Fire Touched, by Patricia Briggs

I enjoy Brigg's books--all of them!   She writes a number of fantasy series and all are well written and engaging.  Yes there are werewolves and shape-changers as well as a variety of supernatural creatures and ancient gods!  But, the books have good narrative arcs and a number of well rounded characters.

But, I am embarrassed by the covers.  I actually found myself turning the book face-down in doctor's offices and coffee shops when I was not actually reading.  If you look at the covers you will probably expect a fantasy romance novel.  There is little if any "romance" other than the developing relationships between main characters--the normal romance found in most novels.

What do I like about these books?  Well, ancient gods always appeal to me!  I'm fascinated by our mythologies and the "character" of the gods, demi-gods, and other "divine" beings.  This series, along with the Iron Druid, Artemis Fowl, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel, and Percy Jackson series as well as individual titles such as American Gods have pulled me into a wide range of mythologies.  Brigg's books are set in Southeastern Washington State (the tri-cities area) and thus also resonate with my northwestern US home.  Her details of the setting and region throughout this series may enhance your enjoyment of the books if you are familiar with the area.  If you are not, then they may encourage you to come visit!

It's a great summer read (and you can create a book cover to hide the cover image!).  In this case don't be fooled by the cover.

Amped, by Daniel H. Wilson (2012)

I've just become a Daniel Wilson fan!  This is a great read and addresses several important technology/bioethics issues.  Wilson has  Ph.D. in robotics from Carnegie Mellon.  I assume that the science is pretty sound.  The story, of humans with neuro-implants that amplify their abilities (the Amps) has many interesting routes that readers can follow.  There is of course, the bioethics that are the focus of the story.  This is done well and will help us see a bit into the future.  I don't think we can quite "amp" humans the way Wilson portrays, but I expect it will be possible in the future.

A second theme relates to genocide/discrimination.  I can easily see this as a companion piece to any holocaust unit or study of other genocides.  (Those of you who know me are aware that I'm weary of the Anne Frank units that I read each semester.  I think it's time to expand our explorations of genocides and discrimination.

The secondary character, Lyle, is also a good study in the effects of power on a human.  Between Lyle and Senator Joseph Vaughn the exploration of what power does to our politicians and CEOs could lead to some fascinating discussions.  This theme in the book can also easily fit into studies of extremist groups and terrorism.  The government reactions to amps is well done and makes for a nice platform for exploring our current concerns about the Patriot Act and digital surveillance. 

Of course the science elements of this book could fit nicely in any study of scientific trends and issues.

Also, there may soon be a film connection to his other book Robopocalypse.  Robopocalypse was purchased by DreamWorks and is currently being adapted for film by Steven Spielberg.

Hexed: The Iron Druid Chronicles, by Kevin Hearne

The Iron Druid Chronicles has been one of my reading "accidents."  I listened to "Hammered" first because of a special promotion through Audible.  I enjoyed that book and decided to try a print version of another title from the series.  I expect I will be reading all eight in the series.

The main character, Atticus O'Sullivan, is as suggested a Druid.  In fact, he is the last Druid.  He does have an apprentice in the works and we're all pulling for Granuaile to succeed in her apprenticeship program.  However, given the trouble that Atticus seems to attract, that is not guaranteed!

Atticus has a great group of friends--vampires, werewolves, and a wonderful Irish Wolfhound with whom he can "talk" telecommunicatively. 

Hearne is from Arizona and the geographic connections are fascinating.  He, like Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordan, and Michael Scott; brings a wide range of gods and mythological figures into his books.  I'm enjoying learning a lot about Irish gods and mythology as well as other traditions.  I think I'm going to have to dust off a book about druids that I got long ago and didn't finish.  Now I have a reason to want to dig in more deeply.  Hearne also connects to the Gaelic, Polish and German languages.

I like the entire series a lot and would recommend them to "mature" young adults.  There is occasional reference to sex, but nothing particularly graphic. I think this series would be a good one for readers who like series like The Seven Realms, Chima or Codex Alera, Butcher.

In addition to enjoying the series I also believe in supporting Hearne.  Before he was able to turn to writing full-time he was a high school English teacher. 

