Cold Days Review

Title: Cold Days 
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: Dresden Files #14
Genre: Detective, Private Investigator, Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Faeries, Demons, Vampires

Reviews:
Before I get into my review, I was very happy that James Marster is back narrating for Jim Butcher and for the rest of the upcoming Dresden Files books (barring any scheduling conflicts..again).

Cold Days is the much awaited continuation to this great series and it started when we left off the final moments of Ghost Story. As we all know Harry has officially become the Winter Knight and Mab didn't waste time "training" his new tool to the best of her abilities. When all said and done with his training, Harry received his first official order from Mab: To kill an immortal named (Oops!, sorry spoiler alert).

The Cold Days by impression is like Summer Knight and Small Favor combined with all the conspiracies, drama and of course the overload of sarcasms and dark humor (which we can expect from a Harry Dresden book).

Overall Cold Days has surpassed Small Favor as my 2nd best Dresden Files book (behind only to Changes) however this might be a short-lived ranking as book 15 would be coming up and as with the trend we expect the return of Nicodemus and the rest of the Blackened Denarians (who will probably ally themselves with the new antagonists (Oops!, sorry spoiler alert again).

Ghost Story Review

Title: Ghost Story
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: Dresden Files #13
Genre: Detective, Private Investigator, Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Shades, Ghost, Wraiths, Demons

Review:
This the first Dresden Files book that I read rather than listening to it's audiobook version since I the narrator was not James Marsters and I want to preserve the the essence of the series rather than get dissappointed. Ghost Story left off from the from the final events of Changes. 

The book tells about Harry Dresden's adventures as a "Ghost". In retrospect, the story was slow and dragging which is disappointing. With Harry being a ghost would mean that there would be less magic action which also contributes to the books less than stellar appeal. 

The only brighspot in Ghost Story was the story got resolve in matter on which Harry has returned to his "well preserved" body thanks to Mab. 

If I where to rate this story. this would be the lowest.

Deadly Sting Cover Revealed

I have been a staunch follower of the Elemental Assassin series since last year and the author has recently released the the latest cover of the upcoming book "Deadly Sting". The book is scheduled to be released on March 2013.

Silver-Tongued Devil Review

Title: Silver-Tongued Devil
Author: Jaye Wells
Series: Sabina Kane #4
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Assassins, Vampires, Demons, Mages, Nymphs, Faeries

Review:

It's been a while since I did a book review yet I have finish a lot of e-books/audiobook for about a month now and I have a lot to write about. For the meantime I will be posting my review on Jaye Well's Silver-Tongued Devil, the fourth book of the Sabina Kane series.

Upon learning from that the Sabine Kane series will end on the 5th book, I was a bit dissappointed believing that this series could go far as with the other Urban Fantasy / Paranormal novels. However this penultimate novel was suprisingly great as it sets up the readers. This book is also one of the most emotionally charge story as each characters roles being put to the test to the point of almost breaking.

All-in-all Silver-Tongued Devil is another stellar installment in this great book series. Once it grabs a hold of you it won't let get go until the very end, and even then it will leave you reeling from the depths of emotion. I would recommend having the 5th book ready before you finish reading this book as the final scene would really stretch your imagination that not having the next book can be excitement-killer.

Widow's Web Review

Title: Widow's Web
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin #7
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Elemental Magic, Assasins, Vampires, Giants, Dwarves

Overview:

Once an assassin, always an assassin. So much for being plain old Gin Blanco. With every lowlife in Ashland gunning for me, I don’t need another problem, but a new one has come to town anyway. Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but she’s really a dangerous enemy whose water elemental magic can go head-to-head with my own Ice and Stone power. Salina also has an intimate history with my lover, Owen Grayson, and now that she’s back, she thinks he’s hers for the taking. Salina’s playing a mysterious game that involves a shady local casino owner with a surprising connection to Owen. But they call me the Spider for a reason. I’m going to untangle her deadly scheme, even if it leaves my love affair hanging by a thread.

Review:

I am very fortunate to received the advance E-ARC of this book (in pdf format) from miss Jennifer Estep herself and was able to finish reading before the official release which is today. Widow's Web basically revolves around the Owen and Eva past lives (which is a good "change" in the series since the previous books are mostly focused on Gin and her personal struggles). This story also introduces a very cold-blooded antagonist which virtually mirrors Mab Monroe's and to make matters worse: She was Owen's former lover (Talk about a battle for this dudes love). 

As with the all the previous books the "signature Jennifer Estep story structure" is still intact (Meet the Antagonist ->Help The Victim -> Gin Got beaten by the main antagonist -> Healed back by Jo-jo Devereaux ->Kills the antagonist in the finale) to which I am getting used to and still loving it. Even the the catch phrases are still there (The count downs, "Crack, Crack, Crack") although I personally missed my favorite phrase "Sloppy, Sloppy Sloppy". 

Overall, I love the direction that the author takes in the series as we are able to transition from the post Mab Monroe era. I would hope that the author brings in another "bad ass" series antagonist that would span several books rather got killed in one book (I would assume Jonah MacAllister is that very person to which I would hope so).

Boneshaker Review

Title: Boneshaker
Author: Cherie Priest
Series: Clockwork Century #1
Audiobook Narrator: Karen Redding and Wil Wheaton
Genre: Steampunk, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Alternate History

Summary (From Amazon.com):
In the early days of the Civil War, rumors of gold in the frozen Klondike brought hordes of newcomers to the Pacific Northwest. Anxious to compete, Russian prospectors commissioned inventor Leviticus Blue to create a great machine that could mine through Alaska’s ice. Thus was Dr. Blue’s Incredible Bone-Shaking Drill Engine born.

But on its first test run the Boneshaker went terribly awry, destroying several blocks of downtown Seattle and unearthing a subterranean vein of blight gas that turned anyone who breathed it into the living dead.

Now it is sixteen years later, and a wall has been built to enclose the devastated and toxic city. Just beyond it lives Blue’s widow, Briar Wilkes. Life is hard with a ruined reputation and a teenaged boy to support, but she and Ezekiel are managing. Until Ezekiel undertakes a secret crusade to rewrite history.

