miércoles, 30 de julio de 2014

La piedra de fuego: thriller perfecto para los amantes de la ciencia y la historia


Desde que leí La llave del destino, Glenn Cooper pasó a ser un escritor activo en mi biblioteca. Recomiendo empezar con esa novela para cogerle pasión a su estilo. Al conocer que había publicado LA PIEDRA DE FUEGO (The Resurrection Maker), la tentación de leer sus últimas ideas fue abrumadora. 


Debo reconocer que no ha sido una trama tan efervescente como la otra, pero la he disfrutado enormemente debido a varios aspectos. Por ejemplo, el Santo Grial, su búsqueda eterna es siempre un buen motivo para remover las páginas de la Historia de la humanidad y encontrar múltiples tesoros en cuestión de conocimientos, aventuras y horrores.

La piedra de fuego está protagonizada por un físico que se ve abocado sin quererlo a una carrera a vida o muerte en pos del descubrimiento más esquivo: el Santo Grial. Forma parte de un círculo de amigos obsesionados con este objeto. Después de todo, es descendiente de Thomas Malory, autor de La muerte de Arturo. A raíz de un crimen espantoso, su única salvación reside en encontrar lo que nadie ha logrado en dos mil años. Se aliará con una física francesa para seguir las pistas imposibles mientras viaja de un lugar a otro del planeta perseguido por una organización criminal tan milenaria como el artefacto.

Conciso y ágil, el estilo narrativo del autor acumula tensión creciente gracias a los avances constantes en la trama. Es de esos que hace que se pasen páginas con avidez por descubrir la próxima revelación. He estado muy pendiente de la forma en que se encadenaban los códigos y la manera de los protagonistas para resolverlos. Han hecho alarde de su inteligencia y conocimientos, tanto científicos como históricos, para asociar datos en apariencia inconexos y arrojar luz sobre temas oscurísimos. Desde prospecciones en busca de metales enterrados hasta la insondable materia oscura, pasando por libros del calibre de Domesday, mercenarios en la nómina de grupos clandestinos de gran poder y búsquedas milenarias de mitos religiosos, la novela alberga muchos elementos que enganchan e ilustran.

Otro acierto que a mí siempre me conquista es la alternancia de épocas. Hay escenas del pasado que se entremezclan con la actualidad, un punto que no sólo proporciona una perspectiva más completa y minuciosa de la trama, sino que se agradece por la cantidad de cosas que se descubren.

Me da la sensación de que la historia tiene cierto tono frívolo en un gran porcentaje. Casi presiento que el autor no se ha tomado a sus personajes actuales demasiado en serio hasta el final, salvo a las figuras históricas que tienen todo el peso de sucesos de suma gravedad. Toma figuras emblemáticas, incluyendo a Jesús y Gaudí, y confiere un ángulo nuevo a sus legendarias vivencias.

Thomas Malory y el rey Arturo son las figuras preeminentes cuyas hazañas y sufrimientos vemos en primera persona. Jamás me habría imaginado lo que llegó a vivir el autor de La muerte de Arturo, pero tantos años en prisión por razones más que dudosas son un destino terrible. Eso sí, gracias a ello el mundo disfruta de otra joya literaria para la posteridad.

Glenn Cooper escribe historias modernas sobre enigmas antiguos con la misma perspicacia que Dan Brown, aunque a diferencia de éste suele acometer la empresa con mayor ligereza. Curiosamente, el autor se permite un guiño claramente burlón hacia el archifamoso autor. Me pregunto si Dan lo sabe...

No suele abusar de grandes parrafadas rebosantes de datos, por tanto se puede decir que escribe thrillers sobre ruedas. Especialmente en la primera parte, en la que los dos primeros capítulos son espléndidos, luego en el grueso de la novela se centra en desarrollar los hechos históricos y presentar la investigación académica de la pareja protagonista. Finalmente, las cien páginas que culminan este thriller son increíblemente reveladoras tanto por las teorías científicas tan descabelladas como provocadoras, como por la forma en que intenta aunar la historia y la religión.

En definitiva, una historia que combina ciencia, religión y enigmas de una forma entretenida, con un final a lo James Bond que me ha dejado con la incógnita de si el autor pretende escribir una continuación o simplemente quería darme un ictus.





LA PIEDRA DE FUEGO
GLENN COOPER
Tapa flexible sin solapas
430 págs.
Thriller histórico-científico
2014
Título original:
The Resurrection Maker
Relación calidad/precio:
20 pellizcos
Caro, aunque está muy bien documentado



¿Habéis leído alguno de los libros de este autor? Aún tengo pendiente su trilogía de la biblioteca, pero tengo muchas esperanzas en ella.

