Customer Reviews

Sparks

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sparks is the sequel to Embers. Laura Bickle also has written under the Alayna Williams and Laura Mailoux. This review contains a SPOILER~~~~

I think this is a better book then her other two, this pretty much ends my reading of this author. It's not because she did anything horrible; this book is stronger then her other two. The problem comes in that she doesn't write the in-depth plots with deep characters I enjoy so rather then waste my time and money on hoping she will continue to grow as an author, I'll be moving my book money to others.

So let's get to the heart of the matter... Anya Kalinczyk is a Detroit Arson Investigator called to examine the scene of where elderly packrat and hoarder, Jasper Bernard, may be the first on record of spontaneous combustion. Before his ghost (spirit?) is sucked away, Bernard provides the only clue: "don't let her get the bottle."

As events start to unwind, Anya discovers that Hope Solomon, a charismatic, tele-evangelist may be the one collecting spirits. When Solomon eventually retreats to a Hades-like environ, the parallel to if Solomon wants to displace the devil in his work comes out strongly. Since the celestial bureaucracy can't be bothered with keeping this upstart in check, it falls to Anya, with her powers as a Lantern, and her salmander sidekick, Sparky, to take her down.

Unlike the predecessor, Embers, in Sparks actually starts Anya to question the afterlife. Is there one? Where do ghosts go? Where do they go when she, as a Lantern, `eats' them? Are they alive in any sense of the word? Anya finally starts to ask these bigger questions when she meets a conductor of souls. While the conductor gives her some tantalizing ideas and no firm answers (like most celestial guides), it's at least a start in the right direction with the plotline of these stories.

While I appreciated that the author finally grappling with these questions, it seems a little bit too late... I mean did Anya never question what she was doing and if it was morally right? What spiritual power gave her the right to consume ghosts of others? Are ghosts self-aware?

Anya just doing what Anya wants without any introspection is a huge problem with these stories and with the plots. For example, let's discuss the Ghost Hunting group. You have to ask yourself why Lucas, a close-minded, Bible thumper, who bosses Anya about (when Anya knows a lot more then he does about ghosts), would ever be considered a wise or effecient leader of DAGR? (melodramatic name that).

Indeed, it is through his actions as well as Brian (the boring boyfriend), Anya and the pseudo-Wiccan, Katie, that results in a woman and her husband being killed. Yet the ghost-hunting team just throws equipment crap in the van and speeds off to let the house burn and the people die. You can almost hear them do a little giggle and go "me bad!"

I found this offensive and wished that Anya had called them all out upon it. This isn't the first time that the Ghost Hunting group's actions has caused mayhem and death. It was through their stupidities in Embers that caused Anya to be possessed by a demon - that the wise mentor Ciro (aka Professor Xavier from the X-men lookalike but black) couldn't get her free of. The only good thing is that the Ciro dies of natural causes in the book and we are finally free of this trite character.

Brian continues as the lackluster love interest for Anya. However, Brian starts to be an individual when he presents the moral question of what is sentience, what is life vs. death, and explores his moral ambiguity when he takes a donated brain (oops! like most of the DAGR group he lives in the gray area as the brain turns out was not donated) and uses it for his mysteriously-funded experiments.

However, in the long run, Anya can't confront Brian and sidesteps it by just not bringing it up and cutting the brain-ghost free without Brian's knowledge (the brain-computer asking for her to do so was one of the highlights of the book).

While I liked Katie in the first book and saw potential in this character, in the second book I found her as vapid as the other ghost hunting crew. Has this author been watching too many Charmed repeats? Her interpretation of how someone practices Wicca reads like someting in a young adult book, with little research or thought put into this character.

Everything Katie does is contrary to the practices of Wicca. Wiccan's don't curse others - they know that curses come back upon them yet I guess this author couldn't resist putting in another stereotyped theme that would make the casual reader go "how cute!"

