Mind the Gap

Mind the Gap by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon

This was a fun story. I am a fan of Christopher Golden's work and this story didn't disappoint. It is the first in a series called "The Hidden Cities". I am looking forward to reading more of them.

I haven't ever read Tim Lebbon but he is now on my list.

Way of the Wolf

Way of the Wolf by E. E. Knight was given to me by a co-worker. He likes the author and really enjoys the fact that the two series that the author writes are completely different in story and style.

Way of the Wolf if book one in his Vampire Earth series.

Set in the near future it tells the tale of a post apocalyptic earth.

This book has it all, monsters, aliens, war, famine, slavery and of course, every day people with a will to survive.

From the first page I fell in love with the author's writing style. I also enjoyed the fact that the books are set in the Midwest. Minnesota is where the stories hero is from.

I read this book in only a few days and I can't begin to tell you what a fun ride it was. This is not the typical vampire story. Not even close. These characters are more liken to the Wraith from Stargate Atlantis. Alien beings that survive not by feeding on human blood but rather by taking in their victim's life essence.

Simply put, the characters are lovable or hateable depending on what side they fall. The action is intense and fun. And the story telling is superb.

Brisingr

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini is book three in the Inheritance Cyle.

This young man is really coming into his own. His own voice, his own style. And what a treat!

If this young man will only get better at writing with age we are in for many years of exceptional books.

The City of Dreaming Books

The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers was a random book store browsing find. I was at the airport and had time to kill. I couldn't leave without this book.

This book reads like the style of Harry Potter. Fast, fanciful, and fun. With fantastic illustrations throughout the book.

I adored this book.

If you want something fun, a fanciful adventure with marvelous characters this is the book for you!

The Man with the Golden Torc

The Man with the Golden Torc by Simon R. Green

This is the first book in Simon Green's newest series "Secret Histories". I love anything this man writes.

I have been saving this book for a special occasion. And I decided that my trip to Florida for Tink's wedding didn't get any more special.

Did I mention that I love this man's writing style?

Funny, easy to read, creative as hell. Mr. Green is king when it comes to fun Sci Fi reading.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

Oh, where to begin.

My buddy Mike told my dad to read this one. WAY before Oprah by the way.

I had seen this, heard about it, and wanted to read it until.............

It made that damn Oprah list.

And well, stubborn mule that I am, as soon as Oprah tells people to read it, I avoid it like the plague.

But, Dad kept nagging me. Read it, read it. Did you get it yet? You have to go get it. READ IT!

Alright, alright, so I ordered it. I had to hunt around to find a copy that wasn't tainted by the Oprah sticker.

Ok, well, what can I say. I described it to a friend as One of THE BEST books I have ever read and one of THE WORST books I have ever read.

Does that even remotely make sense?

Given the wild swing in reviews if you check out Barnes and Nobles site, I'm not surprised I feel the way I do. It gets 1 star or 5 from people. Loved it or hated it.

I can admit that I felt both.

I saw a lot of my own dogs in this story. Not the well trained and obedient part. But the companion part.

I have given to calling Sophie my Lil Almondine.

The story in and of itself was disturbing and infuriating. But very well told.

The sign of a good author and a well written book is one that can put your emotions all over the map. Laughter, tears, sadness, anger, etc. This story runs the full spectrum.

It is beautifully written. It really is. And it made me fall deeper in love with my dogs.

I think this is one of those books that you have to experience and decide for yourself.

I am glad I read it. And I marvel at the range of emotions this book provokes.

I think each reader will have their very own, very individual, experience. And you can't say that about many books.

Proven Guilty

Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher

#8 in the Harry Dresden series.

See what I mean? I can't stop....................

Another good one.

Ok, I have to admit, this one, I got a bit emotional. In fact, I actually got mad enough that the book almost went flying.

But we are ok now. I'm still in love.

The Lies of Locke Lamora

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

I picked this book up while wandering around Borders. They had a section in their SciFi shelves for "If you Liked this: You'll like these:"

And, this was one of them. I had actually flagged this as a possible series to read so I figured why not give it a try.

What a great story.

Rather than the usual hero adventure this is the story of a band of thieves.

It's fun, exciting, a page turner, and the characters are well developed.

And nothing expected happens. Who lives and dies keeps you guessing from start to finish.

And that makes for a fun read.

I look forward to continuing this series.

Dead Beat

Dead Beat by Jim Butcher is #7 in the Harry Dresden series.

All I can say is this series is brain candy for me. I love it.

I'm addicted.

I can't stop.

Blood Rites

Blood Rites by Jim Butcher is book 6 in the Dresden series.

I fell in love with the Sci fi series The Dresden Files. When I found out the show was based on the books I had to read them.

It's always interesting to watch an author grow into his style, his characters, and into his own voice. Blood Rites is certainly the book in which Mr. Butcher found his voice.

I loved all the stories. Basically even though the series is canceled I can still enjoy the characters and the wonderful adventures. And this book was his best and most eloquent. I'm not sure what it was about this story but I felt like we had taken a literary leap. A little bit more poetic. A little bit deeper.

