“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 Thea’s Radar:

*rubs hands together* I cannot freaking wait for this upcoming anthology, that includes the likes of Diana Peterfreund, and is edited by the formidable duo of Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier. Can we say, AWESOME?

Edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier, this teen anthology asks the question: which is better and badder, the zombie or the unicorn?

Saw this cover over at Aidan’s blog, A Dribble of Ink, and am intrigued. I have The Adamantine Palace on my TBR (and will be reviewing it in the next two weeks), so I’m excited to see more form Stephen Deas!

When Berren makes the mistake of stealing a purse from a thief-taker, it should have condemned him to a short and brutal life in the slave-mines. So when the thief-taker offers to train him as an apprentice instead, he can’t believe his luck. The thief-taker has secrets of his own, though, and Berren is soon sucked into a faraway war, filled with mercenary soldiers, necromancers who brew potions that can change your destiny, and a psychotic girl-princess with a penchant for cutting pieces out of her lovers’ souls.

It’s no secret that I am an unabashed Rachel Caine fangirl – her Weather Warden series is amongst my top 3 favorite currently running UF series’ PERIOD. New cover art is out, and I. Am. Stoked.

Did you know Dan Simmons has a new novel coming out this year? Hmm? I am a sucker for anything this man writes. He, like Neil Gaiman, is a Writing God in my mind. I cannot wait for Black Hills.

When Paha Sapa, a young Sioux warrior, “counts coup” on General George Armstrong Custer as Custer lies dying on the battlefield at the Little Bighorn, the legendary general’s ghost enters him – and his voice will speak to him for the rest of his event-filled life.

Seamlessly weaving together the stories of Paha Sapa, Custer, and the American West, Dan Simmons depicts a tumultuous time in the history of both Native and white Americans. Haunted by Custer’s ghost, and also by his ability to see into the memories and futures of legendary men like Sioux war-chief Crazy Horse, Paha Sapa’s long life is driven by a dramatic vision he experienced as a boy in his people’s sacred Black Hills. In August of 1936, a dynamite worker on the massive Mount Rushmore project, Paha Sapa plans to silence his ghost forever and reclaim his people’s legacy-on the very day FDR comes to Mount Rushmore to dedicate the Jefferson face.

Also, as the release date draws ever closer, I am really getting excited for the next installment in Claudia Gray’s Evermore books. And I really like this cover for Hourglass.

Bianca will risk everything to be with Lucas.

After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas take refuge with Black Cross, a fanatical group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at their hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend—the vampire Balthazar—hiding is no longer an option.

Soon, Bianca and Lucas are on the run again, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they travel, Bianca can’t escape her destiny.

Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything . . . but can it survive what’s to come?

I just recently saw the formidable Danielle of Opinionated, Me? review this older YA book, and immediately thought: MUST HAVE.

Since the war and the bombs, Hatfork, Wyoming, is a broken-down, mutant-ridden town. Young Chaos lives in the projection booth of the abandoned multiplex, trying to blot out his present unable to remember his past. Then the local tyrant, Kellogg, reveals to him to over a can of dog food that the bombs never fell. The truth is a little more complicated. With a fur-covered girl and an automobile, Chaos sets out on journey, following the empty highway to the edge of the American nightmare, ins search of a missing identity and a stolen love. The truth he finds,is indeed a little more complicated. or a lot . . .

And finally, saw this over at Angie’s blog, Angieville. Now, I am a huge fan of Moira J. Moore’s Hero books. I *love* Taro and Lee. But seriously, these covers blow chunks. Instead, compare the lovely art from Chris McGrath and imagine if THIS was the art for Ms. Moore’s wonderful books.

On Ana’s Radar:

I am currently madly, unhealthly in love with Angry Robot’s entire catalogue. They have what appears to be, some crazy shiz coming out. Evidence #1:

On the streets of Indianapolis, the ancient Arthurian cycle is replaying in the lives of rival street gangs. Told through the eyes of King, as he gathers like-minded friends and warriors around him to venture into the fastness of Dred, the notorious crime lord, this is a stunning mix of myth and harsh reality. A truly remarkable novel.

Evidence #2:

There is a box. Inside that box is a door. And beyond that door is a whole world.

In some rooms, forests grow. In others, animals and objects come to life. Elsewhere, secrets and treasures wait for the brave and foolhardy.

And at the very top of the house, a prisoner sits behind a locked door waiting for a key to turn. The day that happens, the world will end…

and I know that this is way more like Thea’s cup of tea, but I liking the sound it so..evidence # 3:

Botanica is an island, but almost all of the island is taken up by the Tree.

