Sheep Book Review: Labyrinth of Stars by Marjorie M. Liu

Labyrinth of Stars 
A Hunter Kiss Novel 
By: Marjorie M. Liu
Urban Fantasy 

Plot: 
Tattoos with hearts, minds, and dreams. Created to be the armor that protects my body, these obsidian shadows come alive at night—demons made flesh.

After the Aetar nearly kill Maxine’s unborn child, and a betrayal within her own ranks leaves Maxine’s husband, Grant, poisoned and dying, Maxine is forced to attack a race of beings that possesses almost unlimited power. Doing so will require she make a deal with the devil—the devil that lives inside her—risking both her sanity and her soul as she slowly transforms into something more than human.

But even that might not be enough to save Grant, because the very thing that Maxine is becoming is destined to destroy the world.

Artists have paint brushes, musicians have instruments and writers have....well I guess they have keyboards. Liu is by far one of the most imaginative writers out there. From the opening sentence to the final period, you're invested in this world of fantastical wonder! It's breathtaking and marvelous all at the same time. 

I'm not usually one for liking stories so focused on the world building. Taking time to comment on the smallest of details to the biggest of wonders. But something about this series has made it bareable. Nay, incredible! Tiny wonders seem to take life from the page, monsters dance in my dreams after reading these stories. I want to be there with her characters, fighting other world demons and saving the human realm from annihilation! 

The friends her main character, Maxine, make are bazaar, scary, gross and so freaking cool! Demons are not always what they seem and sometimes a kind gesture can make a friend for life. I love it. I love them. I love it all! 

No writer today is like Liu and I lovingly long for that freshness, from all of her stories. She's talented beyond her years and if it's not clear this far in my review, I'm a fan. 

I've heard a nasty rumor that this may be the final installment in the Hunter Kiss series and I hope that's just a filthy lie! Because so much is still left with dot, dot, dot and I demand answers! And I shall get these answers or I will be forced to throw myself at Liu's feet and beg for mercy! (Or, send her an email. That one seems less time consuming.) 

If you love unique urban fantasy, with tons of fantasy-flare, then get your paws on this one stat! 

Getting 5 'for my 5 boys' Sheep 
KD

Sheep Interview: NYTBS author Marjorie Liu + Giveaway!

By: Katie Dalton

Founder & Head Writer

I Smell Sheep is honored to have back with us the talented New York Times Best Selling PNR & SciFi author Marjorie Liu. In addition to the PNR world this busy lady writes some kick butt comics for Marvel like Dark Wolverine and Black Widow. If you're unfamiliar with Liu's work NOW is a great time to dive into her world, you wont regret it!

Check out the full interview below and stay tuned until the end for an awesome giveaway.

Katie: Welcome back Marjorie! How have things been with you since we spoke last year?

Marjorie: Fantastic. And crazy.

Katie: Sounds like my life at the moment too! Are you loving it?

Marjorie: You bet I am!

Sharon: Hello, I wasn’t around for your first interview so I got to ask, what’s under your bed?

Marjorie: Dust bunnies. Sometimes I feed them socks to keep them from nibbling on the books stacked around my bed.

Katie: You write some of the best series of books on the shelf today. For those that don't know about the Hunter Kiss or Dirk & Steele novels can you give them a little insight?
Marjorie: You're very kind.

The Hunter Kiss series is about a woman covered in living demonic tattoos that peel off her body at night to form a little army made up of five ferocious (and somewhat quirky) demons – affectionately called, “the Boys”.

The Dirk & Steele novels deal with a detective agency (of sorts) where the investigators are creatures of legend, urban and otherwise – mermen, shape-shifters, gargoyles, psychics – all dedicated to using their powers, in secret, for the greater good.

The latest Dirk & Steele novel, WITHIN THE FLAMES, just came out. In it, a young man – a pyrokinetic – is sent to New York City to find and protect a woman who is being hunted by witches who want to drain her blood – because she’s a dragon shape-shifter.

I’m excited about this novel. The hero, Eddie, has been with the Dirk & Steele series from the very beginning, and I’ve been waiting for what feels like forever to tell his story. I had to, though! It was all about finding the right heroine! Lyssa, however, finally slipped into my mind: a woman in hiding beneath the streets of New York City, disfigured, living in fear of hurting others with the fire that rages through her dragon blood – and terrified of being discovered by her enemies.

