Charlaine Harris - Living Dead in Dallas

Yeah. Ok, it was good I'll admit - but I'm definitely not one for this vampire fad.

A good sequel to the first book "Dead Until Dark" but one thing that gets me about Charlaine Harris is just how short her stories are. I'm not saying for a second that short stories aren't good stories but it feels to me like I've only just got my teeth sunk in and its over. I felt cheated... Why?! This probably works just fine as Harris has got a ridiculous eleven book series as of yet - which is impressive as she has written them in nine years!

Ok so enough about the author, the jist of living Dead in Dallas.

Bill the vampire (Not a very vampire name, this is explained by his being born in the 1800's) and Sookie Stackhouse both have to travel to Dallas on a job to help track down a vampire. Along the way you see all the characters reappearing from the previous book and a few additions. Harris then takes you step by step, leading you along by the hand and spoon feeding you the plot with some romantic/sexual scenes to give it a little spice.

Now I was getting quite into this plot, I thought, "Ok, not bad, loving the extra backstory about the vampire community" but then as suddenly as it gets interesting and the pace picks up, it all gets too much for our heroine. She packs her bags and goes home, only to find her town is having crazy orgies due to some mystical maenad creature who loves alcohol and shagging and seems to have a knock on effect with the town.

This is definitely got to be read after the first. You can't just pick this one up - even if the author does ball achingly explain everything you'd still be none-the-wiser! I will give her credit, they are enjoyable and funny and I will probably read the next one as well because they are a light read. A tasty snack between intelligent novels. But don't go expecting anything more than a cheap thrill - I took nothing away from it other than that vampires get turned on when their teeth come out.

Best Served Cold - Joe Abercrombie

What can I say about this book? - I loved it. Joe Abercrombie doesn't compromise when it comes to content. The first thing I'd like to point out is how well his story is put together, no preamble just a hard hitting first chapter that literally throws you into it.

The main character Monzcarro Murcatto is quite possibly one of the most interesting female anti-heroes in fiction. She is betrayed, brutalized and left for dead by her former employer. The story revolves all around this theme, the narrative being pushed ever forward by her quest for vengeance.

Not only does this book put forward unrelenting action - but offers a rich array of characters that all have some quirk that creates such a realistic and enjoyable universe.

The beginning quarter of the book certainly sets the scene, allowing the reader snap shots into Monzcarros bloody past and expertly crafts her new alliances with Shivers the Northman, Friendly the Psycopath and Nicomo Cosca - my personal favourite due to his alcohol problem and fickle morals.

I can honestly say I haven't read a book so engrossing and enjoyable in a long, long time. I had to pry myself away from this book and pace myself accordingly.

Read this book. I urge you. Abercrombie doesn't do heroes, everyone's as dark and nasty as each other, all filled with the bitterness and regrets that are so real to life - but I guarantee this will appeal to your dark side . You just have to go with the flow with this novel - and not to expect a happy ending.

Andrew Cowan