Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen (Fallen, Book 1) by Lauren Kate

Genre: YA Paranormal
Edition Reviewed: Hardback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle 
Goodreads: Fallen by Lauren Kate

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

---

Review:

Angel books and myself just don't seem to mix. After my disappointment of Hush, Hush many readers told me that I'd like Fallen so much more. I was determined to read it if only for the fact that I had bought a copy when it first came out. With the first 20-30 pages I was hooked, I even went out and bought the next two books. The writing is beautiful and weaves a beautiful image of the creepy reform school Luce is sent to. It's like a prison for kids that the world just doesn't want to handle or have faith in. I was captivated by the setting, the landscape, and the idea behind the school. Then the "romance" kicked in.

Don't get me wrong I understood this was a romance going into it, so it wasn't like I was blinded sided by that. No, what I didn't like about the book when the romance stepped in was that the writing that I was entranced with could not convey, or build, the emotion. Dare I ask where any of the emotion was? Kate had to keep having Luce tell me how sweet and "wasn't that the most romantic thing ever", again and again. I hate books where the emotions are told, not felt in the writing. Luce as a leading lady was weak, but I could understand why she was that way from dealing with shadows that no one else could see. Especially, from the events leading up to her enrollment in the school. What I couldn't understands was how wishy-washy she was over Cam and Daniel. Cam is the third wheel chucked in to the love story to make-up a poorly done love triangle. Daniel is the soul mate. Even though Cam ended up being one evil creep I seriously liked him more. Readers are just supposed to fall in love with Luce because there's a timeless bond of soul mates floating up in the air. All I felt was gypped. Just because they're "soul mates" does note give the author an excuse to ix-nay on the build up of the relationship. There should be a falling in love period, not an immediate jump to Luce becoming a crazy stalker.

Despite that I still enjoyed the story. Like I said the setting and slow build up kept me hooked. Though I'm pretty sure that most readers are going to find all of that (basically the first 80% of the book) really dull. Side characters fascinated me from the other fellow fallen angels, to Luce's new friend Penn. Kate isn't afraid to kill off characters so it adds to the suspense. Another fun bit is trying to figure out who the angels are, but who the good and bad fallen Angels are. Kate creates a believable feeling of terror—yes finally some emotion—as Luce finds out the hard way that people wear masks and you can't always judge who the good guys are at face value.

After finishing Fallen I promptly returned the other books I bought and will probably either borrow the rest or find some cheap ebook copies. This is the kind of book that you need to be swept up in the emotions, I feel a bit empty with Kate's emotionless writing. Especially since this series is all about the romance, the believability that these two characters are destined for each other. That their love is so strong that it will either destroy or save the world. Epic fail.  Fallen barely gives the reader, and much to my annoyance Luce, any more details then what you could already could have guessed this book was about. Another bad sign was when I felt disappointed that the second book is obviously going to take place away from the school, I felt more attached to it then the growing story line. This is one of those "latest craze" series. So if you're looking for good Angel books I'd suggest Unearthly and Guardian. Both wonderful books that bring the emotion and a GOOD plot line.

Sexual Content: Lot's of kissing. Luce has some needy thoughts, but all in all this is a clean read.

 
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Torment (2) Passion (3) Rapture (3)	Paperback | Kindle  Paperback | Kindle Hard back | Kindle	Torment (2) Passion (3) Rapture (3)

Author Interview: C.A. Lang

---

Shera (Book Whispers): In your own words, introduce yourself.

C.A. Lang: My Name is C. A. Lang. Sometimes known as Clayton. Other times far worse things.

My schtick is being a complicated person with a sense of humor. I'm a guitarist, personal trainer, runner, and I've somehow gotten a novel published.

I love everything from James Joyce to epic fantasy to military science fiction. You can never back me into a categorical corner. I'm argumentative and snotty and extremely sentimental. I'm full of contradictions and cryptic games. And sarcasm.

I often forget when I'm being serious and when I'm being sarcastic. And that's okay.

My life is music, writing, and keeping fit. And laughing at inappropriate times.

BW: Blightcross is a heavy mix of many different genres, what are the two main ones that you would tell a reader your book is most like? And why?

CL: I'd say fantasy and dieselpunk. Partly to keep it simple, because it's difficult to explain these things without confusing a potential reader and turning them off. I think it's important to emphasize that this is still a fantasy novel, because if people are expecting a
science-centric, almost childlike fascination with technology, they will be surprised by my novel. Obviously technology is a big part of it, but I've kept a lot of fantasy elements.

