My Life in France / Julia Child

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Reading Prompt: Book with the name of a country in the title
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 10

I have fond memories of watching Julia Child’s television show when I was a kid. I loved her voice and her confiding approach to her audience. Perhaps part of my own enthusiasm for cooking can be attributed to Mrs. Child. I've been meaning to read this memoir for ages and finally took the bull by the horns!

Julia seems to have been an extrovert and an optimist. Nevertheless she had her frustrations in life. She and her father couldn't see eye to eye on American politics which seems to have prevented a close relationship. Her husband Paul's government job was unpredictable, not as well paid as they could have hoped, and was made uncomfortable by McCarthyism. However Julia seems to have focused on the positives in her life: a good marriage, her love of France, and her French cookbook project.

Lucky is the person who discovers a subject which enthralls them! And to have a supportive spouse who shares your interest is a bonus. A lot of Paul Child comes through in this memoir too. His lovely photos illustrate the book. His love of France took the couple to Europe, where Julia discovered herself. Paul was not a controlling husband, rather he was an adventurous man who appreciated having a partner in crime. They seem to have been extremely well suited as a couple.

Reading this book most definitely inspired me to return to the kitchen, although not to practice the art of French cooking. But I did enjoy a lovely Carrot and Lots of Garlic Soup last night, accompanied by a gluten free Olive Bread with Parmesan and Sun Dried Tomatoes. Julia would likely disapprove of my use of pre-shredded cheese, but the results pleased me and that's what counts.

I loved her chatty, jaunty style of writing. It felt rather like sitting at the kitchen table, visiting with a friend. Her descriptions of the French countryside and of her local stomping grounds were poetic and clearly revealed her love of her adoptive country. What a wonderful life Julia lived!

Iorich / Steven Brust

 

***100 Days of Summer 2023***

Reading prompt: Book where the main character has a pet that is important to the plot
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 12

3.5 stars

I always enjoy a little visit with Vlad Taltos, former assassin and human in a world of Dragnereans. I read this quickly, despite the fact that I really didn't understand why Vlad was so focused on getting Aliera off the hook. I mean she was innocent of the charges, but Vlad isn't responsible for justice in the Empire. Perhaps I missed something in the first chapter.

As usual, Vlad is a smart ass, both with his friends and with his lizard-like jhereg companion, Loiosh. Vlad is being pursued by the Jhereg assassins, so he depends on Loiosh's aerial surveillance to make his way safely around the capitol city. Despite this, he runs into trouble on a couple of occasions. He can't think or talk his way out of all of them. I am thankful that I understand Brust's sense of humour, but I'm aware that I should leave long spaces between books. His style entertains me for a short book, but quickly wears thin.

A quick, funny summertime read.

Book number 495 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

The Magicians / Lev Grossman

 

3 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer 2023***

Reading prompt: Book narrated by a child or teen but meant for an adult audience
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 11

This novel is an homage to the Narnia books of C.S. Lewis. Grossman calls his fantasy land Fillory, but the numerous similarities to Narnia are obvious. And the magic school that the main characters attend, Brakebills, is like a more realistic version of Hogwarts. Grossman references the two best known fictions for children, but then populates it with unhappy, unfocused teenagers.

I guess it's a study in disappointment. What if the magic of life is real and yet utterly fails to enchant you? If your magic practice becomes a grind and your graduation leaves you drifting, with no purpose or goals? Then you are transported to the land that engaged your childhood imagination and find that it's violent and uncomfortable and, unlike book characters, you have no idea what you're doing. As Quentin says, “There's no getting away from yourself, not even in Fillory.”

I guess I couldn't relate to the general unhappiness of Quentin and his classmates. I may not be scintillatingly happy every day, but I'm largely content. If nothing else, this book has given me a new appreciation for that.

Book number 494 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Ghost Ship / Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer 2023***

Reading prompt: Any book in a series that has more than 10 entries
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 1

I couldn't wait to pick up this book and spend more time in the Liaden universe. I have to admire the planning that seems to have gone into this whole series of books. In this installment, Clan Korval picks up their enormous house, the surrounding garden complete with gigantic sentient Tree, and all their toys which are loaded into a Clutch Turtle craft (a hollowed out asteroid) and transported from Liad to Surebleak (a planet prepared for their arrival by Pat Rin in I Dare). Once the transfer is complete, the Tree is giddy, remembering its journeys when just a sapling, carted about in a pot.