Little knowing how they came to be here, small communities live around the coast line. The Tree provides them shelter, kindling, medicine – and a place of legends, for there are ghosts within the trees who snatch children and the dying.

Lillah has come of age and is now ready to leave her community and walk the tree for five years, learning all Botanica has to teach her. Before setting off, Lillah is asked by the dying mother of a young boy to take him with her. In a country where a plague killed half the population, Morace will otherwise be killed in case he has the same disease. But can Lillah keep the boy’s secret, or will she have to resort to breaking the oldest taboo on Botanica?

I mean, don’t these sound fa-bu-lous?

Earlier this week, Thea sent me the link to this YA book. I have never read any of Carrie Vaughn’s books, but her new series may be a good place to start:

On one side of the border lies the modern world: the internet, homecoming dances, cell phones. On the other side dwell the ancient monsters who spark humanity’s deepest fears: dragons.

Seventeen-year-old Kay Wyatt knows she’s breaking the law by rock climbing near the border, but she’d rather have an adventure than follow the rules. When the dragon Artegal unexpectedly saves her life, a secret friendship grows between them—even though the fragile truce that has maintained peace between their two species is unraveling around them. As tensions mount and battles begin, Kay and Artegal are caught in the middle. Can their friendship change the course of a war?

In her young adult debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Vaughn presents a modern tale of myths and machines and an alliance that crosses a seemingly unbridgeable divide.

And finally, this one, by my new author crush, John Green. Apparently there is no blurb and all we know is: it’s out in April and it is about two guys named…Will Grayson.

What about you? Any books on your radar?

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: Angie of the Young Adult/Fantasy/Speculative Fiction review blog Angieville. Angie runs one of our very favorite blogs, and has a knack for picking up and reviewing books that both of us Smugglers love. She’s one of our go-to sites for book ideas – if Angie likes it, chances are, we will love it too!

Please give a hand to Angie!

Best Performance by a Heroine in a Recurring Role: Kate Daniels for Magic Strikes Kate just gets cooler and tougher and couldn’t stop taunting the Beast Lord to save her life. My kind of girl, is Kate.

Best Debut Performance by a Heroine in a Leading Role: Lyn for Girl in the Arena

She’s the daughter of seven gladiators. She loves her family and is true to herself, while refusing to perpetuate a suffocatingly rigid social system. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Lyn.

Best Performance by a Hero in a Recurring Role: Curran for Magic Strikes

It’s just that he’s Curran. And he’s so furry and cocky and implacable. And out of his mind over Kate. Love the guy. Love, love, love him.

Best Debut Performance by a Hero in a Leading Role: Brigan for Fire

Because if you’re looking for still waters run deep, look no further. His iron self-control and constant putting of duty and family before any personal desires…well, in Kristin Cashore’s capable hands, he’s utterly spellbinding.

Best Performance by an Antihero in a Leading Role: Nick for The Demon’s Lexicon

Talk about the definition of an antihero. Nicholas Ryves takes the cake, my friends. You love him, you hate him, you love to hate him. And his relationship with his big brother Alan will melt your heart. See if it doesn’t.

Best Performance by a Villain: President Snow for Catching Fire

The dude smells like blood and roses and I can’t read a scene he’s in without gagging. Seriously. What is wrong with him?

Best Performance by a Vampire in a Supporting Role: Stefan for Bone Crossed

Stefan is just, hands down, my favorite vampire around. He smells like popcorn and drives a VW bus painted like the Mystery Machine and he absolutely made Bone Crossed. I hope Mercy gives Marsilia what she deserves one of these days. For Stefan.

Best Series Finale: Diana Peterfreund for Tap & Gown

For never dropping the ball and coming through in every way that matters and more. Tap & Gown is the perfect ending to a ridiculously entertaining series. How many of those have you read?

Best Packaging: Arthur A. Levine Books for Marcelo in the Real World

I just love it. Better yet, its inside is every bit as breathtaking as its outside. And that is saying something.

Best Kiss: Lady Julia Grey and Mr. Nicholas Brisbane for Silent on the Moor

These two are three books in now and the tension…let’s just say it remains high. Part of it can be chalked up to how well-suited they are to one another and part of it is just that Ms. Raybourn can infuse a scene with Victorian heat like nobody’s business.

And last, but not least…

Best Author Pimping: My booktwin and dear friend Martha for her tireless and heartfelt pimping of Megan Whalen Turner’s Queen’s Thief series: The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, and The King of Attolia

Thank you, Martha. What can I say? I should have listened to you earlier. I have seen the error of my ways and will never delay reading a book you rave about ever again. This series instantaneously skyrocketed to the top of my beloved bookshelf and Turner is an absolute storytelling master. Highly recommended for fans of Robin McKinley, Kristin Cashore, and Sherwood Smith.

