Enemy of Entropy
Review: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance, edited by Trisha Telep
calm
The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance by Trisha Telep
My review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m extremely surprised by how much I enjoyed this anthology! I picked it up intending to just read the stories by authors I know I like—Kelley Armstrong, Ilona Andrews, Carrie Vaughn, Holly Lisle, Jeaniene Frost, Maria V. Snyder. I had never heard of some of the other authors. A few names I remembered seeing in other anthologies and not enjoying their work.
I did, however, deliberately put myself in a tolerant mindset: this is a book of romance stories. It wouldn’t be fair to judge them as anything else.
That worked rather better than it has in the past. I still got a little annoyed at having so much of each story dedicated to couples (and all het/mono couples, at that!) rather than some intriguing world ideas, but managed to stay on track.
In the end, I only skipped one story—I just don’t like the Weather Wardens stuff at all. I found a couple of others substandard, but all in all, Telep chose very well. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance (maybe even those who usually stick to just romance), and most urban fantasy fans.
Review: At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost
chipperCurrent Mood:
Happy
At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost
My review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cat is definitely coming into her own now, and her relationship with Bones is portrayed far more healthily than most in the paranormal romance category. I love the fact that she demands that he permit her to stand as his equal, rather than treat her like a delicate thing to be protected.
The plot is more interesting than I recall in previous excursions, while building on the earlier books. I know there’s another volume either planned or on the shelves, and I plan to read it. I wasn’t so sure after the last book, but I’m glad I gave this one a chance.
I still contend that the cover art, no matter how lovely, shows a woman in a position that cannot be obtained by any human who wants to walk again. Cat is supposed to be half-vampire, but that hasn’t been said to give her more flexibility—increased strength, speed, and healing power, yes, but not this sort of oddity. Yes, it’s a minor nit to pick, but it has bugged me since the first time I saw the cover.
Review: Unusual Suspects, edited by Dana Stabenow
happyCurrent Mood: Happy
Unusual Suspects: Stories of Mystery & Fantasy by Dana Stabenow
My review
rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another uneven anthology. I still have it in my hands, so I’ll try to hit each story briefly.
“Lucky” by Charlaine Harris – Sookie is much easier to take in short form. I can’t help it, the woman grates on me (in the TV show even worse than in the books). The other characters keep me reading.
“Bogieman” by Carole Nelson Douglas – Delilah Street does more than grate on my nerves in long form. She’s more palatable in short form, too, but there are reminders of why I don’t intend to read more in that series.
“Looks are Deceiving” by Michael A. Stackpole – If I’ve read any of Stackpole’s work before, it’s been in anthologies, and I don’t remember it. I did wonder if this short story is set in a universe he uses in longer works, though. It wasn’t bad at all.
“The House of Seven Spirits” by Sharon Shinn – I loved this story! And how often do you say that about a haunted house tale? I must track down and read some of Shinn’s novels. Any suggestions?
“Glamour” by Mike Doogan – The Peasantry Anti-Defamation League might be after Doogan if he isn’t careful at least, representatives of the male peasantry). The story was cute, and it did make me laugh.
“Spellbound” by Donna Andrews – This is another author whose books are going on my (groaning) to-read shelf. The story hit a few clich&eaute;s, but was fun enough to get away with them.
“The Duh Vice” by Michael Armstrong – Ugh. A little too preachy, and way too much anti-fat prejudice.
“Weight of the World” by John Straley – Where does Santa Claus go in the off-season? That’s the biggest question answered in this piece. The “mystery” was “solved” nearly as soon as it was discovered.
“Illumination” by Laura Anne Gilman – Bonnie’s back story! I think a bit of this story is used in the first chapter of Gilman’s first PUPI novel, but I’ll know more when I get my hands on it. It’s a must-read for fans of the Cosa Nostradamus universe, though.
“The House” by Laurie R. King – could we maybe call a hiatus on the abused-kid stories? Maybe I’m hypersensitive, but I’m tired of them.
“Appetite for Murder” by Simon R. Green – another dark Nightside story. I don’t think I’ll ever need to read more in that universe.
“A Woman’s Work” by Dana Stabenow – I’m an unabashed Stabenow fangirl. Despite that, I wasn’t sure how she’d do in a fantasy setting. She proved herself, certainly. I can only hope that we’ll see longer fantasy works from her in print at some juncture.
Review: Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready
boredCurrent Mood:
Bored
Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready
I give up. I just don’t care what happens to anybody in this book. Back to the library with it!
Review: Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre
okay
My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
I can’t think of a thing that wasn’t right in Blue Diablo. I can think of one thing that made it stand head and shoulders above much of what I’ve read lately: Aguirre knows that sexual tension can be much sexier than explicit sex scenes! That is such a relief!
I’m looking forward to reading more about Corine and Chance. I’ve been waiting for more of her Grimspace series, so now I’m torn. Just give us more, Ann!