There is a brief appearance by one of the Turtles, namely Edger, who claims a special bond with Val Con yos'Phellium. For once, Edger does not steal the scene! Giant sentient turtles tend to do that. Now that Theo Waitley has joined the clan, she is expected to attend their large soiree designed to introduce themselves to Surebleak society. (I was somewhat disappointed that Edger didn't show up at the party).

But Theo has other duties to attend to as well. She doesn't spend much time hanging around the clan house. She has a courier business to keep running, an employer to report to, an AI ship fixated on her, a copilot to hire, and her lover Win Ton to rescue.

The authors set up a number of new plot threads that show promise. Theo's mother makes plans to visit Surebleak. One wonders how Theo will feel about that! Plus we will learn more about the gangland society of Surebleak and see how Korval manages to keep the main road open. Not to mention the story arcs of so many beloved characters. I will definitely be reading on!

Book number 493 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Mouse & Dragon / Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer 2023***

Reading prompt: Book that you checked out or borrowed
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 4

This book picks up where Scout's Progress ended, continuing the story of Aelliana Caylon and Daav yos'Phellium, delm of Clan Korval. Aelliana has narrowly escaped from her brutal brother, who was allowed to abuse her by the delm of their house. The contract marriage that she endured was also violent, as it was arranged by this same brother. She has spent time in the House of Healing, where they have done what they can for her, but some psychological wounds were too old to put right. Although there is little doubt that Daav and Aelliana are life mates, the senior healer warns him that they may never experience the fullness of that partnership.

I have been jumping around a bit in the series order with my reading. There are many story threads that run through this series, and following one may take you ahead of another book which provides more context. Lee and Miller have experienced some difficulties with publication, being told that their first three books were not successful enough and having an e-book publisher go out of business. In attempting to keep the wolf from the door, their story telling has jumped around a bit. Whatever fans were clamouring for they would write, for who turns down sure sales?

Suddenly, the final pages of Saltation now make sense to me. I knew that Theo Waitley's father was a Pilot, but I had only suspicions about which Pilot he might be. I would recommend reading this volume before Fledgling and of course after Scout's Progress. I don't know if I can get myself out of this reading tangle that I have found myself in, but I will read on and piece things together as I go. I have Ghost Ship in hand and after a couple of books with closer due dates, I am ready to drink it down too.

Book number 492 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

The Iron Princess / Barbara Hambly

 

3.5 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Reading Prompt: Fantasy novel that involves a quest
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 3

The book begins with an homage to Prometheus, as Clea and her helpers rescue the wizard Ithrazel, who has been chained to a mountain in another dimension for 75 years, where huge eagles tear him to pieces every day, he heals overnight, rinse and repeat.

Once they have rescued their wizard, the party of four resembles a Dungeons and Dragons adventuring party. Graywillow, a Goddess worshipper with magical talents, is the cleric. Clea, our Iron Princess, is the fighter. I guess that leaves poor old Hamo, the shepherd, as their rogue. He seems more like a faithful dog than a rogue (at least until late in the book…).

Clea is striving to do the best she can for the people of her world. Her father is the ruler of their area and he is committed to mining of adamis. This includes enslaving portions of his own population and aligning with the Crystal Mages, the only magic workers whose talents continue to work in a world flooded with adamine. Strange beasts are rising from the waters of the mines and the waterways to destroy the mining villages and Clea is desperate to protect her people. She is also terrified for her young half-brother, who is just coming into his magical powers—she is convinced that the Crystal Mages have secret plans for him.

The novel follows a typical fantasy plot line. Clea is a worthy ruler, disowned by dear old dad, but beloved by the downtrodden. Ithrazel is bitter and grumpy, but he recognizes her potential and returns to her side repeatedly. It was pretty obvious where everything was headed, but the journey was entertaining.

Barbara Hambly has written other novels that I have enjoyed, prompting me to request that our library order this newest offering. This one appears to be a stand alone, but I can see where there is potential to continue the tale. Perhaps if this book is successful there will be further adventures of Clea and her crew.

