I think that one of the most exciting things about having a book blog is the chance to read stories written by new, and semi-new, authors. There's such passion and...well, 'newness' to their work. They take a chance, put it out there, and patiently wait. Maybe not patiently (I'm sure most of them bite their nails down to the quick while waiting for reviews); perhaps anxiously. But I hope they realize that I (and most of my fellow reviewers) appreciate them. They show such tremendous courage in 'putting it out there'.
When I handsold books, I was especially proud to put an author's first book into someone's hands. These noble writers deserve respect. Like I said, it takes courage (or 'guts', if you will) to let their little birds fly free.
So, I was quite excited to receive Judith Janeway's new book, 'The Magician's Daughter'. It's the first book in her 'Valentine Hill' mystery series. Although Judith has had her romance novels published, this is her second mystery novel.
Magician Valentine Hill is a woman without legal existence. Her mother, a skilled con artist, involved the young Valentine in her scams, and Valentine learned a lot about life. After her mother disappeared, Valentine went to live with her Aunt June, and it was then that she learned to respect herself and vowed she would never lie.
Robbed of her stake in Vegas, Valentine chases it to San Francisco and learns that her mother is living there. Assuming her mother is playing one of the city's super-rich, she enters a world where nothing is what it seems. After a friendly FBI agent is killed, Valentine is determined to find the killer and perhaps find out what her mother is really doing.
Janeway has written a story that pulls you in from the very first page. She's an intelligent writer, and brings surprise after surprise. The twists-and-turns kept me on edge, and her research is well displayed.
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| Author Judith Janeway |
Aside from the fine writing and mastery of the flow of the story, it is her characters that really appealed to me. Valentine is intelligent, strong, and in charge of her life. She has morals and courage, and her fighting skills are exceptional. Plus, she's a kick-ass magician. Even though she's a seasoned grifter and is trying to leave those lessons behind her, she does have to use them to her advantage...but in a good way.
And, of course, there is some romance. I enjoyed it; it was a welcome addition to such a tense storyline.
I'm anxious to read the second in this wonderful series.
I hope it magically appears in the very near future.
'The Magician's Daughter' by Judith Janeway, will be published in February 2015 by Poisoned Pen Press. Book Hog would like to thank the publisher for the opportunity to review this story!
I've been a Stephen King fan for a long, long time.
Ever since I read 'Carrie' oh-so-long ago (and was quite impressed), I've followed Little Stevie's career over the years. As I watched his books fill the Horror shelves, I was a bit taken aback to find that someone had added his wonderful memoir, 'On Writing', to the mix. Anyone looking for one of his horror novels might think that 'On Writing' is horror. And it kind of is. Writing can be a horror show in itself.
But King isn't entirely a 'writer dude'. He's a baseball dude, a reading dude, and a musician dude.
And in his newest novel, 'Revival', which spans five decades, his love of music and musicians comes in mighty handy.
Way back in 1962, when times were innocent and children played outside and not on video consoles, young Jamie Morton is playing with his toy soldiers when a shadow falls across him. It is their town's new minister, Reverend Charles Jacob. Along with his beautiful wife and sweet son, the reverend brings energy to his congregation...in more ways than one.
Reverend Jacobs is infatuated with the science of electricity, and in his case, it's 'secret energy'. After suffering a tremendous loss, the reverend curses God and is banished from the town. But that's not the last time Jamie meets up with him.
As the years wear on, Jamie finds his talent in playing rhythm guitar, and crosses the country playing with bar bands. After being left stranded and addicted to heroin, he once again crosses paths with the reverend. Their bond becomes a pact beyond the devil's devising, and Jamie discovers that 'revival' means many different things.
King's newest is a straight forward read; no rants, no tangents. It flows so smoothly, and he is still a master at character development.
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| Author Stephen King |
As the story neared its end, building up to a dashing crescendo, I was growing ever more eager to see just what would be revealed. I cannot in good conscience describe it (I, too, hate 'spoilers'), but let's just say I was a bit disappointed.
But, over the years, I've learned that King is a great writer. I no longer care about the end of his stories. It's the content, the compassion, even the sarcasm that I relish. His touch with the past always makes me think, "Yeah, me, too. I remember when".
So, although 'Revival' isn't his greatest novel, I still admire Little Stevie King. He's still young, he still loves rock and roll...
...and he still makes us check under the bed before we go to sleep.
'Revival', published by Scribner (a division of Simon & Schuster), is available at your favorite independent bookstore and local library. ISBN 978-1-4767-7038-3.
Who cannot love Lisa Unger?
She writes weird and wonderful thrillers, stories that somehow scare the crap out of me.
Although thrillers are usually shelved right along with mysteries, there is a fine line. While mysteries are like puzzles that keep our brains busy, thrillers give our minds no blanket under which to hide. Some have subtle supernatural undertones, and those are the ones I truly enjoy.
