The Bad Influence Speaks

BIS Book Review: Born of Silence

by Sherrilyn Kenyon
The League book 5

 

Darling Cruel has long lived a lie to protect those he loves and in doing so created dual roles for himself. In one life, he is the heir to a corrupt thrown; in the other life, he is Kere, a rebellious leader of the Sentella, who helps the resistance on his home world. Zarya, a resistance leader whose father was killed by Darling's uncle, is his only salvation, but she doesn't know his real identity.

Betrayed by the resistance, Darling must come to terms with all he has faced and Zarya's role in it. Will he be able to step into the light and be the leader he was born to be?

 

 

When I first picked this book up, I was wary. It's thicker than normal for her series which is not a good sign. Generally speaking, when Kenyon writes a long novel, it will be heartbreakingly tragic. Acheron is a great example of this fact. His early life is painfully brutal and destructive. Born of Silence follows in this tradition. Darling is subject to horrific torture at the hands of those he had considered friends (and this after a lifetime of cruelty* from his uncle). Sherrilyn Kenyon is about redemption though. Her protagonists learn to rise from the pain of their lives and move forward with, if nothing else, humor.

This book is a heartbreaker. You will gasp, cry, and be truly shocked by some of the content. It is still a worthy read. With each new book, Kenyon reminds me that no matter what obstacles or pain we face in our lives, we can keep on going. True, there will be days (or years) when we're merely putting one foot in front of the other, but in the end we can each prevail.

I started reading this in the late afternoon and finished around 11 pm or so completely missing dinner. I could not put it down. Be prepared.

 

*I couldn't resist the pun.

 

BIS Rating: 5 nightlights

BIS Rating system:
1 nightlight = put it down and didn't care to pick it back up
2 nightlights = finished the book
3 nightlights = enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't re-read it
4 nightlights = had a hard time putting the book down
5 nightlights = stayed up way too late to finish instead of going to bed

Purchase Born of Silence by Sherrilyn Kenyon on Amazon or Barnes & Noble today.

BIS Book Review: Not Even There

by J. Scott Sharp

 

"Betrayal is sneaky. Sometimes, a person doesn't know they've deceived someone until it's too late, or maybe they do and don’t want to admit to it. If a person betrays someone in front of their face, it's a safe bet that they never gave a shit any way. At least that’s what I thought."

 

In this short story by Sharp, sixteen year old Roger plays a dual role in a tragic incident of betrayal that is based on an age old triangle, two men who love the same woman. I can still remember all the days of uncertainty that made up the high school years. Every win is the highest peak. Every loss is the most devastating thing possible. Every reaction to it all will consume your entire being. Moderation isn't even in the vocabulary.

Sharp executes this tragic piece with precision and heart as he takes you back to the pains of high school and young love. I'm not sure whose part of the story hit harder, Roger's or David's. The end even has a "wait, did I just read that right" twist that you won't see coming.

I wouldn't recommend this for a young teen, but college age and up.

 

BIS Rating: 3 nightlights

BIS Rating system:
1 nightlight = put it down and didn't care to pick it back up
2 nightlights = finished the book
3 nightlights = enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't re-read it
4 nightlights = had a hard time putting the book down
5 nightlights = stayed up way too late to finish instead of going to bed

Pick it up for the Kindle on Amazon or  Nook at Barnes and Noble for $0.99.

 

Disclosure: The author provided a free e-copy to me for review.

BIS Book Review: The Forever Girl: Sophia's Journey

Forever Girl series #1
by Rebecca Hamilton

Sophia Parsons is struggling to survive after college while working at a diner in the small, judgmental Colorado town where she lives in the house she inherited from her grandfather. Not only does she have to deal with a dead end job, but the leader of her mother's church wants Sophia to sell her the house and rid the town of her "evil" Wiccan ways. Each day is a challenge with the threats from Mrs. Franklin until Sophia meets Charles and discovers an unknown world where her talents are more than a disability.

