Review: Where Demons Fear to Tread by Stephanie Chong

Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Para Element: Angels & Demons
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Facebook | Twitter 

Provided for review in exchange of an honest review.

PJ's QUICKIE POV:

Tired of the boring paranormal romance interplay and algorithm? Give WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD a try! It's a fresh take on paranormal romance, where both characters give equally and the plot is well flushed out and interesting. Top that off with some freaky and thrilling scenes, along with a underlying philosophy that will actually have you thinking, you've got yourself one interesting read!


REVIEW:

In a world rife with angels and demons exists a fledgling guardian angel Serena St. Clair. Serena loves being an angel, but sometimes being good all the time can be overwhelming. Her latest assignment is Nick, a hot young actor that is on a downward spiral. Serena follows him to a nightclub called the Devil's Paradise and too late she realizes that it is a nest of demons, ruled by the very powerful arch demon, Julian Ascher.


Julian is used to getting exactly what he wants, when he wants it and one look at the innocent Serena St. Clair and he knows corrupting a cute little guardian angel might be just the ticket to spice up his life. Julian has a one-track mind and Serena, bent on keeping her charge safe finds herself face to face with some tough decisions, including how much she can trust a demon…
Hot hot hot. This paranormal romance is not one you want to pass up. I loved the good and evil interplay along with the two main characters. Chong also puts a lot of play on secondary characters, making them seem very real also. I really enjoyed the world that Stephanie Chong created and can't wait to read more, because this debut was excellent!

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Recommended for fans of paranormal romance, if you like Gena Showalter and Larissa Ione you'll like Stephanie Chong!

Like this Like That

1. Pleasure Unbound (Demonica Series) by Larissa Ione
2. Otherkin series by Eve Silver

Review: The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

Genre: Adult, SciFi, Dytstopian
ScFi Element: Biological Disaster
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Twitter | Facebook
Audible.com Download

PJ's QUICKIE POV:

I have never experienced such gritty and descriptive world-building as I have with Paolo Bacigalupi’s THE WINDUP GIRL. You could almost taste the heat as Bacigalupi described the post-apocalyptic Asian landscape. Bacigalupi has a way of blending realities, the dystopian squalor with the science fiction advancement, the way you didn’t know who was a good guy or a bad guy and the on-your-toes plot twists that had my head whirling. THE WINDUP GIRL. is a grown-up dystopian and a must-read if you fancy yourself a fan of the genre. I have to say this has to be one of the finest modern science fiction novels I've read.

REVIEW:

The lands have been racked with bio-engineered diseases and horrendous natural disasters. Bangkok is a city on the verge of disaster, exploited and two feet from being overrun by the ocean. The people live in fear of infected foods and the calorie is the new currency. Anderson Lake, one of the hated “calorie men” from the West is in Bangkok in search of extinct food to use for profit for his company AgriGen. He uses an AgriGen factory as a front, but his real motives is to find lost foods that he believes Bangkok might have.


In a backdoor meeting with an unsavory brothel owner he is introduced to Emiko. THE WINDUP GIRL. Emiko is a bio-engineered “New Person.” She was grown in a crèche in Japan, created to become the plaything of rich Japanese businessmen. She is bred to serve, for her beauty and her uniqueness. Most humans distrust her, thinking she is soulless. When her master grew tired of her he abandoned her in a city that deems her illegal. Her new master is harsh and abusive but there is no other way to survive, especially when her every movement is a sign that she is New People. As the city goes mad, enraged from corruption and political maneuvering, Emiko only wants one thing…to be free. Because even though she is New People, she still wants.


Bacigalupi has to have one of the most unique voices that I’ve experienced in an author. His blending of the Asian culture with this gritty dystopian was something that I’ve never experienced before and probably never will. You could practically smell, touch and taste his descriptions. I can only compare THE WINDUP GIRL with the greats, such as BRAVE NEW WORLD or 1984. The only down points I found in this novel was the almost abstract broadness of the writing. Bacigalupi plunges you in head first with very little explanation of back-story on most of the plot-lines so I found myself feeling that I missed something. Also, because of the Asian names it was sometimes hard to keep track of the multitude of characters. This worked for me as an audio book and the narrator Jonathan Davis handled pronunciation quite well. This is one book that I would highly recommend in audio format.