Lisa's new book, 'Crazy Love You' (due out in February 2015), was just as good, if not better than her previous novel, 'In the Blood'. This new one is creepy. It's full of tension, full of the ol' 'good vs. evil'. It's so delicious that I almost gobbled it down in one sitting.
Ian is a famous graphic novelist; his long-running series, 'Fatboy & Priss', has made his career and filled his bank account. Most of his fans do not realize that the series has a tragic truth: In his youth, Ian suffered terrible losses, and as a result of the pain, he ate and ate, until he became seriously obese. He was tormented by bullies, and art was his escape. His childhood friend, Priss, was his champion and the only person he trusted. As he grew older and success changed his life, he fell into drugs and booze, and wild, sexy Priss, is along for the ride. But when Ian meets Megan, the love of his life, and tries to break ties with Priss, he finds that her anger knows no bounds, and when Priss is angry, terrible things begin to happen.
Such a dark premise, isn't it? Priss is a character that you love to hate; she's so crazy and sexy, yet I feared every mention of her. And the fear turned to heartbreak when I learned about Ian's losses. I cared about him; I felt hopeful when he met Megan and decided to straighten out his life. But then along came Priss...and everything came crashing down.
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| Author Lisa Unger |
The whole downward spiral left me feeling dizzy and anxious. I was desperate to get to the end of the story and find out just what in the hell was taking place. I thought I had it figured out, but, no. And then another thought came to mind. Another 'no'.
And that's why I read Lisa Unger's work. She's a wonderfully warped writer who leads her readers off the garden path and right down to the mental hospital. She has a knack for creating dark, tormented characters that earn our compassion...and fear.
I crazy love her.
'Crazy Love You', by Lisa Unger, will be published in February 2015 by Touchstone Press, a division of Simon & Schuster.
When was the last time you read a graphic novel and cried?
Usually, I get caught up in the action, wishing I could fly, or beat the holy crap out of the villain. I end up wanting to wear fantastic armor and soar with Iron Man. Or follow The Sandman on his travels.
But when Scott McCloud's new graphic novel, 'The Sculptor', landed with a thud (literally; the book is 490 pages of amazement) on my porch, I couldn't believe my eyes. I asked for an ARC from the publisher, and they were quick to honor that request.
I was in for a treat. And lots of heartbreak.
It has a 'good guy', but he's not always so....good. David Smith has a heart, he has morals. But he also has a dark side that he can't explain away. You see, he's made a pact with Death, who comes to him in the form of his long-dead Uncle Harry. Despondent, broke, and lacking motivation, David will do anything to bring his name back into the art world.
And the pact? In exchange for only having 200 days to live, David is given his heart's desire: The ability to sculpt anything with his bare hands.
But David is still searching for inspiration. He takes to the streets and creates objects that are beyond imagining. His childhood friend, Ollie, manages an art gallery, and David's latest work is not well-reviewed. David's rivalry with fellow artist, Finn, is made even more difficult because Finn and Ollie are involved in a love affair.
When David meets Meg, the love of his life, he finds happiness at last. But that new life takes a sudden turn when he is unable to tell her about his pact with Death.
It's heartbreaking, yet uplifting. It's about the sacrifices we make for the ones we love. It's also about the sacrifices we make for our art. And it's also about how far we would go to attain success in life and in work.
I adore Meg. She is strong and compulsive. She is weak and depressed. She is everything that David needs. As for David, I sometimes hated him, yet I loved him and my sorrow only grew as he neared the end of the road.
Yes, it's a big book. And the graphics are in black and white. But the lack of color only adds to the story; the incredible highs and sorrowful lows. It keeps your mind on David's journey and makes you think about your own choices. Would you make a pact with Death? Would you shorten your life just so you could have your heart's desire?
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Author Scott McCloud
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Scott McCloud has crafted an amazing story full of unforgettable characters.
I think you'll feel the same way.
Scott McCloud is the award-winning author of 'Understanding Comics', 'Zot', and many other fiction and non-fiction comics spanning thirty years. Visit him at scottmccloud.com. 'The Sculptor', published by Firstsecond Books, will be published on February 3, 2015. Book Hog would like to thank the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
By now, most of you know that I love any book written by Jasper Fforde, he of the immensely popular 'Thursday Next' series. And you should know that I'm a huge fan of his series for independent readers, 'The Chronicles of Kazam'.
So, Book Hog is a happy camper. I just finished reading the newest (and third) in the 'Kazam' series, 'The Eye of Zoltar', and while it contains Fforde's trademark silliness, it is a bit more serious than the previous books.
Sixteen-year-old Jennifer Strange, manager of Kazam Mystical Arts, is placed in a very precarious position. Just as she finds herself on the cusp of a romantic relationship with Preston, a young wizard, the long-absent Mighty Shandar appears and commands her to find the Eye of Zoltar, and if she brings it to him, he will not kill the remaining dragons she saved in 'The Last Dragonslayer'.
