UF Review: Dark Currents: Agent of Hel [Hardcover]

I've finished "Dark Currents" the 1st book in her new series Agent of Hel series by Jacqueline Carey.

Product Description

Jacqueline Carey, New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Kushiel’s Legacy novels, presents an all-new world featuring a woman caught between the normal and paranormal worlds, while enforcing order in both. Introducing Daisy Johanssen, reluctant hell-spawn …

The Midwestern resort town of Pemkowet boasts a diverse population: eccentric locals, wealthy summer people, and tourists by the busload; not to mention fairies, sprites, vampires, naiads, ogres and a whole host of eldritch folk, presided over by Hel, a reclusive Norse goddess.

To Daisy Johanssen, fathered by an incubus and raised by a single mother, it’s home. And as Hel’s enforcer and the designated liaison to the Pemkowet Police Department, it’s up to her to ensure relations between the mundane and eldritch communities run smoothly.

But when a young man from a nearby college drowns — and signs point to eldritch involvement — the town’s booming paranormal tourism trade is at stake. Teamed up with her childhood crush, Officer Cody Fairfax, a sexy werewolf on the down-low, Daisy must solve the crime — and keep a tight rein on the darker side of her nature. For if she’s ever tempted to invoke her demonic birthright, it could accidentally unleash nothing less than Armageddon.

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Carey is the author of the critically acclaimed Kushiel’s Legacy series of historical fantasy novels, The Sundering epic fantasy duology and postmodern fables Santa Olivia and Saints Astray. Jacqueline enjoys doing research on a wide variety of arcane topics, and an affinity for travel has taken her from Finland to China. She currently lives in west Michigan. Although often asked by inquiring fans, she does not, in fact, have any tattoos.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Roc Hardcover (October 2, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451464788
ISBN-13: 978-0451464781

My Review:

Daisy Johanssen is the daughter of an incubus father and human mother who lives in the town of Pemkowet.  This is home to many diverse population and many different magical species.  She is also Hel's Enforcer and liaison for the Pemkowet Police Department.

When she finds proof that a local boy's death involves eldritch involvement she is paired up with her childhood crush and closet werewolf Officer Cody Fairfax. 


Officer Cody Fairfax is keeps his werewolf nature a secret and he's a ladies man.  He wasn't very thrilled to be working with Daisy at first but as they investigate she starts growing on him and he starts to have feelings for her too. 

During their investigation Daisy meets Stefan Ludovic the new head ghoul (feeds on human emotions) who is very powerful and quite secretive himself.  He admits to Daisy that he wants her for himself and will wait until she is ready for what is between them.

This book was quite dark in nature but had some light moments to ease the tension.  The mystery was quite intriguing and the main theme had to do with sexual abuse which is a very important aspect.

4/5

Thanks Penguin Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

UF Review: Saints Astray [Paperback]

I've finished "Saints Astray the 2nd book in her Loup Garron series by Jacqueline Carey.

Product Description

Fellow orphans, amateur vigilantes, and members of the Santitos, Loup Garron - the fugitive daughter of a genetically engineered "wolf man"- and Pilar Ecchevarria grew up in the military zone of Outpost 12, formerly known as Santa Olivia. But now they're free, and they want to help the rest of the Santitos escape. During a series of escapades, they discover that Miguel, Loup's former sparring partner and reprobate surrogate brother, has escaped from Outpost 12 and is testifying on behalf of its forgotten citizens-at least until he disappears from protective custody. Honor drives Loup to rescue Miguel, even though entering the U.S could mean losing her liberty. Pilar vows to help her.

It will take a daring and absurd caper to extricate Miguel from the mess he's created but Loup is prepared to risk everything ... and this time she has help.

Product Details
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Original edition (November 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446571423
ISBN-13: 978-0446571425

My Review:

Loup and Pilar have escaped from Outpost and travel to Mexico to spend some time with her relatives from her father's side.  Loup is offered a bodyguard job but she will only take it if they allow Pilar to go through training too.  They both pass with flying covers and are given jobs at an elite bodyguard service with wealthy clients (ex. fashion designer, Mafia bride, a businessman and a rock group).

Miguel Garza Loup's former sparring partner has also escaped Outpost and has traveled to the US where he is fighting for the people he has left.  He is supposed to be in protective custody but vanishes before he can testify.  Loup and Pilar decide they must save Miguel even though going to the US is illegal and dangerous.  They are also fighting for the GMO's rights.

I really liked this book with it's sweet romantic scenes between Loup and Pilar, exciting action scenes and kick ass heroines and interesting characters.

5/5

Thanks Hachette Book Group Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

Naamah's Curse [Hardcover]

I've finished "Naamah's Curse" the 2nd book in her Moirin series by Jacqueline Carey.

Product Description

Jacqueline Carey, New York Times bestselling author of the Kushiel's Legacy series, delivers book two in her new lushly imagined trilogy featuring daughter of Alba, Moirin.

