Nightfall
Ellen Connor
Berkley, Jun 7 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9780425241691
In the middle of the twenty-first century, the first power grid failed in Eastern Europe; soon others followed as the east coast of America went dark while the wave continued to cross the broken country. Some claimed the End of Days Rapture had begun; while others insisted nuclear meltdowns and WMDs as the causes.
Her late dad predicted the end of days as the demise of technology followed by the Change, but Jenna Barclay thought her father was a survivalist lunatic. In Oregon the grid still works, but for how much longer? Former Marine John Mason owes a life debt to Jenna’s late father and pays the first installment by kidnapping his deceased guru’s daughter to take her to safety in the remote wild just before the magical change begins. Jenna thinks her abductor is as crazy as her dad was until mutant dogs attack them followed by meeting three adults and two children fleeing violent inhuman predators. Neither Jenna nor John is prepared for the Change that comes to them.
The first Dark Age Dawning thriller starts off as a science fiction collapse of civilization but deftly switches into a post-apocalyptic survivor fantasy reminiscent of Sterling E. Lanier’s Hiero’s Journey. The story line is fast-paced from the moment John takes Jenna to the cabin her father prepared for her. Aptly titled as Nightfall has fallen putting out the lights of civilization though pockets of packs change yet retain the essence of what is human in the new lethal world. Harriet Klausner
The Vampire Narcise
Colleen Gleason
Mira, May 24 2011, $14.95
ISBN: 9780778329954
Lucifer supplicant Cezar Moldavi knows his strongest weapon in his war against other Dracule elements is his seductive sister Narcise who he once gave to his Master. Cezar takes pleasure watching her out-duel men in sword play while keeping her imprisoned. Only one male meant anything to Narcise, but a decade ago mercenary Giordan Cale betrayed her by selling out to her odious sibling rather then keep his promise to free her.
In 1803 in Paris, vampire hunter Chas Woodmore helps Narcise escape from her brother’s house of torture. He takes her to London where she encounters Giordan, who owns a club. Giordan never forgot the woman he cherishes and surrendered all to her brother to take her with him, but received nothing except a broken heart. They still want each other, but she never forgets so she uses the enthralled vampire hunter as her tool to get at her only beloved. At the same time an outraged Cezar and his horde invade London.
The third Regency Draculia romantic fantasy (See The Vampire Voss and The Vampire Dmitri) is a terrific thriller in which betrayal is the key element as once burned by something worse than the sun leaves no one trusting anyone else. Fast-paced, fans anticipate the war of the Dracule as blood may be thicker than water, but will hatred prove stronger than love. Harriet Klausner
The Last Werewolf
Glen Duncan
Knopf, Jul 12 2011, $25.95
ISBN: 9780307595089
Two centuries old Jake Marlowe is depressed in spite of the fact his physical health is good, he gets all the sex he craves and his high red meat diet is perfect for his metabolism as human fresh flesh is a delight. His despondency is caused by learning from his only friend Harley, who hacked into the World Organization for the Control of Occult Phenomena (WOCOP) database that the other remaining werewolf was just killed.
Jake considers suicide though that would make his species extinct. Meanwhile the vampires hunt him for a purpose that only a bloodsucker would comprehend; while a high ranking WOCOP official stalks him seeking vengeance for Jake dining on his father. Being hunted is not new to The Last Werewolf, but when backed to a cage wall the predator takes over as Jake hunts the hunters.
Jake is a fantastic intelligent and witty protagonist obsessed with the duo needs of sex and eat as he rarely psychologically moves above the Physiological lowest level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs; except when his life is at stake he climbs to the next level of personal Safety. The biographical fiction story line is driven by the title character who turns beastly when he hungers for sex or food; preferably together. Harriet Klausner
Deeper Than Midnight
Lara Adrian
Dell, Jun 28 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780440246114
The vampire myth began when eight ancient outworlders came to earth and mated with those females who wore a Breed mark because they are capable of baring a Breed male offspring. In time, the sons turned against their evil and cruel sires, but one escaped their wrath and hid in hibernation.