Totally unrealistic that her house burns down and her boss just shrugs it off? As an arson investigator she might have set it herself, or been the victim of retaliation. But like most things in this book, any inconvenient truth is shuffled off to the side, never to be thought of again.

Another thing that really irritated me was that SPOILER --- when it's found that Sparky the salamander is going to have offspring she is continually referred to as HE. As someone about ready to spawn a litter, at best she is a hermaphrodite and should still be referred to as SHE. With the continual references (and there are many) of calling Sparky he after being shown otherwise, and Anya's obvious hostility and disdain towards the human mothers in the baby store, it's rather obvious that either the author or the character have a huge problem with maternity.

What could have improved this book:

* Anya breaks with DAGR and has a face to face argument with Lucas and Brian about how unethical the DAGR practices are;

* More information and details on the law enforcement side such as Anya's fellow fire-fighters (could have produced a hunk boyfriend!), or more about how she got her job, her training, background etc...;

* Anya becoming truly introspective about why she has the talents of a Lantern and is it ethical for her to use those powers;

* Anya confronts Brian over his brain project;

* Some depth into what Sparky is and his/her purpose in Anya's life.

While the overwhole plot is far stronger then her other books (she also writes under Alayna Williams - not sure why the reviewer says Sparks is her second book - not true), it has a lot of problems that I just couldn't get around. Again and again I was wondering if I had stumbled into a plot of another book or a television series or movie. Obvious lifting of ideas came from: Charmed (television series), A Night at the Museum (movie), Ghost Hunters (television series), Charolotte's Web (book), and comic books (X-men).

Unfortunately, this book is in the shadow of much better works: A Madness of Angels (Kate Griffin) and Margaret Ronald's Spiral Hunt. If you like in-depth, complex reads, go elsewhere. If you just want a bit of fluff that doesn't stress your brain too much, this isn't so bad for a beach read.

While I liked this book better than it's predecessor, Embers, I still did not connect with the protagonist Anya. Although, there were a couple of moments, where I seemed to get close to feeling a connection, she was still all "facts and nothing but the facts" and little personality. For the most part, her persona felt impersonal. I appreciated the research and detail that went into developing Anya's arson investigator profession. I believe it. I also think the author does an amazing job with the arson crime enviroments. It was very descriptive and I could imagine walking through and seeing all the damage and smelling the ash and soot. I also think it was cool, that she was still on a self discovery of what being a Lantern was all about. The only problem I had with this, was she seemed to being asking the wrong questions and ignoring the ones that were right in front of her.

I had high hopes for Brian's character, so you can imagine my disappointment in him as the story went on. I felt that he loved Anya, but was heading down a path of a mad scientist persona. He wanted to have a more active part in Anya's life, but he was lying to her and she knew it. Pissed me off that she didn't call him out on it. Perhaps, in the next installment. He does have what was suppose to be romantic moment with her, although....Yawn!!! It felt more like booty call, there just wasn't any heart to it.

I find that Sparky was still my favorite character. He had no dialogue, but he had the most personality. He was cute, mischievous, and fun. But could be a badass when he needed to be. The author added a surprising and interesting twist as far as he was concerned. (You know a didn't see that coming moment.) Kate was fun and charming as always, and I really hope to see more of the new character, Charon in the future.

I thought the plot was very well done. Laura Bickle merges Anya's investigator profession with her Lantern responsibilites quite nicely. I also felt the author did an amazing job with the villian, Hope Solomon, a TV Evangelist who headed an organization called Miracles for the Masses. I found her to be very crediable in a creapy realistic way. Although, her mission was more of a paramid scheme with a sadistic twist. Hope Soloman preached all about paying it forward, helping those who had lost all hope. But in truth, it was more of a "deal with the devil" situation. When Anya and Hope interacted...there were definately sparks...

