Death’s Excellent Vacation – Charlaine Harris & Toni L P Kelner (ed.)
Ace, 2010
339 pages
RRP: US$24.95
ISBN: 9780441018680

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

This book intrigued me when I saw it on the shelf. I made an immediate connection to Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and thought “Why not?” It’s got an impressive list of paranormal authors in the table of contents, many of whom I’d read and enjoyed before, such as Charlaine Harris, Katie Macalister and Lilith Saintcrow. The anthology was varied, and most of the stories were enjoyable, but some seemed a little forced in their connection to the theme.

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The Alchemist’s Apprentice – Dave Duncan
Penguin Ace, 2007
320 pages
RRP: US$14.00
ISBN: 9780441014798

Reviewed by Karen Miller

I picked up this book because it’s by Dave Duncan. I really enjoy a lot of his work – not every series he’s released, some resonate more than others – and so hoped to enjoy this one, too. But I got a real shock when I opened it, because this one’s written in first person, a stylistic choice that usually puts me off. It’s not Duncan’s usual choice, either, which is why I wasn’t expecting it and perhaps, if it hadn’t been a Duncan novel, I might not have persevered. Which doubtless means I’m a flawed reader… but be that as it may…

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