Category Archives: Urban Fantasy

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Clan Rathskeller by Kevin Hearne

HearneClanRathskellarWhy I Read It: It was a short story tacked onto the novella The Grimoire of the Lamb.

Where I Got It: Own it.

Who I Recommend This To: The Iron Druid Chronicles and urban fantasy fans.

Narrator: Luke Daniels

Publisher: Random House Audio (2013)

Length: ~30 minutes

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles Short Story (Book 0.5)

Atticus, a 2100-year old druid in hiding in Tempe, AZ, and his faithful Irish wolfhound companion Oberon take a stroll to the local mall during the winter holiday season. Pretty soon, they spot not only some drunk college students, harried gift shoppers, jolly men dressed as Saint Nick, but also some hobgoblins posing as elves. You know, Santa’s elves. Of course, Atticus doesn’t want his cover blown, as he has spent years fleeing some powerful, and grudge-holding, deities. But before he can take a back seat to whatever is about to unfold with the hobgoblins, one recognizes him for a druid. Uh oh!

I’m only going to give you the set up, as I don’t wish to spoil anything. If you have not enjoyed The Iron Druid Chronicles yet, this is an excellent place to start (if you just want something short to see if it is for you). I love Atticus’s wit, Oberon’s blossoming vocabulary, and yes, the bare-ass shenanigans. Ah, what a visual. And, in this particular story, coupled with a very humorous, and public, scene. Kevin Hearne has this short story up on his website for a free download as a PDF. Also, the Audible.com download of The Grimoire of the Lamb has this story tacked on at the end.

Luke Daniels is our most excellent narrator. His hobgoblin voices were quite humorous and of course he is the voice of Atticus in my head even when I read the physical books.

What I Liked: Humor left and right; starts off with mystery and ends with action; bare-ass shenanigans.

What I Disliked: Too short? Well, that isn’t a good criticism. It was meant to be short. Maybe I am just greedy for more Kevin Hearne. I am sure he will forgive me.

OnceUponATime7What Others Think:

Cher Cabula’s Mindbox

Frequent Reader, Infrequent Blogger

Once Upon A Time is the Fantasy reading celebration of the year. Head over to Stainless Steel Droppings to join in the fun.

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The Grimoire of the Lamb by Kevin Hearne

HearneGrimoireOfLambWhy I Read It: The Iron Druid Chronicles are excellent fun, so I couldn’t pass up this novella.

Where I Got It: Own it.

Who I Recommend This To: If you have not enjoyed The Iron Druid Chronicles yet, this is a good place to start.

Narrator: Luke Daniels

Publisher: Random House Audio (2013)

Length: 3 hours 17 minutes

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles Book 0.4

Once again Kevin Hearne has entertained me with the antics of Atticus and Oberon. This novella takes place before the first book, Hounded, in the series. Atticus is a 2100-year old druid hiding in Tempe, AZ, living quietly as a New Age shop owner. Oberon, his Irish wolfhound, is his constant companion and provides much of the humor. In The Grimoire of the Lamb, an Egyptian attempts to buy an ancient book, which Atticus deems too dangerous to be sold to this man. Fortunately for us readers, the Egyptian steals it, fleeing back to Egypt with it, and creating all sorts of grief and consternation for Atticus – and fun entertainment for us readers.

This was an intense, humorous, and excellent romp through Egypt. There are cats (lots of them), a crocodile god, ancient tomb, dry sands, and blood sacrifice. I was even deeply concerned for Atticus’s welfare when his earth magic was negated by the crocodile magic. Yikes!

Obviously I don’t want to say too much, as this is a novella. While I enjoy the full-length novels more, this was still an entertaining piece that I wouldn’t pass up. If I do have a criticism, it is that there were no bare-ass shenanigans. Sigh…. I am a visual person, so you can imagine how I look forward to such antics by Atticus. So let me note that the Audbile.com download of this book came with the bonus short story Clan Rathskeller, which satisfied my need for nudity (don’t judge, I know you have the same need).

Luke Daniels gave yet another awesome performance. I love his variety of voices for pissed off deities. I am forever awed by his ability to sound like a spitting cat or a truculent crocodile.

