Book Reviews
March in Country (Vampire Earth 9)
March in Country is the ninth book in author E.E. Knight's excellent post-apocalyptic series called Vampire Earth. With this book, we see the main characters of the series getting much older, but it's still just another part of this long-running story that is still going strong after nine volumes. It was published in January 2011.
Cross Fire
The only reason for me to still read a James Patterson book is if somebody got me one as a gift, which is the case with Cross Fire. I know it's easy to pick on Patterson's writing because he sells so well, but I just don't get into his style of story. This book is not awful, but it borrows plot elements from other stories and then has a very weak ending.
Thief of Lives
This is the sequel to Dhampir, a horror/fantasy novel about a pair of con artists who go around pretending to clean up small village of vampires, then they wind up fighting the real thing. This book picks up shortly after the first one ended, and is definitely worth reading if you liked the original.
Dead or Alive
Dead or Alive is the latest novel from Tom Clancy, but for this one there is a co-author named Grant Blackwood whose name appears in much smaller print on the cover. In this book, Jack Ryan's son is on the trail of an elusive terrorist who they intend to capture dead or alive.
The Fall
The Fall is the second book in an excellent new vampire series called The Strain Trilogy from movie director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy) and author Chuck Hogan, who wrote the book that the Ben Affleck movie, The Town, was based upon. You really should be reading this series.
Spandau Phoenix
Spandau Phoenix is a rather awful name for such a good book, but this one is worth reading especially if you like historical fiction and World War II stories. The title of the book comes from the Spandau prison, and the story centers around one of Spandau's most famous occupants - a Nazi named Rudolph Hess.
Mortal Fear
Mortal Fear is a thriller from author Greg Iles. It is available in paperback and audiobook form, and focuses on a serial killer who uses an internet adult friend finder type site to stalk and murder women. It's a fairly decent mystery type story, but the technology is very dated by today's standards.
Waiter Rant
This is a neat little book written by an actual waiter who spent years working in an upscale restaurant and dealing with the various types of customers who frequent such establishments. This book originally began as a blog that got so popular that the author was able to secure a book deal. If you've ever waited tables or wondered about what goes on behind the scenes in this profession, then you should check out this book.
Enemies & Allies
The cover of this book sold me from the start. Batman and Superman are at odds with each other in this mix-match adventure from author Kevin J. Anderson. It's light reading, but still fun to see these two comic legends together in the same novel with Lex Luthor.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I was quite impressed with the final installment of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This book is so long that it is being adapted into two movies instead of one. I recently watched Part 1 after having finished this book just a few weeks prior, and I must say it is faithful to the book - almost to a fault.
Gauntlgrym
I have read every single one of R.A. Salvatore's books where the character of Drizzt Do'Urden is featured, and I have read them in order. Starting with the Icewind Dale trilogy then on to the Dark Elf trilogy and a dozen or more books in between, I have to say this latest novel, Gauntlgrym, is one of the very best. It also begins a new series.
Ghost Road Blues
Ghost Road Blues is the first book in a trilogy from Jonathan Maberry and is a fun supernatural thriller set around Halloween that involves a ghost, criminals on the run, and much more. It is also the first book I bought from the Amazon Kindle Store and read entirely on my PC and iPod Touch. This book won the 2007 Bram Stoker award for Best First Novel.
Lost Souls - Dean Koontz's Frankenstein Book IV
I was about halfway through reading Lost Souls, the fourth book in Dean Koontz's reinvented Frankenstein series , when I posted a question on Facebook about the author. I asked how many of my friends read his work and how many have been disappointed by his more recent stuff. Several of my reader friends agreed that he's over rated and wondered why he keeps selling when the really good stuff is so few and far between. I feel the same way about Stephen King.
Into the Storm - Destroyermen Book I
Into the Storm is the first novel in author Taylor Anderson's Destroyermen series. It is available in hardcover and paperback form, and I listened to it in audiobook format from Audible.com. If you like science fiction stories about other worlds and new races of people, you should check this one out. I've never read anything quite like it.
The 47th Samurai
The 47th Samurai is a great action book from Stephen Hunter, and is the fourth part of his series about the character of Bob Lee Swagger. One of Hunter's earlier books, Point of Impact, was made into the movie Shooter with Mark Wahlberg. I would love to see this one turned into a movie. It's about an American who travels to Japan and learns some of the samurai ways.
Star Wars: The Old Republic - Fatal Alliance
Fatal Alliance is a new Star Wars book set during the time of The Old Republic and meant to be a companion piece to the video game called Star Wars: The Old Republic. It was written by Sean Williams, who previous wrote the companion book for the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video game as well the Force Heretic series of Star Was books and many other science fiction titles.
