Felidae
by Akif Pirincci
I became aware of Felidae while reading a nerd blog (at work, of course). I was intrigued by a comment made on Topless Robot's daily list from May 6, 2010, which you can find here. So I decided to find it. I ordered it from a book recycling service, because the book is out of print in English. For a while, I was thinking I'd have to learn German in order to read it, but I found it at last. The acquisition of this book made me realize that I'm now a collector - not for the sake of collecting itself, but my personal library has now reached the point where I'm reluctant to lend out any of my books. I doubt I'll lend Felidae to anybody - I'm not sure getting a replacement copy would be easy.
Felidae is about a cat named Francis, who moves into a fixer-upper flat with his cheerful owner. Almost immediately, Francis is confronted with the notion that his new neighborhood is not the nice part of town it may appear, because there is a murderer on the loose. Cats are being killed, and Francis discovers what the victims have in common, learns the truth about his new digs, and confronts the murderer. More than just a mystery, Felidae also explores some horrifying ideas about "science" and cruelty.
The Red Pyramid
by Rick Riordan
Having eagerly devoured Rick Riordan's previous series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, I didn't think twice before buying The Red Pyramid when it was released, and I did not regret it. Carter and Sadie are estranged siblings that are reunited by the sudden disappearance and probable death of their father. Guided by their father's strange associates, Carter and Sadie are introduced to a world they didn't know existed, in which the old gods of Egypt exist and seem to have plans for the two of them.
Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer
by Jonathan L. Howard
I discovered this book through the magic that is NPR's Books podcast. Though I'm not well acquainted with the steampunk genre, I took to this book immediately. Johannes Cabal, having sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for the knowledge of necromancy a few years before the beginning of the book, decides that he must have it back in order to further his research. Satan strikes a deal with him: Johannes must collect contracts for 100 souls in exchange for his own within a year's time, or the Devil will claim his life along with his soul. In order to give Johannes the means by which he could collect these souls, the Devil furnishes him with a traveling carnival. Johannes enlists the help of the undead and his vampire brother to fulfill his agreement. Full of dark humor and extremely well-written, I couldn't put this book down.
Johannes Cabal: The Detective
by Jonathan L. Howard
The second installment of the Johannes Cabal series, we meet up with the necromancer in a small land-locked and war-torn country, having been unsuccessful in his attempt to "borrow" a book on necromancy to assist him in his quest to cure death. Johannes escapes his pursuers by boarding an aeroship making its maiden voyage across the border. Though he expects nothing more than a relaxing trip to freedom, Johannes finds himself investigating the probable murder of a fellow passenger. Despite his powerful curiosity, Johannes could have left well enough alone, but it becomes personal when an attempt is made on his own life. Aided by a previous acquaintance, Johannes delves deeper into mystery and politics.
All of these books are awesome. I'd recommend them all.
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