Magic Bleeds

Today's post is on Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews. It is the fourth in her Kate Daniels series and as such you need to have read the the first three to understand the story. It is 367 pages long and is published by Ace. The cover has Kate and Curran on it looking fierce. There is language, sex, and lots of violence in this book and series. The inteded reader is someone who likes urban fantasy, lots of action, and good writing. The story is told from first person perspective Kate. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren't for the magic. When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose.
Kate Daniels works for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, officially as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle - especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community. When she's called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar on the border between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers that there's a new player in town. One who's been around for thousands of years - and who rode to war at the side of Kate's father. This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Beast Lord, to handle. Because this time Kate will be taking on family.

Review- The best Kate Daniels yet.Lots of things come to a head in this book and I loved it. We get more information about Kate, Roland, the vampires, what Curran is, and so much more. In addition we get Kate and Curran deciding to start their real relationship. I have enjoyed every Kate Daniels that I have read but this one feels so much more than the previous ones. The stakes were so high and I was worried about what Kate was going to do. I knew that she would win but what would she do to make that happen? Curran made me laugh but I wanted to kill him at times too. Just like Kate. I forward to seeing where we are going next.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.

Empire of Things: How We Became a World of Consumers, from the Fifteenth Century to the Twenty-First

Today's nonfiction post is on Empire of Things: How We Became a World of Consumers, from the Fifteenth Century to the Twenty-First by Frank Trentmann. It is 848 pages long and is published by HarperCollins. The cover has printing of a globe, a skull, and other items to give a worldwide feel to the book. The intended reader is someone who likes history, research intensive books, and odd but interesting subjects. There is no foul language, sex, or violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book-
What we consume has become a central—perhaps the central—feature of modern life. Our economies live or die by spending, we increasingly define ourselves by our possessions, and this ever-richer lifestyle has had an extraordinary impact on our planet. How have we come to live with so much stuff, and how has this changed the course of history?
In Empire of Things, Frank Trentmann unfolds the extraordinary story of our modern material world, from Renaissance Italy and late Ming China to today’s global economy. While consumption is often portrayed as a recent American export, this monumental and richly detailed account shows that it is in fact a truly international phenomenon with a much longer and more diverse history. Trentmann traces the influence of trade and empire on tastes, as formerly exotic goods like coffee, tobacco, Indian cotton and Chinese porcelain conquered the world, and explores the growing demand for home furnishings, fashionable clothes and convenience that transformed private and public life. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries brought department stores, credit cards and advertising, but also the rise of the ethical shopper, new generational identities and, eventually, the resurgence of the Asian consumer.
With an eye to the present and future, Frank Trentmann provides a long view on the global challenges of our relentless pursuit of more—from waste and debt to stress and inequality. A masterpiece of research and storytelling many years in the making, Empire of Things recounts the epic history of the goods that have seduced, enriched and unsettled our lives over the past six hundred years.

Review- This is a very interesting but dry read. The subject matter is interesting, the notes are very through, and the writing is good. The problem is that this book does get stuck in all the details. This book gives a global perspective about money and how we spend it. We get to see how money has changed over the past 500 years. Trentmann does admit that he is just giving a very brief summary about the subject but it does not feel brief.  The notes are great if you are looking for research topics. The chapters were about one subject like spending money on food or entertainment but in the end everything fits together to give a whole picture. If you are interested in how money and spending then you should read this book.

I give this Three out of Five stars. I was given this book by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.
 

Rurouni Kenshin volume 1

Today's review is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 1 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 208 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. It is the first volume in the long running series. The cover has Kenshin and Kaoru on it. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some voilence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- 140 years ago in Kyoto, with the coming of the American 'Black Ships', there arose a warrior who, felling men with his bloodstained blade, gained the name Hitokiri, man slayer! His killer blade helped close the turbulant Bakumatsu era and slashed open the progessive age known as Meiji. Then he vanished, and with the flow of years, became legend.
In the 11th year of the Meiji, in the middle of Tokyo, this tale begins...