Rebecca Hamilton is a new author on the supernatural scene, but on the basis of her first Forever Girl book, I believe she'll be here to stay. The Forever Girl: Sophia's Journey starts Sophia's journey into the supernatural world where the voices in her head have meaning and the drastic changes that will come to happen in her life. It is a Wiccan coming of age story with a love story and supernatural revolution rolled into the background. There is a good flow to the book and I was sucked in by the end of the first chapter. I'd suggest you don't start this late at night because you will struggle to put it down. I know I did and finally had to pause at 2 am when I starting taking long blinks and almost rolled my laptop off my lap.

While the protagonist, Sophia, is 22, this book is well suited for young adults. There is little swearing and the minimal sex and violence (which occurs more at the end of the book) is not graphic by any stretch of the imagination. The cover image, by the way, doesn't really express the feel of the books. Though the main character is a Wiccan, the book does not have a goth feel. It does have vampires (Cruor) and shapeshifters (Strigoi) and fans of the genre will enjoy it. It has the same feel as Lauren Kate's Fallen series though the supernatural elements differ. I'm looking forward to the second book, Come, the Dark: Cordovae's Journey, which is due out next year.

I plan on recommending this to a few friends with teenage daughters.

You can pick up a copy at Amazon in both paperback and Kindle versions.

 

BIS Rating: 4 nightlights

BIS Rating system:
1 nightlight = put it down and didn't care to pick it back up
2 nightlights = finished the book
3 nightlights = enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't re-read it
4 nightlights = had a hard time putting the book down
5 nightlights = stayed up way too late to finish instead of going to bed

 

Disclosure: I was provided a free e-copy of the book by the author for review.

BIS Book Review: Infamous

Chronicles of Nick, Book 3
by Sherrilyn Kenyon

 

Nick Gautier's life becomes more complicated and unbelievable as he realizes he has the potential to become the most evil and destructive creature in the universe. And a few months ago, all he thought he had to worry about was disappointing his mom, wearing tacky shirts and getting beat up at school. Will he be able to keep hold of his humanity or will he lose it all?

 

 

I am a huge Kenyon fan. I'll be upfront about that. I've read her Dark Hunter series for years and became hooked on The League when it was republished. Even with all that I was worried when the first of her young adult series, the Chronicles of Nick: Infinity, came out a 3 years ago. I wasn't sure she would be able to incorporate everything I love about her work into a young adult format, but I was so wrong. All the humor, sarcasm, and style remain; all that is missing is the sex (and hey, he's a teen so it's not there yet).

 

From what I've read she intends to have a book in this series for every year of Nick's life up until he became a Dark Hunter, so 10 books to cover ages 14 to 24. I'm not sure she's only going to have 10 books to make that goal. The first 3 seem to cover from 14 to 15.

 

While I liked Nick in the Dark Hunter series, he was never my favorite. Now with his own series, you get to know him better and see the background and thoughts behind all the snark. I think he may end up becoming my favorite of all her characters. He is smart, has a great if self deprecating humor, and a good heart. That does seem to be her template for heroes though. They are all smart, good looking, snarky, and must overcome a horrible past to be able to accept love. Even with that template, the books never feel formulaic or repetitive. She brings a fresh feel each and every time.

 

She also generally has a lesson or moral to her tales. For parents, the underlying themes are great ones for kids to learn.

Life was so strange. Seldom did it make sense. As her brother would say, 'life isn't a puzzle to be solved. It's an adventure to be savored. Let every challenge be a new mountain to climb, not an obstacle to get in your way and stop you. Yeah, it'll be hard, but once you reach the summit of it, you'll be able to see the world for what it really is. And at the top, it never seems to have been as difficult a feat to climb there as you first made it out to be. Most of all, you'll know that you beat that mountain, and that you rule it. It does not rule you.'

 And, this one, which is in all of her writings. I wish more people thought of life like this.

People aren't just ants rushing around over a crust of bread. Every life, no matter how isolated, touches hundreds of others. It's up to us to decide if those micro connections are positive or negative. But whichever we decide, it does impact the ones we deal with. One word can give someone the strength they needed at that moment or it can shred them down to nothing. A single smile can turn a bad moment good. And one wrong outburst or word could be the tiny push that causes someone to slip over the edge into destruction.

Words matter as do even the smallest actions. Even when you're tired, smile, and share a few friendly words. Say please and thank you. Be kind. Everyone has bad days and your actions may be the only pleasant thing in that person's day. This is something that hits me whenever I read one of her books.

