Long weekends rock. Finished re-reading Caitlin Kittredge's "Night Life" on Saturday. Before I completely forget all of the details (a distinct possibility, given that I re-read Kittredge's "Pure Blood" yesterday), it's time to write this review already.

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Book Review: Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge

My rating: @ @ @ @

Melancholy. Loner. The struggle to define self. Duality of nature – particularly highlighted when you’re dealing with a werewolf, a female, and an “insole” (packless) were at that … who is also a police detective.

Luna Wilder is a strong-minded female heroine (what can I say, my favourite kind!) whose strength lies in both her character and in her physique. She can think on her feet AND take care of herself. Most of the time. Although she does tend to get herself into trouble (managing the whole act first and think later trait can be a bit of a challenge for her), Luna is fortunate enough to pull other strong people into her life who can help.

One of these people is Redback pack were leader Dmitri Sandovski. Yep, there is chemistry. Bad boy. But – of course – good for her. Sure, it’s a cliché but hey, when it’s as well-written as this, it’s a cliché to enjoy … again and again.

Luna is far from perfect. But it is those imperfections and underlying vulnerabilities – however much she tries not to show it – that make her that much more interesting as a main character.

The plot: mystery with a dash of the dark-and-dangerous (but of course not to you) male. Magic, blood and mayhem ensue.

It’s a fairly graphic murder mystery, so if you’re looking for swashbuckling fluff with polka dots and unicorns, this isn’t the book for you.

But if you’re looking for a book to get lost in for a few hundred pages, or a new urban fantasy heroine (and/or author) to follow, I highly recommend this book.

I’ve read it twice now, and I’m sure I’ll pick it up again.

Apparently I don't have a lot of time to read these days. Or, more to the point, read anything that isn't in magazine format and therefore bite-sized and bathroom-friendly.

Which doesn't mean that I don't have a shopping list. I do. I'm not sure when I'll get to pick them up, but I will. And hey, if you get to them before me, please drop back here and let me know what you think!

Books In Stores Now:

Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by Carrie Vaughn
Next book in the Vaughan's series about Kitty the werewolf. There is another one coming out in a couple of months, so I might just wait to pick them both up at the same time.

Outcast Season Book One Undone by Rachel Caine
This is the same author that contributed the Weather Warden series to my collection. I don't love all of her series - example: Morganville Vampires (the kind of heroine you want to shake) - but I'm willing to try this one out and see how I like it. Especially since I don't see another Weather Warden installment on the horizon any time soon.

Living with the Dead by Kelley Armstrong
One of my favourite authors. Bitten is still one of my top 10 books on the I'm-out-of-new-books-what-can-I-read-now? list. Because of that, I want it. Will I get it in hardcover or wait until the paperback comes out? That I can't say - depends how desperate I get for something to read once I'm done with everything else. But whether it's the hardcover version (available now) or the paperback version (probably out in about a year), I'm sure I'll get it.

Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong
I'm torn about this one. She is a great author. But much of this material was previously published online as a novella (although it's not up there anymore), and I read it back then. I might buy it anyway to support her, but ... maybe not right away. Sorry Kelley.

Books Out Soon:

White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison (due out February 13, 2009 on Indigo.ca and February 24, 2009 on Amazon.ca)
Well here is a surprise. I want the next book out in my favourite series, and I'm willing to buy it in hardcover to avoid having to wait. And it's being released at the end of the week -- woo hoo!!

Made to Be Brokenby Kelley Armstrong (due out February 24, 2009)
Finally! The next installment in the Exit Strategy series. I'm thinking I might need to re-read the first book in this as well in preparation. Always feel like I'm missing out on something when there is a lag of about a year between author releases. This series diverges from her Otherworld series, but I like it.

Kitty Raises Hell by Carrie Vaughn (due out March 1, 2009)
Clearly, there is a list of pre-orders in my immediate future. Follows on the last Kitty the werewolf book, above. This girl just doesn't catch a break ... but it does make for interesting reading!

Second Skin by Caitlin Kittredge (due out March 3, 2009)
The next book in the Luna Wilder, police detective/werewolf mystery series. Can't wait. I think I'll re-read the entire series in preparation for this next installment.

Dead And Gone
Charlaine Harris (due out May 5, 2009)
I'm almost afraid to include this on my list. The last few books in this series have been hit and miss. Plus I'm still cranky about the tv series True Blood. Does that mean I won't buy this latest book in the Sookie Stackhouse series? Probably not. Might I wait until it's out in paperback? I might well do that.

Speak of the Devil by Jenna Black (due out July 28, 2009)
Argh! I have to wait until the summer for the next installment in this series! No fair. Also no plotline spoilers out for it yet. Sigh. Patience patience ...