Title: Black Magic Sanction

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Eos
Publication Date: February 2010
Hardcover: 496 pages

In New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison’s most complex and nuanced adventure yet, bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan fights a deadly battle—mind, body, and soul

Black Magic Sanction

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter—and lived to tell the tale. But she’s never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment—at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.

It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price.

Stand alone or series: Book 8 in the ongoing Hollows (Rachel Morgan) series

How did I get this book: Review Copy from the publisher

Why did I read this book: Do you even have to ask? The Hollows series is among my all time favorite UF series’ – in the top 3, to be precise. There’s just something about Kim Harrison’s writing that *does it* for me. And even though I was a tad bit disappointed with the previous novel in the series, I was still foaming at the mouth to get my grubby paws on Black Magic Sanction.

Review:

Every time I open a new Hollows adventure, I know that I’m in for a good adrenaline rush, the likes of which only Rachel Morgan can deliver.

Black Magic Sanction is no exception, delivering the white-knuckle action in spades, while simultaneously advancing the overall series storyline in a dark direction. Me likey. Me likey a lot.

A warning – this review contains necessary spoilers for the first seven books in the series. If you have not read the first seven books and do not wish to be spoiled, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Picking up almost immediately after White Witch, Black Curse, Black Magic Sanction follows Rachel as she has fully embraced her status as the student (not the familiar) of demon Algalirept (better known simply as “Al”). Unfortunately for Rache, a whole bunch of folks are pissy that she’s running around able to twist demon curses – not to mention the fact that any time some sort of very public disaster, Vampiric Charms always seems to be at the center of it. Though she’s been shunned by the Coven (a huge deal and last resort, reserved for only the wickedest of witches), Rachel soon realizes she has a lot more to worry about than finding new places to buy her magical goods and shifty looks – because now someone has a death warrant out on her. Again. Facing the tempting choices of becoming a lobotomized broodmare for the Coven (popping out demon-magic babies), or six feet under and pushing up daisies, Rachel’s got to find a way out of her uncomfortable predicament, even if it means taking Trent Kalamack head-on again, and reuniting with an unwelcome face from her past.

Tink’s titties, Black Magic Sanction is a riproaring-good read! Personally, I found Black Magic Sanction a step back in the right direction for Rachel and company after the disappointment that was White Witch, Black Curse. This book was exciting, it was emotional, and it meant a lot of changes for Rachel. In many ways, it’s a throwback to Dead Witch Walking as Rachel has another death warrant on her head, but this time, she’s facing some serious danger from her own kind. And let me tell you – white witches are just as scary as the black magic kind (and much scarier than anything the I.S. can throw at Rache). As with almost all of the books in this series, Ms. Harrison excels when it comes to tight plotting and non-stop danger, and as such Black Magic Sanction is an incredibly fast-paced read. But don’t think that fast-paced means a lack of depth; this novel is another turning point of sorts for Rachel, in coming to grips with her past and everything she’s ever been taught about “good” and “bad” magic. Given her own lineage (and the lineage of all witches), are demons truly evil? Is the ability to twist black magic truly a bad thing – especially if Rachel is the one to take the smut on her own aura, willingly? Or is she becoming more and more a demon each day? There’s a whole bunch of moral ambiguity in this book as Rachel has to resort to getting her hands dirty in order to stay alive – but in true Rachel Morgan fashion, she manages to keep her heart, if not her head, in the right place.

In that vein, Black Magic Sanction embodies the characteristics that I both love and abhor about Rachel Morgan as a character. She’s one of those heroines that never fails to piss me off with her numerous TSTL (too stupid to live) moments and her sometimes complete obtuseness as to what she actually wants, emotionally. But at the same time, the struggles that Rachel goes through each book, and especially in this one, make her one of the most endearing heroines in the female-protagonist centered UF genre. In spite of her flaws – or perhaps, because of them – I love Rachel as a character, and I do want her to be happy. Despite her lapses of idiocy, her heart is always in the right place as one scene in this book in particular, involving assassin fairies, proves.

Of course, what’s a Rachel Morgan book without the myriad relationship complications? Rachel is notorious for her attraction to danger, and for jumping into relationships without truly thinking things through beforehand. But in Black Magic Sanction, with the attraction to Pierce (a witch from the 1800s, now inhabiting the body of the recently deceased black witch that gave Rache so much trouble in the last book), Rachel shows some growth in the relationship arena. There’s also some closure with a blast from the past – but I’ll let you discover that for yourself. Also, I’ve gotta say that I LOVE the ever-evolving relationship between Kalamack and Morgan. It’s a love-hate thing, and it has been such ever since their steeped history as children, which, incidentally, we get to see a little bit more of in the form of a flashback in this book. And while Rachel is growing stronger and more assured in what she wants and needs in a relationship, she also has reached an understanding with Ivy (whom I’ve always wanted Rachel to end up with). I love that the emo-drama between the two has been toned down, although Ivy’s backseat in this book is a bit of a regret. The most fun character, however, has got to be demon teacher Al. He’s terrifying, inhuman, and yet hilarious all at the same time – and that’s quite an accomplishment.

Most of all, I love that as the title suggests, Black Magic Sanction shows Rachel embracing the fact she can twist black magic and is using it as she needs. It’s the only way she can stay alive, and she’s forced to ask herself some tough questions. The biggest question the book leaves with readers is – what exactly is Rachel? And what is she becoming? Is she a demon? You know how the saying goes – if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck…

Needless to say, there’s a lot of speculation one can make concerning Rachel and where the story goes next. Black Magic Sanction provides a lot of VERY interesting fodder in the next few books in the series, and I, for one, am very excited to see what happens next!