Overall, as mentioned above, I liked this second installment, better than the first, Embers. Although, I thought this book lacked the character depth needed to make the characters engaging, I thought the plot was very interesting and it kept me turning the pages. There were several moments, when the story would loose its momentum, but towards the end, it picked up nicely and gave a satisfying ending. I find it refreshing, that Laura Bickle steps out of the norm of urban fantasy and gives her readers something unigue and interesting. It was a nice blend of the afterworld, human spontaneous combustion, ghost hunting, and mythology. It defiantely gives the author a plethora of possiblities for future books.

Anya Kalinczyk is an arson investigator/firefighter for the City of Detroit, but she is also a Lantern. As a child, Anya was gifted a magical necklace by her mother which bonded and connected her to Sparky, an elemental who has the form of a salamander. Even though Anya is the only one who can see and sense Sparky, Anya has an invaluable resource in the fight to save the city of Detroit from all of the malicious ghosts and other paranormal activity that is taking place. Anya also has a terrific supporting cast of characters, who help her by using technical or supernatural abilities in her fight against evil. However, what Sparky and the gang don't take care of, Anya does by "eating" the spirits.

In this book, Anya is called to investigate what looks like a case of human spontaneous combustion, but upon arriving Anya and Sparky realize the entire house reeks of magic. Following the magical "trail" leads Anya to investigate a former scam artist who is preying on the good people of Detroit, as she kills them and uses their spirits to commit crimes and gain wealth. While Anya almost immediately makes the connection between the sudden rash of firey deaths to the con artist/community leader, it is her job to get concrete evidence to link Hope Solomon to the mysterious crimes being committed.

Sparks is one of those rare second books in a series that is even better than the first. However, please read Embers before reading Sparks to increase your enjoyment and understanding of this second book. The side characters - Ciro, Kate, Renee, etc. are wonderful, the mystery in each book is fascinating, and the details of the "other" world events are awesome. What really makes this series stand out is the author's writing. While all published authors are good to some degree, few can capture and hold your attention like Laura Bickle - sometimes graphic, sometimes disturbing, but always fascinating - Ms. Bickle is an extremely talented lady. I am eagerly looking forward to a third installment of this series.

Please don't be put off by the strange sounding plot and heroine, this is a series that rocks.

Detroit Fire Department arson investigator, Anya Kalinczyk is called to the scene of a gruesome fire at the home of Jasper Bernard. It seems that Jasper was a victim of spontaneous human combustion, although Anya knows something more sinister is at play. She can smell evil magic around the crime scene. Anya has this ability, because she is also a Lantern, a psychic medium who can see and talk to ghosts, as well as help them cross over to the other side.

Jasper has a connection to Hope Solomon, a fraudulent psychic who hides behind a non-profit organization that promises miracles to those who have lost all hope. She also goes around collecting spirits for her own devious means. Along with Anya's salamander familiar, Sparky, and her fellow group of paranormal investigators from the Detroit Area Ghost Researchers, she'll do whatever she can to stop Hope, even though she may be putting her life in danger, much like she did six months ago when her deceased, unstable lover tried to being forth a demon to destroy the world.

Sparks has this great element of suspense where you don't know what will happen to Anya next as she takes it upon herself to solve unnatural crimes that may just get her killed. Laura Bickle is very skilled at writing a taut police like procedural novel, but with many supernatural elements. Anya is always moving, never sitting still, and does a few questionable things that she should really think about first before she reacts.

One enjoyment in reading Sparks is Anya's loving protector, Sparky, who is adorable and will make readers laugh. The cast of characters Anya surrounds herself with, such as Brian, one of the ghost researchers who wants to take their relationship to the next level, brings forth a romantic element. Even with this subtle romance and the crime Anya is involved with, Sparks is very lackluster and loses momentum as Anya gets closer to the truth. Sparks falters toward the middle where one may question whether they should read to the very end.

Even with a few issues on my end, Sparks is a unique Urban Fantasy that has some merit, but one that may become lost in the shuffle of more exciting Urban Fantasies that are being released. If you're one who likes mystery with a nice paranormal slant, do give this latest by Laura Bickle a try. As for this reader, I'm not certain if I will continue reading with the next release.

