READING : A Rush Of Wings by Adrian Phoenix

His name is Dante.

Dark. Talented. Beautiful. Star of the rock band Inferno. Rumored owner of the hot New Orleans nightspot Club Hell. Born of the Blood, then broken by an evil beyond imagination. 

His past is a mystery.

F.B.I. Special Agent Heather Wallace has been tracking a sadistic serial murderer known as the Cross Country Killer, and the trail has led her to New Orleans, Club Hell, and Dante. But the dangerously attractive musician not only resists her investigation, he claims to be "nightkind": in other words, a vampire. Digging into his past for answers reveals little. A juvenile record a mile long. No social security number. No known birth date. In and out of foster homes for most of his life before being taken in by a man named Lucien DeNoir, who appears to guard mysteries of his own.

His future is chaos.

What Heather does know about Dante is that something links him to the killer -- and she's pretty sure that link makes him the CCK's next target. Heather must unravel the truth about this sensual, complicated, vulnerable young man -- who, she begins to believe, may indeed be a vampire -- in order to finally bring a killer to justice. But Dante's past holds a shocking, dangerous secret, and once it is revealed not even Heather will be able to protect him from his destiny...

Reading A Rush Of Wings is like riding the biggest and fastest roller coaster in the world:you know you want out from the moment you get on,you're constantly terrified,million emotions and thoughts go through your heart and brain,but you know deep down that in the end you're gonna completely and full heartedly enjoy it.

Phoenix managed to create a world with a little bit of everything in it.So you've got vampires, fallen angels, psychotic serial killers,secret government organizations all wrapped up into one novel.Her characters are very well and carefully developed, all their actions,however cruel and despicable,justified and  without a hint of remorse.Except maybe Heather's character, which was the most obscure and not as well defined as the others, in my opinion.Also a minor flaw was the books length, I felt it got a tiny bit tiring at some points.

However, to say the story is unique, would be a huge understatement.Simply because this is not your average,everyday Urban Fantasy novel.It contains elements of a thriller novel, a horror novel, a romance novel,all fitted together perfectly,forming one of the most intriguing and compelling novels of all these genres combined.It's scary, it's dark, it's mysterious, it's funny,it's intense,it's passionate,it's moving.This book has it all.Highly recommend it. 

One useful tip:if you feel completely lost at first, it's completely understandable.I know I did!Don't let that stop you from finishing the book, though.Everything is made perfectly clear after the first half of the book.

4/5

DROOLING OVER :

Evie's always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours. But Evie's about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. 
So much for normal.

Mackie Doyle seems like everyone else in the perfect little town of Gentry, but he is living with a fatal secret - he is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now the creatures under the hill want him back, and Mackie must decide where he really belongs and what he really wants. A month ago, Mackie might have told them to buzz off. But now, with a budding relationship with tough, wounded, beautiful Tate, Mackie has too much to lose. Will love finally make him worthy of the human world?

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she's been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home--her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power--and the courage to fight her own inner demons? A wildly original approach to the issue of eating disorders, Hunger is about the struggle to find balance in a world of extremes, and uses fantastic tropes to explore a difficult topic that touches the lives of many teens.

Pretty cool books,uh?And look at these amazing covers!Can't wait for fall!

READING : Dark Lover by J.R.Ward

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood. The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

Let me begin this review by saying that it has been years since I last read a hardcore PNR book.I think the last one was The Obsedian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton 5 years ago!I am not an expert in the genre,so maybe my opinion on the book should not count for much.

That being said,I have to admit I liked this book very much.To be honest,I was terrified of reading it because of all the praise the series has gotten over the years and mainly because of my refraining from the PNR genre,so I was sure I    was getting my hopes up for nothing.I am glad to tell you that was not the case.