That's partly why I wrote this novel--to explore the tension between the those elements. Straight steampunk thrills me, but I like to complicate things. In Blightcross, I'm undermining the certainty steampunk often places in technology and logical positivism. We're never sure if the oil-based technology is going to be viable, if it's really replacing magic, or if magic is secretly the ultimate power behind it anyway.

BW: Who was your favorite character while writing Blightcross?

CL: Great Leader Till Sevari. He's so messed up and traumatized and adorable in a lot of ways. And in the end it's just those weaknesses that allowed him to become a figurehead for an entire nation's post- global-war insanity. He could just as easily have been someone else. He's just a person with borderline personality disorder who unfortunately was also in a position to be in power.

He was my favorite to write in a lot of ways. But of course my main character, Capra Jorassian, is always going to win the favoritism battle.

BW: Did you ever have a hard time writing a certain scene for Blightcross, one that made you wish you could change it?

CL: If I submit something, I'm either totally happy with it or I don't submit at all. This is just one novel--I have eight others that will never see the light of day. With the other novels I'd have an answer to this question, but this novel was so much in tune with what I truly wanted to write that I can't think of anything I'd change about it whatsoever.

BW: When you're in a writing jam, is there a particular author you look to for inspiration? One that makes you ask, "What would ‘insert author's name here’ do?"

CL: Michael Moorcock is a major source of inspiration. If I'm feeling more playful I might ask myself what Milan Kundera would do to make a joke out of the situation, but Moorcock is generally it for me.

BW: What are some of your favorite books?

CL: Ulysses. Finnegans Wake. Vonnegut's Breakfast of Champions. Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein. Moorcock's The Jerry Cornelius Chronicles and The Black Corridor. As a kid I read Dragonlance and loved those as well. I also learned French just so I could read Largo Winch untranslated.

BW: What books would you recommend to readers that are looking to read your book?

CL: Definitely Perdido Street Station, and anything by China Mieville. Moorcock's The Warlord of the Air. The upcoming novelization of Rush's Clockwork Angels, by Kevin J. Anderson.

BW: What projects are you currently working on? Can readers anticipate more books to accompany Blightcross?

CL:  I'm still outlining the follow-up to Blightcross. It's going to take quite a different direction and I can't wait to get started on writing it! I also have some more lit-fic ideas kicking around, and I need to get some music done as well.

BW: Even though this is outside your writing genre, between a vampire love interest and a werewolf love interest which do you prefer? (What team are you on? Team Vampire or Team Werewolf.)

CL: Vampire. Who doesn't like to crack open a cold one now and then?

BW: Go wild! Let us know something funny about you, share something that's on your mind, or anything else that's important

CL: This isn't a good idea when I'm around! I have lots on my mind, and
my list of important things is unending.

I think it's important for consumers of any cultural product, be it music or writing or visual art, to be critical and open to being challenged. I have paid good money for things I was afraid I'd
disagree with, and probably ended up still disagreeing with after I finished listening or reading. But sometimes poking at your comfort zone is worth the risk.

BW: Big thank you to C.A. Lang for the wonderful interview.

---

Blightcross by C.A. Lang

Grab it: Goodreads | Amazon | Smashwords

In a world rebuilding after global mechanized war, chaos and ethnic tensions rule.

City-states like Blightcross prosper under dictatorships built upon oil production. Refugees flock to the city-state to find work in the massive oil refineries. The black blood of Blightcross is replacing vihs-draaf, the magic of the Ehzeri people, but magic hasn’t entirely disappeared…yet.

For fugitive soldier and thief Capra Jorassian, Blightcross is an opportunity to earn enough moneyfor her freedom. Stealing an enchanted painting from the dictator’s collection is nothing new. But the
simple heist gets complicated quickly when Capra’s childhood friend shows up, bent on bringing her back for court martial. Then her eccentric employer, the creator of the painting, is kidnapped, throwing Capra into a struggle for the survival of Blightcross, with only her enemies as allies.

Till Sevari, the mad dictator of Blightcross, wants the secrets of the painting, and he’ll do anything toget them. But when the deadly forces within the painting spiral out of his control, Capra is the only one who can defeat them – by finding a power just as deadly, hidden beneath the lies of her own culture…

Blightcross breaks the boundaries of steampunk, using fantasy to explore the world of post-colonialism and the greed of oil dependent cultures.

C. A. Lang is a product of Nelson, British Columbia, and it shows. Growing up around Victorian architecture likely had something to do with his appreciation of steampunk, although we’re not quite sure why he felt the need to ditch the steam engines and go all internal-combustion on the genre. He has settled in Kelowna, B.C., where sometimes he can be found abusing a gigantic jazz guitar in public,hanging around certain wineries, and running obscene distance (http://petropunk.wordpress.com)

Review: Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1) by Faith Hunter

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Skinwalker

First in a brand new series from the author of the rogue mage novels

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind-a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she's been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie's Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who's killing other vamps...

