Still in China. Yet more books to recommend (if any of you are interested in some light reading). Forgive me if my descriptions sound uninspired—I’m pooped.
‘A Girl’s Guide to Vampires’ by Katie Macalister is a hilarious take on the seeming obsession of romance writers to glorify the ‘Vampyr’. Not that I’m complaining about that obsession—when it’s well done, I’m as much of a fan as anyone (think Angel/Buffy/Spike). I also like Christine Feehan’s work, which Katie spoofs in the most delightful manner (with the permission of Ms. Feehan).
Katie has written two other wonderful novels—‘Men In Kilts’ and ‘Improper English’, both of which I highly recommend if you read romance and want to laugh outloud for three hundred or so pages.
‘Trickster’s Choice’ by Tamora Pierce is her latest installement in the Tortall universe (a wonderful series of books that begins with ‘Alanna: The First Adventure’ and follows a young girl, named (appropriately) Alanna, who disguises herself as a boy to become a knight). ‘Trickster’s Choice’ follows the adventures of Alanna’s daughter, Aly, who is kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery. Lucky for Aly, she’s been trained in survival by the best—her father, one of the most cunning thieves and spies in Tortall.
‘Outlander’ by Diana Galbadon is one of the most beautiful historical novels I’ve ever read, and probably spawned the hundred or so young-woman-time-travels-to-old-Scotland knockoffs that followed. There’s romance (of course), but so much more—action, intrigue, drama—you’ll love it. I hope. Tell me if you don’t. Actually, tell me if you don’t like any of these books I’m recommending (or if you do like them, even better).
‘Mairelon the Magician’ and ‘The Magician’s Ward’ by Patricia Wrede are two excellent young adult type novels that are lots of fun. Set in Regency England, in a universe where magic exists, the two books follow a young thief who becomes apprentice to an infamous mage.
‘Sunshine’ by Robin Mckinley is (as one reviewer has said) a mixture of Beauty and the Beast, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and God-knows-what-else. Suffice to say, it is won-der-ful. I mean, just fantastic. A young woman gets kidnapped by vampires to serve as the meal to one of their enemies, and something very unlikely happens as the two are chained together…They become friends.
I’m also beginning to re-read Laurie R. King’s ‘Mary Russell’ series. This will probably be the third or forth time, which should tell you something. The books, which begin with ‘The Beekeeper’s Apprentice’, follow the adventures of a young brilliant woman who falls in with Sherlock Holmes. I can’t say enough good things—even if you’re not a Sherlock Holmes fan, you’ll still be drawn in.
Okay, that’s enough for now. I’m looking forward to getting hold of Laurell K. Hamilton’s new ‘Merry’ book, as well as Patricia McKillip’s latest, called ‘The Alphabet of Thorn’ (or something like that). Always something new out and good to read.
Take care, everyone!