combinations and creations possible.


REVIEW:

Artists are always looking for a new challenge and with a number of art books out there, its always tricky to find something that not only entertains and nurtures the talents but also challenges the reader to create something new and novel. What makes Chuck’s offering from Impact so much fun is that he throws a way convention and demonstrates the fun that can be had with some dice, some art material and a vivid imagination as he takes you through some of the basic’s through to some of the more advanced techniques within this offering. It’s good solid fun and with tutorials thrown in to get the most from textures and hybridisation it clearly demonstrates that the only limit to those with the talent is their imagination. Definitely a book that will inspire.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Lover Mine - JR Ward

BOOK BLURB:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other - vampire warriors, defenders of their race ...John Matthew has been through his vampire transition and taken to the life of the Brotherhood with a vengeance, but he still can't shake the nightmare of his past and is unsure of his future as a warrior hero. He's made a promise to honour the Brotherhood and their fight with the slayers at all costs, until the love of his life is kidnapped and he is forced to make a choice that could change his life and the Brotherhood's forever ...


REVIEW:

As a relatively late comer to the series (I started with the last offering) I pretty much made my way through the previous 7 titles before starting on this (due to the insistence of a number of Black Dagger Brotherhood fans.) What I gleamed from those was that I really did have a whale of a time and came to understand the characters better, so much so that they felt almost like friends.

That’s ultimately the key to this authors writing and something that I’d advise everyone else to do before starting on this title as it allows the emotional context that’s within to get a deeper route within the readers imagination. And that’s exactly what is key to this offering. There’s unrequited love, a huge sense of loss and of course the old heartstrings are pulled time and again and blended together with kickass action that really does show that JR is a top notch author.

FANTASY REVIEW: First Lord's Fury (Codex Alera 6) - Jim Butcher

BOOK BLURB:

The aging First Lord of Alera has fallen in battle. Yet his people must continue to resist an invading inhuman army. Desperate Alerans even pledge fealty to the Vord Queen to survive, turning the incredible power of Aleran furies back on their own people. And despite all efforts, the Alerans are being ground into dust and pushed to the farthest reaches of their own realm. However, Tavi has returned with vital insights from the Canim Blood Lands. He knows how to counter the Vord and, more importantly, believes human ingenuity can equal fury-born powers. Now events are rushing towards a last stand, where Tavi and the last Aleran legions must formulate a dangerous new strategy, together. For a civilisation is on the brink of extinction.


REVIEW:

Whilst I’m a huge fan of Jim’s Dresden series, I’ve only really become a convert to his fantasy offering over the last few. I still feel it’s a tad clunky but the world building is of a level that few others delve into. The magic’s interesting, the characters well rounded. Add to the mix a solid writing style with a solid narrative and you’ve got an offering that will hit the right spots for a number of readers. One word of caution is that this tale is part of a series and as such will make it a difficult if nigh impossible place to begin. If you do fancy this offering please start with book one and enjoy the journey.

FANTASY REVIEW: West of the Mountains, East of the Sea - Brian Sibley, John Howe

BOOK BLURB:

This enchanting little hardback is an essential companion for any reader journeying through The Silmarillion or The Children of Hurin. Featuring an entertaining text and detailed gazetteer by acclaimed Tolkien author Brian Sibley, this gift edition also contains a stunning fold-out poster-map of the First Age of Tolkien's Middle-earth. Writer and broadcaster Brian Sibley is a foremost expert on The Lord of the Rings (he adapted the novel for the award-winning BBC radio dramatisation in 1980), and here in this clothbound hardback he will take you to the First Age of Middle-earth, many thousands of years before the events chronicled in The Lord of the Rings. This was the setting for the great War of the Jewels, as recounted in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion and includes a gazetteer of the many places shown on the full-colour illustrated map which accompanies the book. The Map of Beleriand and the Lands to the North is faithfully reproduced in full colour by world-renowned Tolkien artist John Howe, the conceptual artist employed by Peter Jackson to work on his multi-award winning Lord of The Rings film trilogy, and who is soon to work on Guillermo del Toro's Hobbit film. The map is based on the original map by Christopher Tolkien. Embellished with heraldic emblems and dramatic scenes from The Silmarillion, it completes the trio of authorized Tolkien maps by John Howe which can be removed for reference or even for framing. Each element in this collector's package is special; together they provide an enchanting and desirable artefact that will be a prized possession of Tolkien readers of all ages.


