Storm Front: The Dresden Files 1

Author: Jim Butcher
Genre: Adult – Fiction/Mystery/Fantasy
Publication Date: April 1, 2000
Age Range: Adult
Pages:  322
Date Scoot Read: November 2010
Source: Audiobook

Scoot's Rating: 8- Really good!

Synopsis (via Goodreads):
Harry Dresden--Wizard
Lost items found. Paranormal investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties, or Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things--and most of them don't play too well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a--well, whatever.

There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get... interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

Scoot’s Review:

I really enjoyed this story.  It was a change of pace from my norm – I don’t read a lot of detective style novels.  However, this isn’t just your normal murder mystery; it is a fantasy mystery. Harry Dresden is a wizard.  He is listed in the phone book under ‘Wizard’ and helps solves paranormal crimes or whatever else comes his way.  The story is set in present day Chicago, but in a world where magic exists.  Fairies, demons, vampires, wizards... right along side the mobsters and cops.  In this first novel you are thrown right into Harry’s tangled up world as he is enlisted to solve an unexplainable (in human terms) murder.  Pretty soon Harry is in over his head and his own life is in danger.  The story was humorous, fast paced, and full of action.  The character building and world building is great.  Each character feels individual and has depth, and it is interesting learning more about them; Harry especially as you come to learn more of his past.   I listened to the audiobook and Harry is voiced by James Marsters who is spot on.  Perfect for the role!  Storm Front is a good start to a series that definitely has me interested in reading more. If you are looking for something new give it a try.

YA content warning: This is an adult novel, so expect more detail than a YA novel (obviously) when it comes to the violence & intimate moments.  However, nothing felt too explicit or over the top. Mild swearing.

Red Moon Rising (ARC)

Author: Peter Moore
Genre: Young-Adult - Paranormal

Publication Date: February 8, 2011
Age Range: Young-Adult
Pages: 336
Date Scoot Read: January 2011
Source: ARC from Different Area Codes Book Tour

Scoot's Rating: 6- Good read with small flaws.

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Being only half-vamp in a high school like Carpathia Night makes you a whole loser. But Danny Gray manages to escape the worst of the specists at his school. Thanks to genetic treatments he had as an infant, most people assume Danny's other half is human. Which is a good thing.

Ever since the development of synthetic blood – SynHeme – vamps have become society’s elite, while wulves like his father work menial jobs and live in bad neighborhoods. Wulves are less than second class citizens; once a month they become inmates, forced to undergo their Change in dangerous government compounds.

For Danny, living with his vamp mother and going to a school with a nearly all-vamp student body, it’s best to pretend his wulf half doesn’t even exist. But lately Danny's been having some weird symptoms -- fantastic night vision; a keener-than-usual sense of smell; and headaches, right around the full moon.

Even though it's easy to be in denial, it's hard to ignore evidence. There's only a month until the next few moon, and Danny's time is running out.

Peter Moore speaks to adolescents in a voice that will have them laughing, set in a world that will get them thinking.

Scoot’s Review:
Imagine the US Civil Rights Movement era (post integration).  Now replace skin color/race for species prejudice and you have the world of Red Moon Rising.  Along with a half vamp-half wulf teen coming of age story, the resounding theme of this novel is prejudice.  Vampires are the elite; smart, rich, and beautiful. Wulves are the bottom of the barrel; “deformed”, grungy and poor. Humans are somewhere in between the two; usually attempting to emulate the Vamps.  The schools, despite their different schedules between day and night, are integrated, but no one is too happy about it and there are obvious clicks.  The story follows Dante (aka – Danny) Gray who is half Vamp and half Wulf.  Danny is getting older and his world flips upside down when his Wulf side starts to show in unexpected ways.  Terrified of changing on the next full moon it is a race against time to discover just how much of a Wulf he really is.  On top of all that, Danny is dealing with prejudice at school and his first real crush starting to notice him.  What is an overwhelmed teen to do?  The story was interesting and a quick read, but at times it dragged and I got a little tired of hearing about the speciest problems.  I enjoyed Danny’s banter and attempts at humor even in stressful situations.   I also liked the realistic action and ‘grittiness’ of the Wulf traits, but I would have been happier if it focused more on that than going off on other tangents.  There is some romance, but it is not the main storyline. From the ending this story looks to be the first in a series.  