Notable Quotes/Parts: From the first chapter:

Tucking my hair back, I squinted at the parchment, trying to form the strange angular letters as smoothly as I could. The ink glistened wetly, but it wasn’t red ink, it was blood—my blood—which might account for the slight tremble in my hand as I copied the awkward-looking name scripted in characters that weren’t English. Beside me was a pile of rejects. If I didn’t get it perfect this time, I’d be bleeding yet again. God help me. I was doing a black curse. In a demon’s kitchen. On the weekend. How in hell had I gotten here?

Algaliarept stood poised between the slate table and the smaller hearth, his white-gloved hands behind his back. He looked like a stuffy Brit in a murder mystery, and when he shifted impatiently, my tension spiked. “That isn’t helping,” I said dryly, and his red, goat-slitted eyes widened in a mocking surprise, peering at me over his smoked spectacles. He didn’t need them to read with. From his crushed green velvet frock, to his lace cuffs and proper English accent, the demon was all about show.

“It has to be exact, Rachel, or it won’t capture the aura,” he said, his attention sliding to the small green bottle on the table. “Trust me, you don’t want that floating around unbound.”

I sat up to feel my back crack. Touching the quill tip to my throbbing finger, my unease grew. I was a white witch, damn it, not black. But I wasn’t going to write off demon magic just because of a label. I’d read the recipe; I’d interpreted the invocation. Nothing died to provide the ingredients, and the only person who’d suffer would be me. I’d come away from this with a new layer of demon smut on my soul, but I’d also have protection against banshees. After one had nearly killed me last New Years, I’d willingly entertain a little smut to be safe. Besides, this might lead to a way to save Ivy’s soul when she died her first death. For that, I’d risk a lot.

You can read the full excerpt online HERE.

And if you’re hungry for more, you can read the first SEVEN CHAPTERS of Black Magic Sanction online for free, thanks to Harper Collins’ awesome Browse Inside feature:

Additional Thoughts: Want more Kim Harrison? Well, check out her interview, in which she talks all about Black Magic Sanction and The Hollows:

Verdict: Much better than its predecessor and a kickback to the early days in the series, Black Magic Sanction shows Rachel Morgan (and Kim Harrison) in top form. A must-read for fans – especially for those who (like myself) may have felt the last book was a step backwards.

Rating: 8 – Excellent

Reading Next: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Howdy folks, and happy Sunday!

As the first part of our official Steampunk Week comes to a close, we return to our regularly scheduled programming…but fret not! If you want more dirigible-inspired goodness, we’ve got our second installment of Steampunk Week coming at you next month…

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes:

Well, not much today other than – we got a makeover!!!!! Which you’ve probably noticed. If you look above, we’ve installed a brand spankin’ new navigation bar, for your reading pleasure. One of the most frequent comments we got from you good folks in our recent customer satisfaction survey was the need for easier navigation of the site. And we’ve listened! Want to read all about Ana and Thea? Want to search for a specific review? Want to shoot us an email, or peruse our review policy? All is listed and linked above.

We’ve also widened our post area and lightened the background for our sidebars to help readers with different browsers access our material more easily.

We hope you like the changes! And, as always, please let us know if you’re having any technical issues with the site – we’ll try our best to iron things out.

This Week on The Book Smugglers:

On Monday, Ana reviews coming of age YA novel, The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott.

On Tuesday, Thea reviews another of her most highly anticipated books of 2010 with the newest installment in Kim Harrison’s ongoing sweet-ass Urban Fantasy series, The Hollows: Black Magic Sanction.

Wednesday, Thea *FINALLY* gets to read and review The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan – sequel to the Stoker-nominated sensational debut novel The Forest of Hands and Teeth (one of Thea’s Top 10 Books of 2009) by Carrie Ryan! Later in the day, we’ll have Carrie over for a Top 10 List, and to answer five questions about the themes in her harrowing YA novels.

On Thursday, Ana reviews one of her most highly anticipated novels of the year with Maureen Johnson’s Scarlett Fever, sequel to Suite Scarlett.

And finally, we close out the week with a joint review of Seanan McGuire’s second October Daye novel, A Local Habitation!

It’s another busy week, and we hope you enjoy…

And just because this is fun:

Yesterday was the official release date of Black Magic Sanction, the eighth book in Kim Harrison’s ongoing Rachel Morgan/The Hollows series.

In New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison’s most complex and nuanced adventure yet, bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan fights a deadly battle—mind, body, and soul

Black Magic Sanction

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter—and lived to tell the tale. But she’s never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment—at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.

It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price.

If you’re a fellow Hollows addict (as Thea is), you’ll be interested in learning that io9 has the first TWO chapters up for your reading pleasure. You can read the i09 article and excerpt online HERE.

And once you’re good and hungry for more Black Magic Sanction, check out Harper Collins’ awesome Browse Inside feature, where you can read the first SEVEN chapters of the book:

We’ll be having our own review of Black Magic Sanction very, very soon – so make sure to stay tuned.

Welcome to Smugglivus 2009 – Day 26!

Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2009, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2010.

Today’s Guest: KMont, the lovely lady that runs the Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Romance/Speculative Fiction blog Lurv ala Mode! KMont is a Smuggler staple – she always knows what sparkly new titles are coming out, and more often than not, our tastes in books overlap.

Ladies and gents, KMont!

