How to Kill a Vampire ~ Liisa Ladouceur

How to Kill a Vampire: Fangs in Folklore, Film and Fiction by Liisa Ladouceur
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So I was browsing Netgalley a few days ago and stumbled upon this one in the non-fiction stuff. I'm not a huge reader of informative stuff, as you may know I like to submerge myself in fantasy, but this one caught my eye.

Summary:Citing examples from folklore, as well as horror films, TV shows, and works of fiction, this book details all known ways to prevent vampirism, including how to protect oneself against attacks and how to destroy vampires. While offering explanations on the origins and uses of most commonly known tactics in fending off vampirism, the book also delves much deeper by collecting historical accounts of unusual burial rites and shocking superstitions from European history, from the “real” Serbian vampire Arnold Paole to the unique Bulgarian Djadadjii, a professional vampire “bottler.” It traces the evolution of how to kill the fictional vampire—from Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the Hammer horror films beginning in the 1950s to Anne Rice’s Lestat and the dreamy vamps of Twilight, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries—and also celebrates the most important slayers, including Van Helsing, Buffy, and Blade. In exploring how and why these monsters have been created and the increasingly complex ways in which they are destroyed, the book not only serves as a handy guide to the history and modern role of the vampire, it reveals much about the changing nature of human fears


My Take:
I loved this one. So much so I couldn't put it down. (In fact I was up till one am.) Filled with tons of Vampire lore but not at all stodgy. This was truly a fun look at the way the Vampire has been shaped throughout history including the current changes we have seen in the past 10 years. Plus theres a bunch about Buffy and how can you not love that!
Even more amazing was that I feel like I learned a large amount of historical facts, but in a totally enjoyable way. After interviewing someone who lives the Vampire Lifestyle I learned so basic history. And I have read another novel which deals with a similar topic but the writing in How to Kill a Vampire was so smooth it felt both totally smooth and just as addictive as any fantasy novel.
If you enjoy Vampire fiction then add this novel to your TBR list, you can even tell all your smart friends your reading a history book :)

To Have & To Hold ~ Mackenzie Lucas

To Have & To Hold by Mackenzie Lucas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one was a netgalley find and a nice change of pace from all of the Nephilim books I have been reading. It is also the first book I have encountered which is about a Dragon mage, who I have gathered is able to weild magic and change into a dragon. I would think this kind of shifter would have it tough in modern days. Sure you can pretend your wolf husband is an oversized dog but how do you hide a dragon?
I guess the key is to be really rich and own enough land that no one can see you stretching your wings!
Summary:
American-born heiress Cate Cooper would never have believed her sexy, stalwart English husband Grayson could be a monster of epic proportions until he shifts into a fire-breathing dragon right in front of her eyes. After several near-miss encounters with the dragon who almost kills her, Cate traps the beast using her own magickal skills as a spellcaster and an enchanted chatelaine left to her by her grandparents. Her husband has one year to battle the dragon within before she gives up on him for good. Too bad her besieged heart doesn’t agree this is the best plan of action. Cate embarks on a journey of discovery where she must learn that sometimes what you see is not what you get and monsters come in far worse forms than fire-breathing dragons.

My Take:
Anyways this story focuses on a Dragon Mage who is a very late bloomer. So late in fact he has no ability to control himself and almost kills his poof wife in the process. Lucky for him she has a little magic of her own and enough money to keep him locked up safe for a year while he tries to get a handle on himself.
It all goes pear shaped when after a steamy sex scene his wife decides to high tail it home to America. With a tiny bit of mystery and interesting characters this one was worth the read. I am ready to learn more about the powers of a Dragon Mage and find out who's behind all of the trouble.

Movie Review: The Mortal Instruments City of Bones

Movie Review:
The Mortal Instruments
City of Bones
Release Date: 8/21/13
3 stars

First off I have to say anyone who reads this blog knows I love the Mortal Instruments. I consider it to be one of my favorite YA series so I may be a little harsher than most when it comes to this review. I also want to warn you there are going to be a lot of spoilers. How can I explain why I gave it only three stars if I don't point out specific facts?

