Devoured by Darkness (Guardians of Eternity, Bk 7) by Alexandra Ivy

Review by Cynthia F. (frazerc)

Paranormal action romance that starts pretty much at the end of book 5, Darkness Unleashed.  At that point there are two tunnels and two sets of people being pursued.  Salvatore took one branch and the results of that choice are detailed in book 6, Beyond The Darkness.  Tane took the other branch and his adventures are covered in this book.  That said…  this has all the marks of a ‘bridging’ [one which sets up for future stories] book.  It seemed to have less action than normal but the relationship plot was well developed.

Tane is a great character – mohawk, shorts and bare feet in all weather and conditions – and his job as Charon [basically vampire assassin in charge of killing off rogue vampires] makes him REALLY unpopular with his fellow vampires.  And when he captures that half-Jinn he should deliver her to the Oracles immediately.  But there’s something about her…

Then there’s Laylah – under an order of execution for being a half-Jinn – bearing the darkest of secrets – the last thing she wants to see is a vampire assassin nipping at her heels.  But it’s not like she has a choice, he’s there, he’s not giving up, and he’s sure acting like he wants to nip more than her heels…

And finally there’s Levet – adding his own special mix of ‘rescuing fair damsels’ and ‘confusion to the enemies’ while driving the hero nuts.

Victor and Juliet, two supporting characters they visit in London, have their own story – Taken by Darkness in the Yours For Eternity anthology.

Series is pretty sequential, better to read them in order.

Guardians of Eternity

1. When Darkness Comes

2. Embrace The Darkness

3. Darkness Everlasting

4. Darkness Revealed

5. Darkness Unleashed

6. Beyond The Darkness

6.5.  Taken by Darkness in Yours For Eternity anthology

7. Devoured by Darkness

8. Bound By Darkness

White Corridor by Christopher Fowler

Review written by Cheryl R. (Spuddie)

This is #5 in the Bryant & May “Peculiar Crimes Unit” mystery series set in London. In this episode, acting director Raymond Land closes the unit for a week while the computers and electronics are updated, so Bryant convinces May to accompany him to a spiritualist convention out in the rural west country. The two elderly detectives set off and run into a horrendous snowstorm that leaves them stuck in a ditch and stranded along with dozens of other travelers–one of whom is a murderer, as they discover when they find the body of a truck driver with his throat slashed.

Meanwhile, back in London, the unit’s pathologist Oswald Finch dies while beginning an autopsy on a young girl, a drug addict who is more than what she seems. His death comes just days before his impending retirement, and the remaining staff must figure out if it was murder (only they have keys and the door was locked!), suicide or a bizarre accident. Communicating with their senior colleagues by mobile phone, DS Janice Longbright must finally begin to put all the teachings of her mentors to work to solve the crime–before a royal visit scheduled last minute by their nemesis, Oscar Kasavian, could derail the unit once and for all.

Wonderful read as always with crazy characters, well-plotted mysteries, red herrings galore, and plenty of laughs. Though I was sad at the death of crotchety old Finch, his demise was an interesting puzzle for the Unit to solve. This series will be enjoyable for those who like quirky characters and a little “meat” on the bones of the mystery. Lots of historical and literary references throughout keep things interesting, but more than anything, the characters become beloved friends after only a couple of books in the series.

Eyes of the Overworld by Jack Vance

Review written by Bowden P. (Trey)

This book was a typical classic SF and fantasy treat for me – fast reading, engaging and quick. Plus, it was a nice look at some of roots of the tropes of the fantasy genre and roleplaying games. Besides, where else can you find the origin and composition of the grue?

What’s it about? Well, I suspect Wikipedia can do a better job of summarizing than I, but the gist of it is one Cugel the Clever (also the greedy, treacherous, cowardly, lecherous, lazy, etc., etc.) is sent on a little errand by Iuconnu the Laughing Magician after being caught trying to burgle Iuconnu’s home. This small errand is a simple quest – with a epic return home.

Along the way, Cugel cons, is conned, tries to take advantage of people and is taken advantage of more often. He is living proof that the best way to con someone is appeal to that larceny and greed in their hearts. “The Mountains of Magnatz” is a wonderful example of this.

Did I like it? Yes, I did. I’m fond of characters like Cugel – he seems a spiritual descendant of the Flashman at the least. Unlike Flashman though, Cugel in this volume remains an inveterate rotter. Also, unlike Flashman, he doesn’t admit to himself what he is. Heck, he’d deny it to the end. And it was pretty funny to see how he kept getting taken advantage of by his intended victims because of this. I wasn’t thrilled with the rococo language though – it reminded me of  The Worm Ourobouros by Eric Rücker Eddison and not in a good way. But I’ll forgive it because it did not take itself as seriously as The Worm Ourobouros does.

Likes: A literally anti-heroic protagonist; Humor; Seeing origins of tropes in the fantasy genre; Imaginative world building; Amusing cons.

Dislikes: Rococo language; Dialogue – stiff and people don’t talk like that.

Suggested for: Fantasy fans, classic fantasy fans, Flashman fans and fans of anti-heroic characters like Flashman and Cugel.