NAAMAH'S CURSE

Far from the land of her birth, Moirin sets out across Tatar territory to find Bao, the proud and virile Ch'in fighter who holds the missing half of her diadh-anam, the divine soul-spark of her mother's people. After a long ordeal, she not only succeeds, but surrenders to a passion the likes of which she's never known. But the lovers' happiness is short lived, for Bao is entangled in a complication that soon leads to their betrayal.

About the Author

Jacqueline Carey's previous publications include various short stories, essays, a nonfiction book, Angels: Celestial Spirits in Legend and Art, as well as the nationally bestselling series Kushiel's Legacy.
 
My Review:
 
I didn't know some of the things they mentioned because I haven't read the first book in the series "Naamah's Kiss" which I have in my TBR pile!
 
I will write my review later, so please check back later, thanks!
 
3/5

In the Mail (July 15)

I received these two books today:



Unspoken (Zebra Books) (Paperback)

Product Description

A New York Times Bestselling Author

Shelby Cole thought she'd put Bad Luck behind her. Bad Luck, Texas, that is. She'd left her hometown ten years ago, her world shattered and her illegitimate baby dead. Now she's receiving anonymous letters claiming that her daughter is alive. But going home means demanding answers that her father, Judge Jerome Cole, won't be happy to give -- and facing Nevada Smith, the man who broke her heart.

From the Back Cover

When secrets are revealed and lies are exposed, anything can happen . . . even murder. Shelby Cole thought she'd put Bad Luck behind her. Bad Luck, Texas, that is. She left her hometown ten years ago, her world shattered and her illegitimate baby dead. Now she's receiving anonymous letters claiming that her daughter is alive. But going home means demanding answers that her father won't be happy to give and facing Nevada Smith, the man who broke her heart. But Shelby's not the only person returning to Bad Luck. Falsely accused of murder and sent to prison for ten years, Ross McCallum is coming home to settle the score, especially with Shelby and Nevada. Shelby's search for the truth boils over into violence as a lethal web of secrets threatens everything she believes about the man she loves and even her very own life.

Naamah's Kiss (Hardcover)- Thanks SciFi-Guy & Hachette Books



Product Description

Once there were great magicians born to the Maghuin Dhonn; the folk of the Brown Bear, the oldest tribe in Alba. But generations ago, the greatest of them all broke a sacred oath sworn in the name of all his people. Now, only small gifts remain to them. Through her lineage, Moirin possesses such gifts - the ability to summon the twilight and conceal herself, and the skill to coax plants to grow.

Moirin has a secret, too. From childhood onward, she senses the presence of unfamiliar gods in her life; the bright lady, and the man with a seedling cupped in his palm. Raised in the wilderness by her reclusive mother, it isn't until she comes of age that Moirin learns how illustrious, if mixed, her heritage is. The great granddaughter of Alais the Wise, child of the Maghuin Donn, and a cousin of the Cruarch of Alba, Moirin learns her father was a D'Angeline priest dedicated to serving Naamah, goddess of desire.

After Moirin undergoes the rites of adulthood, she finds divine acceptance...on the condition that she fulfill an unknown destiny that lies somewhere beyond the ocean. Or perhaps oceans. Beyond Terre d'Ange where she finds her father, in the far reaches of distant Ch'in, Moirin's skills are a true gift when facing the vengeful plans of an ambitious mage, a noble warrior princess desperate to save her father's throne, and the spirit of a celestial dragon.

Santa Olivia (Paperback)

I've just finished reading "Santa Olivia" by Jacqueline Carey.

Product Description

Lushly written with rich and vivid characters, SANTA OLIVIA is Jacqueline Carey's take on comic book superheroes and the classic werewolf myth.

Loup Garron was born and raised in Santa Olivia, an isolated, disenfranchised town next to a US military base inside a DMZ buffer zone between Texas and Mexico. A fugitive "Wolf-Man" who had a love affair with a local woman, Loup's father was one of a group of men genetically-manipulated and used by the US government as a weapon. The "Wolf-Men" were engineered to have superhuman strength, speed, sensory capability, stamina, and a total lack of fear, and Loup, named for and sharing her father's wolf-like qualities, is marked as an outsider.

After her mother dies, Loup goes to live among the misfit orphans at the parish church, where they seethe from the injustices visited upon the locals by the soldiers. Eventually, the orphans find an outlet for their frustrations: They form a vigilante group to support Loup Garron who, costumed as their patron saint, Santa Olivia, uses her special abilities to avenge the town.

Aware that she could lose her freedom, and possibly her life, Loup is determined to fight to redress the wrongs her community has suffered. And like the reincarnation of their patron saint, she will bring hope to all of Santa Olivia.

About the Author

Jacqueline Carey is the author of short stories, essays, novels Banewreaker and Godslayer, and the New York Times bestselling Kushiel's Legacy series. Carey lives in west Michigan. http://www.jacquelinecarey.com/

My review:

I highly recommend reading this book and I give it 5/5 stars.