Review of DEMON FROM THE DARK

DEMON FROM THE DARK
Kresley Cole
Pocket Books, September 2010
ISBN:  978-1-61664-885-5

Malkom Slaine, a Trothan Demon, despises vampires, because he was sold to a vampire as a child and became a blood slave.  When Malkom grows strong enough, he starts rebelling against the vampires.  Unfortunately, Malkom is betrayed by one of his comrades and is turned into what he hates most, a vampire.  Now, Malkom is a combination of demon and vampire and is more powerful than either creature.  Malkom takes vengeance on the vampire, who turned him, then escapes and holes up in the water mines for years.  He, now, lives only for vengeance on the demon, who betrayed him.

Carrow Graie, a witch, has been captured by the Order and is being blackmailed to travel to Oblivion and lure Malkom back to her world, so that he can be captured.  The Order has been capturing Lore beings, torturing them, and experimenting on them, and they want Malkom because of his uniqueness.  There are very few vemons in existence, and the Order wants to learn all they can about them.  After the Order threatens Ruby, a newly orphaned member of her coven, Carrow feels that she must go along with the Order, until she can figure out a means of escape.

Ms. Cole continues her Immortals after Dark series, which just keeps getting better.  The characters are fascinating and the world is complex, and with each book, I'm further enchanted with the series.  I didn't think that any other Lore character could come close to the affection, that I have for the Lycae characters, but Malkom did it.  Malkom is a very tortured character, who has known only pain and betrayal.  When Carrow first meets him, Malkom has been alone for so long, that he is almost beyond redemption.  The time spent between Carrow and Malkom in the first part of the book is poignant.   Carrow, who was an irresponsible partier, must grow up, face some harsh choices, and put someone else's needs ahead of her own.  Malkom's distrust of Carrow is perfectly understandable, and the ending is perfect.

DEMON FROM THE DARK goes on my keeper shelf with the rest of the series.  Now, it is way too long before the next book is released.

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

Review of Being Human Season 1

I rented Being Human through netflix, and it is a great paranormal series.  A vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost are roommates and are trying to adjust to their "conditions" and survive in the human world.  The acting is great, and I love the British accents.  I'll be buying my own copy, soon.

Help Save The Gates

The Gates is a show, that I have been enjoying.  Unfortunately, it is about to be axed.  Please take the time to sign the petition to save this paranormal show.  http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/the-gates-petition/

Review of THE STUDY TRAIN

THE STUDY TRAIN:  REUNION OF THE UNTOUCHABLES
Kurt Frenier
Eloquent Books,  July 12, 2010
ISBN:  978-1609118846

Ethan, a teenager, is living a rather dismal life in Switzerland, because he has uncaring parents and does poorly in school.  When a magical train comes to pick him up and Lord Althulos, the master of the train, offers him a place on the train with other special teen, Ethan jumps at the chance.  Master Magician Mikhail Pinlkington III had created the train to fly around the world and teach teens to become great leaders, and Ethan is one of the chosen few.  Unfortunately, there is a dark influence hanging around and tempting Ethan onto a dark path.

THE STUDY TRAIN is a young adult fantasy novel, which does have a few curse words but would, probably, still be acceptable for most teens.  Ethan, who is the central character of the novel, has a great struggle within himself over, whom to choose:  Lord Althulos or the shady character lurking around, offering great power.  While I understand that Ethan, who came from a very dysfunctional family, didn't have a good moral foundation, I, still, couldn't warm to him after some of the choices he makes.  Ethan seems very self-absorbed and easily led astray.  Fortunately, the ending has an exciting, climatic battle scene, which has several surprises and leaves room for more books in this series.

Overall, although I found Ethan something of a brat, THE STUDY TRAIN held my interest and left me surprised by the ending.

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

Review of BESPELLING JANE AUSTEN

BESPELLING JANE AUSTEN
Mary Balogh,Colleen Gleason, Susan Krinard, and Janet Mullany
Harlequin, September 2010
ISBN:  978-0-373-77501-9

BESPELLING JANE AUSTEN takes four of Jane Austen's books and gives them a paranormal twist.  From a reincarnation tale of lost love, to a vampire Darcy, and an Emma with witchy powers, BESPELLING JANE AUSTEN has a little bit of everything for the paranormal lover.

Mary Balogh takes the book PERSUASION and makes it a tale of reunited love in different lifetimes.  In "Northanger Castle" Ms. Gleason takes the Gothic feel of NORTHANGER ABBY and adds vampires to the mix and an over imaginative heroine, who likes to read Gothic novels.  "Blood and Prejudice" takes the beloved characters of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and puts them in modern day America, although Mr. Darcy, a more than 200 year old vampire, is probably more at home in a regency setting.  Finally, Ms. Mullany puts Emma in a modern setting and makes her the stand-in owner of a dating agency, who just happens to be a witch.

Of the four stories, "Northanger Castle" and " A Little to Hex Her" have a few chuckle-worthy moments, and although I found Emma a bit annoying at some points, I quite enjoyed both of these.  "Blood and Prejudice" takes my favorite book and reworks it quite well, although Ms. Krinard's Lizzy isn't exactly the same as I imagine a modern Lizzy to be.  While the only similarity between Ms. Balogh's story and the original is the setting and the theme of reunited love, it still makes for an enjoyable read.

All in all, reading BESPELLING JANE AUSTEN is a nice way to spend an afternoon.  I recommend it to the Jane Austen lovers, who enjoy paranormals.

NOTE:  I received this copy in return for an impartial review.