What I Liked: Lots of action; beloved characters; Egyptian setting was great; awesome narration; dark humor left and right.

What I Disliked: Lack of bare-ass shenanigans.

OnceUponATime7What Others Think:

Yummy Men Kick Ass Chicks

52 Book Reviews

Fangs for the Fantasy

This is the season for Fantasy Celebration over at Stainless Steel Droppings. Join us in the reading event of the season: Once Upon A Time.

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The Spirit Thief by Rachel Aaron

AaronSpiritThiefWhy I Read It: It was short, looked fun, and is narrated by one of my favorite narrators.

Where I Got It: The library.

Who I Recommend This To: If you’re looking for some brain candy set in a magical world where everything has a spirit, then you should check this out.

Narrator: Luke Daniels

Publisher: Brilliance Corporation (2010)

Length: 8 hours 19 minutes

Series: The Legend of Eli Monpress Book 1

Eli Monpress is a well-known, and badly wanted, thief. He travels with a renowned swordsman, Josef, and an emaciated woman, Nico, who has a hidden secret that may literally be eating away at her. Their objective in the land of Melinor is to steal the king and extract a ransom. The kingdom of Melinor is not friendly to wizards, and in fact has actively shunned them for 400 years. Miranda is a Spiritualist from the Spirit Court, sent to Melinor to make a good impression, for one thing. She had her spirit hound make quite the first impression, and things quickly go down hill from there as she learns of Eli’s presence, the stolen monarch, and the recently returned older brother (who happens to be a wizard).

This book was full of quick banter, ridiculous situations, and memorable characters that give just enough seriousness to balance, but not detract, from the silliness. I liked the idea of everything, from stone to stream to dust devils, having spirits and that those spirits have needs, rights, and are capable of loosing their sanity and personal identity. There’s sword fights, compelling love and sacrifice, betrayal, conflict among the good guys, and a very persuasive spirit talker. While the characters didn’t particularly grow once they were established, they were immensely entertaining and I loved spending time with them. The plot was a little predictable, big picture-wise, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching Rachel Aaron fill in the details.

Our narrator Luke Daniels, whose work I know from Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles, was excellent in this as well. I love his baffled, stunned bunny voice, the deeply pissed off spirit voice, and the accents. Heck, I’ll listen to anything Luke Daniels performs.

What I Liked: Miranda’s spirit hound was funny in an over-protective way; the near-constant conflict the main characters find themselves in; spirits like shiny things :) ; the dynamic between Josef and Nico makes me want to read more in this series; very epic ending.

What I Disliked: Miranda’s personality seemed to be mostly seriousness and/or piss & vinegar.

OnceUponATime7What Others Think:

The Little Red Reviewer

The Book Smugglers

SF Site

Fantasy Book Critic

The Geek Girl Project

Tis the season of Fantasy Celebration and Stainless Steel Droppings is hosting the reading event to take part in and enjoy – Once Upon A Time. Come join the fun!

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Trapped by Kevin Hearne

HearneTrappedWhy I Read It: Yet another tale of Atticus and Oberon – Who could resit?

Where I Got It: Own it – from Audible.com

Who I Recommend This To: Urban fantasy junkies and sausage fans.

Narrator: Luke Daniels

Publisher: Random House Audio (2012)

Length: 9 hours, 2 minutes

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles Book 5

This book takes place 12 years after Book 4, Tricked, and 6 years after Two Ravens and One Crow. Granuaile is nearly complete in her druid training. the last task is to be bound to Gaia through three months of semi-trance as she is tattooed from foot to hand. However, there are multiple people messing with Atticus making this a tough task to complete as her druidic teacher. The Polish god of thunder shows up straight away being harried by Loki, who has somehow been unleashed upon the world. Atticus manages to trick him into going off to the Dwarven realm as he, the Polish god, Granuaile, and Oberon flee his presence. The tale continues with Atticus and Granuaile seeking a place to link Granuaile to Gaia. However, some unknown troublemakers have closed off the ways to easily step to whereever they would on Earth. Only one location is left open to them – Mount Olympus and the surrounding areas. And this is an issue because Atticus is still be sought by a greek diety that wants his head on a platter – with grapes.

