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!!! ( )

Witchling is the story of Camille, one of three sisters, send from the Otherworld to Earth to act, in a sense, as spies. They are to keep the order and clean up the messes when order doesn't prevail. The sisters are half sidhe on their father's side, their deceased mother was human. Camille is a witch and can cast spells, although thank's to the human in her, they have the potential to backfire. Delilah is a werecat, but yup. She is literally a little tabby cat. Menolly was an acrobat but has recently become infected with Vampirism. With their own set of challenges, the girls must find out why other earthbound sidhe creatures are suddenly dying and why three demons have shown up on the Earth side of the earth/otherword portal. Camille is probably my least favorite of the three sisters. She can't decides if she is sexy and smart or a desaster prone goof. I don't like the fact the every man she met became attracted to her. I did like the side cast of characters, include human partner, Chase and Smokey (hah. the dragon). Still, the plot was slow at times, and I almost found I enjoyed the scenes of talking and discussing around the table better than the action scenes. Don't let that scare yo because their were plenty of actions scenes, several with nicely done twists. You don't want to miss what Camille rescues from one of the demons! I wasn't knocked off my feet by "Witchling" but I was bewitched enough to want to read on to "Changling", Delilah's first story. Delilah so far, is my favorite of the three characters. ( )

I was hesitant at first, not really knowing what I was getting myself into, but Witchling managed to get under my skin. The world is complex and intriguing, and the characters are not perfect, which makes them more believable. Yasmine Galenorn's D'Artigo sisters pack a hell of a punch, and slowly but surely assimilate you into their family. ( )

This book is filed under Romance in my store and it is NOT A ROMANCE BOOK! This is 100% pure fantasy and what a wonderful fantasy world it is!

Three sisters...1/2 human and 1/2 Fae/Witch, 1/2 Vampire, 1/2 Werecat...yes CAT lol

If you picked up this book expecting a romance you will be disappointed. This has relationships in the story but it is so much more. It was a wonderful adventure from Page 1 to page 293. Going to run to work and order #2! ( )

Good start on what could be a good series. Original characters, interesting plotting. ( )