Curse of the Wolf Girl by Martin Millar

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is the book that gave me the most enjoyment this year.

It seems to be in a genre of its own: violent and whimsical, fantistical and grounded in reality, funny and soaked in sadness.

This is the second volume in the Kalix series and it is even better than the first. What more can you ask of a sequel?

It seems to me the title refers not just to Kalix but to all the femal werewolves. They are all cursed in one way or another.

This is a book bursting with memorable characters and with a plot that makes you want to keep turning the pages (which is just as well -it's a big book)

At the heart of this book is a deep understanding of dysfunctional families and the bonds and enemnities they harbour and a belief in the power of freely given friendship.

My personal favourite in this book is Vex, the fire elemental. At first she seems to be the airhead incarnate but it becomes clear that her optimism is a choice not a habit and that she is loyal and brave as well as being completely off the wall.

Kalix remains self-abusive and damaged but she is portrayed with an empathy and compassion that beats anything I've seen in mainstream fiction.

Do yourself a favour: buy this book and then buy a copy for your best friend - you'll need someone to talk to when you've finished this who will know what it is that you're so excited about.



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An absurd idea

I'm in a hotel tonight (as usual). This chain has come up with a smart advertising idea that led my tired mind to absurd places.

The first piece of text to snag my eye reads:

"15 Minute Satisfaction Guarantee"

How many men can offer that 365 nights a year? I asked myself.

Then I saw what they meant was that they'd take care of any maintenance problem in the room (my specific problem is that the TV remote is now so remote it's no longer in the room).

But what they said was:

"Got a problem? We promise to take care of your problem within 15 minutes or you will be our guest."

So now I'm sitting here wondering if I get a free night's accommodation if I ring Reception and say "My problem is global warming. You have 14 minutes and 45 seconds remaining" or perhaps it needs to be more personal to be "my" problem so I should say, "My problem is that I'm bored, tired, too far away from home and I think that this is normal?"

Nah.

Because I know my problem is... my head runs off like a hound following the scent of a bitch in heat every time an extra meaning grafts itself on to some else's prose.

I've joined the crew at Oh Get A Grip

I'm pleased to announce that I've joined the "Oh Get A Grip" blog. Six erotica writers post each week on a given theme. There is a guest writer on Saturdays.

I have the Thursday slot

This week's theme is Writer's Burn Out

If you want to take a look, go here