REVIEW:

This is a wonderful addition for fans of Tolkien’s Beleriand as this map gives you a vivid impression of the world in such fine detail a reread of the tale is invariably going to happen at the same time as your exploration. It’s gorgeous, its beautifully created and obviously a real labour of love that clearly exudes itself throughout the page. A real magical offering.

SCIENCE FICTION GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files V 15 - John Wagner, Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon

BOOK BLURB:

2000 AD Graphic Novels presents you with the very best in thrill-power. From all-time classics such as Judge Dredd and Strontium Dog , to cutting edge modern masterworks such as Leviathan , Rebellion are bringing you some of the finest works in British comics!Mega-City One: the future metropolis bustling with life and every crime imaginable. Keeping order are the Judges, a stern police force acting as judge, jury and executioner. Toughest of all is Judge Dredd. He is the law and these are his stories. Volume 12 in this exciting, best-selling series collects together more classic Dredd from the pages of 2000 AD.


REVIEW:

As a huge fan of Dredd its always magical when a title lands and it aids me to remember big chunks of my youth from behind the pages. Within this offering are tales that give the reader exactly what they want, the dark humour of an apocalyptic world where too many are forced to live in a world where Judge, Jury and Executioner walk the mean streets in one uniform. Its well written, the artwork beautiful and has definitely helped me to see some of the changes from the time to which it was written to now.

A great offering for the reader and something that fans the world over are just going to love as they escape our world to that of Dredd’s for a few hours.

SCIENCE FICTION GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: Star Trek: Nero - Mike Johnson, Tim Jones, David Messina

BOOK BLURB:

Set within the events of the hit film, this exclusive story follows the villainous Nero as he seeks to destroy the Federation. Don't miss this essential chapter in the rebirth of 'Star Trek'!


REVIEW:

Fans of the Star Trek Universe are just going to love this prequel graphic novel. With beautiful artwork and a tale that backs up the recent film it’s going to be a worthy companion for all concerned. Add to the mix a story arc that really will set fans to warp factor six that gives greater depth to Nero alongside the run in with Spock with recogniseable actor characterisations and it really does hit all the right notes.

ART BOOK REVIEW: Fantasy Art Expedition - Finlay Cowan

BOOK BLURB:

Embark upon a fantasy art expedition around the world and discover how to draw and paint must-know supernatural creatures and fantastic characters. For each of the 12 locations there is a map, an explanation of the site's lore, and a detailed step by step demonstration showing the development of the key character. Projects demonstrate a wide selection of both traditional and digital drawing and painting techniques that can be widely applied in fantasy art. This is a complete, unique and attractive package that seamlessly binds the world of mythology and practical art instruction together for beginners and improvers.


REVIEW:

I’ve dealt with Finlay’s art tutorials prior to this offering landing and to be honest, he’s definitely one who believes in leading from the front in his tutorials. He gives the reader clear, concise and often invaluable information to aid in their creature creation in such a way that you’ll find your technique improve with each piece of art that has taken years for established artists like Finlay to learn. It’s solid, its easily accessible for those of all artistic ability and its definitely an offering that will help inspire you to reach that next stage in their work. A definite treat for artists of all ages.

GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: Button Man: Hitman's Daughter - John Wagner, Frazer Irving

BOOK BLURB:

Harry Exton was a Button Man, a player in the lethal Killing Game, where modern-day gladiators fought for the pleasure of the mysterious Voices, the rich backers who set up the contests. But Harry quit, leaving the country and the slaughter behind him - only to find out that no one walks away from the Game and lives.


REVIEW:

Button Man is a character that I don’t recall very well from my youth so it’s always going to be fun to try something a little different alongside new from someone that you trust implicitly due to the fact that they always hit the spot before.

Button Man is a series of tales based around a hitman who entertains the rich by assassinating their own “Button Men” in different locations in what is technically a duel to the death where no rule but your own survival counts. This offering follows the tale of a former button mans daughter who witnessed her fathers murder and has been seeking revenge against those who perpetrated the deed. Well written, strong dialogue, this offering of death and destruction will give the reader goose-bumps as they weave their way through this tale of murder and mayhem. A great offering and one that will definitely appeal to many of 2000AD’s fans.

NEWS: Where are the Young Adult/Childrens Titles?

Hail Mighty Reader,
You're probably wondering where the YA/Childrens titles are this week. Well worry not, we've done something a bit special and set up our own seperate sister site dedicated to these titles. It's going to be fun so please follow the link below to view them. This week we've got one a day and hope to continue this but only with your continued support.