Dudes, I am coming to you live from Smugglivus, Take 2! Boy it’s great to be here, Thea and Ana. Thanks for making room for me in your cargo hold. Perhaps I might take a stroll on the deck later? Oh, I have to finish scrubbing the cargo hold first? Okie dokie then, but do you realize how hard it is working around all yalls dang books? *glares*

I’m just kiddn’, folks. Ana and Thea would never make me scrub the cargo hold. Maybe the captain’s quarters. Wonder if the captain’s at home, I think he winked at me on the way in and he looked verra virile…

Anyway, 2009 was an odd year. I won’t waste yalls time by whining about how little time I had to read, but ya know, I didn’t have much time to read. Less and less as the year went on! I’ll blame the economy. No good reason, but El Nino’s old news, so the economy it is. So yep, less time to read, but still plenty of time to find something worthwhile in all the reading world.

2009 Top Reading Picks (no particular order)

1. Anything For You by Sarah Mayberry

This year I decided to try my hand at hosting a reading Challenge; Year of the Category was born. I’d read one or two category romances back in the day, but it’d been so long that I felt like a newcomer. I ought to have renamed the challenge Year of the Mayberry though, because Anything For You started me on a must-read Mayberrypalooza of pure enjoyment. I’m now officially a fan of this author and I don’t throw that word around lightly in regards to my reading.

2. White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison

I have a feeling I will always love this series. I’ve actually had the bad luck of being pretty disappointed in a few of my most favorite series this year, but Harrison keeps it strong with this seventh book in the Rachel Morgan/Hollows series. God, but I love it, love ‘em all. So much so that for the first time in my reading history, I plan to get the previous initial series books in hardback. Rachel Morgan, gotta love her, plus the rest of Harrison’s awesome cast of characters. It goes without saying, really, that I crave the next book.

3. The Noble Dead Saga, Series 1

I don’t know if there’s anything quite like finding a series one enjoys, then devouring it back-to-back like a reading pig. Barb and J.C. Hendee co-author the Noble Dead books, a fantasy epic about a race of vampires called the Noble Dead and one in particular and his mad quest. It’s so epic in scale I cannot fully make you understand how much fun it was to read it (I suppose that’ why I reviewed them). The books weren’t all perfect reads, and I was a little mad at a series end that leaves one hanging (the saga continues in Series 2 beginning with In Shade and Shadow and a new lead protagonist), but I look forward to continuing the overall arc as good continues to fight against ultimate, world-consuming evil.

4. Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh

Sorry, Lucas Hunter, Mr. Awesome from Slave to Sensation, but Riley and Mercy have usurped you and Sascha as my favorite Psy/Changeling series couple. The dynamics between Mercy and Riley were fantastic, and I don’t only mean between the sheets. Not only did Singh give me another great couple to fall in love with, she also maintained tight control over her worldbuilding and series arc. When it comes to a plain-as-day handbook for this aspect of writing, Singh is a master, showing readers time and again that she is focused and dedicated to what she began back in 2006.

5. Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas

I simply fell in love with this book, which, as plenty of readers know, isn’t exactly easy to do. When it happens, though, when we find that one special book that speaks to us, it is pure magic. We sink into said book with all the bliss of coming home to a perfect read. Not Quite a Husband was such a book for me, and it still ranks very high in my top reads for 2009. I’m not a huge fan of books set in India, for a variety of reasons, but the characters and their problems, their utter nakedness of emotion, spoke to me in a way I’d not been prepared for. I love this book. It reminded me of me so much that it hurt, but it was a welcome and blissful hurt, bittersweet and so very, very Happily Ever After. Believe it or not, I’m getting all teary-eyed just recalling it!

6. On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

It seems the Andrews writing team has reached a point of how can one not have one of their books on a list like this. I love to death their Kate Daniel’s series, and this year’s installment was stellar. On the Edge, though, was equally amazing and I’m a huge fan already of the skill, strength of the characters and the phenomenal worldbuoilding found within. Very much looking forward to Bayou Moon in 2010.

7. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Yep, add yet another reader completely gaga over this book. It made me into a puddle of love for it. Meg, the heroine, is wonderful. She’s flawed, adorably, unrepentantly rebellious and fun as hell. John After, the hero, is as unglued by her as I was. This was one of the best all-time feel good books I’ve ever read. It’s funny, painfully realistic and plain awesome.

2010 Reading Picks

There’s plenty to look forward to in 2010, and I started looking forward in May 2009. There’s the givens: Nalini Singh’s next Psy/Changeling and her 2nd Guild Hunter book, Archangel’s Kiss; Larissa Ione’s next Demonica; Linnea Sinclair’s Rebels and Lovers; even Charlaine Harris’ next Sookie, Dead in the Family, despite my extreme disappointment in Dead and Gone.

Instead, I’m reserving this section for some new-to-me authors:

1. The Reckoners by Doranna Durgin

Ghost hunter Lisa McGarrity can’t understand what’s gotten into the undead recently. Ectoplasm-flinging spirits and ghouls with grudges seem to be coming out of the woodwork, and her small business has been run ragged as she does her best to calm the outraged spirits. When the mysterious and sexy Trevarr appears on her doorstep, Lisa is suspicious. Why is he so interested in her ‘kooky’ hobby? What does he have to gain by visiting paranormal hot spots with her? Whatever he wants, Lisa can’t help being drawn to Trevarr, and as they start working together together to figure out this ghost population explosion, their mutual attraction causes explosions of its own.

2. Blood of the Demon by Diana Rowland

I really enjoyed the first one, Mark of the Demon, in 2009 and have to know more.

