Category: Fiction Page 275 of 346

Author: Elisha at Rainy Day Reviews

Entertainment Weekly says – Set in the saloons of Dodge City in 1878 before the shoot-out at the O.K. Corral, this murder mystery paints Doc Holiday as a tragic hero and gambler, bringing one of the state’s most legendary events and personages to life.

(Courtesy of goodreads)

Born to the life of a Southern gentleman, Dr. John Henry Holliday arrives on the Texas frontier hoping that the dry air and sunshine of the West will restore him to health. Soon, with few job prospects, Doc Holliday is gambling professionally with his partner, Mária Katarina Harony, a high-strung, classically educated Hungarian whore. In search of high-stakes poker, the couple hits the saloons of Dodge City. And that is where the unlikely friendship of Doc Holliday and a fearless lawman named Wyatt Earp begins–before the gunfight at the O.K. Corral links their names forever in American frontier mythology when neither man wanted fame or deserved notoriety

I have to say, I had heard of this book, was told about this book, but never read the book. Until now. The synopsis was intriguing yet kept an air of mystery. I was even more intrigued and excited to read this book after finding out it was based off of a true story. I love a good non-fiction read, and this did not disappoint. Set in western Texas during the frontier, Doc Holliday makes his name known through gambling with his co-conspirators. Then, there’s a twist among all the other twists in the story…a murder. Or was it a murder?

I loved the thick plot, the western touch, the “old days” feel, the relationships…especially with Doc’s “special” on again-off again friend. I found this story very interesting and it did captivate my attention. I was worried it wouldn’t because I am not a fan of a lot of westerns, I am a bit picky in that area. But all in all, it was really good and I would definitely recommend this story.

(fwiw, I had a few things to say about this a couple of years ago)

Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs

By HCNewton

On May 19, 2016

In Authors, Fiction, Mercy Thompson, Patricia Briggs, Urban Fantasy

Fire Touched

by Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson, #9

Hardcover, 342 pg.
Ace, 2016

Read: March 23 – 24, 2016

How is this only the 2nd Mercy Thompson book to appear on the blog?!?! Seriously, what is my problem? (other than reading all but the last two before I started this thing, I guess)

If Chapter 1 doesn’t include the funniest scene that Briggs has ever written, I’ll eat my hat. Naturally, after cracking me up, I figured she’d be taking us to a pretty dark place. And while there was a good deal of darkness — and potential for big, dark happenings down the road (but I’ve thought that before, like with Fair Game) — it didn’t get as bad as I feared.

There’s a scene fairly early on here that reminded me of the big ” …it is defended!” speech from Doctor Who‘s “The Christmas Invasion” — the moment that the new Doctor defined himself. Mercy does something a lot like that not realizing just how far her message will go (thanks to the Internet, smartphones, and 25-hour news cycles), and just how much trouble she’s created for Adam and the rest of their pack — as well as Bran and pretty much every werewolf in the U.S.

Part of the immediate fallout of this moment is that a human child who has been abducted by the Fae at some point that no one (including him) remembers comes to Mercy for help. He doesn’t quite fit in to this world any more, but he doesn’t want to be with the Fae, either. With a big emphasis on the latter. So, with she gives him sanctuary of a sort — at least temporarily. This brings attacks, threats, and destruction — with more to come if she doesn’t hand the boy over.

You can imagine how that goes over with everyone’s favorite shape-shifting mechanic.

There’s a lot more going on, but the fate of the boy is the centerpiece.

There’s a major loss in this novel that moved me more than I could’ve expected. On the one hand, I think it’ll be good for the long-term health of the series. But man, it’s going to be strange opening the next Mercy book without seeing ____.

I’ve seen some people disappointed with this book, but I’m not sure why. There was plenty of action — but it wasn’t as epic (for lack of a better word) as Night Broken or River Marked, maybe that’s it. You’ve got some really solid scenes — in the comedic and the action veins, Mercy makes a strange new friend, plenty of Fae politics, internal pack politics and Mercy as David Tennant. Not the best in the series (but they can’t all be), but a very satisfying installment in a really good series. That’s more than I can ask for.

Again, Mercy as David Tennant. Need I say more?

