Review: Tarnished ~ by Karina Cooper

It’s release day for Tarnished (The St. Croix Chronicles) ~ by Karina Cooper!  And we have a review by Shellie for the book.

It’s a page-turning, action-packed steampunk murder mystery with even steamier romantic elements. It has a feisty lead character so it’s a perfect read for the fans of Gail Carriger – only it’s a bit darker.

About:  Petite and feisty redheaded Cherry St. Croix is a bit tarnished. Orphaned at an early age, she is from an upper class family and lives comfortably with a variety of servants in her estate home - albeit as a ward to a never-present male benefactor, since women from this alternative Victorian period cannot own and are considered property. Darker still is that she is addicted to laudanum or opium depending on which is closer at hand; and she is a collector – a hired bounty woman who tracks down the wanted.

As she travels the polluted and sooty underworld of this different sort of London, she is asked to “collect’ a “ripper” who is killing local “sweets” (the most beautiful and desirable prostitutes) and taking their body parts for goodness knows what. It’s in the process of finding this insidious killer that she discovers darker things about her past; and sidesteps two romantic entanglements.

Thoughts:  I really liked Cherry, the intelligent, tainted and strong main character who denies the existence of magic and only believes in science. It was also appealing that she is adamant about not wanting to get married, contrary to proper behavior for the time.

Although I really dislike comparing newer novels to wildly popular ones, I would say that this historical-ish novel felt quite similar to Gail Carriger’s Soulless, which I really enjoyed - although Tarnished is darker, less humorous, and has a more realistic setting than Carriger’s books. But like Soulless it includes science and gadgets, along with Victorian fashion and propriety, so it’s a genre-blender mystery story like Soulless.

My only niggle was that I had a slight problem getting into the author’s writing style at first. But I found it became easier after several chapters. And once I did I was completely hooked. I also want to mention that this first book is a cliff hanger, but what better way of starting off a series since it definitely created a desire to read the next in the series, even if I now have to wait.

Highly recommended for those interested in steampunk, historical romance, urban fantasy, murder mysteries, and especially for those who like strong female leads. It’s a 3.5 star read for me. I can’t wait for the second in the series.

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Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages; Avon; June 26, 2012.

For more about Karina Cooper author of Tarnished, visit her website: http://www.karinacooper.com/

Thanks for reading.

The Basics Challenge ~ books read

The Basics Challenge ~ books read list.

What is it?  A personal project located at The Basics Challenge site, where I (Shellie) explore Speculative Fiction (Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror) and where YOU can explore any genre(s) you wish!

It’s a “perpetual” 100 book challenge, with a 25% forgiveness rate, and a five year time limit. The plan is to prevent a story writer from “re-inventing the wheel”, or to help a reader to be more knowledgeable within the area of their interest(s). It’s a challenge that is open to anyone who cares to join. Let me know in the comments if it’s something you would like to do.

Titles link to Shellie’s review for each book.

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2012

1. A Long Long Sleep ~ by Anna Sheehan (YA – dystopian)
2. Darkfever; Bloodfever; and Faefever ~ by Karen Marie Moning (review coming) (paranormal romance)
3. Jamrach’s Menagerie ~ Carol Birch (review coming) (literary w/paranormal elements)
4. Other Kingdoms ~ by Richard Matheson (review coming) (historical fantasy)
5. Oryx and Crake ~ by Margaret Atwood (review coming) (sci fi)
6. The First Days (As the World Dies #1) ~ by Rhiannon Frater (horror)
7. The Whisperer ~ by Donato Carrisi (paranormal crime)
8. “The Women of Nell Gwynne’s” ~ by Kage Baker (steam punk)

2011

1. Blue ~ Lou Aronica (modern fantasy)
2. Changeling Moon ~ by Dani Harper (paranormal romance)
3. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver  (YA – dystopian)
4. Eddie - The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe ~ written and illustrated by Scott Gustafson (YA – historical paranormal)
5. Electric Ant ~ by Philip K. Dick (adapted by David Mack; illustrated by Pascal Aline) (sci fi – graphic novel)
6. Feed (audio) ~ by M. T. Anderson (YA – dystopian)
7. Galore ~ by Michael Crummey (historical paranormal)
8. In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination (Audio) ~ by Margaret Atwood (sci fi – non fiction)
9. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (in audio) ~ by Susanna Clarke (historical fantasy)
10. Kafka on the Shore ~ by Haruki Marakami (modern fantasy)
11. Nebula Awards Showcase 2011 ~ edited by Kevin J. Anderson (collection) 
12. Possession ~ by A.S. Byatt (in audio) (historical – literary)
13. Promises to Keep ~ by Charles De Lint (urban fantasy)
14. Shadow Bound ~ by Erin Kellison (paranormal romance)
15. Spellwright (Spellwright, #1) ~ by Blake Charlton (epic fantasy)
16. The Afflicted Girls ~ by Susy Witten (historical horror)
17. The Conference of the Birds ~ by Peter Sis (fable)
18. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making ~ by Catherynne M. Valente (YA – fantasy)
19. The Hermetica of Elysium ~ by Annmarie Banks (historical fantasy)
20. The Hobbit ~ by J.R.R. Tolkien; adapted by David Wenzel (epic fantasy – graphic novel)
21. The Oracle of Stamboul ~ by Michael David Lukas (literary – magical realism) 
22. The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus (in audio) ~ by Margaret Atwood (myhology – retelling)
23. The Picture of Dorian Gray (in audio) ~ by Oscar Wilde; read by Simon Vance (classic horror)
24. The Sandman - The Dream Hunters ~ by Neil Gaiman; illustrated by Yoshitak Amano (fable – graphic novel)
25. The Uncertain Places ~ by Lisa Goldstein (urban fant)
26. Those Across the River (audio) ~ by Christopher Buehlman (horror)
27. Trouble and Her Friends ~ by Melissa Scott (sci fi – lgbt)
28. Warm Bodies ~ by Isaac Marion (literary horror)
29. Willy ~ by Robert Dunbar (literary horror)
30. Wither (Chemical Garden Trilogy # 1) ~ by Lauren DeStefano (YA – dystopian)
31. Wuthering Heights ~ by Emily Brontë  (classic paranormal)

