Review - Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Corgi childrens
ISBN: 978-0552546126

First Line - "Her laugh turned to a moan at the first ripple in her bones."

Vivian, at 16, is a beautiful young werewolf with all the young wolves in her pack howling for her. But then she falls in love with a human. If she reveals herself, will he be able to relish the magic of her dual nature? Then squabbles with her pack lead to a brutal murder.

I've bypassed this book quite a few times and it's been overlooked because of one thing....I didn't realise it was about werewolves. Had I known that, I'd have snapped it up long before now. How I missed this one I'll never know.

I was drawn into this within a few pages and the story just grabbed me. It's a story about teen angst and love and decisions and betrayal and loyalty and just generally growing up and coming of age.... but with werewolves. I very easily got caught up with the story of Vivian, who has as many problems, if not more, then your average teen.

This book may be geared towards a young adult audience, but it can definitely be enjoyed by those of us who are young at heart and can still remember their youth. Klause pulls off a sensual story about the supernatural without making it seem cheesy. The characters are believable, the shape shifter culture is well rounded and Vivian's world comes alive on the page.

I've got the film on DVD here too but I haven't watched it yet. I don't know the first thing about the film, I've avoided reading anything about it so I'll be going in blind :D

Twilight - Breaking Dawn- Official Trailer

I'm looking forward to this but only because I hate to leave a series unfinished... Breaking Dawn was my least favourite of the Twilight series but I'll still watch it. Obviously :D

Just one thing though - WTH?!?! Carlise? Where did the uber hot Dr Cullen go? And, I know that (in the complexion department) the Cullen's have all been a bit 'pale' in the previous films but now they look all waxy and clammy. So not hot.



Bella and Edward, plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage, honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child... which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black.

In The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson), plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage, honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child... which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).

With more of the romance, passion, intrigue and action that made Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse worldwide blockbusters, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, based on Stephenie Meyer's bestselling book series, begins the conclusion of the tale of vampire love, boundless friendship, acceptance, and finding your true self.

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 hits theaters November 18th

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Dead Until Dark {The Southern Vampire's - #1}

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Gollancz
Publication date(first): 2001
ISBN-13: 978-0575089365

Synopsis taken from Goodreads:

Sookie Stackhouse is a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. She's quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn't get out much. Not because she's not pretty. She is. It's just that, well, Sookie has this sort of "disability." She can read minds. And that doesn't make her too dateable. And then along comes Bill. He's tall, dark, handsome - and Sookie can't 'hear' a word he's thinking. He's exactly the kind of guy she's been waiting for all her life.

But Bill has a disability of his own: He's a vampire. Worse than that, hangs with a seriously creepy crowd, with a reputation for trouble - of the murderous kind.

And when one of Sookie's colleagues is killed, she begins to fear she'll be next.

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Opening Line:"I'd been waiting for the Vampire for years when he walked into the bar"

I bought this book more than 2 years ago when it came as part of an eight book set from the Book People for just £9.99. Nine pounds ninety nine!! For eight books. Bargain!... and then they just sat on the shelf, unopened and gathering dust. My bad.

Some time later I started to hear murmers about a great new show called True blood based on the books so I dusted off 'Dead Until Dark' and settled down to see what all the fuss what about. I got about a quarter of the way through and found it to be a real slog. Sookie just seemed way too kitchy for me and the Southern drawl that was written into every passage of speech grew old really fast. I love to listen to the down South accent, but to read it just grated on my nerves. I couldn't stand Bill and he seemed like all he did was mope about and I couldn't figure out what Sookie liked about him, and to have every miniscule fashion decision that Sookie made detailed for me in minute detail was just one big yawn. I couldn't visualise Sookie or any of the other characters and it just all seemed really unmemorable. I was thoughoughly underwhelmed but it all. I set it aside and started to wonder about the wisdom of my £9.99 'bargain'.

I did start to watch the show though. I wanted to see if it was any better. It was. It was great! I loved it! I couldn't get enough. Loosly based on the books and sooooo much better. And then season 1 ended and I was left hungry for more. OMG! How would I survive until season 2?!!

Then my eye's strayed to the bookshelves and unfinished book 1 sitting there, all dusty and unloved.

Without expecting much I set in to restart it where I left off to try and fill the gap until season 2 came around and within a few pages the strangest thing happened... I started to get sucked into it! I could finally 'see' and 'hear' Sookie and Bill, Eric and Pam, Arlene and Sam and all of the characters just came to life!

