Moonsinger’s Quest-Andre Norton

Moonsinger’s Quest

Andre Norton

Baen, Nov 1 2011, $12.00

ISBN: 9781451637564

 

“Flight to Yiktor.”  In the lawless slums of the Limits, Farree the hunchback alien has no friends except for Togger the war-beast he telepathically communicates with.  Lady Maelen the psychic Moonsinger asks his name and he replies Dung.  She insists he is Farree who has no idea how he ended up on this lethal planet.  Maelen and Free Trader Krip Vorland take Farree and Togger with them as they journey to her planet Yiktor while enemies pursue them.

 

“Dare to Go a-Hunting.”  Farree has come a long way since Lady Maelen rescued him as his wings came out of his misshapen body.  Krip has found wings like Farree’s in a marketplace.  With his friends, Farree begins his journey to find any of his species.

 

This is a reprint of the exciting books three and four in the super Moonsinger saga which focuses more on Farree than on the stars of the first two tales (see Moon of Three Rings and Exiles of the Stars) although they play key roles.  The fast-paced Flight in Yiktor feels like a transition tale that is enhanced by having the fascinating conclusion Dare to Go a-Hunting (with ties to some other Andre Norton outer space thrillers) in the same omnibus collection although that also shows a rather radical change in the hero’s personality.  Still these terrific two tales are entertaining thrillers.

 

Harriet Klausner

Immortal Rider-Larissa Ione

Immortal Rider

Larissa Ione

Grand Central, Nov 22 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9780446574471

 

As the world turns ugly, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ride once again.  One brother Reseph has turned into Pestilence as his agimortus broke his seal, but another Ares was saved by his fiancée Cara Thornhart (see Eternal Rider).  A third rider Limos, though she, Ares and Thanatos defeated Reseph-Pestilence for now, fears she will fall to the dark too as Satan demands she become his wife and her seal if broken frees Famine.  

 

U.S. Army R-XR solder Arik Wagner attends the engagement party of Ares and Cara.  He walks outside onto a beach to get away from super-powered a-holes, but the object of his penis follows him.  Limos challenges him to fight, which leads to a kiss.  His final thought was her shouting at him not to say her name.  The other two horsemen explain to human Aegis leader Kynan Morgan that an angry jealous Satan has captured Arik for kissing his bride and will torture him in Hell until he says her name, which will make him one of the lost minions.  Limos cuts a deal with Pestilence to save the world and Arik though her cost is her soul.

 

The second Lords of Deliverance romantic urban fantasy is a superb post apocalyptic thriller that grips the reader from the first apparently fatal kiss to the final confrontation.  The story line is fast-paced and contains the twist of a Horsewoman as Famine.  The cast is fully developed and the twisting story line is loaded with action at time fueled by betrayal.  However, it is the dark world of Larissa Ione that readers will want to ride alongside of the Horsemen (and horsewoman) of the Apocalypse,

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Destined-P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Destined

P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

St. Martin’s Griffin, Oct 25 2011, $18.99

ISBN::9780312650254

 

Seventeen years old Zoey Redbird feels safe now that she is back in the Tulsa House of Night and being with her Guardian Warrior Stark.  She still reels from the Vampyre High Council condoning Neferet’s evil actions and allowing the malevolent one to return as the High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night.  Zoey and Neferet know it is not over between them.

 

Meanwhile after fallen guardian Kalona freed him, Nyx the Goddess has not just forgiven Rephaim the Raven-Mocker; she turned him into a human so he can be with the love of his life Stevie Rae at Tulsa’s House of Night.  As Neferet sets in motion a chaotic revenge plan against Redbird and the teen’s friends, she also has a new vendetta with her former ally Kalona.

 

This is a powerful entry as young adult fans better understand what motivates the good, the bad and the ugly.  Action-packed yet character driven (by much of the key cast) Zoey quickly realizes her hope for sanctuary in order to heal especially emotionally proves false as she is quickly caught in another Neferet monstrous scheme.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Virtual Virgin-Carole Nelson Douglas

Virtual Virgin

Carole Nelson Douglas

Pocket, Nov29 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9781439167793

 

Paranormal investigator Delilah Street saved the life of her lover Ric Montoya, but apparently he obtained some of her silver skills in the process.  The former Fed Ric brought to life Maria, the silver robot from the classic sci fi movie Metropolis (see Silver Zombie).  Lilah feels for her rival for Ric’s affection as Maria the CinSim robot is a virgin and will remain a virgin forever.  Maria is the property of the owner of Metropolis, mysterious albino rock star Snow. 