In the present, Dragos imprisoned him and forced him to copulate with Breedmates. The Children of that union were Gen X warriors, who were more powerful than most of the breed. Dragos puts a slave collar on these children as he trains them to be amoral ruthless killers. Dragos’ enemy The Order liberates one of his killers Hunter who vows to kill his vicious jailer and his psychopathic brothers. The Order raid a compound and free Corrine Bishop held prisoner by their evil adversary for decades. When she and Hunter meet, there is an instant attraction, but neither can accept the soft feelings; he never knew love only hate and she had love tortured out of her. While fleeing from Dragos’ henchmen, Corrine resolutely wants to find her son Nathan, but conceals this from her escort until they make love. Hunter believes Corrine is setting herself up for heartbreak and perhaps death because like him her son is a trained ruthless killer. She persuades him they should try.
The ninth Midnight Breed romantic fantasy is a fantastic entry that is as great as its predecessors (see Taken by Midnight). The story is told from multiple viewpoints; readers will find especially refreshing and fascinating understanding how a breed feels when he enters the Bloodlust stage before he turns into a mindless Rogue who cares only about drinking human blood. The Adrian vampire mythos expands as series fans will appreciate the meaning of Home. Harriet Klausner
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Reviews to catch your interest
Wiccan Shadows
Lori J. Schiel
ImaJinn, Mar 31 2011, $16.00
ISBN: 9781610260022
Before Celia, High Priestess of the Laurel Tree Coven, met Jen the veterinarian, she was unaware of how many strays are out there. Thus she agrees to help Jen catch feral felines. Leaving behind her familiar Gordy the dog, Celia is in the woods trapping when she hears a terrifying noise. Panicking she flees but the growl gets louder and her car is no where in sight. Calming herself down, Celia knows she went the wrong way deeper into the woods while peacefully waiting for whatever the beast is to come for her, but as the assault comes she screams in horror.
As she continues to dream of death recently, Alex Grisham wonders what that means even as she ponders whether she should continue to live with controlling Glenn. Jen calls her asking if she heard from Celia as she could not go trapping with their High Priestess due to babysitting issues. Leaving her Berkley’s Books, Alex goes to Celia’s house to find Gordy alone. She takes Gordy with her. Alex with her familiar Rune the Abyssinian, her Wiccan Sisters and mysterious animal control officer “call me Dan” Danielson search for Celia. An unknown adversary attacks Alex, she believes one of the two men in her life wants her dead though she is unaware that the motive is evil which has begun a doomsday scheme.
The key to this superb investigative urban fantasy is the background of the Wiccan Sisters who are moms, veterinarians, bookstore owners, etc.; this anchors the paranormal in a normal environs. The story line is fast-paced as Alex and crew hunt for Celia while the heroine is torn between love and death. The first Wiccan Sisterhood paranormal thriller is am entertaining tale. Harriet Klausner
Hunt the Moon
Karen Chance
Signet, Jun 7 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451413079
Cassandra Palmer abetted by Pritkin the Mage killed her maker Apollo (see Curse the Dawn) when the god caused trouble in his efforts to return to this realm. Cassie looks forward to R&R as she is mentally and physically exhausted from the war with her creator.
Her time with Master vampire Senator Mircea Basarab ends abruptly when supernatural Spartnoi assassins try to kill her. Cassie assumes the attacks are to prevent her from being crowned the Pythia as the world’s chief clairvoyant. However, a master mage hypothesizes that Apollo’s death has triggered the Ragnarok war of the gods. Either way, someone or thing rejects the concept of Cassie being crowned.
