Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher

Book: Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher

Series: Book One of the Codex Alera

Published:2004

Extras: None

Plot (Goodreads):For a thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies - elementals of earth, air, fire, water, and metal. But now, Gaius Sextus, First Lord of Alera, grows old and lacks an heir. Ambitious High Lords plot and maneuver to place their Houses in positions of power, and a war of succession looms on the horizon.

Far from city politics in the Calderon Valley, the boy Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. At fifteen, he has no wind fury to help him fly, no fire fury to light his lamps. Yet as the Alerans' most savage enemy - the Marat - return to the Valley, he will discover that his destiny is much greater than he could ever imagine.
Caught in a storm of deadly wind furies, Tavi saves the life of a runaway slave named Amara. But she is actually a spy for Gaius Sextus, sent to the Valley to gather intelligence on traitors to the Crown, who may be in league with the barbaric Marat horde. And when the Valley erupts in chaos - when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies - Amara will find Tavi's courage and resourcefulness to be a power greater than any fury - one that could turn the tides of war

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Tavi is a 15-year-old boy who is essentially stunted by his lack of power to control the elements (furies). He stumbles in to a treacherous plot to kill the First Lord (a sort of King, I gather) and, along with his aunt and uncle and a few other assorted characters, must try to avert (or win) a war.

Rating: 7

What worked: Jim Butcher is an amazing writer. I could go on for hours about how much I love the Dresden Files. His excellent writing made this book readable for me--his characters were slightly one dimensional (to be expected in the first of a series) but likable and the action was exciting. The book was fast-paced and kept my interest.

What didn't: I don't like high fantasy books. I never have. I hate talking animals, distant worlds, made up languages, and entire chapters filled with description of a far-away world. To be fair, "Furies of Calderon" really didn't include any of those pet peeves, it's almost more of an alternate history (with a few animals that don't exist in this world--well,that and the furies). Still, there are plenty of swords and horses, like any good epic fantasy. The good are good and the evil are certainly evil, with very little crossover. I have never read a high fantasy book I've liked.

So why did I read this book? For the "To-be-read challenge". I realized recently that March was almost finished and I hadn't read a single book on my list. I don't do well with these books, I kept imagining that the strong and savage Marats looked like JarJar Binks, even though they are certainly never described that way. None of my problems with the book are fair, I just really don't like the genre. Back to the Dresden Files for me! I don't even feel I should be scoring this book.

Keep reading? Sure. So many of my friends have told me that they love this series that I want to have read it too.

Sink Trap by Christy Evans

Book: Sink Trap by Christy Evans

Series: A Georgiana Neverall Mystery

Published:2009

Extras: "Top ten tools for most home repairs"

Plot (Goodreads):Former corporate drone Georgiana Neverall loves her new occupation as a plumber's apprentice, but is a bit surprised when she finds the favorite brooch of Martha Tepper, the town's former librarian, clogging a sink. Georgiana has a sinking feeling that Martha may have been retired permanently-and suddenly it's up to a plumber's apprentice to flush out a killer.

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: After Georgie's high-powered computer security job dissolves, she moves back to her hometown to become a plumber (much to her mother's dismay). When Georgie finds a brooch while unclogging a sink, she becomes worried that the brooch's owner might have been subject to foul play so she (of course) goes investigating the mystery by herself. Between dodging her overbearing mother and trying to learn a new job, Georgie has a full plate.

Rating: 7

What worked: I thought the plumbing theme was a novel (hehe!) concept. I liked the plumbing tips. Georgie was an interesting character and I thought she reacted well to the challenges of her new profession (like sexism).

What didn't: It was spectacularly obvious who the crooks were from about the second chapter. Georgie got kind of annoying with her constant suspicion of the same couple of people, for no real reason (ie Greg, her mother's boyfriend). I also am getting a little sick of the "I moved away when I was "important" and ignored all my friends but now I'm back, accepted, and enjoying my small town" trope. Honestly, I wouldn't be a fraction as understanding about my friend totally ignoring me for years and then wanting to be besties again when their life imploded and they moved back.

Keep reading? Sure.

Howl Deadly and Never Say Sty by Linda O. Johnston

Book: Howl Deadly and Never Say Sty by Linda O. Johnston

Series: Book 7 and 8 in the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mysteries

Published: Both in 2009

Plot of "Never Say Sty" (Goodreads):

Already an L.A. attorney and pet-sitter, Kendra’s taken on a third job, masterminding a new reality show called “Animal Auditions.” But things get messier than the show’s pot-bellied pigs when her hot new producer is suspected of murder.

