Title: Bewitching Season

Author: Marissa Doyle

Genre: Young Adult, Victorian Historical Fiction with some supernatural magic goings on

Stand alone or series: As it is, a stand alone novel, but has the makings of becoming a series. A book 2, following twin sister Penelope Leland, is in the works!

Why did I read this book: Bewitching Season came so highly recommended by Tia at Fantasy Debut, and after reading her interview of author Marissa Doyle, I had to buy this book immediately!

Summary: (from Macmillan.com)
In 1837 London, young daughters of viscounts pined for handsome, titled husbands, not careers. And certainly not careers in magic. At least, most of them didn’t.

Shy, studious Persephone Leland would far rather devote herself to her secret magic studies than enter society and look for a suitable husband. But right as the inevitable season for “coming out” is about to begin, Persy and her twin sister discover that their governess in magic has been kidnapped as part of a plot to gain control of the soon-to-be Queen Victoria. Racing through Mayfair ballrooms and royal palaces, the sisters overcome bad millinery, shady royal spinsters, and a mysterious Irish wizard. And along the way, Persy learns that husband hunting isn’t such an odious task after all, if you can find the right quarry.

Review:

The year is 1837, and twin sisters Persephone and Penelope (Persy and Pen for short) are seventeen and gearing up for their society debut. While the girls are identical (down to the dimple in their left cheeks…oh oops, that’s a different series *wink*), in terms of personality they are different as night and day. Penelope is vivacious, graceful and a social butterfly–she is eager for her coming out, and to dance at balls with handsome young men. Persephone, on the other hand, is more introverted and studious, and prefers to read instead of dancing the night away. Persephone also happens to be our narrator, as the story is told from the third person perspective, but we are privy to Persy’s thoughts.

One thing the twins do have in common, however, is a propensity to magic. Persy as the more studious sister has greater control over her magical abilities than Pen, but both are magically gifted. Under the tutelage of their governess Miss Allardyce (Ally for short), both Persy and Pen have grown into two charmingly intelligent–and magically adept–young ladies. Still, despite the words of encouragement from her sister Penelope and Ally, Persephone remains intimidated and withdrawn. Things get even more complicated for the self-conscious Persy when old childhood friend, Lochinvar (Lord Seton, formally) comes calling on the family–and Persephone cannot help but notice what a handsome man he has become, and how her very secret crush on him hits her full force. Shy girl that she is, Persephone clams up in front of Lochinvar and refuses to speak–then, when she sees her sister Penelope chatting away and Lochinvar’s serious conversation with her, Persy fears that she has lost her one crush to her sister. Romantic shenanigans ensue.

Meanwhile, preparing for the twins’ outing, Miss Allardyce leaves to London ahead of the Lelands, and pays her own family a visit. A highly educated and capable woman, Miss Allardyce grew up the daughter of a happy family that runs a reputable book shop. Upon her return to the shop, her happy reunion with her mother, father and younger sister is cut short as a strange customer in the background worries Ally. She leaves the shop, only to be abducted by the strange man, who in fact is a warlock…and has sensed Miss Allardyce’s power as a witch.

When Persy and Pen arrive in town with their family and Miss Ally is nowhere to be found, the girls are suspicious. The note left behind by their governess reeks of fear, which both Persy and Pen are able to sense when they touch the letter. Enlisting the help of their younger brother Charles (Chuckles, to the affectionate older sisters), the twins vow to get to the bottom of the mystery, as each clue uncovers a larger, more sinister plot.

I found Bewitching Season to be a solid debut from author Marissa Doyle. The blend of Victorian romance with the supernatural elements works surprisingly well together. The magic employed was not of the flashy wand waving variety, but rather felt more realistic–Persephone describes her magic as a focusing of her willpower. The Latin phrases they use to say their spells are not so much ‘magic words’, but rather an effective, practical way for the girls to learn to focus their energy.

The romantic aspects of the story were cute, if completely predictable. I have a strong tolerance for unreliable narrators, but even I found myself getting a bit impatient with Persy as the story moved on. The mess Persephone gets herself into because of her dratted shyness and over-rationalizations are cutesy at first, but becomes incredibly frustrating later in the book (Persy, unfortunately, has more than a few TSTL heroine traits). Still, she is saved from the pit of Irredeemably Irritating Heroines because of the wicked showdown at the end of the book (also, I remind myself that the target audience is a younger female reader). Penelope takes a backseat here to Persephone, and I wish she had a larger role (I’ve always been more of a ‘Jessica’ over ‘Elizabeth’ kind of girl)–but not to fear! Ms. Doyle’s next release will focus on Penelope and her own adventure. I enjoyed the rest of the cast as well–especially Chuckles as the annoying yet lovable little brother, and Lochinvar as the determined suitor. Miss Allardyce, from what we see of her, is also a wonderful, strong character–although the resolution to her story with Michael Carrighar (the warlock holding her hostage) didn’t quite sit right with me.

So far as plotting goes, this is a tidily written story that moves quickly and evenly. However, I wasn’t completely sold on the overall villainous plot. When readers finally discovery the truth of the mystery of Miss Allardyce’s disappearance and the nefarious scheme that is afoot, it all seems a bit silly and not nearly nefarious enough (I’m reminded of the Futurama episode “The Devil’s Hands are Idle Playthings” when the Robot Devil sings, “Ah, my ridiculously circuitous plan is one-quarter complete!”).

And yet, despite these critiques, I still found Bewitching Season to be a charming, compulsive read. I think this book will resonate well with a younger audience, and I will be purchasing the next book in the series.

Notable Quotes/Parts: While the romantic quibbles between Persephone and Lochinvar are cute, my favorite scene has to be the final battle between Persy and Carrighar…

Additional Thoughts:…and while we’re on the subject of cool final battles, a good ol‘ sorcerer’s duel is always appreciated. One of my faves? The Ultimate: Vincent Price versus Boris Karloff in The Raven.

Hell yes!

Verdict: Bewitching Season is a fun, lighthearted romp, sure to please younger fans of the romantic and fantastical persuasion. While not without its flaws, I enjoyed this debut from Marissa Doyle and look forward to reading her next book.