Moving on I am one of those people who understands not everything can be exactly the same way it was in the books. I get that you are dealing with a different kind of audience so subtly may not always work. One huge complaint I have though is when Hodge and Valentine come right out and say they are going to lie about Jace and Clary being brother and sister! I mean come on, this is a huge plot motivation in the next books how can you just let everyone know?

Ok I'm getting ahead of myself I should probably try to do this in a more systematic way so let me get back to the beginning of the movie and start from there.

I thought over all the casting was well done. I would have preferred someone with a broader body type to play Jace I think the actor they chose seemed to lanky. Since I took my husband to see the movie I asked him for his feedback and he said his only complaint was that Jace seemed too small to fight "those big guys". So I guess I'm not the only one who felt that way.

Now lets talk about missing characters? Where the heck are the Lightwoods and their youngest son. Maybe I missed it but I don't think they were mentioned at all. Again they have an important role to play later on and yet, nada. And how about no one explaining that the Lightwoods and Hodge are stuck in NY because they betrayed the Clave with Valentine and how Jace's dad was one of them too?The whole showdown with Valentine being in the Institute and the Institute having a portal seemed way off as well. The entire scene at Magnus Bane's Party was totally wrong. And the vampires looked so damn creepy.

I know the second I post this I'm going to think of a bunch of other things that bugged me but I think I hit the big ones.

Now there were some things I liked. The Institute and club were fantastic. The demons themselves were also excellently done and the fight scenes were great. Magnus Bane was perfect, and since he is one of my favorite characters over all that is saying a lot. I think that the relationship between Clary and her mom comes through almost as well as it does in the novel, which is important. Simon is also great, every bit the hapless teenage boy in love with his best friend. The costumes were all very cool, just the way I pictured them from the book.

Overall if you hadn't read the books I think it would be a decent movie. Its just frustrating as a reader when things that seem so important to the story get left out or changed. Overall I think The Hunger Games was a much better book to movie adaptation.

Mr Monk Helps Himself (Try two)

Mr. Monk Helps Himself by Hy Conrad
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alright people this is take two. I couldn't seem to fix the problem with the original post so I had to start over :)

summary:
Now that Monk and Natalie are both in San Francisco again, life is almost back to normal for the duo, with one exception: Natalie is studying for her PI license, the last step to becoming Monk’s full partner.

Before taking the plunge, Natalie sneaks off to Half Moon Bay for a retreat run by Miranda Bigley, charismatic leader of the Best Possible Me self-help program, whose philosophy has helped Natalie deal with her recent life changes. But her plans for a relaxing weekend away are disrupted when Monk tracks her down, determined to rescue her from the �cult.” Their argument is cut short when Miranda, in full view of everyone, calmly walks to the edge of a cliff and jumps off.

Even though Miranda’s death looks like suicide—especially when it’s discovered that she was on the brink of financial disaster—Natalie is sure it is murder. But Monk brushes her off to help the SFPD solve the murder of a clown, despite his coulrophobia, or fear of clowns—number ninety-nine on his list of one hundred phobias.

As Natalie and Monk begin their separate investigations, they are quickly caught up in many precarious situations, but if they want to figure out whodunit, they will have to find a way to become true partners…

My Take:

This was a fun and totally Monk novel. I felt like I was right back in my living room watching the story unfold. The characters were well done and true to what I remembered.It was nice to see the story through Natalie's eyes. Mr Monk was as fantastic and bizarre as ever. Which makes him all the more lovable. And Quirky, and I love Quirky.
The mystery itself was great having a smooth build giving the
reader a fun storyline that you will not want to put down. This was one of those novels that unrolled in your mind just as a movie, or tv show could. I could really see the characters and all of their interactions.
I can't wait for the next one.

Wolf Majick Reviews welcomes HY Conrad

Today Wolf Majick Reviews would like to welcome Hy Conrad to talk about making the transition from TV to Novels with everyone's favorite detective Mr Monk!