All feedback greatly appreciated and we hope that you have as much fun as we do with them.


Gareth/Tatty

THRILLER REVIEW: Impact - Douglas Preston

BOOK BLURB:

Wyman Ford is tapped for a secret expedition to Cambodia to locate the source of strangely beautiful gemstones that do not appear to be of this world. A brilliant meteor lights up the Maine coast. Two young women borrow a boat and set out for a distant island anxious to find the impact crater. A scientist at the National Propulsion Facility discovers an inexplicable source of gamma rays in the outer Solar System. He is found decapitated, the data missing. High resolution NASA images reveal an unnatural feature hidden in the depths of a crater on Mars - and it appears to have been activated. Sixty hours and counting.


REVIEW:

Having just read Douglas’ last offering I really wasn’t expecting that much, a bit of escapism, a touch of fast paced action but that’s about it. What unfurled blew the last piece out of the water.

The concept was fresher, the characters a bit more rounded (if still a bit boring) and a good bit of fun was finished off with the author’s trademark pace with a bit more believable science. It won’t win awards but the concept was pretty good alongside a great bit of mystery. Definitely worth a punt if you want a bit of Action escapism.

THRILLER REVIEW: Blasphemy - Douglas Preston

BOOK BLURB:

Deep in an Arizona mountain, the world's largest supercollider will probe what happened at the very moment of creation: the Big Bang itself. The brainchild of Nobel laureate Gregory North Hazelius, the supercollider, given the name Isabella, is the most expensive machine ever built. Some people think it may unlock the mysteries of the universe. Some think it will create a mini black hole that will suck in the earth. Powerful televangelist Don T. Spates thunders that Isabella is a satanic attempt to disprove Genesis and challenge God Almighty on the very throne of heaven. He'll do anything to stop Isabella from reaching its goal.When Hazelius and his team of twelve scientists start up Isabella, they make an extraordinary discovery - one that must be hidden from the world at all costs. Wyman Ford, ex-monk and CIA operative, is hired by the US government to wrest from the team their dark secret. A secret that will either destroy the world ...or save it.


REVIEW:

What Preston does in this offering is to travel a road that’s been pretty much stomped flat in recent years with the Secret Cults, mysterious installations and sciences of the type that only weird haired meglomaniacs could dream.

Whilst that is pretty much the premise backed up with a few more touches the story arc is pretty predictable and if we’re going be honest here nothing new. But what you don’t take into account is the sheer pace that Preston exudes upon the piece. It is simplistic, it is full of the weird and wacky but if you just accept it and go for the ride its not half bad. Whilst it won’t break any records it’s a silly enough distraction from the real world to give you a few hours respite and was a good bit of fun for this but that’s all.

INTERVIEW: Stacia Kane

Author's are renowned for at times being a touch on the mad side, at least compared to the usual worker as they're frantically thought of as scribbling/typing away into the small hours, laughing manically as the lightning crashes around them, screaming "IT'S ALIVE" to all who'd hear them....

That said, it's comes as something refreshing when a newly minted author comes to the fore and helps us mere mortals understand thier route to the publishing world, albeit tongue in cheek at times.

Here Stacia chats to us about human sacrifice, working to deadlines but above all else and how to cope with the witching hour...

Falcata Times: Writing is said to be something that people are afflicted with rather than gifted and that it's something you have to do rather than want. What is your opinion of this statement and how true is it to you?

Stacia Kane: Hmm. I wouldn't really call it an affliction, no. And I wouldn't say it's something I absolutely have to do. But I will say I feel better when I'm doing it, and I start to get antsy and depressed if I go too long without it. It's funny, actually, because I always sort of sniffed when I heard people say things like "Writers are writers because they have to be" or whatever. But then I realized, not only had I always wanted to be a writer, but would I have started doing it, and kept at it, if it wasn't "meant to be?" You know what I mean? I guess I did have to be, and it did find me, although I ultimately made the choice.


FT: When did you realise that you wanted to be a writer?

SK: I remember thinking it for the first time when I was little, maybe four or five? When I was about seven I actually wrote a book--handwritten, on spiral paper--and sent it to, I think, HarperCollins. They actually sent me a form rejection, which I thought was just the coolest thing ever (and still think was an awfully sweet thing to do.) Of course, as time went on my ambitions changed; I remember wanting to be a race-car river, a nurse, a teacher, a fashion designer, a mechanic... But the desire to be a writer was always there, still, and when my first child was about a year and a half old I realized that since I was home with her, that was my chance.


FT: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?