Rating: 6 Good, Recommended

Reading Next: The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu

Title: Before the Scandal

Author: Suzanne Enoch

Genre: Romance/Historical

Stand Alone/ Series: This is book 2 in a trilogy called The Notorious Gentlemen –about three friends that met in the army while fighting Napoleon. Book 1 is Sullivan’s and it’s called After the Kiss. I don’t think you need to read book 1 to be able to enjoy Before the Scandal. But the reviews for book 1 are so good – Dear Author’s / Book Binge’s – that I plan on getting it anyway.
Summary: It Was a Scandal Waiting to Happen . . .

Coming face-to-face with a masked man did not frighten Alyse Donnelly as it should have. Instead, she finds him rather dashing. But her foolish heart has led her into trouble before, and helping a fugitive may mean jeopardizing her own plans, no matter how enticing his kisses. Now, as the danger grows, Alyse must make a choice between freedom . . . and the chance for true love.

Why did I read the book: I received an ARC from the publisher.

Review:

At 17, Phineas Bromley, the younger son of a wealthy family, was the local hellion.Drinking and shagging around without a care in the world. His closest friend and companion was his neighbour Alyse Donnelly. One day, befitting the low expectations everybody had, he does something Really Stupid that ends with his brother trapped in a wheelchair for life. Phineas, stricken with guilt and shame flees without saying goodbye to anyone and joins the army in a sort of suicidal mood to fight against Napoleon. He is to never return, to never look back.10 years later, now a respected Colonel he receives a letter from his sister insisting that he should come home because his brother is on his deathbed. He rushes madly back only to find that his brother is safe and well and that his sister had lied to him in an attempt to get him home because they need him: something is amiss in their property. Things are shrouded in mystery though, there are talks of attacks to their grounds, they have been losing money with their failing crops – but no one will talk to him, enlighten him. His brother is scornful and hostile and has forbidden his sister to tell him anything about what is ruining their lives. He is adamant that he will find out what is going on and help his family no matter what – and to do that he concocts a plan that will allow him to get around find other people’s secrets which will lead him to discover who wants his family gone and why: he dons the disguise of The Gentleman, a mythical highway man and asks the help of his two best friends Sullivan and Bram (who run to the rescue towards the end of the novel) .

Phin fully expected hostility from his family, but still he gets frustrated that everyone treats him as the young fool he used to be. Every one that is, except for Alyse. Of all the things he expected when he returned, he never thought Alyse would still be there and unattached. It was always expected that, as the daughter of a viscount, she would marry really well – a Duke or a Prince, they used to joke. But she is not only single but also ruined. Right after Phin left, Alyse’s parents died and their fortune, being entailed passed on to the nearest male relative. Alyse’s fiancée at the time, unwilling to carry on with their attachment ignored her when she showed up with her travelling gear willing to elope, which resulted in the scandal in the title.

Alyse then passed on from house to house until her cousin and new Viscount invited her to come back home to be her aunt’s companion. As a veritable Cinderella, she gets to sleep in the attic, to work for her aunt without any of her former pleasures. But Alyse is resilient and has a plan: she has been saving every possible penny she can find and/or steal so that one day she can leave and start her life again. She figures in one year she will be able to finally be on her own. But then Phin comes back and puts everything in jeopardy by enlisting her help.

He starts to play the part that everyone expects him to even if that it’s destroying him inside but he must keep all suspicions away from his family in order to protect them. He just can’t keep away from Alyse and that is tearing him apart – he needs a friend, he needs her. And the more time they spend together (many stolen kisses behind doors), the more they realise how much they like each other.

What I loved about this book is that there is no sudden realisation of an undying love, there is no one walking around screaming I Shall Not Surrender – in fact, even if the circumstances require a bit of suspension of belief (the Logic of the Romance Novel: There is Trouble, ergo the ONLY way to solve it is to become a fake highwayman), the romance felt very real. The trust issues between them, the dynamics of their relationship and the doubts that both had feel organic and the more serious tone was reminiscent of Mary Baloghs’ One Night for Love.

They were both uncertain of the future and for once the fact that they loved each did not necessarily mean that everything was alright. Phin did not know whether he would go back to the war leaving her behind again and she did not know whether she was prepared to accept being left behind …again.

This is a slow burner of a book instead of a fiery tale. A story of friends turned lovers and of the redemption of a hero that was no longer a rake but who had really done an awful thing in is past.

Notable Quotes/ Parts: I really liked when the two brothers were finally able to have a real conversation and say everything that they wanted and needed to say to each other and finally clear the air and move on. That was very touching.

Additional Thoughts: Book 3 can not come soon enough. The protagonist will be the third friend, Bram – a rake, possibly alcoholic, careless and jaded – I smell a redemption story coming! What can I say? Repobrate Rakes in need of redemption are my favorite.

Verdict: Really nice romance with a couple of endearing protagonists. The romance has a more serious tone that people who liked Mary Balogh’s One Night for Love and a Summer to Remember will appreciate.

Rating: a solid 6 – GOOD.

Reading next: No idea!

I was just checking out Aidan’s blog (which is awesome if you folks haven’t been), and saw this!

HELL. YES.

I absolutely cannot wait–this trailer is freaking sweet.

I got an ARC of Nightwalker (released on 29th July) , read it and loved it. As soon as I was done with it I went online in search for more information on this new series and found the author’s website – which is stock full of cool information about the series, the characters and the world building. I got so excited I wrote to Jocelynn Drake and invited her for a chat. My wicked plan was to pimp this book to everyone I know but also to be able to slip one or two questions about the future of the series – but alas, she is smart and did not spoil anything. I guess we will have to wait until book 2 comes out next year! Meanwhile, we still have some very interesting answers on The Dark Days series and about Mira and Danaus, the two protagonists – enjoy!

Oh, and leave a comment to enter a draw to win one of THREE copies of Nightwalker we have to give away–first prize gets an autographed copy from Jocelynn Drake herself! You have until Sunday at noon (PST) – winners will be picked by our Smugglers Sorting Hat and announced on Sunday evening.

The Book Smugglers: Nightwalker is your debut novel and a rather impressive one in my opinion,with a very thought out world building. How long have you been working on it?