Suspect, by Robert Crais

I've been a long-time follower of Crais.  His police and private detective novels are always compelling reads.  Suspect, kept me going!  I "read" this on my iPod.  I got lots of housekeeping and garden work done so that I could finish the book!

There are two main characters in the book; Scott James, a LA Policeman and Maggie, a German Shepherd who has retired from military work.  They work together to attempt to solve the murder of James' partner.

Crais tells the story with three narrative voices.  Each is strong and pulls the reader into their perspective on the events (I'm avoiding spoilers here--I don't want anyone's enjoyment of this gripping story diminished by "tells.)  My favorite are the narrations by Maggie the dog.  I am a dog owner and can enjoy greatly the accurate description of the dog's point of view.  Of course we are always tied to the human imagination--but I think Crais has the dog view pretty accurately captured  here.  My dogs are more "sight" dogs--miniature Australian Sheperds, so I really enjoyed learning more about a scent dog's perspective.

Even if you're not a dog lover you will enjoy the plot line.  Classic police detective work!

Zombie Fallout, by Mark Tufo

This came to me as a "Book Bub" promotion (an email promotion that sends a listing of free/inexpensive ebooks).  I picked it up on a whim, I've been reading a lot of paranormal fantasy lately.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Turfo's narrator has a most refreshing voice that makes the zombie apocalypse presented in this series of books new and different from the typical grim zombie story. 

Michael Talbot is a flawed, unemployed, suburban ex-Marine, survivalist who finds himself one of the few in his affluent gated-community up to the challenges of a zombie pandemic.  He has children whom he loves, a best friend a few miles away, and a petite wife who is surprisingly tough.  Together they meet the challenges of a zombie take-over and help their community defend their lives and homes.

Throughout the book I was laughing and thoroughly enjoyed Talbot's sarcastic, immature, but self-aware narration.  He has a bull-dog devotion to his friends and family that ultimately force him into to the unwilling role of hero.

I shared this book with my 23 year-old son.  He has since read the other five titles in the series.  (I have not.)  He tells me that the first title is the best, but it's worth noting that he took the time from video game play and general semi-adult hi-jinx to read the entire series.

Generally the content has been aimed at an adult audience, but I would be quite comfortable recommending it to older teens.  It would make for a very interesting comparative analysis of voice.  I can see putting this together with WWZ and other zombie literature to complete a careful analysis of voice, mood, and tone.

Cold Days: A Novel of the Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher

2012, ROC

My son and I read the Dresden Files books as they arrive.  I saved this one for his Christmas present.  He finished it in 3 days as did I (even while I was leveling up in WOW).

My son perhaps said it best "Everything you'd want in a Dresden book."

It is filled with magic and feats of daring combined with thoughtful explorations of motivations and politics.  It is also infused with humor.  Butcher is one of the few authors who continues to surprise me.  My son agreed--we were both caught off-guard by the ending.  I won't spoil it, but if you are able to anticipate what is to happen I will award you a badge of foresight.

This is a book I would easily recommend to adolescents.  It particularly will fit students who are drawn to fantasy/adventure and quest literature.  It could easily be used in coordination with game-based learning.  There had been a video game (RPG) version as well as a one season television series. He also had a series of comic books based on the Dresden characters.  For you graphic novel/comics students this would be a leveling up.

Why am I such a fan?  First, Butcher himself has a great take on becoming a writer and the work ethic necessary to reach goals.  Anyone who needs "inspiration" should look at what Butcher says about these topics.  Secondly, Butcher has extremely complex characters.  Although good and evil are at constant war, most of his developed characters have a mix.  It is excellent character development and can help adolescents and young adults explore roles and decisions.  Finally there is Harry Dresden himself.  He's funny, in a way that will appeal to many readers, especially adolescent and young adult males.  But, as a mature woman I can also appreciate the humor.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.  Butcher suggests that he's hoping for 23 books in the series.  Cold Days is #14.  I'll try and be patient while waiting.  Maybe I'll try one of the comics to tide me over.  But, I have a reading assignment--look for A Confederacy of Dunces in my next review.  (My book club's choice.)

