More than halfway through, when this book should be ramping me up to an anxiety to know how (not if) the three half-Faerie sisters at the center of the book (and assorted sex partners) are going to win the day and save the world against unimaginable odds… *yawn*

The writing is not good. On certain reality shows the narrator frequently recaps what happened a few minutes ago, or what JUST HAPPENED A SECOND AGO, for the benefit of … I never can figure who these things are aimed at. Really, I was here. Not suffering from catastrophic short term memory loss, I recall it. As it turns out, it’s as intensely annoying in print as it is on tv – maybe moreso, actually, because while you might tune in late to a tv show, in order to get to page 100 you generally have to read the 99 preceding pages. Not always, of course; maybe Galenorn anticipated the skimming that is inevitable with this book. There’s a strange sort of sputtering stop-and-start feel to the narration, like hitting the gas to rev up to fifty and then stomping on the brakes and hitting the gas again.

I found the introduction of the main character fairly annoying: it took a very long time to learn why she was coming off as so very arrogant and hateable. She expresses what seems to be contempt for FBH’s (Full-Blooded Humans), at least male ones in terms of dating them and the ones who come seeking her out because of what she is. She is, however, more than willing to accept a pair of very expensive shoes from the latter. What it is that she actually is (besides not someone I like much) isn’t revealed for a good couple of chapters. (At least it seemed that long.)

I can’t think of another book where the first-person narrator spends so very much time describing her own clothes. I’m supposed to care that she dons a lavender whathaveyou with the vintage coat and so forth and so on and on, with ankle-high boots with precarious heels? I can’t possibly care as much as she does, given that her attention is so captivated by her own clothes that she pauses at a grisly murder scene to make note that one of her boots is scuffed and she needs a new pair (never heard of polish?), and her main reaction to having been slightly possessed and beguiled into a violent and intense sexual encounter is that her clothes got muddy. If anything I’m contemptful because she’s going out where there’s bound to be some hiking involved, and she’s dumb enough to put on those heels. And it is largely in her hands that the safety of two worlds rests. Harry Dresden she ain’t.

The language is annoying …. Camille goes about calling everyone “dude”. She’s not a cowboy, or even a cowgirl, and the book was not written at the height of the 90’s. Stop it. The slanginess doesn’t translate to good/realistic dialogue, it comes off as awkward and cliched silliness. Also, there are some bizarre phrasings; e.g.: when they call their father for help (via a mirror), the vamp sister (Menolly, and the writer needs to apologize to Anne McCaffrey for that) leans forward, her face eagerly drinking in the sights … Really. Like a moisturizer. Most annoying to me in this department is the nickname for the bad guy: "Bad Ass Luke". I mean, he doesn’t have to have a name like Voldemort (or even He Who Cannot Be Named), or The Necromancer, or anything like that, but does every character have to say the whole silly thing every single time? And I’m expected to believe that a many-hundred-year-old Faerie coined the nick? Hm. The repeated use of “nekkid” was about as much fun as thumbtacks in my shoes, too.

The buildup to the confrontation with Bad Ass Luke is starting to grate. Yes, thanks, I remember the almost-every-page references to how bad ass he is (ohhhh! Hence the name. Got it). Yes, I remember that he attacked the ladies’ father and his squadron, and destroyed everyone but dad. Which is why I think it’s kind of humorous that dear old dad, who was spanked by the baddie in the company of said doomed squadron (all supposed to be old and powerful faeries), now expects his three offspring to take him on with a couple of other guys and win. Considering that Camille is a half-assed witch (which ranks her far below Bad Ass, obviously) whose spells apparently backfire more often than they work (and yet she keeps trying to work them, and trying bigger and more powerful things), Delilah is a were-kitty-cat with no control over her change and the emotional maturity and wisdom of a tween, and Menolly is a cranky vampire with Issues… Maybe dear old dad just wants to clean up the family tree a bit. The story has done far too good a job of convincing me that Camille is absolute rubbish at witchcraft and that the world would be safer if she quit; I won’t believe in some miraculous upsurge of control and skill.

And if Luke is so very bad – sorry, Bad Ass – then why is it he’s been working purely through agents of varying potency up till this late point? Some firsthand experience of the … dude might have been effective. And if he’d tried a little harder – either concentrating those agents’ efforts or popping in briefly himself – he could have wiped out the sisters and their boytoys without too much trouble. Missed opportunities are so sad.

