Undead And Done

UndeadAnd Done by MaryJanice Davidson, 285 pages

“Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor continues her rule in Hell in the scorchingly funny finale to the Undead series from New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson.  It had been a well-kept secret for centuries, but now the existence of vampires is all over the news, thanks to Betsy Taylor's half sister (and the frustrated former Antichrist), Laura. Life for the undead will never be the same, and it's up to Betsy to do some damage control. But her interview on the local news doesn't exactly put out the fire. It more or less pours kerosene on it. With all the added attention on supernatural beings, the werewolves are more than a little agitated (never a good thing) and demand that Betsy gets her interview skills, and her family, in order. And while things go from bad to worse in the world, Hell continues to be hell--especially when Betsy's new parole program becomes about as complicated as you'd expect.  With a PR team launching a vampire-friendly campaign, the devil at large and out to make trouble, and mermaids on hand to see who falls--and how hard--the end isn't just near. It's here. And if anyone knows how to go out with a bang, it's the queen of Hell.” I really enjoyed this book.  I think it was one of the funniest in the series and I thought it did a great job of wrapping up the story.  I feel like this storyline really was done so I can’t even say that I’m going to miss the series.  I’m sure the author isn’t done writing and these characters may pop up from time to time so I probably won’t even miss them much either.  Anyone who likes supernatural humorous adventure and romance is going to love this author.

Eleventh Grave In Moonlight

Eleventh Grave InMoonlight by Darynda Jones, 310 pages

“A typical day in the life of Charley Davidson involves cheating husbands, errant wives, missing people, philandering business owners, and, oh yeah...demons, hell hounds, evil gods, and dead people. Lots and lots of dead people. As a part time Private Investigator and full-time Grim Reaper, Charley has to balance the good, the bad, the undead, and those who want her dead. Now, Charley is learning to make peace with the fact that she is a goddess with all kinds of power and that her own daughter has been born to save the world from total destruction. But the forces of hell are determined to see Charley banished forever to the darkest corners of another dimension. With the son of Satan himself as her husband and world-rocking lover, will Charley be able to defeat the ultimate evil and find a way to have her happily ever after after all?” This series is always fun and this book is no exception.  There is sex and violence. Sometimes the sex is great and the violence can get gory. The best part of these books, in my opinion, however, is the humor.  Charley is hilarious, even when, sometimes especially when, everything is going wrong.  Anyone who likes humorous adventure books that include some sex and gore will want to read the whole series.

Someone Like Me

Someone Like Me by M.R. Carey   500 pages

"SHE LOOKS LIKE ME. SHE SOUNDS LIKE ME. NOW SHE'S TRYING TO TAKE MY PLACE.

Liz Kendall wouldn't hurt a fly. She's a gentle woman devoted to bringing up her kids in the right way, no matter how hard times get.

But there's another side to Liz---one which is dark and malicious. A version of her who will do anything to get her way, no matter how extreme or violent. And when this other side of her takes control, the consequences are devastating.

The only way Liz can save herself and her family is if she can find out where this new alter-ego has come from, and how she can stop it."

This is the summary from Goodreads, which I felt gave a good outline of the story without revealing too much.  What the summary doesn't mention is another character in the story whose storyline is running parallel to Liz's own: Fran Watts.  Fran has survived being kidnapped as a young child, but has continued to have hallucinations of a protector called Lady Jinx, a talking fox.  Fran and Liz intersect when Fran becomes friends with Liz' son, Zac.  Right away, Fran can see something odd about Liz but initially chalks it up to another hallucination. However, when Liz' personality begins to change, Fran realizes it was no hallucination; she was seeing something real and very dangerous.

I thought this was a creative story that had a nice, dark edge to it.  Carey has written a very unsettling story that has some almost supernatural edge to it, but he also is tackling the very realistic horror story of what it's like to experience domestic violence.  I think the book could have used a little editing, as it felt slow in a few places.  However, I found myself hooked on the story and making time to sit and read and get immersed in the book.

And the Trees Crept In

And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich     341 pages

When Silla and Nori arrive at their aunt’s home, it’s immediately clear that the manor is cursed. The endless creaking of the house at night and the eerie stillness of the woods surrounding them would be enough of a sign, but there are secrets too—questions that Silla can’t ignore: Why does it seem that, ever since they arrived, the trees have been creeping closer? Who is the beautiful boy who’s appeared from the woods? And who is the tall man with no eyes who Nori plays with in the basement at night… a man no one else can see?