Review- This is an excellent start to a series. It introduces the reader to a world that is very different from our own. Kaoru is a young woman living alone, just trying to make ends meet when her father's name starts to be slandered. She goes to hunt down the murderer killing in his name when she meets Kenshin who is hunting for him too. The story goes from there with more characters being introduced, the world being explained, and the plot expanding. The fight scenes are over the top but the characters are why you read this manga. They are all wonderful, you really care about Kaoru's pain over the loss of her father and Kenshin's shame of killing so many. I look forward to seeing where this story is going to go.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

The Gryphon

Today's post is on The Gryphon by Nick Bantock. It is the first in the Morning Star series. The cover is green with a beautiful golden postcard in the center. It is 58 pages long and is published by Chronicle Books. The intended reader is someone who has read the first trilogy, likes reading other people's mail, and magic. There is no langauge, no sex, and no voilence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Isabella:
The parcel did contain something unusual...65 cards and letters, the massed correspondence between Sabine and a man called Griffin Moss. It's odd stuff. I'm trying to decide if I've encountered an elaborate fiction, or a series of events that, if true, cast doubt over any concept of reality I've ever held.

--Matthew

The correspondence of Griffin Moss and Sabine Strohem, at turns enigmatic, sumptuous, and romantic, reveals dangerous undercurrents and strange forces at work in the universe. These powers have only grown stronger with the couple's disappearance. Nothing is heard from them for quite some time, until Sabine asks Matthew Sedon, a young archaeologist working in Egypt, for help. As Matthew is reluctantly drawn into the intrigue, he finds encouragement from his strong-willed girlfriend, Isabella de Reims. Miles away in Paris, Isabella struggles with haunting glimpses of mythic landscapes and surreal creatures that come to her in waking dreams. Slowly Matthew and Isabella realize that to unlock this secret world is to open the door to their deepest yearnings. 

Review- More magical letters and love stories. The story is taking a broader  perspective for this whole trilogy. Isabella is special but she, and we as the readers, do not know how. Sabine contacts Matthew because she was the midwife at his birth. So they have a connection. Griffin and Sabine are now beyond the villains grasp but they are still concerned with the world they left behind. To help Isabella do whatever she is to do they reach out to Isabella and Matthew. The art, as usual, is wonderful and adds so much to the story. The fantasy elements are stronger in this volume and I cannot wait to see how things are going to grow and change.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.

Kare Kano: his and her circumstances volume 21

Today's post is on Kare Kano: his and her circumstances volume 21 by Masami Tsuda. As it is the last in the long running series you need to have read the first twenty volumes to understand the story. It is 186 pages long and is published by Tokyopop. The cover has Yukino and Soichiro on it as adults. The intended reader is someone who likes high school romance, drama and happy endings. The story is told from third person god. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The final volume of Kare Kano is here! As graduation approaches, Yukino and Soichiro announce their happy news. Plans solidify for the coming years--college and work, family and friends, hopes and dreams, ambition and love. Which path will each relationship take? For this close-knit circle, the future is wide open!

Review- A happy ending for great characters and all's well that ends well. Everyone ends with who they love and they have some success in life. Yukino and Soichiro have three children in total and are very happy. Yukino is a doctor and is going to run the hospital one day. Soichiro is a detective who always gets his man. I have really enjoyed this series with its real light-hearted look at life. Yes there was real issues like child abuse talked about and yes there was teenage pregnancy but in the end it is a light and funny story about two people meeting and falling in love. There are worse things to read about than that.

I give this volume and this series a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my reviews and I bought this manga with my own money.

Kare Kano: his and her circumstances volume 20

Today's post is on Kare Kano: his and her circumstances volume 20 by Masami Tsuda. As it is the twentieth in the long running series you need to have read the first nineteen to understand the story. It is 188 pages long and is published by Tokyopop. The cover has Soichiro on it. The intended reader is someone who likes high school romance and Drama. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this volume. The story is told from third person close of Soichiro. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Now that Reiji has revealed his true colors, Soichiro must stop him from tearing the family apart. Can Soichiro save his mother and learn the full story of his parents' past, or will he be doomed to continue their legacy of madness? More is at stake than he ever knew...and Yukino has an announcement that will change his life forever.

Review- So Soichiro's family drama has come to an end. Reiji wanted to get revenge on Soichrio's mother for everything that she did to he and Soichiro.  He did not expect to come to love his son. But they work it out so Reiji and Soji, Soichiro's father, make peace with each other too. But now everyone knows that Yukino is pregnant. Yukino's mother knew and her father had a moment of shock but Soichiro's parents were very happy. They are going to married and be a family. Yukino is going to use Soichiro's money to become a doctor and Soichiro is going to be a police officer. Alls well that ends well. Only one more volume and I am not sure how much Drama is going to be in this one. But I will find out!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Silver on the Road

Today's post is on Silver on the Road by Laura Anne Gilman. It is the first in her The Devil's West. It is 375 pages long and is published by Saga Press. The cover has the main character on it looking magical. There is some mild language, no sex, and violence in this book. The story is told from the third person close the two main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Back East, they claim the so-called Devil's West is overrun by magic, magicians, and monsters. But to Isobel, it's home. She grew up in a saloon, trained to serve drinks and fold laundry, to read those who come to the gambling tables and report back to her boss on what she sees.
But when she comes of age, she is given a choice...
Now the Territory's Left Hand, Isobel takes to the road, accompanied by the laconis rider Gabriel, who will teach her about the Territory, its people and its laws. But she needs to learn quickly- the bones of the earth are cracking, and the Hand has work to do.