The latest Cassandra Palmer fantasy (see Embrace the Night) is an exciting entry as the heroine needs a breather, but her enemies keep the pressure on her. The story line is fast-paced but held together by the beleaguered heroine who battles against supernatural assassins and a fear that the first order effect of her and Pritkin killing Apollo is Ragnarok has begun. Readers will relish this thriller that uses ancient mythology as a strong foundation. Harriet Klausner
Storm Kissed
Jessica Andersen
Signet, Jun 7 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451233752
A decade ago in Denver, teenagers Snake "Dez" Mendez and Reese Montana met and fell in love while defeating Cobra. However, their relationship ends when insane winikin Louis Keban, who Dez had run away from before he hooked up with Reese, caught up to the teen. Keban cut him with a cursed blade that changed Dez, turning him into a demonic possessed felon.
The Nightkeepers recruit Dez and remove the shadow from his brain. He diligently works at fighting evil in New Mexico as he believes he has an IOU for all problems he caused as a criminal. However, recently Dez vanishes without a trace. In Cancun, Nightkeeper leader Strike hires private investigator Reese to find Dez who she thought was dead in an incident three years ago. Reese locates Dez; he explains to her that he searches for Keban, who is fulfilling a prophecy that will bring Lord Vulture from the underworld; what he fails to tell his beloved is his role in bringing hell to earth.
The latest Nightkeepers urban fantasy built from the Mayan end times (see Demonkeepers and Blood Spells) is a .superb thriller due to Dez’s convoluted and conflicting relationships with Reese and Keban. Fast-paced and character driven with perspectives changing, fans will relish this exhilarating tale as Dez is pulled in two directions which has an enthralled audience who will win his soul.
Harriet Klausner
Everdark
Elle Jasper
Signet, Jun 7 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451233776
Savannah tattoo artist Riley Poe still recovers from her rescuing her younger brother Seth who released the strigoi vampires on a teen prank (see Afterlight). She owes guardian vampire Eli Dupre and his kin for their saving Seth and her from the vicious Strigoi Arcos siblings (Victorian and Valerian). The evil brothers injected her with their toxin. Although controlled somewhat by the intervention of Eli and his partners, Riley’s senses has been exponentially embellished including her need for sex, which Eli is glad to accommodate as he loves her and needs her unique special blood.
One other byproduct of the assault is she is psychically connected to maniacal Valerian as she witnesses the terror in the minds of his victims. Starting to understand the obsessive craving, Riley still needs help from an Undead expert; she knows the vamp she loves is the man for her. However, there is also a supernatural cleansing needed so she joins Eli and his team.
The second The Dark Ink Chronicles urban fantasy is an exhilarating thriller as vampires needing their fix run wild in the coastal southeast. Although over the top of Hartwell Dam as sex dominates the story line, fans will enjoy the changes in the life of Riley who has become sympathetic with the blood addiction of vampires.
Harriet Klausner
Lori J. Schiel
ImaJinn, Mar 31 2011, $16.00
ISBN: 9781610260022
Before Celia, High Priestess of the Laurel Tree Coven, met Jen the veterinarian, she was unaware of how many strays are out there. Thus she agrees to help Jen catch feral felines. Leaving behind her familiar Gordy the dog, Celia is in the woods trapping when she hears a terrifying noise. Panicking she flees but the growl gets louder and her car is no where in sight. Calming herself down, Celia knows she went the wrong way deeper into the woods while peacefully waiting for whatever the beast is to come for her, but as the assault comes she screams in horror.
As she continues to dream of death recently, Alex Grisham wonders what that means even as she ponders whether she should continue to live with controlling Glenn. Jen calls her asking if she heard from Celia as she could not go trapping with their High Priestess due to babysitting issues. Leaving her Berkley’s Books, Alex goes to Celia’s house to find Gordy alone. She takes Gordy with her. Alex with her familiar Rune the Abyssinian, her Wiccan Sisters and mysterious animal control officer “call me Dan” Danielson search for Celia. An unknown adversary attacks Alex, she believes one of the two men in her life wants her dead though she is unaware that the motive is evil which has begun a doomsday scheme.