I loved the story and the world Ward has created.I loved that the vampires are the warriors and the protectors.Granted, they are lethal and unbelievably dangerous, but come on, by the end of the book you know that they are loyal and honorable,the good guys.I loved that the bad guys,the lessers, are dehumanized people who lose their characteristics with age, I loved all the brothers with no exceptions and the word game that was their names, I loved every teeny tiny detail Ward has added to her world.

What I didn't like very much were the very rushed love between Wrath and Beth.I am not a fan of the two-second-soulmate thing,so I didn't really care for it here,either.Also, it may be that I haven't read PNR for a long time, but was it me or there were one sex scenes too many?What was the point in that?We got that they were madly in love the first 2 times!However, Ward's writing of B and M's sexual attraction and how it pleasurably tortured them, without actually writing a sex scene, was brilliant!

Overall, I highly recommend Dark Lover to all PNR lovers who were late in discovering the Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) series like me, even though I doubt they are many left!

One useful tip:each book in the series deals mostly with a specific character.Stories intertwine and characters from previous books are also referred to, but the main story is about a single character.So, there is not a serious continuity problem,at least at the beginning.It's always preferable to start from the first one, though.

4/5

MASSIVE BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA CONTEST @I SHOULD BE WRITING

ValerieK of I Should Be Writing is having a giveaway for her birthday.Prizes are divided between Readers Prize Pack and Writers Prize Pack.You do NOT wanna miss this! Sign up HERE.

222 FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY @EXLIBRIS

Another awesome contest is hosted by Stella from ExLibris. She's made it to 222 followers and she is giving away 2nd books from series like Kate Daniels, Parasol Protectorate, Women Of The Underworld and more.To find out more juicy deets, sign up HERE!

READING : The Insiders by J.Minter

A captivating, scandalous look into the privileged and turbulent world of five fabulous guys living in Manhattan's trendiest neighborhoods. Jonathan is the leader of the pack-but what will happen if the pack falls apart? Arno's way with the girls makes you wonder, can boys be sluts? David is known as the nice guy, but will he stay that way? Mickey is always in trouble, and Patch is just MIA. They've got rich parents, go to top schools, and have hip friends. With so many parties to go to, colleges to impress, girls to win over, and so much money to spend, who can keep track of it all? And can true friendship really shine through in the end? 

I admit that chick lit is my guilty pleasure,but this is overkill!

J.Minter's world in NYC is completely superficial.Flat characters, with nothing to show for themselves beside their unbelievably good looks and immeasurable amount of money, no plot whatsoever,  unless you count the guys' numerous attempts to hook up with girls, which, as it turns out, is all they can bother to think about.

Reading books of this genre you surely do not expect high quality literature.However, you do anticipate some kind(any kind!) of a story,around which the main characters of the book will develop.A plain novel structure that The Insiders simply didn't have.A guy version,and a bad one at that,of Gossip Girl?I'll pass!

2/5

READING : Hotel Transylvania by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

Le Comte de Saint-Germain - cultured, well-traveled, articulate, elegant, learned, honorable, an alchemist, and a man of many secrets - he is a mystery to the court of Louis XV. For Madelaine de Montalia, making her debut in society, he is as fascinating as he is enigmatic, an admiration he returns.But others are interested in her as well. The dark folly of her father's youth exposes her to danger that only someone of Saint-Germain's vast experience can comprehend or repulse. In this first book of the Saint-Germain cycle, Saint-Germain establishes himself as the compassionate hero whose adventures span continents and millennia.

Comte Saint Germain is an elegant,charismatic and mysterious foreigner, in mid-18th century Paris.Saint Germain is one of the  million names he has acquired throughout his existence, which basically counts back to the beginning of time.He is, of course, a vampire.However, he's unlike any vampire I have ever read.What came as a complete surprise to me, is his character.He is good.He is THE hero.He is there to save the damsel in distress because he feels it's his obligation, as a noble and gallant man.Not because he desperately wants her or because he wants something in return.I'm not saying that all the other vampire's I've read about are like that, but they all had a darkness in them,giving off a sense of danger even to the ones dearest and closest to them.St.Germain is not like that.He is so good and kind hearted, it's almost awkward.In a sentence : he is the purest vampire in the history of vampires.