Once again, this was an awesome ride. I had my concerns: 1) 12 years since the last full novel?!? 2) Was Kevin Hearne going to turn Granuaile into some badass magic user without an appropriate transition period? 3) I was deeply concerned that Oberon, an Irish Wolfhound, wouldn’t make into Book 5 as Irish wolfhounds have a short life span. So, first off, Granuaile still has much to learn about slinging magic. Yet she has spent 12 years working on staff and throwing knifes, so she isn’t completely defenseless against minor deities, vampires, and other such pesky bad guys. Yes, Oberon is in Trapped and I absolutely love his simple take on the world – as long as there is sausage, all is right with the world. The passage of 12 years did not disrupt the series.

Once again, this is a very fast-paced urban fantasy. I loved that much of it took place in Greece, which allowed for a more worldly take on things. There were more moments of bare-ass shenanigans (which happens every book and a book without such shenanigans wouldn’t truly be the Iron Druid Chronicles). While there was plenty of humor, there were also several moments of greater seriousness adding weight to the underlying premise that Loki truly threatens the existence of everyone – mortal and immortal alike. Yet another excellent read from Kevin Hearne that had me laughing out loud and finding ways to waste a little more time on the computer as I listened to the book.

Luke Daniels was magnificent as usual. He tackles the plethora of accents with bravado and also had a wicked voice for Loki. One of the things I appreciate about Audible.com is that they have included the first chapter of Book 6 (Hunted, due June 2013) at the end of this book. Book 6 will definitely be something to look forward to.

What I Liked: Oberon is probably my favorite character; Granuiale is a believable apprentice turned druid and I appreciate a person who takes the time to get proficient at knife throwing; bad guys everywhere!; dark elves, dwarves, Loki, vampires, Greek deities.

What I Disliked: Even as well done as this book is, I still wonder about those 12 years – surely there were adventures. Perhaps Hearne will go back and fill them in with more novellas.

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Two Ravens and One Crow by Kevin Hearne

Hearne2Ravens1CrowWhy I Read It: The Iron Druid Chronicles is one of my favorite series, so I couldn’t ignore this novella.

Where I Got It: Own it.

Who I Recommend This To: Seriously, if you have any liking for urban fantasy, snarky humor, or a desert setting, you need to read this series.

Narrator: Luke Daniels

Publisher: Random House Audio (2012)

Length: 2 hours 38 minutes

Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles 4.5

Hehe! I laughed my ass off for over 2 hours. If you aren’t familiar with this series, Atticus is a 2100 year old druid who is constantly getting into and out of trouble in the desert Southwest. His main companions are a sausage-craving Irish wolf hound (Oberon) and his druid-in-training kick ass friend (Granuaile). Any spelling errors are mine – I claim them wholly and completely! OK, so Kevin Hearne draws heavily on the Celtic and Nordic mythologies, and snarky, cheeky behavior abounds. This particular installment in the series happens in between Book 4, Tricked, and Book 5, Trapped; there are 12 years between those two books, so I am very glad Hearne went back and filled in some gaps with this novella.

In this little story, Atticus is summoned by the Morrigan. His tatts need to be touched up, and that takes a sacred touch, some time, and a bit of screaming. The Morrigan by turns threatens him and seduces him. This brings on a plague of guilt ferrets. This is followed by a mysterious, and perhaps deadly, dinner date. Which in turn leads to bare ass shenanigans. Haha! This is a novella, so I can’t really say any more about the plot without ruining it. But I can say that this is a worthy installment in the Iron Druid chronicles. It was intriguing to see more of The Morrigan, both figuratively and..uh….literally more about her figure.

Luke Daniels, as always, did an awesome job. There was a variety of accents and he does this incredibly creepy voice for The Morrigan.

What I Liked: The Morrigan is such a fascinating character; there was incredible food; Atticus as usual had a lot of great lines; the cover meets with my acquired high standards for this series.

What I Disliked: Hmm…..nothing, unless I want to say it was too short.

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Interview: J. Bridger, Author of Shifted Perspective

BridgerShiftedPerspectiveEveryone, please give a warm welcome to J. Bridger, author of Shifted Perspective, one of my favorite reads of 2012. As can be found on Bridger’s website, this is her first novel, which is about a young man, Caleb, who discovers that he is a shifter, that it runs in his family on his mother’s side, and that he turns into an adorable Cocker spaniel. Please enjoy; I know I did.