Now that I knew Sookie and could 'see' her I loved reading all about her little outfit choices and how she kept a nice house and what she spent her meagre earnings on. In fact, all the little details is what made the book readable for me. I felt like I knew Sookie now and I loved hearing all her news. Still didn't know what she saw in Bill though.....that still remeains a mystery.

Since that epiphany I've went on to watch season's 2, 3 and am part way through current season 4. I have also worked my way thorugh books 1 to 5 and am currently enjoying book 6. Without watching the show I know I'd probably never have gone back to the books. The show is only loosely based on the books so it actually feels like I've got twice as many stories to enjoy as the storylines are similar but quite different.

I'm trying to pace myself with the books though, I don't want to get too far ahead of the tv show. It's really hard, I'm enjoying them so much I just want to plough through them all!

Oh, and Eric Northman...Two words - Bite me!

Review - Storm Front (Dresden Files #1) by Jim Butcher

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Orbit
ISBN-10: 1841493988
Publication Date: 1 Sept 2005

Synopsis taken from Goodreads:

HARRY DRESDEN — WIZARD
Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.

There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

My Review:

Well now, I very nearly didn't read this. After the first two or three chapters I started to pick holes in it and wasn't really 'into' it very much and thought I should maybe quit while I was ahead.... Laziness was the decider in the end and I stuck with it because it was either that or traipse downstairs to get a replacement from the bookshelf....

Anyway, it got a bit better after those first few chapters. Or at least I think it got better, I'm not altogether sure if it did actually. Maybe it was just more of the same and I got used to the style. That's the thing with this book, I'm not sure what to make of it or what to think.

Harry Dresden is a wizard. But a crappy one. Or is he? I don't think he's meant to seem crappy but that's how he comes across to me.

He's got a gumshoe/Philip Marlowe/Sam Spade thing going on but he's also got wizardy powers and you'd think that would be a huge advantage to him, but no, he doesn't know what he's doing half the time or even HOW to do it (and if sometimes he does know - he's too scared to do it).

If you took out the wizard stuff then this is just a detective story. Without magic he's just Columbo (minus the razor sharp mind). He even has a ratty duster coat which he eats, rests and plays in.

It's a book about a down on his luck Private Eye who is useless with women (although women seem to go for him, for some reason) and he's got special paranormal powers. That's it in a nutshell really.

So, why then do I like it? I have no clue. I honestly don't know - I just do. I wouldn't recommend it to others, I won't stay up 3 nights running to devour the rest in the series and I don't even particularly like Harry Dresden as a character. Doesn't make any sense but it is what it is. I like the book.

I want to read the next few, and I will, but I'm not desperate for them. And if he would just stop defining women by how much make up they use and what clothes they wear, he and I will get along a lot better in later books.

Paranormal/Fantasy Romance Challenge 2011

Paranormal/Fantasy Romance Challenge:
This challenge is hosted by Nitty Gritty - Romance and Erotica reviews. To read 12 Paranormal/Fantasy Romances between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011.
Cross-overs from other challenges are okay. *Whew*

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Completed 1/20

1. Darkfever - Karen Marie Moning

2. Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater

3. Evermore - Alyson Noel

4. Beyond The Highland Mist - Karen Marie Moning (FINISHED 12th Jan 2011)

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

Paranormal Addicts & Newbie 2011 New Author Challenge

New to You Authors

Duration 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2011

How many new authors are you going to read this year? Challenge yourself! Take your pick from three levels of challenge:

Beginner: 5 new authors
Dedicated: 10 new authors
Obsessed: 25 new author
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New to You Authors
Level: Obsessed
Completed : 1/25

1. If Angels Burn - Lynn Viehl
2. Mind Games - Carolyn Crane
3. Pleasure Unbound - Larissa Ione
4. Kiss Of Fire - Deborah Cooke
5. Infinite Days - Rebecca Maizel
6. Queen Of Shadows - Dianne Sylvan
7. Darkfever - Karen Marie Moning
8. Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater
9. Daughters Of Dracula - Kailin Gow
10. Some Girls Bite - Chloe Neill
11. Magic To The Bone - Devon Monk
12. Evermore - Alyson Noel
13. Secret Vampire - L J Smith
14. Magic Bites - Ilona Andrews
15. Poison Study - Maria V Snyder
16. The Native star - M K Hobson
17. Nightlife - Rob Thurman
18. Blood Price - Tanya Huff
19. Secret Lives - Gabriella Poole
20. Grave Witch - Kalayna Price
21. Way Of The Wolf - E E Knight
22. The Smoke Thief - Shana Abe
23. Kiss Of The Rose - Kate Pearce - (FINISHED 8th Jan 2011)
24.
25.

