Frightful Friday: The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Jenn

Frightful Friday is a weekly meme in which I feature a particularly scary or chilling book that I’ve read that week. Feel free to grab the button & join in!

This week’s Frightful Friday featured book is The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan:

  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Knopf (July 12, 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 0307595080
  • Source: Purchased from Book Depository

Jake is the last werewolf on earth.  In the two hundred years he’s existed, he has been through a great deal.  The fact he’s the sole survivor of his species depresses him to no end. He’s contemplated suicide; what sort of future does he have? He can’t procreate sexually (werewolves are sterile) and the werewolf curse is no longer passed through bites.

Jake spends his time sleeping with women he doesn’t love.  The concept of love is a word foreign to him; since he literally devoured the love of his life shortly after he became a werewolf, Jake actually pursues women he dislikes. There is safety in this; he will never fall for a woman again.

Jake is prepared to face his own mortality, ready to turn himself over to WOCOP (World Organization for the Control of Occult Phenomena). However, circumstances change and Jake left wanting to preserve his life, able to finally accept the monster he has become.

Told in a journal format, The Last Werewolf is not your average werewolf tale. It’s beyond a monster story, instead it truly captures one man’s evaluation of his soul, his life, his purpose for living. Jake goes through a dramatic transformation throughout the book, not just physical. He starts off as a monster who continues to punish himself for an action that occured centuries in the past. In the end, he’s a man, who just happens to be a monster, who wants to preserve his species.

Definitely more on the literary side of the spectrum, Duncan provides readers with a completely unique and innovative attempt at the werewolf tale. I wouldn’t recommend it for someone looking for your average werewolf story; Duncan’s attempt is much more of a contemplative, introspective look at a werewolf’s life.  Above all, despite previous marketing, I would not promote this as the “Twilight for adults.”

Bottom line: The Last Werewolf is more than just your typical werewolf story; it’s more an examination of  identity and ofaccepting what one has become.

Warning: violence, scenes of a sexual nature.

Posted in Frightful Friday, Horror, Knopf, Literary Fiction, Review | 7 Comments

Review: The End of Everything by Megan Abbott

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Jenn

  • Hardcover:256 pages
  • Publisher:Reagan Arthur Books (July 7, 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 0316097799
  • Source: Publisher

Lizzie Hood & Evie Verner, thirteen years old, are neighbors and best friends, inseparable.  Lizzie adores Evie’s family, including her father & older sister, Dusty. 

One day Evie goes missing; the last Lizzie saw her was at school.  Everyone comes to Evie for answers: Was Lizzie unhappy? Was someone watching her? The only thing Lizzie can recall is a maroon sedan Lizzie saw trailing them a few days prior.

After the police invesigation comes to a stand-still, Lizzie takes things into her own hands.  She begins to investigate her best friend’s life and ultimately wonders just how well she knew Lizzie.

I was inspired to read The End of Everything after Julie (Booking Mama) indicated that I would love it due to the creepy-factor.  When I had the opportunity to meet Meg while in NY for BEA, that sealed the deal. I had to read this book. Little did I know how “creepy” this book would be.

Lizzie & Evie are at an age during which they are discovering themselves: their identity, their sexuality, their individuality.  At this age, they are incredible sensitive to affection or attention from those outside their immediate family.  Unfortunately, Evie’s quest at self-discovery is horribly taken advantage of and distorted.

I wondered about how I would review this book.  It covers some pretty dark subjects, not ones I would often recommend for reading material.  Ultimately, I believe that it was Meg’s writing style, the way she was able to detail the story through the voice of a teenage girl, that really lead to the impact of this story. Lizzie began her story, somewhat naive to the world, ultimately growing & maturing by discovering the secrets her best friend had kept long hidden. These secrets, and their outcome, force Lizzie to deal with scenerios no child should have to deal with, especially at such a sensitive age.