—–

4 Stars

A Genrenauts Reminder

By HCNewton

On May 18, 2016

In Genrenauts, Michael R. Underwood, Science Fiction

Today was . . . well, let’s call it a day (yesterday by the time this posts, technically). No time for a real post, and I’m too fried to format one of the guest posts I have for times like this.

So instead — let me remind you that Michael R. Underwood is kickstarting the rest of “Season One” of his Genrenauts series, a real favorite around these parts. Here’s a couple of good interviews he’s done to help promote it:

Three Questions — Scott Roche talks to Underwood about short fiction, serial fiction and more.
Interview with Michael R. Underwood — The Qwillery talks about Geekdom, Genrenauts, and more Genrenauts.

Check ’em out!

Burned by Benedict Jacka

By HCNewton

On May 17, 2016

In Alex Verus, Benedict Jacka, F-J, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

Burned

by Benedict Jacka
Series: Alex Verus, #7

Mass Market Paperback, 326 pg.
Ace, 2016

Read: April 25 – 26, 2016

Right now I was not wandering around and seeing the sights, for three reasons. First, it was dark. Second, the city was in the middle of a civil war. And third, I was supposed to be conducting surveillance on the inhabitants of the building across the street. Which was why, instead of enjoying the experiences of travel and new cultures, I was crouched on a dusty rooftop, hiding behind a parapet, shivering in the cold, and trying to make sure that no one on the other side could see me, since from looking into the futures I already knew that they had assault rifles and were following a policy of shooting first and asking questions later.

In case you’re wondering, this isn’t an especially unusual night for me. Sometimes I really question my life choices.

Reading Burned, you almost get the idea that Benedict Jacka’s been holding back on us — at least, he’s just been getting warmed up over the last 6 novels. Either one is saying something, considering how good the series has been since it’s debut.

Jacka waits all of 6 paragraphs before getting things moving, and things don’t stop moving. The first 100 pages are great and contain more action than most Verus novels — and the rest? Just better. Marking this one as a 5-Star was a no-brainer.

So here’s the hook — someone, for reasons beyond his ken (though he has many, many theories initially), has made some political moves and Alex is going to be declared a criminal and given the death sentence in a week. Not just him, either — but those who are his dependents (Luna, Anne, Varium). The four of them are going to have to tackle this situation in very creative ways to get the sentence changed.

In the meantime, there’s a very eager group of people trying to take care of things before the deadline. To say that they’re determined would be an understatement.

To survive, to have a hope of surviving, Alex has to call upon every friend, every ally, every one-time-friend-now-something-else, every trick up his sleeve. He does it, he actually grows as a character, too.

But will it be enough to save any of them?

I want to say more, I really do — but I don’t know how to. It’s just one of those books that to talk about you really have to talk about everything. So we’ll leave it at that.

I’ve seen people call this the Changes of the Alex Verus series — and it absolutely is. I’d also call it the Staked in terms with the protagonists coming to grips with the effects that his being in the lives of his nearest and dearest has on their life, and what that means for his future involvement with them. Which is not to say that Jacka’s latest feels anything like Butcher’s or Hearne’s books — it feels like Verus just turned up half a notch. It’s just such a great read — it grabs you on page 2 and drags you along wherever it wants to take you right up until the “He is not actually doing this” moment — which are followed by a couple more of them.

There are now two things I have to look forward to: the next Alex Verus novel — and whatever novel we’ll soon be calling the Burned of ____ series.

—–

5 Stars

United States of Books – The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey

By HCNewton

On May 16, 2016

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, United States of Books

The Monkey Wrench Gang

by Edward Abbey

Author: Laura at 125pages.com

1 Star
Today we visit Utah with The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey. EW says – “Abbey’s tale of four ecological activists seeking to destroy the Glen Canyon Dam became a primer for other green-minded saboteurs.”

The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey is touted as a comic look at social justice warriors. True environmentalists that strive to bring the land back to its natural state. Um, no. That is not at all the book I read. What I read was a book steeped in misogyny, homophobia, stereotyping and stupidity. From the derision of Native Americans, to showing the only Mormon member of the group as a polygamist, this book played everyone as a buffoon.