 

Ric and his former FBI partner Leonard Tallgrass battle the Immortality Mob, who run a zombie commodity exchange.  At the same the powerful demonic drug lords see an opportunity to change Las Vegas into their image with Maria as the engine.  While dodging paranormal psychopaths, Lilah and Ric must prevent the demonic take over of Sin City.

 

The latest Delilah Street Paranormal Investigator is an exhilarating thriller as the heroine, her lover and his partner battle the wicked in Post-Millennium Revelation Las Vegas.  Although it behooves fans to read at least Silver Zombie, Virtual Virgin is a strong action-packed entry yet Carole Nelson Douglas also raises question of ethics and values.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

 

The Hollows Insider: New Fiction, Facts, Maps, Murders, and More in the World of Rachel Morgan-Kim Harrison

The Hollows Insider: New Fiction, Facts, Maps, Murders, and More in the World of Rachel Morgan

Kim Harrison

Harper Voyager, Oct 25 2011, $25.99

ISBN: 9780061974335

 

Obviously this fabulous compilation targets fans of Kim Harrison’s Hollows realm going beyond the filter of the bounty hunter Rachel Morgan.  The Hollows are ruled by the Interland supernatural species while the humans struggle to survive in a realm in which we are at the bottom of the food chain.  This tome provides the rules, insight into spells, descriptions of the various species and a lot more including a murder mystery.  Profiles of Banshee, demon, elf, fairy, gargoyle, ghoul, leprechaun, pixy, troll living and undead vampires, were, witch and warlock sum up the Ineterlanders.  Additionally there is insight and biographical information about Rachel and other recurring characters like Ivy.  Throw in maps, charms, memos, journal articles and much more as Kim Harrison gives a marvelously monster tour of everything Hollow in this super guidebook.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Brazen-Margo Maguire

Brazen

Margo Maguire

Avon, Nov 29 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9780062018410

 

In 1816 widow Lady Christiana Warnick’s parents and brothers are in Italy mourning the death of their brother Lang Jameson in a ship explosion.  Christina has received her second blackmail note having paid the first from someone who insists Lang lives.  She is practicing target shooting when Gavin Briggs arrives seeking the estranged granddaughters, Christina and Lily Hayes, of elderly ailing Lord Sunderland.  Christina accidently shoots him.  Gavin ignores the wound and explains her relationship to Sunderland.  She asks if he can locate anyone which he says yes.  She asks him to come to London to help her find Lang.  After London, Christina agrees to go to Windermere to meet the grandfather she never met as he kicked her pregnant mom out of his house.  He mentions the heir Lord Chetwood is nasty having already tried to kill Lily. 

 

Gavin needs the reward money to buy a place for his sister and baby niece to live since their father tossed them out for her getting pregnant out of wedlock.  He also remains hurt that his fiancée Lady Amelia married someone else while he served in the military.  While Christina and Gavin head to London, he knows he wants her but accepts he cannot have her as the granddaughter of a duke is way above his station.  Still they make love though both agree this is a bad idea. 

 

The lead couple is a strong pairing of star-crossed lovers while the Regency woman in peril story line is entertaining and the Lang mystery cleared up with a nice spin.  Although a coincidence involving the magistrate helps the lead couple and Gavin ignores his bullet wound, readers will enjoy this entertaining historical romance.

 

Harriet Klausner

Behind the Seams-Betty Hechman

Behind the Seams

Betty Hechman

Berkley, Nov 1 2011, $24.95

ISBN: 9780425241424

 

The Tarzana Hookers crochet group is excited as one of their members, actress CeeCee Collins has made a comeback with insiders talking Oscar.  CeeCee is excited with appearing on the popular Barbara Olive Overton Show where her niece Nell works as a production assistant.  Although the movie star is wary that she has to cook a dish, Molly Pink and other Hookers mentor CeeCee.

 

While the Tarzana Hookers sit in the audience, Barbara interviews CeeCee until Adele starts shouting that crocheters deserve equal time with knitters.  Adele and Molly, who tried to get the outspoken Hooker to sit, are removed from the auditorium by segment producer Robyn Freed.  Nell brings a latte to Robyn who lectures her for not bringing her sweetener.  Nell gets it and Robyn sips her cold coffee only to fall down dead.  Detective Heather leads the homicide investigation in which the only suspect is Nell.  As Nell is placed on leave, CeeCee asks Molly, who has solved mysteries (see You Better Knot Die) to investigate.  Molly begins her inquiry fascinated by a photo on the victim’s desk in which a person has been cut out.