While I wouldn’t recommend this book to the sensitive or weak of heart , this would make quite the book club discussion. Additionally, while the characters are teenagers, I would not recommend that a teen read this alone.  It does cover a topic youth should be cognizant of, but not without the ability to discuss it with an adult. 

The impact of this book is lasting; I continue to feel for the characters days after finishing the book. Highly recommended (with caution).

Posted in Little, Brown & Company, Reagan Arthur Books, Review, Thriller | 6 Comments

Review: Stiltsville by Susanna Daniel

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Jenn

  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (June 28, 2011)  
  • ISBN-10: 0061963089
  • Source: Publisher


    • It’s 1969.  Atlanta-native Frances Ellerby is in Miami for a college-friend’s wedding.  She meets Marse Heiger, a free-spirited Miami-native.  Marse has her eyes on the handsome  Dennis DuVals, yet within a matter of time it is Frances and Dennis that fall in love on the dock of a stilt house. 

    Frances leaves her Atlanta life behind and moves to Miami. Within a year she and Dennis marry, ultimately having a daughter, Margo.  They continue their life together in Coral Gables, experiencing the typical ups and downs of marriage.  Dennis, a lawyer, despises his job. He’s depressed, wants to do more with his life. Margo is forced to go back to work.  She, too, questions her life, coming close to ruining their marriage. It is when she finds herself, her true purpose in life, that she finally reaches the happiness she’s been searching for all her life.

    Stiltsville is a wonderfully endearing tale of Frances & Dennis’ life; how they, along with their friends, change over time. The author so vividly depicts the characters: they are genuine, make real-life decisions and mistakes. The reader witnesses these choices in their lives and how it affects their future.

    Frances evolves from a young, naive girl into a strong, supportive mother.  Margo, at an early age, was intellectually superior to classmates her age.  After much debate, she advanced a grade at school. She was now in a class of students older than her, experiencing things she had yet to understand. Frances ensures that Margo learn from her mistakes and challenges just as she did, but maintaining her individuality is the core lesson she hopes Margo learns. After a particularly trying experience at a sleepover, Frances gives her daughter the following advice:

    ….no one should have the power to make her feel bad or ugly or embarrased, that she was the one to decide who could hurt her feelings and who could not.  I was just filling the air, of course; she knew well enough that this wasn’t true.  I hoped, however, that at some point she’d learn what is true: that although we like to believe we are our own islands, capable of protecting ourselves as well as sheltering and welcoming others, this i snever really the case.  Still, we must behave as if it is, and hope we can withstand the wills of other people more often than we cannot.

    I’m not ashamed to admit that I never thought I would fall for this book and its characters as much as I did. The book ends in 1993 and in this span of time, I bonded with the characters. I cheered their successes, I criticized them for some of their decisions.  By the end of the book, I was bawling.  Not the quiet crying that you can do without anyone noticing, but the chest-heaving sobs. Don’t let this lead you to believe this is a sad or depressing book, I not only cried for the characters losses but for what they gained in life as well.

    Daniel holds nothing back when she discusses Frances and Dennis’ marriage. She tells it how it is, doesn’t sugar coat any of the issues or problems that married couples face. Oftentimes in fiction, authors try to make marriage sound too unrealistic: marriage isn’t always happiness and love.  Arguments happen, feelings change. Frances & Dennis’ marriage was full of mistakes and challenges.  Daniel’s genuine depiction of adulthood, parenthood, friendship, and marriage is what made this book.  It is genuine, true-to-life, and without a doubt explains why I enjoyed it so much. 

    Several subplots and topics appear in this book, making it the perfect book club choice.  The gorgeous Florida setting would make it a perfect summer read as well.  Highly recommended.

    Thank you to TLC Book Tours for giving me the opportunity to participate in this tour.  You can connect with the author on her website, on Facebook, on Twitter.

