Musings of a Bookish Kitty: February 2013

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Bookish Thoughts: The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

Ballantine Books, 2011

Romance (Paranormal); 448 pgs

I loved this book. My husband's been giving me a hard time for liking it at all, but it was so good! Juliet Dark (also known by the name Carol Goodman) is a master of description, weaving a tale that pulled me in and has me craving more. I was reminded of how I felt when I read Karen Marie Moning's Darkfever, although the books are very different.

From the Publisher:

Since accepting a teaching position at remote Fairwick College in upstate New York, Callie McFay has experienced the same disturbingly erotic dream every night: A mist enters her bedroom, then takes the shape of a virile, seductive stranger who proceeds to ravish her in the most toe-curling, wholly satisfying ways possible. Perhaps these dreams are the result of her having written the bestselling book The Sex Lives of Demon Lovers. Callie’s lifelong passion is the intersection of lurid fairy tales and Gothic literature—which is why she’s found herself at Fairwick’s renowned folklore department, living in a once-stately Victorian house that, at first sight, seemed to call her name.

But Callie soon realizes that her dreams are alarmingly real. She has a demon lover—an incubus—and he will seduce her, pleasure her, and eventually suck the very life from her. Then Callie makes another startling discovery: Her incubus is not the only mythical creature in Fairwick. As the tenured witches of the college and the resident fairies in the surrounding woods prepare to cast out the demon, Callie must accomplish something infinitely more difficult—banishing this supernatural lover from her heart.

I actually picked up this book to read only because I liked the sound of the second book in the series. I admit to being a bit turned off by the description of this book, afraid it would be more sex than story. And while there was a lot of sex, there was also quite a good story.

When Callie first visits Fairwick, she has no real interest in taking the job there. She and her boyfriend had long ago agreed to settle in New York City once they finished school. But Callie is drawn to the town, particularly an old Victorian house once owned by a famous author. She buys the home and accepts the position even despite all her reasons not to. As Callie will soon discover, both she and the town of Fairwick are more than they at first appear.

I loved the setting of the novel. From the old Victorian house and the woods behind with all its secrets to the university and its eclectic staff to the small town itself, with its charm and unique townsfolk. This is a place I would love to explore further, getting to know the people and taking in the beauty and heart of my surroundings.

Callie is the typical heroine, strong and intelligent. Her students are important to her, and it shows in her teaching and in her interactions with her students. Callie is practical, but a romantic at heart. She doesn't want to believe the man who comes to her in her dreams is real, can't imagine he could be, but as the evidence mounts, she struggles with what to do. Callie's emotions are at war with what she knows is right. It's an age old dilemma, but one many of us can relate to on some level.

The incubus haunting Callie isn't the only trouble she faces in The Demon Lover. There's also the curse on one of her student's family and a mysterious illness going around. There is also her grandmother, a formidable woman with her own agenda.

The book has a distinct Gothic feel to it, which makes it all the more appealing. It is beautiful and intense. And I loved every word. I hated to leave the world Juliet Dark created and am anxious to jump into the second book of the Fairwick Chronicles, Water Witch.

Rating:

(Very Good +)

To learn more about Carol Goodman/Juliet Dark and her books, please visit the author's website.

Source: I received an e-copy of this book for review from the publisher via NetGalley.

© 2013, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

My Not so Review of The Road by Cormac McCarthy (Spoilers)

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Knopf, 2006

Fiction; 256 pgs

I was going to write a review of The Road, both the book by Cormac McCarthy, and the movie (2009, directed by John Hillcoat), but I then decided not to. Yet, here I sit, trying to come up with something for you . . . and nothing. I am not sure what to say beyond the writing is brilliant, the story stark and depressing and yet full of love with a (very) dim spark of hope. Once I had time to actually sit down and get into it, rather than the stolen reading moments I sneaked in here and there, I was captivated and completely drawn to the story of this young boy and his father as they traveled toward the coast in an inhospitable, post-apocalyptic world.