2009 ~ 2010

1. Alone ~ by Marissa Farrar (vamp horror/uf)
2. Cursed ~ by Jeremy Shipp (horror- bizarro)
3. Dracula ~ by Bram Stoker
4. Haunted Legends ~ edited by Datlow and Mamatas
5. Hothouse Flower ~ by Margot Berwin (magical realism)
6. Inside Out ~ by Maria Snyder (young adult – girls science fiction)
7. Keeper ~ by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
8. Life As We Knew It (#1) and 
9. This World We Live In (#2)
10. The Dead and The Gone (#3) ~ by Susan Beth (all linked here in one post) – (apocalyptic, young adult)
11. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares
12. One Bloody Thing After Another ~ by Joey Comeau (lgbt horror)
13. Our Tragic Universe ~ Scarlett Thomas
14. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card
15. Post-Human ~ by David Simpson (sci fi)
16. RELEASE ~ by Nicole Hadaway – (horror, vampire)
17. Soulless ~ by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy, steam punk, vampire, werewolf)
18. Tender Morsels ~ by Margo Lanagan – (dark fantasy, fairytale retelling )
19. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
20. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
21. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
22. The Magic Warble ~ by Victoria Simcox (children’s fantasy)
23. The Metamorphosis ~ by Frank Kafka (horror, classic, literature)
24. The Passage ~ by Justin Cronin (horror)
25. The Reincarnationist;
26. The Memorist;
27. and The Hypnotist ~ by MJ Rose (all three books in one post) (paranormal)
28. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight ~ by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
29. The Song of The Whale ~ by Uri Orlev (fant/myth)
30. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore (horror, humor, zombie)
31. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
32. The Things That Keep Us Here ~ by Carla Buckley (adult apocalyptic)
33. The Unit ~ by Ninni Holmqvist (dystopian sci fi)

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For a total of 74 books read in a less than a 3 year period. I have 26 more books to read to reach my 100 goal.

This list will be updated periodically and accessible via the tabs at the top of the blog.

Here’s to hoping that lists of books don’t bore you to pieces cause I have a few more coming up. I am still playing catch-up for our “real-life event” filled 2011. Not the best year, but what can one do? “Have a cup of tea, and get on with it!” as the English say.

Thanks for reading.

Challenge List ~ 2011

 

2011 Challenge List ~ is a page to keep track of current challenges. It will also include links to our book reviews which will be updated periodically.

Clicking on the challenge host badges will lead you to our original challenge announcement page, where you can find a bit more info then link to the host site.

2011 Challenges

Read A Myth Challenge  ~  January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.  Challenge site review page link. 

Level 4 Ogma: The God of all Myths. 8 books to cover more than 3 different countries, and at least 1 non-fiction book.

1. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver (Shellie)

(links up to date)

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LGBT Book Challenge 2011 ~ from January, 1st  to December, 31st 2011.

Goal ~ We read so many different types of books that many will over lap into this category, so as many as we can!

Shellie:

1. Possession ~ A. S. Byatt
2. Willy ~ Robert Dunbar

 

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Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge 2011 ~  Hajime - Read one book. Shellie - hope to read more.

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2011 Eastern-Europe Reading Challenge ~ Regions:  Choose titles about or by an author from any of the following regions:  Croatia, Ukraine, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Hungary, Belarus, Estonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Czech Rep., Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Romania, Moldova, and Kosovo.

Goal ~ tourist:  4 books over 12 months

The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas (?)

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Graphics Novel Challenge 2011 ~ January 1, 2011 and ends December 31, 2011.

Goal ~  We will be doing the beginner level 3 books each.

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2011 Book Bucket Reading Challenge ~ Make a list of any number of books that are in your bucket - books from on your shelf. 

Goal ~  10 books currently sitting on my shelves to read by the end of December 31, 2011.

The Afflicted Girls – Suzy Witten  (links needed)

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War Through The Generations ~ US Civil War 2011 is from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011. 

