Author: Mur Lafferty

Genre: Fantasy

Julia Rating: 10

Comments: This is the next book in the Heaven Series by Mur Lafferty. Our two main characters, Kate and Daniel are together again, but are now in hell with another daring and interesting mission. I can’t really give a whole lot more, or I’d be messing up Season One for you. Suffice it to say they have some crazy times, meet interesting gods and, by the end of the season, get so entangled in problems you (the reader) can’t see an easy way out for them.

I am thoroughly entranced by the Heaven series. It’s got awesome mythology, some steampunk, lots of fantasy and many interesting characters. So, I’d say, check that sucker out. It’s my understanding that this is a podiobook only, so you can either subscribe at the author’s website or at Podiobooks.com.

Author: Mur Lafferty

Genre: Fantasy

Julia Rating: 10

Comments: Mur Lafferty is one of those podcasting divas who has been doing podiobooks, podcasts and more. She has a whole “Murverse” with all her wonderful work.

Heaven – Season One is the first of the Heaven Series. This is basically a story about two close friends who die and go to heaven. They discover that heaven is far larger and different than anyone ever imagined.

This book has a ton of mythology, which I absolutely love. There is also unrequited love and a very sweet friendship in this one. Because of the religious aspect (it is called “Heaven” after all), some people might get offended, but I think if you take everything as fantasy-based, there’s nothing inherently offensive in this podiobook.

So, check it out and let me know what you think!

Book: Hunted By The Others

Genre: Fantasy

Julia Rating: 10

Comments: Hunted by the Others is Jess Haines’ debut novel.   Jess sent me a copy of her wonderful book prior to release so that I could review it here, Yay!  (She also did a little brow waggle to get me off my lazy butt and get reviewing.)

One more note about the author before I get on with my review.   I have to say that it’s really wonderful to find new authors who have never been previously published that are as fully formed as Jess.  Often I see new authors who are good at one part of writing – like they’re really good at creating an awesome great plot, but the characters fall flat or their narration is great, but the dialog is awful.  I didn’t encounter any of those “growing pains” in Jess’s books, which really pleased me.

Okay, so Hunted By The Others is a story about a kick ass, female private detective named Shiarra Waynest who’s just trying to make ends meet in New York City – only her NYC includes vampires, werewolves and mages who have recently “come out of the closet”.  They have lived amongst us forever, they just never revealed themselves to us.  These are the Others.

Shiarra is hired by a coven to spy on a well-known vampire and possibly steal an item from him.  This is not her ideal working environment, but she figures she can always back out if she needs to.  Plus, the money is better than good.  However, the more she is entangled in the world of the Others, the more she is unable to escape.

This book explores magic, real vampires (as in the non-sparkly kind), werewolves, awesome mages and even touches on social issues like racism.

Hunted By The Others seems to have it all, humor (there are some seriously funny bits), action, drama, adventure, crazy human (and not-so-human) relationships and more.  I have been a little listless on the reading front lately, skipping from book to book, and I found that Jess’ book grabbed me and held me until I finished it.  So, if you like vampire novels, I recommend preordering Hunted By The Others.

PS: If you go to JessHaines.com, you can see her cool cover. For some reason GoDaddy upgraded wordpress to an evil version which makes all pictures look idiotic. I’m working on fixing that, but until then, don’t deprive yourself of cool cover art.

Fantasy
For those friends and family members who would be more at home digging around in a dragon’s cave, these are my recommended reads:

- Hogfather or any other books by Terry Pratchett
I reviewed the Hogfather in a previous post.  This is a perfect book for Christmas, since it sort of pokes fun at Santa Claus and hints at the possibility that the jolly old elf may be have come from rather sinister beginnings.   Also, it has the character Death from the Discworld series in it, who is always a good read.  Honestly, I’m fond of anything by Terry Pratchett, so getting any book that strikes your fancy for your friends or family (or even yourself – it’s okay to get a gift for yourself) by Sir Terry is an excellent idea.

- Hood (The King Raven Trilogy, Book 1) by Stephen Lawhead
I only recently finished this book. If you have a fantasy fan who enjoys historical fiction or the Robin Hood tales, Hood is a great book for them. It’s a pretty slow moving, but enjoyable book about the beginnings of Robin Hood.

