Black Howl

Black Howl

by Christina Henry

Black Wings, book three

Something is wrong with the souls of Chicago's dead. Ghosts are walking the streets, and Agent of Death Madeline Black's exasperating boss wants her to figure out why. And while work is bad enough, Maddy has a plethora of personal problems too. Now that Gabriel has been assigned as her thrall, their relationship has hit an impasse. At least her sleazy ex-fiance Nathaniel is out of the picture--or so she thinks... (description from Amazon.com)

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This is one of my go-to just for fun reading series. I love Maddy. She is a tough chickie with too much on her plate who still manages to just get by...usually by the skin of her teeth.  The whole demons thing makes some really interesting plot twists and turns and there is one adorably cranky, sugar-addicted, older gargoyle that I just want to adopt right out of the book!

Urban fiction fans would be well advised to give this series a shot. :)



Hush Hush - Graphic Novel Contest Link

Have you heard? Sea Lion Books is currently working on the graphic novel adaptation of Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush. Though it's not out yet, you can check out some sneak peeks on their website, check out this interview with the author Becca Fitzpatrick, and even purchase a limited edition prologue for the graphic novel (here).

If you do purchase the limited edition prologue, you can also enter a really cool contest.

Once you receive the book, take a picture of yourself with it and email the picture to Sea Lion Books along with a paragraph as to why you should be the next to make a cameo in the next volume of Hush Hush!

The winner will not only get to interact with Patch and Nora in the next Hush Hush Graphic Novel, BUT the illustrator for the graphic novel will also IMMORTALIZE you from head to toe in Patch's arms! Your image will be held lovingly safe in his arms! How awesome is that!!!

SO LET'S RECAP!!!

1. 1,000 limited edition prologues will be available for sale on
www.SeaLionBooks.com. Limit 2 please!

2. Once you receive the Hush Hush prologues you must take a picture of
yourself with it and post the picture on our FB page with a paragraph in
the comments under the picture as to why they should be the next to make a
cameo in the next volume of Hush Hush!

3. The winner gets an interacting cameo with Patch and Nora in Hush Hush
volume 2, and they get a unique one-of-a-kind poster with Patch holding the
winner in his arms.

4. The limited edition prologues will ship the first week of October.




If you love Hush, Hush, this is the chance of a lifetime!

Black Night

Black Night
by Christina Henry
Black Wings, book two

Madeline Black is an Agent of death, meaning she escorts the souls of people who have died to the afterlife. Of course, not everyone is happy to see her...

If obstinate dead people were all that Maddy had to worry about, life would be much easier. But the best-laid plans of Agents and fallen angels often go awry. Deaths are occurring contrary to the natural order, Maddy's being stalked by foes inside and outside of her family, and her two loves-her bodyguard, Gabriel, and her doughnut-loving gargoyle, Beezle-have disappeared. But because Maddy is Lucifer's granddaughter, things are expected of her, things like delicate diplomatic missions to other realms. (description from Amazon.com)

As I said in my review of Henry's first book, Black Wings (here), this is an urban fantasy that goes by in a flash. Maddy is a strong heroine. There are interesting paranormal beings (let's see, faeries, werewolves, fallen angels...yup, pretty much the works) and not only the cool urban setting of Chicago, but in this book we get to see one of the Faerie Kingdoms.

I loved how Henry layered in the interactions with the different species. It was awesome to see what J.B. is and how he relates to Maddy's mission from her grandfather. The way that their relationship influences certain things was interesting...

Again, I loved Beezle best of all. I really just want to reach into the book and pull that little gargoyle out to ride around on MY shoulder. He is so funny and wonderfully protective. <3

As I read about Maddy's powers growing, her understanding of her powers growing, and the revelations about what her destiny could truly be, all I could think was "how long do I have to wait for the next one?!" They haven't announced a release date yet for book three in the series, but Christina Henry's website says there will be at least six books in the series... :)

Black Wings

Black Wings
by Christina Henry

As an Agent of Death, Madeline Black is responsible for escorting the souls of the dearly departed to the afterlife. It's a 24/7 job with a lousy benefits package.

Maddy's position may come with magical powers and an impressive wingspan, but it doesn't pay the bills. And then there are her infuriating boss, tenant woes, and a cranky, popcorn-loving gargoyle to contend with.

Things start looking up, though, when tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in Maddy's building. It's probably just a coincidence that as soon as he moves in demons appear on the front lawn. But when an unholy monster is unleashed upon the streets of Chicago, Maddy discovers powers she never knew she possessed. Powers linked to a family legacy of tarnished halos.

Powers that place her directly between the light of Heaven and the fires of Hell... (description from Amazon.com)

I really enjoyed this urban fantasy. It's the start of a new series and I'm already looking forward to Black Night, which comes out on July 26th. Christina Henry's writing was fast-paced, funny, engaging, and the world building was very well done.