The key to this superb investigative urban fantasy is the background of the Wiccan Sisters who are moms, veterinarians, bookstore owners, etc.; this anchors the paranormal in a normal environs. The story line is fast-paced as Alex and crew hunt for Celia while the heroine is torn between love and death. The first Wiccan Sisterhood paranormal thriller is am entertaining tale. Harriet Klausner
Hunt the Moon
Karen Chance
Signet, Jun 7 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451413079
Cassandra Palmer abetted by Pritkin the Mage killed her maker Apollo (see Curse the Dawn) when the god caused trouble in his efforts to return to this realm. Cassie looks forward to R&R as she is mentally and physically exhausted from the war with her creator.
Her time with Master vampire Senator Mircea Basarab ends abruptly when supernatural Spartnoi assassins try to kill her. Cassie assumes the attacks are to prevent her from being crowned the Pythia as the world’s chief clairvoyant. However, a master mage hypothesizes that Apollo’s death has triggered the Ragnarok war of the gods. Either way, someone or thing rejects the concept of Cassie being crowned.
The latest Cassandra Palmer fantasy (see Embrace the Night) is an exciting entry as the heroine needs a breather, but her enemies keep the pressure on her. The story line is fast-paced but held together by the beleaguered heroine who battles against supernatural assassins and a fear that the first order effect of her and Pritkin killing Apollo is Ragnarok has begun. Readers will relish this thriller that uses ancient mythology as a strong foundation. Harriet Klausner
Storm Kissed
Jessica Andersen
Signet, Jun 7 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451233752
A decade ago in Denver, teenagers Snake "Dez" Mendez and Reese Montana met and fell in love while defeating Cobra. However, their relationship ends when insane winikin Louis Keban, who Dez had run away from before he hooked up with Reese, caught up to the teen. Keban cut him with a cursed blade that changed Dez, turning him into a demonic possessed felon.
The Nightkeepers recruit Dez and remove the shadow from his brain. He diligently works at fighting evil in New Mexico as he believes he has an IOU for all problems he caused as a criminal. However, recently Dez vanishes without a trace. In Cancun, Nightkeeper leader Strike hires private investigator Reese to find Dez who she thought was dead in an incident three years ago. Reese locates Dez; he explains to her that he searches for Keban, who is fulfilling a prophecy that will bring Lord Vulture from the underworld; what he fails to tell his beloved is his role in bringing hell to earth.
The latest Nightkeepers urban fantasy built from the Mayan end times (see Demonkeepers and Blood Spells) is a .superb thriller due to Dez’s convoluted and conflicting relationships with Reese and Keban. Fast-paced and character driven with perspectives changing, fans will relish this exhilarating tale as Dez is pulled in two directions which has an enthralled audience who will win his soul.
Harriet Klausner
Everdark
Elle Jasper
Signet, Jun 7 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451233776
Savannah tattoo artist Riley Poe still recovers from her rescuing her younger brother Seth who released the strigoi vampires on a teen prank (see Afterlight). She owes guardian vampire Eli Dupre and his kin for their saving Seth and her from the vicious Strigoi Arcos siblings (Victorian and Valerian). The evil brothers injected her with their toxin. Although controlled somewhat by the intervention of Eli and his partners, Riley’s senses has been exponentially embellished including her need for sex, which Eli is glad to accommodate as he loves her and needs her unique special blood.
One other byproduct of the assault is she is psychically connected to maniacal Valerian as she witnesses the terror in the minds of his victims. Starting to understand the obsessive craving, Riley still needs help from an Undead expert; she knows the vamp she loves is the man for her. However, there is also a supernatural cleansing needed so she joins Eli and his team.
The second The Dark Ink Chronicles urban fantasy is an exhilarating thriller as vampires needing their fix run wild in the coastal southeast. Although over the top of Hartwell Dam as sex dominates the story line, fans will enjoy the changes in the life of Riley who has become sympathetic with the blood addiction of vampires.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Song on my mind
I Won't Back Down
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Well I won't back down
No I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down
No I'll stand my ground, won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin me down
gonna stand my ground
... and I won't back down
Chorus:
(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down...)
hey I will stand my ground
and I won't back down
Well I know what's right, I got just one life
in a world that keeps on pushin me around
but I'll stand my ground
...and I won't back down
(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down...)
hey I will stand my ground
(I won't back down)
and I won't back down...
