Book Review: The Unbound Anthology

Unbound
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Eos
ISBN: 0061699934

I picked up Unbound in the store the week it came out because I was waiting with bated breath for Jeaniene Frost's new story, Reckoning, featuring Bones, her charismatic vampire master with a scathing wit and looks to die for. Yes, that is my description. The author no doubt has her own, but I couldn't resist.  I won't lie, I read that story first and loved it. How could I not?  If you haven't read her Night Huntress books (please do) you can still read the short story because it takes place beforehand. It's set in New Orleans and will make you shiver. No, not because of Bones, but because of the creepy elements surrounding  mayhem during Mardi Gras.

There are also stories from  Jocelynn Drake and Kim Harrison. Kim wrote a stand alone story with my favorite pixy, Jenks and teenage gargoyle Bis.  If you haven't read Kim's books this is a perfect introduction to the world she has created. Jenks solves a case on his own with a little help from some friends.  I smiled throughout the entire story and so will you.

Jocelynn Drake's story, The Dead, the Damned and the Forgotten, is a prequel to her Dark Days books featuring Mira, the nightwalker (vampire) who is also known as The Firestarter.  It takes place in her beloved Savannah, Georgia, which has been home for a very, very long time now.  The books take her to places like Italy and Machu Picchu, so we don't see her at home that often.  I liked the story because it gave me a better feel for how she interacts with those she cares for, and those she has to discipline. She has to find that line between keeping her home safe and having the reputation of a heartless killing machine, all well solving the mystery of a death in her domain.

The other two authors in the book are Melissa Marr and Vicki Pettersson.  I had heard good things about both of them but hadn't read any of their books.  Dark Matters drew me into the world of Vicki Pettersson's books. After reading it,  I knew I had to get her books.  The story involves a man and a woman who are on opposite sides of a war against good and evil.  I really can't tell you much more without giving it away, but the ending is haunting.  The story is tragic on the surface, a love story, set in a time of war. I loved it.

Melissa Marr is the author of the popular Wicked Lovely book series, which is young adult.  The story in Unbound is, according to the back of the paperback, is her first adult supernatural thriller. It's called Two Lines and  I loved it! I've read on her blog that she will be writing an adult series in the future. Rather than try to describe her story, I'll let you read this quote from her blog. I could not possibly say it better:

"the question has been asked already, no, it's not a prequel or a set-up for a forthcoming book in this world. It's just a story about a glaistig, some zombie powder, some criminals, & a bit of necessary violence." (from http://melissa-writing.livejournal.com/)

FINAL SAY ON THE BOOK: I highly recommend it for fans of the authors AND to readers they are new to. It was the first analogy I've read that I loved every story in the book.

DIVERSIONS, WISDOM & DETAILS (new windows will open)
The Beyond on Blog Talk Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/
An Episode with all the authors talking about "the dark world of UNBOUND, where the supernatural stalk the unsuspecting."

Kim Harrison's Website: http://www.kimharrison.net/index.html
Her quarterly newsletter is a MUST have.

Jeaniene Frost's Website: http://www.jeanienefrost.com/
Deleted scenes, interviews, podcasts and videos

Vicki Pettersson's Website: http://www.vickipettersson.com/home.html
Excerpts, videos, and pictures.

Jocelynn Drake's Website: http://www.jocelynndrake.com/DarkDaysMain.html
Essays, history and videos.

Melissa Marr's Harper Teen Page:
http://www.harperteen.com/contests/wickedlovely/
She has the coolest screensavers, ring tone and decal download! Also podcasts, playlists and a newsletter.

~Moonsanity