He cannot feel ecstasy through the act of sex, since,according to Yarbro's take on vampires, "they[vampires]are not capable of genital sexual contact, but they express their desires through their biting". I know a lot of people who are into PNR may be put off by this, and I'll be honest, I was too at the beginning.But when I finished reading, I found myself being fascinated and intrigued by the change of the vampire status quo.Being different is not always bad.However, the lack of sex scenes does by no means indicate that this is a Young Adult book, far from it.It contains extensive and very detailed descriptions of Satanic rituals along with nudity.

Hotel Transylvania may not be the best one of the series storywise, but Yarbro's exquisite writing is what's keeping it alive,in my opinion.She portrays vividly and with impeccable period details the glamour of 18th century Paris upper class and high society along with its decadence and immorality.She is an amazing historical fiction writer(romance is mostly a sublot in this book).

You should definitely try out at least one book of the St.Germain series, since,as far as I know,each one is set in a different place and in a different time, so continuity is not an issue.I recommend them,basically because of Yarbro's incredible writing but also because after all these modernized teen hunky vampires, it's good to sit back and find out where it all began, enjoying a wonderfully written, classic vampire novel.

3,5/5

In My Mailbox (9)

::Thanks to the Story Siren for hosting IMM::

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead (*sigh*)

Past Secrets - Cathy Kelly 

(I've read very good reviews about this one,and I thought I'd give it a try)

READING : Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's-and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere. 

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him... forever. 

I wish there were enough words to express the way I feel about the VA series.And these feelings only became stronger after reading Spirit Bound, the penultimate installment in the VA series.

I loved and hated Rose at the same time.I hated her not solely because of the way she practically used Adrian just because she couldn't face the fact that she was alone and she needed someone at her side, but because she forbade him to do things he likes,regardless how bad for him.She had no right to make him change, for his sake as much as hers, when she knew she loved another.But I loved her because she realised all that.She knew she was wrong, and unfair and, let's face it, bitchy.She knows her actions are bad and she tries to control herself but she can't make it right all the time.She is Rose,she is human.

Lissa has definitely surprised me, especially after the second half of the book.I knew she was kind and sweet and all that, but I never thought she would be that resourceful and strong. Moroi are often misunderstood, and for a good reason.They are so used to hiding behind their guardians all their lives, the most of them, if not all,crumble in the face of even the smallest danger .Lissa didn't.She was there when her best friend needed her and she delivered.

Adrian wants Rose.He wanted her from the first time he saw her.And he is willing to do her biding so as to be with her,at any cost.He knows that what they have is more real and strong for him than it is with Rose, and he claims to be OK with that.He lies of course, but he can't imagine his life without Rose,he just can't lose her,and the price to pay is high.Under his tough veneer, he is a helpless romantic after all.

I don't want to talk about Dimitri's character and how he has evolved in this book, because my adding of spoilers would be inevitable and I really don't want to spoil it for you guys.I'll just say this : Dimitri loves Rose with every fiber of his being.I know readers already know that, but I think in this book it's expressed in all its glory.You just have to see under the surface...

There's not much else to say, I guess.Spirit Bound is awesome, fantastic, amazing!Loved it with all my heart!

6/5

PRETTIES by SCOTT WESTERFELD GIVEAWAY!!!

Awesome Pretties by Scott Westerfeld giveaway at Ex Libris.Ends May 28th, so hurry!Contest is international, as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.

