Mira Grant, Feed (Orbit, 2010)

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In an attempt to cure cancer and the common cold, scientists accidentally sparked something worse: a virus which turns its victims into mindless, ravening zombies. Twenty years later, the hungry dead are just a fact of life, one to be avoided when possible, dealt with when necessary. It’s a world of paranoia and danger, constant blood tests and intense personal security, where human contact is minimalized in favor of staying indoors, and where blogging has achieved a new level of popularity and legitimacy.

Enter Georgia (George) and Shaun Mason, intrepid siblings about to take on the job of their lives. She’s a hard-edged journalist with an eye for the news, he’s a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie who pokes zombies with a stick for the delight of his audience. And they’ve just been accepted as the official campaign bloggers as Senator Peter Wyman makes a run for the White House. Even in the year 2040, with vast parts of the world considered uninhabitable due to zombie infestations, some things never change. Especially politics.

But as George and Shaun, along with their poetry-writing, technogeek companion Buffy, take to the road with the rest of Wyman’s team, they discover that not everyone wants the Senator to land the party nomination. Someone wants them all dead, at any cost. In finding out who’s behind the campaign troubles, assassination attempts, security leaks and zombie attacks, the Masons may get more than they ever bargained for.

Combining zombies, politics, epidemiology, pop culture, blogging, humor and horror, this is one hell of a series opener. Grant (the open pseudonym for urban fantasist/artist/songwriter Seanan McGuire) knocks the ball out of the park with Feed. The worldbuilding is solid, the tone is believable, the character voices ring true, and the twists and turns prevent predictability. The author knows her zombies, and has done an exemplary job of grounding them in reality and envisioning a world that goes on despite their existence. The human spirit may be bruised, but in the Masons, it’s certainly not broken. Of course, after the events of this book, with several threads left open for further exploration, the next in the series can’t come quickly enough.

On Sale Reminder: Clockwork Phoenix 3

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This is just to let people know, or remind them if they already knew, that Clockwork Phoenix 3 is out in the wild and can be ordered online now.

See why Publishers Weekly says: “Allen’s third volume of extraordinary short stories reaches new heights of rarity and wonder . . . Without a wrong note, all the stories in this anthology admirably fulfill Allen’s promise of ‘beauty and strangeness.'”

Be sure to read my story, “Your Name Is Eve” and discover why Adam Callaway at Sensawunda says “It almost felt like a folktale; it almost felt like a poem…”, why Leigh Kimmel at The Billion Lightyear Bookshelf calls it “a very allusive story, almost literary in the delicacy of its handling of the characters and their activities” and why Nate Winchester at Impish Idea claims “…this one is my favorite so far. This is how you blur the line between metaphor and reality and draw the readers in and invest them in your work.”

With stories by Tanith Lee, Marie Brennan, Shweta Narayan, Gregory Frost, John Grant, Cat Rambo, John C. Wright, and more, this is one anthology that’s sure to astound, amaze, and blow the mind. And not just because I’m in it.

Review Archive Update!

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Never underestimate the stamina of an obsessive book reviewer. At long last, after many months, I’ve completed the last major update to my review archive and I can finally relax.

Just over 900 individual reviews, covering over 1000 books, written between 1999 and now.
54 written for Absolute Magnitude (not counting a handful that were lost.)
208 written for Science Fiction Chronicle for my short fiction and YA review columns. (Again, not counting a small handful that exist only on paper at the moment.)
133 written for SF Site
274 written for The Green Man Review.
199 written for my Realms of Fantasy YA review column.

While the vast majority are book reviews, there’s a scattering of music reviews from the older days, a few films, a couple television shows, and one live performance covered. Fantasy, urban fantasy, romance, mystery, YA, non-fiction, graphic novels, military SF.

Now that I’ve finally caught up to present day, I can finally relax, a little.
Hah. That’s a lie. Now that I’ve archived everything that can feasibly be archived, I’ll just write more reviews. And eventually, I’ll have to upload them as well. It’s a vicious, never-ending cycle. Oh well!

The archive has been tagged and categorized for your convenience and amusement, and is fully searchable. It’s fun, easy, and quite possibly addicting. Go forth and marvel, so I know my work wasn’t in vain. I’ll be here. Writing more reviews. Again.