 

Every time I start thinking life might be looking up it knocks me down and kicks me. When I read one of Kenyon's books, it gives me hope because her characters face so many horrible things, but they keep moving forward through the pain and fear trying to be better people. They remind me that what doesn't kill you may hurt a lot, but it still makes you stronger.

 

BIS Rating: 5 nightlights

BIS Rating system:
1 nightlight = put it down and didn't care to pick it back up
2 nightlights = finished the book
3 nightlights = enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't re-read it
4 nightlights = had a hard time putting the book down
5 nightlights = stayed up way too late to finish instead of going to bed

Buy Chronicles of Nick: Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon here through Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

BIS Book Review: Born of Shadows

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

 

"You can't look at someone and tell what they've been through. The scars that hurt the most are never visible on the surface." -Caillen

 

Caillen Dagan is used to running on the wrong side of the law, but can he deal with making the laws. As a result of being jailed to protect his sister, Kasen, Caillen discovers that he is really the missing heir to an empire. Desideria Denaraii is the daughter of the queen of a warring race. She's used to fighting for any scrap of respect, but gaining little because of her father's race.

When they are both framed in assignation attempts, Caillen and Desideria must team up to clear their names and avenge their parents.

Can the man who trusts no one survive with the woman who has never had anyone to trust?

 

 

I feel like I always start these things with a qualification. The one for this review is: I don't read science fiction. Kenyon's League series is the only part that I do. I already love her Dark/Were/Dream Hunter series, and decided to give the League a chance when the first 3 books were republished 2 years ago. Needless to say, I was hooked. She has a way with wry heroes and strong heroines with attitude to spare. Even though her Ichidian Universe is out of this world (pardon the pun), she still makes it feel like home. 

Sometimes I wonder about the amount of trauma her characters have in their pasts, but it does help the reader feel more sympathetic towards them and they can bond a little deeper. I know that I always have a hard time putting her books down. I read this one in about 3.5 hours and was up until after 1 am on a work night. I was dragging ass the next day. It was worth it. I chose to wait until I had a chance to read it a second time before writing this review. When you read that quick and absorbed, you can sometime miss out on the details. Kenyon's worlds are richly detailed. You can tell she has spent a lot of time there in her mind and that she truly loves her characters. This, in addition to her skilled writing, is why her readers (me included) form such strong attachments to the characters and keep coming back for more.

I can't wait until the next book in the series (Darling's called Born of Silence) comes out next April. I'm hoping to get to experience Chayden's, and Nero's stories as well, and maybe Vik's.

 

BIS Rating: 5 of 5

BIS Rating system:
1 nightlight = put it down and didn't care to pick it back up
2 nightlights = finished the book
3 nightlights = enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't re-read it
4 nightlights = had a hard time putting the book down
5 nightlights = stayed up way too late to finish instead of going to bed

 

Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon on Amazon.com

BIS Book Review: Smokin' Seventeen

  by Janet Evanovich

 

Stephanie strikes again. While the bonds office is being rebuilt, the gang is working out of Mooner's RV, but the building schedule runs into a few hitches when bodies start appearing in the lot. Meanwhile, on the home front, Stephanie is being pressed to make a decision between Morelli, Ranger, and a new man her mother is trying to set her up with. If life wasn't hard enough, she's even being stalked by Morelli's Grandma Bella.

 

After 17 books, you can expect the plot to get a little formulaic. It happens. Stephanie and Lula get in over their heads, some maniac is after Steph, she rolls around some with Ranger and Morelli, and destroys a car or two. Even with that, this is still an entertaining, feel-good read. I easily finished it in one evening and laughed myself silly a few times. I did agree with Hal though; she's done better at destroying a car.

Ranger fans will like the fact that she spends more time with him in this book. I'm, admittedly, a Ranger girl myself and greatly enjoyed those scenes. I'm considering the appropriate place for the Ranger sticker that came with the book (there's a Morelli sticker as well). Of course, I also don't see why she should have to choose. Her life works for her, well, other than the constant peril.

Although the series has gotten a little routine, I'm still looking forward to 18 (which I think comes out at the end of the year).

