Plot Summary: Bonita Torres is a fresh-faced college grad who is having no luck job hunting in NYC, and knowing how to use magic hasn’t even helped hePlot Summary: Bonita Torres is a fresh-faced college grad who is having no luck job hunting in NYC, and knowing how to use magic hasn’t even helped her so far. Just when desperation is starting to kick in, Bonnie gets a call to be at a certain office at a certain time, and despite the vague tidings, she attends the interview, which results in a job with the newly formed Private Unaffiliated Paranormal Investigations (PUPI). She is joined by four other new hires, each with a unique skill set, and their training time is over when PUPI is asked to investigate a double suicide as a possible homicide.
I’m of two minds with regards to Hard Magic. On one side, I recognize that this is an intelligent, realistic kind of urban fantasy, and readers who enjoy shows like CSI or paranormal investigations plots will enjoy Laura Anne Gilman’s practical approach to her magical world. The magic users may be referred to as Talent, but learning to use the magic is pure, hard work. Readers who like ensemble casts will also enjoy the camaraderie and teamwork between all the characters, and in that regard this urban fantasy is unique; the heroine doesn’t have to go it alone.
So that’s all on the plus side. On the negative side, I found it to be fairly slow going and even a bit dull through some parts. A surprising amount of the story involves the recruits� training, and it’s not terribly interesting stuff, although I will say that Ms. Gilman is utterly convincing when describing how magic works. She breaks it down to an almost scientific level, so nerdy readers could groove on the authenticity.
The story ended on a down note, almost like an old-fashioned detective noir, and again, I’m torn on whether I approve or not. Part of me loves it, and the other part of me says it’s better to end installments on high notes. What makes me want to try book two, Pack of Lies (February 2011), is the stellar cast of the PUPI team. I can see this series becoming a paranormal mystery powerhouse, with all kinds of interesting interpersonal relationships between the team members down the road. I’m splitting the rating on this one - 3.5 stars....more
Several months back I read about a new trend in erotica that involved re-imagined fairy tales with risque scenes. I liked the idea, a lot, and so whenSeveral months back I read about a new trend in erotica that involved re-imagined fairy tales with risque scenes. I liked the idea, a lot, and so when I had an opportunity to review Fairy Tale Lust, I happily took it on. Kristina Wright has assembled a good collection of short stories, with an emphasis on ‘short�; there are 18 stories in a little under 200 pages. Normally I would grouse about the story length, but let’s face it, in an erotica collection I’m not looking for character development. I’m looking for a hot little story that’s like candy for my brain.
Some of the writers faithfully adhered to the fairy tale format, and others wrote contemporary stories with a touch of fantasy. I liked both, but I wish more of the stories read like fairy tales, with a naughty twist, of course. There are too many stories for me to review them individually, but I will say that they were all decent, with several rising above the rest. My particular favorites were “The Pub Owner’s Daughter� by Alegra Verde, which closely mimicked a traditional fairy tale, “Sleep Tight� by Janine Ashbless, where a blue collar worker finds a sleeping beauty, “In the Dark Woods� by Kristina Wright, with a woman who may or may not be sleeping with a demon, and “The Return� by Charlotte Stein, where an unhappy wife is seduced by a man masquerading as her husband.
I spent the day reading these little stories in between doing my usual mom-drudgery, and I must say that it made my day ever so pleasant. Since this is an erotica I feel the need to give it a ‘sensuality rating,� and while it’s nice and hot, it’s not quite as scorching as some stuff I’ve read. Some of the stories are merely titillating, and others are downright satisfying.
This title will be released on July 1, 2010.
Note: I received a free advanced review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine Program. ...more
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