Immortal Rules

The Immortal Rules

Blood of Eden: Book I

Julie Kagawa
Harlequin, 2012
ISBN: 9780373210510

I knew Kagawa's reputation as a compelling story weaver because my young adult readers are avid readers of her Iron Fey series. The fact that Harlequin publishes that series and this first book in a new series tells me that there will be an engaging plot, some reasonable character development, and romance.

Seems like Kagawa + Harlequin is a great match. There is action but not at the cost of plot development. There is romance, but not at the cost of weak plot. And the young adult attribute seems to keep it all within bounds.

And the title? A nicely complex one, indicating both the preeminence of the vampires in this world, as well as Allison's learning the "rules" of vampireness.

What's different about this book:

The best thing about the book, from my point of view, is seeing the over-done vampire story from the point of view of empathetic vampires. The books starts with Allison as a human, and there is an excellent development of the post-apocalyptic world she lives in, and the amazing challenges she faces.

Then she gets into danger, gets a-l-m-o-s-t killed, and is Turned by a vampire that is different. So as Allison goes through the adjustment, the readers does too -- and somehow all those other vampire books make more sense as I come to understand Allison's perspectives. Yes, vampires are monsters, but each decides what kind of monster s/he will become. And thus a new tension arises for the protagonists in the vampire vs. human conflict: how will Allison keep her humanity despite being a vampire?

Yes, it's another Vampire story. But it's a fresh one. That sounds like an oxymoron, but trust me: this book is worth your time.

What I'll do now that I've read it: 

  This is definitely a To Buy for my young adult readers and the library through which I serve them. Great story, nothing sensationalist or inappropriate, and it's all embedded in an enjoyable read. Looking forward to having this series to offer my readers.

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The Stuttering Tattoo

The Stuttering Tattoo

Author and Publisher: Greg Logsted

Imprint TKA Distribution

ISBN 9781937776213

This is a very "guy" book: young adult male readers will find a lot to empathize with and enjoy.

As a librarian for young adults, I appreciate that. But I see a lot of unpolished writing here. The plot line is great, but the construction and the composition need work.

Steven thinks in ponderous, existential big ideas. To the reader, he SOUNDS the way a 17-year-old male speaks -- but I don't think they really think that clunkily. There are some great, profound thoughts, though, coming from a 17-year-old.

I still haven't made up my mind about the always-present-tense verbs approach. Sometimes it didn't work for me.

But the plot development: wow. So much action and intrigue! And I loved Carlos who always had Steve's back. The characterizations were full and interacted well with each other.

But toward the end of the book as I was reading along, I suddenly had to do a double-take: the high point of the plot was just ... there. Abruptly. Was I the only reader who didn't realize the story line was building ... until the climax was past?

I'm curious about the TKA (Keyword Academy?) Distributor imprint: how much help did the author have to polish and strengthen the work? Apparently this is a self-published book, which might explain lack of community and breadth in the creative process. It also means a whole lot more time and effort invested by the author.

Regardless of publisher, however, this book had a KILLER cover, which many big-time publishing companies fail to achieve. My kids do pick their books by the cover.

In conclusion, I applaud Greg for his initiative and for his growing work. Keep writing, guy: I'm pulling for you!

What's different about this book:

 There's a whole lot of action, and a serious plot (people die!), and an appropriately and realistically functional family (whose is completely functional??), along with an honest male's appreciation of the female body (still kept clean -- thanks!). I figure these values (the great author's eye for a story) outweigh the lack of experience or editorship and bode well for Greg's coming works. 

And my guys who read it won't care about the editing.

What I'll do now that I've read it:

If I could get it in print, I'd pass it on to my junior and senior high school students. Since it's digital only, this book probably won't make it through our extremely narrow stream of Kindle books for our smallish collection of Kindles or other e-reader devices. But I'll keep my eye out for future Logsted works.

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The Book of Lost Fragrances

The Book of Lost Fragrances: A novel of suspense

by M. J. Rose

published 2012 by Atria Books

A complicated and intriguing book.
What would I tell my best friend, whom I want to read this book? It's about the magic of perfumery and the life threads that fragrance triggers. It's about the soul's travel through the centuries, and about reincarnation, and about how our daily lives can be envisioned through past experiences.

But enough ethereal vapors -- this is a darn good mystery  suspense novel too. Somehow the threads of author Rose's plot manage to run through ancient Egypt, revolutionary France, and modern-day New York and Paris. Riding on those threads are the lives of Jac (short for Jacinthe) and her Griffin, Marie-Genevieve and her Giles, and Iset and her Thoth. There's murder, and miracles, and modern mayhem. Yet despite the complexity, the author cleverly maintains the clarity of the threads, and the reader's engagement in them, across the centuries.