Jocelynn: Before getting an offer for publication, the world for the Dark Days series was humming around in my brain for the better part of two years. And then it underwent more revisions and tweaking when I finally landed an editor. What amazes me it that the world continues to grow and surprise me with each book that I work on. It’s a playground for my imagination.

The Book Smugglers: Can you share with us how you got to be published? We see that you work with Investments, how does one go from working with finance to writing about vampires?

Jocelynn: Wall Street and writing are my two passions in life. My day job involves analyzing stocks and sectors and then writing articles about what I find. Wall Street is a dynamic creature that provides interesting surprises on an almost daily basis, giving me plenty to write about.

On the other hand, my first love will always be fiction. I’ve been playing around in the different genres since I started writing when I was 12, but I’ve always had a special place in my heart for vampires. I always hoped that one day a book I had written about vampires would be published.

As to getting published, I am largely a slush-pile survivor. After a receiving a respectable pile of rejections, I was beginning to become seriously skeptical of my chances of acquiring an agent. In a last ditch effort, I sent out 5 email submissions to a group of agents I had read about through RWA. Within 24 hours, I had a request for a full manuscript and in roughly a week, I had an agent – and she is simply wonderful! I was introduced to my editor through another author I know, but I didn’t finally land her until my agent sent her a newly revised copy of my manuscript.

The Book Smugglers: The book is the first in a series called The Dark Days and it lays the grounds for the upcoming war between the Nightwalkers and the Naturi – what can you tell us about the two factions?

Jocelynn: The naturi are the original guardians of the earth. Their job is to protect the earth from any destructive forces, and their own survival and strength is dependent upon the health of the earth. Of course, one of the largest destructive forces to the earth is mankind. So, from the naturi’s point of view, the easiest way to protect the earth is to destroy mankind.

Considering that mankind is the main source of food for nightwalkers, they are against such a plan. So, the nightwalkers have been forced into the position of being man’s great protector while still being one of man’s greatest predators. Of course, the naturi have also spent a great deal of time exterminating nightwalkers, so there is a centuries-long animosity between the two sides that may never be repaired even if the naturi weren’t seeking the destruction of mankind.

The Book Smugglers: Do you have the whole series planned out – perhaps even a clear idea of how many books will be necessary to tell your tale?

Jocelynn: I don’t currently have the whole series planned out. I have a couple main story arcs planned out for Mira and Danaus. However, my goal is to create an open-ended world so that any number of storytellers can step forward and tell his/her story. However, I will admit that Mira will probably be my main storyteller.

The Book Smugglers: One of the points that I most loved about your book was the fact that the ubber villains are the Naturi – a common threat to both humans and vampires. The twist is that the naturi are the source for any human mythology regarding fairies and elves but in the world you built they are rather dark and nasty unlike many other representations. What has led you to depart from their usual depiction as mostly begin creatures?

Jocelynn: When I built my world, I needed a creature that was willing to get its hands dirty when it comes to defending what it believes in. Furthermore, if I was going to come up with a villain that was strong enough to take on what a bunch of nightwalkers could dish out, the naturi had to be just as nasty if not more so.

The Book Smugglers: Mira, the Nightwalker that narrates book one is an amazing protagonist. She is strong without being mega ultra powerful. Humorous without being a smart ass. Vulnerable and still connected to her humanity even after 600 years of being a vampire. What was your inspiration to write her?

Jocelynn: Mira is the culmination of a number of characters I have worked on over the past several years. It’s hard to describe writing her. She’s parts of me, and parts of who I wish I was, and parts that I’m glad I’m not. I guess, I’ve been hearing her in my head for so many years that writing her comes naturally. She’s my friend, my protector, and my annoying younger sibling.

The Book Smugglers: Speaking of protagonists, Danaus the hunter with whom Mira has formed an uneasy alliance is a rather mysterious character. I have my own theory that Danaus is one of the Bori, guardians of the soul – am I hot or cold?

Jocelynn: Mwahahahaha! I’m not giving away that delicious secret just yet. But I promise that you will find out what Danaus is in book 2.

The Book Smugglers: A lot of our readers are romance lovers (myself included) and I was wondering if you plan to add some romantic plotlines to your story. I swear I felt some powerful undercurrents between Danaus and Mira – Dare I hope for a romantic involvement between the two?

Jocelynn: I don’t think romantic subplots could even be avoided. Mira is a passionate creature that loves life. To me, that also means being in love and loving other people. I think she will become involved with someone at some point, but I can’t say when or with whom.

The Book Smugglers: We will be cheeky and ask: can you tell us anything about book 2? A title? A bit of the story? A tentative release date? Anything at all?

Jocelynn: Book 2 is titled Dayhunter and is set to be released in May 2009. The bulk of the book will take place in Venice, Italy where Mira and Danaus must survive the cut-throat politics of the Coven (the ruling body of the nightwalker nation) while still finding a way to defeat the naturi.

The Book Smugglers: From your waycool blog and website bio, we see that you are a batman fan, a pop culture maven, and video gamer. You’ve mentioned an obsession with Bruce Wayne, the Gargoyles, and a love for The Muppets. QUICK–what was your favorite cartoon tv show to watch growing up?

Jocelynn: No hesitation – The Batman Animated Series from the mid- to late ‘90s. The stories were fantastic, the artwork was amazing, and the score was a slice of dark heaven.

The Book Smugglers: And finally: if you were stranded in a desert island, which books would take with you?

Jocelynn: Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, any one of my Batman graphic novels, Dark Prince by Christine Feehan, Kim Harrison’s The Outlaw Demon Wails, and anything by Raymond Feist.

The oldest of three kids, Jocelynn grew up and continues to reside in the Cincinnati, Ohio region. She started writing when she was 12, spending all of one summer re-writing the story of Robin Hood in the battered remains of a notebook. While life has brought many changes and surprises, the love of writing and a good story has been a constant. When not writing (which isn’t too often), she can be found with her nose buried in a good book, wandering through the woods with her camera cradled protectively against her body, traveling to interesting locations, or relaxing with her family, who have also remained in the Cincinnati area.