THE TV TRANSITION
By Hy Conrad
Author of “Mr. Monk Helps Himself”

For Wolf Majick Reviews

I’ve been asked this question a lot lately: “How is it different, to go from writing for TV to writing books?”  The simple answer is that a book involves a lot more typing and a lot less money. Sad but true.

I began my writing career in books, not novels but collections of solve-it-yourself mysteries. I had written ten of them, with a fair amount of success, when a TV writer-producer visited a bookstore, looking for story ideas for his new show. By a wonderful stroke of luck, he happened across one of my collections and spent a day or so tracking me down. The result was eight years on Monk, probably the best professional experience of my life.

After an additional stint on “White Collar”, I decided that I couldn’t be bi-coastal anymore and didn’t want to live in L.A – or New York City, which had been my home for decades. That left me with books and plays as the main venues for my crafty, mystery-obsessed little brain. It also left me with a family and two wonderful homes in Vermont and Key West.

I had just finished my first novel (“Rally ‘Round the Corpse”) and was working on the sequel when Penguin asked me to dust off my memories and take a crack at continuing their series, starring Adrian Monk and his long-suffering assistant, Natalie.  

I had a good template to start with, the fifteen Monk books by Lee Goldberg.  But it took me a while to figure out how to turn a 42-minute episode of Monk into a 70,000 word book.

On the show, our mysteries were clever but simple, leaving plenty of time for our actor, Tony Shalhoub, to obsess about a light bulb or straighten a rug. A typical Monk plot would probably make a nice short story. But to fill up a novel you need more. You either have to make the stories complex, which is not the Monk way, or you have to throw in some fancy footwork. I opted for the footwork.

The Monk books often spend the first two chapters on a “starter mystery”, one that has no connection to the rest of the book but may help set up Monk’s emotional track. Then there may be a few fast cases thrown in, things that show off Monk’s brilliance but are really just there to entertain. When it comes to the meat of the book, Monk tends to solve two mysteries at once, switching back and forth until he lets loose with two climactic scenes in the last fifty pages. It’s not a formula, per se. It’s a template, and every mystery writer or TV writer uses one. Examine your favorite mystery series and you’ll see. It’s what keeps fans coming back, a feeling of familiarity, even when the plot is brand new.

Another problem; visual vs. literary. In the show, the clues we used were often visual. We even wrote them into the action lines, for the director’s benefit. Here is one, word for word: “A television plays in the bg, showing a clip of Darryl Grant breaking the home run record. The camera lingers on a man in the stands who catches the priceless ball. Not really lingers. We barely see his face. Forget I even mentioned it.” Obviously, you can’t do this in a book. You have to find other ways to sneak in your clues.

Tied in closely with this visual challenge is the subject of humor. On the screen Monk can shrug and it’s funny. Stottlemeyer can growl and do a slow burn five times a show and it works. But try ending a chapter with, “Monk did a funny little shrug and Captain Stottlemeyer growled in reply.” Okay, that’s not funny. In a novel, you have to rely on situations and dialogue, along with the voice of your narrator. It’s always a compromise to make Natalie funny but not too funny, and to keep Monk from being too talkative. Which brings me to my last point.

One of the most important differences between the show and the books is Monk’s voice. You may not have noticed, but on the show Monk isn’t a big talker. He rarely says more than two sentences in a speech, except when it comes to the solutions in Act Four where, for the sake of the viewer, he becomes practically verbose, going on for page after page and using flashbacks. Tony is an actor who does so much with his body and face that we didn’t have to give him a lot of lines. He didn’t want them. But it’s darn hard to get that kind of nuance across in a plot-driven mystery, at least the ones I write.

As a writing experience, creating a novel is rewarding in its own, very different way. You don’t have the comradery and collaboration of a TV show. Instead, you wind up having a very intense, private journey with your characters. You find them changing a little to suit your voice and your sense of humor. Luckily, I was one of people who contributed to Monk’s voice over the years, so I feel at home putting words in his mouth.