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL, MAN AND DEMON, SHE’S ABOUT TO FACE THE ONE THING SHE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SURVIVE.

Welcome to the world of Kara Gillian, a cop with a gift. Not only does she have the power of “othersight” to see what most people can’t even imagine, but she’s become the exclusive summoner of a demon lord. Or maybe it’s the other way around. The fact is, with two troublesome cases on her docket and a handsome FBI agent under her skin, Kara needs the help of sexy, insatiable Lord Rhyzkahl more than he needs her. Because these two victims, linked by suspicious coincidence, haven’t just been murdered. Something has eaten their souls.

It’s a case with roots in the arcane, but whose evil has flowered among the rich, powerful, and corrupt in Beaulac, Louisiana. And as the killings continue, Kara soon realizes how much there’s still to learn about demons, men, and things that kill in the night—and how little time she has to learn it.

3. The Line by Teri Hall

A young adult dystopian title by the looks of the blurb. It’s got a kind of The Village feel to it, which, while not that great a movie, still had a great premise. I feel this book does too, possibly along similar yet hopefully better lines:

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.

Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.

Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

4. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Edgar Allan Poe was one of the most interesting poets to me as a young adult, and I’ve never been much of a horror anything fan. I’m intrigued by what this book might do with such an inspiration. There’s not a lot of info yet, but the cover is intriguing enough:

In NEVERMORE, cheerleader Isobel falls for Poe-fan Varen–but will she be able to save him from the madness taking hold of his mind?

Lordy, I think this list is long enough, but it doesn’t cover 2009 or 2010 by half. Here’s to 2010 – may yours be full of books and plenty of time to read them!

Thanks KMont!

Next on Smugglivus: Jessica of Racy Romance Reviews

Welcome to Smugglivus – Day 24!

Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2009, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2010.

Today’s Guest: Doug Knipe, aka the SciFiGuy. Doug runs the Speculative Fiction/Urban Fantasy/Paranormal blog SciFiGuy, and it’s a fantastic resource for upcoming books, giveaways and author interviews and news. Doug covers so much on his site, we’re in awe of all that he’s accomplished!

Please give it up for Doug!

I was thrilled when Ana and Thea asked me to participate in the amazing Smugglivus Event and share with you some of my favourite reads in 2009 and what I am anticipating in 2010. In 2009 I think I reviewed a little over 100 books and read perhaps half that again. Here are some of the books I enjoyed the most.

My favourite debut of the year was Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland. This fast-paced, urban fantasy police procedural knocked my socks off. Tightly plotted and full of surprises, this none kept me engrossed to the last word. The follow-up Blood of the Demon is on my watch list for 2010.

There were a great number of debut novels in the exploding urban fantasy marketplace in 2009. Annette McCleave’s Drawn Into Darkness impressed me with it’s creepy villain and the grounded Rachel, an ordinary character thrown into extraordinary circumstances.

Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs by Molly Harper was a fresh, laugh out loud, light-hearted foray into urban fantasy that promises to deliver more enjoyable hijinks from the librarian turned vampire as the series develops.

Seanan McGuire impressed me with Rosemary and Rue, an urban fantasy where the hidden fae world intersects with ours in modern day California. McGuire’s October Daye is a dark, fascinating protagonist not quite fitting in either world.

Young adult novels had a breakout year. I was enthralled by Skinned and Crashed by Robin Wasserman, books that explored the theme of what it means to be human in a world where consciousness can be transferred into cybernetic body replacements.

Rachel Vincent’s My Soul To Take introduced us to Kaylee, a banshee that foresees impending deaths. I like dark and dangerous and applauded the atmospheric YA debut of Lilith Saintcrow writing as Lili St. Crow with Strange Angels.

There were numerous standout books in ongoing series over the past year. My favourites included Bound to Shadows by Keri Arthur in the Riley Jensen Guardian series, perhaps its’ best book to date. Rachel Vincent also had a banner year because in addition to her YA debut, Prey in her Shifters series was a thrilling read. I discovered UK author Mike Carey this past year and the nourish urban fantasy series featuring exorcist Felix Castor presented a droll and engaging voice, particularly in Dead Men’s Boots.

Veteran’s Kim Harrison and Charlaine Harris continued to delight with White Witch, Black Curse and Dead and Gone in the Hollows and Sookie Stackhouse series respectively.

Standalone novels that make my best of 2009 list include Charles de Lint’s haunting and beautiful ghost story The Mystery of Grace, The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff, an inventive, funny and charming novel about an unusual family of witches and Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey an urban fantasy which was a total departure from her Kushiel fantasy series.

My most anticipated urban fantasy read for 2010 is Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison, closely followed by Changes by Jim Butcher and Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris.

Next year also has some auspicious fantasy titles I am anxious to read. The long-awaited Dances with Dragons by George R.R. Martin, the fifth book in the Ice and Fire cycle should finally hit shelves as well as the delayed sequel to Patrick Rothfuss’ Name of the Wind – Wise Man’s Fear. I routinely give Name of the Wind as a gift to anyone I know that reads and the response is unanimously positive. Under Heaven, a new novel by fantasist Guy Gavriel Kaye is coming next year and promises to be extraordinary.

2009 was a banner year for urban fantasy and paranormal romance and 2010 is already lining up as another year of fantastic reads. The best of the holidays to everyone and remember to give the gift of books.

Thank you Doug!

Next on Smugglivus: KatieBabs of Babbling About Books, And More!

