Book Review: Dead and Gone (Southern Vampire Mysteries book 9)

Reviewed by Christel

Author: Charlaine Harris

Summary

The Weres are coming out.  Since the Vampires came “out of the coffin” so successfully, the Weres have decided that it is time for them to give it a try.  As expected, they are met with some resistance.  Sam’s mother is accidentally shot by her own husband who until now didn’t have a clue that she was a Were.  In order to take care of his mother, Sam has to leave town and puts Sookie in charge of Merlotte’s (the bar and grille that he owns).  Sookie is running things just fine, until a terrible act is committed in the parking lot.  One of the local Were’s is murdered.

The FBI are in town questioning Sookie about her telepathic abilities and her role in saving the lives of several people after the disaster at the Hotel called the Pyramid of Gizeh.  Sookie and Barry had used their telepathic abilities to find survivors, but they are trying to hide from the authorities.  The are in no hurry to be discovered for their “talents” and do not wish to have their whole lives turned upside down.

Sookie and Eric are still have their blood bond and are learning how to deal with it.  Louisiana is now under the rule of Felipe de Castro the King of Louisina and Nevada.  When he trys to make a claim on Sookie, Eric steps in and saves her. Now she is even further bound to him and she isn’t entirely happy with it.

Sookie’s great grandfather, Niall comes to visit Sookie with a warning.  Seems there are 2 fairy factions out there and one of them is not too happy with Niall having human relatives.  A war is waging in Fairy and it is knocking on Sookie’s door.

What I liked 

I love this series.  It is one of my favorites. There is always a mystery to be solved and tons of supernatural creatures to help solve it.   These books are so fun for me to read, I just fly right through them.  I get wrapped up in Sookie’s world and I am sad when the book ends and I have to leave it.  I love the way Charlaine writes her characters.  They are all so unique and entertaining to read about.

And I like Eric Northman…

What I didn’t like 

It ended.  I have been waiting all year for this book and just like that it is over.  Now I have to wait another year or so for the next one.

Last word

There is so much more I wanted to write about this book in this review, but I am too afraid that I will give a way the best parts. There is action, adventure, mystery and love all wrapped up in once nice little supernatural package.  I am always recommending this series to people who enjoy Urban Fantasy and this book is no different.  Ms. Harris just continues down the path that she has forged with a good story and wonderful characters.

                                                       Her Rating

 

 

Telltale Games delevopers discuss Tales from the Borderlands

'Tales from the Borderlands' is a five part episodic game series from the creators of 'The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series.' Set on the unforgiving world of Pandora after the events seen in Borderlands 2, this is a story full of Borderlands’ trademark humor, following two adventurers on their quest for greatness.

You’ll play as Rhys, a Hyperion ‘suit’ with dreams of being the next Handsome Jack, and Fiona, a Pandoran con artist looking to score her biggest ever swindle. Thrown together as unwilling partners in an adventure to recover cash they both think is theirs, their journey will take you on a wild ride where gangsters, bandit lords, and Vault Hunters are just some of the obstacles you’ll encounter, in this new take on the award-winning universe created by Gearbox Software.

Sci-Fi Classic Book Review: The Gods Themselves

Author: Isaac Asimov

Awards

Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1972, Locus SF Winner in 1973 and the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1973.

The Gods Themselves is a 1972 science fiction novel written by Isaac Asimov. Asimov is widely considered one of the masters of hard science fiction.  Isaac Asimov was a professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books.

Dust Jacket Summary

Only a few know the terrifying truth--an outcast Earth scientist, a rebellious alien inhabitant of a dying planet, a lunar-born human intuitionist who senses the imminent annihilation of the Sun.  They know the truth--but who will listen?  They have foreseen the cost of abundant energy--but who will believe?  By exchanging matter with Earth, they seek to exploit these differences in physical laws. The exchange of matter provides an alternative source of energy in their dying Universe. However, the exchange of physical laws will have the ultimate result of turning the Earth's Sun into a supernova, and possibly even turning a large part of the Milky Way into a quasar which, in turn, provides more energy for the para-Universe.   These few beings, human and alien, hold the key to the Earth's survival.

What I liked 

The book isn’t so much a single novel as it is three novellas with a common element.  I enjoyed the second and the third parts much more than the first part.  The second part delves into the alien culture and life that is unique to anything I have read in the past.  I really wish Mr. Asimov would have continued the story further because when it got interesting he just stopped. 

Some may disagree with me but I found the third part the most fascinating.  Mr. Asimov cultivates what life would be like on the Moon for humans.  He is so thorough is in his explanations that it would be difficult to disagree with any of the conclusions.  Plus, there is political intrigue and a rivalry with Earth that totally fleshes out the story.  By far, my two favorite characters of the entire novel where Denison and Selene.  I really, really wish this would have novel on to itself.                 

What I didn’t like

In spots, the story drags and the climax completely fizzles out.  Yet, the biggest complaint I with the novel is that, at times, the dialogue reads like an article for a science journal.  While the science is interesting it does not make for good reading and will cure your insomnia.    

