Inkdeath

Ink series #3 : Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
Unabridged 16 CDs

I almost did not get this book. I grew bored with the last part of Inkspell and so did not think I would like this one. I was pleasantly surprised. Though a bit violent for a children's book, good did win out in the end and the magical land of Umbra returned to a tranquil place.

Phantom of Manhatten

Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth
Unabridged 4 Cassettes

I really liked this one. There was a different voice for each of the main characters and they each read different chapters. The weakest point was the voice of young Pierre. I thought it was a young girl talking until the priest he was speaking with started calling him "lad" or "my boy". They should have gotten a young boy to speak the part.

The story revolved around a young French man, disfigured and abused. Smuggled to the United States after an incident in France, he amassed a large fortune in New York City designing and building rides for Coney Island. His love of the opera and a Parisan aria led him to build the Manhatten Opera House.

Very good story. I wonder if it would have been as good a read as it was a listen.

The Rock Orchard

Rock Orchard by Paula Wall
Unabridged 5 Cassettes

Probably one of the most entertaining book I've listened to this year. I laughed over and over at this one. The story of the Bell women, the richest and most scandalous ladies (?) of Leaper's Fork, Tenneesse.

Tantalize & Many Bloody Returns

Many Bloody Returns by Various



I usually think short story collections are ok. Nothing great, just an entertaining way to pass the time. I usually wind up skipping several stories per book, but this time I read and enjoyed each one. Charlaine Harris' Dracula Night was a fun Sookie. Twilight (not to be confused with the Meyer book of the same name) by Kelley Armstrong was a great story. The Wish by Carolyn Haines & Vampire Hours by Elaine Viets had good plot twists. Several stories were downright funny. I really liked this one.




Tantalize by Cynthia Leitch Smith
Unabridged 5CDs

I originally won this one in a BookObsessed swap and then found the audio at the library. The reader was fine, but I found the story lacking. Just another teen-vampire thing. Nothing outside the ordinary or particulary exciting.

Chance to win a Rae Lori fantasy

My friend, Amberkatze, interviewed Rae Lori this week and is giving away a signed copy of A Kiss of Ashen Twilight to a lucky US winner and a digital version of the book to another winner from outside of the US. Stop by Amberkatze's Book Blog at http://amberkatze-amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/02/author-interview-contest-with-rae-lori.html to enter.

At Wick's End

At Wick's End by Tim Myers

Cute little cozy mystery and a very fast read. Harrison Black inherits a candle shop from his great-aunt Belle. The police think Belle's death was an accident, Harrison believes it was murder. I used to make candles when I was in college. This books made me want to make them again :)

Chance to win new book by Maria V. Snyder

Amberkatze's contest this week is a chance to win the newest book from Maria V. Snyder "Storm Glass". The contest is posted on Amber's blog at : http://amberkatze-amberkatze.blogspot.com/2009/01/author-interview-and-contest-with-maria.html Head on over and read Amber's interview with Maria and enter the contest!