As for my 2010 Must Be Mine list…I’m gonna leave you with my top 15 most anticipated titles. They hail from 3 new-to-me authors and 12 near-and-dear ones. The list is comprised of 8 YAs (4 fantasy, 2 urban fantasy, 1 dystopian, and 1 contemporary), 3 urban fantasies, 3 straight fantasies, 1 historical mystery, and is top to bottom made of awesome. Shiny, no? Here they are in order of publication date:

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

In a world of fever camps, wandering exiles, and cursed kingdoms, young Finnikin joins forces with the reckless Evanjalin in a bid to save the land of Lumatere from the evil that threatens to swallow it. After the wonder that was Jellicoe Road, I will read anything the woman writes. Due out February 9

The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn

A young woman leaves Scotland, bound for Roumania to visit a friend and write her book. There she encounters the mysterious Count Dragulescu and, well, really, need I say more? Due out March 1

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner

The long-awaited fourth novel in the beloved Queen’s Thief series. This one follows Sophos as he fights his way to take his place as the heir to Sounis. Confession: I’m 100 pages into my ARC and it is, in a word, sublime. Due out March 23

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

A land beset by storms and quakes, a mysterious wizard who brings rain, and a young woman stolen from her home who may hold the key to it all…I am so there. Due out March 23

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

Fifth Mercy Thompson novel. ‘Nuff said. Due out March 30

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

The unexpected but delightfully welcome sequel to Perfect Chemistry. This one follows Alex’s little brother Carlos. I enjoyed the hell out of the first book and can’t wait for the follow-up. Plus, that cover? Smokin! Due out April 13

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

A young girl has lost her memory. A desperate prince risks everything on the mere hope she is who he believes her to be. Forced to return to a place she once fled, amid scheming and lies, Isabel struggles to determine who she used to be and what she must become. Due out April 17

Lord of the Changing Winds by Rachel Neumeier

First in the Griffin Mage trilogy. The griffins are coming, bringing fire and desert in their wake. The king prepares for battle to protect his land. Meanwhile a young girl is summoned to heal the Griffin King and her awakening abilities lead her to the truth behind their sudden flight. Due out April 27

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

The fourth Kate Daniels book. Ilona and Gordon knocked it out of the park with Magic Strikes and I’m just not sure I’m gonna make it until May. Thank goodness for re-reading, right? Due out May 25

White Cat by Holly Black

The first in the Curse Workers trilogy, it’s about a boy named Cassel and takes place in a private boarding school, features a family of grifters, and is about curse magic. Oh, and a white cat. And is a fairy tale retelling. And it will be mine. Due out May 4

No covers quite yet on the rest of these, but keep your eye out because they are definitely not to be missed.

Heroes Return by Moira J. Moore

The fifth Heroes book featuring the lovable Source & Shield duo: Taro & Lee. Due out July 27

Bring on the Night by Jeri Smith-Ready

This series is #3 in my top favorite urban fantasies. I just love how smooth the writing is and finding out what happens to Ciara and Shane and the gang in the next WVMP Radio installment. Due out August 1

The untitled Hunger Games Book 3 by Suzanne Collins

I have no idea how it’s all going to play out but I can tell you one thing. Katniss better knock some heads together in this one because I am THIS CLOSE to losing it. Grrr. Due out August 24

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund

The second Killer Unicorns book (I just love saying that) and the sequel to Rampant. Peterfreund is one of my very favorite authors and I, for one, am looking forward to more Astrid, more Giovanni, more Phil, and more Bucephalus! Due out September 21

Seer of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier

The sequel to the lovely Heir to Sevenwaters. This one is Sibeal’s book and one I’ve been waiting for for a long time. If you’ve never read any Marillier before, you have until December to pick up Daughter of the Forest and discover the splendiferousness for yourself. Janicu–I’m lookin’ at you. Due out December

That’s it for me. Thanks for having me, Smugglers! I’m off to track down some hot cider and wrap the last few presents. Thanks for stopping in this Christmas Eve and I hope your holidays are filled with good cheer and good books!

Thank you, Angie!!!

Next on Smugglivus: Doug Knipe, aka SciFiGuy

Today we bring you the latest installment in our new feature, “What She Said…” in which we both review books that the other has already read and reviewed. The idea arose because of the dilemma that if one of us reads and reviews a book, the other can’t really post again about it, right? WRONG! Hence, “What She Said…” was born. For those books that we REALLY want to read after the other has reviewed – and gushed – about it.