I only finished this book because a) I was reading it for a book club and b) I just wanted to know, ultimately, what the author was planning for the "big reveal" to see if it was worth it. It wasn't, for me. Were the characters interesting? No, utterly infuriating because none of them made any sense in their decisions or what they were doing. Was the story compelling? Yes but then it got boring and quickly devolved into what people think of when they think "this is what a CRAZY person sounds like!" Was the writing good? See the point about the story. I just don't think it paid to finish. It wasn't a cop-out necessarily, I just didn't care for it - and really the end-end is infuriating, too.

The Tomb

The Tomb by F. Paul Wilson, 15 hours, 30 min., 433 pages

This the first book in the Repairman Jack series. Repairman Jack is a fixer but he is selective about his cases and he has a screening process. There are certain types of cases he won't take. Jack doesn't have a social security number and  is intent on staying under the radar. Jack isn't a violent man. However, he will use violence on those that feel no compunction about inflicting violence on others. When his girlfriend Gia finds out what he does, she breaks up with him.

He loves Gia and her daughter Vicky but can't see how he can give up being a fixer. One of his newest cases has him retrieving an old woman's stolen necklace. The thief who stole it beat her badly enough to put her in the hospital. He is able to find the necklace but something is odd about it. Strangely, once she has the necklace back she makes a miraculous recovery.

His other case is to find out what happened to one of Vicky's elderly aunts. She has disappeared without a trace. As he investigates, signs point towards the two cases being related. How he became Repairman Jack is also revealed. There are some parts of his back story that still feel cryptic to me.

Repairman Jack is my new favorite character. He is a complex character and Wilson does a good job, in general, of creating his characters and maintaining suspense while weaving his story.

Good Omens

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman     412 pages

According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies, written in 1655, before she exploded), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner.

So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, frogs are falling, tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except a somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon—both of whom have lived amongst Earth's mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle—are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture.

And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist . . . 

This was an interesting read - it took me a while to get into it and get used to the format of the book. If you're not a fan of constantly switching pov, then you might want to skip this, because there is a large cast of characters and many of them get at least a little portion of the text from their perspective. In this way, it was a bit tricky remembering people as you read the book, especially if they were just a minor character and they popped up early in the book and many not again until much later. In this way, I think the movie of this book might actually be a better format for this kind of story. It will be easier to remember characters, for one, but also the humor that Pratchett and Gaiman employ might come off better told from actual people than being read on a page. The humor was another thing that made it difficult for me to absolutely love this book. I guess since I'm not British, some of the humor just went over my head. Also, because I'm not as familiar with certain customs or companies that were either real and mentioned or parodied, it didn't come off as funny to me, per say. There were also lots of references and playing off of Biblical subject matter, and since I did not grow up learning Biblical subject matter, a lot more might have gone over my head. However, there were some pretty funny bits and I did enjoy a good portion of the book. All in all, it was fun read, but it didn't roll along easily for me. I definitely read it in chunks. I would recommend it, but only to people who I think this humor would go over well with.

Ghost Behind The Wall

Ghost Behind The Wall by Melvin Burgess, 164 pages

David gets into a lot of fights.  He’s angry about a lot of things in his life and when he realizes he can get into the ventilation system from his apartment and into other people’s apartments the same way, he thinks it’s a great opportunity to play tricks and cause trouble.  Unfortunately for him, he encounters a ghost while in the vents.  The ghost seems to be more angry than David and also seems determined to hurt an old man living in another apartment.  David is worried about the old man’s welfare and worried that he will be blamed for the trouble the ghost is causing.  This was an unusual ghost story but very interesting.  Kids who like scary stories would enjoy it.

Red Rising

Red Rising by Pierce Brown     382 pages

Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.

Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

This book took some time getting into it. The setting up of this futuristic world was tricky to take on and anyone who is not very fond of sci-fi might have difficulty getting past it to the more interesting bits of the dystopia/character building/plot.

