Review: Nekropolis ~ Tim Waggoner

Meet Matt Richter.
Private eye.
Zombie.

His mean streets are the city of the dead, the shadowy realm known as Nekropolis. In this first case, Richter must help a delectable half-vampire named Devona recover a legendary artifact known as the Dawnstone, before it’s used to destroy Nekropolis itself. That is, if he can survive the myriad horrors that infest the city itself.

(Summary from Angry Robot Books)

Matt Richter, an ex-cop from Cleveland, will be the first to tell you he’s not a private detective. He just does favors – for money, usually – for the denizens of Nekropolis, a world of nightmarish creatures and inventions. But the thing about these favors? They’re not exactly easy-peasy, get the cat out of the tree type favors. Take the one that opens up the novel: Matt picks a fight with a lyke, a monstrous amalgamation of several animals and reptile, so that a young woman killed by the lyke could inhabit its body and get her life back. Sort of. That right there tells us a lot about Matt: 1) In typical P.I. fashion, he’ll go to great – and often dangerous – lengths for damsels in distress, 2) he can lose a limb and still save the day, and 3) he’s a good guy. Liking Matt is important because…

Intense world-building can be either a blessing or a curse, and Nekropolis is like nothing I’ve ever “seen” before. Waggoner doesn’t pull his punches; from page one you’re up to your ears in new creatures, established rules, and a city that’s the underbelly of the underbelly of Hell. This means a couple of things, but mostly that you need to pay attention and be patient. From the start, I wondered how Matt found his way from Cleveland to Nekropolis; I was in over a hundred pages before finding out. As for the rest, well, it’s not that Waggoner doesn’t explain, doesn’t let us in on the secrets of this new world, but more that he does so in scraps. (Nekropolis is no place for rambling exposition, which might be considered a good thing, especially if you can go with the flow – however bizarre it may be.) I definitely appreciated the level of detail and the astounding history of Nekropolis even if, on several occasions, it had me raising an eyebrow. Or grimacing. Or saying something along the lines of “damn” or “eew.”

Now, Nekropolis is something of a hardboiled/noir mystery, as well, but if you see a color in your head when I say that, make sure it’s pitch black, as dark as you can possibly imagine. Matt fits the bill of a hardboiled detective perfectly, as it were, because he simply can’t feel in his zombie state, which makes his tolerance for violence quite high and his attitude remote, if not outright gruff. And the mystery plotline charges the atmosphere with a sort of slow burn anticipation. The pacing isn’t quick, but it’s steady, building and resolving as Matt puts together his case.

But here’s where it gets dark, horrifying even: Matt may use surprisingly traditional investigative techniques in his effort to retrieve the Dawnstone, but it’s the shady characters he encounters and questions that make your skin crawl. (And, please, don’t get me started on all the inventions that run on – working – human body parts.) There were a few times during the course of my reading that I had to set the book aside, swallow, maybe blink a few times, before bracing myself and plunging back in. Inventive? Absolutely. Icky? You could say that. But, man, I had to keep reading to find out if Waggoner could one-up himself. (Did he? I’ll leave it to you to answer that by reading the book yourself.)

I liked Nekropolis, was intrigued by it, and I’ve got to say, Matt Richter is a zombie to watch.

Nekropolis will be released by Angry Robot Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, this August.

Review: The First Part Last ~ Angela Johnson

Bobby’s a classic urban teenager. He’s restless. He’s impulsive. But the thing that makes him different is this: He’s going to be a father. His girlfriend, Nia, is pregnant, and their lives are about to change forever. Instead of spending time with friends, they’ll be spending time with doctors, and next, diapers. They have options: keeping the baby, adoption. They want to do the right thing.

If only it was clear what the right thing was.

The First Part Last won the Printz Award in 2004 and it’s popped up on so many school summer reading lists I’ve lost count. It was almost a surprise to me that I hadn’t read it until now, but it appeared on my own course syllabus, and so I checked out the library’s copy and read it in a day.

In this slim YA novel, Angela Johnson looks at teen pregnancy through the eyes of a young father. Bobby, the story’s sixteen year old narrator, admits that he was sexually irresponsible. One of the things I appreciated most about Bobby as a character was his willingness to acknowledge his decision not to use protection; he didn’t try to back-pedal, to question how it could have happened, it just did and he knew the role he played in it.

When his girlfriend, Nia, finally tells him she is pregnant, Bobby’s next decision is to stand by her while they figure out what to do with the baby. There’s a depth of caring between them that sort of surprised me, I guess, because it was ultimately refreshing. They’re teenagers, sure, but Johnson doesn’t negate their feelings for each other, and I was glad for it, mostly because Bobby’s dedication to his daughter can then not be called into question. That type of devotion is just part of his nature.

