Mimi's Bookcase

Synopsis: Imagine a secret world veiled in fairy glamour and brimming with unearthly delights. A city swarming with half-mad fairies, where thieving spriggans rob you blind, beautiful banshees mesmerize you with their song, and big green trolls bust heads at nightclubs. And once you’re in, there’s no escape…
Enslaved by a demon lord, Jade is forced to spend her nights seducing vampire gangsters and shapeshifting thugs.  After two hundred years as a succubus, she burns for freedom and longs to escape her brutal life as a trophy girl for hell’s minions.  Then she meets Rajah, an incubus who touches her heart and intoxicates her senses. Rajah shares the same bleak fate as she, and yearns just as desperately for freedom.  But the only way for Jade to break her bonds is to betray Rajah—and doom the only man she’s ever loved to a lifetime in hell.


My Opinion: Not bad, not great, just okay.
Please note that this book is NOT FOR KIDS as it contains several scenes of sex.

Shadowfae tells the story of Jade, a succubus in thrall to the demon lord Kane, who doesn't have any other choice than work for him. This work involves seducing and having sex with whoever Kane wants to get rid of. Jade hates that life, her job and when she meets the incubus Rajah, she discovers a way to get free from Kane... but her attraction to Rajah will complicate things.

Plot wise, I found it a bit weak. Their "quest" to break the thrall was okay but nothing fascinating. I could feel that the main point of the novel wasn't the plot but the sex. Moreover, I thought the "explanation" about how Jade became a succubus, rather messy. I still can't say with absolute certainty what happened to her or even if she was human at one point.
There was also a second "story" (to discover what or who is poisoning the fae) but it wasn't really developed and I almost forgot about it.

As for the characters, they were also okay. I didn't like Jade very much, her self-pitying and lack of confidence were a bit irritating. Moreover, now when I read "succubus" I think about Lost Girl and Jade certainly doesn't stand comparison with Bo. Truthfully, I didn't even understand why all the men were attracted to her because she was so bland.
Rajah was a nicer character though as I've already written, I have no idea why he fell for her.

Concerning the erotic aspect, I am going to repeat myself but it was okay, neither awful nor exciting. Though, the constant use of the word "cock" was truly getting on my nerves, I don't think the author used any other word to name it. That's what I call lazy writing. How hard is it to find synonyms or use an image?! And this laziness is what made those scenes rather flat.


To summarize: Nothing memorable.

Synopsis: Everything has a rational explanation . . . unless it doesn't. The creepy first book in a ghostly new series: Welcome to Weirdsville. "I've seen a ghost," said Emily. "Well, not seen one exactly. Heard one. At least, I think I have . . . "  Woodsville is not like other towns. Night falls a little earlier there, the shadows are darker and denser, and everyone knows it's a place where strange things happen., even if they won't admit it. Bethan would prefer to be anywhere but here. Jay has his theories, but isn't ready to share. Hashim sees more than he'll say, while Kelly's demons are all too flesh and blood. But Emily's freak-out brings them out of denial and face to face with the supernatural. Anywhere else, Friday night would be date night. But not in Weirdsville.


My Opinion:
Nearly Departed is a YA novel that tells the story of 5 classmates forced to work together. Despite their differences, they'll get closer thanks to a... ghost hunt. In Woodsville, the night and shadows are more frightening than anywhere else in the world. It isn't safe to be alone in the dark... even for criminals. Kelly, Bethan, Jay and Hashim are well aware of that but when their classmate Emily tells them about a ghostly presence in her home and requests their help to investigate, they put their fears behind them. Not believing at first, the teenagers won't be able to get back to their normal life after that night.

This book is the first installment in the Weirdsville series. Therefore, it takes some time for the story to really take off but once you're in, you can't stop! I really enjoyed that book: it is easy and quick to read but it is also very interesting and gripping. Once the characters went on their ghost hunt, I couldn't stop reading, I had to know who it was and what was going on.
Moreover, despite the fact that it is a YA novel, it seemed more like a children one. Not that it was childish but despite other YA, there is no romance, the story really focuses on their "journey". Of course, the teenagers have crushes but it isn't the main subject and the author doesn't lose time on those. I appreciated that a lot, as I was more interested in the ghost part.
I also enjoyed witnessing how their relationship changes from the beginning when they were just classmates to true friends.
The end was also really interesting, though I had guessed a few pages back, and I have a feeling that the rest of the series can only be better. I'll definitely read Immortal Remains.

Please note that this is not a horror novel so don't expect to be scared.


To summarize: TOTALLY RECOMMENDED especially if you like ghost stories.

