A Series After My X-Files-Ever-Loving Heart

For the past few weeks I have immersed myself in a world of supernatural crime and mystery, of demons and witches, politicians and assassins, and a nice, Southern man named Quincy Morris who is responsible for wrangling them all. I have Justin Gustainis to thank, with his Quincy Morris and Libby Chastain series, which currently has three books – Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, and Sympathy for the Devil. And hopefully more for the future.
I think I have finally found someone who is as big of an X-File nerd as me. There are not only several overt references to the greatest television drama of all time, but the general formula for Gustainis’ books are very X-File-ian. So it didn’t surprise me when I heard him interviewed on the Once & Future Podcast and he admitted in his office proudly hangs an “I WANT TO BELIEVE” poster.

Now the real question is does he have an X-Files tattoo?

Gustainis’ series doesn’t maintain the heavy government conspiracy, but rather sticks closer to the creature feature format that I most appreciated about the X-Files. But I don’t want to make it sound like Gustainis is merely recycling an already well explored idea. Gustainis has brought plenty of his own ideas to the table.

Quincy Morris is a private investigator for the supernatural, pragmatically and fearlessly doing whatever needs to be done to whip those forces back in line. To help him in his pursuit of order in the world is Libby Chastain, a white witch of considerable power. While there are plenty of baddies in the world, Morris and Chastain focus most of their ass kicking talents on the demons and black witches that are determined to destroy the world as we know it.

What I most like about these books is the way the story is told. Gustainis tells a story through the eyes of many characters, each character possessing a very specific set of goals and motivations for achieving those goals.  The real talent is the way Gustainis always brings these components together into a action packed, climactic, and always gratifying end. Through each of his books, I find myself midway thinking, “How is he going to bring all of these together in the end?” And upon finishing the book, I nod, a satisfied and pensive smile on my face and think, “So that’s how it all comes together in the end.”

I only can hope that Gustainis plans on picking up this series again. The ending of the third book wrapped up some major plot points, but definitely left it open for future installments. But for now he’s putting efforts into his latest character, Detective Sgt. Stan Markowski, who is a part of the Occult Crimes Unit in Scranton, PA. I haven’t read this book yet, but I certainly plan to.

The Quincy Morris and Libby Chastain series will definitely appease mystery fans and urban fantasy fans. And horror fans, don’t worry, you’ll be taken care of, too. Gustainis doesn’t skimp on the gore, but it’s never gratuitous or ill placed.

And if you decide to pick up the first book, just do yourself a favor and grab all three. Because once you’ll start, you’ll want to keep going.

A Tale Of Two Loves...And I Don't Even Have To Choose Between The Two!

When I was in high school, I became a little obsessed with Asian culture. It began when my parents decide to engage in the process of adopting a Chinese baby girl. Sadly, the process was abandoned shortly thereafter, because my mom became ill for an extended period of time, and unable to complete the process. But that didn’t stop my fascination with Asian art and culture. 

And then I had to opportunity to travel to Hong Kong and China the summer before my senior year, through a mission trip funded by the cult. I don’t say many positive things about my cult upbringing, but it is because of the cult that I was able to make this journey. I suffered much during my years with the cult, but when I think of climbing the Great Wall of China, touring the Forbidden City in Beijing, riding the train in Hong Kong, and even eating a really unappetizing meal of pig stomach, it kind of all feels worth it.
 

During high school and college, I read everything that I could about Asia. Specifically China, as I was fascinated by their existence under communist rule. To see a people that were known to be so polite and docile become so vicious and extreme in enforcing their governmental ideals...Wow. Isn’t this the culture that gave us Buddhist Zen teachings of peace and harmony, live life for yourself and don’t harm others, or some shit? What the heck, guys? I was on a quest to understand how and why. Maybe because at that time in my life I felt very controlled by others, oppressed by religion, and was both horrified and fascinated at how far people will go in a society ruled by oppression. 

Among the various books I read, my favorite is The Autobiography of Tibetan Monk, by Palden Gyatso. Imprisoned by his communist brethren simply for being a monk, he is forced into decades of degradation and hard labor. (I’ll even let you all in on a closely held secret: I cried like a baby while reading this book…more than once, actually. See, I do have a heart!) If you enjoy stories of hardship and perseverance, I highly recommend this book.