- Stardust or Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors. His books (in my humble opinion) are a MUST in any fantasy fan’s bookshelf. He has published many books and been involved in a few films, so he really has an abundance of material for your fantasy fan library. The reason I picked Fragile Things and Stardust is:  Fragile Things is a book of short stories with an introduction for each story, which is kind of fun.  Stardust is one of the few books I’ve encountered that everyone I know who has read it, liked it.

- The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
Stephen Kingis not only the master of horror, but the master of fantasy as well. Seriously. Check out the Darktower series or The Eyes of the Dragon.

- Dead Until Dark (The Sookie Stackhouse Series) by Charlaine Harris
These are the books behind HBO’s True Blood Series. If you have a friend who like vampire love stories, but is not into glittery vampires, and likes the real, burn in the sunlight kind, this series is for them. I’ve reviewed Dead Until Dark – the first in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

- Playing For Keeps by Mur Lafferty
I reviewed Playing for Keeps in a previous post. It’s an over-all fun, action packed, superhero story that really gets you rooting for the underdog.

- Watership Down by Richard Adams
Amazing classic story. Most people may not believe that a story about talking rabbits can be serious and intense, but Watership Down is just that. If you or your friend/family member hasn’t read it, definitely do so.

- Podcastle CDs
Pod Castle is a fantastic fantasy podcast that your friend/family member should be subscribed to (it’s free). But, if they are not subscribed, buy the CDs from Poddisc.com and get them hooked. (I am not sponsored by anyone in the Pod Castle/Pseudopod/Escape Pod network, I just happen to really like them.)

I hope these books/book-like items cover all bases on your friends and family who are fantasy fans!

If you have any suggestions of books I should read or recommend, let me know!

Also, remember that if you shop at Amazonfrom the links I provide, I get a little commission if you buy something, so help a sister out!

Podiobook: Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword

Performed by: Tee Morris

Main Guest Performances: LeeAnn Maybry, Dani Cutler

Genre: Fantasy and Historical Fiction

Julia Rating: 10

Comments: Tee Morris created a fantastic character with Billibub Baddings – a dwarf detective living in the 1920s. This isn’t just any dwarf detective. Billibub originally came from Acryonis – a glorious land in which elves are wise, orcs are vicious and dwarfs are fierce (and prolific progenitors).

Poor Billy falls into the portal to oblivion during a battle in the “Great War” of Acryonis and lands in the Chicago public library in the 1920s.  Being a resourceful dwarf, Billy learns all about the new world he has adopted and becomes a gumshoe.

Trouble lands square in Billy’s lap when a dame walks into his private detective agency with a commission to find out why the right hand man of the world famous gangster, Alphonse Capone, has been murdered. Not only is it a dangerous job, but it leads Billy to a talisman from Acryonis – an item earth humans named the Singing Sword.  This sword contains deep magical powers which, if in the wrong hands, could end the world as we (and Billy) know it.

Tee Morris has put together a hilarious and solid story. I love Billy amd all his great analogies to items and people in Acryonis . Tee also has some fantastic quips and barbs for those detective and fantasy stories which take themselves far, far too seriously.

 Click Here to Buy Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword on Amazon

Mur Lafferty

Book: Playing For Keeps

Genre: Fantasy

Julia Rating: 10

Comments: I may be a little biased on Playing for Keeps, since I follow Mur’s podcast, I Should Be Writing, so I really like Mur.  In fact, the podcast is the whole reason I read her book – that and her other book Tricks of the Podcasting Masters, which I obviously haven’t been applying – but hope to at some point in the near future.

Anyway, about Playing for Keeps. This is a superhero novel about Keepsie, a woman with a special super power. She lives in a world where super heroes are the norm and property damage from enormous battles between good and evil are tallied on the news daily.

Keepsie’s power isn’t considered good enough to be a “registered superhero”, so she’s created a bar for other “third wave” superheros like herself and employed only third wavers – a woman with an inability to drop a tray and a cook who knows what you are craving.

After being kidnapped by the super villain Doodad, she discovers an item which she protects with her power – preventing anything in her possession from being stolen. Becoming the center of a battle between heroes and villains, Keepsie has to figure out who’s side she’s on – and if she and her friends can be strong enough to save the city.

