In Dhampir I see a lot of potential for the series that follows. The book is very well-written and the plots, while twisty, can be followed and enjoyed by the reader. There is mystery galore as you find out bits and pieces of information about each of the main characters, and I really enjoyed the read.
I was very impressed with this book since I wasn’t sure what to expect of a jointly-written book. The writers did an excellent job in making this an enjoyable, workable, story. It’s also an interesting twist on traditional vampire/vampire hunter stories. Strangely, it reminds me of Vampire Hunter D, only with a good plot.
The only complaint I have is all the secrecy. Very few mysteries are solved completely, and it drives me nuts! I’m going to have to read the rest of this series just to stay sane!
On a scale of 1-10, Dhampir gets a 6. (Don’t let that discourage you, that means it’s worth your time!)

This book was a great read. I’ve read Archangel, which is a completely different series, and was disappointed that the rest of that series couldn’t really catch my attention. However, if Mystic and Rider is indicative of how this series is going to go, then I’m all in. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Sharon Shinn does a good job creating a world with an interesting culture, pantheon, and with very interesting individuals. One thing I like about here writing is that in some ways, it’s the most straightforward writing you can get in sci-fi/fantasy as a genre. There’s not really any staggering revelation about the main characters. If they’re something special, people know and respect that -like in reality. That’s not to say there aren’t surprises, because there are, but I appreciate getting out of reading where every story has an “Oh, ye gods, you’re the CHOSEN ONE!” type of thing going on. Secondly, I like that her characters can be a little arrogant. Humbleness is a great trait, but overused in a lot of “good guy” characters. The self-confidence she gives her characters is really refreshing.
I would recommend this book, and hopefully the series will continue along this vein.

Yup, folks, I finally broke down and read it. I tells ya, I keep hoping this series will pick back up. It looks like maybe, maybe that could happen. Unfortunately, the plot still revolves around a lot of sex-a-thon. Fortunately, there’s an actual viable plot in this book and it looks like it could lead to a better book later on. My chief complaint is that I’m tired of Jean-Claude telling Anita that the danger they are facing is even worse than the last one…in every single book. After all, they’ve survived all types of crazy.
I’d prefer his attitude be one of, “Well, they are the stuff of nightmares, but we’ve come out on top before. Let’s just not do anything rash.”
Caution I get. Excessive they-are-bad-and-we’re-not-ness is annoying. In the end, I’d say that this book has pulled me back from completely giving up hope on this series, but it’ll take more than The Harlequin to make me say it’s good again.
As for a recommendation…if you’ve done like I have and just kept reading in hopes that it will get better, then I would say read on up to The Harlequin. It may make you feel better, but if it doesn’t, you’ve nothin’ to lose.
For those who haven’t read the series, I recommend you go ahead and start it. The first book is Guilty Pleasures and is well worth a read.

I have just discovered a “new” author and series! King’s Dragon is the first book in the “Crown of Stars” series and it was a very enjoyable read. In terms of size, it’s up there with the Sword of Truth series. In terms of style, it is similar to the way many sci-fi or fanstasy books, but with a more interesting plot. It reminds me of a mix between Terry Goodkind, Mercedes Lackey, and Boris Pasternak (Doctor Zhivago).
Now, I know that last one seems out of place, so let me explain. If you’ve never read Dr. Zhivago, you’ll find that there a lot of seemingly random and tenuous connections between many characters that somehow all point to the main plot in the book. King’s Dragon is similar. It presents you with a mystery in the Prologue, provides you threads and clues in the exposition and ends in such a way that the reader is satisfied, but still manages to whet curiosity.
There are really three “main” characters in this story, but arguably there could be more because all of these stories are some how intertwined. Clearly, there is a bigger picture and to my frustration and delight, I can’t quite figure it all out. Which makes me deem this book “good”. I sometimes hate that I can guess the mystery early on in some stories. I would highly recommend reading this book.
As for me, once I get through my stack of new books, I’m going to buy as much as I can of the rest of the series. The first book is just that good.

This is the first time I have been entirely unable to get into a book of hers.
I haven’t finished it, but that’s because I just can’t get into it. The story doesn’t draw me in like her books always have before and I find that disappointing. Nora Roberts is, of course, a prolific writer so I guess it would make since that not all of her books are stellar. (Though I did so enjoy the Circle Trilogy, and many others…)
It just seems that she has put too much effort into the beginning of the story. I made it a few chapters in and still never made it to where I felt the story began. It was frustrating, and disappointing.
For Nora Roberts fans, I would recommend skipping over this book for something more recent, or with a more favorable review. Perhaps I’m just too impatient to get to the meat of the story, but I can’t really give a good rating to a book that can’t hold my attention. I would recommend Angel’s Fall, The Circle Trilogy, the In the Garden Trilogy, Blue Smoke, or any number of other books by Roberts, but not this one.

If you’ve read the Dresden Files, you’ve discovered that Jim Butcher is a great writer. If you read the Codex Alera series – or what there is of it so far – you’ll find that he is a masterful writer. I enjoyed the Dresden Files. I LOVE the Codex Alera series. I’ve read the first four books and I’m hooked. Absolutely hooked.
It’s a different twist from Dresden because it’s more of what Butcher would call a “swords and horses” book, but in a way that no book has been before. Butcher’s writing made it into the category in which I place my favorite author, Anne Bishop.
What category is that, you ask? The category of absolute brilliance and stunning originality. Both authors, it seems, have a knack for creation. Both have created worlds, societies, and entire systems of ethics, morals, laws, customs, etc. that are both accessible to the reader, and mind-boggling, without straining too much to be “different”. The writing in the Codex Alera series is a force to be reckoned with. Don’t leave home without your imagination for this one, boys and girls. Butcher paints a vivid picture.
For more specifics on these books, I’ll try and post for each individual book, but if you must know more, simply look up what you can online. But for goodness’ sake, don’t go reading the spoilers, you maniacs!!!
Happy reading!