[Review] Agents of Light and Darkness by Simon R. Green

Agents of Light and Darkness
Nightside #2
Simon R. Green
October 28th 2003
Ace

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The New York Times bestselling author takes readers back to the Nightside.

A quest for the Unholy Grail-the goblet from which Judas drank at the Last Supper-takes private eye John Taylor deep into the secret, magical heart of London...called the Nightside.

  

"Taylor is the name. John Taylor....My card says I'm a detective, but what I really am is an expert on finding things. It's part of the Gift I was born with as a child of the Nightside - the hidden heart of London where it's always three a.m., where inhuman creatures and otherworldly gods walk side-by-side in the endless darkness of the soul.

"Assignment: Locate the Unholy Grail, the cup Judas drank from at the Last Supper. It corrupts all who touch it, but it also grants enormous power. So I've got some competition - from angels, devils, sinners and saints - in the search for the dark goblet."

Chris here again with the next book in the Nightside Series, Agents of Light and Darkness. Simon R. Green takes us back to the shadowed and hidden world of the Nightside, where the sun never shines and it's always 3am.

John Taylor is searching for something far more serious than the Holy Grail, he's looking for the Unholy Grail and so is everyone else in the Nightside. Worst of all, the angels from both above and below have come to the Nightside and they both want to force him to use his special "gift" to find it for them. He's now in a race against time to find it, because he's been warned that if the angels find it first, it can spell the end of the world.

Many of the supporting characters from the first book make a reappearance, such as Suzie Shooter and Razor Eddie. And this time Simon R. Green gives you a deeper look into these characters than in the first book, including how the most feared bounty hunter in the Nightside lives when she's not hunting her human prey.

The humor from the first book returns in this one, and it once again left me laughing more often than not. The witty comments when John Taylor confronts two armies of angels and the snappy interruptions of Suzie Shooter as the interrupts anyone she wants without fear of the consequences, whether its demons from the pit or the feared Merlin himself, risen fresh from the grave to lend a fear inspiring hand.

I won't spoil the whole book, but I will tell you I give this tale of myths, legends and mystery a rating of 5 out of 5 laser pistols. This really is a "supernova" of a novel I will recommend to anyone.

[Review] Something from the Nightside by Simon R. Green

Something from the Nightside
Nightside #1
Simon R. Green
May 27th, 2003
Ace
230 pages

Amazon/Book Depository/B&N

John Taylor is not a private detective per se, but he has a knack for finding lost things. That's why he's been hired to descend into the Nightside, an otherworldly realm in the center of London where fantasy and reality share renting space and the sun never shines.

"Taylor is the name. John Taylor...My card says I'm a detective, but what I really am is an expert on finding things. It's part of the Gift I was born with as a child of the Nightside - the hidden heart of London where it's always three a.m., where inhuman creatures and otherworldly gods walk side-by-side in the endless darkness of the soul.

"Assignment: Joanna Barrett hires me to track down her teenage daughter, who decided to forgo the circus and run away to the Nightside. The kid has no idea what she's getting herself into...You can find anything in the Nightside-if it doesn't find you first."

Chris here for a change of pace from my usual hard core sci-fi books, this month I'm going to review some books with a more paranormal twist. Something from the Nightside is the first book in the Nightside series. What is the Nightside, it is the place where monsters, heroes, demons, and gods come to play. Where the supernatural is natural, and every day things are not what they seem.

That goes for the main character too, John Taylor is more than a normal man, and his "gift" lets him find the missing. He is that kind of old fashioned private eye who won't take crap from anyone and is good at improvising in almost any situation. And when he needs that little bit of extra help, he knows people.

I love the mix of myths, legends and an old fashioned private eye novel. The main character John Taylor walks the mean streets of the Nightside in his iconic white trench coat. He is accompanied by such colorful characters as Susie Shooter, also known as "Shotgun Susie", and "oh Christ it's her, run", a female bounty hunter with a double barreled pump shotgun. Then you have Razor Eddy, Punk God of the Straight Razor who looks like a bum and smells like a herd of them.

Simon R. Green kept me reading with whimsical humor and plot twists galore. This book feels like it would make a good BBC series if they wanted to take a shot at it. Now I might be making this book sound too complex to follow, but honestly, it isn't hard to keep track of the secondary characters and follow along as they either help or hinder John Taylor as he searches the wild and weird world of the Nightside for a missing girl.

Now, I don't want to give away and secrets, so I'll leave you with this, I find this book to be "out of this world" and give it a solid 4 out of 5 laser pistols.
 

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[Review] Moonglow by Kristen Callihan

Moonglow
Darkest London #2
Kristen Callihan
July 31st, 2012
Forever
384 pages

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Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

 Hi it's Amy and I didn't think I would finish this book for a review so soon but it was so good that I could not put it down.  So I am back with more romancing and to spread the word of a tell of werewolves, monsters and the power of healing trough love.

