The Bad Influence Speaks

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.

Excerpt from Inferno: Brynna's letter to a bully

In Inferno,book 4 in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Chronicles of Nick (out next year), one of her characters is still dealing with the horrifying bullying that took place in Infamous. The situations she depicts and how her characters deal with them are reasons why I heartily recommend Chronicles of Nick to everyone.

This is an excerpt from Brynna’s letter to a bully.

Dear Tormentor,

Today, you made me cry. You made me feel like the lowest piece of dirt that has ever walked this earth. You stole a piece of my heart and soul, and my self-esteem. Just when I had finally managed to convince myself that I wasn’t quite the ugliest or dumbest person alive, you came in and reaffirmed that never ending playback in my head that insults me even when you’re not around. The same playback that tells me, over and over, life sucks, and it’s never going to get any better no matter what I do, because I don’t deserve anything better. I am nothing and nothing is all I’ll ever be. Even when I try my very best, like I did today, it’s not good enough to make me human or worth something in the world’s eyes. I don’t need you or anyone else to reaffirm something I already know about myself.

My hurt didn’t show on the outside because I learned a long time ago to make sure that you couldn’t take that pleasure, too; that you and the others who think you’re funny or witty or cute, or are too afraid of you to do anything more than follow along, couldn’t see how much pain you’ve caused me. The times in the past when I made the  mistake of letting you see my tears, all of you laughed at me over them, and you made it worse. You made me choke on my dignity, and hate that which had been a source of pride until you mocked it.

You have kicked me in my heart, and ravaged what little self-worth I had managed to scrape together.

But that’s okay, because that is what makes me stronger than you and your followers. I don’t have to point out someone else’s flaws. I don’t need to put someone else down or mock someone in order to feel better about myself, or to prove my worth, authority, power or intelligence. The mere fact that you do proves that we who refrain from such cruelty are a superior species. We are the ones who have evolved beyond simple animal behavior that makes a base creature attack something it doesn’t understand; something that is different or not as strong.

It doesn’t take superior intelligence to tear down someone and/or their hard work. To mock their best effort or a physical trait that can’t be helped. It doesn’t prove that you’re more intelligent or better in any way. A stick of dynamite can level a building, but it can’t build one.

You can read the rest of the letter and Kenyon’s comments on it at her website here.

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 Review: Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter

by Josh Gates

 

“Wind is suddenly screaming into the cockpit of this aging Antonov biplane. Charts and a half-assed, handwritten flight plan whip by my face and through the cockpit door into the main cabin. In the rear of the plane our director of photography, Evan, who has been filming out the open door, is suddenly thrust forward toward the edge of open space, only to be yanked to a stop by his four-point harness. Documents eject past him into oblivion.”

Josh Gates brings his customary wry sense of humor and boyish charm to Memoirs of a Monster Hunter, which tells the story of the Syfy series Destination Truth. For those not familiar with the show, Josh and compatriots travel the world digging into stories of monsters, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night. The book takes the same tone as the series as Josh looks back over their varied misadventures. The opening paragraph above aptly demonstrates the crew’s luck with modes of transportation. It also shows you should not read this book while sitting in an airport or on board a plane especially if you are a nervous flier. (Though that boarding pass does make an appropriate bookmark.)

I forgot about that fact and read it on a flight last week. Even with their horrid travel luck, I struggled not to howl with laughter at some parts and enjoyed remembering favorite investigations. Also included are travel tips and the exhortation that Americans need to step outside their comfort zones and travel more. And he’s not talking about tours where every stop is planned out. Book a hotel, or bed and breakfast somewhere, rent a car, and stop anywhere that looks interesting.*

Even if you aren’t a fan of the show, I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys or is interested in travel adventures. Plus you really can't beat Josh's sense of humor.

You can pick up a copy from Amazon here.

 

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

 

New episodes of Destination Truth will air in 2012 on Syfy. You can find season one on DVD, all  seasons on Netflix, iTunes and Amazon instant video, and 4.5 on hulu.com.

*My sister and I have done this. A few years ago, we took a week long trip to Wales. We booked B&B’s in both the north and south of the country for several nights each to be used as a home base. Then we flew into London, rented a car, and saw everything that caught our interest. Yes, there were transportation hiccups along the way, but nowhere near as bad as on the show. I mean, the live fire range wasn’t active that day or anything.

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

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