Jocelynn, thank you so much for stopping by and we can’t wait to read Dayhunter!

Title: Nightwalker

Author: Jocelynn Drake

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Stand Alone/ Series: Book one of the Dark Days series.

Summary: For centuries Mira has been a nightwalker—an unstoppable enforcer for a mysterious organization that manipulates earth-shaking events from the darkest shadows. But elemental mastery over fire sets her apart from others of her night-prowling breed . . . and may be all that prevents her doom.
The foe she now faces is human: the vampire hunter called Danaus, who has already destroyed so many undead. For Mira, the time has come to hunt . . . or be hunted.

Why Did I Read the Book: I saw some shout outs to the book at Ramblings on Romance and Urban Fantasy Land and got so stocked about it, I decided to create the courage to ask my contact at the publishers for a copy. She was kind enough to send it to me and I was not wrong about how good it would be! This book lived up to my expectations.

Review:

I am a newbie when it comes to Urban Fantasy as I am only now starting to delve into the genre but if the books tend to be as good as Nightwalker, I am prepared to go on a binge.

Nightwalker is an introduction to the world that Jocelynn Drake has created and as an introduction it sets the stage for the future novels. In this world, when the human race was born , two more races came into existence alongside them : the naturi and the bori. The naturi are the keepers of the earth and of what it’s nature related. They are separated in 5 clans: light, water, earth, wind, and animal. The bori are the guardians of the soul and we know very little about them. But about the naturi we know a lot (or so it seems): they are what humans have come to think of as fairies, elves, pixies but in this world they are as far from the benevolent representation of fairytales as possible. In fact, the naturi take their job so seriously, they wish to wipe out of the earth the corrupting presence of humans and of the nightwalkers (aka vampires), therefore they are a threat to everybody and absolutely TERRIFYING. In the 16th century, The Triad composed by three of the most powerful Nightwalkers managed to somehow (this is part of the secret of the novel, I shall not spoil) open a door to another dimension and seal most (“most” being the relevant word here) of the naturi , including their queen Aurora, out of the earth.

Enter Mira, our heroine and narrator of the book. Mira is a 603 year old vampire who likes to keep to herself, as far away as possible from the Ancients (nightwalkers more than 1000 years old) and the politics of the Coven (the rulers of the nightwalkers, headed by the Liege and seated in Venice). She has made a life for herself in the New World, as one of the oldest nightwalkers in the land and a Keeper of the Savannah Domain. As a Keeper her job is to keep the peace, to take care of her people and to avoid at all costs that humans find out that vampires are real. She is also known as the Fire Starter: she has the unique power to control and create fire that sets her apart from any other Nightwalkers and that is a powerful weapon for The Coven should they wish to use it.

At the beginning of the book Mira is preparing herself to fight a threat that is killing Nightwalkers in her Domain. There is a hunter on the lose and his name is Danaus. She has been following and observing him for a couple of weeks and it is now finally the time to meet and destroy him. They have a fight and Mira learns that 1) Danaus has more power and more strength than a normal human and 2) he is not out to kill her, quite the contrary, he wants her help. Danaus works for an organization called Themis that observes and study (and eventually destroy) the Nightwalkers and other fantastical beings. In their observations they have found out that the naturi are back and they are preparing sacrificing rituals with the goal of breaking the seal that keep them away. Should they succeed, no one is safe.

That is Mira’s number one nightmare. Right before the naturi were purged from the earth, she was kidnapped by them and tortured for two weeks until the triad came to liberate her and to finish them off. She is therefore, in a position to help Danaus since she knows who the members of the triad are. Danaus and Mira decide on a temporary truce so that they go in search of the people that can help. Their first stop is Egypt where they must meet the Ancient Jabari , Mira’s former lover and mentor and one of the most powerful Nightwalkers; but things don’t turn out as they hoped with Jabari furious with Mira for bringing Danaus to him (cue to a fantastic fight scene with Mira and Danaus protecting each other) . Still he has no choice but to help and decides the best course is to send Mira to England in search for the other two members of the triad – one of them being Mira’s own Sire, Sadira, whom she is sent to protect. Many complications ensue as they fight against time, against powerful beings that may not have Mira’s well-being and freedom at their hearts whilst Mira struggles to understand what exactly is her role in all of that. Plus, for Mira and Danaus there is still the fact they have sworn to kill each other.

I am completely impressed with this book. This is a hard review to write as there is so much to be said about the world building, the intricate politics of the Nightwalkers and the dynamics of the relationships between all characters – between Mira and Jabari and Sadira, between Mira and Danaus, Mira and her human companions and bodyguards and Mira and the local pack of werewolves.

Mira is a fantastic protagonist. She is not abrasive or smart-mouthed but she is strong and resilient and prepared to do what she must in order to save herself. It is also hinted that Mira was fire starter even before becoming a Nightwalker and that it may have been the reason why she was chosen by Sadira to become a vampire in the first place– perhaps as a tool and as weapon destined to obey the ones that created her. But Mira even though bound by these rules, fights for her independence with everything that she has.

She is a vampire well settled in her ways whilst at the same time maintaining a hint of humanity – it is interesting to observe her interactions with her two human bodyguards, for example who she call her “angels”. She has feelings of protectiveness for both of them, Gabriel and Michael. With Michael she also has an on and off sexual relationship and he also provides some of the blood that she needs. It is in this relationship that we can perceive the main struggle of Mira’s life – at some level she loves Michael, she admires and respects him but she also needs him – for comfort, for blood, for sex, for companionship and the warmth that is denied to her as a Nightwalker; but at the same she is who she is, and she will not go very far with him because there is a toll for humans that stay near vampires for a long time and that toll is much more than she can bear. Other vampires do not care about that though, another trait that sets her apart from some of her kind. She is no saint but she certainly is no evil.

And this confuses and Danaus, our other protagonist who has always been taught, who has always believed that Nightwalkers are the absolute Evil and must be destroyed at all costs. The fact that not all of them are the same, that they are just like humans – some good, some bad – is a complete wake up call.

