The Egyptian by Layton Green

Title:  The Egyptian

Author:  Layton Green

Genre:  Mystery/Suspense

Publisher:  First Ward    

Publication Date:  27th August 2011 

Stand alone or series:  Book 2 in the Dominic Grey Series 

Pages:  325 pages 

Book Received from:  Author - Layton Green

First Lines: Siti hummed to himself as he picked his way through the crypts and mausoleums shrouded by eerie blue fog.

Synopsis:
At a mausoleum in Cairo’s most notorious cemetery, a mercenary receives a package containing a silver test tube suspended in hydraulic stasis.

An investigative reporter tracking rogue biomedical companies is terrified by the appearance of a mummified man outside her Manhattan apartment.

A Bulgarian scientist who dabbles in the occult makes a startling discovery in his underground laboratory

These seemingly separate events collide when Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek, private investigators of cults, are hired by the CEO of an Egyptian biomedical firm to locate stolen research integral to the company’s new life extension product. However, after witnessing the slaughter of a team of scientists by the remnants of a dangerous cult thought long abandoned, Grey and Viktor turn from pursuers to pursued.

From the gleaming corridors of visionary laboratories to the cobblestone alleys of Eastern Europe to a lost oasis in the Sahara, Grey and Viktor must sift through science and myth to uncover the truth behind the Egyptian and his sinister biotech – before that truth kills them.

My Thoughts:
After thoroughly enjoying The Summoner, I was stoked when Layton Green had asked for me to review The Egyptian, the second book in the Dominic Grey series. Of course I had to find out what was in store for Grey and Viktor and eagerly accepted.


The Egyptian begins with the opening scene of a man named Siti weaving his way through crypts and mausoleums in The City of the Dead in Cairo, Egypt to deliver a package and hopefully disappear with his family but things don't work out the way they are supposed to. Right from the first couple of chapters I was completely roped in. I had so many questions that needed answering and the appearance of something so horrifying at the end of the first chapter that it's not described left me itching to find out more.




Dominic Grey the main character has become a favourite of mine. For someone with such a troubled childhood filled with abuse of all sorts and a background as interesting and full on as his, he comes across as a genuine yet quite complex character. Viktor, Grey's business partner is another unusually complex character driven by his curiousity and need for knowledge. Viktor's what you'd call a 'cult expert' and first met Grey in The Summoner when Grey is sent to investigate a missing diplomat.


Layton has done a fantastic job at creating believable three dimensional characters that draw you into the story and make you forget that you're just reading a book. The story line is full of unexpected turns and twists and jam packed with history, myths and facts circling around the legendary 'elixir of life' and the rumours of its existence. I'm constantly amazed at the depth and knowledge Layton infuses into The Egyptian and it was so easy to picture the places Grey, Viktor and Veronica travel to on their quest to find answers to what is going on.


All in all another fantastic edition to the Dominic Grey series and I look forward to reading more from Layton in the future.


Original posted on Book Lovers Inc website :)

Winter's Shadow on Itunes!

Apple is promoting Winter's Shadow through their iTunes store for a special price of $4.99 for a limited time. This promotion starts Tuesday 30 August, so if you haven't read Winter's Shadow yet, now's your chance :)

Waiting on Wednesday (70)

Waiting on Wednesday was brought to you by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!

This week I've picked The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle.  This book will be out on the 6th September 2011.

Synopsis (Goodreads)

Anyone who’s had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It’s all about Before and After. What I’m talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy.

Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss—a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.

Jennifer Castle’s debut novel is a heart-wrenching, surprisingly witty testament to how drastically life can change in the span of a single moment.

What are you waiting on this week?

Birthday Giveaway!!

Hi all,

Since it's my birthday I've decided we NEED another giveaway.  Yep can't get too many of them I reckon.

So up for grabs is one signed copy of Passion by Lauren Kate and One copy of Everlasting by Alyson Noel.

What you need to know:

You don't have to be a follower but it is always appreciated.

Closes 13th September 11:59pm AEST

Feel free to spread the word!

That's it!!