Gentlemen Prefer Succubi, by Jill Myles (Pocket Star, 2010)

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When Jackie Brighton wakes up in a Dumpster after a particularly vigorous night of drinking and ill-advised cheap, meaningless sex, she doesn’t realize that it’s the end of life as she knew it. Gone is the plain, boring, dissatisfied-with-her-looks museum docent. Hello, succubus. Now sporting a body that drives men mad, an insatiable sexual appetite, and assorted powers she’s still figuring out, she’s inducted into a strange new world where angels walk in the daytime, vampires stalk at night, and people like her are caught securely in the middle. Remy Summore, succubus and porn star, takes poor Jackie under her wing and shows her the ropes, while bad boy vamp Zane and the irresistible angel Noah flit in and out of the picture with the passage of the sun. In between sex fixes, Jackie gets caught up in the Byzantine schemes of Heaven and Hell, and sent on a quest for an artifact which could tip the balance once and for all. What’s a girl to do?

With her debut, Jill Myles starts a new series which dwells somewhere in the Venn diagram created by paranormal romance, erotic fantasy, and comedy. How else can you explain a story where the main character can describe two people having sex as going at it like “rabid wombats during mating season”? How else do you account for the spicy, enthusiastic, sometimes explicit sex the main character must indulge in every few days? It’s certainly an interesting combination of elements, especially given that the protagonist is more than happy to blow off a life of porn and sleaze for a job as a museum tour guide – a profession roughly on the same level as librarian, schoolteacher, and secretary as far as repressed sexuality goes.

As one might guess, this was not one of my first choices for reading material. My wife stole the book I’d just started, and left me this in its place, like a literary pack rat, and I was desperate. Hey, I don’t mind romances, even the paranormal semi-erotic kind, but the bare-chested Fabio-type on the cover wasn’t a good sign…. To my surprise, what I found was a rather enjoyable, if occasionally silly, read. While it doesn’t quite stack up to Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series, or Richelle Mead’s Georgia Kincaid series, both of which also star succubi doing what they do best, this initial entry in the Succubus Diaries is a lot better than one might expect. The main character has a lot going for her (besides her new bra size) and there’s a genuine spark between her and both of the men who’ve come into her life. Toss in Remy, who acts both as voice of reason and comic relief, and you’ve a good, solid cast to wrap the story around. The sense of humor laced throughout the narrative certainly helps, and there’s every possibility I’ll sneak a peek at the next book. (I’m buying it for my wife, you see….)

Battle of the Network Zombies, by Mark Henry (Kensington, 2010)

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In a perfect world, Amanda Feral, Seattle’s favorite zombie fashionista, socialite, and trouble magnet, wouldn’t have to worry about a thing. Her nightlife would be nothing but fruity drinks and tasty college boys. Think again. Her business is in dire financial straits, the reapers who patch her up after every misadventure are snarling for their money, her werewolf boyfriend is more of an animal in bed than is comfortable, and her mom’s a strip club-owning vampire. When a chance to at least settle her money woes comes up, in the form of judging a reality show, Amanda reluctantly accepts the deal. However, the prompt murder of the show’s sexy, obnoxious host (and chief draw) means a quick change in plans for all involved.

Now, Amanda has to figure out who killed Johnny Birch, the world’s most annoying wood nymph. Was it the voodoo mama? The Belgian ghoul? The Japanese smoke ghost? The twin sirens? The drag queen werewolf? Everyone has a motive, the means, and the opportunity. But will the would-be contestants kill each other before Amanda pins down the culprit … or will the fact that she’s a lousy detective mark the end of her glamourous unlife? Some people would die to be on TV, even the secret supernatural channels … and some will die whether they want to or not.

Profane, demanted, and utterly warped, Battle of the Network Zombies is the third in Mark Henry’s series about the trials and tribulations of Amanda Feral, a foul-mouthed flesh-eater who navigates the Seattle supernatural social scene like a less evil Paris Hilton. With a wide variety of bizarre mythological creatures strutting their stuff here, and Amanda’s customary amusing asides, anecdotes and footnotes, it’s clear that Henry’s really tapped into his inner (undead) diva once again. While not for the sensitive, easily-offended, or delicate of heart, this book skewers the reality show mindset even as it cooks up a surprise-filled murder mystery. The chapter headings, each one offering up a TV Guide-style listing of a cable show for the supernatural set, are uniformly entertaining (I’d watch Thanks For The Dismemberments, or Jersey Devil House Party!), and I can certainly appreciate the use of lesser-known mythological creatures as secondary characters. For some, this series may be an acquired taste, but it’s certainly got a unique style and voice, and Battle of the Network Zombies lives up (or down?) to the standard set by the first two books.