---

Review:

No matter how many UF books I read I’m always searching for that allusive vampire hunter story. The kind where the lead lady is everything I’ve always wanted. Where the kills and plot just doesn’t seem to fall into her lap while she fumbles around like a newbie. No, the lead I seek knows what she is doing, can kickass, knows her limits, and is more than a prejudice vampire hater—oh, and smart. That’s exactly what is delivered in Skinwalker!

Jane is a fearsome character. She’s lost the memories of her past, all she knows is that she wandered out of the woods when she was 12 and was then raised at a Catholic school. After her first shift she soon realized that she was more than Cherokee, she was a Skinwalker. After that first shift Beast soon emerged, a feline soul that shares her body. Beast is just as fascinating as Jane and both of them truly make the character(s). Also they both know how to kill. Beast with her killer claws and teeth, her amazing speed and strength, and her hunting instincts. Jane has amazing weapons, the coolest hunter getup, and she can tap into Beasts super animal skills. Unlike most series where the mystery behind the lead is dragged out for an unreasonable amount of books our leading ladies pasts come to light—without crazy amounts of flashbacks.

The reason why Jane became a hunter of the undead is not brought to light, but I do like that whatever those past issues are the do not make her prejudice to the extent of being a bigot. Instead of assuming all vampires are just like the rogues she’s been haunting she takes a job from a “civilized” vampire. It’s obvious she has every right to treat them like dangerous—evil—creatures as their violent natures come out. As the hunt for the rogue continues it’s obvious that it’s more complicated in that. Even Jane accepts that she actually is growing fond of the certain vamps.

The world Hunter has created is refreshing. When Marilyn Monroe tries to change President Kennedy into a vampire the truth comes out! (Come on, that is the coolest outing ever!) Skinwalker takes place in New Orleans, a city that never fails to captivate my attention. However, I will be the first to admit that other authors in UF genre have done better jobs at it.

Ever since reading Moon Called by Patricia Briggs I’ve been hungering for a tale with a Skinwalker as the lead. The Native American Mythology has been obviously researched and is very authentic. The Vampires are very well thought out and their “government” of blood suckers is so well done that if I had to say how vampires would govern themselves this would be the way. The balance of humans and vampires is beyond fascinating from servants to blood slaves and there’s obviously more here to explore. The hint that there are werewolves and elves out there gives me Goosebumps of anticipation!

There were a few parts of the book that rubbed me the wrong way. It seemed like every male in the book was hot and was ready to jump Jane’s bones. More annoying was that Jane pretty much oogled all that man candy. For me, it just didn’t fit Jane’s personality. She’s strong, smart, doesn’t think like most women, and here she is checking out everything with a dick. That doesn’t fit with someone who can’t have casual sex and is loyal to the one they’re with. Sure she has Beast inside her and the animal magnetism makes others attracted to her, and maybe that makes her a bit horny between the two. It just feels too much like a setup for her to have to have sex, and we all know where I stand on that kind of plot. Also, her amazing super powers seem to fail so that she can have a weak, or damsel, moment so the males can have a little power over her. It’s a much loved plot device, but I felt that Jane should not have to suffer from it. These parts weren’t that blown out of proportion, but I feel like they could go to a very bad place for the series.

The hunt for the rogue is an adrenaline bomb: exploding with thrills and leaving a burning hunger for more, more, more! Between trying to guess who, or better yet what, the rogue vampire truly is left me flipping the pages frantically. Despite reviews stating that Hunter stole Briggs Skinwalker idea, I didn’t feel any thieving here. Jane is a wonderful character who knows what she’s doing and doesn’t waste time. She’s witty and may not always know when to be humble, but that’s why I love her. Even if Jane wasn’t so awesome I would have read this book for Beast alone. This is the ultimate read for anyone looking for a “real” vampire hunter!

Sexual Content: Beast is quite the dirty kitty and gives Jane some advise on what she needs. The vampires are pretty sexual, and Jane gets a lot of invitations for sex. Nothing overly explicate. Also there’s a little bit of listening in while some people get hot and heavy.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Skinwalker (1) Blood Cross (2)  Mercy Blade (3) Raven Cursed (4) Death’s Rival (5) Blood Trade (6)	Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle  Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle	Skinwalker (1) Blood Cross (2) Mercy Blade (3) Raven Cursed (4) Death’s Rival (5) Blood Trade (6)

Book Karma, Book Store Withdrawal, & Lauren Kate

Yes, you read that right book Karma! It exists.