So far I’ve only written two of the Monk books: “Mr. Monk Helps Himself” and “Mr. Monk Gets On Board” (coming out in December). But my rhythm is to write them quickly, using a short outline and sitting at my keyboard seven days a week for two and a half months. I think the energy and desperation help the story. And I like having those voices in my head every day.

It’s like old times.

Mr Monk Helps Himself ~ HY Conrad

Mr Monk Helps Himself
by: HY Conrad
4 stars

Wolf Majick Reviews is happy to host Mr Monk Helps Himself as part of the Virtual Authors Book Tour. Being a huge fan of the TV show Monk I was excited to take part in this tour. Be sure to check back on the 21st for a guest post by HY Conrad where he talks about making the transition from TV show to books.

Summary:
An all-new original mystery starring Adrian Monk, the brilliant investigator who always knows when something’s out of place....

Now that Monk and Natalie are both in San Francisco again, life is almost back to normal for the duo, with one exception: Natalie is studying for her PI license, the last step to becoming Monk’s full partner.

Before taking the plunge, Natalie sneaks off to Half Moon Bay for a retreat run by Miranda Bigley, charismatic leader of the Best Possible Me self-help program, whose philosophy has helped Natalie deal with her recent life changes. But her plans for a relaxing weekend away are disrupted when Monk tracks her down, determined to rescue her from the “cult.” Their argument is cut short when Miranda, in full view of everyone, calmly walks to the edge of a cliff and jumps off.

Even though Miranda’s death looks like suicide—especially when it’s discovered that she was on the brink of financial disaster—

Natalie is sure it is murder. But Monk brushes her off to help the SFPD solve the murder of a clown, despite his coulrophobia, or fear of clowns—number ninety-nine on his list of one hundred phobias.

As Natalie and Monk begin their separate investigations, they 

are quickly caught up in many precarious situations, but if they want to figure out whodunit, they will have to find a way to 
become true partners…

My Take:

This was a fun and totally Monk novel. I felt like I was right back in my living room watching the story unfold. The characters were well done and true to what I remembered.It was nice to see the story through Natalie's eyes. Mr Monk was as fantastic and bizarre as ever. Which makes him all the more lovable. And Quirky, and I love Quirky.

The mystery itself was great having a smooth build giving the 
reader a fun storyline that you will not want to put down.

I can't wait for the next one.

Clockwork Princess ~ Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! all I can say is this one was unbelievable. This is the third installment in Clare's Infernal Devices series. The Prequel to The Mortal Instruments series.

summary: A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever.

As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain’s clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.


My Take:
 A friend from work got me into the Mortal instruments series but after I read City of Bones she said I should read this series first. Of course since I was already into one book of the Mortal Instruments I ignored her and finished that trilogy first. It actually took me more than a year to come back and start this series. First off I should say she was correct. I wish I had read this trilogy first.
Also I wish I had not looked at the inside of the cover before I finished the book, talk about spoilers. That aside I still thought the series was amazing. I flew through this last book in a day, and was left weeping like a small child through the last few chapters.
I loved the ending, which I will not spoil for you, it was just amazing. Leaving you both sad and completely happy all at once. This has made me even more pumped for the City of Bones Movie! If you have read the Mortal Instruments than you should consider this series required reading. I guess the novel was a little Steam Punk as well so even if your not into Shadowhunters and Demons all of the steampunk stuff is very cool.

Don't Let the Wind Catch you ~ Aaron Paul Lazar

Wolf Majick Reviews is happy to take part in int DOn't Let the Wind Catch You blog tour!

Release Day Facebook Event 

 8/15

Come Celebrate the Release of Don't Let The Wind Catch You by Aaron Paul Lazar Talk with Aaron and ask him questions about his book. Aaron will be doing contests and giveaways throughout the event of free E-books and Print Books Amazon of Don't Let The Wind Catch You.


