All Things Urban Fantasy

  

Lothario by Kresley Cole 

Description: From the humblest of beginnings a millennia ago, Lothaire the Enemy of Old rose to power, becoming the most feared and evil vampire in the immortal world. Driven by his past, he will not rest until he captures the vampire Horde’s crown for himself. The discovery of his Bride, the female meant only for him, threatens to derail his plot. Elizabeth Peirce is a mere mortal, a glaring vulnerability for a male with so many blood foes bent on annihilating anything he desires. Yet soon he discovers his Bride’s secret. A magnificent power dwells inside the fragile human, one that will aid his quest. But to possess that power, he will have to destroy her. Will Lothaire succumb to the torments of his past, or seize a future with her?   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Immortals After Dark #12 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Gallery Release Date: January 10, 2012 Source: Author’s Facebook Page
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
The red eyes are a good detail, and it’s funny that Lothaire is enough of a “character” that we get to see his face instead of his bare abs.  Definitely calculated to raise our interest in the dark hero…	My first thought was the albino who tortured Wesley in the Princess Bride

 

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     Almost Everything by Tate Hallaway 

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Description: Whoever said vacations were relaxing? To say half-vampire, half-witch Ana Parker has boy trouble is putting it lightly—something her text messaging bill can attest to. Her rocker ex-boyfriend Nikolai is trying to heat things up again, and high school hockey star Mathew wants her to try out with him for the Renaissance Festival. At least her sort-of boyfriend Elias isn’t hounding her cell—considering the vampire knight is currently living in her basement. Ever since her father banished Elias and Ana from the court of the Northern vampires, Ana has been trying to live a normal life. But when the Prince of the Southern Region vampires informs Ana that they’re on the brink of war and she accidentally offers up Elias as a peace offering, the princess knows that she’s going to need some help to get out of the situation. More…   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Vampire Princess of St. Paul #3 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: NAL Release Date: February 2012 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
The most striking detail for me is going from a white background to black.  Her skin is positively pink, much more “alive” than any of the other covers.	I like the very subtle differences between all the covers in this series like the color and dress style.

 

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     Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare 

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Description: In Clockwork Prince, with Mortmain vanished and the clock counting down on how long Charlotte can keep control of the Institute away from Benedict Lightwood, Will, Jem and Tessa must dig into Mortmain’s past to predict what he will do in the future, But secrets about Mortmain aren’t all they find buried — Tessa begins to uncover the truth about her own birth, and the ghosts of Will’s past return to haunt him. As Tessa grows closer to Jem, and Will is driven further toward the brink of madness by jealousy and guilt, will they discover the truth in time to halt the next phase of Mortmain’s evil plan?   “Hope you like it as much as I do.” – Cassandra Clare

Series: The Infernal Devices #2 Artist: Cliff Nielsen Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books Release Date: December 6, 2011 Source: Author’s Facebook Page
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
The cover reveals for these are just so fabulous, I love how the focal character just appears in the previously empty scene.  The details on this cover model are just fabulous, I love this cover.	I’m sure Cliff Nielsen could accidently knock some paint over and it would be beautiful.  This one looks very cool, except maybe the hair. Not sure what’s going on there.

 

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     Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson 

Description: The novels follow the story of Lila, a 17-year-old with the power of telekinesis, and Alex, her brother’s best friend and long-time love interest. When a mugging on the streets of South London goes horribly wrong and exposes her unique ability, Lila runs away to Southern California, where Alex and her brother are working for a secret organization called The Unit and searching for the men who killed Lila’s mother five years before. Lila unwittingly becomes embroiled in the hunt and a suspenseful murder mystery ensues   '”My immediate reaction was to leap squealing from my seat.  I loved it.” – Sarah Alderson

Series: N/A Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK Release Date: August 4, 2011 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
In the author’s cover reveal post, she discusses how she wanted her heroine to kick off her heels and be running out barefoot (as anyone serious about getting away would).  While I like the splash of red, I think those shoes would look even better in a pile by the door.	It looks like she borrowed those high heels from Minnie Mouse.  Don’t they look massive?

 

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     Undead by Isabella Kruger 

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Description: “I walked into a dark alley somewhere near our compound .I was use to doing the rounds every night. Lord knows I was tougher than most of the males around. I had taught myself how to use a gun and how to survive. No one, not even the hard core survivalists thought that the world would end the way that it did.” Eighteen-year-old Ethnee Daffy is a freedom fighter, fighting the evils of the apocalypse. For the last 3 years she has battled down Zombies and weird looking government officials. However, her life changes when she meets Aiden a Zombie who claims that he is still half human and that he knows how to cure humanity . Will Aiden and Ethnee find the cure to safe humanity?   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Ever After Trilogy #1 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Fifth Avenue Publishers Release Date: September 13, 2011 Source: LovLivLife Reviews.
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Just gorgeous, I’m a sucker for “cartoon” covers.  This one looks like a work of art, she’s completely compelling and kick ass.	She looks like she could star in the next Final Fantasy game, which is a good thing IMO.