Synopsis: Cassandra Palmer can see the future and communicate with spirits—talents that make her attractive to the dead and the undead. The ghosts of the dead aren’t usually dangerous; they just like to talk…a lot. The undead are another matter. Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires.
But when the bloodsucking mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with vengeance on his mind, she’s forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection. The undead senators won’t help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire—and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay....


My Opinion: Interesting!
It's been a while since my last Urban Fantasy book so I decided to give this one a try and I really liked it.
The synopsis made me think of Anita Blake and to a certain extent Cassie resembles the famous vampires hunter.

Cassandra Palmer grew up surrounded by mafiosos... vampire mafiosos. Being a clairvoyant makes her quite appealing to the undead, especially to Tony, a master vampire who used her gift for his own profit until she ran away. Helped by her favourite ghost, Cassie tries her best to stay hidden from him but unfortunately, he has found her and he's coming to get her back... or worse.
But what Cassie doesn't know, is that Tony is actually the least of her problems... .

Let's start with the negative points:
I found the narrative a bit heavy at times especially at the beginning when I wasn't really into the story. The font size and the long chapters didn't help that impression. Truthfully, I found it a bit tedious to read sometimes. Heavy is really the word that came to my mind when I started the novel.
Moreover, some passages were a bit difficult to understand, they ended up being clearer after a few more sentences but still, that annoyed me a little. Cassie gets some new powers in this novel and I guess the author wanted us to feel as lost as her but I kept re-reading those passages because I couldn't grasp what was happening and that wasn't nice.

Despite those points, I found the book really interesting especially the second half. We already know the vampires, were-animals, witches etc. but it was nice to have a clairvoyant as heroine. Having her interacting with ghosts reminded me of Mercy Thompson and I liked that. Of course, it wouldn't be fun if Cassie was a simple clairvoyant, so she ends up becoming something more. That was to be expected in this kind of novel and it didn't bother me. What bothered me a bit more was the heroine's attitude when she learned the truth. SPOILER (highlight): I can't anymore with the "I don't want those powers and the responsibility. I don't want to be a pawn. I don't want to lose my virginity". For once, I'd love a heroine who'd gladly embrace her destiny without any whining and have sex with a handsome man as she so desperately wants it.
All in all, this first installment was quite exciting and the more I read, the more I found it absorbing (to the point that I read for long hours yesterday, unable to stop despite the late hour).
I don't know if it'll become one of my favourite series but it definitely made me want to read the next installment.


To summarize: A very nice Urban Fantasy novel for all the lovers of the genre ;)

Synopsis: Just days before a massive exhibition opens at the popular New York Museum of Natural History, visitors are being savagely murdered in the museum's dark hallways and secret rooms. Autopsies indicate that the killer cannot be human...
But the museum's directors plan to go ahead with a big bash to celebrate the new exhibition, in spite of the murders.
Museum researcher Margo Green must find out who-or what-is doing the killing. But can she do it in time to stop the massacre?


My Opinion: Awesome!
For my previous review about this series please go HERE.

In Relic, the 1st installment of the Pendergast series, a terrible creature haunts the corridors of the Museum of Natural History of New York. The police, helped by FBI agent Pendergast, are sent to investigate the murders commited in the Museum... but are they prepared to face the truth?

This is a thrilling and absolutely fascinating novel. A movie was made based on it but I watched it a long time ago so I can't remember if it's faithful to the novel. One thing is sure: there is no Pendergast in the movie. I don't know why and I was so disappointed by it because I really wanted to see who they'd cast as the FBI agent.
As I wrote, this is the first novel of the series and I've just read it. If you're wondering why, it's because when I bought the 3rd novel "The Cabinet of Curiosities", I didn't know it was a series and when I realised it, the first two books were out of print so I had to buy the other ones. But this is actually a good thing as it was nice to read about the characters' first meeting and I was able to distinguish some differences between this debut and the rest of the series.

First of all, Pendergast isn't the main character of the novel. It is written from several points of view but Margo Green is more present in the novel than him and she is the true heroine in it.
Moreover, the agent is a bit different, he isn't as sure of himself as in the other novels, he seems less in control and not as well-educated. Those changes are really small and Pendergast is basically the same but it's funny to see how the authors have improved him in the other books.

This novel also introduces characters we'll meet again in the series like Vincent D'Agosta, William Smithback and Dr. Frock.
Just like in the other books, Relic is a great mix of police investigation and fantasy/horror with some "scientific" explanations. I simply have no words to describe how much I like this series. Each book is a real page-turner, exciting and enthralling, and deserves to be read.


To summarize: ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDED!

Synopsis: Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the attention her grandmother Maylene bestowed upon the dead of Claysville, the small town where Bek spent her adolescence. There wasn't a funeral that Maylene didn't attend, and at each one Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual: She took three sips from a silver flask and spoke the words "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."
Now Maylene is dead, and Bek must go back to the place she left a decade earlier to confront dark secrets, a centuries-old bargain, a romance that still haunts her, and a frightening new responsibility - to stop a monster and put the dead to rest where they belong.


