Book Review: The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan

The Beautiful and the Cursed is a paranormal gothic thriller full of mystery and romance that takes place in Paris in 1899. What is so intriguing is it introduces gargoyles who come to life. Ingrid and her younger sister Gabby, together with their mother, have moved from London to Paris to live in an abbey purchased by their brother Grayson. When they arrive they find out Grayson has mysteriously disappeared. In their search for Grayson, the sisters find out that there is an unseen world in Paris filled with gargoyles who protect humans and kill demons. There are hellhounds who are stalking and killing young women and angels who command the gargoyles. Luc, the handsome servant, is actually a gargoyle assigned to protecting the humans at the abbey. He finds Ingrid tantalizing and can sense something mysterious about her. Ingrid is determined to find her brother and drawn to Luc. Can a human and a gargoyle fall in love? Gabby discovers the Alliance, a group of humans in Paris, who are also fighting the demons and aware of the gargoyles. She wants to learn how to fight and rescue her brother. Vander and Nolan of the Alliance want to help the beautiful sisters find their brother and keep them from trouble. I enjoyed reading The beautiful and the Cursed, especially learning the mythology of gargoyles. I can say that I love these gargoyles. They are noble protectors and pretty "hot" too.

Page Morgan is coming to Tucson next month on Saturday and Sunday, March 15th and 16th for the Tucson Festival of Books at the University of Arizona. She is going to be in a couple of panels. Read her book and go talk to her about gargoyles.

• Deadly Attractions: Dark Romantic Adventures-- Sat, Mar 15, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm 

• Teen and Author Meeting Place --Sun, Mar 16, 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm

• Writing for the YA Market--Sun, Mar 16, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
  
  

The Perfect Halloween Book

A little scary, a little creepy, with a good dose of humor and lots of wackiness, Too Many Curses by A. Lee Martinez makes for good Halloween reading. 

Nessy is a kobold in charge of tending the castle of Margle the Horrendous and caring for all the beasts, ghosts, undead, and enemies that Margle has cursed into bizarre forms over the years.  Margle, in case you haven't guessed by now, is a wizard.  A greedy wizard with a inordinate love of revenge.  So when he dies, all of his odd (and occasionally gruesome) collections of both beasts and former enemies are thrilled.  Until they discover that the magics in the castle are unraveling in strange ways.

Nessy is the only one without a curse, so everyone's expecting her to save the day.  Nessy would much rather clean house (she prefers things tidy and orderly), but suddenly that's not so much of an option.  She and her friends (a bat, a disembodied voice, a purple people eater, and pieces of a wizard in a jar) are now frantically trying to outwit demons, an evil wizardess, and keep monsters on the loose from eating the other residents of the castle. 

If you find yourself waiting for Too Many Curses, check out one of A. Lee Martinez's other books.  Brew up some hot cider and curl up with some early Halloween candy and one of his books.  If you like wacky and a little creepy, you won't regret it. 

~ Book Ninja

More, Please!

I know someone who refuses to read a series until it's finished because he can't stand waiting for the next book to be written.  I have the opposite problem in that I read a good book and then hope and hope and hope for a sequel to be written.  Currently, I'm on tenterhooks hoping for another book from both Sarwat Chadda and Sage Blackwood.

Sarwat Chadda wrote The Savage Fortress, which features Indian mythology, archeology, and action adventure.  It may be a retelling of the Ramayana legend, but it reads like a combination of young Indiana Jones, a comic book, and an action movie - only with demons and homicidal godesses.  So good.  The sequel is coming out later this year and I have high hopes. 

Sage Blackwood's newest book is Jinx, about a young orphan boy taken in by a wizard of dubious character who lives in the middle of a dangerous enchanted forest.  And you may think to yourself, "This sounds like every fairytale or fantasy book ever," but it really isn't.  Jinx has some unusual talents, there are cursed children, witches who ride butterchurns, and a richly detailed world with a whole background story of politics, magic, betrayal, and wars.  And I need there to be more books in this world! 

So there you have it - two books that currently have me repeatedly checking the catolog to see if their sequels have magically appeared yet. 

~ Book Ninja

P.S.  Yes, they're technically Children's books, but don't judge me or the books by that, ok?  Just read them, they're so worth it.  Remember, Harry Potter is technically a Children's book too!

Black Butler

The Victorian gothic manga, Black Butler by Yana Toboso, features a too perfect butler and his charge, the Earl of Phantomhive, a twelve-year-old boy who is the head of a very successful toy and candy business.  But both of these characters are something more, with deadly secrets and dark pasts.  Together, they host dinner parties and solve mysteries. 

The artwork is elegant and the reveal moments are both dramatic and gorgeous.  I am, quite frankly, in love.  There is murder, black magic, inept minor characters, cross-dressing, kidnapping, betrayal, kick@$$ fight scenes, and the most wonderful costumes.  What more could a fangirl ask for?  Oh yes - multiple volumes so my new favorite addiction can be drawn out just a bit longer. 

~ Book Ninja