This novel concerns humanity over 120 years in the future.  A massive cylindrical has been detected, rocketing toward the center of the solar system.  As it becomes apparent that the form is not just an asteroid or comet plans are made to investigate the object further.  Commander Norton and the crew of the Endeavour are tasked with making a “rendezvous” with the body, now named, Rama.  With more exploration the mission begins looking like it may become a “first contact” operation, and this has unknown implications for the crew of the Endeavour, as well as the order of the inhabited solar system.

One way in which this story goes beyond the future of technology, is with respect to family relations.  Clarke has created a civilization in which modified, or liberated, marriages are accepted, with multiple partners and families.  One character even has an interesting arrangement in which one wife and her children reside on Earth, and another wife and her children reside on Mars.  Within the realm of family dynamics is another aspect of the world Clarke has created that I find interesting.  It is mentioned that due to sterilization caused by repeated exposure to radiation in space, one character, and it is hinted that most other astronauts, have donated sperm upon entrance into the “Spaceguard,” to be used at a later date when they want to start families.  It is the little facts like this that make so many of Clarke’s stories worth reading.

Another physical condition mentioned in the novel is the effect of gravity on the human population.  The inhabitants of the different, colonized, planetary bodies are limited in their travel by their degree of exposure to different “G” levels.

For me, the most interesting point Clarke touches on in the novel is the side effects of an expanding human frontier.  Just as on Earth, where regions within larger nations can develop feeling of autonomy due to various factors, so to do the various colonies within the solar system.  I like how Clarke hints that rather than humanity coming together and colonizing space, it may come down to the planet you are from; with a specific Terran identity developing alongside a Martian, and in the case of this novel, a Hermian/Mercurian identity.

After finishing the story you’ll be left with similar unanswered questions to those of the characters within the novel.  Are the Ramans malevolent, benevolent, or entirely disinterested in humanity?  For that matter, what constitutes first contact?  Do we have to meet the actual species, or is proof of their existence sufficient?

Now as for The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffles, this twisted fairy tale is book to be treasured. The simple act of flipping through this picture book for adults will bring a smile to your face as you draw comfort from memories of the first picture book you ever read. However unlike those stories this one doesn’t end with happily ever after, instead you get to see the Princess for who she truly is. If on the other hand you like everything rainbows and gum drops stop at the first ending, what comes after will surely be devastating.

To be honest I must confess I have mixed feelings about this book. Although I enjoyed the book I find it did not meet the expectations I had built up in my head. Yes this story reminds me of a child’s classic fairy tale however the endings were a little too standard for my taste. I might be a cynic but I was expecting a little more depth to the story although it is readily apparent why Mr. Whiffles is her only companion on her many adventures.

The most interesting aspect of this book is the 3 different endings that occur naturally in this story. As you have undoubtedly heard there is an ending to cater to everyone’s tastes however the true ending is strongly foreshadowed throughout the illustrations in the book. With this being a picture book you should pick up on a few key items if you take the time to really enjoy each of the artistically crafted panels. However if you find yourself quickly flipping through the book, stop! Take your time enjoy not only the story but the graphics after all this is a picture book and one that should be proudly displayed. Although you may want to make sure it does stay out of the reach of any young children… if you don’t want to give them nightmares that is.

Like the original non Walt Disney version of fairy tales? Then get your hands on this picture book for the mature but young at heart. The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffles: The Thing Beneath the Bed will leave you with a smirk on your face and remind you that even the simplest story can distinguish itself with a little bite.

In the city of Ulan Baatar a string of murders is underway with the only aspect linking them together being either their mutilated condition. When the latest victim is learned to be british citizen Drew McLeish a Chief Inspector for the British Police is invited to join Nergui and the Serious Crimes Team in their investigation. Although the deaths at first glance appear to be the work of a deranged maniac, the plot quickly expands to a complex investigation spanning from the capital to the Gobi Desert. With political pressure mounting both foreign and domestic, Nergui and Drew must find the killer before he finds them.

