kgbooklog

12-31-08
Brandon Sanderson, "Firstborn"
http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=story&id=10489
Score: 1

A MilSF short story about the incompetent younger brother of a perfect commander.

Next Book: Terry Pratchett, Nation

Devon Monk, Magic to the Bone
Roc (2008) ISBN: 978-0-451-46240-4
Score: 1.5

Start of an unnamed paranormal romance series about magic that is widely available, but causes a lot of pain every time it's used; the heroine makes her living tracking down people who illegally shift that pain to innocent bystanders. The characters are likable enough, there's a considerable amount of action, and the premise is fairly interesting, but I don't like tampering with characters' memories (an additional side effect of magic use that seems to be unique to the heroine) so I was really upset when she ends up forgetting everything that happened in this book. I'd also like a more complex romantic subplot than having someone walk up and say, "Hi, I'm your perfect soul mate."

Jane Lindskold, Thirteen Orphans
Tor (2008) ISBN: 0-7653-1700-1
Score: 2

Start of Breaking the Wall, an urban fantasy series based on the Chinese Zodiac and mah-jong. This book is set in the USA, but I expect parts of future books to be set in a parallel world/fairyland. Very interesting premise and likable characters, but not much action or suspense.

Next Book: Devon Monk, Magic to the Bone

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Bold what you've read, italicize what you started and couldn't finish, strikethrough what you hated. Asterisks for ones you really loved (more asterisks is of course more love!), and a "+" for ones you own.

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Patricia Briggs, "The Star of David"
Ace (2008) ISBN: 978-0-441-01633-4
Score: 1

A werewolf mercenary (David Christiansen, prior to his appearance in Moon Called) helps his daughter find out what happened with an orphan who may be more than he seems.

And that's the last of the stories I wanted to read from Wolfsbane and Mistletoe. It seems Christmas is all about sex with strangers, nasty revenge, eating Christmas legends, bloody murder, more bloody murder, and bloody self-defense.

Next Book: Jane Lindskold, Thirteen Orphans

Keri Arthur, "Christmas Past"
Ace (2008) ISBN: 978-0-441-01633-4
Score: 1

A psychic and her werewolf ex-boyfriend try to catch a vampire who is killing charity collectors. Does not seem to be connected to any of her series.

Carrie Vaughn, "Il Est Né"
Ace (2008) ISBN: 978-0-441-01633-4
Score: 1

Kitty, an untrained werewolf, and several murders on Christmas (set before Kitty Takes a Holiday).

Kat Richardson, "The Werewolf Before Christmas"
Ace (2008) ISBN: 978-0-441-01633-4
Score: 1

A werewolf meets Santa Claus. The ending didn't really resolve, making me wonder if this will become a series.

Donna Andrews, "The Haire of the Beast"
Ace (2008) ISBN: 978-0-441-01633-4
Score: 1

A college student finds a grimoire with a spell to turn people into werewolves.

Charlaine Harris, "Gift Wrap"
Ace (2008) ISBN: 978-0-441-01633-4
Score: -2

Sookie gets sex with a complete stranger for Christmas.