Danaus is a mysterious character and we know very little about him especially as we do not share his point of view. But what we know, it’s enough for me to already be halfway in love with him. I loved Danaus and Mira’s interactions and I so want to read more– there is an undeniable attraction between them but also the promise that they one day, will fight to death – “as God intended” says Danaus in the end. For the time being, they are allies, on the way to becoming friends and perhaps even (please Jocelynn Drake) lovers. But all is up for grabs at the moment. (But I do have a Grand Theory of who Danaus really is and it has to do with the power that he has. It all spells B-O-R-I to me – but I may be wrong).

The end is open and nothing has been settled. Some mysteries, especially of who or what Mira is and what was her role that day when the naturi were defeated have been clarified. The naturi are still a threat, the seal is about to the broken and Danaus and Mira must go to Venice to meet with the Coven.

Nightwalker is a prologue to the Dark Days series: it sets things in motion, introduces us to the players and to the world and it is the launching of the war that is to come between Nightwalkers and naturi. As far as debuts go, this one has kept me guessing, kept me entertained, and kept me enthralled. I could not ask for more.

If any of the aforementioned hasn’t spelled for you: get thee to a bookshop NOW.

Notable quotes/Parts: My poor deluded romantic heart could not help but to love all the interactions between Mira and Danaus – be it when they are fighting each other, teasing each other or uniting against a common threat and combining their powers. I can feel that there is the potential for a love story there but to be honest, it could go in any direction – they can end up being friends, lovers or enemies. I am rooting for lovers of course, but that is just silly old me.

Additional Thoughts: COME BACK TOMORROW FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JOCELYNN DRAKE AND A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THE TWO COPIES OF NIGHTWALKER THAT WE HAVE TO GIVE AWAY!

Verdict: I believe this is the beginning of a fantastic series and anyone who likes reading Urban Fantasy should run, not walk, to a book shop.

Rating: 7 VERY GOOD. Missing on a higher grade because crazy that I am , I am saving it for the other books in the series.

Reading next: Before the Scandal by Suzanne Enoch

It’s been fun, but our X-Files Weekend now comes to a close. And so, we look forward, onward ho!

First things first, our magical sorting hat has spoken. The winner of our Accidental Demon Slayer giveaway is…

M. of Apprentice Writer!

Congrats, M.–please drop us a comment or an email (thebooksmugglers AT hotmail DOT com) with your mailing info as soon as possible! Thanks to all for playing–and if you didn’t win, don’t worry, you’ll soon have another chance…

Coming This Week:

We have a jam-packed week filled with early reviews and another giveaway!

On Monday, Ana will review The Wild Road (Dirk & Steele book by Marjorie Liu.

Lannes Hannelore is one of a dying race born to protect mankind against demonic forces. And while those who look upon him see a beautiful man, this illusion is nothing but a prison. His existence is one of pure isolation, hiding in plain sight, with brief solace found in simple pleasures: stretching his wings on a stormy night, long late drives on empty highways, the deep soul of sad songs. But when Lannes finds a young woman covered in blood—desperate and alone, with no memory or past—he will be drawn into a mystery that makes him question all he knows. And though it goes against his nature and everything he fears, Lannes will risk his heart, his secrets, and his very soul, in order to save someone who could be the love of his life…or the end of it.

The Wild Road is available July 29, 2008.

On Tuesday, we’ll have a review of Nightwalker–the highly anticipated new release by Jocelynn Drake.

For centuries Mira has been a nightwalker—an unstoppable enforcer for a mysterious organization that manipulates earth-shaking events from the darkest shadows. But elemental mastery over fire sets her apart from others of her night-prowling breed . . . and may be all that prevents her doom.
The foe she now faces is human: the vampire hunter called Danaus, who has already destroyed so many undead. For Mira, the time has come to hunt . . . or be hunted.

Nightwalker is available July 29, 2008.

And, what’s more is on Wednesday we will have a Q&A with author Jocelynn Drake herself! Stop by to see what this new author has to share about writing and her new book–and also for a chance to win a copy of Nightwalker!

On Friday, Ana will have an early review up for Suzanne Enoch’s Before the Scandal, book 2 of The Notorious Gentlemen series.

It Was a Scandal Waiting to Happen . . .

Colonel Phineas Bromley is a legend—on the battlefield and in the bedroom. Though he’s won many wars, and even more hearts, nothing could prepare him for his new life. When Phin discovers that someone has been pushing his family toward ruin, he assumes the role of a legendary highwayman. Riding out in the middle of the night, hidden behind a mask, Phin heads straight into trouble . . . and into the arms of the ravishing girl next door.

Coming face-to-face with a masked man did not frighten Alyse Donnelly as it should have. Instead, she finds him rather dashing. But her foolish heart has led her into trouble before, and helping a fugitive may mean jeopardizing her own plans, no matter how enticing his kisses. Now, as the danger grows, Alyse must make a choice between freedom . . . and the chance for true love.

Before the Scandal is in stores on July 29, 2008.

Other News:

Stephen Hunt’s SFcrowsnest Hivemind, a new social networking site for science fiction, fantasy and horror fans, is now up and running!

Welcome to SFcrowsnest Hivemind, the social network for science fiction and fantasy fans. If you’re looking to converse and make friends with fellow science fiction & fantasy fans, then you have arrived at the right social networking service. We start at A for Asimov, move on through S for Star Wars (or possibly Star Trek, if you have odd-looking textures on your forehead), and end on Z is for Zelazny. And you can even stop off at B for Bladerunner and Battlestar, or C for Conan of Cimmeria, if you want to travel the long way round. Enjoy.

Stop by and check it out! Here’s a LINK to our profile

Annnnnd, in a final note, last week the new CAPRICA trailer went online at scifi.com!

From NBC Universal:

The people of the Twelve Colonies are at peace and living in a society not unlike our own, but where high-technology has changed the lives of virtually everyone for the better. But a startling breakthrough in robotics is about to occur, one that will bring to life the age-old dream of marrying artificial intelligence with a mechanical body to create the first living robot — a Cylon. Following the lives of two families, the Graystones and the Adamas (the family of William Adama, who will one day become the commander of the Battlestar Galactica) Caprica weaves corporate intrigue, techno-action and sexual politics into television’s first science fiction family saga.

