Home Improvement: Undead Edition

 

While several of my favorite authors have stories in Home Improvement: Undead Edition, the truth is that I got this book for the October Daye story by Seanan McGuire.

I'll talk about the stories I read:

If I Had a Hammer by Charlaine Harris
Another Sookie and Sam story. The short in the The Sookie Stackhouse Companion (reviewed yesterday) is also a Sookie and Sam story. I said yesterday that I think Ms. Harris may be trying to set us up for a Sookie and Sam HEA as we near the end of the series. Or, she could be throwing us curve balls. Either way, it was an okay story - a 7 of 10.  The Sookie short I reviewed yesterday was much better than this one.

Gray by Patricia Briggs
A vampire story, set in Chicago, but in Mercy Thompson's Universe, so we are already familiar with the rules. I believe it is all new characters, if they've been mentioned I don't remember them. It was a good story, 9 of 10.

The Strength Inside by Melissa Marr
This one was creepy, with the ending reminding me of a few of the Twilight Zone episodes. The story was okay, but the ending was great. I'm pretty sure that if Melissa Marr wants to build a fence that her homeowner's association isn't going to argue with her.  9 of 10.

Through This House by Seanan McGuire
Toby!! What a great story. One Salt Sea comes out next week, this was a great appetizer for the main event. The story easily gets a 10 of 10 from me.

Stories I didn't read:

• Woolsley’s Kitchen Nightmare by E. E. Knight
• The Path by S. J. Rozan
• Rick the Brave Stacia Kane
• Full-Scale Demolition Suzanne McLeod
• It’s All in the Rendering by Simon R. Green
• In Brightest Day by Toni L.P. Kelner

I'm not going to rate the book as a whole since I didn't read the whole thing.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

I normally shy away from young adult books, but this book has gotten high reviews from so many people who seem to like the same types of books that I like, that I decided to give it a chance.

And I really enjoyed it. The characters were engaging, the world building is excellent, the plot is perfect, and the ending was satisfying.

Here's the blurb:

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale.

For parents trying to figure out if this book is okay for your daughter, I'm pretty conflicted on that. I'm thinking this book isn't really that good of a book for teens. For a child who wants to read it and has friends reading it, I'd say absolutely no younger than a junior or senior, and even then I've got some problems with it. Aislinn appears to be a junior - she talks about the SAT, and she will be 18 "next year". And yet her Grams (Aislinn's sole guardian) rarely knows where Aislinn is, doesn't ask her to check in with her (until Grams realizes there is trouble), and has no problems with Aislinn spending the night with her boyfriend (who she hasn't even met). There is no intercourse, but there is oral sex (described as being kissed "down there"). And there is underage drinking, and the idea that if you're drunk you aren't responsible for what happens. If your daughter doesn't bring the book up, I wouldn't mention it. If she has friends who are reading it and she wants to, then that puts you in a difficult position. You don't want to make a book "forbidden", but at the same time there are books that just don't give the right message to teens.

I give Wicked Lovely a 9 of 10 for adults who are reading it. As a young adult book I would not give it that high of a rating because I don't think it's a good book for teens to read. I will be putting it away before my daughter gets old enough to want to read it, so it's isn't out for her to ask to read it.

Book Rating: 9 of 10




1. Wicked Lovely
2. Ink Exchange
3. Fragile Eternity
4. Skin Starved (summer or fall 2010)