His quest will take him under the wall and into a city teeming with ravenous undead, air pirates, criminal overlords, and heavily armed refugees. And only Briar can bring him out alive.

Review:
Boneshaker is my fourth steampunk book that I finished reading (while listening to the audiobook version also for better experience. The story center around Briar Wilkes(narrated by Karen Redding)attempts to rescue her son, Ezekiel (or Zeke on which geek extraordinaire, Wil Wheaton was the narrator) who has his own personal quest on recovering his (in)famous father's science equipment inside the blight "zone" which is infested by "rotters" (aka zombies).

The overall story is very unique as it projects a semi-dystopian/post-apocalyptic feel once the the main character enters the "blight" area of the city. As with any steampunk books that I have read, the setting is held around the 1800's (around the American Civil War period). Boneshaker is a great beginning to a great steampunk series and I can't wait to read the next book "Celementine".

The Alchemyst Review

Title: The Alchemyst
Author: Michael Scott
Series: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #1
Audiobook Narrators: Denis O'Hare
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Alternate Universe, Mythology, History

Review:

I am glad that I decided to finish all six books first before writing a review as I am to excited to read the next book that reviewing would will have to wait. Each books are written mostly in 3rd person format which I like since this series has a number of interesting characters and doing a first person point-of-view would be straining to both the author and to the some readers (Which is why it took me a long time to finish any of George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire books).

The Alchemyst introduces us readers to initial set of characters which is Nicholas Flamel, his wife Perenell Flamel and the twins Josh and Sofie Newman which are the real focal characters to this series (To which I would personally change the series title to "The Chronicles of the Twins of Legend" or something like that if given a chance). We also get to know the main antagonist Dr. John Dee, as well as a number of supporting characters and places that are based from history and mythology (Scathach, Hekate, the Witch of Endor, Yggdrasil etc.) The audiobook narrator (Denis O'Hare) did a great job as he was able to infuse the proper pronunciations as well as the accents of every character.

City of Lost Souls Review

Title: City of Lost Souls
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instrument #5
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult, Nephilim, Angels, Demons, Warlocks, Vampires, Demons, Faeries

Review:

After at least a month of reading (without any assistance from an audiobook), I was able to finish reading "City of Lost Souls".

Obviously the story starts off where "City of Fallen Angels" left of as Clary and the rest of her friends are try every other ways to find Jace Wayland/Lightwood/Herondale after he went missing with the diabolical Sebastian a.k.a. Jonathan Morgensterm.

As the story goes along I was a bit disappointed on the bulk of the story as it was focused more on the "drama" between the love relationships with each characters and not with the issue at hand on which the Shadowhunters are to rescue or hunt down one of their own. 

I was glad though that upon Book III, we finally get the action I was clamoring for and in typical Classandra Clare fashion, the story ends in a favorable resolution (the rescue of Jace) and the signature cliffhanger (which serves somewhat of a preview of things to come in the upcoming sixth book "City of Heavenly Fire").

Every Which Way But Dead Review

Title: Every Which Way But Dead
Author: Kim Harrison
Series: Hollows / Rachel Morgan #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Witches, Vampires, Demons, Bounty Hunters, Faeries, Elves

Summary:There's no other Witch in Cincinnati tougher, sexier, or more screwed up than bounty-hunter Rachel Morgan, who's already put her love life (and her soul) in jeopardy through her determined efforts to bring a criminal night creatures to justice.

Between "runs," she has her hands full fending off the attentions of her blood-lusting partner, keeping a dark secret from Jenks, her pixie backup, and resisting a hot new vampire suitor Kisten.

Rachel must also take a stand in the war that's raging in the city's underworld, since she helped put away the vampire Piscari by making a deal with Algaliarept, a powerful demon, to do so that could cost her an eternity of pain, torment, and degradation.

And now "Big Al" is coming to collect his due.

Review:The third installment to the Hollows/Rachel Morgan series continues on from the events of the last book "The Good, the Bad and the Undead". It's past-paced, exciting, unpredictable and fun. Rachel is a wonderfully complex, multi-dimensional protagonist whose penchant for going with the immediate solution and worrying about long-term consequences later leads to no end of thrilling complications:

Make a deal with a demon now, worry about saving her soul later

Keep a secret now, worry about how to rebuild a friendship later

Take down the immediate threat now, and worry about dealing with the ally of convenience when he becomes a problem in the future.

It helps, of course, that she's surrounded by equally complex, equally active people. We also get to read how Rachel and Trent Kalamack's history to which their respective fathers where once very close friends. I would assume more will be revealed as the series continues on.

I was impressed on how Kim Harrison was able to juggle the proganist's various issues then later resolve them in one big swoop.

Blood Cross Review

Title: Blood Cross
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Hunters, Shapeshifters, Skinwalkers, Vampires, Witches.

Review:

In the second installment of Jane Yellowrock series, entitled Blood Cross, the stories continue from when Jane Yellowrock was hired by the vampire council to hunt down a rogue vampire who turns young and innocent humans into insane rogue vampire which violates the vampire laws. Jane later gets herself involve into power-play between major the vampire clans. It is also reveal that this power-play also involves an age old rivalry between the vampires and witches which lead to the Jane's bestfriend's children being kidnapped by the perpetrators.

The plot is a tad more complicated than one initially expects, and at times it can be distracting to try and figure out where Jane is on which case or line of inquiry. Despite the complexity of the plot, it still get resolve in a favorable way concluding which is considered a very gruelling story arc.   

Jane Yellowrock is by far one of the best urban fantasy books I have read and I can't wait to read the next book of the series.

The Good, The Bad and The Undead Review

Title: The Good, The Bad and The Undead
Author: Kim Harrison
Series: Hollows / Rachel Morgan #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Witches, Vampires, Demons, Bounty Hunters, Faeries, Elfs

Review:

The Good the Bad and the Undead is the second installment of the "The Hollows" series (To other this is called "The Rachel Morgan series"). Rachel Morgan, the series' sexy witch and one of the proprietor of a an independing runner service along with his partner's Jenks, a pixie and Ivy Tahmwood, a living vamapire (aka vampire with a soul).