Babel le quita el polvo a un cuenco sospechosamente antiguo.

martes, 29 de julio de 2014

Portadas que merecen premios + Stormling + sorteo



Buenos días, arrebatadores, julio está llegando a su fin y yo ya siento las vacaciones cosquilleándome en la piel. Estoy emocionadísima. ¿Qué tal lleváis la libertad?

Me gustaría empezar la entrada de hoy con un desfile de los libros que son prioridad en mi Wishlist. Tengo decidido comprarlos en un futuro cercano en tapa dura porque... son una auténtica preciosidad. Tienen unas historias de lo más intrigantes y originales y sus portadas merecen premios. ¿Qué pensáis vosotras?


Me recuerda a La selección. La postura refleja vulnerabilidad y esos cristales en forma de rosa que reflejan a la protagonista hasta el infinito dan la sensación de que la trama va a ser enrevesada y ominosa.


¿A que se parece a Bella? Jajajaja, menos mal que la cara de pocos amigos, el cuervo y esa daga prometen un misterio con mucha caña.



Sobria y terrorífica al mismo tiempo, ¿verdad? Me encanta el detalle de la corona invertida.



Otra daga en manos de una mujer de armas tomar. Me quito el sombrero ante las joyas y esa melenaza salvaje.



Un sublime homenaje a la capilla Sixtina. ¡Y va de fantasmas y amor prohibido!



Magia, laberintos, misterio... y ese título tan maravilloso.



Qué fuente tan bonita para esta novela sobre genios de la lámpara.




Mundos paralelos, Rusia y esa portada doble. Fantástica.




Casi me da la sensación de que podría leer mi futuro en esa taza...




La historia de Aurora y la malvada bruja. Y la autora me encanta.


***



La segunda parte de la entrada de hoy está dedicada a una novela sobre una piedra mágica que puede destruir el mundo al que ha ido a parar por error: la Tierra, en manos de Ophelia. Magia, ciencia-ficción y fantasía. No suena mal :o)


 STORMLING
(Stormling #1)

In an age when Stormlings have only known peacetime, one man’s desperate action threatens not only the stability of the mystical world of Mordana, but Earth as well.
Teenager Ophelia Drewe discovers a jewel that has been lost from its homeworld, and whilst she thinks she can keep it, demonic forces believe otherwise.
She’s not alone, but who can she trust? The head Stormling, Anadyr, hasn’t been to the Earth in 500 years, but go there he must – if the jewel is not returned, it will destroy both Ophelia’s world and his own…

Amazon

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John Hennessy
John Hennessy is a young adult / new adult novelist whose works to date have been Dark Winter (published 2013), a paranormal horror thriller, and Stormling, an epic swords and magic (and cookies) fantasy. The first short story he ever wrote brought together Fagan, Lizzie Bennet, Sherlock Holmes and Dracula, which despite impressing his long suffering English teacher, thankfully remains unpublished. For recreation he will visit paranormal hotspots, but prefers to write about ghosts rather than meet them. He also believes almost any problem can be overcome so long as there is an inexhaustible supply of tea and biscuits. He has also written the non-fiction title The Essence of Martial Arts (published 2011), and released The Essence of Martial Arts: Special Edition, in 2014.


