Each volume of the Amulet series of graphic novels seems to fall into one of two categories, overall; either a story of action and plot advancement, or (in between) a bridge - even a break between - the action, literally taking you from one plot point of the story into the next. Book five feels like one of the "bridge" books, but at heart stands out as it also starts to delve more into the history of its characters - in particular Trellis, the Elf Prince, as well as the history of the elves and how they came to be "the bad guys". Meanwhile, thanks to the events of book four the evil Elf King (Trellis's father) has control of the mother stone, and plans to forge new amulets from it that will enable him to conquer anyone who stands in his way at last, even if it includes his own son who is now seemingly on the side of the good guys. Meanwhile, Emily's amulet is no longer speaking to her but outright challenging her, implying it's only a matter of time before it takes control, leading her down a dark and inescapable path. You really get the sense, with this one (volume five of a seven-book story), that the series is drawing ever-closer toward its final confrontation between good and evil; setting up the players on the chessboard, so to speak, for the last match. And it promises to be a doozy. ****
Araminta Spookie is in for a double dose of trouble in book four of the popular children's series; not only has she discovered what appears to be a werewolf hiding deep in the basement of Spookie House - almost worse, she is forced to deal with a visit by her Uncle Drac's nephew Max, a tiny, creepy little suck-up with stiletto-sharp fangs coming out the corners of his mouth, who seems to win over her entire family - even Wanda! - with his over-the-top, syrupy, obviously (to Araminta) butt-kissing ways! So what's a girl to do but come up with a combination Werewolf and Vampire Trapping Kit, which Araminta is determined to use to catch Max doing something evil, as well as prove to her family and Wanda that there's a werewolf loose in the house. Though I felt the ending was a bit weak with this one, everything is in place regarding the humor, story, and mystery of this entry in the series to keep readers happy. And again, there's just something so darned endearing about Araminta; so much so, I have only one more to read before completing the series to date ... and will be sorry to have it done. ****
A unique mystery-thriller unlike anything I have ever read, Bangkok 8 is the first of a series starring Royal Thai Police Detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep, who in the opener is following, with his cop partner Pichai, a shady American marine sergeant in Bangkok, when the marine is - right in front of them, in a car bolted shut - slaughtered by a nasty nest of cobras trapped with him in his Mercedes. When Pichai is also killed in the ensuing chaos, Sonchai - a devout Buddhist arhat - makes it his life's mission to not only find out what happened, but to himself kill Pichai's murderer to avenge his partner's death. But the deeper Sonchai digs, even with the help of attractive FBI agent Kimberley Jones, the more the increasingly twisted trail seems to lead toward an American jeweler with untold wealth and influence - influence that extends even over Sonchai's own superiors in the police force. As said, I have never read a novel like Bangkok 8; never read a piece of fiction that so solidified in me the essence of a people, culture, way of life - even religion - as this novel does of Thailand, tying it all into not just Sonchai and those he encounters and where he goes, but even the mystery itself. It's a book that makes you think deeply, yet also has touches of dark humor and plenty of thrills; even conversations between characters, at length, never come off boring or as filler, as the characters are so exceptionally well-drawn - what they have to say so revealing of them or the story - you must read word for word. Sorry for the gushing, but yet again: have simply never read anything like Bangkok 8. And I certainly can't remember when I was last so absorbed in a book that, while reading it, I completely forgot about the real world surrounding me.*****
