Finished Surviving Demon Island by Jaci Burton.

This is the first book in a new series by Burton about humans who defend the world from demons. In this book, movie star Gina Bliss signs up for a Survivor-like reality show where the object is to kill “demons.” She’s whisked away to a tropical island, along with several other “contestants.” Gina quickly bumps heads with Derek Marks, one of the shows “drill sergeants,” for lack of a better word.

But as it turns out, the show is just a ruse to find and train more people to hunt down and kill the demons, which are very, very real. The good guys and bad guys are locked in an eternal struggle for the fate of the world, etc., etc., etc. Gina soon finds herself battling horrific monsters — and her intense attraction to Derek (Well, she doesn’t battle the attraction too long before giving in.) 😉

An interesting read. I really liked the twist on the reality show, and Burton sets up the next book very nicely. And if you’re looking for some steamy sex scenes, this one won’t disappoint. Things get very heated in the jungle, if you know what I mean.

My only quibble was when everyone learned that the demons were real, they all immediately signed up to do battle with them. Essentially giving up their old lives for a new one full of danger and probably an early, painful death. Just like that.

I know these people all lost their mothers and had a need for revenge. That they were damaged, scarred, and looking for a family. Maybe it’s just me, but I still would have taken a couple of days to think it over, at the very least. And being told I’m going to be on a reality show when I’m really being recruited to be a demon hunter would make me angry. Really, really angry. :hulk:

Still, thumbs up.

Up next: Bled Dry by Erin McCarthy

Finished The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt.

One thing a proper English lady should never, ever do is fall in love with her servant. But that’s exactly what happens to Lady Georgina Maitland, who becomes rather attached to her land steward (i.e. servant) Harry Pye.

Georgina is a wonderful character — warm, bubbly, and just a tad scatterbrained. Harry comes off as a bit gruff in comparision. My one real quibble with the book is the fact I didn’t like Harry that much. I thought he ran roughshod over Georgina too many times and didn’t treat her well in certain places.

Most historical romances focus on the upper crust of society and give little thought to servants. Sometimes, I get tired of reading abouts dukes and lords and ladies. (Surely, there was a servant somewhere who had a grand love story. The human race would not have survived otherwise.) So, I really liked the change of pace in this book. 

I also liked the bit of whimsy Hoyt added by having Georgina tell Harry a fairy tale about an enchanted leopard prince who wins the hand of a beautiful princess.

So, thumbs up.

Up next: Surviving Demon Island by Jaci Burton.

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

Finished Places to Be, People to Kill. It’s a fantasy anthology that features twelve stories about assassins. The stories range from light-hearted to dark and gritty.

I enjoyed the lighter stories like Exactly by Tanya Huff much more than the serious stuff. Jim C. Hines, the guy who writes the D&D-esque Goblin books, completely surprised me with Bloodlines, a dark tale about family ties and magic. An interesting tale, but I think I like Jig the goblin much better.

Probably my favorite story was While Horse and Hero Fell by Sarah A. Hoyt, which is about a computer wizard (as in a techno genius, not a magical one) who takes over a magical black-ops unit to rescue the cute girl he’s admired from afar. I’d love to see a whole novel set in that world. 😎

Overall, the stories aren’t as interesting or thought-provoking as Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman, another short story collection I recently read. But Places to Be is still entertaining, especially if you’re looking for a quick read. 

The only other downside was that since these are short stories, there wasn’t enough the usual amount of world-building I’d expect in a fantasy novel. But there’s only so much you can do in twenty pages.

But still, thumbs up

Up next: The Leopard Prince by ELizabeth Hoyt.