When I finished Kristen Callihan's first book in the Darkest London Series Firelight I thought wow what a good book.  Now that I have finished Moonglow  I am thinking wow what an awesome author and I am adding her to my must reads list because I am loving this series.  It is full of heart stopping action, on the edge of your seat suspense, and HOT, HOT, HOT love scenes.

In Moonglow a werewolf is terrorizing London and Daisy is the only witness to the crime and it is up Ian a lycan to protect her.  Ian and Daisy were both introduced in Firelight because Daisy is Miranda's sister and Ian was Archer's best friend.  In Firelight they both come off as flippant and flighty, but in Moonglow it is revealed that the sarcastic comments and air headed ways are a shield because they are both hiding a pain that goes soul deep.

Ian decides that the only way to protect Daisy is for her to come stay with him to protect her and Daisy is reluctant..  Daisy sets out to find out who the Were is and stop him.  Dang, Kristen Callihan sure knows how to build the suspense and keep me wanting more.  I had now idea who the were was or who was behind it all until the explosive scene at the end when it all it all comes together.  My favorite scene in the book is in the middle when Daisy is running from the werewolf in the woods and finds a cemetery she can hide in.  The werewolf is running toward her and the howls are in the distance and she doesn't know how she is going to escape.  I was biting my nails because for me I kept picturing that scene in Wolfman where Emily blunt is running through the woods it was intense.  After the scene in the woods Daisy knows she is up against something she can't handle on her own and goes to stay with Ian in the end.  Together they set out to solve the mystery.  I like how Kristen Callihan writes strong modern heroines but she makes it work in a Victorian gaslight setting.

The love story between Ian and Daisy was beautiful to watch as these two tragic souls found healing through love.  I almost cried at parts because I was so moved.  I think this line about sums up their love for each other "We are all imperfect creatures,love.  I don't want perfect. I just want you."  Ian sees past Daisy's scars inside and out inflicted upon her by a late abusive husband.  Daisy sees past Ian's defenses of nonchalance to the caring man inside and makes him feel again.

The world of Darkest London just keeps getting better and better as more monsters are introduced and I am curious to find out the back stories on them all.  In conclusion I give Moonglow a five laser pistols because it's definitely a supernova.  I recommend checking out all the books in the series.  The third book Winterblaze comes out later this month.

[Book Events] Hanging Out in Texas

I was pretty busy this week and went to book events plus life in general  got in the way.  I only had time to finish one book this week so I decided to post pics of the events.

On Thursday my friend and I went to a dinner at the Blue Moon Cafe hosted by Fresh Fiction and DFW Tea Reader meet up group where Kim Harrison was the guest of honor.  It was a prequel to her signing at the near by Barnes and Noble.

Kim Harrison's Q&A at Blue Moon Cafe

Kim Harrison being introduced at signing

Me getting my book signed

We got to be fourth and fifth in line

Today decided to take a road trip to Conroe (about 3 1/2 hr drive) and go the Montgomery County Book Festival where my husband and I went to panels and got our books signed by a whole bevy of authors. It has been a fun couple of days getting to fangirl out of my favorite authors and getting introduced to new authors.  Had a lot of fun.  While I was standing in the long line for Sherilyn Kenyon, I had found a new book I wanted to check out.  Ashfall by Mike Mullin and he was at the festival signing so I stayed in line and Chris went over to his table to get the book signed.  My favorite inscription goes to Mike Mullin it said "To Amy a husband who brings you signed books is a keeper!"  Very true Mike Mullin, my husband Chris is the best because he puts up with me, :).  P.S. I would like to say how awesome Jonathan Maberry is and such a nice man.

Sherrilyn Kenyon Q&A, she is very funny

Me getting book signed

My book haul all signed by the authors

[Audiobook Review] White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison

White Witch, Black Curse
The Hallows #7
Kim Harrison
February 24th, 2009
Eos
504 pages

Amazon/Book Depository/B&N

New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison returns to the sinister and seductive Hollows for the newest blockcuster adventure featuring Rachel Morgan, witch and bounty hunter.

White Witch, Black Curse


Some wounds take time to heal...and some scars never fade.

Rachel Morgan, kick-ass witch and bounty hunter, has taken her fair share of hits, and has broken lines she swore she would never cross. But when her lover was murdered, it left a deeper wound than Rachel ever imagined, and now she won't rest until his death is solved...and avenged. Whatever the cost.

Yet the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and when a new predator moves to the apex of the Inderland food chain, Rachel's past comes back to haunt her.

Literally.