 Summary: When young Gus LeGarde befriends a cranky old hermit in the woods who speaks to an Indian spirit, he wonders if the man is nuts. But when the ghostly Penni rattles tin cups, draws on dusty mirrors, and flips book pages, pestering him to find evidence to avenge her past, things change. What Gus doesn’t understand is why his mother hates Tully, until his relentless investigation uncovers a hint of scandal about Tully and Gus’s grandfather, Marlowe Wright. On horseback, Gus and his friends ride through woods overlooking Conesus Lake to Tully’s abandoned house, reportedly still infected with the Genesee Valley Fever from the 1700s. Unafraid, they enter and find shocking evidence that could rewrite history. Can Gus convince his mother to forgive Tully? And will the proof he found free Penni’s spirit? Gus summons courage beyond his years in this poignant and powerful telling of the summer of 1965.

My Take:
I was interested to read this once since I have reviewed one of Aaron Paul Lazar's novels in the past. I enjoy a mystery now and again so I was glad to have this one. Lazar has a smooth writing style that keeps the reader interested from page one. As a horse owner I enjoyed the young rider getting into trouble aspect of the novel. It honestly brought me back to days of trial riding, and sneaking where we didn't belong. Overall a fun read by a great author, be sure to check it out.

Some interesting info about the novel.

 • Bridges the gap between YA and adult ala Harry Potter
 • “Suspenseful, satisfying, well-crafted, mood-capturing, for both adults and children.”
• Will appeal to readers who crave adventure, who love horses, the sea, or the outdoors, and who may be curious/nostalgic about children’s lives in 1965.
 • Will appeal to teachers and parents who want to impart anti-bullying, anti-bigotry behavior; including compassion and acceptance in a thoughtful, sensitive manner.
• Will appeal to mystery buffs who loved the award-winning Tremolo: cry of the loon featuring Gus LeGarde in a prequel to the series in 1964.
• Showcases goodness, morality, understanding, acceptance, courage, persistence, and love.
• Readers can forget today’s furious Internet-driven scene and maybe evoke a few of their own comforting childhood memories and adventures
 • “Suspenseful, satisfying, well-crafted, mood-capturing, for both adults and children.”
• Will appeal to readers who crave adventure, who love horses, the sea, or the outdoors, and who may be curious/nostalgic about children’s lives in 1965.
• Will appeal to teachers and parents who want to impart anti-bullying, anti-bigotry behavior; including compassion and acceptance in a thoughtful, sensitive manner.
• Will appeal to mystery buffs who loved the award-winning Tremolo: cry of the loon featuring Gus LeGarde in a prequel to the series in 1964.
• Showcases goodness, morality, understanding, acceptance, courage, persistence, and love.
• Readers can forget today’s furious Internet-driven scene and maybe evoke a few of their own comforting childhood memories and adventures

Author BIO: Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. The author of three award-winning mystery series and more, Lazar enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys. Visit his website at lazarbooks.com and watch for his upcoming release from Twilight Times Books, SANCTUARY (2013).

 ONLINE LINKS: • Website http://www.lazarbooks.com • Blog http://www.aaronlazar.blogspot.com • Facebook Name: AaronPaulLazar • Twitter Name : @aplazar • Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/629566.Aaron_Paul_Lazar • Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Aaron-Paul-Lazar/e/B001JOZR2M/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 Giveaway code a Rafflecopter giveaway


 BUY NOW LINK: • Amazon • Barnes and Noble Button HTML Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Magic Rises ~ Ilona Andrews

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was smart this time around and preordered this one via Amazon so it arrived on its release date. Of course I forgot it was coming and was half way through two other novels so I had to wait a few days to start it but once I did, well you know.

Summary:

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

My take:

I have to say I love the Kate Daniels novels. Kate is a total bad ass but still so very human. She was wield a mean sword but she bleeds just like everyone else. This time around Kate is still living in the keep but hasn't learned much more about her own magic. She is trying to lay low and prepare herself for what she feels is the inevitable fight with Hugh. Suddenly Kate finds herself in a sticky situation she is unable to say no to.
Things are not always as they seem, especially when you are the daughter of the worlds most powerful magic user. If you have been following the series then there are some interesting twist in this installment. There are also a few tear jerking moments I will warn you about and of course it leaves you wanting more of Kate and the rest of the Pack.