The Bear
The Bear is the latest novel in the Saga of the First King series from R.A. Salvatore that continues the adventures of his original character known as The Highwayman. This is a fantasy series that is set in an original world rather than the Forgotten Realms D&D setting where Salvatore's tends to place most of his stories, and it seems geared more toward adult readers.
Thor - Volume II
This is a great continuation of the first Thor volume from Marvel comics. This TPB, or trade paperback, contains Thor comics # 7 through 12 as well as #600. It was all written by J. Michael Straczynski with artwork done by Olivier Coipel and Marko Djurdjevic. If you want to learn more about the origins of the Thor character, these two volumes are a great place to start.
Beyond Exile: Day by Day Armageddon
This is a zombie novel set in a world where zombies have taken over and only a handful of human survivors remain. That basic setting isn't all that original, but it's part of a genre that is quite popular these days. What makes this book original is the way in which the story is told. Rather than being a straightforward narrative, this book is written like you are reading someone's journal.
Kill Zone
Kill Zone is an entertaining book about a sniper caught behind enemy lines in the Middle East and trying to rescue a kidnapped general. It's really short and the plot is laid out clearly from the beginning, so it's a lot like watching a B-grade action movie, or maybe The Expendables with a smaller cast. I still liked it, but wasn't blown away.
Dhampir by Barb and JC Hendee
This is a pretty fun read that kicks off what should be an interesting series called Noble Dead. It was published in 2003 and has since spawned more than a half dozen books to add to this series. On the cover of this book is a quote from noted sci-fi author Kevin J. Anderson where he says this story is like a cross between Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Lord of the Rings, and I have to say that's a fairly accurate statement.
Captain America Vol I: Winter Soldier
This graphic novel compiles the first seven issues of the Captain America reboot that began in 2005. I'm not sure if the upcoming movie will be based on any of this material, but it'll be really good if this is the story that the film producers use. If you are looking for a place to get started with this superhero, then read this book.
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
I found Andrew Davidson's The Gargoyle in hardcover at my local Books-a-Million in the overstock bargain section. It sounded interesting and I decided it might be worth my time. It's a very original story that probably wouldn't make it as a movie, but I thought it was well written. Fans and students of Dante's Inferno should take a special interest in the story.
The Bedwetter by Sarah Silverman
I was less than impressed with Sarah Silverman's autobiographical book called The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee. It is sometimes funny and often rambling, and it wound up being a little too self congratulatory without being very interesting. I didn't come away from this feeling like I knew much more about Sarah than before I read it.
Solomon Kane: Castle of the Devil
This is a graphic novel that was first issued as a five-part comic series from Dark Horse comics. It is based on the writings of Conan creator Robert E. Howard, although this story was written by Scott Allie and the artwork was done by Mario Guevara. The main reason I wanted to check this out was to learn more about the Solomon Kane character before I watch the movie that is to be released on video later this month.
I, Strahd by P.N. Elrod
I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire is one of the earlier books in the Ravenloft series, which is based on a Dungeons & Dragons fantasy/horror setting. It was written by P.N. Elrod, who went on to write a series of books called The Vampire Files, as well as many other horror type novels involving vampires and the supernatural.
The Dragon Factory by Jonathan Maberry
The Dragon Factory is the second book in author Jonathan Maberry's excellent Joe Ledger series. Word has it that ABC television has this series on a short list to be adapted into a new TV series. Joe Ledger is sort of a Jack Bauer type and this series would surely draw in fans of shows like 24 and The X-Files because of the way it mixes sci-fi/horror elements with secret military type action.
Thor: Volume I
I decided to check out some of the Thor comics in preparation for the upcoming movie release. If you stayed behind after the credits for the recent Iron Man II movie, it showed an image of Thor's hammer beside a crater in the desert. That same imagery is used in this comic collection called Thor: Volume 1. This is how Thor arrives on Earth.
The Calling by David Gaider
The Calling is the second novel based on the Dragon Age: Origins role playing video game for PC and consoles. It was written by David Gaider, who was lead writer on the game. Whereas the first novel was a prequel for the main game, this novel is sort of a prequel for the Dragon Age: Awakening expansion pack. If you're playing the game, you will definitely get a kick out of reading these books.