There are things I enjoyed very much reading this book and things that made me feel less interested in it. The things I didn't care for are that it trods in the path of many previous sci-fi books with a male lead who must save the world. That wouldn't be so bad because, after all, one of my favorite books is Ender's Game, buuuut, the fact that this book has that and that the catalyst that starts the whole thing is the death of his wife. A woman has to die to give Darrow the rage and drive he needs to take down the system. I feel like this is such an overused trope that it makes me depressed when I read it these days. Of course a woman has to die to give the main character the start he needs. Of course, of course, of course.

Aside from that, once the story really gets going there is a lot of violence, rape, and anger that is not my cup of tea. So many people are brutally maimed or killed, the mention of "pissing" on people happens at least a dozen times. I don't really care for that aggressive, animalistic stuff. It's not interesting to read and it's also gross.

Things I did like were the characters. I think Mustang, Pax, Roque, Sevro, and many others are really what makes this book strong. The building of a team, an army, what makes them all work together and trust their leader, Darrow, unconditionally is what really gets you interested in where the story will go. It reminded me a lot of Ender's Game. And the name "Wiggin" is even used, as if that story were an actual part of history. It made me smile.

The plot is strong, once you get past the first twenty or so chapters. That's where the book really hits its stride. If you can wade through the beginning to get this far, it is worth the time. It's action packed, the characters are finally becoming whole people, building off each other, and the plot is full of neat surprises and twists. It is enough of crest to ride till the end. I will definitely finish reading this series. The story captured me enough for that.

I would recommend this book to those who are fond of sci-fi, in addition to liking dystopias. There's also a lot of Greek/Roman mythology mixed in there, so if that's something you're into, it's a neat little feature in this book. Cheers.

The Darkest Minds

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken     488 pages

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for

kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.

If there was any book I would recommend for those who have read and liked The Hunger Games series, this is IT (aside from telling them they have to read Battle Royale first). It's got kids fighting for their lives (against other kids and adults, really), it's got an over-arching governmental bad-guy, it's got betrayal/suspicion vibes all over it. It really fits right in there, so I'm surprised I'd never heard of this book until I started seeing movie trailers popping up for it.

Honestly, this book is probably even better written than The Hunger Games - Bracken has a strong writing style that grabs you and doesn't let go. This book made me so anxious the entire time I was reading it. It's a very on-the-edge-of-your-seat type read. The plot is hard hitting, a bit slow on take-off, but once it takes off, BAM! You're in the thick of it and it doesn't slow down, not even at the end. It really rolls you right into the next book, you feel you have to keep reading to get to the bottom of this story.

Ruby is certainly a more likable figure than Katniss will ever be (but for those who are fans of Katniss, I say this not to diss her). Ruby is softer than Katniss, but she has that hard-hitting, fueled-by-anger-fighter in her that, when unleashed, could definitely rival Katniss. Ruby fights for the ones she loves, she is not going to roll over and take it lying down. But she is also fragile in this book, probably the most fragile she will be in the entire series, but Bracken doesn't make that seem like a bad thing. In fact, by the end of it, Ruby recognizes that her gentle side, her loving side, is a real, valuable part of her, one that she has to put away for the time being to get things done. But when it's all said and done, that rougher, monstrous side of her is not something to be proud of, only a necessary evil. Like Katniss, Ruby takes up the gauntlet for her friends, her family, and she will fight to protect those she loves. She is willing to play the game.

This is a great, action-paced YA dystopian book, full of amazing characters and well-written dialog and character development (and it's diverse, which is nice!). Ruby, Liam, Chubs, and Zu feel like a family and it's such a great thing to see develop. I can't recommend this book more, it's so good.

Undead And Unforgiven

Undead And Unforgiven by MaryJanice Davidson, 286 pages

“If Betsy Taylor has learned anything about ruling Hell it's: 1) She can't do it alone, and 2) She doesn't have to. She's got the help of a devoted vampire king, a dateless zombie, an exhausted new mom, an unshowered cop, a bitchy ghost, a kindly dead priest, and her late stepmother ("Go Team Satan 2.0!"). But the latest major hurdle in her afterlife is so big she can't even see it until it's on YouTube. Betsy's father and half sister Laura (a former Antichrist with a grudge) have teamed up, for what sinister purpose Betsy can't imagine. The former Antichrist didn't take kindly to getting what she wished for, and has decided that's entirely the fault of the vampire queen. What that means for Betsy is trouble (more than usual, even) and possible exposure to an unsuspecting world. Meanwhile Hell is having a deleterious effect on Betsy's friends ("I didn't think it was possible, but the damned are getting meaner."), the newly dead are confused about Hell's new rules ("A buddy system? Really?"), and the vampire king is trying to poach on Betsy's territory. Betsy loves her husband, but that's not the same as trusting him. Before long the king and queen of the vampires aren't speaking to each other, the mansion on Summit Avenue is a war zone, and Betsy's getting calls from a werewolf, a mermaid, and worst of all, her mother ("What do you mean you can't babysit?"). No one said life after death would be easy, but c'mon: this is ridiculous.”  These books are still pretty funny.  The storylines are getting a little crazy but I’m still enjoying them.  These are for people who like supernatural romantic comedy.