But as wonderful as that book was, this post is to discuss a different book. I bring up my love for Asian art and culture, because I have found a series that so brilliantly combines that love with another love of mine: science fiction and fantasy. Most of the Asian sci-fi and fantasy that I’ve picked up over the years leans more toward the Japanese anime style, which is cool, but not necessarily my style. Mostly because it’s more suited for graphic novels. Maybe I’m too simple, I don’t know, but graphic novels overwhelm me; too busy, distracting rather than enhancing the story.  

Over a year ago a friend gave me the Detective Inspector Chen series, by Liz Williams. I put them on my book shelf to read sometime, and over the months they became buried under mounds of other books I’d put on the shelf to read sometime. Earlier this year I finished the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. And my friend, knowing how much I loved the Night Angel Trilogy (click here to read about my unhealthy love affair with those books), reminded me of the Liz Williams books. Said they were similar, in that you kind of have to forget everything you know, be willing to immerse yourself in a world so different from your own.

There are four books in the Detective Inspector Chen Novels: Snake Agent, The Demon in the City, Precious Dragon, and The Shadow Pavilion. There is actually a fifth, The Iron Khan, which came out in January of 2011 and is already out of print, therefore rare…and expensive. So I have not had the pleasure of the fifth book.

Two pages into Snake Agent, though, and I knew these books were going to be winners. Not only is Williams’ prose beautiful and captivating without being superfluous, but her dialogue is full of humor and wit. I don’t know a lot about Williams as a person, but it seems clear to me she has a deep connection to Southeast Asia and China, and an affection for its peoples. She pokes good natured fun at their overly polite mannerisms, often capturing those moments with some dry humor. Even in the heat of battle, Detective Inspector Chen will not abandon his sense of propriety. 

I am also a fan of the great characters Williams has created to surround Chen. Most notably, for me, is Badger. And just like the name says, he’s a badger…that talks, of course. There is also the demon Zhu Irzh, Chen’s wife, Inari, and a cast of villains that never fail to both fascinate and entertain. All of these characters are wrapped up in a world that is intricately woven in the various religions of Southeast Asia and China. The mythology of Williams’ world really becomes a character unto its own, so well crafted, providing the perfect punctuation to her characters’ lives. 

This series will satisfy both traditional and modern science fiction/fantasy lovers. It perfectly blends an old world vibe with urban fantasy flair. So if you’re looking for some summer reading material to keep you company on the beach, or on the couch in your air conditioned home, consider the Detective Inspector Chen Novels by Liz Williams. 

And if you happen to find that fifth book, The Iron Khan, remember that  caring is sharing, yeah?

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Is A Fun, If Predictable, Ride

This past week I read Seth Grahame-Smith’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The trailer for the movie adaptation coming out in June looks like such fun, and whenever possible, I like to read the book before I see the movie. (Note: This rule did not apply to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Have you tried to read those damn books?! Sometimes it’s easier – and more entertaining – to just watch the movie.)

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Vampire Hunter, because Graham-Smith’s Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was held in such high esteem, yet I barely made it through one page before I bailed on that one. As a friend of mine so succinctly put it, “Yeah, well, I haven’t been able to wrap my brain around the Jane Austin version yet, so…” Despite my apprehension, though, the epistolary-style Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter turned out to be an amusing read, as well as very thought provoking.

Of course, we all know the end of Abraham Lincoln’s story: An evening at the theater turns into an untimely end to a great life, thanks to the disgruntled John Wilkes Booth. So while Lincoln the vampire hunter triumphs and prevails in many things, we all know the demise that awaits him in the end. My big anticipation was learning how vampires fit into that ending.

While I certainly enjoyed this journey, I did feel the ending lacked a certain punch. I guess I just expected a bit more of a creative spin on the hows and whys of what motivated John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Lincoln. Granted, Graham-Smith’s fictional interpretation fit the story, and stayed as close as possible to its historical context. I was just hoping the explanation would be a bit more involved and personal. After all, at this point, I’m already willing to suspend disbelief and accepting that Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest Presidents of the United States, hunted mythical creatures in his spare time. Doesn’t that warrant a flashy ending, something further outside of the historical box?

That being said, there was an element of the ending that I found to be gratifying, if a bit predictable. But I’m not a spoilers kind of girl, so you’ll just have to get out there and read the book for yourselves, boys and girls.