The Exiled Queen: Seven Realms 2

Author: Cinda Williams Chima

Genre: Young Adult - Fantasy

Publication Date: September 28th 2010

Age Range: Young Adult

Pages: 586

Date Scoot Read: November 2010
Source: Hardback Library Book

Scoot's Rating: 10 – Amazing! Loved it. Read it now!

Synopsis (via Goodreads): You can't always run from danger...
Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden’s Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn’t mean danger isn’t far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden's Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen.

The Exiled Queen is an epic tale of uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction.

Scoot’s Review:
I loved this book! The Exiled Queen picks up right where The Demon King left off and we rejoin the adventures of Han Alister and Raisa ana’Marianna. Each traveling on separate paths to basically the same ending point across the realm Han and Raisa are followed by danger at every turn. Han is struggling with his new found magical abilities while Raisa is learning how to live a rough soldier’s life away from the palace. Full of intrigue, magic and romance The Exiled Queen is a brilliant read. I really enjoyed getting back into the world of the Seven Realms. The story flowed very well; a great balance of action and suspense while switching between multiple points of view. I was thrilled when certain plot elements (which I won’t spoil for you) happened... and worried when things I didn’t foresee where thrown in our favorite characters path. Fast paced with a never-ending-knot of plot twists The Exiled Queen is a great read that I highly recommend. I can’t wait to read the third in this series The Gray Wolf Throne that comes out in fall 2011!

Awaken (ARC)

Author: Katie Kacvinsky
Genre: Young Adult - Dystopian
Publication Date: May 23rd 2011
Age Range:  Young Adult
Pages:  352Date Scoot Read: November 2010
Source: Galley via netGalley  & Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Scoot's Rating:  4- Mixed feelings.
Synopsis (via Goodreads): Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.

Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

Scoot’s Review:

Hmm, well I was not all that impressed with this book. I feel like the author had a great concept, but didn’t really do much with it. At times the adventure was great and the digitally minded dystopian world seemed pretty believable.  However, I feel this book was all a build-up to ... nothing.  Or the second novel if there is going to be one.  The main character Maddie did go through a lot of development as she learned that life in a digital world is not a real life.  Yet, I still had the feeling of something missing.  The story is told from Maddie’s perspective and is at times interspaced with her hand-written journal entries.  The journal entries felt out of place, they didn’t flow well with the story.  On the plus side I liked Justin, and his slowly building romance with Maddie didn’t seem forced.  It was really sweet, and some of their scenes together were perfectly placed and written.  I also love the cover art for this book!  Awaken is an interesting read, but not one that I would be in any rush to purchase.

Waiting On Wednesday (20)

Time for the"Waiting On Wednesday" weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Waiting on Wednesday spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Gray Wolf Throne
(Seven Realms 3)

by Cinda Williams Chima
To be Published: September 20th 2011 by Hyperion Book

The Gray Wolf Throne does not currently have a cover image or a synopsis... but I still can't wait to get my hands on it! I have read the first two books in the series and love them.  For those who have not heard of this series yet, check out The Demon King's synopsis below.  You can also go here to read the first chapter.  September sounds like such a long wait to find out what happens next...

The Demon King (Synopsis via Amazon)

Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for himself, his mother, and his sister Mari. Ironically, the only thing of value he has is something he can’t sell. For as long as Han can remember, he’s worn thick silver cuffs engraved with runes. They’re clearly magicked—as he grows, they grow, and he’s never been able to get them off.

While out hunting one day, Han and his Clan friend, Dancer catch three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. After a confrontation, Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to ensure the boy won't use it against them. Han soon learns that the amulet has an evil history—it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

Meanwhile, Raisa ana’Marianna, Princess Heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight. She’s just returned to court after three years of relative freedom with her father’s family at Demonai camp – riding, hunting, and working the famous Clan markets. Although Raisa will become eligible for marriage after her sixteenth name-day, she isn't looking forward to trading in her common sense and new skills for etiquette tutors and stuffy parties.

Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea—the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But it seems like her mother has other plans for her--plans that include a suitor who goes against everything the Queendom stands for.

The Seven Realms will tremble when the lives of Han and Raisa collide in this stunning new page-turner from bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima

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What book are YOU waiting on?