    Please be sure to check out the other stops in this tour:

    Tuesday, June 28th: The Lost Entwife
    Wednesday, June 29th: BookNAround
    Thursday, June 30th: Life In Review
    Tuesday, July 5th: As I turn the pages
    Monday, July 11th: Colloquium
    Tuesday, July 12th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
    Wednesday, July 13th: Books Like Breathing
    Tuesday, July 19th: StephTheBookworm
    Wednesday, July 20th: Crazy for Books

    Posted in General Fiction, Harper Perennial, Review, Women's Fiction | 7 Comments

    Review: You’re Next by Gregg Hurwitz

    Posted on July 5, 2011 by Jenn

  • Hardcover: 416 pages
  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Press; First Edition edition (July 5, 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 0312534914
  • Source: Publisher


    • Then: Michael Wingate was abandoned at the age of four by his father.  His only memories consist of seeing his father covered in blood and the park where his father left him.  He promised he returned, that promise was broken.

    Now: Mike is happily married with a wonderful wife and an eight-year-old daughter.  His construction company has just finished work on a “green” housing development, a venture that will guarantee his family’s financial security. But when he discovers the project wasn’t as green as promised, Mike’s future is at risk. 

    Simultaneously, Mike begins to get harrased by some pretty unsavory people.  Initially, he believes it is all tied to his company. Soon, however, he realizes it’s all tied to his past, a past he can’t remember.  When he reports the attacks to the police, they seem more interested in investigating him than protecting him. Ultimately, he must call upon Shep, Mike’s only friend from his foster-care days, to help protect his family.  Without the help of the authorities, no one is safe; Mike must do the unthinkable, repeating history, to keep his family safe.

    You’re Next is one of those books for which you abandon all your free time. Don’t think about starting the book and expect to stop midway.  The characters & unpredictable storyline grab you from the beginning. You can’t help but feel for Mike; a former foster-child, just trying to provide for his family now that he’s an adult.  He has quite the interesting past, making the reader assume that his adolescent behavior is responsible for the trauma his family is experiencing now. However, when the truth is revealed, it is completely and totally unexpected.

    Hurwitz does a tremendous job of illiciting fear & terror in the reader as well.  I’m not one to scare easily, but I found myself checking the doors & windows to make sure they were locked, turning off my cell phone for fear of terrorizing text messages.  Hurwitz did what many authors are unable to do: terrify me! Highly recommended!

    Posted in Mystery/Suspense, Review, St. Martin's Press, Thriller | 4 Comments

    It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week?

    Posted on July 4, 2011 by Jenn

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    It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week? This is a weekly event to list the books completed last week, the books currently being reading, and the books to be finish this week. It was created by J.Kaye’s Book Blog, but is now being hosted by Sheila from One Person’s Journey Through a World of  Books so stop by and join in!

    Books Completed Last Week

    Centuries of June by Keith Donohue (review)
    The Art of Saying Goodbye by Ellyn Bache(review)
    The Last Werewolfby Glen Duncan
    You’re Next by Gregg Hurwitz

    Currently Reading

    A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin (audio)
    The End of Everythingby Megan Abbott
    Stiltsville by Susanna Daniel

    Books to Complete This Week

    The Fund by H.T. Narea
    The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield

    What are you reading this week?

    Posted in It's Monday What Are you Reading This Week | 9 Comments

    Frightful Friday: Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson

    Posted on July 1, 2011 by Jenn

    Frightful Friday is a weekly meme in which I feature a particularly scary or chilling book that I’ve read that week. Feel free to grab the button & join in!

    This week’s Frightful Friday read is Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson:

  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Doubleday (June 7, 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 0385533853
  • Source: Publisher

    •  

    People should know that, at first, the enemy looked like everyday stuff: cars, buildings, phones. Then later, when they started designing themselves, Rob looked familiar but distorted, like people and animals from some other universe, built by some other god.

    In a not too distant future, the world is at war with robots. By this time, human beings have manipulated robots to suit their needs: they are now servants in our homes, maintain & run smart buildings, control the steering in cars. But one day, they begin to think on their own. 

