Book Preview: Monster Hunter Vendetta

Book: Monster Hunter Vendetta
Author: Larry Correia
Publisher: Baen

I am currently reading the first book in this series called Monster Hunter International, and this is the second book that comes out in october. I am enjoying the first book so far, but it is 700+ pages, and I am a slow reader, so I figure in the meantime I can preview the second book. according to amazon Monster Hunter Vendetta is only 300 pages, so I'm wondering if i'm not the only one that enjoys the first book but wishes it was trimmed down a bit. anyways here is the blurb:

"Accountant turned professional monster hunter, Owen Zastava Pitt, managed to stop the nefarious Old One's invasion plans last year, but as a result made an enemy out of one of the most powerful beings in the universe. Now an evil death cult known as the Church of the Temporary Mortal Condition wants to capture Owen in order to gain the favor of the great Old Ones. The Condition is led by a fanatical necromancer known as the Shadow Man. The government wants to capture the Shadow Man and has assigned the enigmatic Agent Franks to be Owen's full time bodyguard, which is a polite way of saying that Owen is monster bait. With supernatural assassins targeting his family, a spy in their midst, and horrific beasties lurking around every corner, Owen and the staff of Monster Hunter International don't need to go hunting, because this time the monsters are hunting them. Fortunately, this bait is armed and very dangerous . . . "

Book Review: Angel of Death

Book: Angel of Death
Author: J. Robert King
Publisher: Angry Robot

Angel of Death is a great and original book by J Robert King. It is separated in 3 stories. It can get brutal at times, but I usually like that kind of stuff in the books I read so I did enjoy it very much.

The first story follows a serial killer, and shows in detail the methods that he uses to kill his victim. What made this story different for me was the way this story is told. most books i read is either written in first person the whole book, or the book is written in third person the whole book. Angel of Death switches between first, second, and third person throughout the book. So when King describes a killer, and explains how "you" are going about killing him, it can get pretty intense. I'm sure it must be done in other books too, but it was new too me and I think it added to the experience reading the book.

Watching over all the killings is the angel of death wich is pretty much the grim reaper. The book follows his activities, how he prepairs when a death is near, and how he watches the death take place.

There is also a female detective on the case to find the seriel killer. While the angel of death is watching over her he starts to fall for the detective, and even begins a relationship with her. It's the first time that something like this has happened to the angel, and he slowly gets more involved in the human way of life.

The first story in the book is great. It is great following the characters through the story. The second story in the book however, although it wasn't bad, it just wasnt' for me. The thing is without giving too much away there is a long court scene.  I don't know if it's from me having to go to jury duty, or having to watch shows like perry mason, and matlock when I was a kid i tend to find court scenes very boring. There is nothing wrong with how it is written so most people might enjoy this story as much as the first, it just wasn't for me.

The third story the action picks up again, and there are lots more brutal killings, and twists and turns making the book a real joy for me to read. This book gets pretty dark at times so be prepared. But if your like me you may enjoy these parts the most.

The second book in this series is called Death's Disciples and it comes out in August. I look forward to reading that....from looking at it's description it apears to be much different than the first book. But I can say that I liked Angel of Death enough to want to read the second book.

If you like books about serial killers, angels, and filled with killings I can definatly recomend this book.

Book Review: The Tomb

Book: The Tomb
Author: F. Paul Wilson
Publisher: Tor

I have had this book for a while now, and for whatever reason just got around to reading it recently. The Tomb originaly came out in 1984, and this edition came out in 2004 and says "author's definitive edition" I am not really sure what the diferance is between the orignal version and this one but there are certain parts in this book that you can tell couldn't have been in the 84 version for instance he mentions a playstation, dvd player, cd player things like that wich probably substituted for an Atari or something like that in the original. thats just a guess though because I haven't seen the original. What made this wierd though was that although playstations are around cell phones, and even call waiting doesn't seem to exist, so I almost wish I read the original version because some things seem like they take place now, and some things seem like they took place in the 80's.

There where lot's of things I liked about this book. for instance the main character "Repairman Jack". Besides having one of the coolest names a main character can have, he is also a very fun character to read about. You learn early on in the book of all the weapons he keeps in his apartment and that his job is to help people solve there problems.

In this case Jack needs to find a stolen necklace that belongs to the grandmother of the person who hired him. He also is asked by his ex-girlfriend to help her find her missing aunt. Jacks girlfriend broke up with him when she found out what he does for a living but they still care about eachother, and Jack still has a close relationship with his ex-girlfriends daughter Vicky.

Yes there where lots of things I liked about the book, the action was great. unfortunatly most of the action didn't hapen until the book was almost over. in fact, that impresive arsenal I told you about. All the guns that Jack has in the aparment. The first gun isn't used until there are 75 pages left in the book, and the gun didn't even work. Those last 75 pages are pretty amazing and really saved the book, but to be honest there where times earlier in the book where it felt more like a soap opera than a horror story wich is the section I found the book in at the book store. After a heated argument or something dramatic happened and someone closes the door, the characters actualy turn around and lean there backs against the door just like I remember when I was a kid and my mom was watching days of our lives.

The parts of the book that were good where great. When jack beats the crap out of the guy that stole the necklace. The Scary demon like creatures called "rakoshi" that eat human flesh were pretty awesome bad guys. at 425 pages that book isn't even very long. I would almost recomend it for the good parts alone. Just remember my warning that if you were expecting tons of action like i was you have to wait until the very end to get it. The Tomb is considerd a classic, and it's the only book I have read from Wilson, but it might be the only book i read from him unless someone can convince me to give him another chance.

Book Review: Personal Demons

Book: Personal Demons
Author: Gregory Lamberson
Publisher: Medallion Press

I'm not saying this is the best book cover in the world, but it certianly is different, and it stood out when I was looking around at a book store. I thought it looked intresting enough to buy it even though I wasn't familier with the author.

This is Gregory Lambersons first book, with his 2nd book called "Frenzy Way" coming out in June.  I really enjoyed this book so, I plan on picking up that one as well.

The books main character Jake Helman is a new york cop investigating a serial killer called the cipher. Jake has a few problems most noteably a cocaine habbit. When Jake refuses to submit to a drug test he resigns from the police department.

 Soon after Jake gets hired as the director of security for a genetic engineering company. This is when things start getting pretty crazy. Working security Jake discovers ghosts searching for there souls, a demon called the grim reaper, and loads of other crazy things that almost push Jake to his limit. This book is extremely fast paced, and I had a fun time reading it. It is on the short side at 377 pages so I got through this one very quick. I realy enjoyed the book, and I look forward to reading more by Gregory Lamberson. The fun story, fast paced action, the gore, and horror would have me recomend this book for fans of Charlie Huston, Harry Connolly, and Mike Carey.