Bone Crossed (A Mercy Thompson Novel, #4) --by Patricia Briggs

Fiction / Urban Fantasy

304 Pages

5 Stars

There is a real problem, for me, when I buy most or all of a series at one time — I want to read, and not do anything else. The other problem is, I get confused when I write my reviews because by the time I write the review, I've started the next book. Does this book talk about…. or does it talk about —-?

Mercy deserves a rest. Some recuperation time. The poor gal just went through hell. Except the head of the local seethe of vampires, Marsilia, has other ideas. She wants Mercy dead! Really dead. Not zombie or vampire dead, but cold, dark, buried in the earth DEAD!

Fortunately, an old college chum she hasn't seen in years comes to the rescue and invites Mercy to Spokane to help her find the ghost who is haunting her house and scaring her son — and straight into the lair of the only vampire in Spokane, who just wants Mercy!

This book gives a delightful new twist to the phrase, "You are what you eat." Especially if you're a vampire who can go out in the sun, and follows that advice to an interesting end.

Ms. Briggs has created a marvelous world, right where I live, both literally and imaginatively. I put one of her books down, and then grab the next without a moment of hesitation. Her writing is smooth, her details are wonderful, and her characters are logical and believable.

I'm so glad I've found this series. It's great fun, and each book is better than the book before it. Buy this series. Read this series. Review this series. Please.

Iron Kissed --by Patricia Briggs

Iron Kissed (A Mercy Thompson Novel #3) —by Patricia Briggs  

Fiction / Urban Fantasy

304 pages

5 Stars

I held off buying any more of the Mercy books, as I really needed my sleep. Caught up on the sleep, I started #3 three days ago. I forced myself, two nights running, to turn my light off at a reasonable time, and thereby stretch the fun of the book out a little longer. Last night, I threw caution, and sleep, to the winds, and finished the book.

No vampires in this book, which is too bad, though I'm sure they'll reappear, and soon. This book dealt with the fae, and who was killing them, and why. Mercy, of course, finds herself right in the middle of the investigation, wanted, not wanted, warned away, and eventually in deep trouble. What would you do if your good friend was wrongfully accused of murder, and no one would or could help him? Especially if he was fae and the fae were willing to sacrifice him?

Living in the Tri-Cities, about half way between Mercy's garage and the seethe of vampires, I find Ms. Brigg's world most fascinating. As well as illuminating. Strange things go on in my neighborhood, and though her books are marvelous fiction, I'm not so sure some of the people she writes about are. But, my neighbors are not your concern.

I love a book where the author invites me to come in and play with her characters, rather than forcing me to sit in the chair and watch them play. I love a good book that I can, for a while, become totally lost in, and when I come out of that book and that world, feel better than when I entered. The Mercy Thompson books are just that. Great escape, marvelous stories, and the endings leave me feeling satisfied, and wanting more. (Kind of like a certain potato chip ;-) )

In this book, Mercy also comes to a decision regarding Samuel and Adam. I'm still deciding how I feel about that. Oh, and did I mention I really, really like her tattoos?

Abducticon --Alma Alexander

Abducticon —by Alma Alexander

Fiction / Science Fiction

199 Pages / 573 KB

5 Stars

No, that is NOT a typo in the title.

If you've ever been to a Science Fiction/Fantasy convention, 'con' to most people, you will love this book. If you've ever been involved in a con, either in setting one up, working one, or as a guest, you will recognize every single person Ms. Alexander writes abut. Perhaps not every single episode that happens, as, well, the entire con and the hotel, complete with mundane guests, is hijacked by time-traveling androids and taken for a ride around the moon.

Wouldn't that be a con to end all cons? And the reactions from the gamers? Absolutely priceless! Everything you could possibly want in a con is in this book, up to and including the replicators.

If you like cons, you will absitively posolutely LOVE this book. This is truly one of the funniest SF books I've read in years. Job well done, Alma Alexander!

Buy this book. Read this book. Review this book. 

Samurai - The Last Warrior --by John Man

Samurai —The Last Warrior—A History —by Jon Man 

Nonfiction / Japanese History

352 pages / 6478 KB

5 Stars

I believe I own, and have read, all of Mr. Man's books. This one was not a disappointment.

I did not realize, when I ordered the book, that it was about Saigo Takamori, but it would have made no difference, I would have ordered it anyway.

This is a well-written book on the history of the Samurai, how they came to be, and how they came to cease. Long interested in Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, I have read several books on the subject and this book was the most easily acceptable of them all.

When John Man uses footnotes, and he does, they are where they belong, at the bottom of the page, not somewhere in the back of the book. That alone earns him gold stars in my book!

Saigo Takamori, the last samurai, was a man of contradictions. When the Meiji period began, he did what he could to help it, even though it went against the Bushido he loved. He loved his Emperor above all else, and led a rebellion against him. A samurai to the bone, when the end came, he lost his head. He lost his battle. He became a hero to the people.

If you are at all interested in the history of Japan, the Tokugawa's (Shogun), Bushido, and Saigo Takamori, this is the book to read. Well researched, well-written, easily accessible by the non-scholar. And when you finish reading this book, leave your review, and then read his other books.

The Gnomes of the Night --Itzik Klein, Fanny Liem

The Gnomes of the Night —Written by Itzik Klein, Illustrated by Fanny Liem

Fiction / picture book

32 pages / 15691 KB

5 Stars

I was given a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

This little book tells about the Night Gnomes, and how they come in at night to take clothes and toys that Ryan, and presumably other children, does not put away before bed.

It is a rhyming book, and at times stretched just a tad to get there, but nonetheless, it is delightful. It is not a rework of Dr. Seuss, rather it is in Mr. Klein's own voice.

The illustrations are simply magical. They are bright, fun, and perfect. This is a book to be read to a child, and when that child is old enough, to be read by her. I hope there are more books about Ryan, and his family.

Highly recommend this book if you have small children, or perhaps work with them in a school, library, or hospital.