I bought The Hunger Games trilogy last year. Then the books got stacked up and forgot about having them. Knowing that the movie starring Jennifer Lawrence was about to come out, I took a slight break from my review piles and opened the first book. It was late at night, I was tired, and I was not planning to read very much. Well, I ended up reading about half of the book, as I was caught up in the futuristic, weird world of Panem, which strangely resembles the real world. The story is told from the point of view of sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen (What a name!) who volunteers to take her sister’s (Prim) place in the annual Hunger Games that the Capital holds. There were once 13 Districts in Panem, and the 13th rebelled against the Capital. After the 13ths were vanquished, the Capital decided to punish the other districts with the Hunger Games. Each year one male and one female (between the ages of 12 to 16) from each district are randomly chosen to participate in the games which only has one main rule, fight to the death.

Kyra stood over him, breathing hard, her face flushed, the

shovel cocked over her shoulder in case she needed to 

swing it a second time.

 
Wicked As They Come
BY: Delilah S. Dawson
PUBLISHED BY: Pocket Books
PUBLISHED IN: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4516-5788-3
Pages: 406



    After taking a locket from a former client’s home, Tish Everett, an in-homecare nurse, the locket transports her to a bizarre world called Sang, where she meets a Bludman named Criminy Stain. Bludmen drinks blood just like vampires, but they are not dead, they are very much alive. And unlike vampires who are immortal, Bludmen live longer than humans, but they can also die. In this world, the humans are called Pinkies. Criminy is a magician and traveling carnival act owner who guides Tish through Sang. Of course, Tish believes everything is just a dream and follows Criminy’s lead into this world that is similar to ours, as there are cities called London and Manchester. There are Bludbunnies, Bludrats and even Clockworks in this paranormal tale.

    Delilah S. Dawson’s debut novel is completely different than any other paranormal romances out on the market, as she has created an original but strange new world featuring vampires with a slight twist, and has put in a little of steampunk here and there. I liked the character Tish as she is more like the girl next door and is more believable. The Bludmen Criminy is a wacky character that most readers will enjoy. The steamy love scenes between the two are well-written and surprisingly not over the top. There are lots of twists and turns as you get to explore Sang. Luckily, there is a sneak peak at the next book; Wicked as She Wants, which I can’t wait to read, but it doesn’t come out until next year. I recommend Wicked as They Come to all paranormal/steampunk romance readers.

*I would like to thank Pocket Books for sending me a copy to review.

From the corner of the woods Pierre Blanchard saw her. She was like an angel floating around in the carnage of hell. At least she looked like an angel. Her beauty was compelling and her grace was like a dancer and a determined little flower with serious and painful intent. He could feel her emotions. Suddenly, all he wanted was to comfort her, to take her into his arms and never let her go. He started toward her and then halted, shaking his head to clear it. He could not do that. He was the enemy, the dreaded Frenchman, and he had to stay hidden. After all this horrible battle, someone had to report back to France that they were defeated. Pierre should have already left. Maybe, God willing, this time there would be no more wars. No, that was not possible. Was it not Plato that said the only men who did not war were dead men? There would always be wars. Mesmerized by his angel, he kept following her. She had on the most exquisite gown, and though it was soiled, she still looked like a china doll.

Pierre ran toward her and almost out into the clearing. He stopped just short of exposing himself. Oh, God he wanted to help her. She was so helpless and tiny and she was so broken. His heart was breaking for her as she screamed and wept, so he continued to weep too. She had found her lover. Oh, what Pierre would give for her to love him like that and to hold him like that! His features twisted into a scowl. If he could only take her in his arms and love her! His clothes would not give him away.

In my recent novel, Halo of the Damned, I used research about an ancient Middle Eastern religion, Yezidism. The Yezidis originated from northern Iraq and spread throughout the Kurdish community, eventually making its way into part of Europe.

Yezidis worship angels, especially Malak Tawas who many believe to be Satan. The peacock symbolizes this angel. Malak Tawas' story in the Koran matches the stories in the Bible and Old Testament about a rebellious angel who wages war with a third of all of God’s angels against God. Once defeated, God sends all of them to Hell and denies them mercy.

Yezidis believe God created Malak first, before all other angels, in His image, therefore he is also God. They also believe the world was first created as a pearl. Their holy books are Black Book and Book of Revelation. Their afterlife ideas are vague, but lean towards reincarnation. I found the religion fascinating and used it for my plot.

"Here's some advice. Stay Alive," says Haymitch, and then bursts out laughing.

I exchange a look with Peeta before I remember I'm having nothing more to do with him.

I'm surprised to see the hardness in his eyes. He generally seems so mild.