October is my annual Bradbury homage, where I review all sorts of scary-type books. I actually wrote a paragraph last night explaining why I don't review more teen vamp/werewolf fiction which I hope explains that it's not the subject but the way it is written which frustrates me lately. Having said that though, I have managed to thus far read one werewolf, one vamp and one ghost book for the column and all are fabulous. Go figure. Of course these aren't YA exactly (the ghost is MG though) so that might be part of why they succeeded with me. Here's a tiny bit on each:

THE HAUNTING OF CHARLES DICKENS by Lewis Buzbee - I am a huge fan of Buzbee's earlier title STEINBECK'S GHOST and came to this one with high hopes. Firmly set in Victorian London, it follows the adventures of Meg and her family as they search for her older brother Orion who they fear has been "press ganged". As Meg's father is a printer, they are well acquainted with Dickens and he becomes involved in the search which helps him conquer his own demon of writer's block. There is a ghost, more than one villain, some very odd townspeople, scary moments and all in all a most satisfying historical mystery. Buzbee has shot another one out of the park - these are really great literary books that I recommend for reluctant teen readers as well.

THE WHITE CITY by Elizabeth Bear. Can I just say how very much I adore Ms. Bear and her Don Sebastien vampire novellas? Following on the heels of NEW AMSTERDAM (my review) we have Sebastien, Lady Abigail and Phoebe in 1903 alt history Moscow when a most nefarious plot seem to be afoot. Moving back and forth in time to Sebastien's previous visit to the city six years earlier (without the ladies) this follows-up on the fallout of the previous title while still easily standing alone for new readers. It's very much an adult vamp novel - some vamp politics, a decent mystery and also a look at love over centuries. GBLTQ readers will also like seeing the casual (as in "no big deal") way in which Bear addresses same sex relationships. I just love Lady Abigail and how Bear writes women, period. All of them are smart and talented and determined to be independent and make their own way - while happily reaching out to folks they care about. Nice.

CURSE OF THE WOLF GIRL by Martin Millar. Oh Man, did I ever love this one. On the heels of LONELY WEREWOLF GIRL, (which I loved) Millar puts readers right back into that world, completely following up on those events - and reading the books in order is mandatory if you want to have a clue what is going on. There are still multiple plot threads with everything from high fashion, pop music, remedial college and opera addressed as well as werewolf hunters, werewolves addicted to drugs, werewolves plotting to overthrow each other and werewolves seeking revenge and thus killing each other. Somehow - yet again- Millar perfectly blends the crazy (trying to get a review from a fashion "it girl" blogger) and bloody violent (arms are ripped off, throats are ripped out, bodies fly all over the place, you get the picture). There is also no small amount of intrigue on the Fire Elemental front - an alternate universe which includes a close friend or two of the wolves but is facing its own infighting dramarama. Kalix, our teen heroine, is still a somewhat crazy werewolf, still an addict and still on the outs from her family (for killing her father and brother) but this time she does have a few close friends, is trying to learn and is even thinking before she acts (a huge personal improvement). More than anything, Millar writes the kind of guilty pleasure books that you don't have too feel guilty about. They are creative, unusual and dizzying in how fast they move and how intricately they are plotted. Must reads for paranormal fans who think there is something more to wolves then furry sex.

Yes, I said it. MORE THAN FURRY SEX!

All books provided by pubs, and all books to be formerly reviewed in October!