Update 5-28-09

Currently reading:

The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill
Mortal Coils by Eric Nylund

Last book read:

Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins

Still a lot to go.. Haven't been reading as much as I should. A lot more fantasy/sci-fi books to be checked in at work next week so I'll be even more inundated. :)

City of Bones

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

496 pages
ISBN: 978-1416914280
Hardback (9.1" x 6.2" x 1.8") 17.99
Illustration: Larry Nielsen
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (March 2007)
Books in series: 3

From Simon & Schuster:
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Consensus: I've read all three books and am satisfied with the ending (which is important to me). What I like about this series is that it includes angels and demons in the world of magic and paranormal races. This series is probably one of my favorites in the world of YA. I definitely like them better than Twilight. It's true that nothing here is extremely original, but the books all read very quickly and left me wanting to read the sequels.

Update 5-19-09

Currently reading:

Mortal Coils by Eric Nylund

Last books read:

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
Queen of the Amazons by Judith Tarr

Books to be read will be posted in a few more updates after I've read more the ones I listed last time around.

Keeping It Real

Keeping It Real by Justina Robson

337 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59102-539-9
Paperback (6" x 9") $15
Illustration: Larry Rostant
Publisher: Pyr (March 14, 2007)
Books in series thus far: 3

From Pyr:
The Quantum Bomb of 2015 changed everything. The fabric that kept the universe’s different dimensions apart was torn and now, six years later, the people of earth exist in uneasy company with the inhabitants of, amongst others, the elfin, elemental, and demonic realms. Magic is real and can be even more dangerous than technology. Elves are exotic, erotic, dangerous, and really bored with the constant Lord of the Rings references. Elementals are a law unto themselves and demons are best left well to themselves.

Special agent Lila Black used to be pretty, but now she’s not so sure. Her body is more than half restless carbon and metal alloy machinery, a machine she’s barely in control of. It goes into combat mode, enough weapons for a small army springing from within itself, at the merest provocation. As for her heart, well, ever since being drawn into a game by the elfin rockstar Zal (lead singer of The No Shows), who she’s been assigned to protect, she’s not even sure she can trust that any more either.

Consensus: Excellent blend of old and new emerging types of fantasy and science fiction. Lila is a badass but she's also been through a lot and is coming to terms with what's happening to her body. Zal disappears for much of the book but his character is much more developed in the other books in the series. Along the way, they have to deal with elves, demons, dragons, elementals, pixies, etc. This book was definitely a fun read and highly recommended.

Hail, Readers

Currently reading:

End of the Century by Chris Roberson

Last books read:

Sister of the Dead and Traitor to the Blood by Barb & J. C. Hendee

Library books that currently await my perusal:

Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett
Queen of the Amazons by Judith Tarr
The Pessimist's Guide to History by Doris Flexner and Stuart Berg Flexner
The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill
Mortal Coils by Eric Nylund
Child of a Dead God by Barb & J. C. Hendee
Rebel Fay by Barb & J. C. Hendee
The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier
Blades of Fortriu by Juliet Marillier
Legends (short novels by Jordan, Goodkind, etc)
The Other Queen by Phillippa Gregory
Inferno by Larry Niven
Death : a life with George Pendle
Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

Books I own that need to be read:

Personal Darkness and Mortal Suns by Tanith Lee
Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton
Midnight's Daughter by Karen Chance
World War Z by Max Brooks
The Charnel Prince by Greg Keyes
Hunter's Prayer and Night Shift by Lilith Saintcrow
Kushiel's Scion by Jacqueline Carey
Druid's Sword by Sara Douglass
Slaughterhouse 5 and Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
Snuff and Choke by Chuck Palahniuk
Myths of the Norsemen by Helene A. Guerber
Blood Lines and Blood Pact by Tanya Huff
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
The Pearl by Deborah Chester
Swordmasters by Selina Rosen
Chronicles of the Last War by Laura J. Underwood
Greywalker by Kat Richardson

These will probably take me awhile but I'll cross them out as I get to them. In the meantime, I'll offer some books I've already read.

Intentions..

Aside from routine synopses and occasional reviews, I will also post an updated list of what titles I am reading and the titles in my 'To Read' pile. I may from time to time choose suggested books to feature so feel free to make suggestions.

Lastly, this blog is intended primarily for fantasy and will touch upon genres such as paranormal, urban, high, and dark fantasy as well as some horror and mystery. I also sometimes read some satire or non-fiction which may make an appearance.

You may notice that I tend to read female-fronted fantasy as that is one of the tags that I use. I will make a point to offer up other options though I don't apologize for this preference.