Maddy was a great heroine. She had strength, she had faults, she made me laugh, and she made me cry. Her bewilderment was not so overwhelming that I felt like strangling her...unlike some other female protagonists *cough, cough...Bella...COUGH* that shall not be brought forth as examples. Her sidekick, the lovable gargoyle, Beezle, is one of my new favorites. His love for popcorn made me snort and all I could think of was what it would be like if my dogs could talk. :)

I will say that I am curious to see how all of the romantic entanglements play out in the next few books of the series. Poor Maddy's in love with one guy, engaged to another, and has another hottie (my personal fave) panting at her heels. I'm anxious to see how this all plays out. What's great about this book, though, is that the romance is important, but it is definitely NOT the only plot-line...in fact, it could even be called a sub-plot. Maddy's discovery of who she truly is, how it endangers her, and how it will affect the rest of her life are the true focus of the book.

I tore through this book! If you like urban fantasy, I urge you to pick this one up soon.

Unearthly

Unearthly
by Cynthia Hand

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny? (description taken from Amazon.com)

I have to be honest and say that I reviewed this as an audio book and it was not my favorite - in that format. This was an audio book that if I had picked it out myself, I probably would have stopped listening several chapters in and grabbed the physical book to read instead. I don't recommend the recorded version.

That being said, I really loved the storyline! Hand presents a well-researched new mythos for Nephilim, or as they are known here, Angelbloods. Clara is a Quartarius, or quarter angel, and has wings, can speak any language, and has a purpose. She also just wants to experience life as a normal girl sometimes. Balancing her angelic duties and her everyday life becomes a problem when what her heart and her head tell her conflicts. Clara suddenly has to wonder what will happen if she can't or doesn't fulfill her purpose.

I really liked Clara's family. Her mother and her brother, Jeremy, were both interesting characters with good relationships with Clara...and after the choices they all make at the end of this book, I am anxious to see what happens in Hallowed, which comes out next year.

It was also really cool that Clara got to meet another Angelblood. Someone that she could talk to, someone to compare notes with...there are a lot of books where the poor main character is just left floundering in the breeze...all alone, the sole one of their kind...I liked that she had a friend who knew exactly what she was going through.

I also have to tell you...no lie. I think I lurve Tucker Avery...just a little. I don't want to give you all the details, but there is one scene in there that plays out almost word for word, action for action like a date my husband and I had over 10 years ago when we first started dating. I teared up a little bit and my heart skipped more than one beat. *grin* I will always love Cynthia Hand for that moment. :)

Full disclosure: Audio book received to review for AudioFile magazine
2011 Shifter Challenge title

In My Mailbox - January 23, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

For Review:


Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck


From the Library:


Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston
Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning


On My Nook:


The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
The Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels

Cover Craving(s)...

Unearthly (US/UK Covers)
by Cynthia Hand

Publication Date: Currently Available

Rot and Ruin/Dust and Decay

by Jonathan Maberry

Publication Date: Currently Available/Aug. 30,2011

Fallen

Fallen

by Lauren Kate

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Swiss & Cross Boarding School in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce -- and goes out of his way to make that very clear -- she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret...even if it kills her.

This book came out around the same time as Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. I happened to read that one first, and had to wait forever for my name to go through the hold list at the library for Fallen. I am so glad I waited!! I was disappointed in Hush, Hush - it was too stalker-iffic feeling for me...(see my review here).

When I read Fallen I was so much happier with the relationship between Daniel and Luce. Partially it may be due to the set up...readers are clued into the fact that something goes wrong whenever Daniel and Luce are together. They have a star-crossed love. As much as Daniel treats Luce poorly at the beginning, it was obvious that it was straining him. He saves her life repeatedly and once he gives into her, they have some steamy passion!

I liked the allusions to the biblical stuff about the fallen angels and the fact that readers get the outline of a story, but not everything is yet revealed. This is definitely the set-up for more books and I LOVE IT. I cannot wait to read Torment.

Hush, Hush

Hush, Hush

by Becca Fitzpatrick

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgement.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

I'm not sure if I was just not in the right mood when I read this book or if I've just read too many star-crossed love fantasies lately, but I didn't love this book as much as I thought I would. Based on the reviews I was stoked to read this book. Overall, it was good, but it was slow starting for me. There were parts I really loved and about halfway through it really picked up. However, I really disliked Nora's best friend Vee. I was convinced that she was actually evil and helping to try to kill Nora, which turned out not to be the case...she was just a crappy friend! I didn't really get into the immediate "attraction" between Patch and Nora at first, because it felt really creepy, stalkerish to me until she really started to learn more about him. (reminiscent of Edward in the "Twilight" movie as opposed to the book) Once I hit the meat of the story I started to get into it and I really liked the way it ended. I just wish that it had been able to hook me right from the start.

PS-I do love the cover of this book! The red is subtle, yet stand out. It's a stark image that I think may have contributed a lot to why I picked up the book in the first place.