Dreadful Young Ladies and Other Stories

Dreadful Young Ladies and Other Stories by Kelly Barnhill     288 pages

When Mrs. Sorensen's husband dies, she rekindles a long-dormant love with an unsuitable mate in "Mrs. Sorensen and the Sasquatch." In "Open the Door and the Light Pours Through," a young man wrestles with grief and his sexuality in an exchange of letters with his faraway beloved. "Dreadful Young Ladies" demonstrates the strength and power--known and unknown--of the imagination. "The Insect and the Astronomer" upends expectations about good and bad, knowledge and ignorance, love and longing. The World Fantasy Award-winning novella The Unlicensed Magician introduces the secret, magical life of an invisible girl once left for dead . 

Having only read one book by Barnhill previously (and a middle-grade book, at that), I can say I wasn't nearly prepared for the strangeness of her fiction. Each story is full of bizarre creatures that are not quite fully formed - you only get a hint of what it is you're actually reading. I guess that's just part of the whimsical/psychotic style she prefers, and by that I mean as you read each story, you feel the narrator is somehow a bit cracked, not to be trusted, but even more so, they seem like they're experiencing some sort of psychotic break with reality. Some of the stories are pure fantasy, others are more magical realism (more magical than real, though), and the point of each story is a bit hard to define, though with some stories it's more clear than others. I can't say I had a favorite amongst these stories, but I can say I had a least favorite. Most of the stories are pretty forgettable - their weird, creepy, or off in some way, but most don't really stick because they don't seem to have a particular point to them. I can see strong ties between "The Unlicensed Magician" and her book that I had read, "The Girl Who Drank the Moon." She seems to have a very particular vision of what magic is and how it manifests itself. In the end, though, I end each story wondering "What have I just read?" I don't regret reading this collection of short stories, but I don't think I'd recommend it very freely. I think this book is best reserved for those who really enjoy short stories, but particularly of the kind that are ethereal or of the bizarre. Barnhill does have a knack for descriptive prose and some of the visions she creates are quite lovely, but I will definitely proceed with caution the next time I consider reading one of her books.

Into the Bright Unknown

Into the Bright Unknown by Rae Carson     348 pages

The third and final installment of the Gold Seer trilogy finds Lee and her friends settling into life in Glory. When Becky hears news that her home, which was taken apart and shipped from Tennessee all the way to San Francisco, had finally arrived, she and Lee and their friends head off to San Francisco to claim it. Trouble ensues when they run across an old acquaintance and discover their deal with Hardwick for their town treaty might have fallen through. How will Lee and her friends save Glory and their claims? What ensues is a wild, high stakes heist that ends Carson's trilogy with a bang. 

This was an excellent finish to Carson's Gold Seer trilogy. I have loved each installment and I'm thrilled that the last and final book did not disappoint.

This book holds the same thrill and excitement as the previous two books. Each character that you know and love and have seen progress throughout the series continue to do so in this book. What's even more fun is that they take on new roles to pull off an amazing heist.

That brings me to my favorite thing about this series. Though it is a series, each book feels different and its own thing, while still remaining tied to the other books in the series. I love that each book takes place in a different place (the first one on a wagon train, the second in a homestead/mine, and this one in San Francisco). Each story is complete and well put together, while at the same time pulling the reader through the long arduous journey that its central characters are on. It's brilliant writing and I hold this series up to be one of my favorites that I've ever read.

I love the writing, I love how much effort Carson has put into make this story as true to history as possible - it shows! It feels like a real history being told, with, obviously, a little magic mixed it. I love that Carson has chosen to shine a light on the stories of people who history often forgets - Native Americans, our early Chinese settlers, African Americans. Keeping their stories in view, forcing the reader to acknowledge these individuals and what they contributed to America's history is rarely seen, especially in YA fiction. I'm so glad Carson put the time and effort in to sharing their stories, even if only a handful of her characters are based on real historical figures.