Michael Walters knows how to draw the audience into the unfamiliar culture of Mongolia. The novel starts from the perspective of Drew as he first enters the country with rich descriptions of the country through a foreigner’s perspective. As the plot unfolds the perspective shifts to focus more and more on Nergui. This craftily handled shift familiarizes the reader with the foreign setting so that you can more easily enjoy the characters and underlying plot.

Although the story starts off as a murder mystery, quickly it evolved into a talk of political intrigue. The plot unfolds through a series of meetings and trips with ambassadors and foreign business interests. Let me say that upon reading I was fully immersed in the story as the plots within plots continued to emerge leaving me wondering what underlying scheme was taking place. However upon the conclusion I must admit that although The Shadow Walker was a great first read I have no desire to read it again. Upon reflection I find that i really enjoyed the setting and descriptive language but the dialogue and unexplained history of Nergui leaves me simply disappointed. I find myself wondering what this story would have been like from the purely foreign perspective of Nergui, the right hand man of the Mongolian Minister of Justice.

An enjoyable read that will please both Mystery fans and hobbyist alike. Enjoy the novel for the brief glimpse to an unfamiliar land, dwell on the rich descriptions of the steppes, Gobi Desert, and the culture of the individuals that live there. However don’t spend your time dissecting the characters’ dialogues and thoughts as although they immerse you in the story, upon reflection they fall flat and contrite. All in all The Shadow Walker is an excellent read for those lazy weekend afternoons.

Unlike a lot of epic fantasies where the cast grows to such an extent that it seems to become unwieldy to the author, J.V. Jones masterfully keeps the story flowing with swift moving chapters that although contain different characters and settings always have the same dark but not yet hopeless mood. Upon completing the book you may wonder what is happening with the few characters that didn’t appear in Watcher of the Dead, however in no way do you feel that the story was incomplete or lacking in any way.

Although Clan Gray is known as the cursed clan it sure seems that the Sevrance siblings are the most cursed of all. Raif, forsworn clansman, slayer of Clan Bludd women and children, watcher of the dead is held in fear tinged with hope by all as the gods it seems have great fun toying with his life. His dreams have been shattered and mantels are thrust upon him by myths and prophecies alike. Having attained possession of the infamous sword Loss through hardship and pain little does he know that the true nightmare is about to begin as he learns to wield the legendary weapon.

Meanwhile Effie having been kidnapped ends up in Clan Grey with her stone lore stolen. She undergoes her own trials of love found and lost and endurance in her quest to escape while also unraveling the secret behind why Clan Grey steals all clan born children that show the old skills. Angus Lok is perhaps the character that most readers will be following closely as he is on the hunt for revenge and there is nothing, nothing that will stop him as he hunts the hunter.

Raina Blackhail, unwilling wife of Scarpe born Chief Mace finds herself coming to power as she slowly but inevitably takes her place in front of the clan. Although the Scarpe guide lies dead by her hand the clan has no time to rest or gather themselves. For the Wiesel Chieftein Yelma Scarpe wants the hailhouse for herself and Raina will need to gather her allies as blackhail fights for the very survival of their clan. Meanwhile Ash finds herself finally at the Heart of the Sull but learns there is no safety for one such as her who can walk the boundary between the worlds at will.

In addition to the individual character and plot developments the stage is being set for future novels and confrontations as clans are at war with themselves and each other. The land is immersed in peril and intrigue as the motives behind the Phage, Sull, Clan Chiefs, and City Lords still lay in shadow as their actions seem to drive and abide the current conflicts instead of resolving them in preparation of the arrival of the Endlords and their unmade army. Watcher of the Dead is a cold story sure to chill your soul and set your joints to aching. I suggest you pick yourself up a copy today then settle in with a warm blanket and a hot drink as you get immersed in this vivid but tense frozen world.

Oh as a side note if you haven’t read the previous volumes you can technically pick up and read Watcher of the Dead by itself as there is a short intro to events that have transpired so far. However I suggest you start with A Cavern of Black Ice as this story is to good to start halfway through.