SK: Short stories actually aren't my forte, at all. I can write them, but I'm never really happy with them or confident about them. I don't necessarily agree with that, either. On the one hand, short stories by necessity teach you brevity, economy of words, and how to be concise. On the other, they don't teach you how to plot a novel, and don't necessarily prepare you for one. I can write a rough draft of a short story in a week, but a novel takes a couple of months. I think if I was used to the instant gratification of shorts, the novels would feel a lot harder than they do

That isn't to say shorts aren't wonderful, or that people who enjoy writing them can't write novels or wouldn't be good at it. I don't at all believe that's the case. I'm just talking about me personally.


FT: If someone were to enter a bookshop, how would you persuade them to try your novel over someone else's and how would you define it?

SK: I'd smile charmingly and bat my eyelashes. Maybe point out my lovely and waif-like daughters, who need food and clothing? Ha ha, no, not really. I'm not good at this sort of thing; I'm really uncomfortable pushing my books or myself. But I would tell them that it's a book with some very unusual characters, in what I think is a very unique world, and that it's scary and exciting and different. And I hope that's true; of course I think it is, but I would, wouldn't I?


FT: How would you "sell" your book in 20 words or less?

SK: Ghostbusters meets Escape From New York, with punk rock, greasers, black magic, human sacrifice, drugs, and muscle cars.


FT: Who is a must have on your bookshelf and whose latest release will find you on the bookshops doorstep waiting for it to open?

SK: Oh, hmm. Neil Gaiman. Mark Henry. Richard Kadrey. Caitlin Kittredge. Cherie Priest. Richelle Mead. John Meaney.


FT: When you sit down and write do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? ie Do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your idea's develop as you write?

SK: Oh, no. Often I have some idea how it will end--I know the heroine will win, or I have an idea where the final confrontation will take place--but I never plan books in advance. It makes them feel "done" to me and I don't get as excited about them.

I don't do character profiles, either. I usually know the main character pretty well, and have some idea of who the secondary characters are, but they all develop further as we go along. Sometimes they surprise me, the way they react to things or the fears or likes and dislikes that pop up. It's fun, getting to know them.


FT: What do you do to relax and what have you read recently?

SK: To relax? I read, I cook, I hang out with my husband, I watch tv, I drive. And recently I've read BONE SONG by John Meaney, THE SEX LIVES OF CANNIBALS by J. Maarten Troost, THE VICTORIAN UNDERWORLD by Donald Thomas, BONESHAKER by Cherie Priest, and WIVES OF THE FISHERMEN by Angela Huth. I tend to read a bit of one book, then pick up another, then back to the first. And I'm reading a ton of nonfiction about the Victorian age because I'm working on a project set during that period.


FT: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?

SK: Ooh, that's a tough one! I'm pretty open about my guilty pleasures! I sometimes like to eat just popcorn or french fries for dinner. Sometimes at night I'll watch silly reality TV specials. Especially the ones about people who have that gastric bypass surgery. I'm fascinated by those for some reason.


FT: Lots of writers tend to have pets. What do you have and what are their key traits (and do they appear in your novel in certain character attributes?)

SK: Nope, no pets, actually. I love animals, but at the moment we don't have any; we've just been moving around too much, and with two young children we thought it was better to wait on pets for a while. Plus I'm allergic to cats and my husband is allergic to dogs. Neither of us are horribly horribly allergic, but it does make finding a pet harder; we have to find one that doesn't bother our allergies too much.


FT: Which character within your latest book was the most fun to write and why?

SK: Oh, they were all so much fun! Honestly, though, I think I'd have to say Bump. He's such a sleazeball, and so manipulative (although he does actually have a little bit of a heart, which we'll discover in later book if the series continues, which I certainly hope it will). I love his horrible tacky house and his crazy clothing and the fact that he says things like "Can't keep my ladies waiting" when he's about to go to bed. It's just total fun to write him; I can be as outrageous as I want.


FT: How similar to your principle protagonist are you?

SK: Well...Chess and I are actually pretty similar, yeah. Our outlooks on the world are similar; a lot of our feelings are the same. We both struggle with self-destructiveness and self-hatred and depressive issues. So she's really the most personal character I've ever written. I wouldn't say she *is* me, exactly, but we absolutely do have a lot of things in common.



FT: What hobbies do you have and how do they influence your work?

SK: My work is my hobby! No, actually, I'd say cooking is really my only hobby. I mean, I have activities I enjoy, but nothing that I'd really call a hobby.


FT: Where do you get your ideas from?

