Autumn Bones

Hello fellow book nerds!  I did not, in fact, fall off the face of the earth.  I am still here.

Now on with the show!

Title:  Autumn Bones
Author:  Jaqueline Carey

Autumn Bones is the second book in the Agent of Hel series.  I read the first book, Dark Currents, last year and loved it so much that I just had to read the second book.  Little did I know that the third book in the series came out the same day I started reading this one.  I found that to be a little funny.

Anyway...

Daisy Johanssen, our main character, is a hell-spawn raised by her mortal mother.  She is also Hel's liaison and works with Pemkowet Police Department as a part-time file clerk.  She keeps the order between the mundane authorities (a.k.a. humans) and the eldritch community (fairies, ghouls, vampires, etc.).

This book starts just after the first book.  Reading the first book isn't necessarily a must but would help a lot in character and environment profiles.  For a taste of the first book, go here.  I highly recommend reading it!

[SPOILER ALERT]

In Autumn Bones, Daisy is dating Sinclair (who was introduced at the end of the first book) and looking forward to a normal-ish relationship.  That is nothing but wishful thinking for this poor girl.  Her dreams of a normal-ish existence with Sinclair are destroyed when his twin sister, Emmy, drops in for a visit and basically tells Daisy to f*ck off and let Sinclair take his place in the "family business" back home.  Problem is Sinclair doesn't want to go.  He's happy in Pemkowet and happy with Daisy.  Of course Daisy ends things with him anyway to make dealing with his sister a bit easier.  You see, Daisy might have to get all Buffy on Emmy's ass.

Sinclair is given one month to make a final decision about whether he is going to stay in Pemkowet or go back home to Jamaica with his sister.  So why exactly is Hel's liaison getting involved in a family matter?  Well Sinclair's family isn't just an ordinary family.  They come from a long line of obeah sorcerers.  And Emmy has threatened a member of the eldritch community - Daisy.  As Hel's enforcer, she has to put a stop to anyone who threatens her community - mundane and eldritch alike.

While preparing for Emmy's return, Jen's sister is turned into a vampire.  Okay rewinding a bit.  Jen is Daisy's BFF.  Her sister, Bethany, has been a "blood slut" for eight years with the promise of being turned into a vampire herself.  Well, that day has finally come to fruition and I have to say that I was happy for her.  And I think Jen and their younger brother, Brandon, were cool with it in the long run too.

Alright let's skip forward to the part where Emmy returns to claim her brother.  She's back and she's not alone.  She brought reinforcements of her own.  Her mother.  Everyone involved meets in a cemetery.  (Creepy right?)  And, after some words, mama obeah lady sets a duppy on the town of Pemkowet.  After some more words, and a kick-ass tough girl move on Daisy's part, mama obeah lady and Emmy are escorted out of Pemkowet and everybody is left feeling a little defeated.

As for the rest... I'm going to let you find out on your own.  I really suggest you do.

Now for my opinion:

I loved the book.  Jacqueline Carey really created a world that seemed far fetched and real at the same time.  Like I could hop in a car and take a road trip to Pemkowet to get a glimpse of a fairy or two with their pretty smiles (and hidden sharp teeth) while taking the paranormal bus tour.

I have to say, though, that I was a bit put off with Daisy's constant self-doubt.  But to be honest... who could blame her?  I mean she's a young woman trying to live a normal-ish life dealing with men, friendships, and work all while keeping the peace between two different worlds.  Not to mention the fact that she has to stay away from the seven deadly sins as much as she can so that she doesn't get tempted to claim her birthright and bring on Armageddon.  (You know.  The whole hell-spawn thing she has going on...)

My life seems like an easy breeze compared to Daisy's.

As far as the romance part - I can't decide who I want her to end up with (if she ends up with anyone at all).  In some chapters I was Team Cody all the way.  Then in others I was Team Stefan.  I was never really on Team Sinclair.  I mean he seemed cool and all and Daisy could really be herself (tail and all) with him but... I just wasn't feelin' it.  To be honest, I'm not even sure Team Cody is an option.  He's a werewolf and is only allowed to breed with his own kind for the sake of making more little werewolves blah blah blah.  (Such an a-hole.)

And one more thing... there is another mysterious hell-spawn lurking around Pemkowet.  This one doesn't seem as good-intentioned as Daisy.  Hmmm.

Random Musing:

I was washing dishes the other night thinking about Autumn Bones when I thought of the most amazing thing!  It is totally going to blow your mind!  Ready?  They (whoever "they" are) should create a TV series for the SyFy channel based on the Agent of Hel book series.  It could be called Agent of Hel or The Pemkowet Files.  Something like that...  Who's with me?  Anyone?

Interaction time!

Have you read Dark Currents or Autumn Bones?  Leave a comment about your thoughts.  Did you love it?  Did you hate it?  Do you not care either way?  Would you invest an hour of your time watching a TV series based off of these books?

If you have read Dark Currents but haven't read Autumn Bones and would like a little taste, click here.

If you have read the first two books in the Agent of Hel series and are yearning for more, click here for a taste of the third installment - Poison Fruit.

Call for submissions!

I am still looking for Short Stories and Poems to showcase here at EP Book Nerd!  If you have a short story or poem you would like to showcase, submit them to submit@epbooknerd.com!  Put "Submit Short Story" or "Submit Poem" in the subject line and include your name, a short bio, and link to your website or blog in the body.  Oh and don't forget the actual content!  Make sure that all content belongs to you.  If you worked on a team, please submit their names too (make sure to get permission first).

My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Happy Reading!

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Short Story Find

I was searching the web for short stories and came across a rather interesting and disturbing one.  It takes the belief that a photograph can steal your soul and adds our modern-day obsession with taking a selfie every five seconds.  I have to admit that reading this one at night while alone in my room was maybe not the best idea I've had.  The story is titled "Selfies" by Lavie Tidhar and can be found on Tor.com.

Here is a little snippet:

"In one of the last pictures I am running. I am running down the street and it is dark, the street lamps are dim and the light oozes down sickly and yellow. I can feel my heart almost bursting in my chest, the taste of something sour and unpleasant in my mouth. I’m running as fast as I can. I have to get away."

To read the full story, follow this link.  I hope you enjoy it!

Happy Reading!

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