    It begins when Archos, a “super” robot contained within a lab, is awakened by a scientist, Nicholas Wasserman.  This is Wasserman’s fourteenth attempt to awaken Archos; each time he does so, Archos states that he is the rarest of miracles.  To preserve Earth, he must destroy mankind. Due to an oversight on Wasserman’s part, Archos is able to permeate the constraints of the lab and goes live. Led by Archos, the “leader” of the robot uprising, robots, also known as “Robs”, begin communicating.  They rise up and join forces to annihilate human kind. The uprisal is small at first, robots not following orders, smart toys coming to life, attacking their human “masters.”  At Zero hour, they all attack. Cars begin attacking people.  Planes fall from the sky.

    All over the country, small bands of survivors rise up and destroy their cities in order to save them.  Robs are unable to climb over or through demolished buildings or debris, so they begin blowing up buildings, starting fires, etc.  However, it is the actions of one little girl with a unique “talent” that ultimately saves the world.

    The actual possibility that something similar to this could happen really adds to the terror the book elicits.  Think of all the computers we use or have access to on a regular basis.  The computer you are reading this review from, the iPhone you make your calls on.  The GPS embedded in the dashboard of your car.  Imagine of all of those things joined forces, out to destroy the human race? Wilson’s expertise in robotics really creates a level of believability in what would initially appear to be impossible.

    At the surface, Robopocalypse may appear like any other “robots take over the world” scenario. However, Wilson’s attempt at this reoccurring story is unique.  The book is broken up into testimonies of victims of the attack; some survive, others do not.  The characters are genuine, the reader begins to have hope for their survival. Ultimately, while it is a story of a robot apocalypse, it is also a story of human survival, hope, and perseverance.

    Fans of science fiction, horror, sci-fi and action will be sure to enjoy this impressive novel. Highly recommended.

    Posted in Doubleday, Frightful Friday, Mystery/Suspense, Review, Science Fiction, Thriller | 9 Comments

    Review: The Art of Saying Goodbye by Ellyn Bache

    Posted on June 30, 2011 by Jenn


    • Paperback: 352 pages
    • Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Original edition (June 7, 2011)
    • ISBN-10: 0062033689
    • Source: Publisher

    The women of Brightwood Trace are all vastly different, yet despite these differences they have quite the close friendship.  When Paisley, their “leader” becomes ill, they are each forced to deal with the reality of what their life will be like when she is gone.

    Julianne, a nurse, has a unique ability to uncover illnesses in her patients.  She was the one who suspected something was wrong, detecting the illness in Paisley.

    Andrea has a strong shell, but it’s really just a guise for the weak core beneath.

    Ginger has always been a stay-at-home mother; she is now torn between staying at home with her children or pursuing her long-buried career aspirations.

    Iona is the oldest member of the group. A strong, no-nonsense woman, she was always sort of the outcast of the group.

    When Paisley falls ill, each of these women have a different way of dealing will her illness. It’s hard to see such a strong woman so weak.  They all do what’s typical to do what it’s expected to do when someone is ill; they bring endless amounts of food.  But they don’t do what Paisley really wants or needs.  They don’t visit, they don’t sit down and talk to her.  Not all of them, at least.

    Rather than become despondent due to her illness, Paisley becomes hopeful; hopeful for the people her closest friends an become should they put the effort into it.  She had some of the best advice for her friends when faced with a challenge:

    “You’re always amazed what you’re capable of.  You swallow the lump in your throat, bite back the heart-pounding fear of discovery.  If the rush of blood in your ears makes it impossible to hear what you’re saying, you talk all the same. You smile and more forward. You don’t retreat.”

    The Art of Saying Goodbye is not a dark, depressing tale of death, it’s an uplifting story of hope.  Paisley didn’t always live her life the way she wanted, so now she hopes her friends will live the life she never led.

