Many Many Books

Wow, so it's been a long long time since I posted anything on here, and I've read many many books since then. Let's see if I can remember them all...

Fae Fever series by Karen Marie Moning.
Great series of books, little sexy, had evil and good faeries (fae) interesting love-type story line too it as well. Essentially, this girl goes to Ireland to try to find out what happened to her murdered sister. Upon arrival, she finds out that they both had a very unusual talent: they can see fae and sense their objects of power. So she gets swept up into a good vs evil battle though she's not sure who is who. Great series with one more due to come out in the fall. 9/10

Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning.
So I guess I got on a bit of a kick with this author. This series is differently more in the 'romance' section of the library as it is much much more descriptive than the Fae series. Nice. Anyway, overall it was really good, however, there is the point of all the main female characters being virgins, not that there is anything wrong with that, but all of them? Anyway, I haven't read two in this series as the library does not have the complete set in, and has so far, refused my request. Oh well. Overall rating for series 8/10

Mariana by Susanna Kearsley
A girl (Julia) passes by the same house on 3 separate occasions and feels an inexplicable bond to it. She eventually buys the house and begins to have strange instances of 'remembrance.' This is another story about reincarnation and finding lovers across time who weren't able to make it right the first time. Her friends in the present are very similar to those she encounters in her past life. She is guided through her strange journey by the town witch, who is also involved in her past life. Maybe I'm just on a big reincarnation and true love kick, but I really liked this story. 10/10
I'll be reading more from this author eventually

I'm working on The Talions and Dark Paladins Series by Alexis Morgan, again little romancy/scifi/fantasy.

I'm cheesy and I love it!

There are many others I've read, but can't seem to remember at the moment. Oh well maybe later.

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

So this was a good book, but rather confusing.
You meet Towner, who hints that she has had some mental health issues in the past. She comes from a long line of 'lace readers' - women who read the future in lace. The book introduces you to the rest of her family, her mom May, (dead) twin sister Lindley, brother Beezer, uncle Cal and aunt Emma, and great aunt Eva - most of whom are as unbalanced as she is.
Towner returns to Salem when her beloved aunt Eva goes missing. As she unravels the mystery of her aunt's disappearance, the reader is given glimpses to Towner's unhappy and abusive childhood. It isn't until the last 50 pgs that the reader discovers the true roots of Towner's past, and how hard her sisters death has impacted her.
I give this book a 8.5/10

Firebird by R.Garcia y Robertson

So I stuck with an author I had read before, and was quite surprised by how different this book was compared to 'Knight Errant."
Firebird begins with the young 'witch-girl' Aria. She lives in the forest with the 'Bone witch' and likes to make up stories about her childhood. She enjoys a secluded lifestyle until, a young knight from the mythical land of France and hides the Firebird egg in her forest. They are captured by enemy troops who want the magical egg back. Thus begins their journey through various enemy kingdoms, losing then finding each other, meeting with 'the Killer of Children,' and finding the truth about Aria's past.
The reason I was surprised by the book was that it was much more 'steamy' than Knight Errant, rather unexpected, but not unwelcome!
So overall I'd give this book a 8/10. It wasn't too long and it was a very easy read.

Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey

This is a MASSIVE book - double my last 'long' book at 816 pgs. The first 200 pages or so, for the most part, was rather confusing and uneventful. Maybe it's just me, but I found it really hard to remember which character was connected which side/conspiracy. The complicated names were another thing that I had a hard time with. Once I was past that first 200 pages and could remember some of the outlying characters, I found the book quite enjoyable - especially the last 300 pages. This book is told from the point of view courtesan/spy, Phedre. It takes place around a Renaissance-type era, though the names of the countries have changed.
Sold by her parents into the 'Night Court', Phedre is marked by a scarlet mote (dot) on her iris; the mark of Kushiel, a rather masochistic apostle who feels pain and pleasure together. She is eventually taken in by a man, Delauny, who recognizes her value as 'Kushiel's Dart' and she begins her training as a spy to court events. Phedre is given access to court secrets as she practices her 'art.' As she is finishing her 'marque' (tattoo to symbolize her freedom), her world is torn apart. Phedre and Jocelin (who for all intents and purposes is her bodyguard) find themselves amongst savages, escape, then become messengers to the Queen. I enjoyed the challenges Phedre and Jocelin overcome and the growth of their characters.
Overall I would rate this book 7/10
However, I will say that I really enjoyed the last half or so of the book and will read the next in the series.

Black Ships by Jo Graham

Black ships is the story of a girl who is born after her people are conquered and become enslaved. She is given to a temple and becomes a priestess of Death. One day a vision brings her face to face with the remnants of her people as they sack her town. She makes a snap decision to join them on the journey to find a new home. The writer recreates the vivid world of ancient Rome, the characters experience growth and are very likable. Overall I would rate this book 8.5/10

Knight Errant by R. Y Garcia Y Robertson

This is a rather lengthy novel (480 pg) about a jilted American woman who comes to England to surprise her boyfriend for his birthday - only to find out he's married. She's taken in by his sister with whom she feels an inexplicable connection. As she contemplates her life in the English countryside she comes across a handsome young man wearing armor on horseback. He claims to come from Medieval England and is unfamiliar with modern day technology such as cell phones, maps, and watches. After conversing with the local witch coven, the heroine is transported back in time to find her knight. Filled with witches, reincarnation (again, I know, perhaps it's a theme for me this year), and history, this book made for an ok read. Overall I'd rate this a 7/10 and may even read the next two books in the trilogy-eventually.

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

The Gargoyle is the first novel by Winnipeg author Andrew Davidson; it has none of the cold, dark, winter feel that often characterizes Canadian literature. This book tells the story of a cynical, drug abusing, womanizer who becomes badly burned in a car accident and his recovery. During his lengthy stay in hospital, he meets an eccentric woman who claims to have been his partner in several previous lives. At first he brushes off her stories as an indicator of some mental disorder, but as time goes on and she gives insight to only things that he knows, he beings to believe her. The story of their love through time and reincarnation is amazing. I loved this book and can't recommend it highly enough; I will definitely keep an eye out for future books by Andrew Davidson. Rating: 10/10 Excellent start to the New Year!