Review: Through Wolf’s Eyes

Through Wolf’s Eyes (Firekeeper Saga, book 1) by Jane Lindskold

Genre: Epic Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Through Wolf's Eyes (1)

Firekeeper only vaguely remembers a time when she didn't live with her "family," a pack of "royal wolves"-bigger, stronger, and smarter than normal wolves. Now her pack leaders are sending her back to live among the humans, as they promised her mother years ago.

Some of the humans think she may be the lost heir to their throne. This could be good-and it could be very, very dangerous. In the months to come, learning to behave like a human will turn out to be more complicated than she'd ever imagined.

But though human ways might be stranger than anything found in the forest, the infighting in the human's pack is nothing Firekeeper hasn't seen before. That, she understands just fine. She's not your standard-issue princess-and this is not your standard-issue fairy tale.

---

Review:

Epic Fantasy has become a pretty strong hit or miss genre for me.  There once was a time I would OD on them, reading anywhere from 5-10 books a month—if not more.  Authors were constantly coming out with new series.  That’s when things started going sour for me; the genre was just getting beaten into the ground with a stick.  Soon the books became faceless comfort food, and anyone who eats too much of their favorite comfort food can soon become stale. The plots, worlds, characters, and stories all felt like they were being pulled out of the indispensable magic hat of epic fantasy writing. Soon I stopped anticipating reading anything by new authors and only went with re-reads and authors I knew were good.

When I picked up Through Wolf’s Eyes I was going on a huge leap (more like head first plummet) of faith.  It didn’t sound like anything new.  A young girl pulled into high society and forced to try and make a bid as the next heir to the throne.   So what’s new?  That young girl has lived with wolves all her life. Raised by wolves.  When the humans come seeking her out to try and find the lost Prince’s daughter she’s never seen another human. She’s a wolf in heart and mind—only lacking the body.  Lindskold doesn’t lose sight of anything as Firekeeper—the wolf girl—joins the humans and tries to learn their ways. She balances high political intrigue with human and wolf nature. Each line is a beautiful example of the type of lyrical words that I love from the Epic Fantasy genre, especially when it’s tempered by Lindskold’s fantastic sense of humor.

The biggest thing about Through Wolf’s Eyes are its characters.  Most EFs forget that they actually have to realize the characters, not just barrow from the stereotype pool.  Each one of Lindskold’s characters found their way into my head, and sometimes straight to my heart.  Not only was I reading for the plot and intrigue I wanted to know what was happening with each character. Many felt like a dear friend. The third person POV would change periodically spending time with a number of them.  Their interactions with each other felt real and their thoughts felt genuine. Watching them grow before my eyes was beyond AWE-some.  Even the current villain(s) of this book enchanted me with the depth of development Lindskold put in them. Many times I found myself smiling ridiculously or getting angry—my emotions were being played.

This book reminds me why I always come crawling back to the Epic Fantasy genre. It proves that new authors can still come up with great stories—maybe even beating out some of the “legends” of the genre. The court politics are sublime! The battles are fought with words as well as swords, a heady mix of intrigue and action.  All of the characters will become like dear friends, and none of them are just stereotypes of the EF genre.  It gives me hopes that good EF still gets published. We shouldn’t give up on the genre.

(Sadly it looks like the paperback issues are no longer in print, it’s still available in eBook format.)

Sexual Content: Firekeeper doesn’t know some of the basic bits of human modesty so that leads to some funny moments.  Topics of sex both politically and personally, and some not overly detailed sex scenes.

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Through Wolf’s Eyes (1) Wolf’s Head, Wolf’s Heart (2) The Dragon of Despair (3) Wolf Captured (4) Wolf Hunting (5) Wolf’s Blood (6)	Through Wolf’s Eyes (1) Wolf’s Head, Wolf’s Heart (2) The Dragon of Despair (3) Wolf Captured (4) Wolf Hunting (5) Wolf’s Blood (6)	Through Wolf’s Eyes (1) Wolf’s Head, Wolf’s Heart (2) The Dragon of Despair (3) Wolf Captured (4) Wolf Hunting (5) Wolf’s Blood (6)

Books to Movie!

OK, this is post dated so the first trailer is going to be waaaaaay out dated, and the second will be too. But hey! That’s the drama with post dating. ^_-

---

Well this one took me by surprise! I was unaware that the movie rights had even been sold! The trailer for the movie has been out since last week, and I noticed it making all the runs on my fave blogs.