But Jennifer has a headache in the person of Princess Shazzine, daughter of King Snodd. Shazzine is spoiled, unpredictable, and used to being waited on hand-and-foot, so her mother, Queen Mimosa (who is still a great magician) decides that Jennifer should take Shazzine with her on her quest to teach her about the realities of life.
The journey through the Cambrian Empire is full of hardship and hazards, but with the aid of Addie, tour guide extraordinaire, Jennifer and her companions remain faithful to the task at hand...despite the prophecy that 50% of her companions will die.
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| Author Jasper Fforde |
Fforde's writing never fails to astound me. Full of wit and charm, he still has the magic touch. Jennifer Strange is a character I cheer on with every book, and with her servitude almost at an end, I'm anxious to find out just where she ends up. Although I did miss reading more about the wizards working for Kazam Mystical Arts, this new journey that Jennifer undertakes introduced me to characters that I'm sure he'll include in upcoming books.
Yes, upcoming books. This new one leaves the series wide open for a fourth book.
Although I really miss Thursday Next, Jennifer Strange is a welcome addition to his line-up of strong female characters. And, believe it or not, that spoiled princess surprised the hell out me.
Carry on, Jasper, but don't make me wait very long.
'The Eye of Zoltar', book 3 in 'The Chronicles of Kazam' series by Jasper Fforde, is published by Houghton Mifflin, and is available in your local library and favorite independent bookstore! ISBN 978-0-547-73849-9
There comes a time when a quiet novel comes into our lives and blows away our perspective.
'The Enchanted', by Rene Denfeld, is that story.
Quiet, full of fantasy, full of full-blown human horror, and in a place I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy...unless they committed a crime so horrendous that that is the only place I'd want them to be.
It takes place on 'Death Row'. It's full of sorrowful narrative perspective, although you wonder if the narrator is really attached to each and every scene. It's quiet, and sad, and yet there is a tinge of light to it.
The enchanted place is an ancient stone prison. Two outsiders walk here: A woman only known as 'The Lady', and a fallen priest. The Lady comes to the prison to help those who are condemned to death. The priest counsels those who have exceeded their appeals.
The Lady takes on the case of York, a killer who wants to die. Although he's expressed his wishes to her, The Lady will not give up. But she finds his secrets and discovers that they are very close to her own. The Lady is watched by a death row inmate, a man who loses himself in books, a man who cannot live without them. He imagines golden horses under the prison, and by imagining the world in which he lives, he thrives alone within himself.
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| Author Rene Denfeld |
This is a quiet debut. Powerful and imaginative, it contains horrors that few of us can relate to. It is called a 'fantasy', but it is so much more. It goes beyond the realm of fantasy, until it takes us back to the horror we call 'real life'.
Denfeld is a writer to watch.
I guarantee it.
'The Enchanted', published by HarperCollins, is available at your local library and favorite independent bookstore. ISBN 978-0-06-228550-8
During the Halloween season, there's nothing better than snuggling under a blanket and reading a spooky-scary book. If you share a home with someone who has football on the television 24/7, you can always retreat to a hot bath or the bedroom. That is, if you can stand the presence of....cats. Yes, cats. Mine have been a bit too present lately. No matter where I rest, no matter how much I'm 'into' a book, my feline crew (a.k.a. 'The Evil Plan Bureau') always finds a way to distract me.
But not this time. Although they tried every trick in the book (reaching over and putting a paw on a page, or grooming themselves on my stomach {a.k.a. 'The Cat's Dressing Room'}), I could not be distracted from my current read.
And it's a goodie.
Andrew Pyper, author of the soon-to-be-published novel, 'The Damned', has presented me with a story so full of intensity that I had the book beside me almost all the time. But I didn't race through it. I took my time, savoring every horror, every twist and turn. I ran with the narrator into his adventures in the afterlife.
Yeah, the Afterlife. You see, he died and came back. A few times, in fact. But he wasn't alone, and that's what made his next journey to the Hereafter a bit more meaningful.
Danny Orchard wrote a bestselling memoir about his near-death experience in a fire that claimed the life of his twin sister, Ashleigh. Despite the fact that his book has brought him fame and fortune, he is not content, and he never will be. His twin won't let him.
During her time on earth, Ashleigh was brilliant, beautiful...and a budding psychopath. She terrorized her friends and family, and death has not changed her ways. Haunting Danny for close to twenty years, she does not want him to finally enjoy life with his new wife and his stepson. Ash is punishing Danny for being alive, so much so that she wants him to join her in her eternal hell. When he decides to end matters with his twin, he's prepared to sacrifice his life for those he loves...but will he make it back this time?
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Author Andrew Pyper
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Pyper is the author of the hugely popular novel, 'The Demonologist', and while I gave it a go, I couldn't get into it. But this new one grabbed my attention. With a tight narrative and nerve-rattling scenes, it will astound you with it's simplicity. It moves, it flows.
It will keep you under that blanket, reading.
And no cat will have the power to disturb you.
'The Damned' will be published by Simon and Schuster on February 10, 2015. You'll be able to find it at your local library and favorite independent bookstore.