(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
hey I won't back down
(and I won't back down)
hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down)
hey I will stand my ground
(and I won't back down)
and I won't back down
(I won't back down)
No I won't back down...
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Well I won't back down
No I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down
No I'll stand my ground, won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin me down
gonna stand my ground
... and I won't back down
Chorus:
(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down...)
hey I will stand my ground
and I won't back down
Well I know what's right, I got just one life
in a world that keeps on pushin me around
but I'll stand my ground
...and I won't back down
(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down...)
hey I will stand my ground
(I won't back down)
and I won't back down...
(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
hey I won't back down
(and I won't back down)
hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down)
hey I will stand my ground
(and I won't back down)
and I won't back down
(I won't back down)
No I won't back down...
Press Release
Book One of the Hadrumal Crisis:
Dangerous Waters
by Juliet E. McKenna
August 2011 • £7.99 (UK), ISBN 978-1-907519-97-0
August 2011 • $7.99/$9.99 (US & CAN), ISBN 978-1-907519-96-3
Also available as an eBook
Welcome to a new kind of fantasy world
In a world where magic is banned, what protection is there for the innocent against murderous roving corsairs? And who will be the first to unveil the secret of a widow’s mysterious guardian?
The first book in a stunning new fantasy series, with Dangerous Waters renowned author Juliet E. McKenna promises a thrilling re-invention of fantasy with a unique series far removed from the clichés of the genre.
The Caladhrian Coast is a rich new world filled with pirates and politics, rogue wizards and adventure. This is the perfect point to join a new fantasy series from an increasingly dominant voice in the genre.
The prequel for the series, The Wizard’s Coming, is available as a free eBook and introduces some of the characters and events leading up to this stunning new fantasy series from a major voice in fantasy writing.
Juliet’s Chronicles of the Lescarii Trilogy eBooks are also all discounted on Amazon Kindle – down to £3.98 in the UK and $4.99 in the US.
“A tapestry of conflict and complications that you can’t bring yourself to put down.”
– SF Site on Irons in the Fire
About the Author
Juliet E. McKenna is the renowned author of The Chronicles of the Lescari Revolution, The Tales of Einarinn series and The Aldabreshin Compass sequence. Dangerous Waters marks the start of a major new fantasy trilogy.
www.julietemckenna.com
www.twitter.com/JulietEMcKenna
Dangerous Waters
by Juliet E. McKenna
August 2011 • £7.99 (UK), ISBN 978-1-907519-97-0
August 2011 • $7.99/$9.99 (US & CAN), ISBN 978-1-907519-96-3
Also available as an eBook
Welcome to a new kind of fantasy world
In a world where magic is banned, what protection is there for the innocent against murderous roving corsairs? And who will be the first to unveil the secret of a widow’s mysterious guardian?
The first book in a stunning new fantasy series, with Dangerous Waters renowned author Juliet E. McKenna promises a thrilling re-invention of fantasy with a unique series far removed from the clichés of the genre.
The Caladhrian Coast is a rich new world filled with pirates and politics, rogue wizards and adventure. This is the perfect point to join a new fantasy series from an increasingly dominant voice in the genre.
The prequel for the series, The Wizard’s Coming, is available as a free eBook and introduces some of the characters and events leading up to this stunning new fantasy series from a major voice in fantasy writing.
Juliet’s Chronicles of the Lescarii Trilogy eBooks are also all discounted on Amazon Kindle – down to £3.98 in the UK and $4.99 in the US.
“A tapestry of conflict and complications that you can’t bring yourself to put down.”