For today’s post, we take on Resenting the Hero by Moira J Moore, and Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson.

Resenting the Hero by Moira J. Moore
Ace, February 2006, Paperback 304 pages

Original Review: Thea never really reviewed the first two books in the series, but she mentions them quite a few times.

Original rating: 7 – Very Good

What Thea said: These books are compulsively readable, and firmly in the ‘unputdownable’ category

What Ana says: Thea has been talking about these books and trying to make me read them for a long, long time. When the idea for the What She Said feature came up, I immediately thought about this series. Thea sent me the first book and here we are. I am glad to report that I had a most pleasant time reading Resenting the Hero – in fact , it was just what I needed to read right now, after two books that were rather sad and heavy (The Road Home by Ellen Emerson White and The Last Will of Moira Leahy by Therese Walsh) . The book was funny, fun and yes, unputdownable – I read it in one sitting.

Narrated in first person by Mallorough Dunleavy, Lee for short, the story follows her adventures after leaving the Shield Academy. In this world, there are regular people like you and me but also Sources and Shields. Sources channel forces of nature and are the only thing standing against possible natural catastrophes in a world plagued by them. Each Source works together with a Shield, who shield their minds as they are channelling the forces, and without a Shield, a Source would go mad. A Pair is a true partnership, a bond for life and should one die, the other follows suit. Sources, as the forces they control, are emotional and unpredictable, Shields are (or should be) calm and controlled. They go to separate academies growing up, to learn their powers, learn the rules they need to follow and then there is a matching/bonding ceremony when the right time comes and they are set into the world to protect it.

Lee is a Shield and as the book opens, she is about to find out whether she has been matched to a Source or not. All that she wants is to be matched to a reliable, sensible Source and go about life doing her duty in safe, collected way. To her dismay, the bond clicks with her last choice as a Source, the infamous Shintaro Karish, or Taro, known for his heroics and for being the most handsome, sympathetic man ever. Everybody loves Taro, men and women alike and gravitate around him like moths to the light. Lee is so not happy with the pairing but she has no choice but to learn everything about him and do her duty. Then, he has to go and get kidnapped. Oh, the nerve of the creature.

I loved Lee – she is a great character and a great narrator. She is very much her own woman, who knows what she has to do; she is reasonable and practical to the point where she might come across as not very sympathetic – because she is also selfish and prepared to think the worst of Taro. The title of the book is absolutely perfect as Lee spends most of the book resenting being paired off with Taro. And that resentment and her readiness to jump to conclusions about him kinda clouds her judgment and that makes for awesome reading. Because at the end of the day, Lee is a most unreliable character and I happen to LOVE those.

Everything that she thinks about Taro – that he is irresponsible, that he is a wastrel and whoremonger is based on prejudice and gossip. She has the most warped view of herself as well, and even though she says that she is ultra calm and collected and that she does not want any heroics , her actions points to something else altogether and that is what makes reading this book super, ultra fun.

Like for example, when Taro gets attacked:

“I was fine. Karish was the one who had been assaulted. Nothing had happened to me. There was no reason for me to be anything but all right. There was no reason for me to be reacting to anything at all. I was great. I was wonderful. My hands were strangely cold, but that was probably nothing. “

And even though she thinks HE has a huge ego, hers is not small either:

“Later. Time enough to save the world after I’d found Karish. And figured out how I was going to deal with this being a duke. And oh aye, what was going on with those strange Rushes. The list just kept getting longer and longer. “

Couple that with the cool scenes Sourcing/Shielding, the potential problematic dynamics that come from being bonded for life and having to suffer the consequences of misdeeds of each other plus the growing tension in the world they live in then add the chemistry between Lee and Taro, ergo, a very fun book indeed.

And even though Sources and Shields are not supposed to fall in love or have sex with each other , it is obvious to me, with my powerful romance radar which can detect a romantic pairing from miles away, that these two? Oh yeah, prime romance material as evidenced by the A-MA-ZING scene it the cage which you will have to read to find out for yourself what it is that I am talking about. Because I am evil like that.

And now Thea is sending me all the other books in the series and I shall devour them presto!

Rating: I totally agree with Thea on this one – 7 Very Good leaning towards a 8

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
Tor, June 2009, Hardcover 592 pages

Original Review: July 2009
Original Rating: 8 – Excellent

What Ana said:

Warbreaker caught me by surprise and you can colour me amazed by this book.