I reached the end of the book by skimming, only to find that there wasn't much of an end – just a jumping-off place for a sequel. Two, actually, since there seems to be one from the point of view of each sister. Fantasies very frequently have sequels – but skillful writers handle the situation better. ( )

It's an okay book, it didn't bore me but it won't stay stuck in my mind for days to come either. ( )

I got this at my daughter's request & thought I'd read it first, only to realize quickly I had read it before. Not a bad book, but forgettable, I guess. It is yet another of the current paranormal fantasies that portray our current world with the addition of a fantasy element. In this case, we have 3 half-Sidhe sisters who are stationed on our Earth as part of a government agency from the OW (Other World). A third world is ruled by demons. The 3 worlds were once all in constant communication, but years ago separated except for a few portals, to protect them. Now the bad guys want to take over all 3 & the sisters stand in the way. Fairly predictable, but well written & an interesting take on the idea.The pace is well done. Lots of action with background information doled out as needed. The characters were pretty well done too. At first, they seemed a little clichéd, but as the book progressed, the characters filled in & one developed especially well. While I never doubted the outcome for a moment, the paths taken to arrive there were interesting. I'm looking forward to the next! ( )

I love the spin that Galenorn puts on these girls: They each have their own talent (Menolly's a Vampire, Delilah's a Were, and Camille is a Witch), and all three are half human and half faerie. Because of their mixed blood their magic tends to short circut ocassionaly, which really add an element of humor to a darker story line.

There is a lot going on in this story, from the demons coming earthside, to a battle that's brewing in the Other World. With all the different plot lines that are going on, it does make the book a bit confusing at times, but it also makes for a very fast read. I think this was a great start to the series, you get to know a lot of background information, as well as getting to know the sisters better. It was a really nice blend of paranormal, action, mystery and romance! ( )

Shelf Talk: On Mind Trash

It happens to everyone. Over winter break it happened to me. It always strikes when you least expect it. One day you’re fine and the next day you wake up, go to school, pull out your textbook, and none of the words make any sense. Your mind just goes into hibernation. I refer to this common ailment as “word fatigue,” and I had developed a wicked case of it.

Now, the best cure for “word fatigue” is a day or two spent playing video games or watching mindless television. What you can’t do, or at least shouldn’t do if you want to avoid a mental meltdown, is look at words on a page…any page. However, if you are a self proclaimed bookaholic, as I am, “word fatigue” poses a major problem. The problem? Duh! You can’t read!

So, there I was beginning of winter break, stacks and stacks of wonderful books, and absolutely no desire to read them, let alone the ability to comprehend them. At first, I didn’t panic. Being the bookaholic I am this was just another routine “word fatigue,” and I had a contingency plan. First, I pulled all of the books I had been dying to read out of my collection, stacked them up, and systematically read the first chapter of every one until something stuck. Nothing stuck. Then, I attempted to bribe myself into reading by driving to the nearest bookstore and buying anything that looked remotely interesting. I left with an armful of books. I was optimistic; by the time I got home, I wasn’t interested. I started to panic a little…okay, a lot.

Two weeks into winter break, the situation had escalated from panic to desperation. It was time to pull out the big guns; it was time to pull out the “mind trash.” Books, lovingly referred to as “mind trash,” are the soap operas and reality T.V. shows of the book world. What can I say? I was a desperate woman. I tore through every corner of my home looking for my “mind trash” fix and came out empty handed. I had not one “mind trash” novel on hand, a mistake I would soon remedy. I sped to the bookstore, dashed in with fifteen minutes till closing, and came out with four “mind trash” books and five minutes to spare. One of those books was Yasmine Galenorn’s Witchling.

Camille D’Artigo, the first part of a sister trio, is a witch who is working earthside in the OIA (Otherworld Intelligence Agency) whose magic could be considered faulty at best. She and her two sisters, Delilah (a werecat) and Menolly (a vampire), all work earthside for the same agency. It is their job, along with their side-kick Chase (a human working for the Seattle Police Department), to monitor and investigate any otherworldly crimes happening earthside. Of course, little do they know (at least in the beginning) that all Hades is about to break loose. A wicked civil war is brewing in the otherworld, and a demon uprising, from a forbidden realm threatens to take over both the otherworld and earth.

The reader follows Camille and her sisters on an adventure to discover new places, old people, new romances, and yet another piece of a mysterious puzzle. On every page of this book, one can find murder, mayhem, mystery, or magic. This book is a whirlwind assault on the senses that will leave you wanting more.
Galenorn’s Witchling is a superb piece of “mind trash.” This book is the first in her Otherworld series, which, to date, consists of five books. I devoured all five within a week and a half and am left salivating for more. Galenorn, who seems to be very well read, pulls bite size pieces from classic literature and ancient mythologies to create a multi-faceted fantasy world. This fantasy world she has created is “mind trashy” enough to get you hooked but solid and smart enough to keep you interested.

Witchling is a Paranormal Romance, and I give it an easy R rating. This book is not for everyone, especially for those under the age of 18. It is, however, for people who enjoy reading a non-standard book about witches, demons, dragons, vampires, werewolves (of a sort), elves, goblins, sprits, gods, and humans. It is also for those who like a good murder with their romance. Don’t expect the dull with this novel. Happy Reading!!! ( )