Artificial Condition / Martha Wells

 

5 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Reading Prompt: Novella (under 200 pages)
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 3

No matter how many times I read these books, I am still impressed by their cleverness. Of course a bot-human construct with no control over its existence is going to have anxiety and depression to deal with. The human brain tissue that enables it to be a good security tool also ensures that it knows about its societal position.

Kevin R. Free has definitely become the voice of Murderbot for me. I'm still not sure about the way he performs Art, but I'm sure that I'll get used to it. And I finally had a revelation about this volume's title: ARTificial Condition. The book in which we meet ART, the asshole research transport. I've always liked the titles, but never put 2 and 2 together.

These audiobooks are short and sweet. Perfect for a day when I'm experiencing concentration issues. Thank you, Martha Wells!

Saltation / Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer 2023***

Reading prompt: Book by an author who shares your birth month
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 4

I'm very invested in the story of Theo Waitley, pilot and daughter of a pilot. Unintentional centre of danger and violence. No wonder she was so unsuited to the planet of Delgado! Delgado being a Safe Planet where the nanny state that so many people these days complain about actually exists. If you are not their absolutely average citizen, they will legislate and drug you into line. Theo escapes to learn her father's profession: Pilot. The title holds more prestige than our concept, with only Scout being more respected.

Going to flight school suits Theo right down to the ground—or maybe up into space! All she wants is the designation of Pilot and to spend as little time as possible involved in dirt-side politics. Unfortunately those politics and the people involved with them resent her single minded focus, and obstacles are thrown in her way. But Theo knows how to work hard and has learned how to defend herself. Plus she is not without friends or resources.

I kept poking at the last page of the ebook, unwilling to believe that it ended where it did. I am very behind in my reading plans for 2023 and I have little leeway to add to my reading queue, but I requested the next book Ghost Ship anyway. If I can't read what I really want to, what am I reading for?

Book number 491 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Blood Lines / Tanya Huff

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Reading Prompt: Mystery involving a romantically entangled pair of investigators
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 4

This was fun! If you like a good mummy story, this is your book. I mean, the set-up is preposterous, but you just need to let go and enjoy the ride. And it's quite the adventure, as an ancient Egyptian wizard-priest attempts to take over Toronto. A pretty small potatoes take-over really, but nevertheless he needs to be stopped.

Tanya Huff has created three characters that I can't help but care about. I love Vicki Nelson, our tough chick and ex-cop. She may have visual handicaps, but she is not going to be patronized by anyone but particularly the two men in her life. Mike Celluci is still part of the Toronto PD, but he can't let go of Vicki. Through her, his eyes have been opened to the supernatural world and he can no longer ignore the things go bump in the night. He has reluctantly had to acknowledge one of those things, Henry Fitzroy, vampire and bastard son of King Henry VIII. He may be immortal, but Henry has learned the importance of having people he cares about, among whom Vicki features prominently. Used to being the badass of the city, Henry is challenged by the existence of a much older immortal.

Next month, Ms. Huff will be at a conference that I'm attending. I can hardly wait to hear her on some panel discussions that I plan to attend. I do hope she talks a bit about Vicki at some point!

Towards Zero / Agatha Christie

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Reading Prompt: Mystery with a seaside setting
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 3

My regular monthly installment of Agatha Christie and this was one of the better ones. Christie didn't get much mileage out of Superintendent Battle, which is kind of a shame. Fewer Hercule Poirot books and more Superintendent Battle would have suited me down to the ground. I had to laugh when Battle referenced Poirot during this investigation, saying that the psychological aspect would have been right up his alley.

As per usual, Christie bamboozled me. My nose was pointed in exactly the wrong direction by some (now that I think more about it) rather obvious red herrings. I should know better by now than to be led astray, but 9 times out of 10 I am wrong!

I thought the inspiration to go back in time well before the murder and see how all the people were related to Gull's Point and how they came to assemble there was genius. The emphasis on the careful planning was designed both to conceal and reveal. Brilliant! It did the trick, too, distracting from the perpetrator nicely. And I know that courts of law aren't necessarily interested in motives, but I am. I think one of the appeals of the true crime genre is the sussing out of the reasoning behind the event.