Paranormal Addicts & Newbie 2011 New Series Challenge

New to You Series

Duration 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2011

How many new series are you going to read this year? Challenge yourself! Take your pick from three levels of challenge:

Beginner: 5 new series
Dedicated: 10 new series
Obsessed: 25 new series
----------------------------------

2011 "New to You Series" Challenge
REQUIRED: Minimum 1 book of each series
Level: Obsessed

2/25

1. If Angels Burn - Darkyn - Lynn Viehl - 0/7
2. Mind Games - The Disillusionists - Carolyn Crane - 0/2
3. Pleasure Unbound - Demonica - Larissa Ione - 0/5
4. Kiss Of Fire - Dragonfire - Deborah Cooke - 0/5
5. Infinite Days - Vampire Queen - Rebecca Maizel - 0/2
6. Queen Of Shadows - Shadow World - Dianne Sylvan - 0/2
7. Darkfever - Fever - Karen Marie Moning - 0/5
8. Shiver - Wolves Of Mercy Falls - Maggie Stiefvater - 0/3
9. Daughters Of Dracula - The Stoker Sisters - Kailin Gow - 0/3
10. Some Girls Bite - Chicagoland Vampires - Chloe Neill - 0/5
11. Magic To The Bone - Allie beckstrom - Devon Monk - 0/6
12. Evermore - The Immortals - Alyson Noel - 0/5
13. Secret Vampire - Night World - L J Smith - 0/10
14. Magic Bites - Kate daniels - Ilona Andrews - 0/4
15. Heart Of The Dragon - Atlantis - Gena Showalter - 0/5
16. Midnight's Daughter - Donna Basarab - Karen Chance - 0/2
17. Nightlife - Cal Leandros - Rob Thurman - 0/6
18. Blood Price - Victoria Nelson - Tanya Huff - 0/6
19. Secret Lives - Darke Academy - Gabriella Poole - 0/3
20. Grave Witch - Alex Craft - Kalayna Price - 0/2
21. Way Of The Wolf - Vampire Earth - E E Knight - 0/8
22. The Smoke Thief - Drakon - Shana Abe - 0/5
23. Poison Study - Study - Maria V Snyder - - 0/3
24.Kiss Of The Rose - Tudor Vampire Chronicles - Kate Pearce - - 1/3 (FINISHED 8th Jan 2011)
25. Beyond The Highland Mist - Highlander - Karen Marie Moning - 1/8 (FINISHED 12th Jan 2011)

Fatherland - Robert Harris

Fatherland is set in an alternative world where Hitler has won the Second World War. It is April 1964 and one week before Hitler's 75th birthday. Xavier March, a detective of the Kriminalpolizei, is called out to investigate the discovery of a dead body in a lake near Berlin's most prestigious suburb. As March discovers the identity of the body, he uncovers signs of a conspiracy that could go to the very top of the German Reich. And, with the Gestapo just one step behind, March, together with an American journalist, is caught up in a race to discover and reveal the truth - a truth that has already killed, a truth that could topple governments, a truth that will change history.

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I thought Fatherland was such a good read! Alternate history intrigues me and I think this particular point in history is one of the most speculated about when it comes to 'what if's'.

To begin with I found it hard to lose myself in the alternate reality because my mind kept trying to correct what I was reading and saying 'No, no, no, that's now how it was/is'. But several chapters in and I was sucked into the pages and loving it.

Some might say the characters are a bit hackneyed; loner cop, dumped by his wife for overworking, estranged from his kid, meets much younger feisty heroine who he hooks up with no problem, antagonist is a bad bully with no redeeming features....and, and, and. You get the idea. But really, why fix it if it isn't broken? All those very things and more are what make this book great. The alternate ending to WWII means we're taken out of our comfort zone and those other constants give us something familiar to work with.

That's where the familiarity ends though, the story itself is slick, well constructed and highly enjoyable but imaginative use of 'what if' takes us to places that I for one am glad I'll never see. In this fantasy regime, things are grim. There's everything to hope for and nothing to lose.

I gave this to my dad to read and he loved it too. He lived through things the first time around and says Robert Harris has put into words everything he feared at the time and he's glad he only had to read about it.... and not live it.

