Book Review: Boundary Crossed

Boundary Crossed by Melissa F. Olson

Boundary Magic book 1

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book as a free Kindle First book. This is the first book I have read from this author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The story and world in Melissa Olsen's Boundary Crossed were unique, and interesting, definitely a great initial novel in a series.
I loved the concept and back story of the main character, US Army Sergeant Allison “Lex” Luther, and was thrilled to read an Urban Fantasy with a 30 something, ex-military female lead character. For once while reading a paranormal book, I did not have to suspend belief as a strong female protagonist, who kicks some Vampire butts and is not wearing high heels. ( Well except in the one scene, but then that was completely appropriate, and dialogue ensued on it! )

The major issue I had with the book, was also the protagonists age, at times I had to read back to double check, yep shes 30 ... but the dialogue certainly made her seem much younger, reading more like a younger person in a YA novel.

Details:
Series: Boundary Magic
Published May 1st 2015 by 47North
Links:
Melissa F. Olson

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Book Review: New Amsterdam by Elizabeth Bear

New Amsterdam by Elizabeth Bear

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Reminiscent of the shorter stories of Sherlock Holmes, each chapter is a separate mystery. Unfortunately the book misses the mark.

Elizabeth Bear has mixed and crossed many genre lines in this book. Including: Detective Mystery, Romance, Paranormal, Alternate Histry, fantasy, and Steampunk, but does not invoke any of them enough to have the world building add to the stories.

The main characters, a poly-amorous 1000 + year old vampire detective, Sebastien de Ulloa, and forensic sorceress Lady Abigail Irene Garrett; are interesting concepts, and could heave been great, but the format of the book limits the depth that may have been possible in a cohesive story-line. We are told too much of them and not actually shown any of the traits that would make the protagonists real or truly interesting.
As for the mysteries and antagonists, we have nothing that makes us care about them or want to know bad enough to keep turning pages.

One of the few series I have started and have no real desire to read the next book. I do not think this review has any bearing on any of Bear's other series or works, there are many others that I have loved, this one just did not appeal to me.

Book Review: Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood & Starlight  by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke & Bone, book 2

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and Laini Taylor does not disappoint in this second book in the series. From the characters to the story arc, this is a solid urban fantasy.

For the few things that bothered me while I was reading it I had to remind myself that this is a YA book, in all other ways it is not a typical YA, with a fully developed magic system, and solid world building, along with strong characters.

The main female character is strong and believable, the romance is part of her but does not truly define her.

Links:
Read my review of Book 1, Daughter of Smoke & Bone here.
Laini Taylor

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Book Review: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Lovely bones is a disturbing, and facinating look at family life and growing up in suburbia from a very different perspective. The Alice Sebold manages to weave a story about a family's, love, strength and hope around a story of loss, letting go and tragidy.

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