---

For those of you who were back with me when news of Borders going under first leaked you all know how upset I was. (OK, that’s an understatement. But let’s not go back to that dark place.) There isn’t a single decent book store close enough to me that isn’t a religious book store. I have to drive 3-4 hours to the North or 2-3 hours to the South to get to a Barnes and Noble.

Since the 1 hour away Walden’s went under last September I have not seen the inside of a glorious book store. I haven’t been able to browse the beautiful rows, get that sinful new book smell stuck in my nasal cavity, or a simple sit down in an over cushioned chair and “try before you buy.”  Standing in the isles at Shopko, Wal-Mart, and Sam’s Club is just not cutting it for me. Even though I’ve switched back to buying pretty much 99.9% of my books online, it just isn’t the same.  Book store withdrawals, it’s a condition.

So on Tuesday we finally went to the Big City of the South and I got to go into a Barnes and Noble!! At first I was so over joyed, all those wonderful rows upon rows of books. Just waiting for Shera to buy them. At one point an employee found me caressing a copy of Rapture by Lauren Kate. Yep, it was Raptures release date and I was going to buy a copy straight from the book store!

Then I realized that there was no sale sticker! It was like I stepped into a foreign world.  A hot new title just came out and there was no sale sticker. Borders always had sale stickers, about 30% to 40% off. When I asked an employee they said I could get 10% off if I got a membership. Then I asked them if I’d get coupons in my email. It went south from there. As they spouted off all the great discounts (which I actually laughed at a bit hysterically, and I do feel bad for the poor guy), it hit me that I’m not going to be able to get Border deals anymore. I use to buy every book 30% to 50% off, and then there was that magical time in November where I would get that Buy One Get on Free!!!! Just because I’d been a Gold Member at Borders for YEARS. (And no, I didn’t have to pay a penny for that status. Well unless you count the books I bought. )

So, I was really bummed out. So much so I left without even buying my copy of Rapture. After all I could at least get a decent price for it from The Book Depository. Well hours of shopping later I ended up in a Target. (Which is another store that is 3-4 hours away!!) And lo and behold they had Rapture for over 40% off. And the best part . . .

That’s right my people!! I was delivered by book Karma. That is a signed copy! The last singed copy. Just what I needed to get me out of my Borders Depression.

Just look at that bad boy:

It’s beautiful. Now I have to buy the eBook copy so that I don’t ruin this sexy little number.

The moral of this story? Believe in the book Karma and you shall score!

Cover Coveting(7)

Trying out a new format for CC, I thought it might be nicer if you could see the previous cover before the unveiling of the new one.

---

Devil’s Gate by Thea Harrison

Previous book(s) in series:

Series: Elder Races (I focused on the short Story covers here.) Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Source: Wicked Scribes Shera’s thoughts: Finally another one with his shirt on!! Yes. To be honest I don’t like the way the Medusa is shown on the cover. It would be nice if the females got some decent representation on these covers.

 

For the Love of the Goblin Warrior by Shona Husk

Previous book(s) in series:

Series: Shadowlands, Book 3 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Source: Wicked Scribes Shera’s thoughts: I’m hoping the cover I found is just poor quality, but other than that I likey!! The bow is so cool!! Tell me when is the last time you’ve seen a book outside of Epic Fantasy with one! Plus, the shadowlands look epic!

Prince of Power by Elisabeth Staab

Previous book(s) in series:

Series: Chronicles of Yvann, Book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Source: Wicked Scribes Shera’s thoughts: That bite mark on his neck is so subtle that it just gives me goose bumps! I don’t like that the tattoo is covered, it’s too hard to see.

Magic Gone Wild by Judi Fennel

Previous book(s) in series:

Series: Bottled Magic, Book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Source: Wicked Scribes Shera’s thoughts: The girl looks so sexy, but the man standing behind her looks copied and pasty. Like the cover would be just fine with out him. Let’s get some couple interaction!

Deliver Me From Temptation by Tes Hilaire

Previous book(s) in series:

Series: Paladin Warriors, Book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Source: Wicked Scribes Shera’s thoughts: Ah, I don’t hate it but I don’t like it either. If I saw it on a shelf I wouldn’t grab it because it doesn’t trigger anything for me.

Wildcat by Cheryl Brooks

Previous book(s) in series:

Series: Cat Star Chronicles, Book 9  Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Source: Wicked Scribes Shera’s thoughts: This cover does not stand out to me. Instead my mind is still reeling over the titles: “Virgin” and then “Stud.” How awesome is that?

Poison by Molly Cochran

Previous book(s) in series:

Series: Legacy, Book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Source: Wicked Scribes Shera’s thoughts: Love how the prep school feel is very much present, the casual pose of the girl—no the whole covers feel—makes my mind think of Nancy Drew.