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Excerpt by John Hennessy

“Father, we can go, can’t we? Please? Don’t you want to see who will win today?”
Aldyr Veroynne knelt down in front of his son, and placed his hands on the boy’s shoulders, squeezing them gently with firm hands.
“Anadyr, please, give it a rest. That would be six days in a row. We know who is going to win, anyway. You don’t need to come along. Just know that the winner is always someone from Mill’An Draythe.”
“Still, the Easterners come,” said Anadyr. “I must go to see how they fight, so that when I have the glory to represent my land, I know how to win.”
Anadyr had been just ten years of age when he became involved in his first fight, against another young Stormling, as it happened. At first, it seemed like the bigger and older Stormling would win, and had far too much strength for Anadyr.
During the fray, Anadyr connected with few blows, but could not knock his bigger opponent down. Then, with a swift kick to his mid-section, Anadyr’s strength left him, and he rolled into a ball on the ground, one hand clutching his stomach, the other, keeping his hair from covering his eyes.
The sun was blocked out by the shadow of the Stormling standing over him, who must was five years his senior.
“Loser?” he inquired.
You wish,” replied Anadyr, who sat up, and clapped his hands three times together before placing them on the ground, one hand either side of him.
“I don’t need applause from a loser,” said the bigger Stormling.
“That wasn’t applause,” replied the young Anadyr.
Suddenly, the ground started to shake all around them, the bigger Stormling’s smug look of apparent victory was erased by the tremors on the ground, and the almost instantaneous appearance of black clouds that filled the sky.
A few moments later, the clouds burst and soaked only the bigger Stormling and his crew of friends, whilst Anadyr stood laughing at them. The group started to run, but the rain lashed them in every way, from both sides, from above, and even as they ran into the ground which became ever more sodden, until they fell face forward.
“Why isn’t it raining on you?” the biggest one screamed. “You’re in league with the Lord of Monus! Say it isn’t so, for Stormlings don’t lie.”
Anadyr smiled and leaned over his sodden nemesis, who he was merely toying with.
“That’s right, Stormlings don’t lie, and I am not in league with anyone. So! Are you a loser?”
The bigger Stormling seethed. “So it would seem. Just make the damned rain stop. Who are you, boy?”
Anadyr clicked his fingers and rested his fists on the top of his hips.
“I am Anadyr Veroynne, and I command the Storms. The wind, the rain, the clouds all answer to me, and as for you….I will have your allegiance.”
The other Stormlings mumbled, saying they would not answer to some preppy brat, but the one who had hit Anadyr, stood up and bowed to him.
“I am good with a sword, but my true prowess lies with the double daggers. My skill is such that I could skim the sweat off a faerie’s wings. If you ever need my help, you shall have it, although…one who can bend the Storms to his will, surely has no need for an edged weapon.”
“Not so,” said Anadyr. “In fact, I practise with a longsword twelve hours a day. What is your name?”
“Kirnosst. Though my sword wielding days are at an end. I’m being sent to Firetop to learn, watch and ultimately take over from Aynara. Unlike us, she’s not an immortal, but I suppose your father told you that already.”
Anadyr nodded emphatically to show he knew about Aynara’s supposed mortality, but no-one knew when her time would end. There were none like her on Mordana.
Aldyr Veryonne was none-too-impressed with his son’s handling of things. “You wanted him to knock you down, so that you could show off, isn’t that so? The truth now, Anadyr.”
“I just wanted to show I wasn’t afraid of them. If I can instil fear into the heart of my enemies, maybe I can bend them to my way of thinking, as easily as I do the storms.”
“You are just a boy, Anadyr. You are too young to have enemies.”
“Didn’t you say that those East of the Wisty River are our enemies?”
“Well, yes, but I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”
“It’s got everything to do with it,” said Anadyr. “That’s why I want to go see the fight today. The Lord of Monus sends a Tryer from the Mordis Mountains, or from the heart of Caldreah itself.”
“Yes, Anadyr, but the point is-”
“The point is, Father, that today’s Tryer is from AnnanGhorst, and that makes things very interesting. I have never seen a ShadowWraith, much less seen you fight one. Tell me you’ll take me, please!”
Aldyr sighed. Putting combatants from the East out of their misery is something he loved to do, but a ShadowWraith of AnnanGhorst was different. Even the weakest of their kind were not to be taken lightly. Even if the Wraith lost, it would be most likely sent to the Island of Dead Skin, where Andus Rey, ruler of Caldreah Monus and a Stormling himself, ran his own sick tournament, where combatants often had to fight to the death.
Having a Wraith enter the fray was no battle at all. Under Rey’s watch, they would win, and win easily. Aldyr let out another sigh. He was considering throwing the match, even though this was illegal.
“Alright Anadyr, I’ll take you. But whatever happens, you come straight back home. That’s an order.”
“I will, Father. I will,” said Anadyr, who could not believe there would be any other outcome but a clear and decisive victory for his father, who was a skilled swordsman and had been known to dabble in magic.
ShadowWraiths were difficult adversaries for all sorts of reasons. Although they were scary to look at, it was more a case of what you couldn’t see, rather than what you could.
There were all sorts of rumours about them, which, outside of AnnanGhorst, became the very fabric of legend.
Some would say that there actually were no ShadowWraiths, but that it was Rey himself, who would come to test himself against the foes of Monus.
Others believed the Wraiths did have a face, but it was one so terrible to view, that one would die of fright from resting innocent eyes on their hateful faces.
Still others believed that the ShadowWraiths could not be killed, and one had to have a death wish if standing against them. But everyone who knew Aldyr Veroynne believed that he must know how to defeat a ShadowWraith.
As expected, there was a great throng of people in the town centre. They gathered round the platform, which stood some twenty feet from the ground. The ShadowWraith was already on the platform as Aldyr and Anadyr arrived.
As they walked, Aldyr beamed smiles and waved to everyone. They had come to see him triumph, which would be his thirty-eigth win in a row. The ShadowWraiths had triumphed every time to date, but the locals felt it was time one of their own succeeded.
The Wraith extended a bony finger towards Aldyr, and beckoned him to stand on the platform with him.
“Remember Anadyr,” whispered his father, “whatever happens, you will return home. Understood?”
“Yes Father, of course,” said Anadyr, who was surprised his father was making so much of this battle. Winning fights is what Aldyr Veroynne was all about. ‘He’s just more fodder from AnnanGhorst, who will slink back to that hellhole when my father’s through with him,’ thought Anadyr.
Whilst Anadyr watched the two men line up, a third man, the one who usually judged the battles, pulled himself up onto the platform, and from underneath his robes he produced a rather large wooden box. An omnious gasp came out from the crowd. “What? What is it?” said the young Stormling. Anadyr craned his neck to see what the commotion was.
The judge extended his arms to the crowd. “Today’s battle is a red match. In this box are two weapons from the challenger’s province of AnnanGhorst. The fighter who represents us has agreed to the terms, and will use the weapon provided to him.”
Anadyr nudged the man next to him. “What is it? What is a red match?”

