PRETTY LITTLE CREATURES proved to be a quick read for me, which I owe to it having a lot going on as well being the second installment of a series. ThPRETTY LITTLE CREATURES proved to be a quick read for me, which I owe to it having a lot going on as well being the second installment of a series. The characters and premise have already been established, so it give everybody a chance to pick up where we left off and hit the ground running.
A lot more globe-trotting this time around and is a definite change from the first book where you felt like you were sequestered with the danger rather than having a few rounds of cat and mouse. It suits the premise while adding scope and increasing the stakes.
The plot and storytelling tone the series is taking reminds me vaguely of Dean Koontz and THE LEFT BEHIND SERIES since it features plucky band of heroes on a righteous quest to stop an unfathomable evil.
One of my issues here - as with the writings I mentioned - is certain aspects of the story feel too convenient or contrived. I'll stipulate this might be personal preference but I get disenchanted by characters possessing specialized skills and knowledge that - coincidentally - are suited to contend with and defeat the dire task at-hand. More so when said-specialists lack any prior relationship with one another but miraculously come together in order to work as an elite team capable of doing the impossible for the good of all mankind.
Some stories adhere to tropes closer than others and I felt this was one. Tropes aren't a bad thing - they're unavoidable because nothing under the sun is original - but I suppose a little more novelty and less "bells and whistles" characterization would have made me more enthusiastic about PRETTY LITTLE CREATURES in the end.
Again, this all reflects my general attitude to trope-laden works and isn't a criticism of this book's ability to appeal to or charm other readers. I certainly wouldn't discourage anybody who read the book from continuing onto the second, if only to see if it answers a few of your lingering questions or piques intrigue in other ways.
** I received this book, courtesy of the author, in exchange for an honest review **...more
Be forward and wary - this is not a paranormal romance.
BLOOD TOY certainly has all the hallmarks and tropes associated with the genre; however, it's Be forward and wary - this is not a paranormal romance.
BLOOD TOY certainly has all the hallmarks and tropes associated with the genre; however, it's not a love story and it's occasional moments of eroticism are abusive and cringe-inducing. This is a dark urban fantasy with a bit of spin that hits you like a backhand at times.
Personally, I loved that. It's bold, abrasive and doesn't put a pretty face on what dalliances with monsters and dabbling in vigilantism yields. It's thankless, lonely work for the protagonist, Diane, and she's damaged goods for it.
Nevertheless, I thought her character had charm and took enough on the chin to maintain a certain gallows humor for her situation. That goes a long way to stave off total apathy and despair for the reader while keeping the events in perspective. Like many heroines, her self-destructive tendencies and pride out weigh sense and self-presentation at times. Not a deal-breaker but it causes some frustration at times.
Miss Raine has a style of storytelling I feel I see too little of in fiction lately - biting banter, snappy pacing, plot-relevant scenes and a genuine appreciation for investing in a mythos and unraveling it in a gratifying way. It's clever and imaginative while remaining accessible to readers and makes you actually curious to see what might come next.
The ending comes on quick and isn't exactly a cliffhanger, though gives a sense there's more to come and be resolved in the next book. I'm planning to continue with the series and sincerely hope more get into it. It's worth it for those who aren't afraid of the dark and remember monsters rarely play nice.
I received this novel, courtesy of the author, in exchange for an honest review...more
From the opening story featuring my favorite signature character, Trey "Loki" Fischer, through every tier and facet - The Circle of the Crone was an eFrom the opening story featuring my favorite signature character, Trey "Loki" Fischer, through every tier and facet - The Circle of the Crone was an extremely fascinating social club for vampires to belong to.
Superficially, it could be mistaken for half-baked wicca or man-bashing feminism but it's more about vampires embracing the dark miracle they are and accepting how they are not freaks of nature but still a a key part of it.
Given how exploitative and isolated Vampire: the Requiem is as a setting, reading this faction was almost uplifting for its sense of community, acceptance and unwillingness to write themselves off as monsters who shouldn't exist. Although by no means humane in their outlooks, it was an enthralling option for society in it's emphasis existentialism over screwing with humanity or obsessive political scheming and power-plays....more
As an avid, rabid fan of Vampire: the Masquerade when I was in high school, I had more than a few misgivings about the "New" World of Darkness and howAs an avid, rabid fan of Vampire: the Masquerade when I was in high school, I had more than a few misgivings about the "New" World of Darkness and how much of a money-grubbing gimmick re-releasing tweaked version of everything was going to turn out to be.
So wrong. Serve my words up and I'll eat them with or without a fork.
Basically, Vampire: the Requiem nailed personal horror while making these vampires stunning predators who are caught between mourning their humanity and reveling in damnation. As before, these vampires have characteristics, powers and weakness that fuel all the familiar myths but - true to White Wolf - that's never the full story.
I personally love all the tweaks and twists added to this incarnation of vampire - it sounds like a bitch to get by as a vampire with facets of the existence invoking a true feel of unease imagining how you would function if you became one.
It's basically like White Wolf kept everything that worked wonders for VtM, streamlined it, and brought in some vicious, bitter stuff to make sure players can't help but get a little messed up. It really emphasizes what a supernatural cesspool Chicago is with vampires running the show and characters are almost certain to be victimized time and again if they hope to thrive - or just survive....more
This is exactly what the World of Darkness was missing - people doing EVEN MORE MESSED UP THINGS to save themselves and keep a natural death at bay.
NoThis is exactly what the World of Darkness was missing - people doing EVEN MORE MESSED UP THINGS to save themselves and keep a natural death at bay.
Not to say every last alternative for immortality requires human sacrifices and diabolical pacts but all have a cost or drawback which would (should) give the most desperate person pause over what they're truly signing up for.