Katie: I've waited patiently (not really) for the latest edition in the Hunter Kiss series, The Mortal Bone, what can we look forward to with Zee and the boys?
Marjorie: The next Hunter Kiss novel, THE MORTAL BONE, finds Maxine Kiss dealing with an event more terrible than any she could have imagined: the Boys, her little demons, are stripped from her body, their connection to her completely severed…leaving Maxine unprotected and alone. Worse, without that connection, the Boys might revert to their old ways – as Reaper Kings, the devourer of worlds.

In other words, big trouble. Maxine’s life changes forever after this book.

To celebrate the release of the novel at the end of this month, Penguin is e-releasing a brand new short story called “The Silver Voice”, which set in the Hunter Kiss universe and bundled with a previously published novella, “Armor of Roses.”

Katie: *picks up a paper bag to breathe into* OMG….I love it and I can’t freakin wait!!! *passes out for a few minutes*

Sharon: *waves essence of vampire under Katie’s nose*

Katie: Sorry about that, okay moving on. This might be a spoiler question but I need to ask, will Maxine ever get pregnant? *leans closer to Marjorie*

Marjorie: Hm. Good question!

Katie: That’s it?! Oh Marjorie come on just a little taste! Give a gal something!!!

Marjorie: Sorry!

Sharon: As an author, what features do you like/dislike in a review blog? We are always looking for advice on how to improve our site.

Marjorie: I love critical honesty in a review, good or bad. That, and links: to the author’s website, along with places to purchase the title.

Katie: What are three things you couldn't live without?

Marjorie: Hope, integrity, and love. Hahaha. That, and pie.

Katie: What kind of pie? Banana cream?

Marjorie: Pumpkin!

Sharon: *makes ‘yucky’ face behind Liu’s back- Sharon gets hit in the head by flying book from Katie*

Sharon: Do you have any rituals you follow when you write, like a snack or drink you need?

Marjorie: I need to be comfortable. A good night’s rest helps, too. Other than that, I’m flexible.

Sharon: Me too! *touches toes*

Katie: As the big vamp lover that I am I gotta ask you a VERY important question, how many vamps do you know and can you hook me up? *winks*

Sharon: *pokes Katie* psst…ask about shifters too…

Katie: Right, I will. AFTER the vamp one. *looks expectantly at Marjorie*

Marjorie: Ha! Sorry, no vamps in the family or amongst my friends. At least, I don’t THINK so…

Katie: Bummer…

Sharon: See no vamps Katie but it sounds like there could be a shifter or two…

Katie: Where can folks find you in the coming months?

Marjorie: No public signings or evenings. Mostly, I’m just buckling down and working on the next book. I might attend C2E2 in Chicago, and I’ll be teaching a weeklong course next July in San Diego. You can find more information at the Clarion website: http://literature.ucsd.edu/affiliated-programs/clarion/index.html

After that, San Diego Comic Con!

Katie: We now move on to our famous rapid fire round, you know the drill so here we go!

Katie: Hair up or Down?

Marjorie: Depends on what I'm going for. I now have bangs, so mostly down.

Katie: Punch or Smack?

Marjorie: Punch. Once you start a fight, ladies, you might as well go all the way.

Katie: See? This is why I love Marjorie so much.

Marjorie: Aw!

Sharon: Thin crust or Thick?

Marjorie: Thin, thin, thin.

Katie: Tucan or Flamingo?

Marjorie: Flamingo!

Sharon: Mother Goose or Dr. Seuss?

Marjorie: Mother Goose!

Katie: Roman Castle or Scottish Castle?

Marjorie: Is there a time-traveling Highlander involved? The more wind-swept and bare-chested, the better.

Katie: Again. Why I love Marjorie. hahaha

Sharon: *wipes drool from mouth* I like wind-swept and bare…er, chested too ;)

Sharon: Bikini or One-piece?

Marjorie: The last time I wore a bathing suit was in high school, and that was a one-piece. And traumatic.

Katie: Babylon or Atlantis?

Marjorie: Stargate Atlantis?

