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just a girl (with fangs)

11 May

La Vida Vampire by Nancy Haddock

I am not a particular fan of vampire novels, but every little bookshop I browsed through during my trip to St. Augustine had copies of Nancy Haddock’s series, so I was curious enough to download a copy to my nook. La Vida Vampire is the first in the Oldest City Vampire series, paranormal romance/mysteries set in Old St. Augustine. Overall, the novel combines the feel of a Sookie Stackhouse novel with the fluffiness of a cozy.

The series follows the misadventures of recently unearthed, 200-something year old vampire, Francesca “Cesca” Marinelli as she tries to find her place in modern St. Augustine by working as a tour guide for Old City Ghost Tours. In Cesca’s world, vampires are part of everyday society, but are registered and tracked via a GPS device implanted in their arms. Other paranormal creatures abound, including warlocks, ghosts, and shapeshifters, but vampires steal the scene in this installment.

A reluctant vampire at best, Cesca blends in well, living with her human sponsor and making friends with other members of the ghost tour company, but a visit from a member of the local, anti-vampire Covenant and a couple of strange French tourists rattles her quiet afterlife. Murder, misleading evidence, and a sexy detective soon bring Cesca’s world on its head.

This is a quick, beachy kind of read. It’s fluff with a side of local history, and made for a fun way to remember my mini-break in St. Augustine. Haddock does a good job of tying loose ends, while also setting up the premise for the next installment in the series, so it can be read as a standalone without the cliff-hangery feeling you get with some paranormal romance series.

“a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul”

5 Apr

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I was number 138 on the hold list when I requested this book many moons ago. It could not have arrived at a worst time. I was dealing with a family emergency and barely had time to pick it up before it was returned to the hold queue. Then, I had to deal with several other issues that made it nearly impossible to sit down and read it. As a consequence, my enjoyment of the book was marred by my need to read it during stolen moments, which seemed few and far between during the last month. At one point, I toyed with the idea of just returning it and waiting to check it out again (you can’t renew a request when there are hundreds of holds on it). But I really really wanted to finish it, especially when I got to the circus and fell in love with the whole concept of the book.

It’s such an immersive sort of book. It’s incredibly sensual in its narrative–in the true sense of the word. The narrative invokes all your senses, drawing you into the circus and making you feel/see/hear/touch/smell the magic of the circus. A scene or description that might seem disconnected at first, becomes clear as the stories continues, each chapter coinciding with the idea of the tents as individual, self-contained realities and experiences within a greater whole.

It’s hard to describe the book. It’s about magic, but it’s more than that. It’s about love, loss, reality, illusion, death, transcendence, power, perception, obsession, time, Shakespeare, myth…

It’s a heady sort of book. I almost felt like a rêveur in the end.

murder on the Thames

26 Feb

No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie

I love a good British mystery novel, but I always have trouble deciding which one to pick up. Not being familiar with most of the authors, it’s usually a hit-or-miss affair based on a random selection or recommendations. So far, I’ve discovered a few gems, but the genre is over-saturated and making a good choice is a daunting task. No Mark Upon Her was a definite hit and makes me want to find the rest of Crombie’s series post-haste!

This is the 14th novel in the Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series, so I was somewhat ambivalent about delving into a series so late in the game, but I soon found that there were enough details to establish the history between Duncan and Gemma. Moreover, despite being part of an established series, the plot works well as a standalone mystery, so familiarity with the specifics of the series was unnecessary to follow the novel’s premise.

The novel opens with the sudden, suspicious death of Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Meredith, a former rower trying to make a comeback who is found floating in the Thames after being reported missing. Assigned to the case just days before he is set to take a family leave, Duncan Kincaid finds himself drawn into an investigation that goes deeper than expected, laying suspicion on a high-ranking former member of the Metropolitan police and a possible connection to a series of unsolved assault charges. The pace is fast, as Crombie lays clues that hint at more than the reader imagines, producing a plot that is complex and very engaging.

Like all great mystery writers, Crombie knows how to play with her reader’s perception. She introduces every possible suspect, exposing their flaws and connections with just enough detail to draw suspicion but never reveal the culprit. The dynamic between Gemma and Duncan and their easy ability to exchange information and follow each other’s lead adds to the narrative tone and makes the reader feel like an active part of the search for the killer.

