Say My Name - A Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Say My Name by Tatiana Caldwell (e-book, novella)

What is it about:
Due to her father’s constant bragging, word of Anna Miller’s beauty and virtue piques the interest of King Thomas. Upon taking the boasting of her father too literally, the king of Grimbros imprisons Anna and threatens to kill her and her father if she fails to spin straw into gold.
A mysterious and sensual magical being finds himself drawn to the castle – and the beautiful Anna. He offers his help in exchange for the most intimate, precious gifts she could possibly give. Soon Anna finds herself wanting far more than just his help. But he threatens to consume her and all she holds dear.

Unless she says his name.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is an adult retelling of the fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin and from the looks of the cover and by reading the description you might get the idea it's rather dark, but I found it quite the opposite. Say My Name is a hot, romantic, almost fluffy retelling and I really enjoyed it. It is a predictable story, both because it's a retelling and because the added storyline isn't that hard to see through, but I can't say I minded. If you're looking for something new and fresh, you might be disappointed, but those looking for a light, romantic fairy tale retelling will certainly find it in this story.

Why should you read it:
If you like fairy tale retellings I think you'll enjoy this novella

Locus Focus - Ramblings about Schools

Locus Focus is a meme hosted every Saturday by Enbrethiliel at Shredded Cheddar. "We all know of books that make their settings come alive, and this meme is a chance to write about them and share them with others." Visit her blog and link up!

This Locus focus is a bit different as I'm not going to talk about which school setting is my favourite, but I'm going to ramble about one thing that I keep noticing about boarding school settings and that surprises me:

The schedules those poor students have to keep!!

Take the schedule that Spirit White has to keep in Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill. It's so packed I'm surprised she even has time to sleep. Lessons, after school activities, study hours, etc... I get tired just reading about it.

And the poor students in Lackey's Valdemar series aren't better off, they have so many things they have to do besides their lessons I applaud them for being able to graduate.

Another example:
Lyle House from the book The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong.

Not only do the 'troubled' teens who are 'rehabilitated' in Lyle House have a list of activities they have to do as long as my book wishlist (and that's a long list I can tell you) they're not even allowed some privacy when they need it.

How do all these kids cope?! I myself have no experience with boarding schools, but I do wonder if these books have a realistic view on boarding schools or if the writers of these books aren't aware they pack the days of these students too full of stuff they have to do. Because really: a full time job is nothing compared to what these teens have to do and they're not even getting paid.

Am I the only one to think this?
Does anyone have experience with boarding schools and can you enlighten me about the schedules that are kept?
Any book recommendations where the students are given some more time for themselves?
Let me know.

Sparks - Book Review

Sparks by Laura Bickle

What is it about:
Anya Kalinczyk is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern, who holds down a day job as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department—while working 24/7 to exterminate malicious spirits haunting a city plagued by unemployment and despair. Along with her inseparable salamander familiar, Sparky, Anya has seen, and even survived, all manner of fiery hell—but her newest case sparks suspicions of a bizarre phenomenon that no one but her eccentric team of ghost hunters might believe: spontaneous human combustion.

After fire consumes the home of elderly Jasper Bernard, Anya is stunned to discover his remains—or, more precisely, a lack of them; even the fiercest fires leave some trace of their victims—and she is sure this was no naturally occurring blaze. Soon she’s unearthed a connection to a celebrity psychic who preys on Detroit’s poor, promising miracles for money. But Hope Solomon wants more—she’s collecting spirits, and in a frantic race against time, Anya will face down an evil adversary who threatens her fragile relationship with her lover, her beloved Sparky’s freshly hatched newts, and the wandering souls of the entire city

What did I think of it:
Sparks is the second book in the Anya/Sparky series. I loved the first book Embers, especially because of Anya's familiar Sparky who outshone everyone and everything in my opinion.

That being said: I absolutely love Sparks!
And this time it's quite a bit harder to name one specific thing that outshone the rest I can tell you. Sparky does shine ofcourse (both while guarding his bathtub full of newts and while wreaking havoc on an unsuspecting Baby Super Store) but Anya shines as well in a way she didn't and most probably couldn't in Embers. Where she was emotionally quite closed off in the previous book she's opening up in this one, making her vulnerable in a way that makes you want to hug her and kick some butt among those who pester her. The other characters are very intriguing as well, some raising some questions about who and what they truly are and others making you wish you had them as a friend. The one negative thing I can say is that at the moment it's not clear if there will be more books in this series. I really hope there will be because I want lots and lots more Sparky and Anya!

Why should you read it:
In my honest opinion sofar this book is one of the five books you should read this year.

Shalador's Lady - Book Review

Shalador's Lady by Anne Bishop

What is it about:
For years the Shalador people suffered the cruelties of the corrupt Queens who ruled them, forbidding their traditions, punishing those who dared show defiance, and forcing many more into hiding. And even though the refugees found sanctuary in Dena Nehele, they have never been able to call it home.
Now that Dena Nehele has been cleansed of tainted Blood, the Rose-Jeweled Queen, Lady Cassidy, makes it her duty to restore the land and prove her ability to rule. She knows that undertaking this task will require all her heart and courage as she summons the untested power within her, a power capable of consuming her if she cannot control it.