READING : A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

Rural Wisconsin, 1909. In the bitter cold, Ralph Truitt, a successful businessman, stands alone on a train platform waiting for the woman who answered his newspaper advertisement for "a reliable wife." But when Catherine Land steps off the train from Chicago, she's not the "simple, honest woman" that Ralph is expecting. She is both complex and devious, haunted by a terrible past and motivated by greed. Her plan is simple: she will win this man's devotion, and then, ever so slowly, she will poison him and leave Wisconsin a wealthy widow. What she has not counted on, though, is that Truitt - a passionate man with his own dark secrets - has plans of his own for his new wife. Isolated on a remote estate and imprisoned by relentless snow, the story of Ralph and Catherine unfolds in unimaginable ways. 

We are introduced to rural Wisconsin, "where the winters were long, and tragedy and madness rose in the pristine air", at the beginning of the 20th century.

Ralph Truitt is an unbelievably rich but miserable and sad man.He is haunted and blinded by his never ending desire and lust, being led to think by his mother that that's the most terrible sin, to want.But he did want.He wanted a wife, a simple woman, a companion, someone to be kind to him, something he was not used to in life, despite being so good and kind himself to everyone.He places an ad in the newspaper asking for a "Reliable Wife". Catherine is accepted by Ralph and comes to  Wisconsin to meet him and get married.But Catherine was not the simple woman that Ralph wanted, far from it. She is devious and cunning and set to do  something terrible to Ralph.Is she truly that mean and horrible person, though?When push comes to shove will she chose humanity over fear?And then we have Antonio, Tony.The prodigal son.Or not.The lover.Or not.The wronged.Or not.The boy who lives and breathes revenge and hatred.Will his uncontrollable rage get the best of him or will he decide to mentally destroy all things past and start anew?

A Reliable Wife is a tense and engaging gothic tale,with the most gripping plot.There's always shocking revelations and surprises lurking around the corner, whenever you think your assumptions are solid.Characters are brilliantly described, never deciding whether to love them or hate them till the end of the book.That was the writer's intention, I think.Even though the characters are extensively described, you learn so many details about their lives and you're made to believe it's easy to judge and hate them,eventually you can't because Ralph, Catherine and Antonio are good people whose only sin was that they were not willing to let go of  and forget the myriad ways that life has wronged them, letting all this guilt and anger devour them little by little.The question is, can you bring yourself to hate them for that?

I have never read such intense and brutally realistic description of desire, pain, fury, love, desperation, madness.I am very grateful to have read this book.I loved it.

6/5

25 Things About Me

I discovered this questionnaire over at My Overstuffed Bookshelf. Thanks Amy!


If there were ever a book written about me, this is the list you would find at the front. Come join in the fun and share yours as well!


1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
Closed, of course!Have you not read King's "Boogeyman"?


2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels?
No.When on vacation I always carry my own shampoo with me.But even if I didn't, I wouldn't take the hotel's afterwards.Nothing morally wrong about it but honestly, it has never crossed my mind.


3. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out? 
When I go to sleep I make sure I'm all covered up but somehow I always manage to make a mess of my sheets while I'm sleeping.Of course, that happens only during the winter.Because in the summer, when it's 40C out, you do not want sheets anywhere near you!


4. Would you rather be attacked by a bear or a swarm of bees?
Difficult to say.I guess it'll have to be a bear, so I would at least not suffer for long.But I'd prefer neither.


5. Do you have freckles?
No.


6. What is your biggest pet peeve?
I hate it when people talk loud on their cell phones.As if everyone around them wants to know their personal stuff.When asked they always say "It's because they can't hear me on the other end". Pff!


7. Have you ever peed in the woods?
No, if I remember correctly.


8. Do you ever dance if there’s no music playing?
Yeah, more than some would like!While cooking, while showering,while cleaning,while typing.


9. Do you chew your pens and pencils? 
I know that it's gross and everything and I humbly hang my head in shame, but I have to be honest : yes. When I was a student I did it a lot, but not now.


10. Is it okay for guys to wear pink?
If it suits them, it's fine with me.If it doesn't go with their demeanor or their attitude, then it's all wrong.


11. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
BBQ sauce.Any hot sauce would do.


12. What is your favorite food?
I enjoy a lot of different kinds, but seafood is my favourite.


13. What movies could you watch over and over and still love?
Interview With The Vampire, Donnie Darko, Mullholand Drive, Lawn Dogs, Requiem For A Dream, Amelie, Dogville,Funny Games-loads.


14. Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
No.


15. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?
Unfortunately(or fortunately)I'm very self conscious. 


16. Can you change the oil on a car?
I don't drive, so this is a no.Me and driving are two different worlds entirely.


17. Ever gotten a speeding ticket?
No.My ex had a ticket for "unreasonable use of tail lights".Does this count, or is it just weirdly funny?


18. Ever ran out of gas?
No, but I've seen documentaries about it :)


19. Are you lazy?
All,and I cannot stress this enough, the time!


20. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
Hawaiian girl,Spanish flamenco dancer, Princess of something, Indian, Madonna(omg!)


21. How many languages can you speak?
English, Spanish,some words in French,German and Swedish.


23. Do you sing in the car?
Yeah, it's fun.I remember last year me and some friends took a trip and we had Mamma Mia's soundtrack playing on repeat for 3 hours straight.I got so sick of it, I don't ever wanna listen to it again!


24. Ever eat a pierogi? 
It's delicious!Especially with cheese, tomato and garlic.


25. First concert?
REM and Radiohead.


Feel free to grab this and post it on your blog.I can't wait to read your answers!

In My Mailbox (8)

::Thanks to the Story Siren for hosting IMM::

Bought:

Dead In The Family - Charlaine Harris

Pride And Prejudice And Zombies - Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith

Evernight - Claudia Gray

Wicked(Pretty Little Liars #5) - Sara Shepard

Killer (Pretty Little Liars #6) - Sara Shepard

The Reapers - John Connolly

Won:

Mark Of The Demon - Diana Rowland

Blood Of The Demon - Diana Rowland

(a huge thanks to Parajunkee for hosting the 666 giveaway!)

Gift:

Phantom In The Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love

All Together Dead - Charlaine Harris

I already own All Together Dead,which also happens to be one of my favourites in the series, but my friend Evi is so generous, she gave it to me for a possible contest in the future.Isn't she awesome??

READING : Dead In The Family by Charlaine Harris

 Sookie is dealing with a whole host of family problems, ranging from her own kin (a non-human fairy and a telepathic second cousin) demanding a place in her life, to her lover Eric's vampire sire, an ancient being who arrives with Eric's 'brother' in tow at a most inopportune moment. And Sookie's tracking down a distant relation of her ailing neighbour (and ex), Vampire Bill Compton. In addition to the multitude of family issues complicating her life, the werewolf pack of Shreveport has asked Sookie for a special favour,and since Sookie is an obliging young woman, she agrees. But this favour for the wolves has dire results for Sookie, who is still recovering from the trauma of her abduction during the Fairy War. 

I was so looking forward to the release of Dead In The Family and to finally reading it, especially after what happened in Dead And Gone.Unfortunately, Dead In The Family let me down.

Basically, what I think DITF's main flaw is, is that it makes you think you are reading a short story the whole time.Or several short stories in the form of a novel.Known characters, new are introduced, they cause a crisis, crisis averted by known characters, the end.Which is not a bad way to structure a novel, but Sookie used to be so much more than that.It used to be funny and quirky but at the same time mysterious and dark.Granted, many years have passed since the first book and characters mature and change inevitably.But you never stopped caring about them, regardless of how they've changed.That's what bothered me the most about DITF : I stopped caring about the characters.It was so obvious that all problems will find solutions in the end, that you couldn't sympathize with any of them(the characters).I never felt scared of Eric's maker, who was described so bad and dangerous that could destroy anyone and anything at will, because I didn't really see any of that.And that happened with the Were pack story,too. It felt that whenever Harris was about to start a very promising plot line, it ended abruptly with the most easy and predictable way.That's where the short story notion comes from, I guess.The best part of the book was Bill's story, which even though it falls in the same category as the others, it felt good seeing him again and finding out new things about him and his past.I know he is in a lot of people's hate list ever since Sookie broke up with him, but he is still likeable to me and I admire him for a lot of things.

