Book Review: Rosemary and Rue

Rosemary and Rue, by Seanan McGuire is the first book in the October Daye series.  It focuses on Toby, a faerie changeling with a human father and a faerie mother.  Toby is a private investigator who is trying to leave the faerie world behind her.  After building a life for herself with her human husband and daughter, she is kept from them for a period of 12 years by an enemy of her liege lord.  After her long absence, she is trying to put her life back together in the human world, and trying to avoid all contact with the faerie world that has caused her such pain.  The problem is, the faerie world isn't done with her yet.  She is dragged back in by the murder of her friend and a subsequent curse that causes her to have to find out who the murderer is or die herself.

This series, currently at 8 books, is just the right combination of fantasy and mystery.  It's great for fans of Jim Butcher or Kim Harrison.  It's good to see a strong female lead headlining a fantasy story.  I very much enjoyed McGuire's world building.  She jumps between San Francisco and the faerie knowes of California.  She creates vivid portraits of both worlds.

She also is very good with her characters.  They are both enjoyable, three-dimensional, and well thought out.  You will enjoy the world of Toby, Conner, Tybalt, Sebastian, and The Luidaeg.  You probably won't enjoy learning how to pronounce Luidaeg, but there is a handy pronunciation guide at the beginning of each book that will help inordinately.

We currently have the first two volumes of this exciting fantasy series available for $7.99 each + tax with the rest of the series on order.  Pick yours up today!

Book Review: Horrorstor

Horrorstor, by Grady Hendrix is a satire on Ikea and big box retail, but it is also a very compelling horror novel.  Something has gone wrong in the Orsk store in Cleveland Ohio.  Sales are down, even though the store is always busy.  There is a strange man who keeps appearing and disappearing from the salesfloor.  There are strange smells, and stains on furniture when the store opens, that weren't there when the store closed.

  In order to figure out what is going wrong at the store, three employees agree to spend an overnight in the store to patrol and catch the culprit.  So Manger Basil; young, directionless Amy; and perky, and upbeat Ruth Anne; all settle in for a long night.  It soon becomes clear that there isn't a person responsible for the trouble at all, but a malignant evil which has existed for centuries, just waiting for an opportunity to get out.

The story itself is sound, but the book is also nicely done.  It is set up to look like the Orsk furniture catalog.  It comes complete with descriptions or Orsk furnishings, a map of the store, coupons, and a home delivery form.  So in addition to being a captivating read, it is also a well designed book.

Overall Horrorstor is a very entertaining twist on the haunted house genre.  I recommend this quick and frightening story of dedication and redemption.

Horrorstor is available new in paperback for $12.95 + tax.  Come in and grab your copy today!