Dynamite Comics Masks Volume 1

Let me start with a quick disclaimer. The target audience for this book is me. For years I have been a fan of Golden Age radio shows like The Shadow and The Green Hornet, pulp novels like The Shadow and The Spider, and Zorro, as well as movie serials featuring masked heroes, many whom are found in this graphic novel.

Dynamite has done a wonderful job of tying these various characters into a single story line without overburdening the reader with origins, hero vs. hero fights or contrived ways to tie all the heroes together. Instead, we are treated to different heroes teaming up in smaller groups to fight a common enemy.

The action begins in 1030's New York where the Green Hornet has perused a Chicago mobster to New York. Soon the Green Hornet and Kato are teaming up with The Shadow and The Spider to combat the plans of the newly elected mayor. It seems he has begun recruiting low to mid level gangsters onto the police department and begins making tyrannical laws that leave the citizens of the Big Apple defenseless against the machinations of the mystery man behind the mayor.

Elsewhere, Rafael Vega a descendant of Don Diego de la Vega aka Zorro is arrested while trying to find work as an illustrator, he is defended by Tony Quinn. In the only origin stories in the book we see how Quinn is blinded by battery acid while helping Vega escape an execution only to discover he can still see in the dark, Donning a costume he becomes the Black Bat. Vega similarly takes advantage of a masquerade shop to resurrect his his ancestors persona of Zorro.

Finally, we have another pairing of Jethro Dumont, publicly known as the criminologist and Tibetan Buddhist The Green Lama with Marla Drake, one of the earliest female super-heroes know as Miss Fury. Later the team is completed with the super strong and invulnerable Black Terror.

While many of these characters may be unfamiliar to today's audience they became the inspiration for almost every super-hero making his or her way to the big screen these days. The artwork in this book is amazing, the writing is first rate and the story has more than a few overtones of modern America with news stories of private military companies operating in the U.S. outside the law (e.g. Blackwater in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina or the overreaching surveillance being conducted by private firms).

If you are not familiar with these characters, or you want to read more of their solo adventures, Dynamite has (or had) solo adventures of all the characters excluding the Green Lama. Readers may also want to read the Project Superpowers by Dynamite to get a better grounding in the many public domain super-heroes the company has resurrected under the creative guidance of artist Alex Ross.

While this may not be familiar territory for every reader, the limited and self-contained nature of the story keeps it accessible for those who are new to these heroes and makes a great love note to fans of the Golden Age like myself.

I give Masks, Volume 1, 4 out of 5 stars.

Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane

I use the Goodreads app on my phone to track what I've read and what I want to read. If you've not checked out Goodreads, do. There's book lists, groups, reviews, and more. You can also follow what friends and others are reading. I mention this because I follow what Felicia Day reads. I start following her because I'm a geek and Felicia seems to have the same kind of sense of humour I do. That is if one can make these decisions based on roles an actor chooses... Yeah, I know. Weak logic. Bottom line is, I'm a geek with a girl crush on Felicia and thought I'd try to read some of the titles she's been reading. Which leads me to Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane.

The story isn't all that uncommon in the urban fantasy realm, bordering on paranormal romance... Woman discovers there's more to the world than she thought. One of the persons involved in this revelation for the heroine is a man who she must resist (for the first half of the book anyway). You know how it ends.

That aside, I had a great time reading this book. Stacia Kane created a world of demons that do not behave quite the way you expect them too. It's those changes, or twisting of the known, that seems to be a reoccurring point for me. That new viewpoint in an otherwise redundant story.

Not necessarily a glowing "review" of the book. Which makes me a bit sad as I really did enjoy the book. So, if any one does read this blog and is unsure about Unholy Ghosts, my advice is to pick it up, read a few chapters and make your own decision.

Black Night by Christina Henry

Black Night is the second book of the Madeline Black series.

Madeline Black is a grim reaper, a job she inherited from her mother. In the first book Madeline learns some new things about her parentage that is critical in the second book. She's sent by her father, one of the Fallen, to the fairy court to negotiate a treaty between the two courts. But before Madeline is even able to leave, her half brother re-appears and causes trouble. Madeline also has trouble with another element that ends up being a larger problem for Madeline, her father's court, and the fairy court. In the end Madeline is a stronger, more independent woman that before. More confident and self reliant.