What Thea says: This is my first read from non-Mistborn Brandon Sanderson, and I have to admit I was both excited and nervous as I started Warbreaker. I loved the Mistborn books, but a large part of the series’ appeal was its inventive, original system of magic (“allomancers” ingest certain metals which they then “burn,” allowing them to exert different magical abilities). Would Warbreaker – could Warbreaker – compare?

Well, folks, i’m happy to report that it certainly can.

Though it isn’t as fabulous as The Final Empire, Warbreaker shows Brandon Sanderson in his element, creating a fascinating new system of magic (“BioChroma”) whilst weaving intricate political schemes with compelling characters in an entirely new setting. The kingdom of Idris holds a shaky truce with the much larger, flamboyant kingdom of Hallandren to the south. In order to keep the peace, the King of Idris must send his eldest daughter, the perfect princess Vivenna, to Hallandren to marry the God King. But, he discovers that he cannot condemn his perfect, dutiful daughter to such a fate – he knows that war between Idris and Hallandren is inevitable, and he would be sending Vivenna to her doom. Instead, he makes a last minute decision and sends his youngest daughter, the vivacious but unruly Siri in Vivenna’s place. Terrified and completely clueless to Hallandren politics (as she never paid attention in her lessons), Siri makes her way to the foreign court of ostentation, vibrant color, and Gods that have “Returned” from death to share their knowledge and blessings with the world. Though she’s naive, Siri soon discovers plots upon plots in the Court of the Gods and finds allies in surprising places, especially in the form of a disenchanted Returned God named Lightsong. Together, Siri and her allies try to save herself and those she loves from war. Meanwhile, the spurned Vivenna sneaks away from Idris on a mission to find Siri and to bring her home safely – though Vivenna’s journeys through the slums of Hallandren, stirring up trouble may cause more harm than good. And all the while, a mysterious Awakener named Vasher prowls the streets of the city, with an agenda no one seems to understand…

Warbreaker is another keeper from Mr. Sanderson, especially so far as world-building and magic are concerned. The concept of “Breath” (each person is born with one, like a soul), and the ability to sell and gain it is fascinating and poses ideological questions that resonate throughout the book. People can give up their Breath, either to the Gods (who need to gain one new Breath each week to continue living) or to another person such as an Awakener (a person who has amassed enough Breaths to animate objects and Command them). The more Breaths a person or God has, the more powerful an Awakener they become. Breath also allows an Awakener to see colors more vividly, to understand the subtleties of each hue, and to bend light and color around them (in a power known as “BioChroma”). As with Mistborn, I found myself swept up instantly in this world of colorful magic, awed by Mr. Sanderson’s imaginative new take on sorcery. The concept of Gods, too, is a fascinating one in this novel – according to the Hallandren ideology, the Returned are those that have died noble deaths and awakened in their own reshaped flesh with a purpose of bestowing a single gift on humanity. Even the setting of the novel, in the politically embroiled city of Hallandren with its Irdian slums and its confident inhabitants, was well executed. The divisions of faith and nationality are the spark of all the troubles that threaten war, and Mr. Sanderson manages to build tensions nicely without ever making simple value judgements. Neither Idris nor Hallandren are “evil” or “corrupt” cities – they are simply kingdoms, trying to survive in a difficult world.

While the magical system, the power hierarchies and world building aspects were all fantastic, there were some issues in terms of characters and writing that detracted from Warbreaker. The book follows four different character stories, alternating viewpoints between Siri, Vivenna, Lightsong, and the mysterious Vasher. Unfortunately, not all characters (and storylines) are created equal – and I found myself growing bored with Vivenna’s (and at times with Vasher’s) plot threads. Headstrong Siri, with her mix of naivete and attitude makes for a strong, vibrant character that’s easy for readers to sympathize with. Her struggles in the Court of Gods, facing her silent new husband, disapproving priests and petty Gods is pretty compelling stuff, and easily my favorite storyline of the bunch. Lightsong, with his disenchantment with religion (despite the quiet understanding of his ever loyal priest and friend Llarimar) is a close second favorite – his irreverent sense of humor, his dogged determination that he is not a God, and (despite his efforts to seem frivolous) his caring heart make his unfolding story a delight to read. In contrast, Vivenna is a little lackluster – and I found myself resisting the urge to skim through her sections to get back to the more interesting storylines. Vivenna goes through a lot in this book, and I do appreciate her character arc as she faces her own deep-seated hate for Hallandren, her disenchantment with her father, her tenuous grasp on the true nature of life outside of the ideals of royalty – not to mention, early on she’s infused with a dangerously powerful number of Breaths against her will. But, there’s a level of repetition and inaction, especially where Vivenna’s concerned, that I couldn’t really engage with Vivenna’s storyline as I did with the other characters, making the middle portion of Warbreaker draggy. As far as Vasher is concerned, my only problem with his character is how LITTLE there is of him in the grand scheme of the story! He’s a major character by the final, dramatic showdown – but I do wish there was more of him and his witty (talking) sword.

