Wow.
Wow, Part 1: Demon Night
I just finished the ARC of MelJean Brook's Demon Night that I won from Dear Author. I'm still gathering my thoughts on it--there's a lot of plot, and backstory, and detail. I don't know quite what I think of Demon Night but I am certain of two things:
- Meljean Brook can write.
Really. The opening of chapter one was a marvel of pacing and deftly placed detail. It sucked me in, and made me want to reread it a few more times just to admire it. - I want to read Brook's other books.
Not just because this book was jam-packed with characters from earlier novels, but because I want to read something that's not quite so full of characters and ongoing plot and backstory. As a newbie reader jumping in on the third (?) book, I gotta say, Brook handled all those elements extremely well. But her big, complex world full of angels, demons, guardians, vampires, secret government agencies, prophecies, and conspiracies is like a hot bath--it's enjoyable, but it's also something you want to ease into.
I picked up my copy of Carrie Lofty's Sundial a couple of days ago. It's a novella, and a damned good deal at $3. Sure, it's only 67 pages, but there is at least 250 pages worth of longing, tension and angst packed into those pages. Plus, vespas! Also, a hero with a little moral ambiguity, 1950's Italy, and the loveliest final line I've read in a great long while.
7 comments:
I haven't read MelJean Brook. I had the first book in her series, and I started reading it... ad then the maid did something with it, and I haven't seen it since. It bugs me from time to time since I hate not finishing books.
However, I did read Sundial, and I have to say it's one of the best novellas I've read, period. Lyrical, provocative, and ripe with sensuality, as well as darkness, grit, and delicious angst -- I'd recommend it to anyone who wants something different. I thought Carrie did a marvelous job twisting the time-travel trope. Imagine the fear and alienation of being out of place. It was just lovely from start to finish. And I really admire her lush, evocative style.
Her Zebra novel is that good too.
Addendum to Wow, Part 2: Everything Ann said. This is why my thoughts on books are not reviews. I am a crappy reviewer. I tend to only focus on the things that are new to me. I already knew I loved Carrie's writing style and her penchant for unusual historical settings--so do I mention those things? Nope. I should have. They rock. Also, Sundial is a novella that reads like a novel, which is a very rare thing.
Lastly, Ann, I am totally envious you've read What a Scoundrel Wants (formerly, Redeeming Will Scarlet). The rest of us have to wait a year--a whole year!--for it.
I am so jealous of your getting that arc. But then again, I am such a nerd about reading in order, I won't grow into my full-fledged flashing green-eyed jealousy until after I have finished Demon Angel (which I'm currently reading and overly gushing about) and then Demon Moon.
And hey, so we don't get to see the final line of the Lofty book? Does it give too much away? I'll have to take a look at Lofty, it seems.
Hey, Merry Christmas Eve.
> And hey, so we don't get to see
> the final line of the Lofty book?
You have to read the whole story first to appreciate the line--to love the line. I don't know how impressive it would be apart from the story, but coming at the end of all that tension and longing and angst...::sigh::...perfect.
Merry Christmas Eve!
My flashing, green-eyed jealousy just took a bite out of me. I want I want I want Demon Night. Normally I'm not all about the freebies on websites. If I win, cool, if not that's alright. I pouted when I didn't win Demon Night. For a full hour.
You and Ann are totally right about Carry Lofty too. :D I've read WSW. It's da bomb.
I read Sundial over Christmas break, with an hour to myself, and fell in love with Carrie's style all over again. I had tears--tears--at the end.
I'm in the small crowd that has read WaSW also. Cannot wait until December! Want to see her take the world by storm. Her lush style and rich vocabulary caress the reader. In all the right places.
Aaargh! I hope Carrie has some sort of contest or something to give away an ARC. I don't think I can take much more of you "I've read WaSW" people waltzing around and making me totally envious. It's just plain cruel, I tell you. Cruel.
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