– SF Site on Irons in the Fire
About the Author
Juliet E. McKenna is the renowned author of The Chronicles of the Lescari Revolution, The Tales of Einarinn series and The Aldabreshin Compass sequence. Dangerous Waters marks the start of a major new fantasy trilogy.
www.julietemckenna.com
www.twitter.com/JulietEMcKenna
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Reposting of the FIRST Demon Trapper review
THE DEMON TRAPPER’S DAUGHTER, Jana Oliver, St Martin’s Griffin, $9.99, 352 Pages, ISBN: 9780312614782, reviewed by Barry Hunter.
If this is your first introduction to Jana Oliver, prepare to have your socks knocked off. If you are familiar with Jana’s previous work, prepare to have your socks knocked off. While this is marketed as a YA title, it is a great read for everyone. No matter what her topic is, Jana creates outstanding characters and makes them live and breathe. They become like friends and family and you really care for them.
This time out it’s Riley Blackthorne, a seventeen year old apprentice demon trapper living in the demon filled Atlanta of 2018. The economy has constantly gotten worse and Lucifer has increased his minions on Earth and it is up to Trappers Guild to eliminate them. Demons are ranked from one to five and come in all shapes, sizes and talents. Riley is apprenticed to her father and is dealing mostly with the small devils
As the book opens, Riley is after a biblio-demon in the library, when a problem arises and she goes before the Guild. Things go downhill from there. Her father is killed by a five and Beck, his other apprentice is injured.
Other problems come to pass as the demons appear to be working together, Holy Water is not working, and the demons all know Riley’s name. Riley must protect her father’s body from the Necros, go to school, fall in love and learn everything she can about her craft while facing obstacles at every turn.
This is a tremendous novel. It is also a memorable novel that should spawn a number of sequels. There are some books that stay with you and you always remember the first time you discovered them; THE DEMON TRAPPER’S DAUGHTER is one of those novels. It reminds me of the first time I read TWILIGHT and Jana Oliver should make demons the next big thing.
The Demon Trapper’s Daughter, Jana G. Oliver, St. Martin’s, Feb 1 2011, $9.99, ISBN: 9780312614782, reviewed by Harriet Klausner.
In 2018, Atlanta is like much of the country and the world in economic ruin. The residents follow the Golden Rule of do unto your neighbor before they do unto to you as survival is the only game in town. Adding to the misery index is Lucifer’s demonic minions are everywhere causing pain and suffering.
Seventeen year old Riley Blackthorne understands how miserable life has become. Her mother died from cancer while she and her dad Paul owe so much they have no chance of escaping their debts. However, like her father, Riley becomes a demon trapper joining the guild as an apprentice (while also attending school); as a way of bringing in income though from her hard childhood she always wanted to join her dad on the job. However, when a demon kills him, she has no choice but to keep working handling Grade One demons. However a Grade Five hellish killer attacks her as Lucifer targets Riley when she is most vulnerable while she grieves her loss.
This is a great opening urban fantasy as Jane G. Oliver deftly blends the creation of her mythos with non-stop action. The fast-paced story line starts at an incredible pace and never decelerates as the armchair audience needs to wear seatbelts. However, even with this faster than light speed, Atlanta and the heroine are fully developed while the support cast (a peer she romantically likes, her father, other trappers and demons) enhance the setting or the star. Readers will enjoy a joy ride around Atlanta escorted by The Demon Trapper’s Daughter.
If this is your first introduction to Jana Oliver, prepare to have your socks knocked off. If you are familiar with Jana’s previous work, prepare to have your socks knocked off. While this is marketed as a YA title, it is a great read for everyone. No matter what her topic is, Jana creates outstanding characters and makes them live and breathe. They become like friends and family and you really care for them.
