Review: Small Favor

Small Favor by Jim Butcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Harry, Harry, Harry. You will never change, and that's why I love you so much. More sass. More monsters. And more coins floating around Chicago, harassing Murph and Harry. Luckily they have the knights and wardens to help them fight evil.

Marcone is trouble, and Mab calls on Harry to bail him out. He reluctantly helps his frenemy, because he just can't resist the siren's call of trouble. He gathers his band of merry men and women, and they quest on to save the good people of Chicago. And Ivy. And Marcone. Harry makes some missteps and bad decisions, puts everyone in danger, and barely saves the day, as usual. And he gets his ass kicked as many times as you would expect. But what's that I smell around the corner? Could it be romance? Nah, I feel like Butcher is messing with us. Guess we will see in book 11.

You should try these books on audio. So good! Just like you would think Harry would sound. 3.5 stars.

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Storm Front (The Dresden Files #1)

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Supernatural Chicago, the Windy City, city of my heart, and where my love affair with Harry Dresden begins. This is one of my favorite series of all time. Harry has it all, tall, dark and lanky with so much snark, bravery, and chivalry that I can hardly bear it.

The plot is a little weak in places but it introduces all of the characters well and sets us up for so many future plot lines. Gentleman Johnny Marcone and his seedy criminal underworld. We get to enjoy steak and ale at McAnally's with the ever reticent Mac, and we get a glimpse of the partnership between Murphy and Dresden that sustains the series over many books. And while we hardly get enough Bob, it's an introduction to his shenanigans and he is always good for a laugh. So much goodness here that I will choose to ignore my hatred of Susan.

Read it. Butcher is the best.



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The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Oooh, book, I wanted to love you so much. Alas, it was not meant to be. Friends?

Allison is an unregistered human living on the fringe of the vampire society. But then things get interesting. She gets into serious trouble and makes a tough choice to survive by allowing herself to be turned. So much potential! I was with the story all the way until they got to Chicago, but the ensuing drama fell flat for me. Undecided if I will read book two. Not bad, not great.



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White Night (The Dresden Files #9)

White Night by Jim Butcher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Still loving my Dresden Files journey. Book 9 doesn't disappoint. Harry is still deeply flawed with a heart of gold, solving crimes and keeping the streets of Chicago safe from the supernatural.

It begins with Harry reluctantly continuing to be a warden, and also tutoring Molly so she doesn't turn to the dark side. Murphy has been busted down to Sergeant, and she brings Harry in covertly on a murder masquerading as suicide. Harry catches the clues, naturally, and it's off to catch another supernatural killer. Yes, the White Court is still up to their shenanigans, and Laura Raith is still running the show. It ends in a fantastic battle that will not disappoint.

Things I loved: Gentleman Johnny Marcone. I like him now that we see more of his layers. He's complex, conflicted, and the enemy Harry knows. Rameriz as Harry's warden partner (love him even more now that Laura outed his secret). Thomas as a White Court knight in shining armor (literally). Murphy because she kicks ass, always. Mouse. He's simply the best part of Harry's life. The conclusion with Lasciel was more satisfying than I would have imagined.

Things I didn't love: Not enough Bob. Elaine. She's bad news for Harry, and I don't want her around. No Michael Carpenter--every book should have Michael.

Butcher has set things up for an interesting showdown between the White Council and the Black Council, but I'm ready for the war with the various vampires to be over. Looking forward to the next book in the series.



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Independent Study (The Testing #2)

Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Independent Study follows Cia Vale as she progresses through University and is selected for her major which dictates what she will do following graduation. We are introduced to some new characters as she is assigned to her house and we uncover more of the mystery of what the government is hiding. Cia is still a Mary Sue. Everyone loves her, she is the smartest, the bravest, and she solves problems. She's clearly being set up to be the next leader of the land; the savior they have been waiting for. We don't get enough Tomas in this book. He's barely a player and I find myself wondering what is going though his head as the events unfold for Cia. What does his initiation look like? How is he feeling about University, the government, and the aftermath of the testing? I need to know more--he keeps me from hating on Cia.

Overall, a solid second installment in the series. If you enjoyed the first book, you will continue to enjoy the second. I'll definitely read Graduation Day to see how it all pans out.

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The Testing (The Testing #1)

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Standard dystopian fare, but enjoyable. The world is recovering from war, destruction, and Mother Earth fighting back. There are parallels to the Hunger Games, Divergent and Legend, but with unique twists. Corrupt government? Check. Earth in chaos? Check. Plucky female lead? Check. Budding teen romance? Check. It's all here.

In the United Commonwealth of the former United States, high school graduates can be selected for the Testing for entrance to University. The Testing consists of 5 trials. If you survive these five trials, they interview you and determine if you are worthy to enter University and be a part of rebuilding the country. Cia is a bit of a Mary Sue, but I think she'll bloom in the next book. We'll see. Truth be told, I really want to find out more about her father, so I'm hoping he plays a bigger part in book 2. Or just write me a prequel, Joelle.

Fans of young adult dystopian should check it out. Three stars.

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Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter

Seth Grahame-Smith; 2 stars
New Salem, Illinois

Divergent

Veronica Roth; 4 stars
Divergent #1
Chicago