The Name of the Game is Kidnapping by Keigo Higashino

3.5 Stars

This was fun. 

Hot shot ad man, Sakuma has a change of luck. This starts a whole new game he decides to play. Revenge is the game, and Sakuma is a dedicated player. There is a lovely analysis of masks and I suppose if I were a better reviewer I'd go through various Noh plays and pick out the times that Sakuma or other characters displayed classic postures of Noh masks. Maybe I'll do it, later. 



Even though I saw substantial portions of this long before they happened, there was a twist I didn't add in and it was definitely entertaining. In end, I read it one day and enjoyed myself. I raced through the last fifty pages and the very last one was worth it. So, yeah, I really liked it and I'll be checking out another of Higashino's book.

Heart of the Lost Star by Megan Derr

3.5 Stars

Perfect timing. After spending time traveling, visiting, and not reading for nearly two weeks this book was just what I needed. Derr always manages to create stories that blend adventure, action, and humor that entertain me. 

I had been looking forward to Jader's story, and he is everything I hoped. To say that identify with him is a minor understatement. His upbringing reminds me of my childhood, though to be honest, waiting until a year old is extraordinarily late--I was in the ocean at three weeks--so I just rewrote that little bit in my mind because it seemed silly. His room in the palace, his jewelry, and frankly, his inability to understand the stupid choices of mainlanders is something I've spent my life trying to understand after moving stateside.

Kamir is a gentle soul and when I was younger probably would have had a hard time understanding since I grew up feral, rough and tumble. Over the years, I've become very protective of tender souls and that's what Kamir is. He's competent and skilled, but because he doesn't grandstand or demand attention he's negated.

This is a sensual and erotic, which Derr doesn't always do. Frankly, I'm Jader here, too. Sex is a beautiful thing and I agree with John Mayer, "you're body is wonderland" and it's a terrible waste not to explore it. The characters spend a great deal of time apart, so there is a pining element.

Again, Sarrica is an ass. Allen is his usual awesome self and there's a few new characters that add to the world of the High King. This is a comfort series and read for me. Is this my favorite in the series? No. Even though I love Jader, there is less action and more talking than my preference. Kamir's situation with his family is a nightmare and I handle things differently--more like Jader. 

Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw

3 Stars

Even vampires get the blues.

The story is based on a human doctor, Greta Helsing whose medical practice caters solely to the supernatural inhabitants of London. It features an ensemble cast of character, which makes for interesting reading as you uncover her various patients' species and their strengths and weaknesses. It's all another day of humdrum illnesses and ordinary treatments until a murderous cult starts killing Londoners--and no one's safe. 

Not the supernatural and not the humans.

With the mystery set into motion and characters endangered, the plot ratchets up and we begin to appreciate the differences of each species. The theme of "the other" and the inherit right to exist is prevalent as the host of supernatural characters are humanized. It's pretty clear to see the relevance with events happening today. I liked this a lot. There were some pretty wide divergences in the species "talents", but they all offered something.

So the gang is all in trying to solve the problem before the "regulars" aka humans find out about the less "normal" citizens of London. It's entertaining and well paced. I liked it, but didn't love it. I had a few issues. Greta has some character inconsistencies. While secrecy about supernaturals is paramount, Great does not share intel of the murderous cult with her supernatural coworkers, there's no letting the cat out of the bag, so this doesn't make sense. Helsing is a dedicated doctor, yet, when a patient was at the point of needing more care, they were not forwarded to a proper hospital with all the advantages of equipment she lacked--this I don't understand. Finally, there's some issues with the ending both how Greta responds and acts and the appearance of another character popping in like deus ex machina. which just is great since things get resolved and explained, but very convenient. Too convenient.

Overall, I found it diverting, but not in-depth. A few quibbles, but definitely a vacation read. 

Catching Captain Nash (Dashing Widows #6) by Anna Campbell

2 Stars

Boring.

Okay, the blurb made it sound a bit more exciting than this was. Basically, this is a PTSD story. And the title is highly deceptive; there's no catching involved. There's no conflict except some very brief melancholy and restrained anxiety moments for the returning Capt. Nash and the initial misreading by his wife. There's no estrangement, nothing. Life falls back into place quite easily. Then, the last 15% of the book is previews of other books in the series. 

I read Campbell years ago when she wrote darker historicals. This is fine, but the entirety of the story is he thinks and she thinks with overlap with therapeutic sex thrown in. It felt vacuous. I think I need to move on from Campbell after two strikes on her recent works. Back to Heyer, and a sure win.

The Lonely Merman (Landlocked Heart #1) by Kay Berrisford

3 Stars

Odd lot romance.