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Kendra, both a pet-sitter and a lawyer specializing in animal cases, is involved in the new potbellied pigs-based reality show "Animal Auditions". When a judge is killed and a couple of Kendra's friends are implicated, she is pulled back in to detective work. Additionally, a wealthy animal-lover, Dante DeFrancisco, is introduced as both a suspect and a love interest.

Rating: 7

Plot of "Howl Deadly" (Goodreads):

Kendra's weekend getaway with gorgeous millionaire Dante DeFrancisco turns chilling when a mother she-wolf goes missing from Dante's pet sanctuary. Now Kendra must find her-along with a killer hiding right before her eyes.

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Kendra and Dante are heading out for vacation when they get word that a wolf is missing from Dante's rescue society. Kendra suspects everyone of the crime, including the HotRescue workers, Dante's best friend Brody, and Dante himself. Even though I only read this a couple of weeks ago, I'm having trouble remembering details (not a good sign).

Rating: 6

What worked: I'm a big fan of the Kendra Ballantyne mysteries. I like Kendra. She is a smart go-getter who makes realistic decisions. She gets drawn into mysteries in a realistic way (as realistic as cozy mysteries get) and I like all of her pet-sitting charges, along with all of the recurring characters (and there are a lot of recurring characters--two law firms worth of lawyers, all of her pet sitting and law clients, police officers, etc.). The books are interesting and have a great pace, plus I like the details about the animals.

What didn't: I actually like these two books the least of the series. I think it's partially because I don't like the character of Dante DeFrancisco and I think Kendra dramatically overreacted in ending her last relationship with Shiba Inu-owning private detective Jeff. I know the whole "HotRescue" "HotPets" "HotWildlife" thing was started partially to tie-in to Johnston's other series about a HotRescue worker but I just found it bland. I hope Kendra kicks Dante to the curb and gets back to her roots of pet sitting soon.

Keep reading? Absolutely and hope to try the new series soon.

Question for you: Who do you like better--Dante or Jeff? Any opinion?

Hungry for You by Lynsay Sands

Book: Hungry for You by Lynsay Sands

Series: An Argeneau Novel

Published: 2010

Plot (Goodreads):

This vampire has been alone for far too long . . .

As one of the most ancient in the Argeneau clan, Cale Valens has given up on finding a life mate. His friends and family, however, have not. In fact, they believe they've finally found his perfect match. Getting them together, however, requires one little white lie . . .

Alexandra Willan is in a panic. Her restaurant is due to open in two weeks, but her chef just walked out. Then a highly recommended replacement arrives, an impossibly handsome culinary genius who sends electric tingles racing through her body . . .

Except he can't cook. In fact, Cale hasn't eaten real food in two thousand years. Yet he's determined to prove to Alex his prowess in the kitchen . . . and elsewhere. Because never has he hungered so for any mortal woman. And not just for a taste of her, but for the whole delicious feast!

My four-sentence or less take on the plot: Alex is a chef and restaurant owner who is getting constantly plagued by a series of mishaps that put her restaurant's opening in jeopardy. Cale is a very old Immortal (read: Vampire) who gets word that Alex may be his mate (finally!). Cale and Alex work towards: opening the restaurant, falling in love, and solving the mystery of the cause of her restaurant woes. Many of your favorite Argeneau characters have cameos in "Hungry for you".

Rating: 7

What worked: This is one of the first paranormal romances that I've read where the male protag was very interested in finding a "mate" and is actively interested in being in a committed relationship (far more than the female protag). I really liked Alexandra's relationship with her sisters (who were featured in previous books). I actually like all the overlap between Sand's books. Once you enjoy a character, you can expect to see them (or at least hear about them) in future books. That being said, the books are easily read out of order.

I actually really like the explanation for Vampires in Sand's universe. It's interesting, different, and makes more sense than most other explanations.

What didn't: The book was a bit silly but Lynsay Sands books usually are rather silly. It was an easy read, which can be both a good or a bad thing. The plot was simple and the mystery wasn't very difficult to solve about half-way through the book. In fact, I would say the only one who didn't know whodunit was Alex.

Keep reading? Yes but I will probably get the books at the used book store