On The Smugglers’ Radar” is a new feature for books that have caught our eye: books we heard of via other bloggers, directly from publishers, and/or from our regular incursions into the Amazon jungle. This is how the Smugglers’ Radar was born, and because there are far too many books that we want than we can possibly buy or review (what else is new?) we thought we could make it into a weekly feature – so YOU can tell us which books you have on your radar as well!

On Ana’s Radar:

I love, LOVE fairytale retellings and the more deviant from the original the better. So, when I saw this in the book shop last Saturday I bought it faster them you could say OMG Squee. I mean, Cinderella’s husband is kidnapped and she goes to rescue him with the help of Sleeping Beauty who is a NINJA and Snow who is a powerful Sorceress both working for Her Majesty’s secret service? I am so there!

Cinderella–whose real name is Danielle Whiteshore (nee Danielle de Glas)–does marry Prince Armand. And if you can ignore the pigeon incident, their wedding is a dream come true.

But not long after the “happily ever after,” Danielle is attacked by her stepsister Charlotte, who suddenly has all sorts of magic to call upon. And though Talia–otherwise known as Sleeping Beauty–comes to the rescue (she’s a martial arts master, and all those fairy blessings make her almost unbeatable), Charlotte gets away.

That’s when Danielle discovers a number of disturbing facts: Armand has been kidnapped and taken to the realm of the Fairies; Danielle is pregnant with his child; and the Queen has her own very secret service that consists of Talia and Snow (White, of course). Snow is an expert at mirror magic and heavy duty flirting.

Can the three princesses track down Armand and extract both the prince and themselves from the clutches of some of fantasyland’s most nefarious villains?

and there is a sequel as well, with the Little Mermaid!

There is an old story — you might have heard it — about a young mermaid, the daughter of a king, who saved the life of a human prince and fell in love.

So innocent was her love, so pure her devotion, that she would pay any price for the chance to be with her prince. She gave up her voice, her family, and the sea, and became human. But the prince had fallen in love with another woman.

The tales say the little mermaid sacrificed her own life so that her beloved prince could find happiness with his bride.

The tales lie.

Saw this one at Scifi Guy…:

MEGHAN CHASE HAS A SECRET DESTINY— ONE SHE COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home,

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

…and this one at Angie’s

Finnikin was only a child during the five days of the unspeakable, when the royal family of Lumatere were brutally murdered, and an imposter seized the throne. Now a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere’s walls, and those who escaped roam the surrounding lands as exiles, persecuted and despairing, dying by the thousands in fever camps. In a narrative crackling with the tension of an imminent storm, Finnikin, now on the cusp of manhood, is compelled to join forces with an arrogant and enigmatic young novice named Evanjalin, who claims that her dark dreams will lead the exiles to a surviving royal child and a way to pierce the cursed barrier and regain the land of Lumatere. But Evanjalin’s unpredictable behavior suggests that she is not what she seems — and the startling truth will test Finnikin’s faith not only in her, but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny.

And this is the sequel to The Adamantine Palace by Stephen Deas:

Prince Jehal has murdered, poisioned and betrayed his way to the top. There is a new speaker for the realms, opposition has been crushed, now he just has to enjoy the fruits of power. And yet …He feels more for the wife he married for power than perhaps he should and his lover knows it. And out in the realms those loyal to the old regime are still plotting. and there are rumours that the Red Riders, heralds of revolution and doom are on the ride. And still no-one has found the famous white dragon. The dragon that if it lived will have long ago recovered from the effects of the alchemical liquid fed to the the dragons of the realms to keep them docile, to block their memories of a time when they ruled and the world burned …Stephen Deas has created an epic world, vivid characters, a plot full of betrayals and the most awesome dragons fantasy has seen.

On Thea’s Radar:

My absolute favorite book from last year was Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life As We Knew It, with the dead and the gone as a close second. AND, the cover and synopsis for the third book in the series has been officially released! Cue hyperventilation! MUST HAVE THIS BOOK NOW NOW NOW!

It’s been a year since a meteor collided with the moon, catastrophically altering the earth’s climate. For Miranda Evans life as she knew it no longer exists. Her friends and neighbors are dead, the landscape is frozen, and food is increasingly scarce.

The struggle to survive intensifies when Miranda’s father and stepmother arrive with a baby and three strangers in tow. One of the newcomers is Alex Morales, and as Miranda’s complicated feelings for him turn to love, his plans for his future thwart their relationship. Then a devastating tornado hits the town of Howell, and Miranda makes a decision that will change their lives forever.

Ana sent me an email with this cover, that has me salivating…

Ever since the floods came and washed the world away, survivors have been desperate to win a place on X Isle, the island where life is rumoured to be easier than on what’s left of the mainland. Only young boys are in with a chance, the smaller and lighter the better. Baz and Ray are two of the lucky few to be chosen, but they soon discover that X-Isle is a far cry from paradise. Ruled by Preacher John, a dangerous religious fanatic, it’s a violent, unpredictable place where terrible things can happen at any moment. The boys hatch an extraordinary plan in order to protect themselves – the construction of a mighty weapon of defence. But can they complete this weapon in time, and are they really prepared to use it in order to secure their freedom? Powerful and compelling, “X Isle” is a fast-moving thriller that will keep you guessing right to the very end.

This next one I saw on Amazon, and am pretty excited for it. Connie Willis hasn’t come out with anything in a while, and I really loved Doomsday Book, so Blackout should be a treat!