Last word 

A completely unique story that does a splendid job of fleshing out an alien species and life on Luna but is dragged down at times by techno babble.     

                                                            My Rating

Cover Art Junkie: The Robots of Dawn

The cover art for Isaac Asimov's The Robots of Dawn is absolutely gorgeous.  Then again, I have a soft spot for anything robots.

                                                    Artist: Michael Whelan

 

LEGO Theatre: Han Solo vs. General Grievous

Directed by: Brotherhood Workshop

Our favorite wise cracking smuggler faces off with a four-armed asthmatic cyborg. I think we all know who will win.

Telltale Games - Tales from the Borderlands Launch Trailer

Tales from the Borderlands' is a five part episodic game series from the creators of 'The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series.' Set on the unforgiving world of Pandora after the events seen in Borderlands 2, this is a story full of Borderlands’ trademark humor, following two adventurers on their quest for greatness.

Book Review: Apocalypse Happens

Reviewed by Christel

Author: Lori Handeland

Summary

Elizabeth Phoenix is many things to many people.   Ex Cop, Friend, Ex Girlfriend, occasional lover, Leader of the light, vampire, savior of the world.  One thing she is not is normal. 

Liz is a sexual empath.  She gets her powers by having sex with people… well, calling them people may be a stretch.  She has had sex with supernatural people, namely Sawyer and her ex boyfriend Jimmy.  One would think this would make her appear rather promiscuous… and it does, but somehow she still maintains her kick ass persona.  Perhaps it is the vampire she keeps buried within herself.  The vampire is only kept under control by means of the be-spelled dog collar a fairy named Summer gave her.  A fairy who just happens to be in love with the same guy Liz is in love with.  Awkward!

Until now, Liz hasn’t been able to remember anything about her parents.  She doesn’t remember anything about her life before foster care and she really doesn’t care to find out.  Until now, Liz hasn’t had to really take charge of the Federation.  She’s been too busy learning to fight the forces of evil, saving her ex, Jimmy and letting a demon take residence inside of her in order to have enough power to defeat her greatest enemy to date.   But she hasn’t met her mother yet.  Things are about to change.

Review

Sounds crazy right?  Well, it kind of is.  The Phoenix Chronicles just keep rolling on and Apocalypse Happens is just another great story in the series.  I really enjoy reading these books as in each one a new and exciting story presents itself.  There is action, love, suspense and enough supernatural creatures to choke a horse.  Liz is a no-nonsense kind of gal, who does what she has to do to save the world from the impending apocalypse.  If that means the possibility of loosing the people she loves the most, then so be it.  It is for the greater good and all that.

Mrs. Handeland does a great job of getting the reader to connect emotionally with the characters.  Something happens to one of the characters in this book that I REALLY do not like.  In the interest of keeping this review spoiler free, I won’t really go into the details, but I will say it pissed me off, I was furious and it made me cry.  Very few books draw me into the characters that way.  I should also note that this book falls under the “romance” genre, but if the explicit scenes were removed from the book, it could stand on its own.  The story dictates that there is talk of sex and somehow it seems to fit right in.  Sometimes, with romance books, it seems like the sex is just thrown in there for good measure.  Almost as if someone says “you must include at least 5 sex scenes in your novel”.  I am sure this happens, but at least in this book, the sex blended in well with the story.  

                                                          Her Rating

Dice Shaming Hall of Fame

Telltale Games - Game of Thrones Ep 1: 'Iron From Ice' Launch Trailer

Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series is a new six part episodic game series set in the world of HBO's groundbreaking TV show.

This new story tells of House Forrester, a noble family from the north of Westeros, loyal to the Starks of Winterfell. Caught up in the events surrounding the War of the Five Kings, they are thrown into a maelstrom of bloody warfare, revenge, intrigue, and horror as they fight to survive while the seven kingdoms tear themselves apart.

You will take on the role of different members of the Forrester household, and determine their fate through the choices you make; your actions and decisions will change the story around you.

Book Review: Fade to Blue

Author: Sean Beaudoin

Summary

I am not sure where to even begin with this novel. For the most part, I really liked the story and characters but overall I just couldn’t buy into the concept the author was selling. I saw the cover of this book while strolling through a local bookstore and I was totally intrigued. A Goth girl with green eyes combined with comic books, it is just an awesome design. I discovered that Fade to Blue is a young adult novel with a Sci-Fi edge to it but it is written for a younger audience. I was able to read the entire novel in about a half of a day but I walked away more confused than when I started. I am not saying it is a bad novel, it is just that the plot is extremely complex and turns back and forth on itself so many times that I totally lost track by the end.

The novel begins with the main character, Sophie Blue, at the pool with her friends. Her younger brother, Old-Spice Blue, is sitting by a dumpster reading a comic book. Soon we learn that Sophie has a nickname of “test tube” that everyone teases her about. There is also a Popsicle truck moving erratically through the parking lot towards her brother. Sophie runs out into the parking lot and stands in front of her brother while the Popsicle truck slams into her. Chapter None ends with, “I am so Goth, I’m roadkill.”