1) I have noticed a trend in Paranormal Fantasy over the past several years to nearly always have the main paranormal character to be really powerful and also eye candy. I can’t but help that you did something very different in Shifted Perspective. Will you tell us why you walked a different path with your Cocker spaniel hero?

Well, I do love those stories about a “Chosen One.” I do want to make that perfectly clear. I adore Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I like Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix is one of my favorite novels of all time. I think there’s definitely a time and place for the strongest or the predestined hero. This just wasn’t that story.
 
I figured in the supernatural world, there just had to be an every man (or every woman) type who was just spending the days trying to do everything he could to avoid having his butt kicked. 

Also, I think it’s an Edward Cullen knee-jerk reflex. I don’t think Caleb is unattractive in my novel, if a little gangly. I just sometimes get tired of the dark and mysterious brooding teen guy archetype so Caleb’s definitely not that either.

2) Having spent time as an intern in a Bolivian mental hospital and also as a tour guide at a lemur research center, can you tell us how these experiences have/still are influencing your writing?

Right now? Not as much since I haven’t explored mental conditions or, well, lemurs in my writing. However, I do think working in the psych field in general has given me a good idea for how people do act and what’s just a true-to-life reaction and what’s just over the top fantasy/falls flat.

3) In Shifted Perspective, one of the shifters decided to have her tail bobbed. In general, how does that work with the healing and regenerative abilities of shifters in the world you created?

Ha-ha!

 

Some of this is getting answered in the sequel I’m working on called Second Skin. I have thought a lot about what the shifters, even the lowly canines, can do and can’t do, what they can heal from. I will say we’ll get a bigger look at that as we go and that, for instance, if Kalista had tried to get her tail bobbed as an adult with all her abilities fully intact, it wouldn’t have stuck. They definitely have better healing than humans, but I’ll wait to have people read where those limits really lie.

4) From the world of books and from the world of science, who are some of the major influences in your work?

As far as writing, I know it’s trite, but I have to say Stephen King. I reread his On Writing constantly and have taken it to heart for years. I love his short stories best, actually, and have devoured all of his anthologies. My favorite is probably either Everything’s Eventual or Nightmares and Dreamscapes. 
 
I also love Hemingway and take great comfort from his quote that “The first draft of anything is shit.” If he can write shit, why am I better than that?

From science? Actually from psychology, I’d love to explore more from Carl Jung. I don’t think his dream analysis/dream archetype and collective unconsciousness theories have much scientific merit, but they’d be fascinating to explore in different stories and books.

 5) What future works can we expect? (Yes, I am prying!)

Well, this is where I promote Second Skin, the sequel to Shifted Perspective, that I wanted out in the winter but will probably get delayed until April or May. It’s going to have mystery, snark, and mayhem just like last time, but now Caleb’s deeper into the shifter world, has his own debts and entanglements to deal with, especially with Althea, and is going to have his life complicated by the arrival of a selkie in L.A.

 

Also, there will be a Tails of Change Christmas anthology out in November of 2013. Again, it was a goal to try and have it up for this Christmas but it didn’t happen so I have that (and an already commissioned gorgeous cover by Rebecca Weaver) to tempt readers next Holiday Season.

6) As a student of the Spanish language, can we expect to see some Spanish or Spanglish in your forthcoming works? I know just enough textbook Spanish to say, ‘Tengo un gato malo en me pantolones.’

Mis pantolones ;)

Actually, yes, that would have fit with my talk of future novels. I’m workshopping an idea with my writers’ group about a Bolivian half-demon and her relationship with her whole human half sibling. It’s still in the building stages and outlining, but I’d love to have it as something to publish/be publish ready by the end of 2013. 
 

It will have a bit of Spanglish throw in and try to look also at her being of Bolivian descent, but I won’t abuse the Spanish asides and interjections!

7) Of course, I have to ask: Do you have a Cocker spaniel or two in your life?

Actually, that’s the irony. I don’t really like Cocker Spaniels. A friend of mine loaned me the idea of having a Cocker main hero (hence my dedication to C.E. in the book). She has Cockers and likes them; I prefer my Yorkies and half-beagle. Penny’s a beagle because my dog, Snoopy is (mostly).