For me, it's impossible not to talk about this novel--or the movie--without talking about the ending. It was an important ending--and a powerful one. I finished the novel while at work, and so didn't have as strong a reaction to it as I might have had I been home, free to feel whatever emotions came. I was able to let my emotions flow after the movie, however, and it was awhile before the tears stopped. A parent dying and leaving behind a child (or a child dying) is a trigger for me. And both the movie and book affected me for days. I imagine they would have anyway, even if I wasn't more sensitive to that particular topic. Still, it was compounded by the recent real life murder of a local police officer who left behind a wife and two children. No matter how hard I tried to block out the thought of those poor kids, I couldn't do it. Although I did not know this particular officer, I have worked with others on the force. We are community partners, fighting the same fight.

And so, a few weeks later, I still am not sure what to write about The Road. It's a book I have wanted to read since I first heard the hype when it was published. Then I put off reading it because of the hype. And now that I have finally gotten to it, I find at a loss for what to say--in part, because of the hype. What's there to say about a book that just about everyone has already read and dissected? All I can say is that, for me, this book was more a visceral read than one I analyzed as I read.

I liked the movie and felt it was well done, although the book is better. I liked better my own vision of the world McCarthy created rather than that on the big screen. The changes between the two were minor and did not really change the story. Still, the book seems more powerful, more meaningful to me. And yet seeing the story on the screen, brought it even more home for me. I'm not sure I can explain why exactly.

Rating:

(Very Good +)

To learn more about Cormac McCarthy and his books, please visit the author's website.

Source: I purchased a copy of this book and movie for my own viewing pleasure.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Sick Days

Friday, February 08, 2013

Bookish Thoughts: The Expats by Chris Pavone

The Expats by Chris Pavone

Broadway, 2013

Crime Fiction; 352 pgs

When Kate's husband first tells her he has taken a job in Luxembourg, her mind reels with what the move will involve. It means leaving behind her own job, one that has defined her for many years. She convinces herself it is for the best--she'd been feeling the strain between working outside the home in such a demanding job and her family since the day her first child was born. This could be the opportunity she's been waiting for to break from her old life.

As she attempts to settle into her new life as a stay at home mom, socializing with the other expats in Luxembourg, she seems to be going through the motions, just playing a part. Her husband had promised to be home more and have fewer late nights working, only that isn't proving to be the case. And then there is the new American couple in town who seems a bit off. Both set off bells for Kate, and she begins to look into the possible secrets everyone, including her husband, around her is hiding. Kate can't help but wonder though if it is all in her head, remnants of her old life, of always being suspicious and never taking anything at face value.

Kate herself has her own secrets, including that she once worked for the CIA. She struggles internally with whether to tell her husband, unsure how he will react. The lies came so easily for so long; she wonders if the truth will do more damage than good. The author captures very well the strain secrets can have on on a marital relationship, and I found myself wondering what would happen to Kate and her husband throughout. Chris Pavone poses some difficult ethical questions in terms of honesty and protecting the ones we love. He does an excellent job of demonstrating how no decision is exactly black and white.

Kate is an interesting character. I never felt like she completely let me in, even as a reader, and yet I feel as if I understand her. I got the impression she was often just going through the motions, not really happy with her life. I think it was the burden of the secrets she carries as well as the constant lies. Much of the novel is focused on Kate's internal struggles, which I really appreciated as it added depth to the story.

I have made this book sound more like a book about relationships than the thriller it is, but The Expats has plenty of thrill. The story is told in the first person narrative, with the past and present running parallel. It makes for an especially intriguing story with just enough foreshadowing to build suspense but not enough to spoil. I was quite taken with Chris Pavone's ability to surprise me with the many twists in the novel. There was rarely a dull moment. And I loved the author's way with words, at once beautiful and thoughtful. The Expats is both an intense and thought provoking book.

Rating:

(Very Good)

To learn more about Chris Pavone and his book, please visit the author's website.

I hope you will check out what others had to say about The Expats on the TLC Book Tours route!

Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour. Copy of The Expats provided by publisher.

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Getting Cozy

Hosted by Wordless Wednesday

Everyone in our house has been struck by illness. Poor Mouse worst of all. She went to the see the doctor this past weekend and is now taking antibiotics for early stage pneumonia and bronchitis. As a result, I haven't had much energy--or time--to blog, much less look at my computer. I have a tour scheduled for Friday and will post my review as planned. Please be patient as we rest and recover. I will be back to blogging and visiting blogs as soon as I can.