Review: Changeless

Changeless by Gail Carriger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lord and Lady Maccon continue their odd life of paranormal bliss. But something is causing the pack to stop changing, and it isn't Alexia for a change. More sass, more bickering, and suddenly Alexia is off to Scotland in a dirigible to track down her husband at his ancestral home.

We get the expected steampunk elements tied neatly to the paranormal. Good stuff! Danger, deception, and plot twists abound. And we get a surprise ending that will get you to move book 3 up your TBR list, so well played, Carriger, well played. 3.5 stars because I didn't love it quite as much as book 1, but still very enjoyable.

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Review: Forever

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

We reach the end of our wolves of Mercy Falls saga, and not a moment too soon. Things are mostly tied up in a bow at the end.

It somehow became less about Grace and Sam, and more about Cole and Isabel. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but it felt like the author decided the side characters were more interesting than the main ones. But overall it was a fine young adult paranormal series, which is what it was meant to be. Three stars.

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Review: Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1)

Soulless by Gail Carriger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this book. I can't believe I waited so long to read it. It's one of my new favorite series. I think the steampunk kept me away, but it was subtle enough to forget and fall in love with the characters.

Alexia is my favorite type of MC. She's strong, and sassy, but not too perfect. In fact, her acknowledgment of her flaws adds to her charm. Same for Lord Maccon--my new book boyfriend. Strong, brash, bossy, and a little overbearing. Hey, what can I say? I have a type. The two of them make the perfect point-counterpoint.

The plot is good, the romance is good, the action is good, the setting is good. I just love everything about it! Read it. Enjoy it. You know you want to!



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Fool Moon (The Dresden Files #2)

Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


More fun and mayhem with Harry and friends!

Werewolves. In Chicago. And it's up to Harry to solve the mystery and save the town. As usual, he rises to the occasion while taking an ass-whipping. Harry, seriously, take those martial arts classes with Murphy. I have never seen a man get beaten up as much as you.

There were twists and turns in this one, and a sad part in the police station that shocked me. But it all worked out in the end, natch, and now Harry has a new set of friends to call upon when Chicago is in peril. Because you know it will be, because that's how it all works.



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Linger (Wolves of Mercy Falls #2)

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


You know how you can have a love / hate relationship with a book? Welcome to Mercy Falls.

I can't stand Grace. She is a petty child who infuriated me at every turn. And while I don't hate Sam (I rather like him), he is hit by my wrath towards Grace as her partner in crime. I think as the parent of two high schoolers it hit too close to home for me. I am so glad Grace isn't my daughter.

But then we have Isabel and Cole. I just love them. And suddenly I am reduced from angry parent to moony-eyed teenager myself. Hey, I'm a mess of paradoxes. Sue me.
Overall 3 stars.



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Twilight (Twilight #1)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Oh, this book is silly, but overall I don't hate it. Bella is a complete Mary Sue and I wanted to punch her most of the time, and Edward with his brooding mixed signals made me roll my eyes so hard I nearly broke something. But then I reminded myself that it is written for a 14-year-old, not a grown woman in her forties, and I was ok with it. This book has sparked scores of future lovers of the paranormal, romance or not, and I hope all of them graduate to loving Harry Dresden as much as I do. The romance is clean, fulfills a lot of young girls' budding fantasies, and gets them reading. A win all-around.

P.S. Everyone who reads this should read The Dresden Files series. Seriously. Harry is a million times better than Edward. Or Jacob. Or pretty much anyone.



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Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls #1)

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Wolves. High school. Poor parenting. A bit like Twilight, but better written. Maggie Stiefvater wrote this series prior to the very excellent The Scorpio Races, and it shows. The dialogue is cringe-worthy at times, and the plot is loosely held together by the merest threads, but it was entertaining enough to read the next two installments. Take this young adult offering as the pleasant diversion it is, then read The Scorpio Races for beautiful prose and an engrossing storyline.

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