 

BIS Rating: 4 of 5 nightlights

BIS Rating system:
1 nightlight = put it down and didn't care to pick it back up
2 nightlights = finished the book
3 nightlights = enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't re-read it
4 nightlights = had a hard time putting the book down
5 nightlights = stayed up way too late to finish instead of going to bed

 

Buy Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich at Amazon.com.

BIS Book Review (and Contest): Frankenstein's Monster

by Susan Heyboer O'Keefe

 

The creature brought to life by Victor Frankenstein had escaped. After killing his creator, he travels the world trying to find a life for himself. It is not a peaceful journey though. Before his death, Victor Frankenstein extracted a promise from the sea captain (Walton) who found him to search out and destroy his creation. Through his travails the creature must decide, is he a man or is he a monster?

 

 Below the review there will be instruction for winning my Read It Forward copy.

 

This isn't a book I would have normally picked up at the store or library. I'm a little ashamed to admit that I had forgotten I had put in for a copy from Read It Forward until it arrived in the mail. It was a good book though. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.

It is written in journal form from the perspective of Frankenstein's monster, who took on his creator's first name, Victor. I'd consider it a modern working of a classic gothic novel. The style, the language, and even the font take you back in time. You can tell O'Keefe spend a great deal of time crafting it (and crafted is really the best term here).

Victor struggles with finding his place in this world, which is something most of us find difficult. While he commits deeds that are on occasion horrible or taboo, he also has a good heart and fine intentions. You have the impression that if he hadn't been being ruthlessly stalked by Walton that he would have found a purpose and place much sooner.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of literature and gothic novels. I think the ability to write a good gothic thriller is a skill that is fading fast in our modern world. It's nice to know that there are still authors out there who are keeping it alive.

 

On Amazon: Frankenstein's Monster by Susan Heyboer O'Keefe

 

BIS Rating: 4 nightlights

 

BIS Rating system:
1 nightlight = put it down and didn't care to pick it back up
2 nightlights = finished the book
3 nightlights = enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't re-read it
4 nightlights = had a hard time putting the book down
5 nightlights = stayed up way too late to finish instead of going to bed

 

Now for the contest. I'm going to pass on my Read It Forward copy of Frankenstein's Monster to someone who comments below with the title of their favorite monster tale or novel. Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you win.

 

Our contest winner is Kris (chosen by the very scientific method of calling a friend and saying, "Pick a number between 0 and 12"). Kris, check your email for my notification.

Everyone else, thanks for entering. They'll be more contests to come on the Bad Influence Speaks.

BIS Book Review: Pale Demon

by Kim Harrison

Hollows # 9

 

Rachel Morgan needs to travel to San Francisco for the annual witches convention in order to clear her name and have her sanction listed. Blocked from flying by those who want to maintain the sanction, she takes a cross country car trip accompanied by a motley crew: her partners, Ivy and Jenks, and her semi-foe, Trent Kalamack. Along the way they face vengeful witches, aggressive elves and a powerful demon.

 

 

It's true that it's harder to critique books you enjoy than books you didn't like. It's difficult to describe how much you found favor with while sounding intelligent and not gushing. I have that problem here. I've been reading Harrison's Hollows series for several years now. She's actually one of the handful of authors that I pre-order.

Rachel Morgan has become one of my favorite modern characters (and will be on a Top 5 list posted in the next week or so). One of the reasons I like her so much is that she is flawed. She screws up. She accidentally hurts the people she cares about. Even with all that, she never gives up. She keeps on going and trying her hardest to live a life she can respect. Rachel is just like the rest of us (well, disregarding the whole witch/demon thing). She is the type of friend that is worth having, one who will do anything in her power to support and help.  In Pale Demon, she faces the highest witchy authority who fails her, and a demon that even other demons fear, but finds an ally in an unexpected place.

Kim Harrison has done some wonderful character development with this series. She brings all their faults and successes to live with a vividness that makes the characters seems all the more real. Ivy and Jenks continue on their paths but this novel particularly brings Al, Rachel's demon teacher, and Trent, Rachel's 'it's complicated' to the forefront. I must admit, I like Al. I have liked him since A Few Demons More. Even while being an amoral son of a bitch, you can still tell that he cares for Rachel and values her. Trent has grown on me as well. In this book, we gain more insight into why he does what he does and see how his life has changed since meeting Rachel. He, like many of her friends, has become a stronger, and better person. 