Or Google the cliff notes.

As I said before, I also found Vampire Hunter to be quite thought provoking. I often found myself distracted with discerning which pieces in Grahame-Smith’s fictional adaptation were actual truths. Lincoln may not have been a vampire hunter, but even so, his actual life was no less exciting and profound. And, frankly, a bit sad.

I found myself on Google a lot, needing to know answers to questions like, “Did Lincoln really lose three of his four sons before they reached adulthood?” The answer to that was yes. It is also recorded that Lincoln suffered from bouts of depression, more often referred to back in the day as “melancholy”. Some sources relayed this information as if it was surprise, shocking that such a great man could feel anything less than happiness and gratification for all he achieved. But if you lost four of your three sons before they reached adulthood, might it be possible that all of your hard work, all of your great achievements, might feel just slightly bittersweet?

It’s a reminder that even the greatest of individuals, the ones that achieved the most in their lives personally, professionally, or socially, can be just as ordinary as the rest of us in their sorrow and pain.

Is It Cheating If I'm In Love With...Books?

Posted by Boo

I read a lot of books. I average about a book a week, and sometimes my insatiable appetite for books leads me to read a lot of shit books. Books that I should probably stop reading, because it will only amount to hours of my time that I will never get back (I’m looking at you, Laurell K. Hamilton and your stupid Incubus Dreams!), but I can’t be without a book, so I usually just forge ahead. Like a bad relationship, I muscle through it, until something better comes along.

I never feel good about myself afterwards, either.

But then, there are books that wrap their pages around me, nestle me in the crook of their binding, and lovingly caress me with its words. These are the kinds of books that could never take too many hours of my time. In fact, I want them to take more hours of my time, to exist in this world of fantasy, myth and legend forever. So immersed am I in the world the author has so vividly created, I just don’t want to leave.  

These are the kinds of books I wait for to come along while I persevere through that other shit.

Ladies and gentleman, fellow book lovers, I have found that something better. And while I don’t want to overwhelm you with my mushy love affair with that something better, I can’t help myself. I must spring onto Oprah’s couch, jump up and down and shout, “I love these books! I love these books!”

I’m talking about the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks.

I had been looking at the first book in the trilogy, The Way of Shadows, for a good couple of years. Every visit to the bookstore I’d see it on the shelf, hear it whisper my name. I’d pick it up, read the synopsis on the back cover, ponder, even doubt. I’m a scorned woman, after all, and it makes me a little shy sometimes. But when I happened to catch it half-off at a local book store in St. Paul, I knew it was fate. I was meant to read this book.

And I have no regrets.

I once described the book via Twitter: As if my favorite superhero mated with a ninja, and then that baby mated with Lord of the Rings. One, bad-ass baby, guys. Which is why this trilogy found itself at the top of my list of favorite trilogies, sharing a slot with Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels trilogy.   

I’m a sucker for stories with a hero that is also kind of an anti-hero. It reminds me that while we are all riddled with the flaws of humanity, we can still be great and do great things. In Shadows, we have such a character in Kylar Stern. It’s so very easy to empathize with him, to understand his doubt and insecurities, his fear and self-loathing. It’s what makes us want to see him victorious, and it also keeps us believing when he falters.

In addition to Kylar, we meet numerous other noteworthy characters, and whether you love or hate them, you can’t stop reading, can’t stop caring about what happens to them. 

All of this is possible, because Weeks is a great writer. His writing style is exactly what I look for in my books. The dialogue is endearing and witty, and the scene settings are descriptive, imaginative, and, thankfully, concise. He has an amazing ability to give a sense of space and establish an atmosphere with a few sentences. I love Stephen King, but can that man ramble while setting a scene! It works for some; it does not always work for this gal. I’m a notorious skimmer, and if I start to get bored, I start skimming. Skimming, in any of the books in Weeks’ Night Angel trilogy, felt like sacrilege. I couldn’t do it, had to hang onto every word, savoring each one like the sweet little morsel of the world’s finest chocolate that it was…

Oh, sorry. I started to have a moment, there. *blush*

There is not a weak link in this trilogy. Each book delivers a great story, great action, great plot twists, all with amazing heart and emotion. Like the Black Jewels trilogy, these are books that I will revisit time and time again. And each time will, as Foreigner sings, feel like the first time.