The next chapter has Sophie visiting the school counselor to discuss her issues with her father’s disappearance approximately a year ago. No mention of the incident at the pool. Was it something that happens in the future? Was it a dream? I am already confused.

The other main character introduced early in the novel is Kenny Fade (pronounced Fa-Day). He is a hot shot jock of the school that has the cheerleader girlfriend. He is the polar opposite of Sophie Blue. But Kenny Fade begins to experience strange happenings such as paranoia, sick stomach, not liking girls and a compulsion to wear girl’s clothes. This all ends with Kenny passing out on the Basketball court and being rushed to the hospital.

From this point forward the book starts to get really weird. A psycho nurse appears that nobody can see expect Sophie. The Popsicle truck is constantly hounding her at home and school. And the strangest thing of all, almost every chapter mentions a motivational poster somewhere in the scene, such as the “Hang in There” kitten poster. The novel is only 192 pages long but packs a lot oddness that will have your head spinning.

The Chapters go from None to Twenty then count back down from Twenty to None. There is a small comic book in the middle that divides the two halves. The story in the comic book is important as it provides some of the background of what occurs later in the novel. The main problem is that is story is not told in a straight forward manner as it moves back and forth so quickly it is hard to keep up with the story.

Review

To me, this novel is akin to the movie Donnie Darko. By the end of the movie I had no idea what just happened and wasn’t sure if I liked or not. I had the same feelings after I finished this novel. I believe I understand what happened, but I also have a sinking feeling that I don’t. I suspect this novel will need multiple readings to figure out what happened and why. So if you are a fan of Donnie Darko or maybe be the television series Lost then you should enjoy this book.

Lastly, the major quibble I had was way the adults were written in the novel. To me, they are very unrealistic, like how parents are always portrayed in a teenage comedy movie. But then again I am not the target audience for this novel so is should appeal to the 12 to 16 year old crowd.

Fade to Blue is such a strange little novel that it will likely develop a cult following and create much discussion as to the meaning of the plot.

                                                           My Rating

TMNT creator Kevin Eastman on Comic Book Men

Kevin Eastman, the co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, brings one of his earliest sketches.  Awesome, I was kinda giddy!

Ascension: Exclusive First Look

Premieres Monday, December 15, at 9ET|8c

In the vein of past Syfy mini-series such as Taken, Alice, Tin Man and Battlestar Galactica, Ascension is a six-hour event set to debut on November 24. In 1963, the U.S. government launched a covert space mission sending hundreds of men, women and children on a century-long voyage aboard the starship Ascension to populate a new world. Nearly 50 years into the journey, as they approach the point of no return, a mysterious murder of a young woman causes the ship’s population to question the true nature of their mission.

Graphic Novel Review: Star Wars - Tag & Bink Were Here

Writer: Kevin Rubio

Art: Lucas Marangon,

Dust Jacket Summary

Officers Tag Greenly and Bink Otauna were minding their own business aboard a familiar, princess-harboring freighter when they suddenly found themselves under siege. Now under attack by the Empire, they will choose life over a noble death and “borrow” the armor off a pair of deceased stormtroopers. Their new disguises might get them off the freighter alive, but they’ll also lead Tag and Bink on an adventure neither could have predicted!

Chock-full of appearances by everyone’s favorite Star Wars characters, Tag & Bink cleverly weaves the pair’s misadventures into the movies themselves. No setting is safe as they traverse the galaxy from the Death Star to the Sarlacc pit to Cloud City to Endor! Thrill as they continue to run afoul of the deadliest (and most ill-tempered) bounty hunter in the galaxy, Boba Fett! Revel in their origin story, which features the cast of the Star Wars prequels!

What I liked

First off, the art (pencils and colors) are completely awesome.  The characters are so well drawn and extremely detailed that it is easy to tell what is happening in each panel.  This adds significantly to the humor of the actual story, as much, if not more, than the actual writing.

The humor is subtle when it needs to be and at times goes over the top.  For me, there were several laugh out loud moments, like when Tag and Bink keep calling Boba Fett “Boo-Boo” or when they were dressed as imperial guards and just walk to behind the elevator (see Return of the Jedi and you what I am talking about).  

They do a brilliant job of inserting Tag and Bink into several key moments of each Star Wars movie without changing the actual story.  Warning though, it will put questions in your head when watching the movies, like where the hell did the Imperial Guards go when Darth Vader and Luke arrived to meet the Emperor?  

One of favorite surprises was the easter eggs inserted in several of panels, like Cylons marching with the Stormtroopers.  On one specific panel, I spent a good amount of time trying to identify each and every robot.  It was like a Where’s Waldo for geeks.              

What I didn’t like 

 As with any comedy, especially for me, some of the humor misses the mark.   

Last word

A highly successful tongue and cheek take on the Star Wars movies that is a blast to look at and to read.  If you love the original Star Wars movies the way I do, then this is a must buy.      

                                                         My Rating

Go inside The Walking Dead - Episode 508: Coda (SPOILERS)

The group's mission to save Beth and Carol comes to a head.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer Aternate Version

George Lucas wasn't too happy with the original edit of the Star Wars Episode VII trailer. So he went back and made some changes...