This time Rachel accepts a contract from the FIB (Federal Inderland Bureau) to investigate a wave of witch murders and she goes undercover to spy on her former professor. Morgan suspects councilman Trent Kalamack of the murders (Along the way we also learn more about Kalamack's history). I like how the story gets resolve with an intertwined new predicament to the protagonist which will basically serve as a precurser to the next book.

The characters continue to develop so it isn't just the same plot but a different adventure. The evolution and and complex relationships of the characters is part of what makes you care about them. 

As always I love the witty banters between Rachel and Jenks (who I would now considered the resident comic relief of this series). Ivy's character continues her to emphasize his character being "mysterious" and she always give Rachel the "creep" whenever she 'vamps-out'. "The Good, the Bad and the Undead" is a followup to the series as a whole and with an in-depth revelation about Trent Kalamack, I suspect that this character becomes a factor to Rachel's history as series goes into a much more interesting path.

Green-Eyed Demon Review

Title: Green-Eyed Demon
Author: Jaye Wells
Audiobook Narrator: Cynthia Holloway
Series: Sabina Kane #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Assassins, Vampires, Demons, Mages, Nymphs, Faeries

Review:

The third installment of the Sabina Kane series picks up the action from The Mage in Black leaves off, with the series heroin half-mage, half-vampire Sabina heading to New Orleans accompanied by her demon familiar, Giguhl, and mage Adam Lazarus. Sabina is desperate to rescue her twin sister Maisie, who has been kidnapped by Lavinia Kane their wicked grandmother and the Alpha of the Dominae vampire group. 

The new location introduces another group of interesting characters – Voodoo priestess, Zenobia, changeling drag queen, Brooks/Pussy Willow, lesbian werewolf bar owner, Mac, and a reclusive rock star Erron Zorn (who happens to be an excommunicated mage). Aside from these interesting people we get to know the newest threat, the Caste of Nod.

We also get to read Sabina's improvement as a mage as he gets to raise a zombie (her Cthonic power is somewhat a form of necromancy magic). Which was very critical during the final battle between Sabina and her grandmother. In the romance depart Adam finally expresses his feelings to Sabina which to the delight of magepire. 

Green-Eyed Demon is the conclusion to the conflict between Sabina and her grandmother which I though was great as we get to resolve all issues in a fitting finale had this series stayed as a trilogy. With the upcoming threats to Sabina Kane and her companions, this series is far from over.

Violet Tendencies Review

Title: Violet Tendencies
Author: Jaye Wells
Series: Sabina Kane #2.5
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Assassins, Vampires, Demons, Mages, Nymphs, Faeries

Review:

Violet Tendencies takes place right after the conclusion of Mage In Black and before Green-Eyed Demon. This novella is considered a "fill-in" as there would be a missing character at the beginning of Green-Eyed Demon (which makes this novella a must read if in-case you went straight into Green-Eyed Demon). 

As with the first two books, this novella is no short of action and humorous sarcasm that you will surely enjoy reading. Personally I would really consider this as the first couple of chapter for Green-Eyed Demon. We also get a look at the different "class" of demons in Irkalla and scoop a tidbit of information about the time surrounding Demon existence.

I would recommend reading this novella before going into Green Eyed Demon as this would really make sense on some aspect of the series

Skinwalker Review

Title: Skinwalker
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Hunters, Shapeshifters, Skinwalkers, Vampires, Witches.

Review:

Since the 7th installment of Mercedes Thompson is still far from finished, I decided to read another "walker" book in Faith Hunter's "Skinwalker". Unlike Mercedes Thompson who is a walker and shapeshifts only into a coyote, Jane Yellowrock is a full-on skinwalker who can shapeshift into any animal as long as she has the proper mass to carry the change. For this series, she prefers to shapeshift into mountain lion more than any animal.

Another difference between the two protaonists is that Mercy is more of a mechanic than a hunter who only gets into action when forced into while Jane is a mercinary vampire hunter by trade.

The story starts when Jane is called to New Orleans by an old vampire named Katie, who hires her to track and kill a rogue vampire preying on not only the humans but other vampires in the city. Turns out this rogue vampire is a lot more older, more powerful, and much more harder to track than Jane thought. While on the hunt, she is introduced to the vampire world: the politics, lifestyle, and the who's who of vamp society.

Skinwalker is a breath of fresh air for me personally as I was able to read another "skinwalker" theme book that as a good as the Mercedes Thompson series (maybe better in terms of action). The caveat on this story is that there are two point of views: When Jane is in her human form, the conversation is conventional but when Jane shifts into her "big cat" form, Beast takes over the persona and the conversation is like someone is dictating a list of word (you'll know what I mean once you read the book).  

Mage In Black Review

Title: Mage In Black
Author: Jaye Wells
Series: Sabina Kane #2
Audiobook Narrator: Cynthia Holloway
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Assassins, Vampires, Demons, Mages, Nymphs, Faeries

Review:

Mage in Black is the second installment of Jaye Wells "Sabina Kane" series. The story picks up almost immediately where Red-Headed Stepchild left off, with Sabina and company on the way to New York City to meet her long lost twin sister Maisie and further learn about her mage side of the family.

Upon arrival, Sabina gets to continue her training under the supervision of an elder mage. With here financial resource cut off by the Dominae, Sabina and her demonic minion Gighul joined demonic version of the "Fight Club" own by a former Dominae assassin name Slade. Sabina also gets to survive several assassination attempts which lead to uncovering a mysterious plot from a secret group call the "Cast of Nod" which lead the to the Dominae  attacking the Hekate council which was later reveal to be a diversion inorder to kidnap Maisie. 

Over all, Mage in Black is a great follow up to the "Red-Head Stepchild" as there was a clear progress to the story with a great balance of action, humor (mostly from Giguhl who now becomes this series' comic relief much like Jenks in Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series and Bob the Skull in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series) and romance. 