As I said, I wasn’t sure I would be able to get into the novel when I learned it was such a late entry in the series, but this was not an issue once the case was set and the action started. It was a fast-paced, engrossing read and (best of all) not the least bit predictable. Loved that. I hate a predictable mystery but Crombie kept me guessing ‘til the end when that “aha!” moment happened and it all became clear. This is a great read for anyone who likes a good mystery where it’s all about the process of finding the culprit, not the gory aspects of murder.

I received my copy from William Morrow.

between two hearts

7 Feb

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley (published as Sophia’s Secret in the UK)

My Nook is still trying to figure out what I like, so I’m trying to give it a push in the right direction by searching for books similar to my favorites. Susanna Kearsley’s The Winter Sea turned up as a Diana Gabaldon read-alike, so I was duly intrigued. I love Gabaldon and eighteenth century Scotland (when it was still a bit wild and rebellious), and I had been experiencing some serious withdrawal with regards to both. The Winter Sea did not disappoint.

The story moves swiftly  between the lives of writer, Carrie McClelland, and Sophia Paterson, a young woman who is sheltered by the Countess of Erroll at Slains Castle. Working on a new novel, Carrie is drawn to Slains during a weekend trip to Scotland, feeling that there is something about the place that will make her new novel come to life. Centuries before, Sophia is also drawn to Slains Castle after the death of her uncle leaves her without a guardian. A newcomer in a strange place, Sophia soon finds herself welcomed by the Castle’s residents and becomes enmeshed in a series of events that have both personal and political implications as loyal Scots, and friends to the Count and Countess of Slains, take part in a plot to restore Prince Charles to the thrown.

Initially, I questioned the dual time frame, but when the connection between Carrie and Sophia emerged, I found myself enjoying the novel more and more. Both timelines are fully realized, as are the characters that people them, so neither plot feels lacking. While not as fast paced as Outlander, Kearsley’s narrative style soon had me craving more (hello, Nook wishlist).

a death of one’s own

6 Feb

Losing Clementine by Ashley Ream

Clementine Pritchard has it all figured out, down to the last detail. She’s over the deadening meds and the personal dramas, it’s time to depart. And that is exactly what Clementine sets out to do, choosing the means to end her life with as little mess as possible and leaving all her baggage in order. Counting down to the day when she’ll settle in for good, she starts on a 30 day journey to pick her poison, make her mark final mark on art, and resolve all the little issues left over from a childhood gone wrong.

Suicide is a delicate subject, so this review starts with a caveat–whatever your views on the matter, if you don’t want to read about suicide, don’t read this one. That said, Ream manages to take a generally morbid subject and turn it into something witty and engaging. Clementine is a great character; fully realized and colorful, she adds snark as much as poignancy to the story. This could be a very dark novel, dealing with extreme depression, abandonment, and personal fears, Clementine’s narrative has the potential to become an existentialist playground, but it just manages to steer clear of that as Clementine finds meaning in the madness.

This is an oddly entertaining novel, if you don’t mind a bit of dark humor. Clementine’s constant need to pee, her renewed sense of flavor after dumping her cocktail of antidepressants, and her unapologetic determination to do things her way, including leaving her car as the tip after a lavish last meal to ensure it does not become a loose end after her death, add a tragicomic element that make the story more than just a manic depressive’s final manifesto.

I received my copy from William Morrow.

casting on

9 Jan
Wishes and Stitches by Rachael Herron
I am not a knitter, nor have I ever read a book about knitters, so I was more than a little surprised when I started to read Wishes and Stitches and found that it defied all my expectations regarding what a book about knitters might be about… if that makes sense.

Preconceived notion #1: a book about knitters will center around some sort of mother-figure.

Notion totally blown out of the water.

Preconceived notion #2: the characters will be cozy types, hanging out in little shops and scheming.

Couldn’t be more wrong.

Preconceived notion #3: it will probably involve some sort of family reunion.

I was right on this one, but not in the manner that I expected.

I was completely wrong with my book cover judgements and happy to admit it. This book was a fun, sexy read. A completely unexpected romance that kept me reading through the night during my winter break and made me want to read more of the Cypress Hollow books.

The novel centers on the socially awkward Naomi, a doctor and closet knitter who moved to small-town Cypress Hollow, a haven for knitters of all ages. Eager though she is to fit in, shy Naomi has a hard time finding her place within the close-knit community (no pun intended). Unsure how to react when presented with a friendly greeting or an invitation to join Cypress Hollow’s knitting circle, Naomi comes off as standoffish and unsociable. But all that changes when she finds herself working with Rig, the hot doctor (and one night stand) who joins her practice. Soon, Naomi’s carefully planned life becomes nothing but a memory as family and friends start to shake things up and her relationship with Rig becomes something more.