 

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     Dark Peril by Christine Feehan 

Description: A new Carpathian novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author. Dominic of the Dragonseeker Carpathians is on a desperate mission, in the very heart of enemy territory. Solange Sangria is one of the last of the jaguar people. She has long been fighting to save women who are able to shift from the hands of the man who slaughtered her family and everyone she loved-her own father. They are two warriors who have lived their lives alone. Now, a the end of their time, they find each other, a complication neither saw coming. No Author Comment Available.

Series: Carpathians #21 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Jove Release Date: October 4, 2011 Source: LovLivLife Reviews
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This one looks like a boring romance cover, with a jaguar thrown in for “preternatural” content.	Apparently cover art peaked in the 80’s.

 

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      Under Attack by Hannah Jayne 

Description: N/A   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Underworld Detection Agency #2 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Kensington Release Date: November 1, 2011 Source: LovLivLife Reviews
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
I agree with Abigail, not sure why she has a bra with guns.  There was at least one Anita Blake scene where she had to put her gun harness on over her bra, as her shirt was completely soaked in blood.  I’m going to give this book the benefit of the doubt… but there better be serious gore.	I’m assuming she literally lost her shirt in a fight just before posing for this cover.  I do like the overall look, but I know it’s a complete mismatch for the chick-lit tone of this series.

 

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      Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones 

Description: N/A   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Charley Davidson #3) Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Release Date: February 2, 2011 Source: LovLivLife Reviews
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
The red dress and fire look so sensual, and then those sassy little sneakers punch it up another notch.  Love it!	Fun and sexy?  How many covers can pull that off?

 

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     Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick 

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Description: It could happen tomorrow... A cataclysmic event. An army of "The Changed." Can one teen really survive on her own? An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky, destroying every electronic device and killing billions. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human... Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the Changed, Alex meets up with Tom---a young army veteran---and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse. More…   “Been a long haul, folks, and I’ve seen this cover in various incarnations.  This has to be the creepiest one yet – and I love it.” – Ilsa J. Bick

Series: Ashes Trilogy #1 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: EgmontUSA Release Date: September 2011 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This cover looks like old-school sci-fi, I like how the ghostly face seems to be pressing out through a fingerprint.  With a cover this sinister, however, this story needs to be really dark.	I like the title detail, but it’s too creepy for my taste, and not in a good way.

 

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      The Business of Death by Trent Jamieson 

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Description: Life is tough at the top when work is a matter of life or death. It's one thing to run Mortmax International as head of a team, but it's quite another to rule alone. Staff fatalities have left Steven by himself on the Throne of Death, and there's no time to get comfortable. The Stirrer god's arrival is imminent, threatening life as we know it. Plus Steven has managed to mortally offend the only ally strong enough to help out. More…   “… it’s a beautiful cover…” – Trent Jamieson

Series: Death Works #3 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: Orbit Release Date: September 19, 2011 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Constantine!  I love, love, love this model’s slouched posture and fight-ready flames.  This cover tells a whole story all on it’s own.	So cool. My favorite yet in the series.  Can anyone spot all the skulls? I see 3…

 

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     Joe Golem and the Drowning City by Mike Mignola & Christopher Golden 

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Description: Mike Mignola & Christopher Golden's JOE GOLEM AND THE DROWNING CITY, a supernatural-steampunk illustrated novel following an orphaned teenage girl, an aging conjuror, a lunatic scientist, a Victorian occult detective, and the stalwart sidekick, Joe Golem, as they struggle for the fate of an alternate 1970s Lower Manhattan, which sank into the water during a catastrophe in 1925, leaving those unwilling or unable to abandon it to make a new life in streets turned to canals.   “The book is crazy cool, if I do say so myself.” –Christopher Golden

Series: N/A Artist: Mike Mignoloa Goodreads: N/A	Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Release Date: first quarter 2012 Source: Author’s Blog
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
This cover hints of lovely full color plates within… or at least, that’s what I hope.	I’m on the fence with this one.  I like all the details, but no one element stands out.  I’m betting it looks much better in person.

 

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      Taken at Dusk by C. C. Hunter 

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Description: N/A   No Author Comment Available.

Series: Shadow Falls #3 Artist: N/A Goodreads: Link	Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin Release Date: April 2012 Source: Tynga’s Reviews
Julia’s Thoughts	Abigail’s Thoughts
Very nice, I think this is my favorite of the series.	These series covers are so distinctive. I love the small figure dwarfed by some element of nature in each book. Really beautiful.

 

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This week we agree on our picks for Best & Worst…

Best	Worst

Which are your Best and Worst?