Oxford in 2060 is a chaotic place. Scores of time-traveling historians are being sent into the past, to destinations including the American Civil War and the attack on the World Trade Center. Michael Davies is prepping to go to Pearl Harbor. Merope Ward is coping with a bunch of bratty 1940 evacuees and trying to talk her thesis adviser, Mr. Dunworthy, into letting her go to VE Day. Polly Churchill’s next assignment will be as a shopgirl in the middle of London’s Blitz. And seventeen-year-old Colin Templer, who has a major crush on Polly, is determined to go to the Crusades so that he can “catch up” to her in age.

But now the time-travel lab is suddenly canceling assignments for no apparent reason and switching around everyone’s schedules. And when Michael, Merope, and Polly finally get to World War II, things just get worse. For there they face air raids, blackouts, unexploded bombs, dive-bombing Stukas, rationing, shrapnel, V-1s, and two of the most incorrigible children in all of history—to say nothing of a growing feeling that not only their assignments but the war and history itself are spiraling out of control. Because suddenly the once-reliable mechanisms of time travel are showing significant glitches, and our heroes are beginning to question their most firmly held belief: that no historian can possibly change the past.

From the people sheltering in the tube stations of London to the retired sailors who set off across the Channel to rescue the stranded British Army from Dunkirk, from shopgirls to ambulance drivers, from spies to hospital nurses to Shakespearean actors, Blackout reveals a side of World War II seldom seen before: a dangerous, desperate world in which there are no civilians and in which everybody—from the Queen down to the lowliest barmaid—is determined to do their bit to help a beleaguered nation survive.

Thanks to Rhiannon Hart for the heads up on this one:

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.
Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.

Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

You can check out the first chapter of The Line online HERE.

I’m a little late on this one, but I really am intrigued by the premise:

What does it mean to be bad?

Eric Bear has it all: a successful career, a beautiful wife, a blissful home. He knows he’s been lucky; a while back, his life revolved around drugs, gambling, a gang of stuffed-animal thugs, and notorious crime boss Nicholas Dove.

But the past isn’t as far away as Eric had hoped. Rumors are swirling that Dove is on the Death List and that he wants Eric to save him. If Eric fails to act, his beloved wife, Emma Rabbit, will be torn apart, limb by limb.

With a nod to the best of noir and the wisest of allegories, and interlaced with greed and gangsters, Amberville depicts an alternate world that mirrors our own realities and moral concerns, and reminds us of the inextricable link between good and evil.

And finally, check out the new cover for the second book in Kim Harrison’s Madison Avery series:

No synopsis yet, but hopefully one will be around soon!

And that’s it from us! What are you looking forward to?

Kim Harrison is a Smuggler Favorite author, penning the bestselling adult Urban Fantasy series, The Hollows (which also happens to be Thea’s all time favorite Urban Fantasy series). This year, she has decided to branch out her formidable writing talent into the world of Young Adult fiction, starting a brand new series in a universe separate from her Rachel Morgan books. We loved her first Young Adult novel, Once Dead, Twice Shy, and are thrilled to have Kim back here again on The Book Smugglers to talk about writing YA, how it differs from her other work, and her inspirations and influences.

Please give it up for the wonderful Kim Harrison!

——————–

Kim Harrison, adult or YA writer?

It has been a fabulous couple of months for me with the Supernatural Summer tour to help me kick off my debut into the young adult genre with Once Dead, Twice Shy, the beginning of a three book series through Harper Teen. When I first sat down to write Once Dead, Twice Shy, I never imagined I’d have the chance to be included in a multi-author tour and be given the opportunity to meet the readers of such fabulous YA writers as Kelley Armstrong, Melissa Marr, Aprilynne Pike, and Claudia Gray, all so warm and welcoming. But my favorite YA novels are still the ones I read while I was growing up. The Pern series by Anne McCaffrey, (which was marketed for adult when it came out.) Just about anything from Heinlein, and of course Ray Bradbury. All heavy on the science fiction and fantasy, heavy with adult themes cleverly disguised under an adventurous storyline. It was with that in mind that I wrote Once Dead, Twice Shy, trying to steer clear of YA romance (where I have no business writing) and craft something that I hoped both the adult and the young adult reader might enjoy.

In some ways, the transition from writing adult to young adult was easy. I think that the young adult audience likes a lot of the same things that the adult audience does. A strong-willed main character who isn’t moping about her life all the time, one who sees injustice and takes action, and one who has friends to help her. But the young adult audience is more savvy than ever, and to talk down to them, to give them too-simple a story with thin world building and shallow characters is risking that they won’t read the next. Romance is brand new, and experiences have higher highs, and lower lows. It’s a fine line to walk, and I hope that I’ve managed to keep my balance. When I write for the YA audience, I do try to put myself back in a younger frame of mind where concerns don’t include mortgages, but instead friends, fitting in, and finding a place in the world–stuff that we carry with us into adulthood.

Why make the switch? Some people have asked me, and for that, I just smile. I saw the reason at the Supernatural Summer signings time and again, reaffirming my resolve to give this my all. My adult readers came out to see me on tour, but they didn’t come alone. More often than not, when one of my books was slid across the table to me, there was a copy of Once Dead, Twice Shy on top, and next to a beaming parent was a teen, sometimes eager, sometimes bored, sometimes shy, but there because Mom or Dad wanted to share that good feeling they got from my work with their son or daughter, they wanted to talk to their kid about something they both experienced, and perhaps they wanted to pass their love of reading on–if they hadn’t already. If I could be a part of that, if I could share my own love of reading, the breathless “what if” with someone new . . . then I would feel like I’d done something real and worthwhile.

And that’s why I write YA.

