Dead Witch Walking, Kim Harrison

I find that it is so hard to find a supernatural book that does not instantly remind me of the Anita Blake series. Anita simply has just about everything there is when it comes to supernatural. However, although I saw some similarities, I did not feel as if I was reading a Laurell K. Hamilton knockoff.

I found the lack of humans intriguing, however her explanation of the race's downfall was short and left me a little confused.

The ending I found was a bit anti-climactic. I found the rat competition more interesting than the final fight scene, which was sad for me indeed.

Although, I predict that I will keep on chugging with the series since I was informed that that one was slow to start and the others improve.

Malice in Maggody, Joan Hess

This was a nice break from my vampire book stint. Although I felt a bit lost at first with the gas station scene with Robert. But Hess does a decent job of moving right along and explaining the characters.

I love the characters. And the dynamics between some of them. Ruby Bee is possibly emerging as my favorite. But I was saddened when Jaylee met her end, I was rather amused by her as well. Plover and Arly's battle of "thou shall not know my first name" was a cute little additive and makes me wonder what happens to them in future books.

As for the ending? I thought it was comical that everyone was rushing to Robin Buchanon's house where they found Carl and Robert in... disrepair... I'm not sure of the accurate wording for that one. And wrapping up the plots I give Hess a mediocre score. I figured out early on that Carl did not commit the crime he had been doing time for. Not to say he did not deserve to be in jail though. But, as for Jaylee's murderer, I did not guess that one until it was revealed. I was definately rooting for Jim Bob to be that culprit.

Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris

Let's see... I got this one because of the cover. Which is the main advertisement for the T.V. show that the book has been translated into, TrueBlood. I have never seen TrueBlood, I'm not much of a television kind of girl.

Ultimately, I was not as impressed as I was told I would be. Not to say that I did not enjoy Sookie. However, it felt like the setting of Anita Blake, with the clumbsy character's of MaryJanice Dickenson's Undead series. I also found myself thinking as I was driving home from work one day that all this book needed was some shapeshifters and I would feel even more like I was in a Laurell K. Hamilton book... low and behold... Sam is one. *shocking*

My favorite part by far is when Sookie discover's Bill's name. "'The vampire Bill!' I said. 'I thought it might be Antoine, or Basil, or Langford!'" How often do writers of vampire novels give the vampire eloquent names that sound as if they fell out of the 15th century. How ordinarily wonderful!

I was incredibly sad that Gran was murdered. I enjoyed the character.

All in all, it wasn't bad. I want to know more about Bill's past and what happens with Eric, so I foresee me buying the next in the series. I am also curious how well they did turning it into a television series. So I may have to rent the first season of TrueBlood.

The Harlequin, Larurell K. Hamilton

Edward is back. As well as Olaf. I had debated whether I would actually continue on with Anita. And after a brief research of movie/tv adaptation of the series, I am not alone in my frustration with the last six or so books. But Edward is my favorite character, and I could not resist.

What I found was that I was not exactly disappointed. Not like previously. I read it quickly. There was less sex than you normally get, which was, I must say, a relief.

I enjoyed the concept of the Harlequin. That the vampire council has their own police. I liked the masks as a means of communication.

Although I found less action as well, and a bit less plot than Laurell tends to give us, it was still more reminiscent of earlier in her series... I just hope she keeps it up.

The Elder Gods, David & Leigh Eddings

My previous experience with David Eddings is the Belgariad and Mallorian series. Plus the books associated with the two series. My copies of both series, especially the former, are well worn and read often.
The Elder Gods is the first book of his series, The Dreamers. I was concerned at first, being that my only experience with Eddings is with the same characters over a course of two series. But I found that there are overlapping characteristics with all his characters whether it be the same series or not. But I also found that they are all jumbled up so that they really are new characters in their own right. I've said it before, I'll say it again, I adore his characters. They're colorful and distinct.

I did have to remind myself frequently that his first book of every series I've encountered is like the filler book you find in the middle of series. They are essential, but a bit tedious. His first book is his filler and sets up the series, generally really well. As to how well he did with this one, I'd have to complete the series to answer that one. 400+ pages of filler is not necessarily a party by no means, but the beginning of the war and the development of characters makes it go by steadily.

I plan to buy the next in the series to see where they take this story.

The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold

This is one of my favorite books. Ever. Though it is by no means cheery. I think it's because of how humbled I feel reading it. I have never been hurt the way Susie was. Nor have I had any of my loved ones be hurt like that.

I remember the first time I read it, I had to put it down in the first chapter and walk away for a couple minutes. Susie recounting the tale of her murder was one thing. To read about a fourteen year old girl being raped by her neighbor, murdered, and then cut into pieces was another. Over time, I think it has effected me because I am a woman. I do not know if a man would react differently than I would to that portion of the book. I found that in reading it this time, I still had to put it down in places. The events with her family and friends feel quite raw, very "chewy." I took those opportunities to refill my coffee cup.

I think I feel worst for her father. I think his struggle with loosing his oldest child is the most painful. Knowing your daughter's killer is living two houses down from yourself is bad. Knowing he lives two houses down from your remaining two children has to be excruciating. I found myself feeling less sorry for her mother, but I suppose that everyone deals with their grief in different ways.

As far as Mr. Harvey goes, I recall being disappointed in his death the first time I read it. It was so insignificant. But this time around, I laughed. A serial killer, who psychologically probably wanted to get caught, dies because he was attempting another murder, but instead gets bonked on the head with an icicle and falls into the ravine that he was going to hide the body in. I love that kind of dramatic irony.

One of my favorite parts of the book is the last little blurb. Where a construction worker finds the rest of her bracelet and brings it home to his wife. They are completely unaware of little Susie Salmon and her brutal death. And he says that the little girl is probably all grown up by now. I think it was a phenomenal way to portray that time has moved on, as it should after the mess that happened in that neighborhood.

I think The Lovely Bones touches me in a way, on a very personal level. After loosing a loved one, I tend to brood a little. Wondering if they're with me. I like the idea that those I love can look after me once they are gone. I'm probably like Buckley in that sense. I like to think that when I speak to my grandparents that they listen. And that they're talking back to me. That they could create a miracle of a garden that is not neatly separated.

The Revenge of Dracula, Peter Tremayne

A book inherited from my aunt on one of the many "clean out" sessions. I have to admit that the book initially grabbed my attention quite well. However, because of a few things, I was left feeling that I should put it down before it was thrown across the room and left a dent in my wall (the copy being hardcover and all). In the Introduction, Tremayne sets up the book. Stating that he had received a manuscript from a psychiatrist who with a letter of his own, had included the writings of a person in a mental hospital who had "delusions" of Dracula. And thus, they have been published by Tremayne, supposedly unabridged.

My concern with the book is the facts. If it is indeed unaltered by Tremayne, then I am irritated with the original writer's facts. Mostly with the discrepancies in the history of ancient Egypt. Although the book presents an interesting tale.

I did have to chuckle with the explanation of the psychologist. That vampirism and werewolf-ism is a product of sexual repression on the part of the individual experiencing it.

Overall, it wasn't bad. It did not leave me feeling frustrated. Although I was not overly enthusiastic about it. I doubt that I'll read it again. & I doubt that I'll hand it to someone else to read it.