Throughout the novel, Bobby remains astonishingly cool in spite of his trepidation as he struggles to be a good man and father, dealing with exhaustion and the loss of freedoms he once knew. It is both wrenching and joyful to “watch.”

I loved the descriptions of Bobby’s childhood home: “We have overstuffed pillows and Moroccan rugs and Jacob Lawrence prints all over the walls. Color and sound is what my parents were always about. Me and my brothers grew up in a loud house with jazz, Motown, or reggae music always playing in the background and something always on the stove” (19). That brief paragraph is very telling; you can see how growing up surrounded by art and music shaped Bobby’s personality. New York as a whole also had a hand in forging his style, and the novel reflects something of an urban mentality, which is then thrown into sharp relief when Bobby moves to Heaven, Ohio, and suddenly his “town was out of some old postcard” (131-32).

The First Part Last is a novel that will strike a chord with most who read it, I think. Bobby is a sensitive, strong character, compelling and sympathetic to the core, made even more so by the mistakes he makes along the way and his struggle to right them. I was very happy to (finally) read this one.

What I Got This Week

So I learned a few things while attempting to pull of this “vlog”:

1. I sound like a little kid. I swear I’m not.
2. You really need to hold the camera as still as possible for optimal viewing (which I, ah, didn’t – sorry!)
3. How to record with my digital camera (yay!)
4. The volume wasn’t so bad, but I really need to watch the inflections! And the um’s and ah’s.
5. Another lesson – make sure it’s set so everyone can actually view it. Doh!

So, I hope you enjoy the flash tour of my library (as well as my pointless chattering)! I think I may do this again now that I’ve learned my lesson – in bullet points, no less.

Mentioned in this post:

The Invention of Everything Else – Samantha Hunt
Nekropolis – Tim Waggoner
Thereby Hangs a Tail – Spencer Quinn (and incidentally: Dog On It)
Boneshaker – Cherie Priest

Blog Tour: Candace Havens

I’m thrilled to be a part of Candace Haven’s blog tour in support of her new novel, Dragons Prefer Blondes. The first book in the series, The Demon King and I, hooked me from page one, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the Caruthers in Dragons, which will be released on July 7th. I hope you’ll check out the series and read on to learn a little more about the Caruthers sisters, straight from Candace herself.

Alex Caruthers is a sassy socialite who knows when it’s time to turn in her dancing shoes and kick some serious dragon booty. But when Ginjin—the dragon warrior who’s tried to kill her numerous times—chooses her as his mate, Alex finds herself in a situation that’s too hot to handle.

For help she turns to Jake, head of Caruthers security—and a total hottie in a suit—and asks him to pose as her boyfriend. Their relationship might be fake, but Alex can’t deny that one touch from Jake makes her burn hotter than any dragon could.

Sisters…
I never had siblings growing up. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Being an only child definitely had its advantages. I had my parent’s undivided attention, while we didn’t have a lot of money back then, I didn’t want for much, and my parents made sure I took advantage of every opportunity afforded to me. The only time I missed having siblings was when my friends couldn’t come out to play.

That’s why I wanted to write a series about sisters. And since it’s me, those sisters had to have incredible powers and be able to kick-butt. The Demon King and I, which came out last November, was about Gillian, the oldest sibling of the Caruther’s clan. I should probably back track a bit and tell you the Caruthers sisters are Guardian Keys, who protect Earth from other-worldly beings. Of course, no one except those closest to the sisters really know that. The rest of the world thinks they are a bunch of wealthy socialites, which they are, but they also have this awesome task of keeping us safe.

The second book, Dragons Prefer Blondes, which happens to come out July 7, is Alex’s story. She’s the one who keeps the dragons at bay, which is no easy task. The dragons are able to look human, but can flash their wings and shoot fire at a moments notice. They keep Alex busy.

When we meet her, she’s up to her elbows in dead dragon, and she’s also trying to placate a friend who wants Alex to plan her wedding. I wanted the readers to see these two sides of her right up front. She’s tough, probably more than her other three sisters put together, but there’s also this marshmallow side to her that can’t say ‘no’ to a friend in need.

She’s also someone who believes in giving people who need a break, a second chance. I love that about her. But here’s also a tough exterior that has trouble trusting anyone, even those closest to her. She wants to reach out, but it’s hard for her. And the dragons have made her wary of all beings.