Secretary of State Keel lives in a world that has been demilitarized through treaties and piece signings. The stockpiles of all military grade weapons destroyed with all countries at peace and unable to go to war. However there are always those looking to get the upper hand as political unrest and misgivings lead countries to find new ways to defend themselves against their rivals. What better solution than to weaponize words themselves?

This is the ruble strewn world Keel lives in. A world that has been reduced by not only the destruction caused, but by the loss of communication and understanding as more and more words are weaponized and lost to the public. The characters are reduced to miming to communicate as the words themselves are no longer available and more are lost every day as the war continues. A dark world it is where even lollipops and sunshine can kill.

David Prill spins a rich and imaginative world full of enticing and believable characters. Created and described through his playful use of the english language. Not only does he write a tale on the use of language as a weapon he does so by making literary elements part of the underlying story. With copulative conjunction chairs, ICBNs (Intercontinental Ballistic Nouns), and the general public scrabbling for words this tale is sure to amuse all readers. Five Dispatches from the Third Word War will invoke a love of language in it’s readers and strengthen it in those so inclined already, a highly enjoyable story.

Anya Kalincyzk makes a living working for the Detroit Fire Department as an arson investigator. Anya however has a secret that few know, she is a Lantern a rare gifted medium with the ability to devour demons and ghosts alike. This ability has led her to joining forces with the Detroit Area Ghost Researchers (DAGR) in their pursuit of resolving all matters supernatural including ghost hauntings and demonic possessions. Little does she know that the boundary between her two worlds is about to collapse as a serial arsonist is on the prowl and the fires he unleashes can not be explained by mere physical means.

The two main elements in this novel that really grabbed my attention was the overall writing of the Novel and Sparky, Anya’s elemental Fire Salamander. In this novel you get a real sense of Detroit as a city in decline. Laura’s choice of language in describing the various locations makes you fully envision the slowly decaying metropolitan and highlights those areas were people still care about both their homes and city. However I must say that I enjoyed Sparky and his relationship with Anya the most in this novel. Sparky acts as Anya’s protector and you can feel the deep love that they have for each other. His random acts of curiosity and protectiveness brought a smile to my face every time reminding me again and again of the antics own dogs get into.

Anya, although being the main protagonist, came off to me a little flat as I felt there were certain characteristics about her that didn’t quite fit together. During the plot Anya is fighting with herself as she is still coming to grasps with what she is and who she wants to be. During this struggle she has kept herself apart from most relationships. In the story Sparky is used as a scape goat for her behavior but to me it felt disjointed. She repeatedly says she has feeling for Brian (a member of DAGR) however all of her actions and thoughts run flat when they are together with no heat or passion. The other romantic interest she has is passionate but has no basis for attraction within the personality of the character leaving the reader to not help but to think seriously?. Instead of being a well rounded character with flaws like any believable person, Anya instead came off as childish and weak.

However weak the portrayal of Anya the plot of Embers was the biggest disappointment of the novel. The plot started of fresh and full of mystery and action with Anya actively investigating the arsons but quickly fell apart. For me the turning part began as soon as Anya became possessed. Although it was obvious what had occurred DAGR and Anya herself had no clue what had happened, and to top it off Katie the groups witch didn’t notice anything although she supposedly was going to correct her spiritual alignment after the job.

The possession in and off itself seemed generic and a rip off of most other plot lines but the main issue was that Anya’s character already was not seamless. The addition of this new element controlling her actions and clouding her thoughts was unneeded and seemed to be a smoke screen to keep the reader from focusing on the underlying story. I can’t say to much about the conclusion for fear of spoiling the story but lets just say it seemed rushed and was a let down to what could have been an amazing novel.