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Cold Days by Jim Butcher

Clean sheets, cats, and a good book.

Clean sheets, cats, and a good book.

Why I Read It: The Dresden Files is one of my all-time favorite series.

Where I Got It: Own it.

Who I Recommend This To: The Dresden Files series is urban fantasy at it’s best. If you are not familiar with Butcher’s works, start with Storm Front.

Publisher: Penguin Group (2012)

Length: 528 pages

Series: Book 14 Dresden Files

I will do my best to chat about this book without revealing too many spoilers about the series or this specific book. The few spoilers included will be marked.

Harry Dresden, Chicago wizard detective, seems to have at least one really tough day a year. If you’ve kept up with this series, you know that each book is about one of those days. Book 14 is no exception. Book 12, Changes, ended in a tough way for Harry. Book 13, Ghost Story, found Harry defeating that tough ending, only to jump from the fire into the frying pan. Book 14, Cold Days, we get to find out what Harry does with the frying pan. And he handles it masterfully, grabbing that frying pan with both hands and slamming it into anyone who tries to manipulate him. Once again, Jim Butcher kept me well entertained.

Harry has a new role in the land of the Fae, specifically in the Winter Court, and he is given a most difficult task by Queen Mab. In order to accomplish this task, he reunites with friends from the human world and crashes into opposition from not only the Fae Summer Court, but also trouble makers in the Winter Court. Fans of the series will be glad to see old friends brought into play, even as old enemies start coming out of the wood work. Most touching to me were several scenes between vampire Thomas and Harry.

Even as Harry fights for the good of our world, he is tormented by a newly given power which threatens to turn him into a less honorable man. Coupled with this, a fight on the Large Universe level is revealed to him, adding urgency to his quest to fulfill his Winter Court orders and yet maintain his humanity. Each time I read one of these books, I think, that’s as big as it can get; it just can’t get any worse than this. Ha! I’m always delightedly wrong. Because the characters continue to grow and change throughout this series, it never, ever gets old. Each book isn’t a rerun of the last, nor are there simply 4-6 tropes that Butcher recycles. People change, allegiances change, the scope changes. Book 14 is not an exception.

If I have any complaints about this book, it is that some of the banter fell a little short, didn’t make me chuckle as much as in previous books. In part, this may be due to conscious decision by Butcher, as things are a little strained between Harry and some of his Chicago friends, so the conversations and banter would be a little off, a little strained themselves. However, such a minor complaint did not keep me from experiencing a large sense of fulfillment at the end of the novel. Foolishly, at Page 99, I thought I had glimpsed the ending; I was wrong, because the ending was so much more than I anticipated.

What I Liked: Harry has additional inner demons to fight; Harry doesn’t magically, instantaneously recover from injuries received in past books; his love life is complicated; we got a glimpse of what the final, giganto battle might be for the series; Thomas and Harry have some of the best lines together; satisfying ending; SPOILERS Mac’s mysterious past; reunited with Mouse; Bob shares a key piece of info; Murph on a Harley; Harry teasing The Malk (is he an idiot, or just sleep deprived?); Demonreach and his underground jail of mayhem; pet names like ‘Spangle Crotch’ END SPOILERS.

What I Disliked: In a few instances, the banter didn’t feel as well-rounded as I would have enjoyed.

readandreviewbuttonThis week, I am counting this as part of On Starships and Dragonwings’ Read & Review Hop. I mean, it’s an awesome book and everyone should hear about it. Period. Make sure to stop over at Anya’s for more great reviews.

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Shifted Perspective by J. Bridger

Why I Read It: Simply, it sounded quirky and I had to know how the author would pull this off.

Where I Got It: A review copy from the author (thanks!)

Who I Recommend This To: If you like shape-shifter tales, but are a little tired of the same story outline, check this out and be pleasantly surprised.

Publisher: Self-published

Length: 231 pages

Series: Book 1 Tails of Change

I’m going to let you in on a little secret:

This book is so not me: No sex, little violence, like 3 cuss words, high cuteness factor. And I LOVED every minute of it.