My Opinion: Quite an original idea!
Do I really have to explain the reason behind my wanting to read this novel? How could I resist such a plot? Undertaker, Graveminder, possible walking dead... it's a nice change from the usual vampires, werewolves & cie.
Usually, when a novel deals with "zombies", it's all about surviving but it is not the case here.

Graveminder is Melissa Marr's first adult novel and my first book from her. In it, the heroes are an Undertaker and a Graveminder. But what is a Graveminder? Simple, her job is to make sure that the dead stay dead and don't awake. But what happens when that fails and a Hungry Dead walks among the living and wreak havoc? This is a terrible situation that Rebekkah will have to face. In her mission, she will be helped by Byron, the Undertaker and her first love.

I liked and enjoyed reading this novel. The world created by Melissa Marr is truly interesting and original. BUT, it could have been SO much better!!
Firstly, it takes way too long for Rebekkah and Byron to discover who they are and what they are supposed to do. We have to wait until chapter 18 for Byron to discover the truth and 27 for Rebekkah which is half the novel. And even after they know, they still take their sweet time even though people are being hurt. At that point, I felt like kicking their asses.

Secondly, all that talk about their feelings and their relationship is truly irritating. That's the reason I couldn't connect to any of them, though Byron is less annoying. Until now, I thought that the "I am so in love with you, 20 seconds after meeting you" was the most stupid thing but I also couldnt bear the "I love you but I can't be with you. I am so attracted to you but I have to run away from you because I feel so guilty" described in Graveminder. I understand that the author wanted to create an "impossible love" but it endes up being more annoying than anything and the heroine seemed truly immature to me.

Finally, the ending appears to be rushed. While there was only a few pages left, I started wondering if there was maybe a second installment planned because I couldn't see how the author could give all the answers and end the novel with what was left. Unfortunately, it does end like this. So, yes, it was too rushed for my taste especially since I wanted to read more about the Graveminder/Undertaker business, the dead, etc.

In a way, I am disappointed by the novel because it had to potential to be so fascinating and thrilling. But Melissa Marr chose to spend a long time on the love aspect instead of the fantastic universe she imagined.
Despite it all, I enjoyed it and I really liked the plot. Hopefully, there will be a second installment, I want to know more about Charlie and Alicia and all the previous Graveminders/Undertakers.


To summarize: I recommend it for the original plot and great ideas but please note that it has flaws and may leave you a bit frustrated.

Synopsis: A terrible plague decimates the world, and those unfortunate enough to survive are transformed into bloodthirsty creatures of the night. Robert Neville is somehow the last living man on Earth.


My Opinion: Great!
I imagine most people have an idea of what "I Am Legend" is. I enjoyed the movie but I love the novel even more.
The plot is basically the same in both: a lone man is trying to survive in a world where the rest of the inhabitants have turned into monsters. But there is a number of differences between the book and its adaptation which is, to me, a plus.

Richard Matheson's novel concentrates on its character, Robert Neville, and how he deals with the situation, in a world full of vampires. It sure isn't easy to be the only human left; the loneliness can be unbearable; the boredom could kill someone; and temptation is great to throw in the towel and stop fighting. Despite it all, Robert doesn't want to surrender, even though he doesn't understand why he's still doing all that. This is what the novel is about: how a man keeps on fighting to stay alive, stay himself when death would be so much sweeter. Needing a meaning to his life, Neville will work on unearthing the truth behind what those creatures are. Without giving any spoiler, let me tell you that the discoveries he makes about the vampires and the effects some things have on them are really interesting and they bring something new to the myth.

I Am Legend is an easy and quick read, I almost finished it in one sitting. It is also truly fascinating. I greatly enjoyed following the hero and entering his thoughts, his desires, his frustrations, being with him for the good and the bad moments.
Despite its subject and its categorization in the horror genre, this novel isn't scary. There is just one scene that can be seen as scary, thrilling. Which makes it perfect for whoever doesn't appreciate frightening stories.

I read this book in French so I can't comment on the writing but I appreciated that it goes straight to the point and isn't weighed down by useless descriptions or metaphors or whatever can make a novel look "pretty", poetic, if you see what I mean ^^".


To summarize: I Am Legend absolutely deserves a place among the classics of the genre. Totally recommended!!

Hey everyone!
No review today because I'm currently reading the last volume of the series Sweep and since it's a 3 books in 1, it takes some time to finish.
I've decided to make a list of the books I've bought recently and of those I've received as gifts so you know what to expect in the next months (yes it takes me some time to finish a book but that's because I'm also a fan of TV series so I don't have that much free time ^^").


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