99. The Snow Garden by Christopher Rice – So, remember in my blog post about the J.D. Robb mystery I’ve been reading over several trips to the bookstore, rather than buying it, in which I said that her books are almost completely plot- and character-driven (not in those words), but not literary in style? Well, read this book and you’ll immediately see what I mean. Like the Robb mysteries, this book has a strong plot and distinctive characters, but the tone, the writing, the use of language rise above “common” mystery novels to be modern literature. This book, which I totally bought, will stay on my bookshelf. Very highly recommended. (finished 11/9)
100. Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb – A fine addition to the series and this one didn’t strain credulity in order to make its dénouement especially bloody or life-threatening, especially to the major characters. For once, none of them were directly or even indirectly involved with any of the victims or the suspects, which is rare enough to deserve mention. I liked it and I’m glad I read it and I’ll be happy to read the next one. But I’m unlikely to ever buy it, even after it’s in paperback. Ah, well, B-a-M has made a fortune off me this last week, as I’ve bought many other books and a few calendars over the course of my visits to read this novel. (Yes, I took advantage of the opportunities to do a little Christmas shopping. I mean, I was there, right?) If you’re more scrupulous than I, feel free to buy the book and “pay” the author for her work. You (probably) won’t regret it. (finished 11/13)
101. Resistance by J.M. Dillard – This Star Trek: The Next Generation novel actually precedes Before Dishonor, but I read them out of order. (Oops.) I wish I’d read them in the correct sequence, as there is a logic that flows from one to the other, but each of them is quite sufficient as a stand-alone novel. “Resistance” is a good read and should please any hard-core ST/TNG fan (like me). That said, I recommend reading them they way they were intended. (finished 11/15)
102. One False Move by Alex Kava – Pretty good, but not great. Engaging, but not engrossing. Interesting, but not intriguing. (finished 11/19)
103. Witch by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié – A surprisingly sophisticated and well-written YA novel about a girl who learns she has magical abilities and, ultimately, about the fight between the girl’s magical family and a rival family. One unexpected twist is that neither magical family is “good,” but the antagonist family’s brand is “blacker” than the heroine’s family’s magic. Also, there is death and sex and betrayal, but it’s not soap-opera-y or gratuitous. “Witch” is part of a two-book omnibus, labeled as the first two books in a series, and I will definitely want to read more, as the action is still building and there’s much more plot left to develop and explore. (finished 11/24)
104. Curse by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié – Curse is the sequel to Witch and is even bloodier and less YA-ish than the first book. The tension and action and risk are building. Now, I have to haul myself to either the library or bookstore and find the next in the series. (finished 11/29 )