The man solemnly shook his head. “It means that this is not for children’s eyes. They will fight to the death.”



SORTEO / GIVEAWAY TIME
INTERNATIONAL PRIZE


¿Qué os parece mi selección exclusiva? Y no os olvidéis de participar en el sorteo, es internacional.

Babel con muchos planes para el verano.

miércoles, 23 de julio de 2014

Chronicles of Josie Hawk: acción paranormal + romance vampírico




Buenos días, arrebatadores. ¡Qué poquito queda para mis vacaciones! Me están entrando unos nervios ya... ;o)

Hoy toca acción paranormal y romance vampírico. Hace un par de meses leí un relato de esta autora, cuyo estilo divertido y gamberrillo me gustó tanto como las escenas de combates sobrenaturales. Así que acepté la oportunidad de leer otro relato corto, Crimson Beat (ritmo escarlata, el nombre de una banda de rock compuesta sólo por vampiros) y la novela Indigo Dawn (Amanecer añil), de Elle J. Rossi.

En el relato corto, la cazadora semi-humana Josie Hawk está a cargo de vigilar la noche en Nashville y proteger a la población de criaturas sedientas de sangre. Está tratando de convencer a la Asamblea de que organice un equipo de seres oscuros y de la luz para mantener las amenazas a raya. Mientras tanto, se resiste a entregar su independencia al vampiro Keller. Entre combates nocturnos, una escena muy tórrida en la ducha y un enfrentamiento contra un mafioso que casi le cuesta la vida, Josie tiene una aventura muy movidita en este relato que sirve de puente a la novela.

En Indigo Dawn, el estilo sardónico, divertido e ingenioso de la autora brilla a través de la voz de Josie. A veces da su opinión demasiado a menudo de cada detalle, lo que ralentiza un poco el ritmo de la trama, pero está bastante compensado con lo entretenida que resulta su perspectiva tan original de las cosas. Se mete en muchos líos dolorosos mientras investiga una nueva droga que está asolando la ciudad al tiempo que se pega buenos achuchones con el vampiro irlandés y lucha por demostrar su valía ante la Asamblea. 

Me ha gustado bastante su descripción de los vampiros (que sí se reflejan en los espejos, menos mal), las hadas pixi (que son unas sinvergüenzas de mucho cuidado) y los poderes que empiezan a manifestarse en Josie. El final es apoteósico con un gran enfrentamiento contra el narcotraficante en el que participan hadas, vampiros y brujas. Promete mucha caña para la siguiente historia.



Crimson Beat
(The Josie Hawk Chronicles #0.6)

The Spring Equinox brings a slew of nasties to the streets of Nashville. Huntress Josie Hawk is determined to get her arch enemy to sign a treaty, whether the Assembly is behind her or not. But when Keller O’Leary–sexiest vampire alive–returns, will Josie learn to be a team player, or will she stake the heart that has captured hers?