Grave Sight - Charlaine Harris

Harper Connelly had a lucky escape when she was hit by lightning: she didn't die. But sometimes she wishes she had died, because the lightning strike left her with an unusual talent: she can find dead people - and that's not always comfortable. Everyone wants to know how she does it: it's a little like hearing a bee droning inside her head, or maybe the pop of a Geiger counter, a persistent, irregular noise that increases in strength as she gets closer. It's almost electric: a buzzing all through her body, and the fresher the corpse, the more intense the buzz. Harper and her brother Tolliver make their living from finding the dead, for desperate parents, worried friends . . . and police departments who have nowhere else to look. They may not believe in her abilities, but sometimes the proof is just too much for even the most sceptical of police chiefs to deny. But it's not always easy for someone like Harper, for the dead *want* to be found - and too often, finding the body doesn't bring closure; it opens a whole new can of worms.

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This is the first Charlaine Harris book I've read so didn't know what to expect. Story-wise it's a good mystery and I didn't guess the ending until...well, the end. I just never really felt connected to the characters though. Harper is really hard to figure out, one minute she's streetsmart and mouthy, the next she's a wreck and can't function because she's like a little-girl-lost. I'm not sure if this will be explained a little more in the next books but so far she's not that likeable. Her brother Tolliver is a bit of a mystery too and I'm still not sure what makes him tick.

It's a good book but I'm hoping it will become a bit more fleshed out in the rest of the series. I was hoping for more of her special ability of being able to 'speak' to the departed and the story did revolve around this, but there wasn't very much of that side of things this time.

It held my interest to find out where things were headed all the way through so I'd recommend it, but it's a fairly quick read and if I'm honest not a lot happened in this one.

Memory Zero - Keri Arthur

Sam Ryan has no memory of her past. All she has is a crayon drawing of a woman with the word 'Mummy' scrawled underneath. For the ten years Sam's been with the State Police, she's used their resources to search for any clues to her identity. But it's as if all mention of her family has been deliberately wiped off the system, and no one knows why. Everything changes the night her missing partner, Jack, attempts to kill her. Charged with his murder, Sam finds herself accepting help from Gabriel Stern - a shapeshifter with secrets of his own. As Sam delves into her partner's death, she discovers that not only is he very much alive, but he's involved with an organisation that plans to destroy the human race. Worse, someone knows the truth about Sam's past, and it appears that they'd rather see her dead than have her uncover it.

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This was my first Keri Arthur book so didn't know what I was going to get. Turned out I got a good story.
It's paranormal, yes, but the thriller catagory is a better fit.

It'a a thriller first and foremost and that's what makes this paranormal book a little different to the countless others out there. There's a spot of romance thrown in but mostly it's about police murder investigations, a framed cop and a villain trying to outwit and aviod the law. Everything a good thriller should be.

However, it's set in a time and place where otherworldly creatures are the norm in society (even if society doesn't know about them) and so the characters are shape shifters/changers and monsters of indeterminate origin and vampires (and not the sparkly, cute kind either).

This is the first in a trilogy so there's a lot of world/character building but there's still a lot of story packed in too. I have a couple of critisisms though. As good as the story is, I found some of the charcters a bit confusing because it was hard to keep tabs on who the shape changers were at any one time. The ability of some characters to 'change' into another character kept things interesting but made it hard to know 'who was who'. Also, the ending seemed very rushed and didn't keep the same pace as the first three quarters of the book which jarred a bit.

I would recommend this book as a good and solid story though and if you're into thrillers and/or paranormal then this is for you.

I'm looking forward to part 2.

Vampire Beach: Bloodlust - Alex Duval

Jason and his sister have just moved to Malibu - to a town full of rich kids whose lives revolve around money, fashion, cars and parties. Jason gets swept along by the excitement and is flattered to be included - and also very flattered by the apparent interest of the stunning Sienna. But these rich kids hide a dark secret and soon Jason finds that their parties involve a little more than the usual alcohol and music! When their secret is revealed, Jason has to decide if he can accept the status quo. Everyone else seems to be able to... and it might just mean he could get closer to Sienna... A fabulously glam and sexy take on the classic vampire story - these vamps can live pretty normal lives, no garlic or coffins for them!

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This is a book which is aimed at teens/young adults yet still manages to entertain and hold the attention of older readers too. This is a really easy, quick read but there's plenty packed into the pages to make it a solid story.

Vampires seem to be 'on trend' at the moment and there are countless vamp books out there to choose from, for anyone on a paranormal kick, but Vampire Beach - Bloodlust (which is the first in the series), has enough differences from those other works to make it seem new. It's a cross between 'The Lost Boys' and 'The OC' and if you like either of those then this is definitely for you.