Despite these gripes and some pacing problems, I thoroughly enjoyed Warbreaker. Brandon Sanderson has firmly rooted himself as an “auto-buy” author – and I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next.

Rating: 8 – Excellent (I fully agree with Ana!)

Reading next on What She Said:

Thea: Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Ana: The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen Beckett

Title: Heroes at Risk

Author: Moira J. Moore

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: August 25, 2009
Paperback: 336 pages

Stand alone or series: Book 4 in the ongoing Hero series.

Why did I read this book: I discovered Ms. Moore’s Hero books about two years ago, on a whim. I saw the cover of Resenting the Hero in my local store, and thinking it was a lighthearted young adult novel I scooped it up. And upon reading it, I learned that it decidedly was not YA, and was freaking hilarious – not to mention engaging. I was hooked, immediately running out to buy The Hero Strikes Back. Needless to say, the adventures of Sheild Dunleavy Mallorough and her Source, Shintaro Karish are of a compelling, entirely charming and unputdownable nature. Last year when Heroes Adrift came out, I read it in a single sitting and loved it. So, when I unexpectedly received a copy of Heroes at Risk on my doorstep, I was ecstatic!

Summary: (from Penguin.com)
Shield Lee Mallorough and her Source Shintaro Karish have returned to High Scape. It’s bad enough the townspeople are robbing tombs for ashes to use in ritualistic magic. It gets worse when they start to murder the living for their remains.

Review:

After their hijinks in the Southern Isles on a mission to find a royal heir for the ailing Empress, Shield Lee and her Source Taro have finally returned to High Scape. Though they were unsuccessful in finding a “suitable” heir for the Empress, their journey has changed Lee and Taro’s relationship forever as they are united as lovers for the first time. But, upon returning home, Lee knows that things cannot be so blissful forever. For one, the other Pairs in the city will doubtless frown upon their intimate relationship and will cause the two of them to be the source of censure (as Pairs are never supposed to hook up because of their delicate and life-long connection). And more importantly, Lee knows that the charismatic, beautiful, rakish Taro will someday tire of the plain Lee. Away from the island of Flatwell, and no longer “Leavy the Flame Dancer,” Lee knows that her days of happiness are numbered – and so to lessen the inevitable blow of Taro’s disregard, she chooses to be pragmatic and if not pessimistic, at least realistic about her situation. Of course, this causes tension between her and Taro as they try to come to terms with the parameters of their relationship – especially when Taro’s friends are in the picture, and Lee’s old flame, Doran makes a return to the scene.

And, naturally, Lee and Taro have much larger matters to worry about than their awkward love life. Things have changed in High Scape since they’ve been gone – spell casting has become widespread as the populace looks to protect themselves from a mysterious illness that affects those living on the riverfront, and merchants selling “magical” objects of questionable origin start to profiteer on the frightened public. Then, there are also the disturbing accounts of grave robberies occuring in the city, where human remains are unearthed and stolen for good luck…

Though the weather events have settled down significantly in High Scape rendering it almost a cold zone, Lee and Taro have their work cut out for them.

Heroes at Risk is Moira J. Moore at her best – departing from the strange setting of the Southern Island of Flatwell, Lee and Taro return to the bustling center of High Scape, but they are undeniably changed, and in the words of Thomas Wolfe, they cannot go home again. Lee and Taro, as a tentative new coulple unsure of themselves and their own status together, return to a world that has similarly changed. The strength of Heroes at Risk, for me as a huge fan of the series, is how Ms. Moore departs from the rut of sameness. Instead of rebooting her characters, ignoring what has happened on their journey together, she forces them to confront the new awkwardness that their intimacy has bred. And, the result of this forced intimacy and awkwardness in the face of other Pairs is absofreakinglutely brilliant. Cringeworthy, embarrasing, heart-bruisingly brilliant. As per usual, Hereos at Risk is narrated in the first person by Shield Lee – and as such, the narration has her own biases and slant. Lee is the epitome of the “unreliable narrator” – many times she doesn’t see what is right in front of her face (especially when it comes to Taro), but that’s what makes her so endearing a heroine. Lee, above all else, prides herself on her strengths as a Shield. Shields are immovable – they are solid, they are austere, they are pragmatic. But, after she and Taro took their relationship to the next level, as it were, she has been thrown in a bit of a tizzy. Lee’s struggles to tell herself that she doesn’t need Taro and that their relationship will inevitably end when he inevitably tires of her drives many of her motivations in this book – and it’s a touching and slightly sad (and more than a little infuriating) thing to read. She’s so convinced that their relationship will fail – and soon – that she tries to protect herself with indifference. Of course, that’s what she tells herself, but we readers know this is all hogwash.