 

The latest Tarzana Hookers amateur sleuth is an entertaining tale although the whodunit for much of the story line plays second fiddle to the Behind the Seams look at the group.  Nell is a delightful protagonist who is in denial as to how much trouble she is in. Cozy fans will enjoy this lighthearted whodunit as CeeCee trusts Molly to extract Nell from going to prison while Adele keeps screaming for Crocheters to unite.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Under Attack-Hannah Jane

Under Attack

Hannah Jane

Kensington, Nov 1 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9780758258939

 

Her new boss at the Underworld Detection Agency in San Francisco wants supes only so one Executive Assistant Sophie Lawson, the human immune to the paranormal, expects to receive the pink slip shortly although she wonders if EEOC will protect her rights against firing due to ethnic origin.  The thought of unemployment disturbs Sophie as she loves what she does.

 

Her sometimes boyfriend Alex Grace the fallen angels asks Sophie to help him obtain the Vessel of Souls before someone else obtains the relic that he believes will restore him his wings.  Ophelia the fallen angel also wants the artifact.  She believes the best way to win the prize is to cause issues for Sophie.  As the paranormal are murdered related to the search, Sophie distrusts the fallen angel or any other supe possessing the Vessel of Souls.  To her shock, Sophie finds the clues take her to her family’s history.

 

The second UDA urban fantasy (see Under Wraps) is a delightful amusing yet taut thriller.  The heroine struggles with the fear of losing her job while on the dangerous hunt for a relic in which she does not quite understand its significance but knows that fallen angels want it so she comprehends the implication.  The investigation is terrific across the streets of San Francisco while balanced by the satirical jocularity of life as a supe different from the Hollywood portrayal and no reader will look at a bathroom the same way.

 

Harriet Klausner

The Hunters-Theresa Meyers

The Hunters

Theresa Meyers

Zebra, Nov 1 2011, $6.99

ISBN: 9781420121247

 

The Jackson Brothers (Winchester, Remington, and Colt) are chips off the old block as they like other family members hunt down vampires and demons.  They rely on the steam gizmos created by brilliant inventor Marley Turlock.

 

The sulfuric smell means to Colt riding his clockwork horse, the supernatural is crossing in much greater numbers than before; which also implies a hole in the barrier between the realms.  Colt knows he will have to face Lucifer’s older brother the vampiric demon lord Rathe the fallen archangel.  Desperate he summons a demon to help him close the schism.  Lily the succubus who wants to become human again arrives.  Filled with desire and struggling to focus on the mission rather than just her body, Colt knows his soul is already lost to Lily; he is unaware her heart belongs to him.

 

This steampunk western romance is a fast-paced exhilarating fantasy starring two delightful star-crossed lead protagonists.  Much of the fun is with Turlock’s gadgets like the freeze machine.  With a wonderful climatic confrontation, readers will relish this exciting thriller while looking forward to more Jackson brothers’ tales along with further inventions by Turlock.

 

Harriet Klausner

Supernatural: Bobby Singer’s Guide to Hunting-David Reed

Supernatural: Bobby Singer’s Guide to Hunting

David Reed

It/HarperCollins, Sep 6 2011, $14.99

ISBN: 9780062103376

 

Bobby Singer cannot believe what is happening to him as he suffers from rapid accelerating memory loss. Three days ago he was in Ashland, Wisconsin on a hunting assignment before driving to Sioux Falls.  Somehow he awakes in his home confused with how he got there and struggles with things like opening his tumbler.  Fearing he will lose what is left of his memory, Bobby writes down a guide to hunting so that the dwindling others like Sam and Dean will have something to help them when they are hunting.  This is his legacy if he can remember to write it.

 

He considers calling Rufus, but he is gone.  Bobby thinks back to Ashland where he recalls Sam and Dean were also hunting the Banshee that was terrorizing the Northern Wisconsin town.  They don’t answer their zillion cellphones.  Still Bobby remembers the banshee had with it a liquid woman who wanted his head on a platter.  As they took care of the banshee using an iPhone, Bobby next found himself on his couch wondering how he got there and what happened to his memory.  His Chevelle is entangled with another car and on its windshield is written Karen, the wife he loved and lost.

 

This is an entertaining supernatural thriller that uses an intriguing technique to tell the story line and provide insight into the realm.  The key cast mirrors the personalities on a TV show though there is somewhat less camaraderie between the brothers than for instance in John Pasarella’s entry Night Terror.  Still fans of the show will appreciate David Reed’s unique entry as Bobby tries to learn what happened to him while at the same losing his memories as to whom he is.

 

Harriet Klausner