Because this is the first book in the series a lot of time is spent on character and world building, but it still manages to weave in an interesting story and pull off a few twists and turns which lead nicely onto the second book in the series 'Initiation'.

I'm about to start the second in the series and I look forward to getting to know the characters better as each book progresses. Bloodlust is the start of a very promising series.

Succubus Blues - Richelle Mead

When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they can often pay with their souls, but why get technical? But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid’s life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven’t stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess getup complete with whip and wings. And she can’t have a decent date without the sucking away part of the guy’s life. At least there’s her day job at a local bookstore – free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can’t. But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle’s demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won’t help because Georgina’s about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny…

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The way to tell if a series is any good, is to get to the end of the first part and ask yourself "Will I be reading the follow on parts?". Well, I probably will be reading the rest of the Succubus books, but I'm not desperate to do it right now.

It's an ok book. It's got some intersting characters (I really like Carter), it had a bit of suspense (although I sort of guessed who-dunnit about half way through), it's got a nice mix of otherworldy goings-on and it's got a bit of romance thrown in.....although Succubii don't normally go for the 'romance' side of things really....usually.

Anyway, I'll read the next in the series for one main reason. The ending! Or rather, the beginning, because the first chapter of the next book was tacked onto the end of Succubus Blues and that was the clincher. Blues is an ok book, but nothing out of the ordinary, but the teaser chapter of the next book sounds great..... If that preview chapter hadn't been there I probably would call it a day at book one.

I liked it but it's not unlike a hundred other paranormal books out there at the moment. It's just a variation on a theme and if I'm honest I've maybe done them to death and they're all getting a bit 'samey'.

Must have something going for it though, I was ready to throw in the towel with this series but just at the final bell I got hooked back in....

Maybe it'll turn out to be my favourite series ever.

Give it a go, if this is your sort of genre. Good series are hard to find and this one has potential.

Marked - P C Cast

When sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird gets Marked as a fledgling vampire she must join the House of Night school where she will train to become an adult vampire. That is, if she makes it through the Change. But Zoe is no ordinary fledgling. She has been chosen as special by the Goddess Nyx and discovers her amazing new power to conjure the elements: earth, air, fire, water and spirit. When Zoey discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite group, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look within herself to embrace her destiny - with a little help from her new vampire friends. Not suitable for younger readers.

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I did like it. Enough to want to read the next book, probably the others too, but it's just.....missing something. Maybe it's because it's part one of a long story and so it feels like not a lot happened in this one. But maybe it's because it's similar to another book I read, which seemed to have a lot more story to it. And no, I'm not talking about Twilight. The only similarities this has with Twilight, is that there are vamps in both storylines.

I'm thinking it's more like a series I read which has a boy lead....and he's a wizard. Zoey's been marked on her forehead with a crescent to let her know she's special, she's moved to a new boarding school full of other 'marked' kids, they're all special but she's uber special, her parents are a total waste of space but she's got a nice older mentor at the school to look out for her, she picks up a few outsiders as friends and they all hate the blonde, mean kid who hates them right back..... it's been done before. OK, that time it was magic and a lightning bolt on the forehead, but still.....

I actually like the diagloge though.....Well, apart from the word 'poopie', that's REALLY bad. The 'Oh Hell!' and 'Nu uh' language made it easier to get the feel of the characters but it's very obviously a YA novel. I'm not in the target audience probably, but that shouldn't be a barrier to me liking it more....I wasn't in the Harry Potter age bracket either but I lapped that up.

I think it's just that when all is said and done, this is just an ok book with some interesting ideas. I don't think it would matter what age I was, to me it still would be only 'ok'.

I'd recommend it to anyone who likes multi book series, vampires, Harry Potter and/or teenage angst. Although, having said that, the much talked about early scene between a boy and a girl caught in an 'act', isn't really for anyone under the age of 16....legally speaking.

Fallen - Lauren Kate

What if the person you were meant to be with could never be yours? 17-year-old Lucinda falls in love with a gorgeous, intelligent boy, Daniel, at her new school, the grim, foreboding Sword & Cross . . . only to find out that Daniel is a fallen angel, and that they have spent lifetimes finding and losing one another as good & evil forces plot to keep them apart. SOME ANGELS ARE DESTINED TO FALL...