SK: Oh, anywhere and everywhere! Usually it will be just something I see; a particular image, or a line in a news story or TV show or movie that sets off some kind of spark. And then I start really thinking about them, and seeing how much of a story I can really get out of them. I have a lot of ideas written down that I loved but that just didn't have enough depth to really become a novel.


FT: Do you ever encounter writers block and if so how do you overcome it?

SK: Um, not really, no. I really can't allow myself to have it; I have to keep pushing through to meet my deadlines and things. I do of course have days or even weeks where every word is a struggle and I'd rather be doing anything in the world, even scrubbing public toilets by hand, rather than writing. But you still keep pushing, and usually within a few days the pressure or whatever it is lifts, and the words start flowing again.


FT: Certain authors are renowned for writing at what many would call uncivilised times. When do you write and how do the others in your household feel about it?

SK: Haha, I definitely write at uncivilized times. Sometimes I work in the afternoon, and that's usually a fairly productive time for me, but not for long. I get a burst of energy from, say, three to four, but after that it's gone. So most of my work is done at night after everyone goes to bed, and I might be up until three or four in the morning. My girls don't mind, of course, but my husband does wish I'd go to bed at the same time as him sometimes. I usually try to do that at least once a week, unless I have a deadline or just a lot of work piled up.


FT: Sometimes pieces of music seem to influence certain scenes within novels, do you have a soundtrack for your tale or is it a case of writing in silence with perhaps the odd musical break in-between scenes?

SK: The books do have soundtracks, yes; music I listened to in the car while I thought about them, for example, and most of that music is also mentioned in the books. I plan to set up some playlists on iTunes as well, and post them on my website. But when I'm actually working I rarely listen to music. I have the TV on in the background, or silence. When I really get going I don't hear the music anyway, so while it sometimes is fun, I normally just don't bother.


FT: What misconceptions, if any, did you have about the writing and publishing field when you were first getting started?

SK: Oh, the basic newbie ones, really. That getting published would be pretty easy, and that authors make loads and loads of money. Neither of those are true.


FT: If music be the food of love, what do you think writing is and please explain your answer?

SK: Writing is the food of the soul. And the brain, but chiefly the soul, I think. Writing is the ultimate expression of what's inside you; it's the ultimate expression of how you see the world and how you feel about it. And when you're giving something of yourself like that, it takes something out of you but I think it also puts it back.


FT: What can you tell us about the next novel?

SK: Oh, that's a great question! Do you know, nobody else has asked me that? I don't want to give any spoilers, but I will say things in Chess's life get a lot more complicated, especially in her personal life. She has two very perplexing mysteries to solve this time, and they lead her into some really dark parts of Downside. We learn more about the Church, more about her past, more about the world, and we learn a big secret Terrible's been keeping. Plus murders, chases, crematoriums, and the usual excitement and ghosts and scary things!


FT: What are the last five internet sites that you've visited?

SK: The Absolute Write Water Cooler, Twitter, Publishers Marketplace, IMDb, and Cake Wrecks.


FT: Did you ever take any writing classes or specific instructions to learn the craft? If so please let us know which ones.

SK: I didn't, no. But I did spend a lot of time reading Miss Snark's blog, and Evil Editor's blog, and on Absolute Write. I learned a lot there about writing clean, about grabbing readers from the first page, and about making sure every detail adds something to the world, the characters, and the story. I also bought Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Brown and Dave King. I think it helped me more than any other book; it's fantastic. I felt my work improve as I read it.


FT: How did you get past the initial barriers of criticism and rejection?

SK: I just refused to give up. I knew I had something I wanted to express, and I had a goal, and I wanted to reach it. And I think because I started publishing fairly early on, and because I could see my work improving with every book, I was inspired to keep going.

I also learned very early on that rejection isn't personal, and that it doesn't necessarily mean the work isn't good. It just means it isn't right for that particular agent or house. Yes it's disappointing, but you just move on. There's always going to be someone else to query, and failing that there's another book to write, and maybe that one will be the one.


FT: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?

SK: The best is absolutely that I get paid for doing what I love to do; it's a dream come true. And I love getting emails from readers, or having them talk to me on Twitter or comment on my blog; it's just wonderful, and I'm so grateful for each and every one. That's amazing.

The worst part? The isolation. The days when you're not sure if your work is actually any good. The days right before a book is released (like now), when all you can think about is the release and how you hope the book will be successful, and how much you want readers to love it. You want to make them happy, and entertain them, and give them something special. But deep down you're terrified and convinced it will be a huge enormous bomb and everyone will hate it, and that's an awful feeling.