Battle turns out to be a wily investigator, urging that they appear to concentrate on one suspect and carefully watch how the others react. Despite seeing his process putting clues together, he made some connections that I couldn't. I can see myself rereading this novel at some future point and admiring how the cake is mixed, baked, and decorated.

The Woman in the Library / Sulari Gentill

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Reading Prompt: Book written by an Australian author
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 9

What an interesting structure Gentill used for this mystery! Is it a good thing or a bad thing that I'm focused on the structure rather than the solution? But that's what captured my attention and what fooled me completely regarding the identity of the murderer.

Each chapter represents a chapter about Winifred (Freddie) who is writing a murder mystery. For some unknown reason, the fictional author, Hannah, shares each chapter with a writing acquaintance, Leo (presumably by email). Each chapter is ended with Leo's comments and assessments, plus some strong opinions. We never get to read Hannah's side of this correspondence, only her manuscript. As the book progresses, we realize that Leo is not exactly who we are originally led to believe he was. It's very meta, as I'm having a hard time remembering that Hannah is the purported author, rather than Freddie. An author, writing about an author who is writing about an author. It's authors all the way down. Oh, and I forgot to mention that Leo has written a manuscript too, as yet unpublished.

I found that these missives from Leo were really muddying the waters for me. Especially since Hannah also introduces him as a character for Freddie to interact with (something that seems to delight the “real" Leo). His presence distracted me from the real issues, led me around by the nose, and meant that I was as surprised as anyone when the big reveal happened.

This novel was chosen by a subset of my regular mystery book club. The book shop that hosts the club takes the summer off from that event, so we are meeting at a nearby café. We're a group of opinionated people, so I expect the discussion to be lively!

The Road to Roswell / Connie Willis

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Reading Prompt: Any type of romance
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 8

Definitely my favourite of Connie Willis' books of those that I have read. She was obviously having fun as she wrote this farce. She places the story in the Roswell area, where she can play with all the UFO mythology that has accumulated around it. Our main character, Francie, has arrived there to be the maid of honour for her rather kooky friend Serena. Once Francie arrives at the UFO Museum in Roswell, where the wedding is to take place, it rapidly becomes apparent that the groom, Russell, is yet another nut in Serena's collection. When given the opportunity to go out to Serena's vehicle to fetch something, Francie willingly goes. And is grabbed by an alien. Who looks like a tumbleweed. Who can't vocalize. But who manages to use a tentacle to point to where he wants to be driven.

Once out on the road, they encounter Wade, a hitchhiker who Francie narrowly avoids running down. Soon they are two kidnapping victims. They name the alien Indy (because of his whip-like tentacles and Indiana Jones). When they manage to convince Indy that they must stop for gas, they acquire a third human, Lyle, a conspiracy theorist and UFO true believer. Further additions to the company follow. They (mostly) become convinced that Indy needs their help to accomplish something, but no one is sure quite what that thing is.

Willis obviously believes that communication with an extraterrestrial species won't be easy. Francie starts by talking to Indy, trying to explain things. Eventually they move on to written words and Indy struggles to acquire vocabulary and concepts. An extensive collection of western films provides both, but hampers understanding because Indy doesn't always get the true meaning of situations. It reminded me of the Willis novel Doomsday Book, where a time traveler doesn't speak or understand Middle English as well as she thinks she does.

As phrases from many westerns become part of their lexicon for dealing with Indy, the farce-like elements become more pronounced. The situations are rather wild, but make sense within the context of the novel. You can't help but be amused as they bump from one crisis to the next. Or as Francie begins to catch feelings for Wade. Can you fall in love as you are dragged all over the countryside by a confused alien?

Willis doesn't ridicule UFO believers, although several of her characters judge them as nutty. And since she produces as bona fide alien, you might say she reinforces that worldview. It was a fun road trip. I'm glad I was along for the ride.

Doctor Thorne / Anthony Trollope

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Prompt: Book written by an author whose first and last initials can be found in “Summer Vacation"
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 3

If you have read any gothic romances, you may believe that it is always penurious young women who are in search of well off husbands. Reading Anthony Trollope and Jane Austen, you will realize that aristocratic men could also find themselves unable to support the lifestyles to which they are accustomed. Hence the popularity of American heiresses, looking to exchange cash for pedigreed husbands.