But I am not going to beat myself up over that. No, instead I am going to tell you all why J. Bridger is now on my watch list. If she is this good a writer now, imagine what she can do in the next few years.

Caleb Byrne, 18, lives with his father in a small town. His mother left him when he was young and so it’s just him, his dad, the family dog, and his aspiring journalist girlfriend. Life is already a bit tough at that age, but throw into the mix shape-shifting. Poor dude. One day he finally figures it out. He’s a cocker spaniel. Yep.

But luckily he has some California relatives on his mother’s side who know just what he’s going through. Caleb and his dad go out to sunny CA so that Caleb can learn the ways of the pack and the laws of the shifters. His cousin and aunt are cockers too, while his uncle and male cousins are wolves. There’s a variety of other shifters Caleb has to get used to, including the alpha’s wannabe dominant son. All this change and the world had to throw in some grisly murders that Caleb feels the need to investigate.

This book was a fast-paced, fun read full of humor and wit. I read it in three nights, the last night reading over half the book. I simply didn’t want to put my ‘little cocker’ book down. My man was amused. I simply found it fascinating to watch Caleb deal with this ridiculous situation; what would you do if you found out Senior year you were a shape shifter and that the shape you’re stuck with is a cocker spaniel? I loved how Caleb had to muddle through much of it on his own (that’s what coming of age is) but he still had the support of some caring adults and contemporary friends. Throw in the tension of relationship problems and male dominance pissing contests, and you have some real life scenarios that readers can relate to.

What I Liked: Caleb’s reactions to the various situations were realistic; the tension in the second half of the book is great; the family dog becomes a second parent to the cocker-Caleb; dog show competitions; murder mystery solved but the ending wasn’t expected.

What I Didn’t Like: The murder mystery didn’t rear it’s head until well into the second half of the book.

Check out On Starships & Dragonwings for other great reviews this week.

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The Graveyard Book Read Along Part III

Heldig doesn’t like to share her napping place.

Once again, let me thank Stainless Steel Droppings for hosting this read along. This is the third and final installment of this event.

Spoilers Range Loose and Unfettered

In case you haven’t read the previous parts:

Part I

Part II

In Chapter 7, a lot of cool, wicked, and important stuff happens. For me, there were two hard things – Miss Lupescu’s death and Bod regains his friend Scarlett only to drive her away. However, there is also the satisfaction of Mr. Jack Frost coming to a deserved end and also learning more about the Sleer.

I have to go on a bit about the society of Every Man Jack: Jack Dandy, Jack Nimble, Jack Ketch, Jack Frost and Jack Tar. Jack Dandy was familiar to me as referring to someone who enjoys garish clothing, hats, and perhaps wigs and canes. Apparently, ‘dandy’ has meant pretty much just this since the 1700s.

Did you know that Jack Nimble use to be a pirate? An English pirate, Black Jack, from the 16th century. Somehow, he went from that to nursery rhymes. I thank Gaiman for pointing back to Jack N.’s original inclinations.

Jack Ketch of the 1600s held the office of Executioner, and on occasion, he botched a job. This would lead to a prolonged execution. It’s amazing the stuff you can find on Wikipedia. I have to wonder how much of this stuff Gaiman had kicking around his head over the years?

Jack Frost is common in American culture as the harbinger of winter. Unfortunately, my society has also made several bad movies about Jack Frost. In particular, there was this very questionable movie I saw  in some hotel room on a forced family expedition that featured Jack Frost as a snowman. If you know this movie, then that particular scene with the carrot in the shower has kept me steering clear of any Frost movies since then.

Our last Jack, Jack Tar, is a little boring, simply being a WWI seaman.

OK. I have gone on long enough about ancient bad guys and nursery rhymes and poor choices in hotel tv. A quick recap of Chapter 7: Bod (~14 yrs. old) is missing Silas and Lupescu, who are off in foreign places with a small pig fighting Jack Badness. Scarlett and her divorced mom have returned to the area and Scarlett comes across a man taking headstone rubbings for a community history project in the old neighborhood. Of course this man, Jack Frost, is hunting Bod. Bod doesn’t know this, but he does eventually recognize Scarlett and they renew their friendship. Frost waits for his opportunity to strike and when he does so, Bod realizes who he is. A merry, twisted chase through the graveyard ensues with the Jacks mentioned above. Scarlett hides in the Sleer hill crypt, where Frost eventually finds her. The Sleer haven’t had so much company since they were buried and I doubt they will be serving tea. Jack Frost is defeated and the Sleer made ecstatically happy, and Scarlett had to have her memory (Bod and all) wiped by the returned Silas.