I trust in the capable hands of the BSG creators, even if this family drama isn’t exactly what I was looking for. Still, with the final episodes of BSG looming, I’ll take whatever I can get. Plus, Eric Stoltz and Esai Morales? Niiiiice.

Also, as comic-con ends (I’m still pissy I didn’t get to go!), RWA kicks off this week! We’ll try to stay updated.

Since we’ve already kinda covered favorite episodes, our poll for the week will be a little more specific–

What’s your favorite X-Files moment?

“I could smell you coming Clarisse” (or, incidentally, “C’mere you big bald beautiful man”) – The Truth

Batting Practice – The Unnatural

The Mulder Scream – Jose Chung’s From Outer Space

Conversation on the Rock – Quagmire

Dancing – Post-Modern Prometheus

“You’re a damn good looking man.” – Small Potatoes

Three-way Bubblebath/Zombies doing the tango – Hollywood A.D.

Shaft! – Bad Blood

(it’s a music video, kiss–and punch! hee–are at the end. Put on mute if you don’t wanna hear Christina)

The Kiss – Triangle

The Hug – Momento Mori

“The truth we both know” – Existence

“You know what’s weird? Mulder, she’s wearing my outfit” “How embarrasing” reveal that the bodies buried under the floor are Mulder and Scully – How the Ghosts Stole Christmas

“Woman, get back in here and make me a sandwich! Did I not make myself clear?” – Arcadia

Mulder and Scully pulls guns on each other – Ice

WTF Black Oil? The introduction – Piper Maru

Samantha Mulder clones – Herrenvolk

Any of Krycek’s kills (Duane Barry, Mulder’s father, Scully’s sister, etc) – Sleepless, Ascension, Anasazi, Apocrypha, Piper Maru, Patient X, SR 819, Two Fathers, Biogenesis, The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati

No X-Files weekend could be complete without a rundown of some of our all-time favorite episodes. This list was nearly impossible to compile. SO, we cheated. We give you Ana’s and Thea’s separate top 10 favorite episodes…with runners up.

Thea’s Top 10: (in order–yes I ranked them, and it hurts my heart, but I did it!)

10. The Erlenmeyer Flask (episode 1×23) – The first mythology episode that had me tearing my hair out. I mean, they KILLED Deep Throat! The alien fetus, the government conspiracy, all of it in its heyday (and when the mytharc episodes still made sense).

9. Jose Chung’s From Outer Space (episode 3×20) – It literally turns the dark, brooding nature of the X-Files mythology on its head and points and laughs. This episode is freaking hi-larious: from the Harryhausen stop motion monster/alien Lord Kinbote (from INNER-space), to the silly hypnosis, to the Men In Black (“What you saw was the Planet Venus”, thank you Jesse Ventura and Alex Trebek), and The Scream (Mulder, I love you).

8. Colony/End Game (episodes 2×16/17) – My favorite mythology episodes evah. The emotional impact of these, with the return of Samantha Mulder, the appearance of the Dread Alien Bounty Hunter…it’s all completely mind blowing.

7. The Post-Modern Prometheus (episode 5×06)- Completely shot in black and white, involving ‘the Great Mutato’ aka the (post-) modern prometheus, (that is, the new Frankenstein). And Cher. This episode is so very smart (well, most of them are), and one I can watch over and over again.

6. Wetwired (episode 3×23) – Proves that Gillian Anderson is a goddess. Her paranoia and fear of Mulder, her descent into the mouth of madness is beautifully portrayed. Did I mention that Dana Scully is my number one Girl Crush of all time? *licks Dana*

5. Darkness Falls (episode 1×19) – Killer Green Bugs That Turn People Into Mummies! This episode had me just a little bit scared of the dark (gimme a break, I was 11). And the green bug CGI was awesome back in 1994.

4.Humbug (episode 2×20) -

NUTT: Not all woman are attracted to overly tall, lanky men such as yourself. You’d be surprised how many women find my size intriguingly alluring.

MULDER: And you’d be surprised how many men do as well.

Hehehehehe. This episode is absolutely wonderful. I had no idea who the ‘killer’ was or what would happen in the end. Believe in the Fiji Mermaid! Believe!

3. Bad Blood (episode 5×12) – This is, in my opinion, the funniest of the funny X-Files. Mulder’s conviction that a young boy is a vampire goes too far when he stakes the kid–and the episode is spent with a recap from both Mulder and Scully, recounting the events of the past day. Of course, their accounts are wildly different, and hilarious. Oh, and “SHAFT!”. Yeeeah baby.

2. The Unnatural (episode 6×20) – Baseball + Aliens. Need I say more? Oh yes, and David Duchovny wrote this one. I loved this episode for its emotional value, both in the past with the segregation of the major league, and the idea that Love, even if it is for a sport, is universal. The scene at the end with Mulder teaching Scully how to hit is sappy and wonderful.

1. Squeeze/Tooms (episodes 1×02/1×20) – My favorite episodes of all time (it probably has something to do with the fact that Stephen King’s It is one of my favorite books). Eugene Victor Tooms is a scientific anomaly. He can contort and stretch his body ala Mr. Fantastic, but does so to steal and consume human livers, then goes into hibernation for 30 years. Doug Hutchinson gives one of the scariest performances I’ve ever seen on network television with this character.

Honorable Mentions:
Arcadia – Mulder and Scully play house, undercover
Three of a Kind – The Lone Gunmen rule!
Ice – Chilling, paranoia tale at the top of the world
Home – Really, really creepy. Inbreeding is a scary thing.
Monday – Groundhog Day in an X-File episode.
The Host – Another creature feature that is gross, and really scary. *shudders*
War of the Coprophages – When cockaroaches invade…
Triangle – The cinematography for this is beautiful; and past!Scully and past!Mulder kiss
The Rain King – Hilarious, and very touching
First Person Shooter – Krista Allen makes an appearance as a kickass virtual reality goddess. Rrrroawr!

Ana’s Top 10:

This my friends, was the hardest post to write ever. How in the world am I supposed to list ONLY 20 episodes of the greatest show ever? Answer: I will cheat. Muwahahaha.

Note: I am listing them in order that they were aired – otherwise it would be even harder!