While Madeline's character isn't unique to urban fantasy, the world that Christina Henry has created does provide a unique perspective to Madeline's situations. I enjoy reading stories that take common concepts and presents them in a new manner. This series does not let me down in that regard. I also enjoy the characters though I admit that they aren't as solid as they might be. I also feel that we spend too much time in Madeline's head. Black Night, I believe, is more guilty of this than the first book.

Overall, I enjoy the series so far. Will I recommend it to others? Meh. It probably wouldn't be among my first picks for other readers there are stronger stories out there. But this is not among the worse either. The unique world Henry has created will keep be reading for another book or two. In which time, my hope is that characters will become more solid and I'll see less of Madeline's internal dialogue.

Hammered, Iron Druid #3

This one I had a difficult time reading. Not because of the writing style, language, or other stylistic elements of the writing. I wasn't comfortable with the plot. Atticus helps a group seeking revenge/justice on Thor. Atticus sneaks them up Yggdrasil to Asgard. A battle ensues. Odin loses a raven, several Valkyries bite it, and ultimately Thor is killed. This is after Atticus kills the Norns and Ratatoskr in the previous book, Hexed.

I will admit that a different reader will likely have a different reaction to the story. I'm pagan and have a strong affinity for the Norse deities. I'm particularly fond of the Norns. And the idea of starting a fight with the Norse deities is off putting.

My aversion aside, the book continues with the witty phrasing and interesting characters that Hearne presents in the previous two books. Fans of the first books will likely find Hammered a good read.

Iron Druid Series

Author: Kevin Hearne
Book One: Hounded

My husband brought home Hounded for me. He works at a bookstore and a coworker suggested I read it. I as skeptical. After reading dozens of paranormal fiction, many plots start reading like others and the book description reminded me of Harry Dresden. I thought to myself, if someone's going to be copying another author, intentionally or not, then Jim Butcher's not a bad choice. I cracked the book and read.

LOVE the book. I like the main character, Atticus, very much. The author introduces strong characters who do not overshadow the plot. Hearne introduces the reader to dieties in a less than reverent manner, which I adore. Atticus shows respect and a healthy amount of fear while managing to stand up to them when appropriate. And Oberon, Atticus's dog... Fantastic sense of humour. Atticus's lawyers, a werewolf and a vampire. I cannot explain what that is priceless, it just is. One human character of note is an elderly Irish Catholic widow in Atticus's neighborhood. She's a whiskey drinking gem of a character.

So, what does Hounded remind me of? Harry Dresden, naturally. But also a bit of American Gods, if only because of the mix of pantheons and humanistic presentation of gods. The tone of the writing reminds me more of Kim Harrison or Patricia Briggs, serious and even with moments of pure delight. If you like any of these authors or have a passing interest in paganism, read it.

Chicago Vampires Series: Drink Deep

This is the fifth book in the Chicago Vampire series by Chloe Neill.

For those not familiar with the serious, it naturally takes place in Chicago. The heroine of the series, Merit, is working on her dissertation at the University of Chicago when she's attacked by a vampire with the intent to kill. Left for dead, another vampire finds her, Ethan, and turns her in order to save her. Needless to say, this wasn't ideal for Merit.

I confess that I loved Drink Deep if only because I love the characters. Overall, the story line was week. I found myself frequently asking "Why doesn't Merit see what is obvious?" I won't provide spoilers, but it's wasn't difficult to determine the cause of the plot obstacle. The why and how, was a little more difficult to conjure so I only came close on the why. Fans of the series will probably have mixed emotions about the ending. I know I did but won't elaborate based on spoilers. Overall, a wonderful read for fans. The story is likely a transitional one for the series ark, I look forward to book six.

If you're new to the series, don't let this post dissuade you from reading the series. The first books are solid, engaging reads and I recommend them highly. This one, just doesn't live up to it's predecessors.

Love Tuesday's

Tuesday's are the best days of the week. Why? Because new books are released! Duh! I'm personally jazzed for the next installments of Chicago Vampires and Otherworlds. I've had them pre-ordered since July!

• Otherworlds -- Courting Darkness, Yasmine Galenorn
• Chicago Vampires -- Drink Deep, Chloe Neill

The books are available from every major retailer, though I recommend your local bookstore or Barnes and Noble. Buying local is always good for the local business but not every city has an independent bookstore. Why not Amazon? Well, the president/CEO of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, has been quoted as having the goal of putting the publishing companies out of business. Amazon also undersells publisher prices which hurts the authors as well as the publishing companies. Amazon also makes books for pedophile audiences available. While one has been removed, others remain... Needless to say, there are many reasons not to support Amazon.