Plus sometimes my hands and wrists hurt, which isn't good.


Thank you so much for having me, and for these great questions! They were tons of fun to answer!

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Unholy Ghosts - Stacia Kane

BOOK BLURB:

The first book in a compelling new urban fantasy series, The Downside Ghosts. Murderous spirits and ruthless drug dealers combine to create serious problems for fiercely independent heroine, Chess, in these fast-paced, sexy and addictive novels -- fitting for a witch with a serious drug problem. The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen and constantly attack the living. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Consequently, there are many false claims of hauntings from those hoping to profit. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully-tattooed witch and freewheeling Debunker and ghost hunter. She's got a real talent for nailing the human liars or banishing the wicked dead. But she's keeping a dark secret from the Church: a little drug problem that's landed her in hot and dangerous water. Chess owes a murderous drug lord named Bump a lot of money. And Bump wants immediate payback. All Chess has to do is dispatch a very nasty species of undead from an old airport. But the job involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and crossing swords with enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in lust with a rival gang leader and a dangerous attraction to Bump's ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah.


REVIEW:

Having heard of Stacia a good while ago from friends at the Reluctant Adult’s book blog (if you haven’t checked it out you should do as there’s a lot of Urban Fantasy talent over there) I really couldn’t wait to get the details as the book blurb really was nifty.

Within was a protagonista with a drug habit, who was also struggling to deal with her psychic abilities alongside a changing world and one that has the majority of people in poverty. This not only allowed the reader to not only form a strong bond with her but also aided the reader to sympathise with a world that’s literally gone to hell. Not only is this a brave move on the authors part but will be something that will either have readers raving or ranting at her creativity.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the authors writing, the characters are rich, the story arc will keep you gripped and the dialogue is not only sharp but witty to help lighten the sombre setting. It’s brave, it’s a great read but above all else it’s the depth and complexities of the characters that makes this a wonderful read for me. Stacia is definitely a name to watch and with the other two titles to be released shortly will definitely keep a readers glued to see what else shall unfurl.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: The Devil's Playground - Jenna Black

BOOK BLURB:

No one ever wants to serve in Hell...The Seven Deadlies, a demon club in Philadelphia, has always catered to the most attractive and desirable hosts. Recently, though, more and more of the lower dregs of society have been showing up with demons of their own - in alarming numbers. Morgan is sure that Dougal is behind this, but isn't sure why. Is Dougal building an army to snatch the throne of the demons from Lugh? If there's one person who can get to the bottom of this, it's Morgan Kingsley, but caught between her mortal lover Brian and the demon she lusts for, Lugh, it's going to take everything she has to keep her head - and heart - in the game.


REVIEW:

Having read and enjoyed the other titles in this series, I was a little apprehensive as to how the author was going to conclude so many threads in so short a time. Back that up with the previous offering that felt like it had stalled slightly, to allow the author a tad more time to reach the epic finale that the readers have been demanding will make this a make or break title for her as a writer.

What unfurls within this offering is a title that really felt that it was a bit of a let down, as if the last part of the bake on a superb soufflé was giving great promise only to go flat in the final part. The character as you’d come to expect was just as strong but rather than an explosive ending it felt more like a sad little poof instead of the bang you’d expect after such careful sculpting in the previous offerings.

That said however the writing is as engaging as ever, the dialogue just as haunting but above all it’s the character ménage a trios interaction that is the piece that really will keep you hooked. With a ton of threads still left to conclude this may not be the final title as has previously been claimed and I for one hope that Jenna will reexplore these in the future to give all the readers the ending that they not only demand but deserve for their expectations.

GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: Slaine: Demon Killer - Glenn Fabry, Pat Mills

BOOK BLURB:

This is the second full colour Slaine story, where he is brought back to life by the goddess Danu to battle with his arch enemy Ellfric. The story is set in Roman Britain.


REVIEW:

OK, I’ll admit it right here, I love the tales of Slaine. They were a staple part of my comic reading as a kid and something of a guilty pleasure now as an adult (I even own some original Slaine Art from some of the early issues). Here in this latest compendium is a number of stories that do what 2000AD have always done best, let the warrior loose to unleash his fury on the enemy. Great story arc’s and with a touch of genius for the dialogue between our protagonist and his comedic sidekick dwarf and you pretty much are guaranteed a satisfied read. Slaine, I raise a glass of mead in your honour Slainte.