10. Beyond the Sea (episode 1×13) – The episode where Scully’s father dies. It is the first episode that I actually thought the show was going places acting–wise. Up until that moment, most of the guest actors were crap but then Brad Dourif as Luther Boggs came along and the actor is so stupendous (he plays Doc Cochran in Deadwood). Most of all, this is where my Scully-crush began – the showdown between Scully and Boggs gives me goose bumps – a master class in acting.

9. Duane Barry/Ascension/One Breath (episodes 2×05/2×06/2×08) - The trilogy of episodes that deal with Scully’s abduction. It was crazy, it was terrifying and sad. I never thought she was going to disappear forever but Mulder did and it was such an amazing thing to behold. This is when David Duchvny’s acting started to shine if you ask me. This is also an arc which prologues many important things mythology wise. It is proof that Aliens exist and that Duanne Barry is not mucho loco. And there are many cool action scenes as well, with Mulder in the cable car in a desperate attempt to get to Scully in time. AND this is where we learn that Krycek is EVIL (or is he?). AND the confrontation between Mulder and Cigarette Smoking Man who received his nickname “Cancer Man” right here. And peeps, Nurse Owens who brings Scully back but who was never there!

8. Colony/End Game (episodes 2×16/17) – Finally Mulder find his long lost sister only to lose her again. The first time the shape-shifting Alien shows up but the best for me was in the end, Mulder chose to save Scully over Samantha!

7. Piper Maru / Apocrypha (episodes 3X15/3X16)- The introduction of the Black Oil alien which is one of the most important elements in the mythology of the entire show. Plus, the return of Alex Krycek! We never know if he is good or evil or somewhere in between.

Scully to Mulder: “You’re in the basement because they are afraid of you, of your relentlessness, and because they know that they could drop you in the middle of the desert and tell you the truth is out there and you’d ask them for a shovel”

6. Jose Chung’s ‘From Outer Space’ (Episode 3×20)– It starts with a couple of aliens (or are they) attacking a pair of unsuspecting lovers only to be attacked themselves by a creature out of a Ray Harryhausen’s movie! Then they proceed to mock the entire X Files mythology while never really departing from it. It has the infamous Mulder Scream, possibly the single most hilarious moment in the series. And the “This is not happening” scene!

5. Gesthesmane/ Redux / ReduxII (episodes 4X24/5×02/5×03)- The arc that beings descent into hell for Mulder. The conspiracy takes a whole new turn that denies everything they have learn so far and Mulder starts to rethink everything he has ever believed. This is where he learns that Scully is dying of Cancer because of HIM. Season 4 ends with Scully testifying in a trial and it would seem she and Mulder are in the outs – if Mulder hadn’t been found dead. Season 5 starts and we learn it is all a ploy to give Mulder time to find a final cure for Scully’s cancer. Phew. Had I been watching it in real time I would have died of agony during the break between seasons.

4. Bad Blood (episode 5×12) – The episode that turned me into an X-File addict. I watched before getting into the show and it convinced me to buy the DVD box. This is such a clever episode and it embodies everything that they are –and how they perceive each other. It is hilarious.

3.Memento Mori (episode 5×15) – The episode narrated by Scully where we learn she is dying of cancer. The voice-over text was just so beautiful, then you have Mulder’s absolute despair and then that last scene where they hug? It is just all so beautifully done, poignant. These two are really friends.

Voice –Over “Scully: For the first time, I feel time like a heart beat, the seconds pumping in my breast like a reckoning. The numinous mysteries that once seemed so distant and unreal threatening clarity in the presence of a truth entertained not in youth, but only in its passage. I feel these words as if their meaning were weight being lifted from me, knowing that you will read them and share my burden as I have come to trust no other. That you should know my heart, look into it, finding there the memory and experience that belong to you–that are you–is a comfort to me now as I feel the tethers loose and the prospects darken for the continuance of a journey that began not so long ago, and which began again with a faith shaken and strengthened by your convictions. If not for which I might never have been so strong now as I cross to face you and look at you, incomplete, hoping that you will forgive me for not making the rest of the journey with you. “

2. The Unnatural (episode 6×19) – best opening scene in the whole of the X Files. I have watched it a 1000 times for the amazing chemistry between these characters:

Scully: I don’t care. Mulder, this is a needle in a haystack. These poor souls have been dead for 50 years. Let them rest in peace. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Mulder: Well, I won’t sit idly by as you hurl cliches at me. Preparation is the father of inspiration.
Scully: Necessity is the mother of invention.
Mulder: The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.
Scully: Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die.
Mulder: I scream, you scream, we all scream for non-fat tofutti rice dreamsicles.

And the end with Mulder teaching Scully to play baseball and the hottest Waist-Grab in the history of TV (I am so easy to please)
This is shippers’ paradise.

And I am not even mentioning the whole take into the conspiracy.

1. Existence (episode 8×21) – Even though season 8 was not the best season, the final episode was amazing. Moronica and Scully fleeing the aliens who were after her baby, Scully giving birth in the middle of nowhere. Mulder, Skinner and Doggett fighting Knowle Rohrer.. The final demise of Krycek in the hands of Agent Skinner! And it ends with a very beautiful scene between Mulder and Scully:

“The truth we both know” and they KISS and the baby is Mulder’s! and they luuuuuuuurv each other.

The show should have ended the series right there and spared us of season 9. Just saying.

Honorable Mentions

Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose – This episode rocks so much. The Stupendous Yappi and Queequeg!
Triangle – Amazing camera work and past!Scully and past!Mulder kiss!
Field Trip – yellow goo and hallucinations
How The Ghosts Stole Christmas – ghost playing psychologist and having insights on the Scully and Mulder’s relationship.
War of the Coprophages – attack of the cockroaches *shudders*
Elegy – Scully finally sees something supernatural
Dreamland – the agents visit area 51 and Mulder gets lost…inside other man’s body.
Pusher – mind control and Mulder almost shoots Scully
The Post mortem Prometheus – amazing black and white cinematography, play on old horror classics and Cher’s Walking in Memphis.
Humbug – first comedy episode. Bizarre.