Dead Witch Walking Review

Title: Dead Witch Walking
Author: Kim Harrison
Series: Hollows / Rachel Morgan #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Witches, Vampires, Demons, Bounty Hunters, Faeries

Review:
Dead Witch Walking is the first installment of the Rachel Morgan/ Hollows series by urban fantasy writer Kim Harrison.

The story sets in an alternate universe Cincinnati on which all supernatural entities like vampires, werewolves faeries, etc. At this time these beings are now called "Interlanders" At the time there are several agencies that handle the enforcement of these Inderlanders, one of which is the Federal Inderland Bureau which the new moniker of FBI and it's rival agency the Inderland Security or I.S.

Our story protagonist is Rachel Morgan, a witch who works as an I.S. runner which is basically a contract bounty hunter who hunt illegal Inderlands with Jenks a pixie as her backup and her colleague a "living" vampire name Ivy who is I.S. best runner.

The story gets interesting when all three decided to quit the agency they are working for and create their own "bounty hunter agency" which they become a target by their former employer's assassins. They also found themselves a string of inter agency conflicts as well as a rodent fighting ring with the rodents turn out to be people that have been turned into one.

What I really love about this book is the comical banter between Rachel and Jenks as they remind me of another Harry Dresden and Bob the Skull in Urban Fantasy hit Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.

All in all, I really love the direction of the story as this book is considered a great introduction of all characters involve. I'm looking forward to the next book of this series.

Red-Headed Stepchild Review

Title: Red-Headed Stepchild
Author: Jaye Wells
Series: Sabina Kane #1
Audiobook Narrator:Cynthia Holloway
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Assasins, Vampires, Demons, Mages, Nymphs, Faeries

Review:

While waiting for Widow's Web to be released (which is month's away), so I to read another urban fantasy assassin book and I choose Jaye Well's Red Headed Stepchild. What's interesting about this book (and the series) is that Sabina Kane,the protagonist is half-vampire and half-mage. Red-Headed Stepchild is set in a world where vampires, mages, demons and faeries exist mostly unnoticed by its largely human population. The vampires in this world are not undead but are living supernatural beings that are born, rather than made. They have a lot of the usual strengths and weaknesses of vampires but their origins, and their genetic red-hair, are linked back to original bible myth (they are the descendents of Lilith and Cain).

During the course of the novel Sabina is forced to re-evaluate the relationship she has with her grandmother and the Dominae - rapidly coming to the conclusion that she has been a useful tool rather than a loved family member. Sent to infiltrate a group of rival supernaturals and assassinate its leader, she has to think on her feet and make some new friends if she wants to avoid her assignment turning into a suicide mission…

What I love about this book is the comical banters between Sabina and her demon/cat familiar Giguhl on which resembles the banters of Harry Dresden and Bob the Skull in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series and Rachel Morgan and Jenks in the Hollows series by Kim Harrison (which I will be writing a review soon).

All in all, Red-Headed Stepchild is a great introduction for the protagonist's personal history and to the series as a whole. I am glad that I already have the next audiobook "Mage in Black" in queue.

Legend of Drizzt: My Next Fantasy Book Journey

I have been a fantasy book reader for a long time and I admit, I have been focusing too much on the Dragonlance series that I was not able to explore other fantasy series although I have read some of J.R.R Tolkien's books (as well as movie adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings") and the recent TV adaptation of George R. R. Martin series "A Song of Ice and Fire" titled A Game of Thrones. Of these famous fantasy stories, I have not yet explore the world of the Forgotten Realms world which is based on the classic RPG game Dungeons and Dragons.

One particular series in the Forgotten Realms world that I intent to follow religiously is The Legend of Drizzt series which chronicles the journeys of the Drizzt Do'Urden, a drow elf ranger/warrior who is considered by many as the most popular character of in this story setting.

As of this writing, I just finished listening to the audiobook version first book "Homeland" which tells the story about Drizzt history and early life. I am now currently listening to at the first chapter of the second book "Exile". 

The Wise Man's Fear Review

Title: The Wise Man's Fear
Author: Patrick Rothfuss
Series: Kingkiller Chronicles #2
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Magic, Assassins, Action, Adventure, Fae, Martial Arts

Review:

The Wise Man's Fear is basically a continuation of Patrick Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind, the first book of the Kingkiller Chronicles trilogy. "Wise Man's Fear" continues to employ the first person-third person view switching of the story as Kvothe continues to tell his story to the Chronicler his adventures and exploits in the University as well his adventures to another place called Severun, his unfortunate time at the hands of the fae and to his desire to follow the mystical path of righteouness and learn the Ketan martial art and the Lethani.

As with the Name of Wind, Wise Man's Fear still has the presense of J.R.R Tolkien (deep fantasy words and languages) and George R.R. Martin's influence (switching reader views) and some Harry Potter (the University). Rothfuss takes to the the protagnis't journey with a passion and depth that routinely turns the trite into the transcendent.

Overall, this sequel carries the first book’s ideas and wild exuberance further. Wise Man's fear is a great addition to your fantasy reading list as the series itself is a breath fresh air for the epic fantasy genre.

Preview of Elemental Assassin Book 7: Widow's Web

Fresh from reading By A Thread, I was excited to know that seventh installment to the  Elemental Assassin series will be entitled "Widow's Web". Jennifer Estep posted on her blog with short preview of what's in store for us fans.

My name is Gin, and I kill people. It’s something I’ve been doing for years as the assassin called Spider, but now, it’s turned into a necessity on my part just to survive all the lowlifes in Ashland who are gunning for me. The underworld is still in turmoil, and I seem to be on everyone’s hit list these days.

To add to Gin’s problems, her lover Owen’s ex is in town. Salina is back in Ashland to reclaim an old family legacy — and she thinks that Owen is hers for the taking. Also in the mix is Phillip Kincaid, a casino owner and all-around shady character who has a mysterious connection to both Owen and Salina.

Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but there’s more to her than meets the eye. Her water elemental magic makes her a dangerous enemy — and someone who can go toe-to-toe with Gin’s Ice and Stone power. But Gin is determined to get to the bottom of Salina’s deadly scheme, even though it just might cost her everything … including Owen.

By A Thread Review

Title: By A Thread
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin #6
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Elemental Magic, Assasins, Vampires, Giants, Dwarves

Review:
I was surprise after I learned that Jennifer Estep released the her first official novella of the Elemental Assassin series which the story took place days after the final events of  Spider's Revenge. I considered Threads of Death to be somewhat of a "prequel" to a second arc of story in the series since Gin still has to deal with Jonah McAllister. 

Upon reading By A Thread there are still the 'patterns' similar to the previous books (the first chapter fight scenes, a lot of "coincidences" and of course the signature Gin Blanco phrase "Sloppy, Sloppy Sloppy"). 

Threads of Death Review

Title: Threads of Death
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assasin #5.5
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Elemental Magic, Assasins, Vampires, Giants, Dwarves, Novella.

Review:

Threads of Death was the very first novella ever written by Jennifer Estep which took place several days after the final events of Spider's Revenge which is Mab Monroe's funeral. 

The funeral was attended by Gin Blanco and most of her "family" so as to say their final "farewell" to the Fire Elemental. Also in attendance was Jonah McAllister as well as other major players in Ashland's criminal underworld like Phillip Kincaid.

What's interesting about this novella there are two other POV's (point of view) ala George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice & Fire book series. The other POV's are of Jonah McAllister and of Phillip Kincaid. Threads of Death will serve as a "prequel" to the second arc of story in Gin Blanco's life which will continue on with the 6th book "By A Thread". 

Threads of Death is a must read for all hardcore Elemental Assasin fans as you will enjoy the action and the upcoming trials in Gin Blanco's life.

Fuzzy Nation Review

Title: Fuzzy Nation 
Author:John Scalzi
Version: Audiobook
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
Genre: Science Fiction, Alien, Adventure, Humor

Review:

Fuzzy Nation is the second sci-fiction book I ever listened in Audiobook narrated by Wil Weaton (the first was Ernest Cline's Ready Player One). 

Fuzzy Nation is a reboot of a classic science fiction book Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper. Scalzi basically wrote the "new version" of the Little Fuzzy giving it a more modern approach. Despite the minor changes, Scalzi was able to stay true the original story. 

If this was turn into a movie, my impression would it would be a mashup of John Grisham's The Client and Total Recall

If you have not read the original version, it does not really affect which version you have read or listened first as Fuzzy Nation alone is a science fiction story an I personally liked this one better because of Scalzi snappy, sarcastic style of writing on which you will enjoy. 

It is highly recommended that you get the Audiobook version of Fuzzy nation as Wil Weaton did a great job of narrating the story.

Spider's Revenge Review

Title: Spider's Revenge
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assasin #5
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Elemental Magic, Assasins, Vampires, Giants, Dwarves, Bounty Hunters.



MY REVIEW
Spider's Revenge is practically an arc finale as finally, Gin Blanco will get to kill Mab Monroe. But the stories gets some twists which bothered me early on as Gin embarked in a "solo" mission of killing Mab which practically failed (we can read several times that Fletcher Lane will surely be disappointed with her if he was still alive). She barely escapes but was able to fallback and planned the next attack with her companions.

Another twist that came out was involvement of bounty hunters which made this book so exciting which will make this book the most action packed book ever written by Jennifer Estep. Before the final showdown, Gin was able to get some assistance from his companion as they clear the area from any distraction setting up the final match between Gin and Mab.

A lot of revelations are being unveiled: Bria Coolidge has finally realized who Gin really was; Owen Grayson finally asserted his intentions to Gin and her reciprocating his love and revealed her true feeling to him and finally Jojo Devereaux's talk that Gin's magic will only get stronger as she goes on.

I initially though that this will be final book yet I learned that there will be two to three more books in the series and rumors that an official novella will be released to serve as a "transitional prequel" to the newest arc in the series.

Tangled Threads Review

Title: Tangled Threads
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assasin #4
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Elemental Magic, Assasins, Vampires, Giants, Dwarves.

Review:

Tangled Threads the 4th installment of the Elemental Assassin series as usual follows the some "sequential patterns" as with the previous. The books start when Gin and Finn where on a job to kill a dwarf who handling a shipment of illegal items for Mab Monroe which was later revealed to be a trap to lure "the Spider". The trap was setup by Mab's newest hire the electric elemental Elektra LaFleur.


It was later reveal that the one who spread the info about a shipment of illegal stuff was Vinny Volga an ice elemental who work as a bartender for Roslyn Phillips in Nothern Agression. It was reveal later on that Volga was coerced by LaFleur to spread the rumors about the trap or else she will kill her daughter Natasha. Volga attempted to escape but was caught by LaFleur's giants. As usual, Gin rescued Vinny from the giants and set her sights on rescuing her daughter from LaFleur (another pro Bono job for our heroine).

A twist in the story came when Jonah McAllister visited the Pork Pit along with LaFleur for a meal which in reality, LaFleur was scouting the place as she plans to kill Gin at the behest of Jonah McAllister as he still suspect Gin was the one who killed his son. It was later revealed that LaFleur plans to kill Bria Coolidge too as part of Mab Monroe's plan.

Gin gets to kill LaFleur in a showdown between two elemental on the same train yard where Natasha was held captive.

Gin finally reveals to Bria that she was her long-lost sister as well as the "Spider" who killed Elliot Slater, etc. The revelation did not initially did not bode well to Bria because of her principles as a cop.

On the romantic side of the story, Gin has finally accepted Owen Grayson as his boyfriend.  It was also reveal that Bria was also smitten with Gin's foster brother Finnegan Lane.

Overall this book is great penultimate to the series as arc as I feel that this feud will come to an end very soon.

Side Jobs: Stories From The Dresden Files Review

Title: Side Jobs: Stories From The Dresden Files
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: Dresden Files Compilation of Short Stories
Genre: Detective, Private Investigator, Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Faeries, Demons, Vampires, Norse Mythology

Review:

Side Jobs is a collection of small stories set from the universe of the Dresden files . Many of them have appeard in anthologies ahead of but Aftermath is exclusive for this collection.

A Restoration of Faith:

A young Harry Dresden can be tasked with tracking down the particular runaway daughter of the rich couple. The pair then decide that everything is too embarrassing and also call the police declaring Harry and his partner possess kidnapped the girl. Features the initial meeting of Harry and also Karrin Murphy. Slightly rougher writing than we are accustomed to from Butcher but in no way as bad as he helps make out in the release. Tidy and heart-warming history.

Changes Review

Title: Changes
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: Dresden Files #12
Genre: Detective, Private Investigator, Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Faeries, Demons, Vampires,

Review:

Even though "Changes" is only the 12th installment of the Harry Dresden series, but as the title suggest as there are lot of "changes" that affects the flow of the story the revelations AND the war is coming to an end in a very ironic way. For some if the was a TV series "Changes" is considered a season finale. In a typical Jim Butcher fashion, this book has lots of action and its humourous sarcasm (you'll get to read the funny side of Lea here too).

Among the major plotpoints in the story were (Major Spoiler Alert):

• Harry has a daughter name Maggie and is being held hostage by the Red Court; 
• Harry reluctantly agrees to become the Winter Knight so that she can use the power to save his daughter; 
• Ebenezer McCoy is reveal be his grandfather from his mother side;
• and among others.

"Changes" goes to the top of my most favorite Dresden Files book every written by Jim Butcher (heck what's not to like in this book as this is what every fans would like to read) and of course you will get the best experience when you read while listening to the audiobook version as James Marster did a great job narrating.

Venom Review

Title: Venom
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assasin #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Elemental Magic, Assassins, Vampires, Giants, Dwarves.

Review:

Like I mention on the Web of Lies review, the third installment of the Elemental Assassin series Venom starts with Gin in "action" specifically Gin getting beat up by Mab Monroe's enforcer Elliot Slater and his giants with Jonah McAllister trying to beat the information who killed her son Jake. By this time also Gin knows that who was the one responsible for the deaths of her mother and eldest sister as Gin discovered the files that Fletcher Lane gathered information about their deaths and that's why Fletcher also took her in and train her as  an assassin.

Another twist in the story is the arrival of Bria Coolidge which we later learn that she Gin's long lost youngest sister who now works as a detective in Ashland (she replaced Donovan Caine in the police department). She comes to her rescue when  followed Eliot Slater who coincidentally is under orders from Mab Monroe kill her as she suspect that Bria is really Bria Snow the youngest daughter of her rival Eira Snow.

Venom is not short on Gin's "probono work" as this time she helps Roslyn Phillips, the vampire who owns Nothern Aggression club from Elliot Slater who took a sick, sadistic obsession to Roslyn. At this time also it is reveal that Roslyn is in love with her giant bouncer Xavier WHO coincidentally (there's no short of coincidence in the series like I said before) is Bria Coolidge's partner at the police department. Elliot Slater was eventually killed by Roslyn using at his mansion when Gin and company attempted to rescue Rosalyn. Gin leaves her Spider rune mark for Mab Monroe to know that it was "The Spider" not Roslyn who was responsible of the death of her enforcer.

On the romance front, Owen and Gin's relationship has slowly progress as he continue to woo for his love, yet Gin was still unsure if their relationship would work in the long run.

I'm glad that Venom show some great progress despite some similar aspects as with the previous books.

Mockingjay Review

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Series: Hunger Games #3
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction

Review:

Mockingjay is the final installment within the Hunger Games Trilogy series. The tale starts with the particular dreary results of "Catching Fire's" ending line, "Mockingjay" starts with Katniss Everdeen wandering with the wreckage on her District 12 local, tripping more than skulls and getting the ashes in the incinerated bodies that is used to be her neighbors.

Difficult as it would seem to top the ingenuity and action-packed, edge-of-your-seat storyline of "The Hunger Games," or the continued, in-the-ring thrill ride of its follow-up, "Catching Fire," "Mockingjay" leaves the government's kid-on-kid hunting grounds and heads into the destitute reality of the districts, which have come under heavy fire from the Capitol for rising up against its superficial and oppressive leadership.

The final plot is not surprising at all as with the previous books. Nonetheless, Suzanne Collins seems to keep us visitors entertained as well as appalled during the entire inevitable revolt and ending. There is a good surprise twist in the end, the particular moral that is buying and selling in one master for another isn't a stepping-stone on the path to freedom. Mockingjay may not have the accolades simlar to Tolkien's "Return of the King" but a great one nevertheless.

Turn Coat Review

Title: Turn Coat
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: Dresden Files #11
Genre: Detective, Private Investigator, Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Faeries, Demons, Vampires, Skinwalkers, Werewolves, Skinwalkers

Review:

I considered "Turn Coat" Jim Butcher 11th installment another turning point into the series as a whole as this story involves Morgan, Harry personal rival in the White Council, asking for Harry help as he is being frame of killing a high ranking member of the White Counciland is being hunted down by the same Wardens who he is a member too. Despite their differences, Harry voluntarily helps Morgan find the real culprit to the murders as he firmly believe that Morgan can never kill someone without probable cause and he is too righeous to do so.

Harry suspects that there's mole within the White Council and with the aid of the Alphas and the White court vampires, Harry was able to uncover the mole and its sinister plan of destroying the council from within clearing Morgan's name and cutting the Red Court's tactical advantages in the war. There's a lot of revelation being reveal which would really affect the future of the series as a whole.

Despite the book being a bit more serious, Turn Coat still has lots of action, conspiracy theories and we get to see the other "good guys" join in to help Harry in his investigation. As with the previous books, I would recommend getting the audiobook version too as James Marsters did a good job narrating. 

Catching Fire Review

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Series: Hunger Games #2
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction

Review:

Catching Fire is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed "The Hunger Games". Like the Hunger Games, Catching Fire has an undercurrent of impending rebellion. It has action, death, deceit, loyalty, love, abuse of power and much more. In some ways, it is as good as The Hunger Games. In other ways, it falls short or exceeds the first novel.

Catching Fire held its own in comparison with its predecessor. The pace of the story was initially a shock from the cliffhangers and action that concluded the previous book, but the unfolding of events allowed for a natural, engaging continuation.

