Here are the final three mini reviews of books I read in November.
Daughter of the Blood (2000) by Anne Bishop Genre: Fantasy
Blurb: Seven hundred years ago, a Black Widow witch saw an ancient prophecy come to life in her web of dreams and visions. Now the dark Kingdom readies itself for the arrival of its Queen, a witch who will wield more power than even the High Lord of Hell himself. But she is young, still open to influence – and corruption.
Whoever controls the Queen controls the Darkness. Three men, sworn enemies, know this. And they know the power that hides behind the blue eyes of an innocent girl. And so begins a ruthless game of politics and intrigue, of magic and betrayal, in which the weapons are hate and love – and the prize could be terrible beyond imagining…
My Take: Daughter of the Blood is the first book in Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy. The world building is excellent, as is the characterization. I found some scenes to be highly disturbing and this affected my grade as I assign grades on the basis of my overall impression of a book after I’ve finished it. Judged on its own merits, it’s probably deserving of a higher grade, but I was sickened by a couple of scenes involving – or heavily implying – paedophilia. The subsequent books in the trilogy are supposed to be less dark than this one and I look forward to reading them. Jaenelle and Daemon have the potential to be a great couple – she just needs to be a little older to suit my tastes. My Grade: B-
Grimspace (2007) by Ann Aguirre Genre: Science Fiction
Blurb: By all accounts, Sirantha Jax should have burned out years ago… As the carrier of a rare gene, Jax has the ability to jump ships through grimspace—a talent which cuts into her life expectancy, but makes her a highly prized navigator for the Corp. But then the ship she’s navigating crash-lands, and she’s accused of killing everyone on board. It’s hard for Jax to defend herself: she has no memory of the crash.
Now imprisoned and the subject of a ruthless interrogation, Jax is on the verge of madness. Then a mysterious man breaks into her cell, offering her freedom—for a price. March needs Jax to help his small band of rogue fighters break the Corp monopoly on interstellar travel—and establish a new breed of jumper.
Jax is only good at one thing—grimspace—and it will eventually kill her. So she may as well have some fun in the meantime…
My Take: I’ll say straight up that I’ve never been a fan of science fiction. I don’t think I’ve managed to sit through an entire episode of Star Trek and I’ve fallen asleep the couple of times I attempted to watch Star Wars. The SciFi element put me off trying this series for the longest time, despite the glowing reviews. Although it took me a couple of chapters to get into the flow of the story, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I’d expected to. Jax grated on my nerves at first, but I’d grown to like her by the end of the book. As this is a story told in the 1st person from Jax’s point of view, it’s important to have a sympathetic lead character. The plot was interesting and I’m curious to see where Ann Aguirre takes the storyline from here. I’m hoping the saintly Kai turns out to be a traitor! My Grade: B-
Storm Front (2000) by Jim Butcher Genre: Urban Fantasy
Blurb: Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.
There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get… interesting.
Magic. It can get a guy killed.
My Take: Storm Front is the first book in Jim Butcher’s bestselling Dresden Files series. It’s an interesting mix of hardboiled mystery and urban fantasy. Although I liked both the premise and the protagonist, the story failed to grab me and it took me a few days to finish this book. I’ve heard from several sources that the later Dresden Files books are stronger, so I would be willing to give one of those a try at some point. My Grade: C+
{ 11 comments }
Great mini-reviews! I have the Ann Aguirre book on the shelves but am hestitating because although I really enjoy several science fiction TV shows, I am not sure I’ll enjoy science fiction books. Your review gives me the push to bump ‘em up the pile.
I loved Daughter of Blood! Yeah, there are a lot disturbing scenes in that book, but I think it works with the plot and isn’t gratuitous.
I agree with your assessment of Storm Front–it was okay. I really liked the second book, but by the fourth book I lost interest in the series.
Anne Bishop is total crack to me just like Ward. It is a very dark book and at times very disturbing. I can understand why you would have some issues with it.
@Pearl I enjoyed Grimspace much more than I’d expected to given its SciFi setting. However, her Ava Gray paranormal romances work better for me. I have the first book in the Corinne Solomon series and I’m looking forward to reading it. It’s an urban fantasy and I’m curious to see how Ann Aguirre handles that subgenre.
@heidenkind Interesting that we had a similar take on Storm Front. It’s a cool idea but the story didn’t grab me the way I’d hoped it would.
@katiebabs I got the omnibus edition of the Black Jewels Trilogy and I definitely want to read the next two. I’ve heard they’re less dark, which would be fitting with the direction I assume the story is going to take (i.e.: good will conquer evil; Jaenelle and Daemon will fall in love).
The second book is harder to read than the first because of what happens to Jaenelle. The third book has you on the edge of your seat and will consume you. Talk about great tension and suspense! After reading the trilogy, I had to buy the other anthologies and novellas. Those are much more lighthearted and fun.
@katiebabs Really? Good to know. I can be prepared!
Be prepared because it is a doozy! I also adore Saetan. I want to live with him in Hell. LOL
I had exactly the same reaction to the first Dresden Files book, and was left wondering what the hype was all about. I was willing to give him another shot though, especially since I liked the Dresden Files short stories that I encountered in various anthologies, and was advised to skip ahead to the fourth book. Which totally grabbed me and now I’m a total fangirl.
Though I do see that the fourth book was the one that Heidenkind gave up on
Oh well. FWIW, I have never gone back and read the second or third. I think the early books (or certainly the first) lacked hmm… depth. Or whatever it is that makes you want to keep reading.
I absolutely love the Black Jewels Trilogy!!! It does have some very, dark and intense scenes but I think that’s what drew me in. Anne B. wasn’t afraid to go there and does it so eloquently.
I’m another Black Jewels fan, and have bought all of her books as I love her writing! A big Dresden fan as well, but haven’t read anything by Ann. Like you, I don’t really care for science fiction like that, am more a fantasy type of gal. Great reviews all around!
@Li Yeah, Storm Front did lack depth. That elusive…something…that sucks you in and keeps you turning the pages.
@Donna I’ll definitely review the other books in the Black Jewels Trilogy when I’ve read them. I love the world she’s created.
@Alexia561 Ann Aguirre writes two separate series under her own name (the Jax series which is Science Fiction, and the Corinne Solomon series which is Urban Fantasy). She also writes paranormal romance under the name of Ava Gray. I read the first one, Skin Game, and thought it was great. Very different to Grimspace.