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I liked it. It's an ok book. I can see why it's compared to Twilight a lot though. It's got a girl and she in an unfamiliar setting and one she's not that keen on ....but she puts up with it because she likes a boy there ....but he doesn't like her much.... or does he? Then there's this other boy, who does like her and tells her the first boy is no good, and she sort of likes him.....but not as much as the first boy..... but maybe she sort of does.... and the 2 boys don't like each other so are pitted against each other to win her....and then there's these other characters who all close ranks on the first boy to protect his mystery.....

It's familiar and similar to counless other YA fiction on the shelves lately. But it's still ok. I'd say give it a go. Just know what you're getting into.

My only problem with the book is this - I'd have given it 5 stars but for one reason. If only the first 300 pages had been condensed into around 50 and then the rest of the story could have continued from page 300 as usual, then it would have been great. I liked the first chapter and then it all...went.... sort...of.....drawn..... out....longer..... than...... it ...... needed...... to......

The back story could have been summarised in well less than 300 pages. I think that's why the ending is so unsatisfying. After such a long drawn out story about not much we get to the REALLY good stuff that we're looking for and it was all crammed into a chapter or 3 at the end and if I'm honest, it was a bit GetItAllOverAsFastAsPossibleBecauseItsRanOnForLongEnoughAlready.

It can make the transition from YA to adult and mostly it's an easy read but don't expect to be raving about it to your friends next day because for all it's a good story, it's just ok, it's not fantastic.

Having said that, I'll be reading the next one 'Torment' when it comes out and hoping that it's all story with no drag factor.

Dime Store Magic - Kelley Armstrong

Forget the cackling green hag in The Wizard of Oz, forget Samantha from Bewitched. Real witches are nothing, NOTHING like this. For years real witches have hidden their powers, afraid of being persecuted. They have integrated so well into the community, you could have a witch living right next door and never know about it. Take Paige, for instance, whom we first met in Kelley Armstrong's novel Stolen. Just an ordinary twenty-something who runs her own website design company, worries about her weight and wonders if she'll ever find a boyfriend. Okay, so she's leader of the American Coven and guardian of Savannah, the teenage daughter of a black witch. Really, life is ordinary. But then a telekinetic half-demon, Leah O'Donnell, shows up to fight for custody of Savannah. And although Paige is ready for her, she's not quite so prepared for the team of supernaturals that Leah brings with her, including a powerful sorcerer who claims to be Savannah's father.

When all hell breaks loose -- literally -- and Paige is accused of witchcraft, Satanism and murder, the Coven, fearing exposure, abandons her. Cut off from her friends, Paige is forced against her better judgment to accept the help of a young sorcerer lawyer. And she quickly comes to realize that keeping Savannah could mean losing everything else.

Breathtakingly thrilling, hip and funny, this new novel is another page-turning triumph from an author who is going from strength to strength.

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This third book in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series moves away from the Werewolves Clay and Elena and switches to the story of Paige the Witch.

To be honest, I wasn't that crazy for Paige's story. Not because I wanted to stick with the Werewolves (although that would have been fine too), but because I just didn't really like Paige much as a character. She was tasked with parenting the 13 year old Savannah, daughter of the recently deceased Eve, and the way the story tells it Savannah is a brat. Actually, I thought Savannah had the right end of the stick in most of the escapades and Paige would have done well to just suck it up and listen to her now and then. Not only is Savannah a more powerful witch, she's quicker on the up-take and it would seem that despite only being 13 she's also more adept at reading the 'signals' where romance is involved. Paige just strikes me as a really weak woman.

However, in her defence she did come good at the end.....barely. She appeared to have a normal, loving relationship with her caring (late) mother, so why did she find it virtually impossible to show affection for Savannah the child in her care? She wasn't cruel but she was hardly the demonstrative type. Would a cuddle now and then have killed her?

Overall I get the impression that although this is the 3rd book in the season, this was actually written first. It doesn't seem to have the same style as the first 2. For all the subject is different, it just feels less well crafted.

At the end I'm left wondering what the people round here would make of Paige, if the story was set here.....I'm pretty sure nobody would take any notice to be honest. Some crazy woman who it's claimed is a witch with evil powers? Riiiight. That would have the whole town camped on her front door round here.......I don't think. People just wouldn't and don't care about that stuff enough, I don't think.

But still - I'm definitely going to read the next follow on's. Just because I didn't love Dime Store Magic doesn't mean I'm giving up. It was an OK story and I didn't hate it, plus I expect I'll need the info in this one in order to enjoy the others.