What I've Read and Written Recently

I finally got my hands on Talulla Rising, the second volume in Glen Duncan's werewolf series.  I truly enjoyed this narrative.  Duncan uses words wonderfully, and while his characters may seem more monstrous and less likeable than those in Anne Rice's novel, the heroine definitely began to grow on me over time.  I think plot of Talulla Rising, though far more convoluted, was actually better woven together than that of the earlier work (The Last Werewolf).

I have a far more modest literary accomplishment to report.  I interviewed violinist Alexander Markov for Stay Thirsty Press, and await publication at some point in September.  Stay tuned. 

Books I Read Recently; Hope To Read Soon

I recently finished reading two books I can recommend to those who find the subject matter interesting: 

Daughter of Smoke & Bone, by Laini Taylor, will surely have a sequel. This fantasy depicts the war between the devils (chimeras) and angels (seraphim), and the love between the heroine, Karou (who had also been Madrigal), and the seraph, Akiva.  An angel fell in love with a devil, and as promised, “It did not end well.”  But perhaps the sequel will prove happier. 

I Am Forbidden, by Audrey Markovitz, is the terribly sad tale of Satmar families, beginning in Transylvania during World War II and continuing across what actually spans four generations.  It provides a rare glimpse into a rather poorly known Orthodox Jewish group.

I'll be trying to get my hands on Talulla Rising, the sequel to Glen Duncan’s earlier volume, The Last Werewolf.  It is interesting that Anne Rice, who enjoyed immense success with her vampire books, also turned to the lycanthropes (cf., The Wolf Gift).  I read both works earlier this year, and enjoyed them.  The Rice story unfolded more smoothly until the end, which appeared somewhat rushed.  Duncan’s volume presented an uglier side of the werewolf phenomenon and a less plausible plot, although his mastery of the language is certainly somewhat stronger.  Stay tuned; we shall have more anon from both authors, I’m sure!