The story begins in District 12 where Katniss and Peeta are preparing to tour the 13 districts and Capitol City to celebrate their victory at the Hunger Games. There is an element of wariness and disdain about the whole process. Katniss is being pressured by President Snow, who sees her past actions in the arena as subtle rebelliousness. Katniss wants to protect her family by doing as Snow says. However, from the beginning, the reader gets the sense that Snow is not to be trusted and that things will not go according to plan. Throughout the book, the plot progresses very quickly and there are multiple instances where some events are merely skimmed over

The one area in which Catching Fire exceeds its predecessor is the ending. A surprise twist followed by a cliffhanger was the perfect way to keep readers rabid for more. By the end of this book, it is easy to be curious about what Katniss' fate will be.

In short, Catching Fire was a page-turning follow-up to an extraordinary novel. As with any good series, you have to ready the next book to enjoy the whole series and I expect the final book, "Mockingjay" to be a good finale.

Web of Lies Review

Title: Web of Lies
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Elemental Magic, Assasins, Vampires, Giants, Dwarves.

Review:
Web of Lies, Jennifer Estep's second installment of the Elemental Assassin series has become a landmark of various patterns in the succeeding books starting with Gin in action (in the book a botch holdup in the Pork Pit which involves the son of Mab Monroe's top lieutenants as one of the assailants), to a lot of coincidental incident ( Violet Fox one of the customers in the Pork Pit during the botch holdup who is the daughter of Warren T. Fox who is also a very close friend of Fletcher Lane AND Donovan Caine.. with this number of coincidence to we can create a "spider web" now.). Lots of flashback during Gin's teenage year while training under Fletcher Lane and the now famous phrase "sloppy, sloppy, sloppy" and this is also her very first "probono" work since she considered herself retired anyway.

My initial impression is that this book is quite the same as as Spider's Bite but as I read a long it become more interesting. This is the also a first for Gin gets "sidetrack" during her jobs as she attempts to assasinate the target a dwarven stone elemental in Tobias Dawson (and as a bonus gets to kill Jake McAllister for being such as hot headed jerk) but failed to do so as the Dawson has identified Gin as the one who attempted to crack his safe in his office.

Dawson, who has a penchant for elemental duels challenged Gin to a duel of Stone Elementals not knowing that Gin also has Ice Elemental powers too. She defeats Tobias Dawson by burying him under the mining tunnel they are dueling in and cutting his vein using her ice elemental knife. Another change in the book is the transition of Gin love life from the moral superiority Donovan Caine into the more open minded and caring Owen Grayson.

Web of Lies is a must read for every Urban Fantasy fanatics out there and I'm sure you'll get a hang of Gin Blanco's and his company's wit, sense of friendship and of course a lot of action.

My Top 5 Audiobook Narrators

I have been listening to several audiobooks for now and so far I have compiled the top five book narrators

• James Marsters (Spike on Buffy The Vampire Slayer) on all Jim Bucther's Dresden Files books:
  James Marsters fit his role as narrator for this books series to a "T". His vocal talents are great specially when he does the accents and all the comedic snarks by Harry Dresden and of Bob The Skull. It would be a great disappointing if Marsters will not be the one to narrate the next Dresden Files books.
• Roy Dotrice - George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire books:
  Roy Dotrice's voice for me is best epic fantasy book reader. George R. R. Martin should also keep Roy Dotrice as narrator for the next two books of this series.
• Elisabeth Rodgers - On Richelle Mead's Georgina Kincaid series:
  Elisabeth Rodger exudes the sexy but great voice of Georgina Kincaid and I was happy Richelle Mead stick with her 'til the end of the series.
• Wil Wheaton on Ernest Cline's Ready Player One:
  For a uber geek book Ernest Cline did hire the best narrator in the person of actor Wil Wheaton. Wheaton did a great job or narrating that you would think that Wheaton was the one who wrote the book itself.
• Robertson Dean on William Gibson's Neuromancer:
  My first impression listening to audiobook version of Neuromancer is that the narrator sounded like Dennis Haysbert (of 24 and The Unit TV series) only to find out the narrator was Robertson Dean. His voice was great and I was dissappointed that he was not hired to narrate the next two books of the Sprawl trilogy. I also learned he narrated the Richard Matheson classic I am Legend audiobook.

Small Favor Review

Title: Small Favor
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: Dresden Files #10
Genre: Detective, Private Investigator, Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Faeries, Demons, Angels,

Review:

Jim Butcher's tenth installment to the Dresden Files series is as usual a treat for every fans of Harry Dresden as we get a healthy dose action action, magic, faery politics and fallen angels and countless number of humorous sarcasms.

Small Favor is one of my favorite of the Dresden Files book as get to battle yet again Nichodemus and the rest of the Blackened Denarians in order to rescue Gentleman Johnny Marcone at the hands of these afformention fallen angels as one the three favors Harry owed from the Winter Court Queen Mab. Another twist came in the form of the Summer Court faeries trying to prevent Harry from complying favor. Joining the fray are the Knights of the Cross, Captain Luccio and the rest of the Wardens and of course Harry's family (his half brother Thomas) and friends the Carpenters, the Alphas werewolves and of course, Karrin Murphy.

The White Council - Red Court war was put in a background at this time but a new threat slowly creeping in to form (the Black Council as dubbed by Harry). This won't be the last book we that we read about Nichodemus and his cohorts as Jim has stated that the Blackened Denarians will "show up" on every 5th book, so we will be expecting them on "book 15".

Overall "Small Favor" is a great blend of action, humor and emotional struggles and as with the previous books, I highly recommend it that you include this on your "must read" list. If you can get the audiobook version the better as James Marsters did a superb job of narrating.

Ready Player One Review

Title: Ready Player One
Author:Ernest Cline
Version: Audiobook
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
Genre: Science Fiction, 80's Pop Culture,Video Games

Review:

"A Future Wrapped in 1980s Culture"

Ready Player One is one unique sci-fi adventure, Set in a distant future wherein the real world is so desolate place that most of the people has chosen to live their waking existence in a virtual world called "The Oasis". My first impression of the world is like It's like a mashup of Tron and Angelina Jolie's Hackers and the Matrix but in a much lighter setting.

