Book Review: Night Creature Series by Lori Handeland

Hi all!  I had to share a great series I just finished.  It is Lori Handeland's Night Creature series.  These books had an interesting twist to the werewolf phenomenon.  In her books, werewolves are hunted by the government sanctioned Juger-Suchers - German for Hunter-Searchers.  In it, an old spy from WWII discovered that Hitler's henchmen, Josef Mengele, created an army of monsters from the Jews and Gypsies in the concentration camps.  The books have never really said what other monsters were created other than werewolves, but I'm sure we can all imagine.  However, throughout the series, the characters learn that Mengele was not the only one that can create monsters.  Legends of Native Americans, voodoo priestesses and witches also contain werewolves, shapeshifters and many other interesting creatures.  The trick is to figure out how to get rid of them. 

Books in this series:

• Blue Moon (2004)
• Dark Moon (2005)
• Hunter's Moon (2005)
• Crescent Moon (2006)
• Midnight Moon (2006)
• Hidden Moon (2007)
• Rising Moon (2007)
• Thunder Moon (2008)

Book Review: Shift by Rachel Vincent

Finished Shift by Rachel Vincent, the 5th in this series.  For anyone that hasn't read it, it's a GREAT series.  The main character Faythe Sanders is a strong-willed, opinionated werecat, struggling to figure out exactly where she fits in with her Pride.  Oh, by the way, her Pride is led by her father.  All she wants is to live a normal life.  But, because she can shift into a werecat, not only can't she live life like a normal girl, she is one of only a few tabbies left to the cats.

Books in this series:
1 - Stray
2 - Rogue
3 - Pride
4 - Prey
5 - Shift
6 - Alpha (to be released October 1, 2010)

The review....spoilers from this and previous books in the series included.  If you have not yet read the series and want to keep everything a surprise *Stop Reading Now* 

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Shift continues the struggle between the prides.  It begins approximately 2 weeks after Faythe's brother is killed.  Faythe's father has a few supporters in his support to regain the council chairman's position, but needs more.  They are trying to convince the temporary council chair of what Malone is trying to do - attempted kidnapping, attempted murder and mayhem, all in order to get control of the council.  Throughout the series, we have seen Faythe become more and more mature as she realizes that she might actually have to think before she speaks/acts.  The plus side, people (mainly her father) are actually beginning to listen to her ideas and opinions and give them support.

This book we see this even more.  Shift introduces a brand new shifter race, the Thunderbirds.  They are huge birds with at least a 10' wingspan and can shift in seconds vs. the werecats minutes.  They are also masters at the partial shift Faythe and the werecats of her pride have been working on.  We see Faythe's maturity shining through throughout the book.  Not only does her father listen to her and support her ideas, she actually earns (I think) a little respect of the council chair while she's at it.  Things also come to a head with Marc and Jace, though nothing is decided.  I can't wait until October for the last book.

Book Reviews

Hi Gang!  I finished the 2 books by Judi Fennell (In Over Her Head and Wild Blue Under).  Both were fantastic.  Intriguing storyline that hooks you in (no pun intended) from the get-go.  Puns, double entendre's and excellent humor make you fall in love with the heros.  Of course it helps they're drop-dead gorgeous and twins. With side kicks that help in all sorts of ways.  Her humor reminds me a lot of Katie MacAlister's in her contemporary novels. 

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of the last book, Catch of a Lifetime.  In this book the heroine is the Mer, Angel, sister to Rod and Reel.  Yes, that is their names.......their parent's Kai and Fisher had a twisted sense of humor.  If you're interested in 'reading before you buy', you can do an interlibrary loan for the first two.  The third no one has yet, most likely because it's just come out.

Judi also has another book coming out soon called I Dream of Genies.  I'll post the release date soon.

I also finished Marjorie M. Liu's Soul Song.  Another book with the Mer folk.  In keeping with her style of writing, these are way more serious than Judi Fennell's.  But, also in keeping with her style, it was an excellent book.  Kit, friend to Dela (who was featured in the first book), is the heroine that can play a fiddle like Charlie Daniels in Devil Went Down to Georgia.  M'Cal is the Mer, the one with the compulsion to kill her.

Now if only I could decide what to read next.....

Series Review: Dirk & Steele series by Marjorie M. Liu

I am slowly making my way through the 2 1/2 bags of books that I've either checked out from the library, borrowed or bought/received as gifts.  This series is by Marjorie M. Liu, former lawyer turned author.  She's got 2 series, plus a couple other books.  She is also a co-writer for Marvel Comic Books. 

