FICTION for ADULTS: Enchanted Inc Series by Shanna Swendson

    

A few weeks ago I posted a review of the first book in this series, Enchanted, Inc. I have posted about this series before as I read it a few years ago. At the time, there were only four books in the series and the publisher had decided not to publish anymore. But I found out recently that there are now two more books in the series. So I re-read these, on my Nook, and I have the next two downloaded and ready to read next.

As I mentioned with book one, this is a series about a regular woman caught up in a magical world of wizards and gargoyles and fairies. Katie is a "magical immune." Magic doesn't work on her; she sees through the illusions and magical deceptions, which makes her an asset at her magical corporation.

In Once Upon Stilettos, Katie starts to lose her magical immunity just as she's trying to track down a spy in the company, which makes her vulnerable to the spells of their enemies.

In Damsel Under Stress, an inept fairy godmother does NOT help Katie and her crush get together, and she complicates their efforts to find out what their enemy is up to in the magical world.

In Don't Hex with Texas, Katie has gone home to protect Owen from having to choose between fighting their enemies or protecting her. But in what Katie thought was the least magical place on earth, magical things start happening and Katie needs her magical friends to help her sort things out before her family discovers everything.

I have enjoyed the series as much in my re-read as I did the first time through. And I'm even more excited this time because I have two more volumes to enjoy (and #5 is considerably longer than these - so more great story yet to come!!)

4 out of 5 stars for books two through four.

Recommended for: fans of "light" paranormal romance. There's a little language in books three and four, but the story line is not violent or "dark" in any way.

Waiting on WEDNESDAY: Sci Fi

My favorite way to spend my day off from work is wandering, alone, around the bookstore with no agenda. I can take my time, look at sections I don't usually frequent, etc.


On a recent trip, I was in the mood for some new science fiction/fantasy. These are the books I picked up. Looking forward to digging into these, hoping I'll find some new series to enjoy.

FRIDAY: Blameless

Alexia is in danger and outside the protection of her pack (you'll have to read Changeless (The Parasol Protectorate) to find out why). With her husband in a drunken stupor, and her vampire confidant, Lord Akeldama, gone without a trace, Alexia needs to find her own answers. With Madame Lefoux, the inventor, and Floote, the butler, Alexia sets off for Italy in search of solutions for her current dilemma and information about her father.

I love Alexia's bluntness and her no-nonsense approach to most things. She has an excellent sens of humor. I also love the character of Professor Lyall who was developed nicely in this book. He is solid and dependable, with a dry humor, and he embraces is role in the pack and executes it well.

Great series. I was pleased to note that there will be another book in the series, Heartless, sometime next summer.

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FRIDAY: Changeless

[A sequel to Soulless]

 Everyone is suspicious of Alexia when all the supernaturals in London lose their supernatural-ness. But one preternatural couldn't possibly affect an entire city, could she?

Alexia, and an inventor named Madame Lefoux, head off with an entourage to Scotland to look for answers to the "changeless" problem. Unfortunately, some supernaturals seem so certain Alexia is the problem, they want to see her dead. [A revelation at the end sheds more light on why some want Alexia dead.]


This is a hard book to talk about without giving away too much. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Alexia is still a delightful character - frank, inquisitive, and bold. The supernatural set she interacts with on a regular basis are distinct and delightful to spend time with. Carriger does a great job building her world and doling out information to the reader without just "dumping" it.


Next week I'll review the third book in the series.

[I am an Amazon Associate. If you link to Amazon from one of my blogs and purchase something, I receive a small percentage of the purchase price.] 

FRIDAY: Soulless

A few weeks ago I mentioned the book Changeless as one I was eager to read. I realized after I posted that that Changeless was actually the second book in the series. Book one, Soulless, is about a woman in Victorian England named Alexia Tarabotti. In Alexia's London, vampires, ghosts, and werewolves are an accepted part of the culture. Alexia is her own sort of "supernatural," though - she has no soul and therefore can keep a vampire from producing fangs and a werewolf from changing into the wolf. Mysterious things are happening around London and Alexia keeps finding herself in the middle of them - including a vampire attack and a near kidnapping. Her relationships with the Alpha werewolf and an ancient and well-connected vampire draw her further into the mystery until she is in mortal danger.


I have said before, I am picky about my fantasy reading. Up until now the only "urban fantasy" books I have really enjoyed have been Shanna Swendson's Enchanted series and Patricia Briggs' Alpha and Omega series. This book was the best sort of urban fantasy for my tastes. The author's voice and pacing are a lot of fun. I could *hear* Alexia's voice and she sounds (in my head) like someone I'd like to hang out with. She's smart and sassy, my favorite kind of leading lady. I checked this book out from the library, along with the sequel, and by chapter 11, I had bought my own copies of both. (A third, Blameless, is due out September 1, 2010).


While this book is labeled and shelved in the fantasy/science fiction section of the book store, there is a romantic element to the plot, and more sensitive readers should be aware of that.

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FRIDAY: Hunting Ground

As the werewolves gather from all over the world to discuss making themselves known to the humans, one among them is plotting and conspiring for death and destruction.

I know vampires are pretty trendy right now, and zombies are primed to take their place at the top of paranormal fiction, but I find I prefer stories about dragons or werewolves if I am in the mood for urban fantasy. The first story in this series was actually in an anthology called  On the Prowl. The first full book in the series is Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1). I think reading the others in the series would be helpful to understand the background of the characters and how they interact with each other.

I like the main characters in this series and how they relate to one another. This is a much darker series than, say Enchanted, Inc. (Katie Chandler, Book 1), which is another paranormal/urban fantasy series I enjoy. This has some graphic/violent elements that could turn away sensitive readers (I just skip past them). This particular book has a vampire element, but they are the "bad guys." As someone who never cared for the vampire craze in the first place, this was fine by me.

If you are looking for some paranormal/urban fantasy reading, check out this series. The author has written several others, as well. (I haven't tried any of those yet.)


[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a small percentage of the purchase price.]