I am a huge fan of Charlaine Harris and I love the series, but I also have to be completely honest : DITF left me feeling sad and somewhat disappointed.However, it makes for a very good lead in for the next book, vampire and two natured politics being the main theme.All we have to do is wait another year!

*this was the most difficult review I have ever written.

2,5/5

 

BOOK GIVEAWAY @ HISTORIAS IMAGINARIAS

Today is the last day you can sign up for the Book Giveaway hosted by Gaby at Historias Imaginarias.

The winner gets a book costing up to 10$ from an online shop that is convenient to the him/her(Book Depository, Amazon etc.) Hurry!

READING : Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

 Seventeen-year-old Louisa Cosgrove longs to break free from her respectable life as a Victorian doctor's daughter. But her dreams become a nightmare when Louisa is sent to Wildthorn Hall: labeled a lunatic, deprived of her liberty and even her real name. As she unravels the betrayals that led to her incarceration, she realizes there are many kinds of prison. She must be honest with herself - and others - in order to be set free. And love may be the key...

Wildthorn tells the story of Louisa Cosgrove,a 17 year old girl. A girl who's constantly reading and studying and doesn't enjoy "visiting"with her mother, a girl so opinionated and strong - willed that she is not afraid to oppose to men and authoritative figures, a girl who wants to become a doctor.Louisa Casgrove is not like the girls her age.But, in the 19th century, being different is not something that goes unnoticed.Or unpanished.And Louisa finds that out in the worst possible way.

I enjoyed Wildthorn very much.Although I don't know if "enjoy" is a suitable word for this book, since it's very sad and somber. Eagland touches the very delicate subject of women's independence during the 19th century and decides to describe Louisa's story in a way that it comes across neither too feministic nor  too fictitious, all the while writing in a way that appeals to younger readers.However,as it contains some vulgar and savage scenes, which will leave you feeling shocked and disheartened thinking that situations exactly like or similar to Louisa's were actually happening back then, I feel inclined to give parents a heads up,in case their children want to read it.

Wildthorn is a very well written, atmospheric tale which deals not only with what was considered "mental health" back then and how women could actually be driven mad by the immoral and unreasonable way society treated them, but also with women's sexuality and how, in the midst of the craziness that was their lives, could find that love was the only thing keeping them sane.

Highly recommended!

4/5

BIRTHDAY CONTEST @ HOOKED ON YA BOOKS

Hooked on YA Books is having a Super Huge Mega Crazy Bash Contest.Sign up now!Ends June 30th.

There will be at least 7 winners. She will add more for every 50 new followers.

Winner 1 gets 2 books from a list and any book from the Book Depsitory.

Winner 2 gets 2 books from the list.

Winner 3 gets a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Winner 4 gets 1 book from the list.

Winner 5 gets 1 book from the list.

Winner 6 gets $5 Amazon Gift Card.

Winner 7 gets $5 Amazon Gift Card.

Contest is international as long as The Book Depository ships to you.

Good luck!

READING : Kiss Of Death by Rachel Caine

Kiss Of Death by Rachel Caine


Published by:
Publication date:
Source: Bought
Rating: 3,5/5

Vampire musician Michael Glass has attracted the attention of a big- time producer who wants to cut a demo and play some gigs-which means Michael will have to enter the human world. For this, he's been assigned escorts that include both a dangerous immortal as well as Michael's all-too-human friends. And with that mix of personalities, this is going to be a road trip from hell...

It pains me to say it, but I was not impressed.

