Review of "Here There Be Monsters"

"Here There Be Monsters" in the anthology BURNING UP
Meljean Brook
Berkley Sensation, August 2010
ISBN:  978-1-61664-711-7

Ivy is born into a rather dismal world, in which, the Horde has used nanoagents to control the population of England and much of the world for two centuries.  When pirate captain, Rhys Trahaearn, destroyed the tower, that the Horde used to control the nanoagents, the Horde rule was ended.  For seven years Ivy has known freedom from Horde subjugation, but one night she awakens and is unable to move, and upon further investigation, finds several people in her building have disappeared.  Fearing that the Horde may be returning, Ivy seeks transport out of England with the pirate, Mad Machen.  Unfortunately, Ivy has little to bargain with, and, in desperation, offers herself in return for passage.  Lady Corsair helps Ivy flee Mad Machen, who searches for her for two years.  When Ivy's great blacksmithing skills are needed, Lady Corsair leads Mad Machen to her, because they have a common enemy.

"Here There Be Monsters" is a very entertaining steampunk romance with great world-building and unique characters.  Ivy is a strong, intelligent woman, who is something of a mechanical genius.  Ivy has survived great hardship during the time of the Horde, and, now, barely eeks out a meager existence working with the Blacksmith.  When Ivy thinks, that the Horde is returning, she becomes desperate to escape-- desperate enough to put herself in the hands of a ruthless pirate like Mad Machen.  Mad Machen has done everything in his power to enhance his bad reputation, in order, to help his fight against the Horde and others similar in nature.  Unfortunately, this stands in the way of what he most wants, Ivy's love.  These two make a wonderful couple, and I love the interesting and compelling world, which Ms. Brook creates.  This story is a keeper, and the next in the series, THE IRON DUKE can't be released soon enough.

NOTE:  I own this book and gave an impartial review. 

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Review of PROPHET OF THE PENTACLE

                                  PROPHET OF THE PENTACLE
Marilyn D. Privratsky
Outskirts Press, 2009
ISBN:  978-1-4327-4301-7

Many years ago, a great evil, Lord Jarden, was defeated and imprisoned by a sphinx, which he had mortally wounded.  Lord Jarden bides his time on the Isle of Ice, until Randye of Corpus arrives and unwittingly, sets him free and becomes his host.  Luckily, five Osarian Knights have been trained by the great sphinx, Farro, to battle this evil, which was foretold.

PROPHET OF THE PENTACLE is a short, fantasy story, which has some exciting moments and shows promise.  Unfortunately, there isn't enough detail to get a real feel for the world or the characters within it.  Just as I was beginning to become involved with a character or situation, the resolution came about much too quickly and left me feeling slightly disgruntled.  That is not to say, that there is no redeeming qualities to this work, because it has the makings of a great epic fantasy.  All that is required, is more world-building and editing, and this could really be a great tale.

NOTE:  I was sent this book in return for an impartial review.

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Review of THE UNCLAIMED DUCHESS

THE UNCLAIMED DUCHESS
Jenna Petersen
Avon, September 2010
ISBN:  9780061934995

Ann Danvers has been betrothed to Rhys Carlisle, the Duke of Waverly, since they were children.  This arranged marriage means more than that to Ann , because she has loved Rhys since she first met him.  Unfortunately, a secret about Rhys' family threatens their marriage and their happiness.

THE UNCLAIMED DUCHESS is an enjoyable historical  romance, which focuses on the relationship between Rhys and Ann and could almost be considered a cabin romance, even though they are in a cottage.  Rhys, who was raised by an emotionally distant man, is something of a snob, who was taught to uphold the superiority of his bloodlines.  Because of his upbringing, Rhys keeps his emotions in check and steers clear of scandal.  When a secret is revealed to him, Rhys has an identity crisis and flees London and his very new marriage.  Ann, who has been brought up to be a proper duchess, makes a momentous decision and follows Rhys, in order to fight for her marriage.   Ann is a wonderful heroine, who is warm, compassionate, determined, and strong.  The growth of Rhys' character is wonderful to see-- it is almost Darcy-like.

Overall, THE UNCLAIMED DUCHESS is an entertaining read, which I recommend.  However, sticklers for historical accuracy may find the dialogue a little too modern for their tastes.

NOTE:  I won this copy of THE UNCLAIMED DUCHESS and gave an impartial review.

Review of JEWELS

JEWELS
Lakisha Spletzer
Create Space,February 2010
ISBN:  9781449502072

     King Renten Load Roar and Crown Prince Dex Load Roar, Gatoan royalty, are traveling with a delegation to Earth.  Renton hopes to find out whether the Earthlings will make good allies against the Lupines.  The Lupines, a wolf-like race, have been encroaching on the Gatoan worlds and causing much death and destruction.  Because of this, the Gatoans, cat-like aliens, hope to find allies among the Earthlings. Special Lieutenant Jewels Enbran, a psi ops operative, is sent to determine, if the Gatoans have any psychic abilities.  This goes badly and Jewels almost dies, but Dex helps save her.  There is a connection between
Jewels and Dex, but the government, the Lupines, and, even, Renten might stand in their way to finding happiness together.

     JEWELS is a very enjoyable futuristic with interesting characters and an intriguing plot.  Jewels and Dex are trapped in a situation, which is not exactly what it seems.  There is much subterfuge and many characters have hidden agendas, and unfortunately, Jewels seems to be the key to many of the plots.  Jewels, who is very young but has a great inner strength,is tired of being a pawn.  Meanwhile, Dex, who is very protective of Jewels, is torn between his need to be diplomatic for his people and his need to protect Jewels.  I love the whole concept of the cat-like aliens and really didn't see the interesting twist at the end coming.  Hopefully, Ms. Spletzer will write another book set in this very imaginative world.

NOTE:  I reviewed this book for the PNR group.  I gave an impartial review.   http://paranormalromance.org/reviews/

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Review of DEMON BLOOD

DEMON BLOOD
Meljean Brook
Berkley Sensation, July 2010
ISBN:  978-0-425-23547-8

Rosalia, a Guardian, was raised by a demon and has known great heartache and great evil, but she continues to fight the good fight.  Rosalia has a plan, which if successful, will result in the demise of many demons and all of the nephilim, who are responsible for the deaths of many vampires.  However, the main person in Rosalia's plan is Deacon, a vampire, who betrayed the Guardians, in an attempt to save his people.  Convincing Deacon to go along with her plans and keeping her heart safe seem like impossible tasks for Rosalia.

DEMON BLOOD is a wonderful addition to Ms. Brook's Guardian series.  Ms. Brook's has magnificent world-building skills and her characters are multi-faceted.  Rosalia, who is a marvelous tactician, has great responsibilities, yet feels alone.  She has great faith and continues to fight, even when the odds seem insurmountable.  Deacon is basically a good man, who was faced with a horrible choice, and, now, lives only for revenge.  Rosalia sees through Deacon's uncaring facade, but he thinks himself unlovable, since his betrayal of the Guardians and his inability to save his people.  These two tortured characters struggle to overcome the evil demons and nephilim, but must, also, overcome their own emotional barriers to love.

Filled with action, adventure, and many familiar faces from previous books in the series, DEMON BLOOD is a spectacular read.  I highly recommend it.

NOTE:  This book is owned by me and I gave an impartial review.

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