I guess I have to confess. I'm in love with a wizard. He's tall, dark, and very very handsome.

And these books give me a little bit of romance every day.

Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grill

Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grill by Steven Brust is a wild ride. I wouldn't say this was a book for everyone. It has it's slow moments. But I love the author and had this one on my list to read.

Basically Cowboy Feng's bar can hop time and space. And it tends to do it at the very moment nuclear weapons go off.

It's not until the 4th occurrence though that the regulars in Feng's start to wonder why this happens.

Like I said, it's an interesting story. But it is true Brust. Reads almost like a comic book, light on the brain. And just basically beach blanket entertainment.

The Gargoyle

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson was an impulse buy after seeing So many reviews and write ups of it. Costco had it for a really good price and I was planning to spend the weekend up at the cabin relaxing and reading, so, it all seemed to come together perfectly.

First I want to say that the first 50 pages of this book are VERY hard to read. If anyone you have ever loved has ever been burned or in a bad accident I am not sure this is the book for you.

I was burned when I was young. I really struggled with the first part of the book. But at the same time it was a little bit healing and a lot bit educational for me. A lot of things I went through made more sense after I read this book. I can't even compare what happened to me with what the character in this book experienced. Not even close. But still.........

Anywhoodle. It's a beautiful story. Very well written. And when those last sentences passed by my eyes I was sad, lonely, and I suffered literary withdrawal.

That's the best kind of book.

It is also unique, creative, and imaginative.

Soon I will be Invincible

Soon I will be Invincible by Austin Grossman has been on my reading list since it first came out.

It's one of those books I had a feeling I would enjoy so I saved it as one of those "Special treat" books.

This summer I decided it was the perfect time to read it.

And it was as enjoyable and entertaining as I hoped it would be.

Light, fun reading. It's a super hero/ super villain story that lets you escape from the world for a few hundred pages.

Life of Pi

Life of Pi by Yann Martel has been on my list to read since it came out. It has been one of those literary marvels that everyone was talking about.

I had high expectations because of all the hype. And I gotta say, this is a good book.

It's not life changing.

It's just a good read.

Borderkind

Borderkind by Christopher Golden is book 2 in his Veil Series.

I loved the first one. Was enthralled by the second one. And look forward to number three.

Great characters, story, and scenery.

Simply put: I love this series.

Myth Hunters (take 2)

Myth Hunters by Christopher Golden was a re-read in order to be prepared to read the second book in the series, Borderkind.

Second time around I loved it just as much. This is a creative and fun story. And a pretty fast read.

Oliver Bascombe is sitting in his living room contemplating his pending wedding that is to take place the next morning. When a snow storm kicks up into high gear. And through a window comes an ice man in desperate need of help. So Oliver throws on a coat and helps Frost to the edge of the ocean cliffs. Much to Olivers surprise the ice man plunges over the cliff taking Oliver with him. And as Oliver prepares for his death he is shocked to find himself falling into a lake, the sky is blue, the trees are green, and Oliver isn't in Kansas anymore..................

The Shadows of God

The Shadows of God by J Gregory Keyes is the 4th and final book in his Age of Unreason Series. Fast paced and easy to read this was a satisfying end to a terrific series.

But, you do have to be a Sci Fi geek to enjoy this series. It's a bit out there. And delves into trying to discover the true nature of god and the angels.

Overall I loved these books. I thought reading them back to back was going to be a good idea but in all honesty I got to the point where I was ready to be done. Not because it was bad. But I like variety in my reading so four in a row just made me itch to move on to another type of story. And honestly, it wasn't the books, it truly was me. I get the itch to move on sometimes while reading the best books I have ever read. I'm restless like that.

Empire of Unreason

Empire of Unreason by J. Gregory Keyes is book 3 in the Age of Unreason series. Where book two lagged a bit, book three was far more of a page turner. Due mostly to the author ending every chapter with a climactic moment. And because he switches between characters you had to keep reading to find out what happens. It was a vicious cycle since I do have to function as a responsible adult and can't spend ALL my time reading.

But book three was satisfying and fun.

A Calculus of Angels

A Calculus of Angels by J. Gregory Keyes is book 2 in his Age of Unreason series.

Still love it.

The continuing adventures of Ben Franklin, Isaac Newton, and many other characters.

The author does get maddeningly worse at ending every chapter with a cliff hanger. So be prepared to not want to put these books down. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Newton's Cannon

Newton's Cannon by J. Gregory Keyes is book 1 in the Age of Unreason series.

I had heard about this series I don't know where but I have had a hard time finding the books. Then Amazon started selling the whole series. And I jumped at the chance to at least try it.

Needless to say about twenty pages into the book I was ordering the rest of the series. It really is fantastic.

The main characters in the first book are Newton and a youthful Ben Franklin. The world is full of magic and wonder and something else they can't quite identify.

This is a fun series and I love the adventure. So much so that I am actually reading this series straight through. I normally will skip around and read several other books in between any given series. This time around I'm going right on through.

That's not because this is better than any series ever, it's simply that this series doesn't neatly end at each book. It begs to be read as a group. And I would hate to put so much time in between each book that I feel like I should go back and read them again.