As you can probably tell I am quiet torn in my opinion of this book. Part of me wants to tell you to skip it and go read the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews that contains both engaging characters and plots. I would be amiss however by not saying that although the novel wasn’t exceptional or even great there are some story elements that could lead to great future installments. There you have it, read at your own risk! I will however be reading Sparks after its release, it may not be right when it comes out but it will happen. I find myself irresistibly wanting to read more about Sparky.

The story centers around the Royal Society Party’s political and scientific inquiry to the closed of land of Aaris. A land shrouded in mystery since it’s inhabitants built gun embankments into the Sterling Pass the only viable passage through the high mountains that surrounds it. These magic infused guns run off thaumic reservoirs never needing maintenance and have stood sentinel against intrusion until now.

The Regina is a new AirShip that has been recently developed that has the capability to fly high enough to bypass the gun embankments or so their research has informed them. The scientific inquiry begins even before the Sterling Pass is reached as the bones of a dead air serpent is discovered in the spring thaw of one of the surrounding mountains. Quickly the anatomist and other researches discover there is more to the serpent than meets the eyes as gears and steering mechanisms are found integrated throughout the creature making them wonder if it is some hybrid and where it come from.

The discover is but a hint of what is to come in the land of Aaris, but the true enjoyment lies not only in the magic infused clockwork creations that Margaret Ronald dreamed up but in the political espionage and complex characters that the story focuses on. The research party contains a slew of scientists each united on this purpose for various reasons that include prestige, money, political maneuverings, and deception.

However Charles a simple valet holds a secret for why he has joined this expedition beyond simply being the valet of the Colonel Dieterich, a secret that if discovered would be his end. In addition to the rich character developments the mechanical hybridization of Professora Lindquist was thoroughly enjoyable as she basically is a Brain in a tank hooked up to various devices for speaking and moving around. A rich humorous image comes to mind through the various descriptions of her throughout the story.

Readers will enjoy A Serpent in the Gears for various reasons including the plot, rich characters, and a world full of new and imaginative steampunk creatures and mechanics tossed with a dose of magic. Regardless of what genre of fiction you enjoy I suggest you head on over to Beneath Ceaseless Skies today to read this amazing story that is sure to please. When finished don’t forget to go to Margaret Ronald’s website to read some of her other tantalizing works of short fiction.

To be fully honest I re-read these stories recently and although they do lose some of the excitement and mysticism that you feel as a kid, they still invoke in me the same joy as when I first read them. The series begins with Adam Freeman a 12 year old kid moving into the small town of Springville with his family. Upon moving he immediately comes across one Sally Wilcox who quickly and frankly explains to him that the town’s real name is Spooksville where ghosts, aliens, and killer robots are real and haunt the town. Adam as most kids would do dismisses Sally’s stories as just that stories, little does he know that he has moved into the scariest and most mysterious town in the world.

The series focuses around 4 friends Adam Freeman, Sally Wilcox, Cindy Makey, and Watch whose real name is shrouded in mystery. However the reason for his nickname is due to the multitude of wrist watches he wears. The series evolves as these friends land themselves in adventure after adventure as they explore the town and surroundings of Spooksville, where they encounter ghosts, aliens, monsters, alternate dimensions and a immense world of creatures out to get them for one reason or another.

To tie the series together the town is populated with various eccentric characters including a town bum and witch. Bum used to be the former mayor of Springville but has since found himself much happier as the town bum and also acts as the main keeper of town lore and its secrets often helping the gang out on their quests or helping them to get into one. Ann Templeton however is a witch and the great great .. grand daughter of Madam Templeton the original witch of Spooksville. In addition to being a witch she also lives in a castle and thoroughly frightens the children of the town.

The Secret path introduces the reader to most of the major characters and places they will eventually explore, as the team hops around town in search of a path leading to an alternate dimension that could lead them to their fondest dreams or worst nightmares. Their quest leads them to danger after terrifying danger and that is only in search of the path, the true horror lies ahead. An excellent introduction to a series of novels that in my opinion are better written and more entertaining then any of the other children’s horror series of the same time period.