The plot was a grand look at what a bored drunk man will concoct when he gives no thought to others. George is painted as a lover of the natural state who is upset by the creeping industrialism on the desert he calls home. He decides that action must be taken, extreme action. Because blowing up bridges is cool but littering is just fine – “Of course I litter the public highway. Every chance I get. After all, it’s not the beer cans that are ugly; it’s the highway that is ugly.” The writing was a mishmash of clichés and was difficult to read at times due to the constant changing of tone and pace. The world built was also difficult to navigate as locations moved frequently and at times I was unsure what state they were even in. The emotions and the characters were also all over the place. Everyone but the “gang” was painted as ignorant and useless and it became quite grating.

Some books get better with age and become classics. The Monkey Wrench Gang is not one of those books. It was a draining experience to read it and I cannot understand why it is considered by many to be so good. It has a 4.3 star rating on Amazon but I cannot fathom how. An example of the comedic showcases, to me, what was once thought great, but I just see it as super lowbrow.

“All this violence,” Doc said. “We are a law-abiding people.” “What’s more American than violence?” Hayduke wanted to know. “Violence, it’s as American as pizza pie.” “Chop suey,” said Bonnie. “Chile con carne.” “Bagels and lox.”

As for the connection to Utah, I did not really see it as an overall. Utah was not mentioned until 60% into the book and then as more of a joke (see the polygamist). Sadly my home state of Arizona fielded most of the action with New Mexico coming in second and Utah as third. The Glen Canyon Dam, the featured target, is also in Arizona not Utah, so again, I have to wonder if the EW staff read the books before placing them in the states.

The five players are Dr. and Mrs. Sarvis, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and their communal probation officer, a young fellow named Greenspan, who is a relative newcomer to the state of Utah. (Newcomers are always welcome in the Beehive State but are advised to set their watches back fifty years when entering.)

Favorite lines – The river in its measureless sublimity rolled softly by, whispering of time. Which heals, they say, all. But does it? The stars looked kindly down. A lie. A wind in the willows suggested sleep.

Biggest cliché – I will save you even if you do not want saving.

Have you read The Monkey Wrench Gang, or added it to your TBR?

Shadow Rites by Faith Hunter

By HCNewton

On May 13, 2016

In F-J, Faith Hunter, Fiction, Jane Yellowrock/Soulwood, Urban Fantasy

Shadow Rites

by Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock, #10

Mass Market Paperback, 348 pg.
Roc, 2016

Read: May 6 – 11, 2016

Here in the tenth Jane Yellowrock novel, Hunter ties the story in to events of the first (and a few others) in a way that makes you wonder just how long she’s been planning it. But you’ll have to dig into that part yourself.

The novel begins in the last days before a large Witch Conclave, at the end of which, they may sign a peace treaty (of sorts) with Leo Pellisier and the vampires he leads. Naturally, things aren’t going to go well — and this starts with a magical attack on Jane’s house. Things get really bad, really quickly after this, and they don’t get better for almost 350 pages.

We didn’t get nearly enough Alex in this book. But we got plenty of Angie Baby, Evan, Molly, Eli and Bruiser. There’s a few changes to Jane’s house that will take some getting used to — for her, as well as her readers. More importantly, things with Bruiser are progressing in a way that things with LeFleur didn’t. So basically, personally, things are going as well for Jane as her professional life is in trouble.

But really, when hasn’t her professional life been trouble?

She spends a lot of the novel focusing on the wrong things — or at least the things that aren’t as important — which comes back to bite her in the end. It’s pretty frustrating, too. Thankfully, Eli has her back. I’m really liking him more and more all the time. There’s something going on with Angie as well that will be most interesting.

I’d be game for a Eli/Angie novella, now that I think of it.

I really enjoyed Jane transforming into a bloodhound (and Beast’s opinion of the move) and her observations about smells, they really made me chuckle. There’s a danger that Jane faces with this transformation, which adds a nice touch to things — unless I’m mistaken, there’s not been an inherent hazard to her taking on a form that’s not the Puma concolor.

I hope that as the series focuses on the European Vamps’ visit/invasion that we can move away from witches. Something about the way that Hunter describes magic just doesn’t click with me — I can’t put my finger on it, and I admit it’s probably my problem (but I’m going to blame her, because it’s my blog) — Hunter’s were-whatevers, vampires, vampire attendants, skinwalkers, private security guys — all those work just fine, but magic? Something just doesn’t translate beyond whatever Molly and Angie Baby do (except in combat, then they’re just as bad as the other witches). Which is a problem in books like this.