The story is a about an 18 year old kid name Wade Watts who spends his life in the OASIS as his means to learn (via virtual schools) and play until he discovered the the items needed to unlock the "keys" to the puzzle to find the Egg which the creator James Halliday to which the price is to inherit Halliday's fortunes.

I really enjoyed Cline's extensive reference to the 80's pop and geek culture from movie lines of Monty Python to the cryptic lyrics of Rush's 2112 to the variety of vintage games and gaming consoles. With Wil Wheaton narrating for the audiobook version was like icing to a cake making Ready Player One by far the best science fiction book I ever read.

Spider's Bite Review

Title: Spider's Bite
Author: Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assasin #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Elemental Magic, Assasins, Vampires, Giants, Dwarves.

Summary:
"My name is Gin, and I kill people"

Review

Spider's Bite introduce us to Gin Blanco, a strong,brunette girl with a heavy southern accent who works as a waitress for a restaurant in the fictional city of Ashland called Pork Pit but moonlights as an assasin with stone and ice elemental skills. The restaurant is owned by an old man named Fletcher Lane whom was also a former assassin named "Tin Man" who is also Gin's mentor.

The story starts with Gin on job to which give us reader a glimpse of how Gin works his assassin jobs: swift, precise and brutal. After successfully killing the target, she was advised by his mentor to retire for from the assassin business which she still can. She was finally given a new job which requires her to kill a CFO of big company who was suspected of laundering money from the company accounts. When the time for her to do the job, she soon encounters another assassin who was contracted by the same client to eliminate Gin and pin her as the fall guy.

This begins a series of events that lead to murder of her handler/mentor at the hands of an Air Elemental, Her rescuing detective Donovan Caine and finally killing the Air Elemental. Sexual tension between Gin and Donavan Caine reached it's peak as they engaged into "one-hour" stand despite Donovan Caine's moral reluctance.

Overall, Spider Bite is a great introduction to this great urban fantasy series. I would recommend listening to the audiobook while reading as this will enhance the reading experience. The narrator Lauren Fortgang did a great job conveying the "southern gal" vibe of the main character.

White Night Review

Title: White Night
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: Dresden Files #9

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Faeries, Demon, Ghouls, Vampires, Ghosts

Review:

White Night is the 9th installment of the Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series, following (Proven Guilty). Despite the war between the White Council of Wizards and the Red Court Vampires is still ongoing, this story is more of an interlude completely self-contained as a mystery for Harry Dresden to solve.

In this story, Harry was called on a case of series of suicides by a number of women. Upon further investigation of the crime scenes, Harry and Murphy deduced that the women are murdered. Later it was learn that majority of the victims belong to a witch group known as Ordo Lebes, which Dresden translates in his correspondence course Latin as "Order of the Cauldron". He discovers that his brother Thomas is involved. Not only him, but others of the White Vampire Court which complicates matters.

Like in most of the books in this series, someone is trying to kill Harry and this time, this somewhat a personal vendetta against him. He just can't figure out who it would be. One thing is for certain though, he has to find the killer of the women before its too late and expose them for who they are before more women die. Another twist in the story is that the other remaining members of the order hired Elaine, Harry's former girlfriend as a consultant wizard to help them with defend against the killer.

This story ended in an awesome amount of epicness as the author likes to do great fight scenes and dramatic finales. As usual this a must read for every Dresden Files fans despite the slow progress with the main plot.

The Hunger Games Review

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Series: Hunger Games #1
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction

Review:

On her first young-adult novel, Suzanne Collins has mixed together elements both classical and modern to produce a story that, if not entirely new, nevertheless bears her unique imprint. Beginning with elements of the Theseus myth, she mixes in a large dollop of Battle Royale by Koushun Takami, elements of Richard Bachman's The Running man and Alan Moore's V for Vendetta and an extrapolation of current social and political trends. But she makes it her own, and the book avoids feeling derivative through her complex and impressive characterizations of both lead and supporting characters, and the bewildering interplay of personal emotions and political conspiracies.

Overall, the Hunger Games had it's impressive early run I was disappointed on how the story ends. I was expecting a much better ending but since this is a trilogy, I would hope the series would end in a much better note.

Proven Guilty Review

Title: Proven Guilty

Author: Jim Butcher

Series: Dresden Files #8

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Faeries, Demons, Vampires, Supernatural.

Review:

After the events in "Dead Beat", Harry Dresden is now a Warden of the White Council, the first official task was to bear witness to the execution of a young warlock, corrupted by his own arcane powers. Harry despised that act of killing children as they should be guided to the ways of the arcane.

And then there's issue about the Faerie Summer and Winter Courts. When Harry is asked to investigate why the Fae haven't come to help the wizards in the war against the Red Court, and is also warned that black magic is being worked in the city you know it's going to be a difficult week. Especially when it starts right out with someone trying to run Harry over while he's in his VW bug. Another issue came when Molly, Michael Carpenter's eldest daughter was revealed to use magic on her friends.

The book is a bit shorter compared to the previous installments, which only means Butcher decided cut out a lot of loose talk and got right too it. He manages to fill in detail after detail without getting over saturated.

As with the previous books, I like the humor that Jim Butcher infuses in this series. It now becomes a signature style of Jim Butcher to at least balance the humor and the seriousness in the story even though these the humor is somewhat of a "comic relief".

Proven Guilty did not give us that feel of time running out and the world would end soon. It forshadows things in Harry's world that are more dangerous in the near future. As again the traitor in the White Council seems to strike, the Vampire War takes another turn, the affairs of the Sidhe are revisited with catastrophic consequences for those involved.

This is also the first book that Murphy was not present (as we all know that she was in a long vacation in Hawaii with someone which we later learn to be Kincaid).

As with the previous books, Proven Guilty is one book that every Harry Dresden fanatics should have in their collection. The story is more straight forward and there are a lot of things that could affect the main plot of the series as a whole.