I loved how vulnerable Lee was in this instalment – both physically and emotionally. As Angie of Angieville mentions in her review, Lee is simply NOT a vulnerable person. She’s strong; she’s a Shield. She takes her duties towards protecting her Source at all costs very seriously, to the point where she cooly and calmly refuses to show emotion, no matter what. And, in Heroes at Risk, Lee opens up in a way that is unparalleled in the earlier novels. Part of that might be because of her new relationship with Taro, but a lot of it also comes from the growing she did as person on Flatwell. Taro too is at his trademark best, lovable and charming with his good looks and Source charisma, but he’s also mercurial and childish and a tad jealous at times, but for all his mood swings, I can’t help but love Taro as Lee does. He’s so…Taro. Also, Taro’s got more of an edge to him since their journey to Flatwell (aka “that damn island”). For once, he has learned what it feels like to be underpowered and marginalized, and it’s not a lesson he takes lightly or easily forgets – in fact, a lot of his motivations as a character are reflections from their time together, away from the Triple S and High Scape.

And again, this is the beautiful part of Ms. Moore’s series – both Taro and Lee are not static creatures preserved in amber. Rather, they change and grow and have messy emotions and tussles along the way. Lee and Taro’s relationship grows dramatically in this book, and it’s truly a wonder to read. As a reader, I alternated between delighted, furious, frustrated and awestruck with the burgeoning connection between these two very different characters.

On top of the relationship drama between the two, there’s also the overarching mystery – the sicknesses by the river, the stolen ashes, and Lee and Taro’s vulnerability as one of only a few Pairs left to defend the city. While I can’t say the mystery aspect was extremely challenging or engaging (as it was painfully clear who at least one of the major villains was early in the novel), by the end of Heroes at Risk Ms. Moore manages to weave some very interesting plot threads into the overall story, leaving tantalizing repurcussions for the next book. In particular, the last three chapters pack a heck of a twist that should prove very interesting in the future.

Once again, Ms. Moore manages to delight, to enthrall and more importantly, to build on the lovable, compelling characters she has created in this series. Heroes at Risk is a fun novel, and even better than the last in the series. If you haven’t read these books yet, you really should remedy this deficiency in your reading diet. Highly entertaining, and highly recommended!

Notable Quotes/Parts: One of many showdowns between Lee and Taro:

“Jek saw you at the Loft. He said you were a complete wreck.”

“I was not.” My manners had been perfectly correct. And Jek could mind his own damned business.

“Tell me the truth!” he practically shouted.

I blinked in shock. What had just happened? “Excuse me?”

“You’ve been trying to hide how ill you’ve been,” he accused me.

“I have not. I’m not going to complain every time I get a headache. You’d find that pretty tiresome after a while.”

“You collapsed today!”

“I did not.” I took a deep breath and continued in my most soothing tone. “For some reason, today I felt particularly bad. But this has been the first time I’ve felt light-headed. And I’m here now, and they’ll –”

“It never should have gotten this far. You should have told me what was going on immediately. Why are you always hiding things from me?”

“I’m not hiding things from you,” I said in my most soothing tone. “Please calm down.”

“Stop pretending you’re the rational one!” he shouted.

I stared at him. What was going on with him?

“Why are you doing this?” he demanded.

“Doing what?” Getting ill? Totally wasn’t deliberate.

“Playing these games.”

“What games?” Why did he have to pick this moment to go crazy?

Oh, and there went the hands, right into the hair. “What games?” he bellowed. “You’re making time with Laidley. And you dont’ want to go about town with me, and you won’t let me go out with you.”

Why in the world was he dragging all this up again?

I wasn’t making time with Doran. I hadn’t even seen him since our picnic, which Taro knew all about. “I haven’t been with Doran that you haven’t known about it.” And I resented having to to tell him that. “What is wrong with you?”

“On Flatwell and the whole trip back here you were all over me.”

I wouldn’t have described myself that way.

“And then we’re back in High Scape, and suddenly it’s a whole new set of rules. And you’re the only one who gets to decide what the rules are.”

Rules? There were no rules. Certainly none that I had made up.