And even if Lady Cassidy survives her trial by fire, other dangers await. For the Black Widows see visions within their tangled webs that something is coming that will change the land—and Lady Cassidy—forever…

What did I think of it:
This book continues the story of Cassidy that began in 'The Shadow Queen' and I can advice to read it only if you read the previous book. It does have a bit more bite to it than 'The Shadow Queen' although it still doesn't reach the gritty, dark atmosphere that hangs over the original Black Jewels trilogy. Which doesn't make it a bad book btw, it's beautiful and as well written as any other book by Bishop I've read sofar. (I'm beginning to supect Bishop can make a grocery list sound beautiful if she set her mind to it.) I like how characters introduced in the previous book got even more character depth and how Bishop succeeds in introducing new characters that impress however small their roles were in some cases. And I absolutely loved the Scelties (some sort of magical and intelligent dogs), that have been mentioned in other books before, but shine in this one. I want a Sceltie as a friend now.

Why should you read it:
Don't tell me I have sofar failed in getting you interested in the Black Jewels books! They're awesome.

The Ugly Truth About Unicorns

Yes! I'm a proud member of Team Zombie!
And today I'll tell you the ugly truth about unicorns.

Take a good look at the following picture:

Noticed the goat on the right?

That's a unicorn!

Yes, it's true: Unicorns are goats!!
Now I can understand people think goats aren't as glamorous as horses and it looks like the unicorns thought so too, so they hired an excellent spin doctor and so the myth of the prancing, horsey unicorn was born.

But now you know the truth: behind that nicely spun illusion of a horse there's actually a goat!

Zombies don't need some fantastic scheme like that to be cool!

And if this revelation didn't convince you, think about this:
Unicorns go for Virgins, Zombies go for Brains!

The Shadow Queen - Book Review

The Shadow Queen by Anne Bishop

What is it about:
Dena Nehele is a land decimated by its past. Once it was ruled by corrupt Queens who were wiped out when the land was cleansed of tainted Blood. Now, only one hundred Warlord Princes stand—without a leader and without hope… Theran Grayhaven is the last of his line, desperate to find the key that reveals a treasure great enough to restore Dena Nehele. But first he needs to find a Queen who knows Protocol, remembers the Blood’s code of honor, and lives by the Old Ways.

Languishing in the Shadow Realm, Lady Cassidy is a Queen without a court, a castoff. She is not beautiful. She thinks she is not strong. But when she is chosen to rule Dena Nehele, she must convince bitter men to serve once again.
Theran’s cousin Gray is a Warlord Prince who was damaged in mind and body by the vicious Queens who once ruled Dena Nehele. Yet something about Cassidy makes him want to serve—and makes him believe he can be made whole once again.
And only Cassidy can prove to Gray—and to herself—that wounds can heal and even the whisper of a promise can be fulfilled…

What did I think of it:
Compared to the original Black Jewels Trilogy this addition to the Black Jewels books is a fluffy, romantic read, but certainly a beautiful read as well. Next to revisiting characters from the original trilogy this story adds more depth and new characters to the Black Jewels world. And there are some really cool characters I can tell you. (My favourite of the new characters has to be Ranon, who was featured in my teaser tuesdays post.) Bishop's writing is vivid and rich as always and just one of the many reasons I can reread her work time and time again. Having read this book before having read the original trilogy I can safely say it can be read seperately, but I will warn you that after reading this book you will want to read the other books as well.

Why should you read it:
It's beautifully written fantasy

Simon Says - Short Story Review

Simon Says by Bianca D'Arc (part of Half Past Dead*)

What is it about:
Special Forces soldier Simon Blackwell ended his affair with Mariana Daniels three years ago, but he hasn’t stopped protecting her. Mariana has no knowledge of the dark, deadly creatures that lurk in the forest surrounding her clinic, or of the mysterious powers that make Simon the only one who can defeat them. But soon he’ll have no choice but to reveal the truth, and urge her to trust in an explosive passion that never faded…

What did I think of it:
This short story is the prequel to 'Once Bitten, Twice Dead' and as I really liked that book I gave this short story a try. The romance/smut part of the story is overwhelming the action/zombie part of the story I must say, but that's probably to be expected from a short story. The extra info on the zombie infestation and the zombie action in this story were very cool though and while not as good as 'Once Bitten, Twice Dead' I thought it was an enjoyable read. The aftermath of the story felt a bit drawn out even creating a tension as if maybe something more would happen, but sadly enough this was not the case. I still will continue to read this series though.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable read for PNR lovers and zombie fans who don't mind all the extra romance.

*The other story in Half Past Dead is 'The Undying Heart' by Zoe Archer and has zombies too for as far as I understand, so I'll probably be reading and reviewing it soon.