So I’m late. But I’m officially putting my two cents out there. First off I hope this movie elevates what sounds like a really stupid concept to me. Does anyone else thing that the first 4 waves would have wiped out man kind. And The Host anyone? (Which I did enjoy.) The mediocre plot is why I still haven’t cracked open my copy despite raving reviews.

The trailer is cool and I am hoping that Chloë Grace Moretz will get the buzz she needs from this movie.

 

This is another title that I’ve been hearing soooooo much buzz about in the book sphere. It sounds cool. So when I had heard it was being made into a movie and Matt Damon was the lead, I knew it would be amazing. This trailer confirms that!

OK, there’s the book to movie trailers I’ve found.

Wednesday Wishes

And dog movies just hit an all time low. How, well it’s called Russelmania! What happened to the glory days of Homeward Bound? No really?

My only regret is that I actually had to sit through it.

---

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Castles Ever After, book 1

In the first in Tessa Dare's captivating Castles Ever After series, a mysterious fortress is the setting for an unlikely love . . .

As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too. The storybooks offered endless possibilities.

And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off. One by one by one.

Ugly duckling turned swan?
Abducted by handsome highwayman?
Rescued from drudgery by charming prince?

No, no, and… Heh.

Now Izzy’s given up yearning for romance. She’ll settle for a roof over her head. What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who’s never even been kissed?

This one.

That synopsis is bad. However, there are many great reviews on Goodreads to inspire confidence in this read. While it’s not 100% gimmicky in that it doesn’t openly state it’s fairy tale retellings, I enjoy that it’s lose inspiration.

Court of Fives by Kate Elliott

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Young Adult Epic Fantasy
Series: Court of Fives, book 1

On the Fives court, everyone is equal.

And everyone is dangerous.

Jessamy’s life is a balance between acting like an upper-class Patron and dreaming of the freedom of the Commoners. But away from her family, she can be whomever she wants when she sneaks out to train for the Fives, an intricate, multilevel athletic competition that offers a chance for glory to the kingdom’s best competitors.

Then Jes meets Kalliarkos, and an improbable friendship between the two Fives competitors—one of mixed race and the other a Patron boy—causes heads to turn. When Kal’s powerful, scheming uncle tears Jes’s family apart, she’ll have to test her new friend’s loyalty and risk the vengeance of a royal clan to save her mother and sisters from certain death.

In this imaginative escape into an enthralling new world, World Fantasy Award finalist Kate Elliott’s first young adult novel weaves an epic story of a girl struggling to do what she loves in a society suffocated by rules of class and privilege.

OK, I’ve read some pretty bad reviews for this book. But I’ve been looking forward to it for quite a while and I can’t stop myself from wanting it!

Review: Cry Wolf

Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, book 1) by Patricia Briggs

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Cry Wolf (1)

Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack... and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she'd learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer—and son—of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.

Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna's inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf—a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack.

It is recommended you read the prequel "Alpha & Omega" before reading Cry Wolf.

---

Review:

After my reread of Alpha and Omega it only reminded me of how much I loved the short that started it all! So I was convinced that maybe my initial disconnect from Cry Wolf was just a bad reading funk, or I was too young to enjoy it. Sadly I found out quickly what the disconnect was. Anna and Charles were amazing together in the 0.5 short! The chemistry and slow burn of their romance was palpable. It saved their mating at first sight story line. It transcended a stereotype.

Here all that connection and build up felt like it was tossed out the window. Especially for the first half of the book. They both continually miscommunicate and basically not talking to each other. Letting their imaginations run wild with doubts instead of talking to each other.  Honestly I fell out of love with them. So when they finally got together physically it felt so hollow.

Thankfully seeing the Marrok's pack from Anna eyes was awesome. Even better is that Briggs stayed with the format of both Charles and Anna alternating like before. Also Bran, Asil, and some other amazing characters get to narrate. It really fleshes out characters that I had always wanted to know more about, but understood that they couldn't all be packed into the Mercy books.

The second half of the book started to patch things up. Apparently there's nothing like hunting down a rouge in dangerous mountains to bring a couple back together. Not to mention the threat of a black magic witch. Nothing makes the romance sizzle!

Ha-ha! No honestly I did love everything else about this book. The story felt so clever and I enjoyed exploring the magic presented here. Briggs has a natural flare for storytelling. Just like the Mercy Thompson books the Alpha and Omega books have that organic flare that makes me buy into the world. While I felt like Anna and Charles' characters took a giant step backwards at first as a couple and developing characters. Perhaps it was because of how busy the plot and book is even! Things shaped up and I'm actually looking forward to the next book. The Alpha and Omega books will probably be just as awesome as Mercy's.

