Jeff Mariotte

This particular Charmed entry has a lot going for it that makes it a very nice read for fans of the show. It begins rather darkly, almost atypically, with an atmospheric murder in the San Francisco fog which is very well written. Others are described just as atmospherically as the narrative goes along, adding a touch of depth to a series mostly read as a light and nostalgic book for entertainment purposes.

San Francisco gets more page time as the backdrop to the magical adventures of our show more favorite three sisters in this one than is often the case, and that’s a big plus. Also a plus is we get sections featuring Darryl, one of the nice male characters from the show that is missed by this reader. He’s involved in a task force set up to catch the “Wet Killer” but realizes early on that they may be dealing with someone more up the alley of our Charmed Ones than the San Francisco Police Department, or the FBI, who will be taking over the investigation if the killer can’t be stopped.

Another big plus is Cole has some involvement here. Another great character that’s missed, he often doesn’t get a lot of page time in the entries I’ve read so far. Leo gets some page time, of course, and that’s good as always. The other good thing is there’s a pretty good story in this one, involving some crafty deception which tests the loyalty of the sisters to one another by calling into question the newest Charmed One, Paige. Phoebe has a vision — or is it a dream? — that leads her to the attic, where she discovers an old letter from a distant Halliwell aunt, Agnes, warning of a new arrival to the power of three who will betray them. Could it be Paige?

As you can imagine, this causes suspicion and distrust between Phoebe and Paige (Paige does not know of the letter), but also friction between Piper and Leo on one side, and Cole and Phoebe on the other, as Piper dismisses the letter but Phoebe is not so sure. But why are they so quick to anger, and so unwilling to talk it out? As they try to research their distant relative, and figure it all out, Leo gets a bad vibe off one of Darryl’s crime scenes. It eventually comes to pass that what’s happening now, may have something to do with a horrific killing spree in San Francisco’s distant past. Aunt Agnes eventually stopped an imposter named Timothy dead in his tracks way back when. But wait, isn’t that guy sowing seeds of distrust between Paige and her family named Timothy?

This one feels more fleshed out than some entries, and it’s not just exclusively the sisters — though don’t worry, there’s plenty of Piper, Phoebe and Paige too. There’s a very good ending to this one, and the aftermath is a nice wrap-up. This is a very good entry, with a bit of grit to balance out the fluff. Highly recommended. show less

Since I don’t have time to review everything I read, I’ve sort of pegged this series as a rate-only in the past. However, the consistency of how good they are for a series based on a TV show leads me to write a few words about the ones I’ve read.

Hollywood Noir is, as you’d expect, a merging of old-school hardboiled detective noir with the world of Angel and Cordy and Doyle, and also Kate. I thought it was a bit too heavy on the Slade aspect initially, as he was in danger of becoming show more a caricature for a while; and an unlikable violent one at that. But the story evolved, and by the end it was not only a great story, but a perfect blend of past and present, of human and not human worlds. Hollywood Noir had action, emotion, mystery, and a tremendously satisfying ending involving lost love, a daughter of sorts, and bringing peace and closure.

This was terrific, with all the characters being true to the show. I’m pretty selective with these, realizing as with any series (Star Trek of any kind especially) the quality of writing and story can wildly vary from pretty great to pretty bad. By being selective I’ve found some real winners that are keepers in the Angel world; stories I’ll read again at some point. Jeffrey J. Mariotte can always be counted on for a good story and enjoyable read in the Angel world from my experience, but a few other writers have penned enjoyable entries as well.

Since I’m using my review for Hollywood Noir also as a review for the entries I’ve read and previously only rated, I’ll recommend not only Hollywood Noir, which was terrific, but the others I’ve found very enjoyable.

Hollywood Noir — Jeffrey J. Mariotte
Sanctuary — Jeffrey J. Mariotte
Haunted — Jeffrey J. Mariotte
Image — Mel Odom
Bruja — Mel Odom
Soul Trade — Thomas E. Sniegoski

I highly recommend Hollywood Noir and all the titles listed above if you’re a fan. Since I have Endangered Species by Nancy Holder in hardcover, that will be my next one when I’m in the mood for it. Hollywood Noir is a really good one! show less

Ah, Star Trek, my comfort food - there will never be too many novelisations! Jeff Mariotte helped me pass a couple of hours with this entertaining adventure, where the Enterprise encounters the Bermuda Triangle in space, complete with ghost ship, into which the Main Trio take a body of redshirts to investigate. Bonus points for references to Tarsus IV, and a less than diplomatic Scotty threatening to blast an alien ambassador into space. The adopted redshirt from Balance of Terror is a bit show more of a Mary Sue, replete with Childhood Trauma, but the camaraderie and humour of the crew far outweighed the clichéd newcomer and requisite combat scenes. show less

If you are one of those people that have only seen the movie '30 Days of Night' then STOP!! Do not sigh already and move on to something else as I can assure you this book is actually very different from the not too great offering served up on the big screen.
While books such as the Twilight series have received critical acclaim the '30 Days of Night' series seems to have passed unnoticed by many. This, dear reader, is a damn shame as it offers up a fresh perspective on our bloodsucking show more friends. I mean, really, how did vampires not decide to invade Barrow, Alaska before this novel where the sun sets and doesn't rise for two whole months?!?
So what makes this worthy of a 'Hall of Fame' spot? Well, the characterization is second to none. I don't recall a single book in the past few years where I have cared about the fate of the main character as much. His name is Andy Gray (which was the only downside of the novel for me as he shares the same name as an annoying, British, soccer commentator and when I would read his name I would get the tones of the soccer commentary reverberating through my head) and he is unwittingly thrust into a world of vampires when his FBI partner and friend, Paul Norris, is turned into one of the undead.
Put aside all thoughts of your vampire erotica and Edward Cullen because this is a different cup of blood altogether. The world of Andy is a very solemn one and the whole story is very grim and gritty. For instance, Andy is warned against investigating vampires by his undead former FBI partner, a message he doesn't heed, and as such his wife and daughters are slaughtered by him. As I said...it's grim, but that's part of what makes this such a gripping read. In a book market that is flooded by sexed-up hunks and sultry vamps it's actually refreshing to have vampires portrayed once more as evil, sadistic, killing machines with no remorse for their prey.
If you're looking for a read that will disturb you and have you thinking about the characters and events long after you have finished reading it then I highly recommend you sink your teeth into '30 Days of Night: Rumors of the Undead'. show less