That aside, this is one of the more complex novels in the series — probably the most emotionally fulfilling, while occasionally frustrating. More than usual, I’m eager to see what Hunter’s got in store for this group.

—–

4 Stars

The Old World by Roy M. Griffis

By HCNewton

On May 12, 2016

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

The Old World

by Roy M. Griffis
Series: By the Hands of Men, Book One

Kindle Edition, 262 pg.
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013

Read: April 29 – 30, 2016

I was blindsided by this one — I knew what to expect plot-wise, don’t get me wrong — what I didn’t know what how little time it’d take for me to care. I got invested in this story and the characters far faster than I normally would.

Charlotte Braninov was sent to a boarding school in England to keep her safe during the tumult leading up to the October Revolution, not one to hide away, she volunteered to become a nurse tending to the English wounded in France during the Great War. Her American friend (who we could’ve spent a little more time with), Kathleen, is in a similar position. Toiling away at a hospital near the front lines — there’s a great focus on the nurses here, not just the doctors and surgeons (as one usually gets), those who tend to the wounded and dying all the time. I really appreciated that.

Charlotte has a brief encounter with a charming and wounded British officer that leaves a mark on her psyche. Not surprisingly (because this is a novel, and people like that don’t just vanish), Lt. Robert Fitzgerald is stationed at the hospital Charlotte serves. Events conspire to get them to spend time together, a friendship blooms — and maybe something else will as well.

Through Robert, we get a glimpse or two of life in the trenches while Charlotte is our entry to medical care. Between the two, you get a decent idea what things were like in France (or at least Griffis lets you think you do). The research is there, but you get the idea Griffis wouldn’t let historical data get in the way of his story (which is the way it ought to be in historical fiction). He also doesn’t overwhelm you with details the way so many slip up and do in early works — just enough to provide atmosphere and add an air of authenticity.

Tragedy, hardship, horrors of war intrude and complicate life. Honestly, peacetime isn’t a picnic for anyone, either — especially for someone from Russia. The plot takes a couple of twists and turns, setting things up nicely for a sequel that you really need after the last couple of paragraphs.

This isn’t just a love story, nor is it really that much of a war story — it’s both and a lot more. You’ll chuckle, you’ll “awww,” you’ll get ticked off, you’ll be moved. Pretty much, if you name it, Griffis characters will make you feel it.

I’m not going to tell you that Griffis is a master of style, a wizard with subtle characterization, or a weaver of intricate plots, or anything like that. What he is, however, is a compelling story-teller. You like Charlotte, Kathleen, Orlando, Robert, Matron, and the rest almost effortlessly and want to see them happy, healthy, etc. You care about the events surrounding them and the outcomes for the characters. I really liked this one and am trying to find a hole in my schedule to throw the sequel into, you should do the same.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this from the author — sorry for imposing on your patience, Roy — in exchange for an honest review.

15 Years Ago

By HCNewton

On May 11, 2016

In Authors, Calendar Items, Douglas Adams, News/Misc., The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

I distinctly remember where I was sitting, and who was around, when I read the news 15 years ago that Douglas Adams, a mere 49 years old, had died of a heart attack. I’m not usually one who reacts when a celebrity dies (usually), but this one shook me.

Adams’ wit, style, perspective, and books had a formative impact on my adolescence — for good or ill — and my adulthood.

I hadn’t realized this year was the 15th anniversary of his death when I decided to do my big re-read of his works this year, but I’m glad I’m doing it. I’ll talk about him a little bit more in a couple of weeks (and when I get around to reading the next books on my list), but for now, I just wanted to take a brief moment to reflect on his death.

A couple of days later, John Kovalic’s Dork Tower ran this comic (tweaked 5 years ago) which pretty much summed things up for me.

Slow Burn by Ace Atkins

By HCNewton

On May 11, 2016

In Ace Atkins, Authors, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Robert B. Parker, Spenser

Robert B. Parker’s Slow Burn

by Ace Atkins
Series: Spenser, #44

Hardcover, 304 pg.
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016

Read: May 5, 2016

On the Greenway, a carousel turned to calliope music. The two men approached me. They tried to act like they were shopping, but they were as unobtrusive as a couple of linebackers at a Céline Dion concert.

