Reading List Update: # 33 - 36

[jedibuttercup]

Four more books this weekend. Three keepers and a reject.

33. Storm Front by Jim Butcher. Paperback, 322pp. First of the Dresden Files series. I'm not much into the "urban fantasy" genre, but this was very well done. For a first book, it conveyed a sense of background not fully explained, left hints for things yet to be explored, and every clue-thread brought to the reader's attention early on was woven in again later; that's good craftwork. And I liked the hero. I will definitely be buying more in this series.

34. The Rake's Revenge by Rachelle Edwards. Paperback, 220pp. A regency romance. Terribly formulaic, and the "hero" spends most of the book having an affair with the heroine's married aunt before declaring he's been trying not to fall in love with her all along, swoon, the end. Gak. No.

35. The Outback Stars by Sandra McDonald. Hardcover, 416pp. Interesting. Another of those "female hero in military scifi setting" type stories, but with an Australian twist to it. Well written; I'd like to see more of this universe.

36. A Change of Heart by Lillian Lincoln. Paperback, 216pp. Another regency romance. In contrast to # 34, this was well plotted, witty, and had me grinning and fond of the heroine by the end of it. Good light reading.

Next up: Dragon's Lair, by Sharon Kay Penman. A medieval mystery that looked interesting.
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Comments

[sulien.livejournal.com]

Oh, just wait until you get into some of the later books of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files! *bounces* I'm confident that you will enjoy them immensely! By the way, if you're interested, the Science Fiction Book Club has the hardbound omnibus editions of Dresden available with two or more novels per book.

[jedibuttercup]

I don't get the SFBC flyers any more, but I do have a Borders card and frequent buyers' discounts. =) I'll do a little website shopping later this week.

It's good to hear that the series only gets better from its starting place; I think I may have found a new favorite author!

[sulien.livejournal.com]

*crossing fingers, toes, and everything else that will do so in hopes of seeing some Dresden crossover fics*

Oh, you may also be interested in the audio books, which are read by James Marsters (my gods, that man has a gorgeous voice). You can check out the sample MP3s (and sample chapters of later books) at Jim's site, just click on the book cover.

http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/

[jedibuttercup]

Mmm. I wouldn't rule out Dresden crossovers, provided I can get my hands on some more of the books. There are so few modern-day 'verses out there that will cross easily with each other, this one will be fun to dabble with. =)

[azarsuerte.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you're aware of this, but Sandra McDonald is actually also a fanfic writer. :-) Mostly Highlander, and oh yeah, it helps if you're a Richie fan. *g*

Her HL fic website is here:

http://www.galacticfed.com/mcdonald/index.html

I particularly recommend "Seeds" (best "where do baby Immortals come from?" answer *ever*), "Epicenter" and the Lay Down Your Sword trilogy, which is futurefic about the end of the Game.

I'm not *100%* sure it's the same Sandra McDonald, but I did meet her once and know just enough about her background to make me 99% sure. :-)

[jedibuttercup]

Ooooo. *bookmarks for reading*

A thousand thanks for the heads-up. I know most writers don't like to connect their published and ficcing lives, but I'm always glad to know when I'm supporting another fanwriter. =)