I believe that when there is a change of scenery-a relocation of sorts- in a book, it rarely goes well.I've read at least 5 books in which something like that happened.I think it's because it's taking some time to get readjusted to new locales and most importantly,the sense of familiarity you have after seven consecutive books placed in a specific town, is lost.

Well, I was surprised to find that in the first half of the book it worked very well.I liked scenes like the ones in the gas station, the spooky motel, the one with Eve's new car.But when Morley appeared, I felt a bit let down.I never really liked his character,I don't think he has anything to add to the books other than his smartassness,which is getting tiring.I'm not saying that the writing is poor, even if I don't like the book much that is never the case with Caine, but scenes after Morley's appearance, despite being action packed, fell short for me.The rogue vamp case, two books after Bishop has been destroyed, was pretty old and a dead end.Also, as far as the characters are concerned, I'm starting to get the feeling that the boys are a bit clingy, always hugging the girls and kissing them, even when in mortal peril.I hope Caine will limit that a little bit.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I hated the book, I just didn't love it.I think that Caine should start thinking of a good arc story fast.Waiting on Ghost Town in November.

READING : Fade Out by Rachel Caine

Fade Out by Rachel Caine

Published by: Signet
Publication date: November 3d, 2009
Source: Bought
Rating: 3,5/5

Without the evil vampire Bishop ruling over the town of Morganville, the resident vampires have made major concessions to the human population. With their newfound freedoms, Claire Danvers and her friends are almost starting to feel comfortable again. 

Now Claire can actually concentrate on her studies, and her friend Eve joins the local theatre company. But when one of Eve's castmates goes missing after starting work on a short documentary, Eve suspects the worst. Claire and Eve soon realize that this film project, whose subjectis the vampires themselves, is a whole lot bigger - and way more dangerous - than anyone suspected.

I really hate to say this, but I was a tiny bit disappointed by Fade Out. Honestly, I was really worried about the story in this book, seeing that the battle with Bishop ended in Carpe Corpus, and all was right with Morganville again.I knew of course that peace in Morganville can never be, so I was expecting another great story to replace that of Bishop's.And that's where the book kinda fell short, in my opinion.

Reading the Morganville books up until Fade Out, you get not only amazing and multi-dimensional characters, but also a story so gripping and compelling that you cannot, for any reason,put the book down.I cannot possibly say that these aspects that make a Morganville vampire book so good, were not part of Fade Out,as well.Only, they were not at the level I was used to, that of excellence.It's understandable, though,after the end of a three-book intense arc story, for the plot not to be as exciting and the characters not to be as developed.One of the stories,Ada's,even though it had a lot of potential, it didn't work out in the end.I liked Kim's story, the whole exposition concept was great, but its resolution was simple and quick.However I believe that despite the book's flaws, and because Rachel Caine IS Rachel Caine and she will always be brilliant, Amelie's scene in the cemetery is the best scene in all Morganville books.Genious!

Overall, a good book but not get very high hopes.I blame it on Rachel Caine:she has spoiled me with her amazing writing and now I can't settle for anything but perfection!

*This one is without a cliff hanger,as well.

In My Mailbox (7)

::Thanks to the Story Siren for hosting IMM::

Numbers - Rachel Ward

A Reliable Wife - Robert Goolrick

Hotel Transylvania - Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (finally!)

It became an obsession of mine, to get my hands on Yarbro's Hotel Transylvania.It's in a lot of book lists, I liked the summary, so I wanted to read it.However, being written in the late '70s, it was very difficult to track,when all the online shops claimed it was out of print.Also, Greece is not a Marketplace country, so no used copies from Amazon US or UK.But after 6 months of searching, I finally found it.Library copy,but still a readable copy!I really hope it was worth all this trouble :S

Also I wanted to say how embarrassed I feel sometimes posting IMM posts with 3 or 4 books, when everyone else get so many each week, I still can't believe they have room for anything else!Anyway, this is my humble post and now I'm going to drool over everyone else's :)