Say what you will about the relative merits of Atkins’ two current series, but you won’t get lines like that from Quinn Colson (maybe from Lille Virgil). (That’s not really the best line of the book — it’s just the one that requires the least setup)

We’re introduced to a new world here — the Boston Fire Department, and the Arson investigators in particular (but not exclusively). It’s a little harder for Spenser to work his magic here, at least at first, being very much a duck out of water. But, he keeps at it, and eventually things start falling into place — even if he makes one serious (and perhaps life-threatening) mistake early on. There’s a series of suspected arsons, but the proof is minimal, and it doesn’t push the investigators in the right direction — or any direction, really. The usual motives (fascination with fire, insurance money) don’t seem to be involved here.

I should add that the motive for the crimes is interesting, if misguided. I’d almost like to see a bit more of it explored by the good guys, but that’s not what this book is about.

Spenser and his allies do their thing, the way they always do (but fueled by a different donut source). The same ol’ charm, wise cracks, and fists eventually do their job. I think this one is a notch above Atkins’ last — a couple of notches below Atkins or Parker at their best, but better than Parker’s average. The fact that I have to work this hard to decide where exactly in the 40+ this one lies says something — it’s on the good end, I should stress — but it’s hard to distinguish this from the master himself, Robert B. Parker.

There’s some good fodder for long-time fans here — Marty Quirk has a new job, Frank Belson has a new boss (one not particularly taken with Spenser). Not only do we get a callback to Mattie Sullivan, but we get a couple from the more distant parts of Spenser’s past — A Catskill Eagle and Promised Land, one of my least favorites and one of Parker’s best. Atkins’ ability to use for the current narrative, comment on, and tap into fanboy nostalgia all at the same time is really something to watch.

Atkins is again feeling confident enough in his role here to make significant moves in Spenser’s life — not to mention Pearl’s and Sixkill’s. I’m not sure I’m crazy about the latter two, but I’m trusting Atkins. I’m pretty sure he has a plan regarding our favorite disgraced athlete that’ll pay off. Can’t help but wonder what Parker had in store for him, though.

Speaking of plans and things in store — it’s pretty clear that Atkins has a plan for Jackie DeMarco, too. I hope it takes a few books to pull it off, but I fear it won’t.

I’m very glad to hear that we’ve got at least two more of these coming, Atkins is really helping me stay in touch with an old, old friend. I smiled, I chuckled, I even laughed a couple of times, and I reminisced a little, while wondering just how Spenser was going to save the day. All in all, a good way to spend a couple of hours. Now I’ve just got to count down the months until #45.

—–

4 Stars

Giovanni Goes To Med School by Kathy Bryson

By HCNewton

On May 10, 2016

In Fiction

Giovanni Goes To Med School

by Kathy Bryson

Kindle Edition, 70 pg.
Kathy Bryson Books, 2016

Read: May 7, 2016

Giovanni is an aspiring medical student and an ER scribe who just started working in the hospital morgue on the overnight shift, Astral is a first year resident with plenty of attitude; Rufus is Mrs. Harris’ rather large dog, temporarily in Giovanni’s care; Mrs. Harris was a patient of Astral’s that Gio helped with, and sadly, didn’t make it — but she just won’t shut up and leave Gio alone.

Yeah, you read that right.

There’s humor here, a little gore — and far more detail about the process that a decaying corpse goes through than I wanted to know — and a nice little story.

What isn’t there? Any real idea why Mrs. Harris is up to what she’s up to (there’s one explanation that seems to carry the day, but even it doesn’t fully work). In the moment it works — but when you put this down, it starts to nag at you.

It’s enjoyable enough, a quick read, and there’s a lot of potential here. I’m going to give this a tentative 3 Stars — because so much is left unexplained, so much is uncertain about what happens here, if we’re given at least a hint of some answers or explanations in the next one (or a good reason why we’re not given hints of answers yet), I’ll stand by it. But without that, there’s just too much uncertainty for me to strongly encourage anyone read this.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for an honest review.

—–

3 Stars