Goal ~ Dip: Read 3-5 books

1. The Killer Angels ~ by Michael Shaara (JD)
2. The March ~ EL Doctorow (JD)

(links up to date)

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Chivalrous Deeds: Historical Fiction Challenge 2011 ~ from 1 January 2011 and finish on 31 December 2011. 

You can visit any court from any point in history as long as the book you are reading is Historical Fiction.  Review post link.

The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas (Shellie)

(links up to date)

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Historical Tour de Genre Reading Challenge ~  January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Goals:  Read 6 books with at least one book from each category or sub 2 with Alternatives:  GLBT – Fantasy  - Western – Paranormal - True Crime. 

Categories:

1. Historical ~ Mystery, Whodunnit, Gas-Lit Century, Victorian
2. Historical Horror
3. Historical Romance/Regency: England or European continent
4. Historical Young Adult ~ ages 14 to 21 yrs
5. Historical Plantation ~ life on a plantation/setting
6. Historical Thriller

Alternatives: GLBT – Fantasy - Western – Paranormal - True Crime.

John:

• The Killer Angels ~ by Michael Shaara (JD)
• The March ~ EL Doctorow (JD) 

Shellie:

• The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas (fantasy -Shellie)
• The Afflicted Girls – Susy Witten (historical horror - Shellie)
• Wuthering Heights ~ Emily Bronte (Historical Romance/Horror/Victorian)
• Possession ~ A. S. Byatt (Historical Romance – England/Mystery/Victorian)

 

(need to add link updated on Goodreads group)

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2011 Global Reading Challenge: The Easy Challenge: (8 books) ~ Read one novel from each of these continents in the course of 2011.

 

1. Africa
2. Asia ~ (Tibet/China, Japan, Middle East, India/Pakistan) – finished by JD and Shellie
3. Australasia ~ Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Islands – finished by JD 
4. Europe ~ (Eastern, Western, UK/Ire, Nordic, Mediterranean) - finished by JD x 3 and Shellie
5. North America ~ (Canada, Native American, CA – the United States) - finished by JD x 2 and Shellie x 3
6. South America ~ includes Mexico and Central America 
7. The Seventh Continent ~ Antarctica or a ´seventh´ setting, eg the sea, the space, a supernatural/paranormal world, history, the future (Arctic)  - finished by JD and Shellie
8. From your own continent ~  John (UK/Ire) and Shellie (CA and North America) finished by JD x 3 and Shellie x 2

John:

1. Seven Years in Tibet ~ by Heinrich Harrer (Asia #2)
2. The Healers ~ by Thomas Heric (Australasia #3)
3. Beware of the Dog ~ by Brian Moore (Europe #4; #8)
4. Mr. Toppit ~ by Charles Elton (Europe #4; #8)
5. Life ~ by Keith Richards (Europe #4; #8)
6. The Killer Angels ~ by Michael Shaara (North America #5)
7. The March ~ EL Doctorow (North America #5)

Shellie:

1. The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas ( Asia #2)
2. Enough About Love ~ by Hervé Le Tellier (Europe #4)
3. Wuthering Heights ~ Emily Bronte (#4)
4. Possession ~ A. S. Byatt (#4)
5. Bury Your Dead ~ Louise Penny (#5; #8)
6. Willy ~ Robert Dunbar (#5; #8)
7. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making ~ by Catherynne M. Valente (#7)

Both need Africa and South America – Shellie needs Australasia

 

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Get Steampunked! We have chosen the level Geared ~ 5 books to read.  review page, completion page

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Dystopia Challenge ~ 2011:  Asocial with  5 books to read. review page, completion page

1. Wither ~ Lauren DeStefano (Shellie)
2. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver (Shellie)
3. The Healers  ~ by Thomas Heric (JD)

(links up to date)

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42 Challenge 2011 ~ (January 1, 2011 till  December 3, 2011)  read, watch, listen, and (possibly) review 42 sci-fi related items.

1. Wither ~ Lauren DeStefano (Shellie)
2. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver (Shellie)
3. Home Fires ~ Gene Wolfe (JD)
4. WWW: Wake ~ by Robert J. Sawyer (JD)
5. The Healers ~ by Thomas Heric (JD)

  (links needed)

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Mind Voyages 2011 ~  From January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011

Pluto Voyage:   Mix it up, choose the number of books you want to read from each voyage, include some new books you pick up along the way and enjoy the ride.

WWW: Wake ~ by Robert J. Sawyer (JD)

(links needed)

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Continuing Challenges from 2010

Understand My Sorrow: Rules - Four (4) books, one nonfiction,  with one each for Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder,  and OCD

2010

1. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone (depression)
2. Then Came Evening ~  Brian Hart (ptsd/drepression)
3. Our Tragic Universe ~ Scarlett Thomas (depression/ocd)
4. In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua (depression)
5. The Principles of Uncertainty ~ Maira Kalman (depression)

(links needed)

Five books down ~ more to come  - Mr. Linky review link – (not working 3/24)

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Steampunk Challenge ~ October 2010 to October 2011. Link for Steampunk reviews.