I have to admit when I first started writing Alex, I wasn’t sure what to think. But then I grew to absolutely love her. I hope you do to! So tell me about someone who surprised you. Maybe you thought they were one thing, but turned out to be something quite special.

___________________________

Visit Candace Havens online here.

A Short Stack of Notes

• I’m thisclose to finishing Catching Fire. So far it’s left me speechless, breathless, and sleepless. I can’t seem to stop thinking about it.
• Check out the Book Mountain Project – Make sure to watch the image change, revealing the layout of the building. So cool.
  (Found on Bookshelf)
• Has anyone read either of Jo Graham‘s novels? Black Ships or Hand of Isis? I have to read both for work, but I’m wondering which one to start with. Suggestions? Thoughts?
• Candace Havens, author of The Demon King and I, will be stopping by on Saturday as part of her blog tour in support of her July release, Dragons Prefer Blondes. Make sure to come back then to learn a little more about the characters in her new series!

Updated to add…

• If, like me, you really want to get your hands on a copy of Tim Waggoner’s Nekropolis, you might be interested in the tease that Angry Robot Books is offering up: Read the first chapter!

Once Upon a Time III – Completed

It wasn’t until wrap-up posts started popping up all over the place that I realized Once Upon a Time III was over. And I missed the end date! This challenge is hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings, and it’s one, along with his Fall RIP challenge, that I never miss.

Still, I had a wonderful go-around with the challenge this year, finding several new fantasy novels that I just loved. I completed Quest the First – to read five books from any of the fantasy genres – and then some. Here’s what I “officially” read:

1. The Shadow Queen – Anne Bishop
2. Vampirates: Black Heart – Justin Somper
3. The Manual of Detection – Jedediah Berry
4. Thirteenth Child – Patricia C. Wrede
5. Fire Study – Maria V. Snyder
6. Wonderland – Tommy Kovac & Sonny Liew
7. Caliber: First Canon of Justice – Sam Sarkar & Garrie Gastonny
8. Bird – Rita Murphy

They were all amazing, too. Not one stinker or ‘meh’ title in the bunch. I’m not going to attempt to pick a favorite, but I was very, very impressed with debut novelist Jedediah Berry’s The Manual of Detection, and Murphy’s Bird was love at first sight. And the two graphic novels I read for the challenge were gems (Wonderland & Caliber) – I highly recommend both!

So, thanks again, Carl, for another wonderful challenge. I’m already preparing titles for RIP!

Prada & Prejudice ~ Mandy Hubbard

Callie is tired of being a clumsy geek-girl. So during a school trip to London she buys her ticket to popularity: a pair of real Prada pumps. But then she wobbles on the cobblestones, trips in her too-high heels, and conks her head. When she comes to, it’s the year 1815!

Luckily she meets kindhearted Emily, who mistakes Callie for a long-lost friend. Sparks soon ignite – of the nice and not-so-nice variety – between Callie and Alex, the handsome but totally arrogant Duke of Harksbury. Too bad Alex seems to have something sinister up his ruffled sleeve…

Can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, win a kiss from Alex, and prove to herself that she’s more than just a loud-mouth klutz before her time in the past is up?

Callie is an odd mix: she is insecure, but has a tenacious strength of will when she believes she is right; she exhibits a penchant for internal whining, but is bright and can hold her own in a bout of verbal sparring; and there are times that you want to shake her when she is demonstrating one or all of these traits. My problem was that throughout the course of the novel I never quite warmed up to her; I felt flashes of sympathy (especially since she seemed proned to inopportune face plants) and sporadically shared in her feelings of empowered exhilaration. As I read, I wondered if she might be one of those characters you either love or hate, but then found myself amused if somewhat ambivalent at the end, and so there went that idea.

Because the story is hung on the framework of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the underlying plotline couldn’t help but be predictable and the ending inevitable. (I also found myself casting shades of Lost in Austen on the book, as there are parallels to be drawn, but that was my own doing, and most likely only done because I so recently saw it.) None of that, though, is meant to be a negative and in general doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the story.

There were, in fact, little moments that were wonderful. One such moment – that won’t spoil anything – was when several young boys asked Callie to show them an American dance.

But what do I share? MC Hammer? The Running Man? The Electric Slide? A little Macarena?

“Uh,” I say, stepping forward. “How about, um, the Robot?”