RECOMMENDATIONS:

Highly recommended for fans of the dystopian genre. If you’ve read and enjoyed a BRAVE NEW WORLD or 1984 and would like a grittier meal, give this one a try. This is an adult novel and has a multitude of heavy themes, rape, violence, sex and debauchery. For mature audiences only.










Like this Like That

1. The Half-Made World by Felix Gilman
2. Robopocalypse: A Novel by Daniel H. Wilson

PJ Review: Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione

Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Paranormal Element: Demons
Series: Demonica Series #1
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Twitter
Purchased audiobook through audible.com

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
After the tenth “You haven’t read the Demonica series yet? *Gasp*” I realized that maybe this was something I should get into. I was not disappointed. One of the most original paranormal romances I’ve read in awhile, Larissa Ione isn’t afraid to show you what’s in the deep recesses of her brain. The author pulled no punches with the story of Eidolon and Tayla. This was one of the grittiest paranormal romances that I’ve ever read and that's why I loved it.

REVIEW:
A member of the feared demon-slayers, Tayla is a kill first, ask questions later kind of slayer. A member of The Aegis, they have one purpose: Kill Demons. When she is injured in a fight with a very nasty demon she is taken to the secretive demon ER and even though they are tempted to just let her die, the Head-Doc-In-Charge, Eidolon sticks with his code of ethics and treats and saves Tayla’s life.

While elbow deep in Tayla’s innards, Eidolon notices some strange make-up in Tayla’s biological system. Tayla is half-demon herself and he is captivated by the rarity that is her heritage…and a few other things. It doesn’t help that she is sexy as Hell and tough as nails which gets his motor going. Tayla is the first woman in a really long time to accomplish this. But, she’s a demon-slayer and everyone at the hospital wants to kill her and to make matters worse, demons are being hacked up all over town and sold for their organs and all clues point to the Aegis.

Fast-paced and full of romantic tension, PLEASURE UNBOUND is a gem among the paranormal romance genre books. Ione has a way of spinning a tale, creating tension and still maintaining interest without suffering the usual plot-tricks that romances usually revert to. She did not apply what I term the “Romance Algorithm1” and I applaud her for it. So many authors do this and while their ideas might be original they are usually based on the same foundation like so many that have come before them, hence the tale smells a bit stale. Ione’s PLEASURE UNBOUND was none of those things. Fresh. Gritty. Intense. Eidolon and Tayla went at each other like you would expect a slayer and demon to go at one another. They fought, they (insert another f work here) and they flipped back and forth in their convictions. Love or Hate? It was wonderful. Most of the novel I was like “This will never work!” But, in the end Ione pulled it all together and I was left with that wonderful after-glow. It was quite a ride.

My one misgiving was in the end. I thought one of the baddies at the end was a little too off and the plot point that was tied up with her was just a little thrown in there. I’m sure Ione will expand upon it in later books in the series, so it’s not that big of a deal. But, I like my mysteries to end with an “Oh I see it now!” instead of a “Huh?”

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for paranormal romance fans. Black Dagger Brotherhood lovers should really get into this one. I do not recommend this one as a first time Paranormal Romance. If you are looking to transition this one might be a bit overwhelming for you.











Like this Like That

1. Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1)
2. Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter)

1Parajunkee's Romance Algorithm - Boy meets girl. Boy is hot for girl and girl is hot for guy, but something separates the two. Maybe a past love that went wrong - the fact that one of them is a werewolf and the other is a werewolf hunter - just insert "not ready for love" problem here. Yet, even though they are separated by a huge chasm, they still engage in hot, blow your mind sex. Yet, the secret has not been revealed and doesn't get revealed until after they've had sex at least three times. Once the secret is revealed they separate and think all is lost. They usually realize that they are in love during this separation. A traumatic event - chick getting kidnapped by the big baddie, or some other such thing will lead to the guy or sometimes the girl swooping in and saving the day -- and then our couple when reunited, confess their love and have more sex -- then off to their HEA.