Chapter 8 finds Bod old enough to leave the graveyard and enter the world of the living. His fading abilities to commune with the ghosts are a huge hint by Fate for him to move on and start living his life. This final chapter was bittersweet. We have to say goodbye to most of the characters we met along the way. Sniffle…

Does anyone else hope that someday Neil Gaiman returns to this world?

What do you think about the Sleer and their coils?

While I get that the Jacks are bad, I still don’t get exactly what all they do? Anything and everything naughty and despicable?

Will you be reading another Gaiman novel soon?

Thanks everyone for stopping by throughout the read along!

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The Graveyard Book Read Along Part II

Chupacabra guarding my book.

For the second installment of The Graveyard Book read along, chapters 4-6 (which includes a short interlude) were read. If you are just joining us, Part I can be found HERE.

Let me start off by thanking Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings for hosting this read along. He has several fun reading events going on this month, so make sure to check out his site.

These few chapters see our main character, Nobody (Bod) Owens, grow from a child to a youngling on the cusp of adulthood. One of the things I truly enjoy about Neil Gaiman‘s writings is his ability to weave mythology and lore into everyday experiences. He does that beautifully in the chapter concerning the Danse Macabre, where the living and the dead enjoy a few hours of unfettered dancing in the streets.

In Chapter 4, The Witch’s Headstone, we meet Liza Hempstock (I love Gaiman’s character names!), who was droned and burned to charcoal and buried and a witch in unconsecrated ground. Turns out she is a little bit of a witch, and it is good that she and Bod get to be friends. Bod finds it a bit sad that she lacks a headstone and so he sets out to get her one, taking many chances and breaking even more rules. He steals from the Sleether (see Part I) and tries to sell the item to a shady type who locks him in a back room while he decides what to do. Bod is eventually saved and returns to the graveyard, where he makes a touching gesture to Liza. Humanity counts whether you are dead or alive. What did you all think about Abanazer Bolger’s connection to Jack?

The Danse Macabre I alluded to above is Chapter 5. I found this chapter to be full of mystery and beauty. I loved the idea of tradition pushing the living into participating, and the simplicity of the not-very-often blooming white flowers. Even though this is my second read through, I still didn’t understand why the ghosts and even Silas at the end of the chapter, after the dance is all said and done, won’t talk about it. We already had plenty of mystery surrounding the dance, like why the flowers, where was the music coming from, and why did the ghosts spiffy up their ghostly habitations if the dance took place in town? Why add the mystery of not talking about it?

Jack, Jack, Jack…..Sigh… what a vicious mystery you are. In the interlude Convocation, we get a few hints about Jack. Perhaps he is well funded. Perhaps he is just one of a group of trained or specialized killers. Reading this little section makes me worry for Bod Owens.

In Chapter 6, Nobody Owens’ School Days, Bod gets to go to class. He wants to learn, not just book learning, but about being alive. Silas, his guardian, warns him to keep a low profile. Unfortunately, Bod has a hard time doing that for very long because there are bullies. Pretty soon he has not only the ill-intention of the bullies focused on him, but also the once-bullied younger kids pointing him out. Things start to get out of hand when the police get involved. However, Bod learns some important skills, like putting on The Fear and Dreamwalking. At this point in the book, Bod is 11 and he is asking questions about why he has to keep a low profile and why his family was killed and who this killer Jack is and why Jack still wants him dead. And Bod receives no answers. I feel Bod’s frustration! I want answers too. But I also feel that Bod deserves the truth of the matter at this point. He’s old enough to ask the question and understand the bulk of the answer. And I believe that Bod is starting to make choices that could endanger him greatly because he is kept ignorant.

So that’s the sum up. What stuck out for you?

Did you get the Danse Macabre chapter?

Do you think Bod’s Haunting of the school bullies was just a teensy vicious?

What is up with Jack and his business card?