I'd honestly recommend this book to anyone - the story is so well done, complex and page-turning, the characters are so well developed, the history is vivid and detailed. It's great for anyone who enjoys historical fiction (especially magical-realism), or anyone looking for a high-stakes YA read. Their are strong female characters, there are diverse characters, and the story pulls you right in. Give it a read! 

The Power

The Power by Naomi Alderman     386 pages

What would happen if women suddenly possessed a fierce new power?

In THE POWER, the world is a recognizable place: there's a rich Nigerian boy who lounges around the family pool; a foster kid whose religious parents hide their true nature; an ambitious American politician; a tough London girl from a tricky family. But then a vital new force takes root and flourishes, causing their lives to converge with devastating effect. Teenage girls now have immense physical power--they can cause agonizing pain and even death. And, with this small twist of nature, the world drastically resets.

This was going to be a four star book for me, but it ended up just being something I liked, rather than loved. I think the premise is really interesting - if the tables were turned, would women truly take the power they were given and use it any differently than the power men have? I believe the author is trying to make the claim that power corrupts and it doesn't matter what gender you are, if you've got power over other's you're going to naturally dominate and take that power as far as you can go with it. Overall, the story was compelling. I don't think the events in the story were totally believable in the end, but I like the idea of it and I applaud Alderman for showing that gender doesn't matter when it comes to power-hungry individuals.

Two If By Sea

Two If By Sea by Jacquelyn Mitchard, 401 pages

“Just hours after his wife and her entire family perish in the Christmas Eve tsunami, former police officer Frank Mercy pulls a little boy from a submerged car. Not quite knowing why, Frank doesn’t turn Ian over to the Red Cross. Instead he makes up a story about where the boy came from and takes him home, where Frank realizes that Ian has an otherworldly gift—an extraordinary ability to transform lives beyond anything he’d ever imagined. Awed and confused, Frank confesses Ian’s secret to Claudia, a beautiful champion rider who is training for the Olympics. They join together to fight the sinister forces gathering to take Ian back. In a final confrontation, Frank and Claudia will risk everything—their love, their family, their very lives—to save this boy they now love as their own son.”  I really liked the book, even though it was kind of dark and the ending was a little unsatisfying.  However, I would give this to people who like thrillers and supernatural books.

Betrayals

Betrayals by Kelley Armstrong, 416 pages

“The exciting fourth novel in bestselling author Kelley Armstrong's "impossible-to-put-down" Cainsville series. When Olivia's life exploded--after she found out she was not the adopted child of a privileged Chicago family but of a notorious pair of convicted serial killers--she found a refuge in the secluded but oddly welcoming town of Cainsville, Illinois. Working with Gabriel Walsh, a fiendishly successful criminal lawyer with links to the town, she discovered the truth about her parents' crimes in an investigation that also revealed the darker forces at work in the place that had offered her a haven. As if that wasn't enough, she also found out that she, Gabriel and her biker boyfriend Ricky were not caught in an ordinary sort of love triangle, but were hereditary actors in an ancient drama in which the elders of Cainsville and the mysterious Huntsmen who opposed them had a huge stake. Now someone is killing street kids in the city, and the police have tied Ricky to the crimes. Setting out with Gabriel's help to clear Ricky's name, Olivia once again finds her own life at risk. Soon the three are tangled in a web of betrayals that threatens their uneasy equilibrium and is pushing them toward a hard choice: either they fulfill their destinies by trusting each other and staying true to their real bonds, or they succumb to the extraordinary forces trying to win an eternal war by tearing them apart.” I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one in the series.  This is for people who like fantasy and paranormal stories. 

Drink Slay Love

Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst, 386 pages

“After sixteen-year-old vampire Pearl Sange is stabbed through the heart by a were-unicorn, she develops non-vampire-like traits that lead her to save her high school classmates from the Vampire King of New England.” I liked this more than I expected to. I expected a light, funny vampire story with a certain amount of cheese.  It was mostly light and funny but much less cheesy than I thought it was going to be.  Also, I hadn’t read the description, so I didn’t realize that the unicorn was a were-unicorn and was taken by surprise by that revelation. I would give this to teens who like humor and are good with the supernatural.