Kate by necessity has lived her life alone, living with out emotional ties and confidences so that her past and ancestry would remain secret. For Roland the legendary Lord of the Vampires can’t kill her if he doesn’t know where she is. However slowly, inevitably, she has let people in: Julie her adopted daughter, Andrea her were-beast friend and fellow member of The Order, and Curran Beast Lord of Atlanta’s pack of shapeshifters. Kate and Curran have been moving towards each other since their first meeting and what better way to get a reader hooked then by having Curran stand Kate up on the date they scheduled at the end of Book 3?

Understandably this event clouds Kate’s judgment and actions throughout the book up to its completely satisfying conclusion, which I dare say that readers have been eagerly awaiting for. In addition to the emotional plot arc this novel focuses around a shrouded individual who appears to be trying to unleash a magical disease on Atlanta, however as is usually the case this is but a side-effect of their true goals.

Throughout the plot every major character and faction is integrated into the story from The Order, The Pack, The Mercenary Guild, The Coven, and The People. Although some play only minor roles it highlights just how complex the social dynamics are and the depth of what Kate and the reader still have yet to discover in this rich post apocalyptic world. This installment leaves the reader with a sense of ending as Kate wraps up various personal plot threads including her ancestry, personal relationships, and her place in society. On the other hand major questions still remain concerning the larger world itself that I personally can’t wait to see more of: more action, more locations, more characters, and more Kate Daniels.

Go get yourself a copy of Magic Bleeds and schedule a few hours of uninterrupted reading time. You won’t be disappointed as this husband-wife duo deliver another richly emotional and action packed story.

Upon starting the book you are thrust right into the middle of the mystery as you experience the final moments of Elliott Spence’s life as he meets up with his old college friend Ross Craig and ultimately loses his life from a hit and run. The interesting part of this event is that you read it unfold from both perspectives allowing you to get a full glimpse of the emotions driving the characters. The mystery unfolds from there as the victim’s wife Katherine (Kathy) ends up as the prime suspect of the murder as it was her car that ran down her husband and an eye witness puts a woman matching her description as the driver. It doesn’t help that her drinking problem leaves her with no memory of the night in question.

From this main event the story moves back in time revealing the events leading up to the murder and their ultimate resolution. A truly enjoyable start to the book easily hooking readers on the main plot with an obvious suspect as well as the knowledge that it can’t be as straightforward as it seems. However as the plot unravels readers will easily come to the correct conclusion of who murdered Elliott Spence.

The protagonist of this story is Anne Marshall a law student who can see and speak with her father’s ghost. The best thing about this little supernatural caveat is that her father has a personality of his own and comes and goes at his own pleasure. And it is because of him that Anne gets pulled into discovering what really happened that fateful night with the help of her law school study group.

Anne, Kathy, and all the supporting characters in this novel are all written extremely well with each having their own personality and characteristics. None of them come off to the reader as cliches or archetypes. However readers that haven’t read the first novel may find themselves wondering more about the study group and how they all became friends and their inter personal relationships. A small item to be sure but with all the additional back story in this story is something that could easily have been added in to make a few scenes seem less like they were added for a singular purpose.

Although the story flows smoothly from scene to scene, the author has a tendency to overdue their foreshadowing so instead of subtly hinting at what is coming the reader feels like it has been printed in bold type so no one could miss it. This especially happens in the later part of the book as Anne’s previous experiences are repeatedly brought up and various characters warn Anne but to no avail. Revenge Served Cold was an enjoyable book until these moments as it made the reader feel like the whole conclusion of the book was forced and that the author didn’t know of an original way to resolve the mystery and so instead tried for some route thrill that ultimate fell flat. Personally it would have been more enjoyable if the whole last scene was removed from the book and resolved without the boring action.

Revenge Served Cold is an ok read. Not for its plot but for its characters and for those glimpses into the court room that readers are shown as Anne lives her life as a law student. If anything I would read another story just for those moments as I truly enjoyed them, however if you are looking for a thrilling murder mystery then I would steer clear as this novel will most likely leave you dissatisfied.