This time out it’s Riley Blackthorne, a seventeen year old apprentice demon trapper living in the demon filled Atlanta of 2018. The economy has constantly gotten worse and Lucifer has increased his minions on Earth and it is up to Trappers Guild to eliminate them. Demons are ranked from one to five and come in all shapes, sizes and talents. Riley is apprenticed to her father and is dealing mostly with the small devils
As the book opens, Riley is after a biblio-demon in the library, when a problem arises and she goes before the Guild. Things go downhill from there. Her father is killed by a five and Beck, his other apprentice is injured.
Other problems come to pass as the demons appear to be working together, Holy Water is not working, and the demons all know Riley’s name. Riley must protect her father’s body from the Necros, go to school, fall in love and learn everything she can about her craft while facing obstacles at every turn.
This is a tremendous novel. It is also a memorable novel that should spawn a number of sequels. There are some books that stay with you and you always remember the first time you discovered them; THE DEMON TRAPPER’S DAUGHTER is one of those novels. It reminds me of the first time I read TWILIGHT and Jana Oliver should make demons the next big thing.
The Demon Trapper’s Daughter, Jana G. Oliver, St. Martin’s, Feb 1 2011, $9.99, ISBN: 9780312614782, reviewed by Harriet Klausner.
In 2018, Atlanta is like much of the country and the world in economic ruin. The residents follow the Golden Rule of do unto your neighbor before they do unto to you as survival is the only game in town. Adding to the misery index is Lucifer’s demonic minions are everywhere causing pain and suffering.
Seventeen year old Riley Blackthorne understands how miserable life has become. Her mother died from cancer while she and her dad Paul owe so much they have no chance of escaping their debts. However, like her father, Riley becomes a demon trapper joining the guild as an apprentice (while also attending school); as a way of bringing in income though from her hard childhood she always wanted to join her dad on the job. However, when a demon kills him, she has no choice but to keep working handling Grade One demons. However a Grade Five hellish killer attacks her as Lucifer targets Riley when she is most vulnerable while she grieves her loss.
This is a great opening urban fantasy as Jane G. Oliver deftly blends the creation of her mythos with non-stop action. The fast-paced story line starts at an incredible pace and never decelerates as the armchair audience needs to wear seatbelts. However, even with this faster than light speed, Atlanta and the heroine are fully developed while the support cast (a peer she romantically likes, her father, other trappers and demons) enhance the setting or the star. Readers will enjoy a joy ride around Atlanta escorted by The Demon Trapper’s Daughter.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Soul Thief - A Demon Trappers Novel
SOUL THIEF, A Demon Trappers Novel, Jana Oliver, St Martin’s Griffin, $9.99, 320 pages, ISBN: 9780312614799, reviewed by Barry Hunter.
If you missed the first volume of this series, run, don’t walk to the nearest bookstore and pick it up. (THE DEMON TRAPPER’S DAUGHTER, $9.99, ISBN: 9780312614782) You don’t want to miss a single page of any of the adventures of Riley Blackthorne. It is a pleasure to read an adventure for the Young Adult market that has a message that transcends age and time. It is a story that may have been told before, but never with the zest and appeal and sheer joy have you felt after losing yourself in the demon filled world of Atlanta in 2018.
Riley is a seventeen year old apprentice demon hunter whose dead father has been reanimated and stolen from the grave; her friends in the Demon Hunter’s Guild have been attacked by the demons of Hell; and, she is suspected of being the cause of their woes.
It seems Riley has the weight of the world on her shoulders in the ultimate battle of Good and Evil and some of her friends are not sure of which side she is on. Simon, her boyfriend who was injured in the attack, believes she is in league with Lucifer and wants nothing to do with her. Others feel that her father’s appearance to warn her seconds before the attack caused the Holy Water boundary to fail.
Riley’s “protector” Ori seems to have more on his agenda than he is telling her.
Riley faces the normal teenage trials of school, a job and boys in addition to the task of finding out who stole her father and defending the family name against the charges of duplicity. Add in subplots about counterfeit Holy Water and the Vatican’s team of demon hunters coming to Atlanta and you have a grand novel that only leaves you wanting (oh so much) more.
