Karen

This was an intense medical thriller with lots of twists and turns. Just when I thought I knew what caused the problems, Palmer deftly took the story in a new direction.

This was a good science fiction book with lots of untapped potential. I liked the interactions between the people from the future and the ones in the present. At the end, however, I found myself wondering what happens next and being a little disappointed that there were so many unanswered questions.

Funny and poignant, this honest book about obsession, family and overdoing religious ritual made me both laugh and think.

While the mystery itself was predictable, I liked the interactions between Hercule Poirot and the mystery writer Ariadne Oliver as they hunt for “elephants” for help in solving the mystery of the Ravenscrofts' deaths.

This was a beautifully written epic story about life, death, love and self-discovery as Jaki Gefjon struggles to unite the teachings of both the jungle and the sea. I especially liked Jaki's interactions with his mentors Jabalwan and later Captain Pym.

This was an exciting thriller set on board an airplane, in Washington, DC and in the Middle East. While some of the characters started as clichéd, they gradually became more three-dimensional as the medical and political crisis grew.

I enjoyed this paranormal fantasy featuring Garnet Lacy. I liked how she gradually learned to share with her friends her past and how she gained internal strength to confront the goddess Lilith. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Dead Sexy.

This book combined many of my interests - ships, Antarctica, the naturalist's wonder and interest in the animal world. I liked following Murphy's voyages both literal as he learned about the ways of whaling on the brig Daisy and emotional as he wished to get home to his new wife, Grace.

When I read the description, I wondered whether this fantasy featuring a wizard in early Nazi Germany would be clichéd with cardboard characters. However, Hambly skillfully creates great interactions between the wizard Rhion, his Nazi captors and the people he rescues. The only quibble I have is that the plot set in Rhion's homeworld seemed tacked on and not resolved very well.

This was an engaging military space opera which gave insights into many characters points of view. Though the series is about Owen Deathstalker, he is more in the background in this book. More prominent characters include Captain Jack Silence who will defend the Empire even if it's not perfect and the rebel Jack Random who is one of the few who was altered by an alien maze.

This was a beautifully written and thought-provoking book about conscience, faith, and being true to one's beliefs. I liked the conversations between Palinor, Benedictx and Cardinal Severo as well as the ones between Josefa and the wolf-child Amara.

This was a thought-provoking book about youth and age, ethics and alien contact. I liked the conversations Sarah and Don had about the Draconis aliens.

This was a good suspenseful book about killer bees and the efforts of a team of scientists to stop them.

This was a wonderful book about humanity and the role of memory. I liked the ethical dilemmas Lucy and Gray go through as well as the struggle Mary has in adjusting to a world 80 years in the future.

I remember I saw the movie years ago, but I had never read the full story of Elsa and her human family Joy and George Adamson until now. I liked reading about Elsa's curiosity and how even as she gradually left the Adamson's care, she never lost the bond she had with them.

I liked this urban fantasy featuring Joanna Walker who has to learn quickly how to harness her shamanic powers while trying to save the city from the Wild Hunt. I look forward to Joanna's next storyline in the anthology, Winter Moon.

This story was an intense mystery with lots of suspense. I liked the way Harry followed his instincts even when it meant possibly losing his job.

This book was an interesting look at an alternate Earth, particularly western America. I liked the interactions between characters Tom, Adrienne and Tully and the ways Tom and Tully noticed the differences between New Virginia and First Side (current Earth).

Engaging and informative, this history of the English-Dutch conflict over the spice trade kept my interest throughout the book. I had known a little about how important spices were, and how the search for a new way to the Far East led to Columbus' voyages, but I didn't know all the details about the hardships the merchants and sailors went through.

This was a good fantasy fable about learning what's important in life and what's not. I liked the main character, William Bogart Ingersol, aka “Big the Dog,” even when he recounts his past behavior. I also liked the interactions between “Big” and the creatures and people of the Fair Lands.

This book was a compelling thriller that kept my attention throughout. I liked getting different character's voices such as the killer, the police and one of the victims.

This was a thought-provoking look at how technology doesn't always make the world better for everyone. I liked the interactions between Wili, Paul and Alison as they work together to defeat the Peace Authority.

This was a very good paranormal fantasy featuring mercenary Kate Daniels who is not intimidated by anyone - not even the leader of the Shapeshifters. While trying to solve the murder of her friend and guardian, Kate manages to earn the trust and respect of various factions. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Magic Burns.

I liked this gritty police procedural featuring Detective Inspector Jack Frost and his new partner Frank Gilmore who's often appalled by Frost's unorthodox and often slovenly behavior. Despite reduced staff and persistent bad luck, Frost and Gilmore somehow manage to find the answers they seek. I look forward to reading the first two books in the series, Frost at Christmas and A Touch of Frost.

This was a beautifully written book highlighting journeys both physical and emotional. I liked the interactions between Gustad and his friends and family, as even when things were rough, I knew that Gustad cared. I also liked the ways political and religious news affected Gustad and his neighbors.