What's different about this book

It's an engaging suspense story all mashed up with reincarnation and romance. The characters are engaging, the problems compelling, and the solution is an act of unexpected selflessness.

What I'll do now that I've read it

This is a good one, a book to buy and loan and borrow. And to read again! So my high school library readers will soon have this available on their shelves. And my friends may receive copies as well, just for a good read.

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Hidden Witch

A Hidden Witch, Bk 2 of A Modern Witch series
by Debora Geary
published 2011 by Fireweed Publishing

Over the Christmas holidays I got hooked into this series by a reading friend. Yeah, yeah, yeah, witches and magic and who needs it?

But because I love this friend, I gave the first book a try. The plot line was compelling, the approach to magic and the supernatural was fresh and human-centered (i.e. it's all for good, family, and community), and there was a touch of romance, a good amount of surprise and novelty, and a whopping dose of problems solved with loving, supernatural abilities generously mixed with ingenuity and creativeness.

"Creative" may be the best word for the series, and for this second book, Hidden Witch, as well. There is a winning combination of popular characters from the first book and new and engaging figures in the second.

It's fun reading; unrealistic (not just for the magic but for the absence of bad, evil people -- which I love!); and the story line keeps moving. I was afraid, at one point, that the second book would not be as compelling, but again the sense of community and the creativity with which these witches work their magic is indeed magic. A very satisfying read.

What's different about this book:
The approach is fresh, and the story itself is fun. Not what I read during my school term, but great for the in-between breaks. And the authoring craft is at its best here: to conceptualize all this stuff is an entirely different craft, and it's done as well as the writing itself. Great job, Debora.

Evaluation, or what I'll do now:
This is not something I'll use for my school or church libraries (and there's no issue of it being inappropriate for "spiritual" folk -- it's just made-up, like Santa Claus).

But it is the best reading I've had in a while to recommend to friends. Thanks, Mary Frances!

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King Solomon

King Solomon: The Temptations of Money, Sex, and Power
by Philip Graham Ryken
Crossway, 2011

Non-fiction: Adult, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality

Crossway consistently produces thoughtful and relevant reading. This was another success for the publishing house.

For many of us the Biblical story of Solomon is not new. In fact, that familiarity may be the single greatest obstacle the book faces: what more can we learn?

And this is where Ryken and Crossway prove to be a successful combination: Ryken's spiritual insight and mastery of writing, with Crossway's support, offer us a thoughtful read.

This is not just for Christians but for most of us who recognize personal struggles with any form of money, or sex, or power. And as Ryken describes and illustrates these areas, these Big Three really encompass most of the challenges for a contemporary self-aware life.

What's different about this book:
The stories and illustrations are ENGAGING and relevant. I did not expect that with the book's focus. Solid, yes, and Biblical, sure: I expected those. But to find the writing both encouraging and convicting and engaging, that I didn't expect.

Evaluation, or what I'll do now:
This is a great resource for my church library work. I'll be eager to see folks pulling this book off the shelf and finding, as I did, that it is an experience well worth the time.

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First Rule of Ten

The First Rule of Ten: A Tenzing Norbu Mystery
by Gay Hendricks, Tinker Lindsay
Hay House, 2012 (Adult Fiction / Mystery, Detective)

I was attracted to this book because of an uncommon mix of mystery, murder and spirituality. And I kept reading because the authors continued to use the best of each of these areas in developing the characters and action.

As the book opens, Ten is deciding to leave his job -- LAPD detective-- after getting shot and realizing he's not where he wants to be. He loves detective work, so he strikes off on his own.

Along the way Ten is accompanied by his house mate Tank (a large feline with an equally large personality), his ex-partner Bill and family, and the quintessential tech help, Mike. This combination of friends, as well as new ones he makes along the way, makes for a fun and comfortably mysterious read.

What's different about this book:
This is not your typical heavy, angst-ridden LA detective. Ten is fun, enjoys people, treasures his moments of solitude, and examines his relationships and path in the world through his Buddhist beliefs and background. It's refreshing to have a protagonist who represents the universal virtue of grace. Ten also differs from other LA detectives in his personality or aura: his is a gentler soul, softer.

Evaluation:
This was an enjoyable read. It's not compelling enough to push with my young adult / high school / adult readers. But I can recommend it without hesitation. And I will probably watch for the two titles that will be following in this trilogy. Not a high-stress read, but a pleasant one. Engaging characters, enough "bad guy gets his comeuppance" to be satisfying.

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Keeper of Lost Causes

Keeper of Lost Causes
by Jussi Adler-Olsen
2011 Penguin Group (USA) / Dutton

An excellent story, an entertaining read.

If you're looking for another Stieg Larssen book, this isn't it. The flawed hero isn't as charismatic, but the side-ways humor is better. The female protagonist is NOT Lisbeth, but she's not intended to be as central to the day-to-day plot.