Side Jobs, by Jim Butcher

A collection of short stories featuring the main and supportive characters from Butcher's Dresden Files series.  Reading these made me yearn for the next book in the Dresden Files series.  As always, Butcher's humor tickles me and his plots/characters compel me to continue reading.  This collection of short stories may be an excellent way to pull adolescent readers into the series or Butcher's other series, The Codex Alera.  Although readers of the series will be able to bring a layered and complex understanding of the characters and plot to these short stories I also believe that readers new to this would find each story engaging and lucid. 

Greyalker Series, by Kat Richardson

I've blogged about several of  the Greywalker books in the past.  Overall, I greatly enjoy them and think that many older adolescents would as well.  However, in the last book, Downpour, there is a fairly explicit sex scene (the only one in the entire series) that makes recommending any of the books in the series to adolescents more difficult for me. I expect I'd just warn them that their parents may be disturbed by the content of the last book.  That they shouldn't read it if it's going to get them (or me) in trouble.

With that warning--I'm going to have to say the Downpour was a great read.  Much of the action is set on the Kitsap Peninsula, where my mother lived in the last fifteen years of her life.  I know some of the settings, but am going to have to plan a trip back to Hurricane Ridge and other localities for the summer.  Richardson has certainly piqued my interest in specific camp spots and locations.  For students who are Twilight fan this is also close to La Push (Jacob's home).  There are also, as is usually true, some historical background that got me digging a little into the history of Washington State.

The rest of the books in the series are great paranormal reads, with a minimum of romance and enough substance and inventiveness to keep me reading.  Also on my desk today, about to return to the library, is Poltergeist.  Talk about your science experiments gone wrong! A university professor gets a group together to recreate an experiment in which a group of subjects were able to "create" a poltergeist.  Richardson creates the Pacific Northwest University which was founded by "fire breathing Calvinists."  I can't help but think she's talking about Pacific Lutheran University, where my step brother works.  It adds a layer of interest to the book.

Another interesting bit is that Harper Blaine, the protagonist in the series, has a ferret.  I haven't been drawn to ferrets as pets--but her descriptions of their behaviors make me understand better why someone would want to have one.

I'm done with the series so far---I'm guessing Richardson will have a next book.  I'll be reading it when it is released.   I recommend her website.  http://katrichardson.com/ She has a video with a walking tour of Pioneer Square (where Harper Blaine,  has her office).  Overall I think it's a really interesting site with more to do than I have time!

The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss (2007)

This is an adult book suitable for older young adults.  I will be reading the rest of the series as they are published (the second book in the series The Wise Man's Fear,  was published in March, 2011--I haven't gotten to it yet).  It is an "Epic" fantasy (medieval in tone--horses etc.) but also includes an engaging plot line and well developed characters. 

The story begins in an inn near the edge of civilization with dark harbingers of impending evil/disaster.  All is quite unclear at the beginning and readers who haven't learned to accept ambiguity will be frustrated.  The main character, Kvothe, is persuaded to tell his life story to a traveling scribe.  As the story unfolds we learn that Kvothe is much more than your "above average" innkeeper.  But, it takes quite a while to uncover what/who he truly is. 

There's a complicated romance, evil forces to send chills down your spine, great friendship, and "magic" school rivalries to keep any reader of fantasies happy.  But, beware, it will absorb several weeks to work through the first book (896 pages!).  I'm awarding 4 stars, I see at various book review websites that other reviewers are equally enthusiastic.  It was awarded the "Quill" award. 

Micro, by Michael Crichton and Richard Preston (2011)

Preston was chosen to finish this manuscript after Crichton died in 2008.  I'm a fan of both writers, so I was most satisfied with the collaboration.  I'm going to give this book to my daughter, a biology major.  One of the elements of the writings of both of these authors that I appreciate is their ability to take science/anthropology and use it to write compelling stories that help us understand the world(s) around us.

Earlier this year I heard a segment on NPR about micro-drones being developed for military espionage.  Micro was a bit ahead in fully elaborating the possibilities of micro machines.  To this concept Crichton adds the micro world of biology.  It's not the microscopic world that has been used in some science fiction--instead a sort of Honey I Shrunk the Kids, sort of world.  Set in Hawaii we are allowed to see the ecology of the island in detail. Crichton/Preston do a great job (from my non-biologist eyes) of portraying the forces of nature at play in the natural world.

This book will be a great way to engage those with scientific interests with fiction.  It's a good story and will also keep devoted fiction readers entertained.