2010

1. Voltaire’s Calligrapher ~ by Pablo De Santis
2. “Sun of Suns”: From Virga: Cities of the Air ~ by Karl Schroeder
3. Hawkmoon: The Sword of the Dawn ~ by Michael Moorcock
4. The Half-Made World ~ by Felix Gilman

(links up to date)

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Continuing Perpetual ~  Five Year Challenges (Shellie only)

The Basics Challenge – Exploring Speculative Fiction: A personal project located at The Basics Challenge site. It is a 100 book challenge (with a 25% forgiveness rate.)

2011

1. The Oracle of Stamboul ~ Michael David Lukas (magical realism)
2. Wither ~ Lauren DeStefano (Shellie)
3. Blue ~ Lou Aronica
4. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver (dystopian)

2009 ~ 2010

1. The Things That Keep Us Here - Carla Buckley (adult apocalyptic)
2. The Magic Warble – Victoria Simcox (children’s fantasy)
3. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway – (horror, vampire)
4. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan – (dark fantasy, fairytale retelling )
5. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy, steam punk, vampire, werewolf)
6. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka (horror, classic, literature)
7. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore (horror, humor, zombie)
8. Life As We Knew It
9. The Dead and The Gone
10. This World We Live In (all linked here in one post) – (apocalyptic, young adult)
11. Inside Out by Maria Snyder (young adult – girls science fiction)
12. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp (horror- bizarro)
13. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
14. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
15. The Song of The Whale by Uri Orlev (fant/myth)
16. Post-Human by David Simpson (sci fi)
17. The Passage by Justin Cronin (horror)
18. Alone by Marissa Farrar (vamp horror/uf)
19. One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau (lgbt horror)
20. The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose (all three are in one post) - (paranormal)
21. The Memorist
22. The Hypnostist
23. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist (dystopian sci fi)
24. Hothouse Flower by Margot Berwin (magical realism)
25. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
26. Haunted Legends ~ edited by Datlow and Mamatas
27. Dracula by Bram Stoker
28. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares
29. Our Tragic Universe ~ Scarlett Thomas
30. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
31. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
32. Buddha’s Orphans: a novel ~  by Samrat Upadhyay 
33. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
34. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card

38 completed, 64 more to go 

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Fill in the Gaps - This is a 100 book challenge which includes classics or books that already exist on your shelves.

1. Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury (read - review link)
2. Something Wicked this way Comes - Ray Bradbury (complete - review link)
3. The Road - Cormac McCarthy (complete - review link)
4. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley 
5. The Metamorphosis - by Frank Kafka
6. Dracula by Bram Stoker
7. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (abandoned)
9. Lolita ~ by Vladimir Nabokov
10. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie ~ by Alan Bradley

10 completed, 1 abandoned - 64 to go (reviews coming on two)

Links to review site.

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• Completed Challenge List 2010
• 2009 Completed Challenge Link list

Yes, I do admit I am a bit of a nut, which is why I created the different sort of nut badge on the top of the post. I am sure we will be adding a few more just to complicate things a bit. Ah the tangled webs we weave…. who is that by?

If your not a book blogger and are surprised by this list you should see the real nuts. And if you are a book blogger you know who you are!  lol….. Let the reading begin!

Steampunk Challenge ~ October 2010 to 2011

 

Steampunk Challenge ~ Hosted by The Bookkeeper

(badge links to the beginning challenge page)

Steampunk is hot and it’s getting hotter. It’s growing into a subculture within literature, music, art, fashion and more.

What's great about this particular genre is that it expands into so many areas. You can read sci fi steampunk, romance steampunk,  and young adult steam punk. I have even seen erotic literature with the label and a dating sites which cater to those who love the genre.

So join the fun and see what all the fuss is about.

About:  This challenge runs from October 2010 to October 2011 - so we are a month into this one. However there are no obligations other than to have fun discovering a genre and let other participants know about what you find.

The below links are from the site which has 63 participants to date and you do not need a blog.

• Steampunk reading recommendations
• Steampunk reviews
• Steampunk challenge participants

Steampunk Flash Fiction Writing Contest – which is going on now till November 28th.

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We have two of books that will be included in this challenge coming for review:

• The Half-Made World ~ by Felix Gilman
• Voltaire's Calligrapher ~  by Pablo De Santis

Live links are for the preview posts.

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For recommendations on what to read there are loads in Shellie’s Steampunk file on Goodreads. Linked below are three recently reviewed books within the genre from Layers of Thought:

• Soulless ~ by Gail Carriger – One of my favorite and fun books this year!
• The Dream of Perpetual Motion ~ by Dexter Palmer  - an intellectual sci fi.
• Frankenstein ~ by Mary Shelley – thought to be one of the founding books for the genre.

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Let us know if you join and let Rikki (the challenge host) know that you were referred by this post!

“Steam Punk” Preview: The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer

Amazon Book Stats:

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1 edition (March 2, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0312558155

ISBN-13: 978-0312558154

Genre: Science Fiction – Steam Punk

Publisher’s Blurb:

Imprisoned for life aboard a zeppelin that floats high above a fantastic metropolis, the greeting-card writer Harold Winslow pens his memoirs. His only companions are the disembodied voice of Miranda Taligent, the only woman he has ever loved, and the cryogenically frozen body of her father Prospero, the genius and industrial magnate who drove her insane.