I wouldn't recommend jumping straight into this series with Pale Demon. There is too much back story a new reader would be missing though it is covered fairly well. You won't lose by reading the entire series. It's a winner and promises to continue with style.

Pale Demon by Kim Harrison on Amazon.com

BIS Rating: 5 nightlights (I stayed up to 2 am to finish this one.)

BIS Rating system:
1 nightlight = put it down and didn't care to pick it back up
2 nightlights = finished the book
3 nightlights = enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't re-read it
4 nightlights = had a hard time putting the book down
5 nightlights = stayed up way too late to finish instead of going to bed

BIS Book Review: Juliet

by Anne Fortier

 

On the death of her Aunt Rose, Julie Jacobs inherits a key. It is not an ordinary key though.  It is the key Julie's mother was carrying when she was killed in a car accident when Julie and her twin, Janice, were young. Following the path of the key and the contents it is protecting takes Julie on an adventure to Siena, Italy, where she discovers her birth name is Giulietta Tolomei and that she may be related to the original Giulietta upon whom Shakespeare's story is based. Will Julie find the answers to both her and her ancestress's past or will they suffer the same fates along side their Romeos?

 

 I should start with the disclaimer that I read (and watched) Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in high school. It's never been a favorite story of mine.  The whole I must die because my lover is dead thing baffles me. I know, I'm not really a romantic.  My preferred Shakespeare is Much Ado About Nothing. All this being said though, I loved this book.  Anne Fortier married the old story (being told in 1340 Siena) with events taking place (and being influence by the old tale) in modern day Siena.

It is written in a classic gothic style where you will keep questioning which of the player is actually the bad guy. Fortier has filled the novel with twists and turns that will keep her readers on the edge of their seats.  Anyone who loves gothic style romances or good old fashioned mysteries will enjoy this book. It's a roller coaster ride that will keep you guessing until the end.  And that, fellow readers, is the hallmark of a well written book.

 

BIS Rating: 4 nightlights

BIS Rating system:
1 nightlight = put it down and didn't care to pick it back up
2 nightlights = finished the book
3 nightlights = enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't re-read it
4 nightlights = had a hard time putting the book down
5 nightlights = stayed up way too late to finish instead of going to bed

 

Buy Juliet by Anne Fortier on Amazon

Book Review: Soulless

by Gail Carriger

 

Alexia Tarabotti is firmly on the shelf and quite comfortable with the fact.  She's not an average, bluestocking spinster though.  Alexia is soulless, or preternatural in polite terms.  This particular state is unspoken of even in a society that recognizes vampires and werewolves.  With Lord Conall Maccon, London Alpha and liaison for Bureau of Unnatural Registry, she will face rogue vampires, strange disappearances, and the London ton.

 

 

 Normally I don't get giddy over a book.  It's happened occasionally such as with Michelle Sagara's Chronicles of Elantra series but it's rare.  Soulless got to me though.  Alexia is a strong, independent woman who is never afraid to speak her mind, and she can save herself, thank you very much.  This book (and hopefully the series) has a great deal in its favor. It is funny, clever, supernatural, and romantic.  I'm actually having a hard time not gushing in this review.  There have been a number of books set in Victorian London that I have picked up and put down a chapter into them because of the behavior of the main characters.  Strong leads who respect each other's personalities and habits can be rare indeed particularly in Victorian romances or novels about werewolves.  Their relationship is not about dominance. 

The story flows well and is smartly written in sharp, page-turner fashion.    To give you a clue to how fascinating I found the story, I am on my second reading in two days.  That's rare for me.  Gail Carriger and her Parasol Protectorate have been added to the list of the few authors that I collect.   Since I am in the process of culling almost 200 books from my shelves that I am not going to re-read, this says something. 

I have some serious lust over her parasol, by the by.

Soulless by Gail Carriger earns: 5 nightlights

 

BIS Rating system:
1 nightlight = put it down and didn't care to pick it back up
2 nightlights = finished the book
3 nightlights = enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't re-read it
4 nightlights = had a hard time putting the book down
5 nightlights = stayed up way too late to finish instead of going to bed