Year: 2007

  • 809 and counting …

    2 Comments

    Finished Shadow Touch by Marjorie M. Liu. It’s the second book in her popular Dirk & Steele series — about a detective agency whose members all have paranormal talents, like telekinesis and shapeshifting.

    I read the first book in this series, Tiger Eye, a while back. I remember enjoying it well enough, but not being blown away by it. Then again, I’ve never really been fond of genie stories, which is sort of what that book was. (I say sort of because to describe it fully would make this post way too long.) Anyway, I thought I might pick up another D&S book someday.

    I’m glad I did.

    Shadow Touch focuses on Artur Loginov, a D&S operative who can absorb people’s memories with just a touch. He’s kidnapped, along with healer Elena Baxter, by The Consortium, a shadowy group who wants to exploit the couple. The Consortium plans to unlock the D&S secrets in Artur’s head and have Elena heal their leader. Oh, and they want to take over the Russian mafia too.

    There’s a lot going on in this book, but Liu balances it all quite nicely. Shadow Touch is an excellent blend of romance, fantasy, and action. Liu’s writing is descriptive and beautiful, and the developing relationship between Artur and Elena is realistic and powerful. I can see why the book was nominated for a RITA award. It’s one of the most interesting books I’ve read this year, and I can see why people are buzzing about Liu.

    My only quibble is that the internal, mind-to-mind communication between Artur and Elena got a bit hard to follow at times, even with the italics to set it apart from spoken dialogue. The end is also a bit confusing if you haven’t read Tiger Eye, as The Consortium’s connection to D&S is revealed. I couldn’t recall all the details Liu was referencing from that book in this one.

    Still, a big thumbs up.

    Up next: A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore.

    What about you? What have you read lately? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • Veronica Mars, comic book star …

    4 Comments

    If you’ve read my blog, then you know of my love for Veronica Mars, which sadly got the official axe from the CW this week. Sniffle.

    But then, I see this gem on TV Guide in the Ask Ausiello column:

    Question: The next time you speak to/e-mail Rob Thomas, could you please ask him if he’s ever considered continuing the Veronica Mars story line in comic-book form, the way Joss Whedon is doing with Buffy?— Allison
    Ausiello: Actually, according to the Toronto Star, he had a meeting with DC Comics last Monday about that very subject. And the idea of a VM feature film remains a distinct possibility, so the Mars franchise ain’t over yet. Not by a long shot.

    I think it goes without saying that this would be awesome! Here’s the link to the story he’s talking about in the Star.

    DC Comics, are you paying attention? Everyone knows that the Buffy comic has been a huge success for Dark Horse. I imagine that Veronica Mars would be the same, since it has that same sort of rabid, loyal fanbase.

    I don’t know how TV viewing numbers translate to comic sales, but I imagine that if just half the VM fans (let’s say an even 1 million folks) bought a comic, then it would be a runaway hit.

    Hey, if I sold a million books, I’d be dancing on the moon. 😎

    In other VM news, I won a copy of a book of essays on VM called Neptune Noir as part of a contest over at Diana Peterfreund’s blog. She’s another VM fan. I haven’t read the book yet, but its very existence makes my inner fangirl shriek with glee. I’m sure it will be most excellent. I’ll do a review after I’ve read it.

    What about you? Would you buy a VM comic book? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • 808 and counting …

    Finished After Midnight by Teresa Medeiros. It’s a historical romance with a strong paranormal bent.

    Caroline Cabot is suspicious of her sister Vivienne’s suitor, Adrian Kane. Rumor has it that Kane is really a vampire, since he keeps late hours and no one’s ever seen him outside during the day. Caroline decides to find out the truth — and ends up falling for Adrian herself.

    This is a wonderful romance, full of great dialogue and appropriately eerie, Gothic descriptions. Medeiros keeps the reader wondering for some 200 pages whether or not Adrian is really a vampire — not an easy task to pull off. The twist she throws in isn’t too hard to figure out, but it only adds to the conflict between Caroline and Adrian. 

    Medeiros has written a strong, sympathetic heroine in Caroline, who yearns for Adrian, but is determined to step aside so her sister can have a chance at happiness. You’ll find yourself hoping for a happily ever after — for everyone.

    I sometimes get tired of historicals and the limited plots they seem to have, but I really enjoyed this one. Thumbs up.

    Up next: Shadow Touch by Marjorie M. Liu. She’s another author like J.R. Ward that people always seem to be buzzing about. Liu is in Romantic Times like every other month! I wish I knew her secret …