Additional Thoughts:

For those who have not yet read the series, it is currently four novels strong, and ongoing. In order, the books are: Resenting the Hero, The Hero Strikes Back, Heroes Adrift, and Heroes at Risk. And, a bit on the covers – the first two books seem to have used a different artist, or at least a different concept for the look of the series:

I really am not a fan of this most recent cover (Taro looks like a brunette Fabio Legolas. It’s not attractive.), though I did like the nautical feel for Heroes Adrift. I kinda miss the comedic feel for the first two covers…hopefully a happy medium can be reached for book 5!

Verdict: Absolutely delightful instalment in a wonderful, lighthearted fantasy series. Definitely recommeneded.

Rating: 7 Very Good

Reading Next: Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

Weekend is nearly over for us in the UK but you guys in the US still have one day off to look forward to! Meanwhile, here is what we have planned this week:

On Monday, Ana reviews The Infinite Instant by Danielle Parker

Tuesday, it’s Thea’s turn and she reviews Heroes at Risk by Moira J Moore

Followed by our joint review of Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire on Wednesday

Then on Thursday, Thea reviews Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

and finally on Friday, another joint review, this time of Orphan’s Tale – In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. Valente

PLUS:

We are chuffed to bits that this week, in association with Angry Robot – the new Harper Collins Imprint for genre fiction – SF, F and WTF? – from Monday to Friday, we will be exclusively publishing 5 daily extracts from Triumff: Her Majesty’s Hero by Dan Abnett which will be released in October:

Sir Rupert Triumff. Adventurer. Fighter. Drinker.

Saviour?

Pratchett goes swashbuckling in the hotly anticipated original fiction debut of the multi-million selling Warhammer star.

Triumff is a ribald historical fantasy set in a warped clockwork-powered version of our present day … a new Elizabethan age, not of Elizabeth II but in the style of the original Virgin Queen. Throughout its rollicking pages, Sir Rupert Triumff drinks, dines and duels his way into a new Brass Age of Exploration and Adventure.

Be sure to stop by to check it out!

Giveaway Winners:

The winners of the Flash Giveaway are…

Batch 1  – Contemporary Romance: Marie (comment #44)

Batch 2 – Romantic Suspense: Carolyn H (comment #7)

Congratulations! Please send your snail mail address to contact@thebooksmugglers.com

Speaking of giveaways:

You can still enter our ultra cool Catching Fire Giveaway here. It runs till September 15th and it’s open to residents of Canada and US only.

Reasons Why We Want To Marry Neil Gaiman:

# 1023: For His Library

Seriously, check.this.out and prepare to drool : Neil Gaiman’s Library

On our Radar

Urban Fantasy – The fifth Mercy Thompson book by Patricia Briggs which has the cool cover (but not a blurb yet)

Young Adult:

Daughters of the Sea tells the story of 3 mermaid sisters who are separated at birth by a storm and go on to lead three very different lives. Book 1 is about Hannah, who spent her early days in an orphanage and is now a scullery maid in the house of rich, powerful family. She is irresistibly drawn to the sea and through a series of accidents and encounters discovers her true identity. Hannah relizes that she must keep the truth a secret but she also knows that soon she will have to make the choice – to be a creature of the land or the sea.

Young Adult:

For Zack Thomson, living in the Nicholls Ward isn’t so bad. After his parents died, he developed strange and severe allergies, and the mental institution was the only place where he could be properly looked after. As strange as it was, it was home. He could watch as much television as he wanted; his best friend Charlie visited him often enough; and Nurse Ophelia–the prettiest no-nonsense nurse ever–sometimes took him bowling. Of course, that didn’t mean he had it easy. His allergies restricted his diet to strawberry smoothies, and being the only kid at the hospital could get lonely. But it never once crossed Zack’s mind to leave…until the night someone crashed through the front doors and told him to run. Now he’s on a race for answers–about his past, his parents, and his strange sickness–even as every step takes him closer to the darkest of truths.

Young Adult – The sequel to the very cool Suite Scarlett!

Ever since Mrs. Amberson, the former-aspiring-actress-turned-agent, entered Scarlett Martin’s life, nothing has been the same.

She’s still in charge of the Empire Suite in her family’s hotel, but she’s now also Mrs. Amberson’s assistant, running around town for her star client, Chelsea – a Broadway star Scarlett’s age with a knack for making her feel insignificant.

Scarlett’s also trying to juggle sophomore year classes, her lab partner who is being just a little TOO nice, and getting over the boy who broke her heart.

In the midst of all this, her parents drop a bombshell that threatens to change her New York life forever…

Aaaaaaaand that’s it from us today!

~your friendly neighborhood book smugglers