Katiebabs

Embers

In Detroit, city fire department arson investigator Anya Kalinczyk works more than just the blazes as she is also a Lantern. Her latter skill is to send spirits into nothingness. Used to 24/7 shifts, six months ago, with her salamander familiar Sparky having her back, she faced the vaunting challenge of Sirrush (see Embers) and has been slow to rebound mentally.

Recently, Anya feels she is returning to her lifestyle pre Sirrush. However, her two skills merge when she is assigned an investigation into what has been purported to be spontaneous human combustion at the home of elderly wealthy Jasper Bernard who was caught in the inferno but left not an iota of a trace of his remains. Her inquiry leads to Hope Solomon who insists she grants miracles to her donors. While Sparky hatches the next generation, Anya senses something not quite right about her or her charity backers as if evil has taken hold feeding on the souls of the desperate.

The terrific second Kalinczyk urban fantasy is a great saga that works mostly because of the portrait of Detroit as a city with many ruins, but trying to recreate a new image. The heroine is fabulous as she keeps her wits and sense of humor in the midst of infernos (some created by unnatural arsons) while battling psychopathic and avarice arsonists and supernatural malevolent essences; in this preying on impoverish forlorn seeking miracles.

Harriet Klausner

Today's review is on Sparks by Laura Bickle

Sparks is the second book in Bickle's Anya Kalinczk series, and in my opinion lacked the sparks of a sequel.

It's been a few months since the death of her lover Drake, and Ayna is trying to go on with her life. One morning, she is woken up with a call from her Boss. There has been a fire in the home of a hoarder.

What seems to be an act of spontaneous combustion, sends Ayna on an adventure to stop Hope Solomon, a con artist posing as a Spiritual Adviser from Miracles for the Masses, from capturing and collecting spirits. With the help of "Death"; in the form of Charon, she travels into hell to stop her.

While working the case, she is confronted with the closed-mindedness of the others in DAGR regarding ghosts. She knows that they have feelings just as live people, whereas the others feel that once a person is dead they have now rights, or they are all evil.

Babies are born, loved ones die, and ghosts find happiness in the Afterlife.

Though Sparks had a decent story line, Anya's inability to stand up for herself and her beliefs was just to disappointing. For example, she questions Brian's moral's, but still stays with him in the end. Where's the drama?

Sparks is an alright book, but nothing special. I'm not sure if I would be interested in reading the next in this series, unless the characters change drastically.

3 of 5 stars

I have to start by again exclaiming about Sparky. Sparky having babies? Awesome! Anya's reaction to this, moving from incredulous and horrified to maternal and super protective was great. It felt very real.

I again loved the mythology in the story. It was a fresh look at old tales. Charon's character was unique and interesting. The continual use of ghosts as victims and allies was as enjoyable in this books as the first.

Overall, a great second book in the series. It was complete on its own, and yet a comprehensve part of the series.

I enjoy this series because its different. Its nice to hit a book that has something completely new and different in it every once in a while. Laura's characters are easy to like. There is none stop action and twists and turns. We get to see some of Anya's past and find out some stuff that even Anya didn't know about which will change her outlook on events she has gone through. I was actually starting to like Brian in the beginning but after some events in the book I just cant get into him again. Anya and Brian definitely have some issues that they need to work out and I'm interested to see how that plays out in future books. Just like in book one the plot is exciting and really pulls you in, the book is well paced. Sparky continues to be an awesome Sidekick and has life changing events of his own going on throughout the book. I cant even begin to guess what Laura will come up with for the next book but I'm excited about this series and I will continue reading it.

Lieutenant Anya Kalinczyk is an arson investigator for the Detroit Fire Department. She is also the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern. Ghosts are drawn to Anya and if she decides a spirit is malicious, Anya devours them with a simple breath. On the side, Anya is a reluctant member of the Detroit Area Ghost Researchers (DAGR). The group only calls Anya when they believe she will be needed to exterminate a harmful spirit. Around Anya's neck is a torque/necklace shaped like a small salamander. When out in public, Anya's familiar, Sparky, naps within it. Sparky is a hellbender, a fire elemental salamander. He only bothers to wake himself up under three conditions: when it suits his preternatural whims, when ghosts are around, or when danger is near. To most people, Sparky is invisible and, other than Anya, he can only affect energy fields. He especially loves to play with electronic equipment.

