You may ask, why did Qwill like these books so much? Okay, you might not ask but I'm going to tell you anyway. First, both books are unusual. Second, both books are beautifully written with the authors displaying a command of the English language that I find admirable. Third, the world building was very well done. Fourth, the main character in each book, both females, appealed to me. Fifth, the books satisfied me even though both left lingering questions. (Gail - what's up with the octopi? Nicole - I hope we get more of the back story for the dog.)
I'm not going to delve deeply into plot, characters, or machinations because I am not writing full reviews of the books and I do not want to spoil even a bit of the stories.
Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate 1)by Gail Carriger
Soulless is the 1st book in the Parasol Protectorate series. Soulless is a steampunky comedy of manners with werewolves and vampires and more set in Victorian London. Oh my. The leading lady, Alexia Tarabotti, does not give in to the confines of Victorian England, which leads to some humouros and dangerous situations. Miss Tarabotti a preternatural - no soul. Her preternatural ability negates those of the supernatural. Let's just say that there is something mysterious afoot. Steep a cup of your favorite tea, get comfy, and enjoy a great read.
Changeless (The Parasol Protectorate 2) will be released in March 2010.
Gail Carriger's website is here.
Tempest Rising (The Jane True Series 1)
by Nicole Peeler
Tempest Rising is the first book in the Jane True Series. Jane is not your typical Urban Fantasy heroine. She's much more accessible in my opinion. She's also half-Selkie! Tempest Rising is set in Rockabill, Maine, where Jane has grown up under difficult circumstances the root of which are slowly revealed in the novel. There are quite a few unusual paranormal beings in this book plus several of the more common. I enjoyed reading about Jane and the denizens seen and unseen in Rockabill. This is a book that you can really dive into!
Tracking the Tempest (The Jane True Series 2) will be released in July 2010.
Nicole Peeler's website is here.
Qwill's Qwestion: What were some of your favorite books for 2009? [Leave a comment by midnight November 29, 2009; I'll let you know who gets the books on November 30, 2009]
Wow, only 2 books...hard question!! Simon R. Green's the Spy Who Haunted Me, and Laurell K. Hamilton's Skin Trade (which I'm glad she's finally cut down on the sex and refocused on plot)
ReplyDeleteFavorite books of 2009? Ooh. I just adore the new Mary Balogh series about the Huxtable family. Ann Aguirre's latest in Jax Sirantha's story is fab. And Tessa Dare is another historical author I'm fast becoming a fan of. I could go on and on. LOL
ReplyDeleteBea - You can list more than 2 books, but the 2 I mentioned are clearly among my favorites this year.
ReplyDeleteTarot By Arwen - Uh oh. More books for my already ginourmous TBR.
This year I loved Jaye Wells' Red-Headed Stepchild, Linnea Sinclair's Hope's Folly, Keri Arthur's Deadly Desire, Jayne Castle's Obsedian Prey, and Eloisa James' A Duke of Her Own. I have Souless but haven't had a chance to read it yet and I'm looking forward to it. I have been planning to pick up Tempest Rising, but haven't so far. I would love a chance to win it.
ReplyDeleteFirst - Both of these sound very interesting, thank you for pointing them out!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite books of 2009 are
1)Irreplaceable by Stephen Lovely - well written and the topic is organ donation/ transplants. It tells the story from both sides.
2)The Help by Kathryn Stockett - southern lit, a favorite genre of mine, but every one who has touched this book has fallen in love with it.
3)The Queen Betsy series by Mary Janice Davidson. Actually I love everything she writes. The plots are not always well developed, nor is the writing always top notch - but entertaining as all get out! lol I am currently reading Really Unusual bad Boys; it doesn't have any vamps but fantasy all the same and quite fun
Well said. 2009 faves, hmmm. I loved CE Murphy's Walking Dead, Kat Richardson's Vanished, Jennifer Rardin's Bite Marks, Victoria Laurie's Doom with a View, Linda Howard's Burn, Jayne Ann Krentz's Running Hot, The Perfect Poison, and Obsidian Prey. And Peeler's Tempest Rising :-). There are so many more, but that's a good sampling. I haven't read Soulless yet, but I plan to, so I'd love to be entered for the draw for that one.
ReplyDeleteGreat mini reviews. I love a strong heroine in the story.
ReplyDeleteI have Tempest on my shelf, after your post, I may have to move her closer to the top.
I really want to read Souless. It is on my wish list. I can honestly say that until very recently, I have never even heard the word steampunk. This would be my first book in the category.
Thanks for the post.
Elie (Ellz Readz)
Whoops, favorite books of "09. Well, I loved the Shifter series by Rachel Vincent, but I am not sure of the release dates. I would have to say Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill and Would-Be-Witch by Kimberly Frost.
ReplyDeleteElie (Ellz Readz)
Barbara - I really liked Red-Headed Stepchild. Some of the other books that you listed are in my TBR.
ReplyDeletecollen m - I've read alot of MaryJanice Davidson also. I like Fred, the Royals, and Betsy. I thought the latest was really good.
Zita - I will absolutely put you in the drawing for Soulless.
elnice - Do read Tempest Rising. Jane is such a terrific, yet different, UF heroine. I'll put you in the drawing for Soulless. I really love steampunk. Another steampunk book I really liked this year was George Mann's The Affinity Bridge. Also has a strong female as one of the 2 main characters. It was a terrific mystery.
My fav books read in 2009 (in no particular order) were:
ReplyDelete1) House of Night series
2) Mortal Instruments series
3) Michele's Broken Heart series
4) Katie MacAlister's Dark Ones series
5) Queen Betsy series
6) Vampire Diaries series
There have been so many great books this year, it's hard to answer that question. How about Kirsten Cashore's FIRE and RAMPANT by Diana Peterfreund?
ReplyDeleteTempest Rising is one of my favorite books so far from 2009. I haven't read Soulless but I might now. I also enjoyed Bite Marks by Jennifer Rardin, Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells, Dead and Gone and A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris. All of which came out this year. And all of which are awesome reads and I would recommend them to anyone and everyone.
ReplyDeleteOh My Gravy - I would love to win the copy of "Souless." It combines my two favorite types to read, Paranormal and Victorian/Regency. I will absolutely be buying this if I don't win it...LOL.
ReplyDeleteAs for my favorite read for 2009, I would have to say it was "Th Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance." Why this one when there are so many stories in it? That's the reason, it has introduced me to a exciting line of new authors to read.
Well, I will have to go with Molly Harpers new books they were so good (Nice girls don't have fangs and Nice girls don't date dead men) and Linda Wisdoms books (50 ways to hex your lover, Hex Appeal, Wicked by any other name, Hex in high heels. I know there are more but those really stand out in my mind.
ReplyDeleteLynda
Well I have read so many new books this year, but I guess I'll choose from books that came out this year. I loved Dawnbreaker by Jocelynn Drake, Blood Promise and Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead, and I know I'm going to love Jennifer Rardin's Bite Marks (I just finished the rest of the series and soon will read that book too!) Both of these books were on my list of books to get as soon as possible!
ReplyDeleteMy faves? Boneshaker by Cherie Priest from this year. I discovered an oldie but amazing book in Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines, so I'm including that, too. :)
ReplyDelete