    Bache did an outstanding job of developing and portraying the characters in The Art of Saying Goodbye. Within the first several chapters, I felt as though they were people I knew, friendships I had.

    The characters each get a voice through alternating chapters. This allows the reader to really experience each of the women first-hand, getting honest and accurate access to their true feelings.

    The emotions her writing elicits are strong; I went from laughing to yelling to sobbing.  Don’t get me wrong, it is a sad book but by the end I felt almost rejuvenated, my heart warm.

    This is a book that should be discussed among friends.  We all know people like the characters in this book, facing the challenges they face.  A perfect book club selection, not light, not heavy, but full of discussion-worthy topics. Highly recommended.

    Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me the opportunity to participate in this tour.  Please be sure to check out the other stops:

    Tuesday, June 14th: Reviews from the Heart
    Monday, June 20th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
    Wednesday, June 22nd: Bookstack
    Monday, June 27th: StephTheBookworm
    Tuesday, June 28th: I’m Booking It
    Wednesday, June 29th: Crazy for Books
    Tuesday, July 5th: A Cozy Reader’s Corner
    Wednesday, July 6th: 2 Kids and Tired Book Reviews

    Posted in General Fiction, Review, William Morrow, Women's Fiction | 4 Comments

    Guest Post: The Power of the Community

    Posted on June 29, 2011 by Jenn

    Today I’m pleased to welcome Dana Kaye, Independent Book Publicist.  I’ve worked with Dana in her role as a publicist for a while now. She’s passionate about her work and one of her biggest strengths: She “gets” readers.  When she approached me about posting about Book Country, one of her most recent passions, I couldn’t say no!

     

    The Power of the Community 

    I received my degree in fiction writing from Columbia College Chicago, so I spent my college years surrounded by writers. I sat in semi-circles critiquing stories, I went to readings at bars and coffee houses, and I attended panels and seminars about the world of writing and publishing.

    After college, I continue to be a part of the local literary community. I never struggle to find someone to read my work, I frequently have opportunities to read at bars and coffee houses, and there are plenty of publishing professionals to talk shop with.

    But I’m lucky, and I realize not everyone else is.

    In April I started working with Book Country, a website dedicated to genre fiction. Users are able to upload their works in progress and obtain peer feedback. They also review other writers’ work in categories of plot, character, and overall story. Finally, writers around the world can have a critique group and writing community, regardless of their location.

    The other unique feature that drew me to Book Country was the genre map. How many of you have heard the term “steampunk” but don’t know what it is? Or if you’re an author, have you told people what your book is about, thinking it was historical or romance, only to find out it was suspense? The genre map allows users to accurately categorize their work, and discover books similar to theirs.

    As a reader, I don’t love all types of mysteries and there’s a very narrow margin of romance novels I enjoy. The detailed genre map allows users to place their book, not just in the romance category, but to gauge it by “funny or sexy”, “dark or light”.

    But being a professional writer isn’t just about reading and writing; it’s about publishing. Book Country features an “Industry” tab where agents, editors, and other publishing professionals post articles and tips. The information I obtained in those college seminars is now available to everyone, all over the world , with one click of the button.

    So if you’re an aspiring author or a reader who enjoys discovering new writers and helping them on their journey, I encourage you to check out Book Country. Being a part of a community is extremely important, and now, you don’t have to leave your house to find one.

    Visit www.BookCountry.com

    Check out all the bells and whistles of the site with this introductory video demonstration:

    Dana Kaye is an independent book publicist and owner of Kaye Publicity.

    Posted in Bookish Chatter | 2 Comments

    Review: Centuries of June by Keith Donohue

    Posted on June 28, 2011 by Jenn

  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Crown (May 31, 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 0307450287
  • Source: Publisher

    •  

    Jack awakens on his bathroom floor, amid all the grit and grime found on the average bathroom floor.  Unsure of how he got there, he soon discovers a decent-sized hole in the back of his head, his body covered in blood. He assumes he slipped on the floor, or even more likely, tripped over his cat, Harpo, striking his head on the sink or the bathtub.