The Care And Feeding Of Stray Vampires

The Care And Feeding Of Stray Vampires by Molly Harper, 356 pages

“’The thing to remember about a 'stray' vampire is that there is probably a good reason he is friendless, alone, and wounded. Approach with caution.’ Iris Scanlon, Half-Moon Hollow's only daytime vampire concierge, knows more about the undead than she'd like. Running their daylight errands--from letting in the plumber to picking up some chilled Faux Type O--gives her a look at the not-so-glamorous side of vamps. Her rules are strict; relationships are purely business, not friendship--and certainly not anything more. Then she finds her newest client, Cal, poisoned on his kitchen floor, and her quiet life turns upside down. Cal--who would be devastatingly sexy, if Iris thought vampires were sexy--offers Iris a hefty fee for hiding him at her place. And even though he's imperious, unfriendly, and doesn't seem to understand the difference between "employee" and "servant," she agrees. But as they search for who wants him permanently dead, Iris is breaking more and more of her own rules . . . particularly those about nudity. Could it be that what she really needs is some intrigue and romance--and her very own stray vampire?” I like Harper’s books and this one was typically amusing.  It could have used a little better editing.  At least three times I went back and reread a section because something didn’t make sense.  Rereading didn’t help, either; there were issues with the text.  These problems aside, I still enjoyed it and would recommend it to fans of supernatural humorous romance.

Death Unmasked: A Novel of Reincarnation & Retribution

Death Unmasked: A Novel of Reincarnation & Retribution by Rick Sulik      264 pages

Well, I tried to read retired police officer Rick Sulik’s novel, but all three times would get to the end of Chapter 6, I had to give up. It’s a mish-mash of poetry and prose that doesn’t work for me.

I knew I was in trouble by the beginning of Page One for three reasons: Sulik’s original poetry that I didn’t’ get; excerpts from Oscar Wilde’s “The Ballad of the Reading Gaol” (from 1898) that made no sense to me, and the lack of imaginative chapter titles. It’s true that many authors don’t title their chapters, only number them, but here it seemed to stick out like a sore thumb. I feel like the reason for that is that most authors don’t list the chapters. A fourth reason was that each sentence is its own paragraph. A fifth reason was the time frame listed in that first chapter, “Somewhere in Time.”

I hate to say it, but as plowed through, not only was I bored, but confused and lost. There is no tension in the writing.

Therefore, Death Unmasked: A Novel of Reincarnation & Retribution receives 2 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world. One star is for effort and a cool front cover.

Sweet Unrest

Sweet Unrest by Lisa Maxwell, 324 pages

Lucy has just moved to New Orleans from Chicago.  Her parents are fascinated by history and Lucy’s father has landed a dream job overseeing a project designed to restore a plantation as a tourist attraction.  Lucy isn’t excited to be there but soon becomes interested in a boy that seems to be there as part of the staff.  Except he doesn’t show up in her photographs and Lucy starts having dreams about him that clearly take place in the past.  Combined with the murder of a friend, odd knick knacks that have turned up, and a Voodoo woman named Mama Legba, these things all spell trouble for Lucy if she can’t unravel the mysteries surrounding her.  This was a decent supernatural young adult story.  The mystery kept me guessing until the end and the creepy factor was just enough.  I liked the historical element also.  A good pick for teens.

The Shadow Cabinet

The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson, 376 pages

“The thrilling third installment to the Edgar-nominated, bestselling series. Rory and her friends are reeling from a series of sudden and tragic events. While racked with grief, Rory tries to determine if she acted in time to save a member of the squad. If she did, how do you find a ghost? Also, Rory's classmate Charlotte has been kidnapped by Jane and her nefarious organization. Evidence is uncovered of a forty-year-old cult, ten missing teenagers, and a likely mass murder. Everything indicates that Charlotte's in danger, and it seems that something much bigger and much more terrible is coming. Time is running out as Rory fights to find her friends and the ghost squad struggles to stop Jane from unleashing her spectral nightmare on the entire city. In the process, they'll discover the existence of an organization that underpins London itself--and Rory will learn that someone she trusts has been keeping a tremendous secret.”  I thought this series would just be a trilogy but from the way this story ended that certainly isn’t true.  I’m looking forward to the next book and would give this series to teens who like supernatural stories.