Naomi is incredibly awkward, despite her intense focus on goals and life plans, so there were moments when I just wanted to shake her.However, this is a story about coming into one’s own and finding where one belongs. Part of the challenge is learning to let things go and Naomi learns to do just that, coming to accept change as it happens and taking things in stride. Rig is a perfect complement, the sort of romantic hero who helps the heroine find her own happiness even as he struggles to find a way to fit into her plans. It’s the sort of sappy love story that just works. It’s sweet and comfortable and hot all at once. A perfect read for a lazy weekend.

I received my copy of Wishes and Stitches from HarperCollins.

Out of Oz

19 Dec

Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire

To say that I love Oz is a bit of an understatement. I live in green (and red). Finding bits of green glass or red shoes always brings on a Dorothy moment. Yes, I know all the songs and still think the Wheelers are the creepiest baddies on wheels.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is one of the few, truly American fairy tales that continues to resonate as a sort of cult, imaginary world peopled with a hodgepodge of characters, creatures, and possibilities waiting to happen. Oz is boundless, lending itself to all manner of re-imaginings, tellings, and mediums.

There are 14 Oz books in the Baum canon and a slew of sequels and companion books set in Oz. Maguire’s revisionist history of Oz in the Wicked Years series adds a new layer of complexity to an already captivating series, raising issues on politics, animal rights, ethics, gender, and more.

I first read Wicked at the recommendation of a friend, whose suggestions I rarely took (our taste in books being too dissimilar to generate much confidence). I picked up a copy and devoured it in three days (oh, those lazy days of summer before I became a responsible adult). I loved the power-play in the novel, the one-liners and richness of language that made it impossible to put down. I was more than eager to know how Elphaba’s legacy would end in Out of Oz.

Opening with the siege of Mockbeggar Hall, Lady Glinda’s country seat, the reader is tossed into the middle of a secret plot to secure the waters of Oz for the Emerald City. A prisoner in her home, Glinda faces all the inconvenience that comes with being in the middle of military mission. Having to make due with a limited staff, Glinda keeps only four members of her household: a companion, Miss Murth, Chef, Puggles the butler, and her broomgirl–Rain. A prickly little girl of indeterminate age, Rain knows little about her past other than a couple of obscure memories involving the ability to feel for animals. Drawn into the battle between Lady Glinda and General Cherrystone of the Emerald City forces, Rain becomes part of a bet between the two: Glinda will learn to cook, if Rain learns to read. But reading can be a dangerous pastime, revealing more about people and power than a child can comprehend. Rain is soon drawn into the struggle for Oz, becoming part of a history that she never imagined.

I enjoyed the book; actually, I was surprised by how much I did enjoy it. Maguire is great with language and setting, he takes all manner of liberties with his creation. That said, Out of Oz was slow to start… very slow. It took a while for Rain to grow on me, but it takes a while for Rain to grow on herself. This is a story of self-discovery, and that comes with a lot of wandering and wondering. Old characters appear out of nowhere, loose ends are picked up, and there is a lot of self-doubt.

However, when Rain finally came into her own, the pace picked up considerably and I was sucked right in. Young Rain is an odd, ragamuffin with little personality, only the Lion seems willing to bother with her until she grows up. Teenaged Rain makes the story come together, becoming an agent of change in her own right rather than the unfortunate victim of her parents’ misguided efforts to protect her. I wish there was more to Rain’s story and her relationship with Tip (which can make for all kinds of interesting discussions on gender and love), just when the story was getting truly interesting, it ended. But, given the history of Oz books, is there ever really an ending?

Once upon a time, I wrote a nostalgic response to Wicked.

My copy of Out of Oz magically appeared in my mailbox, courtesy of HarperCollins.

update

3 Dec

Just an update… I apologize (in advance to some/too late for others), but I’m not really replying to emails or review requests at the moment. My health was not great during the last month or so, and I just had emergency surgery this week. Reviews of books I have received may be slow in coming until my energy levels return to a normal state.