The tale of Harold’s life is also one of an alternate reality, a lucid waking dream in which the well-heeled have mechanical men for servants, where the realms of fairy tales can be built from scratch, where replicas of deserted islands exist within skyscrapers.. As Harold’s childhood infatuation with Miranda changes over twenty years to love and then to obsession, the visionary inventions of her father also change Harold’s entire world, transforming it from a place of music and miracles to one of machines and noise. And as Harold heads toward a last desperate confrontation with Prospero to save Miranda’s life, he finds himself an unwitting participant in the creation of the greatest invention of them all: the perpetual motion machine.

Beautifully written, stunningly imagined, and wickedly funny, The Dream of Perpetual Motion is a heartfelt meditation on the place of love in a world dominated by technology.

Author Bio:

DEXTER PALMER lives in Princeton, New Jersey. He holds a Ph.D. in English Literature from Princeton University, where he completed his dissertation on the work of James Joyce, William Gaddis, and Thomas Pynchon (and where he also staged the first academic conference ever held at an Ivy League university on the subject of video games). Picture attributed to Bill Waldman via MacMillan.

Here is a link to the author’s website for more information.

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Curious about Steam Punk?

So what is it, you ask? Here is a link to the Wikipedia definition site. There is a whole subculture around this genre and it looks like its loads of fun. You can even dress up and attend functions, it even has its own type of music, which sounds fairly brilliant in my musical taste realm.

Here are several links from the MacMillan site to play around with – a book screen saver, wall paper, some Steam Punk art, and a number of excellent blog links.

For another Steam Punk urban adventure here is a review of Gail Carriger’s Soulless. It was a blast so naturally I am exited about this book, unless John snags it first.

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Amazon purchasing links for US/UK/Canada, from The Book Depository in Euro and AUD.

This book which was already on my list via Book Browse, was sent to Layers of Thought via MacMillan/St. Martins Press. Thanks Monica!

Also if you are interested in obtaining a free copy - Only The Best Sci Fi/Fant is giving one away – please tell Alec we sent you!

Not So Hot Off the Press – Literary Link Ups

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

Click on this amazingly gorgeous snail for more incredible pictures of fauna from the Borneo rain forest – a true tribute to Earth Day!

Interested in a few of the amazing iPad stats:

• iPad international sales postponed by a month.
• iPad a black hole for Indie book sales?

So you are an author, or you wanna be one? Take a look at these links:

• A very cute poster for children (and adults) which out lines the process to be ready for publishing.
• April 14th 2010 - self publishing writers in the US - numbers defined.
• Here are some great tips for writers.
• And you thought authors and writers play nice? - the darker side of literary reviews.

Here are a few writing gigs:

• A writer’s contest  -  for general fiction and ends May 1st 
• Story Contest for Science Fiction – accepting submission till June 30th  
• Accepting submissions at ezine Crossed Genres

And for the readers and bloggers in the group:

• Very cool book challenge - Around the World in Eighty Books
• If you have a blog and would like to be on a great list which has just been published on Shelf Awareness link to Firefly’s Book Blog and sign up. She has a wonderful blog, and is an experienced and articulate blogger.
• Library Advocacy Day is coming up soon. – June 29th.

For the Speculative Crowd:

• Dystopias and Apocalyptic teen reads are hot now – Check this article out.  Here's another big list of titles. 
• LepriCon 36 in Mesa AZ – May 14th–16th Charles Vess is the guest of honor!
• Phoenix Comic Con – May 27th-30th
• The Shirley Jackson Award Nominee post.
• The Locus Award Finalists (Soulless has been included – Congrats Gail!)

A few giveaways celebrating milestones:

• Author Laurel Rain-Snow is having her two year blogoversary give away, with a number of interesting women’s novels to celebrate. Link to the giveaway here. It ends April 28th.
• Missy at Missy’s Book Nook is also having a 200 follower giveaway. Link here. She's giving away a $20 Amazon gift certificate. It ends April 28th.

Cheers my dears! Until the next link up post have a great day and hug your mother (earth.)

Review by Shellie: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Genre: Urban Fantasy; Steam Punk; Alternative Reality… and more

Set Up:

In an alternative Victorian London within a steam punk setting, this story depicts a society which is very much like it would have been 130 years ago – excluding the steam punk of course. The only difference is that it includes Vampires, Werewolves, and Ghosts as an accepted part of society.

The main character, Alexia, is special. She is a preternatural, which actually means she is soulless. This has special circumstances for all the supernatural beings in the story. Besides that, she is a spinster, curvy, feisty, and intellectual. All being characteristics which have not been looked upon as positive for a woman living during this time period.

The story includes a set of supernatural characters including a hunky Alpha werewolf, a swishy male vampire with an 18th century fashion sense, and a delicate friend with a love for bad hats. They are all mixed up within a mystery where some intense romance ensues, combined with an amazing mishmash of sub genres –  mixing urban fantasy, steam punk, and alternative reality.