Review- A wonderful weird west tale from a master of the craft. This is more than just a alternate history story or a fantasy story. This is a genre creator. Gilman does so much with this. She creates a interesting world, peopled with interesting characters and then takes them to places that I did not see coming. The Devil's West is being squeezed from all sides but Devil is not going to take that sitting down. Isobel wants to be more than what she is. She wants to be important and valuable to those around her. The side characters are very important and add so much color to the story. Gabriel does not know if he wants to be a main character or not. We do read some things from his perspective but I feel that he is torn about being in this story at all and that is true but it is odd when reading to really feel that a character is not sure weather he wants to be there or not. I cannot wait to see where Gilman is going with this story.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Kare Kano: his and her circusmtances volume 19

Today's post is on Kare Kano: his and her circusmtances volume 19 by Masami Tsuda. As it is the nineteenth in the long running series you need to have read the first eighteen volumes to understand the story. It is 200 pages long and is published by Tokyopop. The cover has Yukino on it. The intended reader is someone who likes high school romance and Drama. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this volume. The story is told Soichiro's fathers' perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Soichiro tells Yukino what he's learned about his family from his adoptive father. Yukino reflects on how mature Soichiro has become--but will he just repeat his forebears' mistakes? Then Ryoko resurfaces in Soichiro's life...and Reiji reveals the real reason he came to Japan.

Review- Everything about Soichiro's birth father gets explained here. Soishiro's father said one thoughtless thing and that started everything. Because Reiji believed that he was hurting his older brother, he just threw everything away. He got involved with the wrong people and slept with the wrong woman. Then he hid what he was doing from his brother until it was too late. By the time that everything came out Soichiro had been terribly abused and was almost dead. Reiji calls his older brother to come and save them both. Now the real reason Reiji has come back to Japan is for revenge against Soichiro's mother. But that is for next time because this volume ends with a cliffhanger and more Drama! Only two volumes left.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

The Golden Mean

Today's post is on The Golden Mean by Nick Bantock. It is the third in his Griffin & Sabine trilogy. It is 46 pages long and is published by Chronicle Books. The cover is green and gold with postcard in the center. The intended reader is someone who has read the two books, likes reading other peoples mail, and love stories. There is mild language, no sex, and no violence in this book. The story is told from the first person perspectives of Griffin and Sabine. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- I received your Paris card. I waited but you did not return on the 23rd. I waited until the 31st, but you did not return. What happened? Where are you?
--Sabine
Sabine's Notebook ended with a disturbing disclosure--Griff and Sabine had somehow eluded each other once again. The Golden Mean begins with an even more disturbing development:
I was sure I understood. Yet you were not here when I returned and there was no sign that you ever had been here... Today comes your card saying you were in this house for three days after my return. I am bewildered...
--Griffin
It seems that each cannot exist in the presence of the other. Yet neither can continue without the presence of the other. And so, in this final volume of the Griffin & Sabine trilogy, they struggle against the mysterious forces that keep them apart. Time is running out: Sabine's crystalline visions of Griffin's artwork grow cloudy and dim, and a threatening stranger begins to appear everywhere she goes. The Golden Mean is the tale of Griffin and Sabine's journey towards one another, sometimes dreamy, sometimes desperate, sometimes nightmarish. The golden mean--the harmony of perfect balance--is what they seek in the haunting conclusion of this extraordinary correspondence.

Review- A beautiful end to this story. Everything from the first books has been for this one. They get a real villain who wants to control them, they work through everything and end up somewhere special together. As always the art is wonderful, the letters are compelling, and the villain was a fun addition to the story. I wanted more from the villain, like who he was, and why he was doing what he was but in the end it is about Griffin and Sabine. I think that Griffin behaved better in this book than the last one. He was not whiny at all. My only compliant it that Sabine never changes over the course of the story. She is still the beautiful mysterious woman who contacted Griffin at the beginning of the books. I like her but I would have liked some growth from her.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.