Jana has created marvelous characters in her previous works, but Riley, Beck and Ori are at the top of the list for becoming fully developed in my mind. The book, at least to me, plays out as a movie in my mind as I was reading it. SOUL THIEF lives up to its name; mine has been stolen by Riley and Jana Oliver.
If you missed the first volume of this series, run, don’t walk to the nearest bookstore and pick it up. (THE DEMON TRAPPER’S DAUGHTER, $9.99, ISBN: 9780312614782) You don’t want to miss a single page of any of the adventures of Riley Blackthorne. It is a pleasure to read an adventure for the Young Adult market that has a message that transcends age and time. It is a story that may have been told before, but never with the zest and appeal and sheer joy have you felt after losing yourself in the demon filled world of Atlanta in 2018.
Riley is a seventeen year old apprentice demon hunter whose dead father has been reanimated and stolen from the grave; her friends in the Demon Hunter’s Guild have been attacked by the demons of Hell; and, she is suspected of being the cause of their woes.
It seems Riley has the weight of the world on her shoulders in the ultimate battle of Good and Evil and some of her friends are not sure of which side she is on. Simon, her boyfriend who was injured in the attack, believes she is in league with Lucifer and wants nothing to do with her. Others feel that her father’s appearance to warn her seconds before the attack caused the Holy Water boundary to fail.
Riley’s “protector” Ori seems to have more on his agenda than he is telling her.
Riley faces the normal teenage trials of school, a job and boys in addition to the task of finding out who stole her father and defending the family name against the charges of duplicity. Add in subplots about counterfeit Holy Water and the Vatican’s team of demon hunters coming to Atlanta and you have a grand novel that only leaves you wanting (oh so much) more.
Jana has created marvelous characters in her previous works, but Riley, Beck and Ori are at the top of the list for becoming fully developed in my mind. The book, at least to me, plays out as a movie in my mind as I was reading it. SOUL THIEF lives up to its name; mine has been stolen by Riley and Jana Oliver.
Solaris Press Release
1 August 2011
***for immediate release***
Solaris acquires urban fantasy sequel
Solaris Books has acquired PANDAEMONIUM, the second volume of an urban fantasy series from pseudonymous author ‘Ben Macallan’.
The title will be the first sequel to Desdaemona, published last month by Solaris, and is due for publication late in 2012.
In Desdaemona – Macallan’s terrifying, sexy, sinister urban fantasy debut – Jordan may look like a teenager but he treads the line between mundane reality and the supernatural in a world where vampires don’t glitter and runaways don’t just disappear – they’re hunted.
Macallan is not only a pseudonym of award-winning crime and thriller writer Chaz Brenchley, but has also appeared as a character in his books, Dead of Light and Light Errant.
The agent was John Jarrold, and the deal is for Worldwide English Rights.
Jonathan Oliver, editor-in-chief of Solaris, said:
“It's a delight to be working with Ben again. He had such a strong debut with Desdaemona and has proved that he is a fresh new voice in Urban Fantasy.”
***for immediate release***
Solaris acquires urban fantasy sequel
Solaris Books has acquired PANDAEMONIUM, the second volume of an urban fantasy series from pseudonymous author ‘Ben Macallan’.
The title will be the first sequel to Desdaemona, published last month by Solaris, and is due for publication late in 2012.
In Desdaemona – Macallan’s terrifying, sexy, sinister urban fantasy debut – Jordan may look like a teenager but he treads the line between mundane reality and the supernatural in a world where vampires don’t glitter and runaways don’t just disappear – they’re hunted.
Macallan is not only a pseudonym of award-winning crime and thriller writer Chaz Brenchley, but has also appeared as a character in his books, Dead of Light and Light Errant.
The agent was John Jarrold, and the deal is for Worldwide English Rights.
Jonathan Oliver, editor-in-chief of Solaris, said:
“It's a delight to be working with Ben again. He had such a strong debut with Desdaemona and has proved that he is a fresh new voice in Urban Fantasy.”
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