Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
Jane True, Book 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: Paperback, 368 pages
Published: November 1, 2009 by Orbit
ISBN: 978-0316056588
Received From: Purchased
Book Blurb:
Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.
Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.
It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever-rub the genie's lamp.
If you loveSookie Stackhouse, then you'll want to dive into Nicole Peeler's enchanting debut novel.
My Ramblings:
I first noticed Tempest Rising because of it's colorful and youthful cover. I always wonder how a book's cover will fit into the story itself. After reading Tempest Rising, the cover and the title makes perfect sense for this book.
Tempest Rising has a good plot and colorful characters but it's not your typical Urban Fantasy novel. Oh, you'll read about a very interesting take on gnomes, selkies, kelpies, vampires, succubi, and more but you won't find a kick-ass heroine living in a dark and gritty city. No, what you'll find is Jane, who is a quiet and withdrawn on a journey of self discovery, needing to find away to accept her past. Jane is quiet and withdrawn with good reason. She has been shunned by the small-minded town folks of Rockabill for being different. For having a mother who was different and who disappeared without a trace, leaving her to take care of her ill father. And years later, she is still agonizing over the death of her first love. Jane doesn't always speak her mind but she has unconventional and funny thoughts - about everything. I loved the humor in this book, it had me rolling a few times. I even read out loud a couple of the passages to those around me while I was reading this book.
Shy Jane starts to blossom while helping Ryu, a charismatic vampire, investigate the murder of a town visitor. While I liked Jane and Ryu, I didn't really like them together. I wanted to see more for Jane in the romance department. But with the romance aspect aside, the ending made this book for me. I can't wait to find out where Jane's new life is heading in the next book.
Normally, I tend to lean towards bad ass heroines in my Urban Fantasy reads but I was pleasantly surprised by my liking of timid Jane True. Not everyone who comes through hardships in their lives ends up tough as nails, some take a different road.
My Rating: 
Places you can find Nicole: Web Site | Twitter
Jane True Series:
- Tempest Rising
- Tracking the Tempest - June 29, 2010
Other Ramblings:
22 comments:
Great review! I am looking forward to this book. Like you I love humor in books and strong heroines. I am excited to read about Jane as a softer (right word?) female lead.
Thank you! Yes, 'softer' is a good word to describe Jane. And you'll find plenty of humor in Tempest Rising. Jane is very funny in her thoughts.
Donna,
Great review! I can't wait for the next installment.
M
This was a great read. I am excited to see where it goes. I think it was a great debut novel for Nicole Peeler.
Michelle - Thanks! Same here. :)
Elie - I'm very interested on how everything will play out. Very!
I think I might like this one. I was really attracted to Percy as a character from Strangely Beautiful - she had a quiet, yet inner strength I was attracted. What I can't stand are female characters that are weak minded.
This one seems like my cup of tea. Great review.
KC - Yep, she does have spirit and pretty healthy libido to boot. I should have mentioned that!
This definitely is a different take on the UF heroine and it always trigger my intrigue how I would experience such a story. keeping my eye out for this one, thanks Donna ;)
Leontine - It is a different from your usual fare of UF, because of the heroine. She is not kick ass at all.
The book looks so cute, I just wanna eat it up :D
Awesome review Donna! I just bought this book and can't wait to read it! I always look forward to your reviews! :)
Btw...you have an award. http://lillybook.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-award.html
Hmm. Maybe. :)
So glad that you liked this one Donna! Loved Jane and that she wasn't the typical kick-ass heroine. Thought Nicole did a great job, and her sense of humor really came through. Great review!
I am so glad you enjoyed this book. I love the character Jane has and the person that she is, is so much fun. This is an awesome start for Nicole.
I am just waiting for the second book. :)
Blodeuedd - I know! This cover fascinates me.
Lily - Aww thank you! I hope you enjoy it. I'll be by soon at your place. :)
Chris - Well, that's better than a flat out "No". LOL!
Alexia - Same here, it really was a different sort of read as far as UF heroines go.
Melissa - I can't wait to see what Jane does next!
Loved your review. Tempest Rising sounds like a delightful book. I would love to read so maybe someone will have one to giveaway. LOL
Great review Donna:
This one does sound unique. :) I also love the cover art, from your review it would seem the cover suits the story quite well. :-)
L
Miss Kallie - Thank you! Giveaways are a great to get introduced to a new author, I like them too.
Lea - It is a unique take on what you usually see in UF, I liked it. The cover is awesome! Thank you!!
I too found this cover fascinating and have this book waiting for me to pick it up and read it. Looks like I might need to do that sooner rather then later. Great review!
Ruthann - I think the cover is one of the most interesting ones I've seen this past year. I hope you enjoy Tempest Rising when you get the chance to read it. Thank you!!
Hi Donna!
I actually have this one sitting in the stacks. I need to go look it up and read it, sounds pretty good even if the heroine is as kick ass as I normally read (which is why I've been letting it sit!).
Thanks for reminding me to read it!
Dottie :)
Hey Dottie! Same here about the kick ass heroines. Like I said I was surprised I liked Jane and I'm looking forward to next book. When in the mood for something that's not a very dark urban fantasy but one on the softer side, give this one a try.
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