 Hi it's Amy back this week and I am extending Kim Harrison audiobook month because I didn't get caught up on the series as fast as I thought I would.  Isn't life great and don't you just love when little things like being sick get in the way of your listening plans.  Oh well enough about me and on to what I thought about the audiobook I finished this week.

What do you get when an elf, a witch, a ghost , a pixie and a demon get on an elevator together(Harrison)?  You get Book 7 in Kim Harrison's Hollows series-White Witch, Black Curse.  It is another fabulous romp through the magical chaotic life of Rachel Morgan.  To quote Jenks "Tink's Panties" this book is so good.

What I loved most about this book is how Rachel is growing up and coming into her own as a witch and a person as the series evolves.  Rachel tries to stop and think about her actions and how they may effect others instead of just acting on the thrill now.  Don't get me wrong trouble still finds Rachel, like a moth to a flame, and in White Witch trouble has found her in the form of a banshee. Mia is a banshee who thinks she is above the law and it is up to Rachel and the gang to show her differently.  Meanwhile, a ghost Rachel summoned when she was 18 is haunting the church.  Al shows up and claims Pierce the ghost as his new familiar and snatches him down to the Ever After.  Now not only does she have the banshee to deal with: now Rachel must find a way to convince Al that taking her friends against their will to the Ever After is not going to fly with her.

So I have to say my favorite scene in the book is at the New Year's Eve party and most of the men in Rachel's life converge into one elevator for one very awkward, very funny ride down.  Al and Pierce had me cracking up.  On that note I actually love the added element of a new potential love interest for Rachel in the form of  "Rachel Candy", Pierce the ghost.  But then again I have always had a soft spot for the sexy devil may care types especially ones with an accent.  So while I like Pierce, I think I am still holding out for a Rachel and Trent love connection and maybe it will happen at the end of the series.  A girl can always hope, right?

My only compliant about this book is that at the very end Rachel remembers all the details of Kisten's death.  For me the wrap up of Kisten's death, after waiting one whole book to find out all the gory details, felt anticlimactic. I know some people will disagree but it felt almost like an after thought after spending the whole book on other problems there was only twenty minutes on Kisten's murder and figuring out who the murderers where and bam it was over and sealed up.

The only thing I can say about the narration is thank god Marguerite Gavin is back.  I love how she brings life to my favorite characters, especially Jenks.  In conclusion, I give White Witch, Black Curse four solid laser pistols.  I highly recommend this series if only to find out what colorful swears will come out of Jenks' mouth next.

[Audiobook Review] The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison

The Outlaw Demon Wails
The Hollows #6
Kim Harrison
February 26th, 2008
Eos

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To save the lives of her friends, Rachel did the unthinkable: she willingly trafficked in forbidden demon magic. And now her sins are coming home to haunt her.

As Rachel searches for the truth behind a terrifying murder, an even greater menace threatens, for the demon Algaliarept will stop at nothing to claim her, and the discovery of a shocking family secret throws Rachel's entire life into question. If she is ever to live free, Rachel must first walk willingly into the demonic ever-after in search of long-lost ancient knowledge.

But when you dance with demons, you lay your soul on the line...and there are some lines that should never be crossed.

 Since it is Kim Harrison audiobook time, I finished The Outlaw Demon Wails.  I have not read or listened to this one before so I have to say it comes in as a close second to my favorite in the series so far because my favorite is still  A Fistful of Charms.  In this book Al has escaped the Ever After because someone is summoning him out.  Al is out of blood, Rachel's blood that is, and he is torturing her loved ones just to piss Rachel off.   Rachel must team up with Trey to save herself and the ones she cares about and travel into the Ever After.  Meanwhile Rachel discovers a shocking secret about her parentage that will have her questioning who she is.  Also, Ceri has some shocking news herself and Quin will put himself in mortal peril to help Ceri.

As always in a Rachel Morgan book there is a lot going on and Rachel must deal with it all as well as trying to heal from the tragedy that struck her in the previous book.  I don't know how Kim Harrison does it but the story never bogs down as Rachel moves from one crisis to another.  In this book we get a glimpse into Rachel's childhood and more contact with her mother.  I love her mother and my favorite scene is when she is giving Rachel advice on her love life.  I liked how all the plot lines come together in the end and Rachel is able to save the day with just the right amount of humor and dramatic flair.

As far as the narrator of this book it is the only one that does not have Marguerite Gavin narrating and this narrator is Gigi Bermingham.  My only complaint about this book is the narrator I disliked the way she voiced Jenks but it wasn't enough to make me stop the audiobook.  When listening to this book just do like I did and keep reminding yourself she only does this book and Ms. Gavin will return for White Witch, Black Curse and it will help you get through Jenks' voice narration.  Overall, I really like Outlaw Demon Wails and give this audiobook four solid laser pistols.