True to Trollope’s style, we are introduced to Mary Thorne, niece of the titular Doctor, of dubious parentage and known poverty. She has been educated in the squire's home and if this was a gothic romance, she would be swept off her feet by the handsome Frank and marry into the wealthy family. But the Greshams have fallen on hard times and Lady Arabella's family (with wealth and position) have decreed that Frank must marry a woman of means.

It is obvious from the very beginning where this novel is headed, especially if you have previously read The Warden and/or Barchester Towers. Doctor Thorne ends up in quite the conflict of interest, knowing how a will is made out but not feeling free to blab. Trollope examines this society, where money trumps love and rich people can largely do as they will. Lady Arabella is set up as the villain of the piece, though not a very effective foe. He deftly shows us the hypocrisy as her family flaunt their bloodlines but fall all over themselves to scoop up rich spouses for their children. However there is pride on both sides of this equation, with the doctor not admitting to any inferiority in his status or his niece's.

It's all a matter of timing, with the younger people being the most impatient with their elders who keep saying wait a month, wait a year, just another fortnight. But despite all the obstacles that Trollope throws into the path of his romantic couple, you know that everything will work out in the end.

All Systems Red / Martha Wells

 

5 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Prompt: Book that involves travel (interplanetary travel in this case)
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 1

I've lost count of how many times I've read All Systems Red, but this was my first time listening to it. As I have discovered while listening to other favourite books, it gives a different perspective on something I thought I knew well. New things seem to gain prominence in the audio version.

I enjoyed Kevin R. Free as narrator. He managed to provide a calm, soothing version of Murderbot which is rather ironic considering how much turmoil and anxiety lurks beneath our favourite bot's surface. The pronunciation of the occasional word reminded me that I'm Canadian and he's American, but that's par for the course. It's a tiny thing in an otherwise lovely performance. Note to self: check to see the other books that he has narrated and consider adding some to my TBR. My only reservation is that his smooth voice lulled me to sleep as I was attempting to stay up past bedtime to finish the book. I had to rewind and resume the story once I had the ability to pay attention to it again.

Already, I have requested the audio format of Book 2. The recordings are popular, so it will be a while. That's okay, I have more than enough library books to occupy me until it arrives.

Morgan is My Name / Sophie Keetch

 

4.5 stars

***100 Days of Summer***

Reading prompt: Book based on a fairytale or mythology
Virtual 12 sided dice role: 9

King Arthur retellings, especially those that centre on the women of the myth, hit me where I live. Morgan le Fay has always been on of my favourites, so this tale which features her seems to have been written just for me. Including the mysterious Merlin, the lovely Ninniane, and adding in healing powers exhibited by Morgan, and I was well and truly hooked. I chalk it up to Celtic blood in my mother's family, this love of mystical, magical stories.

I also appreciate the current trend of writing the old tales through a feminist lens. It doesn't change the chauvinist society that existed in that time period, but it does introduce the notion that women may have felt much the same as they do today—resentful, rebellious, wrathful. The smug male view that women should be satisfied with childrearing and keeping the household accounts gives me heartburn, and I cheered Morgan on as she carved out a place for her medical studies and hid her manuscript on women's health concerns from Urien's prying eyes.

At this point, this book seems to be a stand alone, but there is definitely potential for a sequel. Should one be forthcoming, sign me up to read it too! I love this reinterpretation of Morgan le Fay, who has been written as a villain by the men who originally wrote down the mythology. It's always seemed to me that she was a much more complex woman than that, more sinned against than sinning.

The Rise and Reign of the Mammals / Steve Brusatte

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Prompt: Book with an animal on the cover
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 3

I've previously read Brusatte's book The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World. As he tells in the beginning of this volume, he was lured into paleontology by dinosaurs, those fearsome extinct creatures that have enraptured generations of children. I was one of those kids, so his dinosaur book was retreading well known territory for me. It was written in an accessible style and I was delighted when I realized that he had penned a similar book about early mammals.