The romance of the story, for me, was found in the time period rather than the sparks between Callie and Alex. I loved reading about the dresses, the gloves, the etiquette. And I loved watching Callie find her place among all of it. Oh, don’t get me wrong – Callie and Alex were great, too, as their relationship simmered deliciously during certain scenes, and spilled over into something quite lovely. It was just…beautiful estates! carriages drawn by gorgeous gray horses! dancing in the glow of oil lit lamps! Sigh…

Overall, I really did enjoy Prada & Prejudice – it was quick and light and fun and just the sort of thing for a rainy day.

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit ~ Nahoko Uehashi

Balsa was a wanderer and warrior for hire. Then she rescued a boy flung into a raging river — and at that moment, her destiny changed. Now Balsa must protect the boy — the Prince Chagum — on his quest to deliver the great egg of the water spirit to its source in the sea. As they travel across the land of Yogo and discover the truth about the spirit, they find themselves hunted by two deadly enemies: the egg-eating monster Rarunga . . . and the prince’s own father.

Back in April I had the pleasure of reading Cindy Pon’s Silver Phoneix, which was very much a traditional fantasy for young adults, and centered around a young girl named Ai Ling and her journey to find her missing father. I loved the atmosphere of that novel, the descriptions of the food, and most of all, the Palace of Fragrant Dreams. The story read like a rousing mythological tale, a style I really enjoy, and I noticed while reading Moribito that, instead of myth, it read like a folktale.

The story of Balsa and Chagum felt like one told and passed down through generations. You know the old rule “show, don’t tell”? Here, the reader is told a great deal, through dialogue, sure, but also through exposition in the narrative. There’s not necessarily anything wrong with that, and while it didn’t hinder the story, it did slow down the pace, I thought.

There was one character, Torogai, a master magician or mystic, who speaks to spirits such as the one Chagum, the Moribito, protects. She stole every scene she was in. And the spirits were fresh, unique to me, and set this one apart. I also really enjoyed the action sequences; the marital arts sequences are sharp, and traditional Japanese weaponry is used to great effect.

While I won’t go out and read the sequel right away, I’m glad to have read this one. My interest in Aisan fantasy was piqued by Pon’s wonderful novel and I’ll definitely read more now. (Someone recommended Across the Nightengale Floor to me – has anyone read it? Loved it?)

Oh, and I just the other day found out that this series was released as anime, and ended up ordering that from the library to see how it compares.

Today Looks Like…

If the weather reports are any sort of true indication, today’s rain storm marks the beginning of a gloomily overcast weekend.

Sometimes I crave days like today with the rain pummeling the roof, begging the windows for entrance with constant sharp taps. Sometimes days like this afford me the opportunity to snuggle up under a blanket, my dog’s white fur threading through the soft black square of material he’s laying on, and usually these crisply scented rainy days involve books and tea or a movie with my husband. Sometimes on days like this I understand freedom and how truly content a person can be.

That photo up there shows a little bit of what I’ve been up to so far…

The light at the end of the tunnel is coming upon me fast, and one of my very last graduate courses is in full swing. This time I’m learning all about multicultural literature for children and young adults, and I can already tell that it’s going to open my eyes in so many ways. The book on the bottom of that stack, Stories Matter, provided some thought-provoking morning reading.

Because my course is literature based, I’ve got a lot on my reading plate as is, but I can’t help but sneak in some personal reading, as well. Right now that comes in the form of Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver. You can just see the arc peeking out in the middle.

The notebook on top contains random jots that, in some way, have something to do with a story I’m writing. That journal is the second one I’ve bought by Chronicle Books, and I find that, for once, the idea of writing in something so beautiful doesn’t scare me.

Also today, I’ve: Read several of author Laini Taylor’s journal posts (I particularly love this one and this one – discovering her online has made me even more excited to read Dreamdark: Blackbringer, and, honestly, I think she’s inspiring.) I’ve looked around on Etsy a little bit, but didn’t stay too long because it’s such a dangerously tempting site. I just read a post by writer Carrie Jones on writer insecurity. I’ve thought about the strange dream I had last night, dashed my dog out between drops of rain, and made myself a cup of Lapsang Souchong.

In a little while I’ll be heading out for a few hours spent in the company of my mom. We’re going to Borders, I think. And tonight I’ll be watching Ghost Adventures with my husband, trying not to hear a host of imaginary sounds.

TBR list..You’re about to get longer!

Presenting Lenore featured a must read book  yesterday for her Waiting on Wednesday post. (I always learn about the best stuff by visiting her blog.)

The book, Pastworld by Ian Beck, is going to be released this Fall by Bloomsbury. It looks crazy good. (That cover!)

Head over to Lenore’s blog for more info, and definitely check out the book’s website. I’m going to spend some more time there myself real soon.