 My Thoughts:

Amazingly this was my first steam punk novel, and second urban fantasy. What a great fun read. It made me laugh out loud, giggle, and blush. It has some very interesting yet tasteful romantic interludes, as well as a few evil and funny entanglements. I love feisty women with parasols.

The language is intelligent and felt just enough like the period in which it was set, but understandable for a modern reader. It is also wryly funny, and Alexia is determined to go against the societal norm for women. Which makes her a wonderful and strong female character. My favorite.

Highly recommended for an intellectual, humorous, and fun read. I give Soulless - 4 stars. I am looking forward to the next book in her series which is called Changeless, and then Blameless.

Other reviews of Soulless:

• Aarti at Booklust
• Misty at Book Rat

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Author Bio:

Ms. Carriger began writing in order to cope with being raised in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She escaped small town life and inadvertently acquired several degrees in Higher Learning. Ms. Carriger then traveled the historic cities of Europe, subsisting entirely on biscuits secreted in her handbag. She now resides in the Colonies, surrounded by a harem of Armenian lovers, where she insists on tea imported directly from London and cats that pee into toilets. She is fond of teeny tiny hats and tropical fruit. Soulless is her first book.

Contact Gail at Goodreads,Twitter, her Blog.

If you enjoy upbeat tweets and funny posts with a slight Victorian and steampunk fashion bent – she is one to follow.

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This book is appropriate for several challenges linked to the badges below:

  

 

 

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This book was borrowed from my favorite place to find books – the local library.

Amazon purchasing information US/UK/Canada The Book Depository Euro/AUD

Links for your reviews are all welcome! Thanks for reading Layers of Thought.

New Author Challenge 2010

A bit late of a start but what a great challenge…

Information was taken directly from the host site Literary Escapism where the link takes you to the challenge sign up and review posts page for Mr. Linky:

The idea behind this is to find new authors that you’ve never tried before.  They can be in your genre of choice or be brave and try something new.  You never know what you’re going to like until you try it.  If you’re looking for some suggestions, you can check out the Author page here at Literary Escapism or the 2009 Challenge page.  With over 1000 reviews posted, I’m sure there will be something there for everyone.

Here are the guidelines:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.
2. Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels.  Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from anthologies.
3. I want this to be an easy challenge, so you can pick to do either 15, 25 or 50 new authors.  It all depends on how fast you read and how adventurous you want to be.  For me, I’m trying another 50 new authors.  If you reach your goal halfway through the year, don’t stop.  Any new author you try can be added to Mr. Linky.  We all want to know about your new experience.
4. After reading your new author, write your review and then come back here and add your link to Mr. Linky.  Make sure you include your name and the author, but adding the title is completely up to you.
5. Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome

This looks like  a fun and relevant challenge. One which will be easy to finish since almost all the books featured, read, and reviewed here on Layers of Thought are from authors we have not read before.

So lets put the goal at 50 new author’s this year.

All book reviews for this challenge will be listed and linked below and include John’s and my reviews:

Review links:

1. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway – (horror)
2. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy)
3. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka (horror)
4. Nibble & Kuhn by David Schmahmann (general fiction)
5. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel (memoir – graphic novel)
6. Susan Beth Pfeffer – The Moon Books (apocalyptic, young adult)
7. Inside Out by Maria Snyder (young adult –girls sci fi)
8. The Quiet War by Paul McAuley (hard sci fi)
9. Searching for Whitopia by Rich Benjamin (non fiction)
10. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp (horror – bizarro)
11. The Cost of Dreams by Gary Stelzer (general fiction)
12. Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji (general fiction)
13. The Army of the Republic by Stuart Archer Cohen (alternative reality thriller)
14. Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry (graphic novel, mystery)
15. The Death of Bunny Munro by Nick Cave (dark general fiction)
16. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
17. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)

17 down 33 to go!

Completed Challenge List and Links ~ 2010

 

Book Nuts need a Nutty Badge! This is our list of challenged completed in 2010

Most challenges include both John and myself unless otherwise noted.

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The Scandinavian Challenge: Read 6 books ~ Badge links directly to post:

1. The Unit ~ by Ninni Holmqvist
2. The Devil’s Star  ~ by Jo Nesbo

2 finished – not completed started in the middle of the year

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 RIP V – Fall 2010 ~ Goal:  Read four books, any length, that you feel fits my very broad definition of scary.

1. Dante’s Journey – J.C. Marino (by John)
2. Haunted Legends ~ edited by Datlow and Mamatas
3. Buying Time – Pamela Samuels Young
4. Dracula by Bram Stoker
5. The Devil’s Star  ~ by Jo Nesbo
6. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares

Short story and movie reviews of any number.

1.  Short Story and Movie review post

Links to host site page ~  links to review site.

Challenge Complete!

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Apocalypse Challenge: Books Required: Four

1. Life As We Knew It
2. The Dead and The Gone
3. This World We Live In (trilogy- all linked here in one post)
4. The Passage by Justin Cronin
5. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist

Completed with 5 (Shellie only)

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The Speculative Fiction Challenge 2010  -The Goal to read 24 Speculative Fiction Novels.

1. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway – (horror)
2. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan – (dark fantasy )
3. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy)
4. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka (horror)
5. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore (horror/humor)
6. Life As We Knew It
7. The Dead and The Gone
8. This World We Live In (all linked here in one post)
9. Inside Out by Maria Snyder
10. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp
11. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
12. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
13. The Song of The Whale by Uri Orlev
14. Post-Human by David Simpson
15. The Passage by Justin Cronin
16. Alone by Marissa Farrar
17. One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau
18. The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose (all three are in one post)
19. The Memorist
20. The Hypnostist
21. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
22. Hothouse Flower by Margot Berwin
23. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
24. Haunted Legends ~ edited by Datlow and Mamatas
25. Dracula by Bram Stoker
26. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares
27. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
28. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
29. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
30. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card

30 down – over by six so Challenge Complete! (Shellie only)

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Mind Voyages – Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Challenge –2010 ~Nebula and Hugo Award or Nominees

This voyage is spontaneous and unplanned.

1. The City & The City by China Mieville
2. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
3. Beggars in Spain ~ Nancy Kress (review coming)

Three down – challenge complete!

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42 Challenge 2010 ~ The Goal is to read, watch, attend, and listen to 42 items related to science fiction – any medium.

1. Eon by Greg Bear – read by JD
2. Life As We Knew It
3. The Dead and The Gone
4. This World We Live In (all linked here in one post)
5. Inside Out by Maria Snyder
6. The Quiet War by Paul McAuley
7. The Army of the Republic by Stuart Archer Cohen
8. The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer
9. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
10. Post-Human by David Simpson
11. The Passage by Justin Cronin
12. The City & The City by China Mieville
13. Prador Moon by Neil Archer
14. Very Hard Choices by Spider Robinson
15. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
16. Voltaire’s Calligrapher by Pablo De Santis
17. Betrayer of Worlds by Niven and Lerner
18.  Short Story and Movie review post – includes 3 (1 poem, 1 movie, 1 short story)
19. 3 movies which need reviews
20. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
21. the first book “Sun of Suns”: From Virga: Cities of the Air ~ by Karl Schroeder 
22. The Naperville White House ~ by Mark Pedriani
23. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card
24. Hawkmoon: The Sword of the Dawn ~ by Michael Moorcock

29 down 13 to go – not going to make this one!

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The Woman Unbound Challenge – November 2009 – 2010:  The Goal is to read at least 5 books with two being non fiction. Two completed one nonfiction.

1. Stepmonster by Wednesday Martin (nonfiction)
2. A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar (fiction)
3. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan - (fantasy)
4. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy)
5. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel (non fiction, memoir, graphic novel)
6. Inside Out by Maria Snyder (young adult sci fi)
7. The Cost of Dreams by Gary Stelzer (fiction)
8. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
9. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (classic mystery)
10. Thirsty by Kristin Bair O’Keeffe
11. The Recipe Club by Isreal and Garfinkle
12. Alone by Marissa Farrar
13. Rainy Lake by Mary Francois Rockcastle
14. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
15. Hothouse Flower by Margot Berwin
16. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
17. Chasing Stardust by Laurel-Rain Snow

Challenge Completed!  (Shellie only)

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Graphic Novels Challenge 2010 ~ Beginner (3 comics or graphic novels)

Shellie:

1. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel (graphic novel, non fiction)
2. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
3. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
4. The Principles of Uncertainty ~ Maira Kalman

John:

1. Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry (graphic novel, mystery)
2. Palestine ~ by Joe Sacco
3. Watchman ~ read but not reviewed

Completed!

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New Author Challenge 2010 ~ The Goal is to read 50 new authors this year – John and I both are contributing to this challenge.

1. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway – (horror)
2. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy)
3. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka (horror)
4. Nibble & Kuhn by David Schmahmann (general fiction)
5. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel (memoir – graphic novel)
6. Susan Beth Pfeffer – The Moon Books (apocalyptic, young adult)
7. Inside Out by Maria Snyder
8. The Quiet War by Paul McAuley
9. Searching for Whitopia by Rich Benjamin
10. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp
11. The Cost of Dreams by Gary Stelzer
12. Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji
13. The Army of the Republic by Stuart Archer Cohen
14. Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry (graphic novel, mystery)
15. The Death of Bunny Munro by Nick Cave (dark general fiction)
16. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
17. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
18. The Manufactured Identity by Heath Sommer
19. Seven Deadly Wonders by Mathew Reilly
20. The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer
21. Pretty Birds by Simon Scott
22. Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa
23. By Fire, By Water by Mitchell J. Kaplan
24. Thirsty by Kristin Bair O’Keeffe
25. The Song of The Whale by Uri Orlev
26. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
27. Post-Human by David Simpson
28. Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer
29. The Passage by Justin Cronin
30. The Recipe Club by Ireal and Garfinkle
31. The City & The City by China Mieville
32. Alone by Marissa Farrar
33. One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau
34. You Can’t Always Get What You Want by Sam Cutler 
35. Rainy Lake by Mary Francois Rockcastle
36. Blind Descent by James Tabor
37. The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose (all three are in one post)
38. The Kindness of Strangers by Kate Adie
39. Prador Moon by Neil Archer
40. Very Hard Choices by Spider Robinson
41. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
42. The Bat Scientists by Mary Kay Carson
43. Dante’s Journey by J.C. Marino
44. Children of Dust by Ali Eteraz
45. Hothouse Flower by Margot Berwin
46. Book Lust by Nancy Pearl
47. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
48. Voltaire’s Calligrapher by Pablo De Santis
49. Then Came Evening ~  Brian Hart
50. Buying Time – Pamela Samuels Young
51. Dracula by Bram Stoker
52. The Devil’s Star  ~ by Jo Nesbo
53. Betrayer of Worlds by Niven and Lerner
54. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares
55. Chasing Stardust by Laurel-Rain Snow
56. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
57. the first book “Sun of Suns”: From Virga: Cities of the Air ~ by Karl Schroeder 
58. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
59. In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua 
60. Buddha’s Orphans: a novel ~  by Samrat Upadhyay
61. The Naperville White House ~ by Mark Pedriani
62. Corn Flakes with John Lennon ~ by Robert Hilburn
63. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
64. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card
65. Neverland ~ by Douglas Clegg
66. Palestine ~ by Joe Sacco
67. The Principles of Uncertainty ~ Maira Kalman
68. Hawkmoon: The Sword of the Dawn ~ by Michael Moorcock

Over by 18 authors – Challenge Complete!

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The GLBT Challenge 2010 ~The goal is to read 4 books that are GLBT related hopefully more.

1. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway– (horror)– secondary glbt character
2. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy) – secondary glbt character
3. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel (memoir – graphic novel) – main characters glbt
4. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream) – secondary characters glbt
5. The Recipe Club by Ireal and Garfinkle
6. One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau
7. In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua

Mini Challenges:

• Answer - Why Is this challenge important? – January 
• Fun Home by Allison Bechdel – March

This challenge is complete – Shellie only

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War Through the Generations 2010 – Vietnam: The Goal is to read 5 books and more about the Vietnam war.

1. The Recipe Club by Isreal and Garfinkle
2. Semper Cool by Barry Fixler
3. Chasing Stardust by Laurel-Rain Snow
4. Then Came Evening ~  Brian Hart
5. In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua
6. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

Challenge complete!

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The World Religion Challenge 2010: The Goal for this challenge is “unshepherded” - flexible.

1. The Reincarnationist series by MJ Rose (all three are in one post counts as three) – reincarnation beliefs from various religions 
2. By Fire, By Water by Mitchell J. Kaplan - Judaism
3. Children of Dust by Ali Eteraz – Islam
4. Dark Faith Short – various religions
5. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares (reincarnation)
6. The Song of The Whale by Uri Orlev  (reincarnation)
7. Buddha’s Orphans: a novel ~  by Samrat Upadhyay

9 books

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Five Year Challenges

The Basics Challenge – Exploring Speculative Fiction

A personal project located at The Basics Challenge site. This is a 100 book challenge (with a 25% forgiveness rate) which overlaps with other challenges.

1. The Things That Keep Us Here - Carla Buckley (adult apocalyptic)
2. The Magic Warble – Victoria Simcox (children’s fantasy)
3. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway – (horror, vampire)
4. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan – (dark fantasy, fairytale retelling )
5. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy, steam punk, vampire, werewolf)
6. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka (horror, classic, literature)
7. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore (horror, humor, zombie)
   - needs to be posted.
8. Life As We Knew It
9. The Dead and The Gone
10. This World We Live In (all linked here in one post) – (apocalyptic, young adult)
11. Inside Out by Maria Snyder (young adult – girls science fiction)
12. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp (horror- bizarro)
13. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
14. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
15. The Song of The Whale by Uri Orlev (fant/myth)
16. Post-Human by David Simpson (sci fi)
17. The Passage by Justin Cronin (horror)
18. Alone by Marissa Farrar (vamp horror/uf)
19. One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau (lgbt horror)
20. The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose (all three are in one post) - (paranormal)
21. The Memorist
22. The Hypnostist
23. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist (dystopian sci fi)
24. Hothouse Flower by Margot Berwin (magical realism)
25. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
26. Haunted Legends ~ edited by Datlow and Mamatas
27. Dracula by Bram Stoker
28. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares
29. Our Tragic Universe ~ Scarlett Thomas
30. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
31. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
32. Buddha’s Orphans: a novel ~  by Samrat Upadhyay 
33. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
34. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card

34 completed, 66 more to go  (Shellie only)

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Fill in the Gaps: This is a 100 book challenge which overlaps with other challenges.

1. Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury (read - review link)
2. Something Wicked this way Comes - Ray Bradbury (complete - review link)
3. The Road - Cormac McCarthy (complete - review link)
4. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley 
5. The Metamorphosis - by Frank Kafka
6. Dracula by Bram Stoker
7. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (abandoned)

7 completed, 1 abandoned - 68 to go (Shellie only)

Links to review site.

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More - Completed Challenges from 2010 and 2009