The basics of this is the MEET + STAY AWAY + ATTRACTION + SEX + REVEAL + BREAK-UP + CLIMAX + REUNITE + HEA

PJ Review: Wired by Liz Maverick

Genre: Adult, Sci-fi Thriller
SciFi Element: Time Travel
Series: Shomi
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Twitter
Digital copy from Netgalley.com for Review

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
Wired by Liz Maverick was fast-paced, exciting, sexy and funny at times. It was a really cool concept I just needed it explained a little bit more and as the action and science of it got really intense I found myself confused at places - as if something was left off or forgotten. But, the novel did impress and I'm really interested in reading more of Maverick's writing.

REVIEW:
A mish mash of science fiction romance and cyberpunk, Wired starts with a girl. Two a.m in the morning on a deserted street, heading to the local 7-Eleven. Thinking she is about to get mugged as two strangers appear in front of her, L. Roxanne Zaborovsky panics. The funny thing is, one of the strangers appears to be Mason Merrick, her roommates ex-lover and someone she had a major crush on. She also hasn't seen him in forever. What is he doing out here in the middle of the night and now drop kicking some guy in an expensive suit?

Roxanne is a bit confused and her confusion doesn't stop for awhile, because both men have declared her a Major in a particular timeline and they will do anything to control her and the code she is going to someday write. They'll even change the past and future to get this code. She just has to figure out who has her best intentions at heart?

Zippy, a little schizo and a bit sexy (I was hoping for a bit more after that particular party scene), Wired was very entertaining. If a little bit more time was spent on explaining the wire crossing plot I might have been slavering all over this one. The author's tone was well done, her writing was spot on and the characters were enjoyable. Like I said before, if the plot would have been expanded on this would be a raving review.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for science fiction romance fans. You might enjoy this one if you liked Gini Koch's Touched by an Alien, Sherillyn Kenyon's League novels.








Like this Like That

1. Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch
2. Ill Wind (Weather Warden, Book 1)

PJ Review: Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield

Genre: Adult, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian
SciFi Element: Post-Apocalyptic World, Zombies
Series: Aftertime Series Book 1
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web |  Blog | Twitter
Review copy provided by publisher.

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
In a world overrun by Young Adult Dystopian an adult version of the currently “hot” genre stands out among the rest. I can tell you personally that I usually prefer the young adult versions of this genre, for the simple fact that in adult-speak it can be too much. A zombie ripping the flesh off of your best friend in a YA tone is more palatable than in an adult tone. Call me a wuss, but dystopians always hit closer to home for me than your normal run-of-the-mill horror novels. I can read the scariest, bloodiest, nastiest scenes and not bat and eyelash -- but give me a dystopian, with real-world type scenarios and I’m a blabbering, emotional mess. That is why when I opened the first page of AFTERTIME I was cringing before I even began to read. Yet, as word after word was digested I was caught and while I was disturbed a good bit, I was so enmeshed within the story that it didn’t matter. AFTERTIME was riveting, emotional and real, it was a true journey that struck a chord with me that I didn’t expect in a “zombie” novel. When you break it down, this was a story about a mother and a child and the things a woman will do to save her offspring. As a mother I could only hope my strength would be as great as Cass'.

REVIEW:
Cass Dollar awakens to a dystopian landscape in clothes that do not belong to her and healing bite marks along her back. Her hair has been ripped from her head, there are self-inflicted wounds all over her body. She doesn’t know how long she has been out of it, maybe weeks, months? As memories begin resurfacing she focuses on one thing, Ruthie, her child. She has to get her back.