But the good news: the interaction between Carl, the protagonist, and his side-kick Assad is rich, and the combination (especially considering Assad's mysterious background and uncanny skills) offers a new perspective for the enjoyment of the reader. And the construct of a Department Q, the department consisting of one detective assigned important cold cases, offers many opportunities for many fine reads to come.

Best of all, Jussi Adler-Olsen is still with us, and will hopefully prove to be a prolific writer. I'm ready for the sequel.

What's different about this book:
It's by an international author, in an international setting, and it feels different to those in a North American context. But the complex plotting and the rich humor make it worth the reader's while to spend some time outside the expected comfort zone.

Evaluation, or what I'll do now that I've read the book:
This would be a good (and appropriate) read for my crime novel fanatics in my high school library community. And it will be a great recommendation for others, like me, who enjoy the thrust and parry of an anarchistic, iconoclastic individual with little patience for the Establishment's way of doing things.

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Christ + Nothing = Everything

Christ + Nothing = Everything
Tullian Tchividjian
Crossway Books, 2011


Tchividjian's book speaks to a crucial truth of Christianity. Perhaps the theme is most concisely summarized by a quotation in his book: the only thing you contribute to your salvation and to your sanctification is the sin that makes them necessary (quoting Templeton, p. 103).

The strength of Christ + Nothing = Everything is the discussion of that crucial truth as expressed in the book's title. But the overall impact of the work is weakened by several qualities which seemed to drive the reader to disengage rather than to dig in and follow the author's arguments.

What's different about this book:

• the absolutely essential truth that ONLY CHRIST effects my salvation and my justification. The author does an excellent job explaining this and laying out the damning ramifications of my attempting to add to or subtract from that finished work.

• The excellent bibliography to other powerful Christian thinkers who have compelling thoughts on this truth. I really wanted to take off and read a few of those books as well.

• the compelling back story of the author's life events that instigated the study and the book. We've all experienced them: the older guard that resists change. Tchividjian mirrored the grace he wrote of as he shared his experience at Coral Ridge with grace and admirable economy of words.
  
  

Evaluation, what I'll do now that I've read the book:
The heart and accuracy for the Gospel is solidly present in Christ + Nothing = Everything. The book will be used to extend the Kingdom. But purchasing this title will not be on the top of our vendor list this year.

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Heart of Ice

Heart of Ice
Bk 3 in Triple Threat series
by Lis Wiehl with April Henry
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2011


From the first in the series, Face of betrayal (2009), through the second, Hand of fate (2010), and now to this 2011 sequel, the writing and the cohesion of the novels have grown more sophisticated and seamless.

I enjoyed the story; I was caught up in it, in fact. But the number of people who end up dead in this book is unsettling: I know the story deals with a sociopath, but sometimes the killing seemed less strategic and more an author's means to control the plot.

What's different about this book:

• There is a skillful presentation of the worldview of each of the women: thoughts about why something happens, who's to blame when things go wrong, how we should respond to adversity and painful life situations. No didactic preaching - just a fair and balanced view of what motivates the characters. Some novels today carry such a nihilistic tone that Wiehl's approach is refreshing and enjoyable.
• The first two novels in the series really allow the reader to enjoy the fuller context of the characterizations and the background of the story.

Evaluation: what I'll do now that I have read this
This series will be shared with peers and book clubs through our libraries. The strength seems to stand in the complete series rather than a single title.

I'm frustrated that the plot lines in the lives of these women aren't being resolved but are rather pushing along the profitability factor of a series. I want some resolution to help me continue to be engaged with these characters.

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Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian

Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian
by John Piper
Crossway Books, September 2011

Racism, ethnic prejudice and other-ness are givens in our culture: like the poor, they will be with us always. And because of that ubiquity, I tend to relegate the evil of racism to my periphery: yes, it is evil and degrading and I should "work on it."

Piper's words grab my complacent acceptance of this evil and shake it.

Bloodlines makes me aware that the nature of racism is in fact a clear statement of my understanding of spiritual reality. To the extent that I am racist or harbor racist views, to that same extent I diminish the sovereign God and His purpose in creation.

What's different about this book:

• It posits the concept of racism in a full context: social, moral, religious, political and historical. Excellent research, cogent connecting of all the perspectives.
• It clearly and compelling explains the solution to racism -- the only solution that will work. The book thoroughly and convincingly makes the case the authentic Christianity is the only possible solution to a destructive mindset and behavior that can only worsen.
  

Evaluation: what will I do now that I have read this book?
I had this title on our vendor's Purchase list before I finishing reading it.

Racism is universal. Read this book if you are racist or concerned that you might be.

But ESPECIALLY read this book if you don't care.

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