    Before he can remove himself from the bathroom, Jack is joined by an elderly gentleman, initally assuming it is his father. The man asks him to recollect what happened the evening before. The old man states that he saw eight sets of feet in Jack’s bed.  But before Jack can look for himself, a woman appears in his bathroom.

    Her name is Dollly and she begins telling Jack & the old man a story about a young Native American woman, Yeikoo.shk, who marries a man that can transform into a bear.  Several woman follow Dolly’s lead, each telling a story woven from folklore, mythology, and history, including the Salem witch trials. One-by-one, each of the eight women his bed reveal a story, all linking to a similar theme.  Jack sees a familiar resemblance in each of the women, but it isn’t until the last woman appears that the really meaning behind their visits are revealed.  Each woman is unique, each wielding a different weapon, attempting to kill Jack.

    Set quite literally on the floor of Jack’s bathroom, Centuries of June takes the reader on an extremely detailed journey through history, each woman is a vehicle for another story.  Their stories border on the impossible & unbelievable, but all are about women who face horrible wrongs or betrayal, at the hands of men. Donohue tells each of their stories in a unique way I’ve never witnessed in fiction.

    While it carries the same mythical and fantastical overtone as Donohue’s other books, Centuries of June is a tremendously bold move in my opinion. Donohue intricately weaves together multiple genres, including mystical realism and suspense, genres not normally molded together. The result: a tremendous piece of literary fiction.  Centuries of June isn’t a book that lays everything out at face-value. Instead, the reader must delve into the text, truly embrace the writing, before truly getting to the root of the story. Readers who want everything laid out for them in black & white won’t be thrilled with this method, but those who dare to take the plunge will reap the benefits!

    Highly, highly recommended!

    Be sure to check out Keith on his website, on Facebook, and on Twitter!

    Check out the hilarious video Donohue created, attempting to show ways to mask the “controversial” cover of Centuries of June:

    Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me the opportunity to participate in this tour! Be sure to check out the other stops on this tour:

    Monday, June 20th:  The Whimsical Cottage
    Thursday, June 23rd:  Reflections of a Bookaholic
    Monday, June 27th:  In the Next Room
    Wednesday, June 29th:  Simply Stacie
    Tuesday, July 5th:  Booksnob
    Thursday, July 7th:  Unabridged Chick
    Monday, July 11th:  Books Distilled
    Tuesday, July 12th:  S. Krishna’s Books
    Wednesday, July 13th:  Man of La Book
    Thursday,  July 14th:  Books Like Breathing
    Friday, July 15th:  Jen’s Book Thoughts
    Monday, July 18th:  A Chick Who Reads
    Tuesday, July 19th:  Drey’s Library
    Wednesday, July 20th:  Fyrefly’s Book Blog
    Thursday, July 21st:  Wordsmithonia
    Friday, July 22nd:  Sara’s Organized Chaos
    Monday, July 25th:  Bloggin’ ’bout Books

    Posted in Crown Publishers, Literary Fiction, Mystery/Suspense, Review | 6 Comments

    It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week?

    Posted on June 27, 2011 by Jenn

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    It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week? This is a weekly event to list the books completed last week, the books currently being reading, and the books to be finish this week. It was created by J.Kaye’s Book Blog, but is now being hosted by Sheila from One Person’s Journey Through a World of  Books so stop by and join in!

    Books Completed Last Week

    212 by Alafair Burke
    The Story of Beautiful Girl     by Rachel Simon (audio)
    Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
    Centuries of June by Keith Donohue


     Currently Reading

    The Art of Saying Goodbye by by Ellyn Bache
    A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

     

     

    Books to Complete This Week
     
    The Map of Time by by Felix J Palma
    You’re Next by Gregg Hurwitz

    What are you reading this week?

    Posted in It's Monday What Are you Reading This Week | 6 Comments