Dinosaur books are numerous and omnipresent. Finding books about early mammals is much more difficult. I remember being excited about Peter Ward's book Gorgon: The Monsters That Ruled the Planet Before Dinosaurs and How They Died in the Greatest Catastrophe in Earth's History. I was disappointed when it was more a Ward memoir than a treatise on gorgonopsids. There haven't been many others that have crossed my path. This book does address the pelycosaurs, therapsids, and cynodonts, but only in the first hundred pages. I must do some research to find more information on those beasts. I guess it's fair, as this is about “true” mammals, not the ancestral almost-mammals.

All is forgiven, though, for the excellent history of those animals defined by jaw, ear, and tooth structure as capital M Mammals. They start small, fitting themselves into the niches around the dinosaurs. The variety is impressive. I knew that mammal paleontologists had to be very interested in teeth and jaws (because those are the most frequent fossils). I had absolutely no idea of the sheer number of critters I'd never heard of. Or some of the remarkable fossils that have been found. It's a shame that the dinosaurs hog the limelight because their remains are so large and showy.

The cover of this book, understandably, displays the charismatic megafauna. Three lovely mammoths, a sabretooth, a short nosed bear, assorted grazers, and a small group of hominids. The publisher knows what will attract us nerds. And of course the author knows that mammoths and sabretooth cats are the rock stars of fossil mammals, so he provides special coverage of them.

I know that we humans are the egomaniacs of the mammal family, so I was glad that Brussatte devoted only one thin chapter almost at the end of the book to hominins. The paleo-human fossils are almost as well documented as the dinosaurs! I can find more about them elsewhere, but it was a good way to wrap up this volume.

Capture the Sun / Jessie Mihalik

 

3.5 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading***

Reading prompt: Book published in June 2023
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 8

I enjoyed the first two books of this trilogy enough that I purchased my own copies of them. Now when I need a hit of speculative fiction romance, I have these at my fingertips. So I was determined to read this third book when it was published. I recommended that my library purchase it, but they hesitated for a couple of months, prompting me to lose patience and order a personal copy.

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this excursion as much as the first two. I didn't find Lexi as engaging as a main character as Tavi and Kee were in their books. Maybe because Lexi was a con woman and a thief? I don't usually hold that against a character, so I'm not sure if that was actually my problem. Whatever my issue, I just didn't feel this one in the same way. The plot was still jam-packed with action, but the rest of Starlight's crew didn't get as much page time as before and I missed them. I would have enjoyed more of Prince Liang, getting to know this member of the Valoff imperial family. He had such potential but didn't get to strut his stuff.

Unless, of course, there are more books coming? After all, Commodore Morton's trial hasn't commenced yet and war between humans and Valoffs hasn't been decisively deterred. If the author is matching up the crew members, Eli's fate is not yet been sealed and Anja's (unrequited?) feelings for the Prince would be an excellent jumping off point for a fourth volume. Time will tell, but despite my vague disappointment with this book, I would definitely read another.

Magic Claims / Ilona Andrews

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading***

Reading prompt: Book that has a character that can shift into an animal form that is not a werewolf
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 10

I got an email from my favourite bookstore yesterday telling me that this book (and several others) were waiting for me. I headed out, trying not to speed. That's more difficult than it sounds, as there are multiple speed zones and school zones between the store and home! But I think I avoided a ticket.

As soon as I got home, I settled in with a cold drink and a snack, then cracked the book open. I barely remember my snack, I was so engrossed in the Kate Daniels world. I enjoyed it so much that when I finished, I returned to the first page and read it again. Truly, I love when Kate is wielding her sword and Curran is roaring, in prehistoric lion form. After seven years of trying to be safe and normal, what a relief it was to see them acknowledge their true natures, Curran as leader and Kate as protector.

The authors add new characters for us to care about and add dimension to some that we thought we knew. Plus I always love Ice Age animals! (I spent a lot of time thinking about Mythago Wood in the course of this novel. And Julian May's Saga of Pliocene Exile.) Things have been set up smoothly for the next installment and I couldn't be happier about that! And I do hope we see more of that wily Wizard, Assistant Director Luther Dillon. I don't think I'm alone in my admiration.

I know that this has already joined my queue of re-readable books, bringing calm and happiness when required. So far, the Andrews have always hit the mark for me and I hope they continue to do so for many years to come.