Amazon
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Indigo Dawn
(The Josie Hawk Chronicles #1)

Vampire Lust and Pixie Dust.
Josie Hawk is a Huntress. A killer devoted to protecting the humans of Nashville from the shadows that lurk in the night. But the shadows are gaining ground.
When an infamous pixie tricks Josie into a drug-induced nightmare, Josie envisions the death of her vampire lover, Keller O’Leary. Was the vision a threat … maybe even a promise? But from whom?
Desperate to track down the source of the toxic psychedelic pixie dust, Josie kicks and punches her way toward the truth. But her efforts backfire, provoking a deadly attack at Wolfie’s—the bar Josie co-owns with her sister-in-arms, Sage.
Tag. You’re it.
Haunted by the threat to Keller, Josie scrambles to outwit her elusive opponent before the deadly game escalates and claims more lives. But in saving Nashville, will Josie lose those she loves?
Or will she be too late to stop the deadly game of tag?

Amazon
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Elle J Rossi grew up in rural Indiana surrounded by great people, a huge family and more animals than she could count. But the sites and sounds of the world beckoned, so she left her small town to escape into a creative world full of music. As a full time singer she was able to lose herself in a thousand different songs in a hundred different places. After meeting the love of her life and settling down, she yearned to find a new and fulfilling creative outlet. Overly fond of the happily ever after, she wondered what it would be like to have her own characters lead her down dark and twisted paths. The very first word on the very first page sealed her fate. She’d found a new love. She’d found her escape. Now along with weaving haunting tales about the journey to love, she’s creating cover art for authors around the world and loving every second of it. For fun, she cranks country music to take her back to her roots, and sings karaoke anytime she gets a chance. Her husband, two children, and a cat that rules the roost keep her company along the way and guarantee she doesn’t get lost in the enchanted forest. She wouldn’t have it any other way.
Website – Twitter – Facebook
follow the tour at Dark World Books


MY OPINION OF CRIMSON BEAT & INDIGO DAWN

Crimson Beat is a novella packed with heat that had my blood pumping fast and hot for the all-vampire rock band. Wolfie's bar falls under the musical spell of this band while Ostara, the Spring Equinox, sets the city on paranormal fire.

Mind you, this novella should be read before Indigo Dawn. Josie Hawk is a Huntress bent on keeping her emotional independence. Her vampire suitor has other ideas that involve protecting Josie against her will and enveloping her in much appreciated hotness.

Here is where we get to meet the band: Lucian, Mathew, Alex, Grant. All are puzzles waiting to be unraveled. I just hope they each get their chance.

Josie can tolerate vampires as long as they behave in her city, but the look rather suspicious one night when she finds them around a very dead body. She's also trying to convince the Assembly to put up a team, both light and dark, to fight the evil that prowls the night.

It gets really intense on two accounts. One, Josie tries to deny her feelings for Keller, her own hot vampire. To no avail. Their connection is too wild and deep. That scene in the shower proves it. On the other hand, Josie has a big confrontation with Cross, a mean man with meaner aims. She has to prove the Assembly she can take control of the city and he may just be in the way.

The novella is the perfect bridge to cross over to INDIGO DAWN. I wanted to read this book because I had a taste of the author's writing style in Alabaster Nights, and I was happy with it. Catchy story, strong characters. A good bet.

We have a neat bunch of vampires patrolling the night alongside Josie Hawk. They have some cool powers such as teletransport (dangerous business, it's always good to know there are perils to the bloodsuckers lifestyle), and they play in a band too! I nod at the fact that a vampire can be reflected on the surface of a mirror. For the life of me, I could never understand why the traditional vampire would not appear on a reflective surface. After all, they're made of matter and they're not exactly ghosts, so why the weird invisibility?

Then there is Josie. Bad-tempered, weaponized Josie who thinks she owns the city she's honoured to protect. The city, though, is going to prove a challenge for her these days. Or nights full of terror.

While searching for the culprit behind an emerging drug market, the Huntress and the vampire Keller test the power of their emotional bond. There are some steamy moments that don't disappoint either.

What keeps things interesting is the way Josie is bombarded with issues all the time. She has to deal with the nasty drug effects in the population of Nashville, the Assembly wants to control her, she still has to show her worth because she's half human, and an uncanny power surprises the hell out of her. Still she's the most badass Huntress and she fights to the end which, along with her naughty wit, makes the plot pulse with energy.

The author's strong and fun prose kicks the plot into a lively rhythm. It might give out the impression that not much is happening at the beginning, but the main character's voice is quirky enough to get us hooked on her musings and misadventures.