Witch Craft, by Caitlin Kittredge (St. Martins, 2009)

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As the newly-appointed Lieutenant of Nocturne City PD’s Supernatural Crimes Squad, packless werewolf Luna Wilder is used to dealing not just with the very worst her beloved city has to offer, but with the disdain and distrust of those who fail to see a need for her specialized team. Unfortunately, the need for the SCS is about to become quite evident, when Luna and her people are called in to investigate a series of mysterious fires. Places are burning, people are dying, and supernatural creatures rarely seen in Nocturne City are trying to kill Luna. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s forced to deal with Lucas Kennuka, a far-too-sexy wendigo who’s on the run from the law and turning up at inopportune times. Lucas, however, is nowhere near as annoying as Will Fagin, the arrogant ATF agent who’s using his federal authority to meddle in Luna’s investigation. With the fate of the SCS, not to mention the city itself, at stake, can Luna trust her assorted allies long enough to save the day? Let’s just say she’s always managed to trust the right people for the wrong reasons….

The fourth in the Nocturne City series, Witch Craft is proof that Kittredge is honing her craft and improving with each book. Far from making this just another series about a werewolf cop, she’s breathed life into the setting and the characters. Luna’s a heroine I look forward to following with each new adventure, especially since she may be one of the most unwilling of werewolf protagonists around; she’s certainly not one to wolf out at the drop of a hat, no matter what the provocation. Toss in the complex, realistic relationships she has with her friends and coworkers, and you have a cast that’s pure fun to see in action. (Of special note has to be her evolving relationship with Bryson, a fellow cop who starts off as a real jerk early in the series, and grows into a real friend as time goes on, to the surprise of Bryson and Luna herself.) Once you mix in a fast-paced, intense plot with plenty of action, you have a slam-bang example of modern urban fantasy. I greatly enjoyed Witch Craft, like I have all of the series to date, and the next one can’t get here soon enough for my tastes.

Unfallen Dead, by Mark Del Franco (Ace, 2009)

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Ever since he lost the bulk of his magical abilities in an attempt to stop a magical terrorist, Connor Grey has eked out a living as a PI. As a druid and former investigator for the Fey Guild, he’s uniquely suited to assist the Boston police when things get too weird for their tastes, but not weird enough to concern the Guild itself. And despite having a black mass in his head where his ability to manipulate magical essence used to be, Connor’s gotten into some unusual scrapes, including preventing a recent near-apocalypse. In fact, thanks to that event, he now has a Queen of Faerie, the indomitable Ceridwen, asking awkward questions and poking into his affairs. He’s got a magical artifact — an ancient spear — that wants to go home with him; his former partner and best friend has just been assigned as the new field director for the Boston branch of the Guild, and a corpse has just turned up with druidic runes carved into its forehead. Something’s going on, and Boston may just be Ground Zero for more magical mayhem. As Samhain approaches and the barriers between life and death thin, Connor will find himself reliving some of the most painful moments of his past, even as worlds collide and deadly plans are set in motion. To save the day, he’ll have to push himself like never before, challenge death itself, and trust someone he hasn’t worked with in years. But there’ll be a cost. There’s always a cost for these sorts of things.

It’s odd, but while I enjoy this series in general, and find the concept to be an exciting one ripe with potential, and love it whenever the author expands the worldview and history, I consider the odd yes-they-are-no-they-aren’t relationship between Connor and his friend Meryl to be the best part of each new book. There’s this fun sense of playful unpredictability and simmering chemistry that makes them a great team. It’s not so much romantic as it is an exchange of personalities. Add into that the uneasy camaraderie between Connor and his old partner Dylan, and the comfortable friendship Connor shares with the all-too-mortal Detective Murdock of the Boston PD, and you have a series whose strength lies in character relationships, as well as in strong plots and subtle, unfamiliar scenery. Mind you, Unfallen Dead is a strong read on its own, one with a gripping plot and some serious stakes at hand. The blend of mythology, mystery, and action helps to make this urban fantasy stand out in its own way. I’d definitely recommend this one to the Harry Dresden or Felix Castor fans.

Undone, by Rachel Caine (Roc, 2009)

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Once, Cassiel was one of the immortal elemental beings known as Djinn: unknowable, alien, and removed from humanity. But for defying Ashan, leader of her kind, she was stripped of her power and cast down to Earth to live as a mortal, forced to inhabit solid, unchanging flesh, a slave to physical needs and emotional demands. Neither human nor Djinn, she finds a wary acceptance with the Weather Wardens, the secret organization responsible for protecting humanity against the capricious, violent whims of the Earth itself. She’s partnered with Manny Rocha, one of the very few Wardens willing to trust her, and a tenuous friendship is born. But when the unexpected happens to Manny and his family, Cassiel finds herself partnered with his brother, Luis, who’s not so trusting. Can the two work together to avenge the dead, especially when all evidence points towards their enemy being far larger, and far more dangerous than anything they could have imagined? To combat the threats at hand, Cassiel and Luis will have to learn to trust one another, and Cassiel will have to reveal an age-old dirty secret, one which haunts her still.