Cass’ world is a barren landscape of death. Once the great state of California, the area is now dead, ripe with flesh eating infected humans called Beaters and the remaining humans that will do anything to survive. Hardly anything lives, killed off by terrorist attacks or government experiments gone wrong. Cass has to travel through this wasteland and hope that she isn’t attacked by Beaters or survivors and that she’ll some how make it back to where she last saw Ruthie.

Along the way, Cass meets Smoke. Not one to trust, but she knows she can’t do it alone, she begrudgingly let’s him help her find her daughter, all the while holding him at arms-length. He is kind though and without him they’ll be no chance for her, no chance for Ruthie.

I know what you are thinking, More Zombies. But, don’t let your preconceived notions hold you back from this gem. Littlefield takes a tried and true horror element and infuses it with new life, real human elements and a voice that will have you enthralled. The perfection of this tale was the character of Cass, she wasn’t likable at all times and sometimes you didn’t agree with her actions, but her character was real, her transition and development was real. Littlefield did a remarkable job with portraying a scarred and slightly used woman and making her into a heroine. There was nothing special about Cass Dollar, but because of Littlefield’s portrayal she became larger than life and in the end very special.

I can not wait to get my grubby hands on Rebirth, book 2.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for fans of horror and zombies and dystopian, any will do. There is also a bit of romance in the pages so ladies you will be satisfied. For fans of King and Koontz this is a good female voice to compare. This is an adult novel and recommended for a mature audience.










Like this, Like That:

1. The Stand by Stephen King
2.  Strangers by Dean Koontz

The 411:

1. Book two will be released in July 2011 
2. Rebirth (Aftertime Novel)
3. Sophie Littlefield will be at BEA 2011 

Stray by Rachel Vincent - Review

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy
Series: Shifter Series, Book 1
Paranormal Element: Shifters
Order Online:  Amazon.com | BookDepository.com
Stalk the Author:  Web | Blog | Twitter
Audio book review from audible.com

PJVs QUICKIE POV:
A sucker for Rachel Vincent, many of you are probably surprised that I haven’t partaken of the Shifter series yet. But, my goodness I have not had enough time! So, who comes to my rescue, but the wonderfulness that is audible.com and their First of Series sale. Yeah! Now, like the sale intended, I’m am now undeniably hooked into another series. Hello, Faythe. You freakin’ rock.

REVIEW:
Faythe is definitely one of a kind. One of eight remaining breeding females of her kind she is something that her pride would love to cherish, lock away and keep safe. Too bad, Faythe is not having that. Stifled by the over-bearing nature of her male werecat counterparts, Faythe has tried over and over again to run away from her life on the ranch, until finally her father relents and lets her attend college away from home. Into her first year of grad school a run in with a stray has her daddy’s boys swooping in and yanking her back home, somewhere she doesn’t want to be, especially since she will have to face the music of her last quick departure. Combined with the stress everyone is under from the stray that seems to be targeting young female werecats, Faythe’s life has suddenly become very complicated.

Reason why I idolize Faythe:

"I'd take a slashed throat over a broken neck any day. At least I'd bleed all over his shoes. One final fuck you before I die." - Faythe, Stray

Packed full of mystery, violence, sexual tension and a kickass freakin’ heroine, STRAY is everything I like in an Urban Fantasy. I loved Faythe’s sense of humor and her rebellious nature. Her transition was excellently played and I could understand her growth perfectly. The bad guys were certifiably insane and well executed. Even though I found the final confrontational scene a little two over-the-top on whacked out behavior, I did enjoy their diabolical behavior. Where I found the novel a bit on the lacking side was in Mark’s character. I wasn’t really that impressed, he was a bit over-bearing and their love was “pre-established” so I didn’t get the transition. I actually liked the character of Jace much better, and found his transition kind of a cop-out, but I’m sure he might come into play in later books. These silly little problems were only slight though and did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the book. A definite must read for Urban Fantasy fans.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Adults only, this book contains strong scenes with violence, hints at rape and sexual encounters. Recommended for fans of the Mercy Thompson series.

3/20 books