Otherwise, this is saturated with intriguing ideas and could make an amazing source of inspiration - not just to gamers but authors who want to write about immortality without bring vampires into it.
Not to say the World of Darkness doesn't factor in the possibility for blood-splattered innocence but it was kind of bold of them to create a book devNot to say the World of Darkness doesn't factor in the possibility for blood-splattered innocence but it was kind of bold of them to create a book devoted to players willing to play some of the most vulnerable characters likely to deal with real monsters.
Reading this and knowing what's actually bumping around IN the WoD is freaky to imagine. Not only are you small with no real resources or serious connections but your life is dominated by adults who are more likely to ground you or pat you on the head while insisting you're making things up than be of much help. Sure, I'm certain some parents would call the police or march over and confront the neighbor you insist is eating children but that's a futile/scary prospect in and of itself!
It was fun White Wolf put in enough thought to give their players a different experience and I think this is a corebook with infinite potential for groups who want to focus on characterization and stories over flash-and-bang excitement....more
The World of Darkness almost begs for coteries to take road trips now and again. Between the dozen-some major cities that serve as strongholds for thiThe World of Darkness almost begs for coteries to take road trips now and again. Between the dozen-some major cities that serve as strongholds for this supernatural creature or that, there is a A LOT of weird to encounter on back roads and in the boonies.
So that's Midnight Roads - filling in those gaps in travel time with adventures all its own. Some adventures are a better fit for certain supernatural creatures more than others but there's something for everyone, especially Limited Edition game lines like Promethean, Sin-Eater and Hunter which can hurt for material sometimes. ...more
Of all the things the New World of Darkness got right, I think this shines as an achievement. Rather than spend each corebook rehashing common stats, Of all the things the New World of Darkness got right, I think this shines as an achievement. Rather than spend each corebook rehashing common stats, that precious page space can go to more important/unique material.
It's a shame you have to pay for basic info, of course, but even this book alone tries to make it possible to role-play a decent, engaging game. I just see it as White Wolf trying to avoid clutter and over-saturation with redundancies and it is a great indicator of how sexy and sleek the WoD is now for new blood and old fans....more
I know some people will say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" or "never change" but part of what keeps White Wolf so classy and classic is its willingI know some people will say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" or "never change" but part of what keeps White Wolf so classy and classic is its willingness to reinvent itself to remain relevant.
Bully to you, White Wolf - I'll never stop loving you....more
**I received this book, courtesy of the author, in exchange for an honest review **
Spiritual horror (i.e. demons, angels, biblical proportions) has be**I received this book, courtesy of the author, in exchange for an honest review **
Spiritual horror (i.e. demons, angels, biblical proportions) has become its own subgenre. Honestly, it’s not one I’m an avid reader of so – if you consider yourself a fan or this is a go-to premise for you – please take that into account while reading this review.
First things first; if you’re not a fan of folksy Americana and quaint, salt-of-the-earth characters you’re probably going to have trouble getting into EVIL RUNS. It’s got that small town vibe horror – such as “bad things happening to well-meaning, maybe god-fearing folks”. It sets a scene and tone, truly, and absolutely compliments this brand of creepy. It adds a little dreadful isolation to the conspiratory implications, which is a trick in and of itself. I applaud Mr. Milam putting those subtle touches in to bring personality to a plot much bigger than a small town’s problems.
One of the perils of writing “demonic” evil is it can be presented in a way that relies on shock-value and senseless violence. What makes something genuinely “horrific” at times isn’t always inhuman or unfathomable but in confronting a reader with a darkness they could bear responsibility for. Not to say EVIL RUNS was the worst offender but being a little over 200 pages with an emphasis on the value of one’s faith doesn’t allow for much exploration into sinister motives or rationalization behind what drives such forces. For me, the methodology of evil is always scarier than its magnitude and books as short and ambitious as this focus on the bigger picture.
Another unfortunate consequence of such a short novel is characterization. Those reading the blurb might feel the key players in the story sound a bit troupe-laden and the number of pages in EVIL RUNS didn’t allow the characters to really break that mold they were presented in. Not to say everybody was unlikable or underdeveloped, more they were very functional for the story. Everybody did their job, contributed to the plot’s atmosphere and progress. They were suited for and defined by the events surrounding them but lacked traits that rose above or stood apart from their immediate, dire circumstances.
Despite my few criticisms, I’m not disappointed with EVIL RUNS and feel Mr. Milam has promise for writing that would be better appreciated in a longer story. Most novels are about 300 pages and – in my opinion – those hundred pages would have been welcomed opportunities to not only illustrate the overreaching plot but embellish upon the characters swept up in it.
For what it was – and what it was definitely stood on its own, enjoyable merits – EVIL RUNS gives readers a quick, tense read that might be just the thing for somebody willing to take a chance on a spiritual horror without committing to a full novel. ...more
A nice assortment of stories all fitting neatly in the monthly theme.
Fair warning - the intros to each story were somewhat spoilers for the tales theA nice assortment of stories all fitting neatly in the monthly theme.
Fair warning - the intros to each story were somewhat spoilers for the tales themselves, which dampened my fun for a few until I stopped reading them altogether. Also, original twists were a little hit and miss for anyone who reads a lot of horror but the stories were always told well-enough.
Good stuff for people who like scary stories overall....more
Urban Legends made all-to-real within the World of Darkness? Seriously, the idea sells itself and seeing the WoD bittersweet twists and cynicism make Urban Legends made all-to-real within the World of Darkness? Seriously, the idea sells itself and seeing the WoD bittersweet twists and cynicism make for some excellent fodder if the storyteller wants to take a break from creating a chronicle from scratch. ...more
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