November 2

Review: Asylum by Mark Allan Gunnells

Apex Publications, 2010
ISBN: 978-0984553563

Click to buy

Available: New and Digital

Asylum is one of the first releases from a relatively new Apex imprint, The Zombie Feed. If this bold, but recognizable zombie apocalypse story is any indication of things to come, readers have a lot to look forward to.

Curtis is new to the gay nightclub scene, but he allows Jimmy to drag him along to a club called Asylum despite his discomfort. It’s too bad zombies are coming to the party too. While in many ways a straightforward zombie uprising tale, it’s nice to see a new range of stereotypes being pulled out and slapped around.

Asylum also sneaks in a true barb or two about the relationship between gay and straight cultures, and the relationship gay culture has with itself. With a multitude of similar titles about zombies and zombie uprisings, Gunnells provides a breath of fresh air. Publishers take note: there need to be more books like this one, which focuses on the different kinds of people affected instead.

Definitely recommended as a horror tale, and as a savvy example of inclusive fiction.

Contains: Violence, gore, m/m sex scenes

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November 2

Review: Beware the Snallygaster by Patrick Boyton

South Mountain Publishing, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0615529370
Available: New and Digital

A cute little story about an Appalachian cryptid named the Snallygaster, Beware the Snallygaster is quick-paced and filled with mystery. Holly and Peter are two intrepid fifth graders determined to find out whether the Snallygaster is real or not, for the sake of their reputations (and grades). But how do you catch a mythical monster that might be dead?

While some of story vocabulary might above the reading level for the ages Amazon lists it for (9-12), Beware the Snallygaster is a fun and very modern Halloween-themed story, good for before-bed reading or for parents who love cryptids and want to share that with their kids. Recommended for public collections.

Contains: alcohol (including moonshine which is essential to the legend), references to violence and gore.

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November 2

Review: Death Sword by Pamela Turner

Lyrical Press, 2011
ASIN: B004HO63E2
Available: Kindle

One night in a dark alley Karla Black is stabbed by a man who doesn’t want her money, her body, or even her life. Instead, he wants to activate her angel side and help her take up the mantle of an angel of death. As if this isn’t traumatic enough on its own, Karla then finds herself stuck with her mysterious not-killer and sucked into a centuries-old drama involving his jealous ex-lover and a series of curses (and nothing is as jealous as, or sets curses like, an angel) More is at stake, though, and Karla, the other angels, and the world at large are in some serious danger.

Death Sword is not perfect. I’d have liked to see some smoothing around the edges, both in the writing and in the emotional content of the story. But it’s a lot of fun to read about your home city suffering the vengeful wrath of angels, and Turner has a very interesting take on angels. There’s a great love story, which will make this a pleasurable read for paranormal romance fans, and also a good addition to digital paranormal romance collections.

Contains: violence, language, m/m sexual situations, explicit sex scenes

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November 2

Review: Fatal Circle by Linda Robertson

Pocket Books, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1439156803
Available: New, Used, Digital

Fatal Circle is the third book in the Persephone Alcmedi series. Persephone Alcmedi is the Lustrata, a fabled witch said to bring balance and justice to the magical world. In the last book she was outed to the other witches of her city and she was forced to save her foster daughter and grandmother from a murderous fae. Now the fae are using her actions as an excuse to declare war on the human magic users. Persephone is forced to publicly disown her family, take a position as a vampire court witch, becoming a pariah to protect herself and her fellow witches. It’s an obligation that only one called to equality and fairness could bear.

Robertson’s Circle series is less violence and battle-based than a lot of urban fantasy. For readers that prefer mystery-based paranormal romance, this series is good one. It’s dark, emotional, and meaningful, without a lot of the gore or graphic sex. Robertson’s lead, too, is set apart from other urban fantasy leads. Persephone is a woman embedded in family and responsibility, not to save the world, but just to do what is right. Fatal Circle is a breath of fresh air in the magical worlds of paranormal fiction, and will whet readers’ ravenous appetites for more. It’s a good crossover title that should appeal to readers of both fantasy and romance, and a great addition to public collections.

Contains: language, violence, sex

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October 17

Review: Jack o’ Spec: Tales of Halloween and Fantasy

Raven Electrick Ink, 2011
ISBN: 9780981964331
Available: Trade paperback

The air has turned crisp and pumpkins are appearing all over. The trees are donning their fall colors and stores have been slinging fun-sized candies in purple and orange for a month now. It’s the perfect setting for some great Halloween-themed tales, and this book delivers. Jack O’ Spec is a delightful collection of poems and prose all centering on some of the themes of Halloween. Not the typical horror fare of monsters and killers, instead it studies magic, what Halloween would be like if we were no longer subjected to Earth’s season and the myths behind the celebrations and masks in the first place.

This isn’t a collection out to scare or turn reader away with blatant gore. It’s out to dazzle and does its job well. From Michael M. Jones’ holiday noir ″Who Killed the Pumpkin King?″ to Daniel R. Robichaud’s steampunk story ″Autumn Jitters″ and Samantha Henderson’s south-of-the-border ″Sugar Skulls″, Jack O’ Spec has a lot to offer. It’s an excellent choice for Halloween lovers, and for public collections. Highly recommended.

Contains: Pagan themes, language, adult situations

Reviewed by: Michele Lee

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