In “Shadows in Flight,” the experimental disease that causes Bean to develop neurologically and physically faster than humans has been passed onto his three children who must either cure their illness or start a colony of their own, before the disease causes a premature demise.
The era of Tolkien-style good and evil is ended. George R.R. Martin, author of “The Song of Ice and Fire” series, presides over a new age of dark, gritty fantasy. Michael J. Sullivan’s “The Riyria Revelations” is a beacon in the darkness, returning the genre to its roots without sacrificing all to the gods of tired clichés and tropes.
“The Fault in Our Stars” is a novel about cancer. Terminal, incurable cancer. It’s also hilarious, but those familiar with author John Green’s work won’t be surprised by that.
As the weather becomes warmer and the sun stays up a little longer, it is the perfect time of year to sit outside and relax while sinking one’s teeth into a good book. This season brings a revival to some popular vampire novels from familiar authors.
If one has never heard of the Argeneau vampires before, “The Renegade Hunter” is not the book to start with. Bestselling author Lynsay Sands continues her 12-part series on the vampire family with this disappointing addition to the collection.
As Simone Elkeles’s “Perfect Chemistry” begins, you may feel the need to strangle the main characters. Brittany is the cheerleader with mouthwatering looks and bitchy friends. Alex is the bad boy with gang paraphernalia and an accent. Of course, they’re both secretly miserable. However, despite their initial unoriginality, these characters set the scene for a novel that transcends stereotypical images.
“Shiver” by Maggie Stiefvater is delightfully romantic, humorous and heartbreaking. For years, Grace has been fascinated by the yellow-eyed wolf who seems to watch her with an intensity and longing that is almost human. Bitten by a wolf as a boy, Sam is Grace’s wolf. He has always felt alone, forced to become an animal when the cold racks his body with chills, only to be granted humanity in the precious summer months.
With the leaves changing color and the weather getting colder, what better to do than to hole up in a dimly lit room and read a horrifying novel? Halloween is only a few days away and reading Mark Z. Danielewski’s “House of Leaves” is a perfect way to embrace the season.