–Kim
——————–
The only girl in a large family of boys, former tomboy Kim Harrison invented the first Brigadier General Barbie in self-defense. She shoots a very bad game of pool and rolls a very good game of dice. When not at her keyboard, she enjoys lounging on the couch with a bowl of popcorn watching action movies with The-Guy-In-The-Leather-Jacket. She plays her Ashiko drum when no one is listening, and is hard to find when the moon is new.

A huge thank you to Kim for her awesome, inspiring words! You can read more about Kim on her website HERE or on her blog HERE.

Giveaway Details:

We are giving away one copy of Once Dead, Twice Shy to a lucky reader! The contest is open to anyone in the US or Canada, and will run until Sunday July 26 at midnight (PST). To enter, simply leave a comment here. Good luck!

Title: Once Dead, Twice Shy

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: May 2009
Hardcover: 240 pages

Stand alone or series: Book 1 in the Madison Avery series, though there is a preceding short story/novella “Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper” in the anthology Prom Nights From Hell.

Why did I read this book: It’s no secret that I am a HUGE Kim Harrison fangirl – her adult urban fantasy series, The Hollows, is hands down my favorite currently running UF series. When I heard that Ms. Harrison would be dabbling in an entirely new series – in the YA genre no less! – I was ecstatic.

Summary: (from HarperTeen.com)
My name is Madison Avery, and I’m here to tell you that there’s more out there than you can see, hear, or touch. Because I’m there. Seeing it. Touching it. Living it.

Well, if she believed in that stuff.

Review:

Madison Avery has been having a rough year. First, she goes to prom with a cute, popular guy from school only to find out she was a pity date (set up by her dad). Then, when she meets a cute, mysterious stranger at the dance and leaves with him, he intentionally kills her – turns out, he’s a powerful dark reaper. Through guts and tenacity, Madison is able to steal his amulet (the source of any reaper’s power) and remain on earth, maintaining an illusion of life – but the fact remains that she is dead. Trying to get the hang of being a corporeal entity, Madison trains with a Light Reaper named Barnabas, attempting to perform tasks that she should be able to manage with her newly claimed amulet. Unfortunately, Madison’s progress is less than satisfactory, as Barnabas continues to become frustrated with her unsuccessful efforts. But after helping Barnabas thwart the efforts of another Dark Reaper, Nikita, in a close boating accident, Madison learns that her stolen amulet isn’t from just any reaper but from one of two very powerful entities. With the help of Barnabas and her Guardian Angel (nicknamed Grace), Madison tries to harness her new powers and protect her old prom date, Josh. Of course, things are never as simple as they seem, and Madison’s amulet holds implications of universal proportions.

I have to admit that though I was excited to read Once Dead, Twice Shy, some lackluster reviews across blogland were a deterrent. Thankfully, my apprehension was unwarranted – Once Dead, Twice Shy is an exhilarating, fantastic read. As always, Ms. Harrison writes a briskly paced novel without a single dull moment; this is another book I finished in a single sitting, unable to put it down. Ms. Harrison departs from her established urban fantasy setting of the Hollows, trading pixies, witches and vamps for a world eerily similar to our own – except with celestial seraphim overlooking while dark and light reapers are locked in an eternal battle for dominance in the mortal realm. In this universe, Dark Reapers intervene in order to make sure that the strings of Fate remain intact, while the Light Reapers triumph Free Will, stepping in only when Dark Reapers try to kill mortals whom they believe will threaten Fate’s ultimate design. Ms. Harrison handles these age old themes (Fate versus Free Will; Inevitability versus Choice) flawlessly, applying them in a way that is immensely entertaining and thought provoking through her intelligent, sassy heroine.

Speaking of heroines, Madison is fantastic – she has some wicked cool fashion sense (edgy and punkish – love the yellow tights), a snarky sense of humor, and a big ol’ impulsive streak. While she does share a number of similar traits to Hollows heroine Rachel Morgan, Madison is decidedly her own character. Brave, sarcastic and creative, especially when it comes to understanding her unique powers, Madison is an easy character to like. Josh, her companion in this novel, is similarly likable and sympathetic as a character – though he is initially (and understandably) disbelieving of Madison’s story, the trust between the two of them grows as he realizes that his own life is in danger, and that this strange girl with purple tipped hair is more than just “Mad Madison.” The other standouts to me were Grace, Madison’s first level cherub, assigned as her Guardian Angel (a very Jenks-like character) and Nikita, a viciously unflinching Dark Reaper (similar to Ivy, on reflection).

I loved the twists and plot developments in Once Dead, Twice Shy – Madison’s fate (or free will, as it may be) is much more complicated than she ever could have imagined. One thing I adore about Ms. Harrison’s writing is how in each of her books, her stories traverse such broad, unexpected territory, and Once Dead, Twice Shy is no exception. Madison’s journey is far reaching, and as the novel ends, it’s clear she’s got quite a job ahead of her. I absolutely loved it, and I cannot wait to read the next chapter in Madison’s exciting, ongoing story.

Notable Quotes/Parts: As always, check out Harper Teen’s Browse Inside feature for an in-depth look at Once Dead, Twice Shy:

Additional Thoughts: Make sure to stick around, as Kim Harrison stops by to share her thoughts on writing Young Adult lit. Plus, we’ll also be giving away a copy of Once Dead, Twice Shy!

Verdict: Absolutely fantastic – Madison Avery just might be my new favorite YA Urban Fantasy heroine. An engaging, original read and easily a notable read of 2009. Highly recommended.