A very entertaining read with a blade-wielding, cool heroine, and lots of sexy vampires, nasty pixies, regal witches, a half-starved shifter, and a drug lord screaming for a painful execution. I loved the ending for its exhilarating action and the promise of a power shift. Big things coming to Nashville!

**

Decidme, arrebatadores, ¿hay alguna serie que estés leyendo ahora?

Babel siempre en busca de una heroína interesante.

lunes, 21 de julio de 2014

Fabulosa trilogía terminada + sorteo


¿Habéis visto qué bellezón de portadas? Creo que he marcado un record personal al leer una trilogía del tirón. ¿Es algo que soléis hacer? Estaba empezando el primero, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY, de Susan Dennard, cuando me aceptaron en el tour del tercero, así que fue el destino que intervino en mi favor ;o)




La primera portada corresponde a un relato y el resto a la trilogía. Aunque la modelo no se parece ni en una peca a la protagonista, los impresionantes vestidos sí que reflejan la época y son un reclamo indecentemente efectivo. ¿Alguien puede resistirse a ellos y a esos títulos tan mórbidos?

1- SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY (Algo extraño y mortal)

2- A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY (Una extraña y encantadora oscuridad)

3- STRANGE AND EVER AFTER (Extraño por siempre jamás)

No puedo hacer justicia a esta fabulosa trilogía con mis balbuceos. Lo siento, pero es así. Me ha fascinado y sorprendido y dejado con la cabeza loca. Dicen que un primer libro es bueno, el segundo suele flojear y del tercero se espera, con los dedos cruzados, que remonte. Para mí, ha sido todo lo contrario. Me encantó el primero, el segundo explotó todas mis expectativas y abrió el apetito para el tercero... wow. Estoy hecha una gelatina de emociones destrozadas. Ha sido un viaje de pura adrenalina con un final inaudito con el que sigo peleándome.

Os cuento de qué va, ¿no? Jajajaja. Son novelas góticas con un fuerte elemento de terror y romanticismo en las que destaca el carácter de la protagonista.

La heroína

Eleanor es una joven dama victoriana, vive en Filadelfia y está gordita. Su cintura no es lo único que ha desaparecido, ya que su hermano Elijah no vuelve a casa como se esperaba. Aparte de esa preocupación, su madre casi las arruina intentando aparentar que todo es perfecto desde la muerte del padre y, además, quiere casarla a toda costa.

¿Qué locuras increíbles pasan?

Nuestra heroína se embarca en una investigación para descubrir el paradero de su hermano mientras la ciudad está a punto de ser arrasada por una horda zombie. Conoce a los Spirit Hunters (cazadores de espíritus) durante la Exposición sobre tecnología, a los que pide ayuda a pesar de las restricciones sociales. Están especializados en combatir a los muertos vivientes y el peligro de la nigromancia con armas de estilo steampunk y con magia basada en la electricidad.

Esta chica es lista, fuerte y decidida. No se amilana ante las presiones de la época y su lealtad hacia su hermano es digna de admiración. Con ello, se ganará el difícil apoyo de los cazadores, junto a quienes se enfrenta a un terrible nigromante y a las hordas de zombies que amenazan la ciudad.

Lo mejor

El estilo narrativo de la autora es potente. Produce un torrente de emociones en aumento a medida que progresa la historia en el arco de los tres libros. No os imagináis la cantidad de elementos que combina para producir una trama compleja, delirante, apasionada y original. Acción a raudales a través de la magia y los combates, terror, romance imposible, decisiones arriesgadas, amistad puesta a prueba, un malo imbatible, aventuras por tierra y aire, y sacrificios que nunca terminan.

Mediante escenas que cambian sin parar, diálogos tremendos, personajes que sufren física y emocionalmente, y una heroína que pasa de damisela inteligente a luchadora con poderes mágicos, la autora construye una historia absorbente que mejora con cada libro.

La aventura continúa

Tras enfrentarse a la horda zombie en Filadelfia y sufrir unas pérdidas abominables, Eleanor se traslada a Francia tras la pista de los cazadores. El caballero con poderes Joseph, la guerrera Jie, y el inventor Daniel, del que se ha enamorado sin ser correspondida. En este segundo libro, Eleanor desarrolla poderes nigrománticos que la pondrán entre la espada y la pared de la moralidad. Además, se agencia de un demonio, Oliver, del que me he enamorado yo perdidamente. Mi personaje favorito, sin dudarlo.