Ben is a dependable guy doing his job when he stumbles upon a magical folly and pool in the woods. Even more amazing is the beautiful if slightly creepy man lurking about the area. Turns out that Lyle's loitering because he doesn't have much choice--Cursed. 

Landlocked and alone, what's a merman to do?



The years have been long and Lyle's not exactly taken it well. Ben is attracted, but a bit turned off by some of Lyle's mannerisms. All this sounds good, a solid basis for a relationship. Unfortunately, it feels uneven. I think the emotional yo-yo of Lyle and the ho-hum everydayness of Ben just doesn't bridge the rather immediate attraction and odd interactions they have. 

Placing fantastical beings into contemporary settings is tricky, and I think I prefer them in a less prosaic situation. When the glamour and mystique of something is crowded and shrunk by the rules of now, it's hard for me to enjoy them as much. That said, this had some lovely issues of gender determination that worked very well with the subject matter. *tip of the hat*

This wasn't riveting for me, but it was a diversion. I suspect some will love this more than I and others not. But, had to read it--Merman.

WTF (Geek Actually Season 1, Episode 1) by Cathy Yardley

3 Stars

Chick lit is hit or miss for me, but after reading the blurb, I was totally on board with the idea of cast of female friends navigating their careers and lives together. To be honest though, I felt like an interloper without gamer cred, I abandoned FF when it transitioned to online only. Yeah, If I want to interact with strangers, I will, but when I want to play a video game that's not it. Now, the geek thing is more a lifestyle gamer reference than career--there is one character doing video game programming. 

We have Michelle, the editor responsible for everything for her clients in addition to her job, you know, editing. Again, her interpersonal skills seem to be an issue that's on simmer and the lid's about to blow off. Aditi, the writer in crisis mode for her sequel and not dealing with what's on the table, now. But, surprisingly has the best interpersonal relationship of the bunch. Taneesha, the video game programmer finding out the ugly reality of the startup pufferfish game. Yeah, big fish in little pond is not the same thing. Sidelined? Maybe, and she has a legit gripe. Finally, there's Elli, the cosplay devotee and way younger than her age and frankly, dreadfully poor interpersonal skills. There's living your life and being free--great, and there's tramping through other people's lives with no regard--not so great beyond a certain age, and let's say she's way too old to get a pass.

The eroticism was fairly low for me. I applaud Aditi's mature relationship with her significant other, but the whole issue of not having been clear in the upfront expectations didn't work for me. Wasn't upset, considering the starting point of the interaction, but it just didn't do anything for me.

This is a short serial episode so it's hard to judge, what I'm getting are impressions of characters. Some things I like, some I'm less enamored with. First, the Dalek disrespect is never going to be cool. It's like dissing Harryhausen's FX, just no. Second, and this is a huge me issue, too much publishing insider crapola. Reading about making books while I'm reading one destroys the illusion. Finally, my biggest issue with these women are their choices. Chick lit that revolves around real issues are great, but immaturity and poor decision making that gets blamed on someone else is not cool.

I feel uncomfortable rating such a brief overview of characters; it squeaks through at 3 stars.

True Colors by Anyta Sunday

3 Stars

Trust is like a cup. Broken, you can no longer drink from it. It can be mended, but it takes something precious to remake it into something beautiful. And, it takes effort.

This is a very touching story with a large cast of secondary characters that helped form the facets of Oskar and Marco through their interactions. At the same time, this is an extraordinarily frustrating story. By the end, I wasn't happy, more relieved.

Problem is, told from Marco's viewpoint we get this perfect storm for a "misunderstanding" and angst stirring. And I'll argue theirs wasn't a misunderstanding as much as a lack of information on Marco's part. Quantifiably, Oskar was a dickhead. And this is where I have a huge issue with stories trying to play tug-of-war with readers' emotions. It was Oskar's responsibility to atone for his wrongdoings, and nothing pisses me off like the aggrieved party being guilted or somehow convinced that it is their responsibility to make the first overture. F@#K NO! Forgiveness may be granted or not--it is the wronged party's choice-AFTER the instigating party fulfills their duty by acts of contrition. 

I think I just have a fundamental difference than some other people. Forgiveness and trust are earned, not given out like party favors. So, this part of the story really didn't work for me, at all. Does it end well? Yes. Do they finally make strides to resolve their issues--Yes. But, the pleasure in reading was dimmed because the way they accomplished it did not appeal to me. Clearly, this is my pet peeve and may be irrelevant to other readers. YMMV.

Overall, angsty friends to enemies to lovers' story.