Captain Marsh, her supervisor at DFD, calls Anya to the home of elderly Jasper Bernard. Jasper had been within the house when it was consumed by flames. Anya is stunned to find a lack of Jasper's remains. It looks as though Jasper's actual cause of death was spontaneous human combustion. Captain Marsh believes Detroit has too many bizarre things happening already and orders Anya to find a way - any way - that could explain Jasper's death to be normal. Anya finally links the event, and a few others, to Hope Solomon, head of Miracles for the Masses. Hope is a celebrity psychic who promises miracles for money to Detroit's poor. Hope is entrapping spirits and forcing them to do her bidding. After meeting Anya, Hope decides that she also wants Sparky and the fire elemental's freshly hatched newts.

**** FOUR STARS! Laura Bickle may be one of the newest authors within the Urban Fantasy circles, but she is quickly making a name for herself. With this, the second Anya Kalinczyk story, Laura has proven that she has what it takes to survive and thrive in the publication world. Intriguing characters, fresh plot materials, and Sparky, the unusual sidekick, gives this series a combination of flavors that you won't find anywhere else. I expect big things in the future from Laura Bickle. ****


Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Sparks by Laura Bickle
Paranormal Romance- August 31st, 2010
4 ½ stars

Six months after her skirmish with a fire dragon, Anya has resumed her normal life. She juggles her daytime job as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, her activities with a paranormal investigation team, and her new relationship with Brian, the ghost researchers' tech guy. Life is so far is good until Anya is called to investigate a rash of human combustion cases that link to a suspicious non-profit group. To make matters worse, Anya's loyal salamander sidekick, Sparky, has hatched 51 baby eggs, and Anya has to balance nanny duties on top of her investigations! Soon, Anya has to fight off an evil villain that's causing the human combustion phenomena and targeting Sparky and his precious babies...

Laura Bickle knows how to set up a story. At first, the plot seems to consist of myriad of problems, all seemingly unrelated to each other, but towards the end, all the plotlines just merged beautifully to present this cohesive and fun read that vibrates with humor and excitement. In short, Sparks is as good as Embers (her first book), and it really makes me wish that Bickle could write faster! I must admit though that I am a bit concerned at the lack of an overarching plotline. I mean, yes, Anya is on a journey to discover more about herself and her ability as a Lantern, but I'm worried that without a long-term goal, Bickle's series will end up like Laura Hamilton's long running "Anita Blake" - poorly quality, irrelevant, and seen by fans as a way to milk more of their hard-earned cash. I sincerely hope that Anya's journey has a finishing line. Even though I will be sad when the last book comes, it will make me cherish the series even more.

In the meantime, Bickle gives us a wonderful 2nd novel. There are so many times I found myself giggling while reading Sparky's antics (warming his belly on a foot high flame! LOL). To me, Sparky is the heart of book. His endearing innocence and love is what gives Anya the courage to keep moving forward. Anya is once again deftly brought to life by Bickle. Instead of a stereotypical tough as nail chick heroine that's been recycled to death, Anya is fragile and conflicted about her relationship with Brian. She can be tough when she has to, but for most of the time, she's reminds me of Peter Parker from Spiderman. She just wants to be normal, and that is precisely why Anya is a believable and endearing character. You can't help but root for her. Bickle also introduces a new character - Charon. We don't get to see much of his personality, but I am excited to read more about him in the third book. Will he plays a much more pivotal role in the future? I do hope so.

In short, Sparks is a great read. Bickle has once again proven that she's an awesome writer that can concoct a wonderful blend of fantasy, humor, and romance. I definitely can't wait for the next book! Long live Sparky!!

Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club