París, conspiraciones, catacumbas, poderes y luchas y una aeronave al más estilo steampunk y romance peleón. Todo esto convierte este libro es una aventura que se disfruta al máximo. Lo relacionado con la magia, con los espíritus, el demonio y la ciudad de París es muy original.

Luego pasamos al tercero. Oh, dioses. ¡Nos vamos a Egipto! En una misión de rescate, Eleanor y los cazadores persiguen al malvado nigromante para darle fin. Parece un suicidio pero deben salvar a uno de los cazadores y destruir las hordas de zombies que se levantan a su paso.

En este desbordante y trepidante final, las relaciones entre Eleanor y su amado Daniel, y entre ella y su demonio Oliver que sólo quiere la libertad para volver a su mundo, son apasionadísimas. Hay escenas de gran dulzura y escenas de violencia verbal inolvidables. Resulta impresionante el alcance del poder mágico de Eleanor, así como su capacidad de sacrificio y su resistencia al desaliento. Los combates contra los zombies llenan páginas de adictiva acción.

Aunque ese final... es una película épica de exotismo, magia y terribles consecuencias. Ojalá hubiera un cuarto libro. Qué pena más grande, qué bueno, pero qué pena.

STRANGE AND EVER AFTER
(Something Strange and Deadly #3)
by Susan Dennard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 22nd 2014
Rate:  AMAZING

Synopsis:

In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.

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MY OPINION OF THE
SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY TRILOGY

A Victorian lady fending off petticoats and zombies? I'm happily hooked!

This trilogy made me swoon over the covers, but I want to shout and scream to the world that it goes wildly beyond superficial beauty.

Rules to love this trilogy:

- A fluid and clever writing style that turns into frenzied and emotional action.

- A mysterious, detailed and explosive plot that never ceases to surprise.

- A rich period setting

- A brave heroine who thinks, feels and acts on her own

- Entertaining details that spark with Gothic and Steampunk flair

-A romance that proves to be as difficult to attain as beautiful it turns out to be when it's fulfilled

All these things and many more make a great adventure that got better with each book. Hurray for this crafty writer. Dear Susan, I know you suffered through your writing, but let me tell you. It was worth everything 'cause you got one hell of a story there.

The author weaves a fast-paced tale of mystery, honor and dark magic set against a surprising Victorian background. I was fascinated by the plot unfolding into an investigation. In the first book, Philadelphia is drowning in a sea of corpses that are barely contained in the city's cemetery, but the authorities are trying to avoid too much scandal. After all, they want to preserve some stability due to the Exhibition and all the powerful, rich people visiting its technological wonders.  Zombies are a threatening plague, but there are so many other things going on! Among tea parties, social gossip and motherly pressure, Eleanor strives to solve her brother's disappearance before the city is run over by the Dead or her mother suffocates her in rules.

I admire Eleanor as a main character. She's not overly pretty, which is fine by me. With wit and determination, she keeps digging and uncovers many dirty secrets that lurk in the shadows of society and connect with the past. Clever, brave and unstoppable, Eleanor is still a girl who makes mistakes and misses her brother and falls in love with an impossible suitor. Whether she's fighting off zombies by the dozen or cracking puzzles, she's a cook character. Love you, girl!

The plot never wavers as it's full of mystery, action, and secrets to be discovered about 19th century customs or devices, the city of Philadelphia, the Exhibition... Lots and lots of events keep happening. The zombie part also spins a new angle to the topic and connects well with an era that was keen on séances and  new technology that somehow combines modern and steampunk notions.  

Amidst the crazy conspiracies, monster invasion and society pressure, there is also a heartening pinch of romance. Nevertheless, it never smothers the importance of the plot and it's the kind that is hard to come by.

At the end, it all comes to an explosion of action, horror and sacrifice. It is bittersweet, but also holds much promise for the future.

2

In very dire circumstances, Eleanor has to face so many new challenges that I can't imagine how she goes on. She does, and that makes for an incredibly exciting second book.

- She's got an exhilarating but worrying new power that weirdly makes up for something she lost last time

- That power will put her to the test morally and physically, and her loyalties too, both to and from her friends

- She can't trust anybody as family and friends desert and doubt her, and enemies pursue her in the most horrifying and not always obvious ways


- The horror gothic elements are ever present and get more and more intriguing
- She travels on a ship and the interactions with the characters there start an amazing plot line

- A surprising and charismatic young man who brings up more mysteries to delight the reader: Oliver, ah, Oliver.