-Gricel 

lost and found

17 Oct

Reading a good piece of women’s fiction is like making a great new friend. Suddenly, you get to share all those little intimate details that make lives unique. Well-written, engaging chick lit always makes me feel like that–as if I just had a reunion with an old friend and managed to catch up on all the moments I missed. Marisa de los Santos’ Falling Together stirs up that kind of emotion, drawing the reader into the lives of three awkward, flawed individuals who made the mistake of drifting apart.

Pen, Will, and Cat meet under the most dramatic of circumstances–while Cat was having a seizure. They can’t help but fall in together after such a meeting. The closest of friends throughout college, these three share an intensity that is nearly impossible to overcome, and so they decide to go their separate ways with the memory of this passion intact and spare themselves the disappointment of growing up and growing apart.

Years later, they are once again drawn together when one of their number is in need, but they soon find that they are all in need of each other and that their impulsive decision to lead entirely separate lives cannot go on forever.

Though not one of my usual chick lit type reads, I found myself enjoying Falling Together. I had never read one of Marisa de los Santos’ books, so it was a new experience and one that I might like to repeat. That’s not to say that it was a perfect read. I found some elements a bit far-fetched… like taking off to another country at the drop of a hat to save someone who may or may not need saving, but that’s why it’s fiction. It’s a bit escapist, but sweet and refreshing after reading too many “serious” books. It’s a perfect read for a lazy weekend or after a long day at work and sure to appeal to a wide readership.

I received my copy of Falling Together from HarperCollins.

the scent of chai

18 Sep

A Good Indian Wife by Anne Cherian

I’m smack in the middle of arranging a week of festivities based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love (part of the library’s campus-wide reading project), so I’ve been looking for inspiration everywhere. And, as “everywhere” usually involves some sort of book, I started looking for anything and everything on or about Italy, India, and Indonesia. A Good Indian Wife was one of my many finds, and one that I absolutely had to read at once.

Cherian’s novel explores the emotional and psychological aspects of the immigrant experience among the Indian community in the US, particularly sexism, racism, and the reasoning behind arranged marriages. What she does not do is glamorize or lend any sense of exoticism to her characters or the choices they make, resulting in a believable and complex plot that allows the reader to glimpse the awkwardness of marriage between two total strangers who are not quite sure how they found themselves together in the first place.

The novel follows the lives of two very different individuals as their paths converge and they are into a relationship that puts them both in an unfamiliar situation. Suneel Sarath, doctor and Stanford alum, wants nothing more than to become as American as possible, shedding every trace of Indianness that he can in his desire to become a true American. For self-conscious Neel, the American Dream means becoming a well-to-do, educated, American citizen with a white wife who can compensate for his cultural deficiencies. It is a Dream he cultivates every day, ignoring his family’s invitations to come home and most especially his mother’s insistent pleas that he settle down with a good girl from a good Indian family. Meanwhile,  Leila Krishnan teaches at a local college in India, earning her place in her home as she waits for a marriage offer that she is certain will never come. The eldest of three daughters, Leila feels she is a disappointment to her family, failing to do that which she is meant to do–get married to a good Indian man and have children. Well-educated and desiring nothing more but a happy life and the ability to do right by her family, Leila has long suffered under the weight of convention and her mother’s efforts to marry her off.

When Neel reluctantly agrees to travel to India to visit his ailing grandfather, it means a whole new set of possibilities and complications for him. Caught up in the whirlwind of customs he has tried to forget, Neel is unwittingly drawn into an arranged marriage with Leila. Suddenly married, he feels his American Dream slipping away and yearns to hold on to it all the more. Neel’s efforts to remain the All-American doctor he tried so hard to become challenges Leila and places her in an awkward position, that of burdensome, unwanted wife. It is a long and difficult journey for Leila and Nee,l as they learn to get along and overcome the insecurities and emotional baggage that they both carry.

Both Neel and Leila are flawed characters who suffer for their hopes and dreams. Neither is quite without fault in their hasty, unwanted marriage, though Neel’s egocentric personality and inability to ever own up to his own mistakes often make him seem the villain of the piece. However, Cherian does a great job of ensuring that Leila never becomes a victim of circumstance. Leila is aware of the challenges that can accompany an arranged marriage and is quick to act when she realizes that Neel is not the man she thought him to be when they met. Instead, she tries to make the best of a bad situation and takes control of her side of the relationship, making her presence known and gaining what independence she can in her new home.

At times, Cherian’s sudden changes between first and third-person narration is somewhat jarring, but they provide insight into Neel and Leila’s actions, making them all the more believable.

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