The First winner picked will get a choice out of the two books 

The second winner will get the remaining book.

Redheart by Jackie Gamber

Title:  Redheart

Author:  Jackie Gamber

Genre:  Young Adult/Fantasy  

Publisher:  Seventh Star Press  

Publication Date:  6th April 2011 

ISBN:  9780983108672

Stand alone or series:  1st Book in the Leland Dragon series

Pages:  294 pages 

Book Received from:  Publisher  

First Lines:  Kallon soared.  He thrust his crimson wings to chase the clouds, tethered to the earth by only his massive shadow. 

Synopsis: 

Enter the lands of Leland Province, where dragon and human societies have long dwelled side by side. Superstitions rise sharply, as a severe
drought strips the land of its bounty, providing fertile ground for the darker ambitions of Fordon Blackclaw, Dragon Council Leader, who
seeks to subdue humans or wipe them off the face of the land.
As the shadow of danger creeps across Leland Province, a young dragon named Kallon Redheart, who has turned his back on dragons and
humans alike, comes into an unexpected friendship. Riza Diantus is a young woman whose dreams can no longer be contained by the narrow
confines of her village, and when she finds herself in peril, Kallon is the only one with the power to save her. Yet to do so means he must confront
his past, and embrace a future he stopped believing in.

My Thoughts:
Redheart is the first  in the Leland Dragon series and probably the first book I've come across where you hear from the dragon's point of view as well as the humans.  I must admit it took me a couple of chapters to really get into this story as it's told from multiple point of views which include Kallon, Riza, Jastin and Blackclaw.
The story revolves around Kallon Redheart a talking dragon.  Kallon is the last of the red dragons and has isolated himself off from the rest of his species.  He's bitter, and pessimistic, and spends alot of time on his own in Leland province, his territory.  The only person who visits is an old wizard by the name of Orman.  The rest of the town is frightened of the dragons so Kallon keeps his distance.  When Kallon is out in the sky one day flying over the drought stricken land, he comes a cross a woman who is being tormented by a group of men.  Kallon steps in and scares off the group and takes the unconscious Riza back to his cave until she wakes up.  It's there that Riza and Kallon spark up an unusual friendship.  One that Kallon denies exists in the beginning.

While it took me longer to get into the story, once I did I was absorbed in what was going to happen next. I found myself cheering for the underdog at the best of times and cursing when things weren't going in their benefit.  I think Jackie has done a brilliant job at portraying each character with depth and substance that really brings them to life.

I really enjoyed reading Redheart.  I love how the author has included the map at the beginning to help the reader follow along on the journey and the glossy prints that were included with Redheart were awesome!


Great Book

In My Mailbox (76)

In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by The Story Siren.

For Review:

The Atheist's Daughter by Renee Harrell

The Undertaker by William E. Brown

A Singular Gift by Sue Santore

Thank you for sending these to me. :)

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Thank you Penguin for sending this to me

Bought:

Nothing this week

So what did you get in your IMM?

Sticky Beak (64)

Sticky Beak is all about sharing. Sometimes we can't all get around to every single blog and website available so that's where Sticky Beak comes in. By word of mouth (well you get what I mean) we are more likely to get to those blogs that we wouldn't have normally seen without someone pointing them out to us.


The links could be to your own post, a favourite blog post you would love to share, an authors blog/website, book/writing contests, reviews you really enjoyed, tour info or anything you would love to share with others. Just use the comments below to add your link!


Here's Mine:


Cool Stuff To Check Out:
You Tube: Melbourne Writers Festival 2011 Cinema Ad LOL Not bad at all :)
League of Reluctant Adults:  Sacrificial Magic Exerpt.  The Fourth Book in Stacia Kane's Downside Series
GalleyCat: NaNoWriMo Writer Lands 6-Figure Deal after 30 Rejections.  Cool huh?!


For Writers:
Rachelle Gardner: Author Advances - Is there Such a Thing as Too Much?
The Writer's Coffee Shop: Need inspiration? Check out the challenges .
Bubble Cow: Do I Need an Agent?


That's all from me for now.  Please feel free to add your links below!!  Share the love :)