Sexual Content: Sex scene, memories of rape and torture. Dark themes, but nothing too graphic.

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Alpha & Omega (0.5) Cry Wolf (1) Hunting Ground (2) Fair Game (3) Dead Heat (4) Untitled (5)	Alpha & Omega (0.5) Cry Wolf (1) Hunting Ground (2) Fair Game (3) Dead Heat (4) Untitled (5)	Alpha & Omega (0.5) Cry Wolf (1) Hunting Ground (2) Fair Game (3) Dead Heat (4) Untitled (5)

Cover Coveting (4)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

Wow, I am really scrapping the bottom of the bucket here. Just in number of covers, not in quality.

---

Counsel of the Wicked by Elizabeth A. Schechter

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Rebel Mage, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: I adore this cover!! Ah! I love that his shadow is a griffin. The typography doesn’t fit the beautiful artwork 100%, but it is lovely.

Rise of the Wolf by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Mark of the Thief, book 2 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Shera’s thoughts: Inanimate object covers. I love them. This one is the perfect example of how to do it. A ring resting on the cement. Or is it a ring? It looks way to big on those cobble stones. Great typography.

Lothaire by Kresley Cole

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: Immortals After Dark, book 12 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Shera’s thoughts: This cover is so much like the original that it doesn’t really bother me that much. Actually it’s almost like a step up. But his red eyes don't really pop. I believe this will be the new kindle cover/ebook. I wonder I they’ll switch all the paperback releases over to these. Personally I am getting pretty freaking tired of the cover shit storm they’re making for this series. Between my love for the series dying out and the cover mess maybe I will finally quite. Maybe.

Shadow’s Claim by Kresley Cole

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon

Series: The Dacians, book 1 Add it: Goodreads | Amazon Genre: Paranormal Romance Shera’s thoughts: Oh. I may have made a few snide comments about the original cover, but at least it was way better then this one. Ugh. And really! Giving this book a makeover when it’s been the only one in the series for quite a while, and it will probably be the only book in its series for more years yet.

Cover Makeover: Glass series

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

Well I was right! Looks like the kindle version of the Glass books are getting a new cover. And . . . well I think the original covers are WAY better. Ugh. I can’t believe they wouldn’t stick with the original covers.

---

Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder	Goodreads | Amazon
Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder	Goodreads | Amazon
Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder	Goodreads | Amazon

Cover Makeover: Study series

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

I didn’t realize that Maria Snyder’s Souldfinder books, a continuation of the Study series, was indeed the trigger for a cover makeover. At least for the early Study books in Kindle edition. I wouldn’t be surprised if the paperback switch over soon.

Or if the “middle” series in between Study and Soulfinder get a kindle cover makeover.

Personally I like the original covers. I wasn’t a fan of the YA editions they put out, the Kindle covers are a step up from those.

I guess I should feel happy that Snyder’s Study world books are so popular that they keep getting new covers and releases.

---

Original covers (Before the YA makeover):	New Kindle covers:
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder	Goodreads | Amazon
Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder	Goodreads | Amazon
Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder	Goodreads | Amazon

Wednesday Wishes

I went about my posts differently this time. Jumping around from Monday, to Thursday. Following up with Friday, and then creating Tuesday and Wednesday's posts.

Why do I mention that? Because my head hurts from trying to keep track as I right this final post!

---

Closer to Home by Mercedes Lackey

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Valdemar: The Herald Spy, book 1

Mags was once an enslaved orphan living a harsh life in the mines, until the King's Own Herald discovered his talent and trained him as a spy. Now a Herald in his own right, at the newly established Heralds' Collegium, Mags has found a supportive family, including his Companion Dallen.

Although normally a Herald in his first year of Whites would be sent off on circuit, Mags is needed close to home for his abilities as a spy and his powerful Mindspeech gift. There is a secret, treacherous plot within the royal court to destroy the Heralds. The situation becomes dire after the life of Mags' mentor, King's Own Nikolas, is imperiled. His daughter Amily is chosen as the new King's Own, a complicated and dangerous job that is made more so by this perilous time. Can Mags and Amily save the court, the Heralds, and the Collegium itself?

So I’ve been posting my reviews for the Arrows of the Queen trilogy. I got curious as to whether or not Lackey was still cranking out the books in this world.