Katie: I’ll take that answer...wait didn’t that show have Jason Momoa?!

Marjorie: Conan the Barbarian and Khal Drogo!

Katie: Oh we'll be getting into some GOT after the interview for sure!

Richard: Modus Ponens or Reductio ad absurdun?

Marjorie: Hi Richard! I’m all about the absurd consequences, so let’s go for Reductio ad absurdum.

Katie: *jumps* GEEZ! Richard, how the frel did you get in here?! Figures you found a way to pick the lock!

Richard: Pfft. Mere mortal locks can't keep me from this interview...um, yeah. sorry about the door though... M, good choice. I thought the attorney in you might pop up and Modus Ponens the response!

Sharon: *scratches head* Modus, huh?

Sharon: Soft and chewy or Hard and crunchy?
Marjorie: That’s like asking me to choose warm gooey brownies over…er, wait. Um, soft and chewy.

Katie: Rolling Stones or Beatles?

Marjorie: Neither. Give me the entire Michael Bolton collection and I’ll wallow, happily, in all the sweet love of the 80’s and 90’s!

Katie: Uhhhh……moving on! hahaha

Sharon: Peppermint or Butterscotch?

Marjorie: Peppermint. That is, if there isn’t chocolate around. Or mango flavored ice cream.

Katie: Grey Skull or Autobot City?

Marjorie: Autobot city. Absolutely, unequivocally, Autobot city. I would polish Optimus Prime’s windshield anytime.

Katie: Oh no…we might just witness a cat fight….um Marjorie? Sharon is OBSESSED with Optimus. *hides behind a chair*

Sharon: Ha! Katie’s funny, but she is right I do have a major crush on Prime. It’s his deep voice that makes me turn to Jell-o. *holds pumpkin pie up ready to throw just in case she needs to protect her man, er…robot*

Katie: Thanks again for coming back to chat with us, would you like to add anything before we wrap?

Marjorie: Just that you’re all wonderful! And thank you to my readers for their lovely support and enthusiasm. I appreciate it more than I can say.

Katie: We feel the same way. Keep holdin it down for the ladies M. and we’ll have your back till the bitter end!

Richard: *sigh* Marjorie Liu thinks that I’m *wonderful*…happy panda….

Katie: Oh geez! Someone call security!

Marjorie: Ha! I love you guys!

***GIVEAWAY***

Marjorie Liu is offering up two of her latest works: Dirk & Steele novel and Hunter Kiss BOTH signed! We can’t thank her enough for this generous offer. So in the comments below make sure to enter both things and double entries for followers.

1. Your Email Address

2. Marjorie’s latest book (Within the Flames) talks quiet a bit about power and the fine line one can walk before turning that power to evil. If YOU could have ultimate power what would you do with?

Contest ends December 11^th at midnight.

Good luck!

A Wild Light, yes indeed!

A Wild Light, the latest installment in the Hunter Kiss series by author Marjorie M. Liu hit bookstores this month. Liu writes these books in a very almost cold no-nonsense way, and for me it works on all levels, this series delivers with each new installment. :) More! More! I need more of my Precious!

The story follows Heroine Maxine Kiss, a hunter of demons, she's a take no crap from anyone type of gal. *Except maybe from her bo Grant...ahh Grant. Has some demon boys to back her up and very cool heavy metal pieces to finish the job. Its a kill fast or be killed even faster type of world she lives in, any hesitation could forfeit her life, and as she is the last of her line the world would be devoured by the scariest monsters one could imagine. Yeah, its THAT intense.

As with all great stories, sometimes things aren't always what they seem, Maxine is coming to wonder about what really makes a person/demon good or evil. The grays? Bigger and bigger. Dark powers can they actually be used for good? I wouldn't want to try thats for sure. lol

I know coming from yours truly its hard to imagine I read -and love- a series about zombies, Blood Mama's, possession, and creepy crawly monsters that go bump in the night or day. But I do, I LOVE this series and highly recommend it to all. :)

Liu not only creates this stunning series but also writes comic books for Marvel, and we are all about Marvel here. Logan! She is part Sci-Fi part Comic with a whopping scoop of paranormal goodness.

Jump on this one and enjoy the ride. :)

KD