Review: Skin Game

Skin Game by Jim Butcher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



In yet another great romp in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files universe Dresden finds himself again entangled in the politics of the Fey. Being the Winter Knight comes with a lot more than just a power boost. In order to pay off a debt held by Mab he is placed on loan to one of his worst former enemies and finds himself involved with powers beyond even those he has faced in the past.

As always, Butcher tells a fantastic story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and hurriedly turning the next page. While Dresden himself is a fantastic character what I feel makes these books special is the well written supporting cast. His support crew of Murphy, Butters, Molly, Michael, and of course Mouse all show up here and play significant roles in the plot. Highly recommended!



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Review: Don't Put That in There!: And 69 Other Sex Myths Debunked

Don't Put That in There!: And 69 Other Sex Myths Debunked by Aaron E. Carroll

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



"Don't Put That in There" is an amusing and informative romp through all of the questions that you, I, and everyone else have always wondered but were afraid to ask (and even more afraid to Google). From classics like whether size matters the G-spot to helpful advice on piercings and shaving and on to more risque topics including anal sex and the toys and other aids topic that forms the title of the book, nothing is considered taboo.

Those readings this work for practical answers to questions in their own lives can feel secure that the advice contained herein is reliable. Carroll and Vreeman are both medical doctors with a broad range of applicable experience in these areas. Moreover, the authors have included an extensive list of references to medical studies discusses in each section for further reading. Those reading simply for enjoyment will find the authors' direct prose and matter of fact approach to these questions a delight.



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Review: Magic City: Recent Spells

Magic City: Recent Spells by Paula Guran

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This fantastic anthology brings together a wide selection of authors who are known for their urban fantasy works including a short story from Jim Butcher's popular Dresden Files universe. The twenty-five stories included are extremely diverse featuring love spells, a blind witch, a magical library, and even a mystical Nigerian cab driver. The stories selected were uniformly of high quality with absolutely no filler material.

I particularly enjoyed Scott Lynch's "In the Stacks" where four wizard students venture into a living library to complete their final exams - they are required to re-shelve a book. This proves to not be the simple task that the students might have imagined. Another highlight was Nacy Kress' "Stone Man" about a young skateboarder who discovers that not only is there another, more fantastical world out there, that he has powers that may make him important in that world, but that he already has enemies there.

In truth, nearly every story in this collection was a high point. I truly hope that the title format implies that there are further "Magic City" volumes to come. If so, I look forward to reading each one.



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