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Book 01 — 03

This post was written by Mike

Book 01: Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris

Although she is far more famous for her Sookie Stackhouse novels I am finding this series (I’m currently reading number two) to be far more satisfying. This is another case of ‘person with a gift that makes them different from the rest of the world’ but it is not supernatural in origin, at least not yet. The Harper Connelly was hit by lightning and ended up with the ability to find dead bones and, once found, what made them dead. Is the “bad guy” obvious? I think so but I can overlook it because Harper is such a complete person. The scene where a lightning storm moves in was brilliantly done and the sorrow, agony, and tearful love described still resonate in my mind. Even if you hate True Blood and the whole southern vampires thing you should read this book. Rating: A

Book 02: Sleeping With The Fishes by MaryJanice Davidson

Let me start by saying I adore Betsy the Vampire Queen. It’s fluff and it’s funny (well at least until Undead and Uneasy at which point it looks like it turns fairly dark in addition to the frivolity) so picking up another one of her books was fairly easy. Fred the Mermaid is a neat character with little to move her out of the “stock” range of ‘professional woman with otherness that makes her a commitment-phobe but is sweet at heart’ but with enough to make her not a total cardboard cut-out. The character does interact well and is a good focal point. A nice touch is that while Fred is the romantic lead it is the best friend character who gets the sex scene. The plot is predictable but that’s not a problem. I read it for fun, which is it, rather than deep dark plot. It’s no Betsy but it’s a MaryJanice Davidson so it’s quick. Good solid fluff.  Rating: B+

Book 03: Swimming Without A Net by MarJanice Davidson

This is book two of the Fred the Mermaid series. The author admits to having to pad it out to make it a useful length and I believe that it could have used a little more depth. It was still fun and quick but it feels like it is just setting up for the next book. At least I hope it is. It has some moments that are laughable but it could have used more, especially when the King is speaking to the bipeds (I don’t want to spoil anything).  Rating: C

Tags: 95 Books