Rating: 8 Excellent

Reading Next: Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters

Howdy folks! Young Adult Appreciation Month is officially on (check here for our review of Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince movie)! Here’s what you can expect this coming week:

Harper Teen has a fabulous Supernatural Summer promotion, for five titles from five authors. This week, we will be reviewing each of these titles and will have interviews and posts from each of the authors, and even a few giveaways.

Monday: Kelley Armstrong Day

Thea reviews The Awakening and later in the day, interviews Kelley Armstrong about her Darkest Powers series, and on writing Young Adult novels.

Tuesday – Melissa Marr Day

Ana reviews the Wicked Lovely Manga, followed by an exclusive insight from the author about writing the Manga.

Wednesday – Aprilynne Pike Day

Thea reviews the stunning Wings, and Aprilynne Pike talks a bit about her debut novel.

Thursday – Claudia Gray Day

Thea has a double review of books 1 & 2 in the Evernight series, Evernight and Stargazer. Also, we have an interview with the author.

Friday – Kim Harrison Day

Thea reviews favorite author Kim Harrison’s first Young Adult novel Once Dead Twice Shy, followed by a post by Kim Harrison on writing Young Adult novels.

Saturday – A Chat With An Editor

Farrin Jacobs, Executive Editor of HarperCollins Children’s Books talks to us about being a Young Adult editor, and what to expect from Harper Teen in the future.

And that’s it for the first week of our Young Adult Appreciation Month! Don’t forget you can take part in the celebration of all things Young Adult by joining us on a collective festival across blogland – read the details here.

Until tomorrow…

~ Your Friendly Neighborhood Book Smugglers

Another day, another stash, another really damn important Laker game we MUST WIN OR DIE.

*Thea’s in a very vulnerable place today (especially when 30 mins before the game, ESPN.com takes it on themselves to post stuff like THIS) so don’t mind her*

Covers, Excerpts and Release Dates:

Richelle Mead’s next installment in her Georgina Kincaid series Succubus Heat officially comes out in stores on May 26th…but word on the street is, some bookstores are putting out copies early. I’ll be scourging my local chains and hunting for a copy today. You can read the first chapter of Succubus Heat HERE.

On another note, I am so very envious of folks in Germany who get these covers:

How gorgeous is that? Speaking of covers, check out the cover and blurb for Blood Promise, the next book in Richelle’s Vampire Academy series. **NOTE: HUGE SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST THREE BOOKS, IF YOU HAVEN’T YET READ THEM!**

From the Back Cover:

DIMITRI’S HEART HAS GONE DARK

Now Rose must journey to the ends of the earth to find–and kill–her one true love…

Or has the time come to join him?

My heart shattered. My world shattered. You will lose what you value most… It wasn’t my life…it wasn’t even Dimitri’s life.

What you value most.

It was his soul.

Official Blurb:

BOUND BY LOVE, BUT SWORN TO KILL…

The rest of the world had considered Dimitri dead. And to a certain extent, he was. But I hadn’t been able to forget a conversation he and I had once had. We’d both agreed that we’d rather be dead—truly dead—than walk the world as Strigoi. It was time to honor our words.

Guardian Rose Hathaway’s life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir’s Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose’s neck, a mark that says she’s killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life’s vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She’ll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir’s and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

I’m literally drooling with anticipation. Blood Promise is out this August.

In other book news, Kim Harrison’s Young Adult debut novel, Once Dead, Twice Shy also is being released on May 26th!

My name is Madison Avery, and I’m here to tell you that there’s more out there than you can see, hear, or touch. Because I’m there. Seeing it. Touching it. Living it.

Madison’s prom was killer—literally. For some reason she’s been targeted by a dark reaper—yeah, that kind of reaper—intent on getting rid of her, body and soul. But before the reaper could finish the job, Madison was able to snag his strange, glowing amulet and get away.

Now she’s stuck on Earth—dead but not gone. Somehow the amulet gives her the illusion of a body, allowing her to toe the line between life and death. She still doesn’t know why the dark reaper is after her, but she’s not about to just sit around and let fate take its course.

With a little ingenuity, some light-bending, and the help of a light reaper (one of the good guys! Maybe . . . ), her cute crush, and oh yeah, her guardian angel, Madison’s ready to take control of her own destiny once and for all, before it takes control of her.

Well, if she believed in that stuff.

AND the lovely folks at Harper Teen have posted the first TWO chapters of the book online! Check it out:

I cannot wait.

This Week On The Book Smugglers:

On Monday, Ana will review the much discussed A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore.

Tuesday, Thea totally switches gears and reviews Don’t Look Twice by Andrew Gross! Gross is James Patterson’s co-author and bestselling writer of thriller/suspense novels. As a genre that neither Thea nor Ana are versed in, Don’t Look Twice is definitely outside of the comfort zone. We’ll also be giving away a copy of the book, so stay tuned!

On Wednesday, we’ll have a joint review of The Black Act by editor and writer Louise Bohmer. The Black Act is a dark fantasy/horror novel from Lachesis Publishing.

Thursday, Ana reviews Compromised by Kate Noble, and on Friday we’ll have an interview with the lovely Ms. Noble!

And also this week, we will give our thoughts on the season finale of LOST (OMGWTFJACOB!!!!!!), and make predictions for the show’s sixth and final season. Plus, you can probably expect some gushing over The Office finale, and a creative post in honor of Terminator: Salvation.

Also, if you haven’t heard the news, Ana and I are famous! We’re being interviewed by Harry over at Temple Library Reviews, and because you know how much Ana and I like to talk, our full interview will be released in installments. Part I is up now, but check back in this week for the rest of our chat with Harry!

Until next week, we leave you with this.