I'll be honest and tell you I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started Tiger Eye.  And mainly began reading it because the due date at the library was creeping up on me.   Who knew that once I'd started, I wouldn't be able to put it down.  Not only couldn't put it down, but was half-way through the book before I knew what had happened.  The series is based on a company (Dirk and Steele) that is set up as a specialized detective agency.  The company looks for and provides a family for those that don't fit in.....specifically those with specialized talents, like those that can command steel/metal, fire starters, men who can read the entire history of an object/person just by touching it, shape-shifters, get the picture?  It reminded me a little of the movie "Push" with Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning. 

The books are action packed and rather emotional.....as each main character tries to confront issues of trust, love and family.  Marjorie Liu does a fantastic job of using small amounts of descriptive language to paint fantastic pictures of the sights, smells and feelings her characters encounter.  This was a great series and I can't wait to finish the last three!

The books in this series are:

• Book 1 - Tiger Eye (in HCL)
• Book 2 - Shadow Touch
• Book 3 - The Red Heart of Jade (in HCL)
• Book 4 - Dark Dreamers
• Book 5 - Eye of Heaven
• Book 6 - Soul Song
• Book 7 - The Last Twilight (in HCL)
• Book 8 - The Wild Road
• Book 9 - The Fire King 

Angela Knight: Mageverse series

I just finished reading this series (well the ones that are out). Angela Knight is an author of mostly erotic fiction.  A former reporter, she is married to a police sergeant and lives in Spartanburg County, SC.

The Mageverse world is an interesting blend of vampires (Magi), witches (Majae), werewolves, dragons, Fae, Shidhe and Authurian legend.  It was created when Merlin and his love Nimue, aliens, came to earth from Mageverse (a twin universe) and began a search for guardians to protect the beings of earth from destroying themselves and from invasion of the Dark Ones.  King Aurthur and his Knights of the Round Table are the first to drink from the Grail, changing them into Magi.  Queen Guinnivere, Morgana Le Fey are also among the first to drink.  They have a symbiotic relationship. The Magi have to drink blood from the Majae to help absorb the energies of the Mageverse. The Majae have to donate blood or they will suffer heart attack or stroke from excess blood and elevated pressure. The Majae are the magic in the Mageverse. The Magi also sleep during the day as another means of gaining magic. The men and women could theoretically live forever, should they not be killed.

They are capable of reproducing with mortals to ensure that there are more potential candidates to recruit. Anyone born of such a union is a Latent. Their Gift, becoming Magi or Majae, is triggered by three or sexual encounters with a Gifted man or woman. A Latent must be approved by the Magi or Majae councils. Many can not psychologically handle the impact of the Mageverse (It can trigger insanity). There are professional court seducers who Gift latents on the Councils orders.

On Mageverse Earth, there are Fairies, Dragons, Unicorns and the city of Avalon where the Magi and Majae live. They magically create gates to travel to Realspace Earth. The Fairies are featured in Master of the Moon, which has King Llyr of the Faeries.

Merlin, who knows that power can corrupt, created another magical species in case the Magi and Majae become out of control. These are werewolves. They do not have to wait until the full moon to change. They are a rigid society that has been hidden from their inception. In Master of Wolves, the werewolves declare themselves and fight alongside the Magi and the Fairies.

My Review
This series may be a little too *ahem* racey for some, but I really enjoyed it.  It was definitely an interesting twist to the paranormal world.  The books were well written.  I didn't want to put them down and couldn't wait to start the next one.  The Mageverse world is explained in every book.   Each book has its own drama between the characters, but the series has an underlying drama.  While the books can probably be read out of order (in fact I haven't read the short stories in the anthologies), it is probably a good idea to read them in order as much as possible.  I'll admit, I know little about Arthurian legend, but this series has made be want to research it a bit. 


Books in this series:
Seduction's Gift  can be found in the Hot Blooded Anthology
Master of the Night (found in Horry County Library)
Galahad can be found in the Bite Anthology
Master of the Moon (found in Horry County Library)
Master of Wolves (found in Horry County Library)
Moon Dance can be found in the Over the Moon Anthology
Master of Swords (found in Horry County Library)
Master of Dragons (found in Horry County Library)
Hot for the Holidays
Master of Fire (just released March 2)
Master of Smoke (release date TBD)