The Broker by John Grisham
I got two main things from reading John Grisham's The Broker. First, he doesn't care much for the concept of Presidential pardons. Secondly, he really likes Italy. This is a so-so book about a guy set up to be killed after being pardoned by the President, and he hides out in Italy while trying to avoid assassins. You can find the audiobook version in the bargain bin at most bookstores.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
I could not stop thinking about Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter from the moment I saw it on display in the bookstore. I liked how the cover showed an old photo of Lincoln with blood splatters all around, then the back cover showed him holding an axe and a severed vampire head behind him. It's one of the few times that I was sold by a book cover alone.
Top 3 Books that Need to be Made into Movies
This is a fun little list I wrote for AssociatedContent.com on three books that I think would make great movies, and why. I just hope the movie stays as good as the book, which often is not the case.
Blood Cross by Faith Hunter
Blood Cross is the great follow-up to Faith Hunter's Skinwalker. This book is the second in a new series about a woman named Jane Yellowrock who happens to be a shapeshifter and fights vampires and witches in and around New Orleans. It's sort of like Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Dirty Harry, and it's a very fun read if you like supernatural detective stories.
Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne by David Gaider
If you are a computer gamer who likes to read, then you should be playing Dragon Age: Origins and reading this book called Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne. It was written by David Gaider, who was the lead writer on the game, and is a prequel to the game. In fact, you'll get more out of the game from reading this book because it gives you a lot of history on the characters of Maric and Loghain.
Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher
Being that I am a fan of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series, I thought it would be interesting to check out this book called The Furies of Calderon. It's a fantasy novel set in an original world, and is the first part of a series. I didn't really have any expectations about this novel, other than knowing the author's previous works have been quite good. Now that I have finished reading it, I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Daredevil: The Man Without Fear
This is an awesome origins story for the Daredevil character. Forget the Ben Affleck movie, because this is the real deal. I was never that much into Daredevil until a friend recently turned me onto this graphic novel, which was originally issued as a five-part comic book series. This was written by Frank Miller, and that should be reason enough for you to want to read it.
Ender's Game: Battle School
This is a graphic novel based on Orson Scott Card's well-loved book called Ender's Game. I have not read Card's original novel, so I went into this graphic novel without any prior knowledge of the source material. In the end, I was pretty impressed with the story and it has the makings of a great new series. This was originally released as a five-part comic book series.
The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry
The story here is about lost Templar treasure that is hidden away using some ancient hidden codes and the treasure hold some secret that could destroy Christianity and make everyone reevaluate their beliefs. Haven't heard that one before, have you? A group of so-called Christians think they are doing good by killing people who get involved, and some others are just seeking the truth no matter how it might impact the world. It's a formulaic copycat plotline lifted from The Da Vinci Code.
The Last Ship by William Brinkley
I used to think that Stephen King was one author seriously in need of some editorial work, but now I think William Brinkley takes the cake with The Last Ship. Published in 1989, this is absolutely the most long-winded and boring book I have ever read. Underneath it all is the potential for a really cool post-apocalyptic story in the same genre as Alas, Babylon, but it gets so bogged down in details that it is truly a chore to read.
The Ghost King - Transitions III - R.A. Salvatore
Prior to reading R.A. Salvatore's Transitions III, The Ghost King, I didn't know that the author had lost a close family member to cancer. Having also recently lost someone, I started picking up on some imagery and emotions in this story that made me realize how much of it was surely influenced by the author's experiences with the frustration of watching a loved one die from an unstoppable disease. On that level, this book is a work of genius. It's also extremely dark and violent.
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
It was with a sense of sadness that I reviewed Michael Crichton's Pirate Latitudes, because this is his last finished novel. After his passing in 2008 from throat cancer, the completed manuscript for this novel was found among his files. I don't think anyone knew he'd been writing this. While I did like the book, I have a feeling that it isn't the full version that Crichton intended for print.
Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Children of Hurin is a novel from Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien and edited by his son, Christopher. It's a prequel type story that takes place before the events in Lord of the Rings, and it serves to fill in some of the gaps that were mentioned in passing in other stories. Personally, I think it is meant more for die-hard fans than casual readers.
Book Features
Stephen Lawhead's King Raven trilogy
This series of books is a reboot of the Robin Hood legend, as told be bestselling author Stephen Lawhead. I highly recommend this series and the realistic approach it takes in attempting to explain the origins of the legendary character that became known as Robin Hood.
E.E. Knight's Vampire Earth book series
If you like post-apocalyptic stories where humans are struggling for survival against a more powerful foe, I think you should check out author E.E. Knight's Vampire Earth series of books. They read sort of like a cross between Rambo and Resident Evil.
Raymond E. Feist's Conclave of Shadows trilogy
This trilogy of novels from the acclaimed fantasy author tell a revenge story that takes many unexpected detours along the way.