So yeah, my loyalty is my fault. This is the first book of her latest series. There’s going to be quite a few books to buy from when I left off the series and the ones that have come out.

The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Steampunk
Series: The Cinder Spires, book 1

Jim Butcher, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Dresden Files and the Codex Alera novels, conjures up a new series set in a fantastic world of noble families, steam-powered technology, and magic-wielding warriors…

Since time immemorial, the Spires have sheltered humanity, towering for miles over the mist-shrouded surface of the world. Within their halls, aristocratic houses have ruled for generations, developing scientific marvels, fostering trade alliances, and building fleets of airships to keep the peace.

Captain Grimm commands the merchant ship, Predator. Fiercely loyal to Spire Albion, he has taken their side in the cold war with Spire Aurora, disrupting the enemy’s shipping lines by attacking their cargo vessels. But when the Predator is severely damaged in combat, leaving captain and crew grounded, Grimm is offered a proposition from the Spirearch of Albion—to join a team of agents on a vital mission in exchange for fully restoring Predator to its fighting glory.

And even as Grimm undertakes this dangerous task, he will learn that the conflict between the Spires is merely a premonition of things to come. Humanity’s ancient enemy, silent for more than ten thousand years, has begun to stir once more. And death will follow in its wake…

After reading the first Dresden book and not really falling in love I’ve been meaning to give those books another try. Or at the very least read Butcher’s epic fantasy series, that I own. Or something. I know I need to try the Dresden books again before trying this bad boy out.

Review: Alpha & Omega

On the Prowl Anthology
Alpha & Omega (Alpha & Omega, book 0.5) by Patricia Briggs

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Kindle Single Short Story
Goodreads: On the Prowl (1)

 

Alpha and Omega 0.5 by Patricia Briggs
The werewolf Anna finds a new sense of self when the son of the werewolf king comes to town to quell unrest in the Chicago pack- and inspires a power in Anna that she's never felt before.

Inhuman by Eileen Wilks
Kai has a secret gift of sensing thoughts and desires. What she senses in her neighbor Nathan could be dangerous. Because he has a secret gift, too, and it's about to be let loose.

Buying Trouble by Karen Chance
In a New York auction house, a Lord of the Fey crosses paths with a fiery redheaded mage named Claire. But in this strange underground society, the rarity up for sale is Claire herself.

Mona Lisa Betwining by Sunny
Among the children of the moon, Mona Lisa is of Mixed Blood- part Monere, part human, and destined to be alone. Then she meets a man who could be her salvation- or her downfall.

---

Review:

Wow!! I had forgotten how good this short was. It's set in the same world as Mercy Thompson's. Presenting a new character, Anna, and an old one, Charles. Charles is kind of old, but he's a blank slate. Readers first meet him in Moon Called and gets smatterings of mentions in Mercy's books. He's the son of the Marrok so it's bound to happen. He's also the executioner for the pack and a key in keeping it running. Charles is a character I've longed to know so it's exciting he'll be in his own spinoff.

Anna is another example of Briggs creating well realized female leads. They don't need to be bad asses wielding weapons. They can be strong in other ways. Personally I really loved her and it helped showing the other side of werewolf packs. Because it's been hinted at that not all packs are like Adam and Bran's.

It's also wonderful getting full on werewolf pack politics again! Especially from the point of view of a woman. Sure she's an Omega—no I won't ruin it for you—so the sexist rules of the other female members need not apply to her. Which is both cool and a bit of a shame that it won’t be explored. However, since she is a werewolf I have no doubt it will be brought up in future books.

Overall this is an excellent pre-series launch. It got my attention. Sadly it was so amazing it's probably why the first official book in the Alpha and Omega series was such a let down. (Who knows maybe I'll like it more on my reread. Because I can barely remember it!) It introduces an excellent power couple and I can't wait to see them actually fall in love. Because Mating in Briggs world isn’t like basic romance novel crap. Not to mention that Anna will be going up to the Marrok's territory. Oh. Yeah.

Sexual Content: Some sexual rumor, talk and mention of rape and sexual abuse. There’s a darker flavor to this book.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Alpha & Omega (0.5) Cry Wolf (1) Hunting Ground (2) Fair Game (3) Dead Heat (4) Untitled (5)	Alpha & Omega (0.5) Cry Wolf (1) Hunting Ground (2) Fair Game (3) Dead Heat (4) Untitled (5)	Alpha & Omega (0.5) Cry Wolf (1) Hunting Ground (2) Fair Game (3) Dead Heat (4) Untitled (5)