Prepare to enjoy a wild ride through the vibrant city of Paris, hungry Les Morts, an intricate mystery, power-seeking enemies, horrifying magic, disorienting temptations, a reunion with the fantastic trio of Spirit-Hunters, a Zeppelin and fabulous French food. I gobbled this book up in a day. It's an amazing combination of Eleanor's fall into dark powers, the search for an enigma hidden in her brother's letters, and an impossible romance with inventor Daniel Sheridan.

Though I have to confess that my favourite character, besides valiant Eleanor, is Oliver. I love his flippancy, his nature, his tragedy, his wit, his far-from-subservient-yielding to commands.

The ending is superb; an electrifying confrontation with the Dead, a blood-thirsty villain, dark magic and sacrifices for loved ones. I am truly amazed at how good this sequel is!

3

Nothing can compare to the feeling of each book in a trilogy/series getting better than the previous ones (even if they were so good to begin with). Pure bliss. I loved every page of Strange and Ever After because it's brimming with rich and unstoppable action, characters driven by strong emotions and connections, and a plot that gets more textured, meaningful and deeper with every scene.

Such startling beginning. Eleanor is still losing precious things in her life full of sacrifice. I recoiled at the harshness that's exchanged between Oliver and she. Their relationship is becoming dangerously painful. After they reach their destination by airship (exciting Egypt!), the whole team embarks on a rescue mission. Secrets that will help them in their quest are unearthed here, but at an immense cost of magic and peril. There is an impressive and powerful confrontation that left me breathless!

Even on the third adventure, it still astounds me how tough things are for Eleanor. She's challenged every step of the way. Not only must she face hordes of Dead and countless dangers, but she's constantly questioned because of the dubious nature of her powers. This is definitely not your standard damsel in distress. She's fierce but flawed, she's in love but also independent.

My dears, love blossoms at last. And it was as exhilarating as I'd hoped, as hard-earned and deserving as a Shakespearean drama, but oh so bittersweet as well. Why, oh, why Eleanor? And at the end... why, Susan?

The level of action is unbelievable here and the torrential prose of the author just makes it epic. The past literally wakes to pass knowledge to Eleanor. Everything magical in this trilogy is so original and powerful. The addition of Egyptian lore takes this adventure to a cinematic, legendary level.

I feel captivated by the intimate, platonic, sad, violent passion that bonds Eleanor and her demon Oliver. Really, sometimes I just wished Daniel wasn't in the picture. Though their sweet moments of romance are incredibly beautiful too. When they share dreams of a future in the darkest moments, for example. Still, I love the romance in the story, but not Daniel himself.

I'm afraid I have no words that will do justice to the powerful imagery the author conjures with her talent. She creates raw emotions that break and make characters, thrilling adventures, masterful depictions of magic and the inner workings of the soul. She takes places and their cultures (Philadelphia, Paris, Egypt) and mold them as allies to the plot in the most fantastic and exciting way.

And as it should be, as it deserves, this book and this trilogy have the strangest and most heart-wrenching end that I would have never envisioned. Oh, so terrible, beautiful and sad. So much everything!

Unique. If nothing else, and I assure you a hundred times over this story is unconventional to no end, it is full of drama, action and emotion. I loved, and suffered, and sighed with longing at that unfair ending. A fourth book, maybe? A novella to soothe the pain? One can hope.

A well-plotted, cleverly written trilogy about an unlikely heroine who rises to a monstrous challenge and loses one thing after another while the Victorian world she lives in falls under a Gothic, magical, necromantic, zombie-infested mayhem. A boredom-killer for sure.

Perfect for fans of:
-historical flavour mixed with paranormal and horror
-lots and lots of surprises, action, and passionate dialogues
- a kick-ass, clever heroine 


and don't miss anything! 



I am a writer, reader, lover of animals, and eater of cookies. I used to be a marine biologist, but now I write novels. And not novels about fish either, but novels about kick-butt heroines and swoon-worthy rogues (I reallylike swoon-worthy rogues).

I live in the Midwest with my husband and two dogs (Asimov and Princess Leia), and you can learn more about my crazy thoughts and crippling cookie-addiction on my blog or twitter.

My debut, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY is now available from HarperTeen along with the prequel, A DAWN MOST WICKED, and the sequel A DARKNESS STRANGE & LOVELY.

Look for STRANGE & EVER AFTER in summer 2014 and TRUTHWITCH in fall 2015!

Note: I am on Goodreads to READ. So, if you want to discuss books and the joys of literature, add me as a friend!


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