Additional Review:

Captain the Puppy says, “This book was good enough to eat! Seriously! While Julia was  at  work, I ate the Swarm Press logo off the back cover and it was delicious. I didn’t eat the text or the review on the back because I was too busy reading it.”

Book: Deadly Night

Genre: Murder Mystery/Fantasy

Julia Rating: 10

Julia Comments: I finally am getting around to reviewing Deadly Night by Heather Graham as I promised for horror month.  Deadly Night is the first in The Flynn Brother’s Trilogy and I, for one, enjoyed it.  The book contains murder, suspense, mystery and the supernatural.  It’s one of those books where you don’t know if there really is a supernatural element in it until the end. 

The book starts with the three Flynn brothers (who are private detectives) inheriting a large estate in New Orleans from a long lost relative (Amelia).  The eldest brother, Aidan, has pursued a run-away in the area and finds an old bone.  He and his brothers bring the police in to investigate and then head out to take a look at their inheritance.

The Flynns don’t know it, but a young local lady named Kendall Montgomery took care of Amelia until the old woman’s death is at the house, reliving some of it’s ancient secrets in a dead woman’s diary. 

In a happenstance meeting, the Flynns run into Kendall at their new plantation.  They find they have mutual friends and end up meeting quite a lot.  From the moment the Flynns meet Kendall on, there is no rest around the plantation.  Ghostly apparitions appear, people disappear, construction occurs and a freeloader living in one of the slave’s quarters is discovered.  Also, Aidan Flynn cannot shake off a deep attraction for Kendall – and she for him. 

When all is said and done, murders and a murderer is discovered, old ghosts are laid to rest and construction is completed.  But not without a cost.

As I said, I really enjoyed the book and recommend it.  If you want to, buy it at Amazon by following this link

Book: Strange Candy

Genre: Horror/Fantasy/Sci Fi

Julia Rating: 10

Comments: I really bit off more than I could chew here.  When choosing books, I thought, “Hey, it’s a book of short stories – let’s shake things up”.  I had never read Laurell Hamilton before and I didn’t know what a fantastic writer she was. 

Strange Candyreally is, well, strange.  But it really contains candy for the imagination.  I truly loved this book.  There are Anita Blake shorts, a story set in Anita’s world, two stories of Sidra Ironfist, along with a horrific sci fi story and several other gems. 

From this book I’ll be checking out the Anita Blake series.  I’m really excited.

So now, to H.P. Lovecraft.  I know that he is one of the premier men of weird fiction (which includes horror, sci fi and fantasy), and Stephen King even said he is “the Twentieth Century’s greatest practitioner of the classic horror tale”.  However, I have not found an H.P. Lovecraft story that really struck me as frightening or anything but… well… weird. However, I found an H.P. Lovecraft spin-off that I really enjoyed.

So, unfortunately I don’t have any recommendations on this one.  He’s a very interesting writer and I’ve actually found his bio to be more interesting than the stories he wrote, but that’s just me.
 

I’m not here to tout the man and his accomplishments – I’m obviously an avid fan of his writing.  I simply see in Bradbury’s work something that is taking hold in many “modern” circles (can I say that?  Ray Bradbury’s still alive…)  What I see is that many writers are mixing and matching genres.  You can see it in the Sci Fi/Horror Novel Infected by Scott Sigler.  Stephen King writes Horror stories that are also Fantastic – as seen in The Shining or The Talisman.  Stephen King should probably be on my classic horror novelist list, since he pretty much redefined horror as we know it, but he’s not as old as Ray Bradbury and isn’t dead like the other authors on my list, so let me suffice it to say that I deeply admire Mr. King’s prolific writing career and will be reviewing his latest novel later in the month.

Back to Ray Bradbury.  Here is an author who helped redefine the genre when Horror was not a genre at all, and I thank him for that. 

What are your thoughts?  Any comments on Ray Bradbury, his work?  What’s your favorite Ray Bradbury book and why?  I expect your reports tomorrow morning, bright and early. LOL.

As always, please remember that this blog is a labor of love – but is something I’d eventually like to make me some money, so if you want to buy a book at Amazon.com , please use the links provided on my blog, or use the Amazon.com link provided right here.