And…it’s y’alls turn. Favorite episodes?

Title: Ruins

Author: Kevin J. Anderson

Genre: Science Fiction, Book Adaptation

Summary: (from amazon.com)
A well-connected American archaeologist disappears while exploring the lost Mayan city of Xitaclan — and FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully are flown to the Yucatán jungles to investigate.

Unbeknownst to the two FBI agents, the lost city of Xitaclan is the scene of an impending three-way brush war between Central American drug lords, international smugglers who deal in looted Mayan artifacts, and a covert U.S. military commando team that has been sent to investigate, and destroy, a strange electronic signal received from beneath the ruins — a signal aimed upwards, at the stars! Mulder and Scully must unravel the secret of Xitaclan and discover what has become of the lost archaeology team before these opposing forces converge on the forgotten ruins…and unleash a power that nothing on Earth can contain.

Why did I read this book: X-Files dork, guilty!

Review:

I actually read this book back in the day (at the height of my X-Files dorkdom, around seventh grade). In honor of the movie release this weekend, Harper Collins had a limited reprint of the X-Files books–and what better way to celebrate an awesome show on a book blog?

Naturally, I repurchased this book (my copy long since tattered beyond recognition) and decided to re-read and review it here.

Ruins is my easy favorite of the X-Files books written by the capable Kevin J. Anderson. I must admit, I’m always a little wary when reading book adaptations of popular films or television shows (or games for that matter), since translating characters from the screen to the page is an incredibly tough thing to do. Often times I’ll cry out, “But (insert name) would NEVER do that!” or be overly critical of dialogue choices, etc. Mr. Anderson, however, has a remarkable handle on the early Mulder and Scully, and I could not be more pleased with his novelizations of the series. The surprisingly complex plot and the spot-on characterizations are highly impressive–not to mention the evident care and time Mr. Anderson put into researching the Mayan civilization to craft a lush setting and backstory.

Ruins begins on an archaeological site in the Yucatan, called Xitaclan. Funded by the government of Quintana Roo and the University of California at San Diego, a small team of grad students led by aspiring archaeologist Cassandra Rubicon are excavating the untouched Mayan city. While exploring the inner pyramid, Cassandra makes a notable discovery–she finally reaches the inner-most chamber, which gleams like polished metal alloy (something the Mayans did not build with, preferring stone, obsidian, jade and only crude gold or silver decorative metals). Excited with her discovery, she rushes back out to alert her teammates only to find that they are under attack from men with guns. Cassandra runs back into the temple, trying to hide, but stumbles into some kind of chamber that hums, and seems to swallow her whole–at which point she thinks to herself, there are things worse than men with guns.

Cut to a few days later, and Dana Scully makes her way down to the bowels of the FBI, to partner Fox Mulder’s office. Warily, Scully eyes the books strewed on Mulder’s desk, and the jade figurine–Mulder tells her that they have a new case, and to pack their bags for a trip to Mexico. They meet up with Dr. Vladimir Rubicon, who accompanies the two agents to the Yucatan to look for his daughter and her team. Meanwhile, in Cancun “expediter” Aguilar and chief of police Barreio deliver a strange new artifact to drug lord and (pirated) Mayan artifact collector, Salida. On their latest trip, they bring a strange new piece, made of smooth glass and metal, fresh from Xitaclan. Unfortunately for Salida, his new prize is his last, and his mansion is leveled by a mysterious blast–explained away as the workings of a rival drug lord…

Mulder, Scully and Dr. Rubicon–with the aid of the omnipresent Aguilar’s services–arrive at Xitaclan, but the team is nowhere in sight. Mulder finds himself preoccupied with the reliefs of the winged serpent god, Kukulkan while Scully’s more concerned with jaguars and other jungle predators.

And in Washington D.C., a covert group of operatives are sent out to somewhere in the Yucatan on a search and destroy–for some power source is emitting a very powerful signal.

Ruins is a treat–while the writing isn’t without its uneven moments, the characterizations of Mulder and Scully are wonderful, and the best of Mr. Anderson’s work. Scully’s reluctance to buy into Mulder’s theory of winged serpent alien gods as reason for superior Mayan astronomy and the missing archaeological team is priceless, in true Scully fashion. Mulder’s determination to find the extraordinary explanations in the face of ordinary answers (ignoring the drug/artifact smuggling reasoning for the team’s disappearance) certainly feels very in tune with the character we have come to know and love on the show. Even more surprisingly, the cast of secondary characters are fully developed, and each has their own set of believable motivations. Officer Barreio’s justifications for his ideological stance in Quintana Roo–even if it means selling goods to drug lords for money to arm his revolution–feel as genuine as Dr. Rubicon’s sacrifices to find his daughter.

Similarly, the plot is multi-faceted and excellently paced–the involvement of rival drug lords, U.S. government cover ups, artifact pirating, and aliens, all wrapped up in a cool Indiana Jones meets the Mayans sensibility kicks ass. I loved this book as a young’un, and rereading it my expectations were pretty low–but I found it to be every bit as enjoyable as I remembered! Definitely recommended for any X-Files fan.

Notable Quotes/Parts: On the way to Cancun, Mulder, Scully and Dr. Rubicon share a flight with a rowdy group of seniors.

As Mulder had dreaded would happen, once the pilot turned off the seat belt light, the senior citizens tour group got up and began to exchange seats, gossiping, walking up and down the aisles, waiting in long lines at the coffin-sized lavatories.

To his horror, some vile ringleader got it into her head to start singing “family favorites”–and to his even greater surprise, most of the passengers actually knew all the verses to “Camptown Races” and “Moon River”.

Additional Thoughts: The Mayans are pretty damn cool. The amount of detail and time Mr. Anderson put into the research of the Mayan cities and customs was impressive–the Mayans are one of my favorite ancient peoples. Something the book mentions in passing is the Mayan game of pokatok–a game kinda like modern football/soccer and basketball put together. Except, no feet and hands could be used to move the ball–and the losing team’s lives are forfeit for sacrifice.

Verdict: Wonderful fun book–X-Files fans will not be disappointed. I’d recommend giving it a read while the book is in print!

Rating: 6 Good

Reading Next: Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle