Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin

 

Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin New, unnamed series Book #1 Format: Mass Market Paperbound  Published: May 29, 2007  Dimensions: 352 Pages, 4.3 x 6.5 x 0.89 in  ISBN: 0441015050  Published By: Berkley A girl with attitude. An all-powerful amulet. This could only mean trouble. My name is Raine Benares. I’m a seeker. The people who hire me are usually happy when I find things. But some things are better left unfound… Raine is a sorceress of moderate powers, from an extended family of smugglers and thieves. With a mix of street smarts and magic spells, she can usually take care of herself. But when her friend Quentin, a not-quite-reformed thief, steals an amulet from the home of a powerful necromancer, Raine finds herself wrapped up in more trouble than she cares for. She likes attention as much as the next girl, but having an army of militant goblins hunting her down is not her idea of a good time. The amulet they’re after holds limitless power, derived from an ancient, soul-stealing stone. And when Raine takes possession of the item, it takes possession of her. Now her moderate powers are increasing beyond anything she could imagine—but is the resumé enhancement worth her soul?

 I finished this novel on Sunday morning, July 8th, 2007. An excellent first novel to a new series!

I thought it was great! As a first book, you meet the characters – all of them. The ones to adore, the ones to hate… Raine is an excellent female character. Brave, strong, does what she has too despite how she feels about doing it. I can’t wait to see what she gets herself into next.

 

The secondary characters all tie in with her in some way, and I like the diversity of them, whether friend, family, or a really hot guy. And I can’t wait to read more about them!

 

I loved the setting. Shearin uses her imagination to the max, creating a whole new world with really great characters, good and bad. The good ones made you sigh, the bad ones gave you the creeps. And the surroundings are described so perfectly that you wouldn’t know this place doesn’t exist. The action is superb. The plot was beautifully orchestrated, making the novel damn near ‘unputdownable’! Different in style, no complete romance but just a hint of, leaving you wanting more… (sigh!)

 

Can’t wait for Book #2, Armed and Magical !

Rating: .5

Fool Moon by Jim Butcher (‘The Dresden Files’ Book #2)

Fool Moon  by  Jim Butcher Format: Mass Market Paperbound  Published: January 3, 2001  Dimensions: 352 Pages, 4.4 x 7.1 x 1.2 IN  ISBN: 0451458125  Published By: Roc MM ‘Harry Dresden’ series – Book #2 Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even of the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn’t been able to dredge up any kind of work — magical or mundane.   But just when it looks like he can’t afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise.   A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses — and the first two don’t count…

I finished this book on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007. As the second book in ‘The Dresden Files’ series, it was just as awesome as the first.

 

Harry is a character in a class all his own. He’s smart, deduces things quickly, and more than makes up for his lack of brawn. He’s completely original, and I’ll never see his sort of character in another book. His natural mix of old-fashioned chivalry, common sense and curiosity is a joy to read.

 

I do hope that, in future books, Murphy will understand Harry more. I can understand why he doesn’t tell her ‘all’, but she still deserves to know everything so that she can understand where he’s coming from when he ‘omits’ something.

 

I thought the rest of the characters were perfect for this story – a mix of magic and ‘werewolves of different varieties’ and I liked those different varieties. It’s the first time I read the entire mix, and I enjoyed that. Usually in a novel, differences aren’t pointed out – just what is, is. But this was way different.

 

I truly enjoy Jim Butcher’s flare and imagination when he writes his stories, his characters. They feel ‘true to life’ in so many ways. All the emotions Harry feels for his friends and acquaintances, you, as the reader, feel them as well, just like anyone would. I soooo can’t wait to get my hands on the third book, Grave Peril.

 

Rating:

Book Review – Through Violet Eyes (Stephen Woodworth)

Book 59 of 2007 was Through Violet Eyes by Stephen Woodworth.

In a world where the dead can testify against the living, someone is getting away with murder. Because to every generation are born a select few souls with violet-colored eyes, and the ability to channel the dead. Both rare and precious—and rigidly controlled by a society that craves their services—these Violets perform a number of different duties. But now the Violets themselves have become the target of a brutal serial murderer—a murderer who had learned how to mask his or her identity even from the victims. Can the FBI, aided by a Violet so scared of death that she is afraid to live, uncover the criminal in time? Or must more of her race be dispatched to the realm that has haunted them all since childhood?

Through Violet Eyes is Stephen Woodworth’s debut novel. I thought this book sounded alot better then it turned out to be. I liked the idea behind the story, but I thought the character development was weak. The romance sub-plot was clumsy and forced. The ending was what you wouldn’t expect, but I’m glad it turned out the way it did.

Published: August 31, 2004 (Dell) | ISBN: #0553803379 | Format: MASS MARKET PAPERBACK (368 pages)