The first book of a spin-off series from Rachel Caine’s popular Weather Wardens saga, Undone sharply chronicles Cassiel’s fall from grace and gradual adjustment to her new status. As she goes from outsider to someone with an active stake in humanity’s fate, as she deals with fragile emotional bonds and pesky physical requirements, as she reveals just what caused her to be exiled from her own kind, she undergoes a fascinating, believable journey. Both strong and vulnerable, she provides us with an intriguing point of view as she connects with the people she encounters. She and Luis make one heck of an enjoyable team, one with genuine chemistry, and it’ll be fun to see how they change and continue to deal with one another as the series continues.

Apart from the new protagonist, there’s not much to separate this series from its parent, since they’re both looking at related aspects of the same world, complete with overlapping characters and ongoing threats. However, in this case, that’s not a bad thing; the Weather Wardens series is an excellent example of urban fantasy as an ever-changing, ever-exciting field, and Undone happily explores aspects the main series doesn’t have time to deal with. The nature of the Djinn, their relationship with humans, some intriguing hints at their role in pre-recorded history, and the scope of an ancient threat, these things all play a part in Cassiel’s personal journey here. It’s good stuff, and you don’t have to be familiar with the Weather Wardens series in order to enjoy this book. Cassiel is just as good a protagonist as Joanne Baldwin, and in some ways, even more appealing; I can’t wait to see where she goes next.

Trick of the Light, by Rob Thurman (Roc, 2009)

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At first glance, one might think Trixa Iktomi to just be a Las Vegas bar owner with dead brother issues and a penchant for burning down a certain demon-run nightclub. One might even think she dabbled in demon-slaying, with the help of a rather unusual pair of friends. And those surface appearances would be correct. But Trixa is much, much more, and the true depths of her complex nature reveal themselves slowly over the course of current events, as Las Vegas becomes a secret battleground over an ancient mystic artifact.

The Light of Life pretty much guarantees safety and victory to whoever possesses it, which means the forces of Heaven and Hell are both eager to get their hands on it. When Trixa, a professional dealer in information, gets a lead on the Light, everyone’s out in force to ensure her cooperation, at any cost. Angels and demons alike infest her life, only to learn that Trixa Iktomi has her own unique way of dealing with people – and beings – who annoy her. Moreover, she has friends, including the trigger-happy telepath Zeke and the empathic Griffin, two young men who live to kill demons and fight evil. Along with her bartender/best friend Leo, Trixa’s ready to take on just about anyone. Even Solomon, the most powerful demon in Las Vegas, and Mr. Trinity, the local Earthly leader of Eden House, a Heaven-influenced organization. But what is Trixa’s master plan, and who’ll be laughing when the dust clears?

In Trick of the Light, Rob Thurman starts a new series, one only tangentially connected to her current series about the brothers Leandros, and here we’re introduced to almost completely new facets of the complex supernatural world established elsewhere. Here we see how angels and demons fit into the overall mythos, and how wild cards such as psychic mortals and sneaky immortals affect the balance of things. Thurman proves quite adept at spinning out Trixa’s story and nature over the course of the book, peeling back layers to constantly reveal something new about her and the world she inhabits. It’s an impressive feat, especially when we get to the end and certain things can be seen in an entirely different light. Knowing up front that this is billed as the first in the Trickster series doesn’t quite prepare the reader for the sheer brilliance of some of the revelations and plot maneuverings.

While I absolutely loved the overall story, I did find Trixa’s internal tone and narrative to be occasionally grating, even overwrought, which impacted my ability to throw myself into the thick of things. It fits the character, but it could have been toned down and still been quite effective. Zeke and Griffin reminded me quite strongly of the Leandros brothers from the other series, to the point where I occasionally confused them mentally. These are minor issues when weighed against my overall enjoyment, however. The jury’s still out on just how unreliable a narrator Trixa is, given that everything we know is filtered through her, including her background, motivations, and true nature. Is it playing fair for us to be in her head and still not made privy to the truths she knows? Or does she lie to herself just to keep her secrets safe? There’s an interesting line of questioning that may be answered on another reading, or in future books.

I have a particular fondness for tricksters, and I was quite pleased with the overall effect of this book, and I’ll definitely be back for Trixa’s next adventure. Thurman’s more than earned my repeat business.