Archive for February, 2008
Keeping It Real by Justina Robson
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This book’s heroine, Special Agent Lila Black, is unlike the heroines you find in most paranormal fantasy stories: she’s not a witch, she’s not a werewolf, she’s not a vampire.
She’s human. Well, sort of.
She’s actually part human but has metal pieces fused to her arms and legs. She also has a computer chip in her brain. Technically, that makes her a cyborg but don’t be fooled: she’s quite a bit more than that.
The Story
The main storyline centers around a special assignment given to Lila: protect Zal, an elf rock superstar that deliberately traveled to one of the demon realms and is now part elf/part demon/part something else. Lila was given this assignment because there’s a death squad after Zal who are dead set on killing him. Why? Because they believe his new powers are strong enough to bring about the downfall of elf realm. They’re also uncomfortable with his new hybrid status and see him as a threat to the elven way of life.
Unfortunately, Zal doesn’t think he needs anyone looking after him so Lila has a challenge on her hands. Not only must she keep Zal in her sights, she’s also got to fend off a death squad that’s notoriously difficult to stop - they always get their man.
After a rocky start, Lila and Zal come to respect one another. Lila soon confirms that Zal’s powers are indeed greater than other elves. Additionally, she’s ill-equipped to deal with the magical powers of the death squad: her bionic abilities can protect Zal physically but they’re no match against magic. She and Zal are hard pressed to stay one step ahead of the death squad.
This is a futuristic action-adventure fantasy story. It’s amazing to read Justina Robson’s view of “new” world. The technological advances described in the book are fantastic but even better are the stories about the other realms. The characters split most of their time between the human realm and the elf realm, which are both wonderfully described in the book.
Justina Robson does a great job of presenting the fantasy worlds in this story. Her writing style makes the characters and technology entirely believable. As sci-fi fantasy stories go, this one ranks near the top.
This is the first in a sci-fi fantasy trilogy series. You should give Keeping It Real a spin. It’s a unique story with enough action to keep you interested to the very end.
Gotta have it? Operators are standing by to take your order.
Ashes to Ashes by Jennifer Armintrout
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Carrie, a newly-turned female vampire and Nathan, her new sire, continue their mission to thwart the actions of the Soul Eater, the centuries old maniacal vampire that gains power by consuming the souls of other vampires. Unfortunately the Soul Eater has found a new BFF, an evil and deadly female vamire called the Oracle.
The Story
Carrie and Nathan first met in the 1st book in the series, The Turning, in which Nathan took Carrie under his wing after she was brutally attacked by a male vampire. Although their relationship is tenuous at times, they put their differences aside to track down the Soul Eater and his new followers. Along the way some of their old wounds are reopened causing them to question whether trust still exists in their relationship.
Carrie and Nathan team up with Max, a member of the Vampire Extinction Movement. His group’s mission is to exterminate rogue vampires that prey on humans (instead of consuming synthetic blood like most vampires). Max reluctantly partners with Bella, a female werewolf and witch and a former lover of his. They set out to kill the Oracle who plans to unleash a “sword” of evil on mankind. Unfortunately, the Oracle proves to be the most powerful vampire they’ve ever experienced; she possesses Bella’s body and brutalizes her as she and Max attempt to find her secret location.
Jennifer Armintrout structures this fantasy story like a wonderful road trip, with all of the good guys eventually congregating at the place of the showdown. The best part of the book lies in the adventures that occur along the way.
Jennifer Armintrout does an excellent job of keeping our interest piqued as the climax approaches. The book is well written and the characters are fully developed.
As with previous books in this fantasy series, Jennifer Armintrout weaves a tale of interspecies love interlaced with the standard good vs. evil storyline, but she does it in a fast paced, tooth biting manner that keeps the story interesting. There are romantic subplots in the story but they don’t overshadow the action-adventure segments of the book.
Jennifer Armintrout creates characters that are complex and not without their flaws. This adds to the believability of the story and keeps the entertainment level high.
Although the climax isn’t as detailed as I’d expected, it gets the job done nicely. There’s even a surprise thrown in that will leave your head spinning. Not in a Linda Blair sort of way mind you - in a good way!
Start with Book 1, The Turning, because it provides excellent backstory. However, to be honest, Ashes to Ashes works well as a stand-alone volume. Check out the latest prices for all of the books in the series:
The Turning (Blood Ties, Book 1)
Possession (Blood Ties, Book 2)
Ashes to Ashes (Blood Ties, Book 3)
All Souls’ Night (Blood Ties, Book 4) (Bk. 4)
Remember, with six you get eggroll.
See also: Dante’s Girl by Natasha Rhodes
