"Not your average Sequel"
What a great follow up to The Curse of Chalion. It starts with a damaged & misunderstood woman who finally takes her future into her own hands quite to the disbelief and consternation of her family, friends, and attendants and finds out who she really is.
"A Vampire with a Real Life"
The story line intrigued me, a vampire with a husband & children and a job as a PI. Evidently it did more than that as it wasn't long until I had purchased all the books in this series and look forward to new ones.
This is the story of a strong woman put through an utterly life changing, traumatic event who strives for normality with her family while discovering she is more than she thought. And all this with sarcasm, humor, and a great mystery.
Books are short and while I would like more there is no need to mess with perfection.
"Ivan, you are not an Idiot"
Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga ranks up there with my all time favorites, even after listening to the entire series many, many, many times. This book is no exception but a little sad as it sounds more like an ending of this fabulous series but also nice to see closure for not just one but two of the more 'entertaining' characters in the series..
Throughout the previous books you get tid bits about Ivan Vorpatril that start to make you think that he is not quite the idiot everyone says he is. This book shows both sides of his personality plus a lot more.
If you thought Miles' courtship was wild you will love Ivan's.
"Kept having to Rewind Due to Fits of Giggles"
Don't let the title fool you.... I read the raving reviews for this book but was still apprehensive, probably because of the title. When I finally got over that hurdle I had a "V-8" moment (slap on the head) wondering why I didn't listen to it when I first ran across it. The lead character, Alexis Tarabotti's use of sarcasm and her parasol sent me into fits of giggles..
Gail Carriger's series narrated by Emily Gray is utterly enjoyable and with the pre-turn of the century British humor it is even more so. I was interested from the first few moments and then her description of the utterly confused newbie vampire totally hooked me.
"Bought it in error - A Very Good Error"
I bought this book by mistake late one evening thinking it was a continuation of another series I started. THIS BOOK IS ACTUALLY MUCH BETTER. Griffin does a superb job incorporating facts with fiction. I also added a new word to my vocabulary, ‘fing’.
The lead character is developed wonderfully. He starts out looking like a talented officer with great instinct and as more and more information is given by his colleagues, friends & family you find out that he is truly amazing.
Dick Hill goes above his normally great reads to really embracing each characters and allowing the character’s individuality shine through.
"A Great Beginning"
I read Cast in Shadow first but really should have done it the other way around. I enjoyed learning more about the characters I had read about previously. Narration by Khristine Hvam was exceptional.
This book tells the history of how Kaylin transitioned from the dangers of the city of Nightshade to the City of Elantra and what lead up to her becoming Hawk (police, some with wings).
"Human comes in many forms"
A romance with a little blood & gore and of course sarcasm, what could be better.
This book by Kerrelyn Sparks was extremely enjoyable. The reader, Suzanne Cypress, did an outstanding job vocalizing both male & female characters.
The title intrigued me into purchasing the book but it definitely was not the over told story of the female hussy looking for Mr. Right with money. It was the story of humans in various manifestations both good & evil with the blooming of love, faith and hope.
"Uniquely Entertaining & Totally Enjoyable"
I was hooked on The Rook from the first chapter. The author did a brilliant job of introducing and developing both the pre-amnesia and the post-amnesia Myfanwy Thomas. To wake up with no memory of who you are surrounded by dead bodies would devastate most people but not only did she survive but she thrived with the help of guides & letters left by her pre-amnesia self. This book has espionage with a twist, lots of sarcasm, laughs, action, wonderful characters, and an excellent narrator, Susan Duerden, making it one of my favorite books.
"A Hero's Beginning & his Extraordinary Parents"
It is amazing how many credits you can blow through when you find an incredible writer & series (or multiple series). I haven't found anything of LMB's that I haven't enjoyed.
This is book 2 about Miles' extraordinary parents and friends. I absolutely adore Cordelia. She is the type of woman that many of us wish to be, honest, strong in will, determined, and she has great taste in mates & friends. Aral Vorkosigan is a man looking for something and someone to live for and Cordelia is the one who helps guide him as well as love & understand him.
I love the back stories of other major characters in the series: Bothari, Illyan, Kuo, Drou, Gregor Vorbarra....
"Every character has shades of innocent"
After being nagged by my mom to read David Baldacci and finally giving in I have become quite the fan. I truly enjoy the way he can spin a tail that has far reaching ties for the characters. And it was fun to see him take an uptight perfectionist and turn him into a real live human.
The Innocent was not my favorite of his but is definitely better than most out there and well worth the read. I think it would have been more appealing to me if he had a different set of narrators because I identify with these readers, McLarty & Cassidy, with other Baldacci characters (King & Maxwell, Camel Club, Zero Day and others). McLarty & Cassidy are great and my problem stem from the fact that I recently re-listened to several of Baldacci's other series and stand alones.