Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass

Kira Solomon starts the story as a troubled teen. She is manifesting forces that she finds inexplicable, torn from her adopted home she ends up in an island castle. She finds acceptance of her gifts and finds her thrust into the role of a chaser of nightmares.

Kira is believable as a butt thumping action heroine who doesn’t put a great deal of stock in her heroic persona. If you have read any of my reviews, you know I do favor the strong female protagonist. I liked Kira and the story line. This has serious fantasy components intermingled with urban life. I’m looking forward to seeing more work from Seressia Glass.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Seressia Glass

Web Site:

Spider’s Bite by Jennifer Estep

Spider’s bite is truly fatal. Cross this girl and you may end up stoned or flat out dead. An assassin with magical talent, Gin is a rock solid protagonist with very flexible morals. Dark, gritty urban fantasy at it’s best.

You don’t have to read many of my reviews to discover I favor the strong female protagonist. This strong female is more than a bit scary. A ruthless approach to life, you would be hard pressed to find elemental magic more diametrically different than Mercedes Lackey’s Elemental Masters. Two dramatically different styles and yet I really enjoyed both. This book may defy you to put it down and if you are smart you will read it in one sitting, otherwise you are going to be living a disrupted life until you finish it.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Jennifer Estep

Web Site:

The Calling by David Mack

An ordinary guy hears other peoples prayers and tries to answer them. This is an unlikely premise that works surprisingly well until Tom Nash hears a prayer more frightening and sinister than he has ever heard before. Nash’s response, his experiences and the surprising things he discovers about himself comprise the gist of the book.

The clear portrait painted of Tom Nash, depicts an ordinary guy trying to do extraordinary tasks. The clarity of the portrait helps to add credence to the unlikely premise of hearing other’s prayers. The introduction to a previously unknown sub-culture is met with a realistically cynical response. Mack did a nice job with the characters, including the feisty but terrified, young victim. The storyline flowed well, the gaps were filled in and the plot provided enough mystery to intrigue and motivate continued reading.

I enjoyed the book, I recommend it. It is pretty obvious it will be followed by a sequel which I will make every effort to read as well.

Body of work of David Mack

Web Site: http://www.infinitydog.com/